EVERY aspiring trainer needs to get that break starting off; find the horse that gets you noticed as it was. I have been very fortunate to come upon Beauchamp Bagenal so early in my career.

The five-year-old credited me with my first winner as a trainer when successful at Dundalk in January and has since added wins at Gowran Park and Leopardstown respectively. Following his most recent success, we are now looking at some better class handicaps and listed races down the line.

My older brother Aidan paved the way for me in terms of hunting and pony racing. I followed in his footsteps with the Stonehall Harriers before going on to ride ponies on the southern circuit. My uncle, Davy Fitzgerald, started us both off with racehorses; we rode out for him before and after school and later progressed to riding in point-to-points on his horses. Local trainers John Long and Brian Moran were also big influences on my early years, as was Michael Hourigan for whom I worked towards the end of my school years. Aidan was based at the Patrickswell trainers yard at that time so I naturally followed suit. After finishing my education I started working full-time for Michael, remaining there for two or three years. Dorans Pride had been the stable star just before I arrived but Beef Or Salmon and later Hi Cloy assumed that mantle while I was there.

Eye opening

Throughout my time with Michael Hourigan, I worked half-days then looked after my own point-to-point horses at home. I then went to work for Enda Bolger for two winters, as I wanted to learn more about banks horses and how he trained them. Spot Thedifference was the star of that discipline at the time so it was an eye opening experience getting to watch his preparations at close quarters. I also recall Like A Butterfly coming in for pre-training one year – it always hit me what a big strong mare she was.

I spent a further year with Andrew McNamara [senior] before turning my attention to training point-to-point horses for a time. I enjoyed some success, with the like of John Thomas [McNamara], Aidan, and Davy Russell all riding winners for me.

However, the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 put paid to my business so I upped sticks and moved up to County Carlow. Aidan got me a job riding out for Mags Mullins where I remained for the next five years. I then went to work mornings with Sean Treacy while assisting Aidan with his breakers/pre-training in the afternoons. After Sean Treacy’s, I spent a few years with Shark Hanlon, all the time continuing to help my brother once my own work was done.

In 2010/11, I was asked to break a horse for Michael and Ruth Foley; something that led to a long term friendship/working relationship. I spent the next 10 years working for the Foleys, alongside the work I did with Aidan. Michael and Ruth backed me to get my trainers licence and were very supportive of me in that respect. I currently train out of their yard as well as sending out a couple of runners for them.

Beauchamp Bagenal got me off the mark as a trainer when winning his maiden at Dundalk in late January. I felt the horse didn’t get the credit he deserved at the time, as he had been running in bumpers and was sent off a big outsider. It was wonderful to train my first winner in the colours of Michael Foley but in truth it all passed me by on the night.

Taking it in

Fortunately I didn’t have to wait too long for my second winner, as Saga Bolton won a claimer just a week later. On that occasion I enjoyed the whole experience so much more and was able to take it all in.

Beauchamp Bagenal won for us again last month at our local track, Gowran Park. He received a 12lbs hike for that effort so I was happy to pitch him into listed company on his next outing. Realistically I knew he had plenty to do at the weights but having finished a respectable sixth place, I knew coming away that I had a very well-handicapped horse.

Despite heading to Leopardstown off a mark of 93 last time, I felt Beauchamp Bagenal would take plenty of beating. While I was thrilled to be proved right, I actually felt the horse would have won even easier, only for meeting trouble in running two furlongs out. A revised mark of 99 now leaves us in premier handicap/listed class territory, something we are very much looking forward to. We have nothing mapped out for the moment but a few races next month could be suitable – the faster they go the better for him and a bigger track tends to suit. I have 10 horses in at the moment but have 22 stables here in the yard so I am open for business.

I would also love to get more owners involved as we only have three right now: Michael and Ruth Foley, Enda McDonagh and John Browne. Attention to detail is one of the key aspects of training so I am not looking to get too big. Ideally, if I had a full yard and more owners of the calibre of those mentioned, I would be very pleased going forward.

We have excellent facilities here, with a two-furlong circular sand gallop harrowed deep to get horses fitter. I also take them away to the Curragh to work, as getting away is good for their heads and gets horses used to travelling. In this weather, I also try to get the horses out in paddocks for as long as possible as it does wonders for them. A year on from taking out my trainer’s licence, I can look back with some satisfaction on how the first 12 months have worked out.

Barry J Fitzgerald was in conversation with John O’Riordan