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| Staff Writer |
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Stuart Williams has earned the nickname "conjurer” for his ability to transform average horses into winners. Quinault, a Godolphin reject who joined Williams in February, is a prime example of this talent. Despite only one prior race, where he finished last in a novice race, Quinault has flourished under the conditioner’s guidance
Williams has set his sights on Royal Ascot for Quinault, aiming to continue the impressive ascent of last season. The Oasis Dream gelding excelled in sprint handicaps over six and seven furlongs last year, winning seven contests and earning over £180,000. Returning this season with a career-high rating of 102, Quinault is ready for more challenges.
Quinault is set to compete in both the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and the Wokingham Stakes at the Royal meeting. Another race before Ascot is also under consideration, which will influence the decision between the handicapped and the Jubilee. His preparation for Royal Ascot has been meticulous, having raced four times on the All-Weather last winter and then transitioning to turf, where he won seven races.
Given the entire demanding schedule, a break was necessary.
"We had three months off with light exercise, just chilling out," Williams noted. When Quinault returned in January, he was 80 kilos heavier and needed extra time to regain fitness.
"We missed the intended target of running on 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket by two weeks," he explained.
Despite the setback, Williams remains optimistic.
"He needed the first run of the year. It was a messy race, and he was slightly slow out of the stalls, which is unlike him. But I'm happy with his progress since then," he said.
Williams plans to run Quinault in the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock, ground conditions permitting, followed by one of the races at Ascot. He understands the importance of giving his stable star time off.
“He has done very little racing as a 2YO. And then in about nine months, he had 12 races.
“He had worked hard last year. And we didn’t want to run him all the way through the winter this season,” he stated.
“It was a good time for him to have a break. We’re bringing him back with the first real target for us being Ascot.
“If he improves like we hope he does, there are a lot of possibilities for him. And even some opportunities abroad that he could take up later in the season,” he added.
Williams attributes Quinault's potential to his exceptional attitude and innate ability.
"His attitude is very good. In some races, he looked like he wasn't going to win but was determined to get to the front," the coach explained.
The equine athlete’s physical attributes and tenacity also set him apart.
"He's a strong, well-bred horse from a German family. We're just fulfilling his potential," he noted.
Quinault's adaptability to different track conditions is a significant advantage.
"He's won on good to soft and good to firm. Anywhere in between is fine, but he wouldn't want extreme conditions," Williams added.
Reflecting on his journey with Quinault, the trainer recalled the most memorable moment of their partnership which was last season's win at Newmarket's July Cup day.
"It was quite an emotional win," he said, recalling the excitement of the day.
The big handicap race saw Quinault cross the finish line by a nose, a thrilling conclusion that left everyone in awe.
"The feeling that day was just brilliant," Williams beamed. "This is what we do it for. This is why we get up both early in the morning and every day to do this."
Stuart also shared endearing anecdotes that highlight the pacer’s unique personality.
"He has a reputation for trying to bolt and run away. But he's very laid-back in the stable," Williams said.
He recounted moments when Quinault would playfully get hay all over his head, creating amusing photo opportunities.
The handler summarised his horse in three words: “He's tough, genuine, and honest.”
A significant turning point in the trainer’s career was acquiring Quinault.
"We were searching for a used horse that we could run throughout the winter and into the following year. But they were too expensive, and we couldn't afford the one we wanted," Williams recalled.
He noticed a horse with Godolphin that showed promise despite being big and a bit backward.
When Quinault arrived, he was far from race ready.
"He had some time off from training with them. So, when he came to the sales, he was quite unfit and more resembled a broodmare than a racehorse. So, I kind of took my word for the fact that I thought there was a horse in there somewhere," the equine educator noted.
Quinault had cost US$230,000 at the breeze-up sales, indicating his potential, but his reputation for being unmanageable posed a challenge.
Williams employed a patient and innovative approach to the entire’s training.
"I basically trained him on the treadmill for three months. Then my apprentice Luke started riding him gently, just quietly hacking him out on his own, keeping him nice and quiet, and trying to teach him to relax that way," he detailed.
This methodical process began to yield results after a few races.
"He had two or three races for us where he didn't show actually that much. But then he started to bloom," he said.
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Among Stuart Williams’ notable stable stars is Pandora’s Gift, a promising filly that recently claimed victory in a listed race.
"She was second the first time she ran but she's been unbeaten since then," the coach shared.
“She's owned by members of my family, which is really special to my mom, my brother-in-law, and his two sons involved as well,” he added.
The filly’s impressive performance has positioned her as a potential standout in future races, including an entry at Royal Ascot.
Additionally, Williams highlighted other seasoned competitors adding depth and variety to his roster.
“We've got a horse called Eminent Sea that might run on Derby Day this year that we hope will do well this season,” he explained.
“We've got Existent who has been a decent sprinter over the years. He's had a long break, and he'll be coming back shortly, probably be ready around the end of June.”
Williams reiterated the importance of balancing racing seasons and providing downtime for his horses.
"It's a long season when you've run for 12 months. The Australian system races them for three months and rests them for three," he noted.
While England typically follows a winter and summer season structure, Williams ensures his horses get sufficient rest.
Looking beyond Royal Ascot, Stuart plans to maximise his stable stars' potential domestically and internationally.
"The plans for the handicap horses sort of ride themselves. We try to get horses that run in top handicaps throughout the year," he explained.
He mentioned Lea Special, a new addition, and the filly Pandora’s Gift, eyeing events like the Commonwealth Cup and summer stakes. For Quinault, Williams aims for international opportunities, including ventures to Hong Kong.
Williams reflects on the evolution of racehorse training, noting significant advancements that have reshaped the landscape.
"The basics are the same," he says, but the roles within the yard have changed.
"The feed man, who was once the most important person, now could be anybody as long as they can count bowls."
One major change Williams highlights is the advancement in veterinary care.
"The hospitals here in Newmarket are honestly better than the human hospitals. If I go to the hospital for a blood test, it takes two weeks for results. For a horse, it's four hours," he says. This has greatly improved horse care.
Technology has also transformed training. "We're now using GPS and heart monitors to track horses' progress during training," the entire’s coach explains.
This data allows trainers to measure and compare performance throughout the season. Williams is excited about veterinary advancements, particularly in gut health.
"Horses have a system where everything goes straight through quickly," he says, believing this area will significantly impact horse racing.
Looking to the future, the equine expert expresses concern about younger generations losing contact with horses.
"More people live in cities and have no contact with horses," he says.
He stresses the importance of educating people about horses and advocates for initiatives like stable visits and interactive experiences to engage the younger generation and foster appreciation for the sport. He sees his role as a steward of the Thoroughbred breed, cherishing the privilege of working with these animals and sharing that passion with others.