David Marnane was born and raised in Tipperary and was always surrounded by horses – his first job in racing was for Tommy Stack and he then went on to work for Noel Meade, John Oxx and Dermot Weld, during which time he rode in all the Grade One Amateur races in Ireland, and also hurdle and chase races, riding over 100 winners.

Melanie Marnane started her career in Ayrshire with Linda Perrat prior to 9 weeks at the British Racing School in Newmarket. Previously she studied Equine Management in college in Berwickshire. Following six months in Ayr she moved to Peter Chapple-Hyam in Manton and settled there for 4 years, during which time she looked after the Group winning filly Myself.

After meeting David at the 1996 Irish Derby meeting both David and Mel decided on a move abroad and went on to work in Dubai for 8 years for 3 time Champion Trainer Kieran MacLaughlin. Kieran now trains full time in America and is still closely linked with HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and Shadwell Stud. During their time in Dubai they also married in Italy and had twins, Cameron and Rianna and then their youngest daughter Amber arrived in May 2003. When Doug Watson took over from Kieran in 2003, David and Mel continued to work in Dubai for another 2 years, gaining invaluable experience in the training, feeding and general management of racehorses.

Our Staff include….

James Casey is the head lad in the yard and has been involved in racing and hunting since leaving school. He has been working for us since late 2005 and although born in England he was raised in Knocklong, County Limerick. He started out doing Stud work for the Russell family at Ballinalard Stud in Tipperary. A very competent rider, James has ridden in point to points and has since become an amateur jockey and ridden Maal to victory in a Ballinrobe bumper in May. He now regularly rides in between his yard duties! James has a keen interest in hunting and sports horses and keeps his own young horses to break and later sell, having sold horses to both Michael Bell and Shane Breen amongst others.

Maria and Andre Holla are a Slovakian couple who started work with us in autumn 2007. Both very competent horse people Andre is a quiet, capable rider and very good with young horses while Maria is working on the ground and is a brilliant all rounder who is passionate about the horses and very thorough in everything she does.

Zuzana and Pavel Strucka came to us in February 2008 - also from Slovakia and friends of Maria and Andre. They both ride and are very capable riders having been involved in racing in Ireland and also in their home country for a number of years. Zuzana loves her horses and is a great worker and Pavel is a patient rider with good hands and tends to be the 'quiet one' in the yard.

Michael Collins is a local man who started with us in February 2008. Michael is in charge of keeping the yard and gardens at Bansha and Temple House looking tidy as well as working in the yard and maintaining the gallops.

Cathal Ryan is another local lad from Kilfeakle, County Tipperary and is the baby of the yard. He has been working for us part time since late 2005. He has previously worked for David’s brother Con handling and breaking yearlings as well as bringing the 2 year olds to the breeze up sales in England and Germany. He is a good quiet rider whose experience plays a big part in the handling of our young horses.

Pat Barry is our box driver and has been helping out since we came back from Dubai in March 2005. A Limerick man, he is a huge addition to our team and always ready to be on hand at a moments notice, taking great care of the horses whether at the races or while being driven to racecourse gallops and sales.

Emma Carroll rides out for us and has brought many of our horses to the races along with Pat Barry. Emma is a very competent rider having started out riding yearlings and two year olds for David’s brother Con.