Downs House & Racing Stables, Epsom Downs...

Downs House, March 2016

A few weeks back on a sunny afternoon, I thought it was finally a good time to go in search of 'Downs House', a property that has held much fascination for me as fan of horse racing and the Epsom area.

Located in the heart of the Downs in Epsom, shrouded by trees and mere footsteps from the race track is the incredible house and it's grounds.  Dating back to the 1780's it was once the training yard to 'Eclipse', the famous, undefeated, British Thoroughbred Racehorse that won 18 races including 11 Kings Plates.  An explorer named, Colonel Dennis O' Kelly, also had a 1781 Derby winner called 'Young Eclipse', sired by Eclipse.

It is thought that after Eclipse went to stud, Ralph Sherwood began training for Sir Gilbert Heathcote in the 1800's, who owned Downs House, but it was known locally at the time as 'Sherwoods Cottage' adjoining the Derby racecourse.  Ralph Sherwood died in 1883, buried in Epsom Cemetary.  The house then passed to Ralph's son Tom Sherwood (1838-1923), a former jockey and his wife Helen who took over training.  They purchased the house in 1888 and the family held many renowned open days and parties during the Epsom races for trainers and jockeys, including Fred Archer.   The yard  flourished and accommodated a number of famous horses including Spearmint, Lemberg and Pretty Polly. In 1938, Helen aged 80 was still a resident of the house, in 1942 she passed away.  By 1944 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council had purchased the property.

 The late 18th Century listed house sits in approx 10 acres of woodland, currently with 43 horse boxes, facilities including the historic red brick, 'Eclipse' barn (named after the horse), bothy and training yard... Sadly, there was no way to take a peek inside at the rumoured original features, just lots of graffiti to the outside side walls..tightly boarded up & padlocked doors and windows...

The Front Porch and Door...

The House as it stands now, is a little worse for wear, having been boarded up since Epsom Council took back control in 2012 after sadly choosing not to renew the lease of it's then trainer, Mr Philip Mitchell and his wife, who had trained at the yard for 48 years.... The House was then put up for sale with Bidwells for £1.1 million, there have been a few mystery buyers over the years, but nothing has ever materialised from the sales...

Philip Mitchell and his wife, cc The guardian newspaper

I felt as though I was in some kind of strange horror film wandering around the houses grounds even on a sunny day, there is a very eerie feel to the place, especially when you surprise a flock a pigeons out the back! It is sad to think of what this place used to be to the racing community and for horse lovers in Epsom...

 Like the best seat in the house? Well would you believe this is the magnificent view from the house, where the best parties were held for racing royalty... you are, quite literally in the heart of the action as the only access to the house is via Walton Road, across the Downs themselves.. It did take me quite a while to find this place, if you value your privacy it's the place to live as you are surrounded by mature woodland...

literally on the track!

your front garden and magnificent views

Over the years little bits and bobs have gone missing from the garden such as the little wooden 'Downs House' sign once adorning the tree outside the front door and the gravestone sign for 'Attivo' the Mitchell trained horse, owned by Peter O'Sullevan (the british horse racing commentator for the BBC) who won the 1974 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

To see who i'm talking about and to watch his victory head over to Youtube, Attivo

It is time for someone to breath new life into this property and lovingly restore it to it's former glory and there is a ray of hope for the future of Downs House, as the latest news suggests owners from New Zealand have purchased and submitted planning permission to re-develop the house, yard and grounds into brand new stables for 2 yards, bringing racing back to the heart of England and resoring Epsom as the place to train... well just look at those beautiful Downs, what better training facilities could you ask for?

The future is bright, the future is Epsom...

The Downs

Epsom Racecourse.. Princes, Queens / Duchess Stand

And for anyone who doesn't yet know,  all dogs are required to be kept on leads before 12 noon across the Downs...

 Evie xxx

(All photos my own unless otherwise stated.)