The stars behind the scenes who keep the racing show on the road

Robynne Watton 46
Senior travelling manager for Mark Johnston

Ask Mark Johnston for the identity of an unsung hero at his Middleham yard and chances are the trainer will come up with any number of names. Always high on the list, however, is longserving Robynne Watton, who has been based with Johnston since January 1991.

From a military family, London-born Watton has always been surrounded by her beloved equine companions. "We've had horses since year dot – Mum and Dad ride and always had horses," she explains. "I worked for my dad's regiment yard at Catterick garrison, looking after hunters and ponies, and then worked for Colin Ellwood, who was Master of the Bedale Hunt. My brother used to muck out at the weekend for Mark and he mentioned I could ride, so Mark just asked me to go and ride out one day and that's how it happened."