Team

Oliver has been training for 25 years during which time he has notched up around 750 winners. Among these are 6 Cheltenham Festival winners:
The West Awake - Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle / Sun Alliance Novice Chase 1987/88 (still the only horse to complete the double)
Rebel Song - Sun Alliance novice hurdle 1988
Aldino - Grand Annual chase 1991
Young Pokey - Arkle Chase 1992
Coulton - Cathcart Chase 1995

Other horses that have won decent races are Arctic Call, Large Action, Lord of The River, Him Of Praise, Erics Charm to name a few.

Oliver rode as an amateur during his time as assistant trainer to Arthur Moore then Fred Winter, in a career spanning 9 years he rode 96 winners including the likes of Venture To Cognac & Midnight Court and was champion amateur in 1979/80.

Oliver is a keen cricketer, who used to love organising the Lambourn team, particularly vs Newmarket before Sunday racing took over! He also is a big fan of golf, playing off 18 (bandit), he is a lifelong Chelsea supporter and lover of all sports.

Tarnya married Oliver in September 1993 they have two children Sabrina aged 13 and Archie aged 10. Tarnya rode as a N.H. jockey prior to meeting Oliver and rode winners both point to pointing and then as a professional under rules (47 to be precise). The highlight of her career came in 1989 when riding in the Grand National on a horse called Numerate pulling up at the 21st fence. Hobbies include cricket, cooking and supporting Aston Villa, which gives both Oliver and the lads something to tease her about most Monday mornings!

Warren joined us at Rhonehurst in 2002 as Head Lad, but has been promoted to Assistant Trainer as Oliver would like him to go racing more. Not much will change as he will still be in charge of the yard and feeding.

Warren honed his craft with the likes of the late David (Duke) Nicholson, Josh Gifford and then going on to be Brian Smarts Head Lad before joining us. In fact Brian's loss was our gain as he only left because Brian moved from Lambourn to Yorkshire. In his riding career he rode 13 winners and for his sins he is a Tottenham supporter. Warren is a much valued part of the team and a good leader. He gets the horses looking exceptionally well due to his ability to get horses eating and his attention to detail.

Stefan joined us in 2004, he was formerly Warren's Assistant but has now taken on the role of Head Lad. He works very hard and with him being Slovakian it is a big bonus that he is able to communicate well with the foreign members of staff and the British. Stefan lives with Jana and they have a daughter called Viktoria, who keeps him very busy at home as she has just started to walk!

Emma joined us in 2003  from Nicky Henderson where she had been pupil assistant trainer for 2 years. She married Richard in 2003 (son of Robert Chugg, who breeds, buys and sells youngstock, very successfully). Emma hails from Norfolk originally and can be seen most weekends in the spring either riding or training point to pointers.

Dominic has taken over as stable jockey from Leighton. He has come down south after previously being based up in the north with Sue Smith, where he worked for 12 years. He is a real horseman who is a brilliant schooling jockey, this is probably from the fact that his main teacher was no other than Harvey Smith. Dominic plays golf and arguably football, although lets hope he is more co-ordinated on a horse than he is on a football pitch!

Paul has come to us over the summer and will be riding the horses when Dominic can't. He is retained by Paul Beck and also rides for Venetia Williams.

We have loved his attitude and input since he has joined us. Paul supports Manchester United (boo!!) and loves his golf and cricket.

Lisa joined us in 2003 from Gerald Butler when her partner Ollie was our conditional jockey. Lisa started out with Chris Thornton before heading south to work for Jim Old. Lisa and Ollie have a son called Harvey. Lisa prides herself in turning the horses out to a very high standard and loves winning best turned out prizes for the lads. She also came runner up in a Lambourn equivalent to Pop Idol held in The Maltshovel Pub!

Joe has joined us over the summer, he formerly worked for Charlie Mann, where he had some rides and before than worked for Pat Murphy. Joe has had about 50 rides and is looking for more. He is a really good lad who is conscientious and is a real asset to the yard. He is from Bristol and is a big supporter of Bristol City so we can't work out that he also supports Blackburn Rovers!!

Chris is part of the furniture here, having been with us since 1992 in which time he has looked after Large Action among others. Chris began his career in racing with Fulke Walwyn where he worked for 17 years and names Rose Ravine as the best horse he looked after there. C.J. as he is known in the yard supports Man City having come from that part of the world. If you ever come to Lambourn you will see him bombing around on his bright orange scooter.

Paul is known as "George" because of his striking resemblance to George Formby. He joined us in 2002 and before that worked for John Hills for 9 years, where he looked after prolific winner Sherrif. George is a very good pool player and has won many local tournaments. A Newcastle United supporter who understandably is getting a lot of grief as a result. George names Eric's Charm as the best horse he has looked after here.

Marcel joined us in 2004 having come over from Slovakia to join his friends Ondrej and Stefan. Marcel rode as an amateur jockey in his own country and is a qualified vet back in Slovakia. Marcel’s English isn't brilliant yet but he understands sign language very well!! In the summer of 2006 he became a father for the first time as his partner had a baby girl.

Peter started at Rhonehurst in 2005. He has been a great help as yardman and does everything he is asked (in sign language!) with a smile! Peter spoke no English when he arrived in England but now communicates pretty well. He is a good footballer and supports Arsenal. Rosita Bay is his favourite horse to look after.

Veronika has recently joined us from Barry Hills. She seems very competent and is settling in well. Before Barry Hills she worked for Amanda Perrett and Nicky Henderson. Sprosser would be the best horse in her string of horses to look after.

Pasa joined us in 2006 from Charlie Egerton. He is a real asset and he is fearless in the saddle and has been used numerous times as a test pilot on the youngsters. He is married with two children.

Lubica rode out for Ian Woods before she joined us this season. She seems very quiet but takes very good care of her horses and works hard around the yard. Inghwung is in her care and she looks very promising for the future.

Chris hails from Liverpool but has joined us from Howard Johnson and before that worked for Jonjo O'Neil. A very enthusiastic worker who is always willing to help. He looks after Superrollercoaster, who has won twice for him already this season.

Sabrina was born in October 1994. She has just become a teenager and goes to school in Ireland. She has got her own pony called Mini, and likes riding out with her local friends when the weather is nice!

Archie was born in April 1997. He goes to Pinewood School and weekly boards. He is sport mad, particularly keen on rugby and has played on the first team at school for football, rugby and cricket.