ITB_February2025

Brighter times ahead in South Africa

A year after the lifting of the export ban we have a special focus on thoroughbred breeding in South Africa.

The Weatherbys Stallion Scene features the newly created Paardeberg Stud, now home to Expert Eye, and the long-established Varsfontein Stud, which stands multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight.

James Thomas chats with Justin Vermaak of Cape Racing Sales ahead of its new Premier Yearling Sale.

KINGMAN

Invincible Spirit - Zenda (Zamindar)

Kingman’s 2YO & 3YO crops of 2025 feature siblings to 33 Gr.1 winners including

BARNEY ROY BLUESTOCKING

CHALDEAN

COROEBUS

DIGITAL AGE

GALILEO GOLD

KING OF CHANGE

LADY BOWTHORPE

LOGICIAN

MAGNA GRECIA

MAKAROVA

MOSTAHDAF

NAZEEF

PALACE PIER

PEARLS GALORE

PERSIAN KING

PYLEDRIVER

QUADRILATERAL

SAXON WARRIOR SKITTER SCATTER

SOUL STIRRING

SPEEDY BOARDING

ST MARK’S BASILICA TAMARKUZ WITHOUT PAROLE WUHEIDA

YLANG YLANG and 2YOs & 3YOs out of 31 Gr.1 winners including

ANAPURNA

BATEEL

BEAUTY PARLOUR

CHANNEL

EMULOUS

ENABLE

ESOTERIQUE

HIBAAYEB

INTRICATELY

JULIET FOXTROT

LAURENS

MAYBE

PASSAGE OF TIME

PERSUASIVE

PRECIEUSE

QUADRILATERAL

Contact Shane Horan, Henry Bletsoe or Claire Curry +44 (0)1638 731115 | nominations@juddmonte.co.uk www.juddmonte.com

QUEEN’S TRUST

SEVENTH HEAVEN

STACELITA

SWISS SKYDIVER UNI

VILLA MARINA WAVERING WUHEIDA

Timeform’s highest-rated 2YOs 2020-2024

126p LITTLE BIG BEAR

125p CITY OF TROY

122p Native Trail

121p ST MARK’S BASILICA

121p AUGUSTE RODIN

120p HENRY LONGFELLOW

120 Shadow Of Light

119p Vandeek

DUBAWI LEGEND

#BecomePartOfTheLegend

SPACE TRAVELLER

#RoyalAscotWinner

FEE€6,000 FEE€6,000

GR.1 2YO BY

DUBAWI

A higher rated 2yo than... ...his contemporaries: Modern Games, Zarak, Naval Crown, New Bay, Night Of Thunder, Space Blues, Ghaiyyath, etc.

KING OF CHANGE

#BestMilerOfHisGeneration

FEE€5,000

QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES

GR.1 WINNING MILER

First 2yo winners include:

Stakes winner Lady With The Lamp, Lady Roxby, Transcending, Vozpornoche, etc. Realising £280,000, 180,000gns, 120,000gns, 80,000gns, etc.

CONSISTENT HIGH-CLASS

GR.1 MILER

Won/placed in 10 Stakes races

Won Gr.2 Boomerang Stakes & Gr.3 Jersey Stakes. 3-time Gr.1 performer in USA.

First foals sold for up to 82,000gns

FAR ABOVE

# FarAboveTheSpeedLimit

FEE€5,000

GROUP WINNER UNDEFEATED OVER 5F/6F

The most Stakes winners of any first-season sire in Ireland

With Nigrum Regina & Kabir, plus winners Twafeeg, Stratusnine, Spirit Of Farhh, etc.

GR.1 SPRINTER BY

NO NAY NEVER

2yo Gr.2 winner

1st Gr.2 Futurity Stakes, Curragh, 7f, by 2¼l

1st Maiden, Navan, 5½f, by 2¼l on debut

3yo Gr.1 sprinter

3rd Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Santa Anita, 5f, to Nobals by a nk & ½l

3rd Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye, ParisLongchamp, 5f, to Highfield Princess by 1l & a shd

4yo Stakes winner

1st L Sole Power Sprint Stakes, Naas, 5f Beating 18 Gr.1 horses during his career.

He is typical of his sire, a big, strong, powerful horse with a good mind. He has loads of scope and could get very classy horses.

Aidan O’Brien

10 It’s Leo

Leo Powell pays tribute to His Highness

The Aga Khan, a man whose influence spread far wider than the racing and bloodstock industries

16 The Aga Khan’s timeline

Over 60 years of notable achievements in global racing

20 Ted talks

An end of an era - it is Ted’s final column for us, he leaves us with a blueprint on how to make the British racing industry great again

22 Girls’ Aloud

Cathy Grassick enjoyed a great night at the ITBA awards

22 From Ireland

The first In a series of editorials from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association kicks off with the winners from a gala night at its recent awards ceremony

26 Diversity

Amy Bennett reports on a cracking Dublin Racing Festival, which saw 14 stallions successful and the highlight being Galopin Des Champs’ third Irish Gold Cup win in succession

35 Stallion statistics

Leading NH sires, courtesy of Weatherbys

34 Cape of Good hope

James Thomas interviews

Justin Vermaak of Cape Racing Sales –the company enjoyed its best yearling sale for eight years in January and is looking forward to its new Premier Sale in March

44 Green energy

Weatherbys Stallion Scene chats with Susan Rowett of Varsfontein Stud, which stands five stallions including multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight and his newly retired son, the Equus champion three-year-old colt Green With Envy

52 Opportunity knocks in South Africa

The second Weatherbys Stallion Scene editorial features the newly created Paardeberg Stud, new home for the Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye. We speak with owner Steve Ajax –proud Welshman, former bookmaker and a man investing heavily in the South African bloodstock industry

58 It is a small world

The globalisation of the thoroughbred industry and pedigrees is no new thing, reports Ciaran Doran

66 European race programming

Jocelyn de Moubray argues that the structure of the racing programme has a significant influence on bloodstock purchasers’ buying decisions

72 Troy on top

There was a dead heat at the top of the World’s Best Racehorses honours of 2024 with Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River sharing the spoils with Derby hero City of Troy – maybe it is time for separate Turf and Dirt awards?

82 US stakes-winning sires 2024

We list those sires who had winning progeny in the US through 2024, alongside the broodmare sires of the winning horse

94 Photo finish Nuns at Newmarket

Foal at Paardeberg Stud Courtesy of the farm

the team

editor sally duckett

publisher declan rickatson

photography trevor jones design thoroughbred publishing

advertising declan rickatson

00 44 (0)7767 310381

declan.rickatson@btinternet.com

subscriptions tracey glaysher itsubs@btinternet.com

debbie burt courtesy of stud farms

tattersalls

laura green goffs the printers micropress press

jocelyn de moubray sally duckett james thomas amy bennett ted voute

cathy grassick

ciaran doran

THE DEATH OF His Highness The Aga Khan has robbed the global thoroughbred breeding and racing worlds of one of its most influential figures.

The successes that he and his predecessors enjoyed for over a century of involvement at the highest level of the sport have been an enduring story of excellence, and have been enhanced greatly since Prince Karim Aga Khan IV took over the reins of the bloodstock business at a very young age.

A direct descendant of the prophet Muhammed, he was born on December 13, 1936 in Geneva to Prince Aly Khan (Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations) and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan. After an early childhood spent in Nairobi, he was then schooled at Le Rosey in Switzerland. In 1959, he graduated from Harvard with a BA Honours Degree in Islamic History.

This was two years after he became the 49th Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims at just 20 years, following the death of his grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, who was twice president of the League of Nations. Guided by the slogan “strive for knowledge”, Prince Karim Aga Khan devoted his life to philanthropic work and the betterment of the lives of people.

While we appreciate the enormity of his contribution to the thoroughbred breed, it is as nothing to the influence he exerted in the worlds of education, health and more. He created development programmes and institutions under the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), all in the context of his hereditary responsibilities. His Highness was deeply engaged with the development of countries around the world for more than 60 years through the work of the AKDN.

The network is a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in specific regions of the developing world. This ranges from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise, with the aim of building institutions and programmes that can respond to the challenges of social, economic and cultural change on an ongoing basis.

RIP

Prince Karim Al-Husseini Aga Khan IV

December 13, 1936-February 4, 2025

Leo Powell pays tribute to the late Aga Khan recognising the man’s achievements within the racing and bloodstock industries as well as through his wider work as a philanthropist, and in his role as the 49th Imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Ismali Muslims

The breadth of AKDN’s work is exemplified by the names of its many social development agencies, which include the Aga Khan Health Services, the Aga Khan Schools, the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, as well as two universities, the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture coordinates the work of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Historic Cities Programme, the Aga Khan Music Programme and Awards, the Aga Khan Museum, and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture.

In recognition of his exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies globally, the Aga Khan had, over the last six decades, received numerous decorations, honorary degrees, and awards from institutions and nations across the world.

One of these was in June 2008 when he received an honorary law doctorate from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He was cited for “outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the

“I subsequently had the pleasure of interviewing His Highness at Gilltown Stud, and he was extremely generous with his time, going well beyond that which was allocated

advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture, and the furthering of pluralistic values in society”. He was the first member of the Islamic community to receive such an honour.

I was honoured to be invited to attend that ceremony, and I recall being blown away by the work of His Highness away from horses. I had grown up knowing of the man, watching his horses carrying his distinctive colours to success after success, and also knew of him through his investment and involvement in Goffs, where I was employed between 1988 and 2003.

MY FIRST DIRECT ENCOUNTER with the Aga Khan came about in quite an amusing way. That was in 1997, and the occasion was the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s national awards ceremony in the Royal Hospital at Kilmainham in Dublin. A year before that, Charles Haughey had been given the Roll of Honour accolade, but the following year

The Aga Khan was awarded an honorary law doctorate by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 2008, Leo was there for the ceremony

the top award was renamed to become the Hall of Fame. It was a splendid night of celebration in a magnificent setting, and the Aga Khan was to be the recipient.

On the evening, I was co-presenter with the amusing Pamela Ballantine MBE. A well-known and loved television presenter in Northern Ireland, Pamela and I were asked to make ourselves available for a soundcheck 30 minutes before the event started. We had some moments of panic, however, when we got lost in the maze of corridors in the historic building, with many doors locked as a security measure given the attendance on the night of the Aga Khan.

Imagine our surprise then when a door finally opened, and we found ourselves in the same room with His Highness and party. Rather than cause a major security alert, Pamela and I were welcomed and introduced to His Highness. You can imagine what an

“I was made to feel at home and it was clear that he enjoyed speaking about the bloodlines he and his family had curated and developed

honour this was for me, and how gobsmacked I was when, after exchanging our hellos, his first question to me was “Well Leo, how are things at Goffs?”.

I was astounded that he knew who I was, though as I got to know more about the man, I realised that this was typical of him. He was a man for whom detail was important. The evening was a success, and was eventually celebrated in a Dublin city nightclub in the company of Princess Zahra.

I subsequently had the pleasure of interviewing His Highness at Gilltown Stud, and he was extremely generous with his time, going well beyond that which was allocated. His warmth and attention were special, and I can say without doubt that he has been my favourite-ever interviewee. Rather that feel nervous, I was made to feel at home and it was clear that he enjoyed speaking about the bloodlines he and his family

Martin Heydon appointed Irish Minister for Agriculture

THE BLOODSTOCK AND RACING SECTORS in Ireland have every reason to be grateful for having support and encouragement from a government, which recognises its importance on a number of fronts.

One thing that is often mentioned to me when I travel abroad, and is envied by many, is the political acknowledgement of the importance of our sector to Ireland as a major employer, contributor to the exchequer, positive contributor to a cleaner climate, and more.

This is shown by the attendance each year by many members of our parliament and the European Parliament at the ITBA awards. Among those who joined this year’s evening in one of his first actions as our newly appointed Minister for Agriculture was Martin Heydon. Nina Carberry, home from her working week in Brussels, was also present.

Heydon is a man who has put Irish racing and breeding at the forefront throughout his political career, and hopes are high within the sectors for his time as minister.

From Kildare, his past working life includes a spell at Punchestown Racecourse, and he has been a welcome friend at the highest levels of power in Ireland. When I

learned of his elevation to the Cabinet, I messaged him.

In my congratulatory message, I expressed a view that he is the hardest-working politician imaginable, and his appointment to a Cabinet role is truly deserved.

Many overseas visitors on the night were stunned when, in the video tribute to Eimear Mulhern, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, appeared on screen.

He said: “As chair of Goffs, a founding member of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing committee, and one-time chair of the ITBA, you have acted as a global ambassador for racing and the industry. Your induction [to the Hall of Fame] is testament to the huge respect for you among your many friends and colleagues, and your many achievements over the years.

“You achieved all of that with great humour and personality and wit. I toast your success and thank you for all you have done for Irish sport, and wish you many more years of success to come.”

How fortunate we are to be recognised so well for what we all work at and do so well.

CACHET

Classic/Gr. 1 Winner purchased for 60,000gns

NATIVE TRAIL

Classic/Gr. 1 Winner purchased for 210,000gns

VANDEEK

Gr. 1 Winner purchased for 625,000gns

200,000gns

had curated and developed over many generations.

A final personal reminiscence. In 2016, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was run at Chantilly while Longchamp was being redeveloped. The race itself was historic, with Aidan O’Brien saddling Found, Highland Reel and Order Of St George to fill the first three places. For a fourth Irish-trained contender, Harzand, it was not to be, a disappointment for the Aga Khan, but one that he accepted with his usual grace.

Restrictions on crowd numbers at Chantilly meant that to even be in attendance at the races that day was a privilege. However, that was not to be the weekend’s highlight. On the night before the big race, His Highness hosted a dinner at Aiglemont, and I was fortunate to be invited. It was truly magnificent, and I shared a table with luminaries from the world of racing and breeding in France, Britain and India. What a night, and what a memory.

The charisma that the Aga Khan possessed and his devotion to the development of the studs and the famous bloodlines has been passed on in spades to his daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan. She was tasked by her father with taking on the role of being custodian for the next phase of the stud’s development, and together with him and the team they have enjoyed further glory.

Recognised as the most successful owner-breeder of thoroughbreds in the world, His Highness based all of his operations in Ireland and France. The farms stand some of the best sires in the world, the broodmare band represents a lifetime of commitment and cultivation, and the team has at its core a group of devoted professionals who will mourn the loss of a great leader, mentor and friend.

His like will not be seen again, and few men in history have made such a positive impact on the world during their lifetime.

Personal touches at the ITBA Awards

One of the most enjoyable nights of the year for me, and with more than 350 people in attendance, is the annual Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association National Awards, held at the end of January. I have been the master of ceremonies for many years now, and my connection to the event goes back nearly three decades. I must be doing something right!

While the recipients of the awards for 2024 are celebrated elsewhere in this month’s edition of the magazine, I would like to add my own tributes to the winners. Yes, the evening is about celebrating the racecourse successes of Flat and NH equine stars and

“The world of breeding is a small enough community, a large family in essence, and my opportunity to interview the award winners is always a personal delight

their breeders, but it is also an opportunity to salute excellence among the humans who make this industry what it is.

Understandably, I enjoy the segments of the ceremony that involve human interaction. Each award recipient is celebrated with marvellous video coverage, but I then get to talk to five of the winners, the Next Generation honourees, the Small Breeder award winner, and those accorded accolades for Wild Geese, Lifetime Contribution, and the Hall of Fame inductee.

The world of breeding is a small enough community, a large family in essence, and my opportunity to interview the award winners is always a personal delight. This year saw the widest imaginable age spread, from the young couple, Barry Kennedy and Anna Murphy, to the soon-to-be 93-year-old John Connaughton. Somewhere in between came the trio of James Keogh of Grovendale Sales, Michael Kinane and Eimear Mulhern.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan: his daughter has been entrusted with stewardship of the Aga Khan Studs

Most people, when told that part of the award presentation will involve having to speak in public, turn into bowls of jelly. A little cajoling, and some assurance from yours truly, and they usually agree to be interviewed, though there has been the occasional who has “refused to race!” Most winners turn out to be good, but this year it was a case of striking gold.

Anna Murphy lets her horses do the talking, and it is her life and business partner Barry Kennedy who is the spokesman for the pair. A member of the Castlehyde Stud nominations team, having the gift of the gab is in Barry’s DNA. He set the tone for others on the night, and John Connaughton only needed a little nudge to get going.

Prior to the awards evening, I had last spoken with John when he sold his Blue Point yearling at the Goffs Orby Sale for €850,000, and then he proudly told me that he was 92. He got an early birthday gift with his Small Breeder Award (he celebrates his next birthday on March 25) and gave me a small heart flutter when he appeared to have gone deaf over dinner, and I had to repeat my opening question a number of times. After that it was plain sailing.

ANOTHER MAN who is not short of words is James Keogh from County Clare. He was presented with the Wild Geese Award by Keeneland Sales’ Tony Lacy, and what a tribute it is to the stature of the awards that both men flew from Kentucky to be present on the night. James was visibly moved by the honour, which came days after Thorpedo, a Grovendale graduate, was named Horse of the Year in the US.

