Tag Archive for: Cheveley Park Stud

Envoi Allen camp excited by prospect of King George bid

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Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson is open to a potential second tilt at the King George VI Chase with Envoi Allen following his successful return to action at Down Royal on Saturday.

Henry de Bromhead’s 10-year-old proved the fire still very much burns brightly in Northern Ireland, getting the better of a protracted duel with Hewick to lift the Ladbrokes Champion Chase for a second time.

Thompson was unable to make the trip to Down Royal as he attended a school reunion, but was nonetheless thrilled with the result.

“He’s a 16-times winner, a nine-times Grade One winner and a three-times Cheltenham Festival winner – it’s unbelievable,” he said.

“He’s a 10-year-old now and he’s won that race at Down Royal twice now and was just beat on the line in it last year (by Gerri Colombe). He’s danced a lot of dances and he’s had some tough days as well, but it looks like he’s come back in good form.

“He’s a marvellous horse and we’ve been so lucky with him and A Plus Tard and Allaho, the three of them have been real stars.”

Envoi Allen disappointed as a leading fancy for the 2022 King George, coming home a tailed off last of seven finishers in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

However, De Bromhead indicated on Saturday that another trip across the Irish Sea could come under consideration and Thompson would be happy to head to Kempton.

“He owes us nothing and if Henry believes he should go for the King George, I’d be happy to,” Thompson went on.

“There’s nothing I like better on a Boxing Day than going to the King George and last year was exciting with Allaho, who I thought for a few seconds might go and win (finished third).

“Henry reckons Envoi had some issues when he ran in it two years ago. We’ll do whatever he thinks is right, but the King George would be great.”

With A Plus Tard and Allaho retired and Thompson deciding against reinvesting in young stock this season, the Cheveley Park silks will be carried by a smaller National Hunt team this winter.

Grangeclare West in action at Leopardstown
Grangeclare West in action at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

However, Thompson believes there is plenty to look forward to, adding: “We’ve still got Sir Gerhard and Grangeclare West and Ferny Hollow. With this group of horses we bought, I think we’ve won 26 Grade Ones and I’m still hoping we can get to the magic 30 with them.

“We’ve got a couple of younger ones like Mahons Way and Tullyhill, and Classic Getaway is in the mix as well. It’s a nine-strong squad and we’ve absolutely loved this phase since 2019 when we started getting some good wins (over jumps), it’s been brilliant.

“We haven’t bought any more at this stage. I’m not ruling it out for the future, as I enjoy it a lot and the family enjoy it, but Cheveley Park is predominantly a Flat operation and the jumping was something my father and I decided to try and he’s not around obviously now.

“That’s not to say we won’t have another go in the future, but not in the short term.”



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Thanks for the memories – Inspiral bows at Newmarket

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“She’s right at the top of our tree”. That was the verdict from Cheveley Park Stud after the curtain came down on the brilliant career of Inspiral following a brave effort in defence of her Virgin Bet Sun Chariot crown at Newmarket.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained daughter of Frankel has been a star for connections since her two-year-old days, striking at the highest level at two, three and four.

A winner at Royal Ascot and of the Prix Jacques le Marois twice, she amassed six Group One victories in total during a stellar on-track career.

Arguably her finest hour came in the shadows of the Hollywood mountains when landing the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but there was to be no blockbuster ending, despite showing her old spark to run Tamfana close in her Rowley Mile swansong.

Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita
Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita (PA)

She ends her final year in training without adding to her nine career victories, but bows out as one of the best to don her owners’ red, white and blue silks and will now head back to their Newmarket base in preparation of the next stage of her career as a broodmare.

Richard Thompson, whose mother Patricia owns the famous stud, said: “She’s been brilliant and we have had a hell of a journey with her.

“She’s won six Group Ones over four seasons and run in about 12 Group Ones and to breed her and then the days we have had with her have been marvellous. For my mother, the family, myself, it has just been brilliant.

“She’s just finished second there in a good Group One and she has run her heart out and the ground hasn’t suited her totally. She was travelling beautifully there and then when she was asked to quicken she was just struggling.

Inspiral after her final race at Newmarket
Inspiral after her final race at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

“It was three years ago that she won the Fillies’ Mile here and she’s still run very well. Fingers crossed hopefully we can breed a champion now and we can own it.

“With six Group Ones she’s right at the top of our tree with Russian Rhythm. We’ve had a lot of very good fillies, but a Breeders’ Cup and two Jacques le Marois’ against the colts – two great days in Deauville – she has been nothing short of fantastic.”

Inspiral – who built up a fine association with Frankie Dettori before his relocation to America – has spent all of her years in training at Clarehaven, with the Gosdens overseeing her many phenomenal achievements on the racecourse.

John Gosden provided his own assessment of the five-year-old who has long been a standard bearer at his Newmarket yard.

John Gosden with the Cheveley Park Stud team at Newmarket
John Gosden with the Cheveley Park Stud team at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

He said: “She won here on fast ground last year and obviously won on fast ground at the Breeders’ Cup, but this ground has never really been to her liking.

“The Thompsons have very sportingly wanted to run her here then retire her and she has run a great race. Take nothing away from the winner there who is very smart, but Rab was very clear that was not her ground.

“She’s had a wonderful career, she was champion at two, champion in Europe at three and then a champion in America at four.

“This year we have run into a couple of little issues and then in this race we have been caught out by the ground. She’s run a magnificent race on ground she didn’t like.”



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Formal seeking final Rockfel success for Stoute

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Formal is out to give Sir Michael Stoute a fourth and final victory in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, with his glittering training career nearing an end.

The Cheveley Park-owned and bred filly has an incredibly smart pedigree as she is by Dubawi and out of Veracious, a Group One-winning Frankel mare who was also trained by Stoute.

Formal saw off two subsequent winners when making a winning debut at Newbury in July and followed up in some style at Leicester earlier this month to earn herself a move to Group Two level, although her participation is ground dependent.

“We just have to make sure the ground is going to be fine, but the intention is to run,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“She came out of her last race well and obviously Sir Michael is happy with her, so we look like we’re going to be stepping out again and stepping up hopefully.

“It would be great to win a nice race for Sir Michael before the season is over. Hopefully Formal and Anna Swan, who could run in the Fillies’ Mile next month or the Oh So Sharp Stakes on the same day, can progress between them to give him a bit of a swansong.”

Aidan O’Brien fires a twin assault, with stable jockey Ryan Moore siding with Ecstatic over her stablemate Bubbling, who will be ridden by Sean Levey.

Tipperary maiden winner Ecstatic was last seen finishing fifth in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster, while Bubbling placed third in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown last time out.

Ryan Moore rides Ecstatic in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket
Ryan Moore rides Ecstatic in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Ecstatic progressed nicely from her debut at Leopardstown to win on her second start at Tipperary, keeping on well to comfortably land the race in the final stages,” Moore told Betfair.

“She was then disappointing at Doncaster when last seen in the Group Two May Hill Stakes, stumbling when coming out of the stalls, but hopefully she can learn from that.

“She went on to finish fifth behind some talented fillies in Desert Flower and stablemate January and she is probably the form horse in the race, although it does look an open contest.

“Bubbling ran a nice race at Leopardstown during the Irish Champions Festival, just being bumped when coming out the stalls but stayed on well, only finishing a length back in third behind Chantez who looks a nice horse.

“It is an open race with Formal also in there who I rode to victory last time out at Leicester, but both Aidan’s fillies’ look to have their chances.”

Other contenders include Archie Watson’s Prestige Stakes runner-up Duty First and the Ed Walker-trained Troia, who has not been seen in competitive action since making a successful start to her career Newbury in mid-July.



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Chancellor plans up in the air following slight setback

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Plans for Chancellor are again on hold after the promising colt suffered a minor injury when undergoing a stalls test.

So impressive in winning twice at Doncaster from his first three starts, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned youngster returned to Town Moor to contest the Champagne Stakes, but had to be withdrawn after nudging open the gate in the starting stalls with his head and suffering a cut to his mouth.

This weekend’s Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket was quickly identified as a potential alternative for the son of Kingman and Breeders’ Cup heroine Queen’s Trust, but he was not confirmed for the Group Two contest on Monday and connections are unsure of the next move.

“Basically, they put him through the stalls prior to the stalls test and he kicked out and managed to cut his leg,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“It’s nothing serious, but he had to have some treatment and I’m not sure what the plan will be at the moment.

“Obviously, we’re just having to regroup and it’s very frustrating after everything else, but he’s managed to cut his leg and has had to have some stitches, so we’ll give that a bit of time.”

Chancellor holds a Group One entry back at Doncaster in the Futurity Trophy on October 26, but may yet be roughed off until next season.

Richardson added: “We might just have to leave it for this year, but I’ll know a little bit more in 10 days or so.

“He’ll be fine, but it’s just really frustrating, as it came at a very bad time.”



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A Study of Owners in UK Flat Racing, Part 1

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As the title indicates, this article looks at some owner data for UK Flat and AW racing, writes Dave Renham. The period of study is from 1st January 2019 to 8th September 2024. Profit and loss has been calculated to Industry Starting Price, but I will quote Betfair SP when appropriate. This is the first of a two-part series.

Flat Owners' Strike Rate League Table

Let's kick off by looking at the top 25 owners in terms of their strike rate (150 runs minimum to qualify):

 

 

Godolphin top the chart perhaps as one would expect, but hot on their heels is Marc Chan. The top six in the list all have decent A/E indices with four of that six hitting 1.00 or above. I will look at some of the owners in more detail later in the piece.

One owner to not quite make the cut is King Charles and Queen Camilla. Since taking over from the Queen at the end of 2022 the Royals have slimmed the operation down a little. They have had 21 winners from 164 runners (SR 13.8%), but losses have been steep, at £70.42 (ROI -42.9%). The A/E index stands on just 0.71. There has been performance drop off since the death of Her Majesty. From 2019 to 2022 Queen Elizabeth II had 270 runners of which 56 won (SR 20.1%) for a loss of £42.37 (ROI -15.2%); A/E index 0.92. It will be interesting to see if there is an improvement in performance with Royal runners over the next couple of seasons.

 

Godolphin

Godolphin had their first winner in December 1992 in Dubai and from 1994 the operation went global. At the time of researching this piece Sheikh Mohamed's racing entity winner-count worldwide stood at 8787, of which 430 came in Group 1 races.

Godolphin UK Annual Strike Rates

In this country they are based in Newmarket and have two trainers, Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor. Below are their overall yearly win strike rates.

 

 

There seems to have been a slight uptick in performance in the past three seasons (2022 to 2024). This has been reflected in the profit/loss column with 2019 to 2021 seeing losses of £368.61 (ROI -18.0%), while from 2022 to 2024 these have been much reduced to just -£38.48 (ROI -2.4%).

Godolphin Top Jockeys

Onto jockeys now and a look at all jockeys have had at least 60 rides for Godolphin and have ridden for them in 2024. I have ordered them by number of rides:

 

 

William Buick is the main stable jockey now James Doyle has moved on to Wathnan Racing. Doyle has still ridden for Godolphin this year but only 13 times and with just one win. Buick has an excellent record considering how many rides he has had. Betting all his rides would have yielded just a penny in the pound loss, while to BSP this moves into profit by £73.00 (ROI +6.8%). Oisin Murphy has an excellent record and primarily has ridden for bin Suroor. He’s only been called upon seven times so far in 2024 but has three wins from those rides. Going back to 2019 Murphy has an excellent record when riding in novice events. He has managed 18 wins from 41 rides (SR 43.9%) for a profit of £19.85 (ROI +48.4%). To BSP this improves to +£27.73 (ROI +67.6%).

Godolphin at Grade 1 Tracks

The next area to share is the stats at Grade 1 courses. This is where the biggest races tend to occur and a big operation like Godolphin do target quality.

 

 

The performances at Newmarket stand out. As you can see, I have split them into the Rowley and July courses, partly to show the consistency shown at Godolphin's local track. The two highest strike rates come from the Rowley and July course stats, both have shown profits to SP, and both A/E indices are comfortably above 1.00.

Now, the Godolphin stables are based in Newmarket, so the horses do not have to travel and are used to the surroundings. Even so, these stats are impressive especially given the quality of opposition they face at Headquarters. If you had backed all of their runners at Newmarket to BSP, profits would stand at an impressive +£172.44 (ROI +22.2%). If we look at the yearly BSP returns (ROI%) we see the following:

 

 

Profits in every single year showing excellent consistency. The last three years have been particularly strong.

William Buick has an outstanding record for Godolphin at the Suffolk track thanks to 133 winners from 368 (SR 36.1%) for a profit of £84.61 (ROI +23%). To BSP this climbs to +£121.46 (ROI +33%). Oisin Murphy is 10 from 22 and his mounts have returned a huge return to SP of 159 pence in the £. That has been achieved with the biggest priced winner being 9/1.

All in all, the Godolphin operation keeps firing year on year, and there are no signs of this abating.

 

Shadwell Estate Co (formerly Hamdan al Maktoum)

The Shadwell Estate is a world-renowned racing and breeding operation located in Britain, Ireland and the USA. Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum became one of the leading figures in international horseracing from the 1980s until his passing in 2021. He was champion Flat owner in Britain nine times, the last of which was in 2020. The operation is now run by his daughter, Sheikha Hissa. It is noticeable that the operation seems to have been streamlined since the death of Sheikh Hamdan with the number of runners per year roughly halving. This seems mainly due to the number of 2yo runners which have decreased dramatically.

In 2022 Shadwell had their best season in the 2019-2024 period hitting over 32% winners and returns to SP of 25p in the £. This year to date has been a little ‘sticky’ relatively with a strike rate of half that on 16.8% and losses edging close to 40p in the £. I am assuming 2024 has just been a small blip, based on going back further in time when they had similar strike rates in 2012, 2013 and 2016.

 

Shadwell Estate Trainer Performance

Below is a table showing trainers who have saddked at least 100 runners for Shadwell and at least one runner in 2024:

 

 

The Gosden, Varian and Burrows yards have all provided excellent long-term results, blind profits to SP and A/E indices above 1.00. This year two trainers in particular have struggled, with Charles Hills on just one win from 19 and Richard Hannon having drawn a blank from all of his 14 runners.

A trainer they may start to use more is Kevin Phillipart de Foy. He has had only four horses to date but three of them have won and overall, he has five wins from 12 from those horses.

In terms of jockeys, Jim Crowley gets the lion’s share of the rides and from 2019 to 2023 he made a blind profit to BSP in every single year, and to SP in four of the five years. This has not been the case this year which is no surprise given the 2024 figures shown above.

From a racecourse perspective, there are 11 courses where Shadwell has sent at least 100 runners since 2019. These favoured tracks have combined to produce a BSP profit of £199.67 (ROI 12.7%). I have graphed their A/E indices below:

 

 

Doncaster and Lingfield have extremely strong A/E indices of 1.29 and 1.26 respectively when Shadwell runners visit. At both courses they have provided good profits to both Industry SP and BSP and the strike rate at Lingfield has been better than one win in every three (34.3%). Kempton is another track where their runners have performed extremely well.

Shadwell Market Performance

Looking at the betting market, Shadwell runners have turned a profit on both favourites and second favourites:

 

 

To BSP profits stand at £45.85 (ROI +6.7%) for favs, and +£65.42 (ROI +14.4%) for second favs.

It will be interesting to see how Shadwell move forward in the next two or three years.

Cheveley Park Stud

The Cheveley Park Stud is Newmarket’s oldest stud farm and has been one of the major forces in European bloodstock and racing for over 35 years. With a strike rate of around one in six they have not been as successful as the likes of Godolphin, but there are still a few positive angles to share, as well as some negative ones.

Below is their annual breakdown:

 

 

As can be seen, it has been a little up and down. This year to date has been good, as was 2021. Last year saw quite a dip so it is difficult to get a handle on how things may go each year.

Cheveley Park Stud by Race Class

Onto to Class of Race next and here are the splits:

 

 

The headline here are those 38 wins at Class 1, with a profit to boot. To BSP this profit stands at £75.71 (ROI +29.3%) and sticking with BSP Class 1 races have yielded a profit in four of the six years. If we breakdown the Class 1 races we see that Listed races have offered the best returns:

 

 

All 17 wins from the Listed races have come with female runners. Females have provided 86 of the runners; the 11 male runners have drawn a blank. It should be noted at this point that around 75% of ALL the horses from Cheveley Park have been female with the vast majority of these being fillies, most of the colts from the stud being sent to auction.

Cheveley Park Performance by Surface

With most of Cheveley Park's runners being fillies, I suspect that the turf versus all-weather stats are worth looking at. Generally, female runners find it harder on the all-weather than on grass, so I am predicting that the red, white and blue-silked runners have a slightly better record on turf. Let’s see:

 

 

No surprises here. The turf figures are far superior to the all-weather ones across the board.

Cheveley Park Performance by Trainer

A look at trainers next. Firstly, a comparison of strike rates across the main trainers (60 runs minimum):

 

 

Quite a variance here, ranging from William Haggas at over 22% to Roger Varian at under 10%. Let’s see which trainers have produced the best A/E indices over the period of study:

 

 

David O’Meara is the standout with an A/E index of 1.11. He had a decent strike rate of close to 19% and has been profitable with Cheveley Park runners to both SP (12p in the £) and BSP (24p in the £). Also take notice if Danny Tudhope is booked to ride for O’Meara and Cheveley Park. They have combined to secure a 54% profit to SP, 71% to BSP.

The Gosden stats look a bit weird as they have been profitable to SP (18p in £) and BSP (26p in the £), but their A/E index is down at 0.84. However, this is because of a below average performance with shorter-priced runners. For the record the stable has made an SP profit in five of the six years.

Cheveley Park Market Performance

Finally for Cheveley Park, let me share some market data because it caught my eye. When the SP has been short (9/4 or shorter) the results have been quite poor. The ownership entity has managed 100 wins from 294 qualifiers (SR 34%), but losses have been significant at £69.53 (ROI –23.7%).

But when their runners have drifted in price from Early Odds (around 9am in the morning) to their final SP they have made a profit if backing to BSP. There have been 749 horses which have lengthened in price from Early Odds to SP of which 108 have won (SR 14.4%) for a BSP profit to £81.08 (ROI +10.8%). So don’t be put off by a Cheveley Park drifter. Drifters at single figure BSP prices have made a profit so these figures are not skewed by several big priced winners.

*

That concludes my first piece. I hope there have been some useful nuggets for you to take advantage of in the future. I will continue from where I left off next time. Until then...

- DR



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Chancellor team eyeing Royal Lodge after Champagne problems

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Chancellor could be rerouted to the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes following his late withdrawal at Doncaster on Saturday.

Having already won twice on Town Moor, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned juvenile was well fancied for the Group Two Champagne Stakes, but was automatically ruled out after nudging open the gate in the starting stalls with his head and suffering a cut to his mouth.

Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson reports the son of Kingman to be none the worse for the “frustrating” experience and connections are on the lookout for an alternative target, with a trip to Newmarket on Saturday week under consideration.

“Saturday was obviously very frustrating, but fortunately he seems fine afterwards,” said Richardson.

“Rab (Robert Havlin, jockey) reported that he was fine in the stalls and then another horse kicked out and he thought it was time to go. It was just one of those frustrating, unforeseen events that was very bizarre, but we move on.

“We’ll see how he is, but we’ll have to consider the Royal Lodge – a Group Two over a mile. He’s got a couple of smart entries for later in the year that are still sort of pending, including the Futurity Trophy back at Doncaster, which is once again over a mile.

“We’d like to get a run in before then, probably in the Royal Lodge or something like that.”



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Inspiral looks set for Sun Chariot swansong

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Inspiral has been given the go-ahead for what could be the final start of her glorious career in the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes early next month.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of Frankel claimed the Newmarket contest in style 12 months ago, the middle leg of a Group One treble that culminated in Breeders’ Cup glory at Santa Anita.

Although a return stateside for the end of season championships – this year at Del Mar – has not been ruled out by connections, it is likely her anticipated Rowley Mile appearance could be the last action of a stellar career that has seen her win at the highest level aged two, three and four.

“She’s fine and green for go, all being well – and subject to ground – for Newmarket and the Sun Chariot and we’ll see what happens there,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud.

Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita
Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita (PA)

“I think she’s happier back at a mile, but you can’t miss the break and give the field five lengths in those top-level Group One races.

“She’s her own personality and she is probably telling us she is ready to have babies, but it makes sense to have one more swansong – and if she surprises us, then who knows. We haven’t discounted America, but I think it’s unlikely.”

Inspiral may be at the tail end of her career, but the future looks bright for Cheveley Park in the fillies department with Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair Formal and Anna Swan both impressing in the early stages of their respective careers.

Formal enhanced her reputation with a decisive victory at Leicester on Tuesday and could be bound for bigger assignments before the season ends, while hopes also remain high for her stablemate, who shone at Yarmouth first time out.

“Anna Swan is just needing a bit more time after her last run and we’re just being patient with her,” continued Richardson.

“There’s no one more patient than Sir Michael and it is nice to have a couple of nice fillies.”

Cheveley Park could also bid for top honours with their Royal Ascot winner Unequal Love.

Trained by William Haggas, she is set to return to the scene of her finest hour to contest the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes on October 19 after her third-placed effort in Group One company at Haydock in the Betfair Sprint Cup.

Richardson added: “We were delighted with Unequal Love’s performance at Haydock and she will probably go to Ascot now.”



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Formal-ity wholly appropriate for Stoute at Leicester

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On the day Sir Michael Stoute announced he will retire at the end of the season, Formal proved an appropriate winner for the Freemason Lodge handler at Leicester.

And on this evidence Stoute could have one final big-race aspirant before the curtain comes down on his career, after the daughter of Dubawi – out of Stoute’s Group One-winning Veracious – confirmed the promise of her racecourse bow at Newbury.

Fittingly ridden by Stoute’s long-time ally Ryan Moore, Formal was sent off the 8-13 favourite for the British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes, dashing home two and a half lengths clear of the opposition in the wet ground, looking a top-class prospect in the process.

She was shortened to 20-1 by Paddy Power for next season’s 1000 Guineas, but more imminently cut to 8-1 from 14’s for the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes later this month.

“It was very impressive and I think Ryan was very taken with her,” said Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“We were a little bit concerned about the ground as the ground had changed, but I think it was very appropriate on such a day that a daughter of Veracious could come and win and we have fond memories of her winning the Falmouth in 2019.

“She handled it at Newbury and I think her class was in evidence this afternoon and hopefully there is much to look forward to.

“Obviously we will discuss options moving forward with Sir Michael and Patricia Thompson.”

On Cheveley Park’s enduring association with Stoute, one that has featured the brilliant Russian Rhythm and the likes of Breeders’ Cup heroine Queen’s Trust, Richardson said: “It’s been a wonderful relationship, Patricia Thompson and Cheveley Park have had horses with him for over 40 seasons.

Sir Michael Stoute with Russian Rhythm and Kieren Fallon
Sir Michael Stoute with Russian Rhythm and Kieren Fallon (Andrew Parsons/PA)

“He’s an iconic trainer and a very talented and amazing horseman really. It has been a pleasure for me to work with him over the years and hopefully we have a few more big days to go before the end of the season.

“It’s been a wonderful association and I’m sure he will be much missed, but I’m sure he will have plenty more to offer. It’s been a sensational relationship and to think we have had over 37 individual Group winners trained by Sir Michael.

“It’s the end of an era and I still haven’t worked out his secret for watching a gallop. He always used to amaze me, he could see more than I ever could understand. If it had gone well there would usually be a ‘bum diddy bum’ and he’d whistle Don’t Cry For Me Argentina as he walked off the gallop.”

Stoute’s assistant trainer is James Savage, who said the yard will “keep punching” to the end of the campaign.

“We’ve had some great times over many, many years and there’s some great memories,” said Savage.

“I think all the plaudits he will be given will be thoroughly deserved. He’s done everything really, all around the world.

“He’s always been very appreciative of the nice horses he has been given to train, of the owners and of the staff also. All good things come to an end and it’s a sad day really but I’m just really glad to have been part of it.

“It’s been a great journey and that is something all the staff and owners will say. He’s a fantastic man and he always had time for anyone who wanted to ask a question. Let’s hope he has a very happy retirement.”

On his future, Savage added: “I’m not sure at the moment, Sir Michael said to me yesterday we have got to keep punching, doing what we do and keep the standards high.

“Then I will regroup and see what I can do for the future, but whatever happens, it has been great.”



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Vandeek retired to stand at Cheveley Park in 2025

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Cheveley Park Stud has announced it has purchased a share in Vandeek, who has been retired from racing.

He will stand at Cheveley Park in 2025 in a partnership with current owners KHK Racing.

Unbeaten at two in a season which saw him win the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes, this year has been interrupted by injury.

He has made it to the track twice and finished third both times, in the Sandy Lane at Haydock and in the July Cup. However, another setback forced him out of the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

A soft tissue injury was diagnosed, but connections have run out of time to get him back to the track this season and the decision has been made to send him to stud.

Simon Crisford, who trained Vandeek jointly with his son Ed, said: “Vandeek was a brilliant two-year-old for Sheikh Khalid and his amazing turn of foot set him apart from the others. He had a wonderful temperament and he was such a great pleasure to train.

“His Juddmonte Middle Park victory was sensational and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better winner of that race. He was pure class and it is such a great shame he didn’t have the opportunity to fulfil his potential this year.”

His jockey James Doyle said: “I got a huge thrill from riding Vandeek in the Juddmonte Middle Park and he was an exceptional racehorse blessed with a blistering turn of pace.”

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, added in a statement: “Patricia Thompson is delighted to have been able to secure Vandeek, in partnership with Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to stand at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, making this very exciting son of Havana Grey available to British and international breeders and thus further enhancing the long-established history of Cheveley Park Stud standing world-class stallions.”



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Chancellor on the Champagne trail after smooth success

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Another trip to Doncaster for the Betfred Champagne Stakes is next on the agenda for Chancellor following his impressive return to winning ways.

The Kingman colt made a real impression on his racecourse debut on Town Moor in early July and he was then stepped up in class for the Pat Eddery Stakes on King George day at Ascot.

John and Thady Gosden’s youngster was a beaten odds-on favourite in that Listed event, but was not disgraced in finishing third behind Al Qudra and subsequent Stonehenge Stakes winner New Century.

Connections feel Chancellor is better than he showed at Ascot and having since seen him regain the winning thread with a dominant front-running victory back at Doncaster, he is now set for a Group Two assignment at next month’s St Leger meeting.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “He got slightly worked up at Ascot in the saddling enclosure. It was too much for him and he got a little bit overwhelmed, I think.

“It was nice to see him nice and calm back at Doncaster the other day and he won nicely.

“All being well, the plan is to head back there for the Champagne Stakes.”



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Cheveley Park team excited about pair of Stoute prospects

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Cheveley Park Stud appear to have two promising juvenile fillies on their hands in the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair of Anna Swan and Formal.

Formal, a daughter of Dubawi out of a Group One-winning Cheveley Park homebred in Veracious, made a smart start to her career at Newbury last month when beating hot favourite Glistening with ease.

Her stablemate Anna Swan, who is by Almanzor and out of another black-type performer in Vivionn, arguably made an even bigger impression on her debut at Yarmouth last week and while connections have not yet made any firm plans for either filly, they are excited for the future.

“I’m not sure what Anna Swan beat, but she couldn’t have done it more easily,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“I think they like her, and Formal was the other filly that won well for us of Sir Michael’s, so we’ve got two very nice fillies hopefully and we’ll see which way we go.

“We’ll look at the entries and he (Stoute) will be patient and bring them on gradually I’m sure, but they were eyecatching performances and we’re delighted to have the two of them.”



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Inspiral team to hold fire before confirming future plans

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Future plans for Inspiral are “up for debate” after a tardy start effectively ruined her chance of winning a third Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday.

John and Thady Gosden’s top-class mare has carried the Cheveley Park Stud colours to six Group One victories in all, including back-to-back wins in one of Deauville’s midsummer highlights.

After finishing fourth in the Lockinge at Newbury and sixth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on her first two starts of the current campaign, Ryan Moore took over in the saddle from Kieran Shoemark for her return to France.

But not for the first time, the daughter of Frankel missed the break and she ultimately had to make do with minor honours behind her fellow British raider Charyn.

“She ran very well considering the start – you can’t give five or six lengths away, or whatever it was, in those sorts of races,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“The winner was very impressive and was always going to be the main danger. She certainly didn’t help herself, but she’s run well.

“Ryan was obviously wishing that she’d jumped (on terms), but she did well to get back into the race and she finished it off as well as she could have done having lost that much distance.”

While Inspiral’s performance was a step up on her first two efforts as a five-year-old, there is little doubt it was still some way short of her brilliant best.

After successfully defending her Marois crown last term, she dominated the Sun Chariot at Newmarket in October before flashing home under an inspired Frankie Dettori to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf the following month.

Both races will again come under consideration if Inspiral is to continue her racing career, but that appears uncertain at this stage.

Richardson added: “We’ll see how she comes out of the race and we’ll make a decision about the future.

“Certainly, it was a much-improved performance and we know she does like to come (into form) at this time of year, but what happens is obviously up for debate and we’ll see how she comes out of the race.

“I think if that is the decision (to continue racing), then the Sun Chariot makes perfect sense – I’m sure that would be her next race and we’d make a call after that regarding going to America.

“I think she was much happier yesterday and it was a bit frustrating really. Maybe she’s had enough and maybe she’ll tell us that in due course, but obviously at this point, it’s too early to say.”



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Audience delivers rousing performance in Lennox Stakes success

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Lockinge hero Audience got back on the winning trail with a dominant display in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

John and Thady Gosden’s charge was a shock winner of the first Group One of the season at Newbury, where he made every yard of the running to upstage his fellow Cheveley Park-owned stablemate Inspiral.

Having since finished fifth in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, the five-year-old was eased in grade and distance for this seven-furlong Group Two and was visually impressive in the hands of Robert Havlin.

In a race in which only two horses were ever really in contention, 4-1 shot Audience sat in the slipstream of the pacesetting Art Power before being unleashed entering the final furlong and the race was soon over as a contest as Havlin’s mount sprinted four lengths clear.

Art Power boxed on to fill the runner-up spot, with 7-2 favourite Kinross – bidding for his third victory in the race following previous triumphs in 2021 and 2023 – making late headway to finish third.

Of the winner, Havlin said: “After he won the Lockinge, I told everyone it was no fluke and they laughed.

“He’s always had a lot of ability. We used to ride him without the hood on but I sat on him on Saturday and he absolutely flew so we thought this was the right time to try him without it.

“He wasn’t very competitive in the Lennox round here last year (finished sixth) but, with the hood off, it really sharpened him up. He’s so controllable now, as well.

“I didn’t think we were going overly quick up the hill but I let him go at the three (furlong marker) and by God, he was fast.”

Audience now looks set to stick at the seven-furlong distance for the City of York Stakes on the Knavesmire next month. Paddy Power cut his odds for that lucrative prize to 7-2 from 12-1.

“Plainly he didn’t quite stay the stiff mile at Ascot,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“We’ve stuck with Rab (Havlin) the whole way through and the horse continues to thrive and they have a great relationship.

“I was thrilled that Pat Thompson was there at Newbury when he won and I’m sorry that they are not here today, but defying a penalty has certainly given everyone plenty to think about.

“We’ll probably go to York for the City Of York Stakes, where he doesn’t carry a penalty, then it’s all to play for. We’ll look at all those races over his favoured seven furlongs.”

John Gosden added: “He’s matured and the mile’s too stiff at Ascot. He’ll go to the City Of York, he was second in it last year to Kinross. He’ll go there, no penalty. That’s the plan.

“We’ve put him in the Prix de la Foret, last year’s ground would be perfect as it was good to firm. He wouldn’t want traditional Parisian turf.

“He has the speed for a race like the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar. He could be a horse for it. Travelling would be no problem.

“Rab knows him really well. He rides him most mornings and every time he nearly takes him home!”

Art Power ran a fine race to finish second in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood
Art Power ran a fine race to finish second in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (John Walton/PA)

Tim Easterby was proud of the performance of the admirable Art Power, saying: “He’s wonderful. He’s a pony, but he’s wonderful and tries like hell.

“He’s got an unbelievable temperament. We thought he’d run well. We wanted to run him over a fast seven somewhere; he ran well at York over seven.

“If it had been softer, it would have been better, but he goes on any ground.

“We want to go for the big race at Ascot in October (Qipco British Champions Sprint), but where we go before then, I don’t know. We’ll get him back home first. But he’s a wonderful horse.”



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Opera Singer and Emily Upjohn on course for Nassau clash

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Opera Singer, Inspiral and the supplemented Emily Upjohn are among 12 fillies confirmed for the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Opera Singer looked a star in the making after rounding off her juvenile campaign with a jaw-dropping victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp, but she has had to make do with minor honours on each of her two starts as a three-year-old so far.

