William Haggas
Seven Time Classic-winning trainer, William Haggas is one of the most respected trainers in the headquarters of British racing in Newmarket. William spent time with John Winter and Sir Mark Prescott before taking out his own license and training his first winner - Tricky Note (15th April 1987) - from his Somerville Lodge base where he has been since 1987.
Since then, over 2,000 winners have emerged from the yard with the 2021 season being his most successful campaign numerically to date with 180 winners for the year, surpassing 2017's previous record tally of 160 winners. 2024 saw a record year in prize money which saw the team amass over £8,500,000 thanks to another terrific year on the track globally.
The 2025 season proved another outstanding year for Somerville Lodge, equalling our best-ever tally of 180 winners and further underlining the strength and consistency of the team. The year also saw William surpass the remarkable milestone of 2,900 career winners – a testament to the continued success and longevity of the operation.
Our headline success at the highest level came in Australia, where Dubai Honour once again showcased his international class with victory in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes, adding another top-level triumph to his illustrious record.
Royal Ascot delivered more highlights too, as Merchant produced a superb performance to secure a memorable victory on one of the sport’s biggest stages, maintaining our proud record at the prestigious meeting.
At Group 2 level, More Thunder secured a superb success in the Hungerford Stakes, while Santorini Star delivered a memorable performance to land the Park Hill Stakes, contributing to another strong season in Pattern company. Meanwhile, stable stalwarts Hamish and Al Aasy proved that age is no barrier to success, both adding further Group victories to their already distinguished records.
In total, we recorded 18 Stakes winners and amassed nearly £6,000,000 in prize money across the campaign. Matching our best-ever winners tally of 180 is a tremendous achievement, and with the team continuing to go from strength to strength, we look forward to building on that success in 2026.
In 2011 William, who is married to Maureen, daughter of the late great Lester Piggott, became a member of the elite band of trainers to have saddled two Epsom Classic winners when Dancing Rain made all in the Oaks to add to Shaamit’s 1996 Derby victory. William's other Group 1 successes include Mukhadram, Rivet, Urban Fox, Sea of Class, One Master, Addeybb, Alenquer, Sea La Rosa, Dubai Honour, Montassib, Economics and 2022 Cartier Horse of the Year, Baaeed.
William and Maureen have two children. Maryanne who married Adam Peacock in the summer of 2019 and William and Maureen are delighted that the couple have three children. Rafa, Ayla and Rocco, arrived in January 2025. Sam Haggas has successfully launched his own bloodstock agency, Hurworth Bloodstock. Sam's successes included the purchases of Group 1 Winner Urban Fox, Group 3 winner Miss O Connor and American Grade 3 winner I'm So Fancy. (www.hurworthbloodstock.com)
