'It's tough for all of us' - Roger Ingram defiant despite dwindling numbers

Tuesday: Lingfield

Long-serving trainer Roger Ingram has seen his string dwindle to just five horses but he made it two wins from his last two runners when Double Legend landed the 1m5f classified stakes under the trainer's daughter Rhiain.

Smaller trainers are finding the financial going tough – Joe Tuite and Harry Dunlop have recently announced that they are giving up – but Ingram is determined to keep going.

“I started training in 1992, so it’s been 30 years for me now and I used to have around 30 horses or so and 27-30 winners a season,” he said.

“It’s tough for all of us in the smaller yards and a lot of trainers have not recovered after the problems created by Covid but we get by.

"This is mainly a family operation, I drive the lorry myself and manage to keep the costs down. We only have five horses but I am quite hopeful that all of them can win a race or two this season.”

Super So Sleepy

Joint-trainer William Muir holds So Sleepy in such high regard that he had contemplated making a Cheveley Park Stakes entry for her and his belief was justified as she made a winning debut in the 5f fillies' novice.

“We thought she was good and she has always worked well but there was a chance she would need the experience today,” said Muir, who trains the filly with Chris Grassick.

“I almost put her in the Cheveley Park but in the end decided against it. There should be some nice black-type races for her and she should be able to step up to six furlongs.”

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