This week brought the news that one of the longest-standing Newmarket-based trainers will soon call it a day. Based at Chestnut Tree Stables on Hamilton Road, Rae Guest has sent out winners every year since 1989.
Now 74 years of age, Guest has deemed the time is right to move on to the next chapter in his life. The trainer will not renew his licence in the new year, having agreed to sell his 62-box operation to the emerging trainer Jack Jones.
In an announcement to the press, Guest stated:
“Jack Jones has bought Chestnut Tree Stables, and I’m going to wind down and retire as now is the right time to move on.”
He also highlighted that his passion for the sport remains undimmed.
“I’m not giving up training because I don’t enjoy it any more – I still love the game and some of my owners will have horses with Jack. I’ll be following them, and Rachel has a few mares, so I’ll still be in the sport but just not the day-to-day training.”
Here, we look back on the career of the well-liked handler and the man who will follow in his footsteps.
From a Family Steeped in Racing
Born in 1950, Rae Guest is the son of the jumps jockey Charlie Guest and a nephew to fellow riders Nelson Guest and Joseph Guest. Given that pedigree, it was no surprise that a career in the saddle beckoned for both Rae and his brother Richard.
With Classic wins in Scandinavia, India, and the Netherlands, Rae stuck to the flat, whilst Richard is best known for his victory aboard Red Marauder in the mud-spattered 2001 Aintree Grand National. Rae’s sister, Jane, didn’t take up life as a jockey but became a famous name in the racing world when marrying legendary Newmarket handler Sir Henry Cecil in 2008.
Successful at the Highest Level
At the time of the retirement announcement, Rae Guest had registered 626 winners as a trainer, 619 coming on the flat and seven over jumps. Predominantly operating at a mid to low level, Guest’s best year numerically came in the 35-winner 2012 campaign.
In later years, Guest became best known for his exploits at the all-weather tracks. However, earlier in his career, the likeable handler was no stranger to dining at the top table, as illustrated by his four Group/Grade 1 triumphs:
- 1996 Prix Vermeille – My Emma
- 1997 Yorkshire Oaks – My Emma
- 2008 Cheveley Park Stakes – Serious Attitude
- 2010 Nearctic Stakes – Serious Attitude
The above quartet demonstrate Guest’s well-earned reputation for getting the best out of the fillies and mares under his care. Fittingly, the final Pattern-class success of his career was also provided by a filly, when Divina Grace stayed on well to land the 2024 edition of the Listed Chalice Stakes at Newmarket.
The New Man on The Hamilton Road
Already home to the yards of Simon and Ed Crisford, George Boughey, George Scott, James Owen, and Stuart Williams, the Hamilton Road area of Newmarket is turning into something of a hot spot for training talent.
As the new name on the Chestnut Tree Stables lease, 29-year-old Jack Jones will hope to follow a similarly successful path to his near neighbours.
Previously employed at the yards of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, and Kim Bailey, Jones set out on his own in 2022. Initially renting 14 boxes from Guest, the newcomer began slowly with a solitary success in his debut campaign. However, by the end of 2023, he had improved to 25 flat winners before a career-best 28 in 2024. That success and subsequent growth saw the up-and-coming handler hire a second yard at St Gatien Stables on the other side of town.
Achieving a breakout flat win with Caburn in the 2024 edition of the Weatherbys Super Sprint, Jones recently showed he was perfectly capable of readying one to score over jumps when Teriferma caused an 18/1 shock in the Triumph Trial at the Cheltenham Christmas Meeting.
Now having a solid base to work from, Jones is well-placed to continue his ascent. If the early evidence is any guide, Chestnut Tree Stables may be a lucky yard for Jones and his team, with the trainer stating:
“I had my first runner in April 2022 since when it’s been a bumpy ride, but we had a Saturday double including a winner at Cheltenham, and we’re three from three since signing the contract.”
