Trainer Focus: Joe Tizzard: The Leading Lights of Venn Farm Stables

(Image by: joe_tizzard_racing)

The Tizzard name has been attached to many of the most popular horses of the 21st Century. Based in Dorset, Colin Tizzard sent star names including Cue Card, Native River, and Thistlecrack to mop up a string of Grade 1 contests in the 2010s. Colin called it a day at the end of the 2021/22 season, but has left the operation in the capable hands of his son Joe.

Kicking off with a £1m+ winning season in 2022/23, Joe Tizzard suffered a slight dip last season, but still only came up just short of the £1m benchmark. Despite that minor prize money disappointment, 2023/24 was a memorable year for Joe, who picked up his first Grade 1 winner with (the sadly ill-fated) Elixir De Nutz in the Clarence House Chase.

Early signs from 2024/25 suggest Joe is well on his way to posting new personal bests in terms of both winners and prize money. Flying out of the gate, the third season trainer had bagged 26 winners and over £330,000 in prize money by mid-November.

The loss of Elixir De Nutz is undoubtedly a blow to the yard, but there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings to take up the mantle. Here, we pick out the star performers and present the Tizzard-runners lurking within our ever-expanding horse tracker. 

Stable Stars

JPR One

Picked up wins in a Class 3 handicap and a Grade 2 at Lingfield last season as he shot up from a mark of 130 to 150. But for unseating at the last with the race at his mercy in the Arkle Trial, he would have ended the campaign as dual Grade 2 winner. Disappointed on his final start in the Arkle, but much better on his seasonal return when comfortably claiming the Haldon Gold Cup Exeter. Thoroughly proven in Grade 2 company, he may be ready for a second crack at a Grade 1.

Stable Stars
(Image by: joe_tizzard_racing)

Eldorado Allen

Now firmly into the veteran stage of his career, Eldorado Allen deserves a mention having served the yard admirably over the years. A three-time Grade 2 winner in his pomp, he isn’t up to that level these days but could be a force in Veteran Chases.

Seven for the Horse Tracker

There’s no doubt that the talented JPR One is the new flagbearer at the yard and the horse with the potential to take Tizzard to the big Grade 1 race days. However, there are plenty of interesting runners amongst his 79 yard-mates, with the following seven, in particular, catching our eye.

  • Diamond Ri – Displayed solid form over 2m-2m4½f last season but looks a stayer to our eyes. As such his current handicap mark of 128 could be on the lenient when he steps up in trip.  
  • First Confession – Irish Point to Point winner who made an encouraging return from almost a year off the track to finish third at Cheltenham. He was well adrift of Potters Charm thar day but made a couple of niggly errors that day and that horse went on to hack up in a Grade 2 next time out. With that run under his belt, First Confession looks worth following in the months to come.
  • Rightsotom – Steadily progressive when based with Thomas Mullins and won easily when getting his jumping together at Cork. A switch to the Tizzard operation followed only for injury to intervene. Recently returned from a 546-day break and understandably needed the run but could prove well-handicapped off 123 if resuming his progress.

Seven for the Horse Tracker
(Image by: joe_tizzard_racing)

  • Lord Of Thunder – Took a couple of runs to get the hang of things last season, but ended the campaign in style with back to back wins at Wincanton. Made his comeback in October in was travelling ominously well on chase debut before falling at the second last. He had jumped well before that error and looks the sort to progress beyond his hurdles rating of 129.
  • Sunset Marquesa – Landed her bumper on debut at Aintree last season and subsequently hit the frame in Listed bumpers at Market Rasen. Only raced over 2m and looks like a prime candidate to strike when stepped up in trip.
  • Tennessee Tango – One of a few Affinsea geldings in the yard who made an eye-catching debut when comfortably landing his Bumper at Wincanton. May have another win in him in that sphere and will be of interest when tackling hurdles.
  • No Hubs No Hoobs – Probably the most stamina-laden runner in the yard, No Hubs No Hoobs doesn’t do anything quickly but gallops all day. A confirmed love of bottomless conditions, he’s one to look out for when the mud is flying with the Midlands National a suitable big target for the season.