WHEN I first called Sarah Lynam to set up this interview, she told me she was just looking at a horse and would call me back. Work may have grinded to a halt in many industries in this country, but racing is not one of them. Despite the suspension of fixtures, business continues as normal in many yards.

Sarah is a daughter of multiple Group 1-winning trainer Eddie Lynam and horses were part of her life from the very earliest stage. Despite the family’s affinity with the thoroughbred, her parents, Eddie and Aileen, were keen for her to explore opportunities outside the confines of racing.

“I was always mad into horses and racing growing up, but Mam and Dad didn’t want me to work in the industry. They even tried to ban me from riding out in the yard.”

With 30 years of training experience under his belt, her father Eddie was well placed to know the trials and tribulations of life as a trainer. Sarah relented, begrudgingly going on to study Film Studies and French at Trinity College.

“I was actually really cranky about doing it at the time but I’m glad I did it. All I thought about was racing and race programmes for horses so it was great to get exposure to the ‘outside world’. Racing is such a small bubble and you tend to get swallowed up in it. I’d always loved film so it was great to engage a different part of my brain although I only did French because I liked French racing. I did my time abroad as part of the course in Deauville!”

Natural progression

It was a natural progression for Sarah to go into racing, and despite her parents’ best efforts her sights remained set on a career in the industry.

“After college, I went to Jim Bolger’s. Dad had started out there and insisted I did too. He thought if I still wanted a life in racing after that, then it was a good enough test! I loved it down there, it’s old school but you learn so much, everything from looking after horses and riding out, to bandaging horses. I suppose you could say Mr Bolger’s is the Trinity College of Irish racing; it’s incredible the knowledge you gain there.”

From one master trainer to another, Sarah then went on to Willie Mullins’ yard for what was meant to be a twomonth stint but turned into two years. Learning her craft over both codes has allowed her to take out a National Hunt licence but she is very much aware of the challenges of not only making it as a trainer but also making it as a woman in the industry.

The path for success for female trainers has been well-established in Ireland by Jessica Harrington, but the multiple Grade 1- and Group 1-winning trainer has voiced her concerns about the difficulties for women in the industry, stating that they “have to be twice as good” to make it.

Lynam has already been vocal about everyday sexism in sport and society, and she hopes that other women in racing feel able to acknowledge the bias they’ve faced.

“I suppose it was a lot clearer that I had been treated differently to men in the yard after I worked at Gai Waterhouse’s yard in Australia. It was the best job I’ve had in racing and you would never hear comments like ‘that horse is a girl’s ride’ or ‘don’t go easy on that horse’. People often think women might not be as tough. There’s no room for being average if you’re a woman; you have to be very good.”

Lynam even finds some attempts to promote gender equality problematic.The Microsoft Ladies Cup was one recent innovation in Ireland to allow female riders to showcase their abilities, but there is still room for improvement.

“We obviously had the Microsoft Cup at Leopardstown but because there was such a big pot some of the more well known-UK based jockeys came over, so the opportunity to highlight the talents of less well known riders was a bit stunted.”

She is a firm believer in a more proactive programme such as the lady riders’ programme in Britain, the Silk Series. “I actually approached the race planner last year with a view to setting up a series for lady riders, similar to the Silk Series, but nothing came from it. These one-off racedays don’t provide the momentum you need to show that you’re a good and capable rider. There’s no opportunity to learn and get in a rhythm because you might ride in that race and not have another ride for a month.

“The one-off races can come off as a bit of a publicity stunt; we’re talking about lady riders who ride in the race and then go back to a changing room the size of a broom cupboard. The facilities just aren’t there in comparison to what’s available for men.”

Despite the challenges, Lynam remains committed to a career in the industry both as a trainer and in the saddle.

“I have a dual licence and I have a bumper horse – I mainly took it out with a view to riding him and to train a few jumpers as well. I’d like to put my time at Willie Mullins’ to good use. I bought Whiskey Sour as a yearling so to train one like him wouldn’t be bad – he’s a little dinger! Obviously with everything going on, the bumper horse is on a break now because he won’t be running for a while.”

Racing suspension

The break in racing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic is undoubtedly troubling news for many in the industry and Lynam is no exception.

“I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of suspending racing at the time but ultimately for the sake of people’s health it had to be done. It was the right decision and a necessary one for the perception of the sport.

“Cheltenham has become a scapegoat for the spread of the virus which doesn’t reflect well on the industry. When racing does start back I think it will be behind closed doors and that’s probably the safest method but who knows when that will be?

“I’ve had a few owners bring their horses home for a break and I have a couple of horses that could probably do with a bit of time to develop more so it’s not all bad. This industry is uncertain at the best of times and a lot of people are extra stressed at the moment. ”

There is plenty to look forward to when racing does resume, however, as the trainer has a team of 20 horses, her biggest yet since turning her hand to training in 2017. It has been a frustrating start to the season so far. With 10 placed horses from 23 runners since January, the crossbar has been hit plenty of times.

“Poor old Tyrconnell was only a whisker away the last day. I don’t think he’s been getting any leniency from the handicapper and he was put up 6lb for that second so life will be tough for him. He’s a little legend and a great flag bearer for the yard. He has given us plenty to cheer about and is a dual winner at Laytown. Hopefully racing is back by September and he can win three in a row!”

With a great team behind her and a growing number of horses, she is well placed to make it work especially coming from a family steeped in racing.

“I come from a family that is very talented with horses and I’d like to make my own contribution. Dad has won multiple Group 1s, mam was a jockey, I have family that have won Breeders’ Cup races and Troytowns. I’d like to do well and I’ll give it the best shot I can.”