GardieGrissell has decided to move with the times and become a dual-purpose operator after 25 years as a trainer of jumpers.

He has recruited son-in-law David Feek to develop the flat-racing side at Brightling Park, Robertsbridge.

Grissell said: "We need a more balanced working year to help with the cash flow.

"Having runners on the flat will mean the staff have something to look forward to all year round."

Feek, 26, is qualified for his new role.

He spent holidays and weekends as a young teenager at Richard Hannon's stable in Wiltshire and rode out for Charlie Moore at Woodingdean before joining the excellent thoroughbred management course at Witney College in Oxfordshire.

Feek emerged as a top student, having spent his work experience year with America's leading jumping trainer, Jonathan Sheppard.

Feek said: "Jonathan is English and went to train in the USA as his father was senior handicapper over here and could not get a licence to train in England.

"I enjoyed my college year so much that I went back to Jonathan for a couple of years after I had qualified."

Two years as pupil-assistant to Lambourn trainer Brian Meehan, another Hannon graduate, preceded a working holiday in Australia in company with Grissell's daughter Coral, now his wife.

Feek has joined his father-in-law after three years as assistant trainer to Edward Dunlop in Newmarket.

Dunlop, 34 on Sunday, is likely to be training for many years to come, so there was no future promotion for Feek, although he learned plenty.

Feek said: "Coming down to Sussex is a wonderful opportunity for us.

"There are so few chances for a young person wanting to train and, as Gardie is keen to expand, attract new owners and become a dual purpose trainer, I did not need to think twice."

Gardie, 53, has no intention of quitting, but the retirement of his head lad of 17 years, Chris Pattendon, made him think about the next step.

The trainer said: "I was wondering how I would replace someone who was so much more than just a head man.

"I mentioned the situation to David and he seemed keen to join us, so now we can both look forward to the future.

"Of course, it is good to have Coral back at the place as well."

It is unlikely the stable will have runners on the all-weather circuit this winter but David will be given his head when it comes to the flat race runners next year.

The Feeks ride out every morning. There are a score of horses to be exercised.

Firm ground has delayed schooling for most trainers this autumn, but Grissell took advantage of the rain to jump his horses on Tuesday.

Jockey Jamie Goldstein, recovered from injuries that cost him much of last season, and Coral schooled eight of the stable's horses and by this time next month Grissell hopes to be fully in action.

Goldstein and Ben Hitchcott will ride most of the horses and there could be a couple of 'sighters' at Plumpton's Moorcroft Charity Meeting on Monday in Daring Thomas, a novice hurdler, and Party Games.

Horses to look out for include Jack Fuller, bought as a foal for his syndicate of owners, and Satchmo, currently in Ireland with his owner Gavin Wragg.

Grissell only had six winners last season.

Although he and Feek will not commit themselves, it is my guess the target for the rejuvenated team could be 18, the stable's best ever tally for one term.

Coral's mother Diana runs her successful point-to-point yard in parellel to Grissell's operation at Brightling, but she will be short of a jockey when racing starts in January.

Coral has retired after riding several winners, but her sisters, Hannah, 18 and Rose, 17, will fill the gap.

Hannah rode her first winner last year and Rose, who had just one ride, hopes to follow suit.