Billy Newnes

A chat with Billy Newnes, Assistant Trainer

Where abouts where you born and raised?
Liverpool

What was your first job in racing?
Was for Henry Candy in 1977

If you didn’t work in racing, what do you think you would do?
I would probably like to be a footballer, or something sporty

Did you ride professionally, back in the day?
Yes, I rode around 750 winners

What is your most memorable moment in racing?
That’s a tough one, it’d probably be between winning the English Oaks at Epsom in 1982 or winning the German Derby in 2002

Describe your perfect night in/out?
It would either be with my wife, in a nice restaurant. Good food and good wine. Or a night out with the ‘lads’, as mad as you like!!

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?
Goa – It has lovely hotels and beaches. The weather is lovely, its peaceful and relaxing. But I’m going to try and give Thailand a visit this year.

What type of music do you listen to most?
Anything really, but I like Mow town music. Stevie Wonder and UB40 are my favourite artists.

What websites do you visit regularly?
The Racing Post, Liverpool TV and Sky Sports

Favourite all-time horse
That’s a tough one, it would be between Time Charter because it was my first classic winner, and Tiger Hill, my last classic winner

What do you do with your spare time?
Usually, I walk my dogs; I have two black and tan Jack Russell’s, Penny and Frank. I also like to play squash

Who are your hero’s both in and out of racing?
In racing, it was John Reid, I found him very professional whether things were going right or wrong. Outside of racing it would be between Joey Barton or Dietmar Hamann, they are both absolute professionals on the pitch.

Finally, your Simon Callaghan trained horse to follow is…
Colour of Money