While the video footage was an ode to his achievements, I finally got to ask him about an incident that has become infamous among the tales from Lexington. A true fan of hunting, James was supposed to have ridden his hunter through McCarthy’s Bar, a well-loved home away from home for the Irish. Was it true, I asked? “Guilty as charged,” James replied, adding, “He was a nice horse and you wouldn’t want to tie him up outside!”

Michael Kinane’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognised his feat, among many, of having ridden, bred and bought a Derby winner. His record in the saddle places him among the world’s elite, he is listed as one of the breeders of the 2007 Epsom Derby winner Authorized, while the world’s top-earning racehorse, Romantic Warrior, bought by Michael in his agent’s role with the HKJC numbers the Hong Kong Derby among his many victories. Known at times for his low-key delivery in interviews, he revealed a comedic side when taking to the stage. Some gasps, followed by laughs, were

“Eimear was another who shed a tear or two when announced as the Hall of Fame inductee, but also raised a few laughs, especially when joking that her brothers who were in attendance finally knew what she did

heard when he quipped that “if you don’t like someone, buy them a broodmare!”

The newest member of the ITBA’s Hall of Fame is Eimear Mulhern, and her recognition was a special moment for me as a friend. A lifetime of dedication to an industry that she loves with every fibre of her being has made her one of the most recognised faces not just in Ireland, but anywhere she travels in the world. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Philipp Stauffenberg and Kirsten Rausing were among those who paid tribute to her work.

Eimear was another who shed a tear or two when announced as the Hall of Fame inductee, but also raised a few laughs, especially when joking that her brothers who were in attendance finally knew what she did. Her friend and stud manager, Beverley O’Keeffe, remembered Eimear’s husband John, and opined that “he will be watching from above tonight, raising a glass of red wine, and saying ‘it’s about time’!”

Prior to dinner, there was a special presentation to Brenda Shortt, the “mammy of the sales”. Brenda attends sales for 11 months of the year, representing the likes of Joe Hernon’s Castletown Stud, the O’Leary’s Lynn Lodge Stud, Honeysuckle’s producers The Glanvilles Stud, and trainer Karl Burke.

Brenda, it is fair to say, is a force of nature, dedicated to her work. Shortt by name and short in stature, her influence makes her a towering figure in the industry, as she is well-known for influencing and teaching young people who come to work with her. She has overcome major sickness and injuries, but is as hungry as ever to continue to do something that she loves.

ITBA award winner Brenda Shortt seen here at a Tattersalls Cheltenham sale, just doing what she loves best

GHAIYYATH

Stanhope Gardens: rated equal to Ghaiyyath in the G3 Autumn Stakes

Alobayyah: easy winner on debut for William Haggas

TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo: Timeform 97P, the best by a maiden this year

Al Uqda, valuable Saint-Cloud maiden winner on debut

Gethin: Timeform’s best winning debutant of the 2024 juveniles

Timeform’s third-top winning debutant of the year, The Padre

Mandanaba: a JDG and TDN Rising Star

his all-weather success

Marhaba Ghaiy yath, highly rated after

The Aga Khan (right) with Charlottesville after the 1960 Grand Prix de Paris, and, below, Haras de Bonneval

With the late Queen Elizabeth II after Harzand’s Derby victory in 2016, and, below, Gilltown Stud in Ireland

Walking in to the Epsom winners’ circle with Shergar after his brilliant 10l Derby victory in 1981 Harzand: The Aga Khan’s fifth Derby winner

The Aga Khan’s racing timeline

1936 Born in Geneva

1957 Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20, to become the 49th Imam

1960 Father killed in a car crash in Paris on May 12.

Charlottesville wins the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Aga Khan wins the French owners' championship during his first year as an owner.

1964 François Mathet trains for the Aga Khan.

1968 Zeddaan wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

1973 Kalamoun wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

1976 Blushing Groom wins the Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny, Prix de la Salamandre and the Grand Critérium.

1977 Blushing Groom wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Buys Dupré bloodstock empire.

1978 Buys Boussac breeding empire. Nishapour wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

1978 UK trainers Michael Stoute and Fulke Johnson Houghton are appointed.

1979 Top Ville wins the Prix du Jockey-Club.

1980 Aiglemont training centre completed.

1981 Shergar wins the Derby and the Irish Derby, The Aga Khan is the champion owner in Britain.

1982 Akiyda wins the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

1983 Shergar was kidnapped

1984 Darshaan wins the Prix du Jockey-Club Masarika wins the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches

1984 Lashkari takes the inaugural Breeders' Cup Turf.

1985 Moukjtar wins the Prix du Jockey-Club.

1986 Shahrastani wins the Derby and the Irish Derby.

1987 Natroun wins a third Prix du Jockey-Club for the Aga Khan

1988 Doyoun wins the 2000 Guineas.

Kahyasi wins the Derby and the Irish Derby.

John Oxx starts training for the Aga Khan.

1993 Shemaka wins a first Prix de Diane for the Aga Khan

1996 Ashkalani wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

The Aga Khan wins the French owners’ championship.

1997 Daylami wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Ebadiyla wins the Irish Oaks and the Prix Royal-Oak.

Vereva takes the Prix de Diane.

1998 Zalaiyka wins the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Zainta wins the Prix de Diane.

1999 Sendawar wins the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Daryaba takes the Prix de Diane.

2000 Sinndar wins the Derby, the Irish Derby, the fourth horse to achieve the feat for the Aga Khan and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and is the world champion three-year-old of 2000. Kalanisi wins the Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Wins the British owners’ championships.

2003 Alamshar wins the Irish Derby .

Dalakhani wins the Prix du Jockey-Club and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and is the Cartier Horse of the Year.

2004 Azamour wins the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes.

2005 Shawanda wins the Irish Oaks.

Purchases Jean-Luc Lagardere’s breeding empire.

2006 Darsi wins the Prix du Jockey-Club.

2007 Zarkava wins the Prix Marcel Boussac.

2008 Zarkava wins the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, the Prix de Diane, the Prix de Vermeille, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and is voted the Cartier Horse of the Year.

2009 Siyouni wins the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, one of seven winners for the Aga Khan at the two-day Arc meeting.

2010 Sarafina wins the Prix de Diane (Rosanara in second) and the Prix Saint Alary.

Sea The Stars joins the Aga Khan Stud’s roster.

2012 Valyra wins the Prix de Diane and is the seventh winner in the Aga Khan’s silks.

2013 Dermot Weld joins the Aga Khan’s training ranks.

2015 Ervedya wins the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

2016 Harzand wins the Derby and the Irish Derby. Leading breeder in France for the tenth time.

2017 Vazirabad becomes the 150th Group 1 winner in the Aga Khan’s silks, wins the Prix du Cadran

2019 Opening of the Aga Khan stand at The Curragh.

2020 Tarnawa wins the Prix de l’Opera, the Prix Vermeille and the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

2022 Vadeni wins the Prix du Jockey-Club and the Eclipse Stakes Tahiyra wins the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

2023 Tahiyra wins the 1,000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, and the Matron Stakes

2024 Rouhiya wins the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

2024 Ezeliya wins the Oaks.

Last winner as an owner is Cankoura on December 7 at Chantilly – she is a two-year-old daughter of Persian King and out of the Dalakhani mare Candarliya, trained by Francois-Henri Graffard.

2025 Dies in Lisbon aged 88

In his last column for the magazine, Ted Voute pulls it all together and tells the British racing industry just what is wrong and what it needs to do to put things right... ... it really is not that complicated!

The state of the British horseracing industry

THE UNITED KINGDOM

has a rich and storied history in horseracing, a sport that has been deeply ingrained in its culture for centuries.

From the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting to the thrilling Grand National, horseracing is not just a pastime but a significant economic driver, supporting 1000s of jobs and contributing millions to the UK economy.

However, in recent years, the industry has faced a myriad of challenges that threaten its sustainability and growth.

This article explores the current state of the UK horseracing industry, identifies the key issues it faces, and proposes potential solutions to ensure its future prosperity.

Economic Impact and Employment

The UK horseracing industry is a major contributor to the national economy.

According to recent estimates, the industry generates over £4 billion annually and supports approximately 85,000 jobs.

These jobs span a wide range of sectors from trainers, jockeys, and stable staff to breeders, veterinarians, and racecourse operators.

Additionally, the industry has a significant multiplier effect, benefiting related sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and retail.

Popularity and Betting Revenue

Horseracing remains one of the most popular sports in the UK, with millions of spectators attending races each year and even more watching

According

on television or online.

“ “

to recent estimates, the industry generates over £4 billion annually and supports approximately 85,000 jobs

Betting is a crucial component of the industry, with horseracing accounting for a substantial portion of the UK’s gambling revenue.

The sport’s popularity is further bolstered by high-profile events, such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Epsom Derby, which attract international attention and participation.

Despite its economic and cultural significance, the UK horseracing industry is grappling with several challenges that could undermine its long-term viability.

Declining prize-money

One of the most pressing issues is the decline in prize-money, which has made it increasingly difficult for owners and trainers to cover the

costs of training and racing horses.

This has led to a reduction in the number of horses in training and a decline in the quality of racing.

Regulatory and welfare concerns

The industry is under increasing scrutiny from animal welfare organisations and the public regarding the treatment of racehorses.

Issues such as the use of whips,

Proposed Solutions

Increase prize-money and funding

the rate of horse fatalities, and the welfare of retired racehorses have sparked debates alongside calls for stricter regulations.

Competition

Horseracing faces stiff competition from other sports and forms of entertainment, as well as from alternative gambling options such as online casinos and sports betting.

This has led to a decline in

One of the most immediate steps that can be taken to support the industry is to increase prize-money.

This could be achieved through a combination of increased funding from the government, higher contributions from racecourses, and a greater share of betting revenue.

The government could consider providing tax incentives for owners and breeders, while racecourses could explore new revenue streams, such as hosting non-racing events or offering premium experiences to attract higher-spending customers.

Enhance animal welfare standards

Improving animal welfare standards is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry.

This could involve stricter regulations on the use of whips, improved veterinary care, and better tracking and management of retired racehorses.

The industry should also work closely with animal welfare organisations to develop and implement best practices, and to communicate these efforts transparently to the public.

Modernise and diversify the sport

To attract a younger and more diverse audience, the industry needs to modernise and diversify its offerings. This could include introducing new formats of racing, such as shorter, more fast-paced events, or incorporating technology to enhance the spectator experience.

Social media and digital platforms should be

attendance at racecourses and a reduction in betting revenue.

Economic uncertainty

The broader economic environment, including factors such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, has created uncertainty for the industry.

The pandemic had a devastating impact, with races being cancelled or held behind closed doors, leading to significant financial losses.

leveraged to engage with younger audiences, and partnerships with influencers and celebrities could help to raise the sport’s profile.

Expand international reach

The UK horseracing industry should look to expand its international reach by promoting its events to a global audience.

This could involve hosting more international races, attracting foreign owners and trainers, and leveraging digital platforms to broadcast races to a worldwide audience.

The industry could also explore partnerships with international betting companies to increase revenue from overseas markets.

Strengthen its economic resilience

To mitigate the impact of economic uncertainty, the industry should focus on strengthening its economic resilience.

This could involve diversifying revenue streams, such as by developing new betting products or offering virtual racing experiences.

The industry should also work to build stronger relationships with sponsors and advertisers, and explore opportunities for public-private partnerships to secure additional funding.

Invest in education and training

Investing in education and training is crucial to ensuring the industry has a skilled and sustainable workforce.

This could involve offering apprenticeships and training programmes for young people interested in pursuing careers in horseracing, as well as providing ongoing professional development

Aging demographic

Sadly, the audience for horseracing is aging, with younger generations showing a reducing interest in the sport.

This is part of a wider decline alongside many other sports in general.

This poses a long-term challenge for the industry and sports in terms of attracting new fans and participants.

opportunities for existing staff.

The industry should also work to promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring that opportunities are available to people from all backgrounds.

Promote responsible gambling

Given the importance of betting revenue to the industry, it is essential to promote responsible gambling practices.

This could involve working with betting companies to implement measures such as self-exclusion programmes, deposit limits, and mandatory breaks in play. The industry should also invest in public awareness campaigns to educate bettors about the risks of problem gambling and the importance of gambling responsibly.

Conclusion

The UK horseracing industry is at a crossroads, facing significant challenges for its future.

However, with the right strategies and a collaborative approach, these challenges can be overcome.

By increasing prize-money, enhancing animal welfare standards, modernising the sport, expanding its international reach, strengthening economic resilience, investing in education and training, and promoting responsible gambling, the industry can ensure its long-term sustainability and continue to thrive as a vital part of the UK’s cultural and economic landscape.

Many of these solutions are already in hand, which I applaud.

My parting shot however is that the time to act is now, to preserve the legacy of this beloved sport for future generations.

E....Girls aloud

VEN THOUGH WE ARE BARELY INTO FEBRUARY, it feels like this year is already happening apace. Already many foals are being born, and the NH season is in full swing.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association awards take place at the end of January every year. It is a sign of the huge respect that the bloodstock industry in Ireland is held to see an incredible turnout every year at this event. It is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding success of the Irish thoroughbred on the global stage. This year was particularly special as we were joined by the recently appointed Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon.

The award for small breeder went to Johnny Connaughton, who has produced so many top-class horses over the years such as Dunboyne Express and more recently Bay City Roller. This was a popular award but made very special as at 93 he made the trip to receive his award in person.

Mick Kinane received the lifetime achievement award for his incredible career in the thoroughbred industry as a jockey, breeder, and purchaser of top-class horses, and it was fitting that one of his most famous purchases Romantic Warrior, bred by the Egan family of Corduff Stud with Tim Rooney, received the award for older horse.

The final award of the evening was the induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame of Eimear Mulhern. This was a unanimously supported award with a standing ovation and special to me for personal and professional reasons. Eimear Mulhern has been a role model and mentor, friend, and client to me for longer than either of us would care to admit to.

There was no “Next Generation” when I joined the ITBA and through her support and encouragement as the first female chairman, I was proud to have the honour to follow in her footsteps as the second.

She has set the bar very high with her many accomplishments and industry roles, such as chairman of Goffs, ITM committee and former HRI board member. I have a long way to go to catch up with her!

There was hardly time to draw breath before the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown was upon us.

Yet again the racing public was treated to two excellent days of topclass NH racing, and it was fantastic to see so many people travel from abroad to enjoy the weekend.

Yet again the Mullins name was to the forefront of the weekend although Willie did not quite reach the dizzy heights of 2024 when he won all eight Grade 1s, he did win three of the four Grade 1s on both Saturday and Sunday. The remaining Grade 1s were landed by Joseph O’Brien’s impressive Solness and Gavin Cromwell‘s exciting young star Irish bred star Hello Neighbour (Harzand).

The undoubted star of the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) weekend

ITBA awards evening and a brilliant DRF Cathy Grassick, chairman of the Irish Breeders’ Association, reports on events in February

was Galopin Des Champs and the reception that he received after his impressive victory was electric.

The crowded had gathered 20 deep around the parade ring, cheering loudly for their equine hero. It was a very special to see, and it really made you look forward to the thrill of Cheltenham. It was also lovely to hear Paul Townend speak of the horse with such glowing admiration and affection after their victory.

Straight on from the weekend, the Goffs February Sale took place with many Irish and international clients in attendance.

On Tuesday evening before the sale the ITBA held a breeders’ seminar to offer support to breeders through the season. It was a fantastic evening well-attended and was chaired by Cathal Beale of the Irish National Stud, who is also the vice chairman of the ITBA.

He was joined by breeders Olive O’Connor and Micheal Orlandi and veterinary experts Des Leadon and Bena Hickey. Des Leadon was particularly illuminating when discussing such import topics as EVA prevention and testing.

He also gave an overview of the threat of proposed amendments to European Transport Regulations to the thoroughbred industry.

After all this activity in such a short space of time I almost feel like needing a holiday, but as they say no rest for the wicked! As I write this I am watching foaling cameras, carefully waiting for the next exciting chapter in the world of breeding.

Galopin Des Champs meets his adoring fans at Leopardstown

A night of stars

In the first of a regular column for the magazine, the ITBA reports on its glittering awards evening celebrating the success of the Irish bloodstock industry

THE ACHIEVEMENTS of Irish breeders and Irish-bred horses were celebrated in style at the glittering black-tie event.

The newly appointed Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, along with Nina Carberry MEP and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin were guests of honour on the night which welcomed over 360 attendees.

The event brought together prominent figures from the Irish and international bloodstock industry to celebrate the outstanding success of our winners in both Flat and National Hunt during 2024.

ITBA congratulates all the award recipients and thanks our generous sponsors for their continued support.

Recognised for her industry achievements and contributions Eimear Mulhern was inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame, presented by ITBA Chairman Cathy Grassick and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

The Westmeath native John Connaughton was the well-deserved recipient of the Small Breeder Award thanks to the exploits of Group 2 winner Bay City Roller, whose award was presented by Maurice Moloney of Coolmore Stud.

