Flat 2023 season review

Rumstar finishing 5th, beaten just over two lengths by subsequent Cartier sprinter of the year Shaquille in the Group 1 Commonwealth Stakes at Royal Ascot gave us a huge thrill..The rest of his season was less thrilling and being unseated at the start of the Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood will haunt us for a long time.

We were narrowly pipped at the final hour by John Gosden for leading trainer at Epsom title but four winners there including a double gave us plenty to smile about thanks to New Heights, Sweet Reward and Twilight Dancer.

Cry Fiction was a debut two year old winner for us following that up with a second in the Listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket. In general our two year old crop has looked relatively underwhelming but most look like being more attractive prospects next year.

It was lovely to see older horses such as New Heights, Mrembo and Sweet Reward win two races each.

Over 30% of our horses have finished in the first three this season. That’s pretty standard and not as remarkable as last season but we have found the best race opportunities for most of them.

Matthew Salaman has been a steady and reliable head lad again throughout the year and it would be difficult to imagine having to operate without him. We have had a great team of staff again this season all of whom have certainly done their bit.

It has been very satisfying to see Olivia Tubb really get going in her first full season as an apprentice. She has ridden 9 winners to date from a fairly limited number of rides including from outside trainers. She won the Shadwell Apprentice Series and also picked up the Richard Davis BHA Development Award sponsored by Jockeys Employment Training Scheme.