The impressive estate that the 1991 Grand National winner called home
Crimbourne Stud in Billingshurst, in West Sussex, has everything that a horse-lover could ever want.


Set in the glorious West Sussex countryside, Crimbourne Stud in Billingshurst, now on the market for £4.25 million with Strutt & Parker, is an exceptional residential equestrian property that encompasses the best of both worlds: period living and first class equestrian facilities.
Crimbourne Stud was established in the 1950s by Jockey Club member Major John Baillie who bred the multiple Group-winning sprinter So Blessed who later took up stallion duties. In the late 1980s, the stud was bought by Sir Eric and Lady Parker, who embarked on an extensive refurbishment project on the 15th century house and the ancillary accommodation and the historical yard and equine facilities and paddocks.
Since the original refurbishment, Crimbourne Stud has continued to flourish, with the addition of more stables, an indoor school and turnout unit, new staff accommodation and new leased paddocks adjoining the stud.
Today, Crimbourne Stud boasts an attractive stable courtyard with 16 loose boxes (including two foaling boxes and a vet box), a secure tack room, feed room and machinery store. There are also a further six isolation boxes, an indoor manège (110’ x 57’), indoor turnout and an open horse walker.
The superb facilities, calm setting and lush grass combined with smart management has resulted in well over 200 individual winners to have been born and bred at the Sussex farm, including Indian Lodge, Moonlight Paradise, Eradicate, Roz, Oh Goodness and Havana Gold. Crimbourne Stud has also provided a relaxed retirement home for some first class national hunt horses owned by the Parker family including the 1991 Grand National winning hero Seagram, the two time Whitbread-winning Topsham Bay, and the multiple winning national hunt horse Got One Too.
The gardens and grounds have also been developed over the years to become one of the most famous in the Sussex area where they are viewed once a year at the annual open day and provide a sublime back drop for viewing of that year's crop of yearlings.
Within the 48 acres of the estate lies the Grade II listed farmhouse, which originally dates from 1450. Part timber-framed, the property boasts four bedrooms, five reception rooms and a guest annexe, immaculate gardens and grounds including ponds, a gorgeous indoor swimming pool and sauna and a tennis court.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The estate also boasts an additional three-bedroom barn conversion, one-bedroom cottage, two-bedroom bungalow and a pair of semi-detached bungalows.
Situated just 4 miles from Petworth, Crimbourne Stud is ideally located for equestrian enthusiasts – outwith the grounds of the Stud there is excellent hacking along the bridleways over the nearby South Downs, polo at Cowdray Park and racing at Goodwood. Perfect.
Crimbourne Stud is on the market with Strutt & Parker – see more pictures and details.
50 greatest horses of all time
In praise of brilliant horses.
Top 10 National Hunt meetings
We round up the top 10 National Hunt meetings, guaranteed to get pulses racing.
Equestrian properties for sale near National Hunt racecourses
With our national love affair with racing as strong as ever, why not consider a property within the vicinity of
Agnes has worked for Country Life in various guises — across print, digital and specialist editorial projects — before finally finding her spiritual home on the Features Desk. A graduate of Central St. Martins College of Art & Design she has worked on luxury titles including GQ and Wallpaper* and has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Horse & Hound, Esquire and The Independent on Sunday. She is currently writing a book about dogs, due to be published by Rizzoli New York in September 2025.
-
The century-old enamelling technique used to create Van Cleef's lucky ladybird brooch — which has something in common with Country Life
The technique used in the jeweller's Geneva workshop has been put to good use in its latest creation.
By Hetty Lintell Published
-
‘The best sleep in the sky’: What it’s like to fly in United’s Polaris cabin, approved by American icon Martha Stewart
United’s Business Class cabin goes by the name Polaris and Martha Stewart is a fan. So, how does it fare?
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
From a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
By Toby Keel Published
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool
5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
By James Fisher Published
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in Dorset
With 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventure
The interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of Pembrokeshire
A lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed folly
Hagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich history
Three floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
By James Fisher Published
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of Somerset
Ashton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
By Arabella Youens Published