Stud farm boss’ passion for racing, rugby and hard work
Today’s Turf Talk Questionnaire guest is Tony Morris, who runs the Endless Acres Stud Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Q. Where were you born?
A. In the Rhondda at Llwynpia.
Q. How did you become involved in the world of horse-racing?
A. Quite by accident I bought a filly at Tattersalls July Sale to ride out when I was between jobs. The filly was a lunatic and not safe to ride so we put her in foal.
Q. What was your most exciting racing moment?
A. Having a horse which finished second at Royal Ascot in 2017.
Q. Which are your favourite racecourses?
A. By far my favourite is Ascot, followed very closely by Newmarket and Newbury.
Q. Have you any pet racing hates? A. I hate the fact that racing carries a stigma of being corrupt.
Q. Who do you admire most in horseracing?
A. The late trainer Sir Henry Cecil was my idol and long-time favourite trainer, followed very closely by the young Charlie Fellowes, who has had incredible success.
Q. What is your favourite sport outside of horse-racing?
A. Rugby, rugby and rugby!
Q. Which two people would you like to be seated next to at a dinner party? A. Frankie Dettori and Rick Stein.
Q. Do you have a favourite book? A. Yes , The Toyota Way.
Q. What is your favourite television programme?
A. I like to watch the racing on Saturday afternoons.
Q. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
A. Never leave for tomorrow what can be done today.
Q. Finally, tell us something about yourself that we are probably not aware of.
A. I’m desperately shy and lacking in self-esteem but I am proud of my background and family. I was fortunate to work for a serious pair of entrepreneurs who gave me a chance to improve my working lifestyle by working hard.
The filly I bought bred me three winners from three runners and we sold her to Brazil for three times what we paid for her. We now have a full brother to Endless Acres and everyone is very excited for the future.
■ Brian’s Blast From the Past
Under the heading “Terrific Tim”, this is what I reported in the Western Mail on February 4 1991:
“Welsh champion point-to-point rider Tim Jones, of Rudry, landed a brilliant double at the North Cornwall Hunt fixture which saw the start of the 1991 hunt-racing season.
“Jones took the Men’s Open on Jimster and the Restricted Open on Chance Buy. Jimster got home by a neck from Richard Lionheart, ridden by former national champion Philip Scholfield, and Chance Buy, who jumped the last alongside Cricklewood Chris, won by a length.
“Jones’s sister, Mrs Pip Nash, kept the Welsh flag flying when she won the Ladies Open race on Justthewayyouare, who had seven lengths to spare over Miss Rughill.
“A truly tremendous start to the season for Welsh point-to-pointing.” ■ You can send your racing news and views to Brian Lee by emailing brianlee4@virginmedia.com or telephoning 029 2073 6438.