Harry's loving life in the hot seat as new handler makes promising start

Upper Lambourn’s Harry Derham is enjoying an excellent start to life as a racehorse trainer, celebrating six winners since sending out his first runner on Boxing Day.

The 28-year-old is temporarily based at Oisin Murphy’s Frenchman's House stables in Upper Lambourn ahead of a planned move 20 miles down the road to Boxford, where he intends to settle permanently.

On the track, Derham couldn’t have had a better start.

His first runner, Seelotmorebusiness, won by 12 lengths at Huntingdon as the handler made a dream debut.

Derham’s operation is the epitome of a family affair – his parents and grandparents have invested in his horses and his sister, Amy, has taken up a role as his operations manager.

“It’s been a good start, there’s ups and downs of course but we’re learning a lot and we’re delighted to have been able to cheer on some winners,” Derham said.

“We’ve got a great team which is massive and some exciting horses, which is obviously essential.

“Without Amy I think the whole operation would be impossible, she’s a massive part of what we’re doing.

“Outside of the training and racing she does it all, I think she works harder than me.

“We’ve had five winners and a lot of horses have been placed, there’s a fair amount of relief to have got off to a decent start and I’m enjoying it so, so much.

“There’s a new challenge every day, it’s incredibly stimulating.”

Inevitably, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Derham, who rode 50 winners in a three year career as a jockey before turning his hand to training.

His second runner, Dargiannini, fell at Doncaster and Seelotmorebusiness, the hero of Huntingdon, pulled up at Wincanton this weekend.

However the handler is no stranger to the highs and lows of racing and his six years as assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls is sure to stand him in good stead as he goes it alone.

“I’m not sure there’s ever a perfect time, but this felt like as good as any,” he said.

“I learnt everything from Paul, he’s phenomenally successful and very, very driven.

“We’d love to emulate even a tiny bit of his success.”