From the Horses (Trainers) Mouth the Two-Year-Old Success Stories of 2020

2020 has certainly been an interesting season for flat racing, with the late start and of course no spectators for most of it. It was a challenge to say the least trying to unravel the 2-year-old scene! One positive to come out of the season was the flat trainers 2-year-olds, which have produced plenty of winners throughout this time. Some of the winners that were highlighted this season on craigsbettingblog are as follows: 

CHARLIE FELLOWES was the first trainer to kindly give his early thoughts on a few of his future stars before they even set foot on the racecourse. 

First Prophet the New Bay colt made his debut at Newbury and with James Doyle on board. First Prophet quickened to win easily and returned 18/5. 

Charlies’s view: ''An attractive colt from the first crop of New Bay. Along with the Night of Thunder he has been catching my eye the most. He should be a mid-season 2yr old type and looks nice at this stage.” 

Vadream the Brazen Beau filly made her debut at Newcastle in November and was well-supported into 6/1. Vadream travelled beautifully and she won with plenty in hand. 

Charlie’s View: ''Probably be my first 2yo runner if everything goes to plan. Strong, well-made filly with lots of quality. She is as quick as any 2yr old filly I have ever had (wouldn't be a long list!).'' 

Next up was trainer GEORGE SCOTT who didn’t disappoint either and also gave a couple of winners for the blog. 

Great Vibes looks a nice Showcasing filly for familiar owners W. J. and T. C. O. Gredley. After a couple of decent efforts in class 2 races Great Vibes stepped up a level to win a valuable class 2 Handicap at Newmarket (8/1). 

George’s view: “She's very athletic, tall and leggy and finds life relatively easy at this stage. I’m looking forward to galloping with her in six weeks. She goes very well.” 

Simulation Theory was another who needed a couple of runs to be seen at his best when the Starbanngledbanner gelding won a Yarmouth Handicap (13/2). 

George’s view: “I’ve been very pleased with his progress and he's an enormous horse and going to be a monster one day and a very easy-moving horse with a good attitude. He won't be ready until later in the summer but I think he's going to be a nice fast horse who will progress over the next year or so.” 

If you have been reading my blog since the start you know KARL BURKE is one of my favourite trainers especially when it comes to 2-year-olds, so I was really pleased Karl agreed to forward information for my blog, and he was another who didn’t disappoint. 

Inhaler is an Elzaam colt and made his debut at Pontefract in June. Inhaler started 100/30 and was driven out to win with a bit in hand under Ben Curtis and then went onto win a class 4 Handicap at Hamilton in August. 

Karl’s view: “This £32,000 yearling purchase is a sharp early 2-year-old and had racing been taking place then I am sure this fellow would have made his mark already. Hopefully, he will be out soon after resumption.” 

Intrusive is no longer with Karl but before he changed stables the Fountain Of Youth colt put a win on the board when winning third timeout at Ayr, starting price 8/1. Karl’s view “This homebred colt who has plenty of scope, he looks like a colt who will make his mark in the second half of the season.” 

Tipperary Tiger came from the clouds to win first time out at Doncaster, well I say clouds it was in fact fog as the visibility that day was awful. The Mayson gelding was available at 14/1 and won at 10s in the end. 

Karl’s view: ”Typical of his sire, we have had some really good Mayson's and I expect this colt to make up into a nice type in the second half of the year.”

EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON has had a great season and forwarded some nice 2-year-olds to the blog this season. 

Enduring was the first of them and won second timeout at Kempton in June under a fine ride from Charlie Bishop (5/2). 

Eve’s view: “He was Lot 1 at the Ascot Yearling Sales, so the first yearling I bought last year. He has shown up well on the gallops and will be one of the earliest out. He has grown a huge amount and looks like a lovely horse now.” 

Jumby won pretty nicely at Ascot on debut(5/1) and certainly looks a nice one for next season. 

Eve’s view:  “A gorgeous horse who takes the eye every time you see him. Moves well and looks the part. Will be one for later on.” 

Bhubezi another second timeout winner for Eve when scoring at Chepstow in August (11/4).

Eve’s view: “A good moving son of Starspangledbanner who does everything easily. I would imagine him being out late June time.” 

Soldier Lions kept the winners coming when confirming his debut promise and finally getting his head in front last timeout at Bath (9/4). 

Eve’s view: “A lovely horse who works very well, I would anticipate him being one of the earliest on the track and can see a bright future for him.”  

Dark Illusion won the third time of asking for familiar owners The Kimber Family in August at Bath(13/8). 

Eve’s view: “Very pleased with this boy, who moves well and impressed in his early work. Should be out at the end of June.” 

JAMES TATE forwarded ten 2-year-olds to follow and Final Voyage (9/1), Hit The Heights (12/1), Risk Of Thunder (11/8) and Illustrator (5/2) added wins for the Newmarket trainer this season. 

ED DUNLOP was another who contributed to this season's blog and although many are still to race Tara Iti won a class 6 Handicap at Leicester(9/1). 

Ed’s view: ''Tara ITI is the son of St Leger winner Sixties Icon. He is a powerful looking colt with a good shoulder and hind end. He has taken to work well and should be ready fairly early.'' 

MARCO BOTTI gave four to follow and although none have managed a win Divine Magic came a close second last time out at Wolverhampton and will be winning sooner rather than later. 

Marco’s view:  “Like the rest of the family, she is not very big. She goes well but we haven’t done any serious work with her yet.” 

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the trainers involved who contributed to the blog this season and as 2021 will see many more trainers and even syndicates giving a few 2-year-olds to follow for the new season ahead, make sure that craigsbettingblog is your go to for two year olds to follow!