Dumfries trainer gives a glimpse into the life of a racehorse after criticism
Their main aim is to change opinions on horseracing into a positive.
Last updated 13th Sep 2024
A Dumfries trainer is giving the public an insight into the life of a racehorse following criticism from campaign groups over the treatment of animals.
For the fourth year now, visitors joined the tour around Iain Jardine’s training yard meeting all 70 thoroughbreds, speaking with staff and jockeys, and watching training close up as part of National Racehorse Week.
90 venues across England, Scotland, and Wales take part in this annual celebration, allowing them to showcase a behind-the-scenes experience of the care and development their equine athletes receive.
The team was aiming to deliver a productive and inspiring day that would leave their guests with a more positive outlook on horseracing.
The day started with a quick introduction before swiftly heading up a hill to watch the horses practice the gallop circuit.
The mass crowd keenly gathered at the hilltop in awe of the four horses collectively racing past them.
Shortly after, a horse parade began where some of the finest specimens at the yard walked a few laps whilst Iain Jardine gave descriptive commentary on each of them, telling everyone their age, their background, and what his plans are with them for the future.
Once that had finished, guests were left to their own devices wandering around the stable grounds and watching jockey demonstrations.
Barn Manager Samantha Ansel has worked in the racing industry for many years and has been at Jardine’s yard for seven years.
She says this particular week allows them to show how well the horses are looked after.
“A lot of people are under a lot of misconceptions about racing and some even think it is cruel, but these horses are so loved, they are treated better than humans. They have better doctors and vets, and we have physiotherapists and chiropractors who come, and the farrier is very good, too!”
Milly Maxwell is the secretary, and she believes their open day gave everyone a better insight into their lives:
“It’s so nice to show and highlight to people what does go on behind the scenes – how many times people ride out, how many horses there are to muck out every day, and how well cared for the horses are because I sometimes feel like people aren’t aware that they’re treated like absolute kings and queens.”
Trainer Iain Jardine runs a tight ship at the yard and ensures everyone and anyone, horse or human, is doing well and admits he wouldn’t be able to do what he does now without the help of everyone on the yard.
He adds it’s important to know every detail of every horse he owns, no matter how small.
“There’s no stone unturned when it comes to their care and attention. They get 5-star treatment here.”
Our reporter Ruth Ridley went down to the open day and spoke with some of the visitors about their experience.
Lloyd Johnstone says he was completely taken away by how different they appear on the big screen:
“Well, some of them don’t get much justice on TV compared to real life. My friend Ben was showing me a horse he rode this time last year and it was huge. I’ve seen it on the telly but in person, just wow! They’re all just stunning creatures.”
Now that Kiera has finished school, she is living the dream of being a yard rider and is hoping to build up to being a jockey.
“I love coming in every day and seeing the ones I ride. You really get a bond with them. I’ve made some amazing friends here who I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for this job.”
She highlights that the work she and her colleagues put into the horses isn’t over one season, it’s constant hard work all year round and that includes riders and jockeys keeping fit themselves to avoid any injuries.
The Jardine team all said that their main objective of the day was that everyone’s opinion of horseracing was more positive now after seeing the work that goes into maintaining fitness and health all year round.