TRAINING happy racehorses has become a passion for a successful Herefordshire trainer who thrives on her own turf.

Hereford Racecourse top trainer Kerry Lee quickly established herself as the sporting venue’s leading trainer, since its re-opening, a status she maintains in the prize money table. More than £22,000 has been won by her horses over the past 16 months- and Lee also has had more runners in that time period at Hereford than anyone else in the business.

She is looking forward to seeing whether Grey Gold can win at the Ladies Day fixture on March 10, which many racegoers will be using as a warm-up for the Cheltenham Festival which starts just three days later.

“I love having runners as the track- not only is it very fair and a great place to start a novice, they also look after their ground so well which is why it attracts plenty of good horses,” said Lee, who trains her horses in Byton.

Lee’s Herefordshire stable goes from strength to strength- and its close knit team of staff were delighted to achieve their first Cheltenham success with Magic Dancer earlier this season.

That was quickly followed by the brave exploits of another heart-warming old timer Gino Trail, whose career has been totally transformed by a move to the county.

With a Grade One success written onto her CV in her first season, Lee has the firepower to target the big meetings with her select string which includes Hereford winner Town Parks, a horse who should continue to progress.

“We have 23 winners so far this season and we aren’t finished yet,” added Lee, who has several entries at the Cheltenham Festival in two weeks’ time.

“To keep training happy horses and improving the quality of our operation every year is the goal for me.

“They love the countryside around our yard, Herefordshire is so clean and tranquil. We have many different routes the horses can take and fantastic scenery.

“It has been great to see several horses owners have brought here thrive in this environment. We continue to aim high with each and every one of them, making sure they achieve their true potential.”