Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , trainer Jessica Harrington has given a candid assessment of the state of racing in Ireland and the challenges of competing on the Flat.
Harrington has described the dominance of the O'Briens as frustrating for the rest of the training ranks, while insisting the answer lies in simply sourcing better horses rather than complaining.
After almost 40 years with a licence, she has also explained how she measures success, revealed the astonishment when Barnavara was sold for €4.8m, and paid tribute to the family who keep the operation running.
Current Form
How Are Things With You?
Medically, physically, I'm great. The horses are in a bit of a lull at the moment. I don't know whether it's just the hot weather or what, I don't know. But it'll get better. I never measure whether I am successful. It's one of those dips; you get very hot and dusty and travelling and then one thing after another, but that's the way it goes.
I have been very lucky to have had success, but you're only as good as your last success, and you have to keep going forward, reinventing yourself; as I said before, every season I look to do something different. I have been around a while now, so I hope I know what I am doing! I am a better trainer today than I was 15 years ago.
Where Is the Yard in Terms of Success?
Last year we didn't have a good year despite the success of Barnavara . I am as hungry as ever. It is a tough business. The most exciting thing about the Flat is that every autumn you go shopping and hope you are going to have a great season.
The Irish Scene
What's the Racing Scene Like in Ireland?
Dominated by the O'Briens ; first, second, and third in practically every race, which can prove to be a bit frustrating for the rest of us. But actually, we mustn't complain. We have just got to get better horses.
How Tough Is It Economically?
Yes. It changes; each decade changes. And it gets tougher.
Would You Still Like More Jumpers?
Yes, I would. I'd love it. But it doesn't make a lot of financial sense. But I still love it.
Four Decades of Training
How Do You Measure Success?
As your career progresses, you get better as a trainer because you're more experienced. You still make mistakes, but you hopefully learn from them. That's the one thing you try and learn from: your mistakes. That's the main thing, and try not to repeat them. But, of course, we do!
We do the same things again and again, and I say afterwards, I shouldn't have done that. We're always saying we shouldn't have done that, and we shouldn't have done this. You try and learn from it, but you know, it is what it is, and you can't undo what's done.
How Do You Keep Reinventing Yourself?
You just have to think ahead. Last winter we redid all the gallops, and so we've got better gallops here. You upgrade everything as much as you can.
Tell Me About Barnavara's Sale
That was just amazing because after she won the Group 1 , she was always going to get sold. We thought she might make €2.5m to €3m. We just couldn't believe it when she made €4.8m. And she had only cost us €70,000. And she won a bit of prize money too.
That is the one you want and the reason we set up the Alpha Syndicate . We said one day we'll hit the jackpot. And we did. You won't do it every year, but when you get lucky, it is amazing.
How Important Has That Been For the Future?
Totally. That has really put a skip in my step.
How Is the Family?
They're all great, and we're all enjoying this weather, so it's great. It is very important to me. It is just great to have that support.
Kate is an assistant trainer, and she does all the lists and the work lists and things, and I just check them. She's a tremendous help in planning, doing the syndicates, and organising a lot of the basic stuff. My son is in charge of gallops and things that he is very good at. My other daughter Emma is the financial controller, bookkeeper, and head of transport, and she does all of that.
Where's Your Next Venture To?
Turkey , which I've never been to, in November , and then I'm going to Sri Lanka in January . We fly to Colombo and are going to a tea plantation near Kandy and then to two national parks, followed by five days down on a beach. I love wildlife and birds.
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