Thoroughbred Owner Breeder

£4.95 DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE 172

Sink or swim Rebecca Curtis determined to turn the tide

PLUS

New sires

Freshmen in focus

Taylor Made

12

US agency’s UK debut

Norman Williamson

Former jockey still producing the goods

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Semper Fortis.

Meaning “Always strong” this is the unofficial motto of the US Navy and it couldn’t be more appropriate for our equine luminary. Running hard from the front he became the first horse since Diesis in 1982 to land the Dewhurst/Middle Park Group 1 double and for good measure he added the Group 1 July Cup as a 3-year-old.

European Champion 2YO and European Champion 3YO Sprinter elect, race records don’t come much stronger.

“put in the season’s defining juvenile performance, in landing his second Group 1, the Dewhurst in record time.” Mark Bird, IHRB Handicapper

“Speed is his biggest attribute but heart is his next biggest, he never lies down and is an amazing horse.” Aidan O’Brien

• AUSTRALIA • CAMELOT • CARAVAGGIO • CHAMPS ELYSEES • CHURCHILL • EXCELEBRATION • FASTNET ROCK • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • GLENEAGLES • GUSTAV KLIMT • • HIGHLAND REEL • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • IVAWOOD • KINGSTON HILL • MASTERCRAFTSMAN • MERCHANT NAVY • NO NAY NEVER • PRIDE OF DUBAI • REQUINTO • • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • RULER OF THE WORLD • SAXON WARRIOR • SIOUX NATION • STARSPANGLEDBANNER • THE GURKHA • U S NAVY FLAG • WAR COMMAND • ZOFFANY •

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Champion 2YO and sprinting sensation by WAR FRONT. Out of Champion 2YO MISTY FOR ME and a full-brother to triple Group 1 winner ROLY POLY.

NEW FOR 2019 Fee: €25,000 Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: 353-52-6131298. Fax: 353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars, Jason Walsh, Tom Miller or Neil Magee. Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon, John Kennedy or Cathal Murphy: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) 44-7827-795156.

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

A NEW CHANNEL DEDICATED TO HORSE RACING

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20/11/2018 11:25

Welcome

Take Curtis to fulfil dream and stay the distance

Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Luxury Editor: Sarah Rodrigues Fashion Editor: Christopher Modoo Design/production: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Twitter: @OwnerBreeder Equine Advertising: Giles Anderson/ Oscar Yeadon UK: 01380 816777 IRE: 041 971 2000 USA: 1 888 218 4430 advertise@anderson-co.com Luxury/Fashion Advertising: Nick Edgley Tel: 07774703491 nedgley@nemediaworld.com

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£4.95 DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE 172

Sink or swim Rebecca Curtis determined to turn the tide

PLUS

New sires

Freshmen in focus

Taylor Made

12

US agency’s UK debut

Norman Williamson

Former jockey still producing the goods

Dec_172_Coverv4.indd 1

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23/11/2018 16:39

Cover: Rebecca Curtis with her string in the sea near her Pembrokeshire stable on the west Wales coast Photo: Bill Selwyn

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Edward Rosenthal Editor

t was something of a shock to hear that Rebecca Curtis is down to 18 horses. The trainer has endured a difficult few seasons following a change in her personal life and finds herself with a string a third of the size it was a few years ago.

Fortunately, there are some promising individuals among them, including Joe Farrell, who gave Curtis a huge boost when edging home in the Scottish Grand National in April.

That Curtis picked out Joe Farrell - for a bargain £10,000 - at the horses-in-training sales should come as no surprise. While she excelled with dual Grade 1-winning hurdler At Fishers Cross, her forte, it appears, is training staying chasers, the likes of O’Faolains Boy, Irish Cavalier and Teaforthree, names that will be well known to jump racing fans.

Her challenge now is to unearth a new batch of names to take her to all the big meetings and festivals. Undaunted, Curtis retains confidence in her ability to do exactly that.

“I know I’ve got all the right tools,” she tells Chris Cook (The Big Interview, pages 54-60). “We can pick good horses, train them really well, we do really well with three-mile chasers and novices.

“I’m not too bothered with having loads of runners as long as the ones we have are quality, and we have got some nice horses this year.

“We haven’t got the same flow of horses that we used to. But I think a lot of yards are like that.

It’s just looking for that next break. Everyone wants that one owner that will have five, ten, 20 horses with you.

“If we are given the right type of horses, we will do as well as any yard. We have made a good start to this season.”

One man who Curtis can rely on for support is Nigel Morris, who has the aptly-named Relentless Dreamer with the west Wales trainer. Relentless Dreamer has already provided a highlight this year, taking a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham’s opening meeting in October. The owner has ambitious plans for his chaser and retains faith that Curtis is the woman to help him achieve his goals.

Morris, this month’s featured owner in Magical

Moments (pages 108-109), says: “Rebecca was the right choice and it’s been a great journey over the last five and a half years.

“She’s had a difficult patch but we’ve had some good times. She’s an exceptional trainer and I’ve learnt a lot.

“Her yard is in a spectacular setting and I’ve really enjoyed watching the horses develop; for me that’s an important part of the ownership experience.”

Norman Williamson is synonymous with jump racing following a superb riding career when he was associated with the likes of Master Oats and Teeton Mill – exactly the type of horses Rebecca Curtis would have loved to train.

Now a noted consignor from his Oak Tree

“Her challenge is to unearth a new batch of stars for the big meetings” Farm, it is Williamson’s job to find and sell future stars, which he does for the Flat at the breeze-ups and the NH market at store sales. He has sold on top-level winners under both codes but admits which is his favourite.

“I am still a jumping man at heart and love the National Hunt side of the business,” Williamson tells Tim Richards (Talking To, pages 62-68).

“With stores you’re not worried about galloping them, or sore shins, whereas the breezeups can be stressful. We buy the majority of stores as foals and keep them until three.

“The real satisfaction is watching a horse you liked from day one go on and achieve something for their owners. I think most people selling horses are rearing them as well and just enjoy being around nice horses all the time – and hopefully making a good living.”

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23/11/2018 16:40

Contents

December 2018

62

44 79

News & Views

International Scene

ROA Leader

View From Ireland

Tote deal welcome news

7

Continental Tales

TBA Leader Britain's success recognised

9

News New turf race for Pegasus World Cup card

11

Changes News in a nutshell

14

Tony Morris Times were a-changin' in 1963

30

Howard Wright Work ahead for Racing Authority

32

Around The Globe Breeders' Cup and Melbourne Cup reports

46

35 39

43

Features

The Big Picture From Churchill Downs and Flemington

From The Archives Heartbreak for Barton Bank

With trainer Rebecca Curtis

From Venice to London

4

Subway bid almost hit buffers

The Big Interview

Racing Life Travel, art, drinks, watches and fashion

Down Royal plans

Talking To...

Consignor Norman Williamson

18 26 54 62

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23/11/2018 16:21

70

18

54

Features Taylor Made Sales US operation heading to Britain

Breeders' Digest Hope for staying stallions in Australia

New Sires Rundown of the recruits

Sales Circuit Horses-in training, yearlings, mares and NH

Dr Statz Terrific Teofilo

24 Hours With...

Clerk of the Course Anthea Morshead

Forum 70 77 79

Meet Harvey Bell

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Watership Down Stud for Too Darn Hot

Atrial fibrillation

European Pattern Winners and analysis

102 104

118

Vet Forum

124 136

112

Breeder of the Month

Data Book

ROA Forum Ownership Quality Mark initiative

Flat Stallion Parade update

86

Forum The Thoroughbred Club

TBA Forum

120

126

Did you know?

Our monthly average readership is

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23/11/2018 16:21

LOVE BEING AN OWNER?

The Racehorse Owners Association promotes and represents the interests of owners in Great Britain.

Win or lose, you’ll love being a member – whatever your share.

Over 8,000 members reap the benefits, making their ownership experience more cost-effective and enjoyable.

Benefits include: ● Free racecourse admission – schemes for sole, partnership, syndicate owners and those in racing clubs ● Automatic third-party liability insurance ● Access to 50+ exclusive events in 2019 ● Owner-sponsorship ● Owners’ car parking label ● Thoroughbred Owner Breeder magazine ● 20% discount on most BHA fees ● Member discounts ● Owners Jackpot races All for less than 70p a day.

Call the ROA office on 020 7152 0200 or visit roa.co.uk/join to join now

ROA Leader

Nicholas Cooper President

Tote deal promises to reinvigorate pool betting T

he Tote is shaping up as another good news story for our industry. This is the message coming from the seven-year deal recently put together by Alizeti and Britbet, the two companies that now provide a Tote betting service for British racing following the expiry of Betfred’s exclusive pool betting licence in July.

Britbet is owned by 55 British racecourses, while Alizeti is a consortium backed by a group of investors made up of racehorse owners and breeders. Alizeti currently has a 25% share of the Betfred Tote business and plans to acquire the other 75% next year.

With the deal containing complexities of Brexit proportions – exacerbated by the significance of Betfred – it is a huge credit to all sides that they eventually came to an agreement that would build on, rather than split, the all-important liquidity of the pool betting market. Crucially, it means that all bets made through both operators are now being put into the same pool.

Britbet will continue to look after the racecourse business, while Alizeti goes after the potentially rich pickings of the off-course market. However, both will operate under the same banner and, so far as the general public is concerned, it will simply be betting on the Tote.

The development of a new app, from which it will be possible for off-course punters to have easy online access to popular bets such as the Placepot, is high on the agenda. So too is the expansion of business through Tote Direct, the service that markets pool betting through high street bookmakers.

The position of Ascot racecourse in all this is highly significant. Although so-called Ascotbet is neither part of Alizeti nor Britbet, its pool bets will, for most meetings, continue to go into the single UK pool.

However, the most exciting development yet to emerge under the new Tote structure will see all bets placed at Royal Ascot next year going into what is being described as a ‘world pool’. This will be hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and is expected to provide pools of eye-watering amounts.

Live pictures of Royal Ascot races will be streamed into Hong Kong, stimulating what will be a massive local betting audience, while Ascot will encourage Hong Kong horse and jockey participation at the royal meeting as a means of further invigorating the local betting audience.

Another dimension to this fantastic plan is to draw in an American audience by showing a number of the races live on NBC and giving that audience the ability to bet on the events, subject to domestic legislation.

The beauty of creating very large pools is that they offer the

Dec_172_ROALeader.indd 7

prospect of big wins for relatively small stakes for the modest punter, while they remove the maximum stake barrier, for which bookmakers are so often criticised, for those who bet in much larger stakes. As pool bets build they assume a natural momentum of their own, the like of which we have rarely seen in this country.

There is also bound to be increasing interest in reducing the take-out of pools, thereby making betting with the Tote more competitive and stimulating the domestic market. Desirable though this is, it would obviously have to be balanced with other financial considerations.

“The agreement between Alizeti and Britbet means all bets are now being put into the same pool” Of course, we must ask, how will all this benefit owners?

Well, all horserace betting, on these shores at least, is subject to levy payments, much of which go into prize-money. But more than that is the fact that the restructured Tote, now arriving at a time when digital technology knows no bounds, could provide significantly more money for race sponsorship and another source of meaningful income for some, if not all, racecourses.

It is therefore up to the Horsemen to ensure that prize-money agreements reflect any new money that we all hope will be delivered by the Tote.

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23/11/2018 13:50

PEGASUS WORLD CUP 2019 C H A M P I O N S H I P

I N V I T A T I O N A L

S E R I E S

BE A PART OF AMERICA’S MOST ANTICIPATED RACE DAY Gulfstream Park | Hallandale Beach, Florida Januar y 26, 20 19

$ 9 Million Pegasus World Cup Dirt (GI) 11 1/8 1/8 Miles Miles || 3&up 3&up

$ 7 Million Pegasus World Cup Turf (GI) 3/16 Miles | |3&up 911/2 Furlongs 3&up

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 11, 2019 For further information both races, please contact: NOMINATIONS AREabout DUE BY JANUARY 11, 2019 Giles Anderson: +44 (0)1380 816777 • giles@anderson-co.com For information and special arragements contact Michelle Durkin at: Mike +1 7063 416 931 4199 • mike.rogers@stronachgroup.com +001Rogers: 905 726 or Michelle.Durkin@stronachgroup.com

w w w. P e g a s u s Wo r l d C u p . c o m @ P e g a s u s Wo r l d C u p

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23/11/2018 13:13

TBA Leader

Julian Richmond-Watson Chairman

Britain’s success not unnoticed at ITBF AGM T

he general meeting of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF), held in Lexington, Kentucky on November 1 as part of a wider programme of events hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA), brought together breeders and veterinarians from 16 member countries on five continents.

I gave a short presentation explaining the TBA’s recentlypublished Economic Impact Study, which was well received.

It was encouraging that several other nations recognised the benefit of having an independent study to demonstrate various issues of the moment to their own authorities.

It was hardly surprising to discover that many other countries are facing similar problems to those being encountered in Britain, which the EIS highlighted, with the ageing demographic of breeders and staffing problems among the most notable.

Horses need to be looked after every day, and the modern world of employment no longer expects employees, or even principals, to work seven days a week, as used to be the case.

While many of those employed in the industry look upon working with horses as a vocation and their dream job, they and their families also expect to be treated fairly in today’s working environment. It is up to all of those involved to try to ensure we encourage new entrants, such as through the innovative E2SE course funded by the TBA and Racing Foundation which has just started its second course with a full intake, and retain those already working in the breeding industry by adjusting as much as possible to today’s lifestyle expectations.

A full-day veterinary session featured discussions on several relevant topics and provided confirmation that as horse movements increase across the industry, so does the risk of spreading disease. The worldwide thoroughbred industry has been very good at reporting and containing many disease outbreaks, but the movement of non-thoroughbreds is far less controlled or monitored, and the rapid spread of disease among these horses can seriously endanger the health of thoroughbred breeding stock.

It was therefore particularly appropriate that one of the presentations at the veterinary meeting took bio-safety management as its subject and explained how, with careful thought and practical management, this could be dramatically improved. Making sure that breeders think through bio-security measures makes absolute sense, and isolation should be practised wherever possible when any horse returns from outside the breeding herd. Any outbreak of disease in a horse is an issue, but spreading that infection can be a recipe for disaster.

Having said this, it was very encouraging to participate in the

Dec_172_TBA_Leader.indd 9

meeting and see at first hand how so many international vets are working together so willingly for the common good. It means that any serious outbreak of disease among thoroughbreds, wherever it may occur in the world, will be dealt with firmly and monitored by every country involved in the production of these horses and hopefully the effects and spread will be eliminated or minimised.

Just two days after the ITBF meeting, the recent international success of British-bred horses, which has been noticed and commented on by many professionals, was further enhanced by victories at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Churchill Downs for Expert Eye in the Mile and Enable in the Turf. And a couple of days later came the clean sweep in the Melbourne Cup by Cross Counter, Marmelo, Prince Of Arran and Finche to confirm the quality of British bloodstock.

These results confirm what is already known, that Britain has

“The greater the success for British-breds, the more likely the industry is to attract new interest” some very good bloodlines and breeders. Given the right support, many more of their number can produce horses able to compete successfully around the world. Showcasing British breeding and the quality of our bloodstock across the globe has to be good for everyone involved in the sport.

The greater success for British-breds, the more likely the industry is to attract new interest from both here and overseas, and that in turn can lead to more investment through ownership and breeding.

We should be proud to say that Great Britain is the best place to breed and race thoroughbreds. Let’s trumpet our success and encourage everyone to get involved.

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23/11/2018 13:45

THE RIGHT TACK MAKE SURE YOU’RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH A CHEVELEY PARK STUD STALLION

GARSWOOD

INTELLO

DUAL GROUP SIRE WITH HIS FIRST CROP IN 2018 Successes included the Gr.3 winners CALA TARIDA and LITTLE KIM.

THE LEADING UK-BASED 2ND CROP SIRE 2018 (by earnings), including INTELLOGENT (Gr.1), YOUNG RASCAL (Gr.3 x 3) and REGAL REALITY (Gr.3)

2018 yearlings made up to 55,000gns.

2018 yearlings made up to €290,000.

■ Fee: £3,500 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

■ Fee: £20,000 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

LETHAL FORCE

MAYSON

THE LEADING UK-BASED 2ND CROP SIRE 2018 (by number of winners) with 44 winners and 52% 3yo winners to runners (to 18/11).

2018 yearlings made up to £65,000.

3RD LEADING UK-BASED 3RD CROP SIRE 2018 (by earnings) behind only Frankel and Nathaniel.

Sire of 13 Black Type 2yos to date and of 61 winners of over 100 races in 2018 (to 18/11).

■ Fee: £4,500 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

■ Fee: £6,000 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

PIVOTAL

TWILIGHT SON

CHAMPION SIRE & CHAMPION BROODMARE SIRE 2018 His 2018 successes included Gr.1 winners BLAIR HOUSE and LIGHTNING SPEAR.

FIRST YEARLINGS IN 2019

2018 yearlings made up to 425,000gns.

■ Fee: Private ■

DUAL GR.1 WINNING SPRINTER BY KYLLACHY 220 mares covered in his first two books.

First crop foals sold at Goffs made up to €95,000.

■ Fee: £8,000 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

ULYSSES

UNFORTUNATELY

FIRST FOALS IN 2019

NEW FOR 2019

BY GALILEO OUT OF AN OAKS WINNER

HIGHEST-RATED SON OF SOCIETY ROCK

His first book included 8 Gr.1 winners; 6 dams of Gr.1 winners and 18 full or half sisters to Gr.1 winners.

Won Gr.1 Prix Morny (2nd fastest time in the last 50 years); Gr.2 Prix Robert Papin and Gr.3 Renaissance Stakes.

■ Fee: £17,500 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

■ Fee: £7,500 (1st Oct. SLF) ■

Cheveley Park Stud Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD • Tel: (01638) 730316 • enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk www.cheveleypark.co.uk • L @CPStudOfficial

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22/11/2018 13:26

News

Stories from the racing world

Winx on wishlist for new $7m Pegasus World Cup Turf

Gulfstream Park will host the Pegasus World Cup fixture on Saturday, January 26

I

t may be optimistic but organisers behind the new Pegasus World Cup Turf would love to attract Australian wonder-mare Winx for the inaugural running of the $7 million contest at Gulfstream Park on January 26.

Introduced on the same card as the $9m Pegasus World Cup, one of the world’s most valuable dirt races, the Pegasus World Cup Turf will be run over an extended nine furlongs with a first prize of $3m.

It is hoped some of the world’s leading turf performers will be attracted to Florida to contest the

Grade 1 prize, which replaces the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in the US programme.

“It would be great to get Winx to come over for the Pegasus World Cup Turf!” said Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer for The Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream Park. “We want to attract the top international turf horses and see them competing here.

“The huge purse on offer for the Pegasus World Cup Turf means it will hopefully act as an incentive to owners to keep their horses in training a little longer. In future, it would be

good if some of the European runners that came over for the Breeders’ Cup stayed on for this race.

“We believe the Pegasus World Cup Turf fits well into the international stakes schedule and will enhance a superb card of top-class horseracing on January 26.”

The cost to enter the Pegasus World Cup Turf, open to three-yearolds and older horses, is $500,000.

Prize-money is paid all the way down to last place – the maximum field is 14 runners – and the minimum any runner will receive is $200,000.

Five-star Gosden dominates the Cartier Racing Awards If you had not known that John Gosden was Britain’s champion trainer before the Cartier Racing Awards were presented at a ceremony in London last month, you might have guessed it afterwards.

Gosden-trained horses dominated the glittering occasion at The Dorchester, scooping five of the eight awards, including Horse of the Year.

That was won by Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion, who also took the three-year-old colt honour, courtesy of his top-level victories in the Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Dual Arc heroine Enable captured the older horse crown, £1 million Weatherbys Hamilton bonus winner Stradivarius snared the stayers’ award, while Too Darn Hot, unbeaten during his first season, took the juvenile colt honour.

The owner of Stradivarius, Bjorn Nielsen, praised Gosden’s ability to get his horse “to peak like this five times”.

Dec_172_News.indd 11

The Roaring Lion team of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, Oisin Murphy and John Gosden with Cartier’s Laurent Feniou

anymore, it’s all Too Darn Hot”.

Irish-trained duo Skitter Scatter (twoyear-old filly) and Alpha Centauri (threeyear-old filly), along with the Michael Dods-trained Mabs Cross (sprinter), were the other star performers honoured with a Cartier trophy.

The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit went to David Oldrey, an owner, breeder and historian whose career in racing administration has taken in spells at the British Horseracing Board, Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

Dewhurst winner Too Darn Hot and his connections head into the winter dreaming of Classic glory in 2019, and owner Madeleine Lloyd-Webber described winning a Cartier with a horse of such talent as “the pinnacle”.

Husband Andrew – “the naming manager” as he is known by his wife for his contribution to their racing operation – bemoaned the fact “nobody wants to talk to me about the shows

CARTIER RACING AWARDS 2018 Two-Year-Old Colt: Too Darn Hot Two-Year-Old Filly: Skitter Scatter Three-Year-Old Colt: Roaring Lion Three-Year-Old Filly: Alpha Centauri Sprinter: Mabs Cross Stayer: Stradivarius Older Horse: Enable Horse of the Year: Roaring Lion Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: David Oldrey

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23/11/2018 16:34

News Government brings forward FOBT stake reduction The maximum stake reduction from £100 to £2 for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be implemented in April 2019, earlier than previously planned by the government.

It was announced in the Budget that the reduction would be brought forward to October 2019, but that was not early enough for a vocal and sizeable lobby, including Conservative MPs, and Sports Minister Tracey Crouch resigned over the issue, saying that waiting until October was “unjustifiable”.

An increase in taxes on online casino games, needed to offset the loss in tax revenue from the FOBT changes, have also been brought forward to April, with betting industry representatives estimating the double-whammy will hit the sector to the tune of £100 million.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said in a statement said: “The government has been clear that protecting vulnerable people is the prime concern, but that as a responsible government it is also right to take the needs of those employed by the gambling industry into account and provide time for an orderly transition.

“Parliament has, however, been clear that they want this change to be made sooner. The government has listened and will now implement the reduction in April 2019.”

New BHA appointments The BHA recently unveiled three key appointments; Rose Grissell (Head of Diversity and Inclusion), Tim Naylor (Director of Integrity and Regulation) and Atholl Duncan (Interim Chairman).

Grissell’s role was created out of an action plan published in the summer. Her primary responsibility will be to work with the Diversity in Racing Steering Group to implement the recommendations of that plan, and to work with the wider racing industry to better understand and improve diversity and inclusiveness in the sport.

Grissell was previously Senior Project Manager for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and has delivered a number of initiatives, including the mental health campaign ‘This Is Me’ and ‘She Can Be’, a programme to encourage young women into City careers.

She said: “I’m very excited to take up the role. In a short period of time British racing has already made significant progress in addressing issues of inequality and lack of diversity within horseracing by conducting valuable research and creating an action plan.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, as well as the wider racing community, to implement these plans and make racing more inclusive for all.”

Naylor, meanwhile, will be responsible for managing the BHA’s integrity, disciplinary and compliance functions with oversight of licensing, monitoring and investigation, as well as case management of matters which go before the independent judicial panel.

He joined the BHA permanently as Head of Regulation in March 2017, having previously held that position on an interim basis. Before that he was a barrister at QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers in London,

RoR Heart Awards winners revealed The Retraining of Racehorses Heart Awards were held at the charity’s end-of-season party on November 17.

Four ex-racehorses received special recognition and the RoR Biggest Heart Award went to Elsie’s Star, a ten-year-old owned by Helen Corner, for her superb temperament and trusting nature.

The RoR Healthy Heart accolade, for best all-rounder, went to Karen Harrison’s Native Caption, a sprightly 23-year-old who is known as Donald at home and is described by his owner as “our horse of a lifetime”.

12

Rose Grissell: excited by new role at BHA

where he was instructed by the BHA on a number of disciplinary panel and licensing committee cases from 2013 onwards.

Naylor said: “I’m thrilled to be taking up my new role and looking forward to ensuring British horseracing is seen as an international leader in racing integrity and ensuring the highest standards of regulation in order to build confidence within the sport.”

Duncan assumed the Interim Chairman role following Steve Harman’s departure.

Harman, who took over from Paul Roy as Chairman in 2013, left the BHA several months before he was due to after a crisis precipitated by his meetings with Alex Frost – the Chief Executive of Alizeti, which has purchased a stake in the Tote – at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Duncan’s appointment is on an ongoing basis as the BHA and its members discuss the future role of the organisation and its Chairman’s remit.

Harman will continue working as a consultant to the sport’s leadership in government relations.

Danish Blues and Stacey Barr

Ten-year-old Stilo Blue Native was named RoR Heart Throb. He started retraining this year and the Blueprint gelding, owned by Samantha Osborne, has proved to be a star on social media.

The RoR Heart Stopper award, for a horse that has overcome adversity, went to 15-year-old Danish Blues, owned by Stacey Barr. Danish Blues was nursed back from an underweight animal with abscesses on his feet and rain scald to a happy, healthy horse that qualified for the British Dressage Championships and RoR Championships.

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Changes

Racing’s news in a nutshell

People and business South Africa

Trial of racing without whips begins in the nation after criticism of its use, as authorities hope of attracting a new audience.

Mims Davies

MP for Eastleigh, 43, succeeds Tracey Crouch as Sports Minister.

Chris Timmons

Jockey given a four-year ban after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine at Ballinrobe in May.

Duchess of Cornwall

Gary Stevens

Appointed the first ever patron of the National Stud in Newmarket.

Fall at Del Mar leads the US Hall of Fame jockey to announce his retirement from the saddle at the age of 55.

Mr Binman

Waste recycling firm is the new title sponsor at Limerick’s four-day Christmas festival.

Pool betting

The Tote and Britbet agree seven-year £50 million deal to join forces and reinvigorate pool betting on British racing.

Luca Cumani

The trainer’s final runner, Swansdown, finishes second at Wolverhampton on November 22.

Philip Hide

Finian O’Toole

Conditional jockey suffers broken pelvis in heavy fall at Kelso in November.

Roger Lewis

Former head of BBC Radio 1 is appointed Chairman of Racecourse Media Group, succeeding Simon Ellen.

Jacques Ricou

Five-time champion jump jockey in France announces his retirement aged 38. He won two Grade 1s on Jair Du Cochet in Britain.

Former jump jockey and trainer is appointed trainee clerk of the course at Brighton and Fontwell.

John Hooper

Bookmaker who trades as Sid Hooper buys 82 racecourse pitches from William Hill in a deal said to be worth around £2 million.

Horse obituaries Alexander Banquet 25

Ruby Walsh’s first Cheltenham Festival winner when taking the Champion Bumper in 1998 for Willie Mullins.

Monet’s Garden 20

Popular chaser for the Nicky Richards stable, winning 17 races including the Ascot Chase twice and the Melling Chase.

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23/11/2018 14:41

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Changes

Racehorse and stallion

Movements and retirements

Sheikhzayedroad

Star gelding for the David Simcock stable, winning 11 of his 49 starts including the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes, is retired aged nine.

Kessaar

Mill Reef Stakes victor is retired aged two to begin his stallion career at Tally-Ho Stud in 2019 alongside his sire Kodiac.

Cracksman

Harbour Law

Highest-rated racehorse in Europe is retired to Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket. The son of Frankel’s fee is £25,000.

St Leger victor will take up stallion duties at Batsford Stud in Gloucestershire, joined by Swiss Spirit.

Axxos

Roaring Lion

Helmet

Expert Eye

Casamento

Master Carpenter

Son of Monsun, sire of useful chaser Calett Mad, moves from France to Coolagown Stud in County Cork. His fee is €2,500.

Breeders’ Cup Mile winner is retired to owner Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud, with his fee set at £20,000.

Outstanding son of Kitten’s Joy, winner of four Group 1s in 2018, is retired to stand at Tweenhills Farm. His fee is £40,000.

Son of Shamardal is recruited by Sunnyhill Stud in County Kildare as a dual-purpose sire.

Son of Exceed And Excel, sire of Dubai World Cup hero Thunder Snow, moves from Dalham Hall Stud to Gestut Fahrhof.

Group 3-winning son of Mastercraftsman is retired aged seven ahead of a prospective stallion career.

People obituaries Paul Elliott 72

Godfrey Maundrell 70

Odanis Acuna 42

Nick Embiricos 81

Sylvia Bentick 91

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha 60

Rode winners under both codes before joining the BHA’s dope testing team on southern tracks.

Work rider for trainer Kenny McPeek dies in an accident at Churchill Downs.

Well-known and admired in Lambourn’s racing community, her husband Cyril rode and trained winners.

16

Dairy farmer who rode well into his sixties, enjoying his first treble on the point-to-point circuit at the age of 61.

Owner of Aldaniti, winner of the 1981 Grand National under Bob Champion, who fought back from cancer to ride.

Chairman of Leicester City, who had invested a huge amount in bloodstock over the past year, dies in a helicopter crash.

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23/11/2018 14:42

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The Big Picture

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Breeders’ Cup

Extraordinary Enable Fillies like Enable do not come along very often. Despite an interrupted campaign, Khalid Abdullah’s daughter of Nathaniel was able to win her second Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October and now has a Breeders’ Cup Turf victory to her credit, after another typically game performance at Churchill Downs. Frankie Dettori has a special connection with Enable, having partnered her to nine consecutive victories, and kept her wide on the better ground in the Turf, seeing off the strong challenge of Magical to score by three quarters of a length. A third Arc bid is on the agenda after it was revealed that Enable will stay in training with John Gosden for a further season.

Photo George Selwyn

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The Big Picture Honours shared The 2018 Breeders’ Cup proved successful for European raiders. Enable was joined by fellow Juddmonte homebred Expert Eye on the roll of honour, taking the Mile for Sir Michael Stoute and Frankie Dettori (bottom left), while Godolphin’s Line of Duty (below) gave Charlie Appleby and William Buick big-race glory in the Juvenile Turf.

Monomoy Girl (right) captured the Distaff under Florent Geroux, Newspaperofrecord and Irad Ortiz Jr pulverised the opposition in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (far right), while the John Sadler-trained Accelerate showed his class with victory in the Classic under Joel Rosario (below right).

Photos George Selwyn

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Breeders’ Cup

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The Big Picture

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Melbourne Cup

Appleby makes history A Derby, Breeders’ Cup triumph and Melbourne Cup in the same year; it’s been some 12 months for Charlie Appleby, who gave Godolphin boss Sheikh Mohammed a day to remember at Flemington on November 6 when Cross Counter swooped fast and late under Kerrin McEvoy (red cap) to win the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Cross Counter’s victory was the first for a British-trained runner in the contest, as he saw off fellow UK challengers Marmelo (yellow spots) and Prince Of Arran (left).

Photos Bronwen Healy

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From The Archives

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Barton Bank on December 26, 1994

Kempton calamity for Bank Races are usually famous for their winners rather than their losers, or for what happened afterwards. Not so the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in 1994, which will forever be known for Barton Bank’s unseating of a young Adrian Maguire at the last when clear of his rivals.

Barton Bank started favourite to defend his crown and after seeing off Young Hustler, who vied with him for the early lead, gradually asserted his authority on the final circuit and, despite being low at the third-last, went further clear in the straight. Then disaster struck at the last, and French raider Algan, a 16-1 shot trained by Francois Doumen, who also saddled The Fellow (pulled up), swooped past to beat Monsieur Le Cure and Second Schedual.

Barton Bank’s trainer David Nicholson was, perhaps understandably, in no mood to be trifled with and proceeded to confront, and then punch, Racing Post photographer Edward Whitaker, who was snapping Maguire. The Duke’s actions resulted in a £1,500 fine, a fairly hefty punishment in those days.

Photo George Selwyn

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Tony Morris

School one week, Fleet Street the next by fluke M

PA

y last day at school was a Friday in early April 1963. On the following Monday, still wearing my school flannel suit, I was a Fleet Street journalist.

Yes, it was ridiculous, I acknowledge that. But circumstances alter cases, and there had been circumstances that altered things in the Press Association’s racing department without my knowledge.

I had written my letter of application for a job there some nine months before, and had received a reply to the effect that there were no vacancies. But some time after that, one office employee was switched to racecourse duties, and no sooner had that happened than the chief sub-editor had died.

Suddenly, the racing desk at the Press Association was two men short. For some reason the letter I’d written months earlier had not been ditched. It was still in the racing editor’s drawer, and when desperate measures were called for, who else could he turn to? They had only my word for the fact that I was passionate about racing; I’d admitted that my only venture into journalism had been as joint-editor of the school magazine.

I was given the job for no better reason than they knew of nobody else who might be better qualified. I soon recognised that whatever knowledge I had was hardly ever applicable to whatever I was now required to do. And it wasn’t just about racing matters that I was lacking.

The racing editor, a marvellous man called Leo McClean, would

Danny Maher after winning the 1910 Gold Cup on Bayardo

wander around the department, note what everyone was doing, and find a query that required an answer.

I’d been there only a few days when he stood over me and watched me working with a pen. “Don’t you type, Mr Morris?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied, “but I’m not very quick as yet.”

I should have expected the follow-up. “Do you do shorthand, Mr Morris?” I could only report that I had attended classes – as the only male among 20-odd budding female secretaries, as it happened – but that I had not managed to exceed my longhand speed.

I will never forget Mac’s response: “Well, you’re going to make a fine journalist, aren’t you?”

Mac must have thought that he should have asked more searching questions when I was interviewed for the job. My initial contract specified a six-month trial, so he would have the opportunity to dump me, if I continued to prove so inept.

By an extraordinary fluke I had found myself in the job I’d always wanted, and the realisation that I was hopelessly inadequate in the role just made me determined to justify myself somehow. And that wasn’t terribly difficult.

I was smart enough to realise that I had to learn from more experienced colleagues, and I could soon work out who were the fellows who could teach me something valuable, and who were just along there for the ride before they moved on in a different direction. One was basically illiterate, so was hardly better qualified than me. Fortunately, there were better tutors.

In those early months my principal focus could be only on keeping my job, but I must have done a few things right. I never did get told that my six-month trial was to expire. But I had sussed out which of my colleagues I could learn from, and which weren’t actually going to help me.

I was at least ten years younger than any of them, and in some cases it would have been 40 years. It was much the same when I started to become a regular on the racecourse. I got used to being the youngest in my little world, never imagining a time when I would be the oldest, as I seem to be now.

When obviously young, it is impossible to hide one’s inexperience. I realised that none of my elders and betters would be interested in my worthless opinions, so I adopted a policy of just listening and hoping to learn from them, while keeping my mouth shut, aside from moments when I thought I could ask an intelligent and pertinent question.

There were inevitably times when my queries merely emphasised my appalling ignorance, causing a sigh and a raising of eyebrows. But, generally speaking, I found that expressing a desire to know – about any of the numerous facets of our sport and industry – from someone with expertise in the field met with a positive response.

Seniors liked to be quizzed by juniors, perhaps in some cases not least because it amounted to acknowledgement of their authority. I would often ask questions to which I thought I already knew the answer, and I would ask the same ones to several different people. It was good to obtain confirmation; it was sometimes good to discover that opinions differed.

There was always book-learning, and the library I had begun to acquire before I reached my teens kept expanding, but the very best of my education came away from home and London offices.

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The man you can’t ignore Making the personal acquaintance of the top people in their sphere, either on the racecourse or at the sales, was always an objective, and to my everlasting delight, that occasionally led to the establishment of firm friendships with people several decades older than me.

It was a special treat to be able to pick the brains of folks who had enjoyed long and successful careers in whatever branch of our multi-faceted game, and I would remain ever-grateful for the gift of their time and their experience.

There was, of course, an inevitable downside in the fact that friendships with such senior figures would reach a natural end too soon, but I have never ceased to value the benefits I gained in those necessarily limited periods. I was privileged to learn from so many masters of their trade, among whom I recall three in particular, one based in Ireland, one in America and one in England.

Bert Kerr had been a bloodstock agent for 45 years by the time I came to know him in the mid-1960s. The purchase of Nasrullah, who became a champion sire on both sides of the Atlantic, was his most consequential deal, but among countless others of note there was also a Kentucky Derby winner in Tomy Lee, and I watched him buy the 920gns yearling Hard To Beat, who would win a Prix du Jockey-Club.

Another respected as an outstanding judge of a horse, Humphrey Finney had been a stud manager, journalist and bloodstock agent, and by the time I came to know him he was the boss of Fasig-Tipton. When the company’s new sales pavilion at Saratoga needed a name, that of the genial, ever-helpful

“I was given the job for no better reason than they knew of nobody else better qualified” Lancashire native was the obvious choice.

I borrowed money from a schoolmate to enable my purchase of Racehorses of 1958, and I was at once in awe of Phil Bull, Timeform’s creator. Little did I imagine that some 25 years hence I would become a regular house-guest of the bearded sage when York came around. His was the sharpest brain I ever encountered in racing, ‘the great triviality’ as he called it.

There was one great man I met too late, not long before he died, 50 years ago this month. I had always been told that Jack Jarvis, trainer of Blue Peter, was difficult to get to know, and not particularly fond of pesky pressmen.

But one sunny afternoon on the July Course, I was bold enough to introduce myself, and for over an hour I teased out of him racing reminiscences dating back to the turn of the century.

The only trouble was that I felt sure he would clam up if I were to take out my notebook.

What do I remember of our conversation? The answer is nothing, bar his response to my question as to who had been the best jockey he ever saw.

But I’ve always thought that little titbit was worth having from a man who had been in the game for 70 years. No, it wasn’t Gordon Richards, Steve Donoghue or Lester Piggott.

His number one was Danny Maher, the American who thrived during the Edwardian era, winning two championships and nine Classics.

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The Howard Wright Column

Racing Authority and tracks pick up pieces O ne Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, resigns on a matter of principle after Chancellor Philip Hammond brought forward the slashing of maximum stakes on fixedodds betting terminals (FOBTs) by six months less than the time she felt justifiable. Shortly after it was brought forward by 12 months.

And the BHA formally thanks Ms Crouch for leaving “a positive legacy to British racing,” after her support for reform of the levy system, but, not unnaturally, makes no reference to the damage her backing for a machine stake of £2 will inflict on the sport.

Another Sports Minister, Mims Davies, arrives hotfoot from a junior ministry in the Welsh office, armed with a penchant for marathon running but, apparently, no greater experience of horseracing than will have been garnered from a couple of days out at Royal Ascot at the invitation of ITV. And the BHA welcomes her emergence from the shadows with the hope of “working with her to help build a bright future for our horses and our people,” while the Association of British Bookmakers looks forward to her ensuring “a sustainable and responsible retail betting industry.”

What a rum state the racing and betting industries find themselves in, skewered by an anti-gambling movement. As was mentioned here recently, before the FOBTs fall-out really hit the fan, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, and so does the government. The levy boost from bringing online operators into line with retail now has to be balanced against

Tracey Crouch resigned as Sports Minister on a point of principle

the machines blow, and the scale of their impact is unlikely to level out.

Crouch’s decision is indicative of the growing force of public opinion that the betting industry, and by direct involvement racing too, has had to face, amid claims of mass gambling addiction that are open to question.

What cannot be disputed, although quantification is imprecise, is that hundreds of betting shops will close, thousands of jobs will disappear, and millions of pounds will leak out of British racing through lost levy and media rights, as a direct consequence of the FOBTs decision.

The emphasis in attempting to repair the potential damage is therefore planted firmly in two camps – the racecourses, which must strive to make up the difference from other revenue streams, and the nascent Racing Authority, which

“Crouch’s decision is indicative of the growing force of public opinion that the betting industry has had to face” will come into formal existence on April 1 next year with its betting liaison group assuming ever more importance.

Bookmaking industry veteran Wilf Walsh’s recruitment as the second independent Racing Authority director, after Chairman Sir High Robertson, has still not been formally recognised, other than in Companies House documents, but if confirmed he will chair the betting liaison group. Robertson has quite rightly decided that chairing both bodies was a step too far.

Former Coral MD Walsh is the perfect choice, not least because as well as his considerable bookmaking nous he brings to the role more recent experience of dealing with adversity from his day job as Chief Executive of Carpetright.

As for Robertson, he has so far kept his own counsel on the task ahead but will reveal some, if not all, of his thoughts in public for the first time at the Gimcrack Dinner on December 11.

Comprising two representatives each from the British Horseracing Authority, Racecourse Association and Horsemen’s Group, sitting alongside two independents, the Racing Authority, which has been operating in shadow form, stands ready to assume the Levy Board’s spending role.

The composition and constitution were set before Robertson came aboard. A form of Levy Board Mark II, with greater emphasis on independent representation, may better avoid the pitfalls of sectional interests. Will Robertson have the nerve or energy to press for a more streamlined organisation? Let’s see.

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23/11/2018 16:02

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View Fr m Ireland

By Jessica Lamb

CAROLINE NORRIS

New era for Down Royal

Road To Respect and Sean Flanagan took Down Royal’s Grade 1 highlight last month, the JNwine.com Champion Chase

T

here has been no greater sign of Irish racing’s worth than the vote of confidence given by rich-list member Michael Roden – but can he see something others cannot?

When his Merrion Property Group bought the 200-acre site, upon which Down Royal racecourse stands, for £6.1 million, its immediate value was the rent paid by managers, the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders, on a 13-year lease.

But it has become clear that Roden always intended to take over that business, and now that initial fears of hidden agendas have been allayed, Irish racing should be buoyed – if a little confused.

Irish racing’s core statistics, like bloodstock sales, funding, sponsorship, prize-money, and ownership, have been steadily on the rise since around 2014, with government funding also climbing at a stable rate. But the next 12 months could change that.

From January 1 all Irish racing pictures will no longer be broadcast on the readily-available At The Races channel, taking the sport out of up to 12 million homes and providing coverage to just the select 50,000 subscribers of premium channel Racing UK. It is a deal reportedly worth €35m to Irish racecourses, but it means those unwilling to fork out for Racing UK will be

able to watch only 27 racedays on terrestrial channel RTE. At The Races is in 12 million homes because it comes as part of several sports and entertainment packages. For many, it is an entry point into the sport, and it’s ideal for the casual racing fan.

How that will affect Irish racing in the long term remains to be seen.

Peter Killeen, manager at Navan since 2014 after managing Tote Ireland’s operations for 14 years, believes Down Royal is a unique case.

He said: “Down Royal has a lot of plusses. It’s one of only two tracks in Northern Ireland, it has some quality racing, it has excellent facilities, and it has been invested in and managed really well

by Mike Todd and Jim Nicholson in recent years.

“All the tracks are very reliant on the income generated by pictures, that’s a fact of life. So you base your business model around that. They are pivotal, and we all know that.”

Down Royal faces a unique issue next year, too, as the ramifications of Brexit on Northern Ireland will be realised. In the past 20 years more than £5m has been invested in facilities at the track, a large slice from HRI’s capital grants scheme.

Irish racing is administered via HRI and the IHRB on an all-island basis, with an estimated nine out of ten runners at the northern venues being trained in the

south. In addition, Northern Ireland presently has no government, the Northern Irish Assembly having been suspended since January 2017 – this is an immediate issue for the new owners of Down Royal, as legislation needs to be changed for them to access funding for prize-money.

That will not happen before their first meeting in January, and there are no signs it will happen before the end of 2019, either.

Down Royal must face these challenges without the two men who dragged it back from the brink. Manager Todd, who with Chairman Nicholson rebuilt Down Royal from a bankrupt, roofless, rat-invested mess into a Grade 1 course, has stated: “I will no longer be a racecourse manager after December 31.

Nothing stays the same forever.”

He gave a reserved speech at the opening of the Down Royal Festival of Racing last month, thanking patrons and the industry for helping to transform the course into one frequented by multiple Gold Cup winners.

Nicholson and the 333-year-old Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders is looking for another site to operate on, leaving the complex Todd managed for the past 22 years.

Killeen said: “The first thing that surprised me was that the management team won’t be staying on. There’s an

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View Fr m Ireland ›› excellent team at Down Royal with a

wealth of experience. That I cannot understand.”

Peter Roe, who has managed Tipperary and is now at the helm at Fairyhouse, did understand.

“Mike Todd and Jim Nicholson have done an unbelievable job,” he said.

“Sitting beside them when they were announced as Racecourse of the Year was amazing. They were thrilled.

“They’ve worked so hard. I feel very sorry for them, but life goes on and I wish them well.”

Boom and no sign of bust

Merrion Property Group rose to prominence during the boom in 2003, when Roden sold the 24-acre former Bank of Ireland playing fields in Dublin’s lucrative Mount Merrion area for €50m to Knockrabo Development’s Niall Mellon. In four years he had doubled his money.

His stock has continued to grow.

Roden is a permanent fixture in Ireland’s rich list, his worth now estimated at €88m, as Merrion continues to accumulate assets.

These include a lauded, upmarket apartment development in an old convent in Cork, properties throughout Dublin, and sports and leisure facilities, including golf courses – which Down Royal also boasts.

The common misconception is that Roden is purely interested in property development, and that was the main concern facing the general populous of Irish racing when learning he was taking control of Down Royal.

An understanding of how valid those worries are comes from the latest figures on homelessness. While unemployment is at an all-time low, the rising housing costs stemming from Ireland’s growing economy have caused devastation for many.

Since 2014 the number of homeless people has grown continually, the Peter McVerry Trust in September reporting that 9,698 are accessing state-funded emergency accommodation.

Affordable housing is in desperately short supply, particularly in the capital, Dublin, but also across the island of Ireland, driving up the value of all land within range of jobs – Down Royal is a 30-minute drive from Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast.

However, sources close to the project say that Roden has no intentions of building residential property anywhere on that land, despite works in the pipeline for land nearby.

Instead, Roden sees the continued

growth of the business – the racecourse and golf course – as the value in his investment, and that will expand further if said external development does go ahead, bringing more people and activity into his catchment area.

Sources close to Roden have hinted the grand plan is to expand the outstanding facility to incorporate further venue options, perhaps tapping in to concerts or conferences.

Non-raceday options are limited at most racecourses, unless purpose-built facilities are created. Leopardstown, for example, has The Pavilion glass-fronted building for exhibitions and conferences.

Limerick has a 3,000sq/m event space, and Punchestown built a near 6,000sq/m complex in 2001. Navan and Fairyhouse lack those luxuries.

“Our non-raceday stuff, to be brutally

“Local councils in Northern Ireland have spoken up for Down Royal” honest, is not that strong,” said Killeen of Navan. “We have a variety of different events that bring in a bit of income, but in reality you are competing against all of the local hotels, who are probably giving facilities free of charge, based on what they are selling for catering. So it’s very, very challenging.”

It’s on Roe’s list to develop nonraceday income in 2019, the track dabbling in concerts and hosting a regular Sunday market. “We have a big facility and we have to work hard to sweat the asset,” he said.

Transition time

In an official statement, MPG has said that Irish racing will not notice the difference in Down Royal when the new team takes over and that the transition will be seamless. That is not entirely true.

Law requires that all personnel currently employed by the business, that won Horse Racing Ireland’s Racecourse of the Year prize last December, are offered their present position by the new ownership.

So there is the possibility that the offices will remain unchanged from

December 26 to January 29, though Todd and Nicholson are already ruled out.

In Todd’s place could be Mark Kershaw, who has managed Ayr, Musselburgh and Newbury, and was instrumental in the opening of Ffos Las, with Michael O’Rourke, former director of marketing and communications at Horse Racing Ireland, already among the new owner’s advisors.

O’Rourke has been vital to MPG’s discussions with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and is a candidate for Down Royal’s new board.

The final make-up of the management team and board will be known shortly.

Roe has his own ideas as to what challenges they will face.

“It’s a changing environment,” Roe said. “People have become more demanding of their bigger days. That’s why we’re investing heavily in wi-fi here.

It’s a major six-figure investment for Fairyhouse, but it’s the minimum people expect now.”

Local councils in Northern Ireland have spoken up for Down Royal and pledged not to support any development application that would prevent racing from continuing. In addition, MPG has jumped more hurdles than Hurricane Fly to prove to HRI that it will take over the business in the best interests of racing.

Following the Down Royal business, it has been suggested that HRI should take a stake in all racecourses. Roe’s Fairyhouse, which is among the four HRI-owned tracks, doesn’t think that is appropriate.

“I’m not even going to get into that discussion,” he said. “There are a lot of successful tracks that are run very well by small committees. It means we all have different ideas and there is competition.

It’s probably not the worst model [to have a variety of racecourse owners].”

Irish racing: half-year figures €27.7m - prize-money was up 4.4% in the first half of 2018 €3.5m - sponsorship was also up by 7% 19% - increase in new owners, largely down to continued work

by HRI’s and ITM’s ownership divisions 8 - number of successive years bloodstock sales have increased, growing a further 1.6% in the first half of 2018

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J2685 ITM Stallion Trail 2019 Advert - 210x297mm - PRINT.indd 1

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CANNOCK CHASE Lemon Drop Kid (USA) / Lynnwood Chase hase e (USA) (USA)

• Winner of the Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Gr. 1) • Tercentenary Stakes, Royal Ascot (Gr. 3) • Huxley Stakes (for the Tradesman’s Cup) (Gr. 3) "He’s a very progressive horse that we have always liked... he’s got a turn of foot and a bit of class."

• Won over 10-12f Sir Michael Stoute, Racing Post

PEACE ENVOY Power (GB) ex Hoh My Darling (GB)

“He was a very smart juvenile.”

“He reminds me very much of Rock of Gibraltar.”

Ryan Moore

Aidan O’Brien

DYLAN MOUTH

• Winner of Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (Gr.3) • Winner of Coolmore War Command Rochestown (C & G) Stakes (LR) • Placed 3rd in the Darley Prix Morny (Gr.1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (Turf) to Lady Aurelia • 2nd in the GAIN Railway Stakes (Gr.2)

New for 2019

Dylan Thomas (IRE) / Cottonmouth (IRE)

• Winner of Premio Roma GBI Racing (Gr. 1) • Gran Premio Del Jockey Club (Gr. 1) • Gran Premio di Milano (Gr. 2) • Premio Federico Tesio (Gr. 2) • John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Gr. 3) • Won over 1m1/4f - 1m6f “Dylan Mouth has proved to be very tough horse throughout his career, he has always been sound and has had a great temperament throughout. He is versatile, handles any ground and has been an extremely professional horse to deal with.” Marco Botti

WORSALL GRANGE FARM

Low Worsall, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom Tel: 01642 789800 www.worsallgrange.com NOMINATIONS LUCY HORNER Email: Lucy@worsallgrange.com

Worsall Grange OB Nov 2018 f-p.indd 1 Grange|2018|Roster_X3_|OB|A4|210mm(w) x 297mm.indd 2

10/10/2018 09:15 14:42 14/09/2018

Continental Tales

By James Crispe, IRB

Subway’s travels prove worthwhile CZECH REPUBLIC

GEORGE SELWYN

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ow on earth did the Czech-trained 66-1 shot Subway Dancer manage to finish third in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot?

Many elements of the six-year-old Shamardal gelding’s story beggar belief.

Arguably most incredible of all is that, but for a panicked cross-Channel dash four days before the race, he would not have been allowed to run and British racing would have scored an embarrassing own goal.

Three years ago, the British Horseracing Authority brought in a new regulation enabling it to pre-race test overseas runners for a number of prohibited medications, including steroids.

Certain trusted European racing nations with their own rigorous testing procedures – Ireland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden – were exempted. But connections of any horse coming to compete in Britain from elsewhere in the world would now need to provide blood and hair samples ten working days before a race.

Entries for the Champion Stakes close in early August and Ascot was a target for Subway Dancer all season long, so there was plenty of time for trainer Zdeno Koplik to comply with this new regulation, if only he had known about it.

It was not until the Tuesday before the race that people working on behalf of Ascot racecourse got in touch with Koplik to alert him to the problem.

Fortunately, Subway Dancer was not in the Czech Republic at the time, but lodging at Chantilly at the yard of trainer Frank Sheridan, so was able to hotfoot it to Newmarket where BHA officials, while insisting that the case was a one-off and would not set a precedent, took the necessary samples and fast-tracked them at their local testing facilities so that the results would be known before raceday.

A system needs to be put in place urgently to better advertise this new regulation and ensure that, for earlyclosing races at least, overseas connections from relevant countries are made aware of it at the time of entry.

This was a case of all’s well that ends well, but as Koplik’s daughter, Ingrid, who led the horse up at Ascot, reveals: “We were quite nervous as we couldn’t be certain that Subway Dancer would be allowed to run until Friday and his departure from Chantilly had to be organised in just a matter of hours in order

Subway Dancer at Ascot, where he ran a blinder to finish third behind Cracksman

to get to Newmarket in time.”

No matter, Subway Dancer ended up earning £139,880 for his third place, almost doubling his career bankroll in the process - not bad for a horse bought unraced at the age of almost four at the Arqana Deauville Sales in late 2015, for the paltry sum of €3,000.

The 26-strong Koplik string is based at the tiny village of Mala Viska, some 40 miles from Prague, and is very much a family-run operation.

At its head is 49-year-old Zdeno, a jump jockey of some renown who finished second aboard Vinny in the 1995 renewal of the world famous Velka Pardubicka at Pardubice despite negotiating the last 17 obstacles without stirrups after his saddle had slipped. A horror fall at the same venue four years later precipitated a 12-hour life-saving operation and brought a premature end to his riding career.

Nowadays, the Koplik horses are often ridden by his brother and Subway Dancer’s regular pilot, 38-year-old Radek, or his 30-year-old daughter, the aforementioned Ingrid Janackova Koplikova. And Subway Dancer is looked after by Ingrid’s nine-yearold daughter, Viktorie, who “loves him to pieces.”

Ironically, given the enormity of his Ascot achievement, in terms of victories 2018 has been Koplik’s worst season for almost two decades. In France, where Subway Dancer has won three times, including in Group 3 company, he has failed to visit the winner’s enclosure from 47 starts this term, and when you add his others runners, which have been split between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, his overall annual statistics are a distinctly modest three wins from 123 starts.

From 27 lifetime outings, Subway Dancer has never run in his home country, nor is he ever likely to, given the low prize-money on offer there. Indeed, in common with some of his stablemates, he has a special type of registration with the Czech Jockey Club that only allows him to race abroad.

So he needs to be at ease with road travel. From Mala Viska to Deauville takes 12 hours in a horsebox and many of the stable’s French runners venture even further.

“Subway Dancer is happy and sound and has recovered from his trip well,” Ingrid relates. “The plan is to race him in France again next season and it would nice to return to England with him.”

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Continental Tales

Day to forget for authorities Leading on from the revelation that Subway Dancer was almost barred from taking part in British Champions Day, it’s easy to get snarky about mistakes made by racing’s governing body here in Britain – the wrong horse being allowed to run twice in the last 18 months, despite microchip identification, really takes the biscuit!

But the decision by Flemington racecourse to water the night before the Melbourne Cup, only for two inches of rain to fall the next morning, shows that foreign authorities get it wrong too.

German racing suffered its own day to forget on October 14. It staged two meetings that Sunday, at Cologne and Munich, and major equipment malfunctions hit both fixtures.

While Cologne’s feature, the nation’s top juvenile event, the Group 3 Preis der Winterfavoriten, went off without incident, the main supporting race, a Listed event, barely went off at all.

The starter called a false start as the stalls opened, yet, with no recall flag man on the track, the only jockey to

respond was Andreas Helfenbein, who pulled up the hot favourite Millowitsch reasonably swiftly. The other 12 runners completed the entire seven-furlong course, outsider Westfalica just getting the better of the British raider, the George Scott-trained Another Batt.

Following a stewards’ enquiry, the race was declared void; the five-time Pattern race winner Millowitsch was shipped off to start his stallion career at Gestut Rottgen without a proper goodbye; and a few days later Scott was offered €500 by the racecourse executive as compensation for his ultimately pointless journey from Newmarket. (Another Batt’s performance completely escaped the attentions of the Racing Post. After he finished a fine fourth in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot just six days later, their form analysis was that he was “back close to his best following 97 days away from the track.”)

Even stranger things were happening at Munich, involving the Panamanianborn four-time German champion jockey Eddie Pedroza.

After finishing fourth in race four on

GEORGE SELWYN

GERMANY

Eddie Pedroza: strange day at Munich

the card, Pedroza’s mount was disqualified as he weighed in 800g below the 59kg he should have been carrying.

Nothing particularly unusual there, yet having finished unplaced at 55.5kg and 60kg in the next two races, Pedroza won race seven aboard Strategie Bleu, only for another objection to be lodged by the clerk of the scales, this time because he was a full kilo shy of his allotted 58.5kg.

Classic-plundering spree for Erichsen’s new discovery NORWAY Norwegian trainer Cathrine Erichsen has handled a few classy stayers over the past 20 years, including Albaran, winner of the 1999 Group 3 Stockholm

Cup and placed in the same showpiece on two other occasions.

However, she may have unearthed an even better one over the past six months in the shape of the three-year-old gelding Master Bloom.

ELINA BJÖRKLUND/SVENSK GALOPP

Master Bloom: late developer who is unbeaten in his last six starts

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From the first crop of the French-based young German stallion Pastorius, Master Bloom is bred to be useful, as his dam Milibloom was placed in three different Swedish Classics in 2011 – the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and Derby.

But Master Bloom was less precocious than his mum, hence he was not highlyrated enough to justify a place in the Swedish Derby field at Jagersro in mid-July, instead landing the less valuable Derby Consolation an hour and a half later on.

Since then he has switched from dirt to turf and gone on a Classic-plundering spree, winning the Danish Derby and Norwegian and Swedish St Legers, not to mention a mile and a half conditions race at Bro Park worth £22,645 to the winner.

So he goes into winter quarters unbeaten in his last six starts. With Erichsen not averse to jumping on a ferry across the North Sea (she won nice prizes at Doncaster and Ascot in 2015 and 2016 with Easy Road), there must be a chance that the triple Classic hero will grace the British turf before 2019 is out.

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Around The Globe

The Worldwide Racing Scene

Accelerate wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic under Joel Rosario

NORTH AMERICA

By Steve Andersen

T

he debate surrounding the selection of the 2018 American Horse of the Year began shortly before sunset in Kentucky on November 3. Moments earlier at Churchill Downs, Accelerate won his fifth Grade 1 race of the year in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to clinch the title of champion older horse.

The five-year-old Accelerate won four Grade 1 races in California from early March to late September for owners Pete and Kosta Hronis of Delano, California, and trainer John Sadler prior to winning the $6 million Classic, the richest race of the Breeders’ Cup. Voters must choose between Accelerate or Justify, who is a certainty for the three-year-old male title. Justify could easily be chosen as Horse of the Year for his unbeaten six-race career, from February to early June, that included an emphatic sweep of the Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

But Justify was retired to stud in the summer after a minor injury was detected, denying the colt an opportunity to emulate 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic that year at Keeneland, becoming the first horse to win those four races – a Grand Slam, of sorts.

The Horse of the Year decision, determined by voters from the National

Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, will be announced at Gulstream Park on January 24.

For a day in early November, American racing belonged to Accelerate and to his owners, who have been involved in the sport for less than a decade. For Sadler, 62, the Breeders’ Cup Classic was his first win in a Breeders’ Cup race with his 45th starter.

“This is what I do every day, every year for my whole career,” Sadler said after the race. “To get the big one, I couldn’t ask for a better day.”

Accelerate’s win was the highlight of the American runners in the two-day Breeders’ Cup series, which conducted a record 14 races. The $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint at five and a half furlongs was run for the first time and won by the unbeaten Bulletin, trained by Todd Pletcher.

This year, the domestic team shared the spoils with a bevy of European runners led by Turf heroine Enable, who made Breeders’ Cup history by becoming the first winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to follow up at the Breeders’ Cup the same year.

The Breeders’ Cup was launched in 1984 and Enable was the eighth winner of the Arc to attempt to follow up in the Turf, at $4m the most valuable turf race in the US. Enable fought off a stubborn rival in Aidan O’Brien’s filly Magical to win by three-quarters of a length under Frankie

Dettori on a rain-soaked turf course.

“She’s a superstar,” Dettori said. “She had every chance of throwing in the towel, but she didn’t.”

Enable, trained by John Gosden, was part of an epic day for Juddmonte Farms, which won the Mile with the fast-closing Expert Eye for trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

On November 2, Line Of Duty won the Juvenile Turf at a mile for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Four days later, Cross Counter won the Melbourne Cup on the other side of the world for Godolphin and Appleby.

The Breeders’ Cup adopted a new format this year, holding the five races for two-year-olds on the first day and nine races for older horses on the second day.

Game Winner, a colt by Candy Ride, won the Juvenile as expected and is the ante-post favourite for the Kentucky Derby back at Churchill Downs in May. Game Winner is trained by Bob Baffert, who directed the careers of American Pharoah and Justify. There are hopes Game Winner is just as good.

“I have really thought a lot about this colt,” Baffert said. “I know he is a really good horse. This horse likes Churchill Downs. That’s a good sign.”

Earlier that day, Newspaperofrecord galloped through soft going to win the Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile by over six lengths from the front. The win left trainer Chad Brown entertaining a potential trip to Europe next year, perhaps for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“This one might be close to coming over,” he said.

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GEORGE SELWYN

First Breeders’ Cup win for Sadler

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Around The Globe

Cup dream realised at last for Sheikh AUSTRALIA

By Danny Power

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n March 2004 author Eric O’Keefe sat down with Sheikh Mohammed in the Majlis – meeting room – overlooking Godolphin’s Al Quoz stables in Dubai for a chat about the Melbourne Cup. O’Keefe was researching for his excellent book, The Cup, which not only told the story of jockey Damien Oliver’s emotional win on Media Puzzle in the 2002 Melbourne Cup, but also included the thoughts and ambitions of some of the main players at the time.

Sheikh Mohammed had been trying to win the Melbourne Cup since 1988, when Shergar’s son, the enigmatic galloper Authaal, trained by Colin Hayes, finished 19th behind Empire Rose. Sheikh Mohammed’s brother, Sheikh Hamdan,

“Finding the right horse was the most important thing for Godolphin” had won the Cup in 1986 with At Talaq, and did it again in 1994 with Jeune.

The sheikh told O’Keefe: “Godolphin breeds champions. Godolphin trains champions. Godolphin races champions.

That’s why winning the Melbourne Cup has been so difficult for us.”

As O’Keefe explained so well, finding the right horse was the most important thing for Godolphin and, at the time, and for the next 13 years, the world’s most powerful racing team had failed to get it right, although three times second suggested it wasn’t far off the mark.

O’Keefe succinctly put the sheikh’s words in context: “The reason it [winning the Melbourne Cup] has proved to be so elusive is a simple one. Unlike most Classics, this race does not reward the fastest horse. For almost a century and a half, it has rewarded a unique runner: the right horse.

“It’s a percept that goes against the very essence of the Maktoums’ racing

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Kerrin McEvoy celebrates winning the Melbourne Cup on Cross Counter

philosophy, a point Sheikh Mohammed singled out as he discussed his stable’s strategy.”

There is no doubt that the addition of Charlie Appleby to Godolphin’s training team has been a turning point in Godolphin’s attitude to targeting the right horses for the right races in Australia.

Appleby’s ability to do that has resulted in some remarkable results in the past three years, culminating in Cross Counter’s outstanding finishing burst to take the $7.3 million Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 6. It hadn’t been 30 years in the making, but more like 30 years in the waiting for Sheikh Mohammed to achieve his dream, and it happened in the same year that Appleby provided Godolphin with a first Derby win in its famous blue silks, with the homebred colt Masar at Epsom in June.

Appleby predicted when I interviewed him in September – on the eve of his sprinter Jungle Cat’s win in the Group 1 Sir

Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield – that he had two Cup contenders he felt were the right horses, Hamada and Cross Counter.

Hamada didn’t make it to the Cup, sadly having to be put down after an injury, but Cross Counter did so in sensational style, creating history as not only Sheikh Mohammed’s first Melbourne Cup winner but also the first winner trained in Britain. In fact, Britain produced the trifecta, with Hughie Morrison’s Marmelo finishing an outstanding second and young-gun Charlie Fellowes’ Prince Of Arran coming in a gallant third.

Appleby admitted that his decision to send lightly raced three-year-old Cross Counter to Australia was based on the gelding’s “similar profile” to last year’s winner Rekindling, who became only the second northern hemisphere-bred threeyear-old to win the Melbourne Cup after Comedy King (imported as a foal) did it in 1910.

Cross Counter (weighted on 51kg)

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Mohammed

BRONWEN HEALY

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and Rekindling (51.5kg) have been so dominant in the past two years that Racing Victoria’s Melbourne Cup handicapper Greg Carpenter, who relies so much on history in assessing his weights, is now revisiting handicap marks these talented three-year-olds (recognised here as four-year-olds) have been given. Expect a readjustment up for those with similar profiles from Europe in future.

Cross Counter represents four generations of breeding by Sheikh Mohammed across three-quarters of his 40-year involvement in the European thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

Rahaam, Cross Counter’s fourth dam, who was bought privately in Kentucky in 1988, was bred by a collaboration between Calumet Farms in Kentucky and Toledo banker and significant thoroughbred enthusiast Stephen Peskoff.

On first inspection, Cross Counter has

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a dam line that has too much speed to have any influence in the rich 158-year history of the Melbourne Cup. However, stretching back to the birth of a filly in Britain in 1857, four years before Archer won the first Cup at Flemington, there’s a link. Not just any link, but one that bobs up in the pedigree of more than half the Cup winners of the past 100 years.

The filly that was born in 1857 at Lord Glasgow’s Glasgow Stud in Middlesex went by the name of the ‘West Australian mare’, such was the eccentric Lord’s confusing habit of not naming horses until they had shown success on the racetrack. The West Australian mare had a pedigree that deserved a name. Her sire West Australian had won the British Triple Crown in 1853 and her dam, Brown Bess, was a mare of significant influence of the time.

The West Australian mare produced a colt by Toxophilite, named Musket, but not before he was saved from being shot for being too slow (as was the Lord’s usual practice) thanks to a groom’s perseverance that the colt was a late developer that would eventually make a racehorse. Musket did, but only after the good Lord had died in 1869; Musket went on to win nine races including the important Ascot Stakes.

Due to his lack of Classic success and his heavy bone and powerful build, Musket wasn’t well patronised at stud. However, in 1878, after five years at Bonehill Paddocks in Staffordshire, he caught the eye of a New Zealand bloodstock agent, Thomas Russell, who was on the lookout for a

stallion to help breed strong and resilient horses to pull coaches in New Zealand for the Waikato Agricultural Company.

Musket, who cost £500, was perfect for the role. He eventually found his way to Sylvia Park Stud in Auckland in the winter of 1879. The following year, out of the blue, one of his sons Petronel won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, which encouraged Musket’s new owners to forget the idea of coach horses and breed him to some of their better thoroughbred mares.

Musket proved a sensation. He sired the 1883 Melbourne Cup winner Martini-Henry from his first crop, and in 1885 produced one of the greatest Cup winners, Carbine, who took the race in 1890. Carbine, after being sold to Britain as a stallion, lives influentially in the modern thoroughbred as the sire of Derby winner Spearmint, the sire of Catnip, the granddam of the ‘father’ of the modern breed, Nearco, the paternal grandsire of Northern Dancer.

Significantly, more than half the winners of the Melbourne Cup from 1884 to 1978 were descendants of Musket, mainly through Carbine, including Phar Lap, Comic Court, Rising Fast, Rain Lover and Think Big. And that influence continues today through Northern Dancer and his descendant Cup winners such as Makybe Diva, Green Moon, Efficient, Might And Power and Rekindling, although uniquely in Cross Counter’s case, through his sire, Galileo’s son Teofilo, and a famous, longforgotten dam line.

Musket: ended up doing far more than pulling coaches after being bought for £500

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Racing Life

THE TIDE IS HIGH... ... but I’m holding on. Not difficult when your Venetian hotel is an exquisitely crafted cradle of attentiveness and luxury

O

ur water taxi scuds vigorously across the waters of the Veneto from Marco Polo airport, but isn’t able to take us directly to the door of the Hotel Heureka; when the acqua alta strikes, the high water levels make it impossible for boats to pass safely under the many bridges that span Venice’s famed canals.

Perhaps the Venetian dream is to be delivered straight to one’s hotel door but in this case, the shift in plans simply gives us the first of many insights into the level of care and service offered by the Heureka. Manager Andrea Penzo and colleagues are there to greet us at the edge of the lagoon, swiftly relieving us of our bags, placing them on a raised and covered trolley for safe, dry transportation and supplying us with waterproof overshoes and umbrellas so that we can slosh our way through the few streets that separate us from the hotel.

In Venice, they’re prepared for such eventualities; the acqua alta, literally ‘high water’, or flooding, typically occurs between October and March - although it was once a relatively rare occurrence that’s become far more frequent in recent years. Essentially a tidal phenomenon, the salt water of the lagoons rises above canal level, so that the pedestrian walkways are submerged and ground floor shops and buildings are flooded for several hours, until the tide changes and the water recedes.

Novel as the experience is for us, it makes arriving at the Heureka even more of a treat and we’re soon ensconced at the bar drinking a welcome (in both senses) glass of Prosecco. Beyond the striking light fitting, which dominates the lobby, the waters flow fast and high past the doors.

Located in the Cannaregio district of Venice, Hotel Heureka is housed in a 16th century palazzo, an architectural gem unearthed by the hotel’s owners after several long years of searching for the exact property in which to execute their vision. The name - the Italian for ‘eureka’ - comes from this discovery: they had found it, it was their ‘heureka’ moment.

For us, being here at this moment in time, when the waters are spilling over the

Hotel Heureka is a restored 16th century palazzo sides of the canals in a way reminiscent of the waters dislodged from Archimedes’ bath, the name resonates even more.

Finally opened in 2017, it had taken two years to restore the property, with its ten individually styled rooms, to its current luxurious standard. Even without contemplating the logistics that must have been involved in a scenario where every item must be delivered by boat, it’s not difficult to believe that such a time frame would have been necessary, so lavish and detailed is the decor. Four poster beds behind which elaborate Lacroix textiles hang, velvet armchairs, ornate armoires and extravagantly patterned cushions make each bedroom

a unique haven, even before you enter the designer bathrooms, some of which are furnished with decadent freestanding baths. Beyond the indulgent privacy of the bedrooms, the public spaces further demonstrate that each and every element of the interior design has been meticulously handpicked and placed to work seamlessly with the interior, yet also to highlight its own beauty.

There’s one remarkable aspect of the Heureka which hasn’t been borne to it by water: its secret garden. Such green and tranquil spaces are a rarity in Venice, yet the Cannaregio district used to be an agricultural area; the source of Venetians’ fruit and vegetables. These growing

Each of the ten bedrooms have their own unique style

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Travel spaces were lost as land was bought and developed; the fact that such gardens are seldom found in this watery city seems to make the enchantment of this one all the more potent.

This agricultural past manifests itself, too, in the pace of this neighbourhood: it’s far more serene than the well-trodden tourist areas yet, wonderfully, within picturesque and walkable reach of them.

Take your time about wending your way towards the likes of Piazza San Marco or the Rialto Bridge, however - there’s much to be admired within a stone’s throw of the Hotel Heureka, not least the church of the Madonna del Orto (Madonna of the Garden) where Tintoretto, born 500 years ago in 1518, not only painted (some of his works adorn the walls) but is now entombed, along with his family. Just next door to the hotel, the Valese Foundry creates objects from brass and bronze, among them, the figureheads on the prows of many of the city’s gondolas.

Although aimless wandering and discovery is one of the many joys of being in this lesser-known area, the hotel’s attentiveness manifests itself again in their Little Black Book of Secrets, exclusively prepared for guests in order to maximise their time in this otherworldly city. One highlight involves a visit to Campo del Tiziano - Titian’s Garden where the gold artisan Battiloro is based.

The family, now in its fifteenth generation, have been gold beating here since the the 17th century and it is fascinating to witness the processes by which whole ingots of 24-carat gold are beaten by hand into parchment-thin leaf, before being used to adorn sights as far-flung as Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre and the spires of the New York Life Building. Within easier reach, the gold leaf is employed in Orsoni’s intricate mosaics, which have been used in the renovation of Venice’s

The hotel’s private garden is a rare Venetian gem own San Marco Basilica; easier still are the lovely pieces of gleaming body art and food ornamentation, which are available for purchase on site.

Within easy reach, too, is artisan perfumier Merchant of Venice’s flagship boutique, located just by Il Teatro la Fenice. Once an apothecary, there are several architectural tributes to this legacy within the store, but Venice’s proud history as a significant point on trade routes also comes into play here, with exotic spices and scents employed in the creation of the house’s fragrances.

No less appealing are the bottles, some of which are crafted from Murano glass and others that are embossed with the delicate goldwork of the Battiloro foundry. This level of artisanal quality is a joy to experience; so far removed from the touristy trinkets to be found in the main drags that their proximity - only ten minutes or so walking distance - seems just as unfeasible as the quiet tranquility of the hotel after navigating Venice’s wondrous sights.

Not every trip to Venice will coincide

The Cannaregio district is more serene than the major tourist areas, yet within easy reach of them

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Many of the rooms have luxurious freestanding bathtubs with the occurrence of the acqua alta but, regardless of whether you need to wade or walk around the city, it’s difficult to conceive of anywhere more wonderful to stay. The lack of a full-scale on-site restaurant means that you’re more than free to explore nearby bars and eateries by night, where the clientele is distinctly local rather than tourist, but on the nights when the water levels have us wanting to hunker down and stay within the luxurious comfort of the Heureka, staff rustle us up a series of plates which leave us feeling as satisfied as cosseted. When we do venture out, we return to fresh slippers, towels and robes in the lobby, as well as large bags in which to discard our dampened items.

As a destination, Venice has an undeniably fairytale quality. Wouldn’t it be foolish to stay anywhere with less of a ‘happily ever after’ than this? hotel-heureka.com

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Sarah Rodrigues

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Racing Life

Art

DRAWN TOGETHER The unique relationship between Klimt, Schiele and drawing is celebrated at London’s Royal Academy of the Arts

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new exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts brings together the drawings of Vienna’s most celebrated artists, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, in the centenary year of their deaths. Although born twentyeight years apart, the pair had a relationship in which they competed with and inspired one another; their works are, at times, startling in their parallels, a fact that this exhibition highlights.

Comprised of around 100 works on paper, the exhibition Klimt/ Schiele: Drawings from the Albertina Museum, Vienna, includes studies for allegorical paintings, portraits and self-portraits, landscapes and erotic nudes, as well as a sketchbook and a selection of lithographs, photographs and original publications. Rarely loaned, they will not be displayed again for many years following this exhibition due to their sensitivity to light.

Born in 1862, Klimt rose to prominence early in his career, with

state commissions for the walls and ceilings of Historicist buildings, This led to a prestigious commission to decorate the new Burgtheater with scenes from the history of theatre, a commission for which he and his two fellow artists received the Golden Cross of Merit, the highest imperial honour, in 1888.

Despite his success, Klimt became founding president of a group of radical young artists called the Secession, who broke away from the state-sponsored Academy to exhibit on their own terms.

Klimt continued to take an unconventional approach and, with his supporters in 1905, broke away from the Secession, forming a resulting ‘Klimt-Gruppe.’ In this year he also returned all of the money paid to him by the state for a commission for the University of Vienna, the nude figures which had sparked public outrage and relentless criticism. Requesting his works back, Klimt decided to accept no further state commissions, declaring: ‘Enough of this censorship. I am taking things into my own hands. I want to make my escape.’

Schiele, born in 1890, was a prodigious talent, entering the Vienna’s foremost art school, the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, in 1906 as the youngest student in his year. By 1908, however, he was increasingly dissatisfied with the Akademie’s conservative approach and, attending the KlimtGruppe’s first Viennese Kunstschau, which included an entire gallery of Klimt’s work including The Kiss, was powerfully influenced by Klimt’s style.

Despite being invited by Klimt to participate in the following year’s show, it was not until 1910 that the first documented meeting between the two artists took place, which led to an exchange of drawings on visits to each other’s studios. Drawing, as showcased in this new exhibition, was key to the artistic relationship between the two, both of whom experimented

with drawing from life, especially in their provocative portrayals of the human body. Their appreciation of drawing as an autonomous art form, rather than a mere preparatory process, is apparent in their works, as well as its inherent suitability to new ideas of modernity, subjectivity and the erotic.

After Klimt’s death from pneumonia in February 1918, Schiele, widely regarded as his successor, visited his body in the morgue and made three final drawings of him. Later that year, he attempted to rent Klimt’s now-vacant studio but died in the fatal influenza pandemic at the end of October, three days after his wife.

Klimt/Schiele: Drawings from the Albertina Museum, Vienna runs at The Royal Academy until February 3, 2019. A number of events, screenings and discussions are programmed to accompany the exhibition; see royalacademy.org.uk for details.

Sarah Rodrigues

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Timepieces

THREE THINGS As 2018 makes its last revolutions around the dial, it may be time to consider a new watch for the new year, writes Sarah Rodrigues

Bamford London

Bamford London is a world leader in personalised luxury goods. Working with the best tanners and embossers, their range of accessories are not only meticulously crafted, but also designed to truly complement your lifestyle and recraft luxury as a unique and personal statement, with personalisation at the core of everything they do. The Bamford Mayfair watch evolved on the wrist of their clients and was inspired

by George Bamford, the founder of Bamford Watch Department; this year, the brand presents its most recent collaboration, the Bamford Mayfair Queen Limited Edition watch. It can be ordered from the Bohemian Rhapsody Pop-Up shop - where you’ll also find other gifts and merchandise - at 3 Carnaby Street, London, W1F 9PB until the 6th January 2019 and retails at £550. The likeness of Freddie Mercury, usually seen in Madame Tussaud’s, is also expected to make an appearance! bamfordlondon.com

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MeisterSinger City Edition

The distinctive feature of MeisterSinger’s elegant mechanical watches is their single long, dark blue hour hand, which glides smoothly around the sand grey dial and speaks of a wearer who is not distracted by minor details. Having first launched City Edition watches last year, MeisterSinger has again collaborated with jewellers from cities across the globe, portraying cities ranging from New York and Munich to Delhi, the Hague and, of course, London.

Discreetly symbolised by a silhouette of their landmarks on the back of the watch, only the finely lettered ‘City Edition’ on the dial hints at the uniqueness of the watch. Next to the engraved name of the city on the back, some of the watches also have a relevant aphorism; in London’s case, ‘Old Smoke.’ Only ten London editions have been created and retail at £1750. meistersinger.com

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Bucherer BLUE EDITIONS

This special edition of Blancpain’s civilian diver’s watch, which was first developed at the end of the 1950s, marks the first time that Blancpain has released a watch crafted entirely from blue ceramic. Powered by an inhouse movement (F385 calibre) with a balance wheel that beats 36,000 times each hour, the Bathyscaphe for Bucherer is equipped with a columnwheel chronograph mechanism and vertical clutch, with water-resistant chronograph push buttons, allowing for under-water use to depths of 300 metres without risk of damage.

Established for 130 years in Lucerne, Bucherer has previously partnered with the likes of Chopard, Audemars Piguet and Piaget to pro-duce the watches from the exclusive Bucherer BLUE EDITIONS collection, the central theme of which is always the colour blue. bucherer.com

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Racing Life

Accessories

BAGS OF STYLE A love of dogs and an independent spirit make Eleanor Tomlinson the ideal face of Radley London

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hat Eleanor Tomlinson can hold her own on a horse will come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever watched BBC’s Poldark. In her role as Demelza, she is frequently seen riding and, in the scenes when she and co-star Aidan Turner (Ross Poldark) appear on horseback together, it is often Tomlinson who holds the reins; having been riding since the age of two, she is far more skilled than the relatively newto-riding Turner.

What’s less known, however, is that the actress also has a passion for dogs, and this has contributed to her recent appointment as Brand Ambassador to much-loved British accessories brand Radley, which is not only celebrating its 20th anniversary but also taking the brand in a new direction with its Radley Spirit campaign.

“Eleanor Tomlinson represents everything the new Radley Spirit campaign stands for: a confident, independent spirit who is not afraid to be herself, pushing boundaries within acting and her work outside of her profession,” commented Justin Stead, CEO of Radley London. “Eleanor also grew up in the country and has a special love for dogs, which is such a core part of the Radley London DNA and another reason why we chose her for the ambassadorship.”

The brand is instantly identifiable by its Scottie dog logo, which appears in various incarnations on each and every one of the Radley London handbags, ranging from a cookie cutter silhouette or foil emboss, to a small solid metal dog and leather hanging ‘dog tag’ - but the symbol has more significance

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than mere branding.

Radley London has partnered with Dogs Trust since 2016; in that time over £50,000 has been raised for the charity through the sale of bags in Radley’s Dogs Trust collection and in-store fundraising. As part of the brand’s 20th anniversary celebrations they have created a collection of limited edition canvas tote bags, featuring Radley’s signature Scottie dog.

Available in-store and online, the bags cost £14, while this year’s Christmas collaboration, a backpack with a dog print, is priced at £99, with 15% of the sale price of either piece donated directly to Dogs Trust.

Rooted in the history and heritage of London, drawing upon it and its vibrant and ever-changing cultural

scene, the brand is constantly evolving, with a range of products which are as timeless as they are contemporary and unique. Radley London’s accessibility is another of its key features, epitomising a relaxed and affordable luxury, employing quality materials combined with innovative use of print, colour and graphic embellishment.

Eleanor said she was thrilled to be Radley London’s brand ambassador, and added: “I’ve been a fan of the brand for many years and especially love their support for the care and wellbeing of dogs. Having grown up in the country where they were always a part of the family and now as the proud owner of Bert, my gorgeous Collie, this is something very close to my heart.”

Radley London will be launching an edit of Tomlinson’s favourite everyday pieces from their SS19 collection, including weekend totes and on-the-go backpacks, evening event clutches and stylish cross body bags. The collection will also include a special Radley London ‘Eleanor’ bag and will be on sale from mid-February 2019. radley.co.uk Sarah Rodrigues

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Drinks

Riding The Wave Of Success Having launched just two years ago, Neptune Rum has won 45 international awards in the last 12 months alone. Brand owner Richard Davies tells the story

I

nstantly recognisable as the Roman God of the Sea, it’s perhaps less well known that Neptune is also the God of Horseracing - in recognition, one supposes, of the ‘white horses’ that waves form as they thunder towards the shore.

Curiously enough, despite having owned and bred racehorses for many years - including the hugely successful Spice Girl, who won five races last season - it’s not this association that inspired Cheltenham-based Richard Davies to name his rum Neptune.

“I’d already found my blend and my distillery before coming up with the name,” he explained, “and then I had a dream that I was on my favourite beach, with the waves crashing and a storm raging. A glint in the sand caught my eye; it was a bottle of Neptune Rum and then I woke up!”

Extensive research followed, with Richard discovering that, despite the sea-surrounded Barbados being the birthplace of rum and Neptune’s associations with the ocean, no rum by that name yet existed.

“I was surprised,” he admits.

“Rum has a long history as a seafaring drink; sailors would traditionally make libations with the last swallow from a bottle of rum to Neptune, to guarantee their safe passage.”

It’s partly this rich history that drew Richard towards the idea of creating a rum, rather than some

1.

other spirit. Having been setting up and selling on bars and restaurants in the Cheltenham area for most of his adult life, he’s long been aware that consumers are shifting away from traditional drinks brands, both where spirits and ales are concerned, in favour of small batch and craft labels. Frequently travelling on business to Florida, where the rum market is vibrant, the spirit was more appealing to him than any other option, speaking, as it does, of warmer climates and adventure. It’s also, he points out, far more versatile than many other spirits, lending

Richard Davies, founder of Neptune Rum

itself well to just about any mixer or cocktail.

Research trips to Barbados followed - a tough job, no doubt! - and Richard eventually settled upon the oldest distillery on the island, a family owned operation where rum production dates back to the 17th century. Created from pure sugar cane molasses, Neptune is both pot and column stilled before being aged in American Bourbon Oak casks for up to eight years.

Containing nothing in the way of added sugar or chemicals, the Barbadian rum is then transported to Amsterdam, where it becomes smooth, rounded, golden Neptune Rum thanks to a unique and top secret blend which took Richard and his colleagues around 18 months to finalise.

How does it taste? Peppery notes, hints of vanilla and ripe banana, touches of honey and nutmeg - these are just some of the descriptions that Neptune has garnered from its drinkers. For Richard, it evokes toasted apricots - but, as he is at pains to point out, there’s no need to get too caught up in all of the chatter that often surrounds the drinking of spirits. “Drinking Neptune should be about warmth and flavour and good times,” he says. “It’s there to be enjoyed.” neptunerum.com Available from mastersofmalt.com RRP £37.95

Neptune works perfectly in a range of cocktails

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Sarah Rodrigues

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Racing Life

The Heritage of

HACKETT

By Christopher Modoo

Christopher Modoo is a men’s style expert and has conducted suit fittings in both Buckingham and Beckingham Palace. He is often quoted in the press on matters of etiquette and correct dress, and writes a regular feature for The Rake magazine. Follow him on Instagram at @chrismodoo

I

remember the first time I saw a Hackett shop; it was the late 1980s and I happened to be in the New Kings Road.

There were probably five or six small shops in a little cluster, each with its own speciality: a shirt and tie shop, a tailor, a second-hand shop and one that was devoted entirely to formal wear. I was hooked on the style. The clothes were presented in a very clear way and put together with almost military precision.

Although some might have called them old-fashioned, they looked fresh.

My first purchase was a pair of proper braces. The braces you could buy on the High Street were elastic with clip-on ends: these were bold nylon stripes and had real leather straps to attach to your trousers the proper way - with buttons!

They even provided a set of Hackettbranded brace buttons to sew into the waistband of your trousers. Of course, as I would soon learn, if I had purchased my tailoring from Hackett, the trousers would have already been prepared for braces, without even the presence of belt-loops, but rather nifty ‘sideadjusters’ to keep the waist comfortable.

After a little research (I cannot recall how this was done prior to the Internet!)

I soon learned that, rather than being a hangover from the Edwardian era, Hackett was in fact a product of the early 1980s and that there was a Mr Hackett. Jeremy Hackett was a vintage clothing enthusiast who would buy (and re-sell) second-hand bespoke suits.

Of course, this was a finite market and demand soon outstripped supply, so he simply decided to make some new ones

- but rather than follow the fashions of the day (which were still recovering from the hangover of the 1970s and starting to endure the excesses of the 1980s), Hackett created a style that was based on all the best features and styles from his experience with Savile Row bespoke suits. The influence of this decision should not be underplayed and Hackett has undoubtedly shaped the modern English gentleman’s wardrobe.

I purchased my first Hackett suit from their shop in Covent Garden; a fine store which they shared with Moss Bros hire.

The fit was unlike my previous readyto-wear suits and it actually had some

shape at the waist. It was a six-button double-breasted charcoal grey chalk stripe and cut to button in the middle (not low and loose as was the fashion) with proper side vents. I remember being particularly proud of the ‘working cuff’ buttons on the sleeve … buttons that could actually be unbuttoned was something I had only read about in books and magazine articles. And there were four buttons rather than the normal three…all neatly spaced next to each other. Of course, we would never leave the buttons undone (this was not the done thing) but the wearer took enjoyment from this small sartorial

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Fashion one-upmanship. If you did unbutton the cuffs, you would see the splendid Bengal-striped sleeve lining that graced the sleeves of Hackett tailoring. This was the only visible branding as Hackett suits had the curious feature of putting the brand label inside of the chest pocket - this is an archaic bespoke custom.

The trousers, as I have mentioned before, were high-waisted, cut for braces (I had quite the collection now) and tapered from the thigh to quite a narrow hem.

To complement my new suit, I purchased my first tunic shirt. I already

had a good collection of classic shirts from Thomas Pink and wanted something different, so I selected a sky-blue pencil striped shirt and chose a couple of white, heavily starched collars - one cutaway and a penny rounded.

These had to be attached by studs that took a little practice to apply. Of course, Hackett supplied these studs too as they were a complete outfitter and sold all the right stuff, or “kit” as they called it: pocket squares, cummerbunds, collar bones, long socks, top hats. They were, and still are, a complete gentleman’s outfitters.

Hackett is now an international

fashion brand with shops all over the world as well as an impressive website.

The brand has expanded the collection significantly to satisfy the demands of the modern man, but it still remains true to the original ethos. This is probably due to the influence of Jeremy Hackett who is still involved with the brand and is charming, elegant and modest about the influence of his eponymous brand.

But when I design clothes I always look to bespoke, handmade styles for inspiration rather than current fashions, and for this I doff my trilby to Mr Hackett. hackett.com

Hackett Mayfair tactile, it is ideal for less ‘stuffy’ black tie dos but can also be worn with a roll neck and flannels for smart dinners.

The sartorially adventurous could even combine with jeans and a t-shirt.

Other pieces well worth investing in are the reversible raincoat and their microfiber fieldcoat, as they both add warmth without bulk and are trim fitted without being restrictively overtailored.

The Mayfair line of Hackett is for the modern gentleman who appreciates classic style with a contemporary, luxurious attitude. All the fabrics are sourced from the finest Italian and British mills such as Loro Piana, Vitale Barberis Canonico and Fox Brothers.

Shirting is supplied by Thomas Mason.

All the tailoring has the “two and two” spaced cuff (all working - naturally) that was inspired by the uniform of the Guards. Each regiment has its

own buttoning configuration and the Coldstream guards have the “two spaced” style.

Hackett Mayfair provides clothing for when a suit is too much but your chinos and polo shirts aren’t quite right. A luxurious grey suede blouson can be worn over fine gauge knits and is the epitome of smart-casual - but my favourite piece is the velvet shawl collared blazer. Incredibly soft and

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The Big Interview

Not chasing

RAINBOWS Rebecca Curtis may be down on numbers but not optimism as the woman who has trained four Cheltenham Festival winners bids to get her Welsh stable back to jump racing’s top table Words: Chris Cook Photos: Bill Selwyn

S

uccess does not, after all, breed success – or, at least, not immediately. Half a year on from an ecstatic end to the last jumps season, when Joe Farrell’s victory in the Scottish Grand National proved that Rebecca Curtis was back as a force in the game, the Welsh trainer finds herself pretty much where she was then in terms of horse numbers.

It hardly seems fair. In her first decade with a licence, operating from a remote yard built up from scratch, Curtis has fared remarkably well. There have been four wins at the Cheltenham Festival, two in Grade 1s.

Other big races to have fallen her way include the Charlie Hall, a couple of Reynoldstowns and a Guinness Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival. The doughty Teaforthree, now 14 and happily retired in a nearby field, led at the last in the 2013 Grand National before finishing a gallant third.

But there have been a couple of slow seasons since then. Curtis is known for producing tough, hardy animals who seem to keep on going forever. If only similar qualities could be trained into owners.

“Bit disappointed I’m so low on horses,” is the first thing she says as we begin to chew over her present situation. We’re in Newbury’s impressive new Owners’ Club, where the raucous late-afternoon chatter suggests no-one present has ever had a care in their lives, but at every table sits

a trainer whose bonhomie disguises a hunger for more of the raw material on which their trade depends.

“I’m not too bothered with having loads of runners as long as the ones we have are quality, and we have got some nice horses this year,” Curtis continues.

“If we’re given the right type of horses, we do as well as any yard. It is a bit disappointing we haven’t got more. We have made a good start to this season.”

Having had between 50 and 60 heads over box doors at one time, Curtis now has 18 horses at her yard on the Fishguard road, with its glorious view of the west Wales coast. If she were running a retreat for exhausted city workers, surely there would never be a vacancy. Repeated experience has shown her that the place has a calming, cheering effect on young horses but it is famously far off the beaten track and she frets that some owners are put off by that, while continuing to use other trainers who are, in reality, just as remote.

She says: “I know I’ve got all the right tools. We can pick good horses, train them well, we do really well with the three-mile chasers and novices. But you can’t do much without the horses.”

One contributing factor has been her split, in the middle of last year, from her long-time partner Gearoid Costelloe, a bloodstock agent who was widely seen as the conduit that supplied her yard with a steady stream of interesting young horses. Curtis remembers him

Rebecca Curtis’ focus has always been quality rather than quantity though she hopes to increase the size of her string over the next few seasons

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Rebecca Curtis

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The Big Interview

Rebecca Curtis

Exercise time for the Rebecca Curtis string at Fforest Farm Stables on the west Wales coast

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being notably brave when it came to buying an animal for whom an owner would have to be found in short order.

“I haven’t bought stores for the last three or four years,” she admits. “I’m almost afraid to because I can’t buy stores if I haven’t got the owners to come in and buy ‘em. I stuck my neck out in spring, went and bought seven or eight from the sales. You do that at your own risk. It’s not ideal.”

Sometimes, the reward for taking the plunge can be a horse like Minella Bobo, a lovely, big five-year-old who is due to make his debut for Curtis in a bumper about an hour from now.

“You either take a risk and spend a lot of money and bring them in and hope you get owners – or have no bottle and don’t do it,” she says. “That’s one thing Gearoid always did.

“We haven’t got that same flow of

O’Faolains Boy, now 11, is set to contest hunter chases and is eligible for veterans’ races

young horses that we used to. But I think a lot of yards are like that. It’s just looking for that next break, I suppose.

Everyone wants that one owner that will have five, ten, 20 horses with you and then everything will be back.”

In the meantime, Curtis is thankful for the support of owners like Mark Sherwood and Nigel Morris (see ROA Forum pages, 108-109), who have been with her for years. Sherwood saw the first interview Curtis ever did on Racing UK and sent her horses immediately.

The two men gained their reward when Joe Farrell, in which both have an interest, prevailed by a nose at Ayr in April.

“That was brilliant,” the trainer reflects, smiling. “Nice proof, really, that you can still do the job.” She had felt the horse was a bargain at £10,000 a couple of years earlier when John Ferguson dispersed his string through Tattersalls in Cheltenham. Others warned her against a horse that had been off the track for nine months, that he’d had problems and would prove a bad buy. “I don’t care,” she recalls telling them. “I like the horse.”

It took a couple of seasons but Curtis’s judgement was thoroughly vindicated by the revival shown by Joe Farrell in the spring, when he won handsomely at Newbury on his way to Scotland. As we talk, the nine-year-old is nursing a small knee injury, having

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The independent option TM

22/11/2018 15:25

The Big Interview ›› clouted a fence while schooling, but it

should prove a short-term issue. The Grand National is the only date in his diary this season, though Curtis would like to edge him up the ratings by a couple of pounds before the weights are set in mid-February, to be sure of getting a run.

“Ours have always jumped well round there,” she says of Aintree and now she is smiling again, her mind’s eye filled with Teaforthree. “He’s still one of my favourites. We took a chance with him. He had low pasterns, people said he’d never stay sound, so we bought him fairly cheap at Doncaster sales after he’d won a point-to-point. He had a lovely temperament, brilliant jumper, my sort of horse, who stays and jumps.

I do like big, lovely chasers.

“It was an annoying story with him, really. He was only just beaten in the Welsh National, which put him up 7lb.

Had he not gone up 7lb he’d have nearly won the National.”

All such frustrations aside, Curtis’s appetite for the game is undiminished.

“I enjoy doing what I’m doing and I’ll keep at it,” she says. “I love it. I love my

Rebecca Curtis

horses and I love training them. This season will be as good as it can be.

We’ve got a few nice novices. We’ve got Joe Farrell and Relentless Dreamer, who seems to keep improving.

“I always loved horses. I’m not saying I was necessarily going to train but I

“I love my horses and I love training.

This season will be as good as it can be” was always obsessed. It’s hard to make it pay with horses and I’m lucky I’ve been able to.”

Tilting the scales in her favour has been a formidably competitive spirit that had her pestering Peter Bowen for

rides in point-to-points when she was a teenager working mornings at his yard.

He sourced Turning Trix, who’d been 13th in Lord Gyllene’s National, as a safe conveyance and Curtis won on him at the first attempt, by a neck at Barbury Castle in January 2000. A short report in the Racing Post said the 19-yearold jockey had struggled to carry her saddle and weight cloth containing more than three stone of lead.

Curtis evidently knew her own mind from an early age because soon after that she left for a five-year stint in the US; she wanted to see some of the world before settling down to working with horses on some of the land owned by her dairy farming family. “I went to America to work for a doctor who exported Irish horses for showjumping, but I hated it, so I found the nearest racetrack, which was Santa Anita, and started track-riding there,” she recalls.

Showing up unannounced somewhere 5,000 miles from home and asking for work is not for everyone but it got Curtis some experience with Richard Mandella and Dan Hendricks.

“I actually thought I may have

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Curtis is hoping some of her promising novices come through this season, seen here walking back to the yard after morning work

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The Big Interview

Rebecca Curtis

Curtis with her Scottish Grand National winner Joe Farrell, whom she hopes will compete in the £1 million Grand National at Aintree

›› stayed and trained out there, but I did

find it quite monotonous,” she admits.

“The horses move around the yards, they’re all trained on the same track, the same vet, the same feed. That’s the bit I didn’t like so much. I liked their routines, the steady work and the recovery, I quite liked that. But it’s completely irrelevant to what I do now.

“I was never brought up in racing and everything I know now I suppose I’ve learnt myself. I haven’t had much guidance. A lot of people work their way up through a yard, they’re assistant trainer and then you’ll work out your place and your horses and your handicap system. But I suppose I figured all that out myself, eventually.”

Curtis had been riding from the age of four and competed internationally at showjumping for the Welsh junior team; it was that experience, she now feels, that supported her when she started to train. She says: “I’d rather that background than go straight into a racing yard and everything’s just

galloping. I’d rather learn the basics, how to bring young horses along.

“Just bringing them along properly, I think that’s massive. Especially for your chasers. You see so many horses

“I was never brought up in racing and everything I know now I’ve learnt myself” that were good in bumpers and novice hurdles and they never get to that level as chasers. I think a lot of that is about bringing them along properly and making them last.

“Our horses get the best of everything. I’d be really fussy who rides them, I’d be fussy that everything’s done properly and most importantly that they’re brought along and ridden like horses should be.

“I’ve had some horses from other yards, they don’t steer, they don’t go in a nice outline, they don’t use themselves properly. That would be a big thing I’m really fussy about, just that they’re ridden properly, they’re done right and then, if they’re not good enough, there’s no excuses.”

It is time to sling a saddle across Minella Bobo’s back. The handsome grey shows up well for a long way and hits the front three furlongs out, looking classy. But the early pace has not been strong and he is out-speeded in the closing stages. The analyst in the next day’s Racing Post describes him thus: “Strong. Will make a jumper.”

He’s a Rebecca Curtis horse, all right, and hopefully there will be plenty more like him in future.

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CAROLINE NORRIS

Norman Williamson has gone from riding top-level winners to selling them under both codes

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Talking To...

Norman Williamson

Norman’s still

STORMIN’ Norman Williamson made his name as a top-class jump jockey before injury cut short his career – now his Oak Tree Farm is a notable presence as a consignor at Europe’s major breeze-up and store horse sales Interview: Tim Richards

H

aving been a widely admired and respected National Hunt jockey with 1,268 winners in your saddlebag, you turned your hand principally from the winter game to consigning two-year-old Flat horses at breeze-up sales. How did it come about?

It all started through Eddie O’Leary, who is married to Wendy, the sister of my wife, Janet. Eddie, who oversees Lynn Lodge and Gigginstown House Studs, asked me if I was interested in riding a horse at the Doncaster sales. It didn’t matter who was riding because it just flew. Howard Johnson bought him for Graham Wylie and it turned out to be Abraxas Antelope, later placed in the Gimcrack Stakes. The sales weren’t as professional as they are now, no clocks and timing in those days.

I knew I could ride these youngsters and felt I could probably turn my hand to training them as well.

After I retired I joined Margaret O’Toole for my maiden voyage to Keeneland Sales and came home with two breezeup horses. It was tough setting up, but I enjoyed the whole scene having been around horses all my life. In the very early days when I was still riding I had a couple of store horses with Mark Dwyer. They

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duly made a couple of quid and now Mark and I are competitors in the same business.

You have also enjoyed plenty of success preparing store horses, including at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, where this year you sold a son of Kayf Tara for €250,000. How different is this challenge from the breeze-ups?

The breeze-ups are more pressure; the stakes are very high. Somebody once said to me: “You’ve only got one day to do your business.” But I told them you’ve only got 22 seconds, because most people reckon if they take 23 seconds to breeze they’re too slow. I am not clock-orientated myself but the people involved consigning to breeze-ups are pretty tough.

With stores you’re not worried about galloping them, or sore shins, whereas the breeze-ups can be stressful. We buy the majority of stores as foals and keep them until three and we are with them all the time. I am still a jumping man at heart and love the National Hunt side of the business.

What do you enjoy most about your new career – the prices achieved in the ring

or your graduates’ achievements on the track?

It’s not the prices, though of course you’ve got to be paid to make a living. Never forget it’s a business we’re running. The real satisfaction is watching a horse you liked from day one go on and achieve something for their owners. I think most people selling horses are rearing them as well and just enjoy being around nice horses all the time – and hopefully making a good living. I have shares in one or two with my father-in-law Timmy Hyde and brother-in-law Timmy Hyde jnr, including the odd pointer. Obviously, we sell as many as we can.

How big an advantage is riding them yourself – and do you manage to get your leg across all of them at some stage?

In the early days it was a big advantage, but I’m not so sure it’s the same nowadays. I don’t ride in the breeze-ups any more but do ride out at home. Michael Hussey, who’s with Aidan O’Brien, and Rory Cleary, from Jim Bolger’s, ride my breeze-ups. They are very good jockeys in their own right. I sit on them at home and then tell Michael and Rory what each

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Talking To...

Norman Williamson

when they get on them at the sales. So it is still an advantage sitting on them at home, because many consignors don’t have that experience. All my life I have made a living riding horses and am aware when a horse might need a break, more work, or maybe isn’t moving correctly.

how do you mitigate the risk in what can be a precarious business?

We are all trying to buy a bit of value and of course a nice horse. Some will just go for speed pedigrees because they clock well at the breeze-ups, but I try to find a horse that might go seven furlongs, a mile or even a mile and a quarter. Also with a bit of size so its career isn’t over in August, by which time hopefully it’s just starting and will be better at three.

With a potential jumper, you need a fashionable sire and a horse with a good action. I love to sit on a horse with natural movement that covers a lot of ground because over three miles and fences they have to be able to jump, which makes it important you have a good-moving horse.

By being patient you might reduce the risk; there’s no point rushing into a sale and telling yourself you need five horses quickly. You travel from sale to sale and have to be patient until the right horse comes along.

Co Meath, between your breezers and stores? And how much of a problem is finding staff?

We have about 50 horses here most of the time. At the moment there are ten breezers and we break some yearlings for JP McManus and pre-train some two-year-olds for him as well. The rest we have around the place are store horses.

Staff for a smaller operation like ours is a nightmare because we need good riders.

You can ruin a yearling in a matter of days with a bad rider.

Good staff are difficult to find and I’m sure it’s a worldwide problem, certainly a huge problem in Ireland. We live 20 minutes from Gordon Elliott, 20 minutes from Ger Lyons and 20 minutes from Noel Meade. They probably employ a total of some 200 stable staff and, I have to say, if I was 17 I’d rather be riding the good horses at Gordon’s than my breezers. But we have some very good girl riders here led by our head girl, Siobhan Byrne.

What do you look for in a prospective Flat horse, or a potential jumper? And

How many horses do you have at your Oak Tree Farm stables near Athboy,

How big a role does your wife Janet play in the business?

“For the breeze-ups, I try to find a horse that might go up to ten furlongs” ›› horse is like and what they can expect

››

PA

Williamson sold Contributer (right) at the breeze-ups – the son of High Chaparral won at Royal Ascot before taking two Group 1s in Australia for Godolphin

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You can tell a

book by its cover Dual Group 1 Winner

Ulysses A Legend in the Making FIRST EDITION With acknowledgement

s to:

H.H. The Aga Khan Studs Hascombe & Valiant Studs Juddmonte Farms Lanwades Stud Meon Valley Stud Moyglare Stud Farm Newsells Park Stud Qatar Bloodstock Owenstown Stud

His first book of mares in 2018 included:

8 Group 1 winners 6 dams of Group 1 winners 18 full or half-sisters to Group 1 winners

First foals in 2019 Fee: £17,500 (1st Oct. SLF)

Cheveley Park Stud Tel: +44 (0)1638 730316 www.cheveleypark.co.uk L@CPStudOfficial

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Talking To...

GEORGE SELWYN

Norman Williamson

Oscar Whisky, winner of three Grade 1s, was bought as a yearling by Williamson and re-sold as a three-year-old to owner Dai Walters

››

Janet has a huge role, doing all the office work, facts and figures. She also plays a big part in the rest of the operation and most mornings you’ll find her busy in the yard until 11am when she takes over in the office. She’s also getting very good at buying and selling ponies for our kids, Josh, 12, and Carla, 10, who are mad about them. They spend all summer competing at the shows and love it.

You produced Contributer, who won the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot as well as two Group 1s in Australia. What have been your other big successes?

The best jumper I’ve sold is Oscar Whisky, trained by Nicky Henderson to win 16 races and over half a million in prizemoney, including two Aintree Hurdles and two Relkeel Hurdles. In the past two seasons we’ve sold some very nice horses and to name one for the future I’d say Jessie Harrington’s Sizing Pottsie, second top lot in the Derby Sale last season at €220,000, bought by Tom Malone for Ann & Alan Potts Ltd. He won his Leopardstown bumper and looks exciting.

In France last May we sold War Of Will,

by War Front, and he finished a close fifth behind Line of Duty in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. He is trained in America by Mark Casse and is full of promise.

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It seems buyers have more choice than ever before at the sales. How have you found the breeze-up market at your level – and is overproduction a problem?

Whether it’s breeze-ups or store horses, it’s very difficult to buy a nice horse and you’re having to put more and more on the line. It really boils down to buying what you think you can sell at the other end. Overproduction is rearing its head again and it’s time to be disciplined; try and buy the one you think clients will like.

Breezers are slightly different because you might not have the most beautiful horse, but if it does an exceptionally good breeze then you’re going to make more than the individual looks on paper.

Whereas the NH horse needs a pedigree.

Overproduction is a problem again, particularly in the middle to bottom of the market with a lot of horses going through unsold. Also there are less and less syndicates out there to take a chance on a horse for small money.

You seem to attend most of the major sales throughout Europe. Which is your favourite sale and why?

The Fairyhouse National Hunt Foal Sale in November is my favourite. That might sound a funny one to many people, but realistically you have quite a chance of buying a lot of horses, hopefully

reasonably cheaply. There are about 250 foals every day for five days in a row and of course you have to work very, very hard to find what you want. But there’s plenty of value there if you can spot it.

You were forced to retire because of problems with discs in your neck. How tough a decision was that at the age of 34?

It was an ongoing problem and I had been seeing a Harley Street specialist for a couple of years. The specialist had been telling me to slow down so I returned to Ireland, where there’s only two or three days jumping a week and that took the pressure off. I was riding for Edward O’Grady who was very good to me. I took a fall at Downpatrick and for a moment suffered the sensation of not being able to move. Sadly, my man in Harley Street told me, “Your time has come”.

For the first year I missed riding a lot, particularly the camaraderie of the weighing-room. Ruby Walsh, David Casey and Tony McCoy were all great friends. I felt out on a limb with nothing to do. But you have to get on with life.

As a jockey you were known for your patience and ice-cool style. Which of the current crop of riders do you rate highly?

I rode in a great era of jockeys. There

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Talking To... ›› was Richard Dunwoody, Graham Bradley,

Charlie Swan, Peter Scudamore, Adrian Maguire, Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Graham McCourt and Jamie Osborne, all fantastic riders. They were not better than the jockeys of today, but there were more of them. There are some very good young ones and I have huge time for Brian Hughes, who is very cool and reminds me of Paul Carberry, putting a horse into the race without them even knowing about it. Brian always seems to be in the right place at the right time, in the big and small races.

Ruby Walsh is probably the best jockey we have ever seen. Jack Kennedy is remarkably cool for his age, 19. Injuryfree, he has a huge career ahead of him.

On the Flat, Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore are exceptional, while James Doyle stands out among the younger generation. I remember James turning up at the Lambourn schooling grounds on his pony as an eight-year-old kid. Now a very nice guy and a credit to the sport.

How much did you enjoy being part of the media and was TV work ever going to be a follow-on to race-riding?

I did a lot with the BBC which was a big help because I hadn’t a lot going on at the time and the work took me to Aintree and Cheltenham. Clare Balding was very good to me and I really enjoyed the break TV work gave me, but ultimately the horse business took over. I have to say I think the current ITV coverage is very professional; I just hope Racing UK puts as much into Irish racing as At The Races when they take over in the New Year.

Norman Williamson Cheltenham Festival, including Alderbrook (Champion Hurdle) and Master Oats (Gold Cup). Not to mention winning the King George on Teeton Mill in 1998. What was your stand-out moment(s) in the saddle?

Winning the Sun Alliance Hurdle on Putty Road, one of my four Festival winners in 1995 was right up there. I know the victories on Alderbrook and Master Oats received all the publicity, but I thought I gave Putty Road as strong a ride as ever I did, because he was off the bridle a long way from home.

The most thrilling race was the 1995 Melling Chase at Aintree when three champion chasers – Viking Flagship, Deep Sensation and Martha’s Son – came over the last together. Viking Flagship beat me a short head on Deep Sensation. Not the happiest outcome, being chinned on the line, but a fantastic spectacle – three tip-top chasers in a ding-dong from the second last.

Also winning Haydock’s 1997 Peter Marsh Chase on Gold Cup winner Jodami could not have been better timed as I was just coming back from injury.

You are popularly known as ‘Stormin Norman’. Where did this nickname come from?

Nowadays I’m known by my closest friends as ‘Grumpy’! But the nickname ‘Stormin’ came from the American commander of the Gulf War, General Norman Schwarzkopf, who was known as ‘Stormin Norman’. He got a lot of publicity

CLOSE UP AND… PERSONAL

Can’t get through the day without… Nicorette I relax by… hunting Four dinner party guests… Bruce Springsteen, Imelda May, Robbie Williams and Charles O’Brien with his guitar Actor to play me in a film…

Tom Cruise Favourite holiday destination… riding safari in Kenya

CLOSE UP AND… PROFESSIONAL

Best horse I’ve ridden… King George winner Teeton Mill, though we never got to see the best of him Racing has taught me… to be on time Toughest opponent… Richard Dunwoody, tough as nails My racing idol is… Mick Kinane, who was first jockey to Dermot Weld when I started there as a 16-year-old Best advice I’ve been given… you’ll learn a lot quicker by spending your own money in the early 90s and Graham Bradley started calling me ‘Stormin’ in that great Yorkshire accent of his. It stuck with me through my riding and weighing-room days.

Are you worried about Brexit and the possible impact on free movement of horses and staff recruitment?

We are all worried about the free movement of horses as well as the problems of finding staff, which could be made worse by Brexit. But really I am not qualified to answer questions on Brexit – I’m not so sure the people who are running Brexit know what’s happening themselves. I have asked loads of people what they think about Brexit and nobody can come up with a proper answer.

GEORGE SELWYN

Your greatest claim to fame was your four winners at the 1995

Williamson on Teeton Mill, the best horse he rode in his illustrious career

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NEW FOR 2019 TASLEET Showcasing - Bird Key (Cadeaux Genereux)

Group1 sprinter from the immediate family of BATTAASH RATED HIGHER than his red-hot sire SHOWCASING, who is standing at £55,000 in 2019 A stakes winner at 2, 3 and 4 £6,000 (Jan 1st, SLF)

POET’S WORD Poet’s Voice - Whirly Bird (Nashwan)

The ONLY horse to DEFEAT Cracksman in 2018 129 Timeform rating - following victories in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 127 Rated 4th best horse in the world in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (14th November 2018)

Closely related to Group-winning juveniles Beckford and Malabar from the family of Group 1 sire Inchinor £7,000 (Jan 1st, SLF)

Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.com Or call Richard Lancaster, James O’Donnell or Tom Pennington on 01842 755913 Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

Taylor Made Sales Taylor Made team: Mark Taylor, Samantha McGreevy and Philip Shelton

Made in

AMERICA Taylor Made is the biggest name in consigning in North America; the operation is preparing to cross the Atlantic with its first European draft for the Tattersalls December Mare Sale Words: Amanda Duckworth Photos: George Selwyn

T

aylor Made Sales Agency is gearing up to handle its smallest consignment in a long time, and while for many that would be concerning, for North America’s perennial leading sales consigner, it is actually an exciting time. With six lots entered, Taylor Made is offering its first ever European consignment during the Tattersalls December Mare Sale.

“We aren’t trying to make a footprint over there and then duplicate what we have in America,” said Mark Taylor, Taylor Made’s Vice-President of marketing and public sales operations.

“That’s not part of the game plan. This is more about meeting more people, building relationships, helping our existing customers get maximum dollar for their horses, and it’s just a fun learning expedition.”

A dominant force in America, the family-run operation has sold more stakes winners, graded stakes winners, Grade 1 winners, Breeders’ Cup champions, and sale toppers than any other consignment. It’s been the leading consignor worldwide in terms of gross sales 18 of the last 20 years and has sold in excess of $1.6 billion in bloodstock.

“Within Taylor Made, we’ve been so busy over the last three decades growing our business here that we

really have become, by our own admission, isolationists,” said Taylor.

“We’ve been over here, doing our thing, keeping our nose to the grindstone, but we really haven’t travelled abroad much. We really haven’t tried to open up new relationships with other people to do more international business.”

Since 1976, the Taylor family has been in the business of selling horses. Today, the operation is run by brothers Duncan (President and CEO), Ben (Vice-President of Taylor Made Stallions), Frank (Vice-President of boarding operations) and Mark.

Now, as the thoroughbred world continues to become increasingly global, Taylor Made wants to grow with it. The journey to Tattersalls is a result of that desire, combined with the allimportant ingredient of timing.

In the autumn of 2016, Taylor Made got into racing partnerships via its Medallion Racing, and the fillies from its first draft of runners are starting to retire. Conversations that took place during their careers planted seeds about their futures, which are now coming to fruition.

“Two of these fillies, Queen Blossom and Midnight Crossing, we had been approached by several European agents about buying them privately,” Taylor said. “We really didn’t want to

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Taylor Made Sales “xx xx xx z xx xx”

Sheikh Hamdan’s brilliant sprinter Dayjur was consigned by Taylor Made in the late 1980s

›› sell at the time because our club is

all about racing, and the fillies were in good form. Even though the offers were good, we didn’t want to lose the opportunity to continue running them.

“The dialogues continued, in particular with John Ferguson and Mark McStay, as they were interested in Midnight Crossing. We started talking about maybe bringing them over there, and John and Mark were gracious enough to say, ‘Hey if you want to come, we will help with the logistics.

We will help you get set up and get comfortable in the new environment.’

“So, we had two horses that fit, and we had some other interest from abroad from other people wanting to consign horses, and that’s how it all came together.”

Initial Foray

Queen Blossom and Midnight Crossing make up one-third of the Taylor Made consignment. They are joined by Hasten, Glade, Roystonia and Raven’s Lady. Selecting which horses to sell at Tattersalls, as opposed to Taylor Made’s traditional route of Keeneland or FasigTipton, involved a team, and that team will be on hand at Tattersalls to give them their best chance.

Mark Taylor will be joined by Phillip Shelton, who runs Medallion Racing, as well as Jake Memolo, Taylor Made’s director of research. Additionally, Amy Lanigan is going to be helping Taylor Made when it comes to logistics.

“It’s an exciting time,” said Shelton.

“You really have to assess what kind of premium we can get over there versus here, and if it is worthwhile to pay to quarantine a horse and send them over.

“They have to have one of two factors – they either have to have a really good pedigree or they have to be a Group winner in Europe. When we are trying to figure out what works for Europe, they have to fall in one of those two categories.”

Of course, the Taylor Made team is interested in more than just selling its six-horse consignment. Considering it sold 258 lots at the recently concluded Keeneland November breeding stock sale, they are used to a slightly more hectic pace.

“The primary reason we are going is for the consignment, and that’s going to be my main focus, but I am not used to only having six horses,” said Taylor.

“I am pretty confident I am going to be able to do more than just manage the barn. I am going to spend one day just going and looking at the foals before the mares sell.

“I want to learn more about what Europeans like, what they are breeding for. That’s for my own education. I don’t really see myself buying any foals unless something comes up unexpectedly, but I have also reached out to some of our clients who have bought mares in Europe before to let them know I am going to be there.”

Taylor has only been to Tattersalls once, and it was as a teenager, while Shelton’s only previous trip to England

was with his father to see Motivator win the Derby in 2005. In addition to participating in the sale, the team plans on exploring Newmarket and visiting several training yards and stud farms.

High on Shelton’s list is Banstead Manor, as Frankel is his favourite horse, and he even named his dog after the famed Juddmonte champion.

A big part of the experience, though, will be simply selling horses in England, and they are going into it knowing it will be similar but new.

“At Keeneland, they can crank through 40 horses an hour, and at Tattersalls it might be 20 an hour,” said Shelton. “Everything is a little different, and there will be some idiosyncrasies to learn. We are going to be a little bit different than all the other consignors over there, and that’s okay.

“Taylor Made has built a great brand based on honesty and transparency.

We want to make selling in Europe a very boutique venture where we have six to ten horses. It’s a calculated risk, but there are a lot of ancillary benefits outside of just hopefully being profitable.”

Perfect Timing

While Taylor Made will be hanging its shingle at Tattersalls for the first time, it would be a mistake to think the operation is a novice when it comes to high quality European runners.

From Dancing Brave to Roaring Lion, Taylor Made has been associated with a number of top-class runners who excelled away from America.

“Going back through the years, we’ve had some great European horses,” said Taylor. “Dancing Brave was one of the first Group 1 winners we ever consigned.”

Not long after Dancing Brave came Dayjur, but Taylor Made isn’t limited to successful runners from foals. A number of notable broodmares have been Taylor Made graduates, including the dams of Caravaggio, Giant’s Causeway, Lady Aurelia, Nathaniel, Great Heavens, Playful Act and Shamardal.

The latest poster boy for Taylor Made internationally is 2018 Cartier Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, who sold for $160,000 as a yearling. In addition to consigning him to the 2016 Keeneland September sale, Taylor Made also raised Roaring Lion for breeder RanJan Racing, Inc. “Having a connection to Europe at this perfect time with a horse like Roaring Lion is really amazing,” said Taylor. “We are so proud of him. He

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FEE £6000

FIRST FOALS IN 2019

MONDIALISTE GALILEO - OCCUPANDISTE (KALDOUN)

DEFEATED 16 GR.1 WINNERS STANDING AT ELWICK STUD Elwick Stud, Sheraton Farm, Hartlepool TS27 4RB t: +44 (0) 1429 856 530 e: info@elwickstud.co.uk w: www.elwickstud.co.uk

Al Kazeem TOB-Nov 2018:Oakgrove Stud

19/10/18

14:58

Page 1

Al Kazeem 50% winners to runners from his first crop

bay 2008, 16.1hh by Dubawi - Kazeem (Darshaan) Ë Four-time Gr.1 winner by DUBAWI

Ë Joint Champion Older Horse in Europe in 2013 (9.5f-10.5f) Ë Timeform rated 128 in three consecutive seasons

Ë 9 individual winners and 2 black-type performers from just 18 runners, including Listed winner ASPETAR and black-type sprinter GOLDEN SPELL

Ë His second crop will be 2yos in 2019

Ë 80% mares in foal at close of the 2018 season

STANDING AT OAKGROVE STUD

Fee: £12,000 Oct 1st SLF (Limited Book)

Oakgrove Estate, St Arvans, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH Tel: 01291 622876 G Fax: 01291 622070 G Email: oakgrovestud@btinternet.com G www.oakgrovestud.com For Nominations Contact: David Hilton: 07595 951248 G Email: david@oakgrovestud.com G Vannessa Swift: 01291 622876

Taylor Made Sales ›› grew up on Taylor Made, and he grew

up very near to where American Pharoah grew up. To have two horses like that in such a small period of time come off your farm is special.

“Obviously, we are better known for our selling side, but we do take a lot of pride in having a great team on the farm and all the really top-class horses we have raised over the years.”

Timing is everything, and in addition to a European venture making sense for Taylor Made internally, Taylor also was motivated by industry trends.

“The world, by everybody’s standards, is just shrinking,” he said.

“There’s a lot more interest in America right now when it comes to racing in Europe. Royal Ascot has become something on every big owner’s bucket list in America.

“Then it was fascinating to see at the Breeders’ Cup the horses winning races where the owners had bought them in Europe and brought them back. You see horses like Newspaperofrecord, who was bought at Tattersalls as a yearling and is now the best two-yearold grass filly in America. There are more and more shifts.”

Whether the Taylors will make

Tattersalls an annual trip remains to be seen, but there is little question things have aligned to make it understandable why they are trying in the first place.

“There is already a lot of bloodstock going back and forth,” said Taylor.

“Given the size of our operation, and the resources we have at our disposal, we want to get involved. We aim to help clients on both sides of the Atlantic reach their goals in the most efficient way possible.”

Roaring Lion, the Cartier Horse of the Year, is the latest star name for Taylor Made in Europe

“There is a lot of bloodstock going back and forth – we want to get involved”

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Breeders’ Digest

Emma Berry Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes: New to stud: Running the rule over the new recruits in Europe for 2019 – pages 79-84 Sales Circuit: Record price for Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale – pages 86-100 Dr Statz: Assessing the merits of the undervalued Teofilo – page 124

Australia not solely devoted to speed

Dec_172_BloodstockIntro.indd 77

GEORGE SELWYN

A

one-two-three in the Melbourne Cup, not just for British-trained horses, but for British-breds. Proof, if proof were needed, that one thing we do very well in this part of the world is breed a good stayer.

The irony, of course, is that fewer and fewer people seem to want to do that, despite the embarrassment of riches on offer in this division worldwide for those with enough patience to give these horses the time required to show their full potential. Though, given the fact that the last two Melbourne Cup winners, Rekindling and Cross Counter, were only three-year-olds when they scooped around £2.5 million in prize-money on the first Tuesday of November, we’re not really talking about reserves of patience far above the norm.

Increasingly though, the ‘norm’ is becoming to breed an early and, hopefully, fast two-year-old type, and the initial commercial rewards that can be gleaned at the foal or yearling sales is an understandable lure in increasingly cashstrapped times for breeders.

This trend which has taken hold here is far advanced in Australia, meaning that a number of buyers now head to Europe in search of staying stock to export. This is both good and bad. Financially it can be massively beneficial to the horses’ owners and it continues to help to spread the word globally as to the strength of European bloodstock. On the downside, it means we potentially lose some of our best stayers to the other side of the world.

In order to redress this balance, the BHA and TBA has put plenty of thought into boosting the staying programme in Britain via a project launched two years ago which was discussed in detail in the September issue of this magazine. Early signs are encouraging with regard to support of these races by owners and trainers. How well breeders will respond in their support of middle-distance stallions remains to be seen, though with the name Camelot at the head of the secondcrop sires’ table for this year and some promising results for freshman stallions such as Australia, Sea The Moon and

Fiorente is now a bright stallion prospect

Ruler Of The World, there’s another hint that with enough support, stallions of this ilk can go on to deliver the goods in the more prestigious and valuable races as their offspring progress.

St Leger winners and older colts who win the big staying races in Europe are almost always automatically viewed as National Hunt stallion prospects. That is merely a perception and where these horses end up standing should not preclude any breeder with a good Flat mare from using them, even if it appears to be commercially risky.

The treble Group 1 winner Order Of St George has just joined the line-up at Coolmore’s National Hunt division, but on that list of 16 stallions are the sires of this year’s 1,000 Guineas winner and last year’s Derby winner. As always, it is a fine line between the Flat and the jumps.

Male Melbourne Cup winners that haven’t been gelded would also be viewed in this light in this part of the world but one who retired to stud in Australia in recent years is giving hope of a stayers’ renewal. Fiorente, bred in Ireland by Ballymacoll Stud and a son of the German stalwart Monsun, stands at

Sun Stud in Victoria for a fee of A$17,600 (approximately £10,000) and has made an eye-catching start with his first two crops of runners. In Australia’s secondcrop sires’ table, he is second only to the extraordinarily successful Zoustar – who will shuttle for the first time to Tweenhills in 2019 – with Victoria Derby runner-up and Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase winner Stars Of Carrum among his notable runners to date.

In a recent interview with TDN AusNZ, Sun Stud’s Mark Lindsay said: “The Monsun line is such a dominant staying line in Europe, and we’ve seen them win Melbourne Cups. It was just a case of lack of opportunity down here for horses who are looking to get out towards 2,000m as a three-year old.

“When you are standing those sort of sires, there are very few two-year old races at a mile and above and then as a three-year old – you’ve only got ten or so races before Christmas where you can run over 2,000m and further.”

He added: “Australia has had this whole perception that Melbourne Cup winners don’t work at stud. The only reason for that is that we can’t get that zippy, fast two-year old that people are fascinated with…but there is hope there that the industry can focus on diversifying, not just on two-year-old speed.”

It’s an ironic paradox that while many breeders here aim to follow the Australian model of breeding for speed, some in Australia – particularly in Victoria, where Highland Reel has also been given a very warm welcome at Swettenham Stud – may be turning back towards our blueprint for stayers.

As Lindsay points out, the races have to be in place to give enough encouragement for owners and breeders that there are opportunities over and above the limited Cups programme. In this regard, the Australian race planners would do well to peruse the boosted stayers’ programme painstakingly devised by Ruth Quinn and her BHA colleagues.

It may take time, but the change can only happen if the right races are there to act as an incentive.

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Retiring to stud in 2019

The New

GUARD

Seventeen Flat stallions join the ranks in Britain in 2019, headed by Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, while the tally for Europe is again bolstered by more than 30 new names Words: John Berry Photos: George Selwyn and Amy Lanigan GREAT BRITAIN

F

ew three-year-olds in recent seasons have endeared themselves to British racegoers as much as Roaring Lion, who developed quite a following through the past season when carrying the maroon Qatar Racing silks to a splendid Group 1 four-timer in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the Juddmonte International at York, the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the QIPCO Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The charismatic grey fully deserved his Cartier Horse of the Year award. He retires to Tweenhills Stud with a bank of goodwill behind him and, presumably, excellent support from many of the most successful breeders in Europe.

Joining Roaring Lion on the Tweenhills roster will be Lightning Spear, one of the most admirable troupers of the Group 1 scene in recent seasons. The super-tough son of Pivotal fully deserved his Group 1 victory (in this year’s Qatar Sussex Stakes, beating subsequent Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Expert Eye by a length and a half), and he is sure to appeal to breeders who value the traditional virtues of soundness, genuineness and durability.

Lightning Spear’s Sussex Stakes victim Expert Eye joins the Juddmonte roster at Banstead Manor Stud. A brilliant winner of the Qatar Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood as a juvenile, Expert Eye took a while to re-find that brilliance; but when he did, he was superb, winning the Jersey Stakes with ease at Royal Ascot before bringing the curtain down on his career in the best possible style with a thrilling

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victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.

Another horse who wound up a splendid career with a champion’s performance in the autumn was Cracksman, who joins the Darley roster with the excellent record of eight wins and three minor placings from only 11 starts. His swansong came on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot when he landed the QIPCO Champion Stakes for the second year running, his six-

length victory this year nearly matching the seven-length margin by which he had scored last year.

One of the very few horses ever to beat Cracksman was Poet’s Word, whose excellent campaign during 2018 reinforced the benefits which can ensue from keeping a high-class horse in training until maturity. Cracksman was the odds-on favourite when Poet’s Word beat him in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the latter

››

Roaring Lion is one of three sons of Kitten’s Joy to be retiring to stud in Europe in 2019

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Retiring to stud in 2019 ›› proved that was no fluke when doubling his Group 1 tally by taking Britain’s premier weight-for-age race, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. A rare example of a recruit to the Shadwell roster who did not race in Sheikh Hamdan’s silks, Poet’s Word fully deserves his place in the line-up, offering breeders access to a top-class horse at a remarkably appealing fee.

Shadwell’s other new recruit to Nunnery Stud is the 2017 Duke Of York Stakes winner Tasleet, thrice a runnerup in Group 1 company and a son of the increasingly popular Showcasing.

Notwithstanding that Roaring Lion and Cracksman were both placed in the Derby, the only British Classic winner among the new intake of stallions in Great Britain is the 2016 St Leger hero Harbour Law, who retires to Batsford Stud. He offers breeders high-class stamina at an affordable price, as does Hawkbill, who appeals as attractively priced on the Darley roster bearing in mind that his victories include Group 1 strikes in the Coral-Eclipse and the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. The fact that, like Roaring Lion, he is a son of the former champion US turf sire Kitten’s Joy is likely further to endear Hawkbill to mare-owners.

Breeders seeking the services of high-class sprinters are very well catered for among Britain’s new stallions, with the 2017 Darley July Cup and 32Red Haydock Park Sprint Cup hero Harry Angel likely to be top of many people’s lists. The brilliant son of Dark Angel finished second in another two Group 1 races and was durable too, having shown consistent top-class form at ages two (when he was an easy winner of the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury), three and four.

Another Group 1-winning sprinter about to begin his stud career is Havana Grey, who received his just reward for a string of excellent performances when taking the Group 1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions’ Weekend. From Cadeaux Genereux through to Showcasing, Whitsbury Manor Stud has built up a reputation for standing outstanding sprinting sires.

Havana Grey appeals as an ideal recruit to try to follow in such distinguished and speedy hoofprints.

Havana Grey’s former stablemate Unfortunately also retires as an appealing prospect. A son of the muchmissed Society Rock, Unfortunately gained Group 1 honours by taking the Darley Prix Morny as a two-year-old

New stallions in Europe GREAT BRITAIN

IRELAND

Dylan Mouth (Ire) – 2011, Dylan Thomas ex Cottonmouth (Noverre) Worsall Grange Stud, TBA

James Garfield (Ire) – 2015, Exceed And Excel ex Whazzat (Daylami) Rathbarry Stud, €7,000

Expert Eye (GB) – 2015, Acclamation ex Exemplify (Dansili) Banstead Manor Stud, £20,000

Jungle Cat (Ire) – 2012, Iffraaj ex Mike’s Wildcat (Forest Wildcat) Kildangan Stud, €8,000

Harbour Law (GB) – 2013, Lawman ex Abunai (Pivotal) Batsford Stud, £4,000

Kessaar (Ire) – 2016, Kodiac ex Querulous (Raven’s Pass) Tally-Ho Stud, €8,000

Harry Angel (Ire) – 2014, Dark Angel ex Beatrix Potter (Cadeaux Genereux) Dalham Hall Stud, £20,000

Merchant Navy (Aus) – 2014, Fastnet Rock ex Legally Bay (Snippets) Coolmore, €20,000

Havana Grey (GB) – Havana Gold ex Blanc De Chine (Dark Angel) Whitsbury Manor, £8,000

Saxon Warrior (Jpn) – 2015, Deep Impact ex Maybe (Galileo) Coolmore, €30,000

Hawkbill (USA) – 2013, Kitten’s Joy ex Trensa (Giant’s Causeway) Dalham Hall Stud, £7,500

Sioux Nation (USA) – 2015, Scat Daddy ex Dream The Blues (Oasis Dream) Coolmore, €12,500

Lancaster Bomber (USA) – 2014, War Front ex Sun Shower (Indian Ridge) National Stud, £8,500

U S Navy Flag (USA) – 2015, War Front ex Misty For Me (Galileo) Coolmore, €25,000

Lightning Spear (GB) – 2011, Pivotal ex Atlantic Destiny (Royal Academy) Tweenhills, £8,500

FRANCE

Cracksman (GB) – 2014, Frankel ex Rhadegunda (Pivotal) Dalham Hall Stud, £25,000

Massaat (Ire) – 2013 Teofilo ex Madany (Acclamation) Mickley Stud, £5,000 Poet’s Word (Ire) – 2013, Poet’s Voice ex Whirly Bird (Nashwan) Nunnery Stud, £7,000 Rajasinghe (Ire) – 2015, Choisir ex Bunditten (Soviet Star) National Stud, £5,000 Roaring Lion (USA) – 2015, Kitten’s Joy ex Vionnet (Street Sense) Tweenhills, £40,000 Tasleet (GB) – 2013, Showcasing ex Bird Key (Cadeaux Genereux) Nunnery Stud, £6,000 Unfortunately (Ire) – 2015, Society Rock ex Unfortunate (Komaite) Cheveley Park Stud, £7,500 Washington DC (Ire) – 2013, Zoffany ex How’s She Cuttin’ (Shinko Forest) Bearstone Stud, £6,000 Zoustar (Aus) – 2010, Northern Meteor ex Zouzou (Redoute’s Choice) Tweenhills, £25,000 (first northern hemisphere season)

››

Gustav Klimt (Ire) – 2015, Galileo ex Massarra (Danehill) Coolmore, €7,500

Chemical Charge (Ire) – 2012, Sea The Stars ex Jakonda (Kingmambo) Haras de Grandcamp, €4,000 Cloth Of Stars (Ire) – 2013, Sea The Stars ex Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo) Haras du Logis, €7,500 Dschingis Secret (Ger) – 2013, Soldier Hollow ex Divya (Platini) Haras de Saint Arnoult, €4,000 Mekhtaal (GB) – 2013, Sea The Stars ex Aiglonne (Silver Hawk) Haras de Bouquetot, €5,000 Mr Owen (USA) – 2012, Invincible Spirit ex Mrs Lindsay (Theatrical) Haras du Petit Tellier, €3,000 Recoletos (Fr) – 2014, Whipper ex Highphar (Highest Honor) Haras du Quesnay, €8,000 Seabhac (USA) – 2015, Scat Daddy ex Curlin Hawk (Curlin) Haras de Saint Arnoult, €5,000 Sumbal (Ire) – 2012, Danehill Dancer ex Alix Road (Linamix) Haras De Grandcamp, €3,000 Taareef (USA) – 2013, Kitten’s Joy ex Sacred Feather (Carson City) Haras du Mezeray, €6,000

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Retiring to stud in 2019

Cloth Of Stars: placed in two Arcs

Lancaster Bomber is at the National Stud

›› (with Havana Grey in second) and he will be an interesting addition to the roster at Cheveley Park Stud, whose reputation for standing superb sprinters has been built up over the last 40 years thanks to the achievements of the likes of Music Boy and Pivotal. Like Havana Grey, Unfortunately also landed a big win in Ireland this autumn, signing off with a solid victory in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes over six furlongs at Naas in September.

Only a few miles to the west of Cheveley Park, two more fast horses are about to begin their new careers at the National Stud. Like Havana Grey and Unfortunately, Rajasinghe too was one of England’s best juvenile sprinters of 2017, his highlight being an impressive victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of Choisir is bound to appeal to mare-owners aiming to breed precocious juvenile sprinters, while the other new stallion at the National Stud, Lancaster Bomber, also offers both speed and precocity – and durability too.

Lancaster Bomber showed topclass form as a juvenile in 2016 when he finished second in both the Darley Dewhurst Stakes in Great Britain and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in the

USA. He was, though, much more than merely a quick-developer because he ended up showing top-class form at both three and four, as his several magnificent efforts in subsequent seasons showed. His good runs at three included second places in both the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Mile and fourth place in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, while at four he finally gained a richly-deserved Group 1 success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over ten furlongs at the Curragh in May. This admirable son of War Front will sire plenty of winners if he can pass on his class, toughness, versatility and genuineness.

Another super-tough former Ballydoyle inmate about to commence stud duties in England is the speedy Washington DC. With six wins (a maiden and five black-type events) and 15 minor placings to show for his 32 appearances, Washington DC has been a proper trouper among the sprinting ranks over the past four seasons, rarely running a bad race. With highlights that included finishing second of 17 in the 2016 Prix de l’Abbaye, Washington DC ranks as one of the best as well as one of the toughest sprinters of recent years, and he appeals as potentially another good stallion for Bearstone.

Lancaster Bomber is not the only Dewhurst runner-up currently retiring to stud in the UK. The talented Massaat finished second in the Darley Dewhurst in 2015 before occupying the same position in the following season’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas. Only lightly raced thereafter, he ran very well in his three starts as a four-year-old, winning the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury before finishing third behind Ribchester in the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp at Chantilly and second behind Limato in the Group 2 Godolphin Challenge Stakes at Newmarket. The son of Teofilo represents a very interesting addition to

Cracksman: joins the Darley roster

Dschingis Secret, a son of Soldier Hollow

Mekhtaal: Group 1 winner at four

the line-up at Mickley Stud.

Worsall Grange Stud also takes on an interesting horse. Winner of the Derby Italiano in 2014, Dylan Mouth retires to stud with his durability and soundness fully proven, having won 14 of his 31 starts (including three Group 1 victories) and having scored in Pattern company at the ages of three, four, five and seven.

The roster at Tweenhills, already bolstered by the addition of Roaring Lion and Lightning Spear, will not receive its final new addition until the end of the year when Zoustar will arrive from Widden Stud in New South Wales for his first northern hemisphere season. He will come from his homeland

››

Lightning Spear: tough and talented

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NE

He came. He saw. He conquered.

W

Unbeaten Stakes winner at 2, Merchant Navy proved himself Australia’s best sprinter of his generation at 3 when winning Flemington’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over six furlongs.

Unbeaten in two starts for Aidan O’Brien he proved more than able for Europe’s best sprinters winning the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh and the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. This was despite being weighted as an older horse when still only three in his birthplace.

His sire Fastnet Rock has already proven a major success in Europe and as a sire of sires. So watch this space!

Fee: €20,000 Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: +353-52-6131298. Fax: +353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars, Jason Walsh, Tom Miller or Neil Magee. Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon, John Kennedy or Cathal Murphy: +353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) +44-7827-795156.

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

Retiring to stud in 2019

Expert Eye: top-class miler

Poet’s Word: dual Group 1 winner in 2018

››

with a huge reputation, largely thanks to the fact that he currently holds a sizeable lead in Australia’s secondseason sires’ rankings, his earnings having been greatly bolstered at the VRC Carnival at Flemington when he was represented by the first three home in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, a prestigious sprint which he himself had won in 2013 (and which his sire Northern Meteor had won in 2008).

IRELAND The majority of the new sires in Ireland will be joining the Coolmore roster, with QIPCO 2,000 Guineas hero Saxon Warrior and Darley July Cup winner US Navy Flag being the most vaunted of the stud’s five new recruits. One of the quintet will be joining Zoustar in making the trip up to Europe from New South Wales, but in Merchant Navy’s case it will be a case of Ireland revisited. The son of dual Australian champion sire Fastnet Rock has already made one trip northwards, having come to Ballydoyle in the spring to contest two races in Europe. He won both of them and thus holds the distinction of having won in Group 1 company in both hemispheres, having taken the Coolmore Stud Stakes

Havana Grey: Group 1 winner at Whitsbury

Hawkbill: attractively priced at Darley

at Flemington last year and this year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Since then, Merchant Navy has been back in his homeland, covering mares at Coolmore’s Australian farm in the Hunter Valley. Sioux Nation and Gustav Klimt complete the list of new boys retiring to Fethard.

The new stallion on the Darley roster at Kildangan is also a well-travelled sprinter with Group 1 laurels in both hemispheres. Winner of eight of his 33 starts, Jungle Cat has struck twice at the highest level during 2018, having taken the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night and the Ladbrokes Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival.

The new recruits to Rathbarry and Tally-Ho are also tough, fast horses who have enjoyed a rewarding year.

James Garfield kicked off his season by beating Expert Eye in the Al Basti Equiworld Greenham Stakes at Newbury (where he had won the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes as a two-year-old) before putting together a string of good runs, most notably finishing second in Group 1 company in France. Kessaar has only one season of racing behind him, but he has done well during that campaign with two Pattern race triumphs on his score-card.

He now heads home to his birthplace,

Tally-Ho Stud, to stand alongside his father Kodiac.

Rajasinghe: top juvenile form

Taareef: son of Kitten’s Joy at Mezeray

FRANCE Two horses stand out among the new stallions in France as boasting top-class recent form. Recoletos, who joins the roster at Haras du Quesnay, has enjoyed a terrific campaign in 2018 with Group 1 victories in the Churchill Coolmore Prix d’Ispahan and the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.

The new Darley stallion at Haras du Logis, Cloth Of Stars, a Group 1 winner in last year’s Prix Ganay, has finished in the first three in 15 Pattern races and holds the particular distinction of having been placed in the past two runnings of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Most recently Cloth Of Stars chased home Enable and Sea Of Class in October, having previously split Enable and Ulysses in the same race last year.

That he and Ulysses should have fought out the minor placings was particularly fitting as they are closely related: one could call them ‘three-parts brothers in blood’ because their dams (Strawberry Fledge and the 2007 Oaks heroine Light Shift) are full-sisters while their sires (Sea The Stars and Galileo) are half-brothers.

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STA LLION FEE S Decorated Knight €12,000 Dragon Pulse €6,000 Elusive Pimpernel €1,000 Free Eagle €12,500

Gale Force Ten €3,000 Invincible Spirit €120,000 National Defense €8,000

Terms & conditions apply

Contact: Cathal Beale, Sinéad Hyland, Gary Swift, Patrick Diamond or Helen Boyce Tel: +353 (0)45 521251 www.irishnationalstud.ie

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12/11/2018 09:17

Sales Circuit • By Carl Evans Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale

Buyers from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan invested to a decent level at Europe’s biggest horses-in-training sale, which ran for four sessions at Tattersalls’ Newmarket headquarters.

Investment from racing nations large and small are vital to the event, mopping up horses at all prices and giving the clearance rate a polish, but the week’s standout horse, five-year-old mare Aljazzi, who was sold for 1 million gns, represented an international production in one. Owned by Kuwaiti businessmen Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, she was bred in Britain at her owners’ Blue Diamond Stud in Newmarket, and trained in the town by expatriate Italian Marco Botti, who saddled her to win the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Yet the action to buy her revolved around two British studs – Hertfordshire’s Newsells Park Stud and Newmarket’s Lordship Stud. Julian Dollar of Newsells Park made the winning bid, one that meant Aljazzi became the most valuable horse sold at the sale, her price beating that of the 700,000gns filly Elizabeth Browning 12 months earlier.

Aljazzi en route to breaking the Horses-in-Training Sale record when selling for 1 million gns

Buyers from Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia bought the next three horses on the top-ten board, and there was welcome involvement from some new faces, notably Conor Murphy, formerly a senior groom at Nicky Henderson’s yard, who headed off to the USA after landing a £1 million accumulator bet on his boss’s horses at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival.

Now established as a trainer in

Kentucky, Murphy returned to Britain to buy stock for his yard, investing in four horses worth 590,000gns.

The sale’s final figures made excellent reading, despite a 1.6% drop in turnover. Last year’s aggregate, a record of just over 27 million gns, had been achieved with an additional 74 horses and the sale had been stretched into a fifth session. This time the average was unmoved, the median

Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

Aljazzi (Shamardal – Nouriya)

Prestige Place (M Botti)

Corrosive (Uncle Mo - Lovely Syn)

The Castlebridge Consignment

450,000

Abdulrahman Fahad Albawardi

Euginio (Fastnet Rock – Starstone)

East Everleigh Stables (R Hannon)

400,000

Oliver St Lawrence

Archetype (Le Havre - Angel Rose)

Kremlin House Stables (S Crisford)

335,000

Voute Sales

Lady Rasha (Dansili – Nessina)

Beckhampton House Stables (R Charlton)

320,000

Blue Diamond Stud

Lucius Tiberius (Camelot – Keegsquaw)

Ballydoyle Stables (A O'Brien)

320,000

Stroud Coleman Bloodstock

Extra Elusive (Mastercraftsman – Nessina)

Beckhampton House Stables (R Charlton)

300,000

Blue Diamond Stud Farm

Mjjack (Elzaam - Docklands Grace)

Spigot Lodge Stables (K Burke)

260,000

Voute Sales

Knight Errant (So You Think - Lamanka Lass)

Phantom House Stables (W. Jarvis)

250,000

McKeever B/s/Gai Waterhouse Racing

Mr Reckless (Reckless Abandon – Zarabaya)

The Old Malthouse (J Osborne)

240,000

Chris Waller Racing

1,000,000

Buyer Newsells Park Stud

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2018

1,049

26,853,500

25,599

12,000

1,000,000

2017

1,065

27,282,200

25,617

11,000

700,000

2016

949

25,137,100

26,488

13,500

520,000

2015

1,038

20,344,550

19,500

14,000

420,000

2014

922

24,304,100

26,360

13,000

425,000

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Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring TALKING POINTS • The death two days before this sale opened of Thai racehorse owner and would-be breeder Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha cast a shadow over proceedings.

Killed in a helicopter crash, Srivaddhanaprabha had been the leading buyer at this sale 12 months earlier, his agent, Alastair Donald, accounting for six horses worth just over 1 million gns. Twelve months on and Donald cut a forlorn figure, gamely assisting clients from America, but clearly rocked at the loss of a man he admired, and who was his biggest customer. Donald and his business partner, Ed Sackville, are young enough to rise again in an industry where clients like Srivaddhanaprabha are hard to secure.

Guy Mulcaster was buying for Chris Waller

gained 9%, while the clearance rate of 89% was up four points.

The Castlebridge Consignment’s 89 lots meant it had the numbers to become leading consignor, turning over 3,188,000gns, while the purchase of Aljazzi meant Newsells Park was the leading buyer. Ted Voute’s Saudi Arabian client, Prince Faisal Bin Khalid, made an important contribution by buying seven horses for 810,000gns.

• Blue Diamond Stud’s Tony Nerses explained the sale of Aljazzi by saying the farm was having a rethink on its stock levels – it will offer Aljazzi’s dam, Nouriya, at the December Sale – although he also bid on and signed for several horses owned by the stud’s owners, Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, at this auction. They went down as ‘sales’ to Blue Diamond Stud, not buy-backs, because, claimed Tattersalls, one partner was buying out another. It will be sad if the partnership that bought and raced Derby winner Authorized – who was picked out as a yearling by Nerses – and went on to become an important buyer of racing and breeding stock, reduces its involvement in the industry.

• Qatar champion trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, a welcome visitor to this and other European HIT sales, was once again on the premises. However, his appetite for buying seems to be on the wane – or he simply could not find horses to fit his tastes. In 2016 he bought nine horses for 1,055,000gns, last year it was 13 for 582,000gns, and this time it was five for 189,000gns.

Arqana October Yearling Sale

Kerri Radcliffe’s important new USbased client George Bolton clearly enjoyed his first visit to this four-day yearling sale, and left with the star lot.

A €360,000 investment gained Bolton a daughter of Siyouni from Eric L’Hermite’s Haras de Grancamp, and the buyer said: “I love how the French raise their horses – there are no steroids or surgeries.” His purchase was a half-sister to Group 3 Prix des Chenes winner Evasive’s First.

The top lot’s price fell some way short of the high set a year earlier – €500,000 for a filly by Dabirsim, named Truly Adored, and unplaced on her sole start since for Lady Bamford and trainer Richard Hannon. That was not the only dip in the figures. The select opening day saw falls in the aggregate, average and median of about 11%, while the overall figures after four days showed a decline of 11% in the aggregate and 4% in the average and median prices.

In a year when too many horses has been a theme, this sale cut the catalogue slightly and 39 fewer lots walked the ring, yet the clearance rate was pulled back two points to 79%.

Arqana representative Alix Choppin underlined that the figures were not far from those of recent years, and that the presence of Bolton, Sheikh Obaid and John Foote from Australia – all

Dec_172_SaleCircuit.indd 87

The Lepeudry family’s American Post half-sister to Lily’s Candle sold for €230,000

first-time visitors of note – confirmed the sale’s broad appeal, but she acknowledged that trade below the top of the market was sketchy, despite an 83% clearance rate at the fourth, and least-glamorous, session. Choppin said uncertainty caused by Brexit had created some prudence – that seems certain to be a theme in the new year.

Ecurie des Monceaux headed consignors, turning over €2,387,000 when selling 24 yearlings for an average of just under €100,000. Monceaux’s

top-priced horse, a €280,000 son of Camelot, was sold to MV Magnier via Nicolas Watrigant’s Mandore International.

Laurent Benoit’s Broadhurst Agency headed buyers when investing €785,000 on six lots, headed by a €270,000 Invincible Spirit filly, but trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who led the 2017 list of purchasers with 16 buys and a spend in excess of €1 million was less active. This time he took home six horses for €382,000.

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Sales Circuit ››

TALKING POINTS • When it comes to Twitter impact it helps to have a famous sportsman on side, especially when you are a French stud owner and you sell a horse to a member of France’s World Cup-winning football team. The soccer player in question, Antoine Griezmann, bought an American Post half-sister to

Group 1 winner Lily’s Candle for €230,000 through trainer Philippe Decouz, to the delight of vendor Felix Lepeudry of Elevage de Tourgeville. Lepeudry, whose 91-year-old granny Monique owned the yearling’s dam, said: “When I tweet about my horses I get five likes, but when he [Griezmann] does the same thing he gets over 15,000 likes.”

Arqana October Yearling Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

F Siyouni – Zalia (Oasis Dream)

Grandcamp

360,000

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock

C Camelot – Inchmina (Cape Cross)

Monceaux

280,000

Mandore International Agency

F Invincible Spirit – Demurely (Galileo)

Monceaux

270,000

Broadhurst Agency

C Sea The Stars – Amarysia (Medicean)

Etreham

250,000

Stephen Hillen/Henri-Francois Devin

C Siyouni - Melbourne Shuffle (Street Cry)

Fairway Consignment

240,000

Shadwell France

F American Post - Golden Lily (Dolphin Street)

Tourgeville

230,000

Racing D SAS

F Lope De Vega - Starring Guest (Teofilo)

La Motteraye Consignment

220,000

Shadwell France

C Camelot – Platonic (Zafonic)

Monceaux

210,000

Jeremy Brummitt

C Intello – Keegsquaw (Street Cry)

Coulonces Sales

F Invincible Spirit - Celestina Agostino (Street Cry)

Monceaux

180,000

Meridian International

C Uncle Mo - Louve Des Reves (Sadler's Wells)

Monceaux

180,000

Meridian International/Niels Petersen

200,000

Buyer

Christophe Ferland

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

452

18,236,000

40,345

26,000

360,000

2017

490

20,526,500

41,891

27,000

500,000

2016

461

19,448,000

42,187

30,000

260,000

2015

441

15,514,500

35,829

25,000

290,000

2014

447

15,988,200

36,247

26,000

350,000

Goffs UK Autumn HIT and Yearlings

This was a curate’s egg of a sale, with some smart prices, but poor clearance rates.

That variety was evident during the Flat yearlings’ part of the catalogue where just 66 of 143 horses found a buyer, or 46%. An additional 33 horses

entered the ring compared to the same day 12 months earlier, but there had been plenty of opportunities to buy in the lower tier this autumn, and the market was not eager for more.

On the plus side the sale of a £50,000 son of young Haras du Logis sire Sidestep (Exceed And Excel) to trainer Tony Carroll, and a £35,000

Finjaan filly, were two transactions which towered over the £20,000 top price of the previous year.

Day two was for horses in training, and it too suffered a clearance rate issue despite a smaller catalogue, losing 12 points to achieve 70%. As with the yearlings, some good prices helped, and lifted the average by 21%.

››

Goffs UK Autumn HIT and Yearlings Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Aggressive (Declaration Of War - Three Moons)

Egerton House Stables (David Elsworth)

150,000

Hamish Macauley Bloodstock

Pistol Whipped (Beneficial - Holiday Time)

Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)

110,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Unexpected Depth (Shantou - Holy Vow)

Baltimore House Stables (Mary Doyle)

75,000

Kevin Ross Bloodstock

Buck's Bin's (Khalkevi - Buck's Bravo)

Monbeg Stables (Donnchadh Doyle)

60,000

Roger Brookhouse

Rock On Rocco (Shirocco – Katalina)

Monbeg Stables (Cormac Doyle)

55,000

Roger Brookhouse

Montalbano (Monsieur Bond - Alpen Glen)

Closutton Stables (Willie Mullins)

52,000

Stroud Coleman/Jonjo O'Neil

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Your first opportunity of the season to complete your roster with quality broodmares, short yearlings and racing and breeding prospects is at Keeneland.

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Sales Circuit ››

A three-year-old Declaration Of War gelding called Aggressive, a bumper winner at Huntingdon three weeks earlier and consigned from David Elsworth’s yard, headed trade when making £150,000 to a bid from agent

Hamish Macauley. He said his purchase would be heading to the USA to race in Irvin Naylor’s colours.

Following the introduction of autumn point-to-pointing – first held in Ireland to offset losses caused by foot and mouth

in 2001 – horses from that sphere have become an important part of trade at this time of year. Pistol Whipped, an Irish pointer from Colin Bowe’s yard, was the day’s other six-figure lot, making £110,000 en-route to a place with Nicky Henderson.

Goffs UK Autumn HIT and Yearlings Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

2018

198

1,840,800

9,297

4,000

150,000

2017

270

2,112,000

7,822

4,000

160,000

2016

237

2,151,100

9,076

5,000

78,000

2015

189

1,361,800

7,205

4,000

80,000

2014

277

2,144,250

7,741

4,000

70,000

Goffs Open Yearling & HIT Sale

Just 60% of yearlings found a new home during the first two days, and while 300 yearlings were knocked down as sold the sombre reality that 204 horses returned to their breeders or pinhookers was another warning to buyers ahead of upcoming foal sales. An average price of less than €5,500 was another unpleasant figure, even for those who managed to move horses on.

Nice yearlings were popular, the rest friendless, resulting in a 25% decline in turnover, and falls of 21% and 36% in the average price. Brexit hovered as a spectre at the feast, and that was before several British government ministers began their mid-November exit from the top table and Northern Ireland’s DUP party turned down Theresa May’s grand plan. Uncertainty over Britain’s future, the Irish border, and sterling, is not some-

thing to fill industries, and buyers, with confidence.

Goffs CEO Henry Beeby said: “How much the uncertainty or threat of Brexit is contributing is anyone’s guess as, like everyone, we are so sick of the lack of clarity in this connection, but there is no doubt that it appears the supply and demand ratio is out of kilter again.”

A colt from the second crop of Derby winner Australia topped yearling trade, making €52,000 to a bid from trainer Charles O’Brien, while Paul and Clare Rooney will race a Tamayuz colt who was bought on their behalf by agent Kevin Ross for €50,000.

The horses-in-training session had been headed in 2017 by a €215,000 twoyear-old Galileo filly called Sarrocchi, who returned to her trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and won the Listed Garnet Stakes a couple of weeks before this year’s sale

Top Price (£)

took place.

A very different type of horse, tough and consistent five-year-old gelding Twilight Payment, led the parade this time, leaving Godolphin’s ownership following a bid of €200,000 by agent Bert Kerr, acting for ‘a new syndicate’. His purchase will remain with trainer Jim Bolger – who also bred the horse – in a bid to improve upon a record of three wins and 13 places from 19 starts. Two of those victories were in Listed races.

An 85% clearance rate was proof that buyers were present and reserves realistic as 79 of 93 horses found a buyer.

There was a 2% rise in turnover, 11% average increase and 50% leap in the median price.

After considering the figures, Beeby lamented that his company had proven what could be achieved, but needed more horses to attract even more buyers.

Goffs Open Yearling Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

C Australia - That's My Style (Dalakhani)

Shanaville Stables

52,000

Margaret O'Toole

C Tamayuz – Laftah (Invincible Spirit)

Lumville Farm

50,000

Kevin Ross Bloodstock

F Showcasing – Analysis (Dubai Destination)

Nafferty Stud

45,000

BBA Ireland

C Dragon Pulse – Alnawiyah (Dalakhani)

Cross Stables

35,000

Shawn Dugan

C Toronado – Albaspina (Selkirk)

Ridge Manor Stud

28,000

Peter & Ross Doyle/D Marnane

C Dandy Man – Retrato (Fusaichi Pegasus)

Deer Forest Stud

25,000

Jamie Browne

Comparative figures Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

300

1,641,750

5,473

3,000

52,000

2017

311

2,170,800

6,98

4,700

62,000

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Sales Circuit ››

Goffs Open Horses-in-Training Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Twilight Payment (Teofilo - Dream On Buddy)

Glebe House Stables

200,000

Kerr & Co Ltd

Mazzuri (Raven's Pass – Essexford)

Rathbride Stables

120,000

Admirality (Mount Nelson – Dialma)

Fox Covert Stables

80,000

Colm Sharkey/R Fell

Krispen (Footstepsinthesand – Penlova)

Moyneard Stables

70,000

BBA Ireland

Vidiyni (Siyouni – Virana)

Aga Khan Studs

68,000

Hassan Abdul Malik/D Mountain

Cockalorum (Cape Cross – Opinionated)

Copper Beech Stables

65,000

Colm Sharkey/R.G Fell

Peter & Ross Doyle/A Perrett

Comparative figures Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

79

1,466,100

18,558

9,000

200,000

2017

86

1,442,600

16,774

6,000

215,000

Tattersalls Ireland Flat Breeding Stock Sale

Despite a trim to the catalogue numbers this sale confirmed that buyers are being watchful and careful when angling for small fish – unless you get lucky with a pedigree update or the foal becomes a physical stunner the market is simply unforgiving at the yearling stage.

On a quiet day the clearance rate of 50% told its own tale, and there were falls of 22% in turnover and 14% in the median, although a couple of smart colt foals helped pull the average price up by 4%.

Matt Mitchell, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, conceded: “Coming into this sale we had realistic expectations on what trade would be like at this segment of the market,” but added: “It is satisfying to see an increase in the average, and surpass last year’s top lot with a price of €60,000, proving there is demand for better quality stock.”

Foals are much the biggest part of this event – 196 were catalogued, and just 32 mares – and it was from among the babies that the top two prices were generated. The €60,000 top lot referred to by Mitchell was a colt from the first

crop of French Derby winner New Bay. He was sold to Powerstown Stud pinhooker Tom Whitehead, with shrewd Flash Conroy as underbidder – evidence that a nice horse will have admirers at any auction.

A Dandy Man colt will also be reoffered next year after being bought

by Tony O’Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud, while the leading broodmare price of €42,000 was given for 11-year-old Naadrah, who was Listed-placed and carried a foal by Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad. Ronan Burns of Herberstown Stud secured the package.

Tattersalls Ireland Flat Breeding Stock Sale Top lots Sex/Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

C New Bay – Soteria (Acclamation)

Baroda & Colbinstown Studs

60,000

Powerstown Stud

C Dandy Man – Elaysa (Shamardal)

Springfort Park Stud

44,000

Tally-Ho Stud

Naadrah (Muhtathir - Princess D'Orange)

Derrinstown Stud

42,000

Herbertstown House

C Footstepsinthesand – Hadrienne (Pour Moi)

Charel Park Stud

26,000

Tally-Ho Stud

F New Bay - Sharp Crisp Air (Danehill Dancer)

Baroda & Colbinstown Studs

20,000

Mark Byrne

C Mukhadram – Amaany (Teofilo)

Rathasker Stud

17,000

Buyer

Joe Foley

Comparative figures Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

97

599,100

6,176

3,000

60,000

2017

129

766,000

5,938

3,500

58,000

2016

90

726,400

8,071

4,400

78,000

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Sales Circuit ›› Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale

This six-day collection of jump-bred yearlings, foals and breeding stock reflected trends seen in other areas of the market.

Good horses are popular and there are considerable sums available to buy them, but lesser models are harder to shift. It was the same at Flat breeze-up and yearling auctions, and it emphasises the need for breeders’ caution over which mares to cover next year.

Of the 1,216 horses offered, 771, or 63%, found a buyer. At the final day of fillies and mares just 54% went to a new home, although that session’s other key figures all showed big gains as popular mares sold for notable sums. From this section emerged the sale’s top lot, Cheltenham

Katie Rudd acted on behalf of Bertrand Le Metayer when sigining for the top lot

Festival winner Let’s Dance, a daughter of French sire Poliglote who was sold to French agent Betrand Le Metayer. Let’s Dance was bred in France and started racing there before joining Willie Mullins as a three-year-old.

Similarly, the foal figures also showed a fall in demand, but a rise in spend on the best lots – traders looking for that edge of quality found foals hard to buy against stiff opposition.

An additional 50 foals were offered compared to last year, but the market could not accommodate them, and the clearance rate dropped to 66% from 76%, yet the average price was lifted 4% to €17,223 – a record for the event and a figure which suggests breeders who sold a foal did so at a profit.

Those with a correct son of Flemensfirth were in a particularly good position, and the Beeches Stud sire took the most placings on the top-ten board.

A foal from the farm where he stands headed trade when selling for €92,000 to Henrietta Knight, acting for an unnamed racehorse owner based in Britain.

A €90,000 model by the same sire could return to the ring at the Derby Sale, said buyer Ivor McGrath.

The opening day’s yearling trade was even more selective, with fewer than half the 161 horses finding buyers, and there were falls in the other key figures, too. A son of the late Fame And Glory, a sad loss to the National Hunt stallion ranks, topped yearling trade when selling to pinhooker

Let’s Dance is returning to France after topping the sale at €200,000

Johnny Collins of Brown Island Stables for €42,000.

Tattersalls Ireland’s Matt Mitchell saw plenty of positives in the results, which had a hard act to follow after the 2017 event achieved meaty rises in all categories. Mitchell said: “The strong demand for foals reinforces the strength of the National Hunt market following on from the superb results witnessed at this summer’s May Store Sale and Derby Sale.

However, it was worth noting that whilst it is very competitive in the middle and top end of the market there is no appetite for individuals that fall below that level as reflected in the reduction in the clearance rate.”

Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Let's Dance (Poliglote - Baraka Du Berlais)

Closutton Stables

200,000

BLM Bloodstock

C Flemensfirth - Lucky Fancy (Kayf Tara)

The Beeches Stud

92,000

Henrietta Knight

C Flemensfirth - Liss Na Tintri (Presenting)

Five Naughts Stud

90,000

Ivor McGrath

Augusta Kate (Yeats - Feathard)

Closutton Stables

85,000

Kevin Doyle

C Walk In The Park - Millys Gesture (Milan)

Yellowford Farm

80,000

Aiden Murphy

C Flemensfirth - Old Moon (Old Vic)

The Beeches Stud

80,000

Ian Ferguson

C Flemensfirth - Royale Video (Video Rock)

Ennel Bloodstock

80,000

Aiden Murphy

C Kayf Tara - Lecon Benefique (Beneficial)

Ballincurrig House Stud

80,000

Richard Frisby

C Presenting - Poppy Baloo (Oscar)

Grange Hill Stud

80,000

Timmy O'Byrne

C Walk In The Park - Eireann Rose (Flemensfirth)

Woodhouse Stud

72,000

Aiden Murphy

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

771

13,003,350

16,866

11,000

200,000

2017

867

13,868,300

15,996

11,500

140,000

2016

842

12,035,450

14,294

10,500

160,000

2015

921

12,745,750

13,839

10,50

145,000

2014

976

13,619,550

13,99

11,000

170,000

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Sales Circuit ››

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham November Sale

After a storming edition of this sale in 2017 the figures were odds-on to dip, and did so, but not in all indices.

Turnover and average were down, yet more than £3 million was accrued, the median rose and the clearance rate of 91% was a thing of beauty, with 40 of 44 lots finding a buyer. Tattersalls Ireland’s Richard Pugh pointed out that trade had been very good despite the largely dry weather and quick ground which had been a feature of racing in the preceding weeks. He said “the spread” of horses and buyers had been a particularly pleasing feature of trade.

A joint-top price of £190,000 was nothing special, and exactly half the sale’s high of 12 months earlier, but one theory put forward was that

good and quicker ground had limited opportunities for the sort of powerhouse performances which arise in soft ground, and which often lead to intense bidding by the major players. On the plus side, ten horses made a six-figure sum.

The average was clipped by 15%, but the solidity in trade gave the median figure an 8% lift. Heading the horses were a pair of four-year-old Irish pointers who were beaten on their first start – and in each case their conquerors were also sold on the night, yet made smaller sums.

Grey Getaway was sold to Paul Nicholls, while Muckamore was knocked down to Tom Malone on the same trainer’s behalf. Six days earlier Muckamore had finished second at Loughanmore to Beyond Redemption who earlier made £140,000.

Giving his view of why the prices had reversed the race positions, Malone said of the Colin McKeever-trained Muckamore: “He’s 17.1 hands and to do what he did on his first run was impressive. He’s come from a yard where they don’t bully a young horse, and he’s got a big future.”

Trained by Denis Murphy, Grey Getaway had obvious appeal for Nicholls, for he came from the family of his first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business.

The latest family member to join the former champion trainer had been beaten two lengths by Wherewouldygetit five days before the sale, yet the winner sold for £100,000 less than the vanquished, falling to a bid of £90,000 by trainer Andrew McNamara.

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham November Sale Top lots Horse/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Grey Getaway (Getaway - Miss Greylands)

Ballyboy Stables (Denis Murphy)

190,000

Paul Nicholls Racing

Muckamore (Sholokhov - Gales Return)

Loughanmore Farm (Colin S. McKeever)

190,000

Tom Malone/Paul Nicholls

Elusive Belle (Elusive Pimpernel - Soviet Belle)

Roefield Stables (Peter Fahey)

180,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Fearless Fracas (Fracas - Mayo Mystique)

Redbridge Stables (Ashleigh Murphy)

175,000

Roger Brookhouse

Bold Conduct (Stowaway - Vics Miller)

Bernice Stables (Warren Ewing)

150,000

Colin Tizzard

Beyond Redemption (Court Cave - Hopeful Gleam)

Grange Stables (Peter Flood)

140,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Defuture Is Bright (Westerner - Dustys Delight)

Baltimore House Stables (Mary Doyle)

135,000

Margaret O'Toole/Noel Meade

Lou Trek (Linda's Lad - Nara Eria)

Moate Stables (Michael Goff)

130,000

Tom Kelly

Picanha (Malinas - Royal Bride)

Ballinakill Stables (Andrew Latta)

110,000

Tom Malone

Adjourned (Rip Van Winkle - Bite Of The Cherry)

Thorngill Stables (James Bethell)

110,000

Aiden Murphy/Kim Bailey Racing

Encore Champs (Robin Des Champs - Dani California)

Uplands Stables (Warren Greatrex)

110,000

Warren Greatrex/Bryan Drew

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2018

40

3,095,000

77,375

65,000

190,000

2017

41

3,712,000

90,537

60,000

380,000

2016

31

2,042,000

65,871

50,000

300,000

2015

31

1,865,000

60,161

48,000

190,000

2014

33

1,459,500

44,227

40,000

130,000

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Sales Circuit

Hot breeding stock trade in Lexington

By Nancy Sexton

W

ith its blockbuster sales of Songbird and Tepin, the 2017 renewal of Fasig-Tipton’s November Sale set an almighty bar for this year’s edition to match.

But Fasig-Tipton pulled it off. For while the sale lacked those astonising transactions between the $8 million and $9.5 million mark – what it took for Tepin and Songbird to change hands in 2017 – it recorded growth of 20.5% in total sales to an unprecedented figure of $89,473,000, a level buoyed by the presence of 22 million-dollar lots. The median also rose by 31% to $327,500.

Trade was reflective of yet another powerful catalogue, one that comprised 36 Group/Grade 1 winners and/or producers. And the jewel within that collection, Barbara Banke and Peter Liedel’s brilliant sprinter Lady Aurelia, duly dominated the evening by eliciting a final bid of $7.5m. It immediately transpired that Banke had bought out her partner in the daughter of Scat Daddy, offered through Hill ’n’ Dale Farm, and the mare returned home to Stonestreet Farm.

Banke was unable to shed any light on potential mating plans for the mare but it seems that a return trip to Europe, perhaps to visit Galileo or Frankel, is under consideration.

It was another Grade 1 winner, Stopchargingmaria, who led the way among all mares in foal, selling for $4.4 million to Mandy Pope of Whisper Hill Farm. Obviously keen to invest in the family, Pope also went to $1.9m to secure the mare’s first foal, a filly by Pioneerof The Nile.

Just a single ticket, however, fell to MV Magnier. He came away with Daddys Lil Darling, the crowning achievement of the late Nancy Polk’s breeding operation who struck in last year’s American Oaks and commanded a bid of $3.5m as a result.

Blandford Bloodstock were also active, going to $1.45m for Grade 3 winner Happy Like A Fool, while Stroud Coleman Bloodstock came away with $4.45m worth of horses led by the 2017 Spinaway Stakes dead-heater Pretty City Dancer, who cost $3.5m in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. What was truly remarkable, however, was the level of Japanese involvement.

Five-time Grade 1 winner Lady Eli in the ring at Keeneland, where she sold for $4.2 million

Between them, Japanese interests came away with six million-dollar mares including champion two-year-old filly Caledonia Road, who will join Grand Farm after selling for $2.3m to Narvick International, and the German-bred A Raving Beauty, a dual Grade 1 winner this year who realised $2m to Haruya Yoshida.

Another Lady’s day at Keeneland

Fresh from sending Lady Aurelia through the ring at Fasig-Tipton, John Sikura turned his sights to Keeneland where his Hill ’n’ Dale Farm again assumed centre stage, this time as the vendor of champion Lady Eli on behalf of Sheep Pond Partners.

Chad Brown’s former pupil gained a huge following during a career that comprised five Grade 1 victories – three of which were secured following her lengthy battle with laminitis. She had been slated to sell at Keeneland last year but a collection of minor injuries suffered during her final run in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf put paid to that notion, hence her return to the ring this year as a young mare carrying her first foal.

Offered in foal to War Front, she rewarded that patience by topping the sale at $4.2m to Sikura himself, who assumed the role of investor as he looked to bolster further his powerful broodmare band.

The 2014 Kentucky Oaks runner-up My Miss Sophia was another highlight of the reformatted single session Book 1, realising $4m to agent Steve Young.

She was also in foal to War Front.

Even so, the top end of the market failed to keep pace with 2017 when 18 horses realised seven figures. By comparison, eight achieved that distinction this time around.

“Overall, the sale was just as I expected to be,” said Mark Taylor, vice president of public sales at Taylor Made Sales, which led all vendors with $23,958,400 stock of horses sold.

“The only area that did seem a little thin was the competition for those mares in the $1m to $1.5m bracket. In previous years, those mares were a shoo-in but this time I found that you had be confident in setting your reserve as you might only have one or two bidders on them.

“Everyone is trying to upgrade and I think we’re seeing buyers becoming a bit more judicious – they can’t just be a Grade 1 winner in some cases, they have to be a little special too.”

Participants did speak of heated competition for some of the better lots but the sale also featured that same selectivity seen across the northern hemisphere markets in 2018: in a trade fuelled by sire power, vendors got well paid for an appealing animal but often left in freefall for anything that failed to hit the mark.

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B ATSFORD S TUD

SWISS SPIRIT

Invincible Spirit – Swiss Lake (Indian Ridge) GROUP WINNING SPRINTER AND LEADING FIRST SEASON SIRE IN GB AND IRELAND BY WINNERS TO RUNNERS Won 3 races at 2 and 3 years, 5f - 6f and was placed 5 times: Won Gr.3 World Trophy, Newbury, beating KINGSGATE NATIVE (Gr.1).

Won LR Carnarvon Stakes, Newbury, beating LETHAL FORCE (Gr.1).

2nd Gr.2 Temple Stakes, Haydock Park, btn a neck.

Beating RECKLESS ABANDON (Gr.1), SOLE POWER (Gr.1), TANGERINE TREES (Gr.1), etc.

2nd Gr.2 King George, Goodwood, beating KINGSGATE NATIVE, BORDERLESCOTT (Gr.1), JWALA (Gr.1), etc.

3rd Rockingham Stakes, York at 2.

43% WINNERS TO RUNNERS FROM HIS FIRST CROP ALREADY SIRE OF 27 TWO-YEAR-OLD WINNERS RATED UP TO 102 FOAL CROPS OF 80 IN 2017 AND 87 IN 2018 TO COME

Fee:

£3,000

1st October Terms (SLF)

Batsford Stud, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9QF Tel: 01608 651890 • Mob: 07899 957355 • Email: alanvarey@batsfordstud.co.uk

www.batsfordstud.co.uk

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Sales Circuit ››

Taylor added: “The foals were very strong, right up until the end. But the cost of carrying mares has gotten so expensive.

“Those smaller breeders are being squeezed all the time and I think we saw the results of that.”

Overall, the sale realised gross sales of $188,508,300, a dip of 6.7% from 2017, for 2,538 horses that were sold to buyers from at least 23 different countries.

The average and median also failed to match last year’s levels, falling by 11% and 18% to $74,274 and $25,000 respectively.

“My feeling was that the market was hot for the right horse,” said Joe Miller of Kern Thoroughbreds, who signed for about a dozen horses ranging from mares to jumps prospects.

“It was an average catalogue compared to other years – the private market has been extremely strong all year, which might have taken away from Books 1 and 2. So for what was there, I thought it was a good market.”

One horse who continues to remain a great friend to the market is War Front.

Claiborne Farm’s transatlantic success story returned an incredible covering average of $2,170,833 as demand for anything associated with the horse reached fever pitch.

Lady Eli’s co-owner Jay Hanley with her vendor and purchaser John Sikura at Keeneland

In addition to Lady Eli and My Miss Sophia, the list included the Grade 1-placed Stays In Vegas, who realised $1.5m to Claiborne Farm, and Irish Listed winner Key To My Heart, a daughter of Galileo who sold for $1.75m to Summer Wind Farm nine months after changing hands to the BBA Ireland for 525,000gns at the Tattersalls February Sale.

The lure of the War Front-Galileo cross also came to the fore in the sale of Irish Group 3 winner Pretty Perfect, who was knocked down for $1.25m to Town & Country Horse Farms.

The first mares in foal to

Juddmonte’s champion Arrogate were also understandably popular: led by the sale of Grade 3 winner Money’soncharlotte for $600,000 to Katsumi Yoshida, the son of Unbridled’s Song returned a covering sire average of $366,429.

Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist, now a member of Darley’s Kentucky roster, led the way among all freshman sires thanks to an average of $335,000.

Darley’s other young inmate, Frosted, was next best with an average of $183,889 while the anticipated first foals by California Chrome returned a figure of $109,500.

Fasig-Tipton November Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Covered by

Consignor

Buyer

Price ($)

Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy - D’Wildcat Speed)

N/A

Hill ’n’ Dale Sales Agency

Stonestreet Farm

Stopchargingmaria (Tale Of The Cat - Exotic Bloom)

Tapit

Taylor Made Sales Agency

Whisper Hill Farm LLC

4,400,000

Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy - Miss Hot Salsa)

N/A

Gainesway

M V Magnier

3,500,000

Pretty City Dancer (Tapit - Pretty City)

Medaglia d’Oro

Taylor Made Sales Agency

Stroud Coleman

3,500,000

Constellation (Bellamy Road - For Royalty)

Curlin

Bedouin Bloodstock

Don Alberto Corp.

7,500,000

3,150,000

Keeneland November Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Covered by

Consignor

Buyer

Price ($)

Lady Eli (Divine Park - Sacre Coeur)

War Front

Hill ’n’ Dale Sales Agency

John G. Sikura

4,200,000

My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song – Wildwood Flower)

War Front

Lane’s End

Steven W. Young, agent

4,000,000 2,200,000

Tiffany’s Honour (Street Cry - Better Than Honour)

Medaglia d’Oro

Lane’s End

Katsumi Yoshida

Key To My Heart (Galileo - A Z Warrior)

War Front

Eaton Sales

Summer Wind Equine

1,750,000

Stays In Vegas (City Zip - Double Jackpot)

War Front

James B. Keogh

Claiborne Farm, agent

1,500,000

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B ATSFORD S TUD

HARBOUR LAW

New for 2019

Lawman – Abunai (Pivotal) CHAMPION THREE-YEAR-OLD STAYER by a CLASSIC WINNER AND MULTIPLE CLASSIC SIRE Won 3 races at 3 years, 12-14f and was placed 4 times from 8 starts: Won Gr.1 St Leger, Doncaster beating 5 Group winners.

Won LR

Queens Vase, Royal Ascot.

3rd

Gr.1 Gold Cup, Royal Ascot.

4th

Gr.3 Bahrain Trophy, Royal Ascot.

“A tough, well balanced Classic winner who was a dream to ride and undoubtedly was very talented with so much more to come” GeorGe Baker, jockey

Fee:

£4,000

1st October Terms (LF)

“Harbour Law, a talented horse with an attitude that matched his ability.

A true professional in every sense” Laura MonGan, trainer

Batsford Stud, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9QF Tel: 01608 651890 • Mob: 07899 957355 • Email: alanvarey@batsfordstud.co.uk Nicola Naylor • Tel: 01457 869447 • Mob: 07812 654736 • Email: blackshaw50@gmail.com

www.batsfordstud.co.uk

Your horse deserves the best Whole Horse Foods produced on the farms of the Highclere Estate Ch Filly by Twilight Son ex Fair Value Ch February Filly by Twilight ex FairEstate Value born 2018 atSon Highclere born February 2018 at Highclere Estate

Tel: 01635 250 600 Mobile: 07950 010692

Natural Unprocessed Digestible Superior Grade Oats & Ryegrass Haylage

(200KG Bales)

Highclere Castle Horse Feeds

enquiries@highclerecastlehorsefeeds.co.uk www.highclerecastlehorsefeeds.co.uk

Our oats power winners from the Flat to National Hunt, Polo Ponies, Eventers and Hunters. In the last three years, Highclere Castle Superior Oats have powered the winners of over 560 races and £9m in prize money.

Horses thrive on our haylage, which is dust-free, with high digestibility and vitamin content.

OwnerBreeder_04JUL18.indd 1

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Meet the Committee: Harvey Bell

H

ow did you first get involved in the bloodstock industry?

I first got into the bloodstock industry working weekends and school holidays at a local stud farm outside Newmarket. From there I got hooked onto following racing and pedigrees.

Then when I was 18 I decided to spend a year at Arrowfield Stud in Australia and things grew naturally from then on.

What advice would you give someone getting into the industry?

Be prepared to get your head down and work hard. I strongly feel that employers value hands-on experience in the long run. Also, don’t be afraid to be proactive and put yourself out there.

What is your current role in the industry?

I am a Bloodstock Executive and auctioneer at Tattersalls. My day-to-day role involves inspecting stock, liaising with vendors, coordinating entries and auctioneering on sale days.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

Auctioneering – it is a great feeling to be up on the Tattersalls rostrum and something which I am keen to keep improving at.

What is your favourite racing/ bloodstock memory?

I previously worked for Gerard Butler and was lucky to be at Churchill Downs when Pachattack ran third in the

Harvey Bell: Bloodstock Executive and auctioneer at Tattersalls and keen to help others

Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 2011.

What made you want to join TTC committee and which are your specific areas of interest within the club?

A lot of very kind people have helped me to get to the position I am in today and it is good to give something back and try to assist those people who are in a similar position to where I was a few years ago. I had also experienced similar groups and organisations during time I spent in the USA, which worked well and allowed people to learn and network.

How can TTC help someone wanting to get into the industry?

TTC provides great opportunities to learn about the industry’s career options as well as network with people in similar positions. The Careers Course is a fantastic incentive which centralises a lot of this every two years. However the organisation is also there to provide support and opportunity for people all year round in the form of the social events and available bursaries.

Who is your favourite racehorse/ stallion?

Sea The Stars – he had a great blend of speed and stamina to win the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Last chance to book your place on the TBA Stud Farming Course in December A limited number of spaces are still available on this year’s TBA Stud Farming Course, which will take place on December 11-13 at the British Racing School, Newmarket.

The course aims to give delegates a comprehensive knowledge of key stud management topics through a series of talks from industry experts including those from the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket Equine Hospital, Rossdales & Partners and the Royal Veterinary College.

Behind-the-scenes visits are included

As well as gaining an extensive knowledge through the sessions, members will also enjoy a number of

behind-the-scenes visits to leading industry establishments and a course dinner held at the Bedford Lodge Hotel.

The course fee for 2018 is £200 for members of The Thoroughbred Club (£495 for non-members). The fee will include all lunches, refreshments, dinner on the first night and a handbook which can be used as a handy reference guide in the future.

For further information and to book your place, visit the website or contact info@thethoroughbredclub.co.uk.

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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk •

@TTC_GB

Upcoming Events Tuesday, December 11 Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course The British Racing School, Newmarket Wednesday, December 19 FREE ENTRY for members at the December Afternoon Raceday Newbury racecourse Friday, December 21 – Saturday, December 22 HALF-PRICE ENTRY for members at the Christmas Raceday Ascot racecourse

New Members

Members receive 50% off entry for JLT Hurdle day as Ascot, won last year by Sam Spinner

Newbury and Ascot badge offers The Thoroughbred Club is pleased to provide the following member offers: December Afternoon Raceday, Newbury racecourse, Dec 19 Newbury has kindly also offered members free entry to the December Afternoon Raceday on Wednesday, December 19. The raceday will feature the Listed TBA-sponsored Mares’ Novices’ Chase which was last year won

by Ms Parfois, who went on to finish second in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

This offer entitles members to one badge only, upon presentation of a valid TTC membership card. Please note that tickets will not be issued if a valid badge is not presented. Additional tickets can be purchased direct from the racecourse ticket office.

Dec_172_TTC.indd 103

Christmas Friday and Saturday Raceday, Ascot racecourse, Dec 21-22 Ascot has kindly offered members half-price admission to the Christmas Raceday on Friday and Saturday, December 21 and 22.

The two days of racing are the most valuable of Ascot’s jumps season and feature the Ascot Handicap Hurdle and the Grade 1 JLT Hurdle, better known as the Long Walk Hurdle, won last year by the Jedd O’Keeffe-trained Sam Spinner.

Half-price tickets for both racedays can be purchased on the day from Ticket Office East upon presentation of a valid TTC membership card.

For further information on offers to members please visit our website or email info@thethoroughbredclub.co.uk.

Christopher Williams, Cheshire Elena Goodwin, Suffolk Eilidh Fisher, Gloucestershire Mascha Sohrmann, Derbyshire Mark Endersby, Suffolk Katy Grosvenor, Gwent Callum Boocock, Staffordshire Thea Loram, Somerset Ceri Garner, Derbyshire Dawn Summer, Suffolk Alice Packwood, Oxfordshire Alexander Drabble, North Yorkshire Julia Scott, Worcestershire Emily Unsworth, Suffolk Shannon Doran, Gloucestershire Owain Collinson, Suffolk Alys Sidaway, Suffolk Andrew Gardner, Suffolk Liane Gannon, Derbyshire Charlotte Rowe-Jones, Berkshire Katherine Lindsay, Tyne & Wear Chloe Curtis-Battam, Warwickshire Chris Moore, Suffolk Molly Parker Welch, West Midlands Abbie Scales, Suffolk Neil Williams, Suffolk Elizabeth Smith, Suffolk Samuel O’Reilly, Suffolk William Cunnington, Suffolk Jessica Knight, Suffolk Adriana Blond, Suffolk Emily Ringrose, Derbyshire Jessica Tregoning, Hampshire Valentina Minatta, Suffolk Kira Snowdon, Oxfordshire Harley Brunning, Suffolk Polina Boynova, West Yorkshire Charlotte Jackman, Derbyshire Lucy Seddon, Flintshire Elliott Pye, Derbyshire

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ROA Forum

GEORGE SELWYN

The special section for ROA members

The connections of Gold Cup hero Native River at Cheltenham, which has the Gold Standard and will be hoping to achieve a Quality Mark

Ownership Quality Mark for racecourses A key focus of the ROA-led Industry Ownership Strategy Project for Year 1 is the development and implementation of the Ownership Quality Mark initiative.

This will run in parallel with the wellestablished ROA Gold Standard, and the inspections will be undertaken by independent assessors. This is being developed with the input and support of racecourse representatives. The introduction of this Industry Quality Mark will: • Help all racecourses continue to make targeted improvements in the ownership experience; • Provide a collaborative framework to assist in the delivery of ongoing improvements to the on-course ownership experience; • Underpin the ROA Gold Standard process and allow further refinement

of the criteria; • Provide owners and trainers with a reference for selecting at which racecourses to enter their horses.

Regional Racecourse Masterclasses will be run in 2019 to set out the process and criteria for the initiative.

The ROA Gold Standard will operate in conjunction with the Ownership Quality Mark and it will focus on the ‘surprise and delight’ elements of an owner’s raceday experience. The scheme will continue to reward and celebrate excellence.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “It is clear from the ROA-led ownership surveys and owner feedback that an Ownership Quality Mark would enhance the raceday experience for owners to know what they can expect on days when they go

racing with a runner.

“We hope the Quality Mark will help to provide a trustworthy, independent review of the racecourse experience.

From a practical perspective, this will allow owners, when planning to go racing with a runner, to have insight of what they can expect from the raceday experience .”

The ROA circulated a survey via an ebulletin in October asking syndicate owners and racing club members about their experiences and views. The survey forms a part of the wider Ownership Strategy project. The findings of the survey will help give an understanding of what is valued most and how the experience can be improved. The findings will be used to further enhance the work being undertaken by the Industry Ownership Strategy.

Jamie Wilson joins the ROA Jamie Wilson joined the ROA as Deputy Chief Executive in August, taking responsibility for day-to-day financial, budgeting and operational tasks.

Jamie started his career at HSBC in their corporate finance team before going on to work for a company that focussed on project managing transactions for companies in the leisure and hospitality world, a sector in which he has spent the bulk of his career.

His strengths lie in financial, reporting and governance procedures and he has spent much of his career working within smaller company environments.

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Chepstow meeting and Jackpot day Over 40 members joined a regional meeting at Chepstow on October 30 for a bright afternoon’s racing at the Welsh course.

The Chief Executive updated members on topical issues, including the future distribution of levy funds, equine welfare, the handicapping review and progress of the Ownership Strategy Project.

Among topics raised by members there was support for the appearance money scheme and for improving the raceday experience for owners, including admission via the owners’ and trainers’ entrance.

Members expressed interest in handicapping processes and the official handicap ratings. It was confirmed that these appeared in racecard views and as a searchable listing on the Racing Admin website at racingadmin.co.uk. An updated Guide to Handicapping can be found online at www.britishhorseracing. com.

One member noted that prizemoney had taken almost seven weeks to be paid into his BHA account. The Rules of Racing require that 15 clear days must elapse for prize-money to be paid out. Any delay was perceived to be a timing issue related to processes for BHA accounts. Weatherbys Account holders are credited after the 15-day period has elapsed.

The afternoon proved a memorable one for Surrey Racing syndicate members and trainer Dan Skelton.

The syndicate cheered home their talented five-year-old Anytime Will Do, who won at Bangor, notching his third

Surrey Racing landed a £2,000 bonus after Potter’s Approach scored at Chepstow

success from as many races this year.

This was swiftly followed up by a win for the Surrey Racing’s Potter’s Approach, who won the novice chase at Chepstow scooping the ROA Owners Jackpot of £2,000 on top of win prizemoney.

The syndicate was set up by friends Clive Hadingham and Steve Grubb. Clive said: “It was great to see Potters win, even though Steve and I were watching on the TV from Bangor where Anytime Will Do had just won – it was a brilliant

40 minutes with the across the card double.

“The ROA Owners Jackpot is a much welcome addition to any prizemoney, especially at the lower level of racing. So when Surrey Racing’s Potters Approach won at Chepstow, it was fantastic for the eight owners of the horse to receive an additional £250 each, and even knowing how much they like to celebrate, there should still be enough left over to help pay some of the bills!”

Sign up for SIS owner sponsorship Owners who are not reclaiming VAT through the VAT Scheme for Racehorse Owners can apply to join the ROA owner sponsorship scheme.

Farm The Rock is one of 2,000 horses covered by the ROA’s owner sponsorship scheme. He is pictured following his win at Exeter on November 6, with owner Nick Elliott, jockey Sean Houlihan and trainer Katy Price.

Nick Elliott found the scheme simple to join, observing: “Three cheers for SIS sponsorship – so easy to arrange and a marvellous plus for smallish owners like me.”

There are four 12-month schemes that run through the year. To find out more and to apply online, see roa.co.uk/ sponsorship.

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ROA Forum

News in brief

PA

ROA membership fee

Definitly Red wins this year’s Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, a Showcase Award winner

Wetherby takes the plaudits Aintree racecourse played host to the ninth Racecourse Association Showcase Awards on November 8. The awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation, span 15 categories of racecourse customer experience.

The Owners Experience Award is made in collaboration with feedback from ROA members who complete the online raceday feedback form on the ROA website.

Judges had the final say in selecting Wetherby as the best in this year’s class. The racecourse had scored highly for its improved facilities and overall experience following the opening last year of the new Millennium West Stand boasting a Level 2 Riston Suite for owners and trainers.

Warwick was crowned Groundstaff Champion, beating Ascot (dual purpose) and Great Yarmouth (Flat) who were already winners in their respective categories.

Hamilton Park were crowned overall Showcase Champion and claimed the #TopSpot Award for their innovative elevator wraparound, designed to replicate starting stalls.

RCA Chairman Maggie Carver commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the team at Hamilton Park on being crowned Showcase Champion. This accolade is reserved for a very select number of racecourses who have demonstrated brilliance in providing a fantastic experience for racegoers across the season.”

Jackpot races in December We are providing four chances this month for members to win an Owners Jackpot to round off the year, with a £2,000 bonus available for qualified winners of the following races.

December 6 Wincanton, 2m5 1/2f Class 4 3yo+ 0-120 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle December 14 Bangor, 2m4f Class 4 4yo+ 0-105 Handicap Chase December 17 Ffos Las, 3m1f Class 4 4yo+ 0-110 Handicap Chase December 29 Kelso, 2m6 1/2f Class 4 4yo+ Maiden Hurdle To qualify, horses must be owned by ROA members. Horses owned by partnerships need to be registered at least 51% in the ownership of ROA members. In the case of syndicates and clubs, the horse syndicate/club managers need to be members of the ROA. Further details can be found at roa.co.uk/jackpot

The ROA membership fee will increase to £249 with effect from January 1. The increase of £7 reflects the association’s investment in the implementation of a new server, database and website as well as an increase in operational costs.

The extensive project to create improvements in the ROA infrastructure will allow the association to better communicate with members and industry stakeholders.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton explained: “This year has been one of investment and hard work on the infrastructure and technology of the ROA, but upgrading our systems and database has been vital to keeping the ROA fit for purpose in 2019 and beyond. This has come with some inevitable cost increases, but we have worked diligently to minimise the increase to the membership fee in an inflationary environment.

“We believe the 2019 membership fee of £249 represents excellent value for money for members, and now the back of house work is complete we will be shifting our focus to further improving benefits for members moving forward.”

Joint membership is available for two members living at the same UK address. The joint membership fee will increase to £415 next year, an increase of £16. Details can be found at roa. co.uk/jointmem or by contacting the ROA.

NH Auction Maiden Hurdles

National Hunt Auction Maiden Hurdle races started to appear as a new type of race last month, when the first such race was run at Hereford on November 5.

These races are intended for horses which have not run in a Flat race and which were sold or bought in by public auction at specified sales (list found on the Racing Admin Site) as three- or four-year-olds for £30,000 or less.

Three races were scheduled in November, and two more will be run during December, at Kelso on December 9 over 2m and at Plumpton on December 17 over 2m41⁄2f.

Full race conditions can be accessed by

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ef owners via the Racing Admin website at www2.racingadmin.co.uk

Chelmsford City payout

Racing at Chelmsford City on November 13 was abandoned due to a floodlight power failure, which occurred during the third race.

This activated the ROA raceday curtailment scheme, run in conjunction with Weatherbys Hamilton. Payments of £100 were made to owners of qualifying horses affected by the abandoned races.

This is the third activation of the raceday curtailment scheme this year, bringing the cumulative amount paid to ROA members to £8,500 since January.

Chelmsford City committed to make a goodwill payment of £300 to all affected owners in the races that was declared void. Relevant jockeys also received a riding fee in line with criteria agreed with the Professional Jockeys Association.

Membership as a Christmas gift

Stuck for a Christmas gift for a racing fan? ROA membership gives a year’s worth of benefits, including free admission to participating fixtures.

To say thank you, we’ll even reward you and the new member with a selection of incentives. These range from a £25 M&S voucher, £25 Corney & Barrow gift voucher or a lightweight ROA waterproof jacket.

See roa.co.uk/recommend for details or contact the ROA office.

Members enjoying the ROA facility at Aintree last year

Aintree opening day deal Members will be able to enjoy the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree with the ROA in an exclusive member facility.

This follows a successful hospitality offer at Aintree on the opening day of this year’s Festival.

We will have the exclusive use of the Cloister facility, located above the weighing room on Thursday, April 4. Cloister offers a private rooftop balcony with excellent views overlooking the parade ring and winner’s enclosure.

The discounted package for members on the day will include: • Premier racecourse admission • Reserved seating in the Lord Sefton grandstand

• Two-course carvery buffet on shared tables of ten • Traditional afternoon tea • Private cash bar serving premium wines and liqueurs • Complimentary racecard • Tote betting • Complimentary car parking (one space per booking of four people) Places for ROA members will be £120 and for guests will be £150. To book see roa.co.uk/events or call 020 152 0200.

Guests will also have the option to join a hosted course walk before racing. This will cover the entire distance of the track, covering a full two miles. Places on the course walk will be limited.

Cheltenham Festival marquee 2019 Desk Calendar for ROA members

Desk calendar

The ROA branded version of the Racing Post desk calendar is being mailed out to members this month with the 2019 car parking label. We hope this will prove useful for planning racing and events during the year ahead.

The ROA will have its usual popular marquee facility over the four days of Cheltenham’s Festival, March 12-15.

The facility has proved a sell-out in recent years and we are delighted to report that Cheltenham have indicated that they are able to provide a slightly larger facility for 2019.

Tickets will go on sale during December, and members on the ROA ebulletin service can expect to receive details in their inbox soon.

Exeter improves owner offering Owners with a runner visiting Exeter racecourse have been reporting on recent enhancements to their experience with a runner.

As well as providing a bottle of champagne for owners of placed runners, the racecourse has recently introduced a race replay area so that owners can easily access a replay of how their horse ran. Full marks Exeter!

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ROA Forum

MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Nigel Morris Relentless Dreamer (right) gets the better of Cogry at Cheltenham in October

PA

W

hen Nigel Twiston-Davies rings up one particular owner, he sometimes says, ‘Nigel, it’s the other Nigel…’

The thinking being that Nigel is not a name that horseracing is awash with.

A report recently claimed that Christian names like Norman and Stanley are in danger of extinction. We have not quite reached that point in racing with Nigel – there’s Tinkler too, of course – but are not far off it.

The two Nigels – Morris is his owner – are often in the headlines, with Bigbadjohn doing his bit recently when lifting Wincanton’s Desert Orchid Silver Cup to cap a terrific 24 hours for his owner, who was on target at Cheltenham’s opening meeting of the season the day before with Relentless Dreamer, who pipped Twiston-Davies’s Cogry by a neck.

Explaining his interest in racing, and how he became an owner, Morris says: “My parents met over a copy of The Sporting Life! Going racing was part of my growing up.

“I love all sport but racing and Chelsea have been the enduring passions of my life. Racing is an incredible sport, with so many dimensions. I actually just like looking at horses.

“In my twenties – this was the 1980s – I literally woke up one morning as the owner of a third of a horse. I’d always liked the idea of getting more involved and three of us got together and all of a sudden, we had a horse with Mick Ryan.

“She was very useful as it turned out, and the experience taught me all of the things I didn’t know. She won three times and we sold her for a profit.”

Morris later decided he fancied going it alone, and he believes the key is being clear about what you want to get out of being an owner.

“I thought a lot about that,” he says.

“I came up with some criteria: I wanted an up-and-coming passionate trainer, successful with an open approach that allowed me proper access. I prefer National Hunt and I like staying chasers – unraced horses with potential to become just that.

“I had a look at about half a dozen places and chose Rebecca Curtis. I got Relentless Dreamer – so named as that’s what you’ve got to be – and Tara Road.

“Rebecca was the right choice and it’s been a great journey over the last five and a half years. She’s had a difficult patch but we’ve had some good times. She’s an exceptional trainer and I’ve learnt a lot.

“Her yard is in a spectacular setting and I’ve really enjoyed watching the horses develop; for me that’s an important part of the ownership experience.”

Morris continued: “About a year ago I decided that a couple of the horses needed a change of scene. Someone advised me to consider Nigel TwistonDavies, and whilst it’s a bigger stable, like Rebecca, he’s a trainer that fitted what I was looking for.

“What sums them both up actually is that Nigel phoned me after the horses arrived just to tell me they’d done so in magnificent condition. Bigbadjohn was one of them.”

Around the same time, Morris decided he also fancied a couple of Flat horses, to help provide an interest all year round, and he was mightily

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impressed with the set-up of Andrew Balding, opting to take his business to the Kingsclere trainer.

“My advice to anyone choosing a trainer is to take your time, be clear about what you want, get to understand their set-up and see if you have a rapport and trust the trainer. Owning a horse is a big commitment, after all.”

A fellow Balding owner was Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and Morris says: “I never met him but knew his horses at Andrew’s. I went to Chelsea on the Wednesday after his death, when there was a minute’s applause. He seemed a thoroughly genuine person – it

“Rebecca’s had a difficult patch but she’s an exceptional trainer and I’ve learnt a lot” brought back memories of the death of Chelsea’s Chairman Matthew Harding, which also occurred in an October in a helicopter crash after a match.”

On the day of the Leicester helicopter tragedy Morris was at Cheltenham to watch Relentless Dreamer win, which he labels his most magical moment as an owner to date.

Bizarrely, Relentless Dreamer fell in a bumper on his debut at Ffos Las. His owner recalls: “He seemed to stumble, and then collapsed on the line.

I ran over, and the screens went up.

Richard Johnson was amazing, even though he was visibly upset. It was the most miserable day, raining, cold, the last race of the day.

“It says a lot about jump racing fans that the biggest cheer of the day was when he got up. It was a massive relief, and just over five years later he’s winning at Cheltenham. He has been described as a dour stayer but he’s a brilliant, clever jumper and like a number of Kayf Taras has benefited from being given time. He’s got better with age, and Adam Wedge gave him a

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brilliant ride at Cheltenham.

“It was then good to see Bigbadjohn bounce back the day after. He can be a spectacular jumper and likes good or good to firm ground, he can’t go in soft, and it’s just one of those frustrations – last winter was the wettest on record.

You can make a plan – but can’t do anything about the weather.”

While that weekend was as good as it has got for Morris, there have been other memorable days too, like Tara Road winning first time out, Bigbadjohn landing the Reynoldstown at Ascot, and Joe Farrell, in whom Morris has a quarter-share, winning this year’s Scottish Grand National.

Three-year-old Lissitzky, meanwhile, is hopefully a decent stayer in the making, having won one of his four starts and being second in another. He seems to reserve his best for the track, rather than the gallops, unlike one of Morris’s now former horses, Holy Cross, who looked spectacular on the gallops but less so on the racecourse.

Another one that got away, in sadder circumstances, was the promising Murphys Way, who suffered a heartattack on the gallops.

Setbacks are part and parcel of ownership, of course, and Morris admits you need a lot of patience. Three-yearold Peggy McKay – “named after my mum” – ran a promising first race in June but then knocked her leg in the stalls on her second start and has been off since.

“It’s difficult enough just to get a horse to the races, they’re flesh and blood after all,” says Morris, whose admiration for prolific winners like Winx knows no bounds.

Morris, whose favourite jockeys, aside from Johnson and Wedge, include Barry Geraghty and Oisin Murphy, has eight in training at the moment, five jumpers and three Flat horses, plus that leg in Joe Farrell.

Funding his horses is the day job with Dentsu Aegis Network, a multinational media and digital marketing communications company, whose headquarters are in London, and for whom Morris is Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.

Travel is a necessary and frequent part of the job, and Morris landed back from Singapore only just in time to see Relentless Dreamer win at Cheltenham.

He adds: “I was on a plane to New York when Lissitzky had her second run, at Windsor, and when I turned my

phone on when I got there I’d had a message to say she’d won, which was a very pleasant surprise!”

Off the track, there’s plenty about being an owner Morris enjoys, and he continues: “I like it at the stables, seeing the horses work and grow, and being a part of the sport rather than just turning up at the races. It’s nice to feel part of a horse’s development, and I enjoy making a plan and it coming off.

“You have a voice as an owner. It was my idea to go to Cheltenham with Relentless Dreamer – Rebecca agreed – and the first part of the plan worked.

“He ran in the novice handicap chase at the Festival last year and was run off his feet. Paul Townend got off him and said it was one of the best jumping performances he’d experienced at Cheltenham and that he was gaining two lengths at every flight. Had a horse not fallen in front of him two out he might have been placed, instead of coming seventh.

“The idea is to run over three miles three furlongs at Cheltenham next, and I’d love to get him in the National. I think over those fences and nearly four and a half miles he’d be really good around there.”

A relentless dreamer winning the National with Relentless Dreamer.

What a story that would be.

The Big Interview with Rebecca Curtis, pages 54-60

Diary dates and reminders January 24 Regional meeting at Fakenham and Owners Jackpot March 12-15 ROA marquee at the Cheltenham Festival April 4 Hospitality package at the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival July 2 ROA AGM and lunch December 12, 2019 ROA Horseracing Awards See roa.co.uk/events for further details on all the above

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ROA Forum Figures for period October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018

Flat Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Sandown Park Newbury Chester Doncaster Haydock Park Chelmsford City Ayr Musselburgh Salisbury Pontefract Redcar Wetherby Hamilton Park Ripon Carlisle Kempton Park Newcastle Lingfield Park Leicester Nottingham Thirsk Windsor Catterick Bridge Beverley Yarmouth Ffos Las Bath Brighton Wolverhampton Chepstow Southwell Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2016-17 (£)

I I I JCR JCR JCR I I ARC JCR I I I I I I I I I JCR JCR ARC ARC I JCR I ARC I I ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC

471,381 247,392 214,225 203,471 134,507 91,391 86,605 83,457 81,651 74,349 51,243 50,308 47,207 46,724 46,673 45,646 44,862 42,709 42,386 38,367 38,160 38,001 37,269 36,334 35,681 35,130 35,129 34,790 34,248 29,700 28,140 27,147 24,053 24,000 23,675 21,882 63,679

125,496 94,341 83,996 74,923 71,533 51,440 55,637 46,831 46,288 41,548 20,474 31,928 21,884 28,166 30,494 24,014 13,600 22,335 21,521 19,225 22,558 21,935 25,431 20,621 21,703 22,364 20,478 20,156 22,942 19,002 13,511 20,137 16,243 20,365 12,480 15,912 31,811

282,771 114,751 77,551 94,921 77,216 41,041 37,183 14,067 38,213 19,453 6,149 12,203 5,834 5,954 3,824 6,393 7,438 4,454 4,832 6,291 6,043 5,806 4,881 5,476 7,053 6,818 5,892 2,942 4,215 4,934 4,411 4,228 3,297 3,814 3,521 2,590 21,049

883,814 460,373 380,772 373,315 285,692 186,006 184,425 145,655 167,673 140,132 78,817 94,439 74,925 81,778 82,758 76,053 65,900 69,498 68,739 63,883 67,203 65,946 67,581 62,905 64,872 64,968 61,499 57,888 61,405 54,398 46,063 51,679 43,593 48,197 39,676 40,383 117,442

18 18 19 10 39 15 18 15 24 24 72 19 15 15 15 16 4 18 17 12 60 49 74 19 23 16 26 17 18 23 8 18 22 84 15 36 911

15,908,659 8,286,706 7,234,660 3,733,153 11,141,978 2,790,090 3,319,656 2,184,832 4,024,140 3,293,106 5,674,830 1,794,339 1,123,872 1,226,671 1,241,363 1,216,850 263,600 1,250,968 1,168,570 766,600 4,032,156 3,231,340 5,000,969 1,195,194 1,492,045 1,039,487 1,598,967 984,100 1,105,291 1,251,149 368,500 930,228 959,036 4,048,587 595,146 1,453,800 106,930,637

439,135 229,497 191,742 155,972 120,621 67,769 81,645 85,085 79,136 66,025 46,542 34,085 53,609 40,004 38,082 26,087 32,248 39,024 38,886 30,373 28,026 36,241 32,876 32,722 30,307 31,417 27,072 23,738 31,160 25,440 28,053 30,958 19,596 20,723 22,492 13,089 56,558

s s s s s s s t s s s s t s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s t s s s s s

Up/ down

Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Kelso Ayr Doncaster Newton Abbot Newcastle Perth Carlisle Wincanton Cartmel Stratford-On-Avon Fakenham Exeter Chepstow Warwick Ludlow Market Rasen Hereford Wetherby Taunton Leicester Musselburgh Uttoxeter Ffos Las Hexham Huntingdon Towcester Catterick Bridge Worcester Fontwell Park Bangor-On-Dee Plumpton Sedgefield Lingfield Park Southwell Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2016-17 (£)

Up/ down

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I I ARC I ARC I JCR JCR I I I JCR ARC JCR I JCR ARC I I I I ARC ARC I JCR I I ARC ARC I I ARC ARC ARC

288,265 269,066 156,372 112,263 102,856 85,960 54,990 45,602 44,126 37,957 37,206 36,434 36,102 35,457 34,589 34,420 33,937 33,775 33,672 33,143 32,478 32,224 31,953 31,139 30,640 28,819 28,060 27,636 27,593 27,515 26,660 26,620 24,422 24,089 23,060 22,502 22,006 21,816 21,402 21,324 18,736 46,498

142,398 120,577 88,351 90,699 85,030 64,402 59,125 21,165 36,063 42,455 27,385 34,354 33,747 31,293 35,215 29,111 20,751 21,299 36,203 37,085 32,423 29,834 29,878 24,430 32,136 28,529 31,287 32,235 27,488 26,192 19,528 24,011 17,714 23,712 22,747 19,640 19,387 24,816 20,167 27,812 20,447 35,885

78,833 69,238 19,362 17,813 16,227 21,492 9,415 5,184 11,757 7,945 0 5,710 4,340 5,784 5,793 5,802 4,635 0 6,492 8,830 6,464 5,296 5,694 6,128 5,401 6,064 4,897 4,364 6,412 5,483 3,458 5,344 4,005 2,796 4,448 3,476 3,793 4,140 3,484 4,538 4,002 8,930

509,496 459,506 265,335 226,887 212,937 173,216 123,887 74,678 95,682 88,885 64,590 77,053 74,455 75,240 75,597 69,333 59,324 55,074 76,368 79,058 71,364 67,354 67,751 61,697 68,177 64,143 64,244 64,235 61,494 59,190 49,647 57,537 46,140 50,596 50,255 45,617 45,337 50,772 45,585 53,675 43,184 91,941

8 16 8 9 9 9 14 11 14 9 18 9 15 11 16 9 16 13 13 14 16 16 21 8 14 13 8 10 24 11 13 16 11 9 21 23 15 14 16 6 21 547

4,075,966 7,352,095 2,122,682 2,041,983 1,809,968 1,558,946 1,734,417 821,457 1,339,551 799,967 1,162,621 693,478 1,116,830 827,637 1,209,555 624,000 949,183 715,964 992,779 1,106,813 1,141,826 1,077,659 1,422,773 493,579 954,484 833,858 513,952 642,350 1,475,847 651,094 645,409 920,593 507,541 455,366 1,055,361 1,049,197 680,057 710,808 729,361 322,047 906,868 50,245,923

266,189 245,362 136,577 100,415 106,933 28,977 51,678 33,311 38,759 37,803 27,779 26,722 54,522 18,767 28,820 30,773 31,486 24,741 21,990 34,325 24,489 51,678 18,015 25,401 22,903 25,937 24,779 19,792 25,234 22,991 21,953 24,779 17,508 16,963 21,378 19,083 22,096 17,772 16,658 33,311 17,814 39,379

s s s s t s s s s s s s t s s s s s s t s t s s s s s s s s s s s s s s t s s t s s

EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prize-money: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period.

The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture.

This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors.

If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

As these tables are based on the prizemoney paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses ARC Arena Racing Company I

Independently owned racecourse

Gold Standard

Award

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B ATSFORD S TUD

COCKNEY REBEL Val Royal – Factice (Known Fact) DUAL CLASSIC WINNER AND SUCCESSFUL STAKES SIRE FROM 2 YEAR OLDS TO JUMPERS Won Gr.1 2,000 Guineas, Newmarket, beating DUTCH ART (Gr.1), DUKE OF MARMALADE (Gr.1), EAGLE MOUNTAIN (Gr.1), AL SHEMALI (Gr.1) and 10 other Group winners.

“The winning time was the fastest since Mister Baileys and Pennekamp recorded exceptional times in 1994 and 1995 …. An extravagant swoop ….” Racing Post Won Gr.1 Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, beating CREACHADOIR (Gr.1), Duke of Marmalade (Gr.1), and two other Group winners.

“A splendid performance to complete the English/Irish Double that eluded George Washington last year.” Racing Post

Fee:

£2,500

Won Maiden on debut at Newmarket at 2.

1st October Terms (LF)

2nd

£300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes, York.

Batsford Stud, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9QF Tel: 01608 651890 • Mob: 07899 957355 • Email: alanvarey@batsfordstud.co.uk

www.batsfordstud.co.uk

Fractional ad pages December 2018.indd 111

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TBA Forum

The special section for TBA members

The TBA’s Flat Stallion Parade will take place during the February Sale at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

The event provides a great opportunity to view a number of stallions from around the country at one location.

The stallions, who are all embarking on their first and second season at stud in Britain, will be paraded through the sales ring. Following the parade, breeders will be invited to view the stallions in the Left and Right Yards, where stud representatives will be on hand to discuss mating enquiries for the forthcoming season. Breeders and TBA members are also invited to join the TBA for light refreshments in the hospitality boxes of both yards.

Further information on the event, including a full list of stallions will be published on the TBA website.

ADAM SMYTH

Flat Stallion Parade in February

First- and second-season stallions will parade at Tattersalls during the February Sale

NH Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme registration deadline Owners of National Hunt fillies and mares are reminded that the registration period for the National Hunt Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (NHMOPS) is now open for filly foals born in 2018.

The scheme, which is free for TBA members, pays bonuses of up to £10,000 to the connections of mares who win eligible races. Last year more than £240,000 was paid out in bonus prizes to winning connections.

The scheme is confined to filly foals that were either bred in Britain or produced by a British-domiciled stallion and that have been nominated as a potential National Hunt racehorse by their breeders.

Registrations are free for members of the TBA, and nonmembers can register for the scheme for a fee of £150 per filly.

This can be completed via the printable registration form which is available on the NH MOPS page on the TBA website.

The TBA National Hunt Stallion Showcase will take place at Goffs UK in Doncaster during the January Sale. The date is to be confirmed.

The showcase, which is supported

by Goffs UK, will feature a number of exciting British-based stallions who will be available to view throughout the day.

The UK’s only dedicated National Hunt foal sale gives breeders the chance to compare the youngstock at the same venue as some of their sires.

The TBA will host a hospitality box in the stallion yard, where complimentary hot drinks and food will be available.

The event will also feature the TBA silent auction of stallion nominations, where breeders can bid throughout the day in the TBA hospitality box. The auction closing time will be published on the TBA website alongside further event information in due course.

SARAH FARNSWORTH

National Hunt Stallion Showcase

Dual-purpose stallion Dunaden parading during the 2018 January Sale

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National Minimum Wage: are you meeting the requirements?

The National Trainers’ Federation (NTF) has highlighted that a number of racehorse trainers have been contacted by HMRC about paying the national minimum/ national living wage, and that the ‘equestrian world’ may be being targeted.

The TBA recommends that members check that they are paying the correct rates of pay to their staff. The current rates can be found at www.gov.uk/nationalminimum-wage-rates.

Breeders may want to check that any deduction for accommodation does not bring the wage below the statutory rates.

The government has an interactive calculator for checking if the Narional Minimum Wage is being paid, which ca be found here: www.gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimumwage. It includes questions about the provision of accommodation.

Further guidance on pay statements and deductions from pay is available in the members’ area of the TBA website, along with a range of employment law guidance and template documentation.

Members are also reminded that the TBA offers access to a legal advice service provided by Rachel Flynn, a solicitor with London-based Keystone Law. Rachel or her colleagues will provide TBA members which have been referred by TBA with ‘first call’ legal advice, including ad hoc assistance where possible over the telephone.

Members with a legal issue that they would like to discuss should call the TBA team at Stanstead House, who will ask Rachel to contact them within 24 hours.

Dec_172_TBAForum.indd 113

Jedhi strikes back for successful family in TBA fillies’ showcase The final TBA-sponsored #thisfillycan Fillies’ Handicap took place at Nottingham racecourse on Wednesday, October 17.

The race, which was restricted to fillies rated under 95 and run over a distance of 1m6f, was won by Jedhi. Trained by Hughie Morrison and owned

by Tony Pickford and Partners, the daughter of Big Bad Bob has now been placed in nine of her ten runs this year. The race was also a memorable one for her jockey Jason Watson, who recorded his 100th career win.

Bred by Selwood Bloodstock and Mrs S Read, Jedhi is a half-sister to five winners including Group 2 victor Marmelo, who finished second in this year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

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TBA Forum

British Bred Success in 2018 This year proved to be a prosperous one for British breeders with a total of 40 Group 1 wins for British-bred horses on the Flat — an increase of nearly 40% from 2017.

Stand out performers such as Enable, Cracksman and Cross Counter helped to put British breeders at the forefront of international racing with Group 1 wins in ten countries which included meetings such as Royal Ascot, the Breeders’

Cup and the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The success of small breeders has been especially encouraging. In fact, of the 31 individual British-bred Group 1 winners, 21 were bred by smaller domestic breeders.

The results highlight the continued quality of British bloodstock and its ability to compete and win at the highest level across the world.

British-bred Group/Grade 1 winners in 2018 (as of 7/11/2018) Hartnell – Darley, two Group 1 wins Redkirk Warrior – Lenore Peacock Two Group 1 wins

Poet’s Word – Woodcote Stud, two Group 1 wins

Kitesurf – Peter Winkworth

Urban Fox – Mascalls Stud

Wild Illusion – Darley

Time Warp – Lanwades

Benbatl – Darley, two Group 1 wins

North America – Qatar Bloodstock

With You – George Strawbridge

Harlem – Juddmonte Farms Benbatl – Darley Cracksman – Hascombe & Valiant Studs, three Group 1 wins Billesdon Brook – Stowell Hill Stud Sophie P – New Hall Stud Accidental Agent – Gaie Johnson Houghton

Lightning Spear – Newsells Park Stud Wild Illusion – Darley Advertise – Cheveley Park Stud Pretty Pollyanna – Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Alpha Delphini – Mrs B A Matthews The Tin Man – Mrs Elizabeth Grundy Havana Grey – Mickley Stud & Lady Lonsdale

Call The Wind – George Strawbridge Mabs Cross – Highfield Farm Llp One Master – Lael Stables Enable – Juddmonte Farms, two Group/Grade 1 wins Too Darn Hot – Watership Down Stud Sheikha Reika – Mark Johnston Expert Eye – Juddmonte Farms God Given – St Albans Bloodstock Cross Counter – Darley

TBA member badge offer The TBA is pleased to announce the following badge offer for members to the December Afternoon Raceday at Newbury racecourse.

