Andrew Balding talks Graham Clark through some of his big hopes for the new Flat season.
Andrew Balding might have had to play second fiddle to Aidan O’Brien in the trainers’ title fight in 2024, but there is every chance he could go one better this time around judging by the quality of his team.
Last year saw Balding a career best domestic tally of 163 winners along with smashing through the £5,000,000 barrier in prize-money for the first time since taking over at the helm of Park House Stables back in 2003.
Victory for Kalpana in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot was a notable moment, but big race success was not just limited to home shores with New Century landing the Grade One Summer Stakes at Woodbine and Bellum Justum taking out the Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs.
With a smart older team, headed up by Kalpana, in place along with a clutch of exciting three-year-olds all with Classic aspirations and a good number of useful handicappers, then you have a team capable of mixing it with the best.
Balding said: “I think finishing second in the trainer’s championship was a good achievement and the most encouraging thing about it was the development of some really smart horses that stay in training this year. Particularly satisfying was Kalpana’s campaign. New Century’s win in America was pleasing as well.
“What else was a very satisfying moment was Bellum Justum winning the Nashville Derby, which was the most valuable race we won by some way last year. At the same time we didn’t have a Royal Ascot winner, which was disappointing, but I think by and large if you finish second in the trainer’s championship you would take that all day long.
“It is early days with the two-year-olds and I have a lot that will be seen out later on in the season that look like nice middle-distance types, but I’m happy with where we are with them.”
