Legendary Best Mate trainer returns to racing ranks after 11 years away

20 December 2023 , 11:26

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Henrietta Knight and Gold Cup hero Best Mate (Image: Getty)

One of Britain’s most successful jumps trainers is back in business.

Henrietta Knight trained Best Mate to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three years in a row in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and captured many other big races.

After more than 700 winners she retired in 2012 but stayed in the sport buying, managing and schooling horses. In November she announced she would be returning to the training ranks and has now been granted a licence by the British Horseracing Authority.

Knight, 77, announced on social media: “Extremely excited to have been regranted my trainers license on Monday after 11 years watching the action in the wings.

“Minimal changes here in the yard which previously sent out over 700 winners. Ready to refill the stables with budding stars. All systems go.”

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Knight will resume from the same stables at West Lockinge Farm in Oxfordshire from where she enjoyed her many big race successes. As well as Best Mate, she trained Edredon Bleu to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2000. Like Best Mate, he also won the King George VI Chase.

Her other stars included Calgary Bay, Karshi, Impek, Lord Noelie, Racing Demon and Somersby, many of those successes achieved with her husband, triple champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe who died in 2014. Knight expects to start with team of up to 30 horse

At the time she announced her comeback she told Telegraph Sport: “People will probably think I’m made starting again when most people are stopping. But I like doing things and I miss the buzz.”

Jon Lees