Michael Burke, four of his brothers (Noel, Paul, Tommy and Brendan) and two friends (Sean Murphy and Pat Folan) all make up the Shoot A Hoop Syndicate, while the same seven plus Mickey White comprise the Dunk Again Syndicate. They’re all pals from playing top class basketball with St Mary’s in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Another brother, Sean Burke, was previously in the syndicates, but left to pursue his career as an author.

What was your best day at the races and why?

We won the Long Distance Hurdle at Killarney in 2006 with Stadium Project. Not only did it complete the horse’s hat-trick but it was our biggest win to date. Mark Watts was our jockey and he came thundering up the straight and ran on really well from last hurdle to head Leviator and Ruby Walsh near the finish. Ruby said to Watts afterwards: “Where the hell did you come from?”

Next was probably winning the John Mulholland-sponsored handicap hurdle at Galway last October.

With the Dunk Again Syndicate, Patrolman was the best horse we had but he broke his leg. That was a big downer - he was a very promising four-year-old and a beautiful looking horse.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

It’s very costly. One of the most important elements of horse racing is the owner. If there are no owners, there’s no need for racing, or trainers, or horses. Owners tend to be taken for granted, and are often overlooked, especially small owners with one or two horses. The big guys are feted into the racecourse, but smaller owners have to take out their AIR card just to get into the car-park. There are far more small owners than celebrity owners.

A pet hate of mine, is when there’s a group race at the Curragh and there’s more prize money on offer for that race with a small field than is on offer at an entire jumps meeting. Prize money distribution needs a big re-think.

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

We’re going almost 11 years and we’ve seen a gradual improvement of facilities. Ballinrobe is always a nice track to go to, as is Down Royal, Cork and Limerick. Navan have come on leaps and bounds recently.

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

There’s only one winner for me, and that’s jump racing. Flat racing is over too quick, and holds no thrill for me.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

We’ve been with Tony Mullins for years and he’s more of a friend these days. He’s honest, tells you the facts straight up, and will inform us if we’ll have no future with a certain horse. Tony tells it as it is, and we appreciate it.

What improvements could be made to racing in Ireland?

A much smaller percentage of winnings when placed could be taken out. Also, horses rated up to 110, can’t run in graded races. Authorities could introduce a decent race with decent prize money at your horse’s level. It would give a boost to prize money at the lower end of racing, and keep owners and syndicates going a little longer.

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

At Punchestown one time, I parked in the outside car park and it took me an hour to find my car. I swore I’d never again go to the Festival. HRI could issue a badge for an owner’s car to make entry to car parks on race days easier. It’s not always obvious where owners can park, but a badge would allow you to get directed.

Also, comfortable seating and the odd cup of coffee would be very much appreciated. Being in my 70s, I like to sit down, but not on slatted seats like at Listowel, or Kilbeggan. Some comfortable seating would go a long way. Midweek racing relies on older people, who like their creature comforts!

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

Losers don’t seem to exist in racing in Ireland. Maybe placed owners could receive some refreshments, which would bring more people in the inner sanctums of racetracks.

When the compere in the parade ring at Tramore knows you’re an owner, he’ll give you a cup of tea. He’s a very good advertisement for Tramore races and is an excellent PR representative.

What significance do your colours hold?

The Shoot A Hoop Syndicate colours are blue and white diamonds - we were all very good basketball players in our youth, and those are the Athlone town colours in GAA, soccer and basketball.

The Dunk Again Syndicate are black and red which are our parish colours.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

We’d know a nice looking horse but you rely on your trainer to make a selection. That’s why you need a good trainer who’s up front and honest. Syndicate member Sean Murphy was getting out of horses and said to us that he’d gift us one. So we decided to form a syndicate to keep Stadium Project in racing. If it wasn’t for Sean and his gift, we’d never be involved in racing.

What horses do you currently have in training?

The Shoot A Hoop Syndicate have Battling Boru, and the Dunk Again Syndicate have Sacred Dragon, trained by Shark Hanlon.

What's next on the agenda for Battling Boru and Sacred Dragon?

Battling Boru was training for a good part of last year, and he’ll come back in the summer on the better ground and hopefully win some respectable handicaps. We haven’t chased with him yet, but he looks a like he’s got terrific potential based on how he jumps a hurdle.

Sacred Dragon will have a few runs on the flat then go hurdling. He has reasonably good breeding and will hopefully do the business. He’ll be back training by the end of February and racing by the end of April.

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

If you’re interested in racing but can’t afford to buy a horse on your own, a syndicate is the way to go. You need a close-knit group, because if members are pulling in different directions, you’ll find it difficult. Get a group together who understand racing. Don’t go into it to make money, go into it to enjoy it. And when success comes your way, enjoy it. Around seven is the right size for a syndicate in my opinion. Definitely keep it under 10 members. We keep two rules: pay on time, and the only person allowed to ring the trainer is the syndicate organiser.

Michael Burke was in conversation with Joe Finegan.