TBA members can gain free entry to the races on Wednesday, December 19. The day will feature the TBA-sponsored Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed), which last year was won by Ms Parfois, who went on to finish second in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

This offer entitles members (including joint members), to one badge only upon presentation of a valid TBA membership card.

Please note that tickets will not be issued if a valid card is not presented.

Additional tickets can be purchased direct from the racecourse ticket office.

For further information on offers to members please visit the TBA website or email info@thetba.co.uk.

Elite Mares’ Scheme 2019 Applications are now being accepted for the TBA/HBLB National Hunt Elite Mares’ Scheme. The scheme was introduced to incentivise breeders to use the selection of quality National Hunt stallions on offer in Britain. British-based mares that have attained a certain level of success on the racecourse, or have themselves produced a NH runner of a defined performance level, will be

eligible to receive a subsidised or free nomination to one of a select group of British-based stallions. The scheme is only available to mares owned by a member of the TBA. For further information on the scheme, including an application form and qualification criteria, please visit the TBA website. An application form will also be sent to National Hunt breeders who bred a foal in 2016-2018.

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Winners October 3, Bangor-on-Dee THE HORSERADISH CATERING MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE Winner: Pique Rock (GB) Owned by: The Henry Daly Racing Club Bonus Value £5,000

Check out the TBA website for regularly updated information regarding Brexit

New Brexit area on the TBA website A new Brexit page has been launched on the TBA website which will be available via the members’ area of the site. The new hub will give members access to updates and information on Brexit which relate to equine breeding operations and businesses.

Updates on horse and people movements in relation to Brexit will also be posted on this page.

Diary Dates & Reminders Tuesday, December 11 - Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course The British Racing School, Newmarket Wednesday, December 19 The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Novices’ Chase Newbury Racecourse Thursday, December 20 EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series Qualifier Exeter Racecourse

Wednesday, December 26 EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series Qualifier Wincanton Racecourse

New Members Mrs Jane Arnold, Gloucestershire Mrs Caroline Beresford-Wylie, Gloucestershire Mrs Lucy Snowden, Berkshire Equine Veterinary Ambulatory Service, North Yorkshire Aurora Cotten-McKean, Hampshire Claire Wylie, County Tyrone Alexia Robinson & Charles Levinson, Gloucestershire Mr Malcolm Johnson, Lancashire

October 20, Market Rasen THE GOOD LUCK SOPHIE BURKIN MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE Winner L’Chamise Owned by Dash Racing Bonus Value £10,000 October 25, Ludlow THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE Winner: Pique Rock (GB) Owned by: The Henry Daly Racing Club Bonus Value £5,000 October 28, Aintree THE EBF BRITISH STALLION STUDS MARES’ STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE Winner: Briery Express Owner: Mrs Kathryn Leadbeater and Mrs Helen Plumbly Bonus Value: £5,000 November 5, Plumpton THE JUMPS SEASON ULTIMATE GUIDE AT ATTHERACES.COM MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE Winner: Kentford Mallard Owner: Mr D I Bare Bonus Value: £10,000

Pique Rock picks up her second NHMOPS bonus in a month Pique Rock secured her second NHMOPS bonus in just three weeks following her win in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow.

The mare, who was bred by Mill House Stud and has now been leased

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by the Henry Daly Racing Club, had, at the time of writing, won both her starts this season and in doing so has secured two NHMOPS bonuses. The scheme, which is run by the TBA, pays bonuses of up to £10,000 to the connections of registered horses who win eligible races.

The daughter of multiple champion National Hunt sire King’s Theatre is also graduate of the British point-to-point circuit after winning three point-topoints last season for leading trainer Phil Rowley and leading gentleman rider Alex Edwards.

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TBA Forum

INVESTING IN BREEDING & RACING – BREXIT

The BHA is pitching for racing to be reintroduced to the immigration list of occupations for skilled work riders and possibly stud workers

Noel Edmonds and Deal or No Deal would have solved the issue in 60 minutes. Brexit is taking a little longer, but the British thoroughbred industry’s steering group, led by the TBA and headed by its Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson, is preparing for all eventualities, especially those affecting horse movement and people.

Ross Hamilton, BHA Corporate Affairs Manager, explains: “We’ve been working very closely with our colleagues in France and Ireland, and with the relevant departments from the three governments, on a ‘high horse health’ proposal. This will use the EU animal health law, which will come into effect from 2021, after any Brexit transition period.

“In layman’s terms, it creates a premier league class of horse that has high welfare standards and comes from a country with high animal health classification. That would be open to all EU member states, but it would also be open to ‘third countries’, which the UK will become from 30 March 2019. That would allow people in the UK to move thoroughbreds for racing, breeding and sales purposes on broadly the same basis as now from 2021.”

Hamilton adds: “The French and Irish have recently made a submission to the EC, endorsed by their chief veterinary officers, for the ‘high horse health’ proposal to be included in the law.

“In the shorter term, if we get a Brexit deal and the transition period

happens, the existing Tripartite Agreement between the UK, Ireland and France will continue.”

Given the events of recent months, the steering group has also looked closely into the possibility of a no-deal situation, in which case the TPA would end next March.

Hamilton says: “The government has issued a series of technical notices, and the main one on horse movement says it will keep the same rules for imported horses, so that TPA-eligible horses would continue to be able to come to the UK. “The issue would be about the position the EC chose in the reverse situation. Could a French or Irish horse easily return after it has competed or been bred in the UK? That’s a question for the EU as a whole, but we’re encouraging the French and Irish to be absolutely clear with the EC that the position needs to continue as closely as possible to what happens now. They are very sympathetic, if only because a large number of movements between France and Ireland use the UK as a land bridge.”

While the BHA has introduced Brexit guidelines to its website, to keep industry participants up to speed, Hamilton is encouraged that the main UK government departments, Defra and the DCMS, are on side, listening and talking to each other, with welfare implications at the top of the priority list, not just trade.

On the people side of Brexit, he says: “Our understanding is that in a no-deal situation the common travel area between Britain and Ireland will continue, so that all British and Irish staff in each other’s territory will continue to have rights to live and work there. The UK has also made it clear that under a no-deal it will unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens currently residing and working in the UK. The question is whether that will be reciprocated by the EC. “Our pitch will be for the re-inclusion of racing on the immigration list of eligible occupations for a specified number of highly-skilled work riders and maybe the equivalent in the breeding industry, as it used to be about ten years ago.”

Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster puts the people situation into perspective when he says: “Roughly 10% of our workforce, 21 out of 224, are EU citizens, including our lead vet, who’s Spanish. Many have been in Britain for a number of years, and we have told those staff we will do everything to help them.

“Maybe there has been some complacency while we could draw on people from the EU and therefore neglected to train our own people. Going forward, it will sharpen us in the area of training, although we won’t be the only industry facing this situation. And we won’t know how it will turn out until we have gone past the finishing post.”

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Breeder of the Month Words Hyperion Promotions Ltd

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BREEDER OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER

118

GEORGE SELWYN

WATERSHIP DOWN STUD The Dewhurst Stakes capped a memorable week for Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd-Webber who began their breeding operation from Watership Down Stud on the Berkshire/Hampshire border in 1992, assisted by their racing manager Simon Marsh.

Three days earlier, they had sold their Dubawi yearling colt out of Dar Re Mi for a 2018 auction record price of 3,500,000gns at Tattersalls’ October Book 1 Sale.

Four of Dar Re Mi’s five runners had already gained black type, including Musidora Stakes winner So Mi Dar, but she was still waiting for her first Group 1 winner. The wait was soon over.

Too Darn Hot’s impressive victory in their colours ensures champion juvenile honours for the son of Dubawi and elevation to the status of one of the world’s elite broodmares for his mother.

Dar Re Mi, now thirteen-years-old, scored three times at the highest level in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks at four and the Dubai Sheema Classic at five. She is by Singspiel and out of the Top Ville mare Darara, who the stud purchased from the Aga Khan as an 11-year-old at Goffs in November 1994. Although she cost IR470,000gns, the Prix Vermeille winner has proved a tremendous bargain.

She is one of a handful of mares to have bred four individual Group/Grade 1 winners. Even more astonishingly, she produced Dar Re Mi when she was aged 22 and Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Rewilding when she was 24. They were born after she had been barren for four consecutive years during her teens.

Dar Re Mi has a long way to go before

Too Darn Hot: champion two-year-old

she emulates her mother’s achievements, but with St Leger runner-up Lah Ti Dar – also by Dubawi - staying in training and with an own-brother and own-sister to follow, it is certainly not a forlorn hope.

SPECIAL MERIT – OCTOBER

HIGHFIELD FARM LLP British-bred sprinters have enjoyed a wonderful season, capturing four all-aged Group 1 races in three countries.

Encouragingly for owners whose budget does not run to six-figures, three of them cost less than £50,000.

Nunthorpe Stakes hero Alpha Delphini was a 20,000gns yearling, Flying Five Stakes winner Havana Grey sold for 42,000gns as a foal, while The Tin Man, whose third Group 1 success came in the Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock in September, realised 80,000gns as a yearling.

The most recent addition to Britain’s Group 1 sprint roster is Prix de l’Abbaye

heroine Mabs Cross. She was knocked down to Peter Fahey for £3,000 at the Doncaster November Yearling Sale in 2015, before going into training for her breeders, David and Emma Armstrong of Highfield Farm near Chorley in Lancashire.

David Armstrong owns the largest quarry company in the north-west as well as a waste management and recycling centre. Before turning his hand to racehorses, he bred racing pigeons and pedigree cattle.

Mabs Cross, who is named after a stone cross originally used as a waymarker along the medieval route from Wigan to Chorley, is the Armstrong’s second homebred Group 1 winner.

Their first was the 2012 July Cup winner Mayson, now a stallion at Cheveley Park Stud. The Armstrong’s association with the Newmarket nursery continued during their joint-ownership of 2014 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Garswood, who now stands alongside Mayson at his own birthplace.

Those close commercial ties are evident in the pedigree of Highfield’s latest sprinting star who is by Dutch Art and out of the Pivotal mare Miss Meggy.

Emma Armstrong, who runs the stud with daughter Sophie, said: “Miss Meggy was our first ever winner and Mabs was our 100th winner, so she means a lot to us.”

That first winner came on May 15, 2004 when the Trickledown Stud-bred filly made a successful debut in a novice fillies’ stakes at Thirsk. Just over a fortnight later, she followed up in the Listed Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley.

At stud, she has also produced Grade 3 Senorita Stakes winner Charlie Em (by Kheleyf) and has a yearling colt by Iffraaj and a filly foal by Oasis Dream.

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One of the best, proven dual purpose sires to join the British Stallion ranks

Sire of dual Gr.1 winner ODELIZ and Cheltenham Festival Gr.1 winner PEACE AND CO

XENOBIA (Gr.2 winner) and BEAU GOSSE (Gr.2 hurdler) have starred for Falco in 2018

56% lifetime winners to runners, progeny have earned over £6,000,000 in prize money

By sire of sires PIVOTAL, he is a Gr.1 French Classic Winner

FALCO B .

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Stores in 2018 made up to £65,000

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Also standing dual Stakes winner SUN CENTRAL

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Vet Forum: The Expert View

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Atrial Fibrillation While a large heart has obvious advantages in equine athletes, there is

also a higher likelihood for the electrical circuitry of the organ to become disrupted, leading to a lack of oxygen during strenuous exercise

W

e have been breeding horses for speed for hundreds of years and this has selected characteristics such as conformation and, perhaps less obviously to many, supremely effective heart and lung function. There are few things that will limit the ability of a horse or human to perform athletically than a significant heart problem. Such problems might be present from birth – for example a septal defect (a hole between heart chambers), valve disease or irregularity in the heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common performancelimiting arrhythmia diagnosed in horses (McGurrin 2015). As was well publicised at the time, the heroic Denman was diagnosed with and successfully treated for this condition several years ago.

The heart – the body’s engine

The heart is essentially a muscular pump with filling and pumping phases to each beat. It has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. There is a left side, consisting of the left atrium and left ventricle and a right side, similarly consisting of the right atrium and ventricle. In the simplest terms, the left side is responsible for receiving oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumping it around the body.

The right side receives de-oxygenated blood from the body and delivers it to the lungs so that oxygen can be absorbed and carbon dioxide removed from the system. There are also four valves associated with the heart and these help to ensure that the blood continues to flow in the right direction.

For example, when the left ventricle is pumping blood out into the aorta to be delivered to the muscles and organs, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle (the mitral valve) will close but the aortic valve will be open. When the heart is in the filling phase, the aortic valve will be closed so that the

Fig 1 Normal ECG trace showing normal P wave (blue arrow) and QRS complex (red arrow)

ventricle can fill and the mitral valve will be open to allow blood to move from the atrium into the ventricle.

What controls heart rate?

The cardiac muscle is regulated by waves of electrical activity which originate in a small bundle of cells known as the sino-atrial node. This sends an electrical message to the muscle of the atria to contract and to a second node between the atria and ventricles stimulating another wave of electrical activity which tells the ventricles to contract. In the normal heart, these electrical pulses and muscular contractions are coordinated and this allows the heart to function efficiently and effectively. An electrocardiogram (ECG) records this electrical activity as a series of waves, the P, Q, R, and S waves. (Fig 1). P waves indicate the electrical activity of the atria and the QRS ‘complex’ represents the ventricular electrical activity. Because the ventricles are larger than the atria, the QRS complex is taller and of longer duration than the P wave and is usually biphasic (has positive and negative parts).

What happens in AF?

We know that a larger heart gives certain advantages when it comes to athletic performance. However, this larger heart can come at a cost. The

larger a heart, the more likely it is for the electrical circuitry to become ‘confused’. In AF, the normal electrical impulses and contractions of the atria are lost and the atria contract out of sync with the ventricles (Fig 2).The electrical messages to the ventricles are also interrupted and the ventricular contractions become irregular at a much slower rate than the atrial contractions. This means that the ventricles aren’t properly filled before they contract and so less blood is ejected with each contraction and there may be fewer ventricular contractions.

At rest, this is not usually a problem, but at exercise when the demands for increased heart rate and increased blood supply to muscle become significant, the muscles are effectively starved of both oxygen and energy and the exercise cannot be supported or maintained. A young racehorse can have a resting heart rate of 36 but at peak exercise levels, this will reach 240 beats per minute. At these high rates, any slight abnormality can have enormous effects.

Why does AF occur?

We don’t fully understand why AF occurs in most cases as there does not appear to be any underlying metabolic abnormality or evidence of heart disease in the vast majority of cases. AF is rare in young horses and also in ponies. Interestingly, it is occasionally discovered as an incidental finding at pre-purchase examinations in horses used for eventing, dressage and hunting without ever giving their owners cause for concern. Each case must be assessed on its own merits at the time. A definitive diagnosis of AF requires an ECG. In AF, the pattern is of irregularly spaced QRS complexes interspersed with numerous smaller ‘f’ waves which replace the normal ‘P’ waves. If AF is diagnosed, a full cardiac

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Fig 2 Atrial Fibrillation ECG showing numerous f waves (blue arrows)

heart and this can be attempted either medically or using electrical stimulation.

What are the common treatments?

The most common treatment used is medical using repeated doses of quinidine sulphate. This should be undertaken in a hospital environment as there are quite severe side effects including colic, diarrhoea, weakness, ataxia, collapse or even death. The dose is given by stomach tube every 2 hours and the heart rate monitored closely until the conversion or toxicity occurs.

(In some situations, the intravenous quinidine product might be available and might be considered a safer option). According to some authors, (Muir et al 1990) the prognosis for cardioversion using quinidine is good in horses where the AF is present alone, has been present for less than 4 months or where resting heart rate is less than 60 bpm. In few cases, digoxin might be used to help control the heart rate in horses with AF which are not going to undergo treatment, possibly because of

PROFESSOR CELIA MARR, ROSSDALES

investigation should be performed to find out if there is any underlying heart disease or damage as the presence of muscle or valve damage can significantly affect prognosis. In a series of 67 horses with AF reported by Reef et al in 1988, 57% had no other cardiac disease. If concurrent cardiac or systemic disease is discovered, treating the AF might become either irrelevant, dangerous or actually contra-indicated.

Many racehorses will suffer from a single episode of AF (paroxysmal AF) and recover without any treatment.

According to reports in the press, this is what happened to Sprinter Sacre in 2014 when he pulled up in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton. His irregular heart beat corrected itself and he (eventually) went on to win the Champion Chase in March 2016.

Paroxysmal AF can be very frustrating to diagnose as it might have corrected itself before an ECG can be performed.

In a few horses, these paroxysmal episodes might recur and this can lead to inconsistent performance and further frustration as treatment options are limited. Racecourse and other vets now have access to a smartphone device called ‘AliveCor®’ which allows an ECG trace to be taken immediately after a race without the need for cables and awkward equipment (Fig 3).

Other horses may have persistent AF and in these cases treatment is usually necessary if the horse is to return to high-intensity exercise. Once any other cardiac problems have been diagnosed, treatment options can be considered.

The aim of treatment for AF is to restore normal (sinus) rhythm to the

PROFESSOR CELIA MARR, ROSSDALES

By Deidre Carson MRCVS

Fig 3 Using a smartphone to check a horse’s ECG

Dec_172_Vets_Forum.indd 121

concurrent heart or systemic disease, or which are going to receive quinidine.

Such horses must be very closely monitored.

The other treatment option is known as transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC). This is really only used if there is no underlying cardiac disease present. The aim is to deliver enough electrical energy to the atria to ‘shock’ them out of AF and restore normal rhythm. Because of the facilities and expertise required to undertake this procedure, only a small number of specialist centres offer it. Catheters are placed in the right jugular vein and electrodes attached to long catheters are passed into the right atrium (Fig 4).

The horse is anaesthetised and placed on a padded mat away from metal structures and other electrical sources and conductors. Radiographs are taken to ensure the electrodes are in the correct position. Electrical ‘shocks’ are applied at incremental energy levels until normal rhythm is restored, as seen on an ECG, or maximum recommended energy level has been reached.

On the ECG, the heart appears to ‘stop’ momentarily before resuming normal activity (Fig 5). The catheters are removed and the horse allowed to recover from anaesthesia. In most cases, no medication is administered but the horse’s heart rate and rhythm are closely monitored over the following few days. In some cases, medication might be given to help stabilise the heart rate over the first few days following TCEV. Once the normal heart rhythm has been restored, the duration of the recuperation period will be determined by several factors, chiefly how long the AF had been present and the presence of any other condition. Slow return to exercise in horses which have had AF for a longer period of time, might reduce the risk of early recurrence (Decloedt et al). It is very possible that

››

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PROFESSOR CELIA MARR, ROSSDALES

Vet Forum: The Expert View

Fig 4 Catheters being placed for TVEC

›› having AF will have affected the horse’s confidence and this will also have to be considered once the horse resumes exercise.

The prognosis for return to athletic activity is good in most cases of lone AF (ie where there is no other condition) that respond to treatment.

In those cases which are refractory or which recur, the prognosis is considerably poorer.

Other cardiac conditions

There are other less commonly encountered conditions that can affect the horse’s heart and cause a drop off in form. In ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) the normal heart rhythm is interrupted by premature electrical activity and muscular contraction in the ventricle. This results in an irregular and inefficient heart contraction. If it occurs without any evidence of underlying heart disease, many cases will recover with rest and a course of corticosteroids. However, if there is damage to the heart muscle or other cardiac disease, the prognosis is poor.

As mentioned, there are four valves in the heart which are responsible for helping to control the direction of flow.

These can be affected by infection, inflammation and trauma, or might not have developed properly (congenital abnormality). As a result, they might become narrow (stenotic) which restricts flow in the right direction, or less effective at closing (valvular

insufficiency) thus allowing back flow.

In both situations, the output from the heart is reduced and the alteration in blood pressure combined with the increased effort the heart makes to try to ensure adequate circulation can result in abnormal enlargement of the heart and increase the risk of further abnormalities developing, such as AF and VPCs. Stenosis (narrowing of the vessels ) is rare in the horse.

Regurgitation through ‘leaky’ valves causes heart murmurs which might be heard on one or both sides of the chest, depending on the valve(s) involved.

It is not unusual for a fit and healthy hose to have a low grade (soft) heart murmur when the heart is listened to using a stethoscope.

Normal flow of blood out of the left ventricle and through the aortic valve during the pumping phase (systole) can create a normal short ejection murmur audible on the left side of the chest. Racehorses often also have a ‘normal’ murmur audible during the filling phase caused by tricuspid (right atrio-ventricular valve) regurgitation.

It takes considerable experience and confidence to be able to recognise these ‘normal’ murmurs. However, if the murmur is loud or there is any doubt about the significance of the murmur, an ultrasonographic examination of the heart (echocardiography), should be performed.

A recent BHA-approved project was undertaken by Imogen Comyn (Rossdales LLP) and a team of veterinary students from the University of Nottingham led by Celia Marr (Rossdales LLP) and Mark Bowen and Gayle Halliwell (University of Nottingham). Over 18 months, postrace ECG traces were taken from 587 horses at 28 different race meetings, including National Hunt, turf and allweather flat meetings. Thirty-three horses had premature complexes (5.6%), three had physiological rhythm abnormalities (0.5%) and two had AF (0.3%).

None of these horses required treatment. The work was funded by Beaufort Cottage Educational Trust and University of Nottingham.

Fortunately, cardiac conditions are not that common in horses and many do not affect the horse’s quality of life but might influence their ability to perform as an athlete.

References • McGurrin MKJ The Diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation in the horse Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports Volume 2015 6 pp 83 -90 • Reef VB, Reimer JM and Spencer PA Treatment of atrial fibrillation in horses: new perspectives. J Vet Intern Med. 1995;9:57-67 • Muir WW 3rd, Reed SM, McGuirk SM. Treatment of atrial fibrillation in horses by intravenous administration of quinidine. J Am Vet Med Assoc.

1990;197:1607-1610 • Decloedt A, Verhehen T, Van Der Vekens N, Sys S, De Clercq D, van Loon G. Long term follow-up of atrial function after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in horses. Vet J.2013; 197: 583-588 • AliveCor® www.alivecor.com

Fig 5 ECG trace during TVEC showing conversion from AF (blue arrow) to normal rhythm (red arrow) after application of electric shock (green arrow)

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HEDGEHOLME STUD

INTRINSIC

2010, by OASIS DREAM – INFALLIBLE by PIVOTAL

KOROPICK 2014, by KODIAC – KATHOE by FAYRUZ

First runners in 2019

Winner of the 2014 Stewards Cup beating numerous Group / Stakes winners.

Half brother to top class Group Performers MUTAKAYYEF, INTIMATION and VERACIOUS.

Winner of the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes, Newcastle.

2nd to THE LAST LION GR 3 Sirenia Stakes 2nd to BAATTASH Listed Scurry Stakes Timeform rated: 116, 4 lbs higher than KODIAC

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Dr Statz

John Boyce cracks the code

Teofilo ignited Galileo’s career and has forged own elite spot H e was an unbeaten champion two-year-old and one of only two sire sons of Galileo that has proven capable of maintaining that elusive strike-rate of 10% stakes winners to runners. Yet he ranks only 36th among European sires by their 2018 yearling average. That’s the apparent contradiction currently applying to Teofilo, the sire of recent Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter and clearly undervalued by the market.

Teofilo was the first racehorse to light up Galileo’s stud career. A second-crop son, he won all five of his races as a juvenile, culminating with victory in the Group 1 Dewhurst. Along the way he also won the Listed Tyros, the Group 2 Futurity and the Group 1 National Stakes and was awarded a 126 rating from Timeform. Just to put that in context, the latest unbeaten winner of the Dewhurst, Too Darn Hot, is rated 127. Teofilo never ran thereafter, but there’s a strong probability that he could have ended up competing over middle distances. His subsequent stud career also lends credibility to this argument. But there are also high-class racehorses among his progeny that resonate more with the faster precocious juvenile.

So far Teofilo has sired 70 stakes winners from his northern hemisphere crops at a rate of 10.4% to runners. In the past, the benchmark often used for the

TEOFILO’S G1 WINNERS RANKED BY TIMEFORM RATING

GEORGE SELWYN

TFR 129 129 125 125 124 124 122 122 118 118 117 117 117 113 109

Cross Counter, one of Teofilo’s best sons

Horse HAPPY CLAPPER HUMIDOR CROSS COUNTER KERMADEC PALENTINO TRADING LEATHER SPECIAL FIGHTER VOLEUSE DE COEURS HAVANA GOLD QUEST FOR MORE AJMAN PRINCESS PARISH HALL PLEASCACH LOCH GARMAN SONNTAG

Born 2010 2012 2015 2011 2012 2010 2011 2009 2010 2010 2013 2009 2012 2010 2010

Sex G G G C C C C F C G F C F C G

success of the very best sires was 10% stakes winners to foals. Now, in an era of very large crops, 10% stakes winners to runners is a more useful benchmark to employ. Yes, it is easier to achieve, but it nevertheless takes a very good sire to do so – there are only ten in Europe that currently surpass this level of success.

Like nearly all top-class sires, Teofilo is one of the few among the population that upgrades his mares. His 670 northern hemisphere foals comfortably outscore their 2,592 siblings by other sires. The siblings contain only 8.4% stakes winners to runners compared to the 10.4% by Teofilo. Even when we examine his European stock by Timeform ratings, we get precisely the same picture: 25.5% are rated 100 or more by Timeform, which again is ahead of the rate for their siblings.

Moreover, he sires a very impressive 13.2% stakes winners from his elite mares.

Teofilo is also building up a talented set of high-class runners. Before Cross Counter came along, his top-rated horse was Arod, a horse blessed with plenty of speed at around a mile. As things stand Cross Counter and Arod, both rated 125, are his best two horses according to Timeform. His top ten runners also feature Classic winners Trading Leather and Voleuse de Coeurs, as well as Group 1 miler Massaat and the excellent sprinter Tantheem, who is assessed at 120 by Timeform – the same mark as the mighty Laurens – making her Europe’s top-rated sprint female in 2018.

To find the best progeny of Teofilo, we have to go to Australia. From his early

Dam BUSKING ZALIKA WAITRESS HY FUJI PALATINE HILL NIGHT VISIT SUSU VADORGA JESSICA’S DREAM NO QUEST REEM THREE HALLA SIAMSA TOIRNEACH IRISH QUESTION PARFAITS

Broodmare sire ENCOSTA DE LAGO ZABEEL KINGMAMBO FUJI KISEKI PALACE MUSIC SINNDAR MACHIAVELLIAN GRAND LODGE DESERT STYLE RAINBOW QUEST MARK OF ESTEEM MONTJEU THUNDER GULCH GIANT’S CAUSEWAY STRATEGIC

crops in the Hunter Valley, he has three sons – Happy Clapper, Humidor and Kermadec – that are at least as good, if not better, than anything he’s sired from Kildangan Stud, his Irish home. Happy Clapper – rated 129 – is a triple Group 1 winner at up to a mile, while Humidor (also rated 129) won Group 1s at seven furlongs, a mile and ten furlongs. The good-looking Kermadec (rated 125) is a double Group 1-winning miler and the 124-rated Palentino won all three of his Group 1s over a mile. In common with his northern hemisphere record is the fact the Teofilo upgrades his mares. He produces Group horses in Australia at more than double the rate his mares produce them by other sires. Also, he gets an excellent 16.7% stakes winners from elite mares.

Remarkably, there are 25 broodmare sires that have both produced at least five runners by Teofilo and a stakes-winner strike-rate of 10% or more – that’s how versatile he is. Thirteen of them have strike-rates of 20% or more. Perhaps one of the most interesting is Dubawi, whose daughters have produced three stakes winners from seven runners (42.3%) so far, including Tantheem.

Australian breeders will have been disappointed that due to the stresses of shuttling Teofilo is no longer available in the Hunter Valley, but there is also plenty of optimism that his legacy will continue through his sons. One such son, Havana Grey, has already sired a Group 1 winner in Europe, while both Kermadec and Palentino are ideally placed in Australia to make a significant impact.

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Data Book • Analysis by Andrew Caulfield European Pattern 348 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES G1 NEWMARKET. Oct 6. 3yo+f. 8f.

1. LAURENS (FR) 3 9-0 £151,345 b f by Siyouni - Recambe (Cape Cross) O-Mr John Dance B-Bloodstock Agency Ltd TR-K. R. Burke 2. Happily (IRE) 3 9-0 £57,378 b f by Galileo - You’resothrilling (Storm Cat) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Orpendale & Chelston Ireland TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Altyn Orda (IRE) 3 9-0 £28,716 ch f by Kyllachy - Albanka (Giant’s Causeway) O-Mr Nurlan Bizakov B-Hesmonds Stud Ltd TR-Roger Varian Margins Head, 2.25. Time 1:37.90. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 4 7 3 3 £186,260 Sire: FRANKEL. Sire of 33 Stakes winners. In 2018 CALL THE WIND Inchinor G1, CRACKSMAN Pivotal G1, MOZU ASCOT Hennessy G1, WITHOUT PAROLE Lemon Drop Kid G1, FASHION BUSINESS Empire Maker G2, MISS FABULASS Redoute’s Choice G2, EAST Indian Ridge G3, FINCHE Woodman G3, LIGHTENING QUICK Marju G3, MIRAGE DANCER Green Desert G3, NELSON Dalakhani G3, ROSTROPOVICH Machiavellian G3, VERACIOUS Pivotal G3.

1st Dam: IN CLOVER by Inchinor. 4 wins at 3 in France, Prix de Flore G3. Dam of 6 winners:

2008: 2009:

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 11 7 2 £1,466,718 Sire: SIYOUNI. Sire of 26 Stakes winners. In 2018 LAURENS Cape Cross G1, AYLMERTON Smart Strike G2, FINSBURY SQUARE Dyhim Diamond G2, BARKAA Apeldoorn G3, CITY LIGHT Kendor G3, LA SIGNARE Beat Hollow G3, EXPRESSIY American Post LR, FATALISTE King’s Best LR, NICE TO SEE YOU Johannesburg LR, SEQUILLA Doyen LR, SULLY Verglas LR, WATAYOUNA Lomitas LR.

2010: 2011:

2012: 2014:

1st Dam: RECAMBE by Cape Cross. 2 wins at 3 in France. Dam of 3 winners:

2015:

2013: 2014:

2016: 2017: 2018:

2011:

2015:

AUTIGNAC (f Solon) Winner over jumps in France. Broodmare.

Murviel (f Siyouni) ANEMOI (g Manduro) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race at 4.

LAURENS (f Siyouni) Sold 209,523gns yearling at DNPRM. 7 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, bet365 Fillies’ Mile S G1, Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S G1, Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S G1, Prix de Diane Longines G1, The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1, William Hill May Hill S G2, 2nd Qipco 1000 Guineas S G1, Shadwell Prix du Calvados G3.

2nd Dam: Razana by Kahyasi. 4 wins, 2nd G.P. Conseil General de Loire Atlantique LR. Dam of SALFORD MILL (c Peintre Celebre: Stanspoker.co.uk Newmarket S LR, Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby LR, Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile LR), Ovambo (g Namaqualand: 2nd Cadogan Charity Fred Archer S LR, 3rd betfair.com Ormonde S G3). Grandam of Domination.

Broodmare Sire: CAPE CROSS. Sire of the dams of 58 Stakes winners. In 2018 - LAURENS Siyouni G1, MASAR New Approach G1, EMARAATY ANA Shamardal G2, CELLARMAN Mossman G3, MONTOYA STAR High Chaparral G3, POWER O’HATA Power G3.

Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Pivotal

Sichilla

Slipstream Queen Conquistador Cielo Country Queen Green Desert

Danzig Foreign Courier

Park Appeal

Ahonoora Balidaress

Kahyasi

Ile de Bourbon Kadissya

Raysiya

Cure The Blues Rilasa

Cape Cross RECAMBE b 05

2nd Dam: BELLARIDA by Bellypha. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France Prix de Royaumont G3. Dam of IN CLOVER (f Inchinor, see above), BAYOURIDA (f Slew O’ Gold: Prix Madame Jean Couturie LR, 2nd Prix de la Nonette G3), BELLONA (f Bering: Prix Rose de Mai LR, 3rd Prix Penelope G3), Fumarelli (c Trempolino: 3rd Prix Le Fabuleux LR). Grandam of ADJUSTED, LILY’S ANGEL, GIUSEPPE PIAZZI, ZURIGHA, TELLURIDE, PARTY, Bee Charmer, Kansas Sunflower, Bella Ida, Old Glory, Peak To Peak. Third dam of DOMINANT, TEPPAL, ES QUE LOVE, OBSERVATIONAL, GLORIOUS SINNDAR, ZHUI FENG, LISTEN IN. Broodmare Sire: INCHINOR. Sire of the dams of 36 Stakes winners. In 2018 - CALL THE WIND Frankel G1, WITH YOU Dansili G1, LISTEN IN Sea The Stars G2, MOHAATHER Showcasing G3, THEMIS Lord Shanakill LR, ZHUI FENG Invincible Spirit LR.

CALL THE WIND ch c 2014

Razana

See race 47 in the July issue 349 QATAR PRIX DU CADRAN G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 6. 4yo+. 4000m.

1. CALL THE WIND (GB) 4 9-2 £151,699 ch c by Frankel - In Clover (Inchinor) O-Mr George Strawbridge B-G. Strawbridge TR-F. Head 2. Holdthasigreen (FR) 6 9-2 £60,690 ch g by Hold That Tiger - Greentathir (Muhtathir) O-Jean Gilbert B-J Gilbert & C Le Lay TR-B Audouin 3. Morgan Le Faye (GB) 4 8-13 £30,345 b f by Shamardal - Molly Malone (Lomitas) O-Godolphin SNC B-Dieter Burkle TR-A Fabre Margins 1.25, Short Head. Time 4:24.41. Going Good.

Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Quest Rockfest

Ahonoora

Lorenzaccio Helen Nichols

Inchmurrin

Lomond On Show

Bellypha

Lyphard Belga

Lerida

Riverman Lalika

Galileo FRANKEL b 08

LAURENS b f 2015

SIYOUNI b 07

ELODIE (f Dansili) Winner at 3 in France.

Broodmare.

DREAM CLOVER (f Oasis Dream) 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix de Saint-Cyr LR, Prix de la Cochere LR, 3rd Prix de Lieurey G3. Broodmare. (c Danehill Dancer) WE ARE (f Dansili) 2 wins at 3 in France, Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, 3rd Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, Darley Prix Jean Romanet G1. Broodmare.

INCAHOOTS (f Oasis Dream) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in France, Prix Saonois LR. Broodmare.

CALL THE WIND (c Frankel) 3 wins at 4 in France, Qatar Prix du Cadran G1.

WITH YOU (f Dansili) 3 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix Rothschild G1, 2nd The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1, 3rd P. Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1.

Featuring (f Dansili) (c Dansili) (c Dubawi)

Kind

Inchinor IN CLOVER b 02 Bellarida

Call The Wind never made it to the races at two or three, having shown a dislike of starting stalls, and consequently his debut in March 2018 came at the little-known Machecoul racecourse, where they don’t use starting stalls.

He finished only third in that race over an extended mile and his connections quickly realised that he needed a stiffer test of stamina. He won over a mile and a half at Clairefontaine and then over 13 and a half furlongs at Deauville before making his black-type debut in the Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles.

The gelding stayed on well to become the 17th Group winner – and fifth Gr1 winner – from the 110

foals in Frankel’s magnificent first crop.

It is hardly surprising that Call The Wind started his career at around a mile. His dam, In Clover, a daughter of the seven-furlong specialist Inchinor, won a Listed race over a mile and the Gr3 Prix de Flore over ten and a half furlongs as a threeyear-old. Frankel, of course, raced mainly at a mile and is out of a fast daughter of Danehill. It was Dansili – a son of Danehill – who sired two previous Gr1 winners out of the hugely successful In Clover, these being We Are, winner of the Prix de l’Opera over a mile and a quarter, and With You, dropped back to a mile following her close fifth in the Prix de Diane to take the Gr1 Prix Rothschild by three lengths.

In addition to her three Gr1 winners by Dansili, In Clover has two Listed-winning daughters by Oasis Dream, namely the milers Dream Clover and Incahoots. Call The Wind’s second dam Bellarida won the Gr3 Prix de Royaumont, while fourth dam Lalika won the Prix Saint-Alary and was herself a half-sister to Roi Lear, a winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club.

350 PRIX DE L’ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP - LONGINES G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 2yo+. 1000m.

1. MABS CROSS (GB) 4 9-7 £176,982 b f by Dutch Art - Miss Meggy (Pivotal) O-Mr David W. Armstrong B-Highfield Farm LLP TR-Michael Dods 2. Gold Vibe (IRE) 5 9-11 £70,805 ch g by Dream Ahead - Whisper Dance (Stravinsky) O-Mr Sutong Pan B-Stonecross Stud TR-P. Bary 3. Soldier’s Call (GB) 2 8-7 £35,403 b/br c by Showcasing - Dijarvo (Iceman) O-Clipper Logistics B-Llety Farms TR-Archie Watson Margins Head, Short Head. Time 0:57.11. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-4 13 6 6 £399,714 Sire: DUTCH ART. Sire of 31 Stakes winners. In 2018 MABS CROSS Pivotal G1, AL MALHOUF Danehill Dancer LR, PERFECTION Pivotal LR, ZAMAN Noverre LR. 1st Dam: MISS MEGGY by Pivotal. 3 wins at 2 and 4, Hilary Needler Trophy LR. Dam of 4 winners:

2007: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014:

2016: 2017: 2018:

Al Adham (c Dansili) CHARLIE EM (f Kheleyf) 5 wins at 2 to 4 at home, USA, Senorita S G3. Broodmare.

ECCLESTON (g Acclamation) 4 wins at 2 to 4.

Crawford Avenue (f Equiano). Broodmare.

FISHERGATE (g Pastoral Pursuits) Winner at 2.

MABS CROSS (f Dutch Art) Sold 2,857gns yearling at DNNOV. 6 wins at 3 and 4 at home, France, Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp - Longines G1, Longholes Palace House S G3, EBF Musselburgh Arran Sprint S LR, 2nd Coolmore Nunthorpe S G1, Whitsbury/ EBF Stallions Lansdown S LR, 3rd King’s Stand S G1, Sapphire S G2.

Samlesbury (c Invincible Spirit) in training. (c Iffraaj) (f Oasis Dream)

2nd Dam: SELKIRK ROSE by Pips Pride. 2 wins at 2 and 4. Dam of MISS MEGGY (f Pivotal, see above) Broodmare Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of the dams of 88 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ADVERTISE Showcasing G1, CRACKSMAN Frankel G1, FAIRYLAND Kodiac G1, GLORIOUS EMPIRE Holy Roman Emperor G1, MABS CROSS Dutch Art G1, MAGICAL Galileo G1, MIKKI ROCKET King Kamehameha G1, OLMEDO Declaration of War G1, ONE MASTER Fastnet Rock G1,

RHODODENDRON Galileo G1.

The Dutch Art/Pivotal cross has produced: MABS CROSS G1, ZONDERLAND G2, ETERNALLY G3, MISS WORK OF ART G3, Robert Le Diable G3, PERFECTION LR, ZARWAAN LR, Baccarat LR.

MABS CROSS b f 2014 Machiavellian

Mr Prospector Coup de Folie

Mystic Goddess

Storm Bird Rose Goddess

Spectrum

Rainbow Quest River Dancer

Medicean DUTCH ART ch 04 Halland Park Lass

Palacegate Episode Drumalis Pasadena Lady Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

Pips Pride

Efisio Elkie Brooks

Red Note

Rusticaro Hung Pao

Pivotal MISS MEGGY b 02 Selkirk Rose

When Cracksman romped to his second victory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, he guaranteed that the evergreen Pivotal would finish 2018 as the year’s leading broodmare sire – just as he had done in 2017. The Cheveley Park veteran has enjoyed a sensational year in this role, with his worldwide total of ten Gr1 winners totally eclipsing the rest of Europe’s stallions.

Pivotal’s ten Gr1 winners represented a wide variety of ages and distance aptitudes. The two-year-olds are Advertise (Phoenix Stakes) and Fairyland (Cheveley Park Stakes), and the three-year-olds are represented by Olmedo (Poule d’Essai des Poulains) and Magical (British Champions Fillies & Mares).

Arc day at Longchamp saw a Gr1 double via the four-year-old fillies Mabs Cross (Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp) and One Master (Prix de la Foret).

The list also includes two other four-year-olds in Rhododendron (Lockinge Stakes) and Cracksman, and Pivotal’s team is completed by two middle-distance winners – the Japanese five-year-old Mikki Rocket (Takarazuka Kinen) and the seven-year-old Glorious Empire (Sword Dancer Stakes).

The most popular choice for Pivotal’s daughters has been his fellow Cheveley Park stallion Dutch Art, with this winner of the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes having 88 foals of racing age out of Pivotal’s daughters.

Mabs Cross is the best of the nick’s six black-type winners, the others being the smart Gr3 winner Zonderland and the Listed winners Eternally, Zarwaan, Miss Work Of Art and Perfection.

Some of these good winners by Dutch Art have stayed a mile, but Mabs Cross – who didn’t race at two – has raced exclusively over five furlongs since being beaten over six on her first two starts. Her dam Miss Meggy was a quick-maturing Listed winner over five furlongs at two and has also done well with her Kheleyf filly Charlie Em, a Gr3 winner over a mile in the US.

126 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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CAULFIELD ON LILY’S CANDLE: “The Marcel Boussac heroine is the best winner for both her sire Style Vendome and her dam Golden Lily, who failed to win in 21 attempts on the Flat” 351 PRIX DE L’OPERA LONGINES G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 3yo+f. 2000m.

1. WILD ILLUSION (GB) 3 8-12 £252,832 b f by Dubawi - Rumh (Monsun) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Charlie Appleby 2. Magic Wand (IRE) 3 8-12 £101,150 b f by Galileo - Prudenzia (Dansili) O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M J Jooste B-Ecurie Des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Homerique (USA) 3 8-12 £50,575 gr/ro f by Exchange Rate - Chiquita Picosa (Congaree) O-Ecurie de Montlahuc B-N. Drion & F. Drion TR-Francis-Henri Graffard Margins 1, Nose. Time 2:04.32. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 8 4 4 £933,330 Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 165 Stakes winners. In 2018 BENBATL Selkirk G1, KITESURF Danehill Dancer G1, NORTH AMERICA Yankee Victor G1, QUORTO Mount Nelson G1, TOO DARN HOT Singspiel G1, WILD ILLUSION Monsun G1, BALL OF MUSCLE Gold Brose G2, BATEEL Chief’s Crown G2, BRUNDTLAND Hurricane Run G2, CORONET Darshaan G2, OLD PERSIAN Singspiel G2, QUIDURA Acatenango G2, WUHEIDA Singspiel G2.

Margins Neck, 0.75. Time 1:39.10. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 3 2 0 £211,969 Sire: RAVEN’S PASS. Sire of 28 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROYAL MARINE Singspiel G1, RAVEN’S LADY Pivotal G2, TOWER OF LONDON Dalakhani G3, LAKE VOLTA Shamardal LR, NISREEN Kingmambo LR. 1st Dam: Inner Secret by Singspiel. Dam of 4 winners:

2013: 2014: 2015: 2016: 2017: 2018:

Secret Ambition (c Exceed And Excel) 7 wins, 2nd Emirates Holidays Burj Nahaar G3.

CRYSTAL RIVER (f Dubawi) 2 wins at 3 at home, France, Prix Casimir DelamarreEuro.L’Elevage LR. MIDNIGHT MEETING (c Dubawi) 2 wins at 3.

ROYAL MARINE (c Raven’s Pass) 2 wins at 2 at home, France, Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere G1. (c Dark Angel) (c Dawn Approach)

2nd Dam: Mysterial by Alleged. ran on the flat in USA at 3. Dam of LIBRETTIST (c Danzig: Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1, P. Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1), DUBAI DESTINATION (c Kingmambo: Queen Anne S G1), SECRET NUMBER (g Raven’s Pass: International Bosphorus Cup G2), Revolutionist (g Pivotal: 3rd Wolferton H LR). Grandam of TATRA, LEONCAVALLO.

1st Dam: RUMH by Monsun. 4 wins at 2 to 4, Lord Weinstock Mem. Ballymacoll S LR. Dam of 3 winners:

Broodmare Sire: SINGSPIEL. Sire of the dams of 81 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROYAL MARINE Raven’s Pass G1, TOO DARN HOT Dubawi G1, GANKO Nakayama Festa G2, LIMATO Tagula G2, OLD PERSIAN Dubawi G2, WUHEIDA Dubawi G2.

2015:

The Raven’s Pass/Singspiel cross has produced: ROYAL MARINE G1, VIA RAVENNA G1.

2014:

2016: 2017: 2018:

REALLY SPECIAL (f Shamardal) 3 wins at 2 and 3 at home, UAE, British Stall. Studs EBF Montrose S LR. WILD ILLUSION (f Dubawi) Champion 2yr old filly in France in 2017. 4 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Qatar Nassau S G1, Total Prix Marcel Boussac G1, Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, 2nd Investec Oaks S G1, Ribblesdale S G2, 3rd Prix d’Aumale G3.

Ceratonia (f Oasis Dream) Winner at 2, 2nd Prix d’Aumale G3. (c Dubawi) (c Dubawi)

2nd Dam: ROYAL DUBAI by Dashing Blade. Jt Champion 2yr old filly in Germany in 2002. 2 wins at 2 in Germany Preis der Winterkonigin G3. Dam of RUMH (f Monsun, see above), REALEZA (f Maxios: BBAG Diana Trial LR). Grandam of Royal Fox. Broodmare Sire: MONSUN. Sire of the dams of 74 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WALDGEIST Galileo G1, WILD ILLUSION Dubawi G1, NIGHT MUSIC Sea The Stars G2, WALDLIED New Approach G2, SCHON GLANZ Deep Impact G3.

The Dubawi/Monsun cross has produced: WILD ILLUSION G1, AMAZONA G3, QUANZHOU LR, Kazimiera LR.

WILD ILLUSION b f 2015 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02

Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Deploy

Shirley Heights Slightly Dangerous

Jawaher

Dancing Brave High Tern

Konigsstuhl

Dschingis Khan Konigskronung

Mosella

Surumu Monasia

Dashing Blade

Elegant Air Sharp Castan

Reem Dubai

Nashwan Gesedeh

Zomaradah

Monsun RUMH ch 08 Royal Dubai

See race 177 in the September issue 352 QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 2yoc&f. 1600m.

1. ROYAL MARINE (IRE) 9-0 £202,265 b c by Raven’s Pass - Inner Secret (Singspiel) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Saeed bin Suroor 2. Broome (IRE) 9-0 £80,920 b c by Australia - Sweepstake (Acclamation) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Anodor (FR) 9-0 £40,460 ch c by Anodin - Decize (Kentucky Dynamite) O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard B-I D Fair TR-F Head

Dec_172_DataBook.indd 127

ROYAL MARINE b c 2016 Gone West Elusive Quality RAVEN’S PASS ch 05

Lord At War

General Luna de Miel

Right Word

Verbatim Oratorio

In The Wings

Sadler’s Wells High Hawk

Glorious Song

Halo Ballade

Alleged

Hoist The Flag Princess Pout

Mysteries

Seattle Slew Phydilla

Ascutney

Singspiel INNER SECRET b 08

Mr Prospector Secrettame

Touch of Greatness Hero’s Honor Ivory Wand

Mysterial

Bearing in mind that Raven’s Pass started his stallion career at a fee of €40,000 in 2009, after a terrific racing career, it has taken him an awfully long time to come up with his first Gr1 winner, Royal Marine. This lightly-raced colt stepped up to the highest level following a maiden race win at Doncaster and managed to win by a neck from the Irish challenger Broome.

It is worth reminding everyone of Raven’s Pass’s talent and versatility as a racehorse. A three-time winner at two, when he was impressive in the Gr3 Solario Stakes, he developed into a top-class miler who repeatedly clashed with the 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator.

Although Henrythenavigator came out on top several times, Raven’s Pass won their last two meetings, in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (over a mile and a quarter on the Pro-Ride all-weather surface). Unfortunately, Raven’s Pass’s stallion career hasn’t been straightforward, with only his first crop numbering more than 80 foals.

He could be said to have received a fair bit of help from Royal Marine’s dam Inner Secret, a once-raced daughter of the highly successful

broodmare sire Singspiel. Royal Marine follows Secret Ambition and Crystal River as her third black-type performer and he is closely related to the smart international performer Secret Number, who was sired by Raven’s Pass from Royal Marine’s second dam Mysterial. This daughter of Alleged was a half-sister to the fast Japanese performers Hishi Akebono and Agnes World.

She found fame as a broodmare, thanks to her first-rate sons Dubai Destination and Librettist. The former,

by Kingmambo, won the Queen Anne Stakes, while Librettist won both the Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix du Moulin. Librettist was by Danzig, who also sired the July Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye winner Agnes World from this family.

353 QATAR PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 2yof. 1600m.

1. LILY’S CANDLE (FR) 8-12 £202,265 gr/ro f by Style Vendome - Golden Lily (Dolphin Street) O-Martin S Schwartz Racing B-Mme P Lepeudry TR-F Vermeulen 2. Matematica (GER) 8-12 £80,920 b f by Rock of Gibraltar - Mathematicienne (Galileo) O-Wertheimer & Frere B-Wertheimer & Frere TR-C Laffon-Parias 3. Star Terms (GB) 8-12 £40,460 ch f by Sea The Stars - Best Terms (Exceed And Excel) O-Mr R. Barnett B-W. & R. Barnett Ltd TR-Richard Hannon Margins Short Neck, Short Neck. Time 1:38.98.

Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 5 3 1 £243,859 Sire: STYLE VENDOME. Sire of 2 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: GOLDEN LILY by Dolphin Street. Winner over jumps in France. Dam of 6 winners:

2008: 2009: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014: 2016:

2017:

Ballinaboy (c Ballingarry) BOUNCING LILY (f Trempolino) 3 wins at 2 and 3 in Belgium, France.

TOUDORE (c Archange d’Or) 3 wins at 4 and 6 in Switzerland.

L’ECRIVAIN DORE (c Literato) 2 wins at 5 in Morocco.

FEEL ALIVE (f American Post) Winner at 3 in France.

AL SAIL (g Kendargent) Winner at 3 in France.

LILY’S CANDLE (f Style Vendome) Sold 12,210gns yearling at AROCT. 3 wins at 2 in France, Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac G1, Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles LR. (f American Post)

2nd Dam: MILLER’S LILY by Miller’s Mate. 2 wins at 3 and 4 in France. Dam of LILISIDE (f American Post: Prix La Camargo LR, Prix de la Cochere LR, Prix de la Californie LR), LILY AMERICA (f American Post: Prix La Camargo LR), The Wise Lady (f Ganges: 2nd Prix Miesque G3). Grandam of MING ZHI COSMOS, LYS GRACIEUX, MELODYMAN, Good Bye My Friend.

Third dam of ROBIN OF NAVAN. Broodmare Sire: DOLPHIN STREET. Sire of the dams of 13 Stakes winners.

LILY’S CANDLE gr/ro f 2016 Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Balbonella

Gay Mecene Bamieres

Dr Fong

Kris S Spring Flight

Mediaeval

Medaaly Domino Queen

Bluebird

Storm Bird Ivory Dawn

Or Vision

Irish River Luv Luvin’

Miller’s Mate

Mill Reef Primatie

Lymara

Lyphard Maradadi

Anabaa STYLE VENDOME gr 10 Place Vendome

Dolphin Street GOLDEN LILY b 02 Miller’s Lily

There was a fairytale result to the Prix Marcel Boussac when Lily’s Candle defied odds of 28-1 to snatch victory from the maiden Matematica. Lily’s Candle had featured in the previous evening’s Arqana Arc Sale, where she was bought for €390,000 by Martin Schwartz. Her connections had hoped she would run into a place but she instead landed her third win in five starts, having earlier scored at Marseille Borely and Vichy.

Lily’s Candle comes from the second crop by Style Vendome, who gained comfortably the biggest win of his nine-race career in the 2013 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Lily’s Candle is the best winner for both her sire and her dam Golden Lily.

This daughter of Dolphin Street failed to win in 21 attempts on the Flat, even though she was considered good enough to tackle Listed company, but she was successful in the first of her three starts over hurdles.

Golden Lily may have been ordinary, but she is a daughter of the successful broodmare Miller’s Lily.

Miller’s Lily would also be the dam of a Gr1 winner but for the stewards at Longchamp, who decided to demote Liliside to sixth after she had come out on top in a very tight finish to the 2010 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

Liliside is now in Japan, where this daughter of American Post has produced Lys Gracieux, runner-up in three Gr1s, including the Japanese 1,000 Guineas, before winning one.

Liliside’s sister Lily America was a Listed winner over a mile and their half-sister The Wise Lady was placed in a pair of Group races as a two-year-old. The Wise Lady has two stakes winners to her credit, including the Italian Gr3 winner Ming Zhi Cosmos, and she is also the second dam of Robin Of Navan, an American Post colt who won the Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

354 QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 3yo+c&f. 2400m.

1. ENABLE (GB) 4 9-2 £2,528,319 b f by Nathaniel - Concentric (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mr K. Abdullah B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd TR-John Gosden 2. Sea of Class (IRE) 3 8-9 £1,011,504 ch f by Sea The Stars - Holy Moon (Hernando) O-Sunderland Holding Inc. B-Razza Del Velino TR-William Haggas 3. Cloth of Stars (IRE) 5 9-5 £505,752 b h by Sea The Stars - Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Mr P. Anastasiou TR-A. Fabre Margins Short Neck, 0.75. Time 2:29.24. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 11 10 1 £8,007,026 Sire: NATHANIEL. Sire of 12 Stakes winners. In 2018 ENABLE Sadler’s Wells G1, GOD GIVEN Dubai Destination G1, PILASTER Hernando G2, CHASEDOWN Whipper G3, HIGHGARDEN Green Desert G3, PRECIOUS RAMOTSWE Danehill G3, AMORELLA Dubawi LR, PALOMBE Boreal LR, PERFECT CLARITY Shamardal LR, SLADINA Machiavellian LR. 1st Dam: CONCENTRIC by Sadler’s Wells. 3 wins at 3 in France, Prix Charles Laffitte LR, 2nd Prix de Flore G3.

Own sister to DANCE ROUTINE and Light Ballet. Dam of 4 winners:

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 127

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Data Book European Pattern 2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014:

2015: 2016: 2017: 2018:

Considerate (f Dansili) unraced. Broodmare.

TOURNAMENT (g Oasis Dream) 3 wins.

Contribution (f Champs Elysees) 2 wins at 3 in France, 3rd Shadwell Prix de Pomone G2. Broodmare.

Birdwood (f Oasis Dream) unraced.

Broodmare.

ENABLE (f Nathaniel) Champion 3yr old filly in Europe in 2017, Champion 3yr old in Europe in 2017 (11-13f.). 9 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Darley Irish Oaks G1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Investec Oaks S G1, Darley Yorkshire Oaks G1, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe G1 (twice), 188Bet September S G3, Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks S LR. CENTROID (c Dansili) Winner at 3.

Entitle (f Dansili) in training. (f Frankel) (c Sea The Stars)

2nd Dam: APOGEE by Shirley Heights. 2 wins at 3 in France Prix de Royaumont G3. Dam of DANCE ROUTINE (f Sadler’s Wells: Prix de Royallieu Hotel du Golf Barriere G2, 2nd Prix de Diane Hermes G1), APSIS (c Barathea: Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord G3, Prix Thomas Bryon G3), CONCENTRIC (f Sadler’s Wells, see above), SPACE QUEST (f Rainbow Quest: Prix Joubert LR), Light Ballet (f Sadler’s Wells: 3rd Prix Minerve G3), Summit Meeting (g Sadler’s Wells: 3rd WKD Core Hurdle G2). Grandam of FLINTSHIRE, KOCAB, DANCE MOVES, PENCHEE, Tandem, Porgy, Badee Ah. Third dam of PROJECTED, VIRTUAL GAME, Delivery, Zamoura, TUK TUK. Broodmare Sire: SADLER’S WELLS. Sire of the dams of 418 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ENABLE Nathaniel G1, LIZZIE L’AMOUR Zabeel G1, KNIGHT TO BEHOLD Sea The Stars G2, FABRICATE Makfi G3, MAGIC CIRCLE Makfi G3, MOT JUSTE Distorted Humor G3, TORCEDOR Fastnet Rock G3, WORTH WAITING Bated Breath G3.

ENABLE b f 2014 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Silver Hawk

Roberto Gris Vitesse

Mia Karina

Icecapade Basin

Galileo NATHANIEL b 08 Magnificient Style

Sadler’s Wells CONCENTRIC b 04

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Shirley Heights

Mill Reef Hardiemma

Bourbon Girl

Ile de Bourbon Fleet Girl

Apogee

The 2018 season was all the poorer for the prolonged absence of 2017’s Horse of the Year, Enable, who underwent surgery to a knee in early-May. Fortunately, she was able to make her reappearance four months later, when she won easily from Crystal Ocean when favoured by the weights in the Gr3 September Stakes. A month later she lined up at Longchamp in a bid to win a second edition of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Despite her abbreviated preparation and not being at her brilliant best, Enable managed to complete the double by resisting Sea Of Class’s late thrust. Only Alleged and Treve had previously achieved this feat in the last 50 years.

Now a winner of six Gr1s, including the Oaks, Irish Oaks and the King George, Enable has been the main standard-bearer for her sire Nathaniel. However, there has been a strong support team from Nathaniel’s first two crops, with five other Group winners and six Listed winners. Add in seven Group-placed performers and these first two crops have a pleasing number of above-average winners. His third-crop two-year-olds have yet to shine, but it probably isn’t

fair to expect the tall, rangy Nathaniel to sire a lot of juvenile winners – Nathaniel’s Timeform rating rose from 101p at two to 127 at three and 129 at four, while his Irish Oaks-winning sister Great Heavens boosted her Timeform rating from 70p to 120.

One striking aspect of Nathaniel’s record is that five of his six Group winners are fillies, as are five of his six Listed winners, but five of the seven Group-placed performers are colts.

Enable stands out from the crowd and it is tempting to attribute her extra class to her being inbred 2 x 3 to the great Sadler’s Wells. Enable and her first three dams were all bred

by Juddmonte Farms, which acquired her fifth dam, Fleet Girl, as part of the bloodstock purchased from Dr Schnapka. Her third dam Bourbon Girl had the unfortunate record of finishing second to Unite in both the Oaks and Irish Oaks.

Bourbon Girl died after foaling at the age of 13 in 1997, but not before she had produced three daughters to carry on the good work. The first of them, the Rainbow Quest mare Shining Bright, finished fifth in the 1992 Oaks and her second daughter, Apogee, won the Gr3 Prix de Royaumont over a mile and a half.

Daring Miss, the last of Bourbon Girl’s daughters, won the Gr2 Grand Prix de Chantilly.

355 QATAR PRIX DE LA FORET G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Oct 7. 3yo+. 1400m.

1. ONE MASTER (GB) 4 8-13 £176,982 b f by Fastnet Rock - Enticing (Pivotal) O-Lael Stable B-Lael Stables TR-William Haggas 2. Inns of Court (IRE) 4 9-2 £70,805 b c by Invincible Spirit - Learned Friend (Seeking The Gold) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Darley Stud Management Company Ltd TR-A. Fabre 3. Dutch Connection (GB) 6 9-2 £35,403 ch h by Dutch Art - Endless Love (Dubai Destination) O-Godolphin B-Mrs S. M. Roy TR-Charles Hills Margins Short Head, Head. Time 1:20.29.

Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-4 8 4 4 £250,165 Sire: FASTNET ROCK. Sire of 142 Stakes winners. In 2018 - AGE OF FIRE Galileo G1, AVANTAGE Zabeel G1, COMIN’ THROUGH Bite The Bullet G1, MERCHANT NAVY Snippets G1, ONE MASTER Pivotal G1, SHOALS Hussonet G1, UNFORGOTTEN Galileo G1, CATCHY Fusaichi Pegasus G2, HOLY SNOW End Sweep G2, I CAN FLY Montjeu G2, SAMBRO Encosta de Lago G2.

1st Dam: ENTICING by Pivotal. 5 wins at 2 to 4, Audi King George S G3, Betfair Molecomb S G3. Dam of 3 winners:

2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014:

2015: 2016: 2017: 2018:

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE (g Danehill Dancer) 5 wins at 3 to 5.

JACOB’S PILLOW (g Oasis Dream) 8 wins at 3 to 7, 2018.

Moon Eyes (f Oasis Dream). Broodmare.

Compostela (f Sea The Stars) unraced.

Broodmare.

ONE MASTER (f Fastnet Rock) 4 wins at 3 and 4 at home, France, Qatar Prix de la Foret G1, Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge S G3, Totepool British EBF October S LR, 3rd TRM Ballyogan S G3.

Cubillas (c Teofilo) unraced to date. (c Bated Breath) (c Kodiac) (f Kodiac)

2nd Dam: SUPERSTAR LEO by College Chapel.

Champion 2yr old filly in Europe in 2000. 5 wins at 2 Polypipe Flying Childers S G2, 2nd Independent Heinz 57 Phoenix S G1, Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp G1.

Dam of ENTICING (f Pivotal, see above), SENTARIL

(f Danehill Dancer: Normandie Stud EBF Fleur de Lys S LR, 2nd Jersey S G3) Broodmare Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of the dams of 88 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ADVERTISE Showcasing G1, CRACKSMAN Frankel G1, FAIRYLAND Kodiac G1, GLORIOUS EMPIRE Holy Roman Emperor G1, MABS CROSS Dutch Art G1, MAGICAL Galileo G1, MIKKI ROCKET King Kamehameha G1, OLMEDO Declaration of War G1, ONE MASTER Fastnet Rock G1, RHODODENDRON Galileo G1.

ONE MASTER b f 2014 Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Razyana

His Majesty Spring Adieu

Royal Academy

Nijinsky Crimson Saint

Gatana

Marauding Twigalae

Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

College Chapel

Sharpo Scarcely Blessed

Council Rock

General Assembly Dancing Rocks

Danehill FASTNET ROCK b 01 Piccadilly Circus

Pivotal ENTICING b 04 Superstar Leo

Fillies have played a sizeable part in helping the champion Australian sprinter Fastnet Rock amass a worldwide total of 36 Gr1 winners.

The fillies Mosheen, Atlantic Jewel and Sea Siren are among his most prolific Gr1 winners in Australia and his northern hemisphere fillies feature such as Qualify (Oaks), Zhukova (Man o’War Stakes), Diamondsandrubies (Pretty Polly Stakes) and Intricately (Moyglare Stud Stakes).

They have now been joined by the progressive three-year-old One Master, who possesses more speed than many of Fastnet Rock’s daughters. A Listed winner at two, One Master started at 33-1 for the Gr1 Prix de la Foret, even though she had won the Gr3 Fairy Bridge Stakes on her previous appearance. She defied her odds by catching Inns Of Court close home in a three-way photo.

It is easy to understand why One Master possesses more speed than many of Fastnet Rock’s northern hemisphere progeny. Whereas the majority of them are out of stoutlybred daughters of Sadler’s Wells and Galileo, One Master has very fast mares as her first two dams. Her second dam, Superstar Leo, did so well as a two-year-old, notably winning the Gr3 Norfolk Stakes and Gr2 Flying Childers Stakes that she was pitted against the top older sprinters in the Prix de l’Abbaye. She managed to beat all of them except the four-year-old Namid.

Mated to the top sprinter Pivotal, Superstar Leo produced One Master’s dam Enticing, who appreciated Goodwood’s fast five furlongs to such an extent that she landed the Gr3 Molecomb Stakes at two and the Gr3 King George Stakes at four. However, when Fastnet Rock was mated to Starship, Superstar Leo’s half-sister by Galileo, she produced Rivet, winner of the Gr1 Racing Post Trophy over a mile, and Booming Delight (formerly Out And About), a Gr3 winner over a mile in Hong Kong.

356 BET365 FILLIES’ MILE STAKES G1 NEWMARKET. Oct 12. 2yof. 8f.

1. IRIDESSA (IRE) 9-0 £283,550 b f by Ruler of The World - Senta’s Dream (Danehill) O-Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez B-Whisperview Trading Ltd TR-Joseph Patrick O’Brien 2. Hermosa (IRE) 9-0 £107,500 b f by Galileo - Beauty Is Truth (Pivotal) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Beauty Is Truth Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Pretty Pollyanna (GB) 9-0 £53,800 b f by Oasis Dream - Unex Mona Lisa (Shamardal) O-W. J. and T. C. O. Gredley B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd TR-Michael Bell Margins 1.5, 0.75. Time 1:38.80. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 4 2 1 £304,453 Sire: RULER OF THE WORLD. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: Senta’s Dream by Danehill. unraced. Dam of 3 winners:

2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2014: 2016: 2017: 2018:

CATERINA (f Medicean) Winner at 3.

Broodmare.

Bannockburn Boy (g Motivator) ran 3 times.

DREAM AND HOPE (f Royal Applause) Winner at 3.

Mr Bissto (g High Chaparral) Tisa River (f Equiano) IRIDESSA (f Ruler of The World) 2 wins at 2, bet365 Fillies’ Mile S G1, 3rd Ballylinch Irish EBF Ingabelle S LR. (c Australia) (f Camelot)

2nd Dam: STARINE by Mendocino. 10 wins at 2, 4 and 5 in France, USA Matriarch S G1, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf G1, 2nd Gamely Breeders’ Cup H G1, 3rd Flower Bowl Invitational S G1.

Broodmare Sire: DANEHILL. Sire of the dams of 381 Stakes winners. In 2018 - IRIDESSA Ruler of The World G1, YOUNGSTAR High Chaparral G1, JAPAN Galileo G2, MADAM DANCEALOT Sir Prancealot G2, RAYMOND TUSK High Chaparral G2.

IRIDESSA b f 2016 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Kingmambo

Mr Prospector Miesque

Lassie’s Lady

Alydar Lassie Dear

Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Razyana

His Majesty Spring Adieu

Mendocino

Theatrical Brorita

Grisonnante

Kaldoun Lady Cherie

Galileo RULER OF THE WORLD ch 10 Love Me True

Danehill SENTA’S DREAM b 04 Starine

The majority of Derby winners are retired at the end of their Classic season, one recent exception being the 2013 victor Ruler Of The World.

The decision not to retire him possibly reflected his failure to win any of his four starts after his Derby success, and also the fact that his champion half-brother Duke Of Marmalade was struggling to establish himself as a stallion (his fee had plummeted from €40,000 in 2009 to €12,500 in 2013).

Although Duke Of Marmalade was subsequently represented by several Gr1 winners, including his Classicwinning daughters Simple Verse, Star Of Seville and Nutan, he was sold to South Africa in 2014 – a year when Ruler Of The World did little to add to his reputation. His only placing in four starts was his victory over Flintshire in the Gr2 Prix Foy and consequently he was priced no

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CAULFIELD ON TOO DARN HOT: “He represents the Dubawi-Singspiel cross that has produced ten black-type winners from only 30 foals, with Left Hand, Wuheida and Old Persian also among them” higher than €15,000 when he joined the Coolmore roster.

His fee has since fallen as low as €8,000, which indicates that all hasn’t gone smoothly since his retirement. An injury led to his missing the last six weeks or so of the 2015 covering season. The end result was a crop of 44 and his next two crops are also quite small.

However, a ray of hope for his stallion career emerged when his first-crop daughter Iridessa highlighted her Classic potential with a decisive victory over Hydrangea’s Group-winning sister Hermosa in the Fillies’ Mile.

It is significant that Iridessa is out of a daughter of the champion broodmare sire Danehill, who enjoyed such an outstanding partnership with Ruler Of The World’s sire Galileo. It was also Danehill who sired Ruler Of The World’s excellent half-brother Duke Of Marmalade. Iridessa’s dam Senta’s Dream sold for €300,000 as a yearling in 2005 but never raced and her price dropped to 14,000gns the next time she appeared in the sales ring, in 2013.

Iridessa’s second dam, Starine, underwent a remarkable transformation. This French-bred daughter of the Listed winner Mendocino progressed from a pair of claiming race victories to win at Listed level in France. Transferred to the US, she then improved to such an extent that she became a Gr1 winner at four and five years, notably defeating those top mares Banks Hill and Islington in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, before being sold for $1,000,000.

2013: 2014: 2015:

2016: 2017: 2018:

SO MI DAR (f Dubawi) 4 wins at 2 and 3, Tattersalls Musidora S G3, 3rd Prix de l’Opera Longines G1.

Erdogan (c Frankel) LAH TI DAR (f Dubawi) 3 wins at 3, EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres S LR, Tweenhills Pretty Polly S LR, 2nd William Hill St Leger S G1.

TOO DARN HOT (c Dubawi) 4 wins at 2, Darley Dewhurst S G1, Howcroft Champagne S G2, 188Bet Solario S G3. (c Dubawi) (f Dubawi)

2nd Dam: DARARA by Top Ville. 3 wins at 3 in France Trusthouse Forte Prix Vermeille G1. Dam of DAR RE MI (f Singspiel, see above), REWILDING (c Tiger Hill: Prince of Wales’s S G1, China Guangsha Dubai Sheema Classic G1, 3rd Investec Derby S G1), DIAGHILEV (g Sadler’s Wells: Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1), DARAZARI (c Sadler’s Wells: Ranvet S G1, 3rd Chipping Norton S G1), DARIYOUN (c Shahrastani: Prix Lord Seymour LR, Prix Scaramouche LR, Gran Premio de Madrid -Gran Premio Nobel LR, 2nd CIGA Prix de Lutece G3, Prix d’Hedouville G3, 3rd CIGA Prix du Cadran G1), Kilimanjaro (c Shirley Heights: 2nd King Edward VII S G2), Rhagaas (c Sadler’s Wells: 2nd Prix de Lutece G3, 3rd Emirates Airline Prix du Jockey Club G1), DARDJINI (g Nijinsky: New Stand H. Hurdle G3, 3rd A.I.G. Europe Champion Hurdle G1, Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase G1). Grandam of DARASIM, MOOHAARIB. Third dam of De Charlie, Darenjan.

Broodmare Sire: SINGSPIEL. Sire of the dams of 81 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROYAL MARINE Raven’s Pass G1, TOO DARN HOT Dubawi G1, GANKO Nakayama Festa G2, LIMATO Tagula G2, OLD PERSIAN Dubawi G2, WUHEIDA Dubawi G2.

The Dubawi/Singspiel cross has produced: LAH TI DAR G1, LEFT HAND G1, SO MI DAR G1, TOO DARN HOT G1, WUHEIDA G1, OLD PERSIAN G2, RARE RHYTHM G2, Nolohay G2, LAUGH ALOUD G3, MAJESTIC DUBAWI G3, CRYSTAL RIVER LR.

TOO DARN HOT b c 2016 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02

Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Deploy

Shirley Heights Slightly Dangerous

Jawaher

Dancing Brave High Tern

In The Wings

Sadler’s Wells High Hawk

Glorious Song

Halo Ballade

Top Ville

High Top Sega Ville

Delsy

Abdos Kelty

Zomaradah

Singspiel DAR RE MI b 05 Darara

357 DARLEY DEWHURST STAKES G1 NEWMARKET. Oct 13. 2yoc&f. 7f.

1. TOO DARN HOT (GB) 9-1 £283,550 b c by Dubawi - Dar Re Mi (Singspiel) O-Lord Lloyd Webber B-Watership Down Stud TR-John Gosden 2. Advertise (GB) 9-1 £107,500 b c by Showcasing - Furbelow (Pivotal) O-Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited 1 B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited TR-Martyn Meade £53,800 3. Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) 9-1 b c by Galileo - Believe’n’succeed (Exceed And Excel) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 2.75, 1.25. Time 1:24.30. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 4 4 0 £358,966 Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 165 Stakes winners. In 2018 BENBATL Selkirk G1, KITESURF Danehill Dancer G1, NORTH AMERICA Yankee Victor G1, QUORTO Mount Nelson G1, TOO DARN HOT Singspiel G1, WILD ILLUSION Monsun G1, BALL OF MUSCLE Gold Brose G2, BATEEL Chief’s Crown G2, BRUNDTLAND Hurricane Run G2, CORONET Darshaan G2, OLD PERSIAN Singspiel G2, QUIDURA Acatenango G2, WUHEIDA Singspiel G2.

1st Dam: DAR RE MI by Singspiel. 6 wins at 3 to 5 at home, France, UAE, Audi Pretty Polly S G1, Darley Yorkshire Oaks G1, Guangsha Group Dubai Sheema Classic G1, 2nd Darley Yorkshire Oaks G1, Qatar Prix Vermeille G1, 3rd Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Turf G1.

Dam of 4 winners:

2012:

De Treville (c Oasis Dream) 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France, 2nd Prix de Guiche G3, Prix de la Porte Maillot G3, Prix des Chenes G3.

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An early injury suffered by Dar Re Mi’s 2015 colt by Dubawi has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the colt’s owner, Lord Lloyd-Webber.

Convinced that the colt wouldn’t achieve his value at the sales, the youngster was retained and now, as Too Darn Hot, is poised to be named Europe’s champion two-year-old.

Too Darn Hot has won all four of his starts, his smallest winning margin being the one and three-quarter lengths by which he defeated Phoenix Of Spain in the Gr2 Champagne Stakes. He had nearly three lengths to spare over the Phoenix Stakes winner Advertise in the Dewhurst Stakes, when he again finished strongly. His Newmarket victory resulted in his being quoted at 7-4 to win the 2,000 Guineas but the question is whether a mile will be on the short side for him by that stage.

Too Darn Hot is the third of his dam’s five foals by Dubawi (the fourth being a yearling colt which sold for a sale-topping 3,500,000gns a few days before the Dewhurst). His two predecessors are those smart fillies So Mi Dar, who never tackled

less than a mile and a quarter after the age of two, and Lah Ti Dar, who won from ten to 12 furlongs before her creditable second to Kew Gardens in the St Leger. Their dam, the Singspiel mare Dar Re Mi, also concentrated on middle distances, with two of her three Gr1 successes – in the Yorkshire Oaks and the Dubai Sheema Classic – coming over a mile and a half. Too Darn Hot’s second dam Darara also shone over a mile and a half, winning the Gr1 Prix Vermaille.

Too Darn Hot also represents the remarkable Dubawi-Singspiel cross that has produced ten black-type winners from only 30 foals – a terrific 33% – with the Gr1 winners Left Hand and Wuheida and this year’s Gr2 winner Old Persian among them.

Again, it should be noted that Left Hand’s Group victories came over ten and 12 furlongs, while Old Persian’s Gr2 successes were both gained over a mile and a half. Rare Rhythm landed his Gr3 victory at Meydan over a mile and threequarters. Even Wuheida’s wins in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Gr2 Dahlia Stakes were gained over a furlong more than a mile, as was the Listed race won by Crystal River.

All this suggests that Too Darn Hot is going to be suited by more than a mile at three. However, it mustn’t be forgotten that Dubawi was essentially a miler, even though he finished third in the Derby, and his foals out of Singspiel mares also include Laugh Aloud, whose black-type successes have been gained at around a mile, and Majestic Dubawi, who was speedy enough to become a six-furlong Gr3 winner at two.

358 QIPCO BRIT.CHAMPIONS FILLIES/ MARE STAKES G1 ASCOT. Oct 20. 3yo+f. 12f.

1. MAGICAL (IRE) 3 8-13 £340,260 b f by Galileo - Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Coronet (GB) 4 9-5 £129,000 gr f by Dubawi - Approach (Darshaan) O-Denford Stud B-Denford Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden 3. Lah Ti Dar (GB) 3 8-13 £64,560 b f by Dubawi - Dar Re Mi (Singspiel) O-Lord Lloyd Webber B-Watership Down Stud TR-John Gosden Margins 1, 0.75. Time 2:33.20. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 11 4 6 £591,205 Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 300 Stakes winners. In 2018 FLAG OF HONOUR Warning G1, FOREVER TOGETHER Theatrical G1, KEW GARDENS Desert King G1, LINE OF DUTY Rock of Gibraltar G1, MAGICAL Pivotal G1, RHODODENDRON Pivotal G1, WALDGEIST Monsun G1, ANTHONY VAN DYCK Exceed And Excel G2, CALL TO MIND Danehill Dancer G2, CLIFFS OF MOHER Dansili G2, JAPAN Danehill G2, MAGIC WAND Dansili G2, MISSION IMPASSIBLE Exceed And Excel G2, MOHAWK Encosta de Lago G2, YUCATAN Celtic Swing G2.

1st Dam: HALFWAY TO HEAVEN by Pivotal. 4 wins at 2 and 3, Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Blue Square Nassau S G1, Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S G1, 3rd Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron S G1, Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1. Dam of 5 winners:

2010:

FLYING THE FLAG (c Galileo) 3 wins at 2, 3 and 5 at home, UAE, eFlow ‘You First’

2011: 2012: 2014:

2015:

2017:

International S G3, 2nd Galileo EBF Futurity S G2.

JUST GORGEOUS (f Galileo) Winner at 3.

Broodmare.

HANOVER STREET (g Galileo) Winner over hurdles.

RHODODENDRON (f Galileo). 5 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Dubai Fillies’ Mile S G1, Al Shaqab Lockinge S G1, Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, 2nd Investec Oaks S G1, Qipco 1000 Guineas S G1, Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf G1, 3rd Moyglare Stud S G1.

MAGICAL (f Galileo). 4 wins at 2 and 3, Qipco Brit.Champions Fillies/Mare S G1, Breast Cancer Research Debutante S G2, Kilboy Estate S G2, 2nd Moyglare Stud S G1. (f Galileo)

2nd Dam: CASSANDRA GO by Indian Ridge. 6 wins at 3 to 5 King’s Stand S G2, Tripleprint Temple S G2, 2nd Darley July Cup G1. Own sister to Grey Eminence. Dam of HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (f Pivotal, see above), TICKLED PINK (f Invincible Spirit: Connaught Flooring Abernant S G3, The Coral Charge Sprint S G3), THEANN (f Rock of Gibraltar: Cuisine de France Summer S G3), Fantasy (f Invincible Spirit: 3rd John Sisk & Son Round Tower S G3). Grandam of PHOTO CALL, LAND FORCE, BEST REGARDS. Third dam of Snazzy.

Broodmare Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of the dams of 88 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ADVERTISE Showcasing G1, CRACKSMAN Frankel G1, FAIRYLAND Kodiac G1, GLORIOUS EMPIRE Holy Roman Emperor G1, MABS CROSS Dutch Art G1, MAGICAL Galileo G1, MIKKI ROCKET King Kamehameha G1, OLMEDO Declaration of War G1, ONE MASTER Fastnet Rock G1, RHODODENDRON Galileo G1.

The Galileo/Pivotal cross has produced: HERMOSA G1, HYDRANGEA G1, MAGICAL G1, RHODODENDRON G1, THE UNITED STATES G1, FLYING THE FLAG G2, GOSPEL CHOIR G2, FLATTERING G3, ORDEROFTHEGARTER G3, PEACH TREE G3, SILVER GALAXY G3, Tamarind Cove G3.

MAGICAL b f 2015 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Miswaki

Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal

Allegretta

Lombard Anatevka

Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

Indian Ridge

Ahonoora Hillbrow

Rahaam

Secreto Fager’s Glory

Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Pivotal HALFWAY TO HEAVEN b/br 05 Cassandra Go

The latest edition of the British Champions Fillies & Mares attracted 11 runners, with no fewer than six of them being by Galileo (and another two were by Galileo’s son Nathaniel).

The opposition to the Galileo clan comprised three daughters of Dubawi and these three – Coronet, Lah Ti Dar and Kitesurf – were to finish second, third and fourth, but victory went to Galileo’s very-well connected daughter Magical, who became a Gr1 winner on her 11th start. On her previous appearance she had been beaten little more than five lengths in the Arc. She appears to be improving at this comparatively late stage of her career, perhaps because she wasn’t born until May 18.

Magical’s dam, Halfway To Heaven, has been mated exclusively to Galileo, with the partnership producing six foals. Magical is the third of them to become a Group winner and the second to score at the top level, following her year-older sister Rhododendron, whose exploits include victories in the Fillies’ Mile, Prix de l’Opera and the Lockinge

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Data Book European Pattern Stakes, as well as seconds in the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. Their brother Flying The Flag was a Gr3 winner over ten furlongs.

Halfway To Heaven won the Irish 1,000 Guineas before stretching her stamina to win the Gr1 Nassau Stakes over ten furlongs, even though her sire Pivotal and broodmare sire Indian Ridge were sprinters. There are now nine Group winners and two Listed winners among the 31 foals bred this way, another being that fine filly Hydrangea.

Magical’s second dam Cassandra Go was a specialist sprinter, fast enough to win the King’s Stand Stakes, Temple Stakes and King George Stakes. Speed was also the main asset of Cassandra Go’s Gr3-winning daughter Theann. When Theann was mated to Galileo, she produced Photo Call, who was sold for $3 million after becoming a Gr1 winner in the USA. 359 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES G1 ASCOT. Oct 20. 3yo+. 6f.

1. SANDS OF MALI (FR) 3 9-1 £358,691 b c by Panis - Kadiania (Indian Rocket) O-The Cool Silk Partnership B-Mr S. Urizzi TR-Richard Fahey 2. Harry Angel (IRE) 4 9-2 £135,988 b c by Dark Angel - Beatrix Potter (Cadeaux Genereux) O-Godolphin B-CBS Bloodstock TR-Clive Cox 3. Donjuan Triumphant (IRE) 5 9-2 £68,057 b h by Dream Ahead - Mathuna (Tagula) O-King Power Racing Co Ltd B-Patrick Cosgrove & Dream Ahead Syndicate TR-Andrew Balding Margins 1, 1.25. Time 1:14.20. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 12 5 1 £692,209 Sire: PANIS. Sire of 6 Stakes winners. In 2018 - SANDS OF MALI Indian Rocket G1, ALISTAIR Linngari G3.

1st Dam: Kadiania by Indian Rocket. unraced. Dam of 3 winners:

2013: 2014: 2015:

2016: 2017:

KADRIZZI (g Hurricane Cat) 4 wins at 2 and 3.

Bertorizzia (f Bertolini) unraced. Broodmare.

SANDS OF MALI (c Panis) Sold 14,005gns yearling at OSSEP. 5 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Qipco British Champions Sprint S G1, Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack S G2, Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane S G2, Prix Sigy G3, 2nd Commonwealth Cup G1.

FLAWLESS JEWEL (f Kheleyf) Winner at 2.

Kherizzi (c Kheleyf)

2nd Dam: Kapi Creek by Sicyos. 12 wins at 2 to 8 in France, 2nd Grand Criterium de Bordeaux LR. Broodmare Sire: INDIAN ROCKET. Sire of the dams of 8 Stakes winners. In 2018 - SANDS OF MALI Panis G1, MORANDO Kendargent G3.

The Panis/Indian Rocket cross has produced: SANDS OF MALI G1, Princesschope G3.

Although consistency hasn’t been one of Sands Of Mali’s main strengths, this French-bred son of Panis was gaining his fourth Group success when he led all the way to defeat Harry Angel in the British Champions Sprint Stakes.

Panis first drew attention to himself as a stallion back in 2006 when the American-bred son of Miswaki enjoyed a successful run with his two-year-olds in France. These second-crop juveniles were conceived at only €1,600 at Haras des Faunes in the Bordeaux region.

Panis had started his stallion career in 2002, after winning three of his nine starts for Pascal Bary, notably the Gr3 Prix de Conde at two and the Gr3 Prix Messidor at three. Out Of Time became Panis’ first stakes winner when she won the Gr3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville.

I speculated at the time whether the then eight-year-old stallion would be relocated to France’s main breeding area and he was duly moved to stand at a fee of €6,000 at Haras du Quesnay. The move didn’t pay off, as the now 20-year-old Panis has no more than six black-type winners among his 418 foals of racing age, and Sands Of Mali is his only Gr1 winner. Another of Panis’ sons, Veneto, got within a short-neck of winning the 2012 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Panis is now back where he started, standing at €2,000 at Haras des Faunes.

Panis gained his Group victories at up to nine furlongs but Sands Of Mali is very fast. He is the only black-type winner produced by any of his first four dams. His broodmare sire Indian Rocket was a smart sprinter whose finest moment came when he won the Gr2 Mill Reef Stakes over six furlongs as a juvenile. Indian Rocket continued to race with some success in the UAE and the USA before retiring to Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland.

This sprint-bred son of Indian Ridge struggled in Ireland and was moved to Haras des Faunes, where his fee was in the region of €3,000.

Although he never sired a Group winner, Indian Rocket has fared a good deal better in the role of broodmare sire, with Sands Of Mali being his daughters’ fifth Group winner. Remarkably, his predecessors include Maarek, another winner of the British Champions Sprint Stakes, in addition to the Prix de l’Abbaye.

SANDS OF MALI b c 2015 Mr Prospector Miswaki PANIS b 98

Hopespringseternal Buckpasser Rose Bower Doonesbury

Matsadoon Vaguely Nice

Urakawa

Roberto Miss Devereux

Indian Ridge

Ahonoora Hillbrow

Selvi

Mummy’s Pet Sarong

Sicyos

Lyphard Sigy

Kirigane

Vitiges Kashmiri Song

Political Parody

Indian Rocket KADIANIA b 05

Raise A Native Gold Digger

Kapi Creek

360 QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES G1 ASCOT. Oct 20. 3yo+. 10f.

1. CRACKSMAN (GB) 4 9-5 £737,230 b c by Frankel - Rhadegunda (Pivotal) O-Mr A. E. Oppenheimer B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden 2. Crystal Ocean (GB) 4 9-5 £279,500 b c by Sea The Stars - Crystal Star (Mark of Esteem) O-Sir Evelyn De Rothschild B-Southcourt Stud TR-Sir Michael Stoute 3. Subway Dancer (IRE) 6 9-5 £139,880 b g by Shamardal - Sub Rose (Galileo) O-Bonanza B-Haras de Saint Pair SCEA TR-Z. Koplik

Margins 6, 0.75. Time 2:08.70. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 11 8 3 £2,793,063 Sire: FRANKEL. Sire of 33 Stakes winners. In 2018 CALL THE WIND Inchinor G1, CRACKSMAN Pivotal G1, MOZU ASCOT Hennessy G1, WITHOUT PAROLE Lemon Drop Kid G1, FASHION BUSINESS Empire Maker G2, MISS FABULASS Redoute’s Choice G2, EAST Indian Ridge G3, FINCHE Woodman G3, LIGHTENING QUICK Marju G3, MIRAGE DANCER Green Desert G3, NELSON Dalakhani G3, ROSTROPOVICH Machiavellian G3, VERACIOUS Pivotal G3.

1st Dam: RHADEGUNDA by Pivotal. 3 wins at 3 at home, France, Prix Solitude LR. Dam of 3 winners:

2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014:

2015: 2018:

FANTASTIC MOON (c Dalakhani) 2 wins at 2, Candy Kittens Solario S G3.

Saxon Princess (f Dalakhani) ran a few times. Broodmare. (c Montjeu) STRONG FORCE (g Sea The Stars) Winner at 3.

CRACKSMAN (c Frankel) Champion 3yr old colt in Europe in 2017. 8 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Qipco Champion S G1 (twice), Investec Coronation Cup G1, P.Ganay L’Inauguration de Parislongchamp G1, Betway Great Voltigeur S G2, Qatar Prix Niel G2, 2nd Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby G1, Prince of Wales’s S G1, 3rd Investec Derby S G1.

Military Band (c New Approach) in training. (f Frankel)

2nd Dam: ST RADEGUND by Green Desert. 1 win at 3.

Dam of RHADEGUNDA (f Pivotal, see above), Halla San (g Halling: 3rd Totepool Further Flight S LR, Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup LR) Broodmare Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of the dams of 88 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ADVERTISE Showcasing G1, CRACKSMAN Frankel G1, FAIRYLAND Kodiac G1, GLORIOUS EMPIRE Holy Roman Emperor G1, MABS CROSS Dutch Art G1, MAGICAL Galileo G1, MIKKI ROCKET King Kamehameha G1, OLMEDO Declaration of War G1, ONE MASTER Fastnet Rock G1, RHODODENDRON Galileo G1.

The Frankel/Pivotal cross has produced: CRACKSMAN G1, VERACIOUS G1, Seven Heavens LR.

DIVISIDERO Lemon Drop Kid G3, OSCAR NOMINATED Theatrical G3, DRAMATIC QUEEN Dubawi LR, KUWAIT CURRENCY Smart Strike LR, SNIPER KITTEN Catienus LR. 1st Dam: Vionnet by Street Sense. 3 wins at 3 and 4 in USA, 2nd Sweet Life S, China Doll S, 3rd Rodeo Drive S G1. Dam of 1 winner:

2015:

2016:

ROARING LION (c Kitten’s Joy). 8 wins at 2 and 3, Juddmonte International S G1, Coral Eclipse S G1, QIPCO Irish Champion S G1, Qipco Queen Elizabeth II S G1, Betfred Dante S G2, Juddmonte Royal Lodge S G2, 2nd Racing Post Trophy S G1, 3rd Investec Derby S G1, bet365 Craven S G3. (c Medaglia d’Oro)

2nd Dam: CAMBIOCORSA by Avenue of Flags. 9 wins at 3 and 4 in USA Las Cienegas H G3, Senator Ken Maddy H G3. Own sister to CALIFORNIA FLAG. Dam of SCHIAPARELLI (f Ghostzapper: Royal Heroine Mile S G2), MOULIN DE MOUGIN (f Curlin: John C Mabee S G2), ALEXIS TANGIER (f Tiznow: Unzip me S, Swingtime S), BRONSON (c Medaglia d’Oro: English Channel S, 3rd Louisville H G3), Vionnet (f Street Sense, see above) Broodmare Sire: STREET SENSE. Sire of the dams of 3 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROARING LION Kitten’s Joy G1, VALOUR ROAD Frost Giant G2, SPEED FRANCO Declaration of War G3.

ROARING LION gr/ro c 2015 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Lady Capulet

Sir Ivor Cap And Bells

Lear Fan

Roberto Wac

That’s My Hon

L’Enjoleur One Lane

Street Cry

Machiavellian Helen Street

Bedazzle

Dixieland Band Majestic Legend

Avenue of Flags

Seattle Slew Beautiful Glass

Ultrafleet

Afleet Social Conduct

El Prado KITTEN’S JOY ch 01 Kitten’s First

Street Sense VIONNET gr/ro 09 Cambiocorsa

See race 165 in the September issue

CRACKSMAN b c 2014 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Quest Rockfest

Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

Green Desert

Danzig Foreign Courier

On The House

Be My Guest Lora

Galileo FRANKEL b 08 Kind

Pivotal RHADEGUNDA b 05 St Radegund

See race 4 in the June issue 361 QIPCO QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES G1 ASCOT. Oct 20. 3yo+. 8f.

1. ROARING LION (USA) 3 9-1 £655,709 gr/ro c by Kitten’s Joy - Vionnet (Street Sense) O-Qatar Racing Limited B-RanJan Racing Inc TR-John Gosden 2. I Can Fly (GB) 3 9-0 £248,594 b f by Fastnet Rock - Madonna Dell’orto (Montjeu) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Rockwell Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Century Dream (IRE) 4 9-4 £124,413 b c by Cape Cross - Salacia (Echo of Light) O-Abdulla Belhabb B-Godolphin Management Company Limited (Rabbah) TR-Simon Crisford Margins Neck, 0.5. Time 1:42.40. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 13 8 3 £2,723,865 Sire: KITTEN’S JOY. Sire of 68 Stakes winners. In 2018 - HAWKBILL Giant’s Causeway G1, OSCAR PERFORMANCE Theatrical G1, ROARING LION Street Sense G1, CATAPULT Storm Cat G2, HAVE AT IT Not For Love G2, SADLER’S JOY Dynaformer G2,

362 VERTEM FUTURITY TROPHY STAKES G1 DONCASTER. Oct 27. 2yoc&f. 8f.

1. MAGNA GRECIA (IRE) 9-1 £131,000 b c by Invincible Spirit - Cabaret (Galileo) O-Smith/Magnier/Tabor/Flaxman Stables B-Woodnook Farm Pty Ltd TR-Aidan O’Brien £49,665 2. Phoenix of Spain (IRE) 9-1 gr c by Lope de Vega - Lucky Clio (Key of Luck) O-Tony Wechsler & Ann Plummer B-Mrs C. Faeste TR-Charles Hills 3. Western Australia (IRE) 9-1 £24,856 ch c by Australia - What A Treasure (Cadeaux Genereux) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Pier House Stud TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins Head, 0.75. Time 1:37.70. Going Good to Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 3 2 1 £153,440 Sire: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT. Sire of 117 Stakes winners.

In 2018 - EQTIDAAR Acclamation G1, MAGNA GRECIA Galileo G1, ROYAL MEETING Lecture G1, ANCIENT SPIRIT Galileo G2, INNS OF COURT Seeking The Gold G3, INVINCIBLE ARMY Diktat G3, PINCHECK Arch G3, TOMYRIS Seeking The Gold G3, BABY PINK Galileo LR, DEEMSTER Grand Slam LR, EMMAUS Galileo LR, ENLIGHTED Zamindar LR, INDIGO BALANCE Diktat LR, LETHAL PROMISE Elusive Quality LR, MUTHMIR Danehill LR, ORBAAN Raven’s Pass LR, STUNNING SPIRIT Dynaformer LR, ZHUI FENG Inchinor LR. 1st Dam: CABARET by Galileo. 2 wins at 2, Silver Flash S G3. Dam of 3 winners:

2012: 2013: 2014: 2015: 2016: 2017:

Prance (f Danehill Dancer). Broodmare.

COROBEREE (g Dansili) Winner at 3.

INVINCIBLE RYKER (c Invincible Spirit) 3 wins at 3 and 4.

Lady In Lights (f Dansili) in training.

MAGNA GRECIA (c Invincible Spirit) 2 wins at 2, Vertem Futurity Trophy S G1, 2nd Godolphin Autumn S G3. (f Kodiac)

130 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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CAULFIELD ON WONDERMENT: “In addition to having a dual Derby winner as her sire, Wonderment comes from a family which has proved a fertile source of high-class middle-distance performers” 2nd Dam: Witch of Fife by Lear Fan. 2 wins at 2, 3rd Enza New Zealand Sweet Solera S LR. Dam of DRUMFIRE (g Danehill Dancer: Iveco Daily Solario S G3), CABARET (f Galileo, see above), HO CHOI (g Pivotal: Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup LR, 2nd Scottish Equitable Gimcrack S G2) Broodmare Sire: GALILEO. Sire of the dams of 127 Stakes winners. In 2018 - AGE OF FIRE Fastnet Rock G1, FOG OF WAR War Front G1, HERO’S HONOUR Await The Dawn G1, LEICESTER Wanted G1, MAGNA GRECIA Invincible Spirit G1, SAXON WARRIOR Deep Impact G1, SISTERCHARLIE Myboycharlie G1, THE AUTUMN SUN Redoute’s Choice G1, U S NAVY FLAG War Front G1, UNFORGOTTEN Fastnet Rock G1.

The Invincible Spirit/Galileo cross has produced: MAGNA GRECIA G1, ANCIENT SPIRIT G2, ALEA IACTA G3, BABY PINK LR, EMMAUS LR, Cersei LR, Guerriere LR.

MAGNA GRECIA b c 2016 Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Foreign Courier

Sir Ivor Courtly Dee

Kris

Sharpen Up Doubly Sure

Eljazzi

Artaius Border Bounty

Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Lear Fan

Roberto Wac

Green Desert INVINCIBLE SPIRIT b 97 Rafha

Galileo CABARET b 07 Witch of Fife Fife

Lomond Fiddle-Faddle

Two-year-old Gr1 success is nothing new for Invincible Spirit’s speedy two-year-olds, with Hooray, Rosdhu Queen and Shalaa collectively winning four top prizes over six furlongs. However, Invincible Spirit’s juveniles sometimes show another dimension to his talents. Vale Of York won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, National Defense took the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and now Magna Grecia has taken the Vertem Futurity Trophy.

Needless to say, Invincible Spirit received some help in siring a colt who stays a mile as well as Magna Grecia does. He is the best of Invincible Spirit’s five black-type winners out of daughters of Galileo, another being the mile-and-a-half Listed winner Baby Pink. Magna Grecia’s trainer Aidan O’Brien also trained the colt’s dam Cabaret, winner of the Gr3 Silver Flash Stakes over seven furlongs at two. Cabaret failed to show the same level of form when tried over middle distances and so did her dam Witch Of Fife, a fairly useful two-year-old. Cabaret was one of three talented juveniles produced

by Witch Of Fife, the others being the Gr3 Solario Stakes winner Drumfire (by Danehill Dancer) and the Gr2 Gimcrack Stakes second Ho Choi (by Pivotal).

It is easy to understand why the connections of Cabaret and Witch Of Fife expected them to stay pretty well. Witch Of Fife’s dam Fife was a half-sister to El Conquistador, runner-up in the Gr3 Goodwood Cup over 21 furlongs. When El Conquistador’s sister Piffle was mated to the seven-furlong specialist Efisio the outcome was Pearly Shells, winner of the Gr1 Prix Vermeille over a mile and a half.

Magna Grecia’s fourth dam Fiddle Faddle was a half-sister to the Irish St Leger winner Mountain Lodge.

Dec_172_DataBook.indd 131

The next dam Fiddlededee was third in the Park Hill Stakes and was a half-sister to the Park Hill winner Collyria, in addition to Visor, dam of the Goodwood Cup winner Raise You Ten. 363 CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD G1 SAINT-CLOUD. Oct 27. 2yoc&f. 2000m.

1. WONDERMENT (IRE) 8-10 £126,416 b f by Camelot - Wiwilia (Konigstiger) O-Mme Stella Thayer B-M. Wurtenberger & R. Stockli TR-N Clement 2. Sydney Opera House (GB) 9-0 £50,575 ch c by Australia - Sitara (Salse) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-The Pocock Family TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Fox Tal (GB) 9-0 £25,288 b c by Sea The Stars - Maskunah (Sadler’s Wells) O-King Power Racing Co Ltd B-Godolphin Management Company Limited (Rabbah) TR-Andrew Balding Margins Neck, 0.75. Time 2:10.91. Going Good.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 3 2 1 £143,230 Sire: CAMELOT. Sire of 13 Stakes winners. In 2018 ATHENA Green Desert G1, LATROBE Shamardal G1, WONDERMENT Konigstiger G1, HUNTING HORN Indian Ridge G3, POLLARA Storm Cat G3, WAIT FOREVER Holy Roman Emperor G3, ALOUNAK Rail Link LR, ARTHUR KITT Red Clubs LR, KING OF LEOGRANCE Halling LR, NATURALLY HIGH Grand Slam LR, SIR EREC Galileo LR, STELLA DI CAMELOT Blu Air Force LR. 1st Dam: WIWILIA by Konigstiger. 2 wins at 2 in Switzerland. Dam of 2 winners:

2015: 2016:

2017: 2018:

SHORT CALL (f Kodiac) Winner at 2.

WONDERMENT (f Camelot) Sold 48,840gns yearling at AROCT. 2 wins at 2 in France, Criterium de Saint-Cloud G1, 3rd Prix de Conde G3. (f Dawn Approach) (c Sea The Stars)

2nd Dam: Wurfspiel by Lomitas. 1 win at 3 in Germany, 2nd Nereide Rennen LR. Dam of WAKE FOREST (c Sir Percy: Man O’War S G1, 2nd HPIBET Northern Dancer Turf S G1, 3rd Premio Presidente della Repubblica G1, Pattison Canadian International S G1, United Nations S G1), Wildfahrte (f Mark of Esteem: 3rd Preis der Winterkonigin G3), Wacaria (f Makfi: 2nd G.P. Gestut Fahrhof Niedersachsen Pokal LR), Witor (g Dashing Blade: 3rd Winterthur Bowl Chase LR).

Grandam of WILDPARK, Wild Approach, Wild Max. Broodmare Sire: KONIGSTIGER. Sire of the dams of 3 Stakes winners.

WONDERMENT b f 2016 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Floripedes

Top Ville Toute Cy

Kingmambo

Mr Prospector Miesque

Fickle

Danehill Fade

Tiger Hill

Danehill The Filly

Kittiwake

Barathea Gull Nook

Lomitas

Niniski La Colorada

Wurfbahn

Frontal Wolkenpracht

Montjeu CAMELOT b 09 Tarfah

Konigstiger WIWILIA b 09 Wurfspiel

At around the same date that Camelot gained the first of his four Gr1 successes, in the Racing Post Trophy, his son Wonderment sprang a 13-1 surprise when she pegged back the foreign raiders Sydney Opera House and Fox Tal to take the Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. This was her first try at a mile and a quarter and the distance clearly suited her well. She had previously made a winning debut at Evreux, before finishing a creditable third in the Gr3 Prix de Conde.

In addition to having a dual Derby winner as her sire, Wonderment comes from a family which has proved a fertile source of high-class middle-distance performers. Her dam Wiwilia – whose sire Konigstiger won the Gr2 Union-Rennen over a mile and a half – was a champion two-year-old in Switzerland (whatever that amounts to). More important is the fact that Wiwilia’s dam Wurfspiel is also the dam of Wake Forest, a Sir Percy colt who landed the Gr1 Man o’War Stakes in the US after Gr3 successes in Germany.

Wurfspiel also has the distinction of being a half-sister to Wurftaube, who numbered the Gr2 Deutsches St Leger among her four Group victories. Wurftaube also distinguished herself as a broodmare, notably producing the Gr1 Deutsches Derby winner Waldpark and the very successful Waldmark.

Waldmark has found fame as the dam of the St Leger winner Masked Marvel and that good mare Waldlerche. The latter won the Gr3 Prix Penelope over ten and a half furlongs before producing the Galileo colt Waldgeist and the New Approach filly Waldlied. Waldlied easily won the Gr2 Prix de Malleret in 2018, about an hour after Waldgeist’s success in the Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Significantly, the St Leger winner Masked Marvel was sired by Montjeu, who was also responsible for Wonderment’s sire Camelot.

Wonderment can be expected to stay well.

364 CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL G1 CHANTILLY. Oct 28. 2yoc&f. 1400m.

1. ROYAL MEETING (IRE) 9-0 £126,416 b c by Invincible Spirit - Rock Opera (Lecture) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Saeed bin Suroor 2. Hermosa (IRE) 8-10 £50,575 b f by Galileo - Beauty Is Truth (Pivotal) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Beauty Is Truth Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Graignes (FR) 9-0 £25,288 b c by Zoffany - Grey Anatomy (Slickly) O-Mr G. Augustin-Normand B-Ecurie Euroling TR-Y. Barberot Margins 0.75, Neck. Time 1:27.19. Going Good to Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 2 2 0 £131,203 Sire: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT. Sire of 117 Stakes winners.

In 2018 - EQTIDAAR Acclamation G1, MAGNA GRECIA Galileo G1, ROYAL MEETING Lecture G1, ANCIENT SPIRIT Galileo G2, INNS OF COURT Seeking The Gold G3, INVINCIBLE ARMY Diktat G3, PINCHECK Arch G3, TOMYRIS Seeking The Gold G3, BABY PINK Galileo LR, DEEMSTER Grand Slam LR, EMMAUS Galileo LR, ENLIGHTED Zamindar LR, INDIGO BALANCE Diktat LR, LETHAL PROMISE Elusive Quality LR, MUTHMIR Danehill LR, ORBAAN Raven’s Pass LR, STUNNING SPIRIT Dynaformer LR, ZHUI FENG Inchinor LR. 1st Dam: ROCK OPERA by Lecture. Champion 2yr old filly in South Africa in 2004-05. 4 wins at 2 in South Africa, Allan Robertson Fillies Championship G1. Own sister to HIT SONG and Rock Concert. Dam of 4 winners:

2008: 2010:

FRANKENFURTER (c Singspiel) Winner at 4 in Australia.

HEAVY METAL (g Exceed And Excel) 15 wins to 2018 at home, UAE, Audi Richmond S G2, M. bin Rashid al Maktoum Godolphin Mile G2, Longines Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 G2.

2012: 2014: 2015: 2016: 2017:

(c Cape Cross) Indie Rock (f Exceed And Excel).

Broodmare.

NIGHT CASTLE (g Dubawi) 2 wins at 3.

ROYAL MEETING (c Invincible Spirit) 2 wins at 2 at home, France, Criterium International G1. (c Shamardal)

2nd Dam: Drummer Girl by Al Mufti. unraced.

Dam of ROCK OPERA (f Lecture, see above), HIT SONG (c Lecture: PG Bison South African Nursery G2), Rock Concert (f Lecture: 3rd Allan Robertson Fillies Championship G1). Grandam of GULF STORM, VAN HALEN, SEATTLE SINGER, What About Me. Broodmare Sire: LECTURE. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROYAL MEETING Invincible Spirit G1, VAN HALEN Oratorio G1, HEAVY METAL Exceed And Excel G2.

ROYAL MEETING b c 2016 Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Foreign Courier

Sir Ivor Courtly Dee

Kris

Sharpen Up Doubly Sure

Eljazzi

Artaius Border Bounty

Green Desert INVINCIBLE SPIRIT b 97 Rafha

Lecture ROCK OPERA b 02

Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Narrate

Honest Pleasure State

Al Mufti

Roberto Lassie Dear

Swinging Girl

Mullineaux Polly Bland

Drummer Girl

A day after Invincible Spirit’s son Magna Grecia had taken one of England’s major two-year-old races, another son – Royal Meeting – ran out a smooth winner of the Criterium International.

The bottom half of Royal Meeting’s pedigree doesn’t contain as much stamina as Magna Grecia’s. His dam Rock Opera was very successful as a two-year-old in South Africa in 2005, when she won a Gr1 and a Gr2 over six furlongs to earn herself a transfer to the UAE. Although generally disappointing in her new base, she did finish third in the UAE 1,000 Guineas, and Rock Opera has since made full amends as a broodmare. Mated to Exceed And Excel, she produced the durable Heavy Metal, a Gr2 Richmond Stakes winner who has since plundered several rich prizes on dirt in the UAE. Royal Meeting’s broodmare sire, Lecture, won four sprints on dirt during a 31-race career in his native USA. However, this son of Seeking The Gold was very well bred. His dam Narrate also produced Preach, the Gr1-winning two-year-old who produced the high-class stallion Pulpit (sire of champion sire Tapit).

Another of Narrate’s Mr Prospector fillies, Yarn, produced the talented stallion Tale Of The Cat and Yarn’s descendants also include the top juveniles Minardi and Johannesburg.

With a son of Mr Prospector as his sire, Lecture was bred along similar lines to Preach and Yarn.

365 PRIX ROYAL-OAK G1 CHANTILLY. Oct 28. 3yo+. 3000m.

1. HOLDTHASIGREEN (FR) 6 9-4 £176,982 ch g by Hold That Tiger - Greentathir (Muhtathir) O-Jean Gilbert B-J Gilbert & C Le Lay TR-B Audouin

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Data Book European Pattern 2. Called To The Bar (IRE) 4 9-4 £70,805 b g by Henrythenavigator - Perfect Hedge (Unfuwain) O-Fair Salinia Limited B-Fair Salinia Ltd TR-Mrs P. Brandt 3. Morgan Le Faye (GB) 4 9-1 £35,403 b f by Shamardal - Molly Malone (Lomitas) O-Godolphin SNC B-Mr D. Burkle TR-A Fabre Margins 0.75, Short Neck. Time 3:18.17. Going Good to Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-6 27 12 10 £589,178 Sire: HOLD THAT TIGER. Sire of 16 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: GREENTATHIR by Muhtathir. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France. Dam of 3 winners:

2010: 2011: 2012:

2013: 2015: 2016: 2017:

Shall Green (f Marshall). unraced, died as a 4 year old.

HOLDGREEN (c Hold That Tiger) 6 wins at 3 to 6, 2017 in France.

HOLDTHASIGREEN (g Hold That Tiger) 12 wins at 4 to 6 in France, Prix Royal-Oak G1, Darley Prix Kergorlay G2, Grand Prix de Lyon Etape du Defi Galop LR, G. P. de Nantes Etape du Defi du Galop LR, Prix du Carrousel LR, Prix Max Sicard Etape du Defi du Galop LR, Prix Right Royal LR (twice), Prix Hubert Baguenault de Puchesse LR, 2nd Qatar Prix du Cadran G1, Qatar Prix Gladiateur G3 (twice), Prix Hubert Baguenault de Puchesse LR, 3rd Prix RoyalOak G1, Darley Prix Kergorlay G2, Prix Max Sicard Etape du Defi du Galop LR, Grand Prix de la Ville de Craon-Mayenne LR. Maskmoisagreen (f Iron Mask) SRILANDAGREEN (f Sri Putra) Winner at 3 in France.

Sridegreen (f Sri Putra) unraced to date.

Srifanelogreen (c Sri Putra)

Broodmare Sire: MUHTATHIR. Sire of the dams of 8 Stakes winners. In 2018 - HOLDTHASIGREEN Hold That Tiger G1, COLONIA Champs Elysees G3, EFRAAN Teofilo LR.

HOLDTHASIGREEN ch g 2012 Storm Bird

Northern Dancer South Ocean

Terlingua

Secretariat Crimson Saint

Caveat

Cannonade Cold Hearted

T C Kitten

Tom Cat Needlebug

Elmaamul

Diesis Modena

Majmu

Al Nasr Affirmative Fable

Hero’s Honor

Northern Dancer Glowing Tribute

Homer Green

Homeric Green Gables

Storm Cat HOLD THAT TIGER ch 00 Beware of The Cat

Muhtathir GREENTATHIR ch 04 Lady Honorgreen

The latest edition of the Prix Royal-Oak was widely expected to develop into a battle between the two three-year-olds in the eight-horse line-up. One of them, Flag Of Honour, had beaten the older stayers in the Irish St Leger, while the other, Brundtland, had won his first four starts, including the Gr2 Prix Niel and Gr2 Prix de Chaudenay. The battle between them duly occurred, but not at the right time, with Flag Of Honour carrying Brundtland wide when he appeared startled by a section of the track where the turf course was intersected by Chantilly’s all-weather track. Despite having lost much of their momentum, both colts recovered well enough to be beaten little more than a length, with Brundtland arguably being the more unlucky of the two. However, neither could reach the first three.

Victory went instead to a worthy winner in the tough and consistent six-year-old Holdthasigreen. This son of Hold That Tiger didn’t win until he was four, when he won over Pornichet’s all-weather course, but it wasn’t long before he developed into a prolific winner at Listed level. His

first Group success came when he repelled the British raiders Marmelo and Nearly Caught to take the Gr2 Prix Kergorlay in 2018 and now he has become the second Gr1 winner for his well-travelled sire.

His predecessor was a different type from Holdthasigreen, as Smiling Tiger gained his three Gr1 wins over sprint distances on all-weather surfaces in California. The Irishtrained Hold That Tiger gained his best win in the Gr1 Grand Criterium over seven furlongs but was later placed in two Gr1s on dirt in the US. Holdthasigreen’s dam Greentathir was a minor winner at up to ten and a half furlongs and Holdgreen, her previous winner by Hold That Tiger, won at up to two miles. Their second dam, Lady Honorgreen, was a middle-distance winner.

366 BAYERISCHE HAUSBAU G. P. VON BAYERN G1 MUNICH. Nov 1. 3yo+. 2400m.

1. IQUITOS (GER) 6 9-6 £88,496 b h by Adlerflug - Irika (Areion) O-Stall Mulligan B-Frau Dr Erika Buhmann TR-H-J Groschel 2. Defoe (IRE) 4 9-6 £26,549 gr c by Dalakhani - Dulkashe (Pivotal) O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum B-Darley Stud Management Company Ltd TR-Roger Varian £13,274 3. Dee Ex Bee (GB) 3 9-2 b c by Farhh - Dubai Sunrise (Seeking The Gold) O-Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Mark Johnston Margins 4, 4. Time 2:37.80. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-6 25 8 12 £551,216 Sire: ADLERFLUG. Sire of 11 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: IRIKA by Areion. 4 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany.

Own sister to Inanya. Dam of 3 winners:

2012:

2014: 2015: 2017:

IQUITOS (c Adlerflug) 7 wins at 3 to 6, 2018 in Germany, Bayerische Hausbau G. P. von Bayern G1, Grosser Dallmayr Bayerisches Zuchtrennen G1, Longines Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft G2 (twice), 2nd Pastorius Grosser Preis von Bayern G1, Longines Grosser Preis von Baden G1, www.pferdewetten.de Grosser Hansa Preis G2 (twice), Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft G2, Grosser Preis der Sparkasse Krefeld G3, pferdewetten.de 27 P. Deutschen Einheit G3, 3rd Longines Grosser Preis von Baden G1.

IMPERATOR (g Soldier Hollow) 2 wins at 4 in France.

INTERNATIONAL LOVE (f Kamsin) Winner at 3 in Germany. (f Wiener Walzer)

2nd Dam: INGRID by Nebos. 1 win at 2 in Germany.

Own sister to Inkognito. Dam of Inanya (f Areion: 2nd G.P. Dr. Klein AG Eilert Bauunternehmung LR) Broodmare Sire: AREION. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. In 2018 - IQUITOS Adlerflug G1, BUTZJE It’s Gino G3, MONETTE Cockney Rebel LR.

IQUITOS b h 2012 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

High Hawk

Shirley Heights Sunbittern

Last Tycoon

Try My Best Mill Princess

Alya

Lombard Anatevka

Big Shuffle

Super Concorde Raise Your Skirts

Aerleona

Caerleon Alata

Nebos

Caro Nostrana

Iracema

Konigsstuhl Ipameri

In The Wings ADLERFLUG ch 04 Aiyana

Areion IRIKA b 05 Ingrid

As a May 22 foal, Iquitos could be forgiven for being a late developer and he has proved well worth waiting for. He has now enjoyed Gr1 success at the ages of four, five and six. His first win at the top level came in the Grosser Preis von Baden and he has since added the Grosser DallmayrPreis and now the Grosser Preis von Bayern, in which he comfortably defeated the British challengers Defoe and Dee Ex Bee. Iquitos had also been a close second in the 2017 Grosser Preis von Bayern.

He follows the 2015 winner Ito as the second Grosser Preis von Bayern winner sired by Adlerflug.

Bearing in mind that Adlerflug has only 165 foals of racing age, including only 16 in his 2015 crop, this winner of the Deutsches Derby and the Deutschland Preis is siring an eye-catching proportion of Group winners. His tally stands at nine, comprising three winners at Gr1 level, four at Gr2 and two at Gr3. His third Gr1 winner, the Preis der Diana winner Lacazar, came from his 24-strong 2014 crop.

Adlerflug’s success has led to a change in location. After seven years at Gestut Harzburg, the flashy chesnut has been transferred to Gestut Schlenderhan, where he was bred. His fee has risen from €5,500 to €12,000 in 2017 and then to €15,000 in 2018.

Iquitos is out of the four-time German winner Irika and is the first major winner out of a mare by Areion, Germany’s champion sire in 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Coincidentally, Adlerflug shares the same sire, In The Wings, as the 2004 German Horse of the Year Soldier Hollow, who was Germany’s champion sire of 2016.

Iquitos is the first Group winner produced by any of his first three dams, but his fourth dam Ipameri was a talented sister to Imperator, winner of the Zukunfts-Rennen.

367 PREMIO LYDIA TESIO SISAL MATCHPOINT G1 ROME. Nov 4. 3yo+f. 2000m.

1. GOD GIVEN (GB) 4 9-1 £163,700 b f by Nathaniel - Ever Rigg (Dubai Destination) O-St Albans Bloodstock Limited B-St Albans Bloodstock LLP TR-Luca Cumani 2. Nyaleti (IRE) 3 8-12 £72,035 gr/ro f by Arch - America Nova (Verglas) O-3 Batterhams and a Reay B-S. F. Bloodstock LLC TR-Mark Johnston £39,296 3. Snowy Winter (USA) 4 9-1 b f by Elusive Quality - Pamona Ball (Pleasantly Perfect) O-Boadicea Bloodstock B-Darley TR-Archie Watson Margins Neck, 2.25. Time 2:16.49. Going Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 15 6 7 £376,070 Sire: NATHANIEL. Sire of 12 Stakes winners. In 2018 ENABLE Sadler’s Wells G1, GOD GIVEN Dubai Destination G1, PILASTER Hernando G2, CHASEDOWN Whipper G3, HIGHGARDEN Green Desert G3, PRECIOUS RAMOTSWE Danehill G3, AMORELLA Dubawi LR, PALOMBE Boreal LR, PERFECT CLARITY Shamardal LR, SLADINA Machiavellian LR. 1st Dam: EVER RIGG by Dubai Destination. Winner at 3.

Dam of 3 winners:

2010: 2011:

Neamour (f Oasis Dream). Broodmare.

POSTPONED (c Dubawi) Champion older horse in Europe in 2016. 9 wins at 2 to 5 at

2013: 2014:

2015: 2016:

home, France, UAE, Juddmonte International S G1, Investec Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup G1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic G1, 3rd Tattersalls Gold Cup G1, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic G1. Sire.

Avoidable (g Iffraaj) GOD GIVEN (f Nathaniel) 6 wins at 3 and 4 at home, France, Italy, Premio Lydia Tesio Sisal Matchpoint G1, DFS Park Hill S G2, Betway Pinnacle S G3, Prix Minerve G3, BetBright Aphrodite S LR, 2nd Bet 365 Lancashire Oaks S G2, 3rd Darley Prix de Pomone G2.

Plentiful (g Makfi) PREJUDICE (c Dubawi) Winner at 2.

2nd Dam: BIANCA NERA by Salse. Champion 2yr old filly in Ireland in 1996. 3 wins at 2 Moyglare Stud S G1.

Dam of Bite of The Cherry (f Dalakhani: 2nd Golden Square Centre Chester H LR, Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup LR), Pietra Dura (f Cadeaux Genereux: 2nd Victor McCalmont Memorial EBF S LR). Grandam of ROBIN HOODS BAY, TURNING TOP, Lajatico.

Broodmare Sire: DUBAI DESTINATION. Sire of the dams of 32 Stakes winners. In 2018 - GOD GIVEN Nathaniel G1, THUNDER SNOW Helmet G1, EZIYRA Teofilo G2, SILENT SEDITION War Chant G3, TOMELILLA Tavistock G3.

GOD GIVEN b f 2014 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Silver Hawk

Roberto Gris Vitesse

Mia Karina

Icecapade Basin

Kingmambo

Mr Prospector Miesque

Mysterial

Alleged Mysteries

Salse

Topsider Carnival Princess

Birch Creek

Carwhite Deed

Galileo NATHANIEL b 08 Magnificient Style

Dubai Destination EVER RIGG b 05 Bianca Nera

The first weekend in November proved highly rewarding for Nathaniel. Less than a day after Enable’s historic win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, another daughter – God Given – also enjoyed Gr1 success, in the Premio Lydia Tesio.

This Gr1 victory surely makes God Given a very valuable filly. A five-time stakes winner from ten to 14 and a half furlongs, she has the distinction of being a half-sister to Postponed, a champion European older horse who triumphed in the King George, Dubai Sheema Classic, Coronation Cup and Juddmonte International.

Their dam Ever Rigg won a 12-furlong maiden early in her three-year-old season. By the Gr1-winning miler Dubai Destination, Ever Rigg was out of Bianca Nera, a fast daughter of the seven-furlong specialist Salse. After a debut victory over five furlongs, Bianca Nera landed the Gr2 Lowther Stakes over six and the Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven. Bianca Nera’s half-sister, the very useful two-year-old Hotelgenie Dot Com, produced the dual Gr1 winner Simply Perfect, who landed the Fillies’ Mile and Falmouth Stakes.

God Given’s third dam Birch Creek failed to win, even though she was beaten little more than a length in the Gr3 Premio Royal Mares over a mile.

Her fourth dam, the speedy two-yearold Deed, also produced a Gr3-winning sprinter in Great Deeds, but his fifth dam Aurorabella was a sister to the Goodwood Cup winner Double Bore.

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Data Book Group 2 and 3 Results Date 01/10 03/10 05/10 06/10 06/10 06/10 06/10 06/10 06/10 07/10 07/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 13/10 13/10 13/10 13/10 14/10 19/10 20/10 20/10 21/10 21/10 21/10 21/10 21/10 21/10 21/10 24/10

Grade G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3

Race (course) Prix de Conde (Chantilly) pferdewetten.de 27 P. Deutschen Einheit (Berlin-Hoppegarten) Prix Thomas Bryon Jockey Club de Turquie (Saint-Cloud) Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Parislongchamp) Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Parislongchamp) Qatar Prix Dollar (Parislongchamp) Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Parislongchamp) John Guest Bengough Stakes (Ascot) Stella Artois Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Ascot) Silblernes Pferd (Berlin-Hoppegarten) Coolmore Stud Concorde Stakes (Tipperary) Godolphin Challenge Stakes (Newmarket) Godolphin Oh So Sharp Stakes (Newmarket) Newmarket Academy Cornwallis Stakes (Newmarket) Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (Maisons-Laffitte) Premio Verziere - Memorial Aldo Cirla (Milan) Darley Stakes (Newmarket) Godolphin Autumn Stakes (Newmarket) Preis des Winterfavoriten (Cologne) Al Basti Equiworld Mercury Stakes (Dundalk) Qipco Brit. Champions Long Distance Cup (Ascot) Killavullan Stakes (Leopardstown) Prix du Conseil de Paris (Chantilly) Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Milan) Premio Gran Criterium (Milan) Premio Vittorio di Capua (Milan) Baden Wurttemberg Trophy - Defi du Galop (Baden-Baden) Ittlingen Preis der Winterkonigin (Baden-Baden) Premio Dormello (Milan) Prix des Reservoirs (Deauville)

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY

Dist 9f 10f 7f 15f 8f 9.5f 12.5f 6f 12f 15f 7f 7f 7f 5f 6f 10f 9f 8f 8f 5f 16f 7f 12f 12f 7.5f 8f 10f 8f 8f 8f

Horse Line of Duty (IRE) Va Bank (IRE) East (GB) Brundtland (IRE) Ostilio (GB) Alignement (GB) Princess Yaiza (IRE) Projection (GB) Laraaib (IRE) Nikkei (GER) Yulong Gold Fairy (GB) Limato (IRE) Mot Juste (USA) Sergei Prokofiev (CAN) Hello Youmzain (FR) Flower Party (IRE) Euginio (IRE) Persian King (IRE) Noble Moon (GER) Hit The Bid (GB) Stradivarius (IRE) Coral Beach (IRE) Listen In (IRE) Raymond Tusk (IRE) Mission Boy (GB) Anda Muchacho (IRE) Potemkin (GER) Whispering Angel (GER) Noblesse Oblige (ITY) Cala Tarida (GB)

Age 2 6 2 3 3 5 3 5 4 3 3 6 2 2 2 3 4 2 2 4 4 2 4 3 2 4 7 2 2 2

Sex C H F C C H F G C C F G F C C F C C C C C F F C C C H F F F

Sire Galileo Archipenko Frankel Dubawi New Approach Pivotal Casamento Acclamation Pivotal Pivotal Mount Nelson Tagula Distorted Humor Scat Daddy Kodiac Duke of Marmalade Fastnet Rock Kingman Sea The Moon Exceed And Excel Sea The Stars Zoffany Sea The Stars High Chaparral Paco Boy Helmet New Approach Soldier Hollow Myboycharlie Garswood

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Dam Jacqueline Quest Vinales Vital Statistics Future Generation Reem Three Soldata Undertone Spotlight Sahool Nicella Quite A Thing Come April Time On Orchard Beach Spasha Jubilant Lady Starstone Pretty Please Nouvelle Noblesse Selinka Private Life Abbasharjah Es Que Dancing Shoes Miss Mission Montefino Praia Wamika La Boisserie Capsicum

Broodmare Sire Index Rock of Gibraltar 368 Dilshaan 369 Indian Ridge 370 Hurricane Run 371 Mark of Esteem 372 Maria’s Mon 373 Noverre 374 Dr Fong 375 Unfuwain 376 Lando 377 Dutch Art 378 Singspiel 379 Sadler’s Wells 380 Tapit 381 Shamardal 382 Aptitude 383 Diktat 384 Dylan Thomas 385 Singspiel 386 Selkirk 387 Bering 388 Tiger Hill 389 Inchinor 390 Danehill 391 Second Empire 392 Shamardal 393 Big Shuffle 394 Shirocco 395 Dansili 396 Holy Roman Emperor 397

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24 hours with... ANTHEA MORSHEAD Anthea Morshead is steeped in racing and as Clerk of the Course, or assistant, at three contrasting venues has a varied all-year round role that keeps her and celebrity dog Jack on their toes day and night

I

’m naturally an early riser with my alarm going off at 5am. I always have a cup of tea first thing and coffee later on. I don’t normally bother with breakfast, but at Kelso, after walking the course and completing the necessary going updates, I return to my bed and breakfast lodgings for a boiled egg. Sometimes when I’m checking the stables at York I’ll grab a bacon butty, otherwise I don’t bother.

Jack, my 12-year-old long-haired Jack Russell, is with me all the time and has become quite a celebrity. He went missing for ten days at Cartmel a few years ago. There was a poster of him in every Cartmel shop window, pictures on the front of the local papers and he even had his own Facebook page. Everybody was looking for him. Now everybody in Cartmel greets Jack like a long lost friend!

On any raceday at the three courses where I am Clerk of the Course – Cartmel, Kelso and York (assistant) – the first thing to take on board is the weather forecast. This summer’s long hot spell had a significant bearing on the cooling of horses, and people, and the necessary facilities had to be in place. With the consistent heat we also had to know how much evaporation we were getting from the watering and the water supply. In complete contrast, we can be laying frost covers on any vulnerable areas at Kelso.

Every day is different, be it at Cartmel, Kelso or York. But there is a general routine every clerk must follow. After walking the course on a race morning we have to report the going by 6.40am and put it online on the BHA admin site so the

PA

Interview: Tim Richards news agencies and press can pick it up. I also use twitter and texts to keep trainers in touch with weather and conditions.

I always walk each course twice on racedays and twice a day during the run up to meetings. At Cartmel sometimes three times as it’s a summer jumps track, which we water a lot when necessary.

When Cartmel and York clash in May and August, Ed Gretton, formerly of Bangor and Chester, steps in at Cartmel.

Each course boasts its selling points.

At York we have world-class international Flat racing; Kelso is a proper winter course with good prize-money; Cartmel offers

“Every day is different as a clerk, be it at Cartmel, Kelso or York” the charm of summer jumping at the prettiest racecourse in the country.

The challenging part of the job is playing the weather. The most enjoyable was watching Frankel win the Juddmonte at York. Apparently it was impossible to get on to the platform at Malton station as there were so many people trying to catch the train to come and see him. Plenty of our died-in-the-wool jumping enthusiasts travelled from Kelso to join the Frankel fan club. Frankel’s split times were so fantastic I believe he could have won over any trip.

I am jumping born and bred – Dad [Peter Beaumont] won the Gold Cup with Jodami and I beat the professional jockeys over the Grand National fences on JJ Henry in 1991. My happiest family memory was coming home in the horsebox after Shannon Silver – bred and owned by Dad, ridden by my son Henry and trained by me – had won at Corbridge. No one was prouder than Dad. He’d bred the lot of us!

Until this year I was riding and schooling regularly and intend to get back to it. On holiday in Uruguay last month I was riding again and this winter I hope to grab a day or two hunting at home in North Yorkshire. I don’t have much leisure time; I did the Great North Run a few years ago, but haven’t run a step since.

I play tennis on holiday, when I usually manage to read four books a week. I particularly like the Jack Reacher novels.

I enjoy cooking for Henry and my partner, Chris Leigh. My signature dish is marmalade chicken, which involves chicken, mint and marmalade. It sounds bizarre but is very nice.

Generally bed is around 9pm and I take up a decaf coffee with the Sunday papers, which last me a week. I am a shocking sleeper and when I lie there thinking about various things I’ll get up and make a cup of tea. I find myself listening out for rain or looking to see if there’s any frost or snow. At York, if the weather is changing dramatically, we might have a WhatsApp conversation in the middle of the night between Chief Executive William Derby, Adrian Kay, the head groundsman, and myself. An unusually early start to the day!

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DAR14692 Owner Breeder OBC GoldenHorn 26NOV18.qxp 20/11/2018 11:43 Page 1

Mill Reef, Sea The Stars, Golden Horn: the only horses ever to win the Derby, the Eclipse and the Arc in the same year.

THE POINT OF THE THOROUGHBRED IS TO BE THIS GOOD

First yearlings sell for up to £578,000 and his median is superior to Shamardal, Siyouni, Sea The Stars, Lope de Vega, Dark Angel, No Nay Never and fellow first-crop sire Muhaarar.

Golden Horn Your golden opportunity £50,000 Oct 1, SLF

Cape Cross – Fleche d’Or (Dubai Destination) Stands at Dalham Hall Stud, Newmarket +44 (0)1638 730070 +353 (0)45 527600 darleystallions.com

Darley