Craig Talbot

We are very lucky to have the best Racing Manager in the business.

Craig Talbot founded Ursa Major Racing in 2018 and also acts as full-time racing manager, on hand around the clock to answer owners’ questions and visit our trainers to bring you all the latest news and reports.

He also attends all the sales and sources the brilliant horses that have seen us win more than 20 races in the last four years.

But what about the man behind the Battenbergs? We spoke to Craig to find out what makes him tick…

Name: Craig Talbot

Age: 39

Position: Racing Manager, founder and owner of Ursa Major Racing

Tell us a little bit about your background, what did you do before Ursa and what inspired you to set it up?

I used to work in accounts. I had joined another racing club and with my accounts background I soon realised that what they were taking each month didn’t quite add up as to what I thought so I decided to set up Ursa Major and do it at as close to cost price as possible.

Tell us a bit more about those early days - having your first winner with your first runner must have been very special?

There was 20 of us who originally got involved and we decided we wanted a horse so I e-mailed an awful lot of trainers. Mark Walford was one of just two who came back to me. We went with a horse called Cape Hideaway. Mark let us go 50/50 with him and luckily for us he won on his debut for us at Doncaster under a lovely ride from Emma Todd. It was the same race that Ghadbbaan won this year so that race has been a very lucky one for us. From there the rest is history!

Favourite thing about Ursa Major?

It has to be the owners and the people involved. They really are a fantastic bunch and I am not just saying that! Through good times and bad times they have supported me and spending time with them at the track is the best. Our trainers are brilliant as well and keep everyone up to date week in week out. Our jockeys are also key as feedback is everything when it comes to a syndicate and I feel very privileged that some of the most wonderful riders wear our colours.

Favourite horse to have run for Ursa Major?

This is such a difficult one so I will say two. Over jumps it is Take a Break who won two from two when we claimed him. He won two nice races at Hexham and Carlisle and he was a fun horse but he had a sad end unfortunately, but I always think of good old Take a Break. The other is a real legend of Ursa Major - Kodimoor. Four wins and multiple places and he ran his heart out every single time he was out there. He was low grade, but you can’t buy horses like that really. A legend. At the moment we are really trying to keep upping the quality and Candescence doesn’t owe us anything after what she has achieved and Fenna’s Loss will go on to be really good jumping. Ghadbbaan was a great buy, he is a warrior of a horse and all our two year olds are really good as well and we have an awful lot to look forward to with them.

Where do you see Ursa in five years?

In five years time I would like to think I have the same core of owners as we have now who have been kept happy and keep coming back for more. I would like some more, but not masses - another 25/30 would be brilliant. But my main focus is to improve the quality of horses year on year and that’s something we have definitely managed the last 12 months. There’s plenty more to come too.

What do you look for when buying a new horse?

The sales is something we have done very well with of late and there have been a number of buys who have gone on to earn their purchase price back. I actually think private sales with people you can trust is hugely important. We bought Moonlight Glory and Fenna’s Loss that way and we have had two wins and three seconds from six runs from those two. At the sales there is plenty to look at. I like to deal with people we trust and then get them out, have a look at the pedigree, but realistically the best pedigrees are not in our price range, so I like to get my eyes on the actual horse; check the frame of the horse, see the power in its back end and look at its neck. There’s so much to look at at the sales and it is harder work I think than many people realise. It is a part of my job I really enjoy.

Favourite sire?

Rather than the obvious ones everyone knows about, two sires I really like are Power on the flat - he is Candescence’s sire and he is cleaning up in South Africa and Australia. His progeny have speed and toughness. I really like Power. For National Hunt I like Sageburg, sire of Fenna’s Loss.

Best Ursa Memory?

Definitely Candescence winning the Sunday Series. One of the best days ever. She was magnificent.

Quick fire round:

Favourite food - Sunday roast

Best holiday - Twenty years ago I would say a lads holiday, but now just somewhere warm where the family can relax together. Somewhere like Spain.

Favourite drink - A cup of tea! Can’t beat it. Alcohol wise, I like a port in the winter or a gin and tonic in the summer.

Summer or winter - Winter

Flat or jumps - Jumps

Biggest inspiration - My family inspire me every day

Cheltenham or Royal Ascot - Cheltenham