Thoroughbred Owner Breeder

£4.95 AUGUST 2018 ISSUE 168

Flying high

Trainer Martyn Meade is taking off at Manton

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Alex Frost

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Owner-breeder driving Alizeti’s Tote vision

Oli Bell

ITV Racing presenter enjoying life on the box

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Welcome

Words alone cannot take racing to the next level

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£4.95 AUGUST 2018 ISSUE 168

Flying high

Trainer Martyn Meade is taking off at Manton

PLUS

Alex Frost

08

Owner-breeder driving Alizeti’s Tote vision

Oli Bell

ITV Racing presenter enjoying life on the box

9 771745 435006

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Cover: Trainer and fully qualified pilot Martyn Meade with his helicopter at Manton in Wiltshire Photo: George Selwyn

Edward Rosenthal Editor

ick Rust’s speech at July’s Racehorse Owners Association AGM receives plenty of coverage in this issue, discussed in columns by Nicholas Cooper (page 5) and Howard Wright (page 30) and the AGM report in the ROA Forum (from page 76).

The BHA Chief Executive produced a tour-deforce, discussing a variety of issues concerning the sport – prize-money, equine welfare, integrity and Brexit were all covered, not surprisingly – yet he stated that racing’s single biggest challenge was staying relevant in modern-day Britain.

Rust’s thrust was that racing will only thrive if it reflects the rest of society and resonates with people from all ages and backgrounds. This, in turn, will drive engagement, participation and employment, plus increased media coverage and betting. It all sounds so sensible – but can this vision be achieved? Not by the BHA alone, that’s for sure.

If racing is to move forward in the ways outlined by Rust, it will need ‘buy-in’ from all its stakeholder partners and a co-ordinated plan of action – and that’s where he could have problems, because the BHA, despite its position at the head of the sport, has limited powers in many areas.

Take the example of fixture planning – the recent ‘Super Saturday’, with racing at Newmarket, Ascot and York among six Flat meetings that day was followed by a ‘Sorry Sunday’ of jumping action at Perth, Stratford and Southwell. Clearly, this lopsided weekend would not have been what the BHA – or bookmakers, for that matter – wanted, but there is, apparently, very little they can do about it. Racecourses rule, okay!

Rust praised the progress made through the members’ agreement, a tripartite system of governance and decision-making involving the BHA, horsemen and racecourses. His hopes for racing extending its reach and relevance will only be realised if he is backed accordingly at this level.

Martyn Meade has backed his own judgement by moving his training operation to Manton and the indications are that his brave decision will pay off.

Despite a successful time at Sefton Lodge in Newmarket, during which he sent out plenty of winners, the opportunity to buy into the historic stable once owned by Robert Sangster proved too good to pass up. In exciting two-year-old Advertise, emphatic winner of the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket, he has a horse to dream about for the rest of this season and into next year.

One interesting aspect of the Meade operation success story is the prices they are willing to pay at the sales. By today’s standards they are not big spenders yet have a tremendous record in spotting talent. Showcasing’s son Advertise, for example, was bought for

“Nick Rust’s plans need support from stakeholders or will fail” £60,000 at Goffs UK as a yearling – Phoenix Thoroughbreds have purchased a share in him subsequently.

“We select and buy the yearlings ourselves,” Meade tells Tim Richards (Talking To, pages 48-52). “I head up the buying team, very much supported by my son-in-law Dermot Farrington, who is a bloodstock agent, and my son Freddie, who is my assistant trainer.

“We have strict guidelines that we adhere to when selecting and purchasing the yearlings.

Suffice to say, we value the horses and don’t get carried away with auction fever.

“We buy speculatively and then find owners, if possible with breeding interests because we are always trying to make stallions or broodmares.

We buy stock as opposed to pedigrees; first the individual then we look to the page. And we are always disciplined on price.”

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Contents

August 2018

54

98

8

News & Views

International Scene

ROA Leader Diversity is key to racing’s future

View From Ireland 5

TBA Leader Building on existing bonus schemes

Success story that is Kentucky Downs

18

Features

28

2

Tribute to a training great

8

The Big Picture 30

Roaring Lion survives stewards’ drama

Racing Life

From The Archives

Neighbourhoods, art and style

Talking To...

Inside and outside with a top concierge

36

John Dunlop

Howard Wright Plenty on the BHA to-do list

34

Around The Globe

Tony Morris Peter Willett and his plan for the Pattern

Denmark’s answer to Justify

14

Changes News in a nutshell

32

Continental Tales 7

News Action stations on diversity front

Making the most of a digital age

The 1991 Ebor won by Franny Norton

38

High-flying trainer Martyn Meade

22 26 48

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48

104

22

Features

Forum

The Big Interview

TBA Forum

With Alex Frost

54 62 71

Dr Statz Camelot a coming force

98 104

Forum The Thoroughbred Club Looking forward to Fahey’s

74

ROA Forum Annual General Meeting in spotlight

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93

Piroplasmosis: all you need to know

94

Data Book European Pattern

24 Hours With...

ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell

Bjorn Nielsen, for Stradivarius

Vet Forum

Caulfield Files The magic of Montjeu

88

Breeder of the Month

Sales Circuit Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale

Looking back on some great days out

76

Winners and analysis

99

Did you know?

Our monthly average readership is

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20/07/2018 19:18

Days like these every year only at Tattersalls

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100,000gns+ foals

During the four days of the December Mare Sale 11 Fillies/Mares made 1 million gns or more

On one day alone purchasers spent a European record of 45,665,000gns

Tattersalls December Sales

ENTRIES CLOSING

Foals: August 31st, Fillies/Mares: September 17th enter online at: tattersalls.com

Contact: Matthew Prior Tel: +44 1638 665931, matthew.prior@tattersalls.com

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20/07/2018 11:06

ROA Leader

Nicholas Cooper President

Rust is right: racing must reflect the UK of today S

ometimes it does us good to stand outside of our sport and view it as any member of the general public might.

To consider how we are seen by that great mass of the population who have no connection or interest in horseracing can leave us with a more realistic, if slightly uncomfortable, view of our place in the wider world.

This theme was picked up by BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust when he spoke at the recent ROA Annual General Meeting. After running through all the positive facts and figures that currently relate to racing, he then reminded us of a number of uneasy truths.

Important though it clearly is for us to concern ourselves with matters such as betting shop closures and levy income, racing’s biggest challenge of all, he said, was to remain relevant to the British public.

How relevant, he asked, was racing to the young, to the general sports fan, to people who bet, to the digital world, and to people who are not from a white, heterosexual, able-bodied background? It is this relevance, he told us, that drives betting, attendances, engagement, media coverage, participation, employment and, of course, revenue.

His excellent speech went on to warn of the possible consequences of the changing political landscape where a new government might take a tougher stance on areas such as betting or equine welfare. (He might also have added any future government’s attitude towards the advertising of betting on daytime television, for it is this, of course, that makes racing commercially attractive to the TV companies).

The speech also referred to his “sleepless night” worries, which included the possibilities of high-level equine fatalities skewing the public’s view of jump racing and the impact of Brexit, with its potential effect on the movement of horses and the employment of stable staff.

While the speech told us that racing is Britain’s best performing major sport in audience gender balance (with 40% of our racegoers being female), this contrasted with the fact that only 5% of rides were being taken by female jockeys and only 1% at the top level.

Another of Nick’s uncomfortable truths was that, if we look around on most racedays, we would find a sea of white faces.

Moreover, anybody able to sneak into the board rooms and offices of the sport’s stakeholders would find virtually all white men were making the industry’s big decisions, and very few individuals were openly prepared to identify with an LGBT orientation.

The case for progressing racing’s place in a modern and fastchanging world was not only a moral one, he said, it was also commercial.

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Nick Rust’s words provided a natural link to the sport’s Diversity in Racing Steering Group. Established last September, it is chaired by Nick himself, and only recently published its firstever Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

This impressive document first explains why we should be taking this subject very seriously and then sets out a number of practical proposals to improve racing’s relationship with the wider world. It is not only about our sport making a much greater effort to accommodate a broad range of human differences; it is about understanding what inclusion means.

“Only by acting on these principles of inclusiveness can we be sure of being relevant” “Inclusion,” says the report, “is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognised.

An inclusive sport promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of living of its participants and fans.”

Can the racing world ever aspire to such heights of decency?

Long-term, it must be our goal. Only by making a greater effort to see ourselves as others see us, and acting upon these principles of inclusiveness, can we be sure of maintaining our relevance to the modern world.

See pages 76-77 for the ROA AGM report.

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20/07/2018 17:08

TBA Leader

Julian Richmond-Watson Chairman

Scheme proposed to help smaller breeders T

he Economic Impact Study carried out by Price Waterhouse Cooper for the TBA and the wider industry, which was unveiled at our annual meeting last month and follows a similar exercise published in March 2014, makes for sombre reading.

From its many findings, there is no escaping the fact that an ever-increasing number of breeders in Britain are operating at a substantial loss and have very little chance of achieving any meaningful return on their investment in the sport.

The increasing average age of the small breeder and the relentless escalation in the costs of breeding, allied to personnel skill shortages and poor sales returns below the top tier, add up to an uncomfortable pincer movement. They do not provide any confidence in the future for smaller breeders, and they do not encourage new and younger participants to enter the sport.

While there is evidence that medium and larger operations are holding their own, a rapid decline in the base of small breeders will tend to polarise the industry and inevitably lead to a substantial fall in production of foals in Britain.

It is vital that there is a diverse and sustainable breeding industry to support British horseracing. Relying on a few large broodmare bands, whose owners are also not in the full flush of youth, is decidedly risky, and presents a challenge to everyone involved in the sport.

Finding a solution is paramount if Britain is to remain competitive among the world’s leading horseracing nations. To that end, the TBA has led the Breeding Strategy Group for the industry.

We would love to have come forward with substantial breeders’ prizes, particularly to help the smaller operators. However, the group has had to be realistic about the sport’s overall finances.

Bearing in mind the limited funds available, we have, therefore, led the way in developing proposals for a Premium Scheme that would address some of the issues that currently threaten British breeders.

The cross-industry group is recommending a framework built around two existing schemes – the Plus 10 scheme, which would become solely British qualified, and the Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (MOPS), which is already proving to be extremely successful in National Hunt racing.

The great advantage of taking this approach is that the new schemes can be up and running straight away. Horses already qualified under the existing schemes can take part in the revised proposals in 2019, and while the variations will need to be explained, there is already a general understanding of how such schemes operate. There will be no need to run down existing schemes over a period of years while new ones come into place.

The proposals will simply enhance existing schemes and make

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them pro-British.

Having completed its report, the group is now seeking support across the racing industry. Hopefully, by the time you read these words the necessary backing will have been received to obtain funding from the Levy Board and Racing Authority from 2019 onwards.

The proposal places foals in two categories – those out of British-based mares visiting British-based stallions (Category A), and those out of British-based mares visiting foreign stallions or foreign mares visiting British-based stallions (Category B).

Category A qualifiers will receive twice as much as Category B horses in bonus payments. On the Flat Category A will pay a £20,000 bonus on approximately 850 races for two- and threeyear-olds, and a £10,000 bonus on another 150 fillies-only races.

Approximately 1,900 National Hunt races will carry a £10,000 bonus.

“An ever-increasing number of breeders in Britain are operating at a substantial loss” Full details will be published in the autumn, when financial approval has been received. However, the races chosen for support have been carefully selected to enhance the existing schemes, with the emphasis in the new races being focused more on middledistance performers and three-year-olds on the Flat, and bumper and novice races for jumpers.

The group believes that action is required immediately, hence the 2019 start, and that this is a realistic but highly necessary proposal that will support the British breeder and change behaviour. We very much hope that the whole industry can get behind the proposals.

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20/07/2018 16:00

John Dunlop tribute

‘A great man and a great trainer’ JOHN DUNLOP 1939-2018

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acing lost one of its truly great trainers last month following the death of John Dunlop at the age

of 78.

Dunlop was champion trainer in 1995, saddled around 3,600 winners in a 47-year career and won the Derby with Shirley Heights and Erhaab.

His was a training career littered with top-level successes. Dunlop had champion sprinter Habibti, Irish Derbywinning filly Salsabil, Arc runners-up Balmerino and Leggera, along with champions Awaasif, Shadayid, Elnadim and Mujahid, Derby runner-up Sakhee, and Sheikh Mohammed’s first winner, Hatta.

John Leeper Dunlop was the son of a country doctor who was a keen

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racing fan. After doing his National Service in the Royal Ulster Rifles he worked for two years for trainer Neville Dent, while in 1963 Gordon Smyth hired him as secretary and assistant.

Smyth was private trainer to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk and their friends at their Castle Stables in Arundel, West Sussex. In 1965 Smyth left to take over the horses trained by the ailing Jack Gosden, and Dunlop, then just 26, was appointed successor.

It wasn’t long before the big-race winners started to flow, and in 1970 Dunlop became a Classic-winning trainer when Black Satin landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

In 1974 he won the Gold Cup with Ragstone. He was bred and owned by

the Duke of Norfolk, who had been in charge at Ascot for many years, and it was therefore among the most satisfying wins of Dunlop’s illustrious career.

In 1977 came Hatta, the horse that kick-started Sheikh Mohammed’s passion for British racing, while Balmerino’s second to Alleged in the Arc made him the best older horse in Europe. He was one of the last rides in the career of Ron Hutchinson, Dunlop’s stable jockey, and the trainer was never again to retain a rider, though he was to become strongly associated with Willie Carson after he was employed by owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hamdan was the owner of many of Dunlop’s best horses, notably Salsabil, Shadayid, Marju, Lahib,

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Adam Beschizza

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John Dunlop tribute

Erhaab and Willie Carson in Sheikh Hamdan’s famous blue and white silks streak clear to give John Dunlop a second success in the Derby, this one coming in 1994

›› Erhaab, Bahri, Elnadim, Mujahid and

Sakhee.

The 1978 campaign was all about the most famous horse of Dunlop’s entire career, Shirley Heights, victorious at Epsom before following up in the Irish Derby.

Quick As Lightning won the 1,000 Guineas in 1980, while 1983 was the year of Habibti, who was herself as quick as lightning. She scored decisive victories in the July Cup, Nunthorpe, Haydock Sprint Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye. Wassl (Irish 2,000 Guineas) and Mountain Lodge (Irish St leger) were Classic winners that same year.

In 1984 Circus Plume won the Oaks,

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while in 1985 Dunlop became the first British trainer to be in command of a string of 200 horses – a figure that remains a rarity to this day.

Moon Madness won the 1986 St Leger and 1987 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud – Dunlop was a pioneer of venturing overseas, invariably with considerable success – but the latter year was completely overshadowed by the death of Tim Dunlop, eldest son of John and wife Sue, who had just become a pupil assistant at Chantilly when killed in a car crash.

In 1990 came the champion fillies Salsabil and Shadayid. Salsabil was the highest-profile filly of Dunlop’s

career thanks to three Classic victories.

She followed 1,000 Guineas and Oaks triumphs by defeating the colts in the Irish Derby, and then captured the Prix Vermeille. Shadayid, meanwhile, was champion two-year-old filly and went on to win the 1,000 Guineas a year later.

Dunlop landed the Derby for a second time in 1994 with Erhaab, and was champion of his profession the following year, when Bahri was his key horse.

He had by now become a prodigious fundraiser for charities, especially those connected with stable lads’ welfare, and in 1996 that was recognised by his appointment as OBE.

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Dunlop was a trustee of Racing Welfare, the Moorcroft Centre and the British Racing School, and his open days raised about £250,000 for local charities.

In 1997 Silver Patriarch gave Pat Eddery his 4,000th success in Britain when triumphing in the St Leger. Silver Patriarch was a Derby runner-up, as was one of the best horses Dunlop ever had, Sakhee, who finished second at Epsom in 2000 before being transferred to Godolphin and producing a sparkling four-year-old campaign.

Dunlop enjoyed more notable success himself in 2000, with Millenary winning the St Leger, but for the last ten years of his career, until his retirement in 2012, he was unable to add to his Group 1 collection.

He never owned his Arundel yard, and the business unfortunately went bust, a sad end to a career of glorious achievement. Dunlop is survived by his wife and their sons, Ed and Harry, both successful trainers.

Ed Dunlop said: “From a personal point of view he was just a wonderful father to Harry, myself and our late

brother Tim. My mum and he were a team for so many years, not only on the racecourse – he did so much for charity too. He raised an awful lot of money for various causes and ran lots of events.

“He did so much for charity, raising an awful lot of money for various causes” “He didn’t just train over 3,500 winners, and was a champion trainer, I keep reading he was ‘the ultimate gentleman trainer’ and obviously that’s a personal thing and so nice of people to say about him.”

He added: “From my point of view there’s no doubt I wouldn’t be a

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Shirley Heights and Greville Starkey (rail) swoop late to collar Hawaiian Sound and Bill Shoemaker to give John Dunlop a first Derby triumph

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John Dunlop tribute ›› racehorse trainer if it wasn’t for him.

I’m sure Harry would say the same, and we’ll never get close to achieving what he achieved.”

Tributes to him were plentiful. Willie Carson said: “He was a great man and I rode a hell of a lot of winners for him – more than for any other trainer. He was a super man to ride for and we had a great relationship. We knew what was expected of each other, and we knew what the horse would want without a great debate.

“Salsabil was one of the greatest fillies I ever rode and the day she won the Irish Derby, she beat the colts hands down without me having to touch her.

“I travelled the world with John – to Japan, Australia and so on. What people might not know is that a great passion of his was art, and whenever we arrived in a new city he would seek out the best art galleries and take me along. He taught me all about art, as well as everything else.

“I had a great time with him. It’s very sad news, and devastating for Sue, who has not been in the best of health herself. He was a great man, a great trainer, and a hell of a loss to racing.”

Sheikh Hamdan’s Racing Manager, Angus Gold, said: “We had so many

Sheikh Hamdan’s Salsabil was undoubtedly one of the best horses Dunlop ever handled

fantastic days together and he was a great man in my life. The highlights were winning the Derby with Erhaab – we [Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud operation] have done that only twice, and so that was very special – and winning the three Classics with Salsabil, who was fantastic.

“Salsabil was beautiful and a proper

Classic winner in that she had the speed for a mile and stayed a mile and a half. She was top class, cantankerous and tough, and John trained her beautifully. We haven’t had one quite like her since.

“Sheikh Hamdan had the highest regard for John and was always asking after him.”

Dunlop with Times Up, his last Pattern winner when successful in the 2012 Doncaster Cup – the gelding was later trained by his son, Ed

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News

Action plan revealed to improve diversity in racing T

Wanted! More Josephine Gordons

hose present at the Racehorse Owners Association’s Annual General Meeting in July got an early feel for the importance that BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust has placed on the regulator’s diversity drive.

Rust made his feelings clear on the matter, the day before the BHA published an action plan, put together by the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG).

The plan established both shortand long-term ambitions, with a big focus on the next generation and attracting new audiences. Appealing to minority and urban communities, and opportunities and facilities for female jockeys are also among the key aims, while a Head of Diversity and Inclusion will be appointed.

The action plan covered eight core areas:

• Leadership • Understanding the British racing landscape • Role models, leaders and careers • Recognising and celebrating British racing’s workforce • Supporting and promoting opportunities for female jockeys • Promoting racehorse ownership • Attending, consuming and enjoying racing • Showcasing the horse and understanding the sport Rust, the DiRSG Chair, said: “The publication of this Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan is a moment we hope all in the sport will welcome.

“We have a collective responsibility to ensure the sport is as diverse and inclusive as possible and this plan seeks to ensure we have a focused

Mullins breaks amateur record Patrick Mullins became a recordbreaking jockey when notching his 546th career victory at Sligo last month.

The 28-year-old’s success on debutante Queens Boulevard, trained by his father Willie, in the bumper that day took him clear of Ted Walsh in terms of amateur rider wins.

With no British amateur remotely close to such a figure, the joint Irish/ British record is held by whoever holds the Irish record.

Mullins now does so, and he said: “It’s fantastic, something quite cool.

Obviously, I couldn’t have done it without what my parents have built in Closutton and what my grandparents built in Doninga before that.

“I’m in a very privileged position and it’s good to be able to make the most of it. I’m riding for Willie Mullins, so that makes the job a lot easier.”

That was probably something of an understatement, but Walsh was certainly complimentary of Mullins jnr’s achievement – comprising 512 Irish jumps victories, 25 on the Flat in

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his homeland, plus seven jumps wins in Britain and two on the Flat – as was his father.

Walsh said: “He’s a highly skilled rider with all the attributes. Tactically he’s very good, and I thought his winning ride on Rathvinden in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham

Patrick Mullins eclipsed Ted Walsh’s tally

in March was as good a ride as you could wish to see.

“On and off the track he’s a very special young man. He’s as bright as a button.”

Willie Mullins said in the Racing Post: “It’s a tremendous achievement

by Patrick. He has a huge commitment to racing and to riding and, for a young man of his size and weight, what he’s done has amazed me.”

Mullins’s first ride was in December 2005. That was aboard Screaming Witness, who, remarkably, was the dam of his record-equalling 545th career winner, Irish Lass.

His first winner arrived in June 2006 and there has been little let up.

He has been champion amateur in Ireland ten times, while he has been victorious at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Cousin Vinny (2008 Champion Bumper), Champagne Fever (2012 Champion Bumper), Back In Focus (2013 National Hunt Chase) and the aforementioned Rathvinden (2018 National Hunt Chase).

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Stories from the racing world approach to making that happen in the months and years ahead.

“At a time when we need to be attracting the best talent and growing our sport there is a clear commercial, as well as moral case, for making sure British racing is a sport where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and where fans of all communities feel welcome.”

Josh Apiafi, DiRSG member, said: “Every member of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group brings experience, expertise and energy to the discussion on diversity and inclusion.

“We want to support the excellent work already going on in the sport while helping to provide new ideas which can be developed and delivered on a collaborative basis, requiring commitment from everyone in the sport.”

The other members of the DiRSG are: Catherine Beloff, Linda Bowles, Guy Disney, Susannah Gill, Debbie Grey, Francesca Leyland, Victoria Morgan, Lee Mottershead, Rishi Persad, Patricia Pugh, Harriet Rochester, Tanya Stevenson, Sulekha Varma and Laura Whyte.

Plus 10 foal registration deadline The registration deadline to enter 2018-born horses for the Plus 10 bonus scheme is August 31.

It pays £10,000/€12,500 bonuses to fully qualified winning horses on top of prize-money for around 750 British and Irish Flat races for two- and three-year-olds each year. More than £13 million worth of Plus 10 bonuses have been paid out to date.

Breeders who register a foal for Plus 10 at a cost of £150 will win £1,000 if the horse goes on to win a Plus 10 bonus – a return on investment over six times – irrespective of whether the subsequent yearling and owner Plus 10 registrations are made.

Please note, horses are limited to one bonus prize only.

Further information about Plus 10, including registration forms, is available at plus10bonus.com or contact Lowri Allen via lallen@ plus10bonus.com

Cheltenham cheers as Magners signs four-year Gold Cup deal

Native River landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season, when it was backed by Timico

The most prestigious jumps race in the world will be run as the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup in March next year.

Timico had been the sponsor of the Cheltenham Festival’s showpiece event, but that deal expired this year and Cheltenham have signed a fouryear deal with Magners Irish Cider.

In addition, the agreement will also see Magners Irish Cider become the presenting partner across all four days of the meeting, which will be recognised as ‘The Festival, presented by Magners’.

Jason Ash, Chief Marketing Officer of C&C Group plc, said: “Magners Cider is 100% Irish, made in Clonmel, County Tipperary, where William Magner first started making cider over 80 years ago.

“Famous for our Irish heritage, sociability and positive view on life, we are truly excited to put our name to the most prestigious jump race in Europe and partner with one of the UK’s best sporting and social occasions as a platform to engage fans and bring Magners to a global audience.

“Given the Festival is a major occasion in the sporting calendar of racing fans across the world,

especially in the UK and Ireland, we are delighted to be a part of such an iconic event.”

He added: “We see our partnership with the Festival and the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup as a perfect fit, providing a year-round platform to bring to life our new ‘100% Irish’ positioning to consumers in the UK and internationally.”

Cheltenham boss Ian Renton said: “To work with Magners over the next four years is something our whole team is hugely looking forward to.

I believe this partnership, with a brand of provenance and heritage like Magners, will provide a big opportunity for both parties.

“In the build-up to the Festival each year a third of the tickets purchased are by Irish racegoers, so we feel this partnership is a great fit and we are delighted to be working alongside a partner with such a strong Irish heritage and appeal in the UK, Ireland and beyond.”

He added: “As well as looking forward to staging the first Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, 2019 will be the first time the Festival has had a presenting partner to promote the whole event to an even wider audience.”

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News

Success for British breeders celebrated at TBA Awards The success of British-bred horses on the Flat and over jumps through the TBA’s centenary year in 2017 was celebrated at the annual awards dinner at Newmarket’s July Course on July 18.

Of the individual breeders recognised at the prestigious ceremony, Robert, Wendy and Nick Pocock of Stringston Farm collected the TBA Silver Salver for the success of Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling, who was a first Group 1 winner for the Somerset breeders.

When Enable won last year’s Oaks en route to five consecutive top-flight victories she became the 200th Group 1 winner for her breeder Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms. Unsurprisingly, Juddmonte was awarded the TBA Sliver Rose Bowl for Flat Breeder of the Year for the fifth time, while Enable’s dam Concentric was honoured with the HJ Joel Silver Salver for Flat Broodmare of the Year.

The Langham Cup for Small Flat Breeder of the Year was presented to an operation which may be small in breeding terms but is one of the largest ownership syndicates in the country, Elite Racing Club.

