Cunningham hits his half-century with a spot of winter sun

Rebel Racing supremo Phil Cunningham recently hit a significant landmark when celebrating his 50th birthday on New Year's Day alongside all racehorses across the globe. After first enjoying horseracing as a punter 30 years ago, Cunningham now owns more than 65 horses in training spread across two Newmarket yards, including the prestigious Sefton Lodge Stables.

Typically, Cunningham celebrated his half-century on holiday with his family in Florida for Christmas and new year where, according to his daughter Lauren, he was to be found on the beach in Miami reading either the Racing Post or a sales catalogue.

The Essex native has quickly grown his dedication to the sport over the past three decades and has been able to turn his hobby into a business. He realised one of his lifelong ambitions when Rajasinghe won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2017.