Honouring the Irish expats James Keogh

of Grovendale Sales was recipient of the Wild Geese Award, presented by Tony Lacy of Keeneland.

One of racings greats, the Classic-winning jockey and 13-time Irish champion jockey Michael Kinane, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Suzanne Eade of Horse Racing Ireland.

This year’s Next Generation Award was presented by Ballylinch Stud’s John O’Connor to the young breeders Barry Kennedy and Anna Murphy of Rigsdale Stud, breeders of Maria Branwell and Lexington Belle. Also notable on the night was Brenda Shortt, who received a Special Presentation

The ITBA’s National Racing & Breeding Award winners 2024

for her ongoing contribution to the industry over the last 36 years, presented by Joe Hernon.

Robert McCarthy of The Beeches Stud, breeder of multiple Group 1 winner Ballyburn, accepted the award for Hurdler of the Year which was presented by Simon Kerins of Tattersalls Ireland.

Mrs Catherine Cashman of Rathbarry Stud presented the Older Horse Award to Henrietta Egan, who represented breeders Corduff Stud and TJ Rooney for the accolades of multiple international top level winner Romantic Warrior. The two-year-old Filly of the Year was awarded to unbeaten Lake Victoria, bred by Coolmore and presented by Ludovico Cornuel of Arqana.

Ana O’Brien of Whisperview Trading accepted the award for Expanded, the joint two-year-old colt of the year, as well as threeyear-old filly of the year, Porta Fortuna.

The three-year-old Male of the Year Award went to Calandagan, and Princess Zahra of HH The Aga Khan Studs picked up the

ITBA National

Breeding & Racing Awards 2024 WINNERS

Special Presentation

Brenda Shortt

National Hunt Race Mare

Limerick Lace, Breeder: Mrs Noreen McManus

Novice Chaser of the Year

Corbett’s Cross, Breeder: Ger Murphy

Hurdler of the Year

Ballyburn, Breeder: The Beeches Stud Ltd

Chaser of the Year

Hewick, Breeder: William Quinn

Small Breeder

John Connaughton

Next Generation

Barry Kennedy and Anna Murphy

Older Horse

Romantic Warrior, Breeder: Corduff Stud and TJ Rooney

Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year

Lake Victoria, Breeder: Coolmore Stud

Joint Two-Year-Old Colts of the Year

The Lion In Winter, Breeder: Sunderland Holding Inc

Expanded, Breeder: Whisperview Trading Ltd

Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year

Porta Fortuna, Breeder: Whisperview Trading

Three-Year-Old Male of the Year

Calandagan, Breeder: Haras De Son Altesse

L’Aga Khan Scea

Wild Geese Award

James Keogh

Lifetime Achievement Award

Michael Kinane

Hall of Fame 2024

Eimear Mulhern

award from Henry Beeby of Goffs.

Once again much of the international bloodstock industry logged on to watch the live streaming of the award ceremony.

ITBA Chairman Cathy Grassick, who opened the night’s proceedings, commented: “We are delighted to have Minister Martin Heydon, Nina Carberry MP and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin join us for this year’s awards and we thank them and their government colleagues for their continued support.

“We are honoured tonight to recognise the outstanding achievement of Irish-bred horses, both Flat and National Hunt during 2024. This is our opportunity to celebrate their outstanding successes in a year which Irish thoroughbred talent was on display to a global audience once more.

“It is also an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made a lifelong contribution to Irish thoroughbred breeding and our people awards are well deserved and a testament to the wonderful people we have working in our industry. ’’

The special presentation was given to Brenda Shortt by Joe Hernon with Cathy Grassick

Eimear Mulhern was inducted into the Hall of Fame and is seen here with Beverley O’Keeffe

Lifetime achievement award was given to the former champion Flat jockey Mick Kinane

James Keogh receiving the Wild Geese Award from Keneeland’s Tony Lacy

Diversity

The Dublin Racing Festival saw 14 different stallions with progeny winners, writes Amy Bennett

WHILE THE TWO-DAY DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL was a mixture of reaffirming champions – take a bow Galopin Des Champs (Timos) and State Man (Doctor Dino) – and celebrating rising stars, it was notable that 14 sires accounted for the 15 winners. And also noteworthy was the geographic spread of the location of those sires between Ireland and France – Britain was a notable absentee.

The Flat stallion Holy Roman Emperor was responsible for the Flat-bred Vischio, who triumphed in the Listed Paddy and Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle,

the remainder of the sires represented by winners are those standing firmly in the NH camp.

That number now includes the dual Derby winner Harzand, who swapped codes when moving from Gilltown to Kilbarry Lodge Stud in 2023 – and he has not looked back since.

With his oldest crop now seven, Harzand’s NH runners have generated plenty of buzz of late, and with large books under his belt for the last two seasons, there is surely much more to come.

He recorded his breakthrough top-level scorer in only the second race of the Dublin Racing Festival when Hello Neighbour took

State Man: came home alone in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle for a third race success

To the delight of the crowd, Galopin Des Champs was imperious in the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup Chase for a hat-trick in the race and his fourth Grade 1 victory at the Dublin Festival

the lead over the last in the Juvenile Hurdle (G1) and came home comfortably to win by three-quarters of a length.

Now unbeaten in all four starts, including in Grade 2 company over course and distance on St Stephen’s Day, the fouryear-old was bred by John Yarr and sold for €57,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in November 2021.

His dam, the Montjeu mare Je T’Adore, has more than proved herself to Yarr having also produced A Wave Of The Sea by Born To Sea, another stallion son of Sea The Stars, and he won the same race in 2020.

Harzand also enjoyed sale ring success just the week before the Dublin Festival – his point-to-point winner Starzand topped at the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale

28,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2014, and her now threeyear-old daughter by Saxon Warrior passed through the same sale ring when snapped as

January Sale, bought by the former champion NH jockey Richard Johnson on behalf of Gwent Holdings for 230,000gns.

The five-year-old gelding, every inch a future chaser, is going into training with Philip Hobbs and Johnson White.

On the up Majborough finished third in the Spring

Harzand’s four-year-old Hello Neighbour in front in the juvenile hurdle

not wholly convincing with his jumping at times.

He is the best to date out of the unraced Janimone (Lavirco), who has since produced colts by Walzertakt and Silverwave.

Bred by Hubert Langot, Majborough made one winning start at Auteuil for Daniela Mele before his transfer to Ireland.

The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (G1) also featured a top-level breakthrough for a youngster, with the five-year-old Kopek Des Bordes extending his unbeaten record to three.

The son of No Risk At All hacked up by 13l

following hot on the heels of the Grade 1 winner Utopie Des Bordes (Antarctique), Victorie Des Borde (Antarctique), who won at Grade 2 level before producing the blacktype performer Eden Bleu (Network), the Listed winner and Grade 3-placed Quenta Des Bordes (Bateau Rouge), the Grade 3-placed Darling Des Bordes (Balko), and the Listed winner Belle Du Berry (Network), who produced the Grade 3 winner Risk Belle to No Risk At All.

Kopek Des Bordes is a sixth Grade 1 winner for his sire, who stands at a career high fee of €20,000 at Haras de Montaigu – a decade ago breeders could have used his services for as little as €3,000.

Jury at the double

Burgage Stud’s Jukebox Jury fired in a rapid double in the closing stages of the meeting when represented by the Listed hurdle winner McLaurey and, just one race later (Bambino Fever, an eye-catching winner of the mares’ Grade 2 bumper.

The former was fittingly bred by Burgage Stud’s owner Victor Connolly, who sold the six-year-old for €28,000 at the Goffs December Sale as a foal, the gelding then a €55,000 store at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale bought by Peter and Ross Doyle Winner of his sole point-to-point, McLaurey made an inauspicious start to

Kopek Des Bordes (blue): is rated the leading novice hurdler after his easy 13l Grade 1 victory

Dream Ahead

Including multiple Gr.1 winning sprinters

TDN Stallion To Follow

“…Intriguingly, Dream Ahead, the former Cartier Champion Sprinter, covered 82 mares in his initial season in Britain which has resulted in plenty of recruits to go to war with in 2025. This racehorse sire (77% runners from foals and 59% winners from runners) is available for the reasonable fee of £6,500 next term.”

Heather Anderson, TDN 28/12/24

sires of Gr.1 winning sprinters since 2019

The leading sire of sprinters by earnings standing at under £25k (5f/6f from 2017 to 2024, Marray Thoroughbred Services)

his hurdling career at Fairyhouse in March when beaten by 80l!

He got off the mark at his third attempt this term at Limerick in late December, and his Leopardstown victory marked a significant improvement as he stayed on to win by a length, despite idling a bit once he hit the front.

He is the sole winner to date out of the unraced Soeur Dee (Definite Article), who is herself a half-sister to the Listed-placed hurdler Cockleshell Road (Sinndar) and is out of Soeur Ti (Kaldoun), who was twice a Listed winner on the Flat, as well as being Grade 3-placed as a juvenile.

Further back, this is the family of the Grade 1-winning hurdlers Me Voici and L’Unique, as well as the Classic-placed Dice Roll.

Connolly paid just €4,500 at the Tattersalls Ireland November Sale in 2017 for Soeur Dee in-foal to Califet, just before Jukebox Jury embarked on his career on the Burgage Stud roster, having started his stallion innings at Gestut Etzean.

The stallion’s daughter Bambino Fever looked an exciting prospect when staying on well to take her unbeaten Rules record to two from two, following a facile victory in her sole point-to-point in May 2024.

Bred by Geoffrey Thompson, she is a half-sister to Dixie Mafia (Sholokhov), a dual winner between the flags in November 2024.

The pair are out of the unraced Stowaway mare Midnight Way, from a high-class jumping family that includes the Grade 1 winner Death Duty, among others.

...

past and present stallion residents of Kedrah House Stud also notched up a quick fire double on the opening day

Keeping it in the family

Jukebox Jury may have been the only stallion to record a double at the meeting, but past and present stallion residents of Kedrah House Stud also notched up a quick fire double on the opening day.

An Peann Dearg got the ball rolling in the Listed Ryanair Handicap Chase for current resident Well Chosen, and half an hour later, Colcannon followed up in the Grade 2 bumper for former resident Berkshire.

An Peann Dearg had scored over course and distance at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and showed a good turn of foot to stay on well and win by 7l.

Bred by Sean McKenna, his victory marked the first piece of black-type in the

Ballyburn and connections after the seven-year-old’s impressive Grade 1 novice chase victory

Paul Nolan (centre, left) with Listed chase winner An Peann Dearg, an eight-year-old by Well Chosen

family for several generations, being out of the unraced Generous mare Mooretown Vick, and pedigree readers have to peer back to 2001 and Sharpaten (Scenic), Listedplaced over hurdles, to find the family’s most recent stakes race exploit prior to An Peann Dearg’s victory.

The records show that it took Colcannon four tries to break his maiden in bumper company, finally getting off the mark this term at Galway in October. However, the now five-year-old was first past the post by 9l at Punchestown in February 2024, only to be disqualified when his jockey weighed in light.

At Leopardstown, he took the lead inside the final furlong and skipped clear to win by a length and a half.

Bred by Philip Meade Snr, he is a true product of Kedrah House Stud’s stallions – he is a son of the Royal Lodge Stud (G2) winner Berkshire and is out of the Well Chosen mare She’s A Star.

Twice a winner on the Flat, the mare also scored over hurdles, also earning her blacktype over hurdles in Grade 3 company when trained, like her son (Noel Meade, for the Philip Meade syndicate.

Gone but definitely not forgotten

It is now five years since the NH stalwart stallion Flemensfirth was pensioned from stud duties and two years since he died, but his legacy lives on.

His name was once more in lights when Ballyburn followed up on his Grade 1 success over hurdles at the same meeting last year with a victory romp in the Ladbroke Novice Chase (G1) this year. Although briefly headed by Croke Park (Walk In The Park) after the last, he stayed on well to triumph by 5l.

Bred by the McCarthy family’s The Beeches Stud, home to his late sire, the seven-year-old cost €80,000 as a foal when purchased by Ian Ferguson at Tattersalls Ireland.

His dam Old Moon (Old Vic) made the most of her relationship with Flemensfirth, producing the Grade 2-placed Noble Endeavour (also twice placed at the Cheltenham Festival) and the Listed-placed multiple-winning chaser Minella Daddy from her previous liaisons with the sire.

With Flemensfirth no longer an option, the mare visited Wings Of Eagles in 2020 producing the mare Churchfield Sunset, who won a Listed bumper at Navan in November,

before finishing sixth in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Flemensfirth also featured as the broodmare sire of Final Demand (Walk In The Park), who provided the perfect curtainraiser to the meeting when skipping clear to win the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (G1).

Now unbeaten in three starts, including his point-to-point victory last March, he was purchased for €230,000 at the 2022 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale when offered from the stellar nursery of Kenneth Parkhill’s Castletown Quarry Stud.

He is the best to date of the five winners produced by Flemensfirth’s daughter Zuzka, herself a dual Grade 3 winner over hurdles and third behind Jezki in the 2012 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (G1). This is a family of long-standing with the Parkhill family; Zuzka is a half-sister to the Grade 2-winning chaser Puffin Billy (Heron Island) and the Grade 2-placed winner Tycoon Prince (Trans Island), from the family of the classy hurdler Mole Board (Deep Run).

Getaway back in focus

Turning attention away from Leopardstown, four years after the success of Sporting John in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (G1) at Sandown, his sire Getaway was represented by another victor in the contest when Handstands made all, getting the better of a fine tussle with Jango Baie (Tiger Groom). Winner of his six starts, including a debut point-to-point success, he does not hold any Cheltenham Festival entries and is likely to head to Aintree instead.

Bred by Brendan and Mary Fitzpatrick, he has made three trips through the sale ring, most recently at the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale in 2023 when he was bought for 135,000 by Kilbride Equine. His dam, Wattle Bridge (King’s Theatre), has produced two other winners and is a halfsister to the useful Snake Eyes (Oscar). Handstands is a sixth individual Grade 1 winner for Getaway, who has spent his entire stallion career at Grange Stud. Ironically, his fee this year has returned to its opening mark of €3,000, down from a high of €9,000 in the wake of such as Sporting John and his paternal half-sister Verdana Blue.

Handstands: the debut Grade 1 runner and winner on his way to Scilly Isle Novice Chase success

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Leading British and Irish NH Sires 2024-25 (by prize-money earned to February 2, 2025)

Courtesy of Weatherbys

THE HOME OF

(GB) 2015 by Acclamation - Exemplify (Dansili)

SIRE OF 41 2YO WINNERS OVER 2 SEASONS

THE G1 BREEDERS’ CUP MILE (turf) WINNER WITH 2YO BRILLIANCE

Sire of JUNIPER BERRIES, SNELLEN, ENTRANCEMENT, WITNESS STAND, Coverdale, Nesthorn, Expert Witness, Houstonn, Beautifulnavigator, Violet Gibson, Isabel Alexandra, Rock Hunter, Naina, Pearl Eye, Royal Charter, etc.

Town

AFTER A TUMULTUOUS few years that saw the industry pushed to the brink, positivity is once again prevailing around the South African racing and breeding scene.

New operators have pumped significant investment into prize-money, which in turn has driven demand at the yearling sales. And this demand is being matched by the ambition of the Cape Racing Sales (CRS) team, who are implementing some bold new

ideas across the established sales landscape.

The 2024 CRS Premier Yearling Sale, which was held in Cape Town’s waterfront convention centre in January, posted the kind of year-on-year stats that any auction house would dream of.

Turnover rose by 46 per cent , the average price was up by 22 per cent and the median climbed fully R100,000, a gain of 33 per cent.

Arguably most impressive was the clearance rate, as 123 lots were offered and

121 sold at a clip of 98 per cent.

However, despite the strength of these results, CRS has moved ahead with a restructured calendar that has effectively seen Cape Town’s Premier Sale split in two.

In its place there is now the Summer Sale, which took place in the traditional Met week slot in January, and the new incarnation of the Premier Sale that is being staged at Kenilworth in mid-March.

Justin Vermaak, CRS’s racing and bloodstock executive, explains these changes

Cape of Good Hope

James Thomas chats with Justin Vermaak of Cape Racing Sales after the South African auction house enjoyed its best yearling sale for eight years – it is an organisation that is brimming with enthusiasm with increased investment, enjoying a better trading environment with the lifting of the export ban, its new Premier Sale is on the horizon and there is a valuable race for sale graduates, The CRS Big Cap

Photography courtesy of Cape Racing Sales

were already under consideration prior to the somewhat unexpected surge in demand.

“When we came in and took over the running of the sale [from Cape Thoroughbred Sales in 2022], South Africa had a massively reducing foal crop, so there were less and less yearlings available to sell each year,” he says.

“And the South African breeding industry is shaped more towards the middle-distance, Classic-type of breeding, so when you factor that into a declining foal crop, we were

finding less and less early types who were ready to be sold in January.