Founded 25 years ago by Tony Hill, Elite Racing Club has enjoyed fantastic success under both codes via such homebred flagbearers as Soviet Song and Penzance, and in 2017 it was the turn of Marsha, a thirdgeneration homebred, to star. The Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly added the Nunthorpe Stakes to her win the previous year in the Prix de l’Abbaye before selling for a European recordbreaking 6 million gns at the Tattersalls December Sales.

Among the jumping fraternity, James and Jean Potter of Yorton Farm received the Queen Mother’s Silver Salver for the National Hunt Achievement Award and Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes’s Tinagoodnight, the dam of Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle winner Santini, was named as National Hunt Broodmare of the Year, for which she won the Dudgeon Cup. Sheik Mohammed’s Darley operation loomed large among the stallion awards

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The winners of the TBA awards for the 2017 and 2017/18 seasons gather at the July Course

and was also the recipient of the Queen’s Silver Cup for the fifth time as leading British-based Flat breeder by earnings during a year which Wuheida and Talismanic both won Grade 1 races at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar. Wuheida’s sire Dubawi won two categories. The BBA Silver Cigar Box is once again his after he was named the leading British-based sire by Flat earnings for the fifth consecutive year.

Dubawi also wrested the Barleythorpe Cup from his stud mate Exceed And Excel for being the leading British sire

by Flat winners.

Meanwhile, another former bearer of the Godolphin blue silks, Kayf Tara, who is still owned by Sheikh Mohammed but has stood his entire stud career under Simon Sweeting’s care at Overbury Stud, was also the winner of two awards. The 24-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells received the Whitbread Silver Salver as the leading active Britishbased National Hunt stallion for the eighth time in nine years and took the Horse & Hound Cup for the number of individual steeplechase winners for a sixth time.

The Tweenhills team was out in force to receive the trophy for the stud’s

exciting young stallion Havana Gold, who was named the leading Britishbased first-season sire of last year and awarded the Tattersalls Silver Salver.

Among his first-crop wonders are the Group/Grade 3 winners Havana Grey and Treasuring.

The Dominion Bronze and the Andrew Devonshire Bronze are awarded annually to recognise longstanding commitment and high achievement in the bloodstock industry.

This year’s thoroughly deserving winner of the Dominion Bronze was Patrick Lennon, a long-term and valued Stud Groom at Lord and Lady Howard de Walden’s Plantation Stud before joining Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud on the sale of Plantation.

The Andrew Devonshire Bronze was awarded to owner-breeder Philip Freedman of Cliveden Stud whose many roles within the industry include the current chairmanships of the European Breeders’ Fund and the Horsemen’s Group (see Breeders’ Digest, page 61).

A full photographic round-up of all the winners at this year’s awards ceremony will follow in the September issue.

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The TBA, with you for the journey We support our members in ensuring the highest standards of welfare for the horses in their care through education, guidance, policies and the HBLB codes of practice.

Our commitment to welfare includes a ÂŁ167,000 investment into veterinary research in 2018 for the benefit of the breed and ultimately the wider equine population. We are also working with our industry partners to ensure improved traceability from birth through the introduction of the 30 day Foal Notification for British thoroughbreds in 2018.

Why wouldn’t you support us?

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Changes

Racing’s news in a nutshell

People and business

Kayley Woollacott Completes gruelling hike to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund, Devon Air Ambulance and mental health charity Mind.

Lyndsay Wright Appointed William Hill’s first director of sustainability as firm endeavour to up their game when it comes to responsible gambling.

Jim Culloty Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer – with Lord Windermere in 2014 – quits the ranks after 12 years with a licence.

William Hill Bookmaker massively expands its racecourse betting shop portfolio with the addition of 34 courses, meaning they have a presence on 41 British tracks.

Jim Allen Former ARC Director of Racing begins training in Kentucky and is hoping to attract European owners via his redhorsebloodstock.com venture.

Paddy Power Betfair Complete the merger of their American arm with daily fantasy sports operator FanDuel.

Ascot Track to leave Racing UK fold to join Sky Sports Racing, when the channel replaces At The Races next year.

Swedish Festival of Racing Overseas participants will be eligible for air travel this year whereby a charter plane will depart Stansted on September 21 and return on September 24.

Jeremy Wright Replaces Matt Hancock as Culture Secretary – whose brief includes horseracing – following a cabinet reshuffle.

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Southwell Fibresand track begins work on installation of floodlights, with the hope of being able to race under lights next year.

Paul Fitzsimons Jockey who became a trainer before relinquishing his licence starts riding again in Sweden aged 39.

Zac Purton Seals his second Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, surging past three-time winner ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira, who will ride in Japan next season.

Matt Mitchell Appointed CEO of Tattersalls Ireland; he had served as a non-executive director since the purchase of the Cheltenham and Ascot Sales from Brightwells.

Tommy Dowling Jump jockey, 26, forced to quit the saddle on medical advice after a series of falls, the latest at Chepstow in March that resulted in a broken back and ribs.

Tim Brennan Willie Mullins’ long-serving vet is cleared by the BHA of committing a fraudulent practice over passing on information to his brother about an injury to Faugheen.

Palace House National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art receives £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

PJ McDonald Elected as the new Flat President of the Professional Jockeys Association, succeeding Steve Drowne.

Frankie Dettori Ends formal association with Al Shaqab Racing in order to prioritise his commitment to the John Gosden stable.

Kieran Shoemark Up-and-coming jockey suffers chest injuries in a fall at Lingfield in July and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

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Changes

People obituaries

Racehorse and stallion

Movements and retirements

Pamela Blatz-Murff 70 Former senior vice-president of operations for Breeders’ Cup Limited who had a vital career in racing that spanned more than three decades.

John Dunlop 78 Multiple Classic-winning trainer who won the title in 1995 (see page 8).

Guy Hart 88 Former jockey who won the 1945 Cambridgeshire on Esquire.

Pat Kavanagh 78 Worked in racing for 60 years, including as head man for Gordon Richards from 1980 to 1997, when the stable was a major force.

Laura Barry 25 Former jockey who lost her battle with cancer the day before she was due to marry Ben Hamilton, brother of jockey Tony.

Tommy Cuthbert Racecourse farrier and dual-purpose trainer who was based for many years at Warwick Bridge, near Carlisle.

Goldream

Winner of the 2015 King’s Stand Stakes is retired and will have a second career at the British Racing School.

Dubawi Became first British-based stallion to sire 100 individual Group winners when Crown Walk won the Group 3 Prix Chloe at Chantilly.

Oscar Performance Three-time Grade 1 winner and trackrecord holder will retire to stud at Mill Ridge Farm at the end of the year.

Barrel Of Laughs One of Britain’s best hunter chasers is retired by his owners Trish and Peter Andrews.

Merchant Navy Son of Fastnet Rock, winner of the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, is retired to Coolmore’s Australian stud in New South Wales.

Horse obituaries The Green Monkey 14 At $16 million, he was the world’s most expensive thoroughbred to sell at auction; he had been battling laminitis.

The Romford Pele 11 Popular chaser who won nine of his 36 races, including at Aintree and Cheltenham, and was named after Arsenal footballer Ray Parlour.

Black Sam Bellamy 19

Brother of Galileo successful as a sire on the Flat and over jumps, who had stood the past ten breeding seasons at Shade Oak Stud.

Another Hero 9 Had a good strike-rate for JP McManus and Jonjo O’Neill, winning eight of his 20 races, including at Cheltenham.

Le Coudray 24 Dual Grade 1 winner over fences for JP McManus and Christy Roche, he won 11 of his 29 starts.

Finian’s Oscar 6

Three-time Grade 1 winner, including of last season’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase, who died owing to complications after an attack of colic.

Hinchinbrook 10 Yarraman Park Stud dealt huge blow on eve of southern hemisphere breeding season with death of top-class sire in a walking machine accident.

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The Big Picture

Lion roars at Sandown The Coral-Eclipse had been due to feature another clash between Derby hero Masar and 2,000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, but the most valuable race ever staged at Sandown lost the Epsom Classic victor late on due to heat in a leg. There was still plenty of heat left in the race, however, as racegoers and armchair viewers were treated to an absorbing finish – and stewards’ enquiry, which was ongoing as ITV went off air – with Roaring Lion, as he had done at Epsom, getting the better of Saxon Warrior by a neck. Jockey Oisin Murphy received a four-day suspension for careless riding after his mount drifted right and bumped the Donnacha O’Brien-ridden Saxon Warrior in the closing stages of the contest.

Photos George Selwyn

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Coral-Eclipse

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The Big Picture

Past, present and future The result of the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Newmarket’s July Meeting encapsulated Sheikh Mohammed’s journey in racing. Lover’s Knot and William Buick edged out Handmaiden and Frankie Dettori, the winner representing the royal blue of Godolphin, and the runner-up carrying the silks – and jockey – synonymous with the sheikh’s early successes in the sport. The famous maroon and white colours now belong to daughter Sheikha Al Jalila, pictured with her father (inset).

Photos George Selwyn

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From The Archives

Norton beats Dettori at York Plenty of jockeys who have won the Ebor in the past quarter-century have retired or, sadly, are no longer with us. The winning rider from 1991 was a certain Franny Norton. He was 21 at the time and rode at 7st 4lb, including 1lb overweight. His Sir Michael Stoute-trained mount Deposki put his rivals to the sword, scoring by five lengths.

Frankie Dettori chased him home aboard Tidemark (later demoted to third) – 27 years on, they’re the only two from the race still riding.

Photos George Selwyn

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Deposki on August 21, 1991

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Tony Morris

Pattern success and its magic milestones W

GEORGE SELWYN

henever I am asked to recommend a book for someone beginning to take an interest in bloodstock breeding, I point the questioner in the direction of An Introduction to the Thoroughbred, and suggest The Classic Racehorse as the best follow-up volume.

These are not new works, the first dating from 1966 and the second from 1981, but I’m inclined to feel that they have never been bettered, and I readily acknowledge the lessons I learnt, particularly from the earlier volume, when I sought to fill gaps in my own knowledge many years ago.

The author of both books was Peter Willett, whose columns in Horse & Hound and the Sporting Chronicle were also essential reading for me and generations of other enthusiasts for our highly esoteric interest. We students were grateful for the lucid prose which helped to de-mystify a sometimes baffling subject.

But there was much more to Willett than his books and the many others to which he contributed. If he experienced a measure of satisfaction from the published works that delighted his readers, that was all well and fine, but towards the end of a life that stretched into the nineties he told me in a letter that his proudest achievement was the invention of the European Pattern race system, and he felt that if he were to be remembered for anything, he hoped it would be for that.

There was no coherent programme for Europe’s higher-class horses prior to 1971, when the Pattern was initiated with Britain, Ireland, France and Italy the four participating nations. A total of 244 races were scheduled, 50 in Group 1, 60 in Group 2 and 134 in Group 3, but the abandonment of the Prix Edmond Blanc reduced the Group 3 score and the overall total by one. There were 161 individual winners, each claiming a slice of the new prestige cake.

Germany joined the party in 1972, and such was the impact of the scheme that North America adopted a system of their own for 1973, emulating Europe’s model with

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classifications in three grades. The stark logic of a plan which replaced chaos with order was rapidly picked up by countries all over the world. Within a few years of Willett’s brainwave, the invention had gone global.

In 1974, in my capacity as editor of the Bloodstock Breeders’ Annual Review, I compiled lists of winners of all the European Pattern races and of all the North American Graded races, recognising the importance of the innovations and giving them the profile they were due. And, initially just for my own interest, I extracted data from the results as they came in.

The European Pattern was already a decided success. It focused the minds of breeders, owners and trainers on the races that really mattered and served as targets for one and all.

As everyone wanted a share of the prestige it provided there should be interesting information about sires and broodmare sires to be gleaned; their records in Pattern company ought to be enlightening.

In my time at The Sporting Life I found myself writing regularly about Northern Dancer, which must have seemed boring to many readers, as it appeared that the paper’s photo library contained just the one picture of the Canadian-bred who revolutionised the breed, compiling an astounding record with progeny on both sides of the Atlantic, while never having a crop larger than 36.

Nijinsky had come and gone, having done all his winning in the immediate pre-Pattern era, but once the Coolmore party had decided to give up on the likes of Damascus, Forli and Round Table, and to concentrate instead on the Northern Dancer stock at US yearling sales, another chapter began. There were ten Pattern or Graded winners from the crop of 31 born in 1980, and eight out of 31, including El Gran Senor, Sadler’s Wells and Secreto, in the following year.

Northern Dancer was a phenomenon and he is virtually ubiquitous in pedigrees today, in many cases several times over.

But it is a different

Marwell was a daughter of Habitat, who proved to be an excellent broodmare sire

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story where the horse who featured as another giant of the Pattern at that period is concerned. Habitat, who was retired after victory in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp of 1969, was soon making headlines, both at the sales and on the racecourse.

There were a host of brilliant Habitats for me to write about, including Rose Bowl, Flying Water, Double Form, Sigy, Marwell, Habibti and Distant Relative, so why wouldn’t we expect their sire to prove a lasting influence on the breed? It didn’t happen. He proved a poor sire of sires, but really excelled as a broodmare sire before fading again. His daughters produced two Derby heroes in Reference Point and Shaamit, who both failed at stud, though Irish Guineas victor Barathea did well enough for a while.

Compiling my data, I was always looking for milestones, and the battle to be first to 100 Pattern wins by his progeny was won

by Habitat, who had led since overtaking Vaguely Noble in 1981, and would wind up with a score of 108. Northern Dancer reached the century when Dahlia’s daughter Wajd won the 1991 Grand Prix d’Evry, and that proved to be his last.

So who would be the first to surpass Habitat’s tally? It was soon easy to answer that. Sadler’s Wells had his first runners in 1988, and his impact on the Pattern was such that by the end of 1996 his progeny had 99 victories to their names, a dozen of them in the latest season. Already a multiple champion sire, and aided by larger books, he seemed a shoo-in to take command in 1997, duly delivering with an outrageous tally of 21 wins.

By the end of 2000 Sadler’s Wells was way out in front, his latest seasonal score of 20 wins placing him 58 clear of Nureyev,

“Within a few years of Peter Willett’s brainwave, the invention had gone global” who had edged past Habitat to claim second place. It must have been around that time that I was predicting Sadler’s Wells was on his way to a record that would never be surpassed. I firmly believed that to be the case, and never expected a need to revise that opinion.

When did the doubts begin? Well, at the end of 2013 Sadler’s Wells had 327 wins and Danehill ranked second on 198. Galileo was running third on 162, a tad less than a half of his sire’s tally, but he was racking up remarkable seasonal scores. They were to become more remarkable – tallies of 32 in 2014, 29 in 2015, 39 in 2016, a scarcely credible 46 in 2017. Sadler’s Wells was not just vulnerable; he was about to make way for his superstar son.

Galileo’s strike-rate in 2018 is currently some way behind the outlandish pace he set last term, but he is nevertheless at the head of the sires’ table, far ahead of his challengers. As I write, in mid-July, with the King George and Goodwood on the horizon, his lifetime score in the Pattern is up to 325. By the time you read this, the champion whose record was supposed to endure for all time may already be down to second while holding on to the consolation prize of a long lead in the table for broodmare sires, with no plausible contender in sight.

As things stand in the broodmare sires’ competition, Galileo is way off the pace, nearly 190 wins short of the current Sadler’s Wells score. There is absolutely no conceivable threat to the old boy’s dominance in that regard.

Well, not in the foreseeable future. Not a chance of it. I think.

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The Howard Wright Column

Plenty of unfinished business for the BHA O ne down; how many to go? Plenty, if the BHA’s ‘to do’ list, outlined by Chief Executive Nick Rust in a breathtaking, state-of-the-British-racing-nation address at last month’s Racehorse Owners Association AGM, is anything to go by.

Rust, in his third appearance as the event’s guest speaker, galloped through a litany of achievements, challenges and risks as if he feared he might turn into a pumpkin at 12 noon, leaving ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton just enough time to call for a handful of questions from the floor, which elucidated another couple of pertinent points.

In the main body of the presentation Rust outlined 14 individual risks linked to the BHA’s leadership role, for which he said “we’re paid to have sleepless nights on behalf of the sport,” ranging from the impact of a changing political landscape and a high level of fatalities at a major meeting, to safeguarding issues and changing consumer behaviour.

Gender balance figured separately, and 24 hours later the first action plan from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, which Rust chairs, was published. Existence of the group was announced in August last year and membership was finalised the following month. That it has taken a full nine months to produce initial findings is perhaps not surprising, since it has had to collate the separate thoughts of 16 members, but that’s one down.

That just leaves, at the time of writing, the stewarding review, the governance review, the handicapping review, the rules review, the review of the bloodstock industry code of practice, and the Cheltenham fatalities review. And that’s from memory; there may be more, and some, but definitely not all, might have been brought to a successful conclusion by the time of publication.

Thankfully the fixture list is in the middle of a three-year cycle (following a review), so that’s off the table, but there is still plenty to go at, some of which has been in gestation for a while, such as the bloodstock industry inquiry, which was called for in these pages a year ago.

All this bubbling activity involves personnel, and not simply among the BHA’s central-office executives, who have to carry out the groundwork. Take the diversity report, for example, publication of which was accompanied by an ad for a Head of

Diversity and Inclusion, “an exciting and challenging new position with the key focus on championing diversity and inclusion in our sport and gaining commitment from stakeholders and participants”.

Add that to a variety of other vacancies that exist, again at the time of writing, in and around the governing authority, starting with a new Chairman, and not forgetting an Independent Director for the BHA-backed Racing Authority, whose Chairman Sir Hugh Robertson has found time and energy to take the equivalent role at the National Lottery operator Camelot – an interesting topic for discussion about conflict of interest at another time perhaps – but awaits the appointment of a fellow RA indie.

“The fixture list is off the table but there is still plenty to go at, some of which has been in gestation for a while” On the regulatory side, a replacement has been needed for Brant Dunshea since April, when he was promoted from Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations to fill the Chief Regulatory Officer’s shoes that Jamie Stier vacated.

Then, if the stewarding review ever reaches a harmonious conclusion, there is the job as Head of Stewarding, which will allow Paul Barton to take full retirement, instead of the two days a week roster he has carried out for months.

As for recruitment, training and education, which principally affects attracting and guiding sufficient numbers of stable staff to make a dent in a crisis that has been building up for years, the requirement for someone other than multi-tasking Will Lambe to lead the current three-strong team has been self-evident for ages.

All this, and more, fills Rust’s in-tray. His popularity rating among fellow executives and staff, as well as professionals and participants, is high. And rightly so. As a former bookmaking industry colleague was heard to remark on his appointment, Nick likes to be liked. Don’t we all?

But it has also become clear that Rust likes to say yes. Maybe the time has come for him to say, ‘Enough is enough,’ and to concentrate on unfinished business.

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View Fr m Ireland

Social media training in demand

H

“People can be looking around via the website in the middle of the night” “Some people are very lucky in that they have young sons and daughters coming along and we did see a number of those in the workshops. But we also saw more established trainers like Dick Brabazon and Eoin Griffin embracing it. It’s been a very worthwhile experience and the feedback has been very positive.”

The first module was for complete beginners and had attendees leaving with a social media page set up, having had no previous – or very limited – online presence.

The second looked further into digital marketing and tackled smartphone video production. The last module covered branding and communications, highlighting the importance of frequent communications with owners, and consistent brand awareness.

CAROLINE NORRIS

orse Racing Ireland has recognised the gaps in Irish horseracing’s online reach by offering trainers free social media and marketing workshops.

With social media now an essential marketing tool for any business, and taking over from websites as the shop window, bigger stables have even employed content producers to manage their pages.

But what about smaller trainers, without budgets for extra personnel? HRI saw the need for this and, in conjunction with CARE (Careers and Racing Education Department), devised three independent modules to cover everything from setting up social media pages to producing smartphone videos.

Caroline Townend, HRI Ownership Executive, co-ordinated the workshops in June and July and will now be offering continued support to attendees in the aftermath.

She said: “We set up these workshops knowing a lot of people in the game are anxious to get on these platforms. They know their worth, but they are scared of them.

Dick Brabazon: among the trainers to benefit from social media and marketing workshops

Brabazon said: “I got a big wake up call last year. The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing people sent me a horse from Goresbridge from a client in Hong Kong – the horse stayed with me for about four months, it was a lovely bit of business. But I had to ask, ‘Why did you pick me?’

“They said they had a look at three websites and the client spotted I had starting stalls and that was the clincher. I never would have thought that picture was important.”

He added: “I’ve found in the past the best way I can advertise the place is to get them in the gate and show them around, but that’s not practical – with the website they can be looking around in the middle of the night on the other side of the world!”

Brabazon has also learned the benefit of instant messaging via social media,

using it to send regular photos and videos of horses to owners – now an essential communication requirement for a trainer.

While he has been slow to ‘commit’ to digital marketing and communications, Brabazon actually saw it coming a decade ago.

He explained: “Takashi Kodama rented a few stables here about nine years ago and he was constantly taking pictures. I thought it was crazy if I’m honest, but he was telling me that in the pre-training yards in Japan they have a person doing this and nothing else – that’s how important it was.”

Brabazon does not have the luxury of coming from a social media generation and heaped praise on the execution and content of HRI’s workshops.

“I thought the speakers were superb,” he said, “and Caroline was very supportive.

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By Jessica Lamb You can imagine I’m way behind in this and yet I see you have to get organised.

“The courses opened my eyes to the whole thing – we even went as far as making a short film on our phones – and I know where to go now. It’s actually something that interests me as I have always enjoyed photography.”

‘I had never heard of it before’

County Kilkenny trainer Garrett Power, though younger than Brabazon at 37, entered the workshops at the same level.

He said: “I took time out to go because I know social media is such a big thing now.

We’ve gone away from it with a Facebook page for starters, and it was interesting to hear Carey-Ann Lordan [of Red PR] talk about the other platforms, particularly LinkedIn. I had never heard of it before.”

Townend and her team researched LinkedIn for trainers and found virtually zero up-take from Irish trainers on the lucrative platform.

The advice shared with trainers was to exploit this, by getting their names out there to a bigger audience with larger pools of disposable income than is available in Ireland alone.

“A video of a horse rolling or cantering is going to catch your eye on a LinkedIn newsfeed because it’s unusual there,” said Townend. “Especially if you’re interested in horses. It’s something we are really pushing trainers to try.”

Speakers also provided Power with advice on how to handle negative or unwanted communication via social media.

Joseph O’Brien: well clear of his rivals in the Instagram stakes

Power said: “I found every time we put a post up about a horse running, all the messages on messenger would be, ‘Do you fancy it?’, ‘What are the chances?’, that kind of stuff, and I didn’t want it to turn into a tipping page.

“So we stay away from posts that say ‘this runs today’, and instead put up videos of the horse loading up on to the horse box, or going swimming, or galloping, and that seems to always be positive.”

Power trains 12 horses in a 13-box yard, but wants to expand to double that size and is set to apply for HRI’s new €1,000 marketing grant to build a website when a plan for that expansion is finalised.

Launched in January 2017, the grant has helped 50 trainers to date, a large proportion of those trainers using the funds for website development – and yet still just 10% of Irish trainers have a website (a smaller number than those boasting a social media presence).

Kildare trainer Philip Dempsey was among those to build a website last year, his daughter Sarah, a commerce graduate, driving the initiative and representing her father at HRI’s workshops.

She said: “I learnt marketing while studying commerce, but it was in a general sense. These workshops were more practical – they were completely focussed on horseracing.

“They were definitely useful, giving you ideas for what content to put up, and what you shouldn’t, highlighting the worth of pictures of everyday things that we take for granted.”

Dempsey quickly applied video production skills learned, shooting and cutting together a short film on a sales horse’s first days at their yard.

“For a small yard it can be hard to get the publicity,” she said. “You know, we have only a small team. Social media is how we can afford to keep getting our name out there.”

Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes, a multiple Grade 1 winner, also built a website through the HRI grant.

His son Cathal, an equine business graduate, has been growing his social media pages and driving digital marketing forward.

He said: “The courses were very good at targeting specific areas for trainers. It was very good to get more familiar with everything, and the video section was particularly good, just to teach us how to make a simple video – the different shots to get, and how to put it together on the iMovie app.”

He added: “My generation, we’ve grown up with social media. It’s a way to meet people, a first point of contact for a lot of people, but that’s to bring you on to the face-to-face and that’s where you grow that relationship.

“We haven’t directly attracted any owners through social media yet, but we think that’s coming now. We got over 3,000 views on our first post about a mare available on lease, and whether that post leads to a new owner or not, I am confident social media will be of benefit to the business.”

Irish trainers on social media Top Five Twitter (by followers) • Willie Mullins 65.6k • Gordon Elliott 57k • Joseph O’Brien 46.7k • Johnny Murtagh 46k • Jessica Harrington 25.6k Top Five Facebook (by likes) • Gordon Elliott 37.7k • Ger Lyons 13.7k • Jessica Harrington 12k • Pat Flynn 10.4k • Joseph O’Brien 10k

BRONWEN HEALY

Top Five Instagram (by followers) • Joseph O’Brien 11.4k • Jessica Harrington 3.5k • Robbie McNamara 2.7k • Gordon Elliott 1.8k • Ger Lyons 1.6k

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Continental Tales

The viking equivalent of Justify DENMARK

ELINA BJÖRKLUND/SVENSK GALOPP

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hich three-year-old has won the most Classic races this season?

American race-fans might think this an easy question to answer: Justify.

But does the US Triple Crown, with all three legs squeezed inside a month, include races that can genuinely equate to European ‘Classics’?

