Trainer Fergal settling into new surroundings,
PADDY Brennan has never been happier in his career and the winners are flying in: welcome to the new era of Team Fergal O’brien.
Ravenswell Farm is the place they now call home, all the better for the 31 successes this new season.
A treble at Cheltenham’s first meeting temporarily interrupted the trainer’s cheery demeanour, with the realisation it had been achieved against the odds.
Operating between two bases ten miles apart has presented many challenges, co-ordinating schedules with builders on site.
The scale of the project, on 550 acres owned by former Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, has meant work continues apace ahead of Christmas.
“We knew it was going to be a big move,” said Brennan after schooling Coolanly over three fences on the new all-weather strip.
“Fergal had outgrown Nigel Twistondavies’ and needed to get out. This place is unbelievable.
“These are the best gallops I have ridden on since the day of Jim Bolger’s.
“We look at the good start we have made and want to keep it going. When you win, you want to win more. In my whole career this is the happiest I have ever been. The sky is the limit here.”
Gradually the four-furlong gallop, the new stables and the schooling obstacles have been installed, as the team shuttled horses between the Gloucestershire villages.
The round gallop, office and accommodation will be constructed in the next phase.
O’brien’s partner, Sally Randell, has made a diary of all the little milestones so far, since planning permission was granted back in February.
A Southwell handicap hurdle was pretty major for all concerned.
“We were adamant we wouldn’t move in until it was done,” said Randell, responsible for sourcing many of the yard’s fine young prospects.
“At first we had the gallop, some stables and little else – no electric, no water troughs and just one hose.
“We were boxing horses over the ten miles, four days a week – getting a few away from Nigel’s.
“We had to have the horses back from pre-training. So we tipped away with the small barn.
“Since September, Fergal has been at one place and I have been at the other.
“Oscar Rose was our first runner from here last month. To see her win was one of the most magical things. It was the massive breath of fresh air everyone needed.”
O’brien steadily vacated the Upper Yard at Grange Hill Farm, rented from Cathy Twiston-davies, to settle in for the National Hunt season.
Only a few horses remain under the care of popular team member Ally Stirling.
At the new location, the stables are bigger, well lit and air flows freely.
“This was a workshop for farm machinery,” said O’brien, giving us a quick tour around the barn.
“It has all been opened up. As you can see it’s very airy.
“I have been delighted with how things are going so far. The results show the gallop works well.”
Not only has it produced the goods, the stunning location is conveniently set just off the A40, with Kim Bailey’s stable across the fields as the crow flies.
Owners will be able to look out onto the picturesque setting from an enclosed viewing platform while their horses train.
I think Fergal has the potential to be champion trainer one day Paddy Brennan