Venetia Williams' stable staff are off to the races - but as owners

Stable staff at Venetia Williams' Herefordshire yard will be swapping breeches and helmets for suits and hats after being given the chance to experience the thrill of ownership.

The trainer has launched a syndicate for her team with the first runner sporting the Venetia Williams' Stable Staff silks in action at Ascot on Saturday when Gardefort makes his return from a long layoff in the 2m3f handicap chase (1.50).

There are two horses in the syndicate, with Gardefort joined by Tango De Juilley, and two of Williams' 30 staff members will head to the races as owners each time the pair run.

"I've set up a syndicate and the two horses are now running in the ownership of my stable staff," said the Grand National-winning trainer. "We'll be drawing two names out of the hat to see which staff will be going as owners on the day.

"It will be a bit of a different experience for them, both as owners and at the racecourse, and hopefully they'll enjoy it. I'm sure the staff looking after the two horses will be getting a bit of stick."

Venetia Williams: 30 of her staff will head to the races as owners each time the pair runCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gardefort and Tango De Juilley, who have finished second at the Cheltenham Festival in the 2017 Grand Annual and 2016 Plate respectively, are described as "elder statesmen" of the stable and will be making comebacks after lengthy absences.

Gardefort, a five-time winner over fences whose last victory came in 2017, is first up on Saturday on what will be his first start after a 588-day layoff.

"He's been off for some time but he gets in at the bottom of the weights and we hope he runs a good race," said Williams.

Gardefort is looked after by Lyndsay Pettit-Bourillon, while Suzie McGeer takes care of Tango De Juilley.

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