'We're really fired up for it' - Micky Fenton to become Flat trainer in Ireland

Micky Fenton, who steered Speciosa to a memorable 1,000 Guineas triumph in 2006, is excited to begin the next chapter of his racing life as he embarks on a Flat training operation based in County Cork.

Originally from Limerick, Fenton spent the majority of his successful riding career in Britain, recording Group 1 victories in the 2001 Oaks d'Italia aboard Zanzibar for Michael Bell, and the 2005 Prix Royal Oak on Alcazar, trained by Hughie Morrison.

After taking his final mounts in Britain in 2013 - having also ridden in Australia, America, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Dubai - the 50-year-old set about fulfilling a lifelong ambition to join the training ranks.

Fenton relocated to Ireland with wife Stephanie and their three daughters in 2019, and has since developed a purpose-built training facility named Butterfly Farm Stables, with ten boxes in place.

"I had always planned on training once I stopped riding," Fenton told the Racing Post.

Micky Fenton and wife Stephanie relocated to Ireland with their three daughters in 2019Credit: Micky Fenton Horseracing (www.mickyfentonhorseracing.info)

"Working out the horses was something I always enjoyed. I'd sit down with some trainers to go through the tracks and different elements that would suit the horses best. I used to do a lot of that with Pam Sly and it always interested me."

The three-time Group 1 winner added: "We've been planning this for the past five years. We wanted to have things right before we brought the horses in, but we're now looking for horses to fill the boxes.

"I worked as assistant trainer to Chris Wall in Newmarket for two years as I wanted to gain experience, and that was invaluable. I then did one season work-riding for Charlie Appleby about three years ago and we then found a property we were happy with.

"It's a nice place, a quiet farm that we turned from scratch into a training facility. We put in a John Ormonde fibresand gallop, round with a straight on it, and have made the facilities as we wanted them. We're based between Mallow and Killarney."

Fenton is eager to put his experience to good use and will be placing strong emphasis on an individual approach to his string first and foremost rather than aiming for rapid expansion.

"We're really fired up for it," said Fenton, whose best season as a rider saw him record 76 winners in Britain 20 years ago.

Micky Fenton: 'We have made the facilities as we wanted them'Credit: Micky Fenton Horseracing (www.mickyfentonhorseracing.info)

"I've done all the trainers' courses and hopefully will have my licence in the next few weeks. We won't be a big stable, I'm going to try and keep it where we can offer a personal experience.

"I'd like to think I'm a horseman and like to know each horse in training personally - that's the kind of operation I like."

Fenton added: "I'll use my experience for matching the horses with the tracks that will suit them best, I have a good knowledge of the courses in the UK and Ireland. I love working out what horses need.

"I'm delighted to have an owner-breeder from England named Anne Cowley on board, and she is set to have her first horses in Ireland with me. I used to ride for her.

"She's sending us two yearlings and we actually have one on the farm at the minute, an Iffraaj filly. A half-sister to 2,000 Guineas runner-up Tip Two Win by Ten Sovereigns will hopefully coming to us in September."

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