WE’RE based near the Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork on a dry stock farm. Horses have gone back generations on my dad Philip’s side of the family, primarily breeding and producing young show and event horses.

Cork has a great tradition of thoroughbred stallions and my great-grandfather, Bud McCarthy, stood and showed thoroughbreds, such as Pampas Hero and Keepatwoatwo in the 1950s, both placed in the Croker Cup at Dublin Horse Show.