The pandemic of 2020 forced some businesses to fold, but for Louise Lyons a turn of good fortune allowed her to set up her racing operation at Bluegate Stud in Co Kilkenny.

She had the idea – all she needed was gallops – and the sale of a good horse in June of that year provided the cashflow to expand the equine facilities already in place.

“My partner Nicky (Teehan) bred a good Flat horse called Ten Year Ticket, and when he was sold to Hong Kong we were able to put in a nice gallop,” Lyons said.

It also helped that the dam, who was bought by Teehan for just 800gns, had been snapped up for a nice sum the year before by the Qatari operation Al Wasmiyah Farm.

Teehan’s background is in thoroughbred breeding and he and Lyons have bought and sold a few decent horses. Other successful home-breds include Shanahan’s Turn, who went on to win a Galway Plate and Poker Party, who won the Kerry National.

Training was not really on the agenda until Espion Du Chenet returned to Ireland after a spell in France. “He’s the reason I got into training.” Lyons admits.

The couple have three young children - Nancy (8), Robin (6) and Nicky George (5) and Lyons wanted to do something which allowed her more time at home. “I’ve done a lot of showing and eventing, but I didn’t want to jump big fences anymore. With regards to pre-training there was only so much I could do, so I thought I might as well take out a licence.”

New regime

Purchased by the couple as a yearling, Espion Du Chenet had run in France a few times but wasn’t straightforward. Within a few months Lyons had completely changed his training regime.

He soon flourished and gave the trainer her first win in December 2020. He now has six wins here to his credit.

In fairness there’s not much Lyons doesn’t know about a horse’s mechanism, and this has been the key to her success. Having represented Ireland at Olympic level in eventing, she understands the importance of horses going well on the flat before they can jump.

She also insists on varying their routine to keep them interested. “I use grid work and pole work every day to make them use their minds and for leg co-ordination. We also have jumps in the arena - it’s fun and part of the warm-up.”

Modest operation

It’s a modest operation with 10 horses in training and a few more coming on, and so Lyons gets to ride the horses regularly while also employing some locals to help out. Jockeys ride work a few days a week.

Kells Priory is another horse of note in the yard. Picked up at the 2020 Goffs Land Rover Sale for €10,000, the five-year-old by Valirann runs in the colours of the Bullseye Syndicate and may well be a contender for Galway later this month.

“It is a small yard, which makes it easier to keep track of everything. We have some lovely horses but there’s always room for more. “Without doubt Nicky is the brains of the operation and does all the race planning. I suppose we complement each other.”

Though born in Cheshire, Lyons now calls Ireland home and has her foot firmly in the door in the industry.

Well-respected across many spheres, she could be spotted teaching at Pony Club camp one day and attending a race meeting the next, such is her interest in all things equine.

Coaching young riders also fills her busy week, while next month she is likely to appear at the Dublin Horse Show as an exhibitor.

No stranger

She’s no stranger to the winner’s enclosure there either, landing the Working Hunter Championship in 2016 on MJM Lazlo and the Racehorse to Riding Horse class two years later onboard Don Cossack.

First Rate was another who gave her some great days at the show and this year she will aim to pick up a few more accolades with the home-bred Dartans Red Mission.

“I’ve always loved showing a few horses and the Dublin Horse Show has given me some great wins over the years.” she concludes.