Jump jockey's wife takes over family stable following heavy investment

Lizzie Quinlan has taken over the reins from her mother Barbara Butterworth following heavy investment in the family's Bolton Mill stable in Cumbria.

Wife of jump jockey Sean Quinlan, the 35-year-old was active at the sales in preparation for the handover and has had her first runners this month.

While her mother operated with a permit, Quinlan took out a dual-purpose licence with a dozen horses ready to run.

"Mum and Dad have done a lot for us and there's been big changes at the yard," she said. "Sean's not going to be able to ride for another 20 years, hopefully he'll ride for another four or five, and we'll have more of a jumps focus, but hopefully we'll have some dual-purpose horses as well."

There has been plenty of building work going on at the family farm in the village of Bolton near Appleby to bring the facilities up to date.

"We've put in a new round circular gallop, arena and schooling facilities," Quinlan said. "We're also going to put up another barn with another 14 boxes. We've got 20 horses at home with the youngsters, with 12 in at the moment."

Quinlan had her first runner at Carlisle last week when Getaway Luv finished fifth under her husband and she returned to her local track on Thursday with Benito, who was second for Brian Hughes.

"We've obviously got Sean and luckily Brian Hughes has said he wants to ride as well, so we've got a nice back-up," she said.

Sean Quinlan: working with wife Lizzie on the new stable ventureCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Butterworth, a former amateur rider from the north-east, had sent out runners from the stable for more than 30 years. She had been assisted by her daughter, who also rode as an amateur before breaking her back in a schooling fall.

Quinlan, who worked previously as racing manager for the Hambleton Racing syndicate, is excited about the new team and also has one wish for stable stalwart Snowed In, whose career record reads ten wins in 118 starts.

"Snowed In is our star but he's 13 now, so if he could just run once in my name that would be great. He was bought for me to ride, but I never got to ride him. We'll aim to try to finish him on a win, that would be amazing," Quinlan said.

"We've not got a big place but it's a happy place with plenty for the horses to do. The girls give them a lot of attention and we take a lot of pride in horse welfare."

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