Exciting year upcoming for Champion miler Ribchester

First-crop juveniles are with some of Europe’s best trainers

Ribchester, twice crowned European Champion miler, has an exciting year upcoming with his first crop of 123 foals setting foot on the racecourse, many of whom with Europe’s leading trainers.

Richard Fahey expertly handled the son of Iffraaj to win four G1 contests, and he has seven in his yard at Malton in Yorkshire. Based in Berkshire and trainer of Champion sire Night Of Thunder, Richard Hannon, has been given six juveniles to train.

Others to handle multiple sons and daughter of Ribchester are the Newmarket trainers William Haggas, Roger Varian and Saeed bin Suroor.

Two of his expensive yearlings will be running in France. Andre Fabre will be training a daughter of Kerila, who sold for €240,000 while Jean-Claude Rouget will take charge of a filly out of Surrey Storm, a 185,000gns purchase at Tattersalls.

Other notable trainers with Ribchester’s in their yard include Charlie Appleby, Mark Johnston and Wesley Ward, all of which are no stranger to the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot with their juveniles.

Ribchester, who won the G2 Mill Reef Stakes at two, is standing this season at a fee of €17,500 Oct 1, SLF.