Joey Ramsden's return to the British training ranks has been rewarded sooner than expected, with the accomplished South African horseman striking his first winner in the UK at Newcastle on Thursday.

The victory came courtesy of Bishop’s Glory, who defied odds of 22-1 to land the second division of the six-furlong handicap on the all-weather, giving Ramsden a perfect early milestone in his new chapter. It was just his ninth runner since re-establishing himself in Britain last month, marking a rapid return to form for a man long associated with success at the highest level.

Ramsden (56) trained over 1,800 winners in a glittering 20-year career in South Africa. His resume includes 27 Group 1 victories, with triumphs in some of the nation’s most prestigious Grade 1 events like the Durban July, Queen’s Plate, Cape Derby, Gold Challenge, Mercury Sprint and Cape Guineas. After stepping away from the sport in 2019, he has now re-emerged in Britain with renewed energy and ambition.

Operating from a 62-box yard near Newark, Nottinghamshire — a base formerly used by multiple all-weather champion trainer Mick Appleby — Ramsden has found himself reinvigorated by the change of scenery. His early results have suggested that his training instincts remain as sharp as ever, with the Newcastle win reaffirming his ability to adapt to different racing environments.

Ramsden’s career has always been defined by versatility and global success. Among his most memorable triumphs was with Variety Club, the South African superstar who won the 2014 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night before capturing the Champions Mile in Hong Kong (even though he didn't run under his own name) but his only Durban July win was also career defining with Australian import, The Conglomerate from the widest draw and not forgetting the gutsy grey bomber, King Of Pain. These wins cemented Ramsden’s reputation as a world-class conditioner capable of competing on the international stage. Variety Club was also the best horse South Africa had exported on the last 25 years and owned by the late Markus Jooste, for whom Ramsden trained many horses. Variety Club was under the De Kock Stable banner at the time of his international successes. 

With top-class facilities at his disposal and renewed enthusiasm for training, Ramsden appears well positioned to carve out another successful chapter, this time in the heart of the British racing scene.

Image: Variety Club winning in Dubai