Herefordshire trainer celebrates win at Hereford Racecourse

THE toast of Hereford Racecourse at last week’s meeting was Eastnor trainer Matt Shepherd who fittingly trained the winner, Famosa, of the final race on the card, the two-mile handicap chase, a race sponsored by himself to advertise his new book, the autobiographical ‘Confessions of a Slow Two-Miler’.

Although pessimistic beforehand of Famoso’s chance, partnered by his son Stan Sheppard, the 7/1 was always travelling smoothly in the 12-runner race and could be called the winner from the second last fence once he was sent into the lead.

Staying on strongly Famosa recorded a two-and-a-half length win over the chasing River Gold, who was Sheppard’s pre-race selection of a winner.

Sheppard said: “I’m humbled by the amazing reception from the Hereford crowd.

“It was a career-best performance and Stan gave him a blinding ride. He's very well bred and probably has far more ability than he lets on, but he put it all together on the right day.

"It's very satisfying and humbling that so many people have been keen to buy the book. I've sold at least 100 copies and would need to sell 400 to break even. I'm not greedy though and just chuffed people are wanting to buy it."

Taking six years to complete the book, Sheppard adds: "It's about my life as a bit-player in horse racing, every single story is true - because you couldn't make it up.

“It's hopefully a book that non-racing people will find amusing. There's lots of racing stories in it but lots of lifestyle stories as well.”

Starting from his early days as unpaid pupil assistant to trainer Mercy Rimell in 1986, the book charts his career that many local racegoers will recall.

‘Confessions of a Slow Two-Miler’ is priced at £15 and can be bought through the Weatherbys website.

Another trainer enjoying success at the track was Olly Murphy who enjoyed a double at Hereford with the Lewis Saunders-ridden Bread And Butter winning the two-mile three-and-a-half furlong handicap hurdle and jockey Sean Bowen's mount Kilbarry Hill taking the two-mile three and a half furlong maiden hurdle.

Just to confirm the stables red-hot form their runner Prince Imperial justified short priced favouritism in a novice hurdle at Plumpton races within the hour of the two wins, giving the stable a treble across the cards at odds of 30/1.