It has been quite a week for Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby.
At 85 years young he is still turning out winners both on the flat and over jumps and has now been training at his New House Farm stables for over 50 years.
During that time he has had Classic success with Mrs McArdy in the 1977 1,000 Guineas, sent out Lochnager to win the sprint 'Triple Crown' in 1976 and, on crutches after breaking a leg, watched Mr Snugfit finish second in the 1985 Grand National, the closest any Ryedale trainer has come to winning the Aintree marathon.
A reputation as a canny salesman has been with him throughout his career. He once, famously, on the way back from racing on a busy Friday evening, sold a share in one of his horses to a total stranger who was stuck next to him in the traffic jam on the motorway.
Last Tuesday, two of his charges - Perfect Pasture and First Wheat - set out on the 1,000 mile round trip to race at the Hippodrome de la Solle at Fontainebleau in France, accompanied by travelling head girl Katie Midgley, stable lad Shane Marriott and apprentice Nathan Evans.
