Our series on racehorse owners continues with Paul Leech

Paul Leech left Britain 18 years ago to pursue a career as an executive in Boston and now works for two children’s charities. His horse Bay Of Freedom won at Galway in October to ignite a dream of getting a horse to Cheltenham. Paul keeps an “honest but irreverent diary to chronicle the ups and downs, highs and lows” of his journey at www.cheltenhamdream.com.

What were your best days at the races and why?

It was two days really. The first was the opening day of the 2005 Punchestown Festival which was my first day racing after beating cancer. Being well enough to go racing that day was what had kept my spirits up for the previous eight months. The second day, of course, was when Bay Of Freedom won at Galway last October. It was my first visit to Galway and although we were very close to keeping him for Punchestown the following week, the Galway race cut up so we decided to take our chance.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

How difficult it is to plan. You are constantly worried about injuries, suitable races, the weather and, just when everything is perfect, you get balloted out! When attempting to make travel arrangements from the US, it’s a real headache!

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

Galway did a really nice job of celebrating our win - even, graciously, opening an extra bottle of champagne to support our celebrations. They also get extra kudos for mailing the trophy to the US!

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

Jump racing by far; the season has more of a rhythm to it as it builds towards the Festivals. Year by year, it’s fascinating to see if a good bumper horse can transfer their ability to hurdles and then progress over fences.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Living 3,000 miles away, I must have a trainer I can trust. They must have horse racing in their blood, be ambitious, keep the horses well and happy, and be passionate about the horses but also completely objective. I want to live the dream with them but also be told when reality strikes. For me administrative, photographic and video-making ability are low on the list – which is just as well for Peter Fahey and Ber! Seriously though, I couldn’t have a better trainer and wife team.

I chose Peter because of all the reasons previously stated, as well as his impressive percentage of runners who have been placed and won. Right from my very first phone call to Peter, I could tell he was as enthusiastic as me. I knew he shared my dreams.

What improvements could be made to racing in Ireland?

I love racing in Ireland and the jump racing quality is unsurpassed. However, facilities need to be improved and family amenities need to be introduced more widely. Racing has to get more young people attending regularly. Anyone who has been to students’ days at Limerick or Galway, or the Friday of the Punchestown Festival knows that this audience is there – it just needs to be cultivated.

The other big thing for me is the bumper programme. There are only two two-mile winners’ bumpers for Bay Of Freedom between January 1st and Fairyhouse at Easter. It’s crazy!

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

Free entrance to meetings for all registered owners (with some reasonable exceptions) - similar to the Owners Badge Scheme that operates in Britain. Even with binoculars, you don’t see everything, so people rely on a big screen. It makes an awful lot of sense to have a big screen at every meeting.

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

It is disappointing that little or no effort is made to make owners feel special, with often the only benefit being access to the Owners & Trainers Bar. I am not asking for a meal and free drinks but, minimally, all owners should receive a DVD of their race and a pristine race card to keep for their collection.

What significance do your colours hold?

I have green for Ireland, stars and stripes for the US, and black and white because I like the contrast.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

An unraced horse with a stout jumping pedigree, good conformation and walk, and a great disposition. I chip in on the breeding and leave the rest to Peter. Some seven weeks after initially meeting Peter, he said he was going to look at a good horse which turned out to be Bay Of Freedom. He doesn’t want his yard full of average horses - he wants quality over quantity.

What horses do you currently have in training?

I just have Bay Of Freedom at the moment and, working in non-profits, that is unlikely to change any time soon.

What’s next on the agenda for Bay Of Freedom?

We will be aiming for a winners’ bumper at one of the spring Festivals. Then it’s a maiden hurdle and we will see what happens after that. I have convinced myself he is an embryonic three-mile chaser so I still have a few years to make excuses and continue to dream. He’s just coming back into training now and I’d absolutely love to take him to Cheltenham.

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

Throw away any business acumen you may have, commit to losing €20,000 a year, find a supportive wife, husband or partner and just do it! It is the most intoxicating thing you will ever do!

Paul Leech was in conversation with Joe Finegan