Matthew paid his way to Ireland to work with trainers in England and Ireland before taking up an opportunity to work with Aidan O’Brien at what was an integral juncture in the Irishman’s career. Matthew followed Aidan as he progressed from being the country’s leading jumps trainer to reigniting Ireland’s most famous stable, Ballydoyle.

Initially a track rider, Matthew quickly progressed through the ranks to become Aidan’s Assistant Trainer, working alongside his quietly spoken mentor for two and a half years as Ballydoyle emerged as the world’s premier racing stable.

The opportunity to learn a new style of racehorse preparation in the United States proved tempting and Matthew elected to continue his education as Assistant Trainer for Niall O’Callaghan. With O’Callaghan constantly moving between stables in different states Matthew was left to manage a string of 30 horses and staff and revelled in the challenge. Hard work bore results and horses under Matthew’s care competed at the showpiece Breeders’ Cup meeting.

Before Matthew’s two years in America had come to a close he was offered the post as the Stable Foreman for Australia’s Hall of Fame trainer, Bart Cummings. For almost five years Matthew worked alongside Bart as a Melbourne Cup, Australian Cup, Doncaster Handicap and a string of other Group One events were plundered.

With almost a decade of international and local experience behind him Matthew decided the time was right to open his own training establishment.