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Team
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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.
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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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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Young Jockeys |
| William McCarthy – Conditional |
| Michael Murphy – Conditional |
| James Ravenall – Amateur |
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| Veterinary Surgeon |
| Robert Walsh M.V.B, MRCVS |
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| Physiotherapist |
| Maggie
Turner Grand. Dip. Phys M.C.S.P S.R.P |
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