January 08 | February 08 | March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 |
July 07 | Aug 07 | Sept 07 | Oct 07 | Nov 07 | Dec 07 |
Mark's review of 2007
"I still want to win the Derby!" laughed Mark, not content to rest on his laurels after another successful season (training more than 888 winners to date). "It is still the number one race in the world and every trainer's ambition. I also want to win the Melbourne Cup. It is without doubt the best day's racing anywhere in the world – attended by the biggest crowd and stops both Australia and New Zealand dead for the day. Everybody watches and has an interest in the Melbourne Cup – what would we give for that to happen with the Derby again here in England! Years ago Parliament would stop for the winner to be announced in the Chamber, but now the races has been moved to the weekend and circumstances have changed. It seems to have lost its lustre somewhat.
Horses walking in from first lot this autumn
"This season we have achieved great success with 39 winners. Our horses were in the first four home an impressive 175 times this season. But as you know, I hate to be placed and my number one priority for my owners is to train them winners – and for them to be happy with all that I and the office do for them.
"One of my most satisfying winners of 2007 was Lady Pickpocket. She won a little race at Catterick in the autumn. It gave me plenty of pleasure as she was quite tricky to train at times and it was very satisfying seeing her get her head in front – not only did I train the horse, but also the jockey Saleem Golam! I also want to mention Gee Dee Nen, his three wins and consistent performance gave me great enjoyment all season as he has that determination to win and always gives his best.
"Another notable success this season was that of Topatoo. She has improved again from last year to be just touched off in a Group race at Newmarket in the spring before going on to win a Group race at York. She is now retired to stud and let's hope she can produce foals like her mother has done (all four of Topatori's progeny have now won).
"There are also those winners that have rewarded the patience of their owners – Top Tiger, Inchpast, Kinsya and Don'tcallmeginger all won this year having had long lay-offs for one reason or another. Now all I want is for Marvo to return to his winning ways next year for The Marvo Partnership.
"It is always sad to see some of the good old servants leave the yard, but I was delighted for my owners that most horses achieved substantial prices at the Horses in Training Sale, totalling nearly 400,000 gns. But I like to keep looking to the future and I think we have a tremendous lot of three-year-olds: Alan Devonshire, Mystery Star, Blimey O'Riley, Kuriyama, Indian Skipper to name a few colts and Astrodonna and Azure Mist are a couple of special fillies. And we have the most yearlings ever to take us in to 2008.
"The excitement of watching those young horses start to gallop is second to none. And my favourite part of the day has to be early morning when I am on my own with the horses up on the heath, before the phone starts ringing.
"To my new owners I would say – enjoy it! It will open up a completely new circle of friends and new places to visit all over the country. If your horse wins, it will give you the best feeling you have ever had! If it loses, you will have plenty of people to commiserate with, as it is not an exact science – and only one horse can win the race.
"At Flint Cottage Stables, we do a lot behind the scenes to try to increase our odds of having a winner, which we like to keep to ourselves, but I would say that an experienced and happy team is an important factor. Feed and forage have also got to be top-class. And extra details like using our own horseboxes with good safe drivers, who are well-organised and arrive at the races in plenty of time, can go a long way in preparing a horse for the race. We have the resources and staff, so with that extra effort and attention to detail we do our utmost to send out the winners.
"I am very ably assisted by Steve Avery and Iain Williams, who have been with me now for quite a considerable time. They know how I work and how I want things done. The feeder, Darren, is undoubtedly one of the best around and I am very fortunate to have him. He is dedicated and thorough. Billy, Judy and more recently David are the other travelling staff and they all do a fantastic job for me. And, over at Exeter Ride, we have a relatively new Head Lass in Sharon Dean (assisted by Caroline Donkin). They too are doing a good job.
"Alan and Tina continue to do a great job at Garrowby Stud, which is still expanding and which we are learning more about all the time, for example how best to use the fields and stables etc. At Dullingham Park Stud, we have a new recruit with David Woodley as Stud Groom. He has settled in well and the foaling season will soon be upon us in January. David has a team of very experienced staff under him, some of whom have been with us a very long time e.g. Tony!
"The staff at both studs are first-rate – from handling the horses to grass management, we have a very experienced team.'You only get what you put in' is a famous saying, and it is one of the most important in this industry - as well as needing that little bit of luck!
"I should also mention our yard sponsor, Russell Trew Limited. The red jackets and red rugs have increased our presence out on the heath – and our 'red arrows' seem to have developed a bit of a cult following! Nobody could have a better sponsor than us in Russell. He is a top-class man in every way. His enjoyment and enthusiasm is a joy to see and it always gives me great pleasure training him winners (Yossi and Alan Devonshire in 2007).
