How did you get into ownership?

My dad Thomas promised my mum Carolyn he’d keep his racing passions under wraps when they had children. It didn’t last too long as I can vividly remember heading over to Chepstow Racecourse aged five or so, and from there I guess there was no way back.

I think sport in general is integral to many father/son relationships and foundation, for the close bond we have has largely been based around horses and the racing game.

Regarding my first horses, six very good friends and I collated our trading floor salaries and bought a yearling called Signor Peltro with Henry Candy for 16,000gns in 2004 at the Doncaster sales and he went on to win over £100,000 in prize money and above all give us 39 memorable days out. The six of us are all still the very best of friends today and searching for more of the same!

What was your best day at the races?

Aside from our wedding day and of course the birth of my four children, most of my best days have been at the races but winning the Acomb with Treaty Of Paris (2013) definitely stands out. York is the most brilliant place to have a winner and the magnificent team there ensured we had our day of days.

In Ireland my best day was unquestionably in June 2016 at Roscommon with a homebred mare called Gambling Girl who won her seventh race. I was lucky enough to share her with my much missed mother-in-law Gina Galvin and that was sadly our last day at the races together but one I shall always remember very fondly.

Early the next morning on my way back to work in London, and possibly undone by Roscommon’s fine Guinness, I found myself trying to walk through Dublin Airport with the handsome prize (a set of kitchen knives) under my arm.

After setting off most of the alarms, the security guard was good enough to recognise the racecourse logo on the box, put away his handcuffs and instead walked me onto the plane with a story as to why he’d also backed Gambling Girl. Hence why Dublin is also my favourite airport!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The lack of affordability is a groundhog day conversation but, for a sport that thrives on the diversity of types of horses, race tracks and geographies, it is equally making the capacity for a diverse ownership base ever more challenging.

With the average age of owners now pushing 60, we need to wake up very quickly indeed, especially with some excellent templates around the world to work from.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

I’ve taken many friends across from Britain to Irish racetracks and their response always delights me. Guinness, chips and the very warmest of welcomes means any owner is ensured a first-rate experience in Ireland. The brilliantly run Thurles is possibly my favourite after Politesse’s recent win!

Seriously, aside from the obvious, tracks such as Roscommon, Ballinrobe, Listowel, Galway, and Downpatrick are places every racing fan on the planet has to sample. I’ve yet to be disappointed racing in Ireland and look forward to sampling all of Ireland’s 26 tracks.

Above all though it’s the love for the horse that stands Ireland apart.

Flat or jumps, which do you prefer?

We are fortunate enough to have 12 months a year to fit both into so we never have to make that awkward choice! Irish and British racing is the best in the world and a spring/summer without the flat is only as unthinkable as an autumn/winter without the jumps.

What do you look for in a trainer?

With the likes of Jessie Harrington the question tends to be slightly inverted. I was told by her and my mother-in-law Gina Galvin that she and Lorna [Fowler] were training anything we have in Ireland. I’ve never been brave enough to disagree.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

From personal experiences the welcome owners get in Ireland today takes a fair bit of beating.

How do you feel owners are treated when not having a winner?

More can always be done though most of us deluded owners are generally inconsolable and desperately need something to blame it on. Normally a decent drink does the trick, but appearance money paid by some courses across the world is especially welcome.

It’s not only the winning horse that creates media rights and other welcome revenues. Again the financial pot driving the sport needs to be grown for this to be feasible.

What significance do your colours hold?

My grandfather Tommy Frost was a passionate racing enthusiast and his red with white hooped sleeves were carried to victory by the likes of Roan Rocket in the 1964 Sussex Stakes. My dad has those colours today and our red and white version is testament to them, although ours are considerably less successful!

How did your syndicate get its name?

Our First Of Many Syndicate was set up with a drink in the local pub in mind, it then led to the first of many horses.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

My telephone, to call the genius Henry Candy to get his view. I’ve never bought a flat horse to race without his approval and nor do I ever plan to.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Our team currently has half a dozen in training with Henry Candy, the best is probably Greenside who at 4,000gns was one Dubawi’s lesser lights but has won five of his 21 starts and £92,000 in prizemoney. He’s also adored by my kids who prefer him being at home than on the racecourse!

In Ireland we have three with Jessie Harrington with Jungle Junction being the best right now. Lorna Fowler is a very close friend and has inherited all the brilliance of her family – homebred Politesse is our best but we think we have a few gems to come.

What’s next on the agenda?

Politesse and Jungle Junction were all set for big outings at Fairyhouse but hopefully their big days aren’t far away. We were also planning on winning the Tote Victoria Cup with Greenside!

Right now there are bigger issues for us all though I hope racing will ultimately prove to be a wonderful distraction when time allows.

Have you horses to look forward to?

On the flat with Henry Candy, La Lune should be worth following this season, likewise Treaty Of Paris’s two-year-old sister Colombe.

Harry Fowler and I have a few with Lorna that we think a fair bit of. Three unraced horses that aren’t far off a run, namely Colonel Mustard, Magnificent Seven and High Sheriff, possibly in that order!

Finally, we have Gambling Girl’s first foal by Getaway here on our stud in Wiltshire and she looks pretty special, be it through rose-tinted glasses!

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

I have massive respect for the youthful injection of support Irish racing is seeing from the likes of Jack Cantillon.

For me though the macro rather than micro picture has to be the focus. There’s no financially sustainable racing jurisdiction that isn’t financed by a meaningful pari-mutual/tote pool. Wherever you go in the world, it is Irish/British racing that is the most respected, wins more international races, hosts over 25% of the Longines top 100 races, yet collectively we have less than 1% of the $100bn global pool.

Until that’s addressed the good ideas to promote and grow racing are likely to lack the required resource.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?

Be very aware as to precisely what your dream scenario looks like. That dream for me has always been owning horses in good company and making sure all are on course in the unlikely event of things working out. At that point there really is nothing that gets close to owning racehorses.

Alex Frost was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton