Green Lodge and Woodlands, although separate stables, have been intrinsically linked through time, often being occupied by the same training teams, sometimes extending to include Hurworth (Meynell) House Stables. Green Lodge, built of red brick in 1855, was designed by architect John Clarke, and occupied by James Ryan for almost 40 years, while nearby Woodlands House was built in 1871 of red brick and fish scale slate. Ryan's principal owners were Mr Joseph H Houldsworth and Douglas Baird, winning 3 classics for the latter owner.
June 1869-December 1874 Charles Lynch Thorp, Louis Merton (Green Lodge)
Charles Lynch Thorp, born near Doncaster, was a much-travelled trainer who finished his training career in Newmarket. He began training in 1852 at Bennetthorpe, close to Doncaster racecourse, before moving to Letcombe Regis, but in 1866 he was training under both rules in France, after a spell as head lad to Edwin Parr. He then got to know Elyott Bower, the nom de course of Mr Louis Merton, an English financier who spent much of his colourful life in Paris and who was to become Thorp's principal patron. Mr Thorp added a few of his own horses to Bower's string and in June 1869 Elyott Bower took over Green Lodge stable which had previously been owned by Richard Cotton. Louis Merton, who remained his main owner, died in January 1874 and Charles Thorp died on 10 December 1874.
For over 4 centuries racing has been staged in Newmarket, but how have the racecourses evolved from an initial starting point at Fleam Dyke Pumping Station, some 8 miles from the town, with a winning post barely 200 metres from the town centre, into two world recognized, excellent racecourses and a universal acceptance that Newmarket is the Headquarters of racing?
To access an interactive racecourse map showing over 50 individually named racecourses CLICK HERE. The map will enable you to:-
1. Determine when extended races over 8 miles, 6 miles and 4 miles began to be replaced by the courses now visited by thousands annually;
2. Consider how the challenge of crossing the Devil's Dyke was overcome;
3. Contemplate why the town no longer has a steeplechase course despite having at least 5 courses during the past 2 centuries;
4. Examine the practicalities of having up to 48 starting posts and winning posts;
5. Appreciate that it was not financially viable to have an open racecourse spread widely across the heath, with a finishing post barely 200 metres from the town centre;
6. Research how and why the Cambridgeshire Handicap has been contested over 3 different courses.
NOTE: The map does not make mention of 2 particular courses:-
(i) Sefton Course (also known as the Cambridge Road Course)
Source: 1970 Raceform. Used from 1959 to 1975.
(ii) New Circular Course
The Circular Handicap was run on Friday 29th October 1875 on the New Circular Course of about two miles.
Source: London Standard (30th October 1875): ''the horses started near the Turn of the Lands, ran back way of the Cambridgeshire Course towards the Ditch, and afterwards proceeded down the side of the Tan Gallop, and turned into the Rowley Mile near the Bretby Stakes starting post, finishing at the stand at the end of the flat. Except in the hollow near the Cambridgeshire start the runners should have been visible all the way if the sky had been bright and clear''.
Another report hoped that the Circular Handicap would become a feature in future programmes, as it would be contested in front of the new grandstand which would be completed in about a year and would be able to accommodate thousands.
(I am grateful to Tim Cox for bringing attention to these 2 courses.)
Enjoy researching the intriguing history of Newmarket and its many racecourses.
1871-1910 James Ryan (Mr Cox/Mr Fairie)
James Ryan, born in Gullane 1836, spent his boyhood days in Irvine where his father trained for Mr J N Houldsworth. James rode and trained steeplechasers for Mr J H Houldsworth, and was enticed south to Newmarket by Houldsworth, settling at the newly built Woodlands House in 1871, training at neighbouring Green Lodge Stables. He married Rosa Jarvis, sister of William A Jarvis, and they had one son who tragically died of the typhoid epidemic which swept through Newmarket. He trained at the historic stables for almost 40 years, retiring in 1910 following the death of Mr Joseph H Houldsworth, his principal owner, although much of the day to day running of the stable had already passed into the hands of his son-in-law William Jarvis junior. He packed a lot into that forty years, although he always maintained that his best horse was Springfield at the very start of his Newmarket training career.
1873 Northumberland Plate FALKLAND 100/30 jt fav owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1875 Prince of Wales's Plate at York SPRINGFIELD 4/1 owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1875 Gimcrack Stakes SPRINGFIELD 4/9 fav owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1876 Fern Hill Stakes at Royal Ascot SPRINGFIELD owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1876 New Biennial Stakes at Royal Ascot SPRINGFIELD owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1876 Bagnor Stakes at Goodwood SPRINGFIELD owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1876 Bradgate Stakes at Doncaster SPRINGFIELD owned by Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1876 July Cup SPRINGFIELD owned by Mr Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Thomas Osborne
1877 July Cup SPRINGFIELD owned by Mr Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Tom Osborne
1877 Queen's Stand Plate SPRINGFIELD owned by Mr Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Tom Osborne
1877 Champion Stakes SPRINGFIELD owned by Mr Joseph Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Tom Osborne
1878 July Stakes RUPERRA owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Charlie Wood
1878 Ascot Biennial Stakes RUPERRA owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Charlie Wood
1878 Manchester Cup ATTALUS 100/7 owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Hopkins
1879 Great Yorkshire Stakes RUPERRA 100/7 owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Charlie Wood
1886 New Stakes ENTERPRISE 100/12 owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by George Barrett
1886 July Stakes ENTERPRISE 2/1 jt fav owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Fred Archer
1887 Ascot Gold Cup BIRD OF FREEDOM owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Billy Warne
1888 1000 Guineas BRIAR-ROOT (SR 1932) 100/8 owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Billy Warne
1889 2000 Guineas ENTHUSIAST (SR 1964) 25/1 owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Tom Cannon senior
1889 Sussex Stakes ENTHUSIAST 6/4 fav owned by Douglas Baird, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Billy Warne
1899 Select Stakes EAGER 8/100 fav owned by Mr Fairie, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Morny Cannon
1895 1000 Guineas GALEOTTA (SR 1939) 100/8 owned by Alfred Cox (aka Mr Fairie), trained by James Ryan and ridden by Fred Pratt
1901 Great Yorkshire Handicap at Doncaster BALSARROCH 6/1 owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by Joe Childs
1901 Cesarewitch BALSARROCH 25/1 owned by Mr J H Houldsworth, trained by James Ryan and ridden by W Aylin
December 1902-04 John Musker, Albert John Gilbert
In December 1902 John Musker leased Green Lodge Stables from James Ryan, although Albert John Gilbert remained in charge of training, having moved from Rushford where he had trained for John Musker. During his brief spell at Green Lodge Gilbert employed foemer jockey and Malton trainer Tom Bruckshaw as his Head Lad/Assistant, but they enjoyed little success, and by the end of the 1904 season Gilbert had departed for Hackness Villa, Queensbury Lodge and eventually Lambourn.
After the departure of Albert Gilbert in 1904 John Musker employed Charles Waugh, but the partnership was not a successful one and had ended by early 1905.
1905-Autumn 1906 John Musker, Georege Enoch
In 1904-5 it was all change at Green Lodge with Gilbert and Charles Waugh severing their connection with John Musker, and eventually George Enoch replaced them for just over a year. George Enoch was born in Newmarket and educated at Glenwood College in the High Street. He held a licence to train on the Flat in 1905 and 1906 and became private trainer to Mr John Musker at Green Lodge. After a disasterous season in 1905 Mr Musker moved the horses to Rushford, near Thetford, the horses shortly afterwards being sold to his son Harold who took over the licence there himself in autumn 1906, at the same time as Enoch left Green Lodge. Mr Musker tried to dispose of his lease of Green Lodge, including holding an auction in July 1906 without there being a bid, and after leasing it to William Jarvis, he eventually passed it to Sam H Darling.
1907-1911 W R Jarvis, James Ryan
William Jarvis, son-in-law of trainer James Ryan, had taken charge of Green Lodge stables some years before James officially retired in 1910 but he moved to Waterwitch House to continue his training career.
1911-16 Sam H Darling
Sam Darling, brother of Fred Darling who was training in Germany in 1911, took over Green Lodge Stables in 1911 for principal owner Sir Samuel Scott. In October 1911 Sam was made a tempting offer to train in Austria, but he declined the offer because he felt he had a strong string of horses at Green Lodge. He continued to train at Green Lodge until the end of the 1916 season.
December 1916-August 1918 E de Mestre
Australian trainer Etienne George de Mestre, born 1874, was the eldest son of the legendary Australian trainer Etienne de Mestre, and moved to England in 1910 to begin his training career at Malton, North Yorkshire, followed by Middleham, to take charge of Mr G W Smith's horses, and then to Knaresborough. His father, Etienne, in Australia's Hall of Fame, owned and trained Archer, winner of the first two Melbourne Cups in 1861 and 1862, both ridden by John Cutts. He later won the 1867 Melbourne Cup with Tim Whiffler, ridden by John Driscoll, and then achieved back to back wins in 1877 and 1878 with Chester and Calamia respectively. He died in Moss Vale, New South Wales on 22nd October 1916 while his son was in England. Etienne junior gained early success at his Malton Stables, purchasing Junior for just 500 guineas in December 1911. The colt went on to win the Manchester Cup (£2560), Ebor Handicap (£850), Chesterfield Cup (£577), Bibury Cup (£827) and the Limekiln and Atlantic Stakes (£1719) giving his owner a handsome return on his investment. At the same time as Junior was beating all before him, de Mestre was sent horses by Sir William Tatem. De Mestre felt the location and size of his Yorkshire stable was limiting his progress as a trainer, so he upped sticks and relocated to stables in Bishop's Canning, Wiltshire, before moving on to Green Lodge Stables in December 1916. He left Green Lodge towards the end of the War to join Solly Joel, eventually taking over Moulton Paddocks in 1922 after Solly had purchased it by auction on the death of Sir Ernest Cassel.
1916 July Stakes BACHELOR'S DOUBLE colt 4/9 fav owned by Sir William Tatem, trained by Etienne de Mestre and ridden by Joe Childs
1916 Visitors Apprentice Plate at Newmarket TINGVALLA 9/2 owned by Sir William Tatem, trained by Etienne de Mestre and ridden by Aldridge
February 1917-1919 John Day
John Day was born on 16 October 1884 at Snodland, a small town in North Kent, the son of a commercial traveller, and became apprenticed to Sam Darling at Beckhampton. He held a Flat jockey's licence up to 1913 but most of his considerable riding success was on the Continent. He began to train at Stockbridge in 1914 before moving to the late Mr Pirie's stables at Letcombe Regis in January 1916. While keeping his Berkshire establishment he took additional stabling at Woodlands Stable, Newmarket, in February 1917, sharing the stables with de Mestre. At some time in 1918 he also rented Lansdowne House stables from Mrs Watts. In September 1917 he asked for his exemption from the forces to be extended, having twice been rejected for service and was on a special diet. He received a conditional exemption. In early 1918 he considered a move to Beckhampton but this came to nothing and Day kept his Newmarket satellite in 1918, but after the War he moved his entire establishment to Epsom, even returning to the saddle for the 1919 season to ride for McGuffie, and Day's horses went to Francis Cobb.
1920-38 Basil Jarvis
Basil Jarvis, second son of trainer William Jarvis, was born at Waterwitch House on 23rd October 1886, starting work as a flat race jockey until weight became an issue. He began his training career in 1909 at Boyce House, having previously assisted William Jarvis at Green Lodge Stables and The Grange, training for Sir Victor Sassoon and Marcel Boussac. He married Ellen May Townsend, 4th daughter of Charles Townsend of Fordham, at Fordham Parish Church on 10th December 1913 when Herbert Jones was best man. Basil Jarvis left Boyce House and stables at the end of 1911, moving to Primrose Cottage. He closed down his stable there at the end of 1915 to become Private B E Jarvis before being promoted to Lance-Corporal. Basil Jarvis returned to take charge at Green Lodge Stables at the end of the 1920 season once Lord Rosebery sold Primrose Cottage Stables to Frank Curzon. In the 18 years he was master of Green Lodge Stables he enjoyed tremendous success, particularly in the early years, although he did receive a setback in September 1921 when Lady Nunburnholme decided to remove her horses from Green Lodge and place them at Moulton Paddocks. In June 1921 he won the Ascot Gold Cup with Periosteum, owned by his good friend Benjamin Irish, the Queen's Gold Vase with Copyright, the Ascot Derby with Nippon, and the Coronation Stakes with Donna Branca. Two years later he won the 1923 Chester Vase with Papyrus, and then crowned his training career by winning the Epsom Derby with Papyrus (SR 1985). In October 1938 Basil had a string of over 30 horses at Green Lodge Stables, with patrons which included Sir Victor Sassoon, Major J S Courtauld and J P Hornung. However, at the end of that season Basil was appointed Lord Glanely's trainer at Grange Stables, replacing Captain T Hogg. He continued to train until 1947, after which he switched his interest to breeding.
1921 Ascot Gold Cup PERIOSTEUM 4/1 owned by Ben Irish, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Frank Bullock
1921 Gold Vase (Queen's Vase) COPYRIGHT 2/1 owned by Ben Irish, trained b y Basil Jarvis and ridden by Frank Bullock
1921 Coronation Stakes DONNA BRANCA 2/1 fav owned by Mr J S Courtauld, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Frank Bullock
1921 Ascot Derby (King Edward VII Stakes) NIPPON 5/1 owned by Mr J P Hornung, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Frank Bullock
1923 Chester Vase PAPYRUS evens fav owned by Ben Irish, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Steve Donoghue
1923 Epsom Derby PAPYRUS (SR 1985) 100/15 owned by Ben Irish, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Steve Donoghue
1923 Duke of York Stakes PAPYRUS owned by Ben Irish, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Steve Donoghue
1931 Champion Stakes GOVESCAS owned by Marcel Boussac, trained by Basil Jarvis and ridden by Charlie Elliott
Ted Banham
I am grateful to Philippa Castle, granddaughter of jockey and one time trainer Edward (Ted) George Banham. She wrote that Ted Banham first rode in stables in Newmarket in the early 20s before going to South America, in particular Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) to ride, but found it had its shortcomings in terms of sticking to the rules of racing and was not to his liking. He returned to Newmarket to resume his riding career with Basil Jarvis at Green Lodge/Woodland stables. In 1923 Basil Jarvis trained a superstar horse, Papyrus (SR 1985) at Green Lodge, winning the 1923 Epsom Derby and going on to train the horse to run second to Tranquil (SR 1951) in the 1923 St Leger. Straight after the St Leger a challenge was launched by the Americans to match Papyrus against their star horse Zev. Papyrus was shipped to the USA with his own special food mix, his stablemate Bargold, the stable cat, Basil Jarvis, his trainer, Steve Donoghue, his regular jockey, and Ted Banham, his stable lad and work jockey. On Tuesday 9th October 1923 Ted Banham rode Papyrus at Belmont Park in his first exercise since arriving in New York, completing the mile and a quarter gallop in 2 mins 18.4 seconds, while Zev had a gallop over 3 furlongs at the same time. The scene was set for the match, with a bet of 13,000 dollars to 5,000 laid on Zev. There were at least two further pieces of work by Papyrus before the day of the match, each time Ted Banham partnering Papyrus. Many factors were against Papyrus, the long sea voyage, the change in race conditions, the unusual stable environment despite having his cat and stable companion with him. However, the greatest factor against him was that the match took place on the dirt track at Belmont Park, and there was heavy rain the day before the race, so that the track became a sea of mud. The Americans were used to dealing with such conditions, fitting special racing shoes called mud caulks, to Zev, while Papyrus wore his ordinary racing plates. In the event the race, in front of a crowd of 70,000, proved to be a mismatch, and Zev won by an easy 5 lengths. Whilst at Green Lodge Ted realised many of the owners had second winter homes in Kenya in the 20s, providing him with an opportunity. There was limited racing in Kenya at that time, so Ted went to the October sales in Newmarket, purchased 14 thoroughbreds and accompanied them on their journey by sea to Kenya in 1926. Once there he helped extend racing opportunities in Kenya, advising on the building of additional racecourses in the country, and even won an early Kenyan Derby in 1928, a race which was first run in 1914. Racing first took place in Kenya in 1904 at Machakos, although at that time it was with small ponies rather than thoroughbreds. It was later extended to include meetings at Kariokor, and then Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki and Limuru. He set himself up as a trainer, whilst also riding for all the UK wealthy expats in Kenya who he had previously ridden for in the UK. In 1930 he returned to England and joined the yard of Frank Butters at Fitzroy House, Newmarket where the Aga Khan, and his successor Prince Aly Khan, had horses. He also rode for Sir Alfred Butt whilst at the yard.
At the 1921 Royal Ascot meeting Newmarket Stables dominated, winning a greater proportion of first prize money than any other location, outperforming Lambourn/Ilsley and other training centres. Eight different Newmarket Stables provided winners, with Basil Jarvis leading the way.