No matter what you think on that debate, Justify’s achievement has been matched by a much less vaunted horse trained at Klampenborg racecourse in Copenhagen. She goes by the name of Queen Estoril, albeit her three-race winning spree covered eight weeks rather than the five it took her transatlantic counterpart.

Featured in this column early this year when she was about to depart for Dubai, Queen Estoril performed credibly in the Emirate, even though both her Meydan starts resulted in double digit defeats – by 15 lengths when fourth in the UAE 1,000 Guineas and by 12 lengths when fifth in the UAE Oaks.

It is since she returned to Denmark to the barn of trainer Bent Olsen that she has really found her stride, becoming the first filly ever to land the Scandinavian ‘Triple Tiara’ via 1,000 Guineas victories at her

Queen Estoril has become the first filly ever to win the Scandinavian ‘Triple Tiara’

possible fashion and was comfortably on top, with one length in hand at the line.

She cost just €6,000 as a yearling at Goffs in Ireland and her exploits have been part of a fabulous start to the season for the female offspring of the stallion Camacho.

The Yeomanstown Stud resident has also been responsible for the French 1,000 Guineas winner Teppal and Queen Mary heroine Signora Cabello – not bad for a sire whose 2018 covering fee was €7,500.

home course, Bro Park in Stockholm and Ovrevoll in Oslo.

The last leg of the treble looked likely to end in defeat when Queen Estoril seemed to have trouble negotiating the final bend and had all ten of her rivals in front of her with three furlongs to run, and again when Shantou quickened into a clear lead approaching the furlong marker.

But, despite racing alone on the far rail, Queen Estoril stayed on in the gamest

Stamina test that was worth completing A recently published, largely complimentary, review of a day at Royal Ascot from an American racing devotee attending the Queen’s jamboree for the first time, suggested six races per day was simply not enough to satisfy his thirst.

I would argue that, given the concurrent attractions of the royal procession, fashion, picnicking, peoplewatching, bandstand singing and then more picnicking, that six races are plenty.

But if he wanted a really long day of sport he should have hung around for a few weeks and popped over to Germany for the Hamburg meeting on Thursday, July 5, which was part of the week-long German Derby fixture.

Not only would he have got to enjoy 11 races, starting at 11.11am and finishing at 8.06pm, he would also have had a tidy four-hour break for his lunch – enough

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GERMANY

Devastar: battled back to win Group 3

time to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

How many members of the crowd were actually in attendance for all 11 races is debatable, but sneaking off before the end was inadvisable as the last three contests included the two feature races.

Firstly, the fallen Polish superstar Va Bank, now trained in Germany by Andreas Wohler, suffered his fifth straight

defeat when the front-running Devastar battled back past him to land the Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg, a Group 3 tenfurlong contest, by a head.

The finale provided a superb spectacle as it was the Alpine Motorenol Seejagdrennen, a steeplechase during which the runners have to swim through a lake in the racecourse’s infield.

As dusk began to fall, it witnessed a thrilling international finish as Christian von der Recke’s Daulys Anthem, a twotime winner for Dan Skelton last August, set the pace and was still in front with a furlong to run, yet finished seventh of eight, beaten less than seven lengths.

Victory went to the Czech-trained Peintre Elusif, just ahead of the pick of the home team, Icarium, with the French challenger, Aufsteiger, in third, and Ismina, who hails from Poland but was ridden by the former British-based Irishman Mark Quinlan, a close fourth.

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By James Crispe, IRB

Imaz sisters not welcome

ELINA BJÖRKLUND/SVENSK GALOPP

SPAIN

Truckers Glory: dual winner for Rebecca Curtis added the Swedish Grand National to CV

Bellamy’s bad day at the office SWEDEN Tom Bellamy suffered a day to forget a month or so back when he rode for the first time at Sweden’s biggest jump racing fixture of the year, Swedish Grand National day, in the beautiful surroundings of the park of the 17th century royal palace of Stromsholm Castle, some 80 miles to the west of Stockholm.

The 23-year-old British jockey’s day got off to a bad start in the Swedish Champion Hurdle, when the saddle slipped badly backwards on his mount, Harden. Bellamy showed fine horsemanship to get the 16-1 outsider up to snatch second place but disqualification was inevitable, as his weight cloth had fallen to earth rounding the home turn.

Bellamy did at least complete the course and collect some minor place prize-money in the National itself, which

involves three circuits of this idiosyncratic seven-furlong course, initially in a righthanded direction, then switching to the other way round. Yet he still finished tailed off last of the five runners.

His disappointing day was completed when Superfly, his third and final mount in a novice hurdle, was left at the start.

The big race went the way of the Mahler gelding Truckers Glory, a dual winner for Rebecca Curtis during the 2016-17 season before being sold to his current owner-trainer, Anders Herlin, at the Goffs UK Doncaster Sale for only £3,500. It was a first home victory since 2010 in this £12,681-to-the-winner two mile and six and a half-furlong event.

Winning pilot Christopher Roberts also took the Champion Hurdle aboard Luris Pegasus for his mother, Maria Andersson. She not only bred, owned and trained the winner, a son of the Dubai World Cup hero Gloria de Campeao, she bred the rider too!

Little more than a year ago this column picked out young Spanish trainer Ana Imaz as a likely star of the future. In her early 30s, already with over 400 victories to her name, the world was at her feet.

Now both Ana and her sister, Eva, are on the point of being warned off and the French training fraternity feels such animosity to the pair that there was almost a physical confrontation with the Imaz team at a French provincial racecourse.

The facts of this sorry episode are that Angel Imaz, Ana and Eva’s dad, served several doping suspensions in the 1990s. Like father, like daughter, last December Ana was banned for four years in Spain and a year in France when she was found guilty of a fifth doping transgression, all involving the steroid stanozolol.

After her appeal against this ruling was thrown out, the licence passed to her sister. Then, in May, it transpired that another member of the Imaz yard, Intaglio, had tested positive for cobalt after a race in Madrid in March.

Disillusioned with the family’s apparent ability to avoid bans by appealing or by passing the licence around, French trainers displayed the militant tendencies society there seems to nurture and endeavoured to create a human barrier to stop another Imaz horse, La Frisla, from gaining entry to the paddock at Tarbes, some 50 miles north of the Spanish border.

The episode was played out with a camera crew from the French racing television channel, Equidia, just yards away.

Charles Gourdain, one of the leading trainers in the south-west of France, said: “We cannot let the cheats take the bread from our mouths.”

The matter is still unresolved.

Eva has been given a six-month suspension by the Spanish authorities, but she has appealed, and in the meantime is free to run her horses. Ana is fighting her ban in the Spanish civil courts.

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Around The Globe

Kentucky Downs is on the up

By Steve Andersen

T

here is no place in American racing quite like Kentucky Downs racecourse, in tiny Franklin, Kentucky.

Situated in the far south-west corner of the state, Kentucky Downs does not have a dirt course and races only on turf, a unique setting in American racing. It operates five or six days a year in the first half of September, a fraction of a typical American venue, some of which run four or five days a week for several weeks or even months.

What Kentucky Downs does have in its favour is a business model of generating revenue on a year-round basis from slot machine-like games and the simulcasting of races to a betting audience that helps the track to amass massive reserves, which enables it to distribute staggering prizemoney, by American standards.

When the season opens this year on September 1, a maiden race at a mile and a half will be worth $130,000, provided a horse is a Kentucky-bred. Horses not bred in Kentucky that start will compete for a $54,000 purse. As a result, the owner of a Kentucky-bred winner will receive $78,000 of the purse. Owners with horses bred elsewhere will receive $32,400.

The same structure is in place for stakes races. In the five days of racing this year through September 13, there are 14 stakes races worth $5.95 million for Kentuckybreds, but only $2.95 million for horses bred elsewhere. The track has two races – the Tourist Mile and the Grade 3 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup at a mile and a half – worth $750,000 for Kentucky-breds.

Horses bred elsewhere run for a maximum of $400,000 in those races.

“We’re a Kentucky track,” said Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen. “We want to make sure we have a strong Kentucky circuit. That’s one of our focal points. On the other hand, when we have a stakes race, we want to make sure that it’s profitable for a non-Kentucky-bred to come in and run.”

The meeting is well backed. Despite its isolation, about an hour north of Nashville, and about 150 miles from Lexington, Kentucky Downs is thriving – popular with owners and trainers who send runners from throughout the midwest, and sometimes as far away as California and the east coast, to race on an undulating, left-handed course with a circumference of 1 5-16ths mile.

Last year, the track ran 50 races with

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average fields of 10.4 runners per race, the fourth consecutive year with an average of ten runners or more, a figure considerably higher than other American venues.

Those fields have attracted the attention of bettors throughout the nation, who have boosted tote wagers at Kentucky Downs.

“We’re making more money on our racing product,” Johnsen said. “That has

“Making money on our racing product has been a goal from the start” been a goal from the start.”

Slot machines are based on decades-old race replays, a system known as historical racing that has the characteristics of casino slot machines. Similar machines are in operation at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and have greatly boosted purses there, too.

Johnsen, who has a background of operating racetracks in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, said the track recently expanded the number of machines to accommodate growth in its customer base and saw a 31% increase in revenue in June. Part of the winnings from those machines go to purses.

“We modernised and brought it up to standard,” he said. “The public responded and when they respond you’ve got to have enough terminals. If people can’t get on their favourite machine or terminal, they may not come back. You have to have plenty of capacity and terminals.”

Kentucky Downs has done so well financially that in June the racecourse announced it was contributing $500,000 to three other Kentucky tracks – Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, and Keeneland – to support races at those venues. In the past several years, Kentucky Downs has contributed money to other tracks to boost races for Kentucky-breds. No restrictions were placed on the recent transactions.

Those contributions, and the purses for Graded stakes races, may increase further if there is continued growth via slot machines.

“I think that will continue to increase as we make more money,” Johnsen said. “We have an optimistic outlook.”

KENTUCKY DOWNS

NORTH AMERICA

Field sizes at Kentucky Downs are considerably higher than at other United States tracks

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BRONWEN HEALY

The Worldwide Racing Scene

A familiar image as Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller share a trophy thanks to the ongoing exploits of Winx, the world’s top-rated horse

The wonders of Winx, Waller and Weir AUSTRALIA

By Danny Power

A

ustralia celebrated its racing season, which finished on July 31, as the tale of three Ws – Winx, Waller and Weir.

Winx, of course, has been telling her own story for the past three years with a stretch of 25 consecutive wins, including a record 18 Group 1s. She deservedly sits as the highestranked horse in the world, and her story still has a chapter or two to play.

Her Sydney trainer Chris Waller continues to rewrite the record books and Victorian Darren Weir continues his surge from bush battler to Group 1 star.

Winx won six Group 1s in the 2017-18 season, highlighted by her third Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick last April.

An historic fourth Cox Plate awaits her, and as Waller welcomed her back in to his stable at Rosehill in Sydney after her spell and a short pre-train in mid-June, his team was packing up from a dominant winter carnival in Brisbane, during which Waller horses won three Group 1s: Comin’ Through (Doomben Cup), Youngstar (Queensland Oaks) and exciting unbeaten two-year-old colt The Autumn Sun, a son of Redoute’s Choice with a European pedigree, who stormed home from near last to win the JJ

Atkins Stakes, stamping himself as possibly the next ‘big thing’ in the Waller team.

Waller, 45, finished the season with a tally of 13 Group 1 winners out of Australia’s total of 72. His career tally sits on 84, which has him behind Gai Waterhouse (134), Lee Freedman (128) and John Hawkes (96) on Australia’s list of Group 1-winning trainers currently with a licence.

An indication of, first, the sudden emergence and then the dominance of Waller is his Group 1 haul over the past six seasons and, second, the fact he has won the past eight Sydney training premierships.

He’s the first trainer to do that since the legendary Tommy Smith strung together 33 in a row from 1952-53 to 1984-85.

On June 20, Waller broke his own Sydney metropolitan record of 169 winners in a season and with two weeks of the season to go (at the time of going to print), he has stretched it to 180.

Two weeks earlier he set a national prize-money record for a trainer in a season when Dagny won a $100,000 handicap at Rosehill, taking Waller’s season bankroll to $30.4 million, topping the $30.25m he got in 2015-16. “I’ll probably go into the Hall of Fame at the Tax Department,” he joked.

Waller came from New Zealand without having trained a stakes winner in his home country. It took him ten years in Sydney to become an ‘overnight success’.

If Waller came from obscurity to the top, his story pales against Darren Weir, who is Victoria’s dominant trainer.

Weir, 48, the one-time bush horsebreaker and farrier, now controls the biggest team of horses in Australia from three training bases in Ballarat, Warrnambool and Maldon. He’s changing the landscape by training away from Melbourne but his juggernaut rolls on.

He trailed second behind Waller on the Group 1 list for the past season with nine, one more than his record season of eight in 2016-17.

The affable Weir is rewriting the record books in Victoria. On June 30, he broke the Melbourne metropolitan record of 137 winners – which he set last year – when his imported gallopers Pacodali and Sixties Groove fought out the Keno Bonus Handicap at Caulfield. As the season nears its end he has increased that total to 146.

Weir, in typical modesty, said breaking the record meant more to his staff than to him. “I don’t worry too much about records but I am really proud of the team who work so hard behind the scenes,” he said.

“It proves everyone is doing their job and that makes me happy.”

It’s an incredible turnaround for Weir, who only seven seasons ago trained just ten Melbourne winners.

Weir also has broken his national record winners for the season of 449 (set last year); at the time of writing he sits on 461, which is 129 ahead of his nearest rival Waller.

Hugh Bowman is the leading Group 1-winning jockey for the season with nine victories, just ahead of a group of five on five wins – Blake Shinn, Damian Lane, Kerrin McEvoy, Mark Zahra and Tye Angland.

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Racing Life

Secret St James’s Sarah Rodrigues refreshes with a cocktail at The American Bar in The Stafford London, after an afternoon exploring the neighbourhood with Executive Concierge Frank Laino

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he role of concierge is one of the most trusted and respected positions within the hotel industry - and small wonder, given that it evolved from the French castles of the Middle Ages. In that distant past, concierges served the families of kings and had access to and knowledge of every aspect of life within those fortified walls; they ensured that every need was met and were required to act with the utmost discretion. Etymologically speaking, the name is said to derive from ‘comte des cierges’ - the count, or keeper, of the candles; others claim that it means ‘keeper of the keys’ since holding the keys to all of those many castle rooms was a vital component of the job. Indeed, the best concierges in the world today may be recognised by the crossed golden keys they wear pinned to both lapels, which signify that they are a part of the elite international organisation, Les Clefs d’Or.

The Best Concierge in the World

Frank Laino, Executive Concierge at The Stafford London, and a member of Les Clefs d’Or since 1987, wears his every day. Having recently celebrated his 20th anniversary at the hotel, it’s no exaggeration to say that what he can’t do for guests simply can’t be done. Despite

The Stafford London’s Executive Concierge Frank Laino has been voted best concierge in the world no fewer than four times

his relatively diminutive frame - he has the build of a jockey - this is a man who will willingly move heaven and earth for his clients. He tells the tale of a client whose lifelong ambition was to see every painting by the Dutch artist Vermeer; having seen 32 of the 34 in existence, he knew that the 33rd was in the private collection at Buckingham Palace. Despite trying many times to get permission to

The Stafford London narrowly avoided bombing in WWII; the other side of the street was all but destroyed

view it, access had always been denied until Frank managed to arrange it.

His demeanour doesn’t immediately betray his abilities either; although one might imagine a man of such sway to be loud or overwhelming, Frank has a ready smile and warm manner. His voice is well modulated and reassuring. He has been voted Best Concierge in the World no fewer than four times, yet is

Down in the hotel’s evocative cellars, there is a collection of WWII memorabilia harking back to its secondment to American soldiers

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St James’s utterly unassuming. He is, quite simply, charming.

“It’s 100% a people job,” he says. “I enjoy meeting clients from all over the world and getting to know them. You need to be a good listener, have empathy and be resourceful. Ultimately, however, what makes a great concierge is to have an extensive network of contacts and be able to deliver what the client wants...or come up with a great Plan B. “ One wonders what his Plan B was when he encountered the most unusual request of his career: being asked by a client to marry his niece. “I had to decline as my wife was not amused,” he explains smilingly.

A Journey through St James’s

Even if they don’t have precious paintings to be seen, nieces to be married off, a dinner reservation that needs booking or theatre tickets to be procured, guests at The Stafford London can still avail themselves of Frank’s incredible knowledge of the hotel and the surrounding area on a walk around the neighbourhood. It’s a sunny Tuesday afternoon when we convene in the hotel lobby; Frank greets each of us warmly before we venture outside into the cul de sac alongside Green Park in which the hotel is located.

It’s startling to have the buildings opposite pointed out to us - they’re a patchwork of post-war ugliness that’s completely different to the red brick stateliness of The Stafford London.

Amazingly, despite being on just the other side of the street, the latter fortunately emerged unscathed in the bombings of World War II, during which it was seconded for use by American soldiers - a fact that’s acknowledged in the Stars and Stripes that flies next to the Union Jack at the entrance, and in the mini-museum of relics and memorabilia from that time, which is housed downstairs in the cellars.

Architecture notwithstanding, there are some brow-raising names associated with some of these less elegant properties - Murdochs and Gettys, among others, as well as, at the end of the street, an apartment block in the Brutalist style which is listed due to the fact that it was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun. Best known for his work on buildings such as The National Theatre, this is the only residential design he ever did.

Spencer House is one of the best remaining examples of an English aristocratic home

of an English aristocratic house still standing today. Only open to the public on Sunday mornings for guided tours, we’re able, thanks to Frank, to access it for a swift show-around.

Built between 1756 and 1766, the property is a house of two halves; its two distinct styles - Roman Palladian downstairs and Greek Classical upstairs - are the result of the original architect, John Vardy, being, rather capriciously, replaced when the ‘next big thing’, James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, came along. It

was used as the London home of the Spencer family - the family, of course, of Diana Princess of Wales - until 1926; when the Great Depression struck, many of Britain’s greatest homes were then abandoned because the families could no longer afford to keep them. The Spencer family, fortunately, had the foresight to lease theirs so, although it’s been used as many things over the years, it’s still beautifully intact and was, in recent years, the subject of heavy investment to restore it to its former glory.

Spencer House

At the open end of the street stands Spencer House, one of the best examples

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››

John Vardy’s opulent Palm Room can be found on the lower floor of Spencer House

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Racing Life It’s in the detail

Dominant male

Lord Byron is also rumoured to have duelled here; in addition, it seems he was a regular in Berry Bros, where a mill attests to its past as a coffee and tea merchant. At some point, the goods weighing scales on the shop floor became popular with customers as a place to track their own weight; in Byron’s case, it diminished quite dramatically, plummeting from 13st 2lb in 1806 to 9st 11lb in 1811. Like most of the customers recorded in the ledger, he was quick to justify any extra ounces in the notes - “boots, no hat” is one such explanatory detail, while others soothed

Ada Lovelace is one of a small percentage of women to be honoured with a blue plaque

echelon of service sprang up: coffee shops to cater for the traders and to provide a place for refreshment, socialising and, of course, the delicious exchange of gossip. Over time, these became clubs, many of which are today incredibly exclusive - so when the middle classes began to emerge and weren’t able to join, they simply formed their own. Now, it’s estimated, there are about 50 to 100 private clubs within about one square mile of the area.

Not all of the social activity that took place here was quite so respectable.

The narrow passageway that runs alongside the premises of wine and spirit merchants Berry Bros & Rudd leads down to the tiny Pickering Square, which once played host to all manner of outlandish ‘sport’ - from bare-knuckle fighting, to bear baiting and cockfighting. It was also the site of London’s last ever duel. Today, there are a handful of soberly suited gentlemen eating lunch at Boulestin, a revival of Marcel Boulestin’s Covent Garden original.

Customers to the store availed themselves of the scales for keeping track of their own weights

SIMON PEEL

The male gene runs strong in the neighbourhood; St James’s is, of course, synonymous with gentlemen’s clubs, which is a direct result of the presence of St James’s Palace. With so many shops set up in its environs to provide goods and services for the palace, another

Weight Watchers

JOAKIM BLOCKSTROM

Our brief tour is peppered with anecdotes and attentions to detail - the bespoke silverware has been crafted with threepronged forks, to reflect the style of the relevant era, for example, and in the superb Painted Room, the masterpiece of Stuart, one sees two sour-faced women being whipped by cherubs: an allusion, it is said, to the disapproving aunts who did not favour the marriage of the first Lord and Lady Spencer. There are wonderful views over Green Park, so called because no flowers have grown there since Catherine, wife of King Charles II, caught him picking blooms for his mistress and ordered them all removed.

It’s anecdotes like these, too, that bring a walk with Frank to life. Certainly, there are blue plaques adorning a number of buildings, attesting to the lates and greats who inhabited them, but did you know that statesman William Huskisson bears the rather grisly distinction of being the country’s first ever railway fatality? Or that solo circumnavigator Sir Francis Chichester was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II with the same sword that the former Queen Elizabeth had used to knight Sir Francis Drake? That only 13% of official blue plaques commemorate women, one of whom is Ada Lovelace of 12 St James’s Square, who is credited with being the first computer programmer?

Berry Bros & Rudd was established in 1698

their vanity with addendums like “thick coat and spurs.” Although one print on the wall shows a lady being weighed, Assistant Manager Edward Dublin points out that this distorts the male-dominated nature of the area’s historical reality; in fact there is only one, rather slender, volume recording the weights of women.

Weight is an issue where stock is concerned, also - the age of the walls and floors means that the bottles on display are limited. Downstairs, however, you’ll find two vast acres of cellars, with subterranean spaces for dining and tastings, plus a store of around 20,000 bottles. It’s beyond our capabilities not to develop a thirst in the face of such plenty, so by late afternoon we have returned to The Stafford London to sample the new cocktail menu at The American Bar, which has been inspired by the rich history and folklore of the intriguing neighbourhood that Frank has so vividly breathed into life for us.

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St James’s

Head barman Benoit Provost has been with The Stafford London for 25 years

Evocative Cocktails at The American Bar

If a journey through St James’s with Frank is not a possibility, then this is a very worthwhile alternative. Under the auspices of head barman Benoit Provost, who has been at The Stafford for 25 years, each cocktail on the list has a story, which can be read by guests alongside the list of ingredients. The Godolphin, for instance, is named for Francis Godolphin, who owned one of the founding thoroughbred sires, The Godolphin Arabian, and who died in 1766 at his house in St James’s, which was located on the site where The Stafford’s historic Carriage House can now be found. The Beau - a heady concoction of Hendrick’s Gin, lemon juice syrup and passionfruit liqueur, infused with hibiscus and mango - recalls renowned dandy Beau Brummell, whose bronze likeness stands in the midst of London’s finest gentleman’s outfitters on Jermyn Street;

it’s customary to stroke its cravat for sartorial good luck as you pass.

Code name: The White Mouse

In spite of the predominantly male tone of the neighbourhood discovered today, there is one female in particular who has been commemorated in a cocktail that takes pride of place at the top of the list. Named The White Mouse, it’s an homage to Nancy Wake, the Allies’ most highly decorated servicewoman of WWII, and the Gestapo’s most wanted person - at one stage, she had a five million franc price on her head. Codenamed ‘The White Mouse’ because of her extraordinary ability to elude capture, she started her life in the Antipodes but left home at 16, eventually travelling to Europe and witnessing the rise of anti-Semitism, which fostered her eventual passion and determination for her role within the French resistance.

Francis Godolphin, after whom one of the new cocktails has been named, once had his home in what is now the hotel’s lovely courtyard

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A bust of Nancy Wake, codename The White Mouse, stands behind the cocktail that has been named for her

Returning to Australia in the 1960s, she came back to England in 2001 and became a resident at The Stafford, starting each day with a gin and tonic in a special chair that was especially built for her and is still in use in the Bar today.

The American Bar is full of such relics and memorabilia, ranging from model planes and signed photos, to wartime food rationing certificates and glasses used by members of the Royal family (the Queen Mother was an American Bar regular). Even the ceiling is festooned with a vivid jumble of club ties and baseball caps. Despite the Bar’s recent makeover, incorporating a greater sense of space and light than previously, these intriguing collections still take centre stage; if anything, the revamp allows patrons to explore their curiosities more readily, in an atmosphere that evokes old school conviviality at its best. thestaffordlondon.com

Memorabilia is one of The American Bar’s most loved features; it is even suspended from the ceiling

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Racing Life

Shooting Season

Bullet Point

Hunting has long ceased to be the domain of royalty. With shooting season very nearly upon us, Sarah Rodrigues looks at how William Evans has successfully moved with the times

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ugust sees the advent of shooting season; red grouse and common snipe are available from August 12, while others, including partridge, duck and goose, will follow in September.

Of course, hunting hasn’t always been the respectful and carefully managed sport that it is today: one large sale in the history of premium gun retailer William Evans was for 24 guns to the Maharaja of Kotah, Umed Singh II, known for his passion for tiger hunting. Establishing on his own in 1883, William Evans learned his craft under prestigious gun makers James Purdey and HJ Holland (now Holland & Holland) and this sale, plus almost every other in the brand’s history, is carefully recorded by hand in beautiful ledgers on the shelves in the gun room of the shop’s St James’s location - although the quality of the handwriting has, it must be said, deteriorated somewhat over the years.

Nevertheless, these volumes are an absolute treasure trove, giving exceptional insights into the history of the brand - not least the fact that the union of craftsmanship and affordability has always been central to its offering, and that clients and their families have remained loyal to them for generations. The ledgers’ continued existence is something of a miracle, given that the previous premises, in Pall Mall, were bombed in WWII and irreparably damaged; staff managed to salvage them as far back as 1890 and they have since undergone considerable restoration.

Despite its long and prestigious history, William Evans has always prided itself on

August heralds the start of the shooting season

The William Evans gun room is located downstairs at its St James’s store

its willingness to adapt to the changing needs of their client base. In recent years, the demand for entirely Englishmade rifles at the higher end of the market declined; at the same time, more ‘affordable’ second hand options were becoming scarcer - and therefore, more expensive.

Responding to this shift, William Evans collaborated with Italian gun manufacturer Caesar Guerini to launch the St James in 2008, a quality side-plated over-under shotgun that, with its less-than-£10,000 price tag, reinvigorated the brand and boosted its appeal across a much wider demographic than its previous audience.

The success of the model was somewhat unexpected, with the initial run of 20 guns selling out almost instantly, and subsequent productions just as eagerly seized upon.

A collaboration with Spanish gunmakers Grulla Arms followed in 2009, with the launch of the Pall Mall, which was designed to cater for the continued popularity, among William Evans customers, for a traditional side-by-side model - but again, with an affordability made possible by taking production out of the UK. Grulla, with its long-held and loyal relationship with UK clients ranging from The Duke of Northumberland to Michel de Carvalho, is renowned for its exquisite attention to detail, which is meticulously maintained even in the face

of comparatively swift manufacturing lead times: approximately seven months, compared to around two and a half years for a ‘Best English Gun.’ The final finishings to the guns - the collaborative range has now extended to include the Connaught and Connaught Premium models - are applied in London, by the same craftsmen responsible for other William Evans firearms.

William Evans also stock a range of stylish country clothing and accessories, as well as gifts and ammunition - plus, of course, accessories for gun dogs. www.williamevans.com

The Connaught Premium has been crafted in collaboration with Spanish gunmakers Grullo

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Fine Art

MASTER STROKES Sarah Rodrigues talks to Daniel Crane, one of the country’s most highly regarded sporting artists

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ainting and riding every day: it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Lincolnshire-based artist Daniel Crane pretty much lives the dream. Yet while art has always been a part of his life one of his first memories is of being a child sitting at the kitchen table drawing the family dogs - it was only later in life that he came to riding.

Growing up with farmer parents, horses and hunting had always been in his peripheral vision, but it was at age 19, when walking home from a party early one morning, that he came across a group of hunting hounds on exercise. He says: “I got chatting to the guys and was just captivated, so I made plans to join them again the day after next. Before long I was following them regularly on foot, but I was aware that I’d get so much more out of the experience on horseback - so after two seasons of this, I learned to ride.”

While hardly an ‘old dog’, Daniel had no issue getting to grips with this new trick. “I wanted to ride; I thought about it day and night,” he says. “When you have a drive to do something, there’s nothing you can’t do.” It didn’t hurt, either, that his girlfriend - now his wife - was understanding of his obsession, not to mention being an excellent horsewoman herself. “She helped to make me infinitely better at riding than I would have otherwise been,” he laughs.

On the appeal of hunting, Daniel is nothing short of poetic - a quality that illuminates, quite literally, his art, in which the play of light is a key component.

“To watch the hounds at work is a play without end, set against an ever-changing scene,” he says. “You’re out early in the morning, before anyone else is about, and it feels like you have stolen that time from the world. One experiences great humility and great joy.”

A firm practicality is woven through his passion, too; one that those outside the sport may struggle to reconcile with Daniel’s love of nature, but which is, in fact, every bit as mindful of what he calls “the patchwork of the seasons and our place within it.” Things come and things go, and fox hunting is part of that process: the foxes killed in the course of the sport are very rarely the strong or healthy ones, he points out. “Foxes are incredibly

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This commission, named Downton, depicts three well-known racehorses on the gallops

knowledgeable about their surroundings, aware of every possible way of outwitting the hounds. The ones who are caught are usually old, or the runt of the litter.” In this way, he says, the fox population is kept healthy and strong.

Painting his passion was a natural progression. “Sporting art has echoes all the way back to cave paintings depicting hunting parties and their quarries,” he explains. “Wanting to paint what you see and are involved with is natural; a love of a sport breeds a desire to depict it. And the

deeper one’s involvement and knowledge, the more personal one’s work becomes - the artist becomes a participant in the piece, not just an observer.”

Daniel is highly sought after for private commissions, some of which can be seen on his website, and is creating a painting for The Injured Jockeys Fund Christmas card this year, in addition to having stands each year in the Village at Cheltenham’s November meeting and the Festival in March. www.danielcrane.co.uk

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The final race of legendary racehorse Frankel was immortalised by the artist in this work, which shows him being led into the winners’ enclosure at Ascot

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Racing Life

Charles Farlow Christopher Modoo is a men’s style expert and has conducted suit fittings in both Buckingham and Beckingham Palace. He is often quoted in the press on matters of etiquette and correct dress, and writes a regular feature for The Rake magazine. Follow him on Instagram at @chrismodoo

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ounded in 1840 by Charles Farlow as a specialist fishing shop in the City of London, Farlows has changed premises several times and is now very much at home in the Georgian splendour of number 9 Pall Mall. The listed building store stocks some 7,000 products over two floors; it is an open and airy shop, friendly and inviting and always worth a visit on a shopping trip to London’s West End. As well as a comprehensive range of fishing rods, clothing and accessories, it also stocks the finest range of shooting clothes and accoutrements, as well as some well-made and practical clothes for travel and leisure.

What really sets Farlows apart is the service. If you have ever been frustrated at the lack of knowledge or interest by the staff whilst out shopping you will find Farlows a particular pleasure. The team who work there all enjoy and understand the products they sell and have an

encyclopaedic knowledge of all things “outdoorsy”. On a recent visit, I was shown around by Mr Brian Newman, their clothing manager, who talked me through their current collections. If you find yourself in need of the right kit for a weekend of grouse shooting, you should throw yourself at the mercy of Mr Newman, safe in the knowledge that you will be correctly and comfortably attired - something which is a common occurrence with overseas guests from local hotels needing complete outfits.

There was even an occasion when a driver from a Middle Eastern royal family arrived with a shopping list and the sizes for an entire party. After enlisting some help and a little bit of running around, Farlows

xxxx

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Fashion were able to complete the sale in its entirety.

Of course, if you require only a new pair of proper socks to wear with your boots, you will receive the same level of service.

In fact, they also do a good trade in woven silk motif ties which, as well as making the most wonderful gifts, are often bought by gentleman who have forgotten to wear one for lunch at one of the nearby traditional clubs. Most clubs will have a supply of ties to borrow but they are well known for not being in the best taste - and what a great excuse to make a purchase.

Although Farlows is proudly traditional, the products they stock embrace recent developments in clothing technology.

Here you will find Gore-Tex, breathable membranes and nanotechnology finishes, alongside the traditional tweeds and Scottish knitwear.

Under Creative Director Peter Sant, Farlows have developed and improved their own label but also stock a curated collection from English and European brands. Many of the products they sell are made exclusively for Farlows. As one might expect, they have probably the best collection of shooting and Norfolk jackets in London, from quite sporty tweeds to more muted colours suitable for stalking. They even stock a

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Racing Life

Fashion A Farlows Timeline 1840 1895 1907 1942 1964 1982 1998 2000 2003 2010

Charles Farlow opens for business Charles is succeeded by his sons Charles Paas and John Ambrose Additional premises acquired at Charles Street, London Farlows Croydon Factory is placed on full war production Farlows is sold to the Drayton Group and moved to 5b Pall Mall HRH The Prince of Wales grants Royal Warrant House of Hardy purchases Farlows Farlows Group Ltd acquires business Moves to it current premises at 9 Pall Mall Celebrates 170 years

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machine-washable version. Again, help is always at hand to find the right one for you even if you are just looking for a garment for winter spectator sports or walking the dog. Their comprehensive range of gilets and shooting vests also have a wider appeal. In fact, it’s worth nothing that it is often better value to buy the “real thing” than the more expensive faux-country versions we see in the sort of West End stores that appeal to the customer looking for style Anglaise.

The ladies department at Farlows

is certainly not an afterthought and they rightly take pride in the quality and attention to detail in the product. One of their most popular pieces for ladies is the tweed cape with fur collar which is stylish, elegant, fashionable yet practical. It has an almost iconic status and does not stay on the shelves for long - although I have it on good authority there is a new delivery due in August.

Farlows 9 Pall Mall, St James’s, London SW1Y 5NP www.farlows.co.uk

The best bathing trunks Rui Swimwear

Orlebar Brown

Founded in 2007 to create elegant and stylish resort wear for gentleman, Orlebar Brown describe their trunks as “shorts you can swim in” and have metal side-adjusters to ensure a perfect fit. They are available in three different models (with the mid-length ‘Bulldog’ model being the most popular), which are also available in a variety of plains and prints. This season they have introduced a range of designs celebrating the artwork of the James Bond movie posters, but if this is not to your taste they also offer an extensive ‘design your own’ service. www.orlebarbrown.com

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Inspired by a holiday in Portugal, where he spotted a young gentleman sporting a pair of striped bathing trunks (and a subsequent unsuccessful shopping trip to find a similar pair), James Braddon founded Rui to supply colourful, cool and classic striped swim shorts. As well as featuring bold designs, all Rui trunks are realised in quick-dry fabrics and boast a drawstring waist and side pockets, plus Velcro fastened hip pocket and an inner mesh lining. www.ruiswimwear.com

Vilebrequin

If you need your trunks to be just trunks, St Tropez based resort-wear brand Vilebrequin has just the pair for you. Cut without pockets in an ultracomfortable stretch material, the ‘man’ is cut shorter and has an athletic fit.

They are available in three shades of blue: navy, neptune and lagoon, as well as an aquatic print. Ideal for the keen swimmer who appreciates freedom and lightness. www.vilebrequin.com

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MUHAARAR First yearlings 2018

First foals averaged more than £200,000. Champion Sprinter in 2015 #needforspeed Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.com Or call Richard Lancaster, James O’Donnell or Tom Pennington on 01842 755913 Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

Talking To...

Meade on a

MISSION Trainer and businessman Martyn Meade was happy and successful in

Newmarket but felt he could not pass up the opportunity to purchase Manton, and has set about laying the foundations for further top-level triumphs – in horses like Advertise, he has every chance of achieving it Interview: Tim Richards Photos: George Selwyn

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fter a successful spell training in Newmarket you decided to purchase the historic Manton training estate and moved in last March. Why did you want to leave HQ after four years?

I didn’t actually seek to leave Newmarket; I thrived on my time there and felt very privileged to be able to restore Sefton Lodge to its former glory. However, when the chance to buy Manton came along I had to grasp the opportunity as these things don’t happen too often. As Manton is quite close to my original base in Wiltshire, it felt a little bit like going home. But I have to say, we had great fun improving the yard, the house and

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building an extra ten boxes at Sefton Lodge.

How different is your current environment from the busy gallops of Newmarket that accommodate some 3,000 horses – and what changes and improvements are you making at Manton?

The two could not be more different.

Pretty much everything is provided for you at Newmarket, which is one of the reasons I went there in the first place. So I could get up and running very quickly. While I have got the infrastructure here, not a lot has been done with the place over the last 30 years so it is another

restoration project. We have started off virtually rebuilding the Fifield yard, which is a major project, as well as resurfacing the all-weather gallops and working with our agronomist on the grass gallops. Originally, when the all-weather and grass gallops were installed they were irrigated and it’s been a godsend being able to use them at this stage of the season. I am also farming a substantial acreage here and that means I can grow my own straw and forage.

Compared with a very busy Newmarket, we don’t have to plan ahead and book in to use specific gallops. Here we can suit ourselves.

Eighty horses is the ideal number, more

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Adam Martyn Beschizza Meade

Martyn Meade oversees a select team of thoroughbreds on the historic Manton estate

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Talking To...

“It is exciting trying to find the optimum distance for each individual”

Martyn Meade with son Freddie on the famous Manton gallops

›› than that and I think one loses touch. Brian Meehan is our neighbour in the Astor yard.

He uses our gallops and it is really good to have him on the estate.

You trained your first NH winner in 1972, switched to the Flat, temporarily retired in the 80s, and now you are aiming to sit at the top table of your profession. What makes Flat racing so tantalising?

I think National Hunt sport is undoubtedly the most fun of all. However, there are drawbacks and I found it difficult to see how I could make a commercial success of it. Whereas the Flat is based primarily on breeding and has a worldwide appetite and audience, and that is a great help in looking at a business which can be commercially viable. It has certainly proved to be the case for our operation over the last three years.

Exciting two-year-old Advertise with Dan Burns

From the sporting point of view, on the Flat the thrill of seeing horses galloping at such pace and finishing through the final furlong at full speed is very special. For me, it’s a different mindset compared with National Hunt racing. Originally, I didn’t understand the Flat and people used to facetiously tell me, ‘Blink and you’ll miss it’. It is exciting trying to find the optimum distance for each individual, not necessarily based on pedigree, as you can also look at the individual and its build, which might suggest staying a longer distance. Getting that right is a fulfilling part of the business.

If I could have a yard full of milers that stepped up to ten furlongs or even dropped back to six or seven you’d have all that flexibility, which would be exciting.

As far as jumpers are concerned, we would have one only if it was a good Flat horse we thought might have a chance in the Champion Hurdle.

You have said in order to rub shoulders

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Martyn Meade

LIFE & TIMES

Born: 1948, Weston Super Mare, Somerset Education: Brymore School, Cannington, near Bridgwater Career: chartered surveyor, businessman, racehorse trainer Family: three wonderful children, January (married to Dermot Farrington), Freddie and George Ambition: to live forever! at the moment we are taking it a step at a time.

Advertise has come out of the Newmarket race very well and I don’t want to overdo him as I think he’ll be a smashing three-year-old. The one thing that makes him stand out from all the others is that he is just so straightforward. One of those horses that never lets you down; intelligent, lies down and goes to sleep in his box, gets up, does his work and eats his food. He is the perfect horse at this stage. From day one he has risen to the top and fulfilled every dream we’ve had so far.

with the best you must have a “good buying team” – your shrewd purchases include Aclaim, Eminent, Wilamina and Advertise. How do you approach the sales, what do you look for and who advises/buys for you?

We select and buy the yearlings ourselves.

I head up the buying team, very much supported by my son-in-law Dermot Farrington, who is a bloodstock agent, and my son Freddie, who is my assistant trainer. We have strict guidelines that we adhere to when selecting and purchasing the yearlings. Suffice to say, we value the horses and don’t get carried away with auction fever. You have to be very disciplined and set yourself a price. We buy speculatively and then find owners, if possible with breeding interests because we are always trying to make stallions or broodmares. We buy stock as opposed to pedigrees; first the individual then we look to the page. And we are always disciplined on price.

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Is there a plan in place for Freddie to take over the reins one day?

There isn’t a plan at the moment, but I would certainly hope that would be the case. Freddie was involved in Ladyswood Stud, which is a stud we used to have in Wiltshire and sold when we moved to Newmarket.

Advertise, a son of Showcasing bought for £60,000, fulfilled his Royal Ascot promise with an impressive victory in Newmarket’s Group 2 July Stakes. What does the future hold for him?

Of course we were delighted with his Newmarket performance and hope he will prove himself a top two-year-old performer. The plan is to run in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 12, sticking to six furlongs, though I do think he is capable of staying seven this year.

Hopefully in the Dewhurst at Newmarket this autumn. Then perhaps going up to a mile in the 2,000 Guineas next season. But

You were involved in hunting, as Master of Foxhounds, and have played polo around the world. How did you become involved in horses and where did your desire to train thoroughbreds come from?

I have ridden from an early age and always been around horses. I suppose it was a natural progression to train racehorses and fulfil the ambition when the time came to give up my other activities. Racing has always been an underlying passion for me but I was prevented from participating as a rider by my weight. Training was always something I was waiting to do. My father owned a number of jumpers. I was Master of Foxhounds at West Somerset Vale and the Eggesford in deepest Devon. I gave up playing polo three years ago but both my sons, Freddie and George, play.

As Chairman of Hadleigh Partners – a private equity firm with interests primarily in timber and property – do you find racing an escape from the high pressures of the business world?

Without question, I find life much more pressurised and stressful training racehorses than it ever was in the business world. Further than that, it must be one of the most difficult professions to succeed

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Talking To...

Martyn Meade

›› in because it encompasses so many

different outside influences and pressures.

It makes business a doddle. The variety of people you come across from contrasting backgrounds in the racing world provides a kaleidoscope of different ideas and thoughts. Racing certainly keeps the old brain going with endless problems to solve. The ultimate aim is to be successful, but nothing is straightforward and that provides the challenge.

You are a fully qualified helicopter pilot.

How much do you fly and do you often go by helicopter to the races?

I have been flying for a long time and it is not a luxury. It is the only practical way I can get to where I need to be on a daily basis. My commercial headquarters are in London and the racing headquarters are now Manton. And having runners most days during the Flat season and also requiring to be in the yard – which is terribly important – puts a lot of strain on your time. I fly the helicopter myself, almost every day. It is a huge part of the way I operate and has been for many years.

“Racing keeps the old brain going with endless problems to solve” While in Newmarket you purchased the local Snailwell Stud from the Joel family.

How do you see the future of the stud fitting into your plans?

Snailwell Stud was very much part of the operation when I trained at Newmarket.

We had the ability to spell horses there, break them, and our breeding operation was there as well. However, having moved to Manton it is no longer an integral part of our bloodstock operation. So, reluctantly, I shall be putting Snailwell Stud on the market and bringing the whole breeding operation back to Manton. I shall keep a few broodmares here and there is enough room for spelling and breaking.

Having been very hands-on in the boardroom at the top of the business world, you must have a view on the best way forward for racing…

Generally racing is very well run in the UK.

Meade in his helicopter, which he sees as a necessity, not a luxury

However, there is an increasing tendency to make changes just for the sake of making changes and it’s this I find rather irritating. In my opinion, a good example is the new novice arrangement, whereby a winning two-year-old is given a 7lb penalty and then if it wins again, a 14lb penalty.

Inevitably this is going to stop horses unless they are up to a rating of around 90. Lumping on a horse you’ve got ready to win first time seems unreasonable, especially if it’s only a 70-rated youngster.

Why change the system when it was working perfectly well before?

Also, there is such a lot of racing now I am strongly in favour of evening racing finishing by 8pm. When you consider the horses and the staff, who are providing entertainment seven days a week, they should not have to leave the racecourse as late as 10pm. It’s just not on. Particularly when they have a long journey in front of them and then are up for work very early the following morning.

Which horse has supplied your most exciting/memorable moment to date?

The standout for me has to be my first Group 1 with Aclaim in the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly on Arc day last year. That was the pinnacle. After all, that’s what everyone strives for – great excitement and lifelong memories. A great milestone one strives for and has to pass as a trainer. But then of course it gives you the taste for more and more. It was the last race of the day at Chantilly but celebrations started there and went on well into the early hours when we got home.

You would seem well placed to offer a view on Brexit and the uncertainty it has created for racing and business…

I am very concerned that we have been put in this position in the first place. And the situation appears to get even worse when there seems to be very little clear strategy for the future. However, historically these crises are generally resolved by the

CLOSE UP AND… PERSONAL

I switch off by… enjoying a long Sunday lunch with close friends and family Guiltiest pleasure… disappearing for a few days sailing in Antibes Four dinner party guests… Isambard Brunel, Douglas Bader, Richard Burton and Beyonce Actor to play me on screen…

Aidan Turner Can’t get through the day without… a sense of humour

CLOSE UP AND… PROFESSIONAL

Racing has taught me… attention to detail is critical for success I handle defeat by… analysing ‘why’ Best advice I’ve received… never expect, always inspect My racing idol is… John Magnier I want to win… everything hardworking British public who adapt to whatever disastrous outcome the politicians negotiate. It is so unclear at this stage I cannot have a strong view on the matter, other than the fact we’ll all pull it around somehow if that’s the will of the people. The British public have great resolve.

Can you give us a two-year-old and older horse to follow this autumn?

Confiding is a progressive two-year-old with a bright future. He won first time at Newbury and that performance could be analysed as being as impressive as Advertise’s winning debut there. Confiding may go to Goodwood and hopefully on from there. Wilamina is a real favourite of mine and a model of consistency. A lovely mare – if only she could win a Group 1. She has been knocking on the door and with a bit of soft ground in France later on, she might be able to do it.

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“Keeneland is the best place in the world to buy and sell.”

— Gerry Dilger, Dromoland Farm

SEPTEMBER SALE GR ADUATES IN 2018:

201 GR ADED/GROUP STAKES WINNERS

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GR ADE/GROUP 1 STAKES WINNERS

More than all other North American sales companies combined.

2018 KEENELAND

SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE

Mo n d ay , S ep te m b e r 1 0 – Su n d a y , Se p t e m b e r 2 3

SEPTEMBER.KEENELAND.COM Ed Prosser • European Representative • +44 (0) 7808 477827 Mobile • eprosser@keeneland.co.uk

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The Big Interview

All Together

NOW Former Merrill Lynch trader Alex Frost now heads

a consortium with a 25% share of the Tote and the option for complete ownership within five years.

The 42-year-old’s passion for racing led to him encouraging like-minded investors to back his Alizeti operation in its ‘Together for the Tote’ campaign and the group is currently negotiating with Britbet regarding the future of UK pool betting Words: Emma Berry Photos: George Selwyn

W

hat inspired you to set up the Alizeti consortium and bid for the Tote?

The opportunity of pool betting is massive – people in the UK underestimate just how much regulation and a changed way of betting will play out. We have a very strong view but ultimately we don’t think [the Tote will be] 4% of the market share; we think there’s a better market share for pool betting that is probably higher single digits, maybe even 10%. So, there’s that side – which is pure opportunity – but also it’s the most obvious source of racing finance. Media rights are very helpful but, particularly from the owners’ and breeders’ perspective, people are looking at the state of things now and thinking there is a problem. If ever we were going to leave a legacy, this is the chance to do it.

We felt that there would never be a chance to buy the Tote again so we thought

we’d give it a go. It seems to me that the levy is the right principle for returning capital to racing. So, it was a combination of a pretty unique opportunity in a world I understand incredibly well, which is pool trading, and the need for a solution to racing finances.

You have had to raise money from other investors. How easy was that given that your aspiration is not solely a profit-driven one from the investors’ point of view, but one which it is hoped will benefit racing?

People like to see good motives tied to big investments. Frankly, we went to people who could afford it and there was lots of discussion about whether this was purely a charitable cause, but when you approach it in that way, your aspirations are capped immediately. Racing will benefit if the pool is massive and to have aspirations to make the pool massive, you must have ambitious

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Alex Frost

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The Big Interview

›› people involved. To go to people with

trading backgrounds and ask them to work for a charity wouldn’t have worked. To me, what seemed much more effective was to combine the two.

Very successful projects across the world have had an underlying good cause but have been privately backed. We paired with investors who ultimately shared the vision of how it could work and felt that if the industry was to get behind it, both sides could be winners. Everybody involved is locked into a five-year investment with the aim to make sure that the Tote is never sold again outside racing. We’re in talks with various parts of the government and regulatory people across the board to make sure that it stays within racing forever. In Hong Kong, Australia or almost anywhere you go, the Tote is the origin of how betting happens and it feels to me that in a highly regulated world, where cash is becoming

less and less of a feature, credit pool betting is the most palatable option.

The Tote, of which Alizeti owns 25%, is in discussions with Britbet, which is a new player in the pool betting market. Can you speculate as to how two might become one?

Strategically it makes a lot of sense to divide the two in the sense we don’t profess to be experts at running racecourse services. It would be sensible for Britbet to run a pool on course that has the Tote brand, which is widely recognised here and internationally, and for us to provide everything off course, which is a significant portion of the pool.

We need to make sure that on course you receive an amazing service.

Historically, there have been complaints that the Tote’s offering on course isn’t very interesting and hasn’t been aggressively marketed. Britbet feel they can improve

on it and I believe that they will be able to provide a really good on-course experience.

Tote betting in Ireland has halved on course in recent years, so it’s a massive challenge for everybody, but we’ve got to make sure that the tablet way of betting is really alive.

It’s not going to happen overnight but we have people on board who can deliver it.

What plans do you have for encouraging more punters to bet into the Tote?

Liquidity is everything and for that the user experience has to be really good.

Some bookmakers have done a great job at making it very easy for people to have a bet on their screens and we have to be one of those. We’ve also got to deliver other promises, which is to make sure that momentum is coming back into the industry. If you can have that Camelot-like experience with a bit of Amazon thrown in then you’d really have something people

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Alex Frost Alex Frost inherited his love of racing and breeding from his grandfather and father

tells its own story. But we don’t want just to say, ‘Here’s racing’s rich list’. It shouldn’t be about that. Alizeti should disappear very quickly and it should be about the Tote.

What return do you expect from your turnover compared to the return from current betting operators?

Currently the relationship between betting and the sport is very contentious. For a 4% market-share business we think we can contribute meaningfully. We’ll have to invest a lot up front to make that happen so you won’t see crazy numbers spin off in the Tote straight away, but you should in five to ten years’ time. This is an asset that hasn’t been invested in heavily for a long time. The government had it for sale for six years and since then the attraction was much more in property than the underlying assets.

Currently the relationship between betting and the industry is broken. The levy is going up but it’s going up on fairly fragile grounds.

“Alizeti should disappear very quickly and it should be about the Tote”

can believe in, and if you’re an owner, or a breeder, or one of the six million people who go racing each year and you see good things happening, then hopefully the whole thing will be self-fulfilling. But we’ve got to aim high.

Ascot, Bangor and Chester all operate their own on-course betting operation.

Would you have a tote pool on races at a course where on-course bets are not being paid into your pool?

Ascot has about £9 million in turnover from [general] on-course turnover of around £70 million, so Ascot is a big chunk of what goes on and is very significant. They are already in partnership with the Tote so there shouldn’t be any changes there, though they are one of a few who will use their own brand, which is Ascot Bet. We’re very keen to work with them on delivering a great oncourse experience. We’d love to talk to the

Aug_168_BigInterview.indd 57

other courses as we feel we can offer them a very good service and ensure that the pool is consistently big.

Several prominent racing figures have spoken out in favour of Alizeti’s plans but it’s probably fair to say that the wider racing world doesn’t know much about you. How do you plan to get your message across that betting with the Tote will benefit the sport?

We’re seeing as many people as possible, including a recent presentation to the Racehorse Owners Association. We’ve discussed it with 30 to 40 trainers, 50 or more owners and breeders. People will look at it from afar and have an opinion, but actually you really do need to do a lot of work to understand the complexity [of the Tote]. The fact that we have got 40 investors to believe in the economics and the cause of what we’re doing hopefully

One of the strengths of overseas totes is that they have popular bets over and above the standard win and place pools.

Do you think it will be possible to change people’s betting habits in this country to increase the popularity of the ‘exotics’?

We have to make it fun – with a high return.

The Tote Ten to Follow is a massively successful bet and so is the Placepot.

The Placepot still holds a strong place in people’s hearts, and the three numbers in the lottery, for example, was very successful – it gave a sense that it’s possible to win.

We’ve all won the Placepot once and it’s great fun, but not if you’re winning £65.20.

It has to be much bigger than that. It needs to be kept very simple – make sure it’s six televised races and very mass market. Who knows, would we ever become a rival to the lottery like the Tiercé is in France? That’s the dream ticket.

How did you first become involved in racing?

My grandfather, Tom Frost, owned the winner of the 1964 Sussex Stakes, Roan Rocket. My dad, who is also called Tom, was

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The Big Interview

Alex Frost

Alizeti Chief Executive Frost flanked by his Chairman Eamonn Wilmott (left) and Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Andy Hobsbawm

›› successful in his own right on a smaller scale

but was much more into the breeding side.

Roan Rocket stood at Dunchurch Stud and we used to go to see him. My dad also had Absalom, another grey sprinter who won the Hungerford, so we were brought up with these horses being around – 54 years on we’re still looking for the next Roan Rocket.

You bought Ladyswood Stud early last year and consigned your first foal draft in December. What ambitions do you have?

We’d like to try to find three or four really strong bloodlines. At the moment we have two – Dabaweyaa’s family, which has been great for us so far, and the Twilight Son family which we’ve had a lot of fun with.

We have Henry Candy to thank for that. He bought [Twilight Son’s half-brother] The Confessor for us and we were intrigued by the fact that, from fairly humble stallions, his dam was producing really tough and fun horses. Then suddenly it went from tough and fun to really good. So by Piccolo she had The Confessor and Music Master and

by Kyllachy there was Twilight Son. The Confessor won five races for us and gave us some brilliant days out. We now have [his half-sister] Spring Fling back here and also her full-sister, and then we have a three-parts sister to Twilight Son in training with Henry Candy called Twilighting. I love looking into the bloodlines; the first thing I look at when I see a winner is who it’s by,

then you start to work out if the mare was a good cross with the stallion.

You also own some National Hunt mares in partnership in Ireland, including the dam of Don Poli. Where does your heart lie, Flat or jumps?

I just find when I get to November Handicap time I like to flip to the jumps and you get that wonderful build up towards the King George. The seasonal aspect of racing in the UK is wonderful. The moment that Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown finish I’m ready for the Flat again.

You’re also on the board at Epsom, which as a Jockey Club Racecourse is involved in Britbet. Has that been contentious?

We have the most incredible chair in Julia Budd and whenever there have been any discussions regarding Britbet she has suggested I stand down for particular items.

But Epsom is hugely enjoyable and it has a wonderful and diverse board of people from all walks of racing, who are very ambitious and very keen to ensure that the Derby is as prominent as it should be, and that Epsom on a Thursday night is as much fun as Windsor on a Monday.

There is a concern that racing is becoming increasingly marginalised. What can the sport do to captivate a wider audience?

I’m passionate about kids getting close

to horses. It doesn’t matter if it’s Frankel or a pony, there’s just something special about the relationship between horses and humans. We can see that in the interaction between horses and children with learning disabilities. I love the scheme of the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. These are the sorts of things we should be encouraging.

In my view, there’s no point going off on a spending spree and trying to recruit 28-year-old blokes who like football.

They’re gone, it’s too late. But it is worth trying to get the five- to 15-year-olds to come and experience the horse, through open days and Racing to School. It’s up to us as a community to invest in that. There’s a good chance that some of them will get the bug.

When people come racing we should make them feel welcome. They shouldn’t just be siphoned off into beer tents.

Racecourse infrastructure must be aware of where the horse is on the racecourse. Also, let’s say I have a horse running at Ayr but can’t go. I’d be delighted to put six tickets up for auction for other people to be an owner for the day. It might raise only £40 for charity, but if six people have a really good experience and they represent you for the day and have a behind-the-scenes day with the trainer, then there’s a chance that some of them could become owners. It’s also another chance for people to get close to the horses.

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20/07/2018 18:45

CONSIDERING YOUR CONSIGNOR? …Consider us

Tattersalls December Sales are on the horizon.

Our focus when prepping or selling your horses is always on individual service and the finer details that can make a very big difference.

PAST GRADUATES INCLUDE:

EBLOUISSANTE

(1/2 sister to ZENYATTA), sold 1,100,000gns

SECRET GARDEN

(dam of Classic winning sire RODERIC O’CONNOR), sold for 900,000gns

STORMY ANTARCTIC

(Gr.2 winner) sold as a foal for 68,000gns

ENDLESS TIME

(Gr.2 winner) sold as a foal for 115,000gns

BEA REMEMBERED

(dam of STORMY ANTARCTIC), sold carrying AL JOHRAH (Gr.2 placed) for 100,000gns

Foal Sale entries close August 31st Mare Sale entries close September 17th

TIM LANE 07738 496141

Tel: 01638 675929 or email

AMY TAYLOR 07872 058295

stallions@nationalstud.co.uk

JAMES BERNEY 07717 558766

www.nationalstud.co.uk

60 THOROUGHBRED OWNER BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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20/07/2018 10:47

Breeders’ Digest

Emma Berry Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes: Sales Circuit: Records tumble during strong store sale season – pages 62-68 Caulfield Files: In pursuit of a top-class Flat heir to the late, great Montjeu – pages 71-72 Dr Statz: Camelot’s decent start an encouraging boost for middle-distance sires – page 98

New scheme should be given a chance

J

to the problem of a dearth of owners. A fervent hope is that, if the scheme is ratified and can get underway in 2019 as planned, then it will not only encourage more breeders to put a horse in training but also more potential owners to seek out that GB suffix at the sales.

Britain’s Flat heritage remains strong, and recent stars such as Frankel, Cracksman and Enable have helped keep the flag high on the mast. There is also growing confidence in the British National Hunt sector, which is still minnow-like in comparison to Ireland and France, but nevertheless capable of producing the likes of Thistlecrack, Sizing John and Cue Card.

This buoyancy has doubtless been helped by the introduction of the Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (MOPS), an initiative created by the TBA’s National Hunt committee to increase the demand for jump-bred fillies at the sales. It is working, and let’s hope that the British-bred Premium Scheme is given a similar chance.

find, but in those precious few moments when all goes to plan, when your horse wins a race at whatever level, or your mare’s stock finds favour with buyers, then it’s right there staring you in the face and it’s a feeling that’s hard to match.

It probably takes a certain kind of dreamer to become a thoroughbred breeder in the first place, but in order to keep the dream alive for enough breeders to continue to supply the racing industry with racehorses then clearly something has to be done to stop many smaller operators from haemorrhaging money.

I don’t buy into this supposed need to fill the demands of British racing’s bloated fixture list. The horses are there – just ask any breeder who hasn’t been able to secure a spot in a yearling sale in the last few years, or, in being granted a slot, has taken a horsehome unsold. The problem remains that there simply aren’t enough potential buyers for these horses.

So, yes, we must encourage breeders in Britain not to stop doing what they’ve done so well for centuries, but more importantly we need to keep trying to find a solution

ADAM SMYTH

ust as this issue of the magazine was going to press, the TBA held its annual awards and AGM in Newmarket.

The Chairman’s leader on page 7 outlines the proposal made at the AGM for a new £7.75 million scheme to support British-bred and -sired horses – a necessary step, the association believes, in order to deal with the “seismic crack” in the British breeding industry.

A vivid picture of the woes facing the smaller breeder in this country was painted

by TBA board member Philip Newton, who presented members with a “snapshot” of the latest Economic Impact Study conducted by the TBA. The full report of this is yet to be published but the overview has been enough to give the board cause for concern, not least the fact that since the last study was underatken in 2014, the percentage of breeders operating at a loss has risen from 45 to 66, with breeders overall in this country making an average of 2% return on capital investment.

So why do we do it? That’s probably a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some stage. On some days the answer is hard to

Philip Freedman is presented with his award by TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson

Aug_168_BloodstockIntro.indd 61

Freedman honoured Philip Freedman has done more than his fair share to support British breeding and racing over the years and he was thus an extremely popular recipient of the Andrew Devonshire Bronze, the most prestigious prize at the annual TBA awards. He follows his father Louis, not only as a winner of the award and a stalwart of the sport, but as an owner-breeder of great regard.

The famous Cliveden Stud silks were last month carried to victory in the Lancashire Oaks by Horseplay, while three-year-old Melodies, representing the family of the Freedmans’ Derby winner Reference Point and Eclipse winner Mount Nelson, posted her first victory at Doncaster just five days later.

The TBA Chairman at the time this magazine was first published in September 2004, Freedman is currently Chairman of the Horsemen’s Group and of the British European Breeders’ Fund. We congratulate him not just on his richly deserved award, but for continuing to bring a voice of calm and sense to the often heated political debates within the bloodstock industry.

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Sales Circuit • By Carl Evans Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale

Some stunning stores with the potential to enjoy glittering careers maintained this sale’s reputation for being a ready source of a future top-class jumping horse.

None epitomised that more than Altior’s three-year-old three-parts brother by Milan, who was knocked down for a sale record €365,000 to bloodstock agent Aiden Murphy, completing a superb pinhook for John Dwan of Ballyreddin Stud.

Dwan stuck his financial neck out at Tattersalls Ireland’s November Foal Sale in 2015, paying €40,000 for the son of Milan when his illustrious big brother had shown promise, but little more, by landing a bumper and two novices’ hurdles. Three days after that sale Altior won a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham, and the following spring added the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Dwan was more or less guaranteed to be in profit if he could keep his purchase in one piece, and the finished store knocked buyers’ eyes out when he arrived at Fairyhouse.

It was no surprise that Murphy was interested in the prize, and he fended off Mags O’Toole to secure the youngster before revealing he was acting for MV Magnier of Coolmore Stud. The Magnier family’s fortunes have roots in National

The record-breaking sale topper, a three-parts-brother to Altior, bought by MV Magnier

Hunt racing and the jump stallions that have stood at Grange Stud – which is now home to Milan – but this was an intriguing purchase nonetheless.

Murphy was associated with the top three lots, for he also signed for geldings

by Kayf Tara and Martaline in association

with his son Olly, a former assistant to Gordon Elliott and, like the Irishman, making an electric start in his fledgling training career.

Tattersalls Ireland made an adjustment to this year’s sale by completing it in two days and moving

Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

G Milan - Monte Solaro (Key Of Luck)

Ballyreddin Stud

365,000

Aiden Murphy/MV Magnier

G Kayf Tara - Oeuvre Vive (Robin Des Champs)

Oak Tree Farm

250,000

Aiden Murphy/Olly Murphy Racing

G Martaline - Mille Et Une (Trempolino)

Ballincurrig House Stud

240,000

Aiden Murphy/Olly Murphy Racing

G Presenting - Synthe Davis (Saint Des Saints)

Redpender Stud

200,000

Gordon Elliott

G No Risk At All - Marie Royale (Turgeon)

Sluggara Farm

200,000

Aiden Murphy

G Stowaway - Shop Dj (Dushyantor)

Redpender Stud

190,000

Highflyer B/s SackvilleDonald

C Fame And Glory - Full Of Birds (Epervier Bleu)

Glenvale Stud

185,000

Joseph O’Brien

G Vision D’Etat – Queissa (Saint Preuil)

Brown Island Stables

170,000

Gordon Elliott

G Saddler Maker - Passion D’Alene (Video Rock)

Sluggara Farm

165,000

Henry de Bromhead

G Fame And Glory - No Ice Or Lemon (Old Vic)

Manister House Stud

160,000

Kevin Ross Bloodstock

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€

Top Price (€)

2018

347

17,890,500

51,558

42,000

365,000

2017

341

17,655,500

51,776

43,000

220,000

2016

297

14,216,000

47,865

36,000

255,000

2015

289

12,416,500

42,964

36,000

320,000

2014

337

14,685,000

43,576

34,000

220,000

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Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring

Olly Murphy with his father/agent Aiden and Paul Shanahan

the third day – known as Part II – to an earlier slot in May. The change was unlikely to have any impact on the main event, and the figures backed that up, with only slight up-and-down movement. Turnover gained 1% (just one more horse was offered compared to 2017), while the proud average

This Kayf Tara gelding was sold by Oak Tree Farm for €250,000

in excess of €50,000 was held for a second year, dropping less than 0.5%.

The median was clipped by 2% while the clearance rate held steady at 85%.

Ballincurrig House Stud led consignors, selling 22 stores for €1,520,000 at an average of €69,091, although Walter Connors’ Sluggara Farm took a draft of

seven and turned over €741,000 at a superb average of €105,857.

The Doyle family of Monbeg Stables led purchasers by securing 29 horses for €1,264,000 – most will have been bought as pinhooks with a view to running in Irish point-to-points and then going back to market.

TALKING POINTS • The leading buyer from Britain at the Derby Sale was the Minton/Bromley/ Greatrex team of Highflyer Bloodstock, which picked up 17 horses at an average of €64,353.

Asked for his view of trade at the highestgrossing sale of store horses, Anthony Bromley said: “A very strong Irish pointto-point market is still underpinning trade – any racy-looking gelding by a sire who people recognise was in demand up to €50,000 – but it was also good to see big owners coming back in. Trevor Hemmings has always been a supporter of store sales, but he upped his limit a bit and attended all three of the sales [this one plus the Land Rover and Spring Sales].

“Despite all the heavy ground it was a good winter of jump racing and people seem to have come out of it with plenty

Arqana Summer Sale

This event is the epitome of a ‘mixed sale’, offering Flat breezers, jumping stores, breeding stock and horses in training.

The results bore out much that has been resulted from sales devoted to such categories, with improved trade for stores, less good news for Flat breezers, and excellent prices for any broodmare or horse in training who had the right credentials.

Aug_168_SaleCircuit.indd 63

of enthusiasm – they are prepared to take on the power of Willie Mullins, Gigginstown and Gordon Elliott.

“The clearance rate was good at all three major store sales, but I’m a bit concerned about the [late summer] second-tier sales because the foal crop is growing again.”

• Tom Lacey, Britain’s leading exponent of converting a store into a winning pointer before being reoffered for sale, invested in six horses who were all bought with a view to running in UK points next season as a way of advertising their merit. Headed by a grey son of Shantou who cost €60,000, the sextet was knocked down to Lacey’s Pudlicote Partnership.

• The leading sires’ table proved a whitewash for stallions standing, or who stood, in Ireland, although the number one slot did go to a horse bred in Britain.

Esteve, a three-year-old colt by Mastercraftsman with a Listed victory among three wins from five starts, had plenty of appeal, and duly headed trade when making €445,000, exactly €100,000 more than next-best Masterpiece, a paternal half-brother to the top lot. Both went down to agent Gerard Larrieu on behalf of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, a Qatar-based owner who uses the services of trainer Jassim Ghazali, a very familiar face at in-training

Fame And Glory, who was bred by Ptarmigan Bloodstock and Kirsten Rausing, died last year aged 11, soon after his first crop had turned three, but the seeds of hope had appeared, and they were good-looking, too. Once his death was announced the value of his unraced or lightly-raced stock took on a premium.

At this sale that resulted in his 22 lots selling for €1,824,000 at an average of €82,909.

Gloucestershire-based Kayf Tara is now 24 and being carefully managed with select books, so did not have the numbers to make a top-10 placing on the sires’ table. However, five of his six lots found a buyer at an average of €111,400, nice business if you have a mare chosen to be his mate.

sales in Britain. Al Kuwari and Ghazali were to make their presence felt at the following week’s Tattersalls July Sale in Newmarket.

The leading mare was Gonzeville, whose half-sister, Teppal, won May’s Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches. Gonzeville had made €16,000 when bought as a foal at Arqana’s December breeding stock sale, but was knocked down for €150,000 at this event. Crispin De Moubray signed for Gonzeville, a

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Sales Circuit ›› daughter of Le Havre and carrying to

the young sire Recorder.

An AQPS-bred, two-year-old halfbrother to Silviniaco Conti headed the store section when making €180,000 to a bid from trainer Guillaume Macaire, while the leading breezer, a Dabirsim filly from Thomond O’Mara’s Knockanglass Stables, was sold for €57,000 to Federico Barberini.

A bigger store section involving an additional 34 lots (122 in total) was

too much for the market which saw the clearance rate drop back from 77% to 66%, but those who found a buyer included six who made a six-figure sum, valuations that helped the average price rise to just under €37,000.

Trade for two-year-old breezers was a reflection of the tougher times felt at specialist sales in the spring. Of the 55 offered, only 32 (60%) found a buyer, down from 82% during the heady breeze-up season enjoyed 12 months

ago, and the average price fell 40% to €11,521.

A slightly smaller HIT and breeding stock section saw a healthy rise in clearance rate to 85% (up from 75%), but small falls in the average price of 25,173 (-7%) and median of €8,250 (-6%).

The overall turnover for both days rose 4%, helped by an additional 38 lots. The average tip-toed down 4% to €26,713, but the median took a 19% hit.

Arqana Summer Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Esteve (Mastercraftsman – Russiana {Red Ransom})

Jean-Claude Rouget

445,000

Gerard Larrieu

Masterpiece (Mastercraftsman - Modern Eagle {Montjeu})

Andre Fabre

345,000

Gerard Larrieu

Galleo Conti (Poliglote - Gazelle Lulu {Altayan})

Jean-Marie Callier

180,000

Guillaume Macaire

Gonzeville (Le Havre – Jummana {Cadeaux Genereux})

Montfort & Preaux

150,000

Crispin De Moubray

Galant Du Chenet (Martaline - Viviane Royale {Poliglote})

Haras Du Loges

145,000

Haras Du Saubouas

Clerval (Martaline - Ile De See {Saint Des Saints})

Haras de la Hetraie

145,000

George Mullins

Staking (Stormy River – Shaking {Linamix})

Nicolas Clement

140,000

Harold Kirk

Markazi (Dark Angel – Marasima {Barathea})

Aga Khan Studs

140,000

Jason Kelly

Grand Paradis (Martaline - Outre Mer {Sleeping Car})

Haras Du Cercy

120,000

Pascale Menard

Frere Tuck (Secret Singer - Tete Et Corde {Robin Des Champs})

Chemin & Herpin

120,000

Harold Kirk

Lignou (Rajsaman - Lady Meydan {American Post})

Jean-Claude Rouget

120,000

Mags O’Toole

Figures Year

Sold

2018

283

7,449,700

2017

258

7,249,000

2016

229

7,214,500

2015

215

5,582,000

2014

283

6,965,500

24,613

12,000

190,000

2015

215

5,582,000

25,963

13,000

380,000

2014

283

6,965,500

24,613

12,000

190,000

Tattersalls July Sale

Unusual lots are a good talking point and advertising opportunity for horsesin-training sales, a case in point being the three Galileo yearling fillies that were offered during this three-day mixed event.

Galileo yearlings at the October Sale are nothing new, but the trio were sent to the ring earlier than expected because they were owned in partnerships involving Coolmore Stud associates and Mayfair Speculators’ Markus Jooste, the South African businessman whose financial difficulties have resulted in the dismantling of his bloodstock interests.

At this sale that resulted in the yearlings’ appearance, and also some choice three-year-old fillies, in particular

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

26,701

13,000

445,000

28,097

16,000

280,000

31,504

13,000

400,000

25,963

13,000

380,000

Award Winning and C’Est Ca, who headed trade when selling for 350,000gns and 320,000gns respectively. Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff bought the latter pair for unnamed clients, while German bloodstock agent Ronald Rauscher, and the fledgling Gloucestershire-based Apple Tree Stud, which is managed by former jump jockey Robert Thornton, accounted for the Galileo yearlings. Rauscher bought one, Apple Tree two.

Rauscher paid 300,000gns to secure his choice – a daughter of the mare Milanova, who is a full-sister to sire Holy Roman Emperor and whose Galileo-sired daughter, Pretty Perfect, had won at Group 3 level and been Group 2-placed.

While the ‘Jooste horses’ sold it was not,

on paper, good business. Award Winning, for instance, whose price was a July Sale record for a filly, had cost 720,000gns as a foal, and won less than £5,000 in three runs on the track.

The July Sale’s reputation as a good place to clear horses-in-training was maintained during the second and third sessions when clearance rates of 96% and 93% were achieved, although a slight fall in the number of fillies and mares that were shifted pulled the overall figure down a couple of points to 87%. There were also falls in turnover (-18%), average (-16%) and median (-17%).

Buyers from small racing nations around the globe were not short of choice, but higher-spec horses of interest

››

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HOUGHTON BLOODSTOCK MAKING YOUR BLOODSTOCK DREAMS A REALITY

The Perfect Preparation for your Yearlings, Mares & Foals Taking orders now for all major European Sales following our fantastic results in 2017.

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Fractional ad pages August 2018.indd 65

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20/07/2018 12:33

Your next chance to find a Derby winner

Weltstar winner of the German Derby 2018 - a BBAG graduate

Windstoss - winner of the German Derby 2017 - a BBAG graduate

Isfahan - winner of the German Derby 2016 - a BBAG graduate

Germany´s Premier Yearling Sale Friday, 31st August www.bbag-sales.de

Sales Circuit TALKING POINT • Going up, going down; Qatar’s multiple champion trainer Jassim Ghazali, a familiar face at Tattersalls’ horses-in-training sales, upped his number of purchases from 10 in 2017 – for an aggregate of 705,000gns – to 25 worth a total of 1,294,000gns. That may have been due in part to the presence of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, described by Ghazali’s British advisor Will Douglass, as ‘The Boss’.

Al Kuwari, who bought Arqana’s Summer Sale top lot Esteve (€445,000), bid in person on a number of Ghazali purchases, and clearly enjoyed the cut and thrust of trade.

Going down – in number – was the number of fillies and mares offered by Godolphin, which had significantly increased the number it offered at the 2016 and 2017 sales. In each of those two years Godolphin’s day-one stock had added more than 4,000,000gns to turnover, but this year Sheikh Mohammed’s operation reduced its input to the 2015 level (when it was consigning as Darley). This time its 25 fillies and mares (down from 72 and 66 in the previous two years) added 639,500gns to turnover, and while Godolphin gems filled the top-ten board in 2016, just one made it to that slot this time, Crystal Diamond, who was sold to agent Matt Houldsworth and Coolmore’s Michael Kirwan.

›› to major players were few.

The pick of the horses sold with racing

Award Winning topped the July Sale

down to agent Mags O’Toole on behalf of trainer Gordon Elliott for 300,000gns, although the three-year-old was not bought with a view to going jumping.

Elliott’s all-round skills, now extending to a couple of Royal Ascot winners, means Lethal Steps – bought on behalf of a “new client” at his yard – will continue to target Flat races.

opportunities ahead proved to be Qatar Racing’s Lethal Steps, who was knocked

Tattersalls July Sale Top lots Name/Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Award Winning (Dubawi - Hit The Sky {Cozzene})

The Castlebridge Consignment

350,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C’Est Ca (Galileo - A Z Warrior {Bernardini})

The Castlebridge Consignment

320,000

Blandford Bloodstock

Ylg F Galileo – Milanova (Danehill)

The Castlebridge Consignment

300,000

Ronald Rauscher

Lethal Steps (Lethal Force - Tanda Tula {Alhaarth})

Jamie Railton

300,000

Mags O’Toole/Gordon Elliott

Ylg F Galileo – Timbuktu (Fastnet Rock)

The Castlebridge Consignment

220,000

Apple Tree Stud/Barberini Bloodstock

Czabo (Sixties Icon – Fiumicino {Danehill Dancer})

The Castlebridge Consignment

220,000

Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock

Nearest Green (Exceed And Excel-Aria Di Festa {Orpen)

Hambleton Lodge Stables (Kevin Ryan)

210,000

Raymond Tai

Baby Pink (Invincible Spirit-Dress Rehearsal {Galileo})

The Castlebridge Consignment

160,000

Blandford Bloodstock

Crystal Diamond (Teofilo-Diamond Dance {Dancehall)

Godolphin

150,000

Howson & Houldsworth/Michael Kirwan

Ylg F Galileo - Luas Line (Danehill)

The Castlebridge Consignment

150,000

Apple Tree Stud/Barberini Bloodstock

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

2018

561

2017

574

Top Price (£)

12,068,300

21,512

10,000

350,000

14,691,700

25,595

12,000

330,000

2016

572

12,311,329

21,523

10,000

280,000

2015

486

8,949,800

18,415

11,000

230,000

2014

500

8,342,700

16,685

10,000

185,000

JRHA Select Sale

Even outstanding sires’ mantles can slip a little, and at this two-day sale on the island of Hokkaido that meant just six of Deep Impact’s offspring reached the top-ten list.

