I have decided to retire from training and hand over the licence of Castle Hill Stables to my son, Ben. We have recently moved into a new stable in Middleham which has been updated for Ben and his new venture. Ben has to complete the trainers module on 19^th February and will be issued with his licence on Saturday 20^th February 2010.

 

Ben, who is 25, was born in Newmarket and moved to Middleham in North Yorkshire in 1991. He was educated locally at Aysgarth school and then went to Shrewsbury public school where he did well academically. He has been around racehorses all his life, riding out and helping in the yard and as an amateur rode 5 winners on the flat from 25 rides. During his gap year he worked for Joey Ramsden in South Africa as a pupil trainer. He then won a scholarship with Godolphin (Sheikh Mohammed’s scheme for young people going into racing). This involved travelling to and working in various parts of the world in the racing industry, i.e. the Curragh in Ireland, Kentucky and Santa Anita in America, Sydney in Australia and Godolphin in Dubai. Ben was able to study all aspects of the thoroughbred industry during this time. Back in England, Ben spent time with Sir Michael Stoute in Newmarket before finishing his course in 2006 when he return to Middleham and worked as Assistant Trainer to his father Patrick for 3½ years.

 

Ben will start with about 30 horses of which 17 will be 2 year olds. He is fortunate that some of our loyal owners are keeping horses with him, these include Alastair Dinsmore, Mark James, Middleham Park Racing and the Blue Lion Racing Partnership. My wife Anne and myself will be active in the background to support the new trainer. There will be an emphasis on top class stable management and good placing of horses that come to the stable.

 

Ben will obviously be keen to take on new owners and horses as the stable develops and would be very pleased to show anyone around the establishment and the excellent gallops and facilities that we have in Middleham.'