Trevor Hemmings silks going nowhere despite cutbacks and sale of eight horses

The famous silks of late owner Trevor Hemmings will remain a regular sight on racecourses despite a further cutback of horse numbers last week.

Hemmings, who was one of jump racing's biggest supporters, died last October at the age of 86 and the following month Cloudy Glen won the Ladbrokes Trophy in his cherished green, yellow and white colours, providing the highlight of last season's 30 winners.

The billionaire businessman reduced his string by a third in 2020 due in part to the pandemic and a further eight horses were sold at last week's Goffs UK Spring Horses in Training and Point-to-Point Sale in Doncaster.

However, Hemmings' longstanding racing manager Mick Meagher said numbers for the 2022-23 season will be similar to last campaign when 34 horses were in action.

"We sold eight at Doncaster last week but they were the ones that weren't making the grade for whatever reason, which is just normal as in other years we would have sold ten to 12," said Meagher on Monday.

"I think we'll have the same numbers as last season and there'll be a few new ones in training, but they were already bought and I doubt we'll be buying anything."

Trevor Hemmings with his Grand National winners Ballabriggs (left) and HedgehunterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Despite operating on a much-reduced scale, Meagher, who took up duties for Hemmings at Gleadhill House Stud in Lancashire back in 1999, was delighted with the way the horses performed for the late owner's estate last season.

"We were very happy with 30 winners from 34 horses compared to other years when we would have had 26-27 winners from around 60 horses, and we also did well money-wise," he said.

"I don't think we've ever won as many novice hurdle races in a season and they're all chasers in the making."

Three of the best: Trevor Hemmings' Grand National winners

The imposing Hillcrest, who is so tall he goes over trainer Henry Daly's measuring stick, leads the highly promising team of novice chasers looking to take over from recently retired stalwarts Vintage Clouds and Lake View Lad.

Hillcrest won four of his six hurdle starts, including in Grade 2 company at Haydock in February, and although he flopped when sent off favourite for the Albert Barlett at Cheltenham, Meagher is expecting him to be a force over fences.

Hillcrest: set to go chasing in the winter for trainer Henry DalyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: "Hillcrest was a big disappointment at Cheltenham. It just never happened for him as he missed four of the first six hurdles and you can't do that in a race like that.

"He was just too big for hurdles and hopefully he'll get his jumping together over a fence and go on to become a very decent novice chaser."

Hemmings is best remembered for winning the Grand National three times with Hedgehunter in 2005, Ballabriggs in 2011 and Many Clouds in 2015, and the search is on for the next Aintree contender to carry the prestigious silks.

"We were very pleased with Major Dundee, who finished third in the Scottish National as a novice last season, and you'd hope he'll develop into a National horse," Meagher said.

"I don't think Cloth Cap will go back that way – he's run in the last two Nationals and it hasn't worked out for him – and I think we'll just concentrate on a few veterans' races with him."

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