Tom George Racing Facilities

The six and a half furlong all weather wood chip gallop is used for faster work. Most horses go on this gallop on a weekly basis. This gallop gives us the flexibility of being able to work horses on an easier gradient if this is what we feel they require.

The one and a half furlong Wexford Sand cantering circle is used at the beginning of the horses training programme to teach them to settle and relax into steady catering. The composition of this sand makes the horse work hard without pulling and straining muscles. This was the first gallop of this type in England, as we imported the sand from Ireland.

The Fibresand gallop is three and a half furlongs in length. The circular part of the gallop is used for warming up before facing the very stiff gradient of the rest of the gallop.

The majority of the horses in training are turned out in the paddocks on a daily basis. This keeps the horses happy and relaxed. We have separate fields which are used for summering and resting horses out of training. These are all supplied with natural spring water and the horses maintain a good level of fitness by walking up and down the steep slopes.

From the day a horse arrives at Down Farm he is taught to jump. The first step is jumping logs, followed by jumping of poles and mini hurdles on an all weather surface. We have regulation hurdles and schooling fences to prepare the horses for their race course appearances.

Some horses suffer from anxiety which leads to them walking their box. This problem will lead to stress and loss of condition. We have cured all box walkers at Down Farm, which has lead to many successes that would not have been possible in their previous conditions. These stables have an adjoining pen which allows the horses the feeling of freedom and the comfort of their friends nearby.

We have an 8 horse Claydon Walker, which is rubber tiled. Adjacent to the horse walker we have a fibre sand enclosed lunge ring. These 2 facilities are very useful additions to maintaining fitness and for educating young stock.

Our three bay starting stalls give us flexibility to be able to run horses on the flat if we wish to do so. From a small selection of flat horses, we have produced a winner at Newmarket.

Owners Room, where plans are hatched!