Gordon McDowall hails Belstane open day

AFTER the success of Sunday's open day at Belstane Racing Stables, the owner of the multi-million pound Carluke complex is confident about having a successful season under new head trainer, Northern Irishman Noel Wilson.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Mar 2010, 15:48 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2010, 14:43 BST

"The open day was fantastic," said supremo Gordon McDowall, who is hopeful that in 2010 Wilson can beat his predecessor Ian Semple's 26 winners last year.

"We had 150 people turn up on Sunday, including ex-owners and people local to Carluke. There were two lots of eight horses ridden in the parade ring, before they were moved onto the gallop.

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"I spent 250,000 on the gallop, which is the same type of facility that Sheikh Mohammed (a major figure in thoroughbred horse ownership) has.

"All the spectators were really impressed by the speed of the horses as they went past.

"The ground shakes when a group of horses go past. It is like thunder. It is a fantastic feeling when they go by and it makes everybody stop talking."

And Gordon hopes a similarly fantastic feeling is generated by the number of winners Wilson records this year.

For more information on this article, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.