Lauren Reed – A big part of a successful operation

In many racing yards there are people whose role stretches far beyond a single job title. From riding out in the mornings to managing the office in the afternoon and helping source horses at the sales, it often becomes a case of doing whatever needs to be done to keep the operation running smoothly. Which for Lauren Reed, where two days are never the same along with writing the race previews for the Devon and Cornwall area, is a very full time job.

Based with Josh Newman and Kayleigh Woollacott it is a very varied role “I do whatever I’m told to do, basically. Secretary, yard manager, rider – a bit of everything really. Kayleigh actually wrote my job description out once and at the bottom she just put ‘and everything else’, which probably sums it up quite well.”

It is a role that needs flexibility, with a typical day rarely following the same pattern twice. Reed’s mornings usually begin riding before moving into office work later in the day, although it can change in a moments notice. “On a normal day I’ll ride out until mid-morning and then I’m normally in the office for the rest of the day. But we don’t really get many normal days. Sometimes I’m on the yard more, sometimes I’m riding more. It just depends what needs doing.”

That variety is all part of life in a busy yard. Plans can change quickly, and a quiet morning can suddenly turn into organising travel or heading off to the sales. “Today I came in and all of a sudden it was ‘right, we need to get this horse up to Tattersalls for the sales’. So that’s where I’m off to now!”

Being part of a close knit team is another big reason she has remained in the yard for several years. The environment is one built on friendship as much as being professional which it is something she clearly believes. “It’s a great yard to be part of. I’m really good friends with all the girls in the yard and I wouldn’t want to work with another team. We’ve all grown together really.”

The yard has enjoyed plenty of success during that time, stepping up through the ranks and continuing to progress. “We won the Middle title [Foran Equine National Champion Point-to-Point Trainer (6-14 horses)] and now we’ve stepped up into the bigger title [Foran Equine National Champion Point-to-Point Trainer (15 or more horses)] which has been lovely. Some days it’s organised chaos, but I don’t think we’d have it any other way. No two days are the same and it definitely keeps you on your toes.”

Reed has also ridden in point to points herself, with one victory standing out above the rest. “I rode a winner in the Ladies Open on a horse called Quite By Chance who had been competitive in Grade One races and I was very lucky to ride him. He was an absolute hero of a horse. He really taught me the ropes. You could just sit on, hold tight and off he’d go.”

Her route into the yard developed gradually. She initially joined simply as a work rider before becoming increasingly involved in other aspects of the operation. “I started just riding out and then I began going to the sales with Kayleigh. She introduced me to a bloodstock agent and I spent two summers travelling around Ireland, France and Germany with him.” Those trips proved invaluable in developing her understanding of the bloodstock side of the industry. “He taught me a huge amount about the sales, which is why I now do most of the sales work with Kayleigh.”

Helping source horses has since become one of the most rewarding parts of her role within the yard. “I get a lot of satisfaction from going and buying the babies and then watching them progress. When you see them win races and your name gets mentioned as helping to source them, that’s a really nice feeling.”

It is that sense of involvement throughout the whole process that has given her a feeling of worth and enjoyment. “I suppose it comes down to job satisfaction really. Being involved in choosing the horses and then seeing them go on to succeed is brilliant.”

Before moving fully into racing she also spent time working in eventing, an experience that provided valuable lessons despite the very different demands of the sport.

While the two disciplines are very differant, the skills she gained there has continued to help her when working with racehorses. “Especially with the riding. Kayleigh and Josh like all their horses ridden properly and correctly, and having that background in eventing definitely helps.”

Flatwork and schooling are particularly important elements that she believes transfer well between the two worlds. “The dressage side of eventing transfers really well to racing. Even if a horse doesn’t end up being successful as a racehorse, all of Kayleigh and Josh’s horses can go into the school and do proper flatwork. That’s really important if they’re going to go on and find another career afterwards.”

Despite the long hours and constant demands that come with working in racing, it is clear that the busy nature of the job is exactly what keeps her motivated. “I’m very lucky that Kayleigh and Josh have allowed me to get so involved in the business. You never really switch off, but I get bored very easily otherwise.” Even during the quieter months there is always something happening, particularly around the sales season. “In the summer we’ve got the sales which keep us busy, so there’s always something going on.”

Looking back over the past few years, she feels a strong sense of enjoyment from the role she has grown into within the yard. “I suppose I’ve found a bit of purpose getting more involved,” she reflects. “It’s lovely seeing the yard doing so well and banging in the winners”. For someone who describes their job title as simply “everything”, it is clear she has become an important member of the team.

And in racing where success often relies on the combined effort of a enthusiastic group of people, that kind of commitment can make all the difference.