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| Hughie Morrison master of Summerdown stables |
As horses were beginning to pull out for exercise, I'm introduced to the master of Summerdown, Hughie Morrison mentioned’ great, you
can come up to the gallops with me, and have the pleasure of seeing the horses pull out, it’s were the real action is.’
Hughie started to point out horses breeding and racing history as he was legging up the
lads and lasses, giving instructions as he got into the Landover.
Not full of his
own self-importance but actually showing an interest in what others had to say.
You could
genuinely felt that the trainer was interested in your opinions, then
made his observations and the conversation continued.
‘Ah yes, it’s the same
area, same gallops just a different surface, the yard I’m in used to be a barn in those days,
Oliver Sherwood building the yard when he started, You’ll probably know the
grass gallops they haven't changed, they are proper turf gallops and very
good.’
We were going to watch some of Hughie’s two-year-olds work
out, some setting foot on the historic turf for the first time. ‘We are lucky
to have these facilities; a lot of National hunt trainers ask to use these
gallops in the winter.’
The trainer watching and commenting with enthusiasm as his
young charges went about their work, each of them known by name by the trainer,who also was fluent in the breeding of his young stock.
The trainer not only showed enthusiasm for his horses but for his work force also. They got great praise and recognition.
Hughie Morrison has
always spoken highly of the lads and lasses that do the work calling them backbone of racing, and as shown on the journey up to the gallops you could
actually see the trainer take interest in what the lads had to say about their
rides,
‘should I run him?’ ‘Am i working her hard enough?’’ where should I run
that on next?’ Were all questions Hughie
Morrison had to ask his staff, he actually made you feel his yard was a team, and that the lads and lasses had a hand in training the horses they care for.
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| Three two year old do a piece of work on the grass gallops |
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| Pre-work up the one mile wood chip surface |
‘I’m really lucky than others with staff, it helps being in
a village environment, but our ratio of horses to lads or lasses is very good
compared to other trainers. It’s very important within the industry.
’
The former assistant trainer to Paul Cole had plenty to talk
about racecourses he likes to send runners to, and ones he is not so happy to travel to.
‘ I like the July
course at Newmarket, but the Rowley mile is just a little too bumpy for my
liking,they seem to have overwork it a little too much. Windsor and Newbury for the
maidens are nice and they are local, but Salisbury racecourse I just cannot get on with.’
These are all subject to opinion, but it must be noted the trainer
knows what he likes and dislikes and is well worth listening to.
A tour around
Summerdown stables showed that it consisted of two yards, the upper yard
being the homes for the newer arrivals to go under the trainers eye.
The horses all seemed content and relaxed. The staff worked
with efficiency and professionalism
which showed this establishment was as professional as all other trainers.
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| Horses are put in he horse walker before the gallops to stretch |
But I feel the last word should go in pictures to the staff
of Summerdown whose leader relies and respects what they do so much.
More stable visit blogs and Images can be seen at
