Twelve Questions: Cathy Grassick

What was you first job in the Thoroughbred industry?

I trailed around sales after my father from a young age learning the ropes, but you couldn't really call that a job. My first job on a farm was in Mount Armstrong Stud in Co Kildare when it was owned by Noel O'Callaghan. I used to cycle there every day and learned to prep yearlings with Eddie O'Learys sister, Ashley.

The biggest influence on your career?

My father Brian and my grandfather Christy who taught me everything I could hope to know about horses. Eimear Mulhern and my mother, Sheila, who both showed me that women could be successful in business and encouraged me in my chosen career.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

San Sebastian. I used to ride him out when I was starting to ride racehorses as a teenager for my uncle, Michael Grassick, and he was a 42-rated handicapper with a habit for disappearing out from under me. He got gelded and started a miraculous rise from there, winning six races and finishing second three times in nine starts, culminating with in victory at Royal Ascot. I followed him every step of the way and my passion for racing was ignited. I loved him even if he mostly only tolerated me.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Wow, what a year to have to answer this question with so many high-class two-year-olds having their first runners. My heart will say Phoenix Of Spain as I was involved with buying his dam and selling him for his breeder, Arild Faeste, as a foal. My head says Blue Point as I have purchased a couple of very smart fillies by him. That said, I have been very impressed with the first crop of Invincible Army at the sales. It's such a tough year to call.

Greatest race in the world?

Oh a 50-50 between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup – incredible races with incredible horses and huge atmospheres. Going to either of them is a life-changing experience for a racing enthusiast.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

Ryan Moore: just for a day to be able to ride the best horses and to understand that level of talent and to see inside that incredible tactical racing brain. For me that would be heaven.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

I have two cousins who are really starting to make their mark in the training ranks – Michael Grassick in Ireland and Chris Grassick, in partnership with William Muir, in the UK. Another eye-catching young trainer is Kevin Philippart de Foy, who has also made a great start.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star and didn't?

Enable.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Gleneagles.

Friday night treat?

Dinner in a nice restaurant, usually the Brown Bear in Two Mile House, with my husband, Jamie Lowry.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Sport horses, riding, competing and judging them. Even when I'm not racing, I'm surrounded by horses.

Race I wish I had been there for…

Sea The Stars, Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. I had only missed his 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in his three-year-old career as I was riding in a charity race that day at Punchestown and watched him win on the big screen. After that I was there for all of his other starts and he really was the most incredible horse to follow. I was at the sales in Tattersalls cheering him home in the Arc on television and I was sorry to miss his swan song.