Nymph continuing to prove a good catch for Trevor Fox

Trevor Fox, who has produced a succession of decent sprinters out of just one broodmare, has become as familiar a sight in the Ascot winner’s enclosure as Europe’s mightiest owner-breeders.

A retired surveyor based in Bournemouth, Fox was there twice in September alone through the three-year-old Lethal Force gelding Lethal Nymph, who attempts to back up in Saturday's Coral Sprint Trophy at York.

Not many Ascot meetings go by without an appearance from River Nymph either. The two years older half-brother by Cable Bay won last year’s Victoria Cup and suggested he could be in line for another prize at some point with an encouraging fourth in a valuable handicap last weekend.

Clive Cox has now trained six siblings out of Little Nymph, with Little Palaver (Showcasing) a fine schoolmaster for the yard's apprentices and a nine-time winner, and Little Choosey (Cadeaux Genereux) ending up as a prolific performer for Roy Bowring.

Fox takes none of the credit and explains that the story began with his wife Sandra, who died ten years ago.

"I’ve been very fortunate indeed," he said. "It was my wife who started it off and I just really took over from her when I lost her.

"Horses were just four-legged animals to me, I was always much more into boats and sailing, but we moved out into the country and she got interested. Up to that time I really had little interest or knowledge. It’s good fun though, even when it’s pouring with rain, like it was last time."

Little Nymph won five times in Ireland, and is seen here at Fairyhouse in October 2005Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Rich praise, too, is reserved for Cox.

"He’s bloody marvellous," said Fox. "He’s a very good trainer and I think I could fairly say he’s a good friend now. I couldn’t wish for anybody better."

The couple’s connection with racing and breeding came about through a Dorset link through Tom and Ann Bish, who have also produced a number of jumpers from their farm near Wimborne with a 'Red' prefix that have ended up in the Willie Mullins stable.

Little Nymph was born in May 2002 out of Light On Her Toes, who was distinctly ordinary on the track but had a pedigree that interested Ann Bish.

"Light On Her Toes had quite a good brother called Light Veneer, he was National Hunt, but her dam [Oscilight] won the Temple Stakes and was second in the King’s Stand, so there was a good family," she said.

"Finance does dictate with everything but I sent her to [smart stayer] Emperor Fountain because he was a very good mover. Movement is essential, they don’t all move well enough, and I was very lucky with her.

"Trevor and Sandie were friends of ours, Sandie wanted a racehorse, I sold her the offspring and she named her Little Nymph. We've had horses in Ireland and so she went to Michael Grassick. She won five races in the end with him and then Sandie had her back for breeding."

Little Nymph returned for a brief stay back home and spent much of her time with Charlie Oakshott in Berkshire. Although not directly involved any more, Ann Bish is delighted to have played a part in the story.

"She was sweet tempered, not overly big but moved very well," she said. "She was very genuine, with good bone, good feet and a good strong back. Sandie was very passionate about it, it gave her a great deal of interest. Little Nymph has been mated with sprinters ever since she moved on and luckily it’s been very successful."

Trevor Fox (right) has visited the Ascot podium twice in September alone

Although the passion for sailing has had to move to the sidelines as he entered his 80s, Fox was evidently enthusiastic enough about horses to purchase a different broodmare, New Tune, when Little Nymph died a couple of years ago.

The Fastnet Rock five-year-old is a granddaughter of Irish Oaks winner Pure Grain and Oakshott has been raising her Land Force yearling filly and Cable Bay colt foal.

Despite the run of success for a family with a deeply personal connection, Fox insists he has no particular favourite among them.

"Only if they win," he said. "River Nymph has done quite well but Lethal Nymph has done very well too. He’s the last one and I’ve got a lot of time for him. He’s won four times now and is a really lovely horse."

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