'An iconic trainer who was one step ahead in every way' - major owners line up to pay tribute to retiring Sir Michael Stoute

As longtime assistant James Savage pointed out on Tuesday, Sir Michael Stoute has never taken for granted the equine talent he has been sent, having worked with most of the pre-eminent owner/breeders in Europe during his career. 

Among those to lead the tributes on the day Stoute announced he will bring his career to a close at the end of the year was Chris Richardson, managing director of the Thompson family's Cheveley Park Stud, whose red, white and blue silks were carried to Group 1 success by such leading lights as Russian Rhythm, Medicean and, most recently, Falmouth Stakes winner Veracious, whose daughter Formal put herself in the reckoning for next season's Classics with a smooth success at Leicester on Tuesday. 

“Michael is an iconic trainer who has always been one step ahead in every way," said Richardson. "He is a talented horseman who has a wonderful eye for a horse from whom I learned a huge amount since joining Cheveley Park Stud in 1987. 

"I will very much miss my Saturday morning visits to the Limekilns, Long Hill and Al Bahathri [gallops], trying to read into Michael’s thoughts thereafter. I cannot say I mastered it, but a ‘boompedy boom’ usually told the story, along with him whistling 'Don’t Cry For Me Argentina'.

"Michael has trained for the Thompsons for 40 seasons which is extraordinary really. He trained over 37 individual Group winners of over 70 Group races for Cheveley Park Stud in that time."

Sir Michael Stoute:

• Michael Holding: 'I'm glad Michael's been strong enough to say listen, I've had a great time, and I can now walk away' 
• From the Caribbean to the Classics: Sir Michael Stoute's unusual route to the top

When the present Aga Khan chose to send Stoute yearlings at the end of 1978 it was the first time horses had been trained in Britain for his family since the 1950s.

And while there was a hiatus when the Aga had no horses in Britain following the disqualification of Aliysa from the 1989 Oaks, Stoute was again the choice to be principal trainer in Britain during a second spell, the highlight of which was the Group 1 exploits of Kalinisi, and in a statement the studs paid tribute to his great triumphs with their homebreds.

Sir Michael Stoute with the Aga Khan and Kieren Fallon after Daliapour's victory in the 2000 Ormonde StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The statement said: “The Aga Khan Studs extend their heartfelt wishes to Sir Michael Stoute for a long and fulfilling retirement. Sir Michael Stoute trained horses for His Highness the Aga Khan from 1978 to 2006, a partnership that was quick to produce remarkable successes. 

“Among these was the legendary Shergar, whose record-breaking ten-length victory in the 1981 Epsom Derby remains unmatched. Under Sir Michael’s care, Shergar also won the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes against his elders.

“Five years later, he trained another dual Derby winner for the green and red silks, Shahrastani. Other notable winners trained by Sir Michael Stoute for His Highness include Shardari, winner of the International Stakes, and Doyoun, who gave a first win to his owner and breeder in the 2,000 Guineas. Daliapour was a winner of the Coronation Cup, while Kalanisi won both the Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2000.”

While Sheikh Mohammed’s drive to create Godolphin deprived Stoute of one important patron – as would the death of his brother Maktoum Al Maktoum in 2006 – Khalid Abdullah became an increasingly important presence at Freemason’s Lodge during the 2000s, starting with a first stakes success in 2001 courtesy of Comfy in the Acomb Stakes.

Workforce, with late owner Khalid Abdullah (right), after winning the ArcCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Stoute provided Juddmonte with a Breeders’ Cup winner and future stallion in Expert Eye, while they enjoyed their greatest success with the Derby and Arc double of Workforce in 2010.

Juddmonte chief executive Douglas Erskine Crum said: “Without doubt, Sir Michael Stoute is one of the greatest-ever British trainers, at the top of his profession for 50 years. He has been one of Juddmonte’s leading trainers for nearly 25 years, training the winners of over 50 stakes races. 

“He is exceptionally able to get that little bit extra out of every horse he trains, of which the best Juddmonte example was Workforce. His style is unique: his passion obvious and infectious. In cricket parlance, he retires not out with our best wishes.”

Sir Michael Stoute announces retirement:

Sir Michael Stoute to stop training at the end of the year after 'a great and enjoyable journey' 

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combine with exciting two-year-old prospect hours after trainer announces retirement 

Michael Holding: 'I’m glad Michael’s been strong enough to say listen, I’ve had a great time, and I can now walk away' 

Appreciation: Stoute can be as forthcoming in private as he is reticent in public, two polar extremes inside the same man 

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