Satellite launch: trainer Mike Hammond to run separate yards 150 miles apart

Trainer Mike Hammond will be racking up the motorway miles after arranging the short-term lease of a satellite yard in Lancashire 150 miles away from his Worcestershire stable.

Hammond, 51, has tripled the number of horses in his care after the acquisition of a temporary licence at Lancashire Racing Stables in Garstang, the former base of Richard Ford, was ratified by the BHA.

Hammond said: "I've been friends with Richard Ford for a long time and when I heard he was leaving I rang Paul Clarkson [yard owner] and chanced my luck.

"It's a good opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge. The yard is set in a stunning location, there are some nice facilities and the owners are keen to get everything right."

Hammond, the father of conditional jockey Charlie, first took out his licence in 2005, since when he has saddled ten winners over jumps and one on the Flat.

"I shall be based in both places as much as possible each week and I'm going to have to put up with the M6," said the trainer, who hopes to send out his first runner from the Lancashire base within the next month.

"I have nine jumpers in at Abberley and there are around 20 predominantly Flat horses in Lancashire and we'll keep them where they are. We're going to the sales on Tuesday to hopefully get some more."

The lease has been agreed until the end of May and there are plans for Clarkson's wife and assistant trainer Stella Barclay, who is doing her training modules at the British Racing School, to take over the stable in the summer.

If you are interested in this, you should read:

Ford to hand in licence following Lancashire Racing Stables split

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