Welcome to Kingsdown Stables

DAVID LANIGAN'S training career has gone from strength to strength since he started out on his own at the end of 2007.

Year on year, his team have continued to improve with 2011 providing another upward curve on the progress chart.

Meeznah was the real flag bearer for the 2011 season providing David with his first major Group successes in England.  She stormed to victory by two-and-a-half lengths in the Group 3 Lillie Langtry at Goodwood smashing the course record and leaving behind a strong field including Wild Coco and Shankardeh.  Her next success came in the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster, often referred to as the Fillies’ St. Leger.  After being sent for home two furlongs out she lengthened to win by a definitive three-and-a-half lengths.

The handicappers also kept things rolling in 2011, with Planetoid and Nahab both notching up two wins a piece. 

Main Sequence led the way for our two-year-old division, ending the season with an unbeaten record.  In his first start at Yarmouth, he gave an eye-catching performance, taking a strong maiden by one-and-a-quarter lengths after being sent off at 50-1.  In his next start at Newmarket, in a 0-85 Nursery, he pulled clear to win by an authoritative three-and-a-quarter lengths.

In August, David was given the opportunity to move his training operation to the historic Kingsdown Stables in Lambourn.  With the yard completely renovated, it was a great opportunity to have access to some of the best facilities in the country, a necessary step for David to move his career to the next level.  Therefore, in December 2011, the move to Kingsdown was made.

David is looking forward to his first season at the new yard and will have approximately 60 horses in training in 2012, with about 30 of those being two-year-olds.

Lanigan’s intelligent and patient approach to training has resulted in a steady increase in his string over the past couple of years. If you would like to discuss ownership with David, please don’t hesitate to contact him (see ‘Contacts’ link) to arrange an appointment at Kingsdown Stables.

David has learned his trade from some of the most respected horsemen in the world. He grew up on his parents' farm, Bob and Deirdre Lanigan's Tullamaine Castle Stud, which has been among the leading commercial breeders in Europe for the past 20 years.

His first introduction to training racehorses came when he spent his school holidays riding out for Vincent O'Brien in Ballydoyle, John Oxx and Edward O'Grady. On completing a BSc (Hons) in Agricultue and Land Management at the Royal Agricultural College , Cirencester, David went to J.T.L Jones' Walmac International in, Kentucky. During his five years there he progressed from yearling sales preparation to working in the breeding shed, handling stallions such as Alleged, Nureyev and Miswaki. He then managed the breaking and training of Walmac's yearling and two-year-old division.

In November 2002 David assumed the position of assistant trainer to Henry Cecil and played a part in the success of Oaks winner Light Shift, Passage of Time, Multidimensional, Camacho and other top-flight winners.

Having learned from some of the best minds in the thoroughbred business, David feels he has the knowledge and experience - along with a professional team – to offer owners the chance to achieve success at the top of English and international racing.