Harry Eustace will be taking over from his father James at Park Lodge Stables in 2021 and he talks to Oli Bell as he prepares to pick up the reins.
He will be taking over from his dad James at Park Lodge Stables after he steps down following a long and distinguished career, and feels ready to the challenge after furthering his education with a spell as assistant to William Haggas.
“It’s very exciting. I’ve just finished with William after four-and-a-half years and I’ve been working towards this point for what has felt like a long time and I’m ready to take the plunge,” he told Oli Bell.
“I’m working for my dad at Park Lodge now. He still holds the licence and will continue to do so until January or February time. For a couple of reasons, a trip to Australia and the Covid lockdown, I missed out on a couple of the trainers’ modules. They’re coming up in October and November and you typically renew your trainers’ licence in February so that felt like a natural time to change it anyway.
“Essentially I’m aiming to be up-and-running for the start of the turf Flat season. There might be the odd runner before then but that’s the main aim.”
So did the uncertainty surrounding the sport in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions make him think twice about taking the plunge?
“It certainly caused me to pause for thought but this is a point we’d been working towards or a long time. Obviously it’s not ideal as the sport has taken a big hit, businesses in general have taken a bit hit, but I’m fortunate to be taking over an existing business with existing clients and they’ve been hugely supportive,” he said.
“Almost to a man they’ve backed me to carry on with their horses and if I didn’t start now it would be a year working for dad and there’s definitely a part of looking to build momentum off the spell working for William. I didn’t see there were any gains in waiting for a year. There’s probably never a good time to start so let’s get on with it.”
The association with Haggas saw Eustace oversee Addeybb and Young Rascal’s productive winter campaigns in Australia but he isn’t expecting that relationship to lead to a flurry of horses from his former boss’ powerful owners.
“My understanding will be I worked very hard for the boss and he gave me a great experience. If he thinks I’m good enough and deserve it he’ll mention me to owners. It will be their decision,” he said.
“But also he didn’t start with these owners, he’s worked incredibly hard to get them and they recognise him through winners and good ones at that.
"That’s how they choose their trainers and it’s quite right. They’re a business and want to be at the top and you have to prove yourself first. That’s what I intend to do.”