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Feed Balancers and Quality Horse Feeds
TOPSPEC TRAINER OF THE QUARTER
KARL BURKE The TopSpec Trainer of the Quarter award has been won by Karl Burke. Burke and his team will receive £1,000 worth of TopSpec feed, supplements and additives as well as a consultation with one of their senior nutritionists. Lissa Oliver arl Burke took out his licence in 1991 and trains from the historic Spigot Lodge in Middleham, Yorkshire, from where the famous Derby winner The Flying Dutchman was sent out in 1849. With a team that includes wife Elaine and daughters Kelly and Lucy, the Classic winning tradition continued under Burke when Laurens landed the 2018 Prix De Diane. His first Royal Ascot winner came with the filly Quiet Reflection in the 2016 Gr. 1 Commonwealth Cup, but it’s safe to say the 2022 meeting has been just as
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TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 78
Eclipse Sportswire
memorable—Burke saddling two winners, one of whom, quite remarkably, was winning on debut. The last horse to win on debut at Royal Ascot was Dazzle in 1996. To put the first time out Listed Chesham Stakes victory of Holloway Boy in context, Derby winner Masar came into the 2017 race with a win already to his name, only to finish third. “We would have been delighted if he’d finished fifth or sixth,” Burke admits. “While his win was a nice surprise, it was not a shock, as we’ve always thought he’s a very nice type.”
ABOVE: Holloway Boy ridden by Danny Tudhope wins the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on his racecourse debut for trainer Karl Burke.
Holloway Boy is owned by Nick White and Burke’s wife Elaine. “We bought him out of the Cheveley Park consignment at Tattersalls Book 2 for £60,000. I trained his full-sister Oppressive for Cheveley Park and thought a lot of her, but unfortunately she injured a tendon and retired before achieving her potential. “When I saw him, I thought he was a better stamp of a horse than Oppressive;