ITB_October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

£4.95 • ISSUE 98

Pat Smullen 1977-2020

Outstanding First Northern Hemisphere Foals

Champion Australian first, second & third season sire

Colt out of dual Gr.1 winner La Collina

Colt out of Gr.3 winning 2yo sprinter La Rioja

Filly out of Gr.3 winner Lightening Quick

Filly out of Sudu Queen

Colt out of Stakes placed 2yo sprinter White Bullet

Colt out of Dream Of Joy

Contact Hannah Wall or Alice Thurtle at Tweenhills E: hannahwall@tweenhills.com E: alice@tweenhills.com T: +44 (0) 1452 700177

“ I’m excited about Zoustar but I’m even more excited about him now that I’ve seen his foals. We foaled nine here and they are a cracking bunch. Scopey, muscled and with a good walk they should go down very well at the sales.”

The Hon. Peter Stanley, New England Stud

“We have four Zoustar foals on the farm.

They all have great presence, good movers and are good-looking foals. I think these Zoustar’s are what every breeder hopes for and when they see them they’re going to sell very well.”

David Cox, Baroda Stud

“Our Zoustar fillies are absolutely gorgeous and we couldn’t be happier. They have everything you want; tremendous presence, correct, incredibly wellbalanced with a lovely way of moving and a strong backend and hindleg.”

Sara Cumani, Fittocks Stud

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From his first crop of only 23 foals, conceived at a fee of €6,000, came European Champion ALMANZOR His current 4YO crop, conceived at a fee of just €4,000, includes 2020 Prix Jean Romanet-Gr.1 winner AUDARYA for James Fanshawe

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Also 3 French Classic performers in 2020!

The top rated 2YO in Britain CHINDIT remains unbeaten with victory in the Champagne Stakes-Gr.2 at Doncaster on September 12th for Richard Hannon. He runs next in the Dewhurst Stakes-Gr.1.

Chindit 8-1 for Guineas after winning ‘best two-year-old race of the season’ ,13/09/20

8 Group/Stakes winners from his current 3YO crop 2019 Coventry Stakes-Gr.2 third GUILDSMAN won the $500,000 Franklin-Simpson Stakes-Gr.3 in Kentucky on Sept 17th for Brendan Walsh.

Trainer Brendan Walsh

“

“

He’s a really talented horse.

Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Hermine Bastide, Jason Walsh, Tom Miller, Neil Magee or Mark Byrne. Tel: +353-52-6131298.

David Magnier, Tom Gaffney, Joe Hernon, Paddy Fleming, Cathal Murphy or David Walsh. Tel: 353-25-31966/31689.

Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) Tel: +44-7827-795156. E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Web site: www.coolmore.com

FRANKEL 2008 b h Galileo - Kind (Danehill)

KALAHARA 18 f Frankel - Desertiste (Green Desert) Prix d’Arenberg Gr.3, 5f, ParisLongchamp (in race record time) Bred by Wertheimer & Frère

Contact Shane Horan, Claire Curry or Henry Bletsoe

+44 (0)1638 731115 nominations@juddmonte.co.uk www.juddmonte.com

KINGMAN 2011 b h Invincible Spirit - Zenda (Zamindar)

PALACE PIER 17 c Kingman - Beach Frolic (Nayef) Bred by Highclere Stud And Floors Farming

PERSIAN KING 16 c Kingman - Pretty Please (Dylan Thomas) Bred by Dayton Investments (Breeding) Limited

®

DECORAT OF NOBLE LINEAGE

MARIAH'S STORM

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

PEARLING

?

DECORATED KNIGHT

2YOs 2021

Born, bred, raised and raced by

www.BlueDiamondStud.co.uk /dk

Where dreams are born...

ED KNIGHT Galileo - Pearling (Storm Cat)

WHO WILL BE NEXT TO CARRY ON THE LINE...

Decorated Knight colt x Bella Bella (Sri Pekan) Out of a stakes-producing two-time winner Selling Goffs Orby Sale from Oaks Farm Stables

Decorated Knight colt x Nazli (Invincible Spirit) Out of a sister to high-class sprinter Lethal Promise Selling Tattersalls Book 2 from Hillwood Stud

Decorated Knight colt x Miss Laila (Dark Angel) Dam a winning 2yo Selling Tattersalls Book 2 from New England Stud

Decorated Knight colt x Shaden (Kodiac) Dam winner of the Gr.3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes Selling Tattersalls Book 1 from New England Stud

Decorated Knight colt x Belova (Soviet Star) Half-brother to promising 3-time winner Ilaraab Selling Tattersalls Book 2 from New England Stud

Decorated Knight filly x Fol O’Yasmine (Dubawi) Out of a winning half-sister to Gr.2 winning 2yo Ajaya Selling at Goffs Orby Sale from Tinnakill House Stud

Standing at

Contact: Gary Swift or Patrick Diamond at Irish National Stud • Tel: +353 (0)45 521251

contents october

28 12 First Word

Prize-money: why is it so important?

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16 News

RIP Pat Smullen, Sergei Prokofiev joins the Whitsbury Manor Stud roster, Sands Of Mali goes to Ballyhane Stud, plans for EU digital passports, and Ted Talks... bloodstock sales

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Group 1 first-timers

Aisling Crowe reports from a weekend that saw debut Group 1 wins for a number of jockeys, trainers and sires

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Boudot: the King of ParisLongchamp

The French champion jockey proved his tactical superiority in the September Group 1s at the Parisian track, writes Jocelyn de Moubray

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US review

Melissa Bauer-Herzog reviews the Kentucky Derby and the early books at Keeneland September Sale

European stallion statistics

Mehmas draws clear on the first-season sires’ table, stats courtesy of Weatherbys

www.internationalthoroughbred.net

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A fine draft

Fittocks Stud sells its biggest yearling draft so far at October Book 1 and 2, many of the lots boast pedigrees tracing back 30 years to Cumani’s training career

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Biggs ideas

Martin Stevens meets bloodstock agent Tom Biggs, who is forging a highly successful partnership with young trainer Archie Watson

A new start for Old Mill

Aisling Crowe chats with Rob Speers of Old Mill Stud. The farm was bought by Ibrahim and Pinar Araci in 2019 and sells its first draft under the new ownership banner this year

Yearling sales tour

Marlhill House Stud, which sold the Orby Sale topper in 2017, is offering some smart types this autumn, reports Aisling Crowe

Photo of the month

One day only for crowds at Doncaster, as the likelihood of getting crowds back on a racecourse in 2020 receded once again in late September

RIP Pat Smullen

Photo by PA Images

follow us on twitter @tbredpublishing

contents october

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This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part without permission of the publisher. The views expressed in International Thoroughbred are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the content herein, or any consequences arising from them.

the team

the photographers

the writers

editor sally duckett publisher declan rickatson photography trevor jones design thoroughbred publishing

thoroughbred photography press association equine creative media courtesy of stud farms

martin stevens jocelyn de moubray aisling crowe sally duckett melissa bauer-herzog

advertising declan rickatson 00 44 (0)7767 310381 declan.rickatson@btinternet.com

the printers

subscriptions tracey glaysher 00 44 (0) 1428 724063 itsubs@btinternet.com

buxton press

the stats weatherbys

accounts annie jones itaccounts@btinternet.com

plestor house, farnham road, liss, hampshire, gu33 6jq tel: 00 44 (0) 1428 724063 info@internationalthoroughbred.net www.internationalthoroughbred.net subscriptions: email or call as on the left, or log on to www.facebook.com/internationalthoroughbred

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first word

P

RIZE-MONEY. Ever since I have been aware of the politics of British horseracing it has been a divisive topic declared to be too low by some, while by others – first bookmakers and now racecourses – impossible to be

improved.

British prize-money has been the laughing stock of the world for years now; it is not necessarily a COVIDrelated issue but definitely an important factor that has been exacerbated by the global pandemic and was not in a strong enough position to withstand the pressures brought on by this year.

On my first trip to the December international meeting at Sha Tin, some 10 years ago now, the media bus returning from the racetrack to the hotel was overrun by a group of loud Ozzie horsemen, trainers and owners.

They decided to chat to the girl in the corner seat.

My reply “from Britain” to their opening gambit “Where are you from?” was responded by a laugh and the comment: “We don’t know how your Brit trainers survive the prize-money is so sxxt!”

I didn’t really have a response, but to shrug my shoulders and join the laughter. I know if I had retorted in my best Pom voice: “But our racing is the best in the world, we have fabulous Turf racecourses that test every facet of a racehorse and a 200-year history” the antipodean giggles would have turned into raucous laughter.

Since then some prize-money improvements have been secured – the battle with the bookmakers as regards offshore betting income has been successfully concluded and for a time there were some positive vibes that could be built on. However, as ever with British racing, the issue took so long to reach a conclusion that by the time things had been reconciled, other factors had begun to impact – the unresolved debate over media rights and even the long-planned reform of the Levy have recently been overtaken by the global pandemic, and threat of recession.

There is such a misconception in Britain as to the role prize-money plays, the importance of maintaining respectable levels.

It is easier to go through point by point in order to make things clear but, before I head down a role of explanation, I have one thing to get off my chest.

Those who say that “owners don’t do it for the money” are a little deluded, talking out of their xxxx; and quite frankly just making excuses for the status quo.

In Britain the continuing loss of the owner-breeder has everything to do with money, and it is ridiculous to argue otherwise.

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Prize-money: why is it so important?

The need for respectable levels of prize-money in British racing is still not really understood.

We look at some of the drivers behind the need for sensible funding and argue that it is time British Racing PLC was established Should racehorse ownership in Britain really resemble just a way to burn up the cash?

Let’s face it a lot of people own racehorse for their egos; the racehorse is an outward show of that ego

So here we go BHA and the reasons why differing ownership groups value good prize-money.

1. It is good for the ego. Let’s face it a lot of people own racehorses for their egos; the racehorse is an outward show of that ego. If, after a racecourse win, our owner heads to the pub or the boardroom, meets friends or colleagues who just take the mickey because his or her middle-of-the-road type has not picked up more than the cost of long weekend in a middle-class hotel; sadly our owner’s ego is rapidly crushed.

In fact, it is often squashed before then as horses tend to lose more races than they win.

But for our poor owner to even be subject to piss-

first word Earnings, as a reward, should be reflective of the effort involved, and no matter how much we might like to argue that it is just a blast owning racehorses, it does takes a lot of effort

taking even in the throes of success; well it is just another kick in the guts.

By the time the winning cheque hits the bank balance with all of its deductions the horse may have had a subsequent losing run and the joyful day once spent on the racecourse, now in front of the TV in the lounge, is just a memory.

2. Earnings, as a reward, should be reflective of the effort involved, and no matter how much we might like to argue that it is just a blast owning racehorses, it does takes a lot of effort.

The high turnover of owners coming in and out of the sport is an indication that it is not always as easy

as the owners’ groups might like to make it out to be.

Ownership can, of course, be a brilliant, successful, enlightening and involving experience, but it is always expensive, it can be disappointing, requires a longer-term view to get the most out of it, sometimes a battle with the family to continue funding racehorse ownership, as well as a willingness to understand a complex subject. As Richard Hannon will often quote, racehorse ownership requires successful people to become acquainted with losing.

One agent told me after buying a 90+ rated sprinter at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale holding decent premier handicap entries that it was just not worthwhile the horse remaining in the UK to take up those entries; they might as well ship the steed abroad straight off.

The race was one of the leading sprint handicaps of the year, remember how important races such as this are to the betting industry? If it is not even worth the horse taking up that entry, it is a worrying and sad reflection of the state of our sport.

3. In conjunction, international owners, upon whom our racing business relies to buy, train and fund the sport, and keep quality horses in Britain, can earn a lot more money elsewhere with much lesser horses. It is so easy to move horses around the globe now (at the moment easier for horses than for people) to chase decent prize-money and well-funded racing (at all levels) taking place in countries in all time zones. No further explanation required.

4. The media rights hit: aside from the obvious lack of transparency which is obstructing anyway for racing as a whole to make a “proper” business plan moving forward, individual owners, particularly those of the older generation, do not like the thought that other people are profiting from their endeavours and their effort (see 2) that they themselves put in to fund, provide for and support their racehorse.

This bunch of owners, who might own a solitary horse or possibly a handful of horses, take their involvement seriously, will be mindful of their welfare responsibilities and are indeed in it for the long term.

While they do love ownership, and they are the group who does not expect to walk away with money in their pockets, they really don’t like to feel they are being taken advantage of; there is a genuine dislike at the lack of British fair play.

5. Syndicates. With the decline of our dear friends the owner-breeders, group ownership has always been the supposed way to plug the gap. And, yes, obviously syndicates do offer opportunities for affordable involvement, but the problem is that, although costs are reduced, the prize-money cheque is, too. By the time a £3,000-winning fund (less raceday costs) is

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first word split, there is not enough in an individual’s pot to even pay for a good night out.

It also requires a group of people who get on, have the same goals in mind, and are financially viable at the same time. And I also return to ego… for many ownership is all about their “own thing”, and plenty would rather not have a horse at all than to go into multiple ownership.

6. British racing can never copy the Australian model of mass ownership where those involved treat race earnings as share dividends; there is currently no point even wishing for that.

In Australia equine shareholders might not get to the races, into the paddock or onto the podium, but, if the horse has been successful, they get a nice dividend at the end of the season. This can be a life-changing amount if the horse proves significantly above average.

7. Micro-ownership is a model that is being investigated by groups of people as a way to get numbers involved, and indeed has been successfully adopted in the US as proved by the Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. However, it needs a good horse to make this a worthwhile venture for many to get involved.

“We started out with more modest horses, but now we are seeing what people really want,” said Michael Behrens of MyRacehorse.com to the TDN after the company purchased a 12.5 per cent interest in Kentucky Derby winner Authentic in order to sell off micro shares in the horse after he finished runner-up in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

“This is what people desire. People love the action on the big days. We keep getting feedback. This is what they want, a shot at the Derby, a shot at the Breeders’ Cup.” That’s great, and really does open up a window of ownership and gives unique chances of top class involvement, but who pays the bills until the horse proves it is top-class and worthy to split into microshares? The trainer? The breeder? A trader?

Of course, this concept could be extended to a “stable” share ownership, which could work for the top yards, but how does this benefit the whole of the racing pyramid?

8. However, an important side advantage of the mass ownership model, however it is established, is the extensive reach it offers to the wider public. A viral tweet in August from racing.com showing two 20-something Australian lads perfectly reciting a fullrace commentary over a few beers is indicative of this broad stretch of interest and wide demographic reach Australian racing achieves.

9. No business can survive without the introduction

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No business can survive without the introduction of new funds, and the same applies for racehorse ownership.

Most owners can’t continually deplete his or her bank account for the fun of feeding the racehorse; either the financial firepower or the desire to fund the haynet eventually comes to an end

I

T IS TIME FOR BRITISH RACING CORP or LTD or PLC to be established.

It has been discussed and put forward as an option previously, but it really is time that a commercial company is established for racing, possibly modelled in outline on the Premier League or Formula1 as a way to take advantage of the commercial deals on offer.

Something such as this for racing has previously been dismissed as too divisive, and indeed former ideas have concentrated on setting up a top tier within racing, but there is actually no need for it to be just “premier”, the function of the company could work for the whole of racing’s product.

There has been some good and positive work with the forming of the Horsemen’s Group, but it doesn’t have any real commercial clout to act for whole of the sport of racing and allow it to operate in a manner similar to the powerful Premier League.

Before the arrival of Bernie Ecclestone in F1 the circuit owners controlled the income of the teams and negotiated with each individually; however, Ecclestone persuaded the teams to “hunt as a pack” through FOCA.He offered Formula One to circuit owners as a package, which they could take or leave. In return for the package, almost all that was required was to

of new funds, and the same applies for racehorse ownership. Most owners can’t continually deplete his or her bank account for the fun of feeding the racehorse; either the financial firepower or the desire to fund the haynet eventually comes to an end. Even if ownership is viewed solely as a hobby, it is just too expensive an outlet for most to maintain unless money is returned to the account.

10. The sport may be the Sport of Kings, and it does require uber-wealthy people to be involved at large scale, but such is the size of the industry now, it needs far more people than just the financial elite.

first word

Time is now for British Racing Ltd surrender trackside advertising.

The FA Premier League was founded in 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from the Football League, founded in 1888, in order to take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal.

The deal was worth around £1 billion a year domestically as of 2013–14, with Sky and BT Group securing the domestic rights to broadcast 116 and 38 games respectively.

The league is a private company and a corporation in which the member clubs act as shareholders. Each individual club remains independent, and has to operate within the various domestic and international rules of the sport.

According to www.statista.com, the majority of Premier League revenue is generated through broadcasting fees, which brought in roughly £2.84 billion during the 2917-18 season.

The remainder is generated through commercial and sponsorship deals with approximately £1.3 billion, followed by matchday revenue with £670 million.

According to the Premier League’s own website: “Consultation is at the heart of the Premier League and shareholder meetings are the ultimate decision-making forum for Premier League policy and are held at regular intervals during the course of the season”.

Whether this is the actual experience who knows, but this stated policy would be preferable way for racing to move forwards than its continual vocal and public in-fighting.

Neither F1 nor the Premier League are without fault, commercially or otherwise, but both experiences do show that a sport taking control of its own destiny makes money that can be harnessed for the good of the sport.

British Racing Corp could set up as a share ownership vehicle, and market and sell itself as a whole, instead of in the smaller chunks as it does currently.

Perhaps the media boat of riches has sailed for racing, but there are always ways to reanchor, and perhaps now, while the tides are turbulent, it could be the ideal point to aboutturn to make a decisive, life-saving move.

British racing has been viewed very positively this summer and has come out of lockdown in a good light, the TV coverage has been excellent, betting has been strong and, it might be my imagination, the anti-lobby seems to be a little more controlled.

Perhaps it has been realised that outdoor sport is a healthy pastime for human beings, with the equine participants cared for at the highest levels.

The line by John Lubbock and quoted by Winston Churchill, “There’s something about

If those in (9) above are not looked after economically, then they merely run out of money, are lost to the ownership ranks and we face a continual reducing ownership bank.

11. Decent prize-money has a massive effect on the incomes of the horsemen – trainers and those working in the yards can significantly supplement incomes in a good year. It is an important consideration for stable staff, and a vital way to be able to improve staff wages without adding to the trainer’s costs and by extension either the cost of training fees or the depth of the trainer’s overdraft.

the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” has never been more apt.

Live sport as a whole is now viewed hugely positively by the TV companies as the right sporting occasion in this world of diverse digital media entertainment guarantees sizeable audiences… watching sport on catch-up is never, ever the same.

Surely the Premier League model could offer some form of blueprint to give horsemen and the BHA greater power and commercial strength over its product, while still ensuring it works in association with needs of all stakeholders?

12. There was a recent debate on TV in August discussing whether trainers should factor prize-money into business plans. Of course, in a sensible world, no they should not, in a real world, of course they need to. So many have to discount training fees to attract owners and horses into the yard, that it becomes a vital part of the model to make up the difference.

Good prize-money allows trainers to either offer inventive deals to owners to encourage purchase of racehorses, or allows them to be self-supporting as in France. Our Gallic trainers own many horses themselves and run horses to win money and

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first word premiums and so supporting their businesses.

Lesser horses will either be retained for prize-money capabilities or sold on claims, the better horse will be sold to the next level of owner.

It is difficult to find cost cutting methods for trainers to offer owners – the training of racehorses has remodelled (the days of one groom to three horses are long gone), but it is still a people intensive industry with high wage costs, and there is little that can be done to reduce the ongoing costs of property, feed and veterinary inputs.

So it is hard for our trainers to operate as the High Street with cost-cutting methods and flash sales, the only way they can offer something different is with such private options as “pay when we win” deals i.e. owners can use prize-money earnings to settle up.

13. In fact, the racing industry has a duty to provide an environment in which it can ensure those trainers, who are good at their jobs (generally identified in this industry by producing winners and quality runners) and can operate businesses that are self-sufficient, strong, vibrate and feasible.

