Robyn Brisland leaves Newmarket for new base in Nottinghamshire

Robyn Brisland has traded Newmarket for Newark after moving his expanding training operation to Mick Appleby's former base in Nottinghamshire.

The former jockey, who has been at a number of locations around Newmarket since taking out his training licence four years ago, has been based most recently at Barney Curley's yard on the Hamilton Road.

Brisland has been moving his team up the A1 over the past couple of weeks and sent out his first runner from his new base only on Friday in the shape of Katie Gale, who finished third in a 2m2f handicap at Southwell.

His new home at Mill Top Equestrian Centre in Danesthorpe, just a few miles outside Newark, has been empty for 18 months since Appleby moved to a new yard near Oakham in Rutland.

The new location is a 150-acre site with an equine pool and private gallops and has room for 80 horses.

Brisland, who has had seven winners in 2018, said: "The only reason I've moved out of Newmarket is that I've expanded to 50 horses and there was nowhere for a mid-range trainer to go.

Mick Appleby: had plenty of success from the yard

"The horses have been moving up here since December 1 and it's a great location as we are just three minutes from the A1. That means that we can access the likes of Doncaster within an hour although I don't think we'll be heading down to Brighton too often."

On his new facilities, he said: "Mill Top would have some of the best gallops outside of those maintained by the Jockey Club and I can't wait to get started.

"Mick Appleby had a lot of success from the yard and hopefully we can have better luck in 2019 than we have had this year as many of mine got hit with the virus in the summer."

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