Childwickbury Stud

Society visit in August 2011

By Rosemary Ross

Aerial view of Childwick hall and the Stud stables

Bidwells 2011 sales catalogue

Following a talk on Childwickbury by Christine Aitken, members of the Society were privileged to visit the Stud in August 2011, where they were welcomed and guided by Martin Grassick and his family who managed the business on behalf of the Marquesa de Moratalla. 

They were given a tour of the stables and learned how the Stud operated. They noted the tributes to past racing successes - the monument to Doris, and the walls filled with plaques denoting successes over many decades.

Martin Grassick explains the finer points of breeding to Ron Staines, former Chairman of the Society

Gavin Ross, 2011

They learned about the breeding programmes and saw several mares and their foals in the surrounding paddocks. They admired the care with which the heritage and environment of the estate, the gardens and the gardens had been beautifully preserved. After the tour the family provided excellent hospitality in the garden, lit, beneath the earlier storm clouds, by a stunning sunset.

Update, May 2015

Just after our visit The Childwickbury Stud was sold to Mr & Mrs Paul Flatt. After extensive refurbishment over the past three years, The Childwickbury Stud re-opened in early 2015 thus securing a future for these famous paddocks and stud buildings. Max Weston is the new Stud Manager. Please see the Childwickbury Stud website:- www.childwickburystud.co.uk