~ THE IRISH tenors have announced a four-legged addition to their singing success story . The hugely successful trio, Corkman, Finbar Wright, Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns have invested €21,000 in a pedigree racing horse which they bought at Goffs in Kildare and named. 'The Irish Tenors'. "We saw the horse and took possession of him on Tuesday last. He's gorgeoug. It's exciting stuff and we're very enthusiastic about the next year," said Finbar.

The three-year-old gelding will be trained by Trevor Horgan in Kilkenny. 'The Three Tenors' is currently being 'broken in' and it's hoped he'll be able for two or three races next summer. "By mid-August of this year, he will be riding properly. But, we'll give a break then .until early October and hopefully have him in full fitness by February," said Mr Wright. .

NEW OWNERS: The Irish Tenors - Ronan Tynan, Finbar Wright and Anthony Kearns with trainer
Trevor Horgan at his stables in Kilkenny
Photo: copyright Evening Echo

The sport of kings has taken a new twist as Ireland's princes of song go to the races. The Irish Tenors, Corkman Finbar Wright, Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns, are the latest group to join forces in a syndicate to buy a horse.

"We were up in Trinity College looking through the Book of Kells when I heard the voices of the ancient monks tell me to go to Goffs," laughed Finbar Wright, as he explained how he became a proud horse owner. "We saw the horse and took possession of him on Tuesday last. He's a three-year-old gelding and he's gorgeous. It's exciting stuff. Ah the smell of horse manure. Trevor Horgan is going to train him and he should be ready for racing by next April," he added.

The three singers bought 'The Irish Tenors', the horse's name, for 21,000 and within 24 hours they were offered €31,000 for him, but decided they couldn't part with the latest member of the group. "They say only fools buy horses, but sometimes fools get rich too," joked Finbar.

Described as a good looking horse, The Irish Tenors is now in Pilltown, Co. Kilkenny, at Trevor Horgan's stables. "Because of his good pedigree, a lot is expected of him. I am breaking him in at the moment and he should be riding properly by mid-August.

"He will then take a break until early October and then back into train- ing to be at full fitness by February and ready to race by April. Ideally, I would be hoping to get two or three runs out of him by September 2004 and a win or a placement would be great.

"I'll play him an Irish Tenors CD before he runs because if he wins, he'll definitely be hearing a lot of happy singing from the three lads," said Trevor.

The Irish Tenors are beginning a tour of the US in July and will play 20 dates until the end of August. During the tour they will sing in front of around 150,000 people.