Cheveley Park latest owners to cut back as Covid financial crisis bites

Cheveley Park Stud, one of the most instantly recognisable sets of silks in British and Irish racing, is set to cut its horses in training on the Flat by 20 per cent as a result of the Covid crisis.

While David and Patricia Thompson look forward to the chasing debut of the hugely exciting Envoi Allen at Down Royal on Friday, their extensive string of regally bred horses trained in Britain is in line for a reduction as the economics of British racing in the coronavirus era continue to leave a mark.

For a variety of reasons both John Dance and Trevor Hemmings have announced major reductions in recent weeks, while the sale of English King, who went off at 100-30 for this year's Derby, to Australia at Tattersalls on Wednesday is another illustration of the problems the sport is facing.