Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee are synonymous with Yorkshire racing for one very good reason. They are invariably one jump ahead of their opponents.

One is a highly-respected trainer. The other is a master tactician in the saddle who counts the Grand National among his big race successes.

Two of National Hunt racing's most public faces, they are names to conjure – whether by the one million people who attend Yorkshire's race meetings each year or the millions of armchair punters.

Trainer and jockey's admiration for each other is absolute. Murphy, who set up a training base 13 years ago on one of Wensleydale's most rugged outposts, attributes much of his stable's success in recent times to his jockey.

Meanwhile, Lee – the rider who provided Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain with an emotional fourth National victory in 2004 on Amberleigh House – is equally effusive about his boss and mentor.

The theory behind their partnership is simple. Murphy trains the horses. Lee rides them. And, hopefully, they will end up in the winner's enclosure.

The reality, however, is very different.

Those victories – including the high-profile races that the yard are targeting over the festive period – cannot be achieved without years spent schooling their horses on the gallops.

Success cannot be earned without the loyalty and sacrifices made by an army of stable staff, the real unsung heroes of horse racing, who are the embodiment of hard work and dedication.

In Yorkshire, this comprises around 2,000 stable staff, vets, blacksmiths and others who virtually live with the horses in their charge to ensure that they reach the racetrack in perfect condition.

Out of the spotlight, it is this devotion – rather than their wage packet – that keeps the sport on the road for 362 days a year (excepting Christmas and Good Friday).

"Without them, we wouldn't have racing," says Murphy as he sits in his office preparing to put his 100-strong string of horses through their paces on the gallops and issue instructions to his 40-strong team. "You are only as good as your team. It's the same with any sport. Ferdy Murphy may be the trainer – but I'm just one cog in a big wheel."

Today is no exception, despite the winter chill and overnight frost forcing all concerned to dig out their thermals.

After a morning stretch, each horse will be tacked up before cantering along the sweeping gallops at Wynbury Racing Stables, high above the village of West Witton, before being schooled over a series of obstacles to hone their jumping prowess. It's an exhausting process. Murphy rose at 5.30am, long before the sun started to pierce through the clear blue sky. The last horses will be schooled eight hours later.

The only bonus is the stable has no runners today at any race meetings to add to the workload. It means Murphy and Lee, who both hail from Ireland, can tentatively make future plans. And there is one that they are particularly keen to school – a 17-hand giant called Big Burrows who is already kicking his stable door in anticipation as he pricks his ears at the sound of hooves emanating from every corner of the yard.

A strapping bay-coloured gelding who Murphy bought two years ago at Doncaster Sales, and then sold to loyal owners Neil and Julie Morgan, he has the size and scope to challenge for some of steeplechasing's more illustrious races.

However, this will not happen overnight. Murphy believes it will take another three years before Big Burrows has the chance to fulfil his potential. And, while he will have several races, his real education is days like this – on the gallops and then being schooled by Lee, one of this country's most astute horsemen.

The sheer number of horses means schooling has to be planned with military precision – Murphy's secretary Becky Menzies has three mobile phones on the go as she deals with queries from owners, the media and checks entries for forthcoming races. Her worst nightmare is forgetting to complete the entries before the specified deadline.

While the first lot are schooled, Big Burrows is in his snug stable, peering attentively over the door as he is tacked up by his groom Lisa Brooks who has five horses in her care.

The hours are long. Each animal has to be mucked out, fed, brushed and kept warm. It's not glamorous as the horse leaves, on cue, a deposit by the photographer's feet.

But the job is vital. It is Lisa, now in her second year at Murphy's, who will accompany Big Burrows to the racetrack.

"He's a big softie," she says as she pats his neck. "The rapport is important. You want horses to be happy."

As she says this, Big Burrows shows his apparent eagerness for the off. First, his legs must be bandaged – a task done tenderly by Ernie Peterson who, at 78 years young, is one of the yard's stalwarts. No one else at the stable is trusted with this job. The pressure applied has to be perfect. "Now my man, you're not supposed to get loose," Peterson tells Big Burrows. The horse appears to listen. He stands still, his ears pricked, as if he's heard it all before.

"It's not that anything's wrong. It's just a precaution," says Peterson who was among the first on duty at 6.30am. "He's such a big horse that his legs can be in four different counties when he's galloping. What we're doing is teaching him to jump, and respect his obstacles. The bandages give some extra protection, but The Boss doesn't like anyone else but me doing them."

Peterson talks about "The Boss" with affection. He's been part of the furniture since Murphy moved to North Yorkshire in April 1994. They've shared many highs. And, inevitably in a sport fraught with danger, some lows and disappointments.

"The key is to take time and be patient with the horses."

Big Burrows walks into the yard where he is mounted by 18-year-old rider Nathan Moscrop ready for a five furlong canter up and down the stable's all-weather gallops. Tall and lean, Moscrop is one of thousands of young riders aspiring to be a jockey. Some will get a chance. Many more careers, however, will fall by the wayside.

Gallops and schooling is more than a job. It is also a chance to catch the trainer's eye. Moscrop has been with the yard for three years. "The long-term goal is to be a jockey, but it's not easy," he says.

"Big Burrows was a bit weak last year, but now knows how to use his stride. He's coming on nicely."

Moscrop's life is unglamorous. He lodges at Catterick with Keith Mercer, a stalwart of Northern racing. He'll school horses from 6.45am until lunchtime. He'll be back at the yard from 4-6pm – unless he is riding at a race meeting – to ride the horses in the indoor school.

He also seems oblivious to the chill. "As long as you love the job, you don't mind the weather. Last January, it rained, hailed, sleeted and snowed all in one morning. My hands were blue. My face was blue. Couldn't feel my feet. The hardest thing is when the alarm goes off at 6am. If your arms are cold, you know it will be a tough day. But it's what I want to do. And, if I don't turn up, someone else will."

As Moscrop jumps off Big Burrows, it's time for serious work as Graham Lee is legged up into the saddle. It's the fifth horse that he's ridden today, but his face is still a picture of concentration as he circles Big Burrows carefully, checking the saddle, before entering the schooling ring.

In the middle is a dilapidated stone barn near where Murphy – mobile phone to his ear – stands earnestly with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Jack Russell. His trademark peaked cap provides protection from the elements.

Meanwhile, his teenage son Rees – who is in charge of the gallops – has put the last of the obstacles in place. Fresh-faced, he's standing observantly at the fence. Last spring, he stayed up all night during heavy rain to ensure the gallops and schooling area were still usable the next morning. It was the only stables in Middleham that survived the elements.

He is joined by Peterson, his bandaging duties complete, as they watch each horse take the three foot high hurdles. "Okay, lads," says Lee to the other riders and they're off.

They carefully jump one hurdle on the far side before coming behind the barn and take two more obstacles in quick succession. They're placed to sharpen up a horse's jumping. Big Burrows has led the field through five circuits. He's hardly put a foot out of place. They turn and then complete five circuits in the opposite direction – all part of the horse's learning as racetracks in the UK are many and varied. Versatility is the key.

"Come on mucker," implores Lee from the saddle. He's absolutely still – the sign of a top class jockey. Another circuit is safely negotiated before Murphy calls a halt. He's seen enough.

As Lee dismounts, Big Burrows's groom appears. She walks her charge back to the indoor school where he will be warmed down for 10 minutes – like all highly-tuned athlete – before he can return to his stable. In the meantime, trainer and jockey return to the office to compare notes.

"Who'd be a trainer?" exclaims Lee when they realise that they cannot place a particular horse that has schooled successfully this morning in a certain race. They study the formbook, and internet, to try to plot a strategy. The language is becoming more colourful. One possible track is identified by the trainer. Lee shakes his head. He doesn't believe the racecourse's tight turns will help the horse. "This is just one horse," points out Murphy. "You try placing 100 horses in races. Not easy."

Yet, despite this, they're pleased with the progress being made by Big Burrows. "He'll be a good jumper," says Lee, his mug of coffee clasped to his hand. "You just want to make the horse feel comfortable. It's part of their education. If you don't get it right, they won't win races – certainly not the bigger prizes.

"But it's all about the team. I can't sit on every horse on schooling days. You rely on all the stable lads, lasses and work riders. They work so hard, but let me tell you this. This is the best yard in the country for schooling horses to get them ready for jumping."

Lee was thrilled that an opening became available at Murphy's yard when he split with his former boss, Howard Johnson in 2006, despite riding the legendary Inglis Drever to the first of his hat-trick of triumphs in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. It also means that he can stay in close touch with Middlesbrough FC – his third love after his family and racing.

Now, however, he and Murphy are busy plotting their strategy for the rest of the National Hunt season and beyond. How far ahead are they looking with Big Burrows, a horse with five modest racecourse appearances to date? "About three years," says Murphy. "Everything is being done for when he goes handicap chasing, and we see how good he is. I think he will be a top class horse, but how good? You can never tell."

Murphy's job is far from complete. There's a debrief with his daughter Zoe – the yard's assistant trainer. His secretary and chauffeur, Becky, needs to confirm forthcoming race entries. They're accounts to be settled. And owners to talk to about their horses.

Neil Morgan, a Derbyshire businessman, is updated on the progress of Big Burrows and Kalahari King – another of his horses who is a live contender for the Arkle Chase at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

"Our hope with Big Burrows is that he will be a decent staying chaser; and that's Ferdy's speciality," says Neil Morgan.

"I think he will win some races for us, but I don't know whether it will be a small beginners' chase or a Hennessy Gold Cup.

"My wife and I are the owners. We're the ones who might pick up a trophy, but you should never forget the people in the yard. It's a huge team. But you can see the horses are treated like kings."

It's a point reiterated by Peterson as he takes the last bandage off Big Burrows – who, by now, is standing contentedly in his stable. Most people associate horse racing with the riches of the Grand National or Epsom Derby. The reality, he says, couldn't be further from the truth. The overwhelming majority are run on small courses, the length and breadth of Britain, for modest rewards.

"You don't do it for the money," says Peterson. "You do it for the love of the job. Please put in a kind word for the stable lads and lasses. They're the real unsung heroes. Morning, noon and night, they're here. If you want to know about hard work, this is it."

Without fail, they will be at the stables at daybreak the next day to start the exercise again. It will all be worthwhile if a horse like Big Burrows can go and win a major race. Those are the days you live for, he adds wistfully.

A Who's Who of Horse racing

How many people does it take to get
Big Burrows on to the track?
Owners: Neil and Julie Morgan.
Trainer: Ferdy Murphy.
Assistant trainer: Zoë Morgan Murphy.
Jockey: Graham Lee.
Stable girl: Lisa Brooks (looks after Big Burrows at night time, brushes, mucks out, takes racing, etc).
Barn manager: Camilla Sharples (has responsibility for all of the horses in the barn, checks all the horses are in top order, motivates staff, allocates tasks).
Gallops rider: Nathan Moscrop.
Travelling head lass: Helen Donnelly (drives wagons and in charge of the horses at the races).
Farrier: Andy Scaife.
Vet: Phillip Jones.
Equine dentist: Tom Dowling.
Horse physio: Lee Clarke
Bandageman: Ernie Peterson (prepares horses for the gallops).
Gallops man: Rees Morgan Murphy (organises the schooling facilities).
Accounts: Diane Russell
Secretary: Rebecca Menzies (Entries, declarations, notifying owners about horses running etc, organising staff, ordering feed and shavings).
Yorkshire has:
863 registered racehorse owners.
79 licensed trainers.
1,902 racehorses in training.
345 thoroughbred breeders.
9 racecourses.
1 major bloodstock sales house.
1 racing school.