My father John was champion trainer, my brother Ed is a very successful trainer, so it’s in our blood.
I’ve always done it, and I’ve always thought I’d love to do other things too.
It’s a tough industry, even with the incredible days and Group One winners; it’s hard to make the business work. Covid wasn’t the kindest to us, we lost some clients, and you start to think about life a bit more.
Deciding to retire was a big move.
We had a fantastic final year and Polly Pott won the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. My wife drove her up there, her owners were from Doncaster, so it was quite apt she was our last big winner, and at a starting price of 40/1! It was emotional stuff.
Training is results-driven; you could look me up on social media and see I’ve had no winners for four months and there’s a “cold list” of trainers in the Racing Post.
If things aren’t going well, you rush things, you don’t make good decisions, such as where your horses should run.
If you’re not in the right frame of mind, it affects the workforce and the atmosphere in a yard, and you’re looking after everything from the staff, to paying the water bill, to maintaining your gallops.
Denne historien er fra May 23, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra May 23, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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