The Top Team of Martin Keighley

Jo O'Neill
14 minutes ago
7 min read

Trainer Martin Keighley’s yard is nestled in the undulating hills of the North Cotswolds, near the tiny village of Condicote. At its helm, Martin is aided by wife Belinda and head lad Matthew ‘Foxy’ Carter; surrounding them is a small, dedicated team. The mixture of part-time and full-time employees all assist in sending out many successes on the racecourse.

Everyone is bubbly and cheerful; their laughter and chatter louder than the barn’s radio. The team’s love for the horses is truly evident from all the carrots, apples and swedes they buy. Winners are proudly tallied up on a whiteboard at the top of the main barn, on display for all who visit, because winners are vitally important to this closely knit team who work hard, whether on the yard or the gallops, together towards each one.

Here, five members of the Team Keighley give an insight into their racing lives:

Having previously worked at a riding school and a stud, Jasmine ‘Jaz’ Candlin, 21, started at Martin Keighley’s in April and has become a reliable and fun member of the team. Despite it being her first job in racing, she is an accomplished rider and plans to drive to the races as soon as she can. She loves her horses and works hard around the yard.

Originally from Mickleton, Jaz now lives in Longborough, and she has a pet dog.

Did you have a horsey childhood? No, I didn’t. I started riding when I was thirteen or fourteen.

How did you get into racing? I was looking for a new job and wanted to try something different.

What is the best thing about working for Martin Keighley? The team and riding different horses.

What have been your best day in racing so far? Leading up at Cheltenham.

Favourite racecourse: Cheltenham for the good atmosphere.

Favourite horse: Osterberg (Ozzie) and Lord Virginia.

Favourite jockey: James Best.

Favourite meal: A roast dinner.

Favourite drink: Coke A Cola.

Favourite snack: Super Noodles.

Favourite music: Any country music.

Dream holiday destination: Greece.

Other hobbies/interests: Horses.

Hope and dreams for the future: To progress in my riding and maybe I’ll think about doing my jockey license.

Sian Brooke, 24, has been at Keighley’s just over three years and is Head of Travelling. Having previously been a freelance groom at showjumping yards and a riding school, Sian then started here and hasn’t looked back. A skilled horsewoman, she has also successfully ridden and trained point-to-pointers: ‘I bought my first ‘pointer off Claire Hart. He was bought to retrain but proved very quirky and enjoyed his racing so that’s what we did. I lost him due to colic, and I was given Ben Broady to ride and my friend’s parents kindly bought Hung Jury for me to train.’

Originally from Chipping Norton, Sian now lives in Moreton-in-Marsh, and she has two dogs, two horses and five cats.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I started riding later than most and got my first pony, Coco, when I was seventeen, having loaned her for a while before my mum helped me buy her. I did a bit of everything with her, and she was known for her quirky ways, which definitely taught me everything. We sadly lost her in 2024.

How did you get into racing? While I was at university, I started working for Claire Hart with the youngsters, so when Claire offered me a full-time job, I left university and started straight away.

Have you been a jockey? I had five rides ‘pointing, four on my own horse that DJ Jeffreys kindly let me have on loan to teach me the ropes and I rode Hung Jury (Kem) for his last run of the season with us.

What have been your best days in racing so far? Hung Jury’s Cheltenham wins have been my favourite days. He’s a lovely horse and deserves to be winning at big meetings.

Shinji winning at Southwell was also a very good day because he was my favourite horse and he loved his job.

Favourite racecourse: Cheltenham. It’s our local track and there’s no better place to lead up a winner.

Favourite canteen: Market Rasen because they have the best burgers!

Favourite horses: I have lots of favourites. Turndlightsdownlow (Pringle) and De Temps En Temps (Tom) are my two favourites. Sonic Power and Le Fabuleux Bucks are two lovely young horses that I also really like.

Favourite jockey: James Best.

Nell Clarke, 18, started part-time two years ago and became full-time in September. She is a yardie and lived a dream when leading up a Cheltenham winner at the recent Paddy Power meeting.

In the summer, Nell, through the organisation Camp America, worked at International Riding Camp in upstate New York. Her role was a barn worker and counsellor, and the camp catered for girls between seven and seventeen of all different riding abilities. ‘There were twenty-nine horses from Thoroughbreds to Quarter Horses from aged four to twenty-four! It was a really good experience, and I would recommend it to anyone,’ she said.

Born and bred in the Cotswolds, Nell lives five minutes from the yard. She owns an ex-racehorse called Sonny and two dogs.

Did you have a horsey childhood? No, I didn’t. I come from a non-horsey family and just happy-hacked my friends’ ponies on the odd occasion.

How did you get into racing? I wanted a local job that interested me and I found weekend help advertised by Martin.

