Team

Clare is married to Kim. As well as looking after their son Archie, she rides out every day and plays an important part in making Thorndale Farm the special place it is.

Mat started working at Thorndale Farm in 2008 when he came as Head Lad/Assistant and in 2015 became Kim's full time Assistant.

Mat started out in racing working for Nigel Twiston-Davies (TFFFN) and after six years having moved up the ranks, Mat spent a further six years as Head Lad to Tom George. He then joined Carl Llewellyn for a season as his number 2 but was lured back to the Cotswolds.

Away from racing Mat is an avid Nottingham Forest supporter and if the racing is not on you can guarantee he'll be watching his team!

Archie when he is not at a school is in the yard on a daily basis and spends most of his time either riding out or helping (annoying) Mat.

He loves being in the yard and around the horses and is looking to make a career out of racing. ps his father hopes not.

Harry joins us this season as our Pupil Assistant, having previously worked for Dan Skelton and Gay Waterhouse in Australia.

Leigh is Travelling Head girl and turns out the horses immaculately which is shown by the huge number of Best Turned Out prizes she wins regularly. Previously worked for David Redvers at Tweenhills Stud and worked for Phil York in Surrey who trained point to pointers before starting work for us.

She has a few horses of her own including Charles who was trained by Kim and she looked after whilst in training.

Liam is better known as ‘Higgs’ and comes from Ireland. He originally worked there for the famous PP Hogan and rode in point to points for him. Higgs started working for Kim in 1980 when he first started training and was based in East Ilsley.

Bar an 18 month spell with Jimmy Neville in Wales, he has been with Kim ever since. As well as riding out, he breaks in all the young horses and is in charge of looking after the wonderful gallop.

Higgs was shortlisted for the Stable and Stud Staff Awards 2007, where he was runner-up in the Special Merit/Hero category. He greatly deserves this recognition (Photo courtesy of Arnhel de Serra)

Stevie has joined us from spending six months at Derek Shaws. Prior to Derek Shaws she completed the British Racing School course and has come to Thorndale to further her career in racing.

Stevie spent two years prior to going to the Racing School at Halesowen College where she complete a course in Animal Care and Management.

Kate come from Monmouth an has worked previously with showjumpers but this is her first job in racing.  She worked for Eric Winter and Justin Tuff but has always wanted to work with racehorses.

Kate has had horses for the last fifteen years and currently has her own horse who she competes Show Jumping in her own time.

Chloe is Woodmancote in Cheltenham and has previously worked on a local hunting and equestrian livery yard for Jill Carenza.  This is Chloe's first job in racing and we hope she enjoys it.

Poppy lives in Cheltenham not far from Cheltenham Racecourse and has recently graduated from the British Racing School in Newmarket.  Poppy was interested in eventing until she found her love of racing and now wants to gain more experience in racing so that she can hopefully one day buy and bring on her own thoroughbred.

Poppy in her spare time enjoys playing tennis.

Joining us from the British Racing school is Amber (as she is known on the yard). Originally from London, Amber has previously worked in Dressage yards and comes to us for her first job in Racing.

Amber has never owned a horse herself but would like "All the Winds" or Army of Stars" from the British Racing School when they fully retire. She loves her riding and hopes to get her license to ride as an amateaur one day.

Oliver has come to us from the British Racing School and has also studied at Moreton Morrell College.

Will joined us after completing a course at the Northern Racing College and this is his first job in racing.

Lauren Birch previously worked for Showjumper Caren Nichol at European Sports Horses, studied a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management at Hartpury College before joining us in October.

Lauren is looking after Commodore Barry, Cresswell Legend, Fubar, Lord Apparelli and Net Work Rouge.

Lauren Jack is 22 and comes from Jedburgh in the Scottish borders. Lauren has worked in racing for over 5 years, previously for Micky Hammond and Nicky Richards.

Lauren will be looking after Imperial Aura, Mon Palois, Doctor Haze, Mr Macho and Bandon Roc this season. Favourites are Newtide and The Milan Girl who she rides out daily.

Lauren has joined us after completing her 9 week training course at the British Racing School and this is her first job in racing.

Previously Lauren worked for a horse dealer bringing on youngsters for sale and regularly competed in showjumping and cross country riding her aunt’s horses.

Coming locally from Cheltenham, Lauren will be looking after Thibault, Blazon, Mon Palois and Bandon Roc this season.