PHILIP ‘Buster’ Gilligan and the Money Comes First Syndicate are the embodiment of all that is good in harness racing. The team race without the resources of the big yards and the horses are usually bought at affordable prices.

“Adam, Stephen, Andrew, James and Richard make up the syndicate,” explains Buster ‘’we’re still together and we will only fall out if I give a horse a bad drive.”

Gilligan (31) rents John Richardson’s former barn on the back stretch at Portmarnock. If those walls could only talk.

He is married to Mary (neé Kane) and the family comprises a son Jason (4), Jason’s adorable palomino Blippi and a four-month-old baby girl, Rosie.

Buster works hard. Dealing in heavy cobs and various other enterprises helps to keep the show on the road. He gave The Irish Field two pacers and four trotters to follow.

Tarawood CJ (IRE)

9yo g Arts Conquest – Azar Hanover.

He’s up in the top grade now. He has a 1.57 record. We were aiming for the Bernie Kelly Memorial weekend (May 1st and 2nd) but he trained a bit flat the other day. The vet took bloods and says he is okay – so here’s hoping.

Arts Prince (GB)

3yo g Arts Professor – Glorias Princess.

He is a high-profile horse. He topped the sale at York in 2019 at £16,000. He is a big strong horse and we’re looking forward to seeing him race. He is owned by Thomas McDonagh.

Aram (FR)

10yo g Mon Premier Cehere – Bekiana.

He has been around the block a few times. I still think he is better going right-handed. Andrew’s young sons Tommy and Andrew dote on him.

Bian Luis Porsguen (FR)

9yo g Giant Cat – Quinoa Porsguen

Another genuine older horse. He won his heat at the Red John and was fourth in the final, so he’ll be aimed at that again. I feel we rushed him a bit last year so we started him a bit later this time.

Éclair Du Limon (FR)

7yo g Kinder Jet – Lisa De Touques

This horse will go a fast time some of these days, he has raw speed. We got him from John Morgan of Omeath. He underwent a little throat procedure and the vet says he is ready for some sharper work.

Cosmos Reyor (FR)

8yo g Saxo de Vandal – Nultima Atout

He is owned by first-time owner Fergus Gosson. His horse got sick when he came in from France. Emmanuelle Morvillers of LeTROT found out that the owners over there said he can be a bit peculiar. He doesn’t need the company of other horses and thrives better out of a paddock. He won once in France but did earn €40,000.