77 2021 LEADING TRAINER - RACES WON
Having built up a good early lead, it was soon evident that James Owen was on course for a fifth trainers title, despite a late rally from Phil Collington in the second half of the season, and some fine efforts from the Pete Hammersley team. Owen capitalised on the Shadwell lease agreements, bringing Al Kaaser, Al Mahbooba, Awtaar and Balqees into his stable, and though all were placed, none made it into the winner’s circle this term. With Shadwell as his main patron, and their subsequent cutting back of numbers for 2022, he may find that next season, his nearest rival Phil Collington reclaims the title he last won in 2018. Collington certainly has cultivated a more diverse ownership base in recent years, and though also retains the support of Shadwell, the strength of the Athbah team and the recent success for his new Qatari owner Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah should stand him in good stead for 2022. He has also maintained his relationships with smaller domestic owner breeders such as Nicki Thorne, and also
John Elliott and Teresa Kinsey for whom he trained his first ever winner, Hau Kola back in 2016. In third place was Pete Hammersley. His horses were reliable yardsticks all year, and in a normal season with more opportunities, likeable performers such as Al-Tabari and Abiyah Athbah would surely have won again. Zayin Zyperion proved that his placed performances of 2020 would indeed lead to not one, but two wins and it was undoubtedly a great performance to get Bin Al Reeh off the mark at last. Though it was no surprise to learn that that particular character will be racing as a gelding next season. It was also encouraging to see Nikki Malcolm back in the winners’ enclosure, this time with Stride Ahead Racing’s Falcon Du Roc’h, bred by Nicki Thorne. Whilst Steve Blackwell and Jen Harris must be commended for their perseverance with horses that in a regular season without a top-heavy Shadwell bias, would surely have been successful.
THE ARABIAN RACEHORSE
