George Scott to upgrade to Lester Piggott's former base in Newmarket

George Scott will take the next step up the training ladder when completing a move along Newmarket's Hamilton Road to Eve Lodge Stables next week.

Scott, 30, has enjoyed four successful years at Saffron House Stables and is now set to expand to an 80-box yard which was the former base of Lester Piggott and, until earlier this year, occupied by George Peckham.

The switch, which will take place on Monday, means Scott will be moving just a few hundred yards from his current premises so it will be business as usual for the former assistant to Lady Cecil.

James Garfield (left) won last year's Greenham Stakes at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

As well as his new base having more stables, it has an indoor school, two horse walkers, large turn-out paddocks and a treadmill. Eve Lodge also provides extensive on-site staff accommodation and owners’ facilities.

Scott said: "I'm really excited by the opportunities that moving to Eve Lodge Stables will provide us. The facilities are fantastic and will give us every chance to progress further after four enjoyable years at Saffron House Stables."

He added: "We've grown significantly since I saddled my first runner back in November 2015 and I look back fondly on many great days we’ve had so far. James Garfield’s Group victories at two and three are the obvious highlights, but we've enjoyed other great results, including success in Dubai, Turkey and Qatar."

On his past achievements, Scott said: “We've been lucky enough to grow in those four years – hence the requirement to move to bigger premises with excellent facilities. The ambition now is to find more quality horses who can allow us to progress again.

"It’s a challenge that the team and I are keen to embrace and we will be working harder than ever to produce winners and give the best value to our owners.

"Over the coming weeks and months I'll be busy at all the major sales trying to ensure we build a promising team of horses for our first full season at Eve Lodge in 2020.”

Scott’s biggest victories to date were provided by the high-class James Garfield, who won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes in 2017 and the Group 3 Greenham Stakes the following year.

Owens joins Newmarket ranks

Patrick Owens, former assistant to Luca Cumani as well as the likes of Eddie Kenneally, Mike Doyle and Erwan Charpy, has taken out a trainer's licence and will be based at the Authorized Yard at St Gatien Stables.

Owens, who spent six years in Newmarket pre-training for some of the town's biggest yards including John Gosden, will be assisted by his partner and former leading amateur rider Amy Stennett.

Patrick Owens worked in stables around the world before setting up in Newmarket

He said: "I have learned a huge amount during my time with some of the most talented trainers around the world and more recently have enjoyed following the careers of some of the outstanding horses I have been lucky to pre-train."

The Authorized yard is renowned for producing winners and was formerly the base of Charlie Fellowes and Peter Chapple-Hyam, who sent out Authorized to win the 2007 Derby.

Owens added: "I am excited to start training myself with a dual-purpose licence from the Authorized Yard, with the world-class gallops and facilities in Newmarket on hand, there is nowhere better to be based."

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