Goffs complete

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ORBY

GOFFS 2014

TOUGH LOVE

SALE OF THE CENTURY

PREP, PATIENCE AND HARD WORK LEADS TO SUCCESS IN THE ORBY SALES RING

Goffs Orby Magazine 2014

Chicquita the €6 million lady

CLIVE GARDNER RETIRES HIS GAVEL

GOFFS COUNTRY’S BOUTIQUE BUSINESS

RISING TRAINING STARS ON JUGGLING BOTH

GOING FOR GLORY

THE END OF AN ERA LEADING THE FIELD

RESTOCKING AND RACING

THE HOTTEST TICKET IN

Town

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani riding high

GOFFS LONDON SALE IN ASSOCIATION WITH QIPCO

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IRELAND’S HOME TO THE VERY BEST IRISH AND INTERNATIONAL BRANDS Acne ALAÏA ALexAnder McQueen ArMAni coLLezioni BALenciAgA BurBerry cAnALi cArVen céLine christiAn LouBoutin doLce & gABBAnA dries VAn noten erdeM erMenegiLdo zegnA giVenchy gucci heLMut LAng herMès J BrAnd JiMMy choo Jo MALone JW Anderson Kenzo Louis Vuitton Louise Kennedy MAc MichAeL Kors 3.1 PhiLLiP LiM ProenzA schouLer roLAnd Mouret sAint LAurent steLLA MccArtney tiffAny & co. toM ford VALentino VictoriA BecKhAM WAterford crystAL

DUBLIN • CORK • LIMERICK • GALWAY

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Contents Goffs Orby 2014

1

Goffs

26

LONDON SALE

18

26

35

45

Meet the talent spotters

THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN

going for gold

THE BUYING BUSINESS

Preparation for the Orby

On the eve of Royal Ascot,

It was while studying

The yearling sales is a

Sale is an all-hands-on-

the inaugural Goffs London

in London that Sheikh

crucial period for trainers

deck time for vendors. The

Sale in association with

Fahad Bin Abdullah Al

looking to restock for

breeding and conditioning

QIPCO, in a setting as

Thani got into

next season. It requires

of would-be champions

sumptuous as it was novel,

horseracing. He was

lots of time away from

takes commitment, effort

was designed to attract

hooked and in the five

home while the flat

and the ability to spot raw

new owners. The list of

intervening years he

season is still in

talent. The hope is that

attendees reads like a

has gone from novice to

full swing. How do these

the hard work will deliver a

bloodstock industry’s who’s

punter’s favourite. How

new training stars cover

strong result, writes

who, writes

did he do it, asks

both bases, asks

Julian Muscat.

Donn McClean.

Emma Berry.

Tyrone Molloy.

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CONTENTS

70

COME FLY WITH ME Air Partner’s JetCard is the savvy way to travel saving users time, a rare commodity in any business.

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showcasing ireland’s best Goffs Champions Sale, in association with Brown Thomas, kicks off a brand new weekend of autumn racing with prize money totalling a whopping E3.7 million.

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WINNING PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK Recommended hotspots to book during your the Orby Sale and Irish Champions Weekend as recommended by Dublin and Kildare five-star hotel concierges.

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Full House

04

Welcome to the 2014 Orby magazine highlighting a record year at Goffs.

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News Goffs graduates continue to demonstrate their outstanding abilities; Top class yearlings await in the Orby catalogue; Brown Thomas partners with Goffs on the Champions & Orby Sales.

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currency matters International bloodstock market factors should dictate the value of bloodstock not currency exchange rates, writes Brian Shefflin of KPMG.

saloon girl Jaguar partners with singer songwriter Emile Sandé, fashion designer Stella McCartney and actor Idris Elba to launch their new XE sports car.

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. A best seller South African Clive Gardner who changed the pace of Irish bloodstock auctions has rapped his gavel for the last time, writes Michael Clower.

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WORLDWIDE ORBY WEB The international flavour of Goffs Orby Sale is brought about by the Goffs team working closely with their international agents to bring buyers from all over the world to Kildare Paddocks for the best Irish yearlings.

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SALE OF THE CENTURY The tension and theatrics of the Paulyn dispersal featuring Classic winner Chicquita was a magic and memorable moment for auctioneer and Goffs CEO Henry Beeby who recalls the sale tale to Donn McClean.

83 87

SOCIAL NETWORK The social scene at K Club, London Sale and the 2013 Orby Sale.

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THE ROAD TO ORBY It’s a long and winding road, the journey from yearling inspections to the sales ring at Kildare Paddocks. The numbers game – the lengths Goffs go to to get the job done.

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THE INSIDE TRACK Goffs Country, the specialist property division of Ireland’s premier thoroughbred auctioneers, is a boutique business with an impeccable track record in selling and sourcing stud farms.

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inside the minds of vendors

GoFfs co-ordinator: Niamh O’Hehir Editor: Alanna Gallagher Art Director: Jane Matthews Design: Jennifer Reid, Colm McDermott Contributors: Donn McClean; Julian Muscat; Emma Berry; Michael Clower; Tyrone Molloy; Brian Shefflin Photography: Rod Kirkpatrick; Edward Whitaker; Patrick McCann; Trevor Jones; Sean Jackson; Kieran Harnett; Julie Michaelsen, Richie Stokes; Thinkstock Cover image: Rod Kirkpatrick Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Advertising sales manager: Paul Clemenson Goffs Orby Magazine is published by Ashville Media Group. Blackhall Green, Dublin 7. Tel: (01) 432 2200; Fax (01) 672 7100 Email; info@ashville.com. Material printed in this journal is not necessarily endorsed by Ashville Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited © 2014. w DBS will be published in November.

Goffs Orby

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introduction

Welcome

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s the (very) lucky man who wielded the gavel for the record breaking €6 million sale of Chicquita at last year’s Goffs November Sale I have been asked how it felt on a number of occasions. “Exciting”; “surreal”; “amazing”; “a relief ” are a few of my rather inadequate responses. What is not in doubt was that the historic sale, the highest ever in Ireland, the highest at any breedingstock sale in the world last year, was a pivotal moment for Goffs, never mind me, and made a massive point for the company. Donn McLean’s Sale of the Century piece in this magazine captures all the drama, tension and excitement of that never to be forgotten day. Another extraordinary moment in Goffs history took place in the grounds of The Orangery at Kensington Palace on the eve of Royal Ascot. The staging of our inaugural London Sale in association with QIPCO crackled with a unique atmosphere as we took the proverbial mountain to Mohammed by holding the sale in central London where racing’s elite had gathered for the Royal meeting. One prominent owner breeder was kind enough to comment that “Goffs has rewritten the rules” and, whether or not that is true, the day was another huge result for the team as Julian Muscat reports on page 26. The Paulyn Dispersal and the London Sale have been extraordinary events in a year of highlights that also witnessed a stunning €2.85 million top price at the Orby. This magazine looks back at a variety of them whilst also looking forward with articles that profile three prominent Orby vendors and a number of relatively new yearling buyers, as well as focussing on the first Irish Champions Weekend which is so exciting and will kick off with another new Goffs initiative, the Goffs Champions Sale to be held before racing at

Leopardstown on 13 September. Goffs Chairman, Eimear Mulhern is uniquely placed to comment as she also sits on the boards of both HRI and Leopardstown Racecourse. Sheikh Fahad Al Thani has quickly become one of Goffs most valued clients and happily has enjoyed great success with his purchases that have included his first Group 1 winner, Lightening Pearl and Just The Judge who became his first Classic winner. He and his brothers backing of the London Sale allowed us the take it to a different level and we hear more of his thoughts and aspirations for Qatar Racing in his interview. Within these pages there is also an update on our property arm, Goffs Country, in which two prominent international breeders, Kirsten Rausing and Eva Maria Haefner tell us why they focus on Ireland to breed and raise their champions. We also hear about the stunning new Jaguar XE Sports Saloon to be launched later this year and the ways in which Jaguar will enhance the Orby Sale experience as part of their ongoing partnership with our flagship sale. We hope you enjoy our latest magazine as it seeks to give a flavour of what Goffs means and what we do. Of course, the only sure way to experience the unique Goffs service is to visit one of our sales at which Eimear, the whole Goffs team and I will provide a welcome like no other auction house in the world. You won’t be disappointed …

Henry Beeby, Group Chief Executive

Goffs Orby

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Decades of Hoofbeats Col William Hall Walker would have been proud to know the farm he created at Tully has made such an impact on the world stage. Last year we bred a Classic winner, stood a champion sire and topped a day’s trading at at the Autumn foal sales. Of course that’s not unusual, we’re just maintaining the traditions bestowed upon us over a century ago.

Contact: John Osborne, Sinéad Hyland, Gary Swift or Helen Boyce Tel: +353 (0)45 521251, Gary Swift Mob: +353 (0)86 - 6031979 www.irishnationalstud.ie 230388_1C_INS_CMD_GOFFS.indd 1

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GOFFS NEWS

It’s been another good year for Goffs on the track ...

G

offs Orby graduates continue to demonstrate their outstanding abilities in 2014, headed by Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Dick Whittington, the highest rated two-year-old at the time of writing. Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien for Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs John Magnier, the classy colt by Rip Van Winkle charged to Group 1 glory at The Curragh, following up convincingly on his previous success in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes. The latest in a long line of successful Orby yearlings

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Dick Whittington

from Camas Park Stud, Dick Whittington was purchased at last year’s Goffs Orby Sale by McCalmont Bloodstock for €280,000.

Designs On Rome

Goffs NEWS

Walk away with a National Treasure

ORBY CATALOGUE

F

or the second year in a row Goffs Orby Sale was the source of the Hong Kong Horse Of The Year. Designs On Rome stole the show with his glittering performances throughout the season of 2013/14, prevailing in spectacular style in both the Hong Kong Derby and the Group 1 QEII Cup, defeating his fellow Orby graduate, stable mate, and last year’s title holder, Military Attack. Purchased from Moyglare Stud at the 2011 Orby by Pat Flynn €10,500, the son of Holy Roman Emperor also picked up the prestigious Champion Middle

Distance accolade as well as winning the public vote for Most Popular Horse of The Year.

OTHER GOFFS GRADUATES The unbeaten Ivawood is a youngster with a bright future following his brilliant victory in the Group 2 Qatar Bloodstock Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The cracking son of Zebedee is among a large number of Goffs graduates working their magic on the track that also includes Kool Kompany, Extortionist, Kodi Bear, Hot Streak, Baitha Alga … the list continues!

Some of the very best Irish yearlings await buyers at this year’s Orby Sale on Tuesday, September 30th and Wednesday, October 1st. The 450-strong catalogue features the progeny of and siblings to Classic and Group winners including Trading Leather, Toronado, Alexander Goldrun, Necklace, Kool Kompany, Tarfasha, Four Sins, Dragon Pulse, Miss Beatrix and many more. World champion Galileo heads the impressive sire line up, along with Invincible Spirit, Sea The Stars, Shamardal, Dubawi, Oasis Dream, Mastercraftsman, Teofilo and High Chaparral among others, while US based sires are also prominent with yearlings by Cape Blanco, Distorted Humor, Kitten’s Joy, Scat Daddy and Speightstown to name but a few.

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Get covered

Bloodstock insurance including Fall of Hammer. Contact an expert.

In Ireland contact: BBA Ireland T: 045 877227 www.bba-ireland.ie Bloodstock Insurance BBA Ireland Bloodstock Insurance is a trading name of Curragh Bloodstock Agency Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

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Get covered

16/07/2014 11:09:09

Bloodstock insurance including Fall of Hammer. Contact an expert. Outside Ireland contact Amlin Plus: Telephone: +44 (0)845 6050233 Email: askapl@amlin.co.uk www.amlinplus.com

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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GOFFS NEWS

GOFFS.COM NEW WEBSITE

Goffs and DBS will unveil an exciting new website in October 2014 that is set to enhance the online experience for GoffsDBS clients, as well as a much improved mobile site to replace the current app.

GOFFS.

COM

ON TABLET...

GOFFS.

COM

ON MOBILE...

BROWN THOMAS

The Pavilion at Goffs

Goffs is delighted to announce its association with Brown Thomas, Ireland’s most beautiful department store and home to the very best Irish and international brands. Brown Thomas has joined forces with Goffs as title partner to the Champions Sale at Leopardstown on 13 September and as an official Orby Sale partner. Emma McKay, pictured, was one of the many talents showcased at Create, an annual edit of Irish fashion’s finest. For more visit brownthomas.com

Visitors to Goffs will be familiar with the wonderful food and fun atmosphere in the Jaguar Pavilion during the Orby. But did you know that The Pavilion at Goffs is also a great location for functions outside of sales days? A perfect private setting with plenty of parking available, the Pavilion can comfortably cater for up to 100 guests for parties and corporate events. The Pavilion will be open as a restaurant for Christmas parties from late November onwards. For bookings and further information please contact Natasha Mann of Honeydew Events on +353 87 8399528.

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NEW BID BOARD AFTER SEVERAL DECADES OF LOYAL SERVICE, GOFFS

CONCIERGES

Goffs Agents

HAS BID FAREWELL TO ITS OLD BID BOARD. AMONG ITS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS WERE THE STEADY STREAM

AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA Mark Mark Player Player –– mark@markplayerits.com mark@markplayerits.com SCANDINAVIA SCANDINAVIA Filip Filip Zwicky Zwicky –– fz@galopsport.dk fz@galopsport.dk JAPAN JAPAN Takaya Takaya Kimura Kimura –– tkimura@dtl.co.jp tkimura@dtl.co.jp SOUTH SOUTH AMERICA AMERICA Juan Juan Pablo Pablo Sullivan Sullivan –– jps@sullivanbloodstock.com jps@sullivanbloodstock.com RUSSIA RUSSIA Azamat Azamat Kappushev Kappushev –– azamatkapushev@yahoo.com azamatkapushev@yahoo.com USA USA Joe Joe Hopkins Hopkins –– joehopkins7@gmail.com joehopkins7@gmail.com GERMANY GERMANY Matthias Matthias Seeber Seeber –– ium.seeber@yahoo.de ium.seeber@yahoo.de CHINA CHINA Sun Sun Min Min –– msun650@gmail.com msun650@gmail.com ITALY ITALY Angelo Angelo Robiati Robiati –– winninghorse@tin.it winninghorse@tin.it SPAIN SPAIN Inigo Inigo Ballestero Ballestero –– i.ballestero@cepsa.com i.ballestero@cepsa.com

Ireland Ireland is is renowned renowned for for the the production production and and sale sale of of thoroughbreds thoroughbreds internationally. internationally. Th Thee international international demand demand for for quality quality thoroughbreds thoroughbreds should should ensure ensure that that their their market market value value is is determined determined by by bloodlines bloodlines and and performance performance on on the the racetrack racetrack rather rather than than country country or or currency currency of of sale. sale. However, However, like like any any business business transacted transacted across across international international borders, borders, the the bloodstock bloodstock industry industry requires requires purchasers purchasers and and vendors vendors to to take take account account of of foreign foreign currency currency when when contemplating contemplating and and entering entering into into transactions. transactions. Considerations Considerations for for purchasers purchasers and and vendors vendors whose whose national national currency currency is is not not the the Euro Euro when when transacting transacting in in Ireland Ireland include include establishing establishing their their perception perception of of the the market market value value of of the the thoroughbred thoroughbred and and their their bid bid limit limit or or reserve reserve in in their their own own national national currency currency and and converting converting the the fifigures gures into into Euro Euro and and managing managing foreign foreign exchange exchange settlement settlement exposure. exposure.

GOFFS

WORLD WIDE

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ORBY WEB

The international focus of Goffs Orby sale has its ten overseas agents tracking down yearlings to consign, convincing more than seventy-five global buyers flying from twentysomething different regions to bid.

HONG HONG KONG: KONG: Military Military Attack Attack Designs Designs On On Rome Rome

Goffs Global Network

AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIA: Gordon Gordon Lord Lord Byron Byron

AT YOUR SERVICE:

OF SEVEN FIGURE SALES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT INCLUDED LAST YEAR’S ORBY SALES TOPPER AS WELL AS CLASSIC WINNER CHICQUITA. ITS EXCELLENT NEW REPLACEMENT WILL BE REVEALED AT ORBY.

