Memories of Mrs P and Batman

Midlands-based trainer Ian Williams, 48, is one of the most successful dual-purpose handlers in Britain. After spells as assistant to Jenny Pitman and Francois Doumen, Williams set up on his own in 1997, since when he has trained a winner at every track in Britain, and has tasted Grade 1 success both at home and in France. He celebrated the 1,000th winner of his career in November when Appy Days won at Lingfield, having landed his first Cheltenham Festival victory last March with Ballyalton in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase. He also saddled Sir Maximilian to win at last year's Dubai Carnival. "We've won Grade 1s in France over fences and we've won at Aintree but Cheltenham is the place you want to be having a winner," says Williams, who is based close to the M42 on the Birmingham outskirts at Portway, near Alvechurch. "It was the icing on a lovely cake for us. We've done Glorious Goodwood a few times as well – I suppose now we'll have to have a go at Royal Ascot!"

Garrrison Savannah
Pedigree Random Shot – Merry Coin
Trainer Jenny Pitman
Owner Autofour Engineering
Biggest win Cheltenham Gold Cup (1991)

He was the first Gold Cup winner I was fortunate to be involved with and he short-headed The Fellow, who I was to be involved with in France when I joined Francois Doumen. But for Mrs Pitman to get Garrison Savannah to win the Gold Cup was the most amazing training performance you could ever wish to see. He had been beaten eight lengths by Celtic Shot in December on his only previous run that season and returned home with a large haematoma on his shoulder. To say it was challenging to get him there was an understatement. Of course he was a very good horse, a Sun Alliance Chase and Coral Golden Hurdle winner, but I only wish I had documented how Mrs Pitman managed the horse because it was nothing short of miraculous. The experience with Garrison Savannah was one of many lessons from the great Mrs Pitman.