INSIGHT
Who has been your biggest influence in the business and why? My father has taught me everything I know.
Rachel, Ronnie and John O’Neill
Outside of racing and sales, what are your interests? I hold a degree in classical music, which is a million miles away from my current lifestyle! Piano is my focus instrument and I used to compete in my younger days before I became so busy with the horses.
How and when did you first get involved in bloodstock? I guess I was born into it. My father Ronald O’Neill always had stallions and my interest stemmed from there.
What is your biggest ambition in racing or breeding? My biggest ambition is to get a Grade 1 winner. As I probably won’t get the chance to own one, then the closest I can hope for is to produce a horse through the point-to-point scene that then goes on to win a Grade 1, or to breed a horse that wins a Grade 1.
FIVE MINUTES WITH…
RACHEL O’NEILL
Tell us about one of your best Goffs/Goffs UK purchases or sales. The best Goffs UK purchase has to be Camlann. I bought him for only £800. To-date he has won five races and well over €60,000 in prize money. What young National Hunt stallions are you keen on and why? My father’s stallion, Valirann. He has thrown some lovely, straight and correct foals. Secondly, Doyen, who isn’t a young stallion but I like his progeny.
BREEDER, VENDOR & PURCHASER
Rachel with partner John ‘Shark’ Hanlon
Camlann
Describe some of the physical characteristics you like and dislike when buying a horse. A good walk and a good front leg are essential physical characteristics. What advice would you give to anyone wishing to work in the bloodstock business? It’s a tough game. Be prepared to work hard!
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