Edited press release

John Hernon: takes up his role following 14 years at Cheveley Park Stud

Paul and Sally Flatt of Childwickbury Stud are delighted to announce the appointment of John Hernon as Stud Manager.

His appointment opens an exciting chapter for the Hertfordshire-based stud, which has been a key British bloodstock establishment throughout its 135-year history.

John brings a wealth of experience to the role, notably from his time as Yearling Manager at Cheveley Park Stud. From a well known racing family, he gained early experience on his family’s stud farm in Wicklow, Ireland, before attaining a scholarship on completion of the Irish National Stud’s Management Course. From there, he gained further experience on stud farms in Australia and the UK.

He was also assistant trainer to the late H. ‘Tom’ Thomson Jones in Newmarket during the era of Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Al Bahathri and later acted as Assistant Stud Manager and Racing Manager to Peter Goulandris at Hesmonds Stud in Sussex. His time at Hesmonds coincided with the success of the Galaxie Dust family responsible then for the Group winners Bulaxie and Claxon.

John joined Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket in 2009, where he was responsible for the care and development of the stud’s youngstock. As yearling manager, he has had numerous high-class horses through his hands, among them Inspiral, Advertise, Veracious, Hooray, Integral, Zonderland, Queen’s Trust and Sacred.

Paul and Sally Flatt, owners of Childwickbury Stud, said: “We are delighted that John Hernon is joining Childwickbury Stud as our Stud Manager. He brings extensive knowledge and experience of looking after high quality bloodstock from foaling to the sale of yearlings.

“We are really pleased that he has made his next home Childwickbury Stud after being at Cheveley Park Stud for 14 years and we look forward to him working with us to achieve our plans for the stud, both with our own bloodstock and our clients.”

John Hernon said: “I am very excited to be joining Childwickbury Stud at this time. I am looking forward to working closely with Mr and Mrs Flatt and their stud team as well as our clients to develop the stud’s profile and strengthen its position in the industry.

“Surrounded by the memorial stones of multiple Classic and Group winning horses in the main yard dating back to Sunstar in 1911, I see my new role as a privilege and great responsibility. I look forward to shaping Childwickbury Stud’s future in the bloodstock industry with Mr and Mrs Flatt and expanding their operation.

“I am thrilled to embrace this new chapter, and leave Cheveley Park Stud and their fantastic team and bloodstock with very fond memories, having had the experience of preparing and raising bloodstock at the highest level.”

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, added: “John has been a great asset to the management team at Cheveley Park Stud during the last 14 years, and has played a significant role, as Yearling Manager, at Sandwich Stud. It takes a dedicated team to make an operation like Cheveley Park Stud function at the highest level and I thank John for his contribution and wish him the very best for the future.”

Based near St Albans, Childwickbury Stud was built in 1888 by Sir John Blundell Maple and sold to Jack Barnato Joel in 1906. The stud passed to his son Jim Joel in 1940 and was therefore the bedrock of the highly successful Joel operation for many years, notably as the source of Derby winners Sunstar, Pommern, Humorist and Royal Palace as well as the Grand National winner Maori Venture.

In 1993, the Childwickbury estate changed hands to the Marquesa de Moratella, owner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner The Fellow and breeder of Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Tin Horse.

Childwickbury Stud was purchased by Paul and Sally Flatt in 2011. Since then, it has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme with an eye on sympathetically modernising the property to provide it with top-of-the-range facilities while remaining respectful of its heritage. Today, Childwickbury Stud consists of 250 acres and stabling for 130 horses, including an isolation unit.

Childwickbury Stud offers boarding and sale prep services, and anticipate being represented at many of the upcoming sales.

The Doris memorial at Childwickbury Stud