One of RaceTech’s longest serving and most popular Starting Stalls Handlers, Team Leader – Paul Crooks 62, has decided to hang up his boots after 38 years.
As an accomplished horseman, Paul is well known in racing circles and especially popular and respected by jockeys. His calmness and skill in loading horses at the start of races is key to the day-to-day operation. As Team Leader for many years, he has overseen the starts at thousands of race meetings mainly in the north of England, where he will load for the last time at Haydock on Saturday.
Paul commented, “It’s the right time to stop, I’m still young enough and fit to do other things. I’ve got some great memories and made some very good friends. 38 years with RaceTech is a long time but it has been an amazing career and of course I will miss the gang and doing the job. Having said that, I intend to go racing with my family and I am sure I’ll keep in touch with the RaceTech team, we’re a close bunch”.
Andy Peverell, Head of Stalls Operations at RaceTech expressed his gratitude to Paul saying, “I would like to thank Paul personally and on behalf of RaceTech for all his hard work and dedication, we wish him a long and happy retirement. His career has spanned over a very impressive 38 years, where he has managed the stalls teams in the North of England and Scotland for the past 20 years”.
John Bozza RaceTech CEO added, “Paul is a very popular highly respected member of the team, an asset to the company, a true professional and organised Team Leader always happy to share his skill and experience with trainees and others. Everyone at RaceTech wishes him well for the future, and we’ll be keeping in touch”.