John Patrick Westlake, born at the Curragh in 1859, learnt his riding skills in Ireland before relocating to Australia to ride. He returned to the Curragh in 1897 where he launched his training career, remaining in Ireland for a decade.
Westlake began his English training career at the 32 box Whatcombe Stables, Great Shefford where he was the nominated trainer for Richard C Dawson in 1907, famously winning the inaugural running of the Imperial Cup at Sandown with Carnegie 20/1 owned by Lord Carnarvon and ridden by J O'Brien. A year later Richard Dawson held the trainers licence, so in 1908 Westlake moved to Shropshire. By 1912 he had moved to Lambourn, living in Cozey Cottage, taking over at Cozey Lodge, where he remained until 1925, although by that stage he was down to just 6 horses, many of which were owned by him. Westlake was the first to occupy Newlands stables which, up to 1950, only had 8 boxes before increasing to 24 in 1981, just as Kim Brassey moved in. He had held a Flat trainers licence between 1907 and 1909, but thereafter he was predominantly a National Hunt trainer. He continued to train at Newlands right up to the start of the Second World War, and died there on 3rd May 1941 aged 82.
1946-1949 Robert (Bob) Reed
Robert (Bob) Reed began training in 1933, holding a NH licence, while in 1934 he successfully applied for a Flat licence, training 5 horses at East Hendred, remaining there until 1935. In 1938 he renewed his Flat licence, training in West Ilsley until 1939 and the outbreak of the War. Undeterred, he continued his training career at East Ilsley between 1941 and 1943, moving to Binfield Grove between 1943 and 1944. After the War ended Reed took on Newlands Stables, Upper Lambourn, previously occupied by John Westlake, sadly deceased in 1941. Reed trained at Newlands for 4 years between 1946 and 1949, after which the new tenant was Major Tim B Fitzgeorge-Parker. Robert (Bob) Reed then moved to Delamre House, Baydon Road where he operated between 1950 and 1963.
1948 Sandringham Apprentice Plate at Yarmouth ROMANO 11/4 trained by Robert Reed and ridden by F Cheshire
1950-1957 Major Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker
Timothy Barclay Fitzgeorge-Parker, uncle of racehorse trainer Marcus Tregonning, was born at Chipstead, Surrey on 29th July 1920, was educated at Loretto and was a born sportsman, relishing the challenges provided by Rugby, Boxing and Soccer. After leaving school he went to Sandhurst and in 1939 was commissioned into the Royal Scots Greys, serving in Palestine, and in 1943 was awarded the Military Cross. After the War he found himself in Germany and was asked to oversee the reconstruction of Hamburg Racecourse, previously home to the German Derby, which had been badly damaged by bombs. Many valuable bloodstock racehorses had been looted by the Germans from the French and Tim was asked to investigate. Tim retired from the Army in 1949 having gained the rank of Major, and began riding in point-to-point races. He was considered good enough to be on the fringes of the 1948 Olympic Show-jumping team, and Fulke Walwyn invited him to ride as an amateur at his Saxon House Stables. Instead, he joined Atty Persse as his assistant; by then Atty had moved from his famous Stockbridge Stables to Kingsdown Stables, Lambourn. In 1950 he decided the time was right to train in his own right and successfully applied for a licence, taking over Newlands Stables from Robin Reed in 1950. In 1953 he gained his first winner at Newmarket when Forbear, ridden by Lester Piggott, won the Linton Two-Year-Old Stakes at Newmarket, having previously won the Lansdown T-Y-O Stakes at Bath with Piggott on board. In 1955 he bought 7 two-year-olds in Ireland and they all won races during their two-year-old season. He tried again in 1957 with a dozen two-year-olds, including Aunt May, Periquita and Lit Up. Cranford Cross, owned by Fred Packer, was one who ran up a sequence of wins. In a career lasting 8 years he sent out over 50 winners on the Flat and over jumps, but that was insufficient to make training a going concern, and at the end of 1957 he gave up training and left Newlands. He later worked as a tipster and writer for the Daily Mail, wrote articles for the Horse and Hounds, worked for Raceform and wrote 24 books, predominantly about racing. He died on 14th August 2006 aged 86.
1952 Whiteladies Plate at Wolverhampton VC 100/8 owned by Mrs M J Ryan, trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by L Thomas
1953 Castle Rock Plate at Nottingham THE ASHES 10/1 owned and trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Manny Mercer
1953 Lansdown T-Y-O Stakes at Bath FORBEAR 9/2 owned by Dr M V Murray, trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Lester Piggott
1953 Linton T-Y-O Stakes at Newmarket FORBEAR 11/4 owned by Dr M V Murray, trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Lester Piggott
1955 Kinightwick Plate at Worcester PAGAN 5/2 fav trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by W Marland
1955 August T-Y-O Plate at Chepstow CRANFORD CROSS 4/5 fav trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by D Forte
1956 Eaglefield T-Y-O Plate at Windsor LAVENDER BAG 1/2 fav trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Wally Swinburn
1956 Cuddington Stakes at Epsom LAVENDER BAG 10/1 trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Wally Swinburn
1956 Holiday 3-year-old Handicap at Chepstow CRANFORD CROSS 2/1 trained by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker and ridden by Wally Swinburn
A keen amateur rider in the 1950s, Major T B Page owned, trained and rode a number of his own horses which enabled him to contest numerous races for amateur riders, not least the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown. In 1958 he transferred to Newlands Stables, replacing Major Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker. Major Page had come second to dual Royal Artillery winner Snowshill Jim in the 1957 Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown, albeit beaten by 12 lengths.
Later that year he rode another of his won horses, Craiglockhart in the King Lear Amateur riders Handicap Steeplechase at Stratford when beaten by Panhandle. In the 4 years Page was at Newlands he continued to ride his own horses at Cheltenham, Newbury, Aintree and Sandown, and was successful in landing the 1958 Amateur Riders Handicap Chase at Warwick in December. The next year he rode Ballybar in the Free Run Handicap Steeplechase at Newbury, but was no match for Taxidermist 7/2 partnered by John Lawrence, later Lord Oaksey. Major T Page left Neardown in 1961.
1957 Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown BALLYBAR 8/1 owned, trained and ridden by Major T B Page, was second to Snowshill Jim ridden by Lt-col Frank Weldon
1958 Amateur Riders Handicap Chase at Warwick BALLYBAR 5/2 fav owned, trained and ridden by Major T B Page
1976-1977 Nick Gaselee
Nick Auriol Digby Charles Gaselee, born in Marylebone on 30th January 1939, son of an Army Colonel, enjoyed a successful riding career as an amateur, riding more than a century of winners, but also served in the Life Guards between 1958 and 1963. His first winner, at Folkestone's United Hunt meeting on 24th April 1961, was aboard One-Eyed Gunner in the Cuckoo Hunters Chase, but he went on to win some of the most prestigious races in the amateur jockeys Calendar. His most successful year was in 1967 when he won both the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Chu-The 9/2 owned by Mrs M McMeekin and trained by Ken Cundell, and the Foxhunters Challenge Cup Chase on Mulbarton evens fav owned and trained by I Pattullo. He then spent 5 years as Fulke Walwyn's assistant at Saxon House stables before launching his own training career in 1976. He initially trained at Newlands Stables, Upper Lambourn, also making use of Church Farm for a prolonged period. In 1979 he needed additional space and made use of Glenwood, Upper Lambourn. For many years he was at Saxon Cottage stables, winning two Reynoldstown Chases in 3 years, firstly with Duke of Milan in 1984, followed by Bolands Cross in 1986. In 1988 Private Views won countless high-class chases, notably the Hopefil Chase at Newbury, the Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham and the Steel Plate and sections Young Chasers Final at Cheltenham. However, Nick will best be remembered for guiding Party Politics to Aintree Grand National success in 1992 when partnered by Carl Llewellyn. Although the horse contested 3 more Grand Nationals, finishing unplaced in 1993 and 1996, he did manage to be runner-up in 1995 behind the Jenny Pitman trained Royal Athlete. Nick retired from the training ranks in April 2004.
March 1982-October 1990 Kim Brassey
Kim Maurice Brassey, born on 27th March 1955, son of Lt-Colonel Sir Hugh Trefusis Brassey and his wife Joyce (nee Kingscote), always had a keen interest in horses, so it was little surprise that he became a successful trainer. He spent 2 years with Nick Vigors at The Old Manor Stables, Upper Lambourn, followed by 5 years with Tim Forster, and also enjoyed spells in USA and France. In 1981 he married Alison Cracknell, daughter of veteran jockey Eddie Cracknell and his wife Liz. Kim and Alison were blessed with 2 daughters, Fiona in 1985 and Lily in 1988, but Alison was tragically killed in a car accident near their Lambourn home on Saturday 6th October 1990 aged just 30. Kim's second marriage in 1992 to Joanna Gowans also produced two children, Jack in 1992 and Ellie in 1994. In the early 1980s Kim successfully applied for a trainer's licence and began training at Newlands Stables in Lambourn. Although Kim was more likely to have winners at Wolverhampton, Brighton, Folkestone and Bath, he did train Amigo Loco to win a major Handicap at York in October 1984, and Caballo won the Drayton Handicap at Glorious Goodwood in August 1984. He saddled his final runners in October 1990, suggesting that training was no longer financially viable.
1982 Dobson Peacock Handicap £4643 at Newcastle SEVEN HEARTS (3/1 jt fav) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Tony Ives
1984 Drayton Handicap £4549 at Glorious Goodwood CABALLO (20/1) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Paul Cook
1984 Barclays Unicorn Group Trophy Handicap £3973 at York AMIGO LOCO (10/1) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Richard Hills
1985 Redenham Fillies Stakes £1249 at Salisbury SMOOCH (6/4 fav) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Simon Whitworth
1985 Coal Miner Handicap £4480 at Doncaster AMIGO LOCO (4/1 jt fav) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Richard Hills
1987 Paddock Handicap £7674 at Epsom DURHAM PLACE (7/1) trained by Kim Brassey and ridden by Brent Thomson
William Terence Casey, born on 2nd June 1945 in Downings, County Donegal, was destined to become a jockey and then go on to train. Schooling, of the educational kind, was never a high priority for Terry, but schooling horses for trainer Aubrey Brabazon was much more to his liking. He joined Brabazon aged 15 and then went on to ride for Richard Dunwoody's father George, but he only managed half a dozen winners for George, later working for Bobby Patton in Monaghan, and began the long road to become a trainer, although he did add a further 40 winners to his CV. Initially, he spent three years with Paddy Mullins, and then crossed the Irish sea to join Frank Gilman where he rode Grittar, long before the horse was successful in the Grand National. He also got married, but less than 6 months later his wife tragically choked to death, leaving Terry devastated. He returned to Ireland, launched his training career at The Curragh, and sent out his first winner, Town Special owned by Mr Frank Warren, at Clonmel in September 1983.from his Ascon Stables in Kilclammon, He then returned to England when invited to train for John Upson at Adstone, near Towcester, training Glenrue to win the Topham Trophy, then known as the Whitbread Trophy Chase, and saddling Over the Road to win the 1988 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, although his 1989-90 season at Thorpe Mandeville Manor, Oxfordshire was disappointing, recording only 4 winners all season, and when his 3-year contract expired he made the journey to Lambourn in June 1990, occupying Stork House Stables. He remained at Stork House before moving down the road to Newlands, Upper Lambourn, then he, and his sponsors, had to sell up for financial reasons. Luckily, he saw an advert to become private trainer for businessman Andrew Wates in Dorking, Essex and was the only applicant, and while there he encountered a horse called Rough Quest. The horse won the 1995 Ritz Club Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, and went on to land the Castlemartin Stud Chase at Punchestown. He was unlucky in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, and uncharacteristically fell at Leopardstown in the MrCain Chase at Leopardstown, but Casey was not deterred, mapping out a road to the Grand National for Rough Quest. That path began with victory in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February 1996, followed by an encouraging second in the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup at 12/1, beaten 4 lengths by Imperial Call. He then went to Aintree where he was ridden by Mick Fitzgerald, and was made the 7/1 favourite. He won by 1 1/4 lengths from Encore Un Peu, with Superior Finish a further 16 lengths back in third. Terry continued to train until 1999, chalking up his final winner, Splendid Thyne, in the Spa Hurdle. Shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with throat cancer and, although it was thought treatment had worked, the disease returned in 2001 and he died on 24th July 2001 in Somerset aged 56.
1986 Topham Trophy at Aintree GLENRUE (20/1) owned by H McClelland, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Richard Dunwoody
1988 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham OVER THE ROAD (10/1) owned by John Upson, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Tom Costello
1995 Ritz Club Handicap Chase at Cheltenham ROUGH QUEST (16/1) owned by Andrew Wates, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Mick Fitzgerald
1995 Castlemartin Stud Chase at Punchestown ROUGH QUEST (4/1) owned by Andrew Wates, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Mick Fitzgerald
1996 Racing Post Chase at Kempton ROUGH QUEST (3/1 fav) owned by Andrew Wates, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Richard Dunwoody
1996 Grand National at Aintree ROUGH QUEST (7/1 fav) owned by Andrew Wates, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Mick Fitzgerald
1999 Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham SPLENDID THYNE (6/4 fav) owned by John Galvanoni, trained by Terry Casey and ridden by Warren Marston
1993-1994 Charlie Mann
Charles James Mann, born on 3rd April 1958 in Dumfries, left school aged 15 to join the Newmarket stable, Flint Cottage, run by Peter Poston. After a period with Poston he became an apprentice at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire under the guidance of Tony Gillam, partnering his first winner, La Valse, at Southwell in the Burton Joyce Novice Hurdle. His promise was recognised by Nicky Henderson and Charlie moved to Windsor House Stables, Lambourn in 1979. He turned professional and always dreamt of winning the Grand National, or the equally thrilling Czech equivalent, the Velka Pardubicka. Sadly, he attempted the Aintree Grand National 4 times, each time on a seeming no-hoper; in 1981 on Tenecoon 100/1 he was unseated at the 11th, the open ditch; in 1983 on Williamson 100/1 he was brought down at The Chair; in 1986 on Doubleuagain 500/1 he was knocked over at the 17th; in 1987 on Lucky Rew 500/1 he was unseated at the first and thought, enough is enough. He did record a number of wins in high profile races, not least the Mercedes Benz Chase, the Fullwell Chase at Kempton and the Geoffrey Gilbert Hurdle, but although he had retired from English racing in 1988, he was still able to ride abroard. In 1994 he contested his beloved Velka Pardubicka, the Czech Grand National, partnering It's a Snip 7/1 and finished a creditable second to Erudit. Undeterred, he returned the next year on the same horse, winning the 1995 Velka Pardubicka on 10-year-old It's a Snip 7/2 joint favourite. By the time of his Czech victory, and after riding 149 winners, Charlie launched his training career in 1993 at Newlands, Upper Lambourn, straight after a period assisting Cath Walwyn. Within a year he had moved to Kings Farm, Upper Lambourn, remaining there between 1995 and 1997, and then purchased Whitcoombe House from 1998. It was at this point of his career that he trained his most successful horse Celibate, winning many Handicap Chases, culminating in a victory in the Grade 1 BMW Chase at Punchestown in 1999, having previously landed the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.
1995-2006 Brian Meehan
Brian Joseph Meehan, born in Limerick on 16th July 1967, son of an Orthopaedic Surgeon, served as assistant trainer to Richard Hannon senior for 6 years before launching his own training career in 1993. He was initially based at Folly House Stables, Lambourn, and enjoyed 14 winners in his first seaon. At the end of that season he realised that his stables limited his opportunity to expand and build on his growing reputation, as it could only stable 26 horses, so in January 1994 he approached Cath Walwyn to ask to lease the empty Saxon House Stables, conveniently loacted just 250 yards away. Meehan moved to Newlands Stables at the start of 1995 and remained there for about 12 years. He enjoyed tremendous success at Newlands, initially with Easycall, who won the 1996 Richmond Stakes at the Glorious Goodwood Festival, and then with Tomba who won the Cork & Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot and many victories abroard, notably in Munich, Hoppergarten and Longchamp. He landed consecutive Cheveley Park Stakes wins in 2004 and 2005 with Magical Romance and Donna Blini respectively, while the undoubted stable star in his final season at Newlands was David Junior, who ended a magical season by winning the Champion Stakes. In 2006 he was offered the most fantastic opportunity by Robert Sangster to train on the Manton Estate, on the Marlborough Downs, so he left Lambourn, although at that point he maintained ownership of Newlands. After many successful years at Manton he was in a position to purchase his part of the Estate in October 2017.
1996 Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood EASYCALL 7/2 owned by Easycall Partnership, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Brett Doyle
1997 Sandy Lane Rated Stakes at Haydock TOMBA 4/1 owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Dean McKeown
1997 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle TOMBA 6/4 fav owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Michaeel Tebbutt
1997 Grosse Preis von Berlin at Hoppergarten TOMBA (no odds) owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Michaeel Tebbutt
1998 Cork & Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot TOMBA 4/1 owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Michaeel Tebbutt
1998 Grosser Buchmacher Springer Sprint Preis Group 3 at Munich TOMBA owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Pat Eddery
1998 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp TOMBA 106/10 owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Kieren Fallon
1999 Penny Lane Stakes at Haydock TOMBA 11/10 fav owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Michaeel Tebbutt
1998 Grosser Buchmacher Springer Sprint Preis Group 3 at Munich TOMBA owned by J R Good, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Michael Tebbutt
2000 Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot AUTUMNAL 4/1 owned by Paul & Jenny Green, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Pat Eddery
2000 Prix Morny at Deauville BAD AS I WANNA BE 144/10 owned by Joe Albritton, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Gerald Mosse
2001 New Stakes at Royal Ascot FREEFOURINTERNET 20/1 owned by Roldvale Ltd, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Pat Eddery
2002 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot ROMANTIC LIAISON 16/1 owned by Con F T Wilson, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Pat Eddery
2002 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich KAIETEUR 22/5 owned by Mrs Susan McCarthy, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Pat Eddery
2003 Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood CURRIZO CREEK 5/1 owned by Mrs J S Threadwell, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Kieren Fallon
2004 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket MAGICAL ROMANCE 40/1 owned by Con F T Wilson, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Robert Winston
2005 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket DONNA BLINI 12/1 owned by Mrs T S M Cunningham, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Mick Kinane
2005 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket DONNA BLINI 12/1 owned by Mrs T S M Cunningham, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Mick Kinane
2005 Fairway Stakes at Newmarket DAVID JUNIOR 5/2 owned by Roldvale Ltd, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Richard Hills
2005 Fink Gala Listed Stakes at Sandown DAVID JUNIOR 5/4 fav owned by Roldvale Ltd, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Richard Hills
2005 Select Racing Group 3 at Goodwood DAVID JUNIOR 15/8 fav owned by Roldvale Ltd, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Jamie Spencer
2005 Champion Stakes at Newmarket DAVID JUNIOR 25/1 owned by Roldvale Ltd, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Jamie Spencer
2006-2007 Roy Arne Kvisla
Born in Norway, Roy Arne Kvisla was installed at Newlands Stables in 2006, training predominantly for Investment AB Rustningen, using the Swedish jockey Frederik Johansson for the majority of his mounts in 2006. He won very few races during his time at Newlands, but when they did go in they were returned with fancy prices, 25/1, 50/1 and 66/1. He later moved to Sweden to train at Bro Park Racecourse, on the outskirts of Stockholm.
2006 European Breeders Fund Quidhampton Fillies Stakes at Salisbury PUGGY 66/1 owned by Investment AB Rustningen, trained by Roy Arne Kvilsa and ridden by Frederik Johansson
2007 Pontins.com Stakes at Lingfield HATHERDEN 50/1 owned by Investment AB Rustningen, trained by Roy Arne Kvilsa and ridden by Brett Doyle
2007 Lingfield Maiden Stakes CHATTAN CLAN 11/1 owned by Investment AB Rustningen, trained by Roy Arne Kvilsa and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2007 Weatherbys Printing Hurdle at Hereford VALUTA 25/1 owned by Investment AB Rustningen, trained by Roy Arne Kvilsa and ridden by Mattie Bachelor
2008-2014 Brendan Powell
Brendan Powell, born on 14th October 1960 in Naas, came to England aged 19 in 1979 as a stable hand at Weathercock House, working for Jenny Pitman. His riding ability meant that he soon started getting mounts, not only for Pitman, but also for Stan Mellor and David Gandolfo, and he had his first mount in public on Veramente (10/1) on Saturday 30th January 1982 in the Weir Handicap Hurdle at Windsor. He was beaten by desert Hero, partnered by Bill Smith, and Hipparion ridden by Jimmy Nolan, but two weeks later, on 10th February 1982 Powell rode Hipparion at Ascot as an amateur 7lb claimer, but was unplaced. However, he soon mastered his trade, riding over 700 winners in Britain and almost 90 abroad. His most memorable win was in the 1988 Aintree Grand National, guiding Rhyme 'N Reason 10/1 to victory for owner Miss Juliet Reed and trainer David Elsworth. The horse also won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse when trained by David Murray Smith at Frenchman's Lodge, Upper Lambourn. In 1990 he was aboard Nomadic Way 3/1 jt fav for Robert Sangster and Barry Hills when winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Other successes included a brace of Scottish Grand National victories at Ayr, firstly in 1989 on Roll A Joint, and a decade later on Young Kenny. He had his final mount on Radar at Hereford on 14th June 2000, after which he immediately prepared himself for his training career, starting in Winchester with just 4 horses. He had to wait until 15th November 2000 for his first winner, My Galliano 9/1 at Kempton in the NSPCC Conditional Jockeys Novices Handicap Hurdle. He moved to Newlands Stables, Lambourn, before switching to Frenchman's Lodge Stables, Upper Lambourn, in 2015 where he remained for 2 years, during which time his best horse by far was Dark Emerald who landed valuable back-to-back wins at Meydan in 2015, winning the Nova Stakes Turf Handicap and the District One Turf Handicap.
2011-2014 Seamus Durack (The Barns, Newlands)
Seamus Edmund Durack, born in Ireland on 3rd November 1975, is the son of an Irish Doctor. After his compulsory education he became an amateur jockey, acting as assistant pupil trainer to Philip Hobbs, becoming champion amateur in the 1997-98 season and partnering In Truth to victory at the 1998 Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir Chase. He turned professional and regularly notched over 40 winners each season, although in May 2005 he suffered a setback on Redspin at Towcester, breaking his leg and putting his career on hold. One of his highest profile winners was aboard Snoopy Loopy in the 2008 Betfair Chase, but he retired from race riding in 2010, having ridden just under 500 wins, and launched his training career in 2011 at The Barns, Newlands Stables.
Seamus enjoyed particular successes with Qaraaba, the Rectifier and Litigant, the latter winning the £93,000 All-Weather Marathon Championship Conditions Stakes at Lingfield.
1998 Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival IN TRUTH 20/1 owned by Mrs E Hulton, trained by Steve Gollings and ridden by Seamus Durack
2008 Betfair Chase at Haydock SNOOPY LOOPY 33/1 owned by Walters Plant Hire Ltd, trained by Peter Bowen and ridden by Seamus Durack
2011 Bet on the Derby Handicap at Sandown QARAABA 25/1 owned by P A Deal, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2012 London Mile Qualifier at Kempton QARAABA 9/1 owned by P A Deal, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2012 William Hill Download Handicap at Doncaster QARAABA 4/1 jt fav owned by P A Deal, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2012 Freebet Fillies Handicap at Doncaster QARAABA Evens fav owned by P A Deal, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2013 Straight Mile Championship Qualifier at Redcar THE RECTIFIER 5/2 owned by Mrs Anne Cowley, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by Micky Fenton
2013 32red Handicap at Wolverhampton LITIGANT 9/4 jt fav owned by A A Byrne, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2013 John Smiths Racing Stakes Handicap at York THE RECTIFIER 14/1 owned by Mrs Anne Cowley, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by Micky Fenton
2014 32Red Conditions Stakes at Lingfield LITIGANT 2/1 fav owned by A A Byrne, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2014 Betdaq Commission Free Stakes at Kempton THE RECTIFIER 5/1 owned by Mrs Anne Cowley, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by Adam Kirby
2014 All-Weather Marathon Championship Conditions Stakes at Lingfield LITIGANT 2/1 fav owned by A A Byrne, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by George Baker
2014 Molson Coors Handicap at Salisbury THE RECTIFIER 6/1 owned by Mrs Anne Cowley, trained by Seamus Durack and ridden by Fergus Sweeney
In 2015 Jamie Magee is thought to have purchased Newlands from Brian Meehan, with a view to thoroughly modernizing the yard and using it as a breaking and pre-training centre of excellence. Many of the horses Jamie has prepared went on to gain Group successes. Jamie began his riding career in Ireland, and was crowned joint champion conditional rider before moving to Lambourn. He rode for Kim Bailey and Charlie Mann, whilst all the time gaining experience of the training game. He was with Bailey during the glory days when Alderbrook won the Champion Hurdle. His first riding career came to an end at Stratford in 2000 and he then looked for a new challenge, running a livery stable on the outskirts of Lambourn. Having ridden over 100 winners in his career, he decided to relaunch his riding career in 2006. By 2015 he was in a position to take on Newlands Stables, but in 2021 Newlands was bought by Richard Fiddes, on behalf of Principle Racing.
2021-present Seamus Durack
After moving away from Newlands, Seamus Durack was invited to return in 2021 by Richard Fiddes, joint owner of Principle Racing, which was formed in 2021. They jointly hoped to fill 50 of the boxes, the stable having a capacity of 76.
DAVID JUNIOR (2005 Champion Stakes, Select Racing Stakes)
TOMBA (1998 Cork & Orrery Stakes, Prix de la Foret)
DONNA BLINI (2005 Cheveley Park Stakes, Cherry Hinton Stakes)
MAGICAL ROMANCE (2004 Cheveley Park Stakes)
ROMANTIC LIAISON (2002 Queen Mary Stakes)
