Richard learned the art of training flat races from Classic winning trainer, Henry Candy where he was his number two for eight years. Although Richard primarily trained National Hunt horses, he has trained flat winners for the Maktoum family and Lord Vestey and then went on to train his first listed winner in 2002 with Averted View.

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However, Richard’s main success has come through jump racing. In the early years, high class chasers such as Time Wont Wait, Gnome’s Tycoon and Noble Lord, proved to the racing community that Phillips had the talent to train at the highest level. It was Richard’s move to Jackdaws Castle in 2000 that caused his training career to take off. Replacing Champion trainer, David Nicholson, at the finest state of the art training complex in the country, gave Phillips the opportunity to show his true skills and he and his team answered every call.

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Following J P McManus’ purchase of Jackdaws Castle, Jonjo O’Neill was installed and Phillips was forced to find a new base. With Richard keen to keep his excellent team together, the beautiful Cotswold village of Adlestrop was converted into one of the finest training operations in the country. Richard’s first year there gained him his first Cheltenham Festival winner with La Landiere, her seventh win in a row and followed on from a brilliant success in one of the country’s most valuable handicap chases, The Racing Post Chase.

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On the back of that success, Richard now has a fine team of young horses to help Richard go right to the very top of his profession.

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Richard Phillips
Trainer

Richard Phillips has always been an ambitious man. Born close to Epsom racecourse, he knew at the age of five years old that he wanted to be a racehorse trainer. There was only one aim and that was to get to the top of the profession. Riding ponies and showjumpers through his teenage years, he was Head Boy at St Andrews School, Leatherhead and went on to gain a distinction in stud and stable management at Witney College. Following eight years as assistant to Classic winning trainer, Henry Candy, he set up on his own in 1993 with nothing but devout faith and determination.

Winners soon followed. Top chasers such as Time Won't Wait, Gnome's Tycoon and Noble Lord, proved in the early years that Phillips had the skill to train at the highest level.

In 2000, Richard was rewarded for this promising start to his career by taking on Jackdaws Castle from David Nicholson. Following it’s sale in 2001, Richard then developed Adlestrop into one of the finest training operations in the country. That year he trained his first Festival winner when La Landiere won the Cathcart Chase following her brilliant victory in the Racing Post Chase the previous month. On the back of that great mare, Richard has gathered together a talented team of young horses to take him to the top of his profession.

Thanks to a great support team, Phillips’ ambition is turning into reality.

Gordon Clarkson
Assistant Trainer

‘Gordy’ has been Assistant to Richard Phillips for seven seasons. Gordon originally worked in his school holidays for John Webber in Banbury and, following experience in Ireland with amongst
others Aiden O’Brien, spent 10 seasons at Jackdaws Castle with David Nicholson and Alan King. When Richard went to Jackdaws Castle, Gordon was promoted to number one assistant and plays a large part at Adlestrop by driving the horsebox and saddling horses at racecourses throughout the country.

Joline Saunders
PA/Racing Secretary

Jo has been Richard's Personal Assistant/Racing Secretary for seven years and has many responsibilities, including the day to day running of the office and helping organise Richard's busy schedule. Last year Jo reached the final three of the industry's Stable Staff of the Year Awards in the special merit category and was also long-listed in the final ten in 2005 and 2006. Jo loves her her job and the varied daily challenges it brings.

Mark White
Head Lad

All at Adlestrop Stables were delighted when Mark White joined the team as Head Lad in July 2007. Mark was head lad for David Nicholson for many years working with some of the country's top horses. Richard and Mark worked together at Jackdaws Castle in 2000.

In the meantime Mark has been working for the Horseracing Authority in security on the racecourses and it is a real coup to get such a talented and experienced man to manage Adlestrop Stables.


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Mark White Head Lad

Mark White
Head Lad