Trainer Q&A: 'You can ask my jockey David Bass why the win was so satisfying'

Over the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys which will offer unrivalled insight to our sport. This series continues this week with trainers. Today: Kim Bailey

Who's the best horse you ever trained?

Alderbrook, who was a novice when he won the Champion Hurdle in 1995. He came to us as a Group 2 winner on the Flat, still an entire, and he became very sharp over his hurdles thanks to Yogi Breisner. He managed to win that Champion Hurdle on just his second run. He was fast and tough.

Who's your favourite horse of all time?

This might sound strange but it's a horse called Sunblazer, who was here for around five years and won just once over hurdles, but he won a few on the Flat for me. He was such a great character and made me laugh.

Which horse was the most difficult to train?

It's another mention for Alderbrook, who had very unsound joints. We took chips out of his joints and without a water treadmill he would have been untrainable.

First Flow: landed the Peterborough Chase for Kim Bailey and David Bass at Huntingdon in 2021Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Which winner has given you most satisfaction?

The day First Flow, a star for us, landed the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in 2021. You can ask my jockey David Bass why it was so satisfying [Bass was convinced the horse wouldn't get the trip]. Ajero winning a handicap at Glorious Goodwood in the summer was also great.

What's the funniest thing you've seen on a racecourse?

Being asked to sign my autograph on a racecard on New Year's Day at Cheltenham one year when I had no runners in the race. I soon realised the poor chap's mistake when Nicky Henderson was the only male trainer on the page he wanted me to sign!

What's the key to doing your job well?

Having patience with horses . . . and people, and being able to delegate.

What's the one thing the average punter most misunderstands about racing?

That horses they back do sometimes get beaten and nobody, including punters, understands handicapping!

Which horse are you most looking forward to running again?

Imperial Aura. He won the novice handicap chase at the 2020 festival and impressed in a Listed chase at Carlisle and Grade 2 at Ascot later that year, but since then he's had five runs and hasn't got round in any of them [pulled up three times, fell once and unseated his rider once]. He has so much ability and has had a back operation this summer.

Can you give us a horse to follow?

I'll go for Tregele, who is a four-year-old Mahler gelding out a good mare I used to train called Emily Gray.

Read more trainer Q&As:

Fergal O'Brien: 'The only person who is a worse tipster than a trainer is a jockey'   

David Pipe: 'She asked if I was David Pipe - and if I could sign one of her boobs'   

Paul Nicholls: 'I felt my head was on the chopping block - he had to win'