King’s horse trainers oppose Earl’s warehouse plans

Sunday, June 21, 2026

The 19th Earl of Derby has proposed building three large warehouses at Hatchfield Farm on his Newmarket land, prompting opposition from leading racehorse trainers due to concerns over increased heavy vehicle traffic risking horse and rider safety. West Suffolk council will review these objections as the plan raises tensions between industrial development and the preservation of a historic center of British horseracing.

Plans to construct three large warehouses on land owned by the Earl of Derby have sparked opposition from prominent racehorse trainers in Newmarket, a key center of British horseracing. The proposed development at Hatchfield Farm, submitted by Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, has raised concerns about increased heavy goods vehicle (HGV) traffic along roads commonly used to transport valuable thoroughbreds between training yards and gallops.

The Earl of Derby, who maintains close ties to the racing industry through his Stanley House stud farm near Newmarket, filed the application with West Suffolk council. The warehouses would require access for large lorries, a prospect that trainers say poses a safety risk to horses and their riders amid the area's already busy equestrian activity.

John Gosden, a leading trainer responsible for several horses owned by the King and Queen, criticized the proposal. He expressed concern that the development prioritizes financial gain over the long-term welfare of the racing community, noting the historical significance of the Earl's family to the sport. The Epsom Derby, one of the most prestigious British flat races, was co-founded in 1780 by the Earl's ancestor, the 12th Earl of Derby.

William Haggas, another prominent trainer who oversees around 200 horses for the King, also lodged an objection, describing the plan as “life-threatening to horses and staff” and characterizing the warehouses as an unwelcome industrial installation in the heart of British racing.

The application has drawn at least four formal objections from local trainers and residents concerned about the impact of increased industrial traffic on the town’s equestrian infrastructure and safety.

Edward Stanley, who resides primarily at Knowsley Hall in Merseyside but retains ownership of significant racing assets, did not provide a comment when contacted. The Earl previously faced controversy over a separate proposal to build 1,200 homes in the Newmarket area, a plan that was later reduced to 400 homes following legal challenges.

West Suffolk council is expected to consider the objections before making a decision on the warehouse application, which has become a focal point for debates about balancing development with the preservation of Newmarket’s historic role in British horseracing.