All hands to pump in trainer’s absence

I don’t want to dwell too much on the tragic events involving Mick Channon last week, but thought it was worth giving a mention to the stable staff at the yard that have to carry on pretty much, business as usual.

A racehorse trainer is undoubtedly the most important person in a racing yard, it is he (or she) who oversees each horse’s individual training pattern and maps out potential race-winning opportunities. And while it is extremely fair to say the winning is down to the handler, in most yards there is a very important group of backstage staff who are indispensable parts of an ever running cog.

I have worked in several racing yards and I’m sure most would be able to nominate a person who they would go to instead of seeking assistance from the trainer themselves; someone who is responsible for ensuring that all staff are in on time, that every horse is fit and well and can resume its training exercise. It’s once those very significant factors have been checked, that the trainer can get on with doing his job.

Those involved in this sport will be well aware of who Leslie White is and for those not quite so, she is the tall, and sometimes a little scary, but extremely hard-working travelling head lass who is responsible for ensuring all the Channon runners are turned out at the races looking their best. That is, of course, after she has been into the weighing room, declared her charges and collected the saddle.

Often it’s the travelling grooms who are recognised more so than their bosses, all of which is testament to the dedicated hard work they do.

At home you’ve got the head lad whose job is to make sure each horse is fed and watered and safely put away for the night and report any abnormalities to the trainer.

The stable hands are certainly another important piece of the jigsaw that take charge of three or four horses, groom, muck out, ride, and lead up at the races.

Vets and farriers are also often forgotten, but feature prominently on the list. Thankfully, Channon can recuperate in his hospital bed knowing that all of the above has been carried out to a “T” and on his return it will seem as if he’s never been away.

He has been a popular figure at Nad Al Sheba during previous carnivals and his appearance next year will be eagerly anticipated.

What a Weekend

Many are quick to praise the mighty Duke Of Marmalade for his five Group One-winning exploits over the summer, but Australia’s Weekend Hussler was not going to go down under without a fight and was named, unsurprisingly, Australia’s Racehorse of the Year last week. Almost a year to the day, the three-year-old broke his maiden tag and the rest, as they say, is history.

What with Curlin’s astonishing quick rise to stardom also, I feel our European counterparts are wrapped into that cotton wool for a little too long.