They say that the best things in life come to those who wait. Tim Pitt, one of the newest recruits to the training ranks, hasn't had to wait that long. The 31-year-old has been at his Bawtry base for less than a year but has already saddled the winner of both the Chester Cup and the Listed Cammidge Trophy. Not bad for a new boy.

"I must admit, I'm extremely pleasantly surprised by the way things have gone so far," the handler tells the-racehorse.co.uk. "I thought I'd be chipping away with a few horses so it's great to have made such a good start."

Pitt, who hails from a non-racing family, isn't a newcomer to the sport. Time spent with Jim Old, John Gosden, Peter Chapple-Hyam and Gerard Butler provided him with both the knowledge and desire to go it alone. However, running your own stable is never a cheap option.

Pitt explains: "I had looked into starting up at Wolverhampton with just a couple of horses but it was a financial nightmare."

Enter Willie McKay, racehorse owner, football agent and proprietor of Martin Grange Stables. A disagreement with previous trainer, Vicky Haigh, meant McKay was looking for a replacement. Pitt fitted the bill perfectly and the owner began upgrading facilities at the yard.

"Willie has been investing a lot," says Pitt. "When I first came here, we started off with 14 boxes - now we have 25 stalls in an American barn and we've got a licence for 41 boxes.

"The gallops have been extended, plus we've got some nice turnout paddocks and 350 acres of hacking forest. We can get a lot of work done in there and it's good for the horses to have a change of scenery."

Exciting juveniles

There are currently 24 horses enjoying the facilities at Martin Grange, including 11 two-year-olds, and Pitt is keen to saddle his first juvenile winner.

"We've got some nice two-year-olds," he says. "Fast Freddie has been unlucky (second and then third on his two starts to date) and has suffered a setback with a nasty cut, but he's a fast and precocious sort who I'm hoping to have back on track inside six weeks. He's healing well - even I've been amazed at how well he's been doing - and I'm looking forward to him returning.

"I've also got three particularly nice colts. There's a son of Cryptoclearance called Botham, in whom Paul Beck has a 50 per cent share, Spirit Of The Mist, who should be out at the backend of the season, and an Indian Ridge-Badrah colt who I'm hoping will make his debut mid-season."

Stable stars

What about the season ahead with his more established inmates? Admiral delighted his handler when taking the Chester Cup, while Les Arcs ran up a sequence of five consecutive wins earlier in the year, culminating in the Cammidge Trophy.

"Les Arcs was undone by the ground in the Temple Stakes last time out (when eighth of 12). He did win the Cammidge on soft ground but it was too gluey at Sandown. He's entered in the King's Stand and the 6f Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and I'll leave him in both until the last minute. At the moment, my gut feeling is that the King's Stand is the weaker race, but I do think Les Arcs is better over 6f.

"I was delighted with Ooh Aah Camara's win at Chester. She's entered in the Wokingham as that's the only real target for her at Royal Ascot, but I'd like to get some black type in her and there could be a race back at Chester. Two of her three career wins have come on the Roodee and I do think she likes a turning track."

Team effort

Pitt already has an established base of owners - including Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton - and there has been an upturn in interest since the handler caught the eye of many in racing when saddling two winners at the big Chester meeting.

"Chester," he says, "was a huge turning point. I was worried about being seen as a one-horse team but I've received a few enquiries since then and I've actually got to go and see some horses for a couple of people."

Talk to Pitt and it's clear that the word "team" is of paramount importance. "I'm very ambitious and determined but I think one of the key things is that I have an excellent team of staff," he reasons. "I couldn't do it without them."

Central to this team effort is stable jockey John Egan and Pitt is quick to sing his praises.

"I feel one of the most important relationships in racing is that between trainer and jockey," he says. "If you have someone who knows you and your horses and your targets, then the team becomes a lot stronger. John only rides out here once or twice a month, but we chat on the phone a couple of times a week."

Pitt also enjoys a good relationship with McKay. "A lot has been made of Willie enjoying a punt," says Pitt, "but he's just like anyone - he likes to win. Willie lets me get my head down and get on with things.

"This season, I just want to keep my feet on the ground, keep my head down and keep the roller coaster rolling."

Don't miss our exclusive interview with the emerging superstar of Australian racing here on Tuesday 27 June.