Historical Overview 1980 to present

Yorkshire Racing & Breeding History
Recent ~ 20th Century ~ 19th Century ~ Early History

Horses work on Middleham High Moor, July 2005
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Year	Event
1980	Sea Pigeon, trained nr.Malton by Peter Easterby is voted National Hunt Horse of the Year having won the Champion Hurdle and Welsh Champion Hurdle.
1980	Malton trainer Peter Easterby is Champion National Hunt trainer for the second year in a row.
1981	Sea Pigeon, trained nr.Malton by Peter Easterby is voted National Hunt Horse of the Year for the second year having won the Champion Hurdle
1981	Little Owl, trained nr.Malton by Peter Easterby, wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup
1981	Aldaniti, bred by Tommy Barron at his Harrowgate Farm, Darlington, wins a memorable Grand National.
1981	Malton trainer Peter Easterby is Champion National Hunt trainer for the third year in a row.
1982	Fearless Lad, trained at Middleham by Dick Peacock wins the King's Stand S G1
1982	Goodbye Shelley, trained at High Hoyland near Barnsley by Steve Norton wins the Prix Marcel Boussac G1
1982	Silver Buck, trained at Dunkeswick by Michael Dickinson is voted National Hunt Horse of the Year, having won four races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
1982	Michael Dickinson, who trained at Dunkeswick saddles a world record 12 winners in one day on the 27th December, he had 21 runners in 20 races at 6 different courses within a period of 3 hours. Only one horse failed to contribute financially to the day's haul as he also had 5 seconds, 2 thirds and 1 fourth place. The shortest price Dickinson runner of the day was The Welder, at Wetherby, lost by a short head! Michael Dickinson was only in his second year as a trainer, having taken over from his father, Tony.
1982	Michael Dickinson, the Dunkeswick trainer, is Champion National Hunt trainer for the first time in only his second season.
1983	Michael Dickinson who trained at Dunkeswick saddles the first five home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 'Famous Five' were, in order: Bregawn, Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.
1983	Michael Dickinson who trained at Dunkeswick saddles a then record 120 winners in the 1982/83 jumps season. Besides the Gold Cup he also won in this season the Hennessy Gold Cup, SGB Handicap Chase, King George VI Chase, Grand National Trial, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Sun Alliance Hurdle. He is named Champion National Hunt trainer for the second year in a row.
1983	Flying filly Soba trained at Stillington near York by David Chapman and bred at Westwood Farm (and ridden by current trainer David 'Dandy' Nicholls) comes second in three G1 sprints - King's Stand Stakes, July Cup and the Prix de l'Abbaye. She also won the King George Stakes G2 in this year.
1983	Mountain Lodge, bred by the Garrowby Stud, nr.York wins the Irish St.Leger G1
1984	Middleham trainer and breeder Dick Peacock dies.
1984	Teleprompter, trained by Bill Watts at Richmond, wins the Queen Elizabeth II S G2.
1984	Michael Dickinson who trained at Dunkeswick is named Champion National Hunt trainer for the third year in a row, and moves south to Manton to train on the flat for Robert Sangster.
1985	Teleprompter, trained by Bill Watts at Richmond, becomes the highest earning English or Irish trained horse of all time, following his victory in the Arlington Million of that year. Although this was short lived (after Pebbles won the same years Breeders' Cup), he is still the highest earning English gelding of all time with winnings of £758,536.
1985	Kris, standing at Thornton Stud, Thirsk, becomes the most recent Yorkshire champion sire, mainly due to the Fillies Triple Crown winner Oh So Sharp.
1985	Forgive 'N Forget trained at Malton by Jimmy Fitzgerald wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup from Monica Dickinson's Righthand Man in second.
1985	Badsworth Boy, trained at Dunkeswick by Monica Dickinson wins his third successive Queen Mother Champion Chase.
1985	Androma, trained at Malton by Jimmy Fitzgerald, wins his second succesive Scottish Grand National.
1985	By the Way, trained at Dunkeswick by Monica Dickinson wins the Whitbread Gold Cup.
1986	Hardy Lad, trained at Middleham by Jumbo Wilkinson (and ridden by soon-to-be Middleham trainer Micky Hammond) wins the Scottish Grand National.
1986	Bold Arrangement bred at Manor House Stud, Middleham is second in the Kentucky Derby G1
1986	The disbanded Ribblesdale Stud, nr.Kirbymoorside, is named Leading British Based National Hunt Breeder of 1986, thanks to the exploits of See You Then, triple winner of the Champion Hurdle.
1987	Peter Easterby's 25-1 shot Cybrandian is second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
1988	Lincolnshire trainer, and former vet, Mark Johnston moves into Kingsley House Stables Middleham, previously occupied by fellow trainer George Moore, who moves across the road to Warwick Lodge.
1989	Sapience, trained at Malton by Jimmy Fitzgerald, comes second in the St.Leger G1
1989	Steinlen, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Cliff Stud, Helmsley wins the Arlington Million G1 and Breeders Cup Mile G1
1990	Tirol bred by Manor House Stud, Middleham wins the 2000 Guineas G1 and Irish 2000 Guineas G1
1990	Epervier Bleu, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Prix Lupin G1 and is second in the Prix du Jockey Club G1 and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe G1
1990	Pistolet Bleu, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Criterium de Saint-Cloud G1
1990	Steinlen, reared at the Cliff Stud, Helmsley wins the Hollywood Turf H G1 and is third in the Arlington Million G1
1990	Rafha, reared at the Cliff Stud, Helmsley wins the Prix de Diane G1
1991	Kazoo, trained at Richmond by Bill Watts, wins the German 1000 Guineas G1
1991	Epervier Bleu, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud G1
1991	Victoire Bleue, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Prix du Cadran G1
1991	Pistolet Bleu, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate is third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe G1
1992	Rodeo Star, trained at Malton by Nigel Tinkler wins the Tote Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle.
1992	Pistolet Bleu, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud G1, and is second in the Prix Ganey G1
1993	Jodami trained at Stearsby by Peter Beaumont wins the Chelteham Gold Cup
1993	Bigstone, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Sussex Stakes G1 and Queen Elizabeth II S G1 and is second in the Prix Jean Prat G1, Grand Prix de Paris G1 and third in the Prix du Moulin G1.
1993	Arcangues, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Breeders Cup Classic G1 and the Prix d'Ispahan G1.
1994	Mister Baileys, trained in Middleham by Mark Johnston, wins the 2000 Guineas G1
1994	Middleham trainer Mark Johnston breaks through the 100 winner and £1 million prize money barrier for the first time. Double Trigger is placed third in the St.Leger G1.
1994	Bigstone, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Prix d'Ispahan G1 and the Prix de la Foret G1 and is third in the Queen Elizabeth II S G1.
1994	Antonin, trained nr Thirsk by Sue Bramall (later to move to Ireland) wins the Racing Post Chase.
1995	Double Trigger, trained in Middleham by Mark Johnston wins the Ascot Gold Cup G1.He completes the stayers Triple Crown by capturing the Goodwood Cup G3 and Doncaster Cup G2.
1995	Jodami, trained at Stearsby by Peter Beaumont wins his third consecutive Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase.
1995	Pentire, bred by the Garrowby Stud, nr.York wins the Irish Champion S G1, King Edward VII S G1 and The Great Voltigeur S G2 and is second in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II Diamond S G1
1995	Classic Cliche, bred by at Nidd Park Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the St.Leger G1 (on the same day that Pentire wins the Irish Champion S G1!) and Mecca Dante S G2
1996	Bijou d'Inde, trained in Middleham by Mark Johnston, is third in the 2000 Guineas G1 and later wins the St.James's Palace S G1 at Royal Ascot and is third in the Juddmonte International G1
1996	Leading dual purpose trainer Peter (MH) Easterby retires and hands over Habton Grange Stables at Great Habton near Malton to his son Tim.
