went from there.We had a great start, then dipped a bit from around 2004 to 2008, then started building after that. Thankfully,we’ve been on an upward trajectory ever since.” Things are rarely black andwhite, butwhen asked to pinpoint a definingmoment, de Bromhead picks out his first Festival victory – Sizing Europe’s success in the 2010Arkle Trophy. He said: “Sizing Europewinningwas absolutely massive. To have our first Grade Onewinnerwas a really bigmoment for us and hewas an incredible horse to have – but I’mnot sure if you ever feel as though you’ve broken through. I still don’t! EveryMay you go back to zero and start again, so it’s a funny old game.” Thosewhowork in horseracing so often eat, sleep and drink the sport and de Bromhead admits he is no different. Abrief discussion about the filmwhich inspired the name behind his brilliantwinner of last year’s Parnell Properties Mares’ Novices Hurdle, Telmesomethingirl, is enough to establish that popular culture is a furlong or two outside his comfort zone. But the 49 year old does have sporting interests outside of racing. He explained: “However stressed I get training horses, you canmultiply that by 10when I’m playing golf! I play a bit of tennis, plus I have three great kids and I lovewatching themdo their sports. “I’m lucky that racing is away of life and you have to love it to be in this game. There are plenty of bad days and stress, but I’mvery fortunate to be able to do something that I love doing. I work with great people andmeet great people, sowe’re very lucky to bewherewe are at the moment.” De Bromhead adds that his children – twins Jack and Mia,who are 12, and Georgia,who turned 11 at the end of February – are all showing a passion for horses, but insists there is no pressure on them tomove into the sport. He goes on: “The kids are definitely into their horses and are all mad into their show jumping. “Jack is doing some pony racing at the moment,which he loves, sowe’ll seewhat happens. I wouldn’t like to push them into racing, though, sowe’ll see how it unfolds for them, but they love the show jumping and pony racing and they’re gettingmore into their racing.” As for his own immediate future,while de Bromhead might be entitled to be brimmingwith confidence in the build-up to this year’s Festival he is typically understated. “Onewinner is always the target,” he explains. “If we can get onewinnerwe’re absolutely delighted and anything after that is a bonus. That being said, I wouldn’t like to tar any of my horses with the brush of sayingwho has the best chance! “We go therewith a freshmindset. Last yearwas an incredible year, but just because it happened doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen again. This year is another year andwe go again.”
THE JOCKEYCLUB . CO . UK 11
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