How did you get into racehorse ownership?

It was around 2002 through a good friend of mine, David Barker who was a trainer. He gave me seven horses to choose from and I said I wouldn’t pay more than £500 apiece.

I picked the smallest one because she was eating the most and she won £245,000 and I sold her for 115,000gns. It was Sierra Vista.

But I had been involved in horses all my life through my family. My parents were farmers and had a haulage and truck business near Darlington. They kept horses with Gordon Richards.

I rode as an amateur in the late ‘70s. I was a proper amateur and I rode about 22 winners but I didn’t get my first winner until after five years racing. I also rode at the Cheltenham Festival for Howard Johnston.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The Nunthorpe at York last year won by Mecca’s Angel. It was an unbelieveable day for me to win a Group 1 at York. I had ridden winners before but this feeling was something else.

We were giving away two stone to the huge American filly Acapulco, but in the end we won quite easily. She’s the best I’ve ever had.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

In the lower class races the prize money isn’t good in the UK. Another problem is being stuck with bad horses.

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

The Curragh have been good to us. I ring ahead to tell them I’m bringing a party over. Last year was superb; we had steaks and all and very good wine, which I was happy to pay extra for, and we were served at table – as good as a Michelin restaurant. This year it was good as well.

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

The flat as an owner. I’ve had success there. I was jumping man before I owned horses. I would only go jumping as an owner if I had a likely Cheltenham Festival winner. Everyone wants a winner there.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Somebody to get on with. Michael (Dods) knows stock, he’s a farmer and I trust him. You have to have a good time with them, you’re spending a full day’s racing together. A good communicator is vital. Michael is a total professional racing, but when the raceday is over you can have fun. Work properly and then play properly.

What significance do your colours hold?

They used to be my parents’ colours. I didn’t want to lose them so I reregistered them. They have been lucky for them and lucky for me.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I buy at sales, I love going to the sales. I go to see the horses, then if I like one I check out the catalogue page for breeding, etc and then Michael (Dods) looks at them. If all three boxes are ticked we will go after them. There’s no point in buying one if I don’t like the look of it even if the breeding is right. I have to look at them racing.

What horses do you currently have in training?

A three-year-old Mecca’s Missus who was second last time out at Leicester and is sold now. Mecca’s Angel will probably be sold at the end of the season for breeding and I won’t have any then.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

The Nunthorpe at York again for Mecca’s Angel on August 19th. Michael Dods said after the Curragh race: “Ground permitting, we will go to York, just as long as firm isn´t in the ground description.’’

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

Nothing but we will start buying again.

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

Basically it’s all about prize money at the lower level. Millionaires racing for the Group 1s aren’t bothered about prize money. It’s hard enough to win and then you need to be rewarded to keep racing. What I call the normal kind of owner needs better money.

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

Only spend what you can afford. Keep to your budget. The easy bit is the buying and the expensive bit is the training.

The horse always comes first.

David Metcalfe was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton. Call 01 4051149 if you would like to feature in The Owner.

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. Details of the meetings are on www.irishracehorseowners.com