‘Delamere Stables’ Baydon Road should not be confused with ‘Delamere Stables’ at Folly Road both known for their individuality.
1896-1902
Delamere Stables on Baydon Road was built by James Forshawe Peace. He is found in the 1901 census age 49 with his wife Sarah Toke Peace who was 61 and they were stated as living in the High Street. Prior to that he can be found in 1891 staying at the Plough Inn, Eastbury with his wife,mother and sister for a short time.
James bought the two cottages which stood in Baydon Road and converted them into a house and added 30 stables.
He named the property ‘Delamere’ after his birthplace of Delamere in Cheshire
James purchased 245 acres which included 100 acres of arable land and Gallops known as Crowdown Gallops for £1,200. (ii) He also purchased Ronehurst, Upper Lambourn in 1899 for £1,050 and Farncombe Bottom Gallops (Baydon Road)
Although he eventually returned to Cheshire he still owned Farncombe Bottom until 1907 when his wife died. He died shortly after in 1908.
James became one of the Trainers to have 5 winners in a day…twice!
once in 1896 July 25th and again in 1898 July 12th but it was to be some years later that the Delamere Stables sent out the Derby winner, Windsor Lad, trained by Marcus Marsh.
The various locations for James Peace were as follows:
1883-1889 Lambourn House
1890-1892 Eastbury
1893-1902 Windsor Cottage
1893-1902 College House
1896-1902 Delamere, Baydon Road
(ii)In 2004 a metal detecting rally found a hoard of three gold bracelets and two armlets at Crow Down near Lambourn. They have been dated to 1200 BC and are the only prehistoric gold objects to have been found in Berkshire. The hoard was declared a treasure under English Law in 2005 and is currently on display at the West Berkshire Museum, Newbury.
One of the best-known times for Delamere Stables has to be when Marcus Marsh sent out ‘Windsor Lad’ the Derby winner from there in 1934. Also the St Leger winner of 1934 again Windsor Lad. The following year 1935, Windsor Lad won the Eclipse Stakes and the Coronation Cup.
Tom Dowdeswell loading Windsor Lad into an LRT horsebox
When Marcus March purchased Delamere, Baydon Road from Capt Ossie Bell, he promptly put ‘Windsor Lad’ in the same box which Bell had used for ‘Felstead’ who won the Derby six years earlier.
Marcus Marsh also purchased Delamere House at Folly Road in 1933 which Mrs Ainsworth had built in 1930. He named it Delamere because he had already purchased Delamere in Baydon Road.
Trainers who occupied Delamere after James Peace were:
E. Martin 1906-1912 as a second yard
Capt W.V.S. Beatty 1912-1918 as a second yard
J.F.Bancroft 1916-1917 for Capt.W.V.S Beatty
Capt. O.M.D. Bell 1919-1932 as a second yard
H.G.Fergusson 1932-1933 for Mrs Chester Beatty
Marcus Marsh 1933-1939
A.M.Wells 1947-1949
R.Read 1950-1963
B.S.Foster 1960-1965
J.Dodd 1966
D.Hanley 1967-1977
G.H.Peter-Hoblyn 1977-1978
M.E.D.Francis 1979-1981
D.R.Laing 1982-1988
T.P.McGovern 1990-1991
R.Curtis 1996-2008
During WW11 Delamere Stables were used by American troops some of whom returned in 1994 and 2011
Liz Beard 2021
My grandfather Robert Benson came to Captain Ossie Bell in 1901 as an apprentice jockey. Unfortunately he was caught giving racing tips to punters and promptly sacked. He did however stay with the stables and had some involvement in the training of Derby winner Felstead. Captain Bell attended his funeral in 1952 so must have kept up an interest in Robert (who was also known as Toby for some reason)
Hi Sue, that is interesting! they didn’t get away with much in those days. I have a photo of some of the Bell lads. I know we have spoken before but not sure if I sent it too you.