There was a stable staff shortage in Britain last year and has come back to haunt trainers again this year.

No one is calling it a crisis, but what else do they call it, plenty do and it is not going to go away in hurry.

Trainers place job advertisements but it seems to have little effect, labour is as scarce as hen’s teeth.

A survey carried out 12 months ago, by the National Trainers Federation, found out at a conservative estimate the industry was operating with 500 fewer grooms, and work riders as required.

Neither the NTF nor the National Association of stable staff (Nass), believes the situation has not improved one year on.

Trainer face difficulties, they have to show a united front. if it’s conditions or wages that has to be improved, there is no point haggling about, this is the 21^st century, not the dark ages, when cheap labour had to be accepted, there were no options then.