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John Oxx gains Skitter Scatter as Prendergast joins forces with training legend

John Oxx: “It is not an ideal situation but we are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.'
John Oxx with Mick Kinane and owner Christopher Tsui (right) after Sea The Stars had won the Arc in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

Dual Epsom Derby-winning trainer John Oxx will once again have a Classic contender in his care following the shock development that will see Patrick Prendergast forfeit his licence and eschew his formal role as handler of leading Qipco 1,000 Guineas contender Skitter Scatter.

Prendergast has established himself as a capable and respected trainer, saddling 136 Flat winners and a further seven over jumps since starting out in 2002.

However, when his licences expires at the end of February, he and his string of around 30 horses will join Oxx's Currabeg yard, which is adjacent to his existing Melitta Lodge Stables on the racecourse side of the Curragh. It is a merger that will provide Oxx with a welcome increase in numbers, including the Group 1-winning Skitter Scatter.

Prendergast, 44, provided one of the highlights of the 2018 Flat season when Anthony and Sonia Rogers' homebred Scat Daddy filly ran out a decisive winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes to record his first Group 1 success. She is a general 14-1 joint favourite for the Newmarket Classic with some firms.

Having also signed off for 2018 with a career-best 21 wins and been awarded Horse Racing Ireland's Flat Achievement of the Year award, Prendergast's career appeared to be on a distinct upward curve.

Patrick Prendergast: paid tribute to his late aunt Lesley
Patrick Prendergast: joining forces with John OxxCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

That narrative will be at least stalled for now. Prendergast did not have the scope to expand at Melitta Lodge, so the decision was made to join forces with Oxx, 68, for the 2019 campaign.

In contrast to Prendergast – a nephew of fellow Curragh trainer Kevin Prendergast – Oxx, who masterminded Sea The Stars' exceptional unbeaten Classic campaign in 2009, endured his worst season in 30 years last term when recording just nine winners.

His yard has been operating at less than 50 per cent of its 120 capacity in recent years, and the multiple Classic-winning trainer views the arrangement as a mutually beneficial one that will help him to compete at a meaningful level once more, with some of Prendergast's staff also due to make the transfer.

"It is a bit unusual I suppose but it suits both of us at this time," Oxx replied when asked about a development that ultimately sees one trainer eschewing the opportunity to etch his name on the Classic roll of honour.

"I have the space and Patrick doesn't, so we can combine. He is anxious to do it and we are very happy for him to join up with us, and it brings us up past the critical number that this place needs. We haven’t had that for some years.

"It’s a big place here so it needs a critical number of horses to support the core staff levels I have to have, whether I am training 30 horses or 150, so it has a big positive effect on us.

"Also, Patrick has some nice horses this year, maybe better than he has had the chance to work with previously, so we are delighted about that as well. It's a very positive thing for us and we are delighted about it."

Oxx rejected any suggestion that the venture could be interpreted as a succession plan. Moreover, while joint training partnerships are possible in other countries, they are not legislated for in Ireland or Britain and it was not something that was discussed by Oxx and Prendergast.

"The horses are coming here to Currabeg and I will be the trainer," Oxx explained. "Patrick will be working with me and putting me wise as to his horses until I get to know them, so it is a pretty straightforward arrangement."

Prendergast could not be contacted for comment, but he told The Irish Field: "Very little will change for Skitter Scatter. She will work on the same gallops she has always worked on, she will be ridden by the same jockey, Ronan Whelan. The only difference is that there will be an extra set of eyes on her. That those eyes below to John Oxx is an obvious benefit."


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Richard ForristalIreland editor

Published on 11 January 2019inNews

Last updated 16:31, 11 January 2019

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