Former Fahey Employee Branching Out as Own Trainer

A training venture four years in the planning is taking its first step after Richard Fahey's former traveling head lass Fionn McSharry decided to branch out on her own. McSharry, 31, has taken out a dual-purpose license, having assumed control of Dudley Hill Racing in Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire, from her father, Chris, following major expansion at the family farm. Building on "four or five" years working at Fahey's powerful Musley Bank yard at nearby Malton, the former amateur rider means business in her new venture with plenty of investment in the facilities. "It's exciting to have got my license and we're giving it a good shot," McSharry said. "We've got 17 licensed boxes and have put in an Andrews Bowen gallop, so we're self-sufficient. Dad got the farm in 2019 and everything has been built brand new, and it's a family project we're hoping to grow." McSharry, who had 10 rides under rules and finished second in the Queen Mother's Cup at York in 2016, is starting with a small team of horses but is looking to boost her numbers. "We've got five horses, a couple for the flat in the summer and three jumpers, and hopefully, within the next few weeks, we'll get a few new recruits," she said. "It's difficult starting up anyway and you've got the current financial climate on top of that, but I've got a couple of people interested in buying horses. I've got a mountain to climb getting owners and horses in the boxes."