How did you first get involved in racing?

A fella called Michael ‘Trixie’ Barry always had me interested from the days of Arkle. I had a horse with Mike Condon, who won four races for me and then I tried my hand on the flat with two or three horses with Michael O’Callaghan, but that was to no avail. It wasn’t Michael’s fault, it just didn’t happen.

I bought a business where we have 16 offices based in Ireland, and a fella called Gerry Lucy said one day, “you’re not short of a few bob, stop the mickey mousing. If you’re going National Hunt, go to Willie Mullins, if you’re going on the flat, go to Aidan O’Brien”. So one Friday night, I rang and Willie answered the phone.

I said: “Willie, it’s Charlie McCarthy here, you don’t know me, but I can give you two references from people that have horses with you, Tim O’Driscoll and Anthony O’Leary. I’d like you to buy a horse for me.” I didn’t mind if he had to spend a bit.

I met him in Gowran and then, three weeks later, the phone rang, and it was Willie. He said he had a horse for me, told me how much he’d cost, and I told him to buy it. That was Chosen Witness.

How has your experience been with Chosen Witness?

He was bought in February 2022, and we ran him in Limerick on December 28th that year and he won his bumper by 11 lengths. We were bitten then. He went on and won his maiden hurdle, a handicap hurdle in Ayr and, last Sunday, he was going beautifully and, just at the fourth last, he made a blunder and came a cropper with Paul (Townend).

My heart was in my mouth, but both Chosen and Paul were perfect afterwards. From the Sunday before with Kopek winning, we were on cloud nine and then we had a faller, but I was still happy, I love those horses. He went home in one piece and I went home from Navan a happy man. There’s more downs than ups in the game.

Did Willie find Kopek Des Bordes for you the same way he got Chosen Witness?

I got brave and I rang Willie and told him that I wanted to buy a second horse. He told me to come and see two horses that he had in the yard.

The minute he pulled out Kopek Des Bordes, I knew. I just had this feeling and I wrote a cheque on the spot. Willie told me that day that he’d win the George Mernagh Memorial bumper on Easter Sunday and that he did! I can’t thank Walter Connors half enough, however, for he sourced him as a foal in France.

You must be confident in your Cheltenham chances with Kopek?

We’re looking forward to it, and he’ll give a good account of himself. When I met Willie in Navan, he said that Kopek is in great form. I rarely contact Willie, because I always see him the day of the races and we have a chat then. He’s a busy man, so I don’t annoy him. We have a great relationship with him and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done with both horses. We’re just counting the days to Cheltenham and we’ll take it from there. He’s only a five-year-old, so if he stays in one piece, we’ll have some fun with him.

We live in Fermoy and the town is buzzing. There’s a hype in the town about the horse and that he’s going to Cheltenham with a realistic chance. We all know you can’t count your chicks before they’re hatched, but if things go to plan, you could see him coming up the hill at Cheltenham and the roar of the crowd. We’re enjoying it and, once he gives what he can and comes home in one piece, we’ll be happy.

Sharing this experience with your family must be amazing.

That’s the icing on the cake. Did you see the emotion of the boys crying after his Leopardstown win? It’s something I’ll take to my grave, I’ll never forget it. They’re more like brothers that sons to me. It’s a great occasion for the McCarthy family and everybody concerned. We’ll cherish it and grab it with both hands, while we have it.

It’s great the way we can celebrate it together. Every Sunday, my wife Colette and I go for lunch with our seven grandchildren and even they ask me how the horses are. We still have a great day out, win, lose or draw. We’ll always have a horse or two, we’re very badly bitten now.

There’s a lot of hype around Kopek now, how do you manage your expectations?

There is and, to be honest about it, when he won his maiden hurdle on St Stephen’s Day at Leopardstown, we were disappointed because he didn’t jump a hurdle. Patrick (Mullins) said he had some engine, but I knew he’d show us who he was and what he was and that he did. It’s a dream come true.

I’d like if it quietened down a little, but still, everywhere I go people that I don’t know are congratulating me. I met four other owners in the owners and trainers lounge last Sunday in Navan and they wished me the best of luck at Cheltenham with Kopek Des Bordes and said “what a dream of a horse to have”. It was lovely to have my four sons with me as well. David came home from Dubai and it was a great feeling. Money can’t buy the happiness that we had.

What do you think is the key to keeping the racing industry exciting for younger generations?

First of all, it’s nice to have good facilities for owners and trainers. When I had Chosen running at Cheltenham two years ago, the owners and trainers facilities were superb. It’s comfortable and it isn’t too packed. The crowds at Dublin Racing Festival were magic. It was a carnival atmosphere and there was a great buzz.

You couldn’t have wished to have one on the day that won. My nearest track is Mallow, if you have a National Hunt card there’s a crowd there, but I don’t know why you don’t have a crowd there for a flat card. It’s great to go over there and book a table for your lunch. You have the racing there and you can have a three-course meal and a pint, if you’ve got a driver. That’s a wonderful day out.