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Without a strong stable team, even the best trainer in the country would not be able to get the best from his horses, develop their careers properly or achieve a good level of success. At Micky Hammond Racing, we are very fortunate to have some of the best people around, and we seem to work well as a happy and hard-working team.
Micky Hammond says: “I have been very lucky over the years to have good people consistently, and the current team is no exception. We have a good spirit and passion for what we do, and that tends to rub off in success.”
The team members are used to owners and prospective owners visiting the yard and watching them at work. They recognise that it is a vital part of the experience of being an owner or part-owner, and do everything they can to welcome our visitors and make them feel at home. (For more information on this, please see Stable Visits).
Micky has recently said that he rates his current team as his best ever. Here are some “pen portraits” for each team member.
Joe Colliver
Joe is 18 and from Sheffield. He is a keen 'Horseball' player. Playing for the first division side Nottingham horseball club. He owns an ex racehorse No Commission or 'Tyler' with which he competes in the games. Joe would like to be a jockey in the future.
Katie Dawson
Katie Dawson has worked for Brain Smart and Jedd O'Keefe before joining our team. Not only a good rider, but a good worker too. Katie really enjoys her horses and takes great care of them. At the moment she is working hard towards passing her NVQ Level 3 in racehorse care and management. Katie enjoys going out dancing with her friends and going to the gym.
Matt Garnet
Matt joined the yard from Ferdy Murphy's. He is an amateur jockey, ridding winners in point to points. Mat does a lot of schooling at home with the likes of Wilson Renwick and Barry Keniry. He hasn't always worked with horses or even in the racing industry, at one time Matt was a trained baker. He lives with his partner Charlie, who is a head girl at another yard, and their two dogs. Matt likes to keep fit. He does this by going to the gym and riding his bike, mostly to and from work! He his a very hard worker and one day would like a chance as a head man himself.
He has ridden a few times as an amateur for us and had his first win on Amir Pasha at Catterick in December. A great ride - well done, Matt!
Gemma Hogg
Gemma has worked for Micky Hammond Racing since the age of 16. She is now 25 and married to Tim Hogg, the Head Man at George Moore’s neighbouring stables.
Gemma is now an important member of the team and recently became Assistant Trainer. As well as regularly riding work, she deals with getting all the racing equipment ready and can take full charge of the yard when needed. She is also the team’s mentor for new staff.
Gemma has NVQ levels 1,2 and 3 which she achieved at the Northern Racing College, and has an Amateur Jockey’s licence. So far, she has had 2 rides on the flat – no winners yet, but it won’t be long!
“The worst part of my job is occasionally losing horses through injury, the bad weather that we get in the Winter and not getting my own way!!! I really enjoy most things about what I do, but especially love jump racing. My most memorable time was when Heidi III won the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster. I now keep busy looking after Deep Water, one of the yard’s stalwarts, who is now in retirement with me”
Gemma rode her first ever winner, bringing Charlotte Vale home under a good ride at Hamilton on 27 June 2007. It was only her fourth ride ever in public. Congratulations Gemma!
Liam Hall
Liam is from Billingham Cleveland. He came to our yard from the Northern Racing College in late 2008. He has mainly sporting hobbies including playing and watching football, cricket and rugby. Liam also enjoys going out with friends. He would one day like to have a ride in a race and later become a trainer. His role model is Tony McCoy.
Karen Mais
Karen moved to Middleham in 1996 in order to work with Micky Hammond. Previously, she had worked as a part-qualified Accountant for a conveyor belting manufacturer in Hull, however the lure of Middleham was too strong and she joined the yard as secretary. This role has varied over the years, combining Karen's racing knowledge with her ability for numeracy and administration. Currently Karen still works full-time for us, but does the majority of this work from home due to the birth of her twins in 2005.
"I love being involved with the yard and I have made many friends over the years. The greatest pleasure is seeing the yard have winners - showing everybody’s efforts culminating in success."
Elizabeth Nevison
Elizabeth Nevison or Tizzy as we all know her, joined the team in March 08 from Mark Johnston's. Tizzy has lived in the area most of her life, both Tizzy and her sister April decided to work with racehorses in the area. She also have there own horse that she keep in the nearby village of Wensley. Tizzys other hobbies are walking her dog Bazil and playing on the Black Bull ladies darts team.
Allen Nutter
Allen joined us in the summer and has become Head Lad. He has vast experience both in England (including as Head Lad for Jame sBethell) and most recently in Japan. Allen is a great addition to the stable team.
When Allen has some time to himself, he enjoys golf, shooting and fishing.
Kate Sellars
Kate Sellars is our only work rider. She comes in to ride out 4 mornings a week, but is still an important part of the team. Kate worked full time for Micky after leaving school. In this time she rode winners as a conditional jockey. After this she decided to go to university to study business, going on to work in marketing for 6 years. Kate is now not only working for us, but also training to be a pilates instructor. When she does have time to herself she enjoys walking her 2 dogs Bilbo and Rebus
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