Jane Williams is keen to seek out more of the "champagne lifestyle" of seasons past as she prepares for a new partnership with son Chester, who becomes joint-trainer in October.
Williams says an intention to hand over to Chester one day persuaded her to carry on training following a split with her partner and former licence holder Nick, who relocated to France this summer.
"I feel very strong and bullish at the moment; the structure is in place to push forward," she said.
"We've had a bit of a champagne lifestyle with horses like Diamond Harry, Reve De Sivola and Tea For Two. We're used to that and we don't want to get used to anything less."
Last season the former couple officially trained separately but still from Culverhill Farm in the village of George Nympton, north Devon. However, all 42 horses in the yard will now run under Jane's licence, which will soon feature Chester's name. He will also continue his role as stable jockey.
"Chester brings a huge amount to the team. We had several winners which he picked up from looking at races at the entry stage and thinking they were a bit weak," Williams said.
'It leaves quite a hole in your life'
Williams, who faced the difficulty of buying out her former partner, has spoken openly about her personal struggles during the past two years and said Chester had played a key role in keeping the yard going.
"At one time last year I was depressed, struggling and trying to raise all this money for Nick; Chester took it upon himself to sell a horse [Monsieur Lecoq] on Twitter. He's got a modern approach.
"If Chester hadn't been interested I definitely wouldn't have kept training. I don't want to be in business on my own."
The yard has been upgraded with a new arena and all-weather round gallop, while for the first time a head lad, Barry Murphy, has been appointed.
She said: "I wouldn't want to go through the last two years ever again. I don't think I could. Nick and I were business partners for 30 years; that leaves quite a hole in your life.
Williams insists family remains a focal point for the stable. The two Grade 1 wins for daughter Lizzie Kelly came on the yard's Tea For Two while Chester has always had an ambition to train – having said to enjoy elements of race planning from the age of five.
"It's because of my love of my family that I've kept going as long as I have. I help my daughter Lizzie but she's not interested in training while it's always been Chester's dream," added Williams.
Chester Williams, who has described the opportunity to be joint-trainer as a "privilege", considers Saint Segal as the yard's leading hope for the season. Last year's Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle runner-up is to go novice chasing over two miles.
***well, nearly all the questions. But you can (perhaps) take some inferences to answer what's not**
