Local Success at Chester Races

What a weekend for local young sporting prodigies. While Ben Woodburn was shining for Liverpool FC, Manor House Stables' lady apprentice jockey, Elisha Whittington, was riding Dragons Tail to a notable success at Chester Races on Saturday. This was her second ever win since obtaining her Apprentice licence last year.

Elisha's success was a further feather in Cheshire's cap as she is from Runcorn. She got into racing via her uncle Paddy watching it on TV. She then taught herself how to ride on a pony that she saved from being put down. She attended the British Racing School and then worked for Donald McCain and joined Manor House in November 2015. Elisha won this year's prestigious Stud and Stable Staff award for best newcomer. Elisha took out her apprentice licence in the summer of 2017.

Trainer Tom Dascombe naturally likes to do well at his local track and was pleased to have two winners on the day. Stable jockey Richard Kingscote has gone from strength to strength helped by the opportunities and expertise offered by the team at Manor House, so Elisha could not wish for better support at the start of her career.

Incidentally there is a link with Liverpool FC, as it is well known that the major driving force at Manor House is England football legend Michael Owen, who started to make his mark at Liverpool at about the same age as Ben Woodburn. Happy days.