Where did your journey in the racing world begin?

In my early 20s I lived and worked in Kentucky for several years, that’s a long time ago now. I worked for John Sikura at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms. I was always office based. I started off booking mares and ended up as the sales co-ordinator for them at all of the sales. I love that place and still have a lot of friends there. I try and get back over there as much as I can. It is no surprise then the filly’s name, I suppose!

When I came home I got a job with Juddmonte up in Ferrans Stud for Rory Mahon. My jobs were always clerical and office based. I never rode out or worked in any yards but since being with Tony, I do plenty of hands-on stuff when we are a man down or lads are on holidays.

What I love mostly is when you look out the office window there is always a horse. The same can be said for when I was in Kentucky and Ferrans, I always had access to the horses. I think that they are the most magnificent creatures and would walk through fire for you, they are so trusting.

Where was Kentucky Gal bought?

She went through the Tattersalls Yearling Sale in 2022 and was led out unsold. We bought her privately a few weeks later from Ger Hourigan on his recommendation. When she came here first, she was very light throughout her body and Tony said that she was never really ready to work as a two-year-old let alone run. So, as the saying goes patience is a virtue, and I let him do what he thought was best.

I remember she was not a great grubber so we got Tom Fleming, the horse dentist, to come and take a look, and when he worked his magic, she transformed almost overnight. She just grew and got stronger every day and I think she still has more filling out to do. I am quite excited by her!

Were you confident going into the race?

Her first couple of runs were encouraging but I was not expecting the win to come so soon. She surprised us all I think. Going into the race I was more hopeful than confident so when she travelled well and slipped up the inner and battled all the way to the line, my knees nearly gave way on the stand! You rode her out plenty yourself when you were with us, I think you would find a different filly were you to sit on her now.

It must have been a thrilling day having a winner at your local track?

There was a bunch of college students, I believe from Alabama in the US, at Gowran on Sunday and I was told that they had bet on the filly purely because of her name.

Apparently, they ran home the last couple of 100 yards with her on the fence line screaming and shouting. There was huge excitement. I love hearing those kinds of stories.

It was also an added bonus to win at our local track. Eddie Scally and his crew do a fantastic job over there, it was my first time upstairs in the new sponsors’ room and I was very impressed. I am very proud to call it my local track.

Have you got a long-term plan for her?

Tony seems quite excited by her rate of improvement this year. He is currently looking at a race at the Curragh on the Friday evening of the Irish Derby weekend, that would be cool.

Then there are even talks of Galway. There’s a chance that she could be sold but I certainly will not be giving her away, no matter what the trainer says!

There are a few horses at Tony’s that run in your colours, are there any in particular that you are excited about?

We have a two-year-old running hopefully this week at Leopardstown that we bred by Inns Of Court. His name is Runninsonofagun. Let’s hope that is what he is! Tony likes him so we will see.

I also have a share in a filly called Enchanted Garden who won up at Dundalk as a two-year-old. She is going to run soon and she is nice. She is stabled in Princess Zoe’s stable. Wouldn’t that be something if she could do half of what Zoe did? We very much miss her!

How do you find the overall ownership experience when you’re at the races?

Truthfully, I do not go racing as much as I used to. I used to go every time we had a runner years ago. But there always seems to be so much going on at home these days so it is kind of a treat now, but Gowran do a great job, and Naas in my opinion is the Cadillac of all of the racecourses, for food, atmosphere and all the rest.

I would encourage anyone that can to get involved in horse ownership. I understand it is an expensive hobby but getting involved in a syndicate is a good way to enjoy a day out at the races and experience ownership. There is no better feeling in the world than when your horse finishes in front. If only you could bottle it!