Manton
In late 1999, it was announced that Gosden would move to Manton for the beginning of the 2000 season. He quickly enjoyed major successes, in May 2000, he won the 1,000 Guineas Stakes with Lahan. Later in the season, he won both Group One races held at Ascot with Observatory in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Crystal Music in the Fillies' Mile. In 2001, he won the Prix de la Forêt with Mount Abu, and the Prix Marcel Boussac with Sulk.
The 2002 season began well for Gosden. One of his first major victories came when Zenda beat Firth of Lorne in the prestigious Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in France. Coming off the rail in the straight and holding off challenges, the victory was impressive. “Zenda had been working very well at home”, said Gosden, “The filly would have won in even better style if she had settled earlier”.
He also won the Prix Melisande with Music Club, ridden by Frankie Dettori. Later, Gosden won at Royal Ascot again with Demonstrate in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. He also won the prestigious Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot with Malhub. “I did a wild thing three months ago when I entered Malhub for this race”, Gosden said, “I felt a mile was too far and decided to drop him back in distance and give him one smart entry over a shorter trip”.
He then won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France with May Ball. “She has been going well at home and we were expecting a big run”, Gosden said afterwards, “It’s a wonderful advertisment for keeping a five-year-old in training”. He also won with at Chester with Treble Heights for football player Michael Owen, and the Solario Stakes with Foss Way. He also won the Strensall Stakes with Binary File and the Royal Lodge Stakes with Al Jadeed.
In 2003, he won the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes with Oasis Dream.
The 2005 season started well for Gosden. He won the Magnolia Stakes with Day Flight. Frankie Dettori, riding second, had carried them both across the course in the straight. “You wouldn’t think he used to work for me!”, Gosden joked.
Later, Karen’s Caper won the Nell Gwyn Stakes. “She really enjoyed coming up the rising ground and is crying out for a mile”, Gosden said afterwards. He also won the John Porter Stakes with Day Flight, and the Sunderlands Bookmakers Conditions Stakes with Plea Bargain. Day Flight won again, this time in the Ormonde Stakes.
Gosden then won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot at York with Plea Bargain. “He’s a lovely improving horse and the mile and a half is no problem”, said Gosden. Playful Act won again, this time in the Lancashire Oaks. “It’s been a long road back, but it’s been worth it”, said Gosden after the race. Playful Act would go on to be considered one of the finest broodmares in recent history.
He later won the Prestige Stakes with Nannina. “She’ll improve a lot”, said Gosden. Nannina then won the very prestigious Fillies' Mile at Ascot. “They set a proper pace and Kieran had Jimmy in the box, but he wasn’t going to go there and she was well ridden”, he said afterwards.
He then won the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot with Leo. Later, Gosden announced his decision to return to Newmarket to train at Clarehaven Stables. “The move to Manton was challenging, but I was pleased to win the 1,000 Guineas with Lahan within four months of being there”, said Gosden,”She was our 100th Group winner in Europe”. Explaining his decision, he said “I was in danger of being like my hero Bob Dylan, permanently on the road”.
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