FeatureSpecial Report
premium

'You put your heart and soul into it so it's hard to cope when the bad times come along'

Catherine Macrae explores the consequences of trainers going through cold spells - and discovers help is now at hand

Mike Sowersby: in the winner's enclosure at Sedgefield in 2021, the year he ended a cold spell of 847 days
Mike Sowersby: in the winner's enclosure at Sedgefield in 2021, the year he ended a cold spell of 847 daysCredit: Grossick Racing

The best days of a trainer's life are shaped by success. 

A high-profile victory might catapult a yard into fame overnight, festival glory could be the thin line between a good or bad season, and a Group 1 triumph can be the crowning achievement of years of hard work. Competitiveness might as well be written in the job description. 

The relentless pursuit of victory unifies all trainers, but alongside the fulfilment of being on top there is a far less cherished experience they share. Going hand in hand with the highs are the lows, the spells when winners fail to come that can, on occasion, feel like an eternity. 

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock
  • Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
  • Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
  • Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
  • Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
  • Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
  • Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Subscribe

Already a subscriber?Log in

Published on inSpecial reports

Last updated

iconCopy