Earlier this week I received the terribly sad news of the loss of my good friend Linda Folwell.

Linda was one of my favourite racehorse owners and she will be hugely missed by everyone. I loved training horses for Linda. She had been involved with horses since a young age, her parents having bred horses when she was a child, and she was knowledgeable about both the horses and about racing. Linda was also blessed with a remarkable sense of humour and I enjoyed every minute I spent in her company.

It was satisfying and fun training Linda’s horses and I would frequently have a good haggle with her when she was looking to add a horse to her string. As we neared a deal I would always say “Come On Linda” and to Linda’s amusement she bestowed this very name upon the grey filly she acquired last year.

Everyone here at New House Farm held Linda in great esteem. She was a kind and generous lady and would buy the staff presents at Christmas.

Above all Linda loved her horses and I was fortunate enough to train the winners of 23 races for Linda.

Linda loved to run her horses at Ayr and I would look forward to the annual trip to western Scotland in September. I think Arrowtown’s wins at Ayr and York in 2018 were the real highlights in her career as a racehorse owner.

Arrowtown was retired in 2019 to stand as a broodmare. Only weeks before her passing Linda was able to visit her star mare at Norton Grove Stud to see her for a final time. Arrowtown was accompanied by her filly foal by Nathaniel who was just a few weeks old.

Linda’s other winners were Kalk Bay (5 wins), Black Grass (5), Magic City (4), Yorkshire Lady (2), Rapid Applause (2) and Astraea (1).

Linda also owned several horses which did not make the winners enclosure. However, she treated each and every horse equally, it didn't matter if they didn't win, she would think no less of them. Many a time she would tell me to give the horse another chance and not to give up quite yet!

Linda would regularly visit her horses and bring them treats. The horses knew Linda well and were well aware that when they saw her that there would be polo mints on offer.

Upon retirement from racing Linda was adamant that her horses should be rehomed and given the opportunity to follow a new career. The horses went on to various disciplines, such as polo where Furze Boy became a champion, whilst others have gone on to enjoy their retirement as riding horses.

Away from racing Linda was a very modest person and would never talk of her business successes. She enjoyed gardening in her spare time and would spent many hours caring for the local wildlife, ensuring good stocks of food for the visiting birds which gave her such pleasure.

Linda was chairman of the Conservatives Thirsk and Malton Constituency Association, and was highly respected in local politics. She worked hard raising money for local charities and a page has been set up in her memory where contributions can be made.

I feel privileged to have known Linda Folwell and she will be greatly missed by the staff here at New House Farm.

Thank you Linda for the many memories.

If you would like to donate to 'Looking Out for Linda' the page is linked on our Facebook site here.