Sir Michael Stoute's 'emotional' return to Freemason Lodge - and how Amo investment has created a 'five-star hotel for horses'

Kevin Philippart de Foy has revealed details of the remarkable transformation of Freemason Lodge bankrolled by his new boss at Amo Racing – which even made the yard's former owner Sir Michael Stoute emotional. 

Philippart de Foy was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday’s newspaper in which he explains his decision to take up Kia Joorabchian’s offer to become Amo’s new trainer and reflects on the journey that has taken him there – including a period when he felt things “fell apart”. 

Having taken up the reins at Amo, Philippart de Foy becomes the beneficiary of the operation’s investment in Freemason Lodge, the yard on the Bury Road in Newmarket which was Stoute’s primary base from the late 1970s through to his retirement last year. It was subsequently purchased by Joorabchian earlier this year, since when it has undergone extensive renovations. 

"I was walking around the yard with Sir Michael Stoute two weeks ago and he was quite emotional about it,” said Philippart de Foy. “It needed a bit of money spending on it and Kia has done everything very well. It's been well thought through and once finished it will be pretty fantastic.

• Kevin Philippart de Foy to make move into Amo's Freemason Lodge 

• Amo Racing expected to take over at Freemason Lodge 

"It was Sir Michael's first time going around the yard since he sold it and it was pretty special. We've tried to keep Freemason as it is but have given it a good freshening up. There are new spas, treadmill and a swimming pool and it's stepped up to the 21st century. It's becoming a five-star hotel for horses and Sir Michael definitely wasn't disappointed with what he saw.” 

Philippart de Foy was allowed to bring existing owners and staff across to Freemason Lodge by Joorabchian, meaning he already has a big team of horses with the possibility to grow even more. 

He added: “At the moment we have 66 horses at Freemason but by the end of the year we'll have 98 boxes available."

Read more from Kevin Philippart de Foy in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday.

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