Great Dining
A fantastic venue for dining, conferences, meetings, receptions and celebrations.Learn more…
Contact Us
For more information and bookings call us on:01372 723204
or alternatively email us:
info@SouthHatch.co.uk
Our Heritage
Whilst no record exists as to the exact origins of South Hatch as a racing establishment, the stable has been strongly associated with racing for hundreds of years. Horse racing had taken place on the downs (known then as Banstead Downs) from the time of James I who sojourned at the nearby Nonsuch Palace but the combination of racing with the famous Epsom spa is what finally led to the area's rise in popularity.
South Hatch's reputation within the racing community stems from about 1860 when John Nightingall commenced training - his most notable success being Shifnal who won the Grand National at the second time of asking.
Over the years, many famous race horses have been stabled at South Hatch - a tradition that lasted up to the late 1960s.
In 1949 a long and fruitful association with Sir Winston Churchill began. Sir Winston's first horse, Colonist II, was the most successful, winning 13 races including the valuable Jockey Club Cup, the Winston Churchill stakes and Royal Ascot's Ribblesdale Stakes. A letter from Sir Winston, on his retirement from racing is on display in the foyer of South Hatch.
Throughout the interior is displayed a fascinating collection of horse racing antiquities for an interesting and nostalgic look at racing in the past.