We can’t have whole sectors of the racing industry running on the red – apart from the obvious financial implications, it is not a suitable way to protect the mental heath and wellbeing of those involved.

15. Despite the advantages that French horsemen enjoy, Britain can’t look enviously at France with its PMU; this system will not be established in the UK. Neither is it a direct route we should ever consider heading towards with its impact on crowds, such an important source of finance and, as clearly evidenced over the last few months, the raceday experience for those at the races for the sport.

16. Neither, to an extent, is the Australian model something to be copied – the prize-money is almost too high and it can mean that some less desirable influences are happy to justify whatever means they can to achieve success on the racecourse.

17. British-based racehorse owners refill the coffers, and bring in those required outside funds (9) into their small racing ownership “businesses”, by selling racehorses to other racing jurisdictions. Large sums can be made if owners are lucky enough to have one suitable to head to Hong Kong or Australia or the US. In fact, they don’t have to be superstars – a 75-rated horse with the right profile can be sold for good money to go abroad.

Selling horses is no new phenomena at all, but with the international demand so high, and the offers so big, now it seems that trading is for many the raison d’etre for ownership.

Many owners are only involved in ownership for resale, and while that resale used to generally only

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We can’t have whole sectors of the racing industry running on the red – apart from the obvious financial implications, it is not a suitable way to protect the mental heath and wellbeing of those involved

take place when a horse had reached its peak in the competitive racing in the UK, now horses are sold on often after one promising run in maiden company.

Quite obviously if the good horses move on too early then the quality of the British racing has to take a fall (2), and eventually resale values will fall, too.

If British-based owners were adequately rewarded by prize-money, and not looking at one big downward red-lined spiral with the only way forward perceived to be a pot of gold wafted their way by Australian owners, then there is a chance they will hold onto their horses for longer.

This has obvious benefits for all horsemen employed in the industry, as well as the ongoing breeding industry and the quality of the sport offered.

And a final question...

Has the British racing industry just gotten too big?

Can it really find the long term sustainable finance at the size it has grown to? Are its aspirations as a sport trying to consider itself as “big business” too high?

Is British racing actually viable?

Are there just too many racehorses, too many individual businesses, too many racecourses? As harsh as it would be has racing just got to de-size in order to bring the finances back under control, ensure the fewer horsemen, owners, trainers and individuals are properly rewarded for their efforts?

Could a more streamlined business work better?

Should any casualties of this year just be viewed as a part of a essential business of restructure?

Or should racing be touting at the top echelons of the sport with the financial power that could bring?

And now a final thought...

It is appearing at present that the model of racehorse ownership is changing... we have a developing bracket of first-tier of owners / traders who essentially produce the horses to a starter base and then sell on to their wealthier compatriots once a horse has proved that it is above average, or looks likely to fill a niche abroad in the richer racing nations.

The second owner is then guaranteed sport (as far as owning racehorses can) at the higher level – he or she is buying a Saturday-type horse or a stakes-class performer – there is reduced risk, which many want, compared to buying drafts of yearlings who may prove to be average and with earning capabilities to match.

Nothing wrong with this, to an extent, and the industry has to make decisions whether this is the ownership and pyramid model that is to be adopted and facilitated in this country.

THE AGA KHAN STUDS Success Breeds Success

T H E

A G A

K H A N

S TA L L I O N R O S T E R SEA THE STARS

DARIYAN

Gr.1 winner by Shamardal

HARZAND

Dual Derby winner

by Sea The Stars

SIYOUNI

Sire of Classic winners year after year

Sire of 14 Gr.1 winners & 116 Stakes performers

ZARAK

Group 1 winning son of Dubawi and Zarkava

RIP PAT SMULLEN

RIP PAT SMULLEN

RIP PAT SMULLEN IRISH CHAMPION APPRENTICE: 1995, 1996 IRISH CHAMPION JOCKEY: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016 GROUP and GRADE 1 WINS

Irish 1,000 Guineas: Nightime (2006), Bethrah (2010) Irish Derby: Grey Swallow (2004), Harzand (2016) Irish Oaks: Covert Love (2015) Irish St. Leger: Vinnie Roe (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) Matron Stakes: Dress to Thrill (2002), Emulous (2011) Moyglare Stud Stakes: Tarascon (1997) National Stakes: Refuse to Bend (2002) Pretty Polly Stakes: Chinese White (2010) Tattersalls Gold Cup: Grey Swallow (2005) Casual Conquest (2009) Fascinating Rock (2016) Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp: Benbaun (2007) Prix de l’Opéra: Covert Love (2015) Prix Royal-Oak: Vinnie Roe (2001) Epsom Derby: Harzand (2016) 2,000 Guineas: Refuse to Bend (2003) Ascot Gold Cup: Rite of Passage (2010) Champion Stake: Fascinating Rock (2015) Prince of Wales’s Stakes: Free Eagle (2015) Sun Chariot Stakes: Dress to Thrill (2002) Breeders’ Cup Marathon: Muhannak (2008) Matriarch Stakes: Dress to Thrill (2002)

TAT T E R SA L L S AU T U M N HORSES IN TRAINING SALE Winners of 100 Group/Listed races since 2018

RIVER BOYNE

winner of Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes, Gr. 1

FIERCE IMPACT

winner of Makybe Diva Stakes, Gr. 1

70,000 gns purchase

120,000gns purchase

OC TOBER 26 - 29 THE WORLD’S LARGEST HORSES IN TRAINING SALE Tel: +44 1638 665931 sales@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com

RIP PAT SMULLEN

....Girls aloud Pat was “a hero to us all”

IT is always a great source of pride that, as industries, when faced with a challenge racing and bloodstock rises to the occasion and adapts to the demands thrown in our direction.

All around the world bloodstock professionals have banded together to come up with creative and effective solutions to keep the show on the road.

Despite the many restrictions that we have all had to get used to in this new COVID-19 world, yearling preparation is in full swing, foals are being weaned and mares are heavily pregnant with the next crop of superstars.

All of this has only been possible due to the hard work and efforts of everyone in the bloodstock world from industry bodies right

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Cathy Grassick remembers the late Pat Smullen, nine-time Irish Champion jockey

HEN I STARTED this piece it discussed this year’s industry challenges in great depth, but something happened that totally changed the direction that this column would take.

In mid-September we lost one of racing’s and indeed Ireland’s greatest legends and a true gentlemen, Pat Smullen.

This loss struck at the very core of anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting the great man, and I don’t think I have ever experienced such an outpouring of grief and admiration as I have seen for Pat on social media in the days after his death.

I am heartbroken – for his family, for his friends and for racing. He was the true combination of both legend and gentleman – courageous in the face of adversity, gracious in both victory and defeat alike, humble and, above all, kind. Pat was not only a great jockey, but he never saw a challenge he didn’t rise to meet.

In the words of his amazing wife Frances, “he always did his best”.

Even when suffering with serious illness, Pat united and inspired people both inside and outside of racing, raising over €2.6 million for Cancer Trials Ireland culminating in his Legends charity race at The Curragh this time last year as part of Irish Champions Weekend.

Pat’s daughter Hannah, described him this week as her “hero”, and I am sure he was to her siblings Paddy and Sarah, too.

This was a feeling that really struck home with me – having lost my own “hero” father to cancer a few years ago I can imagine only too well the pain and grief that his family and friends are suffering at the moment.

Cancer is a dreadful disease that affects us all at one time or another and Pat did his best to help so many people, it is clear that his legacy will live on for many years to come.

It is safe to say Pat was a hero to us all and the world is a worse place for his passing. through to the stud and stable staff caring for their charges with unwavering dedication.

We all hold our breath and hope that, despite the many difficulties posed by COVID-19 and Brexit that the market for thoroughbred horses will continue to thrive.

The European sales that have taken place so far have all exhibited signs of market selectivity. There were headline makers at these auctions, but the overall feedback from purchasers and vendors alike is that while the market is strong at the top, it can prove tricky for horses in the middle and lower ranges.

We can only look forward with hope and positivity that such superstars as Enable, Ghaiyyath, Magical and Stradivarius can continue to inspire and encourage buyers to

invest in our great industry.

I have had an unusual year with multiple surgeries to correct a broken leg and so far have negotiated the sales with a set of crutches, and a healthy dose of self-preservation!

I was recently asked what advice I would give my younger self and I answered truthfully that your health is your wealth and broken bones have a way of catching up with you.

This last year, particularly with experiencing hospital with COVID restrictions and seeing the toll placed on so many people’s health, has been challenging but has left me with a long-lasting respect for the effort and strain that our jockeys place themselves under every day.

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the news

Digital passports the future for EU equine movement DIGITAL EQUINE PASSPORTS are the proposed solution to crossborder movement of sport, racing and breeding horses between Great Britain and Europe following the end of

the Brexit transition period in December 2020.

The proposal would also meet the requirements of the new EU Animal Health Law Legislation, which comes into force at the

beginning of next year.

It is the solution put forward by the International Sport Horse Confederation (IHSC) Task Force, which is the result of a unique collaboration

between the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), as

TED TALKS...

It has been a sales year of adapation PREDICTING THE aftermath of this pandemic has conjured up countless scenarios in the thoroughbred commercial market.

To date, we have been fortunate to have been able to continue the bloodstock industry when so many restrictions exist in other walks of life. It is a testament to the global industry that it continued quickly and safely.

In March, we could only conclude world economic disasters and extrapolate figures of doom and gloom.

Analytically, based on historical statistics, a downturn of between 30 per cent and 50 per cent was to be expected.

Once the racing programme was kick-started in the spring, private sales of racehorses started.

All the regular countries started sourcing good British-raced stock to continue racing abroad. As always, the Hong Kong market was busy identifying and buying topclass racehorses.

Surprisingly, demand was still as strong as ever, if not more substantial, in my opinion.

Fillies were changing hands in Ireland with Peter Brant and Craig Bernick buying privately to continue racing there.

My frustration in trying to purchase suitable horses for Saudi

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Photo courtesy of Tattersalls

For online bidders, Ted reckons it might be helpful to have a camera set up outside to see how a horse is behaving before going in the sale ring

Arabia saw prices of equivalent stock making 20 per cent more than last year.

The reluctance of wealthy owners to sell was also evident. There was no collapse in the market – it appeared healthier and more vibrant than in 2019.

The stage was somewhat set for the public auction market, and the dreaded failure seemed less and less likely as the months unfolded.

The spring brought the delayed breeze-up market a chance for consignors to sell their product; many had sold one or two privately

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or had decided to roll the dice themselves and put their stock in training.

When the sales eventually came, it wasn’t the disaster that everyone was expecting.

The sale companies by then had introduced various online platforms, and a number of consignors had lobbied for a new horses in training sale at Tattersalls in August.

As we all started to understand the multitude of different rules and regulations, it became more apparent that, across the globe, the bloodstock market still had a facility

in which to sell its product.

The usual sale nomination process for yearlings had a delayed beginning, but inspections went ahead – and the same discussions to get into the oversubscribed Tattersalls October Sale ensued!

Life reverted to its normal cycle.

My first experience as an agent was at the newly formed Tattersalls August Sale.

Registration for an online account, and to fill in the various medical forms was quick and efficient.

The new entry system requiring a wrist band and a temperature scan worked smoothly.

Consignments were operating normally and abiding by the new rules.

Inspections were no different than in years before. Other than a reduced offering of dining facilities, fewer people in the sale ring, and strict distancing and face mask rules indoors, the experience was much like any other inspection day.

Having inspected 50-60 racehorses, together with the vet, we narrowed the list down to a handful of suspects to try for.

There was no need for my attendance, and so we tested, initially, bidding by phone.

Trying to receive instructions from my principal on one phone

the news

and speaking to Jason Singh at Tattersalls on another resulted in too much juggling!

With no need to return to Tattersalls the next day other than to receive confirmation that the horses we were about to bid on were still sound, which was solved by asking the vet to glance at them before they went in the ring, I set up my office to receive orders from my principal via facetime, whilst sitting at my computer watching and bidding online.

At Tattersalls the view from the online bidding platform is just above the auctioneer looking out, different to the general cameras, set up to watch the sale online.

I found this helpful as many purchasers tend to bid from the same areas, and it helped figure who might be bidding against us.

The lag on the bidding camera is minimal and, although I had some Wi-Fi anxiety my end, it was unfounded.

I was able to still look at my Timeform sales catalogue, receive bids and bid with my mouse.

Helpfully, the online offers are visible by geographical location – mine was Warwickshire.

As many of the horses I was interested in had the same qualifications to run in Bahrain or other Middle Eastern countries, it was useful to see if the opposition was from a competitive racing country.

It would be helpful to have cameras in the outside ring in the

on a horse’s identity, as well as real-time monitoring of its movement and ownership information.

The passports would also contain up-to-date medical records, allowing for a high level of monitoring and prevention of disease.

The digital passports

“

The footfall to the stable door at the Ascot Sale was lively, with figures increased from the year before

“

well as the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF), and the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Association (EFTBA) The digital passport system would provide authorities of EU countries with fail-safe information

future as some like to see how the horses are behaving before sale, but overall the process was seamless and gave me great confidence.

The first yearling tests were the Goffs UK Premier Sale at Doncaster and then Tattersalls Ascot at Newmarket – there was no disaster generally, in fact a pleasant surprise.

The market adjusted... but, importantly, there was a market.

My fear that Arqana’s re-positioned Select Sale was too close to the Tattersalls Ascot Sale was unfounded.

In fact, it only highlighted that both markets have different clients, and the handful of agents involved on both were able to inspect yearlings during the weekend before the Ascot sale and then bid remotely if needed.

The footfall to the stable door at the Ascot Sale was lively, with figures increased from the year before.

would be available and operational from the beginning of 2021, although paper passports would continue to be issued. It is envisaged if the digital passports are successful paper versions might be eventually phased out.

“It is imperative that we

put in place systems and processes to ensure the efficient and safe cross-

Prospective purchasers included many of the breeze-up operations and an increased number of smaller trainers.

Popular yearlings were seen 40-50 times. It turned into a vibrant sale with 90 per cent offered finding new homes, while the average was increased despite more horses catalogued.

At this level, we have a market, and many vendors were pleased to move their yearlings on to trainers and breeze-up guys and keep the wheel turning.

The income is less overall, and, in general, pin-hookers didn’t fare well, but they have, on the whole, converted their yearlings back into cash and so can buy foals at the end of the year.

It was rumoured that many of the yearlings bought at Doncaster on spec by Richard Hannon have been placed with owners already, which at least indicates there is still an appetite for racehorse ownership.

Practically the only significant differences in selling at the moment are that you have to bring your own mucking-out forks, brushes and rakes as well as buckets.

And, importantly, food takes longer to pick up from the cafes and restaurants.

I moved on to Arqana with its self-isolating rules for returning Englishmen, but it is a lucky sale for me so I decided to go and take the hit.

It was noticeable that masks were almost mandatory even when

outside or eating. No temperatures were taken on arrival at the sale ground, but wristbands were again issued.

Almanzor’s stock struck me as stand-out first-crop produce and I tried to buy a yearling by him, but instead settled for booking a nomination for the 2021 season.

The market was again robust at the top end, but many perfectly good yearlings didn’t find homes.

At this level, we will need to learn to expect the market to have a much-reduced involvement from Godolphin and Sheikh Hamdan.

Looking at the early results from Keeneland where 50 per cent of the lots catalogued are not sold it appears that there were more horses than there were people to buy them.

Particularly evident in the select book was the number of yearlings withdrawn on the day of sale indicating that, when fate is known at the barn, there is no need to go through the ring to find out.

With every Irish yearling sale now destined for England, logistics are difficult for grooms and purchasers, as well as for consignors juggling with the increased expenses and isolation rules.

These factors are adding to the challenges faced by an alreadydeclining market, but we can only be thankful that horseracing is one of the few industries still operating very close to normal thanks to the will of everybody involved.

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Two new sprint stallions to stud for 2021

Sergei Prokofiev joins the Whitsbury Manor Stud roster, Sands Of Mali to Ballyhane

D

ESPITE THE DIFFICULT AND UNCERTAIN YEAR stud farms are beginning to announce new stallion prospects for 2021, and two early retirements are the sprint stars Sergei Prokofiev and Sands Of Mali.

Sergei Prokofiev, the Group 3 winner of the 5f Cornwallis Stakes and a son of Scat Daddy, has joined Whitsbury Manor Stud stallion roster,the highest-rated by the late sire to stand in Britain to date,while the Group 1 winner Sands Of Mali (Panis) is joining the Ballyhane Stud roster Trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore, Sergei Prokofiev broke his maiden on his second start in the April of his two-year-old career, and collected the Listed Rochestown Stakes on route to a third placing in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes.

“I have had my eye on him since Royal Ascot when he was able to give the hurry-up to Calyx and Advertise, I thought then he might be right up our street,” said Harper.

“Then in the Cornwallis, I couldn’t help but notice him – they were going lightening pace but he was tripping behind them!

When Donnacha pulled on the right rein, he whipped past them in three strides.”

Speed is the Whitsbury byline and the stud is standing the new sire alongside with leading stallion Showcasing, Due Diligence and its first-season sire Adaay, now the sire of 14 winners and second in the first-season European sires’ table by winners and prizemoney earnings.

“Speed is the most precious commodity, it is very easy to lose,” explained Harper. “I think this horse will be able to put size and stretch into his mares without losing that pace.

“He is 16.1hh and pops your eye out.

He is an imposing horse and has an unbelievable presence – we took him out on the Whitsbury parade ground and he ate it up in four strides!”

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and do what the market wants, and I think with this stallion he gives us and our clients this opportunity. We will do everything possible to make this stallion a success,” reasons Harper.

Above, the Cornwallis Stakes winner Sergei Prokofiev, and, below, Sands Of Mali

Harper is also confident that the stallion has the page to back up the looks.

“His half-sister made $1.6 million at Keeneland this year bought by Shadwell, which shows the calibre of horse his mare is producing and I think sire Scat Daddy is still an underestimated stallion.”

It is a risky business standing new stallions in any year, in 2020 and the altered world of COVID-19 even more so.

Harper firmly believes that it is necessary to press on commercially.

“The worst thing that we could do is stop in the headlights, what we have to say instead is, ‘Right, what can we do better?’

“We have to be even more commercial

O

F THE GROUP 1 BRITISH CHAMPION SPRINT winner Sands Of Mali retired to Ballyhane Stud, stud manager Joe Foley said: “We’re delighted to announce we’ve bought Sands of Mali to join the roster here at Ballyhane.

“He impressed me hugely at York the day he blitzed the field in the Gimcrack, and I’ve been on his trail ever since.

“I know how highly Richard Fahey rated the horse from day one, so I’m thrilled to have acquired such a talented Group 1 racehorse for the farm.”

The five-year-old son of Panis won five races from 18 in his career, collecting over £720,000 in prize-money earnings.

As a two-year-old he won the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes by two-and-three-quarter lengths at York and then kicked off his three-year-old campaign with a Group 3 win at Chantilly, before taking the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

Runner-up in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup behind Eqtidaar, he returned to Ascot later in the season where he won the British Champion Sprint by a length from Harry Angel.

“At his best he was a brilliant sprinter and a Group 1 winner,” said trainer Richard Fahey. “We’ve never had a horse work like he did at Musley Bank and hopefully he’ll pass on that speed to his sons and daughters.”

Bred by Simon Urizzi, Sands Of Mali is by stallion Panis (Miswaki) and was a £75,000 breeze-up graduate, offered by Con Marnane’s Bansha House Stables at the Tattersalls Ascot Breeze-Up Sale.

