Ruth Jefferson: 'People can slate me as much as they like - I can guarantee they wouldn't have done a better job'
Andrew Dietz talks to the trainer about the rapid rise of Gold Cup hope Sounds Russian
It's hard to believe a stronger bond between trainer and horse could exist. Ruth Jefferson has been with Sounds Russian every step of the way on a journey that in less than two years has gone from racecourse debut to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
From sourcing the strapping bay to riding him out on a daily basis, the Malton trainer has meticulously charted the meteoric rise of a horse nobody wanted.
With Sounds Russian costing a mere €15,000 as a three-year-old before going on to develop into a genuine Gold Cup contender, you might think he is known as 'Bruce' because the price was right. Sadly not – it is down to his wild side.
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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'