From: Kilcloon, Co Meath

Job title: Professional equine, portrait and sporting artist

College: Industrial Design University in Wales.

Why did you opt to start your business? I have had a passion for art and a huge interest in horse racing from about the age of seven/eight. I have had a colourful career. I spent many years in the family auctioneering business, juggling between art and property, but I decided to focus mainly on my art about 10 years ago, and when my father passed away in 2013 at 65. When I was young, I used to daydream about being a full-time artist, and now it’s my living. I don’t call it work, as it’s a passion.

Equestrian background: I grew up very close to different training yards. John Carr, who trained Sublimity to win the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle is a mile away, and the late jockey and trainer John Harty lived about two miles away.

My late father Barry had a few shares in racehorses over the years and frequently went to Cheltenham. His uncle was Danny Daly, who looked after Ballymacoll Stud in Dunboyne for years, and we spent many years going there when we were young. Danny also foaled Arkle, and along with his son Dan they had the Irish Champion Hurdle winner Cockney Lad.

Were there any start-up grants available to you? Good question, too late to find out now!

What you enjoy about your job the most? My career as an equine artist has been fantastic, there has been so many highs.

I particularly enjoy being the artist in residence at the Curragh Racecourse for the past seven years. The new Curragh is fantastic.

I have a gallery there on race days at The Queen’s room, which I collaborate with The Square Coffee Bar.

It’s a privilege to be associated with the Curragh and I look forward too many more race meetings there. I really enjoy racing and taking photos and sketches at racetracks.

I was lucky enough to be invited to Royal Ascot a few weeks ago and had a great time getting photos and sketches.

What is the most challenging part of your job? Probably spending time traveling to races, stud farms etc. I travel abroad regularly too and I have to admit I’m a home bird, I love spending time with my family, I love gardening and the simple things in life, but I’m not complaining, I have a great life/passion balance.

Most famous commissions: In 2018 I was commissioned to paint one of the world’s most famous racehorses, Shergar, for a BBC documentary Searching for Shergar.

This was a massive commission to receive, and the documentary was made by the two-time BAFTA award winning film maker Alison Millar.

I have carried out commissions for many leading horse owners and trainers, and more recently I have been commissioned by the Smurfit family to commemorate their two Melbourne Cup winners, Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle. I have painted some of our top equine heroes as well as portraits of leading jockeys such as Lester Piggot and 20-time champion A.P. Mc Coy.

New Adventures: I have recently ventured into the fashion world and was thrilled to collaborate with The-Collections, each scarf features a piece of my original artwork combined with bespoke design details.

John Fitzgerald was in conversation with Emer Bermingham.