Michael has now completed his 19th season as a trainer and is closing in on his 900 winner mark. Amongst those, his most prestigious was Motivator’s victory in the 2005 Epsom Derby and together with more than sixty stakes winners, he has won his owners over £12 million in prize money.
2007 was another solid year with Group wins from Red Evie (twice), Regime and Hoh Mike. The highlight was Red Evie’s win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury but it was still not the season’s most valuable prize. The Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, won by Juniper Girl was worth £125,000 to the winner. She was given a wonderful ride by stable apprentice, Luke Morris. A winner at Royal Ascot is always welcome and Eddie Jock flew the flag for the yard when he won the Britannia Handicap to the delight of his owners, Colin and Moria Gershinson, and all those that backed him at 33-1.
We have much to look forward to in 2008 with our biggest ever number of horses. We have a particularly strong pool of older horses, with the likes of Regime, Hoh Mike, Highland Legacy and Montrachet being potential big winners. The three year olds are headed by several dark horses with Redford, Red Linnet, Dancing Abbie, Just Like a Woman and Summers Lease being ones to keep an eye on.
There is also an exciting crop of untapped two year old talent to draw on, so hopefully 2008 should be another successful year for all at Fitzroy House.
