ROA Awards 2025

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19:00PM 04 DECEMBER 2025 - 01:00AM 05 DECEMBER 2025

Overview

Thursday 4 December 2025

Royal Lancaster Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY

Celebrate with us in style!

The ROA Horseracing Awards returns for its 43rd year, celebrating the stand-out performers of the 2024/25 National Hunt season and the current Flat campaign.

Taking place on Thursday, 4 December, the star-studded event will once again be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The glittering evening starts with a drinks reception, followed by a three-course dinner with wine, before the Awards ceremony itself. The event will finish with dancing to the ever-popular Chance Band. It promises to be another wonderful evening celebrating the best of British racing.

Last year, Bluestocking scooped the Horse of the Year award for the Juddmonte team after a fine season which was capped with victory in the Arc, whilst JP McManus landed his first Owner of the Year title. 

With some fantastic performances at Cheltenham and Aintree, and standout triumphs on the Flat from Ombudsman, Delacroix and Field Of Gold, it is sure to be a close contest for the top awards again this year. Voting will commence at the beginning of November for all members of the ROA.

Ticket prices are frozen at last year's rates:

  • Individual tickets: £250+VAT (£300 gross)
  • Tables of Ten: £2,500+VAT (£3,000 gross)

 

Timings on the evening:

  • 7.00pm: Champagne Reception
  • 8.00pm: Guests seated for dinner
  • 9.30pm: Awards begin
  • 11pm: Dancing to the Chance Band
  • 1am: Carriages

Menu

Starters 
Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé (V)
Baby spinach, gruyere cheese sauce and vegetable crisps

Vegan Mozzarella and Pesto Arancini (VG, GF)
Sumac, piquillo peppers, smoked aubergine charred baby aubergine, romesco puree

Main Courses
Slow Braised Beef “Bourguignon”
Creamed potato, charred button onions and pancetta lardonsForest mushrooms and glazed carrots

Baked Watermelon (VG, GF)
Corn, sweet potato and pepper mojo, smokey salsa macha

Desserts
Mascarpone Whipped Panna Cotta
Pear compote, honeycomb, cinnamon shortbread

Mango and Coconut Delice (VG, GF)
Lime sponge, coconut crème patisserie, mango confit

Please advise us of any dietary requirements at least 48 hours before the event on [email protected]

 

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsoring the ROA Horseracing Awards offers a unique opportunity to place your brand at the forefront of the horseracing community. With our flexible sponsorship packages, you can choose an option that best fits your marketing goals and budget. As a sponsor, your brand will receive significant exposure before, during, and after the event, ensuring maximum visibility to a targeted audience of owners, trainer,  industry leaders, enthusiasts, and key stakeholders.

  • Benefits of Sponsorship: Brand Visibility: Your logo and brand will be prominently displayed throughout the event, including on all marketing materials, the ROA website, and our social media channels.
  • Customised Packages: We offer a variety of sponsorship packages that can be tailored to meet your specific needs and objectives.
  • Exclusive Networking: Connect with the best of British Racing enhancing your brand's presence and reputation.

For more information please contact Louise Norman on [email protected]

 

A taste of 2024

Racehorse Owners Association annual Horseracing for 2024 awards we held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, with outstanding mare Bluestocking crowned Horse of the Year.
 
Bluestocking,who is owned by Juddmonte and is British trained by Ralph Beckett, earned the most votes to win the final prestigious award.  Across 2024, where she ran every month from May to October, Bluestocking won four times including three Group 1 races. Her season and racing career concluded with a fairytale win in the Group 1 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October providing trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan with ‘a day we will never forget’. Earlier in the evening Bluestocking also won the Owner Breeder Outstanding Filly or Mare award.


NEW! A TASTE OF THE ROA AWARDS!

If you would like to download a picture from the evening they are free of charge - all you need to do is enter your email address and the passcode: 7567

FULL AWARDS GALLERY

 

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JP McManus claims Owner of the Year title
 
Mr John P (JP) McManus on the ROA Owner of the Year award for the first time. I Am Maximus storming to victory in the Grand National, and two-mile chaser Jonbon double of Grade 1 wins in the spring were some highlights of Mr McManus’s racing year, which saw him crowned champion jumps owner in Britain for the eighth successive season.  JP McManus also won the ARC National Hunt Special Achievement Award with I Am Maximus.
 
The celebration of another incredible year on the racecourse was attended by owners, trainers and representatives from the industry from both mainland Britain and Ireland, with all the award winners decided by the votes from ROA and Racegoers Club members.
 
The sixteen categories were sponsored by The Large Independent Racecourses, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company, Venatour, The British EBF, The Tote, Fitzdares and Owner Breeder Magazine.


Head Lad and owner receives the British EBF Special Achievement Award
 
Head Lad to trainer Dylan Cunha, Amedeo Dal Pos was awarded the British EBF Flat Special Achievement award. Amedeo is the owner of Prague who he bought from the horses in training sale last year for 10,000 guineas. The son of Galileo won on his first time out in June and continued his trajectory with a second in the Group 3 Mile stakes at Haydock and a win in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September. Originally from Italy, Amedeo looks after and rides Prague, and following the Newmarket success he was subsequently supplemented for the Group1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day.


ROA President Charlie Parker said “Tonight’s awards are a chance for us to recognise and celebrate some of the outstanding performances made by our wonderful horses across this year. On behalf of everyone at The ROA I would like to congratulate all the owners who have won this evening.  These historic awards are now in their fifth decade and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of British Racing and it is wonderful to see the range of ownership entities and people that have been represented on the winner’s podium”.


The full list of award winners are as follows:

Tote Outstanding Novice Hurdler

BALLYBURN

R.A. Bartlett and David Manasseh

Tote Outstanding Hurdler

STATE MAN

Mrs J Donnelly

Fitzdares Outstanding Novice Chaser

GREY DAWNING

Robert Kirkland

Jockey Club Racecourses Outstanding Chaser

GALOPIN DES CHAMP

Mrs Audrey Turley

Venatour National Hunt Mare

LOSSIEMOUTH 

Mrs Susannah Ricci 

ARC National Hunt Special Achievement

I AM MAXIMUS

Mr John P McManus

ARC
Outstanding All-Weather Horse

THE CRAFTYMASTER

S Barton, T Stamp, R Miles and Partner

ARC Outstanding Juvenile
 

LAKE VICTORIA

Mr Michael Tabor, Mr Derrick Smith and Mrs J Magnier

Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Sprinter

BRADSELL

Victorious Racing

Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Miler

CHARYN

Nurlan Bizakov

Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Middle Distance Horse

CITY OF TROY

Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith

Owner Breeder Outstanding Filly or Mare

BLUESTOCKING

Juddmonte

Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Stayer

KYPRIOS

Moyglare Stud, Magnier,
Tabor, Smith and Westerberg

British EBF Flat Special Achievement
 

PRAGUE

Amedeo Dal Pos

ROA Owner of the Year
 

 

Mr John P McManus

ROA Horse of the Year
 

BLUESTOCKING

Juddmonte

Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that voting is now open for the 2025 ROA Horseracing Awards, taking place on Thursday 4 December 2025 at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

These awards remain one of the most prestigious nights in the calendar recognising the horses, owners, syndicates, and clubs who defined the 2024/25 Jumps and Flat seasons.

This year, we’re proud to honour excellence across 18 categories, including our headline awards: ROA Horse of the Year and Owner of the Year.

*New for 2025

We’re delighted to introduce two new awards recognising the increasing influence of syndicates and racing clubs:

  • Small Syndicate / Racing Club of the Year - nine or fewer horses in training
  • Large Syndicate / Racing Club of the Year - ten or more horses in training

These additions ensure we celebrate the full breadth of modern ownership, from sole owners and partnerships to syndicates and racing clubs.

Vote now

Voting is now open exclusively to all ROA and Racegoers Club members, with one vote per category. You will be sent an email with your voting details on.

Voting closes at midday on Friday, 14 November 2025.

Take a look at the Nominations below:

Outstanding Novice Hurdler

FINAL DEMAND
Owner: Bryan Drew & Professor Caroline Tisdall
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Made a striking impression with Grade 1 victories at the Punchestown and Dublin Racing Festivals, his only defeat came in the Turners at Cheltenham behind The New Lion.

 

JASMIN DE VAUX

Owner: Simon Munir and Isaac Souede
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Fast becoming a Cheltenham Festival specialist, following up his Champion Bumper success in 2024 with his win in the Albert Bartlett this year. He went on to score again at Grade 1 level at Punchestown.

 

JULIUS DES PICTONS

Owner: The Footie Partnership
Trainer: Jamie Snowden

Never out of the first three in his novice season, Julius Des Pictons supplemented successes at Plumpton and Chepstow with a comprehensive victory stepped up in trip in the Sefton at Aintree.

 

KOPEK DES BORDES

Owner: Monabeg Investments Limited
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Looked a horse from the top drawer when landing a Grade 1 Novice at the Dublin Racing Festival, and the Supreme at Cheltenham for owner Charlie McCarthy. He lost his unbeaten record in disappointing fashion at Punchestown, finishing down the field behind Irancy in the Champion Novice Hurdle.

 

PONIROS

Owner: Tony Bloom
Trainer: Willie Mullins

After a busy campaign on the flat – including going off favourite for the Cambridgeshire – Poniros made his debut over hurdles in the Triumph. An unconsidered 100-1 shot, he stormed up the hill to beat Lulamba by a neck.

 

THE NEW LION

Owner: John P McManus (Darren and Annaley Yates until January 2025)
Trainer: Dan Skelton

Unbeaten throughout his novice campaign, The New Lion broke the Challow Hurdle and Cheltenham Festival curse – becoming the first horse in over 20 years to complete the double, winning a strong-looking renewal of the Turners from The Yellow Clay and Final Demand.

Outstanding Hurdler

BOB OLINGER

Owner: Robcour
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead

It had been a long time since Bob Olinger landed the Ballymore impressively back in 2021 and capitalised on Galopin des Champs’ last fence fall in the Turners Novices Chase in 2022. But in 2025 he landed a third Festival win, overhauling owner-mate Teahupoo in the Stayers to make it 4/4 at the track.

 

CONSTITUTION HILL

Owner: Michael Buckley
Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Constitution Hill looked to be back to his imperious best with victories in the Christmas and International Hurdles. But his jumping exuberance became his downfall in both the Champion and Aintree Hurdles, taking heavy falls both times, before finishing down the field at Punchestown.

 

GOLDEN ACE

Owner: Ian Gosden
Trainer: Jeremy Scott

Jumping is indeed the name of the game - as Golden Ace proved, rewarding her owner’s faith when landing the Champion Hurdle following the dramatic falls of both State Man and Constitution Hill. In a fine campaign, she also won the Kingwell Hurdle and finished runner-up in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

 

LOSSIEMOUTH

Owner: Mrs Susannah Ricci
Trainer: Willie Mullins

After a second to Constitution Hill at Kempton and a heavy fall at Leopardstown, connections swerved what proved to be an eventful Champion Hurdle and secured a second Mares’ Hurdle win for the popular grey mare. She followed up in open company, taking the Aintree Hurdle after her Kempton conqueror crashed out at the second last.

STATE MAN

Owner: Mrs J Donnelly

Trainer: Willie Mullins

He may have fallen at the last with the race at his mercy at Cheltenham, but State Man still picked up two versions of a Champion Hurdle - at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival (following the fall of Lossiemouth), and the Punchestown iteration, from Golden Ace and Constitution Hill.

 

TEAHUPOO

Owner: Robcour
Trainer: Gordon Elliott

After a second to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace and to owner-mate Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle, Teahupoo finally made the winners’ enclosure at Punchestown, taking his second Champion Stayers Hurdle from Asterion Forlonge.

Outstanding Novice Chaser

CALDWELL POTTER

Owner: Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth
Trainer: Paul Nicholls

For a while, it seemed that Caldwell Potter’s €740,000 price tag would act as a millstone around his neck, but the grey poignantly carried the colours of the late John Hales to victory at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals – the Grade 1 Mildmay at the latter named in spectacular style.

 

JANGO BAIE

Owner: Countrywide Park Homes Ltd
Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Having traded 329-1 in running after a mistake three out, things looked pretty bleak for Jango Baie in the Arkle, but showing that longer distances will very much be his forte in the future, he conjured a fine finish up the hill to claim the spoils for owner Tony Barney.

 

KALIF DU BERLAIS

Owner: Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done and Hogarth
Trainer: Paul Nicholls

The ownership team unveiled a great team of young horses last season and enjoyed a fine Aintree. Their Kalif Du Berlais notably enjoying the spring ground and put in a foot-perfect round to land the Maghull Novices’ Chase,  after graduating from Novice Handicap wins at Newbury and Cheltenham.

MAJBOROUGH

Owner: John P McManus
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Last year’s Triumph winner was sent chasing in his second season and landed two Grade 1s, despite racing keenly and making some very novicey leaps. He still showed he is a horse with considerable ability when running well in the Arkle at Cheltenham, after all but coming down two out and running on again at the death to snatch third in a blanket finish.

MYRETOWN

Owner: Mrs C Wymer and PJS Russell
Trainer: Lucinda Russell

Lucinda Russell has now won the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham three times in the last four years, with Myretown following in the mighty hoofprints of dual winner Corach Rambler. In only his fifth race over fences, Carol Wymer’s gelding built on a confidence-boosting win at Kelso, to readily beat The Changing Man by 11 lengths.

SIR GINO

Owner: Mrs J Donnelly
Trainer: Nicky Henderson

We only saw Sir Gino once in a steeplechase before infection of his ligaments in his near hind put his career – and indeed his life – in danger. But what an impressive debut it was! He dismissed Supreme winner Ballyburn with frightening ease, in a time three seconds quicker than seasoned campaigners managed in the Desert Orchid Chase later in the card.

Outstanding Chaser

FACT TO FILE

Owner: John P McManus
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Produced an almost flawless round in the Ryanair to justify connection’s decision to drop him back in distance, jumping and traveling superbly to beat Heart Wood by nine lengths. He also scored a decisive victory in the John Durkan early in the season, accounting for both Spillane’s Tower and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.

 

GAELIC WARRIOR

Owner: Mrs Susannah Ricci
Trainer: Willie Mullins

What had started as a disappointing campaign for last year’s Arkle winner ended on a high when he landed the Bowl at Aintree from Grey Dawning, taking the extra distance in his stride. He then dropped back down in trip again to help Willie Mullins to a second trainers' title when landing the Oaksey Chase on the final day of the season at Sandown.

 

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS

Owner: Mrs Audrey Turley
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Aiming to match Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate and gain a third Cheltenham Gold Cup, he was never quite travelling with any fluency in the drying ground, and finished a respectable but six-lengths second to Inothewayurthinkin in his quest for the record books. However, having been beaten in the last two editions of the Punchestown Gold Cup, he showed all his old qualities in this year’s renewal, remorselessly grinding his rivals into the ground, and adding to this season’s Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase wins.

 

IL ETAIT TEMPS

Owner: Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud
Trainer: Willie Mullins

He may have only made one racecourse appearance in the 2024/25 season, but it was a spectacular first appearance in 359 days, landing the Celebration Chase at Sandown from Jonbon and Energumene, travelling strongly and running out an impressive 5-length winner at the line.

 

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN

Owner: John P McManus
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell

A second homebred winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for JP McManus, Inothewayurthinkin needed to be supplemented for the Blue Riband event, but justified his connection’s faith when running out a ready winner over hat-trick-seeking Galopin Des Champs. He was turning the tables on his rival, after finishing behind him earlier in the season in both the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup.

 

JONBON

Owner: John P McManus
Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Victories in the Shloer, Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chases seemed sure to put Jonbon spot on to claim an illusive Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival, but once again things did not go to plan. This year he fluffed the start and made a clattering mistake early on before running-on up the hill to claim second place. He somewhat made amends by claiming his tenth Grade 1 victory of his career in the Melling Chase at Aintree a month later.

 

MARINE NATIONALE

Owner: Barry Connell
Trainer: Barry Connell

Marine Nationale was a poignant winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase following the awful death of Michael O’Sullivan, who had partnered him to win the Supreme at the course in 2023. Barry Connell’s charge benefited from Jonbon’s messy race and Quilixios’ last-fence fall, to continue his progression up the chasing ranks and land the banner two-mile race of the season.

Outstanding National Hunt Mare

AIR OF ENTITLEMENT

Owner: Robcour
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead

Last years’ Dawn Run Mares’ Novices Hurdle produced both Golden Ace and Betterdaysahead – could Air of Entitlement follow in their illustrious footprints? She defied a drop in trip to land the big prize on just her second outing over hurdles, keeping Sixandahalf and Diva Luna at bay at the line.

 

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD

Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Trainer: Gordon Elliott

She started the season by recording a hat trick in landing a Grade 3 and two Grade 1 hurdles. However, she couldn’t take advantage of her main rivals falling by the wayside when managing only fourth behind Golden Ace in the Champion Hurdle, and a distant third behind Jade De Grugy in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

 

DINOBLUE

Owner: John P McManus
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Dinoblue continues to carry all before her in the Mares’ chasing division, landing her first Mrs Paddy Power Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – a race she finished second in the year before - by eight lengths from Brides Hill. Her most impressive victory came in the Francis Flood Mares Chase at Punchestown, winning as she liked in the Grade 2 race from Allegorie De Vassy.

 

GOLDEN ACE

Owner: Ian Gosden
Trainer: Jeremy Scott

Jumping is indeed the name of the game - as Golden Ace proved, rewarding her owner’s faith when landing the Champion Hurdle following the dramatic falls of both State Man and Constitution Hill in the race. She also won the Kingwell Hurdle and finished runner-up in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

 

LOSSIEMOUTH

Owner: Mrs Susannah Ricci
Trainer: Willie Mullins

After a second to Constitution Hill at Kempton and a heavy fall at Leopardstown, connections swerved what proved to be an eventful Champion Hurdle and secured a second Mares’ Hurdle win for the popular grey mare. She followed up in open company, taking the Aintree Hurdle after her Kempton conqueror crashed out at the second last.

National Hunt Special Achievement Award

BEAT BOX

Owner: Union Stripes
Trainer: Dan Skelton

Joined trainer Dan Skelton over the summer of 2024 for just 11,000gns, and promptly racked up six wins from eight starts. He opened his account at Market Rasen in August, and picked up wins at Newton Abbot (twice), Worcester, Hereford and Kelso, seeing his mark increase from 89 to 130.

 

CHEMICAL WARFARE

Owner: Sendemon Ltd
Trainer: David Pipe

There won’t have been many horses who were busier than Chemical Warfare during the season – or who chalked up more wins. The son of Fame And Glory claimed eight victories, starting at Market Rasen off 75 in June and finishing the campaign at Sedgefield in April, winning off a mark of 115.

 

CRACKING RHAPSODY

Owner: J D Wright and Mrs S Wright
Trainer: Ewan Whillans

Another fine season for Cracking Rhapsody saw him improve his record in Scotland further, by taking his second Morebattle Hurdle. This was also his second win of the season at his beloved Kelso, after taking the Handicap Hurdle in December. He then put up a career best in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, keeping on well to hold Kabral Du Mathan at the line.

 

GALE MAHLER

Owner: J Fyffe
Trainer: Adrian Keatley

Prolific through the summer months, Gale Mahler started her winning run in a bumper at Southwell in May, and by the end of July had won six races on the bounce, including a Listed Novice Hurdle at the Galway Festival. She also placed in two Grade 2 Novice Hurdles at Cheltenham in the autumn, and bagged another victory when claiming a Novice Hurdle at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting in April.

 

MR VANGO

Owner: Cracker and Smodge Partnership
Trainer: Sara Bradstock

It was three runs and three wins for Sara Bradstock’s popular staying Chaser. He opened his account in the London National at Sandown and followed up when dropping down in distance in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. Shouldering top weight in the marathon Midlands Grand National, connections were slightly concerned about the unusually quick ground for the race, but he ground out another hard-fought victory in typically tenacious style.

 

NICK ROCKETT

Owner: Stewart and Sadie Andrew
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Even though he went into the Grand National off the back of two Grade 3 wins, at Gowan Park (in the Thyestes Chase) and at Fairyhouse in the Bobbyjo Chase, Nick Rockett was sent off a seemingly unconsidered 33/1 shot. Overcoming an error at Becher’s first time round, he battled on gamely up the long run-in to lead home a Willie Mullins 1-2-3-5 to become the highest-rated winner since 1988.

 

RISKINTHEGROUND

Owner: 3 Sons
Trainer: Dan Skelton

Another prolific winner for the Skeltons, Riskintheground started his campaign by winning off a mark of 112 at Hereford in May, and after victories at Fakenham, Uttoxeter and Bangor, he capped a fine season by winning a handicap chase at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting in April. He then followed up five days later, winning Cheltenham’s Grade 2 Silver Trophy having risen to a rating of 137.

 

SKYJACK HIJACK

Owner: Alan Baxter
Trainer: Jennie Candlish

In ten starts from June to December, Skyjack Hijack finished out of the frame just once. During this period, he went up 42lbs in the ratings and won six straight races. Proving a liking for staying distances, and showing slick jumping, he won races at Cartmel, Perth, Aintree, Exeter and two at Newcastle, including The French Furze Novices’ Hurdle.

Outstanding All-Weather Horse

ASH WEDNESDAY

Owner: Mr & Mrs D R Guest
Trainer: Heather Main

Ash Wednesday really found his niche over the winter - seven furlongs on a tapeta surface - and claimed six victories in these conditions, seeing his rating rise 27lbs in the process. His winning started with a 3 ½ length success over Bossy Parker at Wolverhampton (where the grey won four races in total) and finished at Southwell in April, his second win at that course.

 

HIGH COURT JUDGE

Owner: Dr C A Barnett
Trainer: James Owen

High Court Judge was another to post a series of wins on the All-Weather during the winter.  In his case, his first five victories all came on the bounce between the first week of January and mid-February. During his rise from 46 to 65 in the ratings, he gained two wins at Wolverhampton, and one each at Lingfield, Newcastle and Southwell. His winning did not end there, as he also picked up further handicaps at Southwell in March and Lingfield in August, and, showing his versatility, a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon in May.

 

JESSIE LUC

Owner: Philip Banfield
Trainer: Mike Murphy

Jessie Luc certainly thrived through the winter, posting four wins on the All-Weather between January and February. Starting in a Classified race at Chelmsford City, Mike Murphy’s sprinter continued his upward curve, taking two handicaps at Southwell and one at Chelmsford. His winning was not complete though, as later in the season he won two more races, the latter a handicap at Chelmsford under a career-high winning mark of 70.

 

PADDY’S DAY

Owner: Ontoawinner 1
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler

Four straight wins at the turn of the year saw Paddy’s Day go up 10lbs and build a good relationship with 5lbs claimer Alex Jary. All four wins came at Newcastle over five furlongs. His winning for the year was not complete however, as jockey, course and distance all combined again when he was victorious in June, marking his sixth win from nine starts at the track in total.

 

PARADOXICAL

Owner: Youlneverdrinkalone
Trainer: Jennie Candlish

Two All-Weather wins before the new year were the shape of things to come for Paradoxical, and he rattled off a four-timer in just over a month from mid-February. He built a good relationship with Warren Fentiman, claiming an apprentice handicap before graduating through Class 5 company to land his first Class 4 success in mid-March with all his wins coming on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton.

 

ROYAL ZABEEL

Owner: The Horse Watchers 9
Trainer: Michael Appleby

Royal Zabeel’s form figures on the All-Weather over the winter read 21121, during which he claimed a handicap success at Southwell from Billyb and a Wolverhampton handicap from Society Man either side of the New Year. Improving rapidly, he was upped in class in March, and took this in his stride, landing the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton from Witch Hunter.

 

STORM STAR

Owner: J C Smith
Trainer: Andrew Balding

After showing good form last year, Storm Star came back from a break to land a hat trick of wins during the All-Weather season. The first of these was on New Year's Day at Newcastle from Apiarist, and he followed up 17 days later with another progressive win. He then wasn’t seen until the All-Weather Championships day at Easter, when he claimed his third course and distance win in the Mile Handicap, justifying favouritism with Roi de France and old foe Apiarist filling the places.

 

TASEVER

Owner: Pat Morris And Clear Cut Racing
Trainer: Patrick Morris

In sixteen runs over the All-Weather Championship season, Tasever managed eleven win or placed efforts. This saw him rise to the top of the rankings and win the £100,000 ARC All-Weather Bonus available for horses plying their trade over the winter.  His four successes all came at Newcastle, where he continued to run consistently well late into the season.

Outstanding Juvenile

GSTAAD

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Burst onto the juvenile scene with a decisive three-length win in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of Starspangledbanner then went on to finish second in the Morny, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst, where he kept on well behind Gewan. He got back to winning ways, overcoming a wide draw to comprehensively land the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, pushed out with just hands and heels.

 

GEWAN

Owner: Zhang Yuesheng (Al Rabban Racing until September)
Trainer: Andrew Balding

A convincing winner of his first start and the Acomb at York, Gewan was disappointing in the Champagne Stakes behind Puerto Rico, but showed top-class form when landing the Dewhurst on a quicker surface, disposing of Gstaad and Zavateri in fine style.

 

HAWK MOUNTAIN

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Hawk Mountain improved throughout his campaign as a juvenile, building on an encouraging run first time out to win a maiden at the Curragh, before returning there to land the Beresford in fine style from Geryon. He then made the jump to Group 1 company, landing the Futurity by a comfortable half-length from stable companions Action and Benvenuto Cellini.

 

PRECISE 

Owner: Derrick Smith / Mrs John Magnier / Michael Tabor / Westerberg
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Precise ran out an impressive winner of the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket – her first try at the trip – beating Venetian Lace, ears pricked at the line. She had already picked up the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh from Beautify and Venetian Sun, and the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood to stamp her a filly of the highest quality.

 

PUERTO RICO

Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

In a busy juvenile campaign of eight races, Puerto Rico really came to the fore in the autumn after a series of placed efforts. He broke his maiden in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, with Dewhurst winner Gewan back in fourth, and then went on to land a unique French Group 1 double - the Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day and the Criterium International on his first try at a mile.

 

TRUE LOVE 

Owner: Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Never out of the first two in a tough juvenile campaign, True Love broke her maiden tag in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, and backed this up a month later in the Railway Stakes, beating stablemate Puerto Rico, who went on to land two Group 1s at the end of the year. The daughter of No Nay Never bounced back after a rare reversal in the Phoenix Stakes, to land the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.

 

VENETIAN SUN

Owner:  Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy
Trainer: Karl Burke

During mid-summer Venetian Sun held all before her, landing victories at Royal Ascot (Albany Stakes), Newmarket’s July meeting in the Duchess of Cambridge, and her most impressive victory coming over in Deauville, beating the colts – including Gstaad and Wise Approach - in the Prix Morny. Upped in distance to seven furlongs, the daughter of first-season sire sensation Starman found the Ballydoyle duo of Precise and Beautify just too good in the Moyglare.

WISE APPROACH

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

A victory in the Middle Park was made all the more impressive given his early stumble in the race. He soon regained his composure and showed a fine turn of speed to beat Brussels by three-quarters of a length at the line. This win complemented his Listed success at Newbury in mid-summer and a close second to Charles Darwin in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.

 

ZAVATERI

Owner: Mick and Janice Mariscotti
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton

Zavateri lit up the juvenile scene during the summer, posting four wins, with three of them in Group company. A surprise win in the July Stakes at Newmarket proved to be no fluke when he also took the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood a few weeks later. At the Curragh the step up to Group 1 company proved no problem as he came from off the pace to sweep past Gstaad and Italy in the National Stakes. He then finished fourth to Gewan in the Dewhurst.

Outstanding Sprinter

AMERICAN AFFAIR

Owner: Barraston Racing & J S Goldie
Trainer: Jim Goldie

Bred and owned by the McGrandles family, American Affair built on his Musselburgh handicap win off a mark of 70 at the beginning of last season to become a sprinter of the top order. His three wins this season - before injury cut short his campaign - included a first Group 1 win for trainer Jim Goldie. This came in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he accounted for Group 1 performers Asfoora, Starlust and Regional.

 

ASFOORA

Owner: Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd
Trainer: Henry Dwyer

Back for another successful European campaign, the hardy and consistent Asfoora again showed that the Australians are a force when it comes to the sprint races. Unable to repeat her win from last year in the King Charles III Stakes, she more than made up for it by taking the Nunthorpe Stakes at York from Ain’t Nobody and the Abbaye at Longchamp from Jawwal, in the process becoming the first Australian-trained winner at the top level in France.

 

BIG MOJO

Owner:  RP Racing Ltd
Trainer: Michael Appleby

Trying to follow in the footsteps of Big Evs may have been a tall order at the beginning of the season, but another Group 1 came the way of Rachael and Paul Teasdale in the form of Big Mojo in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Always prominent, he easily accounted for Kind of Blue, Lazzat and Time for Sandals in a course record time.

 

LAZZAT

Owner: Wathnan Racing (Nurlan Bizakov until June)
Trainer: J Reynier

Purchased after his impressive Listed win at Chantilly in May, Wathnan Racing had an immediate return on their investment when the son of Territories landed the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, holding off the late challenge of the Japanese raider Satono Reve. He then went on to place second in both the Prix Maurice de Gheest and the British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

NO HALF MEASURES

Owner: R P Gallagher
Trainer: Richard Hughes

She may have only won one race this year – but what a race to win! Going off at 66/1 for the July Cup, No Half Measures relished a return to six furlongs – where her form figures now read 2111194 – she held off challenges in the final furlong to beat Big Mojo and Run To Freedom. She was then just under two lengths off surprise winner Powerful Glory in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

Outstanding Miler

CICERO’S GIFT

Owner: Rosehill Racing
Trainer: Charles Hills

The Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown in mid-September has now produced three of the last seven winners of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day. Cicero’s Gift was the latest to complete the double, making light of his 100-1 odds to run on well and defeat the combined winners of 17 Group / Grade 1 races, including Rosallion and Field of Gold, in the Group 1 contest.

 

DOCKLANDS

Owner: OTI Racing
Trainer: Harry Eustace

Dockland’s affinity with Ascot’s straight track means that his form figures at the course are 11322214, and given that he is plying his trade at the highest level, it is a testament to the horse's ability. This season, he added a Group 1 victory to his record, landing the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot,  just prevailing from Rosallion in a tight finish. He then went on to be placed behind Cicero’s Gift in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on British Champions Day.

 

FIELD OF GOLD

Owner: Juddmonte
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden

Field of Gold’s early season mirrored that of his sire Kingman. After an impressive victory in a Guineas trial – in this case the Craven - Field of Gold was an unlucky runner-up in the 2,000 Guineas. He more than made amends in his next two starts, taking the Irish equivalent and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. In the latter he faced again his Newmarket conqueror, Ruling Court, and French winner Henri Matisse, coming out best of the three Guineas winners by a comfortable three-and-a-half lengths.

 

RULING COURT

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Ruling Court followed in his stablemate’s footsteps by having an unusual preparation for the 2,000 Guineas. Whereas Notable Speech learned his trade on the All-Weather, this year’s Guineas hero made his seasonal debut in the Listed Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas at Meydan in March, and followed up in the Newmarket Classic beating Field of Gold and Shadow of Light. Third in both the St James’s Palace and Eclipse, he sadly succumbed to laminitis in August.

Outstanding Middle Distance Horse

CALANDAGAN

Owner: Exors of the late H H Aga Khan
Trainer: F-H Graffard

The prohibition of geldings from the Arc has been English racing’s gain this year, as instead of lining up at Longchamp in early October, Calandagan took his chance in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Coming into the race off a break following his wins in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud and an impressive length defeat of Kalpana in the King George, the son of Gleneagles swept clear in the straight to win a fantastic renewal of the race, with Ombudsman, Delacroix and Economics all toiling in behind.

 

DELACROIX

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Only out of the first four when finishing down the field in the Derby, Delacroix notched two impressive victories at the highest level, taking the Eclipse at Sandown by a neck from Ombudsman, and recording a 13th win for his trainer in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The son of Dubawi ran creditably in defeat, firstly in a muddling International at York behind old foe Ombudsman and when coming up against Calandagan in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

 

MINNIE HAUK 

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Minnie Hauk landed a four-timer of Oaks successes during the season, landing the Cheshire Oaks before becoming Aidan O’Brien’s eleventh winner of the Epsom showpiece for fillies, beating stablemate Whirl by a neck. She became the third filly for her trainer to complete the English / Irish Oaks double before landing the Yorkshire version on the Knavesmire in August. However, her best race was arguably in defeat, when just edged out by Daryz in the Arc.

 

LAMBOURN

Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Lambourn provided an eleventh Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien, when front-running tactics from rider Wayne Lordan won the day, always holding the second placed Lazy Griff – the first two replicating their positions from the Chester Vase some four weeks earlier. Lambourn followed up this success by taking the Ballydoyle tried-and-tested route of the Irish Derby, pulling three quarters of a length clear at the line at the Curragh, before disappointing in both the Voltigeur and St Leger.

 

OMBUDSMAN

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden

A gentle three-year-old campaign stood Ombudsman in good stead for a successful season this year, taking two Group 1 victories – in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot from Anmaat, and pegging back the runaway pacemaker in the International at York. Here, he was avenging his Eclipse defeat, having gone down by just a neck to Delacroix – a rival he was to beat again when finishing second in the Champion Stakes at Ascot behind Calandagan.

 

REBEL’S ROMANCE

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

The globetrotting Rebel’s Romance took his prize money fund to over £11.25million during the course of the season. He landed a brace of rare home wins in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and over a distance beyond his best in the Yorkshire Cup in May. Back on his travels, he took his top-level tally to eight with fine victories in the Turf Classic at Aqueduct and Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten.

Outstanding Stayer

CABALLO DE MAR

Owner: Victorious Forever (Blue Starr Racing until June 2025)
Trainer: George Scott

Caballo De Mar had already won five races during the season – including the German St Leger – by the time the entries were published for the Prix du Cadran. Seeing the race had only attracted four entries, trainer George Scott and Victorious Forever risked the €21,600 supplementary fee, and it proved a wise decision with the son of Phoenix of Spain drawing clear in the final stages to land the big prize – not bad for a horse who won a handicap off a rating of 67 almost exactly a year earlier!

 

ILLINOIS

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

It was thought that Illinois might step in to fill the void left by stablemate Kyprios’s retirement, and although he ran well in the major Cup races, his sole win came on his four-year-old bow, in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. He gamely chased home Trawlerman when trying the extended distance of the Gold Cup at Ascot, and then found only Scandinavia too good – when conceding him a stone – in the Goodwood Cup.

 

SCANDINAVIA

Owner: Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

It says something for Scandinavia’s top flight form going into the St Leger that he was sent off as favourite over his Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn. His place at the head of the market was in part due to his Goodwood Cup success - landing the Group 1 contest in fine style from Illinois – from whom he was receiving a stone in weight for age. The market proved right at Doncaster, where he landed the oldest Classic by a neck from the running on Rahiebb.

 

SWEET WILLIAM

Owner: Normandie Stud Ltd
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden

There won’t be many more popular stayers in the country than Sweet William, and his liking for Doncaster was confirmed when he took a second Doncaster Cup at the St Leger meeting. He ran consistently all year, with runner-up spots in the British Champions Long Distance Cup (rated as his career-best performance) and the Lonsdale Cup, and a good third behind Scandinavia in the Goodwood Cup.

 

TRAWLERMAN

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden

Trawlerman had been locking horns with Kyprios for most of his staying career, but with the retirement of the Ballydoyle titan, he became the dominant force over extended distances, racking up an impressive series of victories. He started his campaign in the Henry II at Sandown, lowered the course record by 1.9 seconds in the Gold Cup at Ascot, and accounted for stablemate Sweet William twice, in the Lonsdale Cup and the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, to cap a fine season for the seven-year-old.

Outstanding Filly or Mare

ASFOORA

Owner: Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd
Trainer: Henry Dwyer

Back for another successful European campaign, the hardy and consistent Asfoora again showed that the Australians are a force when it comes to the sprint races. Unable to repeat her win from last year in the King Charles III Stakes, she more than made up for it by taking the Nunthorpe Stakes at York from Ain’t Nobody and the Abbaye at Longchamp from Jawwal in the process becoming  the first Australian-trained winner at the top level in France.

 

DESERT FLOWER

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Unbeaten as a top-class juvenile, Desert Flower returned to the track as favourite for the 1,000 Guineas and duly demolished her rivals, keeping on well to land the spoils from outsider Flight with Lake Victoria back in the field. It capped a fine weekend for Godolphin who landed the colt’s equivalent with Ruling Court the day before, and the Kentucky Derby and Oaks double with Sovereignty and Good Cheer in America.

  

FALLEN ANGEL

Owner: Wathnan Racing
Trainer: Karl Burke

The application of cheekpieces saw Fallen Angel gain a first win since her Irish 1,000 Guineas victory last year, and it kick-started a mid-season Group 1 treble for the grey daughter of Too Darn Hot. Her victory in the Prix Rothschild at  Deauville was followed up with a win in the Matron Stakes over Irish Champions Weekend and topped off with a stylish success in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, easily accounting for Blue Bolt and Cinderella’s Dream.

 

KALPANA

Owner: Juddmonte
Trainer: Andrew Balding

Surprisingly, Kalpana lined up in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes without a win to her name since destroying her opponents in the same race the previous year. She had been running better than the form figures suggested, including a length second to Calandagan in the King George and just seven lengths behind Daryz in the Arc – losing a cheekpiece coming into the false straight. At Ascot she retained her title in fine style, readily accounting for Estrange by two-and-a-half lengths.

 

MINNIE HAUK

Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Minnie Hauk landed a four-timer of Oaks successes during the season, landing the Cheshire Oaks before becoming Aidan O’Brien’s eleventh winner of the Epsom showpiece for fillies, beating stablemate Whirl by a neck. She became the third filly for her trainer to complete the English / Irish Oaks double before landing the Yorkshire version on the Knavesmire in August. However, her best race was arguably in defeat, when just edged out by Daryz in the Arc.

 

NO HALF MEASURES

Owner: R P Gallagher
Trainer: Richard Hughes

She may have only won one race this year – but what a race to win! Going off at 66/1 for the July Cup, No Half Measures relished a return to six furlongs – where her form figures now read 2111194 – she held off challenges in the final furlong to beat Big Mojo and Run To Freedom. She was then just under two lengths off surprise winner Powerful Glory in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

 

WHIRL

Owner: Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Whirl went down in the history books this year for being a Group 1 winner from a flag start – the first since the introduction of starting stalls in the 1960s. The Nassau was run in a biblical storm, and with fears over safety because of lightning, Ryan Moore drew on his pony racing experience and grabbed a lead at the drop of the flag, maintaining her advantage at the line to win by five lengths. Her other victories during the season included the Pretty Polly at the Curragh from Kalpana and the Musidora at York, whilst she failed by just a neck to catch Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom.

Flat Special Achievement

ANTHELIA

Owner: Middleham Park Racing LXIV Mrs L Millman (Mrs L Millman until April)
Trainer: Rod Millman

Anthelia was one of the toughest two-year-old fillies around, taking in eight races and winning five of them, including Group 3 honours in the Dick Poole at Salisbury and the Listed National Stakes at Sandown in May. The biggest prize money pot she landed was at Newbury, in the Weatherbys Super Sprint holding off the challenge of Windsor Castle winner Havana Hurricane to land the event for the third time for the Millman yard.

 

ARDISIA

Owner: Ardisia Partnership
Trainer: Hugo Palmer

With twelve runs as a juvenile, Ardisia’s form improved throughout the year. After winning a couple of early-season Novice events at Musselburgh and Salisbury, the son of Ardad was stepped up to six furlongs and claimed Nurseries at Glorious Goodwood and Ayr’s Western Meeting. He stepped up a level again when landing the £118,000 prize for the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, and turned out just a week later he claimed second spot behind Mission Central in the inaugural British Champions Day Two-Year-Old race.

 

ARGENTINE TANGO

Owner: Bearstone Stud Limited
Trainer: Tim Easterby

Another hardy two-year-old this year, Argentine Tango racked up a trio of early-season victories including a neck win over Meelaf in the Hilary Needler Trophy and a head success from Midnight Tango in the Listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket. She continued to run creditably through the remainder of the season, including taking third to Venetian Sun in the Duchess Of Cambridge, second to Lady Iman in the Molecomb, and third to Ardisia in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar.

 

COPPER KNIGHT

Owner: Ventura Racing (Copper) and Partner
Trainer: Tim Easterby

An absolute credit to connections, the eleven-year-old Copper Knight gained another three victories in his tenth season of racing. He has notched a win in every season he has raced, except for the Covid-hit year of 2020. This year his three victories came at Pontefract - under seven-pound claimer Jake Dickson - at his beloved Chester where he was winning their 5 furlong handicap for the third time, and at Redcar in October, sweeping through late to beat Lexington Blitz by a length.

 

CROWD QUAKE

Owner: Stuart Williams
Trainer: Stuart Williams

Eight wins over the season for Stuart Williams’ charge saw his rating rocket from winning off 45 at Windsor in May to a winning mark of 88 at Doncaster in late October. Wins along the way included two victories on Newmarket’s July course, and two wins for “The East” in the Racing League at Chepstow and Southwell.

 

ETERNAL SUNSHINE

Owner: James Callow & Jim Goldie
Trainer: Jim Goldie

Another homebred from Jim Goldie’s stallion Orientor, Eternal Sunshine enjoyed a busy spell mid-summer, running twice in two days at York’s Ebor meeting (finishing a short head second to Star of Mehmas in a fillies’ handicap) and posting a hat trick of wins in just over a fortnight. The first two wins were at Thirsk, but the third came in one of the banner handicap sprints of the year, when she landed the Portland from Apollo One. She backed these performances up with placed efforts in the Ayr Bronze Cup and handicaps at Hamilton and York.

 

ETHICAL DIAMOND

Owner: H O S Syndicate
Trainer: Willie Mullins

Showing that Willie Mullins can also train top-class Flat runners, Ethical Diamond made two forays to the UK and picked up two of our feature handicaps. First up was the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot, a race he had finished an unlucky fourth in the previous year. There were no such problems this year as he ran out a two-length winner over Mutaawid. Up eight pounds and off a 64-day absence, he gave connections a second Ebor, after Absurde’s win in 2023, with a stylish success under William Buick.

 

HAMISH

Owner: The Hamish Partnership
Trainer: William Haggas

Nine-year-old Hamish’s runs are often dictated by the going, but even in a year dominated by quick ground, we still got to see one of the most popular horses in training four times – winning three of his outings. Two Listed wins, at Goodwood and Chester – where is is now unbeaten in three – was surpassed with his win in the St Simon at Newbury in October. This took his career to fifteen wins in 28 starts, nine of them coming at Group 3 level, and he has been out of the frame just twice in his seven-season career.

 

JANNAS JOURNEY

Owner:  James Mearns Long
Trainer: Jim Goldie

Jannas Journey scored seven times during the course of the season, with all her victories coming north of the border. Off a rating of just 47 she broke her maiden in a handicap at Hamilton, and then won four races at Ayr on the bounce. After a rare reversal she got back to winning ways to claim a Musselburgh handicap before returning to her favourite course on Ayr Gold Cup day to claim the seven furlong handicap off a rating of 77.

 

LUNA A INBHIR NIS

Owner: Summerstorm Bloodstock Limited
Trainer: Katie Scott

To say that Luna A Inbhir Nis’ first two wins were something of a surprise is an understatement. She turned over a 1/6 shot in a match race at Newcastle in March and then followed up two starts later by winning at 50/1 at Ayr off a rating of 57. By the end of the season, she had won four more races – two at Musselburgh, and one each at Haydock and York – before finishing a fine second to Democracy Dilemma in the Be Friendly Handicap back at Haydock off a mark of 89.

Small Syndicate / Racing Club

BARRASTON RACING & J S GOLDIE

Barraston Racing and Jim Goldie began with breeding two foals - Classy Al by Fountain of Youth and American Affair by Washington DC. American Affair started this season with a first-ever win in the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh for Jim Goldie followed by a win at York

American Affair only ran four times this season due to injury, winning three including the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Classy Al ran 11 times, winning three and beating the subsequent Portland winner. This syndicate continues to punch above its weight with its homebred horses!

 

BASHER WATTS RACING

Having only had the first ever runner in July 2024, The Basher Watts Racing syndicate has continued to grow and now has 12 racehorses spread across both codes with six different trainers and 600 owners. Founded on social media with no equine background, Basher aims to make racehorse ownership accessible for everyone and continues to give insights which have never been shown previously. The highlight of 2025 has to be Shes Perfect finishing first past the post in the French 1000 Guineas. The videos from that day perfectly capture the emotions which can only be felt when owning a racehorse.

 

OTI RACING

From just six runners in the UK in 2025, OTI Racing managed to bookend the Royal Ascot meeting, winning the opening Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes with Docklands and the closing marathon handicap, the Queen Alexandra Stakes with Sober. This year they have won over £500,000 in prize money.

 

ROSEHILL RACING

Rosehill Racing’s flagbearer Cicero's Gift has run six times this year, winning the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II and a Listed race at Sandown. He was also second in a Group 3 and a Listed race and third in a Group 2. The only race he was unplaced in was when he ran over a mile and a quarter and he didn't stay. Not bad for a 32,000gns purchase - and thanks to him Rosehill Racing are 17th in the owner’s table. 

 

THE VAL DANCERS

In just her fourth season with a license, Mel Rowley now has 35 horses in training and heads up The Val Dancers syndicate. The eponymous horse won two races this year – the Cumberland Chase at Carlisle and the Welsh Grand National, with the horse coming out of the fog to land the biggest win of the trainer and owner’s careers. Under 12lbs higher the horse went on the place in the Grand National Trial at Haydock.

Large Syndicate / Racing Club

 

FOXTROT RACING

Foxtrot Racing continued their outstanding record through 2025, providing their syndicate members with yet another fantastic year both on and off the racecourse. Foxtrot had runners at 37 courses with highlights including King Arise, who returned from a 530-day absence to reward his loyal shareholders with an outstanding season over fences. Typhoon Flyer and Quick Sharpener were other horses of note in the spring, while Varinia kept the winners flowing for Foxtrot’s small summer jumps string. With the addition of numerous events put on for members away from the racecourse, it’s been a memorable year for Foxtrot Racing’s owners.

 

HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING

In 2025 Merchant became Highclere’s twelfth winner at Royal Ascot and fifth winner of the King George V Handicap. Along with Awaken’s superb effort to finish second in the Albany Stakes (Gr 3), it continued Highclere’s fantastic record at the showcase meeting, where an amazing 38% of their runners have won or been placed. Merchant was the star this year, winning three of his four starts, signing off with a hard-fought victory in the Gordon Stakes (Gr 3) at Glorious Goodwood. Drama also gained a second consecutive win in the London Sprint Series Final at Kempton, taking his career earnings to £111,665.

 

HOT TO TROT RACING

It has been a big flat season for Hot To Trot with their 100th winner coming in July when Rage Of Bamby - a leased filly, as all their horses are - landed the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury. ‘Bamby’ went on to finish 4th in both the Hungerford and the Haydock Sprint Cup, giving her 80 loyal syndicate members some huge thrills. From just seven horses, they have also tasted success with Dreamasar and Easy Peeler (twice).

The jump season was also plenty of fun for the owners, with Hollygrove Cha Cha landing the Grade 2 Jane Seymour at Sandown in February. This was one of three wins for her last season whilst she also took the 90 strong members to the Cheltenham Festival in March. The syndicate had six horses in training and also tasted success with Molto Bene and Of Course You Can.

 

KENNET VALLEY SYNDICATES

Kennet Valley had another fantastic year on the track with 11 wins from the 16 horses they had in training. The horses earned over £515,000 in prize money between them and the average career-high rating for each horse is 91 - a feat even the more remarkable considering the average price for each horse was just over £50,000. Their current four juveniles cost just shy of £150,000 cumulatively but have amassed over £330,000 thanks largely to Calendar Girl (a 45k guineas purchase) who won the Weatherbys Scientific 2yo Stakes and the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes. They also tasted Listed success with Fantasy World, and Golden Brown was second in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy.

 

MIDDLEHAM PARK RACING 

It was a stunning 2025 for MPR with prize money of £2.2 million won across both codes – and 68 wins to date.  On the flat their highlight was undoubtedly Lazy Griff’s runner-up spot in the Epsom Derby whilst Anthelia was the joint winning-most European two-year-old, winning the Dick Poole and Weatherbys Super Sprint. Song of the Clyde’s sales race win at York meant he was Britain’s highest earning 2yo - £444,405. 

Over the jumps, the retirement of Grade 1 hurdles winner Marie’s Rock didn’t stop them, with victories in the £100,000 Premier Hurdle with Red Risk and the Northern Final with Fierce Warrior.

 

NOEL FEHILY RACING SYNDICATE

The 2024-25 season was the syndicate’s best ever with 31 winners from 150 runners – a strike rate of 20.7%.  Their record-breaking total included a thrilling victory at the Punchestown Festival with Baron Noir in a bumper - making owner’s dreams come true at a major festival. In the first two weeks of December they had a remarkable run of eight winners from ten runners. They continue to be hungrier than ever to give their loyal owners even more great days at the races.

 

NICK BRADLEY RACING

Nick Bradley Racing achieved 61 winners on the Flat in 2025, second only to Godolphin. Those wins include Al Qareem who has won twice at Listed level and twice at Group 3 level, whilst Marshman and Anaisa also gained Listed wins. Nick Bradley Racing finished the season as leading owners at Chester, Beverley and Musselburgh and second only to Shadwell at York. The team won an amazing 28 two-year-old races and over £200,000 in breeding and sales bonuses. In total, Nick Bradley Racing picked up over £1.5 million in prize money despite having a team of cheaply bought horses. 

 

OLD GOLD RACING

With over £180,000 in prize money won between their team of horses, Apple Away in particular carried the Old Gold colours with distinction, claiming the Grand National Trial at Haydock and a place in the Listed Mares’ Chases at Market Rasen and Newbury. Overall, the team enjoyed 10 winners with a 20% win strike rate in the 2024/25 National Hunt season.

 

OPULENCE THOROUGHBREDS

Royal Fixation capped off a truly unforgettable year for Opulence Thoroughbreds when running a huge race to finish third in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in the Autumn to add to her Lowther Stakes triumph at York’s Ebor meeting. Overall, the team has 11 wins and a 18% strike rate, winning over £370,000 in prize money.

OWNERS GROUP

The Owners Group continue to go from strength to strength with their legion of horses picking up over £390,000 over the course of the year. Flying the flag for them was Salamanca City, who was only unplaced once in eight starts this year and won over £35,000, whilst the popular Dutch Decoy enjoyed another consistent season, with two wins on Newmarket’s July course and placed efforts at Doncaster and Leicester.

 

RACESHARE

Raceshare amassed over £135,000 between their 11 syndicates during 2025, with La Pulga and Gibbs Island their flagbearers. La Pulga won at Newcastle and was placed twice at Ascot, whilst over the jumps Gibbs Island led the charge with a win in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock and took his owners to both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

 

RACING CLUB  Racing Club was launched in September 2023. They now have 29 horses and over 15,000 members, who enjoyed an exciting season over jumps, notably with Wendigo, who was second in the Challow Hurdle and fifth in the Albert Bartlett  - and may have been closer but for interference! They also experienced success on the Flat this term with Brosay, who won at Ascot and a Racing League Race at Windsor this summer. 

 

THE HORSE WATCHERS

With 30 winners so far in 2025, The Horse Watchers are on target for a record year, achieved from just 27 horses that have run in their colours. Royal Zabeel was a big success in the spring, winning three races including at listed level, whilst Rhoscolyn landing the Golden Mile and Intervention the Great St Wilfrid have been notable handicap successes, all with horses that were picked up for 30,000gns or less. They primarily deal in the Horses-in-Training market and continued to find well-handicapped horses that find improvement for their fantastic team of trainers.

 

URSA MAJOR RACING

Ursa Major Racing’s season has been one of success, growth and opportunity. With no horse bought for more than £25,000, they continue to prove that big dreams do not need big budgets. Surpassing £1million in prize money and celebrating their 100th winner, highlights from the year include a memorable hat-tricks for Bay Dream Believer and Noble Consort securing four wins. Now with over 50 horses, Ursa Major is on course to exceed last year’s 31 winners. Alongside keeping ownership exciting, inclusive and affordable, they are also proud to have raised an incredible £14,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

VALUE RACING

Value Racing club have had a superb 2025. At the time of writing, they have had 32 winners from 124 runners - a fantastic 26% win strike rate.  The 32 wins have come from just 16 horses, over both jumps and flat. The highlights of their season include Only The Bold winning the prestigious £80,000 Summer Cup Handicap Chase, and The Lord Maid winning the £50,000 Seafield Mares’ Trophy on Scottish National Day. Over £260,000 of prize money has been won, with every penny going back to the owners, and all their horses cost £30,000 or less.

Owner of the Year

VIMY AYKROYD

MRS JOHN MAGNIER / MR M TABOR / MR DERRICK SMITH

PHIL CUNNINGHAM

FERGUSON MASON HALES et al

GODOLPHIN

EXORS OF THE LATE HH AGA KHAN

IAN GOSDEN

JP McMANUS

SUSANNAH RICCI

ROBCOUR

Horse of the Year

CALANDAGAN

ETHICAL DIAMOND

GOLDEN ACE

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN

MINNIE HAUK

LOSSIEMOUTH

OMBUDSMAN

REBEL’S ROMANCE