Contents: Introduction - Owners Group - Stable Stars. 

Onwards and Upwards:

A welcome return to the Star Cottage stables in Malton, home to the team of leading Northern trainer Julie Camacho. As is such with the sport of horse racing, the need to keep up with rapid pace of progression is critical and there has been an upturn of form both on the track and at the stables. 

2022 saw the yard enjoy their best season ever with an impressive forty-seven winners through the calendar year. Their success didn't go unnoticed and plenty of new owners have joined forces with the Camacho stable. Even just five years ago, the stable were housing horses rated at a peak rating of 80, but in 2023, the number of horses rated over 95 is now into double figures. 
At the stable, there has been plenty of home improvements including the addition of a new round gallop on the grounds. This is vital to working their horses closer to home without relying on the nearby Langton Wold gallops. A well documented spending spree at the Horses In Training sales in Newmarket last October was retail therapy after some high profile wins on the track. The likes of Tactical, former Royal Ascot winner and bred by Her Majesty The Queen, is a shrewd purchase for a stable adept at improving new recruits. The smart seven furlong horse Symbolize also joined for a large sum of money and has the quality to mix it in pattern company. The yard has also acquired some well bred cast-offs from the powerful Godolphin operation, including Winter Crown who won on her first start for team Camacho and Symbol Of Light, winner of his last three starts and awaiting his stable debut

Owners Group:

The stable visit was provided by the popular Owners Group syndicate, who are ardent supporters of the Camacho outfit. As always, a large group of excited owners descended on Malton to enjoy a morning getting to meet the staff and the horses themselves. 
The partnership between Owners Group and Julie Camacho began from the early days of the syndicate. Initial success came courtesy of Spirit of Wedza, who won five times for the pair and a large number of horses have since represented Owners Group at Star Cottage. Assistant trainer Steve Brown often provides very useful advice for Owners Group when purchasing yearlings. 
The current crop has been whittled down due to retirements, but there is always a space ready for a new arrival as the trust between the two parties leads to horses arriving from other trainers. Plenty of horse hugs and photos were taken, while the horses were treated to unlimited polos from the owners. 

MAPLE JACK (Sire: Mayson. Dam: Porcelain)
The new leading light for Owners Group following the retirement of Proclaimer, Maple Jack seems to be fulfilling the promise he always showed. Lightly raced with just ten starts, he has been plagued by minor knee setbacks and regular treatments to keep his limbs in full working order. The son of Mayson shows a preference for ground on the softer side of good and is a smart sprinter when the conditions are right. Winner of three races so far, 2023 looks to be an exciting year for his owners. 

NICKLEBY (Sire: Kodi Bear. Dam: Laheen)
Formerly trained in Lambourn by Charlie Hills, Nickleby showed plenty of promise in his first few starts.  The four year old gelding finished third twice and ran respectfully at Newbury on debut to show his ability. After winning on his three-year-old seasonal debut at Southwell, his form rapidly tailed off and the call was made to move the horse from the Hills stable to Camacho's stable in Yorkshire. Things didn't improve initially, but to understand which level Nickleby would need to be aimed at, the Camacho team gave the horse plenty of time. The tactic reaped reward with a second career win at Newcastle under jockey Jonny Peate. Given a break since the middle of March, it is likely that Nickleby will return soon on the turf. He is a quirky character in his races and needs a strong early pace to aim at so he can pick off rivals at the finish. 

BERAZ (Sire: Zoffany. Dam: Beshara)
Another recent arrival for the 2023 season and still a largely unknown quantity for Julie Camacho and Owners Group, it is hoped that the key can be found to unlocking Beraz's potential. An extremely well bred horse, straight from the illustrious breeding operation of His Royal Highness The Aga Khan, the pedigree is filled with blue blooded talent, including Behkabad. When trained in France, Beraz landed a minor event at Saint-Cloud before being purchased by the Owners Group. Switching to the leading jumps yard of Dan Skelton, Beraz was aimed at a hurdling career, but that never took off. Two disappointing runs saw a change of plan and a switch to the Camacho stable. Given his very talented pedigree and the adeptabilty of the Camacho stable to improve new recruits, it made sense to give the experiment a go. It has already reaped rewards on his first start. Running in the popular Sunday Series program at Hamilton, Beraz showed improvement to chase home the winner in a twelve furlong handicap, beaten less than a length. 
It was a relief to see the horse back to his best and fun can be had for the rest of the year. 

