Monkfish proves the catch of a lifetime for Richard Busher

The deep sea's loss is the racecourse's gain if Richard Busher can continue to land a few more like Brown Advisory Novices' Chase winner and next-big-thing Monkfish.

It was at the end of 2014 that the Wexford-based agent was beginning to dabble in the business and spotted a gangly chestnut for €12,500 at Tattersalls Ireland.

Two and a half years later, upon passing him on for €36,000 to Cormac Doyle at the Derby Sale, the horse had serendipitously acquired his catchy name as well as a career point-to-pointing ahead of him.

"I was a fisherman, I'd given that up and bought a few horses. I think this was probably my third year buying them," Busher recalls. "It was with Daragh Berry [of Furzietown Stables], he was a grand foal. We sold him on to Cormac Doyle, I went up to him afterwards and said I'd brought some monkfish for him as well. They were delighted with that, and that's where the name came from."

Busher was happy for Doyle to see Monkfish win his point at the second attempt and move to the Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci axis for a tidy £235,000.

A winner of his last seven races, including two Cheltenham Festival scores and a pair of Leopardstown Grade 1s, the strapping son of Stowaway bred by Cyril O'Hara has the look of a gentle giant to him.

Richard Busher made a wise move to switch from fish to horsesCredit: Busher Bloodstock

His former owner remembers him well and the building nerves were not helped by a couple of hair-raising moments as he watched the action, with Paul Townend navigating a loose horse on his way up the final hill.

"We're delighted he has gone as far as he has," he said. "He was always a big horse and if they were out in the field he was always the first one to walk over to you - but then he got wary. He wasn't a friendly horse at the time! Not up to [aged] three anyway, but he looks now like he's settled and all good."

Busher, who left school at 15 and spent his first few years setting his heart on a job in racing, made a wise career change and still has another business with boats going out from Cork.

"The money wasn't great at that time with horses so I said I'd go into fishing. I did that for ten or 15 years, then back to horses again.

"My daughter runs all the fishing now, I've got out. I suppose it's a bit like a jockey, I've lost my nerve. I used to go out in gales and storms and all that but I can't do it any more. I prefer staying on dry land and doing the horses!

"I probably only had four or five horses at the time I bought Monkfish but I probably have more or less 70 at home now. I'm trying to build up all the time, it's a great pastime anyway."

Monkfish was not the only encouraging result for the burgeoning Busher Bloodstock business as he also found Bravemansgame, the French-bred son of Brave Mansonnien also sold to the Doyle family at the Derby Sale.

The Challow Hurdle scorer was a commendable third in the Ballymore and already looks like the sort of individual who could be bidding to follow in Monkfish's footprints in this very same race in 12 months time.

"He wants soft ground by the look of him but it's been a good day," Busher concluded.

"Monkfish is the high moment so far, and he looks like he's going to be good. I think I've had my luck now!"

More Cheltenham news:

How rags-to-riches Cheltenham Festival winners are becoming harder to find

The stallions, dams and breeders who have shaped the Cheltenham Festival

Pierre Boulard: the man Willie Mullins trusts to keep the French winners flowing