2020-2021 Season round up!

On the 'Opening Show' of January 2021, Matt Chapman, pundit, and man of strong opinions described this season as Sam's " coming of age." A quick look at the 2020-2021 trainers' championship will show Sam was still in the comparatively lower echelons of the table, but his strike- rate was 28% bettering Champion trainer Paul Nicholls 25% and Nicky Henderson 19%. With Galileo Silver's success at Lingfield on Feb 1, Aidan Coleman's first winning ride for Sam, the Welshman topped a quarter of a £million prize money. The stable is certainly taking off!

At the close of play we finished off with 26 winners on the board, multiple horses won more than one race, add two listed races into the mix, and it's safe to say it was a whirlwind season for all of the team! I have to thank all of the staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the winter months, enduring the relentless wet weather because without their dedication nothing would be possible. We have some incredible horses who all performed to the best of their abilities all season, we are so lucky to be able to work with such lovely horses every day which we call our job. All of our owners have all been extremely patient throughout the pandemic which has been a difficult time for most and I thank them for their continued support. Thankfully the horses rewarded their patience with plenty of winners on the track.

This season I'm very much looking forward to starting where we left off, with the support of Mr Walters and all of our owners I hope the yard can continue to go from strength to strength. Already we have begun to get horses in from their summer breaks and with such an exciting bunch of horses, it's hard not to get excited about the season ahead. Please god, all horses stay fit and healthy and we can have another successful season!

In no particular order, below is a brief recap of last seasons antics!

DOBRYN- bumper winner first time out at Hereford, then won first time out over hurdles at Plumpton,

finishing off the season in style romping home to win at Ludlow....he is a small, bonny type, who will only improve...

GOOD RISK AT ALL- he certainly made amends for his defeat at Newton Abbot first time out with a win at Cheltenham- in a Listed Bumper!.....again showed his class with another listed bumper success at Newbury giving weight away all round.....

GLENTROOL - was off the track for what felt like an eternity, came agonizingly close to repaying his owner's patience with a close second at Hereford, staying chases are on the cards for him this season..

JAZZ KING- has yet to win, but he is a horse I think a lot of; I've no doubt he can get his head in front early in the season....he will start off in novice hurdles...

FALBERTO- found his grade and won well for us at Ludlow, before being claimed; we wish him all the best with his new connections.....

SLIP ROAD - In terms of his ability, he is a monster of a horse, we firmly believe he can in time have his day on the big stage.....

NOT A ROLE MODEL- won 2 of his 5 races last season, he has been a huge asset to the yard; he's not the biggest in size, but makes up for it with his attitude to win....more of the same this season please Roley!

WILLIAM HENRY- A superstar in his own right, jumped well and was too good for them at Hereford over fences, ran with credit at Aintree before getting tired in the Grade 1 Sayers hurdle.....

BEFORE MIDNIGHT- this warrior was very consistent all season, running well all the way through, deservedly got his day in the sun on the flat at Kempton... then, closer to home at Chepstow at the end of the season.......

IWILLDOIT - trainer error for his first run, then got back to form with a good second at Newbury, his ground went after that and this season he'll be aimed at staying handicap chases on his favored testing conditions, a horse I'm convinced we haven't seen the best of yet....

PADDY'S MOTORBIKE- won a maiden hurdle as he liked, followed up winning a novice hurdle very easily, next stop was a Grade 3 at Ascot finishing 5th - on ITV Racing....

MARIO DE PAIL- 5th in the welsh Champion hurdle of which the form looks top class, won in gutsy fashion at Wetherby; he is a horse we look forward to putting over fences this coming season...

SKYTASTIC- this fellow is 17 hands and some, won first time out at Newbury, the form of which is now very strong.....backed that up with an all-the-way front running performance at Doncaster carrying a penalty...

A big thank you goes to, my fiance Tori who is my biggest supporter, she has been a huge help throughout my training career and it's been very special to have had some great days out together last season. We've missed out on some winning celebrations due to Covid so it's been great to have had Tori with me to share those special days.

Tori Cannon and NOT A ROLE MODEL at Wincanton

SKYTASTIC at Doncaster

Leah Dix and BEFORE MIDNIGHT at Market Rasen

ROYAL MAGIC - we have finally found the key to him: running over 3 miles, where he won, was then second, but, sadly, picked up an injury, which has ruled him out for 12 months.....watch this space Magic will be back....!

KALA NOIRE- The handsome son of Kalanisi won as he liked at his first attempt over fences at Bangor.... A welcome tonic for his loyal and supportive owners! There should be plenty more to come....

POWERSTOWN PARK - Tough as old boots, didn't break a sweat winning three races in just eight days for his loyal owners.....he jumps and gallops and will be next seen pinging over fences....

COAL STOCK - very likable character, won well at Taunton before being claimed, we wish him all the best....

Tom Scudamore giving his thoughts after GOOD RISK AT ALL wins at Newbury

Bumper winners GOOD RISK AT ALL & SKYTASTIC

GREY DIAMOND - enthusiastic chaser who got off the mark on the 3rd attempt for us at Sandown...... there will surely be more to come this season for him..

GALILEO SILVER - this character is bred " in the purple!" He won his maiden hurdle and placed multiple times; he enjoyed his spin on the all-weather at Lingfield, making all to win nicely....chasing could be next!

Team STR from right to left...

Dai Walters, Naomi Roberts, Talor Hopkins, Chris Powell, Dai Morris aka the Shadow riding ROYAL MAGIC, Sam, Mat Cosham, Farrier Matt Rees and apprentice Joe, Leah Dix and Teasel the lurcher.

Dai Morris is a Welsh former rugby union footballer, who won 34 caps for Wales in the years between 1967 and 1974, scoring six tries. His usual position was as a back-row forward, either at blind-side flanker or Number 8, positions he occupied for both Wales and his club sides, Neath RFC and Rhigos RFG.

During his time in the Wales team, Morris won three Five Nations Championships (one shared with France), including two Triple Crowns and one Grand Slam.

In 2002, Morris was voted into an all-time greatest Welsh XV at the blindside flanker position.

Dai spends most of his time on the ground and takes care of most of the groundwork keeping the surrounding gardens looking in such good shape... But riding up the gallops is, " on the bucket list " so watch this space!!

Horses enjoying their summer break.....

We took eight four-year-olds to gallop at Chepstow at the end of the season, education was the name of the day! All horses thoroughly enjoyed themselves, eight exciting bumper horses to look forward to this season!