What a Trio of Top Trainers Wear to Royal Ascot

Favourbrook: Of course we know you all well but could you each introduce yourselves; who are you and why do you do what you do?

Richard Hannon: I’m Richard Hannon and I’m a racehorse trainer because my grandfather was, my dad was, and I’ve got very little imagination. Truthfully, I had the choice to do what I wanted but racehorse training felt natural.

Andrew Balding: I’m Andrew Balding and I’m a racehorse trainer. Rather like Richard, there’s been a family involvement in this industry over four generations across both sides.

Ralph Beckett: I’m Ralph Beckett and I’m a racehorse trainer because I failed all my exams… it’s true!

F: What’s your earliest memory of racing?

RH: Probably being at Kempton on Boxing Day, Desert Orchid’s third or fourth time in a row.. I remember my dad winning the Guineas in 87 and there was quite a big deal around it, but I was playing cricket at school.

AB: My earliest racing memory is the 1981 Derby when Shergar romped home by ten lengths, but the horse that came second was trained by my dad and I vividly remember watching it in the TV room at home and being struck by the sense of excitement.

RB: August Bank Holiday at Newton Abbot, watching jumping, which is not something I do now, but I must have been a toddler.  

F: What does Royal Ascot mean to you?

RH: It’s the ultimate show window for the whole business and it’s very capable of bringing people into the sport. We have winners there, we have runners there, and we need to look smart when we’re there so that’s why we’re here.

AB: It means everything. For us, it’s the most important week of the whole year. For all our owners and staff, the reason we race and compete is to have a winner at Royal Ascot. 

RB:  It’s the most important of our year. Having a winner there is important to us and our business. At the start of the turf season, we work back from Royal Ascot so everything revolves around it. 

F: Who is the best dressed at Royal Ascot?

RH: It has to be the King, but he needs to come to Favourbrook.

AB: It pains me to say it but Hannon is one of the best dressed. He spends a lot of money, so he should be. 

RB: The King’s a good shout, it’s certainly not Richard Hannon.

F: Richard, how do you feel in your Favourbrook Morning Coat? 

RH: It’s very comfortable and I feel extremely smart. I’m ready for Royal Ascot. Ordinarily, by the second day, everything’s either been beaten up or I’m bored of it, but hopefully this is a lucky suit.

F: On that note, what are you most looking forward to at Royal Ascot 2024?

RH: I’ve got a nice horse called Rosallion running in the second race on the first day, his colours are yellow and black, so I’ve got a yellow waistcoat to show support.

AB: I’m looking forward to Coltrane in the Gold Cup, he came second last year and he’s in good form. If he were to come home in front, I wouldn’t need anything else to happen all week. 

RB: There’s a fair bit of water to go under the bridge, but in terms of our chances, we’ve got a very nice horse called Valvarno who will probably show up in the Edward VII and he might just be our best chance, alongside Poniros in the King George V Handicap.

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