1790-1820 John Mangle(s)
John Mangles, 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, Mangles 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. By then she had given birth to her fourth daughter, Catherine in 1793. In 1785 John Hoyle died leaving Mangles 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 in 1786, Spadille in 1787 and Young Flora in 1788. Mangles 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 in 1790.

Mangles 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 Kings Head Hotel in Richmond before his untimely death. John retired in 1820 and put Ashgill up for let, which was advertised in the York Herald on 25th March 1820, with particulars available from his great friend James Croft of Coverham Abbey, who famously saddled the first 4 home in the St Leger. John Mangles 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.

1830-1849 Thomas Dawson
Thomas Dawson, second son of the Dawson Family of Gullane, but the eldest son from his second marriage, left Gullane in 1830 to move south, settling at Brecongill stables, Middleham, in Yorkshire, where he trained for Lord Eglinton. On 13th December 1836 Thomas married Grant Watt Sutherland, who he met in Edinburgh, at Dirleton Church in East Lothian and the couple were blessed with 3 children. His more famous brother, Mathew, joined him at Brecongill in 1838 where he became Head Lad, and he was also joined at a later stage by his half-brother George, and other brothers John and Joseph who both served their apprenticeships with him. Whilst almost every other member of his famous family drifted towards Newmarket, Tom remained in Middleham, initially at Brecongill, and after 1849 at Tupgill. Tom was a pioneer trainer because the norm in those days was to sweat horses by wrapping them in heavy rugs in order to get rid of excess fat and surplus flesh, but he preferred to exercise them, and it clearly worked because he won 7 English Classics. The year 1842 was a pivotal year for Tom, winning both the Epsom Oaks with Our Nell (SR 1844), owned by his brother George, and the St Leger with Blue Bonnet (SR 1861) owned by Lord Eglinton, his most influential backer. In 1849 he moved across the Tupgill Estate to train at Tupgill stables where he enjoyed even more success.
1842 Epsom Oaks OUR NELL (SR 1844) 8/1 owned by George Dawson, trained by Tom Dawson and ridden by Tommy Lye
1842 St Leger at Doncaster BLUE BONNET (SR 1861) 8/1 owned by 13th Earl of Eglinton, trained by Tom Dawson and ridden by Tommy Lye

Students of racing history will be familiar with the exploits of the four Dawson brothers-Tom, Mat, Joseph and John, who trained the winners of 44 Classics between them. But perhaps lesser known is that two more brothers, George and James also trained. George was the oldest son of his trainer father George senior's first marriage, and was therefore an older half-brother to the other five. On leaving their Scottish roots Tom, with George as his assistant, began training at Brecongill in 1830. Their first Classic winner, 1842 Epsom Oaks winner Our Nell (SR 1844), was owned by George, named after sister Ellen, and ridden by brother-in-law Tommy Lye. George's death notice appeared in the Yorkshire Post 29th April 1867: 'We regret that Mr George Dawson expired at Middleham on Thursday last. He had suffered for some time past from cancer in the stomach. Deceased was half-brother of Messrs Thomas, Mathew, Joseph and John Dawson the well-known trainers, he being a son of their father's first wife. He acted as starter at several of the north country meetings.
The four younger boys also served time with Tom, James remaining in Yorkshire for his career. Mat, Joseph and John's outstanding careers are well chronicled from their West Berkshite locations, including at Lambourn, Russley, Ilsley & Compton through to their long standing successful tenures at Newmarket.
The next generation of Dawsons to train included Tom's sons George L (1837-1895) and Thomas S (1840-1886). Tom's only son-in-law was his future successor Fred Bates. John's sons included George P T (1856-1913), himself a trainer of 10 Classic winners, and John A (1859-1942). John was also father-in-law to the great Fred Archer.

1851-February 1868 John Mangle junior, Martin Mangle
On the death of John Mangle senior Brecongill was taken over by John Mangle junior and Martin Mangle, a surgeon, although there does not appear to have been the same desire to carry on the training tradition. John Mangle junior had certainly died by 1860 when his daughter, Mary, died at Brecongill on 16th July 1860 aged just 44. On 23rd May 1865 Martin Mangle married Anne Shepherd at Coverham Church, and Martin was keen to use the land on which Brecongill stood as a racecourse. He organised Coverdale Steeplechases on Thursday 4th January 1866 over a 3 mile course on pasture land at Brecongill, complete with 60 leaps over fences. The Stewards at the meeting were F A Milbank, the local MP, and W S Bruere, while the Judge was Mr Barrow and the starter was George Dawson.
Coverdale Hunt Steeplechase over 3 miles and 60 fences
1. THE WITCH 6/4 fav chestnut mare owned by job Marson and ridden by Hall
2. RATHRONAN 2/1 bay gelding owned by F A Milbank and ridden by Miller
3. KATHLEEN 4/1 brown mare owned by H Vyner and ridden by Couchman
4. LADY LOUISA 4/1 chestnut mare owned by J Doyle and ridden by Bradbury
Coverham Open Steeplechase over 3 miles and 60 fences
1. MAID OF THE MILL evens fav bay mare owned and ridden by Mr Marley
2. OLD MASTER 4/1 owned by T Hunter and ridden by Humble
3. NANCY 2/1 owned by H Grimshaw and ridden by Midgley
Selling Steeplechase over 2 miles and 40 fences
1. MARK TAPLEY 1/2 fav chestnut gelding owned by Captain Potter and ridden by Smith
2. FLOWER OF YARROW 4/1 owned and ridden by J Bell
3. BELLERBY 4/1 owned by Mr Arrowsmith and ridden by Midgley
Martin Mangle died in February 1868 and the house was occupied by the Bradford family. In December 1868 the engagement was announced between John Osborne and Miss Louisa Bradford of Brecongill Lodge, and in March 1869 John purchased Brecongill, and shortly afterwards John married Louisa and they set up house at Brecongill.

1920-1922 Frederick William Osborne
Although John Howe Osborne was still regarded as the trainer at Brecongill towards the end of his life, his son Frederick William Osborne, although regarded as his assistant, took over the training between 1920 and 1922. When his father John died on Sunday 1oth September 1922 Frederick took full charge and held the licence.

1922-November 1937 Frederick Osborne, Philip Osborne
As soon as the legendary jockey and trainer died in September 1922 the stables were taken over by his sons Frederick William Osborne, born in 1872, and Philip Bradshaw Osborne who shared training duties over the next 15 years. In December 1929 Fred suffered a bad fall on Middleham moor training gallops and was out of action for a while., although Philip was able to oversee the running of the stables. The stables were not anywhere near as successful as when John had been in charge, and by 1931 Frederick was down to just 3 horses which decreased to 2 by 1933 and remained low until he retired in November 1937. In the year in which he finally decided to retire he had just a single horse, Golden Glow, which was owned by a family friend.

1941-1944 Charles Francis Noel Murless
Charles Francis Noel Murless, born on 24th March 1910, began his training career at Hambleton Lodge, Yorkshire in 1935, but in 1941 he transferred to Brecongill, on the Tupgill Estate near Middleham where he trained just 9 horses in that first year when his best horse was Understudy. He remained at Brecongill for a further 3 years, training a string of 7 in 1942, just 3 in 1943, and 16 in his final year near Middleham. In March 1942 he received a boost when Pennyrue, Quizler, Oatmeal, Victory Roll and Pennyphorum were all transferred from Templeman's Lambourn stable to Brecongill to be trained by Murless. In 1943 it was only right that he should win the Brecongill Apprentice Handicap at Stockton with Mrs G B Portman's Sejanus, and he continued to enjoy success with the same horse the next year. In 1945 he returned to Hambleton Lodge stables before transferring to Beckhampton. In 1947 he was crowned Champion Trainer for the first time after moving to the famous Beckhampton Stables in Wiltshire, but by 1950 he was on the move again, taking over from Sam Armstrong at Warren Place Stables at the foot of Newmarket's Warren Hill. In 1952, whilst continuing to train, he became manager of the Eve Stud for Sir Victor Sassoon, later purchasing the Stud after Sir Victor's death, renaming it Woodditton Stud. He landed his first English Classic with Crepello (SR 2019) in the 1957 2000 Guineas, going on to achieve his inaugural Epsom Derby win with the same horse later in the year. In the 1960s Sir Noel employed Sandy Barclay as his first jockey, with Bill Rickaby as a replacement when necessary. In 1966 his daughter Julie married Henry Cecil, although they later divorced in 1990. In a career spanning 26 years at Warren Place, Noel won 19 English Classics and a further 2 Irish Classics, including 3 Epsom Derby victories; 1957 Crepello (SR 2019), 1960 St Paddy (SR 2047) and 1967 Royal Palace (SR 2031). He retired from training in 1976, received a knighthood in 1977 and died on 9th May 1987.
1943 Brecongill Apprentice Handicap at Stockton SEJANUS 4/1 owned by Mrs G B Portman, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by R Carson
1943 Pontefract Handicap SEJANUS 100/8 owned by Mrs G B Portman, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by J Taylor
1944 Stockton Handicap SEJANUS 7/1 owned by Mrs G B Portman, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by J Taylor
1944 Blackiston Sweepstake at Stockton SHEPERDINE 4/1 trained by Noel Murless and ridden by W Bullock
1944 Pontefract Handicap MASHALLAH 100/7 owned by Captain A Johnstone, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by J Taylor

1945-December 1948 Thomas Hall
Thomas Hall, brother of trainers Charlie and Sam Hall, was born in 1905 and first took out a trainer's licence in 1932, training with his brother Charlie at Towton, Tadcaster before relocating to Brecongill, Middleham in 1945. He married Agnes Hall and had a daughter Sally in 1939 who was a successful trainer in her own right many years after her father had died. In 1945 his string at Brecongill numbered 30, although this decreased to 22 the next year before increasing to 29 and 32 in each of the next 2 years. In 1945 he achieved a double at Pontefract when Sister Patricia won the Sheffield Handicap at 9/2, followed the very next race by Woodman 7/4 fav in the Newby Stakes. In 1947 he trained 38 winners, the best of which was Wetheral in the King George VI Stakes at Liverpool when partnered by Doug Smith. He quietly fancied Cosmopolitan for the 1947 Lincoln Handicap but was unsuccessful, and also fancied Miraculous Atom in the Lincoln Autumn Cup, but failed once again. In 1948 he amassed 30 winners, including Good Taste in the North Riding Cup at Redcar over the Cambridgeshire distance, but injury prevented him taking up the Cambridgeshire engagement. Tom was admitted to Leeds Infirmary in December 1948 and died there on Monday 13th December 1948 aged just 43.
1945 Sheffield Handicap at Pontefract SISTER PATRICIA 9/2 trained by Tom Hall and ridden by C Spares
1945 Newby Stakes at Pontefract WOODMAN 7/4 fav trained by Tom Hall and ridden by H Jamieson
1947 King George VI Stakes at Liverpool WETHERAL 9/2 fav owned by F Ellison, trained by Tom Hall and ridden by Doug Smith
1948 North Riding Cup at Redcar GOOD TASTE 7/4 fav trained by Tom Hall and ridden by Billy Nevett

1968-2016 Sally Hall
Sarah Elizabeth Hall, more commonly known as Sally, was born in 1939, daughter of trainer Tom Hall and his wife Agnes, sister-in-law to trainer Ryan Jarvis, niece of trainers Sam and Charlie Hall, and cousin of trainer Kate Walton, so she had all the credentials and contacts to become a racehorse trainer, taking over from her uncle Sam at Brecongill when she secured her trainers licence on Thursday 14th March 1968. She became one of the first female trainers in the UK, following in the footsteps of Mrs Florence Nagle and Rosemary Lomax. Sally was an accomplished horsewoman, and rode in the historic Newmarket Town Plate on 4 occasions, winning it in 1965 aboard Dalnamein, and repeating that success two years later when riding Sagely 5/2 favourite. Once she received her trainer's licence she was ineligible to ride in the race again. She also won the Queen's Plate on the island of Jersey no less than 4 times. She began at Brecongill with 30 horses, a number she maintained for her first 3 years, although numbers did then dip to 18 by 1974, even though Brecongill had 44 boxes. By the early 1980s numbers had increased to the low 30s, and one of her best years was 1982 when she trained 30 horses. In that year she trained Secret Gill, owned by loyal owner William Barker, to land the Holsten Diat Pils Handicap at Ayr, while Cool Decision won the 1982 Ladbroke Ayrshire Handicap at Ayr for another loyal supporter C Platts. Middlin Thrang, also owned by William Barker, was another good money spinner, winning the 1982 Ralph Lawson Memorial Handicap at her local track, Catterick. However, the highlight of her year came in September, the month she was nominated by Lanson Champagne for trainer of the month on the back of a fantastic double at York on Saturday 9th October 1982 which would have given her tremendous satisfaction. She won the Carling Black Label Handicap with Secret Gill at 9/2, and followed up a couple of races later in the Sam Hall Memorial Handicap with Miss Diaward at 4/1, owned by Mrs M Grant, giving Sally a 26.5/1 double. York was a good hunting ground for her because Sally won the 1980 John Smith's Cup with Fine Sun, ridden by Nicky Howe, in the days when it was still known as the Magnet Cup. Throughout the 1980s she maintained strings in the high 20s, while in the 1990s numbers fluctuated between 31 in 1990 and 23 in 1998. It was in the early 1990s that Sally trained Alderbrook during his formative years. The horse did not start to race until 1992, at three years old, and had transferred to Julie Cecil before winning its fifth race, a low-class handicap at Goodwood, after which he won one more race before being sent off to pursue a hurdling career. Famously, in 1995, Alderbrook won the Champion Hurdle. In 1995 Sally trained the appropriately named Brecongill Lad which won the NGK Spark Plugs Handicap at Newmarket and Asenby Handicap at Thirsk before moving stables.

In October 1999 Agnes Hall, widow of the late Tom Hall and mother of Sally, died at Brecongill at the grand old age of 95, having bred more than 100 winning thoroughbred horses. At the turn of the millennium Sally was training 18 horses, but she then concentrated on developing Brecongill Stud, so her numbers declined to less than 10 after 2005. In 2015, with just 7 horses, she won the Thirsk Summer Cup with Altharoos to remind her, once again, of the glory days. Sally retired from the training and breeding ranks in 2016, leasing Brecongill to various trainers, including James Horton in April 2022.
1980 John Smiths Magnet Cup at York FINE SUN 10/1 trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Nicky Howe
1980 Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Aintree JUBILLE SAINT 8/1 trained by Sally Hall and ridden by David Goulding
1982 Holsten Diat Pils Handicap at Ayr SECRET GILL 5/2 fav owned by William Barker, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Kevin Hodgson
1982 Carling Black Label Handicap at York SECRET GILL 9/2 fav owned by William Barker, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Kevin Hodgson
1982 Ladbroke Ayrshire Handicap at Ayr COOL DECISION 4/1 owned by C Platts, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Nicky Howe
1982 Ralph Lawson Memorial Handicap at Catterick MIDDLIN THRANG 15/8 fav owned by William Barker, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Paul Bradwell
1982 Sam Hall Memorial Handicap at York MISS DIAWARD 4/1 owned by Mrs M Grant, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Mark Birch
1985 Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot HALLGATE 3/1 fav owned by Hippodrome Racing, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Kevin Hodgson
1986 Diadem Stakes at Ascot HALLGATE 11/4 jt fav owned by Hippodrome Racing, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Greville Starkey
1995 NGK Spark Plugs Handicap at Newmarket BRECONGILL LAD 7/1 owned by Three Horse Shoes Partnership, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Nicky Connorton
1995 Asenby Handicap at Thirsk BRECONGILL LAD 7/2 owned by Three Horse Shoes Partnership, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Nicky Connorton
2015 Beverley Folk Festival Handicap ALTHAROOS 9/1 owned by C Platts, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Tony Hamilton
2015 Thirsk Summer Cup Handicap ALTHAROOS 22/1 owned by C Platts, trained by Sally Hall and ridden by Dougie Costello

2021-present James Horton
James Horton, one of the latest recruits to the training ranks, received a good grounding in the art of training, spending time with Sir Mark Prescott at Heath House Stables, Newmarket, Peter Moody in Australia, Roger Charlton at Beckhampton and Sir Michael Stoute at Freemason Lodge, Newmarket. He then successfully applied for a trainer's licence in 2021 when James, and his partner Maria, took over part of Brecongill Stables leased by Sally Hall. He began training for the owner-breeder pair of John & Jess Dance, and hit the ground running on 18th April 2022 when he landed a near 140/1 treble with Asjad, Il Bandito and Phantom Flight. However, he would surely have got more satisfaction when guiding Sam Maximus to victory in the Listed Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket before the horse went on to run a creditable 3 length second to Art Power in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes at The Curragh. To have achieved so much in such a short time, the future certainly looks bright for James.
18th April 2022 Market Cross Jewellers Handicap at Redcar ASJAD 9/1 owned by John & Jess Dance, trained by James Horton and ridden by P J McDonald
18th April 2022 Join Racing TV Now Handicap at Redcar IL BANDITO 11/4 owned by John & Jess Dance, trained by James Horton and ridden by P J McDonald
18th April 2022 watch Racing TV Novice Stakes at Redcar PHANTOM FLIGHT 11/4 owned by John & Jess Dance, trained by James Horton and ridden by P J McDonald
2022 Jenningsbet Listed Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket SAM MAXIMUS 14/1 owned by John & Jess Dance, trained by James Horton and ridden by P J McDonald
2022 Renaissance Stakes Group 3 at The Curragh SAM MAXIMUS 9/1 runner-up to Art Power

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