How did you get into ownership?

I was often brought racing as a child and my late father, Winston Honner, had point-to-pointers when I was growing up. I always had a leg in a horse in some way with a view to riding or training it myself.

I took over ownership of Rohan’s Pride, who was bred by Tommy Flaherty, after my father passed away, and we now have Persian Wind in training.

What was your best day at the races?

That would have to be my first winner when I took out my trainer’s licence in 2014. It was a lifetime ambition of mine to win the the Bishopscourt Cup and we were delighted to do that with Rohan’s Pride under David O’Leary. He was my third runner and I’ll never forget the excitement, and to do it for my father who was the owner and my family as we stood the sire Pushkin at the time, in Clongiffen Stud, it was just an incredible feeling and one I will never forget.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

You cannot win them all and they don’t all win! I have been very fortunate to have winners and that makes it all worthwhile.

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

The standards for owners have definitely improved over the last few years and there is a great effort by all the racecourses to provide a great day out.

We have enjoyed great hospitality in our local racecourse Navan, Downpatrick, Tramore and we had a wonderful evening in Ballinrobe after winning the Mayo National with Rohan’s Pride, ridden by Brian Hayes.

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

I love the sight of a great horse, whether that’s in full gallop or over a fence.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

I have trained a few winners myself so I know how difficult it is to win any race on any given day.

I’ve also had horses in training with my neighbours Gordon Elliott, Philip Dempsey and with Peter Fahey.

I rate them all and I know the drive and commitment they have to get results. We have been very lucky with Philip (Dempsey) and his son Luke riding our horse Persian Wind. It’s an ultra-competitive team and we always look forward to seeing them at the races because we know there’s a chance!

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

These are very difficult times and people are hurting, we have to be optimistic and hopeful that we will all come out of this safe and well and I look forward to racing returning.

What significance do your colours hold?

My colours are purple and gold. I inherited them from my father and I think of him always so it makes me very proud to be able to continue with them as he loved going racing and I have the fondest of memories.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

My horses seem to have chosen me! They are often ones that were not ready for the sales for whatever reason at the time and I saw potential or I gave them a chance.

What horses do you currently have in training?

I have only the one at the moment, Persian Wind, who is on a break but, all going well, he will be back shortly.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Get him back in training.

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

I have a smashing three-year-old daughter out of She’s A Leader, a winning mare I trained for a lovely syndicate of ladies called the Flighty Flyers.

She is by Mustameet and she has it all, size and scope. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.

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

Let’s get back racing; they are all there to be beaten, that is the challenge and anything is possible in horse racing.

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

To enjoy the ride. It is such a great feeling to see your horse and your colours being led back into the winner’s enclosure.

Robert Honner was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton