I AM originally from Stamullen, Co Meath but now living in Drogheda. Having grown up beside Bellewstown, I’ve been going racing since I was born.

My great grandfather Tom Collier from Bellewstown, won the Irish Grand National on a horse called Porridge in 1898, trained by the Delaney family.

My dad, Dessie, worked for Mr John Oxx Snr in the 60s and my cousin Padraig Beggy, rode Irish (Sovereign) and English Derby (Wings Of Eagles) winners for Aidan O’Brien.

Despite that background in the sport, I didn’t really do much work with horses during my early days. I enjoyed school and study and went racing/helped my dad with yearlings at the weekends.

Dad prepped young horses for a family friend, Maurice McAuley. The latter and his wife, Josephine, had some lovely winners in the past with Kevin Prendergast.

I have fond memories of trips with my dad and Maurice to Mount Juliet Stud with mares. Maurice always treated us to beautiful meals - he was very kind, generous and great company.

In 1989, I started a job in an opticians in Balbriggan owned by Frank Weldon. I stayed there 23 years and loved every minute of it. Frank was into horses, so it was easy to get a day off to go racing.

Stable pass

I got my first stable pass in the early 90s, leading up for Tommy O Neill, Harry Rogers, Caroline Hutchinson, Tom Cleary, Oliver Brady, Charles Byrnes and Paul Flynn.

I led up my first winner at Fairyhouse in 2004; a horse called Millvale for John and Marion Kiely. My first job as Stableyard Manager was at Fairyhouse in 2008. At that time, I was job sharing in the opticians, so it allowed me take on the new role.

Now, I’m also Stableyard Manager for Dundalk, Bellewstown, Downpatrick, Navan and Laytown. I also provide cover at both Kilbeggan and Sligo.

One of my main duties involves completing the stable allocation list the day prior to racing. On race day, I arrive 3 1/2 hours before the first race; checking stables, offices, toilets, taps and hoses to make sure everywhere is clean. I then collect the race cards, IHRB paperwork, food vouchers etc from the racecourse office.

When the horses start to arrive, I will meet the stablestaff/trainers at the yard entrance, allocate them their stable number, give them their race card, food voucher, and if a sponsor’s jackets, hampers and hats are available, I will give them to the grooms.

As I’m one of the first people a groom or trainers meets in the stableyard, I like to meet them all with a smile and a hug, as you never know how someone is feeling. It may cheer them up - I hope so!

Security team

I also worked for six years for the IHRB Security team from 2015-2021. I found the job enjoyable and I mixed this role with my stableyard management duties.

I had two separate rosters; only working for the IHRB when I wasn’t required at one of my own tracks.

However, I missed the hands-on involvement with the horses, trainers and stablestaff. I now have my stable pass back with Harry Rogers and am loving leading up with my friend Meryem Walsh (jockey). I’m as busy as ever working for six tracks, doing racing, schooling, and barrier trials for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. Recently, I helped out at the pony race meeting at Navan, something I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’ve never done an interview for any racing job but the phone keeps ringing, so that’s a good sign! When my dear friend Willie Buckley passed away suddenly at Dundalk races in 2019, I took on some of Willie’s work, not an ideal way to gain employment but I’m keeping the flag flying for him.

Random trips

Outside of work, I enjoy running and concerts. Given my love for the coastline, I’m known for random trips to beaches to explore cliff walks and take photos of sunsets. “Dora The Explorer” has become my nickname!

My faith is very important to me - I visit my local church daily to pray to St Anthony and light candles for those in need. However, as racing is my life, when I’m off, I still go to an odd race meeting, point-to-point or pony racing.

In the early 90s, I was involved in a home bred horse owned by Martin Finegan, named Royal South. He was a brilliant horse who won as a two-year-old at the Curragh trained by Owen Weldon. Royal South went over to the UK for a year, then returned to Dessie and Helen McDonagh. He won on his first start for Dessie in Navan ridden by Danny Grant.

That same year, 1998, out of his first 12 runs, he won five races and was placed seven times. Royal South won three times in one week, ridden by Declan McDonagh. It was a huge achievement for a horse I foaled and a great training performance by the McDonagh family. Later, I led up his half-sister Royal Suzy, when she won for Sean Cleary at Fairyhouse. Unfortunately, on November 1st 2003 poor Sean passed away and Royal South got a fatal injury on his first start over jumps at Naas; a sad day but thank God lots of happier days since.

It’s great to see young Sean Cleary Farrell riding now, keeping his dad’s memory alive.

Second family

I have made so many friends over the past 30 years in racing; I genuinely consider them to be my second family. Thanks to everyone who has been good to me and continue to do so. You have helped me over a few personal falls in my own life and I’m forever grateful.

May every sunrise bring you hope and may every sunset bring you peace. Remember, it’s okay not to feel okay.

Michelle Howard was in conversation with John O’Riordan