Spigot Lodge
One of the most accomplished yards in the North of England
History
Spigot Lodge, steeped in racing history, is named after the 1821 St Leger winner Jack Spigot. The 1849 Epsom Derby winner "The Flying Dutchman" trained by John Fobert was also prepared at the yard and famous trainers such as Henry Hall, Colonel Lyde and more recently Sam Hall and Chris Thornton have continued to produce other high class winners from Spigot Lodge.
Jack Spigot – courtesy of www.john-frederick-herring.org
Spigot Lodge is ideally situated between Middleham’s High and Low moor gallops. There is a seven furlong uphill polytrack and a four furlong baby track as well as a grass gallop on Low Moor. High Moor has a one mile four furlongs woodchip as well as some superb grass gallops.
Recent Developments
Karl is committed to an on-going development programme of the facilities at Spigot Lodge in all areas to ensure it retains its rightful place in racing history books.
The development of eighteen new boxes at Little Spigot is now complete bringing the total to thirty one stables. Two staff houses and a flat have also been developed along with a horse walker and two turn out paddocks. This compliments the main yard which accommodates over seventy stables, two walkers, a sand pit, loading ramps and twelve turn out paddocks.
Entrance to Spigot Lodge
Future Plans
There are further plans for a new barn and office block to be added to the main yard. Work has also started on the groundwork to add a horse exerciser which can take up to sixteen horses. This is not like a normal horse walker as it takes sixteen horses instead of the usual five and it can be programmed to do specific routines and go up to cantering pace; it is the first to be installed in the UK. It will be ideal for getting horses fit and prepared for full work. The exerciser is about two furlongs round and will have a polytrack inside as well as a railed trotting ring around the outside.
This on-going investment ensures that Spigot Lodge is one of the best equipped horse racing stables in the North of England.