Epsom trainers are enjoying one of their best years on record in 2009, with more than £1 million won in prize money and already some 160 winners between them.

The number of horses in training at Epsom is also at the highest level for a decade, with on average 170 horses a month being trained on the Downs.

The Epsom training industry has seen steady growth in all areas of its performance since 2006, aided by the emergence of Kempton Park as a local all weather racing venue alongside established Lingfield Park.

There are currently 12 trainers based at Epsom, including Jim Boyle, Terry Mills, Simon Dow, Pat Phelan and Roger Teal, the latter of whom provided Epsom with a Group race winner this season when Steele Tango won the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket in October.

Jim Boyle leads the way in terms of winners and prize money won, with 60 in total, 45 on the all weather, 13 on the flat turf and 2 over jumps.

The recent upsurge in fortunes has enabled the governing body of the training centre, the Training Grounds Management Board, to invest over £160,000 on the facilities available to trainers since 2007.

Plans for 2010 include the replacement of over a mile’s worth of plastic running rail and the re-furbishment of a number of the horsewalks that access the gallops. The Management Board meets quarterly and comprises local trainers, racecourse executives and Epsom and Ewell Borough Councillors.

Simon Dow, a past Chairman of the Epsom Trainers Association, commented: “The Epsom trainers have had a fantastic year in 2009 with over 160 winners, and I am glad that the Management Board are dedicated to working alongside the trainers to ensure that the facilities at Epsom remain amongst the best in the country.”

Andrew Cooper, Epsom’s Clerk of the Course and Secretary to the Management Board , added: “We are delighted at the resurgence of Epsom as a training centre since 2006 and are committed to further investment here to build on this year’s results.

"It was also great to see 12 Epsom-trained winners during the 2009 season at Epsom Downs Racecourse, which was successfully re-launched this year with the new Duchess’s Stand and 14 race meetings.”