Me & My Money: ‘I stick to what I know on investing, which is horses’

Are you a saver or a spender?

I’d have saved plenty when I was younger, but I have become more of a spender as I’ve gotten older.

Do you shop around for better value?

Not as much as I should!

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What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?

I bought a second-hand 2.4-litre four cylinder red Ford Mustang. When I was 21, I took a road trip across America and I said to myself that if I ever got the chance to buy one I would, so I kept the promise.

What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?

A horse called Rockyaboya. I bought him for four figures and he won a race worth six figures to the winner. Mind you, I gave plenty of it back trying to find the next one!

How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?

I much prefer local; I’m not much of an online shopper.

Do you haggle over prices?

I’m terrible at it. I usually think it’s either worth it or it’s not, and buy accordingly.

How has the Covid-19 crisis changed your spending habits?

Thankfully, I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that kept going for a majority of the time since Covid-19 impacted our lives. Horses still had to be exercised and fed, so my day-to-day routine was not highly affected. Like everyone else, foreign holidays and dining out were put on hold.

Do you invest in shares?

I have dabbled in it but I decided to stick to what I know the value of, some of the time at least, which are horses.

Cash or card?

Cash. With cash in your pocket, you can go anywhere in the world, I was told.

What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?

Half a French-bred broodmare. I’ll tell you in seven years’ time whether she’s good value or not!

Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?

Yes, when I was 21. Flight tickets to America and enough to hire a car for six weeks.

Have you ever lost money?

My parents said the UK wouldn’t vote for Brexit, so they convinced me to invest a large amount of my savings into sterling the day before the vote.

Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?

I set up a bookies in school and was going to make a tidy profit for the year until Liverpool in Istanbul happened.

Is money important to you?

Only when I don’t have it! Once I have enough to pay my way and enjoy travel on my time off I’m happy enough.

How much money do you have on you now?

€170 and £100 – my girlfriend is English so I’m over and back a bit.

In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea

Patrick Mullins has been champion Irish amateur jockey 13 times. He will be riding at the Punchestown Festival which takes place from April 26th-30th punchestown.com