Goffs National Hunt 2016

GOFFS WINNING STREAK

National Hunt 2016

TOM MALONE

GOFFS

150

YEARS OF NH GREATS Goffs National Hunt Magazine 2016

CHAMPION AGENT

AT HOME WITH DEREK O’CONNOR

ALTIOR

A great year for Kilmoney Cottage & Goffs Land Rover

HIT the Jackpot WITH MILLION IN MIND

{+ Festival Sales | Marvellous Gifts | Winter Racing Style | Land Rover Discovery | Tony Williams} 000_Goffs_2016_Cover.indd 1

09/12/2016 16:38

NEW DISCOVERY SPORT from €41,565*

ADVENTURE. IT’S IN OUR DNA. trinitylandrover.ie

Introducing our most versatile compact SUV to date.

Intelligent technology including class-leading Terrain Response ® makes the New Discovery Sport perfect for the great outdoors. A generous storage space of 1,698 litres and clever 5+2 seating makes for a great indoors too.

Book your test drive today.

Trinity Land Rover Trinity Street, Wexford. 053 912 2500.

Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the New Discovery Sport range (l/100km): Urban 5.5 - 10.8, Extra Urban 4.2 - 6.8, Combined 4.7 - 8.3.

Co2: 123 - 197g/km. *Delivery and related charges additional.

239084_1C_Trinity Motors_Goffs NH.indd 1

09/12/2016 11:21

Contents GOFFS NATIONAL HUNT 2016

14

ALL EYES ON AINTREE

18

25

41

50

CHAMPION AGENT

WHAT MAKES TOM MALONE TICK?

A NEW MAN IN DONCASTER

PRIMARY SCHOOLING

Goffs National

Tom Malone is one

Goffs UK new

Land Rover graduate

Hunt agent Derek

of the most active on

Managing Director

Altior capped a

O’Connor talks to

the sales scene with

Tony Williams is set to

memorable Cheltenham

Donn McClean about

almost 300 winners

build on history, writes

for vendors Kilmoney

his incredible Point-to-

this year. What drives

Zoe Vicarage of

Cottage Stud, writes

Point career and how

him, asks Carl Evans.

The Racing Post.

Donn McClean.

becoming a champion was in his blood.

Goffs National Hunt | 1

001_Goffs_2016_Contents.indd 1

09/12/2016 16:55

CONTENTS

78

DEAR SANTA Beautiful buys for her and for him.

80

ISN’T IT MARVELLOUS Some of this festive season’s most gorgeous gifts are to be found at The Marvel Room at Brown Thomas.

SOCIAL NETWORK Boutique horses-in-training sales at Punchestown and Aintree, the Land Rover Sale at Kill, the TBA dinner and Goffs fashion event hosted

by Brown Thomas.

85 50

5

WELCOME The year 2016 was a historic one for Goffs.

6

NEWS Doncaster is rebranded as Goffs UK, Coeur de Lion wins the Land Rover and much, much more.

11

MASTERS OF THE FESTIVAL MARKET Goffs has cornered the festival sale market with its boutique sales at Punchestown and Aintree, writes Niamh O’Hehir.

ALL EYES ON AINTREE Goffs UK’s new partnership with Aintree Racecourse saw the 2016 Grand National Festival host the inaugural Aintree Sale, writes Michael Orton.

14

33

45

57

PRIDE OF PLACE Hunting is more than a country pursuit. Its acts as a National Hunt nursery for both horses and jockeys with many household names emerging from it, writes Dickie Power, hunting correspondent to The Irish Field.

65

70

150 YEARS WINNING Goffs celebrates its 150th year by highlighting some of its most famous National Hunt graduates, writes Nick Nugent.

MILLION IN MIND Million in Mind has grown into one of the most successful and enviable National Hunt racing syndicates around. And now it is sponsoring races, writes Vikki Hancock.

DECK THE HALLS More is more is the approach to take when it comes to decorating your home this Christmas.

THE SARTORIALIST Dressing the part is key to staying warm and stylish whether you’re heading to a Point-to-Point; winter racing or attending a hunt ball.

96

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE A record-breaking entrance launched Land Rover’s new Discovery.

25

65

GOFFS CO-ORDINATORS: Niamh O’Hehir; Michael Orton EDITOR: Alanna Gallagher ART DIRECTOR: Jane Matthews CONTRIBUTORS: Niamh O’Hehir; Michael Orton; Donn McClean, Carl Evans, Nick Nugent; Zoe Vicarage; Vikki Hancock; Dickie Power PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sarah Farnsworth; Peter Mooney; Catherine Power; Noel Mullins; The Racing Post.

COVER IMAGE: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE PRODUCTION MANAGER: Mary Connaughton ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Paul Clemenson GOFFS MAGAZINES ARE PUBLISHED BY ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP. Blackhall Green, Dublin 7. Tel: (01) 432 2200; Fax (01) 672 7100 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 of the publisher is prohibited © 2016/17.

2 | Goffs National Hunt

001_Goffs_2016_Contents.indd 2

09/12/2016 18:34

WHERE MOMENTS ARE TREASURED Discover more than 80 boutiques of leading brands with savings of up to 60%*, including Só Collective – a new home for Irish fashion, design and craft at Kildare Village.

London

Dublin

Paris

Frankfurt

Munich

Brussels

Milan

Barcelona

Madrid

Suzhou

Shanghai

*on the recommended retail price. © Kildare Village 2016 11/16

238880_Kildare_1C_AMA_GoffsNH.indd 1

09/12/2016 11:22

He’s not doing his banking.

We are.

You free up time for what really matters when you let someone else take care of things – especially when you know they’re experts. So why not do the same for your banking? From executing simple, day-to-day tasks to providing ongoing financial advice, we can help.

Talk to AIB Private Banking today.

Call Michael Deegan, Client Director, on 086 835 2144 or visit privatebanking.aib.ie Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Typically our clients have an annual salary or income which exceeds €250,000.

05154RO Goffs National Hunt FP1Man.indd 1 238733_1C_AIB_IB_Goffs.indd

13/10/2016 11:23 11:01 09/12/2016

INTRODUCTION

Welcome “2016 was a historic year for Goffs”

I

n Goffs 150th year one might have expected us to play safe and stay with the status quo; if it’s worked for a century and a half that’s surely good enough?

Not so. In fact 2016 has been one of change, innovation and development as we continually strive to grow and improve in every area. This latest Goffs magazine is focused on our National Hunt business, and is packed full of articles about our sales on both sides of the Irish Sea, primarily in Kildare and Doncaster but it also looks at some of our highly successful “off-site” sales.

Goffs’ flagship NH sales are the Land Rover Sale and the Doncaster Spring Sale. The former has made a huge impact in recent years proving to be the most successful of the store sales at the Cheltenham Festival whilst the jewel in the crown of Doncaster in May is the annual Million In Mind Dispersal. Donn McClean and Vicki Hancock’s pieces shine a light on these huge successes.

Away from our HQs we have developed market leading HIT/P2P sales at two iconic NH festivals and there are reports on both. The Goffs Punchestown Sale is now well established and returns strong results every year, and it is complimented by the Goffs UK Aintree Sale, on the opening day of the iconic Grand National Meeting that will be sponsored by Randox Health from 2017, which made a stunning debut this year selling the top priced Point-To-Pointer of the year at £335,000. That proved to be the second highest price ever for the category with the record remaining at £370,000 which was set in 2008 at the aforementioned Doncaster Spring Sale.

In April DBS became Goffs UK so completing the transition following our merger in 2007. Some have asked those of us with a DBS background if we were sad to see the DBS name extinguished but I can truly say that

both Harry and I only see opportunity as we work with our colleagues to grow and develop the company; Donny will always be Donny although it now has that Goffs lustre to add to its enduring charm. To further illustrate our commitment to developing our UK sales, Tony Williams joined us in October to take up the position of Goffs UK Managing Director, following an extensive search and interview process. He tells Zoe Vicarage about his qualifications for the role and his aspirations for the future.

There are also fascinating insights by way of interview pieces with energetic agent Tom Malone, Point-to-Point King and Goffs UK agent, Derek O’Connor who is rightly compared to Sir Anthony McCoy following his amazing feats in the Point-to-Point field, whilst we also delve into the link between NH racing and the hunting field. In our Lifestyle section there are Christmas gift guides and fashion tips for winter racing by one of our top notch partners, Brown Thomas and, of course, there is a variety of news pieces to keep you abreast of all Goffs developments.

Our ongoing hope by producing these publications is to inform, update and entertain. I hope you enjoy the variety and quality of our latest endeavour, and that it chimes with Goffs enduring commitment to the best of everything. That means that we will always work to the highest standards in every area of our business as our integrity is paramount, and we never cut corners or take the easy option.

That has been the way since 1866 and will remain so for as far as any of us can see…

Henry Beeby, Group Chief Executive

Goffs National Hunt | 5

005_Goffs_2016_Henry Letter.indd 5

09/12/2016 12:34

NEWS STRONGER TOGETHER

GOFFS

In April this year Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, known as DBS, was rebranded as Goffs UK. The timing of the rebrand, in what is the 150th year since Robert J Goff was appointed the official auctioneer to the Turf Club in Ireland, was a natural step following on from the merger of Goffs and DBS in 2007. It has strengthened ties between both companies, with greater integration in key areas such as auctioneering panels, client accounts, Conditions of Sale and customer experience. The management teams on both sides of the Irish Sea have continued to promote and run the sales in each location under the direction of the Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby, with each reporting into the Robert J Goff & Co plc Board which is chaired by Eimear Mulhern. A new addition to the Group this year is Goffs UK’s Managing Director Tony Williams who joined the company in October this year. An article about Tony and his background features in this issue of Goffs’ magazine.

NEWS

SOPHIE’S CORINTHIAN CHALLENGE Goffs Marketing Executive Sophie Candy was one of 12 riders that raised over €120,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys by taking part in the inaugural Corinthian Challenge race series, riding in three races throughout the 2016 flat season at Naas, The Curragh and Leopardstown. Set up in 2014, the Irish Injured Jockeys provides support for jockeys and their families when injuries occur. In the future, the fund will also help to re-train jockeys who suffer career ending injuries. The three-race Corinthian Challenge offers people a chance to raise funds while having the experience of riding in races, and has also raised awareness of both the charity and the risks jockeys take on a daily basis. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, met some great people and raised some much needed funds for the Irish Injured Jockeys. It was undeniably challenging but I would recommend it to anyone. My thanks to everyone for their support throughout the year,” Sophie said.

MAKING THE JUMP Bloodstock manager at Goffs in Kill, Sean Flannery made his auctioneering debut last August at Goffs UK. Flannery’s pedigree is first rate. He grew up on the family-run Esker Lodge Stud, who at last year’s Goffs November Foal Sale sold a Dawn Approach colt to John Ferguson for €300,000. After school, Flannery studied Equine Science at the University of Limerick, and as part of his training he worked at Ballyhane Stud in Co Carlow and at Coolmore, Australia. He is the current Chairman of the ITBA’s Next Generation Association.

His first experience of the rostrum was as a bid spotter, something he frequently did after he joined the firm as a bloodstock executive in 2012. But to make the leap from bid spotter to auctioneer, Flannery took the same approach that he and his family takes to prepping horses for sale. “I spent a lot of time training; half hour sessions three times a week with my colleague Andrew Nolan, taking bids from chairs, tables and windows in the grooms’ canteen at Goffs, a big echoey hall, just to get my confidence up.” He spent many more hours practicing in his car on the way to and from inspections for the Land Rover and Orby Sales.

“I was rattled with nerves when I first got up there and my mouth went completely dry. But then I found my rhythm, relaxed and breathed.”

6 | Goffs National Hunt

006_Goffs_2016_News.indd 6

09/12/2016 12:33

NEWS COEUR DE LION WINS THE LAND ROVER The Robert Tyner trained Coeur De Lion landed the 20th running of the €100,000 Goffs Land Rover Bumper on the opening day of this year’s Punchestown Festival. In an exciting finish he edged out Nicky Henderson’s odds-on favourite Jenkins in the closing stages to win by half a length. Ridden by Barry O’Neill, Coeur De Lion (pictured left, carrying black and silver silks) is owned by Brendan Keogh, who purchased him for €75,000 at the 2015 Land Rover Sale from Oak Tree Farm. Norman Williamson, as the winning vendor, was the lucky recipient of the Land Rover Discovery Sport vendor prize. Runner-up Jenkins is a recent winner over hurdles at Newbury, and was bought for €60,000 by Highflyer Bloodstock from Rathmore Stud at Goffs. All horses offered for sale at this year’s Land Rover Sale (13 – 15 June 2017) are eligible to enter next year’s Bumper on Tuesday 25th April at Punchestown, where the winning vendor will again take home a stunning Land Rover Discovery Sport.

SAM’S ADVENTURE WINS SPRING SALES BUMPER Trainer Brian Ellison and owners the Martin family combined to win this year’s edition of the £50,000 Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper at Newbury in March. Sam’s Adventure, a son of Black Sam Bellamy, came into the race after easily winning a Bumper on his debut at Wetherby in early February. He was purchased by Bobby O’Ryan and Brian Ellison from Twyford Stud at the 2015 Spring Store Sale for £20,000. The 2017 edition of the race will be held at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 25 March.

My Murphy Lands Goffs Thyestes Thriller Having finished second behind Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam in the Goffs Thyestes Chase 2015, the Liam Burke trained My Murphy went one better in 2016 when landing the Gowran Park feature under a tremendous ride by Robbie Power. The highlight of the New Year Irish National Hunt calendar, Goffs Thyestes Chase will take place on Thursday 26th January 2017. www.gowranpark.ie Goffs National Hunt | 7

006_Goffs_2016_News.indd 7

09/12/2016 12:33

241652_DPS_Rolex_Goffs.indd 8

09/12/2016 11:25

241652_DPS_Rolex_Goffs.indd 9

09/12/2016 11:42

Send your message to a local audience.

With Racing Post’s digital targeting services, you can hit the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

And with Racing Post’s extensive reporting and market insight, we’ll give you all the information you need.

238814 Racing Post.indd 1

12/12/2016 16:40

FESTIVAL SALES

MASTERS OF THE

Festival

MARKET

GOFFS HAS CORNERED THE FESTIVAL SALE MARKET WITH ITS BOUTIQUE SALES AT PUNCHESTOWN AND AINTREE, WRITES NIAMH O’HEHIR.

G

offs has established itself as the master of the offsite sale. This is particularly evident in the National Hunt sphere as they launched the Punchestown Sale in 2011 which quickly grew to become a leader in the Point-to-Point market, and followed this up in 2016 with the spectacular debut of the Goffs UK Aintree Sale at the Grand National Meeting.

“The Punchestown and Aintree festivals naturally lend themselves to this type of boutique sale,” says Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby. “Both festivals feature top quality National Hunt racing and are attended by all the main Irish and UK trainers and agents, but the atmosphere is slightly more relaxed than at other major meetings. In our experience we have found buyers to be more open to the festival sale format at these two venues.”

Goffs Punchestown Sale is a joint initiative between Goffs and Punchestown Racecourse and in just five years has become an integral feature of the Irish National Hunt Festival. “We have been thrilled with the establishment and success of the Goffs sale at Punchestown,” says Richie Galway, Racing Manager at Punchestown. “It has been very well received by the industry and in particular by the UK trainers and agents who travel to Punchestown. It’s also an opportunity to showcase to all our racegoers how a

TOP: Getabird, the E200,000 top priced lot of the 2016 Punchestown Sale, pictured with owner Rich Ricci, and winning connections after his recent Bumper win at Fairyhouse.

LEFT: Getabird at the Punchestown Sale where he was bought by Willie Mullins and Harold Kirk.

Goffs National Hunt | 11

011_Goffs_2016_Punchestown.indd 11

09/12/2016 11:50

FESTIVAL SALES

horse sale works and that has really added to the theatre of the Festival.”

The focus from the outset has been to offer a small but high class catalogue of approximately 20 Point-to-Pointers and horses with form. Almost every Point-toPoint in Ireland is attended by the Goffs team of National Hunt agents from early in the New Year until Punchestown to attract entrants, and wild card entries are taken until the day of sale. It is not unusual to see a Bumper winner from the first two days of the Festival go under the hammer on Thursday evening and fetch six figures.

The top lot at the 2016 Punchestown Sale was the four-year-old Getaway gelding named Getabird from the Colin Bowe stable that sold to Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins for €200,000 having shown plenty of potential, winning a competitive maiden at Largy the previous weekend. Getabird now runs in the colours of Susannah and Rich Ricci and made a stunning debut under Rules at Fairyhouse on December 4th, romping home in the bumper by 12 lengths, to become a leading contender for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Colin Tizzard made his first Punchestown Sale purchase this year.

