HORSES TO FOLLOW 2026/2027: JAMES HENDERSON

Over the past dozen years since he moved to the South Midlands Area, James Henderson has regularly been among the leading owner-trainers in the region. In 2025/2026, for example, although he only ran two horses, he again scooped the area award for the leading trainer with five horses or fewer and son George was overall leading area male jockey – despite having just six rides (three wins and three placings) all season!

James Henderson (second right) and son George celebrate a Siddington double in 2025 (Alun Sedgmore)

Whats The Solution

We bought him at Doncaster in May from owner (PPORA Treasurer) Gillian Smith and trainer Jack Teal, the day after he’d won the last Hunter Chase of the season. He needs Good ground rather than Soft, and we’ve only just got going with him. George intends to ride again this season, although his work commitments, and having recently become a father, could make that quite testing!

What's The Solution with former connections Gillian Smith (left) and Jack Teal (Tom Milburn)

Of the horses we ran last season, Knick Knack has been sold to be a hunter, which he’s enjoying, and Pax suffered an injury, so we’ll probably give him a year off to mend fully. So while Whats The Solution is our only pointer at the moment, we might try and get another so he has something to work with.