Trainer Q&A: 'The only person who is a worse tipster than a trainer is a jockey'

Over the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys which will offer unrivalled insight to our sport. This series continues this week with trainers. Today: Fergal O'Brien

Who's the best horse you ever trained?

It's so difficult. Paint The Dream is the highest-rated horse we've had and Imperial Alcazar has been very good for us, but Alvarado was probably the best horse we've trained. I'm not sure we got all the ability out of him and there was probably a 150-plus horse in there. He was a wonderful servant and twice placed in the Grand National.

Who's your favourite horse of all time?

Look In The Mirror was great when I started training pointers. He won the Horse And Hound Cup at Stratford in 2001. He'll always be a firm favourite and he taught me a lot.

Which horse was the most difficult to train?

The Govaness had a lot of ability but wasn't the easiest to train – it was easy to do too much with her. She had lots of personality and it was a challenge to get everything right with her on the day. She was rated in the 140s but it wasn't easy to keep a lid on her.

Which winner has given you the most satisfaction?

It would have to be Lord Landen. He won a handicap chase at Cheltenham in 2015 under Nick Slatter for a Cheltenham syndicate that had been with me since I started training. He was very quirky but we got the best out of him and it gave me a lot of pleasure.

What's the funniest thing you've seen on a racecourse?

About ten years ago, when I first started training, I walked the course at Perth early one morning. Gordon Elliott was a furlong in front with some friends and they decided to jump one of the hurdles. Unfortunately, Gordon clipped the top and it didn't make for a very graceful landing.

What's the key to doing your job well?

It's simple – delegation and having a great team. It's an impossible job to do by yourself and I'm lucky to have surrounded myself with great people, from staff to owners. My partner Sally Randell is a massive help, too. The key to it is to surround yourself with good people.

What's the one thing the average punter most misunderstands about racing?

They think we know when horses are going to win. I think the only person who is a worse tipster than a trainer is a jockey. Horses aren't machines and you can do your best to get them there on the day but with the best will in the world, it can still go wrong.

Which horse are you most looking forward to running again?

I've got a lovely bumper horse called Go To War and he'll make his debut in October.

Can you give us a horse to follow?

Silver Hallmark. We didn't have a great season last time for one reason or another. When the ground was right for him, he wasn't right, but he's come back well this time and we're looking forward to running him.

Read more trainer Q&As:

David Pipe: 'She asked if I was David Pipe - and if I could sign one of her boobs'    

Paul Nicholls: 'I felt my head was on the chopping block - he had to win'