Epsom's back on map

Handlers at Epsom, London's training centre, are jubilant that horses from the once mighty Surrey racing town landed the two biggest betting events at Royal Ascot.

They believe that the victories of Capricho and Norton in the Wokingham Handicap and the Royal Hunt Cup respectively, have shown that Epsom can hold its own against its bigger and more fashionable rival, Newmarket.

Supporters also point to the proximity of the capital as a big advantage for owners who are able to watch their horses work in the mornings before going to toil in the City.

Further on the credit side, Epsom has 80 miles of gallops, three all-weather strips and schooling facilities for jumpers - all this standing in 200 acres. In the debit column, however, are the facts that in 1970 the area had 19 trainers and 520 horses. In 1980 there were 12 trainers and 386 horses. Now there are still a dozen handlers but only 200-plus horses. In addition, during the last 30 years at least 20 yards have been developed for housing.

Simon Dow, chairman of the Epsom Trainers' Association, hailed the successes and said: "It doesn't matter how effective all your marketing and propaganda is, the one thing that really advertises well is your results. You can't have a more of an appropriate way of highlighting the attractions of having horses here. They weren't just any old races. They were the two biggest handicaps. Ascot is one of the 15 racecourses that is within an hour of us. We are on the doorstep of London and ready to do business."

Capricho, trained by Jon Akehurst at South Hatch Stables and ridden by Richard Quinn, was an impressive 20-1 winner of the Wokingham.