1846-1847 William Lumley
William Henry Lumley, born in 1796, was living at the Spread Eagle in Epsom, having previously resided at the King's Head. He was trainer to General Wyndham in the 1840s before moving to College House, Lambourn in 1846 as private trainer to J S Drinkald. By the end of the 1847 season, having trained Drinkald a Chester Cup (Tradesmans Plate) winner St Lawrence, he returned to Epsom where he continued his training career.
1847 Chester Cup (Tradesmans Plate) ST LAWRENCE 25/1 owned by J S Drinkald, trained by William Lumley and ridden by William Ford
1847-1856 William Ford
William Ford, born in Easton, Northamptonshire in 1826, rode the 1847 Chester Cup (Tradesmans Plate) winner St Lawrence 25/1 for J S Drinkald and then took charge of the training at College House after the departure of William Lumley. Although he was at College House for a decade, he only had between 8 and 15 horses a year, and his biggest success was in the 1854 New Stakes (later the Norfolk Stakes) with Monge for J S Drinkald. He struggled to make ends meet from his training and ran the Red Lion in the Village. In May 1856 he was made bankrupt and then became private trainer to Prince Dimitry Soltykoff in Moscow.
1854 New Stakes (Norfolk Stakes) at Royal Ascot MONGE 8/1 owned by J S Drinkald, trained by William Ford and ridden by Alfred Day
1856-1858 Joseph French
Joseph Oliver French, born in Bromley, Kent in 1811, rode as a National Hunt jockey before training at Smitham Bottom, Epsom in 1846. He then moved to Newmarket where he enjoyed his most successful training spell, guiding The Cur to success in the 1847 Stewards Cup at Goodwood, followed by victories in the 1849 Royal Hunt Cup and Queen Anne Stakes (Trial Plate) at Royal Ascot with Collingwood owned by Mr Rolt. He briefly trained as a public trainer in Newmarket without success and was offered the post of private trainer to J S Drinkald. He transferred to College House, Lambourn in 1856, replacing William Ford, and remained there until the death of Drinkald in 1858. French, appropriately enough, then moved to France in 1860 to train for M Lupin at Lamorlaye.
1847 Stewards Cup at Goodwood THE CUR 20/1 owned by Mr Rolt, trained by Joseph French and ridden by Whitehouse
1849 Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot COLLINGWOOD 8/1 owned by Mr Rolt, trained by Joseph French and ridden by F Butler
1849 Queen Anne Stakes (Trial Plate) at Royal Ascot COLLINGWOOD 1/5 fav owned by Mr Rolt, trained by Joseph French and ridden by Nat Flatman
1859-1861 William Hopkins
William Hopkins, born in 1811, started his career as private trainer to John Fowler at Berwood Common in Erdington on the outskirts of Birmingham, but within 2 years he had transferred to the excellent training facilities at Hednesford, Staffordshire at that time. Later in 1853 he moved to Thomas Parrs stables at Letcombe, regularly handling 16 horses annually. He fell out with Parr just after J S Drinkald had died, which was timely for Hopkins, as he moved to College House, Lambourn, but gradually his string dwindled and he returned to Parr at Letcombe in 1861. He was replaced at College House by Christopher Knight.
1864-1873 Christopher Knight
Christopher Knight, born in 1833, began his working life as an apprentice to George Drewe at East Ilsley and enjoyed some rides on the Flat. By 1864 he had joined the training ranks at College House, Lambourn where he remained, with limited success, for the next decade. When he left in 1873 he was replaced by William Treen.
1877-1878 William Treen
William Treen, born in 1813 at Kentford, Devon, was apprentice to the legendary trainer John Barham Day. He was an accomplished jockey but often did not use his skill to best effect. In the 1839 Epsom Derby he gave a tender ride to Deception when beaten 2 lengths by Bloomsbury, but John Barham Day had his suspicions, turning Deception out for the Oaks a few days later, but choosing to ride the filly himself. As a consequence, Deception landed the odds of 8/13 fav to win the 1839 Epsom Oaks. Treen launched his training career almost immediately, enjoying early success in the 1839 Goodwood Stakes with his own horse Barnacles, and the 1841 Molecomb Stakes with his own horse Barrier. He later won the 1849 Cesarewitch with Ledgerdemain. In 1877 Treen moved from East Ilsley to College House, Lambourn where he remained for just 2 years, after which he was given the task of training hunters by his boss Mr Downall.
1839 Goodwood Stakes BARNACLES 6/1 owned and trained by William Treen and ridden by P Conolly
1841 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood BARRIER 1/2 fav owned and trained by William Treen and ridden by P Conolly
1849 Cesarewitch at Newmarket LEDGERDEMAIN 8/1 owned by Lord Stanley, trained by William Treen and ridden by Hiett
James Forshaw Peace was born in Delamere, Cheshire in 1852 and made his way to the Lambourn area in 1883 where he and his wife Susan Toke Peace, born in 1840, resided at Lambourn House. In 1890 they are recorded as being at The Plough at Eastbury along with his sister, Jane Elizabeth Toke Thorp and their mother. He left Eastbury in 1892 and lived at a number of locations in Lambourn for the next 16 years, including Lambourn House, College House, and Windsor Cottage, which he leased from the Kennard family, but he will be best remembered for building Delamere House on the Baydon Road, having purchased 2 cottages before converting them into a much grander house, and adding 30 stables. He was a wealthy man, purchasing 245 acres in the Lambourn area, including 100 acres of arable land and the Crowdown Gallops for £1,200. In 1899 he purchased Ronehurst in Upper Lambourn for £1,050, as well as the Farncombe Bottom Gallops off the Baydon road. He trained for a number of prominent, wealthy owners, including Lord Newton, Lord Kesteven and Sir John Thursby, and he particularly liked having a tilt at the ring at the old Newton-Le-Willows racecourse until it closed at the end of the 1898 season. Amongst his best horses were The Tartar, True Art, Red Heart, St Noel, Canonbury and Ranald McEagh. He hit the headlines on 25th July 1896 when training 5 winners in a day at the Newton Summer meeting, winning with Carsethorn, Larkhill, Palmy, Polytheist and Pollyduck. Remarkably, he repeated the same feat 2 years later at the same racecourse and same Summer Meeting on 12th July 1898, winning with St Tudno, Marasquin, Superb, Trevor and Foxstones. James retired in 1902, and he and his wife returned to the Cheshire area to enjoy their retirement. She died in 1907, at which point he sold the Farncombe Bottom Gallops, and he died at 58 Liverpool Road, Chester in March 1908 aged 56, leaving a will of £15,141.
25th July 1896 Grand Stand Welter Handicap at Newton-le-Willows CARSETHORN 2/1 owned by L H Pilkington, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Calder
25th July 1896 Lyme Park Stakes at Newton-le-Willows LARKHILL 1/2 fav owned by L H Pilkington, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
25th July 1896 Juvenile Selling Stakes at Newton-le-Willows PALMY 5/2 owned by Mr Legge, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Calder
25th July 1896 Newton Cup at Newton-le-Willows POLYTHEIST 4/1 owned by Captain L H Jones, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
25th July 1896 St Helens Plate at Newton-le-Willows POLLYDUCK Evens fav owned by G F Fawcett, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
12th July 1898 Maiden Plate at Newton-le-Willows ST TUDNO 11/8 fav owned by L H Pilkington, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
12th July 1898 Mile Selling Plate at Newton-le-Willows MARASQUIN 5/2 owned by R A Harper, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
12th July 1898 Warrington Handicap at Newton-le-Willows SUPERB 10/1 owned by R A Harper, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Lofthouse
12th July 1898 Newton Bridge Handicap Plate at Newton-le-Willows TREVOR 5/2 owned by Sir John Thursby, trained by J F Peace and ridden by F B Black
12th July 1898 Prescott Plate at Newton-le-Willows FOXSTONES 1/2 fav owned by Sir John Thursby, trained by J F Peace and ridden by Finlay
Charles Florence Young, born into a wealthy brewing family in Wandsworth, London on 16th May 1865, was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a keen racing man, registering his colours by 1890 when he began training at Royston. In January 1903 he teamed up with his brother Henry and they jointly leased College House in Lambourn, remaining there until the end of 1905. In January 1906 the pair transferred their string of 16 horses to Lambourn House. Gradually the numbers of winners each season increased, 5 winners in 1907, 11 in 1908 and by 1911 they gained 14 winners. In December 1911 Charles decided to train apart from his brother and moved to Kirriemuir, Links Road, Epsom where he continued to hold a Flat licence until 1917, the War interrupting his career when he served in the ASC. Between 1915 and 1917 he trained at Tangleycroft, Burgh Heath Road in Epsom.
