Flat review 2026
Six year old Rumstar has three Group 3 wins and a Listed to his name and starts the year off a rating of 110. He might be hard to place this season but I dare say we will be tempted by a Group 1 entry again. 7 year old Two Tempting started the year off in good style with a narrow defeat on New Year’s Day in a £50k handicap and a month later picked up some very well deserved black type finishing 3rd in the £60k Listed Tandridge Stakes back at Southwell. His younger brother Newfangled seems to thrive on his racing so hopefully he can cope with his higher rating of 75 now. His older brother Sweet Reward has reverted to trainer ownership and I expect he will have a slightly easier life now aged 9. Thunderous Love is another to have a career high rating to contend with on the back of her 5 wins in 2025. 8 year old Way Of Life has come back from a winter break looking well and hopefully has another win in him.
Two four year olds we are particularly looking forward to are Bulletin and John T. Bulletin will try his hand in 12f handicaps and is currently rated 84. John T has come back from a winter break looking bigger and stronger and could be fun over similar distance or further. Personal Best could have more to offer in staying races.
We never seem to be overly strong in the three year olds division but a few standouts seem to be Twilight Glow, Box Clever and Brisk Symphony. Twilight Glow was only a baby last year but still finished 2nd at Newbury. He has grown nicely over the winter and could shine at 6/7f. Box Clever won in spite of being clearly on the weak side but has now also strengthened up and will try 7f races.Brisk Symphony was tried unsuccessfully at Listed level before her break but only because we like her. Fast ground and 6/7f should suit her. Gorey Gold has had a good winter and clearly has some ability but might just have found his level with a rating of 85. A chance could be taken on the 56 rated Takeitorleaveit improving from 2 to three years old. We have a new recruit in 75 rated sprinter Campenaerts. Hard I dare say to improve one from the Archie Watson stable but he has had a well earned break and the change of regime could agree with him.
We look to have have close on 25 two year olds and they are still very much going through the sorting process. Amongst the colts, Just Zain (Hello Youmzain) and Prince Lucifer (A’Ali) could be earlier types. Two that could come to the fore later in the summer are Sultan Hamid (Showcasing) and Time To Spare (Without Parole). From the fillies there are potential early types in Holliesthedollie (A’Ali), Past Passion (Lope Y Fernandez), x Second Star (Kameko) and Clear Horizon (Without Parole). I’d be keeping a close eye on Forever Faithfull (Caturra) early summer as she has always had a hint of quality. Caturra looks to be the only first season sire we currently have representatives for and all three of those do look racy. It is always nice to keep a connection with former stable star Mrs Danvers and we have her half sister (Lope Y Fernandez). The average yearling price spent this time is £12k So we know where we stand but to spice things up there is an exception to that in the £170k filly Bintwillsea (Nathaniel) kindly sent to us by Salhia Stud Ltd.
Our staffing is very much the same team as last year which is great as everyone made such a significant contribution to achieving our best ever season. On the back of that we have welcomed one or two new owners to the stable and that feels a very positive step.
