If you can provide any photos associated with this stable, or additional information to fill any gaps then contact johnwslusar@gmail.com
1890-1923 Martin Gurry
Martin Gurry was born in Nottinghamshire on 18th October 1842, and although his family had no connection with racing, this did not deter Gurry from making a name for himself in the sport. He became apprentice to William Oates at Manor House Stables, located at the famous northern training centre of Middleham, before moving on to gain further experience with C Wintringham and James Watson. Although he had a few rides on the Flat, he was not a distinguished jockey, and this period of his life did not give a pointer to the exceptional trainer he later became. He was head lad to Robert Peck at Russley Park when James Merry was heavily involved at that establishment, winning the 1873 Derby with Doncaster, and the 1873 Oaks and St Leger with Marie Stuart. In 1884 Peck part-owned The Bard, who won 16 straight races as a two-year-old, including the Brocklesby Stakes. This was a record which stood for almost a century until Provideo equalled it in 1984. In all, The Bard, trained at Park Lodge for Peck by his head lad Martin Gurry, won 23 of his 25 races, including the 1886 Goodwood and Doncaster Cups. Gurry had moved to Newmarket, where Bob Peck set him up as a private trainer at Park Lodge Stables. He then took a gamble and moved to Bedford Lodge to become private trainer to George Alexander Baird, aka Mr Abington. Whilst he enjoyed tremendous success during his time at Bedford Lodge, notably with Merry Hampton in the 1887 Epsom Derby, his relationship with the argumentative, and often downright rude, Mr Abington was troubled. They were 'chalk and cheese' characters, Baird a womanising, gambling, drunkard, while Gurry was a churchwarden who despised gambling. As early as the Spring of 1887 Gurry told Baird he could not continue to take abuse from Baird's cronies, and Baird, in turn, told Gurry to move on. Gurry said he would only do so if payment of his contract was settled, which the bloody-minded Baird was reluctant to do. Gurry was exiled in his own yard when Baird moved all of his horses to William Stevens at Compton. It was a situation which was unsatisfactory to both of them and eventually in May Baird moved some horses, including Merry Hampton, back to Bedford Lodge. It is to his credit that Gurry got Merry Hampton to Epsom where he duly obliged in the 1887 Derby. Eventually, as it was bound to do, the relationship between Gurry and Baird broke down again, and Gurry left Baird, being replaced by Charles Morton in Summer 1888, but not before pressing George Baird for the money specified in his contract. Baird was reluctant to pay Gurry his dues, only doing so after a court case ended in Gurry's favour. Gurry used the money to build the magnificent stables close to Bedford Lodge, but on the opposite side of the Bury Road, and as a final swipe at Baird he named his new stables Abington Place. Between leaving Bedford Lodge and completing the build of Abington Place, Martin Gurry resided at the Red House on St Mary's Square between July 1888 and 1890.
NEWMARKET RACECOURSES
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.
1895 Epsom Oaks LA SAGESSE 5/1 (SR 1965) owned by Sir James Miller, trained by Martin Gurry and ridden by Sam Loates
April 1923-1932 Alf Sadler junior
Alfred Sadler was the son of Alfred Brettle Sadler, who trained at Primrose Cottage, Newmarket in the 1880s and 1890s. Alf junior became the first public trainer to occupy the splendid new establishment known as Freemason Lodge, on the left-hand side of the Bury Road, as you look towards the Limekilns, on Tuesday 6th December 1898. Alf Sadler junior, known locally as Flash Alf because he always dressed so smartly, was still listed at Freemason Lodge in 1906. The years 1906 to 1909 proved to be good years for Alf Sadler, landing the 1906 July Handicap at Newmarket with Brother Bill, landing the 1907 Old Newton Cup (carried 6st 2lbs) and Ayrshire Handicaps with the Alf Stedall owned Wise Mason, and securing the 1909 Lincoln Handicap with Duke of Sparta (20/1). The War years were lean ones for Freemason Lodge, with many of the boxes in 1914 and 1915 remaining empty. However, in early January 1916 Lord Lonsdale transferred his string to Sadler on the retirement of previous trainer Joyner. Also, in January 1916 Alf Sadler became very busy when taking charge of the nearby Stanley House string during Honourable George Lambton's illness, in addition to his regular duties at Freemason Lodge. In October 1922 Cecil Boyd-Rochfort purchased Freemason Lodge from Alf Sadler. In his final days at the training establishment, where he had been in charge for almost a quarter of a century, he sent out the dual 1922 Doncaster and Irish St Leger winner Royal Lancer, which caused a 33/1 surprise in the English version before being sent off the 4/6 favourite in the Irish version.
1933-1947 Alf Sadler, Gordon Sadler, Tommy Hogg, Sam Darling
After Alf Sadler retired from training it is uncertain what happened at Abington Place, although in a 1936 survey Alf Sadler still resided at Abington Place, and continued to do so until his death on 9th December 1940 aged 66. He was buried in Newmarket Cemetery. It is known that he allowed the stables to be used by Gordon Sadler leading up to the War, and to Tommy Hogg thereafter, who shared it with Gordon between 1941 and Hogg's death in 1942. Some newspapers reported that Mrs Alf Sadler was still in charge of domestic arrangements in 1946, so did she continue to live on at Abington Place? Sam Darling bought Abington Place from the Sadler family in December 1945, later selling it to Harry Wragg in 1947, after Sam had purchased Warren Tower, split it into Warren Tower, which he sold to Lady Ludlow, and Warren Place where he continued to train.
1947-1982 Harry Wragg
Harry Wragg, born in Sheffield on 10th June 1902 into a family with no links to horse racing, yet he and his two brothers became successful jockeys. The youngest brother, Arthur, was born in 1912 and was the least successful of the three, while Sam, born in 1909, enjoyed Classic successes in 1933 with Chatelaine in the Oaks, Pont L'Evenque won the 1940 Epsom Derby, and Kingsway won the 1943 2000 Guineas. In 1945 the brothers created a record, each having a ride in Dante's Epsom Derby. However, it was Harry who was the most successful, riding 1762 winners, winning 13 English Classics, including at least one victory in each of the 5 separate Classics, and being crowned Champion Flat jockey in 1941. In a list of the Top Epsom Derby jockeys, Wragg's 3 wins and 4 seconds, along with his 24 mounts, 23 of them in consecutive, earned him 9th place behind Buckle, Piggott and Eddery. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1946 season, buying Abington Place from Sam Darling in August 1946 in preparation for the launch of his training career in 1947. In his successful first season he trained 25 winners, while the next year he achieved his first important success, winning the 1948 Chester Cup with Billet in the hands of Billy Nevett. He trained his first English Classic winner in 1954 when Darius won the 2000 Guineas, while his sole Epsom Derby victory was achieved in unlikely circumstances with 66/1 outsider Psidium in 1961. In all, he trained 5 English Classic winners, claiming 4 of the 5 Classics, the only one to elude him was the Oaks, denying him the unique record of riding and training winners of all 5 English Classics. He was ahead of his time in a variety of ways, timing training gallops, fully appreciating that weighing horses before and after races was important, and recognising the opportunities which presented themselves outside of England. He won 9 Irish Classic victories, including wins in the Irish Derby in 1951 (Fraise Du Bois II), 1956 (Talgo) and 1959 (Fidalgo). He also won the Gran Premio del Jockey Club on 3 occasions, (1958, 1965 and 1968), and the Grosser Preis Von Baden on 5 occasions (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1981). He retired at the end of the 1982 season, passing the baton on to son Geoff. He died on 20th October 1985, aged 83, and is buried in Newmarket Cemetery.
