‘Horse racing’ pub still to find a buyer

THE asking price for a Somerset inn described as “one of Britain’s most iconic horse racing pubs” has been slashed as it has failed to attract a buyer after more than a year on the market.

The owners of The Manor House Inn at Ditcheat, near Castle Cary, are looking to retire and they put the famous pub up for sale in early 2022.

The historic inn is just a short walk from the yard of 13-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls and is a cornerstone of the village’s worldrenowned racing heritage. The Manor House Inn has served as the backdrop for many of the yard’s historic celebrations, with Grand National hero Neptune Collonges and dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star among the leading names to have paraded past the building.

Mr Nicholls’ current crop of horses are often seen riding past the pub, which is frequented by Ditcheat’s jockeys and stable staff, according to estate agent Christie and Co.

The pub, a 17th-century Grade IIlisted manor house, was put on the market last year with a guide price of £750,000.

The asking price has now been slashed to £675,000 as the owners look to sell up and retire.

Advertising the inn on Facebook, the owners described the pub as having “a thriving trade”. They added that it was “well supported” by locals.

Inside the pub is a collection of horse racing memorabilia and artwork, and a separate mews building features five letting rooms named after famous horses trained in the village.

Speaking to The Racing Post last year, Christie & Co selling agent Saoirse Duddy said: “It’s just got a unique feel to it. There’s lots of touches around the building to racing. It would be a horse-person’s dream, including the view of horses riding past the building every morning.”

The rustic village inn features a log-burning fire, flagstone flooring, part oak panelling, timber beams and exposed stone walls. It also boasts large outdoor areas able to accommodate 150 people.