First job in the Thoroughbred industry?
My first job in the thoroughbred industry was working for local Baltinglass trainer John Lennon during Transition Year in school where I rode out and tried to hang on for dear life!
Biggest influence on your career?
My parents. They don't know much about horses but never held me back and always supported me to drive on and give it a go.
Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?
Sea The Stars. He was an iconic specimen during my teenage years watching racing. He danced every dance and is passing his brilliance on to his stock.
Who will be Champion First-Season Sire in 2023?
I'd do a reverse forecast with Advertise and Soldier's Call. Their yearlings looked fast and had class about them. I'm a little biased in saying that as I have an interest in the sire Alkumait, a son of the great Showcasing, who I think could be the next coming. I think 2023 could be the year where that Showcasing line takes off.
Greatest race in the world?
The Arc would have to come out on top but I haven't been to the Melbourne Cup yet.
If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
John Magnier as he has seen so many aspects of the horse business and a range of other investments for a period of time with many positive and negative changes worldwide and still gets it right and has built a super team behind him.
Emerging talent in the industry (human)?
Recent to the pinhooking circles, the Brickley brothers have punched way above their weight, have grafted in all aspects of the business for a couple of years for high class operations and are now reaping the rewards. There's also an army of young breeze-up lads and ladies who are top-class horse people and are producing the goods on the racetrack.
Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?
Lezoo.
Under the radar stallion?
Cracksman.
Friday night treat?
Dinner, Dundalk Friday Club, few pints and a bet.
Guilty pleasure outside of racing?
I usually don't get to finish a movie as I fall asleep watching it to have a guilty pleasure!
Horse you're most looking forward to over Christmas or in 2023?
I'm excited to see what G1 Darley Dewhurst winner Chaldean can do as one of the leading Guineas contenders for 2023.
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