Thurles Thu, 6th Mar, 2025  Rushmount He ran a cracker at Dublin (Racing Festival, fourth at Leopardstown). Jonathan (Sweeney) minds them and he gets the best out of them, a good week for him. I'd just like to say that that is actually Michael O'Sullivan's horse and he won a race on him. We are all still thinking of him. His brother, Alan, had a great weekend with three winners and it was great to see. I must say I watched two of the races and he was very good. I think Alan could be a top-class jockey as well, like his brother. We are all still thinking of him. This horse is actually on the front page of today's racecard with Michael O'Sullivan riding. I have another (racecard) at home with him again on the front page so, I'll hold on to them as Michael was a good friend and a super talent. He was probably on the horse's back today. Brian is a gentleman, comes in as often as he can, is a worker and a top-class rider so I'm delighted for him. He said they hacked around today and didn't want it to turn into a sprint. The horse had a pile of weight to carry, so still had to do it. I don't know what there is for him now until Punchestown, so Aintree is an option as the boys (Limerick-based Apex Flight Syndicate) would have no bother travelling!

Fairyhouse Wed, 5th Feb, 2025  Good To Be Alive he’s a home-bred and we thought he was a bit weak so he’ll probably come on a bit from the run today but it was nice to win. He’s a horse that’s improving and he might not be the worst horse in the world. It’s not ideal winning a maiden hurdle at this time of the year but it’s still not a bad complaint. We’ll have to try and find a novice hurdle for him somewhere.

Limerick Sun, 29th Dec, 2024  Con's Roc He was hard to keep sound and, in fairness, the syndicate (Near Or Never Syndicate) were patient as he was supposed to run in Tipperary last May, but I felt the ground was iffy so didn't run. That was a hard one to take, but they were fine about it and he was due to run in Fairyhouse last month but the ground was again too good so we came here. I didn't expect Rocky's Howya (fourth) to show up, so I thought if we finished close to him, we'd be delighted. Obviously Sean Doyle's horse (runner-up Willitgoahead) looks to be decent as well, but our fella had won his point to point really impressively last year. Ideally, we'd love to think we could end up in Cheltenham and he'll have one run before then and hope to get him in. The syndicate are all Kilworth and Araglin people and are good supporters, so it is great to get a win.

Fairyhouse Sat, 30th Nov, 2024  The Folkes Tiara That was great. He had lost his form a little bit and it's great to see him back. Brian was brilliant on him. I'm delighted for the lads, Johnny, Paddy and Willie. He jumped unreal. Brian said he thought he was beaten coming to the last and he said the leap he put in there was brilliant and winged it. He won at Leopardstown last year and he'll be a couple of pounds higher now but it's a very valuable pot. We're delighted to win today.

Fairyhouse Tue, 5th Nov, 2024  Mabel In May it's a big day for Ivan, who is with me six days a week and does a lot for me, as does his brother James. After his brother won the apprentice title, it must have been a case of 'if he can do it, I can do better'! There is good competition between the two and I'm delighted to have given both boys winners. Mabel In May was a bit disappointing the last day but never got into it but I thought three miles here would really suit her. She won better than I thought she would and it's great for the owners.

Fairyhouse Tue, 5th Nov, 2024  Tommies Call Tommies Call's half-sister is in the sales next week, in foal to Vadamos, so it's a timely boost for the pedigree. It's great to get a win with him as he promised so much on his first start. We thought we had a lovely horse going forward and gave him the summer off. We thought we did everything right, but when he came back he wasn't able to put one leg in front of the other. We couldn't find a whole lot wrong with him, he had niggly little bits and pieces but nothing major. We just decided later in the summer to train him from the field and it seems to have worked. In every other race he was off the bridle from the start, couldn't go the pace at all no matter what trip we ran him over. His jumping was always okay, that wasn't a factor, but he just didn't seem to be doing anything right. Today he popped off and was a different horse. He travelled, jumped and stayed going, which he hasn't done before. I'm disappointed we had to be down in a 0-95 race but it's great to get the win. If you'd told me months ago we were going to get a win out of him I'd have been thrilled with anywhere. Hopefully that will give him confidence and he'll go forward.