Former Irish international football player, Kevin Doyle, is one person that knows a thing or two about horse-racing…
The former professional footballer turned to horse-breeding after he retired from football.
Doyle, speaking to BoyleSports who offer the latest Cheltenham odds, highlighted his excitement for the Cheltenham festival to kick off. The first race starts today (Tuesday) at 1:30pm.
What’s getting you most excited about the Cheltenham Festival?
KD “Probably the Gold Cup on Friday, it’s a few days away, but I’m interested to see how Shishkin and Hewick go. Also, it will be interesting to see if anybody can lay a finger on Galopin Des Champs.
“It’s probably the race, for me, that will be the most intriguing.”
Can you see attention drifting away from Willie Mullins’ camp now that declarations have been made?
“Not that I’m loyal to Willie Mullins, but he does have a lot of good horses at the moment. Everyone has a good horse, but the case with him at the moment is when his favourite has an off-day, he usually has a second-favourite horse that will come from the pack to win.
“I think that it will be pretty obvious that Willie will be the top trainer at the meeting.
“In my case, though, I would like English trainers to do better. You want the competition, you don’t want it just to be a walkover like it’s been in the past few years – you need that competition for rivalry and to create an atmosphere.
“If it’s just Ireland winning easily, you would like Britain to be a bit more competitive from my point of view.”
Unfortunately Baby Kate, who you bred, won’t be running for Willie Mullins at the Festival – what is your update on her?
KD “She won’t run – there’s nothing wrong with her, but I’d imagine she’s going to Aintree where there’s a Mares’ race, which she’ll be sticking to for the time being.
“I lease her to a syndicate, but from my point of view I’m happy enough that she’s not taking on some of the hotshot boys in the bumper; and sticking to her own sex for the time being.
“With the ground being soft, every horse is different. In her case, she’s run on soft ground before; so the ground wouldn’t have been an issue.
“Cheltenham is never that bad ground-wise and is usually very quick even if it gets rain. It never seems to be a mud-fest there, I think it’s usually very fair.”
How does the Cheltenham Roar compare to Premier League crowds?
KD “It’s the equivalent to when a goal goes in during a Premier League match, with that deafening sound for a minute.
“If the jockeys are half-a-mile away on the other side of the track, they might not hear it; but for anyone in the stands it’s the equivalent in terms of the buzz, atmosphere and build-up.
Will you be going, or anyone you know? Is the buzz the same in Ireland this year?
KD “I’ve actually heard plenty of lads saying that they’ll be going to Aintree instead this year, so whether that’s my local circle or the sign of a trend, we’ll have to wait and see.
“Cheltenham’s great, it’s a big place though, and you need your wits about you when you’re there; so, for me, I just enjoy watching on TV now, maybe that’s a sign of my age!
“You see more, and don’t miss a thing when watching on the TV.”
Can you see a situation where the Irish stop coming to Cheltenham?
KD “Being as successful as we are at the moment, no! It’s more of a tradition as well with generations going to the Festival and people with horses having connections.
“Especially at the moment, you’ll always get people going over with Ireland being such a heavyweight force.”
In partnership with Wexford Weekly, Wexford’s Kevin Doyle was speaking to BoyleSports who offer the latest Cheltenham odds.
