John Gosden

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John Gosden
Debussy, Royal Oath, Bates Motel

John Harry Martin Gosden

OBE (born 30 March 1951) is a British racehorse trainer. He has trained over 3,000 winners worldwide, including winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Derby, the Arc, the King George, the Eclipse
. He has over 600 winners in the United States.

Gosden has trained the winners of over 100 Group 1 races in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He is generally considered one of the finest and most successful racehorse trainers of his generation. His reputation for honesty and openness has led him to be called "one of the sport's great communicators".[2]

He trains at Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket, England.

Early career

He was educated at Eastbourne College, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge,[3] where he studied Economics and met his future wife, Rachel Hood, a lawyer. At Cambridge, he was a successful sportsman and won blues for both discus and javelin.

Gosden started as assistant to two of the most successful trainers in the history of racing, first to champion trainer

St. Leger Stakes
.

He then moved to California, becoming assistant to Tommy Doyle, before attaining an American Horse Training license in 1979.

He began his training career with three horses, staying in California as he could only afford to rent single boxes and could not afford to rent a yard.

California

In 1983 he trained

Philip H. Iselin Handicap, and later won the Eclipse Award. "Bates Motel won 'The Big Cap' in front of 85,000 people, it was some occasion", said Gosden later,"My first big winner – everybody needs a break in life and that was mine".[4]

In 1984, he trained

Hatim
.

He also won both the

Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes with Allez Milord and the Gamely Stakes
for a second time.

Stanley House Stables

In 1989, Gosden moved to

Stanley House Stables. In 1991, he won the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp with Keen Hunter and the Sun Chariot Stakes with Ristna. In 1992, he won the Irish St. Leger, Grosser Preis von Baden and Gran Premio di Milano with Mashaallah, the Prix de la Forêt
with Wolfhound, and more than 100 other races.

Throughout the mid-1990s, Gosden formed a successful partnership with Frankie Dettori, winning hundreds of races with the Italian jockey. In 1993, he won the Irish Champion Stakes with Muhtarram, the Cheveley Park Stakes with Prophecy, the Haydock Sprint Cup with Wolfhound and the Premio Roma with Knifebox, in addition to more than 100 other races.

In 1994, he won the

Royal Ascot and the Premio Presidente della Repubblica with Muhtarram, the Lockinge Stakes with Emperor Jones and the Pretty Polly Stakes
with Del Deya.

He won the

Royal Ascot for the second year with Muhtarram, the Prix Jean Prat with Torrential, the Prix Lupin with Flemensfirth and the Prix de la Salamandre
with Lord of Men, among many others.

In 1996, he won the

St. Leger and the Gran Premio del Jockey Club with Shantou. He also won the Prix Marcel Boussac with Ryafan, and the Premio Roma with Flemensfirth
.

In 1997, Gosden won the

Yellow Ribbon Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes in the United States of America. He later won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches
in France with Valentine Waltz.

Manton

In late 1999, it was announced that Gosden would move to

1,000 Guineas Stakes with Lahan. Later in the season, he won both Group One races held at Ascot with Observatory in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Crystal Music in the Fillies' Mile. In 2001, he won the Prix de la Forêt with Mount Abu, and the Prix Marcel Boussac with Sulk
.

The 2002 season began well for Gosden. One of his first major victories came when Zenda beat Firth of Lorne in the prestigious Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in France. Coming off the rail in the straight and holding off challenges, the victory was impressive. "Zenda had been working very well at home", said Gosden, "The filly would have won in even better style if she had settled earlier".[5]

He also won the Prix Melisande with Music Club, ridden by Frankie Dettori. Later, Gosden won at

Royal Ascot with Malhub. "I did a wild thing three months ago when I entered Malhub for this race", Gosden said, "I felt a mile was too far and decided to drop him back in distance and give him one smart entry over a shorter trip".[6]

He then won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France with May Ball. "She has been going well at home and we were expecting a big run", Gosden said afterwards, "It's a wonderful advertisement for keeping a five-year-old in training". He also won with at Chester with Treble Heights for football player Michael Owen, and the Solario Stakes with Foss Way. He also won the Strensall Stakes with Binary File and the Royal Lodge Stakes with Al Jadeed.

In 2003, he won the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes with Oasis Dream.

The 2005 season started well for Gosden. He won the Magnolia Stakes with Day Flight. Frankie Dettori, riding second, had carried them both across the course in the straight. "You wouldn’t think he used to work for me!", Gosden joked.

Later, Karen's Caper won the Nell Gwyn Stakes. "She really enjoyed coming up the rising ground and is crying out for a mile", Gosden said afterwards. He also won the John Porter Stakes with Day Flight, and the Sunderlands Bookmakers Conditions Stakes with Plea Bargain. Day Flight won again, this time in the Ormonde Stakes.

Gosden then won the

King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot at York with Plea Bargain. "He's a lovely improving horse and the mile and a half is no problem", said Gosden. Playful Act won again, this time in the Lancashire Oaks. "It's been a long road back, but it's been worth it", said Gosden after the race. Playful Act
would go on to be considered one of the finest broodmares in recent history.

He later won the Prestige Stakes with Nannina. "She’ll improve a lot", said Gosden. Nannina then won the very prestigious Fillies' Mile at Ascot. "They set a proper pace and Kieran had Jimmy in the box, but he wasn’t going to go there and she was well ridden", he said afterwards.[7]

He then won the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot with Leo. Later, Gosden announced his decision to return to Newmarket to train at Clarehaven Stables. "The move to Manton was challenging, but I was pleased to win the 1,000 Guineas with Lahan within four months of being there", said Gosden,"She was our 100th Group winner in Europe". Explaining his decision, he said "I was in danger of being like my hero Bob Dylan, permanently on the road".[8]

Clarehaven Stables

John Gosden saddling Raven's Pass before the Breeders' Cup Classic

Gosden's first season at Clarehaven was successful. He won prestigious races including the

Royal Ascot with Nannina
.

The 2007 season started well for Gosden, but it became even better as he won the

Royal Ascot with Nannina. It was the second time she had won at Royal Ascot. "She seems to find her best form at this course and it was a great training performance", said winning jockey Jimmy Fortune,"All I had to do was steer".[9]

He also won with Raven's Pass, who was becoming widely regarded as a promising horse. He then won the Great Voltigeur Stakes with Lucarno. "The Leger could be the place to go", said Gosden speaking of Lucarno afterwards,"He's got a big stride and knows how to use it".[10] He then won the Solario Stakes with Raven's Pass, breaking the track record. "I think he's a good horse and I like him a lot", said Gosden afterwards, comparing him favorably to two other horses he'd won the race with, Foss Way and Windsor Knot.[11]

Amidst much anticipation, Gosden took

St. Leger Stakes. "He is a really, really good horse but was a little immature as a two-year-old, which is why he didn’t run", said Gosden afterwards,"He worked well in the autumn last year and has run nothing but fabulous races all year".[12] "He showed talent last year but I wanted to save him", Gosden also said, "He's done nothing but improve all season".[13]

The 2008 season was an excellent one for Gosden. On the key Guineas trial day, he won four of the day's races with Infallible winning the prestigious

Campanologist. Racer Forever also won the Criterion Stakes for Gosden and Fortune. A successful season continued as Rainbow View won the prestigious Sweet Solera Stakes
.

Gosden then won two major races in the same day, the Celebration Mile with Raven's Pass the Great Voltigeur Stakes with Centennial. He then enjoyed more success in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster with Rainbow View, who continued her unbeaten run. "She has done it very well and I couldn’t be more pleased with her", he said. He then won the Prix Minerve-Shadwell in France with Dar Re Mi, even though the ground was considered to reduce her prospects, "she would appreciate good going the most" Gosden said.

He then had another stunning day at Ascot, winning the showpiece Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Raven's Pass and the Fillies' Mile with Rainbow View, completing the double for the second time. "We had three plans going in and got down to one in the end", said Gosden. Of Rainbow View he said "I didn’t train her for a test of stamina, be she's all heart and tough as well". Winning the Timform Million with Donativum allowed Gosden to supplement the two-year-old for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita. He continued a great season by winning the Cambridgeshire with Tazeez.

At Santa Anita in Los Angeles, one of the tracks on which Gosden had started his training career, he won two of the world's most prestigious races, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Donativum and the Breeders' Cup Classic with Raven's Pass. Gosden described it as "a day I will cherish".

Gosden's 2009 season began well. He won the Kentucky Derby Challenge with Mafaz, and the Lincoln Handicap with Expresso Star. Then Neeham won the valuable 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket. "I really do like these sales races", Gosden said "and Donativum's defeat of Crowed House last year turned out to be a cracker". He then won the Earl of Sefton Stakes with Tazeez, for the same owner.

