DEAN IVORY
Dean’s love affair with horses goes back to childhood when he used to ride ponies in local competitions and when he also took an interest in the broodmares owned by his grandfather.
During his father Ken’s time as a trainer, Dean would ride out and school the horses and he played an enthusiastic and key role in all aspects of the training operation.
In 2002, Ken handed over the reins to Dean and the winners have continued to flow from Harper Lodge Farm consistently ever since. He has already trained nearly 400 winners and the stable goes from strength to strength.
2016 was a record season for the fourth year running with over £600,000 in prize money earned. Stable star, Librisa Breeze won two valuable handicaps at Ascot, over a £¼ million in prize money and improved two stone in the ratings since joining Dean and the team.
Dean’s quiet but confident and considered approach in both training the horses and communicating with owners filters down to all the staff and there is a very warm, friendly but professional atmosphere at Harper Lodge Farm.
Having started off as an owner himself, Dean knows the importance of communication: “Relationships with owners are important to me because as an owner, I learnt that this personal liaison makes so much difference.

“It’s just lovely to be part of the whole game. I don’t have to be training: I do it because I love it. For me, the greatest thing is putting a smile on owners’ faces when they’ve had a winner.”
THE STABLES