Mon 25th Nov 2002

Profile of Ian Sissons, Stud Groom at Beech House

December Sales is a particularly busy time at Beech House Stud on the outskirts of Newmarket. Not only does it host our stallion parade but is the main pick-up and drop off point for all our sales horses. At the helm is stud groom, Ian Sissons. Ian Sissons joined the Shadwell team in 1997 and took up his post as Stud Groom at Beech House just over two years ago. A Yorkshire lad by birth, Ian’s horsey background as a local Pony Club member led him to his first job in the Bloodstock industry. Aged 17, he joined the Late Lord Howard de Walden’s Thornton Stud where he was involved with the likes of Kris. “I was very lucky to start work at Thornton. The team of lads were from the old school”. This solid grounding is the base from which Ian has become a respected and valued member of Shadwell’s workforce. “I’m a perfectionist and everything must be done to the best of mine and the staff’s ability or I’m not happy. The part of the job I enjoy most is the covering season – provided things are going well! He cites the late Nashwan as one of his all time favorites. Of his current inmates he commented, “The Beech House stallions are all good commercial horses for smaller breeders. All three won very good races and are well priced considering their performance. I like our three horses because they all have a very different attitude and life around them is never dull!” “Things have changed over the years I’ve spent in the industry, some for the better, some for the worse, but Shadwell has been very good to me and although it is a big company it feels like working for a small family business. I wouldn’t want to do anything else”. Ian lives on Beech House Stud and is always happy to show-off the team to visitors