Fergal O'Brien: 'Racing is part of the entertainment industry. We've got to make it fun'

'I’m from Ballina, a Tipp man through and through... But my brother Tony and Dad are both Clare men'

Fergal O'Brien in a playful mood at Warwick. Picture: Edward Whitaker

Fergal O’Brien has gone uncharacteristically quiet considering that it’s a simple question. Does the tagline on his now legendary Twitter account accurately represent who he is and how he lives his life? He’s laughing, pausing to frame an answer. “Ah Jaysus,” he replies eventually, “I didn’t write that.” 

The motto he didn’t write advises his 35,000 followers that he is: “Reliably witty, perennially genial. Making racehorse ownership fun.”