Simon Double: Racing Manager
Simon has a wealth of experience in the racing industry having been managing successful racing syndicates at the highest level for 30 years.
He cut his teeth with partnership pioneer, Peter Harris, after which he co-founded Pat Eddery Racing with the former 11-times champion jockey. He then successfully launched Harwoods Racing Club before setting up his own company Solario Racing in 2010.
Besides managing syndicates at Group One level (Primo Valentino and Hearts Of Fire) Simon has been associated with purchasing many good horses at the sales, including multiple winners, Arachnophobia, Hidden Glory, Desert Recluse, Storm Hawk, Spring Romance, Dancinginthewoods and indeed Hearts Of Fire.
Purchased for just £13,000 in 2008, Hearts Of Fire won the Brocklesby and went on to win at Listed, Group 3 and Group 1 level in France, Germany and Italy respectively. Third at Royal Ascot in the Group One St James’ Palace Stakes as a 3yo, he won over £300,000 in prize money for his syndicate owners and was sold for £577,500 at Newmarket’s prestigious Horses in Training Sale in October 2010, the fourth highest ever figure at that sale.
Solario Racing’s Spring Romance won five times (on turf and all-weather, including a 25/1 success at Nottingham) and 6yo Dancinginthewoods won on his debut as a 2yo at 50/1 before finishing 4th behind the great Pinatubo!
“Dancinginthewoods was a great flagship horse for Solario Racing, having won four times (turf and all-weather) and I’m delighted he’s gone to a good home for a new life outside racing. Sharp Distinction won twice last year and there should be more to come in 2024. I’m really thrilled with two lovely yearling colts I bought at the October Sales.” Simon Double
Amy Murphy: Trainer
Amy may have been one of the youngest trainers in the UK but within three years she achieved Grade One success with Kalashnikov at Aintree. She has improved her winning record stats each year since taking out a licence in 2016.
A former amateur rider, she was one of Newmarket’s most respected upwardly mobile, ambitious dual-purpose trainers. She has worked with some of the best around the world. Pupil assistant to Tom Dascombe, Amy spent a winter spell with the legendary Gai Waterhouse in Australia before going on to be Assistant Trainer with dual Derby-winning trainer, Luca Cumani, who nurtured the career of Frankie Dettori.
A real horsewoman, Amy is hands-on, riding out with the string each morning. Her infectious enthusiasm runs throughout the yard and spills over in spades to her Owners.
Last year, she sent out 33 winners on the flat in the UK, her best ever season and with the French winners (which were trained in Newmarket) she had 40 winners in total.
It is the opportunity of greater prize money which has drawn Amy to France where she will be renting some 40 boxes at Myriam Bollack-Badel’s historic yard at Lamorlaye, near Chantilly.
“Delighted that Solario Racing is continuing to support me at my fabulous new base in Lamorlaye.
Chantilly is a wonderful training centre with superb gallops and facilities and a first class record in sending out Group winners.
“We’ve had success together with Dancinginthewoods, Taritino and Sharp Distinction in Newmarket and I’m confident we can continue the success in France!” Amy Murphy
Lemos De Souza: Trainer
Lemos started life in racing as a jockey and was champion apprentice in his native Brazil. He worked for legendary trainer, Luca Cumani, for whom he travelled his good horses all over the world including Dubai, Japan and Hong Kong. As a jockey in the UK, he rode winners for Luca Cumani and Amy Murphy.
After five years riding in the UK, he hung up his boots in 2018 and became an important part of Amy’s Newmarket operation where he became Assistant Trainer.
A natural and gifted horseman, he’s a good judge of a horse and has been instrumental in sourcing some of Amy’s top two-year-olds during recent years, including Havana Angel, which he purchased for 20,000 euros and which was sold for 320,000 euros.
Lemos took out a training licence in his own right this year and hit the ground running with a winner with just his second runner in February. His fourth runner, a week later, was another winner, Emerald Downs, owned by Solario Racing!
