COUNTY trainer Tom Lacey says his aim is just to keep his horses fit and healthy following a fantastic start to the year.

Lacey, whose stables are based near Woolhope, has already had three winners, including an excellent triumph at Cheltenham.

And he hopes to return to the iconic venue in March for the annual festival if he finishes in the first six places at a meeting in Huntingdon on January 29.

“It is everyone’s dream to win at Cheltenham and it was my first runner there,” said Lacey.

“The racing conditions were ideal and and was a great start to the year.”

The horse that won at Cheltenham was Singlefarmpayment, who claimed the BetBright Casino Handicap Hurdle, ahead of veteran Knockara Beau.

And Lacey has followed that victory with another winner at Doncaster.

Ridden by Herefordshire jockey Richard Johnson, Chase End Charlie won the 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Maiden Hurdle beating the 2/1 favourite Ami Desbois into second place.

Those victories come on the back of another of his horses, Pinnacle Panda, winning at Uttoxeter, while Lacey has also seen second-place finishes at Warwick and Fakenham.

Lacey has 32 horses at his Cottage Field stables and set up a Racing Club last month.

“My aim is to keep horses fit and healthy, that is why I set up the racing club,” said Lacey, who names some of the horses after areas he lives near.

“I set it up on December 1 and the aim is to increase members and horses in the club.

“It is a cheap way for people to get involved, with a one-off payment of £1,750 for the season.

“That includes the cost of all training fees, veterinary bills, transport, shoeing, entries and riding fees.

“We will work racecourses to endeavour that club members receive and owner’s and trainers’ badge on race days.

“In the first instance, all prize money will go back into the club in order to aid the quality of horses sourced.

“Once the club is established, all prize money will be shared equally between members.

“Due to the affordability of the club, it will be capped at 60 members with the aim of four horses in training."

Lacey served his apprenticeship under Charles Radclyffe and moved to Herefordshire from Oxfordshire two years ago.

He trained his horses in the Cotswolds alongside Charlie Brooks — husband of former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks.

But, Brooks decided to stay at his family home in Oxfordshire and give up his licence, leaving Lacey in sole charge of the stables in Herefordshire.

The venue has 32 internal stables, split between two barns, a four-furlong woodchip gallop, a two-furlong circular gallop, a two-furlong all-weather schooling ground and a 100-acre paddock. It also has a ‘Loose School', which is a replica of one used by Captain Radclyffe where Lacey spent the first two years of his working life.

“I really like it in Herefordshire, it’s a very friendly county,” said Lacey.

“I’ve got 32 horses, which is quite a few, and I produce, run and sell them.

“They are always used for training because they’re so expensive to run.”

If you want to have your horse trained by Lacey, you can phone him directly on 07768 398604.