Th Thee Goff Goffss Orby Orby sale sale attracts attracts buyers buyers from from over over 25 25 countries countries across across the the globe globe and and is is an an event event not not to to be be missed missed within within the the international international bloodstock bloodstock calendar. calendar. Th Thee unique unique Irish Irish hospitality hospitality combined combined with with the the excellent excellent standard standard of of yearlings yearlings on on off offer er has has attracted attracted buyers buyers from from far far and and wide. wide. Th Thee Orby Orby not not only only presents presents buyers buyers with with the the chance chance to to fifind nd future future stars stars but but also also to to catch catch up up with with friends friends and and colleagues colleagues from from around around the the world world making making aa visit visit to to Goff Goffss the the perfect perfect mix mix of of business business and and pleasure. pleasure. Th Thee immense immense success success of of the the Orby Orby in in recent recent years years has has led led to to signifi significant cant growth growth in in the the number number of of international international clients clients visiting visiting Kildare Kildare Paddocks Paddocks and and the the buyer buyer list list is is becoming becoming aa progressively progressively

1 GOFFS GROUP 1 WINNERS

global global aff affair. air. Th Thee Goff Goffss team team work work hard hard throughout throughout the the year year travelling travelling the the world, world, ably ably assisted assisted by by the the team team of of international international agents agents promoting promoting Goff Goffss on on the the ground, ground, raising raising the the awareness awareness of of new new and and existing existing sales, sales, and and developing developing contacts. contacts. Th Thee number number of of discerning discerning American American owners, owners, buyers buyers and and trainers trainers attending attending the the Orby Orby sale sale has has escalated, escalated, with with bloodstock bloodstock agents agents like like Emmanuel Emmanuel De De Seroux Seroux now now frequent frequent visitors. visitors. In In 2013, 2013, Emmanuel Emmanuel was was joined joined by by Rikki Rikki Takahashi Takahashi in in the the search search for for the the stars stars and and they they were were two two of of many many Stateside Stateside visitors visitors that that also also included included Barry Barry Weisbord, Weisbord, Marc Marc Keller Keller ,, Michel Michel Zerolo, Zerolo, Jon Jon Kelly, Kelly, Alex Alex Solis, Solis, Jason Jason Litt, Litt, Frank Frank Lyons Lyons and and Michael Michael House. House.

Th Thee association association between between Goff Goffss and and the the up up and and coming coming racing racing nation nation of of Qatar Qatar were were further further strengthened strengthened in in February February 2014, 2014, when when Goff Goffss Chief Chief Executive Executive Henry Henry Beeby Beeby and and Marketing Marketing Director Director Joey Joey Cullen Cullen enjoyed enjoyed an an outstanding outstanding three three day day trip. trip. Th They ey attended attended the the HH HH Th Thee Emir Emir 23rdEquestrian 23rdEquestrian Sword Sword Festival Festival in in Doha, Doha, an an inspiring inspiring spectacle spectacle of of top top class class racing racing hosted hosted by by the the Qatar Qatar Racing Racing and and Equestrian Equestrian Club, Club, an an event event that that made made clear clear the the ambitions ambitions for for the the racing racing industry industry in in Qatar. Qatar. Th Thee event event also also marked marked the the fifirst rst success success for for Al Al Shaqab Shaqab Racing’s Racing’s new new colours colours of of grey grey silks silks with with aa gold gold braid braid when when carried carried to to victory victory by by Frankie Frankie Dettori Dettori on on Dubday Dubday in in the the Group Group 11 HH HH Th Thee Emir’s Emir’s Trophy. Trophy. International International

For assistance with any aspect of your visit to Ireland and to Goffs, please contact any member of the Goffs team. From flights and hotel bookings, to airport transfers and dinner reservations – nothing is too much trouble.

CONTACT: Goffs +353 45 886600 www.goffs.com

Goff Goffss Orby Orby

Goff Goffss Orby Orby

NEW AGENTS Goffs has great pleasure in welcoming three new international agents who joined the team in 2014. Takaya Kimura for Japan, Juan Pablo Sullivan for South America and Matthias Seeber for Germany. Read more about Goffs global network on pages 60 and 61.

Goffs Orby

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FEATURE

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The tension and theatrics of the Paulyn dispersal featuring Classic winner Chicquita was a magic and memorable moment for auctioneer and Goffs CEO Henry Beeby who recalls the sale tale to DONN McCLEAN. Photographs by ROD KIRKPATRICK

SALE of the CENTURY Goffs Orby

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FEATURE

A

nd so ladies and gentlemen, we conclude the Paulyn dispersal with the jewel in the crown. Here she is, she has been talked about so much, a great privilege to have her here, lot 1128 in the ring, here she is for the Paulyn dispersal, here’s Chicquita, an absolute beauty isn’t she? Henry Beeby had been writing to Paul Makin for years. A yearling buyer of some renown, the initial objective was to attract the flamboyant Australian to Goffs to bid on yearlings at the Orby Sale. It never happened. Makin was courteous, always responded, but always responded in the negative. Then an email landed in Beeby’s inbox that didn’t just move the goal posts, it changed the dimensions of the pitch, the surface on which the game was going to be played and, actually, the entire sport. “I was at the Ebor meeting last year, Day Two of the Ebor meeting, the day on which DBS were sponsoring the sales race,” recalls Beeby. “Before racing I was checking my emails on my phone, and there was one there from Paul Makin’s then bloodstock manager, Grant Pritchard-Gordon, sent to me and to two other sales companies. It said that Mr Makin was considering selling all of his stock at one of our winter breeding stock sales as one draft, and asked us what we would propose to do to promote the sale. That was on Thursday. We had until the following Friday.” We have her breeding certificates to hand and in order. Chicquita. She’s out of a mare who has now bred two runners, two winners. Sinnamary, as I’m sure you saw, was a winner first time out at Longchamp having made a million one euro as a yearling. Her yearling filly by Galileo, the sister, made a million, her grandam Platonic is highly thought-of, in-foal to Frankel. Her yearling made €500,000. This is the pedigree of the champion Alexandrova and Magical Romance, who, when she went to the ring, made 4.6 million sterling. Henry and the Goffs team got to work. Henry made some notes, then sat down with Eimear Mulhern, Nick Nugent and Joey Cullen to come up with the pitch. Together they put together a presentation and sent it off to Pritchard-Gordon. “It was an all-singing all-dancing presentation,” says Henry. “We wanted to demonstrate to Mr Makin that we would be as pro-active as we could be, that we would make sure that everyone in the world who could have an interest in bloodstock of this quality would know about it. We had pitched to people before, but I have to say that this was the biggest presentation that we had ever done. We didn’t underestimate the importance of it. It was as much about getting the draft, and demonstrating to the world that we could sell horses of this quality well, as it was about the commission on the sale.” Mr Makin, when he was asked ‘why on earth are you selling a filly like this?’, came up with a corker: ‘I’m selling on the sizzle, and I want to see somebody else have fun with her.’ The following Tuesday, Henry received an email directly from Paul Makin: ‘I liked your presentation and attitude. I would like to appoint you to conduct my dispersal.’ So why did Paul Makin decide to sell at Goffs? Why did he even include Goffs in a list of three potential auction houses for his superb draft? All the while, Henry Beeby and Goffs were courting him as a potential buyer at the yearling sale, and although they didn’t really know it, they were making a huge impression on the affable Aussie as a potential seller at the breeding stock sale. “This is a filly with enormous potential ladies and gentlemen. She has only been raced four times. She’s a Classic winner, you’ve got to be thinking of October next year. She’ll race on, she’s ready to race on, and then to the breeding shed. She really is the most gorgeous filly, you all know it.”

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Feature

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“It was massive for us to be entrusted with Paul Makin’s horses. And then, once we had them, it allowed us to prove these points, it was really important that we sold them well. And we did.” Henry is kicking it all around in his head. “We were hungrier,” he says thoughtfully. “I think we demonstrated to him how hungry we were, and I think he appreciated that. Our sense was that he knew that we cared more. We wanted to let him know that it was a big deal to us, and that we would give it everything we had. I think he understood that. We did throw everything at it, and I think it worked. And I think he liked a bit of the underdog mentality. I think he realised that it would be a sale of passion for us, that it wasn’t just another gig.” “It’s only really a question of how you want to start. We can stand here all day, but I reckon you ought to give me two million because she’s worth a whole lot more. “Two million?” (Yelp.) “Three million I’m bid.” “It was massive for us to be entrusted with Paul Makin’s horses. And then, once we had them, it allowed us to prove these points, it was really important that we sold them well. And we did. It proved again that, once we have the horses, we will sell them well. We proved it with Banimpire, who made €2.3 million, we proved it with

the the Sea The Stars foals, and with the Montjeu yearling last year. Goffs has benefited in the last five years from people who have thought about things slightly differently, lateral thinkers like Jim Bolger and Paul Makin, and they have been rewarded.” “I’ve got three million now, at three million and right now, at three million now. Three million. Shhh. Give her a chance ladies and gentlemen, we haven’t finished by some way yet. At three million bid, at three million he’s bid at three million now. Are you bidding? At three million, but he goes right. At three million I’m bid, at three million, any bid now at three million right.” (Yelp.) “At three million one now at three million one.” Goffs conducted some research among its customers a couple of years ago. One

of the questions centred on why some breeders take their best horses across the water to sell them at Newmarket, and one response still grates with Beeby. “It went something like this: if I take my best horse to Newmarket and it doesn’t make what I thought it would make, I think, well at least I gave it my best shot. If I take it to Goffs and it doesn’t make what I thought it would make, I think, why didn’t I take it to Newmarket. “That says to me and to the whole team here,” says Henry slowly, “that there is a massive issue with perception. One man’s perception is another man’s reality. Had Chicquita not sold well, or had the entire Paulyn dispersal not done well, then everyone would have told Paul Makin that he should have gone to Newmarket. But we have proven time and time again at Goffs, that once we have the horses, we will sell them well.” “I’ve got three million two now at three million two. At three million two now, where’s your bidder? At three million two, any bid now at three million two right. At three million two, three million three. At three million three now at three million three. At three million three now, three million four. At three million four now at

RIGHT: Chicquita is led around the ring one more time and you could hear a pin drop as auctioneer and Goffs CEO Henry Beeby shouts “At six million, anybody else around about? At six million, but she’s selling left.”

Goffs Orby

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Feature

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: On the morning of the Paulyn dispersal sale at Goffs and all is calm and quiet, in contrast to the drama and fireworks when Paul Makin’s draft enters the sales ring.

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Feature

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It is highly relevant that Chicquita was the highest-priced horse at any breeding sale in the world last year. three million four I’m bid. At three million four now, yes? Three million five. Henry was at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when he was approached by Martin Stevens of The Racing Post, who was wondering if there was any truth in the rumour that Chicquita was going to be withdrawn from the Goffs Breeding Stock Sale. There wasn’t. Bizarre how these rumours start and suddenly grow legs that are long enough to carry them around the bloodstock world. Henry rang Paul Makin there and then, not to seek reassurance, but just to tell him that The Racing Post had posed the question. “Henry,” said Makin in his Australian accent. “If I was to be offered 30 million for those horses now, I wouldn’t sell. They will go to Goffs and we will have our day. Now, you can tell The Racing Post anything you blahdy want!” “At three million six, listen to me, don’t look at the board. At three million six, the board is wrong. At three million six, yes sir?

At three million six. Three million seven. At three million seven, you bid me very boldly before. Four million bid. Sshh. Ladies and gentlemen please, give her a chance. The Goffs team dug deep during the months that led up to the sale and used Chicquita and the Paulyn dispersal as the springboard that took them around the world. They travelled more than usual, they advertised more extensively, spent a lot more money, they targeted people whom they would not ordinarily be able to target. The Paulyn horses helped Goffs Bloodstock Director Ronan Griffin and his team attract other horses to the sale. “At four million for the Classic-winning Chicquita. At four million, she could be anything. Four million one. At four million one, don’t you be beaten now. At four million one, I’m thinking of the Arc. Four million two. At four million two, we’re aiming towards next October. At four million three, yes? Four million three. Not only did they need to inform every

person in the world who might have an interest in a dispersal of this quality, but they also needed to prove to the world that they could sell horses of this quality. And the message is clear: If you give us another Banimpire or Chicquita, we will do as good a job as – and probably a better job than – anybody else in the world. “It is highly relevant,” says Henry, “that Chicquita was the highest-priced horse at any breeding stock sale in the world last year. We didn’t fall in any way short. We exceeded expectations.” “Four million four. Four million five. At four million five hundred thousand bid. Four million five he said, at four million five. The board’s right now. At four million five, it got a bit carried away. At four million five, a little bit excited. At four million five, she’s an exciting filly. At four million five, four million six. Four million six, yes sir? Five? Five million left. At five million is what I’m bid now. Shh shh shhhh. Give her a chance.” Henry and Nick Nugent sat down with Paul and Lyndall Makin before the sale to chat through general expectations, what everybody thought the horses would make. Nick was selling the first part of the draft, Henry was selling the second, which included Chicquita.

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Feature CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Tim Kent calls an opening bid of €2 million, which wasn’t enough; Paul Makin enjoys the theatre of the auction as Classic winner Chicquita’s asking price inches up from €3 million to a record-breaking €6 million.

“Usually, as an auctioneer, you base your opening bid on the reserve. With the Paulyn horses, however, there was no reserve. It was a dispersal. They were all there to be sold.” “I wanted the whole sale to go well, of course,” says Henry, “we had some lovely horses to sell as well as the Paulyn draft. But there was an extra emphasis on the Paulyn dispersal. I don’t think the ring had ever been as packed before.” “Five million bid. He’s on the phone, he has to be able to hear. At five million bid. She’s proven. At five million, if yearlings can make this, she has already done it. At five million, by Montjeu. At five million, a beautiful type. At five million, and then to the breeding shed. At five million, and low mileage on the clock.” They were packed deep at every level. There wasn’t a seat left, there wasn’t even a space along the rail, upstairs or downstairs. Nick Nugent stood up to sell the first Paulyn horse, the Montjeu colt Achtung, out of Funsie, a full-brother to Authorized. He turned on his microphone and looked around the ring: “The auditorium hasn’t been this packed since Christy Moore played here.” “At five million, five million one,” he said. “At five million one. She’s a stunner. Five

million two. At five million two, imagine breeding from her. At five million two, if nothing else happens. Five million two, and something else is going to happen. At five million two, she can only be described in the richest of superlatives. At five million two, and three. I got five million three, and bid now at five million three. At five million three. Have five? Five million five. “I was nervous beforehand for sure,” says Henry. “I was nervous for the sale, that the sale would go well, but I was also nervous that I would sell the horses that I was selling well.” The first horse that Henry sold in that session was Fleeting Spirit. Top class sprinter, Temple Stakes winner, July Cup winner, in foal to Galileo. She made €1.1 million. In any other year, almost in any other decade, she would top the sale. Funsie made €550,000, Gilt Edge Girl also made €550,000, Lady Karr made €165,000, Piste Noir made €90,000,

Scenica made €100,000, then Song made a million, Tahara made €110,000. Then Chicquita walked into the ring, and the packed auditorium went all a-hush. “At five million five, and right, at five million five. Five million five is what I got, and five million five. At five million five, did you bid? Five million six. At five million six I’m bid, five million six. Go on do it. At five million six. At five million six I’m bid, five million six. Five million seven. At five million seven hundred thousand bid, five million seven. Five million seven I’m bid the Classic winner. “Six million bid.” “Nick and I had had a long chat beforehand about what we thought Chicquita would make,” says Henry, “and we decided that we would be happy if she made between four and five million. The real experts were not going to miss her. I thought my opening bid would be a million, so I told Nick that I was going to ask for two. So I did, I asked for two.” As he asked for two, one of the bid spotters, Tim Kent, yelped. But at exactly the same moment, Henry looked over to his right and spotted James McHale, who held up three fingers. “James McHale has been around for a while, but I had never known him to bid at that type of level, certainly not at Goffs. But he had earphones in his ears, he was obviously on the phone, so I thought, well that’s interesting, as I said three million. The bidding opened at three million euro. The highest bid I had ever taken before was €2.85 million for the yearling. So my opening bid was higher than the highest bid I had ever taken.” “At six million now, at sh sh shhhh. Give

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“I was nervous beforehand for sure,” says Henry. “I was nervous for the whole sale, that the sale would go well, but I was also nervous that I would sell the horses that I was selling well.” Goffs Orby

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Feature CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: The moment before the gavel dropped on Chicquita at a whopping six million euro - the highest price at any Breeding Stock Sale in the world in 2013 and ever in Ireland.

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her a chance. At six million now, at six million and left, at six million now. At six million, you done? At six million, I’d hate to see you lose, you’ve bid me so well. At six million, a Classic-winning daughter of Montjeu, at six million now, with the looks to match.” Several people have told Henry since that they had two million to give. They thought that the bidding might open at 500,000, they would go up to two million and at least they would have been involved in the theatricals, even if they didn’t succeed in buying the filly. But they never got into it. Actually, there were only ever two bidders, James McHale to the right of the auctioneer, Peter and Ross Doyle to the left. A bloodstock sale tennis match, back

and forth, in which the winner goes home with the prize and the loser goes home with his thoughts. “Stay nice and quiet please ladies and gentlemen, at six million now, please if you would, until she’s left. At six million bid, but she goes left. At six million, this is the only filly, ladies and gentlemen, who could trouble Treve next year. If everything goes to plan she’ll do it too. At six million, and we’ll cheer her on. At six million bid, imagine selling the produce for many many years to come. At six million, this is not expensive. At six million bid, everything is relative.” “I thought that Peter and Ross Doyle would have been bidding for the Qataris. So therefore, once we got up to four and

five million, I thought that it could only be Coolmore on the phone to James McHale. Whereas, actually, it was the other way around. Nobody really knew who was bidding. I think it added to the theatre.” ‘At six million, anybody else around about? At six million, anybody on top? At six million, but she’s selling left. At six million, the Classic-winning Chicquita. At six million, she’s going this time then, get ready. We’ll go around the ring one more time, at six million, all done then. At six million, last call Chicquita sells at Goffs. I would ask you not to make any noise until she leaves, please ladies and gentlemen, only for her. At six million last call then this time, at six million euro and”… (Bang). “People asked me afterwards if I was delighted, and I said I was, and I genuinely was. But, as an auctioneer, you always want more. I was happy when we got to four million, but I thought, wouldn’t it be great if we got to five. I was delighted when we got to five million, but I thought wouldn’t it be great if we got to six. So when we got to six, I was thinking, 6.1, 6.2. So I was a little disappointed when James McHale turned away. But no, it was a great price.” “I was delighted, everyone at Goffs was delighted as it meant a huge amount to us as a team, and Paul Makin was delighted, which was actually the most important thing. For me it was obviously a very special moment and probably a career highlight. Eimear and I have often talked about our hopes and dreams for Goffs so this was very significant and one we reflected on with some satisfaction but also relief.” “She’s sold for six million to Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock, thank you very much indeed. Just let her go please, and if you’d like to do something, you’re more than welcome but just let her out. What a beauty she is, and we look forward to seeing her on the racetrack, and our thanks to the under-bidder. Well done.

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JOIN A WINNING TEAM...

Peter and Ross Doyle will attend all the major European sales and their team will see every horse. They are purchasers of top class thoroughbred racehorses spanning four decades and their records speak for themselves with a current 65% winners-to-runners strike rate. Highlights of Peter & Ross’ Recent Purchases: • Olympic Glory – Joint top rated 3 year old Colt in Europe 2013, official rating 125 (pictured above winning the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes) • Tiggy Wiggy – Top rated 2 year old Filly in Europe at present, official rating 117 • Toormore – Top rated 2 year old Colt in Europe 2013, official rating 124 If you like statistics, check these out: • Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock have a 65% winners-to-runners strike rate. • From 113 horses purchased at public auction in 2012, to date 108 horses have run, and there have been 71 individual winners. • 37 individual 2 year old winners so far in 2014 (at date of publication).

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US

PETER & ROSS DOYLE BLOODSTOCK, NETWORK ENTERPRISE PARK, KILCOOLE, CO. WICKLOW, IRELAND Peter: +353 86 2558212 & peter@doyleracing.com Ross: +353 86 8153315 & ross@doyleracing.com doyleracingire

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www.doyleracing.com

@Doyle_Racing

15/08/2014 17:31:44


Vendors

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Meet Talent THE

Photographs by Kieran Harnett

Spotters

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John Osborne with Galileo filly ex Nebraas in background

An invincible spirit

Vendors

The National Stud is going through a purple patch at present, thanks mainly to its flagship stallion Invincible Spirit, sire of the wonderful Kingman. The original owner of this great farm, Colonel William Hall-Walker, bred the winner of the St James Palace Stakes five times between 1905 and 1915 though it’s doubtful any of those showed as much brilliance as this year’s winner. “We are very lucky to have the second leading sire in Europe here,” enthused the stud’s CEO John Osborne. “Obviously, he is sire of Kingman and Charm Spirit. But he is also becoming a sire of sires, with Lawman doing so well, Zebedee has had a flying start with his first runners and I Am Invincible has been Champion First-Season sire in Australia this year.” Invincible Spirit was also the backbone of the fine sales season the stud had last year and provides more ammunition to go to war with again at this year’s Goffs Orby, Osborne explains; “Last year we had our best yearling sales, possibly ever, grossing over €1 million in sale receipts from Goffs. That included two Invincible Spirit fillies that sold for €375,000 and €280,000. So we are looking forward to another interesting Orby Sale. We have three Invincible Spirit yearlings that we bred and raised here; two fillies and a colt. We also have a beautiful filly by Galileo out of our best mare, Nebraas, who happens to be by Green Desert, sire of Invincible Spirit, which prevents us from using our own flagship stallion with her but she was kindly accommodated at Coolmore.” On the stud’s relationship with Goffs, Osborne says; “Our association with Goffs goes right back through the decades, it’s a market place that we are very proud of and we have no qualms about sending all our own yearlings there. We occasionally sell horses on behalf of clients elsewhere but we send our own stock to Goffs. We see both ourselves and Goffs as important pillars of the bloodstock industry here and find that they support us with their customer service and the job that they do.” For their part, Osborne feels that the Irish National Stud is doing a pretty good job too. “We pop up with Group 1 winners on a regular basis, (Voleuse de Coeurs won the 2013 Irish St Leger) and we claim some of the glory from Sea The Stars being born and raised here. Since 1900 this farm has been producing top-class racehorses. If we have the goods, people are happy and confident to buy Irish National Stud stock.”

Preparation for the Orby Sale is an all-handson-deck time for vendors. the breeding and conditioning of would-be champions takes commitment, effort and the ability to spot raw talent. The hope is that the hard work will deliver a successful turn in the sales ring at Kildare Paddocks, writes Tyrone Molloy.

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“Sales prep is about presenting the animal in show condition but they have to resemble a racehorse. It is very easy to overfeed and under-exercise. It’s about getting that balance right. “

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Sea The Stars filly ex Green Room with John O’Connor

Vendors

Fluid but focused Ballylinch Stud is one of the marquee names in the Irish bloodstock industry. In addition to having a strong stallion roster, it has sold and itself campaigned numerous Group 1 winners over the years, including Red Rocks, River Keen, Evas Request, Priory Belle, Wizz Kid and Chriselliam, the first named trio all sold at Goffs, as did the John O’Connor own-bred Astaire. As part of the magnificent Mount Juliet estate this historic stud, on the banks of the River Nore in Co. Kilkenny, it is one of the most expansive equestrian properties in the country. And as such, it does things a little bit differently to others. John O’Connor, the longstanding Managing Director of Ballylinch explains; “We have a lot of land, and that allows our horses to live out during winter and summer. At all times of the year the horses come in every day to be fed, starting when they are with their dams and continues on after they are weaned.” For several months in advance of the Orby Sale Ballylinch works closely with Goffs agent Hamish Alexander on selecting suitable yearlings; “He is a good fellow to work with because he can see things from a variety of perspectives as he was a consigner as well as an agent,” says O’Connor. On the process of actually preparing horses for the sales the stud has a tried and tested regime; “Eight to ten weeks before the sale we gradually increase the time that the yearlings spend inside. We then start to increase the horses’ feed and exercise regime, which, naturally, depends on the individual. They should be pretty fit by the sales; we actually start the breaking-in process, they will be driven in long reins, so this reduces the stress on trainers going on with them.” As always, Ballylinch has a strong draft for this year’s Orby, and O’ Connor mentions a few potential stand-outs; “We have a very nice filly by Sea the Stars out of Green Room. She is a half-sister to both Lord Shanakill and the Galileo top-priced filly at Goffs Orby last year. We also have a full-sister to St Simon Stakes winner and Classic placed High Heeled. High Heeled herself and another half-sister Faraday Light, the dam of Classic winner Just The Judge, produced the two top-priced foals in Europe last year. This is the famous McCalmont family of Mesopotamia, which keeps throwing up good horses.” Just like the stud that it comes from.

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“If you make black and white decisions regarding young, developing horses six or even five months before the sales then you can be mistaken. Plans have to be fluid with animals that are changing so rapidly.”

John O’Connor with Intense Focus, sire of Astaire

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Vendors

Tough training regime

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David Cox and David Myerscough have joined forces over the last number of years to become an increasingly powerful presence on the sales circuit, trading under the joint names of their respective families’ studs, Baroda (Cox) and Colbinstown (Myerscough). Both come from well-known Irish racing families. The Myerscough name has had a long-standing association with racing and particularly Goffs over the years, and David’s maternal grandfather is the incomparable Vincent O’Brien. The Cox family has enjoyed great success as owners, including Cheltenham winners Ninetieth Minute and Back In Front. David’s grandfather Paddy Cox was also an owner with Vincent O’Brien, while David’s father is a nephew of Paddy Osborne (of Brown Lad fame), and a cousin of Robbie Osborne and Peter Kavanagh. But good connections only guarantee that your electrical products work efficiently; they are not an easy ride to success in life! That comes through hard work and endeavour, which as sales consignors is an absolute necessity. The pair has no shortage of those attributes, and that is reflected in how they have quickly built up the quality and quantity of their consignments. “Our first year consigning was in 2011 when we had four yearlings in the Orby Sale, including Glass Office (won a Group 3) and Starbright (placed in a Group 3), both sold on behalf of Nelius Hayes,” Cox explains. “That was a good start. In 2012 we had five yearlings there, in 2013 we had eight yearlings and this year we have 16 going to the Orby. Last year’s crop included the promising filly Punk Rocker, a maiden winner first time out and Lexington Times, who won very well at the Newmarket July meeting.” As regards this year’s draft, Myerscough feels it is a strong one. “We have a colt by High Chaparral out of Miss Beatrix, (winner of the Goffs Million and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes), a Lawman colt that’s a half-brother to Chief Barker, a Shamardal colt out of Time Honoured, three nice Dark Angels, one of the few Starspangledbanners around, and other nice horses by Arcano, Holy Roman Emperor, Zoffany and Dream Ahead. We have horses for many clients, Rick Barnes of Grangecon Stud in particular has been good to us and we have had lots of luck with him in the last couple of years. Overall, we are happy with how it is going and are building every year.” They are certainly laying strong foundations for that building.

“Yearlings need to be physically fit and mentally tough enough to handle a sale. We give them a long, gradual prep over ten weeks or so. A key part of this is our feeding programme. We work with Gain on tailoring it to suit each yearling.”

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Vendors

Colt by Big Bad Bob at Baroda with David Cox and David Myerscough

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weather, if the racing runs late or the party want to stay longer, the company can often delay departure. The Air Partner JetCard provides race goers with the ultimate travel solution. The card buys world class travel by private jet for those who want the freedom to get to the races or explore the corners of the globe with a sense of private jet ownership but without the costs and responsibilities that go with it. Owning a JetCard allows holders to determine their own travel itineraries for an all-inclusive fixed price and affords upwards of 25 hours of flight time and access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So whether a flight is for business or pleasure, flexible private aviation is highly efficient when the cost of time is factored in. In some cases flying private can be cheaper than flying by scheduled carriers when undertaking multi-stop trips. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in different European cities and home to bed in a day with no hotel overnights and none of the frustrations of commercial travel can be a cost -effective way to do business. And for those whose sporting interests extend beyond the racecourse, experienced consultants at Air Partner provide access to the best events during the English summer season including to Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, Goodwood Revival and the Last Night of the Proms and organise a host of other special cultural, sporting and social events. And Air Partner can arrange almost anything, whether it’s a VIP flight to the Himalayas, flying 58 red roses to a ladylove, volcano watching over Mount Etna or even chasing an eclipse of the sun!

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19/08/2014 10:13:02


London Sale

THE HOTTEST TICKET IN

Town

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On the eve of Royal Ascot, the inaugural Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO, in a setting as sumptuous as it was novel, was designed to attract new owners. The attendees list read like an industry’s who’s who, writes Julian Muscat. Photographs by Rod Kirkpatrick.

From the fleet of golf buggies ferrying invited guests to the Orangery, inside Kensington Palace, it was clear that something unique was unfolding in central London on June 16th. Within the grounds of Prince William’s official residence, Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO saw 53 lots offered for sale on the eve of Royal Ascot. It would take far less time to relate who among the sport’s glitterati was absent, rather than who was there. The mood was akin to a garden party with a twist, since there was business to be done. And the genial mood was abetted by some apposite pre-sale entertainment – not least Ireland’s former champion jockey Johnny Murtagh’s comeback from retirement to ride Joey, the life-size puppet of the West-end hit show, War Horse, before the assembled guests. Joey wasn’t among the lots catalogued for sale,

many of which were stabled at nearby Kempton Park racecourse for pre-sale inspection. His appearance made an appropriate connection with theatreland at a sale far removed from the routine, sometimes dour, process of selling horses. At its heart is an opportunity for buyers to purchase horses in training with entries to run at the royal meeting later in the week. It made an ideal curtain-raiser for the imminent glamour of Ascot week. “I thought it was a fantastic initiative and something different, which is what our industry needs,” said John Ferguson, head of Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation. “I went to Kempton to watch the two-yearolds breeze, and while I couldn’t be there at the palace because Sheikh Mohammed was arriving that evening, we had at least three representatives on hand.”

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London Sale

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Surveying the garden party scene

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London Sale

One of the sale’s mission statements was to attract new owners. This was no mean ambition in its inaugural year and it was duly achieved – yet the sale appealed to the uninitiated in other, unforeseen ways. A public footpath in Kensington Gardens ran alongside the venue’s perimeter, 50 yards away from the rostrum where Henry Beeby and Nick Nugent called their bids. Over the two-hour duration hundreds of passers-by peered over the railings, each of them fascinated by events in a way that would never arise at a more traditional sales ground. Racing fans of the future could easily be born of such chance encounters. It was also well executed, particularly for a debut sale in a setting as sumptuous as it was novel. Goffs had enrolled the expertise of Lillingston, the upmarket professional party organisers whose clients include Harry Winston and Lionel Ritchie. And the sales company showed foresight in settling what would otherwise have been an astronomical drinks bill by enrolling Château Léoube, the Côtes de Provence winemaker, as a supporting partner. Another supporting partner, Lycetts, was to play an invaluable role even if it came at some expense to the London-based bloodstock insurance company. Lycetts allied itself to the sale in providing 30 days of cover for all lots sold. So while Sheail Khalifa Al Kuwari, a Qatari owner new to racing, will have been heartbroken to see his £180,000 purchase, Case Statement, fatally injured at Royal Ascot the following day, he will at least be financially recompensed. Nor will Air Partner, the private jet charter company and the sale’s third supporting partner, have lacked the opportunity to scout for business at the select gathering. The vast majority of the one thousand invited showed up, among them a sizeable

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Hugo Palmer and Gai Waterhouse

Aussie Power Gai Waterhouse needs little introduction to those in the thoroughbred business. She took over the string of her father, legendary Australian trainer Tommy J. Smith, in 1992 and has since won more than 100 Group 1 races in addition to seven Sydney trainers’ titles. Formerly an actress who studied in London for three years, Waterhouse, 49, trains Carlton House for the Queen and won last year’s Melbourne Cup with Fiorente. That horse raced previously in Britain and Waterhouse has similar aspirations for Café Society, for whom she paid £330,000 on behalf of a ten-strong Australian partnership at the Goffs London sale. Three days later Café Society represented his new owners with aplomb by finishing third in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot. “They (the owners) were all very excited about putting on their glad rags for the day,” she said, “and the horse did them proud.” Waterhouse stressed the appeal of being able to buy a runner so close to the royal meeting. “That was a real hook. I know that it was far easier to place Café Society with his new owners on the night of the sale with the thought that they’d be running at the Royal meeting two or three days later. And for me, the perk is that I have a lovely horse with a real Melbourne Cup chance. “Goffs has challenged its competitors by trying something different,” she continued, “and what a great idea the sale has been. It was a sensational event. Everyone was there, all the major buyers, and it was a very social do. It was such a glamorous evening there at the palace, and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of glamour in the game. It was very well done. From racing’s overall perspective, it catapulted Royal Ascot into the media 24 hours before it started, and that is important. It’s not called the R.M. for nothing.” Waterhouse subsequently completed her acquisition of Café Society with the private purchase through Goffs of Pornichet, who was led out unsold on the night. All in all, it wasn’t a bad bit of business for the effervescent first lady of Australian racing.

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London Sale

Spotter Wayne Cullen keeps his eyes on the bidders

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Brothers Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and

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Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani

Tweenhills Farm & Stud stallion Zoustar on parade

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London Sale

The stallion show gets underway at The Orangery

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Auctioneer Nick Nugent and spotter Sean Flannery get the auction underway

presence from Qatar, itself an emerging powerhouse within European racing. Qatar’s champion trainer, Jassim Ghazali, signed for three horses, two on behalf of HE Sheikh Mishal Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family. Another branch of the family, that of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his brothers Hamad and Suhaim, are the driving forces behind QIPCO. QIPCO’s substantial investment in race sponsorship is unparalleled in recent years. Its pledged support of existing deals runs into eight figures. A leading private investment company, it sponsors the British Champions Series and several races within it, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Guineas festival at Newmarket and the Sussex Stakes. It also broke new ground in 2014 when it became Royal Ascot’s first official partner. Before the sale Sheikh Fahad said he would have embraced the opportunity to buy a horse with Royal Ascot entries when he himself was looking for an entrée to the sport three years ago. His enthusiasm is plainly undimmed. He gave a sales-topping £1.3 million for Capella Sansevero, the unbeaten two-year-old whom Ger Lyons saddled to finish a running-on second in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes the following day. “We are thrilled,” the sheikh’s representative, David Redvers, said after the race. “This is a horse for the future and we are excited about that.” The other horse sold to make an impact at Royal Ascot was Cafe Society, a four-year-old bought by the Australian trainer, Gai Waterhouse, on behalf of a ten-strong partnership (see

MV Magnier and Francesca Price with Crystal Gaze and her beautiful Frankel colt

sidebar on previous page) for £330,000. Café Society delighted his new owners by finished third in the Wolferton Handicap. But the stellar lot was undoubtedly the broodmare Crystal Gaze, who sold with her Frankel foal at foot, and in foal to successful covering by the great horse. The foal, the first by his sire to be offered at public auction, created a blitz of interest extending all the way to Fleet Street, which dispatched scores of writers to cover the event. The reward was evident in the following day’s newspapers. On the first day of Royal Ascot picture-led stories were given

Goffs Orby

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London Sale

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People Power A veritable who’s who of horseracing gathered for the inaugural Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO. Middle Eastern royalty brushed shoulders with equine royalty when Frankel’s first foal to be offered for sale was paraded within the grounds of Kensington Palace on June 16th. Sheikh Joaan Al Thani’s racing manager, Harry Herbert, joined other representatives of the Qatari royal family who took a keen interest – as did the Queen’s racing and bloodstock advisor, John Warren, who gave £85,000 for an unraced two-year-old son of Arcano. Warren was accompanied by his wife, Lady Carolyn, and their bloodstock agent son Jake, a good friend of Prince Harry. Mohammed Obaid Al-Maktoum, from Dubai’s ruling family, was on hand with his trainer, Luca Cumani. Other prominent Dubaians at the sale included Aziz Merza and Khalifa Dasmal, the latter owner of the 1996 Derby winner, Shaamit. Prominent among a large Irish contingent were Coolmore boss John Magnier and sons JP and MV Magnier, who mingled with JP McManus. Other key Coolmore personnel included Christy Grassick and Paul Shanahan. John Gosden and Rachel Hood, the latter freshly ensconced as Mayor of Newmarket, were joined by James and Anita Wigan and the former Jockey Club senior steward Julian Richmond Watson, who bred and raced the 2008 Oaks heroine, Look Here. Goffs Orby

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London Sale

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Goffs London Sale in association with Q IPCO combined business ethic with the feel-good factor annually associated with Ascot week prominence in news pages of The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and the Daily Mail, not to mention a lengthy presence on BBC and ITV news bulletins - the sort of positive media exposure money cannot buy. The mare-and-foal package was bought for £1.15 million by the Coolmore syndicate, with John Magnier’s son, MV, signing the ticket. “This sale is a great idea,” he said afterwards. “Anything that gets people involved in this business has to be a good thing. Everybody I’ve spoken to here this evening wants to see the sale continue, and get stronger.” As with any brand new concept, but especially one so bold, changes are to be expected with some Breeze Up vendors hoping the horses can be stabled at the auction site for the sale. Others feel the sale’s future was best embraced by focusing on selling horses in training – in particular those with Royal Ascot entries- rather than the Breeze Up horses. Now that the sale is up and running, Goffs will review every aspect to ensure the event evolves and grows. There is a clear demand for it. While the bloodstock auction house had originally hoped to attract two or three horses with Ascot entries, 21 were catalogued on the night. In the words of Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby, “We are thrilled with the positivity and enthusiasm for our first venture but there is much to do as to stand still is not an option. We now have a solid base upon which to build and we will work to develop and improve every aspect” The inaugural Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO combined business ethic with the feel-good factor annually associated with Ascot week. There is only one way it can go from here.

Spending Power It is rare for any new sale to generate seven-figure transactions but there were two at the inaugural Goffs London Sale. Sheikh Fahad’s £1.3 million purchase of Cappella Sansevero was vindicated within 24 hours when the colt finished a highly encouraging second in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at the royal meeting. The second sevenfigure purchase will take a little longer to evaluate. Suffice to say that the first foal by Frankel to be offered at public auction – together with his dam, Crystal Gaze, who is back in foal to Frankel – could not be in better hands. The package was bought for £1.15 million by a partnership comprising the Coolmore triumvirate of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, together with one new player. Overall, 41 of the 53 lots offered found new buyers ranging from Europe to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the US. The Russian entity, Volga Star Racing, purchased an unraced two-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway for £400,000. The sale generated total receipts of £7,915,000 at an average price of £193,048.

Goffs Orby

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Profile

Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Thani with Just The Judge and Jamie Spencer after winning the 2013 Irish 1,000 Guineas.

xxxx xxxx xxxx

T

he story is well told at this stage: young Qatari grows up surrounded by Arabian horses, moves to London to study for a couple of years, is captivated by the thoroughbred horse and thoroughbred horse racing, decides to get involved in the game, wins. Some details then. It was five years. Five years in London. Two years studying for his A-levels at David Game College, then three years studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration at the London campus of the Europa University. Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Thani watched racing on television. They say that education is the thing that is left behind when what you have learned has been forgotten, and Sheikh Fahad was captivated by the thoroughbred horse. “I was brought up surrounded by horses at home in Qatar,” he says, “but my interest in racing really began when I was studying in London. Although I had grown up around Arabian-bred horses, it was the combination of speed and beauty as demonstrated by the thoroughbred that really got me interested in racing.” He went to the races for the first time on 1st May 2010, 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket. That was the day that a young little-known horse called Makfi, an unconsidered 33/1 shot, trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, came to Newmarket and beat the best that the British or the Irish could throw at him, thereby becoming the first French-trained horse to win the Guineas since Pennekamp in 1995.

35

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going for gold In five years Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Thani has gone from novice to punter’s favourite by becoming one of the key players in the bloodstock industry. How did he do it, asks Donn McClean.

Goffs Orby

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Profile

Left to right: David Redvers, Johnny Murtagh, Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani and Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani.

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Sheikh Fahad on: The Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO “We are keen to support any initiative which helps take racing to a new audience. A central London sale on the eve of Royal Ascot when so many people are in the city for the racing seemed to make complete sense and it would have been an opportunity missed had we not helped make it happen. Goffs found a fantastic venue at Kensington Palace and the addition of our foal by Frankel ensured that there was great media coverage of the whole event. I very much hope the sale will build on the success of year one.” Two horses to watch “They are both with Kevin Ryan. Hot Streak is a seriously talented horse and we are very much looking forward to him winning a Group 1 race shortly, and maybe proving himself a champion one day. Kevin also has an exciting two-year-old called Flaming Spear who appears to be maturing into something very special.”

That’s the start of the Makfi chapter. Makfi was the first horse who truly captured the young man’s imagination. Sheikh Fahad was also at Deauville three and a half months later when Makfi won the Prix Jacques le Marois, gate-crashing the race that had been billed as a match between Goldikova and Paco Boy. One month after that, he had bought Makfi to stand as a stallion at David Redvers’ Tweenhills Farm. It had just got serious. There’s the David Redvers chapter. It started just a few months previously, really. Sheikh Fahad needed a bloodstock advisor, and Redvers came highly-recommended. He had all the attributes. He was a top judge of a horse, he got things done, he had a well-earned reputation for spotting value and, importantly, Sheikh Fahad liked him. “It has always been important for us to look for value when buying horses rather than just buying the most expensive horses,” says Sheikh Fahad. “That is one of the main reasons why I chose David. He had an established track record for buying less expensive horses and getting good results.” Important footnote: just because you are a member of the Al Thani family, it does not follow that money is no object. The Al Thani family have ruled Qatar since the mid 1800s. Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world, boasting more than

fifteen per cent of the world’s gas reserves, yet it does not mean that value is not important to Sheikh Fahad’s bloodstock operation. The operation has evolved significantly since it started. It began with Sheikh Fahad buying a few horses under the Pearl Bloodstock banner. Just racehorses and prospective racehorses, no stallions or broodmares. It was Sheikh Fahad’s own passion. When his brothers witnessed that passion, however, they began to take an interest, and quickly they started to understand and share his passion. “We now race the horses in the claret and gold colours of Qatar Racing. We

David Redvers

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Profile

Sealing the London Sale partnership over breakfast at The Orangery

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have over 200 horses in training, not just in Europe but in Australia and America as well, and we have interests in Japan. The bloodstock operation is conducted by Qatar Bloodstock, while the racing side is Qatar Racing. Both are subsidiaries of QIPCO, the holding company my brothers and I run.” Buying Makfi to stand as a stallion was a key turning point in the bloodstock operation. Since Makfi, they have added Harbour Watch and Havana Gold to the roster at Tweenhills, and they part-own Zoustar, who stands a Widden Stud in Australia. Sheikh Fahad himself is really excited about standing Dunaden, whom he professes to be his favourite horse. It is easy to understand why. They bought him as a four-year-old handicapper and, trained by Makfi’s trainer Mikel Delzangles, proceeded to win the Caulfield Cup, the Hong Kong Vase and, famously, the Melbourne Cup with him. “It has been an exciting and rapid expansion, but we are also aware of the time that it took the established owning and breeding operations to enjoy success at the highest level. That sort of success is often a result of bloodlines developed over decades and generations, so we know we need to be patient as well.” Even so, he is not afraid to sell. The first breeze-up horse that he and David Redvers bought, a Gone West colt, he sold for almost twice the money a week later, before the horse had even run. He bought the Ger Lyons-trained Wade Giles for €200,000 in July 2010. Then, after he had won and finished second in two Group 3 races, sold him for a million to Hong Kong, where he now races as Destined For

It has been an exciting and rapid expansion, but we are also aware of the time that it took the established owning and breeding operations to enjoy success at the highest level. Glory. He also sold his first Royal Ascot winner, Frederick Engels, to Hong Kong this summer. “That aspect of our operation has not changed since the start. We try to operate on a commercial basis. We look for value when we buy, and we sell when it makes commercial sense to sell. We sold the first two foals by Frankel to go through the ring, one in Japan and one at the Goffs London Sale. I think that distinguishes our operation from some others.” There’s the Goffs chapter. Goffs has been a happy hunting ground for Sheikh Fahad from the very beginning. He was at the very early stages of his bloodstock operation when he bought a Marju filly at the Orby Sale in 2010 for €125,000. Subsequently named Lightening Pearl and trained by Ger Lyons, she won three of her five races as a two-year-old, her season reaching

a crescendo with victory in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket the following September. Also, last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge was another Orby graduate. “We like targeting quality. When we bought Lightening Pearl at Goffs, she was the only yearling we bought there that year as I was just getting started. Goffs gives us a great opportunity to target quality and several of our best horses, including Arod, were sourced there.” As well as operating at the Goffs London Sale as a seller and a buyer, Sheikh Fahad and his family were deeply involved with the sale as a sponsor. (The clue is in the “in association with QIPCO” part.) Indeed, the QIPCO thread is a thread that is running progressively more deeply through the industry,from the Goffs London Sale through the QIPCO British Champions Series and some of the flagship races on the British racing calendar, to the inaugural running of the Irish Champion Stakes under the QIPCO banner this year. There are three main reasons for this, says Sheikh Fahad. Firstly, the international profile of the top races in Europe provides the perfect platform for the company to reach a wider audience. QIPCO’s association with quality, world-renowned events brings many benefits, he tells you, and is a very good fit for the brand. Secondly, sponsorship of the top races provides an excellent opportunity to promote the bloodstock side of the business, in particular the stallions owned by Qatar Bloodstock. And thirdly, they want to see British and Irish racing succeed. “Our racing and bloodstock operation is European-based,” says Sheikh Fahad. “The value of the horses we race and the stallions we stand is enhanced if they have been competing in the best races in the world. We see this as crucially important.” The story continues. Many more chapters to write.

At the London Sale

Goffs Orby

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CURRENCY

Currency Matters International bloodstock market factors should dictate the value of bloodstock not currency exchange rates, writes Brian Shefflin of KPMG.

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Ireland is renowned for the production and sale of thoroughbreds internationally. The international demand for quality thoroughbreds should ensure that their market value is determined by bloodlines and performance on the racetrack rather than country or currency of sale. However, like any business transacted across international borders, the bloodstock industry requires purchasers and vendors to take account of foreign currency when contemplating and entering into transactions. Considerations for purchasers and vendors whose national currency is not the Euro when transacting in Ireland include establishing their perception of the market value of the thoroughbred and their bid limit or reserve in their own national currency and converting the figures into Euro and managing foreign exchange settlement exposure.

We bid what we think each horse is worth regardless of the country and work out a value in our own currency before converting it to the local currency. John Ferguson

Transacting in Euro Bloodstock agents, purchasers and vendors take account of currency when bidding and selling – they know the value of the thoroughbred to them and their financial limits in both Euro and their domestic currency be it Sterling, US Dollars or Yen and on the day of sale, based on the spot exchange rates prevailing, set their value expectations and bid and sell decisions in Euro and their domestic currency. The bid board at Goffs sales ring features all the aforementioned currencies. In Ireland bloodstock transactions conducted by auctioneers are executed and settled in Euro. Thus, for example, if a UK purchaser values a yearling sold in June 2014 at Stg£100,000 one would expect the UK purchaser to bid up to €124,000 (the euro equivalent of Stg£100,000) at the Euro/Sterling average exchange rate for Goffs Orby

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CURRENCY

Eur GBP Exchange rate

“Currency is actually an irrelevance whether it is Sterling, Euro or Rand. ”

2014 ytd DR james Hay

0.85 0.84 0.83 0.82 0.81 0.80 12 MAr 0.8335

12 Feb 0.8312

0.79

l Ju

n

n

03

Ju

Ju 19

ay

05

ay

M 22

il

M 08

il Apr 24

ar

Apr

10

ar

M 27

Feb

M 13

27

n

Feb

13

n

Ja 30

Ja 16

02

Ja

n

0.78

Example The example assumes a sale realising €500,000 at an Irish auction on 12 February 2014 with settlement 30 days later to a UK vendor. EURO GBP spot exchange rate

GBP equivalent of €500,000

12 Feb

0.8312

£415,600

12 MAR

0.8335

£416,750

Exchange Example

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Goffs

Movement

+£1,150

Taking no steps to manage the exposure, results in a gain of £1,150 for the UK vendor in this example but of course it could have as easily resulted in a more substantial gain or a loss depending on foreign exchange market movements.

June 2014 of 0.80409. Sheikh Mohamed’s international buying agent, John Ferguson is of the same mindset. “We bid what we think each horse is worth regardless of the country and work out a value in our own currency before converting it to the local currency. So if we think a horse is worth £100,000 sterling we will bid €126,000 or $169,000 US if that is the rate on the day. Any other approach just doesn’t make sense!” Because leading owner and buyer Dr James Hay thinks in dollars he works out what he is going to bid for each lot based on the local exchange rate against the Dollar on that particular day. “Currency is actually an irrelevance whether it is Sterling, Euro or Rand. ” Foreign Exchange Settlement Exposure A potential foreign exchange exposure arises for vendors and purchasers from non-Euro currency countries when transacting in Ireland as Irish sales are settled in Euro. This risk can be easily and cost effectively managed. The potential exposure arises when transacting in Ireland for

the non-Euro purchasers or vendors perspective and remains until the account is settled - as the period between the sale and settlement of the account foreign exchange rates may change. Same day settlement can be easily managed through the execution of a spot transaction, where a bank or financial institution will convert one currency to another. When there is a delay between the purchase or sale and settlement, which is normally the case in bloodstock transactions, more planning is required to mitigate the foreign exchange risk. This is illustrated in the following example, which looks at a sale from a UK vendors perspective (see diagram left). One way to mitigate the risk would have been to enter into a forward foreign exchange contract with a bank or other financial institution. The forward foreign exchange contract operates as an exchange of currencies at a later date, in this example, the vendor would enter into the contract on the auction sale day where they commit to giving the financial institution €500,000 in thirty days in exchange for receiving a set amount of Sterling. The forward rate is set at the start of the contract so both parties have certainty over the amount in each currency that they will receive thereby eliminating exposure to currency movements. Arranging a forward contract is straight forward and should be Spot exchange arranged with a bank or financial rate - the foreign institution in advance of auction exchange rate applicable to day with the flexibility to set the the current translation of one currency amount on the auction currency to another day itself following the successful Forward foreign purchase or sale. exchange contract (or just Conclusion forward) - a contract where The international market dictates two parties agree to exchange bloodstock prices irrespective two currencies at a preof currency as purchasers and agreed forward rate which is vendors establish their perception set at the start of the contract of the value of bloodstock in their so there is no uncertainty domestic currency and based on within the contract spot exchange rates prevailing Forward rate on the day of the auction the - the rate used to convert transacting currency. Settlement currencies in a forward exposures when transacting contract, for short term in a currency other than ones maturities in liquid currencies there should only be a small domestic currency can be difference between this rate mitigated by the use of forward and the prevailing spot rate foreign exchange contracts.

Jargon busteR

Brian Shefflin is a Director in KPMG Corporate Finance

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BUYERS

45

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Buying THE

getty images

BUSINESS

Yearling sales time is a crucial period for trainers looking to restock for next season but it can mean long spells away from home when the Flat racing season is still in full swing. As the sales season approaches some of the brightest new names in the training ranks of Ireland and Britain talk to Emma Berry about buying strategies and covering both bases. Portrait photographs by Trevor Jones.

Goffs Orby

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BUYERS

SALES SEASON MEANS SHOPPING AROUND ED WALKER

46

trevor jones

Goffs

the market so strong. But hopefully one day I’ll have millions to ED WALKER, a former assistant to Luca Cumani, is in his spend and I’ll enjoy the sales much more! That said, it’s always fourth season training in Newmarket and last winter moved his a very sociable experience and there’s plenty of good burgeoning string of horses to the historic Warren Place banter with the consignors. The Goffs party at the to train from a yard adjacent to Lady Cecil. Last K Club is great fun and a good chance to catch November, he made a successful international up with the Irish guys. Goffs is a very practical raid on Flemington’s Spring Carnival when the I still approach the sale to work. Everything is really well laid out Irish-bred Ruscello won the G3 Lexus Stakes. sales in a fairly and it’s easy to look at horses and pop back Walker buys through agents Ed Sackville and old-fashioned way. in to the ring to bid. Irish Thoroughbred Alastair Donald of SackvilleDonald and with Marketing does a great job looking after us their help he tries to look for some value. I’m a catalogue all. I still approach the sales in a fairly old“They both know the kind of horses I like to man and don’t fashioned way. I’m a catalogue man and don’t train,” he says. “It’s massively time-consuming really use an iPad. really use an iPad. I love being able to go to the to be at the sales. At this time of year it’s hard bookshelf and look back at my notes when I see to spend so many days away at sales, but with a two-year-old bolt up in a maiden to see what I their expert help I really only need to be in Goffs thought about him as a yearling. But I’ve seen plenty of for a day or two. I can’t say I really enjoy the sales that the more senior agents using tablets now instead of catalogues so much, mostly from the point of view that I get rather frustrated perhaps it’s something I should look into. Mind you, Ed Sackville not having enough money to spend. You go round looking at presents me with a hardback copy of the catalogue for the sale all these horses that you’d love to train and find that you have which is great – it’s just one of his many uses!” nowhere near enough to buy them, especially in recent times with

Goffs Orby

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15/08/2014 17:39:59


BUYERS

THE THRILL IS FINDING THE STARS OF TOMORROW Roger Varian

48

Edward Whitaker

Goffs

Roger Varian has risen swiftly to the trainer’s top ten list having taken over the licence at Kremlin House Stables from his former boss Michael Jarvis in 2011. In a short space of time, he has been represented by the Group 1 winners Nahrain, Ambivalent and Kingston Hill and now trains one of the largest strings in Newmarket. It’s pretty easy for “Being at the yearling sales in the autumn is an important part of a trainer’s job and also an exciting one as you look at us getting to Goffs young horses hoping to find your stars of the coming years, and the team there Varian says. “Of course it’s a bind to be away from the yard does such a good at any time, especially when there’s so much good racing taking place, but we really can’t grumble about being at the job sales and fortunately we’ve got a really good team at home to rely on. It’s very hard to get round a sale and do all the legwork so we do engage some extra help for that. Goffs in particular is an easy sale to work because of the layout and traditionally some really good horses come from the Orby Sale so we’re always keen to be there and covering it. We get rather spoilt in Newmarket when the circus comes to town as we can still get a couple of lots out before heading up to the sales but it’s also pretty easy for us getting to Goffs. The team there does a great job in looking after us.” Goffs Orby

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“Capturing the Essence of the Racing Thoroughbred”

Thomas Lund-Lack

Free Spirits Oil on Canvas 100cm x 80cm and can be seen at Waterside Fine Art.

Exhibitions include – 2nd Annual International Art Fair Rochester, New York – September, 2014; Spectrum, New York-September, 2014; Los Angeles International Show-October, 2014; Spectrum, Miami December 2014.

Represented by Waterside Fine Art, 7 Waterside, Stratford upon Avon, CV86BA Tel: 01789 294326 Email: info@watersidefineart.com Web: www.watersidefineart.com

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BUYERS

IT’S ABOUT QUALITY NOT QUANTITY Olly Stevens

50

Rod Kirkpatrick

Goffs

quite cautious in my approach. I’m a strong believer in the fact that Olly Stevens has been training at Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Robins there’s always another sale. I won’t buy unless it’s a horse Farm in Surrey for the last two seasons and achieved I’m really happy with. As the market is rising, agents his first Royal Ascot winner in his first year with a and trainers, we’re all going to have to encourage licence, courtesy of Extortionist’s victory in the owners to be bold and spend a little bit more Windsor Castle Stakes. Prior to starting out money. Sales season is all about trying to find as a trainer in his own right, he worked for At a premier sale a balance between work at home and the Jessica Harrington, Andrew Balding, and opportunities that may present themselves James Fanshawe, as well as Kellyn Gorder in like the Orby all when you’re on site meeting people. That’s America, where he met his wife Hetta, who the yearlings are where agents come in and they do it very is a key member of the Robins Farm Racing out of nice black well. They understand the market and can team. Last year he worked with Alastair read an auction and look at all the horses in Donald and Ed Sackville to buy some horses type mares a sale much quicker than I can. We ended up for owners in the stable. “I tend to let agents be with a few nice fillies from last year’s Orby. It’s agents and to do their job rather than interfering really helpful to have an iPad with you at the sales so too much, but with Alastair and Ed, and also with you can send lists and photographs to owners – it’s great David Redvers who buys for Sheikh Fahad, it’s nice to be on the communication front. I feel there’s scope with the online given a short list and to then look at those horses with them,” he catalogues and something like Timeform to include all the ratings says. “At the level we’ve been buying at, we’re looking for quality on a page – it seems the logical next step, though it’s perhaps less animals but obviously they may have a fault or two and we try to relevant at a premier sale like the Orby where all the yearlings are work out if that’s something we can cope with. Every trainer has out of nice black-type mares.” conformation faults they can forgive and those they can’t. I am

Goffs Orby

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Telephone: 087 2591718 Fax: 045 860804

Email: info@declanlandy.com Fax: 045 860804 Website: www.declanlandy.com

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quot


BUYERS

BUYING IRISH IS IMPORTANT Johnny Murtagh

52

Patrick McCann

Goffs

His extraordinary exploits in the saddle mean that Johnny Murtagh needs little introduction in the racing and bloodstock world but the rider of 22 European Classics now has a different challenge on his hands as a trainer. With his wife Orla, he We’re Irish and we has developed Fox Covert Stables on the Curragh, Co. Kildare, where he is in his second season with a training should be selling licence honing the talents of a string of about 50 horses our horses in “I’m only just starting out. I like to go round and look Ireland at all the horses myself. I’m on the lookout for an agent to team up with. It would be great to be able to build up a successful partnership along the lines of the Hannons and Doyles, or Ger Lyons and Roger Marley. Sales season is a pretty busy time of year and it can be a difficult balance between the sales and life at the yard. The Orby is a good sale with a lot of good horses and it suits us very well that it is situated nearby. It is important to be there and to be filling orders. We’re fortunate that Goffs is on our doorstep so I can get two lots out in the morning before I head to the sales. The team at Goffs has done a great job at bringing in overseas buyers to the Orby and I’d like to see more of the Irish vendors supporting it. We’re Irish and we’re proud of it and we should be selling our horses in Ireland.”

Goffs Orby

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NATIONAL HUNT & FLAT BLOODSTOCK AGENT A ‘hands on’ approach to buying quality thoroughbreds Winner after winner after winner… plus numerous winners on the flat Join the winning team… 2013/14 Season reaped a total of 231 winners purchased for our clients including:

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Also introducing the NEW STRIDE TO SUCCESS PARTNERSHIP ◆ New exclusive annual owners partnership ◆ Personally ‘handpicked’ horses ◆ Regular news and updates from trainers ◆ Breakfast mornings ‘on the gallops’ ◆ Experience race-day ownership ◆ Racecourse hospitality ◆ All expenses included in one-off cost ◆ Potential return on investment at dispersal More information, brochure, application form and T&Cs can be found on our website or please call for details.

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TOM MALONE BLOODSTOCK AGENT The Paddocks · Blackwater Road · Culmstock · Devon EX15 3HF Tel 07772 531783 · email tommalone600@yahoo.com Web www.TomMaloneBloodstock.com

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‘Where world class teams meet...’

Located just 30 minutes from Dublin’s City Centre, The K Club is the ideal location for your business meeting. Discrete yet accessible, secluded yet connected, this is the perfect venue for both business & pleasure. With 10 elegant meeting & conference rooms, catering from 2-450 delegates, The K Club is the ideal environment for top level discussions and conferences. With a variety of country pursuits on site, we offer the perfect setting to inspire creative thinking & foster teamwork.

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Telephone: +353 (0) 1 601 7200 Email: sales@kclub.ie Web: www.kclub.ie

18/8/14 17:24:51

18/8/14 17:26:47


BUYERS

AN AGENT IS ESSENTIAL Tom Dascombe

54

Rod Kirkpatrick

Goffs

want different things. The Orby Sale is the premier Irish Former jump jockey Tom Dascombe cut his teeth training sale and it’s very important to be there. We tend to buy under his own steam at Lambourn with some notable quite a few there but with prices increasing it is success, particularly via Classic Blade and Firth Of Fifth, getting harder to buy but that just means we have who won the G2 July Stakes and G2 Superlative to work harder to find one that fits our budget. Stakes during a memorable Newmarket July There are always plenty of nice yearlings on Meeting in 2006. Having joined forces with The Orby Sale is offer there and the team is very helpful. owner-breeders Michael Owen and Andrew They make it easy for you to get there and Black to train from the prestigious Manor the premier Irish it’s very well structured. It’s pretty much House Stables in Cheshire, Tom’s major sale and it’s very the easiest sales ground to work as you can flagbearer is now the Group-winning stayer important to be move from barn to barn very quickly. It’s Brown Panther. He used to buy for himself time-consuming being present at the sales but now uses SackvilleDonald as it “just there but one of my jobs is to look for next year’s became too much trying to do it all” on his horses. The owners appreciate that’s where I own. Building up a good working relationship have to be at that time of the year. When you’re a with your agent is really important, he says. “Ed one-man band it’s a lot harder but I’ve got a very good [Sackville] is very thorough and he knows what I’m team at home.” looking for which is the most important thing. All trainers

Goffs Orby

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Finsceal Fior An exciting young sire with a pedigree that others can only dream about. His half-brother sold for €2.85 million at the 2013 Goffs Orby Sale. By Champion Sire and Sire of Sires Galileo, including Frankel, New Approach, Teofilo, etc.

Out of European Champion 2 year old filly and dual Classic winner, Finsceal Beo. Fee 2014: €3,000 (October 1st)

If you would like to see Finsceal Fior for yourself, we would be delighted to meet you. Michael Lenihan T: 051 294 187 • M: 087 668 8958 • E: lenihanatthepaddocks@eircom.net John Clarke T: 01 230 0947 • M: 087 255 2970 • E: johnclarkebloodstock@gmail.com Green Hills Stud, Ashtown, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.

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15/08/2014 18:11:22


Profile

A best

I

57

Goffs

seller

t was in 2012 that South African Clive Gardner decided it was time to step down. Last year’s sale was intended to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career on the Goffs rostrum but it was an Act of God that sadly kept Gardner away altogether, or at least that’s how it seemed when he woke up one morning and found he couldn’t see. “I thought I was going blind,” he recalls as he was rushed to the eye specialist. A long-term diabetes sufferer, Gardner had had laser treatment to help his vision and the temporary blindness was a side-effect that might clear the following day. Equally it could take six months. It was only a week before the sales, he recalls. “I got on to Henry Beeby and told him I couldn’t come. I eventually decided that, if this is the sort of thing that is going to happen to me, I must stop. I wrote to Henry that I felt that there comes a time in one’s life when you think you are still good enough and, although you probably still are, it’s the moment to say goodbye.”

A noticeable absence from the rostrum at Goffs Orby and November Sales this year will be Clive Gardner, the South African guest auctioneer who changed the speed of Irish bloodstock auctions with his fast talking manner. He has rapped his gavel for the last time, writes Michael Clower. Gardner, a colourful character (and not only because he wears pink trousers!) is telling his story on the veranda of his home in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Pinelands. He is now a white-haired sixtysomething but when he first started selling at Goffs in 1981 he was one of the leading lights of the South African sales scene – not just horses but cattle, sheep and farm property. “David Nagle, Peter Lovemore and I were the auctioneers for the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) sales here and one day David asked me if I would like to sell in Ireland to increase my experience. The TBA agreed to pay my fare and after that Goffs Goffs Orby

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Profile

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Goffs

In 1979 their horse sales department agreed to give me a try.” invited me back every year as the official guest auctioneer for the His ability to move a sale along with his fast style saw to him sell foal and yearling sales. bloodstock in neighbouring Zimbabwe. He sold Brahman cattle It was a big change from South Africa, he recalls. “The crowd in America and at one stage was doing 110 sales a year – including at Goffs was bigger and the atmosphere a lot more tense. If you pedigree cattle, property and farm machinery as well as horses. missed a bid, it was desperate, almost as if you had shot somebody. Although now retired he’s still involved And woe betide you if you didn’t give the in agricultural property sourcing farms horse enough time.” for the government for what is called At that time in the early eighties SA “transformation” (returning the whiteauctioneers brought down the gavel in owned farms to black ownership). a faster fashion than in Ireland but that His gaze drifts across the lawn to the disparity is no longer there. Gardner distant trees, and seemingly takes him is credited with creating a new, fasterback to Goffs. “I learnt a lot from my paced style of delivery that injected a visits to Ireland. Selling there did a huge stronger sense of urgency into auctions. amount for my auctioneering skills.” “If you quicken the pace, you improve In what way? And what did he learn? the price because people have less time His head leans to one side as he considers to make up their minds, ” he explains. the questions. “Selling in Ireland gave me “I would often say in a quiet voice: confidence. You see, although you are up ‘Don’t believe me, I’m only the auctioneer. there on the rostrum on your own, it’s a But I’ve heard them say a lot about this highly professional organisation and you horse.” What struck him most of all about know that everyone knows exactly what Irish sales and vendors though was the they have to do.“ way the yearlings stood out. “They were He also learnt just how accurate Irish so well done and the lad leading the horse vendors are when it comes to putting a round was so proud of it,” he recalls. “He valuation on their horses. “There are no knew as much, or more in some cases, pie-in-the-sky, wildly over-optimistic about the horse and its breeding than the reserves. They know what their horses owner did and he really wanted the right Gardiner’s sale are going to make and, if they tell you person to buy it.” highlights: that the animal is worth a lot of money, He pauses as his dark-haired wife The only Shergar foal to be sold you know it is and that will play out Melanie pours the tea, and then he travels at auction: “It was in 1983 and David during the sale.” back in time to his youth. He was brought Nagle was the auctioneer. I remember He pauses before continuing, this time up on a farm near Kokstad in Natal. The him describing the colt as being rarer than without prompting or interruption, to youngest of three his two brothers had a Penny Black. Timmy Hyde bought him say that he has also been struck by the trained to be a lawyer and a vet. While for 325,000gns and the following year he enthusiasm of the people in Ireland and he was still in agricultural college his made 3.1 million gns, a European record. As Authaal, he won the Irish St Leger.” the way they have got through the hard father fell ill with heart disease and sold Best horse sold: “I’ve sold so many times of recent years. the farm leaving Gardner without a including horses by El Gran Senor, Kings Lake “Breeding horses is a tough game homestead on which to put his skills into and Sadler’s Wells.”The most important because, to a financier, it makes no practice. With that career option gone, thing an auctioneer should be is: economic sense at all. Yet Coolmore and he joined an auctioneering company that “Totally enthusiastic and convinced about the others never give up. They simply sold cattle. what you are selling. One should never, ever keep driving, and they have made a “I soon worked out that the one who get angry.” success of it all.” Again he pauses, and made the money was the one who did The profession: “Any auctioneering again he looks towards the trees. “I’ve the selling so I got them to teach me how company is only as good as the people who made some good friends in Ireland,” he to hold myself on the rostrum. I sold work for it and, in particular, the man who says slowly as if remembering them all. cattle, sheep and property, started my drives the ship. I consider Jonathan Irwin, who employed me when I started with Goffs, “I’ve also had a great time auctioneering own company and moved to Pretoria. It and Henry Beeby to be particularly good in for Goffs and I’ve really enjoyed it.” was there that my business partner, who this respect.” bred horses, introduced me to the TBA.

On Clive: Henry Beeby: “Clive’s ability to read a ring, to keep on time and to get every bid possible was as good as any and better than most”

Jonathan Irwin: “Clive was the best auctioneer I ever worked with. He was also a great mentor to the younger auctioneers coming through.”

David Nagle: “It was always a great comfort to a vendor when you saw Clive was your auctioneer”.

Goffs Orby

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Mocklershill

Europe’s Premier Breeze Up Farm

Consignors with a reputation for big race winners. Mocklershill is based at Grangebarry Farm, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. The farm is sited on a world renowned 75 acres of golden vale grassland and consists of a wide range of premier facilities. These include a 5 furlong uphill gallop made from woodchip and a 3 furlong sand work area, starting stalls, turn out paddocks and lunge ring. So far in 2014 we are the consignors of the Brighwells Breeze-up Sales Topper, the Tattersalls Guinness Breeze-up Sales Topper and leading consignor at the DBS Breeze-up sale.

Grangebarry Partnership, c/o The Rock Industrial Park, Camas Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland Phone: 062 62000 | Fax: 062 62360 | Mobile: 087 6347271 (Willie Browne)

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GOFFS WORLDWIDE

Goffs Agents AUSTRALIA Mark Player – mark@markplayerits.com SCANDINAVIA Filip Zwicky – fz@galopsport.dk JAPAN Takaya Kimura – tkimura@dtl.co.jp SOUTH AMERICA Juan Pablo Sullivan – jps@sullivanbloodstock.com RUSSIA Azamat Kappushev – azamatkapushev@yahoo.com USA Joe Hopkins – joehopkins7@gmail.com GERMANY Matthias Seeber – ium.seeber@yahoo.de CHINA Sun Min – msun650@gmail.com ITALY Angelo Robiati – winninghorse@tin.it SPAIN Inigo Ballestero – i.ballestero@cepsa.com

GOFFS

60

Goffs

WORLD WIDE ORBY WEB

Goffs global reach is expanding at a rapid rate with world class horses attracting an ever increasing international audience.

Goffs Global Network The Goffs Orby sale attracts buyers from over 25 countries across the globe and is an event not to be missed within the international bloodstock calendar. The unique Irish hospitality combined with the excellent standard of yearlings on offer has attracted buyers from far and wide. The Orby not only presents buyers with the chance to find future stars but also to catch up with friends and colleagues from around the world, making a visit to Goffs the perfect mix of business and pleasure. The immense success of the Orby in recent years has led to significant growth in the number of international clients visiting Kildare Paddocks and the buyer list is becoming a progressively

global affair. The Goffs team work hard throughout the year travelling the world, ably assisted by the team of international agents promoting Goffs on the ground, raising the awareness of new and existing sales, and developing contacts. The number of discerning American owners, buyers and trainers attending the Orby sale has escalated, with bloodstock agents like Emmanuel De Seroux now frequent visitors. In 2013, Emmanuel was joined by Rikki Takahashi in the search for the stars and they were two of many Stateside visitors that also included Barry Weisbord, Marc Keller , Michel Zerolo, Jon Kelly, Alex Solis, Jason Litt, Frank Lyons and Michael House.

Goffs Orby

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GOFFS WORLDWIDE

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Goffs

AT YOUR SERVICE: The association between Goffs and the up and coming racing nation of Qatar were further strengthened in February 2014, when Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby and Marketing Director Joey Cullen enjoyed an outstanding three day trip. They attended the HH The Emir 23rdEquestrian Sword Festival in Doha, an inspiring spectacle of top class racing hosted by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, an event that made clear the ambitions for the racing industry in Qatar. The event also marked the first success for Al Shaqab Racing’s new colours of grey silks with a gold braid when carried to victory by Frankie Dettori on Dubday in the Group 1 HH The Emir’s Trophy.

For assistance with your visit to Ireland and to Goffs, please contact any member of the Goffs team. From flights and hotel bookings, to airport transfers and dinner reservations – nothing is too much trouble.

CONTACT: Goffs +353 45 886600 www.goffs.com Goffs Orby

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Continuing to train Group 1 Winners throughout the world

SponSored by

Office: +44 1672 511264 Mobile: +44 7836 754254 Email: brian@brianmeehan.com

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Are you up with the pace? Equinome’s clients have owned, bred or trained winners of 24 of the world’s top 50 Group 1 races in the last 3 years

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15/08/2014 18:04:05


Goffs Country

leading THE

FIELD

63

Goffs

Goffs Country, the specialist property division of Ireland’s premier thoroughbred auctioneers, is a boutique business with an impeccable track record in selling and sourcing stud farms. Sitting down with the directors of Goffs Country, Richard Brophy and Andrew Nolan, they explain how operating in a specific market has been the brief since the formation of Goffs Country in 2009. “Over the past five years Goffs Country have been resilient in the firm’s market development, but what has been most encouraging, is witnessing the increase in the buying of properties throughout Ireland by overseas buyers, Nolan explains. “There has also been a strong revival in the domestic market, with farmers and investors confident that agricultural land will be a rewarding long term investment. Helping to drive these sales is the incentives put in place by the Irish government, meaning property owners are now starting to reap the benefit. The reduction in Stamp Duty on sales of land from nine per cent to two per cent and the seven year capital gains relief scheme on the purchase, or exchange of agricultural land and or property, has similarly augmented the

WHO WE ARE: What gives Goffs Country scope in the current market is its market knowledge, its ability to interpret client’s requirements and to source the right properties for them. The company is run by Andrew Nolan and Richard Brophy. Their combined experience and agricultural and equine pedigree is the agency’s unique selling point. Nolan comes from an equestrian and farming background. He graduated from the Irish National Stud Bloodstock and Management

course, before training as a livestock auctioneer. He began bloodstock auctioneering for Goffs in 2000 and is now a permanent fixture on the rostrum at Kill and at sister company DBS, in the UK. Brophy grew up with horses on a farm in Kill, Co. Kildare. Auctioneering is in his blood. His great grandfather, Patrick Brophy was a founding associate member of Goffs. Goffs Country is based at Kildare Paddocks, Kill, Co Kildare. goffscountry.com

Goffs Orby

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Goffs Country

alone we have witnessed an increase in appetite across the country with significant surges in specific counties; Dublin, Meath, Kildare Cork, Tipperary and Limerick. In general property prices have also seen increases in the first half of this year, an assuring figure and a testament of what lies ahead.” Consequently, we can only surmise that land is set to continue its steady increase in value, says Nolan. “Goffs Country works very much in synergy with its parent company Goffs, and the repertoire built up over the last five years has been facilitated by the extension of the Goffs brand. Having a fresh approach is why Goffs Country is the chosen agency providing the full package for domestic and overseas investors.”

PROPERTIES FOR SALE

64

Goffs Castle Park House Goffs Country’s Richard Brophy and Andrew Nolan

affordability of property across Ireland. Additionally, we are also observing a demand for bigger properties, but with scarce availability, sellers will be happy to see a push in prices to their advantage.” Supplementing the agriculture land sales, is the continued acknowledgement that the Irish Thoroughbred maintains its dominance on the racetrack worldwide. As it stands, Ireland has approximately 250 stallions at stud and in excess of 12,500 broodmares presentable to more than 7,000 breeders nationwide. Ireland is now recognised as the notable preference for breeding the complete thoroughbred athlete. “Subsequently, we have seen a strong demand for niche properties from both domestic and world-wide players who are turning to Ireland to take advantage of our verdant countryside and proven history to breed and produce international winners,” Brophy says. “What gives Goffs Country scope in the current market is having the ability and the knowledge to interpret our client’s requirements and marry them with what is obtainable.” Adjusting mind-sets is sometimes a necessity - sellers need to understand how the current market is working, says Nolan. “Property sales have come a long way over the last five years and we are delighted to see an upward curve in trade. This year

NEWTOWN HOUSE

ARODSTOWN STABLES

Newtown House is a five-bedroom Georgian country estate boasting river frontage and is situated 20 miles from Galway city. Recently refurbished it includes outbuildings, six stables and four cottages to its rear. There is 180 acres of land; 62 acres of which is in pasture, 95 acres in established forestry, the rest is bog.

A residential training centre in Co Meath comprising a five-bedroom modern deluxe home, an eightbedroom staff accommodation building with seventy custombuilt loose boxes contained within three American-style barns, twenty six turn-out paddocks and two allweather gallops on about 80 acres. Dublin Airport is a 25-minute drive.

CASTLE PARK HOUSE

LANDS AT KILLASHEE

Castle Park House is a two-storey over basement Palladian-style four-bedroom house. Comprising 180 acres it is situated in Kanturk, about 20 minutes from Cork city. It includes about 100 acres of land in tillage (currently winter wheat and spring barley), over 20 acres in grass, grazed by fattening cattle and the remainder in mature timber. The property also comes with a four-span hay barn and silage shed.

A parcel of land of about 220 acres, currently in both tillage and grassland but zoned “Integrated Leisure Development” under Kildare County’s Development Plan 2011 – 2017 is located to the south of Naas town, which is a distance of 2km. The property adjoins Killashee House Hotel and Leisure Spa. It is proximate to three county racecourses; Naas, Punchestown and The Curragh. Dublin is a 25 km drive.

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PADDY BARRY BLOODSTOCK Auction Representation, Paddy is active at all major European sales in Ireland, England, France, Italy and Germany. • International Private Transactions • Consulting • Conformation Analysis • Pedigree Analysis • Portfolio and racing stable management • Purchasing of stallions, stallion shares and nominations • Syndications and shares • Capitalizing on opportunities in international markets

If you require any professional assistance in the thoroughbred industry please consider Paddy Barry Bloodstock Services. We welcome your enquiries and encourage you to email or call us on +353 87 709 1365.

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Goffs Country

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WHAT DOES IRELAND HAVE TO OFFER A BREEDER? Moyglare Stud owner Eva-Maria Bucher Haefner on what makes Ireland a first class choice for breeding racehorses. “Lots of grass and good horsemen are its two key selling points,” says Moyglare Stud owner Eva Maria Bucher Haefner. My father, Walter Haefner always loved the rain and so do I, and that brings the grass”. She describes the stud as a a very tranquil place and growing up spent a lot of time talking with her father, learning the breeding ropes from him. “Long standing former stud manager Stan Cosgrove taught me about the farm and trainer Dermot Weld about the racing. Breeding advisor Fiona Craig taught me about the bloodlines and sales. I listened for a long time to what everyone said, listened and learned and I’m still learning and listening!” As a child visiting Moyglare from her base in Switzerland she recalls feelings of holidays, happiness and freedom; of spending time outdoors and best of all, of a place with no dress code! “I have good memories of the rain and the wind and the smell of horses.” Memorable winning moments include “Casual Conquest, “my” first Group 1 winner, and Anywaysmile winning her

Eva-Maria Bucher Haefner with her young stock

maiden at Naas. I was watching online on my computer from Switzerland and I was screaming so loud that the neighbours came over to see what had happened”. Of all the great names stabled at Moyglare, Haefner has a special soft spot for Mad About You. She loved the name, but mainly because the filly was really the first to run and do well during the transition from her father’s time into her time. Which successes make her most proud? “I think the best is when the horses can win or be placed in a Classic, these are the special horses and I have learned that it is really hard to win at this level. My father was so proud of Refuse To Bend, Dance Design and Trusted Partner, who all won Classics for him, and whilst we have not won one in the last few years, we have come very close with Casual Conquest, the aforementioned Mad About You, Profound Beauty and Princess Highway all finishing placed. Next year is always another year and another chance.”

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Noel Quinlan Racing Here at Harraton Court Stables in Exning, Newmarket we specialise in training two year olds to increase their value and ratings. In the past couple of years we have sold COUR VALANT to Hong Kong, SWEET ACCLAIM to the USA and VITRUVIAN LADY to Australia for considerable amounts of money after they won their maidens. Noel is happy to discuss any requirements that you may have and is always happy to offer specialist advice at the sales.

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Pre-Purchase, Consultancy, Digital Imaging All Major International Public Auctions And Private Sales

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15/08/2014 18:06:28


Goffs Country

Two leading ladies, Kirsten Rausing (left) and Barbara Facchino, both great supporters of Goffs.

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WHY BUY IN IRELAND Staffordstown Stud and Lanwades Stud owner Kirsten Rausing on why Ireland is top of the bloodstock class. Why choose Ireland over Newmarket or Kentucky? Lanwades Stud and Staffordstown Stud owner and recently elected honorary chairman of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations, Kirsten Rausing set up her farm in Ireland in 1990. For her and for other thoroughbred breeders the main attraction is “Ireland’s fantastic soil and herbage conditions which are essential for proper skeletal development”. In her opinion it has the best soil in the world. She keeps all her yearlings at Staffordstown, a farm in County Meath that she bought via word of mouth from the Ryan family in 1990. She purchased 77 acres of what was then called Dolly’s Grove Stud adapting the name Staffordstown from an existing neighbouring farm which was later purchased. Its lands now extend to over 300 acres. “Ireland has some of the best bloodstock in the world and without a doubt they have the best stallion in the world in Galileo,” Rausing says. She also cites the horsemanship of the Irish workforce as another major attraction noting that “Horsemanship as a tradition is very much alive in Ireland both in those on the ground and those in the associated services; veterinary, farriers, feed merchants, shipping, insurance, bloodstock agents and

sales companies. The staff have practical experience and intimate knowledge of the industry.” And let’s not forget the craic she says, for this is what brought her to Ireland in the first place. It was Grey Friar, her three-day event gelding, a “broken down race horse who had done in his tendon” who first got her interested in bloodstock. While at school she started to look into his pedigree. Her interest in the subject also helped her learn English as all the books were in English not her native Swedish. She devoured old Goffs catalogues “as though they were novels” lapping up the information “like an automaton”. When she was able to appreciate the puns in many racehorse names she knew she was proficient in English. She started breeding in Scandinavia in the late 1960s but it was while working in France that she first discovered Ireland as a travelling groom accompanying mares on a visit to Irish stallions. “I thought I’d come to paradise,” she says recalling that first visit in January 1971. “In Ireland horses had priority over anyone else.” She made great friends and returned a couple of times a year from then on, Goffs Orby Sale and the Irish Derby being two key dates in her calendar. She’s been to every single Goffs yearling sale since the company moved from Ballsbridge to Kill, Co Kildare. She worked for the late Captain “Tim” Rogers of Airlie Stud for five years in the late 1970s and remains great friends with the Rogers family. She also loves Ireland’s “top class competitive racing and very friendly atmosphere” saying, “I have a lot of friends here and am one of Ryanair’s most frequent fliers.”

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que

Advertising feature

TEA and

Treasure Straffan Antiques and Design, Est. 1988, is a family run business located in the beautiful Courtyard of Barberstown House, Straffan, Co. Kildare.

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ur unique collections of Antiques, Home, Gifts, Fashion & Pianos along with our Victorian Tea Rooms; all set in the stone farm buildings, make us a truly unique destination. In our Antiques showroom we have a large selection of 18th & 19th Century Fine Period Furniture, Silverware, Ceramics & Collectables with worldwide shipping available. We also offer a complete restoration service by our qualified team of restorers using traditional restoration techniques. ‘Marie’s Pianos’ stocks a stunning range of New and Traditional Upright and Grand Pianos. With the knowledge and experience gained over 20 years, Marie will be happy to advise you on the piano that best suits your specific needs, whether you are a beginner or advanced pianist. Our Home, Gift & Fashion Collections consist of a unique range of inspirational gifts for all occasions, interior accessories and furniture offering customers’ great designs, value, quality and choice. We endeavour to support Irish manufacturers and suppliers where possible and this can be seen throughout our showrooms where we embrace distinctive designs that

are rooted in Irish tradition. The Vintage Room allows you to step into the glamorous world of decades past and explore our unique handpicked collection of Vintage furs, leather bags, hats, jewellery and attire. A visit to our Victorian Tea Rooms is highly recommended when visiting Straffan Antiques and Design. The Tea Rooms offer a wide range of quality cakes, breads, scones and savoury dishes; all made in our kitchens daily. Our Afternoon Tea is an exquisite treat and the perfect way to celebrate that special occasion. Breakfast is served daily from 9.30am-11.30am, lunches served from 12 noon-4pm and our seasonal brunch menu is available on weekends from 12noon-4pm. We welcome your visit.

