I HAVE spent the past 48 years working in racing; initially for trainer Peter McCreery and in more recent times, at Derrinstown Stud. In that period I have worked with hundreds of different people who have gone on to hold prominent roles within the industry.

Hailing from the village of Clane, it was always a strong possibility that I would have some involvement with horses. The McCreerys and Cashs were very successful families who made a name for themselves in the equine world. The former had their yard just a couple of hundred yards from my house and I used to see the horses ride out every morning.