On The Coalface

Patrick Veitch studied mathematics at Cambridge University but soon find himself devoting more to the horses than the algorithms.
He is widely regarded as one of the most successful gamblers. He made over 10 millions in profit from betting between 1999 and 2007. However, his success has not come without controversy, and his life had been marked by both triumph and tragedy.
In his autobiography, titled "Enemy Number One: The Secrets of the UK's Most Professional Punter," Veitch details his journey to becoming one of the most successful punters of modern times. The autobiography also delves into the methods and strategies Veitch used to earn his fortune, which he claims were based on mathematical models and statistical analysis.

Having grown up on a stud farm, horses have always been a passion for Charlie and his reputation as a fine horseman has helped him establish one of Europe’s most successful bloodstock agencies.

For over 35 years Charlie has been purchasing top-class bloodstock which continue to compete at the top level across the globe.

Among many career highlights Charlie has purchased 10 Classic winners, including Epsom Derby hero Kris Kin and 2000 Guineas winner King’s Best, and the winners of 63 Group 1 races.

In addition to an impressive yearling purchase record, Charlie has an exceptional mare purchase record, having bought the dams of world-class horses such as Dar Re Mi, Alexandrova, Magical Romance and War Command. He has also made many shrewd horses-in training buys, which include the winner of the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (Brave Music) and Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (Cape of Good Hope).

Angus Gold has been Racing Manager at Shadwell for over 30 years! He is a well-known figure at racecourses and sales complexes all around the globe!
On this second episode of On The Coalface you will enjoy hearing Jamie Railton and Angus discuss the following topics:
- Shadwell going forward following the restructure after the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
- The global racing industry over the past 10 years and the future of racing
- Stable Staff crisis
- As well as some personal questions with Angus.

Joe Foley wears many hats in the bloodstock world. First and foremost he is the owner and manager of Ballyhane Stud in County Carlow, while in recent years he has overseen his friend Steve Parkin’s growing Clipper Logistics racing and breeding operation.
Hear from Jamie Railton and Joe Foley as they discuss new stallions with first runners and yearlings as well as other relevant bloodstock topics.

Ralph started as stable lad in 1989, spending a year in Australia working for Colin Hayes and others. He then did two seasons with Jimmy Fitzgerald, a summer in Belmont, New York, and two and a half years with Arthur Moore. After a season with Martin Pipe, he went to work for Peter Walwyn as his assistant in 1996.

He took over from Peter in 2000, training 105 winners from Windsor House in Lambourn. His best performer whilst there was the G3 Fred Darling winner Penkenna Princess, who was a short-head second in the 2005 Irish 1000 Guineas. Come On Jonny won The November Handicap the same year. Whitsbury Manor’s landlord Chris Harper asked him to go there for the 2006 season, replacing David Elsworth, trainer of Desert Orchid and Persian Punch.

Look Here won the 2008 Oaks, becoming the first and only classic winner trained at Whitsbury. Muhannak won the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in the same year. In all, Ralph sent out 245 winners during his stint there.

Ralph started negotiating to buy Kimpton Down from Toby Balding and his son-in-law Jonathan Geake in 2010. This was completed in time to move for the start of 2011. In August 2019 at Salisbury, Another Boy won an Apprentice Handicap, and in the process became Ralph’s 1000th domestic winner. His most notable achievement to date is the 1-2 in the 2013 Oaks with Talent and Secret Gesture. Simple Verse won the 2015 St Leger, becoming the first filly to do so since User Friendly in 1992.