Martyn Meade buys 'major part' of historic racing estate

Newmarket trainer Martyn Meade has bought a substantial part of the historic Manton estate with plans to train and farm there.

Speaking exclusively to the Racing Post after closing the deal on Thursday, Meade said: “We’ve bought a major part of Manton and it's an incredibly exciting venture.

"The plan is to develop the Fyfield yard down there which has around 80 boxes as opposed to 50 at Sefton Lodge. This will give us more scope and we hope to be in by the start of the 2018 Flat season.”

Meade originally hails from Wiltshire and is hoping to return to his roots as he added: “I’m from a farming background and the plan would be to train and farm on the estate.

"Brian Meehan trains out of a yard down there and the plan is for him to remain. It’s all very exciting.

"Since returning to the training ranks, we have been committed to producing top-class racehorses and I can't think of a more ideal setting for us to continue this journey than Manton, which has long been associated with the very best horses."

Dramatic new chapter

Meade is planning to move from Sefton Lodge at the end of the year, starting 2018 on the Manton estate which had been bought three years ago by local businessman Paul Clarke from the Sangster family.

The move opens a dramatic new chapter for the trainer who bought his current yard at Sefton Lodge in Newmarket only in 2014 and sent out his first Group 1 winner when Aclaim won the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly last month.

Although Aclaim has retired Meade will be taking the classy three-year-old Eminent, a Group 2 winner who ran in the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, with him to Manton.

THE HISTORY OF MANTON

1987 Barry Hills has a brief training stint at Manton
1991 Peter Chapple-Hyam appointed as new trainer and has two Classic successes in 1992 with Dr Devious in the Derby and Rodrigo De Triano in the 2,000 Guineas
1999 John Gosden takes over from Chapple-Hyam. He becomes the sixth trainer to send out a British Classic winner from Manton when Lahan lands the 1,000 Guineas
2005 Gosden announces departure for Newmarket
2006 Brian Meehan becomes the new trainer
2013 George Baker moves in alongside Meehan
2017 George Baker leaves Manton for Robins Farm

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