I WAS recently named one of the overall winners of the Godolphin-sponsored Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. For me, it’s a massive achievement as I don’t come from a racing background. I had been nominated a few times previously but, to be honest, you never expect to win anything like that. I couldn’t be more pleased, and it just shows that if you work hard and put in the time, you can progress in racing.

I grew up in a council estate in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. I have four sisters and one brother. My dad was a security guard and my mother a carer. It was almost by accident that I was introduced to horses. A neighbour of ours, Denis Hogan (Ray Hogan’s brother) worked for local trainer Eric McNamara. Growing up, I would have been very good friends with his son.