Marcus Maskell Marsh, son of Classic winning trainer Richard Marsh, was born in 1904 and followed in his father's footsteps, landing his first English Classic victory with Windsor Lad (SR 2100), owned by HH Maharaja of Rajpipla, in the 1934 Epsom Derby when training in Lambourn, followed just 3 months later in the St Leger. By then the horse had finished third in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, and had been purchased by bookmaker Martin Benson for £50,000.In the following year Windsor Lad won the Coronation Cup at Epsom and Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, after which he was sent to stud in Newmarket.
Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn, son of Colonel Fulke Walwyn, an officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and Master of the Monmouth Hounds, was born in Wrexham on 8th November 1910 alongside his twin sister Helen, and was the cousin of Derby winning Lambourn trainer Peter Walwyn. He was initially educated at Malvern College before joining the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, and after completing his military training he became an Officer in the 9th Lancers, although he resigned his commission in 1935. He was a successful amateur jockey, winning the Amateur Riders championship twice in the 5 seasons he rode as an amateur, experiencing his first ride in the Aintree Grand National in 1934, but fell at the 13th fence on Ready Cash (20/1). Although he did not have a mount the next year, in 1936 he partnered the Major Noel Furlong owned and trained Reynoldstown (10/1) to an easy 12 length victory. It was an amazing victory, on a horse which had won the previous years National, because he lost his whip early in the race, and lost a stirrup on the second circuit. Later that year, in October 1936, he partnered the 5-times Gold Cup winner Golden Miller (1/3 fav) at Wincanton when the horse won the Lattiford Optional Selling Chase. Less than a month later Walwyn rode Golden Miller over the National fences in the Beecher Chase where he was made the 7/2 joint fav, but could only manage second, beaten 2 lengths by his fellow joint favourite Royal Mail. Fulke turned professional in 1937, joining the stables of George Beeby, but did not get a ride in the Grand National for the next 2 years, although surprisingly, he was back in 1939 aboard Dunhill Castle (28/1) but fell at the 3rd fence. In April 1939 his riding career came to an abrupt end at Ludlow when his horse fell and he fractured his skull, leaving him unconscious for a month and having a metal plate in his head, but it did mean that he could launch his training career, buying Delamere House Stables in Lambourn, training 18 National Hunt winners in his first spell. This was made up of 6 in 1939-40, 3 in 1940-41, 2 in 1941-42, 1 in 1944 and 6 in 1944-45, but he also had a Flat winner. He married his first wife Diana, daughter of Major Carlos Clarke and a cousin of the Earl of Ranfurly, an accomplished horsewoman and a major asset around the Stables. His first winner, Poor Duke ridden by Bruce Hobbs, was at Buckfastleigh on 26th August 1939. He returned to active service at the outbreak of the War, serving with the 9th Lancers in France, although his skull injuries could have given him an exemption.
1945-1948 Graham Grant
Just after the end of the Second World War Graham Grant took charge at Delamere on the Folly Road and was joined by his great friend, the Canadian American Joe O'Shea who rode out for him. O'Shea eventually married Harry Whiteman's daughter Joan and trained at Park Farm for a short while between 1950 and 1951 before returning to the States to train jumpers.. Grant remained in place for 4 years before being replaced by A Hammond.
1949 Captain C T A Carlos Clarke
Charles Thomas Alexander Carlos Clarke, was born 16th December 1915 at South Kensington, London, to Charles, an Army Officer and his wife Lady Eileen Knox, daughter of the 5th Earl of Ranfurly. Carlos Clarke, universally known as was Sandy, was famously given a present of a diamond pin by the future King Edward VIII when Carlos Clarke was a boy. He hunted with the Quorn in Leicestershire, and after Eton he joined the North Somerset Yeomanry, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 12th October 1940. He trained at Achnacarry, to the north of Fort William, in 1943 and fought at Normandy but was wounded on 14th June 1944. He remained in military service until November 1947, and was then offered a job as assistant to Fulke Walwyn, who had married Carlos Clarke's sister Diana, at Saxon House Stables. Shortly afterwards Carlos Clarke married Barbara Bracey, daughter of a Lambourn farmer, and began traing at Delamere on the Folly Road. In 1950 he sold the diamond pin given to him by Edward VIII to another Lambourn farmer in exchange for 2 acres of land and £50 in cash. This was sufficient for him to build Hill House Stables on Folly Road, Lambourn along with 24 stables.
1951-1953 A Hammond
A Hammond trained at Letcombe Bassett, Wantage in the early 1950s but in May 1951 he transferred his string of 12 to Delamere on the Folly Road. He enjoyed minor successes with King Stephen and Golden Fox, although his best win was by Waxen Image in the Nailsworth Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton. In late 1953 he left Delamere.
1952 Handicap Chase at Fontwell KING STEPHEN 11/10 fav trained by A Hammond and ridden by A Corbett
1952 Handicap Chase at Ludlow GOLDEN FOX 11/2 trained by A Hammond and ridden by A Honeybone
1953 Handicap Chase at Newbury KING STEPHEN 9/2 trained by A Hammond and ridden by K Mullins
1953 Nailsworth Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton WAXEN IMAGE 10/1 owned by S Leverton, trained by A Hammond and ridden by P Conion
1954-1968 Harry Hannon
Harry Hannon, born on 2nd November 1903 in Armagh, Ireland, was a successful Flat race jockey in Ireland before making his way to England to become a National Hunt jockey. After the War he launched his training career at Lewes, close to the former racecourse, while in 1954 he took over Delamere Stables on the Folly Road. In his first year at Delamere he suffered 23 seconds before notching a winner, but in a career lasting nearly 25 years he trained over 400 winners on the Flat and over jumps. He fathered Richard Hannon, Classic winning trainer who assisted him at Delamere before taking over the licence in 1970. He, in turn, fathered Richard Hannon junior. Harry Hannon died on his birthday 2nd November 1980 aged 77.
1955 Caversham Apprentice Stakes at Newmarket SUNSTREAK 100/8 trained by Harry Hannon and ridden by P Kellary
1957 William Clark Handicap at Newbury VALUE 8/1 trained by Harry Hannon and ridden by Brian Jago
Jack Dowdeswell, born in Berkshire on 27th May 1917, was one of six children in the family. At the age of 14 he went to Ted Gwilt's Saxon House stables in 1931 with an eagerness to learn and a keenness for hard work. He was badly treated by Gwilt, who exploited his position as trainer when he should have seen it as a caring, supportive role. Jack viewed it as slave labour, being made to work for 14 hours a day, with little respite and no real chance of escaping the shackles of an apprenticeship. In the end Jack survived and had the last laugh when he declined Gwilt's offer of a pay rise after he had qualified, choosing instead to work for Captain Bay Powell at Albourne, where his natural riding skills were fully appreciated, and Jack began to thrive. The Second World War came at an awkward time for Jack, but he completed his National Service in the Royal Horse Artillery, serving in Italy and North Africa, and after the War had ended he was able to resume his riding career, winning at Wye for Captain Bay Powell on his first ride back. Jack married Betty, his lifelong partner, and the couple were blessed with two children, Michael and Liz, who has been of enormous help in constructing the History of Lambourn Racing Stables. In the 1946-47 season he won the National Hunt Jockeys championship and then began to chalk up wins in some of the most high-profile jump races of the day. He won the 1947 Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree with Good Date trained by Captain Bay Powell, and Jack also partnered the horse in the 1947 Grand National but fell. The year 1954 was a good one for Jack, landing the 1954 Imperial Cup at Sandown riding The Pills 20/1, and winning the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Hipparchus for very supportive owner trainer Peter Rice-Stringer. The next year Jack was successful in the Queen Elizabeth Chase at the much-lamented Hurst Park on Limb of the Law for owner Mr E Bee. For all of his successes in the saddle, Jack fared badly in the Grand National, riding in it 7 times and failing to complete on every occasion. He first rode Second Act 100/1 in the 1939 National, falling at the 9th fence, but partnered the same horse in 1940, falling at the 14th fence. The 1947 ride on Good Date saw him fall; he fell at the first in 1951 on Cadamstown; he fell at the 23rd fence in 1954 on Ordnance II 18/1; he was brought down at Becher's Brook in 1955 on Roman Fire 66/1, and finally in 1956 he fell at the 26th fence on Armorial III when 20/1. In 1956 Jack suffered a bad fall on Le Captain at Buckfastleigh on Whit Saturday, seriously damaging his spine and forcing him to retire from race riding. Undeterred, he set about the task of preparing himself for training, working for Commander Bisgood at Stork House, and by the early 1960s he was full prepared to launch his training career. In August 1960 Jack, described by newspapers as a 'fearless rider over the sticks' applied for a National Hunt trainers licence, moving to Delamere on Folly Road in 1961. He remained at Delamere between 1961 and 1963, and then built 22 boxes at a new stables he named Four Acres.
