Trainer Charlie Fellowes buys historic Bedford House Stables from Luca Cumani

Charlie Fellowes is to take up residency at the historic Bedford House Stables in Newmarket after purchasing the yard from Luca Cumani, who retired last November after 43 years.

The 32-year-old, who is currently based at St Gatien Cottage Stables in the centre of Newmarket, enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 led by the globetrotting Prince Of Arran, who won the Lexus Stakes before finishing third in the Melbourne Cup three days later.

Fellowes said: "It's been one of the worst kept secrets in Newmarket but it's a really exciting move for me and my owners.

"Last year was our best in terms of global prize-money as we won over £1 million. Prince Of Arran’s performances in Australia were amazing, but we also had three Listed-winning fillies and Escalator, who recently won in Dubai.

"I need somewhere to expand my business, so when Bedford House came on the market I saw it as too good an opportunity to turn down and I really can’t wait to get started."

Luca Cumani: retired at the end of last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cumani sent out two Derby winners in Kahyasi and High-Rise, amongst a host of big-race scorers, from Bedford House Stables, and Fellowes thanked the outgoing trainer for his help during the sale.

"It really is such an honour to be able to train out of one of the most prestigious and beautiful yards in the country," he said. "I cannot thank Luca and Sara Cumani enough for how helpful they've been during the whole process. If I can train half as many Derby winners as Luca I'll be doing really well."

Cumani's wife Sara gave her congratulations to the new owner, saying: "It's been one of the worst kept secrets in Newmarket, but fair play to Charlie and we hope the yard is as lucky for him as it's been for us.

"We are set to move into the house at Fittocks Stud after that and good luck to the new owners."

Fellowes plans to begin moving his horses across town after next week's Craven meeting, and added: "Obviously this is a big but exciting move for my whole team and it could not have happened without the help of my wife Vikki and my family.

"I will be forever grateful for the support they show me on a daily basis and I look forward to beginning this new chapter of my training career.”

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