Our Staff

Brian Ellison I would like to think I'm a decent enough trainer, but I'm always trying to improve and have more winners. I am lucky as I have a good team, and owners, behind me. When I'm not racing, I love football, (Newcastle United) and golf, even though I'm not much good.	Claire Ellison Claire is my wife, my love and my life, my racing secretary and, incidentally, a great cook. Claire is a great asset to me and the business, because when things go wrong, which is quite often, she is always there to talk to. She has a Black Belt in Mixed Martial Arts..I have to watch what I say!
Dale Swift Dale took out his conditional jockey's licence and rode a couple of winners for us before giving up the jumps to pursue a career on the flat. His riding has done nothing but improve and he won the 2011 Ebor for us on Moyenne Corniche, our biggest win to date.	Andrew Robertson Andy has been with us for several years now. He is a very good worker who knows his horses very well. He is our travelling head lad and is excellent at turning his horses out at the races winning 'Best Turned Out' prizes nearly every time. A lovely lad, a valuable member of the team and practically part of the family!
Mike Swanton Known to everyone as 'Uncle Mike' even though he is actually only Claire's uncle! He does the important jobs like paying the wages and the bills.. keeping an eye on what the Mrs spends!	Jessica Bell Jessica is my step-daughter. She has been around my horses since she was two years old. She was the youngest person ever to be issued with a stable pass in Australia when she helped with Bay Story at the age of 14! She is now my assistant trainer and is very good at her job. She has a wonderful personality and is a real asset to me.
Sarah Hallsworth Sarah is our extremely hard working yard person. She has the task of mucking out and general yard duties. She is always happy and never complains whatever the weather!	John Willey John is a really happy lad, liked by everyone. He has had a couple of rides as an amateur and riding a winner and being on Deal Or No Deal are his two biggest ambitions. We wish him all the best.
Allison Morris Allison has been in racing for many years and has spent the last few with us. She keeps a look out over all our younger staff... the matriarch in the yard.	David Cottle Dave is our assistant travelling head lad. He is also a good work rider. He keeps fit in his spare time by kickboxing and is supposed to be pretty good at it.
Susan Cassidy Sue is a very happy person who loves her job. She never complains and sings to the horses as she works.	Paul Pickard Paul is an Apprentice Jockey and came to us at the start of the 2011 Flat season. He has ridden plenty of winners for us but his biggest win was for another trainer.. when he won my favourite race, the Northumberland Plate.
Jordan Lambert Jordan is a lovely girl who takes great pride in her job. She is a good rider and had a few rides as an amateur in 2012. She enjoys keeping fit and is a good runner.	Danny Cook Danny is our National Hunt first jockey.
Rebecca Rogan Rebecca is Sue's daughter. She helps her mam and Sarah with yard duties and is always happy.	Sheree Glover Sheree is on maternity leave after having her first baby, Ellie May. Congratulations to Sheree and her partner Paul Pickard.
Jason Foster Jason joined us at the end of 2011 but had time off during 2012 due to a badly broken hand. He is now back full time and is a very good worker.	Michael Keady Michael is our head lad and does an excellent job helping with the general running of the yard.
Jason Conneely Jason is the youngest member of the team. He will be getting his apprentice license soon.	Richard Oliver Richard enjoys rock climbing and swimming in his spare time and is a very hard worker in the yard. He is a good rider and will have some apprentice rides for the yard later in the year.
Garry Lavery Garry is one of our conditional jockeys. He claims a 7lb allowance but when he rides for the yard this becomes a valuable 10lb.	Shelly Lake Shelly hasn't been with us long but already part of the team. A good rider with a happy personality.
Mark Rafferty Mark is another one of our youngest team members. He is a very good work rider and will get a few rides as amateur this year.	Jacob Headley Although Jacob is still at school we still class him as part of the team! He comes to us on work experience and weekends and holidays and loves helping out. He is a great lad and works hard.
Natasha Hayes Natasha is a work rider and comes in most mornings to ride out for us.	Rachel Lard Rachel is another new member of the team but has quickly settled in. She is a happy girl who loves a laugh and is great with her horses.