Newmarket trainer John Gosden has enjoyed a stellar Flat season this term which has enabled him to notch a third UK Champion Flat Trainer title – his two previous titles came in 2012 and 2015.
John Gosden (photo: Investec)
Gosden has a litany of talent at his disposal with superstars including Enable, Cracksman, Stradivarius, Roaring Lion, Too Darn Hot and Lah Ti Dar at Clarehaven Stables, but it is testament to the trainer’s expert handling of top-class horses that his team of stars have shone on the biggest stages this season.
Stradivarius has been one of Gosden’s leading lights with five wins from as many starts this season. The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars plundered the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million initiative following victories in the G2 Yorkshire Cup, G1 Gold Cup, G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup and G2 Lonsdale Cup. He maintained his unbeaten record when taking today’s G1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.
The Qatar Racing Limited-owned Roaring Lion has stamped his mark on the 10-furlong division with four impressive performances for Gosden and jockey Oisin Murphy.
The three-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy followed up a facile success in the Gr2 Dante Stakes at York in May with a good third in the Investec Derby over 12 furlongs at Epsom in June. Back to 10 furlongs, he has since defeated top-class fields in the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse, the Gr1 Juddmonte International and the G1 Irish Champion Stakes.
On Saturday, Roaring Lion dropped down to a mile to capture the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored By QIPCO.
Cracksman repeated his victory of 12 months’ ago to take the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes and was equally impressive in winning by six lengths.
Gosden saddled Without Parole to victory in the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, while exciting juvenile Too Darn Hot extended his unbeaten record to four victories in as many starts with the recent dazzling display in the Gr1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
He has done well overseas too, thanks to his masterful handling of the marvellous Enable who became the third filly to win two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes with a thrilling success under Frankie Dettori at Longchamp, France earlier this month.
Gosden finished QIPCO British Champions Day with total prize money of £8,240,761.25, over £2 million clear of his closest rival and defending champion Aidan O’Brien (£6,108,078.02).
This means Gosden cannot be caught in the trainer’s championship and he was presented with his trophy today by Aidan O’Brien.
