A FAMILIAR figure is back on the Fylde racing scene – Tony McWilliams, an important member of the backroom team when Jack Berry was in his heyday, is now training in his own right at a yard in Lancaster Road, Pilling.
McWilliams, known throughout the racing game by his nickname Flash, was head man at Berry's Cockerham yard when that operation was churning out a host of winners and was the leading stable in the North, as well as a real power in the land.
McWilli
ams was a vital linchpin in that operation, but now he is the top man and the buck stops with him.
Currently, he trains eight horses out of property owned by Fleetwood hotelier John Riches.
McWilliams currently trains eight horses, though there is room for expansion – he combines training with breaking in young horses and is on the look-out for that all-important first winner after moving to the Fylde coast having previously trained in Durham.
McWilliams, 48, is glad to be back in his old haunts with his wife Helen, who also knows the area well, having been Jack Berry's stable secretary for several years.
He said: "Mr Riches owns the establishment – I got to learn about the yard by word of mouth and eventually he approached me about training there, an offer which I was happy to accept.
"We have eight horses in the moment, but there is room for more and there is space for more boxes and in time we could have between 25 and 30 horses.
"The set-up is very good and we have a grass gallop and an all-weather exercise area, and we hope to have a horse-walker installed soon.
"I trained in Durham before, but that was a bit too far North, and this is a much better location.
"It's great to be back in the area, and I have had a lot of support and encouragement from local people, and it would be nice to re-pay that support by training winners.
Linked"We haven't had one yet, but we have had a couple beaten in photo-finishes, which shows that we must be doing something right and that the horses are running well."
McWilliams has a small team at his Pilling yard, including Paul Bradley, for a long while linked with the Berry yard, and apprentice jockey Krish Gundowry.
When he worked for Jack and Alan Berry, McWilliams was in charge of the overall, day-to-day routine of the stable, and he saw at close hand how the master trainer operated.
McWilliams said: "Jack left no stone unturned and he got where he did through sheer hard work.
"It was a great time to be involved at the stable with such good horses as Paris House, Mind Games, Distinctly North, and Fylde Flyer, who was owned by Gazette readers and had a big following.
"Horses like that only come along once in a lifetime.
"I would love to have 20 to 30 80-rated horses in the yard, but I know that will not happen straightaway.
"But then Jack only started training in a small way with a few horses and went on to train 100 winners in a season.
"It's a case of having to try and work your way up.
"We had winners when were up in Durham, but we haven't had one from our new yard, and I am hoping that is not too far away."
The eight horses currently in his yard are Forzarzi, Distant Vision, Carnival Dream, Oriental Gift, Royal Premium, Time Dancer, Snow Dancer and Miacarla.
He says there is always room for more at the yard, and anyone interested in racehorse ownership can get in contact via 07779 008802.
McWilliams intends that his involvement in the training game will be no 'Flash' in the pan!
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