'I felt a lot of pressure when I took over - there was a lot going on, a lot on my shoulders'
Peter Thomas talks to Joe Tizzard about life as a son, a father and a Cheltenham-bound trainer with some big chances
![Joe Tizzard on his gallops at Venn Farm near Sherborne 31.1.24 Pic: Edward Whitaker](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fprod-media-racingpost%2Fprod%2Fimages%2F169_1008%2F9c608e3f6221-horse-racing-joe-tizzard-portrait.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Joe Tizzard clambers down from the roof of his 4x4 like a wellington-booted, West Country Bear Grylls. "Don't let anybody tell you being a trainer is easy," he puffs, hopping off the bonnet, leaving a trail of muddy footprints across the bodywork.
Technically, this has had little to do with training – he's been untangling a tree swing that had become lodged in the lower branches, for the benefit of his young son Tommy – but I'm so full of admiration for his fatherly devotion that I can't bring myself to point it out.
Anyway, I've already watched him harrowing the gallops at 7am – or rather I've already watched the headlights of the tractor from a distance while sipping a cup of coffee in the yard – so I know he's very much hands-on at Spurles Stables and not one to shirk a job that needs doing.
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Published on inThe Big Read
Last updated
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