Trainers Hugo Palmer and Ralph Beckett are set to join the coveted roster of European trainers who train for Prince Khalid Abdullah. The new year will see the pair join an illustrious band that includes John Gosden, Sir Michael Stoute, Dermot Weld, Roger Charlton, Andre Fabre, Criquette Head-Maarek and Charlie Hills as trainers for the Saudi owner/breeder, whose Juddmonte colors have been carried so successfully around the world by the likes of Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Oasis Dream (GB) (Green Desert) and Dancing Brave (Lyphard) to name but a few.
Confirming the news Lord Grimthorpe, Abdullah's racing manager said, “It's very good news. They are two young, exciting trainers. The number of horses they will have for us has to be decided, but it will be half a dozen or so.”
Both new trainers enjoyed Classic success with fillies this year–Beckett with Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) in the G1 St Leger and G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S.–and Palmer with Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), victress of the G1 Darley Irish Oaks and the G1 Prix de l'Opera. For Palmer, it was his most successful year to date, with 34 winners.
Palmer told The Racing Post, “It's a great thrill for everyone at Kremlin Cottage to receive the backing of Juddmonte. I don't know about numbers yet, but I believe they will arrive in the coming days.”
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