Karl Burke: Dreaming of that beach in Thailand - but too addicted to horses

There are myriad ways for trainers to reach the upper echelons. Some inherit that status from their fathers. Others start out with a generous family handout. But the majority embark from a base camp at the foot of the mountain.

It's a long haul to the summit. They might start by pre-training horses at a rented, rundown stable from where, after a few years, they will take out a licence to train some waifs and strays. Should they make an impact, they will move to bigger rented premises, from where the next step, after years of further toil, is to buy their own property.

Now seriously in hock to the banks, they will struggle to remain solvent. If they get the breaks they might take a first holiday in years and, if they get that far, they might start to reap rewards for their endeavours. They might attract the sort of owners whose horses keep good company.