Owner who became the youngest dual trainer in racing
Today’s Turf Talk Questionnaire guest is Grace Harris, a former point-to-point owner/trainer who trains at Shirenewton just three miles from Chepstow Racecourse.
In 2014, Grace became the youngest dual-purpose trainer – Flat and Over the Sticks – and her yard is set within 450 acres of grassland and private tracks and also includes an all-weather gallop and a menage.
At the time of writing, her latest winner is Field Exhibition, who under Danny McMenamin, at farflung Musselburgh, landed the BetWays Mares’ Handicap Hurdle last Wednesday (February 13) when coming home some 11 lengths ahead of the bottom-weighted Sarvi.
Q. Where and when were you born? A. I was born on July 24, 1990 at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.
Q. How did you become involved in horse-racing?
A. My family have always been involved in horse-racing and I became pretty addicted at a young age.
Q. What was your most exciting racing moment? A. Training my first winner under Rules with a horse called Living Leader, who won a mile handicap at Salisbury by 12 lengths!
Q. Which are your favourite racecourses?
A. My local track Chepstow and Ascot.
Q. Do you have a favourite racehorse?
A. I have three that mean a lot to me as they helped me so much in my career as a trainer. They are Grams and Ounces, Living Leader and Paddy the Oscar.
The last named is rather special for his enthusiasm and toughness and at the grand old age of 16 he is still going strong.
Q. Have you any pet racing hates?
A. The official handicapper and low prize money.
Q. Who do you admire most in horse-racing?
A. Irish trainers Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien.
Q. What is your favourite sport outside of horse-racing?
A. I enjoy swimming and watching rugby.
Q. Which two people would you like to be seated next to at a dinner party? A. My two best friends, Chrissy and Tash, as there is never a dull moment when we are together!
Q. Do you have a favourite book?
A. No, the Racing Post and sales catalogues would probably be my favourite reading.
Q. Do you have a favourite television programme?
A. Emmerdale.
Q. Do you have a favourite singer?
A. Ed Sheeran.
Q. What was the best advice you have ever received?
A. From my Mum – to treat others how you would like to be treated.
Q. Finally, tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
A. I am terrified of rats and spiders.
■ Meanwhile, the popular Banwen Point-To-Point Club meeting held at Llwynddu Glais last May Day raised £5,000 for charity, with £2,500 going to the Air Ambulance and a further £2,500 to the Ty Olwen Cancer Hospice Trust at Morriston.
This year’s point-to-point meeting will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, and the organisers will be hoping they will be blessed with similiar weather to last year.
■ The West Wales Area Point-ToPoint Quiz will be held at the Angel Inn, Llandissilio, near Clynderwen, on the evening of Thursday, March 7. The event will get under way with teams of four at 7.30pm sharp. Cost is £5 a head, which includes a buffet.
This popular quiz has quite a history, dating to 1993 when it was first held at Picton House.
Over the years, a number huntracing personalities have taken part including Dillwyn Thomas, Jamie Jukes, Dr Arthur Jones, Eric Clough, Shan Farr and Graham Hughes.
■ When racing got going again last Wednesday after the equine flu scare, Vale of Glamorgan trainer Tim Vaughan sent two horses on the 381mile trip from Aberthin to Musselburgh in Scotland.
His Copper Gone West, ridden by stable jockey Alan Johns, won the opening Betway Mares Maiden Hurdle, beating the long odds-on Poperinghe Ginger and after being backed from 6-1 to 9-2.
However, in the closing Betways Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, his other horse, or in this case mare, Midnight Queen jumped poorly and was a last-fence faller.
■ You can send your racing news and views to Brian Lee by emailing brianlee4@virginmedia.com or telephoning 029 2073 6438.