1762-1785 John Hoyle
John Hoyle was the first trainer at Ashgill stables, remaining in place for the best part of 23 years. One of the most significant things he did during his time at Ashgill was to take on apprentice jockey John Mangle who was originally licenced to fellow Middleham trainer Isaac Cape. Mangle had fallen out with Cape and sought to move, with Hoyle providing him with that opportunity. He soon showed what an excellent jockey he was, replacing stable jockeys George Fothergill and Samuel Manks within a short period of working at Ashgill. In 1780 Mangle showed his true riding ability when he guided Ruler to success in the St Leger owned by William Bethell. John Mangle went on to train and ride 4 more St Leger winners, making the race almost his own between 1786 and 1788. The relationship between Hoyle and Mangles was strengthened still further on 3rd March 1783 when Mangle married Hoyle's daughter Hannah.
Hannah was reportedly very good-looking, and the couple were blessed with 2 sons, George in 1784 and John in 1785, and 4 daughters, Mary in 1787, Sarah in 1789, Harriet in 1792, and Catherine in 1793. Tragically, Hannah died soon afterwards in 1795. Her father, John Hoyle, died in 1785, providing John Mangle with the chance to launch his own training career at Ashgill whilst still continuing to ride, training for such stalwarts of the turf as the 9th Duke of Hamilton. John Hoyle was buried in the nearby Coverham churchyard, very close to the well-known jockey Harry Grimshaw.
1780 St Leger at Doncaster RULER (SR 1859) 5/2 owned by William Bethell, trained by John Hoyle and ridden by John Mangle
1785-1820 John Mangle(s)
John Mangle, born at Glasshouse Farm, Hauxwell, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire in 1749, was baptised on 6th January 1750. He was the youngest of 3 children; his older brother George was born in 1743, and his sister Mary was born in 1745. John was initially assigned to Isaac Cape at Tupgill, Middleham, but after a row with Cape, Mangle moved down the road to join John Hoyle at Ashgill. He had a successful riding career and also married Hoyle's daughter Hannah, although Hannah died on 23rd April 1795, having given birth to 6 children, 2 boys and 4 girls. She gave birth to her fourth daughter, Catherine in 1793. In 1785 John Hoyle died leaving Mangle to take over training responsibilities at Ashgill whilst continuing to ride. He enjoyed almost immediate success, training and riding 3 consecutive St Leger winners, Paragon (SR 1885) in 1786, Spadille (SR 1901) in 1787 and Young Flora (SR 1821) in 1788. Mangle was so successful as a trainer, not only training for the Duke of Hamilton, but also for the Duke of Norfolk, William Bethell, John Pratt, the Honourable Smith Barry and Henry Pierce, that he also built Brecongill stables nearby on the Tupgill Estate. He notched up a fourth St Leger victory in 1792 with the 9th Duke of Hamilton's Tartar (SR 1904). Mangle was a widower from a very early age, and had two young sons and 4 daughters to bring up, so it was no surprise that he married for a second time, choosing Mrs Mary Pearson, whose husband had run the King's Head Hotel in Richmond before his untimely death. During his time at Ashigill John welcomed Frank Collison, jockey and sometime trainer, to Ashgill from time to time. Frank, and his brother William, were closely associated with the Middleham trainer Christopher Jackson, but it was at Ashgill that Frank died on 3rd April 1812 aged just 39. Frank had ridden Pan (SR 2002) 25/1 to victory in the 1808 Epsom Derby for trainer John Lonsdale and owner Sit Hedwroth Williamson, but afterwards had stayed at low class lodgings, sleeping on damp bedding where he contracted a disease which, 4 years later, led to his untimely death. John retired in 1820 and put Ashgill up for let, advertising it in the York Herald on 25th March 1820, with particulars available from James Croft of Coverham Abbey, almost certainly his great friend James Croft who was based at the present day Glasgow House and saddled the first 4 home in the St Leger two years later. John Mangle lived to the ripe old age of 81, although in his later years be became totally blind, and died on New Year's Day 1831, his ashes being scattered in Coverham churchyard.
1786 St Leger at Doncaster PARAGON (SR 1885) 20/1 owned by 9th Duke of Hamilton, trained and ridden by John Mangle
1787 St Leger at Doncaster SPADILLE (SR 1901) 2/1 owned by 9th Duke of Hamilton, trained and ridden by John Mangle
1788 St Leger at Doncaster YOUNG FLORA (SR 1821) 2/1 owned by 9th Duke of Hamilton, trained and ridden by John Mangle
1792 St Leger at Doncaster TARTAR (SR 1904) 25/1 owned by 9th Duke of Hamilton, trained and ridden by John Mangle
1820-1836 George Oates
After the retirement of John Mangle in 1820 Ashgill was put up for sale, the sale being handled by James Croft who was based at Glasgow House, although at that time it was not known by that name. Ashgill was bought by George Oates, father of William and George Oates, both trainers in their time, the latter at Richmond. Ashgill was described as,' A dwelling house on the south side of Middleham Moor, with racing stables for 31 horses, together with 42 acres of good meadow and pasture land. As it directly joins Middleham Moor, it exceeds any other property in the neighbourhood for the training of horses. The successful purchaser will be accommodated with 3 stacks of hay upon the premises.' George and his wife Elizabeth had 5 children some 12 years apart; William, the eldest, was born in 1819 and was followed by 3 girls, Mary, Jane and Isabella, while in 1831 George was born. Tragically, soon after George was born Elizabeth died in 1831 and George remained a widower for 31 years. At the time of George Oates taking charge at Ashgill, John Lonsdale at Tupgill and James Croft at Glasgow House, were direct competitors and fellow trainers. One of the principal owners of horses in Middleham was Ralph Riddell, owner of Dr Syntax, who had his horses with John Lonsdale until Lonsdale died at Tupgill on Monday 17th October 1825 and Riddell moved his horses to James Croft. On Thursday 26th June 1828 Croft died and Ralph Riddell moved his horses to the Ashgill stables of George Oates. The pair enjoyed many important successes together, winning the 1828 Gosforth Stakes with Baroness, the 1829 Sapling Stakes at Aintree with Lawn Sleeves, and the Produce Stakes at Newcastle, also with Lawn Sleeves. Just 2 days later Lawn Sleeves was made the long odds on favourite in the Northumberland Stakes, but broke a blood vessel during the race. The chestnut colt did return in October, running third in the Richmond Gold Cup behind Medoro, but Riddell and Oates gained immediate compensation in the very next race, the Richmondshire Stakes, with Zodiac. Shortly afterwards Zodiac won the Northallerton Silver Cup. In the 1830 St Leger Riddell's Emancipation 500/1 was third behind Birmingham, and the victor confirmed the form 3 days later in a Doncaster Sweepstake when Birmingham (5/11 fav) beat Emancipation (3/1). However, exactly a year later, at the 1831 St Leger meeting, the pair met again in the Fitzwilliam Stakes when Emancipation (5/2) defeated his old rival Birmingham (5/6 fav). Riddell utilised Oates until late 1831, when Dr Syntax' regular jockey Robert 'Bob' Johnson commenced training and the Riddell horses were relocated to Tupgill. George Oates trained and regularly rode Lottery as a 4 and 5-year-old, but that cannot have been the same Lottery which won the 1839 Aintree Grand National, as that horse was foaled in 1830 and would have only been 3 years old when the article containing the statement about Oates training it at 4 and 5 was written. In 1861 George junior went to Stork House, Lambourn, taking Kettledrum with him; the horse won the 1861 Epsom Derby. George junior trained at Seven Barrows shortly afterwards and was joined by his father George senior. Unfortunately, George senior had little time to enjoy Lambourn because he died in 1862 and was buried in Lambourn.
