Royal Ascot 2024 once again captivated the world of horse racing with thrilling races and unforgettable performances. Among the many elements that contribute to this iconic event, the role of the trainers stands out as a key factor in shaping the outcomes and influencing the horse betting landscape.
This article delves into the standout trainers from this year’s meeting, examining their successes and the remarkable horses they have prepared for the grand stage. From the best of Britain to the immense Irish, these trainers have demonstrated exceptional skill and expertise, significantly impacting the races and capturing the attention of bettors and racing enthusiasts alike.
Aidan O’Brien
It wouldn’t be a Royal meeting without Aidan O’Brien dominating the headlines, and the master of Ballydoyle’s excellence in his field saw him take home the top trainer award once again.
Six victories across the five days for O’Brien meant he surpassed the 90-win barrier at Royal Ascot and secured the top trainer accolade for a resounding 13th time while he had four runners-up.
His biggest win of the week came via Kyprios in the Gold Cup, marking O’Brien’s record ninth win in the showpiece race. Other notable victors include Auguste Rodin, Illinois, Port Fair and Fairy Godmother, who all scored at Group level.
John & Thady Gosden
Father and son duo John and Thady Gosden are a formidable pair in British racing, and they finished runner-up to O’Brien with two victories and four seconds across the five-day event.
Veteran John has over 60 victories at the prestigious meeting and has been named the top trainer on three occasions, including in his first year as a partnership with his son in 2021.
This year, they won the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes with Running Lion and the Listed Wolferton Stakes with Israr.
Karl Burke
Karl Burke is a trainer on the rise, with some notable big race victories in the last few years — mostly with younger horses, as he’s becoming a specialist in producing exciting juveniles.
The Middleham-based trainer has racked up a solid list of Royal Ascot winners in recent seasons and added to his growing tally with two more victories this year.
Burke’s wins this year were in Group 2 company, with Leovanni landing the Queen Mary Stakes and Shareholder scoring in the Norfolk Stakes. Burke also had a high-profile runner-up, as Swingalong was second in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Ralph Beckett
Another handler who has had a fantastic rise in prominence in recent years, Ralph Beckett, has continued to challenge on all fronts this season.
The Kimpton Down-based trainer made his presence felt at Royal Ascot with two winners and one runner-up.
Doha delivered Beckett’s first win of the week in the Kensington Palace Stakes on the festival’s second day, and Going The Distance followed up in the King George V Stakes the next day. Meanwhile, Sonny Liston was the best in the Royal Hunt Cup.
