LEDBURY trainer Ed de Giles is hoping the expertise he acquired in the city as an investment banker will stand him in good stead as his string of horses grows.

Having served his racing apprenticeship in Lambourn, de Giles went on to spend 15 years working for various banking firms before setting up in the Herefordshire countryside eight years ago.

With those experiences under his belt, his 30-strong string is the most talented he has ever had, meaning the ability to judge the perfect moment to buy and sell racehorses is a precious skill for de Giles.

“I spent two years as assistant trainer to Nick Gaselee in Lambourn over the Party Politics era when he won the Grand National,” de Giles said.

“Then I went to the City to go and earn my fortune - which I didn’t do.

“The money I did earn I have come to spend down here very rapidly and we are enjoying it while we do it.

“Whilst training is a lovely way of life, it is a business and you have to try and make it work.

“I was an owner in the city for a long time and I know what it is like to have the bills landing on your table every month whilst the horse is not doing anything.

“You keep paying and nothing is coming back so I try and have a plan for all these horses and try and have an exit strategy if the owner wants it.”

In 2014, Kashmiri Sunset was sold for 150,000 guineas having been purchased for just 13,000gns two years earlier, while Break Rank sold for 115,000gns just over a year after being bought for 34,000gns.

De Giles is now aiming to attract more owners to a yard which is based in predominantly National Hunt country and boasts top of the range facilities.

“We have a lot of paddocks where the horses can be turned out after exercising so they can let their heads down and relax,” he said.

“We have got a circular gallop and a six-furlong woodchip gallop with a three furlong straight for their fast work.

“We also have a straight 50-metre swimming which I believe that works best.

“It’s a great facility, particularly for flat horses.

“We have also got a high-speed treadmill, so the mix of the gallops, the pool and the treadmill is fantastic.”

For more information, visit www.EddeGilesRacing.com