Sun shines on first Gallops Experience

Wine Club Members enjoyed our first Gallops Experience on Wednesday 25 February — fittingly the warmest and sunniest day of the year so far.

The morning began with coffee and croissants at the yard of renowned trainer Roger Varian, where members were welcomed by Newsells Park Stud’s Racing Manager, Gary Coffey. Guests had the opportunity to meet Roger, see a number of horses owned by the stud including the aptly named Classic Cuvee, and gained a fascinating insight into the daily routines behind training elite racehorses.

From there, the group travelled to the Newmarket gallops to watch Newsells Park Stud’s horses in action as they cantered up the famous Warren Hill Gallop.

The morning also included a visit to the yard of John Gosden and Thady Gosden, Clarehaven Stables, where, among other high-class performers, members met the striking Damysus (pictured) — a Group winner last year, bred by Newsells Park Stud and owned by Wathnan Racing. The experience continued with a visit to Prestige Place Stables, the yard of Marco Botti, adding further insights to an already memorable morning in the world of horse racing and a chance to meet the grey Newsells Park Stud bred and owned two-year-old (pictured) whose sire is Nathaniel.

Members then enjoyed a delicious lunch at The Packhorse pub, together with some glasses of our English sparkling wine — the perfect way to reflect on the morning’s highlights. Our Vineyard Manager, Scarlett Willson, fielded questions about the cultivation of our grapes and the wine making process. She also took some fabulous photos of the day!

The next Gallops Experience will take place on Friday 27 March from 9am, with a further morning planned for May 2026 (exact date to be confirmed). It was a wonderful way to peek behind the scenes and see a day-in-the-life of some of the world’s finest racehorse trainers and their beautiful horses.