As a former assistant to 14-time British Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, Harry Derham was always likely to receive a little more attention than your average new trainer. Since setting out on his own in 2022/23, the 30-year-old has handled the additional scrutiny and pressure with aplomb.
Kicking off with a solid 14 wins in his debut campaign, Derham more than trebled that tally to 44 in 2023/24. Given that progress, it initially isn’t surprising that the up-and-coming trainer has already bettered that total in 2024/25 with a few weeks of the season remaining.
The fact that Derham has managed a new career best is pretty remarkable, considering his Upper Lambourn yard severely flooded during the winter months. With that hurdle overcome, Derham has his sights on ending his third season in style at the Aintree Grand National Meeting.
Graded Success the Next Box to Tick
Whilst Derham has performed admirably in terms of number of winners and prize money – which has moved north of £500,000 for the first time this season – he has yet to strike in Graded company. He has, however, been edging closer, with Queens Gamble and Washington striking at Listed level.
An incredibly special day @Fairyhouse with Washington providing us with our first winner in Ireland in a very valuable handicap hurdle under a quite brilliantly judged ride by Paul.
Very well done to his owners the Burke’s and Syder’s, to Megan who rides him everyday and to… pic.twitter.com/6d03QanWL8
— Harry Derham (@Harry05Derham) December 1, 2024
The Cheltenham Festival was the most recent meeting to pass Derham by in his effort to record a first Graded success, with Turn And Finish and Queens Gamble failing to trouble the judge in their respective assignments.
Given his increasingly impressive record and strong support from owners – well advertised by the recent purchases of Cristal D’Estruval (£400,000) and Clondaw Park (£320,000) – it is surely only a matter of time until Derham breaks through in Graded company. However, it wouldn’t come as the biggest surprise if that much-sought success arrives sooner rather than later.
Strong Squad Heading to Merseyside
Derham may only have sent two runners into the white-hot battle of the Cheltenham Festival, but he plans to be more strongly represented at the upcoming Aintree Grand National Festival. Having recently recorded a milestone 100th British win with One Horse Town at Kempton, the following eight runners look set to form the Derham team at the Aintree extravaganza.
- Jackie Hobbs – Sired by the Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs, this five-year-old mare has made an electric start to her racing career. Winning her Point-to-Point in March 2024, she followed up in a Ludlow Bumper and made it three from three with an impressive success in a Class 2 Mares Bumper at Ascot. The Grade 2 Mares Bumper at the meeting looks like a realistic target
- Mossy Fen Road – Derham has enjoyed a solid year with his Bumper performers. This son of Flemensfirth looked like a strong addition to the ranks when cruising clear on debut at Wetherby in February. The final race on National Day will demand more, but it’s likely we haven’t seen anything like the best of him yet
- Washington – This eight-year-old appeared to lose his way for Olly Murphy and Paul Nicholls but has found a new lease of life at the Derham operation. Picking up his first win in two years in October, he followed up with a success in a valuable event at Fairyhouse. Things didn’t go to plan in the William Hill Hurdle, but he may bounce back in the race for conditional jockeys and amateur riders on the Friday
- Slugger – This son of Ocovango is another to have enjoyed the switch to the Derham yard. Making his debut for Derham in November, he promptly rattled off a hattrick to climb 18 pounds in the ratings. That winning sequence came to an end at Kelso, but he seems likely to join Washington in the closing event on Day 2 of the meeting
- Filibustering – Winning just once for former trainer Tim Easterby, Filibustering was no star on the flat. However, the early evidence suggests he may fare better over obstacles. Kicking off his hurdles career with a twelve-length romp at Kelso, he is set to move right up in class for the Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle on the opening day
- Brentford Hope – A five-time winner for Derham who has twice finished second in Grade 2 company, including when chasing Constitution Hill home in the International Hurdle. Could appear in a handicap or step up in trip for another crack at a Graded prize
- Just Ennemi – Intriguing recruit from France who has yet to run for Derham. Last sighted winning in good style at Auteuil, the fact he has been kept back for a big Spring assignment suggests he must be showing something at home
- Joker De Mai – This ultra-consistent sort has finished in the first three in each of his last seven starts for Derham and arrives on the back of a 21-length success at Leicester. The Foxhunters’ Chase looks like the most obvious target for this David Maxwell-owned runner
Others may yet join the Derham assault on Aintree, but with the above eight on his side, it would be no surprise to see the trainer end a difficult year on a high.