Newmarket has not always been the home of the National Stud. Its origins date back to 1916 when Colonel Hall Walker (later Lord Wavertree) presented his Thoroughbred stallions, mares, yearlings, foals and horses in training to the British Government and the nation as a gift on the condition that they bought his land at Tully, Co Kildare, Ireland.
The original aim was to found a British National Stud that would supply high quality lightweight horses for the Cavalry. However, given the changing nature of 20th Century warfare and its increasing levels of mechanization, there was a declining need for these horses. It was at this point that the raison d’être of the National Stud changed from a military one to one of breeding high quality Thoroughbreds.
Further change arose when in 1943, the Irish Government purchased the land and buildings of Tully and the National Stud moved to Sandley Stud in Dorset and a stud at West Grinstead in Sussex.
In 1963 the newly established Levy Board was directed to run the Stud and five hundred acres in Newmarket was leased from the Jockey Club. Peter Burrell was responsible for the layout of yards around the stud as they are today. These stable blocks were named mainly after Jockey Club members well known in the 19th Century racing world, with two blocks being named after the key individuals that have been responsible in the establishment of the National Stud: Wavertree and Burrell.
1973 saw Paul Mellon’s brilliant Mill Reef retire to the National Stud to begin a hugely successful career as a stallion. During this time he sired two Derby winners – Shirley Heights and Reference Point. Today a statue of him stands in front of the Stallion Unit.
In addition to usual stud activities in the mid 1970’s public tours of the stud began. A decade later, the stud’s full-time education and training programs started and continue to be extremely well respected. These courses represent the main access for stud staff into the industry.
In April 2008 the Jockey Club acquired the National Stud.
We aim to preserve the heritage of Thoroughbred breeding as well as providing excellent training opportunities and public access to the stud for many years to come.