How did you get into racehorse

ownership?

My late father Paddy was involved in pointers with a few friends and I fancied someday I would like to try it, as I loved following and going racing.

When I decide to get involved I knew that Gavin Cromwell was an up-and-coming trainer, making great progress and lived quiet local which meant I would be able to go and see the horses at anytime as I live in Bettystown.

I first spoke to Gavin at the Galway Festival in 2016 where he actually had a winner on the day; he invited me over the following week for a chat and to see the horses and facilities.

The first horse I got into was a pointer with with two friends, he was unlucky and got injured after two runs.

But that did not put me off. I then got involved with Prospectus in the McAlpine Syndicate and he won first time out in Fairyhouse in November 2016.

His next race he was unplaced at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. His next race he won in Fairyhouse again and it was then decided that we would head for the Cheltenham Festival with him for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle where he was ridden by top jockey Ruby Walsh.

Unfortunately the ground didn’t suit as it was too fast. It was a dream fulfilled to have a horse running in Cheltenham. After that he also had a few places and wins on the flat.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Without doubt March 17th gone by at Down Royal.

The coronavirus had arrived and with it very strict racing restrictions; only one owner was allowed to enter and unfortunately my partner Mary had to watch the races on her ‘phone in the car park.

I was lucky enough to have two horses running. Demophon won a handicap hurdle at 33/1, ridden by Sarah Kavanagh, a 24-year-old jockey from Wexford who works for Gavin and was having her first ride as a professional.

What a day for her to have here first winner!

An hour later Prospectus won a rated novice chase by 20 lengths ridden by Brien Kane also attached to Gavin’s stable.

I never thought I would have two horses running the same day let alone winning, a dream come true to have a double and on my birthday.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The bills and if you are unlucky injuries to horses.

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

The standards of the racecourses in Ireland have improved greatly in recent years and are continuing to do so.

Flat or jump racing which do you prefer and why?

Probably the jumps but I also like to have a winner on the flat like Prospectus and Lever De Soleil.

Lever De Soleil is a horse that myself and three other friends got involved in through Gavin in August 2018.

He was placed in his first three runs over hurdles before he won fourth time out. He was also placed four times out of his next six races.

He then had four wins on the flat in the summer of 2019 in Musselburgh, Ayr, Catterick and Hamilton, all in the space of 15 days.

Following that he was second in a big handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Someone you can talk to and who will give you straight and honest answers, tells you as he sees it and what the plan is going forward for the horse(s).

I have become a very good friend of Gavin’s now. He’s been very lucky for us – any horse I’ve had with him has won!

I give him a ring and go over to view the horses about every second week.

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

It will have a big impact on job losses and the economy in general.

I can’t see any new owners or syndicates getting involved until the current crisis is over (hopefully not too far away).

Any significance to your colours?

Mary Duffy my partner and Mary McGuinness my sister picked them for another horse and syndicate I was involved which disbanded.

When Demophon came along I kept them for sole ownership.

When buying a horse what do you look for?

I would be a far better judge of cattle than horses as I had a lot of success at breading and showing cattle.

I still inspect all the Limousin cattle at their pedigree sales and have been involved with them for the past 30 years.

I trust in Gavin’s expertise and good judgement when buying, so I leave the horses to him.

Towards the end of last year I was on the look our for another horse when Gavin told me about Demophon, he had got him in England a couple of days previously and thought he was what I was looking for.

Demophon has proved to be very lucky for me so far.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Demophon on my own, and I have a share in Prospectus, Lever De Soleil and Galaxy Girl.

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

Probably increased prize money and a better spread for the place money.

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

My advice would be not to get involved in large syndicates (big syndicate usually means big problems), and choose your trainer wisely.

I have been very lucky with Gavin Cromwell and can recommend him.

He has been very successful in the last couple of years regarding winners including winning the Champion Hurdle with Espoir D’Allen.

I would like to thank Gavin for all his help, Feidhlim Cunningham for the race planning, and all the dedicated stable staff at the yard.

Patrick McGuinness was in

conversation with Olivia Hamilton