Our series on owners continues with the Hibo Syndicate owners of talented mare Lyrical Theatre

The Hibo Syndicate is a partnership consisting of spokesman William McDonald and Joe Rooney. They’ve been involved in horses in the past but have hit the jackpot with Lyrical Theatre, who’s won three of her four bumpers and a maiden hurdle to date, always ridden by Patrick Mullins. She’s due to run again today at Fairyhouse.

What was your best day at the races and why?

In the context of The Hibo Syndicate, our best day was when Lyrical Theatre won a listed mares’ bumper very comfortably at Navan, even though the Crawfords really fancied their filly Twenty Two’s Taken that day. Joe and I stood in a surreal trance thinking ‘is this for real?’ In a personal capacity I can vividly remember seeing Hardy Eustace winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 because I had him as my saver!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

You go into racehorse ownership with your eyes wide open, but the cost is still the biggest drawback. Although, we’ve been blessed with two smashing horses and the services of the champion trainer and his amateur rider champion son.

To be fair to HRI, they’ve made great inroads in dramatically improving prize money. But they need to simplify the entering and declaring process and the costs there-in. However, if you are lucky enough to have a decent horse, it can pay its way.

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

Sligo is a standout. I had never been before and came away knowing I will definitely be going back, and it will be an added bonus if we go back with a horse. The owners and trainers’ area is very comfortable, modern and superbly located. And they police it properly which hasn’t been our experience everywhere. They really make an effort with their owners.

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

Definitely jumps, primarily because you can be a ‘normal’ owner and win a few races. Odd really, because as a child (my father was a veterinary surgeon) I spent most of my racing days at the Curragh. Although he always had a soft spot for Naas, which I still love.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honestly, we were fortunate enough to get an introduction from a very old family friend (Trevor Reilly) to Willie and Patrick Mullins. It literally went like this… “Willie, this is Willie, Patrick this is Willie, Willie, this is Joe, Joe this is Patrick, right I’m getting back in the car.” He was very sick at the time but insisted on bringing us to Closutton. So we fell into it, and owe him a lot because we fell in at the top! The Mullins’ are the definition of Irish horsemen. It’s bred into them, they just have an innate sense. And you can just see it ticking over in their heads all day long. Or at least for as long as you have the pleasure of watching them on the gallops.

What improvements could be made to racing in Ireland?

We love Irish racing, warts and all, but if we were being constructive we’d highlight the positives and query if those positives are uniform throughout the country?

Sligo, Leopardstown and Naas are leaders in creating a consistent punters’ product. Are all the tracks following suit? Why not follow the Naas lead and give the punter a free bet? If you got another 200 in on that basis, it lightens the load of the promotion and that’s 200 more spending punters.

The general levels of catering countrywide, though improving, have a long way to go. There are still plenty of courses with sub-standard and expensive catering. There’s no excuse for that. If it’s going to be expensive, at least get the quality right. But there’s no reason why it can’t be both half-decent quality and reasonably affordable.

And on-site convenience shops - why do they have to be consistently extortionate? It beats us, but never our kids!

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

The approach to owners needs to be much more consistent across all tracks. We have been at two high-profile tracks this year, and both could pull their socks up in terms of the owners and trainers’ area. One had no policing whatsoever and there was bedlam. The other had clearly opened it under sufferance. And both were Grade A tracks.

If you’re going to have one, then do it properly ALL of the time, and not just on major racedays. Surely tracks should all stretch to a food and beverage voucher on top of the normal racecard, as well as a racecard and an owners and trainers’ badge?

The racing to us is the most important element, and we’re happy going as normal lads but if you offer a facility, do it properly and consistently, like they do at Sligo.

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

We’ve always laid low as an also ran!

What significance do your colours hold?

We have purple and white quartered. It was an old rugby jersey we both (and indeed Patrick) hold dear.

How did your syndicate get its name?

We lived in London for 10-15 years. There was a big group of us in our 20s/30s who socialised regularly together. After being booted out of the boozers at 11.15pm, we’d struggle to find a late pint on a Saturday night. But we found what was effectively an Irish ballroom called the Hibernian Club in the middle of Chelsea. It catered for everyone and was predominantly Irish, and served beer in glasses with handles. We spent some great nights in there, on many occasions talked about having our very own Istabraq through the bottom of our glasses and thought why not remember it in our syndicate name!

What horses do you currently have in training?

Lyrical Theatre (by Kings Theatre out of Shuil Dorcha) and we’ve just taken on a four-year-old filly by Yeats out of Monumental Gesture. She’s an unnamed half-sister to Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman and was sourced, and is trained by, Willie Mullins.

What’s next on the agenda for Lyrical Theatre?

She is due to run today at Fairyhouse in the Grade 3 Solerina Mares’ Novice Hurdle.

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

Be lucky! And if you’re lucky enough to be lucky, like we’ve been, then soak up every moment. And think of leasing, which we have done, if you can’t afford/don’t want the extra expense of housing a horse. It benefits all concerned because there’s no time and crucially money wasting. And gives all concerned a sporting chance with a well-bred horse.

William McDonald was in conversation with Joe Finegan

AIRO secured free admission on over 90 racedays in 2015 for registered owners with a horse in training.

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