A popular feature for The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. In an effort to better acquaint our clients with the Hidden Brook staff we thought we'd Shake it up every now and then, and feature some of our key employees. Broodmare
Manager Alan Fahey agreed to sit down with us this month, to give us a bėrd's eye view of his day to day activities at Hidden Brook
Born: Co. Kildare, Ireland
Residence: Hidden Brook Farm
Family: Married with a baby on the way
Education: Leaving Certificate
Alan, thank you for being our Contact person this month. Thank you for having me; this is a nice way to reach out to our clients.
How long have you been with Hidden Brook? I have been employed with Hidden Brook for six years.
What is your equine background? My family in Ireland is in the Thoroughbred business and I have worked with horses my entire life.
What got you started in the Thoroughbred industry? I started by riding out for my father and uncles as a youth and working on Kildangan Stud for Darley Ireland.
Take us through a day--a Week even--in your shoes as Broodmare Manager. During the breeding season my weekly routine involves watching the horses come up in
the morning to make sure there are no soundness or health issues; organizing the workers for the daily schedule of vet work and farrier visits; daily monitoring of mares for cycling
and breeding; organizing the mares for vet work; working with the vet on any treatments; evaluating foal conformation; giving vaccinations and wormers; managing difficult foalings; and ensuring all horses on the farm are receiving a high level of daily care and attention.
Are broodmares your specific passion? Yes, of all aspects of the Thoroughbred industry I find the broodmare and foalėng side of the business to be the most rewarding. To see foals that we have raised become successful as racehorses is a gratifying experience.
What drew you to Hidden Brook? I was attracted to Hidden Brook because I knew it to be up-and-comėng in the industry and was an excellent opportunity for me to be part of a farm that is always growing and striving to be better.
How has the Hidden Brook experience been different for you than any other experience? The management team at Hidden Brook is a group of proper horsemen with specific talents for each area ofthe Thoroughbred industry and this creates a superb level of knowledge and expertise that is not seen among many other farms.
Tell us about your own personal most exciting moment in the industry--special horse, Special connection... The foundation of my interest in horses came from being involved as a youth with the success of one of my father's horses and sharing his happiness in those achievements. So I have to say that was a very special moment for me; that it created direction for my life.
What do you like to do outside of horses? My hobbies are playing the guitar and fishing.
Words you live by? I do not have a motto but my favorite phrase is "it's all a ball of mala".
Thank you Alan Fahey, for giving us a few minutes of your time inside the Winner's Circle.
