The trainer has admitted he was ‘close to packing up’ racing, but recent success has given him a breather
When Epsom-based Adam West sent out Live In The Dream to win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York nine days ago, it was regarded by racing as a timely breath of fresh air; new names in the horse, owner, trainer and jockey column experiencing victory at the highest level.
It was confirmation, not that he needed it, that West can do the job and that if you believe in something enough it will happen. But, personal satisfaction aside, his winning percentage (approximately £30,000) merely gives him a “breather” from the daily financial struggles of being a relatively small trainer.
“I’ve been so close to packing up,” he explains, “not because I wanted to but because I’m so close to the breadline, it [the Nunthorpe] is not going to be the answer. It just gets us a breather. The money will disappear straight into the yard.”
West, 34, had no family background in the sport. His father was a marketing consultant before switching to driving lorries but he developed a love of horses when he was growing up in Brighton and, aged 13, was sent to Gary Moore on work experience – he went back to work for him for two years after school.