Royal UK-based horse racing trainer Sir Michael Stoute has said he’ll retire at the end of 2024 – which will bring the curtain down on a 52-year.
Sir Michael Stoute To Retire At The End Of The 2024 Season
Based at Newmarket, Sir Michael Stoute has called time on his glittering career as a horse racing trainer – saying that the 2024 season will be his last.
Stoute, who will be 79 on 22nd October, delivered the news on Tuesday 10th September via a statement to the PA news agency which read.
“I have decided to retire from training at the end of this season.
“I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years. It has been a great and enjoyable journey.”
Stoute Saddled His First Winner In 1972
Having sent out his first winner in 1972, Sir Michael Stoute has been a regular name for UK horse racing punters for over 50 years and trained many winners – including six Epsom Derby successes.
His first career winner was a horse called Sandal, who was owned by Stoute’s father and won at Newmarket racecourse.
Stoute’s first English Classic win came in 1978 when Salinia won the Epsom Oaks. A race he went onto take once more in 1987 with Unite.
Shergar Was One Of Sir Michael Stoute’s Six Derby Winners
Six Epsom Derby winners belong to Sir Michael Stoute too – with his first coming in 1981 with Shergar, who was famously stolen from his stud in 1983 with a £2m ransom.
While Stoute’s most recent Epsom Derby winner came in 2022 with Desert Crown (watch below).
- 1981 – Shergar
- 1986 – Shahrastani
- 2003 – Kris Kin
- 2004 – North Light
- 2010 – Workforce
- 2022 – Desert Crown
Stoute Has Won 16 British Classics In Total
In total, the British Classic haul for Sir Michael Stoute stands at 16, with his six wins in the Derby his best race.
He also racked up five wins in the 2,000 Guineas over the years. With his first being Shadeed in 1985 and most recent Golan in 2001.
With just one of the five British Classics left to race – the St Leger on Saturday 14th September – and not having an entry in the race, this means Sir Michael Stoute will retire with 16 Classic victories.
His worst Classic was the St Leger, with just one win. This came with Conduit in 2008 with Frankie Dettori riding.
Sir Michael Stoute’s British Classic Wins By Race
- 2000 Guineas – 5 Wins
- 1000 Guineas – 2 Wins
- Epsom Oaks – 2 Wins
- Epsom Derby – 6 Wins
- St Leger – 1 Win
Sir Michael Stoute Trained 82 Royal Ascot Winners
Over the years, Sir Michael Stoute was also a regular winning trainer at Royal Ascot. He amassed 82 winners at the Royal Meeting, which is held each June. Only Aidan O’Brien has trained more winners at the meeting.
His first Royal Ascot winner came with Etienne Gerard in the 1977 Jersey Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute Was Champion Trainer 10 Times
Between the years of 1985 and 2022, Sir Michael Stoute was also crowned British champion horse racing trainer ten times.
Stoute Handled Horses For The Queen
Sir Michael Stoute was also one of the go-to trainers for Queen Elizabeth II – the late monarch had many of her equine stars housed with the hall-of-famer trainer.
Including her 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner – Estimate – who was ridden by Ryan Moore. Who spent many years as stable jockey with Stoute.
Stoute No Stranger To Big International Winners
As well as his success in the UK, Sir Michael Stoute wasn’t afraid to send his big racing stars around the globe to run in some of the best races in the world.
This paid off for Stoute too as over the years he led the way in many other European trainers racing outside the UK and Ireland.
Over the years, Stoute’s big wins worldwide included victories in the Japan Cup (Singspiel 1996 & Pilsudski, 1997), Hong Kong Bowl (Soviet Line, 1994), Dubai World Cup (Singspiel, 1997) and also at the Breeders’ Cup in America with seven wins in total at the meeting over the years.
When Was Sir Michael Stoute Knighted?
Many horse racing fans think that Sir Michael Stoute was knighted due to being a horse racing trainer.
However, he was in fact knighted in the 1998 Birthday Honours list for his promotion of sports tourism in Barbados.
Stoute’s father was Chief Of Police for Barbados – when he left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become assistant trainer with Pat Rohan.
2024 Has Been A Quiet Season For Stoute
Stoute, who trains at Freemason Lodge Stables on the Bury Road in Newmarket, has had a quiet time of this season with just 19 winners (as of 10th Sept 2024), from 127 runners.
His biggest winner of the season came in the Huxley Stakes with Passenger back at the Chester May Meeting.