Stabling

Astor Yard

The stables were part of the original development by Michael Dickinson in 1984. Forty of the boxes are arranged in rows of ten with each box facing due South, with a further two fillies barns. In total, the yard can accommodate sixty two horses in light and airy stables.

Old Yard

Built in the late 19th century the twenty nine boxes are part of the original Manton. The exterior of the boxes have changed little since they were first built and the yard has a charm all of its own.

Barton Yard

Originally built as a yearling yard by Michael Dickinson, it quickly became incorporated as part of the main training facilities. The forty eight boxes are all in a purpose built American barn, making stable management as straightforward as possible.

Fyfield Yard

The latest addition to the Manton facilities brought the training capacity up from 160 to 180 horses in 2003. There are now forty four boxes at the yard which as well as housing horses in full training, is used for breaking yearlings in November and December each year.

Red Post

Part of the developments introduced by Barry Hills in the late 1980′s, these 12 boxes are now only used occasionally.

Isolation Yards

There are two purpose built isolation yards at Manton each comprising four brick built stables with their own generator and water supply. These are most frequently used for horses that are going abroad to race.

Grass Gallops

Clatford Gallop

Although referred to as the Clatford Gallops, it is in fact a number of gallops on the Marlborough Downs. A trainer can chose from the Straight (8 furlongs), any one of six “Spurs” (3 to 6 furlongs) or go Round the Bend (10 furlongs). There is also the 8 furlong Peat Moss gallop that has good ground even during a good British summer. Clatford also benefits from a watering system for the main straight but this is used only during the driest conditions as frequent watering can in the long term, be detrimental to the grass.

Barton Gallop

Traditionally used in the early spring and late autumn, this flat eight furlong gallop also doubles up as an airstrip for light aircraft in the summer. The mix of grasses in this chalk based gallop allows it to take punishment early or late in the season and to recover with no ill effects.

Derby Gallop

This 7 furlong gallop was developed in 1985 to mirror some of the undulations encounter at Epson racecourse. The gallop is situated further away than the other gallops so its lightly used turf is ideal preparation for any special race.

Valley Gallop

Although only 4 furlongs in length this gallop is almost flat and can be used at almost any time of the racing year.

All weather

Polytrack

This is an eight furlong Polytrack surface that was installed in 2002. The surface was one of the first gallops to use a Martin Collins surface and is used virtually every day of the year. The first four furlongs is on the flat with a managed gradient for the final straight four.

The ‘U’

Prior to the building of the Polytrack this woodchip gallop had been the main all weather gallop for nearly twenty years. It is ten furlongs in length with a steep gradient between the 3 and 6 furlong markers. The length of the gallop gives the trainer plenty of opportunities to vary the speed and distance over which a horse is trained. An automatic sprinkler system means it is in perfect condition all year round.

The Round

This six furlong woodchip gallop is perfectly flat and is primarily used by young two year olds or older horses coming back from injury. A sprinkler system means it is in perfect condition all year round.

Under Cover Ride

This is a two furlong woodchip track, which can be used whatever the weather throws at us. An invaluable facility on cold, damp winter mornings.

In door facilities

Horse Walkers

We have three horse walkers situated at each of Astor, Barton and Fyfield yards.

Sand Rings

There are two located at The Astor and Barton yards.

Swimming Pool

Located at the Astor yard, this was installed in 1984 and is used during the entire racing season.

Lunge Ring

Installed at the Fyfield yard in 2006, this 25m diameter lunge ring has a state of the art surface for breaking yearlings. It provides a surface that is both soft and stable which enables horses to retain their confidence while getting used to be ridden.

Solarium

An invaluable piece of equipment that can be used either to speed up the recovery process or just to give the horse a change from its routine.