July 1828 Gosforth Stakes at Newcastle BARONESS owned by Ralph Riddell and trained by George Oates walked over
May 1829 Sapling Stakes at Aintree LAWN SLEEVES 2/1 jt fav owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
July 1829 Produce Stakes at Newcastle LAWN SLEEVES owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
October 1829 Richmondshire Stakes at Richmond ZODIAC owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Tommy Lye
October 1829 Northallerton Silver Cup ZODIAC owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Tommy Lye
May 1830 Shorts Sweepstake at York EMANCIPATION 2/1 owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
April 1831 Old Stakes at Catterick Bridge GALOPADE owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
April 1831 Durham Stakes at Durham DR SYNTAX colt out of Zodiac owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
June 1831 Produce Stakes at Newcastle GALOPADE owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
June 1831 Newcastle Silver Cup DR SYNTAX colt out of Zodiac owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
July 1831 Stanley Stakes at Preston EMANCIPATION 2/1 owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
July 1831 Preston Gold Cup EMANCIPATION 6/4 jt fav owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
September 1831 Fitzwilliam Stakes at Doncaster EMANCIPATION 5/2 owned by Ralph Riddell, trained by George Oates and ridden by Bob Johnson
1836-1865 John Osborne senior
Trainer John Osborne, born in 1801, began as Head Lad to Mr Taylor at Kirtonn in the Lothians before moving on to train at Gorey House, Bretby Park for Lord Chesterfield in 1833 where his son John (Howe) jnr was born. In 1836 he began training at Ashgill, Middleham and was eventually followed by his more famous son John Howe, Junior, who was also a jockey and rode in 37 Epsom Derby's - recording his sole win in 1869 on the Middleham trained Pretender, but missing out on rides in 1852, 1867, 1870 and 1889. In 1841 the Marquis of Westminster had a dispute with his then trainer, the legendary John Scott, and moved his horses to Delamere Forest so that they were nearer to his Eaton Hall estate, appointing John Osborne instead. Between 1841 and 1842 Osborne left Charles Marson in charge at Ashgill, but by the end of the 1842 season John Osborne had returned to Ashgill. During his first stint at Ashgill Osborne trained Wrestler for Lord Londesborough, and Miss Bowe who won Her Majesty's Plate at Manchester. On his return to Ashgill Osborne trained Brandyface, Black Doctor, Lambton, Lumley and Exact, but without doubt the best mare he had in his care towards the very end of her career was Alice Hawthorne who won 51 of her 70 races, although he had her for the briefest of periods and never trained her for a race. She was bred in Shipton, near York, foaled in Nun Monkton, broken at the age of 3, for her then owner John Plummer, by Robert Hesseltine in Hambleton, and was leased to George Salvin for a period during her racing career. She won races at York, and Northallerton at 3, but it was as an older mare over longer distances that she began to excel, beginning with the Chester Cup over 2 1/4 miles, followed by wins over a distance at Manchester, Stockton and York, and finishing the season with a flourish in the Richmond Gold Cup Stakes and Northallerton Cup. The next season her many wins included victory in the Queen's Plate at York, the prestigious Doncaster Cup, the Richmond Queens Plate and the Northallerton Cup. By 1844, her reputation was so great that she walked-over in many races, but won the Cheshire Stakes, the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, the Newcastle Cup and the Goodwood Cup. The year 1845 was an odd year for the mare as John Plummer did not want to train her himself, so she was moved 3 times, to John Osborne, and then Charles Peck at Malton, finally returning to Robert Hesseltine, but she was not quite as dominant as she had been in previous years, although she did win the Queen's Plate at Chester, and at the end of the season she was retired from racing to embark on producing her own offspring. Her important race successes are included here even though Osborne only had her for the briefest of periods. The year 1850 was a good one for John Osborne, he bred Miss Agnes who was to become the second dam of Ormonde, and also trained Black Doctor who won the Eglinton Stakes at Doncaster and was sold for 800 Guineas. By 1852 John was well known for training 2-year-olds, especially Exact and Lambton who won 19 of their 31 races between them, while Lord Alfred ran no less than 25 times as a 2-year-old, winning on multiple occasions. John won his only Classic, the 1856 1000 Guineas with Manganese (SR 1919) owned jointly by W H Brook and the Reverend John William King whose horses raced under the name Mr Launde. Three years later John guided Red Eagle to success in the 1859 Cambridgeshire at the rewarding odds of 50/1. He gained one of his final big race wins in 1862 in the Ascot Stakes with Rapparee, and the very last major win in the 1863 Great Ebor Handicap at York with Great Pledge. He died of inflammation and ulceration of the intestines from tubercular disease at Tupgill on Monday 31st July 1865, his stock later being auctioned by Tattersalls and selling for 11,488 guineas.
1856 1000 Guineas at Newmarket MANGANESE (SR 1919) 2/1 owned by W H Brook and Rev John William King (later known as Mr Launde), trained by John Osborne senior and ridden by John Osborne junior
1859 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket RED EAGLE 50/1 owned and trained by John Osborne senior and ridden by H Grimshaw
1862 Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot RAPPAREE 100/6 owned and trained by John Osborne snr and ridden by John Osborne jnr
1863 Great Ebor Handicap at York GREAT PLEDGE 9/1 owned by H Owen, trained by John Osborne snr and ridden by J Loates
Major wins of Alice Hawthorne, briefly with John Osborne and Charles Peck in 1845
1842 Chester Cup ALICE HAWTHORNE 9/2 owned and trained by Mr John Plummer, ridden by Bumby
1842 Richmond Gold Cup Stakes ALICE HAWTHORNE owned and trained by Mr John Plummer, ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1842 Northallerton Cup ALICE HAWTHORNE owned and trained by Mr John Plummer, ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1843 Lancaster Gold Cup Stakes ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Oates
1843 Queens Plate at York ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1843 Doncaster Cup ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1843 Queens Plate at Nottingham ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Bumby
1843 Queens Plate at Richmond ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Bumby
1843 Northallerton Gold Cup Stakes ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr Womald, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Bumby
1844 Marquis of Westminster's Plate at Chester ALICE HAWTHORNE 4/5 fav owned by Mr George Salvin, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Sim Templeman
1844 Queens Vase at Royal Ascot ALICE HAWTHORNE 1/3 fav owned by Mr George Salvin, trained and ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1844 Newcastle Cup ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr George Salvin, trained and ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1844 Goodwood Cup at Glorious Goodwood ALICE HAWTHORNE 1/3 fav owned by Mr George Salvin, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Sim Templeman
1844 Doncaster Cup ALICE HAWTHORNE owned by Mr George Salvin, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by J Bumby
1845 Queen's Plate at Chester ALICE HAWTHORNE 1/10 fav owned by Mr George Salvin, trained by Robert Hesseltine and ridden by Robert Hesseltine
1863-1865 William Bearpark
William Bearpark is first mentioned at Middleham in 1863, most likely at Ashgill where he took on some boxes. In July 1863 Mr G Oliver sent Bearpark a grey Scandal Filly, and by November 1863 his string consisted of Brother Sam, a 3-year-old, and three yearlings, The Leader, a chestnut, Foxholes, brown, and Anonyma, also brown. In April 1864 he sent The Leader to Newmarket to contest a 200 sovereigns match, winning against Damascus. In July 1864 Foxholes ran well in the Park Hill Stakes at Liverpool. His string was boosted in January 1865 when Thordisa (4), Poetess (4), Portrack (3), Guitar (3), Miss Walker (3), Bondoleta (3), Miss Nightingale (2) and Pretty Queen (2) joined Bearpark. By the end of 1865 he had departed Middleham.
1863-1865 Tom Chaloner
Tom Chaloner rode the winner of the 1863 Epsom Derby Macaroni, a win which came just at the right time for him because he was courting Ellen Osborne, daughter of John Osborne snr, who was nearing the end of his training career and his life, and discussed the future of Ashgill with his son-in-law to be. On the back of Tom's win he was in a position to purchase Ashgill, and in January 1865 he married Ellen Chaloner (nee Osborne) in Coverham Church. When Osborne senior died later that year Chaloner probably realised his purchase of Ashgill had been a mistake and the property quickly reverted to ownership by the Osborne brothers William, John and Robert. This left Tom Chaloner in a financially strong position to buy stables in Malton, including Spring Cottage from William L'Anson, which he continued to own until the end of 1878, after which he bought stables in Kenford and from there to Newmarket to a property which to this day is named Osborne House.
1863 Epsom Derby MACARONI (SR 2017) 10/1 owned by Richard Naylor, trained by Mr Godding at Palace House, Newmarket and ridden by Tom Chaloner
For a short period at the turn of the Century Thomas H Dale occupied some Ashgill stables (1899-1900) then moved to Tupgill as a public trainer. He trained some horses for Matthew Dobson Peacock, owner of the Manor House in Middleham, winning the 1900 Gosforth Park Juvenile Stakes at Newcastle for Peacock with Queen's Manor. In May 1901 Thomas Dale and W Elsey, then training at Baumber Park, jointly negotiated a deal to train 50 horses at Hedon as soon as 20 new boxes were ready. By then Dale had purchased a house in Hedon from J Emmerson in readiness of the move, although he was still training in Middleham in October when sending out Golden Rule to win the Scarborough Handicap at Beverley.
1865-1901 John Osborne jnr, William Osborne, Robert Osborne
On the death of John Osborne senior on Monday 31st July 1865, Ashgill stables were taken over by the brothers John Howe Osborne, then aged 32, who was continuing to make a name for himself as one of the foremost jockeys of his generation, William, born Brompton on Swale, Catterick, then aged 35, and Robert, then aged 26. Their sister Ellen, then aged 19, later became Ellen Chaloner, matriarch of the famous Chaloner family based at Osborne House, Newmarket. She was one of the first women to train, although she initially had to do so by using her sons name to register for a licence, as the Jockey Club had not modernised by that stage. In the 1871 Census William Howe Osborne was the registered trainer at Ashgill, ably supported by brother Robert, assistant trainer, William Platt, 19, a stable jockey, Walter Wood, 21, stable jockey, George Platt, 20, Head Groom, and 24 stable boys. Ten years later the 1881 Census showed William, aged 52, as the Ashgill trainer, employing no less than 35 stable grooms. A decade further on William remained the trainer, with his nephew William Platt as his jockey, Joseph Garratt, 32, his Head Groom, and 19 stable boys. By that stage brother Robert was training at Thorngill between 1891 and 1892, while brother John Howe Osborne was both training and riding from his base at Brecongill Lodge. William Osborne died of a paralytic stroke on Saturday 7th December 1901, but was recognised as one of the best trainers in Middleham at the time of his death. He also took a keen interest in coursing, landing the prestigious 1883 Waterloo Cup with Wild Mint nominated by Mr G J Alexander. He was replaced at Ashgill by William Robert Ridley, aged 30, born at Bellerby, Yorkshire, who was already training at Middleham in 1899.
1873 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot THORN 4/1 owned by R R Batt, trained by William Osborne and ridden by Busby
1874 1000 Guineas at Newmarket APOLOGY (SR 2001) 5/2 owned by Mr Launde Aka Rev John William King, trained by William Osborne and ridden by John Osborne junior
1874 Epsom Oaks APOLOGY (SR 2001) 5/2 owned by Mr Launde Aka Rev John William King, trained by William Osborne and ridden by John Osborne junior
1874 St Leger at Doncaster APOLOGY (SR 2001) 4/1 fav owned by Mr Launde Aka Rev John William King, trained by William Osborne and ridden by John Osborne junior
1874 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot APOLOGY 10/11 fav owned by Mr Launde Aka Rev John William King, trained by William Osborne and ridden by John Osborne junior
1876 Ascot Gold Cup APOLOGY owned by Mr Launde Aka Rev John William King, trained by William Osborne and ridden by John Osborne junior
1897-1905 William Robert Ridley
It is likely that William Ridley, probably the son of J Ridley of Bellerby, took over at Ashgill at the start of the 1897 season, having moved from his Beverley base earlier in the year. It is not clear whether William Osborne still resided at Ashgill, but Ridley was churning out winners from those stables in 1897. His string in Middleham consisted of Dame Constance, Kidnapper II, Rataplan, Gallia, Bellerby Maid, Old Sarum and Descender, but after the death of William Osborne in December 1901 Ridley, then aged 30, took full charge at Ashgill. On the 1901 Census Ridley, born at Bellerby, Yorkshire, lived at Ashgill with his brother-in-law George Bell 39, nephews James and George Platt, 17 and 16 respectively, who were stable jockeys, and Fred Hampson 17 and Fred Finlay 14 who were apprentices. Fred Finlay should not be confused with the more famous jockey of the same name who was born in Newcastle in 1865 and later won the Champion Stakes in 1895. In December 1898 a tragic incident took place involving stablehand Marshall, who was exercising Dame Constance on Middleham Moor when he was thrown and dragged for some distance and died at the scene. Ridley had a good season in 1898, chalking up numerous wins in April at Northern meetings, and finished the season with a flourish with Dame Constance and Markham. He continued to be successful from his Ashgill base as the turn of the century approached, winning 7 races in 1899 and a further 5 in 1900. Indeed, he was still based at Ashgill for the 1905 season. although he departed Middleham for a considerable period, he returned in 1925 to train at Thorngill.
June 1897 Trial Selling Plate at Carlisle LORD OF THE MANOR 8/1 owned and trained by William Ridley and ridden by George Bell
July 1898 Innkeepers Handicap at Pontefract MAGNATE 8/1 owned by W Cooper, trained by William Ridley and ridden by F B Black
August 1898 Grand Stand Selling Plate at Ripon DAME CONSTANCE 3/1 owned by Mrs J Ridley, trained by William Ridley and ridden by George Bell
September 1898 Rothwell Handicap at Hamilton MARKHAM 100/30 owned and trained by William Ridley and ridden by George Bell
October 1898 Malton Selling Plate at Thirsk MARKHAM 20/1 owned and trained by William Ridley and ridden by George Bell
September 1903-1906 Robert Weston Colling
Robert Weston Colling, universally known as Bob, was born at Marske-by-Sea on 6th April 1872, son of a Cambridge educated farmer who farmed at Hurworth-on-Tees, County Durham. Bob became a leading apprentice based in the north at Robert Ward Armstrong's Penrith stables, riding his first winner, Mortaigne at Newcastle in 1889 and going on to gain 359 Flat winners, culminating in victory in the 1894 Northumberland Plate on Newcourt, a race he loved, and one in which he also trained the winner 3 times. He also enjoyed success in the 1890 July Cup at Newmarket on Queen of the Fairies, and the 1892 Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Marvel. Eventually, when his weight put paid to his Flat riding career he switched to National Hunt racing, riding his first jumps winner on 1st February 1894. He then turned his hand to training, launching his new career at Great Habton in 1899, but a year later he moved to Middleham to take over from W Swann at Spigot Lodge. Such was his success that he also occupied boxes at Ashgill from September 1903, initially with just 5 horses, and it is not certain whether there was some overlap with William Ridley who remained in Middleham until 1905, and later with the Smith's who were also at Ashgill between 1906 and early 1910. By 1907 his string had expanded to 21 and he remained in Middleham throughout the early part of the First World War. His winners were seldom in high-profile races, but he did win at most of the northern tracks, including Ayr, Hamilton, Manchester, Hull, Aintree and Stockton. In 1917, with a string of 40, Colling tried to move south to take over at Bedford Cottage, but his bid was unsuccessful, and he had to wait until Waterwitch House, Newmarket became available before departing Middleham.
1890 July Cup at Newmarket QUEEN OF THE FAIRIES 7/1 owned by Lord Penrhyn, trained by Allen and ridden by Bob Colling
1892 Stewards Cup at Goodwood MARVEL 1000/45 owned by Duke of Devonshire, trained by Richard Marsh and ridden by Bob Colling
1894 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle NEWCOURT 5/4 fav owned by P Buchanan, trained by William L'Anson and ridden by Bob Colling
1908 Beverley Plate at Hull AGGLETHORP 2/1 fav owned and trained by R W Colling and ridden by G McCall
1914 Liverpool Nursery Stakes at Aintree PIP PIP PIP 5/1 owned by V T Thompson, trained by R W Colling and ridden by R Stokes
1914 Wolviston Handicap at Stockton PER ANNUM 10/1 owned by F Stobart, trained by R W Colling and ridden by J Thwaites
September 1906-1907 Daniel P Manning, G W Smith
In February 1910 a new training establishment was completed on the site of Warwick House, Kirkgate, Middleham for the well-known sportsmen G W Smith and G E Smith of Leeds who made their money as commission agents. Up to that point they had occupied Tupgill Stables or Ashgill Stables, both on the edge of the Tupgill Estate. In 1905 Daniel P Manning acted as private trainer for the Smith brothers, but in September 1906 Captain Nathan Scott leased Tupgill from owner Bob Armstrong leaving Manning to transfer to Ashgill. Manning remained at Ashgill until 1907, after which W Ross took over training duties.
September 1906 Edinburgh Handicap at Musselburgh TRAITRESS 7/2 owned by E Burns, trained by Daniel P Manning and ridden by G McCall
April 1907 Elswick Handicap at Newcastle OLD TIMES 10/1 owned by G W Smith, trained by Daniel P Manning and ridden by Anderson
April 1907 Leeds Steeplechase at Wetherby MINTSTALK 6/4 fav owned by J Edwards, trained by Daniel Manning and ridden by Hehir
October 1907 Cleveland Handicap at Stockton FLYING CLOWN 6/1 owned by J Milnthorp, trained by Daniel Manning and ridden by Crisp
January 1908 Cliff Steeplechase at Manchester BAROGRAPH 3/1 owned by J Milnthorp, trained by Daniel Manning and ridden by A Box
March 1908 Long Distance Steeplechase at Birmingham BAROGRAPH 4/9 fav owned by J Milnthorp, trained by Daniel Manning and ridden by A Box
September 1907-1910 W Ross, G W Smith
The Smith brothers of Leeds made use of many private trainers and must have been challenging to please. They had employed Daniel Manning between September 1906 and 1907, but in 1908 W Ross took charge. W Ross began training in April 1907 as a public trainer in Doncaster for Mr J Milnthorp amongst others, but in September 1907 he was offered the chance to train for G W Smith and E Burns at Ashgill. At the start of the 1908 season he had a string of 14 horses, including Royal Arch, Catty Craig and True as Steel. In the 3 years he was in charge at Ashgill A Reader was his stable jockey and J McKey his apprentice. Part way through 1910 the Smiths had completed their transformation on Warwick House stables, Kirkgate, Middleham and left Ashgill.
1911-1924 G Render
After the departure of Bob Colling and G W Smith's various trainers Ashgill stables remained vacant leading up to the outbreak of War, throughout the War period, and the first few years after the War had ended. Mr G Render farmed the land, frequently advertised for stockmen, and kept a dairy herd. In 1925 Robert Ward Armstrong bought Ashgill to enable his son Fred (Sam) Armstrong to launch his own training English career in 1926.
Frederick Lakin Armstrong, universally known as Sam, born in 1904, was the son of the racehorse trainer Robert Ward Armstrong who had trained for the 5th Earl of Lonsdale for over 50 years. Sam was educated at Rosall School before becoming an apprentice in his father's stable, winning his first race at Carlisle in 1921. However, after having 2 successful seasons, he suffered a bad fall in 1924 which put paid to his career as a jockey, but at the same time gave him the opportunity to pursue a training career. He joined Harry Cottrill at Lambourn as his assistant, before seeking further experience in Ireland with Frank Barbour. He launched his own training career in 1925 training jumpers in Ireland for Frank Barbour but returned to Englad the next year to begin training at Ashgill Stables, Middleham, winning prestigious races like the 1937 Northumberland Plate with Nectar II, and the 1938 Wokingham Stakes with Bold Ben, but his highest profile winner came in 1939 when he won the Irish 2000 Guineas with Cornfield (SR 1914). A year later, with War now raging, Fred won the New Cambridgeshire at Newmarket with Caxton for Major Rigg. During his time at Middleham he also worked with the Maharaja of Baroda, purchasing yearlings at the sales for him, and training his horses in 1944 and early 1945. They included Baroda Squadron and The Yuvaraj, the former winning at Pontefract in 1944, the latter winning 3 races at Pontefract and 2 at Stockton in a successful 2-year-old career in 1945. For these early successes Fred was duly rewarded. In 1945 the Gaekwar, Maharajah of Baroda purchased Warren Hill Stables (Warren Place) and installed Fred Armstrong as his trainer, winning the 1945 Cesarewitch with Kerry Piper for Sir H Bruce. In that same year he purchased Sayajirao (SR 1958) for £28,000 and was well rewarded when it won the Lingfield Derby Trial, was placed third in the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby, won the St Leger and the Irish Derby. He later purchased My Babu (SR 2108) with whom he won the 1948 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes. It went on to become one of the most influential sires of the century. When the Maharajah of Baroda's wife, the Maharani, expressed her desire to live in Warren Place Sam needed an alternative place to live. In 1949 Sam persuaded the Maharaja to purchase St Gatien Stables and to transfer his string across Newmarket.
1931 Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Worcester STARKADER 5/1 owned by Miss Muriel Drake, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by F Brown
1934 Cumberland Plate at Carlisle LINCRUSTA 7/1 owned by S Morris, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Joe Dines
1936 Lanarkshire Handicap at Hamilton STONE GINGER 1/6 fav owned by Mr Hamer, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Billy Nevett
1937 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle NECTAR II 100/8 owned by Sir Edmund Bushby, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by P Maher
1937 Edinburgh Spring Handicap at Edinburgh SOLIDAGO 2/1 fav owned by Mrs E Hudson, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by J Caldwell
1938 Grand Stand High Weight Handicap at Haydock SWIFT ARROW 6/1 owned by Mr Shakespeare, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by J Crouch
1938 Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot BOLD BEN 9/1 owned by A E Berry, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Charlie Elliott
1938 Imberhurne Handicap at Lingfield CONSEQUENTIAL 10/1 owned by Mrs H Levenstein, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Harry Wragg
1939 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh CORNFIELD (SR 1914) 7/4 fav owned by W Barnett, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Tommy Burns
1939 Chattis Hill Handicap at Newbury BOOMPS-A-DAISY 7/1 owned by Mr Deucher, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Tommy Weston
1940 New Cambridgeshire Stakes at Newmarket CAXTON 100/7 owned by Major Rigg, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by P Evans
1945 Cesarewitch at Newmarket KERRY PIPER 25/1 owned by Sir H Bruce, trained by Fred Armstrong and ridden by Edgar Britt
1946-May 1967 Captain John Jack Fawcus
John Jack Fawcus, born at Dunstan Steads, near Embleton Bay in Northumberland on 5th February 1908, was the son of Colonel John Scott Fawcus who was part of a long line of racing enthusiasts. Jack was a brilliant amateur rider over the jumps from 1926 onwards, riding his first winner, Beautiful Maud, at Hexham in a hurdle race and later being crowned champion amateur in the 1931-32 jumps season with 54 winners. Whilst he did not achieve his dream of winning the Aintree Grand National, he did capture the Scottish Grand National at Bogside on 3 occasions. Firstly in 1934 piloting James V Rank's Southern Hero 4/1 jt fav, again in 1936 when Southern Hero was 9/2, and finally in 1939 aboard the 14-year-old Southern Hero 7/1 again, albeit trained by H Brown of Druids Lodge on the final occasion. He also won the Welsh Grand National at Ely, Cardiff on 4 occasions, initially in 1934 with James V Rank's Dream Ship, and then gaining a record breaking hattrick of wins on Rank's Lacatoi in 1935, 1937 and 1939, the first two being trained by G H Evans of Druids Lodge, and the final time being trained by H A Brown of Druids Lodge. In February 1939 he landed the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Southern Hero, but by 1940 his riding career was brought to an abrupt end when he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, becoming commander of C Company in France before being captured by the enemy, his health being severely undermined by his captors during a spell in Colditz, so much so that when he was finally released in 1945 he was unable to continue his riding career. In 1946 he launched his training career at Ashgill Stables, Middleham, starting with an initial string of 15 jumpers which he trained for 2 years before training under both codes from 1948 onwards, his string increasing to 24 by 1948, 26 in 1949 and reaching a peak of 41 in 1952 before settling to around 25 for the remainder of his career. As soon as he became a dual purpose trainer he attracted owners like James V Rank, Lord Joicey, Sir Edward Hanmer and Mrs I Pitman. He won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in 1952 with Flush Royal, but arguably his favourite horse was Roman Vale who he guided to victory on 15 occasions, including 5 consecutive wins in 1953 from any distance between 5 furlongs and a mile. In 1956 he won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar with Tale of Two Cities, while 2 years later he trained the winner of his beloved Scottish Grand National with Lady Barber's Game Field, becoming one of a select band to both ride and train the winner of the National. In 1960 he sent out the filly Courtesan to land the Cheshire Oaks at Chester. Tragically, he died in a car crash on his way to Uttoxeter races on 30th May 1967 aged just 59, and his licence was taken over temporarily by Jumbo Wilkinson.
1934 Scottish Grand National at Bogside SOUTHERN HERO 4/1 jt fav owned by James V Rank, trained by G H Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1934 Welsh Grand National at Ely, Cardiff DREAM SHIP 4/1 owned by James V Rank, trained by G H Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1935 Welsh Grand National at Ely, Cardiff LACATOI 4/1 owned by James V Rank, trained by G H Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1936 Scottish Grand National at Bogside SOUTHERN HERO 9/2 owned by James V Rank, trained by G H Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1937 Welsh Grand National at Ely, Cardiff LACATOI 2/1 fav owned by James V Rank, trained by G H Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1939 Scottish Grand National at Bogside SOUTHERN HERO 7/1 owned by James V Rank, trained by H A Brown and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1939 Welsh Grand National at Ely, Cardiff LACATOI 7/4 fav owned by James V Rank, trained by H A Brown and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1952 Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket FLUSH ROYAL 33/1 owned by G Maclean, trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Billy Nevett
1956 Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar TALE OF TWO CITIES 10/1 trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Walter Bentley
1958 Scottish Grand National at Bogside GAME FIELD 9/1 owned by Lady Barber, trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Jack Boddy
1960 Cheshire Oaks at Chester COURTESAN 7/1 trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Rawlinson
1967 Jumbo Wilkinson
Benjamin Edward Wilkinson, born on 14th May 1932 in Sedgefield, was 17 when he had his first ride in public aboard Vernon Arms on Saturday 21st January 1950 at Wetherby and regularly rode for Ashgill trainer Jack Fawcus in his early career. He rode in the Grand National on 7 occasions, firstly in 1953 when unplaced on Cream of the Border for G B Mackie, beaten by Early Mist. He then gained a creditable fourth place on Glorious Twelfth for H J Joel in 1957, beaten by Sundew, and ran unplaced on the same horse the next year behind Mr What. In 1959 he was on Pintail for J P Bissill when beaten by Oxo, but his best performance was in the 1960 National behind Merryman II when Jumbo finished third on Clear Profit. He had two more unsuccessful mounts, in 1961 on Siracusa, and in 1963 on College Don. However, he did record some of his highest profile wins an Aintree, notably in the 1960 Grand Sefton on Ernest 20/1, trained by Bobby Renton, and the 1960 Becher Chase on Clear Profit 4/1 trained by R Newton. He won the 1959 Mildmay of Flete Chase at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Siracusa for Mrs E Truelove, and had previously won the 1957 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Symaethis Nephew. He also won the inaugural running of the Champion Novice Chase on Glorious Twelfth when it was contested at Manchester. His final winning ride was on Easter Monday, 27th March 1967 on Toledo Steel at Carlisle, and after experiencing one too many falls, he finally hung up his riding boots. In a career spanning 17 years, he notched up more than 300 winners and was fully equipped for the next stage of his racing career as a trainer. He began by assisting Jack Fawcus at Ashgill, a trainer he had served his apprenticeship with between 1948 and 1953, and one he had ridden for successfully many times. However, on 30th May 1967 Jack Fawcus was tragically killed in a car crash on his journey to Uttoxeter races, and Jumbo successfully applied for a temporary trainers licence. Wilkinson was terribly upset about the death of his mentor and great friend Fawcus, but he knuckled down to the task in hand, and sent out his first winner just 2 weeks after taking out the licence. That inaugural winner was Bubbled Over, who won the Hurn Apprentice Selling Handicap at Beverley on 14th June 1967. During that 1967 season he took on the 21 Fawcus horses and, despite his success, he left Ashgill for Tupgill at the end of the season and was replaced by Ernie Weymes.
1956 Champion Novice Chase at Manchester GLORIOUS TWELFTH 8/1 owned by H J Joel, trained by Bobby Renton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1956 Tantivy Chase at Hurst Park GLORIOUS TWELFTH 7/1 owned by H J Joel, trained by Bobby Renton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1957 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby SYMAETHIS NEPHEW 100/8 trained by Bobby Renton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1959 Mildmay of Flete Chase at the Cheltenham Festival SIRACUSA 9/4 fav owned by Mrs E Truelove, trained by Bobby Renton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1960 Becher Chase at Aintree CLEAR PROFIT 4/1 owned by Bernard Sunley, trained by R Newton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1960 Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree ERNEST 20/1 trained by Bobby Renton and ridden by Jumbo Wilkinson
1967 Hurn Apprentice Selling Handicap at Beverley BUBBLED OVER 10/1 trained by Jumbo Wilkinson and ridden by Alan Horrocks
1968-February 2000 Ernie Weymes
Ernest Weymes, more commonly known as Ernie, was born in 1935 and was the son of former jockey and racehorse trainer John Jack Weymes. He assisted his father at Tupgill Stables, and when his father died on 31st May 1958 Ernie successfully applied for a trainer's licence, aged just 23, to become the youngest trainer in the land, and took charge at Tupgill, starting with a string of 10. At the end of the 1967 season Ernie transferred his string to nearby Ashgill when his numbers increased to 37. Immediately after making the move to Ashgill Ernie thought he had hit upon a horse of real class when Meldrum won the Lockwood Beck 2-y-o Stakes at Redcar, although he then found his match in the Zetland Stakes at York. Undeterred, Weymes saw him win the South Gare Stakes back at Redcar, and thought he deserved his place in the Champion 2-y-o Stakes at Ripon which he duly won by a comfortable length and a half. Meldrum went into the winter as the top-rated Northern juvenile and was quietly fancied for the 2000 Guineas, but a career ending injury prevented him from taking his place in that Classic. Numbers fluctuated throughout his 33 years at Ashgill, reaching a high of 47 in 1978, and a low of 14 in 1992. Ernie was able to celebrate a winner at Ascot in 1977 when Sarissa landed the Princess Margaret Stakes. Two of his most important owners were Lord and Lady Howard de Walden, and in 1984 Ernie trained Incisive to win the Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock for Lady Howard de Walden.
1968 South Gare 2-y-o Stakes at Redcar MELDRUM 6/4 trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by P Hetherington
1968 Champion 2-y-o Stakes at Ripon MELDRUM 7/2 trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by P Hetherington
1971 Holyrood 3-y-o Stakes at Edinburgh LANZAROTE 5/1 owned by Lord Howard de Walden, trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Johnny Seagrave
1976 St Marygate 2-y-o Fillies Stakes at Ripon LADY MERE 20/1 trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Sandy Barclay
1976 Hornby 2-y-o Fillies Stakes at Catterick LADY MERE 5/6 fav trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Sandy Barclay
1976 Tadcaster Stakes at York LADY MERE 13/1 trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Sandy Barclay
1977 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot SARISSA 11/1 trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Edward Hide
1984 Beeswing Stakes at Newcastle MAJOR DON 3/1 fav trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Edward Hide
1994 1000 Guineas at Newmarket RANDONNEUR 100/1 owned by T A Scothern, trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Gary Hind unplaced behind Las Meninas
1995 Harry Needler Listed Stakes at Beverley TOP CAT 7/1 owned by Mrs A Birkett, trained by Ernie Weymes and ridden by Dean McKeown
1979-1985 Walter Bentley (Yard 2)
Walter Bentley, born deep in the South Yorkshire mining town of Barnsley on 15th January 1936, was the son of a miner, although Walter showed riding talent from an early age and joined the Middleham stables of Avril Vasey when Vasey was living at Ferngill. Walter partnered his first winner, Langton Lady, in the Apprentice Handicap Plate at Catterick on Friday 31st July 1953. Two years later, in November 1955 he won the November Handicap at Manchester riding Tearaway 40/1 for middleham trainer Sam Hall. Less than 6 months after that victory he won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar for another Middleham trainer, Jack Fawcus, steering Tale of Two Cities to victory. Walter married Freda (nee Robinson) on 8th May 1959, the couple setting up their home in Middleham, and the marriage was blessed with two children, Antony and Deborah. Although he was a good lightweight jockey, high profile winners were hard to come by for Walter, but he did ride Chester well, particularly on low drawn horses, winning the 1970 Chester Cup on Altogether 33/1, owned by Darwin scrap metal dealer Bill Bolton, and following up 3 years later with Crisalgo 12/1 for owner Jack Hanson. In 1979 Walter retired from race riding and successfully applied for a trainer's licence, basing himself in the second yard at Ashgill. In his first year he had a string of 8, but despite the small string he managed to guide Primula Boy to victory in the 1979 Ayr Gold Cup at 40/1 in the hands of future son-in-law Willie Higgins, although it paid over 100/1 on the Tote. Walter had a good working relationship with Primula Ltd who later sponsored a race at Newmarket in 1985 which was won by their own horse Miss Primula 20/1, trained again by Walter. Walter was also on good terms with Thirsk racecourse who, in 1985, ran the Walter Bentley Stakes divided into two divisions, the first went to Magic Bid trained by Barry Hills, the second to Darnit trained in Malton by Jimmy Etherington. The next year the same race became the Steve Norton Stakes. In 1985, and with his string standing at 13, he decided to transfer to Highwall Stables on the outskirts of the town of Middleham where he remained until 1995.
1953 Apprentice Handicap Plate at Catterick LANGTON LADY 11/8 fav trained by Avril Vasey and ridden by Walter Bentley
1955 November Handicap at Manchester TEARAWAY 40/1 owned by Jack Hanson, trained by Sam Hall and ridden by Walter Bentley
1956 Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar TALE OF TWO CITIES 10/1 owned by J McLean, trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Walter Bentley
1970 Chester Cup ALTOGETHER 33/1 owned by Bill Bolton trained by Bill Murray and ridden by Walter Bentley
1973 Chester Cup CRISALGO 12/1 owned by Jack Hanson, trained by Mac Turner and ridden by Walter Bentley
1979 Allendale Handicap at Doncaster PRIMULA BOY 11/1 owned by Primula Ltd, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by Willie Higgins
1979 Ayr Gold Cup PRIMULA BOY 40/1 owned by Primula Ltd, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by Willie Higgins
1985 Primula Maiden Stakes at Newmarket MISS PRIMULA 20/1 owned by Primula Ltd, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Guest
February 2000-2019 John Weymes
John Robert Weymes, born in 1969, son of trainer Ernie Weymes and grandson of jockey and trainer John Jack Weymes, has racing in his DNA, so it is no surprise that he assisted his father Ernie at Ashgill from 1992, and when Ernie announced his retirement in late 1999, John was lined up to take over the licence in February 2000. Ashgill stables, ideally located in close proximity to the Middleham Moor gallops, has 37 boxes, and in 2000 John took over the 24 horse string from Ernie. John notched up his first winner in a lowly seller, the Whitelaw Selling Stakes at Musselburgh on 24th August 2000 with White Star Lady. Within 2 years his string had increased to 39 and he was looking for additional boxes. He guided stable star Brigadore to third place in the prestigious Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, and the same horse won the Tote Bookmakers Showcase Handicap at Ayr worth £12,363. In 2006, John trained 14 winners from a string of 42, and he notched up 16 winners the next year, but then the virus struck in 2008 and he only amassed 9 winners. He had to pick himself up, working hard to fill 40 boxes in 2008. One of his favourite, and most hard working horses during this period was Almaty Express which ran 132 races for John, and was a Wolverhampton specialist, winning 17 times at the track, and its only other wins were single victories at Catterick and Chelmsford. In a 41-day period in early 2007 Almaty Express won 3 races at the track and was second on the other occasion. John really deserved free holidays at Pontins, for two of the wins were named the Go Pontins Handicap, and the third was the Pontins Family Holidays Handicap. In April 2010 John helped out a friend when Karl Burke required support, for John took charge of 30 horses, with Elaine Burke as his assistant, at Little Spigot until Spigot Lodge could be re-licenced again, enabling Elaine then to take charge. During the brief period when John was in charge at Little Spigot he guided Reignier to second place in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown behind Burning Thread. Horses in Training recorded that John had 15 horses in his care in 2015, the last time that the annual reported on John's horses, and John retired from the training ranks in 2019.
