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Dad may be 80 but he's just starting;


A series in which we quiz the right-hand men and women of leading trainers

Today: David Easterby, Assistant to Mick Easterby

Age 35

Years in job 17 Years in industry


How did you first get into racing?

I had to watch racing instead of kids television programmes when I was younger, but I first got into racing when I was part of the pony club, who would get a visiting jockey to give us a riding lesson.


How did you get the job?

When I was at secondary school, I was looking into a career in the army and thinking about going to Sandhurst. But I was simply told "you're coming home".


What does the role entail?

I think of myself as similar to a kindergarten teacher. I look after the children, making sure that all of their toys are put back in their prams and that their parents aren't upset. That's about it really.


What is the best part of the job? The early starts, short commute, fresh air, brisk mornings and the lovely countryside and surroundings. What is the worst part of the job? It took me 18 years to appreciate the above.


What hours do you work?

We ride out 7am-12.30pm then have afternoon stables between 3-5pm. I have to be more flexible, sometimes incorporating visits to London for dinner with owners, trips to Aberdeen meeting clients, attending races and pretty much anything else MW Easterby doesn't want to do.


How do you assess the season for your stable so far?

Last season was successful for the yard and we had the best strike-rate at York, with eight winners at the track. Richard Fahey just pipped us for leading trainer at the course, which was a shame. We won decent prize-money last year, but with levels being so low and the inability of governing bodies to pull us in the right direction, anyone still in the business is doing all right.


Who has been your favourite horse in the yard?

There are three. Opio is now my hunter after spending most of his racing career dropping me on the floor. I got to know him well because nobody else would ride him. He's very clever. Gentleman's Deal won a lot of races for us. I was there when Dad bought him for £26,000 and flew to Russia to see him after he was sold as a stallion. He's enjoying his new life. Everyone loved Nowell House. He was a cracking horse who never let us down. He went on to successfully jump hurdles even though he was the size of a pony.


Give us a horse to follow in 2012.

Hoof It did well in 2011. His 2012 campaign will be a bit like owner Lee Westwood's - events all over the world. Hoof It will probably start off at York, before running in big sprints in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and France. We just have to hope that, unlike his owner, he doesn't keep getting chinned on the line. Where do you go to celebrate a big victory? Usually big victories are shared with owners and it will be their choice. If not, Akbars in York after the races or a local pub called the Thompsons Arms on the way home.


Do you hope to branch out on your own one day?

Time will tell. Dad may be 80 but I think he feels like he's just getting started.


Tell us the funniest thing you've seen happen in the yard?

About 20 years ago, Gyles Parkin worked for us. Ordinarily, we would carry our tack and put it outside a horse's stable to indicate which ride we were going to attempt next. On this particular day I placed my tack outside a reliable stable, which Gyles hastily replaced with his. There was a bit of a disagreement about this, but eventually it was decided that we would both simultaneously ride the horse. We went up and down the gallops and felt quite proud of ourselves until someone shouted "Dixie", which was code for the boss. I bailed out left, Gyles went right, and the loose horse walked straight towards my father as he appeared round the corner. Dad said: "Whose is this horse?" to which Gyles gingerly replied: "Mine, boss." Dad replied: "What are you doing falling off that. He's the easiest horse in the yard to ride. Have you been on the pop again Parky?"


What's the best moment you can recall in your racing career?

Riding round the Grand National course was fantastic. I finished fourth in the Fox Hunters' on Colonel Blazer in 2001 and I still bore people with the video. When I rode into the old arena at Aintree, I stood up and threw my whip in the air. The cheers of my family and friends drowned out the winner.


Do you have any hobbies outside racing?

Yes, I like watching rugby, especially the Six Nations. I play tennis once a week and I'm pretty good at Angry Birds on my iPhone - my wife says it takes up too much of my spare time.












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