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.

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.

Zack has joined us from Richard Philips where he worked for six years having completed a course at the British Racing School.  Zack started in racing through a keen interest in his grandfather's career as an amateur jockey and rode himself as an amateur a couple of season's ago.

Zack when not working enjoys competing in clay pigeon competition shooting and is soon to complete his NVQ3 in Racehorse Care and Management.

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)

Sinead was brought up in Co. Kerry, Ireland with horses. During her school holidays she rode out for local trainers, Donal O'Shea, Tommy Cooper and Jim Culloty.

When she finished school she moved to England and worked for Sir Mark Tompkins in Newmarket before working for Donald McCain.

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.

Liam is from Shrewsbury and has joined us from the British Racing School.  Liam was lucky enough to have had some success pony racing and started out riding his grandfather's racehorses.

He would like to have a couple of seasons as an amateur jockey and then possibly take out his conditional license when he's got more experience.  In his spare time he enjoys shooting and fly fishing.

Sarah was brought up in Norway and has come over to work for us here at Thorndale Farm. She has ridden from an early age but has recently completed a two year college course in horse care and riding.  She now wants to further her experience and have a career in the racing industry. 

This is her first job in racing but has always wanted to work with racehorses since she started riding.

Sarah's hobbies are travelling and experiencing different cultures as well as keeping fit and riding.

Ben joined us from Mick Easterby's having spent about 14 months with them.  Ben got into racing through watching the racing on TV in his younger days even though he's the only one in his family involved in racing.

Ben would like to progress with his Level 2&3 and is an aspiring jockey.  He loves sport and support Manchester City football club.

Cameron comes from Cheltenham and worked for us for eighteen months before leaving us in the spring. He has now returned to continue his career in racing.

Cameron in his spare time enjoys bringing on and competing his own horses.

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.