Where Are They Now?

We chat to successful racehorse trainer James Horton about his time at Tweenhills and his aims for the future. He also gives you not one, but two horses to follow in 2024…

“I worked at Tweenhills for a year circa 2009-10. Before I worked at Tweenhills I had been an ordinary amateur jockey, riding out for Charlie Longsdon a lot and a few other National Hunt trainers like Grant Cann down in the West Country when I was at Exeter University.

“I learnt an awful lot at Tweenhills. I learnt a huge amount about breaking in – I broke all of the yearlings in and a lot of store horses while I was there. I also learnt everything I know now about covering mares and foaling mares.

“I looked after the stallions through the season, which is something that I never thought I’d be doing. It was fascinating and I really enjoyed it. I was thrown into the deep end a little bit, but it was a great experience.

Fond memories

“I remember larking around the farm on a Sunday morning with David Redvers, schooling his hunters. Also, the sales prep I found fascinating. I’d never done one before and hand-walking yearlings was great. It was a bit of a challenge and always a bit of craic, a few loose ones here and there, but good fun.

“I don’t think any of my funniest memories from Tweenhills could be put in print! Let’s just say I enjoyed my time there.

Sent into training

“Off the back of me doing a year at Tweenhills, David has very much followed my career. He opened the door to me getting the job at Sir Mark Prescott’s, where I spent two and a half very happy years. He then opened another door for me going to Australia where I worked for Peter Moody, which was a fantastic experience.

“David has been integral to my racing career and every time I’m in need of a bit of advice, he’s always a man I would speak to. He’s someone with a strong opinion on what’s right and what’s wrong and he’s normally right.

Old chums

“I still catch up with Roisin Close of Chapel Stud at the sales as we worked together at Tweenhills. She was Stud Groom while I was there, and I learnt a huge amount from her. She was a very strong-minded woman but if you grafted for her, she would do anything for you and she’s a wonderful lady.

“As well as David, I’d obviously still be friendly with Hannah Wall. We had a good little team when I was at Tweenhills and obviously it’s a much bigger team now given how much David has expanded.

Fresh start

“Obviously, 2024 is a rebuilding year regarding my training career. Our ambition is simply to train as many winners as we can, and some nice Saturdays would be lovely. Hopefully we can continue the good work we started in Yorkshire now we’re back in Newmarket and prove to everyone we can do it on our own.

Man’s best friend

“I don’t have a huge amount of free time, but I follow the rugby very closely. We have three dogs as well and it’s always good for your mental health to take them for a nice long walk when things get a bit tough.

Plains-sailing

“Regards a horse to follow I would mention King of The Plains who we bought from Qatar Racing at the Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale. He’s an exciting horse. He’s currently rated 82 and if we can get him up in the handicap a bit then he could be running in some very nice races on Saturdays. He’s a big, raw horse who did well to do what he did at three, so hopefully there’s improvement to come. He’s a very likeable horse and doing everything right at the moment.

“If I was going to pick a two-year-old then we have a lovely Acclamation filly out of Spring Leaf, whom we bought at Tattersalls Book 2 Yearling Sale. She’s a fine, scopey filly and really furnishing into a strong-mid-season juvenile so I’d be hopeful she could do something nice.”