‘It’s an unbelievable story for the county,’ says the hotelier who turns ‘rough diamonds’ into winners
A CO Tipperary hotelier, who once owned Grand National winner Minella Times, was celebrating again at the weekend.
John Nallen (58), co-owner of the Minella Hotel in Clonmel, specialises in buying what he calls “rough diamonds” and turning them into winning horses.
Last month, one of his former charges, Minella Indo, won the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Now he has done the double after Minella Times won the Aintree Grand National with Rachael Blackmore on board.
Both of the horses are called after the hotel he co-owns with his sister, Liz Bowen.
“We’re very proud of the hotel and it’s good to promote it, and we have some fun thinking of the names,” said Mr Nallen.
He said he was “thrilled with the result”.
“Unbelievable. for Rachael to ride the winner, it’s just unbelievable.
“The McManus family, they’re after supporting me so much and for them to win the National with him, I’m on cloud 77.
“After Rachael picking the wrong one at the Gold Cup she got the right one this time, it was brilliant. For her family and everyone in Tipperary, it’s an unbelievable Tipperary story,” he added.
Mr Nallen told how he bought Minella Times from Westmeath breeder Cathal Ennis at a Tattersalls sale in 2013 for €31,000.
He says he has found that the best method of making money out of horses is by preparing them to win at a young age from his base in Lavally – and then selling them on.
He is ably assisted in this pursuit by head man James ‘Corky’ Carroll and Seanie Bowen (14), a rising star of the pony racing circuit.
Speaking about his horses, he said: “The only sustainable situation is trading the horses.”
He added: “It’s not all roses but one good result can carry five or six unprofitable ones.
“Cheltenham sales are the Mecca, and it all revolves around public auction now.
“There is no private market at all, people would very seldom ask to buy a horse from you at home.
“Sales work because the trainers are protected by the agents, and the agents are protected by the auction house.’’