Noel Meade and the 30-question HRI challenge

Castletown man and champion National Hunt trainer Noel Meade took the Horse Racing Ireland 30-question

challenge for the Meath Chronicle in the fifth of our series.

1. What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be a jockey but as I was not any good, I had to change my mind.

2. Growing up, who was your sporting hero?

Tom Dreaper

3. Do you have a mentor?

Not really but I have a few very good friends over the years who have been a great help to me.

Two of those who are not with us anymore were Noel Keating and John O’Meara.

4. What or where is your happy place?

I think watching fast horses coming up the gallop on a sunny day.

5. What sparked your love of racing?

Just was horse mad from day one even though nobody in the family had anything to do with them.

6. What horse put you on the map?

There are three that would stand out:

Sweet Mint won at Royal Ascot in 1978. Our first runner at the Royal meeting and a winner!

Pinchhitter won two Galway Hurdles which were very special

Steel Duke won the Savel Begs Stakes and won a stack of races at various Galway Festivals, a race-meeting I love.

7. Your favourite horse?

Harchibald. He won five Grade 1 races for us including two Christmas Hurdles at Kempton and two Fighting Fifth hurdles at Newcastle. He was beaten by a nose in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 2005 – the dual champion hurdle winner was ahead of him (Hardy Eustace) and a champion hurdle winner in waiting was behind him (Brave Inca). It is one of the best Champion Hurdles I have ever seen.

8. Describe the feeling of training your first winner?

I actually rode my first winner; it was a horse called Tu Va in Wexford in 1970 and it was the best feeling you can imagine! I named my yard after him.

9. What is your most memorable racing moment?

I think it was Pinchhitter winning my first Galway Hurdle in 1981, his owner, Finbarr Cahill, was a great pal of mine, and still is...he knew how to celebrate it! It was a race I always wanted to win, but there are quite a few moments and it’s very hard to pick one!

10. What is your favourite Irish racecourse?

Navan of course, followed by Fairyhouse.

11. If you weren’t a trainer what would you be?

I think the answer to that is “very hard to live with”.

12. If you could train one horse, what would it be?

Nijinsky on the flat and Kauto Star over jumps

13. How do you cope with pressure?

Most of the time okay. Barry Geraghty says pressure is for tyres.

14. What mental preparation do you do for the big days?

Not really any!

15. How do you stay motivated?

I just love what I do, watching young horses come along and always hoping you’ll have a Grade 1 horse keeps you motivated.

16. How do you deal with dips in form?

I try not to think about it too much, can get very depressing so I try not to dwell on it.

17. Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment?

Kevin Foley’s goal. That was in the Leinster SFC against Dublin in 1991.

I will never forget it or the end of the match when Jinksy (David Beggy) slung that last one over the bar.

Anytime I’m feeling down I just have to think of that.

18. Can you give us a Netflix/film recommendation?

The Last Czars

19, What is your guilty pleasure?

A nice bottle of red!

20. Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?

And When I die (Blood, Sweat & Tears); I believe in you (Don Williams); I’ve never been to me (Charlene).

21. What person do you admire the most and why?

JP McManus - He gives so much to so many people and much more than people ever know. He has been lucky enough to make a lot of money, but he does spread it around.

22. Favourite dinner?

A medium rare T-bone steak with Kerr’s Pinks and my wife, Derville’s cauliflower cheese, with a nice bottle of red.

23. Where is your favourite place to go on holidays?

I like going on holidays in Ireland - I love Galway and Kerry, and abroad I like Italy.

24. What ambitions do you still have?

I would love to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.

25. What is the hidden gem of Meath?

The lovely green grass! I hear people talking about the beauty of Connemara but give me green fields any day of the week.

26. When you think of your home what immediately springs to mind?

Happiness - I adore where I live!

27. How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions?

We have about 30-35 flat horses in training which takes up most of the morning, then painting and doing general maintenance around the yard and house.

28. If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be?

Stay safe and follow the advice no matter how difficult it is - the advice is for your own safety.

29. If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Give yourself plenty of time to think about any important decision you will have to make!

30. Favourite saying/quote?

Enjoy life - You’ll be dead for millions and millions of years!