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 did me no harm either!

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

I've fallen for a lot of horses over the years, but Arazi and Miesque were two of the early ones and remain two of my favourites.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Soldiers Call. Lightning fast colt who should have won the Abbaye at two and found only Battaash too good in the Nunthorpe as a 3-year-old. In a very strong first crop of potential young sires, he's got as good a chance as any, given his support.

Greatest race in the world?

The Arc may be the greatest turf race in the world, but The Supreme Novices is the one that raises the hair on the back of my neck every time.

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

Sadly he's no longer with us, but Pat Eddery was one of my favourite riders growing up. He had so many great days, and I'd love to have been aboard Zafonic at the two-furlong pole on 2000 Guineas day.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Thankfully I'm in contact with a lot of talented young people here in Goffs, the ITBA, and annually through the Irish National Stud. The industry in Ireland is in safe hands with the next generation.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Plenty of credit is due to the 'TDN Rising Stars' selection team as most that make the list seem to end up stakes performers. Electric Eyes, Crypto Force and Impact Warrior impressed me more than most on their debuts last season.

Under-the-radar stallion?

He's far from under the radar, but I wonder if Sea The Stars gets the appreciation that he deserves as a superstar sire.

Friday night treat?

Thai and a movie with Papillon.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

The curse of Golf, love it and hate it all at once, but Sunday night watching Golf/NFL is hard to beat.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Arazi's '91 Breeders' Cup Juvenile would've been nice to witness in the flesh.

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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 beyond.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Ten Sovereigns. I have seen a lot of his stock and they are great physicals. Unfortunately I didn't get any knocked down to me!

Greatest race in the world?

The Arc, it's on the bucket list!

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

Paul Townend getting the leg up on Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It's one of if not the best race over jumps, the pace they go and they can't put a hoof wrong for two miles. I'd say it's some buzz!

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Dylan Browne McMonagle. He's a future champion jockey.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Blackbeard. Not sure how that one was missed!

Under-the-radar stallion?

Holy Roman Emperor. He offers a lot of value for younger mares in my opinion.

Friday night treat?

Original Food Junkie Pizza and a Diet Coke.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

A Sunday session having a turbo shandy!

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Hewick's American National win. I'd say the party was good old craic!

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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 and their belief in Sir Henry Cecil's capacity to bounce back in a world where it's easier to swap trainer than find a decent meal in Newmarket!

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?
Ask me again in early September.

Greatest race in the world?
Has to be the Arc being the multi-generation contest over testing trip and often ground. Urban Sea's legacy seems to prove it.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
Ryan Moore on Estimate when reporting to the late Queen after winning the Ascot Gold Cup, the joy that everybody felt that day was beyond explanation.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?
David Menuisier.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?
Vadeni (Churchill).

Under-the-radar stallion?
Starspangledbanner.

Friday night treat?
A magnum of Burgundy with Dominic Mahony's finest Pata Negra.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?
That wouldn't be politically correct to reveal…

Race I wish I'd been there for…
The Derby in general.

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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 have a handful by Blue Point who are very hard not to like.

Greatest race in the world?

The Derby, but I'd love to win a Breeders' Cup or a Cox Plate.

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

Aidan O'Brien.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Harry Derham (top man who I've sent a horse!) and Connor Planas (joins us after a stint in Dubai).

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Proverb (Harry Angel) when he won his novice at Hamilton by seven lengths.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Mayson.

Friday night treat?

Deliveroo.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Outside of racing?!?!

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Gold Trip winning the Melbourne Cup for great friend David Eustace.

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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.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I will go with Blue Point. He appears to have covered sufficient mares, and sufficient quality mares, to do it and they seem to have found themselves in good hands. The ones that I encountered had a toughness to them.

Greatest race in the world?

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

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

Probably one of my longest friends Jerry Horan. Because you would be guaranteed to have a story to tell after the day!

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

There are too many to name. It is a fantastic time for young people who are making their mark in all facets of the industry. Some of them are not seen at the races or at the sales; they are in the stables or on the studs. I work with some of them at Baroda Stud.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Bayside Boy. He also embarks on his stud career at Ballylinch Stud in 2023.

Under-the-radar stallion?

I think that Due Diligence punches above his weight and has his best crop of 2-year-olds to represent him next year.

Friday night treat?

A pint of Guinness.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Going to a rugby match or playing 18 holes.

Race I wish I'd been there for?

I have had some brilliant days racing with colleagues and friends but a recent one was when Imaginarium, who I bred, won a Curragh maiden in October.

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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. For a tiny family breeding operation, he is an impossible dream coming true, he has changed our lives.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I think Calyx could do well. He is the first son of Kingman to stand at stud and he was an impressive winner of the Coventry S. He comes from a very good Juddmonte family and is closely related to the champion Native Trail.

Greatest race in the world?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is incredible for anyone who loves National Hunt racing. Nothing compares to the Cheltenham Festival.

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

The master Willie Mullins. I would like to understand all the things he has to think about in a day, but also watch all those champions working at Closutton.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Mark Byrne, the nicest and most interesting young talent. Always smiling and good fun.

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

The G1 Fillies Mile winner Commissioning. She won impressively first time out and has the pedigree to go on next year.

Under-the-radar stallion?

A french National Hunt stallion call Karaktar. He is the sire of the unbeaten 4-year-old hurdler in France Il Est Français from his first crop.

Friday night treat?

During winter I always enjoy a nice cheese board with a strong red wine in front of a nice fire.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

Rugby, I started it not that long ago, but I really enjoy the atmosphere. I am getting ready for World Cup in France.

Race I wish I had been there for…?

The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. That was some battle between Long Run, Kauto Star and Denman.

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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 sounds a bit odd but opening a Twitter account 12 or so years ago turned out to be a very important decision for me. Since then, the vast majority of the work I do has been posted on there to be scrutinised and analysed by what is a very informed audience, many of whom specialise in very specific areas of the sport/industry and can offer a very high level of comment. The criticism and feedback I've got over the years has been a big factor in driving my standards forward. Every day is a learning day in this game.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

The obvious answer is Frankel, as I'll be surprised if I ever see a horse that approaches his greatness in my lifetime. More personally, I have a mare here called Midnight Oasis that was bought very cheaply and delivered a series of very important results in the sales ring and on the track that allowed me to expand my breeding operation. She'll always be very special here.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I'm much happier evaluating racecourse performance than engaging in First-Season Sire Bingo, but I had a couple of Ten Sovereigns's colts through my hands and saw as many of them as I could in the last year. An awful lot of them have very good hind legs, plenty of action and the ones I dealt with had notably good minds.

Greatest race in the world?

The Derby has still got a hold on me. Perversely, I think the passing of the great Galileo might well lead to the most exciting and competitive middle-distance scene for quite some time in the years ahead.

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

Any jockey with a fancied ride in the Grand National would be a fair day to experience, win or lose.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

I don't really like talking up young jockeys as making the transition from promising apprentice to top-class jockey is really difficult, but I have a great amount of belief in Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Al Riffa. Considering how rangy he is, I thought what he did last season in winning the National S. in such style off the back of a maiden win was genuinely remarkable. He could be special, and I don't say that lightly.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Coulsty.

Friday night treat?

Dominos and Dundalk!

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

True crime podcasts and long runs.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

State of Rest winning the Cox Plate, as none of us could travel due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time. No horse has ever been made to jump through as many invasive veterinary requirements and logistical hoops to be allowed a run in a Group 1 as he had to in the months leading up to it. For him to go down there and beat the best in Australia after all that was just incredible. The stewards' inquiry threatened to take it from him, and it was as close to a 50/50 decision as you'll see, but I'd say the whole of Tipperary heard the roar when the result was announced as unaltered!

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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 by an absolute genius. Plus, her win over Crystal Ocean in the King George goes down as a race of a lifetime for me.

Hurricane Fly over jumps. I followed him throughout my university years while I was in Ireland. He was electric over a hurdle and watching him and Ruby Walsh at their best was spine tingling.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I was a big fan of Soldier's Call as a racehorse, and I loved his progeny at the sales. Sadly, we didn't get to buy one, but I think they will be precocious and hardy like his sire who would run through a brick wall for Archie Watson, especially at two.

Greatest race in the world?

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Everyone worldwide wants to win it and normally the best horse in the world does–as this year proved.

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

Ryan Moore. To ride like him and see what he sees every day would be fascinating. He famously doesn't do many interviews so knowing what really goes on from his perspective would be a real treat.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Billy Loughnane. Four wins in a week last week (early December) and rides beyond his years. Speaks very well too with a lot of enthusiasm which is a joy for me as a presenter.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Mostabshir.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Triple Threat, a young National Hunt sire based in France. He is a son of Monsun who has had a handful of runners in UK/Ireland but the ones we have seen have been good. Willie Mullins bought a 4-year-old of his for €120,000 at a recent Arqana Sale for Rich Ricci called Mister Policeman.

Friday night treat?

A pint of Guinness in a cosy pub.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Watching Gogglebox on catch up on a Sunday evening.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Shishkin v Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot this year. It was jaw-dropping. I was working not too far away from Ascot and could feel the atmosphere from where I was watching on a small TV.

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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 first-season sires at the yearling sales so I think it will be an interesting year.

Greatest race in the world?

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We have been so lucky to have witnessed the last few years' renewals in particular.

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

This is tricky as there are many people I would love to get an insight on but I'll go with John Gosden. If only to find out what is really going on in his head when he wins a Group 1 because he is quite the picture of tranquility on the outside.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Alex and Shane Power of Tradewinds Stud.

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

To be fair the team don't miss many but The Platinum Queen.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Australia.

Friday night treat?

Newmarket Kebab.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

A lie-in.

Race I wish I had been there for…

Frankel's Juddmonte International.

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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 when he left us as a yearling to join John Oxx, culminating his racing career in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he was a thrill to watch. We all felt a little part of his journey.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I would love to see Phoenix Of Spain win but realistically Ten Sovereigns.

Greatest race in the world?

The La Touche Cup at Punchestown.

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

Having hung up my charity racing boots (two back surgeries later) I'd have to say Frankie Dettori, on the Magnificent Seven day.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Having chaired the YITBA, the new panel of the ITBA Next Generation led by Orla Donworth is organising some great events and really bringing the talent of the future together.

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

Lucky Vega.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Acclamation.

Friday night treat?

We call it 'Pizza Party Friday Night', a get-together with friends and their families, nothing beats it.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

Glass of wine and an episode of Yellowstone.

Race I wish I had been there for?

Rachael Blackmore's win in the Grand National on Minella Times.

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