GB: When George Boughey started out in July 2019, chasing Classic glory seemed a million miles away – but he admits that victory for Cachet in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday [May 1] “would mean everything” to him.
Having started out with just four horses to his name, the young Newmarket handler has come a long way since renting a barn at Red House Stables in the town. He now operates a string of more than 100 at his current home just a stone's throw away at Saffron House Stables.
Last year was something of a breakthrough for Boughey, who not only celebrated his first Group-race victor in France but saddled his first-ever Classic runner in the form of Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel.
He now hopes Cachet can build on her comeback win under William Buick in the Nell Gwyn Stakes on April 12 as she returns to Group 1 company in the first fillies’ Classic. “Last year was amazing and with racing you are always striving to match it or better it,” says Boughey, 30.
“To have a horse like Mystery Angel was well beyond my wildest dreams,” he goes on. “No one knew Mystery Angel was going to run in the Oaks apart from me until we supplemented her but this has been the aim for Cachet for a long time.
“It is a different buzz because she has probably got a better chance than Mystery Angel on paper,” he adds. “There are people that have been with me from the start and we started low-grade animals.
“We are now increasing the quality and for me as I train in Newmarket winning the 1,000 Guineas would mean everything. Most of those that work for us are Newmarket people and this is one of those races you want to win. It is only my third full year and I never thought we would be here this soon.”
Touch of star quality
Right from the beginning Boughey believed Cachet had a touch of star quality about her and he fondly remembers the phone call he made to Highclere Racing chairman Harry Herbert ahead of her debut on the Rowley Mile last May.
“I’d never really be over bullish about horses but I did call Harry Herbert before she ran,” he recalls. “The question I asked was could I put her in the Marygate [Listed race at York] on her debut, which was a statement in itself and we talk about that now a year on.”
In the event, the daughter of Aclaim never did go to York – but she scored by 5½ lengths on her debut in novice company at Newmarket in May. “She has always been impressive at home,” says Boughey. “It didn’t surprise me that she won well on the Rowley Mile first time out.”
Although Cachet went into many notebooks, that was to be her sole victory in a two-year-old campaign in which she was highly tried thereafter, running a series of respectable races in defeat in good company, most notably when fourth, beaten only a length, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Del Mar.
“It was 100 per cent frustrating that she didn’t win another race last season,” admits her trainer. “With a colt we would have been able to take a drop in grade but she is a filly that needs a pedigree and we were running exclusively in Listed and Group races and we were constantly knocking on the door.
“One thing I wanted to do this year was make her a stakes winner and being able to do that in a Classic trial was great,” he goes on. “It looked like we might have nicked a Breeders’ Cup but we just missed out, however she is a stakes winner now.”
Plenty of faith
It is never a given that horses will train on from two to three but Boughey, whose father James is chairman of Wincanton racecourse, had plenty of faith that Cachet would excel again this season.
“She always had the right physique to train on and her sire Aclaim was a Group 1 winner at four,” he explains. “I think she was a bit of a weak finisher at the end of her two-year-old career. She had them all off the bridle in the Fillies’ Mile and got outstayed then didn’t quite hit the line in the Breeders’ Cup.
“I don’t think she has grown much but she has done well physically. She is stronger and much more the finished article now. I think there are lots of good days ahead of her.”
While questions remain about Cachet’s stamina on her return to a mile, one big advantage Boughey believes is in favour of his stable flagbearer is her ability to handle the undulations of the Rowley Mile, as exemplified by her Nell Gwyn success.
“She is a very well-balanced filly and she loves it at Newmarket,” he says. “She has not been out of the three on all her starts at the Rowley Mile, having won her maiden and finished second in the Rockfel and third in the Fillies’ Mile. That has got to be a huge help.”
‘I personally think she stays the mile’
And the distance question? “I personally think she stays the mile,” says Boughey. “I think in the Guineas she could take on fillies that stay the mile better who might be 10-furlong horses and that might make her look like she doesn’t stay as well but I’d be pretty hopeful she stays the trip.
Although looking forward to saddling Cachet in the Guineas, given his roots in a Dorset farming family, it would seemingly be more fitting for Boughey to talk about targeting Cheltenham Gold Cups.
“Jump racing was the diet when I was younger and I remember horses like Rooster Booster winning the Champion Hurdle and that sort of thing,” he says.
Bloodstock beginnings
However, training steeplechasers was never on the agenda. Boughey started off working in the bloodstock business, first for Luke Lillingston and then for Tom Goff (Blandford Bloodstock) at the sales on both sides of the Atlantic.
After studying Agriculture and Business Management at Newcastle University, he travelled to Australia, where he worked for Gai Waterhouse and Lloyd Williams before six years as assistant to Hugo Palmer in Newmarket.
“Flat racing is what I’ve always done – I moved away from the jumps quickly,” he says. “There wasn’t any real ambition to be a jumps trainer. I’ve had limited jump runners and they have run terribly. Unless someone sends me a Champion Hurdle horse I don’t think that is where we will be going!”
Keeping a calm head is essential ahead of such important days and Boughey admits he will be doing all he can to enjoy the occasion and not let the pressure get to him.
“I try and keep pretty relaxed,” he says. “The nerves were up a bit when she got to the post in the Nell Gwyn and I’m sure we will have a think about it the day before the Guineas.
“I’ve got very good people working with me that helps everything move along. The main thing is I’m looking forward to it. I’ve dreamt since I was a child getting a horse of this ability and you have to enjoy it as it might never happen again.
“Oaks day last year was one of the best days of my life. Everything I do I try to enjoy it as if you get too worried you will end up with no hair.
“For me I’m preparing her like it is any other race. As long as she is in good form, she will certainly run a big race.”
• Visit George Boughey's website and the Newmarket racecourse website
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