Other Yorkshire Studs - S

Scampston Hall Stud
Scampston, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8NG
Owner: Lady Caroline Legard
Type: Private
Notes: Situated just off the A64 (and no distance for Oaks Farm Stables), Scampston Hall is the stately family home of the Ledgard family. The stud is a relatively new venture and its success largely down to one mare Midnight's Reward (Night Shift - Margaret's Ruby) who was initially the only mare at the stud, and was originally owned in partnership with a friend, Mrs.Kathleen Jenyns. The mare was purchased at the end of her winning two-year-old career with Richard Whitaker but was injured early the following season, so the decision was made to breed from her, Mrs.Jenyns having sadly died of MS. Some of the early fillies were retained, initially with Mary Reveley, and the colts sold including minor winner Soca King (Midyan) and winners abroad Midnights Dream and Damaya. Her 98 filly by Celtic Swing called Pasithea was retained and sent to Tim Easterby for whom she won nearly £40,000 and three races, she was also placed third in the Aphrodite Stakes L on her final start in 2002. The next foal Forest Prize (99 filly by Charnwood Forest) was sold for 13,500gns to a Tim Easterby syndicate and won two races. At the 2003 December Sales Forest Prize was bought back (in foal to Polish Precedent) by Lady Ledgard for 38,000gns to supplement the Scampston broodmare band, the reasons for this being that Midnight's Reward had died (in total she produced seven winners from nine foals) and also that her last foal was by now one of the leading sprinters in the country.
Midnight's Reward last surviving foal was Somnus (2000 gelding by Pivotal), he was born at New England Stud and sent upto Sledmere with his dam. Upon weaning Midnight's Reward was sent home, whilst Somnus remained at Sledmere. He was consigned to the 2001 St Leger Sales via Catridge Farm Stud, but bought in via Geoffrey Howson by Lady Ledgard for 13,500gns, who sold 1/4 shares to Roger Sidebottom and Sir Tatton Sykes (the owner of Sledmere). Put into training with Tim Easterby Somnus won a maiden on his second start, then took a nursery and then won the £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes at Doncaster, which was followed up with a victory in the betabet Two-Year-Old Trophy. At three he won three races including the Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1 and the Hackwood Stakes L as well as being second in the Hopeful Stakes L. At four in 2004 he won the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 and the Prix de la Foret G1 and was also second in the Stanleybet Sprint Cup G1 and the Chipchase Stakes G3., to date he has won over £570,000.
The broodmare band at Scampton (where Lady Ledgard looks after the horses herself) now numbers four, but the star's are Pasithea (who's first foal was a filly by Muhtarram and who has a 04 Cape Cross filly and was sent to Observatory in 04) and Forest Prize (who in 04 had a Polish Precedent colt and was sent to Kyllachy 04). In 2013 Pasithea's 2009 foal Educate (by Echo Of Light) won his fifth race when landing the Cambridgeshire Handicap, having earlier the same year won the Spring Mile and had a number of other good runs, in 2016 Educate was second in the Festival Stakes L for the second year in a row, before landing the £124,500 John Smith's Cup at York and closed the turf season a neck second in the James Seymour Stakes L, before occupying the same position on the all-weather in the Churchill Stakes L. The other two mares were both purchased at the December Sales of 2002 and are 46,000gns purchase Quadri and 70,000gns purchase Odalisque (jointly owned with Sir Tatton Sykes). Presumably Semele (Pasithea's 2003 filly by Muhtarram) has now joined these mares at the stud, possibly along with Quintin (Quadri's 2003 filly by Spinning World). It is notable that Lady Legard used both Pivotal and Cape Cross when they were relatively cheap and before they became very successful stallions! Success was slow for Quadri although she did produce a string of minor winners, not to mention the minor Italian stakes performer Eva Kant (2006 by Medicean) but this changed with Royal Performer (2013 g by Medicean) , after a decent two year old careeer in the UK he moved to Hong Kong where he did well before, at the age of eight, taking his first black type (at the first attempt) when landing the 2021 Herbie Dyke Stakes G1 at Te Rapa (NZ).
Many years earlier Scampston was home of Sir William St Quinten, who bred the mare Cypron (1750 Blaze - Selima) here. She was later to produce for the Duke of Cumberland the stallion Herod who founded one of most prominent male sire lines starting with his sons Highflyer, Woodpecker and Florizel and continuing though the years with the likes of Sir Peter Teazle, Glencoe, Diomed (winner of the first Epsom Derby), American Eclipse and Lexington. The line was the most important in the stud book until it was eventually eclipsed by that of, er, Eclipse !

