ROD BEATS THE ODDS

Nick Townsend meets the west country trainer with a golden touch

- Nick Townsend

In a Flat racing world dominated by the behemoths of Newmarket and Lambourn, almost production lines of black-type talent, it is somehow gratifying to meet a 68-year-old trainer who continues to thrive as the frontman of the family affair he established in Devon 36 years ago.

Just about everything seemingly conspires against his zeal. His yard at The Paddocks near Cullompton, stables around 35 charges. There's the long haul to most Flat tracks, with Salisbury at 80 miles he considers his “local” course.

And this is not exactly Flat territory. Even the man himself, Rod Millman, accepts: “I have got a few west country owners, but unfortunately Flat racing in the west country is still something of a dirty word.”

And yet, from what many would consider a somewhat unlikely base he continues to despatch more winners than statistically he should, widely acknowledged as a man who has a well-seasoned eye for value at the sales ring. That knack is epitomised by his 2yo Anthelia, who having cost a mere £6,000 at Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sales, has won five of her seven races and more than £213,000 in prizemoney.

Having claimed the Listed National Stakes at Sandown and Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury (a race worth over £134,000 to the winner, and one Millman first won back in 1997 with Lord Kintyre), the daughter of Supremacy relished the soft going at Salisbury and won a Group 3 - a timely event, indeed, just before we speak.

"She definitely handles soft ground. The only time she’s been beaten is on fast ground,” says Millman whose approach towards purchases is long established. Anthelia is a perfect example of his strategy. “She doesn’t look a cheap horse to see her walking, does she?” he suggests. “I didn’t buy her because she was cheap. I bought her because she looked pretty nice. She looked the part walking round the ring at Doncaster. I’m surprised that no-one else had a go at her.