Farmer and agricultural contractor Philip Pool began working for Richard roughly seventeen years ago.  He recalls: “It would be 1994 or 95 when I first baled some straw for Richard, that was when he was based at Butterwick and I’ve worked for him ever since. Obviously there is a fair bit more work involved now with the size of the operation today compared to back then but we get the job done and we like to think we get it done right.” Philip adds with a grin, “If you are going to do something lass, do it right.”

Philip not only manages Musley Bank’s 120 acres of grassland, although good management is the difference between a good crop and a poor one. Not to state the obvious, good quality hay in abundance is not made without a certain amount of care and attention. Fertilising, spraying, rolling and chain-harrowing, not to mention any draining which may be required are all paramount in producing good hay.

Last year Musley Bank had a cracking crop of hay, excellent quality and plenty of it, and regular website visitors may recall Richards’s excitement at the number of bales he could count in the field! “Aye, it was a good crop last year,” says Philip when reminded.

The stables maintenance varies considerably but there is always something that needs attention; every other week for example the horse walk, which consists of sand, into the new barn will be levelled by Philip on his 'telehandler'. After 150 plus horses have gone up and down there every day it shifts to the edges and needs re-levelling.

Fences to repair and trees to top and trim are other examples of the work Philip can turn his hand to if and when required but he also has the important role of keeping us in constant supply of straw and shavings as well as feed.

Philip puts in the weekly feed order and unloads it on delivery with his telehandler (see pic below). This piece of machinery is valued immensely by our farmer and he would apparently be lost without it. 

A continuous supply of feed and bedding is taken for granted here at Musley Bank Stables however, simply because left in Philips reliable hands we never have to think about it.

By contrast the horse manure is collected on a regular basis and loaded onto wagons by yes, Philip and his telehandler, which then goes on to the local mushroom farm to be left to decompose into compost.

Once or twice a week Philip will stick his head into the Green porta-cabin which serves as the Fahey office, and check in with Mandy. “Owt ya need lass?” he’ll ask with a grin. After scouting the office for cake - my mother would be fond of baking and we are getting quite accustomed to her ‘office treats’ – Philip is away and on to the next task.

Born and raised just down the road in Marishes near Pickering, Philip has never ventured too far from his roots. Self-employed from day one, working in and around Malton, he bought Wysehouse Farm situated just off the A169 Pickering Road in 1994 around the same time he teamed up with Richard. With about 80 acres of grass and arable land Philip also keeps 80 ewes, give or take a few, most of which have lambs at this time of year, 25 Oxford Sandy & Black pigs, a rare traditional breed of pig which, twenty years ago were facing extinction, (website link: www.oxfordsandypigs.co.uk for anyone interested) a Tagula mare with her 2012 Monsieur Bond filly foal are also stabled at Wysehouse Farm while 26 year-old Miami Bear is enjoying his retirement out in a paddock down by the river. We will catch up Miami Bear at a later date but believe it or not, our Musley Bank maestro - that would be Richard - actually won 5 hurdle races on the Miami Springs gelding way back in 1990 and 91!

Conscientious, reliable, hard working, but most importantly dependable, Philip is always at the end of the phone and is the first on the scene in a crisis. Pleasant at all times and seldom flustered, he is level headed and the epitome of stability. 

There is plenty in life we take for granted but reliable, trustworthy, dependable people are few and far between and their commitment and dedication just occasionally needs to be recognised.

Philip talking to Sal: April 2012

Four words which best describe you: Reliable, Conscientious & Easy Going

How long have you worked for Richard and what is your role at Musley Bank Stables? I have worked for Richard since 1994/95. Whatever he asks me to do, I do!

Tell us something about yourself that we probably don't know: When I was young-er I bred and showed Canaries and British Birds! I am also a very good shot with a rifle. (thats good to know!!)

Best advice ever given: Work hard and stay positive

Pet hates: Lazy people

Are you superstitious? No

Favourite actress: Keeley Hawes (best known for her roles in Spooks, Ashes To Ashes & Upstairs, Downstairs) / Favourite actor: Mel Gibson

Favourite pub/restaurant: Florios, Malton / The Royal Yacht in Jersey - excellent food and the bars not bad either!

Favourite drink: Jack Daniels / A pint of Theakstons

If you could name a racehorse what name would you choose: La Luz Del Sol (Sunlight)

What Radio Station do you listen to? Radio 2 & Radio 4

Which country would you love to visit and why? Illinois, USA - thats where the John Deere factory is!

Amy arrived in North Yorkshire with apprentice Lee Topliss in April 2009. Now a key member of the team Amy plays a major role in the day-to-day running of Musley Bank Stables because, with Flavia, she keeps the New Barn and its 44 residents ticking over perfectly. From mucking-out to changing the walker, from feeding to medications, grooming and bandages, Amy has it all under control!

Naturally petite measuring just 5ft 1½in, “the half makes a lot of difference,” laughs Amy when I ask how tall she is, one could be forgiven for immediately assuming this 26 year-old is an exercise rider, but Amy prefers to keep her feet firmly on the ground!

“I use to ride ponies, well if you could call it riding,” she jokes before adding, “I loved to hack out round the roads, a leisurely stroll on a warm sunny day- that was great. I tried a little bit of show jumping and that frightened the life out of me though so no, I wouldn’t be the bravest and I have never wanted to get on a racehorse and go fast!”  

Almost into her fourth year at Musley Bank Stables, Amy is dedicated and hard-working. She is reliable and conscientious, has a great attitude that goes hand in hand with her bubbly personality and Amy loves horses! Adores them in fact!  And her favourite? Stanley Rigby! Winner of five consecutive races at Southwell last year in the hands of Barry McHugh Amy was there on each occasion. “Ahh, it was brilliant, Stanley winning five off the bounce. The first time I took Stanley racing he won and I have travelled with him ever since. I’m his Mum!” She says in her distinct Kent accent.

On leaving school Amy enrolled at University to study sports therapy, health and fitness – there’s more to Amy than just a pretty face – but left with only six months remaining to join apprentice Lee Topliss at Derek Shaws where they worked together for two and a half years before moving to Malton. Amy sighs: “Yeah, I only had six months to go at Uni when I left. I wanted to go into Equine Sports Therapy and I thought I would get a couple of years experience working with racehorses first so I went with Lee to Derek’s.” She goes on: “After we had been there a couple of years though Lee was getting frustrated because he wanted to ride and wasn’t really getting the opportunities. We heard through friends of job vacancies here at Musley Bank and moved up North. That was April 2009. And look at me,” she laughs, “A couple of years to gain racing experience has turned into five and I’m still here and still gaining experience!”

It may be the Equine Therapy industries loss but it is certainly our gain. Amy spends most of her time in the new barn and is full of praise for Flavia (pic below) who works a long side her. “I sort of keep my eye over things,” she says modestly, “but Flavia is very good and we work really well together as a team. I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else. I feed and if there are any medications to administer or bandaging to be done then I’ll do that but Flavia is brilliant!”

Richard says: “She’s a little star is Amy. We hardly see her though; she works her socks off down there in the new barn with Flavia and does a fantastic job. It’s important to have good ground staff because they keep the yard going while we’re up at the gallops every lot. Amy’s conscientious and reliable; I could not fault her, well only her taste in men perhaps!” Richard pauses, and then adds with a grin, “No, no that’s a joke; Lee’s a grand lad and a cracking good rider! I’m delighted to have the pair of them!”

Amy talking to Sal: March 2012

Four words which best describe you: Honest, Loyal, Bubbly & Conscientious

How long have you worked for Richard and what is your role at Musley Bank Stables? I have worked here 3 years in April. I work 'on the ground' in the new barn!

Tell us something about yourself that we probably don't know: I learned Latin American and Ballroom dancing for 10 years!

Best advice ever given: Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear

Pet hates: Spitting & Liars

Are you superstitious? Yes a little

Favourite actress: Sandra Bullock / Favourite actor: Jason Statham

Favourite pub/restaurant: The Derwent Arms is a good local place; TUIS cocktail bar does amazing cocktails!

Favourite drink: Glass of rose wine

If you could name a racehorse what name would you choose: IZIT WOT WEE (family joke!)

What Radio Station do you listen to? Real Radio

Which country would you love to visit and why? America, so I can act like a big kid again and go to Disney!

Did you know?

Graham joined Richard and the Musley Bank team as travelling head-lad in November 2003.

On 1st December 2008 Graham was presented with the Stable Staff of the Year award at the 42nd Derby Awards Annual Luncheon held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

An avid darts player, Graham has the word FOCUS tattooed on the inside of his right arm. Noticeable to all when throwing darts! Graham says: “All the lads would chant focus... focus... focus as I walked up to the oche, that’s where that comes from!”

Graham's pet hates? Take a guess! That's just one of twelve Behind-The-Scenes questions our travelling head-lad answers below......

