As the new season looms, Tizzard Racing’s Chris Wald returns with updates from the yard, a few sore legs – and a long-overdue open day
All images © Courtenay Hitchcock
It’s been a quiet few weeks at the Tizzard yard – for the horses, at least. After a couple of months turned out in the fields, the string returned on 14th July: refreshed, recharged … and re-feral.
‘It’s important for them to switch off and just be horses again,’ says Chris. ‘Especially the younger ones – they need that time to grow, mentally as much as physically.’
Since then, it’s been back to the grind: two weeks of roadwork to harden up legs and build fitness the old-fashioned way, followed by the first proper canters last week: ‘They’ve all been up our deep sand gallop now. It rides even deeper when it’s dry, so they soon tire themselves out – I have to say a few of the riders are walking like John Wayne too!’
The work will now ramp up gradually through August. ‘By early September they’ll be doing the full volume of work, just not flat out. Then we’ll start fast work in mid-September, aiming for first runs from mid-October. It’s all ground-dependent of course – Chepstow’s usually the unofficial start to the season, but you’re still watching for quick going at that point.’
The Tizzard team is coming off the back of a strong season. ‘We had 69 winners last year – up from 45 the year before – and we finished 10th in the trainers’ championship. We’re pleased, but we’re always looking to push on. Racing’s like every sport – it gets more competitive every year. If you stand still, you’re going backwards.’
Open Day returns
This month also sees the return of a long-awaited tradition: the Tizzard Racing Open Day, back for the first time since 2018. ‘We’d had a lot of building work after the last one, then Covid hit … I think we just got out of the habit,’ Chris says. ‘But we’ve talked about doing one for a while, and this year it felt right.’
The event, on Bank Holiday Monday (25th August), will offer the public a chance to explore the yard, meet the team, and watch two parades of horses – featuring a mix of established stars and exciting young prospects. There will also be a raffle, plenty of refreshments and a chance to chat with owners and staff. All proceeds will go to a Type 1 diabetes charity – a cause close to the Tizzard family: Joe’s eldest son was diagnosed last year. ‘He’s only two and a half, so it’s been a tough journey – they’re learning to manage it, but it’s obviously a cause that matters to us all.’
Horses for sale
As the new season kicks off, the team is also on the lookout for new owners – and has five unraced store horses for sale. ‘Joe bought them himself at the store sales – they’re all three-year-olds, unbroken.
‘Whether you’re new to racing or already involved, we’re always keen to talk to people interested in getting involved, from shared syndicate ownership to buying a horse outright. And it’s not just for the super-rich – our racing club is about £1,400 to join, and around £160 a month.
‘The open day is a good chance for people to come and see what it’s really like.’
With a strong staff team, a full yard and a few sore legs already, the Tizzard 2024/25 season is up and running.
