It has been an exciting start to the 2024 British Flat season. We have seen four of the opening British Classics, and with big meetings such as Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and British Champions Day still to come, it is all to play for.
Here is a look at who are the leading contenders for the British Trainers’ Championship in 2024.
Aidan O’Brien
The 2023/24 British National Hunt Trainers’ Championship was won by an Irish-based trainer last season, as Willie Mullins was able to seal the top prize after landing the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National and Scottish Grand National. Aidan O’Brien could be set to make it a clean sweep for Ireland with the Flat title later this year.
An absolute genius ✨
Aidan O’Brien bags a record 10th Derby win with City of Troy!@EpsomRacecourse | @coolmorestud | @itvracing pic.twitter.com/qs0YSSFPcK
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) June 1, 2024
O’Brien claimed his 10th Derby success when City Of Troy proved far too good for his rivals in the Epsom feature. 24 hours earlier, he also won the Coronation Cup with talented four-year-old Luxembourg.
The Ballydoyle trainer has been crowned the British Trainers’ Championship six times in his career, with his last success coming in 2017. After the start he has had made in 2024, it has given him a great platform to compete for title number seven this year, should he choose to push for it.
Andrew Balding
Ian Balding was successful in the British Trainers’ Championship in 1971 and his son Andrew is now bidding to replicate what his father achieved 53 years ago. With over 60 winners already in the campaign, Balding is off to a flyer.
Based at Kingsclere Stables, Balding’s numbers at his yard seem to increase every year. He is backed by many owners, including RaceShare. The three-time British Classic winner trains Scampi for the syndicate. Shares in a racehorse gift voucher can be purchased and then redeemed on Balding’s gelding right now. This would ensure you join Balding’s journey this season in his bid to win a maiden Trainers’ Championship.
One of Balding’s leading homes this season is Coltrane in the stayers’ division. He is going to be a big player in the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Long Distance Cup. Those three races carry lucrative prize money, so success in either of those contests will be a huge boost towards his tally in the Trainers’ Championship.
Charlie Appleby
FROM THE ALL-WEATHER TO GUINEAS GLORY! 💙
Notable Speech wins the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes for William Buick and Charlie Appleby 🏆#ITVRacing | @godolphin pic.twitter.com/KzjhEc2yPf
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 4, 2024
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby won the opening British Classic of the 2024 Flat season when Notable Speech prevailed on the Rowley Mile in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. The talented colt will be a key horse for him in his bid to another Trainers’ Championship this season.
Appleby has such a strong yard that he will be well represented at all the leading meetings this season. His older horses, such as Rebel’s Romance, Siskany and Military Order, are all predicted to have big seasons in their respective divisions, while he has a strong batch of three-year-olds who could get better as the campaign progresses.
The British Flat season concludes on Saturday, 9th of November at Doncaster where prizes will be handed out to the Champion Trainer and Champion Jockey.