How did you get into racehorse ownership?

I was in greyhounds all my life and also went to a lot of race meetings. I won the Jackpot in Thurles in 1968. I worked in Askeaton as a teacher and went racing at all the southern courses – Limerick, Clonmel, Thurles.

Four of us got involved in a horse, among them my brother-in-law Bill Coen and Larry Keogh with Eric McNamara, Cnocan Glas, called after a townland in Spiddal. He won a race in Galway in 1998 with Richard Dunwoody riding, and another race in Navan the following February.

The following race at Leopardstown, he went neck and neck with a very good horse, Limestone Lad. But sadly our horse broke down and had to be put down.

What was your best day at the races and why?

I had some very good days, I won three Kerry Nationals with Eric McNamara. The biggest surprise was when Faltering Fullback won the Kerry National in 2012. He was called after a pub in north London whose owner Michael Fitzsimmons was one of the syndicate, along with my two sons.

Ponmeoath, who won back-to-back victories for us in in 2007 and ‘08, was also in the race in 2012, who I backed. Never had a pound on Faltering Fullback who got in as reserve. He paid over €1,000 for a tenner on the Tote.

Tony Mullins’ son Danny was on him and the horse’s number was 20 and it was the jockey’s 20th birthday!

We celebrated in style.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Injuries to horses. I’ve had three horses put down on the course – all good ones, An Buachaill, Buachaill Eile and Cnocan Glas – heartbreaking. I don’t mind if a horse is no good as long as he’s in one piece.

And jockeys getting injured. I remember J.T. McNamara very fondly, he rode point-to-points for me. I travelled with him to Huntingdon, he won for me there. It was very, very sad when he was so badly injured and later died.

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

My favourite is Ballinrobe, it’s near me and they are very friendly. I’d love to win there.

I’ve been treated very well at Listowel – plenty of old whiskey there.

Owners before nearly had to pay to get in, now they are looked after very well. You get a very good lunch at Limerick. Galway is my local track. I have an annual badge and go every day. I haven’t won much there.

When Cahirdown Boy won in February this year at Thurles, we were watching in The Dugout Bar in Lanzarote. The barmaids had €2 each-way – you’d think they had won the Derby.

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

I prefer the jumps, I was always going to points from a young age.

I don’t want to be taking on Aidan or Dermot Weld! Ah no, Aidan and his sons are great for the country and racing. Even the lads that work for them say how they treat them well.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty and someone who is straight forward. Eric McNamara tells me he has a good horse for me and has great judgement. He won’t rob you, Eric McNamara. I met him round about Limerick. I was teaching his family. He was involved in show jumping with my in-laws.

Yes, I had a bet on his son Emmet’s horse in the Derby – always have a bet in the Derby. Got a few quid. I gave him grinds for his Leaving Cert, always was a clever lad.

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

I think you get a fairly good deal. The prize money is spread out more now. You can win prize money for fourth, fifth, sixth now.

Owners are happy enough.

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

It will affect trainers and their staff if owners drop out but at least racing is back on again and owners could go back to the tracks soon.

I’d love to go back to Listowel, I’ve been lucky there. It’s hard to beat the Kerrymen, we couldn’t beat them at football!

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Don’t go overboard with the money. The bad ones cost just as much as the good ones! If it looks well and is well-bred, that’s a start.

Eric buys ours mostly at sales, Doncaster and the like.

I stood at the sales ring at one of the sales they hold on the track at Cheltenham to follow the bidding of a local horse but I never even saw him!

What horses do you currently have in training?

Cahirdown Boy and The Dugout, called after that Lanzarote bar, who hasn’t raced yet.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Hopefully Cahirdown Boy will be out again soon. He went out to grass in the lockdown.

The Dugout might get a run at Listowel.

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

I beat all the big owners in my day – take them on. If you have a good horse, you’ll win.

I like to see J.P. win. He does a lot for racing, helps them all.

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

Use your own judgement. Go to Eric McNamara or Enda Bolger. They’ll buy you a horse and they won’t rob you. They will buy at whatever level you can afford and treat you right.

If you don’t trust someone, racing could be terrible.

Get one or two fellas together, never more than four, you want to know them well and they will stick with you. I’m in charge of the money and my sons and close friends are involved and it works.

Sean Curran was in conversation with

Olivia Hamilton