How did you get involved with racing?

I’m from Castleknock. The former Tipperary hurling manager Babs Keating lived in Castleknock at the time. I used to meet Babs at Castleknock Hotel, in the sauna or the swimming pool. Being a GAA fanatic and a massive admirer of him, we got to know each other. He always gave me great advice and told me great stories. He told me about his connections, with Johnny (Murtagh, trainer) being married to his daughter, and we’d go to the Curragh gallops and to Johnny’s yard together. I played a bit of golf then with Johnny. There’s actually a picture of my great grand-uncle at my granny’s house in Portlaoise. Her brother was Paschal Corrigan and he was the head travelling man at John Oxx’s back in the day. He’s since passed, but there’s a photo of him leading Johnny in after his first winner. One of my uncles owned a horse that won at Aintree called Tagliatelle, he was in training with Gordon Elliott.

I struck up a relationship with Keith Donoghue then through our mutual interests of GAA and racing, which is great as both demand performing under pressure at the highest level. There’s so much we can learn from each other in that regard and I’m delighted to see him doing so well. I went out and rode a few hunters around Paul Carberry’s gallops with him a few times. I love everything involved with racing, in terms of going down to the yard, seeing the horses and meeting the people involved. It’s a great industry and a big part of who we are as Irish people. It all started with Babs and the family connections.

How did the syndicate come about?

My friend, Elliot Whyte, who’s involved in the syndicate, approached me and said that myself, himself, Ollie Hickey and Andrew Rafter should get involved with a couple of horses. We picked out two horses, one of them was called Lasmuigh, which means ‘outside’ in Irish. Funnily enough, I’m a fluent Irish speaker and used to give grinds to Elliot’s children.

When I was outside his house, I’d text him saying ‘lasmuigh’ so that’s where the name came from. He was subsequently sold to America, so it’s nice to see a bit of the Irish language over there. Another horse we got involved with was Daamberdiplomat. Ollie is from Kilkenny, and Elliott’s father who passed, had a snooker hall called The Regal Diplomat, so that’s where his name came from. We’ve had great fun with him. We recently sold him to Ado McGuinness.

We had a great season with our filly, Onemoredance. We were more optimistic than anything with her, and Johnny said that she had great potential. When we were down in the yard to see horses galloping, one of Johnny’s staff members actually told us that she’d be a good one as she came across the yard, but we never thought she’d end up winning a listed race. She’s going to the sales now in December at Tattersalls in Newmarket. We have mixed emotions about it. We’re excited at the possibility of making a good sale, but we also think there is plenty of improvement in her. It really highlights the tough decisions you have to make in racing.

Have you made plans to buy new horses?

We’ll see how the sale goes first, and I’ll chat to Elliot, Andrew, Ollie, and Johnny most importantly to see what the next steps are. It’s all about just being involved, it’s not about winning or losing. For me, it’s about the whole experience of going down to meet Johnny and his team, seeing the horses being tacked up and riding work. The whole fun of the race day and race meeting. You couldn’t ask for a better trainer or a better person to be involved with than Johnny. He’s so much fun, has great stories to tell and he’s full of energy and enthusiasm. He’s very honest and always tells you how he sees it. He goes above and beyond to make things special. I went to Cheltenham with him a couple of years ago and he was so good with his time for everyone. I feel very fortunate to have met him, and we’re very grateful for all of the memories.

As an athlete yourself, do you find it helps for you to have another competitive outlet like racing?

There’s nothing better than going to the Curragh early on a Saturday morning to see the horses on the gallops. Just seeing their athleticism and hearing the noises of them breathing. Even being in the car with Johnny and talking to the team about all of the different horses and how they’re getting on. It’s just amazing, and it’s a place where you can get away and enjoy yourself. I’ve never been as nervous as I was the day Onemoredance won her listed race at Naas.

Tell us about that day at Naas.

Myself, my friend Finbar Brady, and Shay Wade were upstairs in Tony Smufit’s box having a few sandwiches and we said we’d go out to watch the race. As a longshot, we thought she might finish in the first three, but for her to win the race the way she did, and the ride that Ben Coen gave her, was incredible. The buzz after in the parade ring was incredible and how supportive people were. It was a really nice thing to be involved with. How owners are treated at the racecourse is amazing as well, it was really special.

Would you say that’s been your highlight?

There’s been massive highlights throughout the year for me. Being at Tipperary for her first win, the people were lovely and it was a very authentic racetrack to be at. It was a special day. The other highlight was probably her winning in Leopardstown, it was an incredible achievement. The listed race is definitely a big one, and the other big highlight with the syndicate was Daamberdiplomat winning on his last run for us at Dundalk before he went to the sales. He’d been an incredible servant to us. We had great craic driving there and a great meal together.

What’s been your biggest learning with racing?

The thing with horse racing is just to take it as it comes. You never know what’s going to happen so you need to have the mindset of just going to enjoy the experience, not to look for too much. It’s just great to be involved and to see our own colours winning. We’re lucky to have had seven winners in total this year between Onemoredance and Damberdiplomat. The filly just keeps improving, she started off rated 58 and now she’s 99. No doubt she’ll improve again next year.

Have you noticed similarities between racing and GAA?

I think there’s a strong connection between gaelic football and horse racing. There’s a strong community between the two. The similarities for me are that they’re both very hard working sports, and you’re travelling all over the country and meeting lovely personalities. It’s ingrained in our history and culture and brings so much happiness and enjoyment to people.