'He was a horse who would pull out fresh, well and look forward to his job'

Trainers are not supposed to have favourites, but Ballyvoneen was a horse who gave me so much pleasure.

I was on a buying trip in Ireland when I first came across him. We viewed about a dozen horses that morning and, although not the most striking, he was the one I wanted to buy. Despite failing to win a point-to-point in 11 attempts, he looked tough and was a lovely, big chasing type.

Upon getting him home, I soon realised what a headstrong thug he was. I started off running him in novice hurdles without much success, so I made the decision to switch him to fences.