Gay Kelleway and Ann Duffield to join forces in Yorkshire

Kelleway, who trained at Queen Alexandra stables for 20 years, will eventually move in alongside Duffield at her Sun Hill yard just outside Middleham.

Initially, the horses will be running under Duffield’s name until all the paperwork is complete.

“We’ve both still got fire in our bellies and it looks the perfect fit,” said Kelleway, who started training at the same time as Duffield in the early 1990s. “I’ve always been tempted to go up north because I’ve had a lot of winners up there and that’s where many of my owners are based.”

Duffield, wife of former jockey George, cited the difficulties trainers face today as one of the driving forces behind the move.

She said: “It just makes more sense to share a business 50 per cent between us and go places than to keep 100 per cent and not go anywhere.

“Racing’s a tough game and getting tougher – both our numbers were dwindling and this is a great way to be competitive moving forward.

“You have got to have the ammunition to go to war and this way we have the facilities, experienced and talented staff and a great environment to get back competing.

“We’ve known each other for years and, when she rang to say she had sold up in Newmarket, I asked what she was planning to do. Coming up to train with me just evolved naturally.

“A lot of trainers are sharing the workload now and it just made sense for us to do the same.”