MEET OUR

Old Stoic Trainers

CHARLIE CLOVER

(Chatham 14) NEW TRAINER!

We are thrilled to have a new trainer on our books giving the Stowe Racing team presence at the home of British Racing in Newmarket.

Charlie has made a rapid start to the training ranks having only taken his licence out in 2023. After leaving school, he immediately began running his own full-time eventing yard, achieving significant success at both national and international levels, including being shortlisted for the GBR eventing teams.

Eager to expand his knowledge, Charlie spent time in America working for White Birch Farm, where he assisted in pretraining some of the most promising yearlings in the country. He also worked with Christophe Clement Racing, one of America's most respected trainers. Christophe sent two horses to Royal Ascot the following summer and entrusted Charlie with the final preparations leading up to their respective races.

On his return from the US, Charlie was assistant to Kevin Phillipart de Foy in Newmarket before starting his own yard in 2024, which has seen 25 winners to date and include a second place at Royal Ascot 2025 with Flowerhead at 100/1 in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2).

ALEX HALES

(CHANDOS 92)

Alex trains near Banbury just a few miles from Stowe on the stunning Edgcote Estate. He was our first trainer and nearly gave our first syndicate a winner with our first ever runner as Topper Thornton agonisingly lost out in a photo finish at Carlisle at 33/1!

Since then, he has overseen the career of lots of our horses, with the highlight being Bourbon Beauty. A homebred of Alex’s who scored in the Stowe colours in the Grade 2 Mares Final at Newbury in 2021 ridden by Harry Bannister (Chatham 12) but unfortunately at the height of the pandemic when no owners could attend the races.

Alex has a very personable manner and is always an excellent host for our owners.

JONATHAN PORTMAN

(CHATHAM 83)

Jonny trains in Lambourn and has held a licence since 1998. During his successful career, he has trained top level winners including the well-known Mrs Danvers – a £1000 purchase who went onto win at Royal Ascot for the Turf Club.

The Stowe Racing syndicates have benefited from his talents through Mild Illusion and Sweet Reward. The first named was a three time winner culminating in triumphing in the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket on ITV Racing whilst Sweet Reward raced in our colours for five seasons winning on six occasions.

Jonny is very supportive of our syndicates.

Robert Cooper

Former Sky Sports Racing Presenter (Cobham 68)

In around half a century of following racing, I had very successfully dodged owning so much as a whisker of a racehorse - until I met Henry Kimbell. After early resistance I succumbed to become, at first an apprehensive but now a proud member of the Old Stoic Racing Club. It has been a joy, especially experiencing the fabulour exploits of Jonny Portman's filly Mild Illusion whose performances on the racecourse exceeded our wildest dreams.

I encourage you to take the plunge, it is enormous fun and I hope to meet some of my fellow Old Stoics on the racecourse soon.

Peter Williams

Walpole ‘86

Joining the Stowe Racing syndicates was a decision I shan’t ever regret. The team is a relatively small one in the world of racing but under the expert guidance of Racing Manager Henry Kimbell and with the OS training talent of Jonny Portman and Alex Hales it always feels as if we are punching above our weight.

Following the ups and downs of our horses is utterly absorbing and the days spent racing or on stable visits are a thrill which I’m lucky enough to share with some wonderful old Stoics who it has been a privilege to meet and get to know.

My sincere advice to anyone who is thinking about joining is ‘ do it ‘!

It’s a whole lot of fun.

Barbara Clutton

Former parent

I have been a member of several Stowe Racing syndicates. I was interested both as a parent of sons at Stowe, and because I have always had a keen interest in horses, both riding, hunting and falling off them!

It is wonderful to be able to continue my interest in horses and racing with a group of likeminded people.

I can honestly say that it has been a fulfilling experience, I often attend race meetings on my own and it’s always good to have a common interest with the Stowe gang to cheer on (or commiserate with) with our horse. We visit many different racecourses and are always excellently well looked after often including a glass of fizz if our horse is placed!

I really value the regular yard visits, seeing the horses on the gallops and enjoying insight from the trainers and yard staff – plus a coffee and a bacon butty!

All in all – wonderful syndicates ably run by Henry, and I really enjoy this special and inclusive Stowe club. I highly recommend the syndicates both as fun, and a learning experience. B