Big-spending Grech thrilled to link up with 'incredible' Henrietta Knight

Big-spending owner Mike Grech has described his link-up with Henrietta Knight as "the perfect fit" as the Salford businessman embarks on a new chapter with a team of expensively bought horses positioned with leading trainers in Britain and Ireland.

Grech first rose to prominence alongside Stuart Parkin, with the majority of their team – including Mr Whipped, Claimantakinforgan and River Wylde – trained by Nicky Henderson, but after the pair ended their joint venture last year, the 61-year-old has decided to go it alone.

Having enlisted the help of Knight, the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning ex-trainer, Grech has assembled a seven-strong team for the season, including sale-topping pair £450,000 Gallyhill and £370,000 Keskonrisk.

Mike Grech (second left) with Stuart Parkin (right) after a victory at Newcastle last yearCredit: John Grossick

"I met Hen at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival and explained to her what my plans were after mine and Stuart's dispersal and it went from there," he said. "She has a lot of experience and many contacts and it's the perfect fit.

"She's incredible. She's a strong lady and a great buyer and she has a great eye for a horse. The relationship we've got is one of respect. She's been there and got the T-shirt and won everything that can be won. She's forgotten more than I'll ever know and she takes all the headaches away from me."

Grech, who runs his horses under his full name Claudio Michael Grech in black and pink silks similar to the Grech & Parkin ones, has teamed up with Henderson again with Gallyhill and last month's Cheltenham bumper winner I Am Maximus, while he has also placed horses in Ireland with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Joseph O'Brien.

"It was a great start to the season when I Am Maximus won at Cheltenham and I've also got horses in Ireland," the owner said.

"I've always been interested in the Irish set-up and the prize-money is good. I consider the trainers I have there to be the best in the world.

"I went out there before the first lockdown and hope to fly out to watch my horses as soon as possible."

The Grech & Parkin partnership was dissolved last year with a wholesale dispersal of around 30 horses, which was topped by Interconnected, who set a record price for a jumps horse at auction when bought by Darren Yates for £620,000.

Interconnected in the Doncaster ring before selling for £620,000Credit: Sarah Farnsworth

A string of misfortunes followed Grech's first major investment in racing, but the experience has not put him off and although the Covid-19 pandemic has cast uncertainty over the future, he still has intentions to expand.

"I'm in it for the long haul, the investment has been made with considerable amounts of money spent on the horses and hopefully we'll get a bit of luck," he said.

"Any success we have will be invested back in as I'm a firm believer in adding young horses to your team.

"Sometimes I think about whether it's the right time to invest and I'm massively concerned about racing, with what's going on with Covid.

"The prize-money is down, but the fees for everything are the same and with all the restrictions, you can't go and enjoy a proper day at the races.

"I'm not apprehensive about it yet though, and we'll have to see where we end up."

Read more:

Henrietta Knight reveals the familiar name behind her sales-topping exploits

Grech and Parkin to sell off horses as collective interest ends

Reader Q&A: put your questions to Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight

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