The small trainer: 'You don't train for money. It's a passion and a way of life'

There are little kingdoms the length and breadth of Ireland otherwise known as stable yards. Remarkable places really, full of tension, full of hope, and Ross O'Sullivan's base in Kill, County Kildare, is no different.

Training in Ireland is not for the faint-hearted. Competition is fierce and, if you're not operating at the highest level, it's likely that you're punching in long hours in order to keep your head above water.

It's physically and emotionally draining, not that you'd notice after spending a morning with O'Sullivan, who's scarcely seen without a smile.