The Demise Of Horse Trainer Blogs

When I first started Horse Trainer Directory many years ago, one of the most fascinating aspects of UK horse trainer websites was their blogs. It seemed that trainers, both prominent and lesser-known, took the time to share their thoughts on various topics related to horse racing—particularly updates on their horses and upcoming entries. To be fair, these blogs often offered nuggets of wisdom and occasional glimpses of "inside information." The trainers’ passion for both horse training and writing shone through in their prose, and I especially enjoyed reading posts from smaller trainers, who often provided deeply insightful accounts.

However, in today’s increasingly busy world, it seems that many horse trainers no longer have the time to blog. This is entirely understandable—after all, spending an hour writing can feel like unpaid work. Yet, you never know who might be reading. It could be a wealthy owner or someone with deep pockets who thinks, "I like their style!"

One of my favorite bloggers was John Berry. The Newmarket trainer had a remarkable way with words, consistently finding the time to write about his horses, their chances of success, and the many connections he had forged with owners, breeders, and others in the racing world.

I’m sure many of our readers also enjoyed Stable Life, John Berry's blog. He used the Blogspot platform, much like we do with Horse Trainer Directory (albeit with our own domain), and it served him—and us—well.

It was a sad day when, on July 28, 2021, John published his final blog post under the title Dis. His departure from blogging marked the end of an era for his readers. Still, we understand that time is limited, and there are only so many hours in a day. I'm pleased to say Emma Berry updates the News and Blog on his website but I do miss the independent blog with its lengthy word count.  

Currently, we are updating Horse Trainer Directory, which has been neglected for far too long. As I refresh the Flat Horse Trainer Website Links (still ongoing), I paused to reflect on how much has changed over the years. Many trainers have retired, some have gone out of business, others have pursued different careers, and sadly, a number have passed away. This realization highlights the demanding nature of a horse trainer's life. It’s a challenging and often unpredictable business where the support of a wealthy owner can determine whether a stable thrives or struggles to survive. For the fortunate few, success is abundant, but for others, the road can be fraught with difficulty and decline.

I look forward to updating the Flat Horse Trainer Blogs over the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see if any of our old favorites have found inspiration to write again, or if new trainers have discovered a passion for blogging.

Best of luck to them all.