Image © Healy Racing
Stephen Carlin recorded a notable milestone at Stowlin on Sunday as Glendaars Prince landed the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, providing the Antrim-based handler with his first winner.
Owned and bred by Frank Reynolds, the son of Maxios was building on a promising debut third at Oldcastle and duly stepped forward under Stephen Connor, quickening readily after the last to score by a comfortable two lengths.
“He ran a good race the first day and he was only going to improve from it,” said Carlin.
“He showed plenty at home and in the end he stayed on well and ran away from them after the last.”
The gelding had only been in the yard a matter of months, having previously failed to make the track elsewhere, but quickly progressed once switched to Carlin’s Kilbegs House base.
“We only have him three or four months. He was in another yard before that and they didn’t get him to the races, but we persevered with him and he’s done the job.”
Connor’s influence was central to both the ride and the horse’s presence in the yard, with the rider a key part of the daily routine alongside Carlin’s daughter Maeve.
“I didn’t need to give Stephen Connor any instructions before the race. He rides him every day at home and would know better than me what to do.”
Carlin explained that the link with the County Kildare-based owner-breeder Reynolds came through Connor’s previous association.
“That all came through Stephen, he’d ridden for Frank before and that’s how the horses came to be with me.”
Although northern options had been considered, the decision to travel south proved worthwhile.
“We were thinking of running him in the North, with Stephen trying to win the Northern Riders’ Title, but the track at Stowlin suited him better. We just felt it was the right place to go with him.”
With the gelding always viewed as a sales horse, attention is now likely to turn towards the Goffs UK Doncaster Sales later this month.
“I think that’s where he’ll head. That’ll be Frank’s decision, but he was always for sale.”
Carlin has held a handler’s licence since the 2023/24 season, but only recently expanded the operation by taking out a licence to run horses under Rules, with a handful of runners so far.
With his daughter Maeve holding an amateur licence, Carlin was keen to keep things in-house and build a small set-up from Kilbegs House, making it all the more doable.
Operating on a small scale, the yard remains deliberately manageable, with six to eight horses in training alongside his day-to-day work in the wholesale pork business.
“It’s more of a hobby really. We’d like to try and earn a few quid from it, but we have our own business as well, so it’s about keeping it manageable.”
Despite relatively modest facilities, the yard makes full use of what is available locally, with regular trips to Moira Schooling Gallops and frequent beach work forming a key part of the regime.
“We use Moira a lot and we do plenty of beach work as well. I’m a great believer in the beach, it has so many benefits, especially when you get the deep sand and the salt water.”
The operation is very much a family affair. Horses have long been part of the background, with Carlin previously holding shares in syndicates with horses in training in Ireland and Britain, while his late father Liam shared a similar interest. His wife Eileen was also heavily involved with horses, competing in showjumping and working hunter classes.
At the centre of the current set-up is his daughter Maeve, who plays a major role in the day-to-day running of the yard while continuing to build her own riding career.
“She’s been on horses all her life. She hunted, did working hunter and jumped to a good level, and now she’s been riding in different yards and learning all the time.”
The 22-year-old has gained experience with a number of handlers, including spells with Warren Ewing and Caroline McCaldin, and is currently working for Noel Meade, gaining as much experience as possible. The long-term aim is for her to build up the yard alongside her father at Kilbegs House.
“She’s been in a few different places and you can’t get enough of that. It’s all about learning and bringing that knowledge back home.”
Still searching for her first winner between the flags, Maeve continues to be a driving force within the yard.
“She’s riding plenty and doing all the work here at home. We’re just waiting patiently for her day now.”
Carlin could have further representation under Rules later this week, with another Frank Reynolds-owned runner, Aborus Mahler, holding an entry in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick on Friday.
With a first success now secured and a tight-knit team in place at Kilbegs House, Carlin is hopeful that Stowlin can prove to be the starting point for further winners.
“That’s the plan. Hopefully it’s the first of many.”
