Navan Sat, 17th May, 2025  Carmers I was very happy with the way he did it in Ballinrobe. He’s a horse that just does what he has to do, hence the headgear (blinkers). I thought he would run a good race (in Ballinrobe) and I thought he would finish the race well. I thought he would be in the (first) three. He surprised me maybe just how well he won at the line, he won comfortably and Donagh (O’Connor) said he had to go down the back straight to pull him up. He came home, licked the pot, rode out this week, didn’t care and I said to Billy ‘I’m going to put him in the Yeats and see what happens’. As the week went on, it became clear that he was ready to go. We were keen today to get a lead, we knew we’d stay and ordinarily we might have jumped and made it, but he’s a horse that I don’t think would like to be in front too long. When he went to the front I was a little bit concerned but, to be fair to him, he picked up and rallied. He’s keeping plenty for himself, I’d say there’s plenty in him. He has ability but he is just like the trainer – he does what he has to do!. I said it to the owner there, that race (Queen’s Vase) in Royal Ascot is probably the right race for him. He’s a stayer and he has enough experience to go to a race like that. I was thrilled when Fiona (Carmichael, owner) asked us to train the first for her a couple of years ago and she kindly sent me on this horse. She has been very patient with me. He traine

Navan Sat, 17th May, 2025  Carmers I was very happy with the way he did it in Ballinrobe. He's a horse that just does what he has to do, hence he wears headgear. I thought he would run a good race in Ballinrobe and thought he would finish the race well but he surprised me with how well he won: Donagh (O'Connor, jockey then) said he had to go down the back straight to pull him up. He came home, licked the pot, rode out this week, didn't care, and as the week went on, it became clear that he was ready to go. we were keen to get a lead, we knew we'd stay and while ordinarily we might have made the running, I don't think likes being in front too long. When he went to the front, to be fair to him, he picked up and rallied. He's keeping plenty for himself so I'd say there's plenty in him. The Queen's Vase in Royal Ascot is probably the right race for him: he's a stayer and has enough experience to go to a race like that. I was thrilled when Fiona (Carmichael, Carmers’ owner) asked us to train for her and she kindly sent me this horse. She has been very patient with me.

Ballinrobe Fri, 9th May, 2025  Carmers I got through the line well and took plenty of pulling up so I wouldn’t see why not. I’m delighted to get it for him. He’s a fantastic trainer and it’s great to sit on those quality horses, the two days a week I’m in there. I’m learning plenty as well. Billy (Lee) is a great man to be riding work with too. Hopefully we can keep it up, I hit the crossbar a couple of weeks ago and it was nice to get the winner.

Dundalk Fri, 11th Apr, 2025  Professor Longhair He's a beautiful horse - he's a fine, big, strong horse. He's quite sleepy at home, so I think there is a lot of improvement in him. Fantastic - a good starting point for him, so looking forward to him. You could (see him going out in trip) but also I think he is going to sharpen up for the run. I don't think he is a mile and a-half horse by any means. Maybe he could stretch out to 10 (furlongs), but I think kind of a mile to 10 would be kind of his trip. Yeah I think so (find something on turf soon), we'll take him home and see how he is and make sure he comes out of it and make a plan then.

Cork Sun, 6th Apr, 2025  Bella Isabella It was a nice performance, she was very pleasing and Chris was very happy with her. She showed a very willing attitude and I thought she won nicely at the line. She is from a great family which we know like the back of our hands and it goes back a long way now. We'll see where she fits in as the season progresses and look for a winners' race next.

Dundalk Fri, 28th Mar, 2025  Woodshaw Whisper Thanks to Mick (Halford) - I just said to the boys 'thanks for thinking of me' and Mick gave me back, quick as ever, 'it wasn't that we were thinking of you, we just couldn't think of anybody else!' . Lovely and a nice start with the new owner Michael Enright and hopefully it is the first of many. Very straightforward horse, kicked into gear when we went that extra furlong or two with him. Liked the surface Colin said, so we will look after him and look for a nice surface. At the minute, he is a handicapper and we will see where he progresses. Trip versatile and wouldn't want winter ground.