24th August 2000 Whitelaw Selling Stakes at Musselburgh WHITE STAR LADY 8/1 owned by White Star Racing, trained by John Weymes and ridden by Robert Winston
2003 Tote Bookmakers Showcase Handicap at Ayr BRIGADORE 5/1 owned by White Rose Poultry, trained by John Weymes and ridden by Tony Hamilton
2003 Molecomb Group 3 Stakes at Glorious Goodwood BRIGADORE 25/1 owned by White Rose Poultry, trained by John Weymes and ridden by Robert Winston third behind Whitbarrow
January 2007 Go Pontins Handicap at Wolverhampton ALMATY EXPRESS 7/1 owned by Sporting Occasions Racing, trained by John Weymes and ridden by William Buick
February 2007 Go Pontins Handicap at Wolverhampton ALMATY EXPRESS 8/13 fav owned by Sporting Occasions Racing, trained by John Weymes and ridden by William Buick
2007 Pontins Family Holiday Handicap at Wolverhampton ALMATY EXPRESS 9/2 owned by Sporting Occasions Racing, trained by John Weymes and ridden by William Buick
Chris Thornton, born on 30th June 1949, was appointed assistant to the veteran Spigot Lodge trainer Sam Hall in 1973 when he was just 23 years old. He supported Sam for the next 4 years, and when Sam died on 3rd July 1977 Chris successfully applied for a trainer's licence and took over the training of Sam's former horses. He spent the next 23 years at Spigot Lodge, training Northumberland Plate winners and Cheltenham winners, and was placed in the Epsom Derby. In 2000 Guy Reed sold Spigot Lodge to Newmarket trainer Karl Burke and Chris knew that he had to find new premises. He moved, on a temporary basis, to John Weymes stable until his own new stables on part of Sharp Hill Farm were ready to be occupied. After sharing with John Weymes at Ashgill for a period, Chris Thornton wondered where his next permanent base would be, for he was keen to stay in the vicinity of Middleham. He applied for a grant from the mid-Wensleydale Community Partnership, and when the Partnership were notified that the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency had received a European grant specifically for farm diversification, Chris's project seemed to fit the bill. A barn on Sharp Hill Farm, owned by G F Walton, was earmarked for redevelopment and planning permission was eventually approved to transform the barn into 27 indoor stables as well as offices and a training facility. The Barn was barely half a mile from the Low Moor Gallops, although it was considerably further away from the stables already on Sharp Hill Farm, and Chris took over occupancy of Dale House in 2001,
June 2002-present Andy Crook
Andrew Crook, born on 19th April 1955, hailed from Ripon in North Yorkshire and served his apprenticeship with Frank Carr. His inaugural winner was on Irish Word in the Tigers Apprentice Handicap at Leicester on Monday 28th May 1973 and, as his career developed, he worked for Terry Gillam and Steve Nesbitt, cementing his working relationship with Steve when marrying his daughter Margaret on 21st January 1978.
The couple later parted and Andy married Jackie, the pair supporting each other for over 35 years in developing an excellent training establishment at Ashgill. Andy also had stints with George Moore and Neville Crump in Middleham, and with Dick Hern. His highest profile winner as a jockey was in the Chesterfield Handicap at York when partnering Ubedizzy in 1977. In 1990 he joined Micky Hammond when Micky launched his training career at Tupgill Park, and remained with him when he transferred to Oakwood stables on the outskirts of the town. In April 2001, when Micky was experiencing personal difficulties, Andy successfully applied to take over the licence and gained invaluable experience throughout the 14 months when he was in charge at Oakwood.
2002 Kilmany Cup at Perth RYALUX 8/1 owned by William Lomax, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Andrew Thornton
2002 Ronnie MacPherson Birthday Handicap Chase at Ayr RYALUX 2/1 owned by William Lomax, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Andrew Thornton
2003 Scottish Grand National at Ayr RYALUX 15/2 owned by William Lomax, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Richie McLernon
2006 Totecourse Handicap Chase at Sedgefield MATMATA DE TENDRON 11/4 fav owned by Lucky Catch partnership, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Dougie Costello
2010 Cumberland Show Handicap Chase at Carlisle MATMATA DE TENDRON 25/1 owned by Lucky Catch partnership, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Michael O'Connell
2018 Follow on Twitter Now Handicap at Thirsk RACEMAKER 17/2 owned by Mrs Helen Sinclair, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Kevin Stott
2018 Sandylands Holiday Park Handicap at Ayr RACEMAKER 3/1 fav owned by Mrs Helen Sinclair, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Kevin Stott
2018 Racing UK Straight Mile Handicap Qualifier at Redcar RACEMAKER 7/1 owned by Mrs Helen Sinclair, trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Kevin Stott
APOLOGY (1874 Fillies Triple Crown, Coronation Stakes, 1876 Ascot Gold Cup)
MANGANESE (1856 1000 Guineas)
TARTAR (1792 St Leger)
SPADILLE (1787 St Leger)
PARAGON (1786 St Leger)