Graham joined Richard and the Musley Bank team in November 2003. Already on an upward curve with around 80 horses in training Richard was on the lookout for an experienced and reliable travelling head-lad. And that’s exactly what he found!

Originally from Kelso, Graham left school at fifteen and joined permit holder Pud Renilson as an employee on the YTS (Youth Training Scheme). Typical of the old days, the lads would muck-out, ride out, groom, sweep the yard and travel to the races with their horses. Just as the YTS stated any youngster on the scheme must attend college one day a week. This however did not bode well with young Graham! Delighted to be out of school the mere thought of going back for more of the same had him digging his toes in and whipping round, the only schooling this fifteen year-old was interested in was on top of a thoroughbred over hurdles and fences!

Pud came to the rescue with an arrangement whereby Graham would spend just short of a year with Jonjo O’Neill enabling him to by-pass college attendance. An interesting and educational year was completed at Jonjo’s base in Cumbria before returning to Pud’s.

The following six years were spent with Dick Allan and Swannie Haldane Ready for a change of scenery Graham relocated to Malton in North Yorkshire taking on a travelling head-lad’s position with Brian Rothwell. Graham was in to his tenth year with Brian before his boss moved his base to Helmsley. The long drive to work and back every day when he had been practically living on the job was just one deciding factor which led to Graham jumping aboard the onward and upward band wagon that is RF Racing Ltd!

Graham recalls: “When I started work for Richard I would ride out in the mornings, squeezing in as many lots as physically possible before rushing to pack the racing gear, diesel up the horse box, load the horses and set off for the races.” A more than competent rider Graham was as valuable in the yard as he was at the races but as Musley Bank Stables continued to grow, the number of horses increased and so did the racing. So when Graham arrived at Catterick one day with four runners and no colours for the Jockeys to wear, the colour bag left behind in the rush to get going still sitting in the office, it was decided that Graham would no longer ride out and would concentrate fully on the travelling. It was a decision well made. Seldom do errors occur with Graham now full- time organizing the runners, drivers, colours and sponsors, sheets, tack, special bridles, blinkers, visors and so on. And not only does Graham excel in his horse skills and travel organization but he is exceptional at owner liaison.

On 1st December 2008 Graham was presented with the Stable Staff of the Year award at the 42nd Derby Awards Annual Luncheon held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Richard said: "Graham is extremely conscientious and when he takes the horses away to the races you know that he is going to do everything right, leaving nothing to chance, and that takes all the pressure off a trainer, I don't have to worry about a thing. His patience and understanding of other members of staff is exemplary, and while he has yet to master Ukrainian and Polish.....” Click HERE for full story. It can be said following a recent test carried out in the office Graham’s foreign language skills have not improved a whole lot!

Football, an avid Celtic supporter, (please god let me have the right team!) and Golf, are high on our travelling head lad’s list of interests, but it is darts that would have the marginal edge. Not to be messed with when it comes to throwing arrows Graham is on the A league darts team for the Derwent Arms pub in Malton. Winner of the 2011 summer singles event he is a dominant force not to be under-estimated when seen with a dart in his hand. To reiterate just how far his talent goes at Redcar on 1st July 2010 following a Fahey–Hanagan winner - Majestic Myles for those who are curious - Tom O’Ryan wrote in the Racing Post: “Fahey had yet another winner on the card when his travelling head-lad Graham Steel, in between saddling horses, took on and beat legendary Bobby George in a darts match, one of numerous challenges George undertook during the evening.”

It would be easy to continue in true journalist fashion but we’ll pull up there. It is more than likely however we’ll be catching up with Graham again before the year is out!

Four words which best describe you: Reliable, Trustworthy, Conscientious and Focused!

How long have you worked for Richard and what is your role at Musley Bank Stables? Started work in November 2003 as travelling head-lad.

Tell us something about yourself that we probably don't know: I owned and trained over fifty greyhound winners all round the Scottish greyhound tracks in the space of two years!

Best advice ever given: Don't ever give up - stay focused!

Pet hates: Bad drivers!

Are you superstitious? No

Favourite actress: Jennifer Aniston / Favourite actor: Sylvester Stallone

Favourite pub/restaurant: The Derwent Arms / Hard Rock Cafe

Favourite drink: Becks

If you could name a racehorse what name would you choose: Focus

What Radio Station do you listen to? Capital FM

Which country would you love to visit and why? Kenya. I would love to see the wild animals in their natural habitat.

Graham talking to Sal: February 2012