Horse Racing

Champion Flat Trainer 2010 Odds & Candidates

The British flat racing season is almost over and the competition for the title of British Champion Flat Trainer is becoming increasingly heated. This sought after title is awarded annually and brings with it serious credit amongst horse racing professionals. It is also the ultimate recognition of a trainers outstanding professional ability, making it one of the most prestigious titles of the racing world.
Bookmaker William Hill offers antepost odds on the three front runners in the Champion Trainer contest:

Richard Hannon, based at the East Everleigh Stables in Marlborough, Wiltshire, is no stranger to the honour of Champion Trainer. In 1992 he was awarded the coveted title after a great season including wins in the July Cup, with Mr Brooks, the Nunthorpe Stakes, with Lyric Fantasy, and the Cork and Orrery Stakes, with Shalford. Hannon is a true veteran of the sport, starting to train thoroughbreds independently in 1970 and seemingly training winner after winner ever since. The 2009/10 UK Flat Season has been a particularly triumphant ride for Hannon, who has thus far collected 161 victories, 131 runners-up and 96 third placing horses. Some of his greatest successes this year include Zebedee, Martyr and Canford Cliffs, all of whom have impresses spectators and punters throughout the season.

Sir Michael Stoute – knighted in 1998 for services to tourism in his native Barbados – has little but a pitying grin for rival Richard Hannon’s previous Champion Trainer title. Sir Michael has held the prestigious title ten times, in 1981, 1986, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009. This year, Sir Michael has his sight set on title number eleven, his second consecutive collection of the honour. He is the most successful trainer at the Yorkshire Oaks, having trained nine winners of the event between 1978 and 2004. He holds the same status in the Nassau Stakes and the Lockinge Stakes, at seven winners each. The 2009/10 season has been a comparatively slow one for this prodigious horse racing professional; out of 315 starts, Sir Michael collected 49 wins, 58 second and 45 third places.

Aidan O’Brien, head of the legendary Ballydoyle stables, is also still in the running for the title, despite a slightly disappointing season. Competing in only 66 races this season with various spectacular contenders, like Fame And Glory or Steinbeck, O’Brien’s banked seven wins, nine runner-ups and three third places. O’Brien has proved his ability as a trainer for years, training the most winners in history (8) at the Irish Derby, the Irish 2,000 Guineas Stakes (6), the Irish Champion Stakes (5) and the Moyglare Stud Stakes (4).

If you would like to back one of these outstanding horse racing professionals before the season is out, visit William Hill for great odds and convenient online betting on this event and many more. Horse Racing UK wishes you great success for the rest of the flat season!