How did you get into racehorse ownership?

I WAS always into ponies and horses from a very young age and they are still my passion to this day. From hunting and hunter trialling, I progressed into eventing and buying and selling young horses.

One day, many years ago, I was at the Goffs Sales and a young mare by Mandalus was striding around the sales ring. She had an amazing, athletic walk and she was in foal! Despite the fact that she had the most classic offset knee you could ever see, I ended up buying her for a very small three-figure sum.

The following year, her foal made me a very handsome profit and the process had me hooked on the breeding side of the Thoroughbred industry.

The mare had a wonderful temperament and was producing some nice progeny which seemed to be firing on the track. I subsequently decided to keep one of her fillies to race, Daytona Lily, who ended out winning for us under the watchful eye of Jessica Harrington.

The mare is now back home with us and enjoying her retirement out on grass. She has produced some exceptional National Hunt horses for me with the Grade 2-winning Andy Dufresne, now owned by John P McManus, being an example.

I currently have two horses in training, Daisy Dufresne and Copperwell, both of which I have bred myself and are in training with Gordon Elliott.

Daisy Dufresne has won and placed twice this season already which has been incredibly thrilling.

Copperwell is closely related to the family of Andy and Daisy and he won his maiden at Perth in June this year.

What was your best day at the races and why?

I would have to say Daisy Dufresne’s Sligo win earlier this year is the standout for me. There is nothing quite like the feeling of leading your own homebred back into the winner’s enclosure and parking her next to the number one post.

It’s very special and I consider myself so lucky to be in this position after a humble enough start into breeding. I love having my family and friends around me at the races, they add even more enjoyment to the day and I am always delighted to share these experiences with them. Let’s hope there’s many more days like this to come.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Unfortunately, it has to be the cost. If your horse can cover, or nearly cover the training fees and costs then you’re in a very good position.

It’s not an easy game out there, racing is an extremely competitive sport that is dependant on so many variable factors.

Everything has to go right for the horse at home, they have to remain well in themselves and respond positively to their training and fitness regime leading up to a race. The other half of the battle comes on race day itself and whether or not the conditions suit your horse.

The layout of the track and underlying ground conditions can have a detrimental impact on your horse’s resultant placing. Everything has to fall into place to finish well, let alone win!

However, standing in the middle of the parade ring with your friends and family watching your horse walking around and the jockey coming in wearing your colours is priceless. I’d recommend it to anyone, either as part of a syndicate or owning a horse outright.

In your experience, which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

I think I would say that over my side of the country, which is Co Carlow, that the most enjoyable experience I have had as an owner was during a visit to Naas Racecourse.

The course treated us exceptionally well and provided us with a lovely lunch in their wonderful new stand which overlooks the track and parade ring.

Sligo Racecourse also treated us very well and the course’s vibrant atmosphere, coupled with the beautiful scenery of the west, made the visit and ownership experience extremely enjoyable.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

National Hunt racing has a special place in my heart, I just love the thrill of watching fit, well-schooled horses jumping at speed.

I work as a stewards secretary at point-to-point meetings and it’s brilliant to get a first-hand glimpse of some of the young talent emerging onto the National Hunt scene.

My youngest son, Harry, would favour the flat however, and recently purchased a Pivatol mare to breed from. She had her first foal this year in which she produced a striking U S Navy Flag colt and is now back in foal to the exciting Yeomanstown stallion Invincible Army.

My eldest son, Jack, is a Biosystems engineer and has changed the family farm to organic. Our wide-ranging family interests just seem to make the operation work.

What improvements could HRI / Racecourses make to help encourage ownership in Ireland?

I think more information should be relayed to the public on how to get into ownership, either outright or as part of a syndicate, and more pathways should be developed to facilitate stepping on to the ownership scene.

The open days at trainers’ yards are an excellent idea to show people their facilities and what goes on in a training establishment.

I think more documentaries or open days about the various steps to buying or leasing a racehorse could really help. They are a great method of visually showcasing and teaching potential owners some of the processes behind the scenes, such as veterinary requirements/costs, breaking/pretraining, and how horses are prepped to be race fit.

I generally believe that a large quantity of people would love to witness early morning exercise on the gallops and learn how a trainer assesses a horse’s fitness, they just need more information and access.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

For me, a trainer must be honest to their owners and pay attention to the minor details when caring for and training their horse. Regular communication is a must. Remember, to a trainer your horse is one of many, but to you your horse is the one.

What significance do your colours hold?

My colours are blue with three yellow diamonds. The yellow represents part of the Carlow and Kerry colours, whilst the three diamonds represent myself and my two Kerry pals who I had my first mare, Daytona Lily, in training with.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

If I am buying a horse, which would not be very often as I breed them, I would firstly look at their walk. They must have that swing to them which I believe shows athleticism.

Then I like a good kind eye with a positive attitude, good conformation, and if the pockets are deep then also a top-class pedigree.

It’s not easy to find all these attributes in the one horse so I would be forgiving on some aspects.

What do you do with your racehorses when their racing days are over?

A racehorse’s life after the track is a subject that I am very keen on. I’m very much in favour of them having a future in eventing, showing, hacking or whatever their temperament and ability allow. I think their basic training or ‘breaking’ as a youngster is hugely influential for providing them with the basics to enjoy a different career after their life on the track. My own filly will be kept for breeding, keeping the dream alive!

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

I would like to see more opportunities for the lower-rated horses, which would hopefully lead to more prize money being distributed to the smaller owners and help keep the wheels turning.

It’s soul destroying to have your horse balloted out when they’re fit and ready to race. The happier an owner is, the more inclined they will be to reinvest in the process.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?

Just do it! Get the information, find the help, and just do it!

Gillian Browne was in conversation with Sophie Mellett