1996	Pentire, bred by the Garrowby Stud, nr.York is named Champion Older Horse having won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II S G1 and finished 3rd in Eclipse S G1
1996	Classic Cliche, bred by at Nidd Park Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Ascot Gold Cup G1 and is an excellent second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II S G1
1996	My Emma, bred by at Nidd Park Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Prix Vermeille G1
1997	Classic Park, bred at the Garrowby Stud, Nr.York wins the Irish 1000 Guineas G1.
1997	Mark Johnston, of Middleham trains two individual juvenille group one winners - Lend A Hand in the Gran Criterium G1 and Princely Heir in the Heinz Phoenix S G1. For the third year running he completes his three principle targets: over 100 winners, over £1million in prize money and a group one winner!
1997	York stages one of the most memorable races of the season when Coastal Bluff (trained at Maunby by David Barron) deadheats with Ya Malak (trained by David Nicholls at Sessay and ridden by his wife, Barron's former stable jockey, Alex Greaves) for the Nunthorpe S G1.
1997	Bill Watts of Richmond, classic winning trainer, retires blaming the financial state of British racing.
1997	Peintire Celebre, reared for Daniel Wildenstein at the Copgrove Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Prix du Jockey Club G1, Grand Prix de Paris G1, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe G1, becoming European Horse of the Year.
1997	My Emma, bred by at Nidd Park Stud, Nr.Harrogate wins the Yorkshire Oaks G1
1998	Lend A Hand, trained in Middleham by Mark Johnston, is second in the 2000 Guineas G1
1998	Leading (and sometimes controversial trainer) Lynda Ramsden retires to France. The yard Breckenbrough House at Sandhutton near Thirk is taken over by Grand National winning trainer Andy Turnell. Two years later the Ramsdens' were back at Breckenbrough again!
1998	Branston Abby, the winning most British mare of the 20th Century dies aged 8 of grass sickness, having only recently retired. Buried at her former home Kingsley House, Middleham where she was trained by Mark Johnston, she won 25 races from 96 starts and earned over £314,000. She won numerous listed races, but no group races, with perhaps her best performance being 2nd in the 1995 Haydock Park Sprint G1.
1998	Border Arrow, bred by the Garrowby Stud, nr.York is third in both the 2000 Gns G1 and the Derby G1
1999	Dark Moondancer, bred at Manor House Stud, Middleham wins the Gran Premio di Milano G1, Prix Ganay G1 and the Prix d'Harcourt G2
1999	Yavana's Pace, trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston is second in the Irish St.Leger G1.
2000	In For A Penny, trained near Malton by Richard Fahey is third in the Irish Oaks G1.
2000	Pipalong, trained near Malton by Tim Easterby wins the Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1.
2000	Mark Johnston, based at Middleham, trains his thousandth winner, and thus becomes the quickest person ever to reach this remarkable milestone.
2000	Yavana's Pace, trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston is second in the Irish St.Leger G1 for the second year.
2001	On the same day at the Aintree Festival there are two Yorkshire trained winners in the main supporting races on National Day - Barton, trained nr.Malton by Tim Easterby wins the Martell Aintree Hurdle (Gd1) and Ballinclay King, trained at Middleham by Ferdy Murphy wins the Martell Novices' Chase (Gd1).
2001	Mark Johnston, based at Middleham, trains Royal Rebel to win the Ascot Gold Cup G1 at Royal Ascot, his second winner of the race, following the victory of Double Trigger in 1995.
2001	Sir George Turner, trained by Mark Johnston, wins the £200,000 Houghton Sales Stakes, the second most valuable win ever by a Yorkshire trained horse, after that of Teleprompter in the 1985 Arlington Million.
2002	Simeon, trained by Mark Johnston, is third in the Prix du Jockey Club G1 (French Derby). The following week Johnston goes to Epsom with the strongest Yorkshire based team for the Derby in living memory. Unfortunately Fight Your Corner and Bandari are both disappointing with Fight Your Corner finishing the best in fifth. In the same race however the Malton trainer Andy Turnell sends out 100-1 outsider Jelani to finish fourth.
2002	Mark Johnston, based at Middleham, trains Royal Rebel to win the Ascot Gold Cup G1 at Royal Ascot for the second year in a row (the horse having had no wins in between). Johnston ends the Golden Jubilee Royal Ascot as the leading trainer with four wins.
2002	Dandy Nicholls "The Sprint King" achieves a remarkable result to train the first two horses home in the July Cup G1 - Continent and Bahamian Pirate, both of who are owned by Lucayan Stud, and both of whom are former Nicholls trained winners of the Ayr Gold Cup!
2002	Mark Johnston's stable stalwart Yavana's Pace wins the Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal G1 at Cologne at the age of ten, to become the oldest ever winner of a group one race.
2002	When Bandari wins the Great Voltiguer Stakes G2 Mark Johnston equals Henry Cecil's record of having achieved a century of winners for nine seasons in a row.
2002	Tim Easterby's colt Bollin Eric wins the St. Leger G1 to become the first Yorkshire trained Leger winner since Peleid in '73. This is also Easterby's first classic winner, at only his second attempt. Mark Johnston's Bandari is third in the same race. Furthermore Bollin Eric is a Yorkshire bred horse.
2002	David 'Dandy' Nicholls lives upto his 'Sprint King' title to produce Continent to win the sprint championship of Europe, the Prix de l'Abbaye G1, the first Yorkshire trainer to lift this historic prize.
2003	The Ferdy Murphy trained Truckers Tavern is second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
2003	Mark Johnston becomes the first trainer ever to have 100 winners in 10 consecutive seasons on the flat.
2003	Tim Easterby wins the Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1 with Somnus, homebred by Lady Legard at her Scampston Hall home near Malton, and raised at the historic Sledmere Stud.
2003	Oaks Farm Stables' daughter of Sadler's Wells fetches a bid of 750,00gns at the Tattersalls Houghton Sale, the highest price ever achieved by a Yorkshire Stud at the sales at that point in time.
2003	Mark Johnston wins the Gran Criterium G1 for the second time, this time with Pearl Of Love, his twelfth group winner of the season.
2003	Attraction, trained by Mark Johnston, wins the Cartier Award as Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, the first such award for a Yorkshire trained horse.
2003	When the the International Ratings are announced there is a unique double for Mark Johnston as his Attraction was rated the Top Two-Year-Old filly in Europe (119) and Lucky Story was rated the joint best Two-Year-Old Colt trained in Britain (118), the first time a Yorkshire trainer has held the top two British rankings, and the first time a Yorkshire trainer has had a European Champion Two-Year-Old.
2004	The Ferdy Murphy trained Granit d'Estruval wins the £79,450 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
2004	History is made when Mark Johnston's Attraction becomes the first horse ever to win both the English 1,000 Guineas G1 and the Irish 1,000 Guineas G1. She then follows up with a mind blowing victory in the Coronation Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot to become Johnston's first ever triple Group One winner, and still undefeated in eight races. The unbeaten tag is lost in her next race the Falmouth Stakes G1 in which she finishes second to Soviet Song. She then runs disappointingly in soft ground in the Prix Jacques le Marois G1, but later returns to something like her best form when again second to Soviet Song in the Matron Stakes G1. Attraction then bounces back to top form to take the Sun Chariot Stakes G1 which propels her past Teleprompter to become the leading Yorkshire trained money earner of all time. The losses to Soviet Song (who has also won the Sussex Stakes G1 and the Fillies Mile G1) are all the more galling as that filly is Yorkshire bred at the Star Cottage Stud in Malton for the Elite Racing Club!
2004	The day after Attraction's Coronation Stakes win, the Tim Easterby trained Fayr Jag wins the Golden Jubilee Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot to give Yorkshire a fantastic double, and complete a Tim Easterby treble of Group One winning sprinters - Pipalong, Somnus and Fayr Jag.
2004	Somnus adds to Tim Easterby's Group One sprint collection when taking the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 at the Deauville festival, in his next race, the Stanleybet Sprint Cup G1 at Haydock, he is narrowly beaten into second place, and he rounds out the European season by taking the Prix de la Foret G1 at Longchamp.
2004	Bahamian Pirate's victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes G1, gives David Nicholls' his first outright win in the race, and, at the age of nine, he becomes the oldest winner of a British Group One race. This also represents Yorkshire's sixth Group One race of the season - their best tally ever.
