The Team
R M Beckett LTD
Ralph started out having left school in 1989. He spent a year in Australia working for Bart Cummings and Colin Hayes.
On returning he started as a stable lad in 1990 for Jimmy Fitzgerald and stayed for two seasons. Jimmy was a task master, but a great trainer of horses and people. Horses such as 'Forgive N' Forget', 'Sybillin', 'Uncle Ernie', 'Sapience' and 'Trainglot'. People such as Kieran Fallon, Mark Dwyer, JJ Quinn, Richard Fahey, Brian Ellison and Ger Lyons.
Ralph then spent two and a half years as Head Man to Arthur Moore in Ireland. Arthur was champion National Hunt trainer at the time, and horses such as 'Soft Day', 'Klairon Davis' and 'Second Schedual' were in their prime.
He then had a short spell with Martin Pipe, before landing a job as Assistant to Peter Walwyn in 1996. He was in that role for three and a half years, at which point Peter retired, handed over the license to Ralph in 2000, and rented him his yard at Windsor House in the centre of Lambourn. Ralph trained 105 winners there, including 'Penkenna Princess' winner of the Group 3 Fred Darling and 2nd in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and 'Come On Jonny' winner of the November Handicap.
In late 2005 Chris Harper invited him to move to his estate at Whitsbury, as David Elsworth was moving to Newmarket
Izzi Beckett
Book-keeper, Secretary and Exercise Rider
Izzi manages most of the yard's Racing Partnerships and controls the office accounting. She is also mother to Katinka who arrived in 2005 and Cressida who turned up in 2010. Izzi had previously worked for Satish Seemar in Dubai and Sotherbys in London.
Louise Boakes
Assistant Trainer
Louise joined us in November 2009, she had previously worked for Andrew Balding, before spending time with David Hayes in Australia. She also worked for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney, who sent her to Brisbane with a team of horses for their winter carnival.
Gary Plasted
Travelling Head Man
Gary has worked for Mark Pitman, Vicky Roberts and also Ralph back in 2002/3. He rejoined us in January 2005 and is responsible for transport of our runners, saddling in Ralph's absence and ensures the horses are all turned out to a high standard. He works tirelessly throughout the season driving winners up and down the country from Brighton to Musselburgh and last year runners from California to Hong Kong.
Ian Russell
Travelling Head Man
Ian has been here since September 2007. A former assistant to Miss Venetia Williams and Charlie Mann, he originally came from the Eventing world. He shares the travelling with Gary Plasted, covering a similar number of miles here and abroad.
David (Daigo) Crofts
Head Lad
Daigo has worked at Whitsbury since 1984, during which time he looked after stars such as Indian Ridge and Oh So Risky. He was Head Man to David Elsworth between 2000 and 2005 and is now in charge of Majors Yard which houses the older horses. He is also our no. 1 work rider
Adam Kite
Head Lad
Adam joined us in January 2007. He was previously Head Man to John Gosden, Kim Bailey and Jenny Pitman. In charge of the Manor Yard, which houses the two year olds, he also watches all the fast work. An excellent judge and top class horseman, he is hugely experienced in every aspect of the role.
Sam Whitehead
Secretary
Sam arrived with Adam. She is an accomplished work rider, and took Celtic Slipper to Milan when she won the Premio Dormello. Having worked part-time in the office she took over the role of full-time secretary in December 07.