Tag Archive for: Oliver Cole

Jel Pepper among strong British contingent in Ballyhane Stakes

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Jel Pepper travels to Ireland in search of major riches in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.

An impressive winner on his Goodwood debut in early June, Paul and Oliver Cole’s charge then finished a promising third behind Zavateri in Newmarket’s Group Two July Stakes.

The winner gave that form a significant boost by following up in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Tuesday and connections of Jel Pepper are expecting a bold showing from their charge in Monday’s €200,000 feature in County Kildare.

“Jel Pepper is a good horse who ran very well in the July Stakes and we have missed Goodwood with him to go to Naas,” said Oliver Cole.

“It is great prize money and I believe the ground will be on the easy side of good which will play to his strengths as he likes a bit of a cut in the ground.

“It is quite daunting coming to Ireland because there are so many good horses but these races are fantastic and it is brilliant to have a horse good enough to take part.”

Jel Pepper is one of five British-trained contenders along with Richard Fahey’s Cosmic Clarets, the George Scott-trained Front Line Fury and Kevin Ryan’s pair of Tropical Dreamer and There’s A Chance.

Scott’s contender missed out on a hat-trick when denied by a head at Ascot last time, but the Newmarket handler has plenty of belief in his solid operator ahead of this raiding mission.

He said: “He’s a really dependable two-year-old who just turns up runs his race and always seems to be improving.

“I’m really pleased with him and he’s taken another step forward since Ascot where he was very much a sitting duck.

“We think we are well drawn but you never quite know and I guess it will depend on where the pace and quality in the race is. I think he will go and run his usual solid race and will be there and thereabouts at the finish.

“He arguably has to come forward again from what he’s shown but he’s a tough horse and really cool and I’m very fond of him.”

The home team is headed by Joseph O’Brien’s Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense.

Oliver Cole hails father Paul as ‘real legend’ after announcing his retirement

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Oliver Cole has described his father Paul Cole as a “real legend” after he announced he is to retire following 38 years in the training ranks.

Perhaps best known for saddling brilliant 1991 Derby winner Generous, the 83-year-old enjoyed over 1,500 winners during a stellar career which began in Wantage in 1987, and later became British Flat champion trainer in 1991, with his son pointing out he was in competition with a “golden era” of trainers.

“He’s a hell of a legend and has done it from scratch,” said Cole.

Generous wins the 1991 Derby
Generous claimed the 1991 Derby for Paul Cole (Jim James/PA)

“He came from a golden era of trainers and was able to hold his own amongst them and was even champion in 1991.

“In his heyday when he had all of those good horses, he was leading trainer at Royal Ascot in 1994 with four winners and he trained one of the best horses ever in Generous with the way he was destroying those fields.

“He also had some amazing two-year-olds in Dilum and Strategic Prince and horses like Culture Vulture and Mr Dinos. He had the backing of some great owners along the way who enjoyed themselves and he’s a real legend.”

Since 2020, the Coles have shared the licence, enjoying Royal Ascot glory with Highland Chief in 2020 and also thriving with the high-class Royal Scotsman.

Trainer Paul Cole trained many big winners during his career
Trainer Paul Cole trained many big winners during his career (Julian Finney/PA)

Oliver will now take over the operation at Whatcombe on a full-time basis, a privilege he puts firmly down to his father’s influence and success.

“We’re very lucky to be training at Whatcombe, it’s an amazing facility and it’s an honour to be on the licence, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here,” he added.

“It’s gone very well as a pair, but now it’s down to me to just keep the show on the road. He won’t be going anywhere, he’s a great man to work with and great for advice, we’ll keep kicking.

“I’ll discuss with him when things formally hand over, but I imagine it will be pretty soon.”

Generous and Alan Munro winning the King George at Ascot
Generous and Alan Munro winning the King George at Ascot (Adam Butler/PA)

As well as claiming the Derby by five lengths under Alan Munro, the Fahd Salman-owned Generous completed the English-Irish Derby double at the Curragh and landed the King George at Ascot.

In revealing his retirement plan to The Sun, Cole senior said the chestnut Generous was the “best I trained”, adding: “I looked out at a horse this morning and just thought the time has come for me to retire.

“I’ve been sharing the licence with my son Oliver since 2020, and I’m just very old now. Oliver knows what he’s doing and is more than capable.”