Billingshurst horse trainer has star in the making

Horse trainer Luke Dace from Billingshurst certainly believes he is onto a winner in rising star Echo Brava, who at the tender age of four has already seen some great wins on the track in the past few months and is displaying outstanding fitness levels.

Having won his last race of 2013 at Lingfield Park, ridden by Ross Atkison, before making a sterling start to the year with a win at Kempton Park, ridden by Serena Brotherton, the grey gelding looks set to up his game even further in 2014.

Due to run again in February, Luke Dace hopes Echo Brava will secure his fifth race win, having run in just 18 races during his career to date.

Luke, a former professional jump jockey, said: “From the moment Echo Brava was brought to my West Sussex training yard by owner Mark Benton I knew he showed real promise for a future racing career. When he first came to the yard he was still a baby and hadn’t quite found his niche. It’s taken him time to progress and mature, as he was both mentally and physically weak to begin with. Therefore, his progress has been remarkable – although he doesn’t quite realise yet just how good he is!

“Having both ended 2013 and started 2014 with a win, I think we’re going to see some more great runs from Echo Brava this year. Having just missed out on first place in his most recent race, where he was pipped to the post by a neck at Lingfield, Echo is showing some great potential – he is certainly an exciting prospect.”

Luke Dace operates out of a well-equipped yard with ultra-modern facilities including an American Bend, 6 furlong gallop, starting stalls, cross country course, equine swimming pool and veterinary laboratory. Luke says he strives to get the best out of his horses to make training an enjoyable and rewarding experience for their owners. His goal for this year is to extend his client base and his string so that he can train even more winning horses.

To attract new owners during the month of February, Luke is offering free travel to the racecourses within a 50 mile radius of his Pulborough yard. Potential racehorse owners who would like to take advantage of this offer should contact Luke or Louise Dace via http://www.lukedace.co.uk/contact-us/

Report and picture contributed by PMW Communications.