Basil Jarvis
Coronation Stakes:-DONNA BRANCA (2/1)
Gold Cup:-PERIOSTEUM (4/1)
Ascot Derby (King Edward VII Stakes:-NIPPON (5/1)
Gold Vase (Queen's Vase):-COPYRIGHT (2/1 fav)
Leach
Ascot Stakes:-SPEARWORT (100/7)
Queen Alexandra Stakes:-SPEARWORT (5/2 jt fav)
E De Mestre
Coventry Stakes:-PONDOLAND (5/4 fav)
Prince of Wales Stakes:-POLYMESTOR (3/1)
R C Dawson
Hardwicke Stakes:-FRANKLIN (7/1)
Fern Hill Stakes (Sandringham):-VENCEDOR (5/2)
H Cottrill
Queen Mary Stakes:-WILD MINT (8/1)
Dundas
Chesham Stakes:-TORLINDA (10/1)
S Pickering
Wokingham Handicap:-SANTAQUEST (100/30 fav)
Bob Sherwood
All-Aged (Diamond Jubilee Stakes):-TETE A TETE (Evens)
In 1912, prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Claude Halsey was training at Sackville House. He was the son of the successful jockey and trainer William (Bill) Halsey, and was born in 1889, riding his first winner in 1904. Claude's training career was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, but he resumed training after the War, enjoying his most successful period as a trainer between 1920 and 1940 at Chantilly, France where his chief patron was Monsieur Alexandre Aumont. In November 1913 he married Doris Watts, daughter of the late trainer Jack Watts, at St Mary's Church, Newmarket, and was given away by her brother, the trainer J E Watts, although they later had an acrimonious divorce. After the Second World War ended he moved to Saville House, Newmarket between 1945 and 1946, before transferring a year later to Somerville Lodge where his son Alan acted as his assistant trainer, remaining at Somerville until his death in 1955. In August 1947-1950 he utilised Green Lodge as an overflow yard.
1950s-60s Norman Bertie, Jack Clayton
At some stage in the 1950s or 1960s it is thought that the training combination of Norman Bertie and Jack Clayton, although based primarily at Bedford House Stables, where Bertie enjoyed Epsom Derby success with Pinza in 1953, also owned Green Lodge Stables, although it is not known whether they stabled any horses there.
Tingle Creek
Tingle Creek, a chestnut gelding by Goose Creek out of Martingle, was bred in 1966 by American owner-breeder Mrs Wallace Whittaker and raced over fences in USA before arriving in Britain at the age of 6. In seven seasons the flamboyant Tingle Creek, thrilling crowds with his front-running style, won 23 of his 53 races, including 3 Sandown Pattern Chase victories.
1973 Sandown Pattern Chase TINGLE CREEK 4/7 fav owned by Helen Whittaker, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by David Mould
1973 Benson & Hedges Handicap Chase at Sandown TINGLE CREEK 5/2 owned by Helen Whittaker, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by David Mould
1977 Sandown Pattern Chase TINGLE CREEK 3/1 owned by Helen Whittaker, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Dian Watkinson
1978 Sandown Pattern Chase TINGLE CREEK 7/2 owned by Helen Whittaker, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Steve Smith Eccles
1951-96 Harry Thompson Jones
Harry Thomson Jones, son of Victor Jones an army officer in India, was universally known as 'Tom Jones', and was born at Amesbury, Wiltshire on 28th April 1925 and educated at Eton College. He became assistant to Bob Fetherstonhaugh at The Curragh in 1947, later joing Sam Armstrong in Newmarket in 1949. He married Solna Marianne Anita Joel, daughter of the wealthy racehorse owner Stanhope Joel, on Tuesday 14th March 1950 and they had 3 children before divorcing. He became a licensed trainer in 1951, taking over at The Woodlands and Green Lodge, developing into a highly successful dual code trainer. His first winner was Coquet Light at Kempton in May 1952. He trained the legendary Tingle Creek to win 23 of his 52 races, 11 of which were at his beloved Sandown Park, and he later had a race named after him. He also won the 1965 and 1967 Gloucestershire Hurdle with Red Tears and Chorus respectively, and guided Frenchman's Cove to victory in the 1962 Whitbread Gold Cup and 1964 King George VI Chase. In the early 1970s he focussed more on training for the flat and enjoyed spectacular success. He won the 1971 St Leger with Athens Wood (SR 1975) for Mrs Eileen Rogerson, daughter of racehorse owner Solly Joel, and by 1977 the opportunity arose for him to take over neighbouring Hurworth House Stables as an overflow yard to his growing enterprise. He repeated his St Leger success with Touching Wood (SR 1966) for Maktoum Al Maktoum in 1982, the horse following up in the Irish St Leger. On the back of that success for the Maktoum family, Hamdan Al Maktoum became his principal owner and was rewarded with numerous successes with his filly Al Bahathri who won the Lowther Stakes as a 2-year-old, and went on to win the 1985 Irish 1000 Guineas before cementing her superiority in the Coronation Stakes. Harry trained his final winner over jumps at Worcester on 12th October 1996 when Agdistis was successful. He retired at the end of the 1996 season and died on 5th December 2007.
1954 Lowther Stakes OUR BETTERS 4/1 owned by Stanhope Joel, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1962 Imperial Stakes SAUCEPAN 100/8 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1962 Coventry Handicap Chase (Racing Post Trophy) FRENCHMAN'S COVE 4/5 fav owned by Mr Stanhope Joel, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1962 Whitbread Gold Cup FRENCHMAN'S COVE 7/2 fav owned by Mr Stanhope Joel, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1963 Churchill Stakes LONDON GAZETTE 11/2 owned by Mrs Victor McCalmont, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1964 King George VI Chase FRENCHMAN'S COVE 4/11 fav owned by Mr Stanhope Joel, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1965 Gloucestershire Hurdle (Supreme Novices Hurdle) RED TEAR 7/1 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1967 Gloucestershire Hurdle CHORUS 15/2 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Johnny Haine
1970 Solario Stakes ATHENS WOOD 2/1 owned by Mrs Eileen Rogerson, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1970 Welsh Champion Hurdle FROZEN ALIVE 5/1 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1970 Champion Novice Hurdle FROZEN ALIVE trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Stan Mellor
1971 Ribblesdale Stakes FLEET WAHINE owned by Richard Ohrstrom, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1971 Gordon Stakes ATHENS WOOD 7/4 fav owned by Mrs Eileen Rogerson, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1971 Yorkshire Oaks FLEET WAHINE owned by Richard Ohrstrom, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Geoff Lewis
1971 Great Voltigeur Stakes ATHENS WOOD 13/8 fav owned by Mrs Eileen Rogerson, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Lester Piggott
1971 St Leger ATHENS WOOD (SR 1975) 5/2 owned by Mrs Eileen Rogerson, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Lester Piggott
1972 Champion Novices Chase CLEVER SCOT 11/1 owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by David Mould
1972 National Hunt Handicap Chase JOMON 8/1 owned by Mrs Tilly Jones, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by David Mould
1974 Massey Ferguson Gold Cup GARNISHEE 12/1 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by David Mould
1976 Lowther Stakes ICENA 25/1 trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Brian Taylor
1977 Long Walk Hurdle JOHN CHERRY owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Steve Smith Eccles
1977 Queen Alexandra Stakes JOHN CHERRY owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Lester Piggott
1977 Prix Gladiateur JOHN CHERRY owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Lester Piggott
1978 Sun Alliance Chase SWEET JOE owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Steve Smith Eccles
1978 Princess Margaret Stakes DEVON DITTY owned by Sir Edwin McAlpine, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1978 Lowther Stakes DEVON DITTY owned by Sir Edwin McAlpine, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1978 Cherry Hinton Stakes DEVON DITTY 15/8 fav owned by Sir Edwin McAlpine, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1978 Princess of Wales's Stakes POLLERTON owned by Mrs R Vereker, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Lester Piggott
1978 Flying Childers Stakes DEVON DITTY 2/1 owned by Sir Edwin McAlpine, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1978 Cheveley Park Stakes DEVON DITTY 11/8 owned by Sir Edwin McAlpine, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1979 Long Walk Hurdle JOHN CHERRY owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Steve Smith Eccles
1979 Queen Alexandra Stakes JOHN CHERRY owned by Milton Ritzenberg, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Greville Starkey
1982 Welsh Derby TOUCHING WOOD 4/11 fav owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Paul Cook
1982 St Leger TOUCHING WOOD (SR 1966) 7/1 owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Paul Cook
1982 Irish St Leger TOUCHING WOOD (SR 1966) 5/4 fav owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Paul Cook
1983 Diomed Stakes LOFTY trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Paul Cook
1984 Lowther Stakes AL BAHATHRI owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1984 Gimcrack Stakes DOULAB owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1984 Cornwallis Stakes DOULAB 11/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1984 Princess Margaret Stakes AL BAHATHRI 5/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1984 Grand Prix de Paris AT TALAQ owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1985 Irish 1000 Guineas AL BAHATHRI (SR 1908) 7/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1985 Coronation Stakes AL BAHATHRI owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1985 Yorkshire Cup ILIUM 5/1 owned by Hadi-Al-Tajir, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Richard Hills
1985 Diadem Stakes AL SYLAH 9/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1985 Child Stakes (Falmouth Stakes) AL BAHATHRI owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Tony Murray
1988 Princess Margaret Stakes MUHBUBH 6/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Richard Hills
1988 John Porter Stakes ALWASMI 25/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Richard Hills
1988 Northumberland Plate STAVORDALE 9/4 fav owned by Mrs Harry Thomson Jones, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Michael Roberts
1990 Ascot Gold Cup ASHAL 14/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Richard Hills
1992 Diomed Stakes ZAAHI 100/30 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Richard Hills
1996 John Durkan
John Durkan, son of legendary Irish trainer Bill Durkan who trained Anaglog's Daughter, was a gifted amateur rider who notched up 93 wins, including wins on Brown Windsor and Run and Skip. He joined Charlie Brooks as a pupil assistant before moving on, in 1989, to join Oliver Sherwood. He became Sherwood's assistant and also rode as an amateur rider, after which he gained further experience with John Gosden. In August 1996 he felt the time was right to launch his own training career and had agreed terms with Harry Thomson Jones to purchase the 50-box Green Lodge Stables. However, it was not to be, for John was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1996 and underwent extensive treatment, but unfortunately died in January 1998.
Duncan Sasse, son of racehorse owner Tim Sasse, was born on 1st January 1951 and began training in Lambourn in 1974. Early success was gained with his father's Coup De Feu who won the 1974 Newbury Spring Cup at 7/1 ridden by Lester Piggott, and then sprung a surprise in the Eclipse Stakes at 33/1 when partnered by Pat Eddery. Sasse then aimed him high by running him in the 1974 Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe, and despite being unplaced, he received an invitation to contest the Waskington DC International. When his father Tim purchased a quarter share in Roland Gardens from owner John Hayter at the end of its 2-year-old career, the colt was sent to be trained by Duncan at Frenchman's Lodge Stables in Upper Lambourn. The colt had finished first passed the post in the 1977 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury before being disqualified, so hopes were high for a promising 3-year-old career. The season began well with victory in the Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom at 4/1, and then the colt won the 2000 Guineas at 28/1 when partnered by Frankie Durr. Thoughts centred on the Epsom Derby, for which Roland Gardens was 25/1, but he finished a respectable 8th behind Shirley Heights (SR 216), although he bounced back to form to land the 1979 Philip Cornes Trophy at Leicester. The stable suffered prolonged problems with the virus, causing Sasse to retire from training in 1985, after which he spent 6 years in Italy and a period in Japan, but in April 1997 he renewed his licence when his business partner and amateur rider Christopher Ransom invited him to take over Green Lodge Stables in Newmarket after the retirement of Harry Thompson Jones. Duncan promised his wife Candy that he would only continue to train if he could make it pay and, after six months, with only 10 horses on his books, he called it a day.
2008-2014 Amy Weaver
Amy Weaver was born in Cheltenham, the home of National Hunt racing, and developed a love for the sport at an early age. After completing her compulsory education, she spent time in France as pupil-assistant to Jonathan Pease at a time when he trained Bago to win the 2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for the Niarchos family. She then became assistant to Michael Bell at Fitzroy House Stables, benefitting from a scholarship to work with Christophe Clement in the USA. She successfully applied for a trainer's licence in 2008, aged just 27, and took charge of 12 boxes at Woodlands Stables. She trained for over 6 years at the stables before deciding to change her career path and work on cruise ships.
2015 William Haggas
William Haggas is listed at Green Lodge Stables in a Trainer's Directory, possibly using it as an overflow yard.
2015 Roger Varian
After Amy Weaver left Woodlands Stables at the end of the 2014 season Roger Varian used it as an overflow yard.
SPRINGFIELD (1875 Gimcrack Stakes, 1876 & 1877 July Cup, 1877 Champion Stakes)
PAPYRUS (1923 Epsom Derby, Chester Vase, Duke of York Stakes)
TINGLE CREEK (1973, 1877, 1978 Sandown Pattern Chase)
ATHENS WOOD (1971 St Leger, Great Voltigeur Stakes)
TOUCHING WOOD (1982 St Leger, Irish St Leger)
