 |
Published: 23/12/2003 (Features) Michael Caulfield
`My
last time at a racing stable over the Christmas period was 18 years
ago.
I pretend not to be cold, but when I land on the ground after dismounting
from Galapiat du Mesnil following second lot, it feels as if my
Achilles has been catapulted through the back of my leg. This was
the first reminder that stable staff do not have a cushy number.
When Richard Phillips first started training, the string barely
reached double figures. Ten years on, a full yard of horses has
been assembled into a new training complex in the picturesque Cotswold
village of Adlestrop.
The yard must be run with ruthless efficiency if it is to continue
to challenge for major honours and fulfil Phillips' lifelong obsession
of training the best jumping string in the country. He has to recruit
and retain a motivated and committed workforce. They need to be
managed and valued in a job that requires endless patience, skill
and - in the case of Adlestrop stables - sharp wit and the skin
of a rhino.
Phillips says: "The informality of the yard is one of its selling
points, but they all know that there is a serious job to be done."
The last time I was involved in a racing stable during the Christmas
period was 18 years ago. On my return last week, it immediately
felt good to be back in the environment that, for all the changes
made in racing since, remains very similar. They haven't yet designed
a machine that can feed, muck out, groom, travel and care for horses,
so the job is not for those seeking a comfortable route through
the formative years of their working life.
My arrival coincided with that of the Stable and Stud Staff Commission's
questionnaire to all stable staff, and I was relieved that one of
the questions not asked was: "How annoying is it to have someone
in the yard riding your horses who is liable to get in the way and
ask irritating questions when you're feeling tired and freezing
cold?"
As it transpired, from the very first moment I was handed my tack
to the unforgettable Christmas party, the staff at Adlestrop could
not have been friendlier or more professional.
The full-time staff of 17 begins to arrive from 5.30am for feeding,
mucking out and preparing first lot. Checking your horses, climbing
the ramp to the muck hill, chipping ice off water buckets and sweeping
the yards is part of the daily routine. If there are any absentees
the workload increases - this in not a place where you ring in to
say you have a bit of a cold and won't be in.
My first morning signalled the start of the bitter winter, with
a razor-sharp frost and freezing temperatures. As it was work morning
I was given a couple of idiot-proof rides and found myself upsides
assistant trainer Gordy Clarkson, who will reel off countless stories
of racing life in the Cotswolds from the last 15 years.
Gordy rightly enjoys his role and, although recognising the difficulties
young people face in racing, justifiably states that they get "a
good grounding, a great place to live and a lot of fun in the process".
Gordy wants to see the yard do well and says: "If they can
all stay together through this season, they will really deserve
the success that will follow."
Head man Gordon Markham used to fulfil a similar role for George
Moore in Middleham, so doesn't feel the cold. In fact he is thrilled
with the drop in temperature, as he thinks it may finally see off
the inevitable bugs that hold up a young string of horses. Gordon
also recognises the difficulties in retaining staff and says it
is something they "have to want to do".
Second lot and I find myself upsides Rupert Wakley, who is riding
out for the first time since major reconstructive surgery on both
shoulders that may have brought a premature end to his riding career.
After exchanging looks which say "what the hell are you doing
here?", we both agree that it is good to be back riding out
- although it must be heartbreaking for Rupert to find himself riding
upsides me and not AP McCoy and company.
With a yard full of young horses, it is crucial that they are guided
through their first season. Plans change by the minute and none
more so than today. With eight runners inked in for Exeter the previous
evening, staff are looking forward to going racing and it is set
to be a busy day for travelling head groom Charlotte Illingworth.
"I have the best job in racing and I love travelling the horses,"
says Charlotte, as she cleans tack and washes colours in preparation
for the busy Christmas period.
But by declaration time, all the Exeter runners are withdrawn as
the ground comes through as good to firm. Phillips often uses the
Jenny Pitman line that trainers have to keep walking as the bombs
go off all around them. I had forgotten how hard it is to keep these
animals sound and healthy, and the responsibility resting on the
staff to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
However, the one trait that runs through the yard is the wicked
sense of humour possessed by everyone, even when the winners are
not flowing. When showing new owners their horse, Phillips remarks:
"That's just my shape." Immediately a voice can be heard
in the adjoining box. "That means it's got no chance then."
Phillips' PA, Joline Saunders, used to work for Vodafone and the
contrast to her previous role could not be more marked - one moment
working for a huge international company in a cappuccino environment
and then in the tiny village of Adlestrop where any cup of coffee
is a bonus. The mood of the yard can emanate from the office, and
Joline's handling of the trainer, visiting owners and jockeys, and
the staff cannot be found in any management text book. "I used
to earn double the salary at Vodafone, but it's fun here,"
she says.
There is a rich mix of characters and they approach Christmas with
differing views. Identical twins Jemima and Kate Cunningham would
like to spend more time with their family, a view shared by many
of the staff, although they know it is not an option.
Will Manns, aka `Fearless', is a good example of the valuable role
played by the British Racing School. Fearless is one of the country's
top dry-slope slalom skiers and hopes to compete abroad after Cheltenham,
although he knows he won't get much match practice in the Cotswolds.
When Saturday morning comes around, it puts paid to any misconceptions
that stable staff have a cushy number. It was the kind of morning
when even Ellen MacArthur would take one look out of the window
and go back to bed. The rain hit you like bullets from all angles
and waterproofs could only offer a token resistance. I couldn't
remember a wetter day, but this was a major work morning and it
could not be put on hold.
After first lot, Jane Lloyd searched for dry clothes, saying: "On
days like this, I wished I worked in an office."
With work completed, the rush for the kettle and dry clothes began,
and I felt guilty that I was off to Warwick races in a warm, dry
car. It dawned on me that this was the shortest day of the year
but, for the staff at Adlestrop, it must have felt like the longest
morning.
Still, it was the Christmas party tomorrow and that, too, would
prove to be another test of endurance.
|
