GER LYONS has received three two-year-olds from Prince Khalid Abdullah, one of the world’s most successful owner-breeders.

Lyons joins Dermot Weld as the only Irish trainers to have horses for the Saudi royal, who in the past 10 years alone has been represented on the track by Frankel, Arrogate, Enable, Workforce, Kingman, Midday and Flintshire.

Lord Grimthope, racing manager for Juddmonte Farms, said: “Prince Khalid noticed how well Ger has done and decided he wanted to add him to his team. We will have slightly less yearlings in training this year than before but Dermot Weld will get his normal allocation.”

All Juddmonte-bred yearlings are broken in Ferrans Stud, Kilcock, Co Meath, not far from Lyons’ base in Dunsany. The trainer said: “Rory Mahon, former manager of Ferrans Stud, has had horses with me for many years and he must have put in a good word. I also believe that [retained jockey] Colin Keane becoming champion last season raised the profile of the yard."

He continued: "Prince Khalid’s colours are iconic in racing and, with his horses, you always have a chance of coming up with a smart one. It’s a huge compliment to everyone at Glenburnie and a reward for our consistency in recent years."

Lyons has 65 two-year-olds for the season ahead as he attempts to equal or better last year’s calendar total of 82 winners. “Every year is different here,” the trainer explained. “Because we had such success with our two-year-olds last season, we have fewer three year-olds this year."

IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND: EXCLUSIVE FEATURES ON BARRY GERAGHTY AND JESSICA HARRINGTON, TIPS FROM RUBY WALSH & YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL