Craig Lidster makes Malton move

is returning to Malton ahead of the new Flat turf season, hoping to build on an excellent 2024.

The Yorkshireman began his training career in the town before moving to the Eboracum Racing Stables in Easingwold, from where he has enjoyed notable success, including saddling Alfa Kellenic to land last year’s Ayr Silver Cup.

Alfa Kellenic proved something of a star for Lidster during a standout campaign, notching up a thrilling six-timer in a season where the Rotherham-born trainer saddled a career-best 34 winners and amassed over £500,000 in prize-money.

Malton is a town close to Lidster’s heart and a place he has happily called home for the large majority of his career in racing, which has included time spent as travelling head lad to both Brian Ellison and Richard Fahey before saddling his first runners in his own right in 2021.

He will now operate from the town’s Beverley House Stables during his fourth year in the training ranks, bidding to enhance his growing reputation.

“We’re excited to move and we’re moving with an option to purchase, which has always been our goal,” said Lidster.

“The yard has scope to grow bigger in time and it will be great to move back to Malton, where I’ve spent over 20-odd years of my life.

“It’s right across from John Quinn’s yard and next door to Ollie Pears’ place and we’re right in between the two gallops, it’s a prime location and exciting moving forwards.

“It was a great year last year with the likes of Alfa Kellenic, who was a brilliant filly to train and took us to some great places with some wonderful memories. It’s been a pleasure to train some of the horses I have.”