1903-1904 John George Sergeant
John George Sergeant, born in West Derby, Liverpool in 1865, joined Charles Florence Young and his brother Henry when they were training at Royston throughout the 1890s and moved to Lambourn with them in 1903 when Charles Young took over at College House. John Sergeant acted as their Head Lad, but between 1903 and 1904 he was recognised as their trainer. He continued to support Charles during his time in Lambourn, and afterwards supported Henry once Charles had moved away.
1906-August 1912 Edwin Martin junior
Edwin Martin junior, born at Enville, Staffordshire in 1866, was son of Edwin Martin a successful jockey and Newmarket trainer. Edwin (Teddy) junior won the 1882 Goodwood Cup aboard 20/1 Friday owned by the Duke of Hamilton. Arguably his best win as a jockey was in the 1883 Cesarewitch at Newmarket when he partnered Don Juan. He began training in 1904 at Leicester, although he moved later in the year to Lawrence Stables, Royston which he owned. In 1906 he transferred his string to College House, Lambourn whilst at the same time making use of Delamere House Stables as a second yard. Two of his most prominent owners during his time in Lambourn were Robert (Bob) Sievier and Colonel R L Birkin. He won both the 1907 Great Eastern Handicap on the Flat and the 1907 Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree for the latter. By September 1912 he had moved to Chitterne, Dorset and from there back to his own stables in Royston.
1882 Goodwood Cup FRIDAY 20/1 owned by the Duke of Hamilton, trained by Richard Marsh and ridden by Teddy Martin
1883 Cesarewitch at Newmarket DON JUAN 100/7 owned by G Lambert and ridden by Teddy Martin
1907 Great Eastern Handicap at Newmarket HUKA 100/6 owned by Colonel R L Birkin, trained by Edwin Martin and ridden by F Baker
1907 Grand Sefton Steeplechase at Aintree SPRINGBOK 10/1 owned by Colonel R L Birkin, trained by Edwin Martin and ridden by J O'Brien
1912-March 1918 Major Vanda Beatty
William Vandeleur Schroeder Beatty, son of Captain David L Beatty, was born in 1875 in Borodale, County Wexford and served with the 19th Hussars and the Mounted Infantry in the South African War, winning both the King's and Queen's Medal and earning the title of Major. He was a keen cross-country rider and steeplechase jockey. He continued to ride even after his leg was amputated in 1936 as a result of a steeplechasing accident. In 1911 he took out a Flat licence and began training at Stamford, Lincolnshire, but within a year he had made his way to Lambourn to take over from Edwin Martin at College House and, like Martin before him, used Delamere House on the Baydon Road as a second yard. He was called up again in 1914, but suffered his severe leg injury and returned to training in 1917. By April 1918 he had moved to Phantom House, Newmarket where he remained for the rest of his career. In 1925 he married the Honourable Victoria Alexandrina Fitzroy, second daughter of the 4th Lord Southampton, although the marriage was dissolved in 1941 after an acrimonious divorce battle in which Victoria alleged that her husband had 'received' Miss Gladys Knight on numerous occasions while she was away from the house. Between the 2 World Wars Major Vanda Beatty trained flat and national hunt horses at Phantom House, starting in 1918 and continuing at Phantom House until he retired at the end of the 1947 season.
Joseph Frederick Bancroft, born in 1882, was an apprentice between 1900 and 1904 and reached the rank of Captain in the forces. In January 1916, while his boss was recovering from a serious leg injury suffering during active service, Bancroft took out a National Hunt trainers licence, training his first winner within a month. He continued in his role until Major Beatty was ready to take over in 1917.
Between 1919 and 1932 the successful trainer Ossie Bell was based at College House, but made frequent use of Delamere House stables as a second yard. Captain Oswald Marmaduke Dalby Bell was born in Australia and had a passion for horses and ponies. He travelled to India and was famous for importing two ponies from his native homeland to India, Idle Bell and First Bell, both winners of the Lucknow Civil Service Cup and Eclipse Pony Stakes in Calcutta. He then travelled to England where he became an extremely successful racehorse trainer, sending out scores of winners from his Stork House Stables, including 1928 Epsom Derby winner Felstead (SR 1923) at 33/1. Felstead did not show a great deal as a 2-year-old, but won a Newbury maiden at 3 and then performed with credit in the 2000 Guineas, finishing sixth behind Flamingo (SR 1969). It was only when he moved up a distance that he began to show his true ability, winning the Davis Stakes at Hurst Park, before winning the Derby. Ossie specialized in training sprinters, notching his second Royal Ascot success in the 1922 King Stand Stakes with King Sol ridden by champion jockey Steve Donoghue., having won the 1919 Queen Alexandra Stakes with St Eloi partnered by Brownie Carslake. In all he trained 11 Royal Ascot winners, 7 seconds, 11 third placed horses, earning 85th place on the all-time Royal Ascot Trainers list compiled in 2022. In 1922 and 1923 Ossie trained Flint Jack, owned by G Plevin, to win back-to-back Ebor's at York. Indeed, York was a particularly favourable racecourse for Ossie, winning the Nunthorpe on no less than 4 occasions, firstly in 1926 with Highborn II, who repeated that success the next year, then again in 1933 with Concerto, and finally in 1937 with Ipsden, the first 3 wins were for loyal owner and friend Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen, the last for Lady Ludlow. Harry Wragg became stable jockey and the pair enjoyed much success, not only winning the 1928 Derby, but later the 1000 Guineas and Oaks. In 1934 Ossie married Lady Beaumont, widow of Sir Sammy Beaumont, the sporting Baronet who died in Lambourn on 1st October 1933. Ossie achieved further Classic success in 1938 when Rockfel (SR 2063) won the 1000 Guineas and followed up the victory in the Oaks. Earlier in the season the filly had won the inaugural Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom. The July Cup at Newmarket was another sprint race which Ossie won on a number of occasions, notably in 1927 with Highborn II, in 1932 with Concerto, and finally in 1941 with Comatas. Whether or not Ossie felt his Classic victories gave him most pleasure is unknown, but he must surely have celebrated his capture of the 1941 Ascot Gold Cup with Finis as one of the highlights of his glittering career. Captain Bell's best year, in monetary terms, was 1938 when 32 winners netted £33.402, while his best season by number of winners was his Derby winning year when he achieved 50 winners earning £23,499. He retired at the end of the 1947 season and died on 25th June 1949.
November 1927-1952 Major Daniel Macnee
Daniel Macnee, born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in 1877, was the son of a Scottish engineer and was raised in Rutland. Nicknamed shrimp, presumably because of his size, he began training on the Flat in 1905 at Aston Upthorpe where he had 11 horses. He then transferred to Orchard House, East Hendred until the War intervened. He served in the Yorkshire Dragoons reaching the rank of Major. Straight after the War had ended, he moved to Baydon Hole on the Berkshire Wiltshire border, but in 1927 he purchased College House, Lambourn, replacing Ossie Bell in November of that year. Shrimp Macnee was the father of Patrick Macnee of Avengers fame. Although he trained there for 25 years, on and off, he did not train many high-profile winners and died at College House on 15th December 1952 aged 75 and was buried in Upper Lambourn, although no stone marks his grave.
1953 S Smith
On the death of Major Daniel Macnee after a long illness S Smith took charge at College House for just one year.
1965-1977 Robert Wilson
Robert Wilson, universally known as Bob, arrived at College House in 1965 and trained a number of good chasers and hurdlers for the next 12 years, including some Cheltenham winners, although not at the Festival. A couple of good horses were the chaser First Ord and the hurdler Shameless who ran up a sequence of 3 wins, culminating in victory in the 1965 Ashford Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Bob Wilson left College House in 1977 and was replaced by Mrs N Birch.
1965 Ashford Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham SHAMELESS 10/11 fav trained by Robert Wilson and ridden by Andy Turnell
1967 Coventry Handicap Chase at Cheltenham FORT ORD 7/2 trained by Robert Wilson and ridden by Stan Mellor
1967 Caversham Handicap Chase at Windsor SKI BOOT 4/1 jt fav trained by Robert Wilson and ridden by Jeff King
1969 Abingdon Handicap Hurdle at Newbury EAST GROVE 5/2 fav trained by Robert Wilson and ridden by Andy Turnell
1973 Northampton Handicap Chase at Towcester FORT ORD 6/1 trained by Robert Wilson and ridden by Andy Turnell
1978-1979 Mrs Nan Birch
After R Wilson departed College House Mrs Nan Birch moved in and certainly attempted to punch above her weight. She won the Boxgrove Apprentice Handicap at Goodwood with Tiran, a Hungarian horse. However, from a lowly Apprentice race she aimed much higher in June 1978 when Tom Strauss, owned by C de Lukats and ridden by Richard Fox, contested the Epsom Derby at 500/1 and unsurprisingly finished down the field behind Shirley Heights. On Christmas Day 1978 tragedy struck College House stables in the form of a stable fire. Main Ingredient, a 3-year-old who had won his last 3 hurdle races, was tragically killed during the blaze when College House trainer, Mrs Nan Birch, was celebrating Christmas at her daughter's Cheshire home. She said that she was devastated by the news and was stabling Main Ingredient for neighbouring trainer Nicky Henderson, based at Windsor House stables, who said that owner Alan Clegg had sold Main Ingredient to a client in Switzerland and the horse was being isolated awaiting export. Mrs Nan Birch remarried and was then registered as Mrs Nan Kennedy from 1980 onwards.
1978 Boxgrove Apprentice Handicap at Goodwood TIRAN 20/1 trained by Mrs N Birch and ridden by S Young
1978 Marina Novices Hurdle at Windsor MAIN INGREDIENT 4/7 fav owned by Alan Clegg, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by B R Davies
1978 Beginners Novices Hurdle at Leicester MAIN INGREDIENT 11/8 fav owned by Alan Clegg, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by B R Davies
1978 St Just Juvenile Novices Hurdle at Newton Abbot MAIN INGREDIENT 4/1 owned by Alan Clegg, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Bob Champion
1980-1985 Mrs Nan Kennedy
Mrs Nan Kennedy, born on 23rd April 1912, was a formidable, ambitious lady who was still training well into her seventies. In 1978, when known as Nan Birch, moved to College House where she remained for almost 8 years, training under both codes. One of her ambitions was to have a winner ridden by Lester Piggott and she achieved this at Yarmouth in 1982 when Piggott partnered her Compound to victory. During her time at College House her best horse by far was Ra Nova, winner of the 1984 Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow and the Schweppes Gold Trophy Hurdle at Newbury. Ra Nova was withdrawn at the last minute from the 1984 Champion Hurdle, but did contest the 1985 Champion Hurdle when unplaced behind See You Then. Nan Kennedy retired in July 1985 aged 73.
1982 Yarmouth Handicap COMPOUND 7/1 owned by Susan Baldwin, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by Lester Piggott
1983 Lingfield Handicap RA NOVA 33/1 owned by Peter Travers-Clark, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by L Jones
1984 Lingfield Amateur Riders Handicap RA NOVA 9/2 jt fav owned by Peter Travers-Clark, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by Brooke Sanders
1984 Newbury Handicap Hurdle RA NOVA 11/8 fav owned by Peter Travers-Clark, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by Mark Perrett
1984 Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow RA NOVA 11/10 fav owned by Peter Travers-Clark, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by Mark Perrett
1984 Schweppes Gold Trophy at Newbury RA NOVA 16/1 owned by Peter Travers-Clark, trained by Mrs Nan Kennedy and ridden by Paddy Farrell
RA NOVA (1984 Welsh Champion Hurdle, Schweppes Gold Trophy)
MONGE (1854 New Stakes (Norfolk Stakes))
ST LAWRENCE (1847 Chester Cup)
SPRINGBOK (1907 Grand Sefton Chase)
POLYTHEIST (1896 Newton Cup)
