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27th July 2008
Sunday 27th July - Bill had his first double as a trainer in back to back races at Ponterfract on Sunday. Bel Cantor made all under Kelly Harrison to win the 6f Class 3 Skybet sponsored sprint having won the same race last year. Then in the next race on the card Eton Fable also made all from the widest draw to win the 1m maiden under Jamie Moriarty. Bel Cantor won at 14/1 and Eton Fable won at 14/1. A great day and a great effort from all the team at the yard.
New Eleven Legs Partnership
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18th April 2008
My Kaiser Chief wins Thirsk 6f Maiden by 2 lengths. MKC was held up and after struggling to find a gap he came through to win by 2 lengths under Andrew Mullen. This was the first winner for the recently formed Camela Racing Ltd and we look forward to more in the future. Guto finished 2nd in the prior race on the card which was a 5f handicap.
8th February 2008
Guto wins at Southwell to give us our 2nd winner within 24 hours and a great start to the year. He was ridden by Kelly Harrison and made all over 5f.
This confirms we have started 2008 the way we finished 2007. As of today from our last 20 runners we have had four winners, two 2nds and two 3rds.
7th February 2008
Bel Cantor follows up on his 2nd 10 days ago by going one better and winning the 6f Apprentice Handicap at Wolverhampton under Kelly Harrison. He made all to win by a length.
Having gone close on the All Weather a number of times we are so pleased he finally got the win to go with his five turf victorys so far.
5th Feb 2008
Style Award wins at The Class 4 5f Lingfield under Richard Hughes. This tough filly ran her first race on an All Weather surface and after a 4 month Winter break but she won impressively by 3 lenghths. This takes her tally to 4 wins from 13 runs and she has only been out of the first 4 once. This also continues the yards run of winners and we are looking forward to the start of the Turf Season.
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© 2006 Bill Ratcliffe
About us
Bill Ratcliffe - Trainer (Flat & National Hunt)
Bill has been involved with horses most of his life. He held an amateur flat riders permit. He spent many years working with Stan Moore, firstly near Andover and then when Stan moved to Parsonage Farm Racing Stables at East Garston near Lambourn. Bill's father had horses in training with Stan for many years. Stan has now moved to the historic Uplands Stables in Lambourn.
Bill then worked as Assistant to Barry Hills at Faringdon Place in Lambourn. This was invaluable experience working in a large top class yard with all the challenges and demands it provided. Bill was Assistant Trainer, and working with the Head Lads he was responsible for a barn of 44 horses including Group horses like Distant Music, Munir and Chancellor. After 2 years in Ireland Bill returned to Lambourn to take out his licence in September last year. Upshire Stables was a small shared starter yard with 8 boxes and after quickly outgrowing this yard he moved to Bolton Hall Stable in June 2006.
Bill also has management experience having worked upto director level in large retail companies. This gives him experience in many areas that are key when developing a training operation. Skills such as organisation, staff management, business skills and marketing. You need to know people aswell as know horses.
Bill is looking forward to building up the yard at Bolton Hall Racing Stables and having success for his owners
Elena Ratcliffe - Assistant
Elena is originally from Ukraine and has worked with horses from a young
age. Having moved to England 5 years ago she has gained racing experience
working for Ken Cunningham-Brown, Mark Pitman and Barry Hills. Elena is
an excellent horsewomen with a real eye for detail. She has a real drive
and passion for horses and racing.
Bel Cantor entering the Winners Enclosure at Pontefract
Bill (centre) recieving award at Pontefract 26th May 2006
and his father on right
Winning connections after Style Award wins at Musselburgh Nov 9th 2007
Elena riding a rearing horse in Ukraine