AS assistant trainer to Ger Lyons, part of my job involves travelling with our international runners. Over the last 20 years, the yard has gone from strength to strength, attracting a nicer calibre of horse, as well as some of the leading owners and breeders in the world. This weekend, I’m in Newmarket with Red Letter, who represents us in the 1000 Guineas tomorrow.

I wasn’t born into a family steeped in racing or anything like that. My mother Antoinette always had a hunter, so my brother Ronnie and myself were part of the Ward Union pony club from an early age. We have been childhood friends with the Geraghtys in Pelletstown, so most weekends and summer holidays were spent with Bea and Tucker and family. Donie Fahy, another good friend of ours, was always with us too. Ross, Norman and Barry were all riding at the time. I rode in a couple of local pony races with Sascha (Geraghty), but that was as far as it went.