International Thoroughbred November 2022

stakes

Smart 2YO

1st Maiden, 1m, Clairefontaine, by 3 lengths

World Champion 3YO

1st Prix du Jockey Club-Gr.1, 1m2½f, Chantilly, defeating triple Gr.1 winner Persian King in track record time.

1st Prix Niel-Gr.2, 1m4f, Longchamp

1st Prix de Suresnes-L.R., 1m2f, Chantilly,by 6½ lengths

3rd Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-Gr.1, 1m4f, Longchamp Brilliant 4YO

1st Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-Gr.1, 1m4f, Longchamp, defeating Gr.1 winners In Swoop, Persian King, Enable, Stradivarius, Deirdre and Way To Paris

1st Prix Ganay-Gr.1, 1m2½f, Chantilly

He broke the 1m2½f TRACK RECORD at Chantilly when defeating triple Gr.1 winner PERSIAN KING in the PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB. Other winners of the Jockey Club over the reduced 10½-furlong trip include leading sires SHAMARDAL, LE HAVRE, LOPE DE VEGA and NEW BAY

Owner Peter Brant with Sottsass at Coolmore in early October he has had some very good-looking foals….I bred a lot of stakes-winning mares to him. What I do is, I give the stallion mares over a three-year

and the best mares will probably be sent to

in year

and

so that the

We have 3 foals by Sottsass at Monceaux. Theyhave a lot of presence, good size and conformation,and a great walk. I will use him again in 2023.

Henri Bozo of Ecurie des Monceaux, breeder of Sottsass and his full brother who topped ArqanaAugust 2022 at €2,100,000

I have been observing the foals bred by Peter Brant since they were born and based on what I’ve seen the future for Sottsass looks very bright. I’ve also seen a particularly nice colt out of We Are Ninety who won a Listed race for the late Evie Stockwell and Lady Mimi Manton Paul Shanahan

World Champion

by SIYOUNI

Peter Brant, TDN, 4 Aug

“

“ “

PERSIAN

FROM A TRIPLE GROUP 1 HERO

A Group winner at 2 in England, Persian King won the Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at 3 and scored twice at the highest level the next year including the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Gr.1, defeating five winners of 12 Gr.1 races. He ended his exceptional racing career with a third place in the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his first attempt over the distance.

TO A FULLY BOOKED STALLION

Very well-received by European breeders, Persian King - limited to 140 mares - covered a full book in his first season. He welcomed his first foals in 2022 including the progeny of 72 winning mares and 5 dams of Gr.1 winners. Like father like foals, he stamped them with his singular elegance, producing racy looking, well-balanced and athletic individuals.

First Word

Sure, you can invest in stocks & shares and follow other sports such as football

cricket – but where’s the fun in that?

Ted Voute and Cathy Grassick report

Ted Voute reflects on Sheikh Mohammed’s Book 1 buying policy, Cathy Grassick is looking forward to her stint as chairman of the ITBA

Thomas reflects on

Champions Day which saw Baaeed lose his first and final race,

Ballylinch’s sire New Bay score

spectacular Group 1

Stallion Statistics

European sires, broodmare sires and

sires from Weatherbys

Climb every mountain

Alpinista provides the feel-good story of the season when winning an emotional Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for trainer Sir Mark Prescott and owner Kirsten Rausing

for it

Melissa Bauer-Herzog reports on the

Breeders’ Cup trials and sees Gun Runner continue his trajectory as the most important US stallion in a generation

talk

Richard Ryan and Teme Valley Racing has enjoyed a fine season, capped with Bayside Boy’s Ascot victory

Global bloodstock’s man

Martin Stevens talks with German bloodstock agent Ronald Rauscher, recently relocated to Ireland, who has been at the centre of global blodostock events since the 1970s

Early diagnosis

OCDs can appear early in a foal’s life, could or should we diagnose earlier?

Matching DNA

Breeders need to start considering matching sets of DNA when making mating plans, writes Alan Porter

Fathers and daughters

It’s a surprise to nobody that both Frankel and Sea The Stars have become important broodmare sires, but Jocelyn de Moubray believes a phenomenon could be lurking elsewhere – step forward promsing broodmare sire Nathaniel

Broodmare Statistics

Hyperion’s unique list of broodmare stakes sires in 2022

Photo finish

Shetland Pony Derby at Plumpton

Bay Bridge by Debbie Burt

A fun investment

NO ONE SEEMINGLY HAS THE ANSWER.

No, we are not talking British politics but the enduring level of trade through the main yearling sales season from its start in August to its conclusion in Deauville in October.

Equine trade has bucked all the current and wider parameters of life; consignors, breeders, sales men and buyers alike have been looking at each other in amazement this autumn at the level of returns.

The purchasers, who arrived in Newmarket having been on buying missions in the US and in Ireland, landed at the airports gasping for breath after the strength of trade seen at the two sales grounds. There was no let up at Park Paddocks and led agent Alex Elliott to exclaim: “It seems that 50,000gns is the new 10,000gns!”

And, unlike some recent years, it is not one or two excessive prices that have driven up the figures – the high middle

market, as seen by the strong medians, has been so solid.

Of course, the currency fluctuations have led US buyers into the market in Europe, but that is only part of the story.

Undoubtedly, at Newmarket, Sheikh Mohammed’s desire to buy the best of the sons of world-leading and veteran sire Dubawi played its part in creating a record-breaking set of October returns, and the trickledown effect, unlike in economics, seemingly worked a treat.

With such a strong Book 1 – Sheikh Mohammed dropping over 25m guineas into the Book 1 market having spent over €5 million in France, and Richard Knight’s mystery man outlaying over £10 million at Tattersalls, €900,000 in Ireland and nearly €2 million at Arqana August – it meant others were forced to buy further down the line.

Jocelyn de Moubray will crunch in the industry numbers in much greater detail in the next issue and will probably discuss the current weight of sire power and influence in Europe.

“Undoubtedly, at Newmarket, Sheikh Mohammed’s desire to buy the best of the sons of world’s leading sire Dubawi played its part

The strong trade seen at this autumn’s yearling sales was totally unexpected, but with such massive upswings on offer down the line for good racehorses and breeding prospects, as well the chance to have some serious fun along the way, perhaps we should not have been surprised

A yearling at the Goffs Orby Sale Photo courtesy of Goffs | Sarah Farnsworth

In Book 2, Joe Foley, stud man, stallion man, bloodstock agent and bloodstock manager, discussed the very topic and he put it all down to “fun”.

Standing by the door of the sale ring having just purchased another yearling for the Clipper Logistics / Bronte Syndicate axis, he said:“It is a great sport, a great business, and people get fun out of investing in racehorses. Maybe after the negative times we have had in the recent past and maybe will have in the future, people are keen to spend some money and have some fun. Investing in the bloodstock industry – it is fun investment!”

He added: “You can love football or cricket all you like, but you can’t invest in them, you can love racing and you can invest in it – you get double the kick, gambling [with an equine investment] but also having the fun!

“I have seen the Bronte Syndicate this year – the fun they have had together going to Royal Ascot with four runners and having the filly placed in the Queen Mary, I saw first-hand the fun they got from the racing.

“It is a fun industry to invest in, you can’t say that about many industries. Investing in stocks and shares, you don’t get to go ‘Yes!’; enjoy a drink and have a bottle of champagne with

Award winners (left to right): Alyson West (James Ferguson), Tom Messenger (Dan Skelton), Charlie Sipos (Hascombe and Valiant Stud), Dulcie West (North Farm Stud), Paddy Trainor (Johnston Racing), FR33DOM Zampaladus (Urban Equestrian Academy), Tim Hogg (Jedd O’Keeffe), Pam and Kevin Atkinson (New Beginnings), Debbie Brodie (Godolphin), Andrew Braithwaite (British Racing School) and John Nicholson (Johnston Racing)

“Investing in stocks and shares, you don’t get to go ‘Yes!’; enjoy a drink and have a bottle of champagne with your mates and say ‘Yes, we just won the Listed race!’

Photo courtesy of Thoroughbred IndustryEmployees Award Scheme

your mates and say ‘Yes, we just won the Listed race!’”

He continually used the word “investment”rather “ownership” and I think that is key. People like to think that there is some chance these equines will produce an onward monetary return – either on the racecourse or when returned for sale or to the breeding shed, and that there is a financial benefit of involvement, that they are not pushing money into a drain. And they can be very well rewarded, too.

With a well-run syndicate such as the Bronte Syndicate, a good buying team such as Foley and wing man Federico Barberini, and all the complicated decisions that make racehorse “ownership” no fun at all taken care of, the syndicate members while not guaranteed a good horse (we know that can’t ever happen) have the best chance of hitting the jackpot, be it through racecourse performance, enjoyment or financial return, or even all three.

Syndicates are not the be and end all for the racing indsutry and many people continue to enjoy sole interest in a horse, but just maybe the word “ownership” has become too tainted and too negative?

Or is it even relevant? If you fluke a good horse with such huge possible returns available now from various avenues, maybe people now don’t view racehorse involvement as anything other than an investment – and I have a feeling much of the yearling trade this autumn was driven by investment, rather than an altruistic view of racehorse ownership.

Maybe its time to rebrand the whole concept of ownership?

OF COURSE, none of this would happen –none of the trade at the sales, none of the success and fun on the racecourse, nor the possiblity of a profitable investment – would happen without racing’s bank of employees.

On the Friday of Book 1 week the winners of the last-ever round of the Godolphin Stable Staff Awards – the awards having been rebranded as the Thoroughbred Industry Awards – were presented their prizes at Dalham Hall Stud; the recipients missed their awards night in London, announcements of their success given over home Zoom calls.

After a morning of presentations and highly eloquent speeches from all the award winners, they got to see, and have selfies with, the ever-youthful Dubawi, the vibrant Masar and the handsome Cracksman.

A day at the races was then enjoyed… allowing the team to enjoy a rare day at the sports without working (though Paddy Trainor, 2022’s Employee of the Year, was spotted in the parade ring with a stable runner).

The presentations were neatly arranged for the same day as the largely Godolphin-sponsored Newmarket race day, the first day of the Dubai Future Champions Festival and showcasing the charitable work that the organisation is working to achieve in the locality through its Beacon Project.

Reflecting on having won the prestigious honour earlier

in the year, Trainor said: “I’m still over the moon about it all. This year when I’ve been going racing, or even just walking around Middleham, I’ve had people coming up to me and congratulating me, which is very rewarding, and I was overwhelmed by all of the cards and congratulatory messages I received from people in our industry from around the world.

“I hope my experience can encourage people to join our industry, and for those more experienced to nurture and train their younger colleagues.”

Nominations for the 2023 awards from trainers and stud farms are now being accepted. Having witnessed the emotion displayed by the winners, just what it means to them to have their efforts recognised in the industry, all trainers and stud managers should be prioritising an effort to fill in the application form to nominate outstanding members of staff.

The forms are easy, but do require thought and more than one-line answers. If you need some help and direction, the organising team will be more than willing to offer some guidance. There is an example of a successful nomination on the website, though it is probably not advisable to copy it verbatim.

With staff shortages, and the difficulty in finding a good capable and experienced employees, these awards not only offer a benchmark that allows others to aspire to, but offers employers an easy way to say “thank you, your work is vital”.

In a recent chat for an upcoming film (out soon!) featuring David “Mouse” Cooper, the artist we had in the spotlight in June’s edition, he mentioned the dififculty he had as a 40-something to remain motivated and enthused working in a racing yard, and how difficult it was for him to how to find a course in life within the sport in middle age. As he said “a lot of lads [and lasses] in their 40s are getting lost.”

That age group is exiting jobs in racing and not just for financial or “work-life balance” reasons – and those are experienced and knowledgable people the sport really needs to keep hold of for the long term.

Paddy Trainor, 2022’s Employee of the Year, enjoying his moment with star sire Dubawi

“Having witnessed the emotion displayed by the winners, just what it means to them to have their efforts recognised in the industry, all trainers and stud managers should be prioritising an effort to fill in the application form

Photo courtesy of Thoroughbred Industry Employees Award Scheme

TED TALKS...

Dubawi shopping spree

Ted Voute reflects on Sheikh Mohammed’s focused shopping list at the October Sale

THE WRITING WAS on the wall for many consigning a Dubawi yearling in the October Book 1 Sale this year.

Tattersalls requested that we ship in on the Thursday before in order to enable the US buyers such as Mike Ryan and his crew to start looking at yearlings on site after their visit to Ireland.

Traditionally, vetting occurs after the agents and trainers have inspected each day of sale so when the first vet from Rossdales appeared asking to vet our Dubawi, due to sell on the last day of Book 1, it took us by surprise.

These out-of-character manoeuvres prompted a little research and our findings unearthed that every Dubawi in the sale had to be vetted by 15.00hrs that afternoon, seemingly before any of the regular Godolphin agents had seen them.

Sticking with this Dubawi story Shaik Mohammed duly arrived on Monday, October 3 in order to see all the Dubawis selling on the Tuesday and Wednesday. He viewed Thursday’s horses on the Tuesday.

The start of the sale confirmed many people’s suspicions as to what Godolphin was about – to try and

buy as many yearlings by the sire that they could lay their hands on and that they wanted.

When Dubai Millennium died after his first season at stud a similar ploy was used to gather as many of the in-foal mares as possible.

By the end of the Book 1, 21

yearlings by Dubawi had made 17,840,000gns selling at an average price of 849,524gns.

It started with Lot 3, who sold for 1,300,000gns, and endied with Lot 533, who fetched 625,000gns.

Timing in life is everything – at some points there were up to five

Dubawi yearlings walking around the parade ring – together they probably valued more than we will see in any other parade ring featuring horses from this generation until the 2024 running of the 2,000 Guineas!

The world’s economy is on a knife edge, interest rates are rising along

The first Dubawi bought by Godolphin in Book 1 was this daughter of Jazzi Top, sold by Meon Valley for 1.3million

Photo courtesy of Meon Valley Stud

with inflation, but once again we have this bloodstock bubble, and specifically at Tattersalls.

Sure, it’s not all a bed of roses but if you had a yearling by Frankel or a Dubawi you made money.

If you had a Kingman, they were harder to sell – I have no idea why as he has had a great year!

And we all should have listened to Alex Elliott, who tried to buy as many by New Bay as possible; on Champions Day it looked to have been a very shrewd move!

I booked a nomination and am now holding my breath for the stallion’s 2023 stud fee!

This autumn I am venturing back into the US breeding market with some mares shipping over to Kentucky, and there you sense a market not dependant on any one

outfit with various partnerships in force.

My search to board some mares at the smaller farms, yet still located on the best land, revealed that due to the staff shortages in Lexington farms are limiting the number of

mares who board – many of the great farms are unable to foal and raise the numbers they used to.

I love the land around the outskirts of Paris, in the Claiborne and Stone Farm area. I’ve raised stakes winners with Chuck Kidder and Nancy Cole and like the land at the farms such as Royal Oak and Omega Farm. I also think some outcross US-based Turf sires are still reasonable value – Blame, Medaglia D’Oro, and even War Front.

“Hitting on an in-demand sire such as Not This Time puts you back in the “No Guarantee” zone, a contract that has never really issued in Europe.

It is interesting to see, when a sire becomes “hot” such as, for instance, Havana Grey this year, how the stallion masters progress the sire moving forward.

I can see both sides of the coin with the team wanting to take care of the loyal breeders, who have helped make the stallion’s first year – that loyalty this year has ultimately seen Havana Grey becoming crowned leading British-based first-season sire. Whitsbury’s Ed Harper also enjoyed a resurgence for Showcasing, who has spent a year or two out of the limelight, but has been back this year producing a good number of black-type performers as well as his fourth Group 1 winner.

(See our December Stallion Edition to read our interview with Ed Harper reflecting on the great year enjoyed by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Ed).

Harper won’t find it difficult to fill either stallion’s book this year, but choosing books in order to help ensure that they have a steady stream of black-type performers is an art.

Many top-class breeders may not use stallions until they are proven, and will only submit mares worthy of a leading freshman sire, who could ultimately go on to become a generation influencer.

The decisions we make from this December Mare Sale will be the most vital of our generation.

The paths we take could see us selling produce in 2024 and 2025 when the full impact of the reduction of Shadwell and the altered structure of Juddmonte will influence our matings; the changing of the dominant buyers, as well as the longevity of Amo Racing and Richard Knight’s new client.

Selfishly with Mishriff’s new career as a stallion there is a lot to look forward to – I am quietly confident, that based in his new home back in the country where he won his Classic, there will be a chance for him to become a leading sire in Europe.

The last: a colt out of I’m Wonderful (Giant’s Causeway), a full-sister to the two-time Grade 1 winner Carpe Diem

“I think some outcross US-based Turf sires are still reasonable value – Blame, Medaglia D’Oro, and even War Front

Photo courtesy of Tattersalls | Laura Green

....Girls aloud

SOME OF YOU MAY or may not know but in the past 12 months I have taken up the mantle of chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA), in addition to the day jobs of bloodstock agent and breeder.

It is a role that is both an honour and an achievement for me, particularly as I am only the second female chairman in the history of the association, and it has been 25 years since the first female chairman Eimear Mulhern was appointed.

They are very big footsteps to follow, not least as Eimear has been a huge support and influence on my career as friend, mentor, and client. I am also very lucky to have great support in Cathal Beale of the Irish National Stud in the role of vice chairman.

I am also following on from a wonderful chairman in John McEnery, who has guided me along in my role as vice chairman and ensured that I was well prepared to step up and deal with the many issues that face Irish breeders on a daily basis.

John himself had a very challenging tenure dealing not only with the after effects of Brexit but also with the crisis of Covid. These challenges led to the ITBA to work hard in conjunction with HRI to create the very exciting IRE Incentive and John was instrumental in supporting this initiative supported by the amazing work of the office team of chief executive Shane O’Dwyer, assisted by Una Tormey and previously by Kerry Ryan.

We have an exciting new team in the ITBA and now Shane O’Dwyer is supported not only by Una Tormey as office manager but also by our new membership executive Danielle Devaney and education coordinator, Hannah Marks.

Sadly, Shane will soon be leaving the ITBA after 14 wonderful years at the helm, but we are looking forward to welcoming a new chief executive in due course. Shane is departing to take up a role with charity Anam Cara, which is a cause close to his heart and he will be greatly missed by us all at the ITBA.

The new chief executive can look forward to getting to work with an amazing team in the office, that will help deliver a high level of service to Irish breeders.

As with many facets a lot of the social interaction fell by the wayside during Covid, and this was no different for the ITBA.

While many of our meetings and educational seminars continued online there is no replacing that special benefit of face-to-face interaction, and our regional committees and also our Next Generation committee definitely suffered as a result.

The ITBA has really committed to getting back on the road and getting out to all its regions to have local breeders’ meetings to address current issues. Our first such meeting was a great success and has led to a revitalised southern region committee ably led by Gerry Aherne. We are currently looking forward to our next breeders’

Cathy Grassick, chairman of the Irish Breeders’ Association, reports on the organisation’s latest plans

meeting in North Leinster region and region chairman Gay Veitch has put a lot of work into the event.

Not to be outdone, the ITBA Next Generation committee has sprung into action under the chairmanship of Orla Donworth, ably assisted by her vice chairman Conor Wixted and an exciting new committee featuring Clare Manning, Chris Russell, Luke Bleahen, Michelle Fogarty, Joan Tyner, Leanne O’Sullivan, Padraic Gahan, Robert O’Callaghan, Taragh Brady and David Skelly.

I am looking forward to seeing them attract many young breeders and breeders of the future to their events during the year.

The first such event is a Pinhooking Panel on November 1 at 7pm in the Pavilion at Goffs. The event is free, but pre-registration is required with the ITBA office and it features an excellent panel of experts in the field such as Guy O’Callaghan of Grangemore Stud, Timmy Hillman of Castledillon Stud and Tattersalls Ireland, John Hanly, veterinary surgeon at Fethard Equine Hospital, and Vikki Hancock, racing and bloodstock editor of ANZ. The evening’s host is Bernard Condren of Goffs UK.

I am looking forward to an exciting and productive term as chairman of the ITBA and hopefully we can continue to deal with the issues facing Irish breeders.

We have recently acquired access to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) through hard work and lobbying to the Government , supported with great thanks to Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and his ministers in the department, Martin Heydon and Pippa Hackett.

We will continue to find support for such schemes as the IRE Incentive and the ITBA Weatherbys NH Fillies Bonus scheme and to look for new ways in which deliver services to the breeders of Ireland and to represent them at government, National, Europe and international levels.

The ITBA and the ITBA Next Generation have lots of events lined up, kicking off with pinhooking panel at Goffs on November 1

Photography by Debbie Burt

James Thomas reports on a Champions Day dominated by Ballylinch Stud’s New Bay

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS

DAY was meant to be Baaeed’s coronation, but with Shadwell’s homebred superstar losing his unbeaten record it was another name that gained a crowning achievement at Ascot.

Ballylinch Stud resident New Bay has long been regarded as a young stallion of considerable promise, but potential became reality in quite sensational fashion as the son of Dubawi supplied not one but two Group 1 winners on the card.

The first came when Bayside Boy, bred by Ballylinch, who co-own the colt with Teme Valley Racing, produced a storming late run to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes by a length and a quarter from Modern Games. Cheveley Park Stud’s Inspiral was sent off the short-priced favourite but was slowly away and ran a lacklustre race in sixth.

That was Bayside Boy’s first Group 1 triumph at the fifth attempt, although he had finished third behind Native Trail and Luxembourg in last year’s Dewhurst Stakes and Vertem Futurity Trophy. He had previously won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes and regained the winning thread in the Listed Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes prior to his Ascot heroics.

Trainer Roger Varian said: “I am delighted for the owners and the team at Ballylinch

A stylish performance from Bay Bridge (left) saw the son of New Bay collect his first Group 1 in the Qipco British Champions Stakes for Ballylinch Stud and James and Anita Wigan (below). Wigan purchased his dam Hayyona for just 18,000gns in 2013.

Stud. They have been very patient with him. He won nicely last time at Sandown, which was a nice confidence-boosting win for the horse. I am delighted with him today. He showed a great turn of foot. We’ll enjoy this moment. I hope he is a horse who will still be with us next year. I’m not sure what’s next, but we’ll enjoy today.”

A 200,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 purchase by Richard Ryan, Bayside Boy is the eighth foal and third black-type performer out of Alava, a Listed-winning daughter of Anabaa.

Her second foal is the Listed-placed Rip Van Winkle filly Home Cummins, while her fourth is Forest Ranger, the son of Lawman who won back-to-back runnings of the Group 2 Huxley Stakes in 2018 and 2019.

Bayside Boy’s success also provided an almost immediate update for his Waldgeist half-sister who sold to Leason Bloodstock for €200,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Above and below Bayside Boy: the first Group 1 winner on the card for New Bay, bred by Ballylinch and the eighth foal out of the Anabaa mare Alava

Forty minutes later New Bay’s Group 1 double was completed by Bay Bridge, who produced a performance of silk and steel to win the Qipco Champion Stakes by half a length.

All eyes were on Baaeed, making his racecourse swansong and defending an unbeaten record, but Bay Bridge was always travelling sweetly under a typically positive Richard Kingscote ride and found plenty to fend off the Derby winner Adayar in second.

Baaeed could finish only a length and three-quarters away in fourth, with connections quickly pointing to the ground, which was officially described as good to soft, as having blunted the son of Sea The Stars’ finishing effort.

THIS WAS THE second time this season Kingscote and Sir Michael Stoute had combined to win a Group 1 following Desert Crown’s Derby demolition job, and the trainer reflected on the success by saying: “Bay Bridge was very brave. I am absolutely thrilled. The staff have done a great job with this horse, and we are all delighted.

“He was in very good shape coming here – he came back from Sandown with a knock and we had to back off him, so he’s been very consistent this year with the exception of that race.

“We thought the favourite was unbeatable – or I did – but I thought he had a great

Bayside Boy’s success also provided an almost immediate update for his Waldgeist half-sister who sold to Leason Bloodstock for €200,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.

A double day for Frankie Dettori: celebrating here after winning the Qipco British Champions Sprint on Kinross (Kingman), who was dropped back to 6f after Group 1 success over 7f in the Prix de la Forêt

chance of being second, because he was in terrific shape.”

That was Bay Bridge’s sixth career victory and second in Pattern company following a typically patient preparation from his trainer that also took in competitive handicaps at Newbury and York before his three-yearold campaign ended with a Listed win at Newmarket. He resumed at four in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes but was then no match for State Of Rest in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes before a below-par effort in the Coral-Eclipse.

The four-year-old entire was bred by owner James Wigan’s London Thoroughbred Services and was bought into by Ballylinch Stud prior to his Group 3-winning seasonal reappearance.

Bay Bridge is the fourth foal out of the Multiplex mare Hayyona, who was signed for by London Thoroughbred Services at a mere 18,000gns in 2013. The mare was reoffered at Tattersalls in 2019, the year Bay Bridge was a yearling, but was retained by her vendor at just 20,000gns.

New Bay is now sire of three Group 1 winners, the “Ascot Two” joined by Saffron Beach, in whom Wigan also has an interest, and 18 stakes performers in total.

With sizeable purses on offer his progeny’s Champions Day exploits helped propel New Bay into sixth on the British and Irish sires’ table.

One place behind New Bay on that sires’ list is Juddmonte’s Kingman, sire of another Champions Day winner in Kinross, who claimed his second consecutive Group 1 in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

Bred by Julian Richmond-Watson’s Lawn Stud, the five-year-old gelding was winning over 6f for the first time having previously been seen as a 7f specialist, as highlighted by his win in the Prix de la Forêt.

Kinross, who races for owner Marc Chan after a private sale ahead of his four-year-old campaign, has won eight races, six of which have come in Group company. As well as his Group 1 triumphs he has also landed three Group 2s, namely the Lennox Stakes, the City Of York Stakes and the Park Stakes.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “As a threeyear-old the late James Delahooke, who managed the stud for Julian and Sarah Richmond-Watson who raced him at two,

Bay Bridge is the fourth foal out of the Multiplex mare Hayyona, who was signed for by London Thoroughbred Services at a mere 18,000gns in 2013

Emily Upjohn: the daughter of Sea The Stars was bred by Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding, and is the sixth foal out of Hidden Brief (Barathea)

rang me and said, ‘Should I be backing him for the Guineas?’. I said, ‘I don’t know, James, but I think he’s quick enough to win a July Cup.’

“I’ve always had a little bit of a hankering for him to do it at this trip and now was the time, even with a Breeders’ Cup Mile on the horizon. He’ll go there, with any luck.”

THE OTHER GROUP 1 at Ascot went the way of Emily Upjohn, who became Sea The Stars’ 19th top-level winner with a 3l victory in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old, who missed out in the Oaks by just a short head, initially raced for owners Tactful Finance and Stuart Roden, but carried the Lloyd Webber silks having bought into her after her Epsom second.

The result continued a hot spell for the Lloyd Webbers, whose Watership Down Stud sold two of the top three lots at Book 1, headed by the 2,800,000gns top lot, the Frankel colt out of So Mi Dar; the most

Dubawi: British champion sire elect

AFTER YEARS of coming up against his old adversary Galileo, Dalham Hall Stud’s Dubawi is on course to claim a first British and Irish champion sires’ title. It is nothing more than the 20-year-old son of Dubai Millennium deserves having finished runner-up to Galileo on four occasions and, moreover, having sired an incredible 365 stakes performers, 53 of whom have struck in Group/Grade 1 company.

His 2022 campaign has been capped by Classic victory for the illfated Coroebus, who added a St James’s Palace Stakes to his 2,000 Guineas triumph, while Eldar Eldarov landed the St Leger. Those results took Dubawi’s progeny prize-money earnings to over £6 million, leaving a seven-figure gap back to the dethroned Frankel in second.

Results from Champions Day could have potentially swung things in Frankel’s favour with Inspiral a warm order and Adayar looking the chief threat to Baaeed, but in the event the former failed to fire and the latter could finish only second, while Dubawi’s offspring claimed two lucrative podium finishes with Modern Games second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Creative Force third in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

However, Frankel is out clear at the head of the European

expensive yearling sold in the world this year.

Emily Upjohn, a 60,000gns Book 2 purchase by Blandford Bloodstock, was bred by Lordship Stud and Sunderland Holdings from the Barathea mare Hidden Brief, who was offloaded the December following the filly’s birth for only 16,000gns. Gaelic Bloodstock signed that ticket.

The Ascot meeting began with the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, which went the way of Trueshan for the third year running. Bred by Didier Blot, the redoubtable six-year-old has now won 13 races, including Group 1s in the Goodwood Cup and Prix du Cadran, and netted over 1.5 million in prize-money.

He is comfortably the highest-rated of Planteur’s 12 Flat stakes performers and was purchased by current connections through Highflyer Bloodstock and trainer Alan King for 31,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, where he was offered by Thomond O’Mara’s Knockanglass Stables.

Planteur stands at Chapel Stud purchased by owner-breeder Simon Davies, who trades under the DahlBury banner.

standings thanks in no small part to the exploits of Kirsten Rausing’s homebred Alpinista, who recorded that famous victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Europe’s premier Group 1 boasts a first prize of €2,400,840, which is not only a mammoth pot but also a significant figure in the context of the European sires’ table – Frankel leads Dubawi by €2,385,636 at the time of writing, meaning the Arc has swung things in the Juddmonte stallion’s favour.

In truth, Frankel rates a thoroughly deserving winner of the European title, even if he has been unable to retain his British and Irish crown, as the 2022 season has seen the son of Galileo take his roll of honour to 169 stakes performers and 26 Group/Grade 1 winners from just seven crops of racing age.

He has enjoyed a particularly fruitful campaign on the continent, with Alpinista’s Longchamp victory preceded by Prix Jacques Le Marois triumph for Inspiral, Prix de Diane success for Nashwa and Grand Prix de Paris glory for Onesto.

Those names join his domestic Group 1 winners – the Irish 1,000 Guineas victress Homeless Songs, the Irish Derby scorer Westover and the Dewhurst Stakes hero Chaldean, a roll of honour that displays an array of talent and the kind of diversity that will ensure Frankel will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Trueshan

LAND FORCE (IRE): won 3 races at 2 years and £192,074 including Richmond Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.2, Tipperary Stakes, Tipperary, L and placed 4 times including third in Norfolk Stakes, Royal Ascot, Gr.2, Marble Hill Stakes, Curragh, L, fourth in Prix Morny, Deauville, Gr.1

1st Dam

THEANN (GB) won 2 races at 2 and 3 years and £71,045 including Summer Stakes, York, Gr.3 and placed 5 times including second in Flame of Tara Stakes, Curragh, L, third in Greenlands Stakes, Curragh, Gr.3, One Thousand Guineas Trial, Leopardstown, Gr.3; dam of four winners from 6 runners and 8 foals of racing age includingPHOTO CALL (IRE) (2011 f. by Galileo (IRE)), won 6 races at 3 to 5 years at home and in U.S.A. and £587,197 including First Lady Stakes, Keeneland, Gr.1, Rodeo Drive Stakes, Santa Anita, Gr.1, Orchid Stakes, Gulfstream Park, Gr.3, Violet Stakes, Monmouth, Gr.3 and placed 7 times including second in Beaugay Stakes, Belmont, Gr.3, Robert G Dick Memorial Stakes, Delaware Park, Gr.3, third in La Prevoyante Handicap, Gulfstream Park, Gr.3, Perfect Sting Stakes, Belmont, fourth in Glens Falls Stakes, Saratoga, Gr.3, Endeavour Stakes, Tampa Bay Downs, Gr.3 LAND FORCE (IRE) (2016 c. by No Nay Never (USA)), see above.

Dam CASSANDRA GO (IRE), won 6 races at 3 to 5 years including King’s Stand Stakes, Royal Ascot, Gr.2 Temple Stakes, Sandown, Gr.2, King George Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.3, Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes,

Chantilly, Gr.1, second in Investec Oaks Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1, 1000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Del Mar, Gr.1 and third in Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1 AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) (c. by Deep Impact (JPN)), won 3 races at 2 years and £203,337 including Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.1 and KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes Gr.2 FLYING THE FLAG (IRE), 3 races at 2, 3 and 5 years at home and in U.A.E. and £125,188 including eFlow ‘You First’ International Stakes, Curragh, Gr.3, placed 6 times including second in Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes, Curragh, Gr.2 TICKLED PINK (IRE) (f. by Invincible Spirit (IRE)), won 3 races at 3 and 4 years and £77,734 including Connaught Flooring Abernant Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.3 and The Coral Charge Sprint Stakes, Sandown Park, Gr.3, placed 3 times; dam of winners. THEANN (GB) (f. by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE)), see above. Fantasy (IRE) (f. by Invincible Spirit (IRE)), won 1 race at 2 years, 2018 and £24,413 and placed 4 times including third in John Sisk & Son Round Tower Stakes, Curragh, Gr.3 and Curragh Stakes, Curragh, L NEVERLETME GO (IRE), won 2 races at 3 and £16,954 and placed 3 times; dam of winners. BEST REGARDS (IRE), Champion 3yr old Sprinter in Germany in 2013, 3 races at 2 and 3 years in France and in Germany and £43,335 including Hoppegartener Fliegerpreis, Berlin-Hoppegarten, L placed twice including third in P.Afrika Linen J Essberger Flieger Preis, Hamburg, Gr.3. Tilthe End of Time (IRE), unraced; dam of Snazzy (IRE), 1 race at 2 years, 2018 and £26,636, third

Stallion Breeding

To Stud Rnrs Runs Wnrs Wins Wnrs/Rnrs SWnrs SWs £

Frankel Galileo-Kind (Danehill) 2013 205 835 105 158 51.21 22 36 10,316,985

Dubawi Dubai Millennium-Zomaradah (Deploy) 2006 224 806 116 186 51.78 33 43 8,305,481 Sea The Stars Cape Cross-Urban Sea (Miswaki) 2010 203 777 94 138 46.30 19 30 6,068,146 Lope de Vega Shamardal-Lady Vettori (Vettori) 2011 274 1324 136 198 49.63 16 23 4,864,481

Dark Angel Acclamation-Midnight Angel (Machiavellian) 2008 335 1755 154 225 45.97 14 18 4,769,051

Galileo Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea (Miswaki) 2002 176 625 65 91 36.93 16 23 4,462,910 Kodiac Danehill-Rafha (Kris) 2007 363 2014 153 225 42.14 7 7 4,054,185

Churchill Galileo-Meow (Storm Cat) 2018 149 609 66 101 44.29 7 10 3,970,439 Kingman Invincible Spirit-Zenda (Zamindar) 2015 204 778 91 130 44.60 11 18 3,830,487 Siyouni Pivotal-Sichilla (Danehill) 2011 240 1064 104 156 43.33 11 14 3,559,005 New Bay Dubawi-Cinnamon Bay (Zamindar) 2017 110 471 48 78 43.63 7 10 3,507,253 Camelot Montjeu-Tarfah (Kingmambo) 2014 182 795 62 88 34.06 6 11 3,360,315 No Nay Never Scat Daddy-Cat’s Eye Witness (Elusive Quality) 2015 179 834 63 109 35.19 8 17 3,126,407

Night of Thunder Dubawi-Forest Storm (Galileo) 2016 139 613 58 89 41.72 7 11 2,677,546 Nathaniel Galileo-Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk) 2013 142 592 55 76 38.73 5 8 2,592,820 Invincible Spirit Green Desert-Rafha (Kris) 2003 183 936 84 127 45.90 8 11 2,541,486 Showcasing Oasis Dream-Arabesque (Zafonic) 2011 224 1045 70 107 31.25 8 11 2,438,061 Zoffany Dansili-Tyranny (Machiavellian) 2012 251 1222 87 126 34.66 9 9 2,428,843 Starspangledbanner Choisir-Gold Anthem (Made of Gold) 2011 163 763 60 84 36.80 4 5 2,419,224 Oasis Dream Green Desert-Hope (Dancing Brave) 2004 197 1032 88 131 44.67 6 7 2,353,793 Mehmas Acclamation-Lucina (Machiavellian) 2017 179 1060 70 112 39.10 4 5 2,333,162 Adlerflug In the Wings-Aiyana (Last Tycoon) 2010 82 384 49 65 59.75 9 13 2,233,527 Dandy Man Mozart-Lady Alexander (Night Shift) 2010 261 1604 102 151 39.08 3 3 2,147,536 Mastercraftsman Danehill Dancer-Starlight Dreams (Black Tie Affair) 2010 190 876 66 87 34.73 3 4 2,114,542 Iffraaj Zafonic-Pastorale (Nureyev) 2007 211 1052 86 120 40.75 4 5 1,914,209 Muhaarar Oasis Dream-Tahrir (Linamix) 2016 170 872 73 112 42.94 9 11 1,912,645 Exceed And Excel Danehill-Patrona (Lomond) 2005 161 842 65 121 40.37 8 10 1,886,267 Australia Galileo-Ouija Board (Cape Cross) 2015 175 724 54 85 30.85 10 10 1,871,631 Fast Company Danehill Dancer-Sheezalady (Zafonic) 2011 195 917 65 94 33.33 3 4 1,842,032 Wootton Bassett Iffraaj-Balladonia (Primo Dominie) 2012 138 620 53 71 38.40 5 6 1,814,294 Dabirsim Hat Trick-Rumored (Royal Academy) 2014 222 1268 76 116 34.23 0 0 1,788,271 Holy Roman Emperor Danehill-L’On Vite (Secretariat) 2007 185 968 74 121 40.00 6 8 1,696,894 Golden Horn Cape Cross-Fleche d’Or (Dubai Destination) 2016 112 453 37 58 33.03 4 5 1,676,196 Le Havre Noverre-Marie Rheinberg (Surako) 2010 158 625 66 100

1,629,293

Stallion Breeding

To Stud Rnrs Runs Wnrs Wins Wnrs/Rnrs SWnrs SWs £

Galileo Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea (Miswaki) 2002 614 2592 256 370 41.69 32 38 8,665,885

Pivotal Polar Falcon-Fearless Revival (Cozzene) 1997 426 1994 165 247 38.73 19 24 6,195,432

Dansili Danehill-Hasili (Kahyasi) 2001 442 2196 185 281 41.85 16 19 5,381,032

Oasis Dream Green Desert-Hope (Dancing Brave) 2004 473 2458 189 311 39.95 15 24 4,878,758

Hernando Niniski-Whakilyric (Miswaki) 1996 88 460 36 61 40.90 4 11 4,652,897

Monsun Konigsstuhl-Mosella (Surumu) 1996 160 708 74 111 46.25 9 12 4,537,047

Dubawi Dubai Millennium-Zomaradah (Deploy) 2006 305 1462 135 209 44.26 10 16 4,369,304

Shamardal Giant’s Causeway-Helsinki (Machiavellian) 2005 327 1573 142 215 43.42 12 13 3,681,536 Invincible Spirit Green Desert-Rafha (Kris) 2003 460 2375 173 260 37.60 4 6 3,680,929 Teofilo Galileo-Speirbhean (Danehill) 2008 235 1073 84 120 35.74 9 14 3,660,082 Montjeu Sadler’s Wells-Floripedes (Top Ville) 2001 296 1347 107 156 36.14 8 10 3,471,186

Danehill Danzig-Razyana (His Majesty) 1990 113 566 48 71 42.47 8 17 3,407,730 Danehill Dancer Danehill-Mira Adonde (Sharpen Up) 1998 313 1407 108 153 34.50 5 7 3,302,938

Sea The Stars Cape Cross-Urban Sea (Miswaki) 2010 138 576 57 100 41.30 9 13 3,166,070 Kingmambo Mr. Prospector-Miesque (Nureyev) 1994 75 376 31 44 41.33 4 7 3,085,153 New Approach Galileo-Park Express (Ahonoora) 2009 168 789 63 95 37.50 8 9 2,922,125 Selkirk Sharpen Up-Annie Edge (Nebbiolo) 1993 161 786 65 88 40.37 5 9 2,740,477

Cape Cross Green Desert-Park Appeal (Ahonoora) 2000 280 1412 100 144 35.71 5 6 2,712,138 Acclamation Royal Applause-Princess Athena (Ahonoora) 2004 284 1453 96 147 33.80 7 8 2,575,066 Dalakhani Darshaan-Daltawa (Miswaki) 2003 218 1097 75 114 34.40 7 11 2,549,931 Exceed And Excel Danehill-Patrona (Lomond) 2005 277 1478 106 165 38.26 2 2 2,428,723 Anabaa Danzig-Balbonella (Gay Mecene) 1997 144 768 55 80 38.19 7 11 2,277,256 Street Cry Machiavellian-Helen Street (Troy) 2003 142 708 59 97 41.54 9 15 2,255,500 Holy Roman Emperor Danehill-L’On Vite (Secretariat) 2007 217 1155 92 140 42.39 3 5 2,032,668 Green Desert Danzig-Foreign Courier (Sir Ivor) 1987 140 797 49 81 35.00 3 4 2,013,069 Raven’s Pass Elusive Quality-Ascutney (Lord At War) 2009 100 503 35 52 35.00 3 4 1,882,571 Rock of Gibraltar Danehill-Offshore Boom (Be My Guest) 2003 213 1065 81 122 38.02 5 5 1,857,366 Le Havre Noverre-Marie Rheinberg (Surako) 2010 80 383 33 44 41.25 2 2 1,771,498 High Chaparral Sadler’s Wells-Kasora (Darshaan) 2004 205 1005 76 101 37.07 7 8 1,706,786 Duke of Marmalade Danehill-Love Me True (Kingmambo) 2009 123 642 55 86 44.71 6 7 1,660,573 Giant’s Causeway Storm Cat-Mariah’s Storm (Rahy) 2001 138 695 56 83 40.57 7 10 1,650,907 Kodiac Danehill-Rafha (Kris) 2007 136 679 53 82 38.97 3 3 1,637,172 Zamindar Gone West-Zaizafon (The Minstrel) 1998 145 722 65 87 44.82 3 4 1,622,556 Dutch Art Medicean-Halland Park Lass (Spectrum) 2008

39.47 1 3 1,602,375 Peintre Celebre Nureyev-Peinture Bleue (Alydar) 1999 157 766

761

36.94 3 6 1,571,239 Nayef Gulch-Height of Fashion (Bustino)

832

39.63 2

1,503,789 Sadler’s Wells Northern Dancer-Fairy Bridge (Bold Reason) 1985

1,454,312 Medicean Machiavellian-Mystic Goddess (Storm Bird)

885

1,452,657 Singspiel In the Wings-Glorious Song (Halo)

1,420,014 Lawman Invincible Spirit-Laramie (Gulch)

Fastnet Rock Danehill-Piccadilly Circus (Royal Academy)

1,388,848

No Nay Never Scat Daddy-Cat’s Eye Witness (Elusive Quality) 2015 56 168 27 45 48.21 6 15 1,618,149

Kodiac Danehill-Rafha (Kris) 2007 110 383 43 56 39.09 2 2 1,200,113

Havana Grey Havana Gold-Blanc de Chine Dark Angel) 2019 75 330 37 57 49.33 5 6 1,197,741 Showcasing Oasis Dream-Arabesque (Zafonic) 2011 62 190 19 27 30.64 5 6 1,044,554

Camacho Danehill-Arabesque (Zafonic) 2006 75 324 17 26 22.66 0 0 1,012,366

Kingman Invincible Spirit-Zenda (Zamindar) 2015 57 127 19 25 33.33 4 5 960,223

Cotai Glory Exceed And Excel-Continua (Elusive Quality) 2018 49 209 21 33 42.85 4 4 847,303

Dark Angel Acclamation-Midnight Angel (Machiavellian) 2008 71 212 19 28 26.76 4 4 814,848

Sioux Nation Scat Daddy-Dream The Blues (Oasis Dream) 2019 80 270 40 52 50.00 2 2 764,132

Dandy Man Mozart-Lady Alexande (Night Shift) 2010 82 303 18 23 21.95 3 3 739,168

Dubawi Dubai Millennium-Zomaradah (Deploy) 2006 52 131 24 33 46.15 6 6 675,183

Lope De Vega Shamardal-Lady Vettor (Vettori) 2011 55 114 23 28 41.81 2 3 674,959

Frankel Galileo-Kind (Danehill) 2013 28 61 12 18 42.85 1 3 665,486

Churchill Galileo-Meow (Storm Cat) 2018 51 140 16 25 31.37 2 3 553,733

Siyouni Pivotal-Sichilla (Danehill) 2011 40 89 9 13 22.50 2 3 530,266

Saxon Warrior Deep Impact-Maybe (Galileo) 2019 47 134 15 20 31.91 2 3 519,796

Havana Gold Teofilo-Jessica’s Dream (Desert Style) 2014 31 118 11 19 35.48 1 1 470,148

Mehmas Acclamation-Lucina (Machiavellian) 2017 34 124 11 16 32.35 1 1 467,121

Harry Angel Dark Angel-Beatrix Potter (Cadeaux Genereux) 2019 48 185 19 26 39.58 0 0 458,056

Gleneagles Galileo-You’resothrilling (Storm Cat) 2016 42 92 11 18 26.19 2 2 447,968 Starspangledbanner Choisir-Gold Anthem (Made of Gold) 2011 61 216 18 21 29.50 1 1 440,219

Zoustar Northern Meteor-Zouzou (Redoute’s Choice) 2019 49 148 13 20 26.53 1 3 437,829 Wootton Bassett Iffraaj-Balladonia (Primo Dominie) 2012 23 60 8 13 34.78 2 2 420,915 Invincible Spirit Green Desert-Rafha (Kris) 2003 44 126 18 21 40.90 2 2 403,267 Kessaar Kodiac-Querulous (Raven’s Pass) 2019 49 217 20 24 40.81 0 0 387,832

Oasis Dream Green Desert-Hope (Dancing Brave) 2004 56 174 14 17 25.00 1 1 359,139 Exceed And Excel Danehill-Patrona (Lomond) 2005 40 117 11 15 27.50 2 2 346,908 Bungle Inthejungle Exceed And Excel-Licence To Thrill (Wolfhound) 2015 45 190 12 18 26.66 2 2 330,067 Shalaa Invincible Spirit-Ghurra (War Chant) 2017 45 159 15 18 33.33 0 0 326,042 Sea The Moon Sea The Stars-Sanwa (Monsun) 2015 33 80 9 13 27.27 3 3 324,979 Galileo Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea (Miswaki) 2002 38 80 14 15 36.84 1 1 305,263

Expert Eye Acclamation-Exemplify (Dansili) 2019 51 186 18 22 35.29 0 0 304,787 Acclamation Royal Applause-Princess Athena (Ahonoora) 2004

10 16 24.39 1 1 297,840 Muhaarar Oasis Dream-Tahrir (Linamix)

14 19 34.14 1 1 294,368 Brazen Beau I Am Invincible-Sansadee (Snaadee)

13 20 33.33 2 3 292,739 Zoffany Dansili-Tyranny (Machiavellian)

Dansili-Tantina

15 19 25.42 1 1 287,907

276,981

Alpinista climbed every mountain

Jocelyn de Moubray reckons she is up there with the best middle-distance fillies and mares of this century

Photography by Debbie Burt

KIRSTEN RAUSING’S Alpinista won a competitive high-class Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to confirm that she is a racemare of the highest calibre.

The five-year-old daughter of Frankel won by a half length and a neck from Vadeni and Torquator Tasso, the best three-year-old in Europe and the leading older colt in Europe over the last two years.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained mare did not win by a wide margin, but she has rarely done so in the past either and it has not stopped her from completing a run of eight consecutive victories and six consecutive Group 1 victories over a span of two years.

A remarkable achievement for all of those involved.

With the exception of her first Group 1 win in Berlin back in August 2021 when she defeated Torquator Tasso by two and three-quarter legnths, Alpinista has won all the others by a margin of less than 2l, while at the same time she has rarely looked like getting beaten.

Her ability to preserve herself is probably one of the reasons she has been able to maintain the highest level of ability for quite so long.

And for those who were looking for signs of brilliance? That came at the top of the straight when Alpinista, after keeping reasonably close to the ridiculously fast pace set by the Japanese champion Titleholder on very soft ground, was swinging along happily on the bridle while all of those behind were

struggling to stay in touch with the leaders.

The race turned into a real test of stamina and courage over the final 400m as the pace and the ground took its toll of the runners, but Alpinista was always the strongest and there was only a fleeting moment when it looked as if she might be caught by Torquator Tasso staying on from the rear.

Alpinista may never have recorded a spectacularly high rating, most European handicappers don’t appreciate the quality of middle-distance racing in Germany, but if you look at her record over the last two years only the very best of the century – Enable, Treve or Zarkava – have looked to be better fillies or mares when racing over 1m4f.

The Arc de Triomphe attracted a maximum field of 20, and to get there La Parisienne, placed in the Prix de Diane and the Prix Vermeille, had to be eliminated.

Under France Galop’s rules the horses with the lowest official rating are eliminated and so La Parisienne rated 113 was out before the colt Al Hakeem, rated 114 beforehand. If she had run she would have received 3lb from Al Hakeem and every other colt in the race and so, on her rating, would have finished a length or two in front of Al Hakeem.

France Galop was probably not too disappointed to see the Zarak filly ruin her chance in the Prix de l’Opera by pulling madly and tiring quickly in the straight, but this is surely a rule which needs to be reconsidered.

Twenty high-class horses, all rated 114 or

Alpinista taking it all in her stride to claim her sixth consecutive European Group 1. As we go to press a Japan Cup challenge is on the cards

higher, are likely to provide a competitive race but the Arc was immediately turned into a real test as the Japanese trained Titleholder set off at a ridiculously fast pace, and a pace he maintained as the four-yearold was still in the lead with only 400m to go.

He ran the first 2,000m on very soft ground in 2min8.71secs and the first 1,400 metres in 1min29.1secs – this is very fast for any Arc de Triomphe, about five seconds or 25l faster than the last two years on even softer ground.

It was faster, too, than the 1min29.33secs the pacemaker Nelson went in Enable’s Longchamp Arc in 2018.

The only recent Arc with a faster early pace was when Gahaiyyath went through the first 1,400m in 1min27.63secs in Waldgeist’s year in 2019 – by the 600m mark Godolphin’s multiple Group 1 winner was exhausted and passed.

Alpinista was the last to come off the bridle, and for a brief moment looked a little vulnerable at the front end, but the brave daughter of Frankel switched on the afterburners to come home ahead of the best three-year-old colt in Europe and the best older middle-distance horse

Below, with her adoring groom Annabel Willis. She has looked after Alpinista since the grey arrived at Heath House

This year the pace and the ground did not set up the race for those waiting behind, many of them struggled and lost all momentum long before the leader’s stride began to go with 400m to run.

Alpinista was the last of the 20 to come off the bridle, but there was just a moment when she looked vulnerable as many of those chasing made ground, however, in the final 200m the only horse travelling faster than the winner was Torquator Tasso, who made up one more length to get within half length and a neck at the line.

The Aga Khan’s Vadeni has looked very good more than once in his career, but the Jean Claude Rouget-trained son of Churchill surpassed himself to finish second on his first try at the distance.

He appears to have inherited something from his broodmare sire Monsun, not least stamina and the ability to show his best on very soft ground.

His jockey Christophe Soumillon regretted afterwards that he had not been able to take a prominent position immediately, but Vadeni will surely be able to win Group 1s over 1m4f before he retires to stud.

Torquator Tasso retires in 2023 to his Gestüt Auenquelle with a remarkable record of six wins and seven places from 16 starts spread over three years in Germany, France and Britain.

The Marcel Weiss-trained son of Adlerflug needed a run to reach his peak every year, and ran close to his very best on all of his other 13 starts over a 1m3f-1m4f.

He is a very good-looking colt, much the best product of his outstanding sire, and deserves support from every breeder interested in producing middle-distance horses.

Torquator Tasso was drawn 18 of the 20 runners and covered seven metres more than the winner, while leaving the next best of those with double digit draws – Broome from stall 14, some 8l behind him.

My impression watching the race again is that it was not so much the extra distance that hindered those with wide draws as the ground, which looked heavier for those racing wide in the first part of the race when the field climbs up to the little wood at the top of the course.

The next two finishers also deserve a

Torquator Tasso retires in 2023 to Gestüt Auenquelle with a remarkable record of six wins and seven places from 16 starts

mention as Al Hakeem, a three-year-old Siyouni colt out of a Galileo mare trained by Rouget, ran a remarkable race to finish fourth on his first start at the distance and only his second in a Group 1 race.

The Olympic Glory mare Grand Glory finished an excellent fifth and was the only one of those settled behind to make real ground in the final stages.

The Gianluca Bietolini-trained mare ran the fastest 200m of the whole field and the fastest final 600m while running 10m in total further than the winner.

As good as ever after 23 races over four seasons Grand Glory has always enjoyed soft ground but had never shown such stamina before.

Fillies and mares have dominated recent runnings of the Arc winning eight of the last 12 – the only colts to win have been the older horses Sottsass, Torquator Tasso and Waldgeist, with Golden Horn the only three-year-old in 2015.

Fillies and mares had a similar run of

success in the race in the 1970s winning seven times in ten years between Allez France in 1974 and All Along in 1983 and the most likely explanation then was the same as today – at the time the top 1m4f races for three-year-olds, and in particular the English and Irish Derbys, were unusually weak races.

Today there is the added complication that since the Jockey-Club was reduced to 2,100m only two French-trained three-year -old colts have won the race – Hurricane Run, who also won the Irish Derby, and Rail Link in 2005 and 2006.

The English and Irish Derbys are uncompetitive and the best French-trained three-year-old colts lack experience as the only Group 1 for them over 1m4f is nearly always run on different ground from the Arc.

Three-year-old fillies have a more suitable programme with the English and Irish Oaks, as well as the Yorkshire Oaks and the Prix Vermeille, all Group 1s over 1m4f run between June and September.

If Europe’s racing authorities wish to

If Europe’s racing authorities wish to maintain the most valuable and prestigious races at 1m4f there is an urgent need to consult and look at the programme

Kirsten Rausing has had horses with Sir Mark Prescott for over 30 years. In Martin Stevens’s interview with Rausing (International Thoroughbred, February 2022) she said of Alouette’s brood: “They’re good doers and eat well... If you asked Sir Mark Prescott, who knows them as well as anyone, I think he would agree.” On ITV Racing, a week after Alpinista’s victory, Annabel Willis indeed reported that the mare had not left a scrap since Paris

maintain the most valuable and prestigious races at 1m4f there is an urgent need to consult and look at the programme of races for middle-distance three-year-olds.

The stallion market has always been the main driver of the bloodstock and racing business, and the problem is that whereas in the US it is still the Kentucky Derby and two-turn Dirt races which create the most valuable stallions, in Europe the English and Irish Derbys no longer play the same role.

Fillies Group 1s: typical French-run races

There are now two Group 1s for fillies and mares over the Arc weekend and both were

traditional French type races run at a slow pace with a finishing sprint.

The leaders – Ottilien in the 2,800m Royallieu and Nashwa in the 2,000m Opera, looked for a long time as if they had stolen the race from the front but both were caught close home by horses coming from behind.

The William Haggas-trained Sea The Stars filly Sea La Rosa was a narrow if slightly comfortable winner of the Royallieu from Jannah Flower, who came from even further behind to be second just ahead of Ottilien.

Sea La Rosa has won four of her five starts as a four-year-old and is a full-sister to the Group-winning three-year-old colt

Deauville Legend bred by Guy Heald from his Hernando mare Soho Rose.

Al Shaqab’s three-year-old Lope De Vega filly Place Du Carrousel was a revelation in the Opera, flying home from a seemingly impossible position to catch the Diane winner Nashwa and win by three-quarters of a length with Above the Curve third. My Astra looked unlucky in fourth when coming from too far off the slow pace.

The finish of the Opera was contested by fillies coming from high draws suggesting again that it was the ground in the first 400m, which hindered those drawn wide in the Arc.

Place Du Carrousel, who like Sea La Rosa, was sold as a yearling at the Arqana August Sale, had looked very good when winning her Group 3 at the beginning of the year and had finished second behind Above The Curve in the Group 1 Prix Saint Alary.

Place Du Carrousel’s trainer André Fabre gave her a long break after the Diane and she returned to put up the best performance of her career to date.

Sumbe and Yeguada Centurion are likely to play as prominent a part in the future of French racing and breeding as the Aga Khan Studs and Al Shaqab

A deserved Group 1 for Sea La Rosa: the Sea The Stars four-year-old filly added to the Group 3 and two Group 2s wins collected this summer

Major new investors in French racing enjoy success in the jvuenile Group 1 races

The two-year-old races at the Arc weekend have not attracted the best two-year-olds from England and Ireland in recent years, even if the 7f Prix Jean Luc Lagardère is still a race which produces stallions – those who have won or placed in the race recently include, of course, Wootton Bassett and Siyouni as well as Galileo Gold, Territories and Gleneagles.

Sumbe’s homebred Showcasing colt Belbek led home a trio of French-trained colts in this year’s race, just finishing better than the Wertheimers’ Lope De Vega colt Gamestop to win by a neck with Breizh Sky a neck behind in third.

Belbek has always been a good-looking strong colt and had looked like a top prospect when winning a Group 3 in June.

After two subsequent disappointing runs at 6f he improved for this step up in trip and gave his owner-breeder Nurlan Bizakov another Classic prospect for 2023.

Bizakov is about the biggest new investor in French bloodstock having purchased two major stud farms in recent years and has this colt and the very promising Wootton Bassett colt Padishakh to carry his colours in the best races in 2023.

Another major new investor in France, Leopoldo Fernandez Pujais, who came into the sport after decades breeding dressage horses of the highest international level, won his first Group 1 as an owner and breeder when his Churchill filly Blue Rose Cen took the Marcel Boussac by 5l from the Irish challengers Gan Teorainn and Never Ending Story.

This was also a first Group 1 win for her young trainer Christopher Head, who is the principle trainer for Pujais whose horses race in the name of Yeguada Centurion.

Blue Rose Can has won four of her last five starts and was the easiest winner of the weekend, she is surely the best of her age and sex in France.

Her dam Queen Blossom was a Group winner in Ireland and the US.

The French-trained horses have often struggled to compete in the best races recently and so the Arc weekend was in this respect a triumph with French trainers winning the two-year-old races, as well as the Prix de l’Opera and having three of the first five home in the Arc itself.

Sumbe and Yeguada Centurion are likely to play as prominent a part in the future of French racing and breeding as the Aga Khan Studs and Al Shaqab.

Place Du Carrousel: the Lope De Vega filly put in her best performance to date, winning the Prix de l’Opera. Her win and the pedigree update helped her Kingman yearling half-sister achieve a 1,050,000gns sale price at Tattersalls

A week after Belbek won the Lagardere (below), Nurlan Bizakov enjoyed a Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2) victory with Charyn (Dark Angel)

Gunning for glory

As we close in on the Breeders’ Cup, Melissa Bauer-Herzog reviews the Graded race action stateside and sees younger sires dominating results

AS NORTH AMERICAN racing approaches the Breeders’ Cup World Championship, the season heated up with final prep races being run around the country.

It kicked off in mid-September when Godolphin and Charlie Appleby remained true to form and took two of the three Grade 1s run at Woodbine on September 17.

Their 2021 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Dubawi) led the way to secure his second Grade 1 of the year in the Woodbine Mile. Modern Games is one of three graded stakes winners for Dubawi in North America this year, joined by two-time Grade 1 winner In Italian in giving his sire top level wins on the continent in 2022.

Godolphin and Appleby then proved they have another strong juvenile on their hands with Mysterious Night (Dark Angel) in the Grade 1 Pattison Summer Stakes. An experienced runner with five starts before shipping to North America for the first time, he also proved to be a strong traveller for his first trip to the continent with a 5l victory in the Summer Stakes.

Both colts earned “Win and You’re In” berths to their respective Breeders’ Cup races with Appleby looking for his seventh win at

the meet. If Appleby wins the Juvenile Turf, it will be his fourth victory in that race since his victory with Outstrip (Exceed and Excel) in 2013.

Across the border, Godolphin and Appleby took another North American stakes –Nations Pride (Teofilo) romping home in the Caesars Jockey Club Derby (G3) at Aqueduct.

That colt loves racing in the US with two wins and a second in New York’s Turf Triple Crown, and that group of races included victory in the Grade 1 Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6.

Gun Runner the sire of the future

If it wasn’t already clear before, Gun Runner again showed that he’s a breed-changingsire-in-the-making in late September producing five stakes winners.

That group was led by the two Grade 1-winning three-year-olds at Parx Racing.

Taiba proved that he may make the three-year-old championship interesting if he performs well at the Breeders’ Cup with a 3l victory in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby for his second top level score of the year.

The colt was the top half of a one-three finish for his sire after fellow two-time Grade 1 winner Cyberknife won the photo for third.

Society showed that Gun Runner isn’t just a “colt sire” with victory in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes. A homebred for Peter Blum, Society has been a rising star in her division with five wins in six career starts – her only loss coming when fourth against Nest (Curlin) in July.

Also among Gun Runner’s winners that day was his 2021 champion two-year-old filly Echo Zulu in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes on the same card which saw Gunite won the Harrods Creek Stakes by 3l and Sixtythreecaliber take the Seneca Overnight by quarter of a length.

Gun Runner is not only dominating the second-crop sires’ list but is also proving to be among the best of the general sires’ list as well

Gun Runner is not only dominating the second-crop sires’ list but is also proving to be among the best on the general sires’ list as well.

His four Grade 1 winners of the year is second among all North American stallions and his eight Grade 1 performers leads all stallions – and this is despite having only two and three-year-olds on the track.

The golden boys

In what is quickly turning into a golden age

of stallions in the US, freshman sire Good Magic struck the first Grade 1 blow of his class with Blazing Sevens proving to be an interesting contender for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a 3l win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes to kick off October.

It was an exacta for the freshman class with Verifying finishing second to give undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify his first Grade 1 performer.

Justify has sired four stakes winners and seven stakes performers from his first crop.

Set to join the stallion ranks next year with an advertised fee of $100,000, subject to his Breeders’ Cup result, Life Is Good (Into Mischief) won the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes on the same card.

The colt has made his case as one of the best older Dirt males with his four wins in five starts this year, including three Grade 1 victories.

His only loss of the year came when going 1m2f in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup, which makes the Breeders’ Cup Classic an interesting challenge for him. His connections may always opt for a potential second victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile instead.

The most debated race was the battle between Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) and Rich Strike (Keen Ice) in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic.

There was controversy after the race but it didn’t detract from the throwdown the pair had down the stretch.

The Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike dueled with last year’s Kentucky Derby second place finisher all the way down the stretch and grabbed the advantage near the line, but in the end Hot Rod Charlie came back late to win the race by a nose.

While Hot Rod Charlie is nearly a certainty for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Rich Strike’s connections haven’t decided if they want to take on the tough field of horses or aim for the Grade 1 Clark Handicap a few weeks later.

Rich Strike has proven to love the Churchill Downs surface and would be a top contender for the Clark if he heads that way.

It is no Joke amongst the younger brigade Young stallions were back in the spotlight the following day when three of the races were won by runners from the first or second crops of their sires.

Practical Joke led the charge on that front when juvenile Chocolate Gelato became his first Grade 1 winner in the Frizette Stakes.

While it’s hard to stand out in a sire class that includes Gun Runner, Practical Joke is quickly proving to be a solid sire-son of leading stallion Into Mischief.

His two Grade 1 performers this year put him third among second-crop sires, while

Taiba (seen here in May) took the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and is on course for the Breeders’ Cup

racing

his 13 stakes performers this year is a tie for second best. Mastery joined Practical Joke as second-crop sires with graded stakes winners that day after Midnight Memories won the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes against her elders.

On the Frizette card, first-crop sire Bolt D’Oro sired his second graded stakes winner with Major Dude’s victory in the Pilgrim Stakes (G2).

A son of Medaglia D’Oro, Bolt D’Oro’s first runners have come out winning with his 17 winners including four stakes winners.

The stallion leads all first-crop sires with 11 stakes performers, four stakes winners, and five graded stakes performers. His only zero comes in the Grade 1 category, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see at least one Bolt D’Oro runner fix that at the Breeders’ Cup.

It was a stakes-double for sons of the late blue hen mare Leslie’s Lady at Keeneland during the opening day of the meet thanks to Into Mischief and Mendelssohn.

Into Mischief the champion elect

Almost certainly locking up another sire’s championship this year, Into Mischief also registered his 13th Grade 1 winner when Wonder Wheel put in a determined effort to take the Grade 1 Alcibiades by a nose.

She was nearly beat by freshman sire City Of Light’s Chop Chop with Nyquist’s Xigera back in third.

The final-named colt out of Leslie’s Lady, Into Mischief’s freshman half-brother Mendelssohn, earned his first graded stakes winner in style earlier on the card in the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes.

Breaking her maiden one race before the Jessamine Stakes, Delight was more than up for the graded stakes company she faced with a 5l victory to earn herself a spot in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The filly is one of four stakes performers for Mendelssohn as of October 17, placing him sixth on the freshman sires’ list in that category.

The late Arrogate continues to be a major loss to the bloodstock industry with the latest blow coming when he sired the winners of both the Grade 1 American Pharoah and the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes during their final

weekend of Breeders’ Cup prep races.

Cave Rock was an authoritative winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah, while And Tell Me Nolies won the Grade 2 Chandelier by three-quarters of a length over Uncontrollable (Upstart) with the field 4l behind the top pair.

Arrogate looks to have a strong hand going into the Breeders’ Cup with the stallion also the sire of Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Oath, who heads to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Secret Oath is set to sell the day following

the Distaff at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Only a few months after his sire Kitten’s Joy died in July, freshman sire Oscar Performance put in his card as Kitten’s Joy’s heir apparent with a big statement in the Bourbon Stakes (G2).

Placed in two stakes – one on Turf and one on Dirt – in his two outings before the Bourbon Stakes, Andthewinneris showed that the Keeneland Turf is to his liking with his 2l victory.

Directly behind him was another Oscar Performance son in Deer District, who also had a stakes placing before this run.

A Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner himself, Oscar Performance has sired four stakes performers with all four of those earning their black-type at the graded stakes level.

Curlin not to be denied Young guns may have ruled most of the Breeders’ Cup preps but leading sire Curlin made sure he is still at the forefront of peoples’ minds with a graded stakes double in early October.

Daughter Malathaat was named champion three-year-old filly last year and is making a strong big for champion older Dirt female honours after securing another Grade 1 victory in the Spinster Stakes.

Her victory came just hours after Nest continued her run for champion threeyear-old filly honours with a 9l score in the Beldame Stakes (G2) over another Curlin filly in First To Act.

Both Malathaat and Nest are leaders in their divisions and could clash in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

It is worth noting that both are also out of A.P. Indy mares, a cross that has produced a golden seam for Curlin – 10 stakes winners from 52 runners, including four Grade 1 winners, two fillies and two colts.

Nest’s Grade 1-winning full-brother Idol is set to stand his first season at Taylor Made Farm in 2023, while Global Campaign had his first foals at WinStar Farm this year.

There is no word on if Malathaat will continue to run next year though Nest’s connections have said that is the plan for their own filly.

Malathaat (Curlin): is heading for honours as the year’s champion older Dirt female in the US

Photo by Z

potential

Goffs November Foals flourish as yearlings and as racehorses. This year’s selection are even more beautiful than ever featuring the cream of the Irish foal crop.

Unmissable

Teme talk

Teme Valley Racing has enjoyed a brilliant year on the racecourse, capped by Bayside Boy’s fantastic Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victory at Ascot

James Thomas chats with racing manager Richard Ryan – with the colt’s owners he is currently working on plans for 2023… a four-year-old racing career or a first year at stud?

FROM A SELECT NUMBER of shrewd purchases, Teme Valley Racing has punched well above its weight over the last four seasons. The latest top-flight knockout arrived on British Champions Day when Bayside Boy came with an irresistible late rattle to land the Qipco-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and provide the owner with its third Group 1 winner in as many years.

Previously the Teme Valley colours of maroon with yellow hoops and cap had been carried to top-level triumphs by State Of Rest, who completed an audacious Saratoga Derby and Cox Plate double before being sold to an international stallion syndicate, and Gear Up, winner of the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Although Bayside Boy was a 33-1 shot in a nine-runner field, there was plainly no fluke about his length and a quarter dismissal of three-time Group/Grade 1 winner Modern Games, who had dual Group 2 winner Jadoomi a further short head back in third.

The Roger Varian-trained colt always promised big things during his juvenile season and, after a somewhat frustrating campaign that saw luck and ground

conditions go against him on more than one occasion, he finally got the chance to prove what he is capable of at Ascot.

“It was a spectacular turn of foot he showed,” says Teme Valley’s racing manager Richard Ryan. “We were hoping that the ground was going to be favourable in planning and it all seemed to fall into place.”

Bayside Boy was running in his fifth Group 1 having finished third to Native Trail

in the Dewhurst Stakes and filled the same position behind Luxembourg in the Vertem Futurity Trophy during a juvenile season that also included a wide-margin Newbury novice romp and victory in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes.

He returned at three with runs in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and St James’s Palace Stakes that plainly didn’t see him to best advantage, but got back to winning ways in the Listed Fortune Stakes before producing his career-best effort.

“He was a little bit unlucky in the Dewhurst and was arguably unlucky not to get closer to Luxembourg, so we knew his form was to a very high standard and his work at home was to a high standard too,” continued Ryan, adding: “So we’ve always maintained belief.”

Such a success brings with it a range of high-class problems, namely whether to find the three-year-old a place at stud or whether to keep him in training for another season and see if his potent turn of foot can help him add further Group 1s to his record.

“Nothing is off the table at the moment but negotiations and discussions are ongoing

New Bay is very hot and Bayside Boy is a commercial prospect in stallion terms... so we’re weighing up the two situations

Richard Ryan balances off “physicality with pedigree” when buying yearlings for Teme Valley

Photo: Tattersalls | Laura Green

in both situations,” says Ryan as we go to press in mid-October.

“With that turn of foot and with a race-plan accordingly, something like the Lockinge, the Queen Anne, Jacques le Marois and then back to the QEII, would see him to his best throughout the year, which is very tempting.

“But New Bay is very hot and he’s a very commercial prospect in stallion terms, especially with his two-year-old form, so we’re weighing up the two situations.”

Ryan signed for the high-class talent at 200,000gns during Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Ballylinch Stud, who were so taken with the son of New Bay they approached the new owner about retaining a share.

“Ballylinch were very keen on the horse as the vendor, but it wasn’t until after the fall of hammer that John [O’Connor, managing director] said he’d be happy to stay in for a piece,” says Ryan. “That was very encouraging; we thought there’d be no better partner and so it’s proved. He’s a very correct horse with a great walk, he’s got a real swagger to him.

“We’d been underbidder in a New Bay for a lot of money earlier in the year so we were seeking out another one if we could find one. Lo and behold, there he was in Book 2!”

Bayside Boy formed part of a mammoth Champions Day double for his sire New Bay, whose son Bay Bridge lowered the colours of the likes of Adayar and Baaeed in the Group 1 Champion Stakes.

Teme Valley’s charge is from the second crop of New Bay, and Ryan says he was particularly intent on securing something by the son of Dubawi having been struck by his youngstock at the sales.

“I liked New Bay’s yearlings very much and was pretty adamant that he was going to make it based on what I’d seen,” he says. “Night Of Thunder had kicked things off for sons of Dubawi so I thought there was no reason that New Bay wouldn’t follow suit. We got in at the right time, which is the main thing.

“It’s always a balance though [between pedigree and physique] and physicality is huge for us,” he adds.

Moreover, this was Ryan’s second

He bought into my theory of how it can be done and thank God we’ve landed a few big fish along the way.

“Jim has given me a lot of autonomy, thankfully for me, and we’ve reaped the benefits of him being an experienced owner, which is very helpful, and he’s not a bad judge himself.”

Although the outfit may be named after an area that lies primarily in northwest Worcestershire and extends into Shropshire and Herefordshire, Teme Valley’s approach is predicated on a commercially conscious world-wide outlook.

involvement with a Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner having been assistant to trainer Terry Mills when Where Or When got the better of Hawk Wing some 20 years ago.

“I was central in selecting Where Or When at purchase as well so it’s very much my second QEII,” he says. “Where Or When was a little bit unlucky on occasions, but had won the Thoroughbred Stakes very easily and Mick Kinane had said don’t be afraid to take on anything with this horse.”

“You’ve got to have an eye on the global landscape,” says Ryan. “Although English racing is the best quality in the world, unfortunately it’s not the most financially rewarding. You have to have a plan in place with each horse; physicality is hugely important and you must protect each horse’s race record with a view to being a globally tradable commodity. That way you can try and self-finance the project.”

The Teme Valley model was seen to its optimum with State Of Rest, the son of Starspangledbanner who shipped to the US to win the Saratoga Derby before jetting down to Moonee Valley where he annexed the Cox Plate.

ALTHOUGH THE NAME

TEME VALLEY RACING may sound like a syndicate, the ownership vehicle is in fact the nom de plume of one individual, businessman Jim Cockburn.

“It’s the racing name and the brainchild of one man,” says Ryan, who has been involved since the idea was conceived. “Teme Valley is where he was residing and when we were thinking of an appropriate name to race the horses under we looked out of the window over a beautiful landscape and thought ‘Why not try Teme Valley?’ It’s been very lucky for us.

“He’d always wanted to try and break into the upper regions of Flat racing but realised the difficulty at hand. Jim and I hatched a plan and have stuck quite religiously to it.

Teme Valley Racing’s

Jim and I hatched a plan and have stuck quite religiously to it, he bought into my theory of how it can be done and thank God we have landed a few big fish...

He was then sold to a consortium of international studs and investors that include Ireland’s Rathbarry Stud, Australian operation Newgate Farm and the China Horse Club.

Racing under the ownership of the State Of Rest partnership, the Joseph O’Brientrained colt added the Group 1 Prix Ganay and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes to his deeply global race record during a fruitful four-year-old campaign.

EXPANDING ON Teme Valley’s decision to sell State Of Rest, Ryan says: “That was with a heavy heart, but it was a decision we had to take at the time relative to our scale. His value was getting into a very high number and Australia were obviously very keen on him and we had a strong interest from European farms, so it made sense to do a southern and northern hemisphere syndicate at the same.

“That made him a very valuable commodity and the thought of him racing and training with our liability would’ve been giving us palpitations!

“We’ve absolutely delighted in every

performance he’s given this year though and we’ve cheered him on with as much gusto as anybody could.”

Teme Valley has retained a number of shares in State Of Rest and intends to support its former charge at stud. While Ryan says numbers will remain tight, he says the operation’s broodmare portfolio “ought to, and probably will, expand.”

While Bayside Boy, State Of Rest and Gear Up, who remains under Teme Valley ownership with Annabel Neasham in Australia, are the Group 1-winning peaks among the owner’s record, there have been plenty of other talents besides.

Over 30 individual British and Irish successes have been registered by Teme Valley names such as State Of Rest’s Blue Wind Stakes-winning half-sister Tranquil Lady, the Irish Derby third French Claim, and the Prix des Chenes third Claim The Crown, as well as some smart handicap performers.

Having been born into a racing family and a self-confessed “anorak” as a child, Ryan has spent a lifetime honing his eye for a horse. However, he says even from a young age he was acutely aware that there was no substitute for first hand, hands on experience.

“My father was a jockey in a bygone era so it was a racing household but to get credibility you have to have experience,” he says. “It’s not enough to be a sponge for all the statistics, you have to go and get some coalface time.

“And I spent a long time at the coalface at all ages!

“My first hands-on job was at Hart Hill Stud with Neville Dent in the west country. He had done very well with a team of NH stallions and a couple of Flat horses and had hosts and hosts of mares coming on and off the farm. He’d also trained John Dunlop and David Elsworth in his history, amongst others, and he was a great teacher as well as a brilliant stallion and horseman.”

From there Ryan went on to work at Juddmonte’s Wargrave site during the years of mares like Slightly Dangerous, as well as gaining experience alongside revered bloodstock agent Richard Galpin.

“Richard Galpin would be a massive influence,” he says. “He was a brilliant agent, a genius-like level judge of a horse and my time with him was huge. Juddmonte was huge, too, as there was exposure to the highest class of thoroughbred and seeing what can be forgiven and can still be brilliant in terms of physicality and conformation.”

Bayside Boy returning glory, his team is currently working out future racing or stallion options – in mid-October everything was still up for discussion

Ryan has compiled a deep and varied CV having gone on to fill roles with the likes of trainers Terry Mills and Ian Williams, James Underwood, Charlie Gordon-Watson and Goffs UK. These different experiences have combined in a smart and assured approach to identifying untapped athletic potential that is bearing significant results.

“For it to have validity in your mind you have to have coalface experience and realise what’s trainable and what’s not trainable, the influence of certain conformational traits being detrimental to the training of a horse,” he says.

“You can’t get that out of a book and you certainly can’t get it from just being advised. It’ll take you so far but you’ll make terrible mistakes if you haven’t got the experience to back it up. Like most things, if you’re going to

be good at it the more experience you have, the better you are.”

Next season’s equine team will be spread between trainers Joseph O’Brien, Ger Lyons and Paddy Twomey in Ireland, Clive Cox, Roger Varian and William Haggas in Britain and Annabel Neasham in Australia. After another Group 1-winning season in 2022 and with five new recruits added at the yearling sales, there is plenty for team Teme Valley to look forward to.

“We try to keep numbers tight,” says Ryan. “We don’t want to go over 25 and nearer 20 is beneficial because the overhead is an extreme figure to think about planning to win each season. Fortunately we’ve won that for the last few years, which is not easily done. We’re surviving nicely and long may it continue.”

Great day: Ryan (centre) and breeder John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes trophy by Her Majesty The Queen Consort

Like most things, if you’re going to be good at it the more experience you have, the better you are

Global bloodstock’s man

Photo: Laura Green | Tattersalls

Ronald Rauscher: successful in Germany, Canada and Ireland

EVEN BY THE STANDARDS of a racing world that is becoming smaller and smaller, the scope of Ronald Rauscher’s life and work with horses has been remarkably international.

The renowned horseman was born in Canada to parents who had emigrated from Germany to North America due to the prevailing political and economic circumstances at home in the 1950s.

The family – who had no prior connection with racing – later returned to Germany, where Rauscher cut his teeth in the industry before taking a series of positions that has seen him ping-pong between Canada, Germany and Ireland. He has also helped set up a stud in Kentucky and overseen the export of premium racing and breeding stock to Australia and Japan during that time.

Rauscher returned to Ireland this year, relocating his business from Germany to partner Morna McDowell’s Kiln Cottage in County Cork.

The couple will run their separate consigning operations in co-operation at the yard just outside Mallow.

It is the industry stalwart’s “final move, hopefully” he says, in a reflective mood as he settles into his new life.

The reminiscing is no bad thing considering he has been hands-on with so many important broodmares over the years, and this interview appearing in a magazine due to be published on the eve of the breeding stock sales.

Going back to the start of his life’s work with horses, he says: “I started riding at pony club when I was a child in Germany, and then later I started working with a man who was breeding ponies and purebred Arabians. I got into breeding pretty quickly, and was handling his Arab stallions by the age of 12.

“What really did it for me, though, was that he subscribed to a wonderful German racing magazine called Vollblut, and by some mistake he always received two copies, so he gave me the spare one. It was around the time of Secretariat, and from then on I was gone.”

The newly converted racing fan Rauscher spent a summer at the Von Schubert family’s Gestüt Ebbesloh in 1975 (45 years later he would sell their Group 2-winning Champs

Ronald Rauscher’s career has crossed borders and nations – several times

The leading breeder and producer, consignor and international agent, has been at the centre of international bloodstock events since the 1970s, writes Martin Stevens

Elysees mare Durance for €750,000 at Arqana) and then served his apprenticeship at Gestüt Röttgen, from where Theo Grieper had just sent out the first German-trained Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, the homebred Star Appeal.

Rauscher cut that training short to head to his country of birth to work at Windfields Farm in Ontario, when E. P. Taylor’s operation was in its heyday, fuelled by the success of Northern Dancer, who by then was based at the Maryland division.

Rauscher’s leading ladies

ANNA PAOLA

1978 ch m Prince Ippi-Antwerpen (Waldcanter)

“I had a great time there and learned an awful lot,” says Rauscher. “I was handling Northern Dancer yearlings, and worked with the likes of Halo before he was sold to Stone Farm – I still have a picture of him in his muzzle; he was a very dangerous horse – as well as Vice Regent, The Minstrel, Master Willie, and so on.

“I worked with fantastic mares like Ballade, the dam of Devil’s Bag, Glorious Song and Saint Ballado, and foaled a Vice Regent filly who became the champion

two-year-old Deceit Dancer and a Val De L’Orne filly called La Lorgnette, who was also a champion and later dam of Hawk Wing.

“When you think of all those names, it’s shocking to think Windfields is non-existent now. Just completely gone.”

Rauscher might have stayed in his horse heaven indefinitely, or at least until the farm was wound down, but was led back to Germany by a girlfriend who wanted to study there.

He returned to Röttgen to do the

she came from a family that was only okay. She was also quite small – though not insignificant – so for her to produce Mandela and Manduro was just ‘wow’.

Rauscher became acquainted with Gestüt Röttgen’s German Oaks winner during his formative years at the operation. She was sold to become a foundation broodmare for Sheikh Mohammed in his early years in the sport – she left the Cologne stud on the same lorry as Strong Gale, who was on his way to Rathbarry Stud – and became the ancestress of numerous stars including Adayar, Annie Power, Billesdon Brook, Epaulette, Helmet and National Defense.

“I remember Anna Paola and her dam Antwerpen distinctly,” says Rauscher. “Antwerpen was big, tall, framey and raw boned, but Anna Paola was rangier, rather more refined and with a little more class. She had a lot of her sire Prince Ippi about her.

“He was a big outcross, with his sire being Hungarian.

“She was with Theo Grieper, who trained Star Appeal to win the Arc from Röttgen, and she was quite early. She beat the colts to win the Preis des Winterfavoriten going away, although like most German horses she wasn’t precocious, she just did it through class at that age. She went on to win the German Oaks, but that was it, and Robert Acton did the deal to buy her for Sheikh Mohammed.

“It’s amazing to see the legacy she has left, on an international scale, too, with a horse such as Helmet in Australia. Amazing Grace is also descended from her, so all of a sudden she’s back in my life again. You see traits in horses and I think I’ve seen that before!”

MANDELLICHT

1994 br m Be My Guest-Mandelauge (Elektrant)

Rolf Brunner struck while the iron was hot by engaging Rauscher to sell Mandellicht, his Listed-placed daughter of Be My Guest, who’d produced 2007 world champion Manduro, at that year’s Tattersalls December Sale.

The mare, who had earlier produced German Oaks third Mandela, was sold to Darley for a cool 3,000,000gns.

Rauscher remembers Mandellicht as an unlikely blue hen, saying: “She was by Be My Guest, who wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and

“Mandela was a very good mare, and actually went through my hands twice. I bought her privately for Gary Tanaka, who wasn’t a breeding man before he had to stop racing, and then I advised Christoph Berglar to buy her.

“He sold her in-foal to Mr Greeley at the Keeneland November Sale in 2007, and she made $1.4 million to Katsumi Yoshida and became a really significant mare in Japan, producing World Premiere, World Ace and Weltreisende.

“Just as I got off the plane in Frankfurt after arriving home from selling Mandela at Keeneland, the owner of Mandellicht rang me and said I had to get Mandellicht into that winter’s sales. Luckily Tattersalls were happy to take her, and she was a late entry in the days before wildcards and her page was just a little leaflet inserted into the catalogue that year.

Mandellicht selling at Tattersalls for 3,000,000gns in 2007

Photo: Tattersalls

equivalent of a masters qualification in stud work.

The death of farm owner Maria MehlMülhens in 1985 prompted his next move, this time to Ireland.

“Mrs Mehl-Mülhens had owned Baronrath Stud, which was close to Goffs between Straffan and Kill, since the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and it was where Star Appeal and Strong Gale were born,” explains Rauscher. “I’d visited the property a few times and when she died, her niece inherited

it and asked if I would be interested in running it, so I went there in 1986.

“The farm was fairly run down, with lots of cattle, so it was a big undertaking, but it was such a thrill to be where Star Appeal had been foaled – his dam and two of his sisters were still there. I stayed for five years, and during that time bred and raised Sternkonig, who became an important sire in Germany, and Bob’s Return, who won the St Leger.”

The next phase of Rauscher’s international odyssey was setting up Barnane Stud in

County Tipperary with his then wife.

When the couple split up in 1997 he returned to Germany to advise existing client Dr Christoph Berglar and run the UnionGestüt, which enjoyed enormous success.

During that time Berglar owned and bred the brilliant King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero Novellist and Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist, while Almerita was campaigned to score in the German Oaks.

Pastorius, whose three Group 1 victories

“There were some nerves, consigning the dam of the highestrated horse in the world at the time, especially as I had an inkling when she came to me to be prepped that she didn’t like shipping and that she might colic on the way to Newmarket.

“She did, of course! It was just a little bit of compaction, and with a bit of oil and relaxant and some walking she was fine again, but it had to be her!”

PRIVATE LIFE

1997 b m Bering-Poughkeepsie (Sadler’s Wells)

A useful daughter of Bering from the Wildensteins’ brilliant ‘P’ family of Pawneese, Peintre Celebre and Policy Maker, Private Life was bought as a broodmare prospect on behalf of Union-Gestüt for 225,000gns at the end of her racing career. Berglar bred the dual German Group 3 winner Persian Storm from the mare, but sold her on to Blandford Bloodstock for 70,000gns four years later.

Private Life went on to produce all-time great stayer Stradivarius for Bjorn Nielsen, but there are no hard feelings, as Rauscher says: “She did well for us, as we sold her first foal, the Fantastic Light colt Perfectionist for 175,000gns and her second foal, Persian Storm, for a sale-topping €300,000 in Baden-Baden.

“But she then had a very nasty foaling Union Stud, in which her Pivotal filly died, and we left her untouched that season. We got her in-foal to Azamour the following year, but we weren’t so sure about that mating so Christoph and I debated whether we should sell her and we agreed we’d see what we could get for her.

“Tom Goff bought her, so that was her gone, but they had to wait a long time to breed Stradivarius from her – he was her last foal, in fact. It’s been a pleasure to watch him, it’s made up for losing her.

“Private Life was a strong mare, quality all right; a bay with a lot of white on her. She had her own head, though. If she wanted to go somewhere with you and you didn’t want to go with her, she made sure she won the battle.

“She could be a bit ignorant – maybe that was a bit of Bering, or more probably Arctic Tern, coming through. Sea The Stars must have ironed out some of her mental kinks and helped her to produce a horse as good as Stradivarius.”

NIGHT LAGOON

2001 b m Lagunas-Nenuphar (Night Shift)

Christoph Berglar’s homebred mare was a champion two-yearold filly in Germany and has developed into a tip-top broodmare, producing 12 winners from as many runners – the first eight, including the champion Novellist, for Berglar and the latter four, including this season’s Irish Oaks heroine Magical Lagoon, for Barronstown Stud or Coolmore after being bought for $1.4m from the Fasig-Tipton November Sale of 2014.

“Christoph’s first racehorse in training was Narola, and he sent her to Barnane Stud for her breeding career. That’s how my connection with him started. We bred and raised Nenuphar from Narola, and she became a Listed winner and later the dam of Night Lagoon, who we bred at Union-Gestüt, where we stood her sire Lagunas.

“We sent Night Lagoon to Montjeu first and she produced a pony. The mare herself was really small, but then the family is like that. There’s an influence in German pedigrees called Tuttlinger, who was tiny, and that lack of size comes through time and again in his descendants, so we were always aware of that when mating her.

“Novellist, her fourth foal by Monsun, was special from day one. I was always convinced he was going to be top-class and so was Brendan Hayes at Knocktoran Stud, who foaled him. He rang me to tell me he was one of the best foals he’d had in years. I saw the foal a week later and, yeah, he was just all class.

“All the way through. He was small, but bulky and strong, and really strongly set.

“I later went to see Novellist at stud in Japan for two successive seasons, when he was a six and seven-year-old, and it was amazing to see how much he’d grown in that short space of time at that age. It goes to show how late-maturing some horses with those stout German pedigrees can be.

“We later sent Night Lagoon to some US sires who didn’t really suit her, and we sold her in-foal to War Front.

“The resultant colt wasn’t very good, and she’d been quiet for a few years, but then she goes back to Galileo and pops up again with Magical Lagoon this season! It was amazing and I was just so pleased for her.”

included the Deutsches Derby, was also born and raised at the stud on behalf of his breeder and owner Franz, Prinz Von Auersperg.

Protectionist was later sold to compete for Australian Bloodstock, as were other German-bred stars Lucas Cranach and Mawingo, in a rich seam of cross-hemisphere commerce developed by Rauscher wearing an agent’s rather than a breeder’s hat.

He had earlier broken new ground by becoming the first German-based consignor to sell yearlings at Tattersalls, and sold Mandellicht, the dam of Manduro, to Darley for 3,000,000gns on behalf of the world champion’s breeder Rolf Brunner.

Once again, though, this good thing had to come to an end.

“We decided in 2010 that we wouldn’t renew the lease on the stud as Christoph was interested more in racing than farming or breeding,” says Rauscher. “I actually intended to do something completely different for my next chapter: buy a small farm fairly far north in British Columbia, and get into the outfitting business, taking tourists out riding and hunting.

“But then Christoph’s son Peter, who did his apprenticeship with me at Union-Gestüt, said he might be interested in running a stud in the States, maybe Florida. I said to him you’re not a breeze-up man, so why go there? Let’s go to Kentucky instead.

“So I advised the Berglar family in buying Stonereath, a very good farm that the Best In Show family came from.

“Peter still has the farm and he’s flying,

When I left Ireland in 1997, it was before the Celtic Tiger got mad in the cage, and it’s been interesting to see all the ways Ireland has changed

The Dr Christoph Berglar-bred Protectionist after winning the Melbourne Cup in 2014

making a great success of it.”

In more recent times Rauscher had been running his agency, continuing to advise Christoph Berglar and other clients and managing their mares, at Gestüt Bernried, the neighbouring sister stud of Dietrich von Boetticher’s Gestüt Ammerland. Amazing Grace, a four-year-old filly by Protectionist who won a Baden-Baden Group 2 and has twice finished Group 1-placed this season for Berglar, was bred and raised there.

IT WAS THE RECENT CLOSURE of Bernried, as Von Boetticher reduces his equine holdings, that prompted Rauscher to return to Ireland after a quarter of a century, relocating his agency and consignment business to Kiln Cottage.

“It’s a big upheaval, not just for me but for Morna as well – I do ask her if she really wants a semi-retired old stallion on the place!” says Rauscher with a wry smile.

“It’s nice to be back in Ireland, though. It’s changed a lot since I’ve been away. I’ve visited a lot, of course, but it’s different living here. When I left Ireland in 1997, it was before the Celtic Tiger got mad in the cage, and it’s been interesting to see all the ways Ireland has changed in terms of society and infrastructure.

“In those old days you could be in Connemara and meet a sheep farmer with his dog early in the morning and stand there for an hour just talking, getting into philosophical conversations about the word, but I’m not sure that happens as much now.

“It’s much more of a modern, functioning country these days. The IDA [Industrial Development Agency] attracted a lot of people to establish their businesses here, and you see the likes of Google and Apple having headquarters in Dublin. It’s lifted the economy hugely.

“I remember when I used to mend the phone line going across the road outside Baronrath by standing on a forklift on a tractor and pulling copper wires together, because no one would

come out to fix it for months.”

Rauscher has also noticed a big difference in the Irish thoroughbred industry, for better or worse.

“It’s changed a lot in the past 25 years,” he says. “Darley were there, yes, but they didn’t have a proper stallion roster.

“Coolmore was always a big concern, of course, but there were also a lot more other stallion farms then. We’ve lost a lot of those that maybe had one or two stallions, especially on the Flat side.

“In those days Derrinstown might cover 50 mares with each horse. It felt like you’d won the lottery if you managed to get an outside

nomination to Marju! It’s been amazing to see what the O’Callaghan families have achieved. I remember Common Grounds being the first stallion in Yeomanstown, and now the stud is one of the industry’s major forces. The landscape has changed dramatically.”

The Irish bloodstock industry might bear little resemblance to the one that existed in 1997, but Rauscher’s expertise in breeding, rearing and selling thoroughbreds hasn’t changed.

Since his move to Mallow he has sold a Frankel filly and a New Bay colt for €250,000 and €120,000 at the BBAG Yearling Sale in Baden-Baden in September, and sold the smart German performers Arina and Virginia Storm for €380,000 and €260,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale at SaintCloud in October.

His consignment of around 12 fillies and mares at Deauville in December will include the aforementioned topclass filly Amazing Grace, last year’s €1.2 million Arqana Arc sale-topper Penja and Waldbiene, a Group 2-winning Intello filly from the outstanding family of Waldgeist and Masked Marvel.

It’s a big upheaval, not just for me but for Morna as well – I do ask her if she really wants a semi-retired old stallion on the place!

Rauscher is looking forward to consigning at the upcoming Arqana December Sale

Photo: Laura Green | Tattersalls

Should we be aiming for earlier diagnosis of OCD?

a

be a career-

as well

concern for the

athlete.

With this in mind, yearlings are radiographed ahead of sale allowing first action to be taken on the farm, or for a prospective purchaser to make his or her own assessment of the commonly affected sites in specific joints, including the tarsus, stifle and metacarpophalangeal joints.

A horse with a radiographic abnormality suggestive of OCD not only can have his or her sales price affected, but an onward athletic career may be less valuable, and may be compromised.

Horses who have undergone early removal of OCD lesions have been shown to have equivalent performance to an unaffected horse (McCoy et al., 2015).

Therefore, the early diagnosis of OCD lesions may maximise racing performance and improve the welfare and value of affected horses.

Radiographs are often taken on farms in the spring / early summer of a yearling, should we be examining horses before then?

Development of OCDs

THE EARLY development of bone is the key to the possible devleopment of OCDs.

When cartilage is being converted to bone is the point in development when OCDs can form.

Reasearch in pigs, frequent sufferers of OCD, and then in horses, by Ytrehus, Bjørnar & Carlson, C & Ekman, Stina. (2007)

this

done

at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences produced a study called Etiology and Pathogenesis of Osteochondrois.

It was found that the disturbance in ossification that leads to OCD is the result

of failure of the vascular (blood and lymph) supply to the growth cartilage.

In the very early days of equine growth (in utero and under 30 days) the vascular system supplies the nutrients to turn the cartilage to bone i.e. ossification.

As the animal grows this ossification front progresses through the bone and joint; eventually the vascular vessels in the cartilage meet up with the same vessels in the bone, and they consolidate.

“When the foals are young, the extremity of the femur is more immature than other joint sites and has a thick layer of growth cartilage that will be transformed into bone, below the articular [joint] surface,” reported Gabrielle Martel, a DVM-PhD student working with Sheila Laverty, MVB, DACVS, DECVS, at the Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the Université de Montréal in Quebec to thehorse.com.

“This cartilage is fragile and contains many blood vessels. When these vessels are damaged, an area of growth cartilage, normally nourished by the vessels, necroses and cannot be turned into bone.

“This area is a weak zone, and it may separate from the bone when the horse exercises,” she continued.

The lesion that form can sometimes be resolved by the horse itself – the horse can heal it, the ossification front keeps progressing and the horse will be left with clean undamaged articular cartilage.

But, if that damage to the vascular is severe enough, and the horse doesn’t have the proper advancement of bone ossification, an indentation can develop.

If this is not repaired by the horse, it can either become a cyst or an OCD lesion.

The three different forms are known as:

Osteochondrosis latens: this resolves itself (in the pig study 60 per cent were seen to resolve)

Osteochondrosis manifesta: these repair themselves

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD): which is a fracture of articular cartilage with fragment or flap and require surgery.

As seen this process is happening early in a foal’s development, however OCD is not

being diagnosed until the foal is a yearling.

“Early detection of subclinical lesions holds the promise to improve outcomes as exercise restriction may promote healing,” added Martel.

OCD can caused by a variety of issues including heredity, conformation, environment (exercise / confinement), nutrition (too much or too little), body weight and growth rate.

The issues can also be caused by trauma and a study in 2017 looked into foals slipping and falling as they stand and move in their early days, and what the likelihood this can have on causing a trauma site (Quantitative and qualitative aspects of standing-up behavior and the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals on different farms: could there be a link?).

However, nutitrition and growth rate is obvious area that can be managed by studs and breeders and has been focused on by Joe Pagan of Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

He showed in his data at Saracensponsored talks in the summer that above average and larger-born foals have a much higher incidence of OCD both on survey and that need surgical treatment – bigger is not better.

He also revealed that the month of birth can have a significant affect – foals born in April in the US, and in May in the UK, are bigger and have a higher instances of OCD.

Use of ultrasound

Radiographs of young racehorses are not

generally taken until around 330 days of age, which is then it is usually too late to do anything other than operate or intervene surgically.

Some are now lookinginto methods to improve possible early diagnosis, and for nutritionists and veterinarians to discover if can we affect the resolution or the repair stage of the lesion before it becomes a “fully fledged” OCD?

Colleagues at the research laboratory in Quebec have looked into the use of ultrasonography to detect early subclinical lesions and, thus, allow early management of these lesions.

Ultrasound examinations were performed on a group of control foals and a group predisposed to developing osteochondrosis.

The images were compared to sitematched histologic samples (cartilage samples viewed on a microscope) and MRI images.

“By using this sophisticated experimental imaging methodology we were able to ensure that what was observed on the ultrasound images was reliable,” Martel said.

Ultrasonography allowed the team to differentiate between ossification variations and early OCD.

Further, it provided a multiplanar assessment (views of tissues from different angles) of surface characteristics (such as the lesion’s length, depth, and width) and was useful when used alongside radiography.

The results from an earlier study out of Laverty’s laboratory showed for the first time that ultrasonography was more sensitive than radiography at identifying clinical OCD lesions at the distal femur.

But the study was conducted in foals older than six months.

Field research in Ireland

For the next arm of the research, Martel and colleagues performed ultrasound exams on 47 foals aged 27 to 166 days (less than one month to about five and a half months of age) on a large farm in Ireland.

Ultrasound and radiograph examinations were taken of the foals, which were repeated when the foals were yearlings.

The researchers found subclinical OCD lesions in six of the foals. After exercise

Early detection of subclinical lesions holds the promise to improve outcomes as exercise restriction may promote healing

restriction, none of the foals had lesions visible on radiography when they were yearlings.

“The concept underlying these series of studies is to detect subclinical osteochondrosis lesions as early as possible at this important site, before they become symptomatic,” explained Martel. “The lesions develop in the first weeks of life and from past studies at the University of Utrecht in Holland, it is known that some heal up to 11 months old.

“Management practices such as exercise restriction may prevent injury to the weakened cartilage affected by subclinical osteochondrosis and promote the natural healing capacity of growth cartilage,” she continued.

“The ultimate goal is to detect, manage, and monitor them as early as possible in a rapid, practical manner to, ideally, avoid surgical intervention or diminish the extent of OCD lesions and improve outcome for osteochondrosis at this site.

“However, additional research is now required to determine if this early imaging approach will achieve this desirable goal.”

Should veterinarians and managers start screening foals for femoral trochlea OCD lesions?

“Based on the results subclinical osteochondrosis lesions can be detected by ultrasonography with confidence from three months of age onward,” said Martel.

“We also detected subclinical lesions earlier, but the ultrasound screening was more challenging as the younger foals (less than three months) had a longer haircoat at the site that interfered with the quality of the image.

“We did not want to clip hair, as this would not be desirable or practical.”

In an ideal situation, she said, foals could be screened monthly up to nine months of age to determine if lesions heal or worsen during that timeframe.

However, Donnington Grove vet Charlie Schreiber MRCVS, warns we are practically some way from this goal of carrying out ultrasound on young foals, and says it will be some years yet until this could be undertaken on a farm-scale.

“There are not many exeprienced users

of ultrasound yet, and at present generally foals would need to be sedated, I am not sure this is advisable,” he said, adding: “The technology is there but we are a way off yet.”

Martel confirmed this opinion: “If screening of an entire population on a farm is not an economically viable option, it would be advisable to educate breeders and farm staff how to detect sentinel early signs of an osteochondrosis problemy.”

The future?

“Additional careful prospective studies are now required in the field with large numbers of foals to provide evidence to determine, with confidence and accuracy, what management or therapeutic strategies can be employed to improve the outcome of these lesions,” sais Martel. “In the meantime, a commonsense practical approach needs to be made based on current knowledge.”

This onward research, alongside on-farm proactive approaches, and the continuing nutritional research from Pagan et al into possible predisposing factors such as growth rates and birth weights, issues which he certainly feels play their part in causing or minimising the incidence of OCDs, could revolutionise the detection and non-surgical treatment of OCDs.

However, until early diagnostic methods are improved, good farm and nutritional management using the new tools available such as KER’s Gro-Trac, alongside good basic horsemanship, remain key.

... subclinical osteochondrosis lesions can be detected by ultrasonography with confidence from three months of age onward

Breeders can start to prevent the incidence of OCDs from before birth as well as in the early days of life with good nutrition and management

David Shepherd (British, 1937-2017) LION IN THE SERENGETI, Oil on canvas, 24” x 52”, Signed, dated ‘75

Sir Alfred Munnings (British, 1878-1959) PUNTING AT SUNSET, Oil on canvas, 14” x 18”, Signed

Sir Alfred Munnings (British, 1878-1959) HOP PICKERS AT HAMPSHIRE, Oil on canvas, 25” x 30”, Signed

Matching nuclear DNA to mitochondrial DNA

IN PEDIGREE TERMS when we consider the tail-female line of a mare (representing the mitochondrial line) and then look at the rest of the pedigree (representing the nuclear DNA) of an individual or a proposed mating we want to see a structure that indicates that the foal will have a high chance of inheriting nuclear DNA that fits the mitochondrial line of the mare.

We have all looked down at a catalogue page and seen instances where a particular sire or sire-line has had an outweighed influence on the superior runners found in the female lineage noted on the page, but we should note here, that the nuclear DNA can come from either side of the pedigree, which is an important factor when considering matings.

So, if we look at a mare such as Immortal Verse we see she is from the L haplogroup (annotated in red)

Her sire, Pivotal, and his sire Polar Falcon, are both also from the L haplogroup, and since they were both high-class runners, the odds are that they possessed nuclear DNA that combined well with the L haplogroup mitochondria.

When we come to Side Of Paradise, the dam of Immortal Verse, we see that three of her four grandparents are from the L haplogroup, a statement that also applies to Immortal Verse’s grand-dam, Mill Princess.

This means there is a very high chance

that Immortal Verse, a superior runner, has the nuclear DNA that fits the L mitochondrial haplogroup in double copy i.e. she is homozygous (she has inherited the same versions of a genomic marker from each biological parent).

So from the nuclear/mitochondrial standpoint she is an “independent unit” meaning her foals should inherit the nuclear DNA to fit the L haplogroup, irrespective of her mates.

Immortal Verse has now produced, in consecutive years, the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) heroine Tenebrism (by Caravaggio whose sire and dam are from the N and G haplogroups) and the 2022 Airlie Stud Stakes (G2) winner Statuette (from the first crop of Justify, whose sire and dam are both from the N haplogroup).

If we take a mare such as La Petite Virginia (see overleaf) we see that she has a far more heterozygous (she has inherited different versions of a genomic marker from each biological parent) background – in fact her grandparents are from four different mitochondrial haplogroups – which means an ideal mating for her would be with a stallion that reinforces her G mitochondrial haplogroup, something that is absent in her own nuclear pedigree.

Her mating with Ruler Of The World, which produced the recent Pretty Polly

Verse

The final part of Alan Porter’s in-depth report on the latest genetic science and how breeders should use this knowledge to decide on mating plans

Pedigree of Immortal

Stakes (G1) winner La Petite Coco, did just that as Ruler Of The World is by Galileo, who is also from the G mitochondrial line.

We might also observe that Galileo is by Sadler’s Wells, who is from the D haplogroup, implying that the same nuclear DNA might well work with both G and D mitochondrial lines something that is further suggested out by the fact that La Petite Virginia’s granddam, the German champion La Dorada, is also by a stallion from the D haplogroup from the G mitochondrial family.

This all brings us to the question of how what we have discovered about mitochondria – its importance to athletic performance, and the need for the right nuclear DNA to

combine with the mitochondrial DNA – can be practically employed in evaluating a pedigree or planning a mating?

It certainly isn’t a simple matter for a breeder wishing to take this very important factor into consideration when planning a mating or for someone selecting prospects from the sales. The mitochondrial haplotypes of individuals aren’t currently listed in the General Stud Book, and given the number of errors in the tables of descent based on Bruce Lowe’s system, and its discordance with actual mitochondrial DNA, that utilizing his family numbers isn’t a solution.

I will declare something of an interest as a partner with Byron Rogers in the company

is a very high chance that Immortal Verse, a superior

has the

that fits

Pedigree of Statuette

Performance Genetics. He and his company has done much of the work establishing the true mitochondrial descent of the breed, and is now able to offer a practical way of considering mitochondrial lines of descent in a pedigree.

Performance Genetics has been established for more than decade, evaluating thoroughbreds utilising machine learning to analyse biomechanical (from a short-walking video), cardiovascular and DNA data.

Now it has now created a programme to analyse thoroughbred pedigrees.

Named Molecular Matings, this soonto-be-publicly-available programme has an ever-growing database of over 500,000 thoroughbreds and the results of nearly 100,000 individual stakes events.

What is unique about this database is that as a result of extensive DNA testing of over 5,000 horses, finding diverse samples in order to trace them back to a distant most common recent ancestor in the General Stud Book, it also contains the true mitochondrial haplotype of almost all the modern female families.

Following the adoption of DNA testing in the 1970s and 80s as a criteria for registration into the stud books worldwide, ensuring the veracity of modern pedigrees, we can now say with an extremely high degree of certainty from which mitochondrial DNA line any individual horse stems.

The mitochondrial DNA of the horse and it’s immediate ancestors – which points to the degree of likelihood of there being

an extremely high degree of certainty from which mitochondrial DNA

any

horse

porter’s

compatibility between the nuclear and mitochondrial – is also vital component of the machine learning programme within Molecular Matings.

It considers numerous other factors, based on pedigree data (also including relationships between various individuals in the pedigree, Wright’s Coefficients of Inbreeding, and the Ancestral History Coefficient as proposed by Baumung and colleagues); the performance and production data of immediate ancestors (including proprietary ratings for individual runners, for sires, grandsires and broodmare sires); and the presence or lack of proven affinity between individuals in the pedigree.

The machine learning analysis of the data – including for the first time, reliable

mitochondrial haplotype information – to rate the pedigree in terms of potential to produce an elite runner is the unique feature of the programme.

Molecular Matings does also include all the functions one would expect from a pedigree research programme, including the ability to look at individual pedigrees and hypothetical pedigrees; to search stakes winners by sire, sire line, broodmare sire or broodmare sire line; to search for horse bred on specific crosses or containing specific ancestors; and female line searches.

It’s all a long way in time and complexity from the work of Bruce Lowe, but I’ve got a feeling that he’d be happy to find that he was much nearer the mark than the mid-20th century debunkers would have believed.

Pedigree of La Petite Good

The machine learning analysis of the data to rate the pedigree in terms of potential to produce an elite runner is the unique feature of the

The biggest names in the business

PINATUBO

Horse of the Year as a two-year-old, assessed as the best juvenile for a generation. Bred for a stallion career, too: by Shamardal and the highest-rated horse in the family of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac.

Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes

British Champions Sprint Stakes

Caulfield Cup Cheveley Park Stakes

Coronation Stakes

Dewhurst Stakes Fillies’ Mile

First Lady Stakes Irish Derby

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Platinum Jubilee Stakes Prix de Diane Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe St Leger Stakes

The Derby

Just some of the races won by horses bred and sired in Britain in 2022.

Find a mare to breed your champion from at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale Park Paddocks, Newmarket 28th November – 1st December 2022

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BROODMARE SIRES AND

THE STATISTICS about them are not of interest to everybody in the breeding world. There are those who think they are completely irrelevant – after all some of the top broodmares are by obscure or ordinary stallions – but there are people who think they are significant. Unfortunately, often by the time a stallion is established as a top broodmare sire he is, already dead or retired.

And for those who are interested there is little information available. Many people use nicking statistics and whole businesses have been set up and have flourished by expanding upon them.

Broodmare sire statistics are not easy to get hold of and lack all sorts of detail, which would give those of us who suspect they are significant more concrete evidence.

The Racing Post has a huge bloodstock data base and its website provides almost all the information anyone could wish to examine, but as far as I can see it has only one European broodmare sires’ table which lacks almost every detail which could be of interest.

I know, thanks to other sources that there are currently 3,413 named foals out of daughters of Galileo, but we don’t know how many of these are stakes winners or how many daughters of Galileo have produced at least one stakes horse.

If only the very best stallions have similar results year after year or crop by crop this

is even more true of broodmares so it would be interesting to know, for example, what percentage of daughters of Galileo have had four or more foals, and have or have not produced a stakes horse.

In the meantime, while waiting for more information, there are some things we can say about broodmare sires with the statistics which are available.

Of course, it is of interest to try to work out which of the stallions who are alive and covering are going to be influential through their daughters.

There are few owner-breeders left, but for them by far the cheapest way to procure good new broodmares is to breed them themselves, so it makes sense for them to use the best broodmare sires they can and hope to get a filly.

At the end of his career many breeders sent mares to Pivotal hoping for a daughter to breed from and the same is true today of Oasis Dream. While the market does not encourage anybody to think long term, the future is never going to be the same as the past and the most successful broodmare sires are always part of a duo with the leading sires of the day.

Sadler’s Wells and Darshaan, Galileo and Danehill, immediately come to mind.

If Dubawi and Frankel are going to be the leading sires of the coming years, which looks more or less certain, than the best broodmare sires will be those whose daughters are suited to these elite sires.

It is hardly a surprise that the Aga Khan

Jocelyn De Moubray takes a look at some of the younger sires who are starting to make an impact amongst the broodmare stallion ranks

The excellent sire Sea The Stars is starting to make his mark as a broodmare sire. He is seen here at Gilltown Stud

Photo: courtesy of the Aga Khan Studs

Fathers and daughters

The

Siyouni Pivotal

The Stars

Pass Elusive

Fastnet Rock

Nelson Rock

Gibralatar

Studs’s Sea The Stars should be set to become an important broodmare sire, the son of Cape Cross has already excelled in every other capacity.

Sea The Stars’ oldest daughters are only 11-year-olds and so none will have had more than three or four foals to race and yet he is already the broodmare sire of a string of top horses, many of whom are by either Frankel or Dubawi – Onesto, Mohaafeth, Eldar Eldarov, My Oberon and Soft Whisper.

Breeding Sea The Stars mares to Frankel

close inbreeding to Urban Sea 3x3, and

it is has already been proved to work twice, then you can be sure they will be many more foals to come bred in this way.

Urban Sea was after all the toughest and soundest of racemares before becoming the best broodmare of the modern era.

Frankel and Nathaniel are two of the best sons of their sire Galileo. They were born in same year, made their debuts in the same race and retired to stud near Newmarket in

Frankel was from that first day on the July course always better than his rival, but it looks as if there may be one area in which it

Eldarov: produced

is Nathaniel who comes out on top.

The oldest daughters of this pair are only eight-year-olds and have had only one three-year-old crop to race.

Both are only at the very beginning of their career as broodmare sires, but while Frankel has got off to the excellent start as everybody would have expected, Nathaniel is already looking like a phenomenon, something very special indeed.

Frankel’s daughters have already produced the high-class three-year-olds Noble Truth and Eydon, while the very tough two-year-old Streets Of Gold is the first foal out of the unraced Frankel mare Truly Honoured.

Nathaniel, meanwhile, at the time of writing, has had only 26 runners as a broodmare sire and yet five of these have already looked to be Group 1 class.

They include Zellie (Wootton Bassett), who won a Group 1 as a two-year old in 2021, Tribalist by Farhh who was placed in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulians, the Group 1 St Leger-placed (before

disqualification) Haskoy (Golden Horn), and Novakai by Lope de Vega, who was Group 1 placed at two in Newmarket.

There is also Silver Knott, also by Lope De Vega, who was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Autumn Stakes in Newmarket in October.

In addition, the two-year-old Siyouni filly Paz, out of an unraced Nathaniel mare, is one of the best-looking maiden winners in France this autumn.

It is once again not a huge surprise that God Given, a Group 1-winning Nathaniel mare from a top family, should produce a horse as good as Silver Knott with her first foal, while Haskoy is out of a well-bred Listed winner, but the others are out of unraced mares or, in the case of Novakai, a mare who raced over a 1m6f.

Nathaniel himself produces few twoyear-old winners and yet all of these, with the exception of Haskoy, were high-class two-year-olds.

Lope De Vega has covered few Nathaniel mares, but will surely be covering many

more in the future. And then while Nathaniel was well supported at the beginning of his stud career he was not covering the same numbers or quality as either Frankel or Sea The Stars.

The class of 2012

The two sires whose first foals were born in 2012, Lope De Vega and Siyouni, are now well established among Europe’s elite sires but both started out with few believers and only limited support.

Siyouni stood at €7,000 his first season at Haras de Bonneval and Lope de Vega at €15,000 at Ballylinch Stud.

Two of the best fillies from Siyouni’s excellent first crop, Erveyda and Souvenir Delondres, have both already produced Group 1 performers in I Erevann and Dr Zempf, while the Group 1-placed filly Times Square is out of an unraced Siyouni mare.

The unraced Lope De Vega mare Vida Amorosa has already produced two Group-

young broodmare

class horses by Mehmas, including the Group 1 performer Persian Force, while the Wertheimers have bred two Group horses from the Lope De Vega mare Burma Sea. Recent Group winner Statement is also out of a Lope De Vega mare.

The 2009 team beating the odds

The four sires who retired to stud in 2009 in the middle of a severe financial crisis all had circumstances against them – it was one year when nobody was excited by new stallions.

New Approach was a champion racehorse and made a spectacular start to his stud career and, even if he didn’t quite prolong

his success, his daughters are clearly going to make their mark and have already produced two top-class horses by Dubawi – Ambition and Modern Games. It is another cross which will be duplicated in the future.

New Approach was a Derby winner but is, like Nathaniel, a son of Galileo whose daughters appear to produce horses faster than he himself did.

Raven’s Pass was Darley’s other new star stallion in 2009, but the son of Elusive Quality struggled with fertility problems from the word go. Still covering as a cheap stallion, Raven’s Pass’s daughters have already produced top horses in Mishriff and Saffron Beach and many others without in most cases

visiting the most fashionable stallions.

The other two from the stallion generation of 2009 are among the surprises of this research.

Sakhee’s Secret was a top-class sprinter, he beat Dutch Art to win the Group 1 July Cup, and has an outcross pedigree by Sakhee out of a Secreto mare.

He stood for six seasons at Whitsbury Manor before going to Italy for another four years. It turns out that his daughters are excellent producers of precocious, fast two-year-olds, including this year Rumstar, Adaay To Remember and Rage Of Bamby.

Mount Nelson spent eight years standing at Newsells Park Stud before moving to

Left, Streets Of Gold, who is out of the Frankel mare Truly Honoured, top, Adaay To Remember, out of Cross My Heart by Sakhee’s Secret, bottom, Saffron Beach out of the Raven’s Pass mare Falling Petals, and, right, Silver Knott, who is out of the Nathaniel mare God Given

young broodmare sires

Ireland to be a NH sire and then died at a young age.

His daughters have already produced the top two-year -old Quorto, this year’s Classic filly Wagnis, who was only narrowly beaten in the German Oaks, and several other high class performers, including the juvenile Group 1 performer Trident.

Teofilo, Kendargent and Soldier Hollow

Finally, the trio who retired to stud in 2008

include Teofilo, another son of Galileo, who is well-established as an outstanding broodmare sire.

Teofilo’s daughters surpassed themselves this year with six Group 1 performers and four Group 1 winners – Coroebus, Toskana Belle, Dreamloper and Cachet.

In contrast, the other two – Kendargent and Soldier Hollow – started out as cheap and obscure sires and yet both are still covering as respected veterans and have also made a significant mark as broodmare sires.

Leading young broodmare sires, their leading performers and sires (in brackets)

Sea The Stars

Fastnet Rock

Lope de Vega

Kendargent’s daughters had a better season in 2021 than in 2022 with Sealiway and Sifahan winning Group 1s, but their overall record is remarkable considering he started out as a €1,000 sire.

Soldier Hollow began his career at Gestüt Röttgen but after producing a reasonably sized first crop struggled for support until his progeny began to race. The best winners to date out of Soldier Hollow mares are the Deutsches Derby winner Sammarco and the Japanese Group 1 winner Schnell Meister.

Onesto (Frankel), Mohaafeth (Frankel), Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi), My Oberon (Dubawi), My Astra (Lope de Vega), Soft Whisper (Dubawi), My Prospero (Iffraaj)

Russian Emperor, High Definition, Aikhal (Galileo), Youth Spirit (Camelot), Bouttemont (Acclamation)

Statement (Lawman), Persian Force (Mehmas), Gubbass (Mehmas), Sober (Camelot)

Mount Nelson Wagnis (Adlerflug), Quorto (Dubawi), Majestic Dawn (New Approach), Trident (Wootton Bassett), The Wizard of Eye (Galileo Gold)

New Approach

Ravens Pass

Sakhee's Secret

Modern Games, Ambition (Dubawi), Earthlight, Modern News (Shamardal), Bathrat Leon (Kizuna), Malavath (Mehmas), Boundless Ocea (Teofilo)

Mishriff (Make Believe), Saffron Beach (New Bay), Tashkan (Born To Sea), Kessaar (Kodiac), Dubawi Legend (Dubawi), Universal Order (Universal)

Prisoner's Dilema (Toronado), Rumstar, Cuban Mistress (Havana Grey), Adaay To Remember (Adaay), Campione (Brazen Beau), Rage of Bamby (Saxon Warrior)

Frankel Noble Truth (Kingman), Eydon (Olden Times), Queen Me (Dubawi), Juncture (Dark Angel), Streets of Gold (Havana Gold)

Siyouni

Erevann (Dubawi), Dr Zempf (Dark Angel), Hurricane Dream (Hurricane Cat), Times Square (Zarak), Trixia de Vega (Lope de Vega)

Nathaniel Silver Knott, Novakai (Lope de Vega), Zellie (Wootton Bassett), Haskoy (Golden Horn), Tribalist (Farhh)

Kendargent

Soldier Hollow

Teofilo

Sealiway, Kenway, Gregolimo (Galiway), Brad The Brief (Dutch Art), Sisfahan (isfahan), Diamond Venture (Style Vendome), Pourville (Le Havre) Eilean Dubh (Vadamos)

Schnell Meister (Kingman), Sammarco (Camelot), Nepal (Kallisto), Antharis, Sea The Lady (Sea The Moon)

Coroebus (Dubawi), Dreamloper, Parhemin, King Vega (Lope de Vega), Maljoon (Caravaggio), MacSwiney (New Approach), Cachet (Aclaim), Toskana Belle (Shamalgan)

FEEDING FOR SUCCESS

SUPPORTING FERTILITY

HOW DIET CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Good fertility lies at the heart of successful breeding. Whilst several factors can influence an individual’s ability to breed, nutrition plays a central role in both mare and stallion fertility. With the breeding season fast approaching, breeders should consider the following aspects of their horse’s diets to maximise the chances of conception.

Body Condition

Research has shown a direct link between nutrition, body condition, and reproductive efficiency. Mares that are underweight are more difficult to get in foal. Likewise, stallions that are in poor condition or significantly overweight are likely to have reduced fertility, plus they are less likely to be able to withstand the rigours of a busy covering season.

Louise Jones, Connolly’s RED MILLS Nutritionist, says ”the quality of the hard feed you choose is vital. Choosing a feed with low quality ingredients is often a false economy as you have to feed more to achieve the same results, or they simply don’t contain the same levels of vital micronutrients, some of which we know play a significant role in fertility.”

Micronutrients

Several vitamins and minerals play critical roles in fertility. Vitamin A, for example, is involved in sperm production and ovulation. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc are found in semen and seminal plasma. In addition, zinc is thought to help normal oocyte development and follicle maturation. The essential amino acids, lysine and methionine, have significant roles in sperm health and hormone balance. Experts recommend that when

choosing a feed for breeding stock look for one that contains high quality protein sources such as soya, as well as optimum levels of essential vitamins and minerals. However, where the nutritional value of the forage is unquantified or for individuals with a history of fertility

issues, Louise Jones suggests adding a broad-spectrum vitamin, mineral and amino acid tonic such as Foran Equine’s Chevinal to the diet during key periods.

Antioxidants

The role of antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium, in fertility is clearly established. Since horses do not produce vitamin E or selenium themselves, these potent antioxidants must come from their diet. One of the best sources of vitamin E is fresh grass, however, due to when Thoroughbreds

Experts recommend that when choosing a feed for breeding stock look for one that contains high quality protein sources such as soya, as well as optimum levels of essential vitamins and minerals.

are bred, grazing is often limited and it’s nutritional value lowered. Likewise, many soils are low in selenium, which obviously has in impact on the selenium value of grass or conserved forage grown on them. Lorraine Fradl, a nutritionist at Foran Equine, recommends giving mares extra vitamin E and selenium a month before and a month after foaling; ”as well as supporting fertility antioxidants have been shown to aid colostrum quality and immune resistance in newborn foals.” Likewise, for busy stallions, first season sires or those known to be sub-fertile, Lorraine recommends supplementation prior to and during the covering season. Foran Equine produce V.S.L, a vitamin E, selenium, and Lysine supplement, which is available in both a liquid and powder.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Research has highlighted the benefits of feeding omega 3 fatty acids to promote fertility; they help promote sperm motility, aid ovulation, and maintenance of early pregnancy. Horses diets are plentiful in omega 3 when they are eating green and growing grass in spring and summer. However, to replicate this for the Thoroughbred mare and stallion supplementation with an oil rich in omega 3 fatty acids will be necessary. Louise Jones warns “not all oils are equal – soya oil contains around 6

times less omega 3 fatty acids compared to linseed/ flax oil.” Consequently, she recommends breeders to choose oils such as Foran Equine Kentucky Karron Oil.

Breeding is not an inexpensive game, investing in providing optimal nutrition will help to maximise the chances of a successful pregnancy and in the long-term pay dividends.

To speak to a member of our team about our product range or nutritional services contact:

Louise Jones (UK)

UK Head of Equine

T: +44 7843 349054

E: louise.jones@redmills.co.uk

Lorraine Fradl (Ireland)

Senior Nutritionist

T: +353 87 257 5398

E: lorraine.fradl@redmills.ie

Broodmare stakes sires

Broodmare

Queroyal

Black

Blame

Sacred

Born

Cadeaux

Clodovil

Compton

Crafty

Dabirsim

Dalakhani

Highfield

Master Of The

Order Of Australia

Danehill Dancer

Grace (Protectionist)

Moomba

(Galileo)..............................................1

dam sire statistics

Highfield Princess: the three-time Group 1 winner is out of Pure Illusioin, a daughter of Danehill, the generational sire still wielding a massive

Champs

Chineur

Danehill

Dansili

Borealis (Kendargent)

(Muhaarar)

(Lope De

(Lope De

(Havana

(Frankel)

Mehana (Al Wukair)...................................

Legionario (Toronado)

Eden (Sea The Stars)

Marbling (Kingman)

Media Storm (Night Of Thunder)

Naval Crown (Dubawi)

Royal Fleet (Dubawi)

Siskany (Dubawi)

Sweet Lady (Lope De

(Kingman)

Thunder Beauty (Night Of Thunder)........

Dark Angel Cresta (New Bay)

Tudo Bem (Sommerabend)

Darshaan Perotan (Churchill)

Sibila Spain (Frankel)

The Foxes (Churchill)

Dashing Blade Tiaspettofuori (Mujahid)

Daylami

Grand Glory (Olympic Glory)

Definite Article

Brass (Juniper

Style

Of India (Galileo)

Desert Sun

Strip (Nicconi)

Diamond Green Sivana (Goken)

(Plusquemavie)

THE RAREST OF PEARLS

• 7 wins & 5 places from 17 starts at 2.3.4 & 5, including G1 Matron, & 2nd G1 Matron & G1 Prix de la Foret, earnings £585.000. Sound and healthy after 17 runs over 4 seasons in 3 countries and 2 continents.

• Winner of G1 Coolmore America Justify Matron S 1600 Leopardstown. Performance rated Timeform 121 Racing Post 120.

• 2nd dam PEARLY SHELLS winner of G1 Prix Vermeille, dam of 4 black type horses & 3 black type producers.

• dam PEARL BANKS G3 winner dam of 6 other fillies to date, Lucky Lycra (G3) & 3 retained by Saint Pair; PEARLY STEPH, L winner dam of ETERNAL PEARL 2019 f Frankel, multiple G3 winner.

• 8th dam Selene, the dam of Derby winner & Champion stallion Hyperion. G1 winners from this family in 21st Century include; St Mark’s Basilica, Magna Grecia, Sariska, Mosheen, Beauty Parlour, Thunder One, Blowout, No Such Word & Mustang Valley.

• No Sadler’s Wells, Danehill or Mr Prospector in pedigree, suitable mate for Dubawi, Frankel and most of the world’s elite sires.

PEARLS GALORE TO BE OFFERED BY HER TRAINER PADDY TWOMEY AT TATTERSALLS DECEMBER SALE.

Agiato

Dylan Thomas Agartha (Caravaggio)

Dynaformer

Fitzherbert

Echo Of Light

Of The Sun

Equiano

Triomphe

Alpinista

Dutch

Fastnet Rock

Aikhal (Galileo)

Bouttemont (Acclamation)

Lily Pond (Galileo)

Wintry Flower (Gleneagles)

Footstepsinthesand Khaadem (Dark Angel)

Valiant Prince

Forest Wildcat Paris Peacock (Muhaarar)

Russipant

(Russian

Forestry Country Grammer (Tonalist)

Frankel Eydon (Olden Times)

Juncture (Dark Angel)

Noble Truth (Kingman)

Frozen Power Perfect Power (Ardad)................................

Fusaichi Pegasus Pretreville (Acclamation)

Galileo

The Curve

Aemilianus (Holy Roman Emperor)

Al Hakeem (Siyouni)

Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett)

Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)....................2 Bear Story (Kodiac)

Brigante Sabino (Zoffany)

Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock)

Cairo (Quality

Commissioning (Kingman)

Concert Hall

Continuous (Heart’s

Crypto Force (Time

Fancy Man (Pride Of Dubai)

Gale Force Maya (Gale Force

Galleria Borghese (Caravaggio)

Gregarina (De Treville)

Barca (Zoffany)

(Lawman)

De Soir

Jouza (Toronado)

(Lope De

(Fastnet Rock)

Machete (Myboycharlie)

Nay

Neptune Rock

New Science (Lope De

Point King (Zoffany)

The

General Holme

Giant’s Causeway

Buddy

Havre)

Golan Night Endeavor

Gold Away Lumiere Rock

Golden Voyager Desert Fire (Cape

Gone West Wexford Native

Grand Slam Dato (Mount Nelson)

Green Desert Desert Crown (Nathaniel)

Earth

Shabnam

Green Tune Kindred Spirit

Haafhd

Harbour Watch Khamma

Hard Spun Alcohol Free (No Nay Never)

Khuzaam (Kitten’s Joy)

Harlan’s Holiday Al Tariq (Oasis Dream)

Heliostatic Isaac Shelby (Night Of Thunder)................2 Kennella (Kendargent)

Hennessy Elegant Verse (Galileo)

Hernando Alpinista (Frankel) 1 1 1 Deauville Legend (Sea The Stars) 2 3 Sea La Rosa (Sea The Stars) 1 2 2 3 Suspicious Mind (Appel Au Maitre) 3 L

High Chaparral Claymore (New Bay)

Flag’s Up (War Command) L God Blessing (Siyouni)

L Navratilova (Morpheus) L Nerik (Ruler Of The World)

L Norge (Dylan Thomas) 3 L Tariyana (Sea The Stars).................................3

Hold That Tiger Hayejohn (Johnny Barnes) L

Holy Roman Emperor Eddie’s Boy (Havana Grey)............................3 Layfayette (French Navy) 2 3 L Mauiewowie (Night Of Thunder) .............. L

Homme De Loi Lord Glitters (Whipper) 2

Indian Charlie Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow)

Switzerland (Speightstown)

Indian Ridge Geocentric (Kodiac)

Mooney Love (Australia)

Intello Wodao (Showcasing)

Intense Focus Vis A Vis (Mujahid)

Invasor Mitbaahy (Profitable)

Invincible Spirit Blue Wings (Wings Of Eagles)

Flotus (Starspangledbanner)

Hurricane Run Love Child (Dark Angel)

L Telepatic Glances (Pride Of Dubai) L

Iffraaj Last Crusader (Oasis Dream)

L Rock Boy (Rock Of Gibraltar) 3 Swipe Up (Holy Roman

Tigrais (Outstrip)

Inchinor

Crowd (Dubawi)

(Siyouni)

Trillium (No Nay Never)

3 Victoria Road (Saxon Warrior)

Jeremy Blue Rose Cen (Churchill)

Johar

Living Legend (Camelot)

Jukebox Jury Fantastic Moon (Sea The Moon)

Kahyasi Believe In Love (Make Believe)

Kalanisi Aristia (Starspangledbanner)

Kallisto Ankunft (New Approach)

Assistent (Sea The Moon)

Sirona (Soldier Hollow)..................................

Keltos Art Power (Dark Angel)

Kendargent Brad The Brief (Dutch Art)

Kingentleman (Kingman)

Kentucky Dynamite Coeur Macen (Siyouni)

Key Of Luck

Kheleyf

King Kamehameha Crown

Stay

Kingmambo

Hukum

Irish Action

King’s Best Amilcar

Cime Tempestose

Juliet Sierra

Kirkwall Rousay (Muhaarar)

Kitten’s

Know Heights Babala (Sea

Kodiac Charyn (Dark

Perfect News

Platinum

Konigstiger

Petite

(Ruler

Kotky Bleu Or Gris (Gris De Gris)

Kyllachy King’s

Lagunas

Magical Lagoon (Galileo)

Lawman Aloa (Cracksman)

Around Midnight

Epic Poet (Lope De

Haqeeqy (Lope De

Purplepay (Zarak)

The Antarctic

Havre Hellsing

Lear Fan Westover

Lemon Drop Kid Barefoot Angel

Cigamia

Peshmerga

Lilbourne Lad Ever

Lomitas Beamish (Teofilo)

Emotion

Hot Queen

Lord Leoso (Pastorius)

Lope De

Ridler

Loup Breton

Machiavellian

Majestic

Manduro

Marju

Mawatheeq

Mutasarref (Dark Angel)

Garrus (Acclamation)

Miswaki Tern

Il Grande Gatsby (Churchill)

Mizzen Mast

(Poet’s Voice)........................................

Prosperous Voyage (Zoffany)

Monsun

(Fastnet Rock).................................

Mythico (Adlerflug)

Nania (Jukebox Jury)

Nastaria (Outstrip)

Sahib’s Joy (Soldier Hollow)

Sea The Sky (Sea The Stars)

Sentimental Mambo (Deep Impact)

Vadeni (Churchill)

Yibir (Dubawi)

Montjeu

Baiykara (Zarak)

Coltrane (Mastercraftsman)

Hoo Ya Mal (Territories)

King David (Elusive City)

Lavello (Zarak)

Manisha (Lope De Vega)

3

Mimikyu (Dubawi)...........................................2 Panthalassa (Lord Kanaloa)

Sippinsoda (War Front)

More Than Ready Aspen Grove (Justify)

Sicilian Defense (Muhaarar)

Moss Vale

Prince Lancelot (Sir Prancealot)

Jannah Flower (Olympic Glory)

Ottoman Fleet (Sea The Stars)

Strako (Kendargent)

Wally (Siyouni)

Wild Gloria (Olympic Glory)

Mount Nelson De La Soul (Sea The Moon)

Majestic Dawn (Dawn Approach)

Wagnis (Adlerflug)

The Ridler: the Royal Ascot

Mr Greeley

El Habeeb

Muhaymin

Skalleti

Muhtathir

Roman

Multiplex

My

Senora

Could Be King (Bated

Eternal Pearl (Frankel)

Glenartney (Le Havre)

Grande Dame (Lope De Vega)

Iresine (Manduro)

Nations Pride (Teofilo) L Noon Star (Galileo)

Pirate Jenny (Exceed And Excel)

Platini Algiers (Shamardal)

Precedent Djo Francais (Intello)...................................

Pour Moi Viareggio (Caravaggio)

Manobo

Noverre

Crescent

Oasis Dream

(Dark

(Soldier

Kabeir)

(Wootton Bassett)

Quickthorn (Nathaniel)

2 3 Tippy Toes (Havana Gold)

Tis Marvellous (Harbour Watch)

Observatory

Native Trail (Oasis Dream) 1 3

One Cool Cat Indian Wish (The Grey Gatsby) L Royal Lea (Dandy Man) L

Oratorio

Some Respect (Gleneagles) L

Orientate Iron Butterfly (Swipe)

L

Quiet American State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner)

Tranquil Lady (Australia)

Rahy

Shafaaf (Medaglia D’oro)

Rainbow Quest

Mare Australis (Australia)

Quebello (Sea The Moon)

Ransom O’war

Marin (Flamingo Fantasy)

Raven’s Pass Dubawi Legend (Dubawi)

Saffron Beach (New Bay)

Tiber Flow (Caravaggio)

L

Orpen Aria Importante (Twilight Son) 3 L Noble Heidi (Intello)

Peintre Celebre Alter Adler (Adlerflug) 2 India (Adlerflug)

3 3 L L Nachtrose (Australia) 2

Pivotal

Red Clubs

(Zoustar)..........................................1

Spycatcher (Vadamos)

Red Ransom

Eye (Eishin Dunkirk)

Lord Sakay (Holy Roman Emperor)

Aldaary (Territories)

L Benefit (Acclamation) L Desert Wisdom (Dubawi)

Earl Of Tyrone (Australia) L Holloway Boy (Ulysses) L Mendocino (Adlerflug) 1 Nadette (Outstrip) L Nashwa (Frankel)

Noble Style (Kingman)

Pearls Galore (Invincible Spirit)

Potapova (Invincible Spirit)

Royal Scotsman (Gleneagles)

Sandrine (Bobby’s Kitten)

Simca Mille (Tamayuz)

Statuette (Justify)

Tees Spirit (Swiss Spirit)

Tenebrism (Caravaggio)

Wild Beauty (Frankel)

Zechariah (Nathaniel)

Refuse To Bend

In Motion (Sea The Stars)

Rio De La Plata

Church (Churchill)

Rip Van Winkle

Lavender (Heeraat)

Rock Of Gibraltar Coeur De Pierre (Zanzibari)

Donna Anna (Dutch Art)

Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor)...........................

Nirliit (Iffraaj)

The Moon (Sea The Moon)

Roderic O’Connor

Calajunco (Adaay)

Royal Applause

Charterhouse (Charming

Rocket Rodney (Dandy Man)

Sadler’s Wells

Achelois (Zoffany)

Mountaha (Guiliani)

Pusjkin (Muhaarar)

Yaxeni (Maxios)

Sakhee

Hamish (Motivator)

Jadoomi (Holy Roman Emperor)

Sakhee’s Secret

Amalaura (Raven’s

Cuban Mistress (Havana

Rumstar (Havana Grey)

Samum

Kolossal (Outstrip)

Daddy

Big Call (Animal

Martel (Frankel)

Sea The Stars

Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi)

Astra (Lope De

Oberon (Dubawi)

Prospero (Iffraaj)

Onesto (Frankel)

Rozgar (Exceed And

Shaara

Whisper (Dubawi)

Torpedo

Selkirk

(Tamayuz)

El Guanche (Power)

Power (Dark

Inspiral (Frankel)

Jumbly (Gleneagles)

Kinross (Kingman)

Sevres Rose

De Sevigne (Siyouni)

Shakespearean

Feel Your Power

Shamardal

Aasy (Sea The Stars)

Copie (Iffraaj)

Creative Flair (Dubawi)

Facteur Cheval (Ribchester).........................

Laneqash (Cable Bay)

Lilac Road (Mastercraftsman)

Mutaraffa

Swingalong

Zanbaq

Shinko Forest Aesop’s

Showcasing

El Caballo

(Galileo)

Silvano Riocorvo

Silver Frost Villefranche

Singspiel

Pirouz

Sinndar

Sir Percy

Siyouni

Zempf

Slickly

Smart Strike

Speightstown

Habana (Kingman)

Man Of Promise (Into Mischief)

Sternkoenig

(Soldier Hollow)

Ardakan (Reliable Man)

Sioux (Kamsin)

Disposed (Dubawi)................................3

Street Cry

(Golden Horn)

Tiger Hill Princess Zoe (Jukebox Jury)

Sir Busker (Sir Prancealot).............................2 Wiesentau (Mukhadram)

Tillerman

Mansour (Tai Chi)

Titus Livius Championofmyheart (Ribchester)

Soviet Star

2 Dubai Future (Dubawi)

Cantocorale (Helmet).................................

L Egot (Invincible Spirit)

Nahanni (Frankel) L Passion And Glory (Cape Cross) L Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi)

3 L Royal Champion (Shamardal) L Victory Dance (Dubawi) L

Street Sense Volatile Analyst (Distorted Humor) L Sulamani Lord Achilles (Rio De La Plata)

Sunday Silence Storm Damage (Night Of Thunder)

Tamayuz Reshabar (Iffraaj)

L Sydneyarms Chelsea (Sioux Nation) 3

Toccet Gear Up (Teofilo)

Toylsome

Tasso (Adlerflug)

Tunnes (Guiliani)

Trade Fair Polly Pott (Muhaarar)

Turtle Bowl Dramatised (Showcasing)

Uncle Mo Sienna (Amaron)

Vale Of York Alpha Capture (Cotai Glory)

Markaz Paname (Markaz)

Whipper Hypothetical (Lope De Vega)

Teofilo Al Qareem (Awtaad) 2 Cachet (Aclaim)

3 Coroebus (Dubawi) 1 1 Dreamloper (Lope De Vega) 1 1 2 Maljoom (Caravaggio) 2 Maria Branwell (James Garfield) L Miramar (Profitable)

Thunder Kiss (Night Of Thunder) L Toskana Belle (Shamalgan)......................

Thewayyouare I’m A Gambler (No Nay Never)

Valleys

Bolt

L

Woodman Baratti (Frankel)

Zamindar Mangoustine (Dark Angel)

Pretty Tiger (Sea The Moon)

Rosacea (Soldier Hollow)

photo

NH JOCKEY Jamie Moore was booked for three rides on Monday, October 17 at his local track Plumpton on the so-successful Bob Champion Cancer Trust Charity Race Day, but he started out as a bystander watching his daughter Roxy ride in the card’s opening Shetland Pony Derby.

Roxy (right) was on board Hamptons Gris Lightening (better known as Haggis) in the 11-runner sprint and Roxy is seen here upsides Nell Greatrex on Gatebeck Lily (Lily), daughter of bloodstock agent Tessa and trainer Warren Greatrex.

The pair failed to troubled the judge, but both look to be fully enjoying themselves.

(The judge should really should have called in the whole field post-race to discuss the dubious starting procedures adopted by all the jockeys with one handler knocked over in the rush... :-))

The race was won by Paul Nicholls’ daughter Zara on The Job Is Right (Smokey).

Moore said on TV after the race that Roxy’s eagerness to race came as a bit of a surprise. He reported: “She threw a curve ball at us by wanting to do it, they [his daughters] love their show jumping, but to be honest I don’t want my girls going into jump racing.

“But she thoroughly enjoys it and all the team that put it together do a brilliant job.”

He is a bit concerned about the onward implications this enjoyment might have: “The ponies are just a little bit expensive!”

Before buying a new pony, Moore might need to think about first buying a hat that fits his daughter.

Moore did ride a double later that day, so managed to put some funds in the pot for future equine purchases.

Both wins were for his father trainer Gary Moore and included a popular win on Mark Of Gold (Golden Horn) for owner Stevie Fisher & Friends. Fisher is a former farrier and has lived with locked-in syndrome since suffering a stroke in 2014.