James Horton excited to move into Sir Michael Stoute's former stables in Newmarket

James Horton has announced that he has secured the lease to Sir Michael Stoute's former base at Beech Hurst Stables in Newmarket for next year.

Horton, who was Stoute's assistant for seven years, quit his job as private trainer to John Dance in North Yorkshire last year amid a fraud investigation into the owner by the Financial Conduct Authority, which led to his assets being frozen.

The BHA blocked Dance's horses from running in September 2023, prompting Horton to move back to Newmarket to restart his training career at Park Lodge Stables, from where he has sent out ten winners.

Stoute trained Derby winner Shergar out of Beech Hurst, along with many other champions before expanding into Freemason Lodge, which Amo supremo Kia Joorabchian submitted a bid for this month.

"We're very lucky, we've been able to secure Beech Hurst Stables for next year," Horton told Sky Sports Racing.

"Obviously everything went a bit upside down 18 months ago and this has very much been a rebuilding year, but we've been lucky to secure the lease on Beech Hurst, which will be a fantastic opportunity for us. This time last year, we hadn't even moved into a yard.

"We've had ten winners from just over 100 runners, with a lot of two-year-olds who we're educating and are exciting horses for next year."

Sir Michael Stoute: trained the great Shergar from Beech House StablesCredit: Edward Whitaker

On his time with Stoute, Horton added: "I spent seven years with Sir Michael and during the entirety of that time Beech Hurst was a part of the set-up.

"Some would've called it the second yard, but it was very much a yard that worked within the base at Freemason Lodge and they were two yards that worked together and worked well.

"I know Beech Hurst very well and it's great to be back there. I'm very much looking forward to it; the location is excellent, it's a healthy yard, the horses thrive there and we're delighted to be given the opportunity.

"Sir Michael, in my eyes, between him and Sir Henry Cecil, were two of the greats who us younger guys were able to witness on the Heath in the mornings. To be able to work alongside him for seven years was an honour and something I’ll always remember.

"He’s a great character and I’ve spoken to him plenty the last couple of years with the things that have gone on and he had plenty of wise words to keep us on the straight and narrow."

Read more:

Kia Joorabchian submits bid for Sir Michael Stoute's Freemason Lodge yard in Newmarket 

James Horton quits as private trainer to John Dance and will relocate to Newmarket 

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