Staff at Manor House Stables

Colin has known Tom for 10 years, having both arrived in Lambourn on the same day back in the late 90s, beginning jobs as assistant trainer for John Hills and Ralph Beckett respectively. Colin and Tom became good friends over this time and lived together for 4 years. Colin eventually moved back to Ireland, but in the summer of 2009 Tom approached him in regard to over-seeing the operation at Manor House Stables while Tom remained in Lambourn until the end of the season. Colin took up the challenge and is now a permanent member of the Manor House Stables team. Colin has recently tied the knot with Helen.

Andy joined Tom at Lambourn in August 2008 as head lad, just prior to the expansion of the ONEWAY operation. Following Tom's decision to move to Cheshire, Andy was seen as an integral member of the team and was asked to relocate. Andy has worked in racing his whole life and has a wealth of experience when it comes to riding and breaking horses.

Graham's first job in racing came when he joined Tom at ONEWAY in March 2008 as a yardman and quickly worked his way up to travelling head lad by May 2009. During his time at ONEWAY Graham passed his NVQ Level 2 and his DEFRA certificate in loading and unloading. Graham had previously worked for the AA in Dudley. Following Tom's move to MHS in November 2009, Graham and his family have relocated to Cheshire. Graham's favourite moment in the industry came when Noverre To Go won the Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot in August 2009. Graham was nominated by Tom for the 2009 Stud & Stable Staff Awards and was shortlisted.

Marie joined Manor House Stables in March 2007 as travelling head girl. She had previously worked at Brian Meehan's in Lambourn as a stable lass. She then moved to Cheshire in 2000 pursuing her interest in point to pointing before working at Bearstone Stud as a stud groom prior to moving to MHS. Marie, originally from London, first fell in love with horses after having riding lessons when she was 10. She spent much of her teenage years working at riding schools near Richmond Park and has worked in the industry ever since.

Born in Palma, Majorca, Theo moved to Minorca aged 5. His first experience of horses came when a friend introduced him to trotting which eventually led to Theo training two trotters. Whilst training, Theo was encouraged by a work-rider to ride horses instead of trotters. Theo worked for a variety of trainers in Minorca, most notably Antonio Roca, riding 23 winners before moving to Madrid to ride out. In the mid-90s Theo moved to the UK, working initially for Mark Tompkins, then Paul Cole, John Gosden, James Fanshawe and finally Clive Brittain. He then returned to Spain as a trainer for 18 months, in which time he trained 1 winner. After a short spell with Jean-Claude Rouget, Theo then returned to the UK, joining MHS in march 2009.

Paul began watching racing from the age of 14 with his Grandad. At 15 Paul started an apprenticeship with Morris Camacho before going to France on work experience. In 1988 Paul joined Geoff Wragg as stable lad. Following periods work riding in Macau and Scandinavia, Paul worked for James Fanshawe as travelling head lad until 1992. After another spell abroad, in America, Paul joined Sir Michael Stoute's in 1998 where he managed the equine swimming pool. Paul's favourite moment in racing came when a horse he looked after, Tajaweed, won the Dee Stakes prior to a run in the Derby. Paul joined the team at Manor House Stables in Dec 2009.

Richard first got in the saddle at the age of 12 when he started having riding lessons at the Gordano Valley Riding Centre. He then worked ponies at weekends on Brean Beech near Weston-super-Mare where he grew up. At 16 he attended the British Racing School in Newmarket before joining Roger Charlton as an apprentice. Richard got his first ride on Famous Grouse at Epsom in August 2004. In August 2007, after 4 years at Roger's, Richard was approached by Tom and the pair have never looked back. Richard's greatest moments to date came when winning the G2 July Stakes and G2 Superlative Stakes aboard Classic Blade and Firth Of Fifth respectively in the summer of 2008.

Richard's first job in racing was at David Elsworth's stable as a yardman. He first sat on a horse when David sent him to join the British Racing School in 1994. Richard stayed at David's for a year before spending 2 years with Lady Herries, for whom he gained his first ride, aged 18. His first winner came at Nad Al Sheba, for Sheikh Mohammed's Daughter. 'Smithy' joined Richard Hannon in 1997 where he stayed for 13 years, riding over 1,000 horses for the yard. His favourite moment with Hannon came when winning a valuable handicap at Ascot on Hail The Chief at 33/1 in 2001. Richard began riding for Tom at ONEWAY in June 2009 riding his first winner for the yard on Diapason at Leicester in July.

Ross owes his interest in racing to his Cousin, who used to work in the industry and gave Ross a lot of help and support in his early days. Ross worked for the Caldwell's in Warrington aged 14 until he left school. He then moved straight to Gary Moore's for 2 years, a period he remembers fondly as he learnt a lot there and was very well looked after. It was for Gary that Ross got his first ride, on Turner's Touch in Sept 2007, finishing 2nd. Ross began to get rides for Tom in the early part of 2008, eventually joining ONEWAY as an apprentice in March 2008. Ross's favourite moment in racing came when winning on Clifton Dacner at Newbury in May 2008.

