How Royal Ascot winner The Grand Visir helped shape the career of Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award winner Lyndsey Bull

Never underestimate the power of a racehorse. Stable staff award winner Lyndsey Bull is not alone in adoring Frankel, but her eyes light up at the merest mention of the unbeaten superstar.

It is not an overreaction to say Frankel is the reason Bull has forged a successful career in the sport. She would religiously get together with her parents to watch him dazzle in his races and her love for him grew even stronger in his days after racing. 

Bull, 36, formed the tightest of bonds with one of Frankel's first progeny at Ian Williams' Worcestershire yard, where she worked for 20 years before recently taking up a new role at the National Horseracing College. There were favourites before, but nothing to the extent of The Grand Visir.

"He was still a colt when he first came to Ian's and he was quite cheeky," says Bull. "I took a shine to him straight away because of the Frankel link. I got put on him from the start and he challenged me because he'd get fresh quite quickly. I just fell in love with him. To have been able to ride a horse by Frankel, it still blows my mind."

Bull's face is full of joy as she recounts her time with The Grand Visir, who is still racing at the age of ten. Someone else looks after him now, but thankfully for Bull she still gets to see him regularly as her old stable is on her patch as roving instructor for the Midlands area.

Just a few months into her new job, she wears the NHC's red polo shirt and jacket with pride on a drop-in session at Dave Loughnane's yard in Shropshire.

A workout on the Equicizer beckons, but there is just enough time to recall her success at the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards and how it helped propel her to the next level. 

Lyndsey Bull: worked for Ian Williams for 20 years Credit: Dan Abraham

Having been a fixture at Williams' Dominion Racing Stables since the age of 16, Bull's experience was a valuable asset, and when a tricky horse arrived she was called into action. It was that extra care and detail, coupled with a willingness to share her knowledge with younger colleagues, that led to her nomination for the rider and racing groom category.

"A few people at the yard were nominated, including my best friend Elly Ravenhall, who is second travelling head girl, and they called me in to talk about her. I didn't think for one minute I'd be nominated, so when I got the email I thought it was to do with Elly. I really didn't expect it and was very shocked. I don't think it sank in until the day of the awards." 

Bull was about to get an even bigger shock as racing's everyday heroes gathered at Ascot racecourse for a ceremony hosted by ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin, where the special guests included the Princess Royal and champion jockey William Buick.

"Just to be part of it was amazing as it's such a prestigious event," she says. "We had a really good day. I met everyone in my category and not for one minute did I think I was going to win because everyone was so deserving of being there. I couldn't believe it when my name was called out. I was really happy.

"Ascot is one of my favourite places anyway because it's where The Grand Visir gave Ian his first Royal Ascot victory. It holds a lot of good memories and it couldn't have been at a better place for me."

You can't be long in Bull's company before the conversation turns to her favourite horse again. The Grand Visir was from Frankel's second-season crop and cost €750,000 as a yearling before starting out with William Haggas. He went on to have a run for John Butler before moving to Williams for 170,000gns to go jumping. After a couple of failed attempts hurdling, he was switched back to the Flat and two starts later defied top weight to win the 2019 Ascot Stakes. 

"That was the win that sticks out most," says Bull. "It was brilliant for Ian and it's amazing to think I'd ridden a horse at home who won at Royal Ascot. There have been other horses along the way too and I've been lucky enough to travel to Ireland and France. I looked after London Prize and used to ride Alfred Boucher, who was scared of his own shadow. He was very sensitive, but when he got on the gallop or the track he was something else. You'd need to be calm and adapt to him, with different horses you'd learn to do that."

Lyndsey Bull is presented with her award by Ed Chamberlin (left) and William BuickCredit: Dan Abraham

Having witnessed Bull's expertise first-hand, a roving instructor at the NHC encouraged her to consider pursuing a role in coaching. It was a hard decision to leave Williams after all that time, but she knew she had to fulfil the potential that was spotted in her. 

"I actually started my career in racing with an apprenticeship at the NHC when it was the Northern Racing College, and I've gone full circle as I'm now back there," she says. "At Ian's I took on the role of helping any new people. I'd show them around and help them on the gallop and it was something I really enjoyed doing. I did my level one and two with Ian and it just so happened that this job came up. 

"It's giving back to racing. I'm passing on all the knowledge and experience I gained over 20 years. I'm signed up to do my level three and I find the courses really interesting. You learn about how students learn differently. Some do it by seeing things, some by listening and all that helps with my role as a rover."

Bull will be forever grateful for having a boss as understanding as Williams and urges other trainers to adopt a similarly flexible approach when it comes to striking the right work-life balance.

"When I became a single mum, the hours required for travelling didn't suit, so I went back to being a work-rider," she says. "I had a lot of help from my mum as she had to come round at quarter to five in the morning to sit with my son Alfie while I left for work. 

"Ian helped as well by altering my hours so I could finish at half two to do the school run. Not many trainers would do that, but Ian is good when it comes to things like that. When I found out I was pregnant, I thought how am I going to do this. I went and spoke to Ian and had a cry and he assured me not to worry and that we'll make it work. 

"You can be a mum and still do the job you enjoy. Trainers need to be a little more adaptable like that and move with the times."

Bull has found her dream job and will continue her education to progress up the coaching ladder. Having the recognition for her years of service to the sport has spurred her on to better things and she is eager to see others follow in her footsteps.

"I'm truly grateful to Ian and everyone at the awards for helping me to get where I've got to," she says. "It's so important that people make the nominations. Your hard work is recognised and it gives you that confidence. The awards are such a good way to show appreciation and celebrate people's achievements."

Nominations are open until November 5 for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. The awards are an opportunity for employees from across the industry in Britain, such as training yards, studs or administrative roles, to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication. Find out more by visiting thoroughbredawards.co.uk.

Read these next:

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'To receive the main award from Princess Anne - I was completely gobsmacked. It was magical' 

'You don't really expect to get anything more from what you do and love' - David Porter-Mackrell's pride at Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards honour 

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