Henderson watches £650k worth of horses slip through his fingers as Harris scales back big time

By Lewis Barnett 23 May, 2025 6 mins read 85 Views

Gut-wrenching. That's probably the only word that comes close to describing what Nicky Henderson must've felt watching Kingston Pride – a horse he absolutely adored – get snatched away by Olly Murphy at the Doncaster sales this week.

I was there, notebook in hand, watching Henderson's face as the bidding war escalated. You could literally see the moment he realized he wasn't gonna win this one. Poor bloke.

Six horses from Olly Harris's string went under the hammer from Henderson's Seven Barrows yard, and lemme tell you, it wasn't pretty. We're talking about £650,000 worth of horseflesh changing hands in a single afternoon. Ouch.

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The One That Really Hurt

Kingston Pride was teh jewel in this particular crown. Bought for around £160k back in April 2023, this six-year-old had already won three times and looked every inch a future star. Henderson fought like hell to keep him in his yard – I watched him on the phone, presumably to potential backers, desperately trying to secure the funds to outbid Murphy.

But when the hammer came down at £285,000, that was that.

Murphy didn't mince his words afterward. "It's unfortunate for Nicky, I'd hate to be in the position he's in when you train a horse like that and don't get to keep him," he told me, while scribbling down details for the horse's transport arrangements. "He was a lot of money but hopefully he's the sort of horse who can run in graded chases at the middle distance and staying chases down the line."

Translation: Sorry not sorry, Nicky.

When the Money Talks... Everyone Listens

This wasn't just a one-off. Harris has been scaling back his racing operation dramatically in 2025. Back in February, he offloaded Peaky Boy (a £240k purchase) and £70k Break My Soul. Then came In The Air, Kansas Du Berlais, Montys Soldier, Perseus Way...

The list goes on. Like watching someone slowly dismantle their dream team, piece by valuable piece.

From Hero to... Well, Significantly Less

The most dramatic fall from grace? Had to be Willmount.

Remember him? Won that Newbury novice hurdle by 13 lengths and had everyone talking about Cheltenham glory? Sent off at 9-4 for the Grade 1 Challow in 2023?

Purchased for a whopping £340,000 in February 2022, he was knocked down to Rebecca Curtis yesterday for just £22,000. That's a £320k loss in value. In what universe does that make financial sense? Racing, I guess.

I bumped into an old trainer friend afterward who just shook his head. "That's the game we're in," he muttered before wandering off to inspect another lot.

Who Got What (And For How Much)

Haddex Des Obeaux – never actually ran for Henderson but was in his care after eight runs with Gary Moore – fetched £105,000. Jimmy Fyffe snapped him up, and he'll head to Donald McCain's yard.

Timetoshine, a mare who won multiple times for Henderson, is off to America after someone paid £145k for her. God knows what they'll do with her over there.

Chris Gordon picked up two-time winner Bo Zenith for £55,000, while Inneston (related to Cheltenham Festival winners Delta Work and Jazzy Matty) and Diyaken went for relative peanuts at £15k and £20k.

And let's not forget Minella Premier – a £400,000 purchase by Henderson at this same sale last year. Never ran a step for him and was originally listed for sale before being withdrawn. Talk about an investment that hasn't exactly paid dividends... yet.

The Brutal Reality of Racing's Business Side

I've been covering racing for 15 years now, adn still these sales days hit different. You see the human side of the sport – the connections between trainers and their horses, the dreams built and shattered in the ring.

Henderson looked genuinely gutted as Kingston Pride was led away. This came right after he was outbid by Willie Mullins for £300k Poetisa earlier in the week too.

Not that Harris is hurting for cash. The owner had a massive win at the 2024 Grand National. Maybe he's just restructuring. Maybe he's seen enough. Who knows?

What I do know is that Henderson's yard just lost some serious firepower. And in this game, horses are everything.

What Happens Next?

We'll be watching Kingston Pride's progress with Murphy closely. Will he justify that price tag? Will Henderson be left wondering what might have been?

Racing's like that sometimes. One day you're celebrating in the winner's enclosure, the next you're watching your stable stars walk away with someone else's name on the ownership papers.

Brutal.

I'm heading to Cheltenham tomorrow. Wonder if I'll spot Henderson looking at the sales catalogues again. This game never stops, even when it breaks your heart a little.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I condition a horse for racing?

Racehorse conditioning is a gradual, multi-faceted process. It involves both longer, slower distance work, which builds stamina, as well shorter, quicker workouts, which develop speed. It is important to strengthen the horse’s cardiovascular system, muscles, and skeletal structures over time by following a regiment that mimics racing conditions without causing injury.

How often should racehorses train?

Training frequency for racehorses is usually tailored to the individual horse's needs, level of fitness, and racing schedule. In general, racehorses will have a daily exercise routine that includes walking, trotting, or cantering. This is followed by more demanding work, like galloping or breezing at least three times a weekly, to improve stamina. Rest days help the horse recover and avoid overtraining.

What is the first step in training a racehorse?

In the initial training phase, the racehorse must undergo a crucial stage called "breaking," during which the horse is accustomed to the saddle, the bridle and the weight carried by the rider. In these early sessions patience and gentle treatment are essential to ensure that the horse becomes comfortable with humans and the equipment he will wear during his racing career.

Is it necessary for a racehorse to have a specific type of shoe?

Racing plates are typically lighter and thinner compared to regular horseshoes. These plates provide the necessary traction on the racetrack while minimizing weight. A professional farrier with experience in working on racehorses carefully selects and fits these shoes according to the hoof structure of each horse and the type of racing surface that they will run on.

Can you race a horse on any track?

While initial training on a variety tracks is possible, specific race preparation often requires facilities to simulate the conditions a horse will encounter in competition. This includes regulation-sized tracks with the same type of surface the horse will race on. Using the correct track helps condition the horse appropriately and gives them experience with that particular racing environment.

What is the role of the jockey when training a racehorse?

Jockeys have a crucial role to play in the training of racehorses. The jockeys ride the horses, giving feedback on their performance. They also help to educate the horse in racing tactics, like pacing the horse, positioning it, and responding when given commands. Good jockeys are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their horses, which is essential for race preparation.

Statistics

An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
Statistically, less than 1% of thoroughbred foals born each year will go on to win a stakes race.
Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.
The average cost to train a thoroughbred racehorse for one year can exceed $50,000, accounting for expenses related to training, boarding, and veterinary care.
Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.

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How To

How to choose the right diet for a racehorse

To select the best diet for racehorses, you must ensure a balanced mix of grains, forage, and nutritional supplements. Provide high-quality hay or pasture as the bulk of the diet to maintain gut health. Include grains such as oats in your diet to provide the energy you need for exercise. Electrolytes and vitamins in supplements help to support health and wellness. You can work with an equine diettician to customize the dietary requirements according to your horse's metabolic and individual workload.