'I'm all right. Sex four times a week helps' - the best David Elsworth quotes

ELSWORTH ON . . .

His start in life
My ancestry is somewhat doubtful. I was born out of wedlock, which my mother was always embarrassed about. I think she probably had a boyfriend who went off to war and he either didn't or couldn't come back. It didn't worry me much then and it hasn't worried me since. People do call me a bastard and I suppose they're right.

His start in racing
On January 3, 1955, I got on my racing bike with my suitcase on the handlebars and went to work for Alec Kilpatrick. Before then I hadn't known what to do. Me and two of my mates used to catch rabbits with our ferrets, so I once told a youth employment officer I rather fancied being a gamekeeper. I hadn't read Lady Chatterley's Lover at the time. If I had, I would definitely have been a gamekeeper.

His long career
I wouldn't say I have depressions but I do experience waves of enthusiasm. There are times when I think, is it worth it? However, if I didn't go to the yard every morning I would be sat in this chair all day, watching television and drinking gin and tonics by 11 in the morning. Training horses gives me a purpose.

David Elsworth supervises his string in NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

A life well lived
Racing doesn't seem as much fun to me anymore but I can't complain. I've lived a charmed life and been extraordinarily lucky. I've had a hell of a time.

The training fraternity
There are a lot of overprivileged young buggers training these days but you also find people who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.

A troubled time
I believe half of what I see and nothing of what I hear, so when trainers talked about always having viruses and coughs I was a sceptic. That was my opinion but, blow me, I was served right because last year, really for the first time ever, my horses weren't right. They were what I would call happily sick. From March onwards they were coughing, they were quieter, their coats weren't as I wanted and they just weren't radiating a sense of wellbeing. I assumed once the sun started shining things would improve, but they didn't. I changed the bedding, I changed the food, I practically changed everything. I almost changed my hairstyle.

David Elsworth with his son Simon in his garden at home in NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Money in the bank
The thing with me is that I've always trained from the heart and not by the chequebook, and so while I might have built up a little pile it has diminished somewhat over the years.

His public image
I've probably got an inflated opinion about myself, but I think if you don't know who David Elsworth is and you don't want a horse with him, don't have one. The problem is that's not a good attitude and it's certainly not a very commercial attitude. Until recently I hadn't even given an interview for years, but I owe a bit to racing, so if it amuses someone to read about an old sod like me, then so be it.

The benders
I do still love a drink, though, although I used to drink a lot more in my 40s and 50s. There were quite a few benders with [Richard] Hannon, but when you're younger you do silly things. He could drink me under the table. I kept losing to him, but, Christ, it was a good race. Now I'm a responsible age, but I still do partake.

Desert Orchid
When he eventually went he did it the same way he did everything – with style. I'm not trying to be a tearjerker but he literally just lay down and died, peacefully and with dignity. We obviously had affection for Dessie but I would be lying if I didn't say I felt that about lots of our horses. You have to remember Dessie was a miserable old sod as well. If you went into his box while he was eating he would chase you out. He was a proper horse.

Glory days: Elsworth with his chasing superstar Desert Orchid at Kempton on Boxing Day 1986Credit: Mark Cranham

Persian Punch
He loved his routine and he loved being trained. His box was in the lower yard, which is where I lived. I didn't dare go out the back door because if he saw me he would start hollering, letting me know he wanted to go up the road for half an hour. I would always bow to his wishes. He adored having a pick of grass and a roll in the sand. I would put the head collar on him and lead him up the hill to the top yard, where we had a paddock and sandpit. He so looked forward to those little trips. I enjoyed them too.

Stable staff
If you're a stable lad in Newmarket you want to work for one of the very biggest yards, the ones that have the most winners. That means it's hard for me to attract the best staff, but I do have some good lads because they enjoy working with me. Most people think I'm a miserable old sod. The ones that don't still work for me.

Old age
Growing old is a bugger. I've decided if I can build a self-contained flat on to the end of my place I'll one day be able to have someone living in it and maybe cleaning and cooking for me once a day. I don't feel that old now, but nobody does until they do. I say to myself. 'Hang on, Elsie, in ten years' time you'll be bloody 90!' Parts wear out and things break down but I'm all right for the moment. Sex four times a week helps.

Read these next:

A racing legend retires: David Elsworth calls time on remarkable training career

Dessie: the dashing grey who captured the hearts of the nation in a golden era

The story of Persian Punch: the extraordinary stayer who only knew how to fight

'I'm a bad-tempered old sod' – inside the mind of training legend David Elsworth

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