Author: Andrew King
For Chris Barber it’s a case of bidding a fond farewell to a stable favourite and a welcome back to a young pretender along with a supporting cast of established performers and some very well-bred youngsters.
Barber’s stable stalwart Famous Clermont, who famously landed the 2023 Aintree Foxhunters, has picked up his pension book after pulling up and returning with an injury following this year’s running of the prestigious race.
The trainer said: “What a grand old servant Famous Clermont has been down the years for the yard, myself and, of course, the owners. He owes us absolutely nothing and we all wish him a very happy and well earned retirement.”
He added: “If they were all as good as him life would be a lot easier – he won 12 points and six races hunter chasing – but horses such as him do not come along every day and he is going to be a tough act to follow.”
However, Barber is more than hopeful that the progressive Carrillo can build on the momentum he achieved last term when netting three point successes and signing off with a promising third in an Aintree bumper.
He said: “He looked like winning at Aintree as he travelled so well but unfortunately made a noise when popped a serious question in the closing stages and has undergone wind surgery over the summer
“He has come back from his break stronger mentally and physically which suggests there is more to come. If I have a replacement for Famous Clermont at present then it is him and he is likely to start off in the Intermediate at Chaddesley Corbett in December and we will take it from there.”
Larkhill specialist Grace A Vous Enki, who is unbeaten in an unprecedented 12 attempts at the Wiltshire circuit, capped last term with an away-day victory in the Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett and is all set to take up where he left off.
Barber commented: “His owners Clive and Joan Hitchings have always dreamed of winning the Lady Dudley Cup so the pressure was really on when he ran in the race but I need not have worried. As for the future, I suppose we will head back to Larkhill and try to extend his winning sequence.”
The likes of Couer D’Alene, Jewel In The Park and the returning All Star Boy provide a robust back-up team for Little Canwood Stables alongside a host of very nicely bred youngsters, some of whom will be aimed at the Sales races.
The trainer said: “Couer D’Alene landed five points last term and hopefully he will prove good enough to make his mark in Open company this time around, while Jewel In The Park went through the season unbeaten in five attempts and shapes like there is more to come
“All Star Boy is fragile but very talented and his owners Paul and Sara Thorman have been very patient as he has not been seen in action since winning at Larkhill in January 2025. Fingers crossed we can keep the wheels on this time around.”
Summing up, Barber concluded: “We sent out 40 winners in the 2025/26 with a 50% strike rate which was beyond my wildest expectations in our third term at Little Canwood and the target will be to try and better that score. All we need now is the rain!”
