Irish connection

Shepherd’s Walk in Epsom has seen plenty of horse action over the years. Jack Reardon trained there 70 years ago and it was from that leafy lane that John Sutcliffe sent out Specify to win the 1971 Grand National and from where John Benstead would patiently prepare slow-developing stayers for Hamdan al-Maktoum. A few years ago, though, several trainers having moved in and out, the proud morning parade of horses heading across to the grandstand and the training grounds had dwindled to a trickle.

All that has now changed. Fifty-plus equine athletes wind through the trees of a morning again. Roger Teal has scored at top level, and at Ermyn Lodge a smart new double-purpose spread for horse matching, hatching and dispatching past the winning post has been built up by owner Tony Smith and his wife Lesley. Tony’s breeding and sales operation swiftly expanded to include a training yard with Pat Phelan installed as trainer and breeding manager.