'I would like to see the world being a better place for everybody to live in'
Stud and stable staff employee of the year James Frank, 43, gives his answers
How did it feel to be crowned employee of the year and win the Stud Staff award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards last month?
It was amazing and something I had never dreamed of when I first started working in the industry. It’s quite a big achievement and it was a memorable evening.
Golden Horn, Cracksman and Star Catcher passed through your hands in the early stages of their careers, what is it like to follow their journey from a foal to the track?
When they are young and at the stud you don’t really know how good they’re going to be but when you start following their journey on the track it’s so special and rewarding. From knowing the horse from its earliest days there is a connection and you have a really good feeling when they go and achieve something racing. It’s a fantastic moment when they win and the memories of looking after each horse comes straight back to you.
How have horses changed your life?
Horses have changed my life for the good. I came over from Zimbabwe and my life here is great. If I wasn’t working in racing I don’t know what I would be doing but the reality is I would probably be struggling somewhere, maybe at home or in South Africa.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inInterviews
Last updated
Copy- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard