Saxon House stables is best known as the base of the legendary Fulke Walwyn.

In 1944 top National Hunt jockey-turned-trainer, Fulke Walwyn, bought Saxon House stables from Ted Gwilt and by the end of the 1949/50 season he had been Champion National Hunt Trainer three times.

As a trainer, Fulke won virtually every great hurdle and steeplechase in the UK, including the Grand National with Team Spirit (pictured above), the Cheltenham Gold Cup (four times), the Champion Hurdle (twice), the Scottish Grand National (twice), the Scottish Champion Hurdle (twice), the King George VI Chase (five times) and both the Hennessy and Whitbred Gold Cups an unbelievable seven times each. With Fred Winter riding Mandarin, Fulke won the Grand Steeplechase de Paris (The French Grand National) in 1962.

The two best-known horses trained by Fulke at Saxon House were Mill House and Mandarin, arguably two of the best chasers since records of the sport were kept some 190 years ago.

Mandarin (right) winning the 1962 Cheltenham Gold Cup under Fred Winter

Mill House (below) winning the 1963 Cheltenham Gold Cup under Willie Robinson

In 1973 Fulke took charge of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s jumpers and by May 1990 had trainer 150 winners for her. The Queen Mother made regular informal visits to Saxon House to see her horses, all of which she knew and loved greatly.

Fulke Walwyn with Her Majesty the Queen Mother at Saxon House (below)

After Fulke Walwyn retired, the Gold Cup again returned to Saxon House as Looks Like Trouble, who won the race in 2000, was trained by Noel Chance during his brief spell at the yard.

Pictures from Fulke Walwyn: A pictorial tribute by Bryony Fuller