Brian Meehan – England
Brian Meehan started training Thoroughbreds in 1992 after six years as assistant to Richard and Jo Hannon at Lambourn. He was soon making waves, with his first Group 1 winner, Tomba, a success which paved the way for what was to follow.
Brian inherited the historic Manton Estate on the Marlborough Downs in 2006, a position previously held by John Gosden. In that one year alone, he captured two of the most lucrative races in the world, the Dubai Duty Free and the Breeders’ Cup Turf, earning him the title “International Trainer of the Year.” He also captured local awards with David Junior’s victory in the Coral Eclipse. His significant victories span the globe: Champion Stakes, St James’s Palace, Prix Morny (twice), Prix de la Forêt, Cheveley Park (twice), Man O’War Stakes, Grosser Dallmayr Preis, and many more.
Brian subsequently reconfirmed his allegiance to Manton when, in October 2017, he bought the estate, which has Manton Lodge on it, where he and his wife Jax reside along with their children Katie, Frank, and Jax’s sons Felix and Jasper. He also keeps two spaniels and a cat, and an African-grey parrot, named Max.
Brian operates a “boutique-type” business today: a network of some 70 top-level horses trained to the highest possible level and close relationships with owners. That mix has won more than 60 Group or Graded stakes races on four continents. His highlights of 2024 included Royal Ascot victories – Jayarebe in the Hampton Court and Rashabar in the Coventry – and in France with Jayarebe’s Prix Dollar at Longchamp.
Brian prefers a no-nonsense, straight-talking style: “Training is personal; we are in it to win, and to win big, but to enjoy the sport and the adrenaline that comes with it.” With world-class stabling at Manton and Astor Yard, a highly trained team, and a strong focus on horse and owner welfare, Brian Meehan remains one of the leading trainers in global racing.