Ferguson gets off the mark with win for mother’s horse

James Ferguson, one of Newmarket’s newest trainers, celebrated his first victory when Arabian King, only his 12th runner, won at Southwell yesterday.

Ferguson is the son of John Ferguson, former long-standing adviser to Sheikh Mohammed and also briefly a trainer of a classy National Hunt string.

While Ferguson does hold a dual licence, he will principally train on the Flat for now, having spent time assiting trainers Charlie Appleby, Brian Meehan and Jessica Harrington.

Ferguson said: “We have hit the crossbar a few times. Credit goes to my whole team, they all work incredibly hard. This really means a lot. We have got about 20 in at the moment, but we are always looking to grow. This horse is owned by a syndicate [The Gem Set] my mum set up, so that is very special to have my first winner in her colours.”

At Meydan, Barney Roy made an encouraging start to his new campaign when leading home four Godolphin-owned runners in the Group Two Al Rashidiya.

The six-year-old was having his first start since finishing eighth when favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last June and won comfortably

The two-day Dublin racing Festival starts at Leopardstown tomorrow, with the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase being of special interest.

The unbeaten mare Honeysuckle will face seven rivals in the Irish Champion Hurdle. She is likely to start a short-priced favourite to extend her six-race winning sequence.

In the Dublin Chase, A Plus Tard and Chacun Pour Soi, who finished first and second over course and distance last month, renew rivalry, with Chacun Pour Soi, who is reported to be in good heart, widely expected to gain his revenge.