Michael Bell has now completed his 18th year as a trainer and achieved another significant milestone in 2006 when he passed the 800 winner mark. Included in the total are 56 stakes winners and he has won over 11 million in prize money for his owners.
2006 was another successful year for Fitzroy House, principally due to the exploits of Red Evie who managed to win seven races on the bounce culminating in the Matron Stakes Group One at Leopardstown in September. These victories were enough also to win the Channel Four Trophy for the most wins by any horse on the turf in 2006. Michael sent out 47 winners other major contributors were Forces Sweetheart and Juniper Girl. Regime was also a major contributor to the prize money total due to his second place in the Goffs Million and he looks to be a very nice prospect for next season.
Michael is really looking forward to 2007 with his biggest and best bred string that he has had. There is an excellent blend of proven talent, two-year-olds from 2006 likely to make high class three-year-olds and a superb bunch of yearlings.
It comes as no surprise that Michael is so adept at his chosen vocation, as the whole of his adult life has been devoted to the care of horses, whether it be looking after priceless yearlings at the late Comte Roland de Chambure’s Haras d’Etreham; doing his stint in the Lifeguards; conditioning jumpers at Mercy Rimell’s yard, or acting as Assistant Trainer to Paul Cole at Whatcombe.
Michael’s innate “horse sense” is complemented by that of his wife, Georgina, whose childhood was spent at her father’s renowned bloodstock nursery, Mount Coote Stud in Ireland. Her deep rooted knowledge of thoroughbreds has contributed in no small way to the yard’s remarkable success.
Fitzroy House itself is also steeped in racing history and has already been home to two Champion Trainers — with the possibility of another in the wings. In the past, its walkways have echoed to the likes of Triple Crown winner Bahram; Derby record holder Mahmoud and Champions Tulyar and Palestine.
It’s no fluke that the yard’s residents have met with so much success. The stable is ideally situated in the heart of racing’s “Headquarters" where the community lives and breathes racehorses and the training facilities are second to none.
The combination of these fine facilities, Michael’s eye for a good horse and his undoubted enthusiasm for his job, should ensure that this success continues.
Hopefully 2007 will prove to be another good year, with an increased string of 90 horses and what looks to be a really exciting crop of yearlings.