He then won the Jockey Club Stakes with Bronze Cannon, and had a double with Cadre and Ithbaat. He then won the prestigious Lockinge Stakes with Virtual, beating Alexandros. "It was a fabulous finish", said Gosden, "Twice Over and Pressing took the pace to test Paco Boy's stamina and it played into our favour. He had his head down when it mattered".

He then won the

Campanologist. He then won the Pretty Polly Stakes with Dar Re Mi. "She stays well and wants a mile and a half, but luckily we got control" said Fortune, the winning jockey. Showcasing also won well. Gosden also won the Prix Eugène Adam
in France with |Debussy. Later, Showcasing won the Gimcrack Stakes. "He is very much like his father and has bags of speed", said Gosden.

There was more success for Gosden with Dar Re Mi, as she won the Yorkshire Oaks, beating Sariska. He then won the Washington Singer Stakes with Azmeel, and the prestigious Matron Stakes with Rainbow View. Gosden was happy with the performance, "She did it well today and, similar to some good fillies I’ve had before, she has just taken some time to come to herself this season". He also won the Prix Dollar in France.

In November, Gosden returned to more success at Santa Anita, winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Pounced, for the second time in as many years. "It feels good to life this prize for the second year at Santa Anita, which I regard as my second home after spending so many years here as a young trainer", Gosden said. He also won the November Handicap with Charm School.

In early 2010, Gosden signed young jockey William Buick to ride for his stable. The decision was widely questioned, Buick was relatively untested at the highest level and Jimmy Fortune was widely regarded as a competent and effective jockey. However, Gosden is widely viewed as a good judge, the only other rider he has ever retained (apart from Buick) is Frankie Dettori. "I didn’t have a retainer and there has been no falling out", said Fortune, who still often rides for Gosden when Buick is not available.

Almost immediately, Gosden's choice was proved correct as Buick gave Dar Re Mi a fantastic ride to win the prestigious Dubai Sheema Classic. "She was given a beautiful ride by William Buick", said Gosden, "He knows what he is doing and he has a lot of brains". He also talked of the difficulties of training in winter, "Keeping her warm in England wasn’t easy, so it was quite a challenge".

Gosden continued his success, winning the

Royal Ascot with Maqaasid
. Gosden was delighted, "You have got a tailwind but she ran great". He also won the Summer Vase at Goodwood with Beachfire. It was the third time Gosden had won the race.

Gosden then won the Arlington Million with Debussy, beating Gio Ponti. Buick delivered a fantastic ride. "He rides cleverly", said Gosden, "He doesn’t panic in a race". He also won the Doncaster Cup with Samuel.

In September, Gosden won his third

St. Leger when Arctic Cosmos beat Midas Touch and Rewilding. "This is the most fantastic experience for me" said winning owner Robin Geffen after another excellent ride from Buick. Soon after, Gosden and Buick won the Prix Foy in France with Duncan. He then won four races in quick succession, with The Shrew, Utley, Treasury Devil and Masked Marvel
.

Gosden's 2011 season continued with more success as

Royal Ascot with Beachfire. "We put the headgear on him and it worked well", Gosden explained.[15]

Soon after, he returned to Ascot with Nathaniel to win one of the world's most prestigious races, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Gosden had let Buick judge the race and did not give his rider many instructions. Nathaniel came to the front and then eased away. "This horse is getting better and better", said Buick after the race.[16] Gosden also won the Summer Double First Leg International with Bronze Prince, and the Canisbay Bloodstock Handicap with Aiken. He had more success in France, as Elusive Kate won again in the Prix du Calvados at Deauville.

Gosden won his fourth

St. Leger and second with William Buick as Masked Marvel very impressively beat Brown Panther. After the fantastic performance Gosden said "From the day I saw him as a yearling I thought he was a Leger type". "He was a powerful little guy even then and he's got a great pedigree for the job". Very soon after, Gosden also won the Irish St. Leger with Duncan. Gosden then enjoyed further success when Elusive Kate won the very prestigious Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp
, beating a fantastic field including Fire Lily and Zantenda.

Gosden's 2012 season has been one of his most successful. He won the

Royal Ascot with Fallen For You, the Wolverton Stakes with Gatewood, and the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
with Camborne.

