The History of Saracen Horse Feeds
1788 - 2021
This timeline gives some background into how our family business began, how it has evolved over 200 years and looks at some of the more remarkable moments for Saracen Horse Feeds within the archives of the thoroughbred world.
2020
Four millionaire yearlings sell at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 fed on Saracen. A Kingman colt from Houghton Bloodstock, a Dubawi colt from Floors Stud, a Galileo filly from Old Mill Stud and a Frankel colt from Floors Stud.
Wonderful Tonight wins two Group 1 races two weeks apart for David Menuisier, fuelled by Saracen. The Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp on 3rd October and Qipco British Champions Day Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on 17th October. A remarkable achievement for a three year old filly.
Stradivarius, the ever-popular Champion Stayer, wins a record-breaking fourth Goodwood Cup. This adds to his incredibly long list of achievements which include three Cartier Awards, three Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, two Yorkshire Cups and two Lonsdale Cups, the Queen's Vase, the British Champions Long Distance Cup and the Doncaster Cup. His career earnings so far are over £2.8 million. In addition, he has twice won the £1m Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million Bonus for successes in Stayers races in the same seasons of 2018 and 2019 for his owner/breeder, Bjorn Nielsen. Stradivarius was born and raised at Kiltinan Castle and Watership Down Studs.
An International Growth Study led by Kentucky Equine Research, with cooperation from its partners at Saracen and Hallway Feeds, is launched in February. It involves an investigation of growth records, radiographic findings, sales data and racing performance for young thoroughbreds throughout America, Australia and Europe.
2019
Tweenhills Farm & Stud sells the Sales Topper at Tattersalls December Foal for 600,000 guineas, a Frankel colt fed on Saracen.
Ralph Beckett trains five winners in one day across two meetings on 12th October, including two Group 3’s and a Listed success, all fuelled by Saracen.
Two millionaire yearlings sell at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 fed on Saracen. A Dubawi colt from Longview Stud and a Dubawi colt from Watership Down Stud.
Hillwood Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £440,000, a Kingman colt fed on Saracen.
Ed Walker trains four winners in one day across three meetings on 12th July, including a Group 3 success, all fuelled by Saracen
Anapurna, bred and owned by Meon Valley Stud, wins The Oaks at Epsom. She was raised on Saracen.
2018
Tweenhills Farm & Stud team up with La Motteraye Consignment and sell the highest-priced Foal at Arqana Breeding Stock Sale in France for 1,000,000€, a Dubawi filly fed on Saracen
New England Stud sell the Sales Toppers at Tattersalls December Foal and Mare Sale, a Galileo filly for 1,700,000 guineas and then her dam, Pearling, for 2,400,000 guineas. They were both fed on Saracen.
BETA EGUS accreditation was awarded to Re-Leve Mix, as it is cereal free and suitable for horses prone to gastric ulcers (EGUS).
Watership Down Stud sells the World’s highest-priced Yearling at 3,500,000 guineas and tops the sale with a Dubawi colt, fed on Saracen. Two other millionaire yearlings were sold – a Dubawi colt from Meon Valley Stud and a Sea The Stars colt from Longview Stud.
Tweenhills Farm & Stud team up with La Motteraye Consignment and sell the Sales Topper at the Arqana August Yearling Sale in France for 1,400,000€, a Dubawi colt fed on Saracen
New research carried out by KER into bone density and gastric support launches Triacton®, a marine-derived calcium supplement. All of the specialist Thoroughbred feeds for racing and breeding are updated to include the new nutrients in their formulations to reflect that research.
2017
Meon Valley Stud sells another millionaire at Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Book 1 for 2,600,000 guineas, a Dubawi colt fed on Saracen. Five other millionaire yearlings were sold – a Dubawi colt from Highclere Stud, a Dubawi colt from Floors Stud, a Dubawi filly from New England Stud, a Dubawi colt from Hascombe & Valiant Stud and a Dubawi filly from Watership Down Stud.
2016
Meon Valley Stud sells the Joint Sales Topper at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 for 2,600,000 guineas, a Dubawi colt fed on Saracen. Two other millionaire yearlings were sold – a Dubawi colt from Watership Down Stud and a Frankel colt from Floors Stud.
Highclere Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale for £280,000, a Dark Angel colt, bred by Lordship Stud and fed on Saracen.
Ralph Beckett trains five winners in one day across three meetings on 9th July, including a Listed success, all fuelled by Saracen.
2015
Highclere Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale, Hanky Panky, for 2,700,000 guineas. She is fed on Saracen.
A millionaire yearling sells at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Book 1 fed on Saracen - an Oasis Dream colt from Meon Valley Stud.
Simple Verse wins the St. Leger, trained by Ralph Beckett, fuelled by Saracen. She was the first filly to win the race since 1992.
Houghton Bloodstock sells the Sales Topper at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale for £280,000, a Paco Boy colt, fed on Saracen.
Saracen sponsor three seminars in conjunction with TBA (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association) entitled ‘Nutrition & The Environment’.
Ed Walker trains four winners and two seconds in one day across three meetings on 27th June, including a Group 3 success, all fuelled by Saracen.
Golden Horn wins The Derby at Epsom and then in the autumn, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris. He was bred and owned by the Oppenheimer family at their Hascombe & Valiant Studs and raised on Saracen.
2014
Three millionaire yearlings sell at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Book 1 fed on Saracen. A Dubawi colt from Watership Down Stud, a Dubawi colt from Floors Stud and a Street Cry colt from Hillwood Stud.
Kingston Hill wins the St. Leger Stakes. He was bred and consigned by Woodcote Stud and raised on Saracen.
Racefit & Recoup Cubes are launched to add a lower starch offering to the racing range.
Australia wins The Derby at Epsom and goes on to become a dual Classic Winner when successful in the Irish Derby. He was bred and consigned by Stanley House Stud, and raised on Saracen. Kingston Hill, bred and consigned by Woodcote Stud and raised on Saracen, finished second in The Derby.
Avenir Certain wins Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane in France. She was prepared and consigned by The Coulonces Consignment and fed on Saracen.
2013
The Coulonces Consignment sells the Sales Topper at the Arqana August Yearling Sale in France for 1,500,000€, a Dubawi filly fed on Saracen.
Talent wins The Oaks at Epsom, with her stablemate, Secret Gesture, in second place - both fillies are trained by Ralph Beckett, fuelled by Saracen.
The Channel Consignment sells the Sales Topper at the Arqana Breeze Up Sale in France for 520,000€, a Sea The Stars colt fed on Saracen.
2012
Kiltinan Castle Stud sells the Sales Topper at Tattersalls December Mare Sale, Twyla Tharp, for 1,700,000 guineas. She is fed on Saracen.
Estimate wins Group 3 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot for the Queen, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, fuelled by Saracen.
Camelot wins the 2000 Guineas, The Derby at Epsom, the Irish Derby – a Triple Classic winner - and is second in St. Leger Stakes. He was raised and consigned by Highclere Stud, and fed on Saracen.
2011
Highclere Stud are Leading Consignors at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 for the fifth consecutive year, a record breaking achievement – the yearlings were fed on Saracen during that time.
Saracen sponsors two Seminars in conjunction with the TBA (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association) entitled ‘From Foal to Finish - Nutrition and Veterinary Management to maximise profitability’.
Recoup 11 is launched as a low energy mix for horses in training.
Reliable Man wins Prix du Jockey Club in France. He was bred and owned by Sven and Carina Hanson, and raised on Saracen.
Frankel wins the 2000 Guineas, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, fuelled by Saracen. He won 14 races from two to four years old and retired to stud as an unbeaten Champion of 10 Group 1 wins with career earnings of just under £3 million.
2010
Furnace Mill Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale for £120,000, a Kyllachy colt, bred by Laundry Cottage Stud and fed on Saracen.
Luminance™, a ‘next generation’ fortified conditioning supplement from Hallway Feeds is launched in the UK.
Snow Fairy wins The Oaks at Epsom, trained by Ed Dunlop, fuelled by Saracen. She went on to become a dual Classic winner by completing the Epsom / Curragh Oaks double in July.
2009
Oakgrove Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Part 1 for 700,000 guineas, an Oasis Dream colt fed on Saracen.
2008
Templeton Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Part 1 for 650,000 guineas, a Montjeu colt fed on Saracen.
Hillwood Stud sells the Sales Topper at the Goffs St. Leger Yearling Sale for £220,000, a Dubawi colt fed on Saracen.
Look Here wins The Oaks at Epsom, trained by Ralph Beckett, fuelled by Saracen.
2007
Two millionaire yearlings sell at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Book 1 fed on Saracen. A Dalakhani colt from Meon Valley Stud and a Gone West colt from Highclere Stud.
Saracen sponsors two seminars in conjunction with the TBA (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association) entitled ‘From Foal to Finish – Factors Affecting the Production of the Equine Athlete’.
Light Shift wins The Oaks at Epsom, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, fuelled by Saracen.
Wm. Lillico & Son Ltd is now managed by a new board of directors with Patrick Walker, the fourth generation, as our Chairman.
2006
Magical Romance sells for a world record price for a broodmare of 4,600,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale, consigned by The Elms Stud and fed on Saracen.
Sixties Icon wins the St. Leger Stakes, bred by Lordship Stud and consigned by Watership Down Stud – both are Saracen clients.
Sir Percy wins The Derby at Epsom, trained by Marcus Tregoning, fuelled by Saracen.
Saracen launches Stallion Plan and Mare-Care, both technically advanced, high specification rations formulated and tailored for breeding stallions and broodmares.
2004
Ouija Board wins The Oaks at Epsom, trained by Ed Dunlop, fuelled by Saracen. She went on to become a dual Classic winner by completing the Epsom / Curragh Oaks double in July, and retired in 2006 with career earnings of over £3.5 million.
2003
Watership Down Stud sells the Sales Topper at Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 525,000 guineas, a Singspiel colt fed on Saracen.
Britton House Stud sells the Sales Topper at Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Part 1 for 1,000,000 guineas, a Diesis colt fed on Saracen. This was a record price for this sale - the first ever seven-figure yearling.
Meon Valley Stud sells the Sales Topper at the last Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Sale for 1,250,000 guineas, a Giant’s Causeway filly fed on Saracen
Casual Look wins The Oaks at Epsom, trained by Andrew Balding, fuelled by Saracen.
Kentucky Equine Research’s studies into glycemic response post-feeding leads to the launch of new concept products: Level-Grow™, Re-Leve® and Super Fibre Pencils.
2002
Saracen hosts two seminars in conjunction with the NSFA (Newmarket Stud Farmers Association) entitled ‘Managing growth rates to reduce Skeletal Disease’ where Gro-Trac®, Kentucky Equine Research’s growth monitoring software, is first launched in the UK.
2001
Saracen Horse Feeds becomes the exclusive UK Brand Partner for Kentucky Equine Research, joining an international network of leading equine feed manufacturers.
2000
Saracen Horse Feeds and Hallway Feeds of Lexington, Kentucky, forge an exclusive manufacturing partnership. Stamm 30, Race 13 and Prep 14, all proven feeds in America, are the first feeds to be made in the UK as part of this partnership. Their recipes are adapted to be more compatible with European forages, particularly the mineral inclusions.
1998
Saracen Horse Feeds becomes a Limited company within the Wm. Lillico Group.
1994
Saracen secured its first export client - Sheikh Zayed (President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi), Royal Stables.
1989
The Lillico group begins to rationalise, and Saracen Horse Feeds is formed as the horse feed division of Wm. Lillico & Son Ltd.
1973
J & W Attlee Ltd. of Dorking is purchased.
1963
The business celebrates 175 years of trading by further improving the site with a new feed cubing plant, a new warehouse, further transport and grain drier.
1951
A new mill was built. The old water-mill and cart-sheds were demolished. In their place, a modern warehouse and grain drier was built.
1939 - 1945
Wm. Lillico & Son continued to trade throughout the war despite many staff being called to action including Directors, Keith Denham, who was captured and detained as a Prisoner of War in Germany, and Paul Walker, who fought in Burma and whose actions were honoured with the Military Cross. During their absence, Lionel Lillico managed the business through this difficult period, servicing the South East with raw materials and animal feeds.
1937
Wm. Lillico & Son becomes a Limited company.
1881
William Lock retired and left his business to William Lillico.
1865
William Lillico, a farmer’s son originally from Fife in Scotland, was employed as an apprentice for William Lock aged 16.
1788
The family business was formed as a grain and agricultural merchant.