Daniel Mark – known as Mark –
I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up with horses or even go to the races as a child, it was only when I was looking for a hiding place from school that I ended up in a racing yard and taught myself to ride.
For the first time in my life I had found something that I enjoyed doing… I guess I had the bug!
For the next 15 years, I worked hard in the industry progressing from stable- lad, to head-lad and Assistant Trainer. I also held Conditional and Amateur jockey licences, riding winners on the track and in point-to-points. I was privileged enough to work alongside some excellent trainers and horses in both Ireland and the UK, all of which have helped me to form my own style of training.
In 2002, I finally took the plunge and took out my own licence back home in Ireland. My first 2 runners were 2 winners at the Galway festival, proving I had made the right decision.
At the end of 2011 my family and I relocated to the UK to open up more opportunities for my horses and owners, resulting in 2013 being my most successful year to date with a 20% winner strike-rate. This has been achieved by getting to know each horse personally and building a unique training programme based on the needs of each individual animal. Sometimes I think I can communicate with my horses better than I can people!
The aim for the future is simple, continue working hard, be open and honest with my owners and always try to get the best out of each horse that I am privileged enough to train. I guess I’ll always be ‘working to win’!
Daniel Mark – known as Mark –
I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up with horses or even go to the races as a child, it was only when I was looking for a hiding place from school that I ended up in a racing yard and taught myself to ride.
For the first time in my life I had found something that I enjoyed doing… I guess I had the bug!
For the next 15 years, I worked hard in the industry progressing from stable- lad, to head-lad and Assistant Trainer. I also held Conditional and Amateur jockey licences, riding winners on the track and in point-to-points. I was privileged enough to work alongside some excellent trainers and horses in both Ireland and the UK, all of which have helped me to form my own style of training.
In 2002, I finally took the plunge and took out my own licence back home in Ireland. My first 2 runners were 2 winners at the Galway festival, proving I had made the right decision.
At the end of 2011 my family and I relocated to the UK to open up more opportunities for my horses and owners, resulting in 2013 being my most successful year to date with a 20% winner strike-rate. This has been achieved by getting to know each horse personally and building a unique training programme based on the needs of each individual animal. Sometimes I think I can communicate with my horses better than I can people!
The aim for the future is simple, continue working hard, be open and honest with my owners and always try to get the best out of each horse that I am privileged enough to train. I guess I’ll always be ‘working to win’!
Daniel Mark – known as Mark –
I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up with horses or even go to the races as a child, it was only when I was looking for a hiding place from school that I ended up in a racing yard and taught myself to ride.
For the first time in my life I had found something that I enjoyed doing… I guess I had the bug!
For the next 15 years, I worked hard in the industry progressing from stable- lad, to head-lad and Assistant Trainer. I also held Conditional and Amateur jockey licences, riding winners on the track and in point-to-points. I was privileged enough to work alongside some excellent trainers and horses in both Ireland and the UK, all of which have helped me to form my own style of training.
In 2002, I finally took the plunge and took out my own licence back home in Ireland. My first 2 runners were 2 winners at the Galway festival, proving I had made the right decision.
At the end of 2011 my family and I relocated to the UK to open up more opportunities for my horses and owners, resulting in 2013 being my most successful year to date with a 20% winner strike-rate. This has been achieved by getting to know each horse personally and building a unique training programme based on the needs of each individual animal. Sometimes I think I can communicate with my horses better than I can people!
The aim for the future is simple, continue working hard, be open and honest with my owners and always try to get the best out of each horse that I am privileged enough to train. I guess I’ll always be ‘working to win’!
