Goffs DBS 2013

MAGAZINE

Official Magazine 2013

49 SELLING Years

DBS Official Magazine 2013

Auctioneer, raconteur and champion of the little man Harry Beeby’s half a century of highs

Mr& Mrs

Bloodstock’s key power couples

Million

Heirs

David Minton and Anthony Bromley’s Million In Mind partnership

Riding High

Middleham Park Racing

Discover Doncaster // Thoroughbred Wheels // DBS Promotion Trail // Style Stakes Sponsorship’s Support Network // In Pursuit of Pedigree // Our Special Agents DBS 2013 CoverFinal.indd 1

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Contents 10 Mr. & Mrs.

23

How do you combine your passion in life with the love of your life? Six bloodstock power couples tell Donn McClean how they make it work.

23 Striding for More Middleham Park Racing, a “hobby that got out of hand”, has become one of the most popular syndicates with ordinary racegoers. Toormore gave it its first Group 1 win. What’s next, asks Catherine Austen.

28 49 Years Selling

33

Auctioneer and DBS chairman, Harry Beeby, recalls half a century of highs from selling Red Rum before he won his first Grand National to how the bidding process has changed, writes Ryan McElligott.

35 Million Heirs David Minton and Anthony Bromley’s Million in Mind partnership has such an enviable record of success at the DBS Spring Sales that the owners keep a watchful eye on their charges long after they sell, writes Carl Evans.

41 Support Network

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DBS’ sponsorship of the Premier Yearling Stakes at York, the Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury and the EBF/DBS Mares Bumper at Sandown, promote the industry right across the board, writes Lissa Oliver.

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Contents

51 60 47 Studying Form DBS Agents Sam Hoskins and Caroline Kenneally respectively scour the British Isles and Ireland for horses that will excite vendors at their sales.

51 In Pursuit of Pedigree orking life at DBS is a 365-day-a-year, 12-month chronicle with much W time spent not in the saddle but rather the seat of a car on the hunt for star jump and flat buys for their ten annual sales, writes Amy Bennett.

57

64

57 What to do in Doncaster Extend your stay to explore Doncaster’s equine heritage and historic past, writes Alanna Gallagher.

60 True Thoroughbreds Neil Briscoe on great thoroughbred cars for everyday activities like nipping down the shops for The Racing Post to special race day revelry rides to Aintree and Royal Ascot.

64 At the Races Lizzie Gore-Grimes selects hard working tack for him and for her that will take you from the gallops to the racetrack.

67 Spotted at DBS The DBS sales attract a cross-section of big name buyers.

70 An Appreciation A fond farewell to DBS's Rhona Oliver.

72 A Thirst for Bloodstock Doncaster, a town of 68,000 people, can expand in size by 20 per cent during DBS’ sales which attract buyers from all over the world.

DBS Coordinator: Tim Kent // Managing Editor: Mary Connaughton // Editor: Alanna Gallagher // Creative Director: Geraldine Dunne // Art Director: Leon Hayden // Advertising Designers: Alan McArthur; Séamus Neeson // Contributors: Carl Evans; Donn McClean; Ryan McElligott; Catherine Austen; Lissa Oliver; Amy Bennett, Lizzie Gore Grimes; Neil Briscoe // Photography: Sarah Farnsworth, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Liane Marie Photography, Mark Cranham, ThinkStock // Production Manager: Len Wilson // Production: Nicole Ennis // Advertising Sales Director: Paul Clemenson DBS magazine is published by Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)1 432 2200; Email: info@ashville.com. Material printed in this journal is not necessarily endorsed by Ashville Media Group.

All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission the publisher is prohibited. © 2013

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Mays

Gr.1 July Cup winner and the highest rated son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT at stud

MAYSON

BY INVINCIBLE SPIRIT EX MAYLEAF (PIVOTAL)

Winner of 5 races, 5f-6f, from 2 to 4 years, including:

Won

Gr.1

Darley July Cup by 5 lengths, beating 3 Gr.1 winners.

Won

Gr.3

Palace House Stakes beating 8 Group winners.

Won

LR

Abernant Stakes beating 3 Group winners.

2nd

Gr.1

Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (nk, giving 4lbs), beating 3 Gr.1 winners.

Fee:

£6,000 (1st October LFFR)

MAYSON produces a devastating turn of foot to win the Gr.1 Darley July Cup by five lengths, defeating multiple Gr.1 winners Society Rock, Ortensia and Sepoy.

HIS PEDIGREE COMBINES TWO OF THE MOST POTENT SPRINTING SIRELINES AVAILABLE TODAY FIRST FOALS IN 2014 His first book included the dams of Gr.1 winners PEERESS, HOORAY and EXCELLENT ART, and Gr.2 winners PENITENT and SUPPLICANT.

Cheveley Park Stud, Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD Telephone: (01638) 730316 Fax: (01638) 730868 enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk www.cheveleypark.co.uk

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Lanwa

Photography: Sarah Farnsworth

The first word

Foreword Harry Beeby is a name that will forever mean one thing to the bloodstock industry – the man who made DBS.

I

T IS TRUE THAT THE COMPANY WAS FOUNDED BY Willie Stephenson and Ken Oliver and others have contributed to the growth of the company over the last 50 years but it is generally accepted that it was Harry who put the company on the map and shaped it into its current form. Some may ask if I find it difficult or embarrassing to eulogise about my own father but Harry is so much more to me as I have worked with him for the entirety of my 31 year career and, from a professional point of view, see him as so many others do. That is the consummate professional, a man of unimpeachable integrity, the supreme auctioneer and the champion of the small man who could also mix it with the big boys.

This year’s Breeze-Up was an emotional sale for Harry and for all the DBS team as it marked the end of a long and distinguished career on the rostrum. It was fitting that he handled the sale of the top price that day and, as ever, did it with the style and modest authority that was his hallmark for so long. Of course I am biased but others will tell you that Harry was a revolutionary of his day on the rostrum as he brought a slickness and professionalism to the art that was rare in the 60s and 70s. For my part and as an auctioneer with 28 years on the clock, there is no one who has influenced or encouraged me more. He can be my fiercest critic but when he spoke, I listened, and was always the better for it.

So I am delighted that we have marked his final flourish with the gavel with a lead article and that several leading players have publicly acknowledged his huge influence and skills within these pages. It is no less than he deserves and we are all so

delighted that he continues to be such a positive and high profile part of DBS. Long may that continue.

Now I have used most of this welcome to focus on one feature but for obvious reasons. However this latest DBS magazine is full of interest and gets behind the scenes of some key entities that have also had such a positive effect on our fortunes. None more so than the piece on Million In Mind whose dispersal is always such a highlight of our year. David Minton and Anthony Bromley’s support of our sales means a huge amount to us and we have been delighted to play a small part in the success of their ground breaking partnerships. A newer operation but one that is enjoying similar high level success these days is Middleham Park and their article makes equally enthralling reading whilst the Mr and Mrs profiles chat to a number of significant couples who have proved so successful at our sales.

So our latest magazine is one that perhaps resonates more than others given the personal nature of some of the articles but I hope it once again conveys the passion and ambition which embodies the spirit of DBS.

Henry Beeby Managing Director

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Lanwades Doncater Bloodstock Mag_Lanwades Owner 30/10/2013 12:44 Page 1

LANWADES STALLIONS 2014

ARCHIPENKO

Group 1 winning leading international miler

Won 5 Group races on 3 continents and £1.2m, beating 19 individual Group 1 winners (3 Classic winners). Timeform Rating: 127 – 2lbs higher than his sire KINGMAMBO.

One of the best bred stallions in the world

His dam is half sister to NUREYEV and to the dam of SADLER’S WELLS. She is also grandam of American Champion and promising young sire BLAME.

Successful first crop sire in 2013 of 5 winners incl.: LADY PENKO (dual winner and dual Stakes-placed), ONE PENNY PIECE (dual winner), MADAME CHIANG, etc.

2013 yearlings at Tattersalls Book 1 & 2 averaged £51,450 - over 81⁄2 times his 2011 stud fee.

AUSSIE RULES Classic winning miler by DANEHILL

from the family of ALBANOVA, ALBORADA, YESTERDAY, QUARTER MOON, etc.

Sire of 2 Classic-placed performers & 57% 3yo winners to runners in 2013 His winners this year include FIESOLANA (Gr.2 & Gr.3 x3), BOOMERANG BOB (Listed), GRAND TREASURE (2nd Italian 1,000 Guineas), WISH COME TRUE (2nd Italian Derby), WILLIE CAZALS (2nd Gr.1 Champion & Chaters Cup).

Multiple Stakes sire of 15 individual 2yo winners in 2013 incl. LR placed DENUSA, KONKAN, LAGUNA DRIVE, LILY RULES, NOBLESSE ANIMEE.

2013 yearlings at Tattersalls Book 1 & 2 averaged £46,725 - over 9 times his 2011 stud fee.

SIR PERCY Unbeaten Champion 2-y-o and Classic winning Champion 3-y-o winning the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes and Gr.1 Derby Stakes.

A leading 3rd crop sire in 2013 with 56% 3yo winners to runners Sire in 2013 of: SIR ANDREW (Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas); SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (rated 110); SIR JACK LAYDEN (winner and 3rd Gr.2 Royal Lodge Stakes at 2; rated 109); MIRSAALE (Investec Derby Trial; rated 105); SOUND HEARTS (LR Pride Stakes; rated 105); LEY PERCY (Slovak 1000 Guineas, Slovak Oaks and Austrian Oaks).

Sire of 13 Stakes horses from his first 3 crops, including Gr.3 winner ALLA SPERANZA. 2013 yearlings at Tattersalls Book 1 & 2 averaged £43,137 - over 7 times his 2011 stud fee.

INTRODUCING TWO NEW SIRES FOR 2014

LEROIDESANIMAUX Eclipse Award Champion Turf Male Horse 2005 Winner of 3 Gr.1 races (turf). Also 2nd Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, 8f (turf).

Sire of Champion ANIMAL KINGDOM

Sire of 108 winners of 253 races and $16,685,000, incl. Champion & Kentucky Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM; Gr.1 winning 2yo UNA CABEZA and 3 individual Gr.2 winners.

2013 yearlings made up to $400,000 and his biggest crops will race from 2014 onwards.

By a Champion sire out of a half sister to the dam of DANSILI By dual Champion Sire CANDY STRIPES (Blushing Groom) – also sire of American Horse of the Year INVASOR.

The PERFECT OUTCROSS for GALILEO, DANEHILL and MR PROSPECTOR LINE MARES

NORTH LIGHT Derby winner and Champion 3yo Colt in the UK

Winner of 3 races at 2 and 3 years, incl. the Gr.1 Derby Stakes; Gr.2 Dante Stakes.

Also 2nd Gr.1 Irish Derby (1⁄2 length to multiple Gr.1 winner Grey Swallow).

Classic sire in Europe and Champion turf sire in Canada

Sire of the winners of nearly $6m worldwide, incl. Classic winner ARCTIC COSMOS (Gr.1 St Leger); Gr.2 winner CELTIC NEW YEAR and Gr.3 winners CHIPS ALL IN (on 28/09/2013), GOL TRICOLOR and GO FORTH NORTH. His yearlings have made up to $450,000.

By DANEHILL out of a Champion racemare

DANEHILL, Champion sire and renowned sire of sires.

His dam, SOUGHT OUT (Rainbow Quest), was twice Champion Staying Filly of Europe, and is also dam of dual Gr.3 winner COVER UP. info@lanwades.com • www.lanwades.com • Tel: +44 (0)1638 750222 • Fax: +44 (0)1638 751186

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The independent option ™

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News

News New Responsive Website GOFFS AND DBS REDEvELOPED their websites in the summer of 2013 to make them easier for all users on every platform.

The responsive site has the ability to rescale and restructure automatically so that it fits whatever device they are being viewed on.

It ensures that our websites will display at their best across all makes and models of PCs, tablets and smartphones to enable users to keep up with events at DBS when they are on the move.

Miracle of Medinah

MIRACLE OF MEDINAH – a horse sold at the DBS St. Leger Festival Sales in September 2012 and named after the biggest upset in Ryder Cup History - is a miracle in his own right. Sired by DBS graduate Milk It Mick he cost trainer Mark usher just £3,000 before winning the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes. He will be trained for the Group 1 2000 Guineas in 2014 and has already earned over £55,000.

a sOCiaL siDe The popUlariTy of SoCial meDia sites have been fully embraced by the bloodstock world and DBS has a strong following on facebook and Twitter that enables followers to keep up to date with recent news.

The ability to follow @GoffsDBS on Twitter or like DBS on facebook has made it possible to keep like-minded enthusiasts informed of every winner, closing date or update and this form of communication has now become commonplace with major revelations being broken to the wider world in this way. The ability to share text up to 140 characters on Twitter has supplanted associated press, Dow Jones and Bloomberg for breaking news and, with globally important events such as the death of former British prime minister margaret Thatcher being announced in this way, DBS is in the best company when it comes to celebrating a Group 1 winner or reveling in the news of a Grade 1 update for a future sale. most of the racecourses in the UK and ireland are active on facebook and Twitter whilst many of the leading trainers, owners, agents and studs are also active on these sites meaning that the inclusion of their address prompts a reTweet to all their followers – and suddenly everyone knows that DBS has sold another winner!!

