Park Lodge has enjoyed a long and illustrious history, housing many top class horses, including a dual Classic winner in the shape of Blue Peter.

It is one of the oldest racing yards in Newmarket, having been established as such early in the 19^th century by William Crockford, a major landowner of the time. But it was when Sir Jack Jarvis trained from Park Lodge that it came to prominence.

Jarvis arrived at the yard at the time of the First World War and remained for 50 years until his death in 1967. Blue Peter was his most famous charge, winning the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby in 1939. The colt was also expected to win the St Leger but the race was never run because of the outbreak of the Second World War. Blue Peter is still fondly remembered today at Park Lodge with his nameplate still hanging in the box he occupied. The exclusive racing partnerships run by James Eustace also bear the horse’s name.

The year after Jarvis died, Park Lodge inmate Sleeping Partner won the Oaks for trainer Doug Smith. A certain Michael Stoute was assistant at the yard back then.

Ron Sheather began training at Park Lodge during the 1970s and he was remarkably successful. During his 13 years in situ he trained a Group winner in all bar one season.

James Eustace succeeded Sheather in 1989. In his first full season at Park Lodge he soon began to make a name for himself with Penny Mint as the stable’s flag-bearer. Then a juvenile, Penny Mint ran a string of fine races, capping her campaign with a thrilling victory in the Colman’s of Norwich Nursery, which was the richest two-year-old handicap at the time.

Philidor arrived at Park Lodge the following year and went on to carve out a reputation for himself as a Goodwood specialist. He won three times over the Sussex track with the highlight being his short-head success in the 1993 Schweppes Golden Mile.

Refuse To Lose(photo right) gave Eustace his finest moment in racing to date when he powered to Royal Ascot glory in the 1998 Royal Hunt Cup.

In recent years Rapscallion ran up a sequence of four wins in 2001, including the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes. In 2004 his half brother,Orcadian, maintained the family tradition by winning the Group 3 St Simon Stakes by 15 lengths.

Facilities

Park Lodge can cater for 37 racehorses. All the boxes are all high-ceilinged and airy. The yard has an enclosed paddock where all the yearlings are broken. There is also a lunge ring on site, which proves especially useful. The lunge ring has an all-weather surface and is invaluable during the breaking-in of yearlings process.

Park Lodge also has a horsewalker. This is used to provide walking exercise for horses under a variety of circumstances.

For instance it may provide gentle exercise for a horse coming back from injury or an unfit horse doing preliminary exercise. It can also be used in the warm-down period after ridden exercise or work.

Lastly, the yard is perfectly situated for the extensive gallops that are located on either side of Newmarket. With both turf and artificial surfaces available, every horse in the town is catered for no matter what stage of its career it is at.

The land is owned and excellently looked after by the Jockey Club Estates.