Mick O’Toole (b. 1931)

Track 1: His background in Dublin and his introduction to racing, both of greyhounds and horses at a very early age. The big influences in his life, his two uncles Willie and Paddy Byrnes. The big breakthrough with greyhounds and the change over to horses. Track 2: Beginning to train horses in the Phoenix Park. His first horse owner. His stablehands who stayed with him down through the years. Track 3: Buying Maddenstown Stud Farm in 1970. Track 4: His great successes and memories of Cheltenham down through the years. Winning at Royal Ascot. Track 5: The trainers, the breeders and the jockeys in the industry. His memories of race meetings around the country. His great successes in winning Classics. The horse sales he attended. Track 6: His retirement ten years ago and his great passion for horses and racing. His family’s involvement in the industry. The apprentices who worked for him over the years. Track 7: His admiration for Irish jockeys and his views on what makes a good horse trainer. Track 8: Being a character in the business. His views on staying on top of the game. Track 9: His favourite horses that he trained himself and their owners. Track 10: Racing at Listowel. Drugs and dishonesty in the industry.