'I'm really excited' - Sir Michael Stoute assistant launches new training career

Former Sir Michael Stoute assistant James Horton is to saddle his first runners as a trainer this weekend, kicking off with newcomer Phantom Flight in the mile novice (6.15) at Newcastle on Friday night.

The 36-year-old was headhunted last year by owner John Dance and his wife Jess to oversee an ambitious new training venture at the historic Manor House Farm in Middleham.

Although that project will not be ready until Christmas at the earliest, Horton is starting out of nearby Brecongill stables, which is owned by former trainer Sally Hall.

James Horton (left) on the Middleham gallops

As well as his entry at Newcastle, Horton will also saddle another unraced three-year-old in Encourageable at Doncaster on Sunday.

Horton, who spent six and a half years in Newmarket as assistant to Stoute, said: "I'm really excited to be getting going as this is a massive opportunity for me.

"John and Jess have been incredibly supportive with what they are trying to achieve and they've bought what I would like to think are some very nice horses. I'm very lucky to be in this position."

On his current set-up, he said: "We are operating out of Sally Hall's yard at Brecongill stables while the refurbishment at Manor House Farm is going on, which is about two miles away at the other end of Low Moor.

"Jedd O'Keeffe was in Brecongill before us but he's since bought some land off Sally and built his own yard. We have 32 boxes and a horsewalker and it works well."

James Horton (right) and Sir Michael Stoute, with whom he spent six and a half yearsCredit: Edward Whitaker

On his gallops access, he added: "We have good access to all the Middleham Trainers Association gallops, which we are basically based in the middle of.

"We're hopeful we could move into Manor House at around Christmas time or new year. The project is a massive undertaking and there is a lot going on up there at the moment. They are knocking down most of what was there originally and building a brand new set-up."

Horton, who has 31 horses but is hoping to increase his string, said: "We're getting going with a couple of unraced three-year-olds this weekend, who were bought at the two-year-old breeze-ups last year.

"They were given plenty of time and we actually got them in here in September last year and were ready to run before Christmas. Then a combination of things meant we didn't run them.

"We're still learning a lot about the team but both runners this weekend are fit and ready to go. Their work has been good and both are ready to start off."

PJ McDonald, who rode Dance's mare Laurens to four Group 1 wins, is a key member of the new team.

Horton added: "PJ rides both horses and he comes in here to ride out three or four mornings a week. It's a big help having him around and he knows the gallops very well.

"He's been a massive asset as he knows Middleham inside out having started here with Ferdy Murphy many years ago."

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