Racehorse trainer Ben Pauling has identified a major property investment as the turning point that stabilised his yard and restored it to Grade One contention.

The purchase and redevelopment of the former Naunton Downs golf course into a purpose-built training facility marked a decisive strategic shift for an operation under pressure.

Speaking on Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday, Pauling explained that the move followed a difficult period in which his yard lost 21 horses, around a fifth of its total, after a major owner exited the business.

Rather than scaling back, Pauling opted to invest heavily in infrastructure to create a more competitive and sustainable business. Pauling said the new facility has delivered measurable benefits, particularly in horse health, training consistency and owner confidence.

“Buying the golf course was the biggest decision we’ve made,” Pauling said. “It was a major financial risk, but it has worked. The yard functions better, and it’s allowed us to train with more confidence.”

That investment has been followed by renewed on-track results, including a career-defining victory in the King George VI Chase. Despite the success, Pauling stressed that his approach remains controlled, with careful race planning and limited workloads.

He noted that his horses often perform better on race day than they do in intensive training, influencing a more conservative preparation strategy ahead of major targets such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Pauling also addressed the wider competitive landscape, particularly comparisons with Ireland’s leading yards. While acknowledging the success of trainers such as Willie Mullins, he argued that British trainers are becoming more competitive as investment levels rise and quality is spread across more operations.

Reflecting on the years prior to the pandemic, Pauling described a prolonged period of underperformance linked to immune issues in the yard and the absence of top-level horses. He admitted there were concerns the business might not survive.

The recent resurgence, he said, underlines the importance of taking calculated risks to secure long-term viability rather than relying on short-term stability.