Two years ago the Yoshida family’s great sire swept the board and in 2017 his name was evident seven times, so six of the best was not too severe a decline, and

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he was able to boast responsibility for the top foal and yearling.

The foal, a colt out of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia, became the sale topper when knocked down to owner Hajime Satomi for ¥290 million, the equivalent of nearly £2 million, half the price of last year’s top lot. The Japanese Derby is the new owner’s aim for his purchase.

Heading the yearling selection was a Deep Impact colt out of King’s Rose, a champion filly and Classic winner in New Zealand, and whose son sold for almost £1.7m to Masahiro Noda’s Danox Ltd. King’s Rose, a daughter of Redoute’s Choice, raced in her homeland for Jason Bridgeman before moving to Peter Moody’s Melbourne yard where she scored twice at Group 2 level and reached

››

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Sales Circuit ›› the frame in four top-grade races. At this sale last year her Lord Kanaloa yearling proved the most valuable of his age not sired by Deep Impact when making just over £1.2m.

Involvement from outside the domestic market was limited once again – it is hard to compete with Japanese billionaires on their own patch, particularly when they can compete for such good prize-money – although Sheikh Fahad spent the equivalent of £100,000 on a colt foal by sire Kinshasa No Kiseki, a grandson of Sunday Silence and a leading sprinter when in training.

The foal’s third dam was Fairy Heights, winner of the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile.

Sheikh Fahad and his family’s Qatar Bloodstock also enjoyed a fine result as a breeder and vendor when selling a Deep Impact colt foal out of Lightening Pearl, who in 2011 won the Cheveley Park Stakes and became the sheikh’s first Group 1 winner. Her son was knocked down for just over £1 million, a very profitable return even allowing for the sire’s covering fee, which leapt from just under £200,000 to just over £260,000 this year.

European sires who were represented included Frankel, responsible for two

colt foals who made sums in excess of £700,000 and £330,000, and Golden Horn, whose yearling filly achieved £240,000.

Turnover at the two-day event gained 4% and the average price increased by a single percentage point, while the 90% clearance rate, up two points, was further evidence of the demand for the prime of Japan’s bloodstock industry.

The opening yearling session resulted in record figures across the board, and while turnover at the foal session fell 5% and the average dipped 12%, the clearance rate rose three points to 89%.

JRHA Select Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (¥)

Buyer

C (F) Deep Impact - Ria Antonia

Northern Farm

290,000,000

Satomi Horse Company

C (Y) Deep Impact - King’s Rose

Northern Farm

250,000,000

Danox Co Ltd

C (Y) King Kamehameha - Miss Serendipity

Northern Farm

240,000,000

Yoshihisa Ozasa

C (Y) Heart’s Cry - Life For Sale

Northern Farm

230,000,000

Riichi Kondo

C (Y) Heart’s Cry - So Many Ways

Northern Farm

200,000,000

Danox Co Ltd

C (Y) Deep Impact - Ginger Punch

Northern Farm

190,000,000

Kaneko Makoto Holdings

C (Y) Deep Impact - Listen

Northern Farm

190,000,000

Tony Club

C (Y) American Pharoah - Crisp

Northern Farm

180,000,000

Danox Co Ltd

C (Y) Deep Impact - Dubawi Heights

Shadai Farm

180,000,000

Satomi Horse Company

C (F) Deep Impact – Silverskaya

Northern Farm

180,000,000

Tony Club

C (F) Duramente - I’m Yours

Northern Farm

180,000,000

Nicks Co Ltd

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (¥)

Avg (¥)

Mdn (¥)

Top Price (¥)

2018

416

17,932,000,000

43,105,769

29,500,000

290,000,000

2017

406

17,327,000,000

42,677,340

30,000,000

580,000,000

2016

390

14,942,100,000

38,313,077

26,000,000

280,000,000

2015

394

13,173,500,000

33,435,279

25,000,000

235,000,000

2014

404

12,575,050,000

31,126,361

22,000,000

260,000,000

Please contact Andrew Mead (+44 7940 597573 mead@castlebridge.eu) or Bill Dwan (+353 87 648 5587 dwan@castlebridge.eu) to discuss all your 2018 sale requirements

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SOME GREEN AND RED USUALLY HELPS....

www.castlebridge.eu

THE QUEEN

LAURENS Three Group 1 wins PRIX de DIANE

PRIX SAINT ALARY

FILLIES’ MILE

Gr.1

Gr.1

Gr.1

A LOT MORE THAN LOT S To us horses are never just lots. They are marvels of nature.

Deserving and getting respect and kindness. Letting us live by their sides.

When we escort them to the sale, it marks the start of a new beginning.

Now it’s your turn.

Looking forward to seeing you soon in Deauville, Doncaster and Newmarket.

COULONCES SALES Anna Sundstrom: +33 6 76 74 94 74 • coulonces@gmail.com

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Caulfield Files

Bloodstock world views

Seeking the rightful heir to Montjeu’s tremendous talent As a 2,000 Guineas winner, Camelot stands apart among his sire’s many top-class sons

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GEORGE SELWYN

I

f I were ever asked to name the best stallion never to top the AngloIrish stallion table, I would have no hesitation in nominating Montjeu.

Although he topped the French table in 2005, the first year he was represented by three-year-olds, his innings at Coolmore coincided with some other formidable stallions. Consequently, the nearest he came to the domestic championship was a trio of second places, beaten by Danehill in 2005 and

by Galileo in both 2011 and 2012. He also achieved a trio of third places, in 2007 (behind Danehill and Galileo), 2008 (behind Galileo and Danehill Dancer) and 2009 (behind Danehill Dancer and Cape Cross). In other words, Montjeu was a top-three stallion six times in the space of eight years.

It must not be forgotten that Montjeu was only 16 when he died in March 2012. As he had raced as a four-yearold in 2000, his output was limited to 11 full crops. Even the word ‘full’ needs qualifying. Although a couple of his crops numbered as many as 136 and 150 foals, his five crops born between 2008 and 2012 all numbered fewer than 80 foals, whereas Galileo’s corresponding crops were roughly twice as big. No stallion can give that sort of advantage to a stallion of Galileo’s phenomenal talents, so Montjeu was not always playing on a level playing field.

Suffice to say that only a stallion of tremendous talent could build up a list of major wins as extensive as Montjeu’s.

The list featured four individual winners of the Derby, Irish Derby and Racing Post Trophy, three of the St Leger and Grand Prix de Paris, two of the Gold Cup, Coronation Cup, Irish Oaks and the AJC Australian Derby, plus winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Irish St Leger, Arc, King George, Juddmonte International, Breeders’ Cup Turf, Prix Ganay, Prix Royal-Oak and the Melbourne Cup. Reading that list is a reminder that it was largely over distances of a mile and a quarter or more that Montjeu’s progeny excelled, and this is reflected in his mature progeny’s average winning distance of 11.8 furlongs, which compares to Galileo’s 11.2 and Sadler’s Wells’s 11.4.

The great Montjeu had sired only 11 crops when he died at 16 but his legacy is significant

In view of the emphasis that so many breeders place on speed and precocity, it was always going to be interesting to see whether Montjeu’s stallion sons were a convenient fit for today’s industry.

Coolmore clearly had some doubts, deciding to retire the multiple Group 1 winners Scorpion, Fame And Glory and Leading Light directly to its National Hunt division. Sadly the admirable St Nicholas Abbey died before he had a chance to join Coolmore’s Flat team.

The first son to face the test was Motivator, who became the first of Montjeu’s Derby winners when he defeated another Montjeu colt, Walk In The Park, and Dubawi in 2005.

Unfortunately, Motivator’s ability to cover was occasionally compromised by a leg injury, to the extent that he was out of action during the 2010 season.

Only twice did Motivator have more than 100 foals in a single crop and he was transferred to France at the end of 2012, after his daughter Ridasiyna had won the Prix de l’Opera. Although

Motivator was to find glory as the sire of the magnificent Treve, who outdid her grandsire by winning two editions of the Arc to his one, he couldn’t be considered an overall success, as his fee during his years at the Royal Studs went from an initial £20,000 to only £5,000.

The next major son of Montjeu to retire was Hurricane Run, who had followed in his sire’s footsteps in winning the Irish Derby and the Arc as a three-year-old. Hurricane Run also emulated Montjeu by winning the King George as a four-year-old and he too retired to Coolmore. Once again, though, his stallion career didn’t go smoothly and consequently the size of his crops dwindled dramatically. He was transferred to Germany, where he died at the age of 14, not long after his son Ectot had added the Grade 1 Turf Classic to his earlier Group 1 victory in the Criterium International.

There was little fault to be found with the qualifications of Authorized, who in 2007 became Montjeu’s second

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Caulfield Files ›› Derby winner, He had also shown that he

wasn’t a pure mile-and-a-half performer by winning the Racing Post Trophy, the Dante Stakes and the Juddmonte International. This was enough to earn Authorized a fee of £25,000 in 2008.

The fact that he was available for £7,000 by 2013 tells its own story and Authorized followed Motivator to France.

Even so, he has had his moments, with his daughters Ambivalent and Seal Of Approval both enjoying high-level success and his son Hartnell becoming a triple Group 1 winner after his transfer to Australia. Authorized has also made his mark on the National Hunt world, via the multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Nichols Canyon and the 2018 Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

This National Hunt success links to that of several other sons of Montjeu who are collectively responsible for the likes of Douvan, Might Bite, Min, Labaik, Farclas, Bigmartre, Petite Parisienne, Pallasator and the promising Commander Of Fleet. Some of these could generously be described as quirky, as could plenty of Montjeu’s highmettled offspring. His daughters could often be difficult to handle.

Montjeu’s third Derby winner Pour Moi had already been relegated to Coolmore’s jumping division by the time his son Wings Of Eagles added to Montjeu’s impact on the Derby by winning the 2017 edition.

All the above focused close attention on the first crop by Camelot, who in 2012 became Montjeu’s fourth winner

There was a Group 3 success for Hunting Horn at Royal Ascot (where Arthur Kitt became the first stakes winner from Camelot’s 140-strong second crop) and there has also been black-type success for Alounak, Naturally High, the impressive French filly Pollara (who beat the smart Waldlied in the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont) and the very useful Italian colt Wait Forever.

There are also several Group-placed performers.

I see no reason why Camelot shouldn’t succeed with mares who stayed middle distances, but breeders understandably seem intent on adding more speed. His two-year-old Group winner Fighting Irish has a dam by the sprinter Pivotal and Hunting Horn is out of a mare by Indian Ridge. Pollara has a dam by Storm Cat, while Wait Forever also has a dam by a high-class two-year-old, namely Holy Roman Emperor.

The French Listed winner Naturally High is out of a daughter of Grand Slam, a dual Group 1 winner at two, and Latrobe’s dam Question Times is

by Storm Cat’s grandson Shamardal, a champion two year-old who also won two Group 1s over a mile at three.

Athena’s dam is by the sprinter Green Desert, while Arthur Kitt is out of a winner of the Queen Mary Stakes.

Don’t forget, though, that Camelot also has fairly useful winners out of mares by such as Rail Link, Duke Of Marmalade, Trempolino, Street Cry and Theatrical, so time may show that speed in his mares is useful but not essential.

of the Derby – and the third to do so by five lengths. Although Camelot had set himself apart from the others by winning the 2,000 Guineas, some of the gloss had been knocked off his feat of winning three Classics. While he lost nothing in defeat when he narrowly failed to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1970, he won only one of his four subsequent starts. Perhaps the surgery he underwent for colic soon after his defeat in the 2012 Arc played its part.

Even so, his unbeaten juvenile career, coupled with his 2,000 Guineas triumph, raised hopes that Camelot possessed more speed than any of his predecessors, as did the presence in his pedigree of Kingmambo and Danehill as the sires of his first two dams. Breeders certainly gave him the benefit of the doubt, with his fee set no higher than €25,000 in his first three seasons and €35,000 in his fourth. His popularity resulted in books of 187, 178, 184 and 179, to give him a first crop numbering 148.

This crop proved very popular at the 2016 yearling sales – hence the €10,000 rise in his fee in 2017. Although Camelot had plenty of two-year-old winners in 2017, including the Group 2 winner Fighting Irish and the German Listed winner Alounak, Coolmore took €5,000 off his fee. They can safely readjust it, this time in an upward direction, after an encouraging spate of success

by Camelot’s first three-year-olds, culminating in Latrobe’s Irish Derby success and the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks victory of Athena.

I was intrigued to see what fee would be decided for Merchant Navy on his return to his native Australia, following his victories in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes and the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes. The answer seems to be that his European victories have made no difference to the fees announced in early April, with Merchant Navy staying at AUS$55,000. This places him higher up the pecking order than Pride Of Dubai ($44,000), Caravaggio ($33,000) and Churchill ($27,500) but lower than his sire Fastnet Rock (Private), the champion two-year-old Pierro ($88,000) and the American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah ($66,000).

It can only be in his favour that several of Fastnet Rock’s other fast sons have already made an impact as

GEORGE SELWYN

Merchant Navy a good option for Sadler’s Wells line mares

Merchant Navy (right) wins at Royal Ascot

stallions. Hinchinbrook was set to stand at $55,000, having started at $16,500, but died suddenly last month. His cheap crops have done well, notably producing the Group 1 winners Seabrook and Press Statement.

Foxwedge, who is priced at $22,000, also has a couple of Group 1 winners to his credit in Australia, in the fillies

Foxplay and Volpe Veloce, and he has now enjoyed top-level success with Urban Fox, the Pretty Polly Stakes winner who comes from the first of Foxwedge’s three British crops.

Both of Foxwedge’s Australian Group 1 winners are out of Sadler’s Wells line mares – by Barathea and El Prado – and another of Fastnet Rock’s fast sons, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted, has sired Leicester, winner of this year’s South Australian Derby, from a stoutly-bred daughter of Galileo.

Bearing in mind Fastnet Rock’s exceptional record with Galileo mares, which has so far produced 18% blacktype winners, it looks a safe bet that Merchant Navy will prove a very popular option for Sadler’s Wells line mares when he returns to stand his first Irish season.

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Fractional ad pages August 2018.indd 73

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Book your place now on the next Thoroughbred Club event

GEORGE SELWYN

T

he Thoroughbred Club is excited to announce the next event of the year will be a combined visit to Richard Fahey Racing and Mark Dwyer’s Oak Farm Stables on Tuesday, September 11.

The day will commence at Fahey’s with a behind-the-scenes look at the yard and the opportunity to view some of the horses on the gallops.

Fahey has established himself as one of the largest trainers in the north and last year saddled 200 winners and won over £4.2 million in prize-money.

Sands Of Mali has been the flagbearer for the Musley Bank team this season and was a fast finishing runnerup in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting. Previous graduates of the yard include Ribchester, Queen Kindly, Garswood, Mayson and Wootton Bassett.

Following a tour of the facilities, the group will convene at the Old Lodge in Malton for lunch, followed by an afternoon tour of Dwyer’s Oak Farm Stables. Dwyer has been responsible for consigning a number of outstanding horses, including Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris, multiple Group 1 scorer St Nicholas Abbey and Society Rock, the dual Group 1-winning sprinter who tragically died in 2016 before his first crop hit the track.

The event is free to members, and for more information and to book your place please visit the website or contact melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk

Richard Fahey, one of the north’s top trainers, will welcome TTC members on September 11

Upcoming Events Saturday, July 28 Breeders’ Seminar (ISER) Tattersalls, Newmarket

Thursday, September 13 TBA Regional Training Course Haydock Park racecourse

Thursday, September 6 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Exeter racecourse

Saturday, October 20 QIPCO British Champions Day Ascot racecourse

Tuesday, September 11 TTC Event Richard Fahey Racing

Tuesday, November 13Wednesday, November 14 Thoroughbred Club Careers Course Tattersalls, Newmarket

Tuesday, December 11Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course British racing School, Newmarket

New Members Bryiony Ewart, Dumfriesshire Amy-Sue Winton, Dorset Siobhan Doolan, London David Trundell, Scotland Sara Carr, West Sussex

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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk •

@TTC_GB

Date for your diary – The Thoroughbred Club Careers Course

The Thoroughbred Club Careers Course is a two-day event designed to give delegates an insight into the bloodstock industry

The Thoroughbred Club Careers Course will once again take place at Tattersalls, Newmarket on Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14.

The two-day course, which is kindly supported by Weatherbys and The Racing Foundation, will give delegates an insight into the bloodstock industry, employment opportunities within it, and how to build a successful career, through a series of presentations and workshops.

The programme will also include a number of behindthe-scenes visits and an evening reception held at the historic Jockey Club Rooms.

The course is free of charge for members or £60 for non-members. Please note that places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information and to book your place, please contact melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk

Upcoming training courses for members Members have the chance to attend two regional training courses organised by the TBA and the National Stud on Thursday, September 6 at Exeter and Thursday, September 13 at Haydock Park.

The courses will give delegates the opportunity to update themselves on a range of stud management topics from industry experts and cover a range of topics, including nutrition, reproductive management, parasites

and resistance, and farriery.

The courses are free for members, and for further information and to book a place please contact Leaya Slater on 01638 675930 or email leaya@nationalstud.co.uk

Exclusive raceday badge offers in August Members have the chance to win a pair of tickets for each of the QIPCO British Champions Series racedays throughout the Flat season. In August this includes: • The Qatar Sussex Stakes (August 1) • The Qatar Nassau Stakes (August 2) • The Juddmonte International Stakes (August 22) • The Darley Yorkshire Oaks (August 23) • The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes and The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (August 24) To enter the ticket draw, members must like and share the competition post through our social media platforms, or alternatively email an interest to info@thethoroughbredclub. co.uk. Entries close roughly the week before the date of the race and the winners will be announced on our social media channels.

Members are also able to purchase half-price tickets at all meetings at Ascot racecourse, which includes the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup (August

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You could win two tickets to one of the QIPCO British Champions Series racedays

11). Simply show your membership card at Ticket Office East on the day to redeem the offer. Members can also purchase a reduced price ticket of £89 for the Richmond Enclosure at any

day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival (July 31-August 4). To apply for the discounted tickets, members should contact the membership team at Goodwood.

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ROA Forum

AGM Report

Communication is key Whether it’s racing’s relationship with betting or the various groups involved in operating tote businesses, ROA President Nicholas Cooper maintained that a collaborative approach is the best way forward if the sport is to achieve its goals Chief Executive Charlie Liverton delivered the President’s address at the ROA AGM on July 3

T

he relationship between the racing and betting industries – and the importance of it being harmonious and of mutual value – was among the themes explored by ROA President Nicholas Cooper in his speech at its Annual General Meeting in July.

Cooper, whose speech was delivered

by ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton, focused on the collaboration between stakeholders and with bookmakers at a time when those with betting shops are facing up to the loss of millions of pounds in profit due to the sweeping cut in maximum stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), which kicks in from 2020.

The audience at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in London were told: “We know that every time a betting shop closes, racing loses income and exposure. But many of us have long felt uneasy about supporting

‘Relevance to the British public is our Nick Rust’s third speech to an ROA AGM audience – his second as British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive – was his most wide-ranging yet, touching on the BHA’s achievements, future hopes and concerns as the sport’s regulatory body.

Celebrating the progress that had been made in the spheres of prize-money following levy reform and collaboration between stakeholders through the members’ agreement (a tripartite structure involving the BHA, horsemen and racecourses), Rust acknowledged that the government’s actions over FOBTs, as mentioned in ROA President Nicholas Cooper’s address, would put racing’s income under pressure. Yet he explained that the sport faced a far bigger threat.

“Racing’s real challenge is not a potential fall in revenues because of legislation affecting betting shops but rather our overall relevance to the British

public,” he explained.

“How relevant are we to young people, to sports fans, to people who bet, how relevant are we in the digital world, how relevant are we to people who are not from a white heterosexual, able-bodied background?

“Current evidence suggests we still have much to do – the average age of racehorse owners is still increasing, we are number two for sports attendances, which is great, and also the average age of the racegoer is getting younger, but we are not in the top ten sports for overall interest.

“It is our relevance that will drive betting, attendances, engagement, media coverage and media value, participation and employment, and of course drive revenues to make our sport run. In truth we are all struggling to keep pace with changing behaviour of consumers.”

Rust explained that the role of the BHA,

aside from its regulatory duties, was to “scan the horizon for potential risks”, some of which gave him and his colleagues “sleepless nights”.

He said that those risks included the impact of a changing political landscape; a high number of fatalities at a major festival “skewing the public’s view of jump racing”; the impact of Brexit; safeguarding issues concerning the duty of care owed to the sport’s workforce; a breakdown of racing’s governance structure, including the embryonic Racing Authority, damaging its reputation; and changing consumer behaviour and its impact on horseracing.

Rust spoke directly to owners when he said that the BHA was trying to ensure they received a “better return on their investment” especially in the mid to lower tiers, with “nearly £10 million more in prize-money, magnificently matched by contributions from racecourse executives, meaning that the vast majority of British

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a socially dubious type of gambling to keep betting shops open so that racing’s revenue can be maintained.

“When the importance of FOBTs to betting shops diminishes, we may also feel reassured from knowing that horseracing, for so long the staple diet of the betting shop punter, may return to being the bookmakers’ most important betting product. Good reason, then, for us to foster the best possible relationship with the betting industry to our mutual benefit.

“With this in mind, a Betting Liaison Group will be set up as a subcommittee to the Racing Authority.

The group will use data collected by betting operators, racecourses and media rights holders to influence decisions made on race planning and fixture issues with the aim of increasing betting on British racing.

“Already the Secretary of State Matt Hancock – a man who deserves huge gratitude for his consistent support of British horseracing – has provided words of encouragement on how there might be ways to cushion the financial effect of the FOBT decision on racing.

“The idea that the levy could be extended to capture UK betting on foreign racing sounds very promising.

The example of Ireland, in particular, shows what a difference this could

make. A lot of British-based punters bet on Irish racing without our levy benefiting, yet Irish racing generates revenue from British racing.”

Hancock, of course, is now Health Secretary, following the government’s cabinet reshuffle, with Jeremy Wright replacing him as Culture Secretary.

Cooper continued: “I believe we should also take some encouragement from the fact that there are conversations now going on as to what the future funding model of British racing might look like.

“From racing’s standpoint, I am not alone in recognising the logic of returning to a turnover basis from that of the current gross profits. Betting margins on racing are significantly higher in shops than online and it’s easy to predict, with shop closures, that online betting volumes will gradually increase at the cost of business in shops.

“As this happens, so the racing levy, now based on 10% of gross profits, will suffer because of those lower margins.

A move back to turnover would not only smooth out this difference, it would create a much truer reflection of all betting operators’ horseracing business.”

The subject of pool betting also featured heavily in Cooper’s speech, the landscape undergoing considerable change, with the 55 tracks aligned

real challenge,’ says Rust races have minimum prize-money of at least £6,000, compared to £3,500 for the last ten years.”

Other important items on the BHA’s agenda are modernising of stewarding, equine welfare, sale-ring integrity regarding transparency over the selling of racehorses and bloodstock, and recruitment and retention of racing’s workforce.

Rust said that the sport must do better in the area of diversity and inclusion. He explained: “While 40% of our racegoers are female, look around you at most racedays and you will see a sea of white faces.

“We are proud that our male and female jockeys compete on equal terms but look at a racecard and you will see only 5% of rides being taken by female jockeys, and only 1% at the top level.

“Sneak into the boardrooms and offices of the sport’s stakeholders and

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to Britbet on the verge of starting to receive revenues according to their shareholder agreements, despite the launch of the racecourse pool betting project having been delayed.

Britbet was due to have launched on July 13, when Totepool owner Betfred’s seven-year monopoly over pool betting in Britain expired, but Britbet, Betfred and Betfred’s new partner in the Tote, the Alizeti consortium, agreed a standstill arrangement in an attempt to develop a single pool-betting operation in the best interests of British racing.

Cooper said: “British people have always enjoyed a simple, harmless flutter and, whatever else has changed in racing, this truth still holds firm today. Whether a substantial proportion of those same punters can ever be enticed by pool betting is something we will discover over the course of the next few years.

“The prospect of pool betting gaining a proper foothold in this country will surely improve significantly if the already very weak liquidity of tote pools is not divided further between competing suppliers.

“There are clear and compelling reasons for the two major contenders in this area to come together, and we must hope their current discussions lead to an agreement in the autumn.”

Nick Rust: racing has much to do

you will see it is mostly white men like me making the industry’s big decisions – and how many individuals within our sport are prepared to openly identify with an LGBT orientation?

“Progress is being made across all these fronts but we need to do more.

The case for this is clear not only from an altruistic moral standpoint but very much from a commercial standpoint, attracting the right audiences to our sport.”

A subsequent action plan from racing’s Diversity in Racing Steering Group identified eight areas to be addressed in order to promote greater inclusion.

Rust also said that while racing was seen as being well regulated, leading to government support for funding and its approach to equine welfare, it “must never be complacent” and that any future reshaping “must not weaken our sport’s ability to remain independent and govern its own affairs.”

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ROA AGM

Champagne celebrations After the AGM’s formal business and speeches came the champagne reception, generously sponsored by SIS, allowing ROA members, their guests and leading industry personalities to enjoy a glass or two of bubbly before lunch, with noted impressionist Rory Bremner providing the on-stage entertainment

Philip Freedman and Chris Wright

Rory Bremner entertained the audience

Ian Renton and Susannah Gill

Bruce Millington and Kate Hills

Philippa Cooper and Ruth Quinn

Eric Elliott and Photik Biswas

Nick Smith and Ed Prosser

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Sponsored by Photography: Dan Abraham

Nick Luck, Richard Wayman and Alan Switzer

Paul Fisher and Alan Byrne

Yvette Dixon and Phyllis Margetson Brooke

Ross Hamilton, Will Lambe, Stephen Wallis and Claire Sheppard

Louise Kemble, Sheila Bailey and Caroline Davies

Peter Jones and Laurence Robertson

Steven Astaire and Dena Arstall

Dawn Goodfellow and Di Arbuthnot

Richard Beville, Philip Davies and David Fish

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ROA Forum

Celia Djivanovic tops Board election Celia Djivanovic, an owner for the last eight years who narrowly missed out on election 12 months ago, topped the poll of nine candidates in this year’s election to the Board of the Racehorse Owners Association.

Also successful were incumbents Charlie Parker, an owner for 25 years who was first elected in 2015, and Paul Duffy, an owner for 19 years who has served since 2011.

Djivanovic said: “A huge thank you to all owners who voted for me. I am overwhelmed by the numbers and will do my utmost to reward their confidence in me. I am delighted that I now have the opportunity to make a positive difference for owners, and for our horses.”

Parker said: “I am delighted to be re-elected to the board of the ROA and I would like to thank all the members who voted in the election. Our industry faces some serious challenges ahead and the ROA is at the centre of some very exciting initiatives. I will continue to devote my time and efforts in helping our executive team achieve what is best for all owners.”

Duffy said: “I am delighted to be returned for a third term. There are lots of challenges ahead and I look forward to playing an active role alongside our excellent team.”

ROA President Nicholas Cooper said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to the three successful candidates. I warmly welcome Celia Djivanovic, who

Charlie Parker, Celia Djivanovic and Paul Duffy gained the three places on the ROA Board

is joining the Board for the first time, while Charlie Parker and Paul Duffy will be continuing to make their valuable contributions after being re-elected.

“I would like to thank the other six candidates who stood in this keenly contested election but were unsuccessful on this occasion. I hope that they will consider putting themselves forward again next year – as Celia has proved, that persistence pays off.

“I would also like to pay tribute and to thank the three members of the Board who are standing down this year – Stephen Smith, Justin Wadham and Lynn Douglas. Their contributions to the cause of racehorse owners have been outstanding and we are indebted to them for their efforts.”

The election results were announced at the ROA’s Annual General Meeting held in London on Tuesday, July 3. See roa.co.uk for the full results.

ROA Guide to Ownership revised Do you know a racing fan who’s considering ownership or a new owner keen to immerse themselves in the experience?

The ROA has revised its online Guide to Ownership, a 60-page online guide covering all aspects of racehorse ownership, allowing new and prospective owners to equip themselves with all they need to know.

This revision updates the ROA’s first online guide published in 2014 and reflects changes in racing’s administrative processes.

The resource is designed to support members through their

ownership journey, with tips and hints on how to enhance the experience of owning racehorses.

There are sections devoted to buying a horse, choosing a trainer, the likely costs involved, areas of expenditure where owners can reclaim VAT through owner sponsorship, and options when a horse’s racing days may be over. It is full of links to further reading and useful resources.

The guide can be downloaded free of charge at www.roa.co.uk/g2o.

Bound copies of the guide are also available on request from the ROA office.

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Racing Staff Week proves big success

Clockwise from top left: Mikey Wooley and Zoe Cawthorn enjoy Racing Staff Week with a barbeque at Clifford Lines’ Newmarket yard; Rae Guest and Sean Woods get in the party spirit at Chestnut Tree Stables; fun and frolics at the stable of Clifford Lines

An enjoyable read Alan Pickering’s tale is not just the story of the local boy who came good.

It’s the story of a boy who did very well indeed. Born with a degenerative eye disease that left him blind by the age of 30, Pickering was not going to let this stop him becoming a leader in the world of pensions. Indeed, his contribution has been recognised with the ‘Greatest Single Contribution to Occupational Pensions (1998–2017)’ at the Professional Pensions UK Pension Awards.

His achievements have not been limited to the highly technical world of pensions. A lifelong fan of racing, Pickering is a keen racehorse owner himself, and is Vice-President of the Racehorse Owners Association.

In Look Where You’re Going, Paddy Briggs uncovers the very human story behind a man best known for the Pickering Report, commissioned by

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the Blair government. From interviews with friends and family as well as conversations with Pickering himself, he reveals a man whose intellect and amiable nature allowed him to push his disability to one side to succeed on his own terms.

Pickering explained: “For each copy printed, a donation of £1 will be made to each of two charities. These are the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre.

“These two charities are particularly poignant since the mare pictured on the front cover, Primrose Valley, was ridden to five of her six victories by Frederik Tylicki, and Robin Hoods Bay, who won the Lingfield Winter Derby and whose picture is included in the book, enjoyed a second career thanks to Moorcroft.”

Members can enjoy a 20% discount on the cover price of £20. Visit bitebackpublishing.com and enter

Alan Pickering’s book is out now

the offer codes TOB45 or TOB46 (hardback and ebook editions respectively).

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ROA Forum

MY DAY AT THE RACES With Paul Walker at Haydock Park on June 8

Paul Walker first entered into ownership via the Racegoers Club Owners Group (now entering their 50th year of ownership) in the early 1980s, and has been with them ever since. Racing bug firmly caught, he has also invested in a number of other group ownerships, including Mark Johnston’s

Paul Walker with two-year-old Golden Force at Haydock Park

Kingsley Park, Foxtrot Racing

Did you use the owners’ and trainers’ facility on the day?

Haydock has an excellent facility next to the paddock with plenty of room inside and outside – it was a balmy Friday evening so as the club members arrived we all sat together to discuss our chances. This is one of the joys of group ownership – there are always other owners wanting to talk about “our horse”.

How were you treated as an owner on the day?

Even though we had finished second, Jason Fildes (General Manager) kindly invited us all to enjoy a glass of champagne and some nibbles and we were able to congratulate the winners from the Elite Owners Group with their filly Cupboard Love, whose trainer Mark Johnston had flown in for the race.

What were your thoughts on the location, comfort and provision in the facility?

Some of us were able to enjoy the excellent food but in a large syndicate it would be impractical to make this available to everyone.

What was your overall lasting feeling of the day, based on your racecourse experience?

I always look forward to racing here.

Everyone said how much they had enjoyed their evening, and Golden Force was fine on his return to Lambourn, which is always the icing on the cake. In my opinion, Haydock Park is one of the very best racecourses to visit as an owner.

and Hot To Trot. However, he fulfilled his dream of a Cheltenham Festival runner in style when part of the Harry Fry Racing Club, who raced Unowhatimeanharry, winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2016 Did you receive any welcome information as an owner in advance of the raceday?

All of this is handled by our syndicate manager who deals with the racecourse direct. Haydock Park really encourages owners’ groups and the Racegoers Club have always been able to source plenty of badges on a raceday.

How was the experience of arrival at the racecourse and collecting your owners’ badges?

There is excellent on-site parking at Haydock Park and in my experience the badge allocation process always goes smoothly. The journey on the M6 can be a bit of nightmare but the warm welcome once at the racecourse more than makes up for that.

How was the pre-parade ring/ paddock experience?

With only four runners there was plenty of room for everyone in the shady paddock, although I am always keeping an eye out for unruly horses!

Golden Force was beautifully turned out by Emily Cox. How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing?

There is excellent viewing just past the winning post. There are very few trees so my binoculars can be used – the big screen opposite the grandstand is fine too. It was also easy to watch a replay of the race.

HOW IT RATED Entry Viewing Atmosphere Owners’ facilities Food Overall score

★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 25

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Debate continues over prize-money distribution Discussions about the distribution of prize-money among owners of winning and placed horses are set to continue following an online poll in June.

Members were asked whether any changes should be made to the current distribution of the owner share of prize-money, between winner and placed horses. Also, about the split between Pattern and non-Pattern races.

Feedback from 1,142 members was received, representing the views of 14% of the membership.

The results of the poll were fairly split, with the following outcomes: • Respondents voted 52% vs 48% split in favour of some changes to the existing prize-money distribution model. This increased to 64% in favour of change amongst those members having

runners in Pattern races.

• There was a 63% vs 37% preference in favour of the percentage of prize-money going to the winning horse being the same for Pattern and nonPattern races. Significantly, 73% of members who ran horses in Pattern races thought the winning percentage should be the same for both.

• Only 25% of members thought there should be no changes made to the existing prize-money model on the two aspects they were specifically asked about.

Thank you to all members who took part. The ROA Board will be examining the options and survey results, within the context of the wider industry review which is currently examining the split of prizemoney between all connections.

Monthly feedback winner

August Jackpot races There are four opportunities this month for members to win £2,000 in the weekly ROA Owners Jackpot. The winners of these races will earn their owners a £2,000 bonus if qualified.

To qualify, horses must be owned by ROA members. In the case of a partnership, horses must be registered at least 51% in the ownership of ROA members.

For clubs and syndicates, the majority of the club/syndicate managers will need to be members of the ROA in order to qualify for the bonus payments.

August 6 Ripon 1m4f Class 5 Handicap 3yo+ 0-75 August 15 Worcester 2m7f Class 4 Handicap Chase 4yo+ 0-110 August 22 Bath 1m Class 6 Handicap 4yo+ 0-65 August 28 Epsom 1m2f Class 5 Handicap 3yo+ 0-70

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Epsom Open Day

The August Bank Holiday brings an opportunity to see behind the scenes at a number of historic racing yards with the Epsom Downs racehorse trainers’ open morning on Monday, August 27.

Horses can be viewed exercising on the gallops from 8.30am and yards will open their gates from 9.30am to 12 noon.

Admission is £7.50 to the racing yards. A combined ticket including admission into the grandstand at Epsom Downs for their family fun day of racing is £20 and is free for under18s. There will be shuttle bus from the open day car park to each of the yards.

Full details, and tickets can be booked, at www.epsomopenday. co.uk. All proceeds from the day will go to Racing Welfare, which provides affordable accommodation and other welfare benefits for Epsom’s racing staff.

Remain vigilant

Last month saw over 100 ROA members completing racecourse feedback forms following their trips to the races with a runner – thank you to all. The lucky prize-draw winner of a £50 giftcard was Chris Cook, who contributed feedback following his horses’ runs at Haydock and Redcar, where he was also lucky enough to have a winner.

Please complete our online raceday feedback form when you go racing with a runner. It takes only a few minutes to provide a valuable summary of your experience at www.roa.co.uk/raceday.

This month’s ROA Owners Jackpot races

News in Brief

The British Horseracing Authority has become aware that a currently disqualified person, Andrew Chatters, may be actively seeking an involvement in British racing. It is understood that Mr Chatters is looking to set-up racing syndicates and send horses into training, and that he may be using the alias Andrew George when conducting these dealings.

Please remain vigilant in relation to this. It is a breach of the rules for a registered/licensed person to associate with a disqualified person.

Should you come across Mr Chatters or hear of any involvement he may have in racing, or have any concerns you may wish to share, it is possible to report these in confidence to the BHA Integrity Department by email to intel@britishhorseracing.com or by contacting the ROA office.

Racing Admin enhancements

Two enhancements have been made for owners on the Racing Admin website which will allow owners to view their entries, declarations and rating changes for their horses in training.

Both reports can be found in the My Ownerships section at www2. racingadmin.co.uk

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ROA Forum

MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Tom Denham

T

he day Copper Knight won the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle at the end of June really was a notable one for Tom Denham.

Founder of Ventura Racing, the valuable handicap victory on ITV4 was just the syndicate’s second success – 24 hours after their first – and the day was also Denham’s last in his 9-5 job.

He is now focusing full-time on making a success of his venture, and after just a few months of operation Ventura Racing boasts a healthy 14-strong string spread among their members, with a nice variety of horses.

Denham inherited his interest in racing, and at 24 is young for an owner, especially one responsible for the enjoyment of many others.

“I’ve been interested in racing all my life,” he says. “I have dad and grandad to thank for that. They started owning through syndicates and I’ve done the same.

“Being an owner is completely different to just watching. At Ventura Racing we had our first runner in March, and we currently have 14 in our colours up and down the country.”

Copper Knight is with Tim Easterby, while other trainers for the syndicate are Richard Fahey, Roger Fell, Marco Botti, Luca Cumani and David Lanigan.

Tom Denham has decided to focus on syndicate management full-time

“We wanted to start out with a pretty decent number of horses, as a way of starting as fast as possible and getting our colours recognised,” says Denham “We planned for that in the first year.

“It’s just Flat horses, though I wouldn’t rule out getting involved in jumping further down the line.”

He adds: “I think some of the trainers

Capla Rock (white star on cap) gives Ventura Racing their first winner on the track

are a bit surprised at how young I am, but racing is what gets me up in the morning. I want to help take racing forward, and ownership is a key element of that. Once you have the bug, you have the bug for life.”

Of the purchasing policy, Denham continues: “We don’t go to the sales with a type in mind, we’re open-minded and not just after precocious two-yearolds. We’re happy to buy a bigger type who would want further.

“We do, however, buy with trainers in mind, and would think of fitting a certain horse with a certain trainer, for example our Excelebration filly is with Marco Botti.”

Botti it was who saddled Ventura Racing’s first winner, Capla Rock, a twoyear-old filly by Society Rock.

“She looks like she has a promising future,” says Denham. “The ground was awful for her second start, but she went back to Nottingham and won.

“We also like an unraced twoyear-old with Richard Fahey called Commander Solo – I like Star Wars, we tried for the name Han Solo but that got batted away!”

That first winner would certainly count as a magical moment for Denham and his Ventura Racing members, as of

››

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course would Copper Knight’s victory at Newcastle.

“That was a real thrill,” admits Denham. “We weren’t expecting that much going into the race, but David Allen said that actually he had run a good race at Musselburgh the time before given things had not gone to plan.

“He was only our second winner, having had the first the day before – after waiting for three months we then had two in the space of two days!

“Copper Knight’s win was great exposure. There isn’t a plan for him.

He has run in Pattern races but seems to relish big-field handicaps, so we’ll stick to them.”

While like any owner Denham would hanker after victories in big races, for now the delight of seeing Ventura Racing’s colours on the track is satisfaction enough that all the hard work has been worth it.

“It doesn’t matter that much really; you get a similar buzz winning any race, whether it’s a 0-80 or a Pattern race – I don’t think the buzz is all that different for owners,” he says.

“One of the particular perks of running syndicates is seeing others enjoying themselves and getting winners. That’s a real thrill and one of the best aspects.

“On the flip side, as a syndicate manager, it was very complicated setting things up. The way the system is at the moment, it’s not really that suited to syndicate ownership. The BHA sees this as an important part of the future, but I found the system quite confusing.

“Once you are up and running it’s not too bad, but it was tricky getting going. As for our experiences on racecourses to date, I can’t say we’ve had a bad one. Racecourses have been helpful.”

What wasn’t previously helpful for Denham in terms of running Ventura Racing was having a ‘day job’.

He says: “The day that Copper Knight won was my last in my job. It was difficult running this alongside working, as I couldn’t really contact owners until the evening. It wasn’t ideal, but now I can give Ventura Racing my full-time focus.”

With youth and energy on Denham’s side, Ventura Racing is sure to benefit from that.

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Diary dates and reminders AUGUST Deauville Festival Members can book access to exclusive owners’ garden lounge facility for lunch on selected dates AUGUST 22 Juddmonte International Stakes at York Private box and exclusive hospitality package for members SEPTEMBER 19 ROA regional meeting at Sandown Park SEPTEMBER 21 Member visit to Cheveley Park and Banstead Manor Studs, Newmarket, with lunch at Palace House FULLY BOOKED SEPTEMBER 27 Morning visit to New Beginnings racehorse retraining centre in York, with complimentary admission badges to Pontefract racecourse for the afternoon’s racing

OCTOBER 20 QIPCO British Champions Day Private box with exclusive hospitality package OCTOBER 24 Owners Jackpot+ at Fontwell OCTOBER 30 ROA regional meeting at Chepstow NOVEMBER 1 Ownership Matters event in Edinburgh NOVEMBER 20 ROA regional meeting at Southwell DECEMBER 6 ROA Horseracing Awards at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London See roa.co.uk/events for further details on all the above events

Perth regional meeting pulls in the members

Perth is one of Scottish racing’s success stories and popular with owners

Over 40 members attended Perth races on a glorious summer’s day on July 5 for the fifth ROA regional meeting of 2018.

Members were updated on current industry and ownership issues and invited to raise topics for discussion.

Lunch was enjoyed on the ground floor of the Dewhurst Stand, affording a close view of the racing action.

Subjects raised by members on the day included communication between

owners and the industry, the distribution model of owners’ prize-money, owners’ collective contributions via entry fees and processing, overcrowding in parade rings and owners’ and trainers’ facilities. Guests were updated on possible options to safeguard the future of Musselburgh racecourse by ROA Scotland representative Ken McGarrity.

The next regional meeting will be held at Sandown Park on September 19.

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ROA Forum Figures for period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018

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

Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Chester Newbury Doncaster Sandown Park Haydock Park Chelmsford City Musselburgh Wetherby Salisbury Newcastle Pontefract Ripon Hamilton Park Lingfield Park Carlisle Leicester Kempton Park Ayr Nottingham Beverley Windsor Thirsk Redcar Ffos Las Catterick Bridge Yarmouth Bath Wolverhampton Chepstow Southwell Brighton Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

I I I JCR JCR I I ARC JCR JCR I I I I ARC I I I ARC JCR I JCR I JCR I ARC I I ARC I ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC

466,236 230,075 195,543 183,512 122,293 91,170 84,567 76,272 73,473 70,883 47,512 45,601 44,862 42,751 41,346 41,198 41,197 41,153 36,175 34,385 34,318 34,026 33,822 32,237 31,447 31,238 30,928 30,656 28,053 27,941 27,246 25,305 23,751 22,951 21,365 21,151 60,700

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 2016-17 (£)

132,680 269,754 85,654 104,470 85,587 69,771 70,951 86,914 73,063 68,121 42,016 13,112 57,515 39,069 46,950 34,201 45,241 29,343 41,511 18,350 19,779 5,994 21,690 5,806 13,600 7,438 25,808 5,844 24,267 6,837 31,205 3,979 20,471 4,801 22,023 4,647 25,051 4,821 16,575 5,922 23,778 6,456 20,866 5,386 22,146 5,885 20,353 6,642 22,500 4,363 21,067 5,619 20,608 6,351 19,724 15,267 12,017 3,965 17,974 2,852 19,439 5,315 16,907 3,874 18,987 3,636 13,854 3,943 15,718 2,553 14,657 3,242 31,526 20,321

871,170 423,095 351,480 341,377 263,914 147,861 183,902 157,423 148,370 132,832 73,895 73,472 65,900 74,932 72,450 76,883 66,470 67,823 66,047 56,882 64,969 60,279 61,853 59,232 58,365 57,959 58,449 65,647 44,035 48,768 52,370 46,161 46,408 40,747 39,635 39,050 112,933

18 19 19 11 40 16 17 25 16 23 59 16 4 17 46 15 17 17 74 13 18 58 15 22 18 28 16 16 6 16 23 20 75 16 37 21 887

15,681,063 8,038,797 6,678,111 3,755,149 10,556,573 2,365,769 3,126,337 3,935,573 2,373,920 2,988,730 4,359,790 1,175,547 263,600 1,273,848 3,332,709 1,153,242 1,129,982 1,152,984 4,887,460 739,460 1,169,439 3,496,160 927,797 1,303,100 1,050,577 1,622,860 935,190 1,050,350 264,211 780,282 1,204,512 923,230 3,480,574 651,950 1,466,500 820,047 100,115,420

429,487 214,419 177,172 166,884 117,577 81,799 83,915 82,881 63,367 57,483 41,353 52,436 32,248 38,744 32,357 37,852 37,276 34,931 33,569 28,029 30,777 26,846 44,964 26,747 30,891 27,915 30,579 23,996 24,167 23,199 22,896 32,416 20,808 23,975 12,732 20,130 54,512

s s s s s s s t s s s t s s s s s s s s s s t s s s s s s s s t s t s s s

Up/ down

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

Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Kelso Doncaster Perth Newcastle Fakenham Carlisle Wincanton Newton Abbot Exeter Warwick Ludlow Chepstow Cartmel Stratford-On-Avon Hereford Wetherby Taunton Market Rasen Leicester Musselburgh Hexham Huntingdon Uttoxeter Ffos Las Catterick Bridge Towcester Worcester Fontwell Park Lingfield Park Bangor-On-Dee Plumpton Sedgefield Southwell Total

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 2016-17 (£)

Up/ down

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I I ARC I ARC I JCR JCR I JCR JCR I ARC I I ARC I I JCR I I I JCR ARC ARC I I ARC ARC ARC I I ARC ARC

285,889 267,292 156,372 112,263 102,856 85,960 54,366 43,928 41,974 37,957 36,653 36,434 33,455 33,352 32,831 32,519 31,930 31,880 31,473 31,415 30,928 30,828 30,372 30,264 28,819 28,730 28,060 27,636 27,179 26,062 25,448 24,885 24,089 23,909 22,573 21,634 21,324 20,937 20,415 18,569 18,173 45,427

141,717 119,630 88,351 90,699 85,030 64,402 59,022 35,802 23,303 42,455 25,414 34,354 21,092 30,673 34,611 28,812 35,619 31,682 30,548 36,970 21,813 22,343 23,651 31,760 28,529 30,151 31,287 32,235 15,581 24,144 26,451 27,204 23,712 17,748 21,386 19,450 27,812 18,275 24,457 19,858 20,589 35,432

79,265 68,782 19,362 17,813 16,227 21,492 9,230 11,606 5,020 7,945 3,955 5,710 0 5,502 5,821 60 6,487 6,358 5,349 8,578 4,804 4,437 5,988 5,410 6,064 5,179 4,897 4,364 3,246 5,281 6,080 5,295 2,796 3,971 4,199 3,456 4,538 4,185 3,953 3,269 3,931 8,851

507,683 456,328 265,335 226,887 212,937 173,216 122,975 95,072 73,026 88,885 66,022 77,053 54,547 72,231 73,263 61,391 74,037 70,201 67,370 76,964 57,544 58,071 60,011 67,435 64,143 64,286 64,244 64,235 46,007 57,456 58,041 57,384 50,596 45,628 48,159 44,540 53,675 43,558 48,825 42,226 42,693 90,383

8 16 8 9 9 9 14 14 11 9 16 9 12 11 16 17 14 16 16 14 9 14 7 14 13 21 8 10 15 16 24 10 9 12 21 22 6 14 14 16 20 543

4,061,466 7,301,255 2,122,682 2,041,983 1,809,968 1,558,946 1,721,653 1,331,001 803,281 799,967 1,056,355 693,478 654,570 794,537 1,172,201 1,043,645 1,036,522 1,123,212 1,077,924 1,077,491 517,900 813,000 420,079 944,093 833,858 1,350,005 513,952 642,350 690,098 919,293 1,392,985 573,837 455,366 547,541 1,011,344 979,875 322,047 609,808 683,547 675,623 853,868 49,032,607

265,466 243,494 139,465 100,415 106,933 29,163 51,678 38,475 34,174 37,803 54,522 26,436 23,735 20,103 27,778 27,779 21,769 24,393 51,678 34,619 29,332 30,106 24,651 26,604 25,937 18,015 24,074 19,792 19,437 24,074 23,968 23,181 16,963 17,286 20,862 19,433 34,174 22,771 17,477 18,165 18,048 39,300

s s s s t s s s s s t s s s s s s s t t s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s t t s s s s

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 prize-money: 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 prizemoney paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses ARC Arena Racing Company I

Independently owned racecourse

Gold Standard

Award

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TBA Forum

The special section for TBA members

Point-to-Point Bonus Summary The final TBA 3-2-1 bonus of the season featured at Stratford racecourse on June 8 in connection to the ITM Champion Point-to-Point Bumper, which was won by Lily The Pink, a four-year-old daughter of Malinas. The race proved to be a competitive affair and was dominated by mares, with five of the nine runners being eligible for the bonus, three of which went on to fill the first three places. The full bonus of £3,000 was won by Lily The Pink, who beat a previous bonus recipient, Rapaport.

When asked about winning the bonus, Paul Nicholas, owner of Lily The Pink, commented: “We were all extremely pleased to win the bumper race at Stratford, with the 3-2-1 bonus always being her target for the season.

“She ran well at Aintree, some things were learnt, and it all came right at Stratford. Support for these races has been very encouraging and the TBA should be congratulated on the mares’ bonus scheme, with the number of mares and fillies competing speaking volumes.”

The final race was an excellent way to conclude the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 3-2-1 bonus this season. The scheme, which was introduced for the first time in 2017 as part of the organisation’s work to improve race opportunities for mares, gives owners the chance of winning

Paul Nicholas’s four-year-old Lily The Pink won the last of three qualifying bumpers

a bonus of up to £3,000 at three endof-season bumpers run under Rules on licensed racecourses.

The bonus operates on a sliding scale with the highest-placed mare in each of the bonus races receiving a £1,000 bonus,

Breeders’ badge offers for Goodwood and York Goodwood racecourse has kindly offered two breeders’ badges to TBA members who have bred runners in any of the Group 1 races at the Qatar Goodwood Festival from July 31 to August 4.

TBA members are also invited to apply for tickets to Goodwood at a discounted rate of £89 for Richmond Enclosure badges. To apply for these discounted tickets, please contact the Membership Team at the racecourse on 01243 755055 and ask for the TBA Members’ Offer.