ALBERT HALL (Sire: Pivotal. Dam: Marseille)
An unraced two year old who has close ties to the Owners Group and Camacho family, this colt hails from a family who have tasted plenty of success over the years. This time of the year is often exciting as the two-year-olds are unknown quantities with the hope of living up to their pedigrees. 

Albert Hall hails from a high class family and his sire Pivotal has provided an array of horse racing stars over the years. The likes of Farhh, Sariska, Addeybb and Lightning Spear have all won at the highest level on the international for Pivotal who is sorely missed after his recent passing. The dam Marseille is a home bred mare for the Elite Racing Club, sister company of Owners Group and herself a well bred type. A half sister to the Nunthorpe winner Marsha as well as Julie Camacho's stable legend Judicial, Marseille hold plenty of value as a broodmare for what is her first foal. 

At first glance, the pedigree looks to be a speedy one with the influence of sprinters on the dam side, but the influence of Pivotal should inject a liking for softer ground as well as an ability to perform over a mile and further. The colt will make his debut later in the year for a stable who earned impressive record with their juveniles last year. Whatever happens on track, the family links to the stable and owners will mean success will feel close to home. 

BRUMMELL (Sire: Dandy Man. Dam: Strait Power)

A brand new, fresh out of the box arrival at Star Cottage as Brummell was announced by Owners Group on the eve of the stable visit. It would be the first glimpse for those who had already bought into him and a great advertisement for new owners. A two-year-old colt, he was purchased by Owners Group after the Goffs Breeze Up Sale at Doncaster in April. At the sales, juveniles are ridden hard for two furlongs and are judged on their action and time on the clock. He impressed onlookers with his stride and physique and he joined the stable of Julie Camacho. A leggy and athletic individual. Brummell catches the eye and has a good pedigree to match. By the speedy sire Dandy Man, he shares that honour with the likes of top sprinters Peniaphobia, Mooneista and Happy Romance. Brummell comes from a family that the stable holds dear to their heart. The new rectruit is a half brother to Shepherds Way, who was trained by Julie Camacho,  a mare who won four times for the stable and was placed in listed company before her retirement to stud in 2021.
Brummell will be well regarded and has already shown promise for a good racing career. A "could be anything" type, the next few months will be exciting for all involved. 

SAN ISIDRO (Sire: Power. Dam: Olanthia) *Not present at the stable* 

A very recent arrival to Star Cottage as the hope is held that a change of stables is the key needed to revitalise his racing career, having been disappointing in recent starts. 
A good looking chestnut gelding, San Isidro was purchased by Owners Group at the end of 2021 and held some smart form in Europe. He looked a nice prospect as a two year old with two wins in France for his former trainer before finishing fourth in a pair of group races at the end of 2020. Arriving in Newmarket with the James Ferguson stable, San Isidro carried the hope of matching that level of form in Britain in good quality races. Despite some minor promise, things didn't materialise the way owners had hoped. Initially struggling against a harsh rating of 99, it would appear the son of Power has lost some interest in racing after finishing last or second last in all six of his British races to date. Another poor showing at Chester recently, this time from a rating of 77, San Isidro tailed off again and the decision was made immediately to change trainers. 
Julie Camacho and her team will have their work cut out in order to find San Isidro's confidence and love of racing again but as history shows, they are more than capable of delivering the goods. Success may not be instant, but with time and effort spent on the horse, the rewards will soon be gained on track. 

PROCLAIMER (Sire: Free Eagle. Dam: Pious) *Recently Retired*
Each stable needs a legend and Proclaimer proudly held that title for his much loved status in the stable and for his achievements during his racing career. He stayed in training at Star Cottage from day one and gradually improved in his races to win on his fourth start. His form began to deteriorate and wind surgery was called upon on; that routine procedure proved to be a revelation. He became a standing dish at Kempton where he won an amazing six times, never more than a length. In a golden spell between September 2021 and March 2022, Proclaimer won seven races from eight starts and it won him the honour of leading all-weather horse of that season. 
Back at the stables, Proclaimer was hugely popular with his owners and loved the attention spent on him. He would often stand in one place all morning and receive a seemingly lifetime supply of polos from his adoring fans. Proclaimer would hold an almost celebrity status with camera phones clicking away. A series of small niggles with his knees meant the stable were unable to find a solid prognosis to the problem and the hard decision was made to end his racing career.
While it would be in the horse's best interest, there will be a large hole left in his absence. A horse who brought joy to so many at the stable and to those who owned him. 

CALDER VALLEY (Sire: Camacho. Dam: Sparkling) *Not present at the stable*
Another member of the Owners Group battalion based at Star Cottage is Calder Valley. The three-year-old gelding has raced just once so far in his career, but is currently on the sidelines after battling injuries since his debut. He was thought quite highly of before his debut so his return from Owners Group's base in Devizes will be keenly anticipated by the Camacho team. 
Purchased as a yearling, Calder Valley would make be a topical impact to the Julie Camacho stable as a son of the speedy sire Camacho. A smart type on the track and part of the Juddmonte breeding program, Camacho has sire plenty of high class runners over the year including Royal Ascot winner Signora Cabello and French Guineas winner Teppal. The dam Sparkling was unraced on track but has produced smart types including the multiple winner Ravenglass. Calder Valley made his debut in July 2022 in a warm looking maiden at Doncaster. Showing signs of inexperience, Calder Valley was slow to leave the stalls and lost plenty of ground. Finishing quite strongly, he picked off a few tailenders and took home tenth place. It was a promising debut and the winner of the race went on to be third in a Group Three at York. 
Despite his absence, the faith will be hopefully repaid as soon as Calder Valley returns to full training and back on the racecourse. 

Stable Stars:

JUDICIAL (Sire: Iffraaj. Dam: Marlinka)
The stable legend and veteran Judicial is still a member of the team as he reaches the twilight of his career. Now an eleven-year-old, the son of Iffraaj has represented the stable at the highest level at the biggest racecourses and in the most valuable of races throughout his career. A huge amount of emotion is displayed whenever he runs well, given the affection the staff have for Judicial and this was evident after his win at Beverley in September 2022. His racing days will soon come to an end, but he has been an outstanding servant for the yard. 

LOOK OUT LOUIS (Sire: Harbour Watch. Dam: Perfect Act)
A brilliant testament to the skills of Julie Camacho and her team, he has improved further and further in the space of two years of being at Star Cottage. Already a three time winner for previous trainer Tim Easterby, Look Out Louis moved across Malton to the Camacho stable at the end of 2020. Building on his first appearance for his new team, the son of Harbour Watch then went on to finish in the first three on his next twelve starts, winning five times along the way. The chestnut with a big white face has risen through the grades and his rating shot up from 68 when first joining to a current rating of 91. A three-time winner in 2022 included two at his beloved Chester and one at Haydock where he broke the five furlong course record time. A keen going sprinter, he can be thrilling to watch when on song and has won in front of terrestial TV cameras at Haydock and Chester. Flirting on the brink of Group class races, the seven year old could have another productive season this year. 

MAKANAH (Sire: Mayson. Dam: Diane's Choice)
Yet another thoroughly consistent sprinting handicapper who is showing no signs of slowing down and is in the form of his life at the age of eight. 
Bred by the Shadwell operation, his pedigree shows plenty of talent but in the early stages of his career, Makanah was very hard to keep a lid on. Moving from the Simon and Ed Crisford stable in Newmarket to the Camacho stable in late 2017, the smaller stable environment proved beneficiary. Gaining a first win off a rating of 71 in 2018, Makanah has won six more times since then and is rated an impressive 99. Showing a keen liking to Musselburgh's very quick five furlong track where he has won four times and only once finished out of the top four, the son of Mayson was all about speed. 
In recent times though, Makanah has improved further to compete at a high level over six furlongs. 2022 was his best season yet with a top six finish in all bar one of his nine runs last year. Those races included the Portland Handicap, listed City Walls Stakes and Gosforth Park Cup. He would finish seventh in the prestigious Stewards' Cup Handicap at Glorious Goodwood where he led the field until being swamped in the final fifty yards. He would pick up a deserved win at Musselburgh at the end of the season and has carried on where he left off this year. A strong fifth in a twenty-two runner handicap at York shows Makanah will still mix it at the highest level and is a great advertisement for the happy horses at Star Cottage. 

SHAQUILLE (Sire: Charm Spirit. Dam: Magic)
A home bred colt who has spent the majority of his life at Star Cottage stables, Shaquille had a debut season to remember with three wins from four starts. Winning unexpectedly on his debut over seven furlongs at York, he did so in impressive style. It prompted a rise straight into pattern company in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at the Ebor Festival back on the Knavesmire. He ultimately struggled in that race, but in opposition he faced the likes of future Craven Stakes winner Indestructible and subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean amongst others. Dropping back into novice company, he ran once again at York where he showed all kinds of acrobatics in the parade ring and gave his handler a hard time. In race conditions though, he stuck to the task well and won again to make it two out of three. A third win in his first season followed in a Finals Qualifier event at Wolverhampton, but on the day of the All Weather Championship Finals, his eccentricity showed once again and he refused to enter the stalls.
Recently, Shaquille has impressed once again, this time on the big stage. Running in a class two handicap at Newmarket on the undercard of the 2,000 Guineas, the colt powered away to win smartly and in the style of a rapidly improving type. The three-year-old backed up that performance with a breakthrough win at pattern level at Newbury. Facing the Gimcrack winner Noble Style, Shaquille had a tough task, but after making all the running, he had his rivals in trouble. Crossing the line three lengths to the good prompted many to sit up and take notice of the Charm Spirit colt. Now currently third favourite for the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the stable will be planning their smartest outfits with a runner at the highest level for the first time since 2019.  

TITIAN (Sire: Iffraaj. Dam: Lucelle)
A smart and improving handicapper who is a perfect example of the ability of the Camacho team's ability to unlock further potential. The six year old gelding is already at his third stable in his short career, but he has been in the care of some leading names in racing. Starting with the William Haggas yard, Titian was looking smart and progressive by winning twice in six starts, but his owner John Frewen opted for a change of discipline and sent his horse to David Pipe's yard for a hurdling career. The experiment failed to work out as well as hoped and after three starts Titian was moved again, this time to Malton with Julie Camacho. 
 After a couple of below par runs for his new yard, a break and wind surgery proved to be the key to the horse as he went on to win a competitive handicap at York in brave fashion. Since then, he has shown up well in hot handicaps on soft ground. Appearing back on turf at Doncaster's season opener, Titian relished the heavy ground and was only just denied by a neck in the Spring Mile Handicap. On a big day for the stable, Titian would run a bold race again, finishing sixth in a heritage handicap behind others rated much higher. It is undeniable that the son of Iffraaj has a big handicap in his hands and he should come into his own at the end of the season when the ground turns soft. A race like the John Smith's Cup would be a perfect target as a big race aim at the yard's local track, York. 

TACTICAL (Sire: Toronado. Dam: Make Fast)
A horse with royal links, Tactical has a place on a illustrious piece of racing history. Formerly owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II, the regally bred colt lifted spirits through the Covid pandemic by winning the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. In doing so, Tactical became one of the last winners for the horse racing enthusiast the Queen. As a juvenile, he would follow up in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket, finishing the season off as one of the leading two-year-olds of 2020. Winning on his first start as a three-year-old, the Free Handicap, there would be aspirations of the big time with races such as the 2,000 Guineas were earmarked for the royal runner. Unfortunately, his career began to backpedal and as he struggled against his inflated rating. As is so often the case with high class juveniles, Tactical found it hard to find his level.
The sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II saw a host of horses she owned entered in the Horses In Training sale in October 2022. Tactical would be sold to his new owner for a large sum, attracting attention from the racing press with his move to Yorkshire. It was a high profile arrival and one which will bring new focus to the Star Cottage stables. On the track so far, Tactical has run with promise on both his starts for Julie Camacho. Running well in defeat, his rating will chisel away downwards and there is not many better trainers than finding the right race than the Camacho team. It wouldn't come to any surprise to see Tactical return to the winner's enclosure in the near future. 

SYMBOLIZE (Sire: Starspangledbanner. Dam: French Flirt)
A very classy type in his youth and still capable of smart form, Symbolize joined the Julie Camacho stable alongside Tactical for their new owner, Mr O'Keeffe. Starting out life with the Classic winning stable of Andrew Balding, Symbolize looked a very good prospect when winning easily on debut over five furlongs. It would prompt Group race assignments which resulted in a fourth at Royal Ascot on his second start.
The son of Starspangledbanner has maintained his ability and ran well in group races and high quality handicaps. Winning for just the second time in his career in a Thirsk conditions race, Symbolize is a specialist over seven furlongs and talented when the conditions are right for him. A career best performance came in the 2021 Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day at Ascot where he would finish second. 
Another to be purchased at the Horse In Training sale at Newmarket in October 2022, Symbolize has the ability to run with credit in highest quality handicaps, a compliment to the ever rising talent of the Camacho stable. With two runs so far for new connections, the working out process will be well underway to find the best target to give the horse the best chance of winning. 

Full Stable Visit Gallery:
With many thanks to the team at Star Cottage stables for hosting everyone and to Owners Group for organising an informative and exciting day. Best of luck for the remainder of 2023.