I was brought up in Ledbury in Herefordshire and my father and his brothers, who ran a building business, were into point-to-point racing. I very rarely rode as a youngster. I worked out quite quickly that I was neither the right shape, nor had the talent or bravery to be a jockey.
My father would write the same note for me to get off school for racing every time, saying I was on an educational visit. I recall the headmaster saying: “These educational visits – do you think you could let me know which horse will win next time?”
I got into this career via my sister’s Horse & Hound. We had ponies at home, so she was an avid Horse & Hound reader. There was a job advertised in it for a management trainee at Aintree. The job seemed a lot more glamorous than going to work for my father’s building firm. In hindsight, that might have been a bit more lucrative!
So I was lucky to get a start with The Jockey Club and I worked my way up for 20 years.
I became general manager of Kempton Park then I went back to Aintree as managing director, and was there for five Grand Nationals.
Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions