Our series on racehorse owners continues with David Eiffe

David Eiffe owns the Lee Valley Training Centre a gallops and schooling grounds

How did you get into racehorse ownership?

We had a farm at home in Ratoath Co Meath but my father didn’t keep any horses on it.

However, he was a big horse racing fan and regularly took my brother and I racing when we were youngsters. When I was in my Leaving Certificate year we got a good tip for a horse called Oh My Dancer and it won at odds of 33/1 at Leopardstown. I used the winnings to buy my first horse Lee Valley Native! After I finished college we decided to keep a few mares on the farm and subsequently established the Lee Valley Training Centre, a public gallops and schooling grounds north of Fairyhouse.

What was your best day at the races and why?

In August 2010 when my mare Ocean Bright won in Roscommon, a maiden hurdle. It was the first winner for Dermot McLoughlin as a trainer which was a significant day for both of us.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

A good few of them get injuries and there are also the expenses apart from the training fees.

In particular, early closing races in Ireland can have prohibitive initial entry fees.

In your experience, which racecourse treats owners the best and why?

I have been lucky to have had winners at a good few tracks but I think one of my local tracks, Bellewstown, run a very good show. I feel the privately-owned tracks make more of an effort with owners than the HRI-owned tracks. Unfortunately, on the whole, tracks in Britain seem to treat owners better and it’s not necessarily down to resources.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

I own horses that race in both codes. Commercially the flat is more viable but my passion is for the jumps. I would die happy if I had a Cheltenham winner.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Dermot (McLoughlin) and I grew up together and we know each other so well we barely have a difference of opinion. I see my horses every day as he uses my gallops for work so that is a bonus for me. Dermot is an exceptionally hard working, hands on, dyed in the wool horse person. He has a very good knowledge of husbandry and stock management which I believe are dying arts in training. I also have horses with James Given in Britain. He is the only trainer who told me straight up that one of my horses wasn’t good enough and that I should take it straight home! Very honest.

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

In the last couple of months things have definitely improved. If your horse is entered somewhere I will get an email from Irish Thoroughbred Marketing acknowledging me as an owner. However, there is still a lot more progress to make. As a direct comparison, when Vics Canvas raced in the Grand National at Aintree we were treated like movie stars but when he ran in the Irish equivalent there was nothing above and beyond the owner and trainer entry passes.

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

I don’t really feel like having a drink with people when my horse loses!

What significance do your colours hold?

They are the colours of the Ratoath GAA club.

How did your syndicate get its name?

I own Vics Canvas in partnership under the name the Bodeen Bandits Partnership. Gary O’Brien of At The Races and Patsy Kelly a local builder/trader are also in the partnership. Dermot’s yard is based in a part of Ratoath called Bodeen so hence the partnership name.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I do a small bit of bloodstock agency work for some clients. Previously I was the Asia manager for Bord Bia (The Irish Food Board). During that time I met a lot of people based in Asia who asked me to help them source horses for them. My criteria for choosing horses are the physical specimen first and then the catalogue page.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Vics Canvas who is currently on holidays. The mare Dragon Fei is knocking on the door of blacktype and has entries next week at Navan and Killarney. Snow Dragon and Modh Coinniolach will go down the handicap route. Intercounty Star has been running in points but will go back to the track for the summer.

Have you any horses to look forward to? (i.e. young/unbroken horses)

I breed seven or eight foals every year. I keep the odd filly or two for breeding and race them first.

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

Go for it – enjoy it. There are a lot more disappointments and losses but enjoy the wins.

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

I suppose it’s the times we live in. With the smaller owner or yard if they have a good bumper, maiden or points horse and they are offered €200,000 they can’t say no.

So the yards with the big patrons get stronger and the smaller yards get left further behind.

David Eiffe was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton

The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) have secured agreement with the Association of Irish Racecourses for free admission to 107 race meetings in 2016 for owners who currently have a horse in training.