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Thread: Ralph Beckett Chosen To Train A Filly For Charles

  1. #1
    Kathy
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    Ralph is a really nice person, he has been very successful as a trainer and certainly speaks the Queen's English so qualifies on at least three fronts in my book. I can't imagine for a moment Charles and Camilla will be visiting Southwell if their filly (possibly a wedding present from the Queen) turns into an all weather specialist.... but you never know!
    Well done, Ralph! :clap:


    Courtesy of The Racing Post:

    Charles and Camilla choose Beckett as their trainer
    by Carl Evans
    .
    TRAINER Ralph Beckett will train the first racehorse owned jointly by Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

    Named Royal Superlative, the yearling filly was bred by the royal couple out of a mare called Supereva, who was, it is believed, given to them by the Queen as a wedding gift.

    Beckett, 36, admitted to surprise when given the news of his royal appointment – he has never trained for members of the royal family, and has yet to meet his new patrons.

    He said on Thursday: “It wasa bit of a shock to get the phone call from John Warren (the Queen's bloodstock adviser), and when he told me the plan, I did a double take. I had no idea it was coming.

    “I immediately rang my wife, Issy, who was shopping, and it took her a while to grasp what I was trying to tell her. It's a real honour, and very exciting, not only for me, but all the staff here at Whitsbury.

    “I spoke to the Duchess by phone on Sunday evening when we discussed the filly. We are conveniently based to get to from their home and I imagine that was a factor in their decision.”
    Beckett went to see his new acquisition at the Royal Studs at Sandringham in Norfolk last week.

    He said: “I drove out to see the filly while I was attending the December Sale in Newmarket. She's a neat, bonny sort, and doesn't look like she will take a long time, which should make my job easier.

    “It will be understandable that people will be keen to see her in action, so if we can get her to the races in late spring or early summer, that will be fine. However, she will be treated just like all the other two-year-olds.”

    Warren said: “This is very exciting for Ralph, who thoroughly deserves his chance, but it's also exciting for racing that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are so enthusiastic.

    “I hope they have a bit of racing luck to get them going as owners.”

    Royal Superlative, who is by the stallion King's Best, will carry Prince Charles's colours of scarlet, royal blue sleeves and a black cap.

  2. #2
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    That's great news for Ralph, who is indeed a thoroughly nice guy - and a good trainer, as well as a lucky one. I'm glad they've decided to patronise one of the younger generation.

    Fortunate for him Whitsbury is almost next door to Camilla's house which she keeps for her own refuge out of the Royal fishbowl. It's a lucky yard too, former home of course to Desert Orchid and Persian Punch and other greats - the history might have appealed to C&C; though I expect John Warren was the main man here. He's half of Highclere Thoroughbreds of course.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Shadow Leader's Avatar
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    Ralph's a good lad alright.

    (and for the sake of all my ex-colleagues [who aren't on here, granted] it's Rafe, not Ralf!!!!!)
    Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.

    False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

  4. #4
    Kathy
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    I wonder if he will one day be able to display on the side of his horsebox "By Royal Appointment"

  5. #5
    Senior Member Steve T's Avatar
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    I hope he doesn't get too confused when they first come to visit and slap a saddle and bridle on Charlie's missus.....

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    With an ass like her's there has to be a chance that the stalls handlers will try loading her if she gets too close
    Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long Holly. _ Harry Limes

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    Originally posted by Steve T@Dec 15 2007, 09:38 PM
    I hope he doesn't get too confused when they first come to visit and slap a saddle and bridle on Charlie's missus.....
    Beat me to it with the how-will-they-tell-the-difference-between-the-horse-and-Camilla type comment.

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    Senior Member Grey's Avatar
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    I immediately rang my wife, Issy, who was shopping, and it took her a while to grasp what I was trying to tell her.
    I get the feeling that sort of thing happens to him quite often.

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    Senior Member an capall's Avatar
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    I suppose if his wife is called Isty then he should have no trouble with a horse/woman fusion such as Camilla.
    "And still they gazed and still the wonder grew. That one small head could carry all he knew.

    And that small head knew that Impaire Et Passe would win the Champion Hurdle."

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