CLOCKS have yet to strike 6am, but while most around still slumber, Lucinda Russell is going about one of her favourite, and most important, roles of the day at Arlary House Stables. The Milnathort trainer is feeding rows of expectant horses at South Kilduff, one of two separate yards nestled on the outskirts of the sleepy Scottish village. A satellite pre-training yard in Hereford completes the impressive set-up.
Everything Lucinda, partner Peter Scudamore and his son Michael do is about “being close to the horse”, and this handson start to the day ensures the slightest lump, bump or mouthful of uneaten food is picked up quickly.
“Anyone with their own horse knows doing it on your own is the best thing – you spot everything and learn so much about each horse,” she says. “I wish I could feed at both yards but I can only feed at one.”
However, Lucinda recently discovered that head yardman Davy MacPhail beats her to the yard every morning.
“He just liked coming out and seeing the horses and feeding them a bit of hay at 3am,” explains Lucinda, 57. “It’s remarkable. But what
