Locke leads the race for champion trainer
There is a new name at the top of the tree in the race to be 2026 Champion Trainer as Maxine Locke takes over from Mark Wallis on the points system.
Picture from Star Sports
Locke on top in the race for Trainer of the Year
Maxine Locke tops the updated GBGB Trainer of the Year standings - and wants the year to stop now!
"That would be great for us, wouldn't it," said the former Romford handler now plying her trade successfully at Central Park.
A double at the Kent venue on Saturday for Mystical Batman and Headford Lily plus the success of her Newinn Jolie in the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore has lifted Essex-based Locke above 16-time champion trainer Mark Wallis.
Locke now has 724 points in the race to be Trainer of the Year ahead of Wallis (717) and Paul Young (683). The trio are clear then of fourth-placed Jimmy Fenwick (412), himself enjoying a great season, Belinda Green (358) and Partrick Janssens (355).
The top six automatically qualify for the David Lipsey Trophy, or Trainers Judgement Night, in 2027.
"It's certainly a real boost for the kennel - and myself," said Locke, who revealed recently she is having to take a backseat in the day-to-day running of the kennel due to health reasons. "Jo (Ramsay) is doing a fantastic job and I'm indebted to her and the team."
Locke admitted the decision of leading owner Gavin O'Mahoney to leave the JR Racing Syndicate and pursue his breeding interests was "bad timing as we have a lot to deal with", but the trainer wishes him well for the future.
"Gavin took broods and pups mainly with only a handful of racers he was involved with, but I'm still really happy with the strength and quality moving forward for the rest of the year and the support of Jack (Russell), in particular, has been amazing. The dogs are running super and hopefully it continues.
"You always need luck but I'm happy where we are and we're competing for so many of the top competitions now which is great."