Together with owner John Romans, they made the winning bid of €150,000 to secure Elegant Escape. Sold by Christopher Donnelly, the four year old gelding by Dubai Destination finished just a length behind Goffs Aintree Sale topper Samcro

on his only start in the Monksgrange Point-to-Point prior to the sale. This has proven to be a shrewd move by Tizzard and Romans with Elegant Escape now a two-time winner over hurdles, firstly at Chepstow in October and followed by Ascot in November, and he looks set for a bright chasing future.

FROM TOP: Elegant Escape winning first time out over hurdles last October at Chepstow; John Romans, Colin Tizzard and Joe Tizzard at Goffs Punchestown Sale where they bought Elegant Escape, pictured left, for E150,000.

THE HISTORY BOOKS: L’ESCARGOT AND THE PUNCHESTOWN SALE While the Goffs Punchestown Sale in its current guise is just five years old, the association between the sales company and racecourse dates back almost a century. Indeed it could be deemed the original Festival Sale. In Goffs’ 150th anniversary year it was therefore appropriate that L’Escargot, the greatest graduate of the Punchestown Sale, be celebrated on the cover of the 2016 catalogue as the dual Gold Cup hero and Grand National winner was purchased at the Goffs Punchestown Sale 50 years ago in 1966. He was sold by Betty Brogan as an unnamed three-year-old to Tom Cooper of the BBA (Ireland) for 3,000gns on behalf of Raymond Guest, the American Ambassador to Ireland.

L’Escargot was voted the USA Steeplechaser of the Year in 1969 after he won the Meadow Brook Steeplechase at Belmont Park, however

it is not his American achievements that place L’Escargot among the highest achievers. In 1970 he became the eleventh Irish-trained winner of the Gold Cup since the war. L’Escargot only ran in the race on the insistence of his owner as the trainer Dan Moore did not know if the horse would get the trip. Not only did he get the trip but he returned to win a second Gold Cup in 1971. L’Escargot’s career then switched from Cheltenham to Aintree and he ran in four Grand Nationals. Having fallen in 1972, he finally got his head in front in 1975 when he denied the great Red Rum a hat-trick of victories. His win at Aintree made L’Escargot only the second horse, along with Golden Miller, to win the two greatest races in the English steeplechase calendar.

L’Escargot and Red Rum jumping the last in the 1975 National

12 | Goffs National Hunt

011_Goffs_2016_Punchestown.indd 12

09/12/2016 11:50

Even the best quality hay can cause respiratory problems Did you know that Haygain’s patented system is the only scientifically proven method for purifying hay?

Steaming with Haygain: ✔ Eliminates respirable dust particles ✔ Kills mould, bacteria, fungal spores and dust mites ✔ Aids in the prevention and management of respiratory conditions ✔ Retains the hay’s nutritional value ✔ Improves forage palatability ✔ Is suitable for colic-prone and post-operative horses

Clean hay means healthier horses – that’s pure horse sense.

T : 0333 200 5233 www.haygain.com

241389_1C_Haygain_AMA_Goffs.indd 1

09/12/2016 11:43

FESTIVAL SALES

The sale well underway in the winners’ enclosure

Eyes

ALL

ON

AINTREE GOFFS UK’S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH AINTREE RACECOURSE SAW THE 2016 GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL HOST THE INAUGURAL AINTREE SALE WHICH CELEBRATED A WONDERFUL DEBUT, WRITES MICHAEL ORTON.

T

he year 2016 was a noteworthy one for the Grand National Festival. It said farewell to its sponsor Crabbies, giving way to Randox Health in 2017 and it welcomed a new association with Goffs UK who launched its new Aintree Sale on the Thursday evening after racing.

Having a sale at Aintree was an idea that had been under consideration for some time at Goffs UK. The boutique horses-in-training sale market is growing and the idea of taking a sale to the owners and trainers had already proven to be a winning formula, with Goffs’ London and Punchestown Sales successful examples.

Goffs UK Director George Stanners always saw Aintree as a hugely promising venture. “The reasons behind the Aintree concept were simple,” he explained. “First and foremost a who’s who of National Hunt

14 | Goffs Magazine

014_Goffs_2016_AINTREE.indd 14

09/12/2016 11:52

FESTIVAL SALES

£335,000 sale topper Samcro

flocks to Aintree every year. The second reason was the venue itself. We looked at Aintree’s iconic winners’ enclosure and saw it as the perfect amphitheatre for such an event.

“The idea was to offer a boutique

selection of horses-in-training and we were very keen to offer a runner, or a share in a runner, in the Grand National and we got a lot of traction when we announced that Black Thunder, a confirmed runner, was to be offered.”

Black Thunder was purchased by Robert Waley-Cohen, from Paul Nicholls’ Manor Farm Stables, for £90,000. Waley-Cohen’s colours had graced the Grand National fences in the past with runners including Oscar Time who finished second to Ballabriggs in 2011. Oscar Time was ridden

by Robert’s son Sam on that occasion and it was Sam who gained the mount on Black Thunder for the 2016 race.

After purchasing Black Thunder Robert Waley-Cohen commented that the Grand National was “really a bonus as we’re planning next season. These opportunities don’t come very often with a nine-year-old

Give Me A Copper sells for £270,000

with good form and I hope to have a lot of fun.”

The Aintree Sale headlines however belonged to owner and breeder Douglas Taylor and trainer Colin Bowe with their four-year-old Samcro, a son of Germany who won a Point-to-Point impressively at Monksgrange just five days prior to being offered at the sale.

The horse was the subject of much attention and after a lengthy bidding duel

2017 RANDOX HEALTH GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL Aintree’s Randox Health Grand National Festival has grown into a worldwide phenomenon attracting viewers from around the globe with an estimated 600 million people tuning in to watch the £1 million race, making it one of the world’s great sporting events. The inaugural Grand National was held in 1839 and throughout the years it has developed into Britain’s most famous race and indeed the world’s greatest Steeple Chase.

The 2017 Randox Health Festival will be held on April 6th to 8th with the Grand Opening day on Thursday, April 6th featuring the Grade 1 Aintree

Hurdle and the time honoured Fox Hunters’ Steeple Chase along with the Goffs UK Aintree Sale held after racing. Fabulous Friday is Ladies Day at Aintree where everyone is encouraged to show off their own impeccable and unique sense of style while on the track top class races include the Grade 1 Melling Steeple Chase and the Topham Steeple Chase. The pinnacle of the whole festival is of course the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday which sees people from all over the globe stop for just over eight minutes, waiting and watching to see which of the 40 runners and riders

will win the ultimate challenge in Jumps racing.

In 2017 the Grand National Festival features a new sponsor, Randox Health, a revolutionary and awardwinning wellbeing company which specialises in preventative healthcare. Randox Health develops specific preventative healthcare programmes designed to keep you healthy and detect illnesses before they cause issues to your health.

Tickets for the 2017 Randox Health Grand National Festival are on sale now and you can secure your tickets and read more about this iconic event by visiting randoxhealthgrandnational.co.uk.

Goffs National Hunt | 15

014_Goffs_2016_AINTREE.indd 15

09/12/2016 11:52

FESTIVAL SALES

Inspections underway at the stable area

The Grand National Festival always attracts a big crowd

was knocked down to Mags O’Toole on behalf of trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud for £335,000.

The price was a record for a Pointer at a boutique NH sale but fell just short of the all-time record price for a Pointer sold at public auction, an accolade that belongs to Presenting Forever who made £370,000 at the 2008 DBS Spring Sale at Doncaster.

“We knew we had a nice horse and he would do well in the ring but we never thought he would make that much. We were delighted” said Bowe. “The sale as a whole was very well run, it was well advertised in the build-up and the big owners and trainers were all there. Overall we were very impressed.”

Samcro made his debut appearance under rules in a Bumper at Punchestown for Gordon Elliot and Gigginstown House Stud in mid-November where he won by an easy ten lengths.

“When we had him at home we knew he

had ability and one day we sent him out and galloped him with a 150-rated horse and he did it with ease,” Bowe explained.

“That really confirmed that we had a nice horse on our hands and it’s great to see him make a good start to his racing career.

It’s important for us to see these horses go on and we hope he can achieve great things in the future.”

Bowe’s sentiments were echoed by Gordon Elliot’s post-race comments at Punchestown. Following Samcro’s debut win Elliot summed the horse up as “a good one” and that “he’s some horse to look forward to further down the road over hurdles and fences”.

Another horse to headline at the sale was the unbeaten Point-to-Point and Bumper winner Give Me A Copper who sold to Tom Malone, on behalf of Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, for £270,000. Seamus Coffey reflected on what was a huge result for the family.

“The whole Aintree Sale experience was first class and the horse could not have sold better anywhere. He’s one of the best horses we have had and it was important to us that he did well and Goffs UK did a great job marketing the horse and contacting all the big owners and trainers so they knew he was there.

“We brought the family across and had a great time, all the hospitality was organised for us and the sale facilities at Aintree were excellent so we were very happy. We are planning to target the sale next year and

I hope that we have a horse that’s good enough to bring across for the 2017 sale.”

Other six figure sales included the debut Point-to-Point winner Black Op who was purchased by owner Roger Brookhouse from the draft of Ballygelly Stables for £210,000. Sheikh Fahad, fresh from cheering home his horse, Current Event, in the Fox Hunters’ Chase earlier in the day, also featured on the buyer’s sheet, paying £160,000 for the winning Pointer Carter McKay, offered by Knockbrack Bloodstock.

In all 24 horses were sold, six in excess of £100,000, generating a turnover of £2.17 million and a sale average of over £100,000.

“It was a great return in the sale’s debut year,” said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby. “The sale is very much a partnership with Aintree Racecourse and Andrew Tulloch, Carly Sage and all the team at Aintree were absolutely brilliant and deserve a lot of credit for the sale’s success. They were very helpful and positive about the venture from the moment we met. It could not have happened without them.”

There’s always a second measure of a sale, and that’s race track success. It remains very early days for most of the horses sold but graduates of the sale have certainly made a positive start with four individual winners since the start of the 2016/17 NH season. The first of which was Sumkindofking who was purchased

by Tom Malone and trainer Tom George from Knockbally Stables for £70,000. The five-year-old son of King’s Theatre won his race track debut at Chepstow by an effortless 12 lengths in early November and, like Samcro, looks to have a bright future ahead.

Other winners thus far include Solighoster, sold by Ballyboy Stables to trainer Neil Mulholland for £55,000, who won his debut Bumper at Newcastle in early November and Constantine Bay, sold by Norchart Stables to Highflyer Bloodstock for £40,000, who won a Novice Hurdle on debut at Haydock in midNovember for trainer Nicky Henderson.

The 2017 Aintree Sale will offer the same successful formula as in April this year with all horses to be stabled in Olympic Standard barns in the Owners and Trainers car park with the sale to be held after racing on Thursday, April 6th, in the Winners’ Enclosure. For more information on the sale, contact the Goffs UK team or visit goffsuk.com.

16 | Goffs National Hunt

014_Goffs_2016_AINTREE.indd 16

09/12/2016 11:52

The Home of Racing Legends Recently renovated, The K Club in Straffan Co. Kildare is only 20 minutes from both the Curragh R acecourse & Punchestown R acecourse making it the perfect destination for your racing weekend!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL +353 (1) 601 7200 Email: sales@kclub.ie www.kclub.ie

1C_KClub_Goffs_V3.indd 1

09/12/2016 17:31

INTERVIEW

Champion AGENT

GOFFS UK NATIONAL HUNT AGENT DEREK O’CONNOR TALKS TO DONN MCCLEAN ABOUT HIS INCREDIBLE POINT TO POINT CAREER AND HOW BECOMING A CHAMPION WAS IN HIS BLOOD. PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH FARNSWORTH

W

ell, he didn’t pick it off the trees anyway.

Derek O’Connor’s mother Jean was an accomplished Pointto-Point rider, riding about 40 winners between the flags in the mid- to late-1960s.

“There would have been only about 15 Point-to-Point meetings back then,” says Derek O’Connor now, sitting easily on his chair at his kitchen table, cup of tea in front of him, wife Carol beside him. It is not stretching it to say that O’Connor is to Point-to-Point what AP McCoy is to National Hunt racing.

“So to ride 40 winners in four or five years, that was a fair achievement. That was a fair total. She used to tell me that she was champion Point-to-Point rider one year, but because ladies were not acknowledged back then, she wasn’t awarded the title.

She wasn’t acknowledged at all.”

It was through his mother that the whole connection with horses began. Jean

O’Connor used to hunt too, and young Derek and his brother Paurick hunted with her. Then Paurick started training a few thoroughbreds. Derek was only 13 or 14 at the time, but that lit the fuse.

He was racing in Cork one weekend, he bought The Cork Examiner (as it was then, now The Examiner) and saw an advertisement: “Stable staff wanted, Mallow area, contact Eugene O’Sullivan”. So he did, and he started working for him the following week, sharing a room with Davy Russell and Brendan O’Sullivan. Strange the way life works out. That was in 1997, he was 15 and he had just finished his Junior Cert.

“Sure I had hardly even sat up on a thoroughbred before I went to Eugene’s’,” he recalls now, laughing. “I’d say I looked like a right eejit now. But the lads were great. They looked after me well. I never really got to ride for Eugene, I was just too young, and there were too many lads ahead of me. I wasn’t good enough anyway. I was there for two years, but then I moved back

18 | Goffs National Hunt

018_Goffs_2016_Derek O'Connor.indd 18

08/12/2016 16:44

INTERVIEW

Goffs National Hunt | 19

018_Goffs_2016_Derek O'Connor.indd 19

08/12/2016 16:44

INTERVIEW

My mother was champion Point-toPoint rider one year, but because ladies were not acknowledged back then, she wasn’t awarded the title.

to Pat Lynch, and that was brilliant.”

Pat Lynch didn’t have a lot of horses, but anything he had, Derek rode. He got off the mark on Rossy Orchestra at Killaloe, a filly who was owned by his brother Sean, and he kicked on.

He gave school another go too. He worked with Pat during the day, and studied for his Leaving Cert at night. His studies were always secondary though, the supporting act to his riding. He was getting busier and it was getting more difficult to find the time to study.

The breaking point came on the day that the mock Leaving Cert exams started in February. John Kiely called him to ask him if he would ride a horse for him in the bumper at Cork, so he was faced with a decision: ride a horse in a bumper for John Kiely or sit his first mock exam. There was no betting on that contest. Studies finished second again.

He shared the novice riders title with Mark Grant in 2001/02.

“I was one winner behind Mark with one race to go, and I had no ride in the last race. But it was Brendan O’Sullivan who was set to ride a horse in it and who had a good chance, and he got off him. I didn’t ask him, he came to me and offered me the ride. The horse was Lord Atterbury, who went on to finish third in the Aintree Grand National in 2004, trained by Niall Kelleher. So I had no ride in the last race, three hours before the awards were to be given out, and I managed to get a ride and

a winner, thanks to Brendan O’Sullivan and Niall Kelleher.”

The following year, he won the title on his own. And the year after that, he was Champion overall.

“I haven’t had a full-time job since!” he says. “I had a job for four years, and I’ve just been around since. It’s something I don’t really agree with, young fellows flitting between yards. I did it, but I think I only got away with it because there weren’t many riders around at the time. Davy Russell had just turned professional, and I was very lucky that I hit the scene when there was a lull in riders. Better to have a job, base yourself with a good trainer, be loyal to a yard, learn your trade there and stay there. It will pay dividends.”

As his talents started to get noticed, he started riding for Pat Doyle and Robert Tyner, and for Wilson Dennison, which took him to the north.

“That’s 13 or 14 years ago, and I’d say, in all that time, I’ve never had a cross word with any of them. Those three men, we have had unbelievable success together. I’d love to have them here to my house, the three of them were at my wedding. They’re brilliant, and I respect all three of them as bosses, but we’re friends as much as anything else.”

It was Tom Costello who introduced O’Connor to Wilson Dennison. That was some week; the week he had his first ride for Wilson Dennison. He was

20 | Goffs Magazine

018_Goffs_2016_Derek O'Connor.indd 20

13/12/2016 09:43

INTERVIEW

FROM TOP: One of O’Connor’s horses heads out for a canter: At the heart of the home with his family.

Goffs National Hunt | 21

018_Goffs_2016_Derek O'Connor.indd 21

08/12/2016 16:44

INTERVIEW

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Derek O’Connor in conversation with writer Donn McClean, Derek O’Connor jumps the last on Minella Rocco en route to victory in the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.

schooling for Pat Doyle that morning, and he crashed his car on the way there. So Pat Doyle lent him his car so that he could go to the North to ride the horse for Wilson Dennison, which won.

Then O’Connor drove to Summerhill the following day to ride a horse for Pat Doyle, which won, and he dropped Pat Doyle’s car home to him that evening.

Then the following week, he rode a mare for Robert Tyner in Askeaton, and she won. That was some week, all over the country, but one of the most important weeks of his career.

