Meet the team
Andy Irvine – Trainer
Andy studied at West Oxfordshire College completing a National Diploma in Thoroughbred Management between 1993 and 1995. During this period he spent 12 Months working in America for Maryland-based trainer, William Boniface, and while there, Boniface trained Oliver’s Twist to finish second in the 1995 Preakness stakes. Andy then worked for racehorse trainer Albert Davison, where he took out his conditional jockeys license, and rode his first winner on his very first ride on Sprintfayre. Andy and Zoe then started training together in Caterham in 1996 before moving to Shovelstrode Racing Stables in 1998, where they have trained in Zoe’s name up until her tragic death after a long battle with illness on 3rd January 2021. Andy has taken over the license and committed to carrying on his wife’s amazing legacy. Andy is a big sports fan, supporting Crystal Palace for his sins, watching F1, golf and cricket when time allows, and is also an outstanding cook and caterer. He has been known to do the odd triathlon. Andy is a bit of a workaholic but also loves to enjoy family-life, so having all the family on-site and working with him means he achieves both every day.
The team
Shovelstrode has a dedicated and talented team including senior member, Sophie Dawson who has been with us for a few years now and runs the yard. Alongside her are Jade Crane, who left to have a baby but is now back with us for a couple of days a week (and was on a day off when the pic below was taken), Paige Bowley and Holly Kisbee. We are also able to make the most of experienced, excellent riders for working the horse, including previous assistant trainer Gemma Johnson, Claudia Thornett and Ellie Bellisio (another returnee from years gone by).
Andy’s partner, Kate, is also part of the riding out squad and handles most of the social media activities (and carrot stretching) for the yard. In addition, Andy’s Mum, Jackie, keeps everyone suitably fueled up for the job, with home made sausage rolls and a variety of baked treats heading the request list.
We use the services of a number of top class jockeys, including Caoilin Quinn, Freddie Mitchell and Chad Bament, all of whom are able to regularly ride out for us and school, plus we look to use Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden when the occasion demands. The jockeys school the horses mostly at Shovelstrode, but often come to East Bysshe for cross country schooling, and to Warren Barn for away-day gallops in addition.
Farrier – Tony Fisher
