Cover image courtesy of Rathmore Bloodstock
Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding related for 2025 (or early 2026)?
We sold a Too Darn Hot weanling for $250,000 last year. Given we’re not buying the most expensive mares, results like that are hugely important to our brand and reflects what we are trying to achieve in the game.
Too Darn Hot | Standing at Darley
If you could be someone in the industry for a day, who would it be and why?
I’d split the day up. Colm Santry in the morning to learn to how to sell water to a fish. Then I’d switch to Duncan Grimley to pick up some of that wisdom he has for the game. I’d spend the afternoon as Shane McGrath or Rick Connolly to see what they see in a young horse, and then finish the night as Aaron Bott to learn dance skills.
Who was the first horse that played a role in you being hooked to the sport?
Royal Athlete was bred by my grandad and won the Aintree Grand National in 1995. Hooked after that.
Who is your favourite broodmare sire?
Encosta De Lago.
Encosta De Lago | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
What racing book would you recommend?
The last 100 books I’ve read would all be broodmare catalogues.
What is your favourite track to attend the races?
Drop me off and pick me up again from any country cup.
Do you have any raceday superstitions?
Odd socks on sale and race days.
Name an emerging talent within the industry?
Zoe Bayliss of Forge Thoroughbreds and Kasey Tozer of Prize Park. Both have set up their respective farms recently and I admire anyone having a crack in this industry.
If you had to pick one horse that you think is most likely to win the 2026 G1 Golden Slipper, who is it?
Zambales for me, although you can make a case for almost all of the runners.
Zambales | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
What is your favourite sport and team that you follow?
Nothing beats watching Kilkenny in an All Ireland hurling final at Croke Park.
