God, I Don't Know How Warren Greatrex Gets Up Every Morning

By Lewis Barnett 1 July, 2025 6 mins read 131 Views

Three kids. Three bloody kids in four years.

I've been covering racing for nearly two decades now, and I thought I'd seen everything. The falls, the injuries, the occasional scandal that rocks the sport for a week before we all move on. But sitting across from Warren Greatrex last Sunday, watching this man try to find words for something that has no words... Christ. That's going to stick with me for a while.

The Lambourn trainer - you know him, Cheltenham Festival winner, decent bloke by all accounts - has had to bury three of his stable lads in just four years. Michael Pitt, 19. David Thompson, 25. Billy Moffatt, early twenties. All suicides. All kids who, by Warren's account, you'd never have seen it coming.

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Michael Was First (And That Nearly Broke Everything)

July 2021. Warren had just moved to his new Rhonehurst yard - should have been an exciting time, fresh start, all that. Instead, he gets the call about Michael Pitt. Nineteen years old. Promising amateur jockey. Found dead at a petrol station.

"Horrible," Warren called it on Racing TV's Luck on Sunday program. Understatement of the bloody century.

I remember covering Michael's story back then. The usual questions: Were there signs? Could someone have done something? The answers are always the same, and they're always useless. No signs. Great kid. Everyone loved him.

Then David. Then Billy.

Seven months after Michael, David Thompson goes missing. Chelsea fan, 25, wrote a letter saying the happiest days of his life were working for Warren. Found dead in February 2022.

Warren told the cameras that one "hit me so hard." I bet it did. Two kids in seven months? At what point do you start wondering if there's something cursed about your operation?

But it wasn't over. This past May - Billy Moffatt. "Larger-than-life Newcastle lad," Warren called him. Found dead in his accommodation on the yard.

Three lads. Four years. No warning signs anyone could spot.

The Weight of Being Everyone's Dad

Here's the thing that got to me most during Warren's interview (and I'm not ashamed to admit I had to step away from my desk for a minute): he considers himself a father figure to every kid who works for him.

"Parents entrust you to look after their children," he said. "I do feel responsible."

Jesus. Imagine carrying that weight. Three families trusted you with their boys, and now they're gone. Warren keeps saying he worries about everyone else, not himself. That's probably the only way he can function - focus outward, keep moving, don't let yourself think too hard about the what-ifs.

But here's what really haunts me: "When they leave the yard I can't keep an eye on them... I am helpless."

Racing's Dirty Little Secrets (That Aren't Really Secret)

Warren didn't dance around the elephant in the room - drugs and alcohol in racing. "When you're surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking, there will be drug use - that's just the way of the world now unfortunately."

This came right after Oisin Murphy got charged with drink-driving (he's due in Reading Magistrates' Court Thursday, by the way). Timing's never great for these conversations, but maybe that's exactly when we need to have them.

Warren's not being preachy about it. He's being realistic. Young lads, away from home, decent money in their pockets, adrenaline-fueled lifestyle... of course there's going to be temptation. The question is: how do we catch them before they fall too far?

Racing Welfare: The Unsung Heroes

One thing Warren made clear - Racing Welfare were at his yard "within minutes" after each tragedy. Not hours. Minutes.

I've dealt with Racing Welfare a few times over the years, usually for lighter stories about their community programs. Never really appreciated what they do until hearing Warren talk about those dark days. Having professionals show up immediately to help everyone process the shock, the guilt, the confusion... that's the difference between a yard falling apart and somehow finding a way forward.

Warren's doing a marathon hike for them this Sunday. Good on him.

What Do You Even Say?

Honestly? I don't know how to end this piece.

Warren Greatrex has lived through every trainer's worst nightmare three times over. He's still getting up every morning, still looking after horses, still trying to be a father figure to the next group of young lads who walk through his gates.

The interview is still "raw" for him - his word. I believe it. Some things don't get easier with time; they just get more familiar.

If you're struggling, talk to someone. Racing Welfare, Samaritans, your trainer, your mum - doesn't matter who. Just talk.

And if you see Warren Greatrex at the races, maybe just nod. Don't ask him how he's doing. He's doing the best he can, and that's probably enough for now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare a horse to race?

Racehorse conditioning is a gradual, multi-faceted process. It involves both longer, slower distance work, which builds stamina, as well shorter, quicker workouts, which develop speed. A carefully designed regimen of exercise must gradually strengthen the horse's cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal system. This is done to mimic the stress of racing, without injuring or overstressing it.

When can a horse be expected to start racing training?

Horses may begin their basic training as yearlings but they will usually begin more rigorous racing training and conditioning at around two years. When their bodies are mature and able to handle the stress of the track, but still young enough to learn. However, timing will vary depending upon the horse's individual temperament and developmental stage.

Is it necessary for a racehorse to have a specific type of shoe?

Racehorses wear special shoes called racing plates, which are lighter and thinner than regular horseshoes. These plates provide the necessary traction on the racetrack while minimizing weight. A racehorse farrier will select and fit the shoes according to each horse's foot conformation, and the surface on which they will be racing.

Can you train your racehorse anywhere?

While initial training can occur on a variety of tracks, specific race training often requires facilities that simulate the conditions the horse will face in competition. It is important to use tracks that are the same size as the actual track the horse will be racing on. By using the right track, you can condition your horse properly and help them get used to the racing environment.

What is the first training step for a racehorse?

During the first phase of racing a horse, there is a critical "breaking" stage where the horses become accustomed with a saddle, bridle or the weight from a rider. During these sessions, patience is key to ensuring the horse feels comfortable around humans and with the equipment they will use throughout their racing career.

What's the best kind of diet for racing horses to follow?

Racehorses need a diet that is high quality and perfectly balanced to support their training and racing. It usually includes a combination high-quality hays, grains (such as oats or barsley) and commercially made feeds for racehorses. Additionally, the diet should be supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health and peak performance.

Statistics

Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.
An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
The Injury Database from The Jockey Club reports that synthetic racing surfaces have a lower horse fatality rate than dirt tracks, with a statistically significant difference of 1.2 fatalities per thousand starts on synthetics compared to 2.0 on dirt tracks.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.

External Links

How To

How to Start Training a Racehorse

Begin the training of young racehorses with a focus to build trust and familiarity. Introduce the horse to a saddle, bridle or a new sensation. The horse should be taught the basic commands of walk, halt and turn before moving on to trotting. Consistency, patience, and gentle reinforcement are important.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/ten-years-after-that-nightmare-fall-im-getting-back-on-a-horse-against-all-medical-advice