The Race Is On

Berkshire and Oxfordshire are galloping ahead of the market with state-of-the-art studs and equestrian-friendly country houses

CRISIS? What crisis? in a stellar Flat racing season—which has seen Jessica Harrington, doyenne of Irish trainers, blaze a trail on the international stage with flying filly Alpha Centauri and rookie trainer Archie Watson establish himself as the young master of legendary Saxon Gate at Upper Lambourn with his first Royal Ascot winner, soldier’s Call—the main problem facing ambitious new entrants to the game is finding the right property, says rob Fanshawe of search agents Property Vision.

‘Right now, Lambourn is the place to be. Britain’s second-largest training centre, after Newmarket, is buzzing with young people who have trained and travelled throughout the global world of international racing. They radiate energy and enthusiasm and newcomers to the ranks of racehorse owners just want to be part of it. As a result, Lambourn is full, with only one major racing yard currently on the market,’ he reveals.

That is the elegant, Georgian Stonehurst at Upper Lambourn, which sits in 18½ acres of landscaped gardens, state-of-the-art training facilities and paddocks, with direct access to Lambourn’s famous grass and all-weather gallops. Now on offer through Windsor Clive international (01672 521155) and Savills in Newbury (01635 277700) at a guide price of £3.5 million, Stonehurst has been the training base of Grand National-winning jumps trainer Oliver Sherwood, who bought the entire complex in 1984, before selling to the present owners in 2002 and leasing back the training yard and facilities.

The Berkshire property comprises the handsome brick-and-flint Rhonehurst House, a classic 8,500sq ft six-bedroom country house set at the end of a long drive, overlooking gardens laid mainly to lawn with herbaceous borders and lined with a row of limes.