Issuu

In the Black

£6.95 • January 2026 • Issue 257

How Charlie Bond’s racing operation struck gold on the racecourse

PLUS...

New sires excite

The class of 2026 in focus

ROA Awards

Celebrating owners’ champions

Epsom investment Derby day supercharged

CHALDEAN

£20,000

F R A N K E L - S U E L I TA ( D U T C H A R T )

1st October Special Live Foal

Highly prized First-crop foal sires by average Stallion

Sold

Average (£)

CHALDEAN

106,167

Paddington

99,418

Modern Games

91,206

Ace Impact

62,531

Vadeni

62,231

Shaquille

60,426

Little Big Bear

56,571

Native Trail

49,511

European stallions with 3+ sold source: Thoroughbred Stallion Guide - 10/12/25

Contact Ed Sackville, Shane Horan or Tom Parry +44 (0)1638 731115 | nominations@juddmonte.co.uk

www.juddmonte.com

WELCOME

Epsom and Ascot up purses yet global stars hard to bag EDWARD ROSENTHAL Editor

arely can 300,000 guineas have been invested so wisely. That was the sum paid by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for a son of Acclamation at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale in 2019. The yearling in question became Romantic Warrior, who took his career earnings to £24.3 million when winning the Hong Kong Cup for the fourth time on December 14. The International Races meeting at Sha Tin also saw French raider Sosie bag the Hong Kong Vase, while local sensation Ka Ying Rising – who picked up £3.4m when taking the Everest at Randwick in October – extended his winning sequence to 16 in the Hong Kong Sprint under Zac Purton. The Australian jockey was recently quoted as saying that a trip to Royal Ascot was out of the question for the five-year-old gelding on account of the (relatively) paltry prize-money offered in Britain. In winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the last Royal Meeting, Lazzat took home a first prize of £567,100 – a tidy enough figure – but that’s still £1m less than the cheque pocketed by Ka Ying Rising’s connections after his latest victory. With such riches on your doorstep, why race overseas? The prestige of winning at Royal Ascot may be unmatched, but that alone cannot attract the best runners from around the world, which is one of the aims of the Ascot executive. The course has announced record prize-money of £19.4m in 2026, though that won’t be enough to tempt the star duo from Hong Kong, which is almost unique on the global racing circuit for buying its runners from other countries as it has no domestic breeding industry. The Jockey Club has announced an injection of cash this year at Epsom, centred on its two-day Derby Festival, with the Betfred Derby purse rising by £500,000 to £2m. Other significant changes include the Coronation Cup moving to the Saturday and its prize fund more than doubling to £1m with the support of new backer

Coolmore, while younger racegoers can gain free entry over both days along with concessions in hospitality. After the sport avoided the direct hit of a higher gambling tax rate in the Autumn Budget, it’s great to see our tracks not only boosting prize-money but reinvesting in the customer experience, while acknowledging that far more needs to be done to attract and secure the next generation of racing devotees. However, if our headline meetings are to snare the cream of the international crop, purses will need to take a quantum leap forward. The results of Project Pace, which seeks a transformational funding solution for British racing by partnering with external investors for our showpiece races, are eagerly awaited. This month’s Big Interview is with owner and breeder Charlie Bond (pages 30-34). He is continuing his family’s association with the sport after the exploits of his father Reg, whose silks were carried by the likes of Monsieur Bond, Captain Gerrard and Ladies Are Forever, the last-named now an important member of the Bond broodmare band. Ladies Are Forever is set to be covered by Maranoa Charlie, a son of the late Wootton Bassett purchased privately by Bond Thoroughbreds prior to his Group 1 victory in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. Maranoa Charlie, now ensconced at Tally-Ho Stud, features in Nancy Sexton’s guide to the exciting batch of sires retired to stud for 2026 (pages 42-48). Finally, belated congratulations to Owner Breeder photographer Bill Selwyn, who won the Tracy Award for outstanding photography following his excellent work at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup. Bill received his accolade at the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Annual Awards Dinner at Del Mar on October 29 and everyone at the magazine is delighted that his talent has been recognised with this prestigious award.

It’s great to see tracks boosting prize-money

after the sport avoided a higher gambling tax rate

Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Nancy Sexton Design/production: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: 12 Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1SB editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.theownerbreeder.com X: @TheOwnerBreeder Instagram: theownerbreeder Advertising: Giles Anderson UK: 01380 816777 IRE: 041 971 2000 USA: 1 888 218 4430 advertise@anderson-co.com

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ROA Owner Breeder is owned by the Racehorse Owners Association Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA

Racehorse Owners Association Ltd 12 Forbury Road Reading Berkshire RG1 1SB Tel: 01183 385680 info@roa.co.uk • www.roa.co.uk

In the Black

£6.95 • January 2026 • Issue 257

How Charlie Bond’s racing operation struck gold on the racecourse

Cover: Black Caviar Gold and Billy Lee win the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh for Bond Thoroughbreds and Paddy Twomey Photo: Caroline Norris

PLUS...

New sires excite

The class of 2026 in focus

ROA Awards

Celebrating owners’ champions

Epsom investment Derby day supercharged

ROA OWNER BREEDER

E U ROPEAN CHAMPION SPRINTER

Bradsell £10,000 Live Foal

LEADING BRITIS H-BASED FIRS T S EAS O N S IRE

Lope Y Fernandez £6,000 1st October SLF

BREED FOR TH E BIG DAY

Rajasinghe £3,000 1st October SLF

7 -TIME GRO UP 1 WINNER

Stradivarius £10,000 Live Foal

Joe Bradley 07706 262046 | joe.bradley@nationalstud.co.uk Jamie Jackson 07794 459108 | jamie.jackson@nationalstud.co.uk Ed Preece 07772 159927 | edward.preece@nationalstud.co.uk

S TRENGTH & HONOUR

Diego Velazquez £17,500 1st October SLF

Winner of the stallion-making Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois in a faster time than DUBAWI, KINGMAN & PALACE PIER

Son of Champion sire FRANKEL

SOLD FOR

2.4m AS A YEARLING

www.nationalstud.co.uk

BRADSELL • DIEGO VELAZQUEZ • LOPE Y FERNANDEZ • RAJASINGHE • STRADIVARIUS

NEW FOR 2026

CONTENTS

ROA Leader Owners and punters play vital role

TBA Leader Traceability all-important

Changes News in a nutshell

News Derby prize fund rises to £2 million

The Big Picture From Sandown and Cheltenham

Faces at the Awards At the ROA's bash in London

Racing around the World Focus on the Caribbean

The Big Interview With owner Charlie Bond

Mare polarisation Power concentrated in fewer hands

New sires Rosallion and the class of 2026

ROA Horseracing Awards All the winners from racing's big night out

ROA OWNER BREEDER

He’s earned his stripes

irst yearlings made up to F €800,000, 625,000gns, 410,000gns, 410,000gns etc. O FFI CI A L R AT IN G :

T IMEFO R M R AT IN G :

135 137 Brilliant past. Brilliant future. Almost half of Baaeed's first crop have been retained by their breeders, without sending them to the sales. Amongst the breeders who kept one or more yearlings are: • The Aga Khan Studs • Al Wasmiyah Stud • Bjorn Nielsen • Cheveley Park Stud Ltd • Chris Stedman • Ecurie des Charmes • Essafinaat UK Ltd • George Strawbridge • Godolphin • Haras d’Haspel • Hascombe & Valiant Stud

• Hiroo Race Co. Ltd • HM The King • Hussain Alabbas Lootah • Juddmonte Farms • Katsumi Yoshida • Lady Bamford • Littleton Stud • Lordship Stud • Masahiko Sugino • Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd • Nawara Stud Co Ltd

Standing at Beech House Stud, UK Contact Will Wright: +44 (0)1638 475303 nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

• North Hills Farms • Oiwake Farm • Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd • Shadwell • Sheikh Mohammed Obaid • St Elias Stable LLC • Toji Morita • V.I. Araci • Victorious Racing Ltd • Watership Down Stud • Wertheimer et Frére

£55,000 October 1st SLF

His outstanding first three books by numbers:

196 142 21 148

Stakes performers Stakes winners Group 1 winners Dams of one or more Stakes performers

111

Dams of one or more Stakes winners

Dams of one or more Group 1 winners

CONTENTS

Breeders' Digest Newmarket studs' new recruits

Sales Circuit Breeding stock bonanza

Dr Statz Shamardal and Street Cry mares to the fore 74

Sexton Files Gleneagles resurgent

Equine Health Foal foundations for a healthy future

Geoff Lane tribute Pioneering vet remembered

ROA Forum Owners centre stage on Awards night

TBA Forum Make the most of the Elite Mares' Scheme

Breeder of the Month Will Kinsey for Romeo Coolio

Welfare & Aftercare RoR's education programme

100

View from Ireland What does the future hold for breeders?

101

Think Tank New Year hopes

ROA OWNER BREEDER

103

Multiple Stakes winner by Havana Grey

Contact: Cathal Beale, Gary Swift +353 (0)86 6031979 Conor Hyland +353 (0)85 1299236 Tel:+353 (0)45 521251 www.irishnationalstud.ie

@IrishNatStud

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ROA LEADER

Cash concerns put two groups under pressure DR JIM WALKER Chair

“

ow did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. “Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually, then suddenly.” From Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises. In early December we held the 43rd Racehorse Owners Association Horseracing Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. It was a truly memorable evening where we celebrated the owners of racing’s best racehorses in 2025. It was my first event as Chair of the ROA and, being an economist, I decided to talk ‘jargon’ in my speech. Economists are justifiably criticised for using language that is impenetrable to ordinary people. But we are not alone. It is the safety blanket of the professional class: economists, doctors, football managers, horse trainers and vets use phrases and vocabulary that excludes the amateur and makes them feel important. It’s called self-delusion. My target on this occasion was the training profession. Trainers are in a world of their own when it comes to describing how our horses are progressing, their wellbeing, and how they managed to come last in a race you thought they might win. I think the light-hearted ribbing was taken as intended. Yet there was a serious message: please don’t treat us like children. None of us expect a trainer to tell us that our horse will win a specific race – he or she can’t know how the strong the competition is let alone the effects of the draw, the ground and so on – but just tell us how the horse is and what happened in plain English. Which brings me to the Budget. According to some industry representatives, racing dodged a bullet. The 25 per cent tax on racehorse betting (distributed ten per cent to the levy and fifteen per cent to the government) was left unaltered. Online gaming saw taxes rise to forty per cent. As an economist, and in plain English, this was not a win for racing. Few seemed to care that the bookies were the big losers. Their profits will be hit hard, to the tune of more than £1 billion according to the Chancellor. The levy brings in just over £100 million in betting duty and around 70 per cent of that goes into prize-money. But that is less than half the contribution made by the betting

industry in the form of media rights, sponsorships and promotions. Do we really think the sponsorship funds, which are their direct costs, will be unscathed? I very much doubt it. And that is bad news for us. There are two groups of people at the heart of horseracing in this country who rarely feature on Racing TV, Sky Sports or ITV Racing: owners and punters (and they are far from mutually exclusive). The professionals are the centre of attention, while the amateurs are among the alsorans. Yet if either owners or punters were forced out of the sport, there would be no one to pay the bills. Already, many big punters have moved from being levy contributors to tax avoiders – often because they have been unable to place decent-sized bets, as the tax structure pushed bookmakers to retain losing punters and get rid of the astute gamblers. That is unwelcome news for prize-money. Meanwhile, owners are subject to ever increasing costs, soaring bloodstock prices and stagnant prize-money at the lower end, where most of the horse population ends up. Increasing prize-money, lowering costs and improving the raceday experience are the core objectives of the Racehorse Owners Association. But they should be the core concerns of the regulator, the trainers, the jockeys, the racecourses and even government, too. If everybody thinks clearly about it, the focus must shift to keeping owners and punters happy. We at the ROA are here to help and work with everyone that wants to advance the sport. The message to the professionals in racing, in plain English again, is very simple – owners are your best friends. Moreover, owners are your only hope of survival. Do not be complacent because they have kept turning up for the last few decades at the sales to buy the next Highfield Princess, Mr Vango or even, dare I say it, Subjectivist, because, like Mike Campbell in The Sun Also Rises, we are currently going bankrupt slowly. And as seems to be developing in the breeding ranks, especially in National Hunt foal crops, the ‘suddenly’ might just be around the corner. All the sooner if the bookmakers' sponsorship funding takes a nosedive. From a Scottish, Presbyterian, economist – Happy New Year!

If either owners or

punters were forced out of the sport, there would be no one to pay the bills

ROA OWNER BREEDER

TBA LEADER

Collective effort vital for traceability project PHILIP NEWTON Chairman

ver the last 18 months, the TBA has been conducting a comprehensive project to understand the traceability of the British-bred thoroughbred herd, the analysis of which will be shared over the coming months as part of a wider industry collective. The 2018 foal crop was originally selected, latterly followed by the 2019 foal crop, and all available data, including births, deaths, racecourse performances, sales results and export status, were accessed. Then came the hard yards of tracking and tracing every animal for that year: after countless emails, phone calls and burning the midnight oil, the locations or statuses of 96% of the 2018, and 98% of the 2019 foal crops, became known. What became clear early on was that this was far too big a job to conduct manually on a yearly basis and whilst the project demonstrated what was possible, at the same time it underlined the challenges of what is needed moving forward. In simple terms, the industry must be more transparent to maintain and grow the trust of the general public. This will enhance the positive perception of thoroughbred breeding and racing and protect the social licence to operate. Essentially, not only do welfare provisions have to be of the highest standards, but racing must also be fully transparent and accountable in respect of the horses it breeds and uses. Agricultural livestock is light years ahead of horses in general, with a sophisticated herd traceability system that can track the whereabouts and status of every cow, sheep and pig in the country. The optics of horseracing being a ‘rich man’s’ sport (no matter what the reality might be) demands that the thoroughbred sector provides for the same. The good news is that by default, horseracing has begun this journey with the 30-day foal notification associated with an Equine Premises Number (so that we know where they are at birth), and microchips linked to digital passports. Thoroughbreds also have a system of ‘event management through registration’ where births, deaths, naming, medical treatments, vaccinations, and full integration with veterinary information systems and stud book software is available. Add

to this a timelier requirement for recorded ownership and the tools are in place to build on delivery. Ensuring compliance with all the above is vital, with further administration and registration processes inevitable, as has been the case with 30-day notification. It might not be convenient, but it will be a task the industry has to embrace if it wants to survive and prosper. It isn’t sufficient to merely claim the highest standards of equine welfare; these must be demonstrated in our actions. Traceability offers the opportunity of prevention being better than the cure in welfare standards! While many difficult steps have already been taken, now comes the need for significant financial investment to build an IT system to provide central database management in order to gather all the data and process it for dynamic reporting and action. That’s not as simple as it sounds, as compliance with animal legislative requirements, data standards, user interfaces, security and privacy all need to be inbuilt as well. This is a major IT project and requires significant capital, but it cannot be put off or ignored, and one way or another must be implemented. Project Beacon, the consumer research project which runs alongside Project Pace, focused upon the jobs to be done in attracting new and younger audiences to the domestic racing programme – at the centre of its conclusions was that these generations will ask the difficult but important questions that can only be answered with full visibility in respect of the lifetime of thoroughbreds. Failure to do so will signal not only disinterest but an industry that refuses to hold itself to account. So, what next? Well, this is not and cannot be a TBA project alone – in the first place we don’t have the resource either financially or structurally and anyway, this is an all-industry challenge to collectively overcome. The TBA is working with stakeholders, demonstrating what is required and how that might be delivered. Traceability is another key to the future of this important industry and a responsibility that we cannot shirk. Accountability, transparency, and good governance are embedded in all sectors today and racing and breeding should not want to be an exception.

The industry must be more transparent to

maintain and grow the

trust of the general public

ROA OWNER BREEDER

CHANGES

People and business

Billy Jackson-Stops

FRANCESCA ALTOFT

Named Bloodstock Agent of The Year by the Federation of Bloodstock Agents after four of his purchases struck at Group 1 level in 2025.

Lee Mottershead

Racing Post journalist is named Racing Writer of the Year for the fourth time at the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association Derby Awards. He was presented with his trophy by Alastair’s Down’s children, Camilla, Clare and James.

Adam Wedge

Ryan Moore

Enda Bolger

Robson Aguiar

Grade 1-winning rider will be out of action for a couple of months after having surgery on a dislocated shoulder sustained in a fall at Ffos Las in October. Trainer fined €2,000 after a mix up involving two JP McManus runners that saw hurdler Centreofattention run instead of Dont Tell Jack in a novice chase.

Guy Petit

Bloodstock agent is appointed Head of Bloodstock at Aktem, France’s newest auction house, which will stage its first sale in February 2026.

Juddmonte International

York’s flagship Group 1 contest receives a 20% prize-money boost of £250,000 and will now be worth £1.5 million in 2026.

Toby Moore

Jockey returns from his broken leg with two winners to capture the International Jockeys’ Championship, staged in Hong Kong, for the third time. Brazilian takes out trainer’s licence in Ireland based at the Westmeath stable formerly run by Adrian Murray, who remains part of the Amo Racing team.

Apprentice jockey, son of three-time champion Ryan, set to be on the sidelines until March after suffering a fractured cannonbone in a fall at Chelmsford.

John O’Kelly

Tattersalls auctioneer steps down after 33 years on the rostrum at Park Paddocks, his final sale being Portuna Fortuna, purchased for 4,500,000 guineas.

Tina Rau

Joins Aga Khan Studs as international nominations representative, a role aimed at strengthening the team’s presence at the major European sales.

Ascot purses

Alice Haynes

Trainer relinquishes her licence after five seasons citing financial issues. She sent out 209 winners and enjoyed Group 3 success with Lady Hollywood.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Prize-money at the course will increase to a record £19.4 million in 2026, up £1.65m on this year, with its executive contribution rising by £703,000.

Sophie Doyle

British jockey who has been based in the US since 2013, enjoying Grade 1 success on Street Band among 478 winners, announces her retirement from race riding.

››

CHANGES ››

Horse obituaries St Jean 15

Irish-bred son of Teofilo, sire of Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, dies after a paddock accident at Brackley Park in Australia.

Gentildonna 16

Daughter of Deep Impact won the fillies’ Triple Crown in Japan and the Dubai Sheema Classic, while her daughter Geraldina is a Grade 1 winner.

Blackstairmountain 20

Captured the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan and was also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fences for owner Rich Ricci and trainer Willie Mullins.

Nicholas T 13

Stalwart for the Jim Goldie stable, winner of 12 races including the 2021 Northumberland Plate, and earning £255,000 in prize-money.

Hawk Wing 26

Outstanding performer for Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien, winner of the National Stakes, Eclipse and Lockinge, dies from colic in South Korea.

Racehorse and stallion MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS

Economics

People obituaries

Poonawalla Stud Farms in Pune, India secures son of Night Of Thunder for stud duty in 2026. His biggest win came in the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes.

Los Angeles

Irish Derby winner will stand as a jumps stallion at Castlehyde Stud in 2026. Coolmore’s son of Camelot was also a Group 1 winner at two and four.

Scorthy Champ

Royal Fixation

Group 1-winning son of Mehmas who got the better of future Classic victor Henri Matisse in the National Stakes is retired to join the roster at Barton Stud.

Classy daughter of Palace Pier, winner of the Lowther Stakes, moves from Ed Walker to Karl Burke after being bought privately by Yulong Investments.

Electrolyte

Sergei Prokofiev

Son of Hello Youmzain, winner of a French Group 3 and runner-up in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, is retired to stand at Norton Grove Stud for 2026.

Royal Scotsman

Classic-placed son of Gleneagles who was a Group winner at two and four will begin his stallion career at Genesis Green Stud. His opening fee is £6,000.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Last year’s leading first-season sire has been bought back by his breeder David Anderson and will continue his career at Ballycroy Bloodstock in Canada.

Adaay

Sire of US Graded winners Balnikhov and Dicey Mo Chara will move from Italy to continue his stallion career in Iran after his purchase by Dr Hamid Khalili.

Bryan McMahon 88 Trainer enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success with Cashew King and Group wins on the Flat with Yorkies Boy, Needwood Blade and Castelletto.

Philip Waldron 75

Champion apprentice of 1970 who won the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup, Coronation Cup and Eclipse on Master Willie, later riding in the Far East.

Shaquille

His first crop is already playing in the big leagues

First foals made:

210,000gns, 190,000gns, 180,000gns, 150,000gns, 125,000gns, €120,000, 115,000gns, €105,000, 100,000gns etc. and averaged over 4x their conception fee! Emphatic winner of the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup & Gr.1 July Cup Cartier Champion Sprinter & Longines World’s Best 3YO Sprinter in 2023

2026 Fee: £10,000 January 1st, SLF

+44 (0) 1638 599434 | www.yulonginvest.co.uk | nominations@acestud.co.uk

NEWS

Derby prize-money rockets to £2 million as Jockey Club bets big on Epsom resurgence

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BILL SELWYN

he Jockey Club has acted to re-energise the Derby Festival by unveiling a host of major enhancements at Epsom for 2026, including boosting the Betfred Derby’s prize fund to £2 million – an increase of £500,000 – and paying prize-money down to tenth place in the Classic. Saturday’s card will also be bolstered by the addition of the Group 1 Coronation Cup, previously run on the Friday, which will see its purse more than doubled to £1m as part of a new sponsorship deal with Coolmore, now recognised as on official partner to the 2026 Derby Festival. A new seven-furlong Group 3 contest, the Tattenham Corner Stakes – previously run as the John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock – will also be run on the Saturday with a prize fund of £125,000. The two days of racing will receive an extra £1.375m in prize-money to take the total on offer to nearly £5m, with Derby day becoming the second most valuable raceday in Britain, worth £3.62m. In a move to encourage younger racegoers to attend the Derby Festival, anyone aged 18 and under will be given free entry on both days in General Admission enclosures, while hospitality and dining area experiences will be free for those under the age of 12, with discounts for those in the 12-17 age group. The Hill area remains free to enter for everyone across the two days – ‘bleacher’ style covered seating will feature along the final furlong – and a new family zone, DerbyFest, will be in operation in partnership with Queensberry, showcasing music and live entertainment. Car parking across the entire Epsom site will also be free of charge in 2026. Epsom’s changes follow a six-month review involving analysis of visitor and stakeholder feedback. The course reported a drop in attendance on both days of the 2025 Derby Festival, with the Saturday crowd falling by more than 4,500 to 22,312. Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, said: “The Betfred Derby is the pinnacle of any Flat trainer or jockey’s career and a race that remains incredibly important for the thoroughbred and breeding industry. “It is vital that we continue to do everything we can to maintain its status and prestige and that’s been an important

Lambourn wins the 2025 Derby, the centrepiece of an enhanced Saturday card this year

focus of the whole team throughout this review process. “We want to ensure that we are hosting competitive racing, not just in our feature races, but across the two-day Festival. We had clear objectives in this regard, with our key aim to produce races that suit the wide demographic of horses currently in training. “Switching the Coolmore Coronation Cup to be run on the Saturday, the introduction of a new seven-furlong Group 3 race, and making this year’s change to 72-hour declarations for the Betfred Derby itself permanent are all changes that I think demonstrate the importance placed on what happens on the track. “An increase in prize-money of £1.375m over the two days will also bring us very close to the £5m mark, while increasing the Betfred Derby’s prize-money to £2m will ensure that no other race in the UK will be run for more, in line with the stature of the race. “This commitment would not have been possible without the ongoing support of Betfred, along with that of the British Horseracing Authority and the European Flat Pattern Committee. “We are also hugely grateful to Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier

from Coolmore for their support of the Coronation Cup, another of the races we identified as needing investment. By more than doubling its prize-money and giving it a prime place on the Saturday, we are demonstrating our commitment to promoting it as one of the outstanding middle-distance races for older horses. “We must also thank World Pool for their support, with eight races each day reflecting the importance of the two days globally, along with their invaluable contribution enabling us to increase prizemoney across the two days. The Betfred Oaks goes back to being a World Pool race in 2026, while the Betfred Derby is the second highest UK race for World Pool turnover.” Epsom’s prize-money upgrades follow recent positive news at other tracks. Purses at Ascot will increase to a record £19.4m in 2026, up £1.65m on 2025, with its executive contribution rising by £703,000. York’s flagship Group 1 contest, the Juddmonte International Stakes, has received a 20% prize-money boost of £250,000 and will be worth £1.5m this year, while Newbury Chief Executive Shaun Hinds has declared that the track will provide more prize-money in 2026.

Owner Breeder Advert.pdf

10/12/2025

11:33

New For 2026

SCORTHY CHAMP GROUP 1 WINNING SON OF MEHMAS out of multiple stakes producer FIDAAHA

Won the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh beating dual Group 1 and Classic Winner HENRI MATISSE.

New Stallions for 2026 European Two Year Old Classifications

“His precocious ability, great attitude and elite pedigree combines to offer breeders a fantastic commercial option”.

Shadow Of Light

120

SCORTHY CHAMP

117

Rosallion

117

Joseph O’Brien

Delacroix

116

Henri Matisse

116

Camille Pissarro

114

Whistlejacket

114

Unquestionable

114

Magnum Force

112

Maranoa Charlie

112

Diego Velazquez

110

Arizona Blaze

110

Aesterius

109

Elite Status

102

CMY

Progeny of Scorthy Champ will qualify to run in the Windsor Castle Stakes at

something neither his sire MEHMAS and any of his six sons standing in the UK and Ireland can offer.

2026 Stallion Fee:

£8,500

For nomination enquiries and to organise viewings please contact: Tom: +44 7812 390877 Archie: +44 7515 373070

NEWS

BILL SELWYN

Racing spared in Budget as online gaming hit hard

The sport could see a decline in bookmaker sponsorship following the Autumn Statement

British racing was exempted from increases in gambling taxes in November’s Budget, but, while the sport avoided a direct hit, there looks certain to be an impact after the betting industry came under fire. Bookmaker representatives said the sport’s income would be “severely damaged” by the tax rises announced by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which they estimated would cost them hundreds of millions of pounds before mitigation. Embarrassingly for the government, details of the Budget were leaked before Reeves delivered her statement in the House of Commons as the Office for Budget Responsibility published them accidentally. The headline for gambling operators was a new remote betting duty rate of 25 per cent, up from 15 per cent, due to come into force in April 2027. That will not, however, include self-service betting terminals, spread betting, pool bets and horseracing. The exemption will apply only to UK racing.

Operators offering online gaming, including slots, were left reeling by the news that remote gaming duty is to rise to 40 per cent from 21 per cent from April 2026. In-person gambling is unaffected, which was some relief to high street firms, who had cautioned that thousands of betting shops could close, with the loss of millions of pounds in income for racing through the levy and media rights payments, if the duty on gaming machines rose. Reeves told the House of Commons: “I will reform gambling taxes in response to the rise in online gambling. Remote gaming is associated with the highest levels of harm, and so I’m increasing remote gaming duty from 21 per cent to 40 per cent, with duty on online betting increasing from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. “I’m making no change to the taxes on in-person gambling or on horseracing, and I’m abolishing bingo duty entirely from April. Taken together, my reforms to gambling tax

will raise over £1 billion per year by 2031.” The sport had campaigned and united under the ‘Axe the Racing Tax’ banner in the months leading up to the Budget and welcomed the decision to carve horseracing out of betting tax rises. The need to work with the betting industry to understand the wider impacts of tax rises on online betting was acknowledged by the sport’s leaders. Brant Dunshea, acting British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive, said: “The outcome demonstrates that the Chancellor has listened to our concerns and recognised that racing is a national asset – culturally, socially and economically – and we welcome this support. “Racing has been part of the British way of life for hundreds of years. It binds our communities together in shared experience, it brings joy to millions. It is right that the government has understood this and acted accordingly. “We recognise that the increase in general taxation on the betting industry may have trickle-down effects on racing. We will work with our partners in the betting industry to understand the implications.” There was a contrasting response to the Budget from the Betting and Gaming Council, whose Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said: “Massive tax increases for online betting and gaming make them among the highest in the world, and are a devastating hammer blow to tens of thousands of people working in the industry across the UK, and millions of customers who enjoy a bet. “While we welcome the decision not to raise land-based duties and to scrap bingo duty, these excessive online tax increases will undermine jobs, investment and growth across the UK. “The Budget is a massive win for the unregulated gambling black market, which pays no tax and offers none of the protections that exist in the regulated sector.”

Racecourse Association names new CEO Alex Eade will become the new Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association (RCA), with Sir Philip Davies set to join the RCA Board as a Non-Executive Director. Both men are expected to take up their roles in the first quarter of 2026. Eade, who succeeds David Armstrong, is the current Vice-Chair of the RCA and Secretary General of the Large Independent Racecourse Group. He previously held senior leadership positions at Goodwood racecourse, Lloyd

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Webber Theatres and Betfair, and had two spells with the Royal Engineers, rising to the rank of Major. Announcing the appointments, the RCA stated: “Alex’s deep knowledge of the British horseracing and gambling sectors meant he was the outstanding choice of the RCA’s nominations committee and is well positioned to lead the RCA and its members through the current challenges facing the sector.” Davies’s career has included 19 years

as MP for Shipley, during which time he undertook parliamentary leadership roles, including joint Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Betting & Gaming. The RCA’s statement added: “Sir Philip’s extensive expertise in the horseracing, greyhound and gambling sectors means he is well placed to offer guidance and support to the RCA following roles as Chair of the Great British Greyhound Board and Star Sports, plus a period on the Racehorse Owners Association Board.”

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THE BIG PICTURE AT SANDOWN

World at Lulamba's feet Is there a more exciting chaser in training than Lulamba? The Nirvana Du Berlais gelding, owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, may have had the four-year-old allowance in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown but looked different class to his three rivals, recording a nine and a half length success over Be Aware under Nico de Boinville. Nicky Henderson has trained his share of superstars and Lulamba looks another right out of the top drawer. Photo Bill Selwyn

THE BIG PICTURE AT CHELTENHAM

Glengouly gallops to glory Trainer Faye Bramley enjoyed her highest-profile success as Glengouly defied his outsider status to record a frontrunning victory in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham under Sean Bowen, despite hitting the final fence. John Hunt and daughter Amy (pictured above) were on hand to present the prize to Glengouly's owners The Cheeky Pups. Photos Bill Selwyn

W IN E N E R SI

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Aesterius

2YO SPRINTER BY MEHMAS High-class 2yo sprinter Won Gr.2 Flying Childers Stakes, Doncaster, 5f, beating Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Magnum Force & Gr.1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Big Mojo, just 12 days after his Gr.3 victory “…showing bags of speed as usual, as well as a very willing attitude…” Timeform Won Gr.3 Prix d’Arenberg, Longchamp, 5f Won L Dragon Stakes, Sandown, 5f, quickening clear to win by 1¼l Won Novice Stakes, Bath, 5f, readily on debut by 2¾l in May 2nd Gr.3 Molecomb Stakes, Goodwood, 5f, to Big Mojo

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FACES AT THE AWARDS

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ROA Horseracing Awards Owners, their guests and leading racing personalities gathered at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London to celebrate the best performers of the last year

Sara Boyden and Princess Zahra Aga Khan collected two awards for brilliant four-year-old Calandagan

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RACING AROUND THE WORLD

Sport’s popularity under pressure in digital age By JAMES BURN

Three different people, speaking from three different countries, but all with the same view – “it’s not the same”. They could – with the exception of Japan, Hong Kong and perhaps Australia – be talking about racing in plenty of places around the globe, but it’s the Caribbean that’s under the microscope. Cricket-mad, the region might not leap to mind immediately when one considers where racing thrives or even just takes place, but Sir Michael Stoute – its most famous export – has left a permanent, glorious mark on the sport in Britain and further afield. He is not the only one to hail from the area, which possesses a history that doesn’t rival the UK or US, but – from those who have lived and breathed it – was richer than the current climate. The Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority states that racing, in some form, started in 1828, while the Jamaican Racing Commission notes things began there that century as well, while action has been staged at the historic Garrison Savannah in Barbados since 1845. Given how profound Britain’s colonisation of the Caribbean was, it is not surprising it has existed for so long, while a natural affinity with horses and love of gambling remains to this day. “I have no qualms saying those times were the greatest of my entire life and I don’t think it will ever be replicated again,” says broadcaster Rishi Persad, a familiar face of ITV Racing’s coverage who was born and grew up in Trinidad, where his father Anand owned and bred horses. “The whole nation was behind the sport, but that’s gone, which makes me so sad because it was so magical.” Where once there were three tracks in the country – the Big Yard or Queen’s Park Savannah, Union Park and Santa Rosa Park – only the latter is in use today after

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CAYMANAS PARK

THE CARIBBEAN

operations were consolidated in the 1990s. Only 12 racedays, almost every month (July was blank and there were two in September), were scheduled for 2025 and December’s Stewards Cup – one of the nation’s most significant contests – was worth just £7,824, with £4,694 going to the winner Hello World, a son of Ten Meropa, the stallion whose racing career started with Jamie Osborne in Lambourn. “It used to be only turf racing in the old days, but when they centralised things they introduced dirt racing and it deteriorated,” adds Persad, who remembers much more racing there in his youth. “Finance has played a big part as well; there’s not as much behind it. There are a few wealthy benefactors who are still involved, but interest has waned and there’s more competition for attention now with the internet, YouTube and TikTok etc. “It’s a generational thing too, similar to the UK, where lots of people were ownerbreeders. People in Trinidad would actually own horses in the UK too, but passed on and their children didn’t have the enthusiasm for it. It’s not as healthy as it was from the 1970s to the 1990s.” Leroy Trotman, who has a wealth of experience in the industry having worked as a groom, exercise rider, assistant trainer, vets’ assistant and now jockeys’ agent, sees the same problems in Barbados. He has lived in Canada since 1990, but

says of his homeland: “It was pretty damn good back in the day – the crowds were phenomenal – but some of those wealthy, older owners have died and their kids aren’t interested. Racing’s not going to stand over cricket, which is always going to be number one, but the quality is down. You’ve got a lot of grooms owning horses now to keep the show on the road and a lot of backyard breeding because the big owners aren’t out there.” Trotman’s riders include Patrick Husbands, who is widely regarded as the most accomplished Barbadian jockey of all time and has ridden nearly 4,000 winners. To succeed, both men, like Stoute, had to leave their place of birth, where 22 fixtures were held last year. The most prestigious was Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup day in March, a meeting attended by JP McManus and Derrick Smith, among the owners of the luxury resort that sponsors the main event. It featured three runners owned by Smith’s wife Gay, whose purple-starred white silks were perhaps best known for being seen on classy Jonjo O’Neill-trained hurdler Black Jack Ketchum. Her trio came from the States for the race, which was worth nearly £80,000 and went to fellow raider Harrow, who gave a glimpse to the value of the form by finishing third in a Grade 2 at Saratoga in July. The gelding is trained by Barbadian native Saffie Joseph jr, a third generation horsemen who is now based in Florida, from where he has sent out a Breeders’ Cup winner and also captured the Pegasus World Cup, one of the richest races in the States, in January last year with White Abarrio. “You still get a lot of people around Gold Cup day, but it’s not only Barbados where racing isn’t as popular as it was,” says Sean Hall, a former jockey and the son of West Indies legend Wes, who took 192 Test

Rideallday and Javier Castellano take the Mouttet Mile at Caymanas Park in Jamaica

JON BRADLEY

Rishi Persad, who hosted last month’s ROA Awards, grew up around horses in Trinidad

wickets during his time as a feared fast bowler. “When I was in Canada in the late 1980s, thousands of people would go, but now it’s the complete opposite. People can watch races on their phones these days, but once upon a time you had to be at the track to see it.” Like Persad and Trotman, he shares the view that keen owners who once propped things up have not been replaced and is intrigued to see if the empire of entrepreneur Sir David Seale, who has had horses in Britain and is one of the last major owners on the island, continues in years to come. Engaging and effervescent, the Londonborn Hall, who now trains in Barbados, feels the local government isn’t anti-racing, but might not necessarily understand it and reckons “we’re still behind in a lot of things and some of the rules are in the Stone Age”. He hosts a show that Oisin Murphy has been a guest on and adds: “We need to get more young people into racing and I like to tell them about the ups and downs. I don’t sugarcoat anything. “Racing has always been secretive, but I want to change that and open it up, show people the problems and be transparent as I think people like and appreciate that these days. You’ve got to treat the new generation differently from the older generation.” Regret is expressed that inter-island participation has deteriorated between Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica, which is said to follow a more US framework of racing and is perhaps in the healthiest

position in the region, although, intriguingly, the relatively recent discovery of oil in Guyana could make it an emerging force, according to Trotman and Hall. Jamaica’s strength is underlined by the prize-money for its biggest race – the Mouttet Mile – which is run on the dirt at Caymanas Park and had a purse of more than £200,000 when it was won last month by Rideallday, whose Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano travelled over for the ride from the States.

Owners who once propped things up haven’t been replaced It was one of 79 racedays at the course last year and Castellano’s presence is interesting because, for all the industry flaws in the Caribbean, the prowess of its jockeys is celebrated, particularly in Canada, where Husbands’ elder brother Anthony and Ricky Griffith laid the foundations for an export route in the 1980s. “They created the path and the people in

Canada wanted to know if there were more of them,” reflects Hall, who rates Sonny Holder as the first great Barbadian jockey, while he remembers Winston Walton, who rode in Canada before Husbands and Griffith, saying he had been told by a trainer he was “a good rider, but the wrong colour”. “Anthony and Ricky didn’t have those problems” he goes on. “I don’t know what’s in the water here, but we produce better riders every year than Canada; there must be 30 riding over there today. The Garrison Savannah is like a bullring and teaches you to ride; it makes you sharp and brave, and other tracks round the world are then easier to ride – Richard Quinn thought that too after he rode here.” Jamaican-born Shaun Bridgmohan has a stack of American Grade 1s on his CV and Trinidad’s Emile Ramsammy has, like Patrick Husbands, been a multiple champion in Canada, while similarities can possibly be made with Italy, which has gone through its own troubles as a racing jurisdiction, but continues to produce gifted horsemen. “There’s a free-spirited nature to how we grow up and you feel you can do anything – you’ve licence to express yourself,” says Persad, who recognises the Italian comparison, while Trotman, too, is proud of the production line – “that’s one thing I can say that’s good” – albeit the exodus underlines the need to explore overseas opportunities. “No way Patrick or Saffie Joseph would have had the careers they have at home,” he says as he fires off a reel of names to prove his point, although not one has the profile to match Lester Piggott or Frankie Dettori, who have competed in the Caribbean, which might not draw a rider of their ilk for a while. “There was money then,” Persad explains. “And people were willing to back those initiatives to promote the sport, but that’s dried up. “I can’t speak with a load of authority, but my observation is that in Trinidad it’s such a battle to keep the finances at a respectable level and keep people involved in the sport that, at the moment, there’s seemingly no real effort to grow because of the battles they’re having to stay relevant. At the moment it’s a case of swimming to keep your head above water as opposed to swimming for land.” Money is also on Hall’s mind with regard to Barbados. “I’m not sure how much there is to help,” he ventures, while Trotman worries the status quo could be here to stay, which would be a shame because passion and talent for racing in the Caribbean still exists, even if some things aren’t the same as they were.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BILL SELWYN

THE BIG INTERVIEW: CHARLIE ANDREW BOND AND JANE MEGSON

Maranoa Charlie produces a superb front-running performance in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day, to the delight of owner Charlie Bond (above)

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Full speed

AHEAD

Charlie Bond is driving both the tyre business and racing operation started by his father Reg, with his focus on data and statistics yielding excellent results on the racecourse Words: MARTIN STEVENS

BILL SELWYN

irst Yorkshire, then the world. Pocklington man Reg Bond, who rolled £350 compensation for an industrial accident into a multi-million-pound tyre distribution business, was a mainstay of the northern racing scene in the early years of the millennium. Bond’s first horse, Bond Boy, scored in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, while his distinctive black and yellow silks were also carried with distinction by the likes of Captain Gerrard, Misu Bond and Monsieur Bond. Bond gradually got into bloodstock too. He stood Monsieur Bond as a stallion, first in partnership with Whitsbury Manor Stud and later on his own at Norton Grove Stud, breeding numerous smart performers from the son of Danehill Dancer. Two of those homebreds by Monsieur Bond were particularly meaningful. Ladies Are Forever, out of Bond’s fabulous broodmare Forever Bond, won the Summer Stakes at York on three occasions, once when the ownerbreeder sponsored the race, while Move In Time, co-owned with John Blackburn and Andrew Turton, fulfilled Bond’s long-held dream of owning a Group 1 winner when he took the Prix de l’Abbaye in 2014. When Bond died in 2021 his son Charlie pledged to continue his father’s legacy in racing and breeding. Truth be told, the newly rebranded Bond Thoroughbreds got off to a bit of a sticky start, but it is now back in the big time thanks to this year’s Prix de la Foret hero Maranoa Charlie and Weld Park Stakes winner Black Caviar Gold. It has taken a concerted effort to get there, though. “Scott Christian, the CFO of the tyre business, sat me down one day a few years ago

and said we needed to start running the horses along similar lines as the tyre business,” says Bond. “He insisted we need to start investing proper money into it and treating it like a business rather than a hobby. “So that’s what we decided to do, and everyone has seen the investments we’ve made and the hard work we’ve put into getting a return on them. We’d made a ten-year plan, but we got back to having Group winners in quite a short space of time, much quicker than we forecast, which is excellent.” Bond Thoroughbreds first showed it meant business, both figuratively and literally, when it splashed out more than €1 million on three blue-blooded fillies at the Arqana August Yearling Sale in 2023. It also paid €130,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale that year for a Mehmas colt who became this year’s smart handicapper Big Leader, trained by Reg’s longtime accomplice Geoff Oldroyd. Bond Thoroughbreds also stepped forward to purchase privately several of the pricey horses that had to be re-offered for sale when Saleh Al Homaizi defaulted on payment for them after they had been knocked down to Richard Knight in 2022. They included Go Big Or Go Home, a Lope De Vega half-sister to sprint ace Battaash. Many of those gleaming purchases went into training with Paddy Twomey in Ireland. Yet it wasn’t a thoughtless spending spree. The newly methodical and money-conscious operation relied on the appliance of science for its decision-making. “When we put our heads together and thought about how we could push forward with Bond Thoroughbreds, we decided we needed to use statistics more,” says Bond. “In the tyre business it’s all about careful budgeting and KPIs and with horses it had to be about strike-

ROA OWNER BREEDER

›› 31

THE BIG INTERVIEW: CHARLIE BOND pedigrees. “Paddy [Twomey] has excellent strikerates of winners, so we approached him, and after our first conversation I knew it was going to be a good relationship, as he gets what we want to achieve. He’s also great at communication, and that’s important to Bond Thoroughbreds and especially to me. “It doesn’t matter where we’re doing business around the world, I always know how the horses are performing thanks to all the videos and information coming through. “We’ve gone from strength to strength with Paddy. He gave us our exciting Group 3 winner Black Caviar Gold this year and we reinvested at the yearling sales with him. He’s got some very nice horses for us next year again.” Bond Thoroughbreds made heads turn this year when it swooped for two highclass three-year-old colts. The team bought Maranoa Charlie, a son of the late Wootton Bassett trained by Christopher Head, after he had won the Prix Paul de Moussac at Longchamp in June, and Marvelman, a son of Invincible Spirit with Andrew Balding, after he had bolted up in the Park Stakes at Doncaster in September. Maranoa Charlie subsequently finished second in the Prix Jean Prat and third in the City of York Stakes before making just about all in the Prix de la Foret, while Marvelman ran down the field in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. “Me and Jason, my right-hand man in bloodstock, take a close look at all the form and pedigrees and we identified Maranoa Charlie as a sire prospect to target,” explains Bond. “He made sense on every level: he was a high-class horse and his sire Wootton Bassett was absolutely flying. Fortunately, we found that Christopher [Head] is also a great communicator, and his owner Peter Maher in Australia was very fair to deal with, so we got the purchase made. “Christopher told us he’s the best horse he’s trained and showed us all sorts of data like stride patterns and sectional timings to prove it. Christopher is massively into stats and technology and has taken it to new levels in his training career, measuring all the data from the horses on the gallops and at the races, and that’s of huge interest and use to us, and really encouraged us to get more involved with him. We bought three yearlings to go to him at the sales this year on the back of that.” Maranoa Charlie was retired after his Longchamp exploits and has taken up stallion duty at Tally-Ho Stud, with Bond Thoroughbreds retaining part-ownership. “The deal speaks for itself, really,” says Bond. “It was right for us and it was right for the horse. Tally-Ho is the best stud out

ROA OWNER BREEDER

CAROLINE NORRIS

›› rates – whether that was trainers, sires or

Black Caviar Gold and Billy Lee win the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh

there for making stallions, so when they come knocking on your door you can’t ignore them. “Maranoa Charlie is a fantastic-looking horse by Wootton Bassett, who was obviously a serious influence, and out of a daughter of Galileo and Tiggy Wiggy, so his pedigree is class on speed. That was clear from what he did in the Prix de la Foret. He had an incredibly high cruising speed – he put the race to bed in just a matter of strides thanks to a burst of acceleration.” Bond Thoroughbreds will be sending at least 16 mares to Maranoa Charlie, including some of those beautifully bred acquisitions from a few years ago. “We started with a plan to be active in buying fillies with top-class pedigrees in order to build a strong broodmare band in preparation for getting our own stallion, but that happened sooner than we thought with Maranoa Charlie getting his Group 1 victory within three runs of us buying him,” says Bond. “It’s a shame that he’s not racing on as a four-year-old, as I think he would have taken a lot of beating, but at the end of day it made sense as a business decision to crack on with him as a stallion. Tally-Ho Stud tell me he’s been very popular and there’s massive demand already. “We’ll send him Go Big Or Go Home, as well as Margaret Elizabeth, a three-parts sister to Perfect Power and half-sister to Wise Approach, and Magic Ring, a daughter of Dubawi and Minding we bought at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale recently [for 950,000gns]. “Maranoa Charlie will also cover Ladies Are Forever, who’s a really important mare as she meant so much to Dad.” Bond Thoroughbreds will also likely be a buyer of Maranoa Charlie’s youngstock at

future sales. “He’s a stunning horse and we’ve seen from Christopher’s stride data that he could do things that few other horses can do,” adds Bond. “He’ll likely be the best horse we ever own, so from that point of view, yes, of course we’ll be following everything by him at the sales.” Bond Thoroughbreds could have a second stallion in service this time next year, as Marvelman is expected to progress during his four-year-old season in the year ahead. “He was very impressive when he won the Park Stakes at Doncaster,” says Bond. “After we bought him, we wanted to find out if he got a mile on British Champions Day. It was always questionable when he has so much speed, and indeed it did turn out that he isn’t a miler, so we’ll drop him back to six furlongs, maybe seven. I think he’s got some big races in him. “Again, Andrew [Balding] has great strikerates, which is so important for us. He was the top trainer at York this year, and that was in spite of his horses getting chinned in photographs three times, so we backed him with a couple of yearlings this year too.” Bond Thoroughbreds might have horses stationed in Ireland, France and now the south of England, but it hasn’t forsaken its Yorkshire roots. It is supporting Oldroyd, who presides over the operation’s Yapham Grange just outside Pocklington, more than ever – and the trainer is repaying the faith. “Geoff has done fantastically well,” says Bond. “In fact, this year was the first time we’ve supported him with purchases as well as homebreds. We’ve sent him some nice, sharp two-year-olds for next year as he’s had such a good time of it. “We’ve retained PJ McDonald as our jockey, and he’s now a big part of the team, working closely with Geoff. We also took

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THE BIG INTERVIEW: CHARLIE BOND sees the horses every day and so knows them inside out and will immediately see if anything is wrong with them. I think she’s made a big difference, as Geoff is running at a 24 per cent strike-rate for us this year.” On the other side of the hill from Oldroyd’s base is Yapham Mill Stud, which was founded by Reg and was once home to Forever Bond, an extraordinarily consistent mare who produced eight winners from as many runners, all talented, and none more so than Hoof It, who humped 10st to victory in the Stewards’ Cup and finished third in two editions of the Haydock Sprint Cup for Chubby Chandler and Lee Westwood. “Karen Daddy is the main influence there and she’s got a fantastic team,” says Bond. “She’s seen a lot of investment go into the stud in recent years, and now she has the best facilities and a lot of land. When the horses are injured, they go back to her for rehab, and she does a great job with them. “Karen knows a lot of the horses from when they were born, to yearlings, to runners – she knows every hair on their head and takes great care of them. She started with Dad and is a big supporter of mine, and I’m very grateful for that.” Everything seems to be going swimmingly for Bond Thoroughbreds, so are the moneyman Christian and the other bigwigs at Bond International happy with the direction of travel? “We have a board meeting once a month for the tyres and then we stay afterwards to discuss the horses,” says Bond. “That part of the meeting used to take one hour and it’s more like two hours now, as the business has grown and people have become more interested in it. It started with three or four of the 14 members of the board staying to talk about it and now there’s well over half, as everyone’s getting more into it. “It’s really interesting hearing other perspectives on racing and breeding. Some of the board members don’t know an awful lot about horses, but they ask good questions of me and Scott that make us stop and think about how we could improve things.” Bond isn’t getting carried away with the success, though. He has his feet firmly on the ground when it comes to what Bond Thoroughbreds can achieve in the medium to long term and is betting the bank on technology keeping it competitive. “I don’t think that at our level of investment we’ll be able to compete with some of the top owners – that’s not being negative, just realistic,” he reasons. “But with our team of people – the trainers, PJ, Gemma and all the stats guys – we can punch above our weight and operate consistently at a high level. “We’re working on an AI system that will

ROA OWNER BREEDER

GEORGE SELWYN

›› on Gemma Dransfield as our own vet. She

Reg Bond enjoyed sponsoring at York and his son has continued the association

Partnership with York continues Bond International is expanding its sponsorship with York racecourse in 2026, with the Churchill tyres branding set to be more visible on the track, and its support of the popular Macmillan raceday on the Knavesmire in June set to continue. “I have to give a big shout-out to York as William Derby and his team do an excellent job in always producing such good ground, facilities and hospitality,” says Bond. “The entertainment gets better every year. It’s one of the best racecourses in the

analyse how the horses look, walk, trot and gallop, and measure it all against results. Hopefully that system can take us where we want to be. How good that system is will probably determine how far we can go. “We’ve already seen how AI can help develop the tyre business, and I’m keen to see if it can also be applied to horses. It’s a case of ‘watch this space’. But I think as long as people we invest in are on board and see that vision, we’ll have a great future.” You have to wonder what Reg would have made of all the newfangled computer science. “My Dad and I were very similar when it comes to IT: clueless ourselves, but we embrace any technology that improves how we work, and will pay good people to do it for us,” says Bond. “To be honest, I know what a good tyre looks like, and how it will perform, but I

country and we’re lucky to be situated so close to it. We even hold our board meetings there. “Dad was a big sponsor at York and would hire a box to invite as many as 80 customers of the tyre business for each raceday. Those clients would travel from all around the country, and some were people who’d never been racing before, and they’d come back on their own with their friends. “It worked well for us and it worked well for York racecourse, so we’re proud to continue the relationship.”

can’t judge horses as well as people who were brought up with them, like I was brought up with tyres. That’s why I need to invest in horse people and AI that can tell me what I need to know – and get me up to that level.” It should be said that for all the talk of profit and loss, performance indicators and programming, the original purpose of Bond Thoroughbreds – continuing Reg’s fine achievements in the sport – has not been lost. “Dad was so passionate about racing and he had massive success with these colours in the past, and so the whole point was to get them back in the winner’s enclosure after the best races,” says Bond. “I’m thrilled that we’ve done that for him. “I’m convinced he’s watching these horses and pushing them home from upstairs, as the results this year have been incredible.”

The Perfect Profile Dual Gr.1 winning Champion 2yo and the best son of HAVANA GREY Half brother to GSTAAD, winner of the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and the Cartier Champion 2yo Colt of 2025

Over 160 mares covered in 2025 including:

21 Group or Stakes winners; 10 dams of Group or Stakes winners; 18 full/half sisters to Gr.1 winners In-foal mares made up to

180,000gns at the breeding stock sales and averaged

£81,800 (13 sold)

FIRST CROP FOALS IN 2026 Fee: £15,000 (1st Oct. SLF)

This could be the start of something

BIG...

Cheveley Park Stud

Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD Tel +44 (0)1638 730316 • nominations@cheveleypark.co.uk • www.cheveleypark.co.uk • X-TWITTER@CPStudOfficial

MARE POLARISATION

Poles

APART

There are no prisoners when it comes to today’s stallion scene, as illustrated by the recent release of covering statistics for 2025 Words: NANCY SEXTON

he publication of Weatherbys’ Return Of Mares highlighted various trends, not least a further decline in the British and Irish foal crop, this time to the tune of almost ten per cent. There was also a slight drop in the total number of recorded coverings to 15,456, down from 15,983 in 2024.

What was striking, however, is just how polarised the stallion scene has become. Fashion has long been a key driver behind breeders’ decisions and for some a sense of commercial awareness will never been more important as costs related to production continue to rise. As such, it is hard to argue against the weight of

Auguste Rodin: the busiest new Flat stallion of 2025 with 205 mares

FEE OF £50,000+ IN 2025 (*New) Name

Sire

Standing

2025 fee

Baaeed Blue Point Camelot *City Of Troy Dark Angel Dubawi Frankel Kingman Lope De Vega Mehmas New Bay Night Of Thunder No Nay Never Sea The Stars Too Darn Hot Wootton Bassett Havana Grey

Sea The Stars Shamardal Montjeu Justify Acclamation Dubai Millennium Galileo Invincible Spirit Shamardal Acclamation Dubawi Dubawi Scat Daddy Cape Cross Dubawi Iffraaj Havana Gold

Beech House Kildangan Coolmore Coolmore Yeomanstown Dalham Hall Banstead Manor Banstead Manor Ballylinch Tally-Ho Ballylinch Kildangan Coolmore Gilltown Dalham Hall Coolmore Whitsbury Manor

£65,000 €100,000 €75,000 €75,000 €60,000 £350,000 £350,000 £125,000 €175,000 €70,000 €75,000 €150,000 €125,000 €250,000 €90,000 €300,000 private

Figures taken from the 2025 Weatherbys Return Of Mares

ROA OWNER BREEDER

No. mares covered in 2025 165 172 184 175 169 80 192 163 144 257 175 169 151 140 171 204 145

No. mares covered in 2024 115 106 138 NA 87 102 188 134 165 224 150 120 165 165 171 208 133

support behind a concentrated group of ‘fashionable’ stallions. What that has led to, however, is some extortionate book sizes covered by various names. To recap, jumps sire Affinisea was the busiest sire of 2025 overall, covering a book of 314 mares at Whytemount Stud in Kilkenny. The jumps market is annually responsible for its share of busy stallions, but various Flat-based horses weren’t far behind led by Sioux Nation, who covered 282 mares at Coolmore’s Castlehyde Stud, and Tally-Ho Stud’s Starman and Mehmas, whose books numbered 267 and 257 respectively. Therein lies a snapshot of the market as a whole. Sioux Nation, Starman and Mehmas each promise to throw the speed that is craved by the commercial market.

July Cup winner hit the ground running in March when Tally-Ho’s homebred Lady Iman bolted up on her debut at Dundalk. A series of good breeze-up results followed and Starman duly received 267 mares at €10,000. As it turns out, those breeders who took a chance were on the money as the son of Dutch Art ended 2025 as the year’s dominant leading first-crop sire, with five stakes winners to his credit. His fee has been increased to €40,000 in 2026. Given the market’s belief in speed, it is heartening that the busiest new stallion of 2025 was the Derby winner Auguste Rodin. Part of a powerful intake for Coolmore that also included champion City Of Troy and Henry Longfellow, Auguste Rodin obviously offers a depth of race record that should be celebrated, with his victory in the Derby complemented by wins in the

Vertem Futurity, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf. Auguste Rodin also offers something a bit different for breeders as a son of Deep Impact and therefore a member of the Sunday Silence tribe, to whom he closely resembles physically. It won’t have passed breeders by how well Study Of Man, another Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact, is faring at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, notably as the sire of Group 1 winner Kalpana out of his first crop.

BILL SELWYN

Sioux Nation belongs to the Scat Daddy sire line, one that remains particularly commercially appealing in light of its ability to throw good-looking, precocious horses, and is a proven source of speed whose recent books have been underpinned by an increase in numbers and quality. His stock are well liked by pinhookers and with the potential of better to come via those large crops in the pipeline, it’s not too hard to see why breeders piled into him at his fee of €30,000 in 2025. He is due to stand this season for €37,500. Similarly, Mehmas can be relied upon to throw fast, sound and precocious stock, all of which makes him a go-to stallion for trainers, agents and pinhookers. As for Starman, his book size is reflective of the fast start made by his first runners. The

Concentration

Whereas the British and Irish stallion population not long ago hosted names from a diverse range of sire lines – think Sharpen Up, Ahonoora, Derring-Do and Grey Sovereign among many others – the

ROA OWNER BREEDER

››

AMY LANIGCAN

MARE POLARISATION

Dubawi: a growing tribe of popular sons at stud has ensured that his sire line has become increasingly influential

›› options are today concentrated to an

representatives of the Galileo sire line received just over 1,950 mares between them. The leader in this department is

alarming degree. Flat and dual-purpose based

FEE OF £20,000 - £49,999 IN 2025 (*New) Name

Sire

Standing

2025 fee

*Auguste Rodin Chaldean Churchill Ghaiyyath Gleneagles Kameko *King Of Steel Kodiac Little Big Bear *Look De Vega Modern Games Nathaniel Paddington Palace Pier Pinatubo Sea The Moon Showcasing Sioux Nation Starspangledbanner State Of Rest St Mark's Basilica Study Of Man Teofilo

Deep Impact Frankel Galileo Dubawi Galileo Kitten's Joy Wootton Bassett Danehill No Nay Never Lope De Vega Dubawi Galileo Siyouni Kingman Shamardal Sea The Stars Oasis Dream Scat Daddy Choisir Starspangledbanner Siyouni Deep Impact Galileo

Coolmore Banstead Manor Coolmore Kildangan Coolmore Kitten's Joy Tally-Ho Tally-Ho Coolmore Ballylinch Dalham Hall Newsells Park Coolmore Dalham Hall Dalham Hall Lanwades Whitsbury Manor Coolmore Coolmore Rathbarry Coolmore Lanwades Kildangan

€30,000 £25,000 €25,000 €20,000 €20,000 £20,000 €20,000 €25,000 €20,000 €20,000 £30,000 £20,000 €25,000 £32,000 £30,000 £22,500 £35,000 €30,000 €45,000 €20,000 €40,000 €25,000 €30,000

Figures taken from the 2025 Weatherbys Return Of Mares

ROA OWNER BREEDER

No. mares covered in 2025 205 150 111 192 188 136 153 78 180 195 95 112 137 99 98 89 130 282 133 81 146 140 42

No. mares covered in 2024 NA 162 156 148 135 89 NA 106 119 NA 113 145 70 113 151 70 104 197 145 94 110 118 60

Frankel, whose book of 192 consisted of just over 60 Group/Grade 1 winners and/or producers. Frankel had five sons standing in Britain and Ireland in 2025, but only one, his 2,000 Guineas-winning son Chaldean who is based alongside his sire at Banstead Manor Stud, received a three-figure book. The others, namely Cracksman, Mostahdaf, Triple Time and Without Parole, ranged from the 42-mark to 90. One interesting aspect to Galileo’s evolving influence has been the development of the Teofilo/Havana Gold branch as a source of speed. That, of course, is down entirely to Havana Grey, the product of a fast Dark Angel mare. Such has been his ascent for Whitsbury Manor Stud that Havana Grey now has a handful of his own sons at stud starting with champion two-year-old Vandeek, whose first book at Cheveley Park Stud numbered 161, and the Irish National Stud’s Shouldvebeenaring, who was the recipient of 125 mares. All the while, daughters of Galileo have forged a powerful partnership with Dubawi; the cross, including variations, sits behind seven Group/Grade 1 winners on Dubawi’s stud record to date, among them several who have made their way to the breeding shed, namely the Darley trio of champion sire Night Of Thunder, Ghaiyyath and Modern Games, and Coolmore’s Henry Longfellow. Between them, they covered 628 mares in

2025, just over 40 per cent of the line’s 1,552-strong share overall. And of course, it’s far from being all about that quartet since Dubawi’s influence continues to be brilliantly advertised by New Bay and Too Darn Hot alongside this year’s successful first-crop sire Space Blues. Meanwhile, the strong regard of breeders for the Scat Daddy tribe, for which the cultivation primarily rests at the door of Coolmore, manifested itself in the 282 mares sent to Sioux Nation. Coolmore’s other son of Scat Daddy, the proven Group 1 sire No Nay Never, received 151 mares while its champion City Of Troy, the first son of Justify to stud in Britain and Ireland, was one of the busier new sires of 2025 with a book of 175. Sires descending from two bastions of the Danzig sire line in Green Desert and Danehill attracted around 3,400 mares. Around 1,870 of that total headed the way of members of the Green Desert clan, which is admittedly today so versatile that it offers breeders a range of options, whether through the generally quick pair of Invincible Spirit and Oasis Dream or the more middle-distance Sea The Stars. Approximately 1,500, meanwhile, were covered by descendants of Danehill, plenty of them via his son Kodiac. While Kodiac’s own career is entering the twilight zone at Tally-Ho Stud, as a book of 78 suggests, there is no shortage of momentum behind several of his sons. Kodi Bear and Ardad are among those to have contributed to the notion that Kodiac is an effective sire of sires, and it could well be that Tally-Ho houses the next major son in Good Guess.

Coolmore boasted the lion’s share as their stallions received over 2,700 mares Breeders have certainly backed Good Guess given that they have sent the Prix de la Foret winner 442 mares in his first two seasons.

Mare share

The support for Good Guess is primarily reflective of the confidence behind Tally-

FEE OF £10,000 - £19,999 IN 2025 (*New) Name

Sire

Standing

2025 fee

Australia Bayside Boy *Big Evs Blackbeard *Bradsell Cotai Glory Cracksman Earthlight Golden Horn Good Guess Harry Angel *Henry Longfellow Iffraaj Kodi Bear Lucky Vega *Mill Stream Minzaal Mohaather Mostahdaf Native Trail Oasis Dream Phoenix Of Spain Saxon Warrior Shaquille Space Blues Starman Stradivarius Triple Time *Vandeek

Galileo New Bay Blue Point No Nay Never Tasleet Exceed And Excel Frankel Shamardal Cape Cross Kodiac Dark Angel Dubawi Zafonic Kodiac Lope De Vega Gleneagles Mehmas Showcasing Frankel Oasis Dream Green Desert Lope De Vega Deep Impact Charm Spirit Dubawi Dutch Art Sea The Stars Frankel Havana Grey

Coolmore Ballylinch Tally-Ho Coolmore National Tally-Ho Dalham Hall Kildangan Overbury Tally-Ho Dalham Hall Coolmore Dalham Hall Rathbarry Irish National Yeomanstown Derrinstown Beech House Beech House Kildangan Banstead Manor Irish National Coolmore Ace Kildangan Tally-Ho National Dalham Hall Cheveley Park

€10,000 €12,500 €17,500 €17,500 £10,000 €14,000 £12,500 €12,500 £10,000 €12,500 £10,000 €15,000 £10,000 €15,000 €12,500 €12,500 €12,500 £15,000 £12,500 €16,000 € 5,000 €10,000 €15,000 £15,000 €16,000 €10,000 £10,000 £10,000 £15,000

No. mares covered in 2025 151 65 159 145 129 117 42 17 177 210 95 172 24 120 92 170 122 105 74 107 51 68 43 121 165 267 89 90 161

No. mares covered in 2024 51 104 NA 139 NA 111 90 77 169 232 121 NA 19 146 99 NA 83 73 84 162 64 204 24 153 159 100 92 145 NA

Figures taken from the 2025 Weatherbys Return Of Mares Ho Stud, which has developed Kodiac, Mehmas and Starman into leading sires of the recent era, to the benefit of numerous smaller breeders in the process. At the same time, its roster has grown to the extent that it is now one of the most powerful in Europe. Six of its eight-strong line up (bar the veteran Kodiac and Persian Force) covered a three-figure book in 2025 (Bucanero Fuerte was taken out of service after failing get to his first 25 mares in foal). They were led by Mehmas, Good Guess and Starman who each received in excess of 200. Overall, around 1,300 mares went the way of their stallions. By comparison, Darley’s British and Irish-based stallions covered approximately 1,850 mares, headed by Ghaiyyath on 192 (whose popularity took off in the spring off the back of the promise shown by Opera Ballo and Mandanaba). Coolmore boasted the lion’s share, however, with their stallions having received over 2,700 mares. The aforementioned Sioux Nation and Auguste Rodin were the busiest pair closely

followed by Wootton Bassett’s starstudded final book of 204 that contained Classic/Group 1 winners such as Blue Rose Cen, Chicquita, Empress Josephine, Lady Bowthorpe, Magic Wand, Opera Singer, Ramatuelle and Treve as well as the dams of Blackbeard, Camille Pissarro, Churchill, Palace Pier, Precise, Puerto Rico, Scandinavia, Ten Sovereigns, Twain, Unquestionable and Vandeek. Needless to say, his death leaves a massive void. Nevertheless for breeders hunting Wootton Bassett blood in 2026, there will certainly no shortage of options. No fewer than five of his sons are retiring to stud in Ireland, namely Camille Pissarro (Coolmore), Henri Matisse (Coolmore), Maranoa Charlie (Tally-Ho Stud), Topgear (Capital Stud) and Unquestionable (Rathbarry Stud). There are few things that commercial breeders like more than an exciting young stallion, as we saw again in 2025 when just over 5,700 mares visited those who were either yet to have runners or had first juveniles. So expect each of those Wootton Bassett sons to be busy.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

››

MARE POLARISATION

TALLY-HO STUD

FEE OF £5,000 - £9,999 IN 2025 (*New)

Good Guess: extremely popular

››

As ever, the overall figures illustrate a resilience to the top end of the market, once again proving that there are no shortage of people willing to invest in a six-figure fee whether it be £350,000 for Frankel or €250,000 for Sea The Stars (who has been increased to €300,000 for 2026). Veteran Dubawi is still going strong at 24 years old and it is a credit to the management of Darley that his 2025 book consisted of 80 mares. A total of 23 of those belonged to breeders outside of the Maktoum family and their associates. Plenty of stallions below that top end will inevitably go through peaks and troughs in popularity. However, there have been several encouraging instances in the past few seasons where sires have made a comeback. Gleneagles springs to mind as a horse whose crop size dropped to 22 in 2022 before rebounding to three-figure levels. There was also renewed interest in Australia in 2025 as Coolmore reduced him to a low of €10,000. He wound up with a book of 151, up from 51 the year before, interest that was fully vindicated when he went on to supply the Epsom and Irish Derby hero Lambourn as well as the Coronation Stakes winner Cercene. Perfect Power’s book also grew from 58 to 134 as breeders latched on to a commercial bold showing from his first crop at the foal sales. Similarly, the popularity of Minzaal’s first foals at auction likely also drove his uptick in appeal. They are yet further examples, however, of commercial results driving the market, particularly when it comes to middle-tier stallions. The gulf between the popular

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Name

Sire

Standing

2025 fee

A'Ali *Aesop's Fables Ardad Awtaad Bated Breath Bouttemont Bungle Inthejungle Caturra Coulsty Dragon Symbol Dream Ahead Dubawi Legend El Caballo *Eldar Eldarov Far Above Footstepsinthesand *Go Bears Go Holy Roman Emperor *Isaac Shelby King Of Change Lope Y Fernandez Make Believe Marie's Diamond Nando Parrado Naval Crown Perfect Power Persian Force Raven's Pass Sergei Prokofiev *Shouldvebeenaring Soldier's Call Space Traveller Supremacy The Antarctic Ubettabelieveit Ulysses Without Parole

Society Rock No Nay Never Kodiac Cape Cross Dansili Acclamation Exceed And Excel Mehmas Kodiac Cable Bay Diktat Dubawi Havana Gold Dubawi Farhh Giant's Causeway Kodi Bear Danehill Night Of Thunder Farhh Lope De Vega Makfi Footstepsinthesand Kodiac Dubawi Ardad Mehmas Elusive Quality Scat Daddy Havana Grey Showcasing Bated Breath Mehmas Dark Angel Kodiac Galileo Frankel

Newsells Park Starfield Overbury Derrinstown Banstead Manor Rathbarry Rathasker Overbury Rathasker Whitsbury Manor Bearstone Starfield Culworth Grounds Chapel Starfield Coolmore Oak Lodge Coolmore Newsells Park Starfield National Ballylinch Diamond Bellewstown Irish National Kildangan Dalham Hall Tally-Ho Kildangan Whitsbury Manor Irish National Ace Starfield Yeomanstown Coolmore Mickley Cheveley Park Newsells Park

£5,000 €6,500 £12,500 €7,500 £8,000 €5,000 €7,500 £5,000 €5,500 £8,000 £6,500 €6,000 £5,000 £5,000 €5,000 €8,000 €8,000 €8,000 £7,000 €5,000 £7,500 €8,000 €5,000 €6,000 €9,000 £7,500 €8,000 €7,500 £8,000 €6,000 £6,000 €6,500 €8,000 €5,000 £5,000 £8,000 £8,000

No. mares No. mares covered covered in 2025 in 2024 71 47 110 NA 105 115 74 116 26 59 29 77 60 96 67 71 22 79 150 140 33 29 27 51 101 90 30 NA 14 57 12 10 87 NA 25 18 96 NA 38 106 96 113 72 62 13 19 73 84 59 110 134 56 79 101 11 21 101 157 125 NA 16 61 30 56 77 88 59 108 31 88 21 13 42 47

Figures taken from the 2025 Weatherbys Return Of Mares

FEE OF £1,000 - £4,999 IN 2025 (** free to approved mares in 2025) Name

Sire

Standing

2025 fee

Alkumait Castle Star Gregorian Massaat Mayson Rajasinghe**

Showcasing Starspangledbanner Clodovil Teofilo Invincible Spirit Choisir

Capital Capital Rathasker Mickley Oak Lodge National

€3,000 €3,000 €4,500 £3,500 €4,250 £3,000

No. mares No. mares covered covered in 2025 in 2024 26 34 24 56 12 13 28 37 12 48 53 27

Figures taken from the 2025 Weatherbys Return Of Mares and less fashionable is becoming greater, which surely isn’t healthy for the breed or industry, especially when so many of the popular horses are unproven. Luckily

there remain numerous examples of stallions making their name from a range of backgrounds and differing levels of support, and long may that continue.

STALLIONS 2026 BAYSIDE BOY. GR.1 WINNING MILER BY NEW BAY

2026 FEE: €12,500

FIRST 2YOS IN 2026 will be trained by at least 22 Gr.1 winning trainers including Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett, Karl Burke, Clive Cox, William Haggas, Paddy Twomey & Ed Walker

LOOK DE VEGA. CLASSIC WINNING SON OF LOPE DE VEGA

2026 FEE: €20,000

Impressive winner of the

like his sire and grandsire before him

LOPE DE VEGA. THE WORLD’S LEADING SIRE OF BLACKTYPE HORSES

2026 FEE: €200,000

The World’s Leading Sire by Stakes Horses in 2025

MAKE BELIEVE. CLASSIC WINNER, CLASSIC SIRE

2026 FEE: €10,000

NEW BAY.

Dual Group 1 sire in 2025 with ROYAL SUPREMACY and SAJIR

DUBAWI’S SENSATIONAL SIRE SON

2026 FEE: €75,000

BALLYLINCH STUD

6 Group 3yos in 2025 including 7 length Gr.1 winner BAY CITY ROLLER

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland • Tel: +353 (0)56 7724217 • info@ballylinchstud.ie • www.ballylinchstud.ie

NEW SIRES

QUALITY Breeders are spoilt for choice when it comes to the new stallion intake for 2026, with Classic winners, tip-top milers and brilliant two-year-olds among the options on offer Words: NANCY SEXTON

ROA OWNER BREEDER

COOLMORE

he racing world was rocked back in October by the death of Wootton Bassett at the age of 17. Therein ended one of the most remarkable ragsto-riches tales of the modern era, one that went on to encompass 19 Group 1 winners. Several of them, namely Camille Pissarro, Hawk Mountain, Henri Matisse, Maranoa Charlie, Puerto Rico, Sahlan and Whirl, hit Group 1 heights in 2026 to help push their sire past the £10 million barrier by European earnings. In what provides a real Wootton Bassett flavour to the intake of 2006, it is the Coolmore-based pair Camille Pissarro and Henri Matisse that lead the charge of sons to stud. Tally-Ho Stud has also bolstered its powerful roster with the addition of Maranoa Charlie while Rathbarry Stud has secured Unquestionable. Group 2 winner Topgear is also new to Capital Stud. Thus, there is certainly no shortage of options for breeders to tap into the sire line. Nor could it come at a more opportune moment given that earlier sire sons of Wootton Bassett, namely Almanzor and Wooded, supplied last year’s Group 1 winners Gezora and Woodshauna.

Camille Pissarro: a Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner like his sire Wootton Bassett

CAMILLE PISSARRO

22 Wootton Bassett - Entreat Standing at Coolmore for €30,000 No operation will have felt Wootton Bassett’s death more keenly than Coolmore, but it does at least have two of his Classic-winning sons to offer breeders in Camille Pissarro and Henri Matisse. As far as Camille Pissarro is concerned, the operation hasn’t wasted much time in highlighting the physical similarities between him and his sire. As it is, an

indication of his physique can be gleaned by the fact that he sold for 1,250,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling. He was out early for Aidan O’Brien when successful on debut over six furlongs at Navan in April the following spring and signed off a busy juvenile campaign by emulating Wootton Bassett in taking the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp. Having demonstrated plenty of speed at two, notably when second in the Gimcrack Stakes, Camille Pissarro progressed further as he was stretched out in distance at three, which came to the fore through his victory in the Prix du Jockey Club on his penultimate start. A truncated three-yearold season also featured a third behind Henri Matisse in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Camille Pissarro is the latest highprofile runner out of James Cloney’s wonderful producer Entreat, who previously hit Group 1 heights as the dam of Golden Horde. Further back, it is the family of American champion Serena’s Song, which was also showcased to good effect via another branch this year through Field Of Gold.

22 Wootton Bassett - Immortal Verse Standing at Coolmore for €20,000 Like Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse is a son of Wootton Bassett who offers the attractive combination of two-year-old Group 1 form and a Classic success at three. He was indicative of the initial weight of support thrown by Coolmore behind Wootton Bassett being out of the top miler Immortal Verse, a 4.7 million guineas purchase in her day who hails from the famous Kilfrush Stud family of former Coolmore stallion Last Tycoon. And he duly became an early important flagbearer for the Coolmore - Wootton Bassett era, winning his first three starts including the Railway and Futurity Stakes. Less than a length separated him and the winner Scorthy Champ in the National Stakes and he later went on to add a deserved top-level success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, making light of a wide draw in the process. Henri Matisse trained on into one of the leading three-year-old milers of 2025, his

season highlighted by a record-setting win in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. His female family is replete with classy sprinters and milers, ranging from his champion half-sister Tenebrism, who won the Cheveley Park Stakes and Prix Jean Prat, and dam Immortal Verse to fellow Classic-winning milers Hermosa and Valentine Waltz. Indeed, it hit a particularly rich vein of form last season as the source of Group 1 winners Hawk Mountain and Whirl alongside Henri Matisse.

Head including his first three outings as a two-year-old starting with the Arqana Series des Poulains at Deauville on his debut. He was also the dominant eightlength winner of the Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud and also made all to win a pair of Group 3 races at three, namely the Prix Djebel and Prix Paul de Moussac. A horse who possessed an abundance of early pace, Maranoa Charlie is out of the Galileo mare Koubalibre, a half-sister to champion two-year-old filly Tiggy Wiggy.

››

MARANOA CHARLIE

22 Wootton Bassett - Koubalibre Standing at Tally-Ho Stud for €20,000 In conjunction with Charlie Bond, Tally-Ho Stud welcomes one of the leading French three-year-olds of 2025 in Maranoa Charlie, who signed off his career with a win in the Prix de la Foret. Using his customary early cruising speed, Maranoa Charlie dictated the race throughout under Aurelien Lemaitre before drawing clear of Classic winner Zarigana for an authoritative win. In all, he won six races for Christopher

TALLY-HO STUD

HENRI MATISSE

BILL SELWYN

Delacroix: Group 1-winning son of Dubawi is one of three new stallions for Coolmore in 2026

Maranoa Charlie: new to Tally-Ho Stud

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BILL SELWYN

NEW SIRES

Lead Artist: Group 1-winning miler belongs to the famous Hasili clan

›› TOPGEAR

19 Wootton Bassett - Miss Lech Standing at Capital Stud for €7,500 Capital Stud’s burgeoning roster welcomes Topgear, a Group 3-winning two-year-old who developed into a high-class sevenfurlong performer as an older horse. Topgear is likely to be best remembered in Britain and Ireland for his decisive victory over Royal Scotsman in the 2024 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, a win that followed hot on the heels of his success in the Prix du Pin. He also had the measure of subsequent Group 1 winner Sajir when successful on his six-year-old return in the Prix du Palais-Royal. While Topgear performed consistently well as an older horse for Christopher Head, he was also unbeaten at two for Fabrice Chappet, when his wins included the Prix Eclipse over six furlongs, and likely would have taken high order at three had he not been forced to miss that season. He hails from a family that has enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic, with his relatives including the Group 1 performers Americain, Elliptique and Majorien.

UNQUESTIONABLE

21 Wootton Bassett - Strawberry Lace Standing at Rathbarry Stud for €10,000 So highly regarded was Unquestionable as a two-year-old at Ballydoyle that he made his debut in stakes company in the Listed First Flier Stakes over five furlongs at Navan. Third that day to His Majesty, he went on to swiftly make amends in maiden company at the Curragh before running second in the Railway Stakes and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Those performances, particularly the Railway in which he was beaten only a head by subsequent Group 1 winner Buccanero Fuerte, identified Unquestionable as a colt of Group 1 material and he went on to live up to that billing by capturing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on his season finale.

A $340,000 yearling, Unquestionable is a member of the Best In Show family He was also fourth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at three. A €340,000 yearling, Unquestionable is a member of the famous Best In Show family via the Didina branch responsible for proven Group 1 sires Bated Breath and Cityscape.

TOP MILERS AND BEYOND DELACROIX

22 Dubawi - Tepin Standing at Coolmore for €40,000 Delacroix turned in one of the defining moments of last season when taking a

couple of lengths out of the Irish Champion Stakes field with his potent turn of foot. There was no pegging Delacroix back after that and come the line, he was in comfortable command with the likes of Anmaat, Hotazhell and Shin Emperor in behind. That performance capped a career for Delacroix that also included a defeat of Ombudsman in the Eclipse Stakes and a Group 1 near miss at two when failing by only a nose in the Futurity Stakes. That run had followed a win in the Autumn Stakes, one of a trio of Group 3 victories for the horse overall alongside the Ballysax Stakes and Derby Trial at three. Aidan O’Brien has alluded to the importance of Delacroix to Coolmore as a potential stallion. He’s the highestrated runner by Dubawi to come out of Ballydoyle and like Coolmore’s other Group 1-winning son of the stallion, Henry Longfellow (who is out of champion Minding), he is out of a champion racemare in Tepin. The daughter of Bernstein won six Group/Grade 1 races, including the Queen Anne Stakes, prior to selling for $8 million to MV Magnier. Sadly, Delacroix is one of only two foals out of the mare; her first, Gratefully, won the 2024 Group 1 Prix de Royallieu.

DIEGO VELAZQUEZ

21 Frankel - Sweepstake Standing at the National Stud for £17,500 No sooner had it been announced that a partnership led by Sam Sangster had acquired Diego Velazquez to stand at the National Stud, then the horse supplied the ultimate update by taking the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. As is typical of that race, it was one of the season’s key miling events, containing the winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Queen Anne Stakes and Prix Maurice de Gheest among others. Diego Velazquez’s Group 1 breakthrough wasn’t coming out of turn. He had been one of Ballydoyle’s leading lights at two when a wide-margin debut success at the Curragh was followed by a Group 2 win in the Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. A three-year-old season highlighted by wins in the Solonaway and Meld Stakes – by seven lengths – proved beyond doubt that his best trip was around a mile, although he also successfully cut back to seven furlongs at four to take the Minstrel Stakes as a tune up for Deauville. Diego Velazquez’s race record suggests that he inherited his share of pace from his dam Sweepstake, a two-year-old Listed winner by Acclamation whose earlier foals include the hardy Ballydoyle-trained Group

1 performers Broome and Point Lonsdale. Further back, it is the same family as Group 1 sire Zoffany. As a 2,400,000gns yearling, it almost also goes without saying that he possesses the looks to appeal to a wide range of breeders, particularly those acting with an eye on the commercial market.

LEAD ARTIST

21 Dubawi - Obligate Standing at Banstead Manor Stud for £12,500 No operation is more fully tuned into the capabilities of the Hasili family than Juddmonte Farms. The operation has raced numerous stakes winners descending from the great mare, among them Dansili, a leading sire of his time who supplied 24 winners at the top level. Banstead Manor Stud also stood Dansili’s Group 1-winning siblings Cacique and Champs Elysees to good effect – both were Group 1 sires – and now it welcomes another high-flyer from the family in Lead Artist. A Group 1-winning miler by Dubawi, something he has in common with last season’s British and Irish champion sire

Night Of Thunder, Lead Artist’s standout win arrived in the Lockinge Stakes at Nebwury, in which he came out on top over Dancing Gemini with a trio of Classic winners, Notable Speech, Rosallion and Fallen Angel, in behind. That performance followed off the back of a progressive three-year-old season in which he won three races led by the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes and Darley Stakes. It won’t escape the attention of those with an interest in pedigrees that Lead Artist is bred on a variation of the Dubawi Galileo cross that also sits behind Night Of Thunder and Ghaiyyath.

ROSALLION

21 Blue Point - Rosaline Standing at Dalham Hall Stud for £40,000 The most expensive British-based new recruit, Rosallion retires to stud as the winner of five of 13 starts. He was a key element behind Blue Point’s fast start at stud as winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere to cap a successful juvenile season that also featured a Listed win at Ascot. It is for his three-year-old season that

he will be most remembered. Having run second to Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Rosallion captured the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, holding off Haatem for a cosy score, before following up in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, in which he swooped to deny Henry Longfellow by a neck. That was the last we saw of Rosallion that season. Although winless at four, he ran a number of good races in defeat, notably when just touched off by Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes. He was also only a head behind Sahlan in the Prix du Moulin and a neck away from outsider Qirat in the Sussex Stakes. The first son of Blue Point to stud in Britain, Rosallion descends from the Reem Three clan via her New Approach daughter Rosaline.

SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE AESTERIUS

22 Mehmas - Jane Doe Standing at Bearstone Stud for £6,500 Aesterius fits neatly into the Bearstone roster as an excellent sprint two-year-old.

ELECTROLYTE ■

››

SI NEW RE IN

20 26

Group winning & Royal Ascot 2yo

WON Gr.3 Prix Eclipse, Chantilly, 6f, making all WON Maiden Stakes, Ayr, 6f, on debut 2nd Gr.2 Coventry Stakes, Royal Ascot, 6f, by just a nose to Rashabar, beating Camille Pissarro £220,000 purchase from the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale.

■

By Hello Youmzain, a leading second-crop sire

Descending from the legendary Dahlia family and a half-brother to Gr.3 winner Steel Of Madrid.

Electrolyte is fast and tough! France has a very good young stallion in Hello Youmzain, and coming from one of the best sire lines in Europe, Electrolyte stands every chance of making a big impact at stud. Richard Brown, on behalf of Wathnan Racing

Scarborough Road, Norton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8EF nortongrovestud.com T: 01653 693887 E: nortongrovestud@btinternet.com Richard Lingwood M: 07483 992151

Fee: £3,000

1st October, Live Foal

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BIL LSELWYN

NEW SIRES

Magnum Force: a Grade 1-winning son of Mehmas who is new to Ballyhane Stud

››

It will suit the eyes of the commercial market that he was forward enough to assume a leading role at the 2024 Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale, where he sold for £380,000 to Richard Brown for Wathnan Racing. It didn’t take long for that to look money well spent; having won first time out a month later at Bath, he went on to rattle off wins in the Dragon Stakes, Prix d’Arenberg and Flying Childers Stakes. Mehmas is now forging his own branch of the Acclamation sire line as an established source of speed and Aesterius brings good family connections to the table as a relation to juvenile Pattern-race winners such as Tiger Tanaka and Tawhid.

ARIZONA BLAZE

22 Sergei Prokofiev - Liberisque Standing at Irish National Stud for €12,500 The latest addition to the burgeoning Amo Racing stallion roster, Arizona Blaze retires to stud on a high, having landed the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on his final start. In almost a throwback to another era, Arizona Blaze packed in six wins in 17 starts over two seasons. He was never out of the first four in nine outings at two, starting with a clear-cut win in the first juvenile maiden of the Irish turf Flat season in March 2024. After following up in the Marble Hill Stakes, he went on to secure a quartet of stakes placings headed by runner-up efforts in the Phoenix Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. If anything, Arizona Blaze thrived off that tough juvenile campaign. He returned at three to win four more races, headed by the Sapphire Stakes and Prix Sigy ahead of his successful Flying Five swansong. One of his best performances also came when

ROA OWNER BREEDER

beaten only a neck by Time For Sandals in the Commonwealth Cup. Arizona Blaze is the latest member of the fast and popular Scat Daddy sire line to retire to stud, and with his speed and precocity, embodies plenty of attributes appreciated in that tribe. A horse with size and substance, he is likely to be well supported by Amo Racing in his new career.

ELECTROLYTE

22 Hello Youmzain - Bibury Standing at Norton Grove Stud for £3,000 Forward enough to command £220,000 as a breezer, Electrolyte wasted no time in making an impression as a two-year-old for Wathnan Racing, winning his six-furlong debut at Ayr before falling short by only a nose to peg back Rashabar in a 22-runner Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot; the likes of Camille Pissarro and Cool Hoof Luke were behind him that day. He returned later in the year to win the Prix Eclipse at Chantilly. The first son of Hello Youmzain to stud, and therefore a member of the everpopular Kodiac line, Electrolyte is a halfbrother to the talented Steel Of Madrid and descends directly from the champion racemare Dahlia.

ELITE STATUS

21 Havana Grey - Dotted Swiss Standing at Whitsbury Manor Stud for £8,000 It says plenty for the package behind Elite Status that he is the son of Havana Grey chosen by Whitsbury Manor to stand alongside his sire.

He was the most expensive yearling sold by Havana Grey in 2022 when knocked down for 325,000gns to Karl Burke, who saddled him to make an early impression at two when successful in his first two races including the National Stakes at Sandown Park. He also had the measure of subsequent Group 1 winner Sajir when taking the Prix de Cabourg at Deauville. He was also a dual stakes winner at three when successful in the Carnarvon Stakes and Hackwood Stakes – over older horses – at Newbury. Elite Status belongs to the same Hesmonds Stud family of Galaxie Dust as Diego Velazquez and can be guaranteed to receive his share of the powerful Whitsbury Manor broodmare band that helped launch his own sire to such good effect.

INISHERIN

21 Shamardal - Ajman Princess Standing at Dalham Hall Stud for £12,500 Newcastle’s mile novice on its March 7 card in 2024 looked above average at the time, but little did we know how well it would work out. The winner Inisherin quickened smartly to pull nearly four lengths clear of

Electrolyte is a member of the ever-popular Kodiac line Kalpana; both were Group 1 winners by the end of the year. So well regarded was Inisherin within the Karl Burke stable that he lined up next in the 2,000 Guineas, where he wasn’t disgraced in sixth behind Notable Speech. The mile looked to stretch him that day and he was swiftly cut back in distance, which reaped immediate rewards when he won the Sandy Lane Stakes next time out, bursting Vandeek’s bubble in the process. That set him up for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, in which he justified the high opinion held of him with an easy win. Inisherin didn’t win again that year but returned last season to land the Duke Of York Stakes. A top-class sprinter on his day, Inisherin

is the latest representative of Shamardal to stand under the Darley banner and hails from one of the most active families in the Stud Book as a son of Group 1 winner Ajman Princess, herself a half-sister to seven stakes horses including Group 1winning miler Triple Time. Indeed, he shares his granddam Reem Three with Rosallion.

MAGNUM FORCE

22 Mehmas - Tropical Rock Standing at Ballyhane Stud for €7,500 It says plenty for Magnum Force’s pace and constitution that he was able to defeat America’s best in their own backyard. The race in question was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar, in which Magnum Force made light of the tight track, using his turn of foot to come from off the pace and win going away. That win capped a juvenile campaign that featured two wins and three placings in as many starts, including a third in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster. A true five-furlong specialist, Magnum Force exhibited many of the qualities associated with his sire Mehmas as well as his female family, which features the Coventry Stakes winner Sri Pekan. BILL SELWYN

ROYAL SCOTSMAN

20 Gleneagles - Enrol Standing at Genesis Green Stud for £6,000

BILL SELWYN

A very welcome addition to the British stallion scene is the Swinburn family’s Genesis Green Stud in Newmarket. Long well respected as a prolific producer of winners, the family welcomes the Group 2-winning two-year-old and Classic-placed Royal Scotsman as its first stallion – and fittingly so given it sold the horse for 125,000gns as a yearling to SackvilleDonald on behalf of Jim and Fitri Hay. Trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, Royal Scotsman broke his maiden by five lengths at Goodwood early in his two-year-old campaign before returning to the track to take the Richmond Stakes over six furlongs

Beauvatier: Challenge Stakes winner retires to Haras d’Etreham

FRENCH MARKET WELCOMES CASTILLON STALLIONS

››

The talking point among the French stallion ranks is the ambition behind new operation Castillon Stallions, the brainchild of Benoit Jeffroy which welcomes the Group 1 winners Marhaba Ya Sanafi and Tribalist. Marhaba Ya Sanafi (€6,000) boasts class and durability as a Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner who packed in five wins in 25 starts over four seasons. The son of Muhaarar was also a Group 3 winner at four and descends from the noted family of La Meillure via the branch responsible for the Group/Grade 1 winners Aspen Grove and Skitter Scatter. Similar can be said for Tribalist (€6,000), whose lengthy career for Andre Fabre was capped by a Group 1 win over Charyn in the 2024 Prix du Moulin. The winner of ten of 25 starts in total, including three renewals of the Prix du Muguet, the son of Farhh stands at Castillon under the Godolphin banner. Haras de Grandcamp has added Whistlejacket (€14,000), one of the leading juvenile lights of 2024 whose wins included the Prix Morny and July Stakes. A full-brother to Little Big Bear, another top two-year-old, the son of No Nay Never descends directly from the champion racemare All Along. Haras d’Etreham, meanwhile, has bolstered its roster with the arrival of Beauvatier (€7,000). Winner of the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, the Lope De Vega colt was also a Group 3 winner at two and was Group 1-placed in the Prix de la Foret and Prix Maurice de Gheest at three.

Royal Scotsman: joins Genesis Green Stud

ROA OWNER BREEDER

NEW SIRES ›› in track record time. He was subsequently

beaten only a head when second to Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes. Royal Scotsman also ran third in the following year’s 2,000 Guineas, despite racing away from the action, and was the front-running winner of the Diomed Stakes at four. This highly effective miler shares his sire Gleneagles with the highest-rated horse in the world, Calandagan, and is out of a stakes-placed relation to champion Bakharoff.

SCORTHY CHAMP

22 Mehmas - Fidaaha Standing at Barton Stud for £8,500

BILL SELWYN

Barton Stud is another new name to delve into the stallion game, in their case with the addition of Scorthy Champ, a welcome name to the British stallion ranks as a tiptop two-year-old by Mehmas. Scorthy Champ looked a classy juvenile from the outset for Joseph O’Brien when making a winning debut at Leopardstown in May of his two-year-old campaign. The subsequent Group 1 winner Hotazhell was among those behind him that day and Scorthy Champ duly went on to swiftly climb the ranks himself, with a third in the Futurity Stakes preceding a breakthrough success over Henri Matisse in the National Stakes. Scorthy Champ is the latest son of Mehmas, an excellent source of precocity and speed, to stud in Britain and Ireland. He is a full-brother to two other high-class two-year-olds in Malavath (winner of the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte) and Knight (winner of the Horris Hill Stakes) and from the further family of none other than Shergar.

Kyprios: brilliant stayer will stand under the Coolmore banner

achieved by only three horses since 1980. The latest is Shadow Of Light, a halfbrother to Earthlight whose versatility and precocity saw him take the Middle Park Stakes by four lengths from Whistlejacket en route to a battling winning display in the Dewhurst. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt also won his first two starts in novice company before meeting his one and only juvenile defeat in the Gimcrack Stakes at York, in which he ran second with the likes of Camille Pissarro and Big Mojo in behind. He was also Classic-placed in a four-race three-year-old career when third in the 2,000 Guineas. From a well-established Darley family, Shadow Of Light is out of Group 1-placed two-year-old Winters Moon and from the further family of champion sire Be My Guest as well as the short-lived Derby winner Golden Fleece.

SHADOW OF LIGHT

22 Lope De Vega - Winters Moon Standing at Kildangan Stud for €17,500

AND NOT FORGETTING…

It takes a special two-year-old to pull off the Group 1 Middle Park - Dewhurst Stakes double, which explains why it has been

KYPRIOS

BILL SELWYN

18 Galileo - Polished Gem Standing at Coolmore. Fee: poa

Shadow Of Light: a dual Group 1 winner

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Eight Group 1 wins. 15 stakes wins. 17 wins in 21 starts overall during six seasons. Kyprios’ race record makes for remarkable reading. When it comes to evaluating the staying division of the past few years, Kyprios will be remembered as one of the greats. There were the two Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, two Goodwood Cups, two Prix du Cadrans and two Irish St Legers. Kyprios invariably exerted a cosy authority over

his victims, but there were also occasions of complete domination, such as his 20-length win in the 2022 Prix du Cadran. It has to be remembered that the latter part of his career followed a near careerending leg injury. It says plenty for his constitution that he was able to overcome that and add another four Group 1 victories to his record. Kyprios found his forte over extended distances but hopefully various Flatorientated breeders will give him a second thought. After all, his 17 wins also include a juvenile success while unsurprisingly for a son of Galileo, he owns a pedigree out of the top drawer being out of Moyglare Stud Farm’s blue hen Polished Gem, whose seven other black-type performers include Group 1 winner Free Eagle.

LOS ANGELES

21 Camelot - Frequential Standing at Castlehyde. Fee: poa Joining Kyprios as a new dual-purpose option for Coolmore is its three-time Group 1 winner Los Angeles. As a son of Camelot, he belongs to the Montjeu sire line that has fared so well in the jumps game and brings to the table a lengthy race record highlighted by wins in the Irish Derby, Tattersalls Gold Cup and Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He also ran third in the Derby and Arc. This hardy horse is also supported by a pedigree out of the top drawer, as a direct descendant of Allegretta and therefore from the same family as none other than Galileo and Sea The Stars via the branch that provided Group 1 sire Tamayuz among others.

ELITE STATUS Bay 2021 Havana Grey x Dotted Swiss

FEE: £8,000 1st oct slf

HAVANA GREY’s highest-rated performer with a stellar RPR of 119

NEW

FOR 2026

Rated 4lbs higher than his sire Havana Grey and 6lbs higher than his grandsire Havana Gold

Contact Joe Callan 01725 518254 whitsburymanorstud.co.uk

DRAGON SYMBOL | ELITE STATUS | HAVANA GREY | SHOWCASING

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FOR THE GRIT

AND THE GLORY

HORSERACING AWARDS 2025

AWARDS PHOTOS BY JON BRADLEY

FOR THE GRIT & THE GLORY OUTSTANDING NOVICE CHASER

CALDWELL POTTER

Owned by Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth Received by Charlie St Quinton and Ged Mason Presented by Tom Gittins Sponsored by Wholesale Group

OUTSTANDING NOVICE HURDLER

THE NEW LION Owned by JP McManus

Received by JP McManus and Dan Skelton Presented by Mark Blackford Sponsored by Venatour

OUTSTANDING CHASER

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS Owned by Audrey Turley Received by Peter Larkin and Sarah Turley Presented by Dido Harding Sponsored by Jockey Club Racecourses

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ROA HORSERACING AWARDS 2025 OUTSTANDING HURDLER

GOLDEN ACE

Owned by Ian Gosden Received by Claire Gosden, Ian Gosden and Jeremy Scott Presented by Ben Pauling Sponsored by The Hollow Bottom

OUTSTANDING NATIONAL HUNT MARE

LOSSIEMOUTH

Owned by Susannah Ricci Received by Susannah Ricci Presented by Charlie Parker Sponsored by Owner Breeder

NATIONAL HUNT SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

MR VANGO

Owned by Cracker and Smodge Partnership Received by Sarah Waller, Allan Waller and Sara Bradstock Presented by Sam Baker Sponsored by Weatherbys Hamilton

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FOR THE GRIT & THE GLORY OUTSTANDING SPRINTER

ASFOORA

Owned by Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd Received by Lemos de Souza and Amy Murphy Presented by Susannah Gill Sponsored by Tote

OUTSTANDING JUVENILE

GSTAAD

Owned by Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor Received by David Keegan Presented by Gay Kelleway Sponsored by ROA VAT Solution

FLAT SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

ETHICAL DIAMOND Owned by HOS Syndicate Received by Kate and MV O’Brien Presented by Simon Sweeting Sponsored by British EBF

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ROA HORSERACING AWARDS 2025 OUTSTANDING ALL-WEATHER HORSE

ROYAL ZABEEL

Owned by The Horse Watchers 9 Received by Jonny Clayton-Appleby, Laurence Bellman, Martin Dixon, Mick Appleby and Chris Dixon Presented by Gemma Waterhouse Sponsored by Racing Welfare

OUTSTANDING FILLY/MARE

MINNIE HAUK

Owned by Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor Received by Kevin Buckley Presented by Nick Craven Sponsored by Weatherbys Racing Bank

OUTSTANDING STAYER

TRAWLERMAN

Owned by Godolphin Received by Thomas Ashley and Benario Goncalves de Paiva Presented by Nick Smith Sponsored by Large Independent Racecourses

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FOR THE GRIT & THE GLORY LARGE SYNDICATE/RACING CLUB OF THE YEAR

MIDDLEHAM PARK RACING Received by Middleham Park Racing Presented by Martin Cruddace Sponsored by Arena Racing Company

JOINT SMALL SYNDICATE/RACING CLUB OF THE YEAR

BASHER WATTS RACING Received by Basher Watts Presented by Martin Cruddace Sponsored by Arena Racing Company

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BARRASTON RACING & JIM GOLDIE Received by Wendy McGrandles, David Gatherer and Jim and Davina Goldie Presented by Martin Cruddace Sponsored by Arena Racing Company

ROA HORSERACING AWARDS 2025 OUTSTANDING MILER

FIELD OF GOLD Owned by Juddmonte Received by Mike Saunders Presented by Shaun Hinds Sponsored by Large Independent Racecourses

OWNER OF THE YEAR

JP McMANUS Received by JP McManus Presented by Dr Jim Walker Sponsored by Racehorse Owners Association

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ROA HORSERACING AWARDS 2025

CALANDAGAN HORSE OF THE YEAR Owned by Aga Khan Studs Received by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Sara Boyden and Pat Downes Presented by Dr Jim Walker Sponsored by Racehorse Owners Association

OUTSTANDING MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE Owned by Aga Khan Studs Received by Princess Zahra Aga Khan Sponsored by Large Independent Racecourses

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BREEDERS’ DIGEST

Newmarket recruits provide welcome hope NANCY SEXTON Bloodstock Editor

TATTERSALLS

ack in 1996, there were around 75 British-based studs in operation who were advertised as standing a stallion for £1,000 or more. The list included a handful of larger operations but they were complemented by a smattering of smaller private studs dotted around the country. For instance, the West Country offered the Flat-orientated Britton House and Downclose Studs alongside numerous jumps breeders. The Sussex-based Lavington Stud consistently housed a small yet popular roster while further north, Melbourne Hall Stud had earned attention as home to the inexpensive Royal Ascot sire Clantime. Then there was Newmarket, not just as the base of Dalham Hall, Lanwades, National and Cheveley Park Studs but of various smaller private operations; Barton, Elmswell Park, Meddler, Stanley House and Woodditton Studs were among those standing stallions. That landscape has altered dramatically since then. Come 2015, that number had dropped to 37, and further again in 2025, when there were 26 such studs. Only 17 stood more than two stallions. There are still several high-profile names outside of Newmarket, not least Whitsbury Manor Stud in Hampshire, which has become invaluable in keeping the West Country relevant, and the likes of Tweenhills Farm and Stud and Overbury Stud in Gloucestershire. As for Newmarket, matters have become concentrated into the hands of a few larger players. Of all which makes the recent additions of two new Newmarket stallion operations for 2026 particularly welcome. Barton Stud’s jump into the stallion business comes via the Group 1-winning two-year-old Scorthy Champ. The stud was once part of the stallion fabric of Newmarket (previous incumbents include the 1991 2,000 Guineas winner Mystiko) and today under the management of Tom Blain is a thriving boarding operation and one of Europe’s leading consigners; it turned over north of 5.7 million guineas in

Tom Blain: standing Scorthy Champ

sales at Tattersalls last month. At the time of Scorthy Champ’s retirement, Blain commented: “It’s always been my dream to stand stallions. We have built the business up over the last ten years and this feels like a natural and incredibly exciting step for us. Despite the muchdiscussed headwinds we are facing as an industry, especially here in the UK, I remain excited and optimistic about what can be achieved with the right horses. “We’ve been looking very hard for a stallion throughout the year and Scorthy Champ was always right up there on our wish-list. The truth is we thought he would be unattainable, so it’s fantastic we’ve been able to acquire a horse that ticks as many boxes as he does.” To recap, Scorthy Champ was one of the best juveniles of 2024 when his performances for Joseph O’Brien were capped by a win in the Group 1 National Stakes over subsequent Classic scorer Henri Matisse. He is a son of Mehmas, a popular influence for speed and precocity which should also stand him in good stead in his new career, for which he has been priced at £8,500. Joining Barton as another welcome addition to the British stallion sector is the

Swinburn family’s Genesis Green Stud, long renowned as a prolific source of winners, which makes its foray into the market with the Classic-placed Royal Scotsman. Genesis Green is also well established in its role as consignor, and indeed it was through them that Royal Scotsman sold as a yearling for 125,000gns to SackvilleDonald on behalf of Fitri Hay. Now in a full circle, the son of Gleneagles has returned to stand at the stud in conjunction with the Hays. Royal Scotsman retires having won three races led by the Richmond Stakes, in which he set a track record for the six furlongs at Goodwood, and Diomed Stakes at Epsom as an older horse. He was also only a head short of Chaldean when second in the Dewhurst Stakes and third in the following year’s 2,000 Guineas. He has been priced at £6,500. “Mrs Hay was determined that Royal Scotsman should begin his stallion career in Britain, despite strong interest and lucrative offers from overseas,” stated the stud’s release upon the horse’s retirement. As Group 1 performers with attractive pedigrees, there is every hope that Scorthy Champ and Royal Scotsman can breathe some life into the British stallion scene - especially if the ambition of both connections is anything to go by. They add to a collection of nine new British-based stallions for 2026, a far cry from last season when only two, Bradsell and Vandeek, were retired. That, thankfully, looks to have been just an anomaly, but before we rest on our laurels, the headwinds facing the industry cannot be underestimated, notably the near ten per cent fall in the British and Irish foal crop. Special mention must also go to Skuttles Barrough Stud in Somerset. Run by Chloe Roddick and Philip Maloney, the stud has recruited the Group 2 winners Idaho and Arrigo with which to launch their stallion operation. Idaho heads to Somerset having started his stud career for Coolmore at The Beeches while Arrigo, a half-brother to Adlerflug, joins from Bullbrook Farm. ROA OWNER BREEDER

SALES CIRCUIT

Winter highs By CARL EVANS TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE

TATTERSALLS

Despite gloomy warnings about the future of breeding in Britain, the business of selling breeding stock bounced gaily along at Tattersalls’ Newmarket premises in early December. Buoyed by global money and investors, the Flat breeding sphere is more likely to weather storms than its jump counterpart, and there was no lack of interest in the goods on offer. During the second day, some 57.6 million guineas was pumped into the ring, making it the highestgrossing session in European history despite the absence of one or two buyers who could have stirred the pot. Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony went on the front foot following the sale. He acknowledged that his company had overseen a strong market, but he said it had been achieved “in spite of rather than because of government support of a genuine British success story”. He argued that while foreign investment was welcome, domestic involvement needed nurturing to sustain the industry. Mahony, a totemic figure in European auctioneering, had just completed his final stint of selling in Newmarket and was due to hang up his gavel for good at the conclusion of Tattersalls Ireland’s Sapphire Sale in mid-December. Once private sales were factored in, the overall turnover achieved throughout the three-day auction had dipped two per cent, but a catalogue of 894 lots was the smallest this millennium, enabling Tattersalls to cut out the traditional fourth session. With the exception of 2009 when

Barnavara: Group 1 winner headed a robust Mares Sale at 4,800,000gns

984 mares or fillies were entered, the sale has long involved 1,000-plus horses. The 716 who went under the hammer at the latest edition resulted in 580 sales (83 per cent, down three points) for an aggregate of 82,375,015gns. That was down about 2m gns or two per cent, although turnover in 2024 had gained 23 per cent. Some settling of contents was not unexpected. The happy news for vendors was an

QUOTES OF THE SALE “What a buzz! Jeepers, I promise you that was more than my wildest dreams.”

Jessie Harrington, who has seen, heard and achieved most things in racing, but was lifted to a high by the 4.8m gns sale of Barnavara, who she trained. “Horses are just amazing. They can bring you to places and experiences that you never dream about. And when you look back you realise how fortunate you are.”

TATTERSALLS

Philip Shelton of Medallion Racing, reflecting on the joys that horses can bring, not least when one in which you are an owner turns out as good as Porta Fortuna.

John O’Kelly bids farewell to the rostrum

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“This was the end of our chapter and it’s been the most unbelievable journey, and we wanted it to go well, more for her because we’re already so far ahead financially.” Shelton again, wishing the best for Porta Fortuna after she had won his ownership group nearly £1.4m in

average price that gained 13 per cent at 140,661gns and a median rise of seven per cent to 40,500gns. A syndicate of 12 who clubbed together and bought a filly for €70,000 at the 2023 Goffs Orby Sale were in clover when she became this year’s belle of the ball with a valuation of 4,800,000gns, the highest price for a filly sold anywhere in the world during 2025. Barnavara, winner of the Prix de l’Opera ahead of her ring booking, made prize-money. The pot then grew by another 4.5m gns when she was sold to MV Magnier. “I’m lucky. I’ve got a wonderful farm that was laid down to grass a long time ago. Everything is exactly as it should be. We have a fantastic team who will do anything for the horses. We’re hugely fortunate.” Simon Sweeting of Overbury Stud, acknowledging that a good stud’s roots go deep. He had just sold Caliyza, a half-sister to 2025 racetrack star Calandagan, for 850,000gns to Ace Stud. “They told me to give it a try to an empty ring. As I worked away I found myself thinking, ‘hang on, there’s a buzz about this’.” John O’Kelly, in an interview with European Bloodstock News, revealing how he discovered auctioneering. A brilliant practitioner who could charm an extra bid from the tightest pockets, he began selling at Tattersalls in 1993 and 32 years later did his final turn during the latest December Mares Sale.

TATTERSALLS

that fabulous sum for the Alpha Racing Syndicate when knocked down to online bidder Sugar Whiskey Trading, a new name on the buyers’ sheet, but clearly one with a serious racing and breeding operation. Lady Bamford’s bloodstock advisor, Henry Lascelles, was the underbidder. Alpha Racing Syndicate, in whose colours the Jessie Harrington-trained filly had won five races, was the brainchild of Punchestown’s racing manager Richie Galway. Patrick Cooper did the buying when the daughter of Calyx was a yearling while others involved included Goffs Board member Elaine ‘Legs’ Lawlor. Harrington said the syndicate had been set up to buy yearlings, keep them for two years, have fun along the way and “then hopefully let it wash its face”. After that result they can bathe in milk for a year. MV Magnier of Coolmore was in buying mode and ended the sale with three purchases in his own name to the value of 9m gns, and he was involved in other transactions, notably the 2.1m gns buy of three-year-old filly Saqqara Sands, who was knocked down to Stephen Hillen. Being a Group 3-winning filly by Oasis Dream out of a Sea The Stars mare made Saqqara Sands an obvious one for mating with a Coolmore sire. Heading Magnier’s investments at 4.5m gns was four-year-old filly Porta Fortuna, who has been a rolling success for Aidan O’Brien’s family. She was bred by Whisperview Trading, currently run by his daughter Ana, and she has been a racecourse star for her trainer brother Donnacha. Top-class at two when she won the Cheveley Park Stakes for a partnership group, she added three more Group 1 wins at three and landed her sole race in the spring of 2025 when taking the Blandford Stakes. Injury prevented her racing after that, but hopefully the daughter of Caravaggio has a long breeding career ahead. Starspangledbanner is on the shortlist to be her first mate, said Magnier.

Tamfana: Group 1 winner was one of several prized jewels to head Coolmore’s way

A filly of Porta Fortuna’s fame and value was a most apt point at which to call time at Tattersalls for another great auctioneer, John O’Kelly. He will continue to sell at other auctions, but said he fully accepted Tattersalls’ age restriction of 65. He announced his farewell and was immediately given a standing ovation from the packed audience. Jackpot returns from a low initial cost did not come more markedly than that involving four-year-old Tamfana, a daughter of Soldier Hollow who had been bought at BBAG for €20,000 as a yearling. Jeremy Brummitt was the shrewd buyer on behalf of Quantum Leap Racing who entrusted her to David Menuisier. He trained her to win a Kempton maiden at two and to be Classic-placed and land the Sun Chariot Stakes at three, and while she failed to hit the no.1 spot at four she finished just three-quarters of a length behind the aforementioned Barnavara in the Prix de l’Opera. Once again her pedigree offered Magnier plenty of options to mate her with a Coolmore stallion and it was his bid of 2.6m gns which won the day.

Another high flyer, Choisya, who at the start of last year gained a pair of Group 2 wins in Dubai and then added April’s Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland, was knocked down for 2m gns to Anthony Stroud on behalf of an unnamed client. The five-year-old daughter of Night Of Thunder had raced from Simon and Ed Crisford’s stable for Rabbah Racing. Amo Racing, which had purchased ten lots for 8.3m gns and headed buyers the previous year, did not make a purchase, while John Stewart’s Resolute Racing was more circumspect after spending 6.2m gns on five lots in 2024. At the latest edition he bought just two, sending David Redvers in to buy the pick, unbeaten two-year-old filly Pintara, for 1.8m gns.

STATISTICS Sold: 594 (83% clearance) Aggregate: 82,365,015gns (-2%) Average: 140,661gns (+13%) Median: 40,500gns (+7%)

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE Top lots Name/age/sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

Buyer

Barnavara 3 f Calyx - Alfea

Baroda Stud

4,800,000

Sugar Whiskey Trading

Porta Fortuna 4 f Caravaggio - Too Precious

Taylor Made Sales Agency

4,500,000

M V Magnier

Tamfana 4 f Soldier Hollow - Tres Magnifique

Quantum Leap Racing

2,600,000

M V Magnier

Saqqara Sands 3 f Oasis Dream - Royal Star

Oakgrove Stud

2,100,000

Stephen Hillen/MV Magnier/M Tabor

Choisya 5 m Night Of Thunder - Fragrancy

Gainsborough Thoroughbreds

2,000,000

Stroud Coleman

Survie 4 f Churchill - Sotteville

Nicolas Clement & Frauke Hermans

1,900,000

M V Magnier

Pintara 2 f Pinatubo - Abilene

Imperium Sales

1,800,000

David Redvers/Resolute Bloodstock

Star Magnolia 4 m Kingman - Pavlosk

Juddmonte

1,300,000

Henry Lascelles

Chere Darmoiselle 4 m Kingman - Dar Re Mi

Watership Down Stud

1,300,000

Jon Freyer/Arrowfield Stud

Lady Boba 5 m Lope De Vega - Moi-Même

Watership Down Stud

1,300,000

Ecurie des Monceaux

›› ROA OWNER BREEDER

SALES CIRCUIT After some crazy figures were achieved at this sale in 2024, the latest edition showed more restraint, albeit the final tallies were ahead of every other year. Turnover, once private sales were included, fell back 12 per cent to a figure just below 38.5m gns, while the average also dropped 12 per cent to 58,659gns, although it did shoot up by 52 per cent last year. The median at the latest edition gained two per cent at 30,500gns, and the clearance rate inched up by about half a per cent to 81 per cent. A total of 109 foals made a six-figure sum, ten more than the previous year. Figures compiled at each of the four days make interesting reading. The key markers were up at the weaker first two days, and again on the fourth day, but the penultimate session – at which the cream of the crop go under the hammer – produced figures that were down. At this session, turnover fell by a quarter, despite the same number of foals (215) walking the ring, and the average price dropped 22 per cent from nearly 160,000gns to 124,000gns. There was a shuffle of names among high-end buyers – Amo Racing, which had been in the vanguard of a buying spree 12 months’ earlier, did not invest, while Zhang Yuesheng’s various buying entities were quieter – but leading sire honours returned to Frankel once again. The Juddmonte behemoth was represented by just three foals, but they sold for an average price of 900,000gns and they finished one, two, three on the top-ten board, leaving Frankel fans wishing there had been more. First-crop sire Chaldean, the 2,000 Guineas winner who also stands on the Juddmonte roster and who sold for 550,000gns at this sale in 2020, had numbers on his side and got to within 14,000gns of matching Frankel’s turnover total. Chaldean’s 25 lots sold for an average of 107,440gns, a profitable outcome for breeders who used him at the advertised fee of £25,000. Ace Stud’s Shaquille, who

TATTERSALLS

›› TATTERSALLS DECEMBER FOAL SALE

One of three popular foals by Frankel, this colt headed trade at 1,150,000gns

was also represented by his first foals, gained further plaudits from traders and his 35 lots averaged 64,371gns. His fee for this year has dropped from £15,000 to £10,000, a figure at which he is likely to be in demand. Frankel’s fab three were headed by a colt from James and Anita Wigan’s West Blagdon Stud, which is based in Dorset. It says something when the team from Juddmonte, who cannot be short of Frankel stock themselves, go beyond a million guineas to buy one of his sons, but on this occasion the might of Coolmore held sway and MV Magnier signed for the colt at 1,150,000gns. That made him the highest-priced foal in Europe in 2025 and the third-highest colt of all time. His dam, Group 3 winner Cloudy Dawn, was bred by the Wigans and George Strawbridge out of In The Mist, who they bought in 2006 for 110,000gns. In The Mist was just a foal (and later a three-time winner), and her buyers could surely not have imagined that 19 years later a millionaire would be the result – although they are very good breeders with form in successful foal sales. Juddmonte went back for another

VIEW FROM THE GROUND “It’s a strong market, competitive, and a good trade.”

Charlie Vigors of Hillwood Stud with a view of foal proceedings on the second day.

“Everything has become too compact. This sale should be a week later. There is space in December, they should use more of it and move this sale back and have a week between sales. It’s tough on everyone, especially the vendors – the lads are up at 5am and finishing at ten at night.” Tally-Ho Stud’s Tony O’Callaghan lamenting the almost back-to-back sales held over six days at Goffs and eight at Tattersalls, which have just one clear day – which is not a clear day for staff – between them.

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QUOTES OF THE SALE “Today has been a great day. We saw Frankel this morning and now we’ve bought a Frankel who’s related to Starman. Perfect.” Racehorse owner Simon Sadler, clearly beaming with pleasure at getting one of the picks of the sale.

“I thought I’d be clever and put a nice one by Shaquille in the sale, so I nearly fell off my chair when I saw there were 51!”

Genesis Green Stud’s Michael Swinburn thought he would have an edge in rarity value when entering a Shaquille foal. It seems 50 other vendors had the same idea. “I hate close inbreeding and she is open to nearly everything – that was the idea behind the covering.” Frank Dorff, manager of Gestut Rottgen, after his stud had sold a Kingman filly out of a Dubawi mare. The foal in question made 625,000gns and joins Godolphin.

bidding duel when a Frankel filly from Lady Bamford’s Daylesford Stud, via The Castlebridge Consignment, came to the market, but once again they gave best after Henry Lascelles hit the winning runs with a nod at 850,000gns. He was acting for Lady Bamford, who, when the hammer fell, became the outright owner. Fresh faces with bank accounts of every size are so important to racing and breeding, so it was good to see Simon

TATTERSALLS

James Wigan: sold the top lot

Sadler’s TBT Racing casting its net and eventually coming up with a big fish. Sadler, 56, a Blackpool boy who once rented out deckchairs on the seafront, went on to make a career as an investment banker, earning enough to buy out his beloved Blackpool FC for a reported £10m in 2019. Now he is upping his interest in racing, and with Ed Sackville choreographing the ring moves he became owner of a Frankel colt for 700,000gns, this after he had made

a good effort for the top lot. His purchase was consigned by the Player family’s Whatton Manor Stud on behalf of breeder David Ward, and had the added tinsel of being foaled by a half-sister to steaming hot young sire Starman. A Kingman filly out of a Dubawi mare – but from a German family – caught the attention of Anthony Stroud, whose 625,000gns bid on Godolphin’s behalf rewarded her breeders at Gestut Rottgen, while the only foal by Wootton Bassett, a colt, was knocked down for 550,000gns to Paddy Twomey and Bond Thoroughbreds. David Cox’s Baroda Stud acted as consignor for breeders Diamond Creek Farm. Coming from the penultimate crop of Wootton Bassett meant the colt had rarity value, while a son of Native Trail from Overbury Stud had update value. His half-brother, Gewan, won the Dewhurst Stakes in October, and it took a bid of 500,000gns to buy the younger sibling. Zhang Yuesheng owns Gewan, and it was Ace Stud which went down as the buyer. The same sum enabled MK Bloodstock to buy a Havana Grey foal who was a three-parts sister to young sire El Caballo. Whitsbury Manor Stud offered the foal,

whose valuation was a new high for a son or daughter of Havana Grey. A close relative, also by Havana Grey and another from the Hampshire stud, sold for 260,000gns to top the second session. Harry Sweeney’s Paca Paca Farm, which is based in Japan and has a strong association with Godolphin, became the sale’s leading buyer by aggregate after purchasing 12 foals for nearly 1.6m gns. Yeomanstown Stud also bought a dozen for 1.25m gns. With numbers on its side, The Castlebridge Consignment led consignors by selling 28 foals for 2.7m gns, but credit must go to the Wigans’ West Blagdon Stud, which gained an average of 342,500gns for four sold lots.

STATISTICS Sold: 665 (81% clearance) Aggregate: 38,461,185gns (-12%) Average: 58,659gns (-12%) Median: 30,500gns (+2%)

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER FOAL SALE Top lots Sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

C Frankel - Cloudy Dawn

West Blagdon Stud

1,150,000

Buyer MV Magnier

F Frankel - Tropbeau

The Castlebridge Consignment

850,000

Henry Lascelles

C Frankel - Sunday Star

Whatton Manor Stud

700,000

SackvilleDonald

F Kingman - Well Disposed

Galloway Stud

625,000

Godolphin

C Wootton Bassett - First Flower

Baroda Stud

550,000

Paddy Twomey/Bond Thoroughbreds

This one-day sale’s figures took a big step up last year, so for the latest edition to nudge up again was a feather in its cap. The average price gained a single percentage point at 52,699gns, while turnover, once four private sales were added, gained three per cent at 7,385,000gns, which were both PBs for the event. The median gained 33 per cent to 40,000gns, which was easily a new watermark. The catalogue was of a similar size yet the clearance rate rose three points to 87 per cent. Vendors of yearlings should be delighted that this sale thrives and is not merely regarded as an end-of-year clearance opportunity. It can provide a vital fall-back option if a yearling picks up a minor issue which prevents them being offered at the mainstream autumn sales. Horses who have suffered such misfortune

TATTERSALLS

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER YEARLING SALE

›› Alex Elliott landed the winning bid of 425,000gns for this Frankel colt ROA OWNER BREEDER

SALES CIRCUIT Diamond who had already foaled the Queen Mary Stakes winner Dramatised, was offered at the following week’s December Mares Sale, but returned to her vendor when bidding halted at 500,000gns. A pair of fillies by Sea The Stars boosted the day’s takings when selling for 260,000gns and 200,000gns having been bred in 2023 when the sire’s fee was €180,000. Given that he has risen to €300,000 for the upcoming covering season, the fillies were looking fair value when the hammer dropped. Anthony Stroud bought the higherpriced of the two, a daughter of My Timing, who hails from the famous Time Charter family and who has already foaled three winners by Sea The Stars. The 200,000gns filly by that stallion was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of Kildaragh Stud’s Peter Kavanagh. He said she would race before joining his family’s broodmare band, although as a daughter of Livia’s Dream, the dam of Prix du Moulin winner Dreamloper and whose New Bay foal had been sold for €650,000 at the Goffs November Sale the previous week, he did not need telling about her value as a breeder.

PINHOOK OF THE DAY At a yearling sale where a number of pinhooked horses changed hands for less than they had cost as foals or failed to find a buyer, there was happier news for the Rathbarry Stud team. Their Lope De Vega filly who had been bought for €175,000 as a weanling was resold to Tina Rau for 235,000gns. Hamish Macauley’s 130,000gns offer for a Minzaal colt from Ard Erin Stud meant there was a profit in that yearling for he had been bought for €85,000 as a foal.

›› invariably head trade, but appealing

pedigrees bring in buyers who often invest in horses not on their shortlists. At the latest edition, a Hazelwood Bloodstock-consigned Frankel colt headed trade when knocked down to agent Alex Elliott for 425,000gns. Elliott said his purchase, who would head to William Haggas and run in the colours of a racing partnership, had endured a foot abscess which prevented him from appearing at the October Book 1 Sale. His dam, Listed-race winner Katies

A Lope De Vega filly who was bred at Gestut Etzean in Germany, sold as a foal for €175,000 and then returned to the ring from Ireland’s Rathbarry Stud, will make her racing debut in France. That was the plan revealed by buyer Tina Rau after her 235,000gns bid secured the yearling for a partnership, while on a day when fillies dominated leading prices, a 200,000gns daughter of Wootton Bassett joined the Coolmore pool after a successful bid by Avenue Bloodstock’s Mark McStay. Few vendors would choose the first or last position at any sale, but the 164th and final horse to walk the ring proved worth the wait, for she, a filly by Sea The Stars offered by Shadwell, made 100,000gns to a bid from Swan Bar & Entertainment. Being out of a full-sister to Baaeed and Hukum would explain that valuation.

STATISTICS Sold: 138 (87% clearance) Aggregate: 7,385,000gns (+1%) Average: 52,699gns (+1%) Median: 40,000gns (+33%)

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER YEARLING SALE Top lots Sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

Buyer

C Frankel - Katie’s Diamond

Hazelwood Bloodstock

425,000

Alex Elliott

F Sea The Stars - My Timing

The Castlebridge Consignment

260,000

Stroud Coleman

F Lope De Vega - Strawberry

Rathbarry Stud

235,000

Tina Rau

F Wootton Bassett - Entrancing

Tinnakill House

200,000

Avenue Bloodstock/MV Magnier

F Sea The Stars - Livia’s Dream

Mount Coote Stud

200,000

Blandford Bloodstock

There were plenty of positive notes for breeders and mare traders at this auction which spanned six days, with four dedicated to Flat-bred foals. Improved clearance rates for weanlings and mares was but one box ticked and while there were minor falls in the year-on-year average and median prices, they were a long way from signifying a downturn in the market’s overall health – and they came off the back of much improved figures at the 2024 sale. A packed ring, particularly at the foal sessions, created a positive vibe, and pleasingly there were improved figures for horses offered at the final, weaker sessions. On the fourth day of foals – top price €100,000 – the average rose 16 per cent to €17,319 and the median gained 27 per cent at €14,000. When all four days were

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GOFFS

GOFFS NOVEMBER FOAL & BREEDING STOCK SALES

The Stanley Lodge team celebrate the sale of their Awtaad colt for €380,000

QUOTES OF THE SALE “Ninety-nine times out of 100 you buy these mares and nothing bounces your way, but on this occasion everything that could’ve gone right went right.” The Irish National Stud’s Cathal Beale reflecting on one-in-a-hundred mare Big Break, bought for 30,000gns as a 14-year-old at the December Sale carrying to Palace Pier. At Goffs’ November Foal Sale the Palace Pier weanling, a filly, sold for €220,000.

“There’s a helluva lot of luck attached to it, more than anything else.” Beale again, acknowledging the all-important ingredient in buying horses.

“You’ve got to take your hat off, all your hats off, to Philipp Stauffenberg. He is the bravest of the brave because he’s stretched right out to buy her.” Luke Lillingston, vendor of a New Bay filly who topped the foal sale at €650,000.

“If the enthusiasm for buying foals could be translated into the wider business, we’d have a really successful sport.”

“We are absolutely thrilled and it gives the students an opportunity to see what the market can do for the right type of foal.”

Gayle Moane of Enniskillen’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), which bought a Zarak mare with a Native Trail foal in utero at Goffs last year for €26,000. What a buzz for the equine students who saw the foal born, weaned him, prepped him for the sale, then watched him change hands for €80,000.

combined, the average price had dipped by a few hundred euros to a mark of €48,207 (-1%), while the median was down seven per cent at €26,000. Turnover of just over €34.1m was up four per cent despite 17 fewer lots entering the ring. It was a similar tale for breeding stock. At the weaker second and final session – top price €65,000 – the average price

GOFFS

Lillingston again.

The New Bay half-sister to Dreamloper sells for €650,000 to Philipp Stauffenberg

gained 25 per cent at €9,789 while the median rose 40 per cent at €7,000. Those are low-level prices, but the increases send a positive signal, while an improved 82 per cent clearance rate, up three points, was another pleasing element. Top lot honours on this occasion went to the four-year-old Galileo mare Enthralling, a half-sister to last year’s dual Derby winner Lambourn, covered by Camelot and sold by the Castlebridge Consignment to Northern Farm’s Katsumi Yoshida. Ace Stud was keen to buy this fine prospect, but Tomo Tsuda’s bid of €780,000 on Yoshida’s behalf aced the opposition. Paul Curran, acting for Ace Stud, had earlier picked up Moyglare Stud’s 15-yearold mare Liber Nauticus with a nod at €420,000. Winner of the Musidora Stakes

and the dam of two stakes winners, Liber Nauticus carried a foal by Night Of Thunder, whose 2026 fee at Kildangan Stud will be €200,000. As Curran put it, the foal could make twice the mare’s price should Ace decide to sell, although he said that was unlikely. Moyglare Stud offered ten lots, of which three made the top four prices, adding €1,371,000 to turnover. The top-priced foal, a daughter of New Bay, can expect to find herself at another auction next year after selling to German pinhooker Philipp Stauffenberg for €650,000. That is a meaty gamble, but typical of Stauffenberg’s policy of buying big in the hope of selling big. At this sale the previous year he bought a €440,000 Night Of Thunder colt who he resold at

ROA OWNER BREEDER

››

SALES CIRCUIT ›› Tattersalls Book 1 in October for

475,000gns. He will be hoping for a more profitable return on Mount Coote Stud’s New Bay filly, a daughter of Listed winner Livia’s Dream and therefore a half-sister to Group 1 winner Dreamloper and Group 1-placed Santorini Star. Livia’s Dream’s yearling filly by Sea The Stars sold the following week at Tattersalls for 200,000gns. Ed Sackville of SackvilleDonald, who underbid Stauffenberg, did not have to wait long to find a good alternative in the form of a daughter of Night Of Thunder from the Irish National Stud. Knocked down for €500,000 and set to run in the colours of Simon Sadler’s TBT Racing from Ed Walker’s yard, the filly was foaled by Oceanie, the dam of a pair of stakes winners.

Oceanie’s half-sister Watar, a dual Group 2-winning daughter of Wootton Bassett, had earlier sold for €340,000 to MV Magnier, while Ace Stud’s admiration for Night Of Thunder was revealed once again when it purchased a €410,000 son of the Darley sire from Moyglare Stud. The colt was foaled by Ribblesdale Stakes victress and Irish Oaks-placed filly Princess Highway, while Awtaad’s steady rise in

popularity was given another airing when Peter and Ross Doyle splashed €380,000 on a colt foal from Stanley Lodge. Being a full-brother to one of Awtaad’s banner stars, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond, will have been a factor in the foal’s valuation.

GOFFS BREEDING STOCK STATS

GOFFS FOAL STATS

Sold: 221 (79% clearance) Aggregate: €11,296,000 (-19%) Average: €51,114 (0%) Median: €22,000 (+22%)

Sold: 708 (82% clearance) Aggregate: €34,130,000 (+4%) Average: €48,207 (-1%) Median: €26,000 (-7%)

FOAL SALE Top lots Sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

F New Bay - Livia’s Dream F Night Of Thunder - Oceanie

Mount Coote Stud

650,000

Stauffenberg Bloodstock

Irish National Stud

500,000

SackvilleDonald

C Night Of Thunder - Princess Highway

Moyglare Stud

410,000

Ace Stud

C Awtaad - Pearl Diamond

Stanley Lodge

380,000

Peter & Ross Doyle

F Wootton Bassett - Loyale

Irish National Stud

340,000

MV Magnier

BREEDING STOCK Top lots Name/age/sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Enthralling 4 m Galileo - Gossamer Wings

The Castlebridge Consignment

780,000

Katsumi Yoshida

Liber Nauticus 15 m Azamour - Serres

Moyglare Stud Farm Limited

420,000

Ace Stud

Sparkling Sea 3 f Starspangledbanner - Titanium Sky

Moyglare Stud Farm Limited

310,000

Newstead Breeding

Terrific 14 m Galileo - Shadow Song

Moyglare Stud Farm Limited

300,000

Ballylinch

Zarshana 14 m Sea The Stars - Zarkasha

Aga Khan Studs

270,000

Broadhurst Agency

ARQANA DECEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE

Another great year for Yorkshire-based trainer Karl Burke ended with a flourish at this four-day sale where he sold the €2.6m top lot Half Sovereign. Given that she cost just 12,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Sale, that was a remarkable upgrade in valuation for the two-year-old daughter of Ten Sovereigns, and given that Burke’s wife, Elaine, was a partner in the filly the family were in clover. Adding further gloss to their celebration was the news that Half Sovereign would be returning to Burke’s yard to continue her career. That plan was revealed by bloodstock agent Henry Lascelles, who made the winning bid on behalf of an undisclosed client. They had been drawn to the filly by her five wins at two, ending with a stylish

ROA OWNER BREEDER

win in October’s Prix Miesque at Chantilly. This proved to be another 2025 bloodstock auction at which some caution filtered in and buyers kept their ambitions on a tighter rein. Turnover in excess of €48m was down 13 per cent, although it had shot up by 15 per cent the previous year, and it was a similar story with the average price which fell 17 per cent after a double-digit rise to a record high in 2024. Pleasingly for the all-important middle market the median figure of €28,000 was

an eight per cent rise, raising once again the record for that indicator. At the upper echelon three horses sold for a seven-figure sum, two fewer than the previous year when a top price of €5m for Classic winner Sparkling Plenty was achieved. And while the latest edition saw a five points drop in the clearance rate to 79 per cent, the catalogue involved an extra 80 horses. Arqana was keen to point to the positives, noting that turnover for mares

VIEW FROM THE GROUND “We thought there was plenty of value there. We bought some really nice stock at the top end, and we also bought some really lovely mares at good value as well.” Sam Sangster, who bought seven lots for a total of €802,000 with an eye on supporting new stallion Diego Velazquez at the National Stud.

QUOTES OF THE SALE “I think when you are buying race fillies already with a record they can make this sort of money; we saw it in Newmarket last week on a couple of occasions.” Henry Lascelles after buying the sale’s top lot, two-year-old Classic prospect Half Sovereign, for a cool €2.6m.

“The big thing is that she’s a three-year-old turning four. There’s been very few of those on the market this year, and it’s been hard to buy fillies privately that aren’t four turning five.”

ARQANA

David Lanigan, who with Ted Durcan purchased Nyra for €875,000 on behalf of America’s Heider Family Stables.

Group 3 winner Half Sovereign will return to Karl Burke after selling for €2,600,000

“This mare is a dream. When I saw her in the catalogue, I wanted her. When I saw her here, I wanted her even more.”

ARQANA

Haras du Cadran’s Pierre Talvard after buying four-year-old Lily Hart for €1,050,000

Lily Hart sold to Haras du Cadran

alone was up 14 per cent, and that seven of the 15 mares who made €500,000 or more would remain in France, thereby helping to preserve the domestic industry against strong overseas competition. The sales company also drew notice to a new high of more than €216m for annual turnover. Also making a million euros or more were four-year-old Lily Hart, a daughter of Galileo carrying a precious foal from the final crop of Wootton Bassett, and 11-year-old Margie’s Music with a no less desirable Night Of Thunder foal in utero. Galileo’s daughter Lily Hart, who buyer Pierre Talvard said would be shared among a five-strong group, was knocked down for €1,050,000. She was a Listed winner and Group 3-placed and a full-sister to two other stakes-race winners or placed fillies. Margie’s Music, who sold for €1m, was bought by Haras des Monceaux’s Henri Bozo. He pointed out she was a proven stakes producer with a Classic-entered two-year-old – the Ralph Beckett-trained A La Prochaine – to carry her flag next year. Joseph O’Brien will be the next trainer for the German Group 3 winner Nyra, who was bought by David Lanigan and Ted

Durcan for €875,000. The three-year-old daughter of Isfahan had been racing for her breeder Christoph Berglar, but is now in the ownership of American Scott Heider and his family, said Lanigan. Buyers aiming to add to a broodmare band based in Britain included Graham Smith-Bernal of Newsells Park Stud. He teamed up with Sara and Luca Cumani to purchase a four-year-old winning daughter of Sea The Stars called With Stars who was carrying to Zarak. Badgers Bloodstock brought the hammer down on the partnership’s behalf at €870,000. Foal prices were headed by a €400,000 Lope De Vega colt from Haras d’Etreham and knocked down to Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock.

STATISTICS Sold: 685 (79% clearance) Aggregate: €48,284,800 (-13%) Average: €70,761 (-17%) Median: €28,000 (+8%)

ARQANA DECEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE Top lots Name/age/sex/breeding

Vendor

Half Sovereign 2 f Ten Sovereigns - Baileys Afterparty

Consign Ltd

2,600,000

Price (€)

Buyer Henry Lascelles

Lily Hart 4 m Galileo - Charlotte Bronte

La Motteraye

1,050,000

Haras du Cadran

Margie’s Music 11 m Hurricane Run - Margie’s World

Cour Blanche

1,000,000

Nyra 3 f Isfahan - Nightlight Angel

Ronald Rauscher

875,000

Lanigan/Durcan

Ecurie des Monceaux/Broadhurst Agency

With Stars 4 m Sea The Stars - With You

Barton Stud

870,000

Badgers Bloodstock

›› ROA OWNER BREEDER

SALES CIRCUIT ›› ARQANA AUTUMN AND

NOVEMBER YEARLING SALES

ARQANA

Arqana’s annual mid-November, multipurpose sale offers buyers a melting pot of horses from the world of Flat and jump racing and caters for a range of budgets. There were some big-money transactions, and a couple of record prices for young or prospective jumpers, but trade sauntered from the stalls with a single session of Flat-bred yearlings from a tier below the top level. For this section, a catalogue of 116 lots, 44 fewer than in 2024, had been assembled, yet once private sales were added to those achieved in the ring the aggregate romped up 33 per cent to a figure of just over €800,000 and there were marked rises of 51 per cent and 43 per cent in the average and median prices. It was good to see horses with less fashionable pedigrees bringing reward for their vendors, while a 16 point rise in the clearance rate to 90 per cent was another bonus. Helping the turnover figure was a part dispersal of eight yearlings offered through the Fairway Consignment on behalf of Abu Dhabi’s Al Asayl. They included a colt by Intello and two by Persian King who were among the top five lots. The Intello, who headed trade after being knocked down to Marc-Antoine Berghracht for €45,000, had been foaled by a half-sister to Al Asayl’s Group 1 winner The Revenant. Over to the jumpers and some spectacular spending by husband and wife Mark and Lindy O’Hare who are relatively new to racing, but clearly keen to be competitive. In the summer of 2024, they joined the ranks of Britain’s top 100 richest people when scooping north of £2bn (before tax) through the sale of Preqin, a company they founded 21 years earlier. Preqin, which was sold to Blackrock, tracks the performance of private equity firms and hedge funds, and at the time of the sale had some 50,000 clients and 16 offices around the globe. If Dan Skelton is to beat off competition

Mets Ta Ceinture: set an auction record of €710,000 for a filly bought to go jumping

from Willie Mullins, let alone anyone else, to a treasured first jump trainers’ championship, he will need owners who can buy the potentially big fish, and gaining the Cambridgeshire-based O’Hares as clients is another step towards that goal. With Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock doing the buying, the O’Hares became owners of €710,000 three-year-old filly Mets Ta Ceinture and three-year-old gelding Merci Mam who made €520,000 – those prices are public auction records for a filly bought to go jumping and also for a three-year-old gelded jumper. The pair were offered to dissolve a partnership between the de Lageneste family’s Haras de Saint Voir and those long-time racing pals Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Bromley would have known plenty about the two lots he was buying – they had each been winners at Lyon Parilly in October, with the filly landing a Flat race and the gelding making a winning jumping debut – for when it comes to racing he

represents Munir and Souede. Willie Mullins’s buying team of Harold Kirk and Pierre Boulard showed their interest in Merci Mam, but they had already spent €400,000 on the Christophe Ferland-trained Columbus, a four-year-old colt who had been placed in this year’s Group 1 Preis von Europa. Big prices for such highly desirable horses in training led to a 75 per cent leap in turnover to just over €8.1m at the session. Of 228 offered lots, 193 found a buyer at a rate of 85 per cent. Two-year-old stores and jump-bred yearlings went under the hammer over the following three days and produced double-figure rises for turnover, average and median plus an improved clearance rate. A yearling full-brother to the super mare Jade De Grugy was sold for €160,000 to Nat Barnett, who revealed his purchase would join trainer Hugo Merienne and race in the colours of William Sangwin. A €150,000 Doctor Dino yearling

QUOTES OF THE SALE “It’s pinch yourself stuff.”

Jump trainer Dan Skelton commenting after gaining a pair of three-year-old jumpers for a combined sum of €1,230,000, thanks to new clients Mark and Lindy O’Hare. “I think Willie will keep him on the Flat. He wouldn’t have the profile for fences. He will be a prospect for the big international staying races.” Pierre Boulard with his thoughts on the future for four-year-old colt Columbus, who he had just bought for Willie Mullins. Should Aidan O’Brien, Andrew Balding, the Gosdens and others be concerned? Having trained a Breeders’ Cup winner, who knows where Willie Mullins’ Flat racing ambitions lie?

ARQANA

“Running in a Grade 1 is less stressful than the sales ring.”

Stallion Chanducoq sold for €450,000

ROA OWNER BREEDER

Xavier Papot, after he and family members had inched their way to a final bid of €135,000 for a yearling son of Doctor Dino.

VIEW FROM THE GROUND “I think the market is pretty good and we have made three purchases so far today. Apart from this one, where we definitely took a step up, I think I paid a fair price for the others.” Hubert Barbe reflecting on trade for jump-bred yearlings and stores after taking a ‘step up’ to secure a €125,000 full-brother to the Nicky Henderson-trained Jeriko Du Reponet at Arqana’s Autumn Sale. “There are two types of horses here today – the very expensive ones and the inexpensive ones, with nothing in between. It’s truly a two-tier market.” Guy Petit’s observation of the market for breeding stock. He was speaking after buying an “expensive one”, five-year-old mare Verona Du Berlais for €210,000. half-brother to Grade 2 Cheltenham winner Jet Blue was bought by Nicky Bertran de Balanda, while another of the same age and by the same sire brought a decisive bid of €135,000 from Xavier Papot. An identical sum enabled British agent Dan Astbury to sign for a Saint Des Saints colt on behalf of an end-user. A single session of breeding stock completed the sale, and while buyers were choosy and the clearance rate fell four points to 65 per cent, there were handsome rises in the other key figures. Turnover went up by more than 40 per cent to nearly €4m. While the vast majority of buyers were hunting for broodmares or foals, Haras de

include top-level winner and sire Nirvana Du Berlais and Nice To Meet You, the dam of exciting young jump stallion prospect Nietzsche Has. And just a few days before Verona Du Berlais entered the ring, another half-brother, Toscana Du Berlais, won the Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin. Guy Petit was the buyer of this breeding jewel on behalf of an undisclosed client.

STATISTICS FOR IN-TRAINING, STORES AND YEARLINGS

Cercy’s Jacques Cypres had his eyes on 12-year-old stallion Chanducoq and duly gained him with a bid of €450,000. A winner on the Flat and placed over hurdles and with some Grade 3-winning progeny on his CV, Chanducoq is a son of Cercy’s late premier sire Voix Du Nord and a half-brother to the same stud’s Cokoriko, who has just turned 17. “We wanted to bring the Voix Du Nord bloodline back to Cercy,” said Cypres. A five-year-old daughter of Kapgarde named Verona Du Berlais, offered by Haras du Berlais and in foal to Goliath Du Berlais, proved the pick of the mares. At €210,000, she did not look expensive given her cover and the achievements of her siblings, who

Sold: 321 (75% clearance) Aggregate: €13,391,000 (+42%) Average: €28,914 (+22%) Median: €15,000 (-25%)

JUMP-BRED BREEDING STOCK Sold: 142 (65% clearance) Aggregate: €3,724,500 (+41%) Average: €26,590 (+30%) Median: €15,000 (+7%)

ARQANA AUTUMN AND NOVEMBER YEARLING SALES Top lots Name/age/sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Mets Ta Ceinture 4 f Hunter’s Light - Rien De Plus

Anne-Sophie Pacault

710,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Merci Mam 3 g Karaktar - Bonne Maman

Hugo Merienne

520,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Chanducoq 12 h Voix Du Nord – Cardounika

Barbottiere

450,000

Adam Bloodstock/Haras De Cercy

Columbus 4 c Oasis Dream - Cribbs Causeway

Christophe Ferland

400,000

PB Bloodstock/Harold Kirk/Willie Mullins

Le Nez Creux 4 f No Risk At All - Tire En

Touche Nicolle

320,000

NBB Racing/Elliott Bloodstock

GOFFS CORAL GOLD CUP SALE

Returning to Newbury’s winner’s enclosure for the third edition of this sale, which was held after the Coral Gold Cup card, was probably the right call. Twelve months’ earlier the lots, mostly Irish pointers, had paraded in the preparade ring and the auctioneers held court in the owners’ and trainers’ bar, but there was a disconnect between the two, and a glitch in the PA system to handle. The winner’s enclosure brings buyers, vendors, horses and auctioneers together, not to mention a solid group of curious racegoers, although on a chilly evening they had nearly all dwindled away by the time the last of 18 offered horses entered the ring. Two men who could have been placed naked in an igloo and still not felt the cold

were John ‘Minella’ Nallen and his son Jack. They pulled off another notable sales-ring triumph, not through the trading of a point-to-pointer who had been bought as a three-year-old store, won a race and been reoffered, but via the Orby Sale and an academy hurdle for three-year-olds. At Tattersalls Cheltenham’s November Sale, they gained that auction’s second highest price when selling Minella Yoga for £360,000, while at Newbury they collected £370,000 for Minella Academy. ‘Yoga’ had been a €35,000 Orby purchase, ‘Academy’ had cost €52,000 at the same sale, with each horse being bought in the name of Lucky Jack Bloodstock. Both horses won Irish academy hurdles for three-year-olds on debut and were then moved on to Paul Nicholls and Willie

Mullins. Harold Kirk was at Newbury to secure ‘Academy’ for the master of Closutton. Nallen snr admitted the plan when buying the pair as yearlings was quite different. He explained that they had been purchased to provide rides for his nephew, Flat jockey Sean Dylan Bowen, who, with his brother Conor, was given shares in each. However, when Sean moved across the Irish Sea to further his riding ambitions the plan changed, and when both horses developed the size to go jumping and showed aplomb on the schooling ground that became the new target. Ben Pauling gained the sale’s only other three-year-old hurdler following JP McGrath’s bid of £100,000 that secured

ROA OWNER BREEDER

››

SALES CIRCUIT Merienne and joint-owner David Futter. Pauling and McGrath also gained four-yearold Baron Du Brizais, a recent winner of a maiden race and the sale’s only pointer trained in Britain. They paid £90,000 for this fine, big horse, putting a nice profit in the pocket of former jockey Luca Morgan and his partner, Paige Topley, who had bought the gelding for €15,000 as a store. If Baron Du Brizais wins a novices’ hurdle or chase within two years he gains his new owners a £15,000 windfall, which was tied to his point-to-point victory and is part of a new series of 15 such bonus races in Britain. As ever at sales of this nature, Irish pointers dominated the bulk of the catalogue. Bloodstock agent Tom Malone parted with £240,000 to buy four-year-old Red Acres Max, a debut winner at Dromahane, while on a decidedly mixed day for Dan Skelton – one in which he won the Coral Gold Cup with Panic Attack, but saw his brilliant young prospect The New Lion fall at Newcastle – he gained another promising recruit in A Sight To Sea, who had won impressively at Lingstown on the

GOFFS

›› Vivre Le Reve, a winner in France for Hugo

Minella Academy headed to Willie Mullins’ yard on a valuation of £370,000

east coast of Ireland just a few days earlier. Ryan Mahon’s £190,000 bid secured this one. Few buyers of jumpers have been more active in recent months that Dan Astbury, who has put his hand up more times than a schoolboy who knows all the answers. At Newbury, he signed for unlucky debut

QUOTES OF THE SALE “Corky [Carroll], who runs the yard at home, is the encyclopaedia and has done a great job.”

faller Diamont Dore – after a bid of £125,000 – and comfortable mares’ race winner Elderflower Tonic at £80,000. A few days later Astbury was at Goresbridge, the Irish auction house which is trying to get a toe-hold on the point-topoint market, and where he signed for five of the 18 sold lots. They included the £90,000 top lot Dancing Soldier, a point-to-point winner for trainer Mick Goff and who became yet another Astbury recruit for the stable of Mickey Bowen.

John Nallen, who sold top lot Minella Academy, pays tribute to one of his staff, James Carroll from County Cork.

STATISTICS Sold: 17 (94% clearance) Aggregate: £1,944,000 (+29%) Average: £114,353 (+6%) Median: £85,000 (0%)

“It was a very up and down hour and a half, so one in the bag and one slipped out, but onwards and upwards.”

Ryan Mahon, busy topping up Dan Skelton’s yard with £190,000 purchase A Sight To Sea, and reflecting on the Coral Gold Cup victory of the stable’s Panic Attack and the frustrating tip-up of The New Lion at Newcastle.

GOFFS CORAL GOLD CUP SALE Top lots Name/age/sex/breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Minella Academy 3 g Sea The Moon - Timely

Minella Racing

370,000

Harold Kirk/Willie Mullins

Red Acres Max 4 g Maxios - Redacresruby

Moate Stables

240,000

Tom Malone

A Sight To Sea 4 g Affinisea - Pauls First

Blackhall Stables

190,000

Ryan Mahon/Dan Skelton Racing

ONLINE SALES

Stallion shares and breeding rights were on offer when Arqana Online staged a sale in late November. An annual breeding right to Tally-Ho Stud’s Mehmas – whose 2026 fee holds steady at €70,000 – was knocked down to Hugo Merry for €180,000, while a share in Haras de Beaumont’s Ace Impact made €152,000 to a bid from Horse France. Of 24 available lots, 18 were sold, generating

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sales worth €871,500. Tattersalls Online’s November Sale was headed by a 100,000gns investment in a breeding right to Palace Pier by Richard Knight on behalf of Salhia Stud. The Dalham Hall Stud stallion’s 2026 fee is £32,000. A yearling filly by Zoustar out of Group 3 winner Farmah made 86,000gns. Offered by Tweenhills Stud, she was sold to trainer James Tate. Of the 186 offered lots, 96 found buyers

Buyer

at a clearance rate of 52 per cent, while turnover rose 18 per cent to a figure of 765,300gns at an average of 7,792gns. Trade at GoffsGo’s first Foal, Yearling & Breeding Stock Sale proved less successful, with just four of 43 lots finding a buyer. Credit to GoffsGo for trying the format, and the strength of the catalogue has to be borne in mind, but selling unproven foals and yearlings in this way is clearly challenging.

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A leading broodmare sire by Stakes winners/horses For sires with seven crops or less including Gr.1 horses POPTRONIC, LIGHTSABER, TEXAS, and eight new Stakes horses in Europe in 2025

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Ranked third behind MEHMAS and HAVANA GREY (Racing Post to 6/11/25)

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The source of speed

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Champion 3yo Sprinter won/placed in 15 Stakes races Half-brother to Gr.1 sprinter AESOP’S FABLES

DR STATZ

The power of Helen Street JOHN BOYCE cracks the code

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BILL SELWYN

wo of the best sires and broodmare sires in recent times descend from the 1985 Irish Oaks winner Helen Street. The Major Dick Hern-trained Ballymacoll homebred didn’t produce her best runner until her tenth foal, when her Machiavellian colt Street Cry proved topclass on dirt, winning the Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster Handicap. Five years earlier, Helen Street had produced Street Cry’s Listed-placed ownsister Helsinki, who found fame as the dam of Shamardal, the Dewhurst Stakes winner who trained on to win the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club ahead of annexing the York-staged St James’s Palace Stakes. Both Street Cry and Shamardal were unqualified successes at stud. For Street Cry, all you need to know is that he sired two of international racing’s iconic fillies in Zenyatta and Winx, who won 56 races between them including 39 at the highest level. Shamardal, meanwhile, has sired 29 Group/Grade 1 winners in an exceptional career that produced his latest top-flight winner this year in the shape of Falmouth Stakes heroine Cinderella’s Dream. Shamardal has delivered 147 stakes winners at a top-class rate of 12.5 per cent from his northern hemisphere-foaled runners, pride of place going to his equally effective sire son Lope De Vega, plus Blue Point (Timeform 131) and Pinatubo (Timeform 134), his two truly top-class runners both of whom are in the process of building their own reputations as sires. To this point in time, Shamardal’s maleline descendants are already responsible for 35 Group/Grade 1 winners, also including those in the southern hemisphere. In the year to date, Belardo has two Group/Grade 1 scorers in Fiach McHugh (Hong Kong) and Romanoff (New Zealand) while Caballo De Mare gave Phoenix Of Spain a first top-tier winner when winning the Prix du Cadran in October. Their sire, meanwhile, is having a quieter year than usual at the top level, his three Group/Grade 1 winners coming in Australia (Arapaho), the US (Carl Spackler) and France (Consent). That said, Lope De Vega remains one of the most prodigious sources of Group and stakes horses anywhere in the world, having sired 66 during 2025, the most of any northern hemisphere stallion. As a broodmare sire, Shamardal is still

Field Of Gold: last season’s star miler is out of a Shamardal mare

very much active, and based on what his daughters have achieved so far, the son of Giant’s Causeway is certainly among the elite sires or mares. Only Sea The Stars (7.9 per cent) among active sires has surpassed his seven per cent stakes winners from his daughters’ runners foaled in the northern hemisphere. Even the great Galileo (8.2 per cent) is not that far ahead of him. And compared with one of the best European broodmare sires of the past 40 years in Darshaan, who scores 9.1 per cent stakes winners, Shamardal’s metrics still look impressive. Moreover, when we run the same rule over his elite daughters, his percentage of stakes winners climbs to 13.4 per cent, which puts him ahead of Galileo’s 12.5 per cent, Sea The Stars’s 12.7 per cent and closest to Darshaan’s 15.5 per cent. In all, Shamardal has amassed 18 Group/ Grade 1 winners worldwide as a broodmare sire and this year his daughters have delivered the top-level scorers Field Of Gold (Timeform 127), Goliath (127) and Sosie

(122), plus Ceowulf (128) in Australia. For his part, Street Cry was less efficient than Shamardal at converting his runners to stakes winners, but he still worked at a very high level with nine per cent stakes winners from among his northern hemisphere foals and 8.7 per cent from his Australian progeny. The similarities between Street Cry’s output in each hemisphere is striking in that Winx had a Timeform rating of 134 and Zenyatta achieved a high of 131. His best ten American horses also produced an average Timeform rating of 123.3 compared to the 122.7 for his best ten down under. Street Cry’s first US crop, in addition to Zenyatta, delivered champion two-year-old and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Street Sense, who the following spring became the first Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to land the Kentucky Derby. Also in that first crop was Street Boss, a sprinter with Grade 1 wins in the Triple Bend and Bing Crosby Handicaps who went on to sire seven-time Australian Group 1 scorer Anamoe.

Thus far, Street Cry’s line has produced 57 Group/Grade 1 winners around the world, and unsurprisingly his legacy rests in both North America and Australia, his two homes while standing under the Darley banner. To get a sense of Street Cry’s achievements, we need only look at the nine 2025 Group/Grade 1 winners from his own male line. In America, Street Sense sired La Cara to win the Ashland and Acorn Stakes, while Street Sense’s son McKinzie was responsible for Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza and CCA Oaks heroine Scottish Lassie. Meanwhile in Australia, Street Boss found another potential star in Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Tentyris and also sired Another Wil to win the CF Orr Stakes. Then Street Cry’s son Pride Of Dubai gave us Tancred Stakes winner Dubai Honour and Empire Rose scorer Pride Of Jenni, while another Street Cry son, Per Incanto, delivered triple Group 1 winner Jimmystar and George Ryder scorer Gringotts. As we have seen with his sire metrics, Street Cry’s current stakes-winner strikerates in the north and south in his role as a broodmare sire are also very similar. His daughters produce 6.4 per cent stakes winners from among their northern hemisphere-foaled runners, and 6.5 per cent from their runners foaled in the southern hemisphere. Just like his nephew Shamardal, Street Cry’s elite mares really step up to the plate, delivering an impressive 13.1 per cent stakes winners from the northern hemisphere runners and very pleasing 8.4 per cent in the south. Street Cry’s Group/Grade 1 roll of honour as a broodmare sire is one of the most impressive you will find anywhere, and the 2025 members of that cast are an international who’s who of racing greats. The thoroughly admirable and consistent Rebel’s Romance and Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior head the list. Then we have Rosehill Guineas and multiple Group 1-winning two-year-old Broadsiding, plus star three-year-old filly Treasurethe Moment, who picked up three Group 1s in 2025, and Golden Rose Stakes scorer Beiwacht. Spring Champion Stakes winner Attica, Tattersall’s Tiara scorer Tashi, plus All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten are other Group 1 winners of note. Street Cry also delivers as a sire of broodmare sires with Street Sense mares producing the Grade 1 winners Mindframe and Good Cheer in the US and Northerly Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader in Australia. To cap it all off, Street Cry’s Per Incanto is broodmare sire of that sprinter extraordinaire, Ka Ying Rising, currently the world’s top rated speedster.

G1 WINNERS OUT OF SHAMARDAL MARES TFR 128

Horse CEOLWULF

127

FIELD OF GOLD

127

GOLIATH

125

PRIVATE EYE

124

AWTAAD

124 124

YOB 2020

Sex G

Sire Tavistock

Dam Las Brisas

2022

Kingman

Princess De Lune

2020

Adlerflug

Gouache

2017

Al Maher

Confidential Queen

2013

Cape Cross

Asheerah

HELLO YOUMZAIN

2016

Kodiac

Spasha

IMPERATRIZ

2018

I Am Invincible

Berimbau

123

CONVERGE

2018

Frankel

Conversely

123

SOSIE

2021

Sea The Stars

Sosia

122

FACTEUR CHEVAL

2019

Ribchester

Jawlaat

119

LATROBE

2015

Camelot

Question Times

117

ALTHIQA

2017

Dark Angel

Mistrusting

117

MYSTERIOUS NIGHT

2020

Dark Angel

Mistrusting

116

PRETTY POLLYANNA

2016

Oasis Dream

Unex Mona Lisa

114

DEVIL NIGHT

2022

Extreme Choice

Mischief Night

111

YLANG YLANG

2021

Frankel

Shambolic

108

MIGHTY HIGH

2015

Pathfork

Bold Nimph

103

MOVE TO STRIKE

2021

I Am Invincible

No Evidence Needed

G1 WINNERS OUT OF STREET CRY MARES TFR 130 127 127 126 124 124 123 123 123 122 122 121 120 120 120 119 118 117 117 115 114 114 114 113 113 113 112 110 108 -

Horse VINO ROSSO DIVERSIFY ROMANTIC WARRIOR REBEL’S ROMANCE DOMESTIC SPENDING TREASURETHE MOMENT BEIWACHT CYLINDER TOM KITTEN CASCADIAN FARNAN SALUTE THE SOLDIER BELL’S THE ONE BROADSIDING MEASURED TIME SEPTEMBER RUN STREET BAND POUNAMU WALK OF STARS ATTICA JUST F Y I TASHI WET PAINT DAUMIER LYRE SKITTER SCATTER CON TE PARTIRO NEW CENTURY ALBAHR DANIEL BOONE FIEL AMIGO MR BAILETTI

YOB 2015 2013 2018 2018 2017 2021 2022 2020 2020 2015 2017 2015 2016 2021 2020 2017 2016 2011 2019 2022 2021 2019 2020 2019 2016 2016 2014 2022 2019 2012 2018 2014

Sex C G G G G F C C G G C G F C C F F G G C F F F C F F F C G C C C

Sire Curlin Bellamy Road Acclamation Dubawi Kingman Alabama Express Bivouac Exceed And Excel Harry Angel New Approach Not A Single Doubt Sepoy Majesticperfection Too Darn Hot Frankel Exceed And Excel Istan Authorized Dubawi Lonhro Justify Sebring Blame Epaulette Lonhro Scat Daddy Scat Daddy Kameko Dubawi Wild Event Violence Exchange Rate

Dam Mythical Bride Rule One Folk Melody Minidress Urban Castle Draconic Treasure Metastasio Circular Transfers Falls Of Lora Tallow Street Fire Street Mate Speedway Minidress Pittsburgh Flyer Street Minstrel Tangiwai Sound Reflection Savatiano Star Act Ghenwaa Sky Painter Illustrate Erato Dane Street Temple Street Potent Embrace Falls Of Lora Bia Don’t Cry Poloma Opera Lily

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SEXTON FILES

Firmly back in favour NANCY SEXTON on the resurgence of Gleneagles

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COOLMORE

t is remarkable to think that the sire of the highest-rated horse in the world had a crop of only 22 three-year-olds racing for him in 2025. The volatile nature of Gleneagles’ books in recent years is reflective of the bloodstock industry as a whole, where breeders jump on the young exciting new horse, pull back in subsequent years before invariably running for the hills when said horse doesn’t live up to the hype on the track. It’s hard for those stallions to come back into favour - the exiled Ten Sovereigns, who has sprung into life in recent months as a Group 1 sire, being a case in point – but Gleneagles has bucked the trend, thanks in no part to the exploits of Calandagan. The Aga Khan Studs’ admirable homebred has blossomed in the past year from a seemingly perennial bridesmaid into a multiple Group 1 winner, with a breakthrough win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud followed by bloodless victories in the King George and Champion Stakes. Calandagan was already rated the best horse in the world prior to taking on Japan’s best in the Japan Cup last month and he vindicated that exalted position even further in victory, swooping down the outside under Mickael Barzalona to hold off the Tenno Sho winner Masquerade Ball and score by a head. Calandagan’s season is a real credit to his connections, trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and his owner-breeder the Aga Khan Studs, for whom it’s been a remarkable year on the track; the Japan Cup was its eighth Group 1 win of 2025, coming off the back of Daryz’s victory in the Arc, Zarigana’s promotion in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Group 1 wins of Sibayan and Candelari. The year of course started with great sadness after the death of the Aga Khan III and for the horses to have gone on to do the operation so proud will have undoubtedly offered some solace. The Aga Khan Studs has never been afraid to deviate away from fashion, instead preferring to focus on what could work best for its broodmare band. Its history is littered with good horses by lesser stallions, ranging from the 1981 Champion Stakes winner Vayrann, by Brigadier Gerard, to its champion miler Sendawar, by far the best sired by Priolo, and Irish Derby hero Alamshar, himself the best sired by Key Of Luck. Calandagan doesn’t fall quite into that bracket, for all he is the best horse sired so far by Gleneagles. Coolmore’s son of Galileo is today well regarded as a solid option in the

Gleneagles: enjoying renewed popularity for Coolmore

€20,000 range but when the Aga Khan Studs utilised him with Calandagan’s dam Calayana, he was a fifth-year stallion who was still relatively unproven. As the volatile nature of Gleneagles’ books suggest, matters have not been straightforward. He retired to stud as a Group 1-winning two-year-old who trained on to pull off the 2,000 and Irish 2,000 Guineas double at three. A champion at two and three, he is also exceptionally well-bred as a Galileo son of blue hen You’resothrilling, a Group 2-winning Storm Cat full-sister to champion Giant’s Causeway, himself a leading international sire. So Coolmore had a highly appealing package with which to go to war, and he was duly busy in his first season in 2016 at a fee of €60,000. However, that in itself generates its share of hype, something that on occasion is almost impossible for a stallion to live up to. Gleneagles’ first crop wound up in the best hands available and indeed it was Ballydoyle that did most to drive his reputation when his first two-year-olds hit the track in 2019, with Aidan O’Brien saddling Royal Lytham to win the July Stakes, Southern Hills to take the Windsor Castle Stakes and Royal Dornoch to capture the Royal Lodge Stakes. That first crop came to contain ten stakes winners, among them Grade 1 winner Highland Chief, his very first winner (when

successful at Newbury’s Greenham meeting) who won the Man o’War Stakes in the US. That was as a five-year-old in 2022, however, by which time Gleneagles had received plenty of opportunity to make his presence felt. There had been plenty of winners, some of them smart such as Loving Dream, successful in the 2021 Prix de Royallieu, and Group 2 scorers Insinuendo and Baby Rider. But there was the sense that given the high-profile nature of his early crops (his fee didn’t drop below €40,000 until 2019), his profile was becoming acceptable rather than exciting. That notion certainly played out in the ring, where his yearling average fell from a first-year high of around 120,000gns to 37,000gns just two years later. Patience is a virtue, however, and Gleneagles has done plenty to bolster his reputation since then thanks to a slew of talented representatives. Loving Dream, a homebred for Lordship Stud, was the highlight of seven stakes winners out of his second crop of around 110 foals. A smaller third crop of 86 produced eight stakes winners led by the Group 2 scorers Melo Melo, Velocidad and Jack Darcy. Several of his higher-rated progeny up to that point had stayed well, but Gleneagles was a top miler after all and two of his high-flyers from his fourth crop offered a different

dimension to his stud record; Mill Stream captured the July Cup, while Royal Scotsman was quick enough to break the six-furlong track record at Goodwood in the Richmond Stakes prior to running third in the 2,000 Guineas at three. Yet it is Gleneagles’ fifth crop, produced in 2021, that has done most to underline his reputation as a consistent source of talent. From a group of 133 foals, nine are stakes winners and not only include Calandagan but

has done him few favours, yielding just a single stakes winner in German Group 3 scorer Lifetimes, while his 2023 crop – bred when his fee hit a low of €15,000 – has yet to produce a stakes horse. But he has no shortage of representatives in the pipeline, having covered three-figure books in each of the past three seasons; he was one of the busiest horses on the Coolmore roster in 2025 with a book of 188 mares. Given the dearth of proven and commercially sound stallions

It is Gleneagles’ fifth crop that has done most to underline his reputation as a consistent source of talent today available in Europe in the €15,000 to €25,000 bracket, he is sure to be similarly attractive to breeders again in 2026. Much of the strength behind the Aga Khan Studs rests in the operation’s ability to blend its families, many of them originally cultivated by leading breeders of their time. The 2025 season was again truly reflective of that fact. For instance, Zarigana is representative of 11 generations of Aga Khan breeding as a direct descendant of the ‘flying grey’ Mumtaz Mahal, part of the first group of mares bought by George Lambton in the early 1920s, via Aly

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also the 2024 Deutsches Derby winner Palladium and Arrow Eagle, a half-brother to Ace Impact who signed off last season with a win in the Prix Royal-Oak. One of the strong aspects to Gleneagles’ stud record is his versatility. As Calandagan and Arrow Eagle continue to illustrate, his progeny can progress with time. Yet he’s capable of throwing classy, fast two-year-olds, which was obviously on show straight away through those first-crop colts Royal Lytham, Royal Dornoch and Southern Hills. Understandably, that 2022 crop of 21 foals

Khan’s champion Petite Etoile. Meanwhile, Daryz and Preis von Europa winner Sibayan both belong to former Boussac families. The Aga Khan’s final ‘lock, stock and barrel’ purchase was the stock belonging to Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2005. The acquisition provided the operation not only with ample access to Linamix, the 1990 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner who was developed by Lagardere into a leading stallion of his time, but also a diverse base of families, some of whom had been sourced out of the US with an eye on supporting Linamix. Candelari, winner of last year’s Prix Vicomtesse Vigier for the Aga Khan Studs, is one such horse. Calandagan is another advertisement for the capabilities of the Lagardere stock as a direct descendant of his homebred Prix de l’Opera winner Clodora. By Linamix and out of the 1990 Princess Margaret Stakes winner Cloche d’Or, Clodora foaled Clodovil, who carried the Lagardere grey and pink to victory in the 2003 Poule d’Essai des Poulains prior to becoming a useful stallion at Rathasker Stud. Among Clodora’s daughters, the Rock Of Gibraltar filly Clodovina was Listed-placed and it is through her branch that Calandagan descends as a son of her Group 3-placed daughter Calayana. Now a 12-year-old, the Sinndar mare is also dam of the Listed-placed Calamandra as well as the winning Caliyza, who topped the first day of last month’s Tattersalls December Sale on a 850,000gns bid from Ace Stud. Unsurprisingly, she was in foal to Gleneagles.

Calandagan: pictured winning the King George, he later added the Champion Stakes and Japan Cup

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EQUINE HEALTH

Foal foundations for a healthy future By LAURA STELEY

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VETERINARY IMMUNOGENICS

hen foaling unfolds as nature intended and the newborn is on its feet and searching to nurse within the first few hours, their very first meal will be colostrum, aptly named ‘liquid gold’. This thick, yellow fluid is a perfectly engineered first feed, designed specifically to protect and nourish the foal during the most vulnerable hours of life. If a mare is due to foal away from home, it’s always best to move her several weeks before foaling (at least a month). Doing so allows her to acquire the antibodies present in her new environment, ensuring her colostrum contains the appropriate immune protection for her foal. From the moment a foal is born, its development depends greatly on the foundations set in those first critical hours. Louise Jones, nutritionist at Connolly’s RED MILLS, explains: “The ingestion of adequate amounts of good quality colostrum (30-40ml/kg BW) via the small intestine allows for the passive transfer of maternal derived immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), lymphocytes and neutrophils which are essential for the development of the foal’s immune system. “Colostrum also contains growth factors (e.g. IGF-1 and IGF-2), enzymes and hormones. These non-nutrient components play an important role in the development of the digestive system. The quality of the mare’s colostrum should be tested via a refractometer and is particularly important for maiden and aged mares, and those that have begun lactation prematurely. “For maximum absorption, foals should ingest colostrum within four hours of birth as efficiency of absorption starts to decline after six to eight hours. Some foals may require assistance to stand and suckle. If the foal is unable to nurse, but the dam has plenty of colostrum, the mare can be milked and the colostrum can be bottle-fed or, if necessary, administered by a vet via nasogastric.” Timing is critical. Absorption declines sharply after 12 hours, and the window is essentially closed by 24 hours postpartum. Jones adds: “Neonates have a high metabolic rate and low glycogen reserves, therefore foals that fail to nurse can rapidly become hypoglycaemic, hypovolemic and hypothermic.”

Hyperimmune plasma is frequently used in the hospital setting to treat foals with failure of passive transfer of immunity

After at least 12 hours of nursing, IgG levels in the foal’s blood can be checked. If passive transfer is insufficient, your veterinarian may recommend plasma therapy. Without blood testing, poor immunity often goes unnoticed until the foal is two or three days old, by which point it is too late to meaningfully improve immune status.

How can plasma therapy help?

Dr Siobhan McAuliffe (MBV, DACVIM) of Veterinary Immunogenics explains: “Plasma therapy is the process of administering plasma or plasma-based

products to increase the levels of antibodies in the blood. Plasma therapy has a host of preventative applications and when used to complement conventional veterinary treatments; it can shorten the course of treatments, reduce hospitalization periods, and lessen the quantity of drug required to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. “The most common use in foals is the treatment of ‘Failure of passive transfer of immunity’ (FPT), which is when the foal has failed to ingest enough immunoglobulins to protect itself against infection in the first few weeks of life,

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Horses can return to the herd setting immediately after donating

›› either because it has not received enough

colostrum or has ingested colostrum of poor quality. Septicaemia, secondary to FPT, is the most common cause of death in neonatal foals.” Jones reiterates: “FPT and PFPT (partial failure of passive transfer) affect between 10-20 per cent of neonates and result in increased risk of neonatal septicaemia. If FPT/PFPT has occurred and the foal is less than 12 hours old, colostrum should be provided orally or by nasogastric intubation. In foals older than 12 hours, hyperimmune serum/plasma transfusion is recommended and may be required by an insurance company, if applicable.” McAuliffe continues: “The second most common use is the administration of plasma to reduce the incidence and severity of disease caused by R.equi infection. This bacterium is found in the soil and infection in foals in the first few weeks of life can lead to life threatening bronchopneumonia. “The blood of all mammals is composed of four key constituents: red cells, which transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues; white cells, which produce antibodies that help counteract infectious microorganisms; platelets, which support the clotting process; and plasma, the liquid component of blood that contains proteins, antibodies or gamma-globulins, 80

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clotting factors, and various other immunity-boosting agents. “Veterinary Immunogenics (VIL) products contain hyperimmunized plasma, a form of plasma that has greatly increased levels of antibodies. Hyperimmune plasma

A foal may nurse as often as every ten minutes in the early days can only be obtained from donors subject to a formal hyperimmunization regimen. This involves the strategic administration of a variety of commercial and proprietary vaccines to target specific active infections. In response to hyperimmunization, donors accumulate levels of antibodies in their bloodstream two to three times higher than those of normal animals. “We provide cell-free, single-source,

100% traceable, hyperimmunized plasma that is never blended. The process of extracting bulk plasma from donors is a complex one, relying on state-of-the-art technology and expertise. Our technicians are professionals who prioritise the horse’s comfort while ensuring a quality product. Every donor animal is carefully screened, and the horses can return to the herd setting immediately after donating. “VIL products offer a guarantee of quality that only a Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) approved plasma collection facility can provide.”

Nursing

All being well and following passive transfer immunity, the foal will usually consume all the mare’s colostrum within the first 24-36 hours, at which point she will transition to true milk production. In the early days, a foal may nurse as frequently as every ten minutes, gradually settling into an hourly pattern after around four weeks of age. In healthy mares and foals at foot, milk and early grazing provide all the nutrients the foal requires during the first two to three months of life. Fresh grass is a great source of many nutrients, and it is very important that access for the mare and foal is provided as soon as possible. The foal will quickly learn to try different

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FUELLING YOUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS

Connolly’s RED MILLS Stud Feeds Nutrition that pays off

Contact our specialist thoroughbred team: UK: Adam Johnson +44 7860 771063 IRL: Erin Campbell +353 +353 86 1770688 FR: Sylvain Prouvoyeur +33 6 9867 5138 Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Email: info@redmills.com

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EQUINE HEALTH as a binding agent, ideally with added electrolytes to help maintain fluid balance (e.g. Foran Equine Atta-Sorb gel) can help in foals suffering from diarrhoea but it is always advisable to consult with your vet first.”

VETERINARY IMMUNOGENICS

The value of creep feeding

Turnout should be provided as soon as safely possible

›› forages, which is an important part of

introducing bacterial microflora to the gut. Turnout is also crucial for skeletal development. A mare at peak lactation can produce approximately three per cent of her bodyweight in milk every day, around 15 kilograms for a typical thoroughbred mare. Despite this remarkable output, foals are naturally inquisitive and will often experiment with alternative feed sources well before they truly need them. They may nibble at their dam’s concentrates or even sample companion faeces, both of which contribute to the establishment of a robust hindgut microbiome. Milk, however, is naturally low in copper and zinc, two minerals critical for healthy cartilage development. It is good practice to ensure adequate amounts of trace minerals copper, zinc and manganese in the mare’s diet during late gestation, especially when the diet is predominantly forage-based. This will help ensure the foal 82

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is born with adequate liver stores. A balanced diet for the mare is essential, with vitamin and mineral supplementation (usually via a stud balancer) advisable if the diet is predominantly fibre-based. Low copper levels are associated with physitis and osteochondrosis, although these conditions are multifactorial. Calcium requirements also peak during early lactation, and without adequate calcium in the mare’s diet there is an increased risk of bone demineralisation, affecting the mare and potentially the growing foal. Jones adds: “During periods of stress or for backward foals, feeding a multivitamin and prebiotic syrup can help to support immune function and gut health. Foran Equine Friska foal is ideal and very palatable. “Diarrhoea is common in foals and can range from being relatively harmless (e.g. foal heat scours) to extremely serious (bacterial infection e.g. salmonella). Supplements that are formulated to act

By three months of age, the foal still relies on the mare for up to half of its daily nutrient requirement, particularly calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc. However, milk production has already begun to decline at this stage, along with trace mineral content creating a nutritional shortfall. Feeding mare and foal individually allows diets to be tailored to their specific needs. A properly fortified foal concentrate should be introduced gradually, with the aim of feeding approximately one pound (0.5kg) per month of age, or, alternatively, about one per cent of the foal’s bodyweight per day. Feeds should be divided into two or three small meals to avoid overloading the immature digestive tract. Creep feeding also helps prepare the foal for weaning by offering early familiarity with hard feed and promoting independent eating behaviour. Monitoring growth is essential: steady, consistent development is key. Foals should maintain a lean body condition, with ribs easily felt but not seen and avoiding excessive weight gain, which places unnecessary strain on developing joints. Nutritional imbalances (deficiencies or excesses) or incorrect ratios must be avoided, particularly in foals predisposed to developmental orthopaedic diseases (DODs). The causes of these diseases are multifactorial and include genetics, hormones, conformation, growth rate, exercise, and nutrition. An irregular growth rate or growth spurts can increase the risk. If a foal begins to show signs of DOD, concentrate intake should be temporarily reduced while overall nutrition is reassessed. Jones advises: “Foals that are weak or backward or those whose dam is not producing sufficient milk can be introduced to a suitable creep feed as early as two weeks. These individuals are likely to require a commercial feed specifically designed to provide young foals with a higher calorie intake, such as Connolly’s Red Mills Foal Pellets. “For nursing foals that are maintaining weight well, without supplementary feed, introduction of a suitable creep feed at around two or three months, coinciding with a reduction in the nutritional value of milk, is recommended. In these situations, a nutrient-dense balancer like Connolly’s Red Mills GroCare is ideal.

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SUREGROW

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James Read, Selwood Bloodstock says it all "D&H Suregrow is a central part of our feeding regime for pregnant mares, foals and yearlings. We have fed the product for a number of years and are delighted at how the youngstock look. It delivers optimal growth and development in the youngstock without them getting too heavy. We even use it during sales prep. I would happily recommend it to other breeders."

E Q U I N E R OYA LT Y For feed advice, please call our helpline team on 01270 782 223 or email helplineenquiries@dodsonandhorrell.com www.dodsonandhorrell.com

EQUINE HEALTH ››

“There are various creep-feeding systems that allow the foal, but not the mare, access to the feed. These range from buckets with bars across the top, to feeding areas with openings only wide enough to allow the foal to enter. Regardless of the system used, it is important that creep feeding is introduced early, well before weaning, as it can take a few days or weeks for the foal to become accustomed to it.”

Orphaned foals

Despite best efforts, sometimes the situation of an orphaned foal is unavoidable. The management and care surrounding this sad and complex situation cannot be overlooked. Jones explains: “Foals orphaned at under three and a half months can do well on forage and a suitable foal creep ra-

tion (e.g. Connolly’s Red Mills Foal Pellets) and may not require supplementary milk. However, foals orphaned at three and a half months of age and above will need a milkbased diet. “Ideally, foster mares should be matched as closely as possible for stage of lactation to the age of the orphan foal. If there is a significant difference between the foal’s age and the mare’s stage of lactation, the foal may benefit from additional mineral supplementation to compensate for the natural waning in the mineral content of milk throughout lactation. This is easily achieved by providing a commercial liquid vitamin and mineral supplement (e.g. Foran Equine Chevinal) as a drench. “In my experience, it can be helpful when introducing a milk replacer to use a more dilute solution – approximately

10-15% less milk powder then the manufacturer’s recommendations. The dilution can then be gradually increased, over five to seven days, to the manufacturer’s recommend mixing strength.” Proper nutrition and management in the first weeks of life are fundamental to a foal’s long-term health, growth, and immunity. Ensuring timely colostrum intake, monitoring passive transfer, supporting trace mineral status, and gradually introducing appropriate creep feed all contribute to optimal development. Close observation, regular veterinary assessment, and careful nutritional planning help reduce the risk of developmental orthopaedic disease, will support immune function, and lay the foundation for a strong, healthy racehorse.

Remembering Geoff Lane FRCVS Geoff Lane, who died in July aged 79, was a renowned veterinary surgeon who specialised in wind, throat, sinus and dental disease in horses. Much of his work was on National Hunt racehorses with wind infirmities, writes David Ellis. During his career as lecturer and surgeon at Bristol University Veterinary School, he pioneered endoscopy of horses at exercise on a treadmill, and later overground endoscopy with the horse ridden at a canter or gallop. From these observations, a more precise diagnosis was made, some of the disorders being previously unknown, and appropriate surgical treatments developed. Flat racehorses and other sport horses also benefitted from this work. With knowledge from his examinations of many horses and these new surgical methods, Lane was sought after by owners, trainers and vets of National Hunt and Flat racehorses throughout the British Isles and abroad. Lane was born on January 26, 1946, into a Herefordshire farming family and went to the Royal Veterinary College in London, qualifying in 1969. He then spent time in general practice in Cornwall and Oxfordshire, followed by training positions at Bristol and the RVC before settling to a surgery position at the Bristol school until 2007 when he worked privately. He held a high reputation for his

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teaching and lecturing and was a regular speaker at conferences and courses throughout the world. From his experience endoscoping horses of all ages, Lane developed a grading scale for laryngeal hemiplegia, the cause of roaring or whistling which could diminish performance in racehorses. This enabled a more accurate assessment of laryngeal function in horses. Sales companies had established wind conditions for yearlings and horses in training for several years, but when endoscopy was first used opinions from it varied too much. After more vets gained experience and could assess and grade their findings more reliably, endoscopy was introduced at Tattersalls in 1984. Lane was part of a three-man panel adjudicating returned yearlings until 2013. The panel published their findings with follow-up records of the returned horses. Other auction houses in Britain developed their conditions of sale similarly. A few other significant diseases of the upper respiratory tract were later added to the conditions of sale. All this work did an immense service to the integrity of the sales for the benefit of auctioneers, purchasers and vendors. He received several accolades and prizes from his profession including a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1974 and prizes from the British Equine Veterinary

Geoff Lane: pioneering vet

Association, of which he was President, in 1989. He served on the veterinary commission at Badminton Horse Trials from 1981 until 2012. Lane followed racing and particularly enjoyed Cheltenham. He was a keen golfer, taking a team to Marlborough every year for Jim Old’s charity golf day in aid of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund. He was a keen and very capable shot, sharing and hosting many happy and successful days in the West Country. He died on July 30 after battling cancer and leaves his widow Maz, sons Henry and Giles, and two grandsons. A service in celebration of Lane’s life held in St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells on November 12 was attended by more than 300 people from all walks of life, as well as strong turnouts of veterinary surgeons, trainers and owners.

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ASK OUR EXPERTS AT www.foranequine.com UK: Louise Jones T: +44 7843 349054 E: louise.jones@redmills.co.uk Ire: Nicole Groyer T: +353 83 477 3873 E: nicole.groyer@redmills.ie #OURSCIENCEYOURSUCCESS

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JP McManus acknowledges the applause at December’s ROA Horseracing Awards, where he collected the Owner of the Year trophy

The CEO Column By LOUISE NORMAN

hat an exceptional evening we enjoyed at the ROA Horseracing Awards in December, a night dedicated to celebrating owners and the horses who lit up our racecourses over the past year. I was particularly delighted to see Calandagan crowned ROA Horse of the Year and JP McManus retain his title as ROA Owner of the Year, recognising his outstanding ongoing commitment to our sport. Princess Zahra Aga Khan accepted the Horse of the Year award on behalf of The Aga Khan Studs with a heartfelt and emotional tribute to Calandagan’s remarkable season and her late father, the Aga Khan. JP McManus used his acceptance speech to thoughtfully highlight the dedicated people who care for our horses

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day in, day out, a timely reminder of the teamwork and passion behind every success. This year we also introduced two new awards celebrating syndicates and racing clubs, a vital and growing part of the ownership landscape. Both Basher Watts Racing and Barraston Racing & Mr J S Goldie shared the inaugural Small Syndicate of the Year title, while Middleham Park Racing claimed the Large Syndicate award, reflecting their success across both codes. Beyond the trophies and celebrations, these awards play a much deeper role. Our recent owner insight research told us clearly that while the emotional return of ownership can be extraordinary, all too often it doesn’t match the financial investment owners pour into the sport.

Recognition matters and shining a spotlight on success is one powerful way we can help strengthen that emotional reward. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on celebrating ownership in all its forms, on and off the racecourse. While not every moment can be trophy-shaped, we know every owner experiences highs, milestones and memories that deserve to be recognised. Working with the industry, we will continue to explore new and meaningful ways to highlight those stories throughout the year, and to ensure owners feel valued at every stage of the journey. Whether you own a single horse or are one of hundreds in a syndicate, every owner brings passion, hope and heart to racing. The Awards are our chance to honour that contribution publicly, to celebrate the stories, the dedication, and the sheer joy this sport gives us. To everyone who joined us: thank you for helping make the night such a positive celebration of ownership. And to all our winners and nominees, we are proud to recognise you. Here’s to building even more moments worth celebrating in the year ahead.

For all ROA member diary dates visit roa.co.uk/events

The ROA marquee is open exclusively for members and their guests at the Cheltenham Festival, March 10-13. The facility offers members a comfortable base including food and drink to purchase, Tote betting facilities, and our daily champion tipster competition, all in a warm, sociable space to talk racing and soak up the Festival atmosphere. The prices per person, per day are £76 for ROA members/£86 for ROA guests, and £86 for Racegoers Club members/£97 for Racegoers Club guests.

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Join us in the ROA marquee at Cheltenham

Cheers! The marquee is your comfortable base during the four-day Festival

Please note that a Club Enclosure admission badge is required for entry and must be purchased separately from Cheltenham racecourse.

Members may book up to three guests. Places are limited and early booking is recommended. To book visit roa.co.uk/events.

Racehorse sponsorship options and reclaiming VAT To qualify under the scheme, the racing entity must: • Own at least 50% of the horse; • Have a registered sponsorship agreement with the BHA; • Have a horse in training in the UK.

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Sponsorship options for twoyear-olds include:

VAT associated with training costs can be reclaimed by eligible owners

January 1 is an important milestone for young racehorses, marking the move from yearling to two-year-old. From this point, horses become eligible for sponsorship, enabling eligible entities to reclaim their racing VAT. One of the main reasons owners look to secure sponsorship is to meet the conditions of the Registration Scheme for Racehorse Owners (VAT Notice 700/67, section 1.3). With a valid sponsorship agreement in place, owners can reclaim VAT on eligible

racing-related services, which can make a real difference to the overall cost of ownership. It’s worth getting a sponsorship agreement sorted as soon as possible once your horse turns two. Any delay could mean missing out on reclaiming VAT on services such as training, veterinary care and other essential costs incurred before sponsorship is registered. Putting things in place early helps owners make the most of the financial benefits right from the start of the season.

• Tote sponsorship: ROA members with two-year-olds may be eligible for Tote sponsorship. Full details can be found on the ROA website. • Training yard sponsorship: some trainers offer sponsorship agreements for horses in their care. It’s worth speaking directly with your trainer to see what may be available. • Tattersalls sponsorship: horses bought at Tattersalls may qualify for sponsorship during their two-, three- or four-year-old seasons. Tattersalls can advise on eligibility and next steps. • Third-party sponsorship: owners can secure third-party sponsorship, if the agreement is registered with the BHA. For help with VAT registration, the ROA VAT Solution team is on hand and can also act as your VAT agent. You can contact Davina, Glen or Rebecca at vat@roa.co.uk or by calling 01183 385 685.

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THE RACEGOERS CLUB COLUMN My race-going in the last month took in a first visit to Southwell. I’ve never felt a great desire to visit the Nottinghamshire track. But when the opportunity arose to see one of my horses run there, I had no hesitation. After all, I’m always keen to tick another racecourse off my list. Southwell, like other all-weather tracks, often gets a bad press, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. On arrival, I received a very warm welcome at the entrance and that set the tone for the day. Each member of staff I met was extremely helpful and took pride in their job. Maybe it’s because the course has regular meetings and everyone knows their job. Everything was managed efficiently. The owners’ and trainers’ lounge had a buzzy feel to it. The food choices for lunch were excellent, and they didn’t just look good – they tasted very good too! The racing was good, particularly the two novice races, where K Serra won the fillies’ race and Organise won the colts’ race. Both are well bred and promise to take much higher rank. Our twoyear-old, Breathe Easy, finished third to Organise, which was very pleasing. Hopefully, he won’t bump into one as good as the Gosden colt in his next race. My fellow owners and I had a very enjoyable day at Southwell and I certainly wouldn’t think twice about returning. At the time of writing, we are in the middle of that wonderful period leading up to Christmas where each weekend has a top-quality jumps fixture. Hardly a day goes by without a promising performance being linked to a race at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s several weeks since Cheltenham announced they are thinking of moving the Festival

BILL SELWYN

TONY WELLS looks at the racing scene

The Gold Cup can remain on a Friday even if the Festival finishes on a Saturday

to a Wednesday start and Saturday finish. The general response amongst jumps fans was ‘Oh no, here we go again’. The thought of staging the Gold Cup on a Saturday worries me. The great race will be lost on a busy sporting day, and it will end up being squeezed into halftime of either the rugby or football. If the appeal of the Gold Cup starts to wane, the whole Festival will follow. So, I was encouraged to read that Cheltenham want to keep the Gold Cup on a Friday. If that’s their intention, maybe the rest of us need to help them find a solution that works. We need a compromise that includes a Saturday. Here’s my suggestion. The current Tuesday and Wednesday are copied and pasted and become the new Wednesday and Thursday. They are both great days, so why fix something that isn’t broken? The current Thursday becomes the Saturday card. The Gold Cup remains on Friday, with a few tweaks. I like the idea of moving the Stayers’ Hurdle to the Gold Cup undercard, so why not swap it with the Albert Bartlett? The Ryanair becomes the feature race on Saturday.

ROA membership fees As we look to the future, the ROA remains focused on delivering meaningful value for owners and strengthening the ownership experience at every stage. To continue investing in our member services, advocacy, events, and the wider work that supports racehorse ownership, the ROA Board has agreed updated membership prices for 2026 as follows:

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Plenty of current Festival fans choose to go for two days, either the Tuesday and Wednesday or the Thursday and Friday. With my proposal, those that attend on Tuesday and Wednesday are highly likely to still attend on the first two days. Some of those that currently attend on Thursday and Friday are quite likely to keep to the same days and discover the gem that is Champion Chase day. This will boost the crowd on the second day of the Festival. There is also a possibility of attendees being tempted to stay for the first three days. My solution gives the Jockey Club the Saturday ending it is considering while the bookies get a fiendishly difficult final day card. Yes, the final day of the Festival will be the weakest, but the Saturday of Royal Ascot is the weakest day of the meeting and that is a sell-out. With some clever marketing, Cheltenham can do the same. More families will likely attend, and those that cannot get a day off during the week will have the opportunity to take in a day at our premier jumps meeting.

• Full ROA membership – single: £297 • Full ROA membership – joint: £498 • Racegoers Club – single: £58 • Racegoers Club – joint: £85 These updated prices ensure we can continue championing the voice of the owner, providing high-quality support and benefits, and contributing to a sustainable future for British racing. As ever, we thank all our members for their ongoing commitment to the ROA and to British racing.

Owner Liz Prowting: committed to her horses on and off the track

Liz Prowting recognised for her impact in aftercare Congratulations to ROA member Liz Prowting, a racehorse owner for over 40 years, who has reached the second round of judging in the Community category of the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. This recognition celebrates everything Liz does to safeguard and support the racehorses she owns when they retire or embark on their second careers. Beyond her commitment to her own horses, Liz’s philanthropic efforts benefit charities connected to British racing and the wider world of animal welfare. Her generosity and dedication demonstrate how ownership can extend far beyond the track, with compassion, care, and a second career to our retired athletes. We wish Liz the best of luck in the second round of judging and thank her for setting a powerful example of responsible ownership.

YOU”

“SPORTS4CAUSES NEEDS

Sports4Causes opens the door for new owners by giving them a true taste of raceday ownership, complete with exclusive access and behind-the-scenes insight.

When you donate your unused badges, you help us introduce more people to the thrill of ownership - an effort that has already delivered real conversions through our Ownership Experience Days.

There’s no commitment Owners ranked Hamilton top for raceday experience

RCA/ROA Owners’ Racecourse of the Year Congratulations to Hamilton Park racecourse, crowned RCA/ ROA Owners’ Racecourse of the Year at the RCA Showcase Awards. In partnership with the RCA, racehorse owners were invited to vote for their favourite racecourse depending on experience with and without a runner plus racing factors including the racing surface, prize-money and participant facilities. Hamilton Park polled the most votes and the highest average score, making them the clear choice of owners in 2025. Congratulations to the other shortlisted racecourses, Ayr, Bangor, Newbury and York.

Just let us know when you can’t attend, and we’ll put your badge to good use. 40% of all badge revenue goes straight to Racing Welfare. Register your interest or find out more: info@sports4causes.co.uk @sports4causes

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PHIL BOYLE

Enjoying the ride with ‘Susie’

The owners of Don’t Call Me Sue at Ludlow last month

Whilst thinking of subject matter for this month’s article, I realised that I was due to take a large group of my syndicate members to Ludlow for the debut of our latest horse the next day, and that ticked all the required boxes, writes Phil Boyle. Don’t Call Me Sue is trained in Bath by Neil Mulholland and has been leased by BG Racing from her breeder, Paddy McCarthy. She had been working well at home, and the excitement was building amongst her band of shareholders in the days approaching her first race. We had a false start originally – a week earlier she had been declared at Wetherby but ended up a non-runner, but now it seemed we were all systems go! Ahead of the race, I had 12 shareholders who said that they would like to come racing, with me making our group size 13. I contacted Ludlow to ask whether they could accommodate us all and they were great to deal with, allocating us a room that we could use as a base during the afternoon to allow our group to socialise. It was an early start for me, as I was driving three of our group up to Ludlow from Surrey, Nigel arriving at my house at 7.30am before we headed off, picking Cathy and then John up on the way. Dave, Lawrence, Chris, Gerald, and Jody

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made their way to Ludlow from various locations across the country and two couples, Andy and Julie and Phil and Steph, headed to the course from the south and north respectively. A group of 13 people of various ages and backgrounds, travelling from far and wide, each having one important thing in common, the excitement and anticipation of seeing ‘their’ horse run. I cannot think of too many things that would bring such a group together for one afternoon! Our levels of racehorse ownership experience varied widely, ranging from several old hands to a pair of first timers, and it was great to hear stories being shared of previous days at the races. Ludlow provided us with tea, coffee and biscuits in our allocated room, and there was plenty of opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The afternoon rushed by and it was soon time to head off to meet ‘Susie’, who had travelled well and had settled in at the course nicely. It was great that Ludlow allowed all of us into the paddock and there was plenty of time for photos and videos, many of which were posted in the WhatsApp group, allowing those who could not be at the course to share the experience.

Once the race was off, Don’t Call Me Sue settled just in behind the leaders and seemed very relaxed. It was a hot bumper on paper, with four point-topoint winners and several expensive purchases in the field, and Susie was conceding a lot of experience to most of her rivals. She came under pressure turning for home and it became clear that there would be no fairytale debut. Despite this, she plugged on gamely and whilst she finished tenth, she was only ten lengths behind the winner. On arriving at unsaddling, it was clear that both our trainer Neil Mulholland and jockey Conor O’Farrell were absolutely delighted with the way she had run. Conor noted that she had been the last to pull up and that she would certainly have benefitted massively from the experience. Whilst we recorded Conor’s feedback for those not at the course, he was happy to report back to our whole group and answer their questions. As he headed back to the weighing room, it was time for goodbyes, as friends old and new headed off in different directions having enjoyed their afternoon together, all looking forward to what the future might have in store as their ownership journey unfolds.

NH STALLION OPEN WEEKEND

Eldar Eldarov and Subjectivist will be on show at Chapel Stud on Sunday 11th January as part of the inaugural TBA/EBF NH Stallion Open Weekend along with our other dual purpose stallions Bangkok and Planteur. Pre-register your visit online by scanning the QR code:

SUBJECTIVIST CHAMPION STAYER & DUAL GR.1 WINNER

WON/PLACED IN 9 GROUP/ STAKES RACES. TFR 130 Won Ascot Gold Cup Gr.1 Won Prix Royal-Oak Gr.1 Won Dubai Gold Cup Gr.2 Won March Stakes Gr.3 Won Glasgow Stakes L 2nd Stonehenge Stakes L 3rd Ascot Gold Cup Gr.1 3rd Dubai Gold Cup Gr.2 3rd Gordon Stakes Gr.3

GR.1 PEDIGREE Half-brother to Gr.1 St Leger runner-up and sire SIR RON PRIESTLEY and Gr.2 juvenile ALBA ROSE from the family of SHOLOKHOV, SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, INTENSE FOCUS.

NEW TO CHAPEL STUD IN 2026 Teoﬁlo ex Reckoning (Danehill Dancer) Fee: £3,500 1st October SLF

Eligible for the TBA ‘Elite NH Mares’ Scheme

Dubawi ex All At Sea (Sea The Stars) Fee: £5,000 1st October SLF

Eligible for the TBA ‘Elite NH Mares’ Scheme

ELDAR ELDAROV CHAMPION STAYER & DUAL CLASSIC WINNER

JOINT CHAMPION 3YO STAYER IN EUROPE. TFR 122 Won Doncaster St Leger Stakes Gr.1 Won Irish St Leger Gr.1 Won Queen’s Vase Gr.2 2nd Boodles Yorkshire Cup Gr.2 4th Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Gr.1 4th Grand Prix de Paris Gr.1

A PEDIGREE RICH WITH GR.1 WINNERS From the esteemed Lanwades Stud family of Gr.1 winners ALPINISTA, ALBORADA, ALBANOVA, etc. By Champion sire DUBAWI and sire of sires.

BANGKOK ELDAR ELDAROV HELLVELYN PLANTEUR SUBJECTIVIST

Chapel Stud Ltd Chapel Lane, Bransford, Worcestershire WR6 5JQ 01452 717 342 chapelstud.co.uk

Roisin Close 07738 279 071 roisin@chapelstud.co.uk

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Racing Welfare’s Bid to Give auctions enjoyed a strong year and, with your support, have raised a fantastic £22,960 in 2025. The auction lots offered an incredible standout mix of unique experiences and exclusive opportunities, including a private box at York racecourse, a two-day celebrity golf experience at His Grace the Duke of Bedford’s Woburn Golf Club, a bespoke fine art commission, and many more wonderful lots. The latest addition to the auctions was a luxury Paris racing experience, featuring a two-night trip for two to the 2026 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Every bid has played a meaningful role in supporting Racing Welfare’s work. The overall number of interventions made by the charity’s welfare officers rose by 17% to 11,425 compared to 2024. These funds help

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Bid to Give hits new heights

A celebrity golf experience was one of the superb prizes on offer

ensure the charity can continue delivering vital services in support of all of racing’s people. If you would like to support Racing Welfare further, there are many ways to get involved, including joining the 1%

Club or becoming a Friend of Racing Welfare. For more information, please contact Clare Kingston in the first instance at CKingston@racingwelfare. co.uk or to find out more about Racing Welfare visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk.

ROA Epsom Awards in aid of Racing Welfare

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Into The Sky’s owners collect the Horse of the Year trophy at the ROA Epsom Awards

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The Epsom racing community gathered at this year’s ROA Epsom Awards in aid of Racing Welfare. The evening was a celebration of another successful year for the town’s racing stars. Held at Epsom Downs racecourse, guests enjoyed a champagne reception before sitting down for dinner and the awards ceremony, followed by dancing late into the evening. Congratulations to all the winners, including Beryl Weller, a volunteer at Racing Welfare and recipient of the Stanley Wootton Award, and trainer Jim Boyle, who enjoyed a memorable treble on the night, with his promising two-year-old Into The Sky, owned by Mrs D Tabor, Dr P Wilson & R Stanbridge, crowned ROA Horse of the Year. These awards once again highlighted the dedication, passion and talent that define this community.

Billy’s story Former jockey Billy McLaughlin’s journey from addiction and homelessness to recovery and renewed purpose demonstrates the long-term impact of Racing Welfare’s support. Billy enjoyed success during his racing career, riding winners at both Goodwood and Ludlow before later becoming a trainer. He was widely regarded as a talented and dedicated horseman. However, behind that success were earlier life experiences that would gradually take their toll. Growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles had a profound impact on Billy, as did the tragic loss of his brother. Over time, these experiences contributed to a long struggle with alcohol addiction and depression. While he continued working in racing for many years, his personal life slowly began to unravel. Following the breakdown of his marriage, Billy found himself living alone in Newmarket, increasingly isolated and

struggling to cope. His mental health deteriorated, and daily life became difficult. Although he recognised the need for professional help, access to rehabilitation proved challenging. “I knew I had to go to rehab,” Billy said. “I kept applying and could not get accepted.” In 2016, Racing Welfare intervened at a critical point. Understanding the seriousness of his situation, the charity supported Billy through the process and secured him a place in residential rehabilitation. “When Racing Welfare stepped in, it changed everything,” he explained. “They finally got me my chance, and I committed to it completely because I desperately wanted to be cured.” Billy successfully completed the rehabilitation programme, marking a significant turning point in his life. Support continued well beyond rehab, with Racing Welfare offering guidance and reassurance as he worked towards long-term stability.

Billy later moved to Bournemouth, where he became involved with Hope Housing, Training and Support, a charity helping people who have experienced homelessness into accommodation, training and longerterm stability. Initially joining as a resident, Billy began volunteering and now maintains the charity’s gardens. The role provides structure, routine and a renewed sense of purpose. Through his work, Billy is also able to support others facing similar challenges, drawing on his own experiences to offer encouragement and understanding. “Hope has changed everything for me,” Billy said. “It has given me a safe place to live, the chance to be well, and now I can give something back.” Today, Billy’s life reflects the longterm, positive impact of sustained support. With stability and a clear sense of purpose, his journey shows how Racing Welfare’s commitment to ongoing care helps people move beyond crisis and build hopeful, lasting futures.

The Tote has published its year six review under the theme ‘Pulling Together’, which covers the key developments and progress that the Tote has made during 2025. This Review contains some eye-catching statistics, including: • 100% growth in customer winnings, deposits and turnover • 40% year-on-year growth in paid active customers • £200,000+ returned to customers through the Tote’s money back second offer • Tote win beating the industry SP 48% of the time on World Pool days in UK and Ireland • £490 million bet into UK and Irish World Pool days • £65 million returned to UK and Irish racecourses by World Pool since 2019 Alex Frost, Tote Chief Executive, said: “We are a proud racing-first business. The Tote now offers a compelling and competitive product, and we urge everyone in racing to get behind pool betting.

Over £65 million has been returned to UK and Irish tracks by World Pool since 2019

“We have further significant innovations planned to enhance the betting experience for our customers. Our strategy remains clear and unchanged. Everything we do is for the future of racing, the sport we love.” The full review and accompanying video can be viewed at www.uktotegroup.com/ thetote.

Now is the time to get behind the Tote

British racing faces challenges – but together we can build a stronger, more sustainable future.

TOTE

The Tote in 2025: Pulling Together

There is no successful racing jurisdiction in the world that does not rely on an effective pool betting system. Every Tote account opened by an ROA member helps secure more prize-money and support for the sport. Scan the QR code below to open your Tote account today. Back your horses. Back British racing. Back the Tote. If you require any further assistance, please call our customer care team on 0800 032 8188.

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Make the most of the Elite Mares’ Scheme

JASON BAX

pplications close at the end of January for the 2026 Elite Mares’ Scheme, which this year will offer greater reductions in nomination costs following additional funds from the Levy Board. Additionally, mares now fit into one of two categories, each awarding enhanced grants. The revised categories are as follows: Category 1A – 150+ rated mare: £5,000 grant Category 1B – producer of 160+ rated gelding or 150+ rated mare: £5,000 grant Category 2A – 130-149 rated mare: £4,000 grant Category 2B – producer of 140-159 rated gelding or 130-149 rated mare: £4,000 grant Another positive change has seen the ‘double grant’ rule abolished and, in its place, a more flexible ‘triple grant’ rule, subject to a £12,000 cap. Open to TBA members and mares that are domiciled in England, Scotland and Wales, any black type-winning mare over obstacles is eligible for the scheme, even if she has not hit the official minimum rating of 130. Created to highlight to breeders the quality of National Hunt stallions standing in Great Britain, so far 24 stallions have been made available. No mare aged 23 or older (born in 2003 or before) is eligible for the scheme.

Breeders have access to some exciting stallions through the Elite Mares’ Scheme

Eligible stallions for 2026: ◼ Arrigo – Skuttles Barrough Stud, Somerset ◼ Bangkok – Chapel Stud, Worcestershire ◼ Cannock Chase – Nunstainton Stud, Co Durham ◼ Capri – Willow Wood Stud, Cheshire ◼ Cracksman – Yorton Farm, Powys ◼ Dartmouth – Shade Oak Stud, Shropshire ◼ Dragon Dancer – Nunstainton Stud, Co Durham ◼ Eldar Eldarov – Chapel Stud, Worcestershire ◼ Frontiersman – Overbury Stud, Gloucestershire ◼ Gentlewave – Yorton Farm, Powys ◼ Idaho – Skuttles Barrough Stud, Somerset

Membership fee Following this year’s AGM, a small increase in membership fees was proposed, and the new rate for 2026 agreed by the vote of the members in attendance. The rates will come into effect from January 1, 2026, and will be applicable upon membership renewal. Full UK/overseas membership will rise by £5 to £180 inc VAT. Access membership will remain at £60 inc VAT. Direct debit payments will automatically apply the new rate. The TBA strives to keep membership fees as low as possible while ensuring they can support the services offered to members. Benefits such as the GBB discount, free legal and tax advice, business and employer support, educational events and TB-Ed all ensure that a TBA membership provides excellent value to breeders.

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◼ Ito – Yorton Farm, Powys ◼ Jack Hobbs – Overbury Stud, Gloucestershire ◼ Kew Gardens – Batsford Stud, Gloucestershire ◼ Kingston Hill – Nunstainton Stud, Co Durham ◼ Logician – Shade Oak Stud, Shropshire ◼ Mogul – Willow Wood Stud, Cheshire ◼ Passing Glance – Batsford Stud, Gloucestershire ◼ Planteur – Chapel Stud, Worcestershire ◼ Postponed – Yorton Farm, Powys ◼ Schiaparelli – Overbury Stud, Gloucestershire ◼ Subjectivist – Chapel Stud, Worcestershire ◼ Wells Farhh Go – Nunstainton Stud, Co Durham ◼ Yorgunnabelucky – Mickley Stud, Shropshire

What to do next?

Visit the TBA website and under the breed protection heading an online application form can be found. On this page is also a full list of eligible mares and more information regarding the scheme. For any questions regarding the scheme please contact Rob Davey in the office.

Auction of NH stallion nominations A nomination to each stallion in the Elite Mares’ Scheme will be offered by the TBA in an online auction in January. Keep an eye out on social media and TBA emails.

TB-Ed launches Getting the Mare in Foal Programme TB-Ed, the educational platform of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, has launched its Getting the Mare in Foal Programme – an industry-leading series of online courses designed specifically for thoroughbred breeders, stud farm managers and employees, and anyone with an interest in equine reproduction. This multi-course programme provides industry-leading education covering the fundamental aspects of successful breeding management, from basic reproductive anatomy through to fertility optimisation procedures. Developed by leading experts in equine reproduction, the courses combine veterinary input with practical, real-world application. The programme begins with essential foundations, exploring the mare’s reproductive anatomy and the intricacies of the oestrous cycle. Learners then progress through courses covering breeding readiness evaluation, optimal covering management and the diagnostic procedures that underpin modern reproductive veterinary practice. Advanced courses address fertility challenges, post-covering examination protocols, and laboratory techniques essential for maintaining high conception rates throughout the breeding season. Each course within the programme is accredited by the British Horseracing Authority for continuing professional

Broodmare Ownership Guide now available in print

Log on for expert advice on broodmares

development and the flexible online format allows participants to learn at their own pace, with expert-led content accessible from anywhere in the world. “There have been considerable advances in equine stud farm medicine in my lifetime, and our vets are essential to the success of a thoroughbred breeding operation,” said Joe Grimwade, TBA industry consultant. “This programme equips breeders and their staff with the knowledge required to understand veterinary procedures – and make informed management decisions – throughout the processes of foal production.” Whether you’re an owner-breeder managing a mare, a small band of mares or a stud farm manager overseeing a larger breeding operation, the Getting the Mare in Foal Programme provides the comprehensive education needed to maximise breeding success. The programme is now available exclusively through TB-Ed at www.tb-ed.com and is free of charge to TBA members/ACCESS subscribers.

As part of the TBA’s remit to assist new entrants to the industry, the Broodmare Ownership Guide has now been printed on a limited run. Aimed at new breeders or those considering retiring their filly/mare from their race careers, it provides essential information for individuals to consider before committing to breeding thoroughbreds including costs, day-to-day care, and whether to breed to race or sell. The TBA encourages stallion and boarding farms to request guides for new or potential clients, which the TBA can send directly in the post free of charge. To request your free copy, contact the TBA office on 01638 661321 or info@thetba.co.uk. You can view the digital version of the Broodmare Ownership Guide via the QR code.

Breeders’ Day at Warwick proves popular National Hunt breeders, owners and enthusiasts gathered at Warwick in late November for the second Breeders’ Day. Before racing commenced, the TBA hosted a seminar which was centred around mares within NH racing. Hosted by Jess Stafford, attendees were first given a presentation by Stu Middleton, the BHA’s Racing Operations Manager, which provided an overview of the mares’ programme, the increasing number of mares within the population, and opportunities going forward. This was followed by a presentation from TBA NH Committee Chair Simon Cox, who ran through what the committee had been doing for breeders, including the Great

British Bonus. The final presentation of the morning was provided by Colm Donlon, who explained the process behind the expansion of the Elite Mares’ Scheme and the opportunities open to breeders. The trio were joined by trainer Jamie Snowden, who discussed his training methods and where he saw opportunities for mare owners. There were numerous questions from the floor, including in relation to youngstock, sales and the previous presentations. A recording of the morning session is available to view on the TBA’s YouTube page. A two-course lunch followed on, providing the ideal opportunity for

The seminar was well received

attendees to digest and discuss the morning’s topics, as well as the sevenrace card, which featured five mares-only races. There were a number of promising performances from the day. The TBA would like to extend its thanks to Warwick for hosting the day, each panellist and the attendees.

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Ace proves Golden in Fighting Fifth BILL SELWYN

ovember is rather a changeover month – the turf Flat season finishes in Europe and the jumps takes prominence. In America the second day of the Breeders’ Cup took place on the first day of the month and Notable Speech (Dubawi) produced a sparkling turn of foot in the Mile to take advantage of a split on the rail and avenge his defeat from 12 months ago. The four-year-old was bred by Godolphin. Staying in the US and the Pocock Family-bred Lush Lips added the Grade 2 Mrs Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs to her win in the previous month’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland. There were also wins for the Michael Wates-bred Alluring Angel in the Long Island Stakes and for the Rabbah Bloodstock-bred Oversubscribed (Too Darn Hot) in the Forever Together Stakes, both races taking place at Aqueduct. The juvenile The Big Con, bred by St Albans Bloodstock, captured the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine. Closer to home and the final turf meeting at Doncaster witnessed the Gillies Fillies’ Stakes be blown wide apart by Danielle, a Hascombe and Valiant homebred daughter of Cracksman, who scored by nine lengths. On the all-weather, Shader, a Juddmonte homebred, won the Floodlit Stakes at Kempton Park, whilst at Lingfield Park the Wilgerbosdrift UKbred Sky Safari captured the Fleur de Lys Stakes.

Golden Ace now has Champion Hurdle and Fighting Fifth victories on her CV

At the final Curragh meeting of the season, Beset, a filly bred by Dunchurch Lodge Stud Company, took the Finale Stakes. There were also Listed wins for the Aga Khan Studs homebred Zaydann (Dubawi) in the Prix Lyphard at Deauville and the Promenade Bloodstock Ltd-bred Quiescent (Pinatubo) in the Prix Herod at Saint-Cloud. Staying in France and the Prix Thomas Byron for juveniles was won by the Godolphin homebred Al Zanati, a son of Dubawi. The Plantation Stud-bred Drago Blues landed the Listed Premio Campbello at Milan. In Australia there was a British-bred double at Flemington Park on November 8. Godolphin homebred Sunset Park won the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes, whilst the Ninja Lady Partnership-bred Whisky On The Hill captured the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Kirsten Rausing-bred Kingswood (Roaring Lion) took the Listed Kirin Ichiban Plate on the Melbourne Cup undercard. Over obstacles and the Jeremy Scotttrained Golden Ace, a daughter of Golden Horn bred by Meon Valley Stud, won a second Grade 1 of her career when taking an eventful renewal of the Fighting Fifth

Hurdle at Newcastle. The Carl Hinchy-bred Konfusion, a son of Schiaparelli, won the Rehearsal Handicap Chase. A day later and the Will Kinsey-bred Romeo Coolio, a son of Kayf Tara, was in imperious form when winning the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. The Listed handicap hurdle was won by Zillow, a gelding bred by the Wertheimer brothers. The Litex Commerce-bred Paggane was in fine form, winning a pair of Listed mares’ chases at Carlisle and Market Rasen. On the opening day of the month, the Rainbow family-bred Strong Leader, a son of Passing Glance, won the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby. On the same card, the Chugg family-bred Kateira (Kayf Tara) took the Listed mares’ hurdle from the aforementioned Golden Ace. One of Ireland’s most important handicap chases, the Troytown at Navan, was won in good style by the Makin familybred Answer To Kayf, a son of Kayf Tara. In the US, the Hobkirk Hill Stakes, run at Camden, was won by the former Gordon Elliott trainee Coutach, who was bred by Oldcourt Stud. Results up to and including November 30 and provided by GBRI.

Building Bloodlines: Broodmare Evaluation and Purchase Forum The third annual TBA Forum took place in the Tattersalls sales ring on November 27, drawing over 150 breeders and enthusiasts. The event was strategically scheduled between the foal and mares’ sales, ensuring strong attendance and engagement. TBA Chairman Philip Newton said: “It was a real thrill to see so many at the broodmare evaluation seminar. The panel did us proud and the audience interaction with astute questioning confirmed the value of this annual event and this year’s topic. Whilst the industry

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faces considerable headwinds, I left Park Paddocks confident that the industry is in the best hands.” The evening event, which focused on how to select a potential broodmare, was hosted by Sky Sports Racing’s Gina Bryce. The panel comprised both major and smaller-scale purchasers, which offered a well-rounded perspective, featuring Newsells Park Stud’s General Manager Julian Dollar, TBA Deputy Chair and breeder Kate Sigsworth, bloodstock consultant Jocelyn de Moubray, and

bloodstock agent Arthur Dobell, who works for OSL bloodstock. The panel discussion was followed by a lively Q&A session with an audience that did not hesitate to address some complex subjects facing the industry. The TBA would like to thank Tattersalls for its continuing support of this event and to our panellists who gave up their time to share their knowledge and expertise with the audience. A full recording of the event will be available to view online at tb-ed.co.uk.

In profile: Naomi Mellor

ADAM SMYTH

Becoming CEO of the TBA has allowed me to bring a lot of the skills I’ve developed together.

Naomi Mellor: in her TBA role since August

As part of a new series profiling individuals who support key areas of the TBA activity, we spoke to recently-appointed Chief Executive Naomi Mellor to find out how she is settling into the role and learn more about her background and perspectives on the sector. Could you tell us a little about your professional background and how you became involved in the thoroughbred breeding industry? My professional background is as a vet – I am not from a horsey or agricultural family at all, but I grew up in Cheshire so spent a lot of time in dairy practice whilst at vet school and assumed for a good while that my professional future would lie with cows. However, whilst working in mixed practice in Yorkshire I was offered the chance to go to Western Australia to do a stud season and ended up staying for multiple seasons, which was great. This was my first introduction to racing and breeding and where I first learnt about thoroughbreds from a bunch of fantastic nurses and stud staff, who really showed me the ropes. Looking back, I owe a huge amount to those individuals as I was incredibly inexperienced. We foaled everything outside, plus my boss bred standardbreds so we also did a lot of embryo transfer work at the practice too, which was then very innovative. Since returning to the UK, I have worked in a mixture of racing, sport horse and stud practice, and had a part-time role as a Veterinary Officer at the BHA for several years. Alongside vet work, in 2018 I founded a business in the media sector, producing podcasts, running events, developing commercial partnerships with organisations including the BBC and Amazon, and looking after a community of women in audio.

You joined the TBA in August – how has your few months in the role been and what are your primary areas of focus or interest? I’m loving it. My starting point is that at the TBA we exist to serve the British thoroughbred and those that breed them, so primarily the job for me is about horses and people. My focus in the first couple of months has been meeting people that I don’t yet know, getting out and about to studs, sales and events, and listening. I’ve also been getting to know the brilliant team at Stanstead House and understanding how I can support them too, plus there are plenty of ‘industry’ meetings regarding governance, projects, policy, politics, international affairs and more. In your view, what are the most significant opportunities and challenges currently facing British breeders? Undoubtedly there are significant economic pressures facing British breeders currently. Costs have escalated across the board, both with our horses and in our daily lives, and this affects day-to-day decision making for our members. We are acutely aware of this at the TBA, and I am consistently seeking ways for us to generate revenue to directly help others in our sector. The horses themselves are what motivate us, but everyone has bills to pay – that passion and love must be sustainable financially. What aspects of working within the thoroughbred breeding community do you find most interesting? I’m a practical person who is interested in creating tangible, practical solutions to help other people – there is plenty of opportunity for this in the breeding sector. What advice would you offer to someone considering a career within the breeding or bloodstock sector? Two things: don’t be afraid to ask for help. People who breed thoroughbreds are remarkably kind and generous with their time and their connections – asking for introductions is one of my biggest tips to people starting out in any line of work. Secondly, leading on from that, if there is someone you admire, ask them to be your mentor – if that feels too formal, seeing if they’d be open to catching up for a coffee every few months or available by phone if you need a bit of advice intermittently can be a brilliant starting point. If anyone ever wants to talk to me then please pick up the phone.

New for 2026: NH Stallion Open Weekend

The event is on January 10-11

The TBA, along with the British EBF, is pleased to announce that seven National Hunt studs will open their doors during the weekend of January 10-11. The new initiative has been created to provide a dedicated platform for UKbased NH stallion owners to showcase their stallions directly to breeders or those considering breeding their mares ahead of the forthcoming breeding season. The weekend will also provide a unique opportunity for the wider public to see the daily workings and practices of some of Britain’s leading National Hunt stallion studs. On Saturday, January 10, Mickley Stud, Shade Oak Stud, Willow Wood Stud and Yorton Stud will open their doors to attendees. On Sunday, January 11, Batsford Stud, Chapel Stud and Overbury Stud will be open to visitors. Opening for one day enables attendees to plan visits easily within geographic clusters, and all studs will be open between 10am and 3.30pm, although there might be slight variances. All details regarding the weekend are on the events page of the TBA website (www.thetba.co.uk) and is free to attend. However, all visitors will be required to pre-register through a simple sign-up form. Pre-registration will assist participating studs with visitor planning and ensure the best possible experience for attendees.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

BREEDER OF THE MONTH

It’s not just about making money, you’ve got to prove your TATTERSALLS IRELAND

reputation

Will Kinsey: bred Drinmore Novice Chase winner Romeo Coolio out of the Kapgarde mare Miss Bailly

Will KINSEY: Romeo Coolio

ven for those in the racing industry who have dispassionately cast their eyes over thousands of horses as a way of making their living, sometimes there’s one that makes them stop and stare. Will Kinsey, who has spent time as an amateur rider, trainer, breeder and pinhooker as well as founding the online auction house ThoroughBid, recognises Romeo Coolio to be a special element of his career so far. The awe-inspiring victory by Gordon Elliott’s youngster in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse gives Kinsey the rights to November’s TBA Breeder Of The Month on what might only be the beginning of the legacy for the son of the late Kayf Tara. “That’s why we all do it, ultimately,” Kinsey says. Acquiring Romeo Coolio’s dam, Miss Bailly, was the result of the kind of speculative trip to France that so many of Kinsey’s ilk have to make. “I went with [fellow trader] JD Moore, it was one September some years back now, and we were looking at foals, yearlings, two-yearolds, broodmares, anything that might have a bit of value either to resell or breed from,” he says. “At that time of the year the country had kind of been pillaged, there was very little left. “We flew into Paris and I think she was in the second yard we visited. She was a sister to Cap Soleil, who was a top black-type novice mare in England with Fergal O’Brien at the time, so I knew a bit about the pedigree. “We didn’t get the deal done, went on a whole tour around the country, were going

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to fly out of Lyon but changed it to Paris and made the deal.” Miss Bailly, by Kapgarde and a winner over hurdles and fences at Enghien, was at the time in foal to Great Pretender and carrying Ascending Lark, a Listed winner for Harry Derham at the Punchestown Festival last April Romeo Coolio was her next in line and is one Kinsey remembers well. “We have a video of my daughter, she must have been three or four at the time, in the stable with the foal and the mare, that tells you everything you’d need to know. The mare’s as gentle as a lamb and he was just the most beautiful foal. We ended up selling him privately out of the field; he could be stood a long way away and you’d still see how gorgeous he was.” Romeo Coolio was steered down the Irish point-to-point route and an easy debut win for Donnchadh Doyle at Belclare in the spring of 2023 saw his price snowball to a gigantic £420,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale. Now owned by KTDA Racing, his achievements have included placings in both the Champion Bumper and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at consecutive Cheltenhams and a Grade 1 strike in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last Christmas. “They said all last year just wait until he goes chasing,” Kinsey says. “He’s looked a complete natural over fences and even though he was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, hopefully he’s got more to give over varying

trips as well. “It’s very exciting for everybody on the team, at the yard – let’s just hope the mare keeps going too!” Miss Bailly, who is currently in foal to Luxembourg, has other fledgling talents on the ground. Her filly Julio Coolio has begun well for Derham while Bailly’s Comet, by Passing Glance, made the perfect start in a Wincanton bumper after her £85,000 Goffs UK Spring Store Sale purchase by Anthony Honeyball. Now 14, she is one of the prime exhibits at Kinsey’s Peel Bloodstock business just outsider Chester. He explains: “I’d have a good few mares of my own, of which Miss Bailly’s probably the best, and then we have others at home for clients and partners like Limini and Stormy Ireland, who were Grade 1-winning mares. “Miss Bailly wasn’t a Grade 1-winning mare, but the others are going to have to go some way to be as good a broodmare as her!” Ironically, Kinsey ended up buying three horses on that shopping trip to France, with one of the others being Aucunrisque. The major Newbury handicap hurdle winner sold on cheaply, but the fact Kinsey’s instinct was proven correct is some compensation. “It’s not always just about making money, you’ve got to prove your reputation,” he explains. “We’ve bred some Graded horses before and done well pinhooking, but to breed a Grade 1 winner like Romeo Coolio way surpasses even pinhooking one.”

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Information correct at time of going to press

12/12/2025 12:39

WELFARE & AFTERCARE

ROR

Lifelong learning: how RoR’s education programme supports owners and horses

Education is a vital part of RoR’s mission, helping to inform owners on the best way to rehome and retrain former racehorses

t Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), one of the most effective tools we have to help safeguard the long-term welfare of former racehorses is education, equipping owners with the knowledge and confidence needed to support a smooth, safe transition into life after racing. Time and again, we see the same pattern: when the move out of racing occurs, if what we call the ‘first step’ isn’t well managed, horses will often become stressed, displaying significant behavioural issues, weight loss and other undesirable outcomes. This can lead to frustration, confusion, welfare issues, and in some cases the need for charitable intervention later down the line. Good education, delivered early, is one of the most powerful ways of preventing this. Just as important is helping horses find a purpose beyond the track. Experience shows that horses who successfully transition into a new career, whether in hacking, leisure riding, competition or simply as a companion, are far less likely to become vulnerable. When retraining is inconsistent or poorly understood, horses can quickly lose confidence and struggle physically or behaviourally. By supporting owners of former racehorses through education, we help ensure retraining is done well from the outset, setting each horse up with the structure and routine they need to thrive. Purpose gives horses direction: good education gives owners the tools to provide it. Together, these elements play a vital preventative role in their long-term welfare. That is why RoR focuses on capturing new owners as soon as they’ve taken on a horse out of racing. Through webinars, in-person events and residential camps, we give owners the tools they need to make confident, informed decisions to support their horse’s transition into a second career. Our education

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programme covers a wide range of topics, from retraining to nutrition and footcare, to common veterinary issues, and everything in between. But supporting former racehorses isn’t just about educating owners. It’s also about ensuring the professionals who help them including coaches, farriers, yard managers and other practitioners, understand the unique needs of the thoroughbred. Retraining requires specific knowledge and an appreciation of the horse’s previous life in racing. Our work with coaches and industry professionals helps to build a network of people owners can rely on. By upskilling the equestrian workforce and helping them to genuinely understand the nuances of working with former racehorses, we raise the quality of retraining and care across the board, with a wider reach and improved welfare outcomes. Education also helps bring owners into the wider RoR community. Once engaged, owners usually stay connected, seek advice earlier, and keep their horses visible to us. This gives RoR the oversight needed to offer support when required and the opportunity to

influence welfare in a meaningful way. Our residential camps remain among our most popular activities. They offer immersive, intensive learning in a supportive environment where owners can connect to the RoR community, ask questions, and gain confidence with their horses. Many camp participants tell us that attending one was the moment everything ‘clicked’, a turning point for both them and their horses. Throughout the year, RoR also hosts webinars covering welfare, retraining, and practical management. Building and maintaining accessible education for all owners of former racehorses remains a priority for the RoR team. Ultimately, education underpins every aspect of RoR’s mission. By supporting owners, upskilling professionals and creating a clear pathway out of racing, we help ensure that every former racehorse has the chance to thrive in a safe, sustainable second career. With the right knowledge and guidance for owners, horses transition more smoothly, welfare risks are reduced, and owners feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.

Events for owners of racehorses approaching retirement If you own a racehorse and want to understand what life after racing looks like and how best to prepare your horse for it, we warmly invite you to any of our First Step Support events. These include: • Introduction to Owning a Former Racehorse Days • Racing Insight Days • Realistic Retraining Demonstrations These events lift the lid on the retraining process, offer honest guidance, and help owners understand what to expect from the transition. They are a valuable opportunity to see the pathway ahead and to learn how RoR supports each stage of the journey. You can find all upcoming dates on the Training & Education pages of our website at ror.org.uk.

VIEW FROM IRELAND

s the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association enters its centenary year, its past achievements offer a powerful reminder of how far the industry has come. A hundred years ago, Irish breeders worked from modest holdings, guided by instinct, tradition, and led nations in the world – an exporter of elite bloodstock, horsemanship, veterinary expertise and stallion power far beyond what its size might predict. Yet if our first 100 years consolidated Ireland’s place on the global stage, the coming century will be defined by an entirely different set of pressures and possibilities. Irish thoroughbred breeders are increasingly aware that success in the future will depend on adaptation, innovation, and a commitment to long-term thinking that meets the demands of a more complex world.

A new era of science and selection

Throughout most of the 20th century, breeding decisions were shaped by conformation, performance, pedigree, and a seasoned eye for a likely type. While those fundamentals remain, the future will add new layers of scientific precision. Genomic tools, advanced heritability modelling, fertility analytics, and data-driven athletic prediction (look at global football to see the huge rise in data analytics) are already filtering into international breeding programmes. Ireland’s challenge will be to integrate this science in a way that complements, rather than replaces, the uniquely intuitive horsemanship that has always been our strength. The coming decades will see expanded use of genetic markers linked to soundness and stamina; more accurate inbreeding and diversity analysis; foetal and neonatal health monitoring; and fertility trend forecasting for broodmares and stallions. The breeders who embrace these tools pragmatically will be better positioned to build resilient families, reduce risk, and meet data-minded buyers.

Environmental pressures

Few challenges will shape the next century as profoundly as climate and land-use change. Ireland’s equine sector is built on grass, space, sheltering hedgerows, and the biological richness of its soils. These assets can no longer be taken for granted. Changing rainfall patterns, increased land competition, and new environmental regulations will create pressures on stocking rates, forage management, and farm design. Breeders will need to adopt more sophisticated pasture plans, soil

ITBA

Embracing the future of breeding A Engaging with younger generations is vital

health monitoring, sustainable nutrient management, and targeted buffer zones to protect waterways. The ITBA will have a pivotal role here, particularly through its recently formed Farm Efficiency & Sustainability Committee, not only representing breeders in policy discussions, but equipping members with practical, workable frameworks that improve environmental performance without undermining economic viability.

Talent, education and horsemanship One of the most significant pressures of the next century will be human rather than biological. The equine labour market is tightening internationally, and Ireland is no exception. Skilled handlers, foaling staff, stud grooms, and young people entering the industry are increasingly difficult to find. The future of Irish breeding will rely on renewed investment in education and training, not only technical horsemanship but business management, digital literacy, equine nutrition, reproductive technology, and welfare science. Apprenticeships (the ITBA are currently part of a consortium working with Teagasc on a new apprenticeship stud management course), structured career ladders, and competitive working conditions will become central pillars of the industry. Horsemanship will remain the single most irreplaceable skill, even in an era of automation and data. Our members will need to ensure that the craft, intuition and stock sense that made Ireland famous do not erode as the world modernises around them.

Equine welfare

Equine welfare has always been central to responsible breeding, but in the coming years it will become a defining global benchmark. Public expectations are rising, international bodies are tightening scrutiny, and buyers – especially younger generations – are placing greater emphasis on transparency and ethical practices.

Ireland is well placed to lead. Its veterinary standards, pasture-based management, and long breeding traditions give it a strong foundation. However, the future will demand even more: ◼ Increased traceability throughout a horse’s life and the implementation of Professor Wall’s 2025 Report for Ireland will be a very significant step forward in this regard. ◼ Comprehensive injury and retirement reporting. ◼ Widespread adoption of nutritional and handling best practice. A reputation for gold-standard welfare will not only protect the industry, but it will also elevate it, ensuring Ireland remains a preferred source of bloodstock in global markets that are more conscious of ethics.

Globalisation and new markets

The future will be shaped by global economics every bit as much as pedigrees. Traditional strongholds such as Britain, France and the US will remain vital, but emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe will reshape demand patterns. Digital sales, online bidding, remote inspections and virtual vetting are now everyday realities. The next generation of buyers will expect rich, real-time data on foals, yearlings, veterinary history and genetic assessments. Irish breeders who invest in digital presentation, transparent reporting and high-quality imagery and analytics will thrive in this new marketplace.

Financial resilience

The last century brought its share of economic highs and lows, from recessions to disease outbreaks. The next century will bring more. Resilient breeding enterprises will increasingly depend on diversified income streams; strategic mating plans designed around market cycles; collaborative ownership structures; and financial literacy tailored to the realities of agricultural and sporting markets.

Heritage and adaptation

If our first 100 years were defined by steady growth, rising professionalism and the internationalisation of Irish bloodstock, the next hundred will be defined by adaptation. Science, sustainability, welfare, digitalisation and globalisation will reshape what it means to be a breeder. But the essence of Irish breeding – the instinctive feel for a foal, the patience to develop a family, the deep connection to the land – remains the foundation on which the future will be built.

ROA OWNER BREEDER

101

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15/12/2025 14:51

THINK TANK

Our jury answer the big questions:

What are your New Year hopes for British horseracing in 2026?

MEGAN ROSE

that “getsOneonthing my wick

is the business of ‘fashionable’ stallions. It’s like piranha fish feasting at Tattersalls for firstseason sires’ stock, while other stallions that are doing well get completely overlooked and effectively binned. It’s dragging the breed down. Mares are lumped in on these huge books with these new stallions and there’s huge excitement at the sales with a buying frenzy – yet of those stallions, I think nine out of ten are going to be rubbish! Last year I had two nicely bred Territories yearlings – but the sales house didn’t want to take either. It was only when Lazzat won his Group 1 [in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal

Fiona Williams, breeder of Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Cicero’s Gift Ascot] that we were accepted for the sale. Territories had done no wrong, with Classic-placed horses and top sprinters, and he was a proven stallion that could get you anything. Then he was sold. As a small breeder, it feels like the rug’s been pulled from under you. I just think the fashion thing at the sales is toxic. The other thing I’d like to see is the authorities ban the use of the whip, which I know is controversial. I’d love to see whips carried but only used for safety down the neck if a horse is hanging badly. I believe the standard of riding would only improve as a result – jockeys would have to concentrate on riding a finish rather than relying on the whip. Of course, you are going to get some horses that aren’t very genuine and those horses are not going to win races, so they won’t be bred from. It can only be good for the breed in the long term, too. Years ago, I went on an amateur jockeys’ course at the British Racing School, and I remember being told that many horses will stop and curl up if hit with a whip – remember Frankie Dettori and Swain at the Breeders’ Cup? Use of the whip, or ProCush, is something that should be looked at from a PTSD point of view – I’d like to see horses’ mental health taken into consideration.

”

Ian Gosden, owner of Champion Hurdle and Fighting Fifth heroine Golden Ace

I’d like to see UK point-to-point racing become more “ prominent. It annoys the hell out of me that a horse wins an

Irish point and it’s suddenly worth £150,000. Really? It doesn’t make any sense to me at all, although I understand that’s where everybody goes. Why can’t we develop our own point-topoint and breeding channels? Then at least the money stays in this country, and hopefully so will the stallions. There needs to be some extra financial support in this sector. Having spent a lot of money on Irish horses, I got very little for it and decided not to do it any longer, and either breed my own or buy foals or three-year-olds. I’ve now got three mares having started breeding in 2020. The Great British Bonus is fabulous – I want to win one, but the downside is it takes a long time! We’ve got some nice horses coming through. Would I want to see one of mine going over hurdles at three? Probably not. I think the horses need more time – they aren’t fully grown and I think they’re more prone to injury. That’s just my view. I’d like to see more investment at grassroots level. I’ve made the point before that if there was £100,000 missing from the Grand National first prize, and that was divvied round, would anybody notice? It could make a massive difference at grassroots level. Otherwise, it becomes an elite sport because unless you have the sort of money that the key players have

got, you don’t get involved. If your barrier to entry is £100,000 or £150,000 before you even start, you’ve got to have a few pennies in the bank because nine times out of ten, you haven’t a clue what you’re getting for your money. That’s crazy money if you’re thinking of getting involved. One of my horses took home £2,200 for its first win, of which 20 per cent goes to the jockey and trainer. It doesn’t even pay for one month’s training. How many times do I expect that horse to win in a year? Maybe twice if I’m lucky or three times if I’m very lucky and he’s progressive. But why continue if you’re winning once a year and collecting under £2,000? You need to clear at least one month’s costs [per win], especially when my vet’s bill could be £3,000 in a month. That’s what I paid to get Golden Ace fully checked out after she had that disaster at Wetherby. Golden Ace is the horse of my life – and it’s taken me 20 years to find her!

”

ROA OWNER BREEDER 103

››

THINK TANK Richard Hughes, Group 1-winning trainer

There was a lot of time spent on the racing tax – and rightly so. I think everyone “ did a great job. Now we need to look after the people who are left in the game.

In my view, there should be no maiden worth less than £10,000 to the winner. I see runners in the paddock at Newbury and there’s probably £10 million worth of horses walking round the ring, yet they’re racing for four grand. That’s embarrassing. In every sport – if you’re a bad snooker player, or bad darts player, or bad golfer – it’ll nearly cost you to stay on the tour. I don’t know why we should be putting extra money into 0-55 races. They’re at the bottom end and if you want to carry on to win your race, carry on, but that’s the lowest end and in all sports at that level, you don’t get much back. If you play for Manchester United or Gillingham, you know the difference in wages. It’s the middle tier that needs extra support, for horses rated 75-95. At that level, you should be able to win a race and keep it in training. That’s why the horses-in-training sale was a bloodbath. I sold a horse rated 85 – there was one bid at £10,000. The handicapper had him and that meant he was struggling. But if I could tell the owners he would win 15 or 20 grand when he comes down to a goodish mark, it would nearly pay for his training fees. Everyone’s losing at the moment. I’ve pleaded with the BHA to get sellers and claimers back in this country. They fob you off by saying there won’t be enough runners, yet every day I’m watching jump races with three runners. I’m not having that. It costs money to get horses to the sales and often you won’t get a bid. It’s a desert. If we have a horse that keeps getting placed and the handicapper doesn’t drop him, and the owner says they’d like to move it on, if I could put him in a seller so the owner can have their day in the sun, enjoy a winner and get seven or eight grand for their horse, lovely – then someone else can buy it and train it in this country. We need races to trade horses: they worked for hundreds of years. But the racecourses don’t want them. Every horse reaches their mark at some point. We see sales companies talking about breaking records every week – and I don’t really see them putting a whole lot back into the game. I tell my owners how it is; they can carry on if they want to keep trying to win three grand, but that’s the reality.

”

Grace Muir MBE, founder and CEO of charity HEROS

In 2026, I want to see racing demonstrate a genuine, measurable commitment to “ the horses at the heart of the sport – not just token gestures. Simply allocating funds to

aftercare is lip service. Welfare must be embedded in every stage of the industry, from breeding to retirement, with full transparency and accountability. Breeding practices need careful monitoring to protect the integrity of the thoroughbred breed and prevent overproduction. Aftercare should not be an optional extra; it must be a core responsibility, supported by clear structures and reporting. Racing must stop hiding behind PR and start showing the public – and itself – that it values horses beyond their racing careers. This is not about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a culture where welfare is non-negotiable, visible, and prioritised. Until racing embraces this fully, it will continue to fall short of what is required ethically and what the public increasingly expects.

”

104 ROA OWNER BREEDER

FIRST IRISH FOALS IN 2026 FOR

Dubai Mile Roaring Lion

- Beach Bunny (High Chaparral)

SPEED. CLASS. LEGACY. a pedigree blending Classic stamina with power Group 1 winner and the only son at stud by Champion ROARING LION I really support this horse and I'm planning to back him strongly with my mares and in the sales ring. - Ahmad Al Shaikh

DUBAI MILE was a very smart colt with a great

mind. Very sound with clean wind, he showed many attributes that trainers look for in a racehorse - ability to handle all ground & found plenty for pressure. - Trainer Mark Johnston

Fee: €4,000 LF 2026 Contact: David Stack | +353 (0)86 231 4066 info@coolagown.ie | www.coolagown.ie

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THE DREEM THREE