'It's a crucial year to build the business' - rising costs not worrying Ward

Tom Ward, whose training career was temporarily halted by the coronavirus pandemic but who started making a name for himself with 30 winners last year, is determined to progress his business despite the threat of rising costs.

Feed, bedding and fuel have increased in recent months and top trainers Nicky Henderson and Alan King recently voiced their concerns, while Fergal O'Brien said his profession would have to "cut their cloth accordingly".

Ward with his old boss Richard HannonCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Lambourn-based Ward, who realised a childhood dream when he was granted his licence in 2019, said: "It's great that I'm here, but the hard work begins now, putting in the graft to create a strong business model that will hopefully keep me going for years to come.

"I'm very lucky I've got a really good group of owners who are willing to spend decent money [at the sales], but also have fun. They're onside and supportive, and having a good client base is a big part."

No rash decisions regarding his fees will be made and Ward added: "Everything is rising and we might have to put our prices up at some stage, but we'll see what happens over the next six to eight months before we make plans. We'll sit down with accountants and make a decision on what is best.

"We're not trying to make money out of training them, we're trying to cover our bases and you won't make big money out of training fees – it's about keeping the business running and hope the good days will help as well.

"The business has to run itself but I think we can cover our bases with 40 horses; we should be breaking even at least, I'd say."

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Ward's Whitehouse Stables has scope to house 90 horses and Richard Hannon's former assistant, who has also worked in the States, Australia and France, was thrilled finally to get a full year from his purpose-built base in 2021.

"We were meant to be here in April 2020, but everything got pushed back with covid and we weren't in until October, so I had 16 boxes at Charlie Mann's and 14 at Jamie Magee's, then five or six horses here in a building site," he said.

"It was quite hard when they were spread out like that. Last year was the first year when they were all in their barns, and it seemed to work."

The yard sent out 11 winners in 2020 and that figure rose to 30 last season.

Ward trains on the gallops in LambournCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"It's a crucial year," Ward said.

"It's not going to be the making or breaking of me, but it would be nice to build on what we did last year.

"I think I've a few older horses who are still quite well in and hopefully the two-year-olds can back it up. I'm looking forward to them as we've some nice forward types for the next five or six weeks.

"I think we've a stronger team and I'd love to win a Listed or Group race or one of those signature handicaps, and I think that's realistic with the horses we've got.

"I was hopeful we'd build on the 11 we had the previous year and I was delighted to get 30 with the 30 horses we had."

Tom Ward's three to follow

Roman Mist
Uber-consistent last year, she started it rated 63 and will now be over 100. We'll aim her at the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes at Kempton in a few weeks and she should be a lot of fun.

Diamond Bay
He was impressive at Kempton a few weeks ago and we've got high hopes for him. We'll be targeting some nice handicaps in the summer, but he'll possibly go for the Rosebery at Kempton first. He's rated 89, but hopefully there's more to come.

Unnamed
She's a very nice Mehmas filly – a two-year-old – who will be out in the next five or six weeks. She's all speed and should be ready to rock and roll soon, so hopefully we can have some good days with her.

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