As he closes in on his 12th Trainers Championship title, Mark Wallis sees 2021 as a comparatively good one for the industry in general.
He said: “If you look back on the open race Calendar, ARC and Entain have managed to stage the majority of the big events. With Kevin bringing in so many new Category One events at Towcester, you would have to say it has been largely a positive year.
“The fact that prize money and trainers contracts have largely been improved is also very good news though I do get irritated by the suggestion on RPGTV that ‘trainers have never had it so good’. That is absolute crap.
“The reason that the prize money and trainers contracts have improved is because the media companies could see so any trainers going bust that they didn’t have any choice other than to increase the cash coming into the industry.
“I have been comparatively lucky, but I can promise you that at the end of every month when I am looking at all the kennel expenses, vehicles, wages, VAT payments and the rest, there isn’t a lot left. Working out what I can afford to pay myself of a 100 hour week. . . . it isn’t a lot.
“That isn’t me complaining, but let’s not get into a false idea that trainers are suddenly rolling in it.”
With six Category One events already in the bag, Mark is expecting his open race points tally to be among the highest of his career to date.
He said: “Our record is over 1,300 and I don’t think we will quite make that. We once had seven Cat Ones though when that includes the Derby, Oaks, Leger and TV Trophy, it would almost be impossible to beat. Comparing this with other years, we might actually have under-performed slightly. We’ve probably had the most big race finalists I can remember and maybe should have won a few more finals.
“Everything started with Antigua Romeo producing the best performance of his career to win the Essex Vase in 34.66 back in January. We had Antigua Storm produce his best run in the East Anglian Derby final. Bo Shine Bullet was one of the big disappointments in the Golden Jacket Final but then bounced back to win the Kent St.Leger.
“The highlight has to be Aayamza Royale coming from last place to win the Regency with Drumcrow Brent taking the Sussex Cup on the same night. Plus of course, Royale defending her TV Trophy Final.”
There is still plenty to do in 2021. The kennel have four runners in the Gold Collar and are also planning raids on the Eclipse and Olympic.
They also have Aayamza Dream lining up from trap four in Sunday’s Hunt Cup Final.
Mark said: “She is well in herself but is badly drawn out in four and may struggle to get a run. It will be interesting how far she stays when we step her up in distance.”
Realistically though, the best opportunity for a seventh Cat One must lay in the forthcoming Ladbrokes Cesarewitch which gets underway next Saturday.
Mark said: “It it excellent money, an 18 runner competition worth £10,000 to the winner, something that deserves acknowledgement.
“I think we will have a reasonably strong hand in Antigua Lava, Aayamza Royale and Blueberry Bullet. How Royale and Blueberry will run Crayford remains to be seen, and whether Blueberry will get the 874 metres, we just don’t know.”
The 2022 plans are based on a mixture of new dogs, established stars, and hopefully a couple of big names returning from injury. The only certainty is that Imperial Kennels will be giving 100%.
Mark said: “The major difference between Patrick (Janssens) and me is that I love the Trainers Championship. I am sure he was delighted to be called Champion Trainer last year and it is something he can always look back on. But given a choice, he would always prioritise another Derby win.
“He is reducing his kennel size too to concentrate on quality over quantity more than ever before. Ideally, I would be happy to reduce the 18-20 open race strength down to 12-15 better quality runners but I still enjoy Romford on a Friday night.
“Overall, I am planning to ease out of the Towcester graded strength. I only have about four dogs available anyway and when Suffolk Downs opens, I will be splitting between there and Henlow, depending on how many meetings each track gets. I would always have around 40 graded dogs available.
“Most of this year’s runners should be around next year including Aayamza Royale. She is getting on now so we decided not to send her to Ireland for their big marathon. If all went to plan, we would love to attempt a third TV Trophy with her.
“Antigua Storm dislocated a toe but should make a full recovery. Bo Shine Bullet had an eye problem but could have a good year in front of her. I am expecting more Bombardier and am excited about Balterio moving up in trip.
“I am particularly excited about some of the dogs hopefully coming back from injury. Antigua Getaway did 29.51 in his first 500m trial at Towcester and then broke a hock in his next trial. Billis Tudor (East Anglian Derby finalist) is trailing back and so is Fatboyz Trixie (who went lame in the GAIN Challenge Cup Final).
“Among the new arrivals, Nic and Amanda Jeal have sent me Antigua Bluey who will hopefully be going for the Puppy Derby. Freffans Trump is a 28.2o dog at Shelbourne Park and is jointly owned by Gerwyn Price. We also have a really promising young litter bred by Ian Greaves. They are only May ’20s by Eden The Kid out of Swift Paradox.
“Hopefully we will be among the winners again in 2022. It is getting harder and harder to keep up this pace, year after year. But as long as I am training, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
