Where did your interest in racing come from?

When I was young, hurling and football were the main things. I’d be very friendly with Terence (O’Brien, trainer), and his father, the late Willie O’Brien, lived across the road from us here in Ballyvodock. He used to gallop his horses on land that we owned at the time so I got my interest in racing there. Even before myself and Terence were born, our families had great respect for one another. Another good friend of mine had a few horses running as well so I used to go to the races with him.

How did you get into ownership?

I was pulling corn one evening for Terence, back in 2018, and he sat up in the combine with me and suggested that we go halves on a horse. The idea was to win a point-to-point and sell him on then. We bought Jeffrey’s Cross, but Terence told me to forget about him and go into Answer To Kayf instead, so I took a half share in him as well. We had three frustrating years trying to get him to the track, he was bought as a three-year-old but he had a few problems. He ran in a novice riders’ point-to-point in Wexford and he came second there. We went to a bumper in Mallow then at Easter and he came a bad third there. We went to a maiden hurdle in Killarney after that and he came a very bad eighth! We were scratching our heads about where to go from there but he was left off for the summer and then he won first time out in Limerick after his break in 2023. We should have won in Fairyhouse after that but Waterford Whispers came and chinned us! Since that bad eighth he hasn’t let us down. That’s the only day he didn’t earn a few bob in prize money, we’ve had great fun with him.

Were you confident going into his run at Naas?

Terence was fairly confident, the glass was full that day! Terence wouldn’t beat around the bush with it if he didn’t have a good chance. He was as confident at Naas as he was the first day he won in Limerick.

Terence said in an interview that Cheltenham could be on the cards again.

We have flights booked already, it’s definitely happening as long as the wheels stay on the wagon! After being there last year I’d be hoping to come home with a winner this time. As an owner you only dream about going to Cheltenham but we’re hoping for more than just dreaming this time. My family wouldn’t have been massively into racing and they’re all after getting a great kick out of him. A lot of my grand children were at Naas and they all want to go to Cheltenham now!

Is there any story behind the colours?

The blue and gold are the local GAA club colours here in Carrigtwohill. I wore them for 25 years playing hurling so it was the only way to go.

Have you got any other horses?

I’ve got a share in two more, one is Dream On Daddy, he won his point-to-point last February which will be 12 months ago on Sunday. He was going to be sold at the Cheltenham Sale afterwards but he showed a small bit of a leg so we still have him. We have another four-year-old by Poet’s Word but he isn’t even named yet. He has a small bit of a leg problem as well but they’ll both be fine thankfully.

Have you always had good experiences at racecourses?

You couldn’t say anything other than praising them to the hills for the way they look after us. Naas were very good, I couldn’t fault them.

Have you thought about retirement options for Answer To Kayf when the time comes?

I have, Grace Dorgan that looks after him wants him when he retires. She’s totally mad about him! I told her that if she ever gets married, and loves her husband half as much as she loves that horse, he’d be a lucky man!

Have you achieved everything you hoped you would as an owner?

When you get one winner, you get greedy then and you want more. I’d be happy if we could win at Cheltenham or win the Grand National. Whether that’s dreaming or not I don’t know!

Who makes the race decisions with your horses?

Terence would do most of the planning. That was the agreement when we joined forces, that he’d called the shots. Out of any trainer I’d say he’s as straight as a dye. You could give him your life and he’d give it back with interest. He’s a pure gentleman.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get involved in ownership?

I’d say that if it’s possible you’re better off owning them yourself, but if you’re getting into a syndicate, you’d definitely want solid ground rules. Some people want to gamble with their horses and others want to hold them. My theory has always been that if your horse wants to win, it will and you should let it. I wouldn’t be a big punter. I’d throw a couple of quid on our fella but I could take it or leave it. Some people expect to much when they get involved.