Chris Richardson

Connections of Sacred (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) have decided against a tilt at the Breeders' Cup for the 3-year-old filly, and she has headed into winter quarters at Cheveley Park Stud ahead of a planned 4-year-old campaign. Sacred, second in a trio of key juvenile events in 2020 for trainer William Haggas in the G2 Queen Mary S., G2 Lowther S. and G2 Flying Childers S., won the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and the G2 Hungerford S. this season over seven furlongs. On her only other run, she was...

Cheveley Park Stud homebred Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is being pointed at the G1 Commonwealth Cup S. at Royal Ascot. Runner-up in a trio of Group 2 events in 2020, the William Haggas charge captured the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. at Newmarket on Apr. 14, but tired to seventh in the May 2 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas when last seen. "That [Commonwealth Cup] is the wish at this point in time," said Cheveley Park Stud Managing Director Chris Richardson. "We thought that she didn't stay in...

David Thompson CBE, the owner with his wife Patricia of Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, died on Dec. 29 from renal failure at the age of 84. A proudly patriotic man whose numerous successful racehorses sported the stud's red, white and blue colours, Thompson's significant involvement in British racing and breeding began in 1975 with his purchase of Newmarket's oldest stud farm, which was then in receivership. That same year Music Boy (GB), trained initially in Yorkshire by 'Snowy' Wainwright, became the Thompsons' first Group winner, in partnership with Ken...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? CR: I find it hard to select just one person as my career has been shaped and influenced by a number of people however, the first person would be my brother, Tim, (along with his wife, Mimi), who encouraged me the most when he suggested I join him in France during my school holidays in the early 1970s.  At the time, Tim was managing the Haras de la Verrerie for Monsieur Elie de Brignac in Normandy. Tim later offered...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career? JD: As a child growing up, I never had any interest in running a stud farm, but I've always loved riding horses, especially hunting and cross country.  My first inspiration was my Grandfather, Gar Barker. He was a legendary figure on the hunting field and a wonderful horseman. He only rode Thoroughbreds and they'd all be beautifully behaved. He'd ride them on the end of the buckle and with the lightest of touches. I always wanted to ride like that. Later...

In the latest installment of his Under The Radar series, Tom Frary looks at Cheveley Park Stud's 'TDN Rising Star' Cabaletta. CABALETTA (GB), f, 3, Mastercraftsman (Ire)--Allegretto (Ire) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 14f+, Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 13 1/2 f+, G1SW-Fr, MGSW & MG1SP-Eng, $962,172), by Galileo (Ire). Trained by Roger Varian, Cabaletta promises to be the best progeny so far out of the operation's G1 Prix Royal-Oak, G2 Goodwood Cup and G2 Park Hill S. heroine Allegretto. Grey like her illustrious relatives Last Second...