2004	Mark Johnston caps an excellent season when Shamardal wins the Dewhurst Stakes G1 in impressive fashion to shoot to the head of the market for the follwoing years 2,000 Guineas. Predictably transferred to Godolphin for 2005 Shamardal fulfills his promise with wins in the French 2,000 Guineas and French Derby before his most impressive display when winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot At York, bringing reflected glory to the Kingsley House operation.
2005	Whilst Ascot is refurbished the Royal meeting is temporarily transferred, with great success, to York.
2005	La Cucaracha owned by Guy Reed and homebred at his Copgrove Stud, wins the Nunthorpe Stakes G1 at York and, in her following race, is second in the William Hill Sprint Cup G1 at Haydock.
2005	After an uncertain start to the year the Mark Johnston trained Attraction makes a grand autumnal comeback to win the Matron Stakes G1 at Leopardstown, leading from start to finish. A couple of weeks later she is found to be lame and an extended autumn campaign is cancelled in favour of an honourable retirement to stud.
2005	A week after Attraction's return to winning ways Richmond trainer Alan Swinbank registers his first Group One win when his Collier Hill plunders the Irish St Leger G1, defeating the mighty Vinnie Roe.
2005	Kevin Ryan's Amadeus Wolf becomes Yorkshire's third Group One winner of the month of September when Amadeus Wolf easily lands the Middle Park Stakes G1, to enable his trainer to join the ever-expanding list of Yorkshire based trainers who have trained a Group One winner.
2005	Two days after Amadeus Wolf's victory yet another Yorkshire based Group One winning trainer is annointed when Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird runs the race of her life to land the Prix de l'Opera G1 at Longchamp on Arc day.
2005	Kevin Ryan makes it a year to remember when his Palace Episode wins the Racing Post Trophy G1 from Mark Johnston's Winged Cupid to give the young Hambleton trainer his second group one victory of the season, and of his career.
2006	Alan Swinbank's eight year old Collier Hill is placed second in the Dubai Sheema Classic G1 pushing his career earnings over the £1 million mark - a first for a Yorkshire trained horse.
2006	First season trainer Tim Pitt, based at Bawtry, produces failed hurdler Les Arcs to win the Golden Jubilee Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot, with the Kevin Ryan trained Balthazaar's Gift in second place. Les Arcs later consolidates his position as Britain's leading sprinter by landing the July Cup G1 at Newmarket.
2006	Kevin Ryan's Desert Lord springs a surprise to lands the Prix de l'Abbaye G1 at Longchamp on Arc day.
2006	Mark Johnston post his third victory in the Gran Criterium G1 when Kirklees triumphs at San Siro.
2006	Alan Swinbank's Collier Hill adds yet another top class race to his record when winning the Canadian International G1 at Woodbine. The globe trotting continues and in December he adds the Hong Kong Vase G1 to his haul.
2007	Oaks Farm Stables obtain a price of 2,500,000gns for a daughter of Sadler's Wells at the October Sales, a world record for a yearling filly.
2008	The Mark Johnston trained Nahoodh lands the Falmouth Stakes G1 at Newmarket.
2008	The Robin Bastiman trained Borderlescott wins the Nunthorpe Stakes G1, held at Newmarket due to flooding on the Knavesmire.
2009	Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King lands the Maghull Novices' Chase Gd1 at the Aintree Festival having finished runner-up in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Gd1 at Cheltenham.
2009	Karl Burke lands his first Group One winner when Lord Shanakill takes the Prix Jean Prat G1. Shortly afterwards Burke is 'warned off' for a year and the string at Spigot Lodge is taken over by his father-in-law, veteran trainer Alan Jarvis.
2009	The Robin Bastiman trained Borderlescott wins the Nunthorpe Stakes G1 for the second consecutive year.
2009	After a gap of five years David Nicholls lands yet another Group One sprint when Regal Parade takes the Betfred Sprint Cup G1, providing the trainer's son Adrian with his first group one winner.
2009	Within the space of five minutes Mark Johnston trains Jukebox Jury to win the Preis von Europa G1 and Shakespearean the £956,310 Goffs Million Mile, the richest ever victory for a Yorkshire trained horse. Less than a week later Johnston's Awzaan lands the Middle Park Stakes G1 to make it a week to remember.

Recent ~ 20th Century ~ 19th Century ~ Early History

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