How did you get into racehorse ownership?

Both Claire’s and my parents were very enthusiastic owners with a great passion for National Hunt racing.

My mother Dottie was the original Mrs N. Flynn, she and my father Niall really loved the sport.

They were very lucky to have some great horses over the years. Dottie always said: “You can talk about horses all day and you’re not saying a bad word about anyone.”

Claire’s father Alfie (O’Donovan), at 92, still follows racing and rugby avidly and along with his late wife Kay, enjoyed plenty of success in point-to-points and on the track.

We are so grateful to them for giving us such a love of this great sport.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The day Liss A Paoraigh, Just Janice’s grandam, won the Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival in 2000.

We stopped in Clonmel on the way to get the paper and Claire remarked that there was no mention of ‘Chloe’, as we called her. I remember answering: “They’ll be talking about her tomorrow.” How right I was!

It was a pet day weather wise. All the family were there including my late brother Donal. She won in style, ridden to perfection by Pat Crowley and trained by the inimitable John Kiely. Those are special memories.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Racehorse ownership is an expensive game and these great animals can be very delicate. It’s not for the faint hearted, that’s for sure!

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

Galway is a real favourite with me, the hospitality is second to none. Also, I was born in Galway before my parents moved to Dungarvan and the festival there was an annual outing for us.

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

Jump racing, no question. It is the ultimate test of speed, agility and endurance. Is there a better sight than seeing those two-mile champion chasers at full tilt? Magic!

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty and good communication. John Kiely and his family have these in abundance.

John has been training horses for my parents since the early seventies. The first horse he trained for them was Shuil Agragh; she is the great great grandam of Just Janice, so he must be doing something right!

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

Owners should get more complimentary passes, at least 10 complimentary tickets.

Track managers should adapt similar hospitality to that provided at Galway.

Realistically, without owners, there would not be a horse racing industry. I think their contribution deserves more recognition than it currently gets.

What significance do your colours hold?

We inherited these colours from my parents, with great difficulty might I add, and at a cost of over €1,000, which I feel was rather excessive. They were only being passed from father to son, I think that’s an issue that should be highlighted.

The blue birdseye colours are very significant; they’re just a white cap away from the Kiely colours, which have a white cap with a red band. So you see, there are lots of ties to Lisfennel.

My parents had some very successful days with the birdseye blue; among many horses, they were carried by Lainntod (Niall and Dot spelt backwards), Five Sons, Inion Alainn and of course the great Meladon, trained by Adrian Maxwell, who, in 1977, was the first Irish winner of the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Meladon didn’t jump well and lay back in 12th coming down the hill. But Tommy Carberry timed his run perfectly to surge forward in the closing stages and win by three-quarters of a length.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

We tend to breed rather than buy, so we have to take what we get. Even an ugly duckling can sometimes become a swan! Hope springs eternal. We currently have eight broodmares, which is too many. Four or five would be enough for my setup.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Janice is with John Kiely, Gusty Rocky is back in training with Pat Flynn (no relation). We have a four-year-old filly called Colreavy, from the Aries Girl family, in training with Willie Mullins.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Janice is in great form and is entered for the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse next weekend, ground permitting.

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

We have a three-year-old gelding by Stowaway out of Liss A Paoraigh mare called Goodbye Someday in pre-training. We also have a three-year-old filly by Flemensfirth out of Liss Na Tintri (a half-sister to Just Janice) in pre-training.

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

There should be a programme of races for restricted trainers and/or for trainers with 10 horses or less. The race that Just Janice won in Galway (rated novice hurdle) was a great opportunity because it was for horses rated under 130 and gave the likes of Janice a great chance.

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

Involve brothers like mine who work very hard in the hotel industry and enjoy nothing better than a day’s racing to relieve their stress!

Olivia Hamilton was in conversation with Niall Flynn