We are delighted to bring you the BIG Interview with Dual Purpose trainer Gillian Boanas.
Having been working with the Reveley Family until their retirement from racing, Gillian has taken over the yard & talks about past, now & the future….
Can you tell us your first racing memory?
Corbiere winning the 1983 Grand National… I was 8 at the time & used to sit down with the family to watch the National then straight after go get the ponies out, put the irons up and go hell for leather around the farm.
How did you get into the racing industry & was it always going to be racing or did you have another career in mind?
Show jumping was what I wanted to do but then ended up working for Mary Reveley and the show jumping took a back seat.
You worked with the Reveley family for 25 years, how did that come about?
A family friend suggested I go & see Mary one day, as she was looking for staff, she took me on on a 2 week trial, she never did tell me whether I got the job 25yrs on
Now training on your own, was this the next logical step?
Not really, obviously Keith Reveley dropped the bombshell he was retiring, so I thought it was a great opportunity with the superb facilities to give training a go and luckily the majority of owners have backed me and I can’t thank them enough.
Of your 22 boxes available at the yard, how many horses do you currently have & what is the breakdown ( NH & Flat) ?
Currently have 24 horses including a lot of youngsters.
19 National Hunt & 5 Flat horses, I would like to try and get more flat horses, as we’ve done exceptionally well with the handful we have.
What has been the highlight of your training career so far?
There’s been so many, Brave Spartacus winning on his retirement race was extra special, he’d been such a great horse over the years.
Also Great Colaci & Broctune Red both came back from serious injuries to win 8 races between them over the winter on the all weather.
With you being involved in the racing industry for a substantial period of time, how has racing changed & what would you like to see change for the future?
I think every trainer/owner will say prize money, it really has to improve. We put a lot of time, work and money into getting these horse’s to the track.
Are racing Syndicates & Clubs the way forward for owning, even a small part of a race horse?
Yes definitely, a lot of people love a day at the races and its a way of having a fun day out, and they do cater for any budget, it is something which I personally need to look into doing more of.
Final 3 questions….
If you could WIN any race, which would it be & why?
Grand National….. I think because it’s the race I’ve grown up with from a child. But I’d be happy right now with any winner at Aintree, its a meeting I’ve always loved.
As a Trainer, if you could train ANY horse, PAST or PRESENT, who would it be & why?
Sprinter Sacre, his jumping was outstanding and a pleasure to watch.
And finally…..Can you give our readers a horse to keep an eye on this year (NH or Flat) please….
We’ve a lot of nice young horse’s coming through. But Teescomponentstrig had a great first season over hurdles, unfortunately a minor injury kept him out of last season. I think he’s going to make a superb staying chaser in time.
We would like to thank Gillian for taking the time to talk to us & wish Gillian & her team all the best for the season & the future….
You can also Visit – https://www.gilboanasracing.com
Images – Racing Post (Corbiere & Sprinter Sacre). Teescomponentstrig (GBRacing) Keith Reveley(gbiracing)
Interview by Rich Williams
Arseonlineracing – June 2021
arseonlineracing 