Owner’s Profile - Mrs Caroline Beresford-Wylie
Q. What was it that first encouraged you into racehorse ownership?
A. One of those childhood dreams. My uncle Freddie Fiddler was a jockey in the 50’s. And my mother was a bookmaker in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s, so I was always involved. I often picked the winner of the Grand National.
Q. When did you first have a horse with Nigel, what was it and what was its best achievement(s)?
A. My first Horse was Rockcliffe Gossip. I got him when he was 8 and was considered a bit of a failure but he was third in his first race for us in 2001 and then almost always in the frame. He finally won for us in October 2003, the Tote Scoop 6 at Bangor and then finished that season by winning the Highland National at Perth.
Q. Had you had horses before and if so who with?
A. No
Q. What was it about Nigel / Grange Hill Farm that made you decide to become an owner here?
A. It all happened by phone. Nigel was recommended by Merrick Francis who is a friend. We spent 8 months in France after returning from the Cayman Islands to obtain passports for our dogs so bought Rocky sight unseen. By the time George and I met Nigel it was too late to change my mind. Anyway we got on fine from the start.
Q. What has been your favourite horse that you have owned?
A. Russian Gigolo
Q. What was the most successful horse you have owned?
A. Irish Raptor (See photo below).
Q. Which is your favourite / least favourite racecourse and why?
A. My favourite is Newbury. Great facilities, lovely course for staying chasers and quickest drive home.
My least favourite is Ludlow. Crowded facilities, dreadful mats across the roads for horses to cross in a race and often very hard ground. A very long drive home.
Q. What is your favourite horse outside of your ownership and / or the yard?
A. I used to love to watch a horse called Go White Lightning. Beautiful to look at and always trying.
Q. Is there another trainer that you particularly admire and why?
A. Richard Hannon. He is the Nigel of the flat world. He does really well without spending a fortune on Horses.
Q. Who has been your favourite jockey in the time you have had horses with Nigel and why?
A. Is this a trick question? Of course they are all my favourites!
Q. Are there any particularly amusing incidents that stand out for you at the racecourse or at the yard?
A. We arrived at the yard one day and a horse escaped just as we parked. It raced past us and I decided not to get involved at all being a lay person amongst all those stable lads and lasses frantically trying to corral it. Then as it went past in the other direction I realised it was DD’s Glenalla, my mare, merely trying to search out a stallion rather than going for a bit of exercise on the gallops. So I stupidly blocked her escape route and she went back into the yard like a lamb.
We watched the start of Educated Evans third ever race with trepidation. He had raced just a few hundred yards in his first run for me before veering sharply towards the horse boxes and out of the race. Now at Haydock, he displayed great enthusiasm and pulled his way to the front. Towards the end of the straight he eyed the exit from the track and started to position himself for another early exit. Paddy looked to have a real fight on his hands until, by luck or out of kindness another jockey brought his mount up on the outside blocking Evans’ escape.
Q. Any particularly amusing / weak excuses offered by jockey / trainer / assistant in the aftermath of a race that didn’t produce what was expected?
A. Oh another mine field. As an owner you don’t want to hear needs softer ground and much further. It really means your horse is slow and has no chance. Later you wait to hear needs 5 miles in the Fens!
Q. Do you have a horse “to watch” for the forthcoming season?
A. I’m going to watch all of mine!
Q. Which race would you most like to win and why?
A. Any race is wonderful to win. If I have an ambition it is that Its Crucial does not wait another two seasons to beat the field by 20 lengths because by then he will be retired.
Q. Do you have any other sporting interests?
I love golf and sunbathing - they are no stress at all!
Q. Any non-sporting interests, music, theatre, tv programs, books etc?
A. Books: Detective stories. We were so lucky Dick Francis came to live in Grand Cayman and we became friends. That is why Nigel via Merrick.
Food: I love to eat in expensive restaurants as I hate to pay for food I could have made myself.
Q. If you were in charge of racing in the UK, which one change would you put in place first?
A. Racing should own the Tote.
Q. Any other changes or things that annoy / disappoint with racing currently?
A. This is a small grouse. At all Cheltenhams’ meetings good food is provided free for all owners of horses racing on the day. Come the festival all owners are provided with indifferent food at ridiculous cost. It’s irritating and makes me feel that making money at that time is their priority.
Q. And finally…. If there was one reason you could give as encouragement to others to be an owner at Grange Hill Farm, what would it be?
A. I think if you want a slightly grouchy, cuddly trainer, a cheeky head lad and open house to visit your horse on the gallops or just to feed it some carrots, this is the place for you. Oh of course and the fact that they manage to get almost every horse to win and do a great job!!!
One for the future - Dwayne finds his feet!
