Western Daily Press (Saturday)
GREAT TEAM IS KEY – REDVERS
DAVID Redvers has spoken about the incredible turnaround of his breeding business
Speaking at the Cartier Racing Awards, Redvers said: “Eight years ago, I was completely on my uppers.
“We had just had a shocking run of events - Ishiguru and Lucky
Story were two horses who ended their stallion careers almost as soon as they had started them through an unfortunate paddock accident and a heart attack. We were just getting going and then got cut down.
“I went to New Zealand and tried to find another thread, some way that I could make a few quid in this business. Within a day of arriving, I got an email from my little sister, the most unlikely bearer of good of good fortune, who told me that there was a young Sheikh who would like to meet me for lunch at the Lanesborough Hotel (in London, UK) on Tuesday morning.
“This was Friday afternoon and I had arrived in New Zealand on the Thursday night. So, I found myself checking out this young Sheikh and realised that it might not be some fake sheikh and it be worthwhile getting on a plane to go back.
“I missed my flight after falling asleep in the airport. The whole thing was a nightmare and I got there with three minutes to spare. I met a rather different Sheikh Fahad at the Lanesborough to the God that you see before you today.
“He told me that he wanted to buy a racehorse or two and it was the moment that changed my life.
“The key thing to everything is to get a great team around you. Luckily, I have a great team.
Hannah was already working for me, Peter Molony was my best friend and Ralph Beckett and Andrew Balding have helped this dream come true. You all know who you are.
“This tonight is the absolute highlight. All I can say with Qatar Racing is we are incredibly lucky to work with an unbelievable team of trainers.
“Oisin Murphy, I think you we all agree, is probably our greatest find of all and what you have done for us this year can never be bettered.
“I am incredibly honoured. Thank you to Cartier for this magnificent evening and this magnificent trophy. And thank you Sheikh Fahad for this incredible year.”