Our series on racehorse owners continues with the Keating family

How did you get into racehorse ownership?

Racing is in my blood, we have always had horses as a family both breeding and racing,

My late Dad John, grandfather Paddy and uncles Brendan and Stephen, along with my lifetime family friend and a man I always considered an uncle, Nicky O’Leary, worked at the start at courses all year round in various roles. We were the first team in Ireland to work at the starting stalls in 1966 and there has been a Keating checking girths or loading horses in stalls for the last 75 years.

I am the third generation involved though I think it will stop with me as my sons like to have their weekends off. Racing is definitely a vocation,

Currently I share in the horses with my mother, Mary and my brother Anthony. We have had horses in training in both Britain and Ireland over the years.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The most recent were Bective Cave winning at Clonmel and Roscommon within four days last month. It was a long road to get him right and Matthew (Smith) did a great job. Andrew Lynch recommended switching him back to two miles for Clonmel. Thanks also has to go to Tommy McGivern, former jockey supreme, for picking him out of Paddy and Marie Crinions’ field. (Paddy bred him and Marie was my Dad’s first cousin).

The best day from memory was when Assigh Lady, who we bred and broke, won the Rockingham, trained by Des McDonogh and was given a superb ride by a young Billy Lee. You could recognise the real horsemanship of Dad in the breaking of the horse as she had such a light mouth that when Billy switched her wide it was like a show horse reacting to its rider. Few horses nowadays are given the time in schooling and breaking that’s needed.

We celebrated in style in the Curragh that day and continued well into the evening in that great racing pub Manzors in Clane. Dad was on the recovery from a major operation – what a boost that was to him.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Uncertainty – not knowing if a horse is going to get into a race until the day before if you’re liable for ballot and being able to make arrangements with family and friends.

Not knowing how the handicapper will assess your horse’s performance mindful of the fact that it takes three-four wins a year to pay to keep a horse in training. It’s not worthwhile staying in training in Ireland once you go to high up the handicap.

Trying to second guess the weather and possible ground conditions. Hoping you get a good draw.

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

I need to be careful here as I work for a lot of them and don’t want to offend anyone!

I was very impressed with Roscommon having Sandra Hughes to meet and greet the winning connections, she was excellent. The post-race drink brought back the feeling of belonging to the racing family which has been lost touch over the last number of years.

Fairyhouse lays on a decent meal which I think should be automatic at all racecourses as owners are their clients and need to be cared for as in any good business model.

It’s not really a case of which racecourse treats their owners best but rather the Association of Irish Racecourses recognising the need to provide top level hospitality to their clients - the owners, trainers and punters.

Punchestown, Leopardstown, Navan and Naas are all fantastic courses, I love the atmosphere and friendliness of Bellewstown and the uniqueness of Laytown.

The Curragh holds special memories for us especially as Dad and I were driving up from the start with half the stall handlers while listening to Assigh Lady winning her first of four wins there. We broke all speed records to get back up in time for the presentation. It was her last chance and she obliged on Mam’s birthday. Anthony whose was already on hand to lead her in along with Mam, my sisters Kay and Fiona and aunts Pearl and Hilary. What a great occasion.

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

I love both.

On the breeding end we normally aim for the flat with better purses available. I would like to see a return to more sprints, let’s try and breed the fastest horses.

The National Hunt has many more characters and stronger following from the public. It attracts bigger crowds and you do get the adrenaline buzz for a lot longer.

Mixed cards offer the best of both worlds like Galway, Killarney and Bellewstown.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

First and foremost horsemanship; a trainer needs to be completely understanding of a horse’s make up and that’s why I am never too keen on big stables where a horse may become a number.

I watch for simple things in the handling of a horse, not to bully them but also not to spoil them. For instance how they wash down a horse after work, a hose to the head is a complete no no to me. Just simply use a sponge, horses react to gestures and movement more than voices.

I like a trainer to utilise the best available team around him, good work riders and top jockeys, incorporating team players like Ted Mc Loughlin our chiropractor.

Being good at engaging and discussing the upcoming calendar is also important. If a horse has limited ability sharing this is vital, it’s a game about winning but horses also need time.

I need to be able to enjoy a good laugh with trainers. Owners also need to let the trainer make most of the decisions, after all that’s what we pay them for.

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

Improvements need to be made all round not only for owners.

I was taken aback when having to pay €50 for a DVD of my horse winning; this should be free for all winners and at a token price for all runners.

Punters need to enjoy better facilities and more choice in food and racecourse packages; it’s often only the corporate sector that get quality while the ordinary racegoer gets the same menu for the last 30 years. Management need to recognise the new generation of racegoers and their changing tastes.

I can never understand why bookmakers are made to work in Irish weather without adequate protection from the elements. The punters, won’t always engage when there is no comfort.

There are a lot of good initiatives going on in racing which need to enhanced.

How do you feel owners are treated when not having a winner?

All owners should be engaged with when on course, being recognised and greeted should be paramount.

I would love to see HRI support an initiative to encourage breeders to race or sell to smaller owners so as we may all compete at the top table. Too often there are practically benefit races for owners with multiple runners in races.

All owners deserve equal respect as the cost is constant and numbers are vital.

What significance do your colours hold?

Our colours are derived from our family crest. There was a discussion on having the Dubs colours but Dad being a Meath man rejected this.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

We generally breed to race but when we do buy I love a horse with an eye you can shave yourself in, big ears are good and outside the normal conformation a strong neck and quarters are necessary. I do like stallions that are currently producing winners.

I also like to take advice from friends in the game, additional eyes will always help.

What horses do you currently have in training?

We have Bective Cave with Mathew Smith and have John’s Legend returning from injury. He has a lot of potential if staying injury free.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Probably we will go back to Roscommon with Bective with a possible eye on Galway. I think he also has a potential future over fences.

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

We have a very nice Zoffany yearling out of an Invincible Spirit mare that looks like she will make an early two-year-old. We also have a good mare in foal to Equiano who I think is a very good cross.

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

Put on more bonus or higher value races like premier style handicaps for horses within particular brackets that have won one or two races - great competition and fantastic finishes.

Owners with multiple runners should be restricted within the ballot. I don’t think it’s correct that one owner could have three or four runners in a race and another has his horse balloted out.

Small trainers need a hell of a lot more support. Excellent trainers are handing in their licences due to restrictive costs. Licence fees should be token only and insurance should be available through group schemes.

We are heading towards a system where only a few big stables will exist, is this what we want?

There are too many management jobs in racing and I would love to see these costs reduced and the savings put back into the grass roots, supporting young and small trainers and owners.

Monetary gain needs to be more evenly spread, a bit like German soccer support all sectors and they are the world champions.

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

Go for it, don’t be afraid to live the dream. There is no greater enjoyment than watching your horse compete in your colours and if you win the adrenaline rush is incomparable.

Embrace the handicapper and hope he isn’t too severe on you and don’t be afraid to take on the bigger horses. If you want to keep costs down initially go for pre-training but make sure to give your trainer plenty of time.

Finally horses make jockeys but jockeys make winners so always look for the best available.

And remember that those who know don’t tell and those who tell don’t know. It’s your choice on the day, keep the bookies guessing!

Pat Keating was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton