Legendary trainer John Gosden signs up ‘fantastic’ new jockey
LEGENDARY trainer John Gosden has got a new addition to his Clarehaven yard – but it’s not a horse.
The iconic handler has snapped up the services of hot claimer Luke Catton.
The 26-year-old has moved from fellow Newmarket trainer, Stuart Williams, where he was based for three years, and is hoping to pick up some rides for the top-class yard.
The jock most notably partnered the Godolphin cast-off Quinault, who under Williams’ guidance transformed into a winning machine.
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Last year, Catton was unbeaten aboard the then three-year-old in six races straight, also striking gold in a £80,000 handicap at Ascot in September.
The trainer went on to credit Catton, who rode him out every morning, with the gelding’s development.
He said: “Luke has done a fantastic job settling him. The horse was just a runaway when he arrived – he would just bolt.”
Before his time in Newmarket, Catton was with Richard Hannon, who is well known for churning out top quality apprentices, not least Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and Rossa Ryan.
But the young jock is delighted with his new move, and told the Racing Post: “I’ve been at Clarehaven a couple of months now and I’ve gone there to get more experience.
“You’re surrounded by some of the best horses in the world and I’m riding out upsides the likes of Kieran Shoemark, Rab Havlin and Kieran O’Neill every day.
“I feel like I’m learning off the best, so it’s good experience and should sharpen me up a little bit.
“Hopefully, surrounded by jockeys like that, I can learn little bits off them and keep improving.
“I’m quite lucky that I’ve had a couple of spins out of John and Thady already, and prior to that I had a great three years with Stuart Williams.
“I had a good association with Quinault there and I was lucky enough to win a big handicap on him.
“I’ve still got 42 winners on my claim and we’ll just keep kicking and see what happens. I’ve got Guy Jewell as my agent, who is different class, and Jim Boyle is one of the trainers who keeps me going.
“I’ll stick around for the all-weather and see what happens. Hopefully I can pick up some rides on rider-restricted cards that they put on.”
Gosden has had a turbulent season after parting ways with Frankie Dettori at the end of last year.
The Italian left behind his multi-million pound mansion and headed to America, where he has been living the high life until a stalls accident left him with a dislocated shoulder last week.
Gosden’s replacement, Kieran Shoemark, has been unable to win a Group 1 for the stable yet this season.
And he came under fire for his ride on Emily Upjohn in the Irish Oaks when she was pipped at the post by Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking.
The jock was then given the boot by Chevely Park, losing the ride on Inspiral to Ryan Moore, who still couldn’t persuade the five-year-old to get her nose in front.