We are delighted to bring you the BIG interview with Tim Easterby…
Following on from his father, Tim has a fine catalogue of winners to his name from the Cheltenham Festival to the St Leger…
We talk about all things racing & even Bollin Greta!
With racing in your blood, what was your earliest racing memory?
I have so many fantastic memories from back when dad was training. The earliest I can remember is being sat on the Champion Hurdle winner Saucy Kit as a child.
Was there ever a possibility that you would try another career instead of racing?
Training was something I always wanted to do. However, if I hadn’t gone into racing, I would probably have been a farmer. We grow a lot of our own hay and straw for the horses in the yard, and it’s something I’ve always had an interest in.
You had a successful amateur riding career, why did you not turn professional?
I never turned professional as I was lucky enough to ride so many top-class horses as an amateur.
“That’s a very difficult question to answer. There have been too many to count! “
Following your father, they were very big shoes to fill….. Was there any pressure when taking over the license?
Three was never any pressure at all; as I said, it was something I always wanted to do
What has been the best piece of advice you have been given?
Something that has always stuck with me was not running a horse too quickly after a heavy fall.
Of all the Group & Graded winners, if i asked you to pick out a couple, which gave you the most pleasure & why?
It is tough to choose. Winning the St Ledger with Bollin Eric was incredibly special, as was Barton’s win at the Cheltenham Festival.
Bollin Joanna & Bollin Eric are from Bollin Greta, how many Bollin runners have you trained & run on course?
That’s a very difficult question to answer. There have been too many to count!
Can you give us a breakdown of the horses in the yard, NH & Flat as compared to when you took over in 1996?
The yard was probably 60% flat horses and 40% national hunt horses when I took over in 1996. We have a greater percentage of flat horse now, but I would like to have more national hunt horses in the future.
Being a dual code trainer, must keep you busy all year round. When do you get time to take a holiday & relax?
It does keep the whole family busy all year round, but we have a great team to keep the show on the road when we feel the need to have some time away.
Race planning must be more important in the spring than at most other times, how long in advance do you look at races for each horse?
It depends on the horse. Some horses we have targets in mind later in the year for them, but most of the time, we let the horses come to themselves before we start to look for races for them.
How has racing changed since 1996 & what changes, if you were in charge of the BHA, would you like to see come in?
I’d look at upgrading some of the big handicaps to black-type races, and I’d be strict with the summer jumping program. I would make sure tracks are watered well and not allowing races to be run in intense heat.
Do you have a stable jockey?
David Allan has been our stable jockey for many years
What part do Syndicates & Racing Clubs have to play in the future of racing?
I think syndicates have a massive part to play, especially for smaller trainers.
If you could train ANY horse, PAST or PRESENT, aside from your own…. Who would it be & Why?
It would probably have to be Frankel; he was such an exceptional horse
And finally, thank you for your time, I really appreciate it..
Can you give our readers a HORSE to FOLLOW for the season ahead please…..
We got a lot of nice horses in the yard. Copper Knight has been a great servant over the years, and after a quiet season last year, he could be worth following this campaign. He has had two runs already that he probably needed to put him right, and hopefully, he can get his head back in front this year.
You can contact the Team at – https://www.timeasterby.co.uk/
We would like to thank Tim for his time, Tom for helping with the interview & wish Team Easterby all the best for the future & the season ahead…
Interview by Rich Williams
Pictures – Tim Easterby website & Racing Post
Arseonlineracing – Published May 2021
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