How did you get into racehorse ownership?

It was through a neighbour of ours who lived at Knockaney Stud in Co Limerick, Evan Williams. He won the 1937 Grand National on Royal Mail and then guided the great Golden Miller to his final and fifth Gold Cup in 1938.

He relocated to Ireland after the war and hunted the Tipperary hounds.

We had bought a farm about 40 years ago which had accommodation. He suggested buying a mare and also a yearling.

The mare’s daughter was Homewrecker and she was the great, great grandam of my current horses Line Break and Stand Off.

The yearling turned out to be a half-brother of Wayward Lad so that was not a bad start.

I bred Swift Messenger out of Homewrecker by Giolla Meara and the first time she ran I was hooked.

Monterey Bay was a Punchestown Festival winner in 2005.

What was your best day at the races and why?

That first win of Swift Messenger’s which was approximately in 1982. I owned Swift Messenger in partnership with Evan Williams’ wife Gill who was a sister of Kim Muir. More racing families!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Hard to think of one. As long as the horse and rider returns uninjured. That’s the most important thing.

In your experience, which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

The racing experience for owners has improved considerably on nearly all tracks. Keeping owners happy seems to be more part of HRI’s business.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

Jumps. I think as a small owner there is a real prospect of getting a good horse.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Someone who is honest and a good communicator and is obviously talented. I had horses with Christy Roche and Line Break is the first horse I have had with Padraig Roche.

I’m very impressed with what he predicted about the horse and how he is following through from early on.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

In a survey by Horse Racing Ireland of owners’ opinions, the offering was judged to be good on the whole.

What significance do your colours hold?

I chose them. There used to be a rugby tournament whereby Ireland and Scotland played jointly against England and Wales. The colours of the respective teams were green/blue and white/red. So I picked the former.

There weren’t as many international matches in those days and this series of matches produced open rugby, often a great spectacle.

I played some matches for Leinster.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Trainers recommend horses which I choose. My son Kevin, who was a successful amateur jockey, is involved as well and goes to the sales.

I have been to the sales but have nothing much to add!

What horses do you currently have in training?

I have Line Break with Padraig Roche and her half-brother Stand Off with Philip Fenton. We’re looking for a bit of ground for him.

I have a pointer with Enda Bolger, who should be out for a run in a few weeks, Drews Court.

I have flat horse Crotchet with Joseph O’Brien in partnership with Sheena McElroy. She placed second in a listed race at Dundalk last November and the came third in a listed race in Deauville last December.

We’ll keep her for breeding.

Have you any horses to look forward to? (i.e young/unbroken horses?

Yes we have some young ones coming along at home. Kevin breaks them and they go away to be ridden.

We have about 10-15 horses about the place, including mares and their progeny. I enjoy having them here.

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

I don’t believe in tinkering with the programme. The high standard of racing must be maintained; it could be too easy to dumb down the product. The standard of horses in Ireland whether in bumpers, maidens or novices is higher than it’s ever been.

The industry is lucky to have the type of owners who are at the top of the game and to have such high-class trainers.

There’s never been such strength in Irish owned and trained horses. And that works itself through so that people can breed and sell horses successfully.

The mares’ programme in racing has hugely improved. The people who pushed for this and HRI who devised these races deserve credit.

It strengthens the breeding line.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?

I had a filly called Go For It, a half-sister to Swift Messenger – all from the same family.

So do just that.

I certainly would encourage people into racehorse ownership and to get yourself into the right hands.

We’ve really enjoyed racing, my wife Geraldine and all my family.

John Power was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.