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| Staff Writer |
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The Lambourn-based Ed Walker is no stranger to the region. His charge, the immensely talented filly, Royal Intervention lined up in the 1351 Turf Sprint at the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting won by Dark Power.
Earlier in the year his star Matthew Flinders was entered in the Bahrain International Trophy but was sold to Australia-based Annabel Neasham supported by Blandford Bloodstock for 230,000 gns earlier.
“Unfortunately, I sold my most exciting chance in Matthew Flinders,” said Walker.
“Desert Doctor may go to the Dubai International Carnival but unfortunately we do not have the right horses this year.
“Winning races in the Middle East has always been an ambition of mine,”
“I love to travel my horses in search of great prize money and great experiences for my owners.
“I also like to give something back to these countries as the Middle East has supported British Racing for many years now and I like to return that favour when I have the right horses,” he said.
Walker's string of 80 at Kingsdown includes horses owned by breeder Bjorn Nielsen, Lord and Lady Lloyd
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Webber, Laurence Bellman, Andrew Black's Chasemore Farm, John Pearce Racing, Lady Rothschild and Kirsten Rausing among others, while his more international client base includes an emphasis on Hong
Kong owners such as PK Siu, Kangyu International Racing and the Australian-based OTI Racing.
His other charge, the exciting sprinter Starman who won the first three races of his life and won the Gr.1 July Cup this year.
“Starman has been a superstar for us this year,” said Walker.
He will stand at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland, with owner David Ward retaining a share in the 4-year-old for his stallion career.
The winner of five of his eight starts, with earnings of over £476,000 in prize money, Starman retired as the top-rated sprinter in Europe.
“Undoubtedly Starman winning the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket was our most exciting win this year,” said Walker. “It was our first top-level success and no better place to do it and no bigger sprint to win. Starman has now been retired.”
Starting from a small 24 box yard within St Gatien Stables in Newmarket, Walker has grown into his new base at Kingsdown Stables in Upper Lambourn. He has trained over 400 winners and has had a Stakes winner every year since taking out his licence.
“We are lucky to have some very good horses at the moment, but the likes of Great Ambassador, Came From The Dark, Primo Bacio, Dreamloper, Popmaster, Glenartney, and Kawida I expect to compete at the highest level next year,” he said.
“All of the horses are special in their own way, good or bad.
“What makes these horses good is obviously their natural athleticism but also their minds.
“The mind is key. If the mind is not right it does not matter how good they are,” said the English trainer.