LATEST NEWS:

No runners today but two at York and two at Fontwell tomorrow. To support Steve Smith-Eccles in his Leger Legend's charity ride next Wednesday, where he rides Kinsya, please go to www.justgiving.com/michelle-bardsley.

Staff Profiles

IAIN WILLIAMS

03-09-43

JOB: Travelling Head Lad

FAVOURITE HORSE: No Rules

BEST RACING MOMENT: Steenberg, winning The Duke of York Gp.2, as I used to ride him out and we had had him for years.

BACKGROUND: Born in Leamington Spa but we soon moved to a village, just outside Banbury in Oxfordshire, which was where I was brought up.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

Went to work on a stud, on leaving school but the owner retired after a couple of months.

Joined John Webber, as a conditional jockey, in 1976, where I stayed for about 5 years. 

Came to Newmarket and rode out for various people before joining MHT in 1985, as Travelling Head Lad.

Still here 25 years on!


PHIL GREEN

Phil

 

JOB: Racing secretary

FAVOURITE HORSE: Brushing for now but could easily become Ted Spread.

BEST RACING MOMENT: There are two: Bob's Return winning the St. Leger in my first season at Flint Cottage and Staunch Friend's win at Punchestown - a day never to be forgotten, if only I could remember it after the party!

BACKGROUND: 

Born near Northampton and still support The Cobblers - after beloved Arsenal, of course. Class is everything.

My family was much involved in horses. Father, grandfather and great grandfather were all farriers, my uncle was a feed merchant, my aunt was an illegal bookmaker (until she was 83) and my great aunt was a nun but she probably liked the odd bet if the convent's wine and honey had sold well.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

Journalism. To enhance my income while a junior reporter on Northampton's daily paper, I became a very occasional pop group 'minder' (including The Rolling Stones) and also a part-time betting office clerk.

Later became Chief Sub-Editor and Editor of the Northampton Chronicle.

Retired and then ran MHT's syndicates, was a minor jockeys' agent and freelance writer/editor before joining the Flint Cottage staff in 1993. Retired again in 2007 but still couldn't escape, so now very old and only part-time.

 


ASHLEY MORGAN

Ashley

JOB: Apprentice jockey

FAVOURITE HORSE: Toparichi

BEST RACING MOMENT SO FAR: Winning a £40,000 race for Paul Cole at the St. Leger meeting

BACKGROUND: Born near Cardiff and lived there until I was four years of age, when we moved to Camarthen in West Wales. Grew up riding in hunter trials and hunting and wanted to become a jump jockey. As I was so light, I decided to ride on the flat and so took out my apprentice licence. 

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

Started working for Peter Bowen when I was 14.

Went to work for Mark Usher, who took out my apprentice licence and gave me 6 rides.

Moved to Flint Cottage in 2007 

 


STEVE AVERY

STEVE_A

STEVE_AVERY

Steve riding out and, a good few years ago, at a hunter trial 

JOB: Assistant trainer

FAVOURITE HORSE: Kinsya and Dazinski

YOUR BEST RACING MOMENT SO FAR: Franklin's Garden bouncing back to win the Yorkshire Cup.

BACKGROUND: Born in Devonport in Devon and grew up going to the Pony Club, hunting with the Brocklesby Hounds, show jumping, eventing, hunter trialling and riding in point-to-points.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: 

Started as a conditional jockey for Harry Fleming

Joined Peter Fleming as head lad

Became a licensed trainer at Market rasen

Worked for Air UK  Engineering and on the oil rigs for KCA Rigs, whilst holding a permit to train at the same time.

Joined Mark Wilkinson as travelling head lad

Joined MHT as assistant trainer in 1998

 



 PAUL SMITH-ECCLES (BUTCH)

13-08-27

JOB: Work Rider, starting stalls handler and flying groom.

FAVOURITE HORSE: Smokey Oakey.

BEST RACING MOMENT: Being given the chance to go to Australia with Franklin's Gardens for the Melbourne Cup - it was a great experience!

BACKGROUND: Born in a little mining village in Derbyshire, called Pinxton and have lived in Newmarket for the last 22 years.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

Started with Gavin Pritchard-Gordon - 1988 to 1991

MHT - 1991 to 1993

James Fanshawe - 1993 to 1995

3 months in America - 1995

Have worked on starting stalls and ridden out for MHT since about 1996/7 

 


DAVID MEEKINGS
DAVID_MEEKINGS

JOB: Box Driver/ Travelling

HORSE TO FOLLOW THIS SEASON: Dazinski

FAVOURITE RACECOURSE: York

FAVOURITE HORSE: Imjin River / Brushing

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB: Going racing

BEST RACING MOMENT : 

Franklin's Gardens winning the Yorkshire Cup

Babodana winning the Lincoln

Saddling my first winner, when travelling - Four Miracles at York

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

Started working weekends and after school in a breaking/pre-training yard - looked after Alborada, when she was out of training.

MHT was my first job in racing and am now in my 10th season at Flint Cottage.