Terence O’Brien is looking to give the east Cork public a ‘real insight’ into the training world when he hosts his first Open Morning later this month, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

O’Brien, who has a long lineage of training, is the latest handler offering the chance to let the public visit his yard, meet the horses and experience the facilities.

Based out in the picturesque Woodstock stables in Carrigtwohill, he relishes the challenges of running his operation from one of the most competitive training areas in Ireland and is excited to show people behind the scenes on September 24.

“It’s my first time opening to the public,” he said. “Previous events we’ve held were for owners so this will give the chance for those not involved.

“So it would be great to bring in those who haven’t experienced a training yard before. I want those people who don’t know much about how we prepare for racing to get a real insight.

“We’re going to have a fair bit going on during the day, with showing them on the gallops close by, before showing a few horses being schooled.

“We’re also be showing a few horses still available for syndication. We’ll also be having a barbeque with a Q&A session, then just let people explore the yard, so hopefully they get a lot out of it."

 

Having had plenty of success at the Listowel Festiva previously, notably with the Kevin Coleman-ridden Glanquest back in September 2008, O’Brien is hoping for more success in County Kerry next week

Both Ladys Spirit and Crescent Lake will be heading over for the EBF Mares Maiden and Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle respectively, while Magnor Glory will spearhead the Cork handler’s challenge.

The six-year-old has been in good form over the summer, notching wins at Killarney and Ballinrobe, and those attending the Open Morning will have the chance to see him up close

“We’ve had a few winners over the last few weeks, so hopefully can keep that going into Listowel,” he said

“Magnor Glory won in Killarney and looked very good doing so. Crescent Lake won in Dundalk as well.

“They are in really good shape at the moment. Hopefully one of them can produce a big run and win in Listowel

“We’ve also got Speckled Meadow doing really well and running in a low-grade handicap at Gowran Park this Saturday. 

“She might win, she was second last time out at Navan and looked strong. Hopefully we have some success to talk about at the Open Morning!”

O’Brien has close to 40 currently at his yard and remains as passionate about training winners as ever, despite the operational challenges in 2022.

“It’s important to have upkeep of facilities and get the right horses,” he added. “They are the big challenges.

“Cork is also a very competitive environment. I think we’ve got about nearly 40 licensed owners here and we’ve a lot of medium-sized trainers like myself.

“And the bigger owners are gravitating towards the bigger trainers, who have naturally gone from 60-70 horses to 250-300 horses. That makes a big difference.

“Having said that, that can give the smaller trainer a little advantage because we can offer that personal experience but you just have to give potential owners a product that they can buy into, hopefully we can do that.

It is completely free to attend the Terence O’Brien Open Morning you just need to pre-register here - https://www.racehorseownership.ie/register-for-upcoming-open-mornings/