RAGE OF BAMBY’S 33/1 GROUP 3 VICTORY AT NEWBURY MARKS HOT TO TROT RACING SYNDICATE’S 100TH WINNER

RAGE OF BAMBY (Charles Bishop) wins The Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes
Newbury 19 Jul 2025 – Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com

Rage Of Bamby’s emphatic Group 3 victory at Newbury Racecourse in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes last Saturday was especially significant as it marked Hot To Trot Racing’s 100th winner, almost 13 years after their first winner in August 2012.

UK-based racing syndicate manager, Sam Hoskins and Irish-based bloodstock agent, Luke Lillingston, floated their affordable leased syndicate model in 2011, based on leasing well-bred fillies from renowned breeders in both England and Ireland. Combining their expertise and wide-ranging connections in horseracing and breeding, their innovative model has allowed them to provide the thrill of horseracing and all the benefits of ownership to like-minded members at a fraction of the cost of traditional syndicates. In Spring 2012, they launched their first syndicate, with five fillies, enthusiastically supported by friends and family.

Fast-forward to last Saturday’s meeting at Newbury (19^th July) where Rage of Bamby, trained locally by in-form Eve Johnson Houghton, was ridden to perfection by Charles Bishop in the syndicate’s distinctive burgundy and cream silks to give them their 100^th winner.

Sam acknowledges that Rage of Bamby’s win took the syndicate by surprise: “It was incredible to see Rage of Bamby bounce back like that after her first two races this season. It really was quite farfetched to think she would be in the shake-up with two Group 1 winners. We didn’t know when we’d witness our 100^th winner so it was even more special to achieve this remarkable milestone at Group level live on ITV and at Newbury.”

Rage of Bamby’s next target is the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday 16^th August.

Luke added: “Rage of Bamby is leased from Kildaragh Stud in Ireland from whom we leased our Listed winner and Group placed filly, Roman Mist in 2021/22. This is an example of how well our partnership works with Sam being in England and myself in Ireland. Without both English and Irish breeders proposing good fillies to us, we’d never have been able to achieve the level of success that we have.”

Over the last 13 years, Hot To Trot has sent out over 750 runners including Royal Ascot winner, Heartache, and Group winners on the flat and over jumps with the likes of Kurious and Hollygrove Cha Cha.

Sam said: “Sociability is a significant part of our success. Members can experience and share many memorable events at home and abroad, on and off the racecourse, and these have kindled many great friendships within the membership. Our thanks go to all our trainers, the horses, stable staff and jockeys who have helped us on our way to 100 winners, not to mention the brilliant breeders from whom we lease our horses. Of course, the biggest thanks must go to our Members without whose support and loyalty there would be no Hot To Trot. Bring on the next 100!”

Hot To Trot’s first runner was Long Lost Love trained by Mark Johnston on 1st May 2012 at Kempton.  They had to wait 12 weeks, until 2^nd August, and 12 more runners until they celebrated their first winner, Hot Secret.  Their winning streak continued the following day with Dream Maker trained by Tom Dascombe, when she won at Bath and again two days later at Chester.

The Syndicate’s first Royal Ascot and Group 2 winner was Heartache, trained by Clive Cox, and leased from Whitsbury Manor Stud, who took the 2017 Queen Mary. The win enabled Sam and Luke to establish their second flat syndicate in 2018.

In 2019 they launched their jumps syndicate which last season produced five winners including the Grade 2 Jane Seymour at Sandown with the Jamie Snowden-trained Hollygrove Cha Cha leased from Irish breeder, Salome Brennan.

HOT TO TROT MEMBERS’ GIVE THEIR VIEWS:

Many of Hot To Trot’s members have remained loyal supporters since 2012, including David and Wendy Mayall.

“Sam Hoskins is an absolute star! He has been consistently impressive, displaying skill, integrity and friendliness throughout. We were in the Hot Secret syndicate which was so exciting and we were at Royal Ascot for Heartache’s win which was the highlight of many exciting times. Congratulations to Sam and his team on their 100th winner!” Wendy Mayall, member since 2012

“Hot to Trot has been the most fun and enjoyable way to ‘own’ a racehorse.  We have had 13 years of accessing all aspects of the racing world thanks to the knowledge of Luke and Sam.  We have made many new friends and much enjoyed all the extra curricular activities.” Richard & Pauline Finn, members since 2012

“Both Sam and Luke have extensive knowledge and contacts in the bloodstock and racing world which has enabled them to access some tremendous fillies. Surely there can be no other racing syndicate producing as much “bang per buck” for all round enjoyment.” Nick Wooldridge, member since 2015

“I joined Hot To Trot around three years ago, having worked in the racing industry for over 43 years. It has been great fun, keeps me involved in racing and allows me to see old friends and colleagues. It’s a great experience – we are well looked after by the racecourses when we have runners and everybody is so friendly. It’s a great set up.” Charles Stebbing

ABOUT HOT TO TROT RACING:

Hot To Trot Racing currently runs three syndicates, one Jumps and two Flat. Each syndicate has 80 members with a minimum of five horses in training with top trainers across the country. Their horses have run at top meetings in France, Germany, Ireland and all over the UK including the big racing festivals.

An important aspect of the syndicate’s success is their focus on the social aspect of racehorse ownership with unforgettable racedays and events and many lasting friendships have been made over the years. They provide a packed and varied calendar of social events where members can experience and share many memorable events at home and abroad.

Recently, they have enjoyed trips to Limerick and Listowel, Chantilly, Deauville and St Moritz, wine tastings at English vineyards, racecourse picnics, lunches and dinners, visits to many of their breeders and trainers quite apart from the annual lunches at top racecourses.

Hot To Trot Racing Stats: (As of 19th July 2025)

First runner: 1^st May 2012 – Long Lost Love trained by Mark Johnston – Kempton

First winner: 2^nd August 2012 – Hot Secret trained by Andrew Balding – Ffos Las

100^th winner: 19^th July 2025 – Rage of Bamby trained by Eve Johnson Houghton – Newbury

100 winners from 762 runs

Of the 100 wins, 8 have won at Listed or Group level

In 305 of those races their horses have been placed in the top three.

Over 40% of all entries have been placed in the first three of their races.

Memorable Moments:

• 2017: Heartache won two Group 2s: Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot & Flying Childers at Doncaster.
• 2019: Kurious won the G3 Coral Charge at Sandown.
• 2023: Get Ahead was 2^nd in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly and 2^nd in the G1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh in 2023 (before making 2.5m guineas at the 2023 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.)
• 2024: Rage of Bamby who won the Sky Bet Dash at York & the Listed Boadicea Stakes at Newmarket.
• 2025: Hollygrove Cha Cha won the G2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
• 2025: Rage of Bamby won HTTR’s 100^th race, the G3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury

HORSES IN TRAINING 2025

Hot To Trot 1 (Flat):

CABRERA (2021 filly Phoenix Of Spain / Island Remede) Ed Bethell, Middleham

PERSONAL BEST (2022 filly Time Test / Spring Run) Jonathan Portman, Lambourn

SEA POETRY (2022 filly Wootton Bassett / Sea Prose) Owen Burrows, Lambourn

WHOLEHEARTED (2022 filly Sergei Prokofiev / Hand On My Heart) Clive Cox, Lambourn

BABA GANOUSH (2023 filly Nathaniel / Capriolla) Hughie Morrison, East Ilsley

NICOLAI (2023 colt Sergei Prokofiev / Walkill) Jack Channon, West Ilsley

MERRY (2023 filly Zoustar / Hilary J) James Horton, Newmarket

Hot To Trot 2 (Flat):

RAGE OF BAMBY (2020 filly Saxon Warrior / Rabiosa Fiore) Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury

EASY PEELER (2022 filly Due Diligence / Satsuma) John and Sean Quinn, Malton

CASTELLINA (2022 filly Territories / Firenze) James Fanshawe, Newmarket

SKELLIG ISLE (2022 filly Mohaather / Kerry’s Dream) Tom Ward, Lambourn

SEA REGAL (2021 filly Sea The Stars / Tayma) David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley

DREAMASAR (2022 filly Masar / Livia’s Dream) Ed Walker, Lambourn

TALITHA ROUGE (2023 filly Space Blues / Coco Rouge) David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley

Hot To Trot Jumping:

Next season’s Jumping Syndicate hasn’t yet been finalised. HTTR won five races in the 2024/25 season including the syndicate’s most valuable race over obstacles, the G2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in February 2025 won by the Jamie Snowden-trained Hollygrove Cha Cha.