British horse trainer John Gosden

John Harry Martin Gosden (1951) had the potential for a remarkable career, whether as a scientist, economist, or politician. His expansive vision, exceptional intelligence, and charisma positioned him to excel in any major endeavour, be it running a corporation or governing a state. However, he chose a different path and became a racehorse trainer. Not just any trainer, but the most successful and renowned trainer of our era. 

With over 3,500 wins across various countries, including more than 600 in the USA and over 200 graded stakes victories, John Gosden has earned widespread acclaim in the racing world. He has been named champion trainer six times, with his most recent title in 2023, shared with his son Teddy, who is also a trainer. Since 2017, Gosden has held the distinction of being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

The beginning of the way

The acclaimed trainer grew up in the picturesque Sussex Downs, where his father owned a racing stable. Tragically, when John was just 16, his father passed away from a heart attack, leaving behind the words, “You shouldn’t be a horse trainer.” However, destiny had different plans for him. 

John earned a degree in economics from Cambridge University, where he also excelled as the champion in javelin and discus throwing. During the oil crisis of 1973, job opportunities in his field became scarce, prompting John to travel to Venezuela, where he worked for a land surveying firm. Despite his professional commitments, he found himself drawn to the racetrack each morning, spending time with the horses and realising that his true passion lay in racing, not surveying. 

This realisation led him to write to Noel Murless, a respected British horse trainer, and he soon took on the role of assistant. John then continued his career under the guidance of Vincent O’Brien in Ireland. In 1977, he made his first trip to the United States, escorting the horse J. O. Tobin to an American owner. The following year, John and his family relocated to California.

American period

John Gosden chose to move to America due to the challenges of starting a business in England without his own stable, which he couldn’t afford. Additionally, his wife Rachel was offered a job in the USA, prompting Gosden to make a long-term commitment to the country. He ended up living in America for 11 years, during which three of his four children were born. In 1979, he obtained a trainer's licence and began his career with just three horses, all of which were lackluster. Eventually, he acquired two more horses and was offered a sixth, a horse that was considered undesirable: Bates Motel. Named after the infamous hotel from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," Bates Motel had a limp and an unremarkable presence. The horse lost his first 11 races, but Gosden recognised his potential and developed him into a formidable handicapper. In 1983, Bates Motel achieved significant wins, including the Santa Anita Handicap and the San Antonio Handicap, ultimately earning the Eclipse Award for best older horse. Gosden regarded Bates Motel as a turning point in his career.

The following year, his horse Royal Heroin claimed victory in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Mile and also received an Eclipse Award. From that moment, Gosden’s reputation soared in American horse racing, with his stable's annual earnings reaching nearly $5 million. His American credentials include victories in prestigious races such as the Hollywood Turf Cup in 1984, 1985, and 1986, the Matriarch Stakes in 1984 and 1987, as well as wins in the Breeders' Cup Mile and Breeders' Cup Turf. However, in 1989, John Gosden made the decision to return to Newmarket.

British period

The Gosden family had no intention of returning to England, they had put down roots in America, bought a house and were paying off the mortgage. But there was someone whose arguments were able to convince Gosden to uproot his home and return to his homeland. Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum invited him to become the head trainer of his newly acquired Stanley Stables in Newmarket, or Godolphin Stables.

Godolphin Stables

In 1991, Gosden achieved victories in both the French Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp with Keen Hunter and the British Sun Chariot Stakes with Ristna, the latter being under the ownership of Dubai's future ruler. He also triumphed in the Prince of Wales Stakes in 1984 and 1985 with Mukhtarram, a horse belonging to Sheikh Mohammed's brother. By 1995, Gosden had secured wins in the French Prix Jean Prat, Prix Lupin, and Prix de la Salamandre. His success continued as he claimed English classics, including the St. Leger in 1996 and the Derby in 1997. 

Throughout these years, he collaborated with jockeys Frankie Dettori and Olivier Pellier, and celebrated a Derby victory with Willie Ryan. In 1999, Saeed bin Suroor, a compatriot of the Sheikh, took over as head trainer from Gosden, who then transitioned to Robert Sangster's Manton stables.

Stables of Menton

During his 6 years of cooperation with Sangster, Gosden trained about 400 winners, who brought in just under £17 million in prize money.

In 2000, he won the 2000 Guineas with Hamdan Al Maktoum's horse Lakhan. For Gosden, this was the hundredth winner of European Group races.

In October 2005, the trainer parted ways with the Menton stable. Simply because he decided to finally implement the plan to organise his own stable and training base.

Clairhaven

Clarehaven Stables, located near Newmarket, was established in 1902 by the renowned British trainer Peter Gilpin and is named after the horse that won the Tsarevich Handicap under his guidance. Once John Gosden began training independently, his success soared, with victories from his horses coming in quick succession. He first earned the title of Britain’s leading horse trainer in 2012 and has since secured the title five additional times. His horses have won the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup four times, with the exceptional Stradivarius claiming three wins and Courage Mon Ami bringing home the trophy in 2023.

Stradivarius has also triumphed in the Goodwood Cup four times, while Gosden's horses have claimed victory in the Eclipse Stakes on four occasions. They have crossed the finish line first in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes five times, thrice with the remarkable Enable in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, Gosden's horses have won the Nassau Stakes, Oaks Stakes, St. Leger, and Yorkshire Oaks four times each.

In France, Gosden's horses are viewed as formidable contenders in all open races. Since taking over Clarehaven, he has achieved the following:

- 5 wins in the Prix Jacques Le Marois

- 3 wins in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

- 2 wins each in the Prix de Diane, Prix de Royallieu, Prix Jean Romanet, and Prix Rothschild

Gosden has also secured 11 open race victories in Ireland and 7 in the USA, highlighted by the Breeders' Cup Classic win with Raven's Pass in 2008, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf wins in 2008 and 2009, the Breeders' Cup Turf with Enable in 2018, and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf with Inspiral in 2023. In 2021, his horse Mishriff claimed victory in the Saudi Cup, while the Dubai Sheema Classic has been won in 2010, 2017, and 2021. Additionally, his horses have won the Dubai Turf in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In more recent years, John Gosden has been collaborating with his son Thady Gosden, who was born in 1995 and has already achieved over 300 race wins worldwide, including in the UAE.

John Gosden and his philosophy

Standing nearly two metres tall, with a university education, an analytical mindset, and a quick wit, a man with a passion for the Rolling Stones and extensive knowledge of Bob Dylan holds a unique perspective on the future of horse racing. According to Gosden, the sport has already reached its peak popularity. In this era of advanced technology, a plethora of entertainment options and new betting methods have emerged.

In an effort to satisfy the public's desire to place wagers, racing calendars often feature subpar racehorses. Furthermore, when a nation's economy is struggling, the entertainment sector tends to contract. The racing industry, which is labour-intensive, requires significant investment and carries substantial risks, faces challenges, especially considering the high costs of breeding thoroughbred horses.

Gosden draws a comparison between horse racing and football. In football, young talent can enter the sport, undergo training, and evolve into exceptional players. However, in racing, the process is far more intricate; clubs would have to carefully select suitable parents, manage breeding, and cultivate athletes. As a result, equestrian sports are inherently more vulnerable to economic fluctuations than many other sports. 

Gosden envisions the future of racing lying in the East—in countries like Japan, Malaysia, China, and Australia. Currently, British racehorses are among the best globally, trained by elite professionals. However, without government intervention and support, the sport risks gradual decline. Young people entering the industry would be wise to consider these issues carefully.