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Advertising Feature

Restoring a Masterpiece After nearly two years in the wilderness, the wonderful parkland course at Palmerstown House Estate is marching full steam ahead once more.

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ádraig Harrington raved about it when he won the third of his six Irish PGA titles there in 2005 while the great Italian Costantino Rocca was reminded of his Open Championship near miss when he two putted from 50 yards short of the 18th to win the AIB Irish Seniors Open in 2007. Much has happened at Palmerstown House Estate since those heady days but the spectacular Christy O’Connor Jnr creation at Johnstown, near Naas in Co Kildare is back with a bang following its acquisition by Galway-born brothers Luke and Brian Comer earlier this year. “There have been no changes to the course but we are in the process of restoring it to its former glory,” says resident professional Graham Byrne. “When a course spends two years in NAMA, there are obvious restrictions on its budget but the new owners have invested heavily in the course and I can honestly say it is going to be epic this year.” Situated on the M7, only 30 minutes from Dublin’s city centre, it is an oasis of tranquility within easy reach of the capital.

The course had been open for two years when the Celbridge native arrived but was taken over by NAMA in April 2012 at the height of the financial crisis that engulfed the former owner, the late Jim Mansfield, leading to the seizure of many of his assets. Its seizure was a tragedy for golf fans in the greater Dublin area but with the arrival of the Comer Group – “very hands on” according to Graham – the property has been fully restored to the high standards enjoyed by the likes of Harrington and Rocca at the height of the boom. Almost as important as the conditioning of the golf course is the atmosphere and Palmerstown House now has close to 500 members thanks to a new membership drive. “To run a successful golf course you need a solid membership base so we now have 450 full members, who paid a special rate of €1,000 and that is now closed for the year,” Graham explains. “However, we are still offering five-day membership – Monday to Friday – for €750 and corporate membership for two employees plus 40 complimentary green fees for €3500 plus VAT. Now that

we have significantly re-invested in the club, the clubhouse is open and fully operational with our own head chef, food and beverage staff and our own general manager in Kevin Morrison. It has really taken off and the club is doing weddings again. “We also have Palmerstown House itself, which will eventually be re-opened for weddings with 15 or 16 guest rooms and there are plans to put in a hotel too, though nothing will happen with that project for at least another 18 months.” Green fees are always available – rates vary from €35 before 9.30am midweek to €65 at weekends with online discounts also available via Palmerstownhouse. com – but the club will also be running an open week from 30 May to 8 June, as well as open days most Wednesdays from mid-April. Palmerstown House Estate is located in Johnstown, Co. Kildare, just off junction 8 of the N7. For more information, contact Palmerstown House Estate by phone on +353 45 906 901 or by email at events@palmerstownhouse.com. You can also find out more about services and facilities at www.palmerstownhouse.com.

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19/08/2014 10:35:56


ADVERTISING FEATURE

EQUILIUME™ A Shining Light for the Future of Thoroughbred Breeding.

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lue lights dotted across the landscape of the breeding hubs of Ireland, England and France are becoming a common sight as a new equine breeding technology is embraced by horse breeders. The source of the light - an innovative mobile lighting device for horses called the Equilume™ Light Mask. The technology was developed by University College Dublin researchers Dr Barbara Murphy and Professor John Sheridan whose research identified for the first time the optimum light level required to advance the breeding season in horses. The universal birth date for Thoroughbreds of January 1st poses a number of significant problems for breeding; include difficulty ensuring mares are reproductively active early in the year, prolonged gestation lengths and reduced average foal birth weights. Utilization of artificial light to advance the breeding season has been common practice for decades. From December for 8-10 weeks, dry mares are often maintained indoors under barn lighting until 11pm each night. This is associated with significant management costs for breeders The Equilume™ Light Mask is an exciting new innovation that has been scientifically

shown to advance the reproductively active period of the mare as effectively as indoor maintenance under lights. Of potentially greater significance its ability to prevent prolonged gestation lengths in mares that normally go over time and increase average foal birth weight. It’s an individual headpiece that fits comfortably under the headcollar and provides low intensity blue light to the horse’s right eye. It is completely labour free and once activated at the right time it will come on automatically each day at dusk and stay lighting until 11pm. The Equilume™ Light Mask was launched globally in 2013 and feedback from breeders around the world has been excellent. “We used the Equilume Light Masks last year with great success. Our dry mares were all cycling and covered early, while reducing our management costs significantly. Our pregnant mares that wore the masks foaled on time with excellent postfoaling fertility, especially mares that had previously struggled to cycle with foal at foot. We would highly recommend Equilume to farms that want to reduce costs and improve breeding efficiency.” Mike Fleming Broadwater Thoroughbreds, Aberdeen, NSW, Australia.

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Detailled information of the product, the research, the trials and testimonials from users can be found online at www.equilume.com

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Brown Thomas

Showcasing

Ireland’s Best

Goffs Champions Sale in association with Brown Thomas kicks off a brand new weekend of autumn racing. The Irish Champions Weekend will show the world the very best of Irish racing over two days at Leopardstown and The Curragh on September 13th and 14th.

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The curtain raiser, Goffs Champions Sale in association with Brown Thomas, will open the first Irish Champions Weekend in some style. Taking place before racing at Leopardstown, domestic and international bloodstock buyers will gather to bid for twenty select horses with form that will go under the hammer, quite fittingly, in the winner’s enclosure. Following the success of Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot and Goffs Punchestown Sale held during the Irish National Hunt Festival, hopes are high for another strong sale by the horsesin-training specialists. Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern is uniquely placed to comment as she is also a board memeber of HRI and Leopdstown Racecourse. “When it comes to select sales we believe in taking the market to our clients. It makes sense to stage this on site sale when the eyes of the racing world will be on Ireland. “Ireland is the leading producer of thoroughbreds in Europe and is a major, global racing nation. International racing festivals have been established in almost every other major racing nation and now Ireland will hold its own spectacular event”. On the racecourse, the big draw at Leopardstown will be the Group 1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, one of the highest-rated races in the world with a prize fund of €1 million. The day also hosts the Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes. On Sunday, September 13th the action at the twin destination meeting transfers to County Kildare to The Curragh which features three

The numbers

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Group 1 races, including the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the Palmerstown House Irish St Leger, Europe’s premier trial for the Melbourne Cup. There’s also a Thoroughbred Trail morning where you can meet your equine heroes and some of the world’s most famous trainers. Eimear concludes: “Irish Champions weekend promises to be hugely successful, with knock on benefits to the economy here in so many respects” irishchampionsweekend.ie

Group 1s

K3.7

million in prize money

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racecourses

boutique sale of horses in training

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weekend

TWIN PEAKS Using two racetracks to promote Irish racing four weeks before the Arc and six weeks before the English Champions Weekend is a great start to autumn racing, says Orla Murtagh, wife of jockey-turnedtrainer Johnny Murtagh. “We’re a sporting nation. The Irish Champion Stakes has always been a brilliant race, coupled with the electric atmosphere of an on-site sale beforehand and a chance to really dress up turns the event into a great day out and a great action weekend.” “It will be a great show, says trainer Johnny Murtagh. “Hong Kong, Dubai and England all have a Champions Weekend of racing. This new Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and The Curragh offers a weekend of sport with the best horses, big owners and well-known trainers. The sale, the opportunity to buy and to run a ready-made horse in your colours on the day, is the opening ceremony to two days of thrilling racing. I recall the energy of the crowd when I rode against Galileo when he won the Irish Champion Stakes. Expect an awesome atmosphere.” ORLA WEARS Victoria by Victoria Beckham dress, €695, Brown Thomas, Dublin. Johnny wears Tiger of Sweden suit, €610; The Kooples shirt, €155 and tie €65, all Brown Thomas, Dublin.

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Brown Thomas

The sale, the opportunity to buy and to run a ready-made horse in your colours on the day, is the opening ceremony to two days of thrilling racing.

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Brown Thomas

GLAMOUR AND SPORT “It’s going to be a great weekend showcasing Irish racing in two different racecourses, says jockey Kate Harrington. “The prize money, a total of €3.7 million is fantastic. Sadly, I won’t be riding as there are no races for amateurs on the race card yet but hopefully my mum will have a winner or two.” Kate wears Roland Mouret dress, €1,465, Brown Thomas, Dublin.

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boutique buying “There is a great buzz about this sale,” says Goffs’ Sean Flannery who is among those tasked with compiling the sale catalogue. “The fact that top quality proven horses will be offered in a different sales setting can conjure up a completely different atmosphere for buyers and watchers alike. It’s a boutique sale of approximately twenty horses that will hold great appeal for both domestic and international buyers who will be at Leopardstown for Champions Weekend.” Sean wears The Kooples jacket, €395 and trousers, €195; Tom Ford shirt, €395 and tie, €160, all Brown Thomas, Dublin.

Goffs

READY MADE CHAMPIONS The sale will feature some of the best horses-in-training in Ireland, says Aidan McGarry, ownership manager at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. “These are horses that have run before, are proven quality and winning performers. A huge incentive for buyers is that a horse can be offered for sale with an entry that weekend at Leopardstown or The Curragh. We’re here to facilitate change of ownership and that the horse can race in its new owner’s colours.” Aidan wears Paul Smith suit, €795; Zegna tie, €130; Tiger of Sweden pocket square, €40; Etro shirt, €129, all Brown Thomas, Dublin.

Get race ready The Brown Thomas Personal Shopping Service will save you time and ensure you look the part. Our experienced team of personal shoppers will find you the perfect look. Their made-to-measure and made-to-order services will find you the perfect-fitting suit in your choice of style and fabric in a luxurious, relaxing space that’s yours exclusively. The team can also be called upon to refresh your wardrobe, help with selecting corporate or personal gifts or even something for the home. Call 00 353 1 605 6666 and the team of personal shoppers would be delighted to select and deliver whatever it is you need. brownthomas.com

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Brown Thomas

Shot on location at Leopardstown Racecourse leopardstown.com Photographer: Sean Jackson. Assisted by: Mark McGuinness Styling: Darren Feeney. Assisted by: Roisin Haines Hair: David Cashman Make-up: Warren Dowdall, Brown Thomas Beauty Personal Shopper

A huge incentive for buyers is that a horse can be offered for sale with an entry that weekend at Leopardstown or The Curragh.

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CORPORATE LUXURY NEXT DOOR TO GOFFS

We realise that no two business gatherings are alike. On a 700acre setting our attention to detail and high standard of service will ensure that your event meets its precise objectives – whether it’s a team briefing before a round of golf, a new product launch or a full day conference. We can cater to your needs. With a host of spacious modern and fully equipped meeting rooms, we want to exceed your expectations at every turn. The Clubhouse offers meeting facilities and services for both small meetings from 2 up to 180. The High Chaparral Suite is also available for private hire for elegant gala dinners. The main Palmerstown House can also cater for the more unique & private meetings. This historical setting is a break away from the norm but offers a secluded space for companies to discuss all business matters. With private dining also available, it’s a change from the usual, tucked away on the grounds of the estate. Professional planning from our experienced meeting and events team guarantees success and ensures that your conference will run efficiently

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WINNING PLACES & TO EAT

Culture & Cocktails

DRINK

Champion hot spots to try out in Dublin and Kildare during Irish Champions Weekend and the Orby Sale. Old Library Trinity College

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he Irish Champions Weekend is a new two-day race meeting featuring ten Group races, five of which are Group 1 races, at Leopardstown, Dublin, on Saturday, September 13th and at The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Sunday, September 14th showcasing Ireland’s two premier flat racecourses. The weekend will feature the Group 1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger and the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and is one of the richest weekends on the international racing calendar with prize money of €3.7 million. Where do you go to indulge in a long lunch, enjoy a traditional Dublin pub or a fine foodie evening meal? Here’s the inside track to eating and drinking at the weekend’s twin destinations as recommended by the region’s best connected five-star concierges.

Whiskey & Cigars a go go THE DYLAN HOTEL’S head concierge, MARCIN WOREK likes to recommend neighbourhood restaurants, places guests can walk to. Assador, a grill that serves the finest Irish beef is a five-minute walk. “Take a pre dinner amble along the banks of the Grand Canal where you can pause at a bench once frequented by Patrick Kavanagh, one of Ireland’s finest 20th Century poets and novelists and where he wrote Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal. The bench and sculpture are adjacent to the lock that “niagarously roars”. Afterwards, repair to the hotel’s back terrace, for a ball of Irish malt. Try Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel, a limited edition Irish whiskey that may just require a cigar to draw out its complex flavours. Ask the bar staff to show you the humidor. BEFORE YOU LEAVE TOWN: Visit the Writer’s Museum. Literary celebrities from the past three hundred years are brought to life through their books, letters, portraits and personal items at this establishment on Parnell Square. Dylan.ie

The Back Terrace

Dublin Writers Museum

LASZLO MARTIN, head concierge at THE WESTIN, suggests you take a walk through Trinity College, a historic campus just across the street from the hotel. Famous alumni include Writer Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, playwright Oscar Wilde and playwright Samuel Beckett, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1969. “While there you should view the Book of Kells, one of the world’s best-known illuminated manuscripts, which dates from the 9th Century and the Old Library. “If you fancy sampling Irish seafood he suggests Matt The Thresher, a gastropub in the heart of Georgian Dublin, where US First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters dined last summer after a night on the town. You can order oysters on the half shell, a bivalve that partners well with a glass of Guinness.” When you return to the hotel order a nightcap, he says. Try a bottle-aged cocktail, made with Irish whiskey and prepared, bottled and labelled in-house with waxdipped caps ready to serve. BEFORE YOU LEAVE TOWN: Buy Irish design at Brown Thomas, Irish Design Shop, Designist and Jam Art Factory. westindublin.com

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Poolbeg Towers Laser Cut by Snow

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CONCIERGES

Afternoon Tea with Artistic Licence

People Watching

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Roly’s is our neighbourhood recommendation, says Marie Claire Sabogal, concierge at Four Seasons, Ballsbridge. “They do a fantastic Sunday lunch and its proximity to the hotel works for anyone who’s feeling jetlagged. For a unique local experience head to the Chop House, a gastropub on nearby Shelbourne Road where we will try to find you a seat no matter how packed the place is. Foodies should try Forest Avenue, a fine dining room where a husband and wife team serve some of Ireland’s finest local produce. The tiny restaurant is next to one of Dublin’s best-loved local pubs, O’Brien’s on Leeson Street, where rugby and craic are served up with the perfect pint of plain. For a fantastic wine list head to The Wild Goose in Ranelagh, also great for peoplewatching.” Before you leave town: Take a private walking tour. organised by the hotel and tailored to your specific needs and language so if architecture is your thing we can find a guide who will enthral you with stories. fourseasons.com/dublin The Chop House

Champion Dining

KClub

Cliff Townhouse

Jazz Brunch & Dancing Denis O’Brien, head concierge at the Shelbourne Hotel, suggests dinner at Restaurant Forty One in Residence, a private members club on the other side of St. Stephen’s Green where you can retire afterwards to the piano bar or watch Dublin’s beautiful people check each other out on the terrace. “If you love fish head to the Cliff Townhouse for a contemporary take or The Lobster Pot in Ballsbridge for a trip back in time to classic dishes like Sole Bonne Femme and Lobster Thermador.” The Shelbourne is where the Irish Constitution was drafted and it retains its political connections. The Horseshoe Bar is one of the city’s best gossip dens and makes one of the best Bloody Mary’s in the city. The hotel’s jazz brunch is a place to kick up your heels with most of the diners taking to the floor after they’ve breakfasted on Eggs Benedict or French Toast. Before you leave town: pay the Little Museum of Dublin a visit. It’s a collection of artefacts donated by the public. The podium John F Kennedy stood on when he addressed the Dail in 1963 is just one of its many curios. Mariott.com

37 Dawson Street

Don’t leave town without paying your respects to Dylan McGrath at Fade Street Social, says Colm Fahy, assistant concierge at the Merrion Hotel. “Serving bite-size plates the atmosphere is casual and the peoplewatching is first class. Afterwards, repair to 37 Dawson Street to its whiskey bar where they serve the spirit, neat, on the rocks or with a drop of water. If you’d prefer to try a pint of the black stuff then Doheny & Nesbitt is one of Dublin’s finest Victorian bars and probably the most photographed pub in Ireland. It has snugs and mirrored partitions that are perfect for a romantic escape from reality.” Treat yourself to afternoon tea on the hotel terrace or in is drawing rooms where the surrounding art collection is good enough to eat. Tea is served with a slice of 19th or 20th Century art, miniature sweet creations inspired Art Tea at by Irish artists, J.B Yeats, William The Merrion Scott and Louis Le Brocquy. As you eat you can browse though a complimentary copy of The Merrion art collection catalogue. Before you leave town: Visit Merrion Square. Say hello to the slimmed down statue of Oscar Wilde, his birthplace on nearby Westland Row and the family home which was at number one, Merrion Square. merrionhotel. com

Brunch at The Shelbourne

K Club On the eve of Orby you can expect to see any of the trainers staying at the hotel sampling the tasting menu at The Byerley Turk, one of three stallions said to be the founders of modern thoroughbred racing bloodstock, says Patrick Duffy, head concierge at the K Club. “Locally sourced slow cooked belly of pork, Straffan Estate rainbow trout and vegetables from Pat Clarke all feature.” The restaurant is called after a stallion believed to have been captured by Captain Robert Byerley at the 1686 Battle of Buda, Hungary, who was fighting against the Turks, Clarke explains. The stallion served as the captain’s war horse when he was dispatched to Ireland in 1689 during King William’s War where he saw further action at the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. Twelve Epsom Derby winners, ten St. Leger winners, and fourteen The Oaks Stakes winners are listed as his descendants. Before you leave town go see: Visit the National Stud; play a round of golf at the Palmer Ryder Cup Course at the K Club, shop luxe labels for less at Kildare Village, discover heirlooms at Straffan Antiques and take afternoon tea at Palmerstown House, a former world famous stud farm. Kclub.ie

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MSc in

APPLIED EQUINE SCIENCE Developing a new generation of graduates with the ability to: • translate knowledge of equine science into practice, • develop competence in research and research methods, • develop an understanding of the entrepreneurial process.

