Introduction
Unstoppable Trainer: Henrietta Knight Takes Horse Racing to New Heights
Description
Henrietta Knight
Henrietta Knight, widely known as Hen, is an accomplished racehorse trainer and breeder. Born in 1946, she trained racehorses from West Lockinge Farm in Oxfordshire for over two decades, from 1989 to 2012. During her career, she was responsible for over 700 winners, including Best Mate and Edredon Bleu.
Best Mate made history by winning three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups (2002, 2003 and 2004) and the King George VI Chase at Kempton (2002 and 2003). Edredon Bleu won The Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2000. Hen also trained other notable horses such as Calgary Bay, Karshi, Impek, Lord Noelie, Racing Demon, and Somersby.
In 1993, Hen married Terry Biddlecombe, the triple Champion National Hunt Jockey of the 1960s. Together, they won numerous racing awards and forged a great partnership. In 2002, Hen was voted Horserace Writers and Photographers NH Trainers of the Year, and in 2003, Channel 4 Personality of the Year. Sadly, Terry passed away at the age of 72 in 2014.
Although no longer holding a Trainer's License, Hen continues to run an extensive horse business at West Lockinge. She also owns the well-established Lockinge Connemara Pony Stud. Visitors can see some of the lovely racehorses on view, which are either being pre-trained or schooled by experienced staff, and enjoy the top-class facilities at the farm.
Buying and Selling
Hen has earned a reputation for her keen eye for horses, and she frequently judges at major shows in the UK and Ireland. She also enjoys buying horses for clients or giving advice on purchases and attends many of the leading bloodstock sales. Horses prepared for sale from West Lockinge tend to command high prices at auction.