Archie’s Owners Day

We were again graced with good weather in Lambourn last week as owners gathered for our annual Archie Watson’s Owners’ Day at his Saxon Gate stables.

On a bright and sunny September morning, owners initially met at the ever-popular Pheasant for drinks and nibbles ahead of heading into Upper Lambourn to see their horses at closer quarters.

Transport was arranged for owners from the Pheasant down to Archie’s yard, where the Hambleton team were on hand to welcome owners, as were our caterers who had some wonderful canapés for everyone to try, along with a very popular and refreshing elderflower fizz – a nice tonic to match the lovely weather!

As owners enjoyed their refreshments they settled into the well-appointed and historic Saxon Gate stables, from where quality winners have been trained since 1960.

As they did so, the hard-working team at Archie’s were preparing their horses to be paraded under the watchful eye of Archie, who continues to train winners at every level, the most notable being another Group 1 success at York’s prestigious Dante meeting just late last month.

Archie was on hand to take owners through each member of our equine squad, displaying his famous encyclopaedic knowledge of his horses as he explained where each horse is with their progress, and what will be next on the agenda for them.

Owners got to see some of our young horses in the team parade, as well as our more established stars, such as the legendary Outbox, himself a domestic Group 2 winner earlier this year and impressive two-year-old winner Praetorian, both of whom are shortly set to embark on a foreign trip to Sweden together for the valuable Stockholm Cup meeting.

Our small but select National Hunt team were also on show, with Chosen Hero catching the eye for the season ahead, as she is primed for her first season over the larger obstacles this time.

The immaculately presented Saxon Gate stables proved a wonderful setting to be amongst the horses and the string certainly looked in prime condition for the autumn period ahead.

After the chance to see the horses stabled in the main yard, owners moved on to Archie’s sister yard Iveagh Barn, where many of the younger horses are stabled.

The chance to move around the stables and see the environment that these beautiful horses are trained and cared for in, and meet the skilled, hard-working staff that work with the horses day in, day out, proved very popular with owners, with many grabbing a picture or two to capture some memories of the day.

From the stables it was back to the Pheasant for lunch, as some old friends caught up with one another and new acquaintances were made after a thoroughly enjoyable morning seeing the horses.

The delicious lunch was much appreciated by all as talk turned to the winners we’ve enjoyed already this year with Archie, and our upcoming racing plans and hopes.

Archie’s Owners’ Day offered us the chance to show some new owners how Hambleton like to do things and catch up with many existing friends who’ve enjoyed their ownership with us for many years too.

The day proved a really enjoyable social occasion and one that is fast becoming a firm favourite in our social calendar.

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