How did you get into racehorse ownership?

I’ve had an interest over for over 14 years and have bred a few thoroughbreds. From the age of about 10-15 I have always wanted to be involved in owning horses. My uncle Seamus McDonnell got me involved; he bought Strong Dilemma as a foal, who went on to be trained by Arthur Moore, a full-brother to Minorettes Girl who was a winner for Paddy Mullins. Their dam Minorette was a great broodmare, she threw other graded horses.

I have a bar outside Bessbrook, Newry, the Millvale Arms, Jim Hughes has a shops complex and Phelim McGuinness is a building contractor based in Newry.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The best day was at Kilbeggan when Callthebarman won the Summer Party Pack Handicap Hurdle on April 30th. We were all there.

I have plenty of happy memories of previous years in racing – John Fowler’s Maid Of Money winning the Irish Grand National in 1989 and Jim Dreaper and Carvill’s Hill and the great chases they had.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

I suppose the costs involved though with two or three lads sharing, it keeps things affordable.

There are costs you might not have thought of before you went into ownership. Things like the horse being sent over to England for a run and the diesel and boat costs involved.

Sometimes you do get a bonus. I had a Beneficial mare, Tear Drops, who won a few times trained by P.E. Collins, who has gone on to be a successful broodmare.

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

As owners we have enjoyed Wexford and Kilbeggan; we’ve had some nice evenings there. I’m not too bothered by any fuss as an owner, the fun is in winning having picked the horse out and seeing the results of the bit of breeding coming through.

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

I enjoy the jumps but I also like aspects of the flat. I like seeing the new two-year-olds coming out to race, especially the new Ballydoyle runners. It’s interesting to see how they will run and which will live up to expectations.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Well with Gavin (Cromwell) what you see is what you get. He told us he had a nice type of three-year-old, nicely bred and there was no messing with him.

I’ve watched him over the years and he’s on the ball. I’ve liked his interviews. He produced two horses for us to look and we chose Callthebarman and this one has come forward the quickest since last October.

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

Something like better prize money at the lower level. All levels of racing have to be supported.

What significance do your colours hold?

Jim (Hughes) had a horse Big Daddy’s Girl who was a winner. We had to use somebody’s colours so we said we would go with those – he’s a lucky man.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I have been going to sales for about 15 years or so. I check out the pedigree first, have a good look at the page and then the conformation.

My father was a bookmaker so you could say I have been studying horses one way and another for years.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Just Callthebarman.

What’s next on the agenda for your horse?

He’s having a couple of weeks off and a pick of grass. Hopefully he will go on to another handicap hurdle somewhere and then go novice chasing next season.

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

I have a two-year-old by Getaway and a Westerner three-year-old.

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

Bonus schemes to help lower graded horses or those owner/trainers who operate on a modest scale.

I admire the big owners and what they put into the game. J.P. (McManus) is using his self-made money to fund racing at a comprehensive level and reinvests in horses and people. It must be for the love of horses. Rich Ricci is another owner like that. Fair play to them.

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

Stick to guys like Gavin (Cromwell). You can have a relationship man to man. He’s not so big that he can’t ring you back!

Racing is a great pastime, but don’t run out of money!

Killian McDonnell was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton