The Horse Racing Club

My interest in racing and predominantly Point to pointing started at an earlier age having caught the bug off my father. This was only heightened when my family got involved in ownership in 1997 with pointing legend Dick Baimbridge. This season brought our first taste of success when Dante’s Pride won a maiden at Chaddesley Corbett (coincidently our local track). He was no great shakes and wanted the ground like a road, and although he tried he couldn’t add to this his sole triumph. As it stands at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, we have had 15 successes in the family colours. Of these, 12 were gained by a great servant to both ourselves and Dick, called Well Ted. He ran for us for 8 seasons from 1999 and was successful in each of those except 2006, his last when the age of 14. We were very lucky to get such genuine and consistent horse, and will do well to get another one half as good as him.

Having had two horses who only saw the track on one occasion, you really have to appreciate the good ones. Our current pointer, a very exciting horse (to watch as well as ride so I’m told!) named Parsifal came good at the end of last season gaining 2 successes. He has speed to burn and likes to use it from the off, and hopefully he can provide us with more fun this year as he steps up in grade. My association with the industry has been in the most part as a keen race goer. That said I have kept my hand in so to speak both through the yard of Dick Baimbridge, and also local permit holder Alan Hollingsworth who I worked for during the 2003 season after I finished my A levels. This was a great experience, and I met great people who I am still good friends with. I still give a hand when needed to Alan and his assistant Sharon Smith, who was responsible for Gallik Dawns success at Cheltenham’s hunter chase evening when taking the 2007 4 mile race.

Due to my love of the sport, in 2004 I chose to embark on a Business and Management for the Horseracing Industry degree. I am glad to say I graduated with honours in the summer of 2007 and met some great people along the way including Tom Weston (with Dr Richard Newland) and Andy Corbett (assistant to Chris Bealby) who are both successful point to point/amateur riders.  I joined The Horseracing Club following my graduation and have had some great times during the last two years both on the track and visiting the horses at yards. I look forward to a exciting season pointing, and hope to see some of you along the way following the progress of Ben and our equine representatives.

Regards David 

P.S If anyone requires any more information please feel free to contact me on 07852254398.