The story of Weyhill Racing Stables in Andover is a testament to how humble beginnings can lead to notable accomplishments in the world of horse racing. Built in the early 1860s by renowned horse dealer Henry Barnes, these extensive stables served primarily for the lodging of hacks, carriage horses, and hunters. Their strategic location provided Barnes with a prime opportunity to showcase his stock following sales at the legendary Weyhill Fair each October.
Weyhill’s historical tapestry deepens in 1877 when the Andover and Weyhill Horse Company Ltd took the reins from Barnes. Despite expanding to Cricklewood, Weyhill remained an essential hub until a managerial shift in 1891 led to the company’s closure. Subsequently, a selling spree of the stables’ stock ensued, paving the way for a fresh beginning.
Offering 74 loose boxes, 11 stalls, and sprawling pasture land, Weyhill Stables soon evolved from mere horse lodging to a budding racing hub. This transformation found early momentum with the brief tenure of the National Pony and Galloway Racing Club at the site in the 1890s. Although Weyhill’s location was deemed too remote by the club’s organizers, leading to their eventual departure, it set the stage for future racing developments.
Enter Willie Moore in 1893, a key figure in Weyhill’s racing metamorphosis. Moore hailed from an illustrious Irish racing lineage, with deep roots in jockey and trainer pedigree. It was under Moore’s influence that Weyhill began cementing its racing reputation. Among the stable’s celebrated steeds was ‘Why Not,’ a Grand National victor meticulously trained by Moore’s on-site trainer, John Collins. Moore’s strategic training outside the public eye transformed horses like ‘The Soarer,’ another of Moore’s triumphs, winning the Grand National just a year after ‘Why Not.’
Though Moore eventually moved his operations to Danebury House, the seeds of Weyhill’s racing prestige had been firmly planted. His legacy included several racing victories and positioned Weyhill as an influential racing site, eventually giving rise to Hartigan’s Stables.
Frank Hartigan assumed the helm in 1905, drawing on his family’s deep racing heritage. Hartigan’s aptitude transitioned from jockey to trainer, infusing Weyhill Stables with vitality, echoed by ongoing successful careers in racing. But even as family legacies propelled Weyhill’s fortunes, external collaborations also shaped its narrative.
Notably, Harry G S Davies managed the stables in 1899. Trained in Pembroke and polished at Winchester College, Davies instilled professionalism within the ranks. He presided until 1901 when W R Baker took over, heralding a new era alongside the burgeoning local brewery enterprise led by Walter Faber, an MP and operational force behind Strong’s Brewery.
The collaboration between David Faber and Baker illustrated the synergy between Weyhill’s burgeoning brewery scene and the storied racing stables. Their shared ambitions underscored the area’s pivotal role in both brewing and equestrian success stories.
Under Frank Hartigan’s management, Weyhill consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Indeed, Hartigan’s innovative training philosophies and formidable racing acumen made Weyhill a significant player on the race tracks. The story of Weyhill Racing Stables, woven through generations of trainers and riders, remains etched in the annals of British racing history as a testament to relentless dedication and passion for the equestrian craft.
