There are around 70 trainers operating in and around the ever-evolving, hugely competitive environment of Newmarket.
In the week that ten-times champion Sir Michael Stoute announced he was on the cusp of retirement at 78, at the conclusion of a 52-year career, it is inevitable that one should consider whether his like will be seen again.
One suspects not. Yet, in this world of numerous upwardly mobile individuals - from ex-jockeys to former assistants of leading trainers, or to their offspring - all jousting for success, if ever a young man appears destined to, at very least, add his name to the list of distinguished residents of the town’s Kremlin House Stables it is a 38-year-old who may not be quite in clover yet, but certainly bears an apposite name.
Tom Clover was not a beneficiary of a family connection, like a number of his contemporaries, but providence has conspired to bring him to this historic yard after meeting and marrying Jackie, the daughter of one of the town’s finest exponents of the trainer’s art, Michael Jarvis, who was based here for 35 years.
Coincidentally, we talk the day before Clover’s Rogue Lightning contests a Group 3 sprint at Longchamp, scene of Jackie’s late father’s 1989 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success with Carroll House. In the event, Clover’s charge would go down by two short heads behind the shock winner Pradaro.
“I thought he ran a solid race,” is the trainer’s verdict. “He’s come out of the race well and we’ll either head back for the Prix de l’Abbaye (in which he was fifth last year, but only beaten just over a length) or run in the Rous Stakes at Ascot.”
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree