Who are the five Flat trainers already enjoying career-best prize-money seasons?

The British Flat season is entering its crucial autumn phase, with the battle for the trainers’ championship still expected to be dominated by heavyweights Aidan O’Brien and Andrew Balding.

However, there is plenty happening further down the standings, with several trainers enjoying some of the most successful campaigns of their careers.

Five trainers currently inside the British top 50 have already surpassed their previous best prize-money totals, underlining the strength in depth among the country’s training ranks.

Here are five trainers who have enjoyed standout seasons so far and still have plenty to look forward to before the curtain comes down on the Flat campaign.

Hamad Al Jehani

British prize-money total: £628,528
Previous best: £370,418 (2025)

Hamad Al Jehani is still in only his third season as a trainer, but the Wathnan Racing handler is continuing to make rapid progress from his Newmarket base.

After saddling 12 winners last season, Al Jehani has already surpassed that figure in 2026 while almost doubling his previous best prize-money haul.

The quality of his stable has also continued to improve, with Stewards’ Cup winner Evening Saigon and recent Group winner Archivist among the horses to have helped drive his breakthrough campaign.

What is still to come?

Evening Saigon is likely to feature prominently in the major autumn handicaps and holds an entry for the Ayr Gold Cup, where he could head a potential team of five runners for Al Jehani.

There is also Group-race potential elsewhere in the yard. Diego Ventura is entered for Saturday’s Celebration Mile, while Holguin and Gimcrack runner-up Final Objective are two more horses worth following during the remainder of the season.

George Scott

British prize-money total: £1,162,195
Previous best: £897,099 (2024)

George Scott has already secured a new career best in terms of prize-money and is now closing in on another landmark.

The Newmarket trainer is just seven winners short of his previous seasonal best, but his 2026 campaign has been about more than quantity.

Scott enjoyed a breakthrough British Group 1 success when Bay City Roller landed the Coronation Cup, while Phantom Flight, Caballo De Mar and Wimbledon Hawkeye have also contributed significantly to his earnings with victories overseas.

What is still to come?

Bay City Roller is set to head to the Arc, while Wimbledon Hawkeye and Caballo De Mar could return to Britain for British Champions Day as Scott looks to add further domestic success to his season.

There is plenty of promise elsewhere in the stable, too. Juvenile Mriar could prove capable of stepping up to Group level, while Al Aali, a winner at Glorious Goodwood, holds an entry in the Cambridgeshire.

Gamrai and Ridari are also names to watch after receiving Group 1 entries for Champions Day.

James Owen

British prize-money total: £1,610,139
Previous best: £1,607,600 (2025)

James Owen has also moved into career-best territory financially, with the Newmarket trainer needing just seven more Flat winners to set a new personal record in that department.

His rise this season has been driven by a consistent flow of winners, backed up by some major handicap successes.

Rogue Diplomat’s Royal Hunt Cup triumph and Sportingsilvermine’s victory in the Old Newton Cup have provided two of the biggest boosts to Owen’s prize-money tally.

His jumps operation has also enjoyed a productive summer, adding further valuable prizes to an already impressive season.

What is still to come?

Rogue Diplomat could have another opportunity in some of the major races towards the end of the season after finding the City of York too competitive last week.

Handicaps remain a particular strength for Owen, with Kirchner among his leading entries. He is currently the ante-post third-favourite for the Cesarewitch.

Far Above Dream, who finished runner-up at York, could also have a say in next month’s Ayr Gold Cup.

Joseph O’Brien

British prize-money total: £2,002,695
Previous best: £686,204 (2022)

Joseph O’Brien has produced one of the most remarkable jumps in prize-money of any trainer on this list.

His previous best seasonal Flat earnings in Britain stood at £686,204 in 2022. This year, he has already more than trebled that figure, with a spectacular Royal Ascot campaign playing a major role.

O’Brien saddled five winners at the Royal meeting, having already enjoyed major success earlier in the summer when Classic winner Thundering On landed a valuable prize at Epsom.

Four winners at Glorious Goodwood and another two at last week’s Ebor Festival have further strengthened his position.

What is still to come?

O’Brien has an extraordinary number of potential targets for the autumn.

His stable has nine entries in the Fillies’ Mile, six in the Dewhurst and 13 in the Cesarewitch, while he has 12 entries across two Group 1 races on British Champions Day.

Among the horses to watch are Fillies’ Mile favourite Green Empress, Listed-winning juvenile Alwaysanangel and St Leger candidate Enceladus.

Thundering On could also have a major role to play later in the season, with the Arc and British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes both possible targets in October.

George Boughey

British prize-money total: £2,916,428
Previous best: £1,989,308 (2022)

George Boughey has enjoyed an outstanding summer, with his British prize-money total now comfortably beyond his previous career best.

The trainer currently sits sixth in the British trainers’ championship standings, with Bow Echo having played a huge part in his success.

The star horse’s three Group 1 victories generated more than £1.5 million in prize-money alone, while Moonfall and Libertango also added significant sums following victories at Royal Ascot.

Libertango struck again at York last week, further boosting Boughey’s already impressive tally.

His figures do not include US Grade 1 winner Survie, highlighting the breadth of his stable’s success this season.

What is still to come?

Bow Echo has now been retired, but Boughey still has plenty of opportunities to add to his 2026 total.

Survie and Libertango both hold Group 1 entries in Britain this autumn, while Hopewell Rock could be bound for the Melbourne Cup following his strong effort in last week’s Ebor.

Rosy Affair holds entries in the Flying Five and Champions Sprint, while Boughey also has an exciting group of juveniles.

Fillies’ Mile hopeful Cloak Of Power and Cheveley Park Stakes possibilities Ivory Moon and Evenfall are among the youngsters who could make an impact before the season ends.

Who will finish the Flat season strongly?

With the autumn programme still to come, there is plenty of opportunity for these trainers to improve their already impressive records.

Major targets including the Ayr Gold Cup, Cambridgeshire, Cesarewitch, Arc and British Champions Day provide plenty of chances for further prize-money, while the next generation of two-year-olds will also have the opportunity to make their mark.

The battle at the top of the championship may attract the most attention, but the achievements of trainers such as Al Jehani, Scott, Owen, O’Brien and Boughey demonstrate just how competitive the Flat season has been across the standings.

FAQs

When does the British Flat season end?

The British Flat season runs through the autumn, with British Champions Day at Ascot among the major fixtures towards the end of the campaign.

Which trainers have already recorded career-best prize-money totals?

Hamad Al Jehani, George Scott, James Owen, Joseph O’Brien and George Boughey have all surpassed their previous best British prize-money totals this season.

Which major Flat races are still to come in 2026?

The autumn calendar includes major races such as the Ayr Gold Cup, Cambridgeshire, Cesarewitch, Arc and British Champions Day.

What hospitality is available through Eventmasters?

Eventmasters offers officially appointed hospitality packages for a range of major sporting events, providing premium experiences alongside some of the biggest fixtures in the British sporting calendar.