OVER 2,000 people turned up at Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra Stables in Longwood, Co Meath, last Saturday for the open morning, organised in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland’s Ownership department.
Guests heard the trainer reveal plans for many of his top horses, including multiple Grade 1 winner Gerri Colombe, who could reappear in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November or the Down Royal Champion Chase earlier that month, if the ground is deemed to be soft enough for him there.
“It was a very enjoyable morning,” Elliott commented. “The sun was shining, which made a big difference, and we had a great turnout. Everyone enjoyed themselves, it was a wonderful day.
“They got a look at the horses on the gallops and saw the ins and outs of what goes on in a racing stable. We had a questions and answers session, and we paraded a few of the old stars, like Don Cossack, Silver Birch and Tiger Roll.”
Reflecting on some of the best days of his career so far, Elliott said: “I suppose winning the second Grand National with Tiger Roll was special. The Gold Cup with Don Cossack was also a fantastic achievement for us. Silver Birch’s National was obviously special too but it was so early in my career that it kind of just came and went very quickly. I didn’t really get to appreciate it and soak it in. But, yeah, those three hoses provided us with unforgettable days.”
The public also got to meet some top jockeys, which Elliott compared to being able to meet Formula 1 drivers. Davy Russell, Jack Kennedy, Keith Donoghue, Jordan Gainford and Jamie Codd were on hand, shaking hands and having photos taken with everyone.
Interviewed by MC Kevin O’Ryan, Jack Kennedy said: “ I’m very lucky in the position that I am in. From day one when I walked in the gate here, Gordon never had any problem putting me up on good horses. It’s just such a privilege to be in the position that I am in. Gordon is extremely fair, he gives you your chance, and it’s up to you to make the best of it.”
Davy Russell added: “Myself and Gordon had a lot of special days together. We rode as amateurs together. My father was training horses at the time and he was having very little success. Gordon took care of a horse for him and got the ball rolling for him.
And we got a win with him in Bellewstown. Now that is a very minute success for Gordon in comparison to all he has achieved since, but it was very important to my father and myself. Since then we have had a very special relationship.”
Plenty of Elliott’s owners were also on hand, and possibly some potential new clients. The trainer added: “I love owners coming to the yard, I encourage it. It’s important to let the public get up close with the horses too.
“If we get one new owner from today it will all have been worthwhile. We cater for every budget, from the smallest syndicate member to the biggest owners in the business.
“We have three or four syndicates going in the yard and people can get in touch if they are interested. We can also help people set up their own syndicate or if they want to buy a horse outright we can help with that too.”
“It was a great day and I really enjoyed it. It’s fantastic that people were able to wander around and have a look at the yard. It is great to see kids here and all the locals.
“We have had to use two fields for car parking so that is a great sign. You know our doors are always open. I have never refused anyone who wants to have a look around the place.”
THEY came from as far away as Galway for the open morning at Ross O’Sullivan’s yard in Kill, Co Kildare, on Saturday, August 26th.
“I couldn’t get over it, that some people would drive more than two hours to see our place,” O’Sullivan told The Irish Field. “There were lots of locals here too and some of our owners, it all went great.”
There was racing that afternoon in the Curragh and the following day at Naas, and there were free tickets available for both days for those who turned up, along with a raffle for a pair of Irish Champions Festival tickets.
“We were blessed with the weather,” the trainer reported. “Our MC David Jennings was excellent. We started off with a questions and answers session, and then we walked up to our new gallop, saw horses cantering, and there were more questions and answers there.”
There was a veterinary surgeon and farrier on-site and they gave demonstrations. Also on hand were jockeys Jordan Gainford, Siobhan Rutledge, Leigh Roche and Tom Harney, all of whom were interviewed on the public address system while the guests enjoyed some refreshments.
O’Sullivan joked: “I don’t know if we will get any new owners out of it but it was a great excuse to tidy up the yard and make us do those little jobs we had been meaning to get around to!”
JUST to be a bit different, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork trainer Terence O’Brien held his open event in the afternoon rather than the morning on Saturday, August 26th, and he reckons it resulted in a bigger crowd than attended the year before.
“We just decided to change it up a bit and I think we ended up 300 people here,” he said. “Some came from Limerick and Tipperary and they were in no rush to get away because we had a barbecue and a few drinks.”
O’Brien believes it is important for trainers to open their gates and show people what goes on behind the scenes. “It’s in our own self-interest to do it. We all need more people to take an interest in racing – it’s for everyone’s benefit.”
Those who made the trip obviously were impressed. “We’ve put together two syndicates from people who came and we might have a third one out of it. Another man from the Limerick-Clare border who was here says he wants to buy a horse for himself and we’ll try to find him one.”
Listowel Racecourse had also provided tickets for the upcoming Harvest Festival and they were circulated among the guests.
Local auctioneer Michael Byrnes, a syndicate member himself, acted as MC and did a very good job, said O’Brien. “We gave everyone a quick rundown of what we do every day and then we went out on the gallops to see horses work.
“They say 50% of marketing is a waste of money but you don’t know which 50%! I think this was a good idea though.”
A DAY after The Highway Rat won at Navan, Co Tyrone trainer Andy Oliver welcome 100 people into his Strabane yard last weekend and the sun shone.
“Some travelled from as far away as Meath and there were plenty from the North too. I was surprised how many turned up as we only planned the day three weeks ago. I was very pleased with it and especially with the feedback and texts I received afterwards.”
James Griffin acted as MC and with the trainer they brought the visitors around the facility. There were plenty of questions from the crowd and Oliver’s veterinary qualifications came in useful.
“They asked about conformation, travelling, stabling and the daily routine for horses,” the trainer reported. “We have three gallops here – the sand, the hill and the long gallop – and there were more questions when we went up there and saw four horses cantering on the long gallop.”
Refreshments were taken while another six horses-in-training were paraded, many of them recent winners.
“We had a few enquiries on the day and I feel it was productive,” Oliver said. “If you don’t do anything you’ll do nothing. Days like this open doors – you never know who might hear about it from someone who was here. It all went well and fair play to Amber O’Grady of HRI Ownership who was here herself.”