ob_apr09

£4.95 | April 2009 | Issue 56

Incorporating

Star Performers

Kauto, Walsh and Nicholls dominate the Festival I Godolphin: this month’s Big Interview I Who is “the most underrated trainer in Britain”?

I New global stakes results section

WWW.OWNERBREEDER.CO.UK

3URMHFW /D\RXW 3DJH

cThe Ballydoyle partners did an extremely clever and lucrative

bit of business when they bought into Excellent Art, winner of the Mill Reef Stakes [Gr.2] as a two-year-old [despite spreading a plate] for Neville Callaghan’s Newmarket yard. The Pivotal colt made vast improvement at three, establishing himself as one of the best milers in Europe… Ultimately rated more highly than his sire... Excellent Art is well qualified to get high-class middle-distance performers, but he is sure to get his quota of sharp youngsters as well.

d

Tony Morris, Timeform Statistical Review 2008.

EXCELLENT ART defeats Duke of Marmalade in the St. James’s Palace Stakes-Gr.1

The only son of PIVOTAL to win a Group race at 2 and a Group 1 at 3

2009 STALLIONS • AD VALOREM • ANTONIUS PIUS • AUSSIE RULES • CATCHER IN THE RYE • CHOISIR • DANEHILL DANCER • DUKE OF MARMALADE • DYLAN THOMAS • • EXCELLENT ART • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • HIGH CHAPARRAL • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • HURRICANE RUN • IVAN DENISOVICH • MONTJEU • • ONE COOL CAT • ORATORIO • PEINTRE CELEBRE • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • STRATEGIC PRINCE •

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Filly born 21st January ex. Subito (Darshaan), owned by Lynch Bages Ltd. & Samac Ltd. Filly born 21st January ex. Riotous Applause (Royal Applause), a half-sister to Racing Post TrophyGr.1 winner & Epsom Derby-Gr.1 favourite Crowded House, owned by Car Colston Stud.

2009 FEE:

€17,500

Pivotal - Obsessive (Seeking The Gold)

Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: 353-52-6131298. Fax: 353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne or Mathieu Alex.

Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon or Cathal Murphy. Tel: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) Tel: 44-7827-795156.

E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Web site: www.coolmore.com All stallions nominated to EBF.

Purchase the CLASS of 2009

Group 1 winner ZAFISIO - one of 38 2008 Group/Listed performers from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Craven Breeze Up Sale April 14th – 16th Guineas Breeze Up Sale April 30th – May 1st Featuring 2yos eligible for the £500,000 Breeze Up Bonus Full details at www.breezeupbonus.com

Tel: +44 1638 665931 | Fax: +44 1638 660850 | sales@tattersalls.com | www.tattersalls.com

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WELCOME

Do the stats give us an accurate story? uch is its high-profile, acquisitive, whizbang nature that Godolphin will always attract curiosity and judgement. Even as it approaches its 150th Group 1 winner – only four more are needed – there are those in racing who question whether it has had the success which its resources warrant.

Critics will point out that with around 100 horses aged three or older at its disposal, results in recent seasons have been disappointing, with only one European Group 1 winner last season, no European Classic winner since 2005 and no British one since Rule Of Law won the 2004 St Leger. Certainly those statistics do not compare well with those achieved by racing’s other behemoth at Ballydoyle.

But do they tell an accurate story? After all, in addition to Creachadoir’s Lockinge Stakes success last season, there were six Grade 1 victories in America for Godolphin and a Group 1 in Australia thanks to All The Good in the Caulfield Cup. A thought occurs: do Godolphin’s critics measure its success using different criteria to how Godolphin judges itself?

In this month’s Big Interview, Godolphin’s ultra eloquent and diplomatic racing manager Simon Crisford says: “We measure our level of success by our Group 1 score achieved in championship races.” In which case, an average of nine Group 1 winners a season over 16 years could hardly be called a failure.

Of course, since its inception in 1994, Godolphin’s numbers have grown hugely, from 49 worldwide runners in its first season to a peak of 202 in 2005, dropping to 169 last year. When you deal with that many horses – all of whom

S

£4.95 | April 2009 | Issue 56

Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Incorporating

Star Performers

Kauto, Walsh and Nicholls dominate the Festival Godolphin: this month’s Big Interview Who is “the most underrated trainer in Britain”?

New global stakes results section

Chief Executive Michael Harris Editor Richard Griffiths Assistant Editor Edward Rosenthal Design Steven Price

WWW.OWNERBREEDER.CO.UK

Editorial First Floor, 65 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3AS

were bred or bought to compete at the highest level – it could be argued that an average nine Group 1 winners a season is to be expected.

Against that, Crisford argues: “Even with the extra horses, it is pleasing that our worldwide strike-rate from day one is 24%.”

The huge numbers that stables such as Godolphin and Ballydoyle marshal has led to concerns among official handicappers that so many good horses in so few hands is leading to an erosion in competitiveness, especially in the juvenile division. But, again, there is a counter argument: Godolphin, in particular, is more than happy to recruit proven horses from other stables; Crisford estimates that 40% of its Group 1 winners have come from this route, and that Sheikh Mohammed, being “a trader”, will continue to seek private purchases, even as his Darley breeding operation aggressively acquires so many potential stallions.

This has undoubted benefits as it helps balance the finances of those who sell on to Godolphin and, hopefully, allows them to reinvest in new stock.

Overall, though, as Crisford says, “Godolphin represents Dubai”, and it is run chiefly for the benefit of one man, its founder Sheikh Mohammed. It has its own aims, its own rules.

That may not suit everyone, but it would be hard to argue that the sport overall has not benefitted from a racing operation that has often broken barriers – by keeping older horses in training, for example – and produced such champions as Dubai Millennium, Lammtarra and Mark Of Esteem, among many others.

Richard Griffiths Editor

“Do Godolphin’s critics measure its success using different criteria to Godolphin itself?”

Tel: 01444 440 540 Fax: 01444 441 190 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Advertising Giles Anderson/ Penny Farrow Tel: 01380 816 777 USA: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 01380 816 778 advertise@anderson-co.com Subscriptions Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7493 7607 Fax: 020 7408 1662 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk

The magazine can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: 1 year 2 years UK £55 £90 Europe €85 €135 RoW £99 £154 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd 4th Floor, 60 St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LE Tel: 020 7408 0903 Fax: 020 7408 1662 info@roa.co.uk www.racehorseowners.net

Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661321 Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk www.thetba.co.uk The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 215752 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 3

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42 Richard Hannon with grandson Harvey

62 Deborah and Chris Buckley, breeders of Grand National contender Butler’s Cabin

56 Behind the scenes with Racing to School

CONTENTS | APRIL 2009

10 13 15 16 17 96 Tony Morris

16

News Focus Calls rise for yearling sales bonus Changes Racing’s news in a nutshell ROA Leader Time right for new levy/commercial deal TBA Leader The Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme NEW! Tony Morris Warns breeders against complacency Lysaght’s People J Paxman to challenge jockeys Your Say Marketing man and owner Tony Clifford

30

Going Global Japan’s breeding industry contracts

18

The Thrill of Cheltenham An outstanding Festival in pictures Talking to…

Benny Andersson The Big Interview Godolphin’s Simon Crisford Richard Hannon On the gallops with an owner’s dream Flat Countdown Horses who could make the headlines Racing to School The industry’s education programme National Breeders Tales behind three Aintree contenders Sales Circuit Anxious wait for consignors

FEATURES 32 36 42 50 56

INTERNATIONAL SCENE 26 28

View from Ireland Bill Oppenheim’s call to arms Continental Tales Vertigineux defies humble origins

62 67

The Official magazine of the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 4 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

PHOTOS: GEORGE SELWYN/TREVOR JONES/DAN ABRAHAM/MARK WILLIAMSON

NEWS AND VIEWS 6

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Brian O’Connell celebrates a scintillating victory in the Champion Bumper

18

FORUM 70 74 75 76 79 80 81 82

ROA News Jubilee Queen strikes for BetfairClub ROA Owner of the Month Simon Clarke, for Nacarat Owners in the News Judy Wilson’s winner was AP McCoy’s 3,000th TBA News Existing workplace dispute rules abolished Breeders’ Prizes Your latest jumps and Flat winners Breeder of the Month The late Ken Oliver, for Rambling Minster Breeders in the News Shirley Brasher, for Tarablaze Vets Forum Keyhole surgery

DATA BOOK 86 88 92 93 94

Caulfield Files Unbridled success for Unbridled’s Song NEW! International Stakes Winners A definitive list of global Group/Grade 1 winners Data Book Grade 1 jumps results Stallion Stats Leading National Hunt sires 2005-09 British/Irish-breds Your victories overseas

For the period July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 the average monthly circulation was 9,698, as certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. This figure does not include those subscribers who now receive the publication since the incorporation of Pacemaker magazine. The next audit to include this will take place mid-2009.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 5

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NEWS FOCUS

A ROUND-UP OF THE BIG STORIES IN HORSERACING

Vendors consider bonus scheme for yearling sales Response to breeze-up plan prompts talks about “vendor-supported, owner-friendly initiative”

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alks are under way to try to create a yearling incentive scheme – inspired by the new £5000,000 Breeze-Up Bonus – to attract buyers at this autumn’s sales.

Leading vendors and breeders, as well as representatives from the big sales companies, met at Kempton on March 6 to discuss the idea.

The meeting was chaired jointly by former TBA Council member Paul Thorman, and Joe Foley, Chairman of the ITBA. Foley stressed that the talks were “the formulation of a lot of people’s ideas” and that they were “very much at an early stage”.

However, he revealed to this magazine that “the core of an idea” is now on the table that would see “vendors and

breeders try to come up with a significant pool that will encourage people to own racehorses and to buy yearlings.

Basically, vendors and breeders will be putting their hands in their pockets to try to help offset current prize-money levels”.

He added: “The owner will not have to contribute large sums of cash, if any at all. It has to be very owner-friendly. It is a very positive step.”

The move has the support of those behind the Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme and Thorman said: “We would like to run it in conjunction with the Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme, so that some horses will in effect be running for a double bonus.

“There is definitely a will to sort something out, although it is only in its embryo stage. Any yearling

scheme must cater for three-yearold races. It is important that we get the trainers and agents on board so that they can go to owners with this great incentive to buy young stock.

“We definitely need to stimulate purchasers, here and overseas, and if we as vendors and consignors can help in that respect, then why not? The onus is often on the owners to put the money up, as with sales races, and they need help."

The move is likely to attract widespread industry support.

Writing in this month’s Leader, TBA Chairman Kirsten Rausing said: “It will be interesting to analyse the outcome of the breeze-up sales to establish whether the bonuses have had the desired effect.

“If this is positive, whilst the

introduction of a similar incentive will mean an increase in costs for vendors already faced with diminishing returns, it is something that must surely be contemplated. What are the alternatives?”

The Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme that has attracted such a positive response features a £500,000 pool, open to graduates of the 2009 two-yearold sales at Kempton, Doncaster, Newmarket, Goresbridge, Dundalk and Saint-Cloud.

The owners of the first 40 winners of two-year-old maidens, conditions or stakes races worldwide will receive a £10,000 bonus, in addition to the race's allocated prize-money.

The first 20 winners of sellers, claimers or nurseries will be eligible for a £5,000 bonus.

“The Pattern is dynamic and evolving” BHA Chairman Paul Roy responds to Philip Freedman’s criticism of the decision to reverse the axing of an underperforming Listed race at Hamilton in last month’s issue While no-one would disagree with the headline, Philip Freedman misses the point in his article, “Poor Listed races serve no purpose”.

The decision by the BHA to allow the Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton Park to retain Listed status was soundly based. In particular, the racecourse’s representations convinced us that it could succeed in further developing the relative attractiveness of this race. This included a commitment to make a substantial increase in prizemoney.

The fact that the decision overturned the previously stated opinions of individual BHA committees simply demonstrates one of our strengths: that we are both flexible and willing to listen to argument.

Racing’s failure to modernise and to attract new participants is partly down to inertia and lack of self-examination.

On this occasion we were willing to accept that an earlier decision had been over-pessimistic about future development of the Glasgow Stakes.

The issue cannot be judged by simple myopic scrutiny of the European Pattern. As Mr Freedman points out, there are inferior races to the Glasgow Stakes in that Pattern. What he fails to recognise is that the Pattern itself is dynamic and evolving.

6 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

There are other issues. Scotland has just lost two major financial institutions, which have been major sponsors of sport. Do we need to add to the national gloom by depriving Scottish racing of a Listed race? There are times when encouragement is the better option and this is surely one of them.

It is clear that Scottish racecourses are highly motivated and passionate about improving the quality of their racing, and we seek to support that. It is now up to Hamilton Park to deliver the goods and meet the criteria that were set for them.

Philip Freedman thought it appropriate in his article to draw an analogy with Captain Mainwaring, but in doing so he should have been aware that he suddenly brought to mind another character from Dad’s Army, namely Private “We’re all doomed” Frazer.

While it is generally easier to be a blanket pessimist in challenging economic times, if there is a sound and well-reasoned argument for optimism, such as that presented by Hamilton Park, we must offer it some room to prove itself.

Paul Roy Chairman, BHA

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We hope you enjoy this second combined issue of Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder Incorporating Pacemaker

Sir Ernest Harrison Tributes have been paid to Sir Ernest Harrison, a highly successful businessman and great supporter of horseracing, who died on February 16. He was 82.

As Chairman of electronics group Racal, Harrison took the company into the fledgling mobile phone market in the 1980s. The venture became known as Vodafone and at its height was worth £230 billion.

Harrison owned high-class horses such as Cacoethes, placed behind Nashwan in the 1989 Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Polish Patriot, winner of the July Cup in 1991.

Sir Eric Parker, who knew Harrison for around 40 years, said: “Ernie was a very astute and successful businessman and a great racing enthusiast.

“He instigated Vodafone’s sponsorship of the Derby when he was Chairman of Racal, which would have pleased him as a racing man, but he would also have been satisfied that the sponsorship was worthwhile on business grounds.

“Ernie had a box at Royal Ascot and loved going to Epsom; I think his ambition was to win the Derby, and he got quite close with Cacoethes. He was also a really keen Arsenal supporter.”

Harrsion was born on May 11, 1926 and attended Trinity Grammar School in Wood Green, north London.

He qualified as a chartered

accountant with Harker Holloway in 1950 and joined Racal the following year.

Aside from his business and sporting interests, Harrison was Chairman of the Cancer Research Trust at the Royal Free Hospital.

Parker added: “It would be fair to say Ernie worked hard and played hard. I recall that he competed with GEC for the acquisition of Decca and managed to outmanoeuvre Arnold Weinstock, which not many people managed!

“We used to come and stay at Cheltenham for festival week, give dinner parties, end up playing snooker until 3am or 4am – indulging in Dom Perignon and cheese on toast, which Ernie loved – and then go racing.

“Ernie was a most generous and genuine man, such a fantastic and charismatic guy. As a friend, he couldn’t do enough for you. It is a very sad loss.”

Guy Harwood, who trained Cacoethes and Polish Patriot, described Harrison as a "wonderful man and a very good owner”.

He said: “Ernie had a lot of success with his horses and he deserved it. He was a practical man and would always do what the trainer recommended.

“He was a terrific entertainer and loved his racing.”

Harrison is survived by his wife, Janie, their two daughters and a son, and two sons from a previous marriage.

“Ernie was a most generous and genuine man, such a fantastic and charismatic guy.

As a friend, he couldn’t do enough for you.

It is a very sad loss” – Sir Eric Parker

The magazine is sent to all members of the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association All members of the ROA receive the magazine as part of an array of benefits. Membership costs £195 a year. To join or find out more about the ROA – call 020 7408 0903 or go to www.racehorseowners.net All members of the TBA receive the magazine as one of their many subscription benefits. Domestic membership costs £110 a year.

To join or find out more about the TBA call 01638 661321 or go to www.thetba.co.uk The magazine is also available through subscription – for more details ring 020 7493 7607, e-mail subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk or go to www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Subscription rates: UK Europe RoW

1 year

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Price inclusive of postage

Or you can place an order with your newsagent Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder Incorporating Pacemaker is now available at selected newsagents. To make sure of your copy, you should place a regular order with your newsagent Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder is published jointly by:

Racehorse Owners Association 4th Floor 60 St James’s Street London SW1A 1LE Tel: 020 7408 0903 www.racehorseowners.net

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 7

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NEWS FOCUS

Racing’s marketing dilemma Industry will have to decide how much money to spend on a sport that is “not connecting”

R

acing is facing a crucial three months as it decides how the sport should be better marketed and how that should be paid for.

An initial report on defining racing’s brand, compiled by marketing specialists Harrison Fraser, was due to have been unveiled to racing’s main bodies at the end of March.

An indication of Harrison Fraser’s thinking came at the British Horseracing Conference on February 23, when company partner David Fraser said: “Racing is such a well-kept secret; for many people it is invisible. It is a peripheral activity in the leisure market.

“Casual participants are not sufficiently interested in the sport, or betting, to make the required investment in understanding it. The betting product is virtually impenetrable.

Horseracing doesn’t speak to them in the way the National Lottery does.”

‘Stage two’ of the marketing process, due to be completed

by August, is likely to address how to change such attitudes.

Although the company was recruited by Racing Enterprises Ltd, a marketing fund of around £5 million is likely to be financed industry-wide, rather than by a specific group.

Failure to connect REL’s Chairman Chris McFadden, also speaking at the conference, said horseracing had failed “to connect with enough of the 18-35 age group.”

He added: “Racing’s audience demographic is ageing rapidly and betting patterns of

the next generation are markedly different and, more importantly, not on horseracing.

“Our sport is too complex, has a meandering story with no conclusion, and speaks in an alien tongue.

“We need to look at ourselves very carefully to recognise our great sport is not connecting with enough of the 18-35 age group that replenishes our audience, never mind the better half of the gender divide or the multicultural nature of our society.

“We have to make sure we are providing a sport as relevant to today’s consumer as it was to yesterday’s. I am lobbying to convince bodies that it is a worthwhile thing to do, with racecourses and bookmakers and not in isolation.”

Surprise claim The conference also saw a surprise claim by David Thorpe, Chairman of the Racecourse Association, that race sponsorship could fall by as much as 40% due to the economic downturn. Thorpe had earlier described sponsorship as “holding up quite well”.

Nigel Payne, Chief Executive of the Horserace Sponsors’ Association, disagreed with Thorpe’s sums, saying: “I don’t accept the 40% figure and can’t see how the annual impact could be more than 15-20%.”

In other speeches, BHA Chairman Paul Roy warned that racing was caught up “in an economic environment that’s getting tougher and gloomier by the minute.”

He said: “We all know that we’re poorer than this time last

year. The data is shocking. Stock markets around the world at sixto ten-year lows, Government and private debt at record levels, $5 trillion wiped off the value of pension schemes alone during 2008, house prices in freefall and millions of jobs under threat.

Paul Roy: tough times

Banking crisis “The crisis in banking and financial markets is taking an increasingly severe toll on the broader economy. It’s translating into the scariest economic recession in our lifetime.

“No one knows how long this will last but markets will almost certainly not recover until banks worldwide get properly recapitalised.”

As for the BHA itself, Roy said its biggest achievement in the last 18 months had been “our work in pulling together the sport and the industry. The racecourses, owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders and others have all put in more effort than I can ever recall in establishing a common way forward.”

On the need for levy

modernisation, he said: “We want a fit-for-purpose levy without any need for recourse to Government. A fair return from betting is an immediate issue for racing. Britain, with our tradition of bookmaking, is lagging behind every other racing nation.

“Whilst betting operators are announcing healthy profits and some operators move offshore to avoid levy and tax, racing, the sport, the real people and the real lives that depend on it, continues to be under-funded.

“Racing’s position can only deteriorate in a recessionary environment and this contrasts starkly with the major bookmaking firms reporting excellent results and claiming to be relatively resilient to an economic downturn.”

FACT BOX 2008 5.7m Racecourse attendances £106m Record total prize-money 88,000 Direct and indirect jobs; Britain’s largest sporting employer 61 Racecourses 50,000 People with an ownership interest 15,000 Average monthly horses in training £1.2bn+ Bookmakers’ profits on British horseracing

New this month: Tony Morris starts a regular column for us on page 16; listings of all global stakes winners, page 88 8 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Tweenhills Times April 2009

Tweenhills Farm & Stud Tweenhills Racing David Redvers Bloodstock

Treble success for King There can be few happier Doncaster May Sales purchasers than Trainer Alan King and agent Anthony Bromley after LIDAR’s massively impressive 9 length romp in the Doncaster Sping Sales £50,000 Bumper. Sold on behalf of new Pinhooker Marc Jonas (see below) by Trickledown Stud, he represents a remarkable twist of fortune for Alan King with David Redvers’ pinhooks.

All three pinhooks bought by Alan and Anthony at the Doncaster Spring Sales are now winners. Lidar, a €28,000 Deauville yearling purchase joins the recent impressive first time out bumper winner Chilli Rose, but they both still have a fair way to go to match the achievements of earlier purchase, that superb mare Senorita Rumbalita.

That said, trainer Alan King is understandably enthused by them both and particularly Lidar who now heads for the Aintree Championship bumper and stated, “I’m very, very excited by him. I think he is the best young horse I’ve trained and has looked that way from day one.”

STUD SEASON WELL UNDERWAY

ART CONNOISSEUR IN FINE FORM

The busy stud season is well underway at Tweenhills with coverings, and a host of cracking foals already born.

Champion British based sire, Lucky Story, looks to have an exciting season ahead particularly with Art Connoisseur.

Among them is a lovely big bay colt by Sinndar out of Dame Edith. Purchased at the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale in December 2008, she has already produced dual Gr.1 winner Voix Du Nord, winner of the Criterium Du SaintCloud (Gr.1) and Prix Lupin (Gr.1).

Dame Edith is owned by the Tweenhills run Enterprise Investment Scheme Syndicates (EIS) and she is due to visit New Approach this season.

Trainer Michael Bell reports: “Art Connoisseur is in very good form and training very well. It is still all systems go for the Guineas. He will make his seasonal debut at the Craven Meeting in either the Craven Stakes or the Free Handicap. I’m very happy with him.”

We will be taking a short break again from our monthly newsletter during the spring. In the meantime keep up-to-date with news and views from Tweenhills at www.tweenhills.com

Royal Ascot winning Lucky Story colt Art Connoissuer

Those looking up Pinhook in the dictionary will be understandably confused by the absence of this bloodstock word. Try googling the term and you will be even more nonplussed.

There is apparently a charming town in Indiana that goes by the same name.

Pinhooking is the bloodstock word for investing in bloodstock – normally foals, with a view to reselling at a profit in the relative short term. At Tweenhills we run an EIS Pinhooking Sydicate and specialise in bloodstock investments.

Contact the office for further details.

www.tweenhills.com Tweenhills Farm & Stud Hartpury Gloucestershire GL19 3BG t: + 44 (0) 1452 700177/ 700545 f: + 44 (0) 1452 700002 m: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 e: davidredvers@tweenhills.com

vale hay

BREEDER PROFILE Marc Jonas, Farmer and Businessman

How did you first meet David Redvers?

Out hunting with the Ledbury, as I used to live just a few miles from Tweenhills before moving to a farm near Salisbury.

What is a ‘pinhook’?

New Tweenhills EIS mare Dame Edith foals a strapping colt by Sinndar

Lidar comfortably wins the valuable DBS Spring Sales Bumper at Doncaster

What is your involvement in racing?

Initially I invested in David’s EIS syndicates, then the Sleeping Indian syndicate. On moving to Wiltshire I was keen to have young horses, so David has provided advice on NH stores, purchasing them as yearlings and selling on at three or four.

What horses do you own now?

Two three-year-olds by Exit To Nowhere and Beneficial are heading for the Brightwells Cheltenham Sale in April.

At Doncaster Spring Sales I’m selling a Generous three-year-old and a fouryear-old by Zagreb. I also have six two-year-olds at home.

Most notable horse to date?

Lidar (featured above). He is the first runner from my first sales season, and is proving very exciting! The other three I sold last year have a lot to live up to already.

Suppliers of top quality hay and haylage to the racing industry. Clients include Venetia Williams, Whitsbury Manor Stud, Tweenhills Farm & Stud, Wickfield Stud and Trickledown Stud.

Contact Ben Rich on 07774 725332 to discuss your requirements.

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NEWS FOCUS

Changes

In association with

Racing’s news in a nutshell People and business Ffos Las Rowley Mile Lord Donoughue Tote BBC Grissell girls Timeform French gambling Magna Entertainment Epsom redevelopment BEBF Fasig-Tipton Strangles DFS William Hill Coral Betview Awards Ladbrokes

Britain’s newest racecourse, set to stage first meeting on June 18, aligns itself with At The Races and SIS for live picture broadcasts NatWest ends sponsorship at Newmarket racecourse after three-year association Labour peer resigns from role as consultant to bookmaker Paddy Power after row erupted over his chairmanship of Starting Price Regulatory Commission Offers racecourses the opportunity to take a share of all Totepool profits if they agree to make firm an official betting partner Signs three-year deal that guarantees at least 14 days racing coverage in 2009, including the Welsh National from Chepstow, which was under threat Di Grissell trains first winner under Rules with Rear Gunner, as daughter Rose rides first point-to-point winner on Myson at Charing, beating sister Hannah Halifax firm ends association with York’s charity day, having supported the event since 1971 Online state betting monopoly to end, giving companies the chance to compete for sportsbook and poker licences, which will operate from January 1, 2010 Bankruptcy of group that owns and operates Santa Anita racecourse could see November’s Breeders’ Cup meeting switched to Churchill Downs Constructors hand over site to racecourse management, with official opening of the new grandstand looming on April 22 Prize-money allocation to British European Breeders’ Fund increases for the period up until January 2010, exceeding £1.25 million in total Cancels its autumn yearling auction in Lexington, Kentucky, citing lack of viability for the sale Outbreak of the contagious equine disease confirmed in William Jarvis’s Newmarket yard Doncaster-based furniture giant becomes St Leger meeting sponsor, backing Group races in a deal said to be worth six figures Agrees three-year-deal to sponsor Ayr Gold Cup but says it has no intention of continuing backing of Ascot jumps racing due to BBC coverage cutbacks Extends sponsorship of Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown to 2011, which will be the 36th running under Coral’s banner BSkyB-backed magazine hosts inaugural awards for British and Irish gambling industry; independent firm Better scooped the Newcomer award Enters new territory by allowing telephone and internet punters to bet after the off, a move they claim will “revolutionise” betting

Racehorse and stallion – movements and retirements Sergeant Cecil Kingsgate Native Daiwa Scarlet Robin Des Pres Montmartre Great Pyramid Sir Percy (pictured) Bernstein Bandini

Popular stayer who won the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Cesarewitch in 2005 comes out of retirement aged ten to join William Knight’s stable Stallion career for Cheveley Park Stud’s new recruit under review after none of the first 20 mares covered are scanned in foal Top-class mare in Japan, winner of four Grade 1 races, retired due to leg injury; the daughter of Agnes Tachyon was on course for the Dubai World Cup Jump stallion, 15, moves to Anngrove Stud in County Laois from France; the son of Cadoudal is the sire of high-class chasers Petit Robin and Panjo Bere Son of Montjeu, brilliant winner of the Grand Prix de Paris when last seen in July, is retired to stud by owner the Aga Khan Nine-year-old son of Danehill, a brother to Rock Of Gibraltar, to stand at Basheer Kielany’s stud in France Derby winner and Lanwades Stud stallion is to shuttle to Rich Hill Stud in Matamata, New Zealand for this year’s southern hemisphere season 12-year-old is to remain at Castleton Lyons in Kentucky this season, after seven years of shuttling to Argentina Walmac stallion subject of promotional deal, whereby any 12-year-old or younger mare that is Listed placed or better can breed to him for half his fee

People obituaries Age Ernie Dymock Michael Allen Sir Ernest Harrison Dennis Wickett Robert Kerry Sir Peter Leng

76 80 82 55 54 83

Horse obituaries

Age

Morley Street Urban Sea Manila Mansonnien Endless Power Thyne Again Osorio Clarified Bonus

25 20 26 25 9 8 9 7 9

Long-time correspondent of The Sporting Life who became the paper’s assistant editor Pioneer of medical services on British racecourses who was the Jockey Club’s medical consultant for a decade Outstanding business leader who owned top-class duo Cacoethes and Polish Patriot (obituary, page 7) Former amateur jockey who was left severely disabled after a point-to-point fall in 1984 Groom who worked for John Dunlop, having previously been based with Guy Harwood Former chairman of the Racecourse Association who had a distinguished career in the Army

Won four Aintree Hurdles, the Champion Hurdle and the Breeders’ Cup Chase twice during an outstanding career with trainer Toby Balding Brilliant mare on the track and in the paddocks, winner of the Arc in 1993 and dam of Derby hero Galileo and high-class Black Sam Bellamy Top-class US turf performer, whose five Grade 1 wins included the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita, and later a successful sire in Turkey Champion jumps sire in France on three occasions whose progeny include Grade 1-winning chasers Taranis and Mansony Jim Goldie-trained gelding who landed the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree last year Talented chaser for the Liam Burke stable, recording his biggest success in the Grade 1 Baileys Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown last year Italian Derby winner and Newsells Park Stud stallion Tony Martin-trained chaser who became the only equine casualty of this year’s Cheltenham Festival in the Freddie Williams Plate Stable stalwart for Gerard Butler who won ten of 54 starts and over £220,000 in win and place prize-money

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Phoenix Reach

o New fee - £2,500 (1st October) - concessions available

“Phoenix Reach was a tough and consistent racehorse. He went on to win at Gr.1 level at three, four and five years old, a feat that very few achieve.”

Andrew Balding, Trainer “She’s a good looking filly...

She’s been bought to race.”

Di Turner, Lodge Farm Stud purchaser of the 20,000gns foal by Phoenix Reach

Contact: Brian O’Rourke Mob: 07789 508157 Tel: +44 (0)1638 675 929 Email: stallions@nationalstud.co.uk Website: www.nationalstud.co.uk National Stud Ltd., Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 0XE

Group 1 Stallions BAHAMIAN BOUNTY COCKNEY REBEL PASTORAL PURSUITS PHOENIX REACH

Ackermann & Johnson OB Apr09:Ackermann & Johnson OB Apr09

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!#+%2-!.. !.$ */(.3/.

John Dalby (1810-1865) Signed and dated ‘Dalby 1845’ 13¾ x 19¾ in. (35 x 50 cm) A chestnut and two bay racehorses belonging to John Bowes with jockeys up Oil on canvas

Henry Frederick Lucas Lucas (1848-1943) Signed and dated ‘1894’ 28 x 36 in. (71 x 91.5 cm) Isinglass with Tommy Loates up, on a race course Oil on canvas The elegant colt Isinglass (1890-1911) was a Triple Crown champion in the 1890s who dominated racing in a decade which saw some of the greatest horses of the Victorian era. He was ridden in all his races by Tommy Loates, depicted here. His world record for career earnings remained unbroken in England for 57 years.

Arthur Ackermann Limited since 1783 Arthur Ackermann Ltd, 27 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9HY Tel: 020 7235 6464 email: art@arthurackermann.com www.arthurackermann.com

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ROA LEADER

Time is right for a joint levy/commercial deal The levy could be aligned to a standard fixture list of, say, 1,200, leaving racing to negotiate with the betting industry for an extra 300 meetings

T

he latest throw of the dice in the endless game British racing is forced to play with the betting industry has come in the unexpected shape of a bookmaker proposal to the Levy Board that the terms of the current levy scheme should be rolled over for each of the next three years.

The irony of this is that in our levy negotiations last autumn we argued strongly for a rollover, but then the bookmakers were adamant that an allowance should be made for the new betting shop picture service, TurfTV, which they said cost them an additional £40 million a year.

In the end, the deadlock was broken by racing offering bookmakers a batch of additional fixtures that were not originally on the table and it was this move that could now point the way to a new commercial relationship.

Racing is rightly very circumspect about this latest offer. First, it is conditional upon there being no change to the Government’s fiscal policy. Second, we have no idea what 10% of

Paul Dixon President, Racehorse Owners Association

racing in a bad light with the Government who, in principle, would like this to happen.

Putting a minimum guarantee on the levy of, say, £100m a year is appealing in this economic climate, but it is difficult to see how this could work through the current levy system, which is based purely on 10% of gross profits on all UK horseracing bets. There may be another way, however, which picks up on the lessons learnt at last autumn’s negotiations.

We know that a full racing product remains important to bookmakers, even though our market share has declined significantly. We know from last year’s experience bookmakers need the likes of all-weather racing in the winter evenings to keep their shops ticking over.

Is it not time, therefore, to introduce a hybrid system where the levy runs parallel with a straight commercial arrangement? Could we not align the levy to a standard fixture list of, say, 1,200, and then tell bookmakers we would negotiate a commercial price on the remaining 300 fixtures (some of which could contain

“Racing is rightly very circumspect about the offer from bookmakers to roll over the levy for three years” gross profits will deliver for racing in hard cash, especially in this economic climate. And, third, the offer does not make any allowance for the promised modernisation of the levy process which has been part of discussions for the last two years.

Trying to make progress with modernisation of the levy is like walking in treacle. A step in what is perceived to be the right direction in logical terms has us banging against the stone wall of the levy’s statutory framework, much of which is embedded in an Act of 1963.

Everyone agrees the levy system is no longer fit for purpose but to get it changed would require parliamentary time, which is not available, and, in any case, the changes might then make the levy vulnerable to illegal state aid challenges.

Whatever the lack of progress on levy modernisation, we have to respond to the three-year offer. A straight refusal would put

additional races) that is entirely separate from the levy? This would encompass those areas of the racing programme that may be dismissively regarded as “betting shop fodder” but are actually very important to owners, racecourses and, of course, to bookmakers.

Such a hybrid system might get the traction it needs because of the importance of winter evening racing to the betting industry. Without this, betting shops would primarily open for punters to play on FOBT machines and this would surely add to the Government’s already growing concerns over these machines.

Such a commercial arrangement could also see British horseracing filling those late morning betting slots occupied by overseas racing, while it would create the ideal platform from which to develop a proper commercial relationship that might one day replace the levy system. Most of all, it would allow racing to achieve a higher income for its overall product.

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TBA LEADER

Breeders also need a prize-money boost Close attention must be paid to the very welcome Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme. If successful, a similar incentive should be adopted for yearlings

eports of an expected reduction in the number of British mares due to foal this season, coupled with anecdotal evidence that the number of Britishbased mares visiting stallions this year is also on the decline, is surely a move in the right direction for the industry as a whole. Yet this decline contrasts with the requirement for British racing to supply in excess of 26,000 horses to meet the demands of a fixture list driven by bookmakers, punters and racecourses.

The demand for such numbers is unlikely to abate in the short term. Whether demand for the production of thoroughbreds shows a corresponding level depends on one key ingredient: the racehorse owner.

A survey conducted last year by the Racing Post estimated that 67% of breeders own horses in training. This level of investment confirms that racing and breeding in the UK are interdependent, and breeding, in particular, is dependent on a healthy racing industry for its future.

R

reducing their employee numbers, does not sit well on successful businessmen’s shoulders.

The yearling sales are going to be tough. The sales companies have already invested in a variety of attractive sales race schemes, but owners are required to boost these funds through the entry structure. If a number of the eligible horses are still without owners, then the system could become self-defeating.

Talks are already under way to establish whether a similar bonus scheme for the breeze ups should be explored for the yearling sales.

It will be interesting to analyse the outcome of the breeze-up sales to establish whether the bonuses have had the desired effect. If indeed they have, a similar scheme for the yearling sales surely must be considered, even if it will mean an increase in costs for vendors already faced with diminishing returns. What are the alternatives?

The media has been strong on providing advice for breeders and producers, and let’s hope breeders have heeded this. The TBA’s seminar

Kirsten Rausing Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

“The TBA recognises that consignors and purchasers will not be well served by rises in sales commission” However, breeders will not be encouraged to race increasing numbers of their homebreds at a time when income, in terms of both prizemoney and sales returns, will leave them far short of covering their costs. Food for thought for racing’s administrators. Let’s hope they are already addressing the long-term implication of a drop in production of the raw material, in the UK, Ireland and further afield.

With the above comments in mind, breeze-up consignors are to be warmly congratulated for their initiative in providing more prize-money through the Breeze-Up Bonus Scheme.

The importance of their initiative should not be underestimated, as what measures, other than a direct increase in prize-money, are likely to encourage people to buy a luxury item like a racehorse in these difficult times?

Wealth still exists, but there is an understandable degree of concern in some quarters that keeping horses in training, whilst

on June 30 entitled ‘British Breeding Now and in the Future’ will seek to provide further information from economists, bloodstock and financial experts to help breeders approach their 2010 business plans.

One interesting point to note from the ITBA’s recent, well-supported seminar on ‘The Way Forward’ suggests that purchasers and their agents paid considerable attention to the differing rates of commission among sales companies in 2008. In the current climate those sales companies whose commission structure is heavily loaded on purchasers are creating a disincentive to buy, and this fact has not been overlooked by some shrewd investors.

During its recent meetings the TBA Council has recognised the importance of the industry working together during the recession, but reaffirmed its view that sales consignors and purchasers would not be well served by any future increases in sales commission.

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COMMENT

Tony Morris

The leading bloodstock writer starts his new monthly column for the magazine with a warning that breeders must not be complacent

e are several years into a cycle of overproduction, six months into a period of world economic recession and approaching two months into a new breeding season, when it is vital that steps are taken to apply a correction.

But is that happening to a sufficient degree?

The autumn of 2008 made it abundantly clear that there were far more yearlings and foals than the market required. Nothing has happened since then to allow hopes for a revival in demand for the yearlings who will take their chance at auction this year, or for the prospects of the crop now being born.

The outlook is grim, at least until 2011, when the crop conceived this spring will be looking for end-users to accept them as additions to the racing population.

The “at least” is significant, because history tells us that a serious falling-off in demand, especially when associated with economic conditions not directly related to the bloodstock and racing industries, tends to be more than a short-term phenomenon. There need be no doubt that fewer mares will be covered in Britain and Ireland this year, because some breeders simply will not be able to carry on in the current economic climate, while others will recognise the folly of throwing good money after bad.

But my enquiries have led me to believe that there is still some complacency – an acknowledgement that things are going to be tough in 2009 and 2010, but coupled with a measure of optimism that by 2011 the worst will be over and the good old days will be back.

That is wishful thinking, to judge by what occurred in 1974, when the Arab states virtually quadrupled the price of oil, and the impact on the bloodstock industry was both immediate and long-lasting.

The yearling market in Britain had been making significant progress for several years, with the average at Tattersalls’ October Sales advancing from 1,546gns in 1965 to 3,946gns in 1973. At the more prestigious Houghton auction over the same period, the average rose from 2,420gns to 8,843gns.

And, naturally, that growth had encouraged heavier investment in breeding. The Anglo-Irish foal crop of 1965 numbered 5,923; the crop conceived in 1974, in the wake of the previous year’s record yearling business, and shortly before the shock news from the Middle East sent

W

“History tells us that a serious fall in demand tends to be more than a short-term phenomenon”

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the world’s financial markets into turmoil, was to reach a new high at 9,767. By the time those foals were born, the bloodstock market had collapsed.

The 1974 October auction returned an average of 2,073gns, down by 47%. At the Houghton the average was 5,204gns, over 41% lower. The knowledge that the next foal crop to come would be larger than ever exercised the minds of breeders. Many acted accordingly.

Some 1,400 fewer mares were covered in 1975, resulting in 1,000 fewer foals in 1976, and circumspection ruled for some years thereafter. It was not until 1986, at the height of a new boom in bloodstock, that the Anglo-Irish foal crop rose above the 1975 level.

So how did the yearling sales fare after the 1974 debacle? Unsurprisingly, the quality end of the market recovered first, business at the Houghton establishing new records for turnover and average as soon as 1976, and the trend was generally onward and upward thereafter until the next crisis year of 1992.

The average at the October Sale, always much more representative of the state of bloodstock trading, did not climb back to the level of 1973 until 1978 – and then partly due to a contrivance in the form of a considerable reduction in catalogue numbers.

Global economies were reckoned to be in recession again from the end of 1990, but yearling sales in Newmarket held up reasonably well in the following year, when the Houghton average suffered only slightly, albeit with a significantly smaller catalogue to limit the damage, and October even contrived a record average (16,357gns), while the median remained steady at 10,500gns.

The real crunch came in 1992, when the Houghton average plummeted from 82,132gns to 44,708gns, and the median dropped no less alarmingly, from 50,000gns to 27,000gns. The October figures were still more disastrous, with turnover, average and median halved, and back to levels not experienced for a decade. This was the year when the Maktoums boycotted sales in England, which clearly had an impact on the Houghton business, but their absence was only a minor factor in the collapse at October.

Reductions in foal crops were obviously appropriate again and, while they did not come down in vast numbers immediately, they were cut back, and the record tally of 13,295 in 1991

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Lysaght’s People The man from the Beeb brings us all the patter from the racecourse was not exceeded until 2000. Meanwhile, the average at both main yearling sales took four years to recover the ground lost in 1992.

Of course, in the last few years foal crops in Britain and Ireland have routinely been in the region of 17,000, in spite of abundant evidence of an over-supply, and we must expect something similar when the 2009 figures are compiled.

If the industry is serious about putting its house in order, it has to recognise the significant downturn in demand and adjust its production level accordingly.

But is the industry doing enough in that direction?

The trouble is that “the industry” is a vague and all-embracing term, covering many individuals with different agendas, from major operators for whom the profit motive is paramount, to the hobby breeder who may hope to make money but whose prime objective is to have fun. Moreover, this is an unregulated business and any form of regulation would seem to be impossible, amounting to a restraint of trade.

When the bloodstock market collapsed in 1974 and again in 1992, one of the first natural consequences was a reduction in stallion fees.

Recognition that commercial breeders were losing money and could not continue to operate while fees remained high was inevitable and stallion studs were bound to react. In the autumn of 2008, as trading at yearling sales went from bad to worse, we had the unprecedented situation of many fees being reduced again, only a week or two after the first reductions were announced.

Such moves were, of course, wholly laudable in a scenario that demanded drastic action, but reduced fees do not in themselves provide an answer to the overproduction problem. In fact, they may well ensure that the problem persists, for the simple reason that lower costs amount to an encouragement to breed, when what is really required is some encouragement to reduce the population.

There is no reason to doubt fewer mares will be covered in 2009 than in 2008, but lower fees are bound to ensure some breeders will ignore the big picture, be attracted by the supposed bargains offered, and continue to mate mares who should really be taken off the production line. They will pay for the mistake, just as those who took the same chance after the market downturns of the 1970s and 1990s paid then, but they will not see it now. That is one reason why we should not expect stability in the bloodstock industry to return any time soon.

Paxman roams stewards’ rooms Trainers and jockeys facing bother in the stewards’ room on tracks around the south east of England have every reason to answer questions quickly and precisely. That’s because of the presence on the panel of a J Paxman Esq – John Paxman, cousin of Jeremy.

No cries of “get on with it” or “come on” have as yet been reported, but it’s said that trainers and jockeys find it as hard as ministers of the Crown to pull the wool over the eyes of a Paxman.

And imagine the potential anxiety attack for Northern Racing’s Chairman Michael Howard when the ex-Tory leader first spotted J Paxman on the list of officials at Northern course Fontwell, part of the Paxman beat.

It was Howard who famously avoided answering a question that was posed 12 times, no less, by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight.

How old?

When Colin Mackenzie retired as racing correspondent at the Daily Mail last year, it was at an age marginally above the tradition for these things – but not all that far above it.

However, he obviously seemed considerably older to a boy who Mackenzie and wife Linda encountered during a just-completed round-the-world tour. Staying with daughter Alex, a teacher in Kuala Lumpur, the former Captain Heath, part-owner of Grand National outsider Fleet Street and smart Flat performer The Betchworth Kid, was asked to give a lecture about the media to Alex’s class.

After chatting about everything from finding Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in Brazil to his days as an intrepid foreign correspondent in the US, the boy politely asked what it had been like covering the assassination of President Lincoln (in 1865).

Safety second When Paul Carberry and Oliver Greenall experienced crashing falls during Cheltenham, the delicate and speedy way in which they were stretchered off the track by the medical team was much-admired.

T’was not always thus, however.

Carl Llewellyn recalled a fall – not at Cheltenham, I might say – after which a St John’s Ambulance volunteer arrived at his side, not to offer the stricken jockey any degree of TLC but to berate him for the fall which had knocked her out of the placepot.

Zaynar (left) wins the Triumph Hurdle

Hearts flutter Victor Chandler enjoyed a fine Cheltenham as part-owner of Triumph Hurdler Zaynar, but the week was not all plain sailing for the renowned bookmaker. Such were Champion Hurdle liabilities on Binocular that Chandler’s famous cool was severely tested when watching the horse finish third to stablemate Punjabi.

“I don’t know about Denman,” he declared, “but after that I can tell you all about fibrillating hearts.”

Talking of bookies and fluttering hearts, gorgeous pouting Irish layer Ellen Martin revealed herself as the Imelda Marcos of the millinery world when bringing a staggering 54 different hats to the Festival. “If you think I’m joking,” she told BBC reporter Kevin Day, “you can come home with me later to have a look at them all.”

With commendable poise, Day, who writes on shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You, replied: “I think you’re joking”.

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He was an unconsidered 22-1 shot, but the Nicky Henderson-trained Punjabi, owned by leading divorce lawyer Raymond Tooth (above), defied his odds with a thrilling victory over Celestial Halo in the Champion Hurdle (main picture). Below: Barry Geraghty and proud groom Sarah Shreeve with their opening-day hero in the winners’ enclosure

Festival of Dreams

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THE THRILL OF CHELTENHAM

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THE THRILL OF CHELTENHAM

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Master Minded was not at his best according to rider Ruby Walsh (main picture, green and yellow) – but he was still seven lengths too good for his Champion Chase rivals. Cooldine (right) was part of a blistering opening two days for trainer Willie Mullins and Irish runners in general. Not to be outdone on the second day were Brian O’Connell and Dunguib (far right) in the Champion Bumper

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Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls took the major honours on the third afternoon, winning the feature World Hurdle with Big Buck’s (this page and top opposite), who beat Punchestowns by a length and three-quarters, with the pair 17 lengths clear of the rest. For owners the Stewart family, it was deserved compensation for the narrow defeat of Celestial Halo in the Champion Hurdle

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THE THRILL OF CHELTENHAM

In addition to Big Buck’s, Paul Nicholls also saddled Chapoturgeon to win the Jewson Chase under Timmy Murphy (left), while Imperial Commander returned to form with a vengeance for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Paddy Brennan in the Ryanair Chase (far left)

Paul Nicholls was not the only trainer to saddle a third-day double, and in sending out the first two home in the Festival Plate, Venetia Williams arguably took the training honours. Kayf Aramis won the Pertemps Final (far right), then came the one-two in the Festival Plate, via Something Wells (winner, on left) and Ping Pong Sivola

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THE THRILL OF CHELTENHAM

The pictures speak for themselves in explaining the final-day highlight, with Kauto Star majestic in winning a vintage Gold Cup for Ruby Walsh, Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith.

Astonishingly, Nicholls ended the meeting a neck away from a clean sweep of the championship races, Celestial Halo’s defeat denying him that unprecedented achievement

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VIEW FROM IRELAND FROM LEO POWELL

Oppenheim espouses the need for one voice

Leo Powell is Managing Editor of The Irish Field

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huge crowd of industry professionals and interested individuals descended on the historic city of Kilkenny to hear three distinguished panels of experts give their view on the current state of the racing and breeding industries.

One of the key attractions was Bill Oppenheim, who told an audience of 500 people: “It is astounding to be in a country where two (former) politicians are willing to sit on a panel and have enough knowledge of the thoroughbred industry to do so, and that is what makes Ireland unique and the country it is.

“New entrepreneurs are not interested in losing money. Yet this is the only country in the known universe where people who make money immediately say, ‘What horse will I buy?’ The Government contribution is staggering; you do not see it in any other country.

“The great Irish tradition of the horse is your strength. It is the basis for regeneration. When money is made again, it will be spent on the Irish horse.”

He urged the industry not to be embarrassed by the success of large organisations such as Coolmore, Darley and the Aga Khan’s studs. Such combines are often put forward in the national press as examples of the ‘wealth

of the industry’ and Oppenheim was taken aback to think that they might be used in a negative way when portraying the overall make-up of the industry.

He said: “Coolmore is a world renowned leader of the thoroughbred industry, and what better advert for the Irish horse? Utilise this resource as much as possible. You have a Government who will listen to you and provide funds.

You’ve very bright people in organisations like the ITBA, who are willing to talk to Government. It is essential the industry is united. One plan presented by one body.

You must give those leaders the latitude to speak as one voice.”

Breeder and vet John Osborne spoke candidly about the realities of the image of Irish bloodstock. “We are the third biggest producer of horses worldwide, yet there is a large section of the population that sneers at our industry, pokes fun at it and disapproves of its funding. Not every Italian drives a Ferrari, yet every Italian is proud of the Ferrari.”

Britain’s Paul Thorman called for breeders to accept the current situation and move on and deal with the issues.

“The earthquake’s happened, the buildings are flat and now it’s time to rebuild,” he said. “It’s no one’s fault but our own. We bred them, now’s the time

Bill Oppenheim (second row, on the right, with beard) was a big attraction at the ITBA seminar

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to stop breeding them.

“If you’re unsure, leave the mare empty.

Don’t listen to stallion masters offering two for one or foal shares – there’s no market for the horses at the bottom. But don’t let’s get too depressed. There are plenty of elements that are good. We export horses all over the world and the new breeze-up bonus scheme is a platform for better things.”

Goffs and Doncaster Chief Executive Henry Beeby continued the positive thinking, saying: “If we read the wider press we’re doomed, but in this business we’re selling the dream and why on earth would someone come into racing with so much negativity surrounding it? We should keep the positivity alive.”

Among other issues covered by the various speakers, Brian Meehan called for uniform commissions for all auction houses, while bloodstock agent Peter Doyle said the bid boards should reflect the final price of the lot.

Both felt the days of valuable sales races were numbered and that the new breeze-up bonus scheme should be used as a template for similar incentives aimed at the yearling market.

In advance of the Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins, Aiden Murphy and Jimmy Mangan spoke in great detail about the current explosion of success for Frenchbreds in National Hunt racing. While he has enjoyed much success with Frenchbreds, Mullins still purchases the majority of his horses in Ireland. “You have to go to France with a different eye,” he said.

“They’re taller, leaner, more angular.

They don’t carry the condition ours carry, which may help to keep them sound.”

The full list of panellists was Des Barnwell MRCVS, Henry Beeby, Bobby Bryan, Peter Doyle, Alan Dukes, Brian Kavanagh, Simon Kerins, Luke Lillingston, Mark MacRedmond MRCVS, Jimmy Mangan, Brian Meehan, Willie Mullins, Aiden Murphy, Bill Oppenheim, John Osborne MRCVS and Paul Thorman. The sessions were chaired by this columnist and the former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh.

PHOTOS: GEORGE SELWYN

“One plan, one body” he tells seminar audience of 500, as British breeder Paul Thorman says: “The earthquake has happened, it’s time to rebuild”

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The art of Anglo-Irish diplomacy

Holding our nerve

The annual chestnut about the unfairness of the British National Hunt handicapper raised its head again in the last month.

This was because of the announcement of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National and the publication of the weights for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps.

The debate took an unusual form this year, with Donn McClean, correspondent for The Sunday Times and a weekly columnist for The Irish Field, writing an open letter to Phil Smith in the lastnamed paper. This provoked a response and was followed by a couple of other letters. The complete correspondence was published in The Irish Field.

McClean pointed out that the majority of Irish horses are rated higher in Britain than they are in Ireland and he queried Smith on whether he believed that the Irish handicapper was that far out. Smith did not address that specific, though he

As I write this column the racing and breeding industries in Ireland are holding their collective breaths.

The announcement, by way of an answer from Minister Martin Cullen in a Dail (Irish parliament) debate, that funding for racing is guaranteed for 2009 came as a welcome relief. What is still up in the air is the question of the ongoing funding.

Racing and the breeding industry in Ireland faces an uphill battle to be accepted in the wider public arena for the fact that it is a major industry and not simply a sport.

To this end, Horse Racing Ireland recently issued a set of facts about racing and breeding, and the contents of their document will no doubt make for interesting reading to an international audience.

These statistics should be measured against the fact that Ireland has an island population that is the equivalent of some large administrative areas of Britain or some cities in the world.

retorted that a greater percentage of Irish horses won handicaps in Cheltenham than British runners did at Punchestown, adding: “Looking at it from this side of the water, that is very puzzling, don’t you think?”

The result: possibly a score draw, with Smith deciding that there would be no satisfactory outcome and drawing up stumps. He wrote: “We seem to be going round in circles and we could go back and forth on your latest examples.

The fact of the matter is that we have two entirely discrete systems and we therefore produce our own ratings for Irish horses.”

He added: “I appreciate that you would like to see even more Irish-trained winners at the Cheltenham Festival but we are entirely satisfied that our system is fair and have no intention of altering a perfectly equitable system.”

Ouch!

Ireland one, UK handicappers nil: Ninetieth Minute after winning the Coral Cup

Return visit for the Five Freedoms In last month’s column I wrote about the Five Freedoms, a set of principles to which horse owners are obliged to adhere. The list was issued by Liz O’Flynn on behalf of Veterinary Ireland and it forms the basis of a new document called Promoting Responsible Thoroughbred Ownership.

If you own or keep a horse you are morally and legally responsible for its health, safety and welfare while it is in your ownership or possession. The document gives guidance on the care of the horse and the options available to prevent neglect. These include alternative uses, retirement and end-of-life decisions.

It is the result of co-operation between a large number of supporting bodies: the

Association of Irish Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons, Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, The Irish Blue Cross, Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, the Irish Equine Centre, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, University College Dublin, World Horse Welfare, the Association of Irish Racecourses, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Turf Club, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Veterinary Ireland, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and Weatherbys Ireland.

The Five Freedoms encompass freedom from 1) hunger and thirst; 2) discomfort; 3) pain, injury and disease; 4) fear and distress; and 5) to express normal behaviour.

Some of the keys facts are: Horseracing and breeding supports 16,500 jobs in the private sector and many in rural Ireland. This is considered by many to be a conservative figure The industry has 27 racecourses, almost 800 trainers and over 9,500 breeders Approximately 15% of breeders are overseas investors, while 92% of breeders own five broodmares or less There were 416 stallions at stud in Ireland in 2008, with 362 standing for a fee of €7,000 or less.

Last year Ireland exported more than 6,200 horses to more than 40 countries. These exports were worth more than €200 million.

Bloodstock sales accounted for more than 10% of total livestock output.

In 2007, 67% of our exports were to Britain, followed by Italy (11%) and France (8%), while the combined exports to Germany, Greece, Spain and the USA accounted for another 8%.

Last year there were some 12,000 horses in training, representing a cost to owners of about €240m into the economy in training fees.

The Punchestown and Galway Festival meetings generate €105m for the local economies.

Racing accounts for about 80,000 tourist visits to Ireland every year.

Ireland has the lowest rate of betting tax in the world. Consequently, in spite of the fact that total betting in 2008 reached €5.5 billion (just over four times what it was in 2001) the state took €38m in tax, down from €68m in 2001.

Furthermore, 30% of total betting was routed offshore to avoid paying the 1% levy.

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CONTINENTAL TALES THE NEWS FROM MAINLAND EUROPE

Vertigineux (right) exercising with the Pascal Bary-trained Gloria De Campeao in Dubai

Hitting the heights

V

Despite insulting odds, the French-trained Vertigineux continues to overcome his humble roots by competing well in France and Dubai

ertigineux, a surprise dual Pattern race winner last season who is now making waves in Dubai, has overcome his humble roots to such an extent that he could be forgiven for living up to his name and suffering from vertigo.

A five-year-old son of Nombre Premier and the modest Goldneyev mare Very Gold, Vertigineux began his career with six starts at courses close to the Bordeaux base of his owner-trainerbreeders Patrick and Carole Dufreche.

But three wins and three seconds prompted the Dufreches to raise their sights and, following a Deauville Listed success, Vertigineux lined up in the Group 3 Prix de la Porte Maillot at Longchamp last June.

An unconsidered 37-1 chance, he shocked the turfistes with a narrow victory and proved it was no fluke, despite even more insulting odds of 491, by taking the Group 3 Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud five months later.

That was on heavy ground, but the provincial upstart has since proved his versatility by landing another Deauville Listed race, this time on the fibresand, before continuing to excel on the firm turf of Nad Al Sheba.

Vertigineux is very much a family horse as Nombre Premier, France’s champion first season sire of 2001, stands at the Haras d’Ayguemorte of Carole Dufreche’s parents, Yves and Eliane Fremiot.

Carole trained Very Gold, who failed to get her head in front in 11 races despite visiting such little-known venues as Eauze and Gabarret, while former jockey Patrick was aboard in 1984 when Very Gold’s dam, Very Flight, began her unremarkable 18-race career that gleaned a solitary win.

Carole, at 41 two years younger than her husband, took over the training licence from him in 1999.

She has done well to break into the top 50 in the trainers’ championship over

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the past couple of seasons, initially helped by another Listed race-winning son of Nombre Premier, Gat, who was sold for €110,000 in late 2007 to continue his career in the Czech Republic.

She has remained in the Gironde to oversee their 40-strong team, while Patrick has masterminded Vertigineux’s Gulf adventure.

And, while it would surely be too much to expect another superstar to emerge from the string in the coming months, Carole picks out the filly Parcelle Perdue, who, like Nombre Premier in his racing days, is owned by the Marquesa de Moratalla, as a possible Classic prospect.

Down the road, her father, Yves, who is President of the Breeders’ Association of the South West of France, has a second string to the Ayguemorte bow in the form of Carlotamix, a Group 1-winning son of Linamix who covered his first mares there in 2007.

PHOTOS: MONICA PINHEIRO/THOROUGHBRED PHOTOGRAPHY

Words: James Crispe

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Sweden Fraam, the veteran Lead On Time stallion, is getting used to some decidedly chilly new surroundings after Bjorn Eklund, the long-serving Secretary General of the Swedish Jockey Club, took matters into his own hands to address a problem at the heart of the Swedish breeding industry.

“We have been suffering from a shortage of good stallions for some time,” said Eklund. “So I got together with the Jockey Club’s Education Officer, Helena Gärtner, and brought Fraam over to stand at Navesta Stud, which Helena owns with her husband, Per Arvidsson.”

Navesta, which is 80 miles south of Stockholm, has been operating as a stud for only a few years and Fraam, who is now 20 years old, is its first stallion.

Fraam did well in Sweden last year and after two of his progeny, Blusher and Aneebee, won big prizes in consecutive races at Täby in September,

Norway including a Listed event, Eklund took advice from his friend, Bill Oppenheim, before cutting a deal with Fraam’s owner, David Redvers, of Tweenhills Stud.

Eklund first got involved as an owner way back in 1965 and has had shares in some decent performers, such as Faster, runner-up in the 1983 Swedish Oaks. He was also involved with Otmar, fourth in the 1984 Stockholm Cup run at Täby, a course he used to manage.

Sweden has a thoroughbred stallion roster of 35, but some of those are covering only their breeder’s own mares. And of the top three home-based sires of 2008, Most Welcome has been retired and Funambule, the 22year-old champion, is not as fertile as he once was.

“The aim in importing Fraam is not to earn much money but to provide a useful stallion for breeders – we expect to have him cover only around 15 mares in his first season,” Eklund said.

“Funambule has no real successor. That is a problem.”

Fraam has been bought to improve the quality of stallions in Sweden

European News in Brief While industry analysts may complain of too much racing in both Britain and Italy, watering down the product, the opposite is the case in cash-strapped Germany. Only 14 years ago the fixture list numbered 325 meetings. Now it is down to a paltry 187.

It will be a while yet before the European Flat season gets into its

stride, but a study of the Pattern calendar reveals that it is not until the autumn that the action reaches its zenith.

Sunday September 13 is a date for the diary, as no fewer than 18 black type races are staged across the continent that day. The spotlight will be on Longchamp for the Arc trials, but there are also Group races at the Curragh, Goodwood and Taby.

For his trainer Wido Neuroth, Appel Au Maitre has proved “a bit special”

Wido Neuroth has trained the Norwegian Horse Of The Year so many times that he has lost count. But, when Appel Au Maitre clinched the 2008 title at a swanky hotel in Oslo last month, Scandinavian’s tentime champion trainer described the occasion as “a bit special”.

For it was the first time that the award had encompassed the whole spectrum of equestrian sport, so alongside Appel Au Maitre in the shortlist of six contenders was not just the Derby winnerTheatrical Award, but a Beijing medal-winning dressage horse, an Olympic showjumper and two trotters.

Remarkably, Appel Au Maitre, a winner over a mile and a half on five occasions, is by the same sire, Starborough, as the Hungarian sprinting sensation Overdose. But the sibling to three different Pattern winners in France is not short of speed, as he showed when landing the Group 3 Marit Sveeas Minnelop over nine furlongs last August.

Owned by Bente and Magne Jordanger’s Stall Perlen, who bought him as a yearling at Deauville for €155,000 , the last we saw of him on a racecourse was when he limped away from the unsaddling enclosure after finishing sixth in Cologne’s Preis von Europa.

“Thank God, he is fine now,” revealed Neuroth.

“He was kicked on his hock before the race and should have been withdrawn. He didn’t run badly in the circumstances to be beaten less than six lengths.

“After that we had hoped to run him in the Hong Kong Vase, but I could not get him right in time.”

Appel Au Maitre is now five and Neuroth concedes that the coming season will be a crucial one for the dual Stockholm Cup winner.

The ultimate aim is to win a big enough international race to gain him a place at stud outside Scandinavia.

“We will take him abroad later on and I still hope to end up in Hong Kong,” said Neuroth. “I think he would be suited by racing in England, as he likes a fast pace. “ Asked if Appel Au Maitre is the best horse he has trained, Neuroth is quick to remember Norway’s all-time leading money earner, Valley Chapel.

“Their official ratings are similar at the moment,” he said, “but Appel Au Maitre has the opportunity to go higher. If he wins a Group 2 or Group 1, that would make him the better horse.”

Neuroth has been rather nomadic in recent years, spending the spring months either in France, at Chantilly, or in Germany, at either Bremen or Krefeld.

However, a virus-ravaged 2008, when his horses did not fire until August, has brought a change of tactic for the current campaign.

“It is not easy to train in Norway at this time of year, when it thaws in the daytime and freezes at night,” he said.

“But the travelling seemed to bring on the virus last year so I have decided to stay at home to try and avoid it happening again.”

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GOING GLOBAL

THE COLUMN THAT EMBRACES EVERY CONTINENT

Japan’s dramatic downsizing In tandem with a decline in the economy, the breeding industry shows a 34% drop in the number of mares being bred since the peak of 1992

I

n a remarkably parallel arc to the grim economic downturn, breeding in Japan has contracted. With statistics showing that Japan’s economy shrunk at the end of 2008 more than at any time since 1974, the Japan Racing Association reported that the nation’s registered foal crop was only about 6,800, which marks the lowest number since 1974.

Since Japan produced 10,309 foals to hit its peak in 1992, production has plunged 34%. The number of stallions has also fallen by more than half; 603 in 1991, the year the largest foal crop was conceived, to 281 in 2008.

Of that group, 104, or 37%, had been imported, with breeders relying on America more than any other country. Perhaps most interestingly, ten of the 281 stallions standing in Japan last year covered about one-fifth of the nation’s 11,360 mares that were bred, and each of those ten, all of whom stood at the Yoshida family’s Shadai Stallion Station, was bred to more than 200 mares.

Six of the ten most active stallions are sons of Sunday Silence, including the three leaders, Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Major and Fuji Kiseki, thus further concentrating the blood of Japan’s all-time most significant sire, whose daughters also remain a big part of the breeding pool.

Agnes Tachyon has made a bid to be his sire’s successor after earning his first leading sire title in 2008, with Fuji Kiseki second in last year’s rankings by progeny earnings.

However, some challengers are emerging, with Japanese Derby winner King Kamehameha ranking as leading freshman sire last year and Symboli Kris S, the leading first-year sire of 2007, standing atop Japan’s 2009 general sire list up to early March.

Words: Michele MacDonald

TOP 2008 COVERING SIRES IN JAPAN Stallion (Sire)

Mares bred

Agnes Tachyon (Sunday Silence)

229

Daiwa Major (Sunday Silence)

223

Fuji Kiseki (Sunday Silence)

223

Jungle Pocket (Tony Bin)

221

Symboli Kris S (Kris S)

217

Deep Impact (Sunday Silence)

216

Kurofune (French Deputy)

211

Gold Allure (Sunday Silence)

204

King Kamehameha (Kingmambo)

202

Durandal (Sunday Silence)

201

Agnes Tachyon has taken over the mantle of Japan’s most popular sire

Perhaps one of the best signs of how dire the current times are has been the reaction to the first two select juvenile sales of the season in America.

With gross declining 25.5% and 29% at Fasig-Tipton Calder and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales, wounded howls would be expected from all corners. But, instead, participants voiced a certain sense of relief that the results were not worse.

“Our decreases were not as bad as what we’ve seen in most of the other markets outside the

thoroughbred business,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning after the company’s one-session auction on March 3.

Fasig-Tipton flew in potential buyers from Europe and courted Japanese clients, but in the end it was Dubai money that kept the sale – now conducted under the auspices of Dubai-based Synergy Investments – from falling even farther.

Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager John Ferguson was the leading buyer, as he has been in the past,

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spending $4,635,000 and taking all three of the horses that brought at least $1 million.

Topping the sale was a colt by young sire Medaglia d’Oro named Cup o’ Joe, who was sold for $1.6m by Wavertree Stables on behalf of breeder Jacks Or Better Farm.

A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Midas Eyes, the colt “was impressive in every department,” said Ferguson. “This is a horse we just felt could be very effective next year in the three-year-old division.”

Ferguson’s two other sevenfigure purchases were both grey sons of Unbridled’s Song, sire of Sheikh Mohammed’s 2008 American two-year-old champion Midshipman, who injured himself at Godolphin’s Dubai base and will not make the Kentucky Derby as planned.

Final figures at Fasig-Tipton showed 111 horses sold for $26,151,000, compared to 102 for $35,100,000 last year.

At OBS, 95 juveniles sold for $9,925,700, while average fell 34% to $104,481.

PHOTOS: MICHELE MACDONALD/THOROUGHBRED PHOTOGRAPHY

Realism pervades as trade drops at first two juvenile auctions

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Active sires in Australia show a 73% drop in last 20 years A lack of diversity and dwindling numbers in the sire ranks have also become clear trends in Australia — which is the world’s second largest producer of thoroughbreds behind the United States.

Michael Ford, keeper of the Australian Stud Book, noted in a recent report that the number of stallions that covered mares has fallen 73% since 1988, from 2,917 to 768 in 2008. The number of mares bred has decreased by about 40%, falling from 44,413 to 26,800. Perhaps most remarkably, of the 768 stallions bred to in Australia last year, 114 were by Danehill and another 56 were grandsons of Danehill, with that prolific line thus accounting for 22% of the total stallion population.

And many of the Danehill line horses are some of Australia’s most active, with Coolmore’s young Danehill stallion Fastnet Rock the busiest in 2008 with a total of 248 mares covered.

Eleven of the top 20 sires in Australia in the most recent season are sons or grandsons of Danehill, including God’s Own, third most active stallion with 196 mares.

Others are Choisir (194), Holy Roman Emperor (180), Oratorio (173), Flying Spur (171), Not A Single Doubt (161), Stratum (159), Dylan Thomas (157), Commands (151) and Exceed And Excel (148).

Ford, however, focused his comments on shuttle stallions rather than the Danehill phenomenon. “Shuttle stallions have been the biggest influential factor in horse breeding in the last 20 years,” wrote Ford in a paper published by Australian Breeding & Racing. “In 1989 there were two: Bluebird and Last Tycoon, and they covered 163 mares between them. In 2006, there were 64, covering 5,627 (an average of 90 for each shuttle stallion) mares – more than one in five of the total Australian population.”

Robust views are aired down under

Of the 768 stallions that were bred to in Australia last year, 170 were by Danehill or his sons

The battle of the Yoshida family Waging battles on two fronts that took them down to the proverbial finish line last year, brothers Teruya and Katsumi Yoshida continued to dominate racing in Japan unlike any other familial dynasty in the world.

For the fifth consecutive year, Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm scooped the title of leading breeder with 617 runners garnering 310 wins and earning the equivalent of a mind-boggling £54,088,324. Northern-bred runners included three champions: juvenile filly Buena Vista, sprintermiler Sleepless Night and dirt horse Kane Hekili.

Horses bred by Teruya Yoshida’s Shadai Farm, which has earned 13 leading breeder titles since 1990, collected £53,093,275 and boasted 337 wins.

Screen Hero, winner of the Japan Cup and champion older horse, led the Shadai-breds.

No other farm was even close to Northern and Shadai in the ranks of leading breeders, and the power of the Yoshidas is illustrated further by

the fact that third-ranked Shiraoi Farm, which was represented by 83 wins and earnings of £12,493,647, is also owned by the family. The Oiwake Farm of brother Haurya Yoshida ranked tenth among breeders with earnings of £4,594,656.

The story is much the same when it comes to Japan’s top owners. Shadai Race Horse, a syndicate group led by Teruya Yoshida, claimed the leading owner crown for the 17th time over the past two decades, turning back the Sunday Racing group affiliated with Northern Farm that had led all owners in 2005 and 2007.

With 238 runners who made 1,181 starts, Shadai Race Horse notched 144 wins with 100 winners that earned a whopping total of £23,525,424.

Another 64 runners competed under Teruya’s personal name, winning 37 more races and an additional £7,550,359, which was enough to rank him seventh on the top owners’ list.

Teruya Yoshida (top) and his brother Katsumi continue to compete ferociously in Japan

Jostling over the present and future of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC), which runs Royal Randwick and Warwick Farm racecourses, reached a high pitch in early March, with a lawsuit threatened, a high-profile resignation and some heavyweight lobbying.

Richard Freedman, AJC Executive Director of Racing Operations and the brother of trainer Lee Freedman, abruptly resigned his post after saying he had lawyers contact trainer Gai Waterhouse about his concerns regarding the possibility of a defamation case.

Waterhouse had been critical of Freedman after a company partly owned by his family was hired for a reported £910,000 to perform racetrack maintenance.

Other Randwick trainers have also been critical of Freedman over the past year. However, AJC Chairman Ross Smyth-Kirk said Freedman “has overseen some of the most complex challenges that have faced our club in recent times and has delivered tremendous results.”

At about the same time Freedman was resigning, wealthy owner and breeder Nathan Tinkler suggested that Racing New South Wales and the New South Wales Government oversee the merger of the AJC with the Sydney Turf Club, which operates Rosehill Gardens and Canterbury Park.

“I’ve got over £45 million invested in the racing industry, so I would be disappointed if the racing industry didn’t want to hear my thoughts on the critical issues,” Tinkler was quoted as saying in The Daily Telegraph.

“Like any merger, whether it is a company or two race clubs, there will be casualties. This will be no different. I can’t see any incentives there for the race clubs.”

Tinkler has bought thoroughbreds around the world and his Patinack Farm now owns more than 700 horses.

He was also quoted by the newspaper as suggesting that 5% of annual revenue generated by breeding stallions be designated to support racetrack operations.

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Talking to…

“Racing gives you exactly the same devotion as you find in the music scene”

Benny Andersson

Did your interest in racing start before your success with Abba, and what was the catalyst?

It was Secreto’s Derby in 1984. I remember being in the studio with the 50-strong Ambrosian Singers, who were the choir on the Chess recording, when suddenly everything stopped as all the musicians came into the studio and started phoning trying to find out what had won the Derby. You can imagine, there I was doing my music and all of a sudden everyone around me was into horseracing. I was completely uplifted by the whole scene and amazed how much interest there was in the Derby.

My own involvement started through the family around that time when I was introduced to the racing world by my wife’s former husband, Berndt Stromberg, whose wife Caroline was a racehorse trainer. When I was in the company of racing people I was hooked by their determination and devotion towards the horses. It is exactly the same devotion you find in the music scene.

I was intrigued by this similarity and felt as comfortable around racing people as I do in the music business. Then I bought my first broodmare, Miss Davina.

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The first horse I bred, Davinski, from the first crop of Niniski, won the Swedish equivalent of the St Leger. Berndt, a veterinary professor, and I have been breeding horses for a long time and in 2004 we won the Danish Derby and St Leger with Sibelius. And in 2006 we won the Danish St Leger with Django. You see, I enjoy trying to breed the staying Classic horse.

You have chosen ‘Chess Racing’ as the name of your racing interests and several of your horses are named after celebrated chess players like Smyslov and Steinitz. Is that down to the success of your musical or a straightforward love of the game?

It is as a result of Chess, the musical. I also wanted the black and white check of the chess board for my silks, but those colours were taken in Sweden and Britain, so I chose black and silver. It is difficult finding good names for horses because so many of them are already taken. If you do come up with a good name, the horse invariably turns out to be no good. And then the name has gone out of the window.

The music of Abba is still immensely popular today, evidenced by the phenomenal success of

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TALKING TO...

the film and stage show, ‘Mamma Mia’. Does racing allow you to escape from the showbiz world and your life as a musician?

I don’t feel as if I need to escape from anything.

I am a very disciplined person and write music every day; that is my profession. This thing with the horses just started and I was bitten by the whole scene, particularly by the attitude of the people involved. I do not believe it is an extension of one’s ego to see your horse win, it’s just a lot of fun.

How many horses do you have in Sweden and in Britain? Who trains for you in Sweden?

I have six in training in Sweden with Jessica Long and her Irish husband Padraig. Jessica is the daughter of Berndt and Caroline. I have three with John Dunlop at Arundel.

What is it you particularly like about British racing?

First, it is such an immense industry compared with Scandinavia. Your turf tracks are wonderful, all different with their own character. There is so much history attached to the sport. It is so big, whereas in Sweden it is very small. Also, if you spend a lot of money buying horses you destroy that capital by bringing them to race in Scandinavia. They need to have a chance in your best races if they are good enough.

We have only two tracks, one in Stockholm, Taby, and one in Malmo, Jagersro. They are developing a new track near Gothenburg and, of course, there is Copenhagen, which is a delightful course. Norway has Ovrevoll in Oslo.

We breed approximately 400 foals in Sweden each year, compared with nearly 6,000 in Britain. Trotting is much, much bigger here and there are many tracks. It is far bigger than racing and attracts a lot of gambling.

How did you become associated with your trainer John Dunlop?

It was through Johnny Lewis, the bloodstock agent, who I had known for a long time. Johnny used to help me when I was looking for horses at Tattersalls. He suggested I had a horse in training in England and introduced me to John and Sue Dunlop. I am not a person to know about the training of a horse and it is good that I feel very comfortable with John. I like his style. I always feel my horses are in safe hands there and Arundel Park is the most wonderful place to visit and have them trained.

What are the best horses you have owned?

Davinski, Sibelius and Django, who won their share of Scandinavian Classics, and Cremona, a filly who won the Danish and Norwegian Oaks but sadly died when she was being covered in Germany. And then there is good old Perks, who could turn out to be the best of all. You always hope you haven’t had your best horse yet.

What plans do you have for your progressive handicapper Perks?

I leave that to John. Perhaps he might win a Group 3, but that is in John’s hands. I have seen Perks run only on television, but if he goes for a big race I will definitely get over to watch him.

You were active at last season’s autumn sales, paying the joint top price of 650,000gns for a Montjeu colt at the Newmarket October sales.

What appealed about that particular horse?

Everything. He is called Berling and is on the small side, but apart from that everything is fine about him. I must say that I wouldn’t dream of choosing a horse like that for that kind of money without asking the advice of the people around me. John was with me and so was Peter Doyle, who has been helping me during the last three years. I knew Peter’s father, Jack; I shall always remember him as a great character with a wonderful face.

I am also keeping my fingers crossed for the Sadler’s Wells filly, Miniyamba, whom I bought at the sales for about 120,000gns. She is wonderful and could be very good.

Have you ever spent anything like that sum before, or do you have Meryl Streep and Piers Brosnan et al to thank for it?

The price for Berling was a bit steep but I treated it as a celebration after the success of the film ‘Mamma Mia’. I thought I should give myself a present and that’s what I did. Though I have never spent that much on one horse before.

FINGERS ON THE BUZZERS Who is your hero?

Catherine Johnson (who wrote the script for Mamma Mia) What makes you happy?

My wife, Mona Describe yourself in four words?

Intelligent, humorous, charming, handsome What keeps you awake at night?

Nothing. I sleep like a log Favourite band, other than Abba?

The Beatles What annoys you?

Greed FAVOURITES Meal I can eat anything except kidneys Tune Silent Night Holiday My summer house in Sweden Drink Black coffee Journey Taking my boat out to sea

You also breed horses. How many broodmares do you have and where are they based?

I have two broodmares with Caroline Green, who takes very good care of them at Templeton Stud in Berkshire. The older mare is Mondschein, by Rainbow Quest, and her daughter Vigelegere, by Be My Chief. I have a Danehill Dancer filly yearling out of Mondschein and a Marju colt foal out of Vigelegere.

Mondschein has been covered

by Dansili and Vigelegere by Excellent Art. I brought Be My Chief over here with a consortium so we could have a decent stallion in Sweden. He was later sold abroad. I am trying to convince myself I am going to make my little racing business a bit smaller. At one stage I had five broodmares and all of a sudden found myself surrounded by 30 horses, which was too many. I want to treat this as a hobby.

The 650,000gns Montjeu colt

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Do you breed to race or breed to sell, and why?

I breed to race only, as it is not a commercial prospect. I am doing this for fun and the most wonderful part of it is deciding where to send the mare and then following the foal as it develops before going into training. That is the most joyful part, so I don’t want to sell them, if I can help it. If they don’t turn out so good, then I can sell them to someone who thinks it worthwhile taking care of them. I see it all as the fun of racing and everything that goes with it.

You certainly seem to enter into the spirit of the sport here. Didn’t you serenade diners in the Tattersalls restaurant with Abba tunes on the piano after the sales in Newmarket one evening?

That was a long time ago! There was a piano standing there in the dining room and I just thought I would play some tunes. Music is always a help to the mood of people.

What motivates you?

Curiosity. I am a person wanting to see what’s round the corner. But also I am always trying to take care of that lucky talent I have been given, being able to write music. That is what I want to do for as long as I can, so it is very important that I take care of it. My music takes up a lot of time and I also spend a lot of time with racing, watching races on television and reading about it.

I am happy to leave the horses to John and the mares to Caroline. Sometimes they ask me things and at times I come up with questions for them. But I believe a trainer would rather be left

alone, not have an owner in his ear all the time. I trust the people with my horses. Don’t forget, I was not born on horseback. I am not a horseman, so what is there I can contribute? I reckon I know my way round pedigrees, but it is a big step from pedigrees to knowing what a horse needs and when it needs it. So I totally leave it to them.

There is an unbelievable enthusiasm for band reunions at the moment – some good, some bad – so will we be seeing an Abba reunion sometime soon?

No, and that’s a promise. What we did in the 1970s and 1980s was good and I am very proud of that. But I think it is wise to stay away from trying to re-form because it will never be the same. What we are in people’s minds is better left untouched.

Secreto’s Derby inspired Benny Andersson

Have you ever watched the comedian Steve Coogan and his alter ego Alan Partridge using the ‘Aha …’ line from ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, and what do you make of it?

No, I haven’t. But I have heard about it and think it’s fun. When I went to the first preview of the ‘Mamma Mia’ show in the Prince Edward Theatre, no one knew what to expect from it.

There were 1,600 heads in there and when they came to ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ the decision was that the ‘Aha …’ in the song should be taken out for various reasons. But when the star was singing and it came to the chorus, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You …’ the whole audience went ‘Aha …’. So we put it back in!

“I feel very comfortable with John Dunlop. I like his style and feel my horses are in very safe hands at Arundel, which is a wonderful place”

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Fantastic Light’s Irish Champion Stakes win over Galileo (on left) advertised the merits of international racing and of keeping older horses in training

Lammtarra: difficult to train, but mighty on the racecourse

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The first Group 1: Balanchine lands the 1994 Oaks

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“People need to realise that while it is a great achievement to be champion owner in Britain, our priorities will often lie elsewhere because of our international dimension” As Sheikh Mohammed’s Dubai-based operation moves closer to its 150th Group/Grade 1 winner, Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford (right) reflects on its aims and methods, and the people and horses behind its success Photos: George Selwyn Godolphin has become such a massive part of the international landscape, with 146 Group or Grade 1 winners in 12 different countries. But what was the thinking behind Godolphin when it began to secure horses to race under its name in the autumn of 1992?

When Godolphin started, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed had already been champion owner in Britain on many occasions and he was looking to do something completely different. He was convinced that wintering horses in Dubai would be good for them and, most importantly, he wanted even more involvement with his horses.

There was also a sense in which he saw it as bringing the racehorse home, as the modern thoroughbred originates from this part of the world.

Setting up Godolphin was the perfect vehicle to do all this as it allowed him to see his horses, to be closely involved with their training, and in mapping out their race programmes.

Did you have any idea how big it would all become?

Absolutely not. I am sure Sheikh Mohammed had a plan in the back of his mind, but part of the fun he gets comes from watching the rest of us struggle to catch up with him, so I had no idea what was in store. I was told to come to Dubai for a long weekend in the winter of

1992 and it has stretched for more than 16 years already!

Balanchine was the first of all those Group 1 winners, in the 1994 Oaks. Was the fact that she then took on and beat the colts in the Irish Derby an indication that Godolphin was prepared to throw the rulebook out of the window?

The easy race was obvious – the Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks. But doing things the easy way does not appeal to Sheikh Mohammed. The more difficult the plan, the more satisfaction he gets from it when it comes right. In fact, one of the things that Sheikh Mohammed tells me most often is that taking no risks is the biggest risk of all.

A year after Balanchine (and Cezanne), Godolphin won five Group 1s in five countries.

How big an advantage – if any – did you feel the wintering in Dubai was proving to be and how different would you say the training was at Godolphin to, perhaps, more established UK methods?

Our horses have always trained American-style in Dubai, on an oval track, initially on a sand surface, but now on a Tapeta synthetic surface.

These days, we don’t do all of the work left-

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handed – we vary it a bit. We have always felt that we have an advantage wintering in Dubai because the climate is fantastic and we avoid the bad weather in Europe. Against that, wintering in Dubai involves us in travelling young horses quite a bit, with a host of associated quarantine regulations with which we have to comply.

Overall, though, we would say that Dubai definitely gives us an edge.

We have won nine European Guineas within a month of coming off the plane, some with horses you might not have expected to be good enough, such as Island Sands (the 2,000 Guineas winner in 1999), so the advantage is clearly there. But it comes with a time limit. By the end of the spring, it is gone! And it doesn’t matter how big an advantage Dubai offers – you still have to have the right horses for the right races.

How significant is it that the Godolphin team is sending some horses back to the UK earlier than normal this year, or is it simply a one-off due to Meydan?

I do not think the timing of our return ever has a significant adverse effect on our performance.

When horses fail to win races, it is not because of the date on which they travelled, it is invariably because they are not good enough to win the type of races that we are asking them to run in.

We are returning to England earlier this year because work on the huge Meydan development means that the grass track at Nad Al Sheba will not be available to us. We will assess what effect this has before deciding how we might do things in the future.

The highlight of the 1995 Group 1 quintet was undoubtedly Lammtarra. He was tough and brave on the racecourse but is it true he was a tricky proposition on the gallops and less enthusiastic as his three-year-old career went on? How much of a challenge did he present to the Godolphin team?

Yes, Lammtarra did become quite tricky. He was sometimes reluctant to go on the gallops, though he always did train. The biggest challenge we faced with him was in February in Dubai, when he was a very sick horse. We were all in despair, but Sheikh Mohammed was adamant that the horse would be fine and that we should kick on and train him for the Derby.

All of the races Lammtarra contested as a three-year-old were championship races and he needed a good break after each of them. Our job then was to get him back to peak fitness for the next big race.

Frankie Dettori, here riding Refuse To Bend, brings “loyalty, fun, hard work and excellence”

“It doesn’t matter how big an advantage Dubai offers – you still have to have the right horses for the right races. And it comes with a time limit” Lammtarra was also the spark that fused Frankie Dettori to the Godolphin operation.

He’s well known for his personality and his showbizzy style. But how important has he been to you as a stable jockey? What are the key things he brings to the team?

Frankie is very important to us. He is a great friend and a good team player, and he is in to ride work whenever we want him. It goes without saying that he is an excellent judge and that his assessments are a big help to Sheikh Mohammed and the rest of the team. As for what else he brings to the team, I would say he brings loyalty, hard work, fun, and excellence on the racetrack, which is what it is all about! Of course, there have been races where things haven’t worked out, but on many more occasions he has made the difference between winning some very big races and not winning them.

Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed

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What was it like being part of his Magnificent Seven at Ascot?

It was fantastic. It was one of the best days for Godolphin since we started, because we had four winners that day and it was wonderful to be part of racing history. The clash between Mark Of Esteem and Bosra Sham was one of the great races of that season or any other, because both camps were confident of victory. It was great for our team that our horse prevailed and amazing for Frankie that it turned out to be a lifedefining day.

You have always emphasised that Godolphin is a team. How does that work in practice?

Sheikh Mohammed always makes the key decisions. After that, Saeed bin Suroor and myself work very well together. Saeed is a top trainer and a great friend. We are very fortunate to have excellent staff in all areas – you can’t overstate their importance in all of the success Godolphin has enjoyed. The team ethos is at the heart of everything we do. It’s not about individuals, it’s about the company and the brand. Godolphin represents Dubai.

In terms of the Godolphin champions, Dubai Millennium has to be right up there. When did you first realise that Godolphin had such a special horse on its hands?

Even before he went into training we knew Dubai Millennium was special. Sheikh Mohammed loved him when we all went to see him as a yearling in Ireland and he felt he was an absolute standout, even at that time. Happily, it quickly became obvious when he started to work that he was capable of performing every bit as well as he looked. He really was the most fantastic racehorse, always so willing to please.

Do you have a particular personal favourite?

Obviously Dubai Millennium was the greatest champion Godolphin has produced and we all feel very privileged to have been associated with so many good horses. I suppose if I had to pick out one that meant most to me it would be Mark Of Esteem. Although he was only small, he had real brilliance. His win in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes was fantastic. It was important for so many reasons, not least of which is that it was a showdown between two outstanding horses in himself and Bosra Sham.

Saeed bin Suroor

Looking at the Godolphin website, one is struck by the sheer size and growth of the operation; having started with 26 winners, 49 runners in 162 races in 1994, it reached 77 winners, 169 runners in 558 races last year. Was it always the intention to grow so much?

In the early years, we were a select stable and our numbers were limited as much as anything by the facilities we had at Moulton Paddocks. We went on to employ David Loder and Eoin Harty as two-year-old trainers for a few years, and that also had the effect of keeping our numbers down.

Once it was decided to operate more like a conventional stable and bring the juveniles inhouse, it was inevitable that we would have more horses in training and more runners. Even with the extra horses, it is pleasing that our worldwide strike-rate from day one is 24%.

Campaigning horses internationally – Fantastic Light, for example, raced in five different countries and three continents – became a Godolphin trademark, as did racing older horses. Are there any other ways you are now planning to challenge the racing ‘norm’?

Godolphin exists to be an international stable.

Mark Of Esteem beats Bosra Sham to help Frankie Dettori on his way to his Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996

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We are a Dubai company and Sheikh Mohammed set us up in order to race horses all over the world. Saeed is licensed to train in Britain so some people tend to see us as an British stable and judge us on that basis. But we are not. We are an international operation.

International racing has changed a great deal over the past decade or so. It was less competitive when we started and I think Sheikh Mohammed has contributed to making it much more competitive by showing people what could be done. There are more recognised international races now, but far more owners target those races with their best horses because the prize-money is so good. I think it’s fair to say that much of that is down to Sheikh Mohammed’s vision.

So international racing now is ‘the norm’, as you put it, and it’s up to us to try to be as competitive as we can be in as many of those feature races as possible – that is what Godolphin is all about.

Although Godolphin has won seven UK championships, would it be fair to say it is now looking more at winning top races in other countries, especially following the international successes of All The Good, Cocoa Beach, Folk Opera, and Music Note last year?

As I have explained, our aim right from the start was always to be as international as possible.

Remember that in our second year we won Group 1s in France, Italy and Japan on the same day, and we won the Grade 1 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita that year with Red Bishop.

Of course, Britain is also extremely important to us because Sheikh Mohammed and his family enjoy racing there so much and the racing is so prestigious. But people need to realise that while it is a great achievement to be champion owner there, our priorities will often

lie elsewhere because of our international dimension.

Winning a race like the Caulfield Cup in Australia with All The Good is an example of what we are trying to do on the international stage.

Will there be a growing focus on the US?

‘Yes’ in quality, I hope, but ‘no’ in quantity. Our focus in the US will continue to be about having a select group of horses to run in the best races.

I am sure that with the advent of racing on synthetic surfaces in the US, more European trainers will, like us, look to operate satellite stables there, just as a lot of them already do for the International Carnival in Dubai. Our satellite stable has worked really well for us and we have been lucky enough to enjoy some great success in recent years.

Could you ever see Godolphin setting up operations in Japan and Australia?

No, but we will, of course, continue to race there when there are suitable opportunities.

Can you tell us how Andre Fabre’s new arrangement with Sheikh Mohammed will work in relation to Godolphin?

Our hope is that Andre will have some nice horses (he will reportedly train around 100 for Sheikh Mohammed) that will prove good enough to come to Godolphin over the course of time. He has always worked very closely with Godolphin and we believe this new arrangement, with Andre training more horses for Sheikh Mohammed, will assist us in bringing through some new talent.

Sheikh Mohammed has chosen Andre, along with a number of other trainers, to train horses for him and for his family with the idea that some will transfer to Godolphin if they are good enough. The trainers and their staff understand

GODOLPHIN BY NUMBERS Stakes race successes Taken from the official website www.godolphin.com, the tables on the right show how Godolphin has performed each year since its first runners in 1994. It achieved a bestever 18 Group 1 winners during the 1999 season, but has not hit double figures now for four years.

A peak of 97 worldwide winners was achieved in 2001, dropping to 37 in 2003, before rising to 77 last year from a high of 558 races.

Year

Group 1 wins

Group 2 wins

Percentage of winners to runners and winners to starts Group 3 wins

Listed/ Total (Group/ stakes wins Listed wins)

Year

Winners

Runners % Winners (horses) -runners

Wins

Starts (races)

% Winsstarts

1994

3

1

3

3

10

1994

26

49

53

49

162

30

1995

12

4

2

3

21

1995

28

60

47

43

192

22

1996

7

7

4

15

33

1996

43

68

63

76

265

29

1997

1

9

3

6

19

1997

43

82

52

56

214

26

1998

12

9

11

7

39

1998

68

125

54

102

336

30

1999

18

10

7

12

47

1999

63

137

46

93

329

28

2000

11

9

6

9

35

2000

57

131

44

75

376

20

2001

15

11

8

7

41

2001

97

165

59

133

469

28

2002

16

10

10

6

42

2002

61

166

37

88

409

22

2003

9

4

5

9

27

2003

37

102

36

56

290

19

2004

11

10

9

9

39

2004

88

179

49

128

515

25

2005

9

3

3

8

23

2005

77

202

38

102

516

20

2006

8

9

7

11

35

2006

61

144

42

101

330

31

2007

6

2

10

12

30

2007

70

154

45

97

432

22

2008

77

169

46

112

558

20

2008 TOTAL

8

4

5

16

33

146

102

96

134

478

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“Private purchases will continue in the future; 40% of our Group 1 winners have come that way” At the sales: Sheikh Mohammed is “a trader”, according to Simon Crisford and is thus likely to continue buying horses from other yards for Godolphin

that the plan is for some of the horses to come to us and they want to be part of the team. We work well together and it is a system that suits Sheikh Mohammed.

There’s a real chance that Godolphin will reach its 150th Group/Grade 1 winner this year? What would that landmark mean to you?

It is very difficult even to get a horse to post for a Group 1 race, never mind to win one. To win 150 Group 1s would be a great achievement.

We have been very lucky to be provided with such good horses to train. After that, it is down to a huge team effort by everyone at Godolphin that we are within sight of that milestone.

Now that Sheikh Mohammed has adopted such a dynamic approach to his stallion business, could you foresee a time when Godolphin has a more ‘homebred’ feel, perhaps recruiting fewer horses from other stables?

Our focus at Godolphin is purely on the racing side. That means, for example, that you will sometimes see us racing horses who might not have a pedigree to match the aspirations of the stud or you might see us racing geldings.

Obviously, Sheikh Mohammed has been investing in stallions and we are all very much looking forward to seeing their progeny race.

There are some very exciting prospects on the stallion roster at the studs now, as well as some fantastic broodmares.

As far as recruiting horses is concerned, we

already have the system in place whereby horses transfer from Sheikh Mohammed’s other trainers.

Beyond that, you are talking about private purchases and those will also continue in the future.

In fact, more than 40% of our individual Group 1 winners have been acquired that way.

Sheikh Mohammed is a trader – he will always want to buy if the right horse comes on the market with proven racetrack form. That sort of trading is one of the things that has made Godolphin successful and we hope this will continue to be the case for years to come.

What are the parameters you use for determining how successful Godolphin has been each season?

Our primary task each season is to get the best out of the horses in our squad, to ensure that they fulfil their potential.

Most horses will obviously not be Group 1 performers and so it is a question of finding the right level for all of them. Beyond that, Godolphin’s focus is clearly on trying to win big races and we therefore hope to be successful at the major international festivals and carnivals around the world, in Dubai, Europe, North America, Australia and the Far East.

It is also equally important for us to be competitive in Britain, starting with the Classics and working through to Royal Ascot and the other showpiece events in the calendar.

Overall, though, I would say that we measure our level of success by our Group 1 score achieved in championship races.

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Richard Hannon enjoying a laugh on the gallops

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t is 10am on a mild February morning and the sound of laughter emanates from Richard Hannon’s kitchen. In the thick of it are Malih Al Basti, a prominent Dubaian horse-lover, and his entourage of half a dozen.

Mixing easily with them are Pat Fahey, the owner of Goffs Million winner Soul City, and the trainer’s son and assistant, also Richard. He is not so much a chip off the old block as cast from the very same mould.

It’s not just the first hint of spring that sends the spirits soaring. This diverse collection of people has been fused into one jovial entity by the man they are here to see.

Hannon himself is making coffee while dispensing trademark anecdotes, very few of them printable. The overwhelming feeling is that’s it’s great to be alive.

It’s a feeling familiar to all with horses in training with Hannon. Few others in his profession have the priceless ability to entertain.

It’s overstretching the point to describe it as the key to Hannon’s success, yet his penchant for fun affords him a valuable edge. He can still amuse owners when times are bad.

There’s no sign of that in February. It’s a time

I

when every Classic prospect remains just that, when every two-year-old still harbours the Royal Ascot dream. But there’s something more with Hannon. It’s a fair bet that owners with an imminent date with him will contemplate the prospect and smile.

There are no lengthy discussions about pedigrees; the man can barely remember a name, never mind a sire or dam. And there’s no great dissection of a horse’s conformation. Instead, there are fleeting observations interspersed with yet more anecdotes.

“Hey, Pat,” he says to Fahey. “There’s that Invincible Spirit colt we bought for you in September. He’s sharp, there’s no question about it.”

Wrong way

Fahey moved closer to inspect his €160,000 purchase, a consequence of Soul City having plundered the Goffs Millions earlier in the day.

“How high does he stand,” Fahey asks?

“Oh, high enough,” replies Hannon. “Did I tell you what happened to Malih the other day?

He’s whisked through the airport in Dubai and ended up getting on the wrong plane. Went east

The entertainer A morning on the gallops with Richard Hannon can leave you with the feeling that it’s great to be alive Words: Julian Muscat | Photos: George Selwyn

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instead of west. Ended up in Bangkok.”

In this vein does the entourage proceed around Herridge, the Wiltshire property Hannon acquired in 1992. He started out 39 years ago from East Everleigh, where his father trained before him on the edge of Salisbury Plain, and where he now keeps 78 horses. Yet Herridge, which houses a further 120, has become his spiritual home.

“Best thing I ever did was buy this place,” he reflects. “At the time I had to borrow a lot of money at 16% interest. Wondered whether I’d ever pay it back – and so did the bank manager, who was always coming round to ask how I was getting on.”

Then he pauses, before adding: “Perhaps I should look him up and ask him the same question.”

In the distance horses are in groups of two and

Richard Jnr, who is probably unaware how closely his father has been monitoring his progress. It has been a gradual succession: one in which the pupil has been given more rope, but only when the master has been satisfied that the yard remains in harmony.

In conversation one year earlier, Hannon left the impression that some sharp edges remained to be knocked from his son. Not now. He talks of passing the baton with confidence.

“It won’t be long,” he says. “I might as well let Richard have a go, but nothing will change.

We’ll both do the same jobs we’re doing now.

He’s very involved already and is going great.

“He’s good as gold, a good worker and good with the staff, which is the really important bit.

There’s people been here too long to be messed about.”

The same is true of Hannon’s owners, many of whom have been with him for decades. Part of their enduring commitment stems from the way Hannon gathers them all together on one day in December for a house party that precedes their taking bits and pieces of the yearlings he buys at the sales. The man with a few grand is made no less welcome than his more affluent clients.

High and dry

At 63, Richard Hannon may be presiding over the embers of a lengthy career

“Richard Jnr is probably not aware how closely his father has monitored his progress”

three for the morning’s work. Fahey sees Soul City gallop past, then watches his Invincible Spirit colt glide over the ground, straining for more rein than his work rider would allow.

“Told you he was sharp,” notes Hannon, who simultaneously inspects the front of his 4x4.

“Forgot to pull up the handbrake when I left it the other day,” he says. “Smashed straight into a wall.”

Paco Boy, bound for the Dubai Duty Free, does some solo fast work. As he approaches, there’s a shrill, piercing whistle, followed by a barked instruction to his rider: “Steady, STEADY!” It’s the only time Hannon intervenes in the morning routine. Even to the untutored eye, it is obvious that the experience of Hannon’s staff is matched by their loyalty. He is fully aware of their worth.

Hannon, 63, presides over the embers of a lengthy career. The licence will soon pass to

Most recently, in the icy winds of recession, Hannon passed on 40 to new owners but was left high and dry with four.

“They were the most expensive,” he moans.

“Reckon I’ll shift them in time, but it won’t be easy.”

This is a telling detail within the Hannon setup. It remains a mystery why he has never attracted an old-monied patron, never mind one among several Middle-Eastern potentates who populate the sport.

Equally, it would be untrue to say that he has struggled on a shoestring all his life. Fahey’s Invincible Spirit colt is evidence of that, as are the yearlings he receives from the Highclere syndicates, plus homebreds from an array of owner-breeders, among them the Queen.

Mention of the Monarch animates Hannon like little else. He is proud to be in the vanguard of a renaissance in royal fortunes that has coincided with an upgrading of covering sires for the Queen’s broodmares. She, in turn, is said to anticipate her biannual trips to Hannon’s stables with relish.

A breach of royal protocol can surely be excused in the relation of an exchange between Hannon and the Queen on a recent visit. As the pair drove alongside the string, Hannon tried in vain to instruct an Indian groom, who spoke no English, to turn right at the bottom of the gallops.

Exasperated, he turned to his patron and asked: “Do you speak Indian, ma’am?” When she replied that she did not, Hannon thought for a moment before responding, to her

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 45

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WINDSOR CLIVE I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Page 1

Balak Estate Office, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 2HG

www.windsorclive.co.uk info@windsorclive.co.uk

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An easily accessible mid-Devon stud farm with an excellent record as a public stud M5 (Junction 27) 20 miles Tiverton 13 miles Taunton 35 miles Exeter 20 miles

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Lambourn, Berkshire A charming family house with its own training yard Hungerford 7 miles, M4 6 miles, Wantage 8 miles, Newbury 15 miles

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31 boxes, paddocks, horsewalker, and lunging ring.

In all about 2.75 acres (1.11ha)

Price Guide £1.75million

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RICHARD HANNON

“Sir Michael Stoute told me that Richard is the most underrated trainer in the country” – Patrick Fahey

Numbers game: Hannon hard at work, with a vast list of horses behind him

amusement: “Well you ought to, ma’am. You ruled the place long enough.”

Pride of place in Hannon’s Visitors Book is the entry of “Elizabeth R” on the opening page. “I would love to win a big race for her,” he admits.

In Free Agent, a winner at Royal Ascot last year, Hannon feels he might just have one for the Derby – itself the race he would most like to win before he retires.

Whether or not that comes to pass will make no more than a footnote in the career of a man who annually exceeds expectations. Fahey had it right when he recalled a conversation he’d had with Newmarket’s perennial totem.

“Sir Michael Stoute told me that Richard is the most underrated trainer in the land,” he says.

East Everleigh gallops are just visible along a line of trees. Then it’s back down to the yard and a brief encounter with Tom Fletcher, who longreins the yearlings.

“I smile whenever I think of Tom,” relates Hannon. “The first day he arrived he said it was too cold and he wouldn’t be back in the morning. That was 53 years ago now.”

And finally, with second lot over, it’s back to the kitchen for more coffee – or champagne for the more adventurous. None is open, so Hannon returns from the fridge with a jeroboam inside its wooden case, which he tries to prise open with a knife and fork while relating how he came to own a fine bronze of two horses disputing a finish.

“I can’t remember where I met the sculptor,

Random narrative

The insight was delivered when Hannon stopped to examine a series of molehills that had sprung up overnight. It was the prelude to a five-minute tour of Herridge, with Hannon dispensing a random narrative that perfectly encapsulated the joy of being in his midst.

“Bloody things,” he growled of the moles.

“My grass man’s away for the week; think I’ll come down tomorrow morning and set the traps myself.”

On we travel down a large field which serves as the Hannon aerodrome. “We’ve had some times in that plane,” he chuckles.

“Once we got stranded by fog at the races and didn’t get back here until it was pitch black. I had to ring the lads to bring their cars out so we could see where to land by their headlights.”

He says the plane has made travelling to race meetings less of a chore. “Otherwise you have to have a driver,” he points out.

From the airstrip, Hannon points over towards Sidbury Hill in the distance, where the

Tom Fletcher has been with Hannon for 53 years, reflecting the loyalty of his staff

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 47

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RICHARD HANNON

or his name, but he said he would give me one free if I could sell three for him. I asked him a bit about the horses and they were from a finish to the old Cartier Million, I think.

“So I rang Bruce Raymond, who rode the winner, and the syndicate who owned it – or maybe it was the runner-up. I can’t remember who I sold the third one to, but it didn’t take me long. And fair play to the sculptor: he sent mine round within the week.”

“I’m into one two-year-old for £103,000. I’m getting too old for it; these things keep me awake at night” Ability to sell

The story underlines the fact that trainers live or die by their ability to sell. Names and details are not Hannon’s forte but he has no trouble with the particulars of money.

He remembers what he gave for just about every horse in the yard, especially the two-yearolds he has yet to sell on.

“I just paid three grand to enter that one for the Goffs Millions, so I’m into him for £103,000 already,” he reflects. “I’m getting too old for it; these things keep me awake at night.”

At various stages of the morning Hannon made delicate plays at both Fahey and Al Basti.

It was the softest sell imaginable; perhaps backed up by a more forceful pitch by Richard Jnr in the second 4x4.

Either way, the mood was undisturbed. The anecdotes kept coming. It was the sort of morning you’d have paid good money to enjoy.

Merriment continued until it was time for the group to bid farewell. Lunch was offered, business cards exchanged, invitations to dinner

in Dubai proffered by Al Basti and his associates.

And, of course, there was time for a parting shot from Hannon.

He clasps a bear-like arm around one of Al Basti’s friends and says: “Never get on the back of a motorcycle with this man. He rode one in Dubai like I’ve never seen. Remember, eh, when you took us out in the desert? Well, we nearly lost Johnny Murtagh.”

The man smiled at the memory. “You can smile,” continues Hannon, “but Murtagh’s mum wasn’t very happy. You often come across sheer drops in the sand and Johnny wasn’t following you, was he?

“The next thing you know he just disappeared. When he climbed back up he had sand coming out of every hole in his body – mouth, ears, nose – the lot.”

There’s almost a tinge of sadness as you drive away from the yard, the house, the kitchen that exuded so much bonhomie. You wish you were due there again tomorrow.

Then you realise you have just experienced something rare, something that makes the penny drop hard. Owning racehorses is a hobby; it’s all about having fun. This was fun with a capital F. Moreover, when the source of that fun is a man who was champion trainer in 1992, would have been again last season but for Aidan O’Brien’s golden run, and has trained 100 winners in 18 of the last 19 seasons, you realise precisely why Richard Hannon has flourished on one of the harshest landscapes.

He is the only serious rival to The Mousetrap as the longest-running show on earth.

Paco Boy works under the gaze of Richard Hannon Jnr

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Marchand D’Or (nearside) is likely to be tough to beat again for Freddie Head

The countdown starts here As an introduction to a regular series in which he will analyse the major developments that emerge during the 2009 European Flat season, Graham Dench, Chief Analyst for the Racing Post, examines some of the people, horses and issues he could well be writing about Photos: George Selwyn

Criquette Head-Maarek, trainer of Proportional

50 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Heads you win Freddie Head has been overshadowed by his sister Criquette since he quit the saddle and began training, but that all changed in 2008 when Goldikova, Marchand D’Or and Tamayuz were multiple Group 1 winners, and Naaqoos stamped himself an outstanding prospect with victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Naaqoos looks a serious player in the 2,000 Guineas, while Goldikova and Marchand D’Or once again have ambitious campaigns mapped out for them on the international stage.

However, Criquette Head-Maarek could have just as powerful a team for the big races, and she too has a major Newmarket contender in her dazzling Prix Marcel Boussac winner Proportional,

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who is second favourite behind Rainbow View for the 1,000 Guineas, a race she has already won with Ma Biche, Ravinella and Hatoof.

While both trainers are still weighing up their options and may yet stay closer to home, they are clearly leaning towards Newmarket.

The Sheikh Hamdan-owned Naaqoos looks the type to excel at Newmarket.

Compared by Willie Carson at Longchamp to the brilliant Nashwan, he is a tremendously imposing individual with a great stride on him. His trainer is excited, and no wonder.

He says: “He’s quite exceptional and he has done very well. I couldn’t be happier with him and, while it is not definite, I think he is more likely to run at Newmarket than Longchamp.”

It will be hard to resist bringing the Khalid Abdullah-owned Beat Hollow filly Proportional to Newmarket, and she could also be an Oaks filly.

Maarek-Head says: “Proportional was my best two-year-old by far and she has done well through the winter. It’s too early to say if she will run at Newmarket or Longchamp, but I think she has more stamina than Ma Biche or Ravinella. I think she will stay a mile and a half, but she has speed too. Above all, she has

class. If you have class you have speed.”

While Tamayuz is now at stud, Freddie Head still has Goldikova and Marchand D’Or. Goldikova is likely to reappear in the Prix D’Ispahan on May 17 and could run at Royal Ascot and Newmarket, but everything is once again geared towards Santa Anita, where she showed such a sensational turn of foot to land the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Marchand D’Or, now six, will start out in the Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba, then be aimed at the other main sprints around the world again.

Criquette Head-Maarek’s other main hope is another Juddmonte filly, the fouryear-old African Rose, who last year won the Group 1 Ladbrokes Sprint Cup, run at Doncaster after Haydock was abandoned. She will be aimed at the big sprints again and could well return to England for Royal Ascot.

From the same stable we are advised to watch out too for the four-year-old Full Of Gold, who had smart middledistance form last year, and for Fuisse, his year-younger half-brother who is already Group-placed and is expected to make a much better three-year-old.

And a dark one to look out for is the unraced Linamix colt Mirific, who is entered in the Derby.

Hats off?

It’s a bit soon to be putting out the flags, but the Queen has her best chance in years of enjoying her first success at Classic level since Highclere and Dunfermline in the mid 1970s.

From a total Flat string of just over 20, she has five three-year-olds quoted in Classic ante-post lists, although one of them, the Richard Hannon-trained Haynes, Hanson & Clark second Full Toss, has met with a setback and will not be out until late summer.

While Full Toss’s stablemate Free Agent won last year’s Chesham and is quoted for the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, the pick of the bunch are arguably the fillies Enticement and Golden Stream, both of whom are trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

Enticement, a Montjeu filly who was bought at auction for 310,000gns with a view to injecting some new blood into the Royal Studs, is unbeaten in two races, including a Listed event at Newmarket.

According to racing manager John Warren, she has “wintered exceptionally well and developed into a very strong filly”. If Stoute starts her off in the Musidora it will be an indication that she

Goldikova (above) was an exceptional winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita, while Sprint Cup winner African Rose is also one to watch

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The Queen’s Chesham winner Free Agent

is regarded as a possible Oaks filly, not just an Oaks trial filly.

Golden Stream broke the juvenile course record on her debut at Newmarket and worked so well afterwards that Stoute pitched her in at the deep end in the Fillies’ Mile at Ascot.

She ran too free and did not do herself justice but she too has wintered well, and as a sister to the Oaks second Flight Of Fancy she has Oaks, or at least

Ribblesdale, aspirations.

Free Agent suffered a slight setback after Royal Ascot but he is back in good order now. If he does not have the speed for the 2,000 Guineas connections will look at one of the Derby trials.

Interestingly, an entry has been made for him over the intermediate distance in the Prix du Jockey-Club.

Four Winds, the first horse Michael Bell has trained for the Queen, was late into training at two and still a bit green when third behind Kite Wood in the Autumn Stakes. Warren would “be surprised if he is a Derby winner”, but reckons he is a “nailed-on 105 to 110 colt and could go higher”. He will be given his chance in a trial and could be one for something like the King Edward VII Stakes.

Speed freak We have become all too accustomed to the Australians plundering our top sprints, but it was something of a shock to the system when the Spanish-trained Equiano took the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

This year an even more potent threat comes from an even less likely source.

Hungary.

The unbeaten Starborough colt Overdose first hit the headlines when he was a runaway ‘winner’ of the voided first running of the Prix de l’Abbaye, in which the majority of the field were pulled up after a false start. It was a disaster for connections that he was unable to take part in the re-run won by Marchand D’Or at the end of the afternoon, for times and video evidence suggest he might have beaten the European champion. But there was consolation of sorts.

For Overdose was rated Europe’s best three-year-old sprinter in the prestigious World Thoroughbred Rankings – just a pound behind Marchand D’Or – and connections will now seek to establish him as a proper Group 1 winner. They have mapped out an ambitious programme for 2009, which is sure to include a rematch with Marchand D’Or. Trainer Sandor Ribarszki hopes to first give locals another glimpse of their hero at Kincsem Park in Budapest. Then it’s a case of onwards and upwards, starting with the Temple Stakes, followed by

“Anyone who remains to be convinced by Overdose should access videos of his races on YouTube”

Hungarian sprint sensation Overdose, winner of the Prix de L’Abbaye that never was, and the mount this year of Christophe Soumillon

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 53

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54 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER APRIL 2009

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Royal Ascot and Newmarket in races that count towards the Global Sprint Challenge.

Anyone who remains to be convinced has only to access a video of his races on youtube.com. It’s fascinating enough to view the void race at Longchamp side-by-side with the re-run, but the subsequent Group 2 win at the Capannelle, where Overdose showed blistering speed and gave weight and a ten-length thumping to smart Italian sprinter Black Mambazo, is simply breathtaking. He really is quite something.

Best policy

Square Eddie, winner of a Grade 1 at Keeneland for ambitious Maidstone-based trainer John Best

“Wins enjoyed by John Gosden, Ralph Beckett and John Best last year highlighted what can be achieved in the United States” a hell of a lot and hopefully we’ll make fewer this year. With 65 two-year-olds this year I expect to have plenty of runners there.”

Ballydoyle After the astonishing success of 2008, it won’t seem quite the same at Ballydoyle without the likes of Duke Of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator and Halfway To Heaven. However, Yeats, Septimus and Soldier Of Fortune are still there, and Aidan O’Brien has often turned one of the lesser known older horses into a star.

Trained increasingly with an eye to the longer term, the two-year-olds, now three of course, did not exactly carry all before them last year.

Nevertheless, Mastercraftsman topped the European Rankings on a mark of 122, and stablemates Rip Van Winkle,

the winter favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, Westphalia, Fame And Glory, Drumbeat, Masterofthehorse and the filly Heart Shaped all made it on to the same exclusive list, with marks of 110 or more.

That, however, tells only half of the story, for as usual O’Brien also has an enviable team of unexposed three-yearolds, many of which are not bred to come into their own until they tackle middle distances, yet some of whom already figure prominently in ante-post lists for the 2009 Classics.

Among those who have shown particular promise are the Galileo colts Age Of Aquarius, Aristocrat and Freemantle, the Sadler’s Wells colts Black Island Bear and Byzantine, the Montjeu colt Indian Ocean, and Malibu Bay, who is by El Prado.

O’Brien’s team has this year made a welcome return to the popular Horses In Training publication, and alongside ten older horses and 56 three-year-olds, there are 64 juveniles listed for 2009.

The vast majority of them have the pedigrees one would normally associate with middle-distance three-year-olds, but don’t bet against one of them topping the rankings once again.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 55

PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS.COM

Expect to see many more trainers trying their luck in the States this year.

The wins enjoyed by both John Gosden and Ralph Beckett on the new Pro-Ride surface in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, and by John Best, who saddled Square Eddie to land a Grade 1 on Polytrack at Keeneland, have highlighted what can be achieved out there, and with synthetic surfaces becoming more widespread and the better prize-money now a bigger carrot than ever, more and more trainers are set to broaden their horizons.

One only has to look at the entries for the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Gosden and Best are represented, of course, along with Godolphin, Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld, but so too are Brian Meehan, Jeremy Noseda, Jamie Osborne, Marco Botti and Mikael Magnusson. And that’s just the Triple Crown races.

While those races, along with the enhanced programme for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita again, have obvious attractions, there are many more races worth travelling over for, and a horse with the right pedigree does not even have to win to make the trip worthwhile if the owner is prepared to sell.

Best makes no bones about what attracts him. He says: “We are targeting horses there mainly with a view to selling them and, although the credit crunch has reduced the number of potential buyers, it is still a good market place for us.

“The prize-money is a hell of a lot better than here – although not quite as good as it looks when you take into account all of the costs and the taxes – and that’s what will attract some trainers, but it’s not the main thing for us.”

Best, who has had several trainers approach him to discuss the logistics of campaigning in the States, says: “We’ve made a few mistakes, but we’ve learned

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Razia Ichatun from King Charles I School in Kidderminster tries out the scales

A perfect balance Racing and schools both aim to benefit from the growing initiative that educates children by taking them to the races Words: Edward Rosenthal | Photos: Mark Williamson and Dan Abraham

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RACING TO SCHOOL

ow can horseracing actively set about trying to attract a new, younger audience that will participate in and contribute to the sport for years to come?

That is the issue being addressed by the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust (BHEST), a Governmentrecognised body and registered charity, through its Racing to School education programme.

Since 2000, the initiative has introduced young people from the ages of four to 18 to the sport, covering the National Curriculum through the core subjects of maths, literacy and science. This is done within a range of stimulating racing-related tasks.

The youngsters are not only learning and broadening their skills base, they experience at first hand the thrills of a sport which – it is hoped – they might wish to pursue in future, either as a leisure activity or as a career.

One important aspect of Racing to School is the focus on achieving a minimum 30% participation from inner city schools and colleges.

To date, over 60,000 students have been involved, and a further 10,000 will enjoy 270 events across the country this year. Most Racing to School days take place at the racecourse, although trips to studs are also undertaken. Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation is one significant supporter, with ten events held at Dalham Hall in Newmarket in 2007 and 2008.

BHEST, which receives the majority of its funding from the Levy Board but has also received £100,000 from the Jacobs Foundation over the last two years, hopes that Racing to

H

School will provide learning opportunities for up to 20,000 schoolchildren a year by 2011.

Figures for 2008 show that 73% of pupils would like to visit a racecourse again, having experienced a Racing to School day.

While Racing to School is focused on bringing a younger audience to the sport, it also tries to attract the parents of children who have been involved in it.

To that end, there is a Racecourse Association-run voucher scheme that offers parents free tickets to race meetings: 712 vouchers were taken up in 2008.

At the start

On a bright but blustery morning in February, 13 teenagers walk into the director’s box at Stratford racecourse. Only one has ever set foot on a racecourse before.

The duo charged with implementing today’s Racing to School programme are Judith Allen, Executive Director of BHEST, and former jumps jockey Ollie McPhail, now a Regional Education Officer.

McPhail, who rode around 130 winners, has worked on the Racing to School programme for three years, based in the Midlands and southern England.

Other members of the team include Vaughan Jones and Toby Becton, who work in the north east of England, Louisa Odell, based in Newmarket, while Jo McCain, daughter of Ginger, and Carrie Ford, who rode Forest Gunner into fifth place in the 2005 Grand National, are based in the north west.

After an initial introduction, McPhail leads pupils from North East Worcestershire College and King Charles I school to

the grandstand. There he talks about the difference between Flat and jump racing – most present have heard of the Grand National and the Derby – and then it’s on to the weighing room to explain the concept of handicapping, one of racing’s most insular arts.

It is soon apparent that McPhail has the ability to engage with his audience and break down a concept that might appear complicated into something very simple.

After a lesson in the difference between the metric system and imperial weights and measurements, McPhail selects three of the group by asking who is

“Of the 13 teenagers who walk into the director’s box at Stratford, only one has ever set foot on a racecourse before” a fast, medium and slow runner, stands them in front of the scales, and asks what would happen were the three to race. Everyone agrees the fast runner would always win.

So the question is: how can you give the other two a chance to win?

How can you make it a fairer and more interesting race?

Responses fly back from the schoolchildren and it is agreed that the fastest runner should be at some kind of disadvantage.

“He should be made to carry extra weight”, one says. Heads nod.

It’s handicapping made easy.

The electronic scales provide plenty of amusement as everyone takes it in turn to discover their riding weight.

Interaction between teacher and pupil is an essential ingredient in the Racing to School

Students from North East Worcestershire College, from left: Pawel Lapko, Daniel Ridgway, Pavandeep Sidhu and Anton Reid (right); Ollie McPhail is second right

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concept. The group is continually set challenging tasks and made to think on their feet.

Throughout the day, they complete an exercise book containing primarily maths-based questions, which require them to impart what they have learned.

Barriers broken

Any reticence that some pupils may feel about getting involved in the day’s activities quickly disappears once they enter the jockeys’ changing room, where valets are busy scurrying around preparing for the afternoon’s racing.

Trying on racing silks, sitting on the scales and exploring the ‘inner sanctum’ that few are lucky enough to have experienced may appear nothing more than a great photo

Trundle wheels are handed out and the group is asked to estimate the length of the perimeter in metres.

Each finds out for himself/herself how accurate their prediction is.

Plenty of ribbing accompanies the efforts of two of the group to make up the front and back of a horse – pantomime style but without any costumes – however, there is a serious underlying message to the activity, namely the importance of safety around horses, which is emphasised strongly.

One of the tasks is to work out how many horses can safely be accommodated in the parade ring.

The class moves trackside for a close up look at the hurdles and fences. A sense of authenticity is added by the nearby presence of Mick Fitzgerald preparing for an At

The girls want to know if he has a girlfriend; the boys ask about his most horrific injury.

All questions are dealt with in an accomplished and stylish manner – much like his riding – and Tinkler reveals that, yes, most jump jockeys do have partners, even if they don’t necessarily get to see them that often, while his recall of a particularly nasty jaw injury leaves most people wincing.

The room is silent as Tinkler explains how riding horses was all he ever wanted to do, that he hopes to ride well into his 30s, and why jump jockeys are so competitive.

Racing often seems like it has its own vocabulary, which can act as a deterrent to newcomers. However, Tinkler, like McPhail, has the ability to explain things in such a way that

Ollie McPhail (right) talks to North East Worcestershire College students and teacher Jennifer Willis about the make-up of a hurdle (left picture)

Students from King Charles I School start a new fashion trend, from left: Lydia Deakin, Jessica Kerigan and Razia Ichatun

opportunity, but it has the impact of involving everyone.

A run-down of the jump jockey’s clothing; boots, britches, vest, jumper, body protector, bib and tights – the last two items in particular causing a breakout of laughter – is accompanied by an explanation of why each is essential.

McPhail then recounts the gruesome story of how he received the scar under his right eye. There are more than a few gasps when he discusses the intricate operation to rearrange his face.

The subject of a jockey’s weight leads to questions about calorie intake, exercise and the percentage of water in the human body, while the reason for using lead in weight cloths is also discussed.

Next stop is the parade ring.

The Races broadcast.

Maths is directly applied to a variety of situations, including the costs associated with putting a hurdle together and the distance covered by a horse when it jumps a fence. Everyone enjoys the ‘access all areas’ feel to the day.

Question time

After lunch, Andrew Tinkler, who has one ride on the card in the final race, fields questions about life as a jump jockey.

“Andrew Tinkler talks about life as a jump jockey. The girls ask if he has a girlfriend; the boys want to know his most horrific injury”

those unfamiliar with the sport are able to understand exactly what he is talking about.

A jockey’s food intake is one of the recurrent themes. As a result, the pupils devise a healthy diet to help riders maintain their weight, working out the nutritional value and calorie content of certain food.

The first sight of a horse and rider takes the excitement level up a couple of notches. It is time for the class – who have been shown how to interpret the information in a racecard – to visit the parade ring and view the runners for the day’s opening contest, a maiden hurdle.

The combination of education with a day at the races appears to be a successful one. Racing will hope that it, too, is the winner in the long run.

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RACING TO SCHOOL

“It’s something to be proud of” acing to School is the brainchild of Rhydian Morgan-Jones, Chairman of BHEST, whose aim is to use the scheme to educate 25,000 children a year.

He said: “The racecourses are all on side, studs and trainers support us. In fact, there isn’t anybody who has ever seen the scheme that won’t help us.”

Funding will be crucial, though, and he is seeking an extra £250,000 a year to supplement the £285,000 costs of 2007/08.

“Getting an Ollie [McPhail) and a Judith [Allen] has been very difficult and our costs have gone up because of it,” said Morgan-Jones.

“But Ollie has been one of our great finds. He’s doing a fantastic job and that’s what makes it work.

Ollie has that ability to interact with the children and they love it.”

Including children from inner city and disadvantaged areas is integral to the education programme and Morgan-Jones is in no doubt that the initiative can make a real difference.

He said: “We’re giving children the opportunity to do something that we take for granted.

“I remember once at Aintree going across to the paddock with a group and one of the children said, ‘What’s that funny smell?’ It was

R

Rhydian MorganJones

mown grass! He’d come out of the inner city and not known what the smell of mown grass was. If you can give children that joy, that experience, it must be a positive thing.

“In the process, we are teaching that racing is not an elitist sport, but a sport for everyone to enjoy.

The children learn something in a functional environment. Why else do the schools come back to us year after year?

“Racing to School is something we should be proud of. It’s achieving so much of what we want to do in racing.”

The cost of educating one child for each Racing to School event is around £25. Morgan-Jones is aiming to raise further funds through BHEST’s charitable status, although he admits that there is wariness in some quarters about an industry linked to gambling, particularly if it is linked to children’s schooling.

“But we’re not teaching children to gamble,” he added. “We don’t shy away from it and even have modules on gambling, but this is at the discretion of the schools. Drugs and diet is another area we cover.

We’re conscious of all these areas.”

The teachers at Stratford had no qualms about their day. One, Helen Merrill, said: “I was very impressed

with the educational side of racing.

It was great for students to see the facilities behind the scenes. I didn’t know very much about racing but it was an interesting and fun day.”

The views from the students were also positive, with the chance to meet a participating jockey, Andrew Tinkler, a particular plus.

“It was great to have the opportunity to see the racing and meet an actual jockey,” said Lydia Deakin, aged 14.

“It was good to talk to a real jockey. Thank-you Ollie!” added 15-year-old Aimie Hodges.

Clearly, the day offered a straightup account of the dangers of racing, as Jess Kerigan, also 14, noted: “It was fun to see all the horses. I love horse riding but I’ve never had an accident. I don’t like the sound and thought of their injuries!”

Such a triumvirate of comments will no doubt encourage MorganJones, who said: “Research shows that one of the main reasons why people go racing in later life is because they had a good experience as a child. We are using Racing to School to hopefully give children that good experience.

“To see the kids go away with a smile on their faces and not realise they’ve actually been learning, isn’t that what you wanted to do at school?”

Racing to School is designed to introduce children as young as four to the delights of the sport

“Research shows that one of the main reasons why people go racing in later life is because they had a good experience as a child” THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 61

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Behind every John Smith’s Grand National runner there’s a breeder.

Carl Evans tracked down those responsible for three British-bred candidates for this year’s big race – with some French and German influences thrown in Photos: George Selwyn and Mark Williamson Butler’s Cabin 9yo b g Poliglote-Strictly Cool (Bering) Trainer Jonjo O’Neill Owner J P McManus Breeder Chris Buckley Chris and Deborah Buckley of Warwickshire’s Hunscote House Farm Stud could be suffering a touch of cabin fever as the John Smith’s Grand National approaches.

They own eight mares, including

Strictly Cool, the dam of leading contender Butler’s Cabin. Since she is still an active breeder at 17, there is more than mere nostalgia at stake.

Butler’s Cabin has already proved a marketing tool for his mother thanks to victories in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase and the Irish Grand National, but an Aintree win would put ice, candles and indoor fireworks on the cake.

Chris Buckley says: “I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed until they jump Becher’s second time around. Last year (when ridden by Tony McCoy) he was in contention until falling at that fence, but it’s been a fantastic experience having an association with the horse.”

Buckley is named as breeder of nineyear-old Butler’s Cabin, although he admits the conception was orchestrated in France, saying: “Strictly Cool was bred by the Wertheimer brothers, who sent her to Newmarket’s December Sale in

1999 carrying to Poliglote. We bought her for 12,000gns and the foal inside turned out to be Butler’s Cabin.

“She stood out for being a huge mare who had won over a mile at two. Despite her size she obviously had some ability and was attractive.”

The following March, one month before Butler’s Cabin emerged from his mother’s womb, his future half-sister Highest Cool (Highest Honor) was Listed placed in France for trainer Freddie Head and a year later Heezapistol (Pistolet Bleu) won for Criquette Head-Maarek, and went on to land a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle when trained by Willie Mullins.

As a yearling Butler’s Cabin was sent to Tattersalls’ October Sale, where he was bought by Timmy Hyde for 25,000gns. Buckley says: “His dam has tended to produce dual-purpose horses, although we’ve not bred to her every year. Her Desert Prince seven-year-old

National treasures

Deborah and Chris Buckley at their Hunscote House Stud in Warwickshire, with a three-year-old half-sister to Butler’s Cabin by Beat Hollow

62 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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NATIONAL BREEDERS

Fingers crossed: Butler’s Cabin looked tailor-made for Aintree, racing prominently and jumping well . . .

Jaamid has won for Noel Meade and she has a Dansili six-year-old called Danny Cool, who is with Keith Reveley. He has been big and backward but could make his debut in a spring bumper.

“We also have a three-year-old unnamed Beat Hollow filly who we hope to lease to owners of Nicky Henderson’s, and a King’s Theatre yearling filly. At the moment Strictly Cool is in Ireland being covered by Refuse To Bend.”

The Buckleys know about success on big stages having owned Royal Ascot winner Diaghilef (1995 King George V Handicap) and classy jumper Random Harvest (1998 Rowland Meyrick Chase).

Their breeding interests grew after they sold a business that manufactured handkerchief tissues. A box might come in handy if Butler’s Cabin wins on April 4.

to Trevor Hemmings, whose Gleadhill House Stud was responsible for the mating that produced Cloudy Lane.

The nine-year-old has won in excess of £200,000 and finished sixth in last year’s National, so he has ability and Aintree experience, two qualities to stand him in good stead when he goes back for a second cut at the great race.

Cloudy Lane was produced when the stallion Cloudings, in whom Hemmings has an interest, covered the late Celtic Cygnet, a small mare foaled 28 years ago after a mating between Jo (Jock Scot) and the stallion Celtic Cone, who stood at Robin and Scarlett Knipe’s

Cobhall Court Stud in Herefordshire.

Mrs Knipe’s mother Mercy Rimell trained Celtic Cygnet, who was sold to David and Trish Brown’s Furnace Mill Stud, before changing hands once more and joining Hemmings’s broodmare band. She gave birth to Cloudy Lane in February 2000.

Mick Meagher, who looks after Hemmings’s bloodstock interests, says: “Cloudy Lane was Celtic Cygnet’s final foal. She was a good mother and had a proper National Hunt pedigree, although she tended to produce small foals.

“Cloudy Lane was the last, the biggest and best. Her other foals were all around

Cloudy Lane 9-y-o b g Cloudings-Celtic Cygnet (Celtic Cone) Trainer Donald McCain Owner Trevor Hemmings Breeder Gleadhill House Stud Take the anticipation of owning a leading Grand National candidate then spice it with the marrow-deep pleasure of having bred the horse, and you have a sublime fix for hedonists of jump racing.

That combined satisfaction belongs

. . . until falling at Becher’s second time round. He will go to Aintree again as one of the leading fancies

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 63

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NATIONAL BREEDERS

15.2 hands high, but he is 16 and a bit.

Her second best foal was Celtic Duke, who was tiny, but a super jumper. He won a couple of races for us when trained by Micky Hammond and was then sold to Joe Turner, a leading trainer and owner of pointers in East Anglia, where he won a load of races ridden by Joe’s grand-daughter Zoe.” Some horses never recover their zip after running in the National, but Cloudy Lane seemed none the worse when picking up the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January. He then spoilt his Aintree prep when taking a first-fence fall the following month at Kelso.

Meagher says: “What with all the hype at Aintree last year (he was 7-1 joint-favourite) and the fact he looked well handicapped, we were disappointed when he finished sixth.

“On the face of it he didn’t get the trip, but he may have been over the top. Hedgehunter was beaten when falling at the last in 2004, then won by 14 lengths the following year, so we are hopeful.”

State Of Play 9-y-o b g Hernando-Kaprice (Windwurf) Trainer Evan Williams Owners William and Angela Rucker Breeder Roland Lerner During the global economic downturn

there are worse things than being a small-scale breeder. You could be a small-scale breeder and a banker, like Frankfurt-based Roland Lerner.

Herr Lerner laughs when pondering this double-whammy, but he is an optimistic man with the satisfaction of having bred State Of Play, the winner of two major chases already.

State Of Play has a GB suffix, for he was foaled by the German-bred mare Kaprice while she was at Lanwades Stud, home to his sire, Hernando.

Lerner says: “I was a very big fan of the stallion Niniski, who sired Hernando – I breed Flat horses, mostly for Germany.

Niniski has worked extremely well here and is a perfect outcross for German mares, so I thought I’d try his son.

“I bought Kaprice privately after she stopped racing as a four-year-old. She had been in training with Harro Rennert and won two races for him, and I was looking for a broodmare prospect from a solid German family. She is from a very good line that traces to Konigsstuhl, the sire of Monsun.

“She produced eight foals for me and they have all been winners. I sold her a few years ago to people who bred one more foal and then retired her. She’s 20 now, but still alive.”

Lerner, who keeps a handful of mares at Gestut Westerberg near Frankfurt, says of State Of Play: “Being a colt I offered him as a foal at Tattersalls’ December Sale in 2000, but he did not

make the money I was expecting (was led out at 11,500gns). I took him home and reoffered him the following year at Baden-Baden, where he was sold for DM15,000, which was not much better, but I had other foals from the mare, so I let him go.”

State Of Play subsequently raced successfully from the Banbury yard of Paul Webber and gained a rating of 108 over hurdles, but after he was bought for 18,000gns by Evan Williams at Doncaster in August 2005 his true talent was unveiled over fences.

Victory in Newbury’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in 2006 and the Charlie Hall Chase in October last year saw his rating achieve a high of 160. It has slipped back now, to a Grand National mark of 150 and a winnablelooking burden, even though Exotic Dancer’s absence means a weights rise.

Back in Germany, Lerner admits he has not seen his potential Aintree hero since he was a yearling, adding: “We don’t get the racing information you enjoy in Britain, although friends keep me up to date and I have spoken to the horse’s trainer on the phone.

“I have three horses in training of my own with Hans-Jurgen Groeschel in Hannover, including a four-year-old gelding called Leivano by Spectrum. He stays 2,000m (ten furlongs), is a big strong horse and has been placed in two Listed races. Perhaps someone in Britain would like to buy him for jumping?”

After landing a Hennessy and Charlie Hall, has State Of Play slipped enough in the ratings to win the National?

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MICKLEY STUD STALLIONS 2009 MULTIPLEX

CENTRAL PARK

Group winning son of DANEHILL from the family of WARNING and RAINBOW QUEST.

High Class Dual Purpose Sire.

Dual Group 1 winning son of IN THE WINGS. 65% winners to runners.

Outstanding first foals in 2009.

OVERBURY

2009 Fee: £4,000 Oct 1st

Sire of BALLYFITZ, 3 time Cheltenham winner in 2008.

NEEDWOOD BLADE

Winner in 2009 of the Whitbread Silver Salver award for leading British NH Sire.

Dual Group winning son of champion sire PIVOTAL. His first 2-yr-old’s in 2008 had 10 wins and 23 places.

Yearlings fetched up to £55,000 in 2008.

2009 Fee: £3,000 Oct 1st

2009 Fee: £3,000 Oct 1st

Concessions for all stallions 1/2 price filly return.

Richard Kent at MICKLEY STUD, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3QW

66 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER APRIL 2009

2009 Fee: £1,500 Oct 1st

BEAT ALL High potential Dual purpose sire

by DYNAFORMER. 50% winners to runners on the Flat in 2008.

NH horses in training with Paul Nicholls and Alan King including the promising bumper winner ALEXANDERBEETLE with Henrietta Knight.

2009 Fee: £2,000 Oct 1st

Tel: 01630 638840 Fax: 01630 639761 • Mobile: 07973 315722 Email: mickleystud@btconnect.com

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FOCUS ON THE BREEZE-UPS

Vendors look to Darley to make a juvenile splash After buying all three seven-figure lots at Calder, European consignors will hope to see Sheikh Mohammed active in their own backyard, too Words: Edward Prosser

accounted for 27.7% in 2007.

Top vendor Con Marnane of Bansha House Stables is hoping there will be other major buyers as well as the Maktoums.

“I’m not that hopeful going into the sales but there are a lot of people who have been lucky getting Group winners from the breeze-ups and I think they will be back,” he said. “Trainers still need nice horses to make their names and people will always have a huge love of racing.”

Marnane traditionally has one of

the biggest representations at the sales but his team will be reduced this year.

“We will be selling 45, which is about 15 less than last year,” he said. “It’s where we want to be on numbers – the costs and expenses are not so high that way. We did well last year but were left with a couple of expensive unsold horses, which really hurt us.

“The only thing I concentrated on this time was to get horses who looked like athletes and I think we’ve got a serious bunch of twoyear-olds.”

Marnane is keen for Australianstyle barrier trials to be introduced in Britain for horses who fail to sell at the breeze-ups.

“I was over in Australia in November and they would be a great idea here,” he said. “Unsold horses could race over four furlongs in a barrier trial and they could be timed and filmed, and then shown on the internet. The horses who won the trials would sell well and it would get guys in places like Hong Kong interested.

“It would be great if the sales companies got behind it and I’m sure Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and British Bloodstock Marketing would help promote it, as they have done with the bonus.”

John Ferguson: busy in the US

Con Marnane: “Not that hopeful”

The breeze-up market could well be boosted by a new bonus scheme that rewards winning horses

ohn Ferguson’s appearance at Fasig-Tipton’s Calder breezeup sale in early March was enormously reassuring for the European two-year-old consignors set to offer their wares in the upcoming weeks.

Ferguson bought all three sevenfigure lots at the Florida sale on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed and the level of his input at Tattersalls and Doncaster looks sure to be crucial to the market.

The Maktoum entities and their associates at Rabbah Bloodstock bought 28 of the 48 six-figure breeze-up horses in Britain last year and, in a vastly different economic environment, their contribution will be all the more vital in 2009.

Darley stallions account for nearly 30% of this year’s Doncaster catalogue and over a fifth of the Craven breeze-up book at Tattersalls.

In contrast, Coolmore sires make up only 12% of the Tattersalls catalogue this year, having

J

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GOFFS KEMPTON BREEZE-UP AGG £655,550 (-66%) SOLD 35 (61% clearance) AV £18,728 (-43.4%) MED £15,000 (-40%)

A corking buy? The Danehill Dancer colt out of Le Montrachet, who topped the Goffs Kempton sale

May meeting. The scheme is a great new incentive for owners.”

Horses scoring overseas are also eligible for the prizes, available on a first come first served basis, and Danish owner Henrik Villadsen – with a large party from Scandinavia – reported the bonus was the main incentive for them to come over.

“The krone is linked with the euro and it is much better to buy here than in the past, but I have to say the bonus is the main reason we came over,” said Villadsen.

doubting the impact of the new £500,000 bonus scheme masterminded by the breeze-up consignors at this sale.

Bonus boost

68 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Shaping the Breeze-Ups How graduates of the big two studs in Europe dominate the Doncaster and Tattersalls catalogues Craven 40

18.8%

59

27.7% 30

15.5% 20.6%

40

21.3% 12%

2009 2008 2007

A bonus payment of up to £10,000 is available to successful graduates from the 2009 two-year-old sales at Kempton, Doncaster, Newmarket, Goresbridge, Dundalk and SaintCloud, and it marks the first time Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and British Bloodstock Marketing will team up.

Tattersalls, DBS, Goffs and Arqana are all contributing to the bonuses, along with consignors.

“A mountain of work went into it,” said Marnane, who created the scheme. “No stone went unturned into getting it into shape. The fact that sterling is weak at the moment is a big help. What we need now is for three or four winners to come out quickly from the Kempton sale, with the cheques for £10,000 presented.”

Agent Bobby O’Ryan paid £56,000 for the second top lot, a Kyllachy colt, at the Kempton sale and reported that the bonus scheme was a big incentive.

He said: “The colt was bought for Rob Lloyd Racing, to be trained at his yard by Pat Morris and they are already planning to try to win £10,000 by scoring at Chester’s

39 22

0 Doncaster

NUMBER OF HORSES

34

15.5% 14.1% 14.7%

31 25

24.1% 17.9%

41 26

29.6%

Darley

43

Coolmore

60 2009 2008 2007

A drop in turnover of 66% and averages falling by around 40% seemed pretty brutal, but there were definite reasons for future optimism after Goffs’ Kempton auction on March 6.

The reduced catalogue saw 61% of entries change hands and, while few made great profits, there was a cosmopolitan array of buyers.

A Danehill Dancer colt out of a half-sister to Goldikova was the star attraction, selling for £58,000 to Qatari owner-trainer Mohamed Al Attiya, a new client of Kern Lillingston’s Ed Sackville. Sean Clancy, Goffs’ US representative, was underbidder on behalf of Californian trainer Lisa Lewis.

The top lot, who had made 80,000gns as a foal, is one of three who will join Tom Dascombe, along with a £24,000 Proud Citizen colt bought by De Le Warr Racing and a £10,000 Choisir colt also bought by Al Attiya.

Denmark’s champion trainer Bent Olsen, Norwegian Rune Haugen and Spain’s Maurizio Delcher were among other overseas buyers of the top ten lots.

“It was obvious the breeze-up bonus had caught the imagination and I thought the Kempton sale was very encouraging,” said Charlie Vigors, who runs Hillwood Stud.

“It bodes well for the rest of the year. If your horse breezed well and you were realistic with your reserves then it sold. There was a good buzz and it seemed a strong market.

“Everyone was testing the water there a bit but came away a lot happier than before the sale.”

Vendor Con Marnane would like to see the sale move to a later date, saying: “The later sales have a big advantage and to my mind the English trainers were not out in force at Kempton,” he said.

“We’ve had a hard time with the weather, with a lot of snow and rain, and it’s just difficult to get them to peak that early.”

It took several months to come to fruition but there was no

OwnerBreeder Ad pages 04.09:OwnerBreeder Ad pages 04.09

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THE SPECIAL SECTION FOR ROA MEMBERS STOP PRESS! ZA BEAU BECOMES THE CLUB’S 16TH WINNER, TAKING A HANDICAP CHASE AT 7-2 AT NEWCASTLE ON MARCH 15

Jubilee Queen (yellow colours) makes a winning debut for BetfairClub ROA at Bangor

Crowning moment for Queen Bangor success for Jubilee Queen on first run for Club ROA; stalwart Cornus continues to shine BetfairClub ROA enjoyed further success on the racecourse when the David Pipe-trained debutante Jubilee Queen won a bumper at Bangor on February 25. The six-year-old mare won comfortably by a length and a half, to the delight of the members in attendance.

Minutes earlier, club stalwart Cornus had finished in the money yet again, with a close-

up third at Wolverhampton. The club’s six runners have continued to maintain an impressive win and place strike-rate for their young owners, with a winning tally of 16.

Prior to Jubilee Queen’s first run, members had enjoyed the chance to see the mare at home as part of a tour of the legendary Pond House Stables. The group saw their horse working on the gallops and were shown around the extensive facilities by David Pipe

Prior to Jubilee Queen winning, club members visited her at David Pipe’s Pond House stables

70 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

and his father Martin. The many highlights of the fascinating ‘behind the scenes’ tour included visiting the veterinary laboratory and enjoying the chance to try riding the mechanical horse, under the expert tutelage of former jockey Jonothan Lower.

Members then travelled on to Wincanton for an enjoyable afternoon’s racing. The day was successfully rounded off by the group being on hand in the winner’s enclosure to welcome the David Pipe-trained Ashkazar, owned by David Johnson, after his victory in the featured Kingwell Hurdle.

The club’s social calendar has continued apace, with a private chalet on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival. Pictures to follow in the next issue.

SPECIAL HALF PRICE OFFER For a limited period, ROA members can purchase an annual BetfairClub ROA membership as a gift, for a relative or friend in the 18-32 age range, at the very special price of £99, a saving of 50%. A monthly payment option of just £8.25 is also available.

Club membership is the perfect year-round present for young racing enthusiasts.

To purchase this gift, or for further details, please call the ROA office on 020 7408 0903 or email betfairclubroa@roa.co.uk

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Time to make a stand for owners Applications are invited from members interested in standing for a place on the ROA Council.

The annual elections offer an opportunity to racehorse owners who have an interest in racing politics to play an important role within the industry.

This year there are three places available. Three existing Council members, Dena Arstall, Peter Cundell and David Silk will be re-standing for election.

A vote amongst ROA members decides the successful candidates, who are required to attend monthly meetings from July onwards.

To qualify, owners must be members of the ROA and have had a horse in training, or part ownerships that amount to at least one horse, during the past 12 months.

Applications should be sent by April 1 to Michael Harris, ROA Chief Executive, in writing or by email to mharris@roa.co.uk. For further details see www.racehorseowners.net

New venue for AGM and lunch Members are encouraged to attend the ROA Annual General Meeting being held on the morning of Thursday, June 25.

This year sees the event being held at a new London venue, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel, in Knightsbridge.

The AGM allows members the opportunity to question the Council on any aspect of racing or the association business. The programme will include the announcement of the ROA Council election result, and the formal business will precede a President’s Address and a guest industry speaker.

A Champagne reception and lunch follows the AGM, and this gives members the opportunity to meet fellow owners in a genial atmosphere.

Members can book tickets in advance for themselves and their guests for the reception and lunch.

Tickets are £85 each or £750 for a table of ten and can be booked through the ROA office.

It is not necessary to book a place for the AGM itself.

Council Agenda The February Council meeting,

by Chief Executive Michael Harris Levy Proposal from Bookmakers The Council discussed the offer submitted by the Bookmakers’ Committee to the Levy Board that proposed the current levy deal runs for a period of three years, starting from April 1, 2010. While observing the irony that in last year’s levy negotiations racing had to pull out all the stops to achieve a so-called rollover, the Council agreed that racing should now remain extremely circumspect about this new offer.

It was clear that racing could not abandon its push for levy modernisation and there was nothing within this offer that suggested the bookmakers wanted to work for an improved scheme to facilitate the funding of British horseracing. Racing had already put forward the suggestion of some form of arbitration system which was now apparently being ignored. There was also the important question of how much in real terms this offer would deliver. Purely on a 10% of gross profits basis, there was no guarantee as to what the final sum might be over the next three years. If gross profits fell, racing’s income and prize-money would fall.

The Council were keen to continue to further explore those possibilities that had been raised by last year’s levy negotiations and which had been encouraged by Sir Philip Otton. Racing was keen to develop a system whereby a standard levy was paid for a basic fixture list and additional payments were linked to add-ons, such as winter evenings and certain matinee and Sunday fixtures. This would come closer to the sort of commercial relationship that had often been mooted in recent years. The Council acknowledged the levy had to work within a statutory framework but felt there remained sufficient scope to modernise the system within that framework if the will was there to do it.

Channel 4 Racing It appeared that racing’s stance would be to try to persuade the Levy Board to support Channel 4 without the subsidy being deducted from prize-money. It would instead come from other levy sources.

There was hope that Dubai Holding would continue to sponsor the programme and that a combination of the two subsidies would be sufficient for Channel 4 Racing to remain on our screens. Rationalisation of production would, it was hoped, also bring costs down.

The Tote The President reported on a positive meeting with the Tote, at which the new Tote Chairman presented an encouraging outlook for racing. Tote pool betting was showing signs of bucking the gloomy economic trend, while there were encouraging noises relating to the Tote extending their race sponsorship programme.

Daily Mail Article The Council were pleased to see the BHA had written a strong letter of complaint to the Daily Mail editor about the sensationalist article that had appeared recently, suggesting that racing was acting irresponsibly on welfare issues. A letter from the BHA’s Chief Executive had threatened to complain to the Press Complaints Commission and, since the Mail had not responded formally within the time frame given, a further letter had been sent to the PCC lodging a formal complaint.

Free Lease Exchange The Council heard there were now 60 twoyear-old horses listed on the scheme and it would soon be extended to include older horses. Matches were now beginning to take place and there was an expectation this would accelerate as more horses were broken in.

Inside Information Paul Scotney and Sara Hay-Jahans from the BHA answered questions on Inside Information. It was noted there would be an initial mail-out of an information leaflet to all current active owners. A range of questions were dealt with, including whether a trainer could legitimately provide information about his horses to other owners in his yard. Mr Scotney said information about a horse was the intellectual property of the owner and it was their choice as to whether they wanted other owners to have access to this before it was in the public domain.

However, several Council members doubted the enforceability of this. Mr Scotney also told the Council that the BHA legal team were re-assessing the “fit and proper person” definition in terms of licensing.

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ROA FORUM

ROA extends range of branded merchandise The ROA has a new range of branded merchandise available for members to buy.

Each of the items is designed to be practical and stylish to wear racing, and the choice ranges from a water resistant jacket to silk ties, ladies scarves and umbrellas.

Full details of colour choices and sizes can be viewed on the ROA website at www.racehorseowners.net, or please contact the ROA office with any queries.

Prices, including postage and delivery to any UK address, are as follows: Beige water resistant jacket with removable lining £68 Grey and black water resistant jacket £39 Silk tie (navy/red/purple) £22 Ladies silk scarf (gold/purple) £21 Wood stick umbrella £11 Compact umbrella £10

Box benefits for Royal meeting

Grey and black water resistant jacket, £39

Wood stick umbrella, £11

Beige water resistant jacket with removable lining, £68

Ladies silk scarf, in gold or purple, £21

Your guide to Inside Information The British Horseracing Authority guide to Inside Information is enclosed with this magazine.

Entitled ‘A Guide to Inside Information for Racehorse Owners’, it covers the definition of Inside Information, the Code of Conduct that relates to owners and the associated Rules of Racing.

The BHA wants all owners to have received the guidance leaflet by the end of May 2009.

In the case of racing syndicates, nominated partners who are registered owners are asked to cascade the message about Inside Information to their non-nominated partners.

Further leaflets may be requested for this

purpose by contacting the BHA’s Integrity Services Department on 020 7152 0000. An interactive online guide can also be downloaded from the BHA website www.britishhorseracing.com/integrity.

The guidance leaflet emphasises that it is the passing of negative information which poses the greatest threat to integrity, but also focuses on passing information for reward and passing information repeatedly.

Owners are also reminded that they can inform their trainer in writing if they do not wish the yard to discuss their horse with other owners.

72 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

IN BRIEF: Free Lease Exchange Details of horses available on the Free Lease Exchange are listed on the ROA website. Over 60 twoyear-olds and a number of older horses are listed. Further information is available by contacting the ROA office.

John Smith’s branding Owners of horses running in the John Smith’s Grand National will be paid £750 to carry John Smith’s branding. This is an increase of £50 on last year’s arrangement.

PHOTOS: RPM

Silk tie, in navy, red or purple, £22

Ascot is offering a number of benefits to ROA members interested in booking a private box at Royal Ascot. Members will receive priority booking ahead of the usual waiting list on any day of the meeting. They also have the option to upgrade guests to Royal Enclosure day badges on the Saturday at a cost of £25 per person inc VAT. The usual minimum number of people needed to book a box is ten, but ROA members can book a box for six people.

Package prices start from £550 plus VAT and include box hire, general admission, one car park label per couple, racecards, racing papers and flowers.

Guests will be served morning coffee, a Champagne reception with canapés, four-course lunch with fine wines, port or brandy with coffee, afternoon tea and a complimentary drinks bar. To book contact Sue Thomsett on 0870 726 3042 or susan.thomsett@ascot.co.uk.

Please quote reference ROA Boxes.

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Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

Racecourse ownership

Exec + Sponsors (£)

% of Total

Levy Board (£)

1 Aintree JCR 1,648,337 2 Cheltenham JCR 2,785,302 3 Ascot I 4,754,208 4 Epsom Downs JCR 1,160,120 5 Hamilton Park I 319,179 6 Goodwood I 1,470,947 7 Chester I 573,270 8 York I 757,003 9 Sandown Park JCR 1,243,000 10 Doncaster Arena 1,599,070 11 Thirsk I 204,567 12 Haydock Park JCR 1,032,309 13 Newmarket JCR 3,433,466 14 Newcastle North 373,833 15 Bath North 206,382 16 Ripon I 237,655 17 Windsor Arena 307,810 18 Ayr I 567,009 19 Yarmouth North 199,823 20 Hexham I 88,069 21 Salisbury I 250,325 22 Carlisle JCR 183,807 23 Stratford-on-Avon I 219,724 24 Fakenham I 93,564 25 Pontefract I 207,335 26 Musselburgh I 286,991 27 Newbury I 956,576 28 Wetherby I 227,007 29 Great Leighs I 449,631 30 Beverley I 174,967 31 Lingfield Park Arena 745,038 32 Leicester I 218,760 33 Market Rasen JCR 163,325 34 Chepstow North 194,592 35 Huntingdon JCR 125,616 36 Redcar I 144,246 37 Cartmel I 33,314 38 Kelso I 89,320 39 Brighton North 88,746 40 Perth I 102,216 41 Bangor-on-Dee I 106,421 42 Kempton Park JCR 690,793 43 Nottingham JCR 101,950 44 Wincanton JCR 150,602 45 Catterick Bridge I 98,206 46 Fontwell Park North 111,329 47 Warwick JCR 95,009 48 Ludlow I 80,215 49 Folkestone Arena 82,067 50 Uttoxeter North 103,858 51 Exeter JCR 65,294 52 Sedgefield North 35,959 53 Hereford North 30,626 54 Newton Abbot I 40,524 55 Towcester I 37,235 56 Taunton I 33,477 57 Southwell Arena 88,574 58 Plumpton I 11,349 59 Worcester Arena 12,412 60 Wolverhampton Arena -8,513 Total 29,883,842

50.4 50.1 46.7 39.1 38.7 38.4 37.9 37.9 33.8 33.2 32.4 31.4 30.7 30.5 30.4 30.0 27.3 26.7 26.5 26.4 26.1 25.9 25.4 25.1 23.9 23.8 23.6 23.0 21.1 20.6 20.0 18.5 18.0 17.4 17.4 16.5 16.4 16.4 15.6 15.1 14.9 14.9 14.7 14.1 13.3 13.3 12.2 11.9 10.7 10.4 8.0 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.2 6.0 4.3 2.3 2.0 -0.3 28.3

1,180,520 1,819,820 2,939,880 736,780 409,890 1,740,060 784,840 870,350 1,885,215 2,045,770 339,200 1,769,690 3,361,990 690,590 392,890 481,920 652,090 1,229,367 440,380 215,190 544,150 441,940 570,110 279,720 564,690 801,360 2,365,700 646,630 1,469,000 573,660 2,497,830 804,013 657,965 769,575 499,560 463,460 152,355 414,610 424,110 537,990 560,500 3,328,400 442,210 778,920 560,720 635,450 562,250 537,770 580,860 753,590 615,260 414,430 376,820 545,970 509,025 460,160 1,763,670 445,510 530,270 2,517,720 56,384,365

% of Total

Owners (£)

% of Total

Total 2008/9 (£)

Total 2007/8 (£)

% total Up/ 2007/8 down

36.1 414,741 12.7 3,273,598 32.7 887,701 16.0 5,562,823 28.9 2,359,261 23.2 10,180,849 24.8 1,040,762 35.1 2,965,662 49.8 56,675 6.9 823,744 45.4 535,903 14.0 3,832,910 51.9 86,830 5.8 1,510,940 43.6 340,472 17.1 1,995,325 51.3 503,750 13.7 3,677,965 42.5 1,039,191 21.6 4,819,031 53.7 66,183 10.5 632,050 53.9 386,621 11.8 3,285,870 30.1 4,127,283 36.9 11,182,239 56.4 146,780 12.0 1,225,403 57.9 66,167 9.8 678,639 60.8 43,291 5.5 792,366 57.8 123,777 11.0 1,127,677 57.8 297,927 14.0 2,127,603 58.4 84,779 11.2 753,942 64.6 29,841 9.0 333,100 56.8 83,343 8.7 957,818 62.4 67,653 9.6 708,400 65.9 68,290 7.9 865,124 74.9 0 0 373,284 65.2 57,139 6.6 866,664 66.5 82,574 6.9 1,205,425 58.4 535,645 13.2 4,052,921 65.6 88,809 9.0 986,446 68.9 142,852 6.7 2,131,983 67.6 65,488 7.7 849,115 67.1 314,247 8.4 3,723,434 68.1 91,563 7.8 1,179,837 72.7 81,610 9.0 905,400 68.8 120,433 10.8 1,118,100 69.2 81,447 11.3 721,623 52.9 235,044 26.8 876,300 74.9 17,714 8.7 203,383 76.3 31,290 5.8 543,720 74.5 56,169 9.9 569,025 79.4 30,694 4.5 677,900 78.4 46,495 6.5 714,916 71.8 439,294 9.5 4,636,764 63.9 93,267 13.5 691,927 72.9 103,878 9.7 1,068,900 76.2 54,916 7.5 735,842 76.2 79,123 9.5 834,402 72.3 95,150 12.2 777,909 79.6 51,315 7.6 675,800 75.6 81,465 10.6 768,142 75.6 134,902 13.5 997,350 75.8 90,082 11.1 812,136 78.2 58,107 11.0 529,896 83.0 46,742 10.3 454,188 90.3 4,972 0.8 604,666 84.3 50,740 8.4 604,000 83.0 43,768 7.9 554,355 86.2 155,280 7.6 2,047,074 91.8 28,625 5.9 485,484 84.7 75,932 12.1 626,214 88.4 253,720 8.9 2,848,427 53.3 16,877,712 16.0 105,766,025

2,815,616 5,634,382 9,399,769 3,026,583 797,561 3,452,474 1,366,447 4,290,913 3,597,366 3,971,933 720,250 2,884,175 7,785,901 1,490,591 645,705 736,371 1,083,000 1,957,562 687,378 484,300 824,813 670,323 710,500 378,000 1,007,359 1,180,272 3,543,886 810,946 929,879 4,109,322 1,279,895 938,214 1,098,810 661,935 906,350 199,550 758,597 524,932 651,500 711,650 4,060,489 660,985 1,025,112 855,580 738,535 1,087,526 720,529 874,243 1,087,350 882,792 530,150 454,200 594,165 546,836 549,877 1,828,150 570,384 342,289 3,140,770 99,274,970

60.4 55.5 51.7 45.4 19.6 40.0 37.8 45.1 39.1 36.1 27.8 33.2 38.0 28.3 14.5 27.2 24.5 21.3 11.3 14.5 23.2 16.2 18.3 17.4 24.8 22.4 28.9 11.2 - N/A 21.4 15.6 14.0 13.5 12.0 12.0 5.7 9.8 19.8 3.3 12.3 14.7 21.0 11.7 19.3 11.4 12.2 14.3 15.3 21.2 6.5 15.9 2.4 0.8 5.1 3.2 12.3 -0.6 4.8 -1.8 3.2 29.9

In order of racecourses’ percentage contributions to overall prize-money Figures relate to prize-money for the 12-month period March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009

EXPLANATION OF TABLE This table sets out the three main contributors to prize-money with percentages of the total: 1 Racecourses’ executive and sponsorship; 2 Levy Board; 3 Owners. A small additional contribution is also made by the Divided Race Fund and the BHA Development Fund. The order is taken from the percentage in the second column of figures. This shows how much each racecourse has contributed to prize-money, expressed as a percentage of their overall prize-money. The arrows at the end of each line are based on a comparison between the percentages for the two rolling year periods. If a racecourse has improved its position by this criteria it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If the year-on-year percentage has decreased it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

Note: All of the figures are produced on an ‘as originally programmed’ basis, i.e. where any transferred fixtures were originally programmed rather than where the fixtures have actually taken place. However, any transferred BHA ‘National’ fixtures and ‘Regional’ fixtures are attributed to the courses where the fixtures have actually taken place. Please note, however, that the rearranged York August meeting races are shown against host courses.

RACECOURSE OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses

North Northern Racing Ltd Arena Arena Leisure Ltd I Independently owned racecourse Gold Standard Award

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THE SPECIAL SECTION FOR ROA MEMBERS

Racing Post Chase winner Nacarat is the first horse to race in Simon Clarke’s own colours

Owner of the Month: Simon Clarke Famous racing family enjoys another big-race success as Nacarat annihilates his rivals in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Words: Edward Rosenthal s the son of the late Stan Clarke, the racing entrepreneur who owned Grand National hero Lord Gyllene and brilliant hurdler Barton, Simon Clarke should certainly know a top-class jumper when he sees one.

And in the grey guise of Nacarat, who evoked memories of the great Desert Orchid when romping home by nine lengths in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February, he looks to have unearthed a chaser of his own with the potential to bid for top honours.

“Kempton was a massive thrill, a dream come true,” said Clarke, who owned horses in partnership for around a decade before purchasing Nacarat, the first horse to race in his own colours.

“We knew we had a decent chance going into the race because everything seemed to be in his favour, but we never imagined he would win in the style that he did.

“Nacarat has a few options at Aintree, but those decisions will be left up to [trainer] Tom George. We missed Cheltenham because he doesn’t like the undulations – he’s run there twice and been pulled up on both occasions.”

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It was John Edwards, the former trainer who is the father of Tom George’s wife Sophie, who found Nacarat in France.

The initial response was not overly encouraging. Clarke explained: “We wondered what we had got when he first turned up, because he certainly needed a good feed! But he won easily on his debut for us at Wincanton and so we knew he had plenty of ability.”

Clarke was brought up around horses at the family home in Burton-on-Trent, where his father kept point-to-pointers, and attended Pony Club and hunted as a youngster along with his three sisters.

Having moved into farming after leaving school – Clarke still farms 1,000 acres in Staffordshire, a mixture of beef, sheep and arable, and runs an agricultural dealership – he became Deputy Chairman of Northern Racing, the racecourse group founded by his father in 1987. He worked there until the company was sold in 2006.

“I had a great time at Northern Racing and miss it enormously,” Clarke said. “It was a tough working environment, but also very exciting. However, we sold because it was the

“We wondered what we had got when Nacarat first turned up; he certainly needed a good feed” – Simon Clarke

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Owners in the News – Judy Wilson A dramatic afternoon in East Sussex sees Tony McCoy ride his 3,000th winner over jumps in colours normally associated with grander venues

Simon Clarke leads in Nacarat at Kempton

right decision for our shareholders. The way the economy has gone proved it was the right decision.

“Now that I’m not involved in the running of racing businesses – I was also ViceChairman at the RCA – I have more time to enjoy the sport.”

Sir Stanley Clarke was one of racing’s most popular figures. With his wife, Hilda, they enjoyed a host of big successes over the years.

Lord Gyllene and Barton aside, Rolling Ball captured the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and Lord Relic won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

PHOTOS: GEORGE SELWYN

Outstanding

Clarke said: “Barton was the best; he was outstanding. But he had a problem with his feet that affected him when he went chasing.

Lord Gyllene was a one-off. Whenever I hear the Grand National music on the television, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“One of my abiding memories of my father is after Lord Gyllene won the National. His smile was as big as it could get – he was the happiest man alive! My mother still loves her racing and keeps broodmares at home.”

A glance at the Racing Post Chase’s roll of honour finds two horses, Rhyme ‘N’ Reason and Rough Quest, who went on to Grand National glory.

With his family’s history in the race, what are the odds against Nacarat, who fell in the Topham Chase over the big fences last year, contesting the Aintree race at some stage?

“The National has never featured in our discussions over Nacarat,” said Clarke. “And I wouldn’t want to get in front of myself by making any grand plans.

“Saying that, although he fell in the Topham, Tony Dobbin said he loved the fences and really enjoyed himself until his mistake. I certainly wouldn’t be put off going back to Aintree with him, put it that way.”

Tony McCoy’s quest to ride his 3,000th winner over jumps reached its dramatic conclusion on a cold, wet afternoon at Plumpton on February 9 aboard chasing debutant Restless D’Artaix.

For owner Judy Wilson, who has experienced the thrill of Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot triumphs alongside her late husband, Lynn, it was a truly remarkable occasion.

“It was one of those incredible days that you never think will happen to you – unbelievable really,” said Wilson, a hunting enthusiast who is involved in breeding and racing point-topointers.

“Conditions were absolutely atrocious – the paddock was like a lake – and the course did very well to hold the meeting. I think it was wonderful for Plumpton that they had so much publicity.

“Walking back to the winners’ enclosure after the race, I remember Nicky [Henderson] said, ‘This is where the fun starts’, because there were so many people there. We had to fight our way through them all!”

Restless D’Artaix’s place in the history books came about as a result of events earlier in the day.

Having already ground out a hard-fought success on Hello

Moscow, McCoy looked assured of victory aboard Miss Sarenne in the mares’ novices’ hurdle, only to take a crashing fall at the final flight.

Wilson said: “I felt sad for the connections of Miss Sarenne and also for Tony, because he had wasted to do that weight.

“He looked so gaunt after the fall, but he just got on with the job.

That’s the man – totally dedicated.”

Having been associated with jumpers of the quality of Henry Mann, Barna Boy, Blue Royal and Greenhope, plus talented Flat stayer Enjoy The Moment, Wilson is looking to the future with Restless D’Artaix and her top hurdler Punchestowns, gallant runner-up to Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle.

She said: “Restless D’Artaix was off the track for two and half years having injured both front tendons, and then tweaked a shoulder after he was brought down at Bangor, so we have had to be very patient with him.

“He jumped beautifully at Plumpton and didn’t put a foot wrong. He went over the last with his ears pricked and did very well to cope with the conditions after such an absence.

“The amount of phone calls and text messages I received after the race was amazing. Lynn would have adored it!”

Tony McCoy drives Judy Wilson’s Restless D’Artaix to that landmark 3,000th win

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Rules on automatic unfair dismissal to be abolished The existing statutory rules for resolving disputes in the workplace are to be abolished from April 6. TBA lawyer Rachel Flynn of Taylor Vinters looks at how it may impact on the way in which disciplinary issues, staff grievances and dismissals are dealt with at your workplace

T

he statutory dispute resolution procedures introduced in October 2004 were intended to simplify process and reduce the number of employment tribunal applications by between 34,000 and 37,000 claims a year, about a third of all claims. In practice the procedures did the opposite.

They have caused numerous problems for employers, forcing tribunals to find that some dismissals were automatically unfair even where a failure was small or inconsequential. Once a dismissal had been found wanting, a tribunal was then obliged to make an uplift in compensation of 10% to 50%, penalising the employer further.

The problem with the statutory dismissal procedures was not a lack of clarity or simplicity, but rather an inflexibility that proved hard for employers and employees to operate. The Government’s Gibbons Report on the procedures was published in March 2007. It pulled no punches, calling the procedures “a classic case of good policy but inappropriately inflexible and prescriptive regulation”.

So having been introduced in October 2004, the procedures are to be abolished in April 2009.

What will replace the procedures and what will this mean for existing disciplinary and grievance processes? Happily, the answer may be surprisingly little.

Rather than setting down a three-step process that must be followed, each dismissal will be looked at with reference to the ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline, and to which tribunals will refer when considering whether dismissals are fair. This will cover all dismissals except those for redundancy and on the expiry of a fixed-term contract.

Although it may seem longwinded at ten pages, the ACAS code’s provisions are not novel: establish the facts, inform the employee of the problem, meet to discuss and make an appropriate and fair decision, allowing for an appeal. The emphasis is on acting promptly, consistently and fairly. All reasonable steps and what most reasonable employers will be doing anyway.

While the ACAS code must be adhered to, its flexibility will allow tribunals to forgive a technical

breach and make allowances for the smaller employer.

Instead of the existing uplift provisions, tribunals will have a discretionary power to uplift compensation by up to 25% where appropriate. It will be more important than ever that internal procedures are followed every time and for that reason a review of an employer’s own discipline and grievance procedures will be a valuable exercise. Do you follow the processes every time? Are they in line with the ACAS code?

Have staff been involved in drawing them up?

Regarding grievance procedures, again, there is nothing very new: deal with the grievance by meeting, establish the facts, come to decision/take appropriate action, and allow the right of appeal.

One difference is that from April 2009 it will no longer be incumbent on employees to raise a grievance prior to submitting a tribunal claim. The downside of this for employers is that they may be surprised by – and therefore unprepared for – a tribunal claim.

On the other hand, it will counteract one of the unwelcome

TBA Kenneth Oliver Memorial Foal Show The two winning foals at the TBA Kenneth Oliver Memorial Foal Show, held on the first day of the Doncaster January Sales, were selected by judges Michael Browne and Tommy Wade. Their champions were a colt by King’s Theatre out of Temptation, owned by Patrick Burling, and a filly by Old Vic out of No More Money, owned by David Jenks.

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TBA Chief Executive Louise Kemble and Rhona Oliver make the presentation to Sally Aston of Goldford Stud and owner Patrick Burling

side effects of the statutory procedures, in that it will no longer be necessary to deal with every written expression of discontent from employees (or even former employees) as a formal grievance.

Another welcome change is that ACAS officers will be able to help facilitate settlement discussions between the parties throughout any dispute that goes to employment tribunal, rather than being restricted to the first 17 weeks of any dispute, as they are under the current regime.

The restriction was supposed to encourage early settlements, but in practice it proved unwieldy and unhelpful, and had the opposite effect.

The draft ACAS Code of Practice and Guidance is available at www.acas.org.uk.

There are resources available free of charge to keep employers and employees up to date with their employment rights.

ACAS and Business Link (www.businesslink.gov.uk) are particularly helpful. Further advice is available from the TBA’s helpline (contact Caroline Turnbull at Stanstead House).

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Patrick Lennon with TBA Chairman Kirsten Rausing

Stud Staff Award March 2009

STUD STAFF AWARD MA RCH 2009

Patrick Lennon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Shadwell Estate Company Ltd Patrick Lennon has spent 40 years working in the breeding industry, 37 of them for Lord Howard de Walden as stud groom, first at Thornton Stud in Yorkshire and then Plantation Stud in Newmarket. During this time he has worked with stallions Kris, Slip Anchor, Generous, Pursuit Of Love and Olden Times. Patrick remained at Plantation Stud until it was sold in 2005.

Since joining Shadwell Estate Company Ltd at Beech House Stud, Patrick has become a highly valued member of staff.

Assistant Manager Arthur Bell describes Patrick as a great asset who undertakes all aspects of stud work for Shadwell, including the international travel of horses.

His skills at dealing with people, both on the stud and in the public arena, are particularly strong, and his knowledge and experience of the industry make Patrick a natural role model for the staff at Beech House.

Bell sums Patrick up as a pleasure to work with, 100% reliable and a fine example to young staff entering the industry.

Rhona Oliver makes the presentation to David Jenks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his champion filly is in the background

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Education and Employment – what the TBA is doing for you mongst the array of services provided by the TBA to members, support for employers on staff management and employment matters fall within the remit of the TBA Education and Employment Committee (previously known as the British Stud Staff Training Scheme Committee).

This was established following the Report of the Stable and Stud Staff Commission published in June 2004, which made specific recommendations for the breeding industry on recruitment, training, employment and retention of stud staff. Under the day-to-day management of TBA Education and Employment Manager Caroline Turnbull employers now have access to guidance on a range of employment-related matters and a voice at wider industry level on issues relating to training, recruitment and staff welfare.

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Communication A key recommendation of the report was to establish a register of employers within the TBA membership, to improve communication with and support for our employers. The TBA Employers Register is an internetbased database accessed via the TBA website, which employers can log on to through the homepage to register their details. Registered employers have access to free downloadable employment law fact sheets and sample policies, quarterly employment law updates, health and safety guidance, and education and training information. Employers can also speak directly to Caroline, who will provide initial advice and signpost employers towards further help.

Another significant achievement of the committee has been the introduction of the TBA Employee Benefits Scheme 2008, a benefits package which comprises Death in Service and a Group Personal Pension Plan.

This has been commissioned to assist members in preparation for legislation in 2012, when the Government plans to introduce a National Pension Savings Scheme which will be compulsory for employees, unless the employer offers a better or comparable scheme.

Also falling under the umbrella of education and employment, the TBA Stud Staff Award Scheme rewards stud staff nominated by their employers, the Annual Stud Farming Course provides up to date education on topics ranging from the management of broodmares to the equine genetics, and an Annual Seminar is held on a topic of relevance to breeders.

This year the seminar – ‘British Breeding: Now and in the Future’ – is on June 30 and is a not-tobe-missed event. Employers are also advised of relevant training courses and educational events by email as they arise. Caroline Turnbull also works closely with the wider British racing industry, representing the breeding industry on industry qualification development, promotion of careers and staff welfare matters.

If you are an employer, take the time to visit the TBA website www.thetba.co.uk and register, or if you are already registered, please update your details on the site. All employment law documentation has recently been reviewed and so it is worth having a look to check that you are fully up-to-date.

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News in Brief Complimentary access Membership to the Breeders Badge Scheme (BBS) entitles complimentary access to the racecourse for the TBA member plus one guest at over 1,000 participating fixtures throughout the year.

However, if you do not update the breeding details held on your TBA/RCA Horseracing Privilege PassCard, it will automatically de-activate on April 30, 2009.

All individual members of the BBS now need to have a photo card. For cards registered under joint or stud/business names, the maroon card is valid so long as identification is taken to the racecourse, along with the card.

TBA members were sent a form at the end of February, which should be completed and returned to Weatherbys. If you do not have a photo card, please send a passport-sized photo with your renewal application. If you have

misplaced the form, or have any questions, please contact Samantha Knight at Stanstead House.

Spring grass Fact sheets, giving guidance for the preparation of stud paddocks for spring, have already been emailed to TBA members and are also posted on the website. These informative articles have been prepared by ADAS UK Ltd on behalf of the TBA. If members need further information please contact Geoff Fairfoull of ADAS UK Ltd by email – geoffrey.fairfoull@adas.co.uk

Diary Dates and Reminders April 3 Central Regional Day at Defence Animal Centre.

April 16 Cheltenham Breeders’ Club Day (NH Breeders’ Day).

May 7 Yorkshire Regional Day – Ferdy Murphy’s Wynbury Stables and tour of Theakstons Brewery.

May 20 Scotland Regional Day – Morning lectures and a tour of The Royal Dick Veterinary School.

May 21 The North Regional Day – seminar and racing at Haydock Park.

June 2 The West Regional Day – Richard Hannon’s stables and Raffin Stud.

June 25 South East Regional Day – Whitsbury Manor Racing Stables and Whitsbury Manor Stud.

June 30 TBA Seminar, ‘British Breeding: Now and in the Future’, at Tattersalls.

July 14 East Anglia Regional Day – Godolphin stables and Newmarket Equine Hospital.

July 23 West Midlands Regional Day – Far Westfields Farm and Upton Viva Stud.

Wales Regional Day – Date and details to be arranged.

TBA New Members Please contact Stanstead House on 01638 661321 if you have any queries.

Home: Katrina Wall, Dorset.

Marion Shone, Essex. Mrs D L Mitchell, West Midlands.

Mrs R O Hutchings, Dorset.

Mr C M Oakshott, Hampshire. The Hon Ian Wills, Gloucestershire. Mr E O' Malley, Carmarthenshire.

Mrs J Gawthorpe, Kent.

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Breeders’ Prizes

National Hunt HBLB Breeders’ Prizes worth £1,000 or more Based on dates money was paid

Breeder Gleadhill House Stud Ltd Richard J Phizacklea The Queen J K M Oliver Taker Bloodstock Mrs S J Brasher Mr & Mrs B Mayoh Lord Oaksey R J Wilding Mill House Stud Jennie M Raymond Mrs J A Gawthorpe M H Iings Goldford Stud Martin Blandford Eamonn O’Malley Miss K Rausing G Brown Halewood International Ltd The Woodhaven Stud A G Knowles Mrs J A Gawthorpe G Reed Mrs L M Williams Mrs C Massey D McCain Mrs P Conway-Garrett Rita Hutchings J E Potter London Thoroughbred Services Ltd R W Russell Helshaw Grange Stud & Mr B Ridge F G Matthews

Prize (£) 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 9,600 9,600 7,700 7,700 6,000 5,500 4,800 4,800 4,800 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,300 1,300 1,300 1,300 1,000 1,000

Horse Cloudy Lane *Pagan Starprincess *Chief Yeoman Rambling Minster Cape Tribulation Tarablaze Kornati Kid Carruthers Big Fella Thanks *I'msingingtheblues Jass Daldini Bob Bob Bobbin *Ring The Boss Morgan Be Cromwell Court Heathcote Silver By Nature Bannister Lane Psychomodo Brave Rebellion *Daldini Par Avion Moorlands Teri Kealshore Lass Comhla Ri Coig Ellen Tilley Apatura Dik Mister Potter *Kingham Phardessa Alexander Beetle Roman Conquest

Sire Cloudings Robertico Machiavellian Minster Son Hernando Kayf Tara Kayf Tara Kayf Tara Primitive Rising Pistolet Bleu Robellino Josr Algarhoud Bob Back Kahyasi Alderbrook Overbury Unfuwain Silver Patriarch Overbury Mark Of Esteem Primitive Rising Josr Algarhoud Efisio Terimon Alflora Sir Harry Lewis Overbury Deltic Classic Cliche Desert Prince Pharly Beat All Roi de Rome

Dam Celtic Cygnet Pagan Star Step Aloft Howcleuch Gay Fantastic Princess Hotpot Hiltonstown Lass Plaid Maid Nunsdream Nova Rose Iota Arianna Aldini Absalom's Lady Fortune's Girl Vicie Slip A Coin Chere Amie Gale Miss Club Royal En Vacances Grand Queen Arianna Aldini Blow Me A Kiss Sandford Springs Queenford Belle Analogical Fortunes Course Apatura Hati Potter's Gale Marie de Flandre Mardessa Fleeting Affair Kellys Conquest

Date Course 17/01/09 Haydock Park 24/1/09 Doncaster 31/1/09 Sandown Park 14/2/09 Haydock Park 24/1/09 Doncaster 14/2/09 Haydock Park 31/1/09 Wetherby 14/2/09 Ascot 24/1/09 Doncaster 31/1/09 Doncaster 31/1/09 Doncaster 31/1/09 Wetherby 21/2/09 Chepstow 22/1/09 Warwick 25/1/09 Ayr 25/1/09 Ayr 06/2/09 Fontwell Park 07/2/09 Ayr 13/2/09 Sandown Park 16/2/09 Carlisle 20/2/09 Musselburgh 21/2/09 Newcastle 24/1/09 Doncaster 06/2/09 Bangor-On-Dee 31/1/09 Wetherby 25/1/09 Ayr 29/1/09 Wincanton 27/1/09 Folkestone 29/1/09 Towcester 30/1/09 Catterick Bridge 21/2/09 Chepstow 26/1/09 Ludlow 29/1/09 Wincanton

*second tier (40% of Breeders’ Prize awarded)

Flat HBLB Breeders’ Prizes worth £1,000 or more R S A Urquhart Highclere Stud Cheveley Park Stud Ltd

2,800 2,700 2,000

Hesmonds Stud Ltd Ridgecourt Stud Cotswold Stud Oold Mill Stud R Coogan Exord of the Late K G Powter Chippenham Lodge Stud Ltd Newsells Park Stud Limited Mrs D O Joly Mr & Mrs G Middlebrook C H and W A Greensit

1,800 1,600 1,500 1,500 1,400 1,200 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000

Suits Me Robby Bobby Spinning Gallantry Titan Triumph Signella Greenwich Village Benhego Matsunosuke Eighteenfifty Teasing St Moritz Exit Smiling Tous Les Deaux Fesko

Bertolini Selkirk Pivotal Green Desert Zamindar Selkirk Mtoto Act One Magic Ring Hernando Lujain Medicean Dr Fong Efisio Shinko Forest

Fancier Bit Dancing Mirage Starring Gay Gallanta Triple Green Sarah Georgina D'Azy Sadaka Lon Isa Colleville Movieland Statua Away To Me Caerosa Young Sue

10/2/09 31/1/09 06/2/09 07/2/09 14/2/09 23/1/09 21/1/09 12/2/09 21/2/09 09/2/09 30/1/09 06/2/09 10/2/09 14/2/09 15/2/09

Lingfield Park Lingfield Park Wolverhampton Lingfield Park Lingfield Park Lingfield Park Kempton Park Kempton Park Lingfield Park Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Southwell Kempton Park Southwell

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Sponsored by

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NH Breeder of the Month: February - Ken Oliver Rambling Minster leads the field on his way to victory in the Blue Square Gold Cup

Stamina gains the day as Rambling Minster secures Grade 3 prize at Haydock to reward his late Scottish breeder Words: Alan Yuill Walker ambling Minster’s victory in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock has earned the Breeder of the Month award for the late Ken Oliver.

Co-incidentally, Rambling Minster is out of a mare called Howcleuch – the same name as the 1899 Buccleuch Cup winner at Kelso, who was ridden by Ken Oliver’s uncle Andrew Oliver.

“The name Howcleuch is taken from a farm on the other side of Hawick,” explained Ken Oliver’s widow Rhona from her home at Hassendean Bank in the Scottish Borders, where she and her husband trained so many winners.

She receives a year’s free nutritional consultancy and 20 sacks of stud feed balancer from TopSpec following Rambling Minster’s latest triumph, the biggest so far in the career of jockey James Reveley, riding for his father Keith.

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Ken Oliver died in 1999 when Rambling Minster was a yearling and Howcleuch’s only other two progeny were both bred by Rhona, who said: “Lord Rodney joined Peter Beaumont and was killed at Aintree jumping the Chair, and I bought Lady Howe back to breed from just a week before Rambling Minster won the Borders National last season.”

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PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT

Borders National

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“The mare was turned out in the paddock by the house and we had a snowstorm. Somehow she managed to break her pelvis” – Rhona Oliver Barren to her 2000 covering by Minster Son, Howcleuch met a sad end the following February. “She was turned out in the paddock by the house,” explained Rhona, “and we had a snowstorm. Then someone passing telephoned to say that there was a mare lying down out there. Somehow she had managed to break her pelvis.”

Howcleuch was acquired by the Olivers at the Doncaster Spring Sales as a four-year-old from a farming neighbour, Charles Scott.

Ken Oliver always had a high regard for Irish stock and the mare had the right credentials, being by Buckskin out of a mare by Deep Run out of a mare by Artist’s Prince.

Luckless

Although Rhona Oliver never received any accolades for breeding the luckless Wynburgh, the only horse to finish runner-up in the Grand National three times without winning, her husband earned the TBA’s prestigious annual jumping award after Deep Sensation brought off the Champion Chase and Melling Chase double in 1993.

While Howcleuch did not have to venture far to be mated with Minster Son at Acrum Lodge Stud in County Durham, Lady Howe is having to travel rather further for her breeding assignations. Currently in foal to Beat All, she is scheduled for a return trip to Mickley Stud in Shropshire to visit Overbury.

Rhona Oliver, whose late husband Ken bred Rambling Minster

Breeders in the News – Shirley Brasher Tarablaze’s dam Princess Hotpot is part of a small but select broodmare band

Ace hurdler Tarablaze serves it up to his rivals at Haydock to take Grade 2 honours and provide his crack sire with another high-class performer Tarablaze’s win in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock in February represented another memorable sporting achievement for his breeder Shirley Brasher.

An ex-professional tennis player who was once ranked number three in the world, Brasher (then Shirley Bloomer) won the women’s singles title at the French Open in 1957 and also appeared in the women’s doubles final at Wimbledon.

Her late husband Chris famously helped to set the pace for Roger Bannister when he ran the first sub four-minute mile in 1954, and later won a Gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He also cofounded the London Marathon.

“I married a steeplechaser and I think I’ve bred one too – I seem to like them!” said Brasher, who rode ponies and hunted in her youth and became involved in ownership with her husband in the early 1990s.

“Tarablaze won a point-to-point in Ireland so he’s surely a chaser in the making. I’m grateful that he has ended up with a trainer like Philip Hobbs, who is very astute and is sure to get the best from the horse.”

Brasher, who runs two property companies, took plenty of advice from professionals before embarking on her breeding venture, despite being told by the Inland Revenue it was just a ‘hobby’.

“I’ve never done anything as an amateur!” she exclaimed.

Her small but select broodmare band was originally based with her at home in Chaddleworth, Berkshire, but now resides with David Owen at

Hawkwind Stud in Newmarket.

She said: “Princess Hotpot, the dam of Tarablaze, was bought privately by Henrietta Knight from Mark Dwyer on my behalf, initially as a racing prospect. I had no intention of breeding from her at the time.

“Of the three mares who I raced and later bred from – Heart and Debutante Days were the other two – she was the poor relation, yet the most successful in the breeding shed, which just shows that you cannot always tell in this business!

“I sold Tarablaze’s half-brother by Karinga Bay for €15,000 at Tattersalls Ireland last year, and have her Luso filly and Definite Article gelding to sell.

“Princess Hotpot is 21 and had actually been retired after visiting Definite Article, but Henrietta Knight persuaded me to bring her back.

She is now in foal to Kayf Tara again.”

Brasher’s decision to send Princess Hotpot to Kayf Tara in 2002, when he was then just another new sire on the block, is now proving inspired.

Undoubtedly the hottest National Hunt sire in Britain, his progeny are now excelling on the track and making large sums at auction.

“As soon as I saw Kayf Tara, that was it,” recalled Brasher. “He had amazing looks and presence, was top notch on the track and with a fine pedigree to match. He just had it all. I also thought he was amazing value.”

“Picking the right stallions for my mares is something I really enjoy and part of the whole fascination with breeding.”

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Arthroscopy is the most common example of keyhole surgery on horses and is usually carried out under general anaesthetic

A key part of surgery Keyhole surgery is a growing part of equine treatment, such as for the removal of bone chips. It can be performed in less than an hour and greatly reduces the risk of complications Words: James Tate BVMS MRCVS eyhole surgery’ refers to surgery that is carried out through a short incision using small instruments. In horses, by far the most common and important example of keyhole surgery is arthroscopy, which is the examination of the interior of a joint with an arthroscope.

Arthroscopy has revolutionised both the diagnosis and treatment of common equine joint conditions, and equine veterinary surgeons have become so proficient at this

‘K

operation that it is now a routine procedure.

Arthroscopy has been performed on horses for the last 30 years and in that time the techniques and equipment have advanced rapidly.

To enable maximum visibility of the joint it is inflated with sterile saline using a motorized pump and then a small rigid endoscope called an arthroscope is inserted into the joint. A powerful light is projected down a channel in the arthroscope, giving the surgeon an excellent view inside the joint.

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An x-ray revealing a knee chip which was removed via keyhole surgery

Another tiny incision is then made elsewhere in the joint, through which instruments are inserted to perform surgery.

There are specially designed instruments that ‘grab’ loose fragments and motorised instruments that can remove areas of damaged cartilage, soft tissue or bone.

The intricate surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthesia whilst the specialist surgeon watches on a large monitor to guide the procedure. On

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completion of the surgery, repeat xrays may be taken to check that the surgery has achieved its aim (for example, the removal of bone chips) and the joint is flushed out with sterile saline. This is a sterile solution similar in electrolyte balance to that of equine tissue fluid and this small procedure can be very beneficial as an antiinflammatory therapy. The tiny incisions are then stitched and it is often hard to tell a horse has had surgery once the wounds have healed.

All keyhole surgeries require at least four well-trained people – a specialist surgeon to perform the surgery, a veterinary nurse to assist the surgeon, a theatre technician to man the equipment and an equine anaesthetist to monitor the horse during the operation. The time taken to perform such an operation obviously varies significantly with individual procedures.

For example, the removal of a small chip from a fetlock joint with no other abnormalities in the joint can be very fast, whereas the fixation of a large displaced condylar fracture by the insertion of four screws and guiding the surgery via arthroscopy of the fetlock joint would take significantly longer.

Generally, most arthroscopies take less than one hour, which greatly reduces surgery-related complication rates.

There are many different types of joint problems that can be treated by arthroscopy. Yearlings heading for the major sales often undergo keyhole surgery to remove chip fractures so that their x-rays look good to potential buyers. Horses with persistent lameness problems that can be localised to particular joints are also good candidates for surgery. These uses combined with the treatment of infected joints and the use of arthroscopy as an aid during fracture fixation has made this keyhole surgery a routine occurrence. It is the most common orthopaedic procedure carried out at the world-renowned Newmarket Equine Hospital.

Ultrasounds

Once a problem has been localised to a specific joint, x-rays and possibly ultrasound scans are used to try to image the exact problem.

Often, rest or intra-articular medication may be tried first to attempt to deal with the problem.

However, if the problem is nonresponsive to treatment or if the problem is considered to be best treated with keyhole surgery in the first instance, then arthroscopy is performed. X-rays are only very good at revealing bony changes and given that ultrasound scans can only examine limited areas of joints, arthroscopy gives so much more information. It allows the evaluation of the non-bony tissues of the joint, i.e. the cartilage, joint capsule, intra-articular ligaments and menisci, all of which are either difficult or impossible to assess by any other means.

Excellent

As a result, arthroscopy has become an excellent procedure for both the diagnosis of joint problems and the treatment of joint damage, for example, the removal of damaged cartilage, the removal of chip fractures and the removal of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) fragments in young horses. The advent of arthroscopy has also greatly aided fixation of fractures that involve joints, such as ‘condylar’ lower cannon bone fractures. Such fractures have been repaired using screws for some time but arthroscopy allows the assessment of the joint via tiny incisions at the time of repair to ensure the fractured pieces of bone are put together perfectly and the resultant joint surface is absolutely level. Any irregularity in joint surface can cause future lameness problems. Everything must be done to avoid this.

Keyhole surgery has revolutionised veterinary medicine, as it has so many advantages compared to open surgery. First,

X-rays and arthroscopic images of a horse who has had a ‘condylar’ fracture in his fetlock joint repaired using screws inserted under arthroscopic guidance. Note the smooth joint surface after fracture repair (bottom right)

“Arthroscopy offers more information than x-rays, which are only very good for bony changes, and ultrasounds, which examine limited areas of joints”

the cosmetic appearance of the joint is excellent – something that is crucial when removing chips from yearlings. Second, horses recover so much faster from keyhole surgery because the tiny wounds heal so quickly. Finally – and perhaps most importantly – there are fewer complications with keyhole surgery, for example, infection rates are much lower due to the tiny incisions and vastly reduced surgery times. As a result, survival rates are excellent.

At this point, the reader could be forgiven for thinking that arthroscopy has no disadvantages, but this is not the case. It requires a general anaesthetic, it is an invasive procedure, it requires specialist equipment, and an experienced surgeon, while some low-motion joints that are commonly affected by osteoarthritis, for example, the lower hock joints, cannot be entered arthroscopically.

However, the disadvantages are not just practical and some relate to the decision on whether to carry out arthroscopy.

After the introduction of routine x-rays at the select yearling sales, purchasers began to reject horses who had OCD fragments unless

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 83

Classified Apr 09:Classified Apr 09

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have you heard the good news?

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VETS FORUM

On the left is a horse with a ‘chronic’ long-term upper knee joint issue, which has not stopped it from staying sound and winning races every season in its career so far.

On the right is a horse who was retired after four knee surgeries failed to make it sound enough to stand racing

keyhole surgery had been performed to remove them. This resulted in huge amounts of young horses having arthroscopy when it was not always necessary.

The American Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association became so concerned about this that in 2006 they produced a publication entitled ‘Vet Work Plain and Simple – OCDs in Sale Horses’. The publication states that “even though an OCD may have no effect on a horse’s ability to train or perform, its very existence can be a mark against the horse when seen on radiographs at auction”, before going on to explain that typically most OCDs go away with time and horses like Xtra Heat and Unbridled’s Song became champions despite having OCDs at the yearling sales.

Publications like this are helping to change attitudes but many are still guilty of performing too many keyhole surgeries on young horses.

When to operate?

Another debate with regard to arthroscopy is when to perform such a surgery on an older horse with a joint problem. In 2000, Colón et al. reported on the results of 461 horses that had surgery to remove chips from the front of the fetlock joint. Pleasingly, 89% raced after surgery and 82% did so at the same or a higher level. However, firstly it must be questioned how many of these could have raced successfully without removal of the

chips and, second, it must be pointed out that for whatever reason 50 of these horses never raced after surgery. Whilst it is hard to suggest that much harm can be done by removing a loose chip, the debate starts at the ‘repair’ of the site from which the chip originated – the removal of the ‘poor quality’ cartilage and the bone underneath.

The theory is that by removing degenerate tissue, new, healthy tissue will grow back in its place, but this is not always the case.

Whether it is due to the initial problem, or surgical intervention, sometimes the bone and cartilage in the surgical location does not grow back to what it should be, but keeps on growing. The result is a large bony prominence where the surgery was carried out that causes a greater problem than there was originally. There are examples of horses to support both sides of the argument – horses who are successful after surgery and horses with joint changes who did not have surgery and who continue to perform at the highest level year after year. The decision on whether to operate is not a straightforward one and each individual case must be considered on its merits.

Keyhole surgery in horses is not just limited to joints. The arthroscopic equipment is also excellent for the treatment of any ‘synovial’ structure, for example, tendon sheaths or bursas.

Laparoscopy is an improving area of equine keyhole surgery, with

“Vets must educate their clients to prevent one of the greatest scientific advances of our time from becoming over-used” perhaps its most common use being for the removal of retained abdominal testicles in a cryptorchid or ‘rig’. However, it also has many other uses, for example hernia repair, biopsy of abdominal organs, removal of ovaries or ovarian tumours, treatment of adhesions, and the repair of a ruptured bladder most commonly seen in foals.

In summary, keyhole surgery has revolutionised veterinary medicine particularly with regard to arthroscopy. Before its introduction there was hardly a veterinary surgeon in the world who would contemplate removing a chip from the joint of a horse and have it racing the same season or going to a major yearling sale the same year.

However, veterinary surgeons have become so proficient at this procedure that it may be starting to be over-used, particularly in yearlings that are primarily being operated on to ensure they fulfil economic potential at the sales.

Veterinary surgeons must continue to educate their clients and prevent equine keyhole surgery becoming an over-used procedure, and thereby maintain its status as one of the greatest scientific advances of our time.

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ANDEW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD Unbridled’s Song ended 2008 in second place in the two-year-old sires category

Grade 1 successes of Unbridled Elaine (Breeders’ Cup Distaff), Songandaprayer (Fountain of Youth Stakes) and Buddha (Florida Derby). However, it is fair to assume that his 2005 book of mares was his best up to that date, as it followed his first top-12 finish in 2004 and a terrific time with his 2004 yearlings. These had averaged more than $370,000, with help from youngsters which made $2,800,000, $1,250,000 and $1,150,000.

Those successes of 2004 have now translated into even more success for the Taylor Made stallion, thanks to his foals of 2006. Unbridled’s Song ended 2008 in second place among America’s sires of two-year-olds, behind the sensational first-crop sire Tapit (incidentally making it two grey stallions in the top two places). Unbridled’s Song owed his position to Midshipman, who won two Grade 1s to earn top weight on the Experimental Free Handicap, and Old Fashioned, an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes who received an Experimental weight of 121, just 5lb below Midshipman.

Songsational!

Unbridled’s Song has gone from strength to strength since his breakthrough 2004 season nyone looking for proof that success breeds success need look no further than the American stallion Unbridled’s Song.

Although the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby has been a success from the time his first crop reached the track in 2000, it was the 2004 season which truly highlighted Unbridled’s Song’s potential. That was the year he notched up the impressive total of eight Graded winners, made up of a Grade 1 winner (Splendid Blended), four Grade 2 winners (Domestic Dispute, Even The Score, Last Song and Rockport Harbor) and three Grade 3 winners (Forest Music, Rare Gift and Seducer’s Song).

Only two American stallions achieved a higher total and they were the major league stallions Storm Cat and A P Indy, whose fees had long been in six figures. Unbridled’s Song’s fee, on the other hand, had been no higher than $40,000 in his first five seasons and his eight Graded winners in 2004 all came from those first five crops.

Unbridled’s Song, too, had become a member of the exclusive band of stallions standing at fees of $100,000 or more in 2003, thanks to the

A

86 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Midshipman was injured while wintering in the UAE but Old Fashioned took another step along the Kentucky Derby trail in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in February.

Improving his record to four wins from four starts, the $800,000 yearling came home more than three lengths clear, with another Unbridled’s Song colt, Silver City, in second.

There has also been a lot of media attention directed at Dunkirk and Zensational, two other Unbridled’s Song colts.

Dunkirk, a $3,700,000 yearling purchase by the Coolmore partners, made a solid impression when he won by nearly six lengths on his debut at Gulfstream Park on January 24 and he added to his reputation when he overcame some difficulties to win a nine-furlong allowance nearly four weeks later.

All eyes were on Zensational, following some very impressive work, when the $700,000 juvenile reappeared in a Santa Anita maiden race on February 21. He obliged by nearly four lengths and was promptly described as “the real deal” and “freaky fast” by Sobhy Sonbol, manager for the powerful Zayat Stables.

Sonbol had some interesting things to say about the Zayat colt, who had been transferred to California following a disappointing debut at Saratoga in the summer of 2008.

“It seems that the Unbridled’s Songs have been doing better out there on the synthetic surfaces,” Sonbol told Thoroughbred Daily News.

“They are fragile animals and you have to be very careful with them.”

No doubt the Taylor Made team would take issue with that suggestion of fragility, as Unbridled’s Song’s team of eight 2008 Graded stakes winners included two four-year-olds and

PHOTOS: HORSEPHOTOS.COM/GEORGE SELWYN

Media attention

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CAULFIELD FILES

three five-year-olds, in addition to two juveniles and a three-year-old. The fact remains, though, that, at 17 hands, Unbridled’s Song is a very big horse (especially by European standards).

Unbridled’s Song was bred to be big, as his sire Unbridled, grandsire Fappiano and broodmare sire Caro were all advertised as standing 16.3 hands. Unbridled often did well with mares by big stallions, encouraging the belief that he was a stallion who was suited by breeding like to like, and it is interesting that the very promising Old Fashioned is out of a mare by the 17-hands Meadowlake.

Unbridled’s Song did all his racing on traditional dirt. However, he is siring top winners on all surfaces in the States, including the Grade 1 turf winners Thorn Song and Magnificent Song, and the first three generations of his pedigree include the top French horses Le Fabuleux and Caro. This suggests that some of his progeny should suit Europe, but he had only four runners in Britain and Ireland in 2008, and three in 2007.

Now, with his reputation so firmly established in North America, chances are this situation is not going to change much. For example, the Wertheimer brothers, who maintain a sizeable stable in France, opted to keep their homebred three-year-old Affirmatif in the States with Todd Pletcher, even though Affirmatif’s future is likely to be on turf. The very promising colt justified the decision with a nine-length debut victory in fast time on turf at the end of February.

It traces to 2004

Affirmatif promises to be another example of how Unbridled’s Song’s success in 2004 has converted into even greater success four and five years later. Breeders and buyers would be well advised to remember that this is a fairly common phenomenon.

The fact that Unbridled’s Song initially made his name at fees of $30,000 and $40,000 also acts as a valuable reminder to take into account the type of fee a stallion commanded when he first drew attention to himself. Stallions like Pivotal, Cape Cross and Dansili have all earned promotion to the premier league from comparatively modest beginnings, and it is always tempting to judge these high flyers as high-priced stallions, even before their highpriced progeny reach the track. Cape Cross’s first €50,000 foals are three-year-olds in 2009, which will finally allow him to be assessed fairly, but Dansili’s first higher-priced crop won’t race until 2010, with all his 2009 representatives sired at fees no higher than £12,500.

It is also worth remembering that, just as success breeds success, a disappointing year can also translate into another disappointing spell four or five years later, because a substandard year in today’s ultra-competitive market inevitably results in either a smaller book or a book of lesser quality.

French lessons As of March 1, 17 of the top 23 jumpers in Britain were French-bred – so will the trend be heeded?

One remarkable aspect of the Racing Post’s list of leading jumpers for the 2008/9 season is the near total dominance at the top level of animals bearing the ‘FR’ suffix. Of the 23 jumpers rated 166 or higher on March 1, as many as 17 were bred in France, another was conceived in France and yet another is by a winner of the French Champion Hurdle.

So what lessons can be learnt in the battle to redress the balance? Although I have pointed it out on a couple of previous occasions, I am working on the basis that the slow drip of information will eventually wear down the resistance of British and Irish breeders to using stallions which were themselves successful jumpers. The stallions responsible for those 23 highest-rated jumpers include seven prolific winners over jumps.

The youngest of these stallions is the 15-year-old Indian River, whose son Madison du Berlais earned a rating of 177 for his impressive victory over Denman and Albertas Run in the Grade 2 Levy Board Chase.

Indian River raced exclusively over jumps, winning three hurdle races and three steeplechases over distances

ranging from two miles to just under three miles. His finest victory came in the Prix du President de la Republique, a Grade 3 chase at Auteuil as a five-yearold. Adding to his appeal was the fact that he is a son of Cadoudal, a stallion who dominated French jump breeding in much the same way that Deep Run once dominated the Anglo-Irish scene.

Cadoudal never raced over jumps but he is currently being very ably represented by Paul Nicholls’s Big Buck’s. His other notable jumping offspring include the French stars Kotkijet and Kadalko (himself sire of the very smart Irish chaser Notre Pere), plus such as Fadalko and Lacdoudal.

Saint des Saints, another of Cadoudal’s smart jumping sons, figured among France’s top ten jumping stallions in 2008, even though his eldest progeny were only four years old. Second place on that leading sires’ list went to Robin des Champs, another comparative youngster who won the first four of his five starts over hurdles.

Robin des Champs has now been acquired by Liam Cashman to stand at his Glenview Stud, so it looks as though at least one leading Irish stud master is taking heed of current trends.

Madison du Berlais did sire Indian River a good turn when beating Denman at Kempton

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DATA BOOK NEW! LISTINGS OF EVERY SINGLE WORLDWIDE STAKES WINNER

Speed is of the essence In advance of the European Flat season, the start of of a monthly series of tables that show all worldwide stakes results and the breeding of the winner Words: Jeremy Early ith the Flat season upon us, this seems a good opportunity to outline to new readers what they will find in the Data Book section.

For every Group race that takes place in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy, we will carry the full result, featuring the sire, dam, broodmare sire of the first three home, along with their owners, breeders, and trainer.

For each winner, we will publish their race record, sire record, broodmare sire record, and full breeding record of every foal its dam has produced, as well as a detailed summary of the second dam.

Added to that, we analyse previous successful crosses that the sire/broodmare sire combination has produced and there is, of course, a five-generation pedigree for each winner. For all Group 1 races there is the added bonus of expert pedigree commentary from Andrew Caulfield.

We very much hope you enjoy the European results section, from the next issue onwards.

W

Dubai Carnival

Moving on to the global results, the Dubai Carnival provided the Maktoum family with plenty of success, since they own eight of the 14 Pattern winners at Nad Al Sheba either outright or in partnership.

And in Australia, where Sheikh Mohammed owns more horses than anyone else, victories came thick and fast in Group 2 and Group 3 events for his fillies and mares, namely Colour, Neroli, Portillo and Romneya. The colt Fravashi also won.

Two of the Maktoums’ Dubai

group, Asiatic Boy and My Indy, are Argentine-bred and the danger of underestimating horses from South America was also confirmed by the victory of Brazilian-bred Einstein in America’s Santa Anita Handicap on March 7. Magnum from Argentina and Matto Mondo from Chile also won Graded events Stateside.

In South America the emphasis in stakes races is on speed rather than stamina. Of the 46 stakes in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru listed here, only two were over 12 furlongs or more. Indeed, just 16 of the 252 stakes races run up to March 9 were over 12 furlongs, and only 51 were over ten furlongs or more.

That said, four of the successful sires in this table are by, or trace to, stamina influence Sadler’s Wells. Of those, Dewhurst Stakes dead-heater Scenic, suited by ten furlongs later in his career, leads the way among all sires with three Group 1 strikes.

Australasia

At Flemington in Australia, Scenic Blast landed the Lightning Stakes over five furlongs and Newmarket Handicap over six furlongs, before Coniston Bluebird was on target for Scenic in the New Zealand Derby at a mile and a half.

Another middle-distance specialist, King George winner Pentire, is responsible for Mufhasa, successful at the top level in New Zealand over six furlongs in January and seven furlongs in February. Pentire has also sired a Group 1 six-furlong scorer in 2005 and a winner of the two-mile Auckland Cup. Pentire is based at Rich Hill Stud in New Zealand at NZ$22,500 (£8,455), to which Sir Percy will be

88 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

shuttling this year from Lanwades for NZ$15,000 (£5,600). Sir Percy traces to Mill Reef but Pentire – like most Group 1 sires in Australia and New Zealand in the table – goes back to Northern Dancer.

Four of the eight Group 1 winners in Australia and five of the seven in New Zealand are by Northern Dancer-line sires; in South Africa the tally is four out of five.

South America

Yet in South America only one of the seven Group 1 sires, Lucky Roberto in Argentina, traces to Northern Dancer, and in the States the figure is also one from seven with Tale Of The Cat. In contrast, descendants of Mr Prospector, who managed just two Group 1 strikes in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, have a tally of six in the Americas, including former champions Apprentice (by Gulch) in Peru and Stuka (by Jade Hunter) in Chile.

Stuka, based at Haras Don Alberto near Santiago, is of interest since he sired winners of two legs of the latest Chilean Triple Crown, including Amor de Propre (Premio El Derby), whose grandsire, Stagecraft, is at the same stud and will be familiar to readers in Europe.

Compared with Mr Prospector, Seattle Slew, great-grandsire of Tapit, whose score is two Grade 1s via smashing three-year-old filly Stardom Bound, has not had a huge impact in South America, despite getting two champion sires in Venezuela. Not that he has made a massive mark via sires in the rest of the southern hemisphere or Europe either, not helped in that regard by the fact that a number of his top offspring died young.

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DATA BOOK

Global Stakes Results – 2009 Argentina Date 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 05/03 01/03 21/02 20/02 14/02 14/02 13/02 07/02 03/02 01/02 31/01 24/01 21/01 18/01 17/01 16/01 10/01 02/01

Grade G1 G1 G2 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G1 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Race Gran Premio Santiago Luro Gran Premio Saturnino J Unzue Clasico Otono Clasico Arturo R y Arturo Bullrich Clasico Agustin B Gambier Clasico Derli A Gomez C. Miguel Angel y Tomas Juarez Celman Clasico General Viamonte Clasico Guillermo Kemmis Clasico Carlos Casares Clasico Horacio Bustillo G. P. Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz Clasico Luis Maria Doyhenard Clasico Fortunato Damiani Clasico Juan Shaw Clasico Irlanda Clasico Congreve Clasico Latinoamerica Clasico Buenos Aires Clasico Las Heras Clasico Gay Hermit Clasico Apertura-Copa

Dist 6.0f 6.0f 10.0f 10.0f 6.0f 6.0f 8.0f 5.0f 5.0f 5.0f 8.0f 10.0f 5.0f 5.0f 11.0f 5.0f 5.0f 8.0f 8.0f 7.0f 5.0f 10.0f

Horse Don Ladino (ARG) Peristaltica (ARG) Inter Optimist (ARG) Ollagua (ARG) Lord Gem (ARG) Xassari (ARG) Cagnotte (ARG) Pryka (ARG) Allez Zizou (ARG) Poty Kuru (ARG) Rupit (ARG) Body Soguero (ARG) Cafrune (ARG) Rancante (ARG) Ollagua (ARG) Que Vida Buena (ARG) Mr Equal (ARG) Mithrandir (ARG) El Garufa (ARG) Fonda Alegre (ARG) Que Vida Buena (ARG) Carioca da Gema (ARG)

Age 3 3 5 4 3 3 4 6 3 3 6 5 3 3 4 4 3 4 7 4 4 5

Sex C F H F C F F M C F H H C F F C C C H F C M

Sire Lucky Roberto (USA) Interprete (ARG) Incurable Optimist (USA) Pure Prize (USA) El Sembrador (ARG) Interprete (ARG) Sunray Spirit (USA) Southern Halo (USA) Editor’s Note (USA) Pure Prize (USA) Lucky Roberto (USA) Body Glove (ARG) Colonial Affair (USA) Shuttle Diplomacy (USA) Pure Prize (USA) Bernstein (USA) Numerous (USA) Luhuk (USA) Luhuk (USA) Thunder Gulch (USA) Bernstein (USA) Pure Prize (USA)

Dam Dona Polaca (ARG) Pediform (USA) Es Interprete (ARG) Open Secrets (USA) Lady Gem (ARG) Sugar Girl (USA) Compagne (ARG) Gold Rule (USA) Refreshing Ballet (USA) Florida Light (USA) Avinca (ARG) Visee de Femme (ARG) Ipacarai (ARG) Rain Magic (ARG) Open Secrets (USA) Queen Tango (ARG) Equaliza (ARG) Glorieta (ARG) La Camorrera (ARG) Ghost Princess (USA) Queen Tango (ARG) Carlinha (ARG)

Broodmare Sire Candy Stripes (USA) Go For Gin (USA) Interprete (ARG) West By West (USA) Gem Master (USA) Personal Flag (USA) Payant (ARG) Forty Niner (USA) Moscow Ballet (USA) Fluorescent Light (USA) Cipayo (ARG) Purple Mountain (USA) Interprete (ARG) All of Me West By West (USA) Lode (USA) Equalize (USA) Mutakddim (USA) Rainbow Corner (GB) Silver Ghost (USA) Lode (USA) Lode (USA)

G2 G2 G3 G1 G1 G1 G1 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G1 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G1 G1 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G1 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G1 G3 G3 G3 G2 G1 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G3

Yallambee Classic Skycity Adelaide Cup Patricks/Dunes R N Irwin Stakes Cadbury Australian Guineas Darley Australian Cup Crown Newmarket Handicap Patinack Chipping Norton Stakes PDF Food Service Kewney Stakes Surround Stakes Volunteers Sires’ Produce Stakes Liverpool City Cup TBV Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes Schweppervescence Francis Tresady Trophy Kindergarten Stakes Rokk Ebony Futurity Stakes Franklins Supermarkets Silver Slipper Hobartville Stakes Yalumba 160 Autumn Classic Marsh Breeders’ Stakes Toohey’s New Lord Reims Stakes De Bortoli Wines Millie Fox Stakes AAMI Launceston Cup Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate D’Urban Autumn Stakes BMS Angus Armanasco Stakes Pure Blond St George Stakes Winning Edge Presentations Apollo Stakes R M Williams Champion Fillies Stakes TBV Mannerism Stakes Luxury Preferred TS Carlyon Cup Pulse Pharmacy Australia Stakes Breeders’ Classic Top Cut Alister Clark Stakes Light Fingers Stakes Sportingbet Moonee Valley Classic Arrow Training Services Sunline Stakes MGrath Royal Sovereign Stakes Southern Cross Frederick Clissold Stakes AAMI Hobart Cup Sportingbet C F Orr Stakes Hyderabad Race Club G Belmaine Stakes Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Prelude(cg) Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Prelude (f) Expressway Stakes Coolmore Lightning Stakes Cadbury Tasmanian Derby C S Hayes Debonair Stakes The Mittys Vanity Essendon Mazda Carlyon Stakes Rubiton Stakes BMW Perth Cup Standish Handicap

6.0f 16.0f 5.5f 8.0f 10.0f 6.0f 8.0f 8.0f 7.0f 7.0f 6.5f 6.0f 7.0f 5.5f 8.0f 5.5f 7.0f 9.0f 6.0f 13.0f 6.5f 12.0f 6.0f 5.5f 7.0f 8.0f 9.0f 7.0f 8.0f 7.0f 7.0f 6.0f 6.0f 8.0f 6.0f 7.5f 8.0f 6.0f 6.0f 11.0f 7.0f 6.0f 5.5f 5.5f 6.0f 5.0f 11.0f 7.0f 7.0f 6.0f 5.5f 12.0f 6.0f

Champagne Harmony (AUS) Zavite (NZ) Diplomatic Force (AUS) Heart of Dreams (AUS) Niconero (AUS) Scenic Blast (AUS) Tuesday Joy (NZ) Gallica (AUS) Portillo (AUS) Rostova (AUS) Judged (AUS) My Emotion (NZ) Typhoon Tracy (AUS) Wanted (AUS) Niconero (AUS) Melito (AUS) Mic Mac (AUS) Stokehouse (AUS) Colour (AUS) Miss Pavlova (AUS) Neroli (AUS) Zavite (NZ) Reward For Effort (AUS) Swiss Ace (AUS) Fravashi (AUS) Gold Water (AUS) Theseo (AUS) Tuesday Joy (NZ) Danebeela (AUS) Symphony Miss (AUS) Time Matters (AUS) Apache Cat (AUS) Hot Danish (AUS) Pre Eminence (AUS) Rock Me Baby (AUS) Romneya (AUS) Subtle Cove (AUS) Youthful Jack (AUS) Marchinski (AUS) Gotta Keep Cool (AUS) Maldivian (NZ) Annesong (AUS) Real Saga (AUS) Rostova (AUS) Burdekin Blues (AUS) Scenic Blast (AUS) Betwixt (NZ) Fair Trade (AUS) Romneya (AUS) Lucky Secret (AUS) Mind Your Head (AUS) Guy No (NZ) King Hoaks (AUS)

4 7 5 4 8 5 6 4 4 3 6 3 4 3 8 3 4 4 3 5 6 7 3 5 4 4 6 6 4 5 7 7 6 4 4 4 5 4 4 6 7 7 3 3 5 5 4 4 4 6 7 6 6

F H G G G H M F F F M F F C G F G G F M M H C H C F G M F M G G M C F F M G G G G M C F G H F G F G G G G

Choisir (AUS) Zabeel (NZ) Oamaru Force (AUS) Show A Heart (AUS) Danzero (AUS) Scenic Carnegie (IRE) Redoute’s Choice (AUS) Red Ransom (USA) Testa Rossa (AUS) High Yield (USA) Savabeel (AUS) Red Ransom (USA) Fastnet Rock (AUS) Danzero (AUS) Redoute’s Choice (AUS) Statue of Liberty (USA) Anabaa (USA) More Than Ready (USA) Blevic (AUS) Viscount (AUS) Zabeel (NZ) Exceed And Excel (AUS) Secret Savings (USA) Falbrav (IRE) Choisir (AUS) Danewin (AUS) Carnegie (IRE) Danetime (IRE) Distant Music (USA) Gilded Time (USA) Lion Cavern (USA) Nothin’ Leica Dane (AUS) Encosta de Lago (AUS) Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) Red Ransom (USA) Mull of Kintyre (USA) Youthful Legs (USA) Magic Albert (AUS) Racer’s Edge (AUS) Zabeel (NZ) Rubiton (AUS) Tale of The Cat (USA) Testa Rossa (AUS) Sequalo (AUS) Scenic O’Reilly (NZ) Danewin (AUS) Red Ransom (USA) Rubiton (AUS) Mujahid (USA) O’Reilly (NZ) King Charlemagne (USA)

Hansuyen (NZ) Miss Vita (USA) Talk It Over (AUS) Academy Of Dreams (AUS) Nicola Lass (AUS) Daughter’s Charm (AUS) Joie Denise (AUS) Swing Queen (USA) Snowdrift (FR) Space Talk (AUS) Adjourn (AUS) Midnight Rock (AUS) Tracy’s Element (AUS) Fragmentation (AUS) Nicola Lass (AUS) Cloister (AUS) Amandine (AUS) Malapert (AUS) Regrowth (AUS) Sugarplum Fairy (AUS) Dalquarren (AUS) Miss Vita (USA) Miss Prospect (AUS) Rapid Serve (USA) Angelic Smile (AUS) Float (USA) Ozone Sand (USA) Joie Denise (AUS) Tenbeela (AUS) Regencia (AUS) Maat (AUS) Tennessee Blaze (AUS) Hot ‘n’ Breezy (AUS) Lady Silver Hawk (USA) Highest Cool (FR) Mannington (AUS) Subtle Miss (AUS) Formative (AUS) Elishir (AUS) Cellar Dweller (AUS) Shynzi (USA) Taymah (AUS) Windy Kate (AUS) Space Talk (AUS) Winsome Blue (AUS) Daughter’s Charm (AUS) Not Sure (NZ) Villa Igea (AUS) Mannington (AUS) Won’t Tell (AUS) Nefertari (NZ) River Century (NZ) My Nancy (AUS)

Zabeel (NZ) Alleged (USA) Umatilla (NZ) Royal Academy (USA) Scenic Delgado (USA) Danehill (USA) Kingmambo (USA) Polish Precedent (USA) Anabaa (USA) Waajib Rory’s Jester (AUS) Last Tycoon Snippets (AUS) Scenic Marauding (NZ) Tertian (USA) Encosta de Lago (AUS) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Western Symphony (USA) Canny Lad (AUS) Alleged (USA) Rory’s Jester (AUS) Carson City (USA) Dehere (USA) Devil’s Bag (USA) L’Enjoleur (CAN) Danehill (USA) Tenby (GB) New Regent (CAN) Sarab Whiskey Road (USA) Zephyr Zip (NZ) Silver Hawk (USA) Highest Honor (FR) Danehill (USA) Nadeed (USA) White Bridle (USA) Spectacular Spy (USA) Luskin Star (AUS) Danzig (USA) Military Plume (NZ) Air Express (IRE) Anabaa (USA) Blue Run (AUS) Delgado (USA) Masterclass (USA) Papal Power (USA) Danehill (USA) Rory’s Jester (AUS) Clay Hero (AUS) Centaine (AUS) Noalcoholic (FR)

G2 G2 G1 G1 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3

Grande Premio Presidente Guilherme Ellis Grande Premio Piratininga Grande Premio Estado de Rio de Janeiro G. P. Henrique Possolo (1000 Guineas) C. Presidente Augusto Souza Queiroz Grande Premio Copa Velocidade ABCPCC Grande Premio Hernani Azevedo Silva GP.Presidente Joao Carlos Leite Penteado G. P. Linneo Eduardo de Paula Machado Grande Premio Jose Buarque de Macedo Grande Premio Roger Guedon Grande Premio 25 de Janeiro Grande Premio Presidente do Jockey Club G.P. Prefeitura Cidade do Rio de Janeiro

7.0f 11.0f 8.0f 8.0f 6.0f 6.0f 8.0f 6.0f 10.0f 8.0f 8.0f 10.0f 8.0f 9.5f

Questing New (BRZ) Mr Nedawi (BRZ) Engaging (BRZ) Smile Jenny (BRZ) Jardim (BRZ) Senhor Temido (BRZ) Mary Re (BRZ) Mrs Boss (BRZ) Quadriball (BRZ) Ausone (BRZ) Qualidade Indy (BRZ) Notavel Surena (BRZ) Girua (BRZ) Portobelo (BRZ)

3 5 4 4 3 3 5 3 4 4 4 4 5 6

F H C F C C M F C C F F H H

Romarin (BRZ) Nedawi (GB) Arambare (BRZ) Wild Event (USA) Ski Champ (USA) Spring Halo (ARG) Ghadeer (FR) Wild Event (USA) P T Indy (USA) First American (USA) P T Indy (USA) Redattore (BRZ) Bonapartiste (FR) Public Purse (USA)

Loving New (BRZ) Cryptic Crucial (USA) Great Radiance (BRZ) Jenny Jacquet (BRZ) Copacabana Beach (BRZ) Darter (BRZ) Itaquere Mint (BRZ) Lychee (BRZ) Cryptocrystalline (USA) Ipanema Band (USA) Enable To Loose (BRZ) Estrela Surena (BRZ) Ellefrance (BRZ) Echoes Of Honor (BRZ)

Choctaw Ridge (USA) Cryptoclearance (USA) Midnight Tiger (USA) Roy (USA) Midnight Tiger (USA) Afleet (CAN) Clackson (BRZ) De Quest (GB) Cryptoclearance (USA) Lord Avie (USA) White Clover (CAN) Music Prospector (USA) Fast Gold (USA) Fit To Fight (USA)

Australia 09/03 09/03 09/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 25/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 21/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 09/02 08/02 08/02 08/02 08/02 07/02 31/01 31/01 31/01 31/01 23/01 10/01 01/01 01/01

Brazil 08/03 07/03 01/03 28/02 28/02 26/02 21/02 21/02 07/02 01/02 31/01 25/01 25/01 20/01

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 89

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DATA BOOK NEW! LISTINGS OF EVERY SINGLE WORLDWIDE STAKES WINNER Global Stakes Results – 2009 Chile Date 07/03 04/03 02/02 01/02 09/01

Grade G3 G3 G2 G1 G2

Race Premio Seleccion de Potrancas Premio Thompson Matthews Premio Verano - Arturo Cousino Luisino Premio El Derby Premio Copa Jackson

Dist 6.0f 8.0f 10.0f 12.0f 9.5f

Horse Chica Angelita (CHI) Edgy Night (CHI) Last Impact (CHI) Amor de Pobre (CHI) Indy Boy (CHI)

Age 3 4 7 4 4

Sex F C H G C

Sire Tumblebrutus (USA) Edgy Diplomat (USA) Stuka (USA) Stuka (USA) Indy Vidual (USA)

Dam Valuable (CHI) Noche de Paz (CHI) Angel de Furia (CHI) Angel de Furia (CHI) Gee Baby (ARG)

Broodmare Sire Hussonet (USA) Nureyev Dancer (USA) Stagecraft Stagecraft Ringaro (USA)

G3 G2 G3 G3 G1 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Yukan Fuji Sho Ocean Stakes Nakayama Kinen Hankyu Hai Arlington Cup February Stakes Kyoto Kinen Daily Hai Queen Cup Diamond Stakes Kisaragi Sho Kyodo News Service Hai Stakes Silk Road Stakes Kokura Daishoten Kyoto Himba Stakes The Negishi Stakes Tokyo Shimbun Hai American Jockey Club Cup Heian Stakes Nikkei Shinshun Hai Keisei Hai Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen Fairy Stakes Sports Nippon Sho Kyoto Kim Pai Nikkan Sports Sho Nakayama Kim Pai

6.0f 9.0f 7.0f 8.0f 8.0f 11.0f 8.0f 17.0f 9.0f 9.0f 6.0f 9.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.0f 11.0f 9.0f 12.0f 10.0f 8.0f 8.0f 8.0f 10.0f

Urbanity (JPN) Company (JPN) B B Guldan (JPN) Double Wedge (JPN) Success Brocken (JPN) Asakusa Kings (JPN) Dear Geena (JPN) Monte Kris S (JPN) Reach The Crown (JPN) Break Run Out (USA) Urban Street (JPN) Sunrise Max (JPN) Celebrita (JPN) Ferrari Pisa (USA) Absolute (JPN) Never Bouchon (JPN) Wonder Speed (JPN) T M Precure (JPN) Early Robusto (JPN) Antonio Barows (JPN) Germinal (JPN) Tamamo Support (JPN) Admire Fuji (JPN)

5 8 5 3 4 5 3 4 3 3 5 5 4 5 5 6 7 6 3 3 3 6 7

H H H C C H F C C C H H F H H H H M C C F H H

Manhattan Cafe (JPN) Miracle Admire (JPN) Chief Bearhart (CAN) Meiner Love (USA) Symboli Kris S (USA) White Muzzle (GB) Mejiro McQueen (JPN) Symboli Kris S (USA) Special Week (JPN) Smart Strike (CAN) Swept Overboard (USA) Stay Gold (JPN) Black Hawk (GB) Touch Gold (USA) Tanino Gimlet (JPN) Marvelous Sunday (JPN) King Glorious (USA) Paradise Creek (USA) Bubble Gum Fellow (JPN) Manhattan Cafe (JPN) Agnes Tachyon (JPN) Tamamo Cross (JPN) Admire Vega (JPN)

Legacy of Strength (USA) Brilliant Very (JPN) All The Chat (NZ) Fine Dimple (JPN) Success Beauty (JPN) Croupier Star (JPN) Ines Tarquin (JPN) Kei Woman (IRE) Crownpiece (JPN) Queue (USA) Taiki Christie (USA) Green Hill Mac (JPN) Acapulco (JPN) Dolly Talbo (USA) Prime Stage (JPN) Pearl Necklace Wonder Heritage (USA) Feriado (JPN) Quiet Earth (USA) Little Arrow (USA) Ombre Legere (IRE) Answer Me (JPN) Admire Lapis (IRE)

Affirmed (USA) Northern Taste (CAN) Westminster (NZ) Silver Hawk (USA) Sunday Silence (USA) Sunday Silence (USA) Bishop Bob (CAN) Last Tycoon Seattle Slew (USA) French Deputy (USA) Theatrical Dancing Brave (USA) Amber Shadai (JPN) Capote (USA) Sunday Silence (USA) Mill Reef (USA) Pleasant Tap (USA) Stately Don (USA) Mazel Trick (USA) Kingmambo (USA) Double Bed (FR) Jolie’s Halo (USA) Be My Guest (USA)

G1 G1 G1 G1 G3 G3 G2 G1 G2 G3 G3 G1 G1 G2 G3 G3 G1 G2 G3 G1 G2 G3 G3 G1 G2 G2 G2 G3

Ford Diamond Stakes Skycity New Zealand Stakes Stella Artois Auckland Cup Telecom New Zealand Derby Darley King’s Plate First Sovereign Trust Lowland Stakes Robin, Duke of Bedford Breeders’ Stakes First Sovereign Trust Otaki Maori Stakes Telecom Championship Stakes Ford 2yo Taranaki Classic Hooker Pacific Taranaki Cup Whakanui Stud International Stakes Waikato Draught Sprint Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic (f) H S Dyke Waikato Guineas White Robe Lodge Handicap Trusts Charity Foundation Thorndon Mile Century City Developments Wellington Cup Stella Artois Desert Gold Stakes First Sovereign Trust Telegraph Handicap Wakefield Challenge Stakes Trentham Stakes Wellington Stakes Waiwera Mineral Water Railway Handicap Rich Hill Mile New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes Don Ha City of Auckland Cup Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes

6.0f 10.0f 16.0f 12.0f 6.0f 10.5f 6.0f 8.0f 10.5f 6.0f 10.0f 10.0f 7.0f 10.0f 10.0f 8.0f 8.0f 12.0f 8.0f 6.0f 6.0f 10.5f 8.0f 6.0f 8.0f 10.0f 12.0f 6.0f

Kaaptan (NZ) Maco’reilly (NZ) Spin Around (AUS) Coniston Bluebird (AUS) Accardo (NZ) Ekstreme (NZ) Te Akau Rose (NZ) Culminate (NZ) Down The Road (NZ) Seven Schillings (NZ) Vickezzchardonnay (NZ) Maco’reilly (NZ) Mufhasa (NZ) Due Diligence (NZ) Easy Ryder (NZ) Eel Win (NZ) Sir Slick (NZ) Megapins (NZ) Glamorous Girl (NZ) Mufhasa (NZ) King’s Ransom (NZ) Court Ruler (NZ) Shanzero (AUS) Jacowils (NZ) Culminate (NZ) Puttanesca (NZ) Six O’Clock News (NZ) Katie Lee (AUS)

3 6 9 4 7 4 3 6 4 3 5 6 5 4 4 5 8 6 4 5 3 4 4 7 6 4 5 3

C G G C G F F M G F M G H F G G G M F H G C F G M F H F

Kaapstad (NZ) O’Reilly (NZ) Spinning World (USA) Scenic Elnadim (USA) Ekraar (USA) Thorn Park (AUS) Elnadim (USA) Danroad (AUS) O’Reilly (NZ) Don Eduardo (NZ) O’Reilly (NZ) Pentire (GB) Danasinga (AUS) Brilliance (USA) San Luis (AUS) Volksraad (GB) Pins (AUS) Thorn Park (AUS) Pentire (GB) King’s Chapel (AUS) Viking Ruler (AUS) Danzero (AUS) Diamond Express (NZ) Elnadim (USA) Bertolini (USA) Zabeel (NZ) Pins (AUS)

Fanny Black (NZ) Double Babu (NZ) Be Yourself (USA) Turbo Lady (AUS) Princess Marengo (NZ) Cashcade (NZ) Straussbridge (NZ) Solstice (NZ) Dixies Girl (NZ) Landon (NZ) Our Rosalee (NZ) Double Babu (NZ) Sheila Cheval (NZ) My Amazing Grace (NZ) Ledahead (NZ) Escapade (NZ) Miss Opera (NZ) Instant Divorce (NZ) J’Lo (NZ) Sheila Cheval (NZ) Joan (NZ) Free Court (NZ) Arising (AUS) Patch My Eye (AUS) Solstice (NZ) Tesoro (NZ) Maurine (NZ) Miss Jessie Jay (NZ)

Chem (USA) Centaine (AUS) Noalcoholic (FR) Bellotto (USA) Umatilla (NZ) Anziyan (USA) Straussbrook (AUS) Marceau (AUS) Stark South (USA) Shannon (NZ) Conquistarose (USA) Centaine (AUS) Mi Preferido (USA) Siege Perilous (NZ) Jugalug (NZ) Deputy Governor (USA) Paris Opera (AUS) Fiesta Star (AUS) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Mi Preferido (USA) Colonel Collins (USA) Pompeii Court (USA) Marauding (NZ) Purple Patch (NZ) Marceau (AUS) Prized (USA) Harbor Prince (USA) Spectacularphantom (USA)

G3 G3 G3 G2 G1

Clasico Baldomero Aspillaga Clasico Velocidad Clasico Enrique Meiggs Clasico Ciudad de Lima Gran Premio Nacional-Augusto B Leguia

10.0f 5.0f 10.0f 10.0f 13.0f

Dushanbe (PER) Alado (PER) Morena (PER) Zeide Isaac (USA) Maitena (PER)

6 4 5 4 4

H C M C F

Riyadian (GB) Apprentice (USA) Privately Held (USA) Freud (USA) Apprentice (USA)

Stage Exit (IRE) Singara (PER) Charytin (PER) Winning Agenda (USA) Nieve Perpetua (PER)

In The Wings Magnet Cove (USA) Summing (USA) Twilight Agenda (USA) Devil’s Moon (USA)

Jacaranda Handicap L Jaffee Empress Club Stakes Gauteng Guineas Hawaii Stakes Gauteng Fillies Guineas Chairman’s Cup Riverworld Stud Prix du Cap Tommy Hotspur Handicap Flamboyant Stakes Acacia Handicap Tony Ruffel Stakes Three Troikas Stakes Investec Cape Derby Fancourt Majorca Stakes J & B Met J & B Reserve Stayers Handicap Betting World Cape Flying Championship TBA Paddock Stakes L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Peninsula Handicap Sceptre Stakes

9.0f 8.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.0f 16.0f 7.0f 5.0f 8.0f 8.0f 7.0f 7.0f 10.0f 8.0f 10.0f 14.0f 5.0f 9.0f 8.0f 9.0f 6.0f

Aquitaine (SAF) Dancer’s Daughter (GB) Oracy (NZ) Our Giant (AUS) Zirconeum (SAF) Meteor Shower (IRE) Mother Russia (SAF) Royal Exit (ZIM) Outcome (SAF) Gypsy’s Warning (SAF) Mount Hood (SAF) Sharp Mistress (SAF) Big City Life (SAF) Mother Russia (SAF) Pocket Power (SAF) Mokaro (SAF) Rebel King (SAF) Emblem of Liberty (SAF) Pocket Power (SAF) Ivory Trail (SAF) Lady Windermere (SAF)

5 5 4 6 4 6 4 5 6 4 4 4 4 4 7 6 6 5 7 5 4

M M C G F H F H M F G F C F G G H M G G F

Al Mufti (USA) Act One (GB) Zabeel (NZ) Giant’s Causeway (USA) Jallad (USA) Danehill (USA) Windrush (USA) Kitalpha (USA) Muhtafal (USA) Mogok (USA) Manshood (GB) Tamburlaine (IRE) Casey Tibbs (IRE) Windrush (USA) Jet Master (SAF) Manaloj (USA) National Emblem (SAF) National Emblem (SAF) Jet Master (SAF) Badger’s Drift (SAF) Western Winter (USA)

Requista (SAF) Reason To Dance (GB) Lady Dehere (NZ) Macrosa (NZ) Sweet Sheila (AUS) Teslemi (USA) Russian Muse (SAF) Intriguing (SAF) Culminate (SAF) Gypsy Queen (SAF) Break North (SAF) Sharp Affair (SAF) Dollar Crisis (SAF) Russian Muse (SAF) Stormsvlei (SAF) Matumi (SAF) Cousin Linda (SAF) Dafka (AUS) Stormsvlei (SAF) Hunter’s Glen (SAF) Ballad of Reading (SAF)

Fort Wood (USA) Damister (USA) Dehere (USA) McGinty (NZ) Kenmare (FR) Ogygian (USA) Russian Fox (USA) Northern Guest (USA) Elliodor (FR) Royal Chalice (SAF) Northern Guest (USA) Sharp Romance (USA) Goldmark (SAF) Russian Fox (USA) Prince Florimund (SAF) Fort Wood (USA) Badger Land (USA) Kenmare (FR) Prince Florimund (SAF) Complete Warrior (USA) Averof

Japan 07/03 01/03 01/03 28/02 22/02 21/02 21/02 15/02 15/02 08/02 08/02 07/02 01/02 01/02 31/01 25/01 25/01 18/01 18/01 11/01 11/01 05/01 04/01

New Zealand 07/03 07/03 04/03 01/03 01/03 28/02 21/02 20/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 31/01 31/01 24/01 24/01 24/01 17/01 17/01 17/01 17/01 01/01 01/01 01/01 01/01 01/01

Peru 15/02 01/02 25/01 18/01 11/01

South Africa 07/03 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 28/02 21/02 21/02 08/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 31/01 31/01 31/01 31/01 24/01 10/01 10/01 06/01 03/01

G3 G1 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G1 G1 G1 G2 G1 G1 G1 G2 G2

90 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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DATA BOOK

United Arab Emirates Date 05/03 05/03 05/03 05/03 05/03 26/02 26/02 20/02 19/02 12/02 05/02 05/02 29/01 22/01 15/01

Grade G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Race Invasor Sheikh Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Daaher Jebel Hatta Swain Dubai City of Gold Stakes Dayjur Mahab Al Shimaal Stakes Intidab Burj Nahaar Meydan Racecourse Zabeel Mile Meydan Horizons Al Quoz Sprint Balanchine Stakes Dubai Commercial Bank Al Fahidi Fort Gulf News UAE 2000 Guineas Derrinstown Stud Cape Verdi Stakes Derrinstown Stud Al Maktoum Challenge 2 Dubal Al Rashidiya Stakes Al Shindagha Sprint Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum Challenge I

Dist 10.0f 9.0f 12.0f 6.0f 8.0f 8.0f 6.0f 9.0f 8.0f 8.0f 8.0f 9.0f 9.0f 6.0f 8.0f

Horse Asiatic Boy (ARG) Balius (IRE) Front House (IRE) Gayego (USA) Snaafy (USA) Archipenko (USA) J J The Jet Plane (SAF) My Central (ITY) Gladiatorus (USA) Desert Party (USA) Deem (IRE) My Indy (ARG) Silver Mist (SAF) Big City Man (USA) My Indy (ARG)

8.5f 10.0f 8.0f 8.5f 6.0f 8.0f 8.5f 8.5f 8.0f 6.5f 8.0f 9.0f 8.0f 12.0f 11.0f 7.0f 11.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.0f 9.0f 6.5f 6.5f 8.5f 7.0f 7.0f 8.5f 9.0f 8.5f 9.0f 8.0f 9.0f 8.5f 9.0f 8.5f 8.5f 8.0f 8.5f 9.0f 9.0f 6.5f 9.0f 7.0f 9.0f 7.0f 7.0f 6.0f 8.0f 10.0f 8.5f 6.0f 7.0f 8.5f 6.0f 8.0f 8.5f 8.5f 8.5f 8.0f 9.0f 6.0f 8.0f 6.5f 5.5f

Acoma (USA) Einstein (BRZ) Gio Ponti (USA) Stardom Bound (USA) Ah Day (USA) I Lost My Choo (USA) I Want Revenge (USA) Let It Rock (USA) Justwhistledixie (USA) Battle of Hastings (GB) Quality Road (USA) The Pamplemousse (USA) Twilight Meteor (CAN) Spring House (USA) Criticism (GB) Georgie Boy (USA) Presious Passion (USA) One Caroline (USA) Evita Argentina (USA) Jibboom (USA) True Quality (USA) Old Fashioned (USA) Life Is Sweet (USA) Any Limit (USA) Desert Code (USA) Santa Teresita (USA) How’s Your Halo (USA) Royale Michele (USA) Ballymore Lady (USA) Chocolate Candy (USA) General Quarters (USA) Magnum (ARG) Stardom Bound (USA) Cowboy Cal (USA) Pioneerof the Nile (USA) Diamond Tycoon (USA) Friesan Fire (USA) Honest Man (USA) Matto Mondo (CHI) War Echo (USA) Kip Deville (USA) Lady Carlock (USA) Pasar Silbano (IRE) Albertus Maximus (USA) Ventura (USA) Saratoga Sinner (USA) Capt Candyman Can (USA) Frolic’s Dream (USA) Johnny Eves (USA) Foxysox (GB) Artiste Royal (IRE) Life Is Sweet (USA) Game Face (USA) Alpha Kitten (USA) Nownownow (USA) Ikigai (USA) The Pamplemousse (USA) Century Park (USA) Cowboy Cal (USA) French Beret (CAN) Friesan Fire (USA) Tizfiz (USA) Gemswick Park (USA) Delightful Kiss (USA) Jibboom (USA) In Summation (USA)

Age 6 6 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 3 4 5 7 4 5

Sex H H F C H H G M C C F H G C H

4 7 4 3 6 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 5 7 5 4 6 4 3 5 4 3 4 6 5 5 6 4 6 3 3 8 3 4 3 5 3 5 5 3 6 5 3 5 5 3 3 3 5 6 8 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 6 3 5 3 5 5 6

F H C F G F C C F G C C H G M G G F F M C C F M H M H F M C C H F C C H C H H F H M F H M C C F G M H F F F C C C F C G C M F G M H

Sire Not For Sale (ARG) Mujahid (USA) Sadler’s Wells (USA) Gilded Time (USA) Kingmambo (USA) Kingmambo (USA) Jet Master (SAF) Central Park (IRE) Silic (FR) Street Cry (IRE) Dalakhani (IRE) Indygo Shiner (USA) Western Winter (USA) Northern Afleet (USA) Indygo Shiner (USA)

Dam S S Asiatic (USA) Akhla (USA) Adjalisa (IRE) Devils Lake (USA) Nafisah (IRE) Bound (USA) Majestic Guest (SAF) My Luigia (IRE) Gmaasha (IRE) Sage Cat (USA) Hijaz (IRE) My Light (ARG) Palace Bride (AUS) Mini Appeal (USA) My Light (ARG)

Broodmare Sire Polish Navy (USA) Nashwan (USA) Darshaan Lost Code (USA) Lahib (USA) Nijinsky (CAN) Northern Guest (USA) High Estate Kris Tabasco Cat (USA) Sadler’s Wells (USA) Southern Halo (USA) Palace Music (USA) Valid Appeal (USA) Southern Halo (USA)

Empire Maker (USA) Spend A Buck (USA) Tale of The Cat (USA) Tapit (USA) Malibu Moon (USA) Western Expression (USA) Stephen Got Even (USA) Trippi (USA) Dixie Union (USA) Royal Applause (GB) Elusive Quality (USA) Kafwain (USA) Smart Strike (CAN) Chester House (USA) Machiavellian (USA) Tribal Rule (USA) Royal Anthem (USA) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Candy Ride (ARG) Mizzen Mast (USA) Elusive Quality (USA) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Limit Out (USA) E Dubai (USA) Lemon Drop Kid (USA) Halo’s Image (USA) Elusive Quality (USA) War Chant (USA) Candy Ride (ARG) Sky Mesa (USA) El Compinche (ARG) Tapit (USA) Giant’s Causeway (USA) Empire Maker (USA) Johannesburg (USA) A P Indy (USA) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Sir Cat (USA) Tapit (USA) Kipling (USA) Chester House (USA) Elnadim (USA) Albert the Great (USA) Chester House (USA) Harlan’s Holiday (USA) Candy Ride (ARG) Smoke Glacken (USA) Skimming (USA) Foxhound (USA) Danehill (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Menifee (USA) Tale of The Cat (USA) Whywhywhy (USA) Whywhywhy (USA) Kafwain (USA) General Meeting (USA) Giant’s Causeway (USA) Broad Brush (USA) A P Indy (USA) Tiznow (USA) Speightstown (USA) Kissin Kris (USA) Mizzen Mast (USA) Put It Back (USA)

Aurora (USA) Gay Charm (BRZ) Chipeta Springs (USA) My White Corvette (USA) Endette (USA) Fairy Queen (USA) Meguial (ARG) Timeless Measure (USA) General Jeanne (USA) Subya (GB) Kobla (USA) Comfort Zone (USA) One Over Prime (CAN) Spring Star (BRZ) Innuendo (IRE) Ippodamia (USA) Princesa’s Passion (USA) Powder (USA) Jealous Wildcat (USA) Palisade (USA) Louve Mysterieuse (USA) Collect Call (USA) Sweet Life (USA) Clandestinely (USA) Chatta Code (USA) Sweet Gold (USA) Say How You Feel (USA) Michele Royale (USA) Basking (USA) Crownette (USA) Ecology (USA) Merrymaker (ARG) My White Corvette (USA) Texas Tammy (USA) Star of Goshen (USA) Palacoona (FR) Bollinger (AUS) Oath (USA) Muy Euforica (CHI) Wild Vision (USA) Klondike Kaytie (USA) Incha (GB) Give A Whistle (IRE) Chasethewildwind (USA) Estala (GB) Naughty Linda (USA) Stormy Way (USA) Flashy Frolic (USA) Capote’s Halo (USA) Triple Tricks (IRE) Agathe (USA) Sweet Life (USA) Galleon of Gold (USA) Alpha Mama (USA) Here And Now (FR) Contessa Halo (USA) Comfort Zone (USA) Ecclesiastes (USA) Texas Tammy (USA) Misty Mission (CAN) Bollinger (AUS) Gin Running (USA) Queen’s Park (USA) Deputy’s Delight (USA) Palisade (USA) Fiesta Baby (USA)

Danzig (USA) Ghadeer (FR) Alydar (USA) Tarr Road (USA) Thirty Eight Paces (USA) Tom Rolfe Roy (USA) Timeless Native (USA) Honour And Glory (USA) Night Shift (USA) Strawberry Road (AUS) Rubiano (USA) With Approval (CAN) Itajara (BRZ) Caerleon (USA) Peterhof (USA) Marquetry (USA) Broad Brush (USA) Forest Wildcat (USA) Gone West (USA) Seeking The Gold (USA) Meadowlake (USA) Kris S (USA) Forty Niner (USA) Lost Code (USA) Gilded Time (USA) Little Current (USA) Groovy (USA) Alydar (USA) Seattle Slew (USA) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Rainbow Corner (GB) Tarr Road (USA) Seeking The Gold (USA) Lord At War (ARG) Last Tycoon Dehere (USA) Known Fact (USA) Sadlers Congress Wild Again (USA) Encino (USA) Nashwan (USA) Mujadil (USA) Forty Niner (USA) Be My Guest (USA) Slew City Slew (USA) Storm Creek (USA) Premiership (USA) Capote (USA) Royal Academy (USA) Manila (USA) Kris S (USA) Gone West (USA) Unbridled’s Song (USA) Exit To Nowhere (USA) Southern Halo (USA) Rubiano (USA) Saint Ballado (CAN) Seeking The Gold (USA) Miswaki (USA) Dehere (USA) Go For Gin (USA) Relaunch (USA) French Deputy (USA) Gone West (USA) Dayjur (USA)

United States 08/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 07/03 01/03 01/03 28/02 28/02 28/02 22/02 22/02 21/02 21/02 20/02 16/02 16/02 16/02 16/02 15/02 15/02 15/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 14/02 08/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 07/02 01/02 01/02 01/02 31/01 31/01 31/01 30/01 30/01 25/01 25/01 19/01 18/01 18/01 17/01 17/01 17/01 17/01 11/01 10/01 10/01 10/01 04/01 04/01 03/01 03/01 01/01

G3 G1 G1 G1 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G3 G3 G1 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G1 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G1 G3 G3 G1 G1 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3

Azeri Stakes Santa Anita Handicap Frank E Kilroe Mile Handicap Santa Anita Oaks Toboggan Stakes Honey Fox Stakes Gotham Stakes Razorback Handicap Davona Dale Stakes Baldwin Stakes Fountain of Youth Stakes Sham Stakes Canadian Turf Stakes San Luis Obispo Handicap The Very One Stakes San Carlos Handicap Mac Diarmida Stakes Sabin Stakes San Vicente Stakes Buena Vista Handicap General George Handicap Southwest Stakes La Canada Stakes Hurricane Bertie Stakes Daytona Handicap Santa Maria Handicap Richter Scale Sprint Stakes Barbara Fritchie Handicap Endeavour Stakes El Camino Real Derby Sam F Davis Stakes San Antonio Handicap Las Virgenes Stakes Strub Stakes Robert B Lewis Stakes Fair Grounds Handicap Risen Star Stakes Mineshaft Handicap Thunder Road Handicap Silverbulletday Stakes Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap Suwannee River Stakes La Habra Stakes Donn Handicap Santa Monica Handicap Holy Bull Stakes Hutcheson Stakes Forward Gal Stakes Palos Verdes Handicap Tuzla Handicap San Marcos Stakes El Encino Stakes First Lady Handicap Santa Ynez Stakes San Fernando Stakes Mr Prospector Stakes San Rafael Stakes Santa Ysabel Stakes San Pasqual Handicap Colonel E R Bradley Handicap Lecomte Stakes San Gorgonio Handicap Old Hat Stakes Hal’s Hope Stakes Monrovia Handicap El Conejo Handicap

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 91

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DATA BOOK NATIONAL HUNT BIG-RACE RESULTS AND STATISTICS National Hunt Grade Ones 27 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP CHASE G1

26 ASCOT CHASE G1

28 DR PJ MORIARTY NOVICE CHASE G1

29 DELOITTE NOVICE HURDLE G1

ASCOT. February 14. 21f 110yds. Heavy.

LEOPARDSTOWN. February 15. 24f. Soft.

LEOPARDSTOWN. February 15. 21f. Soft.

LEOPARDSTOWN. February 15. 18f. Soft.

1. VOY POR USTEDES (FR) 8 b g Villez - Nuit D’Ecajeul (Matahawk) O-Sir Robert Ogden B-Ecurie Macaire Guillaume & Mr Francis Picoulet TR-A King 2. Gwanako (FR) 6 b/br g Sin Kiang - Vaubecourt (Courtroom) 3. Tamarinbleu (FR) 9 b g Epervier Bleu - Tamainia (Lashkari)

1. NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) 8 gr g Dom Alco - Castille Collonges (El Badr) O-Mr J Hales B-GAEC Delorme Freres TR-PF Nicholls 2. Notre Pere (FR) 8 b g Kadalko - Gloria IV (Video Rock) 3. Chelsea Harbour (IRE) 9 b g Old Vic - Jennyellen (Phardante)

1. COOLDINE (IRE) 7 b g Beneficial - Shean Alainn (Le Moss) O-Mrs Violet O’Leary B-Mrs E Hadden TR-WP Mullins 2. Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 7 b g Moscow Society - Run Artiste (Deep Run) 3. Trafford Lad (GB) 7 b g Tragic Role - Another Shuil (Duky)

1. PANDORAMA (IRE) 6 b g Flemensfirth - Gretchen’s Castle (Carlingford Castle) O-RJ Bagnall B-P Carmody TR-N Meade 2. Western Charmer (IRE) 7 b/br g Good Thyne - Tulladante (Phardante) 3. Zarinava (IRE) 5 gr m Daylami - Zariliya (Darshaan)

Age 3-8

Age 4-8

Age 4-7

Age 4-6

Starts 29

Wins 13

Places 12

Earned £818,810

Lyphard’s Wish Sally’s Wish VILLEZ ch 92 New Chapter Valhalla Varig Sea Hawk II Matahawk Carromata NUIT D’ECAJEUL b 87 Orvilliers La Divette Wild Girl

Wins 9

Places 6

Earned £565,332

NEPTUNE COLLONGES gr g 2001

VOY POR USTEDES b g 2001 Lyphard

Starts 19

Northern Dancer Goofed Sensitivo Garden Clubber Crepello Matatina Pan II Vale Herbager Sea Nymph St Paddy Carrozza Tanerko Vieille Demeure Wild Risk Jeannine

In easily winning the Betfair Ascot Chase, Voy Por Ustedes improved his record over fences to ten victories and six seconds from 19 starts, in the process underlining his status as one of Britain’s most talented chasers. His latest win also confirmed that, as he gets older, he is suited by distances of two and a half miles or more.

He has now won a Gr1 in each of the last four seasons, thoroughly justifying the 106,000gns he cost at Doncaster’s 2005 Spring Sale. His sire Villez, who died in 2003, finished third among France’s leading jumping stallions in 2006 and 2007.

His best recent representatives include such as Pancho Villez, Rigoureux, Malcolm, Villesia, I Have A Dream, Smabelle and Norville du Bois, and he previously made his name with Le Duc, Mon Villez and the smart French chaser Willdance. He has also been making his mark in Ireland through the smart hurdlers Kazal and Shakervilz.

Although Villez won only once on the Flat, he shone over hurdles between the ages of three and five, winning eight stakes races, including the Prix Amadou.

Voy Por Ustedes is a half-brother to the useful jumper Le Pero and to En La Cruz, a filly who was second in a Gr2 chase after winning two hurdle races and two chases. His third dam Wild Girl – a daughter of the French Champion Hurdle winner Wild Risk – was a talented jumper, as was her smart son Fils d’Ecajeul. Voy Por Ustedes’s second dam, Fils d’Ecajeul’s sister La Divette, was a winning chaser and produced Roi d’Ecajeul, a runner-up in the French Champion Hurdle.

Voy Por Ustedes’s broodmare sire, Matahawk, won the Grand Prix de Paris in the days when it represented a stiff test of stamina, but broke down soon afterwards.

Rheffic Dom Pasquini Boursonne DOM ALCO gr 87 Nonoalco Alconaca Vela Weavers’ Hall El Badr Indian Maid CASTILLE COLLONGES b/br 90 Vieux Chateau Gitane Collonges Penelope

Traffic Rhenane La Varende Arctic Star Nearctic Seximee Sheshoon Cenerentola Busted Marians Astec Currarevagh Chamant Nive Blue Hollywood Idylle

Travelling to Ireland seems to bring out the best in Neptune Collonges.

After winning the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in 2007 and 2008, he added the 2009 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup to his total of 14 victories from 25 starts. He was also in the lead, travelling well, when he fell at the second last in the Lexus Chase at the end of 2008 on his only other visit to Ireland.

Three miles seems the minimum distance for Neptune Collonges. His sire Dom Alco tackled a distance as long as three miles only once, when second at Auteuil, but stayed well.

Although Dom Alco failed to win in 14 starts on the Flat, including claiming races, he won six races over hurdles, including two Listed events at Auteuil. This French National Stud stallion is also being very ably represented by the French hurdler Monoalco. His other good representatives include Heros Collonges, Mysoko, Naiad du Misselot, Etoile d’Ainay and Tribal Venture.

There is stamina in the bottom half of Neptune Collonges’s pedigree, as his dam Castille Collonges is by El Badr, an out-andout stayer who twice won the Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles, and his second dam is by Prix Kergorlay winner Vieux Chateau.

Castille Collonges failed to win in 42 starts but she is also responsible for Quadrette Collonges, a runner-up in Listed races over hurdles and fences.

Castille Collonges is closely related to Diane Collonges, whose son Nenuphar Collonges scored at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. Diane Collonges is by El Badr out of Castille Collonges’s half-sister Mariane Collonge. Neptune Collonges’s third dam Penelope also ranks as the third dam of Hussard Collonges, winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in 2002.

92 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Starts 15

Wins 9

Places 4

Earned £162,305

Starts 8

Wins 6

Places 1

Earned £122,991

PANDORAMA b g 2003

COOLDINE b g 2002 High Top Top Ville Sega Ville BENEFICIAL b 90 Green Dancer Youthful First Bloom Le Levanstell Le Moss Feemoss SHEAN ALAINN b 88 Golden Love Stable Lass Kilcoran Lass

Derring-Do Camenae Charlottesville La Sega Nijinsky Green Valley Primera Flower Dance Le Lavandou Stella’s Sister Ballymoss Feevagh Above Suspicion Syncopation Straight Lad Shean Lass

When Shean Alainn’s 2004 gelding

by Beneficial came on the market at Brightwells’ Cheltenham’s National Hunt breeze-up sale in December 2008, he made £100,000. This was a sharp contrast to when the mare’s previous foal by Beneficial was sold at Goffs in 2005, when the then three-year-old made only €10,000.

There’s a simple explanation for the difference in these prices – the first Beneficial gelding, Cooldine, developed into a dual Gr2 winner over hurdles and has now become a Gr1 by winning the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.

Cooldine has the distinction of being the first Gr1 winner by Beneficial, even though the Knockhouse Stud stallion is also responsible for such accomplished jumpers as Gungadu, Lennon, Sweet Kiln, Dashing George, Petertheknot, Blazing Sky, The Polomoche and GVA Ireland.

Beneficial’s appeal to jumping breeders was twofold. First, he had been a very good middle-distance performer, winning the Gr2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and second he is a son of Top Ville, sire also of the likes of Un Desperado, Toulon, Pistolet Bleu, Norwich and Shardari.

Beneficial had enough speed to win a Gr3 over a mile and a quarter at four and it remains to be seen whether Cooldine is best over three miles. There is plenty of stamina in the bottom half of his pedigree, as his first two dams are daughters of Le Moss and Golden Love, both winners over two and a half miles on the Flat. His dam Shean Alainn won over 21 furlongs over hurdles and is a sister to Brackenfield, a useful novice hurdler up to three miles.

Other daughters of Le Moss have produced the likes of Tidal Bay, Albertas Run, Sir Rembrandt, Imperial Commander and Chief Dan George.

Hoist The Flag Alleged Princess Pout FLEMENSFIRTH b 92 Diesis Etheldreda Royal Bund Le Bavard Carlingford Castle Rachel Ruysch GRETCHEN’S CASTLE ch 93 Chinatown Whisper Moon Velocity’s Gift

Tom Rolfe Wavy Navy Prince John Determined Lady Sharpen Up Doubly Sure Royal Coinage Nato Devon Lueur Doree Skymaster Sip Dicta Drake Cheongsam Babur High Velocity

With his fee again set at €10,000 for 2009, Flemensfirth remains the highest-priced stallion on Coolmore’s National Hunt roster and it is easy to understand why. The Gr1-winning son of Alleged has been making rapid progress up the leading sires’ list. After finishing third to Old Vic and Presenting in 2007/8, he held second place behind Presenting at the end of February 2009. He owes his high positions to the likes of Muirhead, Joe Lively, Tidal Bay, Imperial Commander, Kicks For Free, Beshabar and King Johns Castle.

Flemensfirth has also excelled in the sales ring and in 2008 his foals made up to €95,000, his three-yearolds achieved such good prices as £170,000 and €155,000, and his five-year-old son On Raglan Road made £320,000.

It was a different story when Flemensfirth’s son out of Gretchen’s Castle was offered as a foal and yearling. The bidding rose no higher than €5,000, but this gelding, Pandorama, has gone on to win five of his first six starts (two in bumpers and four over hurdles), having previously won a point-to-point.

His winning margins have been substantial and he had ten lengths to spare over at the end of the Gr1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle, but he was fortunate to win, as the odds-on Cousin Vinny appeared to have his measure when he lost his rider after the last.

Gretchen’s Castle is an unraced daughter of Carlingford Castle, a Derby runner-up who shares the same sire, the Prix du Cadran winner Le Bavard, with Kildimo, Perris Valley, Bankers Benefit and Barney Burnett. Pandorama’s third dam Velocity’s Gift is also the second dam of that remarkable little mare Mrs Muck, winner of Ascot’s Long Distance Hurdle and Haydock’s Premier Long Distance Hurdle.

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DATA BOOK

Leading sires National Hunt sires 2008-09 by earnings Name

YOF

Sire

Rnrs

Wnrs

%WR

Wins

AWD

Earnings (£)

Top horse

Presenting Flemensfirth Old Vic Oscar Accordion Supreme Leader Saddlers’ Hall Beneficial Bob Back Kayf Tara Kahyasi Pistolet Bleu King’s Theatre Sadler’s Wells Overbury Montjeu Zaffaran Villez Moscow Society Alderbrook Anshan Taipan Lord Americo Hernando Nikos Good Thyne Glacial Storm Dr Massini Definite Article Passing Sale Midnight Legend Turtle Island Village Star Kadalko Daylami Fourstars Allstar Norwich Mister Lord Selkirk Robin des Pres Turgeon Sir Harry Lewis Bob’s Return

1992 1992 1986 1994 1986 1982 1988 1990 1981 1994 1985 1988 1991 1981 1991 1996 1985 1992 1985 1989 1987 1992 1984 1990 1981 1977 1985 1993 1992 1987 1991 1991 1983 1988 1994 1988 1987 1979 1988 1994 1986 1984 1990

Mtoto Alleged Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Bustino Sadler’s Wells Top Ville Roberto Sadler’s Wells Ile de Bourbon Top Ville Sadler’s Wells Northern Dancer Caerleon Sadler’s Wells Assert Lyphard’s Wish Nijinsky Ardross Persian Bold Last Tycoon Lord Gayle Niniski Nonoalco Herbager Arctic Tern Sadler’s Wells Indian Ridge No Pass No Sale Night Shift Fairy King Moulin Cadoudal Doyoun Compliance Top Ville Sir Ivor Sharpen Up Cadoudal Caro Alleged Bob Back

278 162 152 229 139 204 207 157 132 109 43 75 96 86 106 58 77 18 81 73 135 63 105 37 24 38 61 79 69 11 33 91 1 13 47 54 63 41 33 9 15 40 82

60 44 29 52 32 47 39 30 31 32 14 15 30 20 29 13 19 8 14 13 18 16 12 12 4 7 11 13 19 4 14 14 1 5 15 5 13 8 10 3 3 12 7

21.6 27.2 19.1 22.7 23.0 23.0 18.8 19.1 23.5 29.4 32.6 20.0 31.3 23.3 27.4 22.4 24.7 44.4 17.3 17.8 13.3 25.4 11.4 32.4 16.7 18.4 18.0 16.5 27.5 36.4 42.4 15.4 100.0 38.5 31.9 9.3 20.6 19.5 30.3 33.3 20.0 30.0 8.5

82 61 42 71 45 65 49 44 39 48 21 24 42 23 43 15 27 10 19 16 26 23 14 13 7 9 18 18 24 6 22 19 2 9 20 7 14 11 16 4 3 20 17

20.2 19.9 19.5 20.1 19.2 20.6 19.9 19.0 17.9 19.4 18.7 20.8 19.2 19.1 20.6 17.4 19.8 22.9 18.5 20.5 21.0 19.7 21.5 21.1 19.1 18.5 20.4 19.4 18.9 22.7 19.9 18.3 24.0 22.8 17.4 17.9 18.9 19.9 16.9 19.5 20.7 20.4 21.3

1,059,519 1,040,307 881,840 817,379 733,925 659,223 545,311 486,194 449,611 425,311 391,844 371,545 353,067 331,149 316,358 293,874 286,492 279,635 277,428 276,289 273,457 257,943 250,570 243,825 233,393 229,333 227,649 225,610 213,131 209,704 204,182 202,833 197,595 196,512 190,819 184,108 181,159 179,705 179,078 175,017 173,565 169,959 169,620

Herecomesthetruth Pandorama Snoopy Loopy Conem According To Pete Can’t Buy Time Barbers Shop Cooldine Irish Invader Katies Tuitor Sentry Duty I’msingingtheblues Sesenta Ashkazar Ballyfitz Hurricane Fly Will Be Done Voy Por Ustedes Forpadydeplasterer Glenfinn Captain Powerstation Made In Taipan Siegemaster State Of Play Master Minded Brave Inca Alpha Ridge Massini’s Maguire Emotional Article Oslot My Petra An Cathaoir Mor Kauto Star Notre Pere Ebadiyan Chomba Womba Skip Two Kahuna Sublimity Petit Robin Exotic Dancer Diamond Harry Joncol

Earned (£)

79,948 108,632 238,022 57,442 88,859 60,837 55,157 76,129 46,489 49,241 134,063 80,347 29,141 45,608 41,887 81,250 47,830 112,784 53,973 81,536 35,228 70,621 41,421 55,021 179,098 94,993 85,977 36,311 22,479 111,356 59,710 25,653 197,596 142,911 35,312 122,785 32,921 39,434 64,095 65,606 130,643 62,664 38,151

National Hunt sires 2005-09 by earnings Name

YOF

Sire

Rnrs

Wnrs

%WR

Wins

AWD

Places

Presenting MOR Old Vic MOR Oscar MOR Supreme Leader MOR Accordion MOR Flemensfirth MOR Roselier MOR Lord Americo MOR Saddlers' Hall MOR Beneficial MOR Bob Back MOR Anshan MOR Sadler's Wells MOR Zaffaran MOR In The Wings MOR Kahyasi MOR Good Thyne MOR Norwich MOR Be My Native MOR Villez MOR King's Theatre MOR

1992

Mtoto

1986

Sadler's Wells

1994

Sadler's Wells

575 495 360 291 508 369 582 544 318 234 326 245 203 214 333 244 450 431 301 220 298 236 368 370 187 60 247 209 109 72 96 83 153 154 159 118 152 175 33 21 160 101

180 148 115 94 166 101 201 171 108 69 105 69 73 58 85 75 130 144 100 59 117 78 87 119 73 21 82 48 49 25 40 29 43 53 50 37 56 56 19 7 68 31

31.3 29.9 31.9 32.3 32.7 27.4 34.5 31.4 34.0 29.5 32.2 28.2 36.0 27.1 25.5 30.7 28.9 33.4 33.2 26.8 39.3 33.1 23.6 32.2 39.0 35.0 33.2 23.0 45.0 34.7 41.7 34.9 28.1 34.4 31.5 31.4 36.8 32.0 57.6 33.3 42.5 30.7

387 300 258 178 336 214 398 339 260 150 227 143 163 112 176 154 251 288 205 123 212 163 164 226 146 49 166 92 111 49 95 45 87 111 115 73 111 133 62 18 140 55

20.2 20.4 20.7 20.7 19.5 19.8 19.9 20.3 19.6 19.6 19.6 20.3 23.0 20.2 20.5 20.9 19.6 20.4 18.7 20.1 19.2 19.4 20.6 20.7 19.0 17.6 20.6 20.2 18.3 17.9 18.5 19.0 20.3 21.4 18.9 20.7 21.7 19.9 19.9 19.7 18.8 19.3

960 876 648 511 869 663 985 913 634 383 575 364 469 310 573 395 688 758 505 354 508 392 559 696 467 136 442 251 231 128 199 160 237 277 281 209 272 313 108 41 297 150

1982

Bustino

1986

Sadler's Wells

1992

Alleged

1973

Misti IV

1984

Lord Gayle

1988

Sadler's Wells

1990

Top Ville

1981

Roberto

1987

Persian Bold

1981

Northern Dancer

1985

Assert

1986

Sadler's Wells

1985

Ile de Bourbon

1977

Herbager

1987

Top Ville

1979

Our Native

1992

Lyphard's Wish

1991

Sadler's Wells

Earnings

£4,849,853 3,426,687 4,847,278 2,435,437 3,917,283 2,519,233 3,880,810 3,736,924 3,486,631 2,359,663 3,283,866 1,679,883 2,572,149 1,181,583 2,433,496 2,612,619 2,370,591 3,657,539 2,190,965 1,773,512 2,164,822 1,967,670 1,994,156 2,539,458 1,863,452 957,633 1,831,396 937,466 1,696,860 605,069 1,652,584 482,685 1,631,586 1,447,244 1,568,776 833,774 1,502,679 1,328,923 1,474,485 137,707 1,465,153 590,865

Av earnings/runner

£8,435 6,923 13,465 8,369 7,711 6,827 6,668 6,869 10,964 10,084 10,073 6,857 12,671 5,521 7,308 10,707 5,268 8,486 7,279 8,061 7,265 8,338 5,419 6,863 9,965 15,961 7,415 4,485 15,568 8,404 17,214 5,815 10,664 9,398 9,867 7,066 9,886 7,594 44,681 6,557 9,157 5,850

Cheltenham boosts Presenting advantage Presenting’s place at the top of the table was further boosted by results at the Cheltenham Festival, as his progeny earned £281,000 thanks to wins by Dunguib and Weapon’s Amnesty, and seconds for Denman, Horner Woods and Some Present.

Old Vic also had two strikes, through Andytown and Ninetieth Minute, and Flemensfirth (Imperial Commander) and Oscar (Tricky Trickster) one apiece.

Presenting certainly has a marvellous record and, to set the record straight, his fee for 2009 is €12,000 (Oct 1), not €9,000 as stated in our jump sires feature last month.

His appeal among breeders is confirmed by this year’s book which includes such as Lady Rebecca, Senorita Rumbalita, Nas Na Riogh and Supreme Serenade.

The curious tale of Sadler’s Wells While there is undoubtedly an emerging force of exciting and successful English National Hunt sires, the traditional dominance of Ireland in this field can be seen with our earnings table for the period 2005/09 as a whole.

Runner-up Old Vic’s average earnings per runner are £5,096 higher than the tally for the mares’ runners by other stallions, whereas for the leader, Presenting, the difference is £1,512.

Interestingly, Sadler’s Wells’s runners have average earnings of £9,965, whereas the mares’ runners by other stallions average £15,961.

His son In the Wings has the reverse arrangement, with figures of £15,568 against £8,404.

Comments: Jeremy Early

Statistics to March 1. MOR = mares other runners. This classifies siblings of each sire’s runners to give a benchmark by which a sire can be judged

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 93

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DATA BOOK

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

British and Irish-bred winners overseas Breeder

Winner

Sire

Age/sex Dam

Ctry

Date

Addison Racing Ltd Inc Addison Racing Ltd Inc Addison Racing Ltd Inc Airlie Stud Al Sulaim, Mohammed Annalee Bloodstock & Rockhart Trading Ltd Appleby Lodge Stud Aram, M V S and Mrs Aston Mullins Stud & Knockainey Stud Ballylinch Stud Bamford, Lady Bamford, Lady Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd Barronstown Stud & Cobra Bayless, S & Mrs M Bearstone Stud Boland, R Boucheron, Serge Brain International Ltd Brain International Ltd Brain International Ltd Brick Kiln Farming Brook Stud Bloodstock Ltd Brook Stud Bloodstock Ltd Broughton Bloodstock Bryant, I Burrell, Mrs M Byrne, David F Caley, Exors of the Late W L Campbell-Andenaes, Mrs M Cantoni, Mr R Carroll, Mr J M Chandris, Mrs J Chandris, Mrs J Chandris, Mrs J Charlton & Floors Farming, Roger Chippenham Lodge Stud & Rathbarry Stud Churchtown Bloodstock Ltd Churchtown House Stud Churchtown Stud Clarke, M Cora Srl Cosgrove, Mrs B Crangle, B J and Mrs Cyzer, C A Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Davin Investments Ltd De Druval, Haras Deer, Mr & Mrs D J Deerfield Farm Dettori, L Devin, Henry Dodd, P M Donlon, B Doyle Bloodstock Ltd, P J Doyle, J Doyle, R P du Feu & Trickledown Stud, Mrs D Dual S R L Duffy, M Dwan, Bill Eaton Sales Egan, Mrs Ann Emily Krstina (Australia) Pty Ltd Fair, I D Finegan & Noel Cogan, N Floors Farming & Side Hill Stud Forenaghts Stud Foy, C J Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gainsborough Stud Management Ltd Gibbons & Dermot Forde, P Glending Bloodstock Goldford Stud Good, Exors of the Late J R and Mrs P Good, Exors of the Late J R and Mrs P Hackett, Mrs Monica Hartery, Mrs C

Lexeko Boy Lexeko Boy Lexeko Boy Raiding Party Irish Jig Cyan Domeside Sky Crusader Duke Of Homberg Dan Chillingworth Lover Boy Love Dancer Furnace Bankable Shiva Adiva Royal Protector Dukeside Atilano Do Or Die Do Or Die Do Or Die Excellent Girl Misselliebee Misselliebee Braccio di Ferro Elinaki Dream Bee Indos Algol Presvis Quiza Quiza Quiza Bellinissimo Pactolos Way Pactolos Way Live Concert Airbuss Eliza Junior Tamazirte Capo Malfatano Night In Corioliss Chiaravalle Nans Joy Foxysox Restless Soul Ajeelah John Donne Baron's Court Beaujeu Esquire For Once Bashful Bride Swaziland Dahteer Quiberon Bashful Bride Fares Blue Denim Eastern Anthem Alexandros Kirklees Eastern Anthem Veracity Uramazin Sakkaline Chuwa King Desert Master Seiun Rhodem Kachgai Parmilou Choosing Desert Nights Eirinosofi Varonos Green Pride Acqua Ragia Sir Zacharias Emirati Asbeautifulasyou Kazan Boy With Diktat Craggy Cat Ragtimeband Comic Strip Unquenchable Fire Russian Rosie Ipponikos Radical Views Trimaran Ipponikos Grand Fleet Friston Forest Asset Caesar Beware Better Believe Manchurian Manchurian Golden Arrow Everygrainofsand

Dr Devious Dr Devious Dr Devious Orpen (USA) Celtic Swing Fantastic Light (USA) Domedriver Mujahid (USA) Dynaformer (USA) Indian Ridge Alhaarth Fasliyev (USA) Green Desert (USA) Medicean Needwood Blade Royal Applause Bachelor Duke (USA) Highest Honor (FR) Tomba Tomba Tomba Exceed And Excel (AUS) Polish Precedent (USA) Polish Precedent (USA) Medicean Okawango (USA) Oasis Dream Almutawakel Kyllachy Sakhee (USA) Golden Snake (USA) Hawk Wing (USA) Docksider (USA) Docksider (USA) Singspiel Mozart Barathea Danehill Dancer High Chaparral Night Shift (USA) Verglas Rock Of Gibraltar In The Wings Foxhound (USA) Singspiel Cape Cross Fantastic Light (USA) Pivotal Singspiel Dubai Millennium Green Desert (USA) Holy Bull (USA) Green Desert (USA) Bachir Singspiel Holy Bull (USA) Mark Of Esteem Singspiel Singspiel Kingmambo (USA) Jade Robbery (USA) Singspiel Lomitas Danehill Dancer Pennekamp (USA) Dubai Destination (USA) Green Desert (USA) Singspiel Kaldounevees (FR) Lujain (USA) Choisir (AUS) Desert Style Namid Hawk Wing (USA) Piccolo Imprevedibile Indian Danehill Dubai Destination (USA) A P Indy (USA) Choisir (AUS) Diktat Statue Of Liberty (USA) Danetime Marju Invincible Spirit Traditionally (USA) Machiavellian (USA) Machiavellian (USA) Red Ransom (USA) Machiavellian (USA) Green Desert (USA) Barathea Marju Daggers Drawn (USA) Bertolini (USA) Singspiel Singspiel Danehill (USA) Desert Sun

8h 8h 8h 4f 4c 4c 3c 7g 3c 4c 6h 4g 5g 5h 3f 4c 3c 5h 5h 5h 5h 3f 4f 4f 3c 4f 4f 4c 5g 5g 3f 3c 6g 6g 5h 6h 6m 3f 3c 6g 3c 3f 5m 6m 5m 4f 5h 4c 4c 7h 6h 3f 4c 7g 4c 3f 5h 5m 5h 4c 5h 5h 5h 3c 9h 4c 6g 5h 6g 4c 4f 4f 4f 3c 6g 6m 5h 4g 4f 4c 5h 4c 3c 7g 4g 5m 5h 5g 4f 5h 4g 5h 6g 7g 4f 5g 5g 6h 6g

Gr Gr Gr Usa Hk Gr Fr Fr Usa Uae Uae Gr Uae Uae Gr Fr Fr Fr Gr Gr Gr Fr Gr Gr Ity Gr Gr Gr Hk Uae Ity Fr Gr Gr Jpn Uae Gr Fr Ity Spa Ity Ity Usa Usa Usa Gr Jpn Gr Gr Uae Uae Gr Gr Uae Gr Gr Uae Spa Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Hk Fr Jpn Gr Jpn Uae Gr Usa Fr Gr Gr Fr Ity Gr Fr Usa Gr Jpn Hk Ity Hk Fr Usa Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr Uae Uae Usa Gr Gr Gr Uae Gr

09/1/09 23/1/09 13/2/09 24/1/09 15/2/09 06/2/09 28/2/09 06/3/09 14/2/09 30/1/09 30/1/09 12/1/09 26/2/09 20/2/09 23/2/09 08/2/09 13/2/09 28/2/09 04/1/09 16/2/09 23/2/09 07/3/09 18/2/09 25/2/09 05/2/09 26/1/09 04/1/09 27/2/09 22/2/09 26/2/09 23/2/09 14/2/09 12/1/09 19/1/09 01/2/09 27/2/09 20/2/09 27/2/09 03/3/09 01/3/09 06/2/09 24/2/09 29/1/09 25/1/09 28/1/09 18/2/09 08/1/09 09/2/09 16/2/09 13/2/09 13/2/09 19/1/09 26/1/09 27/2/09 23/1/09 13/2/09 29/1/09 01/3/09 05/2/09 06/2/09 12/2/09 19/2/09 26/2/09 22/2/09 05/2/09 08/2/09 16/2/09 28/2/09 06/2/09 26/1/09 31/1/09 05/2/09 30/1/09 23/2/09 16/2/09 15/2/09 27/2/09 21/2/09 22/1/09 19/1/09 28/2/09 25/2/09 22/2/09 22/2/09 01/2/09 30/1/09 19/1/09 23/1/09 26/1/09 09/2/09 23/1/09 06/2/09 06/2/09 11/2/09 16/1/09 13/2/09 27/2/09 30/1/09 06/1/09

94 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Rose Bourbon (USA) Rose Bourbon (USA) Rose Bourbon (USA) Lady Angola (USA) Siem Reap (USA) Holly Blue Buck's Fizz Red Cloud Woodlass (USA) Shizao L'Amour (USA) L'Amour (USA) Lyrical Dance (USA) Dance To The Top Eastern Lyric My Daisychain Night Spirit Hollanda (FR) Satiric Satiric Satiric Dame Blanche Pursuit Of Peace Pursuit Of Peace Sleave Silk Corn Dolly Chief Bee Crystal Land Heckle Forest Fire (SWE) Quiz Chow (ITY) Princess Electra Arietta's Way Arietta's Way Dance Lively (USA) Kardelle Finger Of Light Tanami Desert Toy Show Sherannda (USA) Queen's Ransom Tuscania (USA) True Joy Triple Tricks Seasonal Splendour Jazmeer Upper Strata Grafin (USA) Baya (USA) Esperada (ARG) Belle Argentine (FR) Satin Finish Susu Reematna Silica (USA) Satin Finish Iftitan (USA) Velvet Lady Kazzia (GER) Arlette Moyesii (USA) Kazzia (GER) Vituisa Uriah (GER) Shardazar Kanzina Khambani Nova Cyngi (USA) Toujours Juste (FR) Paris Mist Some Merit Midnight Partner Kibarague Lioness Little Greenbird Acqua Pesante Special Park (USA) Kobalt Sea (FR) Santa Catarina (USA) Lime Hill Honey With Fervour (USA) Trexana True Freedom (FR) Comic Tasha's Dream (USA) Pink Sovietstaia (FR) Russian Snows Nawaiet (USA) Moonlight Sail (USA) Russian Snows Janaat Talented Snow Peak Red Shareef The In-Laws Royal Passion Royal Passion Cheal Rose Serious Delight

Racecourse

Distance

Athens Athens Athens Santa Anita Sha Tin Athens Toulouse Deauville Gulfstream Park Jebel Ali Jebel Ali Athens Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Athens Cagnes-Sur-Mer Mont-De-Marsan Toulouse Athens Athens Athens Saint-Cloud Athens Athens Pisa Athens Athens Athens Sha Tin Nad Al Sheba Naples Cagnes-Sur-Mer Athens Athens Tokyo Jebel Ali Athens Deauville Rome Mijas Rome Rome Fair Grounds Santa Anita Santa Anita Athens Funabashi Athens Athens Jebel Ali Jebel Ali Athens Athens Jebel Ali Athens Athens Nad Al Sheba Mijas Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Sha Tin Cagnes-Sur-Mer Kokura Athens Kokura Nad Al Sheba Athens Gulfstream Park Cagnes-Sur-Mer Athens Athens Cagnes-Sur-Mer Rome Athens Cagnes-Sur-Mer Laurel Athens Hanshin Happy Valley Rome Sha Tin Pau Gulfstream Park Athens Athens Athens Athens Athens Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Gulfstream Park Athens Athens Athens Jebel Ali Athens

7f 7f 1m 1m 6f 5f 1m2f110y 1m1f110y 1m 7f 1m1f165y 6f 1m 1m194y 7f 1m 6f 1m 7f 7f 7f 1m2f 6f 7f 7f110y 7f 7f 7f 6f 1m2f 1m1f 1m 7f 1m 1m 1m 7f 7f110y 1m1f110y 6f110y 1m 1m 1m 1m 1m2f 6f 7f110y 5f 6f 1m 7f 5f 5f 7f 7f 7f 1m 1m3f 1m2f 1m194y 1m2f 1m4f 2m 1m 1m2f 1m110y 7f 1m110y 1m 5f 1m 1m4f 5f 6f 7f 1m 7f 1m4f110y 1m 7f 1m 6f 7f 1m2f 1m1f110y 1m1f 7f 1m 7f 1m 6f 1m5f165y 6f 5f 1m1f 7f 7f 1m 7f

Prize-money (£)

£5,670 £6,591 £7,654 £21,667 £58,842 £6,379 £6,796 £16,019 £52,083 (L) £7,386 £9,090 £9,922 £41,818 £73,181 £12,332 £7,282 £7,282 £6,311 £5,316 £6,946 £10,525 £16,505 £6,379 £6,379 £5,776 £9,922 £8,278 £7,087 £230,251 (L) £73,181 £6,189 £13,107 £5,457 £6,520 £139,369 £7,954 £7,463 £14,078 £6,189 £5,340 £5,364 £6,189 £20,000 £41,667(Gr3) £21,667 £5,741 £6,138 £6,379 £6,379 £6,818 £6,818 £7,938 £8,292 £8,522 £9,214 £25,515 £46,000 £49,515 £50,181 £62,727 £62,727 £62,727 £73,181 £43,492 £7,282 £55,244 £5,457 £55,244 £50,181 £9,922 £8,333 £8,252 £9,214 £9,214 £7,767 £6,189 £5,316 £8,738 £11,083 £9,922 £116,619 £71,634 £6,189 £403,950 (L) £6,796 £17,083 £6,251 £6,379 £7,442 £8,009 £9,922 £62,727 £50,181 £10,833 £25,515 £5,316 £5,316 £56,818 (L) £9,249

april_56_overseas_winners2.qxp

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DATA BOOK

The data published in this section is restricted to breeders based in Great Britain or Ireland, as determined by the address used when the foal was first registered. Some foreign-based breeders may be included if the mare was boarded in Great Britain or Ireland and is registered as being ‘care of’ a domestic breeder. Performance data covers results processed by Weatherbys during February Hascombe & Valiant Studs Hascombe & Valiant Studs Hedgeholme Stud Hedsor Stud Hellwood Stud Farm Hennessy, P Hesmonds Stud Ltd Highclere Stud His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs SC His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs SC His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs SC Holdcroft & Mrs M Forsyth, Mrs M Holden, P Honniball, R Horse Breeding Company Horses AG Iceton, D G Irish, J Johnson Houghton, R F Juddmonte Farms Ltd Keane, M Kennedy, J Kennedy, Patrick Kentish, M F Kersey, N C Kersey, N C Kilfrush Stud Kilfrush Stud Kilnamoragh Stud Knockainey Stud Knocktoran Stud Knocktoran Stud Kurtel, A Lady Betambeau Partnership Langan, Mrs Natalie Leigh, Exors of the Late G W Lightbody, M London Thoroughbred Services Ltd Loughtown Stud Lynch, K B Magliari, Dr Francesco Magliari, Dr Francesco McGregor, D A McLoughney, John Martin Middle Park Stud Ltd Moroney, Paul Murphy, S Newsells Park Stud Nolan, J Nolan, Mrs S Nolan, Mrs S Nolan, S Norelands Bloodstock O'Connor, J O'Riordan, Mrs S Osborne, J Osborne, J Penfold Bloodstock Ltd, Mr D Clark & Mrs F Gordon Petra Bloodstock Agency Ltd Petra Bloodstock Agency Ltd Quay Bloodstock Ralphs, Miss S N Ralphs, Miss S N Rathbarry Stud Rausing, Miss K Reddan, D J Redmyre Bloodstock & Stuart McPhee Redpender Stud Ltd Robinson & A W Robinson, I Rockdown Investments Rockhart Traping Ltd Rocklow Stud Ryan, Mrs T V Shadwell Estate Company Limited Shadwell Estate Company Limited Sharkey, M Shutford Stud Skymarc Farm Skymarc Farm & E De Rothschild Snailwell Stud Co Ltd Stratford Place Stud Stratford Place Stud Stratford Place Stud Sweet Retreat Syndicate T W Bloodstock Ltd T W Bloodstock Ltd Taker Bloodstock Thompson, Miss S Thompson, Miss S Thoroughbred Farms Ltd Turri, Miss F Weld, J Wellsummers Farm Whisperview Trading Ltd Wiji Bloodstock & Leo Powell Woodlock & Seamus Kennedy, M Yeomanstown Lodge Stud

Tuscan Evening Oasis Dream 4f Leo Pivotal 6h Hawkes Bay Vettori 7g Minjim Kyllachy 4c Cosmic Art Bertolini (USA) 4c Alonisos Trans Island 4f Sunny Peace Vision Of Night 4f Commandos Terz Marju 8h Risayla Polish Precedent (USA) 5m Kadabi Dalakhani 4c Eyshal Green Desert (USA) 5h Reel Gift Reel Buddy (USA) 4f Baylivia Golan 4f Steal My Fire Iron Mask (USA) 4c Betcherev Barathea 5g Galazios Okeanos Groom Dancer (USA) 4c Stef Traditionally (USA) 4f Anikiti Raise A Grand 4f Judd Street Compton Place 7g Bright Mind Zamindar (USA) 5h Ousaros Raise A Grand 4c Medeside Medecis 3c Concealment Iron Mask (USA) 4f Young Mick King's Theatre 7g All Nines Royal Applause 9h All Nines Royal Applause 9h Kersaint Catcher In The Rye 4c Rain Of Melody Night Shift (USA) 3c Al Nasr Dream Marju 4c King Malachi King Charlemagne (USA) 6 h Anglos Evgenis Peintre Celebre (USA) 8h Anglos Evgenis Peintre Celebre (USA) 8h Invincible Son Orpen (USA) 3c Caprice des Bleus Kyllachy 4f Kongoleza Statue Of Liberty (USA) 4 f Call Me George Rainbow Quest (USA) 6h Fantast Win Fantastic Light (USA) 4c Cool And Composed (USA) Buddha (USA) 3f Pompeyano Rainbow Quest (USA) 4c Beaver Patrol Tagula 7g Folk Kris Kris Kin (USA) 4f Red Kimi Denon (USA) 3c Go On Green Kyllachy 5h Carimo Fasliyev (USA) 5h Charlie Cool Rainbow Quest (USA) 6h Monashee Gold Monashee Mountain (USA) 6 h Rompicapo Lend A Hand 7h Wraith Maria's Mon (USA) 5h Spartan Orpen (USA) 4c Master Winter Masterful (USA) 3c Master Winter Masterful (USA) 3c Maltezos Raphane (USA) 4c Summit Surge Noverre (USA) 5g Wingstar In The Wings 5m Natal Lad Acclamation 4c Vrazilianos Terz Key Of Luck (USA) 7h Vrazilianos Terz Key Of Luck (USA) 7h Lord Prospector Zamindar (USA) 5h Pivon Pivotal 5h Sandsnow Verglas 3f Fast Rock Rock Of Gibraltar 5h Natmana Alhaarth 4c Natmana Alhaarth 4c Swop Shinko Forest 6g Alcimedes Domedriver 4g Pasar Silbano Elnadim (USA) 3f Okikoki Ishiguru (USA) 5g Warsaw Danehill Dancer 4c Kalamaria Tobougg 4f Classic Energy Daylami 4c Baby Rose Singspiel 3f Korinthos Catcher In The Rye 4f Jaasoos Noverre (USA) 5h Fanaaneh Bahri (USA) 4g Feraa Sakhee (USA) 4f Trust In Me Spartacus 4c Timoros Nayef (USA) 4c Beyond Time Key Of Luck (USA) 3f Nid d'Abeilles Green Desert (USA) 7g Flogeros Erastis Fantastic Light (USA) 4c Gimme Some Lovin Desert Style 5m Gimme Some Lovin Desert Style 5m Dafo Daylami 4c Last Hero Danehill Dancer 4c Alo Pura Anabaa (USA) 5m Alo Pura Anabaa (USA) 5m Clasp Singspiel 7h Cocody Choisir (AUS) 3c Cocody Choisir (AUS) 3c Fantastic Olmo Fantastic Light (USA) 3c Biasimo Celtic Swing 3c Lorgan Desert Style 5h Hatta Fort Cape Cross 4c Kalotyhos Fath (USA) 4c Signorinasilvani Trans Island 3f Akadora Dr Fong (USA) 3f Halicarnassus Cape Cross 5h

The Faraway Tree Usa Miss Penton Usa Nordico Princess Hk Sarabah Gr Cosmic Song Hk Sans Souci Gr Three Gifts Usa Shamriyna Gr Riyafa Aus Kadaka Fr Ebadiyla Hk Its Another Gift Gr Siana Springs Gr Lady Of Pleasure Gr Clare Bridge (USA) Fr Belle d'Argent (USA) Gr Zuccini Business Gr Majestic Jenny Gr Pudding Lane Uae Bright Spells (USA) Aus Spritsail (USA) Gr No Friend Spa Akatib Gr Just Warning Uae Jugendliebe Hk Jugendliebe Hk Quivala (USA) Mac Hit The Sky Fr Batilde Usa Sparky's Song Mac Truly A Gift Gr Truly A Gift Gr Safe Exit (FR) Tur Lady Betambeau Fr Mepa Discovery (USA) Gr Coretta Uae So Admirable Jpn Fire And Shade (USA) Fr Lady Lodger Uae Erne Project Uae Folk Riviera Ity Happy Flight Ity Colouring Gr Barnabas (ITY) Fr Tigwa Uae Onsomespecialnight (CAN) Usa Mysticism Ity Really Polish (USA) Gr Fanellan Gr Winter Dolphin Fr Winter Dolphin Fr Foreign Love (USA) Gr Lady Peculiar (CAN) Uae Thirtysomething (USA) Fr Gentle Guest Fr Sea Clover Gr Sea Clover Gr Lanasara Ity Serisia (FR) Fr Sandbox Fr Alisidora Jpn Gracious Gift Aus Gracious Gift Aus Changing Partners Uae Allegra Gr Give A Whistle Usa Crofters Ceilidh Mac For Evva Silca Uae Dawn Alarm Gr Divine Quest Hk Intizaa (USA) Jpn Afifah Gr Nymphs Echo Uae Alfunun Gr Ayun (USA) Gr In The Highlands Gr Nordica Gr Begin The Beguine Fr Massarossa Fr Ellie Ardensky Gr Licence To Thrill Gr Licence To Thrill Gr Darling Harbour (USA) Spa Sweet Retreat Gr Rubies From Burma (USA) Uae Rubies From Burma (USA) Uae Embrace Me Uae Jamaican Punch Fr Jamaican Punch Fr Puritanical Ity Bitter Love (ITY) Ity Society Fair (FR) Spa Oshiponga Uae Clear Procedure (USA) Gr Emy's Girl (USA) Ity Akilara Fr Launch Time (USA) Uae

22/1/09 08/2/09 01/3/09 09/1/09 18/2/09 01/1/09 29/1/09 13/2/09 11/2/09 04/3/09 08/2/09 30/1/09 07/1/09 01/1/09 27/2/09 06/1/09 23/1/09 28/1/09 19/2/09 26/2/09 13/2/09 01/3/09 20/2/09 19/2/09 28/1/09 01/3/09 28/2/09 02/3/09 24/1/09 06/2/09 09/1/09 06/2/09 18/2/09 13/2/09 23/2/09 13/2/09 27/1/09 07/3/09 20/2/09 26/2/09 08/2/09 22/2/09 26/1/09 23/2/09 20/2/09 31/1/09 25/2/09 06/2/09 04/1/09 11/2/09 04/3/09 26/1/09 05/2/09 21/2/09 05/3/09 09/2/09 23/2/09 14/2/09 02/3/09 06/3/09 18/1/09 29/1/09 19/2/09 19/2/09 30/1/09 01/2/09 21/2/09 12/2/09 01/1/09 01/3/09 22/2/09 28/1/09 15/2/09 23/2/09 28/1/09 06/1/09 20/2/09 14/2/09 07/2/09 06/1/09 01/1/09 15/1/09 15/2/09 26/1/09 13/2/09 27/2/09 19/2/09 14/2/09 27/2/09 15/2/09 01/3/09 15/2/09 05/2/09 20/2/09 15/2/09 22/2/09 05/2/09

Santa Anita Aqueduct Sha Tin Athens Happy Valley Athens Santa Anita Athens Warwick Farm Fontainebleau Sha Tin Athens Athens Athens Deauville Athens Athens Athens Nad Al Sheba Gosford Athens Mijas Athens Nad Al Sheba Sha Tin Sha Tin Taipa Compiegne Tampa Bay Downs Taipa Athens Athens Izmir Salon-De-Provence Athens Jebel Ali Kawasaki Toulouse Nad Al Sheba Nad Al Sheba Pisa Pisa Athens Marseille Borely Nad Al Sheba Gulfstream Park Grosseto Athens Athens Cagnes-Sur-Mer Fontainebleau Athens Nad Al Sheba Cagnes-Sur-Mer Deauville Athens Athens Siracusa Compiegne Deauville Nakayama Rosehill Canterbury Nad Al Sheba Athens Santa Anita Taipa Nad Al Sheba Athens Sha Tin Kyoto Athens Abu Dhabi Athens Athens Athens Athens Cagnes-Sur-Mer Cagnes-Sur-Mer Athens Athens Athens Seville Athens Jebel Ali Jebel Ali Nad Al Sheba Cagnes-Sur-Mer Deauville Rome Rome Seville Nad Al Sheba Athens Pisa Mont-De-Marsan Nad Al Sheba

6f £18,750 6f £19,583 7f £117,684 (L) 7f £7,371 5f £43,492 7f £9,922 7f £6,250 7f £5,670 7f £8,519 1m2f £12,621 1m1f £117,684 (L) 7f £10,348 7f £8,930 1m1f £25,515 1m4f £9,223 7f £9,922 7f £9,313 5f £7,938 6f £50,181 1m2f110y £7,888 6f £6,379 6f110y £6,796 1m1f £25,515 1m4f £62,727 1m £24,816 1m £24,816 6f £11,149 1m £11,650 1m £7,375 6f £16,966 7f £5,932 7f £6,591 6f £7,770 1m1f £8,252 5f £6,379 1m1f £11,363 1m £7,673 1m £6,796 1m2f £50,181 6f £41,818 7f110y £5,776 1m2f £6,189 7f £6,946 1m2f £21,903 1m2f £50,181 1m £10,833 1m165y £7,427 7f £5,316 5f £9,214 1m2f £7,282 1m3f £10,194 5f £7,371 7f110y £50,181 1m4f110y £36,408 (L) 7f110y £12,621 7f £5,670 1m £6,060 1m110y £7,427 1m £8,252 7f110y £11,650 1m1f £139,047 1m1f110y £8,519 7f165y £8,519 7f110y £50,181 7f £8,292 6f £41,667 (Gr3) 7f110y £12,361 7f £50,181 5f £9,214 1m1f £31,979 1m1f £38,364 6f £9,214 1m £7,954 7f £6,379 5f £9,922 7f £9,922 7f £6,379 7f110y £9,709 1m £7,282 7f £9,922 6f £5,316 6f £5,316 1m2f110y £5,340 7f £8,930 5f £9,659 5f £13,636 1m2f £46,000 1m £7,282 7f110y £10,194 1m2f110y £5,364 1m £6,189 1m £15,534 6f110y £73,181 6f £7,087 7f110y £7,014 1m3f £6,796 1m2f £50,181

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 95

april_56_your_say.qxp

17/3/09

14:59

Page 4

YOUR SAY

Marketing - racing needs to act now Tony Clifford Owner of Orchard King and Managing Director of Blue Tiger Marketing

The industry’s top players may know deep down that the sport needs promoting effectively, but none of them want to listen because of costs

arketing racing should be simple; the product is exciting, colourful and different from any other sport due to the exciting aspect of gambling that it offers.

However, it has never proved to be simple, mainly because all of the relevant sections of the industry cannot come together to form a united group, which is what is needed, if the industry is going to move forward over the next decade.

In November’s issue of Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder, Paul Dixon argued that the promotion of the sport is vital, but he also recognised that betting is an integral part of the offer and that punters are a large majority of the day-to-day audience.

In the same issue Gavin Pritchard-Gordon talked of the new British Bloodstock Marketing team and said: “For all of us to prosper, it is essential that Britain raises its banner and plays a more proactive role in the promotion of the industry.”

He is obviously talking about the bloodstock

M

What is needed is for all the relevant parties to come together and importantly agree a marketing budget. It may be naive of me but I believe it can be done.

But that is the easy part. The hard part is then grabbing the public’s attention. We have so many jewels in the crown already – the Grand National, Cheltenham, the Derby. However, this is not enough. Years ago when I worked on the Arena Leisure business I saw a report that said that fewer than 5% of all adults in the UK had visited a racecourse. That figure may have changed but I guess that it is still very low.

To excite the masses racing has to develop more personalities – jockeys, horses, trainers.

Frankie Dettori needs help. The media are latching onto Hayley Turner but what is the industry doing to enhance this and give it longevity?

Equally, we have never had such a great line up of stars among the equine field. Denman, Kauto Star and Master Minded are gifts to the racing world in marketing terms, but is the

“Is the industry relying too much on the media to do the job of marketing horses like Kauto Star?” sector but BBM is one of the big players within the industry that needs to work with all sectors.

Then, in December’s issue Paul Roy talked about marketing the sport effectively and attracting new individuals.

All of the industry’s top players know it must happen but it is my experience that none of them really want to listen because they know it will cost money initially and they are unable to finance such a move individually or collectively.

In The Times on Thursday, January 13, Alan Lee asked: “Why has racing done so little to make itself more attractive to TV?” He suggests too little innovation and I would agree. There is so much for racing to do and I believe there are a good body of people who really care but they are not marketeers and they are not together.

As an owner who likes a punt and who also has over 25 years experience in the marketing industry, I feel ideally placed to comment.

96 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

industry relying too much on the media to do the job of marketing for them as far as these horses are concerned?

And in the trainers’ field, alongside such jewels as Paul Nicholls, Alan King and David Pipe comes the fantastic Oliver Brady from Ireland.

There should be a marketing team saying to the racing hierarchy, ‘Look, this is what we need to do with Oliver Brady.’

If a strange little toy called My Little Pony could become a best seller because of children’s love of horses, then surely the racing industry can sell the real thing.

That’s why the time has come for racing’s big players to stand up and be counted.

Footnote: Racing Enterprises Ltd and branding experts Harrison Fraser are in the process of completing wide-ranging qualitative research on British racing as a forerunner to a full marketing plan for the “Future of British Horseracing”.

3URMHFW /D\RXW 3DJH

The Authorized versions

1 2 3

What they’re saying about the world-class foals by the world’s best three-year-old…

‘He’s a cracker and has been from day one. He’s very correct and solid with great presence and a great walk.’

Brian O’Rourke, National Stud, on the colt out of Circle Of Love.

‘She’s a very nice filly and very much in his mould. You’d know she’s an Authorized.

I wouldn’t trade her.’

Dwayne Woods, Brook Stud, on the filly out of Danella.

‘He’s great, the best of those we’ve had this year. He looks just like Authorized and has plenty of bone and good conformation.’

Tony Smith, Ermyn Lodge Stud, on the colt out of Yesteryear.

AUTHORIZED =25,000 C Oct 1st, SLF. Kildangan Stud, Ireland.

Call Mick, Eamon or Celine on +353 (0)45 527600 or Dawn or the team on +44 (0)1638 730070. www.darleystallions.com

Darley