NOVEMBER & DECEMBER REVIEW
We enjoyed an exceptional 2024, a record tally of winners helping us pass the £5 million prize-money mark for the first time, and ensuring we finished runner-up in the Trainers’ Championship, over £1 million clear of third place.
A quiet end to the year saw us record five winners in November/December, though there was a notable Listed success for The Foxes, who made all to win in impressive fashion under Oisin Murphy in the Churchill Stakes at Newcastle, beating Group 1 winner Dubai Honour into second.
That performance encouraged us to head for the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup in December and he ran a fine race in defeat from a tricky draw, finishing a staying-on fourth behind the exceptional Romantic Warrior. It has been fantastic to see him back on track and we look forward to him as a five year old in 2025.
Royal Approval made a winning return from six months off with a taking display at Newcastle under Jason Watson, building on his sole previous outing, in a hot maiden at Sandown Park in June. The form of his win has already been franked and there should be plenty more to come from the son of Cracksman.
The progressive Sun Dancer Girl recorded her fourth win of 2024 with a ready success at Lingfield Park in the hands of Callum Hutchinson, and has since run with credit off her new mark. She is tough and looks sure to continue to acquit herself well.
Grenham Bay has been a model of consistency in recent months and he gained his reward with a win at Kempton Park, with Jason Watson on board. The first-time blinkers clearly had a positive effect and he has shown in the past he can win off his adjusted mark, so hopefully he can make a bold bid to follow up next time.
Always Waving made it third time lucky when scoring in good style at Southwell under David Probert. Her opening mark looks fair and there should be more to come over middle distances in the year ahead.