A family affair: trio of brothers the founding fathers of a racing dynasty

I couldn't possibly nominate just one person, but I can nominate one family – the Hall family, starting with the three brothers Sam, William – better known as Charlie – and Tom, my grandfather.

Sam was Guy Reed's first trainer – he started out at Brecongill in Middleham and together they enjoyed a lot of success with the likes of Goodwood winner Warpath and Dakota, who landed the 1975 Ebor. When he moved to Spigot Lodge, where Karl Burke now trains, his niece Sally – my aunt – took out a licence at the yard.

Sally was the best female amateur rider of the day, riding in the first ladies' race in England – having regularly ridden in Jersey before then. She was a fantastic trainer – her best horse, Hallgate, won the Diadem Stakes [now British Champions Sprint Stakes] under Greville Starkey.