THIS year’s series of trainer open mornings organised by Horse Racing Ireland Ownership ended last weekend.

HRI Ownership manager Amber O’Grady said: “On behalf of HRI Ownership, I would like to thank everyone that attended an open morning and thank trainers and staff for opening their doors to the public. A total of 16 trainers welcomed over 5,000 people into yards the length and breadth of the country.

“From our point of view the aim of an open morning is ultimately to encourage ownership and I hope many trainers attracted interest in that regard.

“Ownership aside, however, the open mornings gave people a chance to see behind the scenes of racing, to meet the staff and horses, understand the training regimes and to really see the dedication and commitment that goes into training racehorses. It was phenomenal to see the public reaction. The buzz around the yards was amazing and the trainers and staff went above and beyond to ensure the mornings were a success.

“I would also like to extend a big thank you to my own team, Sinead Kenny, Zoe Kearney and our intern for the summer, Ciara Dineen.

“The open mornings started in May and went to October. It was a big commitment from a small team to support so many open mornings and I would like to acknowledge the work they put into them.

“Thanks also to all the racecourses that supported us with free tickets for open morning visitors, putting adverts in racecards and promoting the morning to their members. So many courses helped us and it was a lovely touch.”

EDWARD O’GRADY

Killeens, Ballynonty, Thurles,

Co Tipperary

CONSIDERING the yard was hit by an inch of rain the day before, Edward O’Grady was pleasantly surprised his open morning went so well.

“We were approaching it with some fear and trepidation,” the trainer reported. “But the gallops took the rain well – it was a credit to them – and while conditions were a bit damp underfoot it turned out a nice and bright day.”

Well over 100 people turned up at Ballynonty and they were made to feel very welcome. “We had a marquee erected, Gerry Flanagan was our barman, and a local café provided food along with my daughter, Mimi.”

They came from all corners of the country and the trainer was particularly delighted to meet David Dodd, a school pal of his who had travelled from Ballina, Co Mayo. “Given the weather we had the day before, it was humbling to see so many people had made the journey.”

Mark McDonagh and Philip Enright were on hand to ride out but there was no time to waste as the jockeys had to leave for Navan. Having walked from the yard to the gallops and back, visitors were then shown a group of young horses for sale and there simply wasn’t time for farrier Killian Slattery to give a shoeing demonstration.

Edward reports that some of the unraced horses he has for sale recently went well at the schooling day in Tipperary. “They performed nicely and I am confident they would be good horses to get involved with,” he said.

JESSICA HARRINGTON

Commonstown Stud, Moone,

Co Kildare

THE open morning at Jessica Harrington’s yard sounds like it was more of a festival than a quiet behind-the-scenes day on the training grounds.

“It was brilliant,” the trainer reported. “I couldn’t believe so many people turned up. The first visitors arrived after 8am and though it was supposed to start at 9am we had to delay it a bit as there was a queue of cars from our gates down to Moone village.”

Jessica guessed there were 400 people there though others have said it seemed like thousands.

“We had a van doing bacon butties and refreshments, we had a horse simulator for the kids in the indoor school, and another room with racing tack on display. We had Sizing John, Supasundae and Woodland Opera on show and people enjoyed hearing all the stories about them.

“Connolly’s Red Mills had a stall where they talked about equine nutrition and Colm Quinn BWM sent some cars and flags for display, just to give the place a festive feel.”

The Harringtons also had a vet, equine physio and blacksmith on site to give demonstrations and answer questions.

Visitors were provided with a list of 40 horses in training who were paraded and exercised, while Kate Harrington talked about each one, what they had achieved and future plans.

Jessica says the open morning was not about recruiting new owners but they did plant some seeds with visitors. “We explained the two Alpha and Omega syndicates to them. Omega is a micro-ownership platform while Alpha requires a bigger investment which will provide not only fun but hopefully make some money too.”

PAT DOWNEY

Knowth Stables, Slane, Co Meath

MINISTER for Justice Helen McEntee and European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness were among the visitors to Pat Downey’s yard last weekend.

“The crowd was way above expectations – we were so thrilled,” Pat reported. “I’d say we have three and a half horses sold as a result, and we’re happy to take orders ahead of the upcoming horses-in-training sales.”

They came to Slane from Sligo, Roscommon, Kilkenny and Wexford “and a few from the north,” Pat said. “Horse Racing Ireland gave us fantastic support on social mdeia, we got 12 minutes on [local radio station] LMFM and we had a two-page feature in the Meath Chronicle – and that was before we had the open day.”

Having the local community turn out in such good numbers was particularly pleasing. “It’s so important that racing yards become part of the community, so that a winner is celebrated right across the parish.”

Dave Keena acted as MC and visitors saw demonstrations from a farrier and equine dentist. A group of six racehorses were exercised. Last year the Downeys made a big investment in their facilities and visitors will have been impressed with the deep Wexford sand gallop which is very level.

This is a family-run yard, with Pat assisted by wife Karen and their daughter Heather who works with HRI’s equuip department. “We have 15 racehorses in training and there are 50 animals on the premises in total, when you include pre-training and breeding.”

Apart from the politicians, another special visitor was 90-year-old Eddie Devin of Dowth Hall, who was featured in The Irish Field last week (p92-93). Pat said: “My father Paddy trained Galway Plate winner Chow Mein, multiple Grade 1 winner Light The Wad and Grade 1 winner Aherlow. Eddie Devin broke in my Dad’s horses. He was a groom at the 1964 Olympics and I learned everything from Eddie. It was lovely to have him here and he said to me ‘I wish I was 20 years of age now!’.

SAM CURLING

Skehanagh, Goolds Cross, Cashel, Co Tipperary

WINNING the Kim Muir at Cheltenham this year put Sam Curling in the headlines but the Co Tipperary trainer had nothing to prove, having already established himself as one of the country’s leading point-to-point handlers and producers of young National Hunt horses.

Marine Nationale is just one of his graduates – need we say more.

Now the word is out about him and it was no surprise to hear up to 500 people came through the gates for his recent open morning. Ken Whelan was MC and special guests included Derek O’Connor, Phillip Enright and Pa King, who rode Angels Dawn to win at Cheltenham for the yard.

A man of few words, Sam simply said: “There was a great turnout and it went very well. We showed them up all the facilities and they saw one lot riding out and a few galloping. Plenty of locals came and it was a great day too for our existing owners.”

Rather than try to sell horses on the day, Sam and his wife Zoe used the occasion to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, a charity set up to honour the 24-year-old Tipperary hurler who died suddenly in 2022.

Sam barely mentioned the auction to us in our call this week but a quick online search revealed that €34,000 was raised on the day. What a wonderful thing to have done.

KEITH & MARSHALL WATSON

Springfield, Killylea, Co Armagh

WE’RE told plenty of people went home from this open day with sore heads but rest assured there were no health and safety issues.

Marshall Watson reported: “This was our seventh open day and I’m keen to keep them going. A lot of our current owners love coming along and we have sold two more horses outright thanks to the event. I genuinely think they are great days.”

Visitors from Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary joined with locals on a very sunny day. It clashed with the opening leg of Irish Champions Festival but that didn’t bother those present.

They saw horses working on the all-weather, on grass, schooling over hurdles and coming out of stalls.

Jockeys Adrian Heskin and Jamie Hayes were on hand, as were a farrier, equine physio and a representative from Connolly’s Red Mills. Staff and neighbours pitched in to help with the generous hospitality. Sounds like a Champions Day all of its own.