Tregonwell Frampton was born at Moreton in Dorset, the fifth son of the Lord of the Manor of Moreton, William Frampton, and his wife Katharine who came from Milton Abbas. From an early age Tregonwell enjoyed country pursuits, especially hawking, cock-fighting and hare coursing, although throughout his life his main love was reserved for horse racing. He was born at a time when the earliest shoots of racing were beginning to bloom. Newmarket Heath was cleared in 1660 and this, along with Nell Gwynn, attracted King Charles II to Newmarket. Tregonwell began to attend race meetings on a regular basis, even buying a house in Newmarket, and he acquired ground at the foot of Warren Hill and Long Hill on which he built his first stables in 1670. He could rightly be called the first trainer in Newmarket, the ‘father of the turf’, and was made the official ‘keeper of the running horses’ at Newmarket in 1695, initially for William III who died on 8th March 1702, followed by Queen Anne who died on 1st August 1714, then George I who died on 22nd June 1727, and finally George II who outlived Tregonwell. By 1700 it is alleged that he supervised a stable of racehorses in Newmarket, receiving an annual sum of £1000 to pay for ten boys to look after the horses, and for all of the feedstuff and expenses associated with training. It was further rumoured that he received £100 for every horse in training. In 1704 he built a stable block which remains in place today at Heath House and Osborne House Stables. Indeed, Osborne House lays claim to being the oldest stable block in Newmarket. It is currently used to house the yearlings of neighbouring Heath House Stables, and the site mysteriously contains 5 separate wells, now bricked up, but their original purpose is uncertain. He died on 12th March 1728, not 1727 as indicated in many sources, and is buried in All Saints Church in Newmarket.
For over 4 centuries racing has been staged in Newmarket, but how have the racecourses evolved from an initial starting point at Fleam Dyke Pumping Station, some 8 miles from the town, with a winning post barely 200 metres from the town centre, into two world recognized, excellent racecourses and a universal acceptance that Newmarket is the Headquarters of racing?
To access an interactive racecourse map showing over 50 individually named racecourses CLICK HERE. The map will enable you to:-
1. Determine when extended races over 8 miles, 6 miles and 4 miles began to be replaced by the courses now visited by thousands annually;
2. Consider how the challenge of crossing the Devil's Dyke was overcome;
3. Contemplate why the town no longer has a steeplechase course despite having at least 5 courses during the past 2 centuries;
4. Examine the practicalities of having up to 48 starting posts and winning posts;
5. Appreciate that it was not financially viable to have an open racecourse spread widely across the heath, with a finishing post barely 200 metres from the town centre;
6. Research how and why the Cambridgeshire Handicap has been contested over 3 different courses.
NOTE: The map does not make mention of 2 particular courses:-
(i) Sefton Course (also known as the Cambridge Road Course)
Source: 1970 Raceform. Used from 1959 to 1975.
(ii) New Circular Course
The Circular Handicap was run on Friday 29th October 1875 on the New Circular Course of about two miles.
Source: London Standard (30th October 1875): ''the horses started near the Turn of the Lands, ran back way of the Cambridgeshire Course towards the Ditch, and afterwards proceeded down the side of the Tan Gallop, and turned into the Rowley Mile near the Bretby Stakes starting post, finishing at the stand at the end of the flat. Except in the hollow near the Cambridgeshire start the runners should have been visible all the way if the sky had been bright and clear''.
Another report hoped that the Circular Handicap would become a feature in future programmes, as it would be contested in front of the new grandstand which would be completed in about a year and would be able to accommodate thousands.
(I am grateful to Tim Cox for bringing attention to these 2 courses.)
Enjoy researching the intriguing history of Newmarket and its many racecourses.
Early 18th century to mid-19th century
After Tregonwell Franpton died his stables were leased at one time or another to Richard Cripps, George Tutting, William Tuting, John Perren, Henry Neal, Richard Dixon Boyce, John Kent, William Butler and 'Widow' Robinson, and sold to Weatherby's who leased them to a multitude of trainers. Heath House Stables were eventually purchased by Jack Waugh in 1945.
1861-1864 Joseph Dawson
Joseph Dawson, son of racehorse trainer George Dawson and Jean Dawson (nee Alison) was born in 1825, one of 17 children. Father George had trained for Lord Montgomery at Bogside and later for the Earl of Eglinton, and his sons inherited the racing gene, with four of them, Thomas, Mathew, Joseph and John all going on to become trainers. Joseph spent the first part of his career at Middleham before moving on to train at East Ilsley in 1853. In 1861 he was invited to become private trainer for the Earl of Stamford at Heath House Stables, recording an early Classic success with Diophantus (SR 1942) in the 2000 Guineas for the 7th Earl of Stamford. In 1862, supported by the Duke of Portland, he increased the number of boxes at Heath House and, within a year, he had captured his second Classic, the 1863 1000 Guineas with Lady Augusta (SR 1957). In 1864 he fell out of favour with the 7th Earl of Stamford, having to sue him to obtain the money he was owed, but he vacated Heath House in favour of brother Mat.
1861 2000 Guineas DIOPHANTUS 25/1 (SR 1942) owned by 7th Earl of Stamford, trained by Joseph Dawson and ridden by Arthur Edwards
1863 1000 Guineas LADY AUGUSTA 100/30 (SR 1957) owned by 7th Earl of Stamford, trained by Joseph Dawson and ridden by Arthur Edwards
William Butler, born in Newmarket in 1815, came from a racing family, his father William being trainer to the Duke of York, his mother being the former Sarah Chifney, and his brother being crack jockey Frank Butler. Although William enjoyed a few rides, he was always destined to excel as a trainer. He launched his training career in 1840, training for Mr Lupin, basing himself at the family-owned Nunnery Stables. In June 1845 he was appointed private trainer to the Duke of Bedford at Bedford House, and enjoyed considerable success during his time there. He won the 1844 1000 Guineas with Sorella prior to his move to Bedford House, but once he was settled in his new premises he won the 1855 1000 Guineas for a second time with Habena. He helped the Duke of Bedford become leading owner in 1856 when his 13 horses won 42 races, and continued to be successful right up to the time of the Duke's death in 1861, training in excess of 650 winners. The Duke had discussed what should happen to Bedford House in the event of his death and, helped by Sir Joseph Hawley, Bedford House passed into William Butler's hands for 3,900 guineas, the adjoining twenty acres of paddocks being sold to Sir Williamson Booth for 3,000 guineas. He continued at Bedford House with Lord Stamford's horses, but in 1864 Lord Stamford went into partnership with Captain John White, and all their horses and Butler went to Heath House for a short period from 1864, after Joseph Dawson left, until 1865. William Butler sold Bedford House for £5,000 in Autumn 1863 to Captain Machell, who installed George Bloss as his trainer. William Butler was a coursing enthusiast. After retiring from the Turf he bred and raced greyhounds with considerable success from the kennels of his substantial freehold Waterloo Lodge. He died there on 22 January 1874 aged 59 after a short attack of bronchitis.
Mathew Dawson was another of the 17 children of George Dawson and served his training apprenticeship with his father before becoming Head Lad to his brother Thomas at Middleham in 1838. By 1840 he had returned to Scotland where he set up as a trainer in his own right, followed four years later by his marriage to Mary Rose on 8th July 1844. In the early 1850s he moved to Newmarket to train on Church Road, close to St Mary's Church. He worked for James Merry at Russley Park, although following an argument with James he moved back to Newmarket in 1866 to begin the most successful two decades of his career at Heath House Stables. In 1869 he formed an association with Lord Falmouth, managing his stud. In the 1875 Kelly's Directory the principal jockeys listed at Heath House Stables were Fred Archer (6st 10lbs), J Bowman (5st 12lbs) and S Saddington (5st 7lbs). The 1883 Kelly's Directory records Matt Dawson at Heath House, with Thomas Chaloner over the road at Osborne House. Dawson teamed up with Fred Archer, viewed by many as the best jockey ever to grace the turf, and fully nurtured and developed his talents. George Blackwell was Head Lad to Mat Dawson and George Dawson before setting up as a trainer in 1892. Such was Mat Dawson's success that it is impossible to list his many top-class winners, although all of his Classic winners are listed below. Towards the end of the 1885 season Mat gave serious thought to retiring, passing on the reins at Heath House to nephew George in 1886.
1870 Epsom Derby KINGCRAFT 20/1 (SR 2049) owned by 4th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Tom French
1873 1000 Guineas CECILIA 33/1 (SR 1895) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Jack Morris
1874 2000 Guineas ATLANTIC 10/1 (SR 1996) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1875 2000 Guineas CAMBALLO 7/2 (SR 2014) owned by Clare Vyner, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by John Osborne junior
1875 1000 Guineas SPINAWAY 10/1 (SR 1933) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1875 Epsom Oaks SPINAWAY 5/4 fav (SR 1933) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1877 Epsom Derby SILVIO 100/9 (SR 1981) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1877 St Leger SILVIO 6/4 fav (SR 1981) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1877 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket JANNETTE (Evens fav) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1878 Epsom Oaks JANNETTE 65/40 fav (SR 1923) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1878 St Leger JANNETTE 5/2 fav (SR 1923) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1879 1000 Guineas WHEEL OF FORTUNE 40/75 fav (SR 2052) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1879 Epsom Oaks WHEEL OF FORTUNE 1/3 fav (SR 2052) owned by Lord Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1882 St Leger DUTCH OVEN 40/1 (SR 1848) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1883 2000 Guineas GALLIARD 9/2 (SR 1932) owned by 6th Viscount Falmouth, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1884 Ascot Gold Cup ST SIMON 8/15 fav owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Charles Wood
1884 Goodwood Cup ST SIMON 7/100 fav owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Charles Wood
1884 Epsom Gold Cup ST SIMON (walked over) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Charles Wood
1884 St Leger THE LAMBKIN 9/1 (SR 1861) owned by Robert C Vyner, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by John Watts
1884 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket MELTON (2/5 fav) owned by 20th Baron Hastings, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1885 Epsom Derby MELTON 75/40 (SR 2047) owned by 20th Baron Hastings, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
1885 St Leger MELTON 1/6 fav (SR 2047) owned by 20th Baron Hastings, trained by Mat Dawson and ridden by Fred Archer
The image shown above is St Simon's skin which is proudly presented in Heath House stables.
On the left hand side is the letter from the previous owner of the skin, wondering why anyone would want it, but pleased to have passed it onto Sir Mark Prescott.
On the right hand side are details of St Simon's magnificent racing career and a photo of St Simon.
JANNETTE (SR 1923)
The bay mare Jannette (SR 1923), by Lord Clifden out of Chevisaunce, was bred by the 6th Viscount Falmouth, Evelyn Boscawen, and was born in 1875. She was trained by Mat Dawson at Heath House Stables and enjoyed an unbeaten two-year-old career, winning all 7 races which included the Richmond Stakes. Despite her encouraging two-year-old career she was sent off at 25/1 in the 1000 Guineas, being beaten by 3/4 length by 4/5 favourite Pilgrimage. In what was seen as a two-horse race in the Epsom Oaks, Jannette was made 65/40 second favourite behind Pilgrimage (evens fav), but got her revenge by a length. She was made 5/2 favourite for the St Leger and her backers did not have a moments worry as she forged clear by 4 lengths. In a career encompassing 23 races, Jannette was victorious on 17 occasions, and was second in four other races. As a broodmare she did not enjoy the same success she experienced on the racecourse.
MELTON (SR 2047)
The small bay colt Melton (SR 2047), by Master Kildare out of Violet Melrose, was bred by the 20th Baron Hastings, George Manners Astley in 1882 and was trained by Mat Dawson at Heath House Stables. Melton was launched into the deep end in the New Stakes, now called the Norfolk Stakes, at Royal Ascot, achieving a somewhat unexpected victory. He was then defeated in the July Stakes when a win was expected, but in the Middle Park Plate Fred Archer employed waiting tactics and duly won at 10/1. Although Melton did not contest the 2000 Guineas, preferring an easier introduction in the Payne Stakes at Newmarket, before winning the Epsom Derby at 75/40 favourite by a head from Paradox. Strongly fancied for the St Leger, he was made the 1/6 favourite and duly obliged by 6 lengths. In a career spanning 18 races, Melton won 11 and was second on 3 other occasions.
1886-November 1898 George Dawson
In 1885 Mathew Dawson retired for the first time, leaving Heath House Stables only to be replaced by his nephew George Dawson. George Peddie Thomas Dawson was born in 1853, the son of John Dawson, a trainer born in Scotland who later moved to Warren House in Newmarket and won the 1875 Epsom Derby with Galopin 2/1 fav (SR 2075) owned by Gusztav Batthyany and ridden by Jack Morris. John also won the 1876 2000 Guineas with Petrarch 20/1 (SR 1935) owned by Viscount Dupplin and ridden by Harry Luke. Although George was born into a racing family, he did not set out to pursue a career as a trainer, working initially in the brewing capital of Britain at Burton upon Trent as a successful brewer. However, he moved to Newmarket in 1884 to become Assistant Trainer to uncle Mat at Heath House Stables, replacing him in 1886 and taking on the post of private trainer to the 6th Duke of Portland. Despite his uncle being the most successful trainer of Classic winners in the history of racing, George had his own ideas and methods. He abandoned the traditional method of exercising horses on long, slow gallops, preferring to experiment with shorter, faster pieces of work. There is little doubt that this method was equally effective, for he won 10 Classics in six years, and was crowned leading trainer in 1888. At the end of 1898 the Duke of Portland's lease of Heath House Stables expired and he chose not to renew it, preferring to move his horses to Kingsclere to be trained by John Porter. George Dawson took over Warren House Stables from father John Dawson in 1900 and died, aged 60, on 14th June 1913.
1888 2000 Guineas AYRSHIRE 100/12 (SR 2059) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by John Osborne
1889 Epsom Derby DONOVAN 8/11 fav (SR 2030) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by Tommy Loates
1889 St Leger DONOVAN (SR 2050) 8/13 fav (SR 2050) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by Fred Barrett
1889 SEMOLINA 12 two-year-old victories when owned by 6th Duke of Portland and trained by George Dawson
1890 1000 Guineas SEMOLINA 1/2 fav (SR 1951) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by John Watts
1890 Epsom Oaks MEMOIR 100/30 (SR 2000) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by John Watts
1890 St Leger MEMOIR 10/1 (SR 2000) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by John Watts
1893 Epsom Oaks MRS BUTTERWICK 100/7 (SR 1935) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by John Watts
1894 1000 Guineas AMIABLE 100/8 (SR 1941) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by Walter Bradford
1894 Epsom Oaks AMIABLE 7/1 (SR 1941) owned by 6th Duke of Portland, trained by George Dawson and ridden by Walter Bradford
Lord William Beresford leased Heath House stables in late 1898 and appointed John Huggins as his trainer, celebrating an early success in 1899 with Sibola (SR 1987) in the 1000 Guineas. John Huggins was born in Texas, USA on 25th February 1848 and became a successful racehorse owner and trainer, winning the Preakness Stakes with The Bard in 1886. In early 1896 he trained at Park House stables before moving to Hare Park, and then to Heath House in November 1898. In April 1901 twelve of Mr W C Whitney's horses left Pimperne in Dorset, bound for Heath House Stables to be trained by John Huggins, while just 2 months later he landed the most prestigious race of his career, the Epsom Derby with Volodyovski (SR 2027) owned by William Collins Whitney, to become the first American trainer to land the Blue Riband of the Turf. That same year he was crowned British Flat Race Champion Trainer. He left Heath House in 1903, returning home to continue his career, dying on 8th May 1917 at Fulshear, Texas.
1900 National Breeders Produce Stakes at Sandown resulted in a dead-heat between STAR SHOOT (6/4 fav) owned by Lord Beresford, trained by John Huggins and ridden by Lester Reiff, and IAN owned by Sir R W Griffith
1901 Epsom Derby VOLODYOVSKI 5/2 fav (SR 2027) owned by William Collins Whitney, trained by John Huggins and ridden by Lester Reiff
1901 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket Unnamed filly by AYRSHIRE out of ABEYANCE 7/4 fav owned by Mr W C Whitney, trained by John Huggins and ridden by Johnny Reiff
1901 Cambridgeshire WATERSHED 25/1 owned by Mr W C Whitney, trained by John Huggins and ridden by Johnny Reiff
1902 Cambridgeshire BALLANTRAE 9/4 fav owned by Mr W C Whitney, trained by John Huggins and ridden by John Watts
VOLODYOVSKI (SR 2027)
The bay colt Volodyovski (SR 2027), by Florizel II out of Rosicrucian, was bred by Lady Valerie Meux in 1898 and trained at Heath House Stables by John Huggins. He was highly regarded as a two-year-old despite losing his first three races, the third of which was the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, he won the Windsor Castle Stakes, followed by a sequence of victories which saw him at the head of the Derby betting. However, in December 1890 his owner Lord William Beresford died, which led to a dispute about ownership. It was settled in court in favour of his breeder Lady Meux, and she leased him to wealthy American owner William Collins Whitney. He finished third in the 2000 Guineas, on the back of which he was made 5/2 favourite for the Derby, duly obliging by 3/4 length from William the Third. Made 5/6 favourite for the St Leger, Volodyovski was beaten by a neck, victory going to 40/1 outsider Doricles owned by Leopold de Rothschild. In a career spanning 26 races, Volodyovski won 7 times and was second on 7 further occasions.
In December 1903 the Illustrated Police News reported that Mr Philip Peebles, hitherto trainer at Lambourn Downs, was to take over from Mr Huggins at Heath House, and it was expected that he would continue to be in charge of horses owned by Mr R H Henning. Philip Peebles certainly aimed high, for at the Newmarket October meeting he entered Jennico for the Exning Handicap, but even more ambitiously entered both Andria and Royal Mare for Mr R H Henning in the Middle Park Stakes. It came as no surprise that they were not placed in the race in which Pretty Polly (1/2 fav) beat St Amant (9/2).
1904-05 John Edward Brewer
John Edward Brewer was born in Australia in 1868, training in his native country to begin with, before moving to train at Lewes. He was an accomplished rider, winning the 1891 Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase on Busaco. He then moved from Lewes to Epsom in April 1899 and married Edith Nightingall, sister of William and Arthur Nighingall, on 16th June 1900. When he travelled over from Australia he brought with him The Grafter, 1898 Melbourne Cup winner, landing the City and Suburban at Epsom in April 1900.
. He and his new wife travelled back to Australia on 22nd June 1900. Brewer returned to England a few years later, taking up training posts at Heath House Stables, Balaton Lodge and Park Lodge. In early 1911 John Brewer developed a significant swelling on his neck which required urgent surgery in Cambridge, but then he and Richard Wootton purchased Kiscatoo Station Stud, on the banks of the Lachlan river in New South Wales. He died of a heart affliction on Tuesday 14th April 1931 at Elsternwick near Melbourne.
1906-1907 Andy Fergusson
In May 1906 the Sporting Life reported that the Australian trainer, Andy Fergusson, succeeded John Edward Brewer in the management of Mr R H Henning's horses at Heath House. This was confirmed in July 1906 when the Sporting Life listed all of the Newmarket Stables with their respective trainers, Andy Fergusson being paired with Heath House. Andy Ferguson, born near Hamilton, Victoria, on 5 April 1864, was the brother of Tom Ferguson, a useful jockey who later trained very successfully near Calcutta. Andy trained in Australia, but he and his jockey were both warned off by the Victoria Racing Club in November 1897. Reinstated in December 1899 he moved his horses from Mordialic to Flemington at the end of 1902, and for the rest of his Australian career was associated with the Mentone area. However, he moved to England in autumn 1905 to replace John Jack Brewer, and in September 1905 Ferguson set out for Heath House where he was to train privately for the 1906 and 1907 seasons. He cabled his nephew Brownie Carslake to ride for the stable, though Carslake thought better of that idea and declined the offer. Ferguson gave his apprentice son Sid his first ride in October 1906 and first winner the following month. At the end of 1907 Fergusson returned to Mentone.
September 1907-1908 Edwin Couch, James Byrne
In November 1907 newspapers reported that Mr Edwin Couch, who had previously made his mark as an Australian trainer, and travelled to England to train at Royston and Doncaster, was training at Heath House Stables in August 1907. Another newspaper contradicted this story, reporting that E Couch had actually moved to Queensberry Stables in Newmarket. In the end Couch had moved to Queensberry in August 1907, but the next month transferred to Heath House. He was employed at Heath House as private trainer to James Byrne. James Byrne, whose money came from coal and lived at Saltburn, briefly then installed Henry Burr before moving his nearly 30 horse string out of Heath House to Sam Loates, but retired from the Turf soon afterwards. As a sad postscript, Edwin Couch found an alternative post travelling horses for the International Horse Agency. He was due to collect some horses at Cobham to take by ship from Glasgow to his old employer, Mr Cockram, but failed to arrive. Instead he travelled to Plymouth and from there to Exeter on 26 December 1908 where he shot himself at the Turk's Head Hotel on New Year's Day 1909 aged just 54.
October 1908- December 1908 Henry Charles Burr, James Byrne
In the Sporting Life edition of Monday 23rd November 1908, it was reported that Mr Henry Charles Burr succeeded Edwin Couch at Heath House Stables. Burr, son of a car worker, was born in Vauxhall, London and worked for 30 years for William L'Anson at Highfield as his Head Lad, but in October 1908 he took out a Newmarket Flat trainer's licence enabling him to act as private trainer to Mr James Byrne for just 3 months. The arrangement only lasted 3 months, afterwhich Byrne reverted to using a public trainer, in his case Sam Loates.
December 1909-May 1915 Otto Madden
Herbert Otto Madden was born in Germany on 2nd January 1873 to Elijah Madden, originally from Manchester, who was apprenticed to Thomas Dawson before riding his first winner in 1858, then setting off for the continent in the early 1860s. A leading continental jockey, he was also associated with the unbeaten Kincsem on whom he won the 1878 Goodwood Cup. He rode the winners of several German Derbys and was often champion jockey there. Otto was sent to England as a boy and apprenticed to James Waugh. He rode his first winner in 1888 and his last in 1909, but in between he rode 4 classic winners and was crowned champion Flat jockey 4 times. He switched to training in December 1909, leasing Heath House, and continued to make that his base until May 1915 when part of Heath House was taken over.
1915-18 First World War
During the War the yard was requisitioned and not used for racing.
1919 John Green
John 'Jack' Green was born at Nottingham on 3 April 1878 and worked as head lad for the Hon Francis Lambton at Park Lodge, holding the licence during the Great War, training principally for Lords Sefton, Suffolk and Coventry and the Hon Charles Lambton, training his first winner in November 1914. In early 1919 Park Lodge was leased to Jack Jarvis and John Green moved to Heath House just for that year.
1920-26 Harry William Sadler
Harry Sadler, great grandson of Isaac Sadler trainer of 1833 Epsom Derby winner Dangerous (SR 2015), began training in 1890 with horses belonging to Sir Leonard Brassey. In the early years of the 20th century Harry W Sadler trained in Newmarket at Falmouth House. He married Ada (nee Lane) in 1906 and their firstborn son, Harry John, was born within a year. Their second son, William Robert, was born on 28th February 1909, educated at the Eastbourne College boarding school, and went on to become a famous Suffolk artist. He loved to paint horses, several times accompanying Sir Alfred Munnings to Newmarket Heath to do so. By far the best horse Sadler trained whilst at Falmouth House was the White Knight who won back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups in 1907 and 1908, two Coronation Cups, the Gold Vase, the Goodwood Cup and the Newbury Cup. The White Knight came extremely close to landing the Cesarewitch under the mammoth weight burden of 9st 12lbs, being narrowly beaten by Demnre to whom he was conceding 45lbs. Harry Sadler left Falmouth House before the start of the First World War, and immediately the War ended he became trainer at Heath House Stables, remaining there for the next 7 years. During his time at Heath House he won the 1920 Ribblesdale Stakes with Perion and the 1920 Derby Cup with Lord Penrhyn's Kerasos. Arguably the best horse he trained whist at Heath House was Top Gallant, winner of the 1923 Victoria Cup at Hurst Park in addition to the Newmarket Stakes, Crawfurd Handicap and Great Eastern Handicap at Headquarters. Although towards the end he only trained a dozen horses, he was still able to win the Earl of Sefton Plate at Aintree with Lighthead, but ill health always cast a shadow over proceedings and he died on Tuesday 27th April 1926.
1920 Ribblesdale Stakes PERION 5/4 fav owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Herbert Jones
1920 Derby Cup at Derby KERASOS 33/1 owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Frank Bullock
1923 Victoria Cup at Hurst Park TOP GALLANT 8/1 owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Gardner
1923 Newmarket Stakes TOP GALLANT 5/4 fav owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Frank Bullock
1923 Crawfurd Handicap at Newmarket TOP GALLANT 6/1 owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Frank Bullock
1923 Great Eastern Handicap at Newmarket TOP GALLANT 100/7 owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Frank Bullock
1926 Earl of Sefton Plate at Aintree LIGHTHEAD 10/1 owned and trained by Harry Sadler and ridden by Tommy Weston
April 1926-November 1926 John 'Jack' Butler
John 'Jack' Howard Butler, born in Clapham in 1876, worked in the racing industry all of his life, acting as Head Lad to Francis Lambton at Bedford House Stables, although Lambton was tragically killed in the War on Tuesday 31st October 1916, so Butler acted in a similar capacity with Harry Sadler at Heath House stables. He was the Head Lad there at the time of Sadler's death on Tuesday 27th April 1926 and took out a temporary trainer's licence to oversee the stables until the horses could be moved to other training establishments. The stable star at that time was Lighthead and he immediately went to Alf Sadler's stable. Butler lived with his wife Eliza Louise at Maple Cottage, on Park Lane, becoming Head Lad to Fred Charles Archer from 1927 at Etheldreda House Stables until Archer's untimely death in a car accident on 21st October 1928. Butler died suddenly at Maple Cottage on 30th September 1929 aged 53.
1926 George Blackwell
George Blackwell remains one of a select group of trainers who have trained a Derby winner, 1903 winner Rock Sand (SR 2051) for Sir James Miller when ridden by Danny Maher, and a Grand National winner, 1923 winner Sergeant Murphy, owned by Mr S Sanford and ridden by Captain G N Bennet. Although George trained at a number of stables in Newmarket, and was crowned Champion Trainer in 1903, the newspapers reported that in 1926 ten yearlings were sent over from Mr Sanford's American Stud to be trained at Heath House by George Blackwell. Could this have been a reward from Mr Sanford for training him a Grand National winner, or did the newspapers misreport the name of the Stables?
1927-May 1934 Fred Butters, Felix Leach jnr
Fred S Butters was born into a racing family, his father Joseph trained in Austria and Newmarket, while his brother Frank was extremely successful, training 16 Classic winners. Fred was born in 1888 and after his school days he began training in Austria until the First World War disrupted his career. He was interned during the War, and then was Assistant to his father in Newmarket immediately after the War had ended. However, in 1927 he took over the lease at Heath House Stables, although within a year he suffered a setback when, in April 1928, Mr Foxhall P Keane announced his retirement from racing, having enjoyed limited success with the horses he had sent to Fred Butters at Heath House. Felix Leach jnr was based at Queensbury Lodge throughout his career, but needed more room in late 1926, so took over Beverley House stables in addition. However, in November 1928 he rented Heath House instead of Beverley House, remaining there until his untimely death from appendicitis on 27th November 1930. Fred Butters stayed at Heath House until May 1934 before moving to the Kingsclere stables of Captain Wills. It was whilst he was there that he trained the runner-up Ankaret in the 1935 Oaks, beaten only a short head by Quashed (SR 1922), but two years later he reached the pinnacle of his career, training 1937 Epsom Derby winner Mid-day Sun (SR 1954) owned by Mrs Lettice Miller and ridden by Michael Beary. He returned to Newmarket in 1939, retired in 1950 and died in 1967.
September 1934-November 1938 Walter Earl
Walter Earl was born in Bohemia in 1890 and enjoyed limited success as a jockey, serving his apprenticeship with trainer William Waugh at Kingsclere. However, it was as a Trainer that he achieved his greatest successes, beginning his career in 1920, primarily for owner Robert Sievier, before moving to Moulton Paddocks in 1924 to train privately for Solly Joel. When Soloman Joel died in 1931 Walter looked for other premises, although he remained at Moulton Paddocks as a public trainer until March 1932, moving on to Kremlin House, which he shared with Geoff Barling until November 1933, and making use of Primrose Cottage beteen December 1933 and August 1934. He leased Heath House Stables in September 1934. He remained at Heath House, although it was not a particularly successful period of his career, and in 1939 he moved to Stanley House Stable as private trainer for Lord Derby. This proved to be a very successful move, as he trained 6 Classic winners and was Champion Trainer in 1945. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour which led to his early retirement in 1949, and within a year he had died in September 1950.
1939-1940 Basil Jarvis
Trainer William Jarvis's second son Basil was born on 23rd October 1886, starting work as a flat race jockey until weight became an issue. He began a training career in 1909, working at Green Lodge Stables and The Grange, training for Sir Victor Sassoon and Marcel Boussac. The pinnacle of his career was reached when he trained 1923 Epsom Derby winner Papyrus 100/15 (SR 1985) owned by Ben Irish and ridden by Steve Donoghue. Two years earlier he had enjoyed a remarkable Royal Ascot with 4 winners, including Ascot Gold Cup winner Periosteum, owned by Ben Irish and ridden by Frank Bullock. At the outbreak of the Second World War he took up the post of trainer at Heath House Stables when aged 52, remaining in place for just one more year. He died in 1957.
1940-1942 Captain Thomas Hogg
Thomas Hogg was born in Scotland in 1879 and served in the Royal Veterinary Corps during the Second Boer War. After that War ended he settled in South Africa as a vet, but then returned to England as a veterinary surgeon before beginning his training career in 1911, although his career was disrupted by the First World War. Once the War had ended, he resumed his career at Ogborne, later moving to Russley Park, training the 7 year old Happy Man, owned by Mr F Hardy and ridden by Vic Smyth, to win the 1923 Ascot Gold Cup. Five years later he was appointed private trainer to Lord Glanely at La Grange and enjoyed the most successful period of his career. He won the 1930 Epsom Oaks with Rose of England (SR 1808) ridden by Gordon Richards, and in the same year he won the St Leger with Singapore (SR 1924) also ridden by Gordon Richards. In 1934 he won the 2000 Guineas with Colombo 2/7 fav (SR 2031) when ridden by Rae Johnstone, while in 1937 he captured his second St Leger with Chulmleigh (SR 1913) ridden by Gordon Richards. He resigned from La Grange in September 1938 through ill health and moved to Heath House Stables in 1940, but his time there was short as he died in 1942.
Jack Alfred James Waugh was born on 11th November 1911, eldest son of the Classic winning racehorse trainer Tom Waugh who won the 1920 1000 Guineas with Cinna (SR 1958). Jack was Head Lad to his father from 1927 until 1932, moving on to take up the post of Assistant Trainer to Basil Jarvis from 1932 to 1939. He served with the Royal Artillery during World War II, but was wounded at Dieppe in 1942 and invalided out. He took over the yard of his uncle, Dawson Waugh at Somerville Lodge, in 1943, winning with Response at Newmarket in April 1943. In 1945 he purchased Heath House Stables, remaining for the next quarter of a century.
1956 Stewards Cup MATADOR 100/8 owned by Mrs J Ferguson, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Eph Smith
1957 Coventry Stakes AMERIGO 7/4 fav owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Eph Smith
1962 Princess Elizabeth Stakes ALMIRANTA 10/1 owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Joe Sime
1962 Park Hill Stakes ALMIRANTA 7/2 owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Harry Carr
1963 Ribblesdale Stakes OSTRYA 100/9 owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Jimmy Lindley
1966 July Cup LUCASLAND 100/6 owned by John Baillie, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Eric Eldin
1966 Diadem Stakes LUCASLAND 7/2 owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Jack Waugh and ridden by Eric Eldin
Sir Mark Prescott, 3rd Baronet, a title which he inherited from his uncle, was born on 3rd March 1948 the son of a theatre and art critic. He was educated at Harrow School, but aged 17 he broke his back in a riding accident and was hospitalised in Oswestry for 9 months. Sir Mark took on the role of Assistant Trainer to Jack Waugh at Heath House in 1965, taking out his own provisional trainer's licence in 1969 when Jack Waugh became seriously ill. He took full charge at Heath House in 1970 on the retirement from training of Jack Waugh, and has excelled as a trainer ever since. In 1972 Sir Mark appointed Colin Nutter to be Head Lad, a partnership which remains intact to this day. Also, in 1972 he assigned Booths the task of building him new wooden boxes. He is widely regarded as one of the most professional trainers in Newmarket, commanding loyalty and respect from all of his staff. As well as the deep bond with Colin Nutter, Sir Mark has remained loyal to a small, select group of jockeys, notably George Duffield and Seb Sanders, and more recently Luke Morris. In 1980 Sir Mark placed his two-year-old Spindrifter to win 13 races in a single season, equalling the all-time record for a juvenile. Furthermore, between the years 1981 to 1985 he trained the mare Misty Halo to win exactly 50% of her 42 races, which remains a post-War record for a mare. More recently he has won the 1996 King's Stand Stakes at Ascot and Nunthorpe Stakes at York with Pivotal, repeating his Nunthorpe success as recently as 2017 with Marsha. Sir Mark fully embraces his role as the custodian of one of the oldest, best respected training establishments in Newmarket, and reached the pinnacle of his career in October 2022 when the grey mare Alpinista won the Prix De L'Arc De triomphe.
15th April 1980 Campsie Stakes at Hamilton Park SPINDRIFTER Evens fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
7th May 1980 Redcar Ugthorpe Stakes at Redcar SPINDRIFTER 4/7 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
19th May 1980 Snaith Stakes at Pontefract SPINDRIFTER 5/2 owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
28th May 1980 Grinton Stakes at Catterick Bridge SPINDRIFTER 1/3 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
7th June 1980 Hornby Stakes at Catterick Bridge SPINDRIFTER 13/8 owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
24th June 1980 Youngsters Stakes at Pontefract SPINDRIFTER 4/5 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
7th July 1980 Wentbridge Stakes at Pontefract SPINDRIFTER 5/2 owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
17th July 1980 Huddersfield Stakes at Catterick Bridge SPINDRIFTER 1/5 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
23rd July 1980 Wallace Stakes at Hamilton Park SPINDRIFTER 4/9 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
2nd August 1980 Crathorne Stakes at Thirsk SPINDRIFTER 2/9 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
18th August 1980 Leicester City Stakes at Leicester SPINDRIFTER 8/11 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
27th September 1980 Tally-Ho Stakes at Redcar SPINDRIFTER 7/2 owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
18th October 1980 Otley Stakes at Catterick Bridge SPINDRIFTER 2/7 fav owned by Graeme Waters, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
Anyone fortunate enough to enjoy a tour of the Historic Heath House Stables will notice, on entering the stables, that a list of former trainers is proudly displayed on plaques on the wall alongside almost endless lists of Group and Listed races winners previously trained at Heath House. However, if you look well above ground you will see signs, in the form of weather vanes, of Sir Mark Prescott's other interests outside of horse racing. He is a keen fan of boxing, attends bullfights in various European cities at least 4 times a year; and once kept his own cocks and is extremely knowledgeable about the history of cock fighting, which seems most appropriate given that he lives close to Shagbag Lane, the shagbag being the bag in which the cocks were carried to the cockpit. Furthermore, he has written about the History of Coursing and regularly attended the Waterloo Cup until it was contested for the final time in 2005. Sir Mark was also part owner of the Greyhound Derby dual-finalist Myrtown, runner-up to Jimsun in 1974 and fourth behind Tartan Khan in 1975.
1988 Cambridgeshire QUINLAN TERRY 11/1 trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1994 Ebor Handicap HASTEN TO ADD 13/2 fav trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1996 King's Stand Stakes PIVOTAL owned by Cheveley Park Stud, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1966 Nassau Stakes LAST SECOND owned by Faisal bin Salman, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1996 Nunthorpe Stakes PIVOTAL owned by Cheveley Park Stud, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1997 John Smith's Magnet Cup PASTERNAK 13/2 owned by Graham Rock, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1997 Cambridgeshire PASTERNAK 4/1 fav owned by Graham Rock, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1998 Champion Stakes ALBORADA owned by Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1998 Nassau Stakes ALBORADA owned by Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
1999 Champion Stakes ALBORADA owned by Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
2001 John Smith's Magnet Cup FOREIGN AFFAIRS 5/2 fav trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
2003 Cambridgeshire CHIVALRY 14/1 trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by George Duffield
2010 Cheveley Park Stakes HOORAY owned by Cheveley Park Stud, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Seb Sanders
2017 Nunthorpe Stakes MARSHA owned by Elite Racing Club, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2020 Upavon Fillies Stakes (Listed) at Salisbury ALPINISTA (12/1) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Ryan Tate
2021 Daisy Warwick Stakes (Listed) at Goodwood ALPINISTA (13/8 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2021 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) ay Haydock ALPINISTA (11/4 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2021 Grosser Preis von Berlin (Group 1) at Hoppegarten ALPINISTA (19/5) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2021 Preis von Europa (Group 1) at Cologne ALPINISTA (11/10 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2021 Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich (Group 1) ALPINISTA (4/5 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2022 Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) at York ALPINISTA (7/4 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
2022 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) at Longchamp ALPINISTA (7/2 fav) owned by Miss Kirsten Rausing, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris
ST SIMON (1884 Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Epsom Gold Cup)
ALPINISTA (2022 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, Yorkshire Oaks)
AYRSHIRE (1888 2000 Guineas)
WHEEL OF FORTUNE (1879 Epsom Oaks, 1000 Guineas)
DONOVAN (1889 Epsom Derby, St Leger)
