As you enter into the well-equipped racing office, you would
not be mistaken to think you were in a modern, hi tech establishment in the
city,Open desk planning, wide screen T. V’s and recent racing publications, in
a comfortable break out area receives you and assures you that this
establishment is professional and the occupants know what they are about.
Brain Meehan has been a trainer not afraid of taking on the
world. Whilst winning group races in the UK, the trainer has taken on, and beaten
the best in America and Dubai.
Only settling in at Manton just outside Marlborough in 2015, the county Limerick born Irishman has approximately 70 horse in his charge.
Asked how the season was
looking for him, he mentioned,’ it’s been a quite one, but the horses are
coming into themselves now, so fingers crossed we will make up for it on the
back end of the season.’
The yard relaxed and spacious gives plenty of room for the
horse not to feel hemmed in, this included their stables in the Astor yard. Large
and airy, allowing the horse to have their own time if they want.
No mad shouts and yells from the staff, who all go about their
business knowing what they have to do, and what the guvnor expects.
The horses on show were about a dozen two year olds out for
a short canter on the gallops that are bred themselves to make champions.
Four all weather
gallops, four grass gallops, and an undercover track all to choose from
overlooking wide open spaces made for some tremendous landscape eye candy, but
more importantly allowing the horse to work at their best.
I must say though
all of the two year olds, all but two unraced seemed to settle and go about
their work in a relaxed manner.
The horses for ones starting out on their racing career
looked well. Nice strong sorts that looked fit and eager to race.
Horses
by See the Stars, Kodiak and Exceed and excel, all went about their work with
great professionalism, all looked well, and horses the trainer would hope give
him that stronger end of season he was looking for.
Brian not a trainer continually barking out orders to his
staff, which would tell you he trusts in them to do what he is looking for.
‘I
have a good bunch of staff, so I can get a little annoyed when they do
something a little daft, as I know I have staff that are very experienced.’ And
from the onset of walking into that racing office, you know you would expect.
The topic of conversation did flow a little about the
industries staffing issue, Brain commenting on the pay structure in his yard
is good for someone who wants to work in an industry that is exciting and
fulfilling, good pay, approx. 18’000 pa, pool monies that can sometimes reach
well over £1’000 and free accommodation all wrapped together in a package. To
be even thinking of coming into the industry you must already have the love,
passion and understanding of equestrianism, so you would be well aware of the
downfalls, if not experienced them already, the trainer not offering some
magic potion to cure the debate he just knows what he does and it works, and
walking around the boxes and chatting to his staff, you can see it does work,
all of them as calm, polite and knowledgeable as the trainer himself.
The trainer all too happy to let a group of enthusiasts
around his yard, unaccompanied, again showing the trainers faith not only in us
but that of his staff ended a visit that was a pleasure to be seen.
Like a good wine, the more you think of it, even after you
have drunk it the better it becomes, and as I reflect on the visit days after,
the more I felt it was a privileged to meet Brian Meehan and his team.
More images and blogs from yard visits, and racing reports from fat,
under rules and Point to point racing can be viewed at