T

he experienced team at Hugo Merry Bloodstock have a track record of success at every level in the Thoroughbred Industry. Our purpose is to assist existing and potential new clients with selection & management of their Bloodstock. Our results have given continued success to our clients every year since we established an Independent Bloodstock Agency in 1986. From the sale of stallion prospects that have gone on to be Champion sires, to the purchase of yearlings, racing and breeding stock that have subsequently won or produced Group 1, Breeders Cup & numerous stakes winners around the world.

Your success is our success. EXPERTS AREN’T BORN. THEY’RE TAUGHT. Find out how at www.ucd.ie/agfood

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Contact Details: Hugo Merry, Kilshannig Stud, Rathcormac, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel: +353 2536124 • IRE Mobile: +353 872513928 UK Mobile: +44 7768233993 Email: hugomerrybloodstock@gmail.com

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ON COURSE FOR AN EXCITING SEPTEMBER! Hoofbeats racing partnerships, in association with Gazeley Stud are offering shares in these exciting ready to run quality 2 year old prospects: CAPTAIN NAVARRE - 2 YEAR OLD GELDING, SON OF EXCELLENT ART

Captain Navarre has been showing real quality at home, although early days I feel that he will run in some big races this year, and be at Royal Ascot next year with what he is showing me at home, he is a big rangy gelding, with a massive stride, and will make an exceptional 3 year old.” – Jane Chapple-Hyam, Trainer - Newmarket

UNNAMED - 2 YEAR OLD FILLY, DAUGHTER OF COCKNEY REBEL

She is showing some really good qualities at home and will make an exciting racehorse, I’ve got high hopes that she will make a good 2 year old and an exceptional 3 year old.” – Nick Littmoden, Trainer - Newmarket For a full in depth brochure pack and price list, call us on: 0345 2577777 or e-mail: info@hoofbeats.co.uk A DATE A FOR ATE YOUR DIARY... DIAR

GAZELEY STUD YEARLING PARADE Join us in Newmarket to look at the horses we’ll be racing next year - join us on the first Sunday in November, quality yearlings with huge potential. Full yearling details available on Hoofbeats racing partnerships website:

WWW.HOOFBEATS.CO.UK

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Jaguar

Emile Sandé

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ulti-platinum winning singer songwriter Emeli Sandé leads the field on Jaguar’s FEEL XE project, a social platform designed to harness the spirit of British creativity and innovation. Sandé is asking the public to share words, pictures, sounds and films that they think encapsulate what makes them feel exhilarated through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The best suggestions will inspire a new song, which

The launch of the new Jaguar XE sports saloon is attracting an A-list following because the premier car brand is collaborating with household names from the world of music, film and fashion to create experiences that express the feeling of exhilaration that you get behind the wheel of this big cat. wheel that is at the heart of the XE. Goffs Orby

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will be performed for the first time at the launch of the saloon car in September. She’s excited to be working with Jaguar on what the brand is calling Feel XE. “The new XE is innovative in its design and I can’t wait to start collaborating with the world, looking at what defines the word exhilaration for them, and premiering the track in London at what is going to be an incredible event!” Renowned British fashion designer Stella McCartney’s creation will following Sandé’s. She is “passionate about British design and innovation” and is proud to be involved in this exciting partnership. Emmy-nominated actor Idris Elba, best known for his titular role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, will also be involved through his production company Green Door Pictures. A passionate petrolhead he recently shared his love of cars on the BBC2 series, King Of Speed. The XE is a true sports saloon that has been designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK. With class-leading design and innovation, Jaguar is delivering a game-changing driving experience and performance, qualities that FEEL XE will express through creative interpretations of the feeling of exhilaration. Jaguar wants to engage the public. Using the hashtag FEELXE readers can be part of the creative process. So start thinking of ways to catch Sandé’s attention. Jaguar expects their game-changing driving experience to inspire the creative works of their A-list collaboraters. Fiona Pargeter, PR Director for Jaguar Land Rover, says: “XE is a very special car and we wanted to ensure it had a very special launch. We are very excited to be working with such amazing global talent to create interesting and engaging experiences that we can share around the world. Emeli is an incredible artist and one who embodies the creativity and elegance that is at the heart of the new XE.” Sandé’s song will debut on Monday, September 8th at a secret location in London situated on the banks of the River Thames as part of a spectacular, audio-visual event. The conclusion of this performance will mark the global reveal of Jaguar’s new XE midsized premium sports saloon, part of a series of dramatic Jaguar XE stunts and events across London. http://www.facebook.com/JaguarIE

Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern and CEO of Jaguar Ireland, Declan Mc Court

A Winning Team Goffs partnership with Jaguar sees two luxury brands come together in a holy trinity of ways that enhances the Orby Sale experience for all visitors. First impressions count Goffs overseas VIP visitors are greeted at the airport with a warm welcome from our chauffeur drivers who take them to the sales and to their hotels in the comfort and luxury of a Jaguar courtesy car. Sales social hub The Jaguar Pavilion is widely regarded as the social hub of the Orby Sale. Offering a delicious menu and extensive wine list it is an oasis of calm away from the intensity of the sales ring. It is also the scene of the annual Jaguar Champagne reception that takes place immediately after the last gavel falls on the day one of The Orby. Luxury shopping at Kildare Paddocks The full range of Jaguar vehicles will be on display on the Goffs lawns throughout the yearling sales. On more than one occasion Orby buyers have left Goffs with more than a thoroughbred yearling. They’ve invested in a top class drive too.

XE is a very special car and we wanted to ensure it had a very special launch. We are very excited to be working with such amazing global talent to create interesting and engaging experiences that we can share around the world.

Goffs Orby

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CONCIERGES

Walk away with a National Treasure

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Irish Champions Weekend KPMG is a proud supporter of the vital Irish bloodstock sector. We’re delighted to sponsor the KPMG Enterprise Stakes at Leopardstown as part of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2014. Find out more at KPMG.ie

© 2014 KPMG, an Irish partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

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The Irish Equine Centre is an independent organisation whose aim is to protect the wellbeing of Ireland’s horse population. We offers Veterinary Surgeons a comprehensive diagnostic service in:

• Biochemisty • Haematology

• Microbiology • Parasitology

• Pathology • Virology

Weatherbys Bloodtyping Unit and haemolytic foal screening services are also available at the Irish Equine Centre Tel: (045) 866266 • Fax: (045) 866273 • Email: iec@equine-centre.ie • www.irishequinecentre.com J o h n s to w n , n a a s , C o u n t y K i l da r e

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Social Network

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MV Magnier

David Redvers

Bob Scarborough and Jon Haseler

Alex Frost

Hon. James Bethell, Chris Wright, Crispin de Moubray

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London StylE

PhotographY: Julie Michaelsen

THE EVENT: Royal Ascot week 2014 opened in spectacular style as the great and good of international racing gathered at The Orangery at Kensington Palace for Goffs inaugural London Sale in association with QIPCO. food & drink: Canapés included Treacle Cured Sea Trout with Maple Mayonaise and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, and guests enjoyed rosé wine from Chateau Léoube.

Jamie and Willie Browne

Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes

Chris Young and Josh Christian Johnny Murtagh and War Horse’s Joey

Tammy and Charles O’Brien

Lady Bamford

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Social Network

Jassim Ghazali

Elaine Lawlor

Katie Osborne

89 John McCormack

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Susie McKeever and Lady Lloyd Webber

Roisin Henry, Emer Irwin, Yvonne Nicoll

Johnny Weatherby

XXXXX XXXXX

Eric Watson

Belinda Strudwick

Sophie Chambers and Pierce Plunkett

Jin Ye

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Social Network

Henry Beeby and Adrian Nicholl

Amber and Robert Byrne

Dawn and Mike House

Hugo Palmer, MV Magnier and Jake Warren

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The Jaguar Experience

Nick and Alice Nugent

Chris Blomeley and Sophie Chambers

THE EVENT: The atmosphere was buzzing as yearling buyers flocked to the Jaguar Pavilion drinks party after a vibrant first day at Orby 2013. FOOD & DRINK: Champagne and canapĂŠs from Honeydew Events that included roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, mini quiches and gravadlax on brioche toast.

William and Jennifer Coleman and Gerry Ross

photography: Richie Stokes

Natasha Mann

Declan Mc Court and Eimear Mulhern

Sarah Gavin and Carmel Molloy

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Social Network

Eve Johnson - Houghton and Siobhan Popplewell Søren Jensen, Jane Eldrup Jensen, Filip Zwicky, Karina Elsass, Carsten Nørgaard and Alexander Elsass.

Melanie Mc Court Conal Mc Court

Sara Thorman and Amanda Skiffington

Hilary O ‘ Connor

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Nick Bradley and David O’Meara

Tony Nerses and Harry Beeby

Elaine Lawlor and William Knight

Brendan Mc Ardle

Laura Magee

Barbara Keller and John O ‘ Connor

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Social Network

Eimear Mulhern and John Ferguson

Paul and Vanessa Cole, Dr James Hay, Alex and Ollie Cole

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Eve Of Orby

THE EVENT: Bloodstock buyers and sellers from Ireland and around the world mingled at the annual K Club party on the eve of the 2013 Orby Sale. FOOD & DRINK: Guests sipped on Champagne and enjoyed delicious mini burgers and Irish wild smoked salmon.

Photography: Peter Mooney

Mark Richards and Anna Kerr

Jon kelly

Hannah Walll, Joey Cullen and Roger Varian

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Social Network

Jake Warren, Harry McCalmont and Lord Grimthorpe

Elaine Lawlor and Jim Hill

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Georgina and Angus Gold

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and Joe Foley

Henry Beeby and Toshio Kozasa

Marco Botti

Sheila Grassick, Frank Lyons, Barbara Keller

Imad Al Sagar and Saleh Al Homaizi

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AN ANNIVERSARY

P su rem w pp ium w le w m fe .c en ed av ts , al an or d .c ca om r e

pr

od

uc

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TO CELEBRATE

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CAVALOR’S 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATES ADVANCES IN EQUINE HEALTH AND NUTRITION In marking its 25th anniversary, Cavalor® Feed and Supplements celebrates advances in equine health and longevity, much of which it ascribes to scientific improvements in equine nutrition. In 1989, when the Belgium-based company was founded as the brainchild of young agricultural engineer Peter Bollen, Cavalor® based its formulations on what in those days was an innovative way to feed high performance sport horses – low protein and higher good fats. Twenty-five years ago, common nutrition theories were nearly opposite of what Bollen believed. “In those days, high performance horses were fed high protein, high starch, low fat and low fiber,” Bollen recalls from his home office in Drongen, Belgium. “In my master’s thesis at university I wanted to prove that a feeding program of low protein and higher fats, good fats, would be better for the horse. My professor said I was crazy to think I would find research to defend my thesis. I traveled all over Europe and North America in search of proof. And now, research and science have shown my theory was correct.” Simultaneously, in those 25 years, the life of the modern performance horse changed. “When I started out, horses retired at 14. Just recently I saw a 21-year-old horse jumping at Vidauban, France, and he will likely compete in the Hickstead Derby in the UK. Today, horses work and compete more and longer.” Research has continued as the hallmark of Bollen’s company. “I hope to see more innovation, especially with the use of certain amino acids and the combination of specific fatty acids. As customers and horse lovers, we will continue to look for products that make a real difference,” says Bollen who has ridden since he was eight years old. He began competing show jumpers at 14 and bought his first horse at 16. For the past 20 he has enjoyed owning his own farm. His wife and children also ride. “My business is my way to combine both of my passions: nutrition and horses.”

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS AT CAVALOR� INCLUDE: Herbal Joint Supplement: “We have seen remarkable results with our five-year research trials on a new joint product which is based on herbs such as Boswelia serrate, an herb known for helping reduce chronic inflammation. Cavalor® has a patent pending.” Free Fatty Acids: “Free fatty acids produced in the cecum can influence the digestion in the cecum. If the level of free fatty acids is too low, it can cause digestive problems. We are studying the addition of fatty acids in nutrition to improve digestion.” Spleen Research: “The importance of the spleen in the horse is not commonly understood. We have developed a product which our field trials show stimulates the biological action of the spleen, and we’ve seen improvements in muscle tone, immunity and recovery time from viral infection. We’ve seen infections, which usually last up to six months, subside within two weeks.” New Ulcer Supplement: “We are investigating a raw material that may be beneficial in fighting gastric ulcers. It works on pigs, and has a very competitive price.” “What makes me happy is when a product I have developed exceeds my expectations,” says Bollen who loves to tell the story of Jos Lansing, a show jumper who did not believe in supplements for his horse Zangersheide. “I convinced him that with changes in his horse’s nutrition he could exceed his current results. Based on a feeding program I developed for him, he switched to Cavalor® five months before becoming world champion in 2006. “The same with Eric Lamaze. Six months before the Olympics, his horse Hickstead underwent colic surgery. After, Eric started him on Cavalor® Strucomix Original. Within a matter of weeks, Eric and Hickstead won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.” There was the day when the company was a one-man show. “For several years, I developed products, built stands, packaged products, printed labels and personally delivered the product to customers,” says Bollen who points out that half of the horses at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 were fed Cavalor® feed. Further, the company was the official supplier for feed supplements and care products for the Belgian Olympic Team at the 2012 London Olympics. CEO of Cavalor® North America Michael Pollard became a convert to Cavalor® products while competing at international level eventing in Europe. Today, Cavalor® Feed and Supplements is rated as one of the top equine feed companies in the world with products available in more than 50 countries including the United States.

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274,010

Last Word

Air miles travelled by clients to come to the Orby

23,721 Miles travelled by the Goffs team on yearling inspections

132

trips to Dublin airport by Jaguar courtesy cars

91,398

Air miles travelled by Goffs to Promote the Orby

17

The number of different countries the Orby is advertised in

7,560

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2,457

The number of times you could hear the spotters shout during the Orby

13,320

747

The number of cups of tea and coffee sold at Goffs during the Orby

room bookings made by Goffs for the Orby

THE ROAD TO

pints drunk in the bar during the Orby

Orby

8,000 Number of bales of hay and straw are brought in to Goffs for the Orby

It’s a long and winding road, the journey from yearling inspection to the sales ring at Kildare Paddocks. It’s an impressive numbers game - here are just some of the lengths it takes to get the job done. Goffs Orby

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08/14

Photographed at La Roca Village. A member of the Chic Outlet Shopping ® Collection of Villages *on the recommended retail price © Kildare Village 2014

f o s r o t a r Cu yle St

like shopping. but better. The finest designer boutiques. All in one place. With up to 60% off. *

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KildareVillage.com

london

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paris

madrid

barcelona

milan

brussels

frankfurt

munich

suzhou, china

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SO ALIVE, IT’S OBSESSED WITH POWER. Once you have power, it’s difficult to let go. Something you’ll find with the F-TYPE R. Supercharged and super agile, it will give you control of the road you never thought possible. And with up to 550PS, capable of 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds, there’s no doubting its power. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. JAGUAR.IE

HOW ALIVE ARE YOU? Official fuel economy figures for the Jaguar F-TYPE range (l/100km): Urban 12.4 – 15.9, Extra Urban 6.7 – 8.3, Combined 8.8 – 11.1. CO2 emissions from 205 – 259 g/km.

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