TWO horses of the same name, sent out from the same stables to win races over a century apart – that unlikely scenario came to pass when Glenmoore credited me with my first success as a licensed trainer early last month.

Despite growing up in a busy supermarket in the middle of Killala town, I always had a huge interest in horses and racing. My great grand-uncles were jockeys in America and I was brought up on tales of their exploits on the racecourse. My cousin, Padraic Judge, a well-known showjumper, was also a big influence on my early career. I used to go and stay with my grandparents in Crossmolina during the holidays and Padraic lived right across the road. In our teens I learned how to ride in the sand arena at their yard.