FERGAL O’Brien is making training horses look easy. Just over a year since striking out alone following 19 years as Head Lad to Nigel Twiston-Davies, the affable Irishman and his team are thriving at his base at Cilldara Stud in Gloucestershire. Tipped by Donald McCain as a “trainer to watch” Fergal spoke exclusively to Horse …[Read More]
A chat with… Victor Chandler
VICTOR Chandler is probably the most famous face in bookmaking. He changed the face of betting when upping sticks in 1999 and moving his business from the UK to Gibraltar. A pioneer of online gambling, he has been called a lot of names and had a few brushes with the authorities, but he has overseen …[Read More]
A chat with… Tom Symonds
YOUNG, hungry and ambitious, Tom Symonds looks destined for big things as a trainer. After spending five years as assistant to Nicky Henderson, he set up on his own in 2011 at the former yard of John Edwards at Dason Court in Ross-on-Wye. Here he talks exclusively to Horse Racing Chat. Tom, how many horses …[Read More]
A chat with… Willie Ryan
WILLIE RYAN is a UK horse racing legend in my eyes. Why? Well, he produced probably THE best Derby ride in history on Benny The Dip in 1997. And then there was his unstinting loyalty to Sir Henry Cecil during a 20-year association. Willie retired from the saddle in 2004 and I made it my …[Read More]
A chat with… Ann Duffield
ANN Duffield is one of the most upwardly mobile trainers in UK horse racing and is enjoying a fine season. With the expert help of husband and former top jockey George, she has developed one of the finest training establishments in the north. But it has taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to …[Read More]
A chat with… Ben Haslam
WHEN Ben Haslam became one of the youngest trainers in UK horse racing in 2010, he knew he had big shoes to fill. At just 25 he had the unenviable task of taking over from his father Patrick, a widely respected trainer for 37 years. But with plenty of winners under both codes the early …[Read More]