£4.95 | October 2017 | Issue 158
Incorporating
Best by Farhh Tim Easterby has big plans for star juvenile
Plus • Sean Levey relishing his role with the Hannon stable • National Stud new boy Tim Lane talks future ambitions • Edmond Mahony still thrilled on the Tattersalls rostrum
10
9 771745 435006
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36357_Gleneagles_T'bredO&B_DPS_Oct17.qxp_34198_Shanghai&DOW_Keeneland_DPS_Aug16 19/09/2017 11:25 Page 1
has since gone on to “… Giant’s Causeway er at stud for carve out an elite care ose rare sires who Coolmore, as one of th the Atlantic… work on both sides of ariah’s Storm is a Proof that his dam M n era – as if any blue hen of the moder in full force during were needed – came kend when Irish Champions Wee Happily landed Decorated Knight and akes and Moyglare the Irish Champion St Stud Stakes… weekend certainly Returns from the past ofile of Gleneagles, did no harm to the pr on at stud for now in his second seas Causeway now very Coolmore. With Giant’s a stud career that much in the twilight of Grade 1 winners, has yielded 31 Group/ pes that Gleneagles there will be fervent ho ld this tough line’s can do his bit to upho n-producing family” reputation as a stallio Nancy Sexton, RACING
POST, 14th Sept. 2017
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Gleneagles wins the St James’s Palace S.-Gr.1 in a faster time than Frankel
Triple Gr.1-winning European Champion 3YO miler of 2015 Gr.1-winning Champion 2YO in Ireland in 2014
O 11 sons of GALILE d have already sire Gr.1 winners
Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: 353-52-6131298. Fax: 353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars or Jason Walsh. Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon or Cathal Murphy: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) 44-7827-795156. E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Web site: www.coolmore.com All stallions nominated to EBF.
WORSALL GRANGE
Set in an idyllic location just 5 miles from Yarm in North Yorkshire, Worsall Grange offers a wide range of services to the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. With modern facilities and a prime location, we provide full time boarding for breeding stock as well as for racehorses that are holidaying or need recovery time.
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WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Designed by: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk @OwnerBreeder Advertising: Giles Anderson Tel: 01380 816 777 USA: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 01380 816 778 advertise@anderson-co.com Subscriptions: Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7152 0212 Fax: 020 7152 0213 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: 1 Year 2 Year UK £55 £90 Europe £66 £105 RoW £99 £154 Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 1134293 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA ABC Audited Our proven average monthly circulation is certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation at 9,805* *Based on the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0200 Fax: 020 7152 0213 info@roa.co.uk www.roa.co.uk Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661 321 Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk • www.thetba.co.uk
£4.95 | October 2017 | Issue 158
Incorporating
Best by Farhh Tim Easterby has big plans for star juvenile
Plus • Sean Levey relishing his role with the Hannon stable • National Stud new boy Tim Lane talks future ambitions • Edmond Mahony still thrilled on the Tattersalls rostrum
10
9 771745 435006
www.ownerbreeder.co.uk
Cover: Wells Farhh Go and David Allan win the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York in August Photo: Bill Selwyn
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EDWARD ROSENTHAL
So long Geoff Wragg, my favourite trainer of all time
I
only ever managed to talk to Geoff Wragg on one occasion. That was last year when putting together the archive picture spread on Teenoso’s 1983 Derby win. My previous efforts to get in touch with the Newmarket trainer, during my days writing press releases for Racenews, always ended in failure, having been unable to negotiate his particularly ferocious secretary. On one occasion she hung up on me mid-call, clearly unimpressed with my introductory patter. They don’t make ‘em like that any more. Growing up, Geoff Wragg was the only trainer I really followed. I loved racing, both jumps and Flat, whether going to the track or watching on TV, but there was only one stable whose runners I would always look out for. Maybe it was because my dad always seemed to back the Wragg horses that I had an affinity for the Newmarket handler. Or maybe it was because I fell in love with the chocolate and gold silks of Mollers Racing. Over time, I thought I gained an understanding of how Mr Wragg liked to train his horses. First time out? Forget it! The Wragg runners rarely shone on their debuts yet there would nearly always be encouragement to some degree in their performances. Yes, he could train two-year-olds – Owington and First Trump spring to mind – but the bigger goals lay ahead. It always seemed that each race was a stepping-stone in a horse’s development rather than a goal in itself. As a result, I was able to enjoy watching his representatives race on season after season, the likes of Island House and Swallow Flight, who appeared to get better as they got older. Retiring horses to stud at two or three? Not at Abington Place, thank you. Perhaps there was no better advert for Wragg’s talents than his handling of The Whistling Teal, owned and bred by his cousin, Felicity Veasey. Inheriting the horse as a five-year-old handicapper, the trainer teased improvement out of this seemingly exposed performer race by race, year by year, his age and rating rising
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
concurrently. That The Whistling Teal was still winning in Group-company at the age of ten is testament to the skills of his trainer, who sadly passed away in September. Like Geoff Wragg, Tim Easterby also comes from a famous racing family, so closely associated with legendary names like Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon, both trained by his father, Peter. Easterby is a stalwart of the northern racing scene, saddling plenty of winners under both codes, with horses bought for next to nothing in today’s terms, a product of catering to smaller owners. Yet that doesn’t mean he cannot unearth a star from time to time. In Wells Farhh Go, purchased for 16,000 guineas, Easterby has a two-year-old that has his trainer dreaming of big-race glory. This son of Farhh has won both his starts at the time of writing, following an eye-catching maiden success at York with victory in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at the same track in August. The most pressing concern for the trainer is whether he and co-owner Alan Heley can resist the stream of offers being made for their promising colt, who could follow Easterby’s St Leger hero Bollin Eric in pursuing a Classic campaign next year. “It’s hard to explain when you are in this situation,” he tells Julian Muscat (The Big Interview, pages 40-44). “Where do you stop; where do you even start? In the end it comes down to the size of the offer on the table, and we’ve not been tempted yet. “He’s got Eric’s temperament and his attitude. He’s got his speed, too, and he should stay. I never saw Eric as a Derby horse but it might be different with this fellow. We’ll have to see where we are with him when the Derby’s next entry stage comes along [in April].” “I want him to stay in the yard and I’d like to keep a share in him if possible. But horses are there to race, to trade. My partner in the horse is very happy with where we are, because we think he is going to be top-class.”
“It seemed that each
race was a steppingstone in a horse’s development rather than a goal in itself
”
3
CONTENTS OCTOBER 2017
18
10
NEWS & VIEWS
7
ROA Leader
9
TBA Leader
10
News
14
Changes
28
Tony Morris
30
Howard Wright
Time to embrace sectionals
The future’s promising
Sean Levey is enjoying his role as leading rider for the Richard Hannon stable (Talking To, pages 46-50)
Geoff Wragg remembered
News in a nutshell
Sadler’s Wells’ sons
Sales shake-up
INTERNATIONAL SCENE
32
View From Ireland
34
Continental Tales
37
Around The Globe
4
Jumps moves centre stage
Vanessa Ryall’s Derby glee
Del Mar ready to shine
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Oct_158_Contents_Contents 22/09/2017 18:11 Page 5
40
53
FEATURES
FORUM
18
The Big Picture
85
The Thoroughbred Club
26
From The Archives
86
ROA Forum
40
COVER STORY
96
TBA Forum
103
Breeder of the Month
104
Vet Forum
At Doncaster and York
El Gran Senor in 1983
The Big Interview With trainer Tim Easterby
46
Talking To... Jockey Sean Levey
53
Tim Lane
57
Breeders’ Digest
58
The National Stud’s new man
On the merry-go-round
Sales Circuit Yearlings in focus
79
Caulfield Files
106
Dr Statz
112
24 Hours With...
Awesome autumn in store
Stewarding consultation and new website
Changes to Stallion Parade
Bjorn Nielsen for Stradivarius
Early pregnancy loss
DATA BOOK
108
European Pattern
111
Stallion Statistics
Results and analysis
Society Rock a big loss
Dansili’s success
How to measure a successful sire
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony
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Our monthly circulation is certified at
9,805 Can other magazines prove theirs? 5
ROA LEADER
NICHOLAS COOPER President Racehorse Owners Association
Sectional times to deliver extra dimension and cash Embracing this technology is key to engaging with a new and younger crowd
W
ith digital technology so much part of our everyday lives, it is surprising that electronic tracking systems and sectional times are taking so long to be adopted by much of British racing. While it is true that many of the ARC courses shown on At The Races now use this technology, there is a growing realisation that this must soon extend to the coverage of all Flat fixtures, particularly the major ones. Since the technology to create sectional times through GPS tracking has been in existence for at least a decade, you have to wonder why racing has not embraced it with as much enthusiasm as other sports where it is fundamental to assessing performance. Sectional timing provides a new and exciting dimension to the study of racing form and to the training of racehorses. Most of all, it could provide the betting industry with tremendous potential for extending the variety of bets they can offer to their customers, thereby producing more money for racing through the levy, or its successor. Horsemen are very much alive to what sectional timing and other forms of GPS tracking could do for them if fully exploited. It is, after all, on the owner’s horse that the transmitter is placed and any new revenue stemming from this area will need to be specifically identified as separate from racing’s other income streams. We are frequently told one of racing’s biggest problems is attracting a younger audience so fully embracing the technology that gives us tracking systems is surely the way we must go. It is second nature for young people to watch screens and tap buttons as they juggle with graphics and pore over data. Knowing how fast horses are travelling at any one time in a race may seem like basic information but currently, certainly in all our top races, we just have
to guess. We say the pace is strong or the pace is slow but, although we know what our eyes tell us and what we’re told by the commentator, it is impossible to get any degree of accuracy without sectional times. We have known for many years that some horses show their best form in fast run races, others in slowly run races. But, unless we equip ourselves with a stop watch, we can only guess as to where the strongest pace is in a race or the distance that a horse has actually travelled. We are in constant awe of horses that seemingly finish very fast but sectional times have long proved that those horses are simply finishing less slowly than their rivals in the final furlong, giving the illusion of finishing fast. An electronic tracking system can improve the fun and fascination for people watching races online and on the racecourse. It can show them exactly where their selection is throughout a race simply by reproducing the silk colours or the horse number at the bottom of the screen, not just for the first six but for the whole field. Watching many of the heritage handicaps, with their big fields, often split in two, would be much enhanced. And when it comes to watching a race on a mobile phone, how much easier it would be to have, dare I say, a graphical representation of each of the horses. As I have said, universal adoption of this technology would enable bookmakers to market a much greater variety of bets. There are many possibilities where betting could be based on time performance, while betting in running, now regarded as something for the punting purist, offers huge growth potential. All of this adds up to good news for the horsemen who must really get behind initiatives to fully embrace this technology and, just as important, ensure they are at the forefront of discussions on how this new revenue is treated.
“Horsemen are alive to
what sectional timing and other forms of GPS tracking could do for them if fully exploited
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
”
7
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TBA LEADER
JULIAN RICHMOND-WATSON Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Looking forward to a rosier future with greater rewards The new funding structure creates a more sustainable base for racing
W
ith the introduction of a funding mechanism which for the first time automatically collects money for the sport from offshore betting operators, and the new racecourse media rights deals that come into effect during 2018, British racing can look forward to a better, more sustainable financial future. Unlike most other major jurisdictions, which enjoy the certainty that comes from operating under a pool-betting monopoly, British racing’s environment is dominated by fixed-odds betting. That situation is hardly likely to change, which has meant that British racing has had to work hard to generate income from other sources. We can be proud of the success that our racecourses – in which I should declare an interest as Chairman of Newmarket – have made of raising extra income, through encouraging large numbers of the public to go racing, from festivals to ladies’ days and concerts to improving facilities and catering for customers. Britain’s racing festivals, from Ascot and York to Cheltenham and Aintree, represent an enormous success story, and I doubt if such good results would have been achieved without the necessary, constant drive for financial improvement. So, I have no qualms in celebrating the racecourses’ hard work and success, while pointing out that they recognise, for the most part, that the raw material for the product they sell is supplied by the horsemen. In recent years racecourses have made great strides in acknowledging the importance of prize-money, as evidenced by the fact that the annual total on offer rose by 12% between 2014 and 2016 to almost £138 million. For 2017 to produce record, or near-record, prize-money, at a time when the ‘old’ levy contribution was falling so badly, is a sign of how much racecourses recognise the need to encourage horsemen. Several factors encourage people to own racehorses – and to give up on the exercise – but I am sure that the level of prize-money is undoubtedly the key driver of
horsemen’s behaviour. However, on-course facilities for stable staff and owners and trainers are also important, and there has been good progress in these areas as well. With the new funding model comes a new distribution system, and initially a combination of the Levy Board and Racing Authority will be allocating some of the extra ‘levy’ money for 2018 along lines already announced, namely in favour of the lower tier of racing and with appearance money to support owners. Racecourses will have to decide where their extra media income is allocated and prizemoney must still be top of the list. The BHA race-planning department has more than £1.5 million available from fixture bidding and the incentive fund, and I am delighted with proposals to boost prize-money for the staying division, where the TBA has highlighted the need for investment to help recognise the extra costs involved in producing the slower-maturing horse. The seed corn and matched funding of this initiative is innovative and worthy of horsemen’s support. Racecourses themselves also have a real chance to think innovatively by competing for the horsemen’s custom across the board. Any racecourse that builds an interesting and varied programme and takes up the funding proposals for stayers should be applauded, and hopefully will be rewarded by presenting a better racegoer experience. In the medium and long term, racecourses are going to need the same number of horses, or preferably more, to keep their programmes supplied, and so they need to encourage more owners and owner-breeders to keep that supply chain on an upward curve. On behalf of the breeders and the industry, the TBA is leading discussions on this topic, and I am sure ideas will come forward to help identify key areas in which support for growth can deliver results. A healthy, well-funded and well-supplied competitive race programme is in everyone’s interest, and the key drivers needed to support growth that does deliver results need to be understood. This is the only way that the whole sport will benefit.
“Any racecourse
that takes up the funding proposals for stayers should be applauded
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
”
9
NEWS Stories from the racing world
Geoff Wragg, 1930-2017
Classic pose: Geoff Wragg with his 1983 Derby victor Teenoso at Abington Place stables in Newmarket
G
eoff Wragg, who trained Teenoso and Marling to win Classics during a hugely successful 26-year career, has died aged 87. Wragg, who was born in his parents’ house on Bury Road in Newmarket, acted as assistant to his father Harry from 1953 to 1982. During that period Psidium won the Derby, On The House and Full Dress captured the 1,000 Guineas and Intermezzo landed the St Leger. Other stars included Talgo and Salvo, who were both runner-up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. To say Wragg’s own career at Abington Place stables got off to a flying start is something of an understatement. Favoridge won the Nell Gwyn shortly after Hard Kingdom had become his first winner on April 4, 1983 and just a couple of months later Teenoso won the Derby under Lester Piggott, the jockey’s ninth and final victory in the contest. Teenoso was Wragg’s highest-rated horse, with an official rating of 132 in 1984, when he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and King George. Speaking to this magazine in 2016, Wragg said of Teenoso: “He was an underrated Derby winner. But then he was bred unfashionably. He won at Epsom on very soft going and the King George on quick ground.
10
Pentire and Michael Hills after victory in the 1996 King George at Ascot
“Unfortunately Teenoso injured a tendon before the 1984 Arc – Lester was confident he would have won. He was a very talented horse, although of all the horses I trained, I think Pentire had the most ability.” Pentire, narrowly denied by Lammtarra in the 1995 King George, recovered from a slow start to become Wragg’s second King George winner in 1996, while two years earlier Ascot had been the scene of a Gold Cup success, thanks to Arcadian Heights, an enigmatic performer with a penchant for biting his opponents. The brilliant Marling was champion twoyear-old filly in 1991, when winning the Cheveley Park Stakes, and she went on to land the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes the following year. A list of Wragg’s other big-race winners would hit many a racing fan’s sweetspot, and they include names such as Most Welcome, Braiswick, First Trump, Owington, Nicolette, First Island, Sasuru, Rebecca Sharp, Balisada, Cassandra Go, Swallow Flight, Monturani, Asian Heights and The Whistling Teal. Some of those carried the famous chocolate and gold silks of Mollers Racing, while other owners with whom Wragg was closely associated included Sir Philip and THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Anthony Oppenheimer, and John Pearce. Pearce, who passed away earlier this year, was the owner of Dragon Dancer, who was beaten an agonising short-head in the 2006 Derby at 66-1, a couple of years before his trainer retired. Wragg gained 679 wins in Britain, with 51 in 1991 being his biggest haul. His highest position in the trainers’ title was seventh in 1983 and 1992. He had a particularly fine record at Royal Ascot and Chester’s May meeting, which he always enjoyed attending with his good horses, while he was also a pioneer when it came to sending runners overseas. Michael Hills rode many of his big winners including Pentire and First Island, and paying tribute said: “He was a pleasure to work for and we never had a bad word – he used to call me ‘boy’. “He was a great planner, top trainer, and knew his horses inside out. His horses were good travellers and could always quicken. “Geoff brought new things to training, introducing some American-style training. He used to time the horses on the gallops – but wouldn’t discuss something like that!
“Geoff was a great
planner, top trainer and knew his horses inside out. He was a pleasure to work for” “First Island was memorable when winning in Hong Kong, as was the Gold Cup win on Arcadian Heights and Rebecca Sharp in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.” Anthony Oppenheimer said: “He was a really charming, modest man. I also remember he was very keen on electronics. He used to be able to set signals so that in his home he could pick up racing from anywhere in the world.” Wragg was, indeed, a technical wizard. Educated at Fettes College in Edinburgh, he undertook his National Service with the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), where he learned skills that would prove groundbreaking in later life as a trainer. After two years in the Army, he studied at Southampton University and graduated to become a radar engineer. But it was to horseracing, and Patricia, to whom he would be married for 61 years, he would dedicate his life. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Festival to have 48-hour decs
Nicky Henderson (left) has queried the cut-off point for reserves at the Festival
The Cheltenham Festival will have 48-hour declarations for all races from next year, the BHA has announced. The move received the thumbs up from the media, bookmakers and punters’ representative body, the Horseracing Bettors Forum, while trainers also gave the change qualified support, accepting the greater good argument while stressing it will inevitably cause some issues. One of those could be field sizes falling short of the maximum due to the increased risk of non-runners, and while all handicaps will have a reserve system in place, champion trainer Nicky Henderson queried the cut-off point of 1pm the day before the race, believing Ireland’s system of raceday morning would have been preferable. That, however, can have its own drawbacks, primarily the potential negative impact on turnover with punters uncertain of the final line-up until much nearer race time – and a desire to improve turnover is a big factor in why the BHA have taken the plunger at the Festival. Cheltenham itself pressed for the move, and racecourse boss Ian Renton said: “This is a progressive move by the BHA which we believe makes sense on a number of levels. “We have been part of the ongoing discussions and after listening to the views of everyone, regard this as a sensible decision which will enhance the Cheltenham Festival experience for
racegoers and provide assistance to the media.” No horse will be able to be declared for more than one race, excluding non-novice Grade 1s, unless it has been eliminated from a race or has been declared as a reserve. Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer at the BHA, said: “We’ve taken on board feedback from racing fans, the betting public and the media. We believe 48-hour declarations for all races at the Festival will have a positive impact on the promotion of the event. “We appreciate that, in some circumstances, this could create an extra challenge for trainers, but we want to ensure the sport is in a position where it can make the very most of what are such an important four days in the British racing calendar.” Henderson remarked: “If 48-hour decs are going to help the world that’s fine. But it’s obvious from the races in which we already have a reserve system that people don’t pull horses out until the morning of the race. Even if a horse has a bruised foot you’ll give it 24 hours to get better. “With the current reserve system I can guarantee there will be blank spaces in races and that’s a pity. Letting reserves in on the day works in Ireland, so why not here? We’re bending for the BHA to have 48-hour declarations – they should bend for us on reserves.”
11
NEWS
South African horse export hopes The South African thoroughbred community is hoping that direct exports to Europe could recommence as early as the end of next year following a number of significant improvements in its disease management protocols. Concerns over African Horse Sickness (AHS), combined with the length of time it has taken to test horses, has meant that moving a horse from South Africa to Europe currently takes months including periods of quarantine in different countries. However a new diagnostic PCR test for AHS, validated by the World Organisation for Animal Health, has dramatically cut down the waiting time for a prognosis, from two weeks to a matter of hours, and has been labelled as a “game-changer” by Adrian Todd, spokesman for the Horseracing Import-
Adrian Todd says the new test for AHS is a game-changer for the industry
Export Task Team. “We have been diligently making progress regarding record keeping, communication and movement control, supported by the South African government, and we are making solid progress toward our goal of meeting the EU requirements,” Todd said. “The advent of the PCR test is a gamechanger and our desire to resume direct exports of thoroughbreds to Europe as well as begin direct exports to other non-EU countries is based on scientifically-safe protocols. “This would be a huge change for the industry in South Africa. It would enable us to trade on a higher level, selling and purchasing internationally, and this is a position which we believe is achievable.”
NTF launches Team Champion Award
The new award will recognise training yards with a strong team ethos
The National Trainers Federation (NTF) has launched the Lycetts Team Champion Award, deigned to celebrate training yards that have a strong team ethos. This new accolade will showcase the positive results of developing a team that works well together, spread the message about safe working practices, and improve recruitment and retention rates by promoting the most successful ways in which trainers manage their staff. Lycetts Team Champion has two categories – for trainers with 40 horses or more and trainers with fewer than 40 horses. The successful yards will receive £4,000 to be spent in a way that enhances the team.
12
Teams scoring above certain point thresholds will receive recognition through a grading system and have the right to use a bespoke logo to promote their business. A new industry standard for the best ways to engage and motivate racing staff, called ‘The Winning Approach’, will be used to assess nominated yards. Rupert Arnold, Chief Executive of the NTF, said: “It is important for the NTF, as the body supporting employers, to take a lead role in initiatives to tackle staff shortages. “The workplace is our main focus and the Lycetts Team Champion Award integrates with several projects we are
working on relating to management practices and employee engagement for racing grooms and riders. “We are looking for ways to recognise how trainers and their staff acting as a team develop the foundations for a successful racing stable. Team Champion aims to encourage wider adoption of those ways of working and celebrate the stables that do it well.” An explanation of the process and the nomination form are available at racehorsetrainers.org/industry/awards.asp. The window for nominations is now open and the closing date is December 1, with the winners revealed at the NTF’s AGM on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
NEWS
Plus 10 pledge to support stayers As the yearling sales season kicks into gear, potential owners are encouraged to buy Plus 10-registered horses for a chance to win a share of £6.3 million in bonus prize-money on offer across two- and three-year-old races in 2018. The scheme covers 630 races next year, thanks to an additional £300,000 in Levy Board funding assigned to support staying horses. For the first time, around 30 Class 5 threeyear-old maiden races run over 1m3f (and further) will feature a £10,000 bonus. The addition of these races will see colts able to compete for a bonus at this level. Plus 10 Committee Chairman, Julian Richmond-Watson, said: “We were delighted that Plus 10 was earmarked for a funding boost to support stayers. “The additional funds see the scheme’s value swell to £6.3 million annually – the entire sum of which is on offer to owners and
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Owners have a chance to win a £10,000 bonus with the Plus 10 scheme
breeders racing horses in Britain and Ireland this coming season. “I encourage all to consider Plus 10 registered horses when making selections at the sales in order to benefit from this vast sum.”
Buyers of Plus 10 yearlings must make the final owner registration payment of £350 by February 28, 2018 in order to receive their share of bonus prize-money. An early bird rate of £300 applies if this is paid by December 31.
13
Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Guy Disney Royal Artillery Gold Cup-winning jockey agrees sponsorship deal with equine insurance broker Lycetts, as does Charlie Deutsch.
Curragh Appoints John Sisk & Son Ltd as the main contractor to construct the new facilities that are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.
Nick Littmoden
Betfair
Returns to the training ranks after a break but his emphasis switches to jumping.
Extends sponsorship of Haydock's Betfair Chase and Sandown's Tingle Creek through to 2019.
888 Sport Online betting firm fined £7.8 million over failings regarding safeguarding of its customers.
Jockey Club Launches Haydock Park Racing Club along with celebrity members Paddy McGuinness, Sam Quek MBE and Michael Owen.
BetBright Renews Cheltenham sponsorship portfolio for a further three years – they back the Britain v Ireland challenge at the Festival and the Cotswold Chase.
Also... Betfred announces it will cease all race sponsorships in 2018, and close its on-
course betting shops, apart from at Chelmsford and Ascot, in response to racecourses setting up a rival Tote. Sportech Chief Executive Ian Penrose, who joined the firm in 2005, is to leave at the end of the year, while Chief Financial Officer Mickey Kalifa is also departing. Suzi Best, the wife of Jim Best who was banned for six months for ordering the stopping of two horses in his care, is granted a licence by the BHA. Dual Irish champion apprentice Connor King is joining forces with Yorkshire trainer Brian Ellison and hoping to make it as a jump jockey. Newmarket’s Gallop in the Sky moves a step closer after planning permission is granted for the £10 million project. Stephen and Michael McConville, the father-and-son involved in the withdrawal of hunter chaser Anseanachai Cliste at the Cheltenham Festival, receive three-year bans for doping.
HORSE OBITUARIES Johnny Go 7 Four-time winner trained by Lisa Harrison whose fatal injury at Perth ultimately led to a race being controversially voided.
Horse Racing Ireland Unveil fixture list for 2018, which features a record planned 363 meetings plus confirmation that the Curragh would race on despite redevelopment.
Abandon Ship 2 Promising juvenile suffers a fatal injury at Salisbury on just his third start.
Davy Russell
Wild Approach 3
Receives belated four-day ban for punching a horse in the neck at Tramore – he initially received a caution from the Turf Club.
Robert Cowell-trained horse who was partowned by footballer Glen Johnson and had won two of his 11 contests.
Will Johnson Joins De Burgh Equine as a bloodstock consultant – Johnson left his role as assistant trainer to Roger Varian earlier this year.
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Jack Dexter 8 Hugely popular Jim Goldie-trained sprinter who won ten of his 55 races and more than £430,000 in prizemoney.
Morning Time 11 Seven-time winner, over fences, hurdles and on the all-weather, trained by Lucinda Russell.
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TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS
October 2017
HOMEBRED QUICK OFF THE MARK The Qatar Bloodstock-bred Lightening Quick, born and raised at Tweenhills, lived up to her name when making a winning debut on Irish Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown... As her name suggests, Lightening Quick is out of Sheikh Fahad’s first Gr. 1 winner Lightening Pearl, who carried the Pearl Bloodstock colours to victory in the 2011 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Lightening Quick is by Frankel and thus a full sister to smart 3-year-old miler Lightening Fast. Trained by Ger Lyons and ridden by Colin Keane, Lightening Quick showed both a
staff PROFILE Reece Sutcliffe Stud Hand How did it all start? I was born in Manchester and am not from a horsey background, though I did learn to ride on my aunty and uncle’s horses in Devon during school holidays. Like everyone, especially in the North West, I always watched the Grand National. I then got more into the Flat through likes of Midday and also enjoyed the breeding side of the sport. Experience is the best teacher… I used to be a personal trainer but one day I had a revelation and found the National Stud’s Apprenticeship. I did a nine-week course and then got a placement at Juddmonte’s Wargrave property. I then went to Watership Down Stud when So Mi Dar was a yearling and The Fugue had just retired. Banstead Manor was next as assistant stallion man, and after that Vinery Stud in Australia when they had More Than Ready, Myboycharlie and Black Caviar’s half-brother All Too Hard. A name to remember… I started at Tweenhills only in August. I’m really enjoying it and obviously recognise plenty of the mares – I actually remember holding Lightening Pearl when she was covered by Frankel in 2014, the mating that produced Lightening Quick!
striking turn of foot and a most willing attitude to win the Ballylinch Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Fillies’ Maiden over seven furlongs. She holds Gr. 1 entries and we’re naturally excited about her. Lightening Pearl is currently in Japan having foaled a filly by Deep Impact this year and then revisited the same stallion. Her third foal, now a yearling, is another colt by Frankel.
Tweenhills homebred Lightening Quick gets up
CHARM YEARLINGS IMPRESS AT SALES Charm Sprit’s first yearlings have made a big impression at the recent sales and many are still to be sold… Charm Spirit’s first yearling through the ring – a half-brother to dual Gr. 1 winner Qemah – at Arqana’s August Sale sold for €500,000 to Shadwell France SNC. His yearlings there sold for an average
Charm Spirit
of €192,000 – a very impressive 7.5x his initial stud fee of £25,000 at Tweenhills. Charm Spirit was also responsible for a six-figure yearling at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale when the hammer came down at £105,000 for his daughter out of Bijou A Moi, from the family of sires Postponed and Gale Force Ten. A Charm Spirit filly also changed hands for €70,000 at Baden-Baden. There are still many Charm Spirit’s to be sold this autumn, including a colt out of Postale who made 140,000 guineas as a foal. He will attract plenty of attention at Tattersalls’ Book 1 Sale, as will a halfbrother to Gr. 2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Temple Meads. A colt from the family of Solow who sold for 110,000 guineas last year will be among those selling at Book 2.
MORE GOLD FOR HAVANA 2YOS Days after we filed our copy for last month’s issue, Havana Gold sired his second Group winner and he’s since taken his tally to 17 individual winners…
Havana Grey continued his superb season when a close second in the Gr. 2 Flying Childers Stakes in September, and days later Havana Gold’s daughter Nonna Gianna filled the same spot in an Italian Listed race.
Qatar Racing’s own Treasuring did a good impression of her paternal sibling Havana Grey when winning the Gr. 3 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Curragh Stakes over five furlongs in August. Other promising daughters of Havana Gold to win recently are Ortiz and Ghepardo, while colt Rum Runner beat a big field in a seven-furlong maiden at Sandown.
Treasuring winning the Gr. 3 Curragh Stakes
Tweenhills, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BG W: www.tweenhills.com T: + 44 (0) 1452 700177 M: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 E: davidredvers@tweenhills.com 2637 - Tweenhills Time_Oct 2017_V5.indd 1
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RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Tullius Top performer (right, centre) for Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, winner of 11 races including the bet365 Mile and Sky Bet York Stakes, is retired aged nine.
Creggs Pipes Star mare for Andrew Slattery, winner of seven races including the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, is retired aged five. Her first cover is to Fastnet Rock.
Barraquero Impressive winner of the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood picks up a shin injury that will rule him out until next season.
Galileo Gold Last year’s 2,000 Guineas hero will start his stallion career at Tally-Ho Stud in County Westmeath next year.
Songbird Outstanding US dirt mare, winner of 13 of her 15 races, including nine Grade 1s, is retired aged four and will be sold at Fasig-Tipton on November 6.
Tepin Two-time champion US turf mare to be sold in foal to Curlin by owner Robert Masterson and consignor Elite Sales at Fasig-Tipton in November.
Unfortunately Cheveley Park Stud buys Group 1-winning juvenile, a son of Society Rock, as the operation’s veteran sire Kyllachy is retired from covering duties aged 19.
PEOPLE OBITUARIES Geoff Wragg 87
Alec Forbes 41
Former Classic and multiple Group 1winning Newmarket trainer (see page ten).
South African jockey dies of pneumonia only hours after riding a winner at Scottsville; he partnered over 800 winners, seven at the highest level.
Penny Chenery 95 Owner of US Triple Crown hero Secretariat, she held several roles in racing and was an ambassador for the sport over several decades.
Tommy Craig 81 Former trainer who was the nephew of trainer George Boyd and worked for him when Rockavon won the 2,000 Guineas in 1961.
Ryan ‘Buster’ Parnell 83 Champion Flat jockey in Ireland in 1969, he won three Irish Classics with Atherstone Wood, Mistigo and Miralla.
Darren Fortune 43 Exercise rider is killed in a collision between two horses at Woodbine in Canada.
Richard Watson 91 Owner, breeder and veterinary surgeon whose high-class homebred runners included Jwala, winner of the 2013 Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes.
Ivor Brimblecombe 85 Familiar face and voice at tracks including Exeter, Taunton and Newton Abbot in his role as racecourse announcer.
Major Tim Riley 88 Long-term clerk of the course and Managing Director at Cartmel racecourse, he also worked at Carlisle, Kelso and Hamilton.
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Duke of Richmond 87 Former Chairman of Goodwood racecourse and credited with rebuilding it to its current status.
Jack Fisher 100 Arsenal fan’s red and white silks were carried by top-class runners such as Royal Heroine, Katies and Mysilv.
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THE BIG PICTURE
Oct_158_Big_PictureCapri_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 14:50 Page 19
ST LEGER
CAPRI CHEER Ryan Moore had never won the St Leger but he added a tenth British Classic to his CV when the Aidan O’Brien-trained Capri proved too strong for Crystal Ocean (hidden) and Stradivarius (right) at Doncaster. Capri, owned by the Coolmore partners, had previously defeated Cracksman in the Irish Derby and entered the Arc picture with this half-length win Photos George Selwyn
THE BIG PICTURE
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YORK
MUGGED BY MARSHA Angles were one of the themes of the Ebor meeting with several deceptive close finishes, none more so than in the Nunthorpe. Frankie Dettori celebrated victory on Lady Aurelia (yellow silks) only to find that Marsha and Luke Morris had prevailed by a nose – the world’s most famous jockey was embarrassed but it’s easy to see why he thought he had won the Group 1 York sprint Photo George Selwyn
Oct_158_Big_PictureUlysses_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 14:53 Page 22
THE BIG PICTURE
Oct_158_Big_PictureUlysses_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 14:53 Page 23
YORK
DIFFERENT CLASS Few top-class horses travel as well in their races as Ulysses and he produced another sublime performance in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York under Jim Crowley, easily defeating star three-year-olds Churchill and Barney Roy (blue). The son of Galileo, trained by Sir Michael Stoute for the Niarchos family, will begin his stallion career at Cheveley Park Stud next year Photo George Selwyn
Over the last 70 years we’ve made a big difference to owners, thanks to support from our members.
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Making a difference In the industry
Making a difference The raceday experience
Making a difference Member benefits
● Founder member of the Horsemen’s Group – 2006, Members’ Tripartite Agreement – 2015, Racing Authority – 2017 (anticipated) ● Prize-money agreements – 56 out of 60 racecourses now have one in place ● Owners Jackpot – over £350,000 given back to members so far ● National Racehorse Owners Survey 2016 – largest ever survey of racehorse owners. Findings showed average duration of ownership amongst ROA members is 6.5 years vs 4.7 years for registered owners ● ROA Ownership Costs Surveys ● ROA Trainer Pack – a resource for trainers and their office staff ● Supporter of ‘The Horse Comes First’, Equine Infectious Diseases Service (EIDS), Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and Racing Welfare
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
The story behind the photo To say that the betting proved a helpful guide to the Dewhurst Stakes of 1983 is to undersell it – half of the ten runners started at less than 20-1 and they finished precisely in market order, led home by El Gran Senor. Having won the Railway Stakes and National Stakes, El Gran Senor started favourite to remain unbeaten under Pat Eddery, and the result was never in doubt, although Rainbow Quest certainly made a race of it. The two pulled six lengths clear of Siberian Express, with Superlative fourth and Ministerial fifth. “A very, very exciting prospect for next year” was how Eddery described him after the half-length win – and indeed he was, for El Gran Senor became a Classic winner the following spring back at the Rowley Mile in the 2,000 Guineas, while he also won the Irish Derby having been narrowly beaten at Epsom by Secreto. Sadly, injury meant he never raced again after his Curragh Classic triumph, and he was retired to stud in the USA. Low fertility meant he was not a prolific sire, though he had a dozen horses who won at the highest level, including Rodrigo De Triano. He died 11 years ago this month aged 25. El Gran Senor was trained by the great Vincent O’Brien, pictured below next to Eddery. Photos George Selwyn
Oct_158_FromTheArchivesV2_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 14:53 Page 27
EL GRAN SENOR OCTOBER 14, 1983
THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT
Tony Morris Keeping up to date with Pattern winners without the aid of a computer programme or website is a time-consuming hard labour of love – but I wouldn’t have it any other way
T
he European Pattern Race programme, brainchild of that great racing and breeding authority Peter Willett, was inaugurated in 1971. It arrived with no fanfare, and attracted little attention – unsurprisingly, as it was unlikely to arouse much interest in the punter or casual racegoer. I confess I was slow to realise the potential of the scheme, but I took enough notice in its first year to compile a list of all the winners of the races staged in Britain and Ireland. Having just become editor of the Bloodstock Breeders’ Annual Review, I felt an obligation to initiate one or two new features, and that list, occupying a couple of pages, would be something different, unlikely to be published anywhere else. It might also have the virtue of proving useful to some readers of the book. The list duly appeared in two or three volumes, but it quite soon became clear how important an innovation the Pattern had been. I expanded the feature to include all the qualifying races in Europe, and in 1975 came the addition of all the winners in North America’s parallel scheme. A book that aimed to be global in scope could not ignore what had swiftly become significant. Meanwhile, I had been keeping records for my own interest and use. And mere lists of the names of winning horses were patently insufficient. I wanted the sires of the winners and the successful broodmare sires; better yet, I wanted five-generation pedigrees of those winning horses. And I had to have indexes, annually and cumulatively. While I compiled the current data, I was also back-tracking to gather the relevant information from previous seasons. It took an age to get up-to-date, but I persuaded myself that once I had achieved that, it would be relatively easy to keep on track. At no time did I envisage that after Irish Champions Weekend in 2017 I would be logging 21 results, compiling five-generation pedigree of the winners, updating files of the successful sires, broodmare sires, and the cumulative indexes. I have never had a fancy computer programme to help me; the researches and inputting of information are
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Sadler’s Wells: record as a sire of European Pattern winners about to be surpassed
all my own work, which means that if there’s anything wrong, it’s definitely down to me. I don’t want to know if there’s a website where I could obtain all the information I have gathered over 40-plus years, so please don’t tell me if you are aware of one. That would just confirm how the hours I have spent translate into years. I know I’m mad, and I become increasingly cognisant of that fact now that my short-term memory is not what it was. A new pedigree used to lodge in my brain instantly and stay there; nowadays it takes only minutes to become forgotten. Yet for all that I recognise the expenditure of so much time and effort, and the realisation that my self-imposed sentence of hard labour has deprived me of the opportunity to do a thousand things I might have enjoyed, I can’t say I have any regrets. It’s the same as with all the time I spent as a sales reporter; what kind of a nutter was I to watch people – often the same people – doing their shopping for 33 years? That would amount to a sure recipe for boredom for most.
But the sales enabled me to travel – albeit again watching shopping – to several continents, and to make a host of friends at home and abroad. And while the passage of time means that all too many of those friends are no longer around, I continue to value the memories they generated for me. The plain fact is that I still love the game, and there is no way I could just walk away from it. So giving up all that time-consuming data collection is not something I’m contemplating any time soon. I still care about what is going on in the industry, I still want to form opinions about the merits and failings of the horses who feature as athletes in the higher echelons of competition, and I’m still fascinated by their breeding, and by those who breed them. I can’t follow the game effectively without doing my own researches. I suppose the most important of my files relating to the European Pattern is the cumulative record of the sires. And, just as it is difficult to compare the merits of one generation of runners with another, there are THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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problems over comparing the sires of different eras. The Pattern has grown appreciably over the years, with just 243 races and 161 individual winners in year one, whereas 319 horses claimed a share of the honours in 2016, when the schedule stretched to 413 races. The first stallions to reach three figures for wins by their progeny were Habitat, who wound up with 108, and Northern Dancer with exactly 100; the former’s last qualifying winner was Distant Relative in the 1990 Prix du Moulin, and the latter’s Wajd in the 1991 Grand Prix d’Evry. In their 1980s heyday the scheme ran to a total in the 320s, and much smaller crops were the order of the day. The great little Canadian-bred never had a crop larger than 36, yet was able to wield enormous influence on the breed, especially in Europe. His ratio of stakes winners to foals has, unsurprisingly, never been approached by any horse in the era of huge books. As I write, there are 14 horses with 100 or more Pattern wins by their progeny, and of the 13 ranking above Northern Dancer, nine are his male line descendants – sons Danzig, Nureyev and Sadler’s Wells, grandsons Danehill, Montjeu and Galileo, and great-grandsons Danehill Dancer, Pivotal and Dansili. Invincible Spirit, another greatgrandson, is poised to join the club, having chalked up his 99th win when Music Box won the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster. When I speculated, in February 1990, that Sadler’s Wells had the potential to become the greatest stallion ever to stand in Ireland, I fell short of suggesting that he would head the sires’ list for 13 of the following 14 seasons, but that was how he fulfilled my prediction. While he was churning out top performers in crop after crop, routinely outscoring all his rivals and stretching his lead, I went so far as to suggest that his record as a sire of European Pattern winners would stand for all time. My crystal ball seems to have malfunctioned on that occasion. The progeny of Sadler’s Wells, whose fertility finally failed at the age of 27, amassed a total of 327 Pattern wins, and that score still seemed impregnable at the close of the 2011 campaign. But Galileo has been whittling down his sire’s lead at a phenomenal rate – winners of 30 races in 2012, 25 in 2013, 32 in 2014, 29 in 2015, and 39 in 2016. His score for 2017 reached 39 when Capri won the St Leger to bring his cumulative tally to 300, and there were still 90 more races to be contested. You can have my personal guarantee that by this time next year Galileo will have overhauled his sire by a substantial margin. He is already ahead of Sadler’s Wells in terms of wins at Group 1 level. So who are the members of the 100-plus club who are not male line descendants of Northern Dancer? The aforementioned Habitat, whose sons at stud proved terribly disappointing, and Riverman, who fared rather better in that respect, though without establishing a distinct branch of his own, both traced back to Nearco, Northern Dancer’s paternal grandsire. Dubawi, now up to fifth in the all-time list, represents the line of Mr Prospector. He will soon wrest fourth place from the great outcross sire Monsun, who defied his unfashionable pedigree and gave new life to the apparently moribund Blandford line.
“I’m still fascinated
by the breeding of higher-class winners, and by those who breed them”
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT
The bloodstock industry code of practice has existed for 13 years but you wouldn’t know it – with suggestions of malpractice it is due a shakedown
Code that’s too comfortable
GEORGE SELWYN
There is anecdotal evidence that all is not rosy in the bloodstock buying and selling garden
B
ritish racing loves a code of conduct. It’s a comfort blanket, keeping everyone warm and safe from the worries and dangers of the big, wide world on the outside. A new one was introduced at the beginning of September, designed, in the words of the BHA, “to promote transparency and ensure that syndicate members are better protected and informed when entering syndicate ownership.” Excellent, because syndicate ownership, heralded as a key deliverer in the strategy for growth, is one area – not the most important, of which more later – that needs its operators to be kept under a watchful eye. The scope for financial exploitation of the unwary by unscrupulous promoters has been apparent for decades. So, the syndicate code of conduct goes into the rule book alongside one for jockeys’ sponsorship, and another for licensed trainers in their dealings with owners, which was last updated on January 1, 2016 and covers seven closely-written paragraphs and four additional notes. And then there is the bloodstock industry code of practice, which features in the BHA ledger as a schedule rather than a rule, presumably because those to whom it is addressed, principally members of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents, are not licensed for the purpose of their activities. Remember that one? The bloodstock code of practice was
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introduced in 2004, in the days when the Jockey Club was still responsible for regulation. It came about after The Daily Telegraph mounted an investigation into “widespread financial corruption in Britain’s bloodstock industry” where “’kick-backs’ and “sweeteners” running into tens of thousands of pounds were being used in the buying and selling of horses, resulting in owners unknowingly paying inflated prices.” This in turn followed what became known as the Foodbroker Fancy affair, a court case in which the judge was critical of how a trainer involved in the proposed sale of the filly – which eventually fell through – was offered a £10,000 ‘incentive’ by an agent, who in court agreed to pay substantial damages and costs. The Jockey Club took no disciplinary action, but it did assemble a committee, chaired by Philip Freedman, that produced a code of practice, the first time such action had been taken in Britain. “The aim is to ensure transparency,” said Freedman. Sound familiar? Three years on, the code was reviewed, and a year later, by which time the BHA had wrested regulation from the Jockey Club, the revised version, including clearer definitions of ‘luck money’ and ‘secret profit’, came into force. At the time, Henry Beeby, then head of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, said: “Any new document should be reviewed on an ongoing basis.” The eighth anniversary of the latest code is
coming up. As far as I am aware, it has not been publicly revisited by the governing body; nor – and the BHA will quickly correct me if I am wrong – can I find evidence that it has ever been used in anger, whether against licensed or unlicensed personalities. Yet penalties for offences against the code are contained in the rules, and the disciplinary panel can impose fines of up to £15,000 or disqualifications of up to three years. So, everything in the bloodstock buying and selling garden is lovely, if the lack of activity around the code of practice is to be taken at face value. Or is it? The problem with this topic, as in other areas of racing’s murkier backwaters, is one of providing foolproof evidence of malpractice. However, there is sufficient anecdotal evidence from responsible sources to suggest that all is not so rosy below the surface. One vendor wondered why there was little interest in his wares at the sales, but others were inundated with inquiries, only to be told, ‘You have to guarantee payments if I bring people round.’ While a highly reputable operator has instructed its personnel that, under threat of transgressing the Bribery Act, they must report any approaches that are less than above board. Since encouraging owners, new or existing, is paramount, it’s time for the BHA to take another close look at this code. The comfort blanket is ready for a thorough shakedown. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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VIEW FROM IRELAND By JESSICA LAMB
Changing of seasons and guard There are some new title challengers as the jumps campaign moves centre stage in those, winning the lesser novice hurdle on the card, and also taking second in the Grade A handicap chase. His prize money haul was nearly €280,000. Elliott matched Mullins’s record for winners trained in a season, amassing 193, and is definitely closing the gap with the help of a team which includes race planner Ryan McElligott. These two trainers will fight out this year’s prize once again, but Mullins should win; the fight with Elliott ignited a hunger and, unlike Paul Nicholls in Britain, he is definitely still focussed on that title.
GEORGE SELWYN
O’Brien jumps to it
Fayonagh storms up the famous Cheltenham hill – is she the new Annie Power?
A
s we end the Flat season and begin the jumps season in Ireland, it’s time to take stock and make some predictions. Ireland had 13% of the world’s top 100 Flat horses in 2016 and at the time of writing has five in the top 40, but they are all trained by one person, Aidan O’Brien, the man who won half of Irish Champions Weekend’s ten Group races. In addition, a report by Deloitte and commissioned by Horse Racing Ireland found that 45% of all the horses trained in Ireland are housed in the 32 biggest yards. That’s more than 1,575 horses, within a total of 1,925 horses in 340 yards. The struggle for smaller trainers becomes apparent when discovering the average daily rate for a horse in training is €45 – perhaps no wonder Gavin Cromwell is still a farrier and Denis Hogan continues to ride as a jockey. Support from Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, both financial and human, and the creation of new styles of ownership,
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particular trainer racing clubs, have boosted ownership across all codes, giving optimism to the training profession. It also gives hope for racing as a pastime in Ireland, the Deloitte report finding the sport to be second only to Gaelic Games for attendances, luring more than 1.3 million racegoers last year. There is also still new blood entering the training ranks such as Damian English, Michael O’Callaghan and Adrian Keatley. We have seen young jockeys do well all summer too, with Colin Keane signalling the changing of the guard at the head of the Flat jockeys’ championship, as Gordon Elliott threatened to do in the jumps trainers’ table last season.
Joseph O’Brien spent nearly €1 million at last year’s Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, splashing out over €100,000 five times on his 11-horse buying spree – three Presentings, two Milans and two Flemensfirths among them. He has enlisted a race planner, analyst and pedigree researcher in Kevin Blake, former assistant trainer to Jeremy Gask and now At The Races presenter, which has helped him make it into the top five Irish Flat trainers this season – and win the Galway Hurdle. Like his father Aidan, he has developed into an accomplished dual-purpose trainer, and as those Derby Sale purchases come on stream this year, the quality of his jumping stock will begin to rise. He spent a further €509,000 at this year’s Derby Sale and is my tip for 2019 Irish champion jumps trainer.
Battles to be fought Elliott caught Willie Mullins unawares last year, taking a march over the summer and leading until the penultimate day, at Punchestown. That day Mullins won the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle and Champion Novice Hurdle, mopping up several placings
Joseph O’Brien: future champion?
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Walsh weighed in? With Willie Mullins tipped to win the trainers’ title, it seems impossible for anyone other than Ruby Walsh to win the jockeys’ championship for the 11th time. Yes, Davy Russell has had a profitable summer, unofficially teaming up with Gigginstown House Stud again, winning the Galway Plate, and mopping up the injured Jack Kennedy’s spares at Gordon Elliott’s stable. If he remains high up in Elliott’s rankings upon Kennedy’s return then he does have a good chance of beating Walsh. But that is not expected to be the case.
“Donagh Meyler’s
judgement of pace and front-running skills have made him a jockey to watch” Podium potential Sean Flanagan is the jockey that could make a surprise appearance on the podium, boss Noel Meade’s summer form putting him in a decent position as the season goes up a gear. Meade saddled 19 winners over the summer, operating on a 14% strike-rate, a promising performance off the back of his most profitable season since 2009. This is a pairing on the rise.
Conditional champion Joseph O’Brien’s backing of cousin JJ Slevin puts the rider in pole position for the champion conditional title, but before Listowel he was 12 winners away from reaching that magic 60 career wins and riding out his claim. Paddy Kennedy is favourite to usurp Slevin, with last year’s champion Rachael Blackmore having already ridden out her claim, but the top tip is County Down 23year-old Chris Meehan. Gordon Elliott helped Jack Kennedy to the 2015 title and Meehan, made famous last summer when getting run over by an ambulance in Italy, appears his number one conditional now. The 7lb claimer has had a luckless start to his riding career, breaking his leg on Willie Mullins’s gallops before his point-to-point debut, breaking it again last year on a trampoline, and being hospitalised by that ambulance incident. Despite this, Meehan has managed to gain a proper grounding, first with Neil THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Mulholland in Britain, then becoming an apprentice to George Baker for two years, and joining Jonathan Geake. He has returned to Ireland for good now and is in the right place to excel.
Pro to watch The most promising young rider to enter the non-claiming professional ranks this summer was Donagh Meyler. Last year’s Galway Plate and Martinstown Opportunity Series winner rode out his claim in July and has since carried the Irish team to victory in their annual tour to Australia. The Kilkenny rider’s versatility is continually evident, but his judgement of pace and front-running skills have made him a jockey to watch as his stock rises. He is also famed for maturity beyond his years, seeing the bigger picture with horses, and perhaps already displaying qualities of a good future trainer when his riding days are over.
Star attraction In Ireland, when one wonder mare (Annie Power) retires, another blooms. This is the case this season as Gordon Elliott’s dual champion bumper winner Fayonagh takes to hurdles. The Deep Peace line – famed for producing the tenacious five-time Grade 1 winner Solerina – had fallen off the radar, but the
Donagh Meyler: mature beyond years
£64,000 purchase put it right back in the limelight when winning the Cheltenham Champion Bumper in emphatic style. The filly missed the start entirely and jockey Jamie Codd sat up, feeling an education was all they would now be getting. Fayonagh was almost last rounding the home turn, yet picked up, battled, and flew to a comprehensive victory, which she followed up at Punchestown, proving it was no fluke. She has had Flat Group-race entries over the summer and autumn, showing just what she is showing on the gallops pre-season.
Labour case ruling awaited Irish horseracing’s future may have been damaged irrevocably by the time you read this, as Ballydoyle’s Labour Court ruling was due to be filed by the end of September. This test case seeks to decide whether racehorse training yards should still qualify for the working hours exemptions granted to agricultural workplaces. Since February 2015 industrial relations law has excluded training yards from this sector, allowing stud farms to remain, but the new regime had not been enforced until the Workplace Relations Committee inspected Ballydoyle and found some staff had worked 19-hour days and 28 days without a day off. They issued trainer Aidan O’Brien with a compliance order, which was appealed in the Labour Court, O’Brien not challenging the findings, but the classification of his business. During the case O’Brien and one of his
head grooms Robbie Manton outlined in detail the duties of each groom, and the importance of their relationship with their four to six horses. The WRC argued that if O’Brien employed two staff per horse he could allow staff the legislated working hours. The WRC said the system could work as it does in hospitals, with a changeover hour. These suggestions highlight the concerning lack of knowledge of the industry in the WRC, many trainers presently struggling to get enough staff just for that average 1:5 ratio. Should O’Brien’s appeal fail, he will be forced to comply, and so will all other trainers. That, on top of County Councils increasing trainers’ business rates by recently re-categorising them as leisure, would be a hammer blow. The case concluded on August 29 with a verdict expected by the end of September.
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CONTINENTAL TALES
NORW
By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU
AY
Classic glory for underdogs Florida-based apprentice Vanessa Ryall upsets the odds in Derby
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SVENSK GALOPP
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anessa Ryall may have overtaken Epsom hero Padraig Berry and Maxim Pecheur, featured in this column a couple of months back following his Deutsches Derby triumph, as the most unlikely Derbywinning jockey of 2017. If you think that you’ve heard the name Vanessa Ryall, that may well be something to do with her namesake, Vanessa Ryle, who is a producer and up-and-coming presenter on At The Races. This Miss Ryall is a 26-year-old apprentice jockey currently based in Florida who jetted back to her native Norway to win the Norsk Derby aboard High As A Kite, at Ovrevoll in Oslo on August 27. The first female rider to win any of Scandinavia’s three Derbies, Ryall’s groundbreaking success is in large part down to her stepfather, Jan Björdal, who both trains and owns High As A Kite, for it was on his insistence that she came back to ride the Manduro filly. The two Norsk Derby champions, both fourlegged and two-, have each enjoyed unusually nomadic racing careers of late. A half-sister to Karl Burke’s Listed-placed gelding London Protocol, High As A Kite cost Björdal just €18,000 as a yearling in France and remained in the country of her birth to begin racing at the start of this year, running four times in the provinces for Deauville handler Yann Barberot. A first win, by half a length in a modest handicap at Angers, convinced the optimistic Björdal that she was worthy of a tilt at the Scandinavian Classics and, running just six days after that Angers outing and sent off at odds of almost 12-1, she proved him right by landing the Swedish 1,000 Guineas at Bro Park on May 29. Three more runs, including victory in the Norwegian 1,000 Guineas and a heavy defeat in the Swedish Derby, came and went before Björdal managed to tempt his stepdaughter across the Atlantic to ride the star of his threehorse string. Ryall is far from a compete novice in the saddle. Having first ridden thoroughbreds at the relatively late age of 19, she emigrated to America in order to fulfil her ambition of becoming a jockey. This first involved enrolment at the North American Racing Academy in Kentucky, brainchild of the nine-time Breeders’ Cupwinning jockey Chris McCarron. Since
Vanessa Ryall was the unlikely winner of the Norsk Derby on High As A Kite
graduating in 2013, she has had over 350 rides in America and enjoyed 43 wins. But her opportunities on the track have dried up in recent years, and she now contents herself with riding out in the mornings at Palm Meadows Training Centre in Florida, a few miles from Gulfstream Park. So suddenly being booked to ride the favourite for a high-profile race like the Norsk Derby, which carries £127,820 in prize-money, was a little unusual to say the least. Ryall flew back to Oslo early to allow a few weeks’ preparation, but her partnership with High As A Kite got off to the worst possible start on August 3, when she was unshipped leaving the paddock for the Ovrevoll Derby Trial and her mount had to be withdrawn having galloped riderless for two circuits of the track. Things went better on Derby Day, yet victory still looked far-fetched when High As A Kite passed the furlong marker with a two-length deficit, only for a late burst to allow her to prevail by a nose in a three-way photo finish. Now back in Florida, Ryall looks back at the whole episode with a mixture of awe and
disbelief, saying: “It was really fun, I felt like a celebrity for a couple of weeks before the race as there was plenty of interest in the newspapers and on TV and we had a lot of visitors to the barn, and on raceday it felt like the entire crowd [numbering 7,800 people] was cheering for me. “After the race it took me forever to get out of the winners’ circle, there was so much excitement, and NRK, Norway’s main TV station, put together a really nice piece about the event. “Two things that made it even more special were that it was the first time I had ever ridden a winner for my dad, and also the Derby fell on my mum’s birthday, which was quite wonderful.” Surely nothing can top all that, though Ryall does intend to get on the plane again for High As A Kite’s upcoming starts, including for the Norsk Oaks on October 22. And longer term? “I have always wanted to go back home for good but I really don’t like the cold!” says Ryall, savouring the Floridian sunshine. “But my dad’s big dream is to move to join his broodmares in France, so it could be a bit warmer there.” THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Weight allowance doing its job
RUSSIA
Early signs are that the 2kg (4.4lb) female jockeys’ allowance which was brought in on March 1 by France Galop – and which has tempted Hayley Turner to relaunch her riding career across the Channel – is having a positive effect in its attempt to encourage a more even split between the sexes in the nation’s weighing rooms. In the first four months since the weight allowance (which does not apply in Group and Listed races or top handicaps) was instigated, female jockeys enjoyed a third more winners and more than 50% more rides in all eligible French races, over the jumps and on the Flat. During that same period, Maryline Eon, the top female rider on the Flat in France in 2016 but only 55th in last season’s overall standings, twice hit the headlines. In mid-June she became the first female to take part in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks), finishing midfield aboard Yellow Storm. Then, little more than a fortnight later, she was crowned the inaugural Lady Jockeys World Champion at Bro Park near Stockholm, Sweden. One person who has, surprisingly, been absent from French racecourses of late is Dan
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F RA N C E
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Maryline Eon and Yellow Storm created a slice of history in the Prix de Diane
Skelton, runaway leader in the early stages of the 2017-18 National Hunt trainers’ championship. Skelton could be taking advantage of the female allowance by using Bridget Andrews, the partner of his brother and stable jockey, Harry, and often employed by Dan aboard horses emanating from his Warwickshire yard. But, following a brilliant 2016 across the Channel, when Skelton won over £130,000 from his 14 French raiders, only two of which were unplaced, he has not saddled a single
runner there in 2017. “I am a supporter of female jockeys and Bridget in particular, and it would be a nobrainer to use her aboard my French runners, although any booking would depend entirely on the horse involved,” Skelton says. “But I just haven’t got the right horses to send over there at the moment. “The closure of Enghien racecourse in Paris has been a big loss, at it seemed to suit my horses well because it favoured speed a bit more than some of the other French tracks.”
Golan in headlines thanks to Gosudar One of the delights of racing is finding out where the top horses of the past get to in their retirement, and few British Classic winners can have ended up somewhere as remote as Sbobodny Trud Farm, a stud and vineyard located in the Republic of Adygea in Russia’s deep south, not far from either the Black Sea or the border with Georgia. That is where Golan, hero of the 2,000 Guineas of 2001 and second only to the mighty Galileo in the same season’s Epsom Derby, has ended up. Initially part of Coolmore’s stallion roster, and sire of both the four-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner Beauty Flash and the 2014 Gold Cup runner-up Missunited, he was sent to the metaphorical salt mines in 2013. Golan’s name has resurfaced because his first Russian crop includes the unbeaten colt Gosudar, who dismissed Fire Bird, a rival with a similarly unblemished record, by three and a half lengths in the Pyatigorsk Derby in late July. His trainer, Murat Bairamkulov, turned down the chance of a rematch five weeks later, preferring to leave Gosudar’s Moscow debut THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Guineas winner Golan has ended up at a stud farm in the Republic of Adygea
until next year, but the Pyatigorsk form looks even better now that Fire Bird has proved much too strong for the 11 colts and fillies who did take him on in the Russian Derby. The time of the Derby, which took place in front of a crowd of just under 5,000 at Central Moscow Hippodrome, was over half a second quicker than the one clocked over the identical
mile and a half in the big all-aged race, the N N Nasibov Cup. At 12 million rubles (£176,000) both the nation’s richest contest and worth more than double the Russian Derby, the Nasibov saw a shock first defeat in over a year for Conard Lord, an American-bred son of Congrats who, like many of the top horses in Moscow (where they race on dirt rather than Pyatigorsk’s Polytrack), was bought at Keeneland. Conard Lord could manage only third, three lengths behind another Keeneland recruit, Dacci (by Arch), who got the better of the Captain Rio colt Storm Attack by a head. Flat racing in Russia is chugging along, neither in boom nor decline, Moscow being the most prestigious venue of its eight current racecourses, many of which are located in the North Caucasus region, not far from Golan’s base. Having said that, the thoroughbred breeding industry is expanding, as its most recent foal crop numbered 940, well up on the 430 it registered with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in 2010.
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LANWADES A CONSTELLATION OF SIRE POWER
ARCHIPENKO
BOBBY’S KITTEN
(Kingmambo – Bound, by Nijinsky)
(Kitten’s Joy – Celestial Woods, by Forestry)
Star Quality – Dual Group 1 sire
Breeders’ Cup Sprint Star – First foals 2018
Only son of Champion KINGMAMBO at stud in the Western Hemisphere
First son of sire sensation KITTEN’S JOY in Europe
SEA THE MOON
SIR PERCY
(Sea The Stars – Sanwa, by Monsun)
(Mark of Esteem – Percy’s Lass, by Blakeney)
A Rising Star – First runners 2018
Stellar Durability and Value
First and only son of SEA THE STARS at stud in GB
Unbeaten Champion Two-Year-Old and Derby winner – Dual Group 1 sire
info@lanwades.com • www.lanwades.com • Tel: +44 (0)1638 750222 • Fax: +44 (0)1638 751186
LANWADES Lanwades_Roster_OwnerBreeder_Oct17.indd 1
The independent option TM
22/09/2017 12:21
AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE
NORT H A M E R I CA
by Steve Andersen
Del boys and girls getting ready to rock
Where the turf meets the surf: Del Mar is a picturesque track in southern California where you can see the sea from the stands
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el Mar, the seaside racetrack known for its summertime party atmosphere, post-race music shows and top-class California racing, is about to go on display to the world. For the first time, Del Mar, north of San Diego, will host the Breeders’ Cup races on November 3-4, a plan more than a decade in the making. Breeders’ Cup races have been held in California at Santa Anita, and the closed Hollywood Park, on 12 occasions since the first running in 1984. Santa Anita alone has hosted six of the last ten Breeders’ Cup meetings, including last year. A shift to Del Mar, about 115 miles south of Santa Anita, will give the lucrative race series a different feel. The track, which dates back to its founding in 1937 by Bing Crosby, is about a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean, so close that the west side of the stands affords a picturesque view of the sea. The affluent beach towns surrounding the track are home to thousands of surfers – and restaurants, hotels and nightspots that fill each summer with racing tourists from throughout California and the western United States. Del Mar’s national profile – as a social and sporting venue – has soared in the last 20 years. From a racing perspective, the track has enjoyed growth through simulcast and internet betting, though the numbers are not as high as the mid2000s, before the recession. The summer meeting, in particular, is annually among the top tracks outside of New York in average daily purses. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
The track has seven Grade 1 races each year, including the $1 million Pacific Classic on dirt in August, a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Arrogate, winner of the Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup earlier this year, was beaten in two stakes races during the summer meeting this year, including a second in the Pacific Classic. The racing surfaces are typical American layouts of a one-mile dirt track and a sevenfurlong interior turf course. The turf course, which has a short stretch of 270 yards, was widened and re-laid in early 2014 to
“For the first time
Del Mar will host the Breeders’ Cup, a plan more than a decade in the making” accommodate the maximum field of 14 required for Breeders’ Cup grass races. Track President Joe Harper expects widespread participation at the Breeders’ Cup from European owners and trainers, particularly on the rebuilt turf course. “I’m sure all those guys have done their homework on Del Mar,” he said in early September. “It’s pretty close to the Santa Anita turf course, with the width of it and all.
“I think the turf course has reached a level of maturity. I wouldn’t have wanted to do this a few years ago.” The track has had a strong response from the public for the Breeders’ Cup, which will be held on the first weekend of the four-week autumn meeting. Del Mar is capping attendance at 37,500 on both days to avoid overwhelming the facility and compromising the ability of racegoers to move around and be comfortable. Reserved seats and general admission badges for the Saturday programme were sold out by early September. There will be thousands of people, even racing insiders, experiencing the track for the first time. The summer meeting coincides with the popular Saratoga meeting in upstate New York, which captures the full attention of racegoers and racing professionals from Kentucky and the east coast. Harper, a grandson of the legendary Hollywood filmmaker Cecil B DeMille, is hoping the Breeders’ Cup weekend is successful enough to make Del Mar part of the Breeders’ Cup series rotation every few years. “At the end of the day, the Breeders’ Cup will want to come back and we’ll welcome that,” he said. “It makes sense with the type of facility we’ve got and where it is. “From the start of meetings with the Breeders’ Cup board, it was clear that a lot of people hadn’t been to Del Mar. When you’re head-on with Saratoga, you don’t see much of it. “People will fall in love with it when they see the whole area and the surrounding environment.”
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AROUND THE GLOBE
AUST R A L I A
by Danny Power
Game on for Pierro and All Too Hard finished second behind Pierro and was set aside for his three-year-old campaign. At three, the two colts met twice in the spring; All Too Hard ran down Pierro in the headline race, the Caulfield Guineas in October, and again beat his rival in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, when he finished second behind the hot favourite Ocean Park. In the autumn of 2013, All Too Hard stepped up to win against older horses at Caulfield in the Group 1 Orr Stakes and the Group 1 Futurity Stakes. He then overcame a setback to win a dramatic Group 1 All-Aged Stakes at Randwick before he was retired. Coolmore snapped up Pierro in a bidding duel between a number of farms that included Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley, where Pierro’s sire Lonhro stands. The price was reported to be close to A$40 million (£24.2m), a record for an Australian stallion. All Too Hard went to Vinery at Scone in the Hunter Valley, after a syndicate was formed to buy out his financially distressed owner Nathan Tinkler. Tinkler had no option but to sell his colt after Vinery’s part-owner, businessman and big-time breeder Gerry Harvey called in a reported $25m loan to the failed coalmine owner. At the end of last season, Pierro came out on top of the first-season sires’ list on money earned, although he sired only seven individual winners (from 34 runners) from a crop of 150 foals. He sat fourth on the winners’ list behind Fastnet Rock’s son Your Song (11 winners), with All Too Hard on ten winners from 47 starters (145 foals).
The perception was that Pierro was very disappointing. His money tally was boosted by one horse, the filly Tulip, who contributed some $563,375 of his overall bankroll of $872,635. All Too Hard also had a lot of knockers. He had finished second on the money list with $744,000 but his top stakes earner was the promising The Mighty Fed, who earned only $108,000. Now, as their first-crop foals are three-yearolds, we can get a little perspective on how the two young sires are tracking – the expectation was that both stallions would produce stock that would be better at three and older. Six weeks into the new season and All Too Hard is leaving Pierro in his wake. At the time of writing, Pierro has sired only one winner from 17 starters, but All Too Hard’s profile has received a massive boost as six very promising winning horses have emerged, including Superhard, a “serious Group class sprinter but a campaign away from being the real deal,” according to trainer Robert Smerdon after the colt won at Sandown on September 6. Pierro’s fee has dropped from $77,000 in his first three seasons to $66,000 last season, and to $49,500 this year. All Too Hard is down from $66,000 to $44,000. The next 12 months will reveal a lot more about these two champions’ potential as stallions.
PA
When the sensational colts Pierro and All Too Hard retired to stud in 2013, much was written about them taking their battles from the track to the breeding barn. There were multiple disputes as to which was the better racehorse and that debate stretched to who would be the better stallion. They were the standout colts of their year and they also stood out in a group of firstseason sires that lacked depth in class and performance. Pierro, by Lonhro, was the champion juvenile, winning the 2012 Sydney two-yearold Triple Crown (Golden Slipper, ATC Sires’ Produce, Champagne Stakes) for trainer Gai Waterhouse, who declared him the best horse she had trained. He returned at three to be beaten by All Too Hard in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, but defeated the older horses in the 2013 autumn in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, All Too Hard, by Casino Prince, drew headlines from the first time he stepped out on the track due to the fact he is a halfbrother to the incomparable Black Caviar. He emerged from her shadow as a juvenile to win the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington and the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill. However, his trainers, John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, decided to skip the Golden Slipper in preference for the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick, in which he
Superhard (left), a son of All Too Hard who could be ‘the real deal’
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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
The£8. 8/€10. 6Mi l l i onSe r i e s
J APAN AUTUMN I NTERNATI ONAL
極
THE BIG INTERVIEW TIM EASTERBY
Family FORTUNES Two decades after taking over from his father, Tim Easterby is enjoying a particularly successful season highlighted by a Classic prospect in Wells Farhh Go – an exciting two-year-old he aims to keep hold of despite interest from several suitors Words Julian Muscat • Photos Anna Gowthorpe
T
im Easterby has been training for as long as it takes a new-born to inherit the keys to the kingdom. After 21 years, this season has been one of his best: he has broken through the seven-figure prize-money barrier on the Flat for the fourth time, he saddled a Royal Ascot winner in June, and in Wells Farhh Go, he has what he believes is a Classic prospect. After two successful decades, he must surely now feel that he has created his own identity. He is no longer Tim Easterby, son of Peter, but Tim Easterby, period. Put this to him and the reaction is surprising. “I never felt any great pressure when I took over from dad,” Easterby, 56, says. “I’d worked with him for such a long time that it was second nature. Dad kept asking whether I wanted to take over but I wouldn’t have been ready if it had happened ten years earlier. I was when it did.” It’s about as direct a response as you’ll get from any question levelled at any Easterby, even if it fails to address the issue of his personal identity. However, that is resolved after a lengthy pause. Eventually, Easterby gestures at the north Yorkshire landscape around him. Everything the eye can see is owned by Peter who, like his younger brother Mick, started out with nothing.
Tim trains from three adjacent properties in Great Habton, all of them former farms bought by his father, while Mick’s empire stretches out from Sherriff Hutton, about ten miles south-west. The brothers’ celebrated training exploits were the means to an end that now sees them unrivalled locally as landowner farmers. “You know, it’s amazing what dad and uncle Michael have achieved,” says Tim, who trains from the property where his grandfather raised his family in rented accommodation. “They had 25 acres and they bought and sold horses, trained point-to-pointers and hunters. They bought the land as they went.” Right on cue, Easterby swings his 4 x 4 up the side of the gallop to watch fourth lot and there, already in situ, is Peter. He has already overseen an earlier lot “up on hill”, and his eyes sparkle at the prospect of watching another. To him, assessing horses at the gallop comes as naturally as inhaling the crisp September air. Peter smiles at the memory of growing up in the house we can see across a quiet lane. “Aye,” he says. “And when I took tenancy off father in 1950, landlord tried to raise rent from £100 to £120. I took him to tribunal and got it down to £110.” As the horses come past, father and son exchange a flurry of half-sentences before
“I never felt any
great pressure when I took over from dad – it was second nature”
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Oct_158_TimEasterby new_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 17:54 Page 41
Tim Easterby with threeyear-old Golden Apollo, the stable’s top earner this year having banked over £100,000
Oct_158_TimEasterby new_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 17:52 Page 42
TIM EASTERBY
How Farhh do you go when selling? In Tim Easterby’s case, a large part of his art is knowing when to sell. Taking a profit is akin to saddling winners when you own bits and pieces of several horses in the yard. Easterby thus finds himself in the fortunate position of owning half of Wells Farhh Go, who won in Group 3 company at York in August. There have been offers but none has yet been sufficient for him to cash out. “It’s hard to explain when you are in this situation,” he says. “Where do you stop; where do you even start? In the end it comes down to the size of the offer on the table, and we’ve not been tempted yet.” Easterby’s partner in Wells Farhh Go is Alan Heley, who started off in a syndicate before graduating to ownership in his own right. The fact Heley has been a long-time supporter of the stable lends the story a pleasing symmetry. Easterby sees much of his 2002 St Leger winner, Bollin Eric, in Wells Farhh Go. “He’s got Eric’s temperament and his attitude,” the trainer says. “He’s got his speed, too, and he should stay. I never saw Eric as a Derby horse but it might be different with this fellow. We’ll have to see where we are with him when the Derby’s next entry stage comes along [in April].” In the meantime, it’s a case of so far, so good. “I was pleased with him at York, especially as I ran him over the wrong trip,” Easterby says. “He’s not really a two-year-old and he wants at least a mile.” Whether Easterby retains his halfshare remains to be seen. “A few people asked after him when he won his maiden but we thought we had further to go with him,” he says. “It’s a difficult decision. I want him to stay in the yard and I’d like to keep a share in him if possible. But horses are there to race, to trade. My partner in the horse is very happy with where we are, because we think he is going to be top-class. And when you bring them along, you don’t want to lose them.”
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Easterby oversees exercise at Habton Farm, with Wells Farhh Go (white blaze) training towards an engagement in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October
>> Peter heads off to debrief the riders. The very
spot we are standing on perfectly encapsulates his career. “Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon used to gallop up here,” Peter had said. “Never really went anywhere else.” Those two horses were Turf pillars in the late 1970s. Night Nurse won two Champion Hurdles and was foiled when attempting to become the first horse to complete the Gold Cup double by his stablemate Little Owl. Sea Pigeon also won the Champion Hurdle twice, but his popularity was rooted in the fact that he bestrode both codes. He also won two Chester Cups and the 1979 Ebor when carrying 10st. As the morning unwinds it becomes plain that Peter never really retired. Tim is happy with that; training 120 horses is a challenge in delegation as much as anything else. The more wise old heads around the place, the better. There are plenty of those at Habton Grange, which is a font of plain speaking.
Among them is Keith Stone, who once rode Night Nurse in a six-furlong maiden at Ripon and partnered him every day at home. Stone now helps with the entries, among other things, but can’t help casting a beady reflection back to the great horse. “He were a right old sod,” he says. “He’d jip at everything on the gallops.” Was he lairy, I ask? “Noooooo,” Stone replies. “He were too thick to be lairy; were just pissing about the whole time. Never missed anything that jumped out of hedges.” In these parts the door to the memory vault remains open even though the halcyon days now have a sepia tint. And this renders redundant the question of whether Tim Easterby craves a greater sense of his own identity. Easterby was a wide-eyed teenager when his father carried all before him with a herd of cheaply-bought horses. In consequence, THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Oct_158_TimEasterby new_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 17:52 Page 43
TIM EASTERBY
“If I’m buying
yearlings to sell on the most I’d ever spend is £35,000 – £3,500 is better” he wants to embrace the family legend rather than push it aside. That is exactly how he has proceeded. As the years unfurl he has assumed a strong facial likeness to his father. And there’s the same, no-nonsense approach to training horses: every one different, with different requirements. Every one bought for small money. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Truth be told, Tim took over the stable when it was at a low ebb. There used to be 150 horses, an equal mix of Flat horses and jumpers, but those numbers fell away in the twilight of his father’s career. Training had become a young man’s game, but, to Tim, the ethos remains the same. “If I’m buying yearlings to sell on, the most I’d ever spend is £35,000,” he says. “£3,500 is better, mind. Ten times better.” Better still is to be sent horses by existing owners, which negates the need to sell them on. “They’re great for the books,” he says. “They don’t arrive with a bill.” Easterby’s stable has also gravitated more towards Flat racing, albeit with some lament from the trainer. The Champion Hurdle is the holy grail for him but it is all down to what his clients want. “Training jumpers is not uneconomical as long as owners want us to train them here in the north of England,” he says. “But take a
horse like My Reward. He’s a five-year-old who would make a high-class jumper but he’s running in sixty-grand races, fifty-grand races on the Flat. “Over hurdles you have to start down below and work your way up, and there’s no point in risking him for four grand. There is so much good Flat racing around us that it makes economic sense. Plus, most of the jumping tracks haven’t been very adventurous with their prize-money or promoting the game. It has fallen away a lot.” The results speak for themselves. Easterby has never failed to post a half-century of winners since he first reached that landmark in the 1998 Flat season. It’s a level of consistency that has been required to keep his operation to the fore in a part of the country populated by the winner-machines of Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan and Mark Johnston. Each of them has Middle Eastern
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TIM EASTERBY >> patronage.
Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, when he did not enjoy the run of the race. There’s nothing like a batch of promising two-year-olds to raise morale in the yard. It lends a sense of purpose, although the ebb and flow of talent from one year to the next is the only difference to the ways of old. “We still do things much the same as 20
“There is absolutely
a sense of pride in where we’ve got to as a family. Training is all we know” years ago,” Easterby says. “We keep it simple. The horses have two canters on the tenfurlong all-weather gallop each morning. When they come by us, the key things are to look at their action and listen to their wind.” Easterby is restrained in conversation but his short, often-unconnected observations reveal a man who keeps a very close eye on
the financials. If a fool and his money are easily parted, all Easterbys must be wealthy men. It is not by accident. Training, he says, is a profitable business so long as you make it profitable. “You have to work hard at it,” he says. “You have to watch your figures, your feed costs, your staff costs, your incomings and outgoings. It’s a good profession to be in, even though you’ll usually be stuck with a part of most horses you buy to sell on.” More than that, however, it is the Easterby way of life. “It is how we have done it, because that is what we wanted to do,” he says. “There is absolutely a sense of pride in where we’ve got to as a family. It’s all we know.” Unearthing good horses on limited budgets is more difficult now than at any other time in the sport’s history. You wonder whether Peter Easterby would have been as successful had he started training today, and put that to his son. “Oh, definitely,” Tim says, “I think there’s no doubt. Dad saw himself first and foremost as a Flat trainer, but he and uncle Michael are good businessmen. They have always been very good business people.” The vast tract of North Yorkshire in their possession is evidence of that.
GEORGE SELWYN
It is something Easterby lacks, although he doesn’t believe it precludes him from unearthing superior horses from time to time. It helps, no doubt about it, but Easterby, like his father, is a stockman first and foremost. Good horses come in all shapes and sizes – or in the case of Wells Farhh Go, in very large sizes indeed. The hope is that Wells Farhh Go, who won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York, has what it takes to emulate Bollin Eric. He is seen as a Classic horse in the making, although ironically the dream nearly died before it was conceived. Easterby gave 16,000 guineas for the yearling son of Farhh and saw him as a longterm project. “He was a big, long horse then, but when we broke him in and cantered him he went really nicely,” he recalls. “Then we put him upsides in the spring and he showed a bit of speed, so we left him alone. He was that big, I could easily have cut him and turned him away, like some of the others I bought. I only didn’t cut him because he is such a quiet horse.” Wells Farhh Go is likely to round off his juvenile campaign in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. By then, Easterby will have learnt whether Staxton warranted a sharp rise in the ratings for finishing fifth in the
Wells Farhh Go (left) edges out James Garfield to win the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York under David Allan
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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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TALKING TO... SEAN LEVEY
Oct_158_TalkingTo_v2_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 17:46 Page 47
Levey loving
THE LIFE Sean Levey sees being a jockey and riding winners simply as something he loves doing – if it opens doors for others that’s a bonus, and as a key member of the Richard Hannon set-up who is getting plenty of outside opportunities, he is a role model who is doing just that By Tim Richards • Photos George Selwyn
H
aving completed your apprenticeship with Richard Hannon, you are now a senior member of his team of jockeys with the prospect of more rides in the big races. How do you handle such a confidence-boosting prospect? It’s not really an issue of handling the situation; I finished my apprenticeship with Richard Hannon and have been riding a long time now. Don’t forget I started off with Aidan O’Brien and he gave me massive opportunities in a lot of big races when I was still claiming, so I feel I’m more than capable of grabbing the opportunities when they come along. There’s Pat Dobbs, who has been a member of the Hannon team for a long time. Also there’s Kieran O’Neill, Tom Marquand, Hollie Doyle and Rossa Ryan, and other apprentices, too. We have a really good team and as a stable Richard Hannon has done great since taking over from his dad. We’ve had 150 winners this year, a Group 1 with Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and once the yard is going well the opportunities are there. We operate as a squad, covering the many different tracks and it works well. You and Royston Ffrench are the two black jockeys riding regularly in
Britain. Do you see yourself championing a cause by making it as a black jockey and acting as an inspiration to others? Maybe people looking in from the outside see us as championing a cause for black people in racing. But for us, we simply see it as doing something we love. However, if we are opening doors for others, then so be it.
“Traditionally,
English racing has been a white, male sport, but it is changing” It’s not just Royston and me, because Silvestre de Sousa – I know he’s Brazilian, but we’re all put under the same category – opened the doors for the likes of me with all his success. What we are doing makes riding winners more commonplace among coloured jockeys and then others will find it easier to follow. Traditionally, English racing has been a white, male sport but it is
changing. Most of the jockeys have been English and Irish but now it’s becoming broader. Look at the likes of Josephine Gordon, Hayley Turner and Cathy Gannon and what they are or have done for women in racing, encouraging a lot more female riders to come through like Hollie Doyle, Rachel Richardson and many others. Your family moved to England from Swaziland when you were ten. How difficult was it settling into such a completely different culture? My dad was born in Ireland, then the whole family moved and grew up in Croydon. Dad was the only one who pursued horses. He moved to Africa, and my speaking Swazi came from my mother’s side, but thanks to my father I was always surrounded by people from England, Ireland and of course Swaziland. I was lucky and privileged to be educated in private as well as public schools. So when I actually moved over here it wasn’t that big a deal, it was more a case of taking in and becoming accustomed to the new and completely contrasting climate and scenery. That’s what I miss most about Swaziland. The great advantage of being in England is having so many opportunities, particularly riding. Swaziland is a beautiful country to live in but with very restricted scope to better yourself.
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SEAN LEVEY >> Where did horses first come into your life – and when did you decide to pursue a jockey career? When my father moved to Swaziland he opened a bookmaking business with my mother and he also had his own stables and got a company of hotels to sponsor a racetrack there. But he became more interested in boxing and ended up running the Swazi Amateur Boxing Association and took a team to the Asian Games. Much as he loved horses, he probably loved boxing more. Dad never once forced me to ride, but I was about five when I first sat on a horse, and didn’t take to it immediately. Then the school bus used to stop near some stables and my friend was having lessons there, so I went with him and started hopping off the bus, riding regularly before walking the rest of the way home. When I told Dad what I was doing he took me to the stables with my brother Declan at weekends and we continued from there.
Sean Levey walks out to ride alongside Martin Harley – both learnt their trade on the Irish pony racing circuit
Richard Hannon: why I can rely on Sean Levey City winning the Premiership and the Derby winner being ridden by a black man. I kept reminding him of that! He is very knowledgeable and good at debriefing owners after a race. He rides Barney Roy every day at home, knowing he is unlikely to get on him in a race, but he’s still dedicated enough to look after him and devote a lot of time to him. For me, one of the best races he’s ridden was on Tangled in the sales race at York in August. Sean didn’t get excited – he just sat, sat, sat and went at the right moment.
“
“
He’s very strong and has had loads of experience for a guy his age with lots of good horses. He is very dedicated. He stays here all winter getting to know the yearlings, is in every morning helping out and rides on the all-weather. Sean has a brilliant work ethic, deserves all the success he gets and is coming in for more and more outside rides. He is a popular guy and integrates very well with the lads in the yard; he even comes round to my house for a beer the odd time. When Sean rode Humphrey Bogart for us in the Derby last year you could have got 5,000,000-1 Leicester
Richard Hannon (right) is a big fan of Sean Levey’s tremendous work ethic
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You had a year pony racing under the tuition of Tony Deegan in Ireland before joining Aidan O’Brien, where your dad Michael was riding out and your mum Tinni worked in the stable canteen. How did you find settling into the Ballydoyle set-up? I started riding out before I went pony racing and I found it extremely difficult because I was very small, barely seven stone. Every aspect of it was very hard. I was only doing it on weekends, making a couple of quid and THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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going back to school the rest of the week. There was a lad in the yard who was a friend of Tony Deegan, who had a pony racing stable, and we all went to meet him at a pony meeting and, watching the racing, I felt there was no way I could do this. But Dad dropped Declan and me off at Deegan’s and left us there. Throwing us in at the deep end gave us no choice so we got stuck in and in the end we became very confident. Tony had all the facilities there, let us get on with it and he THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
gave us the opportunity to ride in races. Aidan Coleman and Martin Harley were there at the same time. When I returned to Aidan’s I found it easier and enjoyed it more, but still got run away with on just about every horse I rode! What impression did the legendary O’Brien have on a young Levey in those early days? To be honest, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Aidan. When I came back to
him after the pony racing I was a better rider but he still needed to polish the edges. He seemed to have confidence in me and helped me and my family an awful lot. As a person, Aidan is one of the nicest people you could come across, very helpful with all his staff at every level. He is a genuine man with such a passion for racing and so meticulous in everything he does. I was there in my teenage years and he was never far away all the time you were working. Just a great influence.
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SEAN LEVEY >>
Which top class horses did you ride there and how did they help in your learning curve to become the jockey you are today? George Washington, Yeats, Rip Van Winkle, Holy Roman Emperor and Duke Of Marmalade were just a handful of the top horses I rode. When you are riding good horses there is no better way to learn – the best horses teach you everything. At the time the two that stood out were George Washington and Yeats. George Washington was the most amazing horse I have ever seen, from the moment he came to Ballydoyle as a two-year-old until he passed away; the things he used to do on the gallops were unbelievable. Yeats because he was one of the first horses Aidan kept for so long. He developed his own fan club within the Ballydoyle set-up; everyone adored Yeats from the moment he arrived until the day he left with his four Gold Cups. Why did you leave O’Brien and go to David O’Meara in Yorkshire before moving to Richard Hannon? I had spent nine years at Ballydoyle and was still very young. And, despite all the opportunities I’d been given by Aidan, I felt I needed to go out and earn something more, not simply work away feeling that everything
CLOSE UP AND... PERSONAL Favourite holiday spot… I love going back home to Swaziland I relax by… watching TV Person I’d most like to meet… Floyd Mayweather Favourite song/artist… Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al Four dinner party guests… family and closest friends
CLOSE UP AND... PROFESSIONAL My racing hero is… Mick Kinane Social media: friend or foe… I’d say 50-50 Best advice I’ve been given… success breeds complacency, which breeds failure, and luck always favours the paranoid Most thrilling moment in racing… riding Humphrey Bogart into fifth in last year’s Derby Alternative career… I’d make a good driver, whether racing or in a van, I’m not sure!
50
Tangled and Levey (purple) win the valuable sales race at York’s Ebor meeting
was just being given to me. I was still riding with a claim and wanted to progress as a result of my own efforts. I thought coming to England might achieve that. I joined David O’Meara, who was just starting off and he provided the stepping-stone I needed. I then got a couple of rides for Richard Hannon and asked him if he’d take me on as a trial. I went there, rode a few winners and now I am part of a very good team.
behind Hannon’s and I also still run and walk as much as I can. I play squash as well. I enjoy many aspects of the job: the riding, the horses and the people are great. Even some of the travelling enables you to visit new places. You must have a favourite horse. What is it and what sets it apart? At the moment it is Billesdon Brook, a lovely straightforward filly. She’s gutsy, she’s hardy and not too bad to look at, either. I usually ride her work at home before she runs and she has a great temperament. Winning the Goodwood nursery on her and then the Group 3 a fortnight later meant a lot to me.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? This year, when I have been getting the opportunities and everything has been working out. The way Richard has organised all his jockeys and given each of us our chances seems to have benefited everyone. He is a great example of how a big trainer can successfully spread the load of rides. Of course since our champion Hughesie [Richard Hughes] retired, we have all been trying to fill his boots. I have had a very good year, winning the big sales race for the second year running at York on Tangled, had my first Goodwood festival winner on Billesdon Brook and my first Group 3 winner, on Billesdon Brook again in the Prestige Stakes for the boss. I am more and more involved in the bigger races and that’s what it’s all about.
What do you miss most about life in Africa? I miss the whole tranquillity of the place; it’s nothing like as busy as England. A lot calmer, a lot more settled and of course a far nicer climate. There was so much to do there. I played most sports but wasn’t very good at any of them. There isn’t much grass out there and you play football on the dirt, cutting your knees on the stones. I wasn’t too bad at cricket until I realised the ball was bloody hard! I was so small when I was there and even in Ireland when I was 18, I was still the smallest in school.
What part of being a jockey do you find hardest? And what do you enjoy most? Doing the weight. My minimum is 8st 8lb and it’s just constantly trying to keep your weight down all the time with the combination of a lot of things. It’s not just diet, though I am watching what I eat all the time; it’s also training, keeping fit, sweating in the sauna. I used to run quite a bit. I have a mountain bike and cycle in the woods
Do you set yourself targets? If so, what are they? I always try to beat the number of winners I had the year before. So far I have achieved that. I had 67 in 2016 and this time I am past the 50-mark. We all dream of winning the Derby and riding Humphrey Bogart last year was a highlight for me. But, of course, any Group 1 or Royal Ascot winner would be great. We’re all looking for that top-class performer. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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TIM LANE
National
GUARD A change of management at the National Stud earlier this year saw Brian O’Rourke hand over to Tim Lane, who is relishing the chance to enhance the farm’s rising success By Emma Berry
T
he National Stud has had a number of homes: initially Ireland, at what is now the Irish National Stud, then Dorset and West Grinstead before 500 acres were leased from Jockey Club Estates in Newmarket. That was back in 1963, so for more than half a century, the stud, initially government-owned and now a subsidiary of the Jockey Club, has held its dominant position in the centre of the town which many would identify as Britain’s racing and breeding heartland. It hasn’t always been plain sailing behind the scenes of this important establishment. A period of financial losses and management turbulence in the early part of this century was quelled after the appearance of Brian O’Rourke as Managing Director in 2009. Earlier this year, O’Rourke, who is widely credited as having given the stud a much-needed lift, both financially and in its client relations, left to manage Copgrove Hall Stud in Yorkshire for the family of the late Guy Reed. Into his big shoes steps
Tim Lane with one of the star attractions of the National Stud, the Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris
Tim Lane, for many years the Manager at John Deer’s Oakgrove Stud. The move from rural Wales to Newmarket isn’t a complete shock to the system for Lane, a former point-to-point rider who also served time with James Fanshawe during his riding days. It was, however, a tough decision to make. “It killed me to leave [Oakgrove] really, it was a wonderful job and I had some really good days there,” he recalls. “Al Kazeem was the pinnacle – the horse of a lifetime for everyone involved. Mr Deer is an amazing man and a great friend. He was very good to me.” Our conversation takes place in the boardroom at the National Stud’s Wavertree House in the depths of the 500 acres running alongside the July
Course. A very affable character, Lane would patently be more at home outside on the land, his farming family background having led him to a career he clearly relishes but one to which he initially felt he wasn’t suited. “I’d love to have done the National Stud course but I had no way into this side of the business and as I could ride a horse to a degree I went that way, even though we’d always had mares at home,” Lane says. “I rode badly as an amateur but that led to someone I used to ride for introducing me to Malcolm Bastard. Without his input I wouldn’t be where I am now. “Through Guy Upton I was introduced to John Deer and at first I didn’t think I’d be the man for the job but I went to the farm and felt that there was work I could do to improve it. Guy was the racing manager and did an amazing job placing the horses but I came from more of a farming background so it worked well.” Though the stud’s Diploma Course, which has now been running for more than 30 years, wasn’t an option for
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TIM LANE >> Lane, it has proved to be a vital springboard
for many young people coming into the breeding side of the racing industry and, with increasing focus being placed on education and training, it is a side of the business which Lane is eager to uphold and enhance. He says: “I’m a great believer that if you keep working hard you do get there in the end – and I guess I’m just one example of that. I think these days there are better chances for the younger people coming into the industry, with the likes of the Darley Flying Start, the BHA Graduate Programme and the course here.” The National Stud’s six-month diploma course annually takes up to 24 students aged 18 and over and offers vital hands-on experience along with more formal classroom sessions. Lane continues: “After the students have been here for a fortnight they come out onto the yards. I started here in May so I caught the end of this year’s group and I hope the next intake we have is as good as that bunch of students. “Young people make the job. If they’re into horses and interested, it’s great and if they’re From Mill Reef to Marcel, below: finding stallions is becoming harder than ever but the National Stud is intent on staying in the chase
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TIM LANE not then it’s not the job for them. They are looking after livestock who need around the clock care, so it's hard graft here but that’s how it is in the outside world too.” Recently pictured on mucking-out duty on the stud’s social media pages, Lane is clearly not averse to getting his hands dirty in his managerial position. “I love mucking out,” he laughs. “It’s a great time to think.” During that time, he will no doubt be turning his mind to the future of the farm. For every commercial stud, the greatest asset is a successful stallion or two, but in a fiercely competitive marketplace, securing the next big thing is never easy. Back in 2015, the National Stud was tipped to be the new home of Golden Horn, who would have followed in the footsteps of fellow Derby winners Never Say Die, Blakeney and Mill Reef, only for Darley to swoop for Anthony Oppenheimer’s prized colt. “It’s getting harder and harder to try to buy these stallions – we tried for Harry’s Angel and for Ulysses but they are both going elsewhere – and we’d absolutely love to try to come to an arrangement with Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar to stand Decorated Knight,” Lane admits.
“Every day is a
challenge whatever you do but here is a bit different as what we do is so diverse” While stallion plans are finalised ahead of the 2018 breeding season, Lane is also busying himself with a potential expansion of the consigning side of the business. “It takes an awful lot of money to keep this place going but under Brian’s tenure things improved enormously and we have a pretty solid foundation to build on. It’s a big farm but there’s a great team of people here. We’re consigning more yearlings this year and trying to push that side of things. Obviously we’re a boarding farm and we’re very busy with that. We also take a lot of horses in training on breaks here and plenty of Newmarket trainers, such as Ed Dunlop, Ed Vaughan, James Fanshawe and Hugo Palmer, all use us for that.” He concedes: “Of course it’s a very different job for me as it’s much more public, but I’m finding my feet. Brian O’Rourke did a tremendous job here and I have to keep that going, and perhaps look at different avenues to take the business. Every day is a challenge whatever you do buthere is a bit different as what we do is so diverse. That said, it’s great THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Spilling the beans on the fellow new boys
Spill The Beans will become the first son of Snitzel to stand outside Australasia
Alongside Gregorian, whose first yearlings are selling this autumn, and Marcel, who will have his first foals on the ground from January, the National Stud will welcome two new faces from the southern hemisphere for 2018. Arriving from New Zealand’s Waikato Stud is Tivaci, a five-year-old son of High Chaparral with a notable turn of foot. His six victories in Australia came from five furlongs up to a
Tivaci, a speedy son of the Derby winner High Chaparral, joins the roster
to have something to get your teeth into.” With some new additions to the stallion roster on their way (see panel), there’s another popular new resident, and one who is rather partial to getting his teeth into Lane. “After I arrived in Newmarket, I went to see Ed [Dunlop] to see if we could get any spelling
mile, headed by the Group 1 All Aged Stakes over seven furlongs at Randwick. A touching testament to the regard in which the National Stud is held overseas came in the Waikato Stud press release announcing Tivaci’s shuttling duties. It read: “New Zealand’s breeding industry has received a real feather in its cap with the news that Waikato Stud’s exciting new stallion Tivaci has been sought out for northern hemisphere shuttle duties by the iconic English National Stud.” Joining him on the long journey north is Spill The Beans, who will become the first son of Australian champion sire Snitzel to stand in the northern hemisphere. A member of the Aquis Farm roster in Queensland alongside Holy Roman Emperor, the Group 2-winning sprinter has been kept busy in his new career to date, covering more than 200 mares in his first book. Billy Jackson-Stops, a former assistant trainer with Godolphin in Australia, arranged the deal to shuttle Spill The Beans in association with Johnny McKeever. Tim Lane says: “Tivaci has that bit of speed about him and Spill The Beans is also a really exciting horse – it’s very clever of Johnny and Billy to bring him up here. He was the busiest first-season sire in Australia and of course Snitzel has been so successful there. I really can’t wait for both horses to arrive and to start showing them to breeders.”
business from him and then he rang me to ask if we’d like Trip To Paris. Emma Hough is now preparing him for RoR classes and he went to his first show the other day. He’s very popular already with the visitors on our tours but he bit me the other day, though that was my fault as he was eating at the time.”
55
Cheveley Park Stud IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE
ULYSSES
JOINING THE STALLION ROSTER FOR 2018
U LYSSES
L E T H A L FO RCE
2013 CH. GALILEO - LIGHT SHIFT
2009 GR. DARK ANGEL - LAND ARMY
NEW FOR 2018
The highest rated son of DARK ANGEL at stud
Dual Gr.1 winner by the great GALILEO
A leading first crop sire in 2017, including Stakes horses WOULD BE KING and LETHAL STEPS
Winner of the Gr.1 Coral Eclipse Stakes and Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes
Sire of 14 individual winners
Defeated Gr.1 winners CHURCHILL, BARNEY ROY and DECORATED KNIGHT Dam winner of the Gr.1 Oaks Stakes and is a sister to Gr.1 winner SHIVA
D U TCH ART
M AYS O N 2008 B. INVINCIBLE SPIRIT - MAYLEAF
Gr.1 July Cup winner and the highest rated sprinter by INVINCIBLE SPIRIT at stud Sire of 2017 Stakes winning 2yos DANCE DIVA and RAYDIANCE
2004 CH. MEDICEAN - HALLAND PARK LASS
Sire of Gr.1 winning sprinters GARSWOOD and SLADE POWER
P I VOTA L
His principal winners in 2017 inc. Group horses DUTCH CONNECTION, ETERNALLY, SALATEEN, ZONDERLAND and VOLFANGO
1993 CH. POLAR FALCON - FEARLESS REVIVAL
G ARSWOO D 2010 B. DUTCH ART - PENCHANT FIRST RUNNERS IN 2018
Gr.1 winner by DUTCH ART.
A Gr.1 sire again in 2017 with BRANDO (Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest) 26 Gr.1 winners, 138 Stakes winners, 219 Stakes performers
T WI L I G H T SO N 2012 B. KYLLACHY - TWILIGHT MISTRESS FIRST FOALS IN 2018
Stakes winner at 2, 3, & 4 years, from 5f-7f, including: Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and Gr.2 Lennox Stakes
The best son of KYLLACHY at stud
His first crop yearlings in 2017 have already sold for up to €100,000
Dual Gr.1 winning sprinter: Gr.1 Sprint Cup and Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot
I NT EL LO 2010 B. GALILEO - IMPRESSIONNANTE RETURNING FOR 2018
Unbeaten 2yo and Classic winner at 3 90% of his first 2yo runners have won or placed in 2017 Principal successes include Stakes winner SONJEU and Stakes placed INTELLO KISS
Cheveley_Owner_Roster_October_2017v3.indd 1
Defeated Gr.1 winners incl. BELARDO, THE TIN MAN, SIGNS OF BLESSING and UNDRAFTED
Visit our new website to discover more on our stallions www.cheveleypark.co.uk L@CPStudOfficial
Cheveley Park Stud
Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD Tel: (01638) 730316 enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk
22/09/2017 13:19
BREEDERS’ DIGEST By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor
Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:
• Sales Circuit: A jam-packed round-up from rings around the world – pages 58-76 • Caulfield Files: Dansili’s affiliation with daughters of Rahy – pages 79-80 • Dr Statz: There’s more than one way to judge stallions’ performance – page 106
The relentless sales merry-go-round
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
themselves in after the sale. Five years after he left our stable I still trawl the results on a foreign racing website looking for updates on a much-loved gelding. On the day he sold, I walked down the hill at Tattersalls looking and feeling pretty glum and happened to pass David Elsworth on the way up. “I hate this sale,” he said. “It’s the saying goodbye to old friends I find so hard.” Of course, many of our old friends become new friends to other people and the demand for British bloodstock from all corners of the globe should remain a source of pride to those involved in the local breeding industry.
Agents at the double In a bid to broaden the list of international purchasers coming to Britain, GBRI, in association with the Federation of Bloodstock Agents, has recently launched a new page on its website with a geographical guide to the agents around this country. Most will be midway through that time of the year when their children forget what they look like as they hop from plane to hotel room to sales
TATTERSALLS IRELAND
B
etween this issue going to press and the magazine hitting doormats, the Goffs Orby and Sportsman Sales will have taken place and we’ll be lurching into two weeks of action at Tattersalls. Despite the increasing feeling that never a week goes by these days without another sale taking place, there will be plenty of breeders who struggled to find a sales spot for their yearling. The addition of a new Ascot Yearling Sale on the Tattersalls Ireland calendar appears to have been well received and, judging by post-sale comments, will become a permanent fixture. Horses for Book 1 at Tattersalls almost pick themselves, on paper anyway. Recently charged with the task of previewing this particular catalogue, I made myself a cup of coffee, leafed through the 500 or so lots, quickly realised that this would take much more than one cup, and spent the next few hours moving things around on my desk wondering where on earth to start. I’ve banned myself from ever using the word ‘fireworks’ in a sales report but, given the way the yearling trade has been in Europe and America so far this season, it would be no surprise to see yet another record edition of the October Sale. After Goffs, Tattersalls and Arqana, there’s a brief pause before we’re back at Park Paddocks for the Horses-in-Training Sale, which now runs for five days. The action may just have finished in time for us to watch the first Breeders’ Cup race from Del Mar. I love and loathe this particular sale in equal measures. One the one hand there’s the ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’ element which appeals to this bargain-hunter. There’s nothing quite like the creeping smugness of feeling you might just have spotted something that other, much cleverer judges have overlooked. Conversely, there’s the wondering and the worrying about how all these horses will fare in the many far-flung places they’ll find
A peek at the shrewd Karl Burke’s catalogue notes would be worthwhile
ground and back on the plane again. Being a bloodstock agent may appear to be glamorous but I have a sneaking suspicion that, like so many things in life, looks can be deceiving. Being a good agent requires not only an in-depth knowledge of conformation, pedigrees and form but also plenty of stamina for viewing hundreds of horses a day (not to mention some late-night singing in bars) and buckets of diplomacy when dealing with clients, whether they be owners or trainers. Plenty forge good and longstanding partnerships with trainers – think Peter Doyle and Richard Hannon, now largely passed on to the next generation – but often trainers can be strangely singular in their opinions and are best left to hunt as lone wolves. Just as in different types of races, there are definitely trainers to follow in the sales ring. A particular favourite is Henry Candy, a fellow bargain-hunter who has a nose for a good horse as keenly developed as that of a truffle hog. Multiple Group winner Amour Propre, a £1,500 purchase, springs to mind. Candy has a decent pack chasing him, however. Karl Burke unearthed this season’s Prix Morny winner Unfortunately for €24,000, while Tim Easterby, the subject of a fascinating interview earlier in this issue, snared his Acomb Stakes winner Wells Farhh Go for 16,000gns. In recent years Michael Dods paid just 16,000gns for the brilliant Mecca’s Angel, while fellow Group 1-winning sprinter Lethal Force was bought for €8,500 by Clive Cox, a man who knows more than most about finding diamonds in the rough. Finally, we’ll have only two more yearling seasons to look forward to the progeny of Kyllachy, who was retired last month. It’s fair to say that the Cheveley Park Stud stallion has been almost as great a friend to the British breeding industry as his sire Pivotal. His popularity has never waned in the sales ring, and there are few stallions for whom that can be said. Two Group 2 victories this season for his speedy daughter Heartache underline just how much he will be missed in years to come, but his legacy continues at Cheveley Park through dual Group 1 winner Twilight Son.
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SALES CIRCUIT • By Carl Evans
ARQANA/ZUZANNA LUPA
Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring
The Dubawi colt out of Group 1 winner Giofra will race for Phoenix Thoroughbreds after being bought for €1.55m by Kerri Radcliffe
It was business as usual at this, the first of Europe’s specialist yearling sales and the pick of such auctions in France. Ecurie des Monceaux topped the list of consignors, Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell headed buyers, a colt by Dubawi led the equine parade and the usual big hitters were on the French coast to source major-race winners and potential broodmares. Having a Derby winner on the catalogue cover was a bit of a novelty, but you could not blame Arqana for making the most of the fact that Wings Of Eagles walked this way in 2015 when selling for €220,000. Had one more special horse turned up for the 2017 rendition the amount of money turned over would have added to the list of familiarities by showing parity too, but it fell back by €1.2m, or 3%, albeit from a pair of catalogues that resulted in 35 fewer horses coming under the hammer. The clearance rate of 76% was one point below the 2016 figure. Part 1, held over two evenings after racing at Deauville, saw a mere 2% decline in aggregate, but a pleasing 13% gain in the average price to €240,008 and a 10% rise in median to €165,000. Part 2, which was headed by an Ecurie des Monceaux-offered Invincible Spirit filly with a €400,000 valuation, resulted in an average price of €85,268 (+3%) and a €65,000 median (+7%). The way in which racing draws wealthy buyers – call them investors if you prefer – from around the world is one of its abiding intrigues, but if someone had said at the 2016 edition of this sale, ‘Kerri Radcliffe will buy next year’s top
58
lot’, they could have expected puzzled looks and the question ‘Are you sure?’. Yet Radcliffe, aka Mrs Jeremy Noseda, has joined the behemoth buyers in 2017, showing fiscal boldness at spring breeze-up sales on both sides of the Atlantic, and holding steady with that policy as the cream of yearlings started coming to market. Six yearlings for $4m at Fasig-Tipton in early August confirmed her intentions, and just over €2m on two horses at this event, including the sale topper, was further evidence – she did not hold back at Keeneland, either. Radcliffe is no stranger to bloodstock, having
EMMA BERRY
Arqana August Yearlings
Kerri Radcliffe has added a number of high-profile yearlings to the 2018 team
been a buyer over a number of years, but after a fallow period she is back with a boom, dealing on behalf of the recently-risen Phoenix Thoroughbreds, and making serious contributions to public auction turnover. Hopefully she is buying success that will encourage her backers’ long-term involvement, and the sight of her $800,000 breeze-up purchase Take Me With You winning by nine lengths at Windsor just after this sale was a good omen. Her sale-topping Dubawi purchase at this event, gained with a €1,550,000 bid that saw off interest from Shadwell’s Angus Gold, was bred at Jurgen Winter’s Normandy-based Haras de la Perelle and foaled by Giofra, whose four victories included the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes for Alain De Royer-Dupre. Another relative newcomer to big-league buying at European sales is South African furniture entrepreneur Markus Jooste, who bought the €1.4m headline act at this event last year, and came back this time for her full-sister, buying, once again, in partnership with Coolmore’s MV Magnier and agent Peter Doyle. The daughter of Galileo out of Prudenzia was picked up for a good bit less that her year-older sibling, but still made €950,000, just below the €1m the same buyers paid for a Galileo colt out of Tonnara – both were offered by Ecurie des Monceaux. That particular farm sold 33 horses for €9,587,000, while the leading buyer, Shadwell, secured nine lots for €2,400,000. Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Mark Richards made a smart start, taking the first two horses into the ring, later
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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ARQANA August Yearlings Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
C Dubawi-Giofra (Dansili)
Haras de la Perelle
1,550,000
Price (€)
Buyer
C Galileo-Tonnara (Linamix)
Ecurie des Monceaux
1,000,000
Mayfair Speculators/Doyles/Magnier
F Galileo-Prudenzia (Dansili)
Ecurie des Monceaux
950,000
Mayfair Speculators/Doyles/Magnier
F Kingman-Ysoldina (Kendor)
Haras de Montaigu
750,000
Meridian International/David Redvers
F Galileo-Secrete (Cape Cross)
Ecurie des Monceaux
700,000
Mayfair Speculators/Doyles
F Dubawi-Royal Highness (Monsun)
Ecurie des Monceaux
650,000
Koji Maeda
F Frankel-Sefroua (Kingmambo)
Haras d’Etreham
650,000
Charlie Gordon-Watson
C Frankel-Rumored (Royal Academy)
Haras de Grandcamp
550,000
Richard Knight Bloodstock
C Charm Spirit-Kartica (Rainbow Quest)
Haras du Cadran
500,000
Shadwell
F Declaration Of War-Shawara (Barathea)
Haras d’Etreham
500,000
Mandore International
Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock
FIVE-YEAR TALE Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
231
38,250,500
165,587
110,000
1,550,000
2016
268
40,188,000
149,955
102,500
1,400,000
2015
265
43,105,000
162,660
95,000
2,600,000
2014
269
39,227,000
145,825
90,000
1,200,000
2013
265
34,804,000
131,336
77,000
1,500,000
gained five more and invested €1,450,000, proof of the popularity of European bloodlines in a racing jurisdiction where vets, trainers and potential owners can be harsh judges. All Richards’ yearling purchases will be resold in Hong Kong to local owners in the spring of 2019. Other Far East investors included some new names from Japan, while Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing, no stranger to partnerships, linked up on several horses with new, unnamed, Chinese buyers, introduced by Meridian International. Their purchases included a €750,000 half-sister to Wings Of Eagles, and the aforementioned Invincible Spirit filly who headed Part 2. Sheikh Hamdan can afford to go it alone at the sales, but for most other major players team work has become de rigueur.
Arqana August v2 Yearlings Early, speedy horses are the theme at this oneday auction which entered its fifth year when taking place the day after Arqana’s premier yearling sale. Precocity is haute cuisine for breeze-up pinhookers, and it was two from their number – Roger Marley and John Cullinan – who hatched a monster return after buying the sale-topper at this event in 2016. Their €125,000 investment in a son of Siyouni proved money well spent when the colt made €550,000 at Arqana in the spring on his way to Charlie Appleby’s stable for Godolphin. Named Rastrelli, he recently won a maiden at Brighton on his third start. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
EMMA BERRY
Year 2017
The Ballylinch boys in green, John O’Connor and Mark Byrne, enjoying Deauville
It was Siyouni on top again at this year’s sale, the colt making €110,000 to head trade. Having been offered by Alec Waugh’s French-based Jedburgh Stud on behalf of a partnership, he was taken home by one of its number. Pinhookers did feature on the top-ten board, however, with Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud and Con Marnane of Bansha House taking a shine to offspring by Haras de Grandcamp stallion Dabirsim, whose first crop have made a good start as two-year-olds this year. Whitehead – whose other buys included an €80,000 daughter of Siyouni – signed for a Dabirsim colt valued at €100,000, while Marnane took a €95,000 filly. With 130 horses taking part this was the largest v2 sale to date, yet 107 transactions
represented a worthy 83% clearance rate, and a notable improvement on last year’s 73% involving 118 offered horses. The bigger catalogue and better clearance helped turnover rise 23%, although the average and median figures dipped 1% and 6% respectively. Alex Choppin of Arqana said post-sale that breeders were now “targeting the sale, rather than treating it as a consolation”, and given the improvement in breeze-up sale figures over the past two years this type of yearling auction has to capitalise while the going is good. When the leading buyer is breeze-up specialist Marnane – who bought six horses for €336,000 – evidence of the link between the two types of auction is stacking up.
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SALES CIRCUIT
ARQANA August v2 Yearlings Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (€)
C Siyouni-Secret Melody (Inchinor)
Jedburgh Stud
110,000
Buyer Stephane Wattel
C Dabirsim-Mischka (Anabaa)
Haras des Capucines
100,000
Powerstown Stud
F Makfi-Zanyeva (Oasis Dream)
Haras des Capucines
100,000
Haras du Saubouas
F Myboycharlie-Belle Esprit (Warning)
Fairway Consignment
100,000
MAB Agency
F Dabirsim-Takara Girl (Kodiac)
Haras de Grandcamp
95,000
Con Marnane
C Dragon Pulse-Late Rosebud (Jeremy)
Louviere
90,000
Chantilly Bloodstock
C Olympic Glory-Sapfo (Peintre Celebre)
Haras d’Ommeel
87,000
George Mullins
C Wootton Bassett-Scarlet Sonnet (Invincible Spirit)
Louviere
85,000
George Mullins
F Wootton Bassett-Acampe (Sky Mesa)
Haras d’Etreham
85,000
Crispin de Moubray
C Bungle Inthejungle-Velvet Revolver (Mujahid)
Haras d’Ommeel
80,000
Fabrice Chappet
F Siyouni-Bermondsey Girl (Bertolini)
Haras de l’Hotellerie
80,000
Powerstown Stud
F Dabirsim-Big Monologue (Testa Rossa)
Petit Tellier
80,000
Tina Rau/Josephine Soudan
F Kendargent-Cheap Thrills (Bertolini)
Haras d’Ommeel
80,000
Alain Decrion
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2017
107
4,196,500
39,220
30,000
110,000
2016
88
3,482,000
39,568
34,500
125,000
2015
90
3,080,000
34,222
30,000
150,000
2014
104
3,770,000
36,250
28,000
90,000
2013
86
2,364,500
27,494
19,500
115,000
Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale This sale’s rise in prominence as a potential source of stakes winners took another step forward. The average price during the two-day event – one that began life as the St Leger Sale – broke £50,000 for the first time, and while it has to be conceded that the market for the best of European stock is on a wave of popularity, there was plenty of evidence to suggest Doncaster is attracting a depth of quality yearlings it could only dream about in the past. Some lovely horses – prepped by highly professional consignors – provided visual evidence, and traders agreed with the sales company which proclaimed it had assembled The Mukhadram half-sister to Beckford was bought for Newtown Anner Stud
The Rebel Racing team of Phil Cunningham, Bobby O’Ryan, Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham Sr
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its best yearling catalogue to date, while the figures backed up the pre- and post-sale rhetoric. Six-figure lots rose from 32 last year to 42, while the top-ten board was solely for horses who made £200,000 or more – as recently as three years ago only one of that valuation changed hands. Hard work in the field by Goffs UK agents is clearly paying off, but results on the track have a role too, and since the pick of this year’s Royal Ascot two-year-old winners, Coventry Stakes hero Rajasinghe, was but one good winner to come from last year’s catalogue, and Barney Roy and Harry Angel came from the 2015 edition, it
is no surprise that people are attracted by two days in Doncaster (not a statement often heard about the South Yorkshire former mining town). The figures were highly commendable, starting with an 88% clearance rate (91% on day one), a 13% rise in turnover, 15% in average and 9% in median. The icing on the cake of a record-priced horse was narrowly missed, but that will come. Heading trade was a £270,000 Bated Breath colt from James Hanly’s Ballyhimikin Stud, and one of nine purchases by Yorkshire-based Branton Court Stud owner Steve Parkin, who is advised by Joe Foley. Parkin, whose horses race THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
>>
THE WORLD’S STAGE The deepest and most compelling catalogue of the bloodstock season is at Keeneland this November. From exceptional race fillies, Champion-producing mares and weanlings by some of the world’s leading sires, your opportunity for global success starts here.
2017 KEENELAND
NOV EMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
L E A R N M O R E AT NOVEMBER .KEENEL AND.COM Ed Prosser · European Representative • +44 (0) 7808 477827 Mobile · eprosser@keeneland.co.uk
Keeneland_Nov_FP_OwnerBreeder_Oct17.indd 1
22/09/2017 12:25
THE AGA KHAN STUDS Success Breeds Success R E T U R N I N G T O H A R A S D E B O N N E VA L I N 2 0 1 8
CHARM SPIRIT Consecutive triple Group 1 winning miler as a 3yo Highest earning son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT “He’s a very nice individual. Obviously we don’t know anything about the stallion’s runners yet but he was a very good racehorse himself. I liked him every time I saw him.” Angus Gold, buyer of the Charm Spirit half-brother to Qemah
www.AgaKhanStuds.com/CharmSpirit
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SALES CIRCUIT in the name of Clipper Logistics, was the subject of a feature in last month’s edition of Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder. Foley’s outlay of just over £1 million on Parkin’s behalf placed the duo fourth on the leading buyers’ list by aggregate, one headed by Shadwell’s Angus Gold with 15 bought for just over £1.8 million. The Hong Kong Jockey Club continued its association with the event, and increased its spending, taking five for £855,000, while other buyers who caught the eye included young bloodstock agent Sam Sangster, who took 13 lots for £540,000, and Gaelic Bloodstock – an Irish/Scottish project involving Cork’s David Spratt and Highlander Phil Burns – which was responsible for 14 purchases and £809,000.
Angus Gold greets Anna and Maja Sundstrom after buying their Olympic Glory colt
TALKING POINTS • Doncaster does not have the appeal of Deauville or Newmarket, but hard work by Goffs UK’s team – and those who toiled when the company was known as DBS – and stakes-winning graduates, means discerning buyers of bloodstock can no longer ignore it. Okay, they might send their representatives, rather than
make a holiday of it with the wife, but annually another big name descends and leaves with a horse. This year that role was taken by China Horse Club, which gathered in a Kodiac colt for £190,000. The Club’s founder, Teo Ah Khing, was not to be seen, and none of his luxury-seeking clients were tempted in, but the amiable Mick Flanagan did a fine job of gaining the horse. Goffs UK will hope it grows wings as a two-year-old.
GOFFS UK Premier Yearling Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (£)
C Bated Breath-Night Sphere
Ballyhimikin Stud
270,000
Buyer Joe Foley
C Kodiac-Folegandros
Island Grove Stud
260,000
Hong Kong Jockey Club
C Dark Angel-Last Bid
Grangemore Stud
250,000
SackvilleDonald
C Dark Angel-Snowfields
Camas Park Stud
250,000
Hong Kong Jockey Club
C Dark Angel-Inca Trail
Glenvale Stud
240,000
Shadwell Estate
C Kodiac-Spring Surprise
Norris Bloodstock
210,000
Ger Lyons
C Teofilo-Midget
Manister House Stud
200,000
Godolphin
F Dark Angel-The Thrill Is Gone
Stratford Place Stud
200,000
Shadwell Estate
F Mukhadram-Whirly Dancer
Baroda & Colbinstown Studs
200,000
BBA Ireland Ltd
C Dark Angel-Abbakova
Farranamanagh House Stud
200,000
Joe Foley
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (£)
Avg (£)
Mdn (£)
Top Price (£)
2017
391
19,822,750
50,698
37,000
270,000
2016
396
17,455,000
44,078
34,000
280,000
2015
410
17,644,000
43,034
30,500
280,000
2014
418
15,512,500
37,111
27,000
230,000
2013
410
13,300,700
32,441
25,000
215,000
Goffs UK Silver Yearling Sale Young sires were popular at this one-day auction which followed Goffs UK’s Premier Sale, and, like its conjoined market place, produced rises in all the key indicators. Heeraat, who has yet to have a runner, was a crucial element in the £48,000 sale-topper, just ahead of sons and daughters by a clutch of stallions whose first crop are yearlings or who made the racecourse in the two most THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
recent summers. In 22 races over four seasons Heeraat showed toughness, although a return of one stakes victory from nine attempts – and that at Group 3 level – indicated his limitations as a racehorse. However, he holds two trump cards in terms of early sales ring popularity. He is a son of Dark Angel, whose offspring’s racecourse achievements have placed him among premier league sires, and means his stud fee, and stock prices, are now pushing on out of the pocket of ordinary folk.
Secondly, and taking a cue from the old man, Heeraat has been responsible for some very good-looking foals and yearlings. Richard Kent, who stands Heeraat at his Mickley Stud in Shropshire, is rarely lost for words or smiles, but you cannot blame him for feeling elated at his good fortune – he went to the bank to secure the money to buy the sire from Shadwell at the end of his racing career, but that decision looks like paying off. A slightly smaller catalogue – 21 fewer horses walked the ring, and 120 of 137 found a buyer >>
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Al Kazeem TOB-Oct 2017:Oakgrove Stud
11/9/17
17:14
Page 1
THE GREY GATSBY
POSTPONED
FASCINATING ROCK
Al Kazeem bay 2008, 16.1hh by Dubawi - Kazeem (Darshaan) Ë European Champion at 10 furlongs Ë Winner of 10 races at 2 to 7 years including 4 Gr.1 races Ë By DUBAWI – sire of 30 Gr.1 winners including Classic sire MAKFI Ë From the stallion producing family of IN REALITY, KNOWN FACT and RELAUNCH Ë Timeform rated 128 in three consecutive seasons Ë “He was a gentleman from the outset, full of class and tough as they come” Roger Charlton
His first two runners are both winners. Golden Spell, a winner at 5 and 6 furlongs, finishes fourth in a Leopardstown Group race, and Clairette is the comfortable winner of her maiden at Salisbury.
His first crop of yearlings averaged £135,000 with a top price of €360,000 STANDING AT OAKGROVE STUD Oakgrove Estate, St Arvans, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH Tel: 01291 622876 G Fax: 01291 622070 G Email: oakgrovestud@btinternet.com For Nominations Contact: David Hilton: 07595 951248 G Vannessa Swift: 01291 622876
Oct_158_Sales_Circuit_Sales 22/09/2017 17:42 Page 65
SALES CIRCUIT >>
– helped the clearance rate which leapt up from 72% to 88%, while the average and median marks climbed 7% and 43% respectively. A 12% turnover increase was further good news for Goffs UK, although it should be noted that the 2016 sale took a hit, and the median mark merely regained the position it held in 2015, while the average remained below that year’s sum. Yet the figures more or less banished any presale thoughts that the proximity of Germany’s premier yearling sale at Baden-Baden – it was held the following day – might damage trade in Doncaster. Most agents saw the Donny cast before heading to Germany, and Ross Doyle was at Baden-Baden but still gained the Heeraat by phoning a friend, in this case, Carol Tinkler.
Ross Doyle signs off after a busy time in Doncaster before heading to Baden-Baden
GOFFS UK Silver Yearling Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
C Heeraat-Ringtail
Egmont Stud
Price (£) 48,000
Buyer Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
C Havana Gold-Yensi
Furnace Mill Stud
45,000
Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock
F Mayson-Ride The Wind
Oaks Farm Stables
32,000
Ontoawinner/Tim Easterby
F Bated Breath-Aubrietia
Furnace Mill Stud
32,000
Jason Kelly Bloodstock
F Gale Force Ten-Indian Angel
Owenstown Stud
31,000
Blandford Bloodstock
C Moohaajim-Omanome
Rathbarry Stud
30,000
Bryan Smart
F Es Que Love-Lucky Leigh
Rathasker Stud
28,000
Gill Richardson Bloodstock
F Kyllachy-Cecily
Limestone Stud
28,000
Joe Foley
F Poet’s Voice-Royal Sister Two
Harry Dutfield
24,000
Michael Dods
F Sir Prancealot-Applauding
Alice Fitzgerald
23,000
Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (£)
Avg (£)
Mdn (£)
2017
120
1,411,500
11,763
10,000
Top Price (£) 48,000
2016
114
1,256,500
11,022
7,000
46,000
2015
99
1,350,500
13,641
10,000
40,000
2014
105
1,252,500
12,160
10,000,
55,000
2013
56
499,800
8,925
8,000
38,000
BBAG Yearling Sale Far East-based German entrepreneur Horst Pudwill paid €500,000 for a sale-topping Soldier Hollow colt at this event, knowing he was a full-brother to a Group 1 winner he already owned. Yet the purchase was given further embellishment nine days later when said brother, Dschingis Secret, made a winning first visit to France, comfortably landing the Group 2 Prix Foy. Dschingis Secret, a €200,000 purchase at this sale in 2014, had won the Group 3 Italian St Leger in October, while his top-level triumph had come in the Grosser Preis Von Berlin two weeks before his yearling brother was paraded before potential buyers. The newcomer will join his elder sibling at Markus Klug’s stable, and Pudwill hopes he can win the Group 1 Deutsches Derby, in which Dschingis Secret was third last year – as a THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Philipp Stauffenberg with Sea The Moon’s breeders Heike Bischoff and Niko Lafrentz
sideshow to that race the jockeys on the first two broke the whip rules and Pudwill commenced a legal battle to have his horse promoted. The
yearling might provide him with the win for which he clearly yearns. The method by which Godolphin buys
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SALES CIRCUIT >>
yearlings has gained some fluidity following John Ferguson’s departure earlier this year, and it was Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock who went in to bat for the blue team at this event. Colts by Lanwades Stud’s Sea The Moon (€460,000) and his sire, Haras de Bonneval’s Sea The Stars (€200,000), were on Goffs’ list and duly hauled in on Godolphin’s behalf to make the combination the sale’s leading buyers by aggregate, although Blandford Bloodstock also accounted for four other yearlings.
Hong Kong Jockey Club’s team of travellers popped up here and left with a €200,000 Kodiac colt, while German-based Suzanne Roberts bought three lots totalling €408,000. Good trade in the higher echelons – 21 horses made a six-figure sum, five more than in 2016 – could not hide weaknesses further down, as a 70% clearance rate illustrates. An additional 16 horses failed to prevent turnover falling 8%, and there was a 3% decline in the average price.
TALKING POINTS • BBAG turned a negative into a positive when making the point that while German owner-breeders are proud of their stock, and set reserves accordingly, they can target a multitude of races associated with the company’s ‘jahrling auktions’, which adds to their reluctance to part with horses.
BBAG Yearlings Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (€)
Buyer
C Soldier Hollow-Divya (Platini)
Gestut Park Wiedingen
500,000
Horst Pudwill
C Sea The Moon-Favorite (Montjeu)
Gestut Gorlsdorf
460,000
Godolphin/Blandford Bloodstock
F Mastercraftsman-Felicity (Inchinor)
R Rauscher
250,000
Suzanne Roberts
F Mastercraftsman-Nina Celebre (Peintre Celebre)
Gestut Wittekindshof
235,000
Bertrand Le Metayer
C Sea The Stars-Intimhir (Muhtathir)
Gestut Brummerhof
200,000
Godolphin/Blandford Bloodstock
C Kodiac-Mine Inning (Mining)
Stauffenberg B/s
200,000
Hong Kong Jockey Club
F Sea The Moon-Nouvelle Neige (Big Shuffle)
Gestut Gorlsdorf
180,000
Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
F Holy Roman Emperor-Amazone (Alderflug)
Gestut Etzean
180,000
HFTB Racing Agency
F Mastercraftsman-Goiania (Oasis Dream)
Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof
140,000
Klaus Allofs
C Sea The Moon-Moonlight Rhapsody (Danehill Dancer)
Gestut Westerberg
140,000
Stall Mandarin
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2017
177
7,783,000
43,972
44,000
500,000
2016
187
8,448,500
45,179
45,000
500,000
2015
156
6,433,250
41,238
41,000
380,000
2014
178
8,206,000
46,101
46,000
450,000
2013
151
7,204,500
47,711
46,000
390,000
ASCOT Yearling Sale
Those who follow British racing and sales from afar must be puzzled by bloodstock auctions at Ascot. The racecourse with pretensions to being the best in Britain, probably Europe and even the world, also stages sales where the staple fare has been lowly-rated hurdlers and chasers, cheap pointers and unraced cast-offs. That has not stopped the venue’s sales spewing out countless winners but confused foreign observers would surely expect Ascot to be involved in Book 1 yearlings and blueblooded breeding stock. Their puzzlement will not have been made clearer by this, Ascot’s first-ever specialist sale of Flat yearlings, where an average price of £9,265 was achieved and the top lot made £47,000. Yet the event, staged by Tattersalls Ireland, has to go down as a success, and was widely welcomed by the many who attended. Keeneland may have been trading across the pond, but when agents or agencies such as Ross Doyle, Gill Richardson, Geoffrey Howson, Blandford Bloodstock, SackvilleDonald and Stroud Coleman are
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Apprentice Megan Nicholls has been buying yearlings this season with Tom Malone
present, and trainers on the grounds included Richard Hannon Snr, Mick Channon, Henry Candy and Dean Ivory, it cannot be said the buyers were not there. They will not have been surprised by a
catalogue of average horses, for the event was a replacement of sorts for day two of Part II of Tattersalls Ireland’s September Yearling Sale held at Fairyhouse in Ireland. Being a substitute for an unwanted sale was hardly THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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CC3261 TOB October 2017 (MUHAARAR) THIS ONE_Layout 1 15/09/2017 12:22 Page 1
MUHAARAR Oasis Dream - Tahrir
Sprinter of his generation FIRST FOALS SELLING IN 2017 Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.com Or call Richard Lancaster, James O’Donnell or Tom Pennington on 01842 755913 Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk
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SALES CIRCUIT >>
guaranteed to draw in leading breeders and high-quality stock, and so a catalogue comprising 74 fillies and 52 colts, the majority cheap pinhooks and/or moderately bred, was the best that could be hoped for in year one. Yet Tattersalls Ireland, which has only been organising Ascot Sales for just under two years, is giving the place a lift, and a 76% clearance rate at this event – 85 sold from 114 offered – was a solid opening knock. Ironically, perhaps for a ground-breaking Flat sale, the top lot will be joining a legend of jump racing, namely Paul Nicholls. The horse in question, a son of Sepoy, was knocked
down for £47,000 to Tom Malone, who was joined at the ring by Nicholls’ daughter, Megan. Now apprenticed to her father after a stint with Richard Hannon, Megan is going home to Ditcheat later this year and, with her father’s blessing, will be readying a small team of two-year-olds to run in his name. Tattersalls Ireland seemed pleased with the outcome, and before heading to the airport its executives were talking of holding the sale again next year. If one or two of this year’s graduates do for it what The Wow Signal did for Ascot’s breeze-up sale, a renewal will be a no-brainer.
TALKING POINTS • Competition between trainers or their agents, and breeze-up pinhookers, has given the yearling market a healthy added dimension. Yet trainers had the field almost to themselves at Ascot’s Yearling Sale, despite the presence of a few breeze-up specialists. Tally-Ho Stud
Paul Nicholls will train this Sepoy colt, who topped the sale at £47,000
bought a £21,000 Coach House filly – via Matt Coleman – who is scheduled to be resold next spring, and Thomond O’Mara was underbidder on a Canford Cliffs filly, but the physical near-perfection required in horses owned by pinhookers was hard to find in this low-tier event. It will come if the sale gathers momentum, but trainers weren’t complaining on this occasion.
ASCOT Yearling Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (£)
Buyer
C Sepoy-Anosti
Houghton Bloodstock
47,000
Tom Malone/Megan Nicholls
C Clodovil-Shemissa
Stratford Place Stud
36,000
Gill Richardson Bloodstock
C Mayson-La Fortunata
Upperwood Farm & Stud
25,000
Tom Malone/Megan Nicholls
F Dandy Man-Fiancee
Llety Farms
24,000
Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
F Swiss Spirit-Dolly Daydreamer
Oakshott Bloodstock
24,000
Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
C Cityscape-Fauran
Minster Stud
23,000
Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock
F Mastercraftsman-Rivara
Glidawn Stud
22,000
Eve Johnson Houghton
C Es Que Love-Gold Blended
Rathasker Stud
22,000
P D Evans
F Coach House-Right Rave
Jamie Railton
21,000
Stroud Coleman Bloodstock
C Compton Place-Private Equity
Hall Farm Stud
20,000
SackvilleDonald
FIGURES Year
Sold
Agg (£)
Avg (£)
Mdn (£)
Top Price (£)
2017
85
787,500
9,265
7,000
47,000
OSARUS Yearling Sale Bloodstock agent Federico Barberini has enjoyed a couple of very good pinhooks by percentage at recent yearling sales. At Ascot’s new event a Coach House filly foal he bought for 3,000gns returned a 700% profit when knocked down for £21,000, while at this sale his €10,000 Dabirsim colt foal buy became an €85,000 yearling when knocked down to Paul Basquin of Haras du Saubouas. So feathers in the cap for both Barberini and Dabirsim, the young sire who stands at Haras de Grandcamp, and whose second crop of yearlings have proved popular at many latesummer sales. Bragging rights at Osarus, however, went
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to Wootton Bassett, whose colt from Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard made €105,000 to a bid from the committed pinhooker Con Marnane – who headed Barberini on this occasion, and who has played a small part in Dabirsim’s rise, for he owns Different League, a filly by that stallion, and winner of Royal Ascot’s Group 3 Albany Stakes. Marnane, who clearly expects the breezeup market to remain strong judged on his place as leading buyer with 13 purchases for €413,000 (he bought 17 last year, but for €244,000), confirmed he would be breezing the Wootton Bassett next year, although he said he planned to retain a €70,000 Kheleyf half-sister to this year’s Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Sands Of Mali. Kheleyf headed the sires’ list by aggregate,
his 10 yearlings turning over €248,000, while Haras de Grandcamp led consignors with 10 sold for €286,000. Other familiar breeze-up faces to get involved included Yorkshire’s Roger Marley, while shrewd Nick Bradley, a master of syndication, was also noted among highervalue purchasers. Karl Burke, whose raids on French races have become a feature of his renaissance as a trainer, was another whose name appeared as a buyer. The catalogue was smaller, but the figures improved, including turnover, which rose 12% despite 37 fewer lots walking the ring. Of the 256 offered 199 found new homes, an improvement in the clearance rate to 78%, while the median and average marks were up 7% and 16% respectively. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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Every November Ireland’s leading breeders send a selection of quality mares and foals to Goffs, sourced from the most prolific families in the Stud Book and featuring a combination of new and established sires. Catalogue published 27 October Travel Assistance provided by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
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Goffs November Sale 20 - 26 November 2017
Foals: Part 1 20 - 22 November | Part 2 25 - 26 November Breeding Stock: 23 - 24 November
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BEARSTONE STUD YOUR ROUTE TO SUCCESS
In 2017 breeders of the winners of 30 races & counting
Breeders of the winners of 724 races inc. Gr.1’s since 1994
A selection of bloodstock sold by Bearstone Stud pinhooked from 2014 to date
2015 Tattersalls December Foal Sale colt by Kyllachy x On The Brink 35,000gns 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale B2 270,000gns
2015 Goffs Premier Yearling Sale filly by Mayson x Millinsky £9,000 2016 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale 140,000gns
2015 Tattersalls Foal Sale colt by Exceed And Excel x Alexander Ballet 80,000gns 2016 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale €200,000
2013 Tattersalls December Foal Sale colt by Sir Percy x My First Romance 34,000gns 2014 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale B2 55,000gns
2015 Tattersalls December Foal Sale colt by Sir Percy x Mookhlesa 11,000gns 2016 Goffs Premier Yearling Sale £65,000
2014 Goffs Silver Yearling Sale colt by Hellvelyn x River Song £11,000 2015 Goffs Breeze Up £60,000
2014 Tattersalls December Foal Sale colt by Compton Place x Hakuraa 22,000gns 2015 Goffs Premier Yearling Sale £75,000
2016 Tattersalls December Foal Sale colt by Delegator x Irrational 43,000gns 2017 Goffs Premier Yearling Sale £70,000
2014 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale B3 colt by Showcasing x Nizhoni 55,000gns 2015 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale 240,000gns
2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale B3 colt by Showcasing x Esplanade 36,000gns 2017 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale 85,000gns
In 2018 standing FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Group Winning Sprinter by European Champion Sprinter and leading sire influence OASIS DREAM out of European Champion 2YO and five-time Group 1 winner ATTRACTION Tel: 07974 948755 or 01630 647197
FIRST YEARLINGS 2018
www.bearstonestud.co.uk
Oct_158_Sales_Circuit_Sales 22/09/2017 17:42 Page 71
SALES CIRCUIT
OSARUS Yearlings Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (€)
Buyer
C Wootton Bassett-Lemon Twist (Marju)
Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard
105,000
Con Marnane
C Dabirsim-Clutter (Three Valleys)
Haras de Grandcamp
85,000
Haras du Saubouas
F Siyouni-Paper Profits (Kendor)
Haras d’Ommeel
80,000
Haras du Saubouas
C Dream Ahead-Talon Bleu (Anabaa Blue)
Haras des Granges
80,000
ITS Bloodstock
F Kheleyf-Kadiania (Indian Rocket)
Haras des Faunes
70,000
Con Marnane
F Olympic Glory-Mambo Mistress (Kingmambo)
Yann Creff
64,000
ITS Bloodstock
C Kheleyf-Reech Band (Choisir)
Yann Creff
62,000
MAB Agency
F Le Havre-Passion Blanche (Dutch Art)
Haras de St Vincent
60,000
Sylvain Vidal
F Wootton Bassett-Faviva (Storm Cat)
Haras d’Etreham
60,000
Federico Barberini
C Wootton Bassett-Magic Sopran (High Chaparral)
Fairway Consignment
57,000
Roger Marley
F So You Think-Zongoraora (Bering)
Haras du Quesnay
57,000
Nick Bradley Racing
C Olympic Glory-Feelin Foxy (Foxhound)
Fairway Consignment
57,000
Roger Marley
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2017
200
4,016,000
21,789
16,000
105,000
2016
214
3,573,000
18,816
15,000
110,000
2015
182
4,053,500
21,445
18,000
70,000
2014
216
3,675,000
17,696
14,000
130,000
2013
168
2,982,500
18,437
15,000
85,000
and falls of about 50% in each category were not as bad as they first appeared. No one suggests the event is a major landmark in the sales calendar, but it can work for a handful of buyers and vendors, and provides an introduction to bloodstock auctioneering for racegoers at Leopardstown. With those novices in mind two sold from four offered was hardly a ringing endorsement of the profession, yet 10 horses for the latest edition provided a mix worthy of attention. A Moyglare or National Stakes contender would have really quickened the pulse, but the
GOFFS Champions Sale This sale got back on track during Ireland’s Champions Weekend when offering ten horses and finding homes for nine. Last year’s sale, dubiously dubbed ‘the epitome of quality over quantity’, comprised just four lots of which two found buyers, albeit at €300,000 and €260,000 their trip to the ring rewarded their vendors. Those figures also gave the average and median marks a rather skewed appearance when put against those achieved this year,
horses-in-training assembled generated sevenfigure turnover for the first time since the inaugural sale in 2014. Most of the money came via two men, agents Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, who bought five lots, and Tom Malone who took two, including the €290,000 headliner Izzy Bizu. A two-year-old filly, trained by Mark Johnson for Lowther Racing and Peter Savill, she had finished unplaced in the Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes a few days before her ring appearance, but had already posted three wins, including one at Listed level.
GOFFS Champions Sale TOP LOTS Name/Breeding
Vendor
Izzy Bizu (Kodiac-Dame Hester)
Kingsley House Stables
€290,000
Price (€)
Buyer Casey Malone/Tom Malone
Burgundy Boy (Red Jazz-Zibaline)
Sheila Lavery Racing
€260,000
BBA Ireland
Massif Central (Arcano-Melaaya)
Highfort Stables
€200,000
Michael Halford
Cascavelle (Shamardal-Majestic Silver)
Clunemore Lodge
€130,000
BBA Ireland
Zabalan (Dutch Art-Zanoubiya)
Aga Khan Studs
€120,000
BBA Ireland
Kings Inn (Mawatheeq-Afnoon)
Highfort Stables
€100,000
Haripour (Shamardal-Hazariya)
Aga Khan Studs
€70,000
BBA Ireland
Moonlight Bay (Pivotal-Naadrahr)
Friarstown Stables
€55,000
Joe Foley
Sikandarabad (Dr Fong-Sindiyma)
Aga Khan Studs
€50,000
BBA Ireland
Casey Malone/Tom Malone
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2017
9
1,275,000
141,667
120,000
290,000
2016
2
560,000
280,000
280,000
300,000
2015
5
925,000
185,000
150,000
450,000
2014
9
2,043,000
227,000
185,000
470,000
>> THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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SALES CIRCUIT
GOFFS UK September Sale Buyers hunting for horses to go jumping made their presence felt at this one-day in-training sale, although international visitors with no interest in hurdles or fences were also noticeable investors. A total of 170 horses were offered, a mere eight more than last year, yet turnover sailed ahead, gaining 46%, and the improved clearance rate of 88% helped increases of 29% and 45% in average and median – both figures were the best achieved at the sale since it moved to a
September slot in 2014. Fireworks were few, but buyers liked what they saw, and the outcome helped ease the memory of Doncaster’s disappointing August Sale, also a one-day auction reserved for horses in training. The difference between the two sales was probably down to large drafts from powerful racing operations – Godolphin, of course, Gigginstown and Middleham Park Racing, all contributed sizeable culls to the catalogue, and it was one from the last-named syndicate specialists who proved pick of the mix. Pete So High, one of seven Middleham Park representatives, made £66,000 to a bid from
Aidan O’Ryan and headed across the Irish Sea to join Gordon Elliott, while Gigginstown House Stud’s Marinero, who had been trained by Henry de Bromhead, retraced part of his route to Doncaster after being bought by County Fermanagh-based David Christie for £54,000. Marinero was one of 24 Gigginstown House horses who were moved on, the draft adding £329,000 to turnover. Leading trainers with horses to clear included John Oxx, who consigned Yug, a £54,000 purchase by Bobby O’Ryan for racehorse owner Hanshen Tham, and also heading back to Ireland, this time to join James Nash.
GOFFS UK September Sale TOP LOTS Name/Breeding
Vendor
Pete So High (High Chaparral-Paulaya Aidan)
Middleham Park Racing
Price (£) 66,000
Aiden O’Ryan/Gordon Elliott
Buyer
Yug (Motivator-Another Name)
Currabeg Stables (John Oxx)
56,000
Bobby O’Ryan/Hanshen Tham
Marinero (Presenting-Peggy Maddock)
Gigginstown House
54,000
David Christie
Spin A Yarn (Flemensfirth-Keeps Sake)
Carriganog Racing (Joseph O’Brien)
42,000
Highflyer Bloodstock
Broadway Dreams (Oasis Dream-Rosa Eglanteria)
Marjorie Fife Racing
40,000
Michael Blake
Ingleby Mackenzie (Sixties Icon-Natalie Jay)
West Ilsley Stables (Mick Channon)
32,000
Ashgrove Stables
Jeannot de Nonant (Full of Gold-Jolie Puce)
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
28,000
PBR Abrasives
Dicosimo (Laveron-Coralisse Royale)
Closutton Stables (W. Mullins)
28,000
Highflyer Bloodstock
Southdown Lad (Lilbourne Lad-Elizabelle)
William Knight Racing
28,000
Blandford Bloodstock
Fly Rory Fly (Milan-Thousand Wings)
Tu Va Stables (Noel Meade)
25,000
Compas Equine/Nick Alexander
FOUR-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (£)
Avg (£)
Mdn (£)
Top Price (£)
2017
144
1,617,400
11,232
8,000
66,000
2016
127
1,104,150
8,694
5,500
56,000
2015
283
2,771,900
9,795
6,000
78,000
2014
250
2,658,050
10,632
6,000
185,000
TATTERSALLS IRELAND August Sale Not the biggest or most fashionable store sale, but this conclusion to the year’s auctions of unbroken jumpers did not let the side down. All the key figures were up, including the clearance rate which had taken a sharp fall last year, while the average price of €9,839, up 19%, was the best since the boomtown days of 2006, when a figure of €10,857 was achieved. A sign of the times 10 years ago can be seen from a catalogue which contained 400 more horses than the 2017 edition, albeit only half those additional lots walked the ring.
Horse production and preparation is leaner and meaner now, and while this sale is overshadowed by mid-summer store auctions it could still boast some smart prospects. A three-year-old son of Network, the only representative by the sire in the catalogue, headed trade with a €50,000 valuation, albeit that was the lowest-priced top lot since 2011, and, on paper, a pinhook that failed to produce a profit. The same horse, offered here by John Kennedy, had been bought for €70,000 by T J Bloodstock at Deauville last year. Rathbarry and Glenview Stud’s Paul Cashman, who trains a string of pointers, will handle the next stage of the horse’s career.
TALKING POINTS • A six-race series of maiden hurdles restricted to store-sale graduates costing €30,000 or less was announced just ahead of this sale, and seemed a perfect fit for it. Whether it galvanised buyers’ intentions is debateable, but whereas the €100,000 George Mernagh bumper at
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A happier pinhook outcome was achieved by a son of Vinnie Roe, second on the top-ten board with a €42,000 valuation having been bought for €16,000 as a yearling – Katie and Tom Rudd’s Busherstown consigned the youngster, whose valuation matched that of a gelding by Presenting. The last-named joins Nicky Richards, the Vinnie Roe went down to trader Bryan Murphy, proprietor of The Dunraven Arms. Turnover, from an identical number of horses, rose 25%, and, with the November sales beckoning, foal buyers will have been pleased to note rises of 19% and 30% in the average and median prices, respectively.
Fairyhouse, which was already on the table as an incentive for horses from this sale, is restricted to Tattersalls Ireland stores, the maiden hurdles are for graduates of any store sale in Britain and Ireland. Tattersalls Ireland and the EBF are sponsoring the six races, each worth €20,000, but all taking place on Irish racecourses.
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36349_BallyPhilip_T'bredO&B_PG_Oct17.qxp_34198_Shanghai&DOW_Keeneland_DPS_Aug16 18/09/2017 14:39 Page 1
HARRY ANGEL Haydock Sprint Cup (Gr.1) July Cup (Gr.1) Sandy Lane Stakes (Gr.2) in track record time Mill Reef Stakes (Gr.2) TIMEFORM
133 BATTAASH King George Stakes (Gr.2) Coral Charge (Gr.3) in track record time TIMEFORM
135
aft Don’t miss our dr ober at Tattersalls Oct
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European Champion 2YO Filly Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr.1) Lowther Stakes (Gr.2) in juvenile track record time
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Oct_158_Sales_Circuit_Sales 22/09/2017 17:42 Page 75
SALES CIRCUIT
TATTERSALLS IRELAND August Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding
Vendor
G Network-Kittewhistle (Kaldounevees)
John Kennedy
Price (€) 50,000
Buyer Paul Cashman
G Vinnie Roe-Blackwater Babe (Arctic Lord)
Busherstown
42,000
Bryan Murphy
G Presenting-E Mac (Old Vic)
John & Aine McMahon (Glen Stables) 42,000
Gerry Griffin
G Sans Frontieres-Line Jade (Luchiroverte)
Bannow B/s (Graigue Farm)
40,000
Tom Malone
G Shantou-Similan (Milan)
Simmonstown Stud
40,000
Kevin Ross Bloodstock
G Malinas-Skew (Niniski)
Glenwood Stud
40,000
Highflyer B/s/Alan King
G Milan-Founding Daughter (Anshan)
Parkville Stud
40,000
Tom Malone/Lucinda Russell
G Oscar-Montel Girl (Montelimar)
Baroda & Colbinstown Studs
38,000
Eric McNamara
G Stowaway-Academy Miss (Dushyantor)
Oaks Farm Stables
36,000
Martin Lynch
C Vinnie Roe-Miss Murtle (Old Vic)
Ballincurrig House Stud
33,000
Eric McNamara
F Fame And Glory-Set In Her Ways (Old Vic)
Ann Lawless (Mount Brown Farm)
33,000
Gerry Griffin
F Notnowcato-Daghashah (Authorized)
Ridge Manor Stud
33,000
Tom Malone
FIVE-YEAR TALE Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2017
383
3,768,300
9,839
6,500
50,000
2016
365
3,026,200
8,291
5,000
75,000
2015
401
3,697,400
9,220
5,700
75,000
2014
481
4,752,000
9,879
6,000
80,000
2013
365
2,731,950
7,485
4,800
80,000
>>
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SALES CIRCUIT
Round-up from Keeneland September Books 1 & 2 and the Fasig-Tipton Turf Showcase • By Nancy Sexton The American bloodstock market is in rude health judging by the opening week of the Keeneland September Sale in Kentucky, which was fuelled by strong demand from both domestic and international buyers. Keeneland took the decision earlier in the year to alter the format of Books 1 and 2 by reducing Book 1 to a single, elite session and expanding Book 2 to contain over 1,035 horses spread over three days. Overall, it was a successful move. That opening elite session produced an electric trade which featured eight million-dollar lots and activity from 54 different buyers that in turn led to an average of $570,263 for 95 sold. The median was $500,000. Books 1 and 2 combined, meanwhile, produced an average of $288,759 for 681 horses sold. The turnover for the week was $196,645,000 while the median rested at $200,000. Given the format change, this year’s statistics aren’t strictly comparable but a sense of how strong the top end of the market is can be gleaned from the fact that 13 yearlings sold for seven figures this year compared to nine in 2016. A total of 116 yearlings made $500,000 or more compared to 96 last year. “The needle has moved again from last year for what nice horses can make,” said Peter O’Callaghan of Woods Edge Farm. “It’s gone up another level. It’s very strong at the upper end of the market.” American heavyweights Tapit and War Front unsurprisingly dominated the very top of the market, accounting for eight milliondollar yearlings between them. Demand for Tapit was particularly strong, with the Gainesway stallion supplying each of the top three lots led by a sister to Santa Anita Gold Cup winner Cupid, for whom MV Magnier signed at $2,700,000. The most expensive colt was a son of the Grade 1-placed Miss Besilu, in turn a relation to this year’s leading older horse Gun Runner, who was bought by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm for $2,600,000. As a result, Tapit’s average for the week closed at $990,625. Arguably the greatest talking point of the week was Godolphin’s pursuit of yearlings sired by Coolmore-owned stallions. Not since 2005 had Sheikh Mohammed’s operation bought a single Coolmore-sired yearling at auction but that all changed on day one of Keeneland when Godolphin representatives, among them Anthony Stroud and John Gosden, signed at $800,000 for a son of the late Scat Daddy out of Practice from Four Star
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Peter Brant of White Birch Farm continued his spending at Keeneland
Sales. They went on to purchase another six Coolmore-sired yearlings, including those by Australia ($490,000 and $300,000), Lookin At Lucky ($300,000) and Uncle Mo ($475,000). Buyers understandably couldn’t get enough of the final crop by the much missed Scat Daddy. The late Coolmore stallion was represented by two million-dollar lots headed by a $1.1 million colt that was bought by MV Magnier from Anderson Farms. The colt, out of Orchard Point, was the first million-dollar yearling sold by his breeder, the Canadianbased David Anderson. The market also reacted extremely favourably to several first-crop sires, notably Cairo Prince. Grade 2 winner Cairo Prince, a son of Pioneerof The Nile, stood his first season at Airdrie Stud for just $10,000, which makes his Book 2 average of $283,125 – boosted by a $900,000 colt bought by Shadwell Estates – all the more remarkable. Champion Will Take Charge, who stands for $25,000 at Three Chimneys Farm, isn’t quite so under the radar and has also been well received; all bar one of his yearlings to sell in the first week made six figures and included a colt out of Oblige who made $975,000 to the stallion’s former owner Willis Horton. Australia was represented by three lots that averaged $321,667 while Frankel’s brother Noble Mission gained several positive reviews, as illustrated by a pair of colts that made $200,000 apiece. Luxembourg-based thoroughbred investment fund Phoenix Thoroughbreds has burst on to the scene in a big way this season, both in the marketplace and on the track, and their agent Kerri Radcliffe was again active,
purchasing seven yearlings to join their European and American strings. Radcliffe went to $1.1m for a War Front half-brother to Grade 2 winner Parranda during the first session before partnering with Eric Fein to land an Orb colt for $1m later in the week. The latter was a tremendous pinhook for Gerry Dilger of Dromoland Farm and Barbara Facchino of Barouche Stud, having cost $175,000 as a foal. Radcliffe also went to $1m for a Scat Daddy filly from Gainesway Farm. Meanwhile, Larry Best’s OXO Equine, a relatively new player to the sport, came away with a pair of fillies by War Front and Medaglia d’Oro that cost $1,600,000 and $1,250,000 respectively. Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm also added 13 yearlings to his burgeoning operation, among them a Quality Road brother to Grade 2 winner Blofeld, for whom he paid $1m in partnership with M V Magnier. This year’s renewal also marked a welcome return to the American marketplace for Cheveley Park Stud, a regular at this sale up until 11 years ago. Their return was a fruitful one, with the stud coming away with a War Front sister to the Grade 2-placed War Envoy at $700,000 and a Medaglia d’Oro filly out of Irish Group 2 winner Laughing Lashes at $350,000. Tony Nerses, another to return after a hiatus, paid $700,000 for a Giant’s Causeway sister to Grade 1 winner Carpe Diem. As ever, the breeze-up boys were also out in full force. Sheikh Hamdan ended the week as leading buyer under his Shadwell Estates banner with 17 bought for a total of $12,475,000. Godolphin spent $8,065,000 on 17 yearlings while MV Magnier signed for ten yearlings worth $7,160,000. Over at Fasig-Tipton, a pair of colts by Scat Daddy realised $250,000 to top the company’s inaugural Turf Showcase, held the evening before Keeneland opened. Lothenbach Stables struck for the first colt, out of stakes winner Harbingerofthings, while Nick de Meric landed the second, a member of the famous Jude family who was also catalogued to Book 5 of the Keeneland September Sale. However, it was a tricky first edition of the sale, which was billed as the first North American auction to consist of yearlings with “turf appeal”. All told, only 74 horses – 51% – were officially sold (including private sales). The average finished at $68,041 and five yearlings sold for $200,000 or more.
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CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD
Groomed for success on Dansili quest Juddmonte sire now reaping the rewards of an affiliation with Rahy mares
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LAURA GREEN
B
y the time a stallion like Dansili reaches the age of 21, they don’t have many secrets. The veteran Banstead Manor stallion has recently been reaping the rewards of lessons learned several years ago. In fact, it was ten years ago that I first noticed that a son of Danehill was enjoying plenty of success with daughters of Rahy, with the Australian-bred Flying Spur siring three black-type winners from only seven foals. Dansili at this point had no racing-age offspring out of Rahy mares, but he had two black-type winners – the 2007 two-year-old Group 3 winner Sense Of Joy and the Newmarket Listed winner Quenched – from only eight starters out of mares by the similarly-bred Rainbow Quest. Rainbow Quest and Rahy, of course, were both sons of Blushing Groom and both had Herbager close up in the pedigrees of their dams. Consequently, my recommendation to Juddmonte was that Rahy’s high-class daughter Tates Creek should visit Dansili in her first season following her transfer from the US to Europe. The resulting foal was a very muscular filly called Walnut Hill who finished an unthreatening sixth of nine in a maiden race at Gowran Park on her only appearance. She was then sold for 14,000gns and is now the dam of youngsters by the Derby winners Pour Moi and Ruler Of The World. I could have been accused of getting things badly wrong where Tates Creek’s visit to Dansili was concerned, but subsequent events have shown that the theory was bang on target, even if it proved very wide of the mark in practice. Dansili’s statistics with Rahy mares now stand at nine foals, of which eight have raced. Six of the eight have won and, remarkably, all six have become black-type winners. The first three were Surfrider (winner of the Group 3 Prix Djebel and third in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret), Tenth Star (an Irish Listed winner who was second in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes) and the Australian filly Soft Sand (a Listed winner whose Group placings included a halflength second in the Group 1 Myer Classic).
Dansili, being admired by ROA members, has six black-type winners from Rahy mares
It is this year, though, that has seen the Dansili-Rahy nick reach new heights. The Wertheimer brothers’ filly Esquisse won the Listed Prix de Bagatelle in July and then the Meon Valley-bred Ballet Concerto took
“With successful
nicks the two partners often complement each other physically” Salisbury’s Group 3 Sovereign Stakes on August 17, having previously landed the richly endowed John Smiths Cup. Finally, August 25 saw the 1,000 Guineas fourth Talaayeb gain her first stakes success when
she was dropped back to seven furlongs in the Group 3 City of York Stakes. Why does this partnership work so well? With successful nicks the two partners often complement each other physically and this is probably so with Dansili and Rahy. Dansili has good knees and he also sires plenty of sizeable individuals. Rahy, on the other hand, was a distinctly small individual, standing only 15.1 hands, and he tended to pass on his offset knees. From a pedigree viewpoint, the combination creates 5 x 3 to Blushing Groom, an outstanding racehorse and sire. Plenty of Dansili’s other good winners have two lines of Blushing Groom, including Bated Breath, Proviso and Zoffany. Unfortunately Juddmonte is unable to experiment further with this Rahy cross as Tates Creek is their only Rahy mare and she will be 20 in 2018. However, she has a likeable 2017 colt by Frankel, whose dam is by Danehill, and she is in foal to Dansili’s son Bated Breath, so the link may yet bear fruit.
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CAULFIELD FILES
On the topic of nicks to keep an eye on, the high-class American stallion Medaglia d’Oro is enjoying some excellent results with mares by Forty Niner’s son Distorted Humor. This combination has 9% black-type winners, but its record is more impressive than that statistic sounds, as its four black-type winners comprise two winners at Grade 1 level and two at Grade 2. Both the Grade 1 winners are current performers. Both are fillies and both must be worth a considerable amount. The first to shine was New Money Honey, who ended her first season with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita. New Money Honey added another top-level success on turf when she defeated the former French-trained Sistercharlie to take the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes in July. Her connections then decided it was time to try her on dirt and New Money Honey was one of the leading fancies for the historic Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Unfortunately, the experiment didn’t pay off, with New Money Honey fading into fifth, but victory still went to a filly sired by Medaglia d’Oro
GEORGE SELWYN
Panning for gold with Distorted Humor mares
New Money Honey is one of two Grade 1-winning fillies bred on a notable cross
from a Distorted Humor mare, in the shape of Elate. This very progressive filly could hardly have a better female line, as she comes from a long line of stakes-winning mares, her third dam being Wild Applause. Coincidentally, this highly accomplished daughter of Northern Dancer visited Distorted Humor’s sire Forty Niner in 1992 to produce the smart Roar, a stallion who has played a major role in Medaglia d’Oro’s stallion career. Roar is the broodmare sire of Rachel Alexandra, a filly from Medaglia d’Oro’s first crop who earned Horse of the Year honours and therefore
encouraged breeders to send more granddaughters of Forty Niner to Medaglia d’Oro. This ploy paid off magnificently once again when West Acre’s daughter Ivanavinalot visited the Darley stallion in 2013. This time the result was Songbird, a nine-time Grade 1 winner who became one of the darlings of American racegoers. This two-time champion has now been forced into retirement by injury and will be offered at Fasig-Tipton in November, when she will give us a good idea of how much Elate would fetch in the very unlikely circumstance of her ever coming on the market.
Just over 11 years ago, in this column, I asked the question, “Ever heard of Panis?” The same question reared its head again during ITV’s coverage of York’s August meeting, when the knowledgeable team – including the excellent Francesca Cumani – were left floundering after Panis’s son Sands Of Mali had dominated his nine opponents in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, to improve his record to two wins from three starts. I originally posed the question in the summer of 2006 because the American-bred Panis took me by surprise in leading the sires of two-year-olds in France, with a total of seven winners from ten runners by early August. Panis is a son of Miswaki and his secondcrop juveniles were conceived at a fee of only €1,600 at Haras des Faunes in the Bordeaux region. Panis had started his stallion career in 2002, after winning three of his nine starts for Pascal Bary, notably the Group 3 Prix de Conde at two and the Group 3 Prix Messidor at three. Out Of Time became Panis’ first stakes winner when she won the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville. “It will be interesting to see whether the
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GEORGE SELWYN
Gimcrack boost for French veteran Panis
It isn’t impossible that Sands Of Mali will stay the mile of the Guineas
eight-year-old will now be relocated to France’s main breeding area,” I wrote. Sure enough, Panis was soon on the move, to stand at a fee of €6,000 at the famous Haras du Quesnay. The fact that his name still means little to people outside France tells its own story. Now 19 years old, Panis has 395 foals of racing age but only five of them have achieved the status of black-type winner. Sands Of Mali is only his third Group winner but one of his sons, Veneto, once went within a short neck of winning
the 2012 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Panis is now back where he started, at the Haras des Faunes, where he covered 26 mares in 2016. Panis gained his Group victories over nine furlongs as a juvenile and over a mile at three, so it isn’t impossible that Sands Of Mali will stay the Guineas distance. However, his broodmare sire is Indian Rocket, a smart sprinter whose finest moment came when he won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes over six furlongs as a juvenile. Indian Rocket continued to race with some success in the UAE and the USA before retiring to Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland. The sprint-bred son of Indian Ridge struggled in Ireland and was moved to Haras des Faunes, where his fee was in the region of €3,000. Although he never managed to sire a Group winner, Indian Rocket has fared a good deal better in the role of broodmare sire, with Sands Of Mali being the fifth Group winner out of his daughters. Maarek, winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye and British Champions Sprint Stakes, is the best of them, but Kendam and Goken were also smart over sprint distances.
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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Cottage Considerations When a cottage used in the business becomes surplus to business requirements the logical move is to make it work for its living by letting it under an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), or in some more touristy areas as a furnished holiday let. If the cottage is a distance away from the stud it may be sensible to sell it particularly if the funds are needed for the business. There are many issues to bear in mind, as you weave your way through the minefield, not least to avoid falling into some tax compliance traps (as easy as driving in a bus lane or inadvertently driving past a motorway speed camera at 5 mph over the limit).
Letting under an AST Letting under an AST will not affect the Inheritance Tax position for Business Property Relief provided that the whole business remains wholly or mainly trading. If letting the cottage is combined with letting one half of the boxes, the position might be different, as the business as a whole may become one of letting land. Doing up the cottage may prove quite expensive; if the property is being improved to let it, the expenditure will be capital and no income tax relief will be available. However, genuine repairs would receive income tax relief. Rent from a residential cottage is an exempt supply for VAT purposes. The basic rules are that input VAT on expenditure to generate exempt income cannot exceed £7,500 per annum before the partial exemption rules begin to bite.
Smith & Williamson OB Oct 2017 dps.indd 2
Another kick to the landowner is the new rules on restriction of finance costs such as interest for let residential properties. If the landowner takes out borrowing to improve the cottage to let it, the interest relief on the borrowing will be restricted. From 5 April 2021 interest relief will be restricted to a basic rate tax credit. The restriction will also apply to existing loans to fund the residential let.
Output VAT is due on FHL income, but equally, input VAT can be recovered on expenditure on the property. There is no restriction in income tax relief where the property is let as an FHL. Where money is spent on capital improvements, capital allowances can be claimed on white goods and other integral features such as electrical installation.
• The property must actually be let for at least 105 days each year
As with a cottage let under an AST, it is unlikely that the property would qualify for BPR for IHT purposes, unless it is part of a larger operation that is wholly or mainly trading. Various cases have been to the Tribunal, but HMRC have consistently won on the basis that the business is wholly or mainly the letting of property rather than the running of a trade.
• It must be available to let for at least 210 days each year
Capital Gains Tax
Letting as a Furnished Holiday Let If the property is let as Furnished Holiday Let (FHL), the rules are different; walking through the relevant boxes to be ticked, the rules can be summarised as follows-
• The property cannot be let for a continuous period of more than 31 days for more than 155 days in any year. There are averaging provisions to make sure that one bad year does not have the same effect on the property’s status.
Selling a residential property let under an AST will give rise to a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) charge at the rate of 28%. In limited circumstances, where the entire holding is being sold, it may be possible to reduce the effective rate of tax from 28% to 10%. Provided that the right conditions are fulfilled, the gain on the sale of an FHL property may qualify for Entrepreneurs’ Relief and tax will be due at 10%.
22/09/2017 08:31
ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Where there is an opportunity to buy another business asset, it may be sensible to sell the cottage and reinvest the proceeds. If, for example, there is a need to buy more land or build new boxes, the proceeds from the disposal of the cottage, that was used in the business, can be reinvested into the new asset. Where 100% of the proceeds are reinvested into the new land or buildings, then the gain is deferred until the new asset is sold. The rollover position is different where not all proceeds are reinvested – the un-reinvested proceeds are subject to CGT. If the cottage to be sold is let, then, for every month the property is let, the amount of the gain eligible for rollover is reduced. Relief is
not denied where the property has been let but, the longer the cottage is not used in the trade, the more the tax will be due as, again, the rollover relief is reduced on a time apportionment basis. For rollover relief to be claimed, the new asset needs to be acquired either 12 months before or 36 months after the date of exchange of contracts on the sale of the old asset, the cottage. If rollover relief is not possible, it may be possible to use an EIS investment to defer the gain. Some of the rules required to obtain an income tax deduction do not apply where it is simply the gains that are being deferred.
Conclusion Letting the empty cottage is generally financially sensible, but there is a myriad of potholes to fall into. Professional advice is often needed to make sure you don’t fall into any of them.
Penelope Lang Private client tax services partner t: 01722 431064 e: penelope.lang@smithandwilliamson.com
Smith & Williamson is an independently owned professional and financial services group with over 1,600 people. The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates. The team advises on business, accounting and taxation issues for clients across the equestrian sector from thoroughbred breeders, trainers and owners to those working in eventing, dressage and show jumping.
smithandwilliamson.com Offices: London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Dublin (City and Sandyford), Glasgow, Guildford, Jersey, Salisbury and Southampton.
By necessity, this briefing can only provide a short overview and it is essential to seek professional advice before applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this publication. Details correct at time of writing. The tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. Smith & Williamson LLP Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International. The word partner is used to refer to members of Smith & Williamson LLP.
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Rowley Mile kicks off awesome autumn for The Thoroughbred Club members
T
he Thoroughbred Club is building towards a big autumn, with a series of events lined up to keep members busy as the season changes. The autumn programme kicks off at Newmarket racecourse on October 13. This Friday the 13th fixture is set to be a lucky one for TTC members as we head to the Rowley Mile for the opening day of Dubai Future Champions Weekend – the highlight of which is the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile. Won by horses such as Rhododendron and Minding in recent years, this year’s renewal could easily provide Classic clues for the 2018 campaign. The big finale of the British Flat racing season takes place at Ascot on October 21 and TTC members have a chance to be part of a raceday with over £4.3 million in prize-money. The Thoroughbred Club have a limited number of tickets available on the day, including passes for the QIPCO Racing Lounge. These are available to members on a first come, first served basis. Champions Day could feature a mouthwatering clash between Order Of St George and his Gold Cup conqueror Big Orange, as well as the mighty Ribchester bidding to go one better than last year’s second to Minding in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. In November, the National Hunt season is in full swing, and it will be appropriate to visit the home of jumps racing for our premier autumn event. TTC will be attending Cheltenham’s November meeting not only on the feature Saturday, but the Friday too. The Thoroughbred Club will join the TBA, which has its annual
Ascot on Champions Day: one of the host autumn event venues for TTC
marquee at the event, on Countryside Day that kicks off a high-class weekend. The Saturday is not just a trip to Cheltenham but offers the chance to visit Overbury Stud before racing. Overbury, run by Simon Sweeting, continues to grow and members will get the opportunity to see the stud and its stallions, headlined by three-time champion stayer Kayf Tara, sire of Thistlecrack. In recent seasons, he has cemented himself as Britain’s number one source for National Hunt runners. Overbury is also home to a host of other stallions including Schiaparelli, Cityscape and Dunaden. The former Group 1 winner and first-season sire Cityscape has – at the time of writing – three individual winners so far across Britain, Ireland and France. This autumn promises to be a big one for The Thoroughbred Club, and we look forward to seeing you all.
King crowned at Fontwell The Thoroughbred Club was delighted to welcome our horse in training, Mercian King, back into the winners’ enclosure at Fontwell at the end of August. Amy Murphy has done a tremendous job to get him back to full fitness following five months off the track, and the six-year-old built upon his encouraging second place at Bangor with a fine round of jumping at Fontwell to claim first prize under regular rider Jack Quinlan. Mercian King has been in tremendous form since sporting the TTC colours, finishing in the first three on each of his runs and winning twice. For your chance to be involved with Mercian King or Circulate when they run, see thethoroughbredclub.co.uk for more information.
TTC Diary Dates Friday, October 13
Newmarket Future Champions Day Saturday, November 18
Overbury Stud tour and parade followed by racing at Cheltenham Tuesday, December 12 – Thursday, December 14
TBA Stud Farming Course, British Racing School, Newmarket
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Open to all 16- to 30-year-olds £50 per year (£35 per year for 16- to 22-year-olds)
Full Member • Access to all TTC events • Follow our TTC broodmares and horses in training • Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder magazine subscription • Annual Thoroughbred Stallion Guide • Blogs, webinars, vlogs with exclusive access on our website • Career course and educational opportunities
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ROA FORUM T he spec i al sec ti on for ROA members
BHA consults on future of stewarding
The future of racecourse stewarding in Britain is being reviewed as the BHA undertakes a formal industry consultation
T
he end of August saw the BHA launch further details of its formal industry consultation regarding the future model for racecourse stewarding in Britain. The aim is to gather views on how to maintain the highest standards of racecourse decision-making as the sport modernises and becomes increasingly complex to regulate. This consultation comes soon after the BHA implemented the proposals of the Quinlan Review, which increased the independence of its judicial functions, including the Disciplinary Panel that deals with referrals by Stewards from the racecourse and appeals against the Stewards’ decisions. The current model of stewarding involves a mix of Honorary Stewards, who are unpaid volunteers, and Stipendiary Stewards, who are full-time, salaried members of BHA staff. A Stewards Secretary assists the Stewards on raceday with administrative support. The consultation will be a two-stage
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process. The first stage began on August 31 with a wide-ranging, eight-week industry consultation. Detailed recommendations will be developed by the BHA and the resulting options will then be the subject of further consultation, involving the key stakeholders in racing. The BHA will closely involve the tripartite partners in the Members’ Agreement – the Racecourse Association and the Horsemen’s Group – in the development of the final proposals. Jamie Stier, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said: “We want to continuously improve British horseracing at a time of rapid change for our sport, with two key areas being accountability and consistency. “We do this at a time when prize money is increasing and there are increasingly complex challenges around the integrity and regulation of the sport. “We have seen other major sports move to
fully professional referees and we believe it is against this background that the time is right to consult to see what is the most appropriate model for taking the stewarding of horseracing forward in the future. “Horseracing has relied on the massive commitment of Honorary Stewards throughout our history – people who are not only volunteers but also passionate participants in the grassroots of our sport and some of whom are owners. “In consulting on change, we seek to respect the contribution that our Honorary Stewards have made in the past and to listen carefully to the many participants right across our sport before deciding on the right direction for the future.” Owners are invited to submit their views to the consultation by email to stewardingconsultation@britishhorseracing.com or write to: Stewarding Consultation, British Horseracing Authority, 75 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6LS, by 17 October 2017. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
www.roa.co.uk
Member visit to John Best ROA members are invited to see behind the scenes of John Best Racing in Borden, Kent on the morning of Friday, October 27. The morning visit and tour of Eyehorn Farm, a successful Flat racing yard, will be followed by brunch. The yard is within easy access of the M2 and A2 motorways and within an hour of London. John has enjoyed Group 1 successes in the
UK and overseas as well as top class international success and the member visit will be a great opportunity to see the yard’s first class facilities. The trainer is known for his yearly raid on the White Turf Festival in St Moritz, where racing takes place on a frozen lake in the Swiss Alps, with lots of glitz, glamour and gluhwein! To register interest, please contact the ROA via info@roa.co.uk or call 020 7152 0200.
Wild West: RoR victor
RoR National Championships Six days of high quality competition at Aintree for the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships concluded with Sunday’s Gala Evening and the crowning of the ROA and Goffs UK Supreme Champion. The coveted title went to nine-year-old gelding Wild West, ridden side-saddle by Lizzie Harris. Wild West won four classes at the ROA and Goffs UK National Showing Championships, culminating in victory in the Elite Series Final. The runner-up and Reserve Champion was Singing Hinnie, a six-year-old mare ridden by Katie Jerram Hunnable who had earlier won the Jockey Club Novice Show Horse Championship. Prior to the Elite Series Final, there was a parade of former racehorses who had enjoyed success both on and off the track, including big names such as Barbers Shop, Grand Crus, Peddlers Cross, Annacotty and Monet’s Garden. The Elite Series Final was judged by ROA board member and RoR trustee Yvette Dixon and bloodstock agent David Minton. The ROA invited five local members with a guest each to the session and Gala Dinner and a very memorable and emotional evening was enjoyed by all. RoR Chief Executive Di Arbuthnot said: “It’s been a wonderful week and the standard throughout has been very high. All the judges I spoke to commented on the improvement they are seeing from both horses and riders year-on-year. “Sunday’s Gala Evening remains a special night. Our thanks to the ROA and Goffs UK for their sponsorship and to Laura Wright for her beautiful singing and to Chanelle McCoy for coming and judging two classes.”
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The John Best-trained Pendo leads his stable companions on the gallops
Placed connections have reason to cheer The ROA’s Raceday Committee has been travelling the country, encouraging racecourses to uphold their current standards, and introduce enhancements to the owners’ raceday experience wherever possible. One area in particular has really captured racecourses’ imagination this year – the entertainment of placed connections. The ROA are delighted, therefore, that
Nottingham initially, and now also Musselburgh and Brighton racecourses, are presenting complimentary bottles of champagne to the placed connections in every race. Whether it is for celebratory – or commiseration – purposes is up to the owner! This is a very welcome initiative and one the ROA hopes will be picked up by more racecourses.
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ROA FORUM
Five chase innovation award This year marks the eighth anniversary of the Racecourse Association’s own Showcase and Awards. To be held at Newbury racecourse on Thursday, November 16 the daytime showcase is a series of seminars aimed at providing racecourses a platform to promote their ideas and encourage innovation. The evening awards ceremony then sees the results revealed for the eleven hotly-contested categories. ROA members were directly responsible for the nominations in one of these categories, the Owners’ Experience Award, and we thank all those who participated by providing their racecourse feedback throughout the year. We can reveal that the five courses judged by owners to have provided the most innovative experience over the last 12 months are Bangor, Cheltenham, Hamilton, Newcastle and Redcar. These racecourses will now be given the opportunity to submit to the RCA’s judging panel the reasons why they believe they deserve to win this prestigious award. Alan Pickering, Chairman of the ROA’s Raceday Committee, said: “An increasing number of ROA members are providing us with feedback on their raceday experience and, in parallel, more and more racecourses are
Hamilton is up for the Owners’ Experience Award, as nominated by ROA members
upping their game when it comes to going the extra furlong to make owners feel appreciated. Our submissions to the RCA Showcase Awards reflect both these trends. “I always say that having a deep pocket is not the only pre-requisite for improving the owners’ experience. While it obviously helps, attitude can go a long way. This year’s nominations prove the point.
“Some of the most significant improvements have been seen on what some outsiders might see as unfashionable tracks. Fortunately, thoughtfulness and effort are in fashion on these tracks and they are punching their weight alongside the industry’s ‘glamour boys’. “Well done to all nominees, your efforts on behalf of our members are much appreciated.”
Goodwood stages second Jackpot+ race September saw the second Owners Jackpot+ race staged at Goodwood. This was one of three occasions this year when the weekly Owners Jackpot bonus race is enhanced, offering members access to a private hospitality facility and £250 travel expenses for each qualified runner. Around 40 ROA members enjoyed a welcome drink and canapes in a private VIP facility in the QREC box, located on the first floor of the March Stand, offering prime viewing and a balcony. Owners of each of the eight runners that started in the Owners Jackpot race on the day received £250 towards travel expenses and a bottle of champagne. The next Jackpot+ event will be held at Doncaster on Friday, October 27. Each week throughout the year the ROA Owners Jackpot of £2,000, run in association with the Racing Post, is attached to a race that offers a minimum prize-fund of £5,000 per contest. The bonus is paid on top of win prize-money to qualified ROA-owned horses. To qualify, horses must be owned by ROA members. In the case of a racing partnership, 51% or more of the winning horse must be owned by members of the ROA to qualify. In a syndicate, over half the syndicators must be members. Owners of qualified runners also receive a bottle of champagne on the raceday. The four Jackpot races scheduled during October are:
Welcome bubbles: the private VIP facility
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October 3 October 10 October 19 October 27
Sedgefield Newcastle Uttoxeter Doncaster
2m 3 1/2f 5f 2m 1m 2f
Class 4 Class 4 Class 4 Class 3
4yo+ 0-105 Handicap Chase 3yo+ 0-80 Handicap 3yo Hurdle 3yo 0-95 Handicap
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MY DAY AT THE RACES WITH MARK LENTON AT CHELMSFORD CITY ON AUGUST 31
Mark Lenton, who has been a racehorse owner for 14 years, with his dual winner First Summer and children Alex and Kaci
M
ark Lenton first entered into racehorse ownership in 2003. He was introduced by Bill Dobson, a consultant engaged through a company he worked for, who was also an owner-breeder. He bought a share in the Sue Smith-trained Cardington before becoming involved with another work colleague in a number of horses trained by Shaun Harris. The most successful of these was Rise To Glory, who won ten races during his career, four of those victories coming at Wolverhampton. He and two friends have since set up Vision and New Vision Bloodstock. His visit to Chelmsford was with First Summer, a dual winner at the course last year.
Did you receive any welcome information as an owner in advance of the raceday? No,
I
didn’t
receive
anything.
How was the experience of arrival at the racecourse and collecting your owners’ badges? It was a busy day, which I hadn’t previously experienced when visiting. As a result driving in was a bit chaotic with very little stewarding. Signage on arrival is poor – although there is a parking area for owners and trainers this is not defined with signage – so I had to ask to make sure things hadn’t changed from my previous visit. Entrance to the track is restricted to just two entrance points, one for
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general public and the other for owners and hospitality, but collecting our owners’ badges was fine. I have never quite understood why owners cannot park inside the track, which would prevent the rather long walk from the entrance to the owners’ facility. We stayed in the owners’ and trainers’ facility throughout the day. It’s fairly small and on the day of our visit was pretty full.
What were your thoughts on the location, comfort and provision in the facility? I wasn’t overly impressed with the location and size of the facility. It is handy for the parade ring but a location in the main stand would be better for viewing of racing. I liked the unlimited aspect of food provision – useful when you have kids, as opposed to the restriction of just one meal visit. It takes away the need to have to ask for food vouchers for kids which sometimes is not forthcoming. They have tried to have as much seating as possible in the facility but size prevents enough seats for all owners. Lunch had improved with the addition of some hot food. Although not of a high quality, the food is adequate. The drink selection is not great and not having a card machine in this day and age is unbelievable.
How was the pre-parade ring/paddock experience?
paddock was good with ample time to talk with the jockey.
How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing? I didn’t use it but I did see its location – not much better than any other area on the course, really.
Were you able to review a replay of your race easily on course? It’s not easy to review the race other than to watch the review immediately after the race.
What was your overall lasting feeling of the day, based on your racecourse experience? The racecourse experience was ok – it didn’t feel like we were made to feel special but I would go back again. It looks like they are trying to improve things and a new, bigger and better-sited location for owners would be a massive improvement. The prize-money for low-grade racing is better than at other tracks.
How it rated Entry Viewing Atmosphere Owners’ facilities Food Overall score
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 12
Experience of the pre-parade ring and
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M AGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Alex Card
H
orses ran in the family as far as Alex and Janet Card are concerned, through either parents or grandparents, and when Alex’s cousin Gordon suggested a dozen years ago they bought a racehorse, they did just that. They’ve not regretted it, and in August came the coup de grace, a victory in Europe’s most valuable Flat handicap, the Ebor, with Nakeeta. Selkirk-based Stuart Coltherd was their first trainer and jumping their first venture, an enjoyable experience that whetted the appetite. The Cards’ first horse, Casterflo, was a winner. A little later, after a spell with Jamie Poulton, cousin Gordon was asked to recommend another trainer in Scotland with more of a Flat bias, and the name in the frame was Iain Jardine, who was soon to expand his operation. Nakeeta (nearside) captures the Ebor for Alex Card, pictured left (check tie) with family and friends
Double Whammy and Push Me are two of the horses the Cards have had with Jardine, and both have provided their owners with some fantastic days, and with Push Me having had a foal, and being in foal again, she will do so again in future. “Double Whammy has won five races for us, at Wetherby, Liverpool, two at Kelso and the Highland National,” says Alex Card. “Push Me won eight races for us, including at Sandown. She was a good, gutsy little mare. “She’s had a foal by Heeraat, whose first yearlings are doing very well at the sales, and she’s in foal to Sixties Icon; you’ll never guess why…!”
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Nakeeta is by Sixties Icon – that’s why! “We’ve had about a dozen horses now,” continues Card, “and had 20 winners, so we’ve not done too badly to say the least.” The Cards, living in Deal in Kent, are not exactly handy for Jardine’s yard in Carrutherstown, Dumfries and Galloway, but they visit four or five times a year and have a relationship with Jardine and partner Val that is more friendship than trainer/client. “Iain and Val and their lads and lasses are wonderful,” says Card. “They’ve done fantastically for us and we thoroughly enjoy it.”
That enjoyment came to a head at the Ebor meeting when Nakeeta and apprentice Callum Rodriguez ensured the Card family had a day they’ll never forget. Reflecting on his best racing days, Card says: “The first would be our first winner with our first horse. I’d never really had an experience like it. “Then there was Push Me winning at Sandown, and Double Whammy winning the Highland National. “But I guess everything else now plays second fiddle to Nakeeta. You’d never dream it could happen although Iain has always said he’d be capable of winning the Ebor, or at least having a good chance. He’d missed out on getting a run by 1lb the year before. “We went up on the Friday and stayed in a hotel. We knew the horse was fit, strong and had the ability, but you always need a little bit of luck, and it was Nakeeta’s day. “It was a fantastic day and we were in a dream world. We’re only small owners with just two horses in training at the moment – our other horse is Arkadian Empire, who’s only three and we can look forward to him running next year as well.” Nakeeta was raised 5lb for his Ebor success to a mark of 108, and on the
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Thursday after York was on the front page of the Racing Post – again – after featuring in the nominations for the Melbourne Cup. He was subsequently allotted a weight of 53kg – which should be enough to guarantee a run – and bags will shortly be packed for what promises to be a trip of dreams. “There could be a dozen or more of us,” says Card, “a great expedition. Why miss it? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.” With quarantine requirements it means Nakeeta won’t be running again until the ‘race that stops a nation’ on November 7, but the Cards understand the need for patience and the Ebor was only Nakeeta’s fourth run of the year. “Twenty-four hours is a long time in the life of a racehorse,” says Card. “We’ve travelled up to Scotland before only for the meeting to be called off due to a frozen track, and we’ve had the trainer ring up to say a horse is lame, or has got mucus and is on antibiotics.
“The horse was fit
but you always need a bit of luck and it was Nakeeta’s day” “It can be frustrating, and you can find yourself thinking, ‘If the horse is fit, let’s just run!’ so you need a lot of patience. But we couldn’t be in better hands than with Iain and Val, and the Ebor was the icing on the cake.” Though 73, Card still works a couple of days a week for the family business, which supplies and fits all types of flooring. Son Julian, daughter Sharon and even grandchildren Reece and Owen are involved with the firm, and with the family nature of both work and play, it’s not surprising to hear Card conclude: “I’m more than happy with my life right now!” It is far from inconceivable it could soon be taken to another level again on a racecourse on the other side of the world. As Elton John might have sung, ‘Oh Nakeeta, you never know’.
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Website gets a fresh new look The Racehorse Owners Association is pleased to unveil its upgraded website www.roa.co.uk, with a fresh new look which should make navigation easier on both mobiles and desktops. The website still features the most relevant information every owner and enthusiast needs to assist them with their racing activities, in a more user-friendly format. The revamped site now has a more modern feel and works seamlessly on any device and is the first phase of two development projects in this area. The second phase will be less visible to members, but in time will allow a new back-end of the website to connect with a new safe and sophisticated membership database. The current database is very old and becoming inadequate for the demands of a large and diverse membership, and this new system will allow members to have more control of their benefits and contact preferences. This second phase of the project should be complete by 2019.
The new site includes all the existing features that members have found useful previously, including: • Explanation of all our benefits including our free racing schemes • Details on the BHA’s new ownership structure • Listing of upcoming Owners Jackpot races • Facility to renew and join the ROA • Details of where to find a replay of your runner • Directory of racecourse photographers • Access to the Owners Guide to Racecourses • Other useful information, advice and documentation including owner/trainer agreements and syndicate agreements Check www.roa.co.uk for further updates and news in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, we’d love to hear any feedback from you on ebulletins@roa.co.uk
Kentucky Derby wildcard Own a talented two-year-old that likes synthetic surfaces and could stay ten furlongs at three? Then why not try to secure the Kentucky Derby wildcard entry by contesting the European road to Churchill Downs. A points-based contest, incorporating seven races spread across Britain, Ireland and France, it starts with the Beresford Stakes in September and continues through to the brand new Date September 24 September 30 October 1 October 28 March 1 March 9 March 30
£100,000 Burradon Stakes in March. Competitors will gain points for winning any of these contests – ten for the two-year-old races, 20 for the three-yearold races and 30 for the Burradon Stakes, with the horse gaining the most points securing the wildcard entry. In the event that the points leader does not take up the entry, it will be offered to the second, third and fourth placed horses in turn.
Race Beresford Stakes Royal Lodge Stakes Prix Jean-Luc Legardere Racing Post Trophy Race currently unnamed Patton Stakes Burradon Stakes
Racecourse Naas Newmarket Chantilly Doncaster Kempton Dundalk Newcastle
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BHA Graduate Charlie Dee on his placement with the ROA
Diary dates and reminders OCTOBER 21 QIPCO British Champions Day Private box and exclusive hospitality package for members
OCTOBER 27 Owners Jackpot+ At Doncaster
OCTOBER 27 Member visit to John Best Racing In Bordon, Kent
NOVEMBER 7 Ownership Matters Event In Edinburgh
Charlie Dee (second from left) with his fellow graduates from the BHA programme
NOVEMBER 8 I am very sadly coming to the end of the BHA Graduate Programme and a thoroughly enjoyable eight-week placement with the Racehorse Owners Association. Prior to the Graduate Programme, I read Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management at Oxford Brookes, the only dedicated degree of its kind in the UK. The degree includes a one-year industry placement and during this period I worked for Coolmore Australia and then completed the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course. I also shadowed Alastair Donald at both the Tattersalls horses-in-training and Craven breeze-up sale during the final year of my degree. My experience to date has been generally practical related and the BHA Graduate Programme has provided an opportunity to broaden my understanding of the horseracing industry. The origin of my passion and adoration for horse racing is self-explanatory – I live seven minutes from Cheltenham racecourse! However, I have also ridden and been involved with horses from a young age, fulfilling a childhood dream when riding two point-to-point winners earlier this year. A year as pupil assistant to Martin Keighley following A-levels confirmed my desire for a career in racing, which has evolved to an ambition to work as a bloodstock agent. I am absolutely fascinated by the inexact science of breeding, producing and selecting a champion racehorse. The BHA Graduate Programme, now in its 27th year, began with a two-week induction course at the British Racing School, Newmarket. The two weeks consisted of lectures, guest speakers and numerous trips to give each graduate an insight into every aspect of horseracing and the thoroughbred
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industry. We were very lucky to speak to high-profile individuals in racing such as Nick Luck, Simon Clare and Ed Chamberlin. The passion, enthusiasm and optimism of all guest speakers was completely infectious and inspiring. The overriding message in many of the lectures was the significant capacity for the horseracing industry to grow. It appears that in recent years there has been a realisation of the scale of horseracing, in terms of its contribution to the UK economy and the number of people employed, which has led to a proactive environment to grow the sport. This is very exciting for a young person starting out in the industry because of the opportunities this growth may present. Following the induction course, I immediately began an eight-week placement with the ROA at their offices in High Holborn, central London. During my placement, I have been tasked with certain projects derived from an ROA lead Ownership Strategy Paper. This piece of work is underpinned by a key target of ‘Strategy for Growth’ launched by the BHA in 2015 to increase the number of horses in training – 1,000 new horses by 2020. The number of horses in training has grown since the target was set and the strategy remains on course. However, the way racehorses are distributed is changing with sole ownership in slow decline. Therefore, the ROA Ownership Strategy Paper has been instigated to develop models to promote racehorse ownership, improve the ownership experience and ultimately grow all types of ownership. This strategy will hopefully be boosted by a public statement from the BHA, that investment in the growth of ownership will be a priority of the additional revenues from the replacement levy.
ROA Regional Meeting At Musselburgh
NOVEMBER 17, 18 & 19 Cheltenham November meeting ROA facility at Cheltenham’s November meeting
DECEMBER 7 ROA Horseracing Awards Racing’s big night of the year
DECEMBER 12 Ownership Matters Event In Reigate Further details and how to book can be found online at roa.co.uk/events
I am very lucky to be working with a dedicated team at the ROA and I have witnessed at first hand the efforts of ROA staff go to make members’ racehorse ownership more cost-effective and enjoyable. The amiability of ROA staff is a skill I admire as I have often been given the advice that to be successful in racing you must not only be a horseman but also a people person. I hope some of their charm has rubbed off on me! The end of my placement with the ROA is bittersweet as I am very fortunate and excited to be joining Lillingston Bloodstock as assistant to Luke Lillingston. Luke is a leading international bloodstock agent and, with Kentucky-based Englishman Lincoln Collins, forms the European arm of the highly respected Kern/Lillingston Association bloodstock agency. I look forward to further developing my knowledge of racing and breeding, whilst assisting Lillingston Bloodstock to achieve the highest success. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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Members’ suite at Cheltenham ROA facility at York’s Ebor meeting The opening day of York’s Ebor meeting in August began with driving rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of 46 members – including Lynn Lambert, Ida Moore and Paulette Baker (pictured) – who gathered in the ROA facility for a scintillating day’s racing. The skies cleared and the sun shone as racing got underway and the team at York ensured guests had a memorable day at the races.
Cheltenham’s November meeting provides a huge draw for jump racing fans, with the BetVictor Gold Cup the jewel in the crown on November 18. ROA members will be able to enjoy the weekend’s racing next month from the comfort of an exclusive hospitality facility. The double box, situated above the owners’ and trainers’ dining pavilion, looks towards the big screen, unsaddling enclosure and parade ring with an external balcony. Full details of our offers for November 17, 18 and 19 can be found at roa.co.uk or via the ROA office.
News in brief Future Champions Festival Members can now enjoy free racecourse access to both days of the Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket next month. The opening day, Friday October 13 features four Group races, with the Group 1 highlight the bet365 Fillies Mile. This onemile contest for fillies is one of the richest Group 1 two-year-old races of its type in Europe. It has been won for the last two years by the same owner, trainer and jockey combination of Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, with Rhododendron last year and the brilliant Minding in 2015. The day also marks Autumn Ladies Day featuring The Style Awards, sponsored by The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel. Saturday, October 14 features the prestigious Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes for juveniles and the Betfred Cesarewitch. Après Racing, Newmarket Racecourses official after party, will take place after the last race on both days. Members with a PASScard activated for the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners
can use their PASS card to enjoy admission on the day. Members who are not currently on that scheme can book complimentary badges through the ROA/JCR admission scheme, accessed via the member area at roa.co.uk These dates are additions to the list of participating fixtures circulated. We are grateful to Jockey Club Racecourses for offering access to members on these popular dates.
Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre raceday The Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre is holding its popular Charity Raceday at Plumpton on Monday, October 23. The centre, based in Slinfold, West Sussex, relies heavily on donation, and this will be the 18th renewal of its most successful fundraising event. The lunch and auction will be held in the Plumpton Marquee overlooking the final fence. Mike Cattermole will auctioneer a number of ‘money can’t buy’ lots, and there will also be a silent auction. Owners can
support the event by featuring their colours in the racecard or by sponsoring a pony in the Shetland pony race which precedes racing. Tickets, which include a champagne reception, three-course lunch, half bottle of wine, afternoon tea, entrance badge, racecard and car parking are £95 per person and are on sale until October 9. Tables of ten and 12 are available and can be booked by contacting Allison Blake, allison@plumptonracecourse.co.uk or by calling her on 01273 890383.
Auction price cap The BHA is introducing an auction price cap on median auction races from next year. The move is designed to ensure these contests remain an opportunity for horses who have been bought for relatively little money. Horses which qualify under the median price of the race but were bought or sold in at auction for more than £20,000 above the median value of the race will now be excluded.
Your opinions help to determine the ROA Gold Standard Awards It will soon be decision time for the 2017 ROA Gold Standard Awards, but there is still time to influence the result. Have you been racing with a runner recently? Then visit the Raceday section of the new-look ROA
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website and complete the quick racecourse feedback questionnaire – you could also scoop yourself a £50 John Lewis giftcard in the process. This month’s lucky winner is Tim Wood,
whose National Hunt mare Mystic Sky has been enjoying a fruitful campaign over the summer jumps season, including a win at Southwell and an excellent fourth in Market Rasen’s Listed Summer Handicap Hurdle.
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Flat Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Chester Newbury Doncaster Sandown Park Haydock Park Musselburgh Ayr Chelmsford City Salisbury Ripon Hamilton Park Pontefract Newcastle Lingfield Park Bath Wetherby Leicester Thirsk Carlisle Beverley Nottingham Windsor Kempton Park Ffos Las Redcar Catterick Bridge Yarmouth Chepstow Wolverhampton Brighton Southwell Total
Figures for period September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017
Ownership
Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)
Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)
Avg owner spend per fixture (£)
Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)
Total no. of fixtures
Total prize-money (£)
Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2015-16 (£)
Up/ down
I I I JCR JCR I I ARC JCR JCR I I I I I I I ARC ARC ARC I I I JCR I JCR ARC JCR I I I ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC
430,224 227,559 200,431 155,121 119,300 84,082 80,701 79,757 67,057 57,168 53,757 45,425 42,448 38,789 38,752 38,120 38,086 35,197 33,637 32,745 32,248 31,532 30,796 29,168 28,008 27,521 27,209 27,202 25,665 24,657 23,122 22,929 22,505 20,883 19,983 12,867 55,815
132,734 89,219 86,888 70,465 74,090 39,391 60,513 49,187 45,305 39,639 16,452 27,919 19,365 28,463 21,566 21,017 31,333 18,472 24,852 15,183 7,234 21,186 17,162 16,535 17,906 19,173 19,234 19,055 12,544 17,456 16,120 16,998 13,217 18,474 12,658 23,966 30,617
264,298 110,941 73,449 112,886 66,577 10,525 39,076 35,682 30,542 18,278 6,292 10,920 5,536 5,780 4,651 4,687 3,932 5,057 4,555 4,668 5,184 5,781 5,967 4,997 3,934 5,994 5,139 4,502 3,835 13,456 2,838 4,327 3,845 3,460 2,800 2,736 20,074
827,256 428,942 360,768 338,472 259,967 135,784 181,172 164,667 142,903 116,574 77,439 84,264 67,349 73,032 65,094 63,825 73,351 58,725 63,043 52,596 44,667 58,549 53,925 50,700 49,848 52,774 51,618 50,759 42,044 55,569 42,080 44,608 39,567 42,877 35,441 39,569 106,655
18 18 18 11 39 14 17 24 14 24 16 19 55 16 16 18 16 59 72 23 3 20 16 13 18 23 27 56 7 18 16 24 15 79 21 28 891
14,890,611 7,720,950 6,493,817 3,723,196 10,138,699 1,900,977 3,079,921 3,952,011 2,000,640 2,739,493 1,239,019 1,601,025 3,704,215 1,168,516 1,041,501 1,148,845 1,173,609 3,464,766 4,539,108 1,209,708 134,000 1,170,988 862,800 659,101 897,258 1,213,810 1,393,692 2,842,501 294,311 1,000,250 673,282 1,070,587 593,500 3,387,288 744,267 1,107,923 94,976,183
437,463 212,625 167,034 130,586 113,599 83,644 76,829 70,541 62,236 52,177 41,047 136,510 42,220 36,888 36,743 29,947 34,553 47,095 32,813 23,948 32,066 25,069 28,873 26,576 29,444 25,309 27,408 24,879 25,414 20,655 20,451 22,800 22,827 18,971 17,730 10,210 52,144
▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
Up/ down
Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
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Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Haydock Park Sandown Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Doncaster Chepstow Newcastle Kelso Cartmel Perth Stratford-on-Avon Ludlow Musselburgh Wincanton Market Rasen Newton Abbot Wetherby Taunton Warwick Uttoxeter Hereford Huntingdon Fakenham Ffos Las Bangor-On-Dee Exeter Carlisle Hexham Worcester Lingfield Park Fontwell Park Sedgefield Southwell Leicester Plumpton Towcester Catterick Bridge Total
Ownership
Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)
Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)
Avg owner spend per fixture (£)
Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)
Total no. of fixtures
Total prize-money (£)
Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2015-16 (£)
JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I ARC ARC ARC I I I I I I JCR JCR I I I JCR ARC ARC JCR I I I JCR JCR I ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC I I I I
265,466 243,494 140,894 106,933 100,415 54,522 51,678 38,475 37,803 34,619 34,193 34,174 30,773 30,124 29,668 29,163 27,779 27,778 27,572 27,081 26,604 25,937 24,948 24,758 24,651 24,074 23,735 23,414 22,736 21,769 20,539 20,498 20,011 19,792 18,986 18,081 18,066 18,015 17,477 17,286 16,963 39,379
130,171 120,313 83,371 85,468 86,374 73,015 58,751 28,576 44,236 38,344 31,840 28,373 19,406 22,906 19,553 29,243 36,476 33,568 25,493 29,765 27,479 24,447 31,238 25,067 15,665 21,699 25,263 17,227 17,018 28,657 24,877 16,474 20,019 24,616 20,809 19,936 18,157 32,862 25,372 21,117 23,981 33,522
70,317 66,263 19,950 19,471 15,845 18,771 9,812 9,246 7,926 10,023 5,666 3,347 4,398 3,519 3,912 4,737 4,533 5,387 4,497 0 4,920 5,587 5,530 5,838 4,594 4,278 0 4,367 4,667 5,140 4,630 2,972 3,786 4,165 3,448 3,066 3,599 5,069 3,685 3,620 2,487 8,099
466,767 430,070 244,215 217,072 204,633 148,127 120,856 76,450 90,381 82,985 72,635 66,359 54,576 56,549 53,494 63,143 69,725 66,733 58,244 56,846 59,003 55,993 62,621 55,876 45,559 50,348 48,998 45,008 45,254 55,565 51,228 39,944 43,816 48,572 43,244 41,204 39,821 55,946 46,534 42,232 43,598 81,368
8 16 7 8 9 11 13 15 12 15 11 14 9 16 18 16 11 15 22 16 17 14 18 25 10 16 10 15 15 16 11 15 18 8 23 19 18 10 16 11 9 576
3,734,133 6,881,115 1,709,502 1,628,038 1,841,701 1,629,392 1,571,129 1,146,751 1,084,574 1,244,778 798,990 929,025 491,185 904,790 962,897 1,010,285 766,972 1,000,989 1,281,373 909,532 1,003,053 783,905 1,127,182 1,396,889 455,595 805,565 489,976 675,118 678,816 889,048 563,512 599,162 788,679 388,577 994,606 782,885 716,784 559,463 744,538 464,555 392,380 46,827,436
249,064 235,323 139,862 85,135 94,827 27,808 48,608 41,260 30,154 29,800 24,023 33,371 30,843 56,101 28,778 48,608 15,855 28,588 18,171 23,094 24,976 22,635 20,074 21,650 0 20,276 22,971 16,838 21,742 19,528 19,976 17,065 16,870 33,371 17,595 14,962 17,371 20,276 14,186 13,936 15,689 37,314
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EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prizemoney: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period. The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors. If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow. As these tables are based on the prize-money paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.
OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses
ARC Arena Racing Company
I Independently owned racecourse Gold Standard Award
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LUDLOW RACE CLUB OWNERS’ INFORMATION 2017/2018 Bromfield, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 2BT • Tel: 01584 856221 Fax: 01584 856217 (Racedays only) • Fax: 01981 580181 (non-Racedays) Email: mail@ludlowracecourse.co.uk Follow us on Twitter at: Ludlow Racecourse@LudlowRaceClub FURTHER INFORMATION Website www.ludlowracecourse.co.uk General Manager/Club Secretary: Bob Davies • Mobile: 07970 861533 Clerk of the Course: Simon Sherwood • Mobile: 07836 215639 Table Reservations and Boxes: Diane Thomas • Mobile: 07791 637259
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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members
ollowing the success of the National Hunt Stallion Day held in conjunction with Goffs UK at its Doncaster sales complex on the first day of the January Sale this year, it has been decided by the TBA National Hunt Committee to discontinue the stallion parade held at Cheltenham Racecourse at the November Meeting. The new format of the National Hunt Stallion Day instead allows breeders to view the horses close up, something which members had previously remarked that they were unable to do with the old format. Continuing the viewings throughout the first day allows for a relaxed setting to discuss mating plans with the stallion masters. The TBA will still maintain a presence at Cheltenham on Countryside Day, which this year is Friday, November 17, and members will be able to gain entry to the course by producing a membership card at the owners’ and trainers’ desk at the North or Hall of Fame entrances. If you wish to purchase additional badges for the day, they can be bought at the advanced rate of £25 per person by contacting the ticket hotline on 0344 5793003 until Monday, November 6. Members and their guests are welcome to
SARAH FARNSWORTH
TBA NH Stallion Parade is changing F
The NH Stallion Day held at the Goffs UK January Sale was popular with breeders
visit the TBA marquee situated in the tented village, where there will be a cash bar and light refreshments available. The popular silent auction of stallion nominations will open at Cheltenham on Countryside Day and close at the Goffs UK Stallion Day, which will
TBA supporting longer distance race opportunities for fillies The TBA is supporting three handicaps in the flat race calendar in 2017 as part of its commitment to promote opportunities for fillies and the staying race programme. The first of the TBA Centenary Fillies’ Handicaps was run on the July Course at
Newmarket on Friday, August 25. The 14furlong event was won by the John Mackie-trained Fire Jet, who held on by a neck to runner-up Melinoe. The handicap was the four-year-old’s fourth career win and second at this distance.
Julian Richmond-Watson with the owners of Fire Jet
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be held during the January Sale. Further details of the day will be announced nearer the time. Members can place bids in person on both days, or contact the TBA office to place bids between the two events. For more information, please contact the TBA office on 01638 661321.
TBA £25,000 BONUS ON FINALS’ DAY The last day of the 2017 EBF Breeders’ Fillies’ Series is on Saturday, October 7 at Newmarket racecourse. Fillies that have won or been placed in a series race earlier in the year could potentially qualify for the £25,000 TBA Bonus. Owner of eligible fillies can claim the bonus, in the form of a stallion nomination voucher, if they go on to win one of the EBF series finals on the day (terms and conditions apply). The bonus aims to incentivise owners to retain their proven fillies for a future stud career and for them to use British-based stallions.
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Racing Foundation funds one-day course for Northern members The TBA and National Stud joined forces in September to offer a one-day course held at York Racecourse, which aimed to update breeders’ knowledge on popular key subjects. The course was funded by the Racing Foundation under its proactive funding initiative aimed at providing accessible learning and training opportunities for stud and stable staff, to encourage professional development across the whole industry. Louise Jones of Connolly’s Red Mills provided a vast amount of information on ‘Feeding youngstock for correct growth and development’, starting with foetal growth in the mare and moving on through colostrum and milk, to creep feeding and feeding weaned foals and yearlings. She also examined the growth of bone and dietary risks for Developmental Orthopaedic Disease, providing practical feeding tips to manage these risks. Farrier Sam
Beeley addressed ‘Limb deformities in the thoroughbred foal’, offering a fascinating insight into the causes and treatment for contracted and flaccid tendons, windswept foals and angular limb deformities, emphasising the importance of careful visual examination from ground level and early recognition of problems before deviations become too set. Veterinary surgeon Charles Cooke (Equine Reproductive Services) then took the floor, first covering ‘The principles of foaling’, in which he reminded delegates of the normal foaling and then moved on to cover some key foaling problems that must be identified promptly for the best outcome. A lunch break allowed delegates to catch up with one another before the second session when Charlie dealt with ‘The neonatal foal: common problems and diseases’, where he reminded delegates of the
normal parameters for a healthy foal and then moved on to some of the common problems which can be better dealt with if identified and addressed as early as possible. Thirty-three delegates attended the day, and appreciated the opportunity to attend a local course with excellent speakers who were generous in passing on the latest information on a range of important topics.
Charles Cooke from Equine Reproductive Services discusses the key aspects of foaling
Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Island Sound wins RoR/TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge Final 2017 The final of the RoR/TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge Series at Aintree on Friday, August 25 was won by the Jane Gough Roberts-ridden Island Sound. The finalists completed the three-phase class – show jumping, ridden showing, in-hand showing – at the purpose-built Aintree Equestrian Centre as part of the 2017 RoR National Championships. Points were assigned for each phase of the class with the final decision made by judges Lady Derby, Stuart MacTaggart and Karen Redfearn. Island Sound was a popular winner among the crowd and had competed at the Dublin Horse Show two weeks prior to the final. The gelding qualified for the final in an RoR/TBA series class at the 2017 Royal Welsh Show. 2017 Championship Results: 1st Island Sound 2nd Danetime Panther THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Nominations are now open for the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards which are generously sponsored by Godolphin. More than £120,000 in prizemoney is offered by Godolphin and the winners and runners-up will be revealed during an evening awards ceremony held in London at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London.
The award categories are: David Nicholson Newcomer Award – open to stud and stable staff who have been employed less than three years within the industry and have progressed their skills and knowledge to become an integral part of the team Leadership Award – open to stud and stable staff carrying out a leadership or supervisory role who have displayed leadership qualities, a desire to succeed and strong mentoring skills. Stud Staff Award – open to all stud employees who have shown expertise, dedication and reliability, excellent horsemanship and ability to work in a team. Rider/groom Award – open to all stable staff who have shown talent for
horsemanship, consistency and reliability in and out of the saddle and have achieved something outstanding in the 2017 season. Dedication to Racing Award – for all stud and stable staff who have served a minimum of 15 years in the industry, are an integral part of the team and offer a wealth of experience and knowledge, and a love of the job. Rory MacDonald Community Award – for any individual connected directly or indirectly with racing, who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the racing industry for the greater good of the sport. Stud Staff Award Winner and Employee of the Year Award in 2017 was Terry Doherty, Stud Manager at Watership Down Stud, a great win for the breeding industry. It is very simple to nominate someone for the Awards, and there is still plenty of time to do so - nominations will close at 5pm on Tuesday 21 November 2017. For further information and to nominate on line or download a nomination form go to: https://www.studandstablestaffawards.c o.uk/ where you can find out more and nominate online.
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Memorable TBA Regional Day visit to Grange Hill Stables and Batsford Stud Grange Hill Stables, the home of Nigel Twiston-Davies, is nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds in picture-postcard countryside at Naunton. Our members met on a slightly chilly and overcast early autumn morning and were greeted by Nigel and the team with refreshments on arrival. We were welcomed with hot drinks and pastries and, for those who weren’t driving, a warming glass of port. Nigel has had many successes at Aintree and Cheltenham and has the rare distinction of having won the Grand National twice. His success in National Hunt racing is well documented and his two sons, Sam and Willy, have inherited their father’s love of the sport, albeit from the saddle, both carving out successful careers as jockeys. On the gallops we were introduced to each of the horses individually as they made their way down the hill, towards the start of the steep gallop disappearing into the distance. Among the talented group on show were Flying Angel, Bristol de Mai, top staying hurdler Ballyoptic, Benbens (third in the Scottish Grand National), Ballykan, Calett Mad, Scotchtown (winner of novice hurdles last season), Ballyandy and Blaklion. With the Cotswold hills creating a glorious backdrop, TBA members lined up on either side of the all-weather track to watch the final lot of the morning take on the steep gallop before heading over to the stables to meet the horses and staff. It was immediately apparent how relaxed and happy the horses are in this environment and how well cared-for they are by staff at the yard. Despite our large group walking through the barns, each horse took it in its stride and seemed to enjoy the attention. After Grange Hill Farm we headed to the Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power for a delicious roast lunch before moving on to Batsford Stud at Moreton-in-Marsh. One
Grade 1 winners Ballyandy and Blaklion were among the top-class horses on display
cannot fail to be impressed when approaching Batsford Stud and Alan Varey welcomed members in front of the beautiful Cotswold stone stable yard with views down over the paddocks. Through the archway is a stunning yard complete with huge Victorian columns and to one side a beautiful old stable block with many original features which is in the process of being renovated. Members were invited to watch a parade of resident stallions Native Ruler, Haafhd and Passing Glance. Native Ruler, a son of the Oaks winner Love Divine, retired early from racing due to injury and has covered 20 mares this year. The loss of an eye has not presented any problems for Haafhd and newest to the roster, Passing Glance, who relocated from Pitchall Farm for 2017, has covered 30 mares this year. Alan answered members’ questions and we were invited to
meet the mares and foals in the paddocks below the yard who were enjoying themselves in the warm afternoon sunshine. Our group was then treated to a delicious afternoon tea with homemade cakes in a marquee on the lawns in front of the yard to finish off what we all agreed had been a very enjoyable day. The TBA would like to thank Nigel Twiston-Davies and the team at Grange Hill Stables, and Alan Varey and the staff at Batsford Stud who helped to provide a wonderful day out for our members.
The picturesque Batsford Stud hosted members during the afternoon
Members wander among paddocks of mares and foals at Batsford Stud
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Enjoying the pastries on our first stop
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Alice Thurtle reflects on her TBA placement I have recently joined the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association as part of the BHA Graduate Development Programme. The programme consists of a two-week residential course in Newmarket which includes trips, lectures and guest speakers from all aspects of the industry. This is then followed by an eight-week placement at one of a variety of organisation within the industry. My time at the TBA has been split between a number of different projects. I have been working on the #ThisFillyCan campaign, which aims to encourage the ownership of fillies and increase their value and opportunities through social media, PR and editorial work. It is something I feel very passionate about and have recently spent time at the Goffs UK Premier and Silver Yearling Sales, which was a great opportunity to promote the campaign. It was also encouraging to see that the average price of fillies had risen by 14% since 2016. I have also had the opportunity to write a number of articles and blogs, most recently a piece on Heartache, whose win in the Queen Mary Stakes was one of my most memorable moments of this year’s Royal Ascot. This is an area I have had relatively little experience in but am enjoying immensely and will definitely be something I would like to pursue in the future. I’ve spent time with Caroline Turnbull on recruitment and careers within the industry, which has included working on online video material, assisting with the organisation of the TBA Stud Farming
Alice joined the TBA team under the BHA Graduate Development Programme
Course and attending a number of careers fairs at colleges to promote careers in the industry. Due to the current staffing issues facing racing, I find this work extremely rewarding and am really enjoying encouraging people to work in such an exciting and diverse industry. I have also had the opportunity to help TBA Chief Executive Claire Sheppard with her work on the Breeding Strategy Group, which is working to identify and address the complex issues currently facing breeders. I feel very lucky to be involved in such a crucial project and it is a great way for me to increase my understanding of the industry. This has included writing and
presenting a report on incentive schemes available both in the UK and internationally – many of which I had never come across, such as the Ontario Mare Purchase Scheme. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with the TBA and would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome. I would recommend that anyone with an interest in pursuing a career within the industry should apply for the BHA Graduate Programme. It’s a great way of exploring different areas, issues and opportunities within the industry – and you’ll make some great friends too!
Looking forward to the annual Stud Farming Course There is still time to book yourself or a member of staff on to the TBA Stud Farming Course which takes place at the British Racing School in Newmarket from December 12 to 14.
The course offers a great opportunity to refresh and expand your knowledge on a range of core stud management topics, including mare and stallion management, grassland management, parasite and disease
control, care of young stock and sales production. There is also the chance to meet and exchange ideas with other breeders from around the country and overseas. The course fee of £395 for members, or £495 for non-members, includes dinner on the first night, lunch and refreshments for all three days and the external visits. For further information, please contact Melissa Parris at the TBA on 01638 661321 or email melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk. Delegates on the 2016 Course were treated to a tour of Cheveley Park Stud and its stallions
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: a selection of features from the TBA’s first 100 years
DAVID GIBSON THE TBA, with its band of dedicated board members and a professional team of executives working out of the head office in Stanstead House, was not always the slick operation it is now. David Gibson, who was Chairman from 1983-86 and president from 1991-96, recalls: “I first got involved in the early-1970s, when dear old Lady Halifax was chairman, and council meetings, which were held in London, had to finish by 1pm so that one particular member could get to White’s. “Of course, everyone on the board in those days was pretty grand, until they brought on people like James Delahooke and me, who were running their stallion studs more commercially.” Famously described in an Ivor Herbert feature for Pacemaker as “a modern man with the force of an old-time boxer, of the cleft and jutting jaw, the pug nose looking knocked upwards, heavy beetling brows and dark eyes,” former Barleythorpe Stud manager Gibson adds: “When I took over as chairman, there was Sam Sheppard, the secretary, Jane Orde-Powlett, who looked after the admin, and me. There wasn’t enough money to pay for Jane’s time, so she became an auxiliary of Barleythorpe to make everything function properly. But it was a wonderful atmosphere.” Gibson remained cost-conscious in his role as president, noting that while negotiations on VAT relief were being conducted, he asked for meetings to start at 11am, so that he could travel from Oakham to London on a reduced-priced ticket. “Stoker Hartington, the chairman of BHB, had probably never met anyone who used a cheap day return!” he says. The effort paid off, since Sir John Cope,
David Gibson, the TBA Chairman from 1983 to 1986
paymaster general in John Major’s government, introduced the VAT registration scheme for racehorse owners, which was announced in the Budget on 16 March 1993. Negotiations, which also included the HAC chairman Sir Nevil Macready, had their moments, Gibson recalls. “When the agreement was announced, it was a big surprise, and a bigger one than we expected. Long may it continue to be so, since the scheme is worth at least £20 million a year.” Gibson, who during his chairmanship served on a committee of inquiry into the future of the National Stud led by Sir John Sparrow, concedes he was not so successful in persuading a subsequent Levy Board chairman, Rob Hughes, to discuss his ideas
for relocating a number of facilities, including the British Racing School and the BHA, to the stud, making Newmarket the centre of British racing. Nor did Gibson’s faith in certain individuals pay off when the BHB was created in 1993 and he believed he had an assurance that the TBA would have significant influence, if not a direct seat. “I was looking to have someone there who would work in the best interests of racing and report to us but it didn’t happen,” he says. “Then the BHB changed its rules, and the year after I’d finished as president Nigel Elwes came in as TBA chairman and took a seat on the board. I’m still not sure that following the lead of the others and becoming political was the right thing to do at that time.”
The ‘Red Book’ explained at breeding industry Health and Safety Seminar For anyone keen to understand health and safety requirements for studs and racing yards, there will be a seminar at the British Racing School on Wednesday, December 15. This one-day course aims to explain the industry guide to health and safety, commonly known as the ‘Red Book’. It will include practical risk assessment exercises, as well as covering essential health and safety law, insurance and risk
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management. The day will provide you with what you need to know to manage health and safety in the workplace. Further information is available from di.farrellthomas@brs.org.uk or call 01638 675907. The seminar is delivered by the TBA’s Health and Safety advisor Tony Payne and costs £48, which includes a sandwich lunch. A certificate of attendance will be supplied. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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East Regional Day at Freemason Lodge and Palace House
TBA diary dates SATURDAY OCTOBER, 7 EBF Breeders’ Fillies’ Series Finals including TBA £25k bonus At Newmarket
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 TBA Small Breeders’ Conditions Race At Leicester
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18 TBA Centenary Fillies’ Handicap At Nottingham
TUESDAY, 12 – THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER TBA Stud Farming Course At British Racing School, Newmarket
Members gather on the famous Al Bahathri gallop to watch Sir Michael Stoute’s string
The TBA was very excited to be offered the opportunity to visit Sir Michael Stoute’s stables at Freemason Lodge on September 7. Assistant trainer James Horton and racing secretary Stephanie Snell welcomed members with refreshments under blue skies in the front of the yard. Members were invited to watch the third lot in the trotting ring, with James Horton on hand to talk to members while they watched the horses warm up in the ring ready to go up to the Al Bahathri gallop. Jumping into shared vehicles we accompanied the string along the Bury Road through the tunnel of trees towards the Al Bahathri. Included among the horses at exercise were Allied (Dawn Approach-Mambo Halo) Beachwalk (Showcasing-Esplanade), Ehmaj (Empire Maker-Upward Spiral) Mottaham (Siyouni-Moune), Red Striker (Sea The Stars-Coolree Marj), Tahreek (DansiliRifqah), Aim Of Artemis (Leroidesanimaux-Justlookdontouch), Crystal Hope (Nathaniel-Crystal Etoile), Desert Breeze
(Dubawi-Galatee), Floria Tosca (ShamardalIslington), Procedure (Invincible Spirit-Clinical), and Stuart Sympathy (Declaration of War-Scottish Stage). After the horses had worked, it was great to have the opportunity to see them again in the warmdown ring before heading back to the yard. This is a busy time of year for flat racing and our visit coincided with the preparation of travelling various horses to prestigious race meetings, for example Dartmouth in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh. From Freemason Lodge, we headed into the centre of Newmarket to Palace House Mews opposite the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Arts for lunch. A small group of members then enjoyed a guided tour of the museum, which was a finalist for the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year. We are very grateful for having the opportunity to glimpse this renowned yard and our thanks go to all at Freemason Lodge for sparing their time to host our group.
NEW MEMBERS: Ms Rose Armstrong, Northamptonshire Mr Stuart Thom, Hertfordshire Mrs P Jeannette McCreery, Somerset Miss Kate Sigsworth, North Yorkshire Miss Fiona Thompson, France Ms Patricia Davies, Monmouthshire Mr Andrew Caygill, West Yorkshire
Breeders’ badges We would like to remind you that the following racecourses have offered badges for TBA members who have bred a runner at the following meetings in October on presentation of your Racecourse PASS card:
Newmarket Racecourse: Badges for any meeting remaining in the calendar including Dubai Future Champions Festival on October 13 and 14 at the Rowley Mile.
Ascot Racecourse: Badges for all meetings including Qipco British Champions Day on Saturday, October 21. If you do not have a Racecourse PASS card please email details of the race entered, horse’s name and breeder’s details to Annette Bell (Annette.bell@thetba.co.uk). Badges will only be offered if the horse is declared to run. If you would like to apply for a Racecourse PASS card please call the TBA office for an application form (01638 661321). Assistant trainer James Horton talks members through the horses on show
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M E E T
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T H E
B O A R D
with Peter Mendham Tell us about yourself. What do you do in your professional life?
In terms of breeding/bloodstock, what has been your best/favourite moment?
I have been a VAT consultant for most of my working life – with a particular focus on matters relating to the bloodstock industry.
As I have already hinted, my involvement in breeding has been devoid of any highlights so I suppose the best moment would have to be winning the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot with our horse Chiberta King (although sadly I was not present!).
What is your background in breeding/racing? I have owned racehorses for 30 years and at various times have also been involved in breeding (very unsuccessfully) and in pinhooking (reasonably successfully). All of these ventures have been in partnership with a small number of friends and I still feel that this is a great way to get involved in the industry.
What made you want to join the TBA Board and what are your specific areas of interest? When I first got involved with the industry in the early 1980s, my perception as an outsider was that the TBA was (rightfully) considered one of the key players in the industry. Over time that appeared to be less the case. When I was asked to consider going on the board I knew from speaking to existing board members that their objective was to make sure that the views of the TBA were heard and respected and I welcomed the chance to do my bit to try and achieve that objective. I was also in a position where I could devote the time required to fulfil the requirements of being a board member. In terms of my areas of responsibility, I oversee the finance and legal side of the business but also as a relative outsider I can offer a different perspective to the debate around the board table. I currently also sit as a board member of Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder and am a trustee of the British European Breeders Fund. Whilst it has involved far more of my time than I anticipated I have thoroughly enjoyed working with some really talented and hugely enthusiastic people – especially the staff at Stanstead House.
What race would you most like to win as a breeder and why?
Peter Mendham: Brexit the big challenge
in a very difficult place if we cannot retain the facility provided by the tripartite agreement whereby horses can move freely around Europe. One would hope that the fact that retaining this facility would benefit all concerned in the EU and the UK would ensure that we could retain the status quo but I suspect there is much work to do to get to that point. It is very reassuring that all the various European racing and breeding bodies are committed to maintaining this facility and are working closely together to maximise the impact of our arguments.
I have been lucky enough to be involved with a horse that was able to compete in the best long distance races that we have in the UK and I strongly believe that we must strengthen the programme for these distance horses. That will give us the opportunity to create equine stars that the public can relate to over a period of time rather than just for one or two seasons. For that reason it would have to be the Gold Cup at Ascot – although breeding the Melbourne Cup winner would be equally acceptable!
Where would you like the breeding industry to be in five years’ time? We have survived the challenges thrown at us by Brexit (if indeed it has been happened by then) and that the fillies and stayers initiatives that the TBA has been driving forward have been successful and that that success is being reflected in the prices these horses fetch at the sales.
What do you think is the biggest challenge(s) facing the breeding industry? And what are the solutions? In the short term Brexit is obviously a huge issue. Whilst I am reasonably confident that we can deal with the taxation and duty issues arising from the UK leaving the single market, the entire European breeding industry will be
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Chiberta King captures the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2013
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Down in Britain and Kiltinan Castle in Ireland. Stradivarius’s dam Private Life, who was bought for 70,000gns by Blandford Bloodstock at the 2006 Tattersalls December Mares’ Sale, has produced four black-type performers, including dual Group 3 winner Persian Storm. She hails from the famous Wildenstein family of Pawneese, Horse of the Year in England in 1976. This is also the family of Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.
Bjorn Nielsen This season’s three-year-old colts have found life difficult against the older horses with the Eclipse, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International all going the way of their elders. One notable exception was the Goodwood Cup, a Group 1 race for the first time, in which Stradivarius defeated the hat-trick seeking Gold Cup hero Big Orange, to become the first three-yearold to triumph in the historic race since 1990. The John Gosden-trained son of Sea the Stars had already made the leap from handicaps when prevailing in a tight finish to the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at in the first running of that race over one mile and six furlongs. Stradivarius is a homebred of New York-based Swede Bjorn Nielsen, a partner at Tudor Investment Corporation, an international hedge-fund business. His interest in racing was stimulated in South Africa when listening to the radio commentary of the legendary Sea Cottage dead-heat with Jollify in the 1967 Durban July Handicap. Stradivarius went on to finish a good third in a high-class renewal of the St Leger behind the Irish Derby winner Capri and Crystal Ocean. In recent years, Nielsen has made a substantial investment in British racing. In 2009, he purchased Kingsdown House and Stables in Upper Lambourn. Built in 1937 by Lord Sefton, the property was the base from 1955 for Peter Nelson, and it was here that he trained Snow Knight to win the 1974 Derby. At the end of last year, former Newmarket trainer Ed Walker relocated to the historic yard. Nielsen’s broodmares are boarded at the Lloyd Webbers’ studs, Watership
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GEORGE SELWYN
Bjorn Nielsen: breeder of Stradivarius
SPECIAL MERIT – AUGUST Lot 1136 in Book 2 of the forthcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, a chesnut filly by Showcasing out of Coplow from Stowell Hill Stud, was always likely to atttract interest, even as her pedigree appears on the catalogue page. After two major updates in August, she is certain to prove very popular indeed. Coplow’s first two foals, Billesdon Bess (by Dick Turpin) and Billesdon Brook (by Champs Elysees), are trained by Richard Hannon for Pall Mall Partners, a syndicate set up by the late Bob McCreery and which includes his widow Jeanette. On August 16, the three-year-old filly Billesdon Bess won the Listed Upavon Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury. Ten days later, it was the turn of her younger half-sister, Billesdon Brook, to add another Group winner to the prolific Anna Paola family when landing the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. Prospective purchasers of their yearling half-sister will have noted that she is by a more commercial sire in Showcasing. Coplow’s propensity to produce fillies continued this year when she foaled a filly by Sepoy. She was barren this season to Territories. Although she failed to win in eight starts, she is a half-sister to a pair of two-year-old Group winners in Middle Club and the ill-fated Piping Rock. Another half-sister, the Dubawi filly Anna Nerium, won a Group 3 race at Salisbury in September. Her dam, Anna Oleanda, was bought by McCreery for 45,000gns at the 2005 Tattersalls December Sale. A winner of two races in Germany, she was by the French and Irish Derby winner Old Vic, one of the best horses he bred. Among the others are 2,000 Guineas winner High Top and Moyglare Stud Stakes victrix Bianca Nera. The Stowell Hill operation continues under the guidance of stud manager David Ludlow. He will supervise a high-class draft of yearlings this autumn, which also includes a filly by Medaglia d’Oro out of Middle Club, Coplow’s Prix d’Aumale-winning half-sister, who is entered in Book 1 at Tattersalls this month.
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VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW By BELINDA ROSE MRCVS
Early pregnancy loss Risk factors and the abilities of therapeutics to minimise them
P
regnancy loss between gestational days 15 to 65 occurs in 7.9% of thoroughbred pregnancies. When we consider that just 6% of pregnancies are lost from day 65 onwards we can see the significance of the losses occurring during this short early period. Despite this, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying early pregnancy loss (EPL) is limited, with causes for loss diagnosed in only around 15% of cases. In order to improve our understanding of this condition, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association recently funded a PhD study specifically to investigate EPL. This was conducted at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. One of the main aims was to identify risk factors so that clinicians and stud staff may be better equipped to make evidence based decisions to minimise the occurrence of these early losses. Data on over 2,200 pregnancies was collected during the 2013 and 2014 breeding seasons from 29 stud farms in the Newmarket area. A limitation of many studies when attempting to elucidate risk factors associated with disease is that the majority of statistical tests are unable to differentiate between related factors. For example, the incidence of EPL is well known to increase as mare age increases. Maiden mares are often reported to have lower risks of EPL compared to previously foaled mares. However, maiden mares are also, for the most part, the youngest mares – so, does the EPL risk genuinely increase after a mare’s first pregnancy or is this merely a reflection of the lower age of maidens? To overcome this limitation an advanced
Almost 8% of mares suffer pregnancy loss between 15 and 65 days of gestation
statistical method known as multivariable modelling was utilised in this study. It allowed multiple factors to be entered into the analysis simultaneously and accounted for the relationship between factors so that the exact contribution each played could be accurately determined. In total, 30 factors were investigated with the following findings.
Embryonic size
Smaller embryos are at a higher risk of loss in the early days of a mare’s pregnancy
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The size of the early embryo, as determined by routine ultrasound examination, has previously been shown to be associated with EPL with smaller embryos at a higher risk of loss. However, the magnitude of this risk has not previously been quantified. We found for each centimetre increase in vesicle size at gestational day 15 or 16, the odds of EPL were reduced by nearly three quarters. It is possible intrinsic flaws within the oocyte (egg) or early embryo result in
smaller vesicle sizes and, hence, we are purely seeing a visual representation of an underlying defect. Conversely, it may be that a small yet healthy vesicle is less able to progress within the uterus. For example, before the development of a functional placenta, the embryo must derive its nutrition by absorbing uterine secretions known as histotrophs. It is plausible that a healthy, yet smaller embryo may be less capable of histotrophic nutrition absorption thereby compromising its ongoing survival.
Maternal age and reproductive status Mare age was, unsurprisingly, found to be related to the risk of pregnancy loss with the risk increasing by a factor of 1.1 per one year increase in mare age. Whilst this may not appear to be a hugely significant increase in itself, it results in a 16-year-old mare being over three times more THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Oct_158_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 22/09/2017 15:51 Page 105
likely to experience an EPL than a five-year-old mare. A series of experiments have been conducted by transferring embryos from young mares to the uteri of aged animals and vice versa. These have determined it to be intrinsic problems within the oocyte of older mares which are responsible for the failures rather than flaws within the uterus itself. This reflects the situation in women, where up to 90% of first trimester losses in women over 39 have been found to be caused by genetic errors within the egg. Given the increased risk associated with age and smaller embryo sizes, one may have speculated embryonic size reduced in correspondence with increasing mare age. We found no correlation between maternal age but, in fact, embryonic growth actually increased with the mare’s parity. There is known to be a direct correlation between parity and live foal weight, potentially due to improved blood flow to the uterus resulting from previous pregnancies. It is possible this is also enhancing growth in the early stages of embryonic growth. Interestingly, we also found there to be a significant increase in the risk of EPL following a mare’s first foaling. A mare with a single previous foal was three and a half times more likely than a maiden mare to lose the following pregnancy in the early stages. A loss of structural support and reduced elasticity of the reproductive tract following pregnancy is known to impact on the ability of the uterus to clear fluid and debris and this may result in a hostile uterine environment for the early embryo.
Multiple pregnancies There has been a modest increase in the occurrence of multiple pregnancies detected from 10.5% in 2002 to 16.1 % in 2013/14. It is reassuring, therefore, to have found that, providing it was managed accordingly, the risk of EPL was not affected by the presence of a twin pregnancy. Medications used in twin pregnancy management were also investigated. Flunixin (Finadyne®) inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandin F2, a hormone released from the lining of the uterus in a non-pregnant animal which breaks down the corpus luteum, destroying the source of progesterone and allowing the mare to cycle again. Flunixin is regularly used at the time of twin reduction with the aim to prevent the release of prostaglandin. Its use in around 60% of twin pregnancy reductions certainly appears warranted based on the findings from this study which identified its use to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss by nearly two thirds.
Ovulatory induction agents Ovulatory induction agents such as hCG and deslorelin (Chorulon® and Ovuplant® respectively) are hormonal treatments used to THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
development of resistance it may be, in mares with an absence of a clear need for aggressive antibiotic treatment, an innocuous intrauterine lavage may be a reasonable alternative.
Therapies during gestation
Inducing ovulation can reduce the risk of EPL by two thirds
stimulate release of the oocyte from the ovary for fertilisation. There has been in a sharp rise in the use of these treatments from 59.1% in 2002 to 91.8% in 2013/14. Given this substantial increase, it was encouraging to find that these drugs reduced the risk of EPL by two thirds. Studies have found their use can enhance the mare’s progesterone levels after fertilisation, increase the blood flow to the ovary and corpus luteum (the progesterone secreting area on the ovary arising following release of the oocyte and required for maintaining pregnancy) and result in improved early embryonic growth. Which of these mechanisms may be responsible for the reduction in EPL is unclear but it appears that they are capable of conferring additional benefits to the developing embryo other than purely allowing accurate timings of ovulations.
Covering therapies and endometritis Oxytocin, intrauterine antibiotics and uterine lavage are all used post cover to minimise the effects of intrauterine fluid accumulation and reduce the risk of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining). There has been a 93% increase in their use since 2002 and they are now utilised in 62% of mares. A transient inflammation post cover is a normal finding and problematic persistent post mating endometritis is only recognised to occur in 10 to 15% of pregnancies. It, therefore, appears that there may be a mismatch in the use of these therapies and the clinical findings detected. While their use is certainly warranted in certain mares, we found no relationship between the use of these medications and the risk of EPL. We did, however, find a beneficial effect of the use of intrauterine lavage on early embryonic growth. Again, we can only speculate at the reasons underpinning this finding, a dilution of inflammatory debris may result in improved histotroph uptake and a uterine environment better able to nurture a developing embryo. Given the current climate of encouraging judicious antibiotic use to minimise the
Just 0.6% of the pregnancies investigated were treated with buserelin (Receptal®) in early pregnancy resulting in too few numbers to allow statistical analysis. However, separate investigations have found a single dose on day eight to 12 of gestation significantly improves the success of ongoing pregnancies in the early stages by approximately 10%. Given this, it is perhaps surprising it is used so infrequently. The use of altrenogest (Regumate®), a synthetic progesterone, to support pregnancies is still contentious. Its use is certainly of benefit in mares in which there has been a failure of the corpus luteum and a subsequent decrease in progesterone. However, cases such as this are rare and the current study found no evidence to suggest it is of benefit in reducing the risk of loss or improving embryonic size in other circumstances.
Uterine cysts With the prevalence of uterine cysts increasing significantly in relation to mare age, early reports concluded that the presence of cysts had no effects on fertility once mare age had been accounted for. Recent findings, however, suggest otherwise. In agreement with a study in thoroughbreds conducted in Asia, we found a mare with uterine cysts was almost twice as likely to lose her pregnancy in the early stages than a mare without cysts. Mares with uterine cysts have been shown to have a reduced uterine blood flow and it is also thought cysts may interfere with the attachment of the embryo to the uterus and the development of the placenta. The effect of the location, size and number of the cystic structures likely also plays a role in their significance and future studies are required to better assess these variables so as to allow clinicians to make more accurate prognostic evaluations. In the meantime, treatment certainly seems justified in mares with large or numerous cysts or a poor reproductive history.
Conclusion Findings from this study will allow us to direct ongoing research so that we may be able to continue to uncover the reasons for EPL and how we can best act to prevent it. In the meantime, it is hoped by taking into account the factors associated with EPL we can begin to estimate more accurately the anticipated risks of loss in individual mares or populations and make well reasoned decisions regarding the use of therapeutic agents and treatments to optimise broodmare management.
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DR STAT JOHN BOYCE CRACKS THE CODE
Different strokes to move the world Variety of ways to measure success but all the sires that make this table are top notch
W
hen trying to weigh up a sire’s standing among his peers, it’s not unusual to come across two pieces of evidence that seem to contradict one another. One set of figures suggests that a sire is good, while another makes you question your original assessment. That’s the nature of statistical measurements and indeed it is how stallions often perform. In our table this month, we are running the rule over the best active British and Irish sires. They are ranked by the average Timeform rating of their top ten runners, but I have also included their ratios of black-type winners. To qualify for inclusion each top ten score must be weighted to reflect the number of years they have been at stud. The reason is that any hierarchy of stallions must be linked to their ability to sire excellent racehorses. The Timeform top ten average is one of the best methods for this. After all, football teams are not judged on the number of shots on goal they have, as useful as this stat might be, but how many goals they score. Some of our measures in the breeding industry are a bit like shots on goal. Trying to assess the very best sires by looking at their winners-to-runners ratios – a perfectly useful measure in the right circumstances – is not very useful for many reasons. Even using a far higher standard such as black-type horses to runners has its pitfalls. No, ultimately sires need to be judged by the highest standards. That said, even when we employ the highest standards, there are still many unknowns. Going back to our football analogy, how do we account for the fact that one team played with half the number of players, or played towards a goal that was much narrower than their opposition’s? Stallions cover a wide variety of mares, the expensive ones getting the best prospects, the cheaper ones the rest. So all stallion numbers are to some extent a function of the quality of mares they covered. Included in our table is a column denoted ‘Pace’. Because our top ten average naturally favours sires that have enjoyed longer careers, I have introduced the ‘Pace’ number, which plots where a top-ten sire should be after every year of his career. For instance, Galileo’s top ten Timeform-rated runners are 8.9lb ahead of the average for the top ten sires for the past 25years. The bar for Galileo is much higher than for Frankel. Contrasting a stallion’s ratio of black-type winners with his top-ten Timeform average using the Pace figure gives much more clarity on how certain sires work.
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LEADING ACTIVE UK-IRE SIRES BY AVERAGE TIMEFORM RATING OF TOP TEN RUNNERS Sire
Rnrs
Wnrs
%WR
AWD
BTW
%BTW
T10
Pace
Galileo
1,409
940
66.7
11.0
229
16.3
132.3
8.9
Dubawi
742
547
73.7
9.2
114
15.4
127.5
4.1
Dansili
999
713
71.4
9.5
123
12.3
127.4
4.0
Pivotal
1,196
871
72.8
7.9
135
11.3
126.5
2.0
Invincible Spirit
1,127
778
69.0
7.4
93
8.3
125.9
2.5
Oasis Dream
979
666
68.0
7.7
106
10.8
125.0
1.6
Shamardal
790
564
71.4
8.1
85
10.8
124.2
0.8
Sea The Stars
303
209
69.0
10.5
43
14.2
124.1
3.9
Dark Angel
582
354
60.8
7.8
38
6.5
124.1
1.8
Kyllachy
837
505
60.3
6.8
30
3.6
122.6
(0.8)
Rock Of Gibraltar
1,112
681
61.2
8.7
75
6.7
122.2
(1.2)
Medicean
816
501
61.4
8.9
44
5.4
121.9
(1.5)
Teofilo
563
349
62.0
10.1
60
10.7
121.4
(0.9)
Acclamation
921
590
64.1
7.1
46
5.0
121.3
(2.1)
Holy Roman Emperor
749
491
65.6
8.1
48
6.4
121.0
(1.6)
Exceed And Excel
840
559
66.5
6.9
58
6.9
120.6
(2.8)
Nayef
536
327
61.0
9.6
27
5.0
120.3
(3.1)
Dutch Art
481
301
62.6
7.6
27
5.6
120.0
(2.3)
New Approach
381
229
60.1
9.7
25
6.6
119.7
(1.3)
Iffraaj
592
365
61.7
8.2
31
5.2
119.6
(3.0)
Mastercraftsman
431
225
52.2
10.1
27
6.3
117.9
(2.3)
Lope de Vega
239
154
64.4
8.4
23
9.6
117.4
(1.6)
Frankel
100
52
52.0
9.1
14
14.0
117.1
3.9
Nathaniel
110
43
39.1
11.1
3
2.7
110.0
(3.2)
Consider, for example, Kyllachy. Prior to his recent retirement, I’d have been encouraged to use him on the basis of his top-ten Timeform score, which places him just outside the top ten active sires, than I would based on his ratio of
Teofilo: high ratio of black type winners
black-type winners. Or if I wanted the best chance of getting a black-type winner with the possibility of Classic success, all at a reasonable price, I’d choose Teofilo, whose ratio of blacktype winners ranks him much higher than his top-ten average Timeform rating. Of course, most of the very good sires score well on all counts. Galileo leads every category, except for winners-to-runners, which goes to Dubawi, who is second by all other measures. Frankel has just crept on to the table with a topten average Timeform rating of 117.1, but his 14% black-type winners places him in the top four, while his Pace number has him in jointfourth with Sea The Stars. And it is these young sires that are more likely to make bigger gains. Frankel has three months more until the end of his second year and his first set of three-yearolds are still open to improvement, as are his second crop of juveniles. Although only ten of the sires on the table are meeting or surpassing the Pace standard, it should be borne in mind that it is a very high standard where a sire needs to be among the top ten in a 20-year period. So great credit must go to all sires on our table. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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DATA BOOK ANALYSIS BY ANDREW CAULFIELD
European Pattern 224 LONGINES GROSSER PREIS VON BERLIN G1 BERLIN-HOPPEGARTEN. Aug 13. 3yo+. 2400m.
1. DSCHINGIS SECRET (GER) 4 9-6 £94,017 b c by Soldier Hollow - Divya (Platini) O-Horst Pudwill B-Gestut Park Wiedingen TR-Markus Klug 2. Hawkbill (USA) 4 9-6 £34,188 ch c by Kitten’s Joy - Trensa (Giant’s Causeway) O-Godolphin B-Helen K. Groves Revokable Trust TR-Charlie Appleby 3. Racing History (IRE) 5 9-6 £12,821 b h by Pivotal - Gonbarda (Lando) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-Saeed bin Suroor Margins 1, 3.5. Time 2:32.89. Going Good. Age 2-4
Starts 12
Wins 5
Places 4
Earned £254,566
Sire: SOLDIER HOLLOW. Sire of 25 Stakes winners. In 2017 - DSCHINGIS SECRET Platini G1, OUR IVANHOWE Sternkoenig G1, DALLAS AFFAIR Lando LR, FOSUN Silver Hawk LR. 1st Dam: DIVYA by Platini. 3 wins at 4 and 5 in Germany. Own sister to DEVA. Dam of 2 winners: 2013: DSCHINGIS SECRET (c Soldier Hollow) Sold 158,730gns yearling at BBAGS. 4 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany, Italy, Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin G1, Gerling Preis G2, pferdewetten.de Grosser Hansa Preis G2, Premio St Leger Italiano G3, 3rd IDEE Deutsches Derby G1, Oppenheim UnionRennen G2, G.P. Hannoverschen Volksbank Derby Trial LR. 2014: Diana Storm (f Soldier Hollow) Winner at 3 in Germany, 2nd Mitglieder des Hamburger Stuten Preis G3. 2015: Destino (c Soldier Hollow) unraced to date. 2016: (c Soldier Hollow) 2nd Dam: DIANA’S QUEST by Rainbow Quest. 1 win at 3 in Germany. Dam of DEVA (f Platini: Premio Paolo Mezzanotte G3, Baden-Wurttemberg-Trophy G3), DRAGON FLY (g Acatenango: Grosser Canon-Preis 3 LR), DUKE D’ALBA (c Monsun: Badener Steher Cup LR, Grosser Tenovis Preis-Langer Hamburger LR, 3rd Betty Barclay Rennen G3). Grandam of DEVASTAR, Dagostino. Third dam of DHABA. Broodmare Sire: PLATINI. Sire of the dams of 28 Stakes winners. The Soldier Hollow/Platini cross has produced: DSCHINGIS SECRET G1, Diana Storm G2, KOFFI ANGEL LR.
DSCHINGIS SECRET b c 2013 Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Shirley Heights High Hawk Sunbittern SOLDIER HOLLOW b 00 Common Grounds Kris Sweetly Island Race Caerleon Lake Isle Inisfree Literat Surumu Surama Platini Stanford Prairie Darling Prairie Belle DIVYA b 06 Blushing Groom Rainbow Quest I Will Follow Diana’s Quest Northern Dancer Diana Dance Deceit Sadler’s Wells
In The Wings
Helmut von Fink made a shrewd investment back in 1987 when he paid $410,000 for Diana Dance, a Northern Dancer filly from the legendary Windfields Farm. The filly’s dam, Deceit, had been a first-rate racemare, with the Acorn and Mother Goose Stakes among her numerous stakes successes. She has also enjoyed broodmare success with sons of Northern Dancer, producing Deceit Dancer, a champion two-year-old filly in Canada, to Vice Regent and the Gr3 winner Nagurski to Nijinsky. Diana Dance added to Deceit’s good record by becoming a Group
108
winner over 2,100 metres, in addition to being placed in both the German 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. Unfortunately, Diana Dance produced only two foals but one of them was a filly by Rainbow Quest. Named Diana’s Quest, she failed to earn black type but developed into a fine broodmare, producing stakes winners to Acatenango, Monsun and Platini. It was her Platini filly Deva who did best, becoming a Gr3 winner over middle distances in Germany and Italy as a five-year-old. Deva now ranks as the dam and second dam of German Group winners by Areion and her winning sister Divya is also doing well. Divya has two Group performers by Germany’s champion sire Soldier Hollow, including Dschingis Secret. A close third behind Isfahan and Savoir Vivre in the 2016 Deutsches Derby, Dschingis Secret ended his three-year-old season with an easy victory on soft ground in the Gr3 St Leger Italiano. He has improved from three to four, to the extent that he has won a pair of Gr2s and now the Gr1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, at the main expense of Hawkbill. His victory made him the third Gr1-winning son of Soldier Hollow, following Pastorius (Deutsches Derby and Prix Ganay) and Ivanhowe (a Gr1 winner in Germany and Australia who is to commence stallion duties in France). 225 KEENELAND PHOENIX STAKES G1 CURRAGH. Aug 13. 2yoc&f. 6f.
1. SIOUX NATION (USA) 9-3 £121,795 b c by Scat Daddy - Dream The Blues (Oasis Dream) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Fethard Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Beckford (GB) 9-3 £40,598 b c by Bated Breath - Whirly Dancer (Danehill Dancer) O-Newtown Anner Stud Farm B-Mrs J. E. Wallsgrove TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Actress (IRE) 9-0 £19,231 b f by Declaration of War - Nasty Storm (Gulch) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Lynch Bages Ltd TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 0.5, 1.5. Time 1:11.72. Going Good to Firm. Age 2
Starts 6
Wins 3
Places 2
Earned £191,923
Sire: SCAT DADDY. Sire of 71 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CARAVAGGIO Holy Bull G1, DACITA Seeker’s Reward G1, LADY AURELIA Forest Wildcat G1, RUBY LOVE First Samurai G1, SIOUX NATION Oasis Dream G1, CELESTINE Monarchos G2, HARMONIZE Sky Mesa G3, PRETTY N COOL Rockport Harbor G3, SMOOTH DADDY Badger Land G3, SPARTIATIS French Deputy G3. 1st Dam: DREAM THE BLUES by Oasis Dream. Winner at 3. Dam of 1 winner: 2014: Oregon Point (g Cape Blanco) 2015: SIOUX NATION (c Scat Daddy) 3 wins at 2, Keeneland Phoenix S G1, Norfolk S G2. 2016: (c Scat Daddy) 2nd Dam: CATCH THE BLUES by Bluebird. 3 wins at 3 to 5 Ballyogan S G3, 3rd Haydock Park Sprint Cup G1. Dam of Colour Blue (f Holy Roman Emperor: 3rd Vincent O’Brien Ruby S LR, Arthur Guinness EBF Corrib S LR). Grandam of MY CATCH, VLADIMIR, Pearl Sea, Natural. Broodmare Sire: OASIS DREAM. Sire of the dams of 23 Stakes winners. In 2017 - SIOUX NATION Scat Daddy G1, BARRAQUERO Zebedee G2, UNFORGETABLE FILLY Sepoy G2, LANGTANG Campanologist G3, SHUTTER SPEED Dansili G3, ZONZA Alex The Winner G3.
SIOUX NATION b c 2015 Hennessy Johannesburg Myth SCAT DADDY b/br 04 Mr Prospector Love Style Likeable Style Green Desert Oasis Dream Hope DREAM THE BLUES b 08 Bluebird Catch The Blues Dear Lorraine
Storm Cat Island Kitty Ogygian Yarn Raise A Native Gold Digger Nijinsky Personable Lady Danzig Foreign Courier Dancing Brave Bahamian Storm Bird Ivory Dawn Nonoalco Native Loraine
For the second successive year, the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes was won by a son of Scat Daddy, though Sioux Nation had to work harder for his success than Caravaggio had 12 months earlier. There was another precedent for Sioux Nation’s success, as Scat Daddy’s sire Johannesburg had also won the Phoenix to initiate a run of four juvenile Gr1 wins in four countries. Another of those successes came in the Prix Morny, a race which has fallen to Scat Daddy’s offspring No Nay Never and Lady Aurelia. Scat Daddy youngsters have also collected the Coventry, Queen Mary (twice) and Norfolk, as well as the Middle Park, which adds up to an impressive achievement for the former Ashford Stud stallion, who died in 2015. Sioux Nation, who emulated No Nay Never’s success in the Gr2 Norfolk, was certainly made for speed. Although bred in the US, he was bred by Fethard Bloodstock from Dream The Blues, an Irish-bred daughter of Oasis Dream. Dream The Blues didn’t appear until the October of her three-year-old season, but she was well backed when she made a winning debut in a six-furlong maiden at Redcar on her only start. She has invariably been mated to Ashford stallions, with Sioux Nation being the first of her two foals by Scat Daddy. He is followed by a 2016 colt and a 2017 colt by Declaration Of War. Sioux Nation’s second dam, the Bluebird mare Catch The Blues, raced with distinction for a young Aidan O’Brien in the mid-1990s. She was rated 115 by Timeform as a four- and five-year-old, thanks to a victory in the Gr3 Ballyogan Stakes and a second and third in the Gr3 Cork and Orrery Stakes (now Diamond Jubilee). She was best at up to seven furlongs. 226 P. FRESNAY LE BUFFARD JACQUES LE MAROIS G1 DEAUVILLE. Aug 13. 3yo+c&f. 1600m.
1. AL WUKAIR (IRE) 3 8-13 £341,863 b c by Dream Ahead - Macheera (Machiavellian) O-Al Shaqab Racing B-Ballylinch Stud TR-A. Fabre 2. Inns of Court (IRE) 3 8-13 £136,769 b c by Invincible Spirit - Learned Friend (Seeking The Gold) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Darley Stud Management Company Ltd TR-A. Fabre 3. Thunder Snow (IRE) 3 8-13 £68,385 b c by Helmet - Eastern Joy (Dubai Destination) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-Saeed bin Suroor Margins Short Head, Short Neck. Time 1:38.51. Going Soft. Wins Places Earned Age Starts 2-3 6 4 2 £477,349
Sire: DREAM AHEAD. Sire of 12 Stakes winners. In 2017 - AL WUKAIR Machiavellian G1, DREAMS APLENTY Redoute’s Choice G3, AWAKEN Redoute’s Choice LR, GENERALISSIMO Redoute’s Choice LR, GORANE Nashwan LR, PURSUING THE DREAM Dubawi LR, TISBUTADREAM Choisir LR, VISIONARY Lawman LR. 1st Dam: MACHEERA by Machiavellian. Winner at 2 in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2009: Malladore (f Lawman) unraced. Broodmare. 2010: BALLYORBAN (g Cape Cross) 3 wins. 2011: Witches Brew (f Duke of Marmalade) Winner at 3, 2nd Platinum S LR. Broodmare. 2012: Seascapes (f Fastnet Rock) unraced. Broodmare. 2014: AL WUKAIR (c Dream Ahead) Sold 200,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France, P. Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1, Prix Djebel G3, Prix Isonomy LR, 2nd Prix Messidor G3, 3rd Qipco 2000 Guineas G1. 2015: Dream Today (c Dream Ahead) unraced to date. 2016: (f Charm Spirit) 2nd Dam: CAERLINA by Caerleon. 3 wins at 2 and 3 in France Prix de Diane Hermes G1, 2nd Prix Marcel Boussac G1, 3rd Dubai Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1. Own sister to Leonila. Dam of La Nuit Rose (f Rainbow Quest: 3rd Airlie Coolmore Irish 1000 Guineas G1, 3rd Dubai Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1), Lina de Vega (f Lope de Vega: 3rd Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge S G3), Luminous Beauty (f A P Indy: 2nd Gerrardstown House Silken Glider S LR), KING OF QUEENS (g Dalakhani: Bar One Racing New Stand H. Hurdle G2, 3rd Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle G1). Grandam of TAM LIN, CURREN MIROTIC, HIKARU AMARANTHUS, BLUE RAMBLER. Third dam of SOUPER COLOSSAL. Broodmare Sire: MACHIAVELLIAN. Sire of the dams of 125 Stakes winners. In 2017 - AL WUKAIR Dream Ahead G1, VIVLOS Deep Impact G1, ROSTROPOVICH Frankel G2, TALISMANIC Medaglia d’Oro G2, DABYAH Sepoy G3, INCANTATION Sinister Minister G3.
AL WUKAIR b c 2014 Known Fact Slightly Dangerous Sadler’s Wells Park Appeal Cadeaux Genereux Young Generation Smarten Up Green Desert Sahara Star Vaigly Star Raise A Native Mr Prospector Gold Digger Halo Coup de Folie Raise The Standard Nijinsky Caerleon Foreseer Top Ville Dinalina Shahinaaz Warning
Diktat
Arvola DREAM AHEAD b/br 08 Land of Dreams
Machiavellian MACHEERA b 04 Caerlina
Dream Ahead gained the first and last of his five Gr1 successes in the Prix Morny and the Prix de la Foret, while his sire Diktat won the Gr1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, so it was understandable Dream Ahead was transferred from Ireland to France to stand the 2017 season. The move has proved timely, with several of his progeny performing well in France, the main standard-bearer being Al Wukair. Having won the Gr3 Prix Djebel as a prelude to his good third behind Churchill and Barney Roy in the 2,000 Guineas, Al Wukair triumphed in a very close finish to the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois, to make amends for a somewhat disappointing effort in the Gr3 Prix Messidor. Prior to Al Wukair’s emergence, Dream Ahead’s best son had been Donjuan Triumphant, another colt who had put up some of his best efforts in
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Caulfield on Al Wukair: “His fourth dam Shahinaaz bred high-class stayer Karadar and became second dam of champion older mare Kartajana, whose wins featured the Prix Ganay”
France, notably winning the Gr2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and finishing runner-up in the Gr1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. The stallion has another possible Group winner in Al Wukair’s brother Dream Today, winner of the Convivial Maiden on his debut. Dream Ahead and Diktat excelled around six and seven furlongs, but Al Wukair is different. Andre Fabre had considered the Prix du Jockey-Club and Frankie Dettori believes ten furlongs is within his capabilities. Al Wukair’s second dam Caerlina stayed ten furlongs well enough to win the Prix de Diane, having earlier finished third in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. Caerlina’s dam, the Top Ville mare Dinalina, represented a quality female line tracing to Dorina, winner of the 1926 Prix de Diane. Al Wukair’s fourth dam Shahinaaz bred high-class stayer Karadar and became second dam of the champion older mare Kartajana, whose wins featured the Gr1 Prix Ganay. 227 DARLEY PRIX JEAN ROMANET G1 DEAUVILLE. Aug 20. 4yo+f. 2000m.
1. AJMAN PRINCESS (IRE) 4 9-0 £122,094 b f by Teofilo - Reem Three (Mark of Esteem) O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum B-Darley TR-Roger Varian 2. Siyoushake (IRE) 5 9-0 £48,846 b m by Siyouni - Shakeyourbody (Giant’s Causeway) O-Roy Racing/A. Morley B-Aleyrion Bloodstock Ltd TR-F. Head 3. Left Hand (GB) 4 9-0 £24,423 ch f by Dubawi - Balladeuse (Singspiel) O-Wertheimer et Frere B-Wertheimer et Frere TR-C. Laffon-Parias Margins 1.25, Short Head. Time 2:04.13. Going Good. Age 3-4
Starts 11
Wins 3
Places 7
Earned £224,419
Sire: TEOFILO. Sire of 74 Stakes winners. In 2017 AJMAN PRINCESS Mark of Esteem G1, HUMIDOR Zabeel G1, BRAZUCA Choisir G2, HAPPY CLAPPER Encosta de Lago G2, MASSAAT Acclamation G2, PALENTINO Palace Music G2, PERMIAN Mark of Esteem G2, EZIYRA Dubai Destination G3, FLIGHT RISK Nordico G3, ST JEAN Marju G3, TANTHEEM Dubawi G3. 1st Dam: Reem Three by Mark of Esteem. 3 wins at 3, 2nd EBF/GNER Go Racing Hoppings S LR. Dam of 4 winners: 2008: NAQSHABBAN (g Street Cry) 3 wins. 2009: GOOHAR (g Street Cry) 2 wins. 2012: Rosaline (f New Approach) unraced. Broodmare. 2013: AJMAN PRINCESS (f Teofilo) 3 wins at 4 at home, France, Darley Prix Jean Romanet G1, Betfred EBF Daisy Warwick S LR, 2nd Ribblesdale S G2, British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric S LR, 3rd Bet 365 Lancashire Oaks G2, Betway Pinnacle S G3. 2014: CAPE BYRON (c Shamardal) Winner at 2. 2015: Ostilio (c New Approach) unraced to date. 2016: (f Dubawi) 2nd Dam: JUMAIREYAH by Fairy King. 2 wins at 2 and 3. Own sister to Altaweelah. Dam of AFSARE (g Dubawi: Betfair Celebration Mile G2, 2nd P.Presidente della Repubblica GBI Racing G1, Arlington Million S G1), Reem Three (f Mark of Esteem, see above) Broodmare Sire: MARK OF ESTEEM. Sire of the dams of 46 Stakes winners. In 2017 - AJMAN PRINCESS Teofilo G1, PERMIAN Teofilo G2, CRYSTAL OCEAN Sea The Stars G3, GRIZZEL Kodiac G3, SANDIVA Footstepsinthesand G3. The Teofilo/Mark of Esteem cross has produced: AJMAN PRINCESS G1, PERMIAN G1, Irishcorrespondent G1, Ponfeigh G3.
AJMAN PRINCESS b f 2013 Sadler’s Wells Galileo Urban Sea TEOFILO b 04 Danehill Speirbhean Saviour Darshaan Mark of Esteem Homage REEM THREE b 03 Fairy King Jumaireyah Donya
Sire: SOCIETY ROCK. Sire of 1 Stakes winner. Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Miswaki Allegretta Danzig Razyana Majestic Light Victorian Queen Shirley Heights Delsy Ajdal Home Love Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Mill Reef Dunette
The weekend of August 19-20 provided two vivid but somewhat unexpected illustrations of Teofilo’s talents. First his 2016 2,000 Guineas second Massaat returned from a long absence to win the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes at 12-1. Then Ajman Princess defied big odds to record by far her biggest success in the Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet, after leading from the start. Ajman Princess had the unenviable distinction of being one of the best maidens seen in 2016, when she was second in her first four starts, including the Ribblesdale. Unfortunately she was injured when supplemented to the Irish Oaks and missed the rest of the season. The rest did her good and her Deauville win was her third in six starts in 2017. She has a distinguished fourth dam in Dunette, a winner of the Prix de Diane and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Dunette went on to produce one of the early Gr1 winners by Sadler’s Wells in French Glory. Sadler’s Wells, of course, is the grandsire of Teofilo but there were other reasons for sending Ajman Princess’ dam, the ten-furlong winner Reem Three, to a son of Galileo. Reem Three is by Mark Of Esteem, whose daughters had nine Galileo foals of racing age at the time of Ajman Princess’ conception. Three had shown Gr1 ability, with Treasure Beach winning the 2011 Irish Derby after a narrow defeat at Epsom. The other two were Kite Wood, the 2009 St Leger second who won the Gr2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, and Mikhail Glinka, who won the Gr3 Queen’s Vase and the Gr2 Dubai City of Gold. This family has also done well with Dubawi, producing the Gr2 winner Asfare and the Gr3 winner Danadana, the former being a half-brother to Ajman Princess’ dam. 228 DARLEY PRIX MORNY G1 DEAUVILLE. Aug 20. 2yoc&f. 1200m.
1. UNFORTUNATELY (IRE) 9-0 £170,932 b c by Society Rock - Unfortunate (Komaite) O-Mr J Laughton & Mrs E Burke B-Tally-Ho Stud TR-K. R. Burke 2. Havana Grey (GB) 9-0 £68,385 gr c by Havana Gold - Blanc de Chine (Dark Angel) O-Global Racing Club & Mrs E Burke B-Mickley Stud & Lady C. Lonsdale TR-K. R. Burke 3. Different League (FR) 8-10 £34,192 b/br f by Dabirsim - Danseuse Corse (Danehill Dancer) O-Mrs T. Marnane B-Mr L. Kohli TR-M. Palussiere Margins 1.25, Short Head. Time 1:08.92. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2 6 3 2 £252,912
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
distinguished sprinters produced by this family – Honour And Glory’s half-brother Singing Steven was fast enough to win the Gr3 Cornwallis Stakes and Gr3 King George Stakes.
1st Dam: UNFORTUNATE by Komaite. 2 wins at 2 and 3. Dam of 6 winners: 2002: ELA CHARLIE MOU (c Raise A Grand) 4 wins at 3 and 6 in Greece. 2003: THE CITY KID (f Danetime) 8 wins. Broodmare. 2005: LOOK BUSY (f Danetime) 12 wins at 2 to 6, betfred.com Temple S G2. Broodmare. 2006: Time And Tide (f Danetime) 2007: RED ROAR (f Chineur) 5 wins at 3 to 5. Broodmare. 2009: BUSY BIMBO (f Red Clubs) 4 wins at 5 and 6. 2010: Partner’s Gold (g Red Clubs) 2011: (c Bushranger) 2012: Tansanite (g Zebedee) 2014: (c Kodiac) 2015: UNFORTUNATELY (c Society Rock) Sold 16,806gns yearling at TISEP. 3 wins at 2 at home, France, Darley Prix Morny G1, Prix Robert Papin G2, 2nd Prix La Fleche P du Carrefour Montesson LR. 2016: (f Sir Prancealot) 2017: (f Morpheus)
1. ULYSSES (IRE) 4 9-6 £567,100 ch c by Galileo - Light Shift (Kingmambo) O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd B-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute £215,000 2. Churchill (IRE) 3 8-13 b c by Galileo - Meow (Storm Cat) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Liberty Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Barney Roy (GB) 3 8-13 £107,600 b c by Excelebration - Alina (Galileo) O-Godolphin B-Eliza Park International Pty Ltd TR-Richard Hannon Margins 2, Neck. Time 2:12.10. Going Good to Soft.
Broodmare Sire: KOMAITE. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners.
Age 2-4
UNFORTUNATELY b c 2015
Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 269 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CAPRI Anabaa G1, CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, ULYSSES Kingmambo G1, WINTER Choisir G1, CLEMMIE Storm Cat G2, ELIZABETH BROWNING Holy Roman Emperor G2, GUSTAV KLIMT Danehill G2, IDAHO Danehill G2, MAGICAL Pivotal G2, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2.
Danehill Rock of Gibraltar Offshore Boom SOCIETY ROCK b 07 Key of Luck High Society Ela’s Gold Nureyev Komaite Brown Berry UNFORTUNATE ch 97 Hotfoot Honour And Glory Cheb’s Honour
Danzig Razyana Be My Guest Push A Button Chief’s Crown Balbonella Ela-Mana-Mou Majestic’s Gold Northern Dancer Special Mount Marcy Brown Baby Firestreak Pitter Patter Chebs Lad Queen’s Evidence
In the July 2016 Caulfield Files, I wrote that it was unwelcome news that Society Rock has died aged nine, after just three seasons at Tally-Ho. Although he won only six times, he had a habit of winning when it really mattered – in a £250,000 sales race at two, the Gr1 Golden Jubilee at four and Gr1 Sprint Cup at five. He retired with earnings of over £1,000,000. “Sod’s Law dictates that he is bound to make his mark as a sire of two-year-olds and sprinters,” I wrote, and this has come about. By August 20 he’d climbed to the top of the European table of two-year-old sires, with earnings of over £450,000, and another £184,000 came his way when Tangled won the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes. Biggest contributor is Unfortunately, who added the Gr1 Prix Morny to his earlier success in the Gr2 Prix Robert Papin. Unfortunately is a half-brother to Look Busy, who flourished on a 13race juvenile career. She won six times at three and twice at four, when she took the Gr2 Temple Stakes. Unfortunate, dam of Unfortunately and Look Busy, has an extraordinary record for a filly who cost 1,000gns as a yearling. A winner of an allweather seller at two, Unfortunate earned a lowly Timeform rating of 49. The daughter of the lightly-raced Komaite also won a six-furlong seller at three, when she often began slowly. Unfortunate’s dam Honour And Glory was rated only 46 after five juvenile starts. However, Unfortunately and Look Busy are not the first
229 JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES G1 YORK. Aug 23. 3yo+. 10f.
Starts 12
Wins 5
Places Earned 4 £1,428,461
1st Dam: LIGHT SHIFT by Kingmambo. 4 wins at 2 and 3, Vodafone Oaks S G1, 2nd Darley Irish Oaks G1, 3rd Blue Square Nassau S G1. Own sister to Erewhon. Dam of 2 winners: 2009: DR YES (c Dansili) 2 wins at 3. 2012: Mosuo (f Oasis Dream) unraced. 2013: ULYSSES (c Galileo) 5 wins at 3 and 4, Juddmonte International S G1, Coral Eclipse S G1, Beringice Gordon S G3, bet365 Gordon Richards S G3, 2nd King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Winter Hill S G3, 3rd Prince of Wales’s S G1. 2nd Dam: Lingerie by Shirley Heights. Dam of LIGHT SHIFT (f Kingmambo, see above), SHIVA (f Hector Protector: Tattersalls Gold Cup G1, 2nd Dubai Champion S G1, 3rd Coral Eclipse S G1), LIMNOS (c Hector Protector: Prix Foy G2, P. Jean de Chaudenay-G. P. du Printemps G2), BURNING SUNSET (f Caerleon: Prix Solitude LR, 3rd Prix d’Harcourt G2), Hyades (c Aldebaran: 2nd Charles Whittingham Memorial H G1), Erewhon (c Kingmambo: 2nd Pasadena S LR, La Puente S LR). Grandam of CLOTH OF STARS, SMOKING SUN, MAGADAN, ZHIYI, THAT WHICH IS NOT, Ikat, KING OF DUDES. Third dam of MAIN SEQUENCE, Ray’s The Bar, Radiantly, Eltezam, Elgin. Broodmare Sire: KINGMAMBO. Sire of the dams of 121 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CLOTH OF STARS Sea The Stars G1, ULYSSES Galileo G1, ANNUS MIRABILIS Montjeu G2, EMINENT Frankel G2, GLANZEND Neo Universe G2. The Galileo/Kingmambo cross has produced: RULER OF THE WORLD G1, ULYSSES G1, Giovanni Canaletto G1, PORT DOUGLAS G2, GEMSTONE G3, Brazilian Star G3, Diodorus LR.
ULYSSES ch c 2013 Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea
Kingmambo LIGHT SHIFT b 04 Lingerie
Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mr Prospector Miswaki Hopespringseternal Lombard Allegretta Anatevka Raise A Native Mr Prospector Gold Digger Nureyev Miesque Pasadoble Mill Reef Shirley Heights Hardiemma Northern Dancer Northern Trick Trick Chick
See race 166 in the September issue
109
DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS
European Pattern 230 DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS G1 YORK. Aug 24. 3yo+f. 11f 110yds.
1. ENABLE (GB) 3 8-12 £198,485 b f by Nathaniel - Concentric (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mr K. Abdullah B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd TR-John Gosden 2. Coronet (GB) 3 8-12 £75,250 gr f by Dubawi - Approach (Darshaan) O-Denford Stud B-Denford Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden 3. Queen’s Trust (GB) 4 9-7 £37,660 b f by Dansili - Queen’s Best (King’s Best) O-Cheveley Park Stud B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited TR-Sir Michael Stoute Margins 5, 0.75. Time 2:35.70. Going Good to Soft. Age 2-3
Starts 7
Wins 6
Places Earned 1 £1,302,542
Sire: NATHANIEL. Sire of 3 Stakes winners. In 2017 ENABLE Sadler’s Wells G1, GOD GIVEN Dubai Destination G3, NATAVIA Arazi LR. 1st Dam: CONCENTRIC by Sadler’s Wells. 3 wins at 3 in France, Prix Charles Laffitte LR, 2nd Prix de Flore G3. Own sister to DANCE ROUTINE and Light Ballet. Dam of 3 winners: 2010: Considerate (f Dansili) unraced. Broodmare. 2011: TOURNAMENT (g Oasis Dream) 3 wins. 2012: Contribution (f Champs Elysees) 2 wins at 3 in France, 3rd Shadwell Prix de Pomone G2. 2013: Birdwood (f Oasis Dream) unraced. 2014: ENABLE (f Nathaniel) 6 wins at 2 and 3, Darley Irish Oaks G1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Investec Oaks S G1, Darley Yorkshire Oaks G1, Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks LR. 2015: Centroid (c Dansili) unraced to date. 2016: (f Dansili) 2017: (f Frankel) 2nd Dam: APOGEE by Shirley Heights. 2 wins at 3 in France Prix de Royaumont G3. Dam of DANCE ROUTINE (f Sadler’s Wells: Prix de Royallieu Hotel du Golf Barriere G2, 2nd Prix de Diane Hermes G1), APSIS (c Barathea: Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord G3, Prix Thomas Bryon G3), CONCENTRIC (f Sadler’s Wells, see above), SPACE QUEST (f Rainbow Quest: Prix Joubert LR), Light Ballet (f Sadler’s Wells: 3rd Prix Minerve G3), Summit Meeting (g Sadler’s Wells: 3rd WKD Core Hurdle G2). Grandam of FLINTSHIRE, KOCAB, DANCE MOVES, PENCHEE, Tandem, Porgy, Badee Ah. Third dam of VIRTUAL GAME, Projected, Delivery, Zamoura, TUK TUK.
b f by Scat Daddy - D’ Wildcat Speed (Forest Wildcat) O-Stonestreet Stables LLC & Peter Leidel B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC TR-Wesley A. Ward 3. Cotai Glory (GB) 5 9-11 £37,660 ch h by Exceed And Excel - Continua (Elusive Quality) O-Kangyu Int. Racing (HK) Ltd & Mr F Ma B-Glebe Stud, J. F. Dean & Lady Trenchard TR-Charles Hills Margins Nose, 3.75. Time 0:57.90. Going Good. Age 2-4
Starts 16
Wins 7
Places 7
Sire: ACCLAMATION. Sire of 44 Stakes winners. In 2017 - MARSHA Marju G1, EXPERT EYE Dansili G2, ABSOLUTELY SO Selkirk G3, ATTENDU Green Tune G3, DABAN Whipper G3, DRUMFAD BAY Medicean LR, ENJAZAAT Green Desert LR, OH THIS IS US Hawk Wing LR, TABARRAK Intikhab LR. 1st Dam: MARLINKA by Marju. 3 wins at 2 at home, France, Prix des Reves d’Or - Jacques Bouchara LR. Dam of 3 winners: 2012: Judicial (g Iffraaj) 9 wins at 2 to 5, 2017, 2nd Total Fitness Queensferry S LR. 2013: MARSHA (f Acclamation). 7 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Coolmore Nunthorpe S G1, Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp G1, Longholes Palace House S G3, Scottish Sun EBF Land O’Burns S LR, John Smith’s City Walls S LR, 2nd Friarstown Stud Sapphire S G2, Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert G3, 3rd King’s Stand S G1, Qatar King George S G2, Mercury S LR. 2014: MARSEILLE (f Excelebration) Winner at 3. 2015: Magistrate (c Cape Cross) unraced to date. 2016: (f Iffraaj) 2017: (f Dark Angel) 2nd Dam: BARALINKA by Barathea. 4 wins at 2 and 3. Dam of MARLINKA (f Marju, see above) Broodmare Sire: MARJU. Sire of the dams of 47 Stakes winners. In 2017 - MARSHA Acclamation G1, RIBCHESTER Iffraaj G1, TIBERIAN Tiberius Caesar G2, ST JEAN Teofilo G3, ABSOLUTE BLAST Kodiac LR. The Acclamation/Marju cross has produced: MARSHA G1, TALWAR G3.
MARSHA b f 2013 Waajib Royal Applause Flying Melody ACCLAMATION b 99
Broodmare Sire: SADLER’S WELLS. Sire of the dams of 407 Stakes winners. In 2017 - ENABLE Nathaniel G1, LIZZIE L’AMOUR Zabeel G1, SOMEHOW Fastnet Rock G2, BALLAGH ROCKS Stormy Atlantic G3, FABRICATE Makfi G3, ILITSHE Fastnet Rock G3, KISS ME KETUT Danroad G3, MATCHWINNER Sternkoenig G3, TORCEDOR Fastnet Rock G3.
Ahonoora Princess Athena Shopping Wise Last Tycoon Marju Flame of Tara MARLINKA b 08 Barathea Baralinka
ENABLE b f 2014
Kalinka Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Miswaki Urban Sea Allegretta Roberto Silver Hawk Gris Vitesse Icecapade Mia Karina Basin Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mill Reef Shirley Heights Hardiemma Ile de Bourbon Bourbon Girl Fleet Girl
Earned £573,600
Try My Best Coryana Auction Ring Whispering Star Lorenzaccio Helen Nichols Floribunda Sea Melody Try My Best Mill Princess Artaius Welsh Flame Sadler’s Wells Brocade Soviet Star Tralthee
Sadler’s Wells
Galileo NATHANIEL b 08 Magnificient Style
Sadler’s Wells CONCENTRIC b 04 Apogee
See race 54 in the July issue 231 COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES G1 YORK. Aug 25. 2yo+. 5f.
1. MARSHA (IRE) 4 9-8 £198,485 b f by Acclamation - Marlinka (Marju) O-Elite Racing Club B-Elite Racing Club TR-Sir Mark Prescott Bt 2. Lady Aurelia (USA) 3 9-6 £75,250
110
Anyone who backed Battaash in the Nunthorpe was forgetting that fillies and mares have dominated this fivefurlong championship in recent years. Thanks to Margot Did, Ortensia, Jwala and dual winner Mecca’s Angel, they had taken five of the last six editions. The 2017 race boosted the record to six out of seven, with Marsha pipping Lady Aurelia. Marsha now ranks alongside such famous sprinting fillies as Lochsong, Habibti and Committed, as they also triumphed in the Nunthorpe and the Prix de l’Abbaye. Her sire, the 18year-old Acclamation, is also responsible for Expert Eye and Dark Angel, sire of the 2015 and 2016 Nunthorpe winner Mecca’s Angel. Marsha continues the remarkable success the Elite Racing Club has
enjoyed with this family, starting with Kalinka, a Soviet Star filly bought for 23,000gns at Tattersalls’ 1996 breeze-up sale. Kalinka won only once, at Brighton, and was even tried over hurdles. However, Kalinka has proved influential as a broodmare, becoming dam of Soviet Song, whose five Gr1 victories established her as one of the era’s finest female milers. Kalinka also produced Penzance, winner of the Gr1 Triumph Hurdle. Soviet Song’s first Gr1 success, in the 2002 Fillies’ Mile, prompted her owners to return Kalinka to Marju in 2003, the result being Sister Act. A winner over a mile, Sister Act kept up the good work by becoming the dam of Ribbons, who carried Elite’s colours to victory in the Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet in 2014. The Club had also had fun with Kalinka’s Barathea filly Baralinka, a four-time sprint winner. Baralinka also visited Marju, sire of Soviet Song and Sister Act, and two of her three Marju foals were winners. One, Marlinka, was a triple two-year-old winner for Roger Charlton in 2010, when her wins included a five-furlong Listed race at Vichy. Marlinka was then retired and she has made a fast start to her broodmare career. At the age of nine, she is the dam of the useful sprint handicapper Judicial, the excellent Marsha and the 2017 sprint winner Marseille. Marsha’s fourth dam Tralthee started second favourite for the 1986 Oaks on the strength of wins in the Rockfel and Lupe.
2006: 2007: 2008: 2010: 2011: 2012:
2013: 2015: 2016:
at 3 and 4 in Australia, Germany, 3rd Preis des Winterfavoriten G3) Glicine (f Tiger Hill) unraced. Broodmare. GUIANA (f Tiger Hill) Winner at 3 in Germany. Dam of Guiliana (f Zoffany: Winner at 3 in Germany, 3rd Berenberg Escada Cup LR) Guenea (f Sinndar) unraced. Broodmare. GLEE (f Dansili) 2 wins at 4 in Germany. GUILIANI (c Tertullian) 5 wins at 3 to 5 in France, Germany, Grosser Dallmayr Bayerisches Zuchtrennen G1. GUIGNOL (c Cape Cross) 5 wins at 3 to 5 in Germany, Pastorius Grosser Preis von Bayern G1, Longines Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft G2, 3rd Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin G1, www.pferdewetten.de Grosser Hansa Preis G2, Preis von Dahlwitz LR. Gauguin (c Tertullian) Winner at 3 in Germany, 3rd Prix Ridgway LR. Guardian Witch (f Lawman) unraced to date. Gympie (f Australia)
2nd Dam: Guernica by Unfuwain. unraced. Dam of GETAWAY (c Monsun: Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis von Baden G1, Deutschland Preis - Freunde und Forderer G1, 2nd Gran Premio di Milano G1, Rheinland-Pokal G1), GUADALUPE (f Monsun, see above), GUADALAJARA (f Acatenango: Grand Prix de Lyon - Radio Scoop LR, 2nd Prix de Pomone G2), Guardia (f Monsun: 3rd Japan Racing Association Trophy LR) Broodmare Sire: MONSUN. Sire of the dams of 61 Stakes winners. In 2017 - GUIGNOL Cape Cross G1, SOUL STIRRING Frankel G1, NARELLA Reliable Man G3, RAHEEN HOUSE Sea The Stars G3, MILLE ET MILLE Muhtathir LR, NIGHT MUSIC Sea The Stars LR, OGLUM BERATIM Dai Jin LR. The Cape Cross/Monsun cross has produced: GUIGNOL G1, Capo Maximo G3.
GUIGNOL b h 2012 Danzig Green Desert Foreign Courier
232 LONGINES GROSSER PREIS VON BADEN G1
CAPE CROSS b/br 94 Ahonoora Park Appeal Balidaress
BADEN-BADEN. Sep 3. 3yo+. 2400m.
1. GUIGNOL (GER) 5 9-6 £128,205 b h by Cape Cross - Guadalupe (Monsun) O-Stall Ullmann B-Stall Ullmann TR-Jean-Pierre Carvalho 2. Iquitos (GER) 5 9-6 £51,282 b h by Adlerflug - Irika (Areion) O-Stall Mulligan B- Frau Dr Erika Buhmann TR-H-J Groschel 3. Colomano (GB) 3 8-13 £21,368 b c by Cacique - Codera (Zilzal) O-Stall Reckendorf B-Gestut Faehrhof TR-Markus Klug Margins 2.5, Short Head. Time 2:32.55. Going Good. Age 3-5
Starts 13
Wins 5
Places 5
Earned £272,664
Sire: CAPE CROSS. Sire of 117 Stakes winners. In 2017 - GUIGNOL Monsun G1, MOONLIGHT MAGIC Lammtarra G3, DANCER CROSS Dubai Destination LR, ELIDOR Mark of Esteem LR, HORSEPLAY Lemon Drop Kid LR, ONTHEMOONAGAIN American Post LR. 1st Dam: GUADALUPE by Monsun. Jt Champion 3yr old filly in Germany in 2002. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, Italy, Oaks d’Italia G1, 2nd Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks G1, Gran Premio del Jockey Club G1, 3rd Ostermann - Diana Deutsches Stuten Derby G1. Own sister to GETAWAY and Guardia. Dam of 6 winners: 2004: Guendalina (f Kingmambo) unraced. Broodmare. 2005: GUANTANA (f Dynaformer) 3 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany, Monsun Oster Stutenpreis LR, Siemens Rennen - Hanshin-Cup LR, 2nd Walther J Jacobs Stutenpreis G3. Dam of GUARDINI (c Dalakhani: 4 wins at 3 to 5 in Australia, France, Germany, Gerling Preis G2), GOUACHE (f Shamardal: 2 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany, Preis vom Berliner Schloss Stutenpreis LR), Guizot (g Tertullian: 2 wins
Konigsstuhl Monsun Mosella GUADALUPE br 99 Unfuwain Guernica Greenvera
Northern Dancer Pas de Nom Sir Ivor Courtly Dee Lorenzaccio Helen Nichols Balidar Innocence Dschingis Khan Konigskronung Surumu Monasia Northern Dancer Height of Fashion Riverman Greenway
Cape Cross will no doubt always be best remembered as the sire of those outstanding performers Ouija Board, Sea The Stars and Golden Horn, but he sired several other Gr1 winners, including Guignol. Winner of the Grosser Preis von Bayern at four, he recorded his second Gr1 success when he decisively won the Grosser Preis von Baden. Guignol is out of Monsun’s good daughter Guadalupe, who won the Oaks d’Italia as well as finishing second in the Yorkshire Oaks and third in the German Oaks. Guignol is her second Gr1 winner, after Guiliani, a Tertullian colt who won the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis over ten furlongs in 2015. Guadalupe’s other stakes winner, Guantana, is the dam of three stakes performers led by Guardini, a Group winner over a mile and a half in France (Gr3) and Germany (Gr2 Gerling Preis). Guadalupe’s brother Getaway was also very talented, two of his best performances being his victory in the 2009 Grosser Preis von Baden and his fourth in the 2007 Arc. Guadalupe is by no means the only
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Caulfield on Marsha: “She now ranks alongside such famous sprinting fillies as Lochsong, Habibti and Committed, as they also triumphed in the Nunthorpe and the Prix de l’Abbaye”
Monsun mare doing well in 2017. The top-class Stacelita is the dam of Soul Stirring, the Frankel filly who won the Gr1 Japanese Oaks, while lightlyraced Jumooh produced the Gr3
Rebel, won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2001 and 2002. Guignol’s fourth dam, Greenway, was one of the fastest French juveniles of 1980, even though her
Bahrain Trophy winner Raheen House to Cape Cross’ son Sea The Stars. Guignol’s second dam Guernica never raced. She was the first foal of Greenvera, whose third foal, Royal
dam Gracious was a half-sister to Gold River, the remarkably versatile Riverman filly whose wins included the Prix Royal-Oak, Prix du Cadran and the Arc.
Group 2 & 3 Results Date 05/08 06/08 06/08 08/08 10/08 12/08 12/08 13/08 13/08 15/08 15/08 15/08 17/08 17/08 19/08 19/08 19/08 19/08 19/08 20/08 20/08 20/08 20/08 20/08 20/08 23/08 23/08 24/08 25/08 25/08 26/08 26/08 26/08 26/08 26/08 26/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 27/08 31/08 31/08 02/09 02/09 02/09 03/09 03/09 03/09 03/09 03/09
Grade G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3
Race (course) Qatar Gordon Stakes (Goodwood) Haras Firmamento Prix de Pomone (Deauville) Haras de la Pomme Prix de Reux (Deauville) Irish Stall.Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes (Cork) GRENKE Finance Ballyroan Stakes (Leopardstown) Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Haydock Park) germantb.com Sweet Solera Stakes (Newmarket) At the Races Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Curragh) Prix Minerve (Deauville) Prix Guillaume d’Ornano-Logis St Germain (Deauville) Prix Gontaut-Biron-Hong Kong Jockey Club (Deauville) Prix de Lieurey (Deauville) Invesco Desmond Stakes (Leopardstown) Totepool Sovereign Stakes (Salisbury) Shadwell Prix de la Nonette (Deauville) Betfred Hungerford Stakes (Newbury) Comer Group Ballycullen St Leger Trial (Curragh) Shadwell Prix du Calvados (Deauville) Betfred Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Newbury) Breast Cancer Research Debutante Stakes (Curragh) Galileo Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (Curragh) Darley Prix Kergorlay (Deauville) Qatar Airways Royal Whip Stakes (Curragh) Qatar Racing & Equestrian Curragh Stakes (Curragh) Grosser Preis des Audi Zentrums Hannover (Hannover) Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes (York) Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (York) Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (York) Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (York) Sky Bet City of York Stakes (York) Grosvenor Sport Celebration Mile Stakes (Goodwood) Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes (York) Preis der Sparkassen Finanzgruppe (Baden-Baden) Grosvenor Sport Prestige Stakes (Goodwood) sunbets.co.uk Winter Hill Stakes (Windsor) Betfred Strensall Stakes (York) Apoirt-Welt Goldene Peitsche (Baden-Baden) Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville (Deauville) Flame of Tara EBF Stakes (Curragh) Plusvital Round Tower Stakes (Curragh) Snow Fairy Stakes (Curragh) Prix Quincey Barriere (Deauville) Prix de Meautry- Barriere (Deauville) Weatherbys Supreme Stakes (Goodwood) Darley Oettingen Rennen (Baden-Baden) Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes (Tipperary) T von Zastrow Stutenpreis (Baden-Baden) BetBright Atalanta Stakes (Sandown Park) BetBright Solario Stakes (Sandown Park) Steinhoff Zukunftsrennen (Baden-Baden) Prix d’Arenberg (Chantilly) Prix d’Aumale (Chantilly) Prix des Chenes (Chantilly) Prix du Pin (Chantilly)
Dist 11.5f 12.5f 12.5f 12f 12f 10f 7f 6f 12.5f 10f 10f 8f 8f 8f 10f 7f 14f 7f 13f 7f 7f 5f 10f 5f 10f 11.5f 7f 6f 16f 7f 8f 6f 10f 7f 10f 8.5f 6f 12.5f 8f 6f 9f 8f 6f 7f 8f 7f 12f 8f 7f 7f 5f 8f 8f 7f
Horse Crystal Ocean (GB) Bateel (IRE) Tiberian (FR) Eziyra (IRE) Spanish Steps (IRE) Frankuus (IRE) Tajaanus (IRE) Washington DC (IRE) God Given (GB) Eminent (IRE) First Sitting (GB) Lady Frankel (GB) Alexios Komnenos (IRE) Ballet Concerto (GB) Sobetsu (GB) Massaat (IRE) Order of St George (IRE) Polydream (IRE) Defoe (IRE) Magical (IRE) Rostropovich (IRE) Marmelo (GB) Shamreen (IRE) Treasuring (GB) Real Value (FR) Cracksman (GB) Wells Farhh Go (IRE) Threading (IRE) Montaly (GB) Talaayeb (GB) Lightning Spear (GB) Sands of Mali (FR) Palace Prince (GER) Billesdon Brook (GB) Fabricate (GB) Mustashry (GB) Son Cesio (FR) Tiberian (FR) Liquid Amber (USA) U S Navy Flag (USA) Rain Goddess (IRE) Attendu (FR) Signs of Blessing (IRE) Dutch Connection (GB) Pas de Deux (GER) Realtra (IRE) Ashiana (GER) Aljazzi (GB) Masar (IRE) Narella (IRE) Rimini (FR) Soustraction (IRE) Stage Magic (IRE) Karar (GB)
Age 3 5 5 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 6 3 3 4 3 4 5 2 3 2 2 4 4 2 3 3 2 2 6 3 6 2 5 2 5 4 6 5 2 2 3 4 6 5 7 5 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 5
Sex C M H F C C F C F C G F C G F C H F C F C C F F C C C F G F H C H F G C H H F C F C G H G M F F C F C F C G
Sire Sea The Stars Dubawi Tiberius Caesar Teofilo Galileo Frankel Arcano Zoffany Nathaniel Frankel Dansili Frankel Choisir Dansili Dubawi Teofilo Galileo Oasis Dream Dalakhani Galileo Frankel Duke of Marmalade Dubawi Havana Gold Rip Van Winkle Frankel Farhh Exceed And Excel Yeats Dansili Pivotal Panis Areion Champs Elysees Makfi Tamayuz Zafeen Tiberius Caesar Kitten’s Joy War Front Galileo Acclamation Invincible Spirit Dutch Art Saddex Dark Angel Mastercraftsman Shamardal New Approach Reliable Man Elusive City Lope de Vega Dark Angel Invincible Spirit
Dam Crystal Star Attractive Crown Toamasina Eytarna Turbulent Descent Dookus Rayaheen How’s She Cuttin’ Ever Rigg You’ll Be Mine Aspiring Diva Lady Vettori Alexiade Ballet Ballon Lake Toya Madany Another Storm Polygreen Dulkashe Halfway To Heaven Tyranny Capriolla Shareen You Look So Good Rosey de Megeve Rhadegunda Mowazana Chaquiras Le Badie Rumoush Atlantic Destiny Kadiania Palace Princess Coplow Flight of Fancy Safwa Slitana Toamasina Pachattack Misty For Me Where Gwenseb Sun Bittern Endless Love Palucca Devious Diva Ashantee Nouriya Khawlah Naomia Kelty In Love Mathematicienne Witnessed In The Light
Broodmare Sire Mark of Esteem Chief’s Crown Marju Dubai Destination Congrats Linamix Nayef Shinko Forest Dubai Destination Kingmambo Distant View Vettori Montjeu Rahy Darshaan Acclamation Gone West Green Tune Pivotal Pivotal Machiavellian In The Wings Bahri Excellent Art Efisio Pivotal Galileo Seeking The Gold Spectrum Rahy Royal Academy Indian Rocket Tiger Hill Manduro Sadler’s Wells Green Desert Dansili Marju Pulpit Galileo Danehill Dancer Green Tune Seeking The Gold Dubai Destination Big Shuffle Dr Devious Areion Danehill Dancer Cape Cross Monsun Keltos Galileo Authorized Inchinor
Index 221 222 223 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283
Leading sires of two-year-olds 2017 by earnings Name
*Society Rock Kodiac Galileo Exceed And Excel Dark Angel *Havana Gold Acclamation Zebedee *Dabirsim Scat Daddy Bated Breath Choisir
YOF
2007 2001 1998 2000 2005 2010 1999 2008 2009 2004 2007 1999 2004 Holy Roman Emperor 1995 Victory Gallop 1998 Panis *Declaration Of War 2009 2001 Lion Heart 2007 Showcasing 2007 Poet's Voice 2000 Clodovil 2008 Dream Ahead 2010 *Pedro The Great 2002 Camacho 2002 War Front 2008 Native Khan 2009 *Lethal Force 2007 Siyouni 2006 Mastercraftsman 2001 Iffraaj 2002 Mehmet Bora 2005 Fast Company 2004 Dutch Art 2008 Mayson 2003 Dandy Man 2007 Arcano
Sire
Rnrs
Wnrs
Rock Of Gibraltar Danehill Sadler's Wells Danehill Acclamation Teofilo Royal Applause Invincible Spirit Hat Trick Johannesburg Dansili Danehill Dancer Danehill Cryptoclearance Miswaki War Front Tale Of The Cat Oasis Dream Dubawi Danehill Diktat Henrythenavigator Danehill Danzig Azamour Dark Angel Pivotal Danehill Dancer Zafonic Revoque Danehill Dancer Medicean Invincible Spirit Mozart Oasis Dream
52 96 30 36 68 46 41 55 28 17 39 28 34 24 9 19 24 34 46 17 27 16 46 20 7 47 26 42 41 2 38 30 29 45 40
17 36 14 13 21 16 18 24 11 7 12 11 15 8 3 5 12 9 20 7 10 9 15 8 3 14 7 8 9 1 13 10 8 8 8
%WR
32.69 37.50 46.67 36.11 30.88 34.78 43.90 43.64 39.29 41.18 30.77 39.29 44.12 33.33 33.33 26.32 50.00 26.47 43.48 41.18 37.04 56.25 32.61 40.00 42.86 29.79 26.92 19.05 21.95 50.00 34.21 33.33 27.59 17.78 20.00
Races
AWD
Earnings (£)
Top horse
Earned (£)
25 45 22 16 22 21 26 29 14 10 16 17 19 16 5 7 17 14 25 10 13 16 20 10 5 16 8 9 13 5 14 14 12 13 14
5.7 5.9 7.2 5.8 6.3 5.6 6.0 5.5 5.9 5.7 6.1 5.7 5.9 5.8 6.6 5.9 5.8 6.0 6.5 5.3 5.7 6.5 5.8 6.1 5.8 6.2 7.1 7.0 6.6 5.7 6.3 6.3 5.8 5.4 5.9
670,996 617,497 567,391 401,598 387,746 386,618 364,257 328,259 312,448 306,977 279,259 274,568 266,608 257,184 228,388 214,747 211,859 203,307 202,432 201,206 199,459 192,118 191,814 188,581 177,527 174,403 169,878 167,359 161,988 160,092 157,800 156,349 155,375 155,034 153,890
Unfortunately Madeline Clemmie Threading Stage Magic Havana Grey Expert Eye Barraquero Different League Sioux Nation Beckford Rajasinghe True Blue Moon Gögüsgeren Sands Of Mali Actress Emperor Sion De Bruyne Horse Viento Sur Bengali Boys Dream Today Feralia Good To Talk U S Navy Flag Miss Planet Lethal Steps Sully Alpha Centauri Mythical Magic Armondo Like Lightning Zaman Dance Diva Kentish Waltz Tajaanus
268,233 76,940 80,618 158,232 66,751 149,351 117,463 119,196 99,877 199,622 115,785 100,789 43,235 72,084 130,833 85,622 40,823 59,273 27,068 132,384 43,575 47,258 43,766 78,619 131,245 29,701 28,670 59,234 39,727 160,092 23,711 67,501 32,934 29,614 44,576
Rock regret Society Rock’s death in 2016 after just three covering seasons at TallyHo Stud is looking increasingly lamentable. He leads the freshmen sires in number of winners on 17, one ahead of Havana Gold, and his representatives aren’t run of the mill. The best is Unfortunately, one of the fastest juveniles around and successful in the Prix Robert Papin and Prix Morny. Corinthia Knight ran second in the Sirenia Stakes and Tangled’s win in the sales race at York added handsomely to the earnings. Kodiac, also at Tally-Ho, is having another splendid year and leads in runners and winners – he is 12 ahead of Zebedee in the latter category. Galileo is well clear in stakes winners with seven.
Statistics to September 6; *first-season sire
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
111
24 HOURS WITH… EDMOND MAHONY
112
TATTERSALLS
N
ormally I get up at 6.30am on a working day, which starts with a cup of tea before I let the dogs out. We have about 40 acres at the back of the house at Wickhambrook, ten miles from Newmarket. I have a few store horses out there as well as yearlings, two-year-olds, three-year-olds and National Hunt horses – I usually have a stroll round them to see they are all fine. I also take great pride in walking round the place when I have time because my wife Fiona is a passionate gardener. She has nearly three acres and does most of it herself and there is always something interesting to look at, a big vegetable garden, orchard and a lot of rose beds. It is quite a big part of our lives. Both our children work in London, daughter Juliet, 28, is in publishing and son Sam, 25, is with a computer software company. Breakfast is usually porridge and I am in the office just after 8am. When the sales are on I miss breakfast at home, get in by 7.30am, have breakfast on site and start looking at the horses I am going to sell at about 8am, which is when the consignors are ready to start showing. I usually have three or four sessions of auctioneering each day and that means looking at between 50 and 60 horses before sales start at 10am. I prefer to see the horse on the day it’s being sold, rather than a few days before. You can get much more of an insight from the vendors as to what interest they have had in their horse, updates on the pedigree and if there have been any veterinary issues along the way. Then most of them want to discuss reserves with you. Usually I start every sale myself, which is a longstanding tradition at Tattersalls; the head boy
Whether it’s at work or play, horses are a massive part of the life of Tattersalls Chairman EDMOND MAHONY, for whom this time of year brings a mix of excitement, nerves and sleepless nights opening the show. But, to be honest, it’s the one I dread most because it sets the tone of what’s going to happen. You have to be on your game and up for it. The day I don’t feel nervous before selling, I think I’ll pack it up. The part of the job I enjoy most is looking at the yearlings in the springtime. I find it fascinating; this is the side of the business that really gets me up in the morning. I can spend time chatting with our clients and am fascinated by the running of their farms, how they raise their horses, how they plan the matings and the rationale that goes into it all. Probably the most difficult task for any breeder or consignor is looking into
their crystal ball trying to visualise what a hairy little thing in May is going to turn into come October. The Jim Joel dispersal sale of the mid-1980s stands out in my mind, which I must admit was quite impressionable as I was a junior member of the Tattersalls team at the time. I remember because it was unique and the dispersal of one man’s work. It was there that Michael Poland paid about five thousand for Regal Beauty, who was to become the dam of King George winner King’s Theatre, and he built his stud from that one mare. The upcoming Ballymacoll dispersal, which starts in October Book 1 and
Book 2 and then the December Sales, is likely to be on a similar footing. We sell to 40 different countries so I am mostly concerned about the effect that Brexit might have on the export of horses. It must be said the TBA has done a good job setting up different committees, of which Tattersalls are on two, to look at various aspects of Brexit. The contact we have had with ministers has been very positive as well. Lunch is usually a sandwich at my desk and the sales continue into the evening. I do ride quite a lot myself and am Master of the Louth in Ireland. I go back home where I was brought up and hunt there as much as I can in winter. I have a couple of show horses in England and I have great fun riding them. I try to ride twice a week – it’s my escape from work. Days off are mostly spent taking my horses to horseshows. Usually we eat at about 8pm. I can fend for myself in the kitchen if necessary but I’m not a cook. I enjoy anything with pasta and Fiona is the good cook. With all the orchards, she makes excellent jam and that sort of thing. I am more of a social drinker and am partial to English craft beers. We enjoy the cinema in Bury St Edmunds and I watch sport on TV. Sam is an avid London Irish rugby supporter and we occasionally watch them together at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. I like reading historical biographies and Churchill’s History of the English-Speaking Peoples is one of my favourites. Bed is about 10pm and I am not a particularly good sleeper around sales time. Even so, I know I am very lucky having an excellent team looking after the various departments.
Interview by Tim Richards
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
DAR11325 OB OBC-Postponed-17SEP17.qxp 14/09/2017 11:18 Page 1
Post haste! Introducing Postponed
Dubawi’s magnificent European Champion of 2016, Timeform 130. Four-time G1 winner who took the Juddmonte International in a faster time than Frankel and broke the record winning the G1 Sheema Classic. Beat Found four-and-a-half lengths in the G1 Coronation Cup – Golden Horn is the only colt to have beaten her by more. 360,000gns yearling who was also high class at two – plus his grandam won the G2 Lowther and G1 Moyglare. NEW IN 2018 POSTPONED £20,000 Oct 1, SLF Dubawi – Ever Rigg (Dubai Destination) Will stand at Dalham Hall Stud, UK +44 (0)1638 730070 +353 (0)45 527600
Relive those great victories and find out more about Postponed at www.darleystallions.com
Darley