Josh Stacey's Horses to follow
As we prepare for the season at Prestbury Park, I’d like to express my gratitude to the Jockey Club and introduce myself to you, the esteemed members of Cheltenham Racecourse.
It’s an honour to represent this iconic venue, home to some of the finest racing in the world. I’m especially excited to engage with younger racing fans who share my passion for the thrill of Cheltenham.
As the saying goes, "With great power comes great responsibility," and it’s important that our relationship starts on the right foot—perhaps with a winner or two to set the tone!
I’ve been working hard over the summer, searching for horses that could make a splash in their respective divisions. That research, along with visits to many top yards over the past few weeks, gives me confidence that the following names are ones you’ll want to keep an eye on this season.
Although Dan Skelton has flirted with greatness in previous seasons, the Warwickshire-based trainer truly arrived at the top level during the 2023/24 campaign. Finishing between Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls in the British Trainers' Championship was a remarkable achievement and a clear sign that the yard has made tremendous progress.
It was undoubtedly a breakthrough, but four Cheltenham Festival victories have raised the bar even higher. Dan will now be aiming to cement his place as the country’s leading jumps trainer in the 2024/25 season.
Valgrand, a five-year-old hurdler, could be an ideal candidate to contribute significantly to Lodge Hill’s title bid. First seen finishing second in a bumper at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting in 2023, Valgrand went on to place fourth in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree’s Grand National Festival before winning two novice hurdles in fine style. In my opinion, those achievements, combined with a nimble jumping technique, warrant a handicap mark well beyond 118 OR.
I take great satisfaction in knowing that the team at Dan Skelton's yard believe he's good enough to compete at graded level. Let It Rain and Country Mile are also novices of particular interest for hurdling next season. Let It Rain, in particular, could emerge as a leading contender for the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March. If that happens, you’ll likely find me enjoying a pint of the black stuff in my favourite Arkle bar.
One of the more established horses I’m keen to keep onside is the Paul Nicholls-trained Inthewaterside, who is set to embark on a novice chasing campaign. He matured with each run last season, has the size to excel when chasing, and could become a top-class three-mile chaser typical of the quality that Ditcheat is renowned for producing. He’s one I’m looking at for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Sauvignon, a French recruit for the same yard and Johnny de la Hey, is also expected to be a leading British juvenile hurdler.
Nicky Henderson will be eager to prove to both Dan and Paul that he’s still very much in the title conversation. Centreofattention, the winner of a strong Wincanton bumper in January, is a horse to watch beyond the established stars at Seven Barrows. With his considerable tactical speed and the promising young recruits we've seen from the stable, he’s my idea of the Nicky Henderson contender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
If you’re a fan of the Let’s Talk Racing Podcast, you’ll be well aware of my slight obsession with finding the next superstar, usually before they’ve contested a race under rules. Fortunately, being a creature of habit, I believe I’ve found the next Grade 1 novice for Willie Mullins.
That prospect comes in the shape of Kopek Des Bordes, a four-year-old gelding who has raced just once. That debut resulted in an easy win at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, where he defeated a promising recruit from Nigel Twiston-Davies with ease. Although Willie considered entering him in the Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival, he opted against it due to the horse’s age.
With another summer under his belt and time to mature physically, Kopek Des Bordes could follow in the footsteps of Ballyburn, who, despite not contesting the Champion Bumper the season before, became the standout force over hurdles.
Stablemates Charlus, Murcia, and Willy de Houelle are juveniles to be very excited about, especially the latter.
Staying in Ireland but moving away from Closutton, Son Of Anarchy is a point-to-point recruit that Gordon Elliott believes has considerable potential.
Owned by JP McManus, he is expected to make a significant impact. Additionally, Kilgame, a €300,000 French recruit for Henry de Bromhead in the colours of Robcour, has the potential to reach great heights if he can replicate or improve upon his French form behind King Conti.