The Team | Nickgiffordracing

Meet the Team

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Nick Gifford - Trainer

Grade 1 winning Racehorse Trainer. Nick started training in 2003, taking over from his father Josh. He trained Point to Pointers for a few years before taking over Downs Stables. Nick has had many good horses such as Straw Bear who won the Top Novice at Aintree, The Fighting Fifth and The Christmas Hurdle all ridden by A.P.McCoy.

Ruth Gifford

Ruth runs the business side of things, finance, marketing, staff, holidaylets & syndicates. Ruth supports Nick at home and at the races. Ruth manages the social media, sources the lease horses and re -homes the Ex-racehorses. She also looks after the staff, organises the weekend rotas, recruits the staff and deals with any HR issues.

Kirsty Huff - Head Girl

Kirsty is our Head Girl, with vast experience not only as a work rider but she has worked in both flat and jump yards. Kirsty has also worked with Breakers and in Pre Training. It is great to have someone with her experience & racing knowledge. She is a great assest to our team.

Oliver Goldstein - Stable Staff/Rider

Ollie has joined us after completing the 12 week course at The British Racing School. Ollie is proving to be very hardworking & he is a very kind & sympathetic rider, it comes naturally to him after being bred into the sport with his Dad, Uncle and Grandad all being jockeys!

Hannah Payne - Senior Staff/Work Rider

Hannah joined us last season with a wealth of knowledge after working with Pre Trainers for many years. She is an asset to the yard and covers Kirsty when she is away from the yard.

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Lizzy Skidmore - Stable Staff/Work Rider

Lizzy joined us from The Northern Racing College. Lizzy is a keen learner & her riding has come on leaps & bounds. She has become an integral part of the team.

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Casey Watson- Stable Hand

Casey is a valued member of our weekend team & evening team, she also loves to go racing.
Casey works in aviation during the week and helps us whenever she is available.

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Ella Garland - Part TimeWork Rider

Ella has been with us for a few years now after she started out working weekends. Ella rides out 3 days a week currently along side her other job. She is a goo work rider & also helps with the breakers.

Tom Caffyn - Yard Hand
Tom has joined us with a wealth of experience gained from eight solid years at Gary Moores. Tom shows incredible work ethic & enjoys going racing, dealing with the vets and managing the day to day running of the yard.

Ryan - Senior Staff/Work Rider/Tractor Driver

Ryan has joined us this season after a stint on the flat for Clive Cox & formerly working for Toby Lawes. Ryan is also our Tractor driver, harrowing the gallops & emptying trailers etc..

Lois Williams - Senior Staff/Work Rider

Lois has also joined us this season after working for Mr Andrew Wates for the last 10 years. She is a great horse women & has a real love and passion for her horses.

Tabitha Worsley - Second Jockey

We are very lucky to have Tabitha come school our horses. We have a long standing connection with Tabs, she is like one of the family having worked for us many years ago. She is a valuable member of the team and rides exceptionally.

Stuart Packham - Farrier

Stuart is our farrier who has worked for Nick & the yard for many years. Stuart is very good at remedial shoeing requirements & working closely with the vet if needed. Stuart is also the farrier at Goodwood Racecourse.

James Davies - Jockey

James has been with us for many years now. An under rated jockey who has ridden us many winners. James is an exceptional rider who looks after our horses & always gives good feedback after races.

Meet the Team

Hannah Payne - Senior Staff/Work Rider Hannah joined us last season with a wealth of knowledge after working with Pre Trainers for many years. She is an asset to the yard and covers Kirsty when she is away from the yard.

Lizzy Skidmore - Stable Staff/Work Rider ​ Lizzy joined us from The Northern Racing College. Lizzy is a keen learner & her riding has come on leaps & bounds. She has become an integral part of the team.

Casey Watson- Stable Hand Casey is a valued member of our weekend team & evening team, she also loves to go racing. Casey works in aviation during the week and helps us whenever she is available.

Ella Garland - Part TimeWork Rider Ella has been with us for a few years now after she started out working weekends. Ella rides out 3 days a week currently along side her other job. She is a goo work rider & also helps with the breakers.

Tom Caffyn - Yard Hand Tom has joined us with a wealth of experience gained from eight solid years at Gary Moores. Tom shows incredible work ethic & enjoys going racing, dealing with the vets and managing the day to day running of the yard.

Ryan - Senior Staff/Work Rider/Tractor Driver Ryan has joined us this season after a stint on the flat for Clive Cox & formerly working for Toby Lawes. Ryan is also our Tractor driver, harrowing the gallops & emptying trailers etc..

Tabitha Worsley - Second Jockey We are very lucky to have Tabitha come school our horses. We have a long standing connection with Tabs, she is like one of the family having worked for us many years ago. She is a valuable member of the team and rides exceptionally.

Stuart Packham - Farrier Stuart is our farrier who has worked for Nick & the yard for many years. Stuart is very good at remedial shoeing requirements & working closely with the vet if needed. Stuart is also the farrier at Goodwood Racecourse.

James Davies - Jockey James has been with us for many years now. An under rated jockey who has ridden us many winners. James is an exceptional rider who looks after our horses & always gives good feedback after races.