How did you get into racehorse ownership?

About 20 years ago I got involved in a local syndicate with some lads who I used to go racing with. I’m originally from Cork and now living in a country area Aghabullogue in Co Cork.

What was your best day at the races and why?

My first hunter chase win with Wilcosdiana which was last November at Cork on a Sunday. My father Sean had died the week before and after that very sad time for us it was so emotional to end the week on a high.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Loans – when you’re in ownership there is a lot of that!! It’s a pricey business.

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

In horse racing, as a small owner, I can attend the owners and trainers bar with an entry on the day. But all owner privileges are taken away if you don’t have a horse running. I think if you have a horse in training you should always be looked after when racing. You’re spending money for the sport.

We don’t do enough for the grass roots of the sport, especially people in point-to-points.

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

National Hunt is my first love. But I’m a big fan of the flat – more for the technique of the jockeys. How they steer those thoroughbreds at speed, how can those small men control those highly strung colts and fillies? It’s fascinating.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Those that are honest and hard working. I have had different trainers over the years. I can recommend Eugene O’Sullivan highly – his is a real family affair.

His yard is about 30 minutes drive away and because of work commitments I have difficulty going there more than two or three times a year. But I look forward to it.

What significance do your colours hold?

My colours are based on my primary school colours so I suppose they are relating to my childhood.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I usually rely on others. John O’Shaughnessy bought Wilcosdiana at the Goffs Land Rover Sale. But the person who I really want to pay tribute to for the success of the mare is Tim Dennehy. He is a former Junior European Three-Day Eventing silver medalist one of four of the Irish team who competed at Thirlestane Castle in Scotland.

Wilcosdiana was a big, raw, gangling mare, no trainer would have taken her on. Tim did a huge amount of flat work with her and made her into a competitive racehorse. I owe him so much.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Just Wilcosdiana.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

We’re heading to a hunter chase at Killarney on Monday. I wish there were more races in her own class, there are not enough mares’ hunter chases, we are always up against the geldings. But we always go in hope.

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

I’m hoping to have a nice young one to come on.

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

Give them a level playing pitch. If you have a young horse, you hope to progress and your small trainer is trying to hold on to them, they can often come up against the likes of Gold Cup and other Grade 1 race failures, bought for big money. Those horses are getting more than a second chance by coming down in class against weaker horses. But it doesn’t work the other way round and the odds are stacked wildly against the smaller trainer/owner.

There could be a series of races for horses sold for less than let’s say €20,000 and/or for trainers who haven’t had more than 10 winners.

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

To be fair to new owners, don’t be naïve about going into a big training yard. In the pecking order you are way down the line.

Pick a small local trainer and take easy steps. Some people who have gone into ownership of horses wouldn’t go back – they feel that trainers are all conmen!

Feel your way financially – joining a syndicate means you don’t throw away stupid money.

Be prepared for sad days. I bought two horses, Wilcosdiana and a gelding, who was meant to be the better of the two and he never made it to the track.

But when you win, as in the presentation picture on the page at Cork, it’s what racing is supposed to be all about. I pay the bills but the amount of local support and good will from people means you feel part of a great team.

Everyone was there to wish us well from farmers whose land we hunt over to the local post office man!

Tony Wilson was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton