86 and facing an uphill battle - but Prendergast is still up for the fight

Kevin Prendergast, who came agonisingly close to a first Derby victory on Saturday with Madhmoon, believes it is increasingly difficult for smaller trainers to take on the sport's big guns but has no intention of winding down despite being well into his sixth decade training.

While some trainers might regard saddling the runner-up in the Derby at age 86 as a last chance at glory, Prendergast, who has been training since 1963, has been energised by his colt's Epsom heroics.

Reflecting on the near-miss of Madhmoon, who finished a half-length runner-up to Anthony Van Dyck, Prendergast said: “It would have been better had we finished number one but it was all right – it was better than finishing fourth. Listen, the buzz [of having a Group 1 horse] is always there."

Prendergast has won eight Irish Classics, most recently with Awtaad in the 2016 Irish 2,000 Guineas, as well as the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1977 with Nebbiolo, but said it has become harder to compete with the big guns.

“We have 35 or 40 horses every season and you're very lucky to come across a Group 1 horse in a season given you're competing with stables who have in excess of 200 and 300 horses," he said.

“In comparison, we're operating on a shoestring and we're very, very lucky to have come up with a Group 1 horse. It's nearly impossible, and maybe it's old age with me, but I think it's getting harder and harder [to compete at the highest level].”

Despite that, Prendergast is excited by the possibilities for Madhmoon during the rest of the season.

“All options are open. He's in the Irish Derby and he's also in the Irish Champion Stakes and one of those will be his main priority," he said.

Prendergast added: "I’m still enjoying it as much as I ever have. I’m still going shooting and doing all the things I love doing. As soon as I can’t do those things, they can pull the curtain behind me, but hopefully that won’t be for a very long time."

Kevin Prendergast: 'I’m still enjoying it as much as I ever have'Credit: Patrick McCann

Like Awtaad, Madhmoon is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and Prendergast said he would struggle to keep the gates of his yard open were it not for the support of the powerful owner.

"It was a very good weekend for Derrinstown," the trainer said. "We've had two Group 1 horses for them in the last four years, Awtaad and now Madhmoon, and we have a small operation in relation to some of the bigger stables.

“Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has supported our yard for the past 30 years and he's been a great man for us. We couldn't carry on without him, to be brutally honest. There's four or five people keeping Irish racing going and it's very, very difficult.”

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