'Punting was a big part of what we were doing - but you get more of a buzz out of having a winner as an owner'

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Tattersalls auction house in Newmarket, Martin and Chris Dixon are sitting round a table finalising their strategy for the day's trade.

As they emerge from the relative cool of the Wall Box cafe into the unusually hot mid-morning sun, they are halted in their tracks by an Irishman in a green cap urging them to check over one of the lots at the three-day July Sale.

"We can't go far without getting stopped by someone," says younger brother Martin after they politely oblige the impromptu request.