ANTON PEARSON

Anton Pearson was with Josh Gifford's stables in Findon for twenty-four years until 2000 when he left.   This was after Josh's son, Nick, did so well with training point-to-pointers and it was obvious that he would become involved in his father's racing stables. 

Anton moved on to manage a new venture at Robins Farm Racing Stables in Chiddingford for merchant banker, Peter Winkworth, and became his private trainer for the horses.   It was obviously a move in the right direction.

Peter Winkworth had just expanded his team, previously based at Merton Place Stud at Dunsfold.  His dedication to racing started as a successful owner and he later took out a permit to train his own horses.  He stepped up his interests when he purchased Robins Farm and installed impressive stabling and training facilities there to create a full-scale racing operation.

Anton Pearson, who has vast experience to his credit, with many years as assistant trainer to Josh Gifford, was selected to be put in charge of the string as private trainer.  The partnership got off to an excellent start, achieving four winners and 14 placed horses from just 43 runners.

Then they had a really bad virus in the yard and virtually had to shut down the following season, but recovered in time for the next year.

Anton hit the news again in March 2003 — but not with his training prowess this time.   The headlines ran ..... FOOTPATH RUNS THROUGH FARMHOUSE LOUNGE!   Anton was now a well-known racehorse trainer at the centre of controversy and had been forced to open up his new Surrey home to ramblers of the countryside!

Explanation: Anton had been granted permission to build a four-room extension to the £350,000 house he was living in.   He commenced building the lounge extension and Oh No!  discovered his project would block a public footpath!   His planning permission was still valid, as long as he gave ramblers the right of way. 

So Anton removed bricks from two walls to ensure walkers still had their access.   When confused walkers wondered where their path has disappeared to, he pointed through the gap in the wall....I would add that an application was subsequently made to have the footpath diverted.

The facilities at Robins Farm are impressive and the indoor barn stabling has even a constant regulated airflow.

During the 2003 season there was further development of outdoor training facilities in the way of a newly laid Wexford sand gallop inside the circular gallop.   It might seem economic madness to ship sand from Ireland but it seems there is nothing like it in this country.   It is used at the Curragh and all the top Irish trainers are complimentary and it is said to be excellent to work horses on.  Although a rarity still in England, the sand gallop has been installed at Robins Farm and is almost half a mile long.   It is particularly useful for Anton's early season training and also for his horses suffering from leg problems.

Anton's new Head Lad at the yard in 2003 was Ray Watson.  He originally commenced his racing career with the late Captain Ryan Price at Findon and he rode out and travelled with Josh's horses for many years.

Continue if you would like to read about the Findon Change-over from Josh to Nick.

This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.