'I got unseated and broke my leg - but I came back braver and stronger'

You would think winning the David Nicholson Newcomer Award would go hand in hand with having a smooth introduction to racing.

Yet the reality for last year's winner Alice Price is very different. A gallops accident soon into her first job at Ben Pauling's stable left her questioning her choice of career.

Unable to walk after suffering a double leg break, most would have given up, but not Price. Instead, she found the inner strength to return from her setback stronger and more determined than ever.

It is these qualities, along with many others, that led the 22-year-old to be crowned a winner at the 2021 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards – an honour she was privileged to accept.

"I didn't think I had much chance of winning and was just delighted to make it into the top three," she recalls. "When my name was announced I started clapping thinking it wasn't me. It took me a second to realise and I was literally speechless. I've never won anything before, especially something like this, and I was overwhelmed. I knew my family and friends were watching and I was ecstatic."

Alice Price at Ben Pauling's stable in Gloucestershire: 'It's great at Ben's; everyone is like a family, you get to learn on the job and it's really good fun'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Growing up in the West Midlands town of Halesowen, Price's only link to racing came from her father Steve's interest in the sport. But her passion for horses took her to Hartpury college, where she did a level 3 diploma in equine management, and then the British Racing School, from where she was placed with Pauling.

"I wanted to be at a yard near Cheltenham and as Ben was fairly new to training with the potential to expand, I thought it would be a good place to join," she says. "It's worked out really well and I've been here ever since. It's great at Ben's; everyone is like a family, you get to learn on the job and it's really good fun.

"I only found out Ben and our secretary Hannah Vowles nominated me for the award when they announced the top ten. It was a nice feeling to be recognised and put forward for an award. I'd been there two years at that point and it gave me confidence in knowing I was doing a good job."

Alice Price was placed with trainer Ben Pauling after her time at the British Racing SchoolCredit: Edward Whitaker

In a normal year, Price would have collected her gong at a glitzy bash in front of the great and good of racing, but the pandemic meant the ceremony was conducted via Zoom.

There was still a sense of occasion as the interactive virtual awards were broadcast live and free-to-air on Racing TV and hosted by Ed Chamberlin, although the opportunity to really mark the achievement was limited.

"Due to Covid, the celebrations were restricted to a Chinese takeaway with the boss and a few drinks with everyone in the yard," Price says. "It was a bit sad but the atmosphere was brilliant and everyone did a really good job in the circumstances and made the ceremony feel like everyone was still together.

"All the finalists got to go racing at Newmarket in October and that made up for it. We had a whole day together and got to meet each other face-to-face and that was really nice."

As part of the prize, Price received £2,000, which she spent on her first car, with the stable getting the same amount. She is also going on a week-long educational trip to Dubai next month courtesy of Godolphin.

The impact of the recognition has been positive on Price individually and the yard collectively.

"Some of the more senior staff in the yard have given me more responsibility and are trying to push me forward," she says. "Everyone else has had a confidence boost as well as we're a great team and everybody has a part to play."

Alice Price: 'The more I sat at home not doing anything and watching everybody else riding out, the more I wanted to come back better'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Price's own confidence received a major knock following that bad injury on the gallops. Emphasising the constant danger that exists for all stable staff every day, she was riding out a familiar horse when she was unseated and trodden on, leaving her with a fractured tibia and fibula.

"I was on a horse I've ridden every day without incident and he was a bit fresh, having a good old buck on the round gallop, and the third time round I got unseated," she recalls. "As I landed he galloped over the top of me and trod on my left leg. I needed surgery to put the bone back in place and was in hospital for five days and off work for three months.

"Ben saw it happen and as he came over I was saying I was really sorry but he said not to worry about that and that he thought I'd broken my leg. I thought I was being dramatic and I remember trying to stand up and I couldn't, and that's when I knew it was definitely broken."

Some might have seen such a challenging injury in the early days as a sign to give up and do something else. After a brief period of reflection, Price not only came back but did so stronger and better.

"Everyone was concerned I wouldn't come back as I wasn't the most confident rider to begin with, but I did and I actually rode better," she says. "After the incident, I got braver, stronger and more determined.

"At first I was a bit upset thinking maybe this job isn't for me, but the more I sat at home not doing anything and watching everybody else riding out, the more I wanted to come back better.

"The first day back I thought I'd maybe be put on the yard, but I was given two lots first thing in the morning and sent off on my way."

Alice Price came back braver, stronger and more determined after her injuryCredit: Hannah Vowles

In her role as racing groom, Price rides out four horses and looks after five. Yet there has always been one horse extremely close to her heart.

"Northern Bound is definitely my favourite," she explains. "He's won four races this season and is on his holidays as he's more of a summer jumper. He was the first horse I rode here and has been my favourite since."

On some of the stable's leading lights for the spring, she adds: "Everyone is excited about Bowtogreatness and Shakem Up'Arry, especially as they're both owned by Harry Redknapp. We get to see Harry now and then and the yard is always buzzing when he comes in."

With preparations in full swing for the key part of the jumps season, Pauling's Bourton Hill Farm stable is a hive of activity. Throw in the impending move to the new development at nearby Naunton Downs golf club and it really is non-stop.

The relocation seven miles away is exciting everyone, nobody more so than Price who has shown she is ready to take on more responsibility.

"When we move I'll become a barn manager," she says. "It will be a bigger role and a step up the ladder, and a good chance to progress. It will be harder work but I'll get more out of it.

"If I hadn't been put forward for the award it would have been a lot harder to show this is a role I wanted and it has given me confidence in myself to be able to do it."

Alice Price: 'Some of the more senior staff in the yard have given me more responsibility and are trying to push me forward'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Golf and horses might not be the most obvious combination but with the golf club now owned by Pauling's wife Sophie and the development consisting of a 95-box stable with a round gallop, schooling lane and an area for owners, everything is in place to take the yard to the next level.

Given the unusual surroundings though, it is likely to take the staff a bit of time to settle in.

"It will be different with a new gallop and slightly different way of training the horses, but everything will be new and just the way the boss wants it," Price says.

"It's going to be interesting with the golf course and horses on the gallops. There's going to be a traffic light system and people on the ground to make sure they're not swinging golf balls around mid-gallop.

"The main yard is having the finishing touches put to it and I think the plan is for the horses to get moved in at the end of the season. We've all been to see what's going on and it looks amazing.

"There's a lot to do and it's a bit crazy but everyone is so excited. We've got Cheltenham, Aintree and then the move so there's lots to look forward to."

The same can be said about Price and her career in racing. She has made a big impact in a short amount of time and overcome adversity along the way. She was a fitting winner of the newcomer award and is an inspiration to those making their way into the industry.

The Godolphin Stud & Stable Awards get underway at 7.30pm on Monday night

Read more ahead of the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards:

Dawn Goodfellow: Shining a light on the backbone of our sport is my favourite job of the year

Alice Price: 'I got unseated and broke my leg - but I came back braver and stronger'

The contenders: Meet the unsung heroes taking centre stage at Monday night's awards

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