“It would be the equivalent of selling yearlings in Europe in June, and we don’t have as many early, precocious sorts as they do in places like Australia.

“So we were discussing whether we get rid of the January time slot in its entirety and just push our Premier Sale back to March. As we were thinking about this, we held the 2024 auction in January thinking it would probably be our last.”

But the barnstorming results gave the team pause for thought.

“The results from the 2024 January Sale were so good that it made us think it would be a travesty for us to give up this time slot,” Vermaak continues. “We decided to change tack, and that we should tighten up our January Sale into something more boutique and select, and target the big, forward, precocious juveniles, and host that during the Met week when everyone, internationals and South Africans, comes to Cape Town.

“Then we can move onto March with the better-bred, Classic types at a two-day sale for the bulk of our Premier Sale horses.”

The first part of this plan has certainly paid dividends. The inaugural Summer Sale generated turnover of R46,655,000 (£2,009,290) and a median of R500,000 (£21,500).

The average price of R613,882 (£26,450) was the highest at a South African yearling sale since 2017, while the market was topped by a Vercingetorix colt who fetched R2.2 million from Laurence Wernars of Triple 8 Clothing.

“We came up with a tight book for January, and it was the record average price at a yearling sale in the last eight years,” says Vermaak.

“So we knocked it out of the park in terms of what we’re trying to achieve in January. For a South African sale to achieve a median of R500,000 is quite something.

“The clearance rate was good, as well as the average. I did expect that in a way

because obviously we tightened the catalogue right down to 100 horses, so you can expect these sorts of results in a strong market, which is where we’re at the moment.”

Vermaak has taken inspiration from around the bloodstock world when tailoring CRS’s new offering.

If the Summer Sale is intended to be somewhere between the Goffs London Sale and the Doncaster yearling sale, namely a boutique affair majoring in precocious yearlings and all round razzmatazz, then the upcoming CRS Premier Sale is aiming to be something like the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. As well as an auction of blue-chip stock, there will, in due course, also be a festival of lucrative racing.

Two hundred and fifty eight lots have been catalogued for the two-day sale, which takes place on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14.

Day one is all about pedigree and showcases some of the best-bred yearlings South Africa has to offer, with almost a third

of the catalogue made up of lots by champion sire elect Vercingetorix, three-time leading sire Gimmethegreenlight and One World, who last year broke the record for number of winners by a South African first-season sire.

For a flavour of what’s in store at the Premier Sale, the catalogue contains a half-brother to dual South African champion Princess Calla (Lot 62 from Maine Chance Farms); a half-brother to Cape Guineas hero Snow Pilot out of the dual Grade 1 winner Snowdance (85 from Drakenstein Stud); and a sibling to champion miler Vardy (148 from Klawervlei Stud).

All three colts are by Vercingetorix.

“What we found was that over the last couple of years, there’s been a big push from Western Cape-based breeders to sell more horses in the Cape, rather than travelling them up to Johannesburg,” says Vermaak.

“We’ve gone to market with the March Sale, and we’ve found a lot of breeders and vendors very keen on the idea and have supported us in a massive way. That includes all the big stud farms like Drakenstein and Maine Chance, which has been fantastic.”

WHILE

ACKNOWLEDGING

CRS’s early successes, Vermaak stresses the level of support the fledgling sales company has received is not taken for granted.

“This is only our third year, and obviously it’s easy to talk the talk,” he says. “But breeders who are breeding commercially can’t afford to have a flop sale because they need the income to keep their businesses alive. It’s a big leap of faith to place their top horses with us, but a lot of them have done and have been rewarded for doing so.”

This year’s race meeting will feature the first running of The CRS Big Cap, a 7f slot race that Vermaak describes as “a handicap with conditions” aimed to attract as broad a field as possible.

There are 16 slots available at R325,000 apiece, with runners competing for a slice of the hefty R5 million prize fund. The race is open to all graduates of all CRS auctions.

CRS is also awarding the groom of each runner R12,500, an initiative that

Justin Vermaak: after the inaugural Summer Sale returned some top results, he and CRS are looking forward to March’s new Premier Sale, thankful for the strong support from vendors

leans on the wider BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) policy the South African government has employed to redress the inequalities created by apartheid and still being felt.

“We’re always looking for ways to uplift the people on the ground and behind the scenes” says Vermaak.

“Grooms in our industry are classified under agricultural which has limitations, as an operator, part of our upliftment programme is to focus on incentives which can supplement the grooms income.

“This includes a work riders’ programme which are work riders races and a series

We’ve gone to market with the March Sale, and we’ve found a lot of breeders and vendors very keen on the idea

to reward them for their daily efforts and excellence,” says Vermaak.

In time, The Big Cap will be joined on the programme by further valuable contests, namely the CRS Slipper, a R3m contest for juveniles; the CRS Mile, a R3m race for three-year-olds; and the CRS Sprint, a R1m 6f race also for three-year-olds.

The Slipper is due to be introduced in 2026, with the Mile and the Sprint following in 2027.

The timing of the Premier Sale has been chosen to accommodate the wider southernhemisphere sales calendar, with Inglis hosting major events, namely its Premier

The Premier Sale’s catalogue features some of the best pedigrees in South Africa, and is timed to compliment the southern-hemisphere sales season

Our sales company is owned by the racing operator, all the profit that it makes goes directly into the prize pot

Sale and the Easter Sale, either side of Cape Town. The Hong Kong International Sale at Sha Tin also takes place earlier in March.

“We’re building a week to end the summer season off in Cape Town, where the whole country comes for the sale, stays for the race meeting and then we close the season up and all move to Durban for the winter,” says Vermaak.

“We positioned the Premier Sale so that we’re well placed in line with the Inglis Melbourne and Sydney Easter sales. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a big buyer of ours and they’re coming out in March, and we didn’t want to clash with those two.

“We’re trying to fit into the middle of the whole southern-hemisphere calendar now that we have direct exports and horses are being shipped more regularly.”

TALK OF DIRECT EXPORTS brings into sharp relief the change in outlook in South Africa.

In the not too distant past the country’s horses were essentially cut adrift from participating on the international stage after an outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2011 led the European Union to impose a ban on direct exports. The restriction was lifted in March 2024 after 13 painful years.

There have already been several notable trades that would likely not have been possible without the opening up of exports.

John Messara stepped in to purchase the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint heroine October Morn, who was due to visit Arrowfield stallion The Autumn Sun.

Team Valor has purchased Equus champion Quid Pro Quo with the long-term aim of shipping the daughter of Lance to compete in Dubai, while Mid Winter Wind won a Class 3 handicap at Sha Tin on his first start since leaving Sean Tarry.

The latter years of the ban coincided with

the Covid-19 pandemic, the effects of which played a part in the demise of previous operator Phumelela and left racing in the Rainbow Nation in a perilous state.

However, with Cape Racing, a subsidiary of South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, and 4Racing now at the helm, the industry has not only received a reviving level of investment, but it is now looking to the future with a fresh impetus.

“Before I took this job with the operator I was a bloodstock agent and I actually emigrated in 2022 because things were so dismal,” says Vermaak.

“The yearling market had fallen through the floor, and the operator had gone bust. Kenilworth racing was so bankrupt that our chairman [Greg Bortz] came into the role on a Thursday, and on Friday payroll wasn’t going to be paid. That’s how dismal it was.

“Maiden plates were being run for R55,000 (£2,300) a race, but the next month after we came in, prize-money doubled.

“The trajectory of yearling prices matched the increase in prize-money immediately, and there was a bit of a perfect storm.

“People had trimmed stock after Covid, and then unexpectedly the horseracing industry took a complete turn, so there was a shortage of stock and increased demand, all of which sent yearling prices through the roof.

“Now the export thing has opened up as well, so it’s been quite something.

“Our sales company is owned by the racing operator, so all the profit that it makes goes directly into the prize pot,” Vermaak adds.

“It’s not leaving the industry in any way as it’s all coming back in the form of prize-money or incentives, which is quite important.

“People have had their businesses rejuvenated, horse populations are up in the Western Cape. Everything is going well again.”

The top two lots at the recent Summer Sale were sold for R2.2 million and R2 million and are both by leading sire Vercingetorix, both bought by Triple 8 Clothing

Above, the top lot was a colt from Drakenstein Stud out of the Grade 1 Greyville Golden Slipper winner Chestnuts N Pearls (Horse Chestnut)

Below, the second-best price was given for a filly from Avontuur Estate, out of the Grade 2 winner Varokate (Var) and a half-sister to the 2023-24 South African champion sprinter Thunderstruck (Rafeef)

It’s a small WORLD

The globalisation of thoroughbred breeding is not a new thing, writes

Ciaran Doran

Auguste Rodin: the son of Deep Impact is a great example of the globalisation of many decades of breeding

AMONGST THE MANY ATTRACTIONS at the various Disney theme parks across the globe, one that shall forever be etched in my memory is “It’s A Small World!”.

The unforgettable titular earworm aside, the lasting message of the attraction is that for as many different cultures exist around the world, there are common threads which serve to unite seemingly unrelated peoples.

Such a point seems like a weird introduction to an article about racehorse breeding, but racing does not exist in a vacuum sealed away from the rest of society.

Indeed, much as societies and cultures evolve over time so, too, does racing. The drivers of societal change are numerous, but one factor which has driven cultural convergence to some extent over time has been economic globalisation.

International racing and breeding have not developed independently of this globalisation either; as economies across the globe have become increasingly intertwined, the world of horseracing has followed suit.

The inter-connected nature of the equine

The impact of Taylor’s Canadian homebreds on the pedigrees of today’s thoroughbreds is not solely confined to Northern Dancer

world has manifested itself in various ways over the years; one could point to owners having their horses trained in “foreign” countries for many years –the US industrialist Charles W. Engelhard Jr and his fellow countryman Paul Mellon were the proprietors of the 1970 and 1971 consecutive Derby winners, the Irish-trained Nijinsky and the British-trained Mill Reef.

Of course, the globalisation of horseracing extends beyond the realm of just individuals, elite horses have also been the product of an increasingly integrated world.

For instance, take the new 2025 sire Auguste Rodin.

The Irish-bred winner of the 2023 Derby, he is a son of perhaps the greatest Japanesebred to ever grace the Turf in Deep Impact.

Though he was born and reared in the Land of the Rising Sun, Deep Impact bore no Japanese ancestry.

His Irish-bred dam Wind In Her Hair (1994 Oaks runner-up and 1995 Grade 1 Aral-Pokal champion) was transferred to Japan early on in her breeding career as was Deep Impact’s US-bred sire Sunday Silence who, in spite of his rags-to-riches journey from yearling pariah to Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup Classic hero, was deemed surplus to requirements by the US breeding industry.

Sunday Silence was the son of a fellow American-bred stallion Halo, and his sire, Hail To Reason was a son of an Irish-bred stallion in Turn-To.

Extending the sire-line further, Royal Charger was the British-bred sire of Turn-

To, while the Italian-bred Nearco was the father of Royal Charger.

Nearco was himself the son and grandson of two British-bred stallions in Pharos and Phalaris.

Evidently, Auguste Rodin’s sire-line has taken a rather circuitous route over the last century, with the line wandering through five different jurisdictions with a pit-stop in Ireland before eventually returning to the Emerald Isle.

The international impact on elite thoroughbred pedigrees is not just confined to Europe, the US, and Japan, though.

One of racing’s great breeders, E.P. Taylor ensured that the CAN suffix is an almost universal presence in the pedigrees of modern-day Euro superstars.

As far as graduates of the Taylor breeding dynasty go, Northern Dancer stands out as his magnum opus, with the first-ever Canadian-bred winner of the Kentucky Derby generally regarded as one of racing’s all-time great stallions.

The son of another Canadian-bred Windfields Farm alumnus in Nearctic “the little horse who could” and Taylor combined the two to produce other Canadian breedshapers in Nijinsky, Storm Bird, and The Minstrel, ably assisted by the doyen of the Irish training ranks, Vincent O’Brien.

The impact of Taylor’s Canadian homebreds on the pedigrees of today’s thoroughbreds is not solely confined to Northern Dancer and his sons, however.

Raise The Standard, the Hoist The Flag half-sister to Northern Dancer, is perhaps most commonly remembered these days as the dam of Coup De Folie, the second dam of Machiavellian, Exit To Nowhere, Coup De Genie and Orpen.

Beaten into second in the 2,000 Guineas having gone off favourite, Machiavellian’s 1990 Newmarket disappointment bore a passing resemblance to New Approach’s narrow defeat in the 2008 renewal of the mile Classic.

Somewhat coincidentally, New Approach was also the product of a Taylor family, as was his one-time stablemate and Dewhurst predecessor, Teofilo. New Approach’s trans-Atlantic origins can be traced to his Taylor-bred second dam Matcher via his Phoenix Champion Stakes-winning dam

global breeding

Nearco: one of the most influential sires ever bred. His sons included Dante, Mossborough, Nasrullah, Nearctic, Nimbus and Sayajira

Park Express, while Teofilo’s third dam Victorian Queen was another to have graced Windfields Farm, herself by a stallion of Taylor’s in Victoria Park.

That said, there is more to Canadian breeding’s enduring legacy than just the remarkable E.P. Taylor.

Awesome Again, winner of the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic, was bred in Canada by Frank Stronach, while the horse’s sire Deputy Minister was also born and reared in the Great White North.

Mind you, Taylor’s reach is still inescapable – Vice Regent, another Taylor-bred son of Northern Dancer, was responsible for siring Deputy Minister, further showcasing just how profound Eddie Taylor’s influence on international breeding had become.

Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the influence of the Americas on modern international pedigrees goes beyond just North America.

Nearco winning the Grand Prix de Paris. The son of Pharos was unbeaten in 14 starts from 5f to 1m7f.

His dam was the racemare Nogara, who had won the Italian 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas and was Italian champion filly at ages two and three.

In 1934, breeder Tesio wished to breed Nogara to the leading English sire Fairway, but was unable to obtain a nomination.

Therefore, Tesio chose to breed Nogara to Fairway’s full-brother Pharos.

Lord At War, the multiple Grade 1-winning Argentinian-bred paternal grandson of Brigadier Gerard, was the damsire of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof The Nile, the sire of the U S Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Perhaps the most significant stallion to emerge from the Argentinian breeding world though was Forli – the sire of the three-time

American Horse of the Year Forego. Forli was particularly admired by Vincent O’Brien, and his son Thatch was trained at Ballydoyle.

In 1973 the forays across the Irish Sea bore fruit for Thatch and connections with Group 1 wins in the St. James’s Palace Stakes, the July Cup, and the Sussex Stakes. Fordham, another son of Forli, claimed

Left, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Northern Dancer, and, above, with breeder E.P. Taylor

Thatch, by the Argentian-bred Forli, ridden by Lester Piggott for trainer Vincent O’Brien

global breeding

the

his second

most notable international success came when he defeated the French

the 1979 Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes.

Argentina’s name itself is ultimately derived from the Latin for silver, but O’Brien struck gold when it came to the progeny of Forli, and these days the stallion is an integral part of many European pedigrees.

His daughter Special inspired a bidding war at the 1978 Keeneland Yearling Sale for her Northern Dancer colt, and it was a owner Stavros Niarchos who left Keeneland with a future elite stallion in Nureyev.

Of course, Forli’s biggest Irish fan would soon see his steadfast faith in the bloodlines of the Argentinian-bred stallion justified way beyond the scope of even his wildest imagination – Nureyev’s three-parts sister, Fairy Bridge would produce Fairy King, Perugino, Tate Gallery and, most famously of all, Sadler’s Wells.

The influence of Argentinian breeding on international pedigrees in the latter half of the 20th century is not just limited to Forli and Lord At War, however.

Montparnasse (ARG) was the damsire

Ribot went 16 starts without defeat and is taking a lead in a piece of work with jockey Enrico Camici when exercising at Ascot ahead of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1956. Under a one-year contract, Ribot first stood at Lord Derby’s Woodland Stud in England. In 1959, he was syndicated for a five-year lease at a cost of $1.35 million and transferred to Darby Dan in the US

of Wishing Well (USA), the dam of the aforementioned American emigré Sunday Silence, while Endeavour (ARG) was the paternal grand-sire of Fall Aspen, the dam of Timber Country, Hamas, Fort Wood,

Northern Aspen and Colorado Dancer and the second dam of Dubai Millennium, Elnadim, Mehthaaf and Medaaly amongst others.

Across the world, Fall Aspen’s family is one with few equals in terms of its depth

Ribot, bred by Tesio but foaled at

National Stud, seen here winning

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1956. He was a son of the Italian racehorse Tenerani, whose

champion Arbar in the 1948 Goodwood Cup

but there does exist one family which could claim superiority, namely the forebears and descendants of Allegretta.

Allegretta was herself British-bred but she was the end product of decades upon decades of Teutonic breeding, with the Von Oppenheims, followed by the Von Ullmanns, assiduously cultivating her family over time at Gestüt Schlenderhan near Cologne.