Sonia grew up with horses. She started work experience at 15 with Brian Baugh and ended up staying there for six years. She had her first ride for Brian at 17 and rode her first winner on a horse called Jalouhar at Wolverhampton when she was 18, on only her third ride. Her favourite moment in racing was when she rode a 100/1 winner at Great Yarmouth on Avoncreek. She joined Manor House Stables in July 2009.

Lizzie joined Manor House Stables as Racing Secretary in January 2010 following a three year spell at the Racecourse Association as Communications Assistant.  A graduate from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, she also had spells as stable lass at Henrietta Knight's, secretary to Kim Bailey and ticket sales manager at Chester Racecourse. Born and bred in rural Cheshire, Lizzie has been involved with horses from a young age. She has ridden out for a variety of trainers and has trained and ridden her own point to pointers.

Alex started his first job in racing when he joined Tom at ONEWAY in April 2009. This was preceded by 4 years at Ernst & Young in Reading where he qualified as a chartered certified accountant in February 2009. Following Tom's move to Cheshire, Alex decided to join the Manor House Stables team and having initially spent six months making the weekly commute back to Reading he has now recently moved to the local village of Tattenhall with his family. Alex's interest as a racing fan dates back to his early Bristol University days and it was always his plan to pursue a job in the industry following qualification.

After graduating from Manchester University in Business Studies and then studying at the College of Law, Karen trained as a lawyer with Merseyside Law firms DWF and Wilde & Co. Karen joined Manor House Stables in January 2007 and helped set up many aspects of the company with her brother Michael. Karen is now employed as Estates Manager which is a varied role incorporating health & safety, HR, the land, first aid and running the operator's licence amongst other things. Outside work Karen enjoys spending time with her family and participating in a variety of sports including horse riding, circuit training and running.

Robert began a work placement at Manor House Stables in Jan 2010 from Warwickshire College where he studies Equine Business Management, specialising in horse racing. Rob's interest in racing comes from his father; an Exmoor farmer who is also a bookies runner for his cousin at south-west racecourses.

Cheshire born and bred Ben Williams owes his interest in horses to his Aunty who had show ponies that he used to compete at County Level. Ben joined Manor House Stables following his school two week work placement in May 2009. He then rode out on Saturdays and started full time after completing his NVQ at British Racing School in September.

Carrie has been riding out at Manor House Stables since November 2009. She rode as a professional in both codes, riding 3 winners from 21 rides on the flat and 27 winners from 188 rides over jumps. Her most notable achievements were riding Forest Gunner to a victory in the 2004 Foxhunters Chase at Aintree and subsequently riding to same horse to a 5th place in the 2005 Grand National, for which he started 8/1 second favourite.

Chris has worked at Manor House Stables since March 2007. He previously rode as a professional, riding one winner on Bogaz in November 2004 from 41 career rides.

Brought up in rural South Gloucestershire, Jake rode ponies when he was a child. He also worked Saturday mornings in a local National Hunt yard were he got to go hunting on a regular basis. He left school at 16 and spent two months work experience at Alan King's stables in Wiltshire. From Alan's he went to the British Racing School in Newmarket and then started full time at Manor House Stables in September 2009.

Lee rides out at Manor House Stables on a freelance basis. He has been a professional jockey since 2000, clocking 140 wins from 1912 rides.

Lucy worked for Tom in Lambourn at ONEWAY before joining Manor House Stables in November 2010.

Once a jump jockey, winning 15 times in Italy, Marco joined Manor House Stables in February 2009 following a 15 year spell in Italy riding freelance for a variety of trainers including Borromeo.

Shezada joined Manor House Stables in April 2007, the day the yard was set up. He came to Britain 6 years ago and first worked for John Gosden. He had previously spent 18 years in Pakistan where he rode over 200 winners. Shezada lives on site with his wife Aliya and son Jawad.

Mark Andrews MRCVS is the partner in charge of the equine side and brings extensive experience in equine medicine and surgery having worked both in Cheshire and for Europe's foremost equine hospital in Newmarket.

Matthew O'Donnell MRCVS has recently returned to the UK from employment as racing vet and surgeon at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Forden Farriers was founded over 30 years ago and is headed by Jim Blurton. Recognised by his peers and customers alike as one of the world's best farriers, Jim was crowned 2005 World Champion Farrier. Jim has trained over 20 farriers, many who have gone on to international honours. There are 11 farriers working at the practice, with Jim and Davey Calko overseeing the MHS operation along with Rob Turnbull and apprentices Katie Grose, James Gand and Dan Rabin. Forden Farriers also looks after the International Event, Show Jumping, Dressage and Stud Yards.

Rebecca qualified from Hartpury College with an Equine Science Honours Degree in 2000. During the last ten years she has worked for some of the country's leading trainers. Rebecca works to support the musculo-skeletal system by minimising pain and decreasing recovery times. Using up to date treatments with proven results including laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and faradic treatments, Rebecca helps to enable horses to withstand the rigors of training.