5 minute read
....Girls aloud
Cathy Grassick, chairman of the Irish Breeders’ Association, had a good July week and took a starring role on ITV Racing
NEWMARKET’S JULY WEEK is a great five days for UK racing, and visitors from all around the globe to flock to the headquarters of British racing and breeding. Not only is there a far more clement climate for inspecting bloodstock at Tattersalls than that at, let’s say, the December Sale, but it also delivers with it social occasions and high-class racing. For many in the industry it is a busman’s holiday and as close to a proper vacation as many allow themselves!
This year was no exception with many people attending such wonderful occasions as the clay pigeon shooting afternoon and evening organised by the EBN, and the unveiling of a spectacular statue of the legendary Pivotal at Cheveley Park Stud.
It really is no surprise then, given the extracurricular activities that abound, to see the sale ground at Tattersalls extremely busy with people of many different nationalities and searching for many different types of horses from a truly diverse catalogue. This year the sale stretched to four days, which gave buyers plenty of chances to purchase something to suit their needs and budget.
Australian and Middle East buyers were in evidence, but the top lot on the opening day Sweet And Lovely (Lot 212), a daughter of Galileo and in-foal to Wootton Bassett, sold for 350,000gns to Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland.
BBA Ireland agent Eamon Reilly was another to hit the headlines purchasing Balalaika (Lot 619), a filly in training by No Nay Never, for 330,000gns from Lady Ogden, widow of the late owner and breeder Sir Robert Ogden.
The action wasn’t all focused on Flat racing with leading NH trainer Willie Mullins and agent Harold Kirk teaming up to purchase Ethical Diamond (Lot 516A) for 320,000gns; an ambitious dual-purpose career lies ahead for this son of Awtaad.
Brian Grassick Bloodstock did not make any sale-topping headlines, but it hit the sales day live copy on the Tattersalls web site and it did have a busy week purchasing five horses for clients all with futures both as racehorses and broodmares.
We purchased daughters of Sea The Stars, Nathaniel, Pivotal, Cotai Glory and Mastercraftsman for existing clients in Ireland and the UK. I was ably assisted through the week by Jessica Daly, a graduate of the Irish National Stud course and who has been working for Newtown Stud and Brian Grassick Bloodstock from earlier in the year.
Two of our purchases were for Yvonne Jacques’ Carisbrooke Stud.
The first was Immortal Beauty (Lot 692), a highly rated daughter of Cotai Glory and a sister to the stakes performer Mehmento (Mehmas). She had some excellent form as a two-year-old, including when fourth in a Group 3 and is an exceptional looking individual – we were delighted to purchase her for 95,000gns.
But it was the second Carisbrooke Stud purchase that made some impact and grabbed the attention of both ITV racing viewers and social media.
We had a daughter of Pivotal (Lot 870) on our list (he is such an exceptional broodmare sire) with the added pedigree bonus that the filly is related to Yvonne’s superstar mare Klassique (Galileo) –her dam Gertrude Gray is a sister Klassique’s Group 1-winning dam Chachamaidee.
THE FILLY was due in the ring on Friday morning, but I had to head to Carisbrooke to inspect the foals and yearlings, so I asked my sister Sally Ann if she would be around to assist Jessica and to bid on my behalf.
As it so happened ITV Racing had suggested, with Tattersalls’ cooperation, that Sally Ann should take a camera crew to the sales ground in order to give viewers a taste of another side of racing.
I spoke to Yvonne and asked if it would be in order for Sally Ann to follow this particular filly through the ring with her camera, while never letting anyone know that the filly was of interest.
With everyone happy it was agreed that Sally Ann would then join up with Jessica, who would have myself and Yvonne on the phone, in company with stud director Martin Grassick, to give instructions.
The result was a really excellent piece of television which aired during racing coverage of the July meeting on ITV. The viewers got to join in with the roller coaster of emotions that go alongside bidding on a horse at auction – auctioneer Alastair Pim was on the rostrum and he joined in with some excellent banter and really helped to create the atmosphere.
Thankfully, the auction was a success and the filly was bought –Heavenly Wish made it to her new home at Carisbrooke that evening and is now enjoying a little break before heading into training with William Muir and Chris Grassick.
ITV viewers will be able to follow her progress as she continues with her racing career and eventually joins the broodmare band at Carisbrooke.
The response to the piece has been amazing with such supportive comments coming from industry professionals and racing fans alike. A special thanks goes to the staff working for consignors The Castlebridge Consignment – they were so helpful when allowing us to film the filly after she was purchased.
Also taking place during the July week was the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ETBF), which does incredible work on behalf of the breeders of Europe to support and represent them.
We had an excellent couple of days spent discussing the relevant issues, including veterinary issues and movement of horses.
Joe Hernon has been doing an excellent job as the chairman of the ETBF and I extend many congratulations to him – his tenure in the position has been extended for a further term.
