The Team

 

The team consists of 20 experienced and dedicated staff managed by John Warren and Lady Carolyn Warren, owners of Highclere Stud.  Key members include:

Paul Smith, Stud Groom

Paul began his career in racing as an apprentice jockey to Derby winning trainer Bruce Hobbs. Paul then spent three years at the National Stud where he foaled over 300 mares and soon progressed to Foaling Manager. Paul then joined Cheveley Park Stud as part of the yearling sales team and became Stud Groom of Cheveley Park’s prestigious Strawberry Hill division. Prior to joining Highclere in 2005 Paul spent six years as Stud Groom at Barton Stud.

 

Rob Speers, Assistant Stud Groom
A former point-to-point jockey, Rob, joined Highclere Stud in 2006. He began his career at Shadwell Stud where he was soon promoted to a yard foreman, after which Rob was assistant stud groom for two years at Brick Kiln Stud. Rob then spent six years at Coolmore in Ireland progressing to Yearling Manager in Kilsheelan, Coolmore’s largest yearling farm.

 

Brian O’Rourke, Yearling Manager
Brian joined Highclere from sales consignor Jamie Railton where he was Head Lad at Tanglin Farm for over three years. Brian also has plenty of international experience, having spent 10 years working in the USA for Grade I trainers Shug McGaughey and James Gulick. He has also prepared yearlings in The Southern Hemisphere for Haddow Stud in West Australia.

 

Office Staff

 

Sarah McWilliam, Stud Secretary

Before joining Highclere Stud in 2008, Sarah had spent six years in Event Management organising horse trials across the country.  She has always been a keen follower of horseracing, and grew up on a small stud in Scotland where her parents bred Holstein warm bloods.

 

Emma Whitehead, Personal Assistant to John Warren

 

Jenny Corbett, Company Secretary/Stud Secretary
The Stud Secretary for three years, Jenny became Company Secretary in 2003 and now also handles the accounts and personnel.