How did you get into ownership?

From a young age in Swadlincote, south Derbyshire, I had always dreamed of being in the parade ring when my horse was running. I never expected it to happen and even now have to pinch myself. Kim, my wife, knows that I can over-analyse things so was quite happy to let me “go and talk to a few trainers about buying a horse” – no doubt thinking, “this will take five years and he will lose interest”. She didn’t bank on me choosing the first trainer I met and that Peter (Fahey) would buy Bay Of Freedom three weeks later. It was just as well that, 16 months later and with Kim in attendance, he ran third in his first race and showed he had, at least, some ability.

Your best day at the races?

I have had so many great days: when Bay Of Freedom ran in the Cheltenham Bumper it was a story which inspired my website – Cheltenhamdream.com. When he won his maiden hurdle at Wexford on a wet and cold evening, Kim and I had the best time. Great days at Listowel followed but nothing could beat (yet) my entire string (of two) running 30 minutes apart at Punchestown last week and Freedom To Dream winning after Suprise Package just failed. A great day and a great evening.

The biggest drawback for an owner?

The limited opportunities and the difficulty in planning. Living in America and trying to get over for every race means that we have to plan and we are at the mercy of the limited fixture list and, for jumps, the weather. I have been lucky with my horses, but many owners have to deal with the balloting process and the sheer number of horses in training, all exacerbated when, like this year, the ground has stopped many from running and explains why 112 horses are entered for a maiden hurdle today.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best?

Wexford. They make the experience friendly and personal. I won on my first visit there and ever since they have greeted me warmly, have congratulated and commiserated with me (more of the latter) and, even when not having a horse running, have always been accommodating and helpful.

Flat or jumps which do you prefer?

I have always preferred jump racing; you see the horses develop from bumpers to hurdles to fences and for many more years than on the flat. The season builds to a crescendo which helps to maintain interest and excitement for months. People start looking forward to the following year at Cheltenham and Punchestown, the day after the meetings finish.

What do you look for in a trainer?

Being based in the US, the most important quality is honesty and someone that I can trust totally. As soon as I met Peter and Ber, I knew that it was going to work. They know all about horses, look after them incredibly well, are open and communicative and have a great strike rate. I also think mutual respect is important as is the ability to know how to celebrate!

What improvements would you like to see Irish tracks do for owners?

It would be nice to have a more personalised experience and more consistent owner facilities, but the reality is that many courses do not have the resources and, given the continuing uncertainty around Covid and funding, that is unlikely to change in the short term.

A couple of low/no cost options: 1) introduce an owners’ badge scheme that would allow registered owners to attend courses for free (with exceptions for festivals and other big race days), and 2) provide all owners with a video link to their race. Currently only winning owners get this link and there seems absolutely no reason not to send to all owners with a runner.

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

I think Irish racing has done a good job during Covid and the protocols that have been put into place have been very effective. However, racing’s reputation has taken a hit in several ways over the last 12 months which, coupled with diminishing interest and increasing social and PR pressures, will have a more prolonged impact than Covid unless they are tackled.

I believe that racing has to improve its image and one way to do that is through authentic philanthropy. We have seen how generous Irish racing can be with the fundraising conducted in memory of Pat Smullen.

How can we take that and make it broader?

Racing has a unique opportunity to engage with families and children and improve their lives. I ran an organisation in America which matched children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses with college sports team; they became part of the team, got drafted, wore the uniform, participated in the coin toss. It changed the children’s lives, the families’ lives and also the athletes.

We all know the therapeutic benefit of horses on such children and I could see how syndicates could offer a place to these children who would then be able to go to the stables, wear the syndicates colours at the racecourse, have something to look forward to and enjoy and have a whole new and exciting support network. There could even be races restricted to syndicates who have these children as members; imagine what the parade ring would look like with the children dressed in racing silks, and smiling! It would be a wonderful opportunity for racing to show how much it cares and it would impact so many lives.

What can trainers or HRI do to encourage owners to keep horses in training?

The growth in the number of syndicates is something that should be embraced and encouraged. I sometimes think that people in racing are so immersed that they do not understand the power that racing has. Before I was an owner, the thought of standing in the parade ring was a dream, the idea of meeting jockeys and trainers who I had long admired was a non-starter, going on the gallops was something to only be bought in an auction Making those dreams attainable to many people is the greatest resource that racing has and syndicates are the key. So many people just want to have the experience, the feeling of being involved.

Significance of your colours?

Black and white for contrast, emerald green for my love of Ireland and stars and stripes as a nod to the USA.

Buying horses what do you look for?

I have been very lucky and I put that down to Peter’s eye for a horse. He will ask me for my opinion on pedigree and I tend to focus on the dam and grandam’s progeny. He knows a lot more about breeding than me so, in effect, he decides and I decide if we can afford it!

Your horses in training?

I have Freedom To Dream who just came back after 697 days to win his maiden at Punchestown and Suprise Package who won the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final in April and was just beaten at Punchestown last week.

Next on the agenda?

We will probably be forced to go into a graded race with Freedom To Dream so will look at a two-mile, seven-furlong at Limerick over Christmas. A lot will depend on the ground with Suprise Package but if it stays decent then we may well run him at Navan in a handicap hurdle before Christmas

Have you any young horses to look forward to?

Not currently but we will keep our eyes open, (hope my wife isn’t reading this).

What do you do with your racehorses when their racing days are over?

We retired Bay Of Freedom a few years ago as he was just not enjoying it. We tried dressage but he didn’t take to it and is now in Wexford, his name changed to Barney (I definitely hope my wife isn’t reading this) and is a companion to a yearling. He’s as happy as can be and looks nothing like a racehorse.

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

It is still possible to find a good horse without paying a fortune; it’s what keeps the dream alive. Once you have a good horse, there is no hiding place. The maiden hurdles and beginners’ chases are very competitive and, if you happen to win one, the novice or winners of one races are more like graded races. It probably explains why the Irish are so successful at the big festivals; there are fewer options for horses and you can’t avoid the best horses for very long.

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

Make sure you have a supportive partner, find a trainer who you like and trust, increase your annual budget by 50% and just enjoy every aspect of the experience. It is truly fantastic!

Paul Leech was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton TRY THE IRISH FIELD PREMIUM CONTENT FOR ONE MONTH FOR JUST €1