Illustrious start to first season for Sussex trainer

Savouring the sweetness of success is first-season trainer William Knight, who has settled in at Lower Coombe Stables in the heart of Angmering Park, West Sussex. Winners have begun to flow for him and an impressive stable star has already emerged to set this up and coming yard firmly on the racing map.

When Illustrious Blue put in a gutsy late finish at a recent Goodwood meeting to clinch a handicap stakes, the Dansili colt was booking his place in the prestigious Cambridgeshire on September 30.

Not only that, but it was a true West Sussex victory, with Angmering jockey Paul Doe on board, and owners Ian and Pam Bendelow of Rustington there to cheer him on.

A spell as owners in a syndicate had spurred them into racehorse ownership five years ago, and their first horse won and went to Hong Kong. They chose Illustrious Blue from a selection available with Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne and moved him to Lower Coombe Stables in June.

"We wanted him closer to home and we go everyday to the stables to see him," explained Pam.

The horse has blossomed on Sussex soil, winning four times for them in increasingly impressive style since July with Paul Doe on board.

For full story see this week's West Sussex Gazette, September 20