Dullingham Park Stud

Click here for video of Dullingham Park Stud

Group-winning Topatoo, out of Topatori, bred at Dullingham with her first foal, a Halling filly

''I am delighted to be able to offer my owners the opportunity to see their fillies develop in to top-class broodmares," said Mark. "Angie and I have established a great set-up: fillies that have been trained at Flint Cottage go on to spend their lives as broodmares at Dullingham Park Stud. Their progeny can then go to Garrowby Stud, as weanlings, until they are ready to come in to training. The owners enjoy planning matings and going round to see potential stallions, so they are involved in the complete cycle of producing their future racehorses.''

The main yard at Dullingham Park Stud

Dullingham Park Stud consists of nearly 100 acres of beautiful parkland, in the village of Dullingham, three miles outside Newmarket. During the last eight years, since we have been living on the stud, we have been able to develop it and establish a loyal team of staff, headed by stud groom, David Woodley. We are very fortunate to have the marvellous support of the Rossdale veterinary practice and O.A. Curtis and Sons, the top class farriers, headed by Simon Curtis - both firms being world-renowned.

The horses thrive in the relaxed environment of the stud

The foals spend their first months with their mares at Dullingham Park Stud before going on to Garrowby Stud. There, they enjoy their time as weanlings and, then, as yearlings until they are broken-in.

We are very fortunate to have the famous Garrowby Stud, home of the great Shirley Heights,

 for raising our weanlings and yearlings. The good land, natural water and peaceful surroundings provide a perfect nursery for the young stock. Alan and Tina Ridger are in charge up there for us. It is comforting for us to know that the horses are in such capable and conscientious hands. When necessary, we use the Minster veterinary practice under the excellent Mark Collins. Our farrier is Ian Allerton, who is very good with the young horses. Any owners, wishing to visit their horses, whilst they are based in Yorksire are, of course, always very welcome.

Views at Garrowby Stud

''I find it very satisfying to have mares that I have trained, retire to our stud. We know each other so well, and I think this keeps the mares very relaxed and content. It is exciting for me to train horses that Angie and I have foaled - especially, when we know the hard work from all aspects of the business pulling together to get the best from each animal. Angie runs the breeding side of the business - her knowledge and enthusiasm have been at the cornerstone of its success.''

                                          Mark with Optimistic - one of the founder member mares

Twelfth Night with her Motivator colt

Act One ex Astrolove filly

Life runs at a different pace on the studs. The mares, foals and weanlings are given the time and peace that they need to thrive.

   Maiden and rested mares, relaxing in the peaceful setting at Dullingham (above and below)

Equally, the weanlings and yearlings lead a relaxing life at Garrowby. This allows them to develop and grow to their full potential.

                                                                  Young fillies at Garrowby Stud

Whether at Dullingham Park or at Garrowby, from conception to breaking-in, every animal has constant and individual attention.

David, the stud groom, has done literally hundreds of foalings and has vast experience. Mark and Angie are always on hand to give assistance.

                 Trew Class with her Halling colt, at a few hours old and then having a sleep (below)

                              Mark making friends with the Elusive City ex Laheen colt at a day old

The foals are well-handled from day one. We have excellent foal paddocks for exercising the young foals and we like to let the mare and foal have some time out in them within a few hours of foaling.

                               Qilin with her three day old Beat Hollow filly, ready to be turned out

                         Day old Haafhd filly keeping warm in her foal rug out in a nursery paddock

                                               The same filly a month later with her dam, Sosumi

As the foals progress, they are turned out into the larger paddocks and learn to socialize and play with their contemporaries. They become more independent from their mothers and more confident in themselves, which ultimately prepares them for weaning.

Motivator ex Twelfth Night colt

                  Laheen's Elusive City colt                                                          Shirocco ex Cushat Law colt

The same principle of attention to every detail is applied up at Garrowby. The 'teenagers' play, grow and develop before being broken-in and brought down to Flint Cottage.

''Finally, I am lucky to have them come in to training at Flint Cottage Stables. I know their temperaments, their family traits and also that they have been well-handled all their lives. That, in itself, is invaluable for me as the trainer but this venture can be great fun too - for an owner there is no greater excitement than having a winner that they have bred themselves!"

Click here for video of Garrowby Stud

Some of the recent winners bred at Dullingham Park Stud and trained at Flint Cottage

                               Photograph by kind permission of www.officialphotographers.gbr.cc

                    Ted Spread - winner of the 2010 Chester Vase (Group 3)

Brushing - winner of The Galtres Stakes, Listed

                                                      Marvo (out of Mega) winner of four races

              Astroleo (out of Astrolove)                                                    Kathleen Francis (out of Trew Class)

                          (Photograph of Kathleen Francis (above) by kind permission of Peter Higby)

           Brushing (out of Seasonal Blossom)                                                      Astrodonna (out of Mega)

           Astrolibra (out of Optimistic)                                                                             Dulcie (out of Dulcinea)

Anyone wanting to have a filly in training to make into a broodmare need only look at the success of Topatori. She, herself, was a good racehorse, winning four times and her progeny to-date are as follows: Toparudi (four wins), Topatoo (four wins, including Group 3 Middleton Stakes), Top Shot (two wins), Top Tiger (winner) and Top Tinker (winner). Topatori's owner, Mr Mike Bowring and his mother the late Mrs P. Bowring, were named 'Small Breeder of The Month', following their one mare having such notable success. Mark added: "She is the perfect example of what I am trying to achieve at the studs - producing winners for our owners!"

Topatori and her 2010 Beat Hollow colt

The stud's watchdogs

Mark and Angie Tompkins

Tiempo, at 24 years of age, is enjoying her well-earned retirement and has a useful role in life, as a kind companion, when required

Alan, stud groom at Garrowby

For those interested in having a 'filly for the future' in training, to keep as a broodmare, please call the office on 01638 661434 to discuss this further or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it