Prize-money totals prove Burke's is no one-horse yard

At the start of the year it would have been easy to regard the Karl Burke stable as a one-horse yard.

The Commonwealth Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup winner Quiet Reflection had contributed nearly half the £1.2 million his yard won in 2016 and her absence through much of 2017 was sure to leave a big hole.

Yet Burke quietly strengthened over the winter and in the process of bringing stable numbers up to 132, from 96 last year, there was an injection of 48 two-year-olds.

How they have responded for Burke, who has two more Group 1 winners at Spigot Lodge alongside Quiet Reflection, with a host of talented youngsters who have contributed half of this year's near £1 million haul.

Group 3 and Listed winner Havana Grey has been one of the stalwarts for Karl Burke this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Havana Grey has delivered victories in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes and two Listed wins, Unfortunately won the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin and Group 1 Prix Morny, Raydiance won a Listed prize at Ascot on King George day and now Laurens has followed success in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes by making all the running to land the Group 1 Fillies' Mile.

ON THE UP
Karl Burke's prize-money total for the past five years

2017 £969,663
2016 £1,196,801
2015 £644,287
2014 £723,373
2013 £115,022

And with a few weeks of the season to go there is still a chance for one last hurrah from Quiet Reflection, set to contest next weekend's Qipco British Champions Sprint before she is due in the sales ring.

At the start of the year Burke drew criticism for dropping the popular Dougie Costello, despite his record on Quiet Reflection, as stable jockey but he said he had to do what was best for his owners.

With the strength in depth the trainer has developed among his horses, those patrons have all the more reason to trust his judgement.

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