How did you get into racehorse ownership?

Well the Treacys and the Kidd family have been friends for over 50 years. We are both from the Bagenalastown area of Co Carlow. We have owned horses jointly for many years and take it in turns to run them in each colours.

My father T.W. Nicholson was a very successful owner and then I married into racing when I married Tom (Kidd) who had a licence for years. Our second son Colin took over about five years ago and we are in the middle of all the yard action.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Definitely Sunday! In fact the weather was so awful we wondered if racing would go ahead. We had had winners before but to win a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse against proven horses – well it’s fantastic. Colin went to the Goffs February Sale to buy another horse which proved too expensive. He liked Rashaan the minute he came into the ring with good confirmation and a smart step, with a view to go hurdling. Of course with the Aga Khan pedigree, he thought he wouldn’t get him but you take your chance at public auction and we bought him for €8,500.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

It’s very expensive unless they pay your way. If your horse is no good, cut your losses, don’t keep on running it – it’s €300 every time it runs. Accept if your horse is no good.

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

We’ve had three wins with Rashaan and each course treated us royally – Roscommon, Listowel and Fairyhouse. Fairyhouse gave us a free DVD of the race and some lovely prosecco and we were very comfortable in the Owners and Trainers’ bar. They gave us lunch which we appreciated and set us up for the day and the viewing area was top class. Navan also kindly gave us lunch when we had a runner there.

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

Jumps – it’s more buzzy and exciting and it’s not as expensive to purchase a National Hunt horse or spend €5,000 on a fee for a service. If you go to the sales you have a chance to come home with a potential racehorse. Country people can get in on the act.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Well the Treacys have answered this one as I am biased towards trainers with my husband and son! A trainer requires honesty and integrity and a good work ethic. Someone with a genuine love and understanding of horses. I see the horses in the yard and see them day to day and the horses know us so it’s a fantastic relationship.

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

The country tracks could do with some improvement – facilities like bars and toilets. There doesn’t have to be huge expenditure just keep them clean and tidy and surely there is no need for that awful smell of damp at some course facilities.

How do you feel owners are treated at the races when not having a winner?

I don’t expect any. It’s all about the winning owner. We get the perk of free entry if you are an owner.

What significance do your colours hold?

Rashaan races in the Kidd family colours which have been in the family for three generations as it was our turn this time. Our colours are green and red and easy to see and maybe they brought us extra luck as Rashaan’s breeder, the Aga Khan, also races in green and red!

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Colin (Kidd) looks out for a good step and confirmation and a good pedigree. I like to follow the pedigrees of the Kidd mares, Back Of The Pack, Back In A Tic.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Rashaan and a Westerner filly out of Hayley’s Comet, called Barrow Breeze. Hopefully she’ll be out in a couple of weeks; she got balloted out and there have been a few delays.

What’s next on the agenda for your horse?

Rashaan goes in the juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on December 26th.

Have you any horses to look forward to?

An unnamed Oscar four-year-old gelding being prepared for racing in points in the spring.

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

Patience is paramount. Lots of horses are not given enough time to mature. I suppose the owners are looking for some return on their money and they rush the trainer. Have faith in your trainer – he knows the plan. Enjoy the good days. Victor and Rachelle (Treacy) and ourselves have had such fun over the years and formed such a friendship through racing. Not only do we run our horses in our respective colours in alternate runs but we take it in turns to drive to the course together.

We are delighted with Rashaan and the great thing about him is his temperament, so important in a racehorse. We are also delighted with Mikey Fogarty (jockey) and Sean Flanagan who does a lot of the schooling on Rashaan. Sean was supposed to ride him at Roscommon but was committed to someone else and told Colin: “I’m sick!’’

We’re on cloud nine. We’re not in it for the money but for love of racing and love of the horse.

Amy Kidd was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton