John Ryan made the natural transition to begin training racehorses in 1997, firstly assisting Yogi Breisner. John was then assistant trainer to Philip Mitchell in Epsom, became assistant trainer to his father and further consolidated this experience as an assistant to J. Poulton.
John Ryan started his riding career with an amateur flat license and represented the British Amateur Association with notable successes throughout Europe. John started his jump career as conditional jockey for racehorse trainer, Stan Mellor. He then obtained his full National Hunt licence notching up a total of 174 wins.
John obtained his own trainer’s licence in October 2005, and set up John Ryan Racing from Cadland Stables.
John’s father Michael was Assistant Trainer to Bernard van Cutsem at Stanley House Stables, Newmarket. Following the death of Van Cutsem in 1975 Michael took out his own licence in 1976. He trained from Cadland House Stables, which is still the family home, until his retirement in 2005.
Notable horses trained by John’s father include Katie’s (Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot), Royal Heroine (Princess Margaret Group 3 at Ascot), Osric (Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park), Motivator (The 1986 Coral Golden Hurdle Final at the Cheltenham Festival) and Sweetness Herself (the Irish Cesarewitch).
John’s grandfather was stud groom to the late Lord Derby at Woodland stud in Newmarket for 32 years. During this time he looked after notable stallions like Hyperion, Ribot and Alycidon.
1st – Fairway Listed Stakes, Newmarket
1st – Esher Listed Stakes, Sandown
Ocean Tempest holds the record for the highest rated horse to win a handicap off a mark of 115. “Chester August 2014”
1st – Paradise Listed Stakes, Ascot
1st – Royal Windsor Listed Stakes, Windsor
1st – Lincoln Hertiage Handicap, Doncaster
2nd – Pomfret Listed Stakes, Pontefract
1st – Fortune Listed Stakes, Sandown
2nd – Cammidge Trophy Listed Race, Doncaster
2nd – Abernant Listed Stakes, Newmarket
1st – Group 3 Prix de Seine-Et-Ois, Maisons – Laffitte
2nd – Reg Griffin Memorial Trophy Heritage Handicap, York
4th – Group 3 Bengough Stakes, Ascot
1st – Dragon Listed Stakes, Sandown
2nd – Group 3 Sirena Stakes
3rd – Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes
4th – Group 3 Horris Hill
4th – Casarewitch Heritage Handicap, Newmarket
1st – International Trial listed Stakes, Lingfield
1st – Listed Surrey Stakes, Epsom
4th – City Plate Listed, Chester
1st – Group 2 Superlative Stakes, Newmarket
2nd – Group 2 Champagne Stakes, Doncaster
Dodson & Horrell is committed to furthering the science and nutrition for equine athletes and creating cutting edge products for optimal performance.
“John Ryan and his entire team are such a lovely yard to work with in Newmarket. John is innovative and always willing to consider new and upcoming science in feeding. It has been a joy to work with him, and help further the nutrition, health, and performance of the horses he has at every stage- racing, training, over wintering, and recuperating.”
Dr Courtney Miller is a veterinary and nutritional advisor for Dodson & Horrell.