DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

This year will be one to go down in history

The challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic that we have faced in every sphere of our lives have pushed many to their limits. The nature of caring for livestock means that despite any circumstances, the horses come first and the show must go on. Even with the uncertainty of this pandemic and the huge restrictions on daily lives, our staff and students rallied together to ensure it was ‘business as usual’ on the Stud and for that I am hugely proud.

Whilst there is no getting away from the fact that the pandemic has been the focus of most things this year, there have also been many positive changes. The new additions to our stallion roster have proven extremely popular, with three-time Gr.1 winning sprinter ADVERTISE covering a stellar book of 138 mares from some of Europe’s leading breeders, which included 67 Black Type performers/producers. His sire SHOWCASING also had another excellent year, with MOHAATHER adding to his tally of Gr.1 winning sons. FLAG OF HONOUR covered some fantastic mares this year, with his first book including the dams of Gr.3 winners STONEY MOUNTAIN and HAWK HIGH, as well as a half-sister to BRIAN BORU, SEA MOON and the dam of WORKFORCE. Both ADVERTISE and FLAG OF HONOUR have settled in beautifully to their new careers, and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first foals this coming season.

It has also been a hugely exciting year for our other resident stallions. We were delighted with the first foals of Gr.2 winning sprinter RAJASINGHE, who appears to have passed on all of his strength and action. Many of the mares producing his first foals returned to him this year, which is always a good sign of how foals are being received.

TIME TEST and ACLAIM also had their first yearlings sold at public auction this year. Both stallions had some tremendous results, with TIME TEST reaching a high of 150,000gns for a colt purchased by Blandford Bloodstock for Ed Dunlop, and the highest priced ACLAIM being a colt purchased for 145,000gns by Shadwell. With their first crops now in the care of trainers such as Roger Varian, Clive Cox, Richard Fahey and Ralph Beckett, and sons of ACCLAMATION and DUBAWI having had a fantastic year on the track as sires (MEHMAS, NIGHT OF THUNDER etc.), we are going into the coming year filled with confidence.

2020 saw the 34th running of our Diploma in Stud Practice and Management. Despite slightly amended arrangements due to current circumstances, the students settled quickly and worked tremendously hard to make the very best of the situation.

We were delighted with how they developed during the course, with all that intended to having since secured positions at reputable stud farms and I have every confidence they will continue the great legacy of previous graduates of the course.

The third running of the TBA sponsored Entry to Stud Employment (E2SE) course commences shortly. As in previous years we received many applications which is encouraging given the current challenges, and is perhaps a reflection of how wellregarded both courses are within the industry. We are delighted once again to be welcoming a full course of 20 students ranging from 19 to 51 years of age.

Looking ahead to the coming year, although we remain in a time of great uncertainty we can certainly be proud of the resilience our industry has shown so far, and if the past year has taught us anything, it’s that it is important to be grateful for what we have. Firstly, I would like to thank all the talented staff and students for their unwavering commitment to keeping the show on the road, and maintaining the high standards upon which we pride ourselves. I would also like to thank our loyal clients for their ongoing support for which we are so grateful, and we look forward to working with you all again. All that remains is to wish you all the very best for a safe and successful year ahead in 2021.

Tim Lane

STUD DIRECTOR