“I was very lucky to be able to develop great contacts in different parts of the country,” he says. “You need that. If you are going to be champion, you need that. The racing is so competitive, every week. It used to be very important to me to be champion, and it is still important, but it probably isn’t as important to me now as it once was.”

Things have evolved. He is ideally positioned now to buy and sell young horses, he has great facilities at home here just outside Tubber and his new role as agent for Goffs UK is tailor-made for him.

“Gerry Hogan put me in contact with

George Stanners initially, and then Nick Nugent who spoke to Henry Beeby, and it developed from there. Sourcing National Hunt horses for the National Hunt sale, form horses at every level. There’s mighty satisfaction from it. To help someone sell their horse well, that gives me great satisfaction.”

The Aintree Sale earlier this year was a great sale.

“It was great to see it, great to see how well some of those horses sold. There is massive competition out there, but I do feel that the Doncaster Sale in May is a very good sale, and it’s getting better every year. But the Aintree Sale beat all, it just landed running. It was unbelievable how successful it was.”

Why does he think that was the case?

“I suppose it’s at a very good time of year. The Cheltenham sale is a good sale, but Cheltenham is so important, people maybe don’t want to be thinking about buying horses. But Aintree is different, it has a more laid-back, friendly atmosphere. It’s a good time to buy horses. I think maybe that’s why it was so successful. But trying to convince people to go? I don’t know, we had to convince

people last year, but I don’t think we’ll have to convince them. It doesn’t make sense not to go. It’s the same with the Spring Sale at Doncaster. The timing is perfect.

The setting is perfect. People need to go to these sales. You don’t have to convince people. They really should be there.”

Prolific in Point-to-Points, O’Connor is also one of the most accomplished amateur riders on the track. Champion amateur on the track in 2003/04, he has ridden three winners at the Cheltenham Festival: Minella Rocco in the National Hunt Chase in 2016, and two in 2011, Zemsky in the Foxhunter and Chicago Grey in the National Hunt Chase.

“That was a great year. John Earls, Chicago Grey’s owner, knows how to have the craic. And we had some craic when Chicago Grey won. We would have had some craic even if he had been beaten. And Zemsky, it was Wilson Dennison who put me in contact with Ian Ferguson and Ronnie Bartlett, and it was brilliant to win the Foxhunter for them.”

And Minella Rocco?

“I didn’t have time to get excited about him during the race,” he says. “I didn’t know until about 30 yards from the line that we were going to win. And in the end, he beat a subsequent Grade 1 winner fairly cosily. Just shows you, the ability that he has. He could be anything. He could kick on. He doesn’t need to improve a whole lot more to take his place among the top ranks.”

Derek O’Connor is among the top ranks all right. And he’s kicking on.

22 | Goffs National Hunt

018_Goffs_2016_Derek O'Connor.indd 22

08/12/2016 16:44

The ROA’s Third Party Liability Insurance covers members for up to £10million from the fall of hammer* Not being a member could be costly. The good news is you can join us for the equivalent of just 63p a day. You’ll join over 7,600 owners who know a good investment.

Interested? Call 020 7152 0200 or visit roa.co.uk

*Terms apply

240534_1C_ROA_Goffs.indd 1 1 ROA FALL OF HAMMER A4.indd

09/12/2016 30/08/2016 11:44 21:27

Mickley Stud ad for DBS mag Sept 2015_Layout 1 23/09/2015 18:55 Page 1

Mickley Stud Home of exciting new sire

HEERAAT

Dark Angel-Thawrah (Green Desert) Also home to Multiplex, Captain Gerrard and Shamardal’s brother Yorgunnabelucky Group 1 winners BLAZING SPEED and BROWN PANTHER both raised and grazed at Mickley Stud

Contact:

Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3QW

RICHARD KENT

01630 638840 or 07973 315722

mickleystud@btconnect.com

www.mickleystud.com

Take time out at

Enjoy 2 nights Bed and Breakfast, with dinner on one evening Package also includes: 10% discount at Spa Haven at the Westgrove VIP Card to Kildare Village Shopping Outlet 20% discount off admission to the Irish National Stud Full access to our award winning leisure club with 20m pool

T

239125_2L_Westgrove Hotel_IB_Goffs.indd 1

024_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

From Only €110.00 Per Person Sharing

(Subject to availability.Terms and conditions apply.)

Westgrove Hotel and Conference Centre, Clane, Naas. Co Kildare.

045 98 99 00 E info@westgrovehotel.com W www.westgrovehotel.com

24/03/2016 15:05

09/12/2016 11:55

PEOPLE

Tom Malone at Goffs Land Rover Sale

What makes TOM MALONE

Tick?

I

TOM MALONE MADE THE JUMP FROM NATIONAL HUNT JOCKEY TO BLOODSTOCK AGENT AND IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE ON THE SALES SCENE WITH ALMOST 300 WINNERS THIS YEAR. WHAT DRIVES HIM, ASKS CARL EVANS.

t is often commented upon that many good, but not great, jumps jockeys fashion excellent second careers. Tom Malone, the Devonbased bloodstock agent, is a prime example. Buying horses-in-training has been his default, and primarily for the jumping game, but one of his first highprofile buys was leading sprinter/miler Caspar Netscher, while the 2016 Royal Goffs National Hunt | 25

025_Goffs_2016_Tom Malone.indd 25

13/12/2016 09:44

PEOPLE

Malone inspecting a horse’s legs at Goffs UK RIGHT: Dodging Bullets and jockey Sam TwistonDavies return to the Cheltenham winners enclosure after the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase 2015.

Ascot winner My Dream Boat – bought in partnership with Donald McCain at Goffs UK’s Breeze-Up Sale in 2014 – was another advertisement of his abilities to a wider audience.

Yet it is jumpers that have provided most of his material, and it is testament to a fairly rapid rise that when a horse in the ring heads towards a six-figure sum, and journalists scan the bidders’ area to spot a nod from Messrs Bromley and Minton of Highflyer Bloodstock, or fellow agents such as Aiden Murphy, Mags O’Toole or Gerry Hogan, they now also follow Malone.

He deserves credit for attracting wellshod clients and leading trainers, for while he scores heavily on personality and positive attitude, he has no family background in ponies, let alone horses.

“I was brought up on a housing estate in Tullamore, County Offaly, with two sisters and a brother, and I didn’t see a horse until I was 14,” he explains. “My dad was a builder and my mum a housewife. As a schoolboy I swept hair off the floor in a

From the day the bank said no to a loan for £50,000 I’ve never used another, yet we had 267 winners two years ago, 272 winners in 2015, and we’re about to break 300 winners for this year

barber’s shop for £5 on a Saturday.

“Then two girls I knew who went riding at weekends said they would take me for my fourteenth birthday – I didn’t want to go, but from the moment we turned up I was hooked.

“Until then we would just hang around the estate, kicking a football, but suddenly I had a new interest that was completely different – within six weeks I was working there at weekends, and within six months I was full time on £20 a week. The yard was run by Brian Sheridan, master of the South West Meath Hunt, so hunting became my passion, but one day I fell in love with racing.

“I moved to the yard of former jockey Tom Lacy and was given £100 a week, which felt like the best day of my life – at that stage my dad didn’t really approve, but eventually he came on board. After about 100 rides in races and one winner I bumped into [ex-jockey] Ronnie Beggan at a greyhound meeting, and he said: “If you’re going to shovel shit, shovel it for the best, if you’re going to ride in races, ride for the best.” That stuck with me, so in 2001, at the age of about 20, I joined Philip Hobbs for a year and then went to Martin Pipe, where I stayed for seven years.”

With a total of 73 winners he was never

26 | Goffs National Hunt

025_Goffs_2016_Tom Malone.indd 26

09/12/2016 18:16

PEOPLE

27 | Goffs Magazine

025_Goffs_2016_Tom Malone.indd 27

Goffs National Hunt | 27

09/12/2016 18:16

Get Cover Amlin Plus will tailor a policy for your National Hunt horses including: - All Risks of Mortality and Theft - Life-Saving Surgery - Colic Costs Extension - Operation Insurance - Transit Insurance Contact an expert

NATIONAL HUNT INSURANCE SPECIALIST Telephone: +44 (0)800 917 9712 | Email: askamlinplus@amlin.com www.amlinplus.com Amlin Plus is a trading name of MS Amlin Underwriting Services Limited Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

240346 Amlin Plus.indd 1

09/12/2016 11:57

FEATURE

150

years WINNING GOFFS PUBLISHED ‘MEMOIRS OF AN IRISH AUCTION HOUSE’ TO MARK ITS 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2016. IN THE FOLLOWING EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOK NICK NUGENT HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF GOFFS’ MOST FAMOUS NATIONAL HUNT GRADUATES.

Goffs National Hunt | 33

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 33

09/12/2016 18:10

FEATURE

1930s Golden Miller FIVE-TIME GOLD CUP WINNER Golden Miller dominated racing in the 1930s. His dam was covered for a fiver and he was sold at auction in October 1928 to Tipperary farmer Paddy Quinn, having been walked the 25 miles to the sale at Goffs in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Having had some luck with his half-brother, Basil Briscoe bought the 3-year-old for £500. The horse so disappointed Briscoe that the Lancashire dealer Captain Farmer who sold him offered Briscoe his money back. But Briscoe persevered, naming the newcomer Golden Miller, and sold him to Philip Carr for £1000. Golden Miller’s debut proved a revelation and Carr’s faith was rewarded with four wins over hurdles and one over fences before the owner’s terminal illness diagnosis led him to dispose of all his horses. Heiress Dorothy Paget, the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the American Whitney family, wanted to rival her cousin ‘Jock’ Whitney’s success in National Hunt racing and contacted Basil Briscoe. He assured Paget that he had in his stable the best steeplechaser in the world, and also the best hurdler in Britain, convincing her to take both for £10,000. Golden Miller won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1932 while the other horse, Insurance, won the Champion Hurdle, repeating the coveted double for Paget in 1933. The following year Golden Miller completed his Gold Cup hat trick before winning the Grand National in record time. He remains the only horse to have completed that double in the same season. In 1935 Golden Miller raced against Paget’s arch rival Jock Whitney’s Thomond II, prevailing by less than a length, and went on to win a fifth Gold Cup in 1936. In retirement the horse lived on to the ripe old age of 30 when he was put down. The year was 1957 when a worthy successor, Arkle, was born.

34 | Goffs National Hunt

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 34

09/12/2016 18:10

FEATURE

National Spirit stumbles at the last, before Hatton’s Grace (T. Molony) wins his third consecutive Champion Hurdle.

1950s Hatton’s Grace TRIPLE WINNER OF THE CHAMPION HURDLE In 1941 Hatton’s Grace sold as a yearling at Ballsbridge for 18gns, well below the average price of 82gns, knocked down to Gowran trainer John Kirwan. He made his debut five years later in a Bellewstown bumper, ridden by his owner Commandant Dan Corry, who had been part of the Irish team that had won the Aga Khan trophy in 1928. When he won his second bumper that season at the Phoenix Park he did so in Moya Keogh’s colours. Having run without distinction in the stayers’ races on the flat, he then won three times over hurdles, prior to finishing fifth in the 1948 Champion Hurdle when trained by Barney Nugent. Over the summer of 1948 the Keogh horses were transferred to Vincent O’Brien. Hatton’s Grace carried Aubrey Brabazon to victory the following Feburary at Naas before the partnership cruised to success in the Champion Hurdle, returned at rewarding odds of 100/7. He followed up a month later by carrying off the Irish Lincoln under champion jockey Morny Wing. Hatton’s Grace was sent off favourite in 1950 to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, which he duly did ridden again by Brabazon. Having won the 1949 Irish Cesarewitch under Martin Molony, a top weight of 10st, for the 1950 Irish Cesarewitch seemed an impossible task, even for Hatton’s Grace. Allowed to start at 10/1 the pair got home by a short lead and a neck to rewrite that race’s history. Tim Molony was in the saddle in 1951 when Hatton’s Grace defied his 11 years to become the first triple winner of the Champion Hurdle.

Goffs National Hunt | 35

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 35

09/12/2016 18:10

FEATURE

1960s Arkle THE GREATEST STEEPLESHASER OF ALL TIME “Buy him if you like, but the dam didn’t go a yard over two miles.” Thus did Tom Dreaper advise, Anne, Duchess of Westminister, about the three-year-old gelded son of Archive and Bright Cherry, Lot 148 at the Goffs Sales on Thursday, August 4th 1960. Besides having trained Bright Cherry to win one hurdle race and six ‘chases Dreaper was familiar with the family bred by the Bakers of Malahow, his near neighbours in north County Dublin. He had both trained and ridden Greenogue Princess, the grand-dam to finish second at Mullacurry in 1934. As for the Bakers they did not want the youngster returned home unsold. Encouraged by another son of Archive topping the previous day’s sale at 700gns, Alison Baker put a reserve of 980gns on their gelding. The auctioneer’s hammer finally fell at 1,150 gns. Alison’s excitement knew no bounds on learning from Dreaper that he had secured the three-year-old for the Duchess of Westminister. As the press swarmed round, jostling to photograph the top-priced lot of the day so far, Alison grabbed a few hairs from the horse’s tail for luck, bringing them home to her invalid mother Mary, to whom they would become a talisman to be clutched every time she saw ‘her’ horse perform on television. Later that day the Duchess of Westminster gave 2,000gns for the show-ring winner that went on to become Bray Flame. Both youngsters went to her Eaton Lodge home in Cheshire to be broken.

Twelve months later Tom Dreaper was invited to choose which of the pair he wanted to train. He did not hesitate. “Blood is thicker than water. I”ll take Arkle,” he said. Universally acknowledged as the greatest steeplechaser of all time Arkle won 27 of his 35 starts, most notably his Gold Cup hat trick from 1964 to 1966, successive Hennessy Gold Cups in 1964 and 1965, and the King George VI Chase in 1965 but the true measure of his superiority remains the Irish National Hunt Stewards directive to the handicapper in 1964 to frame ‘A’ and ‘B’ handicaps, the first to apply should Arkle run, the second to come into play in his absence.

36 | Goffs Magazine

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 36

13/12/2016 09:46

FEATURE

1970s Red Rum A HORSE WHOSE CELEBRITY WAS SUCH HE MADE THE FRONT PAGES AS WELL AS THE BACK PAGES Arkle may be acknowledged as the greatest steeplechaser of all time but no horse in England has eclipsed the sheer celebrity of Red Rum. He won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and was runner-up in the two intervening years. Red Rum was bred by Martyn McEnery of Rossenarra Stud and was sold at the 1966 September Sale for 400gns to Tim Molony. His name reflected his parentage, being by Quorum out of Mared. He ran eight times as a two-year-old, dead-heating in his first race on April 7th 1967 which was, appropriately enough, at Aintree. Five years later, after an undistinguished career (to that point) he was sold to Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain for 6,000gns at the 1972 August Sale at Doncaster. This was on behalf of owner Noel le Mare and the horse would famously be trained by McCain on the sands at Southport. The enduring image of the 1973 Grand National is of the Australian-bred Crisp and the massive lead that he had built up, only to suffer the agony of defeat in the dying strides of the race. Red Rum was a distance behind Crisp at one stage of the race and a lesser partnership of horse and rider

could easily have given up hope of closing the gap. However, Red Rum and Brian Fletcher had other ideas and Crisp was beaten on the line. A year later, Red Rum retained his crown, under 12 stone, in the 1974 National, before following up with a victory in the Scottish Grand National. He remains the only horse to win both races in the same season. In 1977 Tommy Stack rode Red Rum to his record third Grand National triumph, in what is regarded as one of the greatest moments in horse racing history.

Red Rum died in 1995, aged 30 and his death made the front pages of national newspapers. He was buried at the winning post of Aintree Racecourse, which remains a destination for his fans.

Eleven years after his death, a survey in the UK asked people to name a famous horse. In first place was Red Rum, named by 45 per cent of those questioned. In the 1980s, the future of Aintree racecourse and the Grand National was uncertain. There is little doubt that the exploits of Red Rum contributed to public support for the campaign to buy Aintree and to put it in the hands of the Jockey Club thereby securing the future of the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Goffs National Hunt | 37

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 37

09/12/2016 18:10

FEATURE

2000s Hurricane Fly THE HORSE OF A GENERATION If one horse defined the emergence of Willie Mullins as the most powerful stable in National Hunt Racing it was surely Hurricane Fly, who holds the world record for the most Grade 1 victories. He was sold by the Irish National Stud at the 2005 Orby Million Sale on behalf of his Italian breeders Agricola Del Parco for E65,000, to be trained in France by Jean Louis Pelletan. A Listed success on soft ground at Saint Cloud caught the eye and he was sold at the end of 2007, heading back to Ireland for the next stage of his career. And what a career it was. He had already won seven Grade 1 races when he won the 2011 Champion Hurdle. After finishing third the following year behind Rock On Ruby he became the first horse in 38 years to regain the crown when winning the race for a second time in 2013, with the reigning champion Rock On Ruby in second. There were also five consecutive Irish Champion Hurdles from 2011 to 2015 and when his retirement from racing was announced in August 2015 Mulins understandably hailed him “the horse of a generation�.

