Josh Newman Stable Profile
Last season’s leading point to point trainer in the country, Josh Newman is not resting on his laurels as the new season starts to get into another gear and is looking ahead to the challenges of the 2025-26 season. On a visit to his stable at Woolminstone near Crewkerne earlier this month he outlined some of his equine stars which he hopes will bring further success to his growing reputation for producing winners.
He is expecting to have about 30 horses to run of which about 10 are currently unnamed 3- and 4-year-olds. One of his stars from last season who reeled off seven successes El Capitaine has moved across to his wife Kayley Woollacott’s yard and has already won a Hurdle at Newton Abbot and been placed at Cheltenham. Important Notice placed in the Intermediate Hunter Chase at Cheltenham last May is another who has moved and will be running under Rules.
Of those who were important to the success of the yard last season Clondaw Drake who racked up five victories for owners John and Sonia Gardener will be one of his flagbearers and will be aimed at Condition and Open races and possibly a Hunter Chase. The same owners also have Holiday Fund who won three races last season but rather lost his way after those victories. He has had a wind operation since his last race and it is to be hoped this will get him back into the winner’s enclosure. Heart’s Corner is another who has had a wind operation since his last outing and hopes are high that he will add to his four point wins and a Hunter Chase. Noble Blue who scored in the 0-110 race at Dunsmore last weekend was another who won three races last season for the Friends of Sylvie having been purchased privately from Ireland. Talimar Pearl who was runner up in the Intermediate at Dunsmore won twice for his enthusiastic owner David Churches and is another to follow this coming season. (picture attached of Talimar Pearl grey and Noble Blue on the gallops at Woolminstone courtesy of Tim Holt)
Josh then spoke about some of the new horses that he hopes to run this season and the potential horses for his Novice riders
Josh has already had an outing on the filly Millyellen who ran well to finish fourth at Lower Machen. She had an outing in Ireland before moving to England and after a good summer she has strengthened. By the popular sire Blue Bresil she looks one to keep on the right side of.
Savant Du Mesnil. An ex-Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned Doctor Dino 5 year gelding who was trained in Ireland by Stuart Crawford. Bought at the Goffs sale in May after running in 5 Hurdle races he is another Maiden who on his hurdle form should be good enough to win point to points. He is owned by the Kayley Woollacott Racing Club
Woodstock Octo. Another owned by John and Sonia Gardener who was also bought at the Goffs sale in May. A 5-year-old gelding by Ocovango who was placed in a point in Ireland and has enjoyed a good summer. He was successful at Dunsmore in the GBB Bonus Maiden race on his English debut last weekend and as he is a big chasing type he should be one to be followed for the new season
Al Gasparo. Bought privately from Ireland by Darren O’Dwyer for owners John and Floss Symes. He is already the winner of a point and 3 Hurdle races in Ireland including a Listed race at Leopardstown last December. Placed in a chase at Wexford in July this 6-year-old gelding looks an exciting prospect for Open races and potentially Hunter Chases later in the season and his English debut will be awaited with interest.
Beacon Edge. The second new horse for owners John and Floss Symes. Now an 11-year-old gelding by Doyen he has had a brilliant career to date when in the care of Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott. Amongst his 10 victories are a Grade 1 Chase at Leopardstown and a Grade 2 Hurdle at Wetherby last November beating the prolific Twig and he was not disgraced when running in Coral Cup Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival as well as at Aintree. He currently has a rating of 142. His target will be the bigger Hunter Chases if the early plans go as hoped.
About Time Too. Owned and bred by Robert Tizzard under the Barrow Hill name. Not strictly a newcomer as this Telescope filly was placed in a Bumper at Maisemore last season and may be seen in a forthcoming point to point Bumper
Novice Riders
Josh has a team of about a dozen staff to support him and amongst these are at least two riders hoping to develop their riding careers
Hannah Morgan. Hannah now reverts back to being a Novice Rider following the rule change from five wins to ten victories before she is no longer a Novice. She starts the season on seven wins to her name and this season is looking forward to partnering a new horse Getaway Drumlee a nine year old Getaway gelding previously trained by Ben Pauling. Bought privately he is the winner of two Hurdles and an Irish point to point and should give Hannah plenty of fun for the new season
Tilly Garton. Three of Hannah’s successes last season came from the galloping grey Caspers Court and after the end of the season he was sold to the Garton Partnership for Tilly to ride as a schoolmaster and it is to be hoped that she will enjoy her first season pointing. He was being schooled by Tilly during my visit and a picture of this is attached.
