Featured staff profiles
At Manor House Stables we have a fantastic team of staff. So often the stories of those behind the scenes go untold. We periodically interview a member of staff and record their answers below. To view previously featured staff members, please select from the archive;
| Lizzie Lea | Amy Murphy | Chloe Black | Alex Owen | Lee Ward | Robert Davey |
| Vinod Pardeshi | Jacob Moore | Lucy Mogan | Ben Williams | Andy Jackson | Colin Gorman |
Name: |
LIZZIE LEA |
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Job role: |
Racing Secretary |
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Joined: |
January 2010 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | " I was brought up with horses and I loved going fast on my Shetland cross Welsh Mountain pony – I was inspired when Mum could not find stirrup irons small enough for me so she got some jockey irons – I thought I was a jockey, poor pony! I used to watch racing on tv when I was little and ride a finish on the arm of the sofa in unison with the tv. Lots of competing on ponies throughout my childhood and teenage years and I loved cross country and hunting as it was the closest thing I could get to racing. At that time there was no pony racing which was a shame as I had some wickedly fast ponies. Eventually when I was 17 I traded my eventing pony in for a two year old unbroken TB, who I backed and then rode in a few local point to points. As soon as I could drive I rode out for a local trainer in Cheshire and then got a full time job with Henrietta Knight. From there: point to pointed a bit, rode out for various trainers, worked on racecourses – basically racing all the way because I initially loved the idea of going fast over fences!" |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Jonny Mudball because he is a dude and I like Marine Boy because he has lots of character too and I hope he gets back onto a racecourse soon and fulfils his potential." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | " Ruby Walsh was always a firm favourite but Sam Thomas is good looking but probably far too young for me to say that." |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "I am going to be greedy and put 3: Managing to get home for the first time in a point to point on a horse that I had backed and trained myself. I felt like I had won the Gold Cup – we were only 5th but it was an amazing feeling. Leading up my very first winner: Baby John at Taunton – he was such a kind lovely horse with hairy ears and I used to ride him out every day. Kauto Star winning back at Haydock – I love that horse but even I thought retire him but he just jumped from fence to fence and really stuck two fingers up to everyone – what an animal to come back each year and perform to such a high standard." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | " I have quieted down these days and think the only horse I could ride now in a point to point would be Kauto Star. So I like re-schooling and eventing my ex-racehorse and going hunting occasionally. Also quite sad but I compete in dog agility with Boots my scruffy collie. Really love surfing and skiing too and obviously going racing but mainly these days just to Bangor and Chester." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | " Mullit – he is going to be a pocket rocket with attitude – also has a cool name and likes polos." |
Archived staff profiles
Name: |
AMY MURPHY |
 |
Job role: |
BARN LEADER & PUPIL ASSISTANT |
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Joined: |
November 2010 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I've always been brought up around horses and very quickly got the racing bug. As soon as I was old enough I rode out in all my spare time at weekends and school holidays for Ed McMahon, John Mackie and Nicky Henderson. After much falling out, Dad [owner/breeder Paul Murphy] and I struck a deal that I could leave school at 16 to go and study at an equine college rather than follow in my sisters' and brothers' footsteps and go to university! After joining Manor House Stables last year I'm now living the dream on the long road to one day hopefully becoming a trainer!" |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Kenny Powers has been a big favourite of mine from very early on but I couldn't pick between him and Moody Tunes, they are both very close to my heart. I feel very lucky to have been involved with a horse which is good enough to make it over to race in Dubai!" |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Erm not sure, certainly not Ross Atkinson! ;-)" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "There have been a lot of great days over jumps when we have had any home bred winner but the best would be Aegean Dawn giving Dad his first Cheltenham winner, that was a very special day to get a winner at the home of jump racing. At Manor House it would be Zennor winning at Hamilton and Rhythm Of Light and Brown Panther winning at Royal Ascot." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Mainly racing but when I get time I love going hunting but obviously socialising as well!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Of the two-year-olds, Dutch Art x Naomi Wildman and of the older horses, Menelik and Winter Hill could be racing off very attractive marks in 2012. I also think Hung Parliament can bounce back after being gelded." |
Name: |
CHLOE BLACK |
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Job role: |
STABLE LAD |
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Joined: |
June 2009 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I started working for Reg Hollinshead at Upper Longdon when I was still at school, just mucking out and stuff as a weekend job. My Nan and Grandad were into racing and they used to go racing and always have it on the telly, so I got into it as well. I left school at 16 and went straight to the British Racing School. After the nine week course, in which I did my Level 2, I stayed in Newmarket for 18 months working for Mark Tompkins. Eventually I left Mark's and came to work at Manor House Stables in June 2009. I thought it would be a really good move for my career, coming to an up-and-coming yard like this, plus my family were all local." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "It's got to be Ballista. He was my first winner of the horses that I look after. He was the first winner I led up. I love him, he's got a great temperament and I've looked after him ever since he's been here." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Paul Mulrennan. He's also a nice guy!" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "Must be leading up my first winner, Ballista at Haydock on debut, that was great. I also led Pyman's Theory at Sandown in the National Stakes, another horse I look after, that was brilliant to bring her back into the winners' enclosure having won a listed race." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Shopping, socialising, going out to dinner with my friends, and going racing!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Of the colts, Electric Qatar. I rode him once and he gave me a really nice feel and I like his breeding and confirmation. Of the fillies I'll go for the also unraced Nayef filly." |
Name: |
ALEX OWEN |
 |
Job role: |
Accountant |
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Joined: |
Tom in March 2009 and MHS in November 2009 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I had the misfortune to spend three years at Bristol University living with horse racing fanatic and now good friend Ben Hutton. I studied Maths and Ben studied Physics before transferring to Equine Science after his first year (good move)! We both only had lectures in the morning and Ben spent all afternoon hogging the common room TV watching horse racing. It wasn't long before I was hooked! After university we both spent a few months travelling the USA, where we did the American Triple Crown and visited Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky. Upon returning, Ben started working for Coral where he still works now and I began as a trainee accountant at Ernst & Young. After four years at EY I qualified as an accountant and began looking for a job in racing. Within weeks of starting to look I saw an advert in the Racing Post for 'Racing Accountant' (I had no idea such a job existed!) with Tom at ONEWAY. I'd followed Tom as a trainer and it felt the perfect place to start. I went for the job and started at ONEWAY in March 2009." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Predictably I will have to say Ballista [pictured above after winning at Haydock], not least because I have a small share in him (and named him)! He's been an intriging horse to be involved with and I'm sure we haven't seen the best of him yet. Of the others I do like Jonny Mudball and if I could choose to be involved with any other horse in the yard then it would be him. He's been incredibly honest and consistent but like Ballista, I still think there is more to come." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Unoriginal, but has to be Hayley Turner to bring up the hattrick!" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "On the flat it would have to be either Ballista winning first time up at Haydock (my first experience as an 'owner'), or being at Chester when Julius Geezer won the Manor House Stables Lily Agnes Stakes (a huge relief, in part because we recovered most of our sponsorship fee - ha ha!!), with Sea The Stars' Arc a close third! In National Hunt it's any one of a number of Gold Cups that I've had the privilege to attend. Best Mate's third, Kauto's second, Denman's and Long Run's Gold Cups will all live long in the memory." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Obviously watching and following horse racing, but aside from that I still watch football (support soon-to-be Championship side Southampton FC, fingers crossed) and most other sports (when I'm allowed)! I also play the piano and enjoy spending time with my rapidly growing family!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Lots to choose from but I'll try to go for a few original picks: Party Doctor and Marine Boy to bounce back to the form they showed as 2yos and Chosen Character who looks potentially well handicapped. Of the fillies I'll go for Ash Cloud (Hurricane Run) and Ninety Nine Roses; both unraced 3yos." |
Name: |
LEE WARD |
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Job role: |
BARN LEADER |
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Joined: |
