Based at
Bagenalstown,
County Carlow, Foley switched from farming to training after buying an Irish draught horse, later building his own stables. His first winner was at
Tramore in January 1988 when Rua Batric won a handicap hurdle at 6–1. He was involved in the training of
Danoli, a horse that became popular during the 1990s and earned the nickname "the People's Champion". In 1994, the Foley-trained Danoli won the
Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at the
Cheltenham Festival, while further success followed with victory at the
Hennessy Gold Cup at
Leopardstown in 1997. He played once as a half-back at
minor level for the
Carlow county football team, scoring two points. ==Death==