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An Interview with Top Trainer Brian Meehan

Since 1993, Brian Meehan has trained very successfully. He started off in Lambourn with only a few horses, one was owned by his mentor Richard Hannon, to whom he was assitant to for six years. He outgrew his first yard and a couple of years later, moved to bigger premises. During the Lambourn years, Brian, 55, sent out his first Group 1 with Tomba.

As the Sangster family’s historic training establishment was empty, Brian took over in 2006 and has since bought his section of the outstanding Manton Estate. Highlights of the first season there was victory in two of the world’s most valuable races at Meydan and the Breeders’ Cup in the USA with Red Rocks. David Junior was that winner of the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, and also won Champion Stakes and Eclispe Stakes. Most Improved winning the St James’ Palace House Stakes in 2012 has been one of several Royal Ascot successes, as was Bacchus winning the Wokingham. A second Breeders’ Cup came two years later in 2010 with Dangerous Midge under Frankie Dettori.

Brian lives in Manton, Wiltshire with wife Jax. They have daughter Katie and son Frank, and Brian has stepsons Felix and Jasper, plus three spaniels, a cat and a parrot called Max.


Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, I competed and hunted throughout County Limerick.


How did you get into racing? It was always my summer work; when I wasn’t hunting, I was riding out for local trainers from a young age, about 12-13.


When did you want to become a trainer? I always wanted to train racehorses.

Favourite racecourse in the UK: Newmarket’s July Course.


Favourite racecourse internationally: That’s a difficult one; I have lots of favourites overseas.


Favourite meeting: I love the July meeting at Newmarket and the Breeder’s Cup.


In general, what do you think that racing does well at? It’s a great exhibition – not just the horses but when you go to the big festival meetings, it’s a great show.


What could improvements be made? I think less bureaucracy and more consolidation.


What was the best advice you were given about training racehorses? Keep it simple and use your common sense.


What have been your most memorable days so far as a trainer? Winning my second Breeder’s Cup.


Which racehorse would you most like to have trained? Nijinsky.


Which trainer do you admire? Richard Hannon.


Do you have a horse of yours to look out for this season? Isaac Shelby.


Favourite meal: Pork chops.


Favourite drink: A good claret.


Favourite holiday destination: Skiing in Zermatt.


Favourite music: Rock.


Favourite book: Trinity by Leon Uris.


Other hobbies: Rugby and running.

Brian and Jax


*Many thanks to Old Gold Racing for the help in securing this interview. They published it first in their fabulous newsletter Racing Weekly. To sign up, go to https://mailchi.mp/2f6ba62d6182/racing-weekly-lead-capture

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