Horse racing winners in the property stakes

Many communities across the country live and breathe horses, and clients are often attracted to these areas by the good houses found in such beautiful settings.

Many trainers are renowned for choosing good areas in which to live and base their yards. Take Jonjo O’Neill who trains one of Saturday’s runners, Shutthefrontdoor, near Temple Guiting, Cheltenham. Or there is Kim Bailey, who trains The Last Samuri, round the corner at Withington, between Cheltenham and Cirencester. There are some great pubs in the area, including The Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power and the Wheatsheaf in Northleach. We have bought many houses for clients in these areas – both for people who already have a love for the colourful world of racing and for those with no love of racing at all.

From experience, this doesn’t last long. The love – even indoctrination - of horses often comes later, when those clients have frequented the inevitably good quality pubs in these areas, rubbing shoulders with racehorse owners, trainers and jockeys. The intoxicating world of racing is such that those with no previous interest often get sucked in, with many clients ending up buying a leg, or if they really get the bug, a string.

Moving down to the Berkshire Downs, it’s a similar story. Nicky Henderson, who has Triolo D’Alene running in this year’s National, trains at Seven Barrows on the Berkshire Downs. Alan King trains Midnight Prayer, another runner, over at Barbury Castle near Marlborough. We have bought houses within a short trot of these establishments for clients who enjoy the attractions of the aptly named The Outside Chance in the picturesque village of Manton, Marlborough or the Queens Arms at East Garston near the beautiful Lambourn Valley.

Last year’s winner, Many Clouds, is trained by Oliver Sherwood: we bought a house within a few metres of his yard a few years back for clients with no interest in racing at the time. Rumour has it they are now owners themselves!