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News

News

Changing faces The retirement of Harry Beeby in April and Michael White in 2012 has seen some new faces introduced to the DBS rostrum. Goffs duo Nick Nugent and Andrew Nolan are now DBS regulars in what has been a seamless transition. They join Henry Beeby, Tim Kent and George Stanners on the panel, the latter of whom is now a regular on the Goffs rostrum as well. Henry Beeby is delighted with the new team and says “One of the great strengths of the Goffs/DBS merger is the ability to be able to use the talents of both teams in either location and none more so than on the rostrum. Of course we are sad that Harry and Michael are no longer wielding the gavel but I can think of no more able replacements than Nick and Andrew.�

DBS in Expansive Mode

With the redevelopment at Doncaster completed DBS has cast its eye southward where it wants to build on the success of the sales held at Newbury Racecourse. The redevelopment at Newbury presents the opportunity to construct some permanent sales facilities at the Grade 1 track to include a designated area for the construction of stables, ample showing area for the horses, a lunge ring and sales facility that can be used by the Racecourse on non-sales days. This exciting project is still in the planning stage but heralds an exciting future for DBS Sales at Newbury Racecourse. g

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Mr & Mrs

How do you combine your passion in life with the love of your life? Six bloodstock power couples tell Donn McClean how they make it work. Photography by Sarah Farnsworth, Liane Marie and Jennifer O'Sullivan.

Mr. & Mrs.

Bloodstock power couples

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Mr & Mrs

R

ICHARD AND SALLY Aston moved to Goldford Stud in Cheshire – then a fairly run-down arable farm – shortly after they were married in 1981, and set about constructing and building up the farm. The horses came and success followed quickly.

Cruising Altitude, conqueror of Morley Street in the 1989 Gerry Feilden Hurdle, and conqueror of Nomadic Way and Beech Road in the Bula Hurdle two weeks later, was one of their big early success stories. Inglis Drever, Arcalis, Cue Card and others followed, but nothing tops Riverside Theatre’s victory in the 2012 Ryanair Chase for Richard.

“That was an unbelievable day,” he says.“At no point in the race did we think he was going to win.

He did everything wrong and he still got up. The thrill we got out of that win is difficult to put into words. I will take that one with me to my grave.”

It is busy, things are fairly fullon, it’s a 24/7 business, but it is a

pleasure for the Astons as much as it is a business. Richard always maintained that, if they didn’t do what they do, they would probably have to work for a living.

“I’d say that Sally and I complement each other well in the running of things,” he says thoughtfully.“I spend a lot of time on the tractor while she oversees the yard, the day-to-day running of the animals. The selection of stallions would be my field, but the decision-making is very much a joint endeavor. We would often have independent thoughts on things, but we would invariably reach a compromise, and it is a team effort in everything that we do.”

A member of the board at both Bangor and Chester racecourses – his earliest memory is of going to the races at Bangor – Richard ventures that he just stays out of the way while Sally does all the work.

“Sally is blessed with a sixth sense when it comes to horses,” he says. “She has a wonderful way with them, a wonderful eye,

&

Richard Sally

ASTON

a wonderful touch. She can see things in horses that most people would just pass over. I suppose I am good at not getting too ruffled.

But this is a fantastic journey, we are very thankful to be able to do what we do, for the life we lead.”

“Sally is blessed with a sixth sense when it comes to horses, she has a wonderful way with them, a wonderful eye, a wonderful touch. She can see things in horses that most people would just pass over.”

A joint endeavor with Richard and Sarah Aston

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Mrs & Mrs

&

David Trish

BROWN

F

URNACE MILL Stud’s association with DBS goes back four decades.

“Henry Beeby, who joined DBS in 1982 as an auctioneer and took on the expanded role of Group CEO at Goffs in 2007 following Goffs’ merger with DBS, worked for us in 1983,” smiles Trish Brown.

“He was a good worker.”

Breeders of Bolshoi, winner of the Temple Stakes and the King’s Stand Stakes in 1998, Furnace Mill has been breeding and preparing horses for sale since the farm was set up in 1976.

“I started the business while David was playing cricket!” says Trish. “My family has been involved since forever. David and I work well as a team. At the sales, for example, he generally looks after the clients while I look after the horses. On the breeding side, David would go through stallion options, then I would usually jump in at the end and annoy him with other options!”

In the early day, Trish says, it was full on, with very little time for anything else. These days, however, there is room for other pursuits.

“One of our granddaughters is a good show jumper, and another plays netball at a high level, so I get to go with them,” she says “Two grandsons play cricket, so David, being the cricketer, goes to games with them.

And we are lucky that we have very good owners, so we get to enjoy it all.”

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Mrs Mr & Mrs

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Mr & Mrs

&

Charlie Tracy

vIGORS

R

OYAL ASCOT DAY ONE, Tuesday 18th June 2013, was just one of those days for Hillwood Stud.

Charlie and Tracy vigors were well within their rights to travel in hope.Sole Power, consigned by Hillwood at the 2008 DBS Premier Sale, had a chance in the King’s Stand Stakes. He had two and a half lengths to find with South African favourite Shea Shea on their running in Dubai, but he had

“To have one winner at Royal Ascot would have been fantastic, but to have two, and both on the same day, that was just unbelievable. You wait a lifetime for a day like that day.”

run well in the race last year from a poor draw, and trainer Eddie Lynam said that he was as happy as he could be with the horse.

Extortionist, bought by Hillwood as a foal at Goffs in 2011 and consigned as a yearling at DBS in 2012, also had a chance in the Windsor Castle Stakes. The Dandy Man colt had been impressive in winning on his debut at Nottingham, and he wasn’t beaten far on easy ground on his previous run at York.

Johnny Murtagh was riding both horses, and you could have legitimately hoped that both would run well and that maybe one of them would win. But both of them? Well, that would just be too much.

Turns out, they were still celebrating Sole Power’s win in the King’s Stand Stakes when Extortionist got up on the near side to land the finale.

“That was just a phenomenal day,” says Charlie.“To have one winner at Royal Ascot would have been fantastic, but to have two, and both on the same day, that was just unbelievable. You wait a lifetime for a day like that day.”

Charlie and Tracy took over Hillwood in 2005, and have been

consigning at DBS ever since.

In 2008, their Dubawi colt topped the Premier Sales at £220,000, but it's not just at the higher end of the market that top class horses from Hillwood are to be found.

Sole Power was sold for £32,000, Extortionist for £30,000.

“We share the work well,” says Charlie. “We are both hands on, but Tracy would probably be more in the yard while I would be more in the office. Tracy would do the photographs, social media, that type of thing, and I suppose I would deal more with owners and clients. It works well though. It’s a strange old business, and it is important that we get on well.”

They are assisted by Harry (4) and Oliver (2).

“Harry is very keen on his riding and hunting,” laughs Charlie, “and, unless they are going to be professional golfers and allow their parents to follow them and the sun all over the world, it would be nice for them to get involved in the business. We do make time to get away though. We get away after the Breeze-up sales for a little while, and we have been known to visit Peppa Pig World on occasion.

It’s important to strike a good work/ life balance. It’s important not to miss the small ones growing up.”

Charlie and Tracy with their horse loving brood

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Mr & Mrs

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Mr & Mrs

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Mrs & Mrs

&

David Juliet

MINTON

G

OOD TEAMWORK is also at the heart of David and Juliet Minton’s Mill House Stud in Shropshire Set on 700 acres with top class facilities, Mill House Stud has been a client of DBS for over 40 years.

“We effectively run separate businesses,” says Juliet, “but we feed off each other as well. We have 28 broodmares here with top class pedigrees, we aim to produce top class foals, both flat and National Hunt. And, of course, the Million In Mind horses are here for the summer.”

David is first and foremost a Bloodstock Agent, in fact the leading NH Bloodstock Agent of his time, and has a long association with DBS where his purchases include the recent Grade 1 horses; Bobs Worth, My Tent Or Yours and Riverside Theatre. He has attended every NH sale at Doncaster since the early 1970’s and through this business formed a lifelong friendship with former DBS vice Chairman, Michael White, meaning they spent much time together on the racecourse, in the sales ring and on the golf course! One of the less known dates in David’s diary is the DBS NH Golf outing which Michael White began to organise on behalf of Kenneth Oliver and is still going strong today.

“Minty has a great eye for a horse,” says Juliet. “I am very much hands on here. We don’t like to be away for too long, but this year Minty was a judge at the horse show in the RDS, and we had great fun in Ireland for a few days.”

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Mrs & Mrs

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Mrs & Mrs

P

AuL AND SARA Thorman of Trickledown Stud didn’t go to Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day 2007. They had consigned Cockney Rebel at the DBS Premier Sales but, a 25/1 shot who hadn’t run since he had been beaten in the Champagne Stakes as a juvenile, if they were being honest, they didn’t really think he had much of a chance. As well as that, they had sold the 2006 Guineas winner George Washington. To sell two Guineas winners in two years would just be too much to expect.

Yet, it happened again. Paul and Sara shouted at the television as Olivier Peslier took the val Royal colt through the field, hit the front inside the furlong pole and went on to win by a length and a half.

“Every time you sell a good horse,” says Paul, “you are developing your brand. The owner and trainer might come back to you, but you also develop purchaser confidence. It is important that purchasers know that you are going to the sale with a horse that is sound both physically and temperamentally.”

Ask Paul how long he has been selling at DBS, and he thinks out loud.

“Our daughter Emma is 23 now,” he muses, “so 24 years! Since we started really. You have to take the right horses to Doncaster. Markets change all the time. The Premier sale used to be a market for early two-year-old types, but now, while the horse has to be sharp, he has to be scopey as well. He needs to have a future.”

In 2010, Trickledown instigated a scheme whereby they would pay for the keep of a yearling that they sold from the time of the Premier Sale until 1st November.

“The sale is quite early,” says Paul, “and perhaps trainers wouldn’t want to be taking a yearling home and messing up the 15 two-year-olds that they still had to run that season.

The take-up on the offer wasn’t that strong, but we thought it was worthwhile doing it. Basically, we would do anything to sell a horse.

Anything legal!”

Sara does the working while Paul does the thinking, he tells you.

“Sara looks after the practical side.

I have 100 per cent confidence in

&

Paul Sarah

THORMAN

her that she will get a horse to a sale looking its best. She is particularly good at working on weak spots, necks, quarters. I do the cataloguing, liaising with owners, arranging transport, the general dogsbody stuff. And we have the best of show people. It is very important to have good show people.”

“Every time you sell a good horse, you are developing your brand. The owner and trainer might come back to you, but you also develop purchaser confidence.”

Paul and Sara Thorman with Riff and Morph

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Mr & Mrs

&

Joe Jane

FOLEY

“Let’s say I’m in charge of stallions and mares, ably assisted by my wife, while my wife is in charge of training, pre-training and breeze-ups, ably assisted by her husband.”

J

oe Foley’s career started with DBS.“My father sold his first couple of home-bred yearlings at Doncaster,” he recalls.

“I went with his consignment when I was 15, and I haven’t missed a yearling sale there since.

I started selling there myself when I was 17. I sold all my yearlings there with Harry Beeby. I was only starting off as a young fellow, and Harry was brilliant to me.”

It is 22 years since Foley set up Ballyhane Stud, then a 20-box barn with an outside covering yard. Now it has every facility that a horse needs from its very conception until the day that it sets hoof on a racecourse, and beyond.

“We do everything here really,” says Foley. “We breed, we have 65 broodmares here under the Ballyhane ownership. We pinhook foals to yearlings, yearlings to breeze-up horses. And of course, my wife does the pre-training, and trains a few for the racetrack.”

His wife is Jane (nee Hickey), an accomplished rider who grew

up on Sunnyhill Stud, the family farm. Ask Joe how responsibilities are shared between them at Ballyhane, and he pauses for a moment.

“I’d better be careful here now!

Let’s say I’m in charge of stallions and mares, ably assisted by my wife, while my wife is in charge of training, pre-training and breeze-ups, ably assisted by her husband.”

It’s busy. Because they are involved in all aspects of the business, it is difficult to find a quiet time.

“June used to be a quietish time,” says Joe, “but the yearling sales are early these days. When the stallion season finishes, the Doncaster yearlings are coming in. We do try to get away, but with three kids, five, four and four months, it’s not always easy.

“But it’s a very social business.

It’s a social circuit. You meet the same people, you form great relationships and great friendships with people. Lucky we do what we do or we would have to work for a living.” g

Joe and Jane Foley

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Mr & Mrs

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Left to right: Nick Bradley, Tim Palin, Tom Palin and Mike Prince: photography Jennifer O'Sullivan

Striding for More A golden team

Striding for more Middleham Park Racing, "a hobby that got out of hand", has become one of the most popular syndicates for the man on the street. Toormore gave it its first Group 1 win.

What’s next, asks Catherine Austen.

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Striding for More

Toormore comes home alone in the Group 1 Goffs National Stakes

O

“

uR ROOTS ARE at at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS),” says Middleham Park Racing’s Tim Palin.

Not only are sixty to seventy per cent of the highly successful syndicate’s horses bought from DBS, it was where their very first horse, China Castle, came from.

“He was led out unsold at Doncaster and purchased privately outside the ring by Pat Haslam for 1,500 guineas,” says Tim. “His joints weren’t great but Pat managed him well and I think he won 26 races in all – 25 of them on the all-weather. He was 50lb better on the all-weather than he was on the turf and still holds the record for most wins on the all-weather.”

That was in 1995. Now Middleham Park Racing – named after the two places they first had horses in training, with Pat Haslam

in Middleham and Steve Kettlewell at Tupgill Park – is riding the crest of a wave. At the time of writing their horses had won 79 times – their best season so far – and Toormore, a £36,000 purchase at the DBS Premier Sales, gave them their first Group One win in the Goffs vincent O’Brien National Stakes at The Curragh.

Middleham Park Racing is run by four men – Tim, Nick Bradley, Mike Prince and Tim’s son Tom. Its syndicates have around 100 horses in training.

“Each horse has a different set of owners,” says Nick. “Some people

“Middleham Park Racing’s job is to buy the horses, having done extensive research, to place them with the right trainers and to manage the horses’ racing careers.”

are involved in one horse, others in 40 to 50. We cater for everyone.

We make owning racehorses affordable.”

They have a smattering of celebs among their owners, such as the cricketers Geraint Jones and Will Smith, and Leeds Rhinos’ Danny McGuire, while Emmerdale actress Claire King was part of a syndicate in the past.

“But our owner is generally the man in the street,” says Nick.

“Sometimes it is someone who has owned a horse by themselves and not had much success with it, and would like to spread their interests out and have shares in lots of horses without the responsibility and downsides of a whole one.”

Middleham Park Racing’s job is to buy the horses, having done extensive research, to place them with the right trainers and to manage the horses’ racing careers.

Toormore’s victory fired them

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Striding for More

Junior wins the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival

Toormore Middleham Park Racing’s flagship horse Toormore, the Arakan colt who has won all three of his starts so far, including the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the Group 2 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, was bought at DBS’s Premier Yearling Sale.

“That’s the most important sale for us,” says Nick Bradley. “It’s the best value sale out there.” Nick and Tim Palin worked with Richard Hannon and Peter and Ross Doyle to buy the horse at £36,000. up another level in the sport, and Nick says: “It doesn’t get any better than that. It means so much to all of us, and the only step up from a Group One is a Classic – and he might just give us that as well.”

But this breakthrough doesn’t mean Middleham Park Racing is changing its game.

“We will continue to do exactly what we do,” stresses Tim. “We have fantastic, loyal owners but they won’t spend megabucks and we have to cut our cloth accordingly – our average spend on a horse is £30,00 to 50,000.

Sometimes one big winner is worth 12 little ones in terms of recognition, but little fish are sweet. Whether your day in the sun is a Group One at The Curragh or a nursery at Ayr with a 50-rated horse, the feeling of having a winner is the feeling of having a winner. Getting the best out of

“That was a pretty bold step for us at the time,” says Nick. “But we all loved the horse and agreed that he was the one we should be buying.”

The early reports of Toormore’s progress at Richard Hannon’s were good. “They said he was the nicest Arakan they had had – which, considering that they trained Dick Turpin and Trumpet Major, meant the lights were flashing early on,” Nick says.

It was clearly an extremely well spent £36,000. Toormore has won more than £140,000 so far and has huge potential for his Classic year. His half brother by Dark Angel made £200,000 at this year’s DBS Premier Yearling Sale and will also be trained by Richard Hannon.

Richard Hannon

every horse is what we want.

“But we are always looking to improve what we do and the ownership experience.”

Middleham Park Racing organise regular stable visits.

“They are really good fun,” says Tim. “We stay over the night before, go to the yard in the morning to see the horses,

then have a pub lunch which the trainers join us for. And on a race day, we all meet up just after lunch and spend most of the day together, which all adds to the experience for our owners, who we know appreciate the social side as well as the actual racing.”

One of their flagship horses – and perhaps the one who has DBS Magazine // 25

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Striding for More

made Middleham Park Racing’s pale blue and orange colours immediately recognisable – is Junior. Bought for £35,000 at the DBS Spring Sales, the chesnut son of Singspiel has gone on to win at both Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival.

“At Cheltenham he was backed in from 16-1 to 3-1. He was the biggest gamble of the meeting and won by the widest margin (24 lengths),” remembers Nick. “The roar as he came up the hill was extraordinary.”

“I’m still not quite sure why we bought him,” confesses Tim, “but we thought there was a bit more petrol left in the tank. And our part in his success was in sending him to just the right trainer – David Pipe.”

Nick says: “He achieved our dreams. He’s at my house on holiday at the moment before he goes back to David Pipe’s, and he’s got a home for life with us.”

The purchase of Penitent out of William Haggas’ yard was another clever move. Sent to David O’Meara, he has won Middleham Park Racing a brace of Group 2s and finished second in last season’s Prix de la Foret at Longchamp’s Arc meeting.

Numerically, they are Britain’s most successful syndicate. And it’s not just prize-money their owners receive – the vast majority of their horses are for sale. The sale of Sandiva to Qatari interests before Royal Ascot netted them a reputed £1million.

“The phone started ringing after her Listed win,” says Nick.

“We thought we had been very clever selling her – but the way she won in France (the Group 2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville), maybe we weren’t!”

Other stars have included Lilys Angel, Beshabar, Exceptional Art and Esentepe.

Despite their achievements with older horses such as Penitent and Junior, the majority of Middleham Park Racing’s horses are bought as yearlings or as breeze-up two-year -olds. Agents Peter and Ross Doyle and Bobby and Robin O’Ryan help them at the sales, but it is the Middleham Park team that looks carefully at each horse and does

Middleham Park: racing in numbers 565

Winners so far

79

This season [to 15 Nov]

19

Trainers have MPR horses

1

Group 1 winner – Toormore

1

Royal Ascot winner – Junior

1

Cheltenham Festival winner – Junior

1

Scottish Grand National winner – Beshabar

26

Wins with their first horse, China Castle

form and pedigree study. They recently bought 12 yearlings at DBS. “DBS offers us great value for money and has the right kind of horse for us,” says Nick.

“It’s always our starting point.”

On the National Hunt side, Anthony Bromley buys their horses.

Nick, who still teaches A Level

Sport Science part-time because he enjoys it so much, describes Middleham Park Racing as “a hobby that got out of hand.” More like an exceptionally well-run business which continually attracts more owners to invest with them because they do exactly what they say they will do – win races. 

Connections celebrate the success of Toormore in the Group 1 Goffs National Stakes

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Harry Beeby

Three generations of the Beeby family celebrate 50 years of DBS. L to R: Henry, Harry and George. Photography: Sarah Farnsworth

Auctioneer and DBS chairman, Harry Beeby recalls half a century of highs from selling Right Tack, their first Guineas winner to sell at public auction, to Red Rum months before he won his first Grand National and how the bidding process has changed over the years, writes Ryan McElligott.

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Harry Beeby

W

hen the hammer came down on the top lot at this year’s Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale it marked the conclusion of auctioneer Harry Beeby’s remarkable career on the rostrum, a calling that had spanned a period of dramatic change and expansion both for the bloodstock industry and his beloved Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS) For some 49 years Beeby has been synonymous with the DBS brand. He more than played his part in the evolution of the style of auctioneering that we are now used to as well as being a pivotal figure in DBS’ transformation into one of Europe’s leading thoroughbred sales houses.

In May 1964 Beeby left London’s leading firm of commercial property specialists, Healey and Baker, to join DBS and his career on the rostrum began just three months later. Half a century later few, if any, are better placed to reflect on the changes that have taken place in that time.

“I think the most striking change is just how much sales have speeded up,” reflects Beeby. “To my eye the best auctioneer that I saw in action was the late Sir Peter Nugent and when he began selling he really started to up the tempo and people soon realised that if they were going to buy a horse they needed to act a lot faster than was previously the case. It was a help that at this time some of the buyers had already been to auctions in America and they don’t hang about over there.”

As one would expect, technological advances have played their part in changing the conduct of auctions with the singularly most important development being the advent of the mobile phone.

“I would have to say that the greatest technological impact on selling and the conduct of sales has been the mobile phone which, ironically, has the capacity to slow down the rate of selling.

“About ten years ago I remember talking to the late David Pim and he felt nothing holds up auctions longer than mobile phones.

He felt that an auctioneer was

“Harry’s blood line is first class. He was the son of renowned dual purpose trainer George Beeby, who trained two Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners and the grandson of Harry Beeby, the largest horse dealer in the UK in the 1920’s and 1930’s.” psychologically more inclined to give somebody more time if they were on the phone even though half the time there might be nobody on the other end!”

As well as bringing a sense of style, theatre and speed to the industry from his position on the rostrum Harry Beeby has been a central figure in the emergence of DBS as a leading bloodstock sales company whose annual turnover grew from a mere £1,000 in the 1960s to a record £43m in 2007.

A Memorable 49 Years 1964 Joins DBS in May Sells for the first time at August Sale 1965

Right Tack becomes the first Guineas winner to sell at public auction at DBS

1972

Months before his first Grand National triumph Red Rum sells for 6,000gns at DBS

1974 The crash of 1974 saw DBS’ turnover halved in one year.

1977 The company stages Europe’s first Breeze-Up Sale 1981 Gamon is the first six figure yearling to sell at DBS 1988 Harry is appointed Chairman of DBS in 1988 2012 Harry is awarded the Andrew Devonshire Bronze for services to the thoroughbred industry by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association 2013 Harry sells for the final time at DBS' Breeze-Up Sales. His final stint on the rostrum included the sale’s top lot at £210,000

“It’s given me tremendous satisfaction to see how the company has grown and expanded over the last 50 years and I must say that a major factor in this has been the huge support that we have always received from Ireland.

“Irish buyers and vendors have always liked coming to Doncaster and I think part of that stems from a time when the forerunner to what is now the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales took place here in Doncaster at Glasgow Paddocks before it was moved south during the 1950s.”

Central to DBS’ emergence has been the development of the company’s Premier Yearling Sales which began to produce high class runners even in its formative years.

“We sold some very good horses from early on and Right Tack became the first English and Irish 2000 Guineas winner to be sold at auction as a yearling when the late Peter McKeever of the CBA bought him for 3,200gns in 1967.”

Another highlight and a significant landmark came when a horse called Gamon became the first yearling to sell at Doncaster for six figures in 1981.

“That was very significant for us as it showed people that if they brought a proper yearling here they get as well paid here as they would anywhere else.

“I think that has now carried through to today. This year’s Premier Yearling Sales were really good. There were plenty of very nice horses around and virtually every major buyer was here to compete for them.”

The likes of Gammon, Right Tack, Sandford Lad, the record breaking sale of the jumper Garde Champetre and establishment of Europe’s first Breeze-Up Sales in 1977 all represent landmark events that took place during Beeby’s time at DBS. However, there is one moment above them all that he singles out as a particular highlight and it relates to one of the greatest and most familiar names in racing.

It was Beeby himself that conducted the sale of one of the true legends of National Hunt racing and he recalls the sale with great clarity.

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Harry Beeby

Goffs and DBS A SIX YEAR STRONG pARTNERShIp easily one of the most significant events in the 51 year history of DBS was the landmark decision to merge with Goffs in July 2007.

The merger created one of europe’s biggest auction houses which offers a varied and extensive range of sales throughout the year, covering every aspect of the bloodstock market in Britain and ireland.

“There is no doubt that is has been a very beneficial merger,” reflects DBS financial Director Derek forrest. “Both companies excelled in various fields and the merger also allowed us to overlap in terms of the services that we can offer to our client bases which can only be a good thing. it also allowed us to draw on the expertise offered by both the sets of staff from both companies.”

Just over a year after the amalgamation was completed the bloodstock market was faced with some especially difficult trading conditions as the global financial crises took hold. however, the merger enabled Goffs and DBS to weather a couple of very trying years.

“Companies that can stand through difficult times tend to come out the other side stronger,” adds forrest. “The strength of both Goffs and DBS enabled the company to stand through a difficult time and i think we are starting to see the benefit of that over the last year and a half.”

“The challenge now is to keep growing, keep delivering and improving on the services that we can offer to all our clients,” he concludes.

One last time. Harry brings down the gavel on his final lot

the ring and it was just a very significant sale given what Red Rum went on to achieve.

