A conditional jockey for Paul Nicholls during his riding days, Anthony Honeyball appears to have learned a thing or two from the 14-time Champion Trainer.
Stepping out as a trainer in 2006/07, Honeyball initially found life tough. However, in a fine example of the benefit of perseverance, his results and the quality of horses within the yard have improved over the years.
Setting a new prize money personal best in 2021/22, he surpassed that total in 2022/23 before posting a huge career-best effort of £760,665 in 2023/24. This is a yard heading firmly in the right direction.
Having proven his prowess in leading handicaps with six significant wins last season, the next goal may be to find a horse to step up to Graded level. Here, we pick out the leading lights and horses to follow at a yard which has made an excellent start to the season.
Stable Stars
Crest Of Fortune
This one looked one of the more promising additions to the hurdling team following a Bumper win on debut and a solid fifth in a hot event at Newbury. It’s fair to say that he delivered on that promise at Ffos Las when dispatching several highly regarded sorts by an easy 6½ lengths. Nicely bred (by Doyen out of a Listed-placed mare), we like his chances of ascending to Graded company before the end of the season.
Sam Brown
Soon to turn 13, Sam Brown continues to enjoy life and do his trainer proud. His Grade 2-winning days may be behind him, but he picked up two veteran chases last term and should be a force to reckon with in that sphere once again.
Seven for the Horse Tracker
The two leading lights represent opposite ends of the age and experience spectrum. This may be the final year for Sam Brown, but a host of contenders appear ready to take up some of the burden. Hopefully, the following seven runners will contribute to another productive season for the yard.
- Baby Shally – This strong-staying mare appears to relish soft or heavy conditions and progressed nicely over hurdles last season, with the pick of her efforts seeing her finish third in a Listed event at Doncaster. She ended the season with a hurdles rating of 115 but is fancied to rate higher as she tackles fences this term.
- Crest Of Valour – Half-brother to the talented Crest Of Glory, who has yet to hit the track but is one to look out for in his Bumper.
- Dartmoor Pirate – Having shown little in two Bumpers, Dartmoor Pirate improved significantly over hurdles. Following an 11l win in his maiden, he finished second in three of his four subsequent outings and an eye-catching fourth in a hot Grade 3 at Sandown. He moves into the novice chase sphere this season and could leave his hurdles mark of 123 well behind him.
- Dance And Glance – Looked in need of the run on debut at Newbury in March but built on that to comfortably land a Plumpton bumper next time. He's an interesting novice hurdles contender this season as a half-brother to the 113-rated Movie legend and 135-rated Uncle Alastair. If showing similar ability to his siblings, he should pick up a race or two.
- Gabriel’s Getaway - This one is set to miss the first part of the season as he returns from injury. However, he could arrive at the big spring handicaps as something of a forgotten horse. He has won four of six outings over fences, goes well on good ground, and can improve from a mark of 127.
- Oakley’s Way – Walk In The Park half-brother to Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Special Tiarra catches the eye on pedigree. He finished a solid third behind Crest Of Fortune on debut before being, quite literally, knocked off his feet at Taunton. Returned with a close fourth at Ascot but was inconvenienced by the sedate gallop that day. Now steps into maiden hurdle company and can get his head in front in a more truly run race.
- Sea Invasion – Recent recruit from the yard of Chris Gordon, who ended last season with a win at Plumpton and an excellent third at Cheltenham. Only raised 1lb for that Cheltenham display but ran a bit better than the finishing position suggests and can rate higher by the end of his first season for his new handler.
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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