Star Sports sponsors new trainer Brian Toomey’s yard

Former jockey who was pronounced dead for six seconds after a fall in 2013 has embarked on a new training career with some high-profile owners 

Star Sports is the new sponsor of Brian Toomey’s yard in Buckinghamshire.

The 34-year-old, who was forced to retire as a jockey after a horrific fall at Perth in 2013 which almost claimed his life, has embarked on his first full season as a trainer, based at Bowstridge Farm in Chalfont St Giles.

After being granted his trainer’s licence in October, he has already secured some high-profile owners, including Amo Racing, Clipper Logistics, Jimmy Fyffe and Jeff Smith. Harry Redknapp provided him with his first winner when Wake Up Harry won at Kempton on 20^th December.

Toomey joins leading jockey Harry Skelton and recently retired legendary rider Davy Russell in Star Sports’ stable of racing ambassadors. He will provide regular updates on the yard’s runners, his views on the biggest races and meetings during the Flat season, and video content looking back at his career as a jockey, his recovery from the fall and life as a new trainer.

“Becoming a trainer has been a dream for a long time,” said Toomey. “My story is an unusual one and I know how lucky I am to be here.

“I’m hugely grateful to all the owners who have supported me at such an early stage of my career, my landlord at Bowstridge Farm as it’s such a brilliant place to train and now to my new sponsors, Star Sports.

“I’m looking forward to telling my story as a new trainer and updating Star Sports’ customers on our runners, as well as my views on the big races and issues in the industry.”

Luke Tarr, Head of PR at Star Sports, said: “Brian’s story is truly inspirational. To achieve what he has, both in his recovery from such a serious head injury and in his determined pursuit of a trainer’s licence, shows exactly what he is made of, and we are delighted to sponsor the yard.

“He has already attracted some massive owners and we’re excited to produce some top-quality content with Brian at the beginning of what we’re sure will be a very successful training career.”