Copgrove Hall Stud

Copgrove Hall Stud was purchased in the 1970s by the late Guy Reed. It was formally the home of Major Lionel Holliday, breeder of the great Vaguely Noble and Hethersett and many more good horses.

In the mid 1980s a dairy farm came on the market opposite the Hall and Guy took no time in purchasing the then run down farm. He had the foresight and vision to see that this beautiful, free draining limestone land could be transformed into a top class thoroughbred stud farm and a premier nursery for raising young stock. He set about planting hedges and laying out rolling paddocks which are so important in the muscular skeletal development of young horses.

The Wildenstein family were one of the first great breeders to take advantage of the stud’s great land and facilities as they did not have a stud of their own at that time. Weanlings would arrive from America, France, Ireland and the UK on an annual basis being sent to their respective trainers some 12 months later. Many Group and Group 1 winners were raised on the land at Copgrove at that time including Peintre Celebre, Epervier Bleu, Arcangues, Bigstone, Victoire Bleue and Pistolet Bleu.

During this time Guy bred from his modest band of broodmares La Cucaracha, winner of the Group 1 Nunthorpe, Group 2 winners La Pomme d’Amour and Tiddliwinks, as well as Flossy and Pablo