The opening weeks of the 2025 flat season witnessed Hampshire handler Andrew Balding hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. Flying out of the traps with a Group 3 double in the John Porter Stakes and Greenham Stakes, he added the Listed Feilden Stakes to his haul before saddling Berkshire Whisper and Storm Star to success on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle.
| Date | Race | Winner | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18/04/25 | AW Championships Mile | Storm Star | £77,310 |
| 18/04/25 | AW 3YO Championships | Berkshire Whisper | £77,310 |
| 17/04/25 | Ripon Maiden | Middle Ages | £4,187.20 |
| 16/04/25 | Newmarket Novice Stakes | Spanish Voice | £11,338.80 |
| 16/04/25 | Wood Ditton Maiden | High Stock | £11,338.80 |
| 15/04/25 | Kempton Handicap | Dream Out Loud | £4,187.20 |
| 15/04/25 | Feilden Stakes | Almeric | £31,190.50 |
| 12/04/25 | John Charles Memorial | Candyman Stan | £5,338.68 |
| 12/04/25 | Newbury Maiden | Furthur | £21,600 |
| 12/04/25 | Newbury Maiden | Point Of Contact | £12,150 |
| 12/04/25 | Greenham Stakes | Jonquil | £56,710 |
| 12/04/25 | John Porter Stakes | Divina Grace | £48,203.50 |
Thanks to that electric start, Balding has already reeled in £928,509 in prize money – over £460,000 more than any other British trainer. Given that stellar performance, you might think any owner would be more than satisfied to have their horses based at Balding’s Kingsclere base. However, it seems that may not be the case.
The End of a 13-year Relationship
Mid-April brought the slightly surprising news that Qatar Racing Limited had removed six runners from the Balding yard. The ownership group behind the claret silks had enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Balding since their inception in 2012, with the clear highlight being Kameko’s 2,000 Guineas triumph in 2020.
All told, Balding trained four Qatar Racing Limited runners to Group 1 glory. Since 2020, no other British handler has trained more winners (44) for the operation. Nevertheless, 2025 had begun quietly for the Balding/Qatar Racing partnership, with the highest profile runner, New Century, managing only a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Craven Stakes.
As a son of Kameko, New Century looked to have legitimate claims of following in his sire’s hoofprints. However, it now appears that his future lies elsewhere, with the Grade 1 Summer Stakes winner set to relocate to the US and continue his career closer to the home of his owner.
The following four runners join New Century on the road away from the Balding yard:
- Kingsclere – Named in honour of Balding’s training base and a full-sister to Kameko, Qatar Racing Limited likely had high hopes for Kingsclere. Well fancied ahead of her debut at Doncaster in September 2024, she trailed home last of nine. It’s too soon to write her off, but if she is to deliver on her pedigree potential, she must do it elsewhere
- Upton – By Kitten’s Joy and out of Sweeter Still, the four-year-old Upton is a full-brother to Kameko and Kingsclere. Unfortunately for connections, he has displayed little of Kameko’s Classic-winning talent. Hitting the frame only once in five career outings, if he is to break his duck, it will most likely come at a lowly handicapping level
- Wolfpack – Sired by Kameko and out of the Listed-winning mare Ship Of Dreams, Wolfpack boasts plenty of appeal on paper. Making his debut at Southwell in November, he made a promising start to grab the runner-up position. Unraced since that effort, it will be intriguing to see where he heads next
- British Camp – Having raced only once, it seems that this four-year-old may have had his issues. On the plus side, his sole start to date was a good one, as he broke his duck at the first time of asking at Kempton in March 2024. An October gelding operation suggests that a racing career remains the plan for this son of Lope De Vega, but it remains to be seen where that takes place
The identity of the sixth horse remains unclear, suggesting it is most likely to be an unraced two-year-old within the yard.
No Hard Feelings
Losing an owner is never good news for a trainer. However, with over 270 horses in training, the Balding operation is well-placed to cope. There certainly appeared to be no hard feelings from the yard, with Balding’s wife, Anna Lisa Balding stating:
“Sheikh Fahad has been an amazing supporter of the yard. We’re very grateful to him. We’ve had four individual Group 1 winners for him in Elm Park, Side Glance, Kameko, and New Century. It’s been a great relationship, but things have changed, and we wish all the horses luck in their new homes.”