At Kempton Racecourse on Friday evening, trainer William Muir continued his longstanding hands-on approach by personally driving his horsebox to the track, a practice increasingly rare among trainers today. Muir, 68, who shares the operation of Linkslade Stables with Chris Grassick, brought one runner to the meeting: the three-year-old Cosmo Brown, a steadily progressing horse entered in the final race of the card.

With a career spanning 35 years and multiple Group 1 victories, Muir remains deeply involved in the day-to-day work within his stable, which houses approximately 40 horses. His family background includes running a small stud farm near Lambourn, but unlike many in the industry, he did not inherit a racing establishment and has relied on hard work to build his position in the sport. “My dad said to me when I was young, we might not leave you any money but you’ll have the best legacy a man can have and that’s knowing how to work,” Muir reflected.

The financial challenges facing trainers like Muir have intensified in recent years amid rising costs in racehorse management. Despite maintaining a reasonable size and consistent horse flow, the stable is “just about keeping it together financially,” Muir acknowledged. He attributed the necessity of driving the horsebox himself and remaining busy directly to the demands of sustaining the business. “If I hadn’t worked like I did and drove the box I wouldn’t have been able to survive financially,” he said. He also praised Grassick’s contribution, describing him as “a real grafter” who has helped shoulder the workload.

While the role is “tough” with much pressure on trainers outside the highest echelon of the sport, Muir retains a positive outlook. “If you’re prepared to graft and you don’t weaken, it can be a great game and you should survive,” he said, noting the mental resilience required to endure the industry’s challenges.

Muir’s most decorated horse remains Pyledriver, whose achievements included top-level wins at Royal Ascot, York, the Coronation Cup, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He fondly recalled personally transporting Pyledriver to some of his career’s most important races, underscoring his commitment to the horses beyond training duties.

Looking ahead, Muir expressed optimism about his two-year-old Breacher, who is set to run in the Solario Stakes at Sandown later on Friday. The colt impressed on debut with a nearly three-length victory at Salisbury and was immediately described by Muir as potentially the best two-year-old he has trained. Although cautious early on after a blood test revealed elevated white blood cells, Breacher has since recovered well and posted strong work at the stable. “For a yard like ours it’s hugely exciting. We can dream of bigger and better things. Hopefully he takes us back to the big time,” Muir said.

Cosmo Brown finished second in his race at Kempton, after which Muir assisted the owners with post-race care before loading the horse for the return journey. His dedication to every aspect of stable management remains a defining feature of his approach, as he balances the demands of the business with the pursuit of racing success.