From Anatevka to Almyra and then from Alameda down to Asterblute, Allegretta’s female family is entirely German.

What’s more, her sire, Lombard was also bred in Germany.

TRYING TO DO JUSTICE to the sheer quality of Allegretta’s family within the confines of this article is an exercise that is doomed to fail.

That said, anytime a horse powers his or her way to middle-distance Group 1 glory in Europe, Allegretta and by extension German breeding, almost assuredly follow when one looks at the winning pedigree.

Her daughter Urban Sea and grandsons Galileo and Sea The Stars need no introduction, but Allegretta’s legacy can also be found elsewhere – amongst her vast treasure trove of descendants are King’s Best, Anabaa Blue, Torquator Tasso, Masar, Black Sam Bellamy, Tamayuz, Santiago, Eshaada, Anzillero, and two 2024 European Group 1 winners in Los Angeles and Twain.

And one more thing unites Galileo, Sea The Stars, Anabaa Blue, Torquator Tasso, Masar, Black Sam Bellamy, Santiago, Eshaada and Los Angeles – all nine hail from the sire-line of Nearco (ITA).

Bred by one of racing’s great minds in Federico Tesio, Nearco would later sire Nasrullah, Dante, Nimbus, Mossborough, Masaka, Hafiz, and, of course, Nearctic.

And this neatly links us back to the influence of Canadian breeding on modern pedigrees as it was through Nearctic though that Nearco’s sire-line has not only survived but thrived into the modern era.

Nearco may have been Tesio’s most successful stallion, but his best racehorse was probably Ribot, winner in 1955 and 1956 of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Ribot was one of a select few to have won two renewals of France’s most prestigious race – the only colt to achieve the same feat since was Alleged, a great-grandson of Ribot’s via Tom Rolfe and Hoist The Flag.

The great tragedy of Ribot’s exploits though was that Tesio did not get the chance to see them as Ribot made his rcing debut as a juvenile shortly after Tesio’s death in 1954. That said, Ribot’s achievements added a poignant postscript to the legacy of one of the world’s greatest breeders.

Just as Italy’s lasting impact on breeding, the influence of other jurisdictions on international pedigrees cannot be dismissed.

Justify, one of the most progressive stallions at the moment, is by Scat Daddy a paternal grandson of Hennessy via Johannesburg; Hennessy’s damsire was the South African-bred Hawaii. Justify’s pedigree also retains a small but distinct Gallic hue – the French-bred Blushing Groom was the damsire of Deputy Minister, himself the paternal grand-sire of Justify’s damsire, Ghostzapper.

Antipodean breeding should hardly go

unmentioned either, and the relationship between the pedigrees of European horses and those Down Under is perhaps best illustrated by the 2022 Prince of Wales’s victor State Of Rest who, while Irish-bred, is a son and grandson of Australian-breds in Starspangledbanner and Choisir, the latter a son of the Irish-bred Danehill Dancer.

No matter where you look, the crosspollination of pedigrees between different countries is ever-present, and has been for a long time. As the world becomes increasingly globalised, whether through social media or economic integration, the world of horseracing binds ever tighter.

In the wake of City Of Troy’s 2024 Derby win, MV Magnier spoke of Coolmore’s desire to make the breeding world a smaller, more inter-connected place. Irrespective of how successful this endeavour proves to be, one thing above all else remains true, top-class equine pedigrees around the world have to a degree converged at the same time as the world has grown ever closer and ever tighter. Disney was right: it really is a small, small world.

Leading international sire Justify’s pedigree traces to the Derby third-placed Blushing Groom

3YO

STAKES WINNERS IN EUROPE IN 2024

3YO STAKES WINNERS IN EUROPE IN 2024

that’s more than WOOTTON BASSETT, NO NAY NEVER, TOO DARN HOT and ZARAK

ALCANTOR

Won Gr.3 Prix Perth by 4 lengths

Won Gr.3 Prix Thomas Bryon

2nd Gr.1 Criterium International

3rd Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains 119+

DEVIL’S POINT

DEVIL’S POINT

Won Gr.2 German 2,000 Guineas 2nd Gr.1 Futurity Trophy 108

PERSICA

PERSICA

Won L Doonside Cup Stakes

Won L Doonside Cup Stakes

3rd Gr.3 Winter Hill Stakes 118

3rd Gr.3 Winter Hill Stakes 118

Won Gr.2 German 2,000 Guineas 2nd Gr.1 Futurity Trophy 108 SIRE OF 18% STAKES WINNERS TO RUNNERS FROM HIS FIRST 2 CROPS

BAY CITY ROLLER

UNBEATEN 2YO

Won Gr.2 Champagne Stakes 109p

2YO WINNERS IN 2024

YEARLINGS AVERAGED €140,000 IN 2024, ALMOST 4 TIMES THEIR STUD FEE.

HOPEWELL ROCK

UNBEATEN 2YO

Won 1m Maiden, Leicester Won 1m Novice, Bath 100p

ANNO DOMINI

525,000gns Breeze-Up, Won 7f £40,000 EBF Novice, Sandown Won 6½f Novice, Newbury on debut 106p

It is racing that influences the bloodstock industry

We may think that bloodstock sale trends are caused by the whims of purchasers and generated by gossip in the sales bar, but the sale ring “fashions” are actually created by race programming, argues Jocelyn de Moubray

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES in the race programme influences the choices of those buying or breeding to race and, sooner rather than later, as a consequence those breeding horses commercially will change their production plans.

Those who devise the racing programme in Europe’s three major racing countries, Britain, Ireland and France, are trying to achieve a balance within broadly similar constraints –that is to maintain or, if possible grow, betting turnover, while maintaining opportunities for different types of horses and the traditional racing structure.

The different administrative organisations and financial positions have led to major differences in the racing programmes in Britain, France, and Ireland, while there are still some strong similarities as well.

The programmes have diverged this century as the number of Flat races run in Britain and Ireland has expanded far more quickly than in France. Over the last 25 years the number of Flat races run in Britain has increased by around 50 per cent, by 100 per cent in Ireland, and only 13 per cent in France.

The major similarity between the three countries is the importance of three-year-old racing, which makes up 34 per cent of all races in Britain and France, and 32 per cent in Ireland.

All the figures given are for the year 2022, when there was a total of 12,701 Flat races in the three countries of which 4,281 (34 per cent) were restricted to three-year-olds only.

And, of this 34 per cent, the races include many of the most prestigious and valuable races too. Of the 650 Group and Listed races run in Britain, Ireland and France in 2022, 40 per cent were for three-year-olds alone.

It clearly means that the success or failure of a stallion’s three-year-olds will, in the long run, determine his fee and commercial appeal.

The first major divergence between the three countries is the proportion of races restricted to two-year-olds.

In Britain and Ireland, 18 per cent of all races are for two-year-olds, and 52 per cent and 50 per cent respectively are for either two or three-year-olds.

Two-year-old racing is not as important in France where the

AW - turf % of all flat races

Percentage of European All-Weather and Turf Flat races compared by country

...the success or failure of a stallion’s three-year-olds will, in the long run, determine his fee and commercial appeal

figure is only 12 per cent, and so only 46 per cent of all races are for either juveniles or three-year-olds.

Of the nearly 2,000 European

juvenile races run every year some 70 per cent are in Britain or Ireland, and juvenile races weigh heavier still for Group and Listed races – in Britain they make up 21 per cent of the total, 22 per cent in Ireland and 16 per

Percentage of Flat handicaps per country

% of all flat race Hcps

cent in France.

In Britain and Ireland, the proportion of these two-year-old races run over less than a mile is at 82 per cent and 78 per cent, much higher than in France where only 57 per cent are run over less than a mile.

The same is true for threeyear-old races – the proportion of races run over shorter distances is higher in Britain and

Ireland than in France.

In Britain and Ireland, three-year-old races run over a mile or less is 63 per cent and 57 per cent, in France it is only 36 per cent.

In Britain and Ireland there are around 1,200 races a year for threeyear-olds at a mile or less, and only 530 in France.

marked when it comes to Group and Listed races, but France offers more opportunities for middledistance horses in its Pattern races, too. Pattern races for two and

In total, there are 4,065 races for three-yearolds alone, of which 782 (19 per cent), are run over 1m4f or further, and 420 of these are in France.

...it is Britain which has the highest proportion of races on the All-Weather with 41 per cent compared with 23 per cent in France and 24 per cent in Ireland

In Britain and Ireland there are only 362 races for threeyear-olds over 1m4f or more. The differences are less

three-year-olds in Britain and Ireland are made up of 69 per cent run over a mile or less and 85 per cent over 1m2f or less, in France the figures are 55 per cent and 76 per cent.

Surfaces

and handicaps

The two other major differences concern different surfaces and the role of handicaps and, in both respects, Britain is on a quite different trend to either Ireland or France.

France has the most All-Weather tracks, and they are spread all over the country from Pau to Pornichet to Chantilly and Marseilles, whereas Ireland has only Dundalk.

However, it is Britain which has the highest proportion of races on the AllWeather – 41 per cent compared with 23 per cent in France and 24 per cent in Ireland.

British racing is dominated by handicaps which make up 70 per cent of all Flat races, in Ireland it is only 53 per cent,

whereas in France the leading trainers can if they wish ignore the sector completely as only 33 per cent of its races are handicaps.

It is not surprising that there is a demand for different types of stallions or racing stock in Britain and Ireland than in France.

The racing programme in Britain and Ireland is focused on young, fast horses and, for all but the best, they are likely to race in handicaps with a high proportion on the All-Weather.

It is a strange anomaly that only six per cent of all Pattern races are run on the All-Weather, and this is surely something which will change in the coming years.

In France, there is less of a focus on two-year-olds and more opportunities for middle-distance horses, particularly those horses who could be at their best from

Inisherin winning the 6f G1 Commonwealth Cup: Britain and Ireland have 1,200 races for three-year-olds over a mile or less compared to 530 in France

a mile to around 1m2f.

Average-level horses in France compete in claimers (12 per cent of all races) or conditions races (46 per cent).

If the French system gives more opportunities to middledistance and late-developing horses than either Britain or Ireland, Germany is, of course, in a different world all together.

In terms of number of races and births, which register only just above and just below 1,000 these days, Germany is now a minor racing country.

The choices made by stallion owners, yearling buyers and sales companies are often said to be the result of fashion or even whim and prejudice

However, it has maintained its traditional racing structure and, as a result, the aim of nearly every mating in the country is to produce horses capable of

competing over further than 1m2f at three and older.

In Germany, only 10 per cent of its black-type races are for two-year-olds and, of those for

three-year-olds and upwards, only 33 per cent are run over a mile or less with 43 per cent run over further than 1m2f.

So what does this mean?

The choices made by stallion owners, yearling buyers and sales companies are often said to be the result of fashion or even whim and prejudice.

But in fact they are, overall, a logical response to the programme of races in the countries concerned.

The need to maintain the number of runners per race for the sake of betting turnover leads race planners to frame races with respect to the current horse population, which serves to accentuate existing trends.

If there are fewer opportunities for middledistance horses, breeders will produce fewer of them, and so the races for them will soon attract fewer runners.

The only way to reverse these trends is to decide to frame the races to encourage production, even if there are years with a shortage of participants until this new production arrives.

% of 2yo races

Percentage of two-year-old races by country – handicaps and run over less than a mile

A further constraint for race planners needs to be the difference between the current horse population and that which it aims for in the longer term, five years or so in the future.

In Britain, if plans are not made and pro-actively acted upon, the alternative is a future in which the vast majority of races are run over a mile or less for two and three-year-olds.

These races might not be the best possible betting medium, nor the best incentive for the breeding of horses capable of competing in the best international races.

If races are not scheduled to suit middle-distance horses, both they and such stallions will dwindle away resulting in a lack of horses suited to valuable international races and big betting events

The Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River and the Epsom Derby hero City Of Tory were awarded honours as the World’s Best Racehorses of 2024, both horses allocated a mark of 128.

It is the first time since 2009 that the winner of the Epsom Derby, and in his three-year-old year, has topped the table, although the top-rated performance for the son of Justify did not come in the Classic

Two-way tie

By Alan Porter

FEDERICO TESIO, that most famous of all thoroughbred breeders, is often quoted as saying, “The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby. If you base your criteria on anything else, you will get something else, not the thoroughbred.”.

In fact, while the sentiment might be Tesio’s, it was actually recorded by his partner, the Marchese Mario Inisa della Rocchetta.

Either way, the concept doesn’t seem to have exerted much impact on the collective minds of the compilers of the World’s Best Racehorse ratings as, until this year, the most recent Epsom Derby to earn that distinction was Sea The Stars in 2009.

The rankings this time, though, see last year’s Epsom Derby victor City Of Troy share the title of World’s Best Racehorse with Dubai World Cup victor Laurel River.

The duo shared a rating of 128, some way below superstars Equinox (135) and Flightline (140) from the last two years,

and equal with Crystal Ocean, Enable and Waldgeist – who owned joint billing top billing in 2019 – as the co-lowest rated champion overall champions.

If we look at ratings over the previous ten years for three-year-olds alone, though, City Of Troy is cast in a far more favourable light – he is equal with last year’s leader Ace Impact and above the likes of Equinox (as a three-year-old), Adayar, St. Mark’s Basilica, Authentic, Sottsass, Roaring Lion, Australia, Kingsman and The Grey Gatsby.

Perhaps as a reflection of how Tesio’s statement has dated, City Of Troy, the champion European two-year-old of 2023, didn’t actually earn his highest 2024 rating for his impressive Derby triumph – his high ranking win came for his Juddmonte International (G1) victory when he was a length to the good of the formidable older horse Calandagan.

Between those successes came a less eye-catching win in the Eclipse Stakes (G1) when he might have been ill-suited by the soft ground.

City Of Troy is from the remarkable second crop of the undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), whose progeny

City Of Troy wins the Epsom Derby, but it was not this success that propelled him to the top of the Word’s Best Racehorse Rankings, rather it was his victory at York in the Juddmonte International. The York Group 1 won accolades as the highest-rated race in the world last year

world’s best racehorse rankings

Whether the Justify/Galileo cross can match the achievements of its Coolmore predecessor, the cross of Galileo with Danehill mares, remains to be seen

in that crop also including the Eclipse Award-winning champion two-year-old filly

Just FYI, the European champion twoyear-old filly Opera Singer, Ramatuelle, the champion two-year-old filly in France and spectacular conqueror of older males this year in the Prix de la Forêt (G1), and Hard To Justify, who took the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

The preponderance of his best runners so far have been Turf performers, but that in part reflects the aptitude of a high proportion of the mares bred to him.

He has already been represented on the Dirt by not only Just FYI, but also the Grade 1 scorer Arabian Lion, and the other

graded scorers Verifying, Just Cindy, Champions Dream and Elwood Blues.

For good measure, Justify was also champion first-season sire in Australia.

City Of Troy is out of the Group 1-winning Together Forever, a sister to the Epsom Oaks heroine Forever Together, and a half-sister to another Group 1 winner in Lord Shanakill.

Together Forever is a daughter of Galileo, and City Of Troy is one of seven stakes winners by Justify out of a Galileo mare, and he already has Opera Singer out of a mare by Sadler’s Wells.

Whether this developing Justify/Galileo cross can match the achievements of its

Coolmore predecessor, the cross of Galileo with Danehill mares, remains to be seen, but it’s made a promising start to say the very least.

River: a bit of an enigma

Laurel River, the top older horse and top Dirt runner, achieved his rating with an astonishing eight and a half length win over Ushba Tesoror and Senor Buscador in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

The horse is a little bit of a mystery as he didn’t run again in 2024 after the World Cup, which was his first try beyond a mile, and the then six-year-old, who was making only his tenth start in the Group 1 Dubai headline race, had previously been campaigned as a sprinter/miler, a role in which he had won the 7f Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2).

That was back in August 2022, and the bay wasn’t seen in action again until his brief three-race Dubai winter campaign. Since the rankings were announced, he reappeared in the mile Firebreak Stakes (G3) missing by a short head, tiring late after setting fast early fractions.

Laurel River is the first horse trained in the UAE to top the rankings, and it’s noticeable the top ten horses this year were based in eight different countries – Ireland, UAE, Australia, France, Japan, the US, Hong Kong and Britain – and were foaled in the US, Ireland, Germany and Japan, with Britain and France also getting into the act if we drop just a point from the top ten.

The recognition of Laurel River as a joint-World Champion marks another milestone in the remarkable stud career of his sire Into Mischief.

A son of Harlan’s Holiday – by the Storm Cat stallion Harlan – Into Mischief stood as low as $7,500 in his second and third years at stud, but has risen to become the dominant US stallion of his era.

Last year marked his sixth consecutive year as leading sire in the US, by far the highest total achieved by a stallion in the 21st century, and a number exceeded in the previous century only by the eight titles earned by Bold Ruler.

For good measure, Into Mischief has also earned honours as the leading US sire of two-year-olds six times.

Laurel River: the son of Into Mischief won the 2024 Dubai World Cup by eight and a half lengths

Laurel River was bred by Juddmonte and is bred on the same cross of Into Mischief over an Empire Maker mare that produced Juddmonte’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun and six other stakes winners.

Calm Water, the dam of Laurel River, is a sister to the three-time Grade 1 winner Emollient, the dam of the Group winner Raclette and stakes winner Ardent.

The third dam Glia, a daughter of A.P. Indy, was a black-type winner in France and the US. She is out of Machiavellian’s sister Coup De Genie, going back to Northern Dancer’s half-sister Raise The Standard.

Into Mischief is beginning to make an impact in the second generation and, via his son Goldencents, he is grandsire of the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystick Dan (rated 120 on the World Rankings).

Kentucky Derby one-two

The horse that finished just a nose behind Mystik Dan at Churchill Downs, Sierra Leone, ended the year as joint top Dirt three-year-old, and was also the champion three-year-old colt in the US.

He’d been an enigma most of the year, a deep closer who usually failed to keep straight in the stretch and that was despite several changes of equipment, but in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) he found an ideal set up, sitting as far as 12l off a pace that would have not been out of place in a 6f sprint, before rallying to score by a length and a half.

Sierra Leone’s sire Gun Runner secured an award as US Horse of the Year after his victory in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He appears to be the potential heir to Into Mischief as the dominant sire of US Dirt performers, and, indeed, he was second to that horse on the 2024 North American Leading Sires’ table. He had a remarkable first crop with 18 stakes winners, 12 graded, including the champion two-year-old filly Echo Zulu and the Preakness Stakes (G1) scorer Early Voting.

Sierra Leone is from his third crop, and overall, he now has 37 stakes winners from his first four crops, 25 graded winners, ten Grade 1 winners from his first four crops. Alongside him at the top of the Dirt three-

Dirt three-year-old

The top

Sierra Leone (below, left) won the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, but it was nearly an upset with the Japanese horse Forever Young missing out in the US Classic by a pair of noses. He went on to win the Japan Dirt Classic and finish third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

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FIRST 2YOs 2025

By KODIAC - World Record Holder for 2-y-o winners

Now well regarded as a leading Sire of Sires

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winner of three races and £116,503 all over 5f incl.: EBF Novice Stakes Doncaster, LR National S. Sandown, Gr.2 Flying Childers S. Doncaster. Also 3rd Gr.2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, all at 2

First crop yearlings sold for 70,000gns, 62,000gns, £66,000, 60,000gns, etc.

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Brother to Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup winner EQTIDAAR

Gr.1 placed at 2, 3 and 4, Gr.2 winner over 7f

Black type horses include DOCKLANDS (Royal Ascot winner, Gr.1 placed in 2024 to Charyn), QUEUES LIKELY (Gr.3 winner, Gr.2 placed)

COCO JAMBOO (Gr.3 winner), MASCAPONE and MAS RAPIDO (both Stakes placed), etc.

2YO winners incl. QUEUE DOS, HOT TO DOT, PIRANHA RAMA (2 wins), etc.

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TEOFILO - MADANY (ACCLAMATION)

year-old rankings is Fierceness.

Last year’s champion two-year-old colt, he finished an heroic second to Sierra Leone in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after closely attending that suicidal early pace.

Fierceness did fail to fire in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but he took the Florida Derby (G1) by over 13l, the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) by a length over Sierra Leone and the Travers Stakes (G1) with Sierra Leone back in third and, although Sierra Leone did receive the year-end Eclipse Award, it’s our feeling that Fierceness is the more talented of the two.

Fortunately, we’ll have a chance to find out as both are set to remain in training for 2025.

Fierceness is from the second crop of City Of Light, a talented son of Quality Road, who was best at around a mile, and is out of a half-sister to the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner and sire Outwork.

Before leaving the US three-year-old Classic Dirt colts we’ll also mention that

they were all upstaged in the Kentucky Derby (G1) by the excellent Japanese-trained and bred Forever Young (121).

Undefeated in five races, including in the Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2), he missed victory under the Twin Spires by just a pair of noses and might well have prevailed had he not bumped with Sierra Leone, who wandered under pressure.

He went on to win the Japan Dirt Classic, take third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) beaten two and three-quarters of a length, and then ended the year with a win in the Tokyo Diashoten (G1).

He’s by Deep Impact’s son Real Steel, a brother to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) winner Loves Only You, and out of the US graded scorer Forever Darling (Congrats).

By one of those strange coincidences that appear in the racing game from time to time, Forever Darling is a three-quarters sister to the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner

Heavenly Love, dam of none other than Sierra Leone!

Anna: the world’s best Dirt female Second, by a fast-diminishing head in Fierceness’s Travers Stakes (G1) and ahead of Sierra Leone, was the excellent filly Thorpedo Anna.

That was her only loss in a seven-race campaign, six in Grade 1 events, her victories including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Her efforts resulted in recognition for Thorpedo Anna as the world’s best Dirt female, that title awarded a few days before her coronation as US Horse of the Year.

Thorpedo Anna, is by the deceased Fast Anna, a sprinting son of Medaglia D’Oro, who is about to start the 2025 breeding season at the age of 26-years-old.

Medaglia D’Oro is also sire of Rachel Alexandra, the only other three-year-old filly to take Horse of the Year crown.

Via Sistina: going from strength to strength

A female also usurped the males as best older Turf horse on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings – the six-year-old Irishbred mare Via Sistina.

She was an accomplished runner in Europe winning the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) and two other Group races, and taking second behind King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes (G1), but she has flourished since transferring to Australia.

She took five of seven southernhemisphere starts in 2024 winning the ATC Ranvet Stakes (G1), the ATC Winx Stakes (G1), the VRC Turnbull Stakes (G1), the W.S. Cox Plate (G1) in a remarkable 8l rout, and the VRC Mackinnon Stakes (G1), those races ranging from 7f to 1m2f.

The imponderable here is whether Via Sistina has really improved 10 points from 2023 to 2024?

Or was she in fact simply maintaining the form of her excellent second to King Of Steel in 2023 and has more than enough class to handle the Australia shorter middle-distance contingent?

Perhaps the truth lies between the two. Whatever is the reason, her mark of

Via Sistina: after her move Down Under is rated 10 points higher in this year’s rankings

world’s best racehorse rankings

127 requires us to believe that she would have decisively handled City Of Troy and Laurel River at weight for sex.

Via Sistina is by the Danehill stallion Fastnet Rock, a champion sprinter, multiple champion sire and a champion broodmare sire in Australia.

Her dam Nigh is a Galileo half-sister to the brilliant sprinter Kingsgate Native, and this is a reverse of the Galileo/Danehill cross.

This specific version has produced 30 stakes winners from 160 starters (19 per cent), 11 of them Group or Grade 1.

Three-way tie for the Sprinters

Looking at the leaders in different divisions and starting with the sprinters the top spot was filled by three different horses –Cogburn, I Wish I Win and Ka Ying Rising, who are all rated 121 (the lowest top rating for a sprinter since 2006).

The US-trained Cogburn had been a useful Dirt sprinter, but he made a major step forward after switching to Turf in the middle of 2023.

From then on he won six of eight starts, all in stakes races, including when taking the five and a half furlong Jaipur Stakes (G1) in a world-record 59.80sec.

He is by Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway), a horse who has quickly made his way to a position among North America’s top sires. Not This Time, who only raced a two, and who was beaten inches for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), is particularly notable as an extremely versatile stallion, both in terms of surface and distance, and this year he’s also represented on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings by Next, a rare North American runner to be represented in the Extended distance category.

Cogburn is out of a mare by a son of Saint Ballado, a sister to the champion Glorious Song, the dam of Giant’s Causeway’s broodmare sire Rahy.

I Wish I Win and Ka Ying Rising were both born in New Zealand, a region that has historically been more associated with stamina, unlike its fellow antipodean county across the Tasman Sea.

A joint-champion older male in Australia, I Wish I Win won the ATC T. J. Smith Stakes

(G1) and BRC Kingsford Smith Cup (G1) at the highest level.

In line with his New Zealand heritage, I Wish I Win does actually have plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

His sire Savabeel was best at 1m2f and twice won Grade 1 events over the distance, and he’s a half-brother to Another Dollar, a Group-winning and Group 1-placed runner, who won at up to 1m3f.

He’s also closely related to Strike The Stars, a Group race winner by Savabeel who won at up to two miles. A champion sire in New Zealand nine times, Savaebeel is by Zabeel, a son of Sir Tristram, and his third dam is by that same seminal influence.

By way of balance, I Wish I Win’s dam is a sprinter by speed influence Pins and out of the precocious sprinter/miler Starcent.

Ka Ying Rising has spent his entire career in Hong Kong and has won 10 of 12 starts (the JKJC Centernary Sprint (G1) in 2025) and defeated international challengers in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1).

He is by Shamexpress from a male-line that goes back via O’Reilly and Last Tycoon to El Gran Senor’s brother Try My Best, and out of a mare by the Street Cry horse Per Incanto.

The top sprint female on 119 was Imperatriz. Foaled in Australia, she’s been a Horse of the Year, a champion three-yearold, twice a champion sprinter in New Zealand and a champion older mare and a champion sprinter in Australia.

She has won 10 Group 1 races and is by I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), a champion Australian sire for each of the last three years, and out of a Shamardal mare.

Charyn leads the Mile division

The Mile category was topped by Charyn on 124, and although that was the lowest figure for a leader in this division the last 20 years, it was sufficient to make him the top European older horse on these rankings.

A son of Dark Angel (another from the Try My Best line, this time via Acclamation), Charyn improved considerably from three to four with his 2024 victories including the Sandown Mile (G2), the Queen Anne Stakes (G1), the Prix Jacques Le Marois (G1) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).

A brother to the Group winner Wings Of War, Charyn is out of the stakes-placed Futoon, and is a major recruit

Cogburn: improved for transferring to Turf, and won the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes in a record time

to the French stallion ranks for 2025.

The leading Dirt miler and three-year-old miler was Fierceness, and the top female in that category was Thorpedeo Anna, both already mentioned.

Girls led by Ramatuelle and Porta Fortuna

The top Turf female milers tied on 117 were the three-year-olds Porta Fortuna and Ramatuelle.

After going down by a neck to Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas (G1), Porta Fortuna ran up a sequence with wins in the Coronation Stakes (G1), the Falmouth Stakes (G1) and the Matron Stakes (G1).

She is a daughter of the Scat Daddy horse Caravaggio, who is now in Japan, out of a Holy Roman Emperor mare who is a sister to the Australian Group race winner Numerian. She’s from a branch of the Aga Khan family that goes back to Masakaand was represented by the leading Extended distance three-year-old Milan, who is out of a half-sister to Porta Fortuna’s third dam.

Ramatuelle – last season’s top French two-year-old – ran third in the 1,000 Guineas (G1) and the Coronation Stakes (G1) before dropping back to 7f and comprehensively outpointing a field that included older males in the Prix de la Forêt (G1).

From the same Justify crop as City Of Troy, she is the first foal of Raven’s Lady, a winner of the Goldene Peitsche (G2) in Germany and the Summer Stakes (G3) in England.

On the same mark the top older Turf females in this division were the Australian duo Bella Nipotina and Fangirl.

Bella Nipotina was really more of a sprinter and won the valuable The Everest and the Doombend Ten Thousand at 6f, although she did stretch out to 7f to capture the Tatt’s RC Tattersall’s Tiara (G1).

She’s by Street Cry’s son Pride Of Dubai and out of a mare by Star Witness.

Fangirl won a Group 2, but was also a good second against males in the ATC Chipping Nortonn Stakes (G1).

By the now deceased More Than Ready son Sebring, Fangirl is out of the stakes -winning Encosta De Lago mare, Little Surfer Girl.

The historically low ratings continued with the 126 awarded to the top horse in middle-distance category Goliath

Friendly Soul on 116 heads the Intermediate

We’ve already discussed City Of Troy, Laurel River and Via Sistina, the top Turf and Dirt horse and the top female Turf runner in the Intermediate category on Turf and Dirt, as well as Sierra Leone and Fierceness, who were the top Dirt threeyear-olds.

We have to got all the way down to 116 to find the top three-year-old filly, the Prix de l’Opera (G1) heroine Friendly Soul.

She’s by Kingman out of the Group winner

In Clover (Inchinor), the dam of six other stakes winners, including the Group 1 winners Call The Wind, With You and We Are, and granddam of another scorer at the highest level in Kelina.

Gelding Goliath heads up the middle-distance division

The historically low ratings continued with the 126 awarded to the top horse in middledistance category Goliath, who earned his mark with a two and a half length victory over subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) heroine Bluestocking in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).

This race was run at a breakneck pace, which effectively eliminated Auguste Rodin and Rebel’s Romance from contention, but brought out the best in Goliath, who unveiled form considerably in advance of anything he’d previously shown.

A gelding, and so not eligible for the Arc, Goliath then added the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) and a sixth place finish in the Japan Cup (G1) to his resume.

The German-bred Goliath is by the late Adlerflug, previously best-known as the sire

Christophe Soumillon made the most of the ridiculous early pace to come through and win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Goliath, a son of the late Alderflug

world’s best racehorse rankings

of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) victor Torquator Tasso.

Adlerflug was by In the Wings, a son of Sadler’s Wells, and his granddam Alya was a sister to the granddam of Sadler’s Wells’ great son Galileo meaning that Adlerflug was bred on similar lines to that horse.

Goliath is out of the stakes-winning Sharmardal mare Gouache and his second dam, the stakes winner Guantana, is out of Guadalupe, who was a joint-top three-yearold filly in Germany.

One point below Goliath was his Japan Cup (G1) conqueror Do Deuce, who was a champion two-year-old colt in Japan in 2021, and earned Horse of the Year honours in the country for 2024.

He’s bred on a formula that has been central to the rise in prominence of Japanese bloodstock – the cross of a Sunday Silence-line sire, here Heart’s Cry, out of an imported mare who was a top-class racehorse.

In this instance it is Dust And Diamonds, a multiple graded stakes winner second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Bluestocking goes Long Bluestocking, the top female in the Long category, ended her career on high-note with successive victories in the Prix Vermeille (G1) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

She is by Camelot out of the Group 1winning Emulous, a Dansili mare whose sister Daring Diva is the granddam of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun.

She has an interesting pedigree pattern as Camelot’s dam Tarfah is a Mr. Prospector/ Danehill cross, and Emulous is a Danehill/ Mr. Prospector cross.

Aventure, winner of the Prix de Pomone (G2) and Prix de Royaumont (G3) and runner-up to Bluestocking in both the Prix Vemeille (G1) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), was the top three-year-old filly in this division on 120.

She’s by Sea The Stars, and is a half-sister to the Vermeille winner Left Hand. Her dam, the Group-winning Balladeuse (Singspiel), is a half-sister to Plumania, heroine of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1), and to the dam of Double Major, the champion threeyear-old stayer in France in 2023.

Kyprios: the star stayer

Among the stayers, Kyprios was a more historically representative top-weight on 122, three points below the benchmark established by Stradivarius in 2020, and two points lower then when Kyprios himself headed the ratings in 2022, but equal or higher to the leader in eight of the last 20 years.

The six-year-old went seven for seven, all in black-type events, including the Ascot Gold Cup (G1), the Goodwood Cup (G1), the Irish St. Leger (G1) and the Prix du Cadran (G1).

By Galileo out of the Danehill mare Polished Gem, Kyprios is a sister to Search For A Song, multiple times Europe’s top staying mare, and a three-quarters brother to the Group 1 winner Free Eagle.

The rest of the world

The highest-rated horse foaled outside of the US, Europe, Japan, Australia or New Zealand is Subsanador (118), who was bred in Argentina where he was champion two-year-old colt.

He has transfered to the US, and racing in California, the son of the Distorted Humor stallion Fortify won the California Crown (G1) for Wathnan Racing.

Chile’s Kay Army (117) is undefeated in 10 starts, six Grade 1, in his native country, and has also migrated to the US. He’s by the Chilean-bred Scat Daddy son Katmai.

On the same mark are the South African pair, See It Again and Main Defender.

See It Again, who is by the Juddmonte International (G1) winner Twice Over and a three-quarters brother to Twice Over’s South African Champion Do It Again, won the Cape Derby (G1) and Daily News 2,000 (G1), while Main Defender, a son of the Irish champion two-year-old colt Pathfork, took the Horse Chestnut Stakes (G1).

At 116 comes Brazil’s Opazo, whose victories included the Grande Premio Jockey de Sao Paulo (G1).

He is by Uncle Mo’s son Rally Cry out of the Brazilian stakes winner by Macho Uno.

On 115, Peru is represented by Don Feres, the champion Peruvian Turf Horse, and by Singe The Turf (Galileo), a brother to Heliostatic, himself a standout sire in South America, and Soldier Of Fortune.

Argentine bred Subsanador (centre): the highest-rated horse bred outside the major racing nations

world’s best racehorse rankings

Leading World’s Best Racehorse Rankings 2024:

to horses rated 118

128

123

128

127

126 L T Goliath (GER)

125 I T Calandagan (IRE)

125

125

123

Of Light Nonna Bella Stay Thirsty Repole Stable USA

125 I T Romantic Warrior (IRE) 2018 G Acclamation Folk Melody Street Cry Peter Lau Pak Fai HK

125 I D Sierra Leone (USA) 2021 C Gun Runner Heavenly Love Malibu Moon Mrs J. Magnier, M. Tabor et al USA

124 M T Charyn (IRE) 2020 C Dark Angel Futoon Kodiac Nurlan Bizakov GB

123 I T Anmaat (IRE) 2018 G Awtaad African Moonlight Halling Shadwell Estate Company Ltd GB

123 L T Durezza (JPN) 2020 C Duramente More Than Sacred More Than Ready Carrot Farm Co Ltd JPN

123 I T Economics (GB) 2021 C Night Of Thunder La Pomme D’Amour Peintre Celebre Isa Salman Al Khalifa GB

123 L T Rebel’s Romance (IRE) 2018 G Dubawi Minidress Street Cry Godolphin UAE

123 L T Shin Emperor (FR) 2021 C Siyouni Starlet’s Sister Galileo Susumu Fujita JPN

122 M T Audience (GB) 2019 G Ifraaj Ladyship Oasis Dream Cheveley Park Stud GB

122 I T Auguste Rodin (IRE) 2020 C Deep Impact Rhododendron Galileo Tabor,Smith, Magnier & Westerberg IRE

122 L T Bluestocking (GB) 2020 F Camelot Emulous Dansili Juddmonte GB

122 E T Kyprios (IRE) 2018 H Galileo Polished Gem Danehill Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith & Westerberg IRE

122 M T Notable Speech (GB) 2021 C Dubawi Swift Rose Invincible Spirit Godolphin GB

122 M T Rosallion (IRE) 2021 C Blue Point Rosaline New Approach Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum GB

122 L T Rousham Park (JPN) 2019 H Harbinger Reinette Groove King Kamehameha Sunday Racing Co Ltd JPN

122 I T White Birch (GB) 2020 C Ulysses Diagnostic Dutch Art Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez IRE

121 L T Blow The Horn (JPN) 2019 H Epipheneia Haltclere Durandal Makio Okada JPN

121 S T Cogburn (USA) 2019 H Not This Time In A Jif Saintly Look Brewster, Heiligbrodt & Corinne Heiligbrodt USA

121 M D Dornoch (USA) 2021 C Good Magic Puca Big Brown West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable et al USA

121 I D Forever Young (JPN) 2021 C Real Steel Forever Darling Congrats Susumu Fujita JPN

121 L T Giavellotto (IRE) 2019 H Mastercraftsman Gerika Galileo Scuderia La Tesa Limited & Vaibhav Shah GB

121 S T I Wish I Win (NZ) 2018 G Savabeel Make A Wish Pins M. J. Chittick & P. J. Moody AUS

121 S T Ka Ying Rising (NZ) 2020 G Shamexpress Missy Moo Per Incanto Ka Ying Syndicate HK

121 L T Los Angeles (IRE) 2021 C Camelot Frequential Dansili Westerberg, Mrs J. Magnier, M. Tabor & D. Smith IRE

121 M D National Treasure (USA) 2020 C Quality Road Treasure Medaglia D’Oro SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing et al USA

121 L T Shahryar (JPN) 2018 H Deep Impact Dubai Majesty Essence Of Dubai Sunday Racing Co Ltd JPN

121 M T Soul Rush (JPN) 2018 H Rulership Eternal Bouquet Manhattan Café Tatsue Ishikawa JPN

120 I, L T Al Riffa (FR) 2020 C Wootton Bassett Love On My Mind Galileo Al Riffa Syndicate IRE

120 L T Aventure (IRE) 2021 F Sea The Stars Balladeuse Singspiel Wertheimer & Frere FR

120 L T Danon Decile (JPN) 2021 C Epipheneia Top Decile Congrats Danox Co Ltd JPN

120 M T Facteur Cheval (IRE) 2019 G Ribchester Jawlaat Shamardal Team Valor International & Gary Barber FR

120 L T Fantastic Moon (GER) 2020 C Sea The Moon Frangipani Jukebox Jury Liberty Racing 2021 GER

120 S T Giga Kick (AUS) 2019 G Scissor Kick Rekindled Applause Royal Applause Pinecliff Racing Syndicate AUS

120 M T Henry Longfellow (IRE) 2021 C Dubawi Minding Galileo M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs J. Magnier IRE

120 I T Look de Vega (FR) 2021 C Lope De Vega Lucelle High Chaparral Haras de La Morsangliere FR

120 M T Master of The Seas (IRE) 2018 G Dubawi Firth Of Lorne Danehill Godolphin GB

120 M T Mr Brightside (NZ) 2017 G Bullbars Lilahjay Tavistock Lindsay Park Bloodstock, Green Shorts Racing et al AUS

120 I D Mystik Dan (USA) 2021 C Goldencents Ma’am Colonel John Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC et al USA

120 I T Pride of Jenni (AUS) 2017 M Pride Of Dubai Sancerre O’Reilly A. Ottobre, Mrs L. Ottobre & M. Ottobre AUS

120 S T Private Eye (AUS) 2017 G Al Maher Confidential Queen Shamardal P. Yates, J. Allen et al AUS

120 I T Prognosis (JPN) 2018 H Deep Impact Velda Observatory Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd JPN

120 M D Senor Buscador (USA) 2018 H Mineshaft Rose’s Desert Desert God Joe R. Peacock Jr USA

The son of Lope De Vega heads up the 2024 European Two-Year-Old Classifications, a table with 23 stallions represented by juveniles of last year rated over 110

Shadow is in the Light

THERE ARE 42 horses rated 110 upwards in the European Two-Year-Old Classifications of 2024 and the list was headed by Godolphin’s Lope De Vega colt Shadow Of Light (rated 120).

Charlie Appleby’s crack juvenile raced five times, winning four of those outings and he finished his two-year-old campaign with a Newmarket Group 1 double in the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes.

whose 2024 first-crop was headed by Daylight (110 on this list), winner of the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville and placed also in both the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) and Prix Morny (G1).

Winters Moon, also a homebred, out of the Darshaan mare Summertime Legacy, was a very decent two-year-old herself rated 99 and was a debut winner at Newmarket’s July meeting prior to placing next start in the Sweet Solara Stakes (G3).

Winters Moon finished her first season with a fine third behind Together Forever, dam no less of City Of Troy, in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile. Sandwiched between them in that race was Agnes Stewart, dam of Fallen Angel who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2024.

At 119, the 2024 next best, and highestrated filly, is Lake Victoria.

The daughter of Frankel had an unblemished season winning each of her five

Expanded’s rating perhaps is a

Shadow Of Light: the top-rated horse on the 2024 European 2yo Classifications by Lope De Vega and out of a New Approach mare

little surprising given that his only other race was when he was seen winning a Curragh maiden.

Clearly that figure is due to his proximity to Shadow Of Light, but he must have shown something to the assessors to be rated higher than Wootton Bassett’s four juvenile Group 1-winning two-year-olds of 2024–Henri Matisse (116), Camille Pissarro (114), Twain (113) and Tennessee Stud at 110.

The Lion In Winter is Sea The Stars’ sole representative on this list and he followed up his debut Curragh maiden victory with a fluid win in the Acomb Stakes (G3) at York.

He went to the top of the ante-post lists for both the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, but a foot injury prevented him lining up against Shadow Of Light in the Dewhurst.

No such list would be complete without mention of Dubawi and his two representatives here are Ancient Truth (117) and Delacroix (116).

Ancient Truth won three of his four races, including the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and met his only defeat when third to stablemate Shadow Of Light in the Dewhurst.

He is out of the Australia mare Beyond Reason, who won a pair of Group races at Deauville as a juvenile.

Delacroix was successful in the 7f Autumn Stakes at Newmarket for Aidan O’Brien prior to going down a nose in an all-out battle with Hotazhell (rated 117 and by Too Darn Hot)

in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster. Delacroix is out of the champion mare Tepin (Bernstein), winner of six Group 1 races.

Too Darn Hot had another good year on the track and was also responsible for the 111-rated Simmering, successful for Ollie Sangster in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, the Prix du Calvados at Deauville and ran second to Lake Victoria in the Moyglare Stakes (G1).

Young sires well represented

There’s a consensus that the leading stallions with their first two-year-olds of 2024 were a decent group and that was borne out by several siring representatives on this list, including Ghaiyyath (Stanhope Garden 111).

Both Hello Youmzain (Electrolyte 112, Misunderstood 110) and Kameko (Wimbledon Hawkeye 114, New Century 110) have two representatives, with the latter’s horses really looking as though they will train on as three-year-olds and will benefit from a touch further in their races – Wimbledon Hawkeye and New Century listed were seen to good effect at the end of their Group and Grade 1s in 2024.

Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Sergei Prokofiev’s is represented by the 110-rated Arizona Blaze, who is on the same rating as Eathlight’s Daylight.

The handicapper’s view

Graeme Smith, BHA handicapping team leader

“Shadow of Light became just the third horse in more than a century to win both the Middle Park and Dewhurst, with his runaway success in the first of those earning him the title of European champion two-year-old of 2024 with a rating of 120.

“What’s unusual about this year’s classification is the level of competition at the top. There are eight horses rated between 117 and 120, and that really whets the appetite for some enthralling competition in their Classic season ahead.”

IHRB handicapper Mark Bird

“Lake Victoria created her own piece of history on the way to emerging as the champion European two-year-old filly for 2024 by becoming the only champion filly in the history of the classifications to win three Group/Grade 1 races at the age of two.

“Almost as remarkable, the daughter of Frankel recorded top-level wins at 6f, 7f and a mile, as well as in three different countries.

“She ranks second only to Minding [2015] among Aidan O’Brien’s eight champion European two-year-old fillies to date and matches the feat previously only achieved this century by Found [2014] in becoming the outright two-year-old champion ahead of the colts in her native Ireland, a country which this year had the highest number of horses on the juvenile classification for the first time ever.”

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies winner Lake Victoria: made history with three top-level victories

Aidan O’Brien: 12 of top juveniles in 2024

2yo classifications

European 2yo Classifications

2024: through to horses rated 110

Rating Horse Sex Trainer Sire Dam Dam sire Breeder

120 Shadow of Light (GB) C Charlie Appleby Lope De Vega Winters Moon New Approach Godolphin

119 Lake Victoria (IRE) F Aidan O’Brien Frankel Quiet Reflection Showcasing Coolmore

118 Expanded (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Wootton Bassett Jigsaw Galileo Whisperview Trading Ltd

118 The Lion In Winter (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Sea The Stars What A Home Lope De Vega Sunderland Holding Inc

117 Ancient Truth C Charlie Appleby Dubawi Beyond Reason Australia Godolphin

117 Desert Flower (IRE) F Charlie Appleby Night Of Thunder Promising Run Hard Spun Godolphin

117 Hotazhell (GB) C Jessica Harrington Too Darn Hot Azenzar Danehill Dancer Blue Diamond Stud Farm

117 Scorthy Champ (IRE) C Joseph O’Brien Mehmas Fidaaha New Approach Healthy Wood Co Ltd

116 Delacroix (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Dubawi Tepin Bernstein Tepin Syndicate

116 Henri Matisse (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Wootton Bassett Immortal Verse Pivotal Immortal Verse Syndicate

114 Camille Pissarro (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Wootton Bassett Entreat Pivotal Cn Farm Ltd

114 Vertical Blue (IRE) F Francis-Henri Graffard Mehmas Krunch Sea The Stars Haras Diu Mont Dit Mont

114 Whistlejacket (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien No Nay Never Adventure Seeker Bering Camas, Lynch Bages & Summerhill

114 Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) C James Owen Kameko Eva Maria Sea The Stars Stetch worth & Middle Park Studs Ltd

113 Aomori City (FR) C Charlie Appleby Oasis Dream Setsuko Shamardal S C E A Haras De Saint Pair & S A S Ec

113 Babouche (GB) F Ger Lyons Kodiac Pavlosk Arch Juddmonte Farms Ltd

113 Rashabar (IRE) C Brian Meehan Holy Roman Emperor Amazonka Camelot Sarl Ecurie Haras De Beaufay

113 Seagulls Eleven (IRE) C Hugo Palmer Galileo Gold Thrilled Kodiac Tally-Ho Stud

113 Twain (IRE) C Aidan O’Brien Wootton Bassett Wading Montjeu Coolmore

113 Zarigana (GB) F Francis-Henri Graffard Siyouni Zarkamiya Frankel S A Aga Khan

112 Electrolyte (IRE) C Archie Watson Hello Youmzain Bibury Royal Applause Bibury Partnership

112 Exactly (IRE) F Aidan O’Brien Frankel Heartache Kyllachy Coolmore

112 Green Impact (IRE) C Jessica Harrington Wootton Bassett Emerald Green Galileo M Chan

112 Magnum Force (IRE) C Ger Lyons Maximum Security Tapped Twice Curlin Gary & Mary West Stables Inc

112 Maranoa Charlie (FR) C Christopher Head Wootton Bassett Koubalibre Galileo Etreham, Riviera Equine & Zur Kuste Ag

112 Ruling Court (USA) C Charlie Appleby Justify Inchargeofme High Chaparral Nursery Place, Manfuso & Wilhite

111 Bedtime Story (IRE) F Aidan O’Brien Frankel Mecca’s Angel Dark Angel Coolmore

111 Cool Hoof Luke (GB) C Andrew Balding Advertise Dutch Monument Dutch Art Tony Nerses

111 Red Letter (GB) F Ger Lyons Frankel Red Impression Dark Angel Juddmonte Farms Ltd

111 Simmering (GB) F Ollie Sangster Too Darn Hot Cashla Bay Fastnet Rock Lofts Hall Stud

111 Stanhope Gardens (IRE) C Ralph Beckett Ghaiyyath Pure Art Dutch Art Tullpark Ltd

110 Al Qudra (IRE) C Charlie Appleby No Nay Never Piece Of Paradise Holy Roman Emperor Rockfield Farm

110 Arizona Blaze (GB) C Adrian Murray Sergei Prokofiev Liberisque Equiano Andrew Bengough & Partners

110 Bay City Roller (IRE) C George Scott New Bay Bloomfield Teofilo John Connaughton

110 Daylight (FR) F Patrice Cottier Earthlight Latita Silver Frost Ecurie Haras Du Cadran & P Van Belle

110 Fairy Godmother (IRE) F Aidan O’Brien Night Of Thunder Scintilating Siyouni] Ballyphilip Stud

110 Misunderstood (FR) C Mario Baratti Hello Youmzain Waldjagd Observatory Ecurie De Cachene & P Charel

110 Mount Kilimanjaro (FR) C Aidan O’Brien Siyouni Decorating Galileo Glen Hill Farm

110 New Century (GB) C Andrew Balding Kameko Potent Embrace Street Cry The Potent Embrace Partnernship

110 Royal Playwright (GB) C Andrew Balding Lope De Vega Arabian Queen Dubawi Littleton Stud

110 Sky Majesty (IRE) F William Haggas Blue Point Majestic Alexander Bushranger Mountarmstrong Stud

110 Tennessee Stud (IRE) C Joseph O’Brien Wootton Bassett In My Dreams Sadler’s Wells Mrs Ann Marie O’Brien

Accelerate

US stakes-winning sires 2024

Sugar Fish (Langfuhr) ................................. 2 2

Adaay

Balnikhov (First Defence) 3

Aikenite

Decoy (Tiznow)................................................. L

Air Force Blue

Fast As Flight (Tiznow) 3

Joe Shiesty (More Than Ready) .................. L

Al Wukair

La Mehana (Dansili) 3 L

Alhebayeb

Cathkin Peak (Footstepsinthesand) L

Always Dreaming

Bricklayer (Tiznow).......................................... L

Saudi Crown (Tapit) 3 L

Tocayo (Ghostzapper) .................................... L

American Pharoah

Deep Satin (Chester House) L

Flag of Honour (Stratum) .............................3

Forever Souper (War Front) L L

Jody’s Pride (Scat Daddy) ............................. L

Kathynmarissa (Milt’s Overture) L

Sweet Rebecca (Discreet Cat) L

Upper Case (Smart Strike) ............................ L

Waskesiu (Bernardini) 3

Army Mule

Federal Judge (Congaree) ............................2

Midnight Mascot (Midnight Lute) L

Arrogate

Apprehend (Street Hero) ..............................3

Dragoon Guard (Mizzen Mast) 3 3

Everland (Tapit) ................................................ L

Just Basking (Blame) L

Linda’s Gift (Tapit) .....................................

