Kate Walton Racing ~ our staff

KATE WALTON

As the daughter of one of Middleham's most successful trainers (Sam Hall) Kate has been involved in racing all her life. Sam was a legendary trainer of handicappers, winning the Ayr Gold Cup, the Ebor Handicap (3 times), the Yorkshire Cup, the November Handicap (5 times), the Cesarewitch, the Lincoln, the Magnet Cup, the Royal Hunt Cup and the top 2yo race now known as the Dewhurst. He also finished runner up in the trainers championship.

Growing up in this environment sparked Kate's desire to work with and train racehorses. She was successful as a lady amateur rider, winning the Ladies Derby on Voucher Book. Whilst raising a young family she successfully ran a livery yard and trained her own horses before deciding to continue the family tradition and obtain a licence to train both Flat and National Hunt racehorses.

Since taking out her trainers licence in 2001 the number of winners and amount of prize money has increased year on year. With her background, she has the knowledge and experience to benefit the racehorses in her charge and their owners. She is always available to help and advise and owners are welcome to visit their horses at anytime. Potential new owners are also welcome to visit the yard to see what we have to offer

Best part of my job: Having winners, Seeing the young horses developing, Getting to know the horses

Worst part of my job: Any injury/loss of a horse

Favourite Horse: Too many to mention

Favourite Racecourse: Any racetrack which looks after my owners well. Scottish Racing should be given a special mention as well as Haydock.

Favourite Film/Actor: I do

What would you choose as your last meal? Fillet Steak

RICHIE McGRATH

Born and raised in County Tipperary, Ireland, Richie came to England at the age of 16 to join Jonjo O'Neill's yard. He was a successful conditional jockey for 9 years before deciding to stay in the North when Jonjo moved South.

Since then he has ridden for a number of trainers and is a great asset to the yard. He has had many big race winners including the Scottish National, the Victor Chandler Chase and the Red Square Vodka Chase. He rides out regularly at the yard, schooling and working Kate's horses. Richie is married to Kate's daughter Nicky.

Best part of my job: Riding Winners

Worst part of my job: Having an injury and missing out on Race Riding

Favourite Racecourse: Any Racetrack where I ride winners at although Ayr, Perth and Wetherby have all been lucky tracks for me.

What would you choose as your last meal? Roast Beef

BECCY HOWELL, Head Girl

Beccy has a great depth of knowledge and understanding of every horse at the yard. She developed her skills over the 10 years she spent working for the late Don Enrico Incisa prior to joining Kate. She is a great asset to the yard and is responsible for the day to day running of the yard when Kate is away.

Best part of my job: When my horses run well and come back safe and sound

Worst part of my job: Horses not coming back from the races

Racing Hero: A.P. McCoy

Favourite Horse: McGillycuddy Reeks/Jimmy Bond

Favourite Racecourse: Newcastle

Favourite Film/Actor: Singing in the Rain / Gene Kelly, or Hugh Jackman

What would you choose as your last meal? Cheesecake

ALAN BROADWITH (aka 'Uncle Albert')

Comes into the yard five mornings a week to help in the yard and you may have seen him at local racetracks where he has a variety of duties such as parking cars, minding crossings or manning the dope-testing horsebox.

Best part of my job: Getting to know the horses and working with the rest of the team

Worst part of my job: burst water pipes

Racing Hero: Ruby Walsh

Favourite Horse: Fairynuff

Favourite Racecourse: Catterick as its nice and local

Favourite Film/Actor: Only Fools & Horses

What would you choose as your last meal? Steak and Mushroom Pie and Homemade Chips

SCOTT BROCKBANK

A very good work rider who worked with Howard Johnson and Walter Swinburn. It is good to have Scott on board as he is very enthusiastic about our horses and life itself! Scott had his first ride in December 2011 aboard Pen Gwen in a Handicap Hurdle. He rode a good race and followed the instructions to a 'T'.

The other love in his life is his Lurcher, Merl.

Best part of my job: Bacon sandwich on a morning

Worst part of my job: Not getting a bacon sandwich in the morning

Racing Hero: Nigel Tutty/Ruby Walsh

Favourite Racecourse: Sandown

Favourite Film/Actor: Cool Runnings

What would you choose as your last meal? Bacon sandwich

ASHLEY HOPKINS

Ashley joined us as a work rider but his role goes far beyond this. Ashley has a great depth and knowledge of horseracing having previously worked as Head Lad for Micky Hammond. He rides out daily for us but also goes racing regularly as he is very good with the young horses at the races.

Ashley is a great reader of form and is a pleasure to have on the team.

Best part of my job: Having winners

Worst part of my job: Getting wet/listening to Gemma Tutty!!

Racing Hero: Richie McGrath

Favourite Horse: Stopped Out

Favourite Racecourse: Kelso

What would you choose as your last meal? Roast Beef dinner

STEVE KETTLEWELL

The former jockey and racehorse trainer rides out daily and brings a wealth of experience to the team

JAMES ROBINSON

James joined us from Patrick Haslam's yard where he had one ride under rules. He is a very good with the younger horses and has had two rides for the yard. James is very sporty and is a very good runner he recently competed in the Leeds Half Marathon and finished in front of professional runners he has also had trials for Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

Best part of my job: Riding Pen Gwen in a couple of races

Worst part of my job: wet and cold weather

Racing Hero: A P McCoy

Favourite Horse: Matthew Riley

Favourite Racecourse: Wetherby

Favourite Film/Actor: Kiera Knightley

What would you choose as your last meal? Sunday Dinner

EMILY STEAD

Emily rides out for the yard every morning alongside running her own livery business. Emily also trains and rides her own Point-to-Pointers as well as taking outside rides in Point-to-Points and Hunter Chases.

Emily is great rider and getting horses to use themselves she has done an excellent job with Fairynuff. Much of Emily's grounding comes from riding show ponies in which she competed at shows such as the Horse of the Year Show and Olympia.

Best part of my job: Riding my own horses in Point to Points

Worst part of my job: Any of the horses getting injured?

Racing Hero: Nina Carberry

Favourite Horse: Canada Street

Favourite Racecourse: Hexham

Favourite Film/Actor: Brad Pitt

What would you choose as your last meal? Lamb Shank

LAUREN WILKINSON

Lauren joined us in February 2010 having previously worked for Harry Dunlop she is originally from the North East and was keen to move closer to home. She has fitted in really well and is a good worker and rider. When she is not working she likes to spend time with her puppy.