I'm thrilled with our young riders – and also to have an assistant

There has been a significant personnel change at Weathercock House. The guvnor now has an assistant.

If there was a competition for British racing's most knowledgeable assistant it might well be won by Patrick MacEwan. I'm pleased to say we now benefit from that knowledge as he is assisting me.

Patrick previously worked alongside Peter Walwyn, Brian Meehan and William Muir, plus he also spent time in South Africa, so he has gained plenty of invaluable experience with some excellent trainers. I have known him since the first day I stepped foot in Great Britain. That means Patrick has been a good friend for a very long time – and for around the last two months of that time he has been a member of our team.

Our owners are loving having Patrick MacEwan on the teamCredit: Rose Osborn

Up until this year I didn't really have an assistant trainer. I came to the conclusion I needed one.

There were times, particularly during the sales season, when I couldn't go racing. On those days Richard Hughes Racing was not represented as well as it should have been on course. My principal travelling staff, Frankie Amatt and Shane Gribbin, are very good, but they have plenty of work to do at the races, where their time has to be devoted to looking after our horses. I felt I needed someone to look after our owners, whether for the purpose of celebration or commiseration.