1950 New Stakes at Ascot BAY MEADOWS 4/1 owned by Mr B Hilliard, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Arthur Wragg
1951 Irish Derby FRAISE DU BOIS II 5/2 jt fav (SR 1947) owned by HH Begum Aga Khan, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Charlie Smirke
1954 2000 Guineas DARIUS 8/1 (SR 1998) owned by Sir Percy Loraine, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1954 St James's Palace Stakes DARIUS (Evens fav) owned by Sir Percy Loraine, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1955 Lincoln Handicap MILITARY COURT 8/1 owned by HH Begum Aga Khan, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1956 Irish 2000 Guineas LUCERO 5/1 (SR 1873) owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1956 Irish Derby TALGO 9/2 (SR 1961) owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1956 Irish Oaks GARDEN STATE 13/2 (SR 1932) owned and trained by Harry Wragg, and ridden by Manny Mercer
1959 Chester Vase FIDALGO owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Stan Clayton
1959 Irish Derby FIDALGO 1/2 fav (SR 2006) owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Joe Mercer
1959 Irish Oaks DISCOREA 100/7 (SR 1917) owned by Mrs A Plesch, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Manny Mercer
1960 Queen Mary Stakes CYNARA (Evens fav) owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Harry Carr
1961 Chester Vase SOVRANGO 7/1 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Joe Mercer
1961 Epsom Derby PSIDIUM 66/1 (SR 1966) owned by Etti Plesch, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Roger Poincelet
1961 Irish Oaks AMBERGRIS 6/4 fav (SR 1966) owned by Rod More O'Ferrall, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Jimmy Lindley
1961 New Stakes ABERMAID 3/1 owned by Sir Percy Loraine, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1961 Ribblesdale Stakes FUTURAMA owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Scobie Breasley
1962 1000 Guineas ABERMAID 100/6 (SR 1950) owned by Rod More O'Ferrall, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Bill Williamson
1963 Hardwicke Stakes MIRALGO 100/30 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Bill Williamson
1963 Grosser Preis Von Baden ESPRESSO 45/1 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Bill Williamson
1964 Grosser Preis Von Baden ESPRESSO 88/1 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Bill Williamson
1965 Gran Premio del Jockey Club ATILLA owned by Mr A B Askew, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1966 Grosser Preis Von Baden ATILLA 60/1 owned by Mr A B Askew, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Dante Stakes GAY GARLAND 100/7 owned by Mr A B Askew, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Irish 1000 Guineas LACQUER 4/1 (SR 1895) owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Queen Mary Stakes SOVEREIGN 10/11 fav owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Hardwicke Stakes SALVO 7/4 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Grosser Preis Von Baden SALVO 15/1 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1967 Cambridgeshire LACQUER 20/1 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1968 Coronation Stakes SOVEREIGN 3/1 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1968 Gran Premio del Jockey Club CHICAGO trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1969 1000 Guineas FULL DRESS 7/1 (SR 1781) owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1969 St Leger INTERMEZZO 7/1 (SR 1941) owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Ron Hutchinson
1971 Irish 1000 Guineas FAVOLETTA 5/2 (SR 1927) owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1972 Chester Vase ORMINDO 12/1 owned by Gerald Oldham, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Brian Taylor
1973 Benson and Hedges Gold Cup at York MOULTON 14/1 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Geoff Lewis
1975 Dante Stakes HOBNOB 5/2 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Willie Carson
1975 Cesarewitch SHANTALLAH 7/1 owned by Rod More O'Ferrall, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Brian Taylor
1976 Chester Vase OLD BILL 33/1 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Greville Starkey
1977 Dante Stakes LUCKY SOVEREIGN 20/1 owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by M L (Taffy) Thomas
1977 Queen Mary Stakes AMARANDA 4/6 fav owned by Mr R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1981 Dee Stakes at Chester KIRTLING 3/1, owned by R B Moller, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1981 Hardwicke Stakes PELERIN owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Brian Taylor
1981 Grosser Preis Von Baden PELERIN 24/1 owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Greville Starkey
1982 1000 Guineas ON THE HOUSE 33/1 (SR 1934) owned by Sir Philip Oppenhiemer, trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by John Reid
I am grateful to Mike Pledge, whose father John, born in 1932, and an apprentice at Stanley House Stables, was goalkeeper for the Stanley House Stablelads Football team on Thursday 27th April 1950, kick-off 6.16 pm, against Harry Wragg's Abington Place stables and Joe Lawson's stables Carlburg Stables, as shown below.
1983-2008 Geoff Wragg
Geoff Wragg, son of legendary jockey and trainer Harry Wragg, was born in Newmarket on 9th January 1930 and was destined to become a trainer. Harry retired at the end of the 1982 season, leaving Geoff to successfully apply for a trainers licence, taking over at Abington Place at the start of the 1983 season. Throughout his final season Harry had trained the 2-y-old Teenoso, and Geoff inherited the colt in 1983, winning his one and only English Classic in his first season of training when Teenoso (SR 2088) won the 1983 Epsom Derby. It was to be a further 23 years before he even came close to winning the race again, failing by a short head with 66/1 outsider Dragon Dancer. Nevertheless, the intervening years were good for Wragg, training the likes of Red Glow (1988 Dante Stakes, Marling (1992 Irish 1000 Guineas), Arcadian Heights (1994 Ascot Gold Cup), Owington (1994 July Cup) and Pentire (1995 Irish Champion Stakes). However, a horse which gave Geoff enormous satisfaction was First Island, who won the 1996 Sussex Stakes and Hong Kong Cup. A memorial plaque for First Island was erected in the middle of the lawn at Abington Place. He was one of Geoff Wragg's favourite horses, calling him, 'A lovely horse to train, always trying his heart out'. In June 2007 Mike de Kock, the great South African trainer, rented 10 boxes from Geoff at Abington Place with a view to bringing over 10 horses from South Africa and Dubai and testing their merits principally on Newmarket's two racecourses. Maybe it was a sign of things to come. Geoff retired in 2008, bringing to an end the era of the Wraggs (Harry, Arthur, Sam and Geoff) in Newmarket. He enjoyed almost a decade of retirement, but died in his beloved Newmarket on 15th September 2017 aged 87.
1983 Dante Stakes HOT TOUCH 11/1 owned by E B Moller, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1983 Epsom Derby TEENOSO 9/2 fav (SR 2088) owned by Eric Moller, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Lester Piggott
1987 King George VI Stakes PIPSTED owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Gary Carter
1988 Dante Stakes RED GLOW 7/1 owned by Eric Moller, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Pat Eddery
1989 Lockinge Stakes MOST WELCOME 9/1 owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Paul Eddery
1990 Jersey Stakes SALLY ROUS 20/1 owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Gary Carter
1991 Queen Mary Stakes MARLING 11/4 fav owned by Sir Edmund Loder, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Gary Carter
1992 Irish 1000 Guineas MARLING 4/5 fav (SR 1983) owned by Sir Edmund Loder, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1992 Predominate Stakes JEUNE 7/1 owned by Sir Robin McAlpine, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1992 Coventry Stakes PETARDIA 5/1 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1992 Coronation Stakes MARLING 8/11 fav owned by Sir Edmund Loder, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1992 Queen Alexandra Stakes ROMANY RYE 3/1 owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1992 Sussex Stakes MARLING 11/10 fav owned by Sir Edmund Loder, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Pat Eddery
1993 Chester Dee Stakes BENEFICIAL 5/2 fav owned by Sir Robin McAlpine, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1993 King Edward VII Stakes BENEFICIAL owned by Sir Robin McAlpine, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1993 Hardwicke Stakes JEUNE 7/2 owned by Sir Robin McAlpine, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Ray Cochrane
1993 July Stakes FIRST TRUMP 9/2 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1993 Richmond Stakes FIRST TRUMP 100/30 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1993 Middle Park Stakes FIRST TRUMP 9/2 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1994 Chester Stakes ARCADIAN HEIGHTS 5/2 jt fav owned by John Pearce, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Walter Swinburn
1994 Cork and Orrery Stakes OWINGTON 4/1 fav owned by Baron G Von Ullmann, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1994 Ascot Gold Cup ARCADIAN HEIGHTS 20/1 owned by John Pearce, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1994 Duke of York Stakes OWINGTON 4/1 owned by Baron George Von Ullmann, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1994 Doncaster Cup ARCADIAN HEIGHTS 7/2 fav owned by John Pearce, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Frankie Dettori
1994 July Cup OWINGTON 3/1 owned by Baron George Von Ullmann, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Paul Eddery
1995 Predominate Stakes PENTIRE 11/8 fav owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1995 Queen Anne Stakes NICOLOTTE 16/1 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1995 King Edward VII Stakes PENTIRE owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1995 Great Voltigeur Stakes PENTIRE 4/5 fav owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1995 Irish Champion Stakes PENTIRE 9/4 fav owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1996 Doncaster Mile FIRST ISLAND 9/2 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1996 Prince of Wales's Stakes FIRST ISLAND 9/1 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1996 Sussex Stakes FIRST ISLAND 5/1 owned by Moller Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1996 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes PENTIRE 100/30 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1996 Hong Kong Cup FIRST ISLAND 9/5 fav owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1997 Lockinge Stakes FIRST ISLAND 11/4 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
1999 Coronation Stakes BALISADA 16/1 owned by Anthony Oppenheimer, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Hills
2001 Predominate Stakes ASIAN HEIGHTS 3/1 fav owned by John Pearce, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Kieren Fallon
2001 King's Stand Stakes CASSANDRA GO 8/1 owned by Trevor Stewart, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Michael Roberts
2005 Doncaster Mile AUTUMN GLORY 15/8 jt fav owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Steve Drowne
2007 King George VI Stakes HERON BAY 20/1 owned by Mollers Racing, trained by Geoff Wragg and ridden by Steve Drowne
2009-2013 Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, Mike De Kock
After Geoff Wragg's retirement at the end of the 2008 season he sold Abington Place to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, minister of land affairs in Dubai, in the Spring of 2009. The Sheikh already had strong links with Newmarket through his cousin, Sheikh Mohammed, who founded the Godolphin organisation now located at the former Stanley House Stables. The Sheikh's plan was to house Mike De Kock, the many times Champion trainer in South Africa, in part of the training establishment, leasing another part to Jane Chapple-Hyam. The foundations for this move had been made by De Kock back in 2007.
2009-present Jane Chapple-Hyam, Mary Slack
Jane Chapple Hyam, former wife of the Derby winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, was born in Australia and by the age of 16 was working for the trainer Colin Hayes at Lindsay Training Centre. She moved to England, gaining further experience at Manton in the days when it was owned by Robert Sangster and Michael Dickenson was the trainer. In time Peter Chapple-Hyam moved to Manton and they got married. Jane assisted Peter during time at Manton and later in Hong Kong, but the marriage did not work out and they separated in 2005. This encouraged Jane to embark on a course at the British Riding School, with the long-term ambition to train. She graduated from the British Riding School in 2005 and applied for a licence to train in her own right. Within a year she recorded her greatest success at York in the 2006 Ebor Handicap when Mudawin, owned by Franconson Partners, triumphed at 100/1 in the hands of John Egan. In 2009, after the retirement of Geoff Wragg, Jane took the opportunity to lease boxes at Abington Place, sharing the facility with Mike de Kock. In 2019 the Japanese trainer Mitsuru Hashida stabled his mare Deidre at Abington Place in preparation for a run at Royal Ascot. She finished sixth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, a run of such promise that she was kept on to run at Glorious Goodwood. Remarkably she won the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at 20/1. Mary Slack reportedly purchased Abington Place from the Sheikh in 2013.
TEENOSO (1983 Epsom Derby)
FIDALGO (1959 Irish Derby)
DARIUS (1954 2000 Guineas)
MARLING (1992 Irish 1000 Guineas)
LA SAGESSE (1895 Epsom Oaks)
