Ferguson quits training, enters bloodstock insurance sector
UK trainer James Ferguson will hand in his licence at the end of July after accepting a position in the international bloodstock insurance sector.
Ferguson, who has held a trainer’s licence for seven years, said the opportunity was one he could not turn down and represented the right move professionally.
The 36-year-old enjoyed Group 1 success with El Bodegon, winner of the Grand Criterium de Saint-Cloud in 2021, while Deauville Legend provided another career highlight when winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes before finishing fourth in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
Announcing his decision, Ferguson said: “Training racehorses has been both a dream and a privilege, and I leave with enormous pride in what we’ve achieved over the past seven years. This decision is driven by the opportunity I have been offered. I remain very positive about the sport and I’m looking forward to staying closely involved in the international bloodstock world in a new capacity.”
A successful amateur rider before entering the training ranks, Ferguson has prepared more than 150 winners since taking out his licence at Saville House Stables in Newmarket in 2019.
He later relocated to Kremlin Cottage Stables, where he trained El Bodegon to his Group 1 victory, before moving to Machell Place Stables at the end of 2024.
The son of former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson, James Ferguson recorded a career-best 33 winners in 2024. He saddled 26 winners from 215 runners last season and has prepared nine winners from 57 starters this year.
