Yearly Archives: 2019

The 2019-20 season might have seemed almost a routine further step up the ladder for the Fergal O’Brien stable, but in fact it was considerably more than that. Having been closely allied, first as assistant trainer for many years, and then as tenant to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies in his Upper Yard at Naunton, Gloucestershire for…

Charlie Longsdon. Charlie Longsdon has more than a little in common with another of our trainers, Ben Pauling. Like Ben he was a former assistant trainer to Nicky Henderson, just vacating that role when Ben was moving into position, to set up his own business in Oxfordshire in 2006. They are also both tall (very…

Ali Stronge, with her husband, former jump jockey Sam, himself son of NH rider Robert, has been gradually upgrading their joint-purpose yard near Lambourn. They have deservedly earned the reputation of getting the best out of their generally modestly-priced horses. In the summer of 2019 they had a crippling virus which held them back severely…

It is hard to believe that Ben Pauling has held a trainer’s licence since 2013. He has certainly not stood still since ending those six years as assistant trainer to Nicky Henderson, one of many to learn at the feet of the UK’s greatest-ever Cheltenham-winning handler. Pauling made an impressive start, guiding the highly-talented Barters…