The Derby Awards, Billy Aldridge.. And that speech!!

Monday 6th December saw the 44th Annual Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Awards Lunch at The Royal Lancaster hotel in London. I was very fortunate enough to represent Racing Welfare along with Richard Negus and trustee Antonia Deuters.

I was seated with Mike Marshall, Assistant Trainer to Henry Cecil and Head Lad Billy Aldridge who was receiving the award for ’Stable Staff of the Year’. Mike had mentioned that Billy was quite a character in the yard and I quote, “just wait for the speech.”

On arrival, guests were filtered down to the reception which was a sight to behold, I can only describe it as a sea of ye olde boozywoozy!! This grand reception room was laid out with tables from organisations such as The Jockey Club to Racing Post, the room was filled with Racings great and good, Lord Derby, Sir Peter O’Sullivan, Brough Scott among many other well known Racing faces, quite a sight for someone new to the industry such as myself.

The lunch followed and I was able to chat to Billy’s wife Carol who was hugely proud of her husband, “Billy is someone who eats, sleeps and breaths Racing, he’s dedicated his life to the sport and most importantly, the horses.” Finally it was time for the awards ceremony itself, some speeches were more coherent than others depending on the level of alcohol that had been consumed since 11am!! Then it was Billy’s time to shine and the speech, or should I say, his shopping list came out loud and proud.. “Milk, bread, cheese, Viagra!!” The room of 600 erupted with laughter, never before had ‘Viagra’ been ushered in an acceptance speech at the Derby Awards.. Until NOW!! I do believe Billy has been asked back next year as the warm up act!!

Mike very kindly asked if Id like to spend a morning up at Warren Place later in the week, an opportunity I jumped at and it would be great to see Billy at work. I arrived nice and early and was met by Claire Markham, Henry’s Racing Secretary who introduced me to her mount ‘SheLovestoBoogie’ before finding Mike and Billy. True to form, and keeping it real at 6am, the first thing Billy said to me was “You looked a lot better in a frock!” Thanks for that Billy!! Swiftly moving on, I was very fortunate to see Frankel, Timepiece and Midday, before speaking to Billy about the awards lunch. “Brilliant day, great food, I’m very proud and put the award on my sideboard, it looks good up there. A lot of people were saying well done and that they liked my speech!”.

Billy explained his daily routine, feeding all the horses before they go out on exercise, bandaging those that require them and treating any cuts or injuries before returning for evening stables. He lives 20miles from Newmarket and does an 80mile round trip every day. Billy is clearly passionate and proud about his job and working 38 years for Henry Cecil speaks for itself. As he said to me “ It doesn't matter how good a trainer you are, you cant train a lame horse, its my job to keep them sound.” Stable staff such as Billy really are the unsung hero’s of the Sport of Kings, and it was pleasure to spend the morning with him at Warren Place.