James Picking got into ownership after setting up a syndicate with a group of friends and excitement is high as resultant purchase, Tullypole Annie, who won three times last year, now heads for the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle on Sunday.

How did you get into racehorse ownership?

A group of five of us have always hung around together since we were kids in Summerhill. We all played GAA through the various grades and in later years, we went racing and played golf together.

In more recent times, my brother-in-law, who is from Trim, also came on board. One night after a few pints, the conversation turned to the idea of getting involved in a racehorse and the syndicate basically sprung from there.

Peter Flood, a cousin of mine, had only recently started training so we approached him and asked if he could find us a suitable horse.

The mare he sourced, Tullypole Annie, has been a joy to be involved with from day one, giving us so much fun.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Tullypole Annie winning at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day has to be the standout moment to date. Before we ever got involved in ownership, the six of us used to attend the Leopardstown meeting every Christmas.

If we never had a runner, the plan as always, was to attend in December but to have a runner on the day and be directly involved and part of the whole occasion was special. Then, for the mare to actually go and win at what is undoubtedly one of the biggest National Hunt race meetings on the calendar was incredible.

To be fair to Peter, he had the race at Christmas picked out since Tullypole Annie returned from a break, so it was wonderful to see his plan come to fruition.

How did your syndicate get its name?

We are all big fans of the sitcom, Only Fools And Horses. One of the episodes, a Christmas special, features “The Jolly Boys’ Outing.” When it came to suggesting names for the syndicate, one of the lads put that one forward and we were all in agreement.

Luckily, it was still available at the time, so we went ahead and filled out all the necessary paperwork. It was nice to get it, as like our racing silks, it has a particular significance for us.

In your experience, which racecourse treats owners the best and why?

We were fortunate enough to win twice with Tullypole Annie at Ballinrobe last summer and on both occasions, racecourse manager John Flannelly and his staff couldn’t do enough for us.

After the race, we were taken into the owners’ room, provided with refreshments and shown a replay of our horse winning. Ballinrobe is always a very well-attended meeting and there is a great atmosphere around the place.

Aside from the obvious fact that Tullypole Annie appears to enjoy the track, we look forward to returning, if only for the warm welcome we always receive.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

Jump racing has always been my personal favourite. I grew up going point-to-pointing and over the years, a big group of us would always go to major National Hunt meetings.

Aside from Leopardstown, Punchestown, Listowel and Galway, we would travel to both Cheltenham and Aintree. Navan is our local track and where possible, we will never miss a jumps meeting at that venue.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty has to be the number one trait and Peter has that in abundance. It is also important to be able to engage with your trainer and have a bit of craic.

The six of us in the syndicate will often go down to the yard to watch the horse work on a Saturday morning. Sometimes we will bring our wives, kids and friends along as well.

There could easily be 25/30 people there on a Saturday but Peter takes it all in his stride.

Nothing is any bother to him and we never feel like we are in the way. Peter’s wife Zoe, Barry Browne, who is a great friend of mine, Georgie Benson and Paul Bannon always make us feel welcome.

Peter’s vision and attention to detail is second to none. He had a plan in mind from the moment he purchased Tullypole Annie and has done an amazing job bringing her from a mark of 87 to 122.

What do you think of the introduction of the Owner Free Days in 2023?

I think that’s a brilliant initiative. As I said, we all go racing regularly throughout the year, so I’m sure we will avail of that concession at some stage.

During the year, my work also organise a few race-days at local tracks such as Navan or Punchestown.

I love to be able to show off the sport I am so passionate about to my colleagues and anything that can bring more bodies through the turnstiles has to be a positive thing.

What significance do your colours hold?

Our racing colours hold great significance for us, as we are huge GAA supporters. My brother-in-law is from Trim, so his club is represented by the red and white on the sleeves, while the main body is made up of the blue and yellow Summerhill colours.

As I mentioned, the lads in the Jolly Boys Syndicate have been friends since childhood and Summerhill GAA has been a big part of our lives over the years.

What’s next on the agenda for your horse(s)?

Tullypole Annie runs in the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival tomorrow. Peter gave her a mid-summer break after finishing second at Galway and since returning to training, that race has always been the main target.

Her win at Leopardstown over Christmas proved that the mare handled the track, while the weight rise she incurred as a result of the win guaranteed her a place at the Dublin Racing Festival. It is exciting to be going there with a horse who looks to have a live chance.

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

I would tell them to just go for it. We have certainly never regretted the decision to get involved.

It’s great for a day out; not just the races but going to the yard to see the horse work. We get together at least once a month and the whole social aspect of a syndicate brings people together.

Most of us have been present every time Tullypole Annie has run and the celebrations are continued long after at John Shaw’s pub in Summerhill.

James Picking was in conversation with John O’Riordan