York racecourse has also kindly invited TBA members who have bred a runner at the Ebor Festival (August 22 to 25) to apply for two badges per breeder. Badges will be issued subject to the horse being declared. Please note that tickets do not allow for paddock and parade ring access.

To register for breeders’ badges for Goodwood or York, please email Annette Bell at annette.bell@thetba.co.uk with the following information: • Name of breeder(s) • TBA membership number • Horse’s name • Race entered

plus a further £1,000 if she is British-bred and another £1,000 if she is owned by a TBA member.

The first 3-2-1 bonus race of 2018, the Goffs UK Spring Sales NH Flat Race, was held at Exeter on April 24 and saw a field of eight go to post, three of which were mares eligible for the bonus. Control Me was the first mare past the post and therefore secured a £1,000 bonus. Francesca Nimmo, who owns and trains the four-year-old, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won the bonus, which I think is a brilliant idea to encourage mares.”

The second bonus of the year, the Goffs UK Spring Sale P2P Bumper Standard National Hunt Flat Race, was held at Aintree on May 18. The 14-runner field included six mares in contention to win a bonus. This was the first time the full bonus had been won, by Rapaport, who finished fourth.

Rapaport’s owner, TBA member Nicola Bulgin, said: “I believe the bonus scheme for mares, both point-to-point and under Rules, is a great incentive for owners and trainers to purchase fillies at the sales.

“This is a very positive step forward for National Hunt breeders who otherwise may have struggled to even cover their nomination costs in the past if their mare produced a filly.”

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Members enjoying a tour of the mares and foals at the beautiful farm in the Scottish Borders

Memorable day at Floors Stud The picturesque and undulating pastureland of the Scottish Borders provided a memorable visit to TBA members on June 6, when, by kind permission of His Grace, the 10th Duke of Roxburghe, Floors Castle and the Stud opened its doors for a sneak preview of its exciting next generation of equine graduates.

Best known for star filly Attraction, a five-time Group 1-winning daughter of Efisio, Floors has produced a number of impressive sale results in recent years with three exceeding the million-guinea mark at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale.

On arrival, members were invited to join the duke for hot beverages and shortbread within the castle, before heading out by tractor and trailer to the stud to view some of the young stock produced by the stud.

Kicking off the tour of the stud with a parade of homebred yearlings, the line-up included a Siyouni colt out of Titivation, the dam of Listed winner Titi Makfi; a Zoffany colt produced

by Cushion, a Galileo daughter of

Parade of homebred yearlings

The Duke of Roxburghe greets visitors

Attraction; and a filly by first-season sire Gleneagles out of Fusion.

Saved until last and undoubtedly the star of the show, members were treated to a glimpse of Attraction’s Invincible Spirit filly. The parade was narrated by the Duke and stud manager Aonghus Ryan, who kept the group entertained with details of the yearlings’ history and plans for the forthcoming months.

Walking back towards the castle for lunch, members were treated to a viewing of the resident mares and foals living out on the stud. Among the highlights for the group to see was

the Group 1 producer Comic with her Kingman filly foal, and Fusion, a halfsister to Attraction by the late Cape Cross with an Acclamation filly foal at foot.

After lunch, many members took the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour around the house and gardens in the gloriously sunny weather to finish off a marvellous day in the Scottish Borders.

The TBA would like to thank the Duke of Roxburghe, the castle team, and all the stud staff who helped make such a welcoming and informative visit for our members.

Regional training courses reminder The TBA has teamed up with the National Stud to offer two one-day courses, funded by the Racing Foundation on Thursday, September 6 at Exeter racecourse and Thursday, September 13 at Haydock Park racecourse.

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The courses will give members the opportunity to update themselves on a range of stud management topics from industry experts and cover a range of topics, including nutrition, reproductive management, parasites

and resistance, and farriery.

The courses are free for TBA members. For further information and to book a place, please contact Leaya Slater on 01638 675930 or email leaya@nationalstud.co.uk

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TBA Forum

A beautiful Hampshire day: Kimpton Down Stables and Liphook Equine Hospital On June 28, under bright blue cloudless skies, TBA members met at Ralph Beckett’s Kimpton Down Stables near Andover. The day started early to ensure that the horses were as comfortable as possible in the unusually warm weather and members were treated to watching horses warming up before they headed to the gallops.

A large amount of work has been invested in improving the various types of gallops to bring them to tip-top condition. At the lower level, a gravel base under the gallops formed from an old river bed provides excellent spring and autumn conditions for when they can’t use the higher ground. Members had the chance to watch the impressive offspring of stallions such as Kingman, Mount Nelson, Mastercraftsman, Oasis Dream, Kodiac, Sea The Stars, Dark Angel, Sir Percy and Shamardal put through their paces on the steep gallop,

Walking back from exercise

After enjoying a delicious lunch at the Mayfly, Fullerton, which is beautifully situated beside the River Test, members were treated to a talk on the river by Robert Goldworth, one of a small team of river keepers, who explained about the hard work that goes into maintaining the river’s quality and stocks for fishing.

A drive across country took

turn-out paddocks for recovering patients when they are fit enough to venture outside. There are also isolation boxes and decontamination facilities for horses that need to be kept separate. The patient list is varied from thoroughbreds to alpacas and even some goats among them.

David talked members through some of the amazing advances in modern veterinary medicines and practices, including modern methods of sedation which enables more standing surgeries to be undertaken, which is better for the patient as it comes with less risk, even though it may be tougher on the surgeon.

A tour of the state-of-the-art

David Lloyd at Liphook Equine Hospital

Ralph Beckett’s string out on the gallops

followed by a few laps of the warmdown ring prior to heading back to the yard for a cooling wash down.

Beckett spoke to the members about the difference in training surfaces and the impact of each on the horses.

His favoured woodchip, he feels, is best for the horses as it results in fewer tendon and soft tissue injuries, due to its shifting properties, than other surfaces. Ralph and his Head Man, Adam Kite, answered a variety of questions from members before the group headed back to the main yard for refreshments followed by a walk through the stables.

members to the Liphook Equine Hospital, which houses an impressive number of specialists under one roof.

LEH Director David Lloyd (BVMS CertES (Orth) DECVS MRCVS) talked members through the history of the hospital and took us on a tour of the excellent facilities.

Liphook offers around-the-clock nursing care in three shifts to its patients and some stables also have CCTV so that horses can be monitored at all times. There are 60 stables, including ten intensive care units, and separate boxes specifically designed for mares and foals, with

facilities that Liphook has to offer included a bone scanner, an essential tool for identifying issues with the back, pelvis or upper limbs. Previously, vets would need to map each area individually and plot the readings on a body map which was very timeconsuming and more stressful to the animal. Other equipment includes a CT scanner for 3D imaging and an MRI scanner which is ideal for measuring moisture content in tissue to spot inflammation, and is especially useful for horses in training.

Suzy Hall, Diagnostic Lameness Clinician and imaging specialist, gave a brief presentation to cover the history of LEH and some of the types of treatments and surgeries in which it specialises, before we enjoyed a delicious buffet and a welcome cooling drink before our departure.

The TBA would like to thank the hosts and their teams for the wonderful welcome they showed members and wish them continued success in the future.

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Diary Dates

Two previous Cheltenham winners reach qualifiers for this year’s RoR TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge final

Saturday, July 28 Breeders’ Seminar (ISER) Tattersalls, Newmarket

Sunday, July 29 TBA ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ NH Foal Show Bangor-on-Dee racecourse Sunday, August 26 The RoR TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge Series Final 2018 Aintree Equestrian Centre Thursday, September 6 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Exeter racecourse Tuesday, September 11 North Regional Day Richard Fahey Racing and Mark Dwyer’s Oaks Farm Stables Thursday, September 13 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Haydock Park racecourse Tuesday, December 11- Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course The British Racing School, Newmarket

New Members

Fiona Anneliese Evans, Ayrshire Lady Mary-Rose Mann, Norfolk Deborah Thomson, East Lothian Mr Alex Park, Cheshire Mr Robert M Brilley, Flintshire McCracken Farms, County Don Mr Howell Jenkins, Suffolk Phyllis O’Rourke, County Wexford

Reigning champions Danetime Panther and Olivia Sims

This year’s RoR TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge final will be held on August 26 at Aintree Equestrian Centre as part of the three-day RoR Championship event.

The final, for which qualifiers are run throughout the year, will take place on the Sunday of the show and commence with a preliminary judging which includes a course of small fences followed by an individual freestyle show, judged by the Hon Lucinda Cavendish and David Ingle.

Once the preliminary judging has been completed, ten horses will be chosen to go through to the evening performance, at which they will be judged again and the champion crowned. Prize-money will be awarded down to tenth place.

The champion will then go forward to the final class of the day, the RoR Elite Performance Award for Showing and Supreme Champion of Show.

Last year’s final, which was held at Aintree for the first time following the move from Windsor, was won by Danetime Panther, who is owned by Lucinda Sims and ridden by Olivia Sims. Danetime Panther is one of 49 horses who have qualified for the final this year, which also includes previous Cheltenham winners Annacotty and Midnight Chase.

Entries for the show close on August 1.

For further information on the series, please visit the Retraining of Racehorses website, www.ror.org.uk.

The North Regional Day The final TBA Regional Day of 2018 will take place on Tuesday, September 11 as part of the North Regional Day. The day will commence at Richard Fahey’s racing yard with a behindthe-scenes look at the yard and the opportunity to view some of the horses on the gallops.

Richard has established himself as one of the largest trainers in the north

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and last year saddled 200 winners and collected over £4.2 million in prize-money.

Following the tour, members will enjoy lunch at the Old Lodge, Old Maltongate, before visiting Mark Dwyer’s Oaks Farm Stables in Malton, for a tour of the facilities. Mark has been responsible for consigning Group-winning horses, including

Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris and multiple Group 1-winning St Nicholas Abbey.

Applications will automatically be sent to those within the catchment area but if you are interested in attending please contact Annette Bell at the TBA (Annette.bell@thetba. co.uk) or call the TBA office on 01638 661321 for an application form.

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TBA Forum

Investing in breeding & racing: TBA services Big or small, all breeders have access to the TBA’s many services, and are using them in increasing numbers, as Liam O’Rourke and Vicky Marks recount.

O’Rourke, based at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, is stud director for Darley, Sheikh Mohammed’s global operation, and is a particular fan of the TBA’s industry training programme.

“We’re always on the lookout for educational courses for our staff, many of whom join us at a young age,” he says. “We like to provide a career path for them, so they can flourish, and we turn to courses such as those offered by the TBA to help us to achieve this.

“The annual stud farming course, which we have supported fairly heavily over the years, has been extremely useful, and since 2007 alone around 26 of our staff have completed the course.

“Particularly for experienced staff, we find it’s very useful as a top-up, a meaningful refresher. We depend on the course quite a lot, because it opens up options, and seven of those who’ve been on it have taken up worthwhile and responsible positions in the Darley operation, while several others have moved on and gained similar positions outside.

“The course also acts as a carrot for young staff coming through. If they want to show their interest and ambitious nature, they will ask to be enrolled. That’s useful for us to identify the people who want to get on in the business.”

O’Rourke, who sits on the TBA’s Flat Race Committee for stayers, while his colleague Sam Bullard, Darley’s director of stallions, is a co-opted member of the board, adds: “We also

The TBA Seminar is a vitally informative day each year

send at least five staff to the annual TBA seminar, which comes at a good time in the season for us. Again, it’s a great refresher course, with very good speakers, and it would be hard to be without it.

“We participate in the TBA’s veterinary projects to a lesser extent but always attend the awards evenings and, generally speaking, are well immersed in TBA affairs and keen to get involved in any way we can.”

At the other end of the spectrum, with “seven and a half mares and around 18 animals”, including Flat and jump horses to her name, Vicky Marks, from Jevington in East Sussex, began as a breeder only five years ago, after a lifetime interest in horseracing. She joined the TBA immediately.

“Initially, membership was very helpful in understanding current legislation and having general information such as about biosecurity,” she says. “So it started as a good fount of knowledge for basic information that was easy to pick up

The Wales & West Midlands Regional Day in 2017 was a visit to Nigel Twiston-Davies’s yard

from one source.

“Next I decided to attend the annual seminar, where I met a lot of interesting people who provided a further fund of knowledge and stories that made me feel less of a minnow.

“They had very good speakers, covering all aspects, and there was the opportunity to ask questions privately if you didn’t feel confident to do it from the floor.

“And finally, I’ve enjoyed the regional days out, which have been incredibly useful. They often involve visiting a trainer’s yard that you wouldn’t normally get to see, and that gives you a different perspective, especially for breeders who usually race their own fillies. You can compare facilities and talk about topics such as various stallions’ progeny.

“They provide experiences and conversations to which you wouldn’t be privy otherwise. Plus, the visits are often mixed with other activities, such as going to an equine hospital, which is fascinating. You always pick up a lot of information, which makes you feel very included. It all goes back to accessibility.

“In my business life I’ve belonged to a number of trade associations, but the difference is that the TBA has a very short chain of command. You don’t have to work your way up in order to reach the heavyweights of the industry.

If there’s an issue, you can go straight to the top without feeling you are being foolish in asking, and you will get a reply.

“Overall, with the additional benefits such as access to third-party insurance and registration discounts, I’ve got only good things to say about the TBA.”

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Breeder of the Month Words Hyperion Promotions Ltd

Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

BREEDER OF THE MONTH - JUNE

BJORN NIELSEN The South African-born, American-based owner-breeder enjoyed a tremendous Royal Ascot with Stradivarius winning the Gold Cup and the well-backed Agrotera storming home in the Sandringham Stakes.

In common with Gaie Johnson Houghton and Accidental Agent, his owner-breeder came close to losing his Royal Ascot Group 1 winner when the son of Sea The Stars narrowly failed to reach his reserve price at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale in 2015.

Stradivarius is one of six winners from seven foals out of the Listed-placed Bering mare Private Life. There is stamina in abundance further back in his pedigree as his dam’s half-sister Parisienne is the granddam of 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.

The Sandringham Stakes was run for the first time without its Listed status, but that is unlikely to have detracted too much from the satisfaction felt by the winning breeder. The ease with which the threeyear-old daughter of Mastercraftsman swept aside the opposition suggested that a Listed win at the very least would soon be coming her way.

Agrotera is out of winning King’s Best mare Lombatina, who Nielsen acquired four years ago. She is out of a sister to Samum and Schiaparelli and to the dam of Sea The Moon, all Deutsches Derby winners.

A further cause for celebration was that Agrotera gave her trainer Ed Walker his first Royal Ascot winner. Walker is in his eighth full season with a licence, but his first in the Kingsdown Stables in Upper Lambourn owned by Nielsen, who has around a dozen horses with him.

Bjorn Nielsen leads in Stradivarius

SPECIAL MERIT AWARD – JUNE

GAIE JOHNSON HOUGHTON Queen Anne Stakes winner Accidental Agent, bred and owned by Gaie Johnson Houghton and trained by her daughter Eve, is the sixth generation of their family’s foundation mare Sirnelta.

Gaie’s husband Fulke bought the daughter of Sir Tor (by Round Table) on behalf of Lord Leverhulme and subsequently acquired her after her first two foals disappointed their breeder.

It has proved to be a spectacularly successful purchase.

Sirnelta’s best offspring was Dead Certain, who won the Cheveley Park Stakes in 1989. Earlier that year, Sirnelta had produced a filly called Shall We Run. Although less talented than her half-sister, the daughter of Hotfoot has made a more significant impact at stud as the dam of the Johnson Houghton-bred Gimcrack winner Bannister and granddam of Middle Park winner Astaire.

A glance at Accidental Agent’s extended pedigree highlights just how shrewdly the Johnson Houghtons have

nurtured the family over four decades without recourse to expensive stallions.

Bannister is by Inchinor and his Listedplaced half-sister Roo is by Rudimentary.

She is the dam of Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (by Bahamian Bounty) and Bannister’s three-parts sister Roodeye, who won twice and was Listed-placed for Fulke Johnson Houghton. Roodeye herself is the dam of dual Grade 2 winner Prize Exhibit, who Gaie Johnson Houghton bred from a mating with Showcasing in that stallion’s first year at stud.

Accidental Agent is by Delegator and out of Prize Exhibit’s half-sister Roodle.

Eve Johnson Houghton trained the daughter of Xaar to win races at Chepstow and Yarmouth in her mother’s colours.

The future Queen Anne hero was her first foal and was sent to the Tattersalls Book 3 Yearling Sale in 2015. After being bought back in by his breeder for 8,000gns, he was put into training with her daughter at Woodway stables in Oxfordshire. His Ascot victory was a first at the royal meeting and a first Group 1 winner for the trainer.

In a further link to the family’s past, the four-year-old is named after a book written by his breeder’s father John Goldsmith.

In 1942, Goldsmith was recruited into the Special Operations Executive and fought behind enemy lines in occupied France. He received numerous military honours and later recounted his wartime exploits in a book titled Accidental Agent.

Roodle has a two-year-old filly by Champs Elysees called Madame Tantzy, also in training at Woodway, and a Due Diligence yearling filly that is set to go to the sales this autumn. She was covered

by Muhaarar earlier this year.

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Vet Forum: The Expert View

TATTERSALLS

Piroplasmosis: important to test prior to export

Horses who test positive for Piroplasmosis cannot be exported to a number of countries so major sales companies have introduced a condition of sale whereby horses can be returned if found to be positive for the tick-borne disease during a pre-export test

T

here are a few equine infectious diseases we must remain aware of, even though they are not of clinical concern in the UK at this time.

These include West Nile Virus, African Horse Sickness, Equine Viral Arteritis, Equine Infectious Anaemia and Piroplasmosis. The risk of introduction of all or any of these is increasing due to several factors, with growing levels of international movement of horses and climate change being the most significant. Warming temperatures and altered rain patterns are affecting the distribution of many insects and the ability of disease-causing organisms to survive in the environment. The international markets in equines and other animals and animal products must remain strictly regulated to ensure that infected animals and infectious

material are not inadvertently imported.

PIroplasmosis (‘Piro’) is a tick-borne disease affecting horses and related equine animals such as zebra, donkeys, asses and mules. It is considered endemic in many areas of the world, including Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, southern Europe and Asia. This disease distribution relates to the presence of the vector (disease carrying) ticks responsible for spreading infection when they bite to feed on susceptible animals. Infected ticks feed on a susceptible horse and in doing so infect the horse. This horse then becomes a source of infection for future biting ticks and subsequently other horses. Infection can also be transmitted directly from one tick generation to the next without biting a horse. We know that an infected mare

can pass the infection to her foal via the placenta and this might result in abortion of the foal, or the foal might be born anaemic and ill. Foals from an infected dam might become carriers of the disease. A stallion can infect a mare during mating via blood-contaminated semen. It is important to appreciate that infection can also be caused by the use of contaminated blood, semen or blood products or instruments/equipment, so the disease can also be spread by humans (iatrogenic spread)! A relatively recent outbreak of Piroplasmosis in Florida is believed to be due to the use of contaminated needles.

Cause and symptoms

There are two distinct but related parasites causing Piroplasmosis – Babesia caballi and Theileria equi.

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By Deidre Carson MRCVS

They behave slightly differently in many respects but can essentially be grouped together when considering the disease if it were to enter the UK. The organisms both enter and damage red blood cells in affected animals, causing profound anaemia. There are three clinical manifestations of the disease.

In pre-acute cases, the horse might be found dead due to overwhelming anaemia and pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs). In the acute disease, symptoms include fever, jaundice, colic, diarrhoea, anaemia and oedema (fluid accumulation) along the lower regions of the body. Respiratory distress is also common. Many affected animals will die. Animals that are stressed, for example by work or strenuous exercise or by immune compromise (young or geriatric), are at particular risk of severe disease. Treatment can be attempted but the medications available are potentially toxic, and even if acute symptoms are relieved a persistent low grade infection results, so these animals can also still act as reservoirs of infection for other animals.

Animals with chronic infections can appear essentially ‘normal’ but are likely to have reduced exercise tolerance and this can be a major problem in areas where these equids are used as working animals or required to perform strenuous exercise.

Considerations for International Trade

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) considers Pirpolasmosis a reportable disease, meaning that it needs to be told if a positive case is diagnosed – especially in a country where it has not previously existed. In the Republic of Ireland it is a notifiable disease so that the government authorities need to be told about any positive case and restrictions may be put in place to allow investigation, confirmation and limitation of the spread of the disease.

One problem we face here in the UK is that there is no general pre-import testing for Piroplasmosis prior to import to the UK, nor is there any requirement for pre-import treatment with an acaricide (tick-killing treatment). The Tripartite Agreement allows essentially free movement of thoroughbreds and other ‘high health’ horses. With more and more horses moving into and out of Europe and the UK, and with climate changes creating more favourable conditions for many tick vectors, there is an increased risk that populations of these ticks will become

These three different results for the same horse tested at different laboratories demonstrate the inconsistencies that can be experienced when attempting to detect Piroplasmosis

established in the UK. Many countries require testing for piroplasmosis before they will permit a horse to be imported. These tests are serological (blood serum) tests. There are three tests available: Competition

“Animals that are stressed by work or strenuous exercise are at particular risk” Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA), Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT), and Complimentary Fixation Test (CFT).

The Animal and Plant Health Agency

(APHA), which is part of DEFRA, undertakes pre-export testing and has been an internationally recognised Piroplasmosis testing laboratory for over 30 years, carrying out pre-export testing for clients in the UK, Republic of Ireland and throughout Europe, as well as undertaking serological studies worldwide.

As a result of some of this work it has been noticed that some foals born to foreign-born dams are serologically positive for PIroplasmosis, indicating that they have ingested antibody in the colostrum.

Problems in the UK

It is extremely difficult to diagnose the disease by direct visualisation of the parasite in the blood in carrier animals.

Diagnosis and screening is usually based on serological testing. The CFT test has been used is the past and is still used in some countries but might not detect all carrier animals.

Currently the IFAT and cELISA tests are the primary tests used for pre-

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Vet Forum: The Expert View ››

import testing. One or both are usually required, although some countries still request the CFT and others will require a blood smear to be examined for parasites. Countries requesting Piroplasmosis tests include Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Japan, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, Argentina, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and South Africa. To go to the USA horses do not need to be tested here but will be tested on arrival. To try to ensure that a horse which is positive is not going to be shipped to the USA, ‘courtesy’ tests are done before export.

These blood tests might be done here in the UK but, increasingly, the bloods are sent to the USA for testing at the same labs as the post-import tests will be done.

Unfortunately we sometimes find that horses undergoing pre-export testing come up with a positive result – usually for the IFAT test. This can result in a horse having to be retested and this can, at the very least, possibly delay export, as well as adding to costs. We seem to see ‘false positives’

or ‘non-negatives’ with Piroplasmosis tests more than others. On occasion bloods from these horses will be sent to another laboratory – usually a commercial lab in Germany - for retesting. The results are often negative.

If possible, a derogation might be obtained from the importing country to allow this German lab result to be used for import purposes, but that is the prerogative of the importing country.

On other occasions, the ‘positive’ result will become negative on retest.

Sometimes it is not possible to export the horse because of the positive Piroplasmosis result. I have included three different test results for the same horse tested at different laboratories to demonstrate the inconsistencies that can be experienced (see previous page).

Sales time

A direct result of positive or ‘nonnegative’ Piroplasmosis test results is that the affected horses cannot be sold or sent to a number of other

countries. When a significant number of thoroughbreds are sold at public auction, this means that purchasers might be buying a horse with the intention of sending or taking it abroad, only to find out – once the sale is completed and the horse is undergoing pre-export testing – that their purchase cannot go anywhere.

In an attempt to help purchasers with this specific issue, major auctioneers including Tattersalls’ (Condition 26) and Goffs’ (Condition 5.3) Conditions of Sale allow for a horse (excluding foals) to be returned to the vendor if it has a positive Piroplasmosis IFAT result from Bose Laboratories on a blood sample taken at the time of purchase (unless a horse is described as Piroplasmosis positive or doubtful at the time of sale). There are specific requirements with respect to timing of testing and restrictions on the movement of the horse before and after the sample is taken, etc. Please see the Conditions of Sale for all sales companies for full details.

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Dr Statz

John Boyce cracks the code

Promising Camelot should continue to court admirers E uropean breeding has many things to be pleased about at the start of 2018, none more so than the success of runners by some of its stallions with stouter pedigrees..

The list of sires that have been represented by five or more stakes winners in Europe this year contains a fair representation that can get topclass runners at a mile and a quarter and beyond. Moreover, there are plenty of young up-and-coming stallions whose stock has the potential to get Classic and Group 1 winners in our longer races.

Last year, Frankel’s first three-yearolds excited everyone, as did – albeit to a lesser extent – Nathaniel. This year, another has put his hand up as a potential superstar and that is Camelot. Aidan O’Brien’s top-class Montjeu colt just failed to become the first since Nijinsky to land the Triple Crown. But just like Frankel, who ultimately deserved it, Camelot’s coronation looks like it’s running ahead of the facts, convincing as they may be at this early stages.

Make no mistake, Camelot’s early success could easily be evidence of a new superstar stallion. But he will need to reach certain milestones at specific times to provide ultimate proof of his place among the very best.

In the past 30 years, Frankel has set the standards for what’s possible after a stallion’s first two years with runners.

For instance, he sired 20 stakes winners, compared to Camelot’s current score of eight. In fact, Camelot has 14 sires to pass to reach that particular pinnacle. Then there is the far more important metric of percentage of stakes winners to runners.

After two years Frankel’s score was up to an impressive 15.6%, well ahead of Dubawi and Sea The Stars, who’d both managed 10.8% at the end of year two.

Camelot’s current score is 7.4% and this is likely to increase further as his first three-year-olds continue to improve through the remainder of the year.

However, his second-crop two-year-olