Father and son join forces at Beckhampton Stables - Training Partnership announced between Roger and Harry Charlton
Roger Charlton at BeckhamptonAfter 31 years in charge at Beckhampton, Roger Charlton has announced he will be sharing the reins with son Harry.
It will make Harry the eighth trainer since 1835.
Roger Charlton has been in charge at Beckhampton since 1990, having taken over from Jeremy Tree and started with instant success with winning the English and French Derby that year.
In his 31 years in charge, he has trained 1,415 winners at a strike rate of 17%, including 19 Group ones and 135 stakes races.
Roger is the seventh trainer to train at Beckhampton since 1835, with all seven trainers winning what amasses to forty classics, including ten 2000 Guineas and ten Derbies.
In a statement on his website, Roger says he feels it is time to appreciate the hard work that Harry puts into the operation, having been working in the yard since 2014.
“I am incredibly proud of what myself and the team have achieved in the last 30 years,” said Roger. " I have had a wonderful bunch of owners throughout, many of whom are still supporting me, as well as a tremendous team at Beckhampton, a lot of whom joined when I did. I felt it was time to appreciate the hard work that Harry puts in to the operation, having been working in the yard since 2014. Within that period there has been great successes including Thistle Bird, Al Kazeem, Decorated Knight and Quadrilateral. He is an integral member of the team and at the age of 36 he deserves to be recognised in an industry that values youth. Beckhampton shall carry on as usual, it is a family business and Harry has been a great help to Clare and I.”
Harry said it was a great honour to be joining his father. "It is a big community with a lot of history. Having been a member of the team for so long, the day to day running of the yard will stay much the same but I understand the privilege that comes with the new title. The many successes of my predecessors sets a standard to strive for and as always, Dad and I endeavour to do the very best for our owners. My father has had a wonderful career as a sole trainer and I know we are both looking forward to training lots of winners as we move forward. Quality over quantity will continue to be the mantra and I can’t wait to get going.“