After a spring setback delayed her return, the daughter of Justify finished third on her comeback in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before filling the runner-up spot in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Porta Fortuna, who has since added another Group One to her haul in the Falmouth at Newmarket.

Emily Upjohn winning last year's Coronation Cup at Epsom
Emily Upjohn winning last year’s Coronation Cup at Epsom (Mike Egerton/PA)

Opera Singer is set to step up to a mile and a quarter on the Sussex Downs, where she will also meet her elders for the first time.

Chief among her rivals is John and Thady Gosden’s Emily Upjohn, who has been added to the field at a cost of £40,000 after connections opted against a rematch with her Pretty Polly Stakes conqueror Bluestocking in the King George at Ascot on Saturday.

The Gosdens have also left in the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Inspiral, who was last seen finishing sixth against the boys in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the royal meeting.

However, the six-time Group One winner could yet sidestep Goodwood in favour of the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 11, a race she has won in each of the past two seasons.

“It will be Goodwood or the Jacques le Marois and we can’t do both, so we’re just keeping all options open,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“We will see what happens and we’re just going to keep our options open and try and get it right this time and know where we are going.

“But she seems in good form and she looks great.”

Opera Singer is one of five three-year-olds in contention, with Roger Varian’s 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka and Patrice Cottier’s French Oaks winner Sparkling Plenty also in the mix along with the Paddy Twomey-trained Irish Oaks third Purple Lily and Andrew Balding’s Eclipse fourth See The Fire.

Ralph Beckett’s pair of Doha and Lady Boba, Joseph O’Brien’s Lumiere Rock, Gary and Josh Moore’s Novus and Stay Alert from Hughie Morrison’s yard are the other hopefuls.



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Summer success in Unequal Love’s sights

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Following an originally unplanned appearance and ultimate victory at Royal Ascot, Unequal Love returns to Plan A in the William Hill Summer Stakes at York on Friday.

A Listed winner on her seasonal debut at Newmarket, the daughter of Dutch Art then journeyed to Ireland where she finished a creditable fifth against hardened sprinters in the Group Two Greenlands Stakes.

Connections were initially minded to keep their powder dry for this week’s Group Three assignment on the Knavesmire – but on the request of Cheveley Park Stud owner Patricia Thompson, Unequal Love did turn up in Berkshire and the decision paid off as she claimed top honours in the Wokingham Stakes.

“This was the plan really, to go straight to York, but Mrs Thompson asked William (Haggas) if she could have the filly run on the Saturday of Royal Ascot and it was rather fun and a good giggle for everybody to see her win there,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“She showed her class and came out of the race really well. She’s an absolutely beautiful filly and while she’s by Dutch Art, she’s very much a Pivotal to look at and looks progressive.

“We were concerned about the quick ground and the draw at Ascot and it didn’t seem to be a problem at all. I think they’ve had a lot of rain at York, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

“She’s a classy filly in the making and the run in the Group Two in Ireland showed the class she has.”

One of Unequal Love’s biggest threats appears to be Great Generation, who is already a Group Three winner having lunged late to land the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield in early May.

Great Generation (left) winning the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield
Great Generation (left) winning the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield (Steve Paston/PA)

Marco Botti has since saved his three-year-old for this race and is confident of a bold showing.

He said: “This has been the plan for a while and as long as the ground doesn’t change dramatically, I think she’ll go, as she’s handled soft ground in the past.

“She’s in great order and the drop back from seven to six furlongs I don’t think is going to be an issue – she has plenty of speed.

“Obviously she carries a 3lb penalty, but she’s a nice filly who won well in the Chartwell Stakes.

“It’s not an easy race, but I’m sure she’s there with a good chance.”

Adaay In Devon has already enjoyed an excellent season for trainer Rod Millman, with three wins supplemented by placed efforts in Group Three and Listed company.

“At the start of the season, as she’d had such a successful season last year and had a handicap rating of 95, I did think she might struggle this year because of her mark. But she’s proved me wrong,” said the Devon-based trainer.

“She keeps improving every time we run her. She has won two Listed races and a valuable handicap and been placed in a Group Three. She keeps pulling out a little bit more.

“She’s had a nice break, a few weeks off, and has come back training very well. I took her for an away gallop last weekend – one of my fellow trainers here, Stuart Kittow, has got one of the best gallops around. It was just somewhere different to go and it did her good.

“She did a nice bit of work just to put her straight and I’m looking forward to a very good run. She likes soft ground, so any rain at York is a benefit to us.”

Unequal Love is one of two runners for William Haggas, along with another Listed winner in Pink Crystal.

Other contenders include the first and second from the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury, the Owen Burrows-trained Raqiya and Funny Story from Ralph Beckett’s yard.



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