Dylan Cunha

Dylan’s operation, Dylan Cunha Racing, is based at the historic Bottom Yard, Phantom House Stables on the Fordham Road in Newmarket. You can’t get much closer to the heart of the action, and the yard itself is steeped in racing history.

If you’re looking for one of the hardest-working, most driven trainers in Newmarket, you’ll find him in Dylan Cunha. Since he made the bold move from his native South Africa to the headquarters of racing, Dylan has made a huge impression. He’s a Group One-winning trainer who hit the ground running in the UK, and his yard has gone from just a handful of horses to a string of over sixty in a  short space of time. He does things his own way, with a work ethic and a hands on approach treating that sets him apart and is certainly paying dividends.

Background

Dylan’s life has been anything but ordinary. He grew up in the racing world on his father’s stud farm in South Africa and learned his trade working for top trainers like Robert Armstrong and Barry Hills here in the UK, before heading home to become assistant to the powerhouse trainer Justin Snaith.

He went out on his own and quickly made a name for himself, becoming the youngest trainer to win a Group One race in South Africa and, remarkably, training a winner at every single racecourse in the country. Then, in a complete career change, he gave it all up to become an airline pilot. But the pull of racing was too strong, and he returned to the sport, setting up his UK base in Newmarket to take on a new challenge.

High-Profile Horses

Dylan has a great eye for a horse and has already developed some real stars since being in the UK.

• Prague: This horse is a fantastic example of what Dylan can do. A former Ballydoyle inmate, Dylan and his head lad Amadeo bought him for just 10,000gns. He’s since developed into a top-class performer, giving the yard its biggest UK win to date.
• Zminiature: Dylan showed his talent with two-year-olds when this colt won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the opening day of the turf season in 2024.
• Silver Sword: A really smart and consistent handicapper who has won big pots at York and has also been successful on his travels to Meydan in Dubai.

Big Race Wins

It didn’t take Dylan long to make his mark in the UK’s biggest races.

• Joel Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket: Won by Prague, a massive and emotional victory for the whole team on home turf.
• Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster: Won by Zminiature, announcing the yard’s arrival as a force with early-season two-year-olds.
• He has also landed a valuable Heritage Handicap at York, showcasing his ability to target and win major prizes.