Hanako Varian

Twelve years have passed since Roger Varian became a licensed trainer as the health of his much-loved former boss and mentor, Michael Jarvis, declined. One softly-spoken but calmly assured man took over from another after Varian had served a decade as Jarvis's assistant. By that stage he had clearly proved himself a worthy successor, and the rise of the Varian stable in the intervening years has only served to underline Jarvis's judgement in this regard. Last year was Varian's best to date. There haven't been many seasons during his term...

Newmarket native Kate Grimwade has returned to her home town to take up the role of general manager for Roger Varian's stable. Grimwade grew up on the National Stud where her father Joe was manager and was later among the original 12 trainees for the inaugural Darley (now Godolphin) Flying Start programme. On the course she met Hanako Sonobe, who later married Varian.  "It's nearly 20 years ago that we started the Flying Start, which seems crazy, but Hanako and all of us from the course have remained very good...