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John Flavin will host his maiden Open Morning after a flying start to life as a fully-fledged trainer since taking on his father’s license last year, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

Flavin was quickly familiar with the winner’s enclosure, helped by an excellent season from stable star Street Value, who first made his name when coming home third as a 250/1 shot behind odds-on favourite Ciel De Neige at the Limerick Christmas meeting.

The seven-year-old, who has since recorded three wins in seven outings, will be one of those on show on October 1 at Lake Tour Stables with the general public able to look around free of charge by pre-registering online.

And after a whirlwind start to life as a full-time trainer, Flavin can’t wait to showcase the progress made at his Tramore base.

“It’s been going well. I’ve been fortunate really,” said Flavin. “The first horse I had (Street Value) running won and then I ended up with three out of my first five winning, so thankfully I hit the ground running.

“Because it was during the lockdown as well, you had a fair few watching on television, and I got a few new horses out of that. So that was another bit of luck.

“We have a few good syndicates running here now that a lot of people have joined up.

“On the morning, we’ll have people arrive between 9.30-10am and then have a few of our horses ride out just after 10 and school another lot shortly after.

“We’ve got Danny Mullins and a few of the other jockeys coming down as well so hopefully there should be plenty to see.”

Flavin previously rode as a conditional jockey before an injury sustained at Wetherby cut short his career in the saddle.

But his flying start to life as a trainer after succeeding father Pat in January 2021 saw an already reputable yard gain further interest - helped no end by Street Value’s continued success. 

Owned by the Miracle Cure Syndicate, he bounced back from a difficult couple of runs to win convincingly in a handicap at Cork in January.

“Street Value will be among those having a ride out, for sure,” confirmed Flavin.

“He looks in great form at home and will be there. We just have to wait because he loves the soft ground so it’s a game of timing it right.

"He’ll be having a parade on the morning and people can see him going up the gallops as well.”

Although he is relatively new to being the main man at Lake Tour Stables, Flavin knows he always has an experienced sounding board on-hand.

“My father is always there for advice and support still as well which makes a big difference,” he added.

Another major success story since the transition at the yard has been the exciting hurdler Clarens.

The son of Dream Ahead secured three wins on the spin in the autumn last year and although the Tramore handler has given him a light touch in 2022, with just one outing so far, he confirmed that a return to action isn’t too far away.

“Clarens has had a little bit of a break again with the ground been rock hard this summer,” Flavin explained. “But he is back now doing some work in the background.

“We’re just going to ease him back in, hopefully after Christmas time he’ll be ready to get back into it.

“We’re going to gear him towards the Spring festivals if all goes well.”

To attend John Flavin’s Trainer Open Morning at Lake Tour Stables, register here.