How did you get into racehorse ownership?

My brothers owned a number of horses over the past few years so I thought I’d try my hand at it and I love the buzz of it.

We were brought up in Meath down the road from Fairyhouse and Bellewstown and I loved going to the festivals especially the summer ones with my dad Tom and brothers Walter and Thomas.

What was your best day at the races and why?

My brother’s horse Make a Challenge became one of the best sprinters in Ireland over 2019. He went to Ascot in 2019 for the six-furlong Champions Day sprint, the Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes.

We all went over and brought our mother Evelyn too who loves watching her sons’ horses run and this was a dream for her to travel with us.

It was an amazing weekend and Make A Challenge led the race with a furlong to go and we all nearly lost our lives! He finished fifth which was still an amazing result out of 20 group horses.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The costs can be quiet high depending on the horse you have. The monthly training fees are fairly standard across the board but certain extras can catch you out for further expenses you didn’t count for.

My advice is to sit down with your trainer and agree the actual monthly costs rather than the minimum charge.

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

I honestly think they are all professional with their own approach but if I had to pick one I’d say Galway is pretty special.

It’s very well laid out and with the ring positioned near the entrance it captures the atmosphere straight away. Plus it’s very much wheelchair-friendly I noticed, something other courses need to consider.

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

Flat the whole way ... the buzz of seeing horses run at their maximum speed, all within 60 seconds sometimes, is something serious.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty with owners and seeing to the welfare of the horse is of upmost importance to me.

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

I think racecourses have to think of themselves as entertainment venues. There should be more onsite entertainment options and special deals for refreshments to encourage people to make a proper day out at the races.

People often skip the last race to beat the crowds and miss some good horses in a bumper or future stars in an apprentice race. Have a band on track to keep the crowds, especially now post pandemic, after so many musicians have lost revenue.

The Bulmers Live at Leopardstown is an excellent example of how to do it, with good bands and a value package, including admission and the concert, a drink, a food voucher and a bet.

I remember a corporate day at Naas – it was great entertainment with a barbecue and a hamper for guests. To be honest, the racing came second but you never know who among the guests got the racing bug and might come back for more.

You don’t want the tracks missing a trick with the facilities they have.

If you are exploring more ways to spread the good word about racing, especially among the young, use influencers on Instagram and TikTok and other social media platforms.

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

I think the industry will come back strongly but I do think the lockdown has had a major impact on the onsite bookies, some of whom we may never see again, which is a real shame.

What can trainers or HRI do to encourage owners to keep horses in training at the moment?

I think HRI need to encourage more family and friends to get involved by offering them free passes to race days so they can get the buzz of the game and maybe one day own or part own their own horse.

And under 16s should get in free, otherwise if you have a family of two adults and three children, entry costs are prohibitive.

What significance do your colours hold?

I’m a big Manchester United fan and the red, black and white are the United colours. The stars represent all the family and friends that have passed on and we remember them every time we run.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

It’s all about the breeding for me; the family tree is key for what type of horse you looking for. We are blessed with great breeders here in Ireland so it’s never an issue to find good breeding whatever your budget.

What horses do you currently have in training?

A horse I have been in partnership with, Excuzio Joe, could be out soon. She’s named after an old character we knew called Joe. If you were in his way in front of the TV he would say ‘Excusio’.

She had five runs before she won over seven furlongs in heavy ground at Galway last October in the red/black colours. I never gave up on her and she came second at the Curragh just before Galway.

She followed up over a mile at the Curragh next last November but I think the race came too soon for her.

My brothers Tom and Walter O’Connor have a number of very good horses: Great Bear, Rhythm Devine, Make A Challenge, Alko Rouge, Glen Wylin to name but a few. Most of these horses have been successful over jumps and on the flat and they have great trainers in Tom Gibney and Denis Hogan.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Maybe the Galway Festival but there are a few discussions to be had first.

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

Make A Challenge always gives us a great day out so he just got beaten close home in the Group 2 six-furlong sprint (Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes) at the Curragh last month so that was exciting for my brother.

There is plenty to come before the end of the year so hopefully you see the O’Connor family name beside lots of winners in the near future!

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

More maiden races and possibly more two-year-old races on the all-weather. Increase the midweek fixtures should a second all-weather track get built.

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

Make sure you register your name straight away if you are partnering with someone to ensure you have everything right on record.

Owning racehorses takes you into a different world. And if you are lucky enough to own a winner – well, you can’t buy that feeling.

Conor O’Conor was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton