Aug_120_TalkingTo2_Owner Breeder 18/07/2014 17:11 Page 45
KEVIN RYAN
Astaire and Neil Callan (left) defeat Hot Streak and Jamie Spencer in last year’s Middle Park Stakes, a Group 1 one-two for Kevin Ryan
Have you been inundated with offers for him since his Chantilly triumph? Frank Gillespie, The Grey Gatsby’s owner, is in a position where he doesn’t have to sell and has been in the sport for many years, always dreaming of finding a horse like him. At the end of the day there will always be interest in a colt of his quality but the final decision rests with the owner. What is your favourite racecourse and what makes it so special? We are lucky to have a great track like York on our doorstep, and you won’t find any better. You always get a warm, friendly and enthusiastic crowd there, and the track is beautiful, especially for two-year-olds. William Derby, the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, deserves a lot of credit as he is continually striving to improve the course, whether it’s the facilities, prize-money or quality of racing. A winner at York is always special. The tracks that don’t put the owners first are the ones that are under-performing. Some courses could learn from the Scottish hospitality, which ensures owners are looked after and enjoy their day.
it was fantastic to achieve that with The Grey Gatsby in the French Derby. Now I suppose the aim is to win a British Classic. Basically, as long as the stable keeps moving forward and producing success for the owners, I shall be happy. We are full at the moment with 121 horses, which I feel is a good number and easily managed. The quality has improved year on year and we have a very strong team of horses. As you say, The Grey Gatsby provided your first Classic triumph in the Prix du Jockey-Club. What did the victory mean to you and the stable? It is the biggest success of my career and one should not forget all the people who made it possible. Not least Steve Hillen and his wife, Becky, who work tirelessly at the sales each year to source a quality stock of yearlings. And their system seems to be working; they continue to find us high class horses, despite not having the massive budgets of other agents. The lads in the yard work very hard and a big result like the French Derby gives them all a tremendous boost. They are with the horses longer than anyone else and it’s great to see their hard work pay off because, rain or shine, they are always there to ensure the horses are looked after. For me, it is a great achievement but nothing changes because you have to keep moving forward in search of the next winner. You can’t start celebrating until the end of the year; it’s only then you look back and reflect on the season as a whole. The Grey Gatsby hated the testing ground next time in the Grand Prix de Paris [sixth behind Gallante]. His next target is the Juddmonte International at York. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
When you attend the sales, are looks or pedigree more important when you are searching for a prospective money-spinner? Steve and Becky Hillen go through everything at the sales and create a list for me. Then we work out which we would like to purchase. Of course the pedigree is important, but the conformation more so. We like to see a good stamp of animal with an athletic walk. There are certain features we’ll forgive but we try not to buy horses with problems. That’s too much of a gamble and if things were to go wrong later on you would kick yourself knowing you had bought it like that. As far as the breeze-ups are concerned, the way a horse gallops and the time it does are added factors to consider. Currently there is no all-weather track in the north, but Newcastle is set to replace its turf course with Tapeta. How do you feel about both the venue and surface? It will be good for the north to have an allweather track – I think Newcastle will attract decent crowds. The Tapeta surface has recently been receiving bad press but when it was first laid the opposite was being said. We are talking about two very different climates, the heat of Dubai, where Tapeta was used before being dug up, and Newcastle. So it’ll be a case of waiting to see whether or not it proves a success. What do you think of Wetherby’s plans to stage Flat racing; surely there are enough fixtures as it is? Wetherby has some great facilities and is
perfectly situated just off the A1. So it makes sense. After all, it seems a bit of a waste to have such a great course being used minimally. And, from the trials, it sounds as though it will be a very good track for the horses. You have enjoyed lots of success with Neil Callan, who is back from riding in Hong Kong and you are joining forces with him again... Neil is one of the best jockeys out there and you wouldn’t want to see him sat in the weighingroom when you could be using his talent and experience. We have enjoyed a lot of success together and he is certainly getting my support. He is also a very good friend of mine.
CLOSE UP AND... PERSONAL My superstition is… never be first into the parade ring Four ideal dinner party guests… Nelson Mandela, Michael Jarvis, Richard Hannon snr and Brendan Grace Actor to play me on screen… Tom Hanks I relax by… watching sport, especially F1 and cycling Favourite meal… well done steak
CLOSE UP AND... PROFESSIONAL Most challenging part of training is… injuries to the horses Three words describe my job… stressful, rewarding, passionate The ideal owner is… someone not solely in the sport for betting Biggest lesson I’ve learnt… you never stop learning Racing hero… Vincent O’Brien and Jack Berry
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