Racing Staff Q+A: Daniel Kubler's work-rider Andy Williams

The invaluable role played by stable, stud and racecourse staff has been recognised by Racing Staff Week, which began on Saturday. Sponsored by Betfair, it is designed to inform and engage racegoers and backers of the sport, while rewarding those who dedicate their working lives to the racing and bloodstock industries. This week we speak to those who spend their lives supporting the sport, day in, day out.

Name Andy Williams
Age 28
Job Work-rider for Daniel Kubler

How did you get into racing?
I've been in racing for about 12 years now. I got into racing because of a need for speed when I was younger, I didn't know what I wanted to do when I came out of school and my friend at the time was becoming a jockey. There was a yard at the bottom of my street, John Flint's, so I just ended up going down there and fell in love with it really. I was 16. It was my first experience riding horses. I'd had an experience before that with the same guy but it didn't go very well, I was surprised I wasn't put off for life then.

What experience have you built up in racing?
I started with John Flint and then I went to the racing school. I came out of the racing school and went back to John Flint's for a bit and then I started moving about. I went to Devon to Victor Dartnall's, Philip Hobbs's for a bit after that and then I went into the Flat yards. I worked at Karl Burke's for six seasons, I did a bit for Ben Haslam and now I've ended up in Lambourn for the Kublers. I've been here for nearly two years.

Williams started his career in racing with trainer John Flint

What does your current role involve?
It's actually quite a nice, easy, laid-back job. You just come in, tack up your first lot, we have breakfast after two lots, ride another three after that, depending on how many staff are in. And then you get food to brush at the end of the day. It's nice and easy because you only do an hour in the afternoon. A lot of people don't like the afternoons in the racing, so that does make it a lot nicer that you've got a lot more free time.

What do you enjoy most about the job?
I'm in it for the game, I love racing. If you don't love racing I don't really know why you're here. But I do have a love for horses, the riding is probably one of the better things because you can always improve and it's a big competition to see who the best one is in the yard.

And what is the most challenging aspect?
The only thing I don't really like about the job is the afternoons getting in your way a bit, but it is what it is. I'd like it if the weather was sunny all year round but you can't have everything.

What advice would you give to young people thinking about working in racing?
I'd say go for it. I'm trying to get my cousin to do it at the minute, she's in love with horses and has come here a few times. I think my auntie has got a string on her and is like 'no, it's too dangerous' and I'm like 'she's found something she loves'. You meet so many different people along the way, it's brilliant. I've got so many friends now that I'll speak to forever, from different countries, different parts of England, Wales, Scotland. It builds your life, a different life to what you've got at home. You've got your family and then you've got your family away, which is quite unique.

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