....Girls aloud

WITH THE EARLY FLUSHES of spring comes the rush of new foals on the ground and the covering season kicks off, very aptly, around Valentine’s Day.

In every training stable, pre-training stable and breeze-up yard the next generation of two-yearolds are being put through their paces and their handlers are eagerly scrutinising them for that spark of talent and a reason to get excited.

Breeders and stallion masters are all also busy studying all of the data, facts and figures, as well as getting the early reports from trainers to try and find out which young stallion could become the next Mehmas or Sioux Nation.

It is clear to see that 2023 is likely to be a hugely competitive year with a very high-class range of horses lining up to take part in this year’s “First-Season Sire Stakes”.

Brian Grassick Bloodstock and Newtown Stud have their own particular favourite in the race, the Irish National Stud’s resident Phoenix Of Spain, who was bred by our clients and dear friends Arild Faeste and his late wife Cherry of Tourgar Bloodstock.

I was very lucky at an early stage in my career to be asked to purchase a mare on behalf of Cherry, who not only was a huge supporter of mine but also the mother of my good friend Nina Casey.

Lucky Clio was duly purchased for 17,000gns at Tattersalls December Mare Sale; she took to her broodmare career with aplomb producing top-class performers on the track and at the sales.

It was with her mating to Ballylinch Stud’s Lope De Vega that really struck gold. Phoenix Of Spain was born at Newtown Stud, raised at Tourgar and then sold as a foal by Newtown for Tourgar at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale bought by Mick Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle Stud.

The colt has always possessed his amazing laid back, chilled out persona that he carried right through his racing career and this, coupled with his incredible walk, which continued to stand to him when he got bigger and stronger as a yearling. He was purchased by Howson Houldsworth and was trained by Charlie Hills for Tony Wechsler and Anne Plummer.

Sadly, Cherry passed away before she was able to see her star performer win the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but all of her family were present to cheer him on, including Arild, who continues to run Tourgar Bloodstock alongside daughter Nina.

Breeder Arild Faeste, Nina Casey and her son Alex, with Phoenix Of Spain after the son of Lope De Vega won the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2019

It was clear to see that the horse’s impressive physique, temperament and athleticism really came to the forefront that day at The Curragh.

I am sure the Irish National Stud is eagerly awaiting the first runners for Phoenix Of Spain, but also his fan clubs at Tourgar House, Newtown Stud and, dare I say, Kilminfoyle Stud and Charlie Hills, will be too.

Anyone who has any dealings with this handsome son of Lope De Vega can not but be impressed by what he brings to the table and with 97 two-year-olds to run for him this year, and yearlings who made up to €200,000, he is very much following in the footsteps of his sire and grand sire Shamardal at this stage of his career.

One can only dream and look forward to the year ahead.

THE SOCIAL CALENDAR AND RACING CALENDARS have been warming up recently as evident at the recent Dublin Racing Festival. Credit is due to the team at Leopardstown who had the track in immaculate condition and insured a wonderful weekend of racing, fashion and sport for those that flocked to the south Dublin track.

Congratulations to operations manager Jane Hedley and her team – the attendance of 34,591 was up 40 per cent from 24,929 in 2022 with 27 per cent of tickets purchased in the UK.

The recent Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Awards was a wonderful evening with so many important award winners such as Hall of Fame winner William Flood for his contribution to NH breeding, and Wild Geese winners David and Ann Hanley, who have made such a mark on the bloodstock industry in the US, and Tom Lacey for his huge success as a small breeder. There were many important politicians in attendance such as Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and his fellow agricultural ministers Pippa Hackett and Martine Heydon, as well as Ceann Comhairle Sean O’Fearghaill, TD’s and Senators.

It was wonderful to see so many supporters of the breeding industry in attendance and award winners from around the world who have chosen to produce their bloodstock in Ireland – Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Eva Maria Bucher-Hefner of Moyglare Stud and Ben Sangster.