Monique Lyle and Suzy Barkley
Some of the faces behind our LifeTime Care Programme.
Monique Lyle and Suzy Barkley | Finding forever homes for ex-racehorses in the UK and Ireland | Friday Night Racing | OTB SPORTS.
Neil Treacy and Johnny Ward
Meet some of the TBAITA members giving our ex-racehorses a second chance in a new career away from racing and offering them forever homes!
BBC Radio giving us a shout-out for the work we do with our LifeTime Care Programme, finding forever homes for ex-racehorses.
The day's news agenda set with Sarah Brett and Chris Buckler.
Team TBAITA Maiden Hurdle Race Downpatrick 2021.
Some lovely RacingTV coverage of the Irish division of the thoroughbred rehoming agency, with Suzy Barkley and Monique Lyle.
Our second sponsored Maiden Hurdle race at Downpatrick racecourse to raise awareness of our LifeTime Care Programme.
Live TV interview with RacingTV | Monique Lyle and Suzy Barkley of the British and Irish Thoroughbred Agency.
The Irish Field
Suzy Barkley
© Photo Healy Racing
Suzy Barkley is eyeing Galway for Mcquinn after he was placed in a Punchestown bumper last month.
The seven-year-old gelding had previously been pulled up in a point-to-point and a maiden hurdle, but left that form behind with a staying-on third at 100/1 in Punchestown.
Barkley said: "I've always thought a lot of him and always believed in him despite his form - I think ground was a factor as doesn't handle soft ground. Another furlong and he would have been even closer.
"It took nearly a year for me to get him right with ulcers and not eating properly. He's a big horse, and he is eating well now and has got condition and is stronger.
"I'd like to go to Galway for a bumper with him and the Run For Your Money Syndicate are keen to go - they are all originally from Ireland and all but one live in England now.
"I hope he will keep improving but chasing is his future - he is a fabulous jumper. He is related to Colin Tizzard's good horse Royal Vacation (a Grade One winner over fences).
"He's a good ground horse and would like it good to yielding."
The Irish Field
By Margie McLoone
Mr Flowers and his trainer Suzy Barkley after he had won at Down Royal. Photo Healy Racing.
The Suzy Barkley-owned and trained 27-year-old had a great innings, retiring in 2006 at Down Royal after recording his fourth win over fences
THERE was sad news from Donaghacloney this week with the death on Monday at the age of 27 of the Suzy Barkley-owned and trained Mr Flowers who had been in excellent fettle up to the previous day.
A son of Cardinal Flower, the bay gelding was bred in 1992 by James O’Mahony out of the Monksfield mare Miss Monksfield, a half-sister to the Realm gelding Olan Lad whose seven wins included the 1989 running of the Thyestes Chase.
Mr Flowers was purchased as a foal at Tattersalls by the late Philip Dennison who sold him on at the same venue the following November. Suzy gave Rathmore Stud 7,200gns for the gelding at the 1996 Derby Sale and he has been in her care ever since.
He ran 37 times in total and showed his best form over fences, winning four times, finishing second four times and placing third on five occasions.
Having filled the runner-up spot in a two-mile, one-furlong handicap chase at the 2006 Fairyhouse Easter Festival, Mr Flowers ran at Down Royal the following month when, at the age of 14, he was retired after winning the Daily Mirror Handicap Chase over two and a half miles, beating the seven-year-old Bravery I into second by three lengths.
“I had hoped to do some of those racehorse to riding horse classes on him but he quickly let us know that going around in circles was not for him!” recalls Suzy who currently has 12 horses, mainly youngsters, in her Bluestone Lodge Stables.
“It didn’t matter – ‘Frenchie Flowers’ as we called him here was my pet and I was happy just to look after him at home. When I decided to buy a flat foal, I thought Mr Flowers would look after the colt but, again, he’d have none of it and so that job was given to my old Grade A show jumper, Futurarma, who is now 24.”