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Meet the Team
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. 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!
George Sturgis - Stable Staff/ Work Rider
George is an accomplished Event rider and is a great asset to our team. George helps with schooling the horses & going racing.
Lizzy Skidmore - Stable Staff/Rider
Lizzy joined us in January on completion of the 18 week course at the Northern Racing College. Lizzy is a lovely quiet rider & has sloted into the team perfectly. We are glad to have her here to complete her apprenticeship.
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 - Senior Work Rider
Ellas has been with for years now & has fast become a cruical member of the team. Ella started out working weekends here as a teenager and quickly progressed. Ella is an exceptional horsewoman and helps break in the youngsters, goes racing and rides all the horses .
Tom Caffyn - Full Time Yard Man
Tom has joined us with a wealth of experience gained from eight solid years at Gary Moores. Tom shows incredible work ethic and heaps of experience going racing, dealing with the vets and managing the day to day running of the yard.
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 and always gives good feedback after races.
Tabitha Worsley - Conditional 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.
Hannah Payne- Full Time Senior Rider/Assistant Head Girl
Hannah joined us at the beginning of the season and comes with a wealth of experience. Hannah is an exceptional rider and skilled horse woman a die are so lucky to have her. She can support Kirsty while she is racing or away and lives on site.
Kyle Lowery - Vet
Kyle is our dedicated vet, he knows all our racehorses inside & out and is a key part of our team.
Weekend Team
We have a fabulous team of young staff to cover the weekend. Erin, Lily, Beth, Anina and Rowan.
All horse lovers who ride or have their own horse at home.
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