In a major blow to the home of the Derby as a training centre Adam West, who won last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes with his stable star, has relocated over the Channel
16:42, 29 Nov 2024
Epsom’s newest Group 1-winning trainer has given up his main training base to make a new start in France.
Adam West had never won any race at group level until the sprinter Live In The Dream pulled off a shock victory in the £500,000 Nunthorpe Stakes at York last year.
It was the first top level success by a horse trained in Epsom since Laura Mongan ended a 47 year drought without a Classic win for to the Surrey town when Harbour Law won the 2016 St Leger.
But just over a year on West has wrapped up his business at Loretta Lodge and moved to Maisons-Laffitte, on the outskirts of Paris.
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“That is one of the main attractions for me. I fought Epsom’s corner for as long as I can but ultimately they are struggling without the proper support. The training centre is a victim of the increasing costs in and around the area.
“I struggled to make a business out of racing in England, even with a Group 1 winner. The pressure of trying to achieve what everyone thought Epsom could be made me quite unhappy.
“Balancing books was just impossible, whereas in France with lower grade horses that are probably going to continue to be my bread and butter, it’s a bit more amenable for owners.
“You are looking at six times the prize-money with minimum purses of £10,000 and a better handicapping system.”
West has not completely severed ties with Epsom and has maintained a small yard next to Loretta Lodge where at his peak he trained 50 horses. He will start with 16 at Maisons-Laffitte.
He said: “I am starting again numbers-wise but I am enjoying getting back to that personal level of training.”
Live In The Dream, who took West and owners Steve and Jolene De’lemos on a US adventure 12 months ago where he finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, was unable to add to his score this year.
He has been off the track since Glorious Goodwood, having been ruled out of a second tilt at the Nunthorpe due to a bruised foot and is still in England continuing his rehab near Newbury ahead of a possible reappearance at the Dubai Carnival in the new year.
“Live In The Dream has an MRI scan next week and it would be much easier logistically to export him to Dubai were he to run there,” West said. ”It will be his third MRI and we will be able to have a much better idea of his recovery.
“He is on water treadmills and looking good so I am hopeful we will be ready to kick on with him.”
It has not been decided if the sprinter will eventually join West in France.
“I would be delighted if he could join me, but at the same time Steve and Jolene are Epsom-based owners and it would be their decision,” he said.