Meet the beautician who's also one of the most in-form trainers in Britain
Sheila Lewis speaks to Jonathan Harding about her remarkable season
"It's nice to see how other people live," says Sheila Lewis, aware her juggling act of several professions sets her apart from the crowd.
The trainer has a small team of eight horses but has punched above her weight this season with nine winners, one more than she achieved in the previous six campaigns combined. There are only two names above her in the trainers' championship who can boast a better strike-rate – Paul Nicholls and Sam Thomas.
Lewis's success is made more remarkable by the fact she also operates a successful beauty salon half a mile down the road from her Brecon yard, situated against the stunning backdrop of the Black Mountains.
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Copy- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'