This year’s flat season resulted in some tremendous success for Newmarket’s resident horses, jockeys and trainers. There were loads of talking points throughout the season and we were witnesses to some remarkable performances on the turf as legends entrenched their status and new challengers to the throne emerged.

We’ve got three major things to be proud of in Newmarket. Here they are.

Masar and the Epsom Derby

There is no denying the Derby’s mantle as the jewel in horseracing’s crown. The first weekend in June has long been a defining moment for many in their careers . It is the pinnacle of the sport, not just in England but around the world. Anyone who follows racing knows that the Derby is a race steeped in history and tradition and one that everyone aspires to win.

This year was particularly special as the blue silks of Godolphin were carried to victory for the first time in this race as Masar and William Buick rallied for a very special victory. Trained out of Moulton Paddocks, Masar  was able to make use of the famed Limekilns gallop for one of his key pieces of work in the build-up. The win meant that the trophy headed back to Newmarket for the first time since 2014

Let William Buick talk you through the race in this amazing video.

Silvestre De Sousa, Champion Jockey

One of the hardest working jockeys out there, Silvestre De Sousa, bagged a third Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship  title in the 2018 season having amassed 148 winners from a whopping 779 rides. It is another remarkable achievement and we are really proud of this Newmarket resident.  His services were in demand for rides all across the country and he teamed up successfully with trainer Mark Johnston on a number of occasions. The pair very nearly sprung a surprise in the Derby with a gallant effort from Dee Ex Bee but had to settle for second.

De Sousa also struck up winning partnerships with Hugo Palmer, Simon Crisford, David Elsworth, Mick Channon, Roger Charlton, Ralph Beckett and many others. All contributing to his eventual tally. His nearest rival, Oisin Murphy was 27 winners behind him. The 37-year-old has a career tally of 1527 winners from , 68 of those have been at listed or Group level. No stranger to travelling, De Sousa can be seen riding up and down the country on most days during the summer.

Here’s a great video from Great British Racing  which looks at his remarkable 2018 season.

John Gosden, Champion Trainer

To say that this year’s Champion Trainer had some serious firepower in his arsenal would be a gross understatement. The likes of Enable, Roaring Lion, Stradivarius, Cracksman, Too Darn Hot all played a part in ensuring that the Champion Trainer title  made its way to Clarehaven Stables. A total of 158 winners were saddled up by Gosden and his team during the season  from  635 runners. The total prizemoney haul, the deciding factor when it comes to the Champion Trainer gong was £8,370,802.56.

Highlights from the season included the return of Enable as she doubled up in the Prix de  l’Arc de Triomphe before a scintillating victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Stradivarius emerged as the cream of the staying crop as he went through the season unbeaten. Among those victories was a Gold Cup win at  Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup with those two Group Ones to go with three other Group Two successes. Then there was Roaring Lion. One of the season’s revelations as he confirmed the promise of his two-year-old exploits with some sterling performances this year as he established his stallion credentials.

The success of the season was evident at the Cartier Racing Awards 2018 as Enable and Roaring Lion emerged as contenders for the Horse of the Year prize. In the end, Roaring Lion was given the award while Enable was named Champion Older Horse. Of the eight awards on offer on the evening, five of them went to horses trained out of Clarehaven.