It has taken some time but finally Weld Al Emerat took the track and started his career in the perfect way. Being by Dubawi and out of a listed winner, Emerat is impeccably bred but he was always the type to need time and the wait was worth it. Having shown plenty at home in recent weeks, the penny had really dropped and Kevin decided it was time to head to the race course.

Weld Al Emerat had always had a big, galloping stride so Kevin felt Southwell was the track that would best suit his charge. The Polytrack does ride a little slower and plays to the strengths of horses who may do better over slightly further. The 1 mile maiden was seen as the best starting point and Emerat didn’t dissapoint. Graham Lee took the ride but before the race he must have thought he had turned the clock back to his jumping days. Weld Al Emarat dwarfed all his competition in the parade ring and looked a giant compared to the rest.

There was a warm favourite in Reetaj but Emerat had received some support and was sent of second favourite. His backers must have been wincing early on as Emerat fluffed the start giving the field a good 3 lengths head start. Even then Graham was having to niggle and work to get his mount into some sort of rhythm. As the field settled into a sedate pace, Weld Al Emerat was still learning with every stride and it took a full 2f to get going. The steady pace had allowed Emerat to recover and get back into the race, but then it played slightly against him. As they came to halfway, Graham suddenly had a fight on his hands as Emerat began to pull his way forward. Sweeping round the outside of the field, Emerat had tanked through the field and pulled his way up to the leaders, sitting 4 wide. The runners headed into the home bend tightly bunched and with plenty looking to have a chance. Straightening up for home and Graham was still keeping Emerat under a tight rein but he was just on the losing side of the fight. Emerat now had the lead but despite pulling his way to the front he still looked full of running. As the pair began to draw clear it was the favourite who came to challenge. Emerat’s inexperience began to show as he started to hang allowing the fav to get alongside in the straight. Once Weld Al Emerat realised there was another horse there he put his head down and edged clear to win by half a length.

This was a race that Weld Al Emerat did everything wrong in but his class took him through. He has shown a lot at home and if Graham had decided to, the result could have been another 5 lengths further clear. Owner Ahmad Al Sheikh bred Emerat and it is a great result to start his career off in the correct manner. He holds a Derby entry and whilst that may be a little lofty, Weld Al Emerat is an exciting prospect for his 3 year old career and Kevin cannot wait for his next run.

With the season over it is a time to reflect and celebrate the achievements of the equine superstars. Recently The Grey Gatsby just missed out on a Cartier award, horse racing’s Oscars, to the magnificent Kingman. Despite this there was still recognition to come for The Grey Gatsby and Kevin at the annual Northern Magic Moments awards at The Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel. This is an awards evening that celebrates all of the years best Northern achievements and 2014 was packed full of quality performances.

Kevin had been nominated for the Flat Trainers award for clinching his first classic in emphatic fashion with The Grey Gatsby storming clear in the Prix Du Jockey Club. Although a great result a day to remember, it was far from a certainty with the likes of John Quinn and the Wow Signal and David O’Meara who both had their first taste of group 1 success. With so many big winners nominated it was a close call but fortunately the winner’s envelope contained The Grey Gatsby and Kevin, cementing what has been a fantastic year. Unfortunately Kevin was unable to attend but his son, Adam, was on hand to collect the award. It is always nice to gain recognition for a performance like The Grey Gatsby’s but what this year’s awards showed was the quality of Northern racing at the minute. With multiple Group 1 winners and a string of top races being scooped up by Northern based trainers it goes to show the strength and quality of horses, jockeys and trainers.

Another November has been run, the champions have been crowned and the curtain has come down on a great flat season. Once again there have been some superstars unearthed and some memorable moments shared throughout the racing community. On both these fronts Kevin has been involved, once again enjoying a fantastic season where he has broken new ground. There has been many highlights and it is now time to reflect on what has been another step forward for the yard.

The Grey Gatsby – the standout superstar of the season who improved from the start to finish the season as one of the top rated horses in the world. Coming into the year he was known about but few believed he would reach the upper echelon of racing. With a maiden win to his name and two seconds in group company, there were admirers of the grey but he was not seen as a potential threat to his classic generation. Kevin was always adamant that everyone was going to see a better, more complete horse this year but even he could never have dreamed about the journey The Gatsby would take everyone on.

