‘I Realised I Was The Only Person On The List I’d Never Heard Of’: Tedham Relives Memorable Gimcrack Day

[Wandering Eyes]

Opening the batting for the after-dinner speeches at York's 254th annual Gimcrack Dinner was the man of the hour, the winning owner of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, Martin Tedham.

If Lord Allen's later address led the odd guest to refill their port glass in need of fortification, Tedham, owner of the Declan Carroll-trained colt Lifeplan (Kodi Bear), had them rolling in the aisles.

The Scottish Borders native said that his trainer had been supremely confident of the colt's chances in the Gimcrack but Tedham had not realised that winning would mean he would be obliged to give the time-honoured speech to a room full of racing industry professionals. 

“While the winner was no surprise, this speech definitely was,” he said. “As I looked down the list of previous speakers – Sir Alex Ferguson, William Haggas, the Right Honourable Harry Herbert and Lord Grimthorpe – I quickly realised I was the only person on this list that I'd never heard of.”

Tedham continued, “I grew up in a small town called Muckle Town, better known as Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway. One of six [children]. Expectations were simply you went on to work in the woollen mills. Horse racing felt like a million miles away. We did have our own competitive sport, pigeon racing. My older brother Albert and me were very successful.”

Tedham, whose company Wasdell Group sponsors the yard of jump trainers Jonjo and AJ O'Neill, also enjoyed success this season with another juvenile, Spyce (Too Darn Hot), winner of one of the British Stallion Studs EBF high-value maidens who was subsequently fourth in the G3 Zetland Stakes for trainer Alan King.

He continued, “Long term, pigeon racing was not for me. By combination of hard work and a lot of luck, I found myself owning businesses in the south. Seemingly, the sport of kings was in my reach.”

He tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival with Sky Pirate, though that was bittersweet in that it was 2021, when owners were not allowed to attend owing to the Covid pandemic. Lifeplan, who was bought to help brother Albert through a difficult period when beset by health problems, and Spyce thus combined to give Tedham his most memorable day on the racecourse. 

“At the start of 2024, Albert was rushed into hospital, and we all feared the worst,” Tedham recalled. “Somehow, he battled through the night, and the next morning I decided I would buy a Flat horse, something to give Albert a purpose, something he had always dreamed of.

“The first call I made was to Declan: 'Find me a horse for Albert, take him on the journey, give him something to look forward to.'

“Albert would receive calls from Declan on how the young horse was progressing in his work, but as a family, we're very competitive and I did not want Albert to have it all his own way. So I called Alan King, a true Scot, and I asked him to buy me a horse. The sole aim was to beat Albert's horse. That was the plan.”

He continued, “Both Declan and Alan gave us positive reports, and it looked like we had two horses with potential.

“Lifeplan made his racing debut in a novice at Thirsk, winning at 5/1. Imagine the joy that gave Albert. So both horses found themselves at York on the Friday in August, Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes, Spyce making his debut in the British Stallion Studs EBF maiden later in the card. Thirty-six of us came to York, including Albert, with very high expectations.”

A 280,000gns breeze-up purchase, Spyce was the most expensive horse bought by King to date and the trainer had advised Tedham that he would come on for his York debut, while Carroll continued to be positive about Lifeplan's chances. 

“And the rest, as they say, is history. Lifeplan duly gave my family the greatest day I've ever had. ITV, Racing TV, even Arabic TV wanted to speak to me. 

“I didn't think the day could get any better but then Spyce made an incredible debut to finish second, just under a length behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner [Frescobaldi] at 28/1, splitting horses owned by Magnier, Tabor and Smith, and Wathnan Racing.

“Not a bad afternoon for a horse still learning his job. Leaving York, it with very high spirits, and heading back to Cheltenham to throw the party to end all parties. My motto is, win or lose, have some booze.”

Tedham announced to the assembled guests that both Lifeplan and Spyce will be back for more in 2026.

“With a strike rate of 60 per cent, I am doing better than Coolmore and Godolphin,” he said to a round of applause from his fellow guests.

“And the main thing is, Albert is living his dream. In this world of our sport, at least one dream has been realised, and his health is much better. My pigeon racing days are finished for good.”

The pigeon loft's loss is very much British horse racing's gain. Just make sure you're around for the after-party next time one of the Tedham brothers' horses obliges. 

 

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