What is the best thing about working for Martin Keighley? 100% the horses.

What have been your best days in racing so far? Leading up Glance Of Glory (Percy) and he won! And, my first winning Cheltenham lead up with Hung Jury.

Favourite racecourse: Worcester. I’ve had the best luck there.

Favourite horse: Glance Of Glory (Percy).

Favourite jockey: James Best

Favourite meal: Mac ‘n’ cheese.

Favourite drink: Lucozade.

Favourite snack: A Mars bar.

Favourite music: Zach Bryan.

Dream holiday destination: Hawaii.

Other hobbies/interests: I play rugby for Stow RFC girls’ team.

Molly White, 18, is known as ‘March Hare’ by her friends due to her vivacious personality. Before coming full-time at Keighley’s on September 1^st, Molly worked for Caroline and Fred Hutsby and then with ‘pointers and, proving her fearlessness,

breakers at Fran and Charlie Poste’s. Her past injuries include four broken ribs, a broken foot and a broken finger, which she recovered from with her signature pluck and cheeriness.

Growing up in Warwickshire, Molly lives on the yard and is currently retaining a ‘no boys’ policy. She owns a mare called Gabby.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I have always gone hunting since I was little. My first pony was called Teddy Bear.

How did you get into racing? I always loved to go and watch ‘pointing. My mum’s childhood friend Fran owned a yard so, when I was nearly fourteen, I began riding out. I fell in love with it. As soon as I began ‘pointing every weekend, I wanted to do it forever.

What is the best thing about working for Martin Keighley? The horses and the people.

What have been your best days in racing so far? Leading up at Cheltenham and when my favourite horse won at Chaddesley Corbett.

Favourite racecourse: Cheltenham. I go to every meeting, so I have a lot of memories there.

Favourite horse: Continuance (Colin).

Molly when at the Postes', 2025 Game Fair and her beloved Cheltenham Racecourse for the '24 Hunter Chase evening

Favourite jockey: Freddie Gingell.

Favourite meal: Fresh pasta and tomato sauce.

Favourite drink: Pinot Grigio rosé wine.

Favourite snack: Biscuits.

Favourite music: Heart Dance Radio.

Dream holiday destination: Rio, Maldives and the North Pole.

Other hobbies/interests: Going to the pub and dancing with Sian Brooke.

Hope and dreams for the future: Hopefully, I’ll travel the world, get married as well as getting my licence out to ride lots of winners.

Carina Cole has spent many years working in racing, including for trainers David Arbuthnot, Henrietta Knight, Sir Mark Prescott, Graeme McPherson and Fergal O’Brien. ‘The late Terry Biddlecome used to call me ‘Eiffel’ because I’m so tall,’ she chuckled.

Starting two years ago, Carina is a vital part of the Keighley team; she rides out, goes racing and keeps the manes and tails tidy: ‘I do anything that needs doing really,’ she explained. Full of zest and always laughing, Carina brightens any chilly morning.

As well as working in racing, in the past, Carina has worked in a dressage yard owned by an incredibly famous, unnamed drummer, been a holiday rep in Greece and was showjumping coordinator for the Bahrain Eaveshai Federation.

Originally from Sandhurst in Berkshire, Carina, 48, now lives in Rissington with her eleven-year-old twins Bella and Ruby and Welsh terrier, Poppy and ex-racehorse Ami.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I was incredibly lucky to share a pony with my sister. The pony was called Sunny and she was so kind. As a teenager, I then had Fizzy, who taught me everything. He loved cross-country and going fast.

How did you get into racing? When I was seventeen, I saw an advert in Horse and Hound and thought ‘why not?!’ I just wanted to be with horses and didn’t mind what I did with them.

What have been your best days in racing so far? Leading up Ami Desbois for the Foxhunters’ at Aintree (pictured below). Anywhere I took Grey Smoke as I was always so proud to lead him up. Don’t Forget Ruby winning at Nottingham, which was my first winner.

What are your best memories of working in racing in the past? All the amazing characters you meet along the way – humans and equines! Plus, getting a connection with a horse is a feeling like nothing else.

Best racing celebration: My first day in racing, when I was taken out to the Queen’s pub in Lambourn. Jason Titley had just won the Grand National on Royal Athlete!

How has working racing changed over the years? We used to have four horses each, which we looked after their every need. I miss that.

Plus, I’m horrified at how many horses need a wind op these days!

Favourite racecourse: Aintree – I just find it so exciting and is full of history of incredible horses.

Favourite horse: All of them! But Yes Indeed and Genovese.

Favourite jockey: James Best as he is a fabulous jockey but also has the horses’ welfare as priority.

How do you juggle being a mum and working in racing? Very badly! Seriously, I do have to be very organised, but I have very supportive children who help in the holidays and a very understanding boss!