Archie Watson is an elite thoroughbred horse trainer who is well established in the United Kingdom. I particularly remember him making a huge impact within his formative seasons with a number of gifted two-year-old horses.
Let’s take a look at his story.
It’s probably no surprise Watson was destined to be a horse trainer. Born in 1989, he lived in Lambourne, Berkshire, England. This is one of the major horse racing centres in England, known as the Valley of the Racehorse. In fact, there are other stables in this location including Andrew Balding, Charles Hills, Clive Cox, Jamie Osborne to name a few.
From a very young age he would ride out for Charlie Morlock at Kingston Lisle.
His life was immersed within the culture of thoroughbred horse racing and it ignited a passion.
After finishing school at 18, he embarked on building his skills working both near and far. This included Shadwell Stud, Norfolk, and Blandford Bloodstock in the United Kingdom. Also, at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand.
In fact, he was something of a globetrotter with international work including two seasons with Alec Laird, running a satellite yard, in South Africa. In addition, he headed to California spending six months shadowing trainer Simon Callaghan.
In this time he broadened his horsemanship skills and training philosophies.
His break came in 2012 when he was appointed assistant trainer to William Haggas at Somerville Lodge, Newmarket, England. He would stay there for almost four years working with both elite horses a prominent owners.
In 2016, he received a trainers licence. He was aged just 27.
However, he would go back home to start this exciting period of his career, purchasing Saxon Gate Stables at Upper Lambourne.
Saxon Gate is close to 500 acres of turf gallops maintained by Jockey Club Estates. In addition, there are a number of artificial gallops. The stables are a beautiful mix of old and new facilities with excellent paddocks, horse walkers and lunging ring.
From small acorns grow mighty oaks. From that first cold, winter morning training just 3 horses he has come a long way. It wouldn’t take him long to find his feet and it was no surprise he did this with sparkling two-year-old displays.
In 2018, Soldier’s Call won the Windsor Castle Listed race over 5-furlongs at Royal Ascot. This son of Showcasing would go on to race at the highest level competing at Group 1 class and after retirement would be a stallion at stud.
Some two years later, Watson would achieve his first Group 1 success with Glen Shiel taking the 2020 British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
He has since positioned himself as one of the elite trainers in the United Kingdom with multiple Pattern race victories to his name.
