Christmas Mouse on track to be Leopardstown big cheese

Once his owner's cup of coffee is finished the tail begins to wag wildly.

Major the German Shepherd is about to indulge his favourite daily activity, heading to the gallops.

This is the scene in the kitchen as horse trainer Mouse Morris begins his morning in Fethard, Co Tipperary.

Mr Morris and his faithful canine companion will be busy as ever this holiday season.

For those in the racing industry, there’s no room for seasonal slacking in the days ahead.

"Put my feet up? I’m too old to put my feet up," quips Mr Morris.

Big race days at Leopardstown, Limerick and Downroyal loom for the likes of Mouse Morris and his equine cohorts. Meetings in England also add to the "to-do" list this Christmas.

Racing is firmly intertwined in the Christmas sporting calendar.

It is big business too, Leopardstown alone employs over 1,000 people each day for their four-day festival, with Horse Racing Ireland revealing that the south Dublin track contributes some €60 million to the capital’s economy each year.

Mouse Morris’ staff are as dedicated on Christmas Day as they are on any other day.

He explains, "At Christmas, everybody has to pull together, they all have to be ridden out on Christmas Day, and they all rise to the occasion.

"Christmas Day is just like any other day, except there’s racing then for the full week after that.

"It’s the same as Cheltenham, racing over the Christmas."

Foxy Jacks is one of his big hopes for the days ahead as his stunning grey horse, Gentlemansgame, is out of action due to an injury setback.

He says with a smile: "It never stops. Christmas week is a holiday week for everyone else but we just have to treat it like any ordinary day during the week, we have too much going on to rest."

As the morning session on the gallops finished, his cavalry return to the yard as he drives back with loyal companion Major trotting along behind at his own pace.

Horse, Mouse, and dog are all doing their bit in the hope of securing a coveted Christmas place in the winner’s enclosure.