Dick Francis - Crossfire

So who is taking over the training license?" It was Gordon Rambler who asked my mother the inevitable question. "And what will happen to the horses?"

"The horses will all be staying at Kauri House Stables," she said. "I spoke with all my owners yesterday, and they are all supportive."

That wasn't entirely true, and some of her owners were decidedly unsupportive, but they had all been convinced, out of loyalty to her, to stay on board, at least for the immediate future. And Martin Toleron had helped here too, vocally pledging his support, and his future horses, to the new training regime.

"So who is it?" Rambler was becoming impatient. "Who's taking over?"

They were all expecting one of the sport's up-and-coming young trainers to be moving into the big league.

"My son," she said with a flourish. "My son, Thomas Forsyth, will henceforth be training the horses at Kauri Stables."

I think it would be fair to say that there was a slight intake of breath, even amongst the most hardened of the racing journalists.

"And," my mother went on, into the silence, "he will be assisted by Ian Norland, my previous head lad, who has been promoted to assistant trainer."

"Can we all assume," Gordon Rambler said, recovering his composure, "that you will still be round to guide and advise them when necessary?"

"Of course," she said, smiling broadly.

But one should never assume anything.