ON accepting the Cartier Horse of the Year Award for Kingman, Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of Juddmonte, made a few remarks on the longevity of employment within the organisation.

“John Gosden has been training for the Prince for 31 years and trained Kingman’s dam Zenda. She retired to the Prince’s Kentucky Stud stud run by Garrett O’Rourke, with Juddmonte for 22 years and presided over by John Chandler who has been there since the year dot.

“Zenda was then brought to Banstead Manor Stud run by Philip Mitchell, 26 years with Juddmonte and Farm Manager Simon Mockridge, 33 years with Juddmonte.

“Kingman was sent to New Abbey and Ferrans Studs in Ireland as a yearling and for pre-training. He was looked after in Ireland by Rory Mahon - 32 years with Juddmonte.

“Kingman then completed the circle by returning to John Gosden as a two-year-old and was managed in his superb racing career by Teddy (Lord Grimthorpe) - 15 years with Juddmonte.”

There must be something fabulous in the Saeed bin Suroor yard for James Doyle to jump ship after just a year?