Woodditton Stud
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Google map depicting the location of Woodditton Stud
Woodditton Stud in 1903
Trainer Martin Gurry bought the property when it was known as the Bungalow Stud. He won the Derby with Sir John Miller's Sanfoin. He also built the Top Yard with the Clock Tower and asked the villagers for a contribution to the cost of installation. Upon their refusal he in turn declined to put in a face where it could be seen by any of the villagers. Older residents remember the regular hourly striking of the clock which always seemed to be five minutes fast. At least it got the children to school on time. Martin Gurry sold the property in 1922, the year before he died, to Archie Falcon, once a professional gambler. In 1925 Falcon sold the property to Sir Victor Sassoon before moving to Cheveley, where he founded the Brook Stud. Sir Victor renamed it "Eve Stud" after his daughter Eve. He exported mares and fillies to India under the "Eve Bloodstock Scheme". 
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Woodditton Stud was founded on the present site in 1851. The first owners are not known for certain but it does sound likely to have been the Dobito family, who were local landowners. In November 1894 the following advertisement appeared under Public Notices in the Newmarket Journal.
Woodditton. Four miles from Newmarket TO BE LET. With immediate possession "Dobito's Farm." An excellent small stud farm of about 69 acres, of whch 26 acres are of grass, divided into seven convenient Paddocks, with excellent Farm Premises and three Cottages; also "THE BUNGALO", a newly erected residence, with Glass houses and Pleasure and Kitchen Gardens, as occupied by the late FREDERICK HAMMOND, esq. For particulars apply to SALTER, SIMPSON & SONS, Attleboro' and Bury St Edmunds. In 1954 Sir Noel Murless became Manager of all Sir Victor's studs, and brought in a successful period for the owner's racing fortunes. Sir Victor also owned Pinza, the winner of the 1953 Derby (ridden by Sir Gordon Richards). Pinza stood at Woodditton and is buried in the Cherry Tree lawn. 
Mr 'Tubby' Brown, Mr Louis Smith and Mr Hilary Saltzmann
at the Eve Stud with Pinza, after his 1953 Derby win.
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Sir Noel Murless later purchased the Stud from Sir Victor and renamed it Woodditton Stud. Several stallions previously trained by Sir Noel stood at Woodditton, probably the most important being Connaught and Welsh Pageant, both being buried in the Cherry Tree Lawn.
In 1981 Mr & Mrs N.S. Yong from Singapore bought the property and enlarged the stud to 185 acres. During their ownership several champion stallions stood at Woodditton, including Superlative, Sayf el Arab, Damister, Celtic Swing and Bin Ajwaad.
When Mr Yong decided to relinquish his racing interests the stud was purchased in November 2001 by Darley Stud Management on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed. By the beginning of the year 2002 Darley had commenced a programme of improvements to ditches, hedgerows and paddocks. The present position (August 2002) is that major changes/improvements to stud housing and equestrian units are planned.
In 1981 Mr & Mrs N.S. Yong from Singapore bought the property and enlarged the stud to 185 acres. During their ownership several champion stallions stood at Woodditton, including Superlative, Sayf el Arab, Damister, Celtic Swing and Bin Ajwaad.
When Mr Yong decided to relinquish his racing interests the stud was purchased in November 2001 by Darley Stud Management on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed. By the beginning of the year 2002 Darley had commenced a programme of improvements to ditches, hedgerows and paddocks. The present position (August 2002) is that major changes/improvements to stud housing and equestrian units are planned.