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THE POLOMOCHE: ex-Nicky Henderson inmate has joined Marcus Foley to go Pointing
photo: Mark Cranham

Former successful National Hunt pilot Marcus Foley, who saddled his own Terramarique to run between the flags last season, has expanded his string to take in horses for outside owners.

Marcus, who started his riding career between the flags, was with Nicky Henderson for 11 years, riding as second jockey to Mick Fitzgerald. He joined the yard as amateur rider before becoming champion conditional, and altogether partnered nearly 300 winners.

He retired in 2009 after suffering long-standing wrist problems following a fall in the 2006 Becher Chase, in which his mount Solar System was badly hampered at the Chair. The fact that he then was on the sidelines as often as he was racing persuaded him that it was the right time to launch his own business.

He runs a pre-training yard adjacent to Barbury Racecourse, and currently has 36 youngsters under his care, many of them for Henderson, while his operation is also supported by, among others, Roger Charlton and Alan King. His head lad is Dan Saunders, who worked alongside him at the Henderson yard.

"It was never the intention to train Pointers," he said, "but a few owners came to me to ask if I would. And it's nice for the staff to have some continuity because the pre-trainers only stay with us for a short time." He would be happy to take more, and can be contacted through his website, www.mfoleyracing.com.

TERRAMARIQUE, on whom Marcus won eight races, and who provided the jockey with his final ride, was a gift horse from his previous owners, Mr and Mrs Sandy Orr. "He was going to be a lead horse for my youngsters," Marcus explained, "but then Nicky asked me if I'd train him for Camilla [Henderson's daughter] to ride." The 11-year-old will be aimed at Ladies' Open and Novice Rider contests, and may make his seasonal bow towards the end of January. He has a preference for ground that is either good or on the faster side - "He was a stone better than he was on the soft," Marcus admitted.

Another talented performer under Rules, THE POLOMOCHE, fractured his pelvis at Kempton in April and his owner, Anthony Speelman, opted to give him away. He now belongs to a syndicate made up of Marcus and a group of friends, so will have plenty of vocal support when he runs! He appears to have recovered well, but will not be out before the end of February. He will start in a Point to give him some confidence but may progress to Hunter Chases.

Rob Jarrett will have the leg-up on both The Polomoche and YVONNE EVELYN, who was placed on the flat for Jeremy Gask. "She was never going to be a flat horse because of her size," said Marcus, who has high hopes for the five-year-old. She may have an entry in the Mares' Maiden at Barbury, but would not want soft ground. She belongs to Sandra Smith, a member of the Newbury Racecourse syndicate for whom Marcus rode winners.

HEATHYARDS FLYER won a Maiden last season when trained by his owner Ian Scaramanga, who rides out for Alan King. "He hadn't been the best of jumpers, and when I got him he was very deliberate," said his new handler. He needs cut in the ground, and may also go to Barbury before Christmas. James Banks, who won on him at Maisemore, is likely to keep the ride.

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