He soon became too tall, but still harboured ambitions of a career in racing. Helping out at yards for pocket money when still at school, turned into full time work and Stuart worked for several trainers in Newmarket, including Ron Sheather and Alex Scott, as well as Bart Cummings in Australia, and has even spent time working in France and Norway en route to becoming a trainer.

Stuart took out a licence in 1993, training from Graham Lodge intially and then moving to Trillium Place. His first winner was Greenback at Lingfield on March 5th 1993, and he has since gone on to train winners at all the flat racecourses in Britain, a goal achieved in July 2003 when Magic Mistress won at Ascot.

One of his most successful horses was Concer Un, a gritty competitor who won ten races, including back to back renewals of the Bradford & Bingley Rated Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, and held the 7f track record at York until 2003.

2004 was an important year for Stuart, not only because he equalled his highest win tally of 32, but also because in November he bought Diomed Stables from Ben Hanbury, giving himself a chance to train from a bigger and better yard for the first time.

When not busy at the yard, or saddling runners on the racecourse Stuart enjoys playing golf, ornithology and watching American football.

www.stuartwilliamsracing.co.uk