Farewell to breeder and trainer Gordon Giddings

Breeder, trainer and stud farmer Gordon Giddings – who stood stallions including Master Spiritus at his Manor Farm Stud – has died aged 83.

Gordon was involved in horses all his life specifically in racing, breeding and eventing. He was also successful in the show ring and later went on to judge.

He built up Manor Farm Stud Wiltshire in the 1970s, standing many stallions over the years including New Member and Master Spiritus, and at the height of this operation 350 mares visited the stud each year.

In the late 1980s he set up his new stud at Church Farm. Gordon also held a private trainers permit, he had wins with horses such as The Ghost, New Ghost, Periwyn and Tytherington Hill.

Last year Gordon was recognised at Racing Welfare’s the Pride of Racing Awards at Epsom racecourse where he was presented with the lifetime achievement award. He died on 8 May.

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