Horses First Racing

Eamonn Wilmott

Founder & Managing Director

Email: wilmott@horsesfirstracing.com

Eamonn, is the Managing Director and founder of Horses First Racing. With a lifelong interest in racing Eamonn enjoyed a misspent youth at Windsor races and Slough dog track. He tore himself away to start his career in publishing. After moving to Silicon Valley to publish a computing magazine, he set up the world's first commercial internet service. On his return to the UK he founded leading interactive agency Online Magic, which he later sold to Agency.com, staying on as their European CEO. After contracting M.E. Eamonn explored a vast range of alternative therapies to aid his recovery. He was keen to bring together this interest with his racing involvement, bought The Beeches in 2004, and founded Horses First Racing.

Jeremy Gask

Trainer

Jeremy, 34, is the trainer at Horses First Racing. He came over from Australia where he enjoyed considerable success. For more information please see the trainer page.

Visit Jeremy's training page: www.horsesfirstracing.com/trainer.html

Paul Cooper

Assistant Trainer

'Coops' joined the yard in 2008, having previously been a highly regarded Head Lad to the David Hayes empire at Lindsay Park in South Australia. Coops has ridden some top class horses, including Japan Cup winner Better Loosen Up and Golden Slipper winner Miss Finland.

Tom Dewhurst

Travelling Head Lad

Tom, 28, joined us from David Barron's yard after completing a course at the Northern Racing School. He worked here as a groom before being appointed Traveling Head Lad. He is in charge of taking our runners to the track and looking after them there.

Rosie Carruthers

Head of Equine Treatments

Rosie came to us in 2008 after working in the polo industry. The first horse she led up for us was Chief Exec when he won at Wolverhampton! She is now in charge of any treatments the horses need and is the main contact point for our vet Rob Jackson.

Sam Clarke

Work Rider

Sam joined us from John Mackie's yard where he had been working as a work rider. He has his amateur licence and had ridden in 4 point to points to date.

Matt Latus

Work Rider

Matt, 21, joined us early in 2008 as a work rider. He has ridden for most of his life and is keen to progress in racing.

Amy Jones

Work Rider

Amy is a qualified riding instructor and joined the Horses First team in 2008. She owns Cap Classique, who used to be in training with us.

Barry Adams

Work Rider/ Amateur Jockey

Barry is an amateur jockey who has ridden for Jim Boyle, David Bridgwater and Paul Green among others. He has recently joined the yard and is a great addition to the team

David Turner

Work Rider/ Amateur Jockey

David rides out for the yard every morning. He has ridden as an amateur for us both over fances and on the flat.

Ed Sibbick

Work Rider

Ed joined us from Andy Haynes' yard as a work rider. He is only 16 and is working towards being an apprentice jockey.

Sarah Andrews

Work Rider

Sarah joined us as a work rider following a stint working as an estate agent. She has previously worked for Paul Keane.

Michelle Allen

Work Rider

Michelle has worked in racing for over 20 years and has previously worked as Travelling Head Girl for Jim Boyle.

Tracey Strange

Senior Groom

Tracey, 40, is our Senior Groom. She is our longest serving member of staff, having been with the company since it first set up at the Beeches. She has been involved with horses her whole life.

Zoe Mcellan

Groom

Zoe started off working weekends for us before becoming a full-time member of staff. She loves animals and has ridden for years.

Abbi Prin

Groom

Abi joined us early in 2008. Her favourite horse is Hopeful Purchase (pictured) who she looks after.

Emma Lucas

Groom

Emma completed a course in Racehorse Care at Lackham college before starting work as a groom for us. She loves horses and is keen to progress in the industry.

Jack Kitchen

Groom

Jack is a local lad who has done summer jobs for us for several years, and now works full time in the yard.

Laura Coward

Groom

Laura started working for Horses First Racing in 2008. She has worked with horses before and is enthusiastic about learning more about racing.

Marcus Deimart

Groom

Marcus started off working weekends for us and became a full-time member of staff early in 2008.

Callum Flood

Assistant Groundsman

Callum is our Assistant Groundsman, responsible for keeping the farm tidy and uptogether. He does everything from mowing the grass to preparing the gallops.

Faye Rickhuss

Weekend Groom

Faye has her own horse and has started helping us out at the weekends. She is enthusiastic and hard-working and a big help to the team.

Joanna Smith

Secretary & Financial Controller

Jo recently joined Horses First Racing to oversee the office and manage our finances and accounting. A fully trained chartered accountant, she has also been involved with horses all her life and is thrilled to be able to combine her two passions.

Kelly Baker

Racing & Marketing Co-ordinator

Email: kelly@horsesfirstracing.com

Kelly is our Racing and Marketing Coordinator, as well as riding out each morning. She been involved with horses all of her life and has owned her own horse, Sam, for 13 years. She specializes in flat work and has helped transform many of our horses. Kelly deals with entries and declarations, is our press liaison and looks after our website, newsletter, syndicates and recruitment.

Imogen Bovey

Racing Secretary

Racing Secretary Imogen Bovey has recently returned to the company after taking a break to have her first child, daughter Marcia. Imy has worked at The Beeches for three years and now owns one of our ex-racehorses, Silent Dream.

Debbie Bailey

Office Administrator

Email: debbie@horsesfirstracing.com

Debbie has recently joined us an our Office Administrator, dealing with the day-to-day running of the yard. She is a keen racing enthusiast and has followed racing avidly as her cousin owns racehorses.