 

Sicklinghall Stud
Sicklinghall, Wetherby, North Yorkshire
Owner: Sir Robert Ogden CBE (died March 2022)
Acreage: 107
Type: Private
Notes: Robert Ogden was one of the leading National Hunt owners in the country having been champion owner thrice in the late 1990's/early 2000's with such stars as Voy Por Ustedes, Exotic Dancer, Kingsmark, Squire Silk, Fadalko, Marlborough, Ungaro and Star de Mohaison. The stud was founded in the late seventies and originally concentrated on the flat scene, having had numerous decent horses with Jack Hanson at Wetherby and Sally Hall at Brecongill, Middleham. His best flat mare in these early days was probably Rustle of Silk (by General Assembly) who produced the useful staying handicappers Royal York and Opus One, as well as Tote Gold Trophy winner Squire Silk. His interests then mainly switched to National Hunt, having at one time employed Ferdie Murphy as his private trainer at Middleham. In 2003 however there was a bit of a flat revivial, which continued in the ensuing years, as the aforementioned Royal York (by Bustino) produced a nice filly in the Alzao horse Flying Wanda who, trained by Jeremy Noseda, was second in the Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes L at Newbury and third in the Harvest Fillies Stakes L at Ascot. This seems to have renewed Sir Robert's interest in the flat as he purchased two nice fillies at the 2004 October Sales - a 200,000gns daughter of Gulch out of a stakes placed 1/2 sister to Russian Rhythm, and a 65,000gs daughter of In The Wings from the family of Shake The Yoke and Kutub. However it was an American purchase who really hit the big time in 2005, with La Chunga winning the Albany Stakes G3 at Royal Ascot at York, before running second in the Lowther Stakes G2 at the Ebor meeting. Ogden (and trainer Jeremy Noseda) repeated the La Chunga trick the following year when Sander Camillo also won the Albany Stakes G3 and followed up with a win in Newmarket's Cherry Hinton Stakes G2.
In 2013 there was some homebred success with Amazing Maria (2011 f by Mastercraftsman - Messias Da Silva) , trained in Newmarket by Ed Dunlop, winning the Prestige Stakes G3 at Goodwood, switched to David O'Meara in 2015 after a poor three year old career she was third in the Landwades Stud Stakes G2 for her new handler, before a Royal Ascot win in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes G2 and excellent top-flight wins in the Falmouth Stakes G1 and Prix Rothschild G1. Pandora (2012 f Galileo - Song Of My Heart) won a maiden and was third in the Musidora Stakes G3 for Charlie Hills, before a switch to David O'Meara in 2016 saw her land the £12,938 888sport.com Handicap and finish third in the EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes L. Sales purchase Alegra (Galileo - Altitude) produced two stakes winners during Sir Robert's lifetime; the David O'Meara trained Blue Gardenia (2016 f by Mastercraftsman) who took the EBF Montrose Fillies' Stakes L when still a maiden, and then never won again and Richard Fahey charge Pythagoras (2018 c by Zoffany) who took the 2020 Silver Tankard Stakes L at Pontefract. El Diamante (Royal Applause - Lumiere Rouge) has produced the useful O'Meara trainee Agincourt (2015 f by Declaration Of War) who took the Rosemary Stakes L in 2019, having already been placed in the Pipalong Stakes L and then in 2020 was runner-up in Covid-hit Royal Ascot's Duke of Cambridge Stakes G2. Tim Easterby had been added to the O'Meara/Fahey axis in recent seasons.
In 2021 the Sir Robert Ogden bred (but sold) Brigante Sabino (2018 colt Zoffany - Natural Bloom) took both the Gran Premio d'Italia L and the Premio U.N.I.R.E. L. Quite how 'home bred' some of these horses actually were remains to be seen, as Sir Robert had strong links with both Coolmore and Barton Stud, so some may have been boarded elsewhere.
In September 2021 Tattersalls dispersed all of Sir Robert's breeding stock (via Barton Stud) ; namely 24 fillies and mares including such luminaries as Amazing Maria (who fetched 230,000gns), Agincourt (200,000gns), Isabella (225,000gns) and Blue Gardenia (180,000gns). Sir Robert Ogden died in March 2022. This wasn't the end of the story however as in November 2023 a colt named Katmandu (2020 Showcasing - Alegra), bred by Sir Robert, won on the all-weather at Southwell on his second start and then, the following year, was third in the Craven Stakes G3 and then second, beaten only a head, in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches G1 (aka the French 2,000 Guineas), he is a half brother to the aforementioned Pythagoras and Blue Gardenia. Later in the year another Ogden bred horse, Rogue Sensation, picked up black-type when second in th Prix Zeddaan L.

