The Team

The very nature of Manton, it’s facilities for horses and the people that care for them, means that Brian’s staff are 100% committed to providing owners with nothing but the best. The office is very much the focal point of the operation where Marbeth, Hazel and Ruth provide Brian, his staff, horses and of course the owners with all the support they need to ensure the operation continues to run smoothly throughout the year.

Brian’s Assistant Trainers Rory and Patrick have differing roles, Rory being solely responsible for matters on-site, whilst Patrick is very much the public face of Manton concentrating on his responsibilities at the racecourses across the country. Behind this “front-line” there are five head lads, and over sixty staff with the vast majority of them living on the Manton Estate. The superb accommodation offered to them ensures that they remain totally committed and on hand to apply themselves to the well-being of the horses under their care.

Marbeth Blair - Racing Manager

Marbeth joined Brian some six years ago previously at Lambourn and relocated with him and his team to Manton. She had previously worked for other Trainers working her way up, from Stable Girl to Work Rider and Travelling Head Girl before taking a break from racing to try another career path. However, her passion for horses and racing drew her back. Marbeth’s knowledge of racing and its industry are second to none if in doubt you can rely on Marbeth for the answer.

Ruth Morgan - Position Administration

Ruth is the newest member to the office team. Prior to this Ruth worked in the Racehorse Transport Industry for LRT, NRT and Jean Harzheim in Germany. As a driver she transported racehorses all over Europe, this in itself covered circa 20 years of her career. Since changing her career path Ruth has studied Microsoft skills, this is a benefit to her new responsibilities which include liaising with the vets on a regular basis to ensure our horse welfare, horse sales, feed lists, updating and inputting data on our systems and answering calls. Ruth says she is enjoying her work at Brian Meehan’s and is regularly given new challenges; her ambition is to do the job well.

Rory O’Dowd - Assistant Trainer

Rory started his racehorse career in his home town in Ireland making the brave move to the UK in 1988 at the tender age of 18. He first joined Manton in 1988 working for Barry Hills for two years, Peter Chapple-Hyam for 10 years and also John Gosden. Rory has seen many changes in the accommodation and working conditions at Manton over the years. Rory joined Brian at Lambourn in 2000 as a stable lad/work rider, progressing to Head Lad and then making the transition with him to Manton in 2006. After working his way up through the ranks he became Assistant Trainer, so once again for Rory life resumed back at Manton, very familiar turf. One of Rory’s ambitions would be to continue to turn out ‘big winners’ and this he hopes would enable him to have a prosperous retirement – keep working at it Rory.

Clare Dale - Head Lass

Clare during her school years often ran the 100 meters for Great Britain, being a sporty lass and loads of energy and a general love for horses she went into the racing industry rather than use her own legs she thought that four legs would be better. She joined Brian at Lambourn as a Travelling Girl enjoying the challenges of different horses and equally different courses taking on additional responsibilities as and when required. When Brian relocated to Manton, Clare joined him in 2007, initially in the same capacity as a Travelling Girl but also a work rider. A vacancy existed for an additional Head Lad and once again Clare met the challenge with her running shoes on.

Guy Anstey - Travelling Lad/Driver

Guy joined Brian at Manton in 2007 having previously held the same position for Brian at Lambourn. Guy has been in the racing industry since 1989 when he left school. He started his racing career at Josh Giffords yard and moved onto to Jenny Pitmans as a work rider. Riding work mornings on some excellent horses that were in training each time gaining valuable experience within the industry. Guy’s young family reside at Manton which is an excellent place for young children to grow up his hobbies include Golf and Cinema.

James McCarthy - Travelling Lad

James started work with Brian at Manton in 2006 as a Travelling Lad, prior to joining James had been out of racing for period of four years due to an injury he had sustained. James served his apprenticeship in his home country of Ireland for D K Weld and has also worked in Australia. James shares the foreign travel at Manton with Paul, they are often seen bartering of who goes where, but of course this is decided for them. James enjoys his position and always looks forward to the busy season ahead. James lives at Manton his hobbies include Football, Golf and fishing.

Dave Burgess - Head Lad

Dave started his racing career with Guy Harwood in 1983, later joining Peter Walwyn where not only did he look after the winner of the July cup, in his spare time he enjoyed Boxing an excellent way to keep fit to look after winners. During his days in boxing he won the Stable Lads Boxing twice and also became a semi finalist all whilst being employed by Peter Walwyn. Dave joined Brian in the 90′s as a lad before gaining the step up the ladder to Head Lad. He moved into stud work for a short time before rejoining Brian at Manton in the same capacity. His boxing days may be long gone but still the sound of the yard bell reminding him lots are ready to leave gives him that quiet twinkle in his eye.

Alan O’Brien - Head Lad

Born in South East Ireland Alan had a keen interest in horse racing at a very early age, infact at the tender age of 13 he rode out regularly for his local racing stables. On leaving school he joined J Bolgers in Ireland and remained there for 6 years before coming to England for lessons with Yogi Briesner. This paid dividends for Alan and he gained further experience. He continued to stay in England and joined Brian Meehan as a work rider at Manton. Alans talent for hard work attention to detail and his knowledge of race horses enabled him to move up the ladder quickly he was willing to stand in for Head Lads on regular occasions so when a vacancy became available Brian already had his ideal applicant. Alan enjoys all sports with a competitive edge and on work mornings he still puts his riding skills to the test with some of the Jockeys who join us.

Paul Burns -Travelling Head Lad

Paul joined Brian in May 2007 as a work rider, Paul had previously worked for three years in Dubai and rode out during the summer months for Brian at Lambourn. Paul is originally from Ireland and came to Manton straight from school to work for Peter Chapple Hyam, he moved to Venetia Williams as an amateur jockey, before returning to Manton for John Gosden. When the position of Travelling Lad became available for Brian, Paul jumped at the chance as he enjoys the challenge of taking the horses abroad, this he does with care and attention to detail. In his spare time Paul enjoys time with his family and the odd game of Golf time permitting between his travels of course.

John Jennings - Travelling Lad/Driver

John became a member of the team quite recently he joined in June 2008, when a vacancy became available for an additional Travelling Lad/Driver. Previously he had been with his employer for period of 19 years so the move to another yard was not only a challenge but a pleasant change. John originates from Ireland and soon had a nick name commonly used within the racing industry and is still used on a regular basis today ‘Mad John’, you often hear Brian shout MJ on the gallops when change overs are about to be made. John lives at Manton with his family who have all accommodated the move in their stride. Regarding his hobbies, his words ‘when do I have time’, but he does enjoy time with his family in the beautiful surroundings of Manton.

Patrick MacEwan -Assistant Trainer

Patrick joined Brian at the beginning of 2008, they have known one another for many years through the racing circuit Patricks responsibility as an Assistant Trainer is to attend the races and look after the owners on Brians behalf, along with normal duties that an Assistant Trainer would hold. His coffee and tea making has improved over the months certainly during our work mornings on a Thursday. Patrick has worked in racing all of his life and gained various experiences along the way, he finds the hustle and bustle of Manton on a daily basis is a learning curve often being faced with new challenges on a daily basis. Patricks outlook is to work as a team and get the job done.