JOHN Feane was born to be a trainer. His late father, Jimmy, was a lifelong horseman, his uncle, Declan Gillespie, was a top flat jockey and later successful trainer, while John has spent most of his life working with racehorses.

He rode as an amateur himself before turning his attentions, with considerable success, to training in his own right. He is devoted to his craft and has no regrets, having flirted with life in the ‘real world’. In fact, he considers himself fortunate.