The rise and fall of horse trainers are part of the sport. Even Henry Cecil, before his knighthood, experienced setbacks that dulled his shine, although Frankel later brought a resurgence in his later years.
Following two-year-old horse racing reveals a bit of everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly, with moments of both rainbows and whirlwinds. If there's one trainer who has been basking in the sunlight this season, it has to be Ralph Beckett. I’m not entirely sure about the setup at Kimpton Down Stables in Hampshire, but it seems as if each of his two-year-olds is sprinkled with something magical.
Pegasus.
If you doubt this, just look at his winning juveniles this season. Beckett has risen far above the ordinary, proving himself as a trainer on the cusp of stardom.
Every season, I update information on each two-year-old trainer, from the smallest to the largest stables, reviewing both successes and setbacks to present an informed view for readers. Below, you’ll find some of the key information I’ve gathered about Ralph Beckett. I hope you find it insightful.
4th May - 4th November 2024 (Flat Turf Season, including All-weather Racing)
Debut Winners:
May: A slow start with no debut winners.
June:
- Tales Of The Heart 4/1
- Priapos 4/1
July: No debut winners.
August:
- Stark Warning 7/1
- Pride Of Arras 11/5
- Tabiti 9/5
- Matauri Bay 2/1
- Amiloc 11/10
- Anniversary 16/1
September:
- Cathedral 1/2
- Sandtrap 4/5
October:
- Perfect Your Craft 11/8
- Chantilly Lace 6/4
- Push The Limit 11/1
- Smoken 6/1
- Revoir 6/4
- I Am I Said 20/1
- That’s Amore 11/10
November:
- Bright Times Ahead 13/8
- Aurel 15/2
Over this period, Beckett achieved 19 debut winners, with 68% (13 of 19) priced under 5/1. Notably, Beckett’s success with debut winners gained momentum after July. Historically, his statistics for debutantes priced at 6/4 or lower have been excellent, well above the 40% threshold needed for profit. This season, he had seven juvenile debut winners priced at 6/4 or less, with three others at this price point failing to win.
Photo: JC