The Listener to move stables The Listener, who has become a well known name in both Irish and British jump racing, is to be taken away from Robert and Sally Alner´s yard to join rookie trainer Nick Mitchell. Owner Raymond Humphreys, whose horses race under the banner of Old Moss Farm, is sending the nine-year-old to Nick Mitchell, who after seven years working for the Alners is launching his own training operation. While thrilled to be having such a high-profile flagbearer for his fledgling stable, Mitchell admitted: ?It is not going to be very popular.? Publicity-shy Humphreys refused to comment when contacted by the Racing Post. However, Andrew Thornton, the Alners´ long-time stable jockey and himself jocked off The Listener by Humphreys in 2006, anticipated the furore the decision seems sure to provoke by describing the news as ?a huge shock?. The Listener has won eight of 22 races, and earned close to #300,000 in win and place money. But since Robert Alner suffered serious spinal and neck injuries in a car crash last November that have left him unlikely to walk again, the grey has become a firm favourite with racing followers and was given a hero´s welcome after winning the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.
