How did you get into racehorse ownership?

It was something a few of us wanted to do for a while so we got a friend to set us on our way.

The syndicate members are from around Ireland and one is from England. We have four horses in training and ownership ranges between eight to four people in different combinations in different horses.

I’m from Bagenalstown but not from a racing or bloodstock background.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Any day you have a horse running is a good one and it’s a great day if they win!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Giving tips to friends when the horses are running.

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

So far all the tracks where our horses have run have been very good.

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

Jump racing. It’s great sport to see horses jumping fences.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Arthur (Moore), trainer of our winner Carrig Sam is a great man to work with. My advice is to just leave the trainer to do their job - they know best.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

I think the package tracks provide for owners is good.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general and on ownership in particular?

It shouldn’t affect racing too much.

The sport has stood up to a lot of challenges recently and Irish horses are world class.

What can trainers or HRI do to encourage owners to keep horses in training at the moment?

I think both HRI and trainers engage with owners and do a lot to keep owners informed. HRI is a professional modern administrative body and has a whole structure of support for owners, both old hands and those new to the game.

Communication is the name of the game in any transaction. Trainers have improved in their contact with owners and use social media to keep owners informed and involved in the progress of the horses.

There is so much that goes on before any horse gets to race. It’s important for owners to be involved in the process.

What significance do your colours hold?

Just colours we picked so we notice the horses in running.

How did your syndicate get its name?

One of the lads set up a WhatsApp group and we decided to call our syndicate that.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

We get John Daniel (J.D) Moore, Arthur’s son, to look out for us. He bought four horses for us.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Two-time winner Carrig Sam and Jim’s Hope are with Arthur Moore. Dutch Schultz won a handicap for us at Gowran Park since coming from the flat yard of Ralph Beckett and could be a dual-purpose horse. He and Hascoeur Clermont are with Gavin Cromwell.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Hopefully a few big races come our way. Carrig Sam looks a decent prospect, he has won twice at Fairyhouse this year. A couple of weeks ago he overcame a lack of experience and an opening rating of 126, jumped superbly and kicked on to come home a length and a half ahead of Ten Ten.

He’s an out-and-out chaser, anything over hurdles is a bonus. Arthur might give him one more run this season, possibly in the two-and-three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse at Easter and then go chasing next year.

Have you any young horses to look forward to?

Not at the moment, but you never know.

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

Hopefully I will have a few stables myself to keep them in once they retire. What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

Restrict multiple entries from the big yards running in the same race.

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

Get a good lad like John Moore to find a horse for you and go for it.

Noel Monaghan was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton