How did you get into ownership?

Myself, Fran O’Sullivan were working together compiling pedigrees and we decided to purchase a racehorse. We got a couple of friends involved and it just grew from there.

One of our first horses was a mare called Music Interpreter, she was very decent mare winning five races. She was trained by Tony Redmond who trained a lot of winners for us over the years.

We bought a cheap yearling from Goffs after this and she was named My Allana, who Tony also trained and she won five times. From this it just grew and we had people contact us from all over the country to get involved in ownership.

What was your best day at the races?

We have had many good days racing over the years and some sad ones too, but one that stands out was winning the Slan Abhaile race at the Listowel Festival. Music Interpreter won with Liam Cusack riding her, there was an enquiry after the race which seem to go on for ages until they announced that the result stood.

We all had good few pounds on her, we walked up the town and into a little pub for a drink counting our money. We had a meal on way home and good few drinks.

Next day we had a call from Tony Redmond to say an appeal had been lodged against the stewards’ decision. At least we had our money from backing her, but Thank God we held the race after the Turf Club inquiry.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Ballotting is a huge issue, especially for National Hunt and the lower grade flat handicaps. It’s been ongoing for years but something really must happen, as owners will just get fed up with fees and charges and then not being able to get their horses into races. You have to enter so often just to get a run.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best?

I must give praise where it is due, since the improvement with lunch for owners has come in, the Curragh is up there with the best. But the two who have stood out are Fairyhouse and Navan. They really look after owners, checking that everything is okay, asking can they do anymore for you - they’re excellent.

There are quite a few who could learn from those tracks.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

I like my trainers to be down to earth with me, be totally honest, good or bad news. I respect them more for this.

I can see from our horses working or on the track if they are up to it or not. If your horse is not up to it, you’re better off to cut your losses and go again. Before I give our horse to a trainer, this is what I ask them to do, so we both know where we stand from the start.

What improvements would you like to see Irish tracks do for owners?

Racecourses in Ireland have come a long way in looking after owners, but I think they are still a long way behind tracks in Britain. Owners have been so well treated on English racecourses for long time now; we need to step up here and do the same.

We need more owners’ badges - if a person only has a 10% share in a racehorse he or she should have the same right as the person who owns 100%. As a very successful racing club we have brought many people into racing and they all need to be treated the same. It will help for the future as their families may also get involved in the game. It can be frustrating when you see some of our big owners going in through the gates with an entourage following them and no questions asked.

We have had two runners many days but only have four pass cards, and must apply for four extra passes which is all we can get, this is not good enough.

In Britain they are much more accommodating.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general and on ownership in particular?

I think it has impacted over the last year, but now we seem to be getting back owners, with some small crowds. Hopefully in the coming months it will improve. You can see it picking up re selling horses to Britain – there’s a lot more interest over the last month. Irish people love their racing so I feel we will pick up pretty well.

What significance do your colours hold?

Fran and myself were in Murt O’Brien’s, a saddler in Newbridge one day and we saw these colours on a bust, yellow and black striped sleeves, yellow cap black stripes, we thought they were nice colours and easy to pick out on the track.

We asked Murt were they for an owner and he said, no for sale. We checked with Weatherbys to register them and hence they have been our colours for over 30 years.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

You always like to see a horse with a bit of size and scope, at least you have something to work with. A good shoulder, hind quarters, correct and good bone, it is hard to get the 100% horse but we always try to get as near as possible.

You have a chance of selling them on well if you do.

What horses do you currently have in training?

We have a number of horses in training at the moment and few out on grass.

Sonnyboyliston, Lord Dudley, Dun Na Sead, and a few younger horses in pre-training.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Sonnyboyliston could go to the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown, the Ebor at York, and maybe the Irish Leger.

Lord Dudley got an 11lb penalty for winning at Fairyhouse so he may as well step up in grade. There is nice race coming up at Naas 0-100 over six furlongs, we might let him take his chance there.

Dun Na Sead is a Starspangledbanner filly and a half-sister to Lord Dudley, she is just ready to run. We like her at this stage.

Have you any young horses to look forward to?

Yes we keep trying to have young horses coming along. Dun Na Sead is only a two-year-old so we are looking forward to see her run.

We also have Sonnyboyliston’s half-sister, another Starspangledbanner two-year-old. She is in pre-training with Conor Hoban, and will go to Johnny Murtagh at the start of August. She is a big filly, over 16 2hh. Hopefully she can turn out to be as good as her brother.

We will purchase a horse in training to go jumping for the winter.

What do you do with your racehorses when their racing days are over?

When our horses are finished racing or retired we always try to get a good home for them. Sometimes an owner might want to take them and give them a good home when they have the land for them. We board all our horses out with Kevin Gaffney at Clonlisk Stud, and he has taken a few over the years to go on hunting with.

Sadly when a horse breaks down badly there is nothing you can do, the kindest thing for the horse is to have him put down, which we had to do once. The vet came in to the trainer’s yard to put him down. It was instant, no pain for the horse, but not nice to watch.

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

It’s a hard one but it goes back to the balloting system. Reform is the only answer as there are so many horses in the 0-65 bracket on the flat, and 0-95 over jumps, you need more races just for these horses. You can’t put these people out of the game and you can’t cull all the lower grade horses.

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

Firstly put your money aside that you want to spend on buying and count it as gone, but it will be a bonus if you get it back.

Have your figures worked out - know your trainer’s costs, remember you will have transport charges, farrier fees, grooms and vets. Also the one most people don’t see is HRI charges - that is entries, declarations, jockeys’ fees, and when your horse picks up any prize money you will have your deductions.

But if you’re lucky enough to have a winner you will enjoy it. Why not join us?

Email: liamclarkebloodstock2020@gmail.com

Liam Clarke was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton