Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

Apr_92_FrontCover_OwnerBreeder 22/03/2012 11:55 Page 1

Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder inc Pacemaker April 2012

£4.95 | April 2012 | Issue 92

Incorporating

Jolly Roger

Guineas fancy Top Offer has Roger Charlton in buoyant mood

Plus • At home with breeze-up king Con Marnane • Toby Balding on why the National still resonates • Big Buck’s makes history at the Cheltenham Festival

04

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

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1st Sussex Stakes-Gr.1, by 2½ lengths from Paco Boy 1st Queen Elizabeth II Stakes-Gr.1 1st Juddmonte International Stakes-Gr.1, from Twice Over 1st Tyros Stakes-Gr.3 in July of his two-year-old season 2nd Eclipse Stakes-Gr.1, a length behind Sea The Stars and 4½ lengths clear of Conduit

Fee: €17,500

• ALFRED NOBEL • CANFORD CLIFFS • DANEHILL DANCER • DUKE OF MARMALADE • DYLAN THOMAS • EXCELLENT ART • FASTNET ROCK • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • • HIGH CHAPARRAL • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • HURRICANE RUN • MASTERCRAFTSMAN • MONTJEU • PEINTRE CELEBRE • POUR MOI • RIP VAN WINKLE • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • • STARSPANGLEDBANNER • STRATEGIC PRINCE • THEWAYYOUARE • YEATS • ZOFFANY •

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Filly ex. Danehill Music (Danehill Dancer), winner of the Park Express Stakes-Gr.3.

Colt ex. Strictly Lambada (Red Ransom), from the Reprocolor damline, owned by Meon Valley Stud.

Filly ex. Truly Mine (Rock of Gibraltar), winner of the Salsabil Stakes-L.R., owned by Mrs. C.L. Weld.

Filly ex. L’Ancresse (Darshaan), European Champion 3yo filly.

Other outstanding foals include a filly out of MONEVASSIA (dam of European Champion 2yo filly RUMPLESTILTSKIN)

Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: 353-52-6131298. Fax: 353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars, Jason Walsh or Sebastian Hutch. Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon or Cathal Murphy: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) 44-7827-795156.

E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Web site: www.coolmore.com All stallions nominated to EBF.

“The strength in depth astonished even the most seasoned professional” RACING POST, 9th October 2011

Entries 37 of the 43 yearlings sold in Europe for 300,000 guineas or more in 2011 Highest priced yearling sold in Europe and North America 1,700,000gns Book 1 average: 141,852gns - sale record, up 32% and 3.7x higher than next highest GB/IRE yearling sale Book 2 average: 39,818gns, up 23% - the second highest yearling sale average in GB/IRE

Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 2012 Europe’s Premier Yearling Sale BOOK 1 October 9th – 12th featuring the Tattersalls Millions BOOKS 2 & 3 October 15th – 19th

Entries Close: April 20th enter online at www.tattersalls.com

Tel: +44 1638 665931, sales@tattersalls.com, www.tattersalls.com

Apr_92_Editors_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:02 Page 3

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR Chief Executive: Michael Harris Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Designed by: Thoroughbred Group

EDWARD ROSENTHAL

Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Advertising: Giles Anderson Tel: 01380 816 777 USA: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 01380 816 778 advertise@anderson-co.com Subscriptions: Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7152 0212 Fax: 020 7152 0213 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: 1 Year 2 Year UK £55 £90 Europe £85 £135 RoW £99 £154 Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 1134293 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA ABC Audited Our proven average monthly circulation is certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation at 10,003* *Based on the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0200 Fax: 020 7152 0213 info@roa.co.uk www.racehorseowners.net Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661 321 Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk • www.thetba.co.uk

£4.95 | April 2012 | Issue 92

Incorporating

Jolly Roger

Guineas fancy Top Offer has Roger Charlton in buoyant mood

Plus • At home with breeze-up king Con Marnane • Toby Balding on why the National still resonates • Big Buck’s makes history at the Cheltenham Festival

04

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Trainer Roger Charlton supervises morning exercise Photo: George Selwyn

Loss of BBC racing coverage could be a National tragedy

D

oes anyone remember – or know, for those under the age of 60 – how football commentator Hugh Johns described England’s fourth goal in the 1966 World Cup Final? If the answer is yes, give yourself a pat on the back. If the answer is no, don’t be too hard on yourself.

The truth is most people weren’t watching the aforementioned game on ITV and listening to Johns.

They were enjoying the coverage on the BBC and hearing Kenneth Wolstenholme’s famous line “some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over… it is now!” To this day it remains one of the most quoted and well-known phrases in the history of British television.

Having your product on the BBC gives it an appeal and gravitas that no other channel has matched, before or since Alf Ramsey’s team won at Wembley.

For over 60 years, the Beeb has delivered racing into the nation’s homes, capturing moments including Red Rum’s three Grand Nationals, Grundy and Bustino’s epic King George battle and Frankie Dettori’s Magnificent Seven.

But all that will change from 2013, when Channel 4 will become our sport’s sole terrestrial broadcaster, having signed a four-year deal said to be worth around £15 million. The Grand National, Royal Ascot, Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champions’ Day will all migrate across the network.

Much subsequent comment has highlighted the benefits of capturing the entire sport’s output, including all the ‘crown jewels’, on a single channel, which I must point out has been a staunch supporter of racing since 1984. Indeed, the potential now exists to really co-ordinate and drive the narrative of racing that some feel is key to attracting new followers.

Yet, bizarrely, the issue of watching racehorses – and that’s what we all enjoy doing, right? – on a channel that makes its revenue from constant advertising breaks, appears to have been overlooked. But then,

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

maybe you are the kind of person who gets a buzz from watching Michael Parkinson repeatedly trying to flog life insurance. I am not.

Overall, Channel 4 Racing does a fine job. However I always prefer to watch continuous coverage of racing, without interruption, as I would with any television programme or film. I know others feel the same way.

But now that option has been taken away.

Returning to Dettori’s Magnificent Seven, the BBC was not scheduled to show every race from Ascot on that momentous day 16 years ago but, aware of what was happening and with the capacity to do so, took the decision to broadcast the seventh race live.

Would Channel 4, with its ‘commercial’ approach and inflexible programming, have done the same?

No. Because it has “commitments to other people with its schedule”. And that’s according to a Channel 4 Racing spokesperson.

Remember the 2010 Dubai World Cup, when, owing to a late off-time, the programme was forced off air before the result of the world’s richest race could be announced? Can you imagine the damage to racing’s reputation if Derby day was subjected to the same treatment?

While Channel 4 offered more money for the rights to racing than the BBC – unsurprisingly, given the corporation’s desperation to make savings – I wonder whether those in charge of the media rights negotiations should have looked at the bigger picture, rather than apparently opting for the broadcaster prepared to stump up the most cash now.

Doubtless those involved will say they did exactly that, however history tells us that racing faces a difficult task if it wants to convince as many people to watch the sport on Channel 4 as on the BBC. As ever, Channel 4 Racing’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival was top class. George Selwyn’s images on pages 16-23 convey the excitement and thrill of four wonderful days at Prestbury Park.

“Should those in

charge of media rights negotiations have looked at the bigger picture?

”

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Apr_92_Contents_Contents 22/03/2012 13:05 Page 4

CONTENTS APRIL 2012

48 NEWS & VIEWS 7

ROA Leader

54 FEATURES 16

9

TBA Leader

30

News

42

Changes

48

Your monthly round-up

26 29

James Willoughby Cross country chases in the dock

INTERNATIONAL SCENE 33

View From Ireland Taoiseach visits the Expo

36

Continental Tales UK trainers can’t go to Cagnes

39

Around The Globe California opposition to Betfair

4

Talking To...

54

Breeders’ Digest Help needed for NH mares

60

Sales Circuit Including first-season sire focus

96

Flashback Corbiere’s Grand National

COVER STORY Roger Charlton Beckhampton handler eyes Guineas glory

Tony Morris America’s drugs shame

Foundation Mares

Training legend Toby Balding

Offshore operators to be taxed

14

59

The Wertheimers’ Glaneuse

Breeders central to sport’s future

10

Big Picture Cheltenham Festival action

Tackling the levy leakage

Bansha House Con Marnane on his breeze-up success

Nicky Henderson was top dog at the Cheltenham Festival: review pages 16-23

Apr_92_Contents_Contents 22/03/2012 13:06 Page 5

BLOODLINES Simply the right policy – without the fuss We are able to provide cover for: ! All risks of mortality ! Theft ! Stallion’s congenital or permanent infertility ! Broodmare barrenness ! Prospective foal ! Foals from 24 hours

80

! Yearlings unsoundness of wind ! Horses at grass

FORUM 66

ROA Forum Fantastic offer for Glorious Goodwood

72

TBA Forum British-breds bonanza at the Festival

78

Breeder of the Month

LEADING THE FIELD IN BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE

Goldford Stud, for Riverside Theatre

80

Next Generation Club Columnist Gina Bryce on her big thrill

84

Vet Forum The threat of African Horse Sickness

DATA BOOK 88

Caulfield Files Classic entries quicken the pulse

90

European Pattern Results and reviews

91

Stallion Statistics King’s Theatre surges ahead

92

Global Stakes Results

TO STAY AHEAD OF THE FIELD CONTACT US TODAY

Worldwide Group and Graded Stakes winners

95

Overseas Winners Successes abroad

Our monthly circulation is certified at

10,003

Can other magazines prove theirs?

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

BLOODLINES, ORCHARD HOUSE 167 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET LONDON W8 6UG TEL: +44 (0) 207 938 3033 FAX: +44 (0) 207 938 3055 ENQUIRIES@BLOODLINES.CO.UK WWW.BLOODLINES.CO.UK Bloodlines is a trading name of Bloodlines Thoroughbred Insurance Agency Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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Land & Stone OB full page April12_Land & Stone OB full page April12 02/03/2012 16:12 Page 1

LANDs

& STONEs

IMMOBILIER / REAL ESTATE

For Sale One of the oldest stables in CHANTILLY ◆

Over 23 Gr 1 winners trained from this stable ◆

The former base of Jack Cunnington ◆

Direct access to the training track Closest stables to Chantilly racecourse (20 mins walk)

Stable grounds extend to over 1.29 hectares (3.18 acres) 70 recently renovated stables 4 grass paddocks ◆ 2 sand paddocks Sand track (450 meters) All weather schooling ring and schooling jumps Horse walker for 6 horses 2 wash down stalls ◆ 2 tack rooms 2 offices and large feed barn Large family house.

Price :

3 500 000 € – fees included

For further details contact: Jean-François LIOT • Cell +33 (0)6 13 17 34 61 Email : jfliot@orange.fr • www.landsandstones.com (under construction)

Apr_92_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 23/03/2012 09:09 Page 7

ROA LEADER

RACHEL HOOD President Racehorse Owners Association

Budget may hasten bookmakers’ return Point of consumption tax will change dynamics of online betting

T

he recent budget statement that offshore online gambling will be taxed from December 2014 must place a question mark over whether Coral will now be having a change of heart in its plan to join other major bookmakers in setting up an internet operation in Gibraltar.

While bet365 currently stands alone in resisting the temptation of moving offshore to avoid paying tax and levy, it now seems likely the bookmaker traffic will soon be flowing the other way.

This is an important matter to racing as more than 80% of the levy comes from major bookmakers, while betting online continues to attract an increasing proportion of the betting market. Neither could the government afford to allow this state of affairs to continue. Parliament has been continuously reminded of this massive tax avoidance scam by an increasingly vocal group of MPs led by Matt Hancock. Only recently, he repeated his plea in the Commons for a level playing field for bookmakers and a regulated environment for UK punters.

Estimates suggest the offshore loophole is now costing racing between £10 million and £20m a year in unpaid levy. The cost to government, which is currently losing tax receipts on most online sports bets, is many times that amount.

The subject is, of course, closely linked to the government proposal to replace the levy with some form of commercial agreement between racing and the betting industry that is underpinned by statute.

Fundamental to this, as Matt Hancock and his colleagues have successfully argued, is the introduction of legislation so that tax is paid at the point of consumption. It would define the location of the bet as not where the bookmaker is, but where the punter is. A bookmaker who wants to advertise to British punters and take bets from them would need to be licensed by the Gambling Commission. Once this is implemented, many of the advantages for bookmakers of being based offshore would quickly disappear.

It will surprise no-one that the tri-partite talks between government, bookmakers and the racing industry on levy replacement are moving very slowly. The current levy system gives bookmakers VAT exemption on their payments to racing and, whatever else might emerge from these discussions, the bookmakers are adamant that this must be maintained.

An alternative scheme based on some form of Trust structure is therefore being pursued, but one is left with the feeling that the betting industry is being very half-hearted about the whole notion of levy replacement. After all, the levy holds more advantages for bookmakers than it does for racing and they are aware that the legislative process to achieve an alternative is going to be both difficult and timeconsuming. The bookmakers may pay lip service to supporting the government’s plans but, I suspect, they hope the proposals are eventually kicked into the long grass.

It is easy to see how bookmakers might think that playing the long game will eventually give them what they want. We should consider the fact that revenue from racecourse media rights has already overtaken the levy as a source of income for racing and that the gap between the two will continue to increase.

We should also consider that funding based almost entirely on media rights represents the sort of free market commercial system that the bookmakers have always hankered after.

They favour this because it would allow them to pick and choose between racecourses and fixtures when negotiating picture rights. It would put them in control whereby they could eventually spurn large numbers of fixtures unless the cost of those pictures came down to derisory levels.

We must be wary of the betting industry’s long game, but at least in Matt Hancock and his like-minded colleagues we have politicians who are emphatically on racing’s side.

We must back them to the hilt.

“Estimates suggest

the offshore loophole could be costing racing £20 million per year

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Whether you’re a large or small breeder, a keen enthusiast or want to learn more about Thoroughbred breeding the TBA is the only organisation in the UK working for you

Join us today Call 01638 661321 or visit www.thetba.co.uk

Apr_92_TBA_Leader_TBA 22/03/2012 13:18 Page 9

TBA LEADER

KIRSTEN RAUSING Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Board members sought to safeguard our future Figures at heart of the industry needed to help face ongoing challenges

A

pril is very much a month when the racing year turns a corner and starts to focus on the Flat.

However, foaling and covering duties currently remain the priority for breeders. I was delighted to attend the recent Godolphin Annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards and would like to congratulate all the nominees, but in particular the Stud Staff Award winners – Frances Eilbeck (Minster Stud), Gordon Lang (Fittocks Stud) and overall winner Graham Nicklin (Glebe Stud). There is no more appropriate time of the year for stud staff to be applauded for their commitment and professional skills The TBA’s own Stud Staff Awards, run bi-monthly, recognises and celebrates the value of competent and professional staff. From these deserving candidates an annual winner is selected to receive the New England Stud-sponsored Award and £1,000. Our judges have recently selected the 2011 winner and this will be announced at the TBA Annual Awards Dinner.

Nomination papers for the TBA Board elections have been circulated and the next six weeks will see voting for the two vacancies, caused by the end of my own term of office and that of fellow board member Julian Wilson, whose wide knowledge of the day-to-day challenges faced by stud farmers has proved to be of enormous practical help to the TBA. Amongst our co-opted members we are fortunate to enjoy some key professional skills. However, we need to recruit two individuals who are closely in touch with both the racing and breeding industry and who are willing to support the Association and provide their time and knowledge to safeguard our future.

There are many challenges ahead. The work of the government and the EU, particularly with regard to rural policies, requires continued vigilance and effort in support of recruiting and retaining our members which is always challenging. Veterinary concerns will always be uppermost in our minds, and emerging diseases which may have the potential to threaten our stock, not least the

potential concerns highlighted by the Schmallenberg virus and the seeming breakdown of the African Horse Sickness vaccine involved in a deadly outbreak in South Africa’s neighbour, Swaziland, need to be carefully monitored.

The outcome of the legal case brought in Australia to challenge the registration requirement that a thoroughbred horse has to be the produce of a natural service and not conceived by any form of artificial breeding will be announced in the coming months; these issues serve to illustrate the calibre of the challenges that your Association could be facing down the track. From the two new Board members could come a future TBA Chairman and, in spite of the support of an excellent team, this frontline job is not for the faint-hearted.

It is inconceivable that it is now two years since I first predicted that horsemen and racecourses would need to accept that they should work together to find a solution to the industry’s structure. It remains imperative that the TBA is fully involved in this debate and continues to influence decision-making under the new structure.

The breeding industry is people and horses. In the structure of racing administration, the TBA represents one of the groups which is closest to the horse. Throughout my term as Chairman I have endeavoured to ensure that the TBA embraces its responsibility to the thoroughbred and those that tend him, first and foremost.

The Next Generation Committee has brought this home to me that the enthusiasm of young people, their ambition and desire for knowledge will ensure that this sport will endure. The attraction of the horse has not waned. I believe it never will – it is just up to us to ensure we pass on a healthy industry to the next generation.

Can I urge you, therefore, to support the Association, identify the good candidates we have within our membership, encourage them to do their bit, and ensure that we have a robust and effective Association prepared to face up to these issues.

“In the structure of

racing administration, the TBA represents one of the groups which is closest to the horse

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Apr_92_News_Owner 22/03/2012 18:21 Page 10

NEWS Stories from the racing world

Government closes loophole for offshore betting operators The government has decided to bring offshore betting operators inside the tax framework in a move that could generate £270 million a year for the Treasury by 2016-17.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in his March budget that online gambling would now be taxed according to where the customer – not the company – is based.

Put simply, gross profits duty will now be charged on all internet bets placed by Britishbased punters regardless of whether their chosen bookmaker’s online operation is based in Gibraltar or Gillingham.

Osborne said: “The current duty regime for remote gambling introduced by the last government was levied on a ‘place of supply’ basis.

“This allowed overseas operators to largely avoid it – and much of the industry has, as a result, moved offshore.

“Ninety per cent of online gambling consumed by our citizens is now supplied from outside the UK. And the remaining UK operations are under pressure to leave.

“This is clearly not fair and not a sensible way to support jobs in Britain. So we intend to introduce a tax regime based on the place of consumption: where the customer is based, not the company.”

While the rate of duty is not yet known, the government will instigate a consultation period in due course, with an announcement expected

By Chairman Paul Dixon April – as we all know – heralds the start of the Flat Season, and I’m delighted to say that 2012 promises to deliver horsemen a radical departure from past practice, across a range of different areas.

First up is the newly developed Horsemen’s Group Tariff scheme, which was announced shortly before Christmas.

Racecourses have been ranked using three

10

GEORGE SELWYN

Chancellor’s tax on gambling online to boost Treasury coffers and racing industry

Matthew Hancock MP wants a level playing field for the betting business

gambling industry and crucially because onshore operators pay full levy, it is the first step towards a sustainable financial future for racing,” he said.

“It still needs legislation and I will keep pushing in parliament until we see this commitment made law.”

The government also set the take-out rate from betting shop gaming machines at 20%, a move which some sources claimed would hit the industry’s profits by £48m.

later this year or early in 2013.

Of the big bookmaking firms, only Coral and bet365 have kept their online businesses in the UK, with the former announcing shortly before the budget that their move offshore “will happen”.

West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock, who has supported racing in trying to close the offshore loophole due its detrimental effect on the levy, was delighted with the Chancellor’s decision.

“This will create a level playing field for the

different criteria: the percentage of their races which meet the HG’s underlying tariff; the percentage of a course’s total prize-money which derives from non-levy funding (the ‘executive contribution’ made by a racecourse from its own coffers); and, finally, the average amount of executive contribution per fixture.

The top rank of courses meet all three criteria successfully and have been designated ‘Partner’ racecourses, meaning that the HG is actively encouraging its members to support them. The second rank have met one or two of the criteria and are described as ‘Associate Partners’, meriting support when individual races they stage meet or exceed tariff. The third category is

defined as ‘Unclassified’.

A full list of Partner racecourses is available on the Horsemen’s Group website, but it is

“It is encouraging that around two thirds of all tracks are full partners”

encouraging that around two thirds of all tracks, of differing shapes and sizes, have passed all the criteria.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

GEORGE SELWYN

Apr_92_News_Owner 22/03/2012 18:21 Page 11

This year’s Grand National will be the last on the BBC; will Clare Balding move too?

Channel 4 wins right to show all terrestrial racing from 2013 This year’s Grand National will be the last shown on the BBC after Channel 4 secured the rights to show all terrestrial racing from next year.

The four-year deal, worth around £15 million, will also see the Derby, Royal Ascot, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champions’ Day leave the national broadcaster, whose racing portfolio has shrunk considerably in recent years.

It is understood Channel 4 will now review its entire racing output, including whether to hand production duties to Sunset + Vine, responsible for the BBC’s racing output, or keep with current supplier Highflyer.

The television rights negotiations were led by

From major tracks such as Ascot and Newmarket to Salisbury and Ffos Las, who both rank in the top ten, most racecourses continue to improve their prize-money performance, to the benefit of all horsemen.

Ffos Las, admirably, is the clear leader in terms of percentage executive contribution.

Only one course – Redcar – fails all the assessment criteria, on the figures available to date. Horsemen will have to make their own minds up as to whether to support a business which is failing to support them.

‘Partner Racecourse’ is no longer just a designation for the guidance of horsemen.

April also sees the start of the Horsemen’s Group Bonus Scheme, by which the HG will add a £5,000 bonus to 96 races during the

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Racecourse Media Group, whose Chief Executive Richard FitzGerald said: “Channel 4 has shown a total commitment to our sport.

“This new deal will not only deliver increased revenues for British racing, but with all of our crown jewels in its portfolio, Channel 4 offers a compelling vision to innovate the way racing is broadcast.”

Whether or not Clare Balding, regarded as one of the best racing broadcasters in the business following 16 years with the BBC, will join the Channel 4 team is the subject of much speculation.

The presenter tweeted: “Desperately sad that BBC TV has lost all rights to cover horseracing.

“I’m not rushing into any decisions about

course of the season. This bonus will be shared between the winning owner, trainer, jockey, breeder and stable staff, provided that the winning connection is a member of the relevant HG constituent body (ROA, NTF, PJA or TBA). These bonus races will only be staged at Partner racecourses. Clearly, we very much hope that the bonus races will attract a high level of entries, so that racecourses that support us are rewarded for doing so, and those who are currently Associate Partners are encouraged to step up to the mark!

The Bonus Scheme, combined with the Quality Support Fund discussed in this column previously, and tariff, are all intended to lead to racecourses competing against each other for the product that horsemen work so

what I will do in the future – 2012 is a busy enough year to keep me on my toes and then we’ll see.”

Sir Peter O’Sullevan, the BBC commentator known as the ‘Voice of Racing’, was also disappointed with the corporation’s withdrawal from the sport.

“My reaction is one of horror,” he said. “I think that racing will survive the loss of BBC coverage, and Channel 4 will do the Grand National and Royal Ascot just as well, if not better, than the BBC. “But it will always be regretted that one of the country’s major and most traditional sports is not to be adequately reflected by the national broadcaster.”

hard to bring to the track. In the medium term, that is the only way we can ensure sustainable prize-money.

WHILE we’re on the subject, it’s worth noting that the HG Tariff levels of recommended prize-money for individual Flat turf races currently remains unchanged from 2011. This is not because the HG believes that prize-money is now satisfactory – far from it.

Rather, it is partly because of the other metrics we have introduced and partly because the HG felt that it was the right time to see how positive innovations such as the Bonus Scheme and the QSF affect prizemoney performance and the quality of race programmes in the first half of this season.

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Apr_92_News_Owner 22/03/2012 18:22 Page 12

NEWS

Since the end of last October, officials within the Australian racing and breeding industry have been awaiting a judge’s decision following the conclusion of the court case regarding the use of artificial insemination (AI) in thoroughbred breeding.

Former Sydney Turf Club Chairman Bruce McHugh initiated legal proceedings against the Sydney-based Australian Jockey Club (AJC) challenging the prohibition of AI, which has been in place in the country since 1949. As in other racing nations, only thoroughbreds resulting from natural conception can be registered with the Australian Stud Book.

The AJC was joined by five other respondents when the case was heard in court from August 2011, with the Australian Racing Board, Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBAus), Australian Stud Book and the country’s equivalent of Weatherbys, Racing Information Services Australia, teaming up to defend McHugh’s claims of restraint of trade.

“We’re not taking anything for granted.

We’re cautiously awaiting the decision but we feel that we have mounted a strong defence that an AI ban is not anti-competitive and that the vagaries of the commercial breeding model in Australia are incredibly competitive,” said TBAus Chief Executive Officer Chauncey Morris.

“We’re in the fight of our lives here and that’s why all six respondents had their own legal teams.”

McHugh’s lawyer Ian Tonking claimed in court that the voices of the many small

MARTIN KING

Australian industry holds its breath over artificial insemination decision

Trevor Lobb says breeders from around the world have shown support for the AI ban

breeders are being ignored, and that they would benefit from the introduction of AI by not having to send their mares on long trips to be covered naturally. This claim is refuted

by TBAus. Morris said: “The small breeders are very much aware of how precarious their livelihoods would be in a post-AI world.

When AI was introduced to the standardbred industry it pushed out a lot of smaller operations.

“Our defence was to paint a picture of the

thoroughbred industry as it occurs all around the world and of Australia’s place within it. It [AI] is an existential threat and we’re treating it like one. We’ve mounted an extremely robust and costly defence but it’s something that all of us – the Australian Stud Book and the racecourses – felt strongly that we had to do.”

Trevor Lobb, Chairman of TBAus, added: “Our commitment to Australian breeders’ livelihoods is resolute, and TBA appreciates support and interest from the fraternity of breeders around the world.”

High profile role for Amy Starkey

Amy Starkey heads to Newmarket

12

Amy Starkey has been named as the new Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, succeeding Stephen Wallis who recently moved to take up a role with Jockey Club Racecourses.

Starkey, 30, moves from Kempton Park, where she has been Managing Director since 2008, having previously worked at Huntingdon, Newcastle and Sedgefield.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of Newmarket Racecourses, said: “I am delighted that Amy Starkey is joining us as Managing Director.

“Her track record, dynamism and creativity will be of enormous benefit to Newmarket Racecourses as we continue to improve and invest in the racecourses and prize-money.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS

APRIL 2012

Makfi’s first foals DELIGHT BREEDERS

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Tweenhills Times_APR12_V7.indd 1

20/03/2012 17:15

Apr_92_Changes_Layout 1 22/03/2012 13:03 Page 14

NEWS In association with

Changes – R a c i n g ’ s n e w s i n a n u t s h e l l PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Richard Hills Paul Hanagan Sir Mark Prescott Silvestre de Sousa Noel Fehily Whip rules Phil Kinsella George Prodromou Charlotte Kerton Jimmy Quinn Coronation Cup Northern Racing Coral American racing William Haggas Luck Willie Supple

Calls time on riding career aged 49 having partnered almost 1,900 winners in Britain, including six Classics Reigning champion jockey becomes Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s retained rider and will relocate to Newmarket following the retirement of Richard Hills Announces he will not employ a retained rider this year, but that Seb Sanders and Stephen Donohoe will both continue to ride for the yard Joins the Godolphin team along with Mickael Barzalona; the pair will become stable jockeys alongside Frankie Dettori Becomes stable jockey for Emma Lavelle and will continue to ride for Charlie Mann when available Controversial amendments revised again by the BHA, which relaxes restriction on number of strikes and focuses on manner of whip use Jump jockey is forced to hang up his boots due to loss of hearing following a fall at Market Rasen but plans to stay working in the sport Norfolk trainer warned off for eight years after being found guilty of instructing Charlotte Kerton to ensure two of his horses did not run on their merits Will not be allowed to apply for a jockey’s licence for six years after being found guilty of stopping two horses for trainer George Prodromou Refused permission by the BHA to work in racing stables for the duration of his six-month disqualification, which ends in June Investec-sponsored race renamed Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup to mark start of the Queen’s celebrations and switched from Oaks Day to Derby Day Signs seven-year deal with Betfred to provide pool betting services and on-course betting shops at the group’s ten British racecourses Leading bookmaker joins the vast majority of competitors by announcing intention to move online operation offshore Graded Stakes Committee reverses its raceday medication decision which would have seen a ban on the use of Lasix in juvenile Graded stakes in 2012 Newmarket handler succeeds Stuart Williams as President of the National Trainers’ Federation HBO horseracing series which had received critical acclaim is cancelled after one series following three equine deaths on set Flat jockey retires aged 43 citing lack of big-race rides; he won the Lockinge Stakes aboard Fly To The Stars and Golden Jubilee Stakes on Fayr Jag

RACEHORSE AND STALLION – MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Zacinto Ollie Magern Recession Proof Zaynar Blazing Bailey Deacon Blues Zenyatta Smart Missile Adios Charlie

Juddmonte-bred Group 2-winning son of Dansili sold to stand at Inglewood Stud in New Zealand Stable stalwart of Nigel Twiston-Davies retires aged 14 with 13 wins to his credit, including the Feltham Novices’ Chase and two Charlie Hall Chases Winner of last season’s Totesport Trophy out for the season after suffering an injury at John Quinn’s stable High-class novice chaser and winner of the 2009 Triumph Hurdle moves from the stable of Nick Williams to David Pipe Alan King-trained son of Mister Baileys retires at ten; his 12 victories include Grade 1 World Series Hurdle at Punchestown and Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle QIPCO British Champions Sprint winner for James Fanshawe out for the forthcoming Flat season after sustaining a tendon injury America’s wonder mare produces her first foal, a colt by Bernardini, on March 8 at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky Group-winning son of Fastnet Rock retires to Arrowfield Stud in Australia’s Hunter Valley Four-year-old Grade 2 winner is retired to Ocala Stud in Florida, where he will stand for $3,500

PEOPLE OBITUARIES

AGE

Davy Jones Christian Marner Harriet Smulders Atkinson John Akehurst Bruce Deane

66 71 44 50 79

HORSE OBITUARIES

AGE

Royal Academy Environment Friend Dyhim Diamond Earthmover Golden Minstrel Uncle Ernie Bygones In Brid Simonsberg Noverre Garde Champetre Scotsirish Palawi

25 24 17 21 33 27 6 9 14 13 11 5

Former amateur jockey and member of The Monkees pop group Owner/breeder of Polar Region and Cragganmore; husband of Fiona Marner of Kingwood Bloodstock and former manager of Kingwood Stud Former secretary to Andy Turnell, Simon Sherwood and James Bethell; former assistant to the Chief Executive of the NTF Royal Ascot-winning trainer who was based in Epsom Former director of Tattersalls and breeder of 1978 champion juvenile filly Devon Ditty

Son of Nijinsky who won the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Mile under Lester Piggott, sire of Val Royal, Oscar Schindler and a noted broodmare sire Winner of the 1991 Coral-Eclipse and sire of Kerry National winner Alfa Beat dies at Mellon Stud in Ireland Group-winning sprinter and sire of Turtle Bowl and Bannaby dies at Dehesa de Milagro in Spain Prolific winning chaser who won the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham twice, in 1998 and 2004 Provided the late Josh Gifford with his first Cheltenham Festival winner when landing the 1988 Kim Muir Chase High-class two-mile chaser trained by Jimmy FitzGerald who rounded off his career with victory in the 1997 Grand Annual Chase Harry Redknapp-owned hurdler suffers a fatal injury in a first-flight fall at Taunton Ian Ferguson-trained gelding fatally injured in action at Musselburgh; the son of Sonus had won eight point-to-points and two hunter chases Godolphin’s Sussex Stakes winner and sire of Group 1 winners Le Havre and Music Show dies at Sohna Stud in India Popular banks specialist who won 13 races, including the Cheltenham Festival cross-country contest twice A favourite at Willie Mullins’s yard who won nine of his 40 races, two of them Grade 2 chases Five-time winner for the John Quinn stable who was being lined up to contest the Scottish Champion Hurdle

n o i t i r t a Hep 14

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Apr_92_Big_Picture1_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:20 Page 16

C H E LT E N H A M F E S T I VA L

Main image: Finianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rainbow dethrones Sizing Europe in the Champion Chase; From top: Riverside Theatre thrills actor James Nesbitt in the Ryanair Chase; Sprinter Sacre blows his rivals away with a brilliant success in the Arkle Trophy; Simonsig proves his class in the Neptune Investment Management Novicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hurdle; Bobs Worth gets the better of Irish raider First Lieutenant in the RSA Chase

Apr_92_Big_Picture1_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:20 Page 17

HENDERSON & GERAGHTY

Seven Arrows Nicky Henderson fired in a record seven winners over the four days to take his tally to 46 and overtake Fulke Walwyn as the most successful trainer of all time at the Cheltenham Festival.

Barry Geraghty partnered all five Grade 1 scorers for the Seven Barrows stable to end the week as leading rider Photos George Selwyn

Apr_92_Big_Picture2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:21 Page 18

C H E LT E N H A M F E S T I VA L

Big Buck’s: a superstar’s factfile Pedigree: 9 b g Cadoudal-Buck’s (Le Glorieux) Hurdles/chase wins: 18/3 Wins in a row: 16 Defeated rivals over hurdles (UK): 129 Prize-money: £1.2 million Owner: The Stewart Family Trainer: Paul Nicholls Breeder: Henri Poulat Raised: Haras de Gouffern et de Rabodanges

Apr_92_Big_Picture2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:21 Page 19

BRILLIANT BIG BUCK’S

Big Buck’s, with regular pilot Ruby Walsh, makes history by becoming the first four-time winner of the World Hurdle; he also equalled Sir Ken’s record of 16 consecutive victories over jumps

Apr_92_Big_Picture3_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:22 Page 20

C H E LT E N H A M F E S T I VA L

AP McCoy galvanises Synchronised to record a gutsy win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the rider’s second success in chasing’s blue riband.

It was a first Gold Cup for owner JP McManus and a first as trainer for Jonjo O’Neill (above left, with McCoy and groom Gabriella Gajova).

Dual winner Kauto Star (left) was pulled up but returned to cheers from the huge crowd

Apr_92_Big_Picture3_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:23 Page 21

SYNCHRONISED STRIKES

Apr_92_Big_Picture4b_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:28 Page 22

C H E LT E N H A M F E S T I VA L

The Keiran Burke-trained Hunt Ball gives owner Anthony Knott (right of horse) a day to remember with victory under top weight in the novices’ handicap chase

Quevega proves different class in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle under Ruby Walsh becoming the first mare to win the same Festival race four times

Brindisi Breeze is the toast of Scotland after capturing the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle for owner Sandy Seymour, trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Campbell Gillies

Apr_92_Big_Picture4b_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:29 Page 23

BEST OF THE REST

Rock On Ruby and Noel Fehily cause an upset in the Champion Hurdle to the delight of Harry Fry (inset), who supervises the seven-year-old at Paul Nichollsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s satellite yard

7848 - Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder DPS_AW_A4 Portrait 19/03/2012 17:03 Page 1

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7848 - Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder DPS_AW_A4 Portrait 19/03/2012 17:03 Page 2

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For sale as a whole

Apr_92_Tony_Morris_Owner 22/03/2012 13:46 Page 26

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris America’s use of drugs in racing is out of step with the rest of the world and the recent reversal of the planned raceday medication ban for juvenile Graded events must be rued

26

GEORGE SELWYN

S

ome 30-odd years ago I walked into the bar of a hotel in Miami and ordered myself a drink, evidently much to the amusement of a couple of chaps standing alongside me. What sparked the sudden outbreak of mirth wasn’t immediately clear; it wasn’t as though I’d asked for a pint of Bishop’s Finger, which might have supplied an excuse.

I gave them one of my looks which pretty much demanded a verbal response and it was soon forthcoming from the cheekier of the pair. It ran along the lines of: “Say, man, that’s some kinda accent you got.”

Of course, I swiftly pointed out that, on the contrary, he was the one with an accent; I spoke the Queen’s English. That remark was apparently funnier still, judging by the upgrade from giggles to guffaws.

Then I was asked where I came from and responded by stating what was surely obvious: “England.” The laughter suddenly ceased and silence reigned for perhaps half a minute, while they racked their brains for something to say. Eventually one of them came out with a tentative suggestion: “England? Is that where The Beatles came from?”

Yes, I found it hard to believe as well, but I swear that’s what the fellow said. The pair of them knew of England only because of The Beatles – and they weren’t even sure about that. Anyway, we got along famously after that, buying each other drinks and chatting amicably. There was just one other thing that I remember about our conversation. They asked me if I was returning home from Florida and I told them that I was going to California first.

Had they been to California, I asked. Heads were shaken and I tried to guess what their vacant expressions meant. It struck me that I had asked a ridiculous question. California was no more on their map than England was.

That apparently mundane episode in a Miami bar became permanently deposited in my memory bank because I found umpteen reasons to relate to it when travelling in America. It is a vast country, a federation of 50odd states which all have significant degrees of autonomy and are united only in name. Can it

A ban on the use of Lasix in juvenile races at this year’s Breeders’ Cup remains in place

truly be said to have a national identity?

Thanks to that conversation I could understand why TV news bulletins tended to be so localised, why out-of-state events were deemed not to matter much, and why international news was often non-existent. I realised why JFK could have delivered a speech in Germany and unwittingly described himself as a kind of doughnut. How would any American have known what “Ich bin ein Berliner” meant and how much funnier it sounded in a Boston accent?

Unity in racing is needed There are certain things about which America is united, notably her major sports. Americans don’t need to look beyond their boundaries and can ignore the rest of the world, because the rest of the world cares little or nothing about her versions of football, rounders and netball. They are encouraged in their insularity, most being blissfully unaware that nobody in most other countries could give a damn about their obsessions.

Fear not, America. We are not going to try to convert you to cricket, a game so esoteric that it allows for up to five days of competition and

your anathema of a drawn outcome. But we would like to be on the same wavelength as you where racing is concerned. Unfortunately, that is not the case, despite the fact that there has been a great deal of interchange of stock, largely westbound for well over 200 years, significantly in our direction for nearly 50.

It’s not just that America’s version of racing is so much duller, every track a clone of every other one and dirt as the preponderant surface.

In addition, many of America’s top races are run under handicap conditions, something that the European Pattern has never condoned.

But there is another much more important difference – at least, it rates as important on this side of the Atlantic – and that is the diametrically opposed stances on raceday medication. In Europe and everywhere else in the world it is strictly verboten; in America its use is so prevalent as to seem almost obligatory.

Of course, in this context medication is too polite, indeed, a quite erroneous, term.

Medication is something administered to the sick to promote a return to health. Are we supposed to believe that virtually every thoroughbred in the States is ill, requiring medication to be able to compete? What a sick, THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Tony_Morris_Owner 22/03/2012 13:47 Page 27

sorry lot America’s racing population must be.

The plain fact is that almost every Stateside runner is drugged on the day of its race, whether or not it is necessary. It will have a shot of what we call Lasix (also called Salix in the US), and in some cases that may not be all. America is out of step with the rest of the world in allowing – one might almost say encouraging – abuse that in human sporting endeavours, such as athletics and cycling, would result in lengthy bans from competition. Americans have known for decades that their permissive regime is deplored elsewhere, but they were disinclined to act. They foresaw problems over getting races to fill – and a consequent fall in revenue from wagering – if they were to apply a ban on drugs. Or so they alleged.

Implementing change proves difficult But finally one body, more conscious and respectful of international opinion, proposed to come into line. If there was one organisation that would have to recognise the need for change it was the Breeders’ Cup, especially after it added its claim to represent the World Championships of racing. The claim was dubious anyway but it meant nothing if the competitors were not on level terms. Heavens be praised, the Breeders’ Cup announced a prohibition on Lasix and other raceday medications for all its juvenile races at the two-day autumn bonanza.

There was, it seemed, even better news to follow. The Graded Stakes Committee of TOBA, which purports to represent owners and breeders nationwide, announced that it would follow suit in respect of two-yearold Graded events in 2012. America was at last making a start at establishing clean racing.

But it was a different matter when it came to trying to implement the changes. This was where federalism proved the bugbear. Of the 45 scheduled Graded Stakes for two-year-olds, 40 came under the jurisdiction of just three states – New York, California and Kentucky – and they all had their reasons for rejecting the call for a change in their rules.

In Britain we routinely rue the fact that it seems impossible to get all the factions involved in the sport to agree upon anything.

But there is at least an overall authority, however ineffective it might appear to be, and that is something America lacks. The Jockey Club runs the Stud Book, but it controls nothing else. Every state which conducts thoroughbred racing rules by its own lights; anything goes.

No doubt TOBA had the best of intentions but ultimately it became clear that it did not have the clout to enforce the changes it had promised to deliver. Nor, it would seem, did it make an adequate case for a move that was not just advisable, but absolutely necessary, if there was a real will to earn the confidence of the rest of the world.

Have America’s owners and breeders not noticed that Europeans do not flock to Stateside sales in great numbers any more? Are they unaware that the rest of the world is suspicious about the value of the form in Graded events conducted under a permissive drug regime?

I fear that the isolationist ethos holds sway. Most owners and breeders are not concerned with the export market. It’s all the same to them if their racing – like their football, baseball and basketball – fails to claim the attention of anyone outside America.

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27

Daniel Hunt Fine Art OB Apr2012_Daniel Hunt Fine Art OB Apr2012 21/03/2012 09:25 Page 1

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Apr_92_JWilloughby_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 13:48 Page 29

JAMES WILLOUGHBY COMMENT

As we’ve seen with the whip row, an objective approach can help to resolve racing’s complex ethical issues, as the spotlight falls on equine fatalities

GEORGE SELWYN

In defence of racing’s image

Statistics don’t allow for a distinction between cross-country races and chases but issues such as watering should be reviewed

A

s the pleasing outcome of the whip controversy proves, plenty within racing can bring objective method to complex ethical problems. Thankfully, the sport does not lack for good thinkers and new BHA Chairman Paul Bittar is happy to allow their voices to be heard.

In my opinion, the same process should now be applied to crystalise the principles with which equine fatalities are considered. This was brought into sharp focus at the Cheltenham Festival by the loss of five horses, including two in the cross-country chase.

The whip debate brought to the surface some interesting truths about racing's governance.

On all topics in which it might be attacked from the outside, racing must learn to defend itself from first principles rather than PR – from the bottom up, not the top down.

So, when stopping to ask the troubling question “how much is too much?” where equine deaths are concerned, it should immediately exclude such specious arguments as “these horses are kept in five-star accommodation” or “nobody cares more about horses than we do” or similar. For these THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

are too easy to defeat.

In the case of the cross-country chase, the argument which followed the loss of life was framed around the novelty of the course.

Should it be banned? Has it really a part to play at the Festival?

Cheltenham supremo Edward Gillespie countered robustly and effectively, though an intelligent man should hardly be troubled to find a defence: it is easy to discern there is no statistical basis to differentiate between the cross-country race and chasing in general. The rate of fallers is low and, in any case, the sample size is too small to make any rational decision.

This is a quick and dirty take on the problem, of course. Changes to the watering, the signage and the particular layout of fences should always be reviewed and improved using experience and safety-first sensitivity. After all, this type of event is relatively new.

But to ban it? The idea is rather frightening for it would not be an evidence-based response.

Instead, rather like the muddled rules initially imposed on use of the whip, it would be predicated by a knee-jerk reaction to the

spectre of death; it would be fostered by the need to do something to smooth the rippleeffect on our conscience, to prove to others that its sensibility towards death within the sport is in step with contemporary values.

On the issue of the whip, the sport eventually realised that all superficial argument could be sublimated to one immutable truth: when the cushioned whip is employed by a rider adhering to principles of sound horsemanship, there is no scientific evidence it is an instrument of injury or pain, so any criticism which implies as much is fatally flawed.

These, then, are the sport's first principles on use of the whip. And, while they have not been formalised explicitly, they are implied directly by the rules and penalties for offenders.

So, what of equine death and serious injury – a much bigger debate still? Which first principles will the sport rely on to defend itself in future, to answer the question of “how much is too much?”

In my opinion, it will pay the sport handsomely to come up with a sounder response than commonly advanced.

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Apr_92_FoundationMares_Layout 1 22/03/2012 13:51 Page 30

THE FOUNDATION MARES

By JEREMY EARLY

GLANEUSE The Wertheimer family has celebrated success at the highest level across Europe and America, at a wide range of distances – Glaneuse is one of the reasons why

“The sport has had few links of such enduring triumphs between two extended families” He also finished second in the Cambridgeshire under 9st 2lb, giving 19lb to the narrow winner Verdict, winner of the Coronation Cup the year after, and 9lb to the third, Derby runner-up Pharos.

Midget, Vimy and Lavandin were all trained

by Alec Head, whom Wertheimer had boldly chosen to train for him in 1949 when Head was just 24. Head trained for the Wertheimers until

30

GEORGE SELWYN

I

f there is such a thing as a magic number for buying a mare likely to leave a lasting influence, 2,100gns must be near the top of the list. That was the sum paid for Mrs Moss, already dealt with in this series, and for Glamour, dam of this month’s subject Glaneuse.

This is no ordinary family and, although the background is essentially French, its influence is felt worldwide thanks to such stars as Gold River, Goldikova, Alexander Goldrun and Royal Rebel.

Glamour was sold as a foal in 1960 and with Infra Red as her third dam and top horses coming from the family including high-class stayer Exar in the same season, it was predictable that she would be in some demand.

She was bought on behalf of Pierre Wertheimer, the power behind Parfums Chanel since 1924, and his wife Germaine, who came from the Lazard banking family. The Wertheimers had been involved in racing for half a century and to good effect, having studs first in Medoc, then in l’Orne at Haras de Saint-Leonard-des-Parcs.

Horses bred by the Wertheimers included Mesa (1,000 Guineas in 1935), Vimy (King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1955), Midget (Cheveley Park Stakes in 1955, Coronation Stakes in 1956), Lavandin (Derby in 1956) and best of all Epinard.

The last-named, foaled in 1922, won the Grand Criterium, Prix d’Ispahan and Stewards’ Cup under a record weight for a three-year-old of 8st 6lb, backed from 100-8 ante-post to 7-2.

Glaneuse’s daughter Gold River, the third dam of Goldikova, winning the Arc in 1981

he retired, when the job was handed over to his daughter Criquette until 2006 and then to his son Freddy. The sport has had few links of such enduring triumph between two extended families.

Like Midget, Glamour was by the Wertheimer sire Djebe and, apart from Riverman, she was not mated with spectacular stallions. Glaneuse, foaled in 1966, was by Snob and Gleam, foaled the year after, was by Spy Well. Both were good fillies. Glaneuse landed the Prix Chloe, Prix de Malleret and Gran Premio del Jockey Club and finished third in the Prix de Diane, while Gleam came second in the 1,000 Guineas.

Glaneuse and Gleam were bred by Madame Wertheimer since Pierre had died in 1965.

Other horses to carry her colours included inspired purchases Lyphard (15,000gns) and Riverman ($41,000), and when she died in 1974 her son Jacques Wertheimer took over the racing and breeding operation, with Dancing Maid, Gay Mecene, Green Dancer, Ivanjica and Reine de Saba among his top homebreds.

On Jacques’s death in 1996 the mantle passed to his sons Alain and Gérard (Wertheimer et Frère), who keep their 80 or so European-based mares at Haras de SaintLeonard-La-Barberie, bought in the 1990s and adjacent to the Heads’ Haras du Quesnay.

Glaneuse was mated with top sires, principally Riverman, but was not terribly productive, getting only four foals. Two of those, Gold River (by Riverman) and Gracious (by Habitat), have left a mark, though ironically not one of the six Group 1 winners tracing to the latter have raced for the Wertheimers.

That is because buying and selling has always been part and parcel of the Wertheimer method – in 2009 and 2011 Wertheimer et Frere spent nearly $7 million on just three mares, Honest Pursuit, Buster’s Ready and Zaftig.

Gracious’s daughter Gracious Lassie (by Kalamoun), who was stakes-placed, was culled early on and went on to foal two juvenile Group 1 winners, Oczy Czarnie (by Lomond) and Glaieul (by Lear Fan).

Greenvera (by Riverman), out of Gracious’s THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_FoundationMares_Layout 1 22/03/2012 13:51 Page 31

Group1/Grade 1 winners descended from Glaneuse Foaled

Winner

f 1977

Gold River

f 1985 f 1986 f 1989 f 1990 c 1996 f 1999 f 2001 c 2003 f 2005

f 2008

Prix Royal-Oak, Prix du Cadran, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Riviere d’Or Prix Saint-Alary Oczy Czarnie Prix de la Salamandre Glaieul Criterium de Saint-Cloud Gold Splash Prix Marcel Boussac, Coronation S. Royal Rebel Gold Cup (two) Guadalupe Oaks d’Italia Alexander Goldrun Prix de l’Opera, Hong Kong Cup, Pretty Polly S. (two), Nassau S. Getaway Deutschland-Preis, Rheinland-Pokal Goldikova Prix d’Astarte, Prix du Moulin, Breeders’ Cup Mile (three), Falmouth S., Prix Rothschild (three), Prix Jacques le Marois, Prix d’Ispahan (two), Queen Anne Stakes, Prix de la Foret Galikova Prix Vermeille

smart sprinting daughter Greenway (by Targowice), was sold for 24,000gns as a three-year-old. She foaled eccentric dual Gold Cup winner Royal Rebel (by Robellino), and her daughter Guernica (by Unfuwain) produced two fine siblings by Monsun, Classic winner Guadalupe and top-notch middle-distance stayer Getaway.

Renashaan, a granddaughter of Greenway’s, fetched 30,000gns out of the Wertheimer stud carrying the redoubtable Alexander Goldrun (by Gold Away), who went on to earn nearly £2 million in a glittering international career.

They didn’t all get away though. Brilliant filly Gold River stayed well enough to win Prix Royal-Oak and the Prix du Cadran. The latter was truly-run on heavy going over two and a half miles but Gold River was not devoid of pace, confirming the point with a solid victory in the 1981 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Sadly, Gold River did not live long, being struck by lightning in Kentucky when only nine, but she had already foaled two smart colts led by Classic-placed Goldneyev and two fillies, one of whom has kept the flag flying high through her descendants.

That filly, Riviere d’Or (by Lyphard), won the Prix Saint-Alary and came second in the Prix de Diane before foaling good filly Gold Splash (by Blushing Groom), whose tally included the Prix Marcel Boussac and Coronation Stakes, and her sister Born Gold. Gold Splash has not done notably well at stud, getting just one stakes winner, but minor winner Born Gold has proved exceptional.

Her 11 winners, four of them in Pattern company, are headed by the incomparable Goldikova (by Anabaa), whose 14 Group 1 victories spearheaded by three Breeders’ Cup Miles are still fresh in the memory.

To gild the lily, in 2008 Born Gold foaled Galikova (by Galileo), winner of the Prix Vermeille last autumn.

An interesting aspect of Glaneuse’s descendants is the variation in stamina they have shown. She stayed a mile and a half well, as does Galikova, while Gold River, Royal Rebel and Getaway were fully effective over further.

Yet Greenway was a sprinter, Gold Splash and Goldikova were essentially milers and Alexander Goldrun was best at up to ten furlongs.

The staying power, or lack of it, of the sires concerned is clearly a factor in this. Be that as it may, such versatility is tremendously useful in a family and one that any stud owner would be at pains to try to obtain.

NEXT MONTH: A

First crop

Races

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SUCCESS for both:

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Fee:

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Fee:

£4,000 Sire of THE GIANT BOLSTER, runner up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Contact: PETER HOCKENHULL Tel: (01939) 270235 E-mail: info@shadeoakstud.co.uk Website: www.shadeoakstud.co.uk

Wind Is Rising

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Apr_92_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:09 Page 33

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By LEO POWELL, MANAGING EDITOR OF THE IRISH FIELD

Government puts its full weight behind Irish racing and breeding The Taoiseach seals his endorsement of the industry with a visit to Expo 2012

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

PETER MOONEY

L

et’s start with a language lesson. The word Taoiseach (pronounced ‘teeshock’) is an ancient Irish word and literally translates as chieftain or leader. In the Irish Constitution the role is described as being “the head of the Government or Prime Minister.”

Now you will understand how excited the Irish racing and breeding communities were when the Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrived at Leopardstown racecourse at the end of February to officially open the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Expo 2012. This simple act was a ringing endorsement of the importance attached to these two businesses by our government.

With high-level talks on an almost daily basis in Europe to steer the country through the economic crisis, it would have been understandable had Kenny opted out of attending the event. The previous evening he had met the German Chancellor in Berlin and then flew to Rome for a breakfast meeting with the Italian Prime Minister. Next stop was Leopardstown.

Describing Ireland as a “leading player in the global equine market”, Kenny elaborated by adding: “The government recognises horse breeding as an indigenous Irish industry that is spread throughout the country and operating in a premium global market. It is precisely the kind of industry which Ireland needs to sustain and develop as part of our economic recovery.

“You can take it that the entire government is very supportive of the horseracing industry.

Its reputation is second to none and that is why I am here; to give it that sense of imprimatur.”

He was supportive of the efforts to sell Irish horses in markets where not a great deal of business had previously been done, singling out the likes of China, South America and Russia. He went on to endorse the review of the industry commissioned by his Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney.

“This is being done with a view to determining what, if any, changes are required to the infrastructure and funding mechanism underpinning the industry, to

Taoiseach Enda Kenny (pink tie) spoke of the importance of horse breeding to Ireland

ensure it is well positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

On the eve of Expo 2012 Minister Coveney himself paid a visit to the event and emphasised once again his commitment and belief in it. He said: “Ireland is the biggest producer of foals in Europe. This is an important area for exports and we want to keep Ireland there.”

“The entire

government is very supportive of the horseracing industry” Soon after the two-day event ended, Minister Coveney announced that a company called Indecon had been awarded the contract to carry out the review of certain aspects of the horseracing industry, following the conclusion of a competitive tendering process.

Coveney said: “The review is intended to provide the basis for a renewed impetus to the development of the horseracing industry. It will cover a number of crucial aspects of the industry – legislation, governance structures, the size, structure and nomination process for appointments to the board of Horse Racing Ireland, streamlining of functions and the funding model for the industry.”

Referring to the stake-holder consultation process facilitated by his department as part of the review, Coveney said: “I am delighted with the level of interest and enthusiasm demonstrated by stakeholders in the review.

My department received in excess of 40 submissions which have been passed to Indecon for consideration.”

Coveney repeated his belief in the potential of the thoroughbred sector to make an even greater contribution to the country’s economic recovery in the future and said he looked forward to receiving the report of the review.

He stated: “The report will be important in providing the basis for actions to underpin development of the horseracing and breeding sector into the future.”

33

>>

Apr_92_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:09 Page 34

VIEW FROM IRELAND

GEORGE SELWYN

Graham Wylie’s Irish venture is thriving

At the time of writing, Andrea and Graham Wylie had made an outstanding start to their association with the Willie Mullins stable in Ireland. The leading owners moved a number of horses to Mullins this season following the disqualification of Howard Johnson.

The Wylies are understood to have sent seven horses to Ireland and four of these have so far made starts from their new base. All four have won and, even more remarkably, all have won Graded races. Their record so far reads that they have won seven times from ten starts, netting their owners just short of €200,000.

The Wylie-Mullins partnership made a dream start when Boston Bob landed a maiden hurdle at Navan in mid-November.

He then went on to keep his unbeaten record for Mullins when winning a Grade 1 at Navan and a Grade 2 at Leopardstown, and was honourable in defeat when second in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Also in action at Cheltenham was Felix Yonger. He made up for a defeat on his Irish debut when winning his next two starts, including a Grade 2 hurdle at Naas, and ran very well to be runner-up at the Festival.

The other pair of winners are chasers, and include the current favourite for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree. Prince De Beauchene ran fifth on his Irish bow before making amends in the Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Could even the race name be a positive omen for his chances at Liverpool?

On His Own was brought down when favourite on his first start for Mullins but then ran out an emphatic 13-length winner of the Grade A Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.

Tinkler extends Murtagh link via Curragh venture Another well-known face on the English racing scene to make an impact recently in Ireland has been Andrew Tinkler, boss of the Stobart transport company. He sent six horses to be trained by former top jockey Tommy Carmody and all are based at Johnny Murtagh’s yard on the Curragh.

Murtagh rode Sweet Lightning for Tinkler to win the Lincoln at Doncaster last year and he was on board the first three runners for the new team at Dundalk in mid-February. The best possible start occurred when Miss

34

Mediator, their first runner, landed a maiden, and their other pair of runners were in the frame.

Carmody gave up training a number of years ago but remains a firm favourite within the sport. Speculation is that he will hand over the reins to Murtagh when the jockey finally decides to quit the saddle. This is not thought to be imminent.

Tinkler’s company Stobart sponsors the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes and other races at the Curragh.

PETER MOONEY

Wylies and Mullins enjoy successful start Mariann Klay, left, and Des Leadon

Small breeders honoured In January Des Leadon, a leading light in the veterinary world and a key member of the Irish Equine Centre team, and his partner Dr Mariann Klay celebrated winning the small breeder of the year award at the ITBA’s annual bash. They bred the leading juvenile and nowRathbarry Stud sire Lilbourne Lad. The following month the couple went to Goffs with three weanlings. Their Mastercraftsman half-sister to Lilbourne Lad topped the first day’s trade when Timmy Hyde gave €200,000 for her. She came under the banner of the couple’s Swordlestown Little Stud.

Just prior to her sale, Leadon and Klay received €75,000 for a Marju full-sister to the Listed winner Massive. The final member of the trio made just €5,500. This was a Verglas half-sister to the Azamour gelding Third Intention, who was runaway winner of the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle ten days later.

The name game The Irish National Stud saw their first foal of 2012 born on January 19. The Verglas filly was the first produce of Dreamaway, an Oasis Dream half-sister to the Group 3 winner Foss Way. In an exercise to engage with local schoolchildren and to promote the other tourist attractions at the stud in Kildare, the INS ran a competition asking children to suggest names for the newborn filly. A short list was assembled, the names put on buckets of feed and Dreamaway herself was offered the buckets. The first she picked food from was the name chosen.

In front of the children Dreamaway picked the name Heritage Island. This simple but effective exercise made the national newspapers throughout Ireland and was valuable publicity for the INS.

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2012 Fee: £7,000 1st October

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Apr_92_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:15 Page 36

CONTINENTAL TALES CE AN

Unfavourable rule changes at Cagnes deter British runners

Hollinshead the sole UK trainer this season with representatives for the entire meeting

T

imes have changed at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. Only two years ago the six-week winter meeting at the seaside course on the French Riviera provided rich pickings for foreign raiders, especially David Nicholls, who plundered more than £63,000 in prizemoney from his 21 runners.

In 2011 the number of British raiders almost doubled, yet their strike-rate was markedly reduced, with only three visits to the winner’s enclosure.

And this year’s meeting, which drew to a close on February 25, hosted a single UK trainer – 88-year-old Reg Hollinshead – for its duration.

Gay Kelleway also sent Swing Alone for a whistle-stop two-week visit. He ran three times, finishing eighth, third and then narrowly missing out on a share of the spoils when sixth in the Listed Prix Policeman.

Half a dozen Brits applied to be allotted boxes at the track but, other than Hollinshead, their applications were either denied or, having been accepted, they decided not to travel after all.

The previous year Hollinshead managed to make the trip pay despite not having a winner.

Each of his three representatives gained generous place money on more than one occasion and his leading earner, Tominator, clearly benefited from a dose of winter sun as a few months later he was landing the hugely valuable Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The recent Hollinshead sortie was not so lucrative. One of his 2012 trio, Dylans Verse, was claimed after finishing third on his initial start and went on to win for his new French trainer Patrick Monfort.

Another, Hyson, developed sore shins, while the third, Path Finder, failed to earn a penny in his first three appearances. So it was a blessing when Path Finder came good at the fourth attempt, landing a claimer worth £6,250 to the winner on February 22.

Andrew Hollinshead, Reg’s youngest son and long-standing assistant, is a self-confessed Francophile and has masterminded his Cagnes raids.

“Path Finder’s win was a bit of a relief,” he admitted. “He was bought with Cagnes specifically in mind, as he is French-bred so qualifies for breeders’ premiums, and he is staying out there.

36

GEORGE SELWYN

FR

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

Reg Hollinshead’s team had one winner

“We were hoping that Dylans Verse would be claimed but would have obviously preferred that to happen at the end of the meeting, not the start.

“And although we saw the proper Hyson only on his first start, before the shin problem, I hope his owners still got something out of it as

“Path Finder’s win was a relief; he was bought with Cagnes specifically in mind” one of them hired an apartment for five weeks which meant that the others could pop over for a few days as they wished.

“It is an expensive trip and you need to go with a winning chance. I reckon taking a horse down there for the entire six weeks costs around £5,000 each, on top of the regular training fees.”

Hollinshead junior has quite some Cagnes pedigree as he first oversaw a Mediterranean mission way back in 1983, when he was fresh out of a six-month stint in France with Olivier Douieb and shared a flat with John Hammond long before Hammond took out a licence and went on to train two Arc winners.

He is quick to put his finger on why British involvement was so much reduced compared to the two previous years. “They have changed the rules,” he said. “This year we took only three-year-olds as you didn’t qualify for stabling if you took an older horse with an equivalent official rating of below 80.

“We took a horse rated 60 the year before and he ended up running in a handicap and getting beaten a nose despite stumbling badly at the start.

“Also, any victory in Britain, even a Wolverhampton claimer, counts as ‘Class D’ in their penalty structure, so it means that if you have won back home you can end up giving weight in a conditions race to a much higherrated French horse. Since last year they have made some changes to keep the foreigners out.

“The local trainers are happy to take you on in claimers but don’t like the competition in handicaps. They have made it almost impossible for us to run in a lot of races.”

The excellent prize-money and exotic location means that, provided his father’s owners support the plan, Hollinshead would still be keen to try again in 2013.

“The settling-in period for horses can be difficult as they need to get used to seeing the trotters on the adjacent track in the mornings,” he continued. “But Adam Hawkins, a former conditional jockey who works for us, has got on famously down there despite not speaking much French, and the flights are cheap as long as you book early enough.”

And he has one final tale to tell illustrating that, even in France, in the current economic climate training racehorses is no bed of roses.

“I went to a trainers’ meeting while I was there and it soon became apparent that, despite the prize-money, a lot of French trainers are struggling just as much as we are,” he related.

“The cost of employment, and in particular the level of national insurance contributions, is making life very difficult.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

LY

SWED

The Italian racing industry is continuing to struggle, even after the six-week strike against savage prize-money cuts came to an end on February 11.

Early indications are that betting turnover for the second half of February is at least 25% down on the corresponding period in 2011.

Against this background, when owners do unearth some equine talent it is hardly surprising that they struggle to turn down big-money offers to purchase their stars.

Italy losing its top horses to foreign parts is not a new phenomenon – in the last ten years Rakti, Electrocutionist, Ramonti and Gladiatorus have all enjoyed Group 1 glory having been exported.

But never have the best thoroughbreds been lost in such numbers. The exodus began last summer when the 2,000 Guineas winner Al Rep, the Derby runner-up Cazals and the emerging young sprinter Sir Eagles, all set sail for Hong Kong, while the juvenile filly Visionaria was acquired by Team Valor and took up residence at the barn of its Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Graham Motion.

Local racing fans suffered more heartache in the autumn. First both Worthadd, the 2010 Derby winner and 2011 Lockinge Stakes runner-up, and the Group 1 winner Jakkalberry moved to Newmarket. Then the unbeaten champion juvenile Duck Feet disappeared off to Hong Kong.

Worthadd has joined Sir Mark Prescott and although he is set to continue sporting the colours of Diego Romeo’s Scuderia

EN

GEORGE SELWYN

Mass exodus depletes Italian ranks

Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Salure (4) is one potential star staying in Italy

Incolinx, rumours persist that he has been part-sold with a view to his stallion career.

Jakkalberry will not be staying long with Botti. Currently racing for him in Dubai, the son of Storming Home will soon be journeying to Australia, with the Melbourne Cup his ultimate aim.

So the top echelons will be severely depleted when the season gets into full swing this spring. At least the Derby winner Crackerjack King and Salure, who was caught only close home in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in Paris on Arc day, remain and are reported in good form.

Crackerjack King missed out on his endof-term targets owing to a minor leg injury

but, granted good health, the half-brother to Jakkalberry and two other top class performers has the top weight-for-age contests at his mercy.

Salure was set to become trainer Bruno Grizzetti’s first Dubai runner in the UAE Derby. But deep snow in Milan in early February put back his fitness sufficiently to rule out a Middle Eastern raid.

The weather may have done this blazing front-runner a favour, as he would surely have struggled to last the nine and a half furlongs of the UAE Derby. Even the mile of his alternative targets may prove unattainable. Sprinting could well be his game.

Swedes beat the French

Sweden remains one of the few European countries where racing is on an upward curve. The granting of its third Pattern race and the promise of two new courses in the near future means that this trend is set to continue.

As advertised in these pages last month, the Pramms Memorial, run over one mile 30 yards on Jagersro’s all-weather circuit on May 15, has been upgraded from Listed to Group 3 status.

“It is the first all-weather race outside Britain to be elevated to Pattern status and we THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

are quite proud of it,” said Bo Gilborg, Jagersro’s Director of Racing. “We have beaten the French!”

Tote betting on horseracing (including trotting) in Sweden broke the £1 billion barrier for the first time in 2011 and the country’s two top Flat racing venues, Jagersro (in Malmo) and Taby (in Stockholm), are set to be closed down and replaced with spanking new facilities.

“Taby is scheduled to stage its last racing in 2014 and we hope to have both the new courses fully operational by the end of the following year,” Gilborg revealed.

S S STEFAN OLSSON / SVENSK GALOPP

ITA

Apr_92_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:16 Page 37

Bo Gilborg: “We’re very proud”

37

Bloodstock SA OB April 2012_Bloodstock SA OB April 2012 21/03/2012 16:47 Page 1

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The flag has flown in Europe, USA, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia.

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Team Valor’s GYPSY’S WARNING, a multiple Gr1 winner in USA and South Africa, sold for $1.05 million at Keeneland in 2011

Sheikh Mohammed’s Galileo filly IGUGU, Horse of the Year in 2011, won South Africa’s flagship Gr1 J&B Met in 2012. Her current value runs in the millions.

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Apr_92_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:23 Page 39

AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A MER ICA

by Steve Andersen

Betfair’s California dreams are nightmare for West Coast fraternity

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

BENOIT PHOTO

E

xchange betting may not have a home in California this year. Two years after the state legislature legalised exchange betting, the rule-making procedure was essentially brought to a standstill in February when several groups within the sport expressed widespread concern about the distribution of revenue and integrity issues.

Officials with Betfair, which operates the TVG betting and television network in the United States, told California Horse Racing Board officials in a four-hour meeting that they hoped to implement exchange betting this spring at Hollywood Park, or during the summer at the prestigious Del Mar meeting, near San Diego.

But officials with several ranking organisations, including the Stronach Group, which operates Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita racecourses, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the state’s official representative for owners, the Jockeys’ Guild and the California Thoroughbred Trainers Association, all stated opposition to exchange betting.

Aside from Betfair, the only vocal support was expressed by officials with Del Mar racetrack.

In particular, California-based jockeys and trainers have watched from afar as their counterparts in Britain have been scrutinised, and sometimes sanctioned with suspensions, as part of investigations into exchange betting activities.

“We’re terrified of this and hope that it doesn’t get in,” said John Sadler, one of the leading trainers in Southern California and the President of the CTT. “This is going to be the first time that you’ve been able to bet a horse to lose. We don’t think it’s a good idea.”

The California Horse Racing Board is overseeing the implementation of rules for exchange wagering. Behind the scenes, officials with the racecourses, the TOC and the exchanges, in this case Betfair, must agree to a distribution of revenue that satisfies all parties.

Even though the Del Mar meeting does not start until July 18, time is running short to have exchange betting implemented by then. The rule-making process in California must undergo several stages, including allowing for a period of public comment of the rules and legal review by

Trainer John Sadler opposes exchanges

the state attorney general. One informed participant said the likelihood of launching exchange betting this summer was 25%.

Then there is the issue of money. In the current market for racing in California, where telephone and internet betting in the last decade has eroded on-course betting, there is a high level of concern among owners and trainers

“This is going to be

the first time you’ve been able to bet a horse to lose” about sustaining revenue sources from betting turnover to fund purses. California purses are among the highest in the nation on a year-round basis, but will lose ground this year to New York, which has been boosted by revenue from slot machines at Aqueduct racecourse.

For every dollar bet to win on-course in California, 6.25 cents goes toward purses. Under scenarios presented to the racing board in February, a single dollar bet on the exchanges

would provide less than one cent toward purses.

“We all agree we need unique ways to stimulate business,” Lou Raffetto, the President of the TOC told the board. “Our position regarding exchange wagering remains that we have the same concern about integrity and the financial model.”

Raffetto said the TOC is sceptical that sufficient additional revenue can be gained through exchange betting to offset on-course reductions.

“The amount wagered would have to be seven times [higher] to equate to a $1,000 bet in the win pool,” he said.

“The financial model doesn’t work for the industry at this point.”

Understandably, Betfair officials took a different tack. Stephen Burn, TVG’s Chief Executive, said his organisation would reassure that purses at tracks which conduct exchange betting would be guaranteed to remain at least at 2011 levels. He argued that Betfair’s investigation team is well-qualified to monitor irregularities in betting activity.

“No company is doing more to ensure that racing is free of corruption than Betfair,” he said.

“We have the most interest to ensure that the sport is clean. We believe that we are completely aligned with the regulators to assist them to ensure the integrity of the sport is being upheld.”

In addition, he spoke at length about how Betfair in Britain and Australia has attracted a lower demographic than a typical race bettor.

Burn spoke at the start of the hearing and his thoughts did little to sway the opinions of participants. Racing board Vice-Chairman David Israel acknowledged the sensitivity of exchange betting, saying: “Nothing we do this year will be as controversial, scrutinised or criticised.”

Four hours later, after hearing comments from several groups, he called for further discussions within the sport.

“It seems to me this isn’t cooked yet,” he said.

“There are too many objections from too many important stakeholders. It has to be fully realised and all the protocols and rules and regulations must be tied down.”

How long that will take, or whether exchange wagering will be implemented at all, is anyone’s guess. >>

39

Apr_92_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 14:23 Page 40

AROUND THE GLOBE

Z IM BA BW E

by Nicola Hayward

Control Freak not only describes Zimbabwe’s leader, it’s also the country’s leading horse Looking at the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe over the last decade, it is miraculous that any horseracing or breeding has survived. The country that was once known as the breadbasket of Africa has become one of the poorest in the world as its people have suffered under the iron-fisted regime of their ageing leader.

Land grabs, rampant corruption, gross mismanagement and neglect of services and infrastructure has led to a negative spiral from which there appears no end. It is a tribute to the spirit of survival of the people who decided to stay that racing continues at Borrowdale, near Harare, twice a month.

The national herd has been greatly diminished. Today there are about 230 horses in training; this includes two-yearolds, so only about 140 are racing. Many of the stud farms have disappeared or relocated to South Africa and only about a dozen breeders are left. Golden Acres Farm is the biggest stud and stands the stallions Tamburlaine (Royal Academy), West Man (Go West) and Gharir (Machiavellian).

Rumbavu Park stands Soar With Eagles, a full-brother to Archipenko, and also Andronicus Of Rhodes, by Danehill, while Fly By Day, another son of Danehill, and Century Stand are at Sarahdane Stud. The Zimbabwe yearling sale has only about 70 lots on offer this year and owners and trainers are forced to look to South Africa for additional stock.

Nine registered trainers work from Borrowdale and, while their lot has improved considerably since the US dollar became legal tender in 2009, it is still difficult to encourage new owners and to retain existing patrons. Prior to 2009, barter was common as the local currency was devaluing so fast that stakes cheques were hardly worth cashing. Despite this, Zimbabwe managed to produce the star filly Ipi Tombe, who won 12 of 14 starts and was bred by Peter Moor of Golden Acres Farm.

Since the 2003/04 season, Lisa Harris has been champion trainer every year bar one.

In her own words, she “grew up on the back of a horse on a tobacco farm”.

Early in her career, Harris worked with

40

Neil Bruss, the late Murray Lindley and Paul Matchett, as well as having a stint as stud manager of Rumbavu Park.

Over the years she has trained some fine horses, with Earl Of Surrey, the 2007 Zimbabwe Triple Crown winner, the best colt to date. Undoubtedly the best filly to have graced Harris’s yard is Control Freak, a daughter of Tamburlaine out of the Complete Warrior mare Time Control. She was selected by Harris as a speculative buy at the National 2YO Sale in 2010, with agent Robin Bruss signing for her for just R30,000 (£2,500) from Cheveley Stud.

Harris says: “I loved her from the second she walked out of her stable.”

Although an owner was soon found, the money was never forthcoming so Bruss decided to keep the filly in partnership with his old friend Alastair Pulford, Darley’s Nominations Manager in Australia.

The filly won all eight starts in Zimbabwe at two and three, at first running green and almost falling out of the stalls. Her turn of foot was such that the decision was made to travel to Johannesburg and contest the

Gauteng Fillies Guineas (a route followed in 2001 by Ipi Tombe). Everything that could go against the filly that day did. The race was delayed because of lightning, she tossed her jockey in the parade ring, she missed the jump at the start and, unaccustomed to so many horses of her calibre in a race, she went too soon and was unable to sustain her run to the line, finishing a credible fourth.

Bruss is, however, very exited by Control Freak and what might be in store for her, especially as her race times are faster than any posted by Ipi Tombe in her native land.

“She found me,” he says of Control Freak, who underlines that champions can come from unfashionable matings.

Her next start will be in the Grade 1 Classic at Turffontein on the last day of March, which means her trainer is currently dividing her time between her string at Borrowdale and her star at Roy Magner’s yard in Raandjiesfontein. One can’t but hope that this rags-to-riches tale continues; such tales are why, even when there seemed to be no future, Zimbabwean racing continued and has survived.

Control Freak: the best thing to come out of Zimbabwe since Ipi Tombe

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APR_92_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:12 Page 42

TALKING TO...

TOBY BALDING

National

TREASURE Twice successful as a trainer in the Grand National, Toby Balding considers Highland Wedding’s victory his ultimate achievement and is now lining one up for 2018

By Tim Richards • Photos George Selwyn

S

ince last year’s Grand National, the safety review recommended several modifications to the course and raceday procedures. Will they improve the great institution that is the Grand National?

They have shaved one fence, filled in more of Becher’s, and Richard Linley, the inspector of courses, says the take-off sides have been gradually raised. So all they are doing is tinkering, nothing major and the status quo is the same. Quite simply, the nature of the race causes controversy and who are we to

change it? I don’t think it should be altered; we have done everything we can to make it more like the Gold Cup and as a result horses with no weight are unlikely to win. Time will tell if it has been improved. We shouldn’t forget the race is 172 years old!

Do you consider the race to be more competitive, attracting a higher quality field than when you won with Highland Wedding (1969) and Little Polveir (1989)?

There’s no doubt about it; neither of my

Little Polveir (21) en route to National success in 1989; runner-up West Tip is on his tail

42

winners would have got in the race today.

The system has changed to such a degree that I would never have dreamt of buying Highland Wedding, because he was a pointto-pointer. Nowadays you are looking for a damned good hurdler that will become a staying chaser and a lot are being trained that way. The breed has got finer and training methods have changed. The herd in Highland Wedding’s day were 14lb inferior to the present herd of National entries.

What sets the Grand National apart from any other race in the world and how does it feel to win the race?

The pinnacle is the Gold Cup, though most of us don’t have a Gold Cup horse. But we can have one to aim at the National, where stamina, jumping ability, courage and luck all play a part. We all have different ideas as to what makes a National horse; Highland Wedding was a dour type with a strong physique. Little Polveir had National form when I bought him and I don’t claim credit for producing him.

Of my others, Lucky Vane finished fourth and Romany King second. Lucky Vane was a National type inasmuch as he was an out and out stayer, while Romany King, who had class but was not particularly striking physically, was light framed and an exceptionally good jumper. The 1979 winner, Rubstic, passed through my hands but unfortunately slipped through the net.

Highland Wedding’s win gave me the most satisfaction as everything I’d done with him was with the National in mind. That was the ultimate achievement for me.

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APR_92_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:12 Page 43

Toby Balding with Ian (left); training under different codes meant that the brothers were not competitive with each other

When you were training you were also heavily involved in racing politics, as a member of numerous committees and representative bodies. How involved are you now after your recent illness?

I’m not a committee man any longer as I have been left partially sighted by a stroke, but my team at home keep me extremely well informed. When I was training my bank manager always said I had too many horses of my own, but I’ve got even more now. I’ve just bought the National winner of 2018, a five-year-old called Henry Hurst!

listens to the practitioners in the sport.

Is Paul Bittar doing a good job in his role as Chief Executive of the BHA? He impressed me when he originally worked with the BHB but it is too early to form an opinion of him in his current role. But he is obviously a strong character and one who

Racing must have changed plenty since your first involvement in the sport. What are the best/worst changes in your view?

It has altered to such a degree the question is too big. In my day the greatest part was the

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

“Nowadays you are

looking for a damned good hurdler who will become a staying chaser”

fun and the craic, which was enjoyed by the majority and we were all in the sport for those things. Be it for better or for worse, racing has become much more mercenary.

When Little Polveir won the National in 1989 he collected around £75,000 – now the race is worth just short of £1 million.

My biggest long-term worry, which could be the undoing of racing, concerns stable staff. You hear constantly of boys and girls looking after seven or eight horses and in my view they can’t do it to the standard I would have wanted; they are being unfairly asked to carry one of the most responsible burdens in racing. If the base material, the horse, doesn’t get treated as it should, it must be to its detriment.

What changes do you think would benefit the sport?

As far as I’m concerned National Hunt racing

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>>

APR_92_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:12 Page 44

TALKING TO... >> is very healthy at the moment, the quality

and numbers are there. The big trainers are more numerous but, having said that, it’s hard for the smaller yards. In my day as a trainer your financial exposure was so much less. Ultimately, with regard to jumping, that expense is out of kilter with what is offered.

I’ve been out of training too long to be opinionated on this, though I’m sure it is something I would have had an opinion on.

Of course, we all know that the failure of prize-money to keep pace with rising costs is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Latterly I have been much more involved in the betterment of the racing picture as a whole through my committees. Now I just pay exorbitant training fees which I couldn’t have afforded to charge!

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL Five words to describe myself… obsessed, driven, cunning, open minded My vices are… being untidy and obsessive Can’t get through the day without… the Racing Post I am annoyed by… lateness Actor to play me in a film of my life… David Niven

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL Best advice I’ve ever had… keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst My racing hero is … Senior Steward Sir Randle Feilden, who had several clashes with Lord Wigg, my bete noire. I’ve always been an enormous supporter of the Jockey Club and a firm believer in their role Best bet I had… New World at 33-1 in the 1959 Portland Handicap.

I got married on the proceeds Most exceptional horse I’ve seen… Mill Reef (to please brother Ian!). In fairness, he was the best Flat horse, but jumping it has to be Arkle If I was restricted to only one day’s racing a year it would be… the Grand National

44

You are an advocate of centralised training. Why? Because I have always thought the overheads of yards could have been shared, and to a degree that has taken place. I don’t see how the owner participation is going to be affordable in the future under present financing.

Also, I believe that transporting horses round the country should be more of a joint effort between various stables. I was lucky enough to be involved in Weyhill Horse Transport, which was run by Owen McNally and his wife Joyce, and we always tried to encourage different trainers to share the travel to and from the races. There should be more of it to help defray owners’ costs.

Do you believe the horse is given fair consideration while betting and marketing have become so dominant?

In many cases, no, because inexperienced stable staff are having to handle more horses than they can cope with. I accept methods have changed but the requirements of the horse have not. The old masters (and I would consider myself one) would turn in their graves with stable management as it is today.

The bookmakers appear to have the industry in an iron grip where the finances of the industry are concerned.

same time keeping one step ahead of the taxman and bank manager. Whatever else, it has been fun. Owners now are much more demanding, syndicates have expanded and that is where I was one of the instigators, helping to form the British Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding plc, which brought ownership to well over 1,000 people. Many of those have gone on to be owners in their own right or stayed in syndicates such as Elite and Million in Mind.

With the advent of the internet, trainers can communicate with their owners through their websites and blogs, but it does mean there is much less personal contact between trainer and owner. In my day Sunday evening was sacrosanct and I would ring every owner with whom I hadn’t spoken during the week to update them.

Many top jockeys passed through your hands when you were training, notably Adrian Maguire and AP McCoy. Who had the most natural talent?

There was AP and Adrian. But also Richard Linley, Brian Reilly, Richard Guest, Barry Fenton, Barry Keniry, who is still riding, and not forgetting Owen McNally and Bill Palmer. Ironically, one of the most gifted was probably the little known Tony Charlton, who is still knocking around, mostly on the

“My gut feeling is

that I have spent most of my adult life working to serve the betting industry” golf course these days. Sadly, he didn’t put his mind to it, failed to fulfil his promise and was a wasted talent.

Have we passed the point of no return as far as putting the industry on a sound financial footing in concerned?

I am not involved any more, but my gut feeling is that I have spent most of my adult life working to serve the betting industry.

Have you been surprised by the complete domination of the sport by McCoy? Not surprised at all. He went from me to Martin Pipe and it was very obvious he was amazingly ambitious and industrious.

However, his stable management left much to be desired – he admits himself he could only muck-in, not muck-out!

You started training at 20. What do you particularly love about the sport?

I love the racing scene, the challenge of keeping the show on the road and at the

What did you instil into him and the rest of those young riders in your care?

Good manners, honesty, respect for horses and people, and horsemanship.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

>>

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APR_92_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:15 Page 46

TALKING TO...

Champion hurdler Morley Street wins the Breeders’ Cup Chase at Belmont

>> The controversial whip rules have

now been amended. Did they need changing in the first place?

In my opinion they did not need changing and the way forward is to let common sense prevail. We ask ourselves how has the whip controversy got to where it has and what can we do to control it? This controversy was not created from within the sport. Having said that, young jockeys should be taught the correct use of the whip and their employers should ensure they do not transgress.

46

Two Grand Nationals, two Champion Hurdles, a Gold Cup and two Breeders’ Cup Chases, plus numerous Flat races… what did you enjoy most about your success?

Training success is very egotistical and, of course, I enjoyed it. Morley Street being voted champion chaser in America was a huge delight and I suppose I would consider my ultimate achievement to be winning the Gold Cup with Cool Ground.

on the Flat. Were you competitive when both training and how is your relationship now?

Absolutely not, Ian was Flat and I was jumping. And we have a great relationship.

Which of your many wins brought you the most pleasure, and why?

There are so many memories. I loved trying to beat horses with a bit of temperament and it was very rewarding if and when you won races with them, because basically you had out-thought them. A good case in point was the handicapper Scaramander, who was a little shit, but I adored him. There was also Will Rogers, a West Country hurdler, and another hurdler The Wombat, both of whom will always be fondly remembered.

Barry Hills said you needed to keep some “skulduggery” in racing. Would you agree?

Absolutely, racing must retain a sense of mischief. I never wanted to be thought of as a rogue – though I loved being called one!

How sad were you to sell Kimpton Stables after such a long association?

It was sad, but life goes on.

Your brother, Ian, was a top trainer

What did it mean to you to be awarded an OBE? Obviously, it was an enormous honour and I felt it was as much an award for racing as for me. I owe it to the sport.

The state of prize-money in Britain is a constant talking point. Was it always this way?

The difference was not that great when I was training, so it wasn’t so meaningful. Now the differential between the big prizes and the small races is enormous.

Do you have a fancy for this year’s Grand National?

Ballabriggs again.

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Yorton OB Apr 2012_Yorton OB Apr 2012 21/03/2012 09:32 Page 1

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Also the second leading living British*Source: Racing Post (sires with £100,000+ earnings) based jumps sire by winners to runners “He must rank as one of the most promising young jumps this season, both overall (38%) and in stallions in Britain and Ireland” Racing Post, 7/2/12 bumpers (27%).

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Also sire in France of the Listed placed hurdler STORY MALINAS and juvenile hurdle winner MENELAS AR LEN.

3 winners from only 5 jumps runners in Britain this season.

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Apr_92_Roger_Chalton_v2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:45 Page 48

ROGER CHARLTON

Roger wants MORE It is 22 years since Roger Charlton kicked off his training career with a famous Derby double; exciting colt Top Offer has the handler believing further Classic success is a distinct possibility Words Julian Muscat • Photos George Selwyn

T

he sheet-metal gate is symbolic of what lies beyond it. Cut into its frame is an opening large enough for people to enter, yet small enough to prevent loose horses from leaving the premises. The gate resembles a buttress against the world outside. To step through the opening is to step back in time to another era.

In gaps between the cobblestones at Beckhampton House stables lie fragments of horseshoes worn by equine legends. More than 30 Classic winners have passed through that gate since 1820, when Billy Treen, the

“We expected him to

win on his debut.

He’s a big, strong horse with lots of natural exuberance” coaching house publican concerned at the lack of passing horse trade, turned his hand to training. They include Quest For Fame, the last of ten Derby winners, trained in his first year at Beckhampton by Roger Charlton in 1990.

The roll-call also embraces Sun Chariot, the winner of three Classics for King George VI in 1942, and who so enchanted a 16-year-old Princess Elizabeth that she became a convert for life on her inaugural visit to a racing stable.

It is therefore appropriate that in Diamond Jubilee year, the stable has its first Classic

candidate for some time.

The hope is that the magic dust embedded in every brick at Beckhampton rubs off on Top Offer.

It is a tall order, since the colt has much to prove. Although he did not race again after his striking debut victory at Newbury in August, there are grounds for optimism. Charlton plays down aspirations for the herd of two-year-old winners he saddled at premier tracks last autumn. Yet when it comes to Top Offer, this naturally guarded man is willing to entertain what may lie ahead.

The Greenham Stakes on April 21 is the clutch. There will be no 2,000 Guineas bid if the son of Dansili is not ready for the Greenham but, barring setbacks, that looks unlikely. The dark bay colt resembles a tower of strength as he ambles up the polytrack gallop that runs through the picturesque Wiltshire downland between Swindon and Devizes.

“He is a fine, good-moving colt whose work was visually encouraging right from the start,” Charlton says of the 2,000 Guineas 8-1 chance. “The way he worked with older horses meant that we were expecting him to win when he went to Newbury. It would have been a big disappointment if he hadn’t.”

No sooner has

Apr_92_Roger_Chalton_v2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:45 Page 49

Charlton spoken these words than he feels obliged to mitigate them. “He then hurt himself,” he says of Top Offer. “It was disappointing we were unable to run him again to find out more about him, so we find ourselves in a situation where we have a horse with a reputation.

“Still, the experts tell us that last year’s twoyear-olds were not a vintage bunch. He has got a bit of catching up to do in terms of experience, but that’s not unusual these days.

Natural ability counts for a lot.”

Further encouragement arrives when Charlton reflects on the groundwork he is putting into Top Offer. “Inchinor was never going to be a Group 1 horse so I got him very fit to win the Greenham (in 1993),” he reflects.

“This is a different type of horse. He is big and strong, with lots of natural exuberance. And I’m mindful of the fact that a lot of good horses have been beaten in the Greenham.”

Top Offer is from the same Juddmonte source that gave Charlton a flying start to his career 22 years ago. Within three months of saddling

his first runner he stood in the winner’s circle on Derby day with Quest For Fame. Four days later he annexed the Prix du JockeyClub with Sanglamore. And Deploy would have completed a unique treble but for Salsabil’s supplemented presence

in the Irish Derby.

Deploy’s defeat will have generated disappointment among headline writers in Fleet Street who were doubtless braced to declare: “Charlton scores hat-trick for England.” In reality, however, the man is >>

Now and then: Roger Charlton (left) at the historic Beckhampton House stable in Wiltshire, where he began his training career in 1990 (top)

Apr_92_Roger_Chalton_v2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:45 Page 50

R O G E R C H A R LT O N >>

about as far removed from football culture as it gets.

Rational and methodical, he is the presentable face of a sport that grates him in the extreme by its propensity to constantly undermine itself. He maintains he will never make money training from Beckhampton, which is owned in trust, but he cares less for that than his fostering of a community spirit

“Racing has seen

wave after wave of people caught up in corruption; the whole thing is appalling” within the dedicated staff of an estate of more than 700 acres.

“My father was a farmer and I once took him to see an accountant who explained to him how he could shelter his assets from the full tax burden,” Charlton says. “My father walked out halfway through and said to me afterwards, ‘Please don’t do that again.’ He took his obligation to society more seriously than most.”

In many ways Charlton makes an ideal tenant at the historic property. His moral compass reflects that of previous Beckhampton incumbents in Jeremy Tree, Sir Noel Murless, the aforementioned Darling and his father, Sam. Although there are woodchip and polytrack gallops, much of the training is still done on some of the finest grass gallops in the

country. A summer not without its share of rain last year came as a blessing.

“The gallops were in marvellous condition,” Charlton reflects. “All-weather gallops are great up to a point, but you can work horses with confidence on grass. You can press a little harder, teach the horses a bit more, find out a bit more for yourself. I think it helped us to have a successful season last year.”

Although prize-money in excess of £1.4 million was banked in 2011, there is good reason to set the bar higher this year.

Charlton’s two Pattern winners, Sea Of Heartbreak and Genki, remain in training – as do Cityscape and Definightly, who posted Group victories for the stable in 2010.

Then there’s Bated Breath, who earned just shy of £250,000 at home and abroad after narrow failures in Group 1 races at Haydock and Woodbine, in Toronto. Among the older horses, other likely sources of bounty include Al Kazeem, Cry Fury, Primevere, Proponent, Thistle Bird and Zero Money.

These horses make a sound platform from which to launch a promising collection of three-year-olds. There are 16 individual twoyear-old winners in their ranks. It is too early to assess their collective merit but they are an enticing proposition given that many come with attractive pedigrees redolent of his owner/breeder clientele.

There is also Camberley Two, who took his trainer on an eventful journey last season when the horse gained the first of six consecutive handicap victories off a mark of 53 at Brighton.

Charlton never found it easier to place a horse in his life. “Every time I wanted to run him under a penalty there were lots of options because of his [low] rating,” he mused.

“Conversely, if you win a 0-90 handicap you

have to wait three weeks for the next one.”

Charlton is anxious to dispel the notion that he spent ages plotting Camberley Two through the handicap minefield. In a tone betraying mild embarrassment, he maintains that the horse just kept on improving. However, talk of low-grade racing sees him throw his hands up

Quest For Fame (above) and Sanglamore (inset) gave Charlton an English/French Derby double in his first season with a licence

50

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Roger_Chalton_v2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:45 Page 51

R O G E R C H A R LT O N

in frustration and no little anger at what he perceives is the sport’s soft underbelly.

“We are extremely fortunate in Britain,” he says. “Racing in many other countries is rubbish when you compare it to the variety of our tracks, our facilities, our big races. But in other ways we are lucky to have the Queen patronising what can be, let’s face it, a pretty dodgy sport.

“We love to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Although we still have the best horses running here, there has been wave after wave of jockey, trainers, all sorts of people caught up in corruption. The whole thing is appalling. You get to the stage where you wonder what is around the corner. You wonder what could possibly drag us down ever more, but then something does.

“Sometimes I am considering a jockey for a horse and I forget he’s been suspended or whatever. There has been so much of it that I can’t keep up. Okay, so we need the characters, a bit of spice, a bit of a plot somewhere. But it has gone over the top and I believe is damaging us. What must outsiders think?”

This is Charlton’s fatalist side, in this instance arising from indignation that little has changed in the perception of racing as a magnet for the unscrupulous. It was ever thus and will remain so long after Charlton is gone, yet he cannot help but ferment over the constant tarring of racing’s image. >> THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Top: the Beckhampton team at morning exercise on the Wiltshire downs Above: 2,000 Guineas contender Top Offer under work rider Dinesh Singh

51

Apr_92_Roger_Chalton_v2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 15:46 Page 52

R O G E R C H A R LT O N >>

It has worn him down, but not to the extent he can ignore it completely. It still plays on his conscience.

“It’s pretty pathetic of me, but when I first started I used to get very involved at the National Trainers’ Federation,” he says. “After a while I felt that all the effort and strain of it made no difference. It just makes you angry and aggressive, so I felt the best thing was to concentrate on training and surviving.”

Charlton may have found the ideal outlet for his frustrations in his website, a top-of-therange affair with daily posts from him and regularly updated video footage. It has created strong demand among followers of a stable, which never runs horses for the beer. He has also embraced Twitter with a gusto surprising in one of his inherent shyness.

This new-wave onslaught illustrates Charlton’s conviction that nothing is worth doing unless it is done properly. “It seems to be popular,” he says, “but I don’t know whether it does me much good. There is quite a lot of interaction via emails – although largely, I suspect, from people who could afford to send me a horse only if they won the lottery.”

Nevertheless, Charlton wakes up each

The trainer plans the work schedule for his string, which numbers over 80 in 2012

morning to the sound of echoing hooves that can only make it feel good to be alive and ensconced in such a fabled establishment. That alone is a blessing. He may not have instant

access to the raft of wealthy patrons boasted by his predecessor, Jeremy Tree, but there is much to anticipate in 2012. It might just have the makings of a season to remember.

Giving youth a chance at Beckhampton

James Doyle: on the up

52

There is no formal link between Roger Charlton and James Doyle but the young jockey will ride for Beckhampton on a regular basis in 2012. As much was telegraphed by Charlton’s deployment of Doyle in the spate of two-year-old autumnal maidens in which the nascent alliance fared so well.

Doyle has since enjoyed further success in Dubai, where he advanced underplayed gains that saw him ride 500 winners over the last four years. His prowess is now acknowledged by respected judges in addition to showing up well on John Whitley’s jockeys’ ratings, which have acquired a cult following.

By Whitley’s gauge, Doyle outperformed everyone in the saddle but for Ryan Moore last year.

Charlton does not ingest statistics with breakfast but he has seen enough to give Doyle greater opportunity. “He came down last year to ride some work and he rode in some races for us,” Charlton says. “The owners are very happy

with him, so we start with the plan that he will ride quite a lot for me this season.”

Among those to advocate Doyle’s talent was Johnny Murtagh, an occasional ally of Charlton when Murtagh’s circumstances permit. “Johnny rode the horse that finished second when James won on Estrela at Newbury in October,” the trainer reflected. “He told me afterwards that he was impressed.”

It is never easy for trainers to find unattached riding talent in the preamble to a big race. Most leading jockeys have commitments and this prompted Charlton to seek out a young wannabe he can deploy on a regular basis.

It is a big step up for Doyle, but the chance is fully warranted on his achievements to date. In consequence, the pendulum swings against Steve Drowne, who has been associated with Beckhampton’s horses for many seasons.

“I personally have no criticism to make of Steve,” Charlton says. “We had a lot of horses placed in Group races last season and these are the races we need to win.

James is young and has spent the winter riding against world-class jockeys. He has learnt a lot, so the best way, I believe, is to build a relationship with someone new.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 04.2012_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 03.2012 22/03/2012 11:53 Page 53

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Apr_92_Bansha_house_Owner 22/03/2012 15:37 Page 54

BANSHA HOUSE STABLES

Bright and

BREEZY Con Marnane has become one of the most dominant forces at the two-year-old sales thanks to his judgement, horsemanship and unrelenting enthusiasm for trading Words Emma Berry

O

n the evening of April 13, 2005, lots 23 and 24 at the Craven breeze-up sale were led out of the ring unsold at Tattersalls. By the end of that year those colts

by Mozart and Machiavellian, by then named Amadeus Wolf and Palace Episode, had each won a Group 1 race in Britain. Their success not only marked a turning point for the popularity of breeze-up sales in Europe but also for the operation which consigned them, Con Marnane’s Bansha House Stables.

Marnane, who raced Palace Episode with his wife Theresa throughout his two-year-old season and sold him to Godolphin after his victory in the Racing Post Trophy, says: “People realised that they had to start having a look at these sales.

“The reason Palace Episode didn’t do a good breeze was because we didn’t push him at home. He was a May foal and if we had done he would not have made a racehorse. I was prepared to look at the bigger picture and let

him come to himself as a young horse.

“He was on the lorry to go to the German sale and I rang [trainer] Kevin Ryan when he was on the Irish Sea and I asked him if we could try to win a maiden with him and get him sold. I knew he wouldn’t get anywhere near the price we gave for him as a yearling if he went to Baden-Baden. He was just one of those amazing stories.”

Six weeks after the Craven Sale Amadeus Wolf, who had by then been sold to owners in

Apr_92_Bansha_house_Owner 22/03/2012 15:37 Page 55

morning. I wake up bouncing out of bed to feed all the horses. I’m fortunate to really enjoy my work.

“Come the end of the yearling sales I do get a bit tired but at the beginning I just can’t wait for them to start. Deauville is a great way of starting the season, it’s magical. I really have a passion for it.”

The sales scene may be a slog but for the breeze-up pinhookers the proper work starts when the yearlings arrive from the sales. At

“It’s fantastic being in a business that you absolutely love; I bounce out of bed every morning”

Bansha House Stables, they are driven in long reins but won’t have a rider on their backs until after they’ve had a proper break at grass.

Marnane says: “I’ll often buy a weak-looking horse at the yearling sales, then I take them home, put them out on really good grass, give them a good worming. They need more time to mature and we have an extra six months.

“They are then turned out in herds and get a full bucket of feed every day. From November they come back in, are driven for another week, then ridden, and away they go. >>

EMMA BERRY

Ryan’s stable, made a winning debut at Ayr before running third in the Coventry Stakes and annexing the Gimcrack and the Middle Park. It was a golden year for the team at Bansha House Stables but the bloodstock market has been tough in recent years, even for a successful outfit such as this.

“I’m not prepared to take a chance on buying a really expensive horse for breezing any more, though my gut feeling is that the breeze-ups will hold their own – there seems to be a lot of foreign investment at the moment,” says Marnane, who last year bought yearlings from £2,000 up to £80,000 and has 55 two-yearolds to sell. “We’re up on numbers this year. We hadn’t planned that but we bought a lot of nice horses. I look at an awful lot of yearlings and we’re at every sale.

“I try to have a mixture of first-season and proven sires, and they are all different sorts of horses. In the boom we were spending much more but we don’t need to any more and there’s no guarantee that they are going to be the top horses. We buy a nice, good-moving, athletic type of horse, then we look at the pedigree. If you go to the breeze-up sales and they don’t do a really nice gallop then people walk away.

Disregarding how many Group horses we’ve sold, if we don’t have what the buyers want then we’re in trouble.”

From August to early December, Marnane is an indefatigable and ever-smiling presence at yearling sales across Europe and America. His bonhomie is no façade.

He says: “It’s fantastic being in a business that you absolutely love. I love getting up every

Theresa and Con Marnane with Mia

Turnout is an important part of the process at Bansha House Stables

Apr_92_Bansha_house_Owner 22/03/2012 15:37 Page 56

BANSHA HOUSE STABLES

Con Marnane on…

His rivals There’s a plenty of friendly rivalry and a real community among the breeze-up consignors. I have huge admiration for Willie Browne. He’s an absolute genius and the ultimate professional. To still be doing so well at his age is amazing. He’s honourable and a nice man.

Bonus schemes The breeze-up bonus worked because it was simple. The consignors and the sponsors got it to half a million, and the purchasers didn’t have to pay a penny extra.

The yearling bonus scheme is costing the breeze-up boys way too much money to qualify these horses. I’m doing it this year but I doubt I will next year.

It’s getting stale and needs a rethink. I would love it if they ran 20 races worth £100,000 or even 40 £50,000 races. It should be a joint venture with all the sales

“It’s great for their heads to be out in the fields. They learn to become animals again.”

This approach clearly works, allowing tender youngsters to wind down after the stress of the yearling sales and have a chance to get over any bugs they may have picked up in the process.

It’s an intensive period in the lives of these young horses, who endure two bouts of sales usually within a six-month period and in between those dates are brought to the point of being almost racetrack-ready.

Such a schedule means that the manner in which they are handled in preparation for the breeze-ups is vitally important. There will undoubtedly be those who struggle more than others but Marnane gives careful consideration to each two-year-old in order for them to end up with a target best suited to his or her ability.

He says: “I’ve taken a couple out of the Craven sale and put them into the Guineas sale [in May] as they are bigger horses who need a bit more time. For [the first sale] Kempton you want a nice sharp two-year-old type that’s ready to run.

“Mind you, they can sometimes surprise you.

I thought Rio De La Plata would be out at the end of the season because he was a big, tall horse but then he won at the July meeting and almost broke the track record, and he’s been so consistent. Fleeting Spirit was a tiny yearling when I bought her for 20-odd grand but she was something very special.”

A visit to Marnane’s Tipperary stables in early March allows the opportunity to see his first consignment of breeze-up horses in action on

56

a circular canter just weeks ahead of their appointment at Goffs’ Kempton Sale in the first week of April.

“The pressure definitely builds at this time of year,” he admits. “It’s like telling a trainer to have 50 horses ready to run and win on a certain day. We have to build these horses up to a certain stage so that they know their job well without getting any mix-ups along the way. It’s educating them without pushing them over the top. We don’t over-exercise these horses, they do lots of steady cantering.

Buying fillies I bought fillies with pages and have a three-parts sister to Soviet Song and a full-sister to Kite Wood to sell this year. I have no problem with buying fillies as long as they have a good pedigree. They have to have that to get people interested, then if they do a good breeze and they look right it’s not a problem.

The importance of groundwork I haven’t had a holiday in over two years but I’ve been on a plane that many times that I don’t really want one. People think it’s a glamorous lifestyle yet it’s anything but. Sometimes horses can slip through the net and you have to put in the time and be there to make sure you can buy them.

“We try to get them out of the stable twice a day. We take them out in the morning and canter them with riders, then in the afternoon they either might have a swim or go on the walker or treadmill.”

The most telling aspect of a young horse’s well-being is perhaps not the speed he shows but how well he strides out and copes mentally in the build-up to, and wind-down from, that piece of faster work.

The quiet of this corner of Tipperary is reflected in the demeanours of the Kempton

EMMA BERRY

>>

companies, the breeders and the racecourses, and they need to get in a big sponsor.

Marnane’s valued head man Mike O’Brien keeps the place “running like clockwork”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Bansha_house_Owner 22/03/2012 15:37 Page 57

BANSHA HOUSE STABLES

>

EMMA BERRY

consignees, who go about their business in a straightforward and professional manner, not even turning a hair with the sudden bounding appearance of the Marnanes’ eight-month-old Dalmatian, Mia, a black-and-white blur as she weaves in and out of the trotting ring.

“I have a fantastic team of riders and most of them have been here from day one,” says Marnane. “It runs like clockwork even if I’m not here. They have a great interest in the horses and the horse comes first for them. Mike O’Brien is my head man and has been with me from the start.”

The start came around 12 years ago. Having grown up with his parents and two brothers, David and Edmond, across the field from where he now lives, Marnane, like many Irish children, developed a love for racing through early exposure to ponies. A year spent working in racing in America, then a similar stint in Australia, preceded three years at Ballydoyle.

Now he is aided by his wife Theresa, a solicitor, who helps to run their busy office with Emma Welsh, and it’s a fair bet that it won’t be long before the next Marnane generation makes its presence felt, as their daughter Amy, who has just turned 18, is studying equine science.

He says: “I started off doing the breeze-ups by accident. The first year we had the first two in the ring – lots one and two at Doncaster – then we had the last two lots at Newmarket. So we started off the hard way. Any time we got a few quid for a horse we put down more stables and improved the facilities.”

The facilities are impressive, but functional rather than flashy. Having started off in the yard attached to his parents’ Bansha House, where David now trains, Marnane has developed his own facility on neighbouring land of approximately 200 acres, with gallops, horsewalkers, treadmills, a swimming pool and two large American barns for stabling.

Most appealing of the facilities, certainly from an equine perspective, are the large barns which allow groups of around six horses to be housed together. Marnane says: “I find that having them loose keeps them so much happier – they’re not tying up, they’ve no ulcers. It’s worked very well so far so I don’t want to change too much.”

Sitting in the kitchen to chat for a while, Marnane finds his phone ringing as often as his mind switches from subject to subject: favourite sires, the yearling bonus scheme, paddock management and reeling off his younger daughter’s successes in the show ring on her Welsh Mountain pony.

The rosettes won by Olivia, 11, compete for wall space with photographs of the big winners – 46 stakes winners at the last count – to have spent their formative years at Bansha House Stables, with Rio De La Plata, Fleeting Spirit and Cheltenham Festival winner Noble Prince among them. It’s a big kitchen but the walls are already full.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Two-year-olds destined for Goffs’ Kempton sale returning from exercise

Bansha House Stables’ top ten performers RIO DE LA PLATA Breeze-up price: 170,000gns Prize-money won: £974,559 Winner of Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), Premio Vittorio di Capua (G1), Premio Roma (G1), Vintage Stakes (G2), Strensall Stakes (G3). Still racing at seven FLEETING SPIRIT Breeze-up price: 90,000gns Prize-money won: £695,549 Winner of the July Cup (G1), Temple Stakes (G2), Flying Childers Stakes (G2), Molecomb Stakes (G3) AMADEUS WOLF Breeze-up price: not sold Prize-money won: £388,986 Winner of the Middle Park Stakes (G1), Gimcrack Stakes (G2), Duke of York Stakes (G2). Sire at the Irish National Stud PALACE EPISODE Breeze-up price: not sold Prize-money won: £178,471 Winner of the Racing Post Trophy (G1), Acomb Stakes (L). Sire at Haras du Logis Saint Germain TAX FREE Breeze-up price: not sold Prize-money won: £537,568

Winner of the Prix du Gros-Chene (G2), Sapphire Stakes (G3), Prix du PetitCouvert (G3), Palace House Stakes (G3) FERNELEY Breeze-up price: 50,000gns Prize-money won: £384,513 Winner of the Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2), Amethyst Stakes (G3) MEDICI CODE Breeze-up price: 12,000gns Prize-money won: £353,483 Winner of the Del Mar Derby (G2), La Jolla Handicap (G2) STONESIDE Breeze-up price: €32,000 Prize-money won: £179,774 Winner of San Simeon Handicap (G3), Prix du Pont Neuf (L), Prix Herod (L) OIL MAN Breeze-up price: 17,000gns Prize-money won: £91,942 Winner of the Cinema Handicap (G3) NOBLE PRINCE Breeze-up price: 230,000gns Prize-money won: £285,824 Winner of the Jewson Novices’ Chase (G2), Poplar Square Chase (G3), Prix Michel Houyvet (L)

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Mickley Stud OB Apr 2012 f-p_Mickley Stud OB Apr 2012 f-p 21/03/2012 09:34 Page 1

MULTIPLEX b. 2003 Danehill – Shirley Valentine (Shirley Heights)

Second crop of yearlings sold for up to 145,000 guineas and foals sold up to 130,000 guineas.

Sire of 2 stakes performers, Radio Gaga, Timeform Rated 91P and Luv U Forever.

Sire of Richard Hannon's impressive stakes winner Intuition.

Sired winners of 15 races from 21 runners.

Stud fee: £3,500 1st Oct

By sire of sires DANEHILL Unbeaten Group winning 2-y-o, stakes winner at 3&4

CAPTAIN GERRARD b. 2005 Oasis Dream – Delphinus (Soviet Star)

Won 5 times as a juvenile including Gr.3 Cornwallis Stakes and two Listed races, also third in the Gr.3 Molecomb Stakes to Gr.1 winners Fleeting Spirit and Kingsgate Native.

At 3, winner of the Gr.3 Palace House Stakes beating Gr.1 July Cup winner Sakhee’s Secret.

From the family of Soldier Of Fortune & Double Form Stud fee: £3,000 1st Oct

The speedy son of the brilliant OASIS DREAM FIRST YEARLINGS 2012 Call for end of season deal to Richard Kent at: MICKLEY STUD, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3QW Tel: 01630 638840 • Fax: 01630 639761 Mobile: 07973 315722 • Email: mickleystud@btconnect.com

M MICKLEY STUD

Apr_92_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 22/03/2012 15:59 Page 67

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Under orders in the race to be leading first-season sire – pages 60-61 • Sales Circuit: round-ups from the ring and looking ahead to the breeze-ups – pages 62-65

Debate on NH mares provokes passionate response

T

he International Racing and Breeding Forum was the headline event of the ITBA’s two-day Expo at Leopardstown at the end of February but the debate that drew the most passionate crowd reaction was the seminar on National Hunt-bred fillies.

Despite the weight allowance in Ireland for jumps mares racing against geldings having risen from 5lb to 71b last year, and a dedicated ITBA-backed series of mares’ races, the general consensus from attendees was that more needs to be done to encourage owners to race mares and thus increase their appeal at the sales.

Managing Editor of the Irish Field and Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder columnist Leo Powell took the chair and did an excellent job, both in stimulating discussion and keeping the sometimes heated debate on a civilised footing.

A usually reserved Michael Hickey of Sunnyhill Stud was moved to add his thoughts from the floor, saying: “There is a template for Flat fillies – they don’t run against the colts. The National Hunt programme is an insult to people who breed and race fillies. It’s rubbish. We need to develop a programme where mares can come out on top of their own sex.”

Jockey Davy Russell, who is Horseracing Ireland’s National Hunt Ambassador, was also among the audience and agreed with Hickey.

“It makes sense for fillies not to take on geldings – they can only rarely compete with them,” he said.

Expanding the race programme Their comments were largely in response to panellist Noel Meade’s assertions that the introduction of more races solely for mares would downgrade the racing programme and be a turn-off for racegoers.

Meade added: “I never buy fillies. I’ve found that they’re not as good or as strong as the geldings. You have very limited opportunities if you buy a filly and a gelding has a better opportunity of making money.

“The majority of good mares look like men – a bit like female tennis players. For fillies to win they must have their own races but there are only so many of those you can have.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

While Meade took a dim view of expanding the mares’ programme, his fellow panellist Richard Pugh, a leading authority on the Irish point-to-point scene, echoed Hickey’s call for improvement, saying: “Having an equivalent of an Oaks or 1,000 Guineas would work for fillies over jumps. There are no mares entered in the championship races at Cheltenham.”

With Irish point-to-points being better established as a nursery for young jumpers than the British pointing scene, Pugh would also like

“The biggest challenge breeders face is in changing the mindset of agents and trainers” to see a more level playing field for mares competing in this division.

He added: “There is a big market for maiden point-to-point winners and the sport allows an accessible and cheap starting point for owners, but the number of suitable opportunities for mares are few and far between.”

Despite the greatest drop in foal numbers in recent years having been in Ireland’s National Hunt section, Coolamurry Stud owner Jim Mernagh felt the need to issue a note of caution

National Hunt mares’ races Race type

Britain

Ireland

17

21

Hurdles

141

67

Bumpers

44

31

202

119

Steeplechases

Total

Total number of NH races in Britain

3,877

Total number of NH races in Ireland

1,446

Figures are for the 2010/11 season

to jumps breeders, warning: “If your mare is not good enough to have a filly foal then she’s probably not worth breeding.”

Ability must be tested Therein lies the crux of the matter, particularly within National Hunt breeding. It’s not unusual for well-bred fillies to retire to stud unraced and, while there are notable examples of untried mares producing champions, it is still much more desirable – and not just from a commercial aspect – to have pedigree backed up by performance. The cyclical problem of fewer filly foal registrations, lack of interest at the sales and owners and trainers being reluctant to give jumps mares a chance can be broken only if the opportunities to race against their own sex are increased. Easier targets they may seem, but how many owners and trainers will turn down the chance of winning?

As with all competition, the best will rise to the top and mares such as Voler La Vedette and Golden Gael have proved that they can hold their own against the geldings, albeit with that valuable weight allowance.

While there was wild applause from the floor at the suggestion of increasing the number of races for jumps mares, the subject of raising the allowance again – to ten or 12lb – was generally not deemed to be a suitable solution. Ireland is marginally ahead of Britain with regard to the percentage of races restricted to mares staged, with 8.3% of the total programme last season compared to 5.2% in Britain, where the TBA has recently announced financial incentives for racecourses to stage mares-only races.

Ironically, as the debate was raging and this column was being written, Blazing Tempo sat at the top of the table, with more prize-money than any other National Hunt horse of either sex in training in Ireland this season. The Cheltenham Festival altered that but the eight-year-old daughter of Accordion is fortunate to hail from the stable of a trainer who is happy to give mares a chance.

There’s a clear desire from Irish breeders for an enhanced programme and it would be no surprise to hear that British breeders feel the same way. The biggest challenge they face, however, is not in convincing the race-planning departments but in changing the mindset of agents and trainers.

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Apr_92_First_Season_Sires_Owner 22/03/2012 16:02 Page 60

FIRST-SEASON SIRES

By the

BOOK The race for the first-season sires’ title now attracts plenty of betting interest, and this year’s pre-season favourite is Derby winner New Approach Words Edward Prosser

T

freshmen of 2012 as with the vintage group with first runners last year, but there is still not a shortage of outstanding runners looking to excel in their second careers.

None of the newcomers achieved more than New Approach, who was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed during his racing career. The son of Galileo was champion two-year-old after an unbeaten juvenile season that culminated in a Dewhurst Stakes victory. After being beaten a nose in the 2,000 Guineas, he went on to win

PETER MOONEY

hey may have been champions on the racecourse, covered a book of blue-hen mares and produced some stunning foals who made small fortunes as yearlings but the true test now awaits the band of stallions who retired to stud in 2009.

Forget all the glossy adverts, in the coming months we will find out which of those highclass performers is going to make it as a stallion and which will not.

There may not be quite as much depth to the

Members of the first crop of Derrinstown’s Tamayuz were well received at the sales

60

the Derby and both the English and Irish Champion Stakes.

New Approach had a pair of colts make 500,000gns and 450,000gns at Tattersalls last year, both bought by John Ferguson and entered in the 2013 Derby, and he has also been well supported at stud by his trainer Jim Bolger.

The master of Coolcullen has ten New Approaches listed in the 2012 Horses In Training annual, including the homebred Dawn Approach, who was entered to make his debut on the opening day of Ireland’s season as we went to press.

A year ago, Bolger was crucial to Teofilo’s success when sending out Parish Hall to give the champion juvenile both a first success in April and a Dewhurst Stakes victory in October.

Joseph Burke of Stan James, who began firstseason sires’ betting when working for Cashmans, has priced up the 2012 market and makes New Approach 11/8 favourite.

Many will hold out big hopes for another Darley sire, the Stonerside-bred Raven’s Pass.

The son of Elusive Quality finished his career with a flourish, winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Raven’s Pass was well supported by breeders on both sides of the Atlantic and it was again John Ferguson who bought his dearest yearling, a 260,000gns colt sold at Tattersalls.

Several of Henrythenavigator’s first crop have found their way across the Atlantic, including the Aidan O’Brien-trained Infanta Blanca who was entered at the Curragh’s opening meeting in March, but Coolmore’s European hopes will principally be centred upon Duke Of Marmalade.

The son of Danehill is a five-time Group 1 winner over distances from ten furlongs to the THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_First_Season_Sires_Owner 22/03/2012 16:03 Page 61

First-season sire betting from Stan James (number of individual winners in GB and Ireland to end of 2012 Flat season)

GEORGE SELYWN

11/8 4/1 9/2 9/2 12/1 14/1 40/1 100/1 250/1 250/1 250/1 250/1 250/1

New Approach Sakhee’s Secret Raven’s Pass Duke Of Marmalade Mount Nelson Tamayuz Haatef Thousand Words Assertive Captain Marvelous Papal Bull Ramonti Sixties Icon

Sakhee’s Secret holds off last year’s leading freshman sire Dutch Art in the July Cup

New Approach heads the market

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

deceased Italian sire Martino Alonso.

Others looking to make their mark include Juddmonte home-bred Thousand Words, winner of the Somerville Tattersall Stakes as a two-year-old, King Edward VII Stakes and Princess Of Wales’s Stakes winner Papal Bull, the speedy Duke Of York Stakes victor Assertive, precocious juvenile Captain Marvelous and Sunday Silence’s son Vita Rosa, who has moved to Italy after a spell at Lanwades Stud.

Sakhee’s Secret is 4/1 second favourite to take the first-season sires’ title.

Newsells Park Stud put considerable effort into buying mares to support the 2008 CoralEclipse winner Mount Nelson, a Group 1-winning juvenile, in his first year and he has a strong team of 82 two-year-olds to represent him on the racecourse.

With a decent yearling average, the 2008 Prix

“New Approach has

been well supported at stud by his trainer Jim Bolger, who has ten in training” Jacques Le Marois winner Tamayuz, a son of Nayef from the outstanding Allegretta female line, handed a big profit to several breeders who had paid his first €15,000 stud fee, while fellow Derrinstown sire Haatef, a son of Danzig whose best performance came when winning the 2007 Diadem Stakes, also has his first runners.

You can have 100/1 about any other stallion being leading first-season sire and included in that bracket are several high-class performers.

There is a superbly-bred Classic winner among them in Sixties Icon, a St Leger-winning son of Galileo and Oaks heroine Love Divine, and an outstanding if less fashionably-bred miler in Ramonti, winner of the Queen Anne, Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2007 for Godolphin and a son of the recently-

GEORGE SELYWN

JOHN REARDON

mile and a half of Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he will have over 120 two-year-olds to represent him this year.

Last year’s leading first-season sire was Dutch Art and the horse who beat him in the 2007 July Cup is fancied by many to fare well this year.

Sakhee’s Secret, based at Whitsbury Manor Stud, progressed through the ranks under Hughie Morrison’s guidance to win the Newmarket Group 1 as a three-year-old.

Homebred by the late Bridget Swire, he comes from a family of durable speedy performers and he has over 90 representatives this year, including many who showed a handsome return on his £6,500 original fee.

Coolmore hope Duke Of Marmalade

61

Apr_92_Sales_Circuit_Layout 1 22/03/2012 17:08 Page 62

SALES CIRCUIT

By EDWARD PROSSER, STEVE ANDERSEN and EMMA BERRY

Plenty of top-end high prices but unsold rate still a concern The clearance rate for jumpers at Newbury hints that demand currently falls short of supply and it is a similar story in America as the 2012 breeze-up sales get under way

There was a familiar theme to DBS’s post-racing sale at Newbury, staged ten days before the Cheltenham Festival in March.

A small catalogue for the second renewal of this sale, with 28 lots compared to 37 last year, and – as has become a traditional feature at these events – no shortage of those on offer failed to find new homes.

The clearance rate crept up from 45.2% last year to 54.5% this time and there were three six-figure lots, compared to a half dozen in 2011.

DBS director Michael Dale was used by a publicity-shy buyer to bid £220,000 for the top lot, Classical Twist, but could not say for whom he had purchased the point-to-point winner.

Other six-figure buyers included Barry Hurley, founder of Seasons Holiday, who paid £120,000 to send Giorgio Quercus back to Nicky Henderson.

Graham Wylie bought Boston Bob for £150,000 at this sale the previous year and, bidding through his new trainer Paul Nicholls’s assistant Dan Skelton, he went to £100,000 for four-year-old Sound Investment, who fell when travelling well on his only point-to-point outing.

Heading those who did not change hands was King Of The Wolds, a Newcastle bumper winner for Malcolm Jefferson, who was led out unsold at £115,000.

With two more boutique sales to come at Cheltenham in April and May, as well as those staged by Tattersalls Ireland and Goffs during Punchestown Festival week, it remains to be seen if there is sufficient demand – or quality horses available – to fill such a full calendar.

Barretts Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training

Boosted by a bloodstock agent from Hampshire and a contingent of deep-pocketed Japanese buyers, the first American breeze-up sale of 2012, the Barretts March sale of selected twoyear-olds in-training, was held in Pomona,

62

California, on March 5 with some key business categories reaching a three-year high.

An Empire Maker filly topped the sale at $435,000 and was acquired by Danox Co Ltd. of Japan, where the three leading hips are bound. Danox also bought the leading colt, by Macho Uno, for $385,000.

Emmanuel de Seroux’s Narvick International bloodstock agency, acting as an agent for an undisclosed Japanese client, paid $330,000 for a colt by Indygo Shiner.

Overall, 77 horses sold for $8,426,000, an average of $109,429 and a median of $85,000, according to figures published by the sale company. The gross was up 52%, the average increased 8.6%, and the median rose by 21.4% over the corresponding sale in 2011. The average was the highest for the sale since 2009.

The sale did have a higher number of buybacks, with 44 horses listed as not sold, or 36% of the horses that went through the ring. The catalogue was larger than last year, 148 this year compared to 105 last year.

The leading buyer by horses acquired and gross receipts was Jamie McCalmont, who was acting on behalf of prominent southern

GEORGE SELWYN

DBS Newbury Festival Sale

Barretts’ leading buyer Jamie McCalmont

California owner Paul Reddam, who attended the sale.

McCalmont, who once worked in southern California as an exercise rider for various trainers and now has a bloodstock business based in England, bought seven horses for $940,000. His most expensive purchase was a colt by War Front bought for $250,000.

Reddam raced Wilko, the winner of the

DBS Newbury Festival Sale Top lots Name/Age/Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Classical Twist (4g Oscar)

Ballyboy Stables

Price (£) 220,000

Buyer D B Bloodstock

Giorgio Quercus (7g Starborough)

Sir Robert Ogden

120,000

Clarendon Farm

Sound Investment (4g Dr Massini)

Bernice Stables

100,000

Masters Hill (6g Tikkanen)

Newlands Farm

64,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Westaway (5g Westerner)

Suirview Stables

50,000

Simon Christian

Boyfromnowhere (5g Old Vic)

Willow Farm Stables

40,000

Gearoid Costelloe

Shotgun Paddy (5g Brian Boru)

R McCurtin

40,000

GH Bloodstock

Daring Deploy (6g Deploy)

Suirview Stables

31,000

Simon Christian

The Friary (5g Kris Kin)

Tinniscart House

28,000

Tom Malone

On Broadway (6g Broadway Flyer)

Mount Browne Stables

20,000

Tom Malone

Safferano (6g Saffron Walden)

Redbridge Stables

20,000

Tom Malone

Dan Skelton

Comparative figures Year

Catalogued

Offered

Sold

Clearance (%)

Agg (£)

Average (£)

2012

28

22

12

54.5

751,000

62,583

Median (£) 40,000

2011

37

31

14

45.2

900,000

64,285

40,5000

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Sales_Circuit_Layout 1 22/03/2012 17:08 Page 63

2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and has a Kentucky Derby candidate in I’ll Have Another, a colt by Flower Alley who won the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in February.

Being the leading buyer was not a distinction that McCalmont and Reddam sought.

“We just want to win the races,” McCalmont said.

“We probably bought more than we would have otherwise,” added Reddam. “We bought the horses we wanted to buy and others that we didn’t plan to buy. There was one horse we had that we let go.”

Typical of an American breeze-up sale, the faster the workout time in the training preview, the more interest the juvenile attained in presale inspections and the sales ring. The Macho Uno colt worked a furlong on March 2 in 9.80 seconds, a time equalled by a colt by Songandaprayer who sold for $100,000. The Empire Maker filly worked a furlong in 10.40 seconds, while the Indygo Shiner colt was timed in 10.20 seconds.

As for the sale-topper, she was scheduled to be flown to Japan in April. Bred by Dan Agnew, the filly had been withdrawn from the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale and was consigned at Barretts by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stable.

Through a translator, advisor Hisashi Wakahara said he bought the filly for Danox because she was “classy, beautiful, she looks like a runner.”

Barretts was the first major breeze-up sale of the year, the reflection of a change in the calendar from past years when Fasig-Tipton and the Ocala Breeders’ Sale in Florida held the first two sales of the year.

This year, those sales were held later in March, followed by another leading sale, at Keeneland in April.

For 2012, Barretts wants to lead the auction season again. “We’re happy with our position on the calendar,” said Barretts General Manager Kim Lloyd.

He argued that it is easier for Florida-based consignors to start at Barretts and return to Florida for two sales, rather than trying to set up for a mid-March sale at Barretts while focusing on early-March sales in Florida.

“I think the positioning helps us,” he said.

“Logistically for the consignors to come here and be first, it’s easier for them.”

Ocala Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training With one Empire Maker filly topping the Barretts sale outright, another daughter of the same sire was the most expensive filly sold at Ocala’s select sale of two-year-olds, but the THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Barretts Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training (March) Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Buyer

Price ($)

F Empire Maker-Fortunate Event

Wavertree Stables Inc

Danox Co Ltd

435,000

C Macho Uno-My Goodness

Eddie Woods, agent

Danox Co Ltd

385,000

C Indygo Shiner-Coatue

Eddie Woods, agent

Narvick International Inc.

330,000

F War Front-Kokena

Excel Bloodstock

Dennis R O’Neill

310,000

C Broken Vow-Gold Muff

SGV Thoroughbreds

Brett Lindenbaum, agent

280,000

C War Front-Fob

Wavertree Stables Inc.

Jamie McCalmont

250,000

C Songandaprayer-Queen Majesty

Stephens Thoroughbreds

Mersad Metanovic & J Bonde

250,000

C Candy Ride-Sweet And Clever

Wavertree Stables Inc.

Jamie McCalmont

220,000

Ocala Selected Two-Year-Olds In Training (March) Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Buyer

C (War Front-Henna)

Harris Training Center Llc, Agent II

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations

Price ($) 800,000

C (Tiz Wonderful-Foolish Kiss)

Paul Sharp, Agent IV

Stonestreet Stables

525,000

C (Leroidesanimaux-Humoristic)

Eddie Woods, Agent IX

Deuce Greathouse, Agt.

490,000

Ado (F Empire Maker-Trip)

Harris Training Center Llc, Agent II

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations

485,000

F (Street Sense-Unlimited Pleasure)

Ocala Stud

Repole Stables, Todd Pletcher, Agt. 475,000

C (Read The Footnotes-Dixie Talent) Southern Chase Farm, Inc. Agent

Toyomitsu Hirai

475,000

C (Montbrook-My Golden Quest)

Ocala Stud, Agent

Toyomitsu Hirai

470,000

C (A.P. Indy-Sharp Susan)

Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds Llc, Agent Mark Casse, Agt.

overall market leader was a colt by War Front, consigned by Harris Training Center on behalf of Claiborne Farm, which stands the young son of Danzig.

The colt, from the family of another promising young sire Pomeroy, was knocked down for $800,000 to Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, with the same buyer also taking home the top-priced filly and spending a total of $1.65m on four horses to make Fletcher second only to Lane’s End Bloodstock in the leading buyers’ list.

Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stable paid $525,000 for a first-crop son of Tiz Wonderful, who raced in the Stonestreet colours and retired to Spendthift Farm in 2009. Out of the multiple winner and Grade 2-placed Foolish Kiss, he was one of three two-year-olds consigned by pinhooker Paul Sharp and had been bought for $82,000 from the same sales company last August.

With 100 of the original 362 catalogued lots withdrawn from the sale, 179 two-year-olds were sold for a total of $24,819,500, which compared favourably with the $24,711,000 aggregate for 237 sold in 2011. The average showed an increase of 33%, rising to $138,656 from $104,266 last year, while the median price was a record $105,000, up 50% on the previous figure of $70,000.

425,000

Hong Kong International Sale Bloodstock auctions don’t come much more select than the 26-lot Hong Kong International Sale, which was held at Sha Tin on March 17.

This was the second year that the breeze-up sale had been held in March rather than its traditional December slot, but the December auction will be reintroduced later this year with two sales being staged annually in the future to allow for the opposing breeding seasons of the northern and southern hemispheres.

The ten European and North American-bred horses offered in the sale were all three-yearolds, with up to a six-month headstart on the southern hemisphere-bred lots, but a pair of Australian two-year-olds by red hot sire Fastnet Rock both toppled the previous sale record of HK$7.5m when selling for HK$9m and HK$8m respectively.

The top lot, a gelding out of the Covetous mare Undercover, had been bought by the Honk Kong Jockey Club team at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka for NZ$300,000.

With few fillies and mares racing in Hong Kong, the catalogue was exclusively male, with only one colt – a full-brother to Classic winner Finsceal Beo – among the 25 geldings offered. >>

63

Apr_92_Sales_Circuit_Layout 1 22/03/2012 17:08 Page 64

HKJC

SALES CIRCUIT

Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Sale, at which only Hong Kong Jockey Club members can bid

>>

Newmarket trainer Nick Littmoden, who, along with bloodstock agent Larry Stratton, assists the Hong Kong Jockey Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Richards in selecting yearlings for the sale, oversees the preparation of the European draft, which included geldings by Acclamation, Holy Roman Emperor, Oasis Dream and a Marju three-parts brother to Hong Kong champion Viva Pataca.

Littmoden also consigned Finsceal Beoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

brother, who was the best-seller among the Europeans when fetching HK$5.5m having been a 320,000gns purchase at Tattersallsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2010 October Sale. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The market in Hong Kong is so strong and the demand for ready-made horses is seemingly unlimited,â&#x20AC;? said Littmoden, who still holds a training licence but is branching out further into the breeze-up market this season by offering two colts at the Craven Sale,

which starts on April 17. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re delighted with the way our draft was received.â&#x20AC;?

The sale achieved a record turnover of HK$114.4m â&#x20AC;&#x201C; up from HK$94.1m last year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; while the average fell slightly to HK$4.4m from HK$4.7m.

The Hong Kong Jockey Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Director William Nader, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is truly a unique sale. Sixteen of the 26 lots sold for HK$4 million or higher, so it was a very strong sale from start to finish. The Fastnet Rocks sold particularly well and Lot 11 probably held the shortest-lived record in Hong Kong history! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a rarity to see such an international sale â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have horses from Europe, Australia, USA and New Zealand all very well presented, and there was great depth with an array of stallions from different parts of the world. In many ways, it was a replica of what Hong Kong racing is â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a collection of talent from all over the world, whether people or horses, all coming together to create a great product.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, we can see positive results from this sale in years to come. I always say that the real test of the sale is putting forward good prospects that develop into real racehorses that everyone will appreciate in the coming years.â&#x20AC;?

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Sales_Circuit_Layout 1 22/03/2012 17:08 Page 65

SALES CIRCUIT

ANALYSIS Significant reduction in British Edward Prosser For nearly two decades since the early 1990s, there was no more progressive part of the bloodstock auction calendar than the breeze-up sales.

A scene once dominated by juveniles who had failed to sell as yearlings had transformed into a thriving, hugely professional, industry populated by consignors who invested increasingly large sums in the product to resell.

The 1992 breeze-up at Tattersalls averaged just 5,739gns, with a median of 3,900gns, but by 2008 it had become a flagship event in the Newmarket sales calendar. That year’s 540,000gns top price was comfortably more than the whole turnover 16 years earlier and, even accounting for a rising market in the intervening years, the 2008 average of 102,448gns, 11.88 million gns turnover and 70,000gns median showed huge growth.

The figures were not a million miles from that year’s October Book 1 Yearling Sale average of 120,383gns and 85,000gns median as top-level buyers saw the breezeups as a creditable alternative market place.

The two-year-old consignors are a plucky bunch and a glance at what they had risked on yearling purchases to sell in 2008 was eye-catching. Prices included $260,000, $250,000, 210,000gns, 160,000gns, $200,000, $170,000, $160,000 and 120,000gns as the vendors gambled that they might be able to land a two-year-old that could trouble the sale record of 625,000gns, set in 2006.

But, perhaps more than in the yearling market, the breeze-up vendors were to find that 2008 was the market’s peak. A single year later, Tattersalls’ sale had lost 3.5 million gns of its turnover (29%) and the average price fell by 27%.

The economic downturn was obviously a significant factor but so too was the fact that Sheikh Mohammed’s actions have a huge bearing on this market. In 2008, the Darley team, via a string of different buyers, bought 15 of the 20 dearest breeze-up lots in Britain but a year later did not play on anything like as significant a scale.

When Goffs’ sale at Kempton kicks off six weeks of two-year-old trading in Europe on April 3, few of those selling will believe they can hit the giddy heights of yesteryear.

Sheikh Mohammed is likely to be buying at a level way below 2008 and vendors have been more cautious investing in stock in a programme that moves on to Newmarket,

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

consignors at breeze-up sales

Whitwell Bloodstock’s Nicola Howarth, one of a reduced pool of British vendors

Doncaster, back to Tattersalls for the resurrected Guineas Sale and then to SaintCloud, Goresbridge and Baden-Baden.

Indeed a 100,000gns Hard Spun colt appearing from Paddy Twomey’s Hawthorn Villa Stud is the sole offering at any of the three upcoming British sales to have made a sum equating to six figures in sterling as a yearling.

Last year’s sales may have been respectable on paper but many vendors were playing the auction ring version of Russian Roulette, relying on their two-yearolds to sell on a single live bid and there was only a 68% clearance rate at Newmarket.

Interestingly, several British consignors

have reduced their involvement in this riskiest of markets in recent years and they account for just 75 of the 475 lots (15.8%) at the upcoming Irish-dominated Kempton, Doncaster and Newmarket April sales. That figure was 28.4% in 2008.

American sires have long been favoured by the breeze-up buyers and nearly half the 2008 Newmarket catalogue were by stallions based across the Atlantic. Although nearly a third of this year’s Craven book are still the progeny of US sires, the domination has become less pronounced.

Tattersalls Ireland’s Flat breeze-up has gone from the calendar this year, as has Brightwells’ new sale at Ascot, although it is expected to be revived in 2013, and the other notable event in the breeze-up scene has taken place across the Channel.

Just as Arqana’s yearling sale in August has caught the imagination of Irish buyers, they have become equally entranced by the company’s breeze-up at Saint-Cloud on French Guineas weekend in May. The French sale’s turnover has risen from €2.08 million in 2006 to €7.096m last year and many consignors are sending some of their best lots to Saint-Cloud in May. The sale’s big advantage is that it has some buyers unique to itself, most notably Prime Equestrian, who bought 27 lots for €1.38m in 2011, 19% of the whole turnover. Indeed, the level of participation of the major buyers on either side of the Channel looks set to have a major bearing on whether the breeze-ups can climb back up the ladder again in 2012.

British-based consignors at the breeze-up sales 2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Tattersalls Craven

38/183 (20.7%)

48/196 (24.9%)

26/166 (15.7%)

34/183 (18.6%)

68/194 (35%)

DBS

29/192 (15.1%)

30/193 (15.5%)

30/186 (16.1%)

26/145 (17.9%)

45/170 (26.5%)

8/100 (8%)

16/90 (17.8%)

16/94 (17%)

13/75 (17.3%)

19/101 (18.8%)

75/475 (15.8%)

94/479 (19.6%)

72/446 (16.1%)

73/403 (18/1%)

132/465 (28.4%)

Goffs Kempton Total

Two-year-olds by American sires at the breeze-up sales 2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Tattersalls Craven

57/183 (31.1%)

50/196 (25.5%)

48/166 (28.9%)

79/183 (43.2%)

96/194 (49.5%)

DBS

21/192 (10.9%)

9/193 (4.7%)

16/186 (8.6%)

19/145 (13.1%)

42/170(24.7%)

12/100 (12%)

7/90 (7.8%)

8/94 (8.5%)

13/75 (17.3%)

33/101 (32.7%)

90/475 (18.9%)

66/479 (13.8%)

72/446 (16.1%)

111/403 (27.5%)

171/465 (36.8%)

Goffs Kempton Total

65

Apr_92_ROA_Forum_Owner 22/03/2012 16:18 Page 66

ROA FORUM The special section for ROA members

Having a real say in how horseracing operates Richard Wayman says new bonus scheme can help horsemen increase their influence on sport This month sees the launch of a new bonus scheme which we have put together with our partners in the Horsemen’s Group and which will make payments totalling nearly £500,000 between now and the end of the year. It is based on a £5,000 bonus being added to around 100 races, commencing on April 18, when bonus races are scheduled at Newmarket, Cheltenham and Beverley.

The scheme has been designed to achieve a number of important objectives. First, it will provide a boost, albeit a relatively modest one, to the financial returns to horsemen. Second, the bonus will be payable only to winning connections who are members of the Horsemen’s Group constituent bodies and so it will hopefully encourage more horsemen to join the ROA or one of our partners, thereby increasing our ability to influence. Third, it supports the creation of an environment in which horsemen will work ever more closely with those racecourses that are committed to providing a fair deal to horsemen. For this reason, the bonus races will take place only at

venues where the Horsemen’s Group have granted partner racecourse status. Finally, it should encourage runners towards bonus races, which will enhance betting activity and, therefore, returns to the levy.

The bonus of £5,000 will be payable to winning connections as follows: 70% to the

“We must ensure these initiatives are just the beginning of something much bigger” owner(s), 15% to the trainer, 10% to the jockey and 5% to the stable staff pool, all of this being after the distribution of a bonus of £500 to an eligible winning breeder. Successful eligible owners will therefore win £3,150 or £3,500 if the breeder’s bonus is not won.

The full terms and conditions of the scheme are available on our website but to win the owner’s bonus, the successful owner must be a member of the ROA at the time of the race.

For horses owned in Joint Ownership, 51% or more of the winning horse must be owned by members of the ROA, whilst for horses owned

by Racing Partnerships, 51% or more of the nominated partners must be members of the ROA. Elsewhere in this month’s ROA Forum, information is provided about another new initiative that has just been launched, which will provide horsemen with greater ability to influence the race programme.

Whilst these are small steps, I believe they provide evidence that we are beginning to move in the right direction, towards a world in which horsemen have a far greater role in running the sport.

This can’t come soon enough as, for too long horsemen have had to take whatever they can get; a situation that has inevitably resulted in falling horse numbers, owners and breeders leaving the sport, trainers losing their businesses, jockeys packing up and stable staff out of work.

We must ensure that these initiatives are just the beginning of something much bigger to come.

If you have any views on the issues raised in this column, please get in touch by emailing rwayman@roa.co.uk

Exclusive hospitality package offered for Glorious Goodwood

Fantastic deal includes lunch in the Horsewalk Restaurant

66

Following feedback from members requesting a dining option, the ROA and Goodwood have put together a special hospitality package for each of the five days of Glorious Goodwood.

The exclusive ROA offer comprises a Richmond Enclosure badge, a reserved seat in the March Stand, a three-course lunch in the Horsewalk Restaurant located in the Charlton Stand, afternoon tea, a racecard and Racing Post, and valet parking. The package is priced at £150 per person per day.

Places are limited to a maximum of six places per booking and are available on a first-come first-served basis, so early booking is advised. Bookings for the package close on May 31.

For more details, or to book, visit www.racehorseowners.net or call 020 7152 0200.

Members also have the usual option of booking admission badges only for the Richmond Enclosure during Glorious Goodwood.

Daily badges are priced at £69 per person for orders up to June 1.

After June 1 badges are £79 per day. Junior badges are £20 each day (age five to 25), apart from Thursday, when they are £30. Car Park Labels are £10 each day.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_ROA_Forum_Owner 22/03/2012 16:18 Page 67

GEORGE SELWYN

www.racehorseowners.net

Lingfield Park will be the scene of the first ‘interactive’ race on April 4

Interactive race planning A new race planning initiative is to be launched in April which will give trainers the opportunity to influence the shape of the race programme.

The new system will enable trainers to indicate online specific races that they wish

to see programmed in the very near future, providing races for horses that are ready to run but currently have no suitable opportunities.

The trial, which is being funded by the Levy Board, is intended to make sure that the

best possible use is made of the available horse population and is an important first step towards creating a more dynamic and flexible approach to race planning.

Key features of the trial include: • 23 races (16 Flat and 7 Jump) have been left “blank” in the race programme between April and June.

• Based on online feedback from trainers, the BHA will programme a required race around nine days in advance with normal entry and declaration deadlines.

• During the first three months of the trial, these races will take place at racecourses run

by Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Leisure. A similar number of races will be planned for the third and fourth quarters of 2012, when all other racecourses will have the chance to take part.

The type of race programmed will depend on feedback from trainers and key considerations will include: • The fact that other suitable races do not fall in the same period • The quality of the race • Geography • Type of race The first race will take place at Lingfield on April 4 and any owner that is frustrated by a lack of opportunities for their particular horse should encourage their trainer to make use of this new facility.

Kauto Star’s work rider Clifford Baker was among the prizewinners at this year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, scooping the top accolade of Employee of the Year. It formed part of a notable double for Baker, as he also collected the High Achiever award.

Thanks to the unstinting generosity of Godolphin, Baker received a cheque for £25,000 for Employee of the Year, £10,000 of which will be distributed among the Paul Nicholls team. The winners of the other six categories each received a cheque for £5,000, with the other finalists collecting £2,000, plus the same for their respective yards. The total prize fund was £120,000.

The other category winners were Jerry Walsh from Paul Webber’s yard for NASS Special Merit; Christopher Lynn from Ferdy Murphy’s for the David Nicholson Newcomer Award; Charlotte Cox from Henry Candy’s for the Rider/Groom; Graham Nicklin of Glebe Stud for the Stable Staff Award; and Willie Cowe of James Ewart’s team for the Dedication to Racing category.

The awards are now firmly established in the industry calendar and are widely lauded by all stakeholders in the sport for the opportunity to salute the endeavours of racing’s behind-the-scenes heroes. ROA members were among those encouraged to nominate any stable staff who had made a difference to their ownership experience. Godolphin announced that they will continue to support the awards for the next three years.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

RACINGFOTOS.COM

Kauto’s work rider is named Employee of the Year

Clifford Baker (right) receives his prize from Paul Hanagan

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ROA FORUM

In Brief Tariff bands for Flat races There will be two Horsemen’s Group tariff bandings from the start of the Flat turf season on March 31, mirroring the bandings for jump races introduced on February 1.

Band 1 will cover racing taking place on Monday to Friday and Band 2 will cover racing on Saturdays, Sundays and Festival fixtures.

The tariff values from the start of the new Flat turf season mirror those from the 2011 Flat turf season.

Details of tariff values and the Daily Update showing races which meet tariff can be found on the ROA website at racehorseowners.net

Record £110,000 raised for charities at the ROA Awards

Yearling Bonus Scheme

Prize-money in Germany The British Horseracing Authority has recently been notified by the Direktorium (German horse racing’s governing body) that the interpretation of local tax rules has recently been reviewed.

As a result, GB resident owners who win prize-money when running in Germany will have a proportion – currently 15.83% – of the prize-money they earn withheld by the German tax authorities.

The BHA is working with the Direktorium to understand the full implications of these changes and determine if there is any mechanism which is in place to allow the amount that has been withheld to be released back to the owner.

NEIL RANDON

This year’s Yearling Bonus Scheme will offer no fewer than 130 bonuses of £10,000 to owners of eligible racehorses which win one of the selected maiden races. Now in its third year, the scheme has awarded over 530 bonuses, with funds entirely raised through the registration fees.

The full list of bonus races and eligible horses can be seen at yearlingbonus.com.

All races carrying a bonus meet or exceed the Horsemen’s Group tariff.

Clockwise from top left: ROA President Rachel Hood presents a cheque to Christopher Tregoning and Graham Snelling of the National Horseracing Museum; ROA Vice President Tony Hirschfeld and Council member Sheila Bailey award cheques to Paul Smith (SIA), Neil Swan (SCF) and Jonathan Miall (Spinal Research)

Five charities collectively received more than £110,000 from fundraising at the 30th annual Racehorse Owners Association Horseracing Awards, sponsored by sportingbet.com.

The major beneficiary is the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting them once-in-a-lifetime wishes and providing entertainment in hospitals and hospices. The charity received £62,852 through silent and grand auctions held at the awards night in London, plus just over

Your chance to sit on the ROA Council Members can expect to receive a letter in April inviting them to stand for a place in the ROA Council elections. Those wishing to stand for election must be a registered owner and have had at least one horse in training during the previous 12 months, or part-ownership that amounts to at least one horse. Horses owned under the names of spouses qualify for this purpose.

A vote amongst all ROA members will decide the election result. Successful candidates will be asked to take their places on the Council in July and are required to attend monthly meetings, usually in central London. The outcome of the election will be announced at the ROA AGM on July 10. A Council member’s tenure is four years, after which they are required to stand for re-election.

Details of the ROA AGM and members and guests lunch appear on the opposite page.

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£22,000 through pledges made by guests.

The remaining money has been donated to the National Horseracing Museum (£15,000), the International Spinal Research Trust and Spinal Injuries Association (£6,690 each), and HEROS (£1,150), which finds home for exracehorses.

ROA Vice-President Tony Hirschfeld, the ROA council member who headed the awards committee, said: “We are delighted to have raised such a significant sum for the beneficiary charities. We are sincerely grateful to our members and sponsors for their outstanding generosity in contributing to a record total for ROA Awards fundraising.”

Neil Swan, Chief Executive of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, said: “Starlight was deeply grateful to be nominated to benefit from the fundraising at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the evening raised over £85,000 to help grant wishes for our seriously and terminally ill children. It was an honour to be involved in such a prestigious event and we would like to say a huge thank you to the team at the ROA, who were an absolute delight and pleasure to work with and to everyone who contributed.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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www.racehorseowners.net

ROA MEMBERS IN FOCUS:

ANDREW TURTON

APRIL 24

First day of Punchestown festival ROA members attending the first day of the Punchestown festival can take advantage of free admission in the racecourse, on production of their ROA Horseracing Privilege Photocard.

MAY 26

Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas Free admission for ROA members to the Curragh on this day, featuring the Group 1 Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas.

JUNE 19-23

Exclusive facility at Royal Ascot Take advantage of a bespoke hospitality package at a discounted rate for the five days of Ascot’s showpiece of the Flat season.

LES HURLEY

For Andrew Turton, Akarshan encapsulates the satisfaction of triumph over adversity, which for him is the best thing about being an owner. If that satisfaction can be shared and enjoyed with family and friends, that’s all the better.

“The best thing about being an owner is when you win, especially after you’ve stuck together following a setback and have always believed in the horse,” says Turton.

“Akarshan got a touch of a leg at Market Rasen when he was second last spring, and had to have the best part of nine months off the track. We knew he’d come right; you have to stick together as mates and stick with your trainer.”

That trainer is Evan Williams, for whom Turton has a lot of respect and whose ability, in particular with Flat-bred horses, as recommended by a jockey to Turton, has proven spot-on.

With Turton being Yorkshire-based – his seafood importing business brings in around 500 tonnes from the far east every year – and Williams in south Wales, unsurprisingly Turton doesn’t get to see Akarshan too often at his yard.

He nearly missed the seven-year-old’s sixth success at Taunton last month too, as the car he was driving broke down in Warwick and he got to the races with 20 minutes to spare.

“We have had him since he was a big weak three-year-old - he did well to win at that age – and always knew he’d make a nice chaser eventually,” continues Turton. “He’s very consistent and always tries.”

Turton also has interests in horses with John Quinn, David Nicholls and Bryan Smart (Ascot Listed winner Move In Time), and was involved in now-retired Im Spartacus. In addition, he owns Mr Wolf, a legend at Turton’s local track of Pontefract, with the former trainer David Barker.

“He’s 11 now and there’s a bit of a debate going on about whether he’ll run this year,” reveals Turton. “He’s a character and was the horse who got me started.”

Geography is part of the reason Turton is more into Flat racing, with Pontefract, York and Doncaster all nearby, and Yorkshire serving that sector of the sport very well.

Akarshan’s latest two wins, at Ludlow and Taunton, will help keep him for a year but while Turton commends those two tracks, like many owners he feels too many do not offer acceptable levels of prize-money.

Diary dates and reminders

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Andrew Turton (right) and fellow owner Paul Langford with Akarshan at Ludlow

JULY 1

He also reckons there is an unnecessary amount of all-weather racing. “There should be a limit to the lower-end all-weather, which is boring,” he says. “What prize-money there is would be better spent on grass racing, Flat and jumps.”

Turton used to play rugby, and was also into cricket, but admits racing has taken over his time outside of his business (a seafood importing firm which brings in around 500 tonnes from the far east every year) – even at home horses have a practical part in the family’s lives.

“One of my daughters rides, as does my wife; we have a couple of ponies at home and also retrained an ex-racehorse,” says Turton.

“Those who think ex-racehorses can’t do other jobs are wrong – they can do so very easily, be it show-jumping, dressage or just hacking. They’re used to being handled, make nice pets and can do different things.”

If Akarshan could read, he would be sleeping soundly tonight!

ROA members visiting the Curragh can obtain free admission on this day.

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival

JULY 10

ROA AGM The AGM will be held on the morning of Tuesday, July 10 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in Knightsbridge, London. The formal business of the AGM will be followed by a lunch for members and their guests.

OCTOBER 20

QIPCO British Champions’ Day The ROA has secured a fabulous box with a package including catering and drinks for ROA members in a stunning location on the third floor of the Grandstand.

DECEMBER 6

ROA/sportingbet.com Horseracing Awards The Awards evening celebrates the year’s top racehorses and their owners, as voted for by ROA members, at the London Hilton.

DID YOU KNOW? Details of official handicap ratings can be accessed via the Racing Admin website – www.racingadmin.co.uk Changes to ratings are made on a Tuesday morning.

Details of changes are available online and owners can arrange to be sent text updates of horses in their ownership via Weatherbys’ text messaging service.

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ROA FORUM

When it comes to third party liability insurance, always speak to an expert “If you want a job done properly, consult a specialist”.

This maxim was, seemingly, never truer than in the context of third party horse-related insurance, writes Justin Wadham.

Recent cases landing on my desk have included a trainer who sought to make a claim under his third party liability insurance policy only to find it covered all of the horses in his care – except racehorses! Another case involved a trainer being told by his insurers that the policy covered all of his racehorses but not if they happen to be at a racecourse.

Much has already been written about the fact that some insurers, ostensibly providing third party cover to racehorse trainers, cover the trainer’s liability only and do not insure the trainer for the benefit and protection of his owners. Accordingly, when the trainer makes a claim on his policy, the insurers, having met the claim, immediately sue the

relevant owner under the Animals Act in the trainer’s name – thereby defeating one of the fundamental purposes of the entire policy as well as doing little to enhance the relationship between owner and trainer!

Where trainers are concerned, glaring deficiencies in their third party cover not only mean that they are exposed to the very risks for which they thought they had insurance cover but, additionally, these defects will place them in technical breach of their obligation, as a licensed trainer, to have third party liability insurance.

As set out in paragraph 24 of the Guidance Notes for Applications for a Licence to Train: “All licensed trainers are required to have public liability insurance providing minimum cover of £2 million. This policy must include cover for any award of damages given to a member of the public arising out of the death, bodily injury or damage to property suffered by members of the general public at a

recognised race meeting. Owners are likely also to require employers’ liability insurance in accordance with the Employer’s Liability (Compulsory) Insurance Act 1969.”

The third party liability insurance which the ROA provides as an automatic benefit of membership is of inestimable value and should alone be reason enough for any person owning the whole or any part of a racehorse to become a member immediately.

A trainer’s third party liability policy may not cover his owners, so the value to ROA members of the ROA scheme is all the greater.

Do not allow yourself to insure your third party bloodstock risks through non-specialist channels. You run the risk of buying insurance which fails to cover you for some of the fundamental risks you bought the policy for. Names of specialist bloodstock insurers known to the ROA can be obtained by calling the ROA office (020 7152 0200) or emailing Sadie Evans at sevans@roa.co.uk

High Class Group Winner

FRANKLINS GARDENS

First runners b. 2000, 16.11⁄2 hh 2012 Halling – Woodbeck (Terimon) High Class Group 2 & 3 winner By a top class stallion From a group producing mare

Winner of 4 races, £201,376, incl. Gr 2 Yorkshire Cup A striking horse with outstanding pedigree.

His progeny are correct, good movers and have wonderful temperaments. Retired sound. Excellent fertility.

Fee: £1,250 (1st October Terms)

Also standing

BABODANA

ch. 2000, 16.1 hh Bahamian Bounty – Daanat Nawal (Machiavellian) Tough and durable high class miler For all details contact: – D.D. Scott EAST LYNCH STUD, Minehead, Somerset Tel/Fax: 01643 702430 • info@eastlynchstud.co.uk

www.eastlynchstud.co.uk

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www.racehorseowners.net

Flat Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Figures are for period Mar 1, 2011 to Feb 29, 2012

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2010-2011 (£)

Ascot I York I Epsom Downs JCR Newmarket JCR Goodwood I Chester I Doncaster Arena Sandown Park JCR Newbury I Haydock Park JCR Musselburgh I Ripon I Ayr I Ffos Las Northern Salisbury I Thirsk I Newcastle Northern Hamilton Park I Pontefract I Beverley I Carlisle JCR Leicester I Kempton Park JCR Bath Northern Warwick JCR Nottingham JCR Catterick Bridge I Windsor Arena Yarmouth Northern Lingfield Park Arena Redcar I Brighton Northern Chepstow Northern Wolverhampton Arena Southwell Arena Folkestone Arena Total

333,521 157,030 102,510 87,878 76,321 67,027 60,910 48,175 45,295 37,850 33,220 29,190 27,070 26,604 23,736 21,976 20,745 20,448 19,609 16,417 16,381 15,889 15,688 15,507 14,877 14,735 13,370 12,815 12,471 12,090 12,053 10,586 10,423 10,373 9,690 8,576 33,935

91,106 68,433 47,882 61,601 54,611 31,126 41,311 39,527 45,162 29,735 12,596 16,262 22,223 5,692 19,497 15,343 17,178 15,317 22,962 13,064 11,507 11,624 10,625 9,127 13,845 14,572 10,662 17,422 12,384 16,775 12,906 11,484 9,950 10,595 10,836 11,866 22,038

135,000 71,926 60,406 77,736 20,140 6,132 37,114 16,384 24,118 12,870 4,280 4,261 7,336 3,516 4,763 4,858 6,188 3,104 3,301 2,740 3,393 3,450 2,798 2,252 4,048 4,192 2,030 3,655 2,880 2,517 13,003 2,119 2,318 2,014 1,527 1,672 13,529

559,627 297,389 210,798 227,925 151,477 105,161 140,617 104,085 119,117 81,856 50,497 50,980 57,098 36,165 49,516 44,677 44,759 38,869 46,797 33,020 32,236 32,120 30,143 27,254 34,400 35,104 26,974 34,250 28,643 32,413 38,933 24,269 22,891 24,054 22,672 22,329 70,399

18 17 13 38 21 14 24 18 18 24 15 15 16 9 15 13 19 18 16 20 11 21 87 19 13 19 17 26 24 74 18 20 15 100 52 14 890

10,073,278 5,055,618 2,740,375 8,661,152 3,181,020 1,472,255 3,374,799 1,821,495 2,144,101 1,929,462 757,448 764,701 913,560 307,400 742,738 580,800 850,424 699,643 748,752 660,401 354,600 674,526 2,622,420 517,833 447,200 666,969 458,550 890,500 687,427 2,398,574 700,803 485,380 343,363 2,405,409 1,178,944 312,600 62,624,520

214,349 136,346 86,514 80,609 60,045 47,366 52,788 37,738 34,964 35,137 19,628 18,259 22,737 10,654 15,841 13,365 14,200 14,101 14,366 13,496 8,659 11,408 7,661 7,949 7,575 7,606 3,359 10,717 6,495 8,013 6,857 4,351 7,853 3,155 1,948 4,038 23,780

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2010-2011 (£)

Cheltenham JCR Aintree JCR Ascot I Haydock Park JCR Sandown Park JCR Kempton Park JCR Newbury I Doncaster Arena Ayr I Chepstow Northern Wincanton JCR Newcastle Northern Perth I Ffos Las Northern Kelso I Taunton I Wetherby I Newton Abbot I Market Rasen JCR Cartmel I Fakenham I Musselburgh I Hereford Northern Stratford-On-Avon I Bangor-On-Dee I Carlisle JCR Uttoxeter Northern Ludlow I Huntingdon JCR Exeter JCR Warwick JCR Sedgefield Northern Worcester Arena Fontwell Park Northern Southwell Arena Plumpton I Folkestone Arena Lingfield Park Arena Leicester I Hexham I Catterick Bridge I Towcester I Total

206,875 195,014 119,573 75,520 48,761 43,824 40,088 28,187 26,264 25,160 23,878 22,570 20,480 20,200 20,068 19,834 19,411 19,198 19,125 18,995 17,599 17,348 16,420 15,501 14,567 14,338 14,174 12,909 12,787 12,744 12,069 11,863 11,341 11,200 10,453 10,375 10,047 8,679 7,736 6,795 6,510 6,318 27,855

77,277 95,767 62,440 45,904 52,527 46,650 53,447 31,909 35,048 19,228 20,885 19,697 14,607 12,738 19,168 17,772 19,737 15,197 16,836 10,064 15,433 23,298 4,500 19,318 14,683 17,885 11,830 19,881 16,304 22,595 26,444 9,659 8,088 13,823 9,899 15,518 10,801 13,340 17,335 16,524 19,595 12,923 22,208

49,116 50,440 17,715 12,332 11,954 7,870 10,109 9,826 10,577 6,644 4,260 3,753 1,575 3,145 3,292 3,768 3,587 0 3,510 2,957 0 3,327 2,707 3,382 1,878 3,600 3,589 3,252 3,190 3,806 4,582 2,070 2,322 2,489 2,094 2,359 2,042 2,714 3,077 2,263 2,207 2,425 5,964

333,268 341,220 199,728 133,756 113,712 98,344 103,644 69,922 71,889 52,210 49,492 46,260 36,876 36,340 43,595 41,681 43,051 34,395 39,470 32,016 33,033 44,194 23,730 38,200 31,238 36,096 29,914 36,327 32,280 39,788 43,096 23,592 22,610 27,594 22,906 28,252 22,890 24,733 28,149 26,082 28,563 22,284 56,263

16 9 8 9 9 10 11 9 9 13 16 10 14 20 12 13 15 19 18 7 9 9 16 16 16 11 24 14 16 14 9 18 17 22 16 16 10 6 11 14 8 17 555

5,332,289 3,070,979 1,597,823 1,261,124 966,555 983,441 1,140,085 629,298 647,003 678,727 791,865 462,598 516,269 708,625 523,140 541,851 645,769 653,505 710,466 224,114 297,295 397,750 379,678 611,207 499,801 397,051 717,937 508,581 516,485 557,033 387,860 424,650 384,366 607,073 366,496 452,033 228,901 148,400 309,636 365,145 228,500 378,830 31,250,232

181,515 182,440 91,285 64,018 39,493 18,808 33,372 12,888 26,379 11,861 19,484 -180 9,677 14,604 8,130 12,443 11,034 10,025 7,781 9,318 15,553 11,620 6,078 11,284 12,022 10,840 3,894 7,020 4,135 8,191 11,383 2,090 2,732 2,970 4,210 3,039 4,264 7,278 4,773 2,854 5,363 2,384 19,712

Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Up/ down

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Up/ down

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prizemoney: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period.

The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors.

If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

As these tables are based on the prize-money paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses

North Northern Racing Ltd Arena Arena Leisure Ltd I Independently owned racecourse Gold Standard Award

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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

Home team

JUMPS TO GLORY British-breds accounted for four of the Grade 1 winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, with another four races falling to homegrown talent

T

he has remained unbeaten in his last four starts, including the Grade 2 Supreme Trial at Haydock in January.

Having changed ownership again in July 2011 when passing through Brightwells and once more being bought by his trainer, this time for £72,000, Cinders And Ashes now runs for Dermot Hanafin and Phil Cunningham. The latter has of course been successful at the highest level on the Flat as owner of 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel, and Cunningham recently enjoyed a Grade 2 win at Santa Anita in the San Marcos Stakes courtesy of another Val Royal colt, the homebred Slim Shadey.

The Wednesday of the Festival saw the second British-bred Grade 1 winner, this time in the Neptune Investment Management

Countrywide Flame, right, leaps the last

GEORGE SELWYN

here was plenty of cause for cheer for British breeders throughout the Cheltenham Festival with eight Britishbred winners in total, and a Grade 1 winner on each of the four days.

The name Juddmonte Farms is more regularly seen on racecards for the top Flat contests but its dispersals at various horses-intraining sales have thrown up plenty of exciting jumping prospects, the latest of which being Cinders And Ashes.

The five-year-old son of Beat Hollow, from the family of another promising young jumps sire, Brian Boru, was bought by trainer Donald McCain from Juddmonte’s draft at the DBS May Sale in 2009 for just £4,500. His victory in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle caps a highly successful season during which

Simonsig, a first Grade 1 winner for young Shade Oak Stud sire Fair Mix, was bred by Simon Tindall

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www.thetba.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle, which went to Simonsig. By Linamix’s Group 1-winning son Fair Mix, the six-year-old was bred by former Pacemaker owner Simon Tindall from the winning hurdler Dusty Too and was the first leg of a record-breaking four-timer for Nicky Henderson on Queen Mother Champion Chase day.

On Thursday, Riverside Theatre kept the British flag flying. His breeders, Richard and Sally Aston of Goldford Stud, were awarded Breeder of the Month for February (see page 78) for his victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase. The son of the late King’s Theatre now has three consecutive Grade 1 victories to his name following his success in the Ryanair Chase.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle is the traditional curtain-raiser for the final day of the Festival

Cinders And Ashes is the second top-level British-bred jumps winner for Beat Hollow

en route to his Triumph Hurdle victory

Riverside Theatre, left, overturned last year’s winner Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase

and despite the British-bred Grumeti being sent off the 5/1 favourite, he eventually had to settle for third place behind his compatriot Countrywide Flame. Both horses were conceived at Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud in Norfolk, the winner being by the stud’s former resident Haafhd, who has this season been relocated to Beechwood Grange Stud in Yorkshire, and Grumeti a son of Sakhee. The runner-up, Hisaabaat, was by another Britishbased stallion, Dubawi.

Bred by Michael Clarke and sold as a foal for 5,500gns, Countrywide Flame won on the Flat for Kevin Ryan before switching to fellow Yorkshire-based trainer John Quinn. He is out of the Terimon mare Third Party, who is also the dam of dual Listed winner Party Boss.

this time around via the last-gasp victory of Attaglance in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle. The six-year-old hails from the first crop of Passing Glance and was bred by his co-owner Horace Young.

Kayf Tara is in a good position to wrest the sires’ championship back from Midnight Legend for the 2011/12 season and Alfie Sherrin kept that hope alive with his win in the Grade 3 JLT Specialty Chase for the Gold Cup-winning owner/trainer combination of JP McManus and Jonjo O’Neill. Formerly campaigned in the colours of Harry Findlay, Alfie Sherrin, who was bred by Joan Egan, was bought by McManus for £110,000 at the DBS August Sale in 2010 with point-to-point, bumper and hurdles victories to his name.

Son Of Flicka, bred by Christopher Spence’s Chieveley Manor Stud, became Groom Dancer’s top jumps earner with his victory in the Grade 3 Coral Cup, which also netted his owner Phil Williams around £900,000 in winning bets and gave Donald McCain his second winner of the Festival.

Winners kept on coming While Britain’s reigning champion National Hunt sire Midnight Legend was represented by a winner at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, it was the turn of his young Pitchall Farm stablemate Passing Glance to attract some attention THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Another trainer celebrating a double at Cheltenham was Malcolm Jefferson, who sent out the British-bred Cape Tribulation to capture the Listed Pertemps Final. Bred by Taker Bloodstock, he is a half-brother to the prolific winner Potentate, who won twice on the Flat before notching 15 victories over hurdles and fences for Martin Pipe, including a hat-trick of wins in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Cape Tribulation is by the Lanwades veteran Hernando, whose good jumpers include State Of Play and No Refuge, while his Classic-winning son Sulamani is an up-andcoming National Hunt stallion at Yorton Farm.

Special mention must also be made of David Bridgwater’s stable star The Giant Bolster, who came close to springing a 50/1 upset in the Gold Cup when taking the lead before the final fence and finishing runner-up to Synchronised. The Gestüt Fahrhof-bred seven-year-old is a son of Galileo’s full-brother Black Sam Bellamy, who stands alongside Fair Mix at Peter and Emma Hockenhull’s Shade Oak Stud.

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TBA FORUM

TBA acts to ensure thoroughbred breeding is not ignored in Agricultural Policy reform The TBA has received a number of enquiries about what the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms might mean for breeders, despite the fact that these reforms are not yet agreed. TBA Chief Executive Louise Kemble and political adviser Cathy Wainwright have been monitoring the proposals and can now provide an update for members.

The current reform proposals have been some time in the making and were finally published last October. The current timetable is tight but it is thought that they will be operational in 2014. It is therefore important for breeders to be aware that discussions are ongoing and that nothing has yet been set in stone. The TBA currently chairs the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (EFTBA), and is also a board member of the European Horse Network (EHN), and, as such, is continuing to contribute to discussions and proposals at the highest European levels, both within the European Commission and the European Parliament.

On February 28 the TBA arranged a delegation, led by Louise Kemble, to see DEFRA Minister Jim Paice, who is responsible within the department for the CAP reform issue. As an MP local to Newmarket he is also well aware of the importance of thoroughbred breeding in his region. The minister confirmed that the eligibility of stud farms to receive the new version of the Single Farm Payment (the new Basic Payment Scheme) remains from a DEFRA point of view, although until the overall EU budget is agreed we cannot even guess at how the level of payment may change.

With regard to horse breeding, the European Commission’s stance has always been clear – it regards the breeding and rearing of horses as “100% an agricultural activity”. In addition, with the focus in these proposals shifting ever more away from farmers as purely producers towards the payment to farmers as ‘land-managers’, the Commission and others remain positive of the significant role which horse breeding and rearing has to play in the maintenance of Europe’s permanent pastureland.

In terms of the specifics of the reform proposals, the TBA, in general, welcomes many of the proposals in the Commission’s paper on CAP reform, in particular the increased emphasis on permanent pasture.

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Jim Paice: responsible for CAP reform

The proposals for a green payment to “preserve long term productivity and ecosystems” may also not prove too onerous to studs. While we are aware that this is a very controversial proposal, the way stud farms already contribute in a significant way to the maintenance of permanent pasture and the preservation of environmental landscapes should mean that any eligibility criteria are easily attained . Studs, for example, often use hedging or coppice borders, as this also gives a valuable windbreak for young stock.

One of the Commission’s main aims in for permanent pasture is to bring all productive pastureland under the new Basic Payment Scheme which will apply after 2013 and they see it as regrettable that in Scotland, for example, due to using the historical model of payments, all land used by horses was not included in the Single Farm Payment, and will

still not be included after 2013/2014. This is one issue the TBA has continued to highlight with members of the European Parliament and the European Commission.

The TBA will also be keeping an eye on the definition of “active farmer”. The current proposal seeks to narrow the definition to ensure that landowners who have acreage such as golf courses or airports are excluded from new payments and that future recipients are only engaged in genuine grazing or agricultural activity. We have discussed this at length with the Commission and Parliamentarians in Brussels, as well as the DEFRA minister, and have received assurances that stud businesses will continue to be eligible, but we remain alert to any changes in definition which could lead to us inadvertently being excluded.

In summary, while the framework of reform is known, much of the detail of this reform is still being discussed. The TBA has been given reassurances that the new version of the Single Farm Payment will be received by studs which are already eligible and registered. As to the future annual amounts, we do not have a crystal ball, but with the current economic climate it seems reasonable to assume that payments will remain level or slightly decrease – but again until we know for sure the new EU budget this remains very much a ‘guestimate’.

Much of the political lobbying activity conducted by the TBA on behalf of its members this year and next will focus on the importance of retaining eligibility for BPS, and visits to Newmarket stud farms have been arranged for several influential MEPs as part of this strategy.

TBA Board elections Two seats will become available this year on the TBA Board, owing to the completion of terms of office for the Chairman, Kirsten Rausing, and Julian Wilson.

A nomination form was sent to every TBA member in February. Those names appearing on six or more nomination forms will go forward to the ballot for the two seats on the board. Nomination forms

must be returned to Stanstead House, no later than 9.30am on Tuesday, April 10, in order to count.

The representatives on the board are your voice so it is important that you participate in these elections if you want your voice to be heard and we strongly urge all members to exercise their right to vote.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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March award to Shade Oak Stud’s Sharon Cushley The March Stud Staff Award goes to Sharon Cushley of Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire, home to leading NH stallion Alflora.

Sharon joined the stud seven years ago as a general stud hand employed in the day-to-day care of mares, foals and youngsters, but she has now progressed to sales preparation and assisting in the covering yard, and latterly the breaking-in of youngsters on the farm.

According to Shade Oak’s Emma Hockenhull, Sharon loves that job, and is not daunted by dealing with the occasional recalcitrant adolescent.

Her patient and calm manner results in relaxed young horses with lovely mouths perfectly prepared to go on to the next phase of their lives.

Emma describes Sharon as an infectiously happy person to be around, well-liked by all her work colleagues and for whom nothing is too much trouble. More than just a valued member of staff, Emma comments that “we could not be without her”, which makes Sharon another well-deserving recipient of the Stud Staff Award.

TBA Awards dinner This year’s Awards dinner sponsored by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, which will be preceded by a champagne reception, will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at Tattersalls, in Newmarket.

An invitation to apply for tickets will be included in the send-out to all members during the first week of May. Please mark your diaries for this popular event and, to avoid disappointment, please return your ticket applications as soon as possible. The event is strictly limited to 200 places, which are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

TBA annual seminar

Sharon Cushley with Recharge’s first foal, a colt out of Ashnaya

Employers’ notes New rates of Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay

username and password allocated enabling you to access all the TBA Member pages on the site. Visit www.thetba.co.uk to register.

The rates will change on April 9, 2012 as follows:

Grants available for employers taking on apprentices in the breeding industry

• The rate for Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption Pay and Maternity Allowance will increase to £135.45 from £128.73.

• Statutory Sick Pay will increase to £85.85 from £81.60 TBA Members can find this and other employment law information in our Quarterly Employment Law Update No 1, available on the TBA website in the employers’ pages under Employers’ News. To access the pages you will need to register as a TBA member, after which you will have a

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apprenticeship grants for employers of 16 to 24-year-olds are available to small businesses employing an apprentice from February 1, 2012 until March 2013. A grant of £1,500 will be payable to up to 40,000 eligible employers who commit to employ one or more 16 to 24-year-old apprentice for the first time. Breeding industry apprenticeships are available through the National Stud. For further information you should contact Tabbi Smith on 01638 675928.

This year’s TBA Seminar takes place on Thursday, June 28 directly after the TBA AGM, starting with coffee and registration at 10.30am. For 2012, the focus returns to exotic and emerging equine diseases, with prominence given to two less well known diseases in Dourine and Glanders, and other more familiar vector-spread diseases revisited, including Equine Infectious Anaemia, Piroplasmosis and African Horse Sickness.

The theme of the day could be described as ‘lessons learned’, as the speakers engaged have first-hand experience of their topics, and will concentrate on detection, spread, management and control to give breeders in the UK some signposts on how to best to protect themselves.

The recent emergence of Schmallenberg virus transmitted via midges from the continent, which is having such a devastating effect on UK sheep farmers, is a timely reminder of the dangers we could be facing from other similarly transmitted diseases. The seminar aims to provide the latest accurate imformation and members are urged to attend the day.

Further details will be mailed to TBA members in early May, and will also be available on the TBA website shortly. In the meantime, save the date for what promises to be a fascinating and invaluable event.

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TBA FORUM

What’s bothering you?

Many of the calls from members to the TBA’s legal advisor Rachel Flynn (pictured) of Taylor Vinters relate to misunderstandings about what has been agreed, and between whom, when it comes to shared-horse ownership The first mistake is to think that if there is nothing written down, no contract exists.

Wrong. An oral contract is just as binding as a written contract – the only problem is establishing later what you agreed in the first place.

Where the terms are unclear, courts will look back at the situation and decide what the parties intended to be the terms of the contract at the time it was made.

Happily, you don’t need a solicitor at the ready all the time. All you normally require is a bit of foresight at the time you enter into the arrangement. From the commercial perspective, if a shared bloodstock arrangement (foal-share or other joint-ownership) looks too good to be true, it often is. Reluctance by the other side to commit anything to writing or to talk about the

vulgar subject of money is never a good sign. If you are concerned, ask.

The litmus test of any shared-horse ownership scheme is to consider (at the beginning) ‘how will this be if the horse is either much better, or much worse, than we realistically expect?’ If it’s the former, you may find yourself arguing about who owns what percentage share, what the horse’s racing career should be and when it should be sold. If it’s the latter, the arguments can be about who pays the bills and how quickly can we get rid of it. There is no ‘norm’ or ‘standard’ agreement for such arrangements and people’s expectations vary wildly.

A practical approach is to start by jotting down each side’s obligations and how and when each is expected to do their bit. As a minimum, think about when and how the arrangement is going to come to an end, how costs are going to be shared, insurance and how decisions are to be made and what happens if you can’t agree.

Then decide whether that’s enough, or whether you need to take more formal legal advice. In

most cases you will have dealt with the main problem areas in that first document.

TBA members are entitled to initial legal advice from Rachel Flynn at Taylor Vinters.

Contact her on 01223 225168 or Rachel.Flynn@taylorvinters.com.

Your membership will be verified and you will need your TBA membership number to hand when you call.

Godolphin Stud Staff Award winners TBA mares-only award races

The eighth running of the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards produced a cast of inspirational characters whose contribution to the racing and breeding industry received fitting recognition at the awards lunch in London.

Stud category finalists were Frances Eilbeck (Minster Stud), Gordon Laing (Fittocks Stud) and Graham Nicklin (Glebe Stud), and it was

A new initiative launched by the TBA NH Committee to recognise racecourses that support mares-only races has been well received by all seven racecourses which met the criteria set in 2010/2011. In addition to a certificate, the TBA also offered £750 in sponsorship towards another mares-only race. Dates for additional mares’ races set for the coming year are as follows:

PICTURES BY CHRIS SMITH

Gordon Laing, left, and Frances Eilbeck

Stud category winner Graham Nicklin, stud groom at Glebe Stud

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the latter who received the award of £5,000 and a trophy to acknowledge his achievement.

Graham, a former recipient of a TBA bi-monthly Stud Staff Award, has been at Glebe Stud for 12 years, and is highly rated by employer Julia Scott as playing a vital role in the success of the stud.

The awards come at a busy time of year for studs and the finalists did well to escape to London between foalings and coverings. It was good to hear that they enjoyed their experience, and appreciation must go to Godolphin for their sponsorship of the event which has been extended for a further three years.

Aintree

– Friday, May 18

Cartmel

– Saturday, July 21 (TBC)

Towcester – Wednesday, October 10, Mares’ Novice Hurdle Ludlow

– Thursday, October 25, Mares’ Novice Hurdle

Lingfield – Tuesday, November 13 (TBC), Mares’ NH Flat race Doncaster – November or December 2012 Uttoxeter – November or December 2012

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Diary dates APRIL 10

MAY 28

JUNE 28

Nominations for the TBA Board elections must be at Stanstead House by 9.30am.

John Dunlop’s Castle Stables and a tour of the Rolls Royce factory or Goodwood House.

At Tattersalls from 10.30am – Exotic and Emerging Equine Diseases.

APRIL 19

JUNE 12

JULY 3-4

At Cheltenham racecourse; this is a Cheltenham Breeders’ Club day.

John Spearing’s Kinnersley Racing Stables and Simon Sweeting’s Overbury Stud.

APRIL 24

JUNE 14

Two-day visit to Normandy, France, to include racing at Clairefontaine and Deauville, Arqana sales and the opportunity for other trips to local studs/trainers.

James Ewart’s Craig Farm, Dumfriesshire.

Roger Charlton’s Beckhampton House and optional trip to Newbury Races.

Board nominations closing date

South-east regional day

TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Listed Race

Scottish Regional Day

TBA Annual Seminar

Wales & West Midlands regional day

Open Regional Day

South-west regional day

JULY 23-26

International Breeders’ Meeting To be held in Newmarket.

APRIL 30

JUNE 27

2012-2013 TBA/RCA Breeders’ Badge Scheme

TBA NEW MEMBERS

TBA Awards Dinner

If you do not update your TBA/RCA Horseracing Privilege card it will automatically de-activate on April 30.

Sponsored by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd at Tattersalls, Newmarket.

MAY 10

TBA Annual General Meeting

T Anderson Esq, London; Ms E Earley, Clackmannanshire; A Haden Esq, West Midlands; Miss J du Plessis, Cornwall.

18-35: Helen Cogan, Cambridgeshire; Louise Hudson, Oxfordshire; Darren Hudson-Wood, Suffolk.

JUNE 28

The North regional day Richard Fahey’s Musley Bank Stables and Rainbow Equine Clinic.

At Tattersalls Park Paddocks, commencing at 9.45am.

National Hunt HBLB Breeders’ Prizes worth £1,000 or more Breeder

Prize (£)

Horse

Sire

Dam

Based on date money was paid

Date

Course

R. J. Francome

6,000

Restless Harry

Sir Harry Lewis

Restless Native

18/02/2012

Haydock Park

Mrs P. Sly

2,000

Helpston

Sir Harry Lewis

Chichell’s Hurst

25/02/2012

Newcastle

Simon Tindall

1,750

Simonsig

Fair Mix

Dusty Too

15/02/2012

Kelso

The Queen

1,000

Open Hearted

Generous

Romantic Dream

17/02/2012

Fakenham

Flat Breeder

Shadwell Estate Company Limited

Based on date money was paid

Prize (£)

1,800

Horse

Sire

Dam

Junoob

Haafhd

Faydah

Date

Course

25/02/2012

Lingfield Park

*See the table of breeders' prizes effective as from January 1 on the TBA website, www.thetba.co.uk

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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NH BREEDER OF THE MONTH

www.thetb a.co.uk

Words Alan Yuill Walker

FEBRUARY 2011

GOLDFORD STUD

Riverside Theatre and his happy connections

A repeat performance at the top level by Riverside Theatre has coincided with Doncaster Bloodstock Sales’ Golden Jubilee year and, what is more, the eight-year-old can claim an unusually close connection with the Hawick-based auctioneers. The son of King’s Theatre was bred by Richard and Sally Aston of Goldford Stud and consigned by them as a foal to the 2004 Doncaster November Sales.

“After he failed to make his reserve we sold him privately for £17,000 to Jeremy Mactaggart, a director of DBS. I rather bullied him into it I seem to remember,” recalled Richard.

In 2007 Jeremy and Kate Mactaggart obtained 44,000gns for Riverside Theatre when consigned from Goldford to the Doncaster Spring Sales en route to Nicky Henderson’s Lambourn stable for whom he won the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February. He had not raced since winning the same race last year, owing to a pelvic fracture, and he has subsequently won the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

In the interim there have been quite a few developments in and around Goldford Stud, near Malpas in Cheshire. First of all Ballabriggs, who is trained by Donald McCain at Cholmondeley, triumphed in the Grand National, while Goldford Stud celebrated a winner of its own over the big Aintree fences with Stewarts House in the Grand Sefton Chase in December.

While Stewarts House is a great grandson of the Astons’ noted foundation mare Carmarthen Honey, Riverside Theatre is out of Disallowed, who was acquired for 16,000gns as an in-foal mare at Tattersalls’ December Sales of 2001. At the time she was carrying to Xaar and the resulting filly realised 24,000gns at the St Leger Yearling Sales.

Although Disallowed has a Flat pedigree of American origin, she was bought by the Astons specifically to breed jumpers. The mating with King’s Theatre (who died last year) has been repeated several times, albeit her only retained daughter of racing age, Rock Me Gently, is by Sulamani, and recently made her bumper debut.

Always a great admirer of King’s Theatre, Richard Aston is also very keen on Shirocco and is sending him five mares under the terms of the TBA Elite National Hunt Mares Scheme. “We have around 20

78

National Hunt mares,” he explained. “I’m strongly supporting Shirocco by sending him five of our best mares this time, Whiteoak, Theatre Girl, One Gulp, Knock Down and Polivalente.”

The Astons made their name with jumpers (last May their stores at Doncaster accounted for three of the five top prices), but at one stage it looked as though that aspect of the business would be overtaken by their increasing involvement on the Flat. “There was a time when I saw myself as a leading sales consignor on the Flat but since then I have retreated back into my comfort zone,” said Richard.

That is not to say that Goldford Stud does not feature prominently at the yearling sales, and last season they consigned a Danehill Dancer colt which realised 170,000gns at Book 1 of Tattersalls’ October Sale.

Richard aded: “We do have two or three high-profile clients and last season one of them Allan Belshaw, who breeds as Times of Wigan, was represented by his homebred Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up, Sunday Times.”

However, Richard and Sally Aston keep their feet firmly on the ground and they remain very much hands-on – indeed they share the foaling between them. In late January Richard helped Disallowed (19) to produce an own-sister to Riverside Theatre, who arrived very conveniently at 4pm, just in time for tea.

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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16/02/2012 15:42

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THE NEXT GENERATION

By GINA BRYCE

Riding ‘crestival’ of a wave T

he Cheltenham Festival is always a memorable week. For some it’s the thrill of backing the Gold Cup winner, for others the buzz of wading through the Guinness Village or getting up close to your favourite horse in the paddock. For me, this year’s will live long in the memory as my name appeared on the same racecard as AP McCoy. Okay, so we may not have been in the same race but as part of this year’s St Patrick’s Derby charity race, myself and 11 other wannabes were given the chance to follow in his hoofprints around Prestbury Park in aid of Cancer Research UK. The race, the last on St Patrick’s Day Thursday, was over a mile and five furlongs of

Be there...

APRIL 14

John Smith’s Grand National, Aintree Our very own ‘race that stops a nation’ witnessed by a crowd that would stop the traffic. A feast for the eyes and an incredible display for the world’s most exciting steeplechase.

APRIL 17-19

Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sales, Newmarket Even without the funds to hear the hammer come down, Tattersalls’ first breeze-up sale of the year is a fascinating chance to watch the two-year-olds given their biggest test to date and, with half-siblings to 91 Group or Listed performers catalogued, you may just get a first glimpse at a future star.

the New Course and since its inauguration in 2010 has raised over £500,000 for the charity. It was won this year by Olympic event rider and daughter of the late Josh Gifford, Tina Cook, whose victory on her brother Nick Gifford’s Pascha Bere was a poignant one for the pair after the loss of their father earlier this year.

As an Olympic medal winner and honed equestrian athlete, Tina may have had a head start in fitness, but a tough training regime is something all 12 participants were well familiar with come raceday. Acutely aware of just how fit jockeys have to be, the risk of my legs giving way three out, resulting in an involuntary dismount on the famous run in, was enough to spur me on.

Over the last four months I braved many an early-morning riding out with the temperature dial hovering over freezing, watched a few episodes of Scrubs in the squat position and cycled my way through several hours of spinning torture in an effort to prepare for the dreaded Cheltenham hill. As it turned out, the hill proved all conquering and I finished fifth aboard the David Pipe-trained On Khee, but the experience of leading the field turning into the home straight with the grandstand looming in the distance is one I will never forget.

I should pre-empt this account with the news I am no Hayley Turner, no Nina Carberry, nor even a Gina Andrews despite sharing the same name. Prior to being selected to take part, I had

my first taste of race-riding when competing in the Newbury Charity Race last summer.

Someone clearly knew something I didn’t and the bookies swiftly chalked me up at 1-2 before laughing all the way to the bank as I missed the break by 25 lengths and finished near last. I may have had 20lb in hand of the field but had the bookmakers factored in the handicap on board, I should have been a more sensible 25-1.

This time I was determined to give punters a run for their money and being selected to compete at Cheltenham was a dream come true.

In an effort to hone my technique and gain experience I enlisted the help of Newmarket trainer-come-genius John Berry, whose advice and coaching over the past four months transformed my riding. Being based in London and juggling a busy work schedule presenting for At The Races and Timeform Radio led to a hectic bout of early starts and plenty of miles on the clock, but the hard work was a small price to pay for the opportunity of a lifetime.

With the work done, the day of the race lived up to expectations. Opening up my paper on the morning of the day on which we would shortly be seeing Big Buck’s win a historic fourth World Hurdle, I had to pinch myself to wake up to the reality that in just a few hours I would be completing a circuit of the same course in front of 50,000 people. If that didn’t work, scanning the page to read the words: “Gina Bryce may have an exciting time

MAY 5

NGC 2,000 Guineas Day, Newmarket The first Classic of the season and one of the big social events of the Flat racing calendar.

NGC members receive a two-for-one offer to attend the following day’s 1,000 Guineas and join fellow members in the NGC tent for free Pimm’s before 1pm.

MAY 19

NGC Lanwades Stud visit, Newmarket A unique opportunity for NGC members to visit the stud of club founder and TBA Chairman Kirsten Rausing. A tour of the home of Sir Percy will be followed by exclusive access to a box at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Course. To secure a place, register for free at www.the-ngc.co.uk

A proud moment at the Cheltenham Festival for our NGC column collator Gina Bryce

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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www.the- ng c.co.uk aboard the trailblazing On Khee, who often fails to settle under normal race conditions”, certainly brought me back down to earth.

Having been very kindly sponsored by the owners of On Khee and founders of YourGolfTravel.com, my mount was decided well in advance and luckily, despite her slightly overzealous nature, she fitted the bill. I had managed to make the long trip to her Nicholashayne base only twice prior to the race and on the second occasion, in David’s words, “broke the Pond House track record”. It’s fair to say I knew I would be making the running aboard On Khee whether I liked it or not.

With tactics clear in my head, I enjoyed every moment of the pre-race build-up, which kicked off with the meeting of my fellow jockeys. With a line-up that included former jump jockey and Racing UK Presenter Niall Hannity, Jo McCain, daughter of the late Ginger McCain, and Welsh TV star and opera singer Shan Cothi, it was great to chat to them about their experiences

“It’s fair to say I

knew I would be making the running whether I liked it or not” leading up to the race. The camaraderie gave us plenty to discuss, so much so I think coursewalker Steve Smith Eccles was concerned we weren’t paying enough attention to the task.

The buzz in the weighing-room was electric.

Brushing shoulders with Geraghty and McCoy as I collected my saddle from the valets was surreal. Trying to pick it up with almost three stone of lead was not! With the preliminaries over, it was time to head to the paddock amidst a throng of photographers to join my team and receive my instructions. They were brief: jump off prominently and try to make all.

Well aware of the potential for disaster, particularly on a horse that likes to start quicker than Usain Bolt, I managed to weave my way to the front and jump off first. I’d like to think that was down to my riding prowess but something tells me On Khee would have made it there regardless. Thundering round the home turn still in front, I did my best to maintain our lead and despite being caught by a few stronger finishers, I still felt like a winner heading back to the paddock amidst cheers from the crowd, and with more than £8,000 raised for Cancer Research UK. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Nervous excitement as the St Patrick’s Day charity race-riders head out to the paddock

Student diary STEPHEN HEATH Darley Flying Start Billed as the ‘Horse Capital of the World’, Lexington is undoubtedly a great centre for racing. However, it is college basketball that really gets the blood of locals pumping, when twice a week the town turns blue in deference to its beloved University of Kentucky team.

Having attended a home game for the ‘Kentucky Wildcats’, I can attest to the incredible atmosphere, though not the rules.

In recent weeks, it is the question of how devoted the state governance of Kentucky is to horseracing that has been far and away the number one talking point in Lexington.

The racing and breeding industry is centred in Lexington and will continue to be, at least in the short- to mid-term. Beyond that, predictions become foggy, as more and more horses are moved away in pursuit of highly-lucrative purses in states with added income provided by slot machines. Given its big economic impact, American tracks seemingly were able to leverage themselves a share of casino-led income with little trouble.

Just this year the state of New York legislated to allow casino wagering, and slot machines at Aqueduct have led to enormous purses, especially compared to those in Britain.

A maiden at Belmont or Saratoga carried a prize fund of $60,000 and even claimers at Aqueduct have been competing for a fund of $33,000. These purse structures were constructed upon conservative estimates and

now a daily card at Belmont will carry prizemoney of $620,000 and Saratoga will offer a monstrous $930,000 every day of its summer meeting, the prize fund having increased 44% since the introduction of slots.

These changes have massive implications, both in Kentucky and worldwide, if other jurisdictions are to compete with both the remuneration and quality racing on offer in New York. The Kentucky government voted against allowing the people of Kentucky to vote on whether they would like to see the introduction of casinos in the state.

A worrying effect recently is the announcement that Turfway Park will be reducing its purses by 25% for its next meeting; the decision coming days after New York released its upwardly-revised purses.

The Kentucky government will have to decide whether it would like the state to remain as the centre of racing and breeding, and these latest developments are worrisome for the future of racing in the Bluegrass.

However, compared to Britain, prizemoney in America is still at much higher levels. It might well be sooner rather than later that we see British horses carrying out trans-Atlantic raids on $20,000 claiming races. And with up to $50,000 available in such events, who could blame those trainers who decide to join Gerard Butler in muscling in on the action?

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Finance matters: studs and inheritance tax

It is well publicised that studs can qualify for relief from inheritance tax (IHT). This article examines the conditions that must available and secondly it is not lost.

Each case is unique and this article is designed to give a sense of the tax relief. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Broadly, breeding horses is an agricultural activity, as is rearing them to the point where they are broken. If the breeding business is run commercially with a view to profit, then additional relief may come into play as well.

Inheritance tax reliefs There are two available reliefs, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). On a working stud the two reliefs need to be considered together to make sure the position is optimised. APR is given in priority to BPR, but you will read below that BPR can be used to cover value where APR is not available. The IHT reliefs are generally most important on death, but can be important for lifetime transfers as well.

Agricultural Property Relief Relief is available at 100% on the agricultural value of the land and buildings used in the stud. No relief is available on any of the stock of horses owned if you are relying on APR alone.

Relief is restricted to the agricultural value of the property, which means the value as though it could only be used for agriculture (including the stud) in perpetuity. The issue is, of course, that most studs can be sold and used for another purpose. In some cases they may be near to a village or in an area which may receive planning permission. In these situations, the relief is limited to the agricultural value only. There may be a big gap between agricultural value (say ÂŁ6,000 an acre) and open market

value (say ÂŁ150,000 or more per acre, depending how distant planning permission is).

The relief is available at 100% except in very limited circumstances. In order to obtain the relief the property has to have been owned and occupied by the stud for two years or owned and let for agricultural purposes for seven years. Where the stud or any land with the stud is let, APR will not be available if the stables or the land is used for adult horses which are not used for breeding. Livery has an adverse effect on APR, unless the horses at livery are brood mares, youngstock or stallions.

The two major benefits to APR over BPR are that relief can still be obtained on land and buildings where the breeding business is not being run commercially, provided the land is genuinely being occupied by brood mares and youngstock. For example, we have come across situations where there are so many staff that the business will never make a profit if it continues to be run in that way.

The second major issue is that APR is allowable on the agricultural value of a farmhouse. For a house to be a farmhouse, it has to pass several tests: s Is the stud genuinely run from the farmhouse? Is the office in the house? s Has the house been associated with the farm historically? s Is the size and character of the house commensurate with the scale of the stud operation? s Does the house look like a house with land or the farmhouse for a farm? s Would the man in the Clapham omnibus think it is a farmhouse?

Problems arise where the house is too grand for the stud, or where a lot of the land, associated with the house, has been sold off, or where the occupier of the house does not have day-today involvement with the stud business. The last point can give rise to problems where the stud owner becomes too ill to run the business and no one else living in the house remains involved.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is generally sceptical about claims for APR on farmhouses, so building evidence before it is needed is always useful. Photographs of the office in the house, and mares and foals in the paddocks around the house is always a great help in proving that the house is in fact the centre of the stud operations. Having rooms to entertain owners away from the main house is not an indicator of the house being the building from which the stud is directed.

Business Property Relief This relief is available where the stud is a commercial business being run with a view to profit. Issues arise where the stud has been loss-making for several years in that HMRC may seek to deny BPR on the grounds there is not a commercial business.

There are several tests to consider in deciding whether there is a commercial business, but evidence of sales and genuine attempts to run a profitable business assist greatly.

BPR covers the entire value of the business assets, including the stock used in the business. BPR is not available on the farmhouse.

On a commercial stud you can be in the situation where the land, buildings and stock all qualify for BPR and the house qualifies for APR. BPR is available at 100% where: s The land and property are in a business run as a sole trade s Where the land and property are on a partnership balance sheet

s Where the property is owned by a company, and the assets to be relieved are shares in the company BPR is available at 50% where: s The land is owned by a partner and the business is carried on by a partnership s The land is owned by a majority shareholder and used in the company (Husband and wife are treated as one person in deciding whether there is a majority holding) The land and property used by a working stud will qualify for APR. APR is given in priority to BPR. If there is not hope value or amenity value, APR will be available on the full value of the property, and BPR will not be available.

If there is a substantial amount of hope value then, provided the business conditions are met, structuring the ownership to achieve 100% BPR is the best plan. Where this is not possible for any reason, BPR may be available at 50% on the difference between the agricultural value and the full open market value.

Conclusion It is always best to review the business structure for the stud at an early stage, and at regular intervals, to make sure that the generous IHT reliefs are available in your situation. It is all too easy to lose out and for your executors to end up with a large tax liability.

Smith & Williamson is a top ten firm of UK accountants* with a specialist bloodstock and equine team who advises on the tax and financial issues facing owners, breeders, trainers and others in the industry. Drawing on the wide resources of the firm, the team provides comprehensive financial advisory services for both individuals and businesses. The firm also includes an investment management house with over ÂŁ11.5bn of funds under management and advice (as at 31/12/2011).

Key bloodstock and equine specialists at Smith & Williamson:

Joss Dalrymple Head of private client tax 020 7131 4297

Penelope Lang Tax director 01722 434845

Brigitte Potts Senior VAT manager 01722 434822

Peter Treadgold Assurance and business services director 01722 434821

*According to the latest survey in Accountancy magazine Details correct at time of writing

The value of investments and the income derived from them may fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back their original investment.

Past performance is not a guide to the future. Tax and financial planning for the equine sectors is highly complex and this article can only provide an overview. The article does not cover all eventualities, so it is important to seek advice from a specialist if in doubt.

Smith & Williamson Limited Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International.

Smith & Williamson Investment Management Limited Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Smith & Williamson Tax LLP Incorporating BTG Tax Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International.

The Financial Services Authority does not regulate all of the products and services referred to here.

Apr_92_Vet_Forum V2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 17:28 Page 84

VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By SIDNEY RICKETTS, JAMES CROWHURST and RICHARD NEWTON

African Horse Sickness: why import ban must remain in place PICTURES COURTESY OF THE VECTOR-BORNE VIRAL DISEASE PROGRAMME, INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH

The most recent outbreak, which occurred last month in Swaziland, affected horses who had been vaccinated against the disease, three of whom have already died

This horse has a copious nasal discharge, which is one of the clinical signs of AHS

O

n March 6, 2012, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported an outbreak of African Horse Sickness in Manzini, Swaziland. The affected premises consisted of 42 horses vaccinated against African Horse Sickness. Four horses showed clinical signs of disease, three of whom have died to date.

A positive diagnosis was made on postmortem examination. Disease control measures include movement restrictions.

Quarantine is to be applied to the affected premises along with vaccination in response to the outbreak. Investigations are being carried out to identify possible causes of vaccination failure.

The current ban on the importation of horses from South Africa to Europe is harmonised under European Union (EU) legislation and therefore is not solely a United Kingdom (UK) issue. The principal reason for this ban is that the EU prefers not to risk the

84

importation of African Horse Sickness (AHS), which occurs throughout South Africa, including three reported outbreaks in 2012.

Although we (and presumably the EU) consider the likelihood of introduction of disease from South Africa to be very low in terms of the (OIE)/European Food Safety

EFSA definition of risk likelihood Negligible: So rare that it does not merit to be considered Very low: Very rare but cannot be excluded Low: Rare but does occur Medium: Occurs regularly High: Occurs very often Very high: Events occur almost certainly

Authority (EFSA) definition of likelihood (very rare but cannot be excluded, see table), the magnitude and duration of the impact on the equine sector if AHS was to be introduced into the EU would be very high. Therefore, the EU cannot consider anything that would increase the likelihood of introduction.

The movement of live animals is always a balance of risk, and the risk is never zero. The government, taxpayers and the relevant industries come to a mutually agreed acceptable level of protection that minimises the likelihood of disease introduction while allowing business to continue, and this becomes the basis of regulation.

For horses, AHS is a highly unpleasant, invariably fatal acute respiratory disease, borne by arthropod (midge) vectors. During the last few years, similar and previously ‘exotic’ midge-borne virus infections (e.g.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV)), have been introduced into mainland Europe and then have crossed to the east of England on wind-borne midge clouds, causing major disease in and loss of infected animals. EU-legislated movement restrictions for AHS mean that if introduced into the UK (or even western France), much of the UK’s valuable equine industries would be brought to a halt, for an indefinite period, with potentially devastating consequences.

Whilst one must have sympathy for Grant Pritchard-Gordon’s views in last month’s Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder in support of the South African bloodstock industry, the situation is not quite so straightforward as he suggests. We will consider each point made: 1. There are increasing risks of AHS to the UK from subtle changes of climate This is indisputable, as we have recently seen the arrival and survival of previously absent specific arthropod vectors, capable of spreading specific ‘exotic’ diseases. However, in addition, the BTV and SBV outbreaks have shown that the UK is also vulnerable to the wind-borne spread of infected midges across the English Channel from infected areas in

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Apr_92_Vet_Forum V2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 17:28 Page 85

western mainland Europe.

This emphasises that it is in the UK’s interest that the EU remains free of AHS. It is confirmed that the same species of midge that brought BTV virus to the UK can carry AHS. 2. Nothing can be done about this This is basically correct but the initial incursion of BTV into the EU in 2006 remains unexplained and almost certainly did not occur due to climate change alone. It appears that BTV-infected midges were probably imported into Kerkrade, Netherlands in 2006, by means that currently remain unproven. The equine industry and DEFRA are aware of this and it triggered their joint efforts on improved awareness and contingency planning for controlling AHS. 3. DEFRA has already sourced 100,000 emergency AHS vaccines Unfortunately, the vaccines used routinely in South Africa to protect horses there against AHS comprise two ‘polyvalent’ live vaccines, i.e. they both contain multiple serotypes of AHS virus. These products are not really appropriate for protecting horses in the event that a single serotype occurs in a previously unaffected area, as there is the risk of introduction of additional strain types.

We understand, however, that there was a plan for the European Commission to ‘bank’ 100,000 doses of each of seven ‘monovalent’ (single serotype only) live vaccine doses (hopefully providing coverage across all nine by cross-protection), totalling 700,000 doses for use against the specific outbreak serotype only. We also understand that this plan has been aborted following a several-fold increase in the manufacturer’s quoted costs.

Also, these live vaccines are recognised to have serious limitations. Whilst they undoubtedly help give some local population protection under ‘endemic’ South African conditions, they are recognised to be

In summary

1. Importation of equidae is harmonised under EU legislation and any changes must be negotiated at EU level.

2. The magnitude and duration of the impact of an outbreak of AHS would be so great that any action that increases the likelihood of AHS occurring in the UK/EU is not acceptable.

3. The effects of climate change and the movement of other commodities may be outside our

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

incompletely protective and, much more seriously, have been reported to cause clinical disease in some horses, resulting in their death and onward transmission of infection, leading to disease in other horses. The prophylactic use of these vaccines for horses in countries where the disease does not yet occur is therefore not ideal.

DEFRA is funding the development and the EU is encouraging international pharmaceutical companies to develop and licence a new generation of safe, effective AHS vaccines. These will be much more appropriate for use in areas such as the UK, where AHS does not occur but where rapid control, eradication and declaration of freedom from infection would be sought.

A key feature of these vaccines is that they do not contain live AHS virus and animals that have received them can be readily differentiated from those that are naturally infected (so called DIVA vaccines). However, none of these vaccines in development are currently licensed and available for use and, in reality, they are probably several years away.

4. An illogical bias because the UK imports horses from Australia in spite of the risks of Hendra virus infection We believe that in this context, Hendra virus infection is an irrelevant example. Hendra virus is not believed to be insect vector-borne and is spread to horses through ‘spill-over’ events following interaction with a reservoir fruit bat mammalian host (‘flying foxes’). Fruit bats are not present in the wild in the UK or Europe and they would not be borne on the wind, as are midges.

Humans acquire infection from close interaction with infected horses, often through pre- or post-mortem investigations of clinical disease caused by the virus. There have still been relatively very few cases of Hendra infection in both humans (four deaths among seven cases since 1994) and

short-term control, but import safeguard measures are not, and therefore this does not provide valid reasons for relaxing import controls.

4. The EU vaccine bank is not likely to be available in the near future and, even if it was, the use of it to justify importation from South Africa is irrelevant as it would be ‘shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted’ – the emphasis must be on prevention of an outbreak of AHS, not cure.

horses (67 deaths since 1994, with 20 of these among the index cluster in Hendra).

Although 2011 did see an increase in case numbers, the infection has not been seen at all in other years.

Hendra numbers are many fewer than are seen for AHS in endemic AHS areas (e.g.

2,185 horse deaths listed by the OIE in Ethiopia in 2008) and this is in spite of the absence of a Hendra vaccine, although one is now currently being developed. Equine Hendra cases are geographically restricted to Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Affected premises are carefully restricted, quarantined and tested before restrictions are lifted. Infected fruit bats are unlikely to be exported with, or independently of, horses and even if they were there would be no UK/EU fruit bat population for them to infect.

5. An illogical bias because the UK imports horses from America in spite of the risks of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) In both WNV and EEE infections, horses and humans are incidental or ‘dead-end hosts’ and as such there is insufficient viraemia (virus circulating in the bloodstream) generated for horses to act as the source of virus for mosquitoes (the insect vector) to transmit the infection between horses and to act as an introducer of the infection into a new area.

6. DEFRA must be satisfied with existing quarantine arrangements The European Commission will justifiably believe that ‘satisfaction’ does not rely on quarantine alone but also on health certification, disease occurrence, freedom in the region and premises as appropriate for the disease and the area, arrangements for the transportation of horses to and at the point of export, with particular regard to midge control. The history of AHS breakdown in and around the South African export area is a 5. The epidemiologies of Hendra virus, WNV and EEE, are such that they are not relevant examples in this context.

6. Risk reduction to an ‘acceptable level of protection’ sufficient to permit exports is achieved by the sum of a number of measures, which are based on the advice of internationally recognised experts in AHS. All of these measures need to be in place for the system to be effective.

85

>>

Apr_92_Vet_Forum V2_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 17:28 Page 86

VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW cause of concern and the reason why EU safeguard measures have stopped exports.

7. DEFRA is not convinced by the proven protocols in place in Cape Town We cannot speak for the European Commission but must assume that it is because, rather than in spite of, these protocols that South Africa has not exported a case of AHS and that the quarantine station in Cape Town is in an area that does not currently have outbreaks of AHS. However, significant outbreaks of AHS were reported in Cape Town in 2011 and therefore it is difficult to confirm that the area near the quarantine station has never had AHS. The European Commission must also be satisfied that once released from quarantine to travel to and wait in the point of export from Africa, horses are not exposed to AHS-infected midges.

8. Seasonality of AHS in South Africa The pattern of AHS across South Africa is indeed seasonal but it essentially behaves as an endemic disease in which all nine serotypes are maintained from year to year, in the midge populations, probably mainly due

to the presence of wild maintenance hosts such as zebras and donkeys. Other ‘overwintering’ mechanisms may also be involved. In these circumstances it might be disputed whether AHS ever ‘disappears’. It must be considered that the midge population is infected with AHS throughout South Africa and at the points of export.

“AHS is a highly

unpleasant, invariably fatal, acute respiratory disease” 9. Need for vigilance, knowledge, planning and proper quarantine protocols This is undisputed but we do not agree that there is an ‘illogical bias’ against South African bloodstock. Current EU policy must be understood and respected, given the significance of the potentially devastating

adverse impact of AHS in importing countries on horse welfare and equine business, in the event of an incursion.

A recent DEFRA exercise highlighted these impacts very clearly and the EU’s current unwillingness to import horses from South Africa should be viewed as judicious global biosecurity. Prevention has to be better than cure. Ideally, the European Commission should also carefully consider looking at ways to prevent the import of AHS-infected midges from endemic areas in Africa, in aeroplane cargos not associated with horses, e.g. cellophane-wrapped fresh cut flowers and recycled tyres. With a disease like AHS, when the first case arrives it will be too late, both for our horses and for our equine industries.

There is no doubt that the availability of a new generation of safe and effective DIVA vaccines will be a ‘game-changer’ in AHS disease prevention, control and eradication.

We believe that changes regarding South African horse exports should not and are unlikely to change until such a vaccine becomes available and the current AHS disease incidence and disease control picture in southern Africa also change.

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86

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Apr_92_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 17:47 Page 88

CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Classic picture emerging Entries for the Derby are made when potential runners are yearlings, but those for this season’s American and French Classics have only recently been published and make for fascinating reading

W

ith the first entry stage for the Derby closing when the contestants are still yearlings, it is hard to extract any meaningful information from the entries, from a pedigree viewpoint. As most owners and breeders learn to their cost, high hopes usually prove misplaced, with the wished-for Classic contender proving to be ordinary. Even so, it’s impossible not to be fascinated when other countries’ Classic entries are made at a more informative time, early in the contenders’ three-year-old season. The American Triple Crown entries were published in early February, with the French equivalents following later that month.

FRANCE

GEORGE SELWYN

Any breeder who has paid considerable sums to access one of the top stallions will no doubt hope to see these stallions dominating the Classic entries and generally they won’t be disappointed.

France’s impressively detailed daily internet bulletin, Jour de Galop, compiled a list of the stallions with the most entries in this year’s four French Classics confined to three-year-olds.

Unlike in America, where the figures are for individual horses, the Jour de Galop statistics include each individual entry, giving much higher totals.

There are no prizes for guessing that Galileo – a stallion who is out on his own in terms of European stallion fees – tops the list. What

might be surprising is the scale of his dominance. With 57 entries, he has more than double the total of his nearest pursuer, Dansili, who has a still-impressive 25 entries.

These 2012 three-year-olds were conceived in 2008, when Galileo had already donned the mantle of Europe’s highest-priced stallion by a substantial margin. Dansili’s rise through the ranks had seen him move into second place behind Pivotal among the British-based stallions. Pivotal himself has ten French Classic entries, his lower figure no doubt reflecting the fact that his progeny are less likely to shine at around a mile and a quarter.

The Dansili contingent in the Prix du JockeyClub includes several dark horses belonging to Juddmonte, notably the impressive maiden winners Top Offer and Wrotham Heath, and Proviso’s promising once-raced brother Navarre.

They are among Dansili’s nine Jockey-Club entries, which places him second in this Classic to Galileo, with 16. It is the Prix de Diane, though, which Galileo totally dominates, his 27 entries being 12 ahead of his nearest pursuer (Dylan Thomas, of whom more later).

No doubt thanks largely to Godolphin, who must have high hopes of Discourse and Lyric Of Light, Street Cry ranks third on the list, with a total of 22, despite being based in the US. It is worth remembering that his fee in 2008 had doubled from 2007’s $50,000 but had yet to reach $150,000, which he has maintained ever since. Could the best still be to come?

A dual Classic winner himself, supersire Galileo heads the French entries

88

Those who rightly consider Rock Of Gibraltar to be one of the best-value stallions around at his 2012 fee of €17,500 will be reassured to see that his progeny have 17 Classic entries. Among them are his 2011 Group winners Sofast, Rockinante and Samitar. This total of 17 puts him one ahead of his fellow Coolmore stallion Montjeu, who has those excellent prospects Camelot and Wading among his squad.

Montjeu’s 2009 crop numbers ‘only’ 77, compared to Galileo’s 183 and Rock Of Gibraltar’s 164.

Inevitably, one of the most fascinating aspects of the table concerns the stallions who have their first three-year-olds in 2012. I doubt whether Dylan Thomas’s numerous admirers were happy about the lack of a stakes winner among his first two-year-old runners – a lapse which has helped his fee drop to €12,500, a mere quarter of his original price tag. However, it mustn’t be forgotten that Dylan Thomas’s Timeform rating went from 102 as a two-yearold to 129 at three and then to 132 at four, when he was Europe’s champion older horse.

This type of progression could be expected of a horse of his size (16.2hh) and the fact that his progeny have been given 18 French Classic entries (with 12 fillies in the Prix de Diane) suggests that there may be plenty of improvement to come.

The next first-crop sire with substantial entries is Manduro, whose total of 14 includes his Group 1 winner Mandaean and the promising Bonfire. Then comes Teofilo, whose total of 13 includes seven fillies in the Diane, and Lawman. Himself a winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club, Lawman has four Jockey-Club entries among his total of 12. His Poulains and Jockey-Club entries feature his Group 3 winner Loi and Dewhurst Stakes third Most Improved.

Lawman is a grandson of Green Desert, who exerts a strong influence on the French Classics.

Three of his sons account for 38 of the entries, with Oasis Dream’s team of 14 putting him just one ahead of Invincible Spirit and three ahead of Cape Cross. Nowadays it is easy to think of Oasis Dream as Britain’s highest-priced stallion, as he has owned or shared that distinction in each of the last three years. However, his 2012 Classic contenders were sired at £30,000, whereas Invincible Spirit’s were sired at €75,000 and Cape Cross’s at €50,000. With a total of six, Oasis Dream has the most entries of any stallion THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

JOHN REARDON

Apr_92_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 22/03/2012 17:48 Page 89

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense has 11 first-crop Triple Crown nominees

in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, but Galileo shares that honour with Street Cry in the Pouliches. Oasis Dream’s ability to sire animals who stay much better than he did is reflected in his five entries in the Jockey-Club.

Other stallions on the list who deserve a mention are Zamindar and Muhtathir. It is fair to say that Zamindar is held in much higher regard in France than in the UK, thanks to his feat of siring three winners of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in Zenda, Darjina and Zarkava.

Zarkava, of course, went on to win the Prix de Diane and the Arc, while Darjina took the Prix du Moulin. Zamindar has an interesting colt this time, in the runaway Redcar maiden winner Starboard, but he also has four fillies, headed by the smart Zantenda, bidding to provide him with a fourth Pouliches.

It was in 2007 that Muhtathir enjoyed international success with the likes of Doctor Dino, Satwa Queen and Mauralakana, so his 2009 crop – his largest – represents his best chance of capitalizing on those successes. He has a total of 12 entries, including five in the Diane, to make him the best represented of the French-based stallions.

USA In addition to Street Cry, several other American-based stallions featured prominently among those with French Classic entries, these being Hard Spun (9), Distorted Humor (8), Giant’s Causeway (8), Mr Greeley (8), Elusive Quality (7), Street Sense (7) and Dynaformer (6).

Unsurprisingly, several of these also ranked among the most prolific sires of American Triple Crown nominees. Darley must be pleased with THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

the progress being made by Street Sense, the impressive 2007 Kentucky Derby hero who is the highest-ranked of the first-crop sires, with two more than Hard Spun. Street Sense already has two Graded stakes winners to his credit in Motor City and Castaway, and he has several other good prospects, including the impressive American maiden winner Street Life and the British-trained Prince Alzain, who is among his Triple Crown nominees.

It is a measure of the progress made by Horse of the Year Tiznow that he shares top billing on the Triple Crown list, with 12 representatives Stallions with ten or more entries in the French Classics Galileo Dansili Street Cry Dylan Thomas Rock Of Gibraltar Montjeu Manduro Oasis Dream Invincible Spirit Teofilo Zamindar Lawman Muhtathir Cape Cross Anabaa Danehill Dancer Monsun Pivotal Shamardal

from a crop sired at a comparatively modest fee of $30,000. His co-leader, Unbridled’s Song, stood the 2008 season at $150,000. Tiznow, who will always be remembered for defeating European challengers in consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classics, is currently standing his fourth consecutive season at $75,000, so he is ideally placed to enhance his reputation still further.

Another stallion making great strides is the twice-raced Malibu Moon, who has 11 nominees. Having started his career in Maryland at a fee of only $3,000, the very well-connected son of AP Indy is standing the 2012 season at a career-high of $70,000, but his Classic contenders were sired at a fee of $40,000. With the advantage of a slightly bigger crop, Malibu Moon has four more nominees than Bernardini, the next-highest-ranked son of AP Indy on the list. Sadly, Bernardini’s Algorithms, winner of the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, has been knocked off the Kentucky Derby trail by a splint injury, but Bernardini has another live contender in Alpha, winner of the Grade 3 Withers Stakes.

Arguably the finest achievement of any American stallion comes from Claiborne Farm’s War Front. The fast son of Danzig has only around 60 named foals in his second crop.

However, no fewer than ten of them have been Triple Crown-nominated.

Add this to the widescale success enjoyed by War Front, which features the likes of The Factor, Soldat and Summer Soiree, and it is beginning to look as though Claiborne may finally have found a worthy heir to Danzig. The ten-year-old stallion now commands a fee of $60,000, having stood his first five seasons at a fraction of that amount.

American Triple Crown nominees by sire

57 25 22 18 17 16 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 11 10 10 10 10 10

Tiznow Unbridled’s Song Malibu Moon Street Sense War Front Hard Spun Smart Strike Bluegrass Cat Empire Maker Scat Daddy Bernardini Giant’s Causeway Indian Charlie Kitten’s Joy Lawyer Ron Lemon Drop Kid Mr Greeley Rock Hard Ten

12 12 11 11 10 9 9 8 8 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

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DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

National Hunt Grade Ones 145 SPRING JUVENILE HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Feb 12. 16f. Good to Soft.

146 HENNESSY GOLD CUP CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Feb 12. 24f. Good to Soft.

1. HISAABAAT (IRE) 4 b g Dubawi - Phariseek (Rainbow Quest) O-Dr R Lambe, Dominick Glennane B-Ballylinch Stud TR-DK Weld 2. Shadow Catcher (GB) 4 ch g Haafhd - Unchain My Heart (Pursuit of Love) 3. Countrywide Flame (GB) 4 b g Haafhd - Third Party (Terimon)

1. QUEL ESPRIT (FR) 8 gr g Saint des Saints - Jeune d’Esprit (Royal Charter) O-Red Barn Syndicate B-Haras de Saint-Voir TR-WP Mullins 2. Roberto Goldback (IRE) 10 b g Bob Back - Mandysway (Mandalus) 3. Treacle (IRE) 11 ch g Zaffaran - Current Liability (Caribo)

Age 3-4

Age 4-8

Starts 11

Wins 2

Places 6

Earned £55,372

HISAABAAT b g 2008 Seeking The Gold Dubai Millennium

Colorado Dancer

DUBAWI b 2002 Deploy Zomaradah Jawaher Rainbow Quest PHARISEEK b 99 Pharaoh’s Delight

Blushing Groom I Will Follow Fairy King Ridge The Times

Wins 9

Places 2

Earned £168,498

147 DR P J MORIARTY NOVICE CHASE G1

QUEL ESPRIT gr g 2004 Mr Prospector Con Game Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Shirley Heights Slightly Dangerous Dancing Brave High Tern Red God Runaway Bride Herbager Where You Lead Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Riva Ridge Oath of Allegiance

As a highly accomplished two-year-old and miler who commands a fee of £75,000, Dubawi isn’t normally associated with the jumping sector.

However, he is out of a mare by Deploy, sire of such Graded-winning jumpers as Shinrock Paddy, Gagewell Flyer and Caim Hill, and Dubawi’s first few runners over jumps have quickly made their mark. Dodging Bullets and Hisaabaat, a pair who were separated by half a length when first and second in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Sligo in the summer of 2011, have both done well. Dodging Bullets was a good second in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, whereas Hisaabaat became a Grade1 winner in the Spring 4YO Juvenile Hurdle. Hisaabaat is now well on the way to repaying the 55,000gns he cost at the 2011 Autumn Sales.

Hisaabaat was bred by Ballylinch Stud, which has enjoyed a lot of success with the family descending from Hisaabaat's second dam Pharaoh’s Delight. The daughter of Fairy King was a specialist sprinter who reeled off victories in the Windsor Castle, Princess Margaret and Phoenix Stakes in 1989. Although Pharaoh’s Delight failed to win at three, her speed earned her places in the Nunthorpe, Vernons Sprint Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye.

As the next dam Ridge The Times was a two-year-old five-furlong winner, you could be forgiven for thinking that this family is all about speed. However, Pharaoh’s Delight is also the second dam of Red Rocks, the Galileo colt who finished third in the St Leger prior to winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Man o’War Stakes.

Hisaabaat’s dam Phariseek is by Rainbow Quest, a stallion who normally imparted quite a lot of stamina, but she was placed in two Listed races over a mile at three and made her final appearance over seven furlongs. The chances are, then, that Hisaabaat will be kept to around two miles.

90

Starts 16

Quel Esprit’s non-thoroughbred dam Jeune d’Esprit was placed on the Flat and over jumps. Her sister Image De Marque II did better for Martin Pipe, winning four consecutive hurdle races at up to 21 furlongs.

Quel Esprit’s fourth dam Valse Brune was a half-sister to Rivoli, winner of the French Champion Hurdle, and Valse Brune became the second dam of Melinoir, winner of the 1983 French Champion Hurdle.

Green Dancer Cadoudal

Come To Sea

SAINT DES SAINTS b 98 Pharly Chamisene Tuneria Royal Charter JEUNE D’ESPRIT gr 97 Tourbrune

Mill Reef Royal Way Pamponi Ourdibrune

Nijinsky Green Valley Sea Hawk II Camarilla Lyphard Comely Tanerko Torrefranca Never Bend Milan Mill Sicambre Right Away Shikani Pampoca Tourangeau Valse Brune

Many owners would have lost their nerve after seeing their promising young chaser fail to complete the course in three of its first four starts over fences. Indeed, the horse might also have suffered a crisis of confidence. However, Quel Esprit’s connections decided against any uturns after their French-bred gelding was brought down at Punchestown in May 2011, after falls at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. Their determination has paid off handsomely, with Quel Esprit recording three consecutive successes, including his first Grade 1 victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup. Quel Esprit, together with Quito De La Roque, winner of the JNwine.com Champion Chase, is highlighting the talent of the French stallion Saint Des Saints, whose current representatives also include St Devote, winner of a Grade 3 novice chase in Ireland, Saint Palois and Defi d’Anjou, two Listed winners over fences in France, Viking du Berlais, a Listed winner over hurdles at Auteuil, and Lyreen Legend, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles.

His earlier representatives include the Graded winners Saint Macaire, Santa Bamba, Monpilou and Me Voici, plus several Listed winners. These achievements are made all the more impressive by the fact that these winners come from a total of fewer than 190 foals of racing age. Saint Des Saints has more than 80 threeyear-olds in 2012, so we can expect to hear plenty more from him.

A son of the many-times champion French jumping sire Cadoudal, Saint Des Saints won seven times over hurdles and fences, notably winning four Graded races at up to nearly two and a half miles as a four-year-old.

An interesting aspect of Saint Des Saints’s story is that he has done well with grand-daughters of Mill Reef. The useful English chaser Salut Flo and Lyreen Legend are out of mares by Garde Royale, while Quel Esprit is out of a mare by Garde Royale’s brother Royal Charter.

LEOPARDSTOWN. Feb 12. 21f. Good to Soft.

1. LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) 7 ch g Anshan - Final Instalment (Insan) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-J O’Mahony TR-Philip Fenton 2. Call The Police (IRE) 9 b g Accordion - Evangelica (Dahar) 3. Lambro (IRE) 7 b g Milan - Beautiful Tune (Green Tune) Age Starts Wins Places 4-7 11 8 1 See race 73 in the February issue

Earned £160,722

LAST INSTALMENT ch g 2005 Bold Lad Persian Bold

Relkarunner

ANSHAN ch 87 Manado Lady Zi Exbury Grace Insan FINAL INSTALMENT b 95 Augustaeliza

Our Native Artania Callernish Miss Madam

Bold Ruler Barn Pride Relko Running Blue Captain’s Gig Slipstream Exbury Your Grace II Exclusive Native Our Jackie Ruritania Arctic Actress Lord Gayle Azurine Black Tarquin Miss Busybody

covered more thoroughbred mares (242) than any other British or Irish stallion in 2009. Beneficial went on to cover 171 thoroughbreds in 2010 and 190 in 2011. His popularity reflects the Grade 1 chasing victories of his sons Cooldine and Realt Dubh, and he has several other potentially smart jumpers to his credit, such as Kid Cassidy, Monksland, Mount Benbulben, Benash, Peckhamecho and Fists Of Fury.

Beneficial won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot as long ago as 1993 and, at 22, the Knockhouse Stud resident is one of the last available sons of Top Ville, sire also of Un Desperado, Toulon, Pistolet Bleu, Norwich and Shardari. Beneficial is being billed as “an outstanding sales sire in difficult times,” his best price in 2011 being the £250,000 paid for Mount Benbulben.

Benefficient is out of Supreme Breda, an unraced daughter of the two-time champion sire Supreme Leader. Other good current performers out of daughters of Supreme Leader are Blazing Tempo, Champion Court, Massini’s Maguire, Sonofvic, Psycho (all these five being by sons of Sadler’s Wells), Shakalakaboomboom and Tavern Times.

Benefficient’s dam is a half-sister to a couple of talented winners, notably the Irish hurdler Asklynn. Ya Zaman, the sire of Benefficient’s second dam Ask Breda, was a very smart miler in France in the early 1980s.

149 SCILLY ISLES NOVICES’ CHASE G1

148 DELOITTE NOVICE HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Feb 12. 18f. Good to Soft.

NEWBURY. February 17. 20f. Good to Soft.

1. BENEFFICIENT (IRE) 6 ch g Beneficial - Supreme Breda (Supreme Leader) O-A Shiels, Niall Reilly B-P Tomany TR-AJ Martin 2. Sous Les Cieux (FR) 6 ch g Robin des Champs - Joie de La Vie (Quart de Vin) 3. Il Fenomeno (ITY) 6 b g Denon - Fabulous Charm (Fabulous Dancer)

1. FOR NON STOP (IRE) 7 b g Alderbrook - Lost Link (Shernazar) O-Mr Jared Sullivan B-R O’Rourke TR-Nick Williams 2. Micheal Flips (IRE) 8 b g Kayf Tara - Pianissimo (Shernazar) 3. Our Mick (GB) 6 gr g Karinga Bay - Dawn’s Della (Scottish Reel)

Age 4-6

Age 4-7

Starts 8

Wins 3

Places 2

Earned £49,764

BENEFFICIENT ch g 2006

Starts 15

Wins 3

Places 7

Earned £55,192

FOR NON STOP b g 2005

Derring-Do Camenae Top Ville Charlottesville Sega Ville La Sega BENEFICIAL b 90 Nijinsky Green Dancer Green Valley Youthful Primera First Bloom Flower Dance Busted Bustino Ship Yard Supreme Leader Habitat Princess Zena Guiding Light SUPREME BREDA br 01 Gallant Man Ya Zaman Irish Exchange Ask Breda Whistling Wind Winter Serenade Sweet Heart V High Top

Having been pulled up when favourite for an ordinary novice hurdle at Thurles in January, Benefficient started at 50-1 for the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle less than a month later. However, he showed his Thurles performance was all wrong by leading throughout to beat the favourite Sous Les Cieux.

Benefficient had won a point-topoint prior to being sold for €52,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in May 2011. He is a son of Beneficial, a stallion who

Tom Rolfe First Feather Levmoss Le Melody Arctic Melody Thatch Thatching Abella Be Friendly House Tie Mesopotamia Crepello Busted Sans Le Sou Val de Loir Sharmeen Nasreen Alleged Brush Aside Top Twig Furry Glen Facts ‘n Fancies Keep The Link Run The Gantlet

Ardross ALDERBROOK b 89 Twine

Shernazar LOST LINK b 99 Contrast

Alderbrook’s death in November 2007 means that his last crop is already four years old, but we should be hearing from him for several more years.

Alderbrook, of course, was unusual in that he was a very talented performer both on the Flat and over hurdles.

Having won the Group 2 Prix Dollar and Group 3 Select Stakes, he defeated Large Action and Danoli to land the 1995 Champion Hurdle. He was also runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Ganay in the month following his

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Caulfield on Benefficient: “The Deloitte winner is a son of Beneficial, a popular stallion who covered more thoroughbred mares (242) than any other British or Irish stallion in 2009”

Champion Hurdle victory. It’s possible to argue that Alderbrook initially didn’t receive the support he merited.

Fortunately that changed late in his career, after he had been represented by the likes of Ollie Magern, Perouse, Sh Boom, Glenfinn Captain and Baron Windrush. Now Alderbrook has another Grade 1 winner to his credit in For Non Stop, who won the rescheduled Betfair Novices’ Chase.

Although For Non Stop won a point-to-point over three miles, his performances as a mature horse suggest he is ideally suited by somewhat shorter distances. He comes from a first-rate jumping family.

His second dam, Contrast, was a halfsister to Fiddling The Facts, a mare who won the Grade 1 Feltham Novices’ Chase. His fifth dam Last Link was a sister to Fortria, an exceptionally talented and versatile performer who won both the National Hunt Two Mile Champion Chase and the Irish Grand National in 1961.

Fortria also won the Champion Chase on another occasion and was a fine second to Mandarin in the 1962 Cheltenham Gold Cup, before filling the same position in the same race behind Mill House a year later.

Remarkably, Last Link followed Fortria’s example by winning the Irish Grand National in 1963 and she passed on her stamina to her son Last Suspect, who defied odds of 50-1 to win the Grand National at Aintree.

150 ASCOT CHASE G1 ASCOT. February 18. 21.5f. Good to Soft.

1. RIVERSIDE THEATRE (GB) 8 b g King’s Theatre - Disallowed (Distinctly North) O-Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership B-Goldford Stud TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Medermit (FR) 8 gr g Medaaly - Miss d’Hermite (Solicitor) 3. Gauvain (GER) 10 b g Sternkoenig - Gamina (Dominion) Age 4-8

Starts 16

Wins 9

Places 5

Earned £283,428

RIVERSIDE THEATRE b g 2004 Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Raise A Native Princely Native Charlo Crafty Admiral Dennis Belle Evasion Northern Dancer Minshaanshu Amad Tappahannock Distinctive Distinctiveness New Love Hoist The Flag Alleged Princess Pout Sir Ivor Miss Toshiba Royal Warrant Northern Dancer

Sadler’s Wells KING’S THEATRE b 91 Regal Beauty

Distinctly North DISALLOWED b 93 Miss Allowed

After a year off the track, it was exciting to see Riverside Theatre repeat his 2011 victory in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. However, Nicky Henderson’s post-race comment that the gelding’s Cheltenham target was the Ryanair Chase, not the Gold Cup, suggests that he has reservations either about his stamina or his ability (or about pitching him in once more against stablemate Long Run, who was the last horse to beat Riverside Theatre).

That defeat by Long Run came in the King George VI Chase over three miles, the longest distance that the son of King’s Theatre has ever been asked to tackle. There must be some doubts about his ability to stay beyond three miles, as his broodmare sire is Distinctly North. This very fast and precocious performer won three times over five furlongs as a two-year-old, including in the Flying Childers Stakes, and he was narrowly beaten in the Middle Park Stakes. However, Riverside Theatre’s dam Disallowed scored four times as a young hurdler, after winning over nine furlongs on the Flat. Her wins included the Timeform Free Handicap Hurdle.

Riverside Theatre’s second dam, the unraced Miss Allowed, was bred to stay middle distances, with Alleged as her sire and the Pretty Polly Stakes winner Miss Toshiba as her dam. Miss Toshiba’s Sadler’s Wells filly Ikebana produced the Derby second City Honours.

National Hunt Graded races Date 05/02 05/02 05/02 17/02 17/02 17/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 19/02 19/02 19/02 25/02 25/02 25/02 25/02 25/02 25/02 26/02 26/02 26/02 26/02 01/03 03/03 03/03

Grade G2 GrC G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3

Race (course) Tied Cottage Chase (Punchestown) Grand National Trial H Chase (Punchestown) Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) Denman Chase (Newbury) Betfair H Hurdle (Newbury) Game Spirit Chase (Newbury) Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Ascot) Red Mills Chase (Gowran Park) Red Mills Trial Hurdle (Gowran Park) Prestige Novices' Hurdle (Haydock Park) Rendlesham Hurdle (Haydock Park) Grand National Trial H Chase (Haydock Park) Kingwell Hurdle (Wincanton) Flyingbolt Novice Chase (Navan) Ten Up Novice Chase (Navan) Boyne Hurdle (Navan) Bobbyjo Chase (Fairyhouse) Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (Fairyhouse) Racing Plus H Chase (Kempton Park) Pendil Novices' Chase (Kempton Park) Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Kempton Park) Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Kempton Park) National Spirit Hurdle (Fontwell Park) Johnstown Novice Hurdle (Naas) Newlands Chase (Naas) Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase (Naas) Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Thurles) Kelso Novices' Hurdle (Kelso) Greatwood Gold Cup H Chase (Newbury)

Dist 16f 28f 16f 24f 16.5f 17f 24f 20f 16f 24f 24f 28f 16f 17f 24f 21f 25f 16f 24f 20.5f 16f 16f 20f 16f 16f 20f 20f 18f 20f

Horse Sizing Europe (IRE) Portrait King (IRE) Trifolium (FR) Long Run (FR) Zarkandar (IRE) Sprinter Sacre (FR) Invictus (IRE) Rubi Light (FR) Zaidpour (FR) Brindisi Breeze (IRE) Restless Harry (GB) Giles Cross (IRE) Binocular (FR) Donnas Palm (IRE) Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) Mourad (IRE) Prince De Beauchene (FR) Burrenbridge Lodge (IRE) Nacarat (FR) Cristal Bonus (FR) Baby Mix (FR) Grumeti (GB) Third Intention (IRE) Felix Yonger (IRE) Seabass (IRE) Rathlin (GB) Lyreen Legend (IRE) Tap Night (USA) Aerial (FR)

Age 10 7 5 7 5 6 6 7 6 6 8 10 8 8 10 7 9 4 11 6 4 4 5 6 9 7 5 5 6

Sex G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G

Sire Pistolet Bleu Portrait Gallery Goldneyev Cadoudal Azamour Network Flemensfirth Network Red Ransom King's Theatre Sir Harry Lewis Saddlers' Hall Enrique Great Palm New Frontier Sinndar French Glory Ivan Denisovich Smadoun Della Francesca Al Namix Sakhee Azamour Oscar Turtle Island Kayf Tara Saint des Saints Pleasant Tap Turgeon

Dam Jennie Dun Storm Queen Opium des Mottes Libertina Zarkasha Fatima III Clashwilliam Girl Genny Lights Zainta Miss Poutine Restless Native Mystockings Bleu Ciel Et Blanc Donna's Tarquin Polly Plum Mouramara Chipie d'Angron Hasainm Gerbora Cristal Springs Douchka Tetravella Third Dimension Marble Sound Muscovy Duck Princess Timon Bint Bladi Day Mate Fille Formidable

Leading National Hunt sires 2011/12 by earnings Name

King’s Theatre Beneficial Flemensfirth Oscar Presenting Old Vic Anshan Milan Accordion Kayf Tara Bob Back Definite Article Alderbrook Saddlers’ Hall Cadoudal Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Pistolet Bleu Dr Massini Saint des Saints Barathea Alflora Karinga Bay Galileo Overbury

YOF

1991 1990 1992 1994 1992 1986 1987 1998 1986 1994 1981 1992 1989 1988 1979 1981 1996 1988 1993 1998 1990 1989 1987 1998 1991

Sire

Sadler’s Wells Top Ville Alleged Sadler’s Wells Mtoto Sadler’s Wells Persian Bold Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Roberto Indian Ridge Ardross Sadler’s Wells Green Dancer Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Top Ville Sadler’s Wells Cadoudal Sadler’s Wells Niniski Ardross Sadler’s Wells Caerleon

Rnrs

172 258 241 264 262 184 105 204 88 124 97 126 92 90 17 70 77 25 88 11 34 134 113 54 75

Wnrs

62 78 71 61 51 60 25 54 23 42 29 29 25 22 5 23 21 6 23 5 8 30 31 14 23

%WR

36.1 30.2 29.5 23.1 19.5 32.6 23.8 26.5 26.1 33.9 29.9 23.0 27.2 24.4 29.4 32.9 27.3 24.0 26.1 45.5 23.5 22.4 27.4 25.9 30.7

Races

86 108 103 88 66 84 41 77 32 59 41 39 32 31 9 29 24 9 28 9 11 37 46 20 30

AWD

19.4 19.4 19.7 19.4 20.7 20.2 20.9 19.7 19.4 20.5 20.1 20.4 20.2 22.3 23.1 18.9 18.1 20.4 19.3 18.8 17.1 19.8 19.7 19.2 19.5

Earnings (£)

918,120 898,214 874,178 840,642 664,155 611,495 600,533 590,011 586,905 503,202 480,345 379,313 350,834 329,539 320,992 310,863 289,557 279,773 267,344 267,148 261,248 260,748 247,166 246,175 237,882

Top horse

Voler La Vedette Benefficient Flemenstar Big Zeb First Lieutenant Royal Reveille Last Instalment Raya Star Blazing Tempo Carruthers Boston Bob The Real Article Groody Hill Giles Cross Long Run Synchronised Hurricane Fly Sizing Europe Fosters Cross Quel Esprit Overturn Alasi Our Mick Celestial Halo Stewarts House

Broodmare Sire Mandalus Le Bavard April Night Balsamo Kahyasi Bayolidaan Seymour Hicks Lights Out Kahyasi Chamberlin Be My Native Idiot's Delight Pistolet Bleu Husyan Pollerton Kahyasi Grand Tresor Grand Lodge Art Bleu Loup Solitaire Fijar Tango Groom Dancer Suave Dancer Be My Native Moscow Society Terimon Garde Royale Dayjur Trempolino

Index 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179

King’s tough to crack Earned (£)

94,588 49,282 66,974 83,381 50,909 38,797 115,177 107,086 162,106 89,705 68,948 83,319 75,677 70,078 98,965 88,197 59,583 134,791 43,103 103,311 169,018 33,589 25,348 112,421 57,246

Flemensfirth lost his lead in the run-up to Cheltenham as King’s Theatre and Benefical made ground. King’s Theatre’s tally was boosted by Riverside Theatre’s victory in the Ascot Chase and Brindisi Breeze’s in a Grade 2 at Haydock.

With his progeny doing superbly at the Festival – there were Grade 1 wins for the pair just mentioned plus a victory for Balthazar King and fine runs by such as Voler La Vedette – King’s Theatre will once again be a tough nut to crack.

The only other significant movement was Old Vic going from ninth to sixth.

Statistics to March 3

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DATA BOOK LISTINGS OF EVERY WORLDWIDE GROUP OR GRADED STAKES WINNER

Global Stakes Results Date Grade Argentina 11/02 G1 18/02 G2 10/02 G2 10/02 G2 04/02 G2 01/03 G3 24/02 G3 19/02 G3 09/02 G3 07/02 G3

Race

Dist

Horse

G. P. Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz C. Miguel Angel y Tomas Juarez Celman Clasico Guillermo Kemmis Clasico Carlos Casares Clasico Juan Shaw Clasico Derli A Gomez Clasico General Viamonte Clasico Horacio Bustillo Clasico Luis Maria Doyhenard Clasico Fortunato Damiani

10.0f 8.0f 5.0f 5.0f 11.0f 6.0f 5.0f 8.0f 5.0f 5.0f

Bogeyman (ARG) Come Into (ARG) Arte Pop (ARG) Espadilla Nistel (ARG) Jumbalaya (ARG) Muy Alegre (ARG) Tristeza Cat (ARG) Pick Out (ARG) El Bosco (ARG) Renacere (ARG)

Bogeyman gained a ridiculously easy nine lengths victory. Success was handed to him by the insane pace Australia 03/03 25/02 25/02 25/02 18/02 11/02 03/03 03/03 26/02 25/02 25/02 25/02 18/02 18/02 18/02 11/02 11/02 03/03 03/03 03/03 25/02 25/02 23/02 18/02 18/02 12/02 11/02 11/02 11/02 11/02 11/02 05/02

G1 G1 G1 G1 G1 G1 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Australian Guineas Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes Coolmore Lightning Stakes Sportingbet C F Orr Stakes Silver Slipper Stakes Hobartville Stakes Carlton Draught P Young St George Stakes D'Urban Angus Armanasco Stakes BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic Hako Australia Apollo Stakes Patinack Farm Light Fingers Stakes Royal Sovereign Stakes New South Wales TB Breeders' Classic Hyland Colours Autumn Stakes Expressway Stakes PFD Food Services F Tressady Stakes Millie Fox Stakes Boag's Lord Reims Stakes TBV Mannerism Stakes Mad Mex Southern Cross Stakes AAMI Launceston Cup The Vanity C S Hayes Debonair Stakes AAMI Hobart Cup Patinack Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies) Patinack Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g) PPS Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes Catanach's T S Carlyon Cup Schweppes Rubiton Stakes Bow Mistress Trophy

Black Caviar continues to amaze and, following two Group 1 triumphs that took her unbeaten sequence to 19, all roads lead to Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, with one prep run in late April/early May likely prior to departure. The CF Orr Stakes (her seven-furlong debut) was a cakewalk but she was made to work in the Lightning Stakes, registering a sub ten second 200m sectional mid-race prior to beating Hay List by a length and Brazil 12/02 12/02 03/03 04/03 04/03 05/02

G1 G1 G2 G3 G3 G3

G1 G2 G3

Premio El Derby Premio Verano - Arturo Cousino Luisino Premio Thompson Matthews

Quick Casablanca gained handsome reward for honest endeavour after a run Japan 19/02 04/03

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G1 G2

February Stakes Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho

8.0f 6.0f 5.5f 7.0f 5.0f 7.0f 5.5f 7.0f 9.0f 7.0f 9.0f 7.0f 6.0f 6.0f 6.0f 7.0f 6.0f 7.0f 6.5f 13.0f 7.0f 6.0f 12.0f 7.0f 7.0f 11.0f 5.5f 5.5f 6.0f 8.0f 5.5f 6.0f

Mosheen (AUS) Samaready (AUS) Woorim (AUS) Mufhasa (NZ) Black Caviar (AUS) Black Caviar (AUS) Pierro (AUS) Wild And Proud (AUS) Lucas Cranach (GER) Shopaholic (NZ) Upbeat (AUS) Rain Affair (AUS) Sea Siren (AUS) Hot Snitzel (AUS) Steps In Time (AUS) Pied A Terre (AUS) Rain Affair (AUS) Raspberries (AUS) Red Tracer (AUS) Enchanting Waters (AUS) Hi Belle (AUS) No Evidence Needed (AUS) Prevailing (AUS) Shopaholic (NZ) That's The One (AUS) Geegees Blackflash (AUS) Samaready (AUS) General Rippa (AUS) Psychologist (AUS) Manighar (FR) Eagle Falls (AUS) Rebel Bride (AUS)

three-quarters. Poor Hay List has now been a top level runner-up to her four times while narrowing the winning margin with every attempt.

Two younger fillies also put the boys in their place. Samaready landed the initial juvenile Group 1 of the season, the Blue Diamond Stakes, to ease bad memories for her trainer, Mick Price, who landed this contest in 2003 only for Roedean to fail a dope test.

Samaready had three lengths in

G. P. Estado de Rio de Janeiro-Stud TNT GP Henrique Possollo Stud TNT (1000 Gns) Grande Premio Piratininga Grande Premio Presidente do Jockey Club G. P. Presidente Arthur da Costa e Silva Grande Premio Linneo de Paula Machado

Favourites proved decisive winners of both Guineas at Gavea, scoring in the identical time of 1m 33.78s. Old Tune, who beat the 25-1 ex-provincial Huellas de Arena by three-quarters of a length, Chile 05/02 03/02 29/02

which Jorge Ruiz Diaz set on odds-on La Laguna Azul, who was bidding for a Group 1 hat-trick over San Isidro's ten

8.0f 8.0f 11.0f 8.0f 10.0f 10.0f

Plenty of Kicks (BRZ) Old Tune (BRZ) Grapette Repete (BRZ) Quality Control (BRZ) Hunka Hunka (BRZ) Piramide Solar (BRZ)

had been a Group 1 winner at two at Cidade Jardim. She contested all three Sao Paulo fillies' Classics in the second half of last year but was unable to finish closer than fourth.

12.0f 10.0f 8.0f

Quick Casablanca (CHI) Galantuomo (CHI) Ready To Rock (CHI)

of six seconds and a third in Group races, five of them Group 1. He started 8.0f 10.0f

Testa Matta (USA) Cosmo Ozora (JPN)

Age

Sex

6 4 3 3 5 3 6 6 3 3

C F C F M F F C C F

Sire

Dam

Broodmare Sire

Editor's Note (USA) Honour And Glory (USA) Mutakddim (USA) Van Nistelrooy (USA) Pure Prize (USA) Equal Stripes (ARG) Easing Along (USA) Brancusi (USA) Grand Reward (USA) Pure Prize (USA)

Bambuena (ARG) Come Out (ARG) Arteba (ARG) Espadilla (ARG) Just The Same (BRZ) Muy Aplaudida (ARG) Lagrimas De Oro (ARG) Petite Lune (ARG) Grammar (ARG) Jacky Halo (ARG)

Candy Stripes (USA) Romanov (IRE) Southern Halo (USA) Our Native (USA) Gem Master (USA) Acceptable (USA) Contested Bid (USA) Nasty And Bold (USA) Southern Halo (USA) Southern Halo (USA)

furlongs. She folded quickly when joined by Bogeyman at the distance.

Jorge Ricardo’s mount was winning for 4 3 7 8 6 6 3 4 5 4 4 5 4 4 5 4 5 5 5 8 6 6 6 4 4 6 3 3 5 6 7 5

F F G G F F C C H F G G F G M G G M M F F F G F G G F G M G G M

Fastnet Rock (AUS) More Than Ready (USA) Show A Heart (AUS) Pentire (GB) Bel Esprit (AUS) Bel Esprit (AUS) Lonhro (AUS) Snowland (AUS) Mamool (IRE) Pins (AUS) Strategic (AUS) Commands (AUS) Fastnet Rock (AUS) Snitzel (AUS) Danehill Dancer (IRE) Ad Valorem (USA) Commands (AUS) Lonhro (AUS) Dane Shadow (AUS) Dolphin Street (FR) Clangalang (AUS) Shamardal (USA) Secret Savings (USA) Pins (AUS) Snippetson (AUS) Clangalang (AUS) More Than Ready (USA) General Nediym (AUS) Choisir (AUS) Linamix (FR) Hussonet (USA) Telesto (USA)

Sumehra (NZ) Samar (AUS) Wabble (AUS) Sheila Cheval (NZ) Helsinge (AUS) Helsinge (AUS) Right Note (IRE) Blab (AUS) Lots of Love (GER) Splashing Out (NZ) Silverbeat (AUS) I Believe (AUS) Express A Smile (AUS) Flames of Paris (USA) Rare Insight (NZ) Masonette (AUS) I Believe (AUS) La Melba (AUS) Kisma (AUS) Enchanting Royal (AUS) Seldom Caught (AUS) Generosa (NZ) Amulet (AUS) Splashing Out (NZ) Chosen (AUS) La Quita (AUS) Samar (AUS) Nazzuca (AUS) Miss Conception (AUS) Mintly Fresh (USA) Desina (AUS) Striking Sort (AUS)

hand at the line, just as Mosheen did when she beat 14 members of the opposite sex in the Australian Guineas.

Recently part-sold to Japanese owner Katsumi Yoshida, Mosheen also ran away with the Crown Oaks last November but still cannot be named top of her generation – Atlantic Jewel, who brushed her aside the only time they met, is set to return from injury in early April.

Sheikh Mohammed’s two Dubai4 4 6 4 5 4

C F C C M C

Crimson Tide (IRE) Wild Event (USA) Know Heights (IRE) Northern Afleet (USA) Wild Event (USA) First American (USA)

C G C

Until Sundown (USA) Stuka (USA) Interprete (ARG)

6 3

C C

Tapit (USA) Roses In May (USA)

Choctaw Ridge (USA) Irish Fighter (USA) Jules (USA) Music Prospector (USA) De Quest (GB) Minstrel Glory (USA)

Purse, Villeron and Super Pereira. He was ridden by Jorge Ricardo, who is again challenging Russell Baze for the title of winningmost jockey, moving to six behind at the end of February.

Quick (ARG) Gala Day (CHI) In Your Eyes (USA)

a shade of odds-on for the last big prize confined to three-year-olds and proved

Stravinsky (USA) Secret Savings (USA) Canadian Silver (CAN) Mi Preferido (USA) Desert Sun (GB) Desert Sun (GB) Daylami (IRE) Flying Spur (AUS) Java Gold (USA) O'Reilly (NZ) Distant Music (USA) Octagonal (NZ) Success Express (USA) Blushing Groom (FR) O'Reilly (NZ) Grand Lodge (USA) Octagonal (NZ) Grand Lodge (USA) Snippets (AUS) Regal Classic (CAN) Jugah (USA) Generous (IRE) Entrepreneur (GB) O'Reilly (NZ) Redoute's Choice (AUS) Grand Lodge (USA) Secret Savings (USA) Canny Lad (AUS) Danzero (AUS) Rubiano (USA) Desert King (IRE) Blazing Sword (AUS)

bound three-year-old stars, Helmet and Sepoy, both suffered defeats. But while Helmet’s tendency to blow the start resurfaced prior to a dismal 12th place in the Guineas, Sepoy ran exceptionally well under top weight to finish fifth in an Oakleigh Plate which saw Woorim prevail in a blanket finish.

Kiwi invader Mufhasa took advantage of Black Caviar’s absence to make it nine Group 1 triumphs in the Futurity Stakes.

Pleni Turbo (BRZ) Chanson Pour Julia (BRZ) Buy Me Love (BRZ) Guerrilheira (BRZ) Uff-Uff (BRZ) Kasserolle (BRZ)

Plenty Of Kicks, a son of the once John Hills-trained Sadler's Wells horse Crimson Tide, completed a five-timer and gained his third Group 1 win when beating two long-priced sons of Public 4 5 4

the fifth time in 16 outings and had run without distinction in his only two previous Group races.

Cipayo (ARG) Gold Tribute (USA) Eagle Eyed (USA)

himself the only real stayer among the 14 runners after taking over two out.

Difficult (USA) Meine Sharona (JPN)

Concern (USA) Commander In Chief (GB)

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DATA BOOK

26/02 12/02 04/03 03/03 03/03 26/02 25/02 18/02 12/02 11/02 05/02 05/02 04/02

G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Nakayama Kinen Kyoto Kinen Chunichi Shimbun Hai Tulip Sho Yukan Fuji Sho Ocean Stakes Hankyu Hai Arlington Cup Diamond Stakes Kyodo News Service Hai Stakes Daily Hai Queen Cup Kisaragi Sho Tokyo Shimbun Hai Kokura Daishoten

Testa Matta, who has suffered numerous physical problems since winning the Japan Dirt Derby in July New Zealand G1 03/03 G1 25/02 G1 11/02 G1 11/02 G2 25/02 G2 18/02 G2 18/02 G2 11/02 G3 03/03 G3 03/03 G3 18/02 G3 18/02 G3 04/02 G3 04/02

G3

Federalist (JPN) Trailblazer (JPN) Smart Gear (JPN) Hana's Goal (JPN) One Carat (JPN) Majin Prosper (JPN) Just A Way (JPN) Keiai Dosojin (JPN) Gold Ship (JPN) Verxina (JPN) World Ace (JPN) Garbo (JPN) A Shin G Line (USA)

2009, pulled off a 23-1 surprise in the February Stakes. The dual Japan Cup Dirt winner Transcend, who won this

Telecom New Zealand Derby Haunui Farm Otaki-Maori WFA Classic Darci Brahma International Stakes Waikato Draught Sprint J S Contractors Matamata Breeders Stakes The Falls & Mullins Avondale Guineas Cardinal Logistics Avondale Gold Cup Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic (f) Lowland Stakes Darley King's Plate Platinum Homes Taranaki Classic Hooker Pacific Taranaki Cup H S Dyke Waikato Guineas White Robe Lodge Handicap

Silent Achiever landed her fourth Pattern success of the year, but her first at Group 1 level, when coming home two and a half lengths clear in the New Zealand Derby. She was the first filly in 19 years to lift this prize and her trainer Peru 19/02

9.0f 11.0f 10.0f 8.0f 6.0f 7.0f 8.0f 17.0f 9.0f 8.0f 9.0f 8.0f 9.0f

12.0f 8.0f 10.0f 7.0f 6.0f 10.5f 12.0f 10.0f 10.5f 6.0f 6.0f 9.0f 10.0f 8.0f

Silent Achiever (NZ) Veyron (NZ) Shez Sinsational (NZ) Veyron (NZ) Rollout The Carpet (AUS) Silent Achiever (NZ) Single Minded (NZ) Zurella (NZ) Planet Rock (AUS) Durham Town (NZ) Choice Bro (AUS) Jetset Lad (NZ) Silent Achiever (NZ) Jaggard (NZ)

Roger James, who has saddled four other Derby heroes, rates the Australiabound daughter of O’Reilly as possibly the best he has handled.

