The Importance of Mentors

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? AT: Tough question. There are so many inspirational people within the industry. For my own career, my parents are definitely responsible for my passion for horses and racing. I was riding before I could walk and spent most of my childhood bringing on and selling ponies. That [background] taught me so much from assessing conformation and ability, to breaking in and educating youngsters. At university, my lecturer at the time, Annie Bishop, was a massive influence. She had been...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? LN: The biggest inspiration on my career would have to be Bob McCreery. He was a magical person, had fabulous passion for his mares and bought into pedigrees that have consistently produced champions. Walking around his stock with him was what and does inspire me to become a breeder of his calibre. What's the best advice you've been given and why did it stick with you? LN: Eamon Reilly (BBA Ireland) and I have a knack of liking the...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? CR: I find it hard to select just one person as my career has been shaped and influenced by a number of people however, the first person would be my brother, Tim, (along with his wife, Mimi), who encouraged me the most when he suggested I join him in France during my school holidays in the early 1970s.  At the time, Tim was managing the Haras de la Verrerie for Monsieur Elie de Brignac in Normandy. Tim later offered...