He also won the Pretty Polly Stakes with Izzi Top. He then won three races in quick succession for Serena Rothschild, the Coral Challenge with Trade Commissioner, the Lancashire Oaks with Great Heavens and The Eclipse with Nathaniel. He also won the Bahrain Trophy with Shantaram. He also won the Prix Rothschild with Elusive Kate, and the Irish Oaks with Great Heavens.

He then won the Nassau Stakes with

British Champion Trainer
in 2012.

Gosden won six Group One races, and over 100 other races in 2013. He won the Falmouth Stakes with Elusive Kate, the Nassau Stakes with Winsili and the Yorkshire Oaks with The Fugue. Elusive Kate also won the Prix Rothschild, The Fugue won the Irish Champion Stakes, and Seek Again won the Hollywood Derby. Gosden was British Champions Series champion trainer in 2013.

Gosden won eight

Cartier Award for Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt. Taghrooda won the award for Cartier Champion Three-year-old Filly
.

Gosden's 2015 season saw him become Champion Trainer again, with Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs generally considered his best horses of the season. He won the Derby and the Eclipse with Golden Horn, the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes with Shalaa, and the Prix de Diane with Star of Seville. He also won the Irish Derby with Jack Hobbs, after Hobbs had finished second in the Epsom Derby behind Golden Horn. Later in the season, Golden Horn won the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. "Today you saw the real Golden Horn", said jockey Frankie Dettori. "He put to bed a great Arc field like a true champion. Over the last furlong and a half it would have been impossible for any horse to get near me. I pressed the button and he flew. Think of the horses he has beaten and beaten well. I spent the last furlong enjoying myself. He has given me some tremendous pleasure and is probably the best horse that I’ve ridden."

Gosden finished second in the 2016

British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes with Journey at Ascot on British Champions Day
.

Gosden was appointed

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to horseracing and training.[17]

Major wins

United Kingdom Great Britain

France France

Germany Germany

Republic of Ireland Ireland

Italy Italy

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates

United States United States

Personal life

Gosden is called "one of the sport's great communicators".[18] His television interviews are often praised,"Gosden is Cary Grant in Ernie Els's body. He is the Big Easy with a sly smile, a wry wit, and a charismatic charm".[19]

Gosden is a music fan, according to

Rolling Stones. "He knows his music history. He knows everything about Bob Dylan, followed by everything about the Stones. He knows all the words and everything", said Wood.[20]
Gosden also describes himself as "a Neil Young man", and said "I went to see him the other week at the Hammersmith Apollo and it was just wonderful".

Gosden has said of his position, "You have to move along gracefully if you can, and hopefully with a following wind, with common sense, a sense of reality, humility and a bit of history".[21] His office is decorated with pictures of some of the most successful horses he has trained,"Paintings of champion horses – the filly Ryafan, last year's Breeders' Cup hero Raven's Pass – look down from the walls".[22]

Gosden is a Conservative Party donor, contributing £25,000 to the party including £10,000 to Newmarket MP Matt Hancock.[23]

He was invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot 2023.[24]

References

  1. PDF). Gov.uk. Government Digital Service
    . 30 December 2016. p. 30. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  2. ^ Racing Post (28 September 2008)
  3. ^ The Cambridge University List of Members up to 31 December 1991
  4. ^ Racing Post (2008)
  5. ^ Racing Post (13 May 2002)
  6. ^ Racing Post (24 June 2002)
  7. ^ Racing Post (25 September 2005)
  8. ^ Racing Post (17 October 2005)
  9. ^ Racing Post (21 June 2007)
  10. ^ Racing Post (22 August 2007)
  11. ^ Racing Post (2 September 2007)
  12. ^ Sunday Times (16 September 2007)
  13. ^ Sunday Telegraph (16 September 2007)
  14. ^ Racing Post (14 May 2011)
  15. ^ Racing Post (18 June 2011)
  16. ^ Racing Post (24 July 2011)
  17. ^ "No. 61803". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2016. p. N12.
  18. ^ Racing Post (28 September 2008)
  19. ^ Los Angeles Times
  20. ^ Racing Post (23 November 2007)
  21. ^ Racing Post (25 September 2008)
  22. ^ Racing Post
  23. ^ Colbert, Max (17 March 2022). "The Conservative Stable: How Horse Racing & Tory Politics are Interlinked". Byline Times. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Ascot Racecourse on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2023.

External links

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