Being a successful horse trainer is made up of many ingredients that can take years to formulate correctly. However, for some, they have that ‘knack’ from early on in their careers.
Kerry native Michael O’Callaghan is a relatively ‘new kid on the block’ as he has only been training full time for the past two years.
Nonetheless, Michael could not have asked for a better 2015 as he trained no fewer than 15 winners throughout the flat season.
“I was delighted with the way that last year went. We set a target of 15 wins for the year and to achieve that was just remarkable for all the team here,” said Michael.
The wins included many firsts for the team who train out of the famed Crotanstown Stud which is located in the Curragh and has been home to 12 Classic winners down through the years.
“We had our first stakes winner Letters Of Note and our first Group winner, Blue De Vega, both for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani through his Qatar Racing and Pearl Bloodstock banners.”
Other winners included Now Or Never, in the colours of the Now or Never Partnership, added a gutsy Group 2 second to her Galway Maiden success in the Futurity Stakes, while the Military Syndicate’s Military Angel was placed four times in Group or Listed company last season.
Other season highlights for the team were the brilliant but ill-fated State Of Emergency’s two wins and the successes of our homebreds, Moral High Ground and Maknificent, who flew the flag for both Rangefield Stud and the yard here at Crotanstown.
These wins have certainly put Michael firmly on the racing map and the goals for 2016 have increased as has the numbers of horses that he is currently training.
“The aim is to improve on last year and set ourselves higher targets. We’ve doubled the number of horses here to 50 this year. We will have in the region of 200 runners this year, so it is going to be a busy time for us.”
Michael’s success last year was certainly no fluke as he has learned from the best. Beginning his trade with Tom Cooper in Tralee before moving on to the renowned Coolmore Stud and then working for the National Stud where he made the decision that he wanted to become a trainer.
“I picked up a lot of experience over the years and I rented a farm where I was buying and selling colts that won maidens. I decided to keep hold of them started to train them myself. I was a restricted trainer before getting my licence.
“With the help of my father Michael Snr, there was only one kreidytransport@eircom.
Michael and his father jumped at the chance of moving into the famed Crotanstown Stud yard and he admits that they have the best facilities in the world at their disposal.
“There is no doubt but these are some of the world’s best facilities for horse training here in the Curragh. In the yard itself, we have 65 boxes. We also have a number of paddocks which allow us to get our horses out on grass regularly. We take pride in breaking all of our own yearlings.
“We also have the use of such facilities as a Laboratory, Heart Rate & GPS Systems, Hydrotherapy Spa, two horse walkers, Weighing Scales, Starting Stalls, Vibrating Floor, Lunging Ring, Large Sand Menage, Fully Floodlit and access to a 50m Equine swimming pool.”
Michael’s reputation received another huge boost earlier this year when it was announced that top class rider Kieren Fallon would be riding out for him this year.
Fallon has previously ridden as stable jockey to Sir Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien as well as linking up with the likes of Godolphin and Luca Cumani in the past. The 51-year-old rider counts three Derby successes on his record, as well as two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes – experience O’Callaghan feels will be invaluable.
Michael said: “Kieren Fallon is one of the world’s most accomplished jockeys. He has been British champion six times and has won big races all over the world. I am thrilled that he has agreed to join our team. It is a real coup for our yard.”
Fallon also said at the time of the announcement that the move would be good for both parties: “Irish racing is up there with the best in the world and, even while I was in America, I have been following the scene here. Michael is a trainer going places and I jumped at the opportunity to get involved with his yard. He has a super set-up here on the Curragh, a smashing group of horses and excellent staff. This is a good move for me.”
There are many role models in Irish racing for Michael to look up too, but there are a few in particular that he believes stand out from the rest.
“Jim Bolger would be someone that I would admire greatly. He built up the yard from nothing and he is one of the most successful trainers ever. Henry Cecil is another who has been at the top of his game for many years, while Aidan O’Brien’s record speaks for itself.
“It’s up to us to set our targets and reach our goals and with the help of the dedicated staff here, I feel we can achieve those goals.”
Crotanstown Stud,
Lumville,
The Curragh,
Co. Kildare
R56 PN27
T: +353 (0)45 456502.
M: +353 (0) 87 955 0771.
F: +353 (0)45 456504.
E: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 5, June 2016
