Racing League 2025 Opener: Wales & The West Set Their Sights on Great Yarmouth
The fifth season of Racing League gets underway at Great Yarmouth Racecourse on Thursday, July 24, with defending champions Wales & The West aiming to continue their dominance. Team manager Jamie Osborne is optimistic about starting the campaign on the front foot as his side targets a third league title in just four years.
Osborne Eyes a Strong Start for Wales & The West
Having accumulated a total of 2,463 points over the last three seasons — 307 more than nearest rivals London & The South — Wales & The West have set a high benchmark. Their 2023 title was sealed dramatically with three wins on the final night at Southwell, capping a campaign in which they saddled 83 of a possible 84 runners.
Osborne believes his team is again well-equipped to challenge for the trophy. He said that he is confident about their chances this year and credits the team’s strong core of trainers, who he says are united in their goals. Osborne stated that the team is setting out to win and that he believes they have enough well-handicapped horses to remain competitive throughout the tournament.
A key to their past success, Osborne added, has been their ability to fill every available spot in each race. However, with the introduction of a rule allowing teams to add trainers mid-season, Osborne acknowledged that the change could reduce the edge his team previously held. He understood the reasoning behind the change — to ensure full race fields — but felt it may assist teams that are less organized.
Saffie Osborne Returns to Defend Jockey Title
Among the team’s top assets is Jamie Osborne’s daughter, Saffie Osborne, who will ride in five races at Great Yarmouth. She is looking to win Racing League’s top jockey title for the fourth consecutive season and will partner Epictetus, the top-weight, in the feature £75,000 handicap.
Jamie Osborne said the team has had to plan around unpredictable weather, which complicated their race-day preparations. He explained that while planning for the all-weather is more straightforward, the team still appears in good shape for the opener. He classified the team’s strength this week as moderate but expected more formidable squads in later rounds.
Among their top hopes, Osborne identified King’s Scholar and Tryfan in Race 6, both of whom have shown promising form this year. He added that although the betting markets may not reflect it, he expects Dorney Lake and Thunder Blue to perform well in Race 2, while Dosman is one to watch in Race 4.
London & The South Aim to Bounce Back
London & The South, led by Matt Chapman, will also be hoping for a big start. Having finished third in the last two editions and runner-up in 2022, the team is eager to return to the top. Chapman said he is hopeful that his team can produce a stronger Racing League performance this season. He noted that the new rules should help address past struggles, particularly in staying races.
He described preparing for Yarmouth as challenging due to the ground conditions, which changed rapidly from good-to-firm to soft in a matter of hours. Chapman felt that this sort of last-minute decision-making was both difficult and exciting for the team managers.
Chapman admitted that historically, Great Yarmouth hasn’t been their best venue, but said that the squad looks as strong as it could be based on entries. He highlighted Who’s Glen in Race 6 as a major contender, noting that trainer Andrew Balding had long recommended stepping him up in distance — a decision Chapman regretted not taking sooner.
He also mentioned Rathgar, who won the same feature race last year and is well-suited to the current ground. Chapman praised Andaleep for being a reliable, consistent competitor, and thanked Hughie Morrison for joining the team this week, hoping Morrison’s Caprelo would run a big race.
The East Reorganize Under Charlie Fellowes
The East team, which enjoyed a strong start in 2024 with three wins at Great Yarmouth and five at Wolverhampton, will be managed this season by Charlie Fellowes. Taking over from Chris Hughes, Fellowes reported that assembling a full team this week was a last-minute scramble, but that his trainers stepped up brilliantly.
Fellowes said that Sensorium in Race 2, trained by Dylan Cunha, is a notable entry and that the horse is fit and ready to perform despite a layoff since August. He also pointed out two runners from James Fanshawe — Charmaine in Race 1 and Pique’ in Race 6 — as key contenders. Fellowes’ own horses, Glam Squad and Tan Rapido, are expected to appreciate the going.
Ireland Begins Rebuild Under Fitzgerald
Last year’s champions Ireland, who dropped to fourth in 2024, will race under new management this season. Mick Fitzgerald, a former Grand National-winning jockey, replaces Kevin Blake as team manager. Fitzgerald acknowledged that the weather and ground changes forced a complete reworking of their plans. He said that once news of soft ground broke, his phone was inundated with messages, and the team had to overhaul their selections.
Still, he is optimistic about the team’s chances and highlighted Billy Loughnane and Finley Marsh, both booked for multiple rides, as key players. Fitzgerald believes that Loughnane is particularly eager to challenge Saffie Osborne for the jockey crown.
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