Vibrant atmosphere fuels hopes of another vintage campaign
The Beckhampton trainer runs the rule over his well-bred stable stars
Roger Charlton made such an impact in his first year with a licence that it comes as almost a surprise to discover that last season was his best ever – record winners, record prize-money, Decorated Knight winning his spurs with three Group 1s.
"Oh yes, I'm a better trainer these days," says Charlton, drolly. "That's because I've got three good young assistants feeding me with good ideas. I'm more optimistic and enthusiastic about what I do than I might have been a few years ago, because the home support is helpful."
The rejuvenated Charlton – borne upwards on the backs of Cityscape, Al Kazeem and Decorated Knight – has expanded historic Beckhampton, gained a number of new owners, can count on more two-year-olds than ever before, and although there is no stand-out superstar in the yard at present there is fertile ground aplenty from which to unearth the next one.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inStable Tours
Last updated
- 'We hope he's a Triumph Hurdle horse, so until he tells us otherwise we'll be aiming him that way'
- 'He could make it right to the very top over fences’ - Willie Mullins’ exclusive horse-by-horse guide to his extraordinary team
- 'He's bigger, stronger, definitely getting better - and he'll be a classy horse going back into handicaps'
- 'Our novice chasers are as good as anyone's in Britain - and this one is a proper horse'
- 'Having a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last season made a big difference - and this might be one for the same race'
- 'We hope he's a Triumph Hurdle horse, so until he tells us otherwise we'll be aiming him that way'
- 'He could make it right to the very top over fences’ - Willie Mullins’ exclusive horse-by-horse guide to his extraordinary team
- 'He's bigger, stronger, definitely getting better - and he'll be a classy horse going back into handicaps'
- 'Our novice chasers are as good as anyone's in Britain - and this one is a proper horse'
- 'Having a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last season made a big difference - and this might be one for the same race'