"I am very proud of the whole operation from top to bottom – having started all those years ago with no horses to steadily growing the business to where we are now, with two racing yards in Newmarket and the two studs. Through hard work and team work, we have built a strong base from which we are strong contenders in many aspects of the racing industry; and any challenges along the way have just increased my will to win.
"The power behind the throne has never been used better than to describe the input of my wife Angie. She never stops working and is always encouraging us all to maintain a high standard. Together we are looking forward to a bright future with the racing yards and studs – the foaling season starts soon and before we blink the two-year-olds will be doing faster work - all the time we take such pleasure in being with the potential winners of the future!"
Mark's review of Newmarket and racing in 2007
"What makes the HQ of British horseracing so special is the heath," said Mark. "It surrounds three-quarters if Newmarket. The 2,800 acres of training grounds are owned by the Jockey Club and cannot be built-on or developed. While the rest of the country has to fight to retain its green field sites and other market towns struggle with uniformity, the racing industry ensures that Newmarket retains its unique character.
Polytrack on Warren Hill, Newmarket
"It all started back in the days of King Charles II in the 1600's and it is marvellous to think that not much has changed for hundreds of years – we still stand out on Warren Hill training horses. Having said that, the facilities have been revolutionised with continuous investment over the years most notably of the all-weather gallops. Watching the Breeder's Cup this year, it was obvious that America had much to learn from our poly and equitracks. Such surfaces are enjoyed daily by horses in training in the town – all 17 miles of all-weather in addition to the 50 miles of turf tracks. The heath tax secures continuous maintenance and management of this resource for our owners – and to have such world-class facilities on our doorstep is invaluable.
Circling after exercise
"Many of the great races this season were won by Newmarket-trained horses. The Derby was won by Authorized, the St Leger was won by Lucarno (in 1993 Mark trained Bob's Return to win this Classic) and the 2,000 Guineas was won by Cockney Rebel (in 1996 Mark trained Even Top who was just touched-off in a photo finish with Mark of Esteem).
"As Chairman of the Newmarket Trainers' Federation for the seventh year, I am only too aware of the problems facing the industry – the ever-decreasing levels of prize-money and the ever-increasing costs of everything else!
"A key issue, and a possible cause of the above, is that all segments of the racing industry seem to be pulling apart rather than joining as one. It is a massive problem and there is no easy answer. There has got to be a lot of give-and-take rather than each sector, from the government downwards, looking after only their own ends. As always, we need a very strong leader who understands the game inside out. We need clear-thinkers with vision. No one person springs to mind and that is the problem. However, I was delighted to see the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, at both Newmarket races and Tattersalls earlier this year as well as David Cameron racing at Uttoxeter. Open support of the industry on all levels is great for racing.
"And then there are the issues that I have repeated here throughout the season: I would like to see less watering of the tracks and less laying of horses on the exchanges. They are simple ways to level the playing field by giving horses the chance of running on their favoured ground and doing all we can to cut out the demise of a true run race.
"For us trainers, I think the red tape is ever increasing, whether it is EU rules or health & safety issues. And another challenge is the poor work ethic of young staff. And finally, for my own sanity – less traffic on the roads would be a big bonus!
"For my owners, I would like to see an increase in the amount of prize-money and the continuation of a VAT concession. I also think that racecourses should be continuing in their quest for better facilities for owners at the races. Any new stands that are built still seem to put the Owners' and Trainers' bars out the back – lacking in quality and position. I want racing to be accessible and enjoyed by all, but the courses must remember that racehorse owners provide the entertainment and it is important to give them all a good service in return.
"We have some of the best tracks in the world – York, Chester, Newmarket, Ascot and Cheltenham. They have their own idiosyncrasies, which makes racing in this country so much more exciting that elsewhere in the world. The racecourses have great attendance figures and we are second only to football in that respect. So, we need to nurture the proper racegoers and everyone involved in the sport – not just those who stand in the beer tents all afternoon. We need some urgent improvements to racing and hopefully some may be on the horizon. I am delighted that Stephen Wallis is starting at Newmarket in 2008. He did a fantastic job at Epsom, is always approachable and polite and he is one of those rare clear-thinkers – he will do wonders for Newmarket and is one of the good appointments of the year!
"There are also some important issues for racing staff. We do our utmost to look after our staff here at Flint Cottage. We help organise anything from accommodation to social Astley Club activities. Saying that, due to the ever-increasing fixture list – someone's bright idea to help the bookies – we are continuously stretched to the limit. But I refuse to let the horse suffer as a result and we will not lower our standards because of these challenges. I am trying hard to run a business, develop the racehorses in my care and also keep an eye on the welfare of my team. In this day and age it can be a difficult balancing act.
"So, I never underestimate the progress that can be made and we in the industry must do all we can to keep things moving in the right direction. There is so much to celebrate in racing – and I will continue to look for improvements that we all can enjoy."