38 | Goffs National Hunt

033_Goffs_2016_Goff 150 Extract.indd 38

09/12/2016 18:10

Racehorse Ownership Take the first steps with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Get Started With Free & independent advice OrGaniSe private Stable viSitS GO it alOne Or With FriendS, Family & cOlleaGueS SuppOrtinG yOu FrOm Start tO FiniSh – let’S Get Started!

Find out more at www.itm.ie/owning or contact Aidan McGarry T: +353 45 443000 E: amcgarry@itm.ie

240446_1C_ITM_Goffs National Hunt.indd 1

09/12/2016 12:07

LE * SA N % O 15 OW N

Great British Racing International Let us open up the exciting world of racehorse ownership for you.

For more information please contact Amanda Bossom on: +44 (0)207 152 0103 • abossom@greatbritishracing.com www.greatbritishracinginternational.com

Great Britain, the birth place of horseracing. * 15% drop in the £ vs € exchange rate when comparing 21/7/15 with 21/7/16.

240539_GBRI_1C_IB_Goffs.indd 1

09/12/2016 12:09

FEATURE

A

New Man IN

DONCASTER GOFFS UK’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR TONY WILLIAMS IS SET TO BUILD ON HISTORY, WRITES ZOE VICARAGE OF THE RACING POST.

G

OFFS UK has witnessed many changes since its inception as Doncaster Bloodstock Sales back in 1962. Perhaps the two most significant were the opening of the new state of the art Sales Complex eight years ago and when the company merged with Goffs in 2007. Further evolution followed in 2016 with the news that DBS was to be renamed Goffs UK to raise its international profile and provide greater opportunities for the company on the world stage.

Every bit as notable was the appointment of Tony Williams as Goffs UK Managing Director in October following an extensive search and interview process to find the best person to lead the Donny team on a day-to-day basis.

Williams, born and raised in Australia, has an impressive CV with over 40 years experience gained from numerous roles.

From life as an apprentice jockey, to working with major Australian auction

house, Magic Millions, and then with Henry Field on the development of Newgate Farm, it’s clear that Williams has a broad understanding of all aspects of the bloodstock world.

“From my home in Australia I’ve worked a lifetime in the thoroughbred industry in many different areas which has given me an in-depth knowledge of almost every sector of racing and breeding,” Williams commented.

He first plied his trade as an apprentice jockey based at Flemington straight out of school and rode winners from limited opportunities.

“Unbeknown to most, Australia once had a Point-to-Point circuit but disappointingly it is no longer. However in the early 1980’s I was a leading Point-toPoint rider. I love that side of the industry but in Australia it’s a tiny part of racing, nothing like in the UK and Ireland, and I am enjoying getting back into it.”

Following a stints with Dalgety Bloodstock, Greg Mance and Keith Williams, Tony decided to develop his

own auction house at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 1996. Selling under the banner of Victorian Bloodstock Sales, the company successfully staged the first sales at Flemington, called The Lightning Sale, which was held annually on G1 Lightning Stakes day.

“Starting a sale from nothing against the establishment, William Inglis and Son, may have looked daunting but it never really crossed my mind; we just did it and thought about it later. Looking back now, what a buzz it was to sell for nine years, build the business into two yearling sales in a season and to sell hundreds of mares, foals and tried horses.

“The entire set-up was done from scratch. Everything was portable so we set up two weeks before and everything was stored away within days of finishing.

Logistically I now wonder how we got there, but at the time you just do it. I suppose it is not a lot different to the offsite sales Goffs now stage and I would certainly subscribe to the mantraanything is possible.”

Goffs National Hunt | 41

041_Goffs_2016_Tony Williams.indd 41

09/12/2016 18:15

FEATURE

Goffs UK’s newly-appointed MD, Tony Williams, with his wife Sue, at the sales complex in Doncaster.

We want to continue to build on the company’s reputation and be as good as we can be at the art of selling horses

In 2003 Williams took on a new role with Magic Millions in which he spent almost 10 years revelling in the selection of horses and strategic planning of sales.

In 2012 a new role beckoned when the fledgling Newgate Farm, operated by Henry Field, approached Tony to head up its sales and nominations. Working with Field, Tony developed Newgate from standing one stallion, Foxwedge who covered 163 mares in the first season, to

standing nine stallions and in excess of 1300 mares booked for a season.

“Everything we do in life is a stepping stone to the next stage. At Magic Millions I learnt so much and at Newgate I was able to use what I had learnt in my previous industry roles to further develop my selling skills and knowledge.

Far from restricting himself to the business side of the industry, Williams also applied his ‘anything is possible’ approach to his NSW breeding operation in which he has enjoyed numerous successes. “I bred horses for many years and have gained a huge amount of satisfaction from it. One of the highlights was seeing Peggy Jean win the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes as a two-year-old for Peter Snowden before selling for $1 million. I have also done a lot of pinhooking, whether that was foals to yearlings or yearlings to breezers, whilst I have prepared and consigned my own drafts for sales, as well as training winners.

“Undoubtedly at Goffs UK I will be able to use all my experiences to progress in my role as Managing Director and I have huge

ambitions for the company, and the team I will lead. From day one I have received the warmest welcome and help from Henry and the whole of Goffs UK, and I hope we can build on the enormous success they have enjoyed to date”.

So 2016 heralds the next challenge for Williams as he and his wife Sue settle into their new lives in Britain and at Goffs UK, which has been associated with the Beeby family ever since Harry Beeby joined the fledgling DBS in 1964. Henry Beeby, Harry’s son, joined the company in 1982 and took over as Managing Director in 1998. In fact Tony’s appointment as standalone Managing Director means he is only the third person to fulfil the role after Harry (1987 – 1998) and Henry (1998 – 2016).

“Harry and Henry have been synonymous in building the auction house that exists today and that has become known for its family approach and customer service. I think that has been a huge part of its success, as clients have a loyalty built up over 50 years and we aim to maintain that family feel, carrying the loyalty through to the next generations.

Henry and I have talked and talked about the direction of Goffs UK, how we can improve and take it to the next level.

“I plan to work with the existing and established team to continue to build on that reputation as we strive to provide the world-class service that has been the hallmark of the company since the beginning.”

Henry Beeby is delighted with Tony’s recruitment saying: “From the first couple of minutes chatting to Tony, I knew he was the ideal man for the job as he has all the qualities required for a role I know all too well. His approach has chimed with the longstanding ethos of DBS and Goffs, and he developed an instant rapport with everyone at Goffs UK which bodes very well for the future” As for 2017, Williams is full of enthusiasm for the challenge that lies ahead and, with the support of a passionate team at Goffs UK, will leave no stone unturned in developing the business.

“Any change of direction in life is a big step and we all need new and exciting challenges. What an opportunity and adventure this is for us. The support we have received from everybody on this side of the world is humbling.”

42 | Goffs National Hunt

041_Goffs_2016_Tony Williams.indd 42

09/12/2016 18:15

ARCTIC TACK STUD Newbawn, Foulksmills, Co Wexford Phone: 051-565625 • Fax: 051-565758 Eoin Banville: 086-8558907 • Peter Nolan: 086-1569089

AIZAVOSKI

ARCADIO

LE FOU

JET AWAY

Bay 16.2hh 2006

by Monsun-Arlesienne (Alzao)

Bay 16.1hh 2002

by Monsun-Assia (Royal Academy)

Bay 16.1hh 1999

by Polish Precedent-Floripedes (Top Ville)

Bay 16.1hh 2007

by Cape Cross – Kalima (Kahyasi)

A Group placed half-brother to outstanding sires

High Class Racehorse

By CAPE CROSS sire of SEA THE STARS & GOLDEN HORN

EXCITING YOUNG SIRE OF Eight Time Winning The Game Changer, Stakes Winner of almost Imada, Mad Jack Mytton, €500,000 Chapel Hall, By leading Walk To Freedom, etc National Hunt Influence Monsun

FIRST CROP 2-YEAR OLDS OF 2016

From small initial crops of only 132 foals of racing age

MONTJEU & GOLD WELL SIRE OF Grade 3 winner DOLATULU & exciting novice hurdler MA DU FOU

First Crop foals in 2016

ALL STALLIONS ARE AN OUTCROSS TO THE SADLER’S WELLS LINE SALES PREPARATION & FOALING FACILITIES AVAILABLE

One of Ireland’s longest established Equine Veterinary Practices Specialist Medicine & Surgical Services Prepurchase examinations for all International Markets In attendance at all Major Thoroughbred Sales

The Curragh, Co Kildare. Tel: 00353 45 521373 / Fax: 00353 45 521114 / www.aleh.ie / email: info@aleh.ie

043_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

09/12/2016 12:12

FUEL FOR MAXIMUM MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT

PRO •AM Prep

Pro Am Prep is a unique combination of pre-digested protein, vitamin E and B vitamins scientifically formulated to optimise lean muscle development and athletic condition in horses preparing for sale.

Contact us: T: +353 (0)1 626 8058 E: info@foranequine.com

www.foranequine.com

OU R S CIE N CE - YOU R S U CCE S S Since 1974

Foran Advert Resize June JC [10318].inddOrby.indd 1 239153_1C_Connollys_Foran_JM_Goffs 1

17/06/2016 09/12/2016 11:18 12:18

SPRING HIT SALE

Le Prezien winning a Novice Hurdle in January 2016

MILLION IN

MIND FROM A ONE-HORSE PARTNERSHIP OF AROUND 20 PEOPLE MILLION IN MIND HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AND ENVIABLE NATIONAL HUNT RACING SYNDICATES AROUND. VIKKI HANCOCK.

O

ne of the longest established syndicates, the Million in Mind Partnership continues to make an impact on the racecourse and in the sales ring year on year for founders Anthony Bromley and David Minton of Highflyer Bloodstock.

Already holding the record for the highestpriced National Hunt horse-in-training sold at auction with Garde Champetre, who was sold for £530,000 to JP McManus at Doncaster in May 2004, they again enjoyed another great year on the track with eight winners and took the Goffs UK venue by storm this spring, topping the sale with Le Prezien and The Organist, who sold for £290,000 and £260,000 respectively.

Purchasing five or six horses each Goffs National Hunt | 45

045_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Spring.indd 45

09/12/2016 11:52

SPRING HIT SALE

year that are ready to roll at the start of the season, the 140 plus members enjoy a full-season racing and then it is the partnerships policy that every horse is sold at the Goffs UK Spring Sale at the end of the end of May. This 25-year allegiance with the Doncaster venue has led to a new sponsorship deal this year, which Bromley explained: “We have been doing the syndicate for 25 years and we have always sold at the end of the season. They have always sold our horses at Goffs UK, so it seems a good marriage really. Goffs UK have sponsored each of our horses with rugs, jackets etc., for the firt time this year and I don’t know why we haven’t had it before!”

Established in 1990, the partnership was named after the first horse that raced in the well-known red, green and white silks and, ironically, the Lomond colt was bought with the first big Goffs sales race, the Cartier Million, in mind, as Bromley explains: “It all started out as Minty’s brainchild at the Goffs Cartier Million Sale - his idea to get a bunch of friends into a yearling colt to try and win the Million! He sent him to Julie Cecil, and the rest as they say is history.”

The colt, Million In Mind, won a couple of times, not the million punt sales race, but from a one-horse partnership of around 20 people it has grown into one of the most successful and enviable National

Hunt racing syndicates around.

Born the year the partnership was formed, Mysliv was purchased for 27,000gns and she was the first to hit the headlines, as the daughter of Bustino stormed up the hill to Cheltenham Festival victory in the 1994 Gr.1 Triumph Hurdle and was subsequently sold for £155,000.

Bromley recalled: “Due to my younger, naivety at the time, when quite a lot of the members said we must not sell this horse, we will never get one as good again, my own naivety thought that we would, but it wasn’t quite so easy as that.”

They have had some great horses in the meantime, with Gr.1 winner Mister Banjo and the Gr.1 Punchestown Champion Bumper winner Royal Rosa, but Bromley picks Tricky Trickster as his most memorable racecourse victory with the partnership since Mysliv and recalls: “Winning the National Hunt Chase with Tricky Trickster at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival was probably the most memorable as it was 1994 when Mysilv won the Triumph, so not to have our next Cheltenham Festival winner until 2011 was quite a long gap. Although our old Million in Mind horses had won since, he was in our own colours, so that was very special. Also, because he was 11 or 12-1, it wasn’t totally expected and that was even nicer. That stands out as one of the great days. He went onto the sales at Doncaster and sold for £320,000 after his win and we had bought him for £40,000.”

It isn’t all about the track for Bromley though, as he explains his delight at the landmark sale of Garde Champetre: “It was just an unbelievable day. That was probably the most exciting day for me and my connection with Million in Mind. That was almost more exciting than the race days sometimes. He won his novice hurdle at the Aintree Festival, beating Inglis Drever and Monet’s Garden, to win his Graded novice hurdle that day, and then his next outing was to make £530,000 at Doncaster. He was a very special horse.”

Horses bought out of this unique partnership at Doncaster have also gone on to victory at the highest level for their new connections, including Voy Por Ustedes, who won the 2006 Arkle Chase at the Festival for Sir Robert Ogden, and

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Oliver Sherwood saddling Toberdowney; Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell; Warren and Tessa Greatrex; The Organist sells to Frank Berry for £260,000 at the Spring HIT Sale; Million in Mind legend Garde Champetre; David and Juliet Minton; Toberdowney ready for racing.

Uxizandre, who provided Tony McCoy with his final Festival winner in the 2015 Ryanair Chase for JP McManus. Already this year, the aforementioned salestopper Le Prezien has landed the Gr.2 Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Open Meeting for his new owner, JP McManus, and is on target for the Championship race at the Festival in March, and the rejuvenated former Grand National hope Kruzhlinin landed the Gr.3 ‘Fixed Brush’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park in November for Philip Hobbs and Paul and Claire Rooney. Bromley and the partnership members stay emotionally attached to these horses after their sale and he said: “Another interesting thing

46 | Goffs National Hunt

045_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Spring.indd 46

09/12/2016 11:52

SPRING HIT SALE

with our horses is that we only have them for one season and some haven’t flourished totally for us, they flourished for their new owner after we have sold them. I don’t ever begrudge that, I think that is a good thing and the members get a great deal of pleasure from seeing our old boys and girls performing well in the future.”

The popular partnership, whose committee members include Dinah Nicholson, widow of Mysilv’s trainer David, and Channel 4 commentator Graham Goode, has a maximum of 180 members per year, that each pay a one off all inclusive fee, and it is already fully subscribed this year, as Bromley explains: “Members tend to stay in year in year out

and roll over their shares and we don’t lose many members. Normally people can join, but this season we are fully subscribed, but we did have a bit of a great season last year!

There is a waiting list and normally people on the waiting list get in the next season.”

The partnership has expanded this year, from five to six horses, and as such they have recruited an additional trainer with proven Gr.1 Cheltenham Festival form, Warren Greatrex, husband of Highflyer Bloodstock agent Tessa, of which he said: “We have got a new trainer, Warren in the fold for this year and I’m excited about the horse he has called Boagrius, who won his English point-to-point with Tom Lacey. I am quite excited about seeing him and he

might go for a bumper first.”

This season’s team also includes a fouryear-old filly Toberdowney, who won a bumper at Perth and, like The Organist came from Stuart Crawford and joins Oliver Sherwood. There are also two French recruits from Guillaume Macaire – who previously provided the likes of Garde Champetre, Voy Pour Ustedes and Massac – and speaking of returning to buy and place horses where he has had previous success, Bromley explained: “I think that is like any agent, you like going back to where you have had success. I have bought a lot of horses from Guilliame Macaire in France and they have done well. I like following where something has worked Goffs National Hunt | 47

045_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Spring.indd 47

09/12/2016 11:52

SPRING HIT SALE

PEOPLE

before and we sent that filly from Crawford to Oliver Sherwood again, I mean why not, it worked before! I suppose I am a creature of habit, but as well if you haven’t had luck from a certain source then you tend to give up with it.”

The criteria for purchasing horses for this partnership is a careful balance, as the agent explains: “There are a number of factors involved in it, you want to be buying a horse that hopefully is a sound prospect to be getting quite a lot of racing this winter, as it is a syndicate for racing first and foremost. Secondary, you have to think about will this horse be a saleable horse in a year’s time. You are looking for a bit of size and scope about the horse so there is a future for the next buyer. The pedigree has a place to play, but equally the racing form and the individual conformation is probably more important.”

Having a mix of French, Irish and English horses, he explained that in the first ten years they did not buy any ex-French horses, but since the success of Mister Banjo they found that they suited the syndicate very well because they hit the ground running and could give the members an exciting season if things were right. Speaking about more recent policies he said: “There have been a lot of French horses in the syndicate, but as the prices in France have got higher it has got increasingly more difficult to buy all the horses from there, so I have looked

to spread our net to as what we might buy.

