Loughnane dreaming big after stable switch

Who said men can't multi-task? Trainer Mark Loughnane has managed to coordinate the major upheaval of moving yards while maintaining his excellent form on the track.

Loughnane, who sent out a yearly best tally of 38 winners across both codes in 2016, made the switch from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire to Rock in Worcestershire on Thursday.

The 120-acre purpose-built stable, which has been 11 months in the planning, has been financed by Steve and Anita Mares, who run Kidderminster-based manufacturing company Trueline Expanded Products and have horses in training with Loughnane.

"It's been mad but we're here now and the place is absolutely top class," said the trainer, who is already into double figures this year.

"I'm leasing the place from Steve and Anita and have brought all my owners and staff and can't wait to get my head in it."

Loughnane, who has excelled on the all-weather with a team made up of "95 per cent" Flat horses, will eventually have room for 80 horses – approximately 30 more than his previous base – and his new facilities include a seven-furlong uphill gallop, two-and-a-half- furlong canter track, indoor schooling area, Equispa, solarium and owners' lounge.

He ended a landmark day by sending out his first runner from his new base with Pour L'Amour finishing second at Wolverhampton.

Looking to the future, the 44-year-old Irishman said: "I've been over here for five years and have trained lots of winners and I'm just waiting for that 'Saturday horse'.

"We have bought a couple of horses with a high enough rating and have some lovely two-year-olds to come out early."