After a good pre-season, which went with no problems, the first aim was always going to be the Craven, a Group 3 that has been one of the top Guineas trials for many years. Toormore, champion 2 year old the year before, was the one to beat to stamp his Guineas credentials and most saw it as a nice warm up for him. It turned out to be a good race with The Grey Gatsby forcing Toormore to pull out all the stops to beat the tenacious grey. With this run it was on to the 2000 Guineas where Gatsby ran well but suffered multiple interferences that prevented him from finishing any closer than tenth.

Kevin had always seen Gatsby as a potential 1m2f horse and was certain that the step up in trip would see a vast improvement, others were less sure. The Dante has been the number 1 Derby trial and it was at the Knavesmire that the racing world was introduced to the real Gatsby, and where Ryan Moore began his fantastic partnership with the horse. Racing toward the rear, Ryan produced his mount with 3f to run powering through the field and galloping to the front.

Despite wandering Gatsby took the Dante and ensured the prize stayed in Yorkshire. All the questions were about the Derby and Kevin did have the Derby in mind, but it was across the channel and it was decided that the Prix Du Jockey Club was the next port of call.

1st June 2014 will be a date that nobody at Hambleton Lodge will forget. Lucky was the general feeling about Gatsby’s Dante win, it was seen as an under performance by others rather than Gatsby excelling. At Chantilly the critics and doubters were firmly silenced. Ryan Moore produced one of his many outstanding rides and began to show why he is the main man and the best there is. Unusually the French Derby was run at break neck speed, but this didn’t deter Ryan who took his time and settled Gatsby into his rhythm at the back of the field. Turning for home the pair crept up the rail into contention before surging past the home favourites to run away with the Prix Du Jockey Club and give Kevin his first taste of Classic success.

Heavy ground scuppered his next run before a fine second to Australia in the Juddmonte International. Arguably it was his final start that was the highlight of the year and the point at which he was finally accepted as a true champion. The Irish Champion stakes was seen as an Australia parade with the rest battling for second, Kevin and Ryan Moore did not see it this way. Once again Ryan was calmness personified and both he and The Grey Gatsby just oozed class that day at Leopardstown. Throughout the contest Gatsby was looking on, last of the six runners and stalking Australia. Turning into the home straight the roar of the crowd grew as the dual derby winner surged round the field and took the lead, the race looked over. At this point Ryan had the Gatsby motoring and in full stride. The ground was being eaten up and the gap diminishing as O’Brien was asking for everything on Australia. Gatsby got to the superstar with 150 yards to run and now there was only one winner as Kevin’s star battled and wore down his compatriot to win by a nose.

The Grey Gatsby has rarely received the recognition that he deserves, he’s been seen as the horse who as been in the right place at the right time. Gatsby just kept on proving everyone wrong and with every run continued to improve, to the point of being the second highest rated horse in the world (126) and the highest rated in Europe. That certainly silences the critics. He is in training next year and it is definitely going to be an exciting season and for many he will be the horse to look forward to over the winter months.

The Sprinters– This is the area that Kevin has been renowned for and once again his speed stars have taken a front row seat in the success. Hamzawas the first to strike when taking the Group 3 Abernant at Newmarket. You will not find a tougher horse in training and he finally achieved his Group success after so many near misses in 2013. The Abernant was the perfect example of tenacity and showed what Hamza is all about. After this fine effort he crossed the Irish sea a couple of times to once again go close in their premier sprints. Hamza always ran his heart out and it was nice for him to get the victory he deserved and next year he will be tackling a new adventure in Qatar, he will be missed at Hambleton Lodge.Hot Streak– was a name in many experts books and he did not disappoint.

After finishing 2nd in the Middle Park he had grown and strengthened over the winter, giving Kevin confidence he could tackle the best sprinters around. After finishing 3rd, to the great Sole Power, in the Palace House it was next in The Temple Stakes where he shone. On the rain soaked turf at Haydock, Hot Streak turned the Group 2 into a precession, never getting out of third gear and making the whole race look like a piece of work. Another fine effort in the King’s Stand gave Streak a third and announced him as a sprinter with a huge future.

