Jockey turned trainer

Brian Toomey on coming back from the dead after a fall to race-ride again and starting his new venture as a dual-purpose trainer

I was brought up on a farm, milking cows.

I could have taken it over but cows aren’t my passion! I’m not from a horsey family – they were flown from Ireland to Southwell in 2015 to see my first race back (pictured, right) after my accident and they don’t know what to do when they get to the races! Our neighbors had horses – many parents think it’s a good idea to take a child riding – and I became obsessed.

I’m from fairly humble beginnings, nothing’s been handed to me on a plate and having my licence has been a long time coming.

I completed my trainer’s course a few years ago, and I was assistant to Dr Richard Newland for a year. I’ve learned from some of the best, done the groundwork, and made good contacts.

It doesn’t stop here; now I need success and the support of owners. It’s been a learning curve; a lot of people thought I was living in Cloud Cuckoo Land, but I didn’t give up. I know every single day I’m working towards a dream.

I looked at the yard in Buckinghamshire where I’m now training about a year ago, I’d never even been to Chalfont St Giles before that