BUNGLE INTHEJUNGLE

GREGORIAN

WINTER POWER Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes

GREGORIAN

R AT H A S K E R STUD

PLAINCHANT Gr.3 Prix Eclipse RATHASKER GRADUATE

SU C CES S I N 2 0 2 0

BUNGLE INTHEJUNGLE

COULSTY QUE AMORO 2nd to Battaash in Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes

FAIRY DUST 2nd Listed St Hugh’s Fillies’ Stakes

CLODOVIL

GREGORIAN ACAPULCO GOLD Listed Prix des Reves d’Or

CLODOVIL

TIGER TANAKA Gr.3 Prix Francois Boutin

STEEL BULL Gr.3 Molecomb Stakes

SANTOSHA Gr.3 Princess Margaret Stakes

COULSTY

SUICIDE SQUAD Listed Premio Repubbliche Marinare

QUEEN JO JO Gr.3 Summer Fillies Stakes

MAURICE OR MADELINE BURNS Rathasker Stud, Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

T 00 353 (0)45 876940 M 00 353 (0)86 2500687 or 00 353 (0)86 3774430 E info@rathaskerstud.ie W www.rathaskerstud.com

DECORATED KNIGHT

Galileo - Pearling (Storm Cat)

Triple Gr.1 winner with an exceptional dam line

Now writing the next chapter with six outstanding yearlings in Tattersalls Books 1 and 2

s Born, bred, raised and raced by

Where dreams are born... www.BlueDiamondStud.co.uk /dk

Decorated Knight

Colt x Princess Noor (Holy Roman Emperor) Dam winner of the Gr.3 Princess Margaret Stakes from Jamie Railton

Colt x Miss Laila (Dark Angel) Dam a winning 2yo from New England Stud

Colt x Nazli (Invincible Spirit) Out of a sister to high-class sprinter Lethal Promise from Hillwood Stud

Colt x Belova (Soviet Star) Half-brother to promising 3-time winner Ilaraab from New England Stud

Colt x Shaden (Kodiac) Dam winner of the Gr.3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes from New England Stud

Filly x Lost Icon (Intikhab) Half-sister to a Listed winner from a deep black-type family from Beechmore Bloodstock

Standing at Contact: Gary Swift or Patrick Diamond at Irish National Stud • Tel: +353 (0)45 521251

uk and ire racing

Group 1 first-timers Aisling Crowe reviews the Irish Champions Weekend and the Doncaster St Leger meeting which saw sires Elzaam and Australia, trainer Johnny Murtagh, breeder Karl Bowen, owner Fitzwilliam Racing, as well as jockeys Tom Marquand and Oisin Orr break their Group 1 ducks

E

LZAAM HAS LIVED in the shadow of his more well-known Ballyhane Stud teammate Dandy Man for all of his stallion career but the Australian-bred son of Redoute’s Choice stepped into the limelight on Irish Champions Weekend thanks to the rousing triumph of his three-year-old daughter Champers Elysees in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, his first progeny success at the highest level.

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Elzaam, an Australian-bred 12-year-old raced in Europe, and was placed in the Coventry and July Stakes (both Group 2) and finished third in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes. At three he won the Listed Carnarvon Stakes and was fourth to Society Rock in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Champers Elysees is one of four blacktype winners sired by Elzaam so far, from a total of ten black-type performers. He is also the sire of Waitingfortheday, who

won the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes (as did Champers Elysees), and Listed winners Clem Fandango and Playa De Puente, as well as the Group-placed duo of Great Prospector and Indicative Vote.

In addition to a debut Group 1 winner for her sire, Champers Elysees’s victory was also a notable first Group 1 for her trainer Johnny Murtagh, after an illustrious career in the saddle which included three wins in the Matron, as well as for breeder Karl Bowen and owners Fitzwilliam Racing.

uk and ire racing

Weekend action: left, Champers Elysees after her Group 1 Matron Stakes victory, above and right, St Leger heroes Tom Marquand and Galileo Chrome

Champers Elysees was bred by Bowen out of the Mark Of Esteem mare La Cuvee, who failed to win a race for trainers Ralph Beckett and Brendan Powell.

As a broodmare she has already outdone herself – Champers Elysees is the third winner she has produced from four runners so far, including Daddies Girl, who is also

by Elzaam.

The success provided the perfect pedigree update for her Mehmas yearling who was due to sell at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, just nine days after the Group 1 triumph.

Champers Elysees has steadily progressed as a three-year-old after failing to sell at Goffs’ Autumn Horses In Training Sale last November, winning the Listed Corrib Fillies’ Stakes at the Galway Festival

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uk and ire racing

Shale: became the 88th individual Group 1 winner for Galileo when taking the Moyglare Stud Stakes and the second Group 1 winner for Donnacha O’Brien

before adding the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Gowran Park in early September.

She was sold by Mantlehill Stud for just €12,500 at Tattersalls Ireland’s Flat Foal and Breeding Stock Sale to Laurence Gleeson’s Aughamore Stud, who sold her to Murtagh for €28,000 at the following year’s Tattersalls Ireland September’s Yearling Sale.

The sums involved in her breeding and sales history were a little more modest than those of St Leger (G1) winner Galileo Chrome who, despite his moniker, is a son of Australia but, like Champers Elysees, he is also the first Group 1 winner for his sire.

Bred by Mohamed Ali Meddeb, the chestnut colt is from a family that, until this year, had some unfinished business with the UK’s longest Classic.

Galileo Chrome’s dam Curious Mind is a half-sister to a pair of Listed Cocked Hat Stakes winners in Michelangelo, who went on to be third to Encke and Camelot in the 2012 running of the Doncaster Classic, and Private Secretary, the 2019 Cocked Hat in 2019.

Galileo Chrome is the first foal out of the Dansili mare, and bred on a variation of the tried and tested Galileo-Danehill cross that has provided a host of top-class horses.

It is one of Lanwades Stud’s most famous

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and successful families, and remains so through several different branches.

Curious Mind and Michelangelo are out of the Listed winner Intrigued, a Darshaan half-sister to Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Aussie Rules and the Listed winner Approach. She is the dam of Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet and Grand Prix de Saint Cloud winner Coronet (Dubawi) and the Galileo colt Midas Touch, who won the Group 2 Derrinstown Derby Trial and was second in the Irish Derby.

Third dam is Last Second, winner of the Nassau and Sun Chariot Stakes when both were Group 2 contests, and she is a halfsister to Listed winner Alouette, dam of the Group 1-winning full-sisters Albanova and Alborada, and to Jude, dam of Group 1 winners Quartermoon and Yesterday.

Galileo Chrome was offered for sale at Goffs Orby by Castlehyde Stud, but was unsold at €75,000, while his two-year-old full-sister was led out unsold at Arqana’s December Breeding Stock Sale last year for €70,000.

Galileo Chorme had one run as a twoyear-old when fifth in a Leopardstown maiden over a mile (behind three of Aidan O’Brien’s and one from Jim Bolger), and has gone through 2020 unbeaten

transferring from his breeder’s ownership in June after his seasonal debut victory to the ownership under the Galileo Chrome Partnership banner.

Australia recorded a weekend Group double when his three-year-old daughter Cayenne Pepper got her head in front for the first time this season, winning the Group 2 Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes at The Curragh.

Runner-up to Magical in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes and Even So in the Irish Oaks, she was also second to Tarnawa in the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork on her previous start. That filly was successful in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp a little over an hour after Cayenne Pepper’s Group 2 victory.

It was a poignant success for the Jessica Harrington-trained filly, whose owner Jon Kelly died earlier in the summer.

Bred by GHS Bloodstock of Ballyvolane House Stud and JC Bloodstock from Kilminfoyle House Stud, she was knocked down to Harriet Jellet on behalf of Kelly for 175,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, consigned by Bumble Mitchell.

Her pedigree is interesting as she is inbred 4x3 to Allegretta through Urban Sea and her Nureyev half-sister Saleela.

POSTPONED

is the record-breaking son of Dubawi who was even higher rated than sire sensation Night Of Thunder.

Don’t miss his first yearlings, at the sales now.

uk and ire racing A winner at three, she is Cayenne Pepper’s second dam.

Galileo again

The Group 1 action at The Curragh on Sunday had a much more familiar feel, with the old reliables popping up to provide

some comfort in these strange times.

Galileo can be depended upon to provide Group 1 winners with reassuring regularity and the behemoth sired his 88th individual Group 1 winner in the form of the two-yearold Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Shale, a third Group 1 winner in his first season as

a trainer for Donnacha O’Brien.

Shale turned the tables on Group 2 Debutante Stakes conqueror Pretty Gorgeous, trained by O’Brien’s older brother Joseph, in a thrilling denouement to become the sixth winner of the race for her sire.

Two-year-olds: Chindit looks the real deal

C

HINDIT added the Group 2 Champagne Stakes to his Listed Pat Eddery Stakes success to remain unbeaten for Richard Hannon and Michael Pescod.

The son of Coolmore’s recent acquisition Wootton Bassett is from his sire’s first crop conceived after Almanzor was crowned European champion two-yearold, and the most expensively bred of Wootton Bassett’s crops so far.

He is one of four Group winners so far this season by the former Haras d’Etreham resident, headed by the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Audarya.

He is also another star for Juddmonte’s Oasis Dream as a broodmare sire – the July Cup winner’s daughters have produced Group 1 winners Siskin and Tawkeel, as well as the Group 2 juveniles Miss Amulet, Ventura Tormenta and now Chindit so far in 2020.

Out of Always A Dream, Chindit was bred by Cayenne Pepper’s co-breeder JC Bloodstock of Kilminfoyle House Stud and Rory Mahon and sold by Kilminfoyle House to Peter and Ross Doyle for 65,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale.

A possible to line up for Group 1 honours in the 7f Dewhurst Stakes, his Awtaad half-brother is Lot 578 in Book 2 this year.

Indigo Girl is another impressive and unbeaten juvenile winner – George Strawbridge’s homebred full-sister to Group 1 British Champions’ Fillies and Mares Stakes winner Journey easily negotiating the step from maiden win to Group success in the May Hill Stakes (G2) under the hands of Frankie Dettori for John Gosden.

She is a daughter of Dubawi out of Montare, a Montjeu mare who won the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak for her owner-breeder.

The Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes winner New Mandate is bred along similar lines – by Dubawi’s Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club winner New Bay out of a mare by Montjeu’s Derby and Juddmonte International winner Authorized.

Ballylinch Stud’s first-season sire New Bay has impressive statistics with 43 per cent winners to runners, and all that was missing from his resume was a black-type winner.

New Mandate, trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Frankie Dettori for new owner Mark Chan was third on his first two runs and has won his last two.

Bred by the Mishhar Syndicate which includes Henri Bozo, his dam Mishhar is a close-sister to Puggy (Galileo), the dam of Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane winner Avenir Certain (Le Havre).

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uk and ire racing She is a full-sister to the Group 2-placed Berkeley Square and Listed-placed First Of Spring and the fourth winner and first Group 1 winner produced by 1,000 Guineas winner Homecoming Queen.

She is a Holy Roman Emperor closesister to champion and sire Dylan Thomas,

the son of Danehill and the only horse to win two runnings of the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) until Magical’s second triumph on the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend.

She is also a close-sister to Oaks second Remember When by Danehill

New Mandate was bought by Alex Elliot for €35,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale from Haras de l’Hotellerie on behalf of a trading syndicate, the Lucra Partnership. The colt ran under the syndicate’s ownership until nursery victory on his third start ahead of the Listed win at Doncaster.

Mehmas has carried all before him in his first season and Tally Ho Stud’s leading young sire was responsible for the winner of Doncaster’s Weatherbys’ Bank Two-Year-Old Stakes.

Line Of Departure was the most expensive yearling by Mehmas to sell last year, making £260,000 to Oliver St Lawrence at Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

Trained by Roger Varian, he is a half-brother to this year’s Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner and Group 1 Sprint Cup third Golden Horde (Lethal Force).

Bred by Cn Farm in Kilkenny out of the Pivotal mare Entreat, he is

Dancer, whose three-year-old Galileo colt Serpentine was a runaway Derby (G1) winner this year, and finished fourth in his comeback race, the Grand Prix de Paris, moments before Shale won the Moyglare.

Remember When is also the dam of Group 2 winner and Group 1 Nassau Stakes

also a half-brother to the Listed Pipalong Stakes winner Exhort.

The farm was featured in our August issue, so look online to read all about Cn Farm.

Shark Two One broke his maiden in the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes for Richard Fahey and owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa.

The son of Whitsbury Manor Stud’s first-season sire Adaay was ridden by Colin Keane to a short-head success over Star Of Orion.

Bred by Killashee House Limited, he is a half-brother to Group 3 Grosser Preis der Landhaupstadt Dresden winner Brian Ryan (Finjaan), out of the Listed Star Stakes third Touching (Kheleyf).

The colt has been to the sales three times in his young life – first when a Five Star Bloodstock 10,000gns purchase from Ted Voute at this spring’s delayed Tattersalls December Foal Sale, then to the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale where Longways Stables bought him from Shinglis Stud for €40,000.

Hugely promising prospects: left, Chindit, the exciting son of Wootton Bassett, built on his Listed win at Ascot in July taking the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, right, Thunder Moon,

by Zoffany, won the National Stakes (G1).

The Whisperview Trading Ltd-bred colt won with ease despite having to overcome all sorts of trouble in running

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uk and ire racing second Wedding Vow, the Group 3 winner Beacon Rock, the Oaks third and Group 3 winner Bye Bye Birdie and the Listed winner Bound, all by Galileo.

Homecoming Queen is a half-sister to Queen’s Logic (Grand Lodge), who was unbeaten in her five starts, which included victories in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), Lowther Stakes (G2) and the Albany and Fred Darling Stakes, both Group 3 races.

She is the dam of Rahy mare Lady Of The Desert, herself a Group 2 Lowther Stakes winner, who also won the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes and was second in both the Prix de l’Abbaye and Sprint Cup at three. She is the dam of Queen Kindly, who emulated her mother and grandmother with victory in the Lowther Stakes.

Talking Picture family

Galileo’s daughter Search For A Song recorded back-to-back triumphs in the Group 1 Irish St Leger, with victory over Fujaira Prince and Twilight Payment in the 1m6f contest.

It was a return to form for the four-yearold filly who was given a coolly confident hold-up ride by Oisin Orr, belying the fact that the young Donegal man was riding just the first Group 1 winner of his career.

Search For A Song’s year-younger full sister Amma Grace finished second in the earlier Blandford Stakes and the two are assured places in the Moyglare broodmare band when they retire from their racing careers – they are close-sisters to the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Free Eagle (High Chaparral).

They are also full-sisters to the Listed winner and Group 3 third Falcon Eight, as well as half-sisters to the multiple Group winner Custom Cut, the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Sapphire and the Listed winner Valac.

Dam Polished Gem is by Danehill and has bred nine winners from ten runners, with her latest Kyprios, a two-year-old son of Galileo, making a winning debut for Moyglare and Coolmore days before his sister’s second Group 1 success.

It is a family that is synonymous with Moyglare Stud, the late Walter Haefner purchased Talking Picture, American

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Search For A Song: by Galileo, she has run nine times, gathering three Group 1 victories in the process

champion two-year-old, on the back of victories in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes and Matron Stakes in 1972. She is the third dam of Search For A Song.

Another descendant of the brilliant foundation mare won the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on the same card – Talking Picture is the fourth dam of the Whisperview Trading-bred Thunder Moon (Zoffany), who won the 7f Group 1 on just his second career start.

Her Irish 1,000 Guineas-winning daughter Trusted Partner, one of four stakes winners Talking Picture produced from her six matings with Affirmed, is the dam of the aforementioned Polished Gem. Her Nashwan half-sister Trust In Luck is the dam of Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes third Aahaykid and the Sadler’s Wells mare Small Sacrifice, dam of Thunder Moon.

Small Sacrifice was sold by Moyglare as a three-year-old at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale in 2007 to Anne Marie O’Brien for just €18,000.

She has produced three winners for the O’Briens’ Whisperview Trading, including

the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes winner Table Rock, who continued his racing career in Hong Kong under the name Anticipation. The son of Fastnet Rock is a full-brother to the 98-rated Jagen H’Ghar.

The two-year-old Zoffany colt took the leap in class from maiden winner to Group 1 victor with aplomb, for trainer Joseph O’Brien, jockey Declan McDonogh and owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez.

Thunder Moon is the third Group 1 winner for his sire Zoffany after St Leger winner Ventura Storm and last year’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner Albigna.

He has also had the Group 1 Oaks, Irish Oaks and Preis der Diana-placed Architecture and the Group 1-placed Graignes, Fleeting, Illuminate, Washington DC and Zodiac Ruler.

Sire of three Royal Ascot two-year-old winners in his first crop, and in addition to Thunder Moon, he has two further Group winners in his current crop of two-year-olds – the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes winner Minaun and Mother Earth, winner of the Group 3 Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Naas.

The Lir Jet

River Boyne

(prince of Lir)

(Dandy man)

Track record breaker on debut Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes winner at Ascot

7 wins inc; Gr.1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Gr.2 Twilight Derby Gr.2 Mathis Brothers Mile

Rated 108

Dandalla (Dandy man)

Unbeaten winner of; Gr.2 Duchess of Cambridge and Gr.3 Albany Stakes winner by 6L, etc.

Rated 106

Champers Elysees (elzaam)

5 wins inc; Gr.1 Coolmore america ‘Justify’ matron stakes Gr.3 Coolmore stud stks LR Corrib Fillies stks

Happy Romance

4 wins inc;

(Dandy man)

Goffs UK premier Yearling stakes

Ballyhane SireS On fire

introducing...

Sands of Mali A top clAss sprinter

retires to

Ballyhane

Gr.1 British Champions Sprint Stakes winner at 3 Gr.2 Gimcrack Stakes winner at 2

Soldier’s Call new for 2020

A chAmpion 2yo

Fastest colt of his generation Exceptional looker by the brilliant Showcasing Covered a powerful 1st book of mares

dandy Man

one of europe’s leAding stAllions Group winning 2yos Dandalla, happy Romance in ‘20 Gr.1 winning colt River Boyne in ‘20

elzaam

“A sire who upgrAdes his mAres” Sire of Champers elysees ; Unbeaten Gr.1 Matron Stakes winner also playa del puente, indicative Vote, mateo Cruz etc. in 2020

SandS Of Mali -“He was a brilliant sprinter, a true Gr.1 horse...we’ve never had a horse work like he did at Musley Bank” - R. Fahey

Ballyhane Stud Leighlinbridge, Co.Carlow, ireland.

Joe Foley: +353 86 252 4135 office: +353 59 972 2068 Web: www.ballyhane.com

Prince of lir

A royAl Ascot norfolk stAkes winner Sire of Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes winner the Lir Jet in his 1st crop.

Jane Foley: +353 86 806 6000 email: info@ballyhane.com

euro racing

P

ARISLONGCHAMP’s autumn season kicked off with a superb renewal of the Prix du Moulin (G1) which attracted six Group 1 winners.

The race was a great spectacle with Pierre-Charles Boudot and Persian King putting up a championship performance to hold the late challenge of Pinatubo, and this pair finished 6l clear.

Boudot is the go-to jockey for ParisLongchamp and on Persian King he showed, as he was to do a week later on Mogul, that nobody is riding the track better at the moment.

The final time of 1min36.73s for the mile at ParisLongchamp was a good one without being outstanding, but Boudot’s tactical achievement was remarkable.

He went off in front from the start, which is rare in itself for a horse from the André Fabre stable, and he managed to get a clear lead over his rivals without going too fast. Persian King ran the first half of the race in 51.66s for the 800m, just a reasonable pace, but crucially at this stage he was 3l ahead of James Doyle and Pinatubo.

Persian King ran the last 800m of the race in 45.07s, a very fast time indeed, and Doyle didn’t seem to realise the hill he had to climb to catch the leader until it was too late. Persian King ran the final 400m in 21.95s, and Pinatubo ran even faster covering the distance in 21.52s, but it was too late and at the line Godolphin’s three-year-old Shamardal colt was still a length and a quarter behind Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbred’s four-year-old Kingman colt.

Pinatubo made up over 2l on Persian King in the final 400m, while both were speeding away from their high-class rivals, it was an impossible task and he never looked like passing the long time leader.

Persian King has a pretty faultless record of seven wins, including three Group 1s from 11 career starts. If you discount his career debut and his seasonal reappearance this year, Persian King has only been beaten twice – when second to Sottsass in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey-Club and on heavy ground in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at

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Deauville this year behind Palace Pier.

Palace Pier, another son of Kingman, is surely the only other contender for leading honours over a mile in Europe this year.

Persian King has not always looked as good as he did in the Moulin, but the Fabretrained colt has won Group 1s when looking a little below par, and when he is at his very best it will take a top performance to beat him.

A week later on Mogul, Boudot rode a different but equally effective race to take the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris for Aidan O’Brien.

Running the Grand Prix de Paris in September will surely be one of the innovations of 2020 which will be maintained for the future.

The race attracted a strong international field, including the English and Deutsches Derby winners, as well as Mogul, who had sometimes looked like the best of his generation in his stable, as well as Port Guillaume who had seemed to be France’s best middle-distance colt.

The race was run at a strong pace, the first 1400m was run two seconds faster than the Vermeille and a ridiculous nine seconds or 45l faster than the Prix Foy! With 600m to run Mogul, In Swoop and Gold Trip were more or less alongside each other some 6l behind the leader. When the field swung into the straight In Swoop and Gold Trip started angling out towards the middle of the track in order to get a clear run.

Meanwhile, Boudot saw his chance and switched inside instead. Mogul quickened, took up the favoured position on the far rail, and the race was over. The son of Galileo had two and a half lengths to spare at the line over In Swoop, who passed his old rival Gold Trip to take second on the line.

The O’Brien stable, like every other one in Europe, has not quite had its usual consistency this season.

Mogul is a top-class middle-distance colt and if the ratings don’t yet agree he looks to have the potential to be as good as his full-brother Japan, who won this race in July last year before running fourth in the Arc. Shastye has become Newsells Stud’s star

euro racing

The master tactician: left, PC Boudot taking part in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, and, main picture, the champion jockey on board Persian King at Deauville in August. The pair finished fourth then behind Palace Pier, but the André Fabre-trained son of Kingman collected his third Group 1 three weeks later at ParisLongchamp

Boudot: the King of ParisLongchamp The French Group 1 double of the Prix de Moulin and the Grand Prix de Paris were annexed by the country’s champion jockey, writes Jocelyn de Moubray broodmare, but the start of her career was less than encouraging as her first foal died, while the second was injured and never raced.

Her third foal, and the first of her top horses, Secret Gesture was foaled when Shastye was already nine and looking very exposed. Secret Gesture and the fullbrothers Sir Issac Newtown, Japan and Mogul followed.

Shastye has continued to produce – Mogul is her tenth foal and her 11th, a fullsister to the new Group 1 winner, will be offered at the Tattersalls October Book 1.

In Swoop’s second place underlines that this year’s Deutsches Derby was as good as any of the European middle-distance Classic races this year, particularly as the son of Adlerflug would be better suited to softer ground.

Gestüt Schlenderhan’s colt is out of the Preis der Diana (G1) winner Iota and is a full-brother to Ito, another of his sire’s four Group 1 winners to date.

Adlerflug himself won the Deutsches Derby by 7l and is a son of In The Wings from the same female family as Galileo.

But, as he is a small and lightly built

chestnut, he struggled to attract support at the beginning of his stud career. Now established as a leading middle-distance sire Adlerflug stands at Schlenderhan and from now on will have reasonable representation. He has 33 three-year-olds including In Swoop, Torquator Tasso, and Dicaprio and 54 two-year-olds from a €12,000 fee – they already include the British stakes performer Alenquer.

Should there be a calendar change?

If the Grand Prix de Paris is to remain in

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39

© Agence G / Scoopdyga

SUCCESS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, EVERY YEAR. Since 1981

PRETTY GORGEOUS 2nd Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr1), 1st Debutante Stakes (Gr.2).

15 homebreds on offer AT THE ARQANA OCTOBER YEARLING SALE By leading sires Wootton Bassett, Fastnet Rock, Le Havre, Territories, Charm Spirit, Dabirsim...

Pierre Talvard / +33 (0)6 80 88 20 04 / contact@harasducadran.com / www.harasducadran.com

euro racing

Mogul: joined his sibling Japan as a winner of the Grand Prix de Paris. Always been well regarded at Ballydoyle, he proves that patience is required in racing

September it would be logical to maintain the Prix Vermeille (G1) in its traditional place alongside Grand Prix de Paris, and to go back to restricting the race to three-yearold fillies alone.

In France, there is no other Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies over further than the 2100m of the Prix de Diane and a Vermeille for three-year-olds only would provide a much-needed incentive for middle-distance three-year-olds giving the best of them more experience before they have to compete against their elders.

This year, as is the case more often than not, the Vermeille was dominated by older fillies and mares. The first 1400m was run around two seconds slower than the colts in the Grand Prix de Paris, but from then on it was a very different race as the other jockeys allowed Frankie Dettori to control the race from the front on Dame Malliot.

Dettori, as he has done so often before, slowed the pace over the next 600m, dawdling through the false straight so everybody bunched up behind him. He then launched his filly first once they arrived in the straight and the final 400m became a

...it would be logical to keep the Prix Vermeille (G1) in its traditional place alongside the Grand Prix de Paris and to go back to restricting the race to three-year-old fillies alone sprint with the leaders covering it in 22.35s, more than 3l faster than Mogul had done.

The Aga Khan’s Shamardal filly Tarnawa showed the best turn of foot and went past

Dame Malliot to win by 3l.

Raabihah was too far off the pace and took time to respond when asked to quicken, and though the daughter of Sea The Stars finished well to catch Dame Malliot on the line, she never threatened the winner, and Dettori and Dame Malliot held on at the finish an excellent third.

Tarnawa had shown plenty of promise at both two and three and is now unbeaten in two starts at four.

The daughter of Shamardal comes from an obscure Aga Khan family and her dam, a Listed winner by Cape Cross, is the only member of it in the 2020 stud book.

Tarnawa has a two-year-old halfbrother by Fastnet Rock, a half-sister foal

by Siyouni and her dam was covered by Frankel in 2020.

The other trials at ParisLongchamp didn’t reveal anything new.

Anthony Van Dyck won the Group 2 Prix Foy from the front in a race which was little more than a 400m sprint.

Stradivarius finished second and showed he has the acceleration to win top races over middle-distances.

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41

euro racing BADEN-BADEN’s Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) was a disappointing race – the German jockeys appeared to suffer a collective loss of confidence and allowed James Doyle and Franny Norton to dominate.

The race was run so slowly that Barney Roy and Communique were first and second throughout, and none of their rivals were ever able to challenge.

It was the slowest Grosser Preis von Baden run since Tiger Hill won in 1998 on very soft.

Despite this year’s ground looking to be on the firm side of good, the final time was nine seconds, more than 40l, slower than Ghaiyyath recorded in 2019!

There were, however, two excellent performances at the meeting – Gestüt Hachtsee’s Samum filly Zamrud was a comfortable winner of the Group 2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis over 2400m, and Gestüt Auenquelle’s two-year-old Soldier Hollow filly Reine D’Amour proving the best of a strong group of two-year-olds in the 1400m Group 3 Zukunftsrennen.

British handicappers rated this year’s Preis der Diana little better than a Listed race and Zamrud was given a rating of 102 for her second behind Miss Yoda. At Baden-Baden the Sarah Steinberg-trained filly met the 113-rated Rose Of Kildare, trained by Mark Johnston, but it was Zamrud who ran out the easy winner with Rose Of Kildare in third.

The Zukundftsrennen attracted nine colts and fillies who had all shown considerable promise and included Waldersee and Sardasht, who had both shown good form in France, as well as Timotheus, the winner of a big auction race in Germany.

But it was Reine D’Amour got up to win in the final stride defeating the Zoffany colt Juanito, owned by Colgone FC’s goalkeeper Timo Horn, with Gestüt Roettgen’s Shila, a daughter of Lord of England, a close third.

Reine D’Amour was one of least experienced in field having won on her debut in Cologne just a month earlier. She is the 26th Group winner produced by Soldier Hollow, a top-class sire of two-year-olds, milers and 1m2f horses.

Reine D’Amour has every chance of becoming her sire’s third champion two-yearold filly in the last five years after Well Spoken and Whispering Angel.

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Bjorn Nielsen’s six-year-old ran the final 400m in 21.67s, only a length or so slower than Pinatubo had done in the Moulin a week earlier.

Godolphin’s Earthlight won the Group 3 Prix du Pin comfortably enough, but then the son of Shamardal didn’t have to be anywhere near his best to defeat his rivals.

Are the French horses below par this year?

There has been a lot wailing and gnashing in the French racing press about the lack of highly-rated French-trained horses in 2020, and particularly for the three and two-year-olds.

If you look at the lists by ratings in the Racing Post this is clearly the case, but I am not convinced this is entirely due to the lack of quality in France.

Most British-based handicappers don’t rate all of the French racing, but instead tend to give ratings to the best races based upon the British-trained runners.

This sounds fair enough, but French and British racing is not the same. Because of the different way the races are usually run the distances between runners at the end of these races are not what they would be in

England where races are run fast from the start.

This bias is in a normal year to some degree corrected by the performances of French-trained horses in England.

Last year, for instance, the Racing Post put Watch Me up 11lb after her victory at Royal Ascot. This year French horses have been unable to perform in Britain, and so the bias is stronger than ever.

However, there is no doubt that the French-trained two-year-olds crop has so far not looked vintage.

Impressive maiden winners such as Midlife Crisis, Valloria or Harajuku have disappointed on their second starts.

The two decent-looking maiden winners on the opening day at ParisLongchamp had finished behind Midlife Crisis and Valloria on their debuts.

The Yan Barberot-trained Acclamation colt Bouttemont, bred by Elizabeth Fabre and second to Midlife Crisis at Deauville, won with ease over 1600m, while the Wertheimer-owned Camelot filly Viruosite, second to Valloria in Deauville, broke her maiden on her second start winning by three-quarters of a length in a fast time.

Reine D’Amour: by the end of the year could be a third champion juvenile for her sire Soldier Hollow

CLASSIC WINNER, CLASSIC SIRE

MAKE BELIEVE. MISHRIFF

Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club Gr.2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano LR Newmarket Stakes

124p

Leading Second Crop Sires in Europe Sire

by prize money

Group Winners

Group Horses

Total €

1

MAKE BELIEVE

2

5

1,137,109

2

Night of Thunder

5

8

1,134,091

3

Gleneagles

1

6

657,131

4

Golden Horn

0

2

626,238

5

Muhaarar

1

3

506,988

6

Gutaifan

1

2

469,687

Statistics by stallionguide.com 17/09/20

112

103

ROSE OF KILDARE

Gr.3 Musidora Stakes Gr.3 Oh So Sharp Stakes Gr.3 Firth of Clyde Stakes

BALLYLINCH STUD

OCEAN FANTASY

Gr.3 Preis der Winterkonigin 3rd Gr.2 Diana-Trial German Champion 2yo Filly

111

TAMMANI

LR Prix Isonomy 2 Gr.3 Prix Daphnis nd

115+

BELIEVE IN LOVE 4 time winner in 2020 3rd Gr.2 Park Hill Stakes

+353 (0)56-7724217 • info@ballylinchstud.ie www.ballylinchstud.com

us news

Never headed

The Into Mischief colt Authentic went to the front early in the Kentucky Derby, and never saw another rival, writes Melissa Bauer-Herzog

S

EPTEMBER IS traditionally a busy time in Kentucky, and it was even busier this year when the month kicked off with the rescheduled Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on September 5.

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There was an eerie feel to the track as horses raced in front of the near-empty stands throughout the week with just connections in attendance as protests took place around Louisville.

If that wasn’t enough drama for the

weekend, the Derby itself added even more to the storyline in the paddock.

The down part of a year full of ups and downs for Bob Baffert’s three-year-olds was put on even bigger display when Thousand Words had to be scratched in the paddock,

us news Authenic’s victory (white cap) in the Kentucky Derby helped transition his Spendthrift Farm-based sire Into Mischief to leading stallion at the Keeneland September Sale by aggregate, and second-best by average (to the end of the fourth session)

and Baffert’s assistant taken to the hospital with a broken arm.

The up part for the barn came less than half an hour later.

What beforehand was regarded as an easy second leg run toward a Triple Crown

for the Barclay Tagg-trained Tiz The Law instead gave Bob Baffert another Kentucky Derby winner.

Pushed throughout much of the race by the favorite, Authentic repelled Tiz The Law after a brief duel in the stretch to win

by just over a length, a third Derby win for Baffert in the last six runnings.

Spendthrift Farm shared in those ups and downs – Thousand Words and Authentic both co-owned by the farm.

By their own champion sire Into

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45

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us news Mischief, future Spendthrift stallion Authentic was one of 10 stakes horses and three graded stakes winners for his sire over Kentucky Derby weekend at three different tracks, including the third place finisher in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.

The first two home in the Kentucky Oaks were sired by Daredevil (More Than Ready).

Fielding two of the nine Kentucky Oaks starters from his first crop, as soon as Shedaresthedevil and Swiss Skydiver crossed the line in first and second, Daredevil revealed the finnicky nature of the breeding industry.

The stallion’s first weanlings in 2017 had averaged a respectable $58,517 from a $12,500 stud fee, but he found mixed results in the yearling ring and in 2019 he only attracted 21 mares to his base at Winstar Farm.

Though Daredevil, a juvenile winner of the Champagne Stakes (G1), had 10 winners and three stakes horses by last November with his first runners, it was announced last winter that he’d been purchased by the Turkish Jockey Club in a deal that also included Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

As of press time, there has been no word on if Daredevil will be brought back for next breeding season, but breeders haven’t been shy about repatriating stallions to the US in the last five years.

Empire Maker and Take Charge Indy both rejoined Kentucky rosters in that time while dual classic winner I’ll Have Another joined a US roster for the first time when moved to California from Japan.

Success at the sales too for Into Mischief

Into Mischief had been labeled as a stallion who wouldn’t produce Classic distance horses, so this year’s Kentucky Derby win

by Authentic checked another box on the Into Mischief’s resume as he becomes a breed-shaping sire.

Not surprisingly, the son of Harlan’s Holiday proved to be a hit at the two yearling sales immediately following the Kentucky Derby, the thoroughbred action moving from Louisville to Lexington.

Siring the third-most expensive offering

Into Mischief’s leading Keeneland yearling: a filly from Gainesway bought by Oxo Equine for $1.9 million

at Fasig-Tipton’s Selected Yearling Showcase, Into Mischief saw that son go to Donato Lanni for SF Bloodstock, Starlight, and Madaket for $800,000 so continuing the Kentucky Derby connection – SF Bloodstock and Starlight had purchased Authentic as a yearling and the trio was in Authentic’s early ownership group.

While Starlight and Madaket are still in the colt’s ownership, Spendthrift Farm bought out multiple owners, including SF Bloodstock, earlier this year.

The microshare ownership vehicle MyRacehorse.com joined after Authentic, who was bred by Peter Blum Thoroughbreds, finished second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in June.

In all, Into Mischief sired two of the top five yearlings at Fasig-Tipton before taking command at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale.

Third by aggregate for nine sold at $4.8 million in the first session of Book 1, Into Mischief’s best-priced yearling in that opening day was the $1 million colt out of Grade 2-placed Curlina from Gainesway and bought by Oxo Equine (Lot 121).

That proved to be just a warm up for the following day when he proved to be the most popular sire in the second session

with three sold for over $1 million.

That group was topped by a $1.9 million filly out of a stakes-winning half-sister to graded stakes winners and promising sires Liam’s Map and Not this Time, another purchased by Larry Best’s Oxo Equine.

In all, Into Mischief’s 11 sold on the first Monday of the sale grossed $8.25 million with an average of $750,000 and median of $675,000.

Tapit tops

While not quite as active on the top of the leader board as he has been at past sales, Tapit again lorded at Keeneland September producing the most expensive yearling of the sale and the toppers in the two opening sessions of the book.

Purchased during a last frenetic 30 minutes of the second session that saw four of seven horses sold for over $1 million, Hip 435 out of Tara’s Tango sold for $2 million to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway, and Winchell to top the sale.

The second foal out of Grade 1 winner Tara’s Tango, the Stonestreet-bred Tapit colt has four graded stakes winners immediately under his second dam.

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47

us news Stonestreet bought back into the colt shortly after he was sold and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Aron Wellman reflected on how important partnerships are at the sales.

“Partnerships are so prevalent in today’s market,” said Wellman. “It is wild to think how far partnerships have come.

“We had a fabulous relationship with Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable going back to when Eclipse first started. To think how the partnership model has evolved and that now we as a partnership company are partnering with moguls in the industry.

“It speaks volumes. Barbara Banke has been gracious about staying in as a partner.

She adores this colt. Hopefully between all of us we have plenty of good mojo. All I care about is that you are interviewing our partnership after he wins a Grade 1!”

While not as busy at the Fasig-Tipton sale, partnerships were active at the Keeneland September Sale with two of the top 14 yearlings purchased by groups that included multiple prominent industry members. The common denominator in both those horses was Gainesway, who not only stands Tapit but also bought into his $2 million son at the sale.

While they didn’t buy any seven-figure horses, the same SF/Starlight/Madaket group that bought and raced Authentic pooled their resources for 12 yearlings – the most of any buyer in the first book of Keeneland’s September Sale.

They were joined by another partnership at the top with Repole Stable and St. Elias partnering on eight yearlings in Book 1.

Interestingly, even though both aforementioned ownership groups bought a high number of horses only one yearling was purchased for $1 million or more.

Shadwell stocks up on Medaglia D’Oro fillies One owner who wasn’t seen on any partnerships this sale was Shadwell Estate Company, who had an eye specifically for yearlings by Medaglia D’Oro, with three of their purchases by the stallion.

That included a $1.6 million half-sister to Irish stakes winner Sergei Prokofiev, who was the most expensive of four sevenfigure yearlings by Medaglia D’Oro with

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Keeneland September top lot: the colt by Tapit from Eaton Sales and Stonestreet fetched $2 million

“All I care about is that you are interviewing our partnership after he wins a Grade 1! the quartet all fillies.

“She is a beautiful filly – the kind you have to have,” said Shadwell Farm’s Rick Nichols. “Sheikh Hamdan told me this morning to try to concentrate on getting some really nice fillies. We send all of our good fillies to England, and he keeps promising to send them back, but he doesn’t!

“Our broodmare band is starting to get a little old, and we need to rejuvenate it a little bit. I am pretty sure she will stay because the offspring of Medaglia D’Oro seem to do better here.”

As for Anderson Farm’s David Anderson, seeing his homebred Ontario-bred filly

selling for that much was a special moment.

“I’m very emotional right now,” said Anderson. “I bred the mother and I bred this filly and she’s probably the most athletic filly I’ve ever had on the farm.

“We came here fairly confident that everyone would feel the same way I do.

“I want to thank Mr [Joe] Allen for being the underbidder on the filly. There were many wonderful people that I respect that came by to see the filly and bid on her.

“It means a lot to a little guy from Canada.”

In all, the first book of the Keeneland September Sale saw 209 of the 346 through the ring sold for a gross of $85,215 million and average price of $407,727 with a $335,000 median.

The first book was cut back to two days from three in 2019 with 340 sold of the 460 offered bringing a gross of $160,463 million, an average of $471,950 and a $355,000 median.

When we went to press, at the end of this year’s session four, 622 lots had sold at a clearance rate of 66 per cent for an aggregate of $165,853,000 and an average price of $266,645, falls of 25 per cent on 2019.

CLASSIC WINNING DUBAWI

NEW BAY.

