The National Stud was founded in 1916 when Colonel Hall Walker, who later became Lord Wavertree, offered his bloodstock to the British Government on the condition that it purchased his breeding establishment at Tully in County Kildare, Ireland. His stud included more than 40 well-bred mares and had bred King Edward VII's Epsom Derby winner Minoru, the Oaks winner Cherry Lass and many other top-class horses. The Government accepted the offer on the basis that the maintenance of first-class foundation stock would ensure the breeding of high quality light horses for the Army.
Although the increasing mechanisation of the Army between the two World Wars rapidly reduced the importance of this original function, the Government retained the Stud for the purpose of breeding high-class Thoroughbreds. Operating along commercial lines, the Stud sold the majority of its produce as yearlings at public auction, retaining only those fillies required for future breeding and leasing them for their racing careers.
A highly successful operation
Great success followed, with the Stud breeding the Classic sire of the 1920s and 1930s, Blandford, and the Classic winners Royal Lancer, Big Game, Sun Chariot, Chamossaire and Carrozza as well as performers such as Sturdust, Blue Train and Hopeful Venture. Big Game and Sun Chariot were both leased to King George VI, for whom they won four of the five Classics in 1942.
The Stud remained at Tully until 1943, when the property was handed over to the Irish Government. The bloodstock was then transferred to the Sandley Stud in Dorset and, in order to accommodate additional stallions, the Stud's facilities were expanded after the Second World War by the acquisition of a stud at West Grinstead in Sussex.
A change of policy
In 1963 a radical change of policy was made when it was decided that the Stud should sell its mares and become a stallion station. Neither Sandley nor West Grinstead were large enough to accommodate sufficient stallions for this purpose, so they were both sold and a brand new, purpose-designed stud was built on 500 acres of land at Newmarket obtained from The Jockey Club on a 999 year lease.
Peter Burrell, one of several outstanding Directors of the Stud, and in charge at that time, travelled widely to study the layouts and design of different studs and, as a result of his efforts, many of the most progressive ideas were incorporated in the plans for the new National Stud.
Hygiene was the guiding principle for what was acclaimed as a magnificent stallion station, with extensive accommodation for visiting mares. The buildings were dispersed in blocks set well apart in order to facilitate the control of outbreaks of disease.
Impact on the breeding industry
The British breeding industry has benefited greatly from the establishment and development of The National Stud. It bred such great stallions as Blandford, Stardust and Big Game, who had a profound influence on the evolution of the Thoroughbred world-wide.
Italian stallion Tenerani stood at West Grinstead and it was there that his great son Ribot was foaled.
Epsom Derby winner Never Say Die and the brilliant Tudor Melody were among the early stars when the Stud became a stallion station, and thanks to the initiative of another of the Stud's outstanding Directors, Colonel Douglas Gray and the generosity of American owner-breeder Paul Mellon, the 1971 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Mill Reef came to the Stud after his recovery from a broken leg whilst in training. The American-bred son of Never Bend became the most illustrious Classic sire of his day.
Changes to the management structure
In 1985 the Horserace Betting Levy Board, which has overall responsibility for The National Stud, appointed a Committee of Enquiry into the future of the Stud under the chairmanship of Sir John Sparrow. Following the recommendations of the Committee, changes were made to the management structure in 1986.
The post of Director lapsed and control was passed to a Board of Directors. The policy of the Stud was redefined, with the first priority to ensure commercial viability by standing a category of stallion that a large proportion of British mare owners could afford and would wish to use. A further aim would be to offer the owners of exceptional Group 1 winning colts with suitable pedigrees a realistic alternative to standing the horse outside Britain. Pursuing this latter policy, the Stud bought a half-share in the 1991 European Champion, Suave Dancer.
Developing international connections
In 1997, in collaboration with the British Bloodstock Agency, the Stud achieved a first when it negotiated the lease of French Classic winner and Champion Miler Hector Protector from Japan.
In the same year, the Stud enhanced its important connections with the Australian bloodstock industry by leasing three stallions – Celtic Swing, Puissance and Suave Dancer – to studs in Australia. The successful stallion Be My Chief was leased to the Brazilian National Stud where he was well received. Further shuttle business has been developed and, over the last 10 years, the Stud has regularly shuttled stallions to countries including Australia, South Africa and Brazil.
The Stud regularly receives visitors from around the globe and an increasing number of students on the training courses are from overseas.
Transfer to The Jockey Club
As part of its wider policy of bringing to an end the Government's direct involvement in the administration and financing of racing, the Government transferred its interest in the Stud to The Jockey Club in April 2008. The Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, said: “I am pleased that The Jockey Club has agreed to take on ownership of the National Stud. This means first class training in stud management will continue and, importantly, that the facility will be managed by an organisation dedicated to the improvement of horseracing.” Julian Richmond-Watson, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, added:"We are delighted to be acquiring the National Stud. Together with the breeding industry we will seek to develop proposals to safeguard its long term future. Preserving the heritage of British Thoroughbred breeding, as well as the pursuit of excellence through the provision of education and training services, sit very well alongside the Club's overall aims and objectives."
