How did you get into racehorse ownership?

Being a bloodstock agent for many years, I have ended up having a couple in training every now and again.

What was your best day at the races and why?

I have to mention three days. When Labaik won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2017) it was very special as it was in my colours and because he was an inexpensive purchase who had an odd quirk to say the least!

When Beckford won the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend it was a proud moment as he was another cheap purchase as a yearling for another syndicate we had started in the yard and he was Gordon (Elliott’s) first group winner on the flat.

The third special day was when Markhan won for the Half Married Syndicate in Nashville last May. A lot of the lads were there with us and it’s safe to say it was an interesting few days!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Obviously injuries are a slight drawback, but I’m around long enough to appreciate that horses are not machines and unfortunately it does happen.

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

These days I think the majority of racecourses in Ireland look after owners pretty well. There are a few exceptions, which in my opinion there is no excuse for, as without owners there would be no industry for us all to work in.

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

I’m pretty active buying in both through working for Gordon Elliott and Richard Fahey among others so I have a massive interest in both.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

The main thing you need in a trainer is for he/she to be a successful one!

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

As I referred to earlier most Irish racecourses look after owners well but the standard has to be maintained and tweaked slightly at times.

Racing is entertainment for the majority of owners so the racecourses have a big part to play in this entertainment. Little things make a big difference to a lot of owners.

When Recent Revelations won at Cork (January 4th 2020) they sent me a picture of the horse at the winning line. It may only be a small thing but it was a nice touch that was much appreciated.

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

I believe as long as the owners are looked after with tickets, badges, lunch etc. upon entry they are generally happy with that as it’s hard to look after everybody after the race.

There’s only one winner!

What significance do your colours hold?

No real significance, the colours are my own colours with a different cap for the Half Married Syndicate.

How did your syndicate get its name?

During a pretty long night in Portugal a couple of years ago we were trying to think of a good name and there were some of us married and some not so that was it.

Although I’m not sure there are as many still married now as there was then!

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

When buying a foal, yearling or store, obviously we’ve no idea of ability levels so a horse has to be pretty correct and must have a good athletic walk and good action with a bit of scope as in my opinion the days of selling small horses is long gone.

When buying a pointer or form horse we rely a lot on information and obviously the level of form they’ve shown previously and that they are pretty sound.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Recent Revelations is the syndicate’s only horse for now.

Our first horse was Markhan who did us proud. We sold him to an American client of ours to run in Nashville in partnership and before that he won and was placed several times so he was ideal for a syndicate.

We think Recent Revelations is a higher class than Markhan so if he stays in one piece the lads could be set for some nice days out with him both on the flat and over hurdles.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

We are entered in the Grade 1 juvenile at Leopardstown on Dublin Racing Festival weekend (Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle and there is another race for him at Naas in early February before hopefully a tilt at the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.

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

Not for the syndicate at the moment but if Recent Revelations does well, the lads will have to put their hands in their pockets for another horse!

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

It all depends on the individual’s circumstances. It’s great craic to get involved in a syndicate with not a big number of people as you get the proper ownership experience for not a massive outlay.

But if you are going it alone, select a trainer and bloodstock agent that you maybe know and get on well with and trust to give you the best experience of racehorse ownership.

As everyone who has been lucky enough to have owned a winner knows there is no greater buzz that you can get.

Aidan O’Ryan was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.