YOUR first experience of racing as an owner, breeder or even punter is perhaps the most crucial. It can set the tone for your interest in racing that can last a lifetime or peter out fairly quickly. Fated to doom or joy. Or probably a bit of both.

As first experiences go, Kilkenny breeder Michael O’Dowd had a good one. He bought a mare to go into training with a young trainer by the name of Willie Mullins, a next door neighbour and a good friend as well.