ted talks
TED TALKS... Ted was massively impressed with the organisation at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup meeting. Everything possible was done for horse and human participants alike, and everyone was welcomed with a smile! One team of pony riders is a real family affair, from left to right, Tom Ellet, Mary Ellet and Cindy Ellet. Mary is riding Rocco and Cindy is on board Sizzler
Photo: Shamela Hanley/ Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire
A fabulous Breeders’ Cup
A
S THE FLAT SEASON draws to a close, we find ourselves lauding a new king of our sport – Charlie
Appleby. He has worked from the ground up as did Aidan O’Brien. Our industry education is the core of our business and, time and time again, we see people rising through the ranks to achieve at the top table. For those starting out, the thoroughbred world now has many entry points – from the National Stud courses in England and Ireland to the mighty Godolphin Flying Start and many in between.
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I progressed through the ranks the old-fashioned way, a method which might not have changed much down the years, but is now far better structured. Charlie Appleby’s year culminated at Del Mar with three winners all by Dubawi; it is the beginning of a new era that has taken ten years to get to this point. Godolphin has grasped the mantle and is in charge. I have just returned from the meeting having travelled to the US in my role as a member of the board of a small, yet prolific, French stud, and I left in awe of Del Mar. The Breeders’ Cup was the brainchild of John Gaines and was the first major self-help scheme
www.internationalthoroughbred.net
developed on a world platform funded by breeders and stallion owners. The racing participants have a team of organisers on hand to guide them through everything that, is or might be, needed for horse and human. During the stay the subliminal marketing and promotion was outstanding, every marketing tool and opportunity was taken advantage of. The Horseman’s Lounge in the hotel was sponsored by Lane’s End Farm and Three Chimneys. Breakfast on the track was branded by Fasig Tipton and Winstar, it left me thinking how well the farms in the US work together for the good of the sport or the business.
Every detail and every person couldn’t be more accommodating. Courtesy cars rolled through the front of the three Breeders’ Cup hotels from 5am to late at night. Visitors were picked up from airports, restaurants and the racetrack with effortless ease by a fleet of cars driven by one smiling driver after the next. There was no need for coaches or buses, or even Uber. The welcome party was mesmerising, featuring synchronised olympic swimmers, acrobatic displays and famous bands. Participants from all over the world met one another with the elite thoroughbred as the common talking point. It’s as close
