How did you get into racehorse ownership?

Having been brought up right beside Punchestown horses were all around me.

When I was younger, I had the good fortune to meet John Jeffers and his late wife, Viv. They took me under their wing and under their guidance I learnt so much.

I had known Michael Grassick for some time and he had a horse, Elusive In Paris. He was nursing him back to full fitness and he asked me if I would like to get involved and take a leg in the horse. Patrick Pearse, a great friend of mine, also got involved.

This was about four years ago. I had always been around people with horses, hunting and such like, but this was the first time I got the bit between my teeth.

What was your best day at the races and why?

After Elusive In Paris, Michael bought a yearling, Verhoyen. We had a partnership of myself, Joe Keeling, Ted Dwyer and Patrick Pearse.

Verhoyen was third in a two-year-old maiden first time out in March 2017 and then, on his next run, he was second in a listed race, also at Naas.

It was a fantastic feeling to be involved with a horse that was racing well.

Then my own filly, Emily Grace, won at Dundalk last month. I bred her myself. Days don’t get much better that that.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

For owners, the costs, obviously. Meal, hay and straw have all gone up this year. Being involved in breeding now, I can see all the extras that are involved in getting a horse onto the track.

But with racing the costs are the costs and you’re either in or you’re out.

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

I’ve been to a lot of tracks and, at my local tracks of Naas, Navan, the Curragh and Punchestown, I’ve had great experiences. I’ve been treated very well wherever my horses have run.

Owners are well catered for now, thanks to [former HRI chairman] Joe Keeling.

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

With Punchestown a field away, I grew up with the jumps. But since I got that call from Michael (Grassick) four years ago the flat’s been the way to go.

Who knows what the future holds but I’m going well on the flat now.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Being involved with Michael before I had horses with him, I have known him a long time. His priority is the welfare of his horses and he is honest and straightforward.

I love being involved in the yard and he will go out of his way to ring you to discuss anything and keep you updated. Dave Flynn and Kevin Coleman in the yard put in a lot of hard work.

The horses come first and, if you look after them, they will look after you.

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

More schemes like the Plus 10 Bonus series, which is a fantastic initiative.

I want to give credit to Fiona Goor, who is the contact for the scheme in Ireland. She has always helped me and when Emily Grace was a foal she told me which dates the registration was due and when to have my money together. She has enormous patience answering all the questions and putting up with the likes of me!

No issue is too big or small for her. She got me organised from the get-go.

Other improvements I would like to see is decent food provided for trainers and stable staff – they have very long days.Non HRI-owned tracks could do with improving.

What significance do your colours hold?

At the time of registration we had a couple of choices available. The ones we chose are the nearest to the colours of my local GAA team at Ballymore Eustace.

They have been lucky enough so far, so we are not going to change them now.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I go to the sales with Michael, who will have gone through the calalogue, and we look at something and then take it fom there.

I’m in the breeding game now but I had nothing to sell this year.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Emily Grace and Verhoyen.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Emily Grace is on holidays and won’t be back in until January and then will be out in May.

Verhoyen is back from a break and will probably go up to Dundalk in February.

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

I have Emily Grace’s full-brother, who was up for sale, to look forward to. I have him at home.

In September at Fairyhouse Michael purchased a lovely colt by Leroidesanimaux.

He’s smashing; Dave in the yard got off him the other day and was buzzing.

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

For the lower grade horses, colts and fillies, there is a lack of suitable races. The upper limit of auction races is too high and the programme book could be improved.

Last season with ‘Emily’ it was frustrating. She’s a five-furlong filly and we had to run her over six.

There should be more races designed for a horse’s own grade and distance.

The programme could do with some tweaking, it would be greatly appreciated.

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

Don’t think about it– just go and do it. Get involved through a syndicate, club or with friends.

Find a trainer you trust who has the welfare of the horses first and hopefully you get involved with a good one.

Going to the Curragh and racing your horse or seeing your horse win, there’s no feeling like it.

Paul Cullen was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton