Neil King Purchases Upper Herdswick Farm
Neil King purchases Upper Herdswick Farm Neil King, the leading National Hunt trainer in Newmarket, is set to move from his St Gatien Stables yard of 12 years following his purchase today of Upper Herdswick Farm at Barbury Castle near Marlborough. The 284 acre chalk land downs training establishment is currently rented to Jim Old and has been the source of numerous winners including Champion Hurdle winner, Collier Bay. In a yard swap brokered by Windsor Clive International, St Gatien Stables has been purchased by Wally Sturt, long time racehorse owner with Sir Mark Prescott and owner and landlord to Jim Old. The move comes on the back of King's most successful season to date with 25 winners, which have included the promising Saffron Wells, Zeroeshadesofgrey and Delgany Demon. King comments "Newmarket has been an excellent place to train from but it's been a long held ambition to have my own land and private facilities. Upper Herdswick has exceptional gallops to train jumpers from, it has one of the best schooling grounds in the country and plenty of turnout for horses. It will be a busy summer refurbishing the buildings, as well as installing a new polytrack gallop and spa facility. I am delighted to be in a position where I can take this major step forwards and look to increase the number and quality of horses in the yard, and hopefully attract further new owners. I've steadily built up the business over the past few years with increased winners year on year and my owners are extremely supportive of the move. I'm also lucky to have a great team of staff, the majority of whom are moving with me including our stable jockey, Trevor Whelan." George Windsor Clive says 'Training yards with their own gallops are on many trainers' wish list but few can buy them. In this case it needed knowledge of both parties' requirements to negotiate the transaction. Windsor Clive International is dealing with the ongoing letting of St Gatien Cottage Stables - For further information, please contact: Neil King 01638 666150 neil@neil-king.co.uk 07880 702325 Or go to www.neil-king.co.uk