Mr Fisk (Manduro)

Seize The Grey (Smart Strike)

Tiny Temper (Blame) 2

Winterfell (Forest Wildcat) L

Astern

Asternia (Super Saver) ................................... L

Phileas Fogg (More Than Ready) L

Atreides Soul Of An Angel (The Factor) ............ 1 2 3

Audible Life’s An Audible (Data Link) 3

My Mane Squeeze (Speightstown) ...... 2 3

From Weatherbys / Global Stallions App

Awesome Slew

Hades (Quality Road) .....................................3

Awtaad

Anisette (Teofilo) 1 2

Bahamian Squall

Spirit Wind (Awesome of Course) .............2

Belardo

Bellabel (Cape Cross) 3

Gold Phoenix (Mizzen Mast) ................... 2

Bernardini

Tarifa (Awesome Again) 2

Big Blue Kitten Cellist (English Channel) 3

Big Screen

Cruden Bay (Bold Executive) .......................2

Blame

Crazy Frazy (Medaglia d’Oro) L Pigalle (Flatter) ..................................................

Blue Point

Raqiya (Dansili)

Bolt D’oro

Fulmineo (First Dude)

Major Dude (Distorted Humor) .................2 Ruby Nell (Not For Love)

Brethren Octane (Aldebaran) ........................................3

Bucchero

Book’em Danno (Ghostzapper) 1

Cairo Prince

Cairo Caper (Summer Front) .......................

Cairo Consort (Street Cry)

Creative Cairo (Creative Cause) ..................

Honey Pants (Afternoon Deelites)

Paros (Trappe Shot)

Unmatched Wisdom (Pure Prize)

Cajun Breeze Dean Delivers (Yes It’s True)

California Chrome Alogon (Scat Daddy) ..................................

Candy Ride Candied (Roaring Fever)

Show (Tapit)........................................

Most Wanted (Distorted Humor)

Senbei (Western Cat) .....................................3

Caracaro

Casalu (Medaglia d’Oro)................................ L

Caravaggio

The Grey Wizard (Galileo) 2 L Whitebeam (Oasis Dream) ...........................1

Carpe Diem

Kinza (Quality Road) 3 3

Catalina Cruiser

Artislas (Into Mischief) 3 L

Churchill

Poolside With Slim (Epaulette) ...................2

City of Light

Battle of Normandy (Kitten’s Joy) 3

Chop Chop (Giant’s Causeway).............. 3 3

Fierceness (Stay Thirsty) 1 1 2

Formidable Man (Silent Name) ...........1 2 L

Mentee (Stay Thirsty) 3 Cityscape

Classic Empire

Alpine Princess (Curlin) ................................. L

Frankie’s Empire (Dixie Union) L Miss Lizzy (Bernardini) ................................... L

Cloud Computing

I’m Very Busy (Kissin Kris) 2

Clubhouse Ride

Chismosa (Cat Dreams) 3 L

Coal Front

Coal Battle (Midshipman)............................. L

Collected

Conclude (Proud Citizen) 2

Henro (Street Cry) ............................................ L

Iron Man Cal (Kitten’s Joy) 3

Lemon Muffin (Canadian Frontier) ...........3

Thought Process (Creative Cause) 3 L

Vive Veuve (Lope de Vega) ........................... L

Complexity

Mensa (Medaglia d’Oro) ............................... L

Mo Plex (Uncle Mo) 3

Connect

Apple Picker (Yes It’s True)........................ 3 L

Implicated (Tale of The Cat)

Rattle N Roll (Johannesburg) ......................2 Witwatersrand (Medaglia d’Oro) L Constitution

Freedom (Pioneerof The Nile)2

Liberty (Declaration of War).......

Jay (Into Mischief) L

(More Than Ready) .......................

Pin Up Betty (Into Mischief) 3 Promise Keeper (Curlin) ................................ L

Sunshine (Unbridled’s Song) 2

(Mizzen Mast) ..........................3

Tax (Majestic

Spirit And Glory by Cotai Glory. She won twice at Listed level last year and was originally bought at Keeneland by Howson & Houldsworth

us stakes-winning sires

Skinner (Malibu Moon) 3

Solo Album (Arch) ...........................................3

Zeitlos (Redoute’s Choice) 2 L L

Daddy Long Legs

Works For Me (Soldat).................................... L

Declaration of War

Big Invasion (Curlin) L

Demarchelier

Watchtower (Exchange Rate) .....................3

Distorted Humor

A Game (Bernardini) 3

Five Star General (Bernardini) ..................... L

Laughing Boy (Congrats) L

Divisidero

Abrumar (Istan) L

Dortmund

Brunacini (Wilburn).........................................3

Drosselmeyer

Evidencias (Kingmambo) L

Filo di Arianna (Northern Afleet) ........... 2 2

Dubawi

Francesco Clemente (Galileo) 3

Idea Generation (Galileo) .............................2

Master of The Seas (Danehill) 1

Opulent Restraint (Creative Cause) .......... L

Rebel’s Romance (Street Cry) 1

Empire Maker

Bellamore (Smart Strike) ...............................3

Messier (Smart Strike) 3

English Channel

Charcoal (Van Nistelrooy) L Far Bridge (Kitten’s Joy) 1 1

Running Bee (El Prado) 3 L L

War Like Goddess (North Light) ................3

Enticed

Visually (Candy Ride) 3

Eskendereya

Tut’s Revenge (Pleasantly Perfect) ............ L

Exaggerator

Skippylongstocking (War Chant) 2 2 3

Fast Anna

Thorpedo Anna (Uncle Mo) 1

Fed Biz

Grooms All Bizness (Candy Ride)............... L

Firing Line

Nakatomi (Flatter) 1

Fortify

Subsanador (Hurricane Cat) .................... 1 3

Frankel

Lake Victoria (Showcasing) 1 1 3

McKulick (Makfi) ........................................... 2 3

Measured Time (Street Cry) 1

Frost Giant

Smithwick’s Spice (Good And Tough) L

Frosted

Frost Free (Union Rags) 3

Post Time (Fairbanks) 2 3

Winterberry (Bellamy Road) ........................ L

Full Mast

Full Serrano (Jump Start) 1

Funtastic

First Peace (Point of Entry) ....................... 2 L

Galileo

Warm Heart (Fastnet Rock) 1

Game Winner

Gaming (Johannesburg) ..............................1

Get Stormy Get Smokin (Smoke Glacken) 2 3

Ghostzapper Dr Venkman (Archarcharch) 2

Gal In A Rush (Dynaformer) 3

Moira (Unbridled’s Song) 1 2

Segesta (First Defence) ..................................2

Stronghold (Jimmy Creed) 1 3

Girvin

Closethegame Sugar (Magna Graduate)L L Stunner (Hard Spun) ...................................... L

Goldencents

Gould’s Gold (Bernardini) L

J B Strikes Back (Scat Daddy) ......................2

Mystik Dan (Colonel John) 1 3

Goldikovic Ice Chocolat (Northern Afleet) ...................3

Good Magic

Dornoch (Big Brown) 1 1 2

Mixto (Concerto) ..............................................1

Muth (Uncle Mo) 1 2 L

One Magic Philly (Empire Maker)..............3

Society Man (Colonel John) 3

Grazen

Connie Swingle (Sky Mesa) ......................... L

Johnny Podres (Harlan’s Holiday) L

Great Notion

Coastal Mission (Crowd Pleaser)............ 3 L

Future Is Now (Bernardini) 2 2 L

Gun Runner

Bullard (Warrior’s Reward) 3

Chatalas (Indian Charlie) 3

Dimatic (Tapit) L

Gun Pilot (Smart Strike).................................1

Gun Song (Mr Greeley) 2

Il Miracolo (Tapit) .............................................3

Locked (Malibu Moon) 2

Red Route One (Tapit) ............................... 2 3

Runninsonofagun (Malibu Moon) 3

Shotgun Hottie (Malibu Moon) ................. L

Sierra Leone (Malibu Moon) 1 1 2

Society (Tapit) ...................................................1

Unload (Tapit) L

Vahva (Harlan’s Holiday) ........................... 1 3

World Record (Exceed And Excel) 2

Hard Spun

Built (Curlin) ....................................................... L

Elysian Field (Smart Strike) 3

Highway Robber (Lemon Drop Kid)..... 3 L

Informed Patriot (Grand Slam) L

Sparkle Blue (Smart Strike) 2

He’s Had Enough Lord Eddard Stark (Macho Uno) ................ L

Heeraat Lammas (Speightstown) 3 Holy Roman Emperor

Rhapsody (Rip Van Winkle) ......... L

Honor Code Essex Serpent (Medaglia d’Oro) 3 Honor D Lady (Blame) ............................... 2 3

Improbable

Governor Sam (Into Mischief) L

Instilled Regard

Minaret Station (Sir Prancealot) .................2

Intello Kertez

Medoro (English Channel) 3 L Il Doge Planetario (Crimson Tide) .............................3

Khozan

R Harper Rose (Yes It’s True) 3

Kodiac

Pipsy (High Chaparral) ...................................3

Star of Mystery (Shamardal) 3

Le Havre

Royalty Interest (Shamardal).......................3

Leofric

Roanan Goddess (Midnight Lute) L

Liam’s Map

Deterministic (Speightstown) ............

Hot Fudge (Into Mischief) L Roses For Debra (Bernardini)

Literato

Beaute Cachee (Hurricane Run)

Lookin At Lucky Mrs Astor (Creative Cause) .......................

Pounce (Twirling Candy)

Lope de Vega

Carl Spackler (More Than Ready) ...

Ozara (Acclamation) L

Program Trading (Oasis Dream).................1 Silver Knott (Nathaniel)

Lord Nelson

Alva Starr (Into Mischief) ..........................

Dresden Row (Giant’s Causeway)

(Warrior’s Reward).........

Maclean’s Music

Girl Named Charlie (Dynaformer) L

Malibu Moon

Nothing Like You (Brother Derek) 2

Mark Valeski

Frosted Grace (Thunder Gulch) .................3

Mastercraftsman

Master Piece (Proud Citizen) 2

Maximus Mischief

Maximus Meridius (Quiet American)....... L

Raging Torrent (Violence) 1 2 L

McKinzie

Chancer McPatrick (Bernardini) 1 1

Scottish Lassie (Bodemeister).....................1

Medaglia d’Oro

Delahaye (War Front) 3 L East Avenue (Ghostzapper) .........................1

Good Cheer (Street Sense) 2 L Grand Sonata (A P Indy) ................................2

Loved (Bernardini) 3

Shifty (Elusive Quality)................................... L

Spirit of St Louis (Lemon Drop Kid) L Ticker Tape Home (War Front) ....................3

Mehmas

Magnum Force (Fastnet Rock) 1 Tax Implications (Medaglia d’Oro) 3

Mendelssohn

Smokey Smokey (War Front) ...................... L

Somethinabouther (Ghostzapper) 3

Midnight Lute

Midnight Mammoth (Vindication) ...........3

Mitole Stormcast (Quiet American) 3

Mo Town

Doncho (Henny Hughes) L Mystic Lake (Itsmyluckyday) ................2 3 L

Play The Music (Jump Start) 3 3

Mohaymen Win For The Money (War Chant) ...............1

More Than Ready Emery (Street Sense) 2 3 Emmanuel (Hard Spun).................................3

Loon Cry (Bernardini) L Minnesota Ready (Mizzen Mast) ............... L More Than Looks (Harlan’s Holiday) 1 Saddle Up Jessie (Bernardini) L Spaliday (City Zip) 2 Mosler Thundering (Street Cry) L

Big Big City Lights (Exchange

By Lope De Vega, Carl Spackler was twice a Grade 1 winner last season on Turf for trainer Chad Brown

us stakes-winning sires

Not This Time

Abientot (More Than Ready) 3

Arzak (Tapit) .......................................................2

Clock Tower (Bustin Stones) 3

Cogburn (Saintly Look) ......................... 1 2 2

Dana’s Beauty (City Zip) L

Gigante (Empire Maker) ................................ L

Next (Awesome Again) 2 3 L

No More Time (Speightstown) ...................3

Sacred Wish (Indian Charlie) 1

Sibelius (Pulpit) ................................................. L

Time To Dazzle (Unbridled’s Song) 3

Nyquist

Encino (Bernardini) ..................................... 3 L

Immersive (Bernardini) 1 1 1

Johannes (Congrats) 1 2 2 2 3

Nysos (Bernardini) 3

Randomized (Elusive Quality) 1

Studlydoright (Curlin) L L

Tenma (Tapit) 1 2

Omaha Beach

And One More Time (Blame).......................1

Kehoe Beach (Street Cry) 2

Kopion (Victory Gallop)............................. 1 3

Orpen

Didia (Rainbow Corner) 1 2

Oscar Performance

Andthewinneris (Scat Daddy) ....................3

Endlessly (Langfuhr) 3 L

Oscar Eclipse (Malibu Moon) ...................... L

Red Carpet Ready (Street Sense) 3

Style Points (Ghostzapper) ..........................

Trikari (Harlan’s Holiday)

Tumbarumba (Street Sense) .......................3

Outstrip

Nadette (Pivotal) 3

Outwork

Brightwork (Malibu Moon)

Leave No Trace (Good Journey)

Oxbow Happy Jack (Tapit)

Palace Olivia Darling (Bluegrass Cat)

Paynter

(Northern Afleet)

and Justice

(Iffraaj)

(Distorted Humor)

(Shamardal)

(Indian Charlie) ..................................2

Practical Joke

(Danehill Dancer)

Shamardal

(Into Mischief)

(Kyllachy)

(Kitten’s Joy) ..............................3

And Jim (Cockney Rebel)

Wonderful)

Azteca (Grand Slam)

Showcasing

(Pivotal)

You Around (Dutch Art)

(Northern Afleet)

Solomini

Prince (Eddington)

(Flatter)

No Chaser (Johannesburg) ....

Speightstown

Town (Distorted Humor)

(Tapit) .................................................3 St Patrick’s Day

Magic (Factum)

King Of Gosford by Zoustar wins the Mathis Mile Stakes (Grade 2) at Santa Anita Park

Star Guitar

Ova Charged (Dehere) 3 L

Starspangledbanner

Duvet Day (Montjeu)......................................3

Laulne (Montjeu) L

Street Sense

Comparative (Bernardini) .............................3

First Mission (Medaglia d’Oro) 2 3

La Cara (Bernardini) 3

Never Explain (Forestry) 3

Summer Front

Simply In Front (Blame) 2

Sosua Summer (Stormy Atlantic) .............. L

Stay Hot (Smart Strike) L

Sungold

August Rain (Super Saver) ....................... 3 3

Infinite Patience (Louis Quatorze) L L

Tapit

Arthur’s Ride (Point Given)...........................1

Batten Down (First Defence) 3

Thousand Words

The Queens M G (Grindstone) 3 L

Vodka With A Twist (Sky Mesa)................... L

Tiz The Law

Non Compliant (Street Sense) 2

Scythian (Empire Maker) ..............................2

Tiztastic (Tapit) L

Tonalist

Misty Veil (Birdstone).................................. L L

Too Darn Hot

Oversubscribed (Cape Cross) L

Twirling Candy

Ag Bullet (Forestry) 2 3 L

Cugino (Kitten’s Joy) L L

Iscreamuscream (Cozzene) 1 2

Twirling Queen (Kantharos) L L L

Two Sharp (Distorted Humor) 3

Walkathon (Stroll) .....................................3 3 L

Where’s My Ring (Tapit) 3

Uncaptured

Nic’s Style (Street Sense) ............................... L

Uncle Mo

Adare Manor (Giant Gizmo) 1 1 2

Dataman (Maria’s Mon) ............................. L L

May Day Ready (More Than Ready) 2 L

Scylla (First Defence) .................................. 2 3

Tapit Trice (Dunkirk) 2 3

Tapiture

Tapalo (Empire Maker)................................... L

Temple City

Du Jour (Bernardini) 1

Dynadrive (Rockport Harbor) 3

Ten Sovereigns

Zulu Kingdom (Smart Strike) .................. 2 3

Teofilo

Nations Pride (Oasis Dream) 1

The Factor

Atitlan (Acatenango) ......................................2

Piper’s Factor (Niigon) L

The Grey Gatsby

Atomic Blonde (Areion)................................. L

Child of The Moon (American Post) L

First Resort (Street Boss) ...............................2

Gulfport (Unbridled’s Song) L

Hang The Moon (Malibu Moon) ............ 2 2

Kingsbarns (Tapit) 1 3

Mouffy (Smart Strike) ................................. 2 L

No Mo Candy (Blame) 3

Sabatini (Blame) ........................................... 3 L

Showcase (Violence)

(Hard Spun)

(Any

Nuns in Newmarket

NUNS from the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, based at Dereham in Norfolk, took some time out by invitation of Tattersalls’ chairman Edmony Mahony to visit the sale ground for the February Sale.

The group of sisters took up the chance to meet up with the stallions resident at Park Paddocks that morning for the Stallion Parade, watch the parade of RoR horses as well as see a few horses sell in the ring.

By all accounts a good day was had by all, and must have certainly offered the sisters something different from a usual day in consecrated life.

We do wonder... Tattersalls had an amazing sales year through 2024, perhaps Mahony and the sale company feels the need to keep in the good books with the man upstairs for more of the same in 2025?!