Jack Channon
"We’re now in our third year since I took over from Mick, and hopefully, the team and I can continue to improve on what has been an encouraging start to life in the training ranks. I want to think that we can give every visitor an idea of what we are trying to achieve at West Ilsley - that this place has consistently produced winners, we’re open to anyone who has a love and passion for our sport whether you want to join our loyal band of owners, wish to join our team, or you just love the horses."
Channon Jnr. served his apprenticeship well at West Ilsley – having been packed off to the United States, Australia and Newmarket to cut his teeth – and now that he's taken over, he still sees little need to engage in anything beyond a little judicious tinkering when it comes to the day-to-day running of the yard.
Jack Jnr: "Mick isn’t shuffling around the house in his slippers - he remains a cornerstone of the business, and I remain forever grateful to both him and all of our owners for their continued support both during the changeover and the last two seasons of mounting success."
And we can see why Jack is keen to have Mick as such an integral part of the team. Over the decades, West Ilsley has been an exceptional source of talent.
Seazun and Queen's Logic were victorious in the Cheveley Park, Tobougg took the Dewhurst Stakes, Piccolo won the King's Stand & Nunthorpe Stakes, Zafeen the St. James's Palace Stakes in 2003, Music Show took the Falmouth in 2010 and Majestic Roi the Sun Chariot Stakes in 2007 (all Group 1s).
Lahaleeb stormed to victory in the 2009 EP Taylor Stakes (in Canada), whilst Samitar was superior in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and Mail the Desert was a winner of the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes.
Between 2006 and 2009, it was the incredible Youmzain, who put West Ilsley right in the centre of the racing map, excelling into a world-class middle-distance horse, when taking the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, Preis von Europa and the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
But he was arguably most famous for his three-time runner-up spot in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In 2007, he finished second to Dylan Thomas, in 2008 behind the brilliant Zarkava, and in 2009 behind one of the stars of the turf, Sea The Stars.
With a purchase price of “just” £33,000, but having earned almost £4 million in prize money, it backs Mick's insistence on words: “you always have a chance”.
The 2-year-olds represent a considerable percentage every year at West Ilsley, with the team continuing to unearth promising juveniles’ season after season.
As in any sport, we need to keep on going forward together and get better year on year."