Team

Ian Williams, Trainer

Ian’s father Billy (W.R.) trained in the West Country following a period as an amateur jumps jockey. Initially Ian was not drawn to a similar career, but a year at college studying business & accountancy persuaded him that horses weren’t too bad after all.

At 18 Ian went to Lambourn to join Jenny Pitman as assistant. This was the vintage era of Royal Athlete, Garrison Savannah, Toby Tobias et al and was a formative period in Williams’ development. He admits he knew very little when joining Pitman, and was most grateful for the opportunity and responsibility given by Jenny. 

In the early nineties Ian spent six months with Martin Pipe at Pond House before joining Francois Doumen at Chantilly in the early nineties. Once again this coincided with a golden age for the yard, as the Gallic handler saddled The Fellow to land a couple of King George’s and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Ian also remembers that The Fellow was beaten a short head behind both Garrison Savannah and Cool Ground in 1991 & 1992 before winning the ultimate chasing prize in 1994. Interestingly he insists that The Fellow was not even the best chaser in the yard. That accolade went to Ucello II, in the same ownership as The Fellow, who never raced in Britain.

In 1997 Ian returned to Britain to begin his own journey as a trainer. Initially based near Oxford with just a dozen horses, half of which from the ever supportive John and Anne Poynton; very quickly it became obvious that these facilities were not to the standard the ambitious Williams required. Fortunately, Brendon Powell introduced Ian to Patrick Kelly a very successful businessman who shares a passion for racing and a vision to create a state of the art training facility in the heart of the Midlands. Together they have created an amazing training complex on the outskirts of Birmingham. Kelly is also a successful owner and it is a testimony to the training skills of Williams that two of the Kelly string between them won no fewer than 29 races, Governor Daniel with 18 and The Prince with 11!

Currently there are 75 horses in training and the yard has had over 400 winners, but Ian remains fiercely ambitious and continues on the quest for the champions. The objectives are simple - improve the quality of the string and continue saddling the winners, most importantly the illusive Festival winners.

The A Team

Training Racehorses is without doubt a team effort and we are lucky to have a superb team of staff who are committed to success and ensuring the best care and attention for your horses.

Assistant Trainer – Steve Milburn
Steve has been with the yard for two seasons now, having gained previous experience with the likes of top Irish trainer Michael Hourigan where he was Head Lad for a couple of years before joining Malcolm Jefferson again as Head Lad in the north of England

Head Lad – Matthew Mills
Matt just begging his sixth year at the yard, where he has worked his way up the ladder to acquire his latest position two years ago. Matthew married Amanda last summer and its fair to say, even though he is Head Lad at work, it may not be the case at home.

Travelling Head Lad - Fabrice Smeulders
Fabrice ensures top quality care of all the racing equipment and looks after the horses at the races.  Previously a jockey in his native France where he enjoyed some success before coming to England after being recommended by Ian’s close friend and trainer in France, Richard Gibson.

Secretary – Alison Milburn
Alison, who came to the yard with husband Steve, began on a part time basis, riding out in the mornings, and has evolved into a fulltime secretary.

Staff
Amanda Mills – Senior Staff Kathryn Orford – Work Experience
Andrew Lester – Yard Man/ Gardner! Kelly Harrison – Part Time
Billy Worthington – Second Travelling Head Lad Ludovic Gaubussea – Senior Staff
Colin Gauntlett – Senior Staff Lindsey Bull - Level 2 NVQ
Dawn Oxley – Senior Staff Mark Clayton - Senior Staff
Elly Ravenall – Level 2 NVQ Theresa Norton – Senior Staff
Jake Hudson - Level 2 NVQ  

Young Jockeys
William McCarthy – Conditional
Michael Murphy – Conditional
James Ravenall – Amateur

Farrier
Glyn Northwood

Veterinary Surgeon
Robert Walsh M.V.B, MRCVS

Physiotherapist
Maggie Turner Grand. Dip. Phys M.C.S.P  S.R.P