ON Sunday at the Curragh, I sponsor the inaugural running of the Royal Lytham At Irish Emerald Stud Maiden. It had been a long-held ambition of mine to stand my own stallion; something that has thankfully come to fruition over the last 12 months. Having received plenty of positive feedback from breeders and industry professionals, I am very much looking forward to the next couple of years.

My father had an interest in National Hunt racing and had the odd horse in training. I took an interest from going to point-to-points and racing with him. After getting my first pony at the age of seven, I learned to ride at the local Markree Riding Stables. While my home county of Sligo wouldn’t have a huge thoroughbred or racing community, there is a lot of showjumping and general horse riding. From the age of 10, I also did some showjumping and hunting.