Leading European First Crop Sires

by % Winners/Runners in GB & Ireland, stallions standing in GB & Ireland

1 2 3 4 5 6 = 8

Sire

Standing

Runners

NEW BAY Coulsty Mehmas Territories Kodi Bear Belardo Bobby’s Kitten Prince Of Lir

Ballylinch Stud Rathasker Stud Tally-Ho Stud Dalham Hall Stud Rathbarry Stud Kildangan Stud Lanwades Stud Ballyhane Stud

17 14 79 27 34 24 20 21

Winners Wnrs/Rnrs

9 5 27 8 10 6 5 5

53% 36% 34% 30% 29% 25% 25% 24%

Minimum 5 runners - Statistics by racingpost.com 21/09/20

7 runners already rated 85+ by Leading lights so far...

94

103

NEW MANDATE

PEROTTO

Flying Scotsman Stakes L.

100

VAFORTINO

BALLYLINCH STUD

94

JUMBY

88

IMPERIAL YELLOW

3 rd Rose Bowl Stakes L.

+353 (0)56-7724217 • info@ballylinchstud.ie www.ballylinchstud.com

Well-bred yearlings set to go under the hammer by

Visit our new website

MUHAARAR TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALE, BOOK 1 SELLING FROM 6TH-8TH OCTOBER Lot 5 Half-brother to dual Group 1 winner IZZI TOP Consigned by Meon Valley Stud

Lot 158 Half-brother to Listed-winning juvenile FESTIVE STAR Consigned by Ballyhane

Lot 292 Half-brother to high-class sprinter SPEAK IN COLOURS & Gr.3-winning miler LADY BOWTHORPE

Lot 352 Daughter of Classic winner PENELOPE

Lot 491 Filly out of the super-fast racemare THE GOLD CHEONGSAM

Lot 511 Filly out of a winning and Group 3-placed half-sister to two BLACK-TYPE scorers

Consigned by Britton House Stud

Lot 224 Half-brother to a winning and Listed-placed juvenile from the family of MILAN Consigned by Clearwater Stud

Lot 407 Half-sister to the super-talented stayer NAYEF ROAD Consigned by Watership Down

Consigned by Fittocks Stud

Consigned by Chasemore Farm

Consigned by Voute Sales

Lot 537 Colt out of a winning half-sister to Champion two-year-old THE WOW SIGNAL Consigned by Chasemore Farm

Contact Tom Pennington: +44 (0)7736 019914 | tpennington@shadwellstud.co.uk or Ellen Bishop +44 (0)7826 205155 | ebishop@shadwellstud.co.uk www.shadwellstud.com

stallion stats Leading sires in Europe 2020: (by prize-money earned to September 15, 2020) Stallion

Breeding

Galileo Dubawi Dark Angel Kodiac Sea The Stars Siyouni Shamardal Kingman Lope de Vega Zoffany Camelot Invincible Spirit Le Havre Wootton Bassett Kendargent Frankel Australia Dandy Man Dream Ahead Sea The Moon Teofilo Night of Thunder Nathaniel Make Believe Showcasing Charm Spirit Acclamation Mastercraftsman Holy Roman Emperor Pivotal Excelebration Rajsaman Authorized Champs Elysees Bated Breath Exceed And Excel Footstepsinthesand Makfi Dabirsim Anodin Poet’s Voice Oasis Dream New Approach Adlerflug Soldier Hollow No Nay Never Zebedee Intello

Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea (Miswaki) Dubai Millennium-Zomaradah (Deploy) Acclamation-Midnight Angel (Machiavellian) Danehill-Rafha (Kris) Cape Cross-Urban Sea (Miswaki) Pivotal-Sichilla (Danehill) Giant’s Causeway-Helsinki (Machiavellian) Invincible Spirit-Zenda (Zamindar) Shamardal-Lady Vettori (Vettori) Dansili-Tyranny (Machiavellian) Montjeu-Tarfah (Kingmambo) Green Desert-Rafha (Kris) Noverre-Marie Rheinberg (Surako) Iffraaj-Balladonia (Primo Dominie) Kendor-Pax Bella (Linamix) Galileo-Kind (Danehill) Galileo-Ouija Board (Cape Cross) Mozart-Lady Alexander (Night Shift) Diktat-Land of Dreams (Cadeaux Genereux) Sea The Stars-Sanwa (Monsun) Galileo-Speirbhean (Danehill) Dubawi-Forest Storm (Galileo) Galileo-Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk) Makfi-Rosie’s Posy (Suave Dancer) Oasis Dream-Arabesque (Zafonic) Invincible Spirit-L’Enjoleuse (Montjeu) Royal Applause-Princess Athena (Ahonoora) Danehill Dancer-Starlight Dreams (Black Tie Affair) Danehill-L’On Vite (Secretariat) Polar Falcon-Fearless Revival (Cozzene) Exceed And Excel-Sun Shower (Indian Ridge) Linamix-Rose Quartz (Lammtarra) Montjeu-Funsie (Saumarez) Danehill-Hasili (Kahyasi) Dansili-Tantina (Distant View) Danehill-Patrona (Lomond) Giant’s Causeway-Glatisant (Rainbow Quest) Dubawi-Dhelaal (Green Desert) Hat Trick-Rumored (Royal Academy) Anabaa-Born Gold (Blushing Groom) Dubawi-Bright Tiara (Chief’s Crown) Green Desert-Hope (Dancing Brave) Galileo-Park Express (Ahonoora) In The Wings-Aiyana (Last Tycoon) In The Wings-Island Race (Common Grounds) Scat Daddy-Cat’s Eye Witness (Elusive Quality) Invincible Spirit-Cozy Maria (Cozzene) Galileo-Impressionnante (Danehill)

52

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To Stud

Courtesy of Weatherbys Rnrs

Runs

2002 200 588 2006 175 510 2008 297 1203 2007 360 1378 2010 162 509 2011 232 844 2005 137 489 2015 150 399 2011 242 794 2012 272 1025 2014 183 598 2003 195 735 2010 157 539 2012 112 407 2008 155 745 2013 132 348 2015 125 384 2010 254 1087 2012 133 542 2015 92 297 2008 133 427 2016 91 297 2013 147 496 2016 65 232 2011 183 699 2015 148 597 2004 181 761 2010 170 607 2007 152 648 1997 84 306 2013 105 457 2013 166 769 2007 70 237 2010 112 420 2013 165 595 2005 175 688 2006 187 712 2011 115 510 2014 163 619 2015 96 413 2012 153 639 2004 172 666 2009 119 366 2010 52 178 2008 128 472 2015 125 424 2011 170 740 2014 121 432

Wnrs

Wins

74 100 70 91 99 133 114 152 58 81 83 113 47 64 50 64 82 119 86 112 53 68 71 93 53 77 28 38 62 85 50 71 40 56 80 108 44 63 35 41 32 50 40 51 52 71 26 34 63 83 46 68 62 80 56 76 60 78 25 41 34 54 49 64 18 24 30 40 47 74 55 76 50 68 46 61 39 53 31 45 45 62 48 73 31 42 12 18 49 75 45 53 59 80 34 42

Wnrs/Rnrs% SWnrs SWs 37.00 40.00 33.33 31.66 35.80 35.77 34.30 33.33 33.88 31.61 28.96 36.41 33.75 25.00 40.00 37.87 32.00 31.49 33.08 38.04 24.06 43.95 35.37 40.00 34.42 31.08 34.25 32.94 39.47 29.76 32.38 29.51 25.71 26.78 28.48 31.42 26.73 40.00 23.92 32.29 29.41 27.90 26.05 23.07 38.28 36.00 34.70 28.09

£

25 32 5,534,996 10 16 2,107,246 10 12 2,033,232 8 11 1,977,677 12 16 1,966,166 5 5 1,951,731 9 12 1,737,572 9 13 1,701,520 9 10 1,690,131 4 4 1,492,463 8 10 1,344,800 5 11 1,338,959 6 6 1,313,036 7 8 1,277,048 6 7 1,229,340 10 12 1,191,594 7 8 1,188,381 2 3 1,181,785 3 5 1,125,299 8 9 1,123,151 9 13 1,105,300 8 9 1,013,260 4 6 1,008,335 2 4 986,572 2 3 984,800 3 5 981,750 4 4 958,809 4 5 924,964 4 4 911,482 2 2 905,649 4 8 900,840 0 0 894,970 1 2 889,482 5 6 885,651 3 3 877,544 2 2 869,289 5 5 852,336 1 1 814,127 1 1 801,783 2 2 778,345 4 4 774,815 1 1 755,819 4 5 753,843 2 2 739,672 10 11 723,871 3 3 703,218 1 1 699,892 3 3 697,302

FIND YOUR NEXT CHAMPION AT

TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALES THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS YEARLING SALES BOOK 1: 6th - 8th October Group 1 winning graduates include PALACE PIER, NEWSPAPEROFRECORD, RUSSIAN CAMELOT, CAMPANELLE, MOGUL, BLUE POINT, JAPAN 27 Group 1 winners that have won 68 Group races worldwide in the last five seasons 153 UK Stakes races won by graduates in last five seasons 2020 catalogue features own or half-brothers and sisters to 53 Classic and Group 1 winners and 256 Stakes winners, plus yearlings out of 20 Classic and Group 1 winning mares

BOOK 2: 12th - 14th October Group 1 winning graduates include MOHAATHER, ADDEYBB, BATTAASH, WAY TO PARIS, FIFTY STARS, BELVOIR BAY, TEN SOVEREIGNS, POET’S WORD 19 Group 1 winners that have won 50 Group races worldwide in the last five seasons 151 UK Stakes races won by graduates in last five seasons 2020 catalogue features own or half-brothers and sisters to 174 Group and Listed winners, plus yearlings out of 110 Group and Listed winning mares

BOOK 3: 15th - 16th October Group winning graduates include URBAN FOX, BREATHTAKING LOOK, CERTAIN LAD, FAR ABOVE, TOP RANK, SPACE TRAVELLER, FOREST RANGER, ICKYMASHO 44 Stakes winners that have won 67 Stakes races worldwide in the last five seasons 2020 catalogue features 84 siblings to black-type horses including half-brothers and sisters to 35 Group and Listed winners, plus yearlings out of 67 black-type mares including 28 Group and Listed winning mares 118 Stakes winners purchased for less than 50,000gns at Books 1 - 3 in the last five seasons 50 Stakes winners purchased for less than 25,000gns at Books 1 - 3 in the last five seasons Should you require assistance ahead of the Taaersalls October Yearling Sales, please contact: Minty Farquhar +44 (0) 7493 869 240 mfarquhar@greatbritishracing.com

GBRI is the British horse racing industry’s designated first point of contact for overseas individuals interested in becoming part of the world’s leading racing and bloodstock industry - greatbritishracinginternational.com Statistics up to and including 13th September 2020

stallion stats Leading sires of two-year-olds in Europe 2020: (by prize-money earned to September 15, 2020) Stallion

Breeding

Kodiac Danehill-Rafha (Kris) Mehmas Acclamation-Lucina (Machiavellian) Galileo Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea (Miswaki) Dandy Man Mozart-Lady Alexander (Night Shift) Zoffany Dansili-Tyranny (Machiavellian) Lope de Vega Shamardal-Lady Vettori (Vettori) Adaay Kodiac-Lady Lucia (Royal Applause) Starspangledbanner Choisir-Gold Anthem (Made of Gold) Acclamation Royal Applause-Princess Athena (Ahonoora) Goken Kendargent-Gooseley Chope (Indian Rocket) Siyouni Pivotal-Sichilla (Danehill) Territories Invincible Spirit-Taranto (Machiavellian) Dark Angel Acclamation-Midnight Angel (Machiavellian) Gutaifan Dark Angel-Alikhlas (Lahib) Toronado High Chaparral-Wana Doo (Grand Slam) Dubawi Dubai Millennium-Zomaradah (Deploy) Lawman Invincible Spirit-Laramie (Gulch) Air Force Blue War Front-Chatham (Maria’s Mon) Prince of Lir Kodiac-Esuvia (Whipper) Kodi Bear Kodiac-Hawattef (Mujtahid) Exceed And Excel Danehill-Patrona (Lomond) Charm Spirit Invincible Spirit-L’Enjoleuse Montjeu) Sir Prancealot Tamayuz-Mona Em (Catrail) Showcasing Oasis Dream-Arabesque (Zafonic) Frankel Galileo-Kind (Danehill) Wootton Bassett Iffraaj-Balladonia (Primo Dominie) Twilight Son Kyllachy-Twilight Mistress (Bin Ajwaad Shalaa Invincible Spirit-Ghurra (War Chant) Power Oasis Dream-Frappe (Inchinor) Kendargent Kendor-Pax Bella (Linamix) Buratino Exceed And Excel-Bergamask (Kingmambo) No Nay Never Scat Daddy-Cat’s Eye Witness (Elusive Quality) Footstepsinthesand Giant’s Causeway-Glatisant (Rainbow Quest) New Bay Dubawi-Cinnamon Bay (Zamindar) Camelot Montjeu-Tarfah (Kingmambo) Clodovil Danehill-Clodora Linamix) Fast Company Danehill Dancer-Sheezalady (Zafonic) Bobby’s Kitten Kitten’s Joy-Celestial Woods (Forestry) Helmet Exceed And Excel-Accessories (Singspiel) Bated Breath Dansili-Tantina (Distant View) Kingman Invincible Spirit-Zenda (Zamindar) Night of Thunder Dubawi-Forest Storm (Galileo) Penny’s Picnic Kheleyf-Zerky (Kingmambo) Holy Roman Emperor Danehill-L’On Vite (Secretariat) War Front Danzig-Starry Dreamer (Rubiano) New Approach Galileo-Park Express (Ahonoora) Dabirsim Hat Trick-Rumored (Royal Academy) Belardo Lope de Vega-Danaskaya (Danehill)

54

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To Stud

Rnrs

Runs

Courtesy of Weatherbys Wnrs

Wins

Wnrs/Rnrs% SWnrs SWs

2007 91 274 35 46 38.46 2017 81 246 28 40 34.56 2002 38 83 16 19 42.10 2010 55 163 15 22 27.27 2012 59 148 19 22 32.20 2011 36 64 7 9 19.44 2017 51 147 13 17 25.49 2011 30 95 11 13 36.66 2004 44 140 15 19 34.09 2017 26 81 12 16 46.15 2011 38 85 12 17 31.57 2017 42 105 11 12 26.19 2008 56 156 15 18 26.78 2016 45 138 12 15 26.66 2015 24 64 13 16 54.16 2006 32 67 15 17 46.87 2008 24 64 6 9 25.00 2017 9 36 2 4 22.22 2017 27 82 8 10 29.62 2017 34 94 10 14 29.41 2005 32 81 11 13 34.37 2015 39 116 8 11 20.51 2013 24 70 9 12 37.50 2011 45 120 15 15 33.33 2013 35 62 12 13 34.28 2012 23 36 8 11 34.78 2017 49 125 11 14 22.44 2017 36 77 9 10 25.00 2013 12 33 4 8 33.33 2008 19 47 8 11 42.10 2017 34 110 7 9 20.58 2015 31 81 10 11 32.25 2006 33 79 6 6 18.18 2017 21 56 9 12 42.85 2014 21 46 5 7 23.80 2004 8 29 4 10 50.00 2011 32 77 6 7 18.75 2017 27 73 6 9 22.22 2013 34 84 8 9 23.52 2013 21 56 6 12 28.57 2015 30 60 9 11 30.00 2016 18 46 9 11 50.00 2014 20 57 7 8 35.00 2007 31 84 10 10 32.25 2007 9 24 3 5 33.33 2009 16 35 4 5 25.00 2014 32 81 8 8 25.00 2017 32 72 7 10 21.87

£

6 9 783,483 4 4 550,911 2 3 468,114 2 3 450,558 3 3 437,689 2 2 311,369 0 0 298,407 2 2 295,303 2 2 285,085 2 3 283,532 1 1 270,943 0 0 233,280 1 1 220,042 2 3 216,455 1 2 203,157 2 2 200,638 2 2 200,385 0 0 195,302 1 1 176,276 1 1 170,911 0 0 168,224 1 1 166,997 1 2 166,198 0 0 164,950 1 1 159,673 1 2 158,433 1 1 155,216 0 0 153,043 2 3 151,794 2 2 151,740 0 0 140,793 0 0 139,534 0 0 139,102 1 1 138,921 1 2 138,363 2 2 131,595 0 0 126,159 0 0 126,138 0 0 125,975 2 2 125,620 0 0 123,198 0 0 120,302 0 0 115,176 0 0 114,234 2 3 112,976 2 2 112,723 0 0 112,522 1 1 111,627

BOBBY’S KITTEN

Bay 2011 by Kitten’s Joy – Celestial Woods (by Forestry)

A LEADING EUROPEAN FIRST CROP SIRE IN 2020 • ONLY 3YO EVER to win Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint • Won 6 races at 2, 3 & 5 years and $1,424,417 in the USA & Ireland – all on Turf • Sire of 8 individual first crop 2yo winners of 13 races (to 22nd Sep. 2020) • Only stallion son of KITTEN’S JOY (Champion Turf racehorse and multiple US Champion sire) in England and Ireland

SEA THE MOON

Bay 2011 by Sea The Stars – Sanwa (by Monsun)

A LEADING EUROPEAN SIRE IN 2020 • Sire of 25 individual Black-type horses to date including: ALPINE STAR (Gr.1 winner at 3 in 2020 & Gr.2 winner at 2) QUEST THE MOON (Gr.2 winner & Gr.1-placed in 2020, & Gr.3 winner x 2) WONDERFUL MOON (Gr.2 & Gr.3 winner in 2020, & Gr.3 winner at 2) • Sire of 2 Champion 2yo’s in Germany.

• 2nd only to GALILEO in order of % Black-type winners to runners in 2020 with 8.33% (as at 17th Aug. 2020)

SIR PERCY

Bay 2003 by Mark of Esteem – Percy’s Lass (by Blakeney)

A POTENT MIX OF SPEED & STAMINA • Undefeated Champion 2yo; Champion 3yo and Derby winner • Sire of 47 individual Stakes horses including Gr.1 winners WAKE FOREST and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD, and BERKSHIRE ROCCO (Gr.1 Classic and Gr.2-placed in 2020) • Sire of 83 lifetime individual 2yo winners • The last respresentative of the MILL REEF sire line at stud in GB & Ireland

STUDY OF MAN

Bay 2015 by Deep Impact – Second Happiness (by Storm Cat)

SON AND GRANDSON OF LEGENDS • Winner of 3 races at 2 & 3, over 1600m - 2100m, including the ‘Stallion Making’ Gr.1 French Derby and £1,033,142 • Only son of DEEP IMPACT (Japanese Super-Sire and multiple Champion) at stud in England First Foals 2021

• A grandson of the Racing/Breeding Legend MIESQUE, a dual Classic winner and dam of Classic winners KINGMAMBO, EAST OF THE MOON, etc.

i n f o @ l a n w a d e s . c o m • w w w. l a n w a d e s . c o m • Te l : + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 6 3 8 7 5 0 2 2 2

LANWADES

The independent option TM

stallion stats Leading first-season European sires 2020: (by prize-money earned to September 15, 2020) Stallion

Breeding

Mehmas Adaay Goken Territories Air Force Blue Prince Of Lir Kodi Bear Twilight Son Shalaa Buratino New Bay Bobby’s Kitten Belardo Coulsty The Gurkha Pride Of Dubai Awtaad Dariyan Morandi Scissor Kick Markaz Estidhkaar Isfahan Vadamos Charming Thought The Last Lion Martinborough Ajaya Fascinating Rock Marcel Strath Burn Samysilver The Great Spirit Exosphere Swipe Harzand Pearl Secret Plantation Kid Flintshire Protectionist Biraaj Uppercut Action Upstart Bow Creek Cannock Chase Tamarkuz Eagle Top Ito

Acclamation-Lucina (Machiavellian) 2017 81 Kodiac-Lady Lucia (Royal Applause) 2017 51 Kendargent-Gooseley Chope (Indian Rocket) 2017 26 Invincible Spirit-Taranto (Machiavellian) 2017 42 War Front-Chatham (Maria’s Mon) 2017 9 Kodiac-Esuvia (Whipper) 2017 27 Kodiac-Hawattef (Mujtahid) 2017 34 Kyllachy-Twilight Mistress (Bin Ajwaad) 2017 49 Invincible Spirit-Ghurra (War Chant) 2017 36 Exceed And Excel-Bergamask (Kingmambo) 2017 34 Dubawi-Cinnamon Bay (Zamindar) 2017 21 Kitten’s Joy-Celestial Woods (Forestry) 2017 27 Lope De Vega-Danaskaya (Danehill) 2017 32 Kodiac-Hazium (In the Wings) 2017 17 Galileo-Chintz (Danehill Dancer) 2017 31 Street Cry-Al Anood (Danehill) 2017 24 Cape Cross-Asheerah (Shamardal) 2017 29 Shamardal-Daryakana (Selkirk) 2017 13 Holy Roman Emperor-Vezina (Bering) 2017 9 Redoute’s Choice-Back Pass (Quest for Fame) 2017 11 Dark Angel-Folga (Atraf) 2017 31 Dark Angel-Danetime Out (Danetime) 2017 23 Lord of England-Independent Miss (Polar Falcon) 2017 4 Monsun-Celebre Vadala (Peintre Celebre) 2017 25 Oasis Dream-Annabelle’s Charm (Indian Ridge) 2017 15 Choisir-Mala Mala (Brief Truce) 2017 17 Deep Impact-Halwa Song (Nureyev) 2017 10 Invincible Spirit-Nessina (Hennessy) 2017 10 Fastnet Rock-Miss Polaris (Polar Falcon) 2017 11 Lawman-Mauresmo (Marju) 2017 5 Equiano-Irish Light (Irish River) 2017 3 Indian Charlie-Hidden Ransom (Silver Ghost) 2017 3 Anabaa Blue-Lavayssiere (Sicyos) 2017 3 Lonhro-Altitude (Danzero) 2017 5 Birdstone-Avalanche Lily (Grand Slam) 2017 6 Sea The Stars-Hazariya (Xaar) 2017 13 Compton Place-Our Little Secret (Rossini) 2017 18 Storm Boy-Unitaire (Vettori) 2017 1 Dansili-Dance Routine (Sadler’s Wells) 2017 5 Monsun-Patineuse (Peintre Celebre) 2017 6 Iffraaj-Annie The Doc (Nayef) 2017 5 Statue of Liberty-Pep’n Chilli (Diaghlyphard) 2017 2 Flatter-Party Silks (Touch Gold) 2017 1 Shamardal-Beneventa (Most Welcome) 2017 5 Lemon Drop Kid-Lynnwood Chase (Horse Chestnut) 2017 7 Speightstown-Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid) 2017 1 Pivotal-Gull Wing (In The Wings) 2017 2 Adlerflug-Iota (Tiger Hill 2017 3

56

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To Stud

Rnrs

Runs 246 147 81 105 36 82 94 125 77 110 56 73 72 52 63 45 51 40 28 26 92 60 5 66 40 51 20 23 28 16 8 12 10 16 13 23 39 7 13 7 19 4 4 8 17 3 6 4

Courtesy of Weatherbys Wnrs 28 13 12 11 2 8 10 11 9 7 9 6 7 6 6 3 4 2 2 2 5 6 2 5 5 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1

Wins

Wnrs/Rnrs% SWnrs SWs

40 34.56 17 25.49 16 46.15 12 26.19 4 22.22 10 29.62 14 29.41 14 22.44 10 25.00 9 20.58 12 42.85 9 22.22 10 21.87 11 35.29 6 19.35 5 12.50 4 13.79 3 15.38 4 22.22 3 18.18 6 16.12 7 26.08 2 50.00 7 20.00 5 33.33 3 17.64 1 10.00 3 20.00 3 27.27 1 20.00 3 66.66 3 100.00 0 0 0 0 2 33.33 2 15.38 1 5.55 3 100.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 50.00 1 100.00 1 20.00 1 14.28 0 0 0 0 1 33.33

£

4 4 550,911 0 0 298,407 2 3 283,532 0 0 233280 0 0 195,302 1 1 176,276 1 1 170,911 1 1 155,216 0 0 153,043 0 0 140,793 1 1 138,921 0 0 126,138 1 1 111,627 2 2 100,618 0 0 75,182 2 2 74,180 0 0 72,667 0 0 70,617 0 0 59,477 0 0 57,504 0 0 56,860 0 0 56,706 0 0 51,558 0 0 51,317 0 0 48,993 0 0 35,088 0 0 29,355 0 0 27,034 0 0 25,475 0 0 20,354 0 0 19,102 0 0 15,446 0 0 15,319 0 0 15,304 0 0 14,539 0 0 13,543 0 0 13,224 0 0 12,304 0 0 11,728 0 0 9,335 0 0 8,218 0 0 6,665 0 0 5,774 0 0 5,464 0 0 4,645 0 0 3,602 0 0 3,044 0 0 2,948

RARE JEWELS TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALES “Take a good look at our draft which includes some rare jewels...

A Sea the Stars filly x Gr.1 winner Chachamaidee, a Kingman half-brother to Classic Winner Galileo Gold, a Kingman filly out of multiple Group Performer and LR winner and Gr.1 performing Lustrous, a Siyouni colt from an outstanding black-type producing family, a Night Of Thunder colt from the family of Imagine, Generous, etc.”

BOOK 1

BOOK 3

174

C Kingman / Galicuix

1576 F Fountain Of Youth / River Song

199

C Night Of Thunder / Hokkaido

1583 F Dark Angel / Saadiah

286

F Kingman / Lustrous

1618 F Territories / Sonnellino

368

C Siyouni / Prefer

1631 F Intello / Tahirah 1667 C Authorized / Adalawa 1691 F Twilight Son / Aunt Nicola

BOOK 2 591

C Night Of Thunder / Anosti

645

F Postponed / Bowstar

650

C Galileo Gold / Bukhoor

670

C Excelebration / Celsius Degre

674

F

684

C Night Of Thunder / Clowning

880

F Territories / Itiqad

961

F Postponed / Luminous

990

F Muhaarar / Melody Of Love

Sea The Stars / Chachamaidee

1093 C Night Of Thunder / Populist 1140 C Muhaarar / Regal Hawk

1695 F Fountain Of Youth / Bee Ina Bonnet 1727 C Pearl Secret / Dance In The Sun 1734 C Brazen Beau / Delta Diva 1763 C Sea The Moon / Frosty Welcome 1802 C Outstrip / Lady Benedicte 1803 F Mayson / Lady Bling 1842 F Aclaim / Nandiga 1843 F Slade Power / New Falcon 1857 C Night of Thunder / Percys Princess 1865 F Mizzen Mast / Preferential 1867 C War Command / Pretty Diamond 1873 F Fountain of Youth / Quiz Show

Houghton Bloodstock UK Ltd Fox Farm Barnardiston Road Hundon, Sudbury Suffolk C010 8EL Office Number: 01638 563238 Robin Mobile: 07850 661468 Malcolm Mobile: 07711 160856 E: info@houghtonbloodstock.co.uk View our yearlings at www.houghtonbloodstock.co.uk

BOOK 4 1979 F Sir Percy / Faldal 1993 C Brazen Beau / Loveable 1995 F Charming Thought / Millsini 1996 C Garswood / Miss Toldyaso 2006 F Ardad / Powerfulstorm 2014 F Charming Thought / Scarlet Thrush 2017 F Poet’s Voice / Sensible 2022 C Equiano / Silvee

Where dreams are born...

Major Winners bred by Blue Diamond Stud DECORATED KNIGHT Triple Gr.1 Winner

ALJAZZI

Gr.2 & Gr.3 Winner

AJAYA

Gr.2 Winner

EXTRA ELUSIVE Dual Gr.3 Winner

NOURIYA

Dual Listed Winner

JUSTINEO

Dual Listed Winner

RAUCOUS Listed Winner

VIK THE BILLY Listed Winner

MAJESTIC NOOR Listed Winner

YUFTEN

Balmoral Handicap

Blue Diamond Stud (South), Wilbraham Road, Newmarket, CB8 0OW

Following in the footsteps of greatness

LOT 432 Colt by Decorated Knight x Shaden (Kodiac) Dam winner of the Gr.3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes New England Stud (Book 1)

LOT 612 Colt by No Nay Never x Azenzar (Danehill Dancer) Half-brother to progressive 3yo Establish from a Gr.1 family New England Stud (Book 2)

LOT 921 Colt by El Kabeir x Lady’s Purse (Doyen) Out of a Gr.3 winner and half-brother to a Group performer New England Stud (Book 2)

LOT 448 Colt by Dubawi x Soon (Galileo) Dam a Listed-winning daughter of Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Classic Park New England Stud (Book 1)

LOT 625 Colt by Decorated Knight x Belova (Soviet Star) Half-brother to promising 3-time winner Ilaraab New England Stud (Book 2)

LOT 1005 Colt by Decorated Knight x Miss Laila (Dark Angel) Dam a winning 2yo New England Stud (Book 2)

LOT 1039 Colt by Siyouni x Nessina (Hennessy) A half-brother to Gimcrack Stakes winner Ajaya and this season’s multiple Gr.3 winner Extra Elusive New England Stud (Book 1)

Selling at Tattersalls Books 1 and 2 on behalf of Blue Diamond Stud T: 01638 717103 E: TonyNerses@BlueDiamondStud.co.uk W: BlueDiamondStud.co.uk

60

www.internationalthoroughbred.net

fittocks stud Lot 66: the Frankel colt out of Blue Waltz with Juan Suarez

Photography by Melanie Sauer

A fine draft

Luca and Sara Cumani are looking forward to offering a quality yearling draft under their Fittocks Stud banner at this year’s Tattersalls October Book 1 and Book 2 sales, writes Sally Duckett

R

ACING, BREEDING AND PRODUCING racehorses is a game for the long term, but alongside that longevity it also requires some sort of strategic plan, one that will have a chance of bringing those extended plans, hopes and ambitions to a successful result.

Luca and Sara Cumani achieved the highest ambitions possible in racing when Kahyasi, trained by Cumani, won the 1988 Epsom Derby, that Classic success followed up ten years later with the Epsom

victory of High Rise.

All in, Cumani produced over 60 global Group 1 winners, including seven Classic winners, spanning the decades from 1976 to 2018.

Now, in 2020, with the benefit of hindsight and with the perspective of time, that training career has formed the solid foundations, that strategic base, for the couple’s second career, that of running a sizeable stud farm in the breeding hinterland of Newmarket.

Fittocks Stud was purchased by the

Sara Cumani, the manager of Fittocks, ensuring equine progress is recorded

Photo by Laura Green

www.internationalthoroughbred.net

61

fittocks stud

Lot 984: Churchill colt out of Materialistic (Oasis Dream) sells in Book 2

Free Guest and Lester Piggott: the pair finished second in the St. Simon Stakes

Cumanis in 1984, a year after Cumani achieved his first international Grade 1 and Group 1 victories with success in the Grade 1 Arlington Million with Tolomeo (the first European invader to take the race on its third renewal, the Lypheor threeyear-old colt beating the US public hero John Henry) and Old County’s Prix RoyalOak victory in France.

A year later the stable added to those laurels with Commanche Run’s St Leger,

Lot 506: Sea The Stars colt out of Umniyah (Shamardal)

62

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Cumani’s first domestic Classic, and Free Guest’s first Sun Chariot Stakes victory.

Four years later came Kahyasi’s Epsom Derby victory for owner HH The Aga Khan.

The Ile De Bourbon colt’s win helped set the course for the new owners of Fittocks Stud; Cumani took himself off to Ireland for the yearling sales and returned with a filly.

She was named Souk and has been integral to the development of Fittocks through Cumani family’s tenure.

“I can remember very clearly how her purchase came about,” smiles Sara Cumani, the “manager” of Fittocks. “Luca went to Ireland to the sales the year when he won the Derby, obviously feeling very happy with himself! He returned and said, ‘I’ve bought a filly for the stud for Ir110,000gns, she is by Ahonoora.’

“I remember saying, ‘Oh my god, you haven’t seriously?’ – Ir110,000gns was a lot of money then.

“But we’d been in very shallow waters at the sales to that point. We started right at the very beginning, selling foals for basement prices and I think he said, ‘We’ve got to do something about this!’”

Explaining the reason for that sizeable initial outlay, Cumani recalls: “She was small and sweet, and from an Aga Khan family, which always gives you confidence.”

Sara adding: “The filly came to Bedford House and was an absolute sweetie.

“When she was in training she did keep on knocking her pasterns, it was a bore and it stopped her running in certain places, but she was placed in the Sceptre Stakes.”

Souk was retained by the Cumanis for the embryonic stud farm, and has become one of the founding mares for the stud and Fittocks, some 22 years later, will be offering descendants at this year’s October Book 1 Sale.

“Souky was the first,” adds Sara. “She had so many foals, and they have all have managed to have lots and lots of foals,too, which is wonderful.”

Two of the first of those many foals were both fillies named Puce and Shouk, and were by son and father Darshaan and Shirley Heights.

“We sold Shouk carrying to Magical Romance,” rues Sara of the sale of the mare carrying a pregnancy to the subsequent

fittocks stud Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) winner and record-breaking sales horse.

“Shouk had been my ride, and she was a typical Shirley Heights filly, a bit ‘squealy’ She was not that correct and Luca couldn’t wait to get rid of her! “ laughs Sara Cumani, adding: “She made decent money as a mare by Shirley Heights; she was bought

by Timmy Hyde and she was then sent to Sadler’s Wells, which is something we couldn’t have afforded at the time.”

With the arms of Coolmore then doing all the hard work for Fittocks, Shouk went on to produce the champion Alexandrova (Sadler’s Wells), the Group 1-placed Somehow, the Group 2 winner Alex My Boy and is grand-dam of Group 1 winner Aspetar.

Her Group 1-winning daughter Magical Romance, after a slight timing hiccup at the start of her own breeding career, hit the production heights in 2019 becoming the grand-dam of the Prix de Diane (G1) winner Channel, a daughter of Nathaniel bred by Kilcarn Stud.

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HE LISTED winner Puce was retained by Fittocks and her daughter Pongee (by Magical Romance’s sire Barathea, whom Cumani also trained) went on to win the Lancashire Oaks (G2) and finish runner-up in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) for trainer Cumani and Fittocks, while her son Lion Sands was a Listed winner and Group 3-placed for owner Stronach Stables but trained by Cumani.

However, it is two of Puce’s lesser lights on the racecourse who have gone on to be top-class broodmares.

Her 1999 foal Platonic, a filly by Zafonic and a winner of one race as a four-year-old in France, was sold by Fittocks in 2004 for 100,000gns bought by Suprina.

Her 201o foal born under the Skymarc Farm and Ecurie des Monceaux banner was named Prudenzia.

She was a Listed winner and in 2013 became dam of Chicquita (Montjeu), subsequent winner of the Irish Oaks, the champion Irish three-year-old filly of 2013 and another record-breaking sales horse for

Lot 292: colt by Siyouni ex Barter (Daylami), his second dam is the wonderful ancestress Souk

the pedigree when she fetched €6 million at Goffs Breeding Stock Sale in 2013.

In 2015, Prudenzia added to her broodmare laurels when giving birth to a filly by Galileo. Now named Magic Wand, she is a Group 1 winner of the Mackinnon Stakes and nine-time Group

and Grade 1 runner-up.

This year, Prudenzia has again hit the heights on the racecourse and in the sales ring. She is a half-sister to this year’s Listed Derby Trial winner and Epsom Derby (G1) sixth English King, and despite this year’s difficult early yearling sales season her

Lot 251: Dubawi colt out of the Pivotal mare Koora

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fittocks stud Galileo colt was sold at the Arqana Select Sale by Monceaux fetching €2 million bought by Coolmore. He is the mare’s toppriced sale progeny so far and is one of just four horses to have ever sold for €2 million or more at the Deauville-based auction house.

The other “lesser light” out of Puce was Sitara, her 1998 daughter of Salse. She had one win for trainer Cumani over 1m4f on firm ground at Musselburgh, and achieved a BHA career-high of 67.

“Sitara was by Salse, and who wanted then to keep a Salse mare? She won a race but was nothing special to look at, she was a cull for good reasons,” says Sara of the mare who was sold in 2002 and has since gone on to produce Rekindling, the champion stayer of 2017-2018 in Australia and winner of the Melbourne Cup (G1), and Golden Sword, who won the Chester Vase (G3) and finished second in the Irish Derby (G1).

There is obvious regret from the Cumanis that those got away, but the farm has many links to the pedigree now one of the strongest in Europe that it can still reap the rewards of the family’s ever-developing black-type.

“The Umniyah colt is exactly what you would imagine a Sea The Stars colt out of a Shamardal mare would look like – a big, strong man of a horse This year’s Lot 51 at Tattersalls October Book 1 is a Siyouni colt out of Barter, a Daylami daughter of Souk. He is a threequarters relation to Haggle, a filly by Pivotal and winner of the Group 3 Prix Fille de l’Air and now resident in the Wertheimer Et Frere broodmare band.

“The family does just keep on going, still keeps on giving. Luckily, we held on to

-From the time vaults: the Cumani-trained Tolomeo (Rae Guest, dark cap, right) finishes third in the 1984 running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (G1) behind Teenoso (Lester Piggott) and Sadler’s Wells (Pat Eddery). The year before Tolomeo had won the Arlington Million giving Cumani his first top level international training success

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Barter, who has produced Haggle and we have a full-sister to Haggle in training with James Fanshawe called Quibble. She was small, which is not surprising as Haggle is small too,” explains Cumani.

“She is very strong and James is under instruction to try and win as a three-yearold. We might keep her in training as a four-year-old, but she must win at three.”

Of the closely related sibling for sale this year, Sara outlines: “He is a lovely horse, he is very strong, perhaps a little bit on the small side but the whole family is small. He also has a great big bum!

“His withers are not out yet and he was a May foal – May foals have done so well and the stats are so good for them. He will be a beautiful horse next year, he is flashy.”

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HE 36-year strategic plan for the development of Fittocks does not rest though on one founding pedigree, and Lot 251, a bay colt by Dubawi, can trace his own link to the 1980s and that precious Derby winner of 1988.

His dam Koora is a Pivotal Group 3 St Simon Stakes-winning half-sister to the Fittocks-bred Milan (Sadler’s Wells), the European champion three-year-old stayer in 2001, winner of the St Leger and a champion NH sire.

Kahyasi’s overarching influence was again an important factor for the purchase of grand-dam Kalata – this time rather than helping finance a bloodstock purchase, the Derby winner’s prowess on the gallops influenced investment plans.

Kalata was a half-sister to the dam of the Derby winner and was purchased when Kahyasi was just a two-year-old, already impressing his trainer in his early work.

“This colt is a lovely typical Dubawi, in fact he is very Dubawi,” says Sara of this year’s Book 1 offering. “He is a Postponed type. His full-brother Kemari is with Charlie Appleby; we have heard he will run quite soon and they like him.”

The Fittocks Stud’s six-strong draft entered in this year’s Book 1 sale, the largest yearling draft offered by the farm to date, also includes a Sea The Stars colt out of Umniyah (Lot 506) and a Siyouni filly out

fittocks stud of Baltic Best (Lot 49).

“The Umniyah colt is exactly what you would imagine a Sea The Stars colt out of a Shamardal mare would look like,” enthuses Sara. “He is a big, strong man of a horse, a very good walker and has a wonderful even temperament.”

Cumani adds: “The Siyouni filly out of Baltic Best is a second foal and she is right up there with the colts. We bought the mare in-foal to Ito… I beat him in the Grosser Preis von Berlin with Second Step.

“We had quite a fight to buy Baltic Best, and I think if she had been in-foal to anything else we wouldn’t have managed to get her. Her first foal It Girl is in training with James; I think she is quite exciting, she is very athletic and an easy mover.”

The benefit of hindsight and longevity in the business is certainly something that is appreciated by the couple.

