History

SIMON and Mags Hope's life-long passion for racing and bloodstock led to them purchasing the stunning Aston Mullins establishment in 2000 with a view to creating a thriving stud.

The farmhouse was built in the 17th century and on the site before that was a manor house dwelling, dating back to medieval times.

The 300-acre site is based mainly on Oxfordshire clay soils and is the perfect environment for a successful breeding operation.

The Hopes have a dozen-strong broodmare band at the farm. Check out the 'Mares' link to discover the choice pedigrees of the stock at Aston Mullins Stud.

There is also a reciprocal arrangement partnership with Knockainey Stud in Limerick - each entity boarding a mare each

Aston Mullins Stud has excellent contacts in America and uses Darby Dan farm in Lexington, Kentucky, as its boarding station on the other side of the Atlantic. Currently, they have one mare located there.

The existing Aston Mullins Stud strategy is to sell the colts and race the fillies. It is a policy that is already working out well.

Through the sales' ring, a Halling colt out of Society was knocked down for €50,000euros at Deauville in 2004 to Darley. It marked the highest price a Halling colt was sold for that year.

The following sales' season saw a Montjeu colt out of Sparksy's Song go under the hammer for 135,000 guineas at Tattersalls.

Racing Record

The best horses bred at the Stud have been Mornin Reserves - Group-placed - and High Reach, a three-time winner who was good enough to compete at Group-level.

In all, Weatherbys' research shows that Aston Mullins-bred horses that have competed have a runners-winners ratio of 69 per cent - an impressive stat by anyone's standards.

In keeping with Simon's love of racing, he has a team of horses in training running either in his name or in partnership. His trainers are Clive Cox and David Simcock.

Hope N'Charity was a Listed winner - the Empress Stakes - for him and a partner in 2006. The sadly deceased daughter of Smart Strike was also fourth in the Cherry Hinton. The great hope at present is Don't Forget Faith, an impressive Newmarket maiden winner who looks to have a hugely exciting future ahead of her.