As we remain in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and as yet with not much end in sight, not much has changed. We are continuing to follow all government and BHA guidelines and advice, as our focus remains on the health and welfare of our horses and staff. All our jumpers are turned out at grass and we are keeping our Flat horses ticking over the best we can.
To lighten the mood somewhat and with a little more time on our hands than we should have at this time of year Brian has been asked a few questions and has actually sat down and answered them! I think we can mostly thank his wife Claire for this though!
Brian: “I have been asked the following questions. Some were more difficult to answer than others but I’ve narrowed them down the best I could.”
1. When you were a jockey did you ever ride in the Grand National. No. I was booked to ride a horse called ‘Another Captain’ trained by Andy Scott. It went lame before the race.
2. If you were a jockey now which horse past or present would you like to ride in the National? Definitly Red if it could’ve been this year, as I really thought he’d have won! Crisp, in my opinion was the best horse to have ran in the race so he would’ve been another choice.
3. Which was your favourite National? 1977 Red Rum’s 3rd win was special.
4. Best National ride? That’s a really hard question as they all deserve recognition but Davy Russell on Tiger Roll last year was exceptional.
5. Happiest racecourse moment? We have had some very happy moments. I think I’d have to say either when Moyenne Corniche won the Ebor, Definitly Red winning the Cotswold at Cheltenham or when Top Notch Tonto finished 2nd in the QEll at Ascot. 😁
6. Saddest racecourse moment? Unfortunately, we have had plenty of those too, but it has to be when Carte Diamond got injured in Australia a week before the Melbourne Cup. I had him spot on for the race and he had a massive chance. His jockey fell off during a gallop at Flemington Racecourse and he crashed through some metal railings which pierced through his leg. It was a miracle he survived!
7. Funniest / strangest racecourse moment? That has another Australia story! The day Carte Diamond ran in the Caulfield Cup there was a couple actually having sex on the grass next to the saddling boxes and people were just walking around them as if they weren’t there 🙈😂
8. Favourite racecourse? Sedgefield – had my most winners there. I even took Claire there the day we were married and saddled up a couple of winners too. Cheltenham and York are my other two favourites.
9. Best NH horse you’ve ever seen? I’m showing my age but I was lucky enough to watch Arkle. The best of that era. Then Desert Orchid who was trained by the master trainer David Ellsworth. He won everything from good handicaps to the Gold Cup and was a gorgeous looking horse.
10. Best Flat horse you’ve ever seen? Over my many years I have seen the likes of Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Brigadier Gerard to name a few, but the best I have ever seen is Frankel.
11. Favourite food – Steak
12. Favourite drink – Red wine 🍷
13. Bad habit – I haven’t got any 😂 but the wife says I snore sometimes. I don’t believe her of course!
