Derby-winning coach Roger Charlton has announced the Beckhampton Stables will switch to a joint license, with son and assistant Harry appearing on the racing card alongside his father from this week.
Charlton took charge of Beckhampton from Jeremy Tree in 1990 and started his success off with a Derby win against Quest for Fame and the French equivalent of Sanglamore that year.
He has coached nearly 1,500 winners, including 19 group 1 wins provided by other star performers like Al Kazeem , Decorated Knight , Cityscapes , Patavellian , and Avonbridge .
Charlton, who turns 72 on Tuesday, said: “I feel the time has come to appreciate the hard work Harry put in during the commissioning, having worked on the pitch since 2014.
“During that time, there have been great successes, including Steppe , Al Kazeem, The Decorated Knight, and Quadrilateral . He’s an integral member of the team and at 36, he deserves recognition in an industry that values youth. “
At the start of a new era at Beckhampton, Harry Charlton said: “It is an honor to join my father in taking the driving test at a place as prestigious as Beckhampton, where I grew up.
“It’s a big, historic community. Having been on the team for so long, running on the field every day won’t change much but I understand the privilege that comes with a new title.
“The many successes of my predecessors set the standard to strive for and as always, Dad and I strive to do what’s best for our owners.
“My father had a fantastic career as a sole coach and I know we both look forward to training more winners as we move forward. Quality over quantity. will continue to be the mantra and I can’t wait to get started.”
The first runner of the stables in the new arrangement can appear at Lingfield Racecourse Jan 22 join Umm Hurair for the Coral Winter Oaks Fillies’ prize at the Winter Million inaugural festival.
Charlton has had six runners up since the start of the year, winning with Small Print at Kempton January 5. With his only entry this week being Umm Hurair, the last runner with only his name on could be Becoming, who finished eighth at Southwell on Sunday.
The Charltons’ switch to a joint license follows the setup of two other father and son, including Mark and Charlie Johnston, who have been making the switch since January 1.
Reflecting on his long and illustrious career, Charlton added: “I came to Beckhampton in 1978 and worked as an assistant to Jeremy Tree before taking over in 1990 and I enjoyed training at Beckhampton.
“During that period, I witnessed some of the great horses, future stallions and mares that changed the riding world. I am incredibly proud of what I am and about. team has achieved in the past 30 years.
“I’ve had a bunch of great owners during that time, many of whom are still supporting me, as well as a great team at Beckhampton, a lot of people joined when I did.”