The Derby runner-up, Rock ‘n’ Pop, had already come up short against

5 5 7 3 6 5 3 6 3 3 3 5 7

H H C F F H C C C F C H C

Empire Maker (USA) Zenno Rob Roy (JPN) Marvelous Sunday (JPN) Orewa Matteruze (JPN) Falbrav (IRE) Admire Cozzene (JPN) Heart's Cry (JPN) King Kamehameha (JPN) Stay Gold (JPN) Deep Impact (JPN) Deep Impact (JPN) Manhattan Cafe (JPN) Giant's Causeway (USA)

Dance Partner (JPN) Lirio (USA) Squarehead Line (JPN) Shanghai Jell (JPN) Baldwina (FR) Hollywood Dream (JPN) Sibyl (JPN) Breeder's Flight (USA) Point Flag (JPN) Halwa Sweet (JPN) Mandela (GER) Yamato Damashii (JPN) Lady Danz (USA)

race last year prior to a fine second in the Dubai World Cup, was in trouble a long way out and finished only seventh 4 7 5 7 3 4 5 4 4 5 3 5 4 5

F G M G F F G F F G C G F H

O'Reilly (NZ) Thorn Park (AUS) Ekraar (USA) Thorn Park (AUS) Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) O'Reilly (NZ) Bachelor Duke (USA) Zabeel (NZ) Fastnet Rock (AUS) Falkirk (NZ) Choisir (AUS) Elusive City (USA) O'Reilly (NZ) Falkirk (NZ)

yet is still being pointed towards another Meydan visit at the end of March.

Winning Spree (NZ) Over The Limit (NZ) Original Sin (NZ) Over The Limit (NZ) Out of Egypt (USA) Winning Spree (NZ) Capacity (NZ) Doneze Girl (NZ) Akris (NZ) Durham Walk (NZ) Ladidi (AUS) Jetset Lass (NZ) Winning Spree (NZ) Centastage (NZ)

older horses, beaten four lengths into third by easy winner Shez Sinsational in the International Stakes.

February was a busy month for Veyron. He upset a supposed match between Mufhasa (second) and

Sunday Silence (USA) Forty Niner (USA) Pas de Seul Shanghai (USA) Pistolet Bleu (IRE) Bubble Gum Fellow (JPN) Wild Again (USA) Cutlass (USA) Mejiro McQueen (JPN) Machiavellian (USA) Acatenango (GER) Generous (IRE) Danzig (USA)

Zabeel (NZ) Centro (NZ) Shinko King (IRE) Centro (NZ) Red Ransom (USA) Zabeel (NZ) Zabeel (NZ) Volksraad (GB) Zabeel (NZ) Marju (IRE) Palace Music (USA) Jetball (AUS) Zabeel (NZ) Centaine (AUS)

Guiseppina (fourth) in the Waikato Draught Sprint. Mufhasa then franked the form with a big-race win in Australia and Veyron confirmed his superiority over Guiseppina (third) in the Otaki Classic.

Clasico Baldomero Aspillaga

10.0f

Zeide Isaac (USA)

7

C

Freud (USA)

Winning Agenda (USA)

Twilight Agenda (USA)

Gauteng Guineas Beting World Gauteng Fillies Guineas Hawaii Stakes Acacia Handicap Chairman's Cup Prix du Cap Tommy Hotspur Handicap Tony Ruffel Stakes Three Troikas Stakes

8.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.0f 16.0f 7.0f 5.0f 7.0f 7.0f

Golden Chateau (AUS) Go Indigo (SAF) Kavanagh (SAF) Europa Point (IRE) In Writing (ARG) Croc Valley (SAF) Deliver The Power (SAF) Pomodoro (SAF) Go Indigo (SAF)

4 4 5 5 7 6 4 4 4

C F H M G F G C F

Chateau Istana (GB) Indigo Magic (GB) Tiger Ridge (USA) Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) Editor's Note (USA) Western Winter (USA) Toreador (IRE) Jet Master (SAF) Indigo Magic (GB)

Accent On Gold (USA) Egyptian Reign (SAF) Quaestio (USA) Gorband (USA) Inalay (ARG) Niyabah (IRE) Tara's Destiny (SAF) Golden Apple (SAF) Egyptian Reign (SAF)

Deputy Minister (CAN) Kabool (GB) Seeking The Gold (USA) Woodman (USA) Candy Stripes (USA) Nashwan (USA) Tara's Halls (SAF) Northern Guest (USA) Kabool (GB)

United Arab Emirates G2 01/03 Commercial Bank of Dubai Zabeel Mile G2 17/02 SOG Operations Balanchine Stakes G2 16/02 Al Tayer Motors Al Fahidi Fort Stakes G2 09/02 Dubal Al Maktoum Challenge 2 G3 01/03 Attijari Al Islami Nad Al Sheba Trophy G3 23/02 S & M Al Naboodah Group UAE Oaks G3 09/02 Dubal UAE 2000 Guineas G3 09/02 Dubal Firebreak Stakes G3 03/02 Gulf News Al Shindagha Sprint

8.0f 9.0f 8.0f 9.5f 14.0f 9.5f 8.0f 8.0f 6.0f

Do It All (USA) Mahbooba (AUS) Viscount Nelson (USA) Mendip (USA) Fox Hunt (IRE) Falls Of Lora (IRE) Kinglet (USA) Sandagiyr (FR) Hitchens (IRE)

5 5 5 5 5 3 3 4 7

H M H H G F C C G

Distorted Humor (USA) Galileo (IRE) Giant's Causeway (USA) Harlan's Holiday (USA) Dubawi (IRE) Street Cry (IRE) Kingmambo (USA) Dr Fong (USA) Acclamation (GB)

Stupendous Miss (USA) Sogha (AUS) Imagine (IRE) Well Spring (USA) Kiltubber (IRE) Firth of Lorne (IRE) Karen's Caper (USA) Sanariya (IRE) Royal Fizz (IRE)

Dynaformer (USA) Red Ransom (USA) Sadler's Wells (USA) Coronado's Quest (USA) Sadler's Wells (USA) Danehill (USA) War Chant (USA) Darshaan Royal Academy (USA)

United States G1 03/03 G1 03/03 G1 03/03 G1 11/02 G1 11/02 G2 03/03 G2 26/02 G2 26/02 G2 25/02 G2 25/02 G2 25/02 G2 20/02 G2 20/02 G2 19/02 G2 18/02 G2 18/02 G2 18/02 G2 11/02 G2 11/02 G2 05/02 G2 04/02 G2 04/02 G2 04/02 G3 03/03 G3 03/03

8.0f 10.0f 8.0f 9.0f 9.0f 8.5f 8.5f 11.0f 8.5f 8.5f 7.0f 7.0f 8.0f 7.0f 8.5f 7.0f 7.0f 7.0f 10.0f 9.0f 8.5f 8.0f 9.0f 8.5f 6.0f

Eden's Moon (USA) Ron The Greek (USA) Willyconker (IRE) Get Stormy (USA) Hymn Book (USA) It's Tricky (USA) Union Rags (USA) Simmard (USA) El Padrino (USA) Yara (USA) The Factor (USA) Yawanna Twist (USA) City To City (USA) Drill (USA) Ellafitz (USA) Magical Feeling (USA) Force Freeze (USA) Thunder Moccasin (USA) Slim Shadey (GB) Game On Dude (USA) I'll Have Another (USA) Mr Commons (USA) Ultimate Eagle (USA) Hansen (USA) Calibrachoa (USA)

3 5 5 6 6 4 3 7 3 3 4 5 5 3 5 6 7 3 4 5 3 4 4 3 5

F H G C G F C C C F C H M C M F C C G G C C C C H

Malibu Moon (USA) Full Mandate (USA) Pyrus (USA) Stormy Atlantic (USA) Arch (USA) Mineshaft (USA) Dixie Union (USA) Dixieland Band (USA) Pulpit (USA) Put It Back (USA) War Front (USA) Yonaguska (USA) City Zip (USA) Lawyer Ron (USA) Tiznow (USA) Empire Maker (USA) Forest Camp (USA) A P Warrior (USA) Val Royal (FR) Awesome Again (CAN) Flower Alley (USA) Artie Schiller (USA) Mizzen Mast (USA) Tapit (USA) Southern Image (USA)

Eden's Causeway (USA) Flambe' (USA) Arme Fatale (IRE) Foolish Gal (USA) Vespers (USA) Catboat (USA) Tempo (USA) Dibs (USA) Enchanted Rock (USA) Ashlee's Lady (USA) Greyciousness (USA) Twist And Pop (USA) Stormbow (USA) Cat Dancer (USA) Skat Girl (USA) Magical Mood (GB) Antifreeze (USA) One Stormy Mama (USA) Vino Veritas (USA) Worldly Pleasure (USA) Arch's Gal Edith (USA) Joustabout (USA) Letithappencaptain (USA) Stormy Sunday (USA) Fort Lauderdale (USA)

Giant's Causeway (USA) Fortunate Prospect (USA) Trempolino (USA) Kiri's Clown (USA) Known Fact (USA) Tale of The Cat (USA) Gone West (USA) Spectacular Bid (USA) Giant's Causeway (USA) Gilded Time (USA) Miswaki (USA) Oliver's Twist (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Dixieland Band (USA) Forestry (USA) It's Freezing (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Chief's Crown (USA) Devil His Due (USA) Arch (USA) Apalachee (USA) Captain Bodgit (USA) Sir Cat (USA) Montbrook (USA)

South Africa G2 25/02 G2 25/02 G2 25/02 G3 25/02 G3 25/02 G3 19/02 G3 14/02 G3 04/02 G3 04/02

Las Virgenes Stakes Santa Anita Handicap Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap Donn Handicap Top Flight Handicap Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes Mac Diarmida Stakes Risen Star Stakes Davona Dale Stakes San Carlos Stakes General George Handicap Buena Vista Handicap San Vicente Stakes Santa Maria Stakes Barbara Fritchie Handicap Gulfstream Park Sprint Ch'ship Stakes Hutcheson Stakes San Marcos Stakes San Antonio Stakes Robert B Lewis Stakes Arcadia Stakes Strub Stakes Gotham Stakes Tom Fool Handicap

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>> 93

Apr_92_global stakes res_Leader 22/03/2012 17:43 Page 94

DATA BOOK LISTINGS OF EVERY WORLDWIDE GROUP OR GRADED STAKES WINNER

Global Stakes Results >>

Date Grade Race United States (cont) G3 03/03 Canadian Turf Stakes G3 25/02 Rachel Alexandra Stakes G3 25/02 Mineshaft Handicap G3 25/02 Sabin Stakes G3 25/02 Fair Grounds Handicap G3 25/02 The Very One Stakes G3 25/02 Tampa Bay Stakes G3 20/02 Southwest Stakes G3 20/02 Southwest Stakes G3 19/02 Hurricane Bertie Stakes G3 18/02 El Camino Real Derby G3 11/02 Suwannee River Stakes G3 04/02 Withers Stakes G3 04/02 Sam F Davis Stakes G3 04/02 Toboggan Stakes G3 04/02 Endeavour Stakes

The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5 is the race on everyone’s lips, even this early in the season, and Hansen and Union Rags, the one-two from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November, both look in good shape.

Hansen atoned for his seasonal debut defeat and at the same time proved he needs neither blinkers nor to make the running when landing the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, while Union Rags could barely have been more impressive in the Fountain Of Youth Stakes.

Bill Mott, who won both classic races at the Breeders’ Cup, has charge

Dist

Horse

8.0f 8.5f 8.5f 8.5f 9.0f 11.0f 8.5f 8.0f 8.0f 6.5f 9.0f 9.0f 8.5f 8.5f 6.0f 8.5f

Doubles Partner (USA) Summer Applause (USA) Nates Mineshaft (USA) Awesome Maria (USA) Smart Bid (USA) Here To Win (BRZ) Roman Tiger (USA) Castaway (USA) Secret Circle (USA) R Holiday Mood (USA) Daddy Nose Best (USA) Snow Top Mountain (USA) Alpha (USA) Battle Hardened (USA) Calibrachoa (USA) Zagora (FR)

of another progressive older horse in the shape of Ron The Greek, who took advantage of the suicidal pace set by the Strub Stakes winner Ultimate Eagle to lift the Santa Anita Handicap in California. Ron The Greek had finished well beaten on his only previous start in top company, just over a year earlier, so he has come a long way in 12 months and has returned a much stronger, better horse aged five.

Get Stormy, running for the first time since finishing unplaced in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, took a third Grade 1 when making all in the Gulfstream Park Turf. Get Stormy, trained by

Age

Sex

5 3 5 5 6 6 7 3 3 4 3 5 3 3 5 5

H F H M C F G C C F C M C C H M

Sire

Dam

Broodmare Sire

Rock Hard Ten (USA) Harlan's Holiday (USA) Mineshaft (USA) Maria's Mon (USA) Smart Strike (CAN) Roi Normand (USA) Tiger Ridge (USA) Street Sense (USA) Eddington (USA) Trippi (USA) Scat Daddy (USA) Najran (USA) Bernardini (USA) Giant's Causeway (USA) Southern Image (USA) Green Tune (USA)

Serena's Sister (USA) Summer Exhibition (USA) Angel's Tearlet (CAN) Discreetly Awesome (USA) Recording (USA) Ascot Belle (BRZ) Sunny's Freckles (USA) Priceless Storm (USA) Ragtime Hope (USA) Polish Holiday (USA) Follow Your Bliss (USA) Motokiks (USA) Munnaya (USA) Jen's Fashion (USA) Fort Lauderdale (USA) Zaneton (FR)

Rahy (USA) Royal Academy (USA) Silver Deputy (CAN) Awesome Again (CAN) Danzig (USA) Falcon Jet (BRZ) Sam's Sunny Hour (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Dixieland Band (USA) Danzig (USA) Thunder Gulch (USA) Storm Cat (USA) Nijinsky (CAN) Northern Fashion (USA) Montbrook (USA) Mtoto

Thomas Bush, has landed eight of his 17 outings, but the six-year-old was winning for the first time since last May when scoring in Florida by half a length from Hollinger.

Hymn Book (in the Donn Handicap) and Willyconker (Frank E Kilroe Mile) both doubled their career earnings with inaugural graded stakes victories. Willyconker, who won twice at Dundalk as a juvenile for Augustine Leahy, was reversing Arcadia Stakes form with the neck second, Mr Commons, while the lightly-raced Hymn Book prevailed by a nose from Mission Impazible to make up for finishing

runner-up the time before in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap to Honor And Serve.

In the three-year-old fillies’ department, the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita went to Bob Baffert’s regally-bred Eden’s Moon after the runner-up, Reneesgotzip, failed to handle the final turn. Baffert will be sending his two recent Grade 2 winners Game On Dude (who took the San Antonio Stakes) and The Factor (San Carlos Stakes) to Dubai to contest the World Cup and Golden Shaheen at Meydan on the last day of March.

Value for money advertising need not break the bank Packages available from £99 – £1,670 Incorporating

For further information please call Anderson & Co tel: +44 (0)1380 816777 e-mail: ga@anderson-co.com 94

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Apr_92_global stakes res_Leader 22/03/2012 17:43 Page 95

DATA BOOK OVERSEAS WINNERS – FULL LIST AT WWW.OWNERBREEDER.CO.UK Breeder Airlie Stud Ballybrennan Stud Ltd Ballygallon Stud Limited Ballylinch Stud Ballylinch Stud Banahan, P. E. Barouche Stud (Ire) Ltd Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd Barronstown Stud Barronstown Stud & Mrs T. Stack Bean, D. Biddestone Stud Botterill, D. R. Brook Stud Bloodstock Ltd Cheveley Park Stud Ltd Cheveley Park Stud Ltd Clee, Mr & Mrs D. D. Clee, Mr & Mrs D. D. Cosgrove, Mrs B. Craig, F. & S.Couldridge Crowley & Mr & Mrs A. P. O'Brien, J. Cullen, K. and Mrs D. G. Hardisty Bloodstock Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Darley Diomed Bloodstock Ltd Doyle Bloodstock Ltd, P. J. du Feu, Mrs D. & Trickledown Stud Easton Park Stud Eddis, Mrs J. P. Elsdon Farms Ennistown Stud Ennistown Stud Epona Bloodstock Ltd Ermyn Lodge Stud Limited Fielding, J. Fitzgerald Harney, Mrs K. Fleming, Miss D. G. B. Bloodstock Limited Good, Mrs P. Grenane House Stud, Steve Hillen & Sean Graham Hannon, Mrs Kathleen Harms, Dr P. Hascombe & Valiant Studs Hayes, P. Highclere Stud Hodgins, R. and Mrs R. Horse Breeding Company Hoyer, J. & W. Igoe, N. Islanmore Stud Juddmonte Farms Ltd. Juddmonte Farms Ltd. Keatly Overseas Ltd Keles, H. Kenilworth House Stud & Haras D'Ecouves Kent & Mr R. Kent, E. Kildaragh Stud & T. Schwizer Kilfrush Stud Killarkin Stud Knight. J. & E. Cantillon Loder, Sir E. J. London Thoroughbred Services Ltd & West Blagdon Stud Mason, C. R. Mason, P. A. McCann, J. Mooney, P. Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd N. P. Bloodstock Limited New England Stud, Myriad & N. Wright Newsells Park Stud Limited O'Dwyer, S. Old Mill Stud & Partners Ormsby, L. O'Shaughnessy, Miss I. Paget Bloodstock Paget Bloodstock Pier House Stud Pocock, Exors of the Late T. E. Rausing, Miss K. Raw, Mrs H. B. Redmyre Bloodstock & Stuart McPhee Ryan, B. Shadwell Estate Company Limited Simcock, D. M. I. Skymarc Farm Stack, Mrs T. & Mrs Jane Rowlinson Stone Ridge Farm Swersky & Associates Tally-Ho Stud Tally-Ho Stud Tarworth Bloodstock & Genesis Green Stud Taylor, Mrs M. Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd & Alan Byrne Twomey, T. Wall, Mr C. J. Waterford Hall Stud Whisperview Trading Ltd Willow Tree Stud Farm Wyck Hall Stud Ltd

Winner Naxos Beach (IRE) Classic Blade (IRE) Bearheart (IRE) Fox Hunt (IRE) Mustaheel (IRE) Rave (IRE) Mr Majeika (IRE) Tropical Blue (GB) Halendale (IRE) Around The Moon (IRE) Russian Rock (IRE) Indigo River (IRE) Flying Destination (GB) Dutchessa (GB) Five Cents (GB) Tryst (GB) Judgement (GB) Sharaayeen (GB) Rainbow Knight (GB) Nova Valorem (IRE) Olynthos (IRE) Dylans Verse (IRE) Zain Shamardal (IRE) Hadba (IRE) Songcraft (IRE) Tesslam (GB) Capponi (IRE) Falls Of Lora (IRE) Moonlight Dash (GB) Jutland (GB) Tahaamah (GB) Wealthy (IRE) Simon de Montfort (IRE) Belle Blonde (IRE) Escholido (IRE) Green Pride (GB) Capitan Futuro (GB) Indigo Way (GB) Facoltoso (GB) Future Generation (IRE) Gothic Dance (IRE) Mutahadee (IRE) Byrama (GB) Cape d'Or (IRE) Porter House (IRE) Dajen (GB) Soho Rose (IRE) Delegator (GB) Tradeside (GB) Eragons Dream (IRE) Doctor Sim (IRE) Bronze Cannon (USA) Where's Romeo (IRE) Celtic King (GB) Giptar (IRE) Betcherev (IRE) Magnolie (IRE) Benwilt Barney (IRE) Willyconker (IRE) Hunting Tartan (GB) Upcountry (GB) Trueblue Wizard (IRE) Exclusive Son (IRE) Top Trip (GB) Crown Prosecutor (IRE) Slipstick (IRE) Rain of Melody (IRE) Brilliant Chariot (IRE) Jamr (GB) Burano (IRE) Sarasota Sunshine (GB) Sooraah (GB) Zezao (GB) Clashnacree (IRE) Flamsteed (IRE) Giopi (IRE) Da Capo (IRE) Chiefdom Prince (IRE) Tigah (GB) Storia Romana (IRE) Itsher (GB) I'malwaysright (IRE) Ridge City (IRE) St Augustine (IRE) St Augustine (IRE) Collect Art (IRE) Prince Douglas (GB) Safir Prince (GB) Happy Sun Percy (GB) Okikoki (GB) Larga Charla (IRE) Aqmaar (GB) Kingdom Of Light (GB) Punjaub (IRE) High Award (IRE) Charming Eyes (IRE) Alfonso The Wise (IRE) Garbah (IRE) Ladyanne (IRE) Saline Hill (GB) Guagliona (GB) Toruk Macto (IRE) Bankrobber (IRE) Lord Lansing (IRE) Happy Dubai (IRE) Tones (IRE) Chez Laurent (IRE) Bonfire Knight (GB)

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Sire Act One (GB) Daggers Drawn (USA) Aragorn (IRE) Dubawi (IRE) Lawman (FR) Oratorio (IRE) Oasis Dream (GB) Fath (USA) Elusive City (USA) Danehill Dancer (IRE) Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) Kodiac (GB) Dubai Destination (USA) Dutch Art (GB) Exceed And Excel (AUS) Highest Honor (FR) Medicean (GB) Singspiel (IRE) Rainbow Quest (USA) Ad Valorem (USA) Chineur (FR) Dylan Thomas (IRE) Shamardal (USA) Cape Cross (IRE) Singspiel (IRE) Singspiel (IRE) Medicean (GB) Street Cry (IRE) Monsun (GER) Halling (USA) King's Best (USA) Refuse To Bend (IRE) King's Best (USA) Lawman (FR) Noverre (USA) Piccolo (GB) Dalakhani (IRE) Encosta de Lago (AUS) Refuse To Bend (IRE) Hurricane Run (IRE) Dalakhani (IRE) Encosta de Lago (AUS) Byron (GB) Cape Cross (IRE) Dark Angel (IRE) Kyllachy (GB) Hernando (FR) Dansili (GB) Trade Fair (GB) Arakan (USA) King's Best (USA) Lemon Drop Kid (USA) Acclamation (GB) King's Best (USA) Kheleyf (USA) Barathea (IRE) Shirocco (GER) Trans Island (GB) Pyrus (USA) Oasis Dream (GB) Oasis Dream (GB) Bachelor Duke (USA) Refuse To Bend (IRE) Dubai Destination (USA) Exceed And Excel (AUS) Slickly (FR) Night Shift (USA) Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) Singspiel (IRE) Dalakhani (IRE) Oasis Dream (GB) Dubawi (IRE) Fasliyev (USA) Footstepsinthesand (GB) Clodovil (IRE) Medicean (GB) Peintre Celebre (USA) Dansili (GB) Dalakhani (IRE) Majestic Missile (IRE) Diktat (GB) Namid (GB) Elusive City (USA) Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) Footstepsinthesand (GB) Choisir (AUS) Sir Percy (GB) Sir Percy (GB) Ishiguru (USA) Elusive City (USA) Green Desert (USA) Exceed And Excel (AUS) Invincible Spirit (IRE) Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) Whipper (USA) Galileo (IRE) Kodiac (GB) Redback (GB) Oasis Dream (GB) Elusive City (USA) Authorized (IRE) Catcher In The Rye (IRE) Mull Of Kintyre (USA) Indian Ridge Strategic Prince (GB) Acclamation (GB) Red Ransom (USA)

Age/sex 3f 6h 4c 5g 3c 4c 3c 6g 3f 3c 5h 3f 5g 3f 5h 7g 4f 5g 4c 4c 4c 3g 4c 4f 4g 5g 5h 3f 4c 5g 4c 5g 5h 3f 4c 9g 3c 4g 3c 4f 3f 4c 3f 5g 3c 6h 3f 6h 5h 5h 3c 7h 4c 9g 5g 8g 4f 5h 5g 5h 4g 6g 5h 3c 4c 3f 6h 5g 4g 3c 6m 5m 6g 5g 6h 5h 6g 5h 4c 3f 6m 5g 5h 4g 4g 5g 4c 3c 3c 8g 3c 8h 5g 4c 4g 5m 5h 4f 4f 3c 3f 3c 5g 5g 5h 3c 3g 5g

Dam Alimony (IRE) Queen Bodicea (IRE) Guana (FR) Kiltubber (IRE) Lidanski (IRE) Almaaseh (IRE) Before The Storm (GB) Tropical Zone (GB) Lightwood Lady (IRE) Moon Flower (IRE) Mala Mala (IRE) Sunny Slope (GB) Fly For Fame (GB) Nippy (FR) Native Nickel (IRE) Courting (GB) Virtuosity (GB) Corinium (IRE) Poli Knight (GB) Utr (USA) Mistic Sun (GB) In My Dreams (IRE) Novelina (IRE) Higher Love (IRE) Baya (USA) Rowaasi (GB) Nawaiet (USA) Firth Of Lorne (IRE) Kind Regards (IRE) Dramatique (GB) Russian Snows (IRE) Enrich (USA) Noble Rose (IRE) Yxenery (IRE) Midnight Partner (IRE) Little Greenbird (GB) Showstar (IRE) Artistic Blue (USA) Fabulous Speed (USA) Posterity (IRE) Future Flight (GB) Mosaique Bleue (GB) Aymara (GB) Sombreffe (GB) Rosalia (USA) Eau Rouge (GB) Russian Rose (IRE) Indian Love Bird (GB) Rich Dancer (GB) Embraceable (IRE) Mas A Fuera (IRE) Victoria Cross (IRE) Our Juliette (IRE) Elfin Laughter (GB) Titania (GB) Clare Bridge (USA) Manda Hill (GER) Image Of Truce (IRE) Arme Fatale (IRE) Delta (GB) Five Fields (USA) Truly Bewitched (USA) La Gradiva (FR) Topka (FR) Miss Brief (IRE) Jillian (USA) Hit The Sky (IRE) Moon Unit (IRE) Never Enough (GER) Kalimanta (IRE) Never Explain (IRE) Al Persian (IRE) Graffiti Girl (IRE) Miss Moore (IRE) Nautical Gem (IRE) Elite Society (IRE) Specificity (USA) Jouet (GB) Macina (IRE) Southern Spectrum (IRE) Shararah (GB) Tashyra (IRE) Absolutely Cool (IRE) Najiya (GB) Najiya (GB) Night Scent (IRE) Sandblaster (GB) Common Request (USA) Question (USA) Crofters Ceilidh (GB) Tinareena (IRE) Hureya (USA) Silver Chime (GB) New Largue (USA) Tarascon (IRE) Private Collection (IRE) Dalawara (IRE) Baraloti (IRE) Gillipops (IRE) Scottish Heights (IRE) Bride Of The Sea (GB) Mythical Girl (USA) Patamar (GB) Miss Beverley (GB) Gentle Wind (USA) Social Honour (IRE) Lorientaise (IRE) Attune (GB)

Ctry Ity Uae Fr Uae Fr Hk Fr Uae Fr Fr Uae Usa Qtr Fr Uae Fr Qtr Uae Fr Fr Fr Fr Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Uae Fr Aus Fr Ity Hk Ity Usa Ity Uae Usa Mal Ity Qtr Fr Uae Fr Fr Fr Uae Sin Uae Mac Fr Fr Hk Usa Qtr Mac Mac Tur Fr Hk Fr Fr Hk Uae Uae Usa Uae Hk Hk Fr Usa Fr Mal Usa Ity Qtr Mac Fr Hk Hk Qtr Ity Fr Fr Mac Fr Uae Hk Fr Hk Fr Aus Uae Qtr Fr Ity Tur Hk Fr Uae Usa Fr Usa

Date 11/03/12 10/02/12 24/02/12 01/03/12 02/03/12 15/02/12 25/02/12 10/02/12 03/03/12 12/03/12 24/02/12 12/02/12 29/02/12 14/03/12 10/02/12 22/02/12 29/02/12 10/02/12 24/02/12 12/02/12 18/02/12 20/02/12 16/02/12 03/03/12 09/02/12 10/02/12 23/02/12 23/02/12 24/02/12 26/02/12 03/03/12 03/03/12 03/03/12 20/02/12 08/02/12 22/02/12 28/02/12 08/02/12 11/03/12 15/02/12 16/03/12 09/02/12 26/02/12 04/02/12 25/02/12 01/03/12 10/03/12 16/02/12 15/03/12 17/03/12 14/02/12 01/03/12 12/02/12 03/03/12 03/02/12 02/03/12 15/03/12 15/02/12 03/03/12 16/02/12 18/02/12 03/02/12 09/02/12 10/03/12 11/02/12 23/02/12 15/03/12 08/02/12 23/02/12 23/02/12 01/03/12 16/02/12 05/02/12 01/02/12 23/02/12 13/02/12 13/03/12 18/02/12 25/02/12 11/03/12 22/02/12 18/02/12 17/03/12 08/02/12 15/02/12 28/02/12 25/02/12 29/02/12 02/03/12 18/02/12 08/03/12 24/02/12 01/02/12 07/03/12 08/02/12 27/02/12 12/02/12 17/02/12 01/03/12 15/03/12 02/03/12 17/01/12 15/02/12 24/02/12 16/02/12 26/02/12 18/02/12 25/02/12

Racecourse Rome Jebel Ali Lyon La Soie Meydan Deauville Happy Valley Cagnes-Sur-Mer Jebel Ali Bordeaux Le Bouscat Compiegne Jebel Ali Santa Anita Al Rayyan Marseille Pont De Vivaux Jebel Ali Cagnes-Sur-Mer Al Rayyan Jebel Ali Lyon La Soie Cagnes-Sur-Mer Cagnes-Sur-Mer Cagnes-Sur-Mer Meydan Meydan Meydan Jebel Ali Meydan Meydan Jebel Ali Abu Dhabi Meydan Meydan Meydan Cagnes-Sur-Mer Kembla Grange Cagnes-Sur-Mer Rome Happy Valley Rome Gulfstream Park Rome Meydan Santa Anita Penang Rome Al Rayyan Saint-Cloud Meydan Amiens Marseille Pont De Vivaux Pornichet-La Baule Meydan Kranji Meydan Taipa Deauville Amiens Happy Valley Santa Anita Al Rayyan Taipa Taipa Izmir Saint-Cloud Sha Tin Marseille Borely Amiens Happy Valley Meydan Meydan Santa Anita Meydan Sha Tin Happy Valley Marseille Borely Parx Racing Saint-Cloud Selangor Santa Anita Rome Al Rayyan Taipa Marseille Pont De Vivaux Happy Valley Happy Valley Al Rayyan Rome Toulouse Deauville Taipa Deauville Jebel Ali Happy Valley Marseille Pont De Vivaux Happy Valley Marseille Borely Ballarat Meydan Al Rayyan Deauville Rome Adana Happy Valley Lyon La Soie Meydan Santa Anita Cagnes-Sur-Mer Golden Gate

Distance 7f110y 7f 1m1f 1m6f11y 7f110y 1m55y 1m 6f 1m 1m2f 5f 6f 1m 7f110y 7f 1m 7f 1m1f 1m2f165y 6f110y 1m 1m2f165y 1m1f110y 1m1f110y 1m4f38y 1m1f165y 1m1f110y 1m1f110y 1m 1m3f 1m3f 1m1f110y 1m2f 1m 1m2f 1m 1m2f110y 1m1f 7f110y 1m 7f110y 1m1f 6f 6f 7f 1m1f55y 1m2f 7f 1m3f 7f110y 1m2f110y 1m2f 6f 6f 5f55y 1m4f 1m3f 1m55y 1m 7f 6f 6f110y 1m2f 1m2f 7f 6f 1m3f 1m55y 1m3f 1m 1m 1m 7f 6f 6f 7f 1m7f 7f 1m 1m110y 6f 7f 7f110y 6f 6f 6f 1m 1m2f110y 6f110y 7f110y 7f110y 7f 5f 7f110y 5f 1m2f 1m3f 6f 1m 1m1f110y 6f 7f110y 6f 1m1f 6f 6f 7f110y 1m

Prize-money (£) 10,416 9,523 7,083 77,883 (Gr3) 10,000 106,733 8,333 6,349 6,667 9,583 12,698 28,626 81,139 8,333 12,698 19,583 10,142 11,640 6,667 9,583 7,500 9,167 42,835 5,841 68,148 9,523 46,730 97,354 (Gr3) 6,349 8,465 7,788 9,735 68,148 6,250 11,546 7,500 6,250 42,643 10,416 19,742 6,250 68,148 22,452 6,200 6,250 15,214 8,458 68,148 6,250 7,500 5,833 58,412 17,317 9,735 6,733 7,917 5,833 24,875 116,129 (Gr1) 8,114 13,242 10,773 7,475 12,083 85,287 7,083 5,833 31,983 46,730 58,412 (L) 10,839 42,835 31,983 42,643 7,500 8,903 13,750 6,200 23,226 6,250 5,578 10,773 10,000 42,643 42,643 70,996 7,500 5,833 10,000 8,529 7,917 6,349 42,643 5,833 24,875 10,000 8,980 7,788 15,214 7,917 6,250 13,809 31,983 7,083 46,730 28,645 (L) 9,583 12,581

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Apr_92_Flashback_Owner 22/03/2012 16:43 Page 96

FLASHBACK

April 9, 1983 Corbiere and Ben de Haan are foot perfect jumping Valentine’s Brook on the second circuit of the Grand National

GEORGE SELWYN

2

1

3

1 Corbiere – Ben de Haan 2 Greasepaint – Colin Magnier 3 Political Pop – Graham Bradley 4 Yer Man – Val O’Connell

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4

T

here were other occasions when the Pitman family were the headline-makers in the Grand National, before and after 1983, but it was that year when history was made, as Jenny Pitman became the first woman to train the winner.

Eight-year-old Corbiere, whom she had brought along steadily, was owned by the Burrough brewing family, who named him after a lighthouse located near their home in the Channel Islands.

Corbiere, partnered by 23-year-old Ben de Haan, had already landed the Welsh National and so was a leading fancy for Aintree, starting at 13-1.

Corbiere was prominent from the off and made the best of his way home from Valentine’s on the second circuit, with other familiar National names like Hallo Dandy, Grittar and Greasepaint in pursuit.

Although three or four rivals were snapping at his heels before two out, accurate jumps at the last two fences enabled him to maintain a definite advantage and he was a few lengths clear at the Elbow.

Greasepaint and Colin Magnier, however, found a second wind and threw down a strong challenge on the run-in, which Corbiere repelled by three-quarters of a length.

Corbiere ran in the next four Nationals, finishing third twice, while Pitman won the race again in 1995 with Royal Athlete, having been denied a victory in 1993 with Esha Ness when the National was declared void.

Pitman, awarded an OBE in 1998 for services to racing, later said: “When you look back through my life, starting off as a stable girl working weekends in a small yard to training a Grand National winner, it’s been a fairytale really.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

C30615.008_SB_Derby_TO&B_297x210_May12_v1_Jewel 07/03/2012 10:37 Page 1

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Darley OB April 2012_Darley OB April 2012 21/03/2012 15:44 Page 1

Extremely promizing...

Authorized had more Timeform 80+ rated juveniles in 2011 than even his sire Montjeu. His first crop includes 14 entered for the Derby and five for the Oaks (only Galileo has more), while second-crop yearlings sold for 180,000gns, €150,000, €140,000, 120,000gns. Besides Sheikh Mohammed, breeders sending him mares this year include Cheveley Park, Jim Bolger, Shadwell, Meon Valley, Lordship Stud and many more of the game’s most astute judges.

AUTHORIZED

Montjeu – Funsie (Saumarez) £10,000 Oct 1, SLF.

The five-length Derby hero who was higher-rated at two than Camelot.

+44 (0)1638 730070 +353 (0)45 527600 www.darleystallions.com

Darley