It was not until 1986 that Peter had any intention of taking out a training licence as he had a highly successful point-to-point yard. However, at the time he had a horse called JJ Henry that had won five point-to-points and was the leading young Point to Pointer, and the owners wanted the horse to run under rules. Hence Peter took out a full licence. JJ Henry went on to win another 11 races for Peter and in 1992 at the Grand National meeting at Aintree won the John Hughes Memorial Trophy over the National fences ridden by his daughter Anthea, who rode him in all his victories.
Peter counts himself very lucky to have trained some very good horses, but rates Jodami as the best. Not only did he win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1993 and finished 2nd in 1994, but also won 3 Irish Gold Cups in 1993, 94, and 95 and should have won in 1997, but broke down and finished 2nd. He is enjoying retirement at Peter’s yard in Brandsby, North Yorkshire and regularly makes public appearances at different events.
More recently Peter has trained good horses such as Young Kenny, Niki Dee, and Bobby Grant. Young Kenny won the Midlands National, Scottish National, and the Grand National Trial in 1998/99. He showed his liking for the Aintree fences when winning the Becher Chase in 2000 and was installed as Grand National favourite. Tragically though he broke a leg on the flat in the De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock which was a great blow to Peter’s yard.
Bobby Grant won the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock twice in 1999 and 2000. Niki Dee was 2nd at the Cheltenham Festival in 1999 before going on to give Peter his closest finisher in the Grand National so far by being 3rd in 2000. The Star of the stable in 2002 was Nick Bannister's horse Hussard Collonges who won The Royal & Sun Alliance Novice Chase at Cheltenham, ridden by Russ Garrity.
Peter now has around 30 horses in training and feels he is lucky to be backed by a great team of staff many of whom have been there for some years.
Peter currently feeds his horses SPILLERS® HDF Power Cubes and Racing Mix for the horses in training and SPILLERS® Lay off Cubes for any laid off or in light work.