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Training racehorses is very labour intensive and Ann Duffield Racing, like all other training establishments, requires a high number of staff to look after the horses. The calibre and commitment of the staff play a huge part in the success of any yard and the team Ann has built at Sun Hill Farm is second to none. She is now surrounded by key staff that she can trust and, who can 'pick up the reins' in her absence.
Whilst too many mention them all in person, the following members of staff are particularly noteworthy either because of the influential role they have within Ann Duffield Racing or for the sheer enthusiasm and dedication they bring to the yard and the job: -
George Duffield - Assistant Trainer
Sun Hill Farm is a big place which is immaculately kept by George, who fortunately likes to be kept on the go all the time. However, despite the grounds taking up most of his time, his vital role at Ann Duffield Racing is that of Chief Work rider, where his years of experience is invaluable. George's ability to asses a young horse's potential is particularly helpful to Ann when it comes to making realistic plans for a horse's future. This ability is vitally important to the yard and the owners, who value such straightforward honesty.
His 40 years of professional race riding do not go amiss either when it comes to discussing race riding tactics with the yards jockeys. As Ann notes, "George and I both go through races individually, me on the computer and George reading the papers. But I always get George to speak to the jockeys, discuss the race and how he sees it panning out. This is something he does in great detail and lets face it he knows more about race riding all the tracks in Britain than all us trainers put together!"
Ian Hounsome - Racing Secretary
Ian was originally Ann's bank manager at Barclays bank in Leyburn and as such was involved in Sun Hill since the first building block was laid. Given his love of racing it was no surprise to see him make a permanent move to Ann Duffield Racing where he has worked miracles on the administration side of the yard. Using skills and discipline gained from his former career, Ian has brought order to an ever chaotic racing office which acts as the hub of the whole training operation. Ian will very often be your first point of call when contacting Ann Duffield Racing and you will find his friendly, helpful and organised manner invaluable. Ian takes responsibility for ensuring all of the entries and declarations are in on time and is Ann's right-hand man, thriving on the pressures the job brings and the trust Ann places in him.
James Richards - Head Lad
James key responsibility is to ensure the smooth running of the yard at all times. This includes the feeding regime and ensuring that each horse's personnel requirements are met. He is also is in charge of administering daily veterinary care where his attention to detail is vital. James is a first class horseman with a wealth of experience and is an excellent, quiet rider. He is currently training in Equine Touch which will ensure he can provide full back up to the excellent work done by our visiting physiotherapists
Chips
He has been in racing most of his life and use to ride work in
Trinidad. He works as a work rider and yard man
at Sun Hill, loading walkers, mucking out, keeping yards clean; he
also disinfects regularly with our motorised back pack. He is very
quiet around horses and they all respond to him very well. Chips is
great at riding work with nervous youngsters, helping them to gain
confidence.
Martin McAndrew
Martin has been in racing since he was 16 yrs old, starting out as an
apprentice jockey with Paul Cole, he had 200 rides and rode 3 winners.
Since the early days he has worked for trainers Mark Johnston, Linda
Ramsden and Jimmy Fitzgerald. Martin brings a wealth of experience to
the yard as a work rider and the horses respond well to his quite
riding style. A key job for Martin is to check the legs of every
single horse each morning and to administer appropriate treatment if required.
Jimmy Bleasdale
As a former Jockey Jimmy is a well known figure on the racing scene and
has ridden plenty of winners. He rides out at Sun Hill each morning
where his vast experience is put to good use. On many afternoons he will
act as a 'race reader' for the Press Association and helps develop
apprentice jockeys in their fledgling careers.
Caroline Jones
Caroline spent 6 years with the late Don Enrico and left racing for a
short time after his death. Fortunatley for all at Sun Hill Caroline
returned to the sport she loved and is now a valued member of staff. She
is very dedicated and she adores her horses. Caroline rides out as well
as helping with all the yard work and going racing.
Dale Ali
Dale is from Trinidad and has now been part of
the team at Sun Hill for approaching two years. He worked in racing, at
Arima Park for several years before joining the yard as a work rider.
Dale's duties include all yard work, riding out and evening stables.
He also enjoys taking the horses racing, where his quiet and kind
demeanour really does help our horses to relax.
Our Vets - Stirk & Associates Ltd
Stirks are very experienced and well respected in racing. They provide ambulatory, diagnostic and
in-patient services from their bases in Ripon & Middleham with access to the latest diagnostic
aids including a video endoscope, nuclear bone scanning, ultrasound & radiography, and stem-cell
implantation. Simon Stirk and his team make regular weekly visits to the yard and of course are on call at all other
times.
Vicky Devine - Our Physio
Vicky, using a technique called 'Bowen', regularly works on the Sun Hill Horses along with her husband Kevin.
The horses benefit hugely from regular physiotherapy in the same way as a human athlete does; a horse is quite
an awkward creature, especially when getting up from lying down or rolling. Muscles can be pulled or just become
sore when the horse is in training, building up to peak fitness or occasionally when the little darling's slip
up or do the splits. A good physio working in the correct way will alleviate pain, re-align a problem area and
help the horses natural healing process's to take place more efficiently.
Laurie Walker - Racehorse Transport (UK) Ltd
Ann makes use of Thirsk based Racehorse Transport (UK) Ltd whenever the yard's own horse box is already fully used.
Ann thinks very highly of the company who use a fleet of modern horse boxes that are always spotlessly clean. Every
vehicle is steam cleaned and disinfected after each and every trip. Laurie is a key part of the backup operation and
can help in saddling up the runners when required.
Other Key staff
Billy The Guard Dog, always around the yard, never off duty and
forever at Ann's side. Nutty the goat is a real character and a true
friend to all the horses in the yard. She has the special role of
sleeping in the same box as any nervous new arrivals and ensuring
they soon settle in. New Recruit Harry (below) has soon found is feet and is proving supremely intelligent.
