Syndicate Buyer

Dan Downie on exhilarating sales, his eventing roots and where he hides to watch his horses run

- Stephanie Bateman

I started riding at the age of six. My parents weren’t particularly horsey — my dad and brother were keen footballers, but my mum rode before having children.

I remember my first riding lesson as clear as day — I rode a pony called Scooby and was terrified! I wasn’t put off though because I kept riding, and horses and eventing became all I thought about. I was fortunate enough to event in my teens and early 20s and, as well as support from my parents, Jane HoldernessRoddam was extremely generous and inspired me.

I joined Elite Racing Club in 2001. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth meant there were no competitions and I needed a job. The Elite offices were close by and I went for an interview and was offered a job by Tony Hill.

I’d always had an interest in racing, particularly National Hunt, and loved the Grand National. I used to watch reruns of the race from the 1950s onwards and dreamed that one day, I would somehow be involved with a Grand National winner.