12 Questions

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? We were lucky to have horses on the farm growing up, but my first paid job was spending summers riding out for Con Collins on the Curragh (and going too fast for his liking on a near daily basis!)   Biggest influence on your career? Like many others, my parents have been a big influence. I've also worked for, and with, a lot of people who've shared great advice and been big influences on my career. My few seasons working in Ballyhane Stud probably...

With Johne Murphy   First job in the Thoroughbred industry? I worked at a local stud farm called Mount Prospect Stud doing general stable staff stuff. A steep learning curve!   Biggest influence on your career? My father, John. I was always in the front seat when he was going racing! He gave me the bug.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Galileo. I was 15 and I was there at Leopardstown when he won his maiden. I followed him the whole way through his racing career and...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Cheap labour on my parents' stud farm; breaking in horses with my brother Louis. Biggest influence on your career? Serving in the commando paratroopers for building my determination. On the horse front it was inspecting Derby sale horses with George Mernagh in Ireland and yearlings with Rogers Beasley in Kentucky. Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Has to be Frankel, not only for his performances but for the great story that it brings to the sport. For Juddmonte's skills of breeding the best...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Working for Tom Goff and Luke Lillingston doing the yearling sales in the USA and UK.   Biggest influence on your career? Hugo Palmer. Working for six seasons from when he had 30 horses to training Classic winners.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? It has to be Cachet, beyond my wildest dreams to train a Classic winner in my third season for Highclere.   Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023? He might not have the most winners but I...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? With Helen Markham a few miles from home in Grangecon, County Wicklow. I was only 14, but learned many lessons about horses and humans over the course of four years.   Biggest influence on your career? That would be my father. He has been my sounding board for advice on Thoroughbreds and my life in the industry.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Kauto Star. He was the horse that gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling about this as a sport.  ...

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry? I did an internship at Haras de Montaigu about 10 years ago during my school holidays. The biggest influence on your career? I have always had the chance to work for great people all over the world that always pushed me to go forward in the industry. Ballylinch Stud has been one of them. I learned everything there, about horses and all industry. They gave me every opportunity to learn. Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? It must be Allaho....

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Working a breeze-up season with Con Marnane in Bansha House when I was 18. It wasn't my first rodeo there though, as I had learned how to ride on ponies up in Con's (before he became the King) when I was a child.   Biggest influence on your career? Naming one individual would be tough as I've had a bunch of editors, colleagues, and friends from when I started in racing up to the present day that have been a huge help. It probably...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Working for Thurloe Thoroughbreds, assisting at the sales. My first job is still a current one!   Biggest influence on your career? My dad--he's taught me everything I know whilst encouraging me to take my own route in the industry. Clare Balding was a big inspiration growing up. I was obsessed with her presenting style from an early age.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Enable on the Flat--she danced every dance; she harnessed a global following, and she was trained impeccably...

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry? Runner at Middlelane Farm.   The biggest influence on your career? That would have to be my grandparents and three aunts.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Wigmore Hall. He was a proper character and whenever he is brought up in conversation there is a warmth in the memories shared.   Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023? Hard one to call but I think Too Darn Hot. I was impressed with a lot of the stock by...

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry? Stud secretary at the Irish National Stud.   The biggest influence on your career? I've been very fortunate to have had so much support in my career, too many to name but whom I am very grateful for. But especially Pat and Hugh Hyland, Bobby O' Ryan, and of course my Dad.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Without a doubt, Sea The Stars. He was born here at the INS in 2006, the year I started, and from...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Racing editor of Horse & Hound.   Biggest influence on your career? Julian Muscat, my editor during three gloriously happy years at Pacemaker, for steering me on the path of righteousness towards the Flat and (almost) away from National Hunt racing.   Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Dereham. He'll never be a champion but he gave me my happiest moment of 2022 when winning on our home course at Newmarket. He's the last foal of the first racehorse I ever rode and...

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...