Exclusive interview with Martin Brazil: Forget Cheltenham – Dublin Racing Festival “The Best of the Best”
Speaking exclusively to BoyleSportsIrish trainer Martin Brazile spoke of the success of the Dublin Racing Festival. He then outlined a vision for how it could compete with Cheltenham amidst a strong Irish economy.
At Leopardstown this weekend, Blashill will field Fast Throw in the Irish Gold Cup, with Cheltenham Gold Cup favorites set to take on the might of Willie Mullins’ stable’s Gallopin Des Champs in Saturday’s show.
Q. The Dublin Racing Festival has become a big event in its own right, how do you feel about that?
MB “Now it’s become huge in itself. Why shouldn’t it be? We have the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys! I’m only half kidding! The best at the moment There are several horses.
“There are greater expectations for Irish horses heading into Cheltenham than there were 30 years ago when I started working as a trainer. Back then you were lucky if you had three or four winners. It’s completely turned around. Over there, guys like Willie (Mullins), Gordon (Elliott) and Henry (DeBromhead) are getting so many prizes, not bachelors like me. !”
Q. How tough is it to compete against the big three?
MB: “It’s very hard. It’s great when you have good horses. It’s hard day in and day out. You can’t avoid them now, no matter where you go. Years ago, before horses were that strong, maybe in the summer. But they have that many customers and so many horses that they have to keep a ton of horses for the summer. Or both are there!
“I think it’s inevitable. But for someone who’s been in the game as long as I have, it’s completely new. If you go back 40 or 50 years, trainers like Tom Draper and Vincent O’Brien… The masters never had more than 50-60 horses. None of them had Willie, Gordon, Henry type numbers – that changed dramatically.
“It’s not the big trainers’ fault that they attract wealthy owners who are willing to buy big point-to-point winners or big-money winners. Fair play to them.”
Q. What was the trigger for Ireland’s turnaround?
MB “Our economy has improved a lot since the recession. We have much wealthier people here in Ireland. And Willie and Gordon’s business model is to find and attract people who have money to spend.
“People are furious about having a winner at Cheltenham and will pay all sorts of ridiculous money. They’ve proven they can do the job and win big prizes. There’s a snowball effect and to experience that feeling. More and more people want to bring their horses with them.”
Q. DUBLIN: What do you think about extending it?
MB: “Why not? If we go for three days, we can forget about Cheltenham and focus on ourselves and maybe we can get some Brits here instead.”
Q. Do you think that might happen someday?
MB: “You can never say never in this life. In Dublin you can see things that are attracting attention and becoming more and more popular. The prize money is great.
“If you run the right races, you’ll attract the right horses. That’s what everyone wants.”
Q. Are you surprised that more British trainers are not sending horses, considering the prize money is so high?
MB: So am I and they used to be like that too. Going back to Gold Cup honors, for example Jodami won it three times. Paul Nicholls won it at Tidal Bay.
“Maybe the British trainers are having a hard time getting owners to pay that much for a point-to-point or bump winner because the Irish are so dominant at the moment. They have the same firepower. I don’t have one.”
Q. Fastorslow has real firepower.
MB: Yes, he is going to compete in the Irish Gold Cup. There are only five horses left. The weather should be nice and dry for the rest of the week and the ground should be fine for him.
“He is a true standard-bearer and stepped up to the mark when I put him in Grade 1 company. I hope he can keep up his form.”
Q. Can we win three games in a row against Galopin des Champs?
MB: “Just like Galopin Des Champs won the Savills Chase, I’m sure he’ll use similar tactics and have a similar battle to stay.
“Last year we beat him twice. John Durcan was a short race and would have been out of Gallopin’s hands. The way he won the Gold Cup proved that’s just the kind of person he is. He’s going to make sure it’s a real run contest and you’re going to need stamina to get past him.”
Q. How important is having a horse like Fast Slow to the farm’s profile?
MB: “That’s so important. I’ve been lucky to have some great horses over the years. I had the nickname of a great two-mile chaser. It’s great to have a horse like ‘Fastarslow’. is. I never dreamed that a gold cup horse would be born. For now, that dream is firmly alive.
“He will definitely aim for the Gold Cup and see what happens.”
“It’s great to have a horse like Faster Throw. I never thought I’d have a Gold Cup horse. So far, that dream is alive and well.”
martin brazil
Q. Is there a way to counter a gravitational Marines battalion if I have the possibility of facing 5 battalions of Marines?
MB: “Run your own race. Ride the race with the horse and don’t get caught up in what the horse does. We’ll all have our own plans, but the secret is to have a good race against Willie.” Get your horses ready!”
Q. This season is going well, but could it be your best season yet?
MB “It’s easier when you know you’re going to wake up in the morning and see a great horse. As you get older, it’s easier to tell the good from the mediocre. I’m lucky to have the support of my family. My son David lives in France. I worked there for 10 years. My son Connor drives me out there. We have some very good staff.”
Q. Is the Grand National your favorite?
“Yes. Numbersixvalverde won in 2006 and I won my third time at Double Seven in 2014.
“Winning National was the best day of my racing career. It’s a race that no one will ever forget. You can win some big races, but when you win Nationals, it’s a huge opportunity. And your name will be remembered. National means a lot to me.”
Q. What’s next for Desertmore House?
“I’m planning to enter him in both the Boylesports Irish Grand National and Aintree. If the ground is too heavy (at Fairyhouse) I’ll aim for Liverpool. Panda Boy and Longhouse Poet will also be in the Grand I am entering it into the Nationals.”
Q. Is there anything you would like to see happen in the race?
“I want racing to become more attractive to young people. The cost of living has gone up too high and not all young people can afford it. They go to festivals, but beyond that won’t go.
“We could get more people into smaller gatherings by lowering admission prices or making it free for young people. I’d let them in for free.”