Higher Shutscombe Farm is a modern training establishment based on a 112 acres, within the beautiful rolling countryside of Exmoor. The terrain in this part of North Devon makes for ideal racehorse training, being rich in undulating countryside, which helps to develop high levels of stamina and fitness.

Higher Shutscombe boasts both extensive grass and
all-weather gallops, enabling the horses to be exercised regardless of the weather conditions.

Victor has also built an all weather fibre/sand ring canter, which is invaluable for getting the young horses cantering and for introducing youngsters to the joys of jumping.

The fibre/sand canter has proved itself to be a great training asset, enabling the horses, especially the youngsters, to build their strength, stamina and muscle by doing steady trotting & cantering work. The canter is used throughout the season, whatever the weather and is ideal for horses that, for whatever reason, aren’t quite ready to work up the gallop.

The fibre/sand canter also incorporates a schooling ring, which enables Victor to teach the youngsters to jump in a safe enclosed environment. Youngsters first start off over trotting poles, then graduate to jumping bigger poles and hurdles, finally graduating to specially constructed baby fences. The schooling ring encourages horses to develop their confidence and to enjoy their jumping.

Higher Shutscombe also has extensive schooling grounds, encompassing professionally built full size flights of hurdles and fences. Set on a gentle incline the grounds enable the horses to develop their jumping skills. Schooling takes place on a weekly basis, with regular visiting top flight jockeys (such as Paddy Brennan, Mick Fitzgerald, and until his retirement Jim Culloty). James White, the yard conditional jockey, is now a vital part of these regular schooling sessions.

All the horses are stabled in modern, spacious and well maintained boxes. The yards are comprised of a combination of American Barns and individual outdoor loose boxes. This enables horses who do not thrive in a barn environment or who need to be isolated, for whatever reason, to be moved to a more suitable box.
All the loose boxes have rear top doors, which can be opened to allow them to look out.

The yard also has two horse walkers, a sand school, which is used for lunging and breaking, and a comprehensive range of turnout paddocks, so that the horses can have a regular pick of grass.