It has been the talk of Newmarket during autumn and has nothing to do with record-breaking sales at Tattersalls or scintillating early morning gallops: who is buying Freemason Lodge?
The home of Sir Michael Stoute, situated on the famous Bury Road, Freemason Lodge is part of Newmarket folklore but it has been impossible not to walk past it recently and feel an overwhelming sense of sadness, as one of the all-time great training careers draws to a close.
Stoute is soon to retire but there is no line of succession that will see his assistant James Savage take over. Stables are being emptied, owners are selling off their horses and what was once a thriving hub of champions could soon resemble a mausoleum.
Word reaching Racing Confidential, however, is that Stoute is not going to be short of interested would-be buyers. Wathnan Racing, the venture of the Emir of Qatar, have been the name on most lips and with good reason.
This has been an outstanding year for one of the coming forces in racing, crowned by Kind of Blue winning the Group One QIPCO Champions Sprint, and there is no doubt they have the ambition to take on a property the size of Freemason Lodge as they continue to expand.
Sir Michael Stoute will not be short of interested buyers for his Freemason Lodge Stables
Wathnan Racing, the venture of the Emir of Qatar, has been viewed as a possible contender
Freemason Lodge cannot go the same way as Warren Place, pictured, which has remained close since 2015 even though it was bought by Sheik Mohammed
Well-placed sources have told us categorically that no deal has been done with Wathnan. And if they are involved in the process, they would never discuss it as that is not the way they conduct their business, but that will not stop the debate from raging.
Others said to be casting an eye at the property, which has space for 100 horses, are candidates in Newmarket who are looking to upscale and there has even been an indication that investment could be coming from the southern hemisphere. Whoever does a deal, however, must be considerate.
One of the biggest outrages in Newmarket is that Warren Place, from where Sir Henry Cecil once ruled, has remained closed since 2015 even though it was bought by Sheik Mohammed. I reported on the waste of the situation 12 months ago – and nothing has changed.
Warren Place, at the top of the famous hill, haunts with its emptiness. Freemason Lodge cannot go the same way.
Tabor’s rare interview ahead of Breeders Cup Classic
Michael Tabor, the leading owner, has lived a life less ordinary but other than soundbites after races, he has tended to keep his thoughts to himself – until now. Ahead of City of Troy’s Breeders Cup Classic assignment, Tabor sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Mail Sport – his first major sit-down for 12 years which you will be able to read in the coming days, exclusively for Mail+ subscribers and in the print pages of the Daily Mail.
‘I love Del Mar,’ he told me in that interview. ‘It’s a great place. The track is one thing. It’s on the beach, there are beautiful restaurants. It’s a lovely part of the world and to go there is no hardship! To be there with the boys from Coolmore, I’m looking forward to it immensely. If he can do it? I would be ecstatic.’
This was an hour in which all manner of subjects were covered, from fitness regimes to West Ham United. It is not to be missed.
Michael Tabor, centre, has given his first sit down interview in 12 years to Mail Sport
Tabor gave his thoughts to Mail Sport ahead of City of Troy’s Breeders Cup Classic assignment
The Ahoy Senor furore explained
It’s easy to say ‘ignore social media’ but a week cannot pass without an eruption on some digital medium in which a trainer or jockey is accused of deceiving punters after a race.
So it was at Aintree on Sunday when Ahoy Senor’s run in the Old Roan Chase put the hugely respected Grand National winning combination of Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore in the firing line. The howls were that the nine-year-old had not achieved his best possible finishing position.
Those doing the shouting would have been advised to spend some time with Scudamore after the race. How he loves this talented gelding but how this talented gelding drives him to distraction with his approach to life.
‘I want to win and I have never had a horse test my patience like this one does,’ Scudamore said. ‘He is unbelievably talented but he either scores 100 out of 100 or 0 out of 100. I thought at one point he was going to tail off. He needs to put it all together and come home strongly from four fences out.’
Stewards at Aintree called Russell and jockey Derek Fox into give their accounts of the performance, he finished third behind Minella Drama, and noted their explanations. No action was taken – nor should it have been.
The inconsistent Ahoy Senor placed third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Sunday
Dettori can cause a Breeders’ Cup shock
The temperature is building in Del Mar for Breeders Cup weekend and while City of Troy dominates all manner of conversations, do not discount the idea that Frankie Dettori will make Saturday all about him and one of his favourite girls.
Dettori has been revitalised since moving to the United States but links up with his old ally John Gosden for the ride on Emily Upjohn in the Breeders Cup Turf. The mare looks an absolute picture and has been training powerfully.
Gosden has had it in mind for a while that Dettori would be part of his Del Mar team and he could have ridden Friendly Soul had the three-year-old been declared for the Filly and Mare Turf. That race was also an option for Emily Upjohn until a change of heart last week. It may well pay dividends.
Frankie Dettori links up with John Gosden for the ride on Emily Upjohn in the Breeders Cup Turf
Mullins shows why he is top of the tree
There is going the extra mile in life and then there is the case of Willie Mullins, who has provided a lesson in why he is currently at the top of the tree. The Irish trainer has two runners in next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup and he flew to the city for ONE DAY to oversee a gallop.
Mullins was up in the air for almost 48 hours going to and from Melbourne to see Absurde and Vauban for three hours at Flemington Racecourse. Some will think it is madness – others who know his forensic eye for detail will simply tell you it is the mark of a genius.
Willie Mullins spent 48 hours going to and from Melbourne for one day to oversee a gallop
Champion jockey Murphy desperate to deliver
Spending time with Oisin Murphy earlier this month was a privilege as he opened up on his battle with alcohol and the emptiness of being a champion jockey.
One element of our conversation that went unreported, however, was his enthusiasm for the Breeders Cup.
Murphy will be on board New Century for Andrew Balding in the Juvenile Turf and he wants to win this race for the trainer and his retained owner Sheik Fahd more than anything else this year.
The colt is moving smoothly and a bold show is expected.
Oisin Murphy, left, will be desperate to win on New Century for Andrew Balding and Sheik Fahd
Owen to watch Seagulls Eleven from afar
Much frustration in the dressing rooms at Brighton that Seagulls Eleven syndicate will not be in California to see their horse run against New Century, but hardly a surprise while there is a Premier League game to be played at Anfield on Saturday.
What is a surprise, though, is the fact Michael Owen – from whose stables Hugo Palmer trains Seagulls Eleven – will not be in California either. He’s currently working in Dubai, having been in the Maldives and will be watching on from afar.