Unfortunately he never got his ground again but put in some bold efforts and will definitely be one of the top sprinters next year. Astaire– already had a Group 1 to his name and set out initially aimed at the 2000 Guineas. With his run in the Greenham, a good effort but he didn’t stay, it was obvious that he needed reverting back to sprinting. The Group 2 Duke Of York was next and he led some top class sprinters a merry dance before just being collared by Maarek. That fine effort was pleasing but he didn’t reach that level again, probably due to ground and immaturity. He will be back again next year and is definitely a sprinter to follow.

Of the handicappers it was great to get Blaine back this year. The Gimcrack winner had struggled during his 3 year old campaign but bounced back to his best this season. The Scottish Stewards cup and the opening 5 1/2f handicap of the Ebor festival, showed that Blaine was back. It was great to repay the patience of connections and he rounded the season off with an unlucky third in the Ayr Gold Cup. He will be heading to all the top Handicaps next year and could easily find himself back in Group company. Online Alexander took races at Glorious Goodwood and The Ebor showing blistering speed and a change of foot. She has always been highly though of and looked a grade above her handicap rivals. With another year on her back, Online Alexander could progress again into the group horse she looked like this year. Lexington Abbey and Lesha were 3 year olds who improved throughout the year and look likely to have a very bright future ahead of them come 2015.

Glory Awaits – when he belied his odds to finish second in the 2000 Guinea it was seen as a fluke, and with only a maiden victory to his name you couldn’t blame the doubters. 2014 was a real turning point and he finally showed once again the class that he has. After starting with a fine effort in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, he was given the much easier assignment of a Listed event at Chester. Although a front runner, he missed the break that day but showed great courage to come from last to first and win only his second race. That was a real confidence boost and he followed up with a fine second in the City of York Stakes. It was his final outing that was the most pleasing and broke new ground for Kevin. The Group 2 Topkapi Cup in Turkey has been dominated by British runners and Neil Callan, this year was no different. Given a textbook ride from the front, Glory Awaits repelled all challengers and lowered the colours of the mighty Toormore in the process. It was a victory that has been a long time coming for the chestnut but he showed great maturity in the race. He is a horse that loves to hear his hooves rattle and will be heading abroad through the winter, with Hong Kong and Dubai the destinations.

2 Year Olds This year saw Kevin have his largest 2 year old team ever and they did not disappoint. With so many bought from the breeze ups the season was a little slow to get going in the juvenile division.

Calypso Beat had a very good season taking a Listed race race before finishing second in two Group 3 races. Unfortunately she was a little over the top in her final run but she is a filly to look forward to next year and will be aimed at the 1000 Guineas. Salateen was a model of consistency with 2 wins to his name and some fine efforts in group company, notably chasing home Elm Park (subsequent Racing Post Trophy winner). He was always going to be a better 3 year old and looks the type who will improve for a further step up in trip, possibly with the Prix Du Jockey Club in mind. Teruntum Star destroyed a good field off 92 to show his class at Haydock. Unfortunately when stepped up to group company the ground went against him but he definitely looks capable of making his mark as a 3 year old.

Flaming Spear has only one start to his name but could not have been more impressive and caught plenty of people’s attention. A slight niggle has kept him off the track but he has size, scope and class and will be aimed at the 2000 Guineas with the Greenham a possible starting point. Al Ghuwariyahwas a little pocket rocket this year and her two nursery victories was followed by a fine effort in a Listed event. She is far from the finished article and looks as though a winter break will help her mature into a nice filly. Count Montecristo, Swift Approval, Erik The Red, Juncart, Sir Domino, Brando, Captain Colby are a few who haven’t hit the heights of some but they look like a lovely bunch of horses who will develop into classy 3 year olds and definitely have Kevin looking forward to next year.

It has been an unforgettable year and none of it would have been achieved without the hard work of a great team. They are the ones who are in every morning come rain, shine or snow and deserve a huge amount of credit for their dedication to the job. Obviously the most important people are the owners and Kevin fortunately has some of the best. They put their faith and money behind Kevin and the team so every winner is important and hopefully this year has once again given them the joy and success they had hoped for. 2014 was a great year and will never be forgotten but with so many top class horses in the yard and youngsters full of potential, Kevin will be looking forward to 2015 with eager anticipation.