WHILE those of us involved with horses do it for the love of the animals as much as anything else, it is always nice to receive some recognition from your peers. For that very reason, I was delighted to win two categories at the recent Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards: the Dedication To Racing And Breeding and the Irish Racing Excellence Award. As a part of the Moyglare Stud team since 1972, I felt privileged to be collecting what I view as recognition for all of us.

I was born at Baroda Stud, where my father was employed at the time. He looked after the mares and foals at the Newbridge farm, which was owned by an Indian lady. He also took care of the racehorses when they came home for their breaks, so I learned plenty during my childhood. Later, when Baroda closed, my father moved on to work for Edmund Loder at Old Connell Stud. I left school at 15 and served my time with local Newbridge trainer Liam Brennan. After three years, I went to work for John Kirwan on the Curragh, then Danny O’Donnell in Moone. I then returned to my birthplace, the newly reopened Baroda Stud, which was now under the ownership of Captain Tim Rogers. There, I followed in my father’s footsteps, looking after the mares and foals, as well as a couple of stallions.