Paul and Oliver Cole made history by becoming the first to register a victory with a dual license, permitted by the BHA since

1st June 2020, and were the first to be jointly credited with a winner at Royal Ascot. 

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Whatcombe's stable star Royal Scotsman won the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, came second in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and on his first run of the 2023 flat racing season he came third in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.  The training duo were also the runner up in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Guineas Festival with the exciting three year old filly Sumo Sam.  The team look forward to continuing to compete at the highest level this season.

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The father and son combination train at Whatcombe, a private racing estate located in picturesque Oxfordshire countryside. It has for many years offered a bespoke training facility for VIP racehorse owners and has achieved fantastic results.

 

Champion trainer, Paul Cole is one of Britain’s most successful trainers, winning the highest calibre races. He has sent out 5 Derby winners globally, including the English Derby, Irish Derby, King George, Irish Oaks, St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup. He has flown horses around the world to compete (and win significant prizes); in Dubai, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Istanbul, America, Canada, Hong Kong, Russia, Australia and Japan.  Paul has also been Champion European Trainer four times. He trained Snurge, the first horse ever to win more than £1,000,000 in prize money.

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Recognised for his many Classic winners, Paul has a reputation for the number and quality of his two year old runners. Paul's many successes include Generous, a horse who won the English Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His Timeform rating is one of the highest ever achieved by any racehorse worldwide.

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Royal Ascot is one of Whatcombe's best loved meetings; Paul has saddled 21 Royal Ascot winners and was leading trainer at the fixture in 1992. He is one of the most revered trainers at this meeting; recognition of his success is noted by his place on the Royal Ascot Roll of Honour for the most winners.

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Oliver Cole has travelled the world in his career, forging relations in the bloodstock industry and working with top trainers and owners in Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. He is one of the first trainers to pioneer the use of the BHA's co-licensing system and together with his wife Lucy, their two daughters, a loyal team of staff and valued owners, Oliver is busy making history of his own.