In conversation with Paul O’Donovan
“I might be retired, but I am not going to put my slippers on, sit down on the couch and watch TV. No, I am going to keep active, and still bring horses to the races and do things I have done all along,” said recently retired Mullingar horse trainer Dot Love.
Dot’s story is a remarkable one.
Born in Denmark over 70 years ago, Dot ended up a horse trainer at Charles-town Stud in Mullingar, went on to train the winner of the Irish Grand National and then on the day of her retirement trained her own horse to victory in a race named after her.
“It really was a fairy tale ending,” said Dot with a smile, as she took time out to talk to Topic this week and reflect on her career as a horse trainer that has spanned 20 years.
From commencing her training career in the middle of the Foot and Mouth disease, to concluding her career in the middle of the Coronavirus, Dot has seen it all. It really is a love story – Dot’s love of horses.
“It is almost like I have never worked a day in my life. This is a hobby, I love it all. I am so fortunate,” said Dot as looked around the stables at Charlestown Stud.
