Casey: Prize Money in Ireland Is Distressing & the Cake Is Being Spread Too Thin

Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , Willie Mullins ' assistant David Casey has given a candid assessment of the biggest issues facing the racing industry.

Casey has warned that prize money in Ireland has dropped hugely and is now quite distressing, with smaller field sizes, a diminished foal crop and falling ownership all taking their toll.

The right-hand man has also assessed Dan Skelton 's title tilt, the rise of young jockeys Billy Loughnane and Dylan Browne McMonagle , training for the King , and finished with a quickfire tour of the Closutton characters.

The Industry

Do the Revised BHA Starting Routines Apply to Ireland?

I don't think so. But we have to be aware of them when we come over to England . That's mainly for the jockeys to brush up on! It's mainly for the big Festivals rather than the day-to-day stuff, I think. I would have gone about it a different way and followed the French model, which works very well; that would stop the rushing. It would slow it all down. It hasn't been a pretty sight, has it!

Is Prize Money in Ireland an Issue?

In Ireland we are lucky to get money from the government, but prize money has dropped hugely in Ireland . It is quite distressing. They've put on a load more racing next year, and I am not sure where the prize money is going to come from. Grade 2 and 3 races were worth a lot more ten years ago than they are now. Prize money in Ireland is not as healthy as it used to be or as everyone thinks it is.

Field sizes are much smaller, that is also to do with too much racing. The foal crop is diminished, and ownership is diminished. If you have fewer horses spread across more races, the prize money is going to suffer because the cake is spread too thin.

Is Attracting Staff a Genuine Concern?

Hugely, yes. It's harder and harder to get staff these days. We are always looking. Not a lot of young people seem to want to get into the game anymore. They don't want to do long hours, weekends, or be outside all winter in the rain. Most young people are looking for a 9-to-5, Monday to Friday. It's an issue across the board in England and Ireland , so yards are just doing the best they can with the staff they have. The game is not as appealing as it used to be.

How Are Rising Costs Like Diesel Hitting Yards?

Hugely. The cost of diesel is going through the roof. So is oil. The cost of living is only going up. It will be having an impact on a lot of businesses, even outside racing in Ireland .

The Title Race

How Do You Assess What Dan Skelton Is Doing?

I don't see him coming to Ireland too much! I think he is concentrating on England to make sure he confirms his trainer's championship there. Fair play to him; he is a great guy and a great trainer, and he has worked very hard at it. It was heartbreaking for him two years ago when we came and nabbed it on the last day.

Is the British Trainer's Title Still Something Willie Will Strive For?

It is not something we target until later in the season, and we see how we are lying after Cheltenham . We like to keep them at home as much as we can. If ever we were in the same position as two years ago, then yes, I am sure we would give it a go. But it is never a target at the start of the season.

Can Dan Skelton Beat Martin Pipe's Record?

He has had a good summer, hasn't he? I have always said records are there to be broken, but maybe you'd never think Martin 's would be. Dan has got a good team of horses and a good system there. I am sure he will give it a good go. Then when you look at Billy Loughnane , he's possibly going to beat Sir Gordon Richards ' record, which no one thought would be possible.

The Young Guns

How Impressed Are You by Loughnane and Dylan Browne McMonagle?

Two brilliant, talented young jockeys. Billy has ridden for us a couple of times. I've only met him a couple of times. But what struck me about him was his professionalism. I rang him a couple of times to find out about a couple of horses we were thinking about buying who he had ridden.

Literally, he had all his notes ready in the car on his way to racing: the horse's form and previous results. That is the level of professionalism he has. He was able to tell me straight away about the races, the ground, everything about the horses. That is the level he is at. I know it has been his ambition to be champion jockey, and it looks like he is going to be that. When he does win, I will be delighted for him.

Training For the King

How Big a Feel-Good Factor Is Training For the King?

It was great. We had hoped Reaching High would win before he did at Listowel . He was second last year at Leopardstown and ran really well at Royal Ascot last year when he was very unlucky. Now that would have been the place; we'd all have loved for him to win at. He got a little niggle after that. He was disappointing at Ascot this year, first time out; and then went out, so hopefully it is now onwards and upwards over hurdles.

Do You Have a Hotline to the Palace?

I definitely don't! I think John Warren gives Willie a shout now and again.

How Does a Strategy Meeting Work at Closutton?

I'd have discussions with Patrick Mullins , Paul Townend or Ruby Walsh now and again. It is not like we have a sit-down meeting every week. We will just have general conversations about different things; if somebody comes up with an idea or something changes or something needs to be done, then we would bounce ideas off each other. We just converse between ourselves.

Young Trainers and the Message

Does the Economy Stop Young Trainers Like Cian Collins Coming In?

Cian does very well. I rode winners for his father a good few years ago. He is doing well. And there are plenty of young trainers around. But it must be so difficult for them now with the economic situation being what it is. For anyone looking to start a training business, I think it would be very hard now without having a ready-made premises.

When Do You Start Thinking About the English Grade 1s and Handicaps?

Not until later in the season, probably after Christmas. With the way the handicaps are in England , you need four runs, so there's not much point in looking ahead too soon. We like to win as many maiden hurdles as we can with the horses. Ideally, you want good maiden hurdle winners going on to become good novice hurdle winners.

What's the Message Coming Out of Closutton?

We just try to keep doing our own thing and hope the horses are good enough. We have had brilliant seasons, but last year the novice hurdlers weren't as good. Hopefully this year's crop will be better. We just try to do our best and hope the horses perform.

Quickfire Questions

A Quickfire Tour of the Yard

Who's the laziest horse in the yard? High Wind . He's completely lazy; he's horizontal. Who's the yard comedian? Gentleman De Mee used to be pretty funny. He'd go any which way. Who's the best natured? Kopek Des Bordes is pretty calm and gentle.

Who's a potential troublemaker? Goodmenaremissed . He's been nibbling away at me when I ride him out. The greediest with the biggest appetite? Supersundae or Salvator Mundi . They have pretty big bellies on them. Who eats the most mints? Emerald Enigma . Cheltenham or the Dublin Racing Festival ? Either or both. Gaelic Warrior or Lossiemouth ? Either or both!

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