Paddy Roche was Assistant trainer to Doug Marks before launching his own training career in Ireland where he trained one winner. He then transferred to Rhonehurst to replace Matt Feakes after his retirement in September 1966, and was ultimately himself replaced by Richard Head. He then moved to Delamere, Folly Road in 1968, remaining for 2 years.
1969-December 1973 Jeremy Speid-Soote
Jeremy Rowley Speid-Soote, born on 6th August 1941, was the son of the Master of Foxhounds in Devon, so it was extremely likely that he would carve out a career in racing. He celebrated his first win on Illusion 11/2 at Doncaster on 10th March 1964, shortly afterwards turning profession. His first win as a professional was at Windsor on Friday 20th November 1964 in the Doveney Juvenile Hurdle aboard Ianto 10/1. He married Susan Jeffers on 26th June 1965 and later the couple lived at Delamere on the Folly Road in Lambourn. In 1973 he began training at Delamere Cottage stables but enjoyed limited success and eventually became a stud manager.
December 1973-1974 Dick Holland
Dick Holland, who had worked for Major J B Powell in Lambourn for 25 years, left to train on his own account at Telford Stables in 1966, but in December 1973 he returned to Lambourn to take over at Delamere Cottage Stables on the Folly Road. He remained for just one year.
Paul F I Cole, born on 11th September 1941, was not born into a racing family; his grandfather was a Wiltshire farmer until the War began to eat into his profits and he had to sell the land. His father had no association with horse racing, so Paul was unusual in that he was an outsider who worked his way to the top. Few trainers can boast sending out 5 Derby winners, including the 1991 Epsom Derby winner Generous. Similarly, few trainers can claim to have recorded 21 Royal Ascot winners and be top Royal Ascot trainer in 1992, so Paul can rightfully claim his place near the top of the all-time trainers table. He was educated at Kings School, Taunton, and then joined Les Kennard in the West Country. He was fortunate to be with George Todd at Manton at a time when Todd was hitting the headlines, and then Cole moved to Richmond Sturdy's stable at Shrewton where he spent 3 years gaining further experience before he felt that the time was right to set off on his own training career. He began his training career in 1968 at Hill House Stables, Lambourn, taking over from Charles Carlos Clarke, and remained there for 17 years until 1986. In his first season his winners included Optimistic Pirate, Red Hot Pirate, May's Folly and My Matt. The year 1974 was good for Paul, he won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar with Owenboliska, who had already won 5 races the previous season, and sent out 5 runners in 5 Ladies races, winning 5 thanks to Brooke Sanders. On the back of such success his string increased to 70 in 1975. In 1979 he won the valuable Hungerford Stakes at Newbury with the David Rowland owned Skyliner. Paul moved to the famous Whatcombe Estate, Berkshire in 1987, from where Arthur Budgett sent out the Derby winners Morston and Blakeney, and his career really took off, especially after he teamed up with Prince Fahd Salman. As well as winning the 1990 St Leger with Snurge, and the 1991 Derby with Generous, he was crowned Champion Flat trainer in 1991 and went from strength to strength.
1987-1990 W G A Brooks
W G A Brooks moved to Lambourn in 1987 to take over at Delamere Cottage on the Folly Road. He recorded successes at a wide range of racecourses from Brighton to Beverley, and Yarmouth to Chepstow. He left Delamere in 1990 and was replaced by William Muir.
1986 Yarmouth Handicap JOYFUL DANCER 11/2 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Richard Quinn
1987 Brighton Handicap ZILLEBEKE 7/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Tony Ives
1987 Brighton Handicap MARTIAN MELODY 33/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Tyrone Williams
1987 Chepstow Handicap CRYSTAL MOSS 5/4 fav trained by W Brooks and ridden by J Carter
1988 Folkestone Handicap HASTY SARAH 10/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Simon Whitworth
1988 Ripon Handicap LITTLE ENCHANTRESS 5/2 jt fav trained by W Brooks and ridden by R Curant
1989 Beverley Handicap O-LA-LA 9/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Steve Dawson
1898 Huntingdon Hurdle BULLY BOY 9/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Paul Leech
1989 Beverley Handicap O-LA-LA 7/1 trained by W Brooks and ridden by Steve Dawson
William Muir, born at Fawley Stud, was destined to spend his life in racing and to become a leading trainer. Having spent time learning his trade with Pat Taylor, Nick Vigors, Kim Brassey and Fulke Johnson Houghton, he launched his own training career in 1991 in his 12 horse Delamere, Folly Road yard in Lambourn, and saddled the one time favourite in that years Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood, although Farfelu (10/1) ultimately finished sixth behind the Richard Hannon trained Notley (14/1). In 1993 William, and his wife Janet, moved down the roda to Linkslade Stables which, at that point, was unkempt after a couple of years neglect following the death of owner Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah of Kuwait
Kevin McAuliffe, former assistant to Paul Cole, began training in Lambourn in 1994, basing himself at Delamere Cottage on the Folly Road., and managing double figures winners in his first two seasons. In 1996 he gained his first winner abroad when General Song landed the Premio Stratford at Capannelle, Rome. His most high-profile winner during that initial training spell was Tippitt Boy 33/1 winning the 1997 Norfolk Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting. Kevin had left Delamere Cottage by 2002 and was appointed as trainer to Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, training more than 160 horses for the Prince in Saudi Arabia.
1996 Premio Stratford in (Capannelle) Rome GENERAL SONG (no odds returned) owned and trained by Kevin McCauliffe and ridden by F Javine
1997 Kenilworth Auction Stakes at Warwick TIPPITT BOY 16/1 owned by Highgrove Developments, trained by Kevin McAuliffe and ridden by John Reid
1997 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot TIPPITT BOY 16/1 owned by Highgrove Developments, trained by Kevin McAuliffe and ridden by John Reid
1998 EBF Milcars Watford Stakes at Kempton CHAMPAGNE RIDER 8/1 owned by Highgrove Developments Ltd, trained by Kevin McAuliffe and ridden by John Reid
1998 New England Conditions Stakes at Kempton CHAMPAGNE RIDER 7/4 fav owned by Highgrove Developments Ltd, trained by Kevin McAuliffe and ridden by John Reid
2020-2021 Seamus Durack
Seamus Edmund Durack, born in Ireland on 3rd November 1975, is the son of an Irish Doctor. After his compulsory education he became an amateur jockey, acting as assistant pupil trainer to Philip Hobbs, becoming champion amateur in the 1997-98 season and partnering In Truth to victory at the 1998 Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir Chase. He turned professional and regularly notched over 40 winners each season, although in May 2005 he suffered a setback on Redspin at Towcester, breaking his leg and putting his career on hold. One of his highest profile winners was aboard Snoopy Loopy in the 2008 Betfair Chase, but he retired from race riding in 2010, having ridden just under 500 wins, and launched his training career in 2011 at The Barns, Newlands Stables. Seamus enjoyed particular successes with Qaraaba, the Rectifier and Litigant, the latter winning the £93,000 All-Weather Marathon Championship Conditions Stakes at Lingfield. It is thought that, at some stage, he occupied Delamere Cottage Stables, but he was invited to return to Newlands in 2021 by Richard Fiddes, joint owner of Principle Racing, which was formed in 2021. They jointly hoped to fill 50 of the boxes, the stable having a capacity of 76.
