Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes has had a few amazing things happen to him this year. Earlier this year, he bought & moved into Luca Cumani’s historic 120-box Bedford House Stables in Newmarket.
Recently, his charge, Prince OfArranfinished second at this year's renewal of the Melbourne Cup behind the winner, Vow and Declare.
Under jockey Michael Walker, the Newmarket-based six-year-old drove late to finish third behind race winner Vow And Declare and Master Of Reality at Flemington Racecourse.
However, after a stewards' enquiry against Master Of Reality was upheld, Joseph O'Brien's horse was relegated to fourth, which in turn promoted Fellowes' stable star to the runner-up position.
"For a brief second I thought he was going to win, but it wasn't to be. We'll enjoy tonight, then regroup and plot a path to next year's Melbourne Cup."
"You see a lot of very good English horses come over here and they don't act on the track," Fellowes said. "That's the one thing we have in our favour - massively.”
“This year we had the perfect conditions to win the Melbourne Cup.”
"I've got a horse that comes over here and thrives. He's actually better over here in these conditions."
“I think he is performing at his peak and he is as good as he is going to ever be,” said the proud trainer.
Prince Of Arran emulated the likes of Media Puzzle, Americain and Dunaden, all of which went to Geelong and won before their tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
After the win at Geelong, his jockey Michael Walker had commented, "He is a year older and is more settled than last year. The win at Geelong was very good and we know he will stay the two miles.”
The son of Shirocco has two paths on his quest to the 2020 Melbourner Cup.
“He will either go to Saudi for the newly announced Saudi Cup followed by a trip to Meydan for the Dubai World Cup raceday.”
“Or he will stay in Australia for the Sydney Cup and then go onwards to Hong Kong, eventually returning back to the UK.”
With the Northern Hemisphere yearling sales in full swing he was very cautious about how he buys yearlings for his owners.
“There are two things you always look for – A good pedigree and a good physical. If you want to tick both boxes then you are going to have to part with lots of money.”
“I am not willing to give way on the physical aspects of a horse so sometimes I have to forgive their pedigree slightly. I like a horse to have plenty of power behind the saddle and a nice deep girth so there is plenty of room for the engine. Good conformation is always imperative.”