David’s string on the gallops in Coombelands splendid surroundings  Photo: Jeannie Knight

FRENCHMAN David Menuisier had just four horses when he first started training in 2014 in a barn at Coombelands, Pulborough- but he also had impressive experience and a natural understanding of his horses.

Today he is poised on the brink of a new Flat year, with 23 horses in training, seven full-time staff and two barns at the prestigious Pulborough base, which will both be full by the start of the coming season. His string for 2016 is impressive and winners should begin to flow. With his partner, Kim Johnstone, at his side- who herself has a sound equine and racing background- he has good reason to have high expections for 2016.

David and Kim on the gallops with their dog Nugget Photo: Jeannie Knight

Originally he was pupil assistant to Criquette Head, who sent him a horse, Hier Encore for his first season, then he worked for US Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, before arriving in the UK, which in his opinion is ‘the greatest  horse racing nation in the world’ as assistant trainer to John Dunlop at Castle Stables, Arundel.

His horses for this season look outstanding and he has a particular affection for Slunovrat, a five-year-old gelding by Astronomer Royal owned by Shinco Racing Ltd, which was one of his original four when he started- and proved to be the best of the quartet.”He was my first winner. In 2015 he won three races for me- two at Newcastle, one at Nottingham and was placed four times. Also, Hier Encore has enjoyed a good break and is now back in training.”

David with Slunovrat
Photo : Jeannie Knight

David has had strong ownership support from Gail Brown Racing groups, Clive Washbourn and other good owners, and he starts out this new season with a very experienced head lad, Michael Caffyn and some reliable work riders.

David’s string enjoying sunshine after their gallop Photo: Jeannie Knight

“All my horses run on their merit. I am delighted with the way things are going- I am quietly excited at the quality of my horses for the coming season  Clive Washbourn has been a big supporter and has centralised his horses with us while Gail Brown has some nice horses and racing groups here.”

Grey colt Speculator, a  four-year-old owned by Gail Brown Racing, last season won two races and was placed twice and there is more to come in 2016.  Five-year-old filly Jethou Island, owned by Mrs F A Veasey and Partners, had failed to show any kind of form when trained by Henry Candy.

“Her first run for us was in December when she flipped her palate three furlongs out and couldn’t get enough oxygen into her lungs. A tongue strap cured the problem and she went on to win comfortably at Chelmsford  City by almost two lengths and has more to come.

“Make Time is a very nice two-year-old chestnut colt by Makfi, owned by Gail Brown Racing 7 which should go on to do well. In addition Clive Washbourn has an unraced three-year-old grey, Thundering Blue by Exchange Rate bought at the breeze ups for 200,000 Guineas. I have high hopes of him. He was quite backward so we took it steady last year, giving him time to come to himself. But he is a really nice horse,” he added.

Three-year-old filly Aspen Again owned by Clive Washbourn
Photo: Jeannie Knight

This same owner also owns Havre De Paix, which David rates as the best filly he has in training.  She was second three times last season  but he predicts there is much more to come this year. Saunter is a three-year-old grey gelding owned by Michael Watt and bought as a nice two-year-old in France.

He was backward but has been given the time he needs while Roderics Secret, a three-year-old, owned by Clive Washbourn and Robert Wasey is another to note. He was bought at the sales quite cheaply and is a late developer, but his dam won a Listed Race while his sire Roderic O’ Connor won both the Irish 2000 Guineas Group 1 and the Criterium International Group I.

Roderic’s Secret on the gallops
Photo :Jeannie Knight

David added: “At Coombelands Racing Stables we have the finest place to train our horses- with world class facilities for our horses all the year round. We have the use of several all-weather and turf gallops of six to eight furlongs each, cantering areas, an indoor equine swimming pool,  indoor canterway and  numerous other extras. It is superb for our horses. We could not want for anything better. ”

To find out more about ownership with David, contact him on: david@dmhorseracing.com or look at his website www.dmhorseracing.com