NEXT month, I embark on an exciting new chapter in my career when taking over as stud farm manager at Stanley Lodge in Cashel. As a relative latecomer to the racing industry, I have had an intensive education since deciding on a complete career change in the spring of 2014.

Despite my father doing his level best, I couldn’t be swayed towards ponies or hunting when I was a child – we often followed the hunt on foot but I preferred to keep my feet on the ground rather than in the stirrups!