Racehorse owners planning a royaler
But today the O’Keeffes from Dublin Pike may well pick up a trophy from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, if their horse romps home. Or it could even be Queen Elizabeth who hands the prize over if the horse Here, Now and Why wins the €90,000 Norfolk Stakes.
Con O’Keeffe, who works as a drilling manager with US-owned company Occidental, owns a half share in the two-year-old colt which was bred by Peter McCarthy and his wife, Sandra, at Gowran, Co Kilkenny.
Con, his wife, Theresa, son, Ryan and daughter, Andrea, flew out of Cork Airport last night with their fingers crossed.
It’s the family’s first time at the famous racecourse and because Con is a part-owner, he and his family have been invited to attend the royal enclosure.
He certainly won’t be dressed in casuals. “There is a very strict dress code. The men have to wear top hat and tails,” Con said.
It’s a costly business kitting out the ladies as well.
“My wife got a complete new outfit for the occasion in France and my daughter got hers in Brown Thomas,” he said.
They could be in with a chance of some prize money themselves, as tomorrow is Ladies Day at the racecourse.
Con and his wife interrupted their holidays when it was confirmed Here, Now and Why would be a runner.
“I’ve been involved with National Hunt horses all my life but this is the first time I’ve had an involvement with a horse on the flat.”
And what are the horse’s chances? Pretty good, according to Con. “He’s had three races, beaten by a length in the first, won the other two. I’m fairly confident he’ll be in the first three and hopefully he may even win.”
The race starts at 2.30pm.
