Prior to 1971 Kingwood Stables was a part of Kingwood Stud owned by N E Arrowsmith-Brown. In 1971 it was purchased by Tim Hollowell and his brother A J Hollowell from Arrowsmith-Brown for £150,000. Tim Hollowell had started training at The Curragh, Ireland, where he trained 6 winners, before purchasing Atty Corbett's old yard, Yew Tree House, Compton, Berkshire in January 1969 for £18,500.
He had successfully applied for a trainer's licence and launched his English training career in March 1969 aged 24, making him the youngest trainer in England at that time. He later transferred to Gondola, Newmarket, but in 1971 he had designs on setting up a training facility at Kingwood. At the time of purchase Kingwood Stud extended over 278 acres, had 3 stallion units, a Georgian main 5-bedroom residence together with a modern second house built of cedarwood, along with 4 semi-detached cottages and upwards of 100 boxes arranged in one isolation yard, 2 principal yards and 2 secondary yards. The total open land area of 220 acres was enclosed by post and railed paddocks, woodland and downland grazing land. Tim trained at Kingwood for 2 years, but in 1973 he put it on the market, selling it to Captain R M Smyly. Tim Hollowell relinquished his licence in September 1973 and moved to Brazil.
1974-1989 Captain R M Smyly
Mark Richard Smyly, born August 1943, was the nephew of Lieut-Colonel R P P Smyly who was in charge of Anne, Duchess of Westminsters Eaton Stud. Mark served in the 16/5 Lancers, reaching the rank of Captain, and then assisted Peter Walwyn in Lambourn for many years. During that time he also rode as often as he could. In 1968 he rode La Vulgan, trained by Tim Forster, to victory in a Wincanton chase before contesting the 1968 Grand Military Gold Cup Chase at Sandown. In 1974, having served Peter Walwyn so long, he decided to branch out on his own, taking over at Kingwood Stables from Tim Hollowell. His most successful horse was Blustery who won the 1977 Silver Jubilee Handicap at Lingfield before giving Mark the biggest win of his training career. Blustery, owned by fashion house owner Bobby Lorenz, and Middlesex cricketer Maurice Manassah, won the 1977 Lincoln Handicap at 20/1 partnered by Dennis McKay. In 1982 Mark trained Fitzroy to success in the Brooke Bond Oxo Amateur Riders Champs Final ridden by his good friend Tim Thomson-Jones. Gradually the number of winners decreased and Mark found it financially challenging to make training pay, so along with a number of trainers in 1989, Mark relinquished his licence in November 1989. He remained in close contact with friends and associates in Lambourn and was one of the chief organisers of Lambourn's famous Open Days, traditionally held on Good Friday.
1977 Silver Jubilee Handicap at Lingfield BLUSTERY owned by Bobby Lorenz and Maurice Manassah, trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Dennis McKay
1977 Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster BLUSTERY 20/1 owned by Bobby Lorenz and Maurice Manassah, trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Dennis McKay
1979 Paradise Stakes at Chester FLINT 9/1 trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Frank Morby
1980 Sporting Chronicle Handicap at Haydock CONBRIAN 4/6 fav trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Paul Cook
1980 Philip Cornes First Class Handicap at Newmarket CONBRIAN 4/6 fav trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by George Duffield
1982 Kempton Handicap ICON 8/1 trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Pat Eddery
1982 Brooke Bond Oxo Amateur Riders Champs Final at Haydock FITZROY 4/1 fav trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Tim Thomson-Jones
1983 Champagne Louis Roederer Trophy at Newbury BOEZINGE 15/2 trained by Mark Smyly and ridden by Joe Mercer
William Richard Hern, universally known as Dick, was born at Holford, Somerset on 20th January 1921. He had a distinguished career in the Army, reaching the rank of Major, before becoming a riding instructor, which included guiding the British Olympic team to gold medal success in 1952. He was appointed to train 50 horses privately for Major Lionel Brook Holliday at La Grange Stables at the end of the 1957 season, replacing Humphrey Cottrill who Holliday had dismissed. Hern enjoyed early successes with the filly None Nicer, winning the Yorkshire Oaks and Ribblesdale Stakes in 1958, followed by a July Cup victory with Gallivanter in 1961. However, the highlight of his time at La Grange was winning the 1962 St Leger with Hethersett (SR 2050) ridden by Harry Carr. At the end of the 1962 season his time at La Grange ended, and he moved to West Ilsley to take over from Jack Colling. There he had a remarkable career, winning 16 Classics and being crowned Champion Trainer on four occasions, 1962, 1972, 1980 and 1983.