 

Southwood Farm
Streetlam, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 0AS
Owner: Knox family (Jeremy and Muriel)
Type: Private
Notes: Founded in the mid 1990's on the family farm the considerable breeding success of the Knox family largely stems for the mare Miss Mercy (1992 by Law Society), bought by the late Ken Knox as a four year old for 3,000gns at Doncaster in 1996. From the family of Arjuzah and Sandhurst Goddess, she was a winner at two and subsequently produced seven winners from nine foals for the Knox's including Sadeek (2004 g by Kyllachy,who won the Woodcote Stakes L and was second in the Anglesey Stakes G3), Dubai Dynamo (2005 g by Kyllachy, won 18 and £364k inc. Redcar's totescoop Two Year Old Trophy L) and Pachara (1999 c by Mind Games, won seven and placed third in the Cornwallis Stakes G3). Furthermore Miss Mercy was also the dam of three fillies who produced 'black type' horses themselves namely ;

As they only normally have around half a dozen mares and all the above (apart from Country Carnival) were bred by the Knox's it certainly shows that they are very good at determining which fillies and mares to keep and which to cull and, indeed, which to buy back. Recently that have had horses in training with Karl Burke, Ruth Carr, Michael Dods and David O'Meara.

 

Stables House Stud
Harewood, Leeds, North Yorks
Owner: Lascelles Family (no longer stud)
Acreage:
Type: Public (when a stud)
Past Stallions: Hard Sauce, Bounteous, Double Jump
Notes: The Stables House Stud was founded in 1929 by the 6th Earl of Harewod, when he and his wife, HRH Princess Mary, went to live at Harewood House, following the death of his father, the 5th Earl. The bloodstock from his property at Goldsborough Hall (nr.Knaresborough, his stud here was founded in 1922, although in the 17th century it had been the home to the Byerley Turk - one of the founding thoroughbred stallions) was moved to Harewood and included the stallions St.Jerome, Alcester, King Salmon and Phideas. Following the death of the 6th Earl, HRH The Princess Royal (as Princess Mary became) took over the stud and it was leased to Sassoon Studs in 1947, although HRH continued to keep mares here.Amongst the horses they bred here were Kannabis who was placed third in the Oaks, and Observer Gold Cup winner Pretendre. Once taken over by Sassoon the stud was primarily used to stand stallions including Hard Sauce (Ardan - Saucy Bella) who was a winner of six races including the July Cup and the Challenge Stakes as well as finishing second in the King's Stand Stakes and Gimcrack Stakes. His winners at stud included 1958 Epsom Derby winner Hard Ridden (himself sire of decent stallion Hardicanute) as well as Bonjour (2nd.Prix du Jockey Club) and Bleep Bleep. From 1963 till the mid seventies the property was leased by Lord Bolton who kept four or five mares at the property until founding a stud of his own at the family seat Wensley Hall. From 1967 Stables House stood the 1964 Champion Two Year Old, Double Jump (Rustam - Fair Bid by My Babu).

 

Star Cottage Stud
Malton, North Yorks
Owner: Camacho Family
Acreage:
Type: Private
Notes; The Camaco family stud has historically been run in conjunction with the training operations first of Maurice, and then of Julie, although there is every indication that it will continue after Julie ceases to train at the end of 2001 (allegedly, although she is still going strong in 2011!), indeed it may even expand. As well as looking after their own small band of mares the stud is also home to some of the mares and youngstock of Elite Racing, as Maurice Camacho has been the Breeding Manager for this highly successful racing club. The most successful of their Yorkshire bred stock is Soviet Song (Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile G1, Falmouth Stakes G1 (twice), Sussex Stakes G1, Matron Stakes G1, Windsor Forest Stakes G2, Ridgewood Pearl Stakes G2, Sweet Solera Stakes L, 2nd.Coronation Stakes G1, Queen Anne Stakes G1, Sussex Stakes G1 (twice), 3rd.betfred.com Mile G2), whose dam Kalinka continues to be based at Malton. Another Malton graduate for Elite is Dancing Bay (formerly trained by Julie Camacho) who has done well over hurdles for Nicky Henderson as well as being placed second in the Queen Alexandra Handicap at Royal Ascot 2004, and filling the same position in the Lonsdale Cup G2 at York in the same year. At Cheltenham in 2005 Dancing Bay was an excellent second in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Gd2 and two days later another Elite Racing owned product of Star Cottage, Penzance, produced an even more important result when taking the JCB Triumph Hurdle G1. More recently Brecon Beacons has been flying the flag for the Elite/Star Cottage combo, being placed second in a listed race in April 2005, and following up with the same position in the valuable Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. A further Group winner for Elite came in August 2005 in the shape of Eisteddfod (2001 g by Cadeaux Genereux - Ffestiniog) who won the Prix de Meautry G3 at Deauville to add to earlier valuable handicap wins including the Ayr Silver Cup of 2004.
Elite Racing won the 2004 'Small Breeders' award at the Thoroughbred Breeders Association annual awards. However the most successful horse actually bred by the Camacho's is probably River Belle the 2001 filly by Lahib out of Dixie Favor who had two wins in 2003 including the Princess Margaret Stakes G3. In 2004 she raced in the United States winning the Mrs Revere Stakes G3, and finishing third in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup G1. Her year older half sister Kiralik (by Efisio) won the Criterium Femminile Darley L at two in 2002 and, the following year, was third in the Premio Regina Elena G2 and her 2002 gelding by Pivotal, Rio Riva, is trained by Julie Camacho and has won nearly £50,000 including the 2005 Ripon Rowels Handicap. Amongst the other good horses bred here are Alabang (won 8 and £40,915, 2nd.Tote Lanzarote Hcp Hurdle L, 3rd.Wm Hill Hcap Hurdle L), El Nido (Won 11 and £35,446) and Calachuchi (Won 9 and £29,692) who is amongst the current broodmares (as is her 1/2 sister the 3 times winner Lapu-Lapu) and is already dam of 3 winners from 5 foals. Sue Camacho (Maurice's wife) was also the joint breeder of the Maurice trained Avro Anson (Dipper Novices Chase 1996., 2nd.Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle 1994). Maurice Camacho was one time manager of Nidd Park Stud when it was owned by the Matthews family, for whom he trained.

 

Swinton Grange Stud
Swinton, Malton, North Yorks YO17 00B
Owner: Col.William E. Behrens (when a stud)
Acreage: 65
Type: Mostly Private
Notes: For a time Swinton Grange Stud was one of the most successful small studs in Yorkshire. The stud was founded in 1928 and restarted after a war-time lull in 1947. However Bill Behrens didn't start breeding for the flat until he took up permanent residence in 1954, having retired from his career as a barrister. There were usually around seven or eight mares at any one time and the best winners bred were descended from Winning Bid (Great Captain - Straight Bid). Winning Bid, who had won three races and been placed third in the Melrose Handicap, she was a cull from the famous stud of Dorothy Paget and was bought by Behrens for a mere £500, privately from Yorkshire vet Verenon Tyerman. She was dam of Coup de Feu (by White Fire III, won 6 races including the 1974 Eclipse S G1 and the Newbury Spring Cup, 3rd.Prix Jacques le Marois G1), Peleid (by Derring-Do, 1973 St.Leger G1, Magnet Gold Cup, Zetland Gold Cup, 2nd.John Porter S G3) and Gallant Bid (Won 4, placed third in the Yorkshire Oaks G1). The last two named were retained to race in the Behren's colours, Coup de Feu having been sold for a mere 1,500gns. Amongst the other good horses bred at Swinton were Beldale Rep (who won the Norwegian Derby and Stockholm Stora Preis G2 and was out of a half sister to Peleid and Coup de Feu) and Gallant Bid's offspring Imperial Bid, who was a high class handicapper, indeed Gallant Bid's first six foals were all winners. In addition Swinton also boarded mares for solicitor Mr.Noel Hetherton including Cold Storage (Won 2, 2nd.Cheshire Oaks and 3rd.St.Leger G1) and her grand-daughter Line Slinger (Won 3 inc.Yorkshire Cup G2) both of whom were bred at Swinton Grange and retained, like the Behrens' horses, to be trained by Bill Elsey at Malton. Noel Hetherton's son, James, is now a trainer using part of the former Elsey yard at Highfield.
Although primarily a private stud they did stand the Ernie Weymes trained Meldrum from 1970, he stood at a fee of £250 and sired a number of winners before moving to the Stockwell Stud. They also stood Sailing Light. The stud ceased in the late eighties, following the death of Col.Behrens, aged 80, in June 1989, with the remaining three mares (a 1/2 sister to Beldale Rep, Gallant Bid herself and a daughter of Gallant Bid) all being sold at the 1989 Tattersalls December Sales. Swinton's stud groom for over half a century was Jim Barker.

 

Sycamore Farm Stud
South Lund Farm, Tame Bridge, Stokesley, North Yorkshire TS9 5LH
Owner: Geoffrey & Judith Bonson
Acreage: 40
Type: Previously private, but now stands JB Quick.
Notes: This stud was originally based at 'Ringbeck' Kirby Malzeard and was founded in 1976 before moving to it's current location in November 2004. In May 2004, the first offspring of resident stallion JB Quick won a bumper for the first time of asking at Market Rasen, trained by Wensley trainer Geoff Harker.  His second outing at Hereford on 9th June was just as successful with a second win by 10 lengths.  JB Quick will be taking visiting mares from 2005, all enquiries to Geoff Bonson on 01642 713648 or email sycamorefarmstud@yahoo.co.uk

 

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Copyright 2002 Stephen George-Powell

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