Simon Callaghan To Train In America

SIMON Callaghan is set to swap Newmarket for America at the end of this year when he will start training at Santa Anita in California.

 

Callaghan, 26, is ready for an ‘exciting new challenge’ which will see him campaign a team comprised largely of proven European horses.

 

The trainer hopes that several of his existing owners – who include Michael Tabor, Ben Sangster and Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar  - will continue to support him, while he is to receive significant investment from another backer.

 

He has enjoyed plenty of success in almost two seasons since taking over the reins from his father Neville at Rathmoy Stables on Hamilton Road.

 

But Callaghan is now looking forward to returning to America where he previously worked for top trainer Todd Pletcher.

 

Simon expects to have his final British runners towards the end of next month.

 

Callaghan confirmed: “The intention is to head out to Santa Anita in the middle of November with the aim being to start having runners early in 2010.

 

“I will be based at the track and will be looking to begin with a string of between 15 and 20 and build up from there. 

 

“The plan is to compete with proven European horses on both turf and synthetic surfaces. I am receiving investment from an individual, which will help me, while several of my current owners at Rathmoy Stables have expressed an interest in sending horses to me in America.

 

“I would be delighted, too, to speak to any British owners who might wish to consider having horses in training with me in America.

 

“It is a fantastic opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting started. I feel I have a solid grasp of what is required to be successful in America, having spent considerable time working for Todd Pletcher.

 

“But I think I can also incorporate a European approach to help maximise the potential of horses competing there.

 

“I will be attending the Horses in Training Sale at Tattersalls where we sold a filly called Miss Kipling last year.  She was a stakes winner with me in 2008 before she was sold to America where she became a Grade winner.

 

“It is that type of progression that I will be looking to deliver from the horses that we acquire at the Horses in Training Sale. Next spring, we will also be looking to buy at the American breeze-ups with the aim being to build up a select two-year-old team.

 

“All in all, it is an exciting new challenge and, as an ambitious person who wants to achieve at the highest level, I will give it absolutely everything.

 

“Lastly, I would like to thank my owners and staff who have been really supportive during my time training in Newmarket. I look forward to retaining links with as many of them as possible and am certainly not closing the door on returning to British racing down the line. But for the moment my immediate future lies in America.”