It's been just over two years since Kevin Doyle announced his retirement as a footballer.

The former Ireland striker has always had a passion for horse racing and aside from occasional coaching and punditry, horses are what's keeping him busy.

Indeed, the ex-Cork City, Wolves, Reading and Colorado Rapids player has been keeping a keen eye on particular horses.

The Wexford native spent €155K to purchase race-winning charge Altior's half-brother. It's a horse that's already made a big impression on him.

"Once the hammer goes down, he's yours. We got him down straight away and he's down with the other foals," Doyle told us on Friday Night Racing.

"We sold two [foals] at the sales. I sold one and my father sold one and we have eight left, with two going in a couple of weeks at Goffs.

"He's in with the rest of them and is treated the same as all the rest of them."

Breeder

The 36-year-old also gave an insight into why he has such a grá for the breeder's side of working with horses. It's something his own father has done for a long time before him.

"Growing up around them, I always had an interest," he said.

"And once I had a few pound of my one, I bought a mare. My first horse at the derby sale in 2007-08 [was] a half-sister to Cousin Vinny who was a very good horse in his day.

"And I've bred from her ever since. I never put her in training or anything. Her first foal went on to be a winner."

Delving into the world of a breeder means he's not twiddling his thumbs post-retirement.

"It's a full-time/part-time job but I have a bug for it," he said.

"It puts a smile on my face, it's a hobby which is a joy. And hopefully make some money out of it, that's the plan.

"Talking to ye about this give me probably more enjoyment than talking about [other things]. I've been lucky since I came home. It's a big thing in your life retiring from sport.

"You see all the talk about depression and players really struggling and I've been so lucky to come home and I'm not in England in a house, sitting there twiddling my thumbs, wondering what I'm going to do with my life now.

"It's made my transition a lot easier."

He also shared his thoughts on how he thinks Ireland will do in the Euro 2020 playoffs.

You can watch the full chat with Kevin Doyle below via YouTube: