James Fanshawe looking for the next star on 30th anniversary of first winner
Jonathan Harding catches up with the leading Newmarket trainer
When James Fanshawe walked through the gates of Pegasus Stables in 1988 he promised to fill its boxes with horses the yard's creator, the legendary jockey Fred Archer, would have loved to ride.
The trainer took his first steps towards that target when taking out his licence two years later and Friday marks the 30th anniversary of Fanshawe's breakthrough success with Black Sapphire at Salisbury.
It is said the ghost of Archer, who died tragically before he could start a second career as a trainer, can still be seen in Newmarket. If he does still glide around his old yard, the champion rider would no doubt offer a nod of approval to all its new owner has achieved.
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- '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