About us
TRADITION meets innovation
We are brothers with over thirty years of combined experience in the thoroughbred industry.
Having worked in the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA in various capacities across racing, breeding, and sales, we have built a broad base of knowledge and connections.
For the past five years, we have both held managerial roles on stud farms. Now, we are eager to launch our own operation, drawing on our experiences to create a top-class establishment.
Tom
Before co-founding Heritage Thoroughbreds Tom was Assistant Stud Manager at Kirtlington Stud, his responsibilities encompassed everything from yearling, foal and broodmare sales preparation to foaling down mares and everything in between.
Tom's early career focused on yearling sales preparation, with roles at Haras d’Etreham in France, Eliza Park Stud, and Arrowfield Stud in Australia, as well as Watership Down Stud in the UK. During his time in Australia Tom built up a very strong and detailed understanding of the Australian breeding and racing scene. There was always a desire to return to Australia to grow his knowledge and love affair with the country due to its unique position on breeding with the encompassment of shuttle stallions from Europe and a healthy mix of Japanese bred and/or owned Stallions and mares. However, Toms career transitioned into racing, working at Robins Farm in Sussex before taking on a Pupil Assistant role with Jean-Claude Rouget in France, where he assisted in managing horses in training and traveled to saddle runners. A few notable names on the door cards during his tenure were European Champion Almanzor and Gr1 winners Erveyda, La Cressonnaire and Avenue Certain - it was indeed a fruitful time for the stable.
More recently, Tom has specialized in stud management. He was based at Yorton Farm where he worked closely with the ‘out of the box’ thinker David Futter who has grown Yorton so successfully from a dairy farm in to a preeminent thriving national hunt stud farm which consistently competes at the highest level. After leaving Yorton Tom moved to Tweenhills Stud, where he managed stallions such as Roaring Lion, Zoustar, and Havana Gold. He also accompanied the charismatic and notoriously prickly stallion Charm Spirit to New Zealand. It was here, under the tutelage of David Redvers that Toms knowledge advanced significantly. Following this, Tom managed Heatherwold Stud in Berkshire and then became Assistant Stud Manager at Kirtlington Stud, which is known for its high-quality broodmare band.
Previously worked at:
Stud Farms:
Watership Down Stud, England
Arrowfield Stud, Australia
Eliza Park Stud, Australia
Tweenhills Stud, England
Yorton Farm, England
Haras d'Etreham, France
Kirtlington Stud, England
Racing Yards:
Jean Claude Rouget, France
Olly Stevens, England
Charlie
Before setting up Heritage Thoroughbreds at Manton, Charlie managed Eydon Hall Farm for 3 years - Ted Voute’s highly regarded stud farm in Northamptonshire. He oversaw all aspects of the farm’s operations, from foaling and yearling preparation to strategic land management. Working closely with one of the industry’s most respected figures, he has gained invaluable experience in the meticulous standards and hands-on expertise that define a world-class breeding program.
Previously, Charlie worked as a Bloodstock Executive for Goffs UK, focusing on clients in southwest England. Working closely with breeders, owners, and trainers, he built strong networks and developed a nuanced understanding of the needs and preferences of stakeholders in the British racing and breeding sectors. This role honed his skills in assessing bloodstock quality and market trends - expertise essential for advising clients and building trust in sales environments. Additionally, his time at Goffs provided insight into auction house operations, giving him firsthand experience with the logistical and strategic elements crucial to successful bloodstock sales.
Earlier in his career, Charlie gained international experience in Australia with leading trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, as well as at Sledmere Stud, where he contributed to the breeding season and yearling preparation. Before this, he served as Pupil Assistant to acclaimed British trainer Andrew Balding, managing two yards with 53 horses.
His career began with a diploma from the National Stud in 2011, followed by a year at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, USA. There, he prepared yearlings for the Keeneland Sales before being moved on to the Stallion Station where he was responsible for looking after Quality Road in his first year at Stud, as well as handling the likes of Curlin, Kingmambo and Twirling Candy. Back in the UK, he further refined his skills with Watership Down Stud, preparing the top-selling yearling of that season.
Immersed in the racing industry his entire life, Charlie’s commitment to excellence and integrity of thoroughbred care, is absolute. His extensive and multifaceted career spanning the globe’s foremost breeding and racing establishments, combines the knowledge, substance and experience that ensures every horse entrusted to Heritage Thoroughbreds receives the world-class care and attention it deserves.
Previously worked at:
Stud Farms:
Lanes End Farm, America
Watership Down Stud, England
Sledmere Stud, Australia
Lanwades Stud, England
Eydon Hall Stud, England
Racing Yards:
Andrew Balding, England
David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Australia
Farrier
Fred Cox is an integral part of the team. With clients including Tweenhills, Whistbury Manor Stud, Whatton Manor Stud, Sumbe and Kirtlington Stud. His extensive knowledge covers all aspects of farriery from foals needing corrective work to yearlings to racehorses and Mares.
Vet
Luke Hepburn BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Upon completing his Veterinary degree at the University of Liverpool, Luke began working at Newmarket Equine Hospital within the ambulatory team. He has since practiced in both racing and stud medicine, under the tutelage of some of the most respected stud and racing vets in the UK, within large thoroughbred racing yards and stud farms in Newmarket.
Luke has undertaken two southern hemisphere seasons in New Zealand, working for large thoroughbred studs as a resident vet. Here, along with his experience in the UK, Luke developed a passion for studwork and gained invaluable experience with routine breeding of mares, issues associated with stallions and neonatal care on an even larger scale.
Having a keen interest in all aspects of thoroughbred practice Luke has developed a particular interest in studwork and sales.
As well as carrying out sales work in the UK, he continues to head to the southern hemisphere over the sales seasons to carry out routine radiographic screening and video endoscopy of yearlings for pre-purchase examinations.