“When you get older and longer in the tooth, you can look back and remember how it all started and see how the families all developed,” smiles Sara, adding: “The mares we shouldn’t have sold and ones we sold for very good reasons!”

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HE TIMING of the latest stage of the strategic plan could not have come at a better time – the newly built house at Fittocks was completed a couple of years ago, Cumani retired from training in 2018, Bedford House Stables was sold last year to young trainer Charlie Fellowes and the couple completed their change of address. This year the global pandemic has arrived throwing the world into confusion and making the already stressful business of training racehorses an even more demanding occupation.

“What a time to have given up!” exclaims Sara. “It must be so hard for trainers at the minute. We built and moved in, and sold Bedford House at the same time; imagine if it had been this year!”

And although her husband adds that he is not missing the world of training at all, a view probably enforced by the fraught year being endured in 2020, he adds: “If I were 25, I’d do it again! When it is good it is good

Kahyasi, a son of Ile De Bourbon, returns in Derby triumph at Epsom led in by HH Aga Khan, ridden by Ray Cochrane wearing the owner’s second colours

and we were very lucky, but the plan was always to walk out and not be carried out.”

Although now with the bloodstock cap firmly on his head, Cumani appreciates the benefits that training can give affording unique insights to the characteristics of individuals and pedigrees, but as he says it

can also throw a “curve ball” and can indeed still cloud judgment, a good breeding mare is not always the pick in a training stable.

The couple are now very much settled in their new home in the midst of the 360 acres that the stud has become, and though the house is still settling onto its foundations, it would be difficult to argue it has not been in situ for 100 years and borne witness to the prowess of carriage horses arriving along its long and winding drive.

“It was always the plan to do this,” say the pair in unison. “The whole farm has been set out with a view to one day having a house on this site. In the late 1980s John Gummer [then Environment Secretary] decided that not enough good houses were being built in the countryside, and PP55 of the National Planning Policy Framework allowed houses of architectural value to be built, so we immediately applied.

“We got permission, kept it alive since then and four years ago started; it is much smaller than the original design, but it is always easier planning-wise to go smaller than bigger!”

And while the sales of some of those subsequently industry-important broodmares, fillies and Group 1 horses may be regretted, the finance that the

Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 2020: Fittocks Stud Book 1 Lot Detail

Sire

Dam

Dam sire

49

f,b.

Siyouni (FR)

Baltic Best (IRE)

King’s Best (USA)

51

c,ch.

Siyouni (FR)

Barter (GB)

Daylami (IRE)

66

c,b.

Frankel (GB)

Blue Waltz (GB)

Pivotal (GB)

251

c,b.

Dubawi (IRE)

Koora (GB)

Pivotal (GB)

292

c,gr.

Muhaarar (GB)

Maglietta Fina (IRE)

Verglas (IRE)

506

c,b.

Sea The Stars (IRE)

Umniyah (IRE)

Shamardal (USA)

Book 2 Lot Detail

Sire

Dam

Dam sire

740

f,b.

Dark Angel (IRE)

Dreamlike (GB)

Oasis Dream (GB)

823

c,b.

Tamayuz (GB)

Got To Dream (GB)

Duke of Marmalade (IRE)

900

f,gr.

Mastercraftsman (IRE)

Kindu (GB)

Pivotal (GB)

984

c,b.

Churchill (IRE)

Materialistic (GB)

Oasis Dream (GB)

1218

c,b.

Kodiac (GB)

Slatey Hen (IRE)

Acclamation (GB)

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fittocks stud

“The stud has grown organically, we have never put money in, everything has grown slowly... auction ring has generated has allowed for continued inward investment.

“The stud has grown organically, we have never put money in, everything has grown slowly and, whenever we have made any money, we have bought another mare or a little more land,” explains Cumani, adding: “The one thing we got wrong… we put more investment into the stud, bought a few more mares, upgraded the stallions, and now we hit this!

“We might have to dig into the pockets this year and we will if we need to… the alternative is to grow carrots here, but I am not sure we are there yet!”

The farm has only recently started selling the younger horses in its own name, but has sold mares and older horse for some time under its own banner.

“Over the last 20 years we have been incredibly lucky with the prices we have got at the sales,” says a realistic Sara, Fittocks Stud listed as having sold Seta for 1.1 million guineas, Blue Symphony for a million, as well as another 12 in excess of 200,000gns.

With Highclere, Silk Sari’s 2016 Dubawi colt fetched 1.3 million guineas bought by Godolphin.

Cumani explains: “We started selling yearlings in our own name last year.

When I was training I never wanted to sell ourselves because I was busy looking around for yearlings myself, and I thought it would be better, as a trainer, to be at arms-length. We always sold then with Highclere.”

Of the plans for this year’s draft, Sara says: “The horses will all have sensible

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reserves, and if they don’t make that we will train.

“We keep colts from young families, and we keep what we really believe in if doesn’t make what we think it should, whether it is a colt or a filly.

“We have a good syndicate that we have carried on since we were training,” explains Sara.

The recent second placing by the Fittocks-owned and bred Kirstenbosch behind Enable in the Group 3 September Stakes, the first Group-placed black-type for the four-year-old daughter of Mount Nelson out of Kassiyra from the family of Kahyasi, a great example of the benefit of keeping the “right” ones in training to back the family lines.

With the wonderful pedigrees at their disposal, it had to asked whether, after a life training racehorses, surely it would have been easier for the power couple to have handed over the day-to-day guardianship of the stud to others in order that they could enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle?

“We are lucky to have a very competent, happy team headed here by Martin Languillet,” explains Sara, recognising the capable team of staff at Fittocks.

“It is wonderful to be able to walk out and

see the foals, see the yearlings, the mares, the yearlings in prep.

“It is a great world and there is always something to do, something happening. We don’t want to just be sitting in front of the TV!” laughs Cumani, who is in charge of the paddocks and husbandry of the farm.

In fact, the astute Italian is as far from retired – when not busy on the stud or at the sales, he is fully involved with the BHA as a member-nominated director; through this COVID year it is a role that you can imagine has kept him plenty occupied.

Fittocks has around 18-19 of is own mares, three in partnership, and around the same number of permanent boarders. A few seasonal boarders arrive with the swallows each spring.

Fittocks Stud does the job of producing top class horses well, and Team Cumani’s continuing development of the farm has meant that the stud can do a good job even better.

Luca and Sara Cumani can be confident the plans they made in the 1980s will see the stud and its pedigrees through a good few generations to come yet.

But, first, the most immediate requirement... getting the 2020 yearlings to Tattersalls, and sold.

Lot 292: the Muhaarar colt out of Maglietta Fina with Natasha Gory leading the draft on exercise

ALL EYES ON KEENELAND Keeneland this autumn will be the world epicentre of breeding and racing. The 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships are immediately followed by the Keeneland November Sale, featuring an outstanding group of mares, fillies, foals and horses in training.

L E A R N M O R E AT NOVEMBER.KEENEL AND.COM

NOVEMBER M O N . 9 - W ED. 18

Ed Prosser · European Representative +44 (0) 7808 477827 · eprosser@keeneland.co.uk

tom biggs

Biggs ideas Martin Stevens chats with bloodstock agent Tom Biggs of Blandford Bloodstock about his move into the bloodstock business and forging a successful buying partnership with trainer Archie Watson

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tom biggs

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HERE HAVE BEEN SOME formidable trainer and bloodstock agent partnerships down the years. Peter Doyle and Richard Hannon snr, and the second generation pairing of Ross Doyle and Richard Hannon jnr, immediately spring to mind. Then there have been the fruitful associations between Adrian Nicoll and Barry Hills, Stephen Hillen and Kevin Ryan, and Gill Richardson and Mick Channon.

A more recent addition to that list, but one that promises to be equally as powerful, is the crack team of young Blandford Bloodstock representative Tom Biggs and shooting star trainer Archie Watson. Recent Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup runner-up Glen Shiel and stakes winners Absolute Blast, Isaan Queen, Maystar, Shumookhi and Snowy Winter are among the smart performers sourced by the pair and have been sent out by Watson through his first five seasons at Saxon Gate, Upper Lambourn.

Every self-respecting industry aficionado is now well aware of Watson’s talents, but less is perhaps known about his trusted talent scout, despite him becoming an increasingly familiar face on the sales scene.

“My dad kept the occasional mare at home when I was growing up and I started going racing a lot with him in my mid-teens,” says Biggs, outlining his background. “As a result I became quite keen on pedigrees and spent a lot of hours flicking through the stallion book.

“I was halfway through completing a degree in architecture when my dad and I came across a filly for sale online who was a half-sister to a decent Salisbury maiden winner named Look Here.

“We bought her and a few months later Look Here won the Oaks! We sold our filly for a really good profit the same summer and I was pretty much hooked after that.

“The year after I finished my degree, I managed to get a place on The National Stud course and from there I went to work on a few stud farms around the UK; Darley, Watership Down and Highclere.”

Two-man team: trainer Archie Watson (left) and bloodstock agent Tom Biggs

“The year after that, I asked Richard if I could do the full sales season with him and, luckily, he agreed.

“I must have done something to impress him because he offered me a job...

Biggs had accumulated excellent horsemanship skills and knowledge of stud life but he was, by his own admission, a little green when it came to the sales.

“I was working the breeding and yearling seasons at Whitsbury Manor and didn’t have anything lined up for the winter,” he

explains. “I was thinking about whether to do a season in Australia or the US but [stud manager] Phil Haworth said I should probably get some sales experience and he set me up shadowing Richard Brown for the Tattersalls December sales.

“I didn’t really have any experience of how the sales worked, so it was a real eye-opener. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. The year after that, I asked Richard if I could do the full sales season with him and, luckily, he agreed. I must have done something to impress him because he offered me a job shortly after!”

Biggs has now been working at Blandford Bloodstock for six years and heads up the agency’s research department, putting in hard work behind the scenes with his nose buried in the form book and re-watching race results.

“Outside of the sales season, I spend some time each day looking over the form and trying to find horses in training to buy privately,” he says. “This takes up a lot of hours and can be a bit of a fruitless task but it’s worth the effort when a deal comes off.

I also keep a lookout for fillies related to potentially smart racehorses and black-type fillies who have lost a bit of form.

“I managed to find a Siyouni mare called

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ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • BALLET CONCERTO • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP • PICK OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS BAY • HAVANE SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING • DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET CONCERTO • ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ ONE VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONT • SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAEBOOK • ALESSANDRO POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • 5 B.C. Muhaarar x Zee ZeeLISA Top•(Zafonic/Colorspin) IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • Lot ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP • toBAY the• Front Dash) 115 B.C. Iffraaj PICK OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN Lot • RELATIVELY SPECIALx•Dash MULLINS HAVANE(Diktat/Millennium SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY • JAZZI TOP • Deuce Again (Dubawi/Match Point) SPEEDY BOARDING • DEUCE AGAIN •Lot CAROLINAE • BALLET x CONCERTO • ANAPURNA 119 B.C. Kingman • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • Lawman x OLD Fizzi Top (Frankel/Zee Zee Top) Lot 160 B.C. FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • BALLET CONCERTO • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT CHESA Intello x Izzi Top (Pivotal/Zee •Zee Top) PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP • PICK OF THE POPS Lot 228 B.C. • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS BAY • HAVANE SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING Lot 311 B.C. Mukhadram x Miss Dashwood (Dylan Thomas/Dash to the Front) • DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET CONCERTO • ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • Pivotal x Perfectly Spirited (Invincible Spirit/Design Lot 355 B.F. NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZPerfection) • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • Emperor x Return Point) Lot 396 B.C. Holy Roman MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP •Ace PICK(Zamindar/Match OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS BAY • HAVANE SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE MEDIA HYPE • MARSHxDAISY • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING • DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET Sensationally (Montjeu/One So Wonderful) Lot •427 B.C. Territories CONCERTO • ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONTLot • POET ONE Farhh SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL x Strictly Lambada (Red Ransom/Bella Lambada) 467 •Ch.C. • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • BALLET CONCERTO • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • Lot 509 B.F. Mastercraftsman x Utopian Dream (High Chaparral/You Too) DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP • PICK OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS BAY • HAVANE SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY BOOK TWO• DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET CONCERTO • ANAPURNA HIPPY SHAKE • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO Ribchester x Excellent Sounds (Exceed & Excel/Siren Lot 766 B.C. THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIALSound) • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • x Interstella (Sea •The Stars/Hyperspectra) Lot 873 B.F. The Gurkha RAPPA TAP TAP • PICK OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS BAY • HAVANE SMOKER • CASPAR NETSCHER • DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • (Cadeaux COQUET •Genereux/Bianca HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE x Italian Connection Nera) • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY LotCOLORA 879 B.C. •Equiano • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING • DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET CONCERTO • ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTAFast • OPERA HOUSE • xZEE ZEE TOP •(Dalakhani/Balalaika) DASH TO THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • Company Likeable Lot 938 B/Br.C. COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA • KISSOGRAM • MOVIEGOER • CEZANNE • DYNASTY • STAGECRAFT • CHESA PLANA • RAPPA TAP TAP • PICK OF THE POPS • SAN SEBASTIAN • RELATIVELY SPECIAL • MULLINS • HAVANE • CASPAR NETSCHER DASH TO THE TOP • TORCH ROUGE • BELLA COLORA All BAY yearlings areSMOKER eligible for PLUS TEN •Bonus Schemes • CROESO CARIAD • SHIROCCO STAR • COQUET • HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE • MEDIA HYPE • MARSH DAISY • JAZZI TOP • SPEEDY BOARDING • DEUCE AGAIN • CAROLINAE • BALLET CONCERTO • ANAPURNA • TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE • TELECASTER • DASHING WILLOUGHBY • CAROLINAE • ALESSANDRO VOLTA • OPERA HOUSE • ZEE ZEE TOP • DASH TO THE FRONT • POET • ONE SO WONDERFUL • COLORSPIN • MILLIGRAM • NOUSHKEY • SOMEONE SPECIAL • YOUR OLD PAL • YANKEE DOODLE • LADY CARLA • IZZI TOP • SUEZ • SUN BOAT • FRANCE • ALKAADHEM • KAYF TARA • MONA LISA • BALLET CONCERTO • PHOTOGENIC • BALALAIKA • JUST SPECIAL • NECKLACE • UNSCRUPULOUS • MUDEER • HYABELLA •

Tattersalls October Yearling Sales 2020

1983 – 2020 MEON VALLEY STUD have bred the winners of 1067 races (including 63 stakes winners of 127 stakes races) £18,906,250 (approx)

www.meonvalleystud.co.uk

tom biggs Mango Tango in Qatar a couple of years ago. She was a high-class filly in France but hadn’t quite shown the same level of form in Qatar. The deal seemed to drag on forever, but we managed to get her back and she sold for 535,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale last year in-foal to Showcasing, which was a great result for the client.”

He adds: “Sales will be taking up the majority of my time now. September to December is a very intensive period in a normal year, but due to some of the sales moving around it’s going to be even more hectic this year. Any days I’m not at a sale I’ll be spending researching the next one.”

Biggs also devotes much time to statistical study in a bid to gain a competitive edge, and unsurprisingly isn’t going to give away his secrets easily.

“I suppose I can’t say too much on that,” he laughs. “I’m really just trying to highlight patterns – whether they be based on pedigree, breeder, the month the horse was born or the sale it comes from.

“I’ve recently spent a lot of time looking back over the last few yearling seasons

“You get through a lot of stats and most of them don’t really tell you much but occasionally it will flag up something assessing how sales, vendors and stallions have compared against one another. You get through a lot of stats and most of them don’t really tell you much but occasionally it will flag up something of note. I guess, like anyone, I’m just looking for an edge.”

Explaining how the association with Watson came about, he says: “Archie was another of Richard Brown’s sales ‘gofers’ and has had an association with Blandford since he was in his teens.

“I’d just started buying a handful of horses around the time he set up training and it all just sort of fell into place.

“We’re a similar age and have similar views on racing, so I think we work very well together. We keep things quite simple, I handle the buying and he handles the training.”

The best advertisement for the WatsonBiggs axis is arguably Glen Shiel, bought from Godolphin for £45,000 from last year’s Goffs UK Spring Horses in Training Sale. The gelded son of Pivotal and Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner Gonfilia has won four races for Watson, including the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes in August, and recently found only Dream Of Dreams too good in the Haydock Sprint Cup (G1).

“It is probably the highlight so far,” says Biggs. “Archie and I bought him as a horse in training from André Fabre having shown some good form in France over nine and ten furlongs. He has quite a lot of speed in his family so we thought he could be a horse that does well over slightly shorter distances. I don’t think either of us expected he would turn into a 6f horse though.

Gael Shiel (far left, below) just missed giving Watson, Biggs and jockey Hollie Doyle debut Group 1 successes in the Haydock Sprint Cup

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tom biggs He’s amazing really and still seems to be improving as a six-year-old.”

The purchase that has brought Biggs most professional gratification, however, is Snowy Winter. And no wonder, when the Elusive Quality mare was bought for buttons and resold for many multiples of her purchase price.

“I bought her from the Goffs February Sale as an unraced three-year-old for €7,500,” recalls Biggs. “I had gone to the sale to buy a couple of mares for a breeding client but that didn’t work out and all I ended up doing was buying her for Archie.

She just about paid for my trip to Ireland!

“Within the space of about a year, she went from being a 62-rated handicapper to winning a Listed race and eventually getting Group 1-placed. She sold for 725,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale last year in-foal to Kingman.

“I don’t think that could really happen in any other industry and it’s what makes this one so special.”

for a bit less money.

“We don’t have the financial firepower to compete buying well-bred expensive yearlings, but we might be able to buy a nice ‘second-hand’ horse with a good pedigree.

“Whatever the sale, we try to buy something that looks athletic and we’ll forgive a little fault here or there to get one that has a bit of class.”

Biggs and Watson’s ascendant profiles have ensured they have, to a degree, been insulated from some of the woes caused by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Not many will be able to claim in this chaotic year that orders are up.

“I think we’re in about the same situation as we normally are at this time of year, which is fantastic considering what’s going on in the world,” says Biggs. “The breezeups went quite well too. We managed to buy six, which is a couple more than last year.

“Thankfully, we already have a smart one in Devilwala, whom we bought in partnership with Alex Elliott at the

HUMOOKHI, a Listed-winning daughter of Society Rock, is another fine representative of the Biggs and Watson double act.

“We bought her from TallyHo Stud at the Tattersalls Ascot Breeze-Up Sale in 2018 for £11,000,” recalls Biggs.

“She won the St Hughs Stakes at Newbury a few days after Snowy Winter scored her Listed in Ireland.

“Ascot has been quite lucky for me. I bought another filly there named Crystal River who was still a maiden at the time.

She won her maiden by 13l on her first start for William Haggas before going on to win a Listed race in France.

“I take pleasure in seeing anything I have bought win a race, as that’s the name of the game. Thankfully, the majority of them are with Archie so it happens pretty often!”

Are there any secrets to success at the sales that Biggs is willing to share?

“We buy all sorts across a range of budgets,” he says. “We buy almost as many horses in training a year as yearlings. Not for any particular reason other than the fact that you can often buy a slightly nicer type

Watson on Biggs

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“When I was coming through the industry I worked with Blandford Bloodstock at all the sales, so when I started training it made sense to buy horses with Tom as we’re a similar age.

“One of the first horses we bought together was Alkashaaf at the horses in training sale, and he was among my earliest winners. From there we progressed through breeze-up horses and yearling sales and now there aren’t many sales we wouldn’t attend.

“We’re very much like-minded when it comes to horses and I trust him implicitly. In fact, there would be many times now when I can’t make it to the sales and I’m more than happy for him to work away on his own.

“Tom has a very good eye and has an excellent handle on form. A lot of people ask me what I saw in some of our successful horses who were bought inexpensively at the yearling or horses in training sales and the answer is usually that Tom just spotted something in the pedigree or previous runs.

“He’s helped us become a versatile stable, too. People tend to pigeonhole me as a twoyear-old trainer but in fact we’ve had winning

Tattersalls Craven Sale. He finished second in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes.