I have bought Irish point-to-pointers and sometimes I buy a horse off the Flat, but I don’t set out with a certain criteria or policy.

I just need to buy a nice, good value horse that will give the members some pleasure, so that can come from anywhere really.”

In relation to the investment each year, Bromley divulged: “It has fluctuated over the years, but funnily enough I have probably been spending less as I’ve got less in the budget to purchase with than I had ten years ago. But, obviously the more you can spend on a proven horse the higher the quality you hope that you get. You have to box clever a little, but at the moment and for the last few years we have been averaging £50,000 per purchase on the horses.”

Another vital aspect of Bromley’s role is race planning, but he informed that: “Once the horse is racing and training then the race programme sorts itself out really.”

He did note that trainers have their own habitual tracks that they like using, but also pointed out the importance of how the partnership as a whole is treated by the various racecourses and said: “I do like to go to tracks that look after the partnership well. If we get a good size room and they make the day enjoyable it makes a big difference. If I am balancing between two races on the same day, there is a factor that the racecourse experience I get can often influence if I am 50-50 about a race

for a certain weekend I will plumb for the track that I know will give the partnership the more pleasurable experience. You are always mindful of supporting tracks if you can that will give members a nice day out, but first and foremost the race has got to be right.”

Looking to the year ahead and asked to pick one of the new recruits which he is most excited about he revealed: “I am very pleased with Toberdowney, who made her debut in a good race at Newbury last week, and I am sure that she is going to do really well. She is quite an exciting mare, whether she is quite as good as The Organist we will see, but she’s pretty good. I was pleased with her, as for a filly that had only run in one bumper, and had been green in that one bumper, I was very pleased with how professional she was on the day and right through the race. She was not far off some good fillies, so I think we will have some fun with her.”

The initial aim of landing the million is still in mind as, although they have got close in the past, they have yet to break the million marker for the whole consignment.

They have achieved the feat in Euro in the past and this year the draft realised £636,000, with an average of £127,200, so, with an extra horse this year, they could be a step closer to attaining the ultimate dream, but either way they can look forward to another exciting season ahead.

RECENT SUCCESS

UXIZANDRE A dual winner for the partnership, UXIZANDRE showed his best form after his £100,000 sale at Doncaster by the partnership to JP McManus.

The son of Fragrant Mix has since won the 2014 Gr.1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree and the 2015 Gr.1 Ryanair Chase at the Festival for his new connections.

LE PREZIEN The latest flag-bearer for the partnership, the talented hurdler LE PREZIEN was never out of the first two in six starts. He landed a Gr.2 at Kelso and ran second to Yorkhill in a Gr.1 at Aintree, before topping the Goffs UK Spring HIT Sale, selling for £290,000 to JP McManus.

THE ORGANIST Bought for £60,000 after winning a Bumper on debut, THE ORGANIST has proved a high-class and consistent mare. She won a Listed mares’ hurdle and was never out of the first two until falling at the last when clear in a Listed contest at Cheltenham, but she rewarded connections again at the sales, realising £260,000.

KRUZHLININ The German-bred KRUZHLININ was bought after winning a British Point-to-Point and scored twice over hurdles before being sold in 2012 for £80,000. He won five chases since and ran in the last two Grand Nationals. Back over hurdles and wearing blinkers, he took the Gr.3 ‘Fixed Brush’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park in November.

48 | Goffs National Hunt

045_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Spring.indd 48

09/12/2016 11:52

DECIDING WHERE TO BE THIS JANUARY?

EASIEST WINNER YOU’LL PICK ALL YEAR! GLOBAL GLAMOUR

Globally owned Dual Gr1 Winner Cost $65,000 | Earnings $648,500

WINX

World’s Highest Rated Mare Cost $230,000 | Earnings $9,348,175

CAPITALIST

Australian Champion 2YO of 2015/16 Cost $165,000 | Earnings $3,545,900

THE 2017 JEEP MAGIC MILLIONS CARNIVAL, YEARLING SALE & RACEDAY 6-17 JANUARY, GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Magic Millions turns up the excitement this summer. Revel in 10 magnificent days at Australia’s number one Yearling Sale and Summer Racing Carnival as you gather with friends and toast to the celebrations on and off the track. Experience the energy of Australia’s first $10M Raceday, witness the spectacle of international Polo, feel the thrill of the Barrier Draw on the famous Surfers Paradise beach, and select from the Southern Hemisphere’s very best horse flesh at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. With visitors flocking from all over the world for this flagship event, there are so many magical moments to be a part of.

For further information email arthur@magicmillions.com.au or visit

www.magicmillions.com.au

FACEBOOK.COM/MAGICMILLIONS

@MMSNIPPETS

MAGICMILLIONS

to view the catalogue online.

240562_1C_Magic Millions_Goffs.indd 1

09/12/2016 12:18

LAND ROVER SALE

PRIMARY

Schooling KILMONEY COTTAGE STUD HAS A REMARKABLE RECORD AT THE LAND ROVER SALE WITH ALTIOR AMONG THEIR FAMOUS GRADUATES. CIARA CARTY TELLS DONN McCLEAN ABOUT A MEMORABLE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL.

C Altior storms up the Cheltenham hill to win the Grade 1 Supreme Novices Hurdle

iara Carty went to Cheltenham on the first day of the Festival last March.

They were busy at home, but she wouldn’t have missed the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. Not this year.

When you run a relatively small operation like Kilmoney Cottage Stud, in Rathangan, to have one of your graduates running at the Cheltenham Festival is a big deal. To have two is massive. And when both horses are running on the same day, when they both go there with real chances – Altior in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Minella Rocco in the National Hunt Chase – that is a day that you are not going to want to miss.

“Things were very busy here,” recalls Ciara now, “as they always are at that time of year, but Mick (my husband) stayed here, so I was able to go. My mother had a mare running as well in the mares’ hurdle, Keppols Queen. She ran a big race, she was probably going to be placed but The Govaness fell in front of her at the final flight and hampered her, so that was disappointing. But it was still an unbelievable day.”

50 | Goffs National Hunt

050_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Landrover.indd 50

09/12/2016 16:27

LAND ROVER SALE

Ciara Carty of Kilmoney Cottage Stud, vendor of Altior and Minella Rocco.

Goffs National Hunt | 51

050_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Landrover.indd 51

09/12/2016 16:27

LAND ROVER SALE

The Land Rover has been a great sale for us - Goffs is a great place to sell horses and to turn money. That is very important.

The day started with Altior, second favourite for the Festival curtain-raiser. But go back further though, go back beyond last March. Rewind five and a half years in fact, to November 2010.

“We bought him privately, in the field,” says Ciara. “We just loved him when we saw him. He was only about six months old at the time, but we loved everything about him. He was athletic. That’s crucial. Even at that age. He was such a lovely mover. He wouldn’t break eggs under his feet.”

He was well-bred too, by High Chaparral out of the Key Of Luck mare Monte Solaro, who had won her bumper and who had won over hurdles for Francis Flood. The Cartys didn’t know it at the time, but Altior’s half-brother Key To The West would rack up a hat-trick of wins over hurdles in November 2013, and his threeparts sister Princess Leya would win a bumper and would win twice over hurdles, and would gain black type in the Grade 3 mares’ hurdle at the 2014 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. That was all in the future.

The priority for Kilmoney Cottage Stud for the little High Chaparral foal in November of 2010, however, was his nurturing, the care that he would receive. Flat or National Hunt, it doesn’t matter – July Stakes and Richmond Stakes winner Ivawood is another Kilmoney Cottage graduate – each horse receives the

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Minella Rocco and Derek O’Connor return to the Winners Enclosure after the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup; Sprinter Sacre and Altior out for a stroll at trainer Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows in Lambourn; Altior and Nico de Boinville after landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham; Altior jumps the first fence of his recent win in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Chase at Sandown; Ciara and Michael Carty with their family.

care and attention that allows it to thrive and grow.

“There were no setbacks with Altior,” says Ciara. “He was great. He just thrived and continued to progress. Every day he’d fill your eye. He was always a great mover, he had athleticism and he had a presence about him. We try to give them every chance here, we try to give them the best rearing possible on the farm. We have great limestone land and horses tend to flourish. They strengthen up mentally too. When they go to the sales and when they go into training, they don’t fall apart.”

So fast-forward to June 2013, to the Land Rover Sale where, unsurprisingly, there was good interest in Lot 11, the three-year-old by High Chaparral out of Monte Solaro. David Minton of Highflyer Bloodstock was particularly interested, and it was his bid of €60,000 which ultimately secured him.

“We were delighted with that,” recalls Ciara. “He turned money, and that is a very important thing. It is also important

52 | Goffs National Hunt

050_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Landrover.indd 52

09/12/2016 16:27

LAND ROVER SALE

Goffs National Hunt | 53

050_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Landrover.indd 53

09/12/2016 16:27

LAND ROVER SALE

LAND ROVER: THE FACTS • The leading store sale for Grade 1 winners at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

• T op prices of €215,000, €200,000, €165,000, €155,000, €150,000 etc over the past 5 years.

• More horses sold for over €100,000 and over €50,000 in 2016 than previously.

• Grade 1 graduates in 2016 included Altior, Black Hercules, God’s Own, Faugheen, Blow By Blow etc.

that they go to a good trainer, so we were delighted that he was going to Nicky Henderson. We knew that he would be looked after really well there, that he would be given the chance to fulfill his potential.

We have given them every chance here, so it is important that they go to a trainer who will give them every chance.”

Now fast-forward to the first day of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, the first race: Altior won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Ciara Carty cheered him home.

Rewind again, to the foal sale at Goffs in November 2010, just a couple of weeks after Ciara and Michael Carty had bought the colt foal who would be named Altior, and Kilmoney Cottage Stud were active as purchasers, buying the Shirocco foal out of the Alleged mare Petralona, who would later be named Minella Rocco.

“The two horses could hardly have been more different,” says Ciara. “Both could have been bred for the flat and, in fact, we tried to turn Minella Rocco over as a flat yearling, but Shirocco had really gone National Hunt then. Minella Rocco was so laid back, really easy going. What they had in common, though, was quality. They

both always had a lot of quality about them. And Minella Rocco is from a good staying family, so it is not surprising that stamina appears to be his forte now.”

The style of their respective Cheltenham Festival victories last March were very different too. While Altior danced in in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Minella Rocco needed every ounce of encouragement that Derek O’Connor could give him, and just about every inch of the three miles and 170 yards, to get up on the run-in and beat Native River to land the National Hunt Chase, the pair of them finishing nicely clear.

That was some day.

“We only have three NH horses per year,” says Ciara, “so to have two of them even go to the Cheltenham Festival with chances was great. For both of them to win, that was just unbelievable.”

And both horses could be just beginning.

Altior made a scintillating start to his chasing career at Kempton in November.

With normal luck, there is no telling what he could achieve now. Minella Rocco ran a big race on his debut this season to finish a close-up third in the big staying handicap chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting.

Both horses are only six years old. Their best days could still be ahead of them.

“It is important that our horses do well on the track,” says Ciara thoughfully. “Of course, there is no direct financial gain for us, but it is crucial for us in terms of reputation. And success at the Cheltenham Festival is great.”

It’s a thing with the Land Rover Sale too, the Cheltenham Festival. Celebrating just its 20th anniversary this year, the Land Rover Sale was the leading store horse sale for Cheltenham Festival winners at each of the last three festivals. And the sale continues to grow. The number of horses selling for in excess of €100,000, and the number selling for in excess of €50,000, grew again in 2016.

“The Land Rover Sale has been a great sale for us,” says Ciara. “Goffs is a great place at which to sell horses, and our horses have done well at the Land Rover.”

This year, Kilmoney Cottage Stud topped the first day of the Land Rover Sale with a Flemensfirth gelding out of the Overbury mare Day’s Over, a halfsister to bumper winner and threetime winner over hurdles Dusky Lord, who was bought by Aiden Murphy for €110,000.

Looks like he’s going to a good home too.

The Flemensfirth gelding out of Day’s Over consigned

by Kilmoney Cottage Stud at the 2016 Land Rover Sale that was purchased by Aiden Murphy for E110,000.

54 | Goffs National Hunt

050_Goffs_2016_Store Sales Landrover.indd 54

09/12/2016 16:27

241590_1C_Highflyer_Goffs NH.indd 1

09/12/2016 12:19

HUNTING

The historic Duhallow Hunt leads off.

PRIDE OF 56 | Goffs National Hunt

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 56

Place 09/12/2016 11:53

Photography: Catherine Power

HUNTING

HUNTING IS MORE THAN A COUNTRY PURSUIT. IT ACTS AS JUMP RACING’S NURSERY FOR BOTH HORSES AND JOCKEYS WITH MANY HOUSEHOLD NAMES EMERGING BLOODED FOR CHAMPION POINT TO POINT AND NATIONAL HUNT CAREERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE IRISH SEA. DICKIE POWER EXAMINES ITS TIES WITH NATIONAL HUNT RACING IN IRELAND.

Goffs National Hunt | 57

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 57

09/12/2016 11:53

HUNTING

T

here is a fundamental link between the sport of hunting and jump racing that can be traced back to the origins of the sport. “It is the thrill of the chase, which until you do it is indescribable. The adrenaline rush belies description,” explains Ronan Griffin, Bloodstock Director at Goffs and Chairman of the Ward Union hunt. “This is why so many jockeys are able to make the transition from the hunting field to jump racing.”

In 1755 two sporting gentlemen Cornelius O’Callaghan and Edmund Blake, members of the Duhallow Foxhounds, decided to race their hunters across country from the church steeple in Buttevant to the steeple in the village of Doneraile, by the banks of the River Awbeg. The race was won by O’Callaghan. From those North Cork beginnings evolved the idea of racing from one point to another, over a more formalised racetrack of banks and hedges, at the end of the hunting season which ultimately created Point-to-Point racing run under the rules of the Irish Turf Club.

That famous 1755 race was run over four and a half miles, and it was no coincidence that this became the distance run in the Grand National, the greatest endurance test of all. 1839 saw the first running of the Grand National at Aintree, won by Captain Martin Becher on The Duke. The gallant captain’s family hailed from Duhallow country near Buttevant. The following year he fell at the first brook on the course and remained in the water until the following horses had passed. This became the most famous fall in history as the fence will be forever known as Becher’s Brook which is the sixth and 22nd fence on the course. As he emerged from the muddy brook the Captain was heard to say that he never realised water could be so disgusting without the liberal addition of whiskey!

Two of Ireland’s premier National Hunt racecourses originate directly form the hunting field; Punchestown, still owned by the Kildare Foxhounds,

Premier racecourses, Champion jockeys and Gold Cup-winning trainers can all trace their beginnings back to the hunting field.

and Fairyhouse, which until the mid20th Century had a similar arrangement with the Ward Union Staghounds. Out of those associations came the two major Irish jump racing meetings; the Punchestown Festival and the Irish Grand National Easter Festival.

Griffin concludes: “Hunting is an obvious way to nurture jump jockeys and horses, and its deep connection to National Hunt is as strong today as it was in the 1700s.”

Here are three famous Irish hunts that illustrate the ties that bind it with National Hunt Racing:

DUHALLOW FOXHOUNDS The original link between hunting and steeplechasing is with the Duhallow Foxhounds, the oldest pack in Ireland.

Based close to Mallow in County Cork, the hunt covers challenging countryside conducive to the development of top jockeys. Some famous names to have plied their trade on this terrain include Champion jump jockey and top trainer Jonjo O’Neill, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winning jockey Norman Williamson, now a Joint Master of the Meath Hunt; Gold Cup winning jockey and trainer Jim Culloty and Grand National winning jockey Brendan Powell.

It is a hunt that produced Vincent O’Brien, arguably the greatest trainer of the 20th Century, who found his feet in the hunting field with

the Duhallow. Vincent O’Brien’s family farm, Clashgannif, is in the heart of this countryside. Before O’Brien concentrated on the flat, he produced an extraordinary array of National Hunt winners including a hat trick of Nationals starting in 1953 with Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times, three consecutive Gold Cups with Cottage Rake closely followed by a similar number of Champion Hurdles with Hatton’s Grace.

Point-to-Pointing is also very much part of Duhallow history. Today the Duhallow host

58 | Goffs National Hunt

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 58

09/12/2016 11:53

Photography: Sarah Farnsworth

HUNTING

HUNT HISTORY The plaque in Buttevant, Co Cork commemorating the first steeplechase which took place in 1752.

Photography: Noel Mullins

Point-to-Points at Liscarroll, Kildorrey, Dromahane and Kanturk that are closely monitored by top trainers and agents on both sides of the Irish Sea in their search for the equine stars of the future. It was at a Duhallow Point-to-Point at Liscarroll that a young Denman, then trained by hunt follower and former leading jumps jockey Adrian Maguire, first caught the eye of Paul Nicholls and went on to win the 2008 running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Goffs National Hunt | 59

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 59

09/12/2016 11:53

fx 188x130_38867_Layout 1 07/11/2016 14:58 Page 1

WEATHERBYS FX The name you can rely on for all your Foreign Exchange needs Competitive Exchange Rates Buy and sell currencies, delivery now and in the future Spot Transactions Forward Exchange Contracts Currency Options Commission & Fee Free Debit Card for overseas transactions Part of a fully accredited and regulated Bank Sterling Accounts Currency Accounts Secure and Convenient

For further information on our Foreign Exchange services please contact Dominic Haldane or William Dunford on +44 (0)1933 304849 fx@weatherbys.co.uk www.weatherbys.co.uk Weatherbys Bank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Please note that with the exception of forward and rolling spot transactions, foreign exchange is not regulated by these authorities. Financial Services Register number: 204571. Weatherbys Bank Ltd is registered in England. Registered number: 2943300.Registered Office: Sanders Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 4BX.

RACING CLUB

PACKAGES AVAILABLE

Membership - €125

Race Day Hospitality - €55

Includes entry, racecard, four course buffet lunch in our Rooftop Restaurant, tipster, dedicated Tote facility.

(€100 - OAP/AIR, €50 - Student) Free entry to all race meetings at Gowran Park in 2016 Free entry to a number of Irish and UK race meetings throughout the year 33% off guest race tickets Annual Members Lunch

Gowran Park Race Course, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

T: 056 772 6225 F: 056 772 6173 E: reception@gowranpark.ie www.gowranpark.ie

Enclosure Package - €35

Includes admission, racecard, food voucher and bar voucher.

FIXTURES 2017 DATE

FEATURING

TYPE

DATE

FEATURING

TYPE

DATE

FEATURING

26th Jan

Goffs Thyestes Day

(NH)

5th Jun

Kilkenny Cat Laughs Day

(F)

6th Sep

Flat Meeting

18 Feb

Connollys Red Mills Day

(NH)

24 Jun

Ladies Day

(NH)

16 Sep

Cordell Lavarack Gr3 Day

11th Mar

Holden Plant Rentals Day

(NH)

25th Jun

Family Fun Day

(F)

29th Sep

Pat Walsh Day

30th Apr

Listed McCalmont Stakes Day (F)

4th Jul

Independence Day

(F)

30th Sep

PWC Champion Chase Day

24th May

Flat Meeting

22 Jul

Flat Meeting

11 Oct

Flat Meeting

16th Aug

Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes

25th Nov

Racing Club Day

th

060_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

(Evening)

th

nd

th

th

(E)

TYPE (E)

09/12/2016 12:22

HUNTING

Chris Francis of the Kildare Foxhounds pictured at Ruby’s Double bank at Punchestown at the launch of the Huntsman Banks race in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys.

KILDARE FOXHOUNDS

Punchestown’s historic races, the Corinthian Cup and the Conyngham Cup, illustrate the track’s longstanding ties to the sport.

The Kildare Hunt can trace its roots back to 1766, eleven years after that famous first steeplechase in North Cork, and its first race meeting was held in 1824. Twenty-six years later, in 1850, the hunt began to host its annual races at Punchestown which became integral to the development of jump racing in Ireland. From this the current Festival, held in April, was born. The first two-day meeting was held in 1854 at which the hunt erected a wooden stand, until then unseen at any jumps racecourse. The original course was laid out to resemble what the pack would jump while hunting and included single and double banks featuring stone walls. Punchestown still hosts bank races at its Irish National Hunt Festival and it is the only banks race in the country that is recognised under the Rules of Racing. Some of Punchestown’s historic races illustrate the track’s longstanding ties to the sport. The Corinthian Cup, still held today, was first run in 1854, while the Conyngham Cup, first run in 1872, also still takes place at Punchestown. The Irish Gold Cup is one of the April festival highlights. The course was upgraded in the 1960s to cater for the huge crowds now attending. While retaining its open enclosure and banks that give it its country feel, birch-style fences were added to bring it to a par with Fairyhouse and Cheltenham. Hunting ties to the track remain strong, from the grass roots up to Grade 1 racing. On the opening day of the Festival each year the Hunting Association of Ireland hosts a large marquee and a countryside day that sees hunt packs paraded, while on the Friday of the Festival the hounds are paraded on the course. The Kildare kennels are located at the bend by the second-last fence on the home stretch. The racetrack lands and property remains under the ownership of the hunt club to this day, and the course is officially known as Kildare Hunt Races.

Goffs National Hunt | 61

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 61

09/12/2016 11:53

Members of the Ward Union reads like a who’s who of National Hunt racing.

Photography: Catherine Power

HUNTING

TOP LEFT: Ronan Griffin, Goffs Boodstock Director; ABOVE: Paul Carberry

THE WARD UNION HUNT The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, run by tradition on Easter Monday, was originally known as the Ward Hunt Cup, which demonstrates the influence that the Ward Union Hunt has had on jump racing in Ireland since its establishment in 1854. Up to the 1940s, Fairyhouse racecourse was owned and run by the hunt, similar to Punchestown and the Kildares. Today the hunt is invited to lead the Irish Grand National parade with the huntsman and first whipper-in escorting the winner from the track into the enclosure.

Members of the Ward Union read like a who’s who of National Hunt racing, both human and equine. The Arkle connection is strong. Trainer Tom Dreaper was a prominent member as was the greatest steeplechaser’s breeder, Mary Baker and her family. Baker’s grandson David is currently joint master of the hunt. Arkle was recently immortalised in a life-size bronze in Ashbourne, County Meath, set on stone from the original Ward Union kennels and is purposely positioned where the kennel entrance was once located. The recently retired former Champion jump jockey Paul Carberry has been a whipper-in for a number of years. Carberry won the Aintree Grand National in 1999 for his father Tommy having won the Irish Grand National the previous year at his local track, Fairyhouse.

Carberry won a cross-country race at the November Festival at Cheltenham in 1999 aboard Linden’s Lotto trained by hunt member Tony Martin and owned by then joint master Michael Bailey. Other famous Grand National winning jockeys to hunt with the Wards include Robert Power and Barry Geraghty. Top jumps trainers Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott are also members. Life-long and now honorary member Paddy Griffin, who trained the winner of the Listed chase this year on Aintree Grand National day, won the 1988 Goffs Thyestes Chase with Feltrim Hill Lad owned by the then Chairman of the hunt.

His son, Ronan Griffin, Goffs Bloodstock Director, is Chairman of the Ward Union.

Roy Craigie, former Senior Steward of the National Hunt Steeplechase Committee of the Turf Club, was a master and honorary huntsman of the Ward for many years, while Gavin Cromwell, Chairman of the Hunt Point-to-Point Committee, is another longstanding member. Georgie Wells, a Classic winning flat jockey, took out a jumps licence in 1955 and ran his first horse as a trainer in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. A prominent member of the Ward Hunt at the time, the horse named Umm won the National for owners and fellow-Ward Union members Tom Griffin and Con Rooney. Umm went on to win the Galway Plate in the same year and remains the only horse to achieve that feat. He was also a half-brother to Foinavon, arguably the luckiest winner of the Aintree Grand National.

62 | Goffs National Hunt

056_Goffs_2016_Hunting.indd 62

09/12/2016 11:53

MOCKLERSHILL EUROPE’S PREMIER BREEZE UP CONSIGNOR

‘SPECIOSA’ The only classic winner to be sold at the breeze- up sales.

Mocklershill have been selling Breeze Up horses in Doncaster since 1977, Doncaster and Mockershill have a unique record in that they are the only partnership to have sold a classic winner in SPECIOSA, winner of the English 1,000 guineas.

Contact Willie Brown: 087 634 7271 Email: grangebarry@mocklershill.ie | Email: williebrowne@ mocklershill.ie | www.mocklershill.ie

devoted to feeding champions

/DengieHorseFeeds @DengieHorseFeed www.dengie.com Contact 0845 345 5115 (Republic of Ireland: 1800 991 809) for friendly advice on the Dengie Feedline

*

*

063_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

Calls cost 2p per minute from a landline and 2.5p per minute from a mobile plus your phone company’s access charge.

09/12/2016 17:51

Aintree Grand National 2016

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2016

Oil on Canvas by artist David Dent. Also available as limited edition prints.

Oil on Canvas by artist David Dent. Also available as limited edition prints.

Specialist dealer in all aspects of Fine Sporting Art. 1 Victoria Terrace, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

+353 86 253 6831 www.redmondfineart.com

NEW FOR 2017 - Clovis Du Berlais

The only stallion son of King’s Theare in UK/IRE Hailing from one of the most successful jumping pedigrees in France, Clovis Du Berlais offers British breeders an exciting opportunity to use a son of the prolific King’s Theare. A halfbrother to Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Caid Du Berlais, Clovis du Berlais is available to be viewed at Yorton now.

Also standing

Blue Bresil - Gentlewave - Norse Dance - Pether’s Moon - Sulamani - Universal

www.yortonfarm.co.uk

064_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

09/12/2016 14:53

INTERIORS

Deck the

HALLS GO MAXIMALIST ON DECORATING Christmas is a time for excess so layer your lighting options starting with wall-hung, battery-operated strings of lights, from E15 at Ikea, to add instant atmosphere. A paper star, E15, hung from the ceiling sets a festive tone while lots of candles add instant ambiance. A riot of soft velvet furniture, scatter cushions, from E3 each, and William Morris-inspired walls, as per this home by Ikea’s style team is a very effective way to Christmasize your home. Ikea.com

WHEN IT COMES TO DECORATING YOUR HOME THIS CHRISTMAS MORE IS MORE IS THE APPROACH TO TAKE, WRITES ALANNA GALLAGHER

Goffs National Hunt | 65

065_Goffs_2016_Interiors.indd 65

08/12/2016 16:50

INTERIORS

LUXURIOUS LUNCH

BEAUTIFUL BAUBLES

A warm palette of boudoir pinks and gilded decorations, from Biba and Living by Christiane Lemieux at House of Fraser, turn a typical meal into a festive feast to remember. Lay beaded charger plates, €22 each, Empire cutlery, €170 for a 24-piece set; pearl and crystal garland, €52, baroque wine glasses, €17 each; wine carafe €46; peacock and glitter crackers, €39 for a set of six; berry garland, €72 and star lights, €11 each, which can be purchased from House of Fraser. Houseoffraser.co.uk

Beautiful baubles make a Christmas tree look special. By adding a few new purchases each year, pieces that you buy for family members or to mark a special shopping trip, will help make you recall that moment or family member for years to come. Try these robins, €5.60 each, from Monsoon, nostalgic styles, €17, by Royal Doulton at Amara, and these decorative Shishi hinged eggs, €10 each. Uk.monsoon.co.uk; Amara.com; brownthomas.com

66 | Goffs National Hunt

065_Goffs_2016_Interiors.indd 66

08/12/2016 16:50

INTERIORS

AMP UP THE TEXTURE QUOTA

RADIATING HEAT Many country homes feature a large and open-plan kitchen, dining living room. While these spaces look great they can feel cold and bare in deepest, darkest winter. A multisided stove, like this four-panelled Heulva from Bronpi which can be purchased from UK-based The Marble Warehouse, works warmth wonders as it can heat two areas at once. Bronpi-uk.com

Go for a shag pile rug underfoot. This Icelandic sheepskin costs €85 from The French Bedroom Company. Above: Cushions make a sofa or seat seem far more welcoming. They also bolster up the appearance of beds so go wild and scatter these wool designs from Neptune, from €75 to €104 each .

The longhair designs on this rocking chair, left, can be ordered by phone from Paris-based Maison de Vacances and cost upwards of €85 each. TK Maxx also stocks a great range of Mongolian lamb styles from €39.99 each.

Neptune.com; maisondevacances.com; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Goffs National Hunt | 67

065_Goffs_2016_Interiors.indd 67

08/12/2016 16:50

INTERIORS

COSY CARTEL Rugs will help keep chills at bay. This one, €75, from The Funky Woolshed at Arnotts, features 100 per cent Australian wool but you could just as easily invest in an Avoca mohair throw or a Foxford classic. When not in use the traditional place to position is over the back of the sofa but you can also use them to keep you warm outdoors on winter nights when you sit around an open fire and stargaze. In this instance hang them in the hall when not in use and make a feature of their textures and patterns as per the Amara Home style team idea, left. Arnotts.ie; avoca.ie; foxfordwoollenmills.com;

TREES CHIC A simple, elegant and effective colour palette for your Christmas tree is soft pinks set against golds with soft opalescent whites and metallic coloured baubles to really fashion up a tinsel tree, €109. Brass side tables with marble tops, soft pink painted walls and gifts all wrapped in tonal metallics really make this room pop.

Designed by Marks and Spencer’s style team using packs of 99 tonal mini baubles, €20 per pack, it’s about hanging baubles on every branch on the tree and filling in any gaps to make it look as full as possible.

Marksandspencer.ie

STOCKING FILLERS You’re never too old to hang a stocking with glee.

These traditional designs cost €15 each at Brown Thomas. Other options include faux fur designs, €56, small and €73, large from Helen Moore and marino wool options from Pendleton, €76, at Amara.

Helenmoore.com; amara.com; brownthomas.com

68 | Goffs National Hunt

065_Goffs_2016_Interiors.indd 68

08/12/2016 16:50

Quirc Interior Design was established in 2006 by Catherine Quirke and has since grown to become a leading provider of bespoke Interior Design services.

Catherine has a natural flair to interpret her Client’s design ideas and is passionate in her drive to deliver tailored design solutions that enrich interiors and provide a space where people will feel at home, even if they are at work!

For the discerning individual or corporate client, the common signatures employed by Quirc Interior Design

reflect a welcoming elegance, luxury and a creative approach to living and working in the modern day.

Located in Clane, Co. Kildare - ‘Quirc Interiors’ is our retail-studio where clients can simply browse, or get inspiration for their design project.

So, whether if you’re a homeowner looking for an interior of distinction, a quality developer delivering a superior product, or if your workplace is in need of a face-lift then Quirc Interior Design would be delighted to get involved.

Quirc Interior Design, 5 Butterstream Business Park, Clane, Co Kildare, Ireland Ph: 00 353 45 902733

www.quircinteriordesign.ie 241250_1C_Quirc_AMA_Goffs.indd 1

09/12/2016 14:55

FASHION

THE

Sartorialist

DRESSING THE PART IS KEY TO STAYING WARM AND STYLISH WHETHER YOU’RE HEADING TO A POINT-TO-POINT, WINTER RACING FESTIVAL, OR THE HUNT BALL, WRITES ALANNA GALLAGHER STABLE herringbone scarf, €270 Navy Glebe Donegal tweed gilet, part of Magee’s 150th anniversary collection, €475.

Magee1866.com

RIVER ISLAND Jersey cap, €17

UGG sheepskin gloves, €147, Amara.com ARNOTTS Diamond lambswool crew neck jumper €130

point TO POINT FOR HIM

BARBOUR Templand quilted jacket, €170, Brown Thomas RIVER ISLAND Spencer jeans, €40

On the Point-to-Point circuit you’re out in all weathers and need garments that can go the distance. Start with a pair of sturdy boots like Hunter’s biker’s style €165, Brown Thomas, and pair with durable jeans, €40, River Island. A form-fitting basic t-shirt, layered under a slim-fit grey diamond lambswool crewneck sweater, €130, Brown Thomas. Clever layering will add warmth as you need it. Pack a navy Glebe Donegal tweed gilet, part of Magee’s 150th anniversary collection, €475, and a placket-pocket Corbridge waxed jacket by Barbour, €265, Brown Thomas. A wind-proof Bayleaf coat by Regatta in a navy Pentan style, €155 is available at The Great Outdoors. A charcoal alpaca and silk herringbone fringed scarf, €270, by Irish design house Stable, and cognac-coloured Ugg Australia sheepskin gloves, €147, Amara.com, will keep extremities from feeling the cold. A Tumi backpack will fit anything else you need for your day outdoors.

70 | Goffs National Hunt

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 70

09/12/2016 14:33

FASHION

FOR HER

“THE WEATHER IN IRELAND CAN CHANGE IN A SPLIT SECOND. WHEN OUT IN THE FIELD YOU NEED A WATER-PROOF COAT, LOTS OF LAYERS AND A DECENT PAIR OF WATER-RESISTANT BOOTS .”

