Friendly, Informative And Fun
Sheena E,
05 May 2012
We went on a tour of the stables and were lucky enough to meet Mr Mann himself. The whole experience was excellent and the team very welcoming.
A Great Morning - Informative And Entertaining.
Robert E,
25 Apr 2012
I would thoroughly recommend this experience to all racing fans. Charlie and his team (including Lily the dog) were very welcoming throughout and provided a fascinating insight into the day to day operation of a racing stable. After breakfast with Charlie and one of his jockeys we were driven out to the gallops by one of Charlie's assistants, as the man himself was riding out. Although the weather was horrendous up on the gallops (think monsooon and you'll be close) this didn't dim my enjoyment one bit - seeing the horses at their work and being able to get answers to my many questions was fascinating. We were then taken around the stables and shown each of the horses in training and we received very useful information about each one. It was a thrill to meet some of the horses that have had the handicap of me betting on them! The final part of the session was coffee and a relaxed and very informative question and answer session with Charlie. Thank you for a great experience.
A Great Day Out
Tony P,
18 Apr 2012
Not only did I get the full tour of Charlie Mann's stable, which was really interesting, but he went well above that in inviting me to Cheltenham Races with him. I even got to stand in the Winners Enclosure with one of Charlie's horses, Bench Warrant.
A Thoroughly Enjoyable Experience
Frank D,
14 Apr 2012
A really interesting visit. All the staff were unbelievably friendly and informative.
Lovely Experience
Anthony W,
11 Apr 2012
We were lucky to have beautiful weather.The views on downs were breathtaking. Well looked after by Charlie Mann`s staff.
Fantastic Day
Penny W,
17 Mar 2012
I had such a great morning with Charlie and the jockeys who joined us for breakfast. Got to meet Noel the Champion Hurdle winning jockey. We were made to feel very welcome from everybody at the stables which was amazing. The lady that took us on our stable tour was so friendly gave me a great insight into how they trained and looked after the horses and on the upside gave us a couple to follow as well. This was one of the very best days ever so thanks again to Charlie and everybody at the stables. Thanks
Love Racing? You'll Love This
Susan A,
18 Feb 2012
What an excellent way to spend a morning, Charlie Mann and his team provide you with a warm welcome from the time you arrive until it's time to go, it was a truly great insight into what goes on behind the scenes to get these magnificent animals to the race track in perfect condition, the in depth knowledge that is freely passed on is astounding, not even a fierce wind on top of the Lambourn gallops could stop me smiling as one string of horses after another were put through their paces, a fantastic day to remember and the perfect gift from my family.
A Jewel In Berkshire's Racing Valley
David M,
25 Jan 2012
I am a National Hunt racing fan but had never been to Lambourn until my RL Day. I arrived at Charlie's stable, situated in the magnificent Berkshire Downs of Upper Lambourn and was greeted by jockey's wife Tess and Charlie himself. I found, that I was the only RL Day participant there-unbelievable at such a key time of the jumps season! The two stable jockey's Noel & David plus assistant trainer David, joined in at breakfast. Then I went with Olivia in the landrover up onto the racing gallops to watch the horses train. The views are stunning and it truely is a wonderful setting for racehorses to be trained. We watched the horses gallop, saw a young chaser school over three fences before returning to the office where I met the travelling head lad-Chrissie who then took me on a tour of the stables and told me about each horse in training. Finally, I had coffee and a chat with Charlie before leaving. It was a brilliant experience. Many thanks to Charlie and all his team, they were great
Great Birthday Present From The Kids!
Graham K,
23 Nov 2011
I had a superb morning at Charlie Mann's stables with 3 other lucky Red Letter Day recipients. From the time that we were met by Tasha, stable jockey Noel Fehilly's wife, who was cooking our breakfast to the time that we left, everyone was most friendly and helpful with our many questions. Charlie joined us for breakfast with his Assistant Trainer, followed by a trip to the gallops with one of the stable staff (Charlie was riding the lead horse!), from which we found out many things about the training schedules of the stables. We were then taken round the stables and given and in depth talk about the horses as we saw them. A number of cups of coffee followed with Charlie, which gave us time to pick his brains (as much as he would allow!} about what we had seen and been told. All together it was most enjoyable morning, made even better by the warm, friendly approach by everyone at the stables.
