We were delighted to have an interview with Michael Keogh of Ballysax Manor Stud.
"I've known Michael for years," said Mark. "His parents were some of Vincent O'Brien's first owners and owned one of his Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, so Michael's love of horses is in the blood. In fact, he worked for several very famous people in the industry before taking up his variety of interests - bloodstock agent, well-known breeder, generous host, great raconteur, lover of horses and racing, a genuine family man and above all he is quite simply the best company in every imaginable situation!"
Your favourite time of the day: Waking up in the morning - in the bed I went to sleep in!
Your favourite time of year: May- when the foals get to stay out at night, when the flat season is on the verge of revealing the year's Champions and when the grass is the best grass of the year.
Your favourite place: Obviously the Winners Enclosure, but you don't want an obvious answer do you?
I suppose sitting around an outdoor table in glorious weather with my family and close friends while my favourite plaice is slowly cooking on the barbie. Will that do?
Your favourite book / author: My Bank Savings Account Book - when I had one!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up: A Grown Up
Your best sporting moment: That would definitely be winning the wheelbarrow race in Primary School three years in a row. I was the front wheel and the guy 'wheeling me' could have won the King's Stand.
Actually, some would say I've never really recovered.
Your favourite racehorse and why: SIR IVOR - in my life he was the first 'super star'.
Your favourite racecourse and why: Used to be Ascot but not anymore - talk about throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Ascot had unique tradition, was steeped in history and for me, it was a place full of grand memories and intimacy. All gone now, what a messed up mixture of nothingness. But you asked me about my favourite racecourse didn't you? Let me see, I would think York gets the nod in a photofinish with Goodwood. As you can presume, I like to see the best horses in action.
Your best day's racing: Newmarket 1968 2000gns. SIR IVOR [Champion 2-y-o in Ireland and France] beat PETINGO [Champion 2-y-o in England] who finished a good second. I was working at the time for Vincent O'Brien (SIR IVOR's trainer) and had previously 'done' PETINGO as a yearling for the Sales when working in Cheshire. It was all so easy, well that's what I thought at the time! And SIR IVOR went on to be 'Horse of the Year' while PETINGO was hailed Champion Miler.
Your main goal in life: Racing life I presume you mean? Well, to breed a Group 1 winner I guess. I've bred a Classic winner (but it was Group 2 -Italian 1000gns) and I've bred a second in a 2-y-o Group 1. As a horse breeder I am an eternal optimist.
If you had one wish, what would it be: Again, a bloodstock wish yeah? I sort of wish you hadn't asked me that, oops, hold on, that's not my wish! Just one wish huh? Let me see now. I don't like this question, if I had only one thing to wish for, life would be very hollow so my answer must be… I wish that there would always be another wish.