ANN FINN, HEAD OF MENSWEAR PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS. BARBOUR Corbridge four-pocket wax jacket, €265, Brown Thomas

BOBBI hat, €96, Style Ikon

ABOVE: Regatta Great Outdoors Lumexia Parka €175 ANA FAYE Gina backpack, €229 HUNTER Original biker boots, €165

MSGM gilet, €780, Samui

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO BOTH LOOK THE PART AND STAY WARM. YOU CAN’T BEAT FRENCH BRAND MONCLER FOR KEEPING THE WIND OUT. IT’S LIGHT TO WEAR, DURABLE AND CAN BE THROWN IN THE WASHING MACHINE,” Regatta men’s Bayleaf Penkar coat, €155

You need to be able to weather the elements whatever they bring so start with a sturdy but flattering pair of jeans as a base layer. A pair of high rise, leg-lengthening jeans by Vetements, €1025, at Brown Thomas, could be an investment buy.

Over a thermal vest sport a coral-coloured cashmere sweater by Irish designer Lucy Nagle, €245, Kalu, Naas, Brown Thomas and Muse, Waterford. A Tibetean lamb gilet by MSGM, €780, Samui, will add warmth and colour as will a cashmere scarf, €180, by Irish designer Laura Chambers and a Bobbi hat in pink merino wool with detachable fur bobble, €96, Style Ikon are all on-trend. Gatlin mid boots by Regatta, €110, The Great Outdoors, will keep feet dry or for something a bit cooler try Stuart Weitzman’s over-the-knee flat boots, €895, Brown Thomas. And when it starts raining cats and dogs a Regatta Lumexia parka, €175, The Great Outdoors will shield you from the elements. A grey and black leather Gina backpack, €229, by Irish designer Ana Fay is the only other accessory you need.

LUCY NAGLE cashmere sweater, €245

CAROLINE HANRATTY, HEAD OF PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS.

LAURA CHAMBERS oversize scarf, €180 TUMI Knox backpack €365

STUART WEITZMAN, Lowland over-the-knee boots, right, €895, Brown Thomas; Regatta Gatlin, boots €110, The Great Outdoors

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 71

VETEMENTS High-rise jeans, €1,025, Brown Thomas

Goffs National Hunt | 71

09/12/2016 14:34

FASHION “SERIOUS RACE GOERS WILL WEAR A BEAUTIFUL DRESS COAT WITH EITHER A TOP AND SKIRT OR A DRESS UNDERNEATH, LETTING THE OUTER LAYER DO MOST OF THE TALKING. SUITABLE FOOTWEAR IS A MUST. JIMMY CHOO’S NEW 7CM HIGH HEEL FLATTERS BUT LETS YOU WALK TALL RATHER THAN TOTTERING AROUND LIKE A NEW BORN FOAL.” CAROLINE HANRATTY, HEAD OF PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS.

Left: ACCESSORIZE, €119 FAR LEFT: CHARLOTTE SIMONE, €380

winter RACING FOR HER

Aideen Bodkin’s nude pink Vista dress, €285, worn under a blue satin floral printed Carina coat, €449, is one elegant option while a Lauretta mixed print dress, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, €1160, at Brown Thomas, is another. This royal purple twill Victoria Beckham trench, €1,960, left, will look the business in the winners enclosure. A smart pair of trousers teamed with elegant flats is another way to go but a more fashion forward way to work a winter racing look is to team a pair of on-trend dungarees like the black Mila pair by Mary Grant, €345, below, with a floral-fronted top, €154,

by Luke Lovely. Black opaque tights will work with all of the above. Eschew heels in favour of boots, either a block-heel Hedera by Marni, €720, at Brown Thomas or a pair of buckled flats by Karen Symonsen, €260, at Style Ikon. A hat, like the fedora by Emily Jean, below, €247, who has collaborated with Magee on a capsule collection, and a scarf, will add colour and warmth. Charlotte Simone’s black, grey and jade raccoon and fox design, €380, Style Ikon, Helen Moore’s faux fur blue and lilac number, €110, Arnotts or a pom-pom confection, €19, from Accessorize are all options.

MAGEE EMILY JEAN fedora €247 PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI Lauretta print dress, €1,160.

Brown Thomas; MARY GRANT Mila dungarees €345, HELEN MOORE faux €110, Arnotts

VICTORIA BECKHAM Twill Trench coat, €1,960, Brown Thomas

This form-flattering dress, €2,450, earrings €575, brooch, €295, embellished hairband, €895, and black leather handbag, €2,450, all Dolce & Gabbana at Brown Thomas.

LUKE LOVELY, €1,154

KAREN SYMONSEN €1,260, Style Ikon

CHECK MATE PENNEYS

CLAUDIE PIERLOT

CARVEN

A checked coat is a really smart daywear option.

French label Carven has a smart wool investment option, €950 while Gospel, €185, by another Franco label Claudie Pierlot, is great for petites.

Both are available at Brown Thomas. Penney’s chic check coat, €50, has a wind chill factorprotecting faux fur collar.

72 | Goffs National Hunt

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 72

09/12/2016 14:34

FASHION “A SMART OVERCOAT COVERS A MULTITUDE AND YOU CAN LAYER A GILET UNDER IT AND STILL LOOK SHARP. FIT IS EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO SUITING SO SPEND TIME FINDING THE RIGHT LABEL FOR YOUR SHAPE. A HAT AND RUBBER SOLED SHOES WILL KEEP THE COLD AT BAY.”

RIVER ISLAND suede boots, €173 RIVER ISLAND, peaked cap, €16

Wool coat, €1215, Canali, navy quilted jacket, €220, Barbour, grey zip-front knit, John Smedley and chinos, €520, Gucci, all Brown Thomas.

MAISON MICHEL Henrietta fedora, €600, Brown Thomas

ANN FINN, HEAD OF MENSWEAR PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS.

RIVER ISLAND leather boots, €195

RIVER ISLAND suede boots, €180 Gieves Hawkes twopiece wool suit, €1250, Brown Thomas

JOHN SMEDLEY Bobby merino wool sweater, €165.

FOR HIM Team a petrol blue wool two-piece suit by Gieves Hawkes, €1,250, with a thin merino wool Bobby sweater by John Smedley, €165, both Brown Thomas, for extra warmth. Layer under a Fintra double-breasted pea coat by Magee, €649, whose collar can be raised to keep chills at bay.

Accessorise with a pair of Happy Socks, €10, and a pair of Chelsea boots, either leather wingtip Gucci ones, €795 at Brown Thomas, or a suede pair, €73, River Island. A hat will keep your head warm and add a finishing flourish. Choose from a herringbone flat cap style, €16, River Island or a Bailey Blixen felted fedora, €85, Arnotts.

HAPPY SOCKS diamond pattern, €10

Arnotts Bailey Blixen €85

GUCCI Wingtip web Chelsea boots, €795, Brown Thomas

MONARCHY Texas briefcase, €1159

RIVER ISLAND suede brogues, €55

Goffs National Hunt | 73

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 73

09/12/2016 14:34

KEVINROSS BLOODSTOCK

www.kevinrossbloodstock.co.uk

3 Grade 1 winners at the Punchestown festival bought by KevinRoss Bloodstock

God’s Own, Zabana & Blow By Blow For Further Information Contact Kevin Ross on 0044 (0) 7710 586975 or Anna 0044 (0) 7515 994629

God’s Own

Zabana

Blow By Blow

Milestone Stables

A leading consignor of top class point to pointers

Samcro

Getabird

074_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

Consignor of Goffs Punchestown Sale topper ‘’Getabird’’ & Goffs UK Aintree Sale topper ‘’Samcro’’ in 2016 CONTACT: COLIN Colin Bowe Racing, Kiltealy, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

MOBILE: 087 6332567 OFFICE: 053 9256760 EMAIL: milestonestables@gmail.com TWITTER: @colinboweracing

09/12/2016 14:57

FASHION

hunt BALL FOR HER

When it comes to looking elegant less is definitely more. A navy Roland Mouret Eugene satin top, €610, Brown Thomas will flatter the face far more than somber black. Team with a dress skirt. Irish designer Niamh O’Neill’s full skirted midis come in several flattering styles, from Valentine, €750, her beautiful black and gold brocade design, €750, to Sophie, €325, a digitally printed satin style with a navy waistband. Embroidered Paige courts, €110, Monsoon, will work with the brocade skirt while beautiful silver sequin slippers, €590, Loewe, whose creative director is Irishman Jonathan Anderson, will bring out your inner Cinderella. If you want to dance the night away opt for a pair of black velvet pumps, €399, from Fitzpatricks at Arnotts. Instead of jewels wrap your neck in a brightly printed silk necktie by Susannagh Grogan. €95. Wear your hair up to draw attention to your ears. Choose from these fine jewellery rose gold and diamond arrows, €1,900, Chantal Ltd; fashion quartz studs, €230, Marni at Brown Thomas, or modernist gold, €149, at Inner Island.

WORKING WONDERS To make an appointment with a member of the personal shopping team at Brown Thomas call + 353 (0)1 605 6666 or visit www.brownthomas.com

MY SHINING ARMOUR, marble and brass chandeliers, €20

“A MIDI LENGTH IS FLATTERING AND LOOKS REALLY MODERN. ROKSANDA ILINCIC’S MULBERRY COLOURED ACCORDIONPLEATED FULL-SKIRT DRESS WILL REALLY FLATTER PALE WINTER SKIN AND GUCCI’S REINVENTED BLOCK HEEL IS FEMININE AND DANCE FLOOR WORTHY,” CAROLINE HANRATTY, HEAD OF PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS.

LOEWE heel silver sequin slippers, €590, Brown Thomas

NIAMH O’NEILL waffle midi, €350

CHANTAL LTD rose gold and diamond arrows, €1900

NIAMH O’NEILL brocade midi, €750

INNER ISLAND Quaintrelle earrings, €149

MONSOON Paige courts €110

MARNI Quartz stud earrings, €230, Brown Thomas

ENVYINDUCING EVENING BAGS: Obsession insignia crossbody bag, €1,495, Alexander McQueen, Brown Thomas

NIAMH O’NEILL digital-print midi, €325

Boudoir pink metallic leather Pyramid wrist-clasp bag, €119, Ana Faye

ROLAND MOURET Eugene satin top, €610, Brown Thomas

Andy Rainbow box clutch, €590, Le Petits Jouers, Brown Thomas

Goffs National Hunt | 75

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 75

09/12/2016 14:34

Telephone: 087 2591718 Fax: 045 860804

Email: info@declanlandy.com Fax: 045 860804 Website: www.declanlandy.com

gallops, in All Weather Specialist in All Weather gallops, Specialist Land Drainage, Plant Hire and Paddocks and road lungeing rings Paddocks and lungeing rings internal making

Supply and erection of V Mesh wire fencing products

Land Drainage, Plant Hire and Competitive quotations for Post internal road making and Rail Fencing

Supply and erection of V Mesh Competitive quotations on request wire fencing products

Website: www.declanlandy.com

Competitive quotations for Post and Rail Fencing

Pluckerstown, Kilmeague, Naas, Co. Kildare

Competitive quotations on request

Telephone: 087 2591718 Fax: 045 860804

DECLAN LANDY FENCING Pluckerstown, Pluckerstown, Kilmeague,Kilmeague, Naas, Kildare Naas, KildareCo.gallops, AllCo.Weather in Land

Specialist Drainage, Plant Hire and Telephone: 087 2591718 Email: info@declanlandy.com Email: info@declanlandy.com PaddocksTelephone: and lungeing rings internal road making 087 2591718 Pluckerstown, Fax:Kilmeague, 045 860804 Fax: 045 860804 Naas, Co. Kildare

Website: www.declanlandy.com Website: www.declanlandy.com

Telephone: 087 2591718 Fax: 045 860804

Email: info@declanlandy.com Website: www.declanlandy.com

gallops, Weather in Allgallops, Specialist Land Plant Drainage, Plant HireCompetitive and Competitive Weather AllWeather Specialistinin Land Drainage, HirePlant and Hire Pluckerstown, Kilmeague, quotationsquotations for Post for Post Specialist All Gallops, Land Drainage, and Paddocks and lungeing rings internal road making and Rail Naas, Co. Kildare Paddocks and lungeing rings internal road making and Rail Fencing Fencing Paddocks and Lunging Rings Internal Road Making

Supply and erection of V Mesh

Competitive Telephone: 087 2591718 Email: info@declanlandy.com fencing products Specialist in All Weather gallops,wireLand Drainage, Plant Hire and Competitive quotations for Post Fax: 045 860804 Website: www.declanlandy.com Paddocks and lungeing rings internal road making and Rail Fencing

andoferection Supply andSupply erection V Meshof V Mesh wire fencing wire fencing products products Specialist in All Weather gallops, Drainage, Plant Hire and Supply andLand erection of V Mesh Competitive Quotations for Paddocks and lungeing rings wire fencing internal road products making Post and Rail Fencing

Competitive Competitive quotations quotations on request on request Competitive quotations for Post Supply and Erection of V Mesh Wire Competitive quotations on request and Rail Fencing Fencing Products

COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST Supply and erection of V Mesh Telephone: +353 (0)87 2591718 wire fencing products

Fax: +353 (0)45 860804

Competitive quotations on request

Email: info@declanlandy.com Website: www.declanlandy.com

Pluckerstown, Kilmeague, Naas, Co. Kildare

Trading in U.K. as V-Mesh Fencing Ltd.

239258_1C_Declan Landy_GO.indd 1

09/12/2016 15:32

quot

FASHION

A Dillon threepiece tweed form-fitting suit from Magee nails this look effortlessly.

“TO REALLY LOOK THE PART AT A HUNT BALL GO FOR A VELVET TUXEDO IN MIDNIGHT BLUE BY TOM FORD THE ARKLE OF EVENING WEAR,” ANN FINN, HEAD OF MENSWEAR PERSONAL SHOPPING AT BROWN THOMAS. HUGO BOSS Hertoso virgin wool scarf, €80

ESSENTIALS This embellished tiger’s head coin purse, €9.99, H&M is both practical and a bit of a talking point. Pack Chilean Sunset, €40, the hot new lippy by Victoria Beckham, for a fashionable lip and a compact Janeke mirror, €49.50, both VB X Estee Lauder, at Brown Thomas.

SIMON CARTER velvet blazer €435.

HUGO BOSS Gavrilo leather belt, €60

FOR HIM SUSANNAGH GROGAN small silk ribbon neck scarves €80 each, Brown Thomas

Choose from smoking jacket swish or country tweed chic.

A Simon Carter velvet blazer, €435, Arnotts, and tonal tuxedo-style flat-fronted skinny trousers, €55, River Island or a Donegal tweed three-piece Dillon suit, €590, Magee, as country chic alternatives to boring black-tie. Add some colour with chocolate brown suede brogues, €55, River Island, a claret red virgin wool scarf, €80, and black basics such as a leather belt, €60, both Hugo Boss at Brown Thomas, and a Boss bow tie, €65, Arnotts.

RIVER ISLAND suede brogues, €55 HUGO BOSS bow tie, €65, Arnotts

RIVER ISLAND flat-fronted dress trousers, above, and , left, joggerwaisted, both €55

OFF THE CUFF A set of cufflinks will set off a crisp white formal double cuff shirt. Choose from a sterling silver and bog oak by Irish designer Paul Coyne, €186; initials, €25, by My Shining Armour or these game bird brass-finish, designs, from Skultuna’s Hunted collection, about €67 from Amara.com.

ARNOTTS FITZPATRICKS black velvet shoes €399.

Goffs National Hunt | 77

070_Goffs_2016_Fashion.indd 77

09/12/2016 14:35

THE GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER

2

1 3

Dear

4

SANTA ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS …

5

6

12

10 11

9

7 1 Dragonfly trinket box, about €24, Matthew Williamson for CB2 2 Charlotte Simone faux fur key ring, €35, Style Ikon 3 Kitty McCall print canvas make-up bag, €30, Moss Cottage 4 Fitbit Charge 2 activity tracker, E160 Harvey Norman 5 Anello Componibile Natale, €17, messaggidaindossare.it 6 Givenchy Egyptian Eyes pouch, medium-size, €310, Brown Thomas 7 I’m Outta Here, €27.95, Moss Cottage 8 Stocking-filler Jo Malone red rose bath oil, 30ml, €22, Brown Thomas 9 Mulberry silk cami and shorts set, €120, The Ethical Silk Company 10 Access bangle tracker in rose gold finish, Michael Kors, €149, Arnotts 11 Stackable 18ct gold charm rings in diamond and sapphire, €1250 each, Karonjacobson.com 12 The Happiness Planner €27.95, Moss Cottage.

8

78 | Goffs National Hunt

078_Goffs_2016_Gift Guide.indd 78

08/12/2016 16:50

THE GIFT GUIDE: FOR HIM 1

3

2

4

13

5 12

14 15

11

6 10

1 Ugg Australia sheepskin slippers, about €85, Amara.com 2 Parrot Bebop 2 drone €549.90, Harvey Norman. 3 Thornback & Peel, stag hanky set, €17 4 Army green Kreafunk headphones, €107, Amara. com 5 Oak standard valet, €3,200, Gentleman’s Valet Company 6 Root 7 whiskey wedge, €22, Brown Thomas 7 Samsung Gear virtual reality headset, €99.99, Harvey Norman 8 Alessi parrot corkscrew, €48, Brown Thomas 9 Paul Smith wool-trim leather gloves, €145, Brown Thomas 10 Solid bronze dog bone, about €212, KellyWearstler.com 11 My Enemy List, €5 each, GrandGrand.ie 12 Hex cog pen by Tom Dixon, €75 Amara.com 13 LSA whiskey connoisseur set, €350, Brown Thomas 14 Solar system, €25, Flying Tiiger 15 Christmas jumper for man’s best friend, €22, River Island.

7

9

8

Goffs National Hunt | 79

078_Goffs_2016_Gift Guide.indd 79

08/12/2016 16:50

MARVEL ROOMS

How

MARVELLOUS Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose 100ml €185, Brown Thomas

SOME OF THIS FESTIVE SEASON’S MOST COVETED GIFTS ARE TO BE FOUND AT THE MARVEL ROOM AT BROWN THOMAS. Yomiko, left, wears top 790, skirt, 2100 and necklace, 590; Abby, right, wears skirt, 1600; handbag, 3,400, with charm, 490; bracelet, 490 and necklace, 590, all Loewe.

Smythson Portebello Cobalt Desk Diary €360

J.W.Anderson Pierce bag €1,345

Right: Dolce and Gabbana Drummer Boy gold earrings, €995 BELOW: Alexander McQueen Unseen, €65, at The Marvel Room

Loewe Lantern Suede Gloves €590

80 | Goffs National Hunt

080_Goffs_2016_Marvel Rooms.indd 80

09/12/2016 14:33

MARVEL ROOMS RIGHT: Fornasetti Profumi Sardine Rosso, €140, LEFT: Baghera classic navy pedal car €195 Smythson Burlington large tan briefcase, €2,020

Yomiko wears dress, Maticevski, 2,140, bag, Proenza Schouler, 1990 at The Marvel Room at Brown Thomas

LEFT: The Porsche Book, €40

Penny Silver metallic skateboard, €175

Tateossian Royal Cable Knot Cufflinks €315

Goffs National Hunt | 81

080_Goffs_2016_Marvel Rooms.indd 81

09/12/2016 14:33

A Good Year

for Goffs

Property

This year saw the sale of some superb stud farms and gorgeous country estates, building on Goffs’ solid reputation for matching buyer & seller.

ABOVE

ABOVE

Clairemont Stud, Hampshire England - a track record for producing to class thoroughbreds.

Residence overlooking the Ryder Cup Course at Ireland's prestigious K Club. Sold this year by Goffs Property.

B E L O W Co. Kildare, lands at Killashee, (formerly known as Pipers Hill Stud)

1C_Goffs Property_Goffs NH.indd 82

09/12/2016 09:50

1C_Goffs Property_Goffs NH.indd 83

09/12/2016 09:50

ADVERTORIAL

SOUND SURROUNDS Grade 1 fencing that is designed and manufactured in the UK. In October this year, Duralock celebrated twentyfive years at the top of the equestrian & sports fencing industry. In fact, 2016 has been a busy year for Duralock as the company has undergone some big changes, not least with the appointment of new CEO, Jonathon McGovern, who joined the family business last year but also with the internal promotions of Julie Skerrett to Commercial Manager and Jack Green to Production and Installations Manager.

The manufacturing process has been streamlined with everything now being operated from one centralised location in Oxfordshire and the installation team has been increased, meaning that Duralock is now able to offer an even better service from start to finish and, as a result of reduced costs and overheads, can actually offer all of this at a better price than ever before.

Duralock provides fencing to some of the most exclusive and renowned racecourses, equestrian

and sporting establishments in over 40 countries across the globe. Recent UK projects include the full refit of Newcastle Racecourse, parade ring changes at Bath, Ascot and Tramore.

Whilst Duralock is a British-based company with its sales and manufacturing all undertaken from the factory in rural Oxfordshire, their reputation is truly global. All Duralock fencing products are approved and used by racing authorities worldwide.

“When setting up as a National Hunt trainer, I recognised the importance of getting the details right. As such, Duralock was a natural choice for me. I know that I am receiving a quality product that is a long term investment for the horses and the business. The high quality and versatility of the products that Duralock offers made it a very easy decision.”

Dan Skelton, Trainer

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE VISIT WWW.DURALOCK.COM

MORE THAN A MUSEUM The new National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art is must-visit attraction in racing’s capital.

On November, 3rd, 2016, Her Majesty the Queen opened the new National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art. Situated in the remaining elements of Charles II’s sporting palace and stables it spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket and comprises three complementary attractions: THE NATIONAL HORSERACING MUSEUM: This tells the story of horseracing from its earliest origins to the world-wide phenomenon it is today.

Using the latest interactive and audiovisual displays the Museum also takes a different look at the sport, examining the physical attributes of thoroughbreds and the importance of breeding.

Your visit will not be complete without riding a winner on our famous Racehorse Simulator!

THE ROTHSCHILD YARD: This stables up to eight former racehorses, showcasing the work of the Retraining of Racehorses charity and illustrating how thoroughbreds can be re-trained for a successful career after racing. Check our website for more details of the resident horses and daily demonstrations.

FRED PACKARD GALLERIES: Situated in Palace House is the Fred Packard Museum and Galleries of British Sporting Art a new home for the British Sporting Art Trust.

Paintings by George Stubbs and Sir Alfred Munnings rub shoulders with works from John Singer Sargent and John Wootton, with significant loans from public and private collections the gallery displays the finest British Sporting Art from around the UK.

FOR DETAILS ON OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSION PRICES VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.PALACEHOUSENEWMARKET.CO.UK

084_Goffs_2016_Advertorials.indd 84

09/12/2016 12:17

SOCIAL NETWORK

Social

NETWORK 86

89

91

93

94

PUNCHESTOWN SALE 2016

AINTREE SALE 2016

2016 TBA NH BREEDER’S AWARDS

BROWN THOMAS SHOWCASE

LAND ROVER SALE 2016

Goffs National Hunt | 85

085_Goffs_2016_Social Opener.indd 85

08/12/2016 16:49

SOCIAL NETWORK

1

2

1 David Minton and Nicky Henderson 2 Aiden Murphy and Kim Bailey 3 €200,000 top lot Getabird 4 Roger Brookhouse 5 Emma Lavelle.

3

5

4

Punchestown SALE 2016

T

he parade ring was packed with buyers for the fifth renewal of Goffs Punchestown Sale on Day 3 of the Irish National Hunt Festival.

A catalogue jammed with point to point winners drew plenty of six figure sales once again, including top lot Getabird at €200,000 and Elegant Escape at €150,000.

6

6 Willie Mullins, Pierre Bullard, Harold Kirk 7 John Hanlon 8 Professor Caroline Tisdall 9 Denis Murphy 10 Mouse Morris.

8 9

7

10

86 | Goffs National Hunt

086_Goffs_2016_Social Punchestown.indd 86

08/12/2016 16:49

SOCIAL NETWORK

11 Ryan Mahon 12 John Romans, Colin Tizzard, Joe Tizzard - purchasers of Lot 4 Elegant Escape for €150,000 13 Edward O’Grady 14 Andrew McNamara 15 Aidan O’Ryan, Gordon Elliott, Wendy O’Leary, Eddie O’Leary

11

12

13

14

15

16 16 Rachael Green and Anthony Honeyball 17 David Russell 18

19

20

18 Neil Mulholland 19 David Pipe 20 Henry De Bromhead 21 Philip Hobbs

PHOTOGRAPHY: Peter Mooney

17

PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah Farnsworth

21

Goffs National Hunt | 87

086_Goffs_2016_Social Punchestown.indd 87

08/12/2016 16:49

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, 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 GREAT NORTH ROAD (A638), DONCASTER DN11 0HW, UK

At the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre in West Sussex we re-train ex-racehorses to do another job in life. We then find good longterm homes for them. It is possible to get a nice retrained horse for low level dressage or just safe hacking from the charity. A small donation is required when re-homing one of these lovely horses. Great trial facilities.

See www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk or call 07929 666408 to discuss

088_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

Unit 2, Foxhole Industrial Estate, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland Phone: +353 87 9119802 Email: info@redweld.ie Web: www.redweld.ie

09/12/2016 15:00

SOCIAL NETWORK

1

1 Colin Tizzard and Tom Keating 2 Noel Meade, Margaret O’Toole and Gordon Elliott 3 Oliver Greenhall 4 Henry Beeby, Jean and James Potter, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville after the Gr.2 Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper

2

3

4

Aintree

5

SALE 2016 11 10

5 Warren Greatrex and Juliet Minton 6 Henry De Bromhead 7 Jonjo O’Neill and Ross Doyle 8 Anthony Bromley

T

he inaugural 2016 Aintree Sale was held in Aintree Racecourse’s iconic winners’ enclosure after racing on the opening day of the Grand National Festival and offered some of the season’s best Pointers to the leading NH owners and trainers.

6 8

9 Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls 10 Willie Mullins, Sheikh Fahad and Harold Kirk 11 Dan Skelton and Ryan Mahon 9

PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah Farnsworth

7

Goffs National Hunt | 89

089_Goffs_2016_Social Aintree.indd 89

09/12/2016 18:47

Boundaries without limits

When working with horses, you cannot compromise on safety or strength.

The unique qualities of all Duralock’s PVC-u equestrian fencing systems are not just incredibly strong, but also internationally acclaimed as safe, easy to install and competitively priced.

Call +44 (0)1608 678238 visit www.duralock.com or email sales@duralock.com

241587_2L_Palace_Goffs.indd 1

090_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

05/12/2016 16:16

09/12/2016 15:33

SOCIAL NETWORK

2

1

1 Overbury Stud’s Simon Sweeting presents Kayfluer’s Leading Chase Mare Award to trainer Henry Daly 2 The award winners at the 2016 TBA NH Breeders’ Awards at Doncaster during the Spring Sale 3 Peter Hockenhull presents the Leading Hurdler Award to Scarlett Knipe for Thistlecrack

2016 TBA

NH BREEDERS’ AWARDS

9

B

ritish NH breeders celebrate a great year on the track at the Goffs UK sponsored awards evening at Doncaster’s Mount Pleasant Hotel during the Spring Sale.

8

3

7 David Sherlock presents Peter Hockenhull with Flute Bowl’s Leading Hurdles Mare Award 8 Mary Morrison accepts Blaklion’s Leading Novice Chaser Award from Nicky Henderson 9 Simon & Helen Plumbly, breeders of the Leading Novice Hurdles Mare Award winner Briery Queen, with Allan Munnis

5 6

4

7

4 Charlotte and Debbie Potter accept Kayf Grace’s Leading NH Flat Mare Award from Juliet Minton 5 Bill Bromley accepts Yanworth’s Leading Novice Hurdle Award from son Anthony & Tessa Greatrex 6 Roland Crellin accepts Cue Card’s Leading Chaser Award from David & Kathleen Holmes

PHOTOGRAPHY: xxxxxw

Goffs National Hunt | 91

091_Goffs_2016_Social TBA Dinner.indd 91

08/12/2016 16:48

ÂŽ

acadami

Feed supplement for horses

animal bedding

&

Dollar Cotton Paper Bedding Available in Bulk Loads

Nationwide Delivery

Can be fed to horses: Of all ages and disciplines To support healthy skeletal structure in all horses Competition safe

The missing link in bone health

E N T E R P R I S E S

JARAZ Enterprises GmbH & Co. KG Halligenstr. 5 l 49661 Cloppenburg Phone: +49 (0) 44 71 - 98 04 05 Cell: +49 (0) 1 72 - 42 32 959 Fax: +49 (0) 44 71 - 98 04 06 bonekare@ jaraz.eu l www. jaraz.eu

bonekare.eu easy l safe l effective

pro-bit.de

Quality Baled Wood Shavings

For horses at risk of: OCD'S DOD'S DMD (shinsoreness)

Mob: +353 (0)86 274 1761

www.acadami.ie

092_Goffs_2016_Adverts.indd 1

09/12/2016 15:29

SOCIAL NETWORK

1 7

1 Siobhรกn Kearney and Aileen Magee 2 Melanie and Margaret McCourt 3 Keira Kennedy and Tamso Doyle

2

3

Brown Thomas SHOWCASE 4 Marion Berry and Margaret Bleahen 5 Derville Meade and Elaine Monahan 6 Maureen and Fiona Mullins 7 Hazel and Maryse Doyle

D

ressing for winter racing requires a mix of practicality and fashion sense. Goffs partner Brown Thomas hosted a personal shopping event showcasing smart style ideas for all fans of the sport and its personal shoppers were on hand to offer one-to-one expertise after the fashion show.

6

5

4

PHOTOGRAPHY: Anthony Woods

Goffs National Hunt | 93

SOCIAL NETWORK

1

2

3

1 Entertainment at the Land Rover Paddock 2 Anthony Bromley 3 Jessica Harrington and Tim Nolan 4 Charlie Longsdon and Edmond Ryan

4

Land Rover SALE 2016

G

offs Land Rover Sale was the leading store sale for Grade 1 winners at the 2016, 2015 and 2014 Cheltenham Festivals, and so it was no surprise to see a huge audience of buyers on the hunt for future Festival success at the Land Rover Sale in June.

5 Andrew McNamara, Bryan Cooper, Eddie O’Leary 6 Nicky Henderson and David Minton 7 Joseph O’Brien

6

94 | Goffs National Hunt

5

7

SOCIAL NETWORK

8

10

9

8 Aiden Murphy and Henry Daly 9 Enda Bolger 10 Warren Greatrex 11 Tim Hyde Jnr 12 Sales topper sold by Liss House to Harold Kirk and WiIlie Mullins

11

12 13

13 Ger Hannon 14 Ross Doyle 15 Frannie Woods and Paul Cashman 16 Norman Williamson 14

16

PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah Farnsworth & Peter Mooney

15

Goffs National Hunt | 95

FEATURE

Spirit of ADVENTURE A RECORD-BREAKING ENTRANCE LAUNCHED LAND ROVER’S NEW DISCOVERY

S

ome well-known public faces get to play even when at work. To announce the recent launch of the new seven-seat Discovery SUV, Land Rover invited British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls to join the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie, and equestrian rider and Olympic medalist, Zara Philips, to put the new vehicle through its paces on a record-breaking course at Packington Hall, Warwickshire, UK, close to the brand’s Solihull plant where the New Discovery will be produced. The location was unlike any other. The reveal set was a 13-metre high version of London’s landmark Tower Bridge that was constructed from Lego, some 5,805,846 individual bricks, and took five months to construct. Designed to break the previous Guinness World Record it did so by some 470,646 pieces. Laid end to end, the bricks used would stretch for almost 200 miles, or from Tower Bridge in London to Paris.

Two household names, Land Rover and Lego, squared up to each other to test each other’s mettle. The launch was to show the brand’s spirit of adventure. Grylls was dropped into the set by helicopter and abseiled down the huge brick installation through the open drawbridge and onto the stage beside the new vehicle. For the finale Sir Ben Ainslie drove his sailing team through water almost one metre deep (90cm) and under the bridge to demonstrate the unrivalled capability, versatility and durability of the Land Rover’s new SUV, all the while towing a Lego replica of the Land Rover-sponsored BAR boat, a 186,500-brick meticulouslybuilt model of the craft, that will challenge for next year’s America’s Cup. Flanking the Tower Bridge model were two Discovery zones, one of which was set up as an equestrian arena and hosted by Zara Philips. And while the fun aspect of the launch really contributed

to creating a memorable moment, what was most impressive was the workhorse capabilities of the Discovery in action. It never faltered. Embodying Land Rover’s drive to go above and beyond, this new model is highly desirable with unrivalled capability and technology like no other.

“The New Discovery redefines the large SUV. Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have revolutionised the Discovery DNA to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV,” explained Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer.

The All-New Discovery will be available in Land Rover retailers in early 2017. Visitors to the Goffs Land Rover Sale can experience the new model during the sale which takes place from the 13th – 15th June 2017. See landrover.ie for more information.

96 | Goffs National Hunt

096_Goffs_2016_Landrover back page.indd 96

08/12/2016 16:47

Stand out in the ring with

Natural acid buffers to assist with pH balance Amino acids & L-Carnitine for muscle development Yeast, FOS & MOS for digestion and hindgut health

VIT E SEL

+ CA + P

VIT C

+ CU + K

Vitamin E, vitamin C & selenium for cell protection Essential minerals for bone strength and formation

mares • stallions • youngstock

For advice contact our nutrition team on 353 599 775 800 or nutrition@redmills.com

www.redmills.com

FEED YOUR DESIRE TO WIN GROCARE ADVERT 2016 final.indd 1 Orby.indd 1 239036_1C_Connollys RedA4 Mills_JM_Goffs

17/06/2016 09/12/2016 11:03 14:55

238868_1C_Landrover_Goffs NH.indd 1

09/12/2016 14:54