“We don’t buy a huge number of yearlings each year, but we have a few very good owners such as Hambleton Racing and Ontoawinner, whom we know we can buy a few for each year. The likes of Will Nash and Arjun Waney have also been great supporters of ours in recent years.

“We appreciate how important they are and we’re very grateful to have them on board. We would love to have a few more yearlings to buy.”

Biggs’ ultimate ambition in the industry is one that looks like being accomplished sooner rather than later; if Watson’s training career continues on its steep upward trajectory.

“Obviously I’d love to buy a Group 1 winner – I think that’s the aim for anyone in the industry,” he says. “I wouldn’t be too fussy about which one it was, but the Epsom Oaks would be particularly nice for sentimental reasons.”

middle-distance three-year-olds, stayers and even hurdlers as well as the babies. Tom’s good at spotting talent across all disciplines and distances.

“In truth, there is no idea of his that is too weird and wonderful that I won’t have a crack at it. There have been one or two times when I look at one of his plots and I’ve said ‘Really?

Are you sure that horse has done enough?’

But when he says he’s seen something and I’m happy to follow him.

“I have the final say on all purchases but we’re very much a partnership at the sales.

We’ve done very well together so far and long may that continue.”

Watson reckons that none of Biggs’ ideas are ever “too weird”

Lancade

winner 100. German 1.000 Guineas, Gr.2

Classic contenders Miss Yoda

winner 162. Henkel-Preis der Diana - German Oaks, Gr. 1

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October Mixed Sales 16th and 17th October 2020 www.bbag-sales.de

old mill stud

Photography by Debbie Burt

A new era at Old Mill

Racing manager Rob Speers watches the Galileo filly out of Vasilia parading at Old Mill Stud. The filly is a half-sister to recent Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Dream Of Dreams and is catalogued Lot 510 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, part of a nine-strong Book 1 and 2 debut yearling draft under the new ownership at Old Mill Stud

Old Mill Stud, purchased by Ibrahim Araci and daughter Pinar in 2019, has its first yearlings bound for Tattersalls this autumn. Aisling Crowe chats with bloodstock and racing manager Rob Speers

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OB SPEERS IS ENJOYING yearling prep this summer and autumn. The purchase and development of Old Mill Stud by employer Ibrahim Araci means Speers can become hands on with the horses once more, as he overseas and takes an active part in the preparation of the farm’s first yearlings to sell under the new banner.

“It’s a very different process now,” says Speers, who began his career with the Coolmore yearlings before becoming Owner and breeder, Ibrahim Araci

Photo courtesy of Tattersalls

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assistant manager at Highclere and now bloodstock and racing manager to the Aracis.

“Until the mares moved into Old Mill last November the yearlings were prepped and sold by the farms where they boarded, so this is the first year Mr Araci is selling as his own brand.

“Yearling prep was something I always did and enjoyed and I pride myself on producing a good team of young people here as well as the yearlings.”

Working with the youngstock affords Speers valuable insights into the characters and temperaments of the horses, discovering traits that run through the families but also giving a glimpse into how the embryonic racehorses will adapt in the next stage of their careers.

“You learn to understand the horses and how important attitude is and the mental toughness. I’m lunging a lot of yearlings and I’m really enjoying the process; it gives you a clear idea of what their futures are and you can be honest with buyers at the sales. You also need to understand character and family traits to be able to choose stallions that suit.”

Old Mill Stud, found four miles outside of Newmarket and previously owned by David Shekells, the breeder of Royal Applause, has nine yearlings catalogued at Tattersalls

October Yearling Sale across Books 1 and 2, but the breeding operation.

However, the first draft in their own name contains a yearling who will garner attention from the moment she steps off the lorry at Park Paddocks.

In Lot 510 of the Book 1 catalogue the farm has a filly who would adorn any leading sale the world over, such is the strength of her pedigree, as a Galileo half-sister to this month’s Group 1 Sprint Cup winner Dream Of Dreams, and her page is also matched by her physical attributes.

“She is a lovely filly and I couldn’t fault her temperament, she moves like a panther and is so athletic, she just has a swagger to her,” admires Speer. “It is a very fast page, all about speed, as a half-sister to a Sprint Cup winner out of a half-sister to a pair of Group 1-winning sprinters.”

Her dam Vasilia has produced three black-type performers and is the granddam of another, while her half-sisters are none other than Jwala and Airwave, who is the second dam of the Group 1 winners Churchill and Clemmie, both by Galileo.

“We know Galileo on speed works, we

know Galileo and Dansili works, the cross works on paper and it looks like it works in reality,” outlines Speer. “Her attitude is fantastic, the way she eats up, how she wants to get on with everything; she just wants to work and she floats across the ground. She moves like a special horse and I look forward to following her career.”

The only filly amongst the quartet offered

by Old Mill in Book 1, with five more yearlings catalogued in Book 2, she is by no means an outlier as Speers and Araci have carefully developed and nurtured a broodmare band of exceptional quality.

“All three colts are out of mares whom we bought as either foals or yearlings and raced, but they were all bought with their pedigrees in mind for future broodmare careers. It’s amazing how time flies – we are already selling or racing their offspring!”

Allied to this is their selection of stallions for their mares, matching pedigree and performance with the aim of producing stars.

The Kingman colts in Book 1 are a striking example of the farm’s aims with Speers saying: “These colts have good enough pedigrees to be stallions.”

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old mill stud Lot 437 is out of the Sea The Stars mare She’s Mine from a prolific Jim Bolger family, the mare a three-parts sister to a Galileo-sired quintet of Group performers that include the Group 3 winner and 1,000 Guineas second Cuis Chaire, Scintillula, who was also a Group 3 winner and second in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes, and Gile Na Greine. She was placed in both the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and 1,000 Guineas.

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HE GROUP 1 National Stakes winner Verbal Dexterity and the Group 1-placed Luminata and Tobann are also under the third dam.

“He’s only a May 6 foal and normally they are at a little bit of a disadvantage at the sales because they are later foal, but you wouldn’t know it with this colt,” Speers comments.

“His three-year-old full-brother Imrahor has been placed on both his starts for us and is due to run back soon, and we think he is a black-type horse.”

The first yearling to sell under the Old Mill Stud brand is Lot 56, a Kingman colt and a close relation to Incinerator by Oasis Dream, a winner twice at two last year.

He is also closely related to the Listedwinning sprinter Pretend, an Invincible Spirit half-brother to dam Bella Nostalgia.

There is plenty of speed in the family, too, as his second dam Fafinta is a daughter of Indian Ridge, and a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Falbrav.

“Bella Nostalgia was a stakes filly for us (third in the Listed Distaff Stakes at Sandown) as a three-year-old and she comes from a lovely family. Her Oasis Dream colt Incinerator was pretty decent at two and, for a Kingman, this colt has wonderful bone.

“He is big, strong and correct and moves beautifully, he’s exceptionally well put together and because he is by Kingman and out of a Raven’s Pass mare, there is no Northern Dancer in the first five generations of his pedigree, so he is a potential outcross stallion.”

The Frankel colt out of Hyper Dream, a daughter of Oasis Dream and Irish 1,000

Left, Butterscotch (Galileo) enjoying late summer, and, right, her filly foal by Justify. The mare was purchased at the 2019 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 700,000gns carrying her first pregnancy

Guineas winner Virginia Waters, sells as Lot 209 in Book 1 and it is a black-typeladen pedigree typical of the Old Mill draft.

Warren Rose, this year’s debut winner owned and bred by Araci, was named in tribute to Sir Henry Cecil in whose care the most beautiful flowers of summer bloomed for generations, and her Bated Breath three-parts sister is an eye-catching lot in the Old Mill Book 2 consignment (Lot 678).

“Her dam Chigun was a Group 3 winner that Sir Henry trained for us and she was a really high-class filly, his final Group winner

and Mr Araci and Pinar reserved that name very shortly after Chigun retired and they waited to find the right filly out of Chigun to give that name to,” he explains.

“This three-year-old by Dansili always looked to be potentially very smart and after her impressive debut Warren Rose looks like she has a big future ahead of her.”

Speers’ immediate future includes many more hours in the lunging ring, but the future for Old Mill Stud appears as bright and a beautiful as that of Warren Rose.

Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 2020: Old Mill Stud draft Book 1 Lot Detail

Sire

Dam

Dam sire

56

c,b.

Kingman (GB)

Bella Nostalgia (IRE)

Raven’s Pass (USA)

209

c,b.

Frankel (GB)

Hyper Dream (IRE)

Oasis Dream (GB)

437

c,b.

Kingman (GB)

She’s Mine (IRE)

Sea The Stars (IRE)

510

f,ch.

Galileo (IRE)

Vasilia (GB)

Dansili (GB)

Book 2 Lot Detail

Sire

Dam

Dam sire

628

f,b.

Night Of Thunder (IRE)

Best Side (IRE)

King’s Best (USA)

678

f,b.

Bated Breath (GB)

Chigun (GB)

Oasis Dream (GB)

787

f,ch.

Highland Reel (IRE)

Flawless Beauty (GB)

Excellent Art (GB)

810

f,b.

Kodiac (GB)

Gameday (GB)

Zamindar (USA)

859

c,b.

Gleneagles (IRE)

House Point (GB)

Pivotal (GB)

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marlhill house stud

Travelling sales team

An autumn yearling sales season on tour is in store for the Marlhill House Stud team as it is to offer horses in Doncaster at the relocated Orby Sale before travelling direct to Newmarket ahead of the Tattersalls October Sale, writes Aisling Crowe

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HE THRILL AND EXCITEMENT of selling a yearling that tops a prestigious sale is something known only to a select few breeders and stud farm managers.

That dizzy whirl of emotions; the knowledge that your horse is potentially special coupled with the anxiety as the sale grows ever closer, the hope and trepidation mingle as the appointed hour looms.

Those five minutes in the sales ring seem

to defy the laws of physics as time passes with the speed of a glacier slipping down a valley until the auctioneer brings his hammer down.

It’s an experience that Brian McConnon is familiar with, recalling his memories of Marlhill House Stud’s Goffs’ Orby sale-topping yearling, as he sits beneath a photograph of the Frankel colt out of Belesta who made €1.6m to Justin Casse in 2017.

“The sale was a bit of a blur, but I kind

Marlhill House, owned by Eddie and Eimear Irwin, based in Tipperary in the shadow of Rockwell College

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of knew from day one that he was special,” McConnon says.

“He was one of those horses that everything came easy to him, there was never an issue with him.

“I knew he was nice, but it is not until people start to come and look at him for the sales and start remarking on the quality that you start realising that your own impressions are correct.

“When you get to the sales and there starts to be a bit of a buzz around the

marlhill house stud horses, people come to see him because other people are talking about him, that word is spreading around the complex, you get a vibe about it.

“Then with the amount of shows he was asked to do, and the type of shows, you get an inkling of it but you are so busy that you try not to focus on it that much,” he recalls, adding: “When the actual sale was on, it all happened so quickly to be honest, I was confident he would make a big price but the €1.6 million surprised me, it was a fantastic result.”

McConnon manages Marlhill for Eddie and Eimear Irwin, who established the farm in 1998, and he has been there 22 years this September.

The tower of Rockwell College is visible above the trees, as if it casts a watchful eye on the education of the young horses on the neighbouring farm, as well as the teenage pupils that study in its shadow.

“We started off with a small pool of mares and are up to 12 now, we want to focus on quality rather than quantity, and have gradually improved the quality of the broodmare band over the years – we are

at a level now where we are producing nice horses,” he remarks.

That Orby colt was named Old Glory, and he didn’t move far from home trading the green pastures of Marlhill in Tipperary’s Golden Vale for a stable in Ballydoyle just a couple of miles away.

“The cherry on the top was that he went to a good trainer, he was a lovely horse, but he exceeded our expectations at the sales.

“Mentally this year’s colt out of the mare is quite similar, he has a very good temperament and really straightforward to prep. He is as good a mover as his brother

was and I think he is probably going to be an earlier type.

“The mare has a Frankel colt foal and is in-foal to Galileo. She always produces an attractive, quality horse and she has a lovely temperament as well, you would love it if they were all like her because she makes your job very easy,” he smiles.

His yearling full brother is Lot 46 in this year’s Orby Sale, and is one of five yearlings that Marlhill House sends across to Doncaster for the relocated sale.

As well as his sale-topping full-brother, who became a Listed and Group 3-placed

Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 2020: Marlhill House Stud Book 1 Lot Detail

Sire

Dam

371 c,b.

Starspangledbanner (AUS)

Princess Desire (IRE)

Danehill (USA)

409

f,b.

No Nay Never (USA)

Royal Blue Caravel (IRE)

Henrythenavigator (USA)

442

c,b.

Highland Reel (IRE)

Sixpenny Sweets (IRE)

Dalakhani (IRE)

462

c,b.

Fastnet Rock (AUS)

Stars At Night (IRE)

Galileo (IRE)

490

c,b.

Galileo (IRE)

Thai Haku (IRE)

Oasis Dream (GB)

Dam sire

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marlhill house stud performer, he is a three-parts brother to Group 3 winner Giuseppe Piazzi and a halfbrother to Adjusted, who won the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes in Australia.

Dam Belesta boasts a perfect record with her six runners and is a half-sister to the Group 3 Prix de Flore winner In Clover, dam of Group 1 winners Call The Wind (Frankel), With You and We Are. He heads a draft that is hallmarked by quality – Lot 274 is a filly from the first crop of the Group 1-winning sprinter Caravaggio out of a full-sister to the marvellous champion Soviet Song and to the dam of Group 1 winner Sister Act, as well as a halfsister to the champion older sprinter and 6m guineas sale-topper Marsha.

Another first-season sire, the outstanding and enduring champion Highland Reel is the sire of Lot 34.

He is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Redwood and his second dam is Jolypha, a Classic and Group 1 winner who is a fullBelow, Brian McConnon, stud manager at Marlhill House Stud, right, the broodmares at the stud in Tipperary

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sister to the immortal Dancing Brave.

Once Doncaster concludes, McConnon will drive the Marlhill House lorry to Newmarket and Tattersalls for Book 1 where he will meet the quintet of yearlings due to sell on the third day of the sale.

“We try to support Goffs, Tattersalls and Arqana every year and try to give them nice horses, but it primarily comes down to the individual when we are deciding

where they go,” explains McConnon of the decisions made for the yearlings’ sale destinations. “Unfortunately this year has been extraordinary because of COVID which meant we had nothing suitable for Arqana.”

The way the alphabetical stars aligned this year means that Marlhill’s Galileo colt out of Thai Haku will be the final yearling son of the breed-shaping sire to go through

marlhill house stud the ring in Europe through 2020’s main yearling sale season.

Lot 490 is bred on a cross that is developing into quite the potent source of good winners that of Galileo and Oasis Dream, and the Derby winner’s affinity with speedily-bred mares is well-known.

Lot 462 is another Marlhill House yearling bred on a top-class proven, Group 1-winning cross – he is a son of

Fastnet Rock out of a Galileo mare.

Starspangledbanner’s prowess as a sire of top-class juveniles is reinforced year after year, but with Home Of The Brave, who hails from the sire’s frst crop still landing Group contests at the age of eight, his progeny have proved themselves as tough as they are talented.

Marlhill’s offering is one of just a handful in the sale by the Group 1 winner. Lot 371

is out of Princess Desire and is a halfbrother to four winners from a family with which Irwin and McConnon are intricately connected.

“I think he is our standout this year,” reveals McConnon.“He just oozes class and quality he almost preps himself.

“Eddie owned As You Desire Me, she was one of his foundation mares and she bred Streetcar, the dam of Luas Line, the Grade 1

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marlhill house stud

winner that we bred.

“It’s a family whom Eddie bought into years ago and, thankfully, we still have the family and still producing good horses.

“Last year’s No Nay Never yearling colt was lovely, he was bought by David Redvers, named Science and has won since the catalogue was printed; a nice update.”

Lot 409 is the only filly amongst the stud’s Book 1 quintet and the No Nay Never daughter of Royal Blue Caravel is another yearling from a family that Irwin and McConnon have developed over the past two decades.

“That filly has two lovely updates as well.

Blue Cabochon, a half-sister to her dam, was third in a Listed race at The Curragh and Scream Blue Murder’s Galileo filly named Ahandfulofsummers was second in a Group 3 in The Curragh – two half-sisters to Royal Blue Caravel producing updates. It’s another family that has been lucky for us.

“We bought Holly Blue from The Queen a number of years ago and we bred Gibraltar Blue, who was a Group 2 winner and placed in a Group 1, the Group 3 winner Scream Blue Murder and Iiex Excelsa, from her.

Blue Cabochon was her last foal, she’s retired now.”

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Two for Tattersalls Book 1: above, Lot 409, a colt by No Nay Never, the second foal out of the Henrythenavigator mare Royal Blue Caravel, who is a half-sister to the Group winners Scream Blue Murder and Gibraltar Blue from the family of Nettle. The mare’s first runner has won since the catalogue was published Below, Lot 371, the Starspangledbanner colt out of Princess Desire and a half-brother to two Listed race performers

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photos of the month: what a difference a day makes

For one day only a small number of racegoers were allowed to Doncaster races. The first day of the course’s St Leger meeting received guests on the planned trial basis (photos above), but the ability to do so was removed after the UK government announced new proposals to tighten restrictions regarding social gatherings to six people only. The local health official Dr Rupert Suckling then instructed the meeting to be held behind closed doors.

The timing was reminiscent of August’s last-minute cancellation of the trial scheduled for Goodwood, and, while Warwick subsequently successfully hosted a smaller trial crowd, COVID-19 restrictions were again upscaled on September 22 by Johnson, the prime minister stating that sports could see restricted crowds for at least another six months.

His words put crowd participation at the Cheltenham Festival next March under threat, which will be worrying news for The Jockey Club, the Festival meeting and Cheltenham its profit leader and financially carries many of the organisation’s grass roots tracks.

In Ireland, owners are now being allowed to return to the racecourse, and at the start of the new season in Hong Kong, although still under strict measures, crowd size has been allowed to increase for the first time since February.

What a difference a day makes: below left, day one with a small crowd, right, day two without

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LE HAVRE

© Agence G

PROVEN GR.1 SIRE

Mathieu ALEX • +33 (0)6 26 59 19 18 I Sylvain VIDAL • +33 (0)6 20 99 10 15

www.montfort-preaux.com

LE HAVRE

© Agence G

PROVEN GR.1 SIRE

Mathieu ALEX • +33 (0)6 26 59 19 18 I Sylvain VIDAL • +33 (0)6 20 99 10 15

www.montfort-preaux.com

Galileo Chrome

GALILEO CHROME won the St Leger Stakes-Gr.1 at Doncaster on Sept. 12th for Joseph O’Brien and the Galileo Chrome Partnership. Bred by Mohamed Ali Meddeb.

Irish Oaks-Gr.1 runner-up CAYENNE PEPPER won the 1m2f Blandford Stakes-Gr.2 at the Curragh on Sept. 13th for Jessica Harrington and Mrs S Kelly. Bred by G H S Bloodstock & J C Bloodstock.

EPONA PLAYS won the Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes-Gr.3 on Sept. 19th for Willie McCreery and owner/breeder Renzo Forni.

OODNADATTA ran a fine third in the 7f Moyglare Stud Stakes-Gr.1 at the Curragh on Sept. 13th.

❝ a very good young stallion who is a serious sire of Group performers ❞ Hubie de Burgh, EBN, 22/9/20

World Champion 3YO and a proven Group 1 sire by GALILEO

Cayenne Pepper

2020 Leading Sir

es

(by number of Gro up winners in GB & Ire) Rank Sire GWs

1 2 3 ­ 5 6

Galileo Dubawi Australia Sea The Stars Kodiac Kingman

Stallionguide, 21/9/2

Contact: Coolmore Stud Tel: +353-52-6131298. Castlehyde Stud Tel: +353-25-31966. E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Website: www.coolmore.com

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