All businesses want a unique selling point (USP). However, with around 400 licensed flat trainers in the UK and as with market competition in any industry – finding, retaining or even explaining a USP can be tough!   IGL Racing has an immediate USP – that I’m the only female trainer that’s also a qualified…

Racing is a dynamic sport and a vibrant industry and there can be a lot to get to grips with, ranging from equine knowledge, to an understanding of the sport itself, and commercial opportunities and connections. So if, like many people, you’re dreaming of owning a racehorse or even a string of racehorses, there are…

Selecting a trainer is one of the most important decisions you can make as a racehorse owner, right up there with choosing your horse. There are a number of factors you might take into consideration as you ponder your choice:   Location – you’ll be visiting the yard often, so you might like to consider…

There are so many reasons to become a racehorse owner and because of this our unique sport attracts a wide-range of people with different interests, whom all come together to enjoy the extraordinary experience of horse racing. Although often considered a privilege of the very wealthy, racehorse ownership is more affordable and accessible than ever,…

Last week we were lucky to benefit from on site work rider training for our staff. The British Racing School Jockey coach Richard Perham came to Saint Wendred’s with a specially designed mobile training centre including a racehorse simulator. Mr. Perham rode over 230 winners in his career as a jockey, and has now gone…

Gansera-Leveque Racing is proud to announce a new partnership with Haygain. We are now very lucky to be sponsored by two top innovative equestrian companies. Haygain & long term supporters Racing Blue are leaders in their fields for equine health. Their products are invaluable to us in maintaining and improving the overall performance and nutrition…

We were very happy with the run from Seprani on her handicap debut. After being hampered badly inside the final furlong she displayed a good attitude and stayed on well to finish second. She came out of the race fresh and well. Our other recruits are working well too, our syndicate filly The Lady Rules (Chestnut…

Arqana Yearling auction catalogue  – 14th-16th August 2016 As the Deauville sales are the first major yearling sales in Europe, a large crowd always arrives to see the years offering from some exciting new stallions. This year will be no exception with the first yearlings of Group 1 winning stallion MAXIOS going through the ring. One of his first crop of yearlings to…

17th & 18th September 2016 ..Save the date! Ilka and Stéphane will be opening the gates of Saint Wendred’s to the public again this year as part of Newmarket Open Weekend’s charity event. We will be having tours with Ilka from both a veterinary and training perspective. She will answer any questions as well as introducing you to some…

Last summer we had the pleasure of opening the gates of Saint Wendred’s to talented young director Alejandro Ahedo Perez and his team. As part of his university degree at the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, and funded by Channel 4, Alejandro directed and produced a short film on our philosophy at Gansera-Leveque Racing… You may have seen a…

With the abundance of grass in the paddock, the horses are benefiting from hand cut grass in their stables daily. The wheelbarrow full of grass is now more popular and anticipated than actual lunch time – with the four legged residents at least! … Happy and healthy horses.    

At this year’s Arqana August yearling sale Deauville, I will feel pride as well as a little sadness. Here’s the story… I got my license to train racehorses in August 2012, as a business opportunity I created a shortlist of horses as potential purchases from the BBAG sales. Amongst those was the great walker Tosca. I vetted her and had my heart…

Every day is a busy one at Saint Wendreds’ with each horse being given a tailor made exercise and care regime to allow them to achieve their full potential. However, this week for Ilka has been particularly hectic from Sweden to Lingfield every hour has been full! Sweden  Last weekend Ilka traveled to Sweden to attend…

Earlier in May I was honoured to attend the annual World Arabian Horseracing Conference in Rome, Italy. The Arabian Horse, bringing together 500 guests from 81 countries, as an ambassador of peace is a truly powerful symbol . The visit to the Vatican flying the UAE flag will never be forgotten. I was invited by the…

Hello everyone, I’m back again! I thought this would be a good platform to share a piece that Harriet wrote for a Racing Post young writers competition. Her piece didn’t get into the final, so we will make the most of it! Harriet recently joined the team at Saint Wendred’s as my admin assistant. I guess…

Back to blogging! Boy has the time flown by…….. There are so many topics to write about, I always try to give it a current spin.  One subject that we will always have to think about is: what happens to all the racehorses after their career? The good ones go to the breeding shed of course…

The great thing about working with young horses , is the change that takes place in front of your very own eyes. It’s so rewarding. When you are caught up in the day to day reality of running a racing operation you don’t always have a camera to hand or think of taking pictures all the…

With horses like Storm Troupour and Force of Destiny under our care , Saint Wendred’s is  sporting a Star Wars theme these days. In weather like todays you definitely need grit , determination and some “Force” on your side. This weekend we spent a lot of time at Chelmsford racecourse ticking all the boxes, a…

As the sun comes up on the Newmarket heath it reminds me why I chose this life. Horse racing is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. It is not a game you play once in a while: when you’re in it, you’re in it. And I love it! On Christmas’ Eve it feels like the world…

Every new arrival at Saint Wendred’s gets their teeth checked right away, regardless of age. This time of the year all trainers are busy getting “their babies” going and cantering on the heath. So, before bitting a horse, it’s best to get their teeth done. Youngsters often have sharp points needing to be smoothed, and wolf teeth that…