His achievements were all the more remarkable because he was confined to a wheelchair in December 1984 after a hunting accident. In 1988 he was controversially sacked from his role as trainer to HM Queen Elizabeth II by the Earl of Carnarvon, her Racing Manager. She later allowed him to remain at the house in West Ilsley, but in 1991 he moved to Kingwood House in Lambourn, owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum for whom Dick had trained a number of good horses. During his 7-year spell at Kingwood House he trained two more good horses for Hamdan al Maktoum, Harayir, winner of the 1995 1000 Guineas, and Alhaarth, winner of the 1995 Dewhurst Stakes and 1996 Prix du Rond at Longchamp. He was ably assisted for 14 seasons by Marcus Tregoning, and when Dick finally retired at the end of the 1997 season Marcus took charge at Kingwood House. Dick Hern died in Oxford on 22nd May 2002 aged 81.
1991 Sandringham Stakes at Ascot IJTIHAAAD 8/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1991 Chesterfield Cup at Glorious Goodwood IJTIHAAD 11/2 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1994 Lowther Stakes at York HARAYIR 2/1 jt fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 1000 Guineas at Newmarket HARAYIR (SR 1889) 5/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Richard Hills
1994 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood ALHAARTH 5/6 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury HARAYIR 9/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Solario Stakes at Sandown ALHAARTH 30/100 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Celebration Mile at Goodwood HARAYIR 5/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket HARAYIR 13/8 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster ALHAARTH 2/5 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1995 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket ALHAARTH 4/7 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Willie Carson
1996 Prix du Rond at Longchamp ALHAARTH 81/10 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Richard Hills
1997 Churchill Stakes at Royal Ascot FALAK 7/2 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Richard Hills
1998-2012 Marcus Tregoning
Marcus Tregoning, born on 31st July 1959, benefitted from unparalleled guidance from Major Dick Hern throughout the 14 years he was his assistant both at West Ilsley and later at Kingwood House, Lambourn. When Dick finally retired at the end of the 1997 season Marcus successfully applied for a trainer's licence and took charge at Kingwood House. Marcus was supported in his new venture by wife Arabella and their 4 children. Although the undoubted highlight of his 15 years at Kingwood House was Sir Percy winning the 2006 Epsom Derby, Marcus has enjoyed Group 1 wins with Nayef and Ekraar. Ekraar won the 2003 Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Italy, but his achievements were surpassed by Nayef, winner of the 2001 Champion Stakes and 2002 International Stakes. In 2013 Marcus moved to Whitsbury stables where he continued to record Group 1 wins, notably in 2020 when Mohaather won the Sussex Stakes.
1999 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood EKRAAR 7/4 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2001 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood FATH 14/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2001 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock NAYEF 5/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2001 Select Stakes at Goodwood NAYEF 8/13 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2001 Cumberland Lodge Group 3 Stakes at Ascot NAYEF 8/13 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Willie Supple
2001 Champion Stakes at Newmarket NAYEF 3/1 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2002 Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot DOMINICA 16/1 owned by Major and Mrs R B Kennard, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2002 International Stakes at York NAYEF 6/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2002 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan NAYEF 9/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2003 Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket EKRAAR 9/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2003 Gran Premio del Jockey Club at San Siro EKRAAR 23/10 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2003 Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot NAYEF 5/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2003 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot HIGH ACCOLADE 5/2 fav owned by Lady Tennant, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2005 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood SIR PERCY 4/1 owned by A E Pakenham, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2005 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket SIR PERCY 9/2 owned by A E Pakenham, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2006 Epsom Derby SIR PERCY (SR 2001) 6/1 owned by A E Pakenham, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Martin Dwyer
2008 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood FINJAAN 5/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Richard Hills
2009 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood FINJAAN 5/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Tadhg O'Shea
2013-June 2014 John Hills
John William Hills, oldest son of Barry and Maureen Hills, was born on 25th September 1960 and was followed 3 years later by twins Michael and Richard. While the twins forged careers as jockeys, John remained a keen amateur jockey and became an adept trainer. His earliest ride as an amateur was at the age of 16 when partnering Matinale (5/1) to success in the historic 306th Newmarket Town Plate on Thursday 14th October 1976, defeating Marie Tinkler on Rowdy Elf. At that time the Town Plate was still recognisable from the Articles presented by King Charles II in 1665, with the first running taking place in 1666. The 1976 version was still run on the second Thursday in October over the Round Course, although it was impractical to run the race in heats. By 2006 the decision makers abandoned the sacred second Thursday in October for an August date, and some purists thought it marked the end of the Town Plate's links with King Charles II. In 2022 it was run in July, not over the Round Course but over just 2 miles, making it literally half the race which King Charles had decreed. John's first ride under the Rules of Racing was aboard Humdoleila (4/7 fav) at Redcar on Tuesday 1st August 1978 in the Rosedale Amateur Riders Stakes which he won by 4 lengths. It was the first of his 21 winning rides, the best of which was aboard the Josh Gifford trained Lumen in the 1979 Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum at Epsom. However, it was always more likely that the twins would become successful jockeys while John was destined to join the training ranks. He enjoyed a good grounding in the art of training through Eddie O'Grady, Tom Jones at Newmarket, John Gosden and Colin Hayes in Australia before becoming assistant to Barry at South Bank Stables. When his father was offered the prestigious job at Manton in November 1986 John oversaw the stables for a short time before taking on the trainers license in early 1987, marrying Fiona in the same year, the marriage being blessed with 4 daughters, Jessica, Olivia, Martha and Isabella. He quickly marked his arrival to the training ranks with a win by Sanamer in the April Maiden Mile at Pontefract on 23rd April 1987 when partnered by his brother Michael. Although he had limited success in high profile races during his time at South Bank, he later won the 1993 Old Newton Cup with Glide Path, the 1994 Chester Vase with Broadway Flyer, the 1995 Group 1 Aral-Pokal in Germany with Wind in her Hair, the 1996 Newbury Spring Cup with Royal Philosopher, the 1999 Hong Kong Derby with Docksider and his sole Royal Ascot success in the 2000 Queen Alexandra Stakes with Dominant Duchess. In late 1990 Barry Hills time at Manton came to an end and he needed to reclaim his old South Bank Stables, so John moved elsewhere in Lambourn to the Hill House yard which Paul Cole had once trained successfully. He remained at Hill House Stables for 7 years before transferring to The Croft, Upper Lambourn. He also took on Uplands Stables Top Yard from 2001 until 2003. John Hills was enthusiastic about a move to Kingwood House in 2013, but tragically he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in spring 2014 and died a couple of months later on 1st June 2014 aged just 53. His father Barry Hills received a temporary licence to continue training at the stables.
2015-2021 Owen Burrows
Owen Burrows was always likely to forge a career in racing given that his father was Head Lad to David Nicholson for 12 years and was then appointed by Martin Pipe to run his second yard for him for the next 5 years. Owen made the most of his opportunities, riding for Martin Pipe as a conditional jockey for 7 seasons, enjoying over 500 rides, over 40 of which were winners. His very first ride in public was at Exeter on 8th September 1993 on the filly Elegant Touch, trained by Martin Pipe which finished fourth. Over a year later on 26th December 1994 Owen rode his first winner First Century trained by Martin Pipe. All the time he was watching Pipe's training methods in preparation for his own career as a trainer. He then made his way to Newmarket in 2002 to join Sean Woods at La Grange Stables. However, Woods decided to relocate to Hong Kong later that year leaving Owen in limbo. He was extremely lucky to gain an opening at Freemason Lodge in March 2002, acting as assistant to Sir Michael Stoute for 12 seasons at a time when Stoute won the Epsom Derby 3 times; 2003 Kris Kin, 2004 North Light and 2010 Workforce. Workforce also won the 2010 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, and during Burrow's tenure Conduit gained back-to-back victories in the 2008 and 2009 Breeders Cup Turf. In 2015 Burrows successfully applied for his own trainers licence and was appointed by Hamdan Al Maktoum to train privately at Kingwood House, Upper Lambourn, and was in the fortunate position of having Barry Hills as his mentor in his first season. In 2020 the stable stars were Hukum, who won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and Geoffrey Freer Sakes at Newbury, and Minzaal who landed the Gimcrack Stakes at York. On 24th March 2021 Hamdan Al Maktoum died aged 75 and Owen had to rethink his operation. It was always on the cards that the Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, previously owned by Hamdan, would want to centralise its operation, which left Owen potentially vulnerable. For some time, since 2019, Hamdan had been working on new stables at Farncombe Down, Upper Lambourn, which operated as a 40-box rehabilitation yard, but Owen was able to relocate there in late 2021. Opening a new chapter for him, and giving him the potential to operate as a public yard.
2016 Chipchase Group 3 Stakes at Newcastle MARKAZ 9/2 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Paul Mulrennan
2017 Hungerford Group 2 Stakes at Newbury MASSAAT 12/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2017 City of York Group 3 Stakes at York TALAAYEB 9/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Chris Hayes
2017 Playboy Club London Handicap at Ascot LARAAIB 2/1 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2017 Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy Listed Stakes at Ripon ENJAZAAT 7/2 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2018 John Smiths Racing Handicap at York WADILSAFA 7/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2018 Original Harrogate Water Handicap at Ascot TABDEED 6/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2018 John Smiths Racing Handicap at York WADILSAFA 7/4 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Dane O'Neill
2018 Smarkets Fortune Listed Stakes at Sandown WADILSAFA 4/6 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2018 Cumberland Lodge Group 3 Stakes at Ascot LARAAIB 11/2 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2019 Follow William Hill Handicap at Doncaster ENJAZAAT 6/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2019 EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes at Kempton ENJAZAAT 7/4 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2019 British Stallion Studs Fillies Handicap at Nottingham OJOOBA 11/4 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2019 British EBF Matchbook Future Stayers at Kempton HUKUM 11/4 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot HUKUM 12/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 Woodcote EBF Stakes at Epsom TWAASOL 9/4 jt fav owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Martin Harley
2020 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury HUKUM 4/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury TABDEED 4/1 jt fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 Tote Free Streaming Handicap at Chelmsford DAWAAM 6/1 owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 Kentford British EBF Stakes at Salisbury MIZAAL 1/2 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2020 Gimcrack Stakes at York MIZAAL 5/2 fav owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 Bigger Tote Pools Handicap at Chelmsford DAWAAM 100/30 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 Tapster Listed Stakes at Goodwood HUKUM 5/6 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 John Smiths Group 3 Silver Cup at York HUKUM 3/1 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 Kelston Cup Handicap at Bath ANMAAT 7/4 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 Dash Charity Classified Stakes at Ascot TWAASOL 9/1 owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury HUKUM 8/11 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
2021 I Love Julie Parkes Handicap at Doncaster ANMAAT 11/4 owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by William Buick
2021 Cumberland Lodge Group 3 Stakes at Ascot HUKUM 85/40 fav owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley
SIR PERCY (2006 Epsom Derby, 2005 Dewhurst Stakes)
NAYEF (2001 Champion Stakes, International Stakes)
HARAYIR (1995 1000 Guineas, Hungerford Stakes, Celebration Mile)
HUKUM (2020 King George V Stakes, 2021 Cumberland Lodge Stakes)
MIZAAL (2020 Gimcrack Stakes)
