Halford gives tour of custom-built yard Michael Halford today treated the press to a tour of his impressive new yard based on the Kildangan Road in County Kildare. The trainer completed the switch from his Pollardstown stable on the Curragh in February this year. The building on the green acre site commenced back in July 2006 with Halford moving just over half his string in February 2007. The transfer was completed earlier this year and the dual-purpose trainer is now reaping the benefits of the custom-built training centre. "I was training out of two yards on the Curragh - our own and a rented yard in Kellsboro - and I wanted everything in the one place," said Halford. "When Kellsboro was sold I knew I had to find a place. My own place wasn´t big enough to expand and I couldn´t find a site on the Curragh large enough to build a yard. "I was looking for a long time and was getting a bit frustrated when Ciaran O´Toole told me about this place. The minute I saw it I said that´s what I want." Halford feels the self contained set-up gives him more freedom in his training schedule. "The privacy of our own gallops is a good thing and with the peace and quiet here the horses are relaxed. You can´t beat nature and it´s healthy, bright and open here. "All the owners seems very happy with it. It was a huge financial commitment but I have wonderful owners and I would rather regret doing it than not doing it." Two all-weather gallops have been installed while a new five furlong grass gallop has been sowed and should be ready for use next spring. "We have a three-and-a-quarter furlong sand and fibre gallop and a six-and-a-half furlong woodchip gallop. "I´ve been training on woodchip all my life, mainly on the Curragh´s Old Vic. It´s tried and tested and I can read the work on it. All the horses seem to go on it." Halford designed most of the yard himself and his attention to detail can be seen around all the buildings. Other facilities include five horses walkers, a swimming pool and two salt-water spas. "I have 10 turn out paddocks and they are a real gift. On the Curragh the horses had a long walk back from the gallops and because they tend to be back quicker here I like them to have that extra time out." With 117 boxes and over 100 horses currently in work Halford has plenty of firepower for the forthcoming Flat season. "As a fella said to me ´You´re beating yourself into a corner now Halford - you´ve no excuses´!!."
