Ed Turner is part of the third generation of the Turner dynasty, the most successful family in the history of British pointing. Grandfather Joe has probably owned and trained more winners than anyone ever, while his late father David won eight jockeys titles and held the record for most successes in the saddle until 2005, and David’s sister Josie won five titles herself and was the winning most female rider until passed by Alison Dare.
Focused on the family farm, with a yard of seven pointers – all family-owned – almost as a sideline, Ed has trained nearly 50 winners since taking over when Joe passed away in 2012. Amazingly, he had never tasted victory with a horse making its seasonal debut until Graveside Lad scored at Higham a fortnight ago but then repeated the feat with Atlantic Fleet at Horseheath last weekend, both horses ridden by Alex Chadwick. Jake Exelby spoke to Ed after his latest success, to find out more about his dream – and unexpected – start to the season. His first question was obvious…
There hasn't been a first-time out winner from your yard since your grandfather was training. Now you've had two in a week. Are you doing anything different this year?
We used to make hay in May, when there were more fixtures – so the racing was diluted – but it’s more competitive nowadays, which is why we’re getting going earlier. Last year, we also had a winner – No Hassle Hoff – in February, but he’d already run. I’m not feeding them any differently! We’ve used Red Mills as long as I can remember.
We’ve been using a grass field on the farm for the last three or four years. It’s continuous work, and better for the horses – they go round more often than on the all-weather, and a fraction quicker.
Our older horses have been needing the run, but Graveside Lad wanted quicker ground – that’s why we ran him at Higham – and Atlantic Fleet showed a bit early last year too and could be quite nice.
What are you most looking forward to about the rest of the season? What are your plans?
We’ve got no major plans and will see how it goes. If we’re lucky enough to have a runner, or even a winner, in a Hunter Chase, that would be great. Of our prospects, Graveside Lad should be OK on better ground and Mister Splash has already shown he’s got ability.
Which jockeys will you be using? You normally use Rupert Stearn, but Alex Chadwick and Paddy Barlow have been riding your maidens.
Rupert will ride the older horses – the likes of Good Source and Janika – when he wants. Paddy Barlow rode Graveside Lad once last year and would have ridden more for us this season but is mostly based in the north, and Alex first rode for us a couple of years ago. As for Ladies Opens, we’ll have to see.
Your family is obviously steeped in pointing. Talk me through some of your earlier memories.
I never really saw dad race-ride, as I was only three when he retired in 1989, and was away at school so didn’t see him ride out much at home, although I’ve watched old videos of him on horses like Boy Bumble, Culford Cottage and Even Harmony. My memories are of my older sister Zoe, riding horses like Spring Gale, Skygrange and Celtic Duke.
It was going in the horsebox with dad when he was ill that got me into riding. The horses always ran in grandad’s name, but Dad was obviously involved in the training, just as my brother – Ben – and mum – Rose – are now. Mum’s had years of experience training horses.
What have been your career highlights?
As a rider, winning the Harley Equestrian Novice title in 2010, including winning their final at Tabley on Parkinson. It was brilliant going round the different courses – in one week, we went to Easingwold, Garthorpe, Cothelstone and Bratton Down, before finishing at Tabley, over 2,000 miles!
Training, winning the Queen’s Cup at Fakenham with Janika – the family have had plenty, but that’s my only Hunter Chase winner.
Which have been your favourite family horses over the years?
Basic Fact, on whom my wife Rosie and I both won. Parkinson, obviously, Kriss William – who gave Rosie a great ride at Stratford and who won for me – and Sa Kaldoun, who did so well for Rosie
Which horse (not one of your own) would you most like to train?
David Kemp’s Designed To Win, who’s won all his three points – although he only just beat Mister Splash at High Easter! He looks a lovely horse.
Which other trainers do you admire?
David has a great strike rate and does superbly well, but all trainers do – it’s a hard job and anyone who has a winner is doing well, as pointing is more competitive than ever.
What are your favourite courses?
Ampton’s on our doorstep – we own the land – and Simon Stearn does a great job as Clerk of the Course, but there are loads of others! Marks Tey, where I had my first ride, Peper Harow, where I had my last, winning on Kriss William. Also, Penshurst in the South East and Higham, where I rode a lot of good horses.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
The camaraderie with the people you see week in, week out. Everyone’s pleased for everyone else – win, lose or draw.
What are your ambitions in pointing and racing?
Just to keep trying to have a few winners. It would be lovely if every horse I train could win a race and – if I’m being greedy – I’d like to win the Queen’s Cup again. It would be great to get to 50 winners, but we don’t have the same numbers as we did in grandad’s day.
You and Rosie have two young children. Is the intention for them to be the fourth generation Turners to get involved in pointing.
Martha’s four and Ruby’s nearly three. They love sitting on ponies – they have one with Rosie’s mum and one here – and like watching the horses work and cheering them on when they run at the weekend. As for riding, we’ll see how it goes.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
Pass! Good luck to whoever is.
Fixture and race planning is hard (but it needs looking at). Last week, there were four meetings on the same day, this week we have five – and there are races over 3m6f and four miles, which will attract the same horses. Then, I love the idea of the Jockey Club Grass Roots races – we have one at Ampton – but it’s mad having three on the same weekend after none for three weeks. And there are lots of Conditions races, and the Level Ones are very similar to Opens.
I’d also make sure we look after owners and syndicates and give them enough car passes. The cost of the Hunter Certificate is increasing – it’s gone up over £20 this year – and, while I know the hunt gets £180, where does the rest of the money go? It’s hard, as costs keep going up, and entry fees aren’t across the board, but prize money hasn’t changed much for years.
What do you think will happen to pointing after a hunting ban?
I don’t hunt myself, except when the meet’s at Ampton – our horses are pointers, not hunters. But I think the sport will carry on, albeit with fewer courses and more club meetings. My question would be: where do you get the volunteers?
You're a huge sports fan, including US Football. Tell me about that.
I love the tactics and it’s an entertaining game. Plus, it lasts up to four hours, so you can drink a lot of beer! I support the Miami Dolphins, only because I have a cousin who lives there. Ben went to the Superbowl in Las Vegas last year and that’s on my bucket list.
Cricket’s my main sport – I grew up playing it and a bat’s a lot easier to look after than a pony! I’m a batter-wicketkeeper and played for Suffolk from Under-11 to Youth level – Mum drove me around a lot. I was in the first XI at Harrow and played against Eton at Lords.
Your brother Ben is a gourmet. Do you share his passion?
Rosie and I go to restaurants he recommends in London. His favourite is Core by Clare Smyth. I haven’t been there myself, but we had a superb meal by her at the Cheltenham Festival last year, when they did ‘Core on Course’. It was for the Peter O’Sullevan Charity Trust.
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