Brought up on a traditional Devon farm, Martin was riding from an early age. He spent his youth hunting with the South Devon and this progressed to riding in local point to points in his teens.

But it was always the training and conditioning of horses that interested him most.

In his early twenties, Martin purchased and trained Used Notes to win at point-to-points. He then took out a permit to train and she duly won her chasing debut at Exeter. Further wins and placed efforts followed - including at Cheltenham. Not bad for a horse described as ‘useless and temperamental too’ on form achieved before her purchase!

at the races - copyright Racing AdvertiserFollowing training successes with several National Hunt horses throughout the nineties, including his homebred chaser Sandoran, Martin decided to take out a licence to train for others.

Since moving the training operation to Knaves Ash at Littlehempston, he has established a reputation for producing competitive racehorses on the flat and over jumps. Martin’s current stats for GB jumps are 10% winners to runners and 50% in the frame and GB flat stands at 11.5% winners to runners with 35% in the frame.

With healthy horses, quality staff and a depth of knowledge from over 30 years involvement in the sport, Martin Hill Racing at Knaves Ash is a great place to involve yourself in the sport of Kings and Queens.

"Martin Hill's cracking run of form continued when Bally Conn followed up his recent Wincanton win in the Handicap Hurdle. The rejuvenated six-year-old battled it out on the run-in with Paddy's Tern to get the verdict in a photo finish." - Western Morning News
on the gallops

Martin Hill

"Bally Conn (9-2) won the Kibbear Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. Totnes handler Martin Hill, whose small string always command respect, intends to strike again while the iron is hot and before the handicapper has his say." - Sporting Life