The Racing Life of Louise Cullen

In the summer of 2004, Louise Cullen started as a full-time groom for Nigel Twiston-Davies, when she looked after, amongst others, Jackie Boy, Jeremy Cuddle Duck and Beat The Boys. Despite leaving in the autumn of 2006 to further her studies, she never truly left. Louise’s association with the Twiston-Davies family has lasted for over twenty years, watching brothers Sam and Willie grow up from cheeky schoolboys. Also known as Lo, she continues to ride out twice a week, always Saturdays and most Fridays when working from home – just for the love of it. Not to mention joining Team Twiston-Davies on many a yard celebration, night out and Christmas party!

Louise and her favourite Jackie Boy winning at Exeter in May 2006 

Louise studied Classics at the University of Reading and Media in Culture at Kingston University. She is now a HR Manager, lives in Witney, Oxfordshire and has a rescue cat called Lionel.

Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, and I have my dad to thank for that! He is a huge horseracing fan and grew up around Liverpool so the Grand National was a race we always watched. Apparently when I was three-years-old, I pointed at one of the horses and said, ‘I want to do that’. The rest, as they say, is history!

Growing up in Cirencester, I had weekly lessons at my local riding school, which was nearby in Cerney Wick. At the age of ten, I started helping out there, looking after the ponies and leading them in lessons for other kids.

Within a year, I had outgrown the ponies there, so my parents bit the bullet and bought Zara, a stunning Palomino Welsh Section C. We attended all the local shows doing showjumping and showing (she won Best Family Pony on several occasions) but her real niche was Gymkhana. We won over a hundred rosettes, mainly firsts and seconds. This led us to trying out for the Pony Club Mounted Games team. Unfortunately Zara’s fear of plastic bottles and anything too flappy meant she wasn’t suitable but I partnered up with two cracking ponies, both who had previously made the Horse of the Year Show. With them, I went all around the country and even hopped over to France for a competition.

As Zara started winding down, I got Ruby Tuesday, a Thoroughbred cross Connemara. The plan was to have her on loan until I went to uni… However, a month later, we discovered she was in foal. I now had the dilemma of whether to give her back or keep her. I ended up keeping her! She had her foal, Magic Song, which I sold him to a lovely girl who still owns him.

When I sadly lost Zara to colic, it was heart-breaking. I had Ruby from the age of six to her death aged twenty-seven, so I will always treasure the memories.   

How did you initially get a job in racing? After school, I was at a crossroads. I didn’t feel University was for me at that time and just wanted to get away from education. My dad mentioned there were a few trainers not far from Cirencester. I emailed Nigel’s yard and had an interview (if you could call it that) with the then-head lad, Fergal O'Brien. About a week later, I packed my things and moved to the yard.

Photo Credit: Gary Ellis

Other trainers worked for: It’s always been Nigel though I did used to do the odd days after I had finished University for Fergal and Jelly O’Brien when they were still running the point-to-point yard just for a bit of extra money whilst I looked for my ‘career’.

Why did you decide to leave working in racing full time? A bit of burnout; long days and weeks left little time to do anything outside of racing, which took its toll. The way I was treated as a full time employee by some wasn’t how I felt I should be treated and it all gave me the push to go and get my degree. 

Louise's many memories of riding out at Twiston-Davies' yard and on another favourite Pigeon Island (far right)

Best aspect to riding out at Twiston-Davies’: I am not sure that I can pick one thing. I’ve made a lot of great friends from that place and the views on a sunny day are some of the best!

Worst aspect to riding out at Twiston-Davies’: Four lots in the rain.

Favourite racecourse: In the UK, my horses always seemed to run well at Huntingdon and Chepstow, but nothing quite beats Cheltenham for the atmosphere and prestige.

However, when I went to Tokyo this year, I went racing at JRA Tokyo Racecourse and that was the most spectacular place I have ever been to. It was packed but there was no drinking, so everyone was there for the horses. There is also a garden, pond and children’s area; really something for everyone. And everything was immaculately clean, even the toilets!

With Jeremy Cuddle Duck in the old Aintree winner's enclosure in October 2005 

Favourite meeting for a day out: I love the Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival, just for the buzz for the week ahead and I love the Champion Hurdle.

Favourite jockey: Ruby Walsh. He played a small part in me deciding I wanted to work with racehorses as my farrier, when shoeing my pony Ruby, always mentioned him because of the shared a name. So, I started watching Ruby Walsh and the racing bug took hold.

Favourite racehorses: Pigeon Island, Moscow Flyer and Jackie Boy.

Louise and Jackie Boy

Most Favourite rides ever at NTD’s: I can’t split Jackie Boy and Pigeon Island.

Racing hero: What Rachel Blackmore has done for racing, both on and off the racecourse, is incredible.

Most memorable day in racing: 2010 Gold Cup Day. Imperial Commander winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup would have been enough but then for Baby Run and Sammy to win the Foxhunters’ and Pigeon Island (Pig) and Paddy Brennan to put the icing on the cake by winning the Grand Annual was pure poetry. And the night we had was unforgettable.

What do you love about Team Twiston-Davies? They are a down to earth family. And genuinely some of the nicest people. Unlike some, there is nothing fake about them; who you see on the TV, in interviews and on social media is truly them.

Over the years, how has working in racing shaped you personally? It has made me stronger, both mentally and physically. I definitely think it helped me with my marathon training!

Louise's other love is travelling the world

Over the years, how has working in racing changed for the worst? It hasn’t necessarily changed for the worst as it isn’t new but there is still very little, if any, HR in racing. The way people speak and are spoken to would never happen in an office.

In your opinion, in what ways should racing keep evolving? You always hear about how horseracing needs to appeal to the young to keep racing going and yes, that is true, but I feel all focus is on race days and not the days that lead up to that. I think racing needs to focus on the workforce. Flexible Working, Maternity Leave etc all don’t really exist in many parts of racing and since covid, more and more people are looking for that work-life balance.

In your opinion, how secure is the future of racing in relation to animal rights, etc? I think it is pretty secure as long as it is willing to be transparent, work with all parties, even those whose views they don’t agree with to access and communicate and keep moving forward.

Have themed race days/nights popularised racing to the greater public? I’m not convinced they have in the grand scheme of racing, but I do think they are a positive for drawing in the crowds for that specific day, at least. 

In racing, is social media positive or negative? Sadly, I see more negativity than positivity, either by disgruntled punters or people against horseracing.

Hopes and dreams for the future: To grow old ungracefully! See all the places in the world on my bucket list...oh and to run the London Marathon, which hopefully my time from Manchester will help with but it's getting harder and harder to get in!

After all these years, what keeps you riding out? I took a few weeks away after leaving full time to de-load but realised I missed the horses and people.

Favourite meal: Sushi.

Favourite drink: Jack and Ginger.

Favourite snack: I’m not a snacker but do love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups after a long run.

Favourite holiday destination: New Zealand, if you could call it a holiday destination! Otherwise, the Amalfi Coast.

Favourite book: I loved the Lewis Trilogy by Peter May.

Favourite film: Inception.

Favourite TV program: Ted Lasso.

Favourite music: The War on Drugs.

Ideal day off: At the moment, I ride out or go for a run then meet friends for a coffee and natter.

Ideal celebrity date: For looks Austin Butler and for laughter, James Acaster.

Other hobbies/interests: Running, live music, travelling.