SOME might assume that Eleanor Manning has had it easy in horse racing, looking at the bare form. Her first mare, Dysart Dancer, won four in a row and went on to produce blacktype performers Dysart Diamond and Dysart Dynamo.

Her latest winner, Emerald Enigma, scored first time out and is out of Queen Deirdre, who also made a winning debut for Manning. Despite what looks an impressive CV, Manning’s journey as an owner and breeder has not been without challenges, and last month’s winner was no different.