The woman trainer with the ‘twinkle of determination’ – how racing’s new star Alice Haynes wowed Kia Joorabchian

A ‘TWINKLE of determination’ convinced football superagent Kia Joorabchian that Alice Haynes was right for him.

The man famed for the deals of household Premier League names such as Carlos Tevez, Philippe Coutinho and Willian knows good business when he sees it.

Haynes is shooting for the stars in the training ranks – backed by big-spending owner and football superagent Joorabchian

He also knows how to spot raw, young talent hungry to impress on the biggest stages.

In Haynes, who took out her licence a little over two years ago, he appears to have found both.

In case you didn’t know, Joorabchian is the brains and money behind powerhouse racing team Amo.

Flick on the telly on any given Saturday and you’ll more than likely see his purple silks bounding down the straight on a short-priced fancy.

Go Bears Go, Crypto Force and Persian Force have been some of the big-time horses impressing in the biggest races.

Mammas Girl could add to that list if she claims the 1000 Guineas on Sunday after a blistering warm-up at Newmarket last month.

But there was another horse, one with an apt name, who just this week perhaps showed best how far Haynes, 31, is coming under Joorabchian.

Maximum Impact was a devastating winner of a Class 2 five-furlong contest on Royal Ascot Trials Day.

On a day when Trueshan was beaten by Coltrane in the big race of the day, it was Maximum Impact who grabbed the headlines.

Betfair introduced the two-year-old colt at 14-1 for the Coventry while some firms are now as short as 12s.

A Royal Ascot winner in her third year of training?

Even the chance of it is not bad for someone once told to stack shelves instead of work with horses.

For Joorabchian, though, this is exactly the sort of plan he had in mind when agreeing to train some of his horses with Newmarket-based Haynes.

He told Sun Racing: “I first met Alice in a restaurant in Newmarket after the sales. I didn’t know much about her at that time but we got speaking.

“She had just four horses in training but I could tell straight away she was determined.

“She really showed a lot of enthusiasm and hunger to train for Amo and, as with other young trainers I have, I always like to give people a chance, especially when they’re just starting out.

“Alice is in a very tough environment, training in the horse racing industry. Especially since the majority of trainers are predominantly male and established.

“Most people want to send horses to already-established trainers, not those with four horses.

“But I saw in Alice what I believe I have seen in most young, aspiring people in sports – that twinkle of determination.”

Haynes is a former jockey in her own right, winning 11 races in all and schooling alongside AP McCoy.

Her journey to the top was crafted by learning in the yards of Henrietta Knight and David Simcock.

There was even a football link to Joorabchian, with Haynes working under former England striker and recently retired trainer Mick Channon.

Haynes’ rise since those days has been rapid – but Joorabchian is confident this is just the beginning.

He added: “She has all the potential to be a real player in the industry.

“She is extremely capable and very competitive. I have no doubt she will keep stepping up.

“There’s no arrogance with Alice, she’s very meticulous… and we have another couple of runners up our sleeve who could really shine in the future.”

Already a winning combination – who knows just how good this dream duo could turn out to be.

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