Ado McGuinness Open Morning this Sunday

Ado McGuinness is looking forward to giving the public an insight into his newly-built Lusk yard when he throws open his doors this weekend.

The Group 1-winning trainer remains on the same site but has recently moved his horses to a purpose-built facility closer to the gallops.

His string are clearly enjoying the new surroundings, with 10 winners for the yard since moving, and McGuinness hopes the feelgood factor continues.

“It’ll be a meet and greet, I’ll give people a tour of the new yard we’ve built,” he said.

“We’ve got all the horses in there now, I was a bit sceptical about bringing horses in but we’ve had plenty of winners since we moved over.

“It’s very airy – it can get quite cold as it’s on top of a hill – but it’s very healthy and it will be great to get people in.

“We were in an old farmyard but this is right beside the gallops. We get things done quicker, it’s easier for the horses and the staff.”

One of the highlights of McGuinness’ training career came in 2021 when A Case Of You won the Prix de l’Abbaye, while the same superstar sprinter went on to land the Al Quoz Sprint in Meydan the following year.

He left the Co Dublin yard in 2023 and has since been retired to stud but McGuinness has continued to land consistent winners and will be firing a handful of darts at Irish Champions Festival in a couple of weeks.

“Go Athletico could go there or to France on the same weekend, he needs cut in the ground so it’s weather dependent,” he said.

“He hasn’t really run all summer because of the ground, so we are looking forward to getting him back on track.

“Star Harbour will run in the mile and a half on the Saturday (Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap), he’s really progressing. He’s a solid handicapper.

“Current Option and Apache Outlaw are entered and we’ll have Elinor Dashwood in the fillies’ race.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a great weekend of racing. The quality of horses on show is phenomenal.”

The following day, September 16, will then see the McGuinness return to Laytown, where he has a strong record.

He doubled up last year at the famous beach track and is looking forward to showing some different owners the delights of the Meath coastline.

"I’ve got a couple of English clients running horses there this year,” he said.

“They’ve never been and they just want to experience a runner there. It’s such a unique place, the amount of people that go to it is something else.

Even if it’s a wet day, the atmosphere is amazing, and if it’s a good day, it’s a particularly great afternoon."

"I’m local to a beach in Rush, I spend a lot of time there with my older horses, it’s a very chilling way to relax your horses. It’s a great way for them to wind down."

To sign up for Ado McGuinness’ open morning, click here.