Those who made the trip from the City and afar were greeted with glorious sunshine and enjoyed a champagne breakfast, parade of mares and foals and then enjoyed a tour of the stud and the opportunity to meet some of the mares, foals and yearlings.
Guests included barristers, solicitors, property professionals, a vet and other London based professionals. City Saddles is a professional networking group, which organises equestrian themed networking events both in and out of London whilst raising money for Spinal Research.
Keith and Eileen Harte are based at the beautiful Woburn Stud, which is positioned next to the deer park at Woburn Abbey. The stud has a rich and successful history. For 45 years it was run by Lady Tavistock and her son Andrew Bedford and called Bloomsbury Stud, they bred many winners, helped significantly by their famous mare Mrs Moss, whose line still continues today.
The visit included a parade of mares and foals, Keith and Eileen are coming to the end of their spring season which involves foaling their own mares and others, as well as boarding mares on a B&B type basis in order for them to be covered at nearby Newmarket Studs. Mares come over from France, Ireland and Germany.
The group had the chance to see many of the foals bought at the sales last year which will be sold at the yearling sales later this year, this is known as pinhooking and something that Keith is clearly very successful at. Keith and Eileen will also be preparing, consigning and selling over 30 yearlings at the sales in October.
Fiona Laurence from Mishcon De Reya commented:
‘On behalf of City Saddles I would like to thank Eileen and Keith for hosting such a fabulous and enjoyable event. It was a real joy to visit the stud and see the mares and foals’
Keith and Eileen are delighted to welcome small private groups to visit the Stud, please visit their website http://keithharte.com/ or email Eileen Harte: eileen@keithharte.com.
To join City Saddles or receive information on their upcoming events – please email citysaddles@mishcon.com
