James Ewart Racing Ltd was founded in 2004 as a Flat and National Hunt racing yard: initially buying and selling French horses to U.K. owners whilst establishing training facilities. Amongst his early purchases were Dark Ben and My Way de Solzen. James has particularly strong links with France resulting in a high proportion of French horses in the yard but has also had great success with Irish and English horses. He has trained multiple Bumper, Hurdle and Chase winners with some horses winning 12 times and he is always striving to improve the quality of his string.
THE TEAM
James Ewart
James was brought up around horses all his life and as a child enjoyed jumping large hedges on small ponies in the Wynnstay country! Teenage stints followed with work experience at Nicky Henderson, John Leadbetter and Jonjo O’Neill followed by a course at the Royal Agricultural College studying Land Management. Then on to Ferdy Murphy for three years as Amateur Assistant and over to France for four years with Guillaume Macaire as Assistant Trainer - some highlights being Champion Amateur Jockey 2000 and taking Jair du Cochet on his UK raids.
Briony Ewart
Briony spent her childhood under the tutelage of the legendary East Anglian trainer ‘EAP’ – Miss Pickard. Highlights included winning the Champion East Anglian Native Working Hunter Pony and twice qualifying as an individual for the Pony Club Eventing Championships.
At the Royal Agricultural College (now University) she met James and spent a summer in France with Guillaume Macaire before working for two years at the Shadwell Stud and in 2004 helped James set up James Ewart Racing. She has been responsible for breaking in and producing many winners including Wilde Pastures, Open De L’Isle and Capital Venture. Briony still continues with breaking in, is a regular work rider and helps with the horses at the races. As a hobby she enjoys competing on Neil Ewart’s homebred Fells whose bloodlines go back 60 years.
David Macleod – Head Lad
David has spent a lifetime in racing and has worked at Newmarket and at Middleham with Mark Johnston. He has a wealth of experience in all aspects of horse management and their wellbeing and is a vital member of the team.
Charles Marini - Assistant Trainer
Charles has returned to the yard as Assistant Trainer and is plays an important part in the running of the yard.
JohnAmbrose - Yard Manager
Colin Barnfather - Groundsman
Leah Barnfather - Part time and weekends.
Alistair Bell - Yard repairs.
Mario Bogart - Stable lad and work rider
Helen Dent - Yard Manager
Ian Earsman – Ian is a very experienced horseman and is a Barn Manager
Amy Elliot (Part time) - Amy has joined the excellent new Scottish Racing Academy programme and will have two days per week at Borders College and the remainder working in the stables.
Stevie Ellwood - Helps us when we are racing
Rebecca Farnon - Yard helper
Andy Gudgeon - Barn Manager
Ross Herbert - Lorry driver.
Louise Holmes - Book Keeper.
Eric Macleod - Gallop man.
Chloe Mchattie - Work Rider and Barn Manager
Alex Mchattie - Yard Helper
Sarah Mchattie - Sarah is the mother of Chloeand Alex and is very experienced. She has been helping us on race days and has an enviable record of btos!
Sarah Poole (Senior Staff) – Sarah is an excellent and accomplished horsewoman who is now riding out full time and in charge of the travelling.
Blake Storrie - Work Rider. Blake is an experienced and talented horseman and a great addition to the team.
Mervyn Beatie - Chiropractor.
Cheviot Vets and Dr Eugenio Cillan - Vets.
Brad Fisher - Farrier.
Stuart Huggan - Horse dentist.