Jeremy Clarkson is about to test the racing potential of his first-ever racehorse, The Hawkstonian, named after the Hawkstone Brewery that sources ingredients from his farm. The grey gelding was acquired for £37,500 at a June auction by Highflyer Bloodstock and trainer Ben Pauling, with the syndicate, Old Gold Racing, quickly selling all 3,250 shares at £60 each in April 2023.
The Hawkstonian is set to make his racecourse debut at Uttoxeter in a National Hunt Flat race. Trainer Ben Pauling has been impressed with the four-year-old since he arrived at his Cotswold training facility. He describes The Hawkstonian as an admirable horse, stating, “From day one he always seemed a nice individual…and has been a joy to train.” Pauling notes the horse’s professionalism during training, saying, “He settles into his exercise very well, and we hope he can replicate that on the track.”
With strong ties to Clarkson, as the Pauling family previously farmed the land now occupied by Diddly Squat Farm, Pauling has ambitious expectations for The Hawkstonian. “On the scale of Morris Minor to Ferrari, we’re hoping he’s nearer to Ferrari,” he remarked. Old Gold Racing’s CEO, Ed Seyfried, praised the syndicate model for making racehorse ownership accessible to many while supporting British agriculture. With excitement building, all eyes will be on The Hawkstonian's debut performance.