Farncombe Down Stables
If you can provide any photos associated with this stable, or additional information to fill any gaps then contact johnwslusar@gmail.com
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and his company, the Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, had the vision to create a brand new, modern stable which was to become Farncombe Down stables. In October 2017 they appointed Archibald Shaw to oversee the civil and structural design of the new training facility in Upper Lambourn which was initially designed to be a rehabilitation facility and breaking in yard. The aim was to create a 40-box stable laid out in the American barn style, with 4 barns, complete with offices, residential accommodation, an equine spa, treadmill, an indoor gallop and the potential to extend to upwards of 100 boxes. Furthermore, the horses at the stables would have ready access to two all-weather gallops and a woodchip gallop, extending over the historic Farncombe Downs. In 2019 the build was completed and the contractors, Kingerlee Ltd, handed over Farncombe Down to Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.

2022-present Owen Burrows
Owen Burrows was always likely to forge a career in racing given that his father was Head Lad to David Nicholson for 12 years and was then appointed by Martin Pipe to run his second yard for him for the next 5 years. Owen made the most of his opportunities, riding for Martin Pipe as a conditional jockey for 7 seasons, enjoying over 500 rides, over 40 of which were winners. His very first ride in public was at Exeter on 8th September 1993 on the filly Elegant Touch, trained by Martin Pipe which finished fourth. Over a year later on 26th December 1994 Owen rode his first winnerFirst Century trained by Martin Pipe. All the time he was watching Pipe's training methods in preparation for his own career as a trainer. He then made his way to Newmarket in 2002 to join Sean Woods at La Grange Stables. However, Woods decided to relocate to Hong Kong later that year leaving Owen in limbo.

I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the 1830 map shown above.
He was extremely lucky to gain an opening at Freemason Lodge in March 2002, acting as assistant to Sir Michael Stoute for 12 seasons at a time when Stoute won the Epsom Derby 3 times; 2003 Kris Kin, 2004 North Light and 2010 Workforce. Workforce also won the 2010 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, and during Burrow's tenure Conduit gained back-to-back victories in the 2008 and 2009 Breeders Cup Turf. In 2015 Burrows successfully applied for his own trainer's licence and was appointed by Hamdan Al Maktoum to train privately at Kingwood House, Upper Lambourn, and was in the fortunate position of having Barry Hills as his mentor in his first season. In 2020 the stable stars were Hukum, who won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and Geoffrey Freer Sakes at Newbury, and Minzaal who landed the Gimcrack Stakes at York. On 24th March 2021 Hamdan Al Maktoum died aged 75 and Owen had to rethink his operation. It was always on the cards that the Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, previously owned by Hamdan, would want to centralise its operation, which left Owen potentially vulnerable. For some time, since 2017, Hamdan had been working on new stables at Farncombe Down, Upper Lambourn, which operated as a 40-box rehabilitation yard, but Owen was able to relocate there in late 2021, opening a new chapter for him, and giving him the potential to operate as a public yard. Owen hit the ground running in his first season at Farncombe Down, winning the Haydock Sprint Cup with Minzaal, while Anmaat landed the John Smiths Cup Handicap at York and Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. Two Group 3 successes were bagged by Alflaila, the Strensall Stakes at York and Darley Stakes at Newmarket, but arguably the stable star of 2022 was Hukum, winning the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold at Meydan and the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. Towards the end of the season Anmaat rounded off a brilliant season with victory in the Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp.
m k l m m

2022 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury MINZAAL 4/1 co fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Haydock Sprint Cup MINZAAL 7/2 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 John Smiths Cup Handicap at York ANMAAT 5/1 jt fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Kevin Stott
2022 Rose of Lancaster Group 3 Stakes at Haydock ANMAAT 11/4 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Racing Together Community Day Handicap at Ascot ALFLAILA 9/1 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2022 Pomfret Listed Stakes at Pontefract ALFLAILA 7/2 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Strensall Group 3 Stakes at York ALFLAILA 3/1 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Darley Group 3 Stakes at Newmarket ALFLAILA 5/2 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Dubai City of Gold Group 2 at Meydan HUKUM 5/6 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Coronation Cup Group 1 at Epsom HUKUM 11/4 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2022 Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp ANMAAT 23/10 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
Top 5 Farncombe Down Stable horses of all time
HUKUM (2022 Coronation Cup, Dubai City of Gold)
MINZAAL (2022 Haydock Sprint Cup)
ALFLAILA (2022 Strensall Stakes, Darley Stakes)
ANMAAT (2022 Qatar Prix Dollar, Rose of Lnacaster Stakes)
TWAASOL (2021 Dash Charity Classified Stakes )
© John Slusar 2023

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses
Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent.
ORDER FORM
Download an order form
  Quantity Cost
Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage    
Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage    
Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage Sold Out
Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage    
Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage    
Postage & Packaging    
Total    
Email order form to johnwslusar@gmail.com