A different perspective from the racing industry as we continue the Bluegrass Horse Feed behind the success series. The Bluegrass Horse Feed team caught up with Wicklow based, racehorse trainer Peter Croke to find out what’s involved and behind being a successful trainer.

1, What’s your favourite horse you’ve ever worked with?

My Betty

2, What horse would you like to have in your stables?

Champ. JP McManus’s horse.

3, If you weren’t training racehorses what would you like to be?

I would’ve liked to have been a jockey, but I was born with only one eye and couldn’t get a license or maybe I wasn’t good enough and that was their excuse

4, Favourite individual horse race or race meeting?

Cheltenham Festival

5, Favourite band?

Garth Brooks

6, What’s the one thing in your tack room you can’t be without?

The Coffee Machine! Without a doubt

7, Have you any routines or habits before a big race?

No routines. Just 40 benson and hedges

8, Do you have any other hobbies or sport interests?

None. The 4 boys at home are enough extra work

9, Name one race that you really want to win?

I’m happy enough to win any race at the moment, but I would love to win a graded race.

10, What’s your favourite Bluegrass Horse Feed product?

I try to keep it simple. I really like the Bluegrass Hi- Performance mix.

Also, we use Bluegrass Foal and Yearling mix It’s a great job. Our yearlings have never looked as good

11, When did you start riding?

Started when I was probably around 7 or 8

12, First pony’s name?

Taz

13, What’s your proudest achievement so far?

A P Mc Coy rode the first winner I trained

14, What’s your favourite training exercise?

Cross country schooling with the young horses. We’re very lucky here to have a lot of cross country fences and water so I like to start them all over jumps before they start their proper cantering work.

15, One piece of advice you’d give to young trainers just starting out?

Don’t start!!!!! Haha