'I'm not big on watching races, but I looked up, lit a cigarette and enjoyed it'
The trainer on his remarkable run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas 25 years ago
Some trainers have to wait forever and a day to unearth their horse of a lifetime, but Peter Chapple-Hyam did not have to hold out long to greet the plethora of star performers who would ignite his career.
In one of the most phenomenal beginnings to any training vocation, the then 28-year-old took over from Barry Hills at Robert Sangster's Manton estate in 1991 and sent out two Group 1 winners in his first season, Dr Devious and Rodrigo De Triano.
The former would go on to land the following season's Derby and Irish Champion Stakes, while the latter ended the campaign as European champion three-year-old colt, sparked by landing the Newmarket-Curragh Guineas double.
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- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard