Hear the full interview
From 26:02 in Friday’s episode of Nick Luck Daily. Press play to start at the interview.
Tony Carroll has credited his staff for another remarkable season, with the Cropthorne trainer now on 121 winners for the year and just seven short of the record he set last year.
Carroll has passed £1 million in prize money again from 957 runners at a 13% strike rate, with horses Nick Luck described as “of just fair quality”. Asked how he has reached this level, Carroll pointed straight to his team.
“I think it’s all due to the team behind the scenes,” he said. “It’s been a gradual thing, it hasn’t happened overnight, so it’s been quite nice to watch it all develop. The staff have enjoyed it as much as I have, and they’re all very proud of what they’ve achieved.”
The secret to keeping his horses consistent, he said, is simple. “We have a lot of girls here, they’re very kind with the horses. They put an arm round them, have a chat with them, and they really look after them very well. That’s a big, big part of it.”
Eyes on the ARC bonus
With the turf season ending, Carroll’s attention turns to the all-weather and the return of the Arena Racing Company’s £1 million All-Weather Bonus Scheme, which runs from 20 October to Good Friday, 26 March. This year it takes in Chelmsford City as well as Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton.
Horses earn points for finishing in the first eight, from 25 points for a win down to four for eighth. Only a horse’s first three runs each calendar month count, up to a maximum of 15. The top 30 are paid at the end of the season, from £100,000 for first, 87.5% of which goes to owners, down to £500 for 30th.
“The bonuses for the owners are fantastic. ARC’s done a wonderful job to put it on.”
Tony Carroll
“It’s a big, big plus for these owners. They don’t get an awful lot these days, to be honest with you, so it’s something that at least we can have a go and try for them,” Carroll said. “It’s made it super competitive. It’s not easy, everybody’s having a go. But we seem to know what we’re doing, and we’ve got some nice horses that should be suitable.”
Many of his regulars have climbed the handicap after a busy year, but Carroll has added 15 to 20 new horses over the summer. “I think we’ve shopped well and bought well, and introduced horses that can be competitive,” he said.
An unraced recruit, formerly with Shadwell, could be the stable’s flag bearer. “He’s very promising at home. We like him. We haven’t run him yet,” Carroll said. “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t end up a really smart horse.”
