ON Saturday, January 30th, a committee I was instrumental in setting up, host The Kube, at Killashee House Hotel, in aid of the Robbie McNamara Fund. I have known Robbie since he first came to Rosewell House, where I have worked as racing secretary for almost 22 years.

My interest in horses stemmed from my late father, who was a passionate follower and regular racegoer. His twin sister is married to the trainer, Frances Flood, and I grew up on stories of Glencarrig Lady and Garoupe. Indeed there are some early photos of me as a child, ringing the telephone exchange to relay news of those stable stars. I was the only one in my family that inherited the gene for racing. I have worked in the industry all my adult life and have a great love for the sport.

BLOODSTOCK AGENCY

After finishing my Leaving Cert I did a secretarial course, before going on to work for the Curragh Bloodstock Agency, where I spent three and a half years working with the late Liam Spring and I really enjoyed the experience. I later moved on to Mercury Bloodstock in Naas where I spent a year and a half working with Olive Taaffe. Through the receptionist Ann Hunter at the Curragh Bloodstock Agency I became aware of an opening for a secretary at Mr Weld’s and following a successful interview, I have remained in the role for over two decades. I work in the office with two other girls - one part-time and the second full-time in accounts. It is a real team effort and we operate very well together.

I deal with all the racing side of the administration, such as entries, declarations, transport, passports, racing colours, liaising with owners, veteniary surgeons, farriers, jockeys agents and the like. Mr Weld is one of the most successful trainers in the world, so much of my work also involves dealing with foreign companies such as Weatherbys UK, France Galop and international transport companies.

My working week is mainly Monday to Friday, although I work all bank holidays and the occasional Saturday during the height of the flat season when the yard is at its busiest. I think you have to love racing to work in a role such as mine and in that respect I am very fortunate. I don’t leave work on a Friday evening and forget about it until Monday morning; if anything I am eagerly awaiting the weekend to come! My husband, Alan Dunne, is into racing as well and The Irish Field is bought every Saturday.

JOCKEYS

While it is only natural that I would follow the fortunes of all the Rosewell House runners, I also find myself keeping an eye out for jockeys associated with the stable, such as Pat Smullen, Leigh Roche, Davy Russell, Derek McCormack and Robbie (McNamara) when he was riding. The latter came to us about 10 years ago and being a real character, everyone at the yard took to him immediately. He enjoyed huge success during his time at Welds and was very much part of our close knit family.

It was a huge blow to all of us when Robbie had his accident; nothing like that had ever happened to anyone at Rosewell House and the boss was devastated as were all his colleagues. I visited Robbie once in the Mater and quite a bit out in Dun Laoghaire. I was determined to try and do something to help and having received the go ahead from Robbie and his dad Andrew senior, I set about making plans.

Firstly I got a committee together and then we sat down to discuss what we could do to raise funds. The committee is made up of Shane Gorey, David Brogan, Paul Benson, Pat Smullen, Kevin O’Ryan, Pat Healy and Audrey O’Dwyer. Having come together and thrashed out our ideas, we settled on The Kube, a popular television game show where contestants compete from within a large square enclosure. Fundraising Events Group, who run both The Kube and Strictly Come Dancing charity events, will oversee the night and provide the Kube itself, as well as a smaller version which members of the public can try their hand at. We will also hold an auction on the night, made up of small items which everyone can bid on. We felt it was important to make the event one that the general public can attend and feel part of, rather than making it exclusive.

The competition itself will comprise of six teams each made up of six members. The fastest two from each side will progress to the next round, until we reach the semi-final and final. There will be four contestants in the decider, so everyone should have a favourite to cheer for.

The teams are made up of a broad spectrum from the racing industry including A.P. McCoy, Shona Dreaper (Punchestown), Sally Ann Madden (p2p.ie), Jane Davis (HRI), as well as leading jockeys Pat Smullen, Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell. The MC for the night will be Matt Chapman from At The Races. Indeed, my husband is on one of the teams, having been sponsored by the Hermitage Medical Clinic. Hopefully the racing public will embrace the night, come out in force and show their support for Robbie.

Martina Murphy Dunne was in conversation with

John O’Riordan