November 2010 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "Coming from a non racing background and the middle of Salford in Manchester, it wasn't a decision any of my family saw coming! I wrote a letter to Haydock who recommended the British Racing School. Having gone for interviews and basically keeping a long story short, I went on to learn all the basics at the racing school. Having never sat on a horse or knowing the front end from the back end it's taken 9 years to get where I am now. Being NVQ qualified and having a few race rides it was easily the best decision I made in my life." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "My favourite horse is a lovable rogue Julius Geezer. There's something about him, he is a lovely little horse and I hope this season brings more success." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Will have to be unoriginal and say Hayley Turner, by a mile the best looking lady in racing." |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "Mana D'Argent, a horse I looked after while at Mark Jonstone's. At Ascot, Joe Fanning gave him a hell of a ride and came from second last turning the home bend and galloped through the pack and won by a neck from a horse who has never tried before or after. He was my favourite ever horse and a big reason why I am still in racing, as the determination he had and experiencing him winning at Ascot gave me my first taste of 'real' racing." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Obviously I closely follow racing. Outside racing I enjoy reading Simon Scarrow's 'Cato Legacy' books. I love greyhound racing too and often go to Monmore, hopefully going to get another greyhound this year in training. I also like football and follow Manchester United." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Dark horse for this year is of the fillies Present Danger and Sunday Bess. Of the others I think Brown Panther and Julius Geezer should have a big 2011." |
Name: |
ROBERT DAVEY |
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Nickname: |
'BOBBY' |
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Job role: |
WORK PLACEMENT |
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Joined: |
Jan 2010 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I grew up watching racing on TV with my Grandad and Dad. Then going to local tracks like Newton Abbot, Taunton and Exeter. After school I got on a course at Warwickshire College that specialised in Horse Racing. I'm going into my final year in September after I finish my work placement at Manor House." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Coconut Ice. She was the first horse I saw in the trotting ring on my first day, she nearly always has her head out the window! And I like chesnuts!" |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Hayley Turner." |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "With Manor House Stables it has to be when Julius Geezer won the Lily Agnes at Chester's May Meeting. Winning the sponsored race always helps! Being with some of the owners, the elation was fantastic. Outside of the yard, last November at Cheltenham's Open Meeting on the Sunday witnessing Well Chief's winning return. Will to me be a horse that should have won a Queen Mother but for injury and the great 2 milers Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop (the Tingle Creek featuring these three was one of the great races personally)." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "At present very racing focused, but enjoy time out at Woolacombe back home with mates; enjoying the beach, sea, bbqs and the odd drink! Other than that just enjoy going out with mates." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Deep Impact ex Lhiz. It will be very interesting to see how this filly works out as she is from the first crop of Deep Impact, who could potentially be a useful/great sire. Plus as she's currently not even named she's a very dark horse!!" |
Name: |
VINOD PARDESHI |
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Nickname: |
'VINNIE' |
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Job role: |
YARDMAN |
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Joined: |
August 2007 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "My elder brother is a jockey in India and my younger brother is a farrier, so I have been keenly interested and working in racing for the past nine to ten years." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Jonny Mudball [pictured]." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Ryan Moore!" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "Since I came to the UK at Manor House Stables, I saw that things are very different here compared to India. The ground changes all the time; good one minute, soft the next!! Medically, things are more advanced. I've learned many things at Manor House Stables and I am always trying my best to improve how I work. Being at my work place is my best racing experience." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Watching and playing cricket." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Rhythm Of Light." |
Name: |
JACOB MOORE |
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Job role: |
STABLE LAD |
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Joined: |
September 2009 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "As a young lad, I worked for a small national hunt yard and it just went from there." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Of the colts, it's gotta be Julius Geezer and Red Presence. I also like the filly Adele Blanc Sec." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Well, at the yard, I'm going to have to say Carrie Ford! Outside the yard, what about Venetia Williams?!" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "That would be leading up my first winner as well as getting best turned out with Valmina. Apart from that, I think there will be more good racing experiences to look forward to..." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Playing football on Monday evenings with the lads. Normally I go snowboarding in the winter months and in the summer I go fishing. I like anything that gives me an adrenaline rush basically!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Red Presence." |
Name: |
LUCY MOGAN |
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Job role: |
STABLE LAD |
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Joined: |
Tom in August 2008MHS in November 2009 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I started having riding lessons at a local riding school when I was 8, and then started working there on weekends when I was 13. I've always watched racing on TV. I went to the Northern Racing College in May 2006 until August that year before joining Ferdy Murphy. I've also worked for Simon West and Kate Milligan before coming to Tom's." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Prince Of Dance first of all, but also Brouhaha, who won five times when I was looking after him." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Andrew Flintoff." |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "It's yet to come. I just got my amateur licence so I'm waiting for a winner!" |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Socialising, going racing, going to the gym, swimming and watching Glee!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Un-named One Cool Cat colt, I can't believe he's unsold!!! I also like the filly Water Ice." |
Name: |
BEN WILLIAMS |
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Job role: |
STABLE LAD |
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Joined: |
Started work experience for 2 weeks in July 2008.Worked Saturdays whilst at racing school, before starting full time in September 2009. |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "My auntie and uncle had show ponies which I competed on at county level when I was 11 years old. If it wasn't for my auntie I wouldn't be where I am now." |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Paddy Partridge, he's so cool!" |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Easy - Chloe Black." |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "I've only ever been twice and they were both great experiences. The first was with Major Monty at Wolverhampton and the second was more recently when Nubar Boy ran 4th at Lingfield." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "Gymnastics, which I did for 10 years and competed in the Welsh National squad. I also enjoy trampolining, fishing and play 5-a-side football on Monday nights with the other lads from the yard." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Transvaal Sky." |
Name: |
ANDY JACKSON |
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Job role: |
HEAD LAD |
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Joined: |
Joined Tom Dascombe at ONEWAY in August 2008 |
|
Andy Jackson riding work on Blackleyf (right) |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "I was brought up with horses as a kid as I grew up on a farm. My love of horses led to me being involved at 17 years old on an apprentice exchange in France at Jonathan Pease's yard in Chantilly.When I was 20 I had my first ride for Captain Tim Forster in a Novice Chase on a horse that had never completed over hurdles. I will leave you to guess what happened with that one!" |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "The next winner. Oh, and Classic Colori - I dream about him in my sleep!" |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Frankie Pickard" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "Working for Tom, looking towards the future and being up with the best. I also really enjoyed working for Captain Tim Forster. I rode work on Dublin Flyer & Pegwell Bay." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "PUB SPORTS & being involved in racing 'cos it beats working." |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Of the fillies; Adele Blanc Sec, and of the colts; Classic Colori and Wisecraic." |
Name: |
COLIN GORMAN |
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Nickname: |
'CAGEY' |
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Job role: |
ASSISTANT TRAINER |
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Joined: |
1 August 2009 |
Q: |
"How did you get involved in racing?" |
| A: | "Just family involvement at a young age. It's a bug that is hard to brush off, but I work hard and play hard so I love it really!" |
Q: |
"Which is your favourite horse at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "Simple, the last winner." |
Q: |
"Who's your most fanciable racing personality?" |
| A: | "Well, obviously I don't fancy anybody else anymore since my new wife, she won't let me! On the other hand, I'd love to show Louise Redknapp around Manor House Stables!" |
Q: |
"What's your best racing experience?" |
| A: | "Probably Manor House Stables' first winner for Tom Dascombe, Mondovi in September of last year." |
Q: |
"What are your hobbies?" |
| A: | "The two G's; golf and guinness. Aside from winding up Michael Owen about his latest hair style of course!" |
Q: |
"What's your dark horse to watch out for at Manor House Stables?" |
| A: | "There's so many to choose from, but I'll give you one colt and one filly; Jonny Mudball and Transvaal Sky." |
