jockey to trainer
Brian Ellison
Brian Ellison was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 28th June 1952, the same day red-hot favourite, Souepi, won the Pitmen’s Derby (Northumberland Plate) at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park racecourse. One of eight children, Brian’s father was a Tyneside shipbuilder, his mother worked as a cleaner in a Newcastle Hospital.
In his early years Brian’s passion was for football. He was a talented force on the pitch but at just 4ft 9” was considered too small to make it as a professional footballer and so he started thinking about becoming a jockey. Aged 14 Brian sat on his first horse and left school a year later to pursue a career in horse racing. At 17 he took out his conditional jockeys’ license and 20 years riding as a National Hunt jockey followed. In his final year race-riding Brian acquired his trainers’ license and in 1989 joined the training ranks proper when relinquishing his jockeys’ license. Brian says: “I loved riding but I rode some moderate horses. Tex was the best I rode. We beat the legendary Tingle Creek in a handicap chase in 1976.”
jockey to trainer
Brian Ellison
Brian Ellison was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 28th June 1952, the same day red-hot favourite, Souepi, won the Pitmen’s Derby (Northumberland Plate) at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park racecourse. One of eight children, Brian’s father was a Tyneside shipbuilder, his mother worked as a cleaner in a Newcastle Hospital.
In his early years Brian’s passion was for football. He was a talented force on the pitch but at just 4ft 9” was considered too small to make it as a professional footballer and so he started thinking about becoming a jockey. Aged 14 Brian sat on his first horse and left school a year later to pursue a career in horse racing. At 17 he took out his conditional jockeys’ license and 20 years riding as a National Hunt jockey followed. In his final year race-riding Brian acquired his trainers’ license and in 1989 joined the training ranks proper when relinquishing his jockeys’ license. Brian says: “I loved riding but I rode some moderate horses. Tex was the best I rode. We beat the legendary Tingle Creek in a handicap chase in 1976.”
“I always knew I wanted to train though and I had no regrets when I quit the saddle.”
SPRING COTTAGE STABLES
Hard Work & Determination
The yard is barely recognizable since its acquisition some 23 years ago with additional stables, American barns, open-air stables, horse walker and water walker, indoor school, salt therapy room, horse weigh, hot water showers and most notably over 100 equine residents.
Through hard graft, determination and an unequivocal ambition to succeed, together with a markedly open-mind, forward-thinking, honest and enthusiastic approach to the game, Brian has gone from strength to strength. And as the number of horses in the yard has steadily risen so has the quality. In January 2011 Marsh Warbler landed the Grade 1 Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow while on the Flat later that same year Moyenne Corniche landed the Betfred Ebor, Europe’s richest handicap, at York.
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
During the summer of 2013, Top Notch Tonto, arrived at Spring Cottage Stables and following a winning debut for Brian in a Newmarket handicap, the gelded son of Thousand Words won a Group 3 at Haydock and a Listed event at Redcar before running a blinder to finish second to Olympic Glory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Later that year Montefeltro crossed the Irish Sea to land the Irish Cesarewitch. Brian became the first International Trainer to compete in the Group 2 Perth Cup in Western Australia; Bay Story ran a belter to finish second, beaten by only a head.
Brian is no stranger to travelling horses to Australia; Carte Diamond put in a respectable performance in the Caulfield Cup beaten little more than four lengths before injury ruled him out of a crack at the Melbourne Cup while Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi both took part in the 2011 running of the Flemington show piece.
A first four-timer was sent out of Spring Cottage Stables in May 2015; four winners at four tracks, under both codes. And on May 21st, 2019 Brian trained his 1200th winner. Another milestone!
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
During the summer of 2013, Top Notch Tonto, arrived at Spring Cottage Stables and following a winning debut for Brian in a Newmarket handicap, the gelded son of Thousand Words won a Group 3 at Haydock and a Listed event at Redcar before running a blinder to finish second to Olympic Glory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Later that year Montefeltro crossed the Irish Sea to land the Irish Cesarewitch. Brian became the first International Trainer to compete in the Group 2 Perth Cup in Western Australia; Bay Story ran a belter to finish second, beaten by only a head.
Brian is no stranger to travelling horses to Australia; Carte Diamond put in a respectable performance in the Caulfield Cup beaten little more than four lengths before injury ruled him out of a crack at the Melbourne Cup while Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi both took part in the 2011 running of the Flemington show piece.
A first four-timer was sent out of Spring Cottage Stables in May 2015; four winners at four tracks, under both codes. And on May 21st, 2019 Brian trained his 1200th winner. Another milestone!
BRIANS LOVE FOR THE SPORT
The big Irish Festival’s are a particular favourite of Brian’s with the Galway Summer Festival right up there at the top. In 2017 Dream Walker led home Baraweez and Be Kool to take an amazing 1,2,3 in the ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap. It was the fourth time in succession Brian has trained the winner of the Irish Premier Handicap. Baraweez claimed back-to-back renewals of the €100,000 prize in 2014 and 2015 with Dream Walker also taking the 2016 running of the race.
Definitly Red has been a wonderful horse to have in the yard. Winner of 14 races, including five Grade 2 and one Grade 3, he has participated in the two most exciting events in National Hunt racing, The Cheltenham Gold Cup and The Grand National. And another crack at the National is on the cards for 2020.
Brian’s love of horses is evident and although hugely competitive and incredibly driven the horses welfare and happiness always come first. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere around the yard is calming yet refreshing with a cheerful team contributing to a stress-free environment, which in turn reflects on the horses. Brian says: “It’s all about the horses and keeping them happy. If they’re happy they’ll win races. National Hunt or Flat. We love training under both codes.
“I have a fantastic team behind me, never-ending support from a terrific family and some excellent owners to train for. Everyone involved gets a buzz from watching one of our horses win. And every winner is as important as the next. It’s what racing is all about, training winners. And we love every minute of it!”
BRIANS LOVE FOR THE SPORT
The big Irish Festival’s are a particular favourite of Brian’s with the Galway Summer Festival right up there at the top. In 2017 Dream Walker led home Baraweez and Be Kool to take an amazing 1,2,3 in the ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap. It was the fourth time in succession Brian has trained the winner of the Irish Premier Handicap. Baraweez claimed back-to-back renewals of the €100,000 prize in 2014 and 2015 with Dream Walker also taking the 2016 running of the race.
Definitly Red has been a wonderful horse to have in the yard. Winner of 14 races, including five Grade 2 and one Grade 3, he has participated in the two most exciting events in National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National. And another crack at the National is on the cards for 2020.
Brian’s love of horses is evident and although hugely competitive and incredibly driven the horses welfare and happiness always come first. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere around the yard is calming yet refreshing with a cheerful team contributing to a stress-free environment, which in turn reflects on the horses. Brian says: “It’s all about the horses and keeping them happy. If they’re happy they’ll win races. National Hunt or Flat. We love training under both codes.
“I have a fantastic team behind me, never-ending support from a terrific family and some excellent owners to train for. “Everyone involved gets a buzz from watching one of our horses win. And every winner is as important as the next. It’s what racing is all about, training winners. And we love every minute of it!”
THE PERFECT SET UP
