Anti-authority survivor with strong streak of humour and kindness

Alastair Down talks to the veteran trainer who continues to do it his way

David Elsworth at his Newmarket base of more than a decade, Egerton StablesCredit: Chris Bourchier

Although he has been based at Egerton House Stables hard by the July course for more than ten years, there remains something strange about the idea of going to see David Elsworth in Newmarket.

To most of us he is forever to be associated with the downland of his native Wiltshire and in particular Whitsbury, where he forged and burnished his reputation as the greatest dual-purpose trainer since Vincent O’Brien.

His jumps triumphs in a Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Grand National and four King Georges are backed up by huge success on the Flat including Group 1 victories with the brilliant In The Groove, speedster Dead Certain and last season’s Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen.

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Published on 5 July 2016inFeatures

Last updated 11:03, 6 July 2016

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