Few moments in racing can compare to watching your own horse cross the finishing line first. For Salvo, Fiveonefive’s memorable victory at the Galway Festival was the latest chapter in a lifelong passion as a racehorse owner. We caught up with him to reflect on his journey, his relationship with trainer Cian Collins, and the memories that keep him coming back to the sport.
Where did the interest in horse racing come from?
My interest in horses started at a very young age. When I was growing up, I'd spend time in Italy with my grandfather, who worked the fields with donkeys. I'd be up with him early every morning before the heat of the day, and that's really where my love of horses began.
As I got older, I became completely fascinated by horse racing. I was one of those lads who would spend more time following racing, going to the betting shops, than doing what I probably should have been doing! I just loved everything about it, and before long I knew I wanted to own a racehorse myself. I remember telling my late father that I was going to buy a racehorse and him saying, “You’re mad getting involved with racehorses, it’ll be the end of your business!” We went ahead and bought our first horse anyway, we haven’t looked back since.
We also enjoyed plenty of success with horses running in Ireland, including Mudahim, who came over and won the Irish Grand National in 1997. Thankfully, my father lived long enough to see us win the Galway Plate a year later as well with Amlah, which remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt as an owner?
One thing I've learned over the years is that if you have a good trainer, you have to trust them. Ninety nine percent of the time they're the ones who know your horse best. I always think back to when Jenny Pitman trained Mudahim to win the Irish Grand National in 1997. I was convinced we should run in a different race, but Jenny was adamant we should go to Ireland. We had a bit of a disagreement about it, I wanted him to run in the English Grand National, so I rang my friend Chris Broad, who was also the jockey's agent.
He simply said, "She trains the horses, not you. You might not agree with her, but you should trust her judgement." He was absolutely right. I listened, and the horse went on to win the Irish Grand National that year. That's always stayed with me.
Trainers don't always get every decision right, we're all human, but they've dedicated their lives to understanding horses. If you put your faith in someone, you have to back them.
What's it like having horses with Cian?
I first met Cian by chance when he was over in Wales for the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las which he won with Effernock Fizz. We got chatting over a meal and a few drinks in our pub The Bridge, in Llangennech, we hit it off and he invited me back to Ffos Las the next day to watch the race. I thought he was a young trainer that would be going places, he invited us over to see the yard, so we went over to have a look round and one of the horses we looked at was Fiveonefive. We bought him in partnership with Tony Lagan who we hadn’t met before, really nice man, it also happened to be his very first horse. The rest is history as they say!
Cian is an outstanding young trainer. He's honest, helpful, hardworking and always puts the welfare of his horses first. The horses get the chance to go to the beach, out in the field and he keeps us involved every step of the way, whether it's discussing race plans or giving regular updates, and that's something I really value as an owner. His whole team works incredibly hard, and they've always made us feel like part of the family.
It's more than just having a horse in training. Every time we come over to Ireland, we're looked after so well, and we've made genuine friendships with Cian and everyone at the yard. They would pick us up from the airport, lend us a jeep, anything they can do to help, they will. Seeing him enjoy success, especially with Fiveonefive at Galway, was every bit as rewarding for us as it was for him. It was his first winner at the Galway Festival, and we couldn't have been happier to share that moment with him.
What's the best thing you would say you've got out of the experience?
I’m not your average owner, I like to be treated as one of the boys, crack on and have fun! Winning races is an incredible feeling, but it's everything that comes with it that makes racehorse ownership so special. You build lasting friendships with trainers, stable staff, jockeys and fellow owners, and before long they become like an extended family.
Of course, nothing compares to seeing your own horse cross the finishing line first. Those moments are impossible to put into words and stay with you forever. But it's also about sharing those experiences with the people closest to you. Winning with Fiveonefive at Galway, surrounded by my wife, friends and the team, is a memory I'll treasure for the rest of my life. Those are the moments that make all the ups and downs worthwhile.
What was that day like in Galway?
It was like déjà vu! As we were driving into the racecourse that morning, I turned to my wife, Alex, and said it only felt like yesterday that I'd been there celebrating a Galway Plate winner with my late father 28 years earlier. A year later, my dad sadly passed away. Alex wasn’t sure about coming to Galway, but she decided to come over last minute, if she’d stayed at home, we’d have missed one of the best days of our lives. To come back all those years later and experience another winner at Galway was incredibly emotional, and I couldn't help but think my dad was looking down on us. It felt like he’d come full circle with us.
Seeing Fiveonefive winning at Galway was a feeling money simply can't buy. I was absolutely thrilled for my co-owner Tony, Cian, his team and everyone involved with the horse. Tony actually wasn’t sure about him running, I don’t think he was as confident about his chances as I was! When we were in Galway that evening, people we’re shaking our hands to congratulate us as they had recognised us from the TV! Those are the moments that make racehorse ownership so rewarding, and they're memories that stay with you for life. Some moments in racing simply can’t be bought. Galway was one of them.
How important is family to your Ownership journey?
Racing has given us some incredible memories as a family over the past 30 years. My wife, Alex, has supported me every step of the way, even though racing isn’t always her passion, although I do think it’s growing on her! Sharing those special moments together, especially at Galway, is something we'll never forget. It was our early 25th wedding anniversary present! It's these experiences with family and friends that make racehorse ownership so rewarding. You can have all the photos and video reminders from the day, but it’s what’s in the memory that really matters.
What has kept you involved as an owner after all these years?
Racehorse ownership isn't cheap, especially when you're running a family business, and there are times when you ask yourself whether you should be buying another horse. People think it’s just a business, but I wouldn’t put a horse in training with someone just as a number or for the sake of it, some people do, but for me, it's about much more than that. It's the memories we've made together as a family and the excitement of sharing those special days.
My wife, Alex, and our children, Zak and Frankie, have all become part of the journey. Seeing how much they enjoy it and celebrating those big moments together is one of the main reasons I still own racehorses today. Winning is fantastic, but it's the memories you create with the people closest to you that make it all worthwhile.
Why do you like to have horses in training in Ireland?
Although we don't get to see the horses as often as we would if they were closer to home, I've always enjoyed having horses in Ireland. The racing is more competitive, the prize money is excellent, the Calander to place horses’ works very well and every visit over feels like more than just going racing, it's only an hour’s flight, but it’s a chance to catch up with great friends and enjoy the whole experience.
We've always received such a warm welcome from everyone in Ireland, whether it's at the racecourses or at the yard. Over the years we've built genuine friendships, particularly with Cian and his team, who have always made us feel like part of the family. Owning horses in Ireland has given us some unforgettable memories, and it's somewhere we always look forward to coming back to.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about getting involved in racehorse ownership, but hasn’t take the leap yet?
Don't be put off by thinking racehorse ownership is only about winning. There are highs and lows, but that's all part of the journey. Find a trainer you trust, enjoy the experience and make the most of every day at the races. The friendships you make and the memories you create are just as important as the winners.
If you're interested in exploring racehorse ownership opportunities and discovering the stories behind the sport, contact us on [email protected] to find out how to get involved.
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