Great Day Out
Brian R,
23 Nov 2011
Had breakfast with Charlie, which was very imformative after breakfast showed me around the stables which was of great interest. Great experience to go onto the gallops and to top it all off Charlie got me access to Newbury and met me at the races would definitely think of a part ownership in a horse with Charlie in near future. I would like to thank Charlie for a great experience. Great 50th Birthday present
Excellent Present
David G,
28 Sep 2011
The day spent at Charlie Mann's stables will never be forgotten. Charlie and his staff were very friendly and the trips to the gallops and the stable tour were very informative. Can definitely recommend it to any follower of racing.
Wonderful Morning
Glyn W,
02 Apr 2011
Excellent morning for a racing enthusiast. All staff were very friendly and welcoming, made you feel like an owner not just a day visitor. All questions were answered by excellent team. Even though Charlie was away skiing it did not detract one bit from the day. I would recommend to anybody who loves horses.
Fantastic Day
James D,
26 Mar 2011
Absolutely brillant day, made to feel really welcome by all. Excellent to actually speak and listen to someone who really cares and believes in the sport as much as Charlie. Got to see all the horses and staff and even chat to the jockey in a relaxed informal way. Really recommend this to anyone with even a slight interest in horse racing.
Great Insight Into The World Of Horseracing
John W,
12 Mar 2011
Charlie Mann and his team were extremely pleasant and gave honest and open answers to any questions posed. A great experience for anyone interested in the horse racing world.
Fantastic Day Out.
Gavin R,
22 Jan 2011
Thanks for a brilliant experience. Charlie Mann was a great host and the added bonus of having his stable jockey Noel Feilly there made the day even better. Thanks also to Red Letter Days for making the organisation of the day so easy.
Brilliant Day.
Phillip H,
15 Jan 2011
Very relaxed and welcoming day. Made to feel at home and looked after very well. Recommend highly.
A Most Enjoyable Experience
Steven H,
20 Oct 2010
It was a frosty cold wednesday morning in October but the welcome from Charlie Mann, his family and his staff was very warm. Bacon croissants for breakfast followed by a trip to the gallops to watch the horses go through their work routine. Charlie patiently answered any question put to him before he handed us over to a very knowledgable member of the stable staff who introduced all the horses to us after which Charlie gave us coffee in his office. Only time will tell whether I can say it was 'a tip from the horses'mouth' but whatever the outcome in my punting this really was a most enjoyable experience.
What A Morning!
Liz F,
28 Apr 2010
Arrived 10 mins early and warmly greeted by Charlie Mann. After a chat in the office we were taken to the gallops with Noel Fehily his jockey and watched the horses working. What a lovely experience. Arriving back at the yard we were shown all the horses in the yard and allowed to pat them. Don gave us all the info on each horse and a brochure showing each of them with a little write up. Later we adjourned to the office with Charlie for coffee and a chat. What a morning, one I will never forget, just wish I had taken more photos. Thank you to Charlie and all his team.
A Winner All The Way!
Gerard H,
24 Mar 2010
I spent a morning at the horse-racing stables of trainer Charlie Mann. He could not have been a more entertaining and friendly host, along with his stable jockey Noel Fehily. Both treated me like an honoured guest, from the marvellous breakfast, to the informative tour of the stables and each horse, through to the excitement of watching the horses being put through their paces on the spectacularly scenic gallops. Charlie could not have been more generous with his time, despite the hectic life he leads as a top trainer. A truly wonderful morning for the racing enthusiast.
A Thoroughly Enjoyable And Very Personal Day
Kevin J,
17 Feb 2010
A fantastic day throughout. It started with breakfast with Charlie Mann in his own kitchen. Afterwards we met the horses that were going out on to the gallops. We followed them up in the Land Rover and watched them work. A couple of the horses were going to the races in the next two days so we watched them school over fences and hurdles with Paul Maloney on board. Then it was back to the yard and a tour round the stable where we met every horse. Don, the stable lad who took us round, gave us a potted history of each one and a few pointers as to which he rated best.