Brian Ellison

Born on June 28th 1952, the son of a Tyneside shipbuilder,

Brian Ellison has been involved with racehorses throughout his working life - as stable lad, National Hunt Jockey and Racehorse Trainer.

When he took out his trainer's license in 1989, Brian fulfilled a long standing ambition to train racehorses. During his first year, he also continued with his riding career but was then told by the racing authorities to make a decision - either train or ride. It wasn't a difficult decision so he ended his riding at the age of 39.

Brian's most memorable riding success came in 1976 when, in a handicap chase, he rode Tex to victory over the legendary Tingle Creek. Often regarded as a 'journeyman jockey' and Brian admits, when speaking of his stable star Latalomne, " Most of the horses I rode were bad ones, I never rode one as good as him"

His training career has been no 'steering job' . "There 's been times when I've been down to six or eight horses, wondering where the next winner's coming from. You have to stick at it and keep grafting away".

Having trained in rented accommodation in Lanchester, County Durham for six years, Brian seized the opportunity to return to purchase the 30-box Spring Cottage Stables, formerly Bill Haigh's base. So, in August 2000, the Ellison team returned to Malton.

Brian asserts Spring Cottage Stables is "a lucky yard" and, if proof were needed, shortly after moving in, he won Doncaster's November Handicap with Batswing. The same horse went on to win at Punchestown to give Brian a winner with his first runner in Ireland!

His plans include increasing the yard's current 30 boxes to 50 and, as Brian holds a combination license that enables him to train for both Flat and National Hunt racing, all types of horses and owners can be catered for. Brian is very much a 'hands on' trainer and still rides out whenever he can which helps him assess the well being of each individual horse.

Web Site: www.BrianEllisonRacing.co.uk