How did you get into ownership?

I’ve always had an interest in horses because I liked to have a bet as a kid. We weren’t ‘horsey’ people growing up in Drogheda. At 18 years of age I went to the US in 1986, I suppose going on a punt and made my way in New York city.

It hasn’t proved to be a problem owning horses in Ireland while working and living in the states. I can watch the races over here easily now.

My first winner was Springfield Way at Downpatrick in December 2011, trained by John McConnell.

Your best day at the races?

Any time I win at Bellewstown, it’s special. It’s my local track, near where I grew up.

I’ve won bigger races elsewhere (Pearl Of The West at the 2019 Punchestown Festival and Go Another One won a listed hurdle at Perth last year running in the colours of Caroline Ahearn, Derek’s wife). But a Bellewstown win means more to me. My father Philip used to take us to Bellewstown and Laytown – happy memories.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

No drawback that I can see. If you have the money to buy horses then that isn’t money you should be worrying about.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

Actually going racing anywhere in Ireland, it has to be made more of an experience. There’s not much of an incentive to go racing with the facilities on offer at many of the tracks.

I took along some visitors to Bellewstown, to the owners and trainers bar. One of them had spent some time in prison (white collar crime) and he said the food in prison was better than Bellewstown!

When we went to Cheltenham as owners, we were treated like gods.

I realise that for some smaller Irish tracks they are on small budgets but racing is in the entertainment business and it has to raise its game.

I get a big buzz as an owner and love the hill at Bellewstown but for some casual racegoers the whole experience can pass them by.

Flat or jumps, which do you prefer?

Jumps. And I’ve had more success with jumpers. I don’t really go racing over here. It’s something I associate with being home in Ireland and being with my friends.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Our horses are with John McConnell and Tom Gibney. I like the attention my horses and I, as their owner, get in a small yard. Easy communication is all the more important as I’m living in the US. My brother Damien acts as my racing manager back home.

I met John through a fluke as a friend had a horse with him. The first couple of horses I had, I bought with him and he has trained for me for about eight years. They’ve had their ups and downs and now this virus has hit everyone.

Tom I met through a mutual friend. I sent him a few horses four years ago. We’ve had good and bad times.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general and on ownership in particular?

I think the Government is being weak and shortsighted by not starting racing again. I mean golf has been allowed to start and yet not racing where so many people’s jobs depend on it. I’m so disappointed that the politicians haven’t taken the lead. Racing behind closed doors here should never have been stopped. It worked so well. Look at Florida, Australia, Japan and now France has opened up. It’s nonsense.

Will anyone have any money left to spend?

What significance do your colours hold?

My wife Caroline chose my colours black/white, they stand out very well. The kids chose Caroline’s colours, dark blue stars on a pale blue background.

What do you look for when buying a horse?

John and I look at the catalogue and narrow down the choice to between six to eight horses and then when it comes to the bidding we might get two or three depending on how the budget stretches.

For the point-to-point horses, I look at them in the round - the pedigree, the ground they like. It’s all about the budget.

What horses do you currently have in training?

I’ve a few horses. I can’t tell the correct amount or my wife will kill me!

In my name they include Pearl Of The West, Indignation, Robin De Roost is now retired, and Bold Emperor. And running in Caroline’s name some of them are: Go Another One, Streets Of Doyen, Happaugue, Anna Bunina, Minella Mystics.

What’s next on the agenda?

It looks like something might happen for Irish racing before June 29th – I really hope so. Some of my horses were in and some turned out. I’ve told John to bring them all in so they are ready to go if racing resumes. Some can race on the flat we hope.

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

It’s hard to gauge how to deal with the dominance of the big owners like J.P. or Gigginstown. With multiple entries of their horses in even small races the rest of us can just go on getting balloted out.

Put on more meetings, even at tracks like Bellewstown, they don’t race very often there. It would give others the chance to race and maybe win more.

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

Don’t! Temper your expectations. I’m in the game long enough not to expect to win. Winning is a special occasion. Many people don’t know that on their initial experience as owners.

Owning is a big thrill. What I get out of it – definitely.

Derek Kierans was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.