“He sold for 6,000gns which was a good sum at the time for a horse in training and when you reflect on what he went on to do it was a very special moment. I remember clearly where Ginger McCain stood when he bought him and where the horse’s ex-owner Mrs Brotherton sat with her advisor Bobby Renton.”

Throughout his half century long career in the bloodstock industry Harry Beeby has more than played his part throughout a period of dramatic change and it was especially fitting that when he did retire from the rostrum earlier this year he went out at the very top.

Harry’s mentors

Since 2007 Henry sells at all Goffs and DBS sales

“I would have to say that the memory that the stands out to me most was the sale of Red Rum at DBS just a few months before he went on to win the first of his three Grand Nationals. I still remember exactly where everybody was positioned when he came into

WILLIE STEPHENSON, FOUNDING MEMBER OF DBS Willie Stephenson was a leading dual purpose trainer and a Derby and Grand National winner and a good friend of Harry’s father, George Beeby, himself a renowned dual purpose trainer who trained two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. At a Sandown meeting one January Stephenson brought up the idea of Harry leaving his position as a real estate agent with leading London firm Healey and Baker to join the business.

He joined DBS in 1964, a place where his father George had bought the top price at their first ever sale in May 1962.

Harry succeeded Stephenson as chairman in 1988. “My first love became my job,” he says concluding; “I haven’t got a job, rather a way of life.”

KEN OLIVER, FOUNDING MEMBER OF DBS Auctioneering is all about confidence, fluency and the ability to see people and to know what they’re going to do, was the advice founding member of DBS Ken Oliver gave Beeby. He built Beeby's confidence by getting him to auction “on the bathroom stool at Hassendean Bank” (Ken’s home).

Beeby practiced his art whilst driving in his car en route to yard visits and to meet with trainers, auctioneering the cows he passed in fields. Oliver would then “test” his stagecraft by sitting him at his dining table in front of friends and getting the guests to bid.

JACK WHITE, DBS’ IRISH AGENT Jack White was DBS’ Irish agent and was charged with persuading Irish vendors to sell at DBS and this has helped to produce countless top class sales graduates.

He was great friend and support to Harry over many years.

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Harry Beeby

What Harry Beeby means to me...

“He had a very good way as an auctioneer; capable of getting the most out of buyers, in a friendly cajoling fashion. He loved horse racing and took a keen interest in horses sold at the sales. If I had to describe him in racehorse terms I’d say he had a good attitude” Peter Doyle, Doyle Racing

“Harry was a very good judge of pedigree, of horses, especially yearlings.

He was professional, slick, a well educated man, especially as to racing and breeding. A people’s man he helped a lot of small breeders. As an auctioneer he was Group race class. In its early days he was Doncaster” Robert Percival, glen andred stud Always smiling. Harry is renowned for his optimism and approachability

ROBERT SANGSTER, RACEHORSE OWNER Pools fortune heir and racehorse owner and breeder, Robert Sangster, the world’s most famous owner in the 1970s and 1980s, used to fly Harry around the world to conduct an annual valuation of his horses. Their collegiate relationship “helped put DBS on the international map,” Beeby recalls.

“It’s given me tremendous satisfaction to see how the company has grown and expanded over the last 50 years and I must say that a major factor in this has been the huge support that we have always received from Ireland.”

TRUST The trust which Harry engenders is well illustrated by a story from his first trip to America. When Harry arrived in Kentucky at Fasig Tipton he was approached by Harry Thomson Jones who trained for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum to see if he would bid on his behalf. He didn’t want people to know he was bidding for the horse and felt Harry was ideal as he had never been to an American sale. Harry asked his maximum price. One million dollars, he coolly replied. This was the 1980s. “I was taken aback to say the least,” Harry recalls. “I was

“He was the smartest, most charismatic auctioneer of his generation.

He put the same effort into selling a horse for £10,000 as £200,000. It was as though he could read bidders minds and cajole the last bid out of them. Having been at the helm of DBS for many years his contribution to the company is to bring it from a small sales house to the top bloodstock company it is today, as respected as any other sales company in the world” Timmy hyde, Camas Park stud

“Harry Beeby was a central pillar of the industry. A lifetime of experience, as a race commentator, an auctioneer and an avid race goer meant he could also price a horse very well. On the rostrum he was like the conductor of an orchestra – he could hold your attention through the timbre of his voice. He had total control and you could hear a pin drop. He was a father figure - when you joined DBS you became part of his family. As father to Henry Beeby, and grandfather to George Beeby he is the head of a dynasty. He’s also been a good friend to me. You need those in life” Robert Chugg, Little Lodge farm

“When my wife Linda and I were starting out Harry was the first auctioneer to show a bit of faith in us. The first horse he took from us was a Bluebird filly out of Iktidar, in 2002. The following year Iktidar’s next foal, a colt by Xaar, was the subject of a fierce bidding war between Howard Johnson and Angus Gold.

When Harry’s hammer fell at 250,000gns in favour of Shadwell, the price shattered the record high for a St Leger sale yearling.

DBS went to a whole new level. Harry had amazing instincts. He saw the bigger picture and believed in working at long term relationships. Without him we wouldn’t have bred as successfully as we have and he instilled in us a loyalty to DBS. We’ve both been rewarded in a way we never thought” Martin francis, Ballydrehid house stud

“He’s the best auctioneer I ever saw” Demi O’Byrne, Coolmore

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Harry Beeby

terrified I’d miss out. In the end I got it for $900,000, he says with a smile. Everyone wanted to know who this man was. The following morning, back in DBS, in a pre internet era, Ken Oliver “read that I had bought a horse for $900,000 and nearly fell off his chair”.

BLOODLINE Harry’s blood line is first class.

He was the son of renowned dual purpose trainer George Beeby, who trained two Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners and the grandson of Harry Beeby, the largest horse dealer in the uK in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Harry’s son, Henry joined DBS in 1982. He was appointed to the DBS Board in 1989 and became Managing Director in 1998.

Following DBS’ merger with Goffs, Henry left the DBS HQ to join Goffs as Group Chief Executive in July 2007 although he remains Managing Director of DBS and auctions at every DBS sale.

"I was one hundred per cent behind the move," Harry explains.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for him to embrace a larger operation and to become chief executive of a public company.” Henry’s son, George, has also become involved with the business having cut his teeth spot bidding. Presently, he’s learning the ropes by working with his grandfather at DBS and getting out and about as much as he can.

THE LEGACY Although Harry’s son Henry has “graduated” to Goffs in recent years he is quick to acknowledge the huge influence his father has had on him and the industry.

Henry says: “It has been an enormous privilege to work alongside my father for the last 31 years and he has been a wonderful teacher, mentor and colleague. He has taught me so much. He inculcated me in the art of auctioneering, the way European bloodstock auctions had been revolutionised by him and by Sir Peter Nugent. He also taught me that integrity is everything.

Harry has always been the most straightforward man, giving his all to each and every client. That is a great example and one I try very hard to follow.” g

Red Rum with jockey Tommy Stack at the 1977 Grand National in Aintree. ©Mark Cranham

Harry receives a portrait of his time on the rostrum to mark his retirement

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Tricky Trickster sells for £320,000 at the DBS Spring Sales

Million Heirs

MillionHeirs Tricky Trickster wins the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

Million in Mind started as National Hunt’s most successful multiple ownership "club" and now boasts an average of 160 members. While David Minton and Anthony Bromley’s partnership has an enviable record of success at the DBS Spring Sales, the owners continue to keep a watchful eye on their charges after they sell, writes Carl Evans.

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Million Heirs

A

racehorse syndicate with an easy-to-understand policy and a string of eye-opening successes on the track and in the sales ring remains a leader in its field.

The Million In Mind Partnership gave itself an audacious name, but has lived up to it on numerous occasions since its first horse – named Million In Mind – was bought in 1990. It is the brainchild of bloodstock agent David Minton, and has been piloted by him and his Highflyer Bloodstock colleague Anthony Bromley to a series of memorable moments.

They include plenty of victories at top-grade tracks, unforgettable triumphs at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown festivals, and some bumper returns when the partnership’s horses are reoffered at the end of each season.

At his Newmarket office, which has become the hub of the syndicate, Bromley says: “Minty came up with the idea.

His plan was to pull a number of people together, each putting in a once-only payment for a season (£1,000 at that time), with a view to buying yearlings to run as twoyear-olds. I hadn’t been with him long and was very much ‘the book fella’, handling the paperwork and promotional side, although now I have a full-time assistant, Bernice, who handles much of that work.

“We subsequently bought six yearlings, but to give the members some early action we also bought a pair of juvenile hurdlers. The plan was to sell all the stock after a year, and we have stuck to that plan.

“The first hurdlers – Beauchamp Grace and Thinking Twice – did well for us and we were up and running, but that really set the tone towards it becoming a

jumping syndicate. The following season we bought four yearlings and four juvenile hurdlers, among them Mysilv, who won the Triumph Hurdle.

“Although we sell all the horses every year the members go on following them – and jumpers can race for many years.

They had great fun following the likes of Garde Champetre, Voy Por Ustedes, Afsoun, and, last season, Nadiya de la Vega. Although we sell all the horses, they still feel a part of them whenever they race for new owners.”

Bromley and Minton’s buying policy is flexible with one exception – they don’t recruit stores, who invariably need time.

Tapping into French breeding has worked well for Bromley’s private clients, but also for Million In Mind. He says: “The French horses have been good to us because you can usually get straight on with them.”

Not that Million In Mind is immune to the vicissitudes of horse trading

and jumping, and there have been lean years, too. “There is usually one horse that gets you out of trouble,” says Bromley, who can quickly recall his particular peak and nadir.

“My worst day with Million In Mind was in December 2004 when Massac, who had just won a Grade 2 at Windsor, landed too steeply and fell fatally in the Bonusprint. com Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but my best day was when Mysilv won the Triumph Hurdle in 1994. Tricky Trickster’s National Hunt Chase victory and Garde Champetre beating Inglis Drever and Monet’s Garden in a Grade 2 hurdle at Aintree have been other highlights.

“We have also had some great days at DBS selling Garde Champetre for 530,000 guineas (a world record auction price for a jumper) was amazing, while Joly Bey and Royal Rosa were also very special.

“We didn’t set out to sell at the DBS Spring Sales in May, because initially we were thinking in terms of a Flat syndicate, and in the early days we sold some jumpers

Million Horses

MYSILV Bought for 27,000gns before winning Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle.

Sold for 155,000gns at DBS MISTER BANJO Won three including Grade 1 Junior Hurdle.

Sold for 240,000gns at DBS Joly Bey Won five races Sold for 240,000gns at DBS Le Volfoni Won four races Sold for 210,000gns at DBS Garde Champetre Won Grade 2 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle before selling for a World Record 530,000gns at DBS Tricky Trickster Bought for £40,000 before winning NH Chase at Cheltenham.

Sold for £320,000 at DBS Afsoun Sold for 270,000gns at DBS before he was placed in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle

“The Million In Mind Partnership gave itself an audacious name, but has lived up to it on numerous occasions since its first horse – named Million In Mind – was bought in 1990.”

Voy Por Ustedes Sold for 106,000gns at DBS before winning five Grade 1 races and over £1 million in prize money Royal Rosa Won Grade 1 Bumper before selling for 340,000gns at DBS

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Million Heirs

A Million Facts MILLION IN MINd pARTNERShIp Number of members: max 180, but usually around 160.

Cost: one payment with no hidden extras - currently £3,500 per season.

What type of horses? young jumpers, but not backward stores.

Five time Grade 1 winner voy Por ustedes

Are all members race goers? anyone can join. a core of members are regular race goers, but many follow from afar by watching runners on television.

Is it just racing? members are offered stable visits, although trips have also been arranged to places of racing interest such as oaksey house, Dalham hall and the Jockey Club rooms in newmarket. To celebrate 20 years a summer party was held at ludlow racecourse, and that has been continued for the past two years, involving a lunch, charity auction and parade of the new horses.

Anthony Bromley

how many horses per season? as many as eight and few as four, but five has become a pattern for the past few seasons Who trains them?

This season the trainers are: nicky henderson (madame De Guise); alan King (Super lunar); paul nicholls (aldopicgros); oliver Sherwood (Spirit oscar); nigel Twiston-Davies (master rajeem).

Where are they bought? it’s a moveable feast. Some are bought at auction, others privately, in Britain, france and ireland.

When are they sold? at the DBS Spring Sales in may each year.

Need more information?

Website: millioninmind.co.uk email: mail@highflyerbloodstock.com Tel: 01638 663436.

uixzandre sells for £100,000 in 2013

at the August Sale. After about six years every horse we raced went through the ring in May – the timing works well, because the jumps season is complete. You wouldn’t want to sell earlier and miss an opportunity to race.”

Garde Champetre sells for a world record 530,000 guineas

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Million Heirs

Syndicate Members Views DINAH NICHOLSON

“M

y husband, David, trained for the partnership originally.

When he retired from training, Minty said he had better become one of the committee members because four were needed. When David died, Minty asked me to take his place on the committee.

“The main reason it’s been so successful has to be because Anthony and Minty have bought so well over the years. Some horses sell extremely well, meaning there isn’t quite such a big fee to pay for members the following year. I think this encourages people to remain in the partnership.

“There are a band of owners that started off as chums of David Minton and now there are chums of chums – a group of nice people has developed. We have race days and stable visits – if we go to Lambourn we visit a pub there for lunch, while at Nigel TwistonDavies’ yard we head to the Hollow Bottom (pub).

“It’s special having five different horses with five different trainers.

There's a bit of competition between the trainers, too. It works

very well because if, for example, one trainer gets a virus, it still allows you to be successful with the other horses. “various trainers seem to have their best times of the season.

Some are flying in November, some go well in January. It keeps the interest flowing throughout the season.

“Mysilv winning the Triumph Hurdle is one that’s always remembered, but there have been so many occasions.

Tricky Trickster winning at Cheltenham was a particular highlight. Everyone seems to remember the good times and I think that’s because they far outweigh the bad. Last season every horse won, which was super.

“It’s become a tradition to go to Doncaster in May, although it’s always sad to see a good horse sold. A lot of the members go to watch the sales and often they’re in bits, but the horses have to be sold – it’s part of the process.

Having a situation where each horse is sold every year also means the buyers know it’s a genuine sale (that Million In Mind is not keeping the best and selling the rest)

David Minton chats to Nicky Henderson at the DBS Spring Sales

“Even after a sale many members still feel they’re involved with the horse and take a huge interest in their progression. It keeps everyone together.

“Every new season is exciting because of the new draft and all the trainers are quite happy with their recruits at the moment.

I know Alan (King) is particularly happy with his. Hopefully they’ll be at least one star amongst them!”

TOT CALVER

“W

hen my husband (vet Peter Calver) died, in 2002, I moved back to the Cotswolds and I asked David Minton how I could stay involved with racing. He suggested Million In Mind.

“There’s a whole lot more to the partnership than buying and selling horses. It’s so well organised and it’s very nice for someone like me to belong to because it’s a great way to meet new people.

“We go to each trainer’s yard once a year and I am happy to travel anywhere to watch the horses run. When they are bought, the new horses go to Juliet Minton’s stud and then she brings them to Ludlow racecourse where they parade and we find out more about them.

“None of the members have any involvement in buying the horses – it’s a big surprise. We receive photographs, videos and pedigrees when they have been bought and are kept well informed with information throughout the season.

“It’s always nice starting off with a new set of horses and choosing which one we think will be the best. It’s a very good invention.

“I don’t let myself get too attached to the horses personally so I’m not upset when they’re sold – I’m just looking forward to the new start. Anthony occasionally says if one doesn’t make enough money then we’ll buy it back, but it never happens because they always sell very well.

“I can’t really pick out one memory that stands out. What I like most about it is travelling and visiting different racecourses to see the horses run.” g

38 // DBS Magazine

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Support Network

Support

Network DBS’ sponsorship of the Premier Yearling Stakes at York, the Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury and the EBF/DBS Mares’ Bumper at Sandown, promote the industry right across the board and show that the sales house is serious about supporting its own, writes Lissa Oliver

DBS Magazine // 41

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Support Network

U

NLIKE MANY other businesses the thoroughbred industry, although founded on competition, has always been a mutually beneficial community, with the successes of one sector creating a positive knock-on affect within other sectors. This is never more apparent than at the sales, where racecourse success buoys breeders, attracts buyers and boosts the sales companies, leading to further racecourse success and a flourishing full circle.

Adding to this is the sponsorship

by DBS, which is proving to be of great benefit to breeders, vendors, buyers, racecourses and, not least, the sales company itself. Race sponsorship has long been recognised as an effective method of promoting a company’s products or services and actively engaging with a target audience, so it’s no surprise to see it embraced so effectively by one of the racing industry’s leading companies.

The DBS Premier Yearling Stakes run at York in August started the ball rolling back in 1998 and proved such a success it led to the DBS Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury. Tim Kent, DBS Director, says of the important York twoyear-old race, “It’s a week before the Premier Yearling Sale, so we’re able to entertain key clients in advance of the sale and it offers very good exposure of the DBS brand. The horses that run were bought at last year’s sale and are an excellent advert for the sales house.”

They are indeed and the race continues to attract high-class individuals on their way to Group success. “The DBS Premier Yearling Stakes is used by trainers as a stepping stone for a Group race and it attracts a very good class of horse,” Kent points out, “and it is now a key part of the racing calendar.”

Amy Swales, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager of York

The 2013 winner of the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes Haikbidiac returns to the winners enclosure

Racecourse, emphasises that point when she says, “The DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival takes centre stage alongside the other races that share big prizes and famous reputations. The combination of a large field size with the high prize money at stake attracts interest from racegoers on course as well as turning international heads. In addition, there is the unique atmosphere of the paddock, heightened by the anticipation of the smaller owners who feel they have every chance of claiming the £300,000 prize.”

It isn’t only the smaller owner who enjoys the thrill of anticipation from sale to race. Racing is a great leveller and the joy of a

“The DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival takes centre stage alongside the other races that share big prizes and famous reputations”

win transcends mere financial considerations. When Swales speaks of the heightened atmosphere of the paddock she has captured perfectly the joy of racehorse ownership, and the syndicates formed of ordinary working people are competing with their bargain buys on equal terms with Sheikhs and sales toppers.

“Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, the winning owner of Haikbidiac, is from Dubai and is a relation of the Maktoum family and he was absolutely delighted to win the race,” reveals William Haggas, the trainer of this year’s winner. “Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, owners of the third, Nezar, whilst disappointed not to have won were thrilled to come away with a very nice pot to boot,” he adds. “I think the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes is very good concept that all trainers like as it is an opportunity for the small owner to win a nice pot. I bought quite a few at the Premier Sale, far more than I usually buy, and they were

42 // DBS Magazine

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Support Network

Lagardere and this year’s winner, Haikbidiac, has already shown promise when subsequently third in a Group 3 over in France. His placed stablemate, Nezar, also ran third next time out, in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket.

York is the setting for the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes

DBS director Tim Kent reviews the form with Channel 4’s Clare Balding

bought specifically with the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes in mind.

Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum has already bought a very nice colt at the DBS Premier Sale in the hope of emulating Haikbidiac.”

“York as a city and the Ebor Festival itself attracts over 80,000 guests over the four days, as well as the race enjoying a television profile both on international screens and Channel Four,” points out Amy Swales. “In all likelihood the majority of potential purchasers for future sales are either here or have their eyes on the Knavesmire during this week.

All in all the race is a valuable addition to our feature Festival programme, where we are able to work with Doncaster Bloodstock Sales to promote the industry as a whole.”

Promoting the industry right across the board is chief on the DBS objective and another addition to the sponsorship family was appropriately a National Hunt equivalent, a feature of the March meeting at Newbury. “The DBS Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury is a similar race to the Premier Yearling Stakes,” explains

Tim Kent, “in that it’s only open to graduates of the DBS Spring Store Sale and it was designed as a big money pot for the National Hunt fraternity. It arose from the success of the York race and our awareness that we need to be trying to do something similar under both codes. It’s the 16th year of the York race and it’s always oversubscribed every year and as it worked so well we felt we should try it for National Hunt breeders.”

Like the Yearling Stakes, the timing of the DBS Spring Sales Bumper is no coincidence and it also attracts good horses. Diamond Harry, for example, went on to Grade 1 success and the race has often been used as a springboard for promising young horses. As Kent points out, “The DBS Spring Sales Bumper is the second most valuable bumper in the country and it is run at the right time of year to allow horses to mature and offers young horses an opportunity to get to the track.”

This year the four-year-old Meadowcroft Boy followed up his winning debut with victory in the DBS Spring Sales Bumper, having been sold by Simon and Helen Plumbly’s Marefield Farm

The participating owners and trainers will be returning to the DBS Premier Sale with increased eagerness, having been given a taster of the prize collected by 32,000gns purchase Haikbidiac, who has to date earned £186,858 on the racecourse. Generous prize money stretches to tenth, so there is plenty of assistance for owners to return for another go next year. And the publicity the race provides draws still further attention.

Well placed within the two-yearold calendar, the race often becomes part of a wider story, with many of the participants set for the bigger stage after their DBS Premier Yearling Stakes run. In 2010 the Richard Fahey trained Wootton Bassett went on to win the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc DBS Magazine // 43

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Support Network

It pays to buy at DBS. Connection of Haikbidiac collect their cheque for a yearling who cost £32,000 at the Premier Sales

DBS Premier Stakes DBS Premier Yearling Stakes, 6f, run at York’s Ebor meeting 22nd August 2013, and worth over £300,000. A recognised springboard for talented sprinters, past winners include Acclamation, Somnus, Cape Fear, Dark Angel and Wootton Bassett.

DBS Spring Sales Bumper, 2m, run at Newbury Racecourse in March. Worth over £50,000 recent winners include the Grade 1 winning Diamond Harry, winner of ten races and £355,983 in prize money.

EBF/DBS Mares’ Bumper, 2m 1/2f, Listed, run on Imperial Cup Day at Sandown 9th March 2013, the Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival, three weeks before Aintree. Worth £14,237 to the winning owner. An ideal prep race for the valuable Listed Mares’ Bumper at Aintree over the same distance. 2012 winner, Call Me A Star, went on to be placed in all of her next seven races and notched up £35,275 in prize money.

to trainer Alistair Whillans for £17,000 at the DBS Spring Store Sales 2011, and he has now won for his owners W J E Scott and Mrs M A Scott over £19,000 in prize money from just two starts to date.

As with the Yearling Stakes and Premier Sale, the DBS

Spring Sales Bumper is run in conjunction with the DBS Sales at Newbury and again it provides the opportunity for DBS to entertain clients a week in advance of the sale. It also brings a welcome attraction to the host, Newbury Racecourse.

Being such an historical part of racing’s fabric is key to the DBS sponsorship ethic, helping the team to identify the races and fixtures that will provide the most benefit to owners and, in turn, breeders and vendors. The EBF/ DBS Mares’ Bumper is just such a race, run at Sandown on Imperial Cup day in March.

“The EBF/DBS Mares’ Bumper at Sandown, now in its tenth year, is a fantastic opportunity for mares to get hugely valuable Black Type and is our way of helping National Hunt breeders at grass roots level, offering an opportunity to increase the value of the mare and her

“Promoting the industry right across the board is chief on the DBS objective and another addition to the sponsorship family was appropriately a National Hunt equivalent.”

family, which can only increase the value and appeal of her stock at the DBS Spring Sales, so it comes full circle,” says Tim Kent.

“Again, at Sandown we have an excellent entertainment facility.

In choosing these three races we tried to spread the benefit around to everyone.”

That benefit was put to great advantage by the six-year-old Midnight Legend mare Molly’s A Diva, who took her unbeaten record to three when claiming this year’s EBF/DBS Mares’ Bumper, earning herself a valuable Listed win – and her owner/breeder, John Perriss, £14,237 in prize money. It was the perfect reward for Perriss, who had not, until Molly’s A Diva came along, owned or bred a bumper winner, after over 20 years involvement as an owner.

Such cherished moments cannot be saddled with a value, but Molly’s A Diva will now be a very valuable addition to her owner’s stud and we already know how greatly in demand are the progeny of winning National Hunt mares at the DBS Spring Sales, so Perriss will take away something more substantial than fond memories when her career on the track comes to a close. 

44 // DBS Magazine

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Caroline Kenneally at the Tinhealy Point-to-Point. Photograph by Jennifer O’Sullivan

Studying Form

Studying

form

DBS agents scour the British Isles and Ireland for horses that will excite vendors at their sales. Caroline Kenneally spends her time across the Irish Sea traversing the length and breadth of its 32-counties while Sam Hoskins is in pursuit of pedigree across England’s southern swathes.

Talent Spotting

C

AROLINE KENNEALLY is DBS’ Horses in Training agent. She sources high class NH Horses in Training to sell at the six HIT Sales held by the sales house in Doncaster and at Newbury Racecourse each year.

She’s looking for horses with form.

“They might be Bumper winners or Point-to-Point winners, having had one or two runs, or even finished second or third, as long

as they show a bit of form,” she explains.

Alfie Buller, of Scarvagh Stud in Co. Down, approached the former accountant – she spent a decade as a bean counter - at the sales and asked her to come and work for him when he saw that she had a good eye for a horse.

It was very different from Co. Waterford where Caroline grew up. Her six years in Co. Down gave her great insight into some of the UK’s finest trainers including Venetia Williams and Lucinda

Russell. “It was hard work but a sort-of equine university,” she says of her time there.

She spends her weekends on the Point-to-Point circuit and likens National Hunt racing to a family “You know everyone. It becomes a way of life, moving from sale to sale, race meet to race meet, it’s a circuit but the sales scene has become very competitive over the last few years.”

She likes to arrrive early to watch the horses and tout for business. It is tough going but DBS Magazine // 47

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Studying Form

she “thrives on it” and thinks nothing of covering 300 miles in a weekend. For her the thrill of the chase is sourcing future steeplechasers. “When you get the horse you want it gives you a rush.

But that high is nothing compared to going into the ring. That’s when your heart really starts pumping,” she admits.

Potential stars she’s spotted for NH trainers include the subsequent Grade 1 winning Brindisi Breeze, whom she helped spot for private sale after he won his maiden at Loughrea. Enjoy Responsibly is another find. He made £105,000 at the DBS Spring Sales. Padge, who made £160,000 at Newbury in March, won at Punchestown in February and was found jointly by Caroline and DBS director Jeremy Mactaggart.

“My job is to pick future stars”, she explains.“Most vendors want an athletic horse. Conformation is very important. A good athletic walk helps but sometimes you just know. More than anything else you trust your instincts.”

Well Informed

S

am Hoskins is DBS’ man in the South of England (together with Tim Kent who is based in the DBS Lambourn Office) with the specific role of finding both Flat and NH Horses in Training to sell at the six annual DBS Horses in Training sales.

He set up the Hot To Trot Racing Club in 2011 with leading international bloodstock agent Luke Lillingston. They currently have horses in training with Andrew Balding, Clive Cox, Tom Dascombe, William Haggas, Jessica Harrington, Mark Johnston and William Knight.

In addition, Sam now manages Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds who were the original pioneers of the professional syndication market under their founder Nick Robinson.

Prior to starting Hot To Trot, Sam Hoskins spent two and half years working for leading owner and breeders, the Niarchos family, learning “how the cogs are put together to run a top class racing and breeding enterprise”.

“You need a horse unfazed by anything.

A chilled-out horse is more likely to tHOrOUGHBreD FOrM settle. I suppose the equine-equivalent Sam graduated from the Irish of Serena Williams would work well.”

National Stud Thoroughbred

Breeding Course and has also worked on leading stud farms in New Zealand and America.

The youngest ever member of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) Board, Sam is also an avid form analyst. From the age of sixteen he wrote a tipping column for the newspaper The Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard. “It was fantastic experience and a great way to showcase my fanaticism at a young age!”

Hoskins’ great uncle was trainer Martin Tate but it was his grandmother who fuelled his love of horse racing. Her horse, Errant Knight, purchased at DBS, won sixteen races over jumps for trainer Martin Pipe, having graduated from the Point-To-Point field.

A BUYer’S eYe Sam may have built a Grade 1 knowledge of form but understands that when it comes to the selection process at the sales, the physical attributes of the horse are as important when looking for a future star “It has to move nicely, have the limbs to carry it, and with an attitude to match” There is no aptitude test, he says, but you get some sense of how they’ll take to it at the sales. “You need a horse unfazed by anything. A chilled-out horse is more likely to settle. I suppose the equine-equivalent of Serena Williams would work well - good bone and well-muscled with a steely attitude!”

A DAY At tHe rACeS

Sam Hoskins has a Grade 1 knowledge of form, pictured here by Sarah Farnsworth

He goes racing on average twice a week and it gives him time to liaise with clients. Trainers are very busy people, he says explaining: “At the races they’re more relaxed. It’s a better arena in which to do business.”

Hoskins may have National Hunt roots but it is the Flat which is predominantly his business.

“I can relate to both markets very well. I’m passionate about all racing and I think my dualpurpose nature can lend itself well when attracting top quality horses from both spheres to the various DBS Horses in Training sales.” 

48 // DBS Magazine

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In Pursuit of Pedigree

Working life at DBS is a 365-day-a-year, 12 month chronicle with much time on the road spent in search of the next star to sell at their annual sales. To promote the DBS brand the team clocks up thousands of land, air and nautical miles.

In pursuit of

Top: Tim Kent inspects yearlings at Tweenhills Farm and Stud in advance of the Premier Sales. Right: Multiple Grade 1 winning DBS graduate Boston Bob

pedigree

DBS Magazine // 51

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In Pursuit of Pedigree

champion Irish trainer, 2013 2013 JANUARY 2013 2013 20132013 for 2013 Willie Mullins.

And they’re off.

As the Newbury sale drawsJUN 1 winners JAN Grade MAR nearer APR FEB MAY Jeremy Mactaggart and Benefficient,

2013 2013 JUL AUG

Stanners spend their 2013 George 2013weekends 2013 2013 February at Point-toin Ireland. “You don’t meet SEP Points OCT DEC NOV anyone sitting in an office,” George

Darlan, Riverside Theatre, The Liquidator and Wishfull Thinking and all sold as foals at the DBS NH Breedingstock Sales and the first sale of the year gives purchasers the chance of finding their successors. There is also the January HIT Sales and entries are still being taken.

DBS director Tim Kent explains.

“Everyone is feeling refreshed after the Christmas break but it is vital that we attend as many National Hunt meetings as possible, in Britain and Ireland, to promote both of our January Sales to vendors and purchasers – Grade 1 winners have been bought at both of these sales and it is our job to ensure this continues” The year starts on the right note. Diamond King, who sold at the January Foal Sales in 2009 for £47,000, wins the Bumper at Wetherby for Donald McCain by sixteen lengths and looks an extremely exciting horse to follow.

2013 2013 JAN FEB

explains. “At the racetracks I get to talk to owners and trainers, and sometimes you come away with an entry, or with something to follow up for the Spring Sales.”

For Harry Beeby, Tim Kent, Michael Dale, Stuart Mactaggart and Katie Farnsworth the focus is on scouting the best store horses in the UK by visiting vendors’ farms in search of the next Bobs Worth or My Tent Or Yours. George Stanners also traverses the English Channel in search of the best French NH Stores.

Aurora’s Encore wins the Aintree Grand National

2013 MARCH 20132013 2013 2013 March heralds the MAR madness APRof theMAY JUN

Cheltenham Festival – the pinnacle of the National Hunt season – and creates an opportunity for the entire team to

2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2013 2013 FEBRUARY 2013 2013 2013 “The 2013 2013 fact that DBS graduates have Result! Point-to-point Bob, won both the Grand National and the JAN FEB superstar MARBoston APR JUN MAY who sold at the DBS Sale in March 2011 2013 Newbury 2013 2013 2013 for £150,000, wins the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown JUL AUG SEP OCT

Cheltenham Gold Cup is massive. It 2013 2013all the makes mileage, weekend work and follow-up calls worth it.”

NOV

DEC

Nicky Henderson with Cheltenham Gold Cup winning DBS gradate Bobs Worth

meet with owners and trainers and celebrate the success of DBS graduates. Bobs Worth caps an amazing record at the biggest meeting by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a third success at the Festival for the £20,000 DBS purchase.

March also sees the running of the DBS Spring Sales Bumper, held in conjunction with the Newbury Sales which offers a

Tim Kent and Joey Cullen visit DBS graduates in Qatar

boutique collection of Horses in Training. Open to graduates of the Spring Sales, the race was won this year by Meadowcroft Boy, trained by Alistair Whillans, who purchased the son of Kayf Tara at DBS’ Spring Sales in 2012 for £17,000.

The catalogue for the 2013 Breeze Up Sales is published and features Blaine winner of the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York in August 2012. He was bought in April 2012 for £100,000.

This is the time of year when Tim packs his short sleeved shirts and makes a targeted trip to the Middle East for either the Dubai World Cup or Super Saturday.

He also visits Qatar and Bahrain, going racing to meet owners and visits trainers at their yards. Stuart Mactaggart heads north to visit Scandinavia’s training centres.

2013 2013 JAN FEB

2013 2013 MAR APR

2013 2013 MAY JUN

2013 2013 JUL AUG

2013 2013 SEP OCT

2013 2013 NOV DEC

APRIL 2013 Aurora’s Encore, a 9,500gns purchase at the DBS August Sales, triumphs in the Grand National, the world’s greatest steeplechase.

“The fact that DBS graduates

52 // DBS Magazine

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In Pursuit of Pedigree

Connections of Meadowcroft Boy receives the trophy from Henry Beeby after winning the DBS Spring Sales Bumper. From L-R: Willie Scott, Ewan Whillans, Margaret Scott and Ali Whillans

buyers alongside purchasers from America, Ireland, France and the Middle East.

The focus switches to the flat with the entire team back on the road inspecting yearlings in every corner of the country. Jeremy heads across the Irish Sea with George and Harry whilst Michael covers the area south of the M4 corridor. Tim views everything located in a broad swathe through the centre of England and South Wales while Stuart focuses on mid-Wales and the north-west supported by Katie Farnsworth in the Yorkshire area.

have won both the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup is massive,” says Tim Kent. “It makes all the mileage, weekend work and follow-up calls worth it.”

The DBS Breeze Up Sales is the focus in April. Dream Ahead was sold at the 2010 Breeze-Up sale.

He went on to win five Group 1 races. Treaty of Paris is sold to Henry Candy for £16,000 at the DBS Breeze Up Sales 2013 and goes on to win the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York in August. 2013. He holds an entry in the Irish 2000 Guineas 2014 and is an exciting one to follow.

May 2013 3 2013 2013 20132013 2013 2013 2013 The Spring Sales is the biggest annual APR R APRJANMAY JUN MAR FEB dispersal of NH Horses in Training and NH Stores so it’s all hands on deck. Grade 1 winners Bobs Worth, Briar Hill and Tidal Bay are all graduates of the sale and buyers flock to Doncaster in search of the next star. The annual draft of the Milllion in Mind syndicate is included in the sale (see page 36) and the sale attracts a huge crowd of domestic

2013 2013 MAY JUN

JUNE 2013 The highlight of June is Royal Ascot, with all

3 2013 20132013 2013 2013 2013 2013 20132013 “The highlight of June is Royal Ascot, P OCTJULNOV AUGDECSEP OCT NOV DEC with all the glamour and prestige the Royal meeting represents. Graduates of DBS enjoy a great meeting, with Sole Power sold for £32,000 in the 2008 DBS Premier Yearling Sales.”

the glamour and prestige the Royal meeting represents. Graduates of DBS enjoy a great meeting with Sole Power (£32,000) winning the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes, Gale Force Ten (£280,000 sales topper) successful in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes and Extortionist (£30,000) landing the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. All were sold at the Premier Yearling Sales in August and the Royal meeting is an ideal time to meet with clients in a more social environment whilst attempting to finalise entries for the forthcoming yearling sales.

This year saw the inaugural TBA National Hunt Foal Show at Bangor racecourse. Modeled on the popular foal shows held in France, Tim and Stuart are on hand to begin recruiting National Hunt foals for the DBS sale in January.

2013 2013 JAN FEB

2013 2013 MAR APR

2013 2013 JULY 2013 2013 2013 The yearling JUL catalogue SEP OCT AUG is published

and in the downtime from sales the team gets a chance to go racing. “As well as all the big festivals we try to visit all the smaller meetings, two or three

DBS Magazine // 53

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In Pursuit of Pedigree

times a week, to ensure that we speak to all trainers, big and small,” Stuart Mactaggart explains.

July is also a month to explore new markets. Poland is one of the countries being targeted by DBS.

George Stanners (far left) with the winning connections of a DBS sponsored Point-to-point

2013 2013 JAN FEB

2013 2013 MAR APR

2013 2013 MAY JUN

2013 2013 JUL AUG

2013 2013 SEP OCT

2013 2013 NOV DEC

3 2013 N FEB

3 2013 L AUG

AUGUST 2013 August, a holiday month for most, is flat out busy for the DBS team in advance of the yearling sales and taking entries for the upcoming Horses in Training Sales.

The whole team is on hand for the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at York’s Ebor Festival. “The sales race is hugely important,” Tim says. “The day is a great opportunity for the team to host as many clients as possible.”

The hugely valuable race is open to all graduates of the DBS Premier and St Leger Festival yearling sales. This year sees Haikbidiac, a £32,000 Premier Sales purchase trained by William Haggas, land the £157,769 first prize for Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum (see pages 41-44).

2013 2013 MAR APR

2013 2013 MAY JUN

2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 2013 2013 2013 Although more “September is also the time to target Leger SEP low-key OCTthe St.NOV DEC entries for the Autumn Horses potential

Festival Yearling Sales coincides with the St. Leger Festival and is well attended by trainers and owners. Miracle at Medinah, one of the stars of Mark Usher’s yard, was purchased for £3,000 at the 2012 Sales.

September is also the time to target potential entries for the Autumn Horses in Training Sales in November. “Many horses will sell better with us than elsewhere and it is up to us to meet with as many trainers as possible and make them aware of what we offer,” says Tim.

in Training Sales in November.”

