How did you get into ownership?

My grandfather, Leonard Lavin, owned a farm in Ocala, Florida and we spent most holidays there. I’d go around with him most days and that’s what got me started.

My grandparents would spend every summer in Del Mar, California, and I’d go out there and watch the horses train in the mornings and go to the races in the afternoon, and loved it.

The horse racing bug skipped a generation as I’m the only person in our family that has shown much interest.

What was your best day at the races and why?

We’ve won bigger races, but probably winning the Del Mar Derby with Banned in 2011, as my grandfather had won it before with his horse Relaunch. To win the race with a horse that I was responsible for choosing and managing with him there meant the a lot.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty and competence.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

I only get over to Ireland around two-three times per year in normal times, so I probably don’t have as specific answers as many of the readers and owners that feature in The Owner.

But I will say that compared to America, the hospitality for owners in Ireland is very good.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general and on ownership in particular?

Being around the horses and the camaraderie with the people that care for them has always been a huge part of racing for our family, and we have missed that. So I’m hopeful, as everyone else is, that we can get back to “normal” at some point soon.

I worry about the horse business if people can’t be around their friends, peers, and competitors.

Thankfully owners, fans, and bettors are accustomed to watching racing on television or online so racing has been able to continue in a better manner than most sports and businesses.

What significance do your colours hold?

Our Irish silks are a version of our silks in America. The design was modelled after the Alberto VO5 (conditioning hairdressing) logo, which was the original product that started our family business.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

We look for fillies that are athletic with sire power. I put more stock into the depth of the family than how it looks close up. If they are stakes calibre horses we try to breed from them.

We are fortunate to have good advisers, especially Hubie de Burgh.

What horses do you currently have in training?

One Voice (Jessica Harrington), Lynn Britt Cabin, Sloane Peterson and Linda Barrett (Fozzy Stack).

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

One Voice’s race in the Kilboy Estate Stakes was frustrating as she looked to be full of run, but never got a chance to show it.

She ran a really nice race in the Nassau on Thursday at Goodwood and vindicated our thinking that she was unlucky last time. It’s gratifying to have a Group 1 horse in Europe and our hope is that she can compete in some of the big races for the rest of the season.

We are fortunate to have two good trainers in Ireland that know what they are doing and make it fun.

Lynn Britt Cabin has been disappointing in her last two races, so she is getting a few weeks off and hopefully will come back in late August or early September.

Sloane Peterson had a nice introduction at the Curragh and will hopefully run again in a couple weeks.

Linda Barrett is a filly that Fozzy Stack likes but has been slow to come around, so may just get a run or two at the end of the year.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?

Hire good advisers that understand what you are trying to achieve, and set goals and measure progress as you would in any business.

Craig Bernick was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton