More than 100 miles separates Stuart Edmunds’ training yard in Leighton Buzzard from Fakenham Racecourse here in Norfolk. But the track has become a home from home for Edmunds, who over the course of the past five seasons has accumulated the highest strike rate of trainers to have won ten or more races here.
At the time of writing, that strike rate stands at a rather cool 37%, marking Edmunds’ horses out as ones to watch at the next meeting over the Fakenham obstacles.
Winning Record
Those who enjoy betting on horse racing are looking for clues as to who might prevail in any given race, with current form, course and distance history, handicap mark (where applicable) and speed ratings amongst the variables analysed.
The form of the trainer and jockey partnership is also another consideration, with the connection between Edmunds and his regular rider Charlie Hammonds one of the most eye-catching on the racecards at Fakenham.
At the time of writing, Edmunds has commanded a return of 23 winners from 65 runners, with 40 of his entrants at Fakenham placing – a strike rate of 62%. No wonder he has declared a soft spot for the racecourse… He concluded Fakenham’s season in style when Hello Sweety clocked up a third course victory.
Hammond, meanwhile, has piloted 17 winners and 32 placed horses from his 64 runners over the past five seasons at the venue, which again is a formidable success rate.
It’s noteworthy that Edmunds has a habit of training strong, front-running horses, which is a type that tends to do well at Fakenham. The racecourse features sharp turns and a short run in, so hitting the front early really does come with its advantages.
That also explains why course experience has been fruitful for a handful of jockeys, including the likes of Hammond, Gavin Sheehan and Jack Quinlan, who understand the very specific race style that can be so successful here.
Comfort Factor
It helps Edmunds’ cause that he has a pair of horses that have really taken to life at Fakenham. Bluegrass has certainly been singing from the same hymn sheet as the likes of Hammond and Fergus Gillard on his forays into East Anglia. The seven-year-old has won three times at the track; the highlight no doubt being the prestigious Silver Cup in March last year.
It should perhaps come as no surprise that Bluegrass enjoys the unique conditions at Fakenham, given that he showcased a tremendous turn of speed as a successful horse on the Flat – placing in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York back in 2022.
With that pedigree, it’s little wonder that Edmunds was so keen to acquire Bluegrass from Aidan O’Brien and send him hurdling.
Another of the Edmunds yard to thrive at Fakenham has been Busy Being Busy. The five-year-old is still learning his craft but landed his maiden win at Fakenham back in March 2025 – defying top weight to score by a whopping 13 lengths in a handicap hurdle. He followed that with another win at Fakenham, this time in a Class 3 handicap, to confirm his burgeoning status.
Sent off as the joint favourite in a classy handicap hurdle at Kempton in November, Busy Being Busy looks set for a bright future in racing. If Edmunds brings him back to Fakenham, he will surely take some stopping.
Content by Peter McNeile