3 B

2013 JAN 2013 2013 2013 JAN FEB 2013 MAR JUL 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 JUL AUG SEP MAR APR MAY JUN

3 G

2013 2013 SEP OCT

2013 2013 NOV DEC

OCTOBER 2013 The month offers the DBS team a chance to attend rivals sales and race meetings. ‘DBS follows the sales circuit throughout the Autumn with a view to meeting vendors and buyers that we hope to do business with in the future,” Kent explains.

Attendance at the racecourse is vital to watch DBS graduates battle it out for end of season honours.

George and Jeremy are once

The Open meeting at Cheltenham is an opportunity to talk to trainers and owners, including those who attend the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s National Hunt Stallion Parade. Tim Kent takes over from Henry Beeby as commentator for the first time in 2013.

2013 2013 2013 again 2013 2013 on the trail of National Hunt Horses in Training in Ireland APRSale atMAY JUN FEB forMAR the DBS Hennessy 2013 Newbury 2013 Inspections 2013in November. start for National Hunt foals2013 to sell 2013 2013 2013 2013 DECEMBER 2013 APR next MAY January.. JUN Inspections are AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC already underway in advance of the 2013 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 2013 The DBS Autumn Breeze-Up sales in April with the starts the DBS team looking for the next OCT NOV Sales DEC month with owners battling for the next Borderlescott (£13,000), Overturn (£75,000) or Dim Sum (£100,000).

With the Point-to-Point season in full swing the DBS team attend as many meetings as possible in Britain and Ireland scouring the countryside for starts to sell at Newbury. The Hennessy Sale, held in conjunction with the historic Hennessy Gold Cup meeting, is a chance for buyers to target a select group of National Hunt Breezers and Horses in Training.

Blaine or Dream Ahead.

December is also an opportunity for expanding the promotional horizons, with Katie Farnsworth heading to Penang, one of the most vibrant up and coming areas in the world.

The office is closed over the Christmas period giving the team a few days to really relax with family.

But not for long, the DBS team is present at all the major festive race meetings on the lookout for future stars. 

54 // DBS Magazine

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Equine Grass Sickness Fund Dubai Millennium victim of EGS aged 5

Vaccine trial 2014 for equine grass sickness • A predominantly fatal disease of the nervous system.

• Main symptom is paralysis of entire GI tract • Young horses aged 2-9 years at highest risk.

• The cause remains unproven, there is no cure, no means of prevention.

©Trevor Jones

By donating you can help ensure the trial goes ahead If successful EGS could be as readily preventable as tetanus – let’s bring this disease to an end.

The Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund www.grasssickness.org.uk 0131 445 6257 info@grasssickness.org.uk (Scottish Charity No SC022515)

• Veterinary negligence

• Foal shares

Contact our Equine Law Experts

• Road traffic accidents

• Racehorse leases

Mark Edmondson

Deborah Hargreaves

E: mae@edmondsonhall.com

E: dh@edmondsonhall.com

• Horse ownership Partnerships/Syndicates

Anna Hall

Justin Wadham

• Advice on buying and selling horses • Sale & purchase disputes • Livery yard disputes

• Buying and selling training yards/studs

• BHA enquiries

• Debt recovery

• Stallion syndicates

• Bloodstock Insurance

DBS 2013 p40-72NEW.indd 55

E: ah@edmondsonhall.com

E: jw@edmondsonhall.com

T: +44 (0) 1638 560556 F: +44 (0) 1638 561656 E: solicitors@edmondsonhall.com www.edmondsonhall.com 25 Exeter Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8AR, UK

14/11/2013 17:21:24

Rapido Horse Services (UK) Ltd Rooms available from

£35

Campanile Hotel Doncaster is situated next door to the Doncaster Dome and 5 mins walk from Doncaster Racecourse.

Located just 4km from Doncaster Train Station, 4km from the M18 Jct3 and 9km from Robin Hood Airport Hotel Campanile Doncaster is a perfect central hub to so many destinations.

BREAKFAST: 6.30am-9.00am (weekdays) 8.00am-10.00am (weekends) DINNER: 12.00-9.45pm To book go to: www.campanile.com Call +44 (0) 1302 370770 • Fax: +44 (0) 1302 370813 Email: doncaster@campanile.com Doncaster Leisure Park, Bawtry Road, Doncaster, DN4 7PD, UK

Equine Transport and Shipping with Global Care Rapido Horse Services (UK) Ltd The Old Station Yard Newmarket Suffolk CB8 9WT United Kingdom Tel +44 (0)1638 665145 Fax +44 (0)1638 660848 staff@rapido-england.com www.rapido-england.com

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What to do in Doncaster

What to do in

Doncaster

Extend your stay to explore Doncaster’s equine heritage and historic past, writes Alanna Gallagher.

D

ONCASTER IS A historic market town, with a rich horseracing and railway heritage.

Founded in AD 71 by the Romans for its strategic position on the River Don, ‘Danum’ as it was then known, remains a transport and connectivity hub.

Doncaster is home to one of the oldest established centres for horse racing in Britain, with records of regular race meetings dating from the 16th Century.

The town also hosts two of the world’s oldest horse races: The Doncaster Cup first run over Cantley Common in 1766 and the St. Leger Stakes, the world’s oldest classic horserace which has been around since 1776. It forms the backbone of the four-day St. Leger Festival

that takes place every September on the famous Town Moor course.

DISTINCTIVE SHOPPING Georgian and Regency Buildings line the town’s historic centre on the grand route out towards the famous racecourse. Baxter Gate offers some of the region’s best shopping. The large, triangular Market Place mixes outdoor shopping with the historic buildings. Doncaster Market, a shoppingscape of some 450 stalls

“For afternoon tea in an atmospheric setting head to Cusworth Hall, a Grade I listed country house overlooking Doncaster town centre that was built in the 1740s.”

that dates back 800 years, was voted ‘Britain’s Favourite Market’ in 2012 and Best Market in Britain in 2011 and is made up of several different selling centres. On Saturdays you can hear the town crier. Nearby the Westminister chimes of Clock Corner, add to the atmosphere. Highlights include the Fish Market with its dazzling displays, specialty foods in the Market Hall – a barrel-vaulted space replete with ornate cast iron decorative elements and the striking interior of the Corn Exchange.

CLASSIC HOMES & HORSES During the annual St. Leger Festival in September you can take a guided heritage walk that takes in the historic buildings and places associated with the oldest classic race in the world dating from 1776.

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What to do in Doncaster

Explore the region’s equine heritage. Brodsworth Hall is one of South Yorkshire’s most unusual visitor attractions. Built in the Italianate style of the 1860s by the fabulously wealthy Charles Thellusson, it was occupied by the Thellusson family for over 120 years. The grand rooms on the ground floor recall the house’s Victorian heyday, while the family’s sporting interests are reflected in paintings of their yachts, Guinevere and Boadicea and their race-horses, most notably Rataplan, who won the Doncaster Cup in 1855. Rataplan won 42 of 82 races, including the Ascot Gold Vase, and was placed in both the St Leger and Derby. He was painted by equestrian artist Harry Hall. It is thought Rataplan came into Thellusson’s ownership in 1850, possibly marking the marriage of his son, Charles Sabine Thellusson, to Georgiana Theobald, granddaughter of John Theobald.

In 2008 the mummified front feet of Rataplan, which had been preserved as a momento by the horse’s groom Edward Horn Shaw since Rataplan had been put down in old age, were returned to Brodsworth Hall. The Doncaster Cup, the stallion won, his front hooves and a stamp used to mark the papers of foals Rataplan sired are all on display in the billiard room, itself a perfectly preserved example of an 1860s gentlemen’s retreat.

Horsepower of another sort also calls Doncaster home. The famous locomotives the Flying Scotsman (1923) and the Mallard (1938) were designed and built in Doncaster.

TREASURE TROVE For the horsey set the biggest draw at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery is its collection of nine Doncaster Gold Cups dating back to 1779. That cup is awarded to Magnum Bonum. The Doncaster Gold Cup, now known as the Doncaster Cup, is the oldest horse race to take place in Doncaster. First run in 1766, on Cantley Common over a distance of four miles, the Doncaster Cup is now run over two miles and two furlongs, and is open to thoroughbreds aged three years and older.

Magnum Bonum, the winner of this magnificent trophy was the son of the great racehorse Matchem, one of the four stallions credited with producing every English thoroughbred. In total Matchem sired 354 winners.

The Bethel family, the owners of Magnum Bonum, retained the cup until its sale in 1929. The cup was bought at Christie’s auctioneers in 1982 by Doncaster Museum Service.

Other attractions at the museum include the Danum Shield, an alder and oak flat, rectangular shield found in 1971 that dates to the 1st century AD that was probably used by a British auxiliary soldier making it a unique Roman Britain

Cusworth Hall

Doncaster Bucket List EAT Pick up a Topping’s Pie, a specialty pork pie that is perfect for lunch on the hoof. These pies are so good that they are sold in the food halls of Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

SEE Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery’s collection of nine Doncaster Gold Cups dating back to 1779.

The mummified front feet of Doncaster Cup winning racehorse Rataplan in the billiards room of Brodsworth Hall.Marvel at the Coningsbrough Castle, a fortress that inspired Coningsburgh Castle in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Ivanhoe.

Coningsbrough Castle

BUY Parkinson’s butterscotch.

STAY

Bawtry

The Crown Hotel in nearby Bawtry, a quaint market town on the banks of the River Idle.

find and a Limoges tazza, from the Italian word for cup, dating from around 1540 and depicting Moses and the Ten Commandments, that was gifted to Doncaster Museum Service from the Treasury in lieu of tax paid on the death of the 7th Earl Spencer, who was the grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales.

IDLE OVER AFTERNOON TEA For afternoon tea in an atmospheric setting head to Cusworth Hall, a grade I listed country house overlooking Doncaster town centre that was built in the 1740s for local land owner William Wrightson and featuring plasterwork is by master craftsman Joseph Rose. See the stunning ceiling paintings by Francis Hayman, a pupil of Hogarth, in the Italianate chapel which spent 50 years hidden beneath layers of paint. After you’ve explored upstairs you can go ‘below stairs’ to the great kitchen, the bake house and laundry to see what life was like for the workers.

Conisbrough Castle, which reopens to the public in April, is another must-see. The lofty 12th century keep played a major role the Wars of the Roses and was once owned by Richard of York. The stronghold inspired Coningsburgh Castle, which featured in the Sir Walter Scott novel, Ivanhoe.

If the weather falls a bit flat sign up for one of the Cockpit Open Days at AeroVenture, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum which gives kids of all ages the chance to sit into aircraft ranging from Canberra, Vampire and Meteor all housed in what were once hangars belonging to RAF Doncaster.

After dark enjoy fine food at Garden, the restaurant in the Mount Pleasant Hotel.

Or take in a show at newly opened The Core. Stay at The Crown Hotel in nearby Bawtry, a quaint market town on the banks of the River Idle.

Just don’t go home without trying some of the town’s worldfamous Parkinson’s butterscotch.  Cockpit Open Days at Aeroventure

58 // DBS Magazine

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Julian Dollar or Gary Coffey +44 (0)1763 846000 newsells-park.com

the best son of Acclamation • TFR: 127. Higher than his sire, grandsire and all his paternal half-brothers • Winner of the Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes as a 3yo & 5yo • First yearlings averaged £42,300 for 53 sold (to 17/10/13) , making up to 170,000gns

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Thoroughbred Cars

Audi RS6

True

Thorougbreds Neil Briscoe’s great thoroughbred cars for everyday activities like nipping down the shops for The Racing Post to special race day revelry rides to Aintree and Royal Ascot.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

60 // DBS Magazine

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Thoroughbred SocialCars life

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

H

ENRY FORD MAY have assumed that his customers would simply want faster horses if he had bothered to ask them, but horses and horsepower go together rather perfectly. With that in mind, we’ve picked the best cars you can buy and drive for the biggest four-legged social and sporting occasions.

Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Aston Martin Vanquish

THE DAILY DRIVE: RANGE ROVER SPORT Since 1970, there has been one car equally perfect for hauling a horsebox or pulling up outside the Ritz and it’s the Range Rover.

Classy and classless, it goes just as well with a pair of battered wellies or a Dolce and Gabanna gown and is as comfortable crossing town as crossing the Himalayas. The new Sport version gets the nod on the basis of looks, performance and price. You don’t need to spend big to look the part – the 3.0 V6 diesel is as good as any of the V8 versions and you can have seven seats as an option too.

MAKING AN ENTRANCE AT ROYAL ASCOT: MERCEDES-BENZ G-WAGEN It may seem an odd choice, but the big Benz that looks like it was designed by a maker of steel sheds is actually the canny choice.

You see, the car park at Ascot is going to be rammed with all manner of Bentleys, Ferraris and Range Rovers, so quite apart from making a more dramatic entrance, you’ll also be able to find it more easily on the way out. Besides, if the grandstands are full, the big Merc is big enough to stand on and see the entire course for yourself, as well as being top-hat friendly inside.

Range Rover Sport

“Since 1970, there has been one car equally perfect for hauling a horsebox or pulling up outside the Ritz and it’s the Range Rover.”

RETURNING TO ROYAL ASCOT AFTER A BIG WIN: ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH This, then, is your chance. Your long-shot accumulator came off and now you want to show off.

There’s only one car for the job; a Rolls-Royce Wraith. Its 662bhp V12 engine will ensure that any dawdling traffic on the way up is

despatched with ease, while the sheer comfort of the thing will soothe away any frustrations at non-runners or losing long shots at the end of the meeting. The lower-than-Rolls-norm shape and fastback lines look stunning, but this is classy where a Ferrari is vulgar, or a Bentley too obvious.

TRAVELLING TO THE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE: JAGUAR F-TYPE 3.0 V6S We could have picked the bigbanger V8 model for this but frankly it’s a bit of a handful, especially in the wet, and anyway, this supercharged V6 model has DBS Magazine // 61

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• Mickley Stud home of Captain Gerrard, Britain’s leading first season sire 2013.

• Multiplex sire of Group III winner Superplex 2013.

• Phoenix Reach Treble Group I winner of over £2,000,000.

• Overbury a leading National Hunt sire.

• Breeders of over 45 winners in 2013 including two Grade I winners Liquidator and Sweeney Tunes.

And Goodwood Cup winner Brown Panther.

• Boarding, pre training and Bloodstock consultancy.

Captain Gerrard

Telephone: +44 (0) 1630 638 840 • Home: +44 (0) 1630 685 220 • Mobile: 44 (0) 7973 315 722 @MickleyStud www.mickleystud.com • E-mail: mickleystud@btconnect.com • Follow us T E R N H I L L , M A R K E T D R AY T O N , S H R O P S H I R E , T F 9 3 Q W, U K

STEPHEN HILLEN BLOODSTOCK RECENT SUCCESSFUL PURCHASES INCLUDE: • 2013 Gimcrack (Gp2) and Middle Park (Gp 1) winner ASTAIRE. • • 2012 Gimcrack (Gp2) winner BLAINE •

THREE INDIVIDUAL ROYAL ASCOT WINNERS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. Four Sales Race victories between 2011 and 2013: • DBS Premier Yearling Stakes (2011 and 2012) • • Redcar Totepool Two Year OId Trophy (2011) • Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300k Two Year Old Stakes (2013)

STEPHEN WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AT ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN AND USA SALES. Contact: +44 1638 508010 | Mobile: +44 777 5598531 | Email:stephen@hillenbloodstock.co.uk

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Thoroughbred Cars

Morgan Plus 8

more poke than sanity would deem necessary. Not only is the F-Type low, gorgeous and fast (ideal for those long, tree-lined straights on the way to Longchamp) it’s also comfy for the motorway run to the Chunnel. Besides, it’s a Jag and all those Jaguar wins at the Le Mans 24hrs carry with them a tribal memory of British victories on French soil. That’s got to be a good omen.

CHELTENHAM WEEK: ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH Apart from the proximity to all those great driving roads in Wales, and the opportunity they give to unleash the Aston’s glorious 6.0-litre, 573bhp V12 engine, there is another compelling reason to bring Daniel Craig’s personal transport to Cheltenham. Yes, it’ll get you there quickly and comfortably, but there is another overriding reason and it’s the invasion of Irish racing fans.

Why? Because unlike us uptight Brits, drive an Aston past a group of Irish horse racing fans and one of them is bound to yell “Hey! Look at your man and his James Bond car!” And if that’s not the point of driving an Aston, what is?

LOCAL POINT-TO-POINT: BMW X5 Waterlogged ground is a common complaint at the Point-to-Point so you’re going to need something with the four wheel drive and ride height necessary to cope if things get, um, inclement. Besides, the newly updated X5 is one of the best big 4x4s around, with a smooth 3.0-litre diesel straightsix and a cabin that’s handsome enough to defeat even the mighty Range Rover. The real reason that the X5 is perfect for these social occasions is the seating – no, not the optional seven seats in the cabin, but the fold-down tailgate which makes it perfect for both viewing and picnicking while the racing goes on around you.

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD: MORGAN PLUS 8 Yes, the Rolls-Royce factory is within sight of the Goodwood grandstands, but this is a

“Strap a picnic basket to the back, enjoy the run over the Downs on the way and you’ll find no car more at home in Goodwood itself.”

quintessentially British event and there is no car more quintessentially British than the Morgan Plus 8. It’s a bewitching combination of old-school craftsmanship (yes, that’s a handbeaten alloy body over a handmade ash frame) with cuttingedge tech (the light aluminium chassis and the fabulous BMWsourced 4.8-litre V8 engine). Strap a picnic basket to the back, enjoy the run over the Downs on the way and you’ll find no car more at home in Goodwood itself.

THE GRAND NATIONAL: AUDI RS6 The trick with the trip to Aintree is that you need a car of two parts.

Obviously, you want to make the right impression upon arrival, and the RS6 represents the bleeding edge of Audi’s current blend of street comfort and race track tech.

Its massive twin-turbo V8 is also to be found in Bentleys, and the quattro four-wheel drive will keep you on the road through snow, sleet or hail. Best of all though, it’s subtle to look at so if you’ve been taken to the cleaners by the bookies, you can just slip into the gorgeous interior and slink off home without any unwanted attention. Bliss.  DBS Magazine // 63

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Style Stakes

COVER ME When winter winds are biting, you really need a coat that cosies right up around your neck.

Armani Collezioni’s new navy blue quilted coat, with soft draw-string neck muff, boasts a toasty ninety per cent goose down and ten per cent goose feather stuffing to keep you snug as a bug. Practical yet super stylish! Price £490 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com.

Blue ribbon looks for everyday elegance

LAYER UP Orla Kiely’s no fuss separates give a contemporary edge to classic designs. This solid silk crepe cream tie blouse, £238 and black boucle full skirt, £208, are investment buys. orlakiely.com.

On dark mornings team a dress teamed with chunky knit tights and elegant long boots means you’re good to go. This Cheam dress from Brit brand Hobbs is warm and effortlessly elegant. Price £159 hobbs.co.uk.

THE BOOTS The new black leather Kiernan riding boot from Tory Burch with its equestrian shape, fretworkinspired gold metal logo and soft round toe is a modern classic.

Price £425. toryburch.com

THE BAG The new Chloé Marcie grained leather crossbody bag is perfect for busy days out and about when you need something light and practical that won’t slip off your shoulder. Its low key look comes with adjustable shoulder strap, super-subtle embroidered, embossed logo, a concealed front slit pocket and slip-tab fastening at flap front. Price £435 at Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com.

THE JACKET Vivienne Westwood’s red label reimagines the hacking jacket in a tartan to make it equestrian and style appropriate this season. Price £700, viviennewestwood. co.uk/shop.

At the Races Lizzie Gore-Grimes selects hard working tack for him and for her that will take you from the gallops to the racetrack.

64 // DBS Magazine

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Style Stakes

THE JUMPER The Nigel Hall brand takes inspiration from the classic looks of the 50s and 60s. This wool bottle green jumper has a strong, continental feel to it, thanks to its fine textured fabric. Perfect for under your sports jacket. Price £95. nigelhallmenswear.com.

GET THE LOOK Camel Chino £95; Gilet available in blue or navy £225, both from Brooks Brothers. Top off the look with a trilby, £65 from Bailey available from asos.com

PERFORMANCEENHANCING DEVICE The new iPad mini, £269, is portable and perfect to keep abreast of race day performances. It has beautiful, intuitive design and stacks of useful apps.

Protect it with this low-key luxe Smythson sleeve in taupe and yellow.

Price £195. smythson.com.

Black type buys that keep it country

THE BLAZER When it comes to classic country menswear style you can’t beat Barbour.

This traditional tailored jacket is made from a British-woven herringbone tweed and is part of their Lifestyle Collection. Price £279 barbour.co.uk The handkerchief set, £30, is an optional extra.

CANINE COOL This Barbour quilted coat will keep man’s best friend warm this winter.

Easy to slip on with a belt around the middle it costs £44.95. barbour.co.uk.

THE BOOTS Joseph Cheaney and Sons has been making traditional English shoes in Northamptonshire since 1886. The shoes are handcrafted from scratch in the original factory, from the cutting out of the leather through stitching to final polishing. This Godfrey D Chelsea Boot, from their new country and leisure collection, is the perfect all-round workhorse boot. Crafted from top-quality black calf leather, it will never go out of style. £315.cheaney.co.uk.

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ROA

DBS Social Diary

Spotted at DBS

Willie Browne and Tracey Kearney

The DBS sales attract a broad cross-section of buyers and some of the well-known faces at recent sales and race sponsorship have been captured

by Sarah Farnsworth.

Adrian Costello

Harry Herbert, John Warren and Jake Warren

MV Magnier Tom Goff

Ralph Beckett and Alex Elliott

Amanda Skiffington and Joey Cullen Ross Doyle, Nicolas de Watrigant, Richard Hannon and Peter Doyle

Laurence Bellman and Ed Walker

Luke Barry

66 // DBS Magazine

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14/11/2013 17:25:06

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14/11/2013 17:25:23

DBS Social Diary

Eddie O’Leary and Aidan ‘Mouse’ O’Ryan

Alice Nugent and Edward Player

Julian Dollar, David Redvers and Wayne Cullen

David and Mick Easterby

Tom Malone and Timmy Hyde

Ed Sackville, Tom Dascombe and Michael Owen

Kevin Buckley Anthony Stroud

Willie Carson

Chris Richardson and Matthew Sigsworth

DBS Magazine // 69

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DBS Social Diary

Willie Slattery

David Wachman and Paul Shanahan

Richard Frisby and Tony Nerses

William Haggas

Mags O’Toole

Tony Nerses, Francoise Drion and Saleh al Homaizi

Chris Wood

Remembering Rhona Oliver

R

HONA OLIVER PASSED away on 27 July and so ended the longest association with DBS. The widow of DBS cofounder Kenneth, Rhona was with him from day 1 and there were few more dedicated supporters of the Company, albeit in a more understated and quiet way than some. Rhona helped Ken compile the very first catalogue and attended DBS sales for many, many years. A Board member until she retired last year, she was always a source of quiet support and advice for the DBS team.

Although Kenneth held the training licence that was responsible for 5 Scottish Grand National wins in a highly successful career, he

always acknowledged that Rhona was the trainer of the horses whilst he looked after the owners and the business. Theirs was a supremely successful partnership and that flowed over to DBS where they hosted many a party with Willie Stephenson and Harry Beeby in the early days, so setting the tone for the convivial atmosphere that became the hallmark of DBS. “Rhona was a friend to us all” says Henry Beeby. “I knew Ken and Rhona all my life and they were always hugely supportive and helpful to my father and then to me.

Ken was always in the foreground with Rhona behind him, but they both made a huge contribution to our fortunes”. 

Rhona Oliver presents the prize to the winning connection at the Kenneth Oliver Memorial NH Foal Show

70 // DBS Souvenir Magazine

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Hedgeholme Stud Boarding & Sales Preperation Thoroughbred stallions at stud including:

Westlake by Sadler’s Wells – out of Rainbow Lake. the half brother to Dam of Frankel • Family Run Stud Offering Realistic Charges • • Horse Breeding • • Thoroughbred Stallions at Stud •

Contact us for a competitive quote Tel: 01325 730209 Mob: 07990 518751 Email: Andrew@hedgeholmestud.co.uk www.hedgeholmestud.co.uk

Eastern Anthem £2,000 Group 1 winning son of Singspiel and his first foals this year, 2013

W IN S TON , DARLINGTON DL 2 3 R S , U K

Indian Haven £2,500 Son of Indian Ridge, who has produced black type performers, also several 2yo winners in 2013, including Indy, Vodka Time, Indian Rainbow and Sunny Harbor. Also now producing National Hunt winners, Beachfire and Indian Outlook.

Contact Us: Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel offers country house charm with all the convenience of a great location near Doncaster Opulent, individually furnished,the hotel is a luxurious place to stay. The Spa bedrooms have a different theme for each room.

Afternoon teas, cocktails, Rosette for food, all day Bistro menu, fine wine and deluxe health and well-being facilities.

Telephone: +44 1302 868696 • Fax: +44 1302 865130 Email: reception@mountpleasant.co.uk www.mountpleasant.co.uk

T: 01747 871340 M: 07887 513007 E: david@withyslade.co.uk

www.withyslade.co.uk Tisbury Row, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6RZ, UK

Great North Road (A638), Doncaster DN11 0HW, UK

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Buyers Map

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regional

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A thirst for

bloodstock

Doncaster, a town of 68,000 people, can expand in size by 20 per cent during the DBS Sales which attract buyers from all over the world.

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NORWAY PENNSYLVANIA, USA POLAND QATAR RUSSIA SINGAPORE SLOVENIA SPAIN SWEDEN SWITZERLAND TRINIDAD TURKEY VIRGINIA, USA

72 // DBS Magazine

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