With the Flat racing season now up and running we’re taking a look at some trainers to follow as the major action unfolds across the summer months.
The Flat racing season is set to take over the mantle as the evenings lengthen and summer beckons. The first Classics at Newmarket are on the horizon and, from there, onwards to the likes of Epsom, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York as a host of fascinating storylines intertwine.
Ten Trainers Set for a Big Season
Aidan O’Brien
The master of Ballydoyle will be the one to beat at all the major festivals in Britain and Ireland. O’Brien’s track record and depth of talent is second to none, with his Co Tipperary yard home to some of the biggest established stars and brightest young prospects.
O’Brien has won just about every major prize on offer and in 2024 he was crowned leading trainer at Royal Ascot for the 13th time in his career.
Star stayer Kyprios is expected to dominate in that division and go for a third Gold Cup at Ascot, while last season’s star juvenile The Lion In Winter may lead his Classic team.
John & Thady Gosden
The Gosden team will remain key to the Flat scene in the UK, with the father & son partnership at Clarehaven housing a host of talented equine stars. John Gosden has more than 3000 winners on his CV and is now joined on the license by son Thady.
They have already teamed up for many Group 1 successes across the world including the Ascot Gold Cup with Courage Mon Ami in 2023.
Field Of Gold could represent their team in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, while stellar performer Audience will have major targets across the summer.
William Haggas
The Newmarket-based handler is already up and running after securing a record-breaking Lincoln win at Doncaster on the opening day of the Flat season. Haggas is sure to have plenty more ammunition to come as he seeks to provide more star quality following his overseeing of Baaeed’s outstanding racing career.
Crown Of Oaks is amongst his promising three-year-olds, while Maljoom and Hamish are amongst his established stars.
Charlie Appleby
The top dog in the Godolphin operation, Appleby is the man charged with overseeing the best recruits in the all-blue silks. He has won the Derby at Epsom twice, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket twice and the St Leger at Doncaster – all since 2018.
Appleby will be hoping Ruling Court has big races in him this season, he’s entered in the Guineas at Newmarket and the Epsom Derby, while Ancient Wisdom and Notable Speech are amongst his established stars.
Richard Hannon
Richard Hannon Jr took over from his father more than a decade ago and has gone on to enjoy more than 1000 winners on the Flat. He hit the ground running when Night Of Thunder won the 2000 Guineas and he gained further first-season wins at the top level with Olympic Glory in both the Lockinge Stakes and the Prix de la Foret.
Lightly-raced Group 1 winner Rosallion is set to be amongst his leading lights in 2025, while he also has high hopes for King Of Cities in the same Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum silks.
Joseph O’Brien
Regally bred, Joseph O’Brien enjoyed much success as a rider for his father, Aidan, before taking to the training ranks in his own right and he’s now firmly established both on the Flat and over jumps, with a Melbourne Cup and Breeders’ Cup win alongside some major Group 1s in Britain and Ireland.
Apples And Bananas and Tennessee Stud are amongst his three-year-olds with scope for better while Al Riffa and Galen are more established for the Piltown trainer.
Ralph Beckett
Kimpton Down has been home to the thoroughbred racehorse for over a century and since late 2010 has been in the care of Ralph Beckett, winner of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking, the Irish Oaks with You Got To Me and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint courtesy of Starlust.
Beckett regularly has his horses in the upper echelons at the major British Flat racing festivals and his promising three-year-old team includes Sandtrap, Cathedral and Chantilly Lace for 2025.
Andrew Balding
Andrew Balding became the licensed trainer at Kingsclere in 2003, when he succeeded his father Ian. His training career got off to a perfect start when he saddled Casual Look to win the 2003 Epsom Oaks and since then the yard has gone from strength to strength, increasing in both size and quality. He has won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket twice since 2020, with Kameko and Chaldean.
New Century, a son of Kameko, was a very promising youngster last season and could have plenty more to come in his Classic season.
Karl Burke
Karl Burke is based at Spigot Lodge, a yard steeped in racing history and named after the 1821 St Leger winner Jack Spigot. From small beginnings, Burke has developed into one of the top trainers in the north of England and he continues to thrive.
Fallen Angel threatened in Group 1 company last season and the filly could have more to offer in 2025, while Ayr novice winner Last Galileo is another seemingly with a bright future and some big-race entries.
Charlie Johnston
Charlie Johnson has now assumed the role as trainer at Middleham Stables, succeeding his father, Mark. The yard has managed to send out more than 100 British winners in every one of the last 30 years. Green Storm, second in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last term, and Lazy Griff are two of his three-year-olds with more to come this season.
What Makes A Trainer Worth Following
There are plenty of factors to consider when assessing which trainers to follow. Past performances are a good place to start, with a proven track record of consistent big-race success a key indicator.
It’s always worth investigating the recent win percentage of the yard, with anything close to 20 percent representing a stable well and truly in form. Further, the ability to hold form consistently across the season is key, while research will also give a good indication for what times in the season certain yards tend to do best.
While plenty of yards have a stable jockey, it’s also worth visiting the success-rate trainers have in tandem with certain riders, as that can be a clue to when a horse may run well.
Trainer-Jockey Combinations
Certain trainer-jockey combinations are worth following. The most obvious example on the Flat would be Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, who is considered the best jockey in action currently. When Moore is deployed by other trainers, their records together can be tell-tale.
William Haggas and Tom Marquand are often a potent partnership at major UK meetings, while Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding have teamed up to excellent effect. Also in Ireland, the Ger Lyons and Colin Keane pairing are always to be closely watched.