In the Klarion Spo
otlight
THIS MONTH: Ted Brierley and Tony Greenhalgh of TT Bloodstock
T
ED and Tony met some 30 years ago when Tony started
cutting Ted's hair. They discovered they both had a passion for racing (and roulette), and they shared a dream
of owning the winner of a Group race and having the
asset of some valuable bloodstock upon which to build.
Hence TT Bloodstock became a reality.
More than 12 years ago, Ted was browsing racehorse trainers'
websites (Mark's being one of the few at that time) when he saw
that he could e-mail Mark, which he duly did. Ted e-mailed Mark
a budget and asked whether that was enough to train and run a
racehorse for two years. Mark phoned and cautioned him about
the likelihood of any positive financial return but Ted and Tony
were addicted to the idea and decided to give their enthusiasm
Name: Tony Greenhalgh.
Date of birth : February 3, 1957.
Family : Married Susan on November 8, 1980.
We have two boys:
David (24) and Robert (21).
Name: Ted Brierley.
Date of Birth : December 13, 1957.
Family: Married Linda on November 3, 1979.
We have three children:
Martin (30), David (28) and Emma (25)
How, and when, were you introduced to horseracing?
Tony: My Dad used to take me to the races, mainly to Haydock Park.
Ted: Through my Grandad - with whom I went to racecourses (mainly
Haydock) from an early age.
And to MJR?
Tony: Through Ted, who had e-mailed Mark in 1998 expressing interest
in buying a racehorse.
Ted: I e-mailed Mark after browsing his website. I told him I was
interested in buying a racehorse.
What is your main occupation?
Tony: Hairdresser.
Ted: Managing Director (I retired as of the end of July 2011 as I had sold
the company).
If you could choose any other career, what would it be?
Tony: Professional poker player
Ted: Racehorse trainer
Where do you live and what took you to that area?
Tony: Leigh in Lancashire. I have always lived in that area.
Ted: I live in Bolton.
free rein. TT got very lucky in buying Xellance, who won eight
races as a three year old - albeit the race in which he scored his
first win was rated by Mark as the worst race he could find!
Xellance was rated 35 at the time but rose to a peak of 79. They
have had other horses such as Sharp Secret, Mystical Girl,
Fortunate Dave, Cono Zur, Leprechaun's Gold and their current
one, Quiet Appeal. They all run in the pair’s distinctive colours of
blue with red stars.
For his part, Mark tells the story that when he was contacted by
TT Bloodstock, he thought he was dealing with an established
bloodstock business or breeders, not just two pals with a dream.
TT Bloodstock's biggest claim to fame was eclipsing the table
top with wine bottles all drank at one of Mark's owners' parties!
What were your best, and worst, subjects at school?
Tony: My best subject was Maths, and my worst, English.
Ted: My best - Physics, and worst - German.
in a showcase handicap over two miles - it was Keith Dalgleish's ninth
win on the horse.
Ted: That same race which Xellance won at Musselburgh.
Which race would you most like to win?
Tony: The Derby.
Ted: Any Group race.
Which place/s do you most want to visit?
Tony: New Zealand
Ted: New Zealand
What is your favourite sport outside racing?
Tony: Golf. I used to be a member of a club and had a handicap of 11. I
don't think I would be that now!
Ted: Football.
Which is you favourite racecourse? Why?
Tony: Chester; it has excellent facilities for owners and great hospitality.
Ted: Newmarket - good owners' viewing and nice wine.
What is the best horse you have been associated with?
Tony: Mystical Girl
Ted: Mystical Girl
Least favourite? Why?
Tony: Haydock - on account of its poor owners' facilities.
Ted: Haydock - those poor facilities, including being charged £1 for a
coffee in the owners' bar!
What is the best name you have given to a horse and why did you
choose it?
Tony: Cono Zur, after drinking too much wine called Cono Sur! (Editor's
note: Cono Sur is a Chilean winery whose wines are widely available in
the UK).
Ted: Xellance - the dam’s sire was Exceller, the sire's sire was Northern
Dancer , and I was interested in the X factor of
genes and heart size
(hence the X).
What is the last film you saw and film you would most recommend?
Tony: The last one was The King's Speech, with Colin Firth. I would recommend Kevin Reynolds' 2002 remake of The Count of Monte Christo.
Ted: I don't watch films.
The best race you have
won and what it meant
to you personally?
Tony: Xellance winning at
Southwell on February 18,
2000. It was the first race
we ever won.
Ted: Xellance winning at
Musselburgh (7/11/2001) £17,485 of prize money
meant quite a lot actually!
Which one race would
you like to have
replayed on TV?
Tony: Xellance winning at
Musselburgh (Nov 7, 2001)
Last book you read
and book you would
most recommend?
Tony: 'The Shack', a
fascinating book by
William P Young in
which God is portrayed as an African
American, and 'Six
Seconds' by Rick
Morphina.
Ted: Forgotten Voices
of World War II.
What
is
your
favourite TV programme?
Tony: Early Doors
Ted: Racing UK
Ted and Linda Brierley (left) with Tony and Susan Greenhalgh
Are you superstitious?
Tony: No
Ted: No
Lucky number?
Tony: 5
Ted: 24
Someone you would most like to be seated next to at a dinner
party?
Tony: The singers James Taylor and Billy Joel.
Ted: Lord Hutton of Furness (Editor's Note: The Klarion is considering
awarding a prize for the most imaginative answer as to why Ted should
have chosen this former Labour cabinet minister as his ideal dinner
companion!)
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Tony: Las Vegas
Ted: Barbados
What was your most exciting racing moment?
Tony: When Mystical Girl ran at Epsom on Derby Day 2004 and led until
inside the final furlong having been four lengths clear of her field. She
eventually finished third.
Ted: The same as Tony’s - Mystical Girl coming third on Derby Day.
www.markjohnstonracing.com
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What schools did you attend?
Tony: Manchester Road Secondary School, Leigh.
Ted: Leigh Boys' Grammar School.
Do you have any pet
hates?
Tony: People being late.
Ted: No.
Who is your favourite
singer/band?
Tony: James Taylor.
Ted: Kenny Rogers.
What station is your
radio tuned to?
Tony: Gold.
Ted: Radio 4.
A restaurant that you
would recommend?
Tony: Upstairs at the Grill,
Chester.
Ted: The Park, Bedford.
What would you choose
as your last meal?
Tony: A lamb roast dinner.
Ted: Sunday dinner.
What is
your favourite drink?
Tony: White Wine.
Ted: Wine.
Tony and Ted’s filly Quiet Appeal
(with Jimmy Goodall aboard)
Who has had the
biggest influence on your life?
Tony: My dad.
Ted: My children.
Tell us something about yourself that we probably don't know.
Tony: At school I had a very small part in a Colin Welland play.
Ted: I played rugby for Lancashire.
Do you have any regrets or things you would like to have done differently?
Tony: No regrets.
Ted: Not choosing the right horses for sale from Mark!
www.markjohnstonracing.com
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