Trainer Martyn Meade, who saddled the first Group 1 winner of his career when Aclaim (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) took out the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly last month, has purchased a majority of the historic Manton Estate in Marlborough. Meade will leave Newmarket towards the end of this year and is projected to begin training from the estate in the spring of 2018.
A part of British turf racing history for over a century and a half, Manton has been the home to better than 50 Classic winners, the first of which dates back to the 2000 Guineas of 1873 and the Alec Taylor, Sr.-trained Gang Taylor.
It has been a very successful season for Meade at his current base at Sefton Lodge, who also won the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and G3 Craven S. with Eminent (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who figures as one of the stable's big guns next season at Manton. Meade was also represented in 2017 by Cambridgeshire H. winner Dolphin Vista (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and the promising 2-year-old dual winner Chilean (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}).
“Sefton Lodge has been a wonderful base for us since 2014, but we are obviously very excited about this new venture and hope to build on what has been a great season for the team,” Meade said.
“There is a hugely positive feeling about the move and following Aclaim's Group 1 win at the end of this season we hope to build on the success and follow the legacy that Manton brings with it.
He continued, “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.”
Brian Meehan, who trains out of the Astor Yard at Manton and has been at the estate since 2006, plans on remaining for the forseeable future.
“I'm delighted that Martyn Meade and his team are joining me here at Manton next year,” Meehan said. “I came to Manton in 2006 and I still have to pinch myself on a daily basis to remind myself that my presence here is a reality. It is a wonderful place to live and train. Recently my fiancee Jax and I have agreed to purchase of both Manton Lodge and the Astor Yard and I am very grateful to Paul and Anne Clarke for giving me the opportunity to purchase my piece of racing's most powerful set-up.
Meehan continued, “Martyn has had a cracking year in 2017 and his operation is an exciting set-up to have as a neighbour. I've had so many incredible years here at Manton and I am looking forward to many more with an exciting and increased team of horses, owners and staff for next year. Manton allows a trainer to partake and contribute on the international scene and it is business as usual.”
Other trainers to have plied their trade at Manton include Barry Hills, Peter Chapple-Hyam, John Gosden and George Baker.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
