Article by Paull Khan

Dr Marian Surda has once again produced his fascinating tables of Champion Trainers and Jockeys across a range of European countries. This is the third year that we have featured these tables, and we have taken the opportunity to publish all three years. Comparison reveals some interesting facts.

For the third year in a row it was Great Britain, amongst all these European racing nations, whose Champion Trainer boasted the highest earnings.
For the first time in the three-year period covered, Ireland’s Champion earned more than France’s Champion.
For the first time, a trainer became Champion in more than one of the ‘Big 3 countries’ with Aidan O’Brien triumphant in Britain as well as his native Ireland.
After two years when Jean Claude Rouget was Champion in France, Andre Fabre wrested the title back proving that age is no barrier when it comes to training horses – both being septuagenarians.
Also making their first appearance on our table, as a national Champion Trainer, were: