Across-the-card double continues strong season for Tector

 

Operating at close to a 30 per cent strike rate, Tector has now recorded five winners from just 17 runners this season, and the latest successes came last Saturday when Phantom Of Delight and Doubleosue both struck in five-year-old mares’ maidens at Ballindenisk and Tinahely respectively.

A strong runner-up effort from Gentle Ocean at the Tinahely fixture further underlined the talent currently within the yard.

 

“Any day you get a winner is good, never mind two,” Tector said. “I was delighted with them.”

 

The Ballindenisk success was delivered by Phantom Of Delight, who took a significant step forward to land the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden under Brian Dunleavy.

The Mahler mare had shown promise in three previous outings, but this was a much more authoritative display as she led or disputed throughout before asserting from before two out to score readily.

 

“We always liked her,” Tector explained. “You could put a line through her first run last year as she hit the third last and ran a nice race before knocking herself, and it probably left a mark on her. I maybe should have put her away after that, but she just needed time. After giving her a couple of months, she came good.”

 

He was quick to credit Dunleavy, who has become a regular presence at the yard.

 

“Brian does a bit of schooling for me now. Horses always jump very well for him and he’s one of the top lads, he’s a good man to have going forward.”

 

At Tinahely, Doubleosue provided the handler with his second winner of the weekend when landing the opening contest under Jamie Scallan. A homebred daughter of Jet Away, she made a successful debut, travelling smoothly into contention before asserting from the front to score by two and a half lengths.

 

“She was a bit behind the others last year, but since she came back in after the summer, she’s a different mare. She grew, lost a big belly she always had, and found everything a lot easier.”

 

Also on the Tinahely card, Tector’s charge Gentle Ocean ran a big race in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, a contest run at a relentless pace that proved the fastest of the afternoon.

Bought for €20,000 at the Goffs Arkle Sale, the Crystal Ocean gelding emerged best of the debutants, finishing second and pulling well clear of the remainder.

 

“He’s a lovely horse, but he’s very laid back at home. You can never really get enough work into him, so he needed the experience. He jumps really well and there’s plenty of improvement in him, and he’ll take a big step forward from that run.”

 

Tector is surrounded by a strong group of local jockeys, who regularly come into the yard to school his team of horses in the afternoons. He values that consistency and tries to divide race rides between them, ensuring familiarity with the horses.

 

All three horses came out of their races in good order and are now likely to head to the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale later this month.

 

“That’s probably the plan,” Tector confirmed. “Win or lose, I’d like to get a few sold and then concentrate on the four-year-olds.”

 

Last season marked a milestone for the Coolbawn handler, as he saddled seven winners between the flags, which was his best return since sending out his first runners in the 2019/20 campaign, and with five already on the board this term, he appears well placed to surpass that tally.

 

“It’s a bit of both,” he said when asked about the yard’s progression. “We’re probably upping the quality more than the quantity now, and it’s starting to show on paper. But I couldn’t do it without the staff I have here. The lads that work for me are top of the range. You’re only as good as the people around you.”

 

Training from the family homeplace at Coolbawn, Tector has invested heavily in facilities in recent years, including top class gallops and a new shed built three years ago that he believes has made a notable difference to horse health.

 

“There’s plenty of air circulating and the horses are healthier, they’re happy in the system we’re on.”

 

The operation remains a family affair, with Tector’s father Neil closely involved on the breeding side, while Robert himself concentrates on the training operation. His grandfather Neville is a daily presence at the yard, and around six or seven broodmares are retained, with an emphasis on producing horses capable of winning before progressing on to new connections.

 

Strong backing from owners has also been key, with Aidan Byrne a long-time supporter of the Coolbawn operation. Byrne, who is the boyfriend of Tector’s sister, and effectively part of the family, is ever present at the yard where he rides out a lot of the horses he owns.

 

Family involvement extends further, with Tector’s brother Charlie also playing a hands-on role whenever commitments allow. A professional rugby player with Leinster, Charlie has become increasingly involved at home and provides valuable assistance around the yard.

 

Reflecting on his approach, Tector explained that success has not altered his underlying philosophy.

 

“I said last year I’d love to beat the five winners I had before, and obviously the more success you have, the more hungry you get.

 

“We just focus on what we have and try to get the best out of them. The thing with point-to-pointing is that they don’t have to go out and win first time.  They have to be competitive for the next man. Last year, two horses that finished second for me are now black-type horses for Dan Skelton, and seeing that is as satisfying as anything.”

 

Now training around 30 horses, and a number of pre-trainers for Colin Bowe, Tector is keen to keep the operation at a manageable size.

 

“I’m happy with that number. You get bigger and you need more staff, more walkers, and more problems arise. I’d rather build quality than quantity.”

 

At just 31 years of age, Tector, who rode as an amateur, learned his trade with leading figures such as Liz Doyle, Willie Mullins and Colin Bowe, experiences that have shaped his straightforward approach.

 

“Keeping it simple is a big thing, plenty of steady work, jumping well and keeping them healthy.”

 

While Tector has yet to take out a trainer’s licence for the track, recent developments have planted the seed.

 

“I always said I wouldn’t,” he admitted, “but these Academy hurdles are putting a different idea into my head, we will wait and see.”

With a promising group of four-year-olds waiting in the wings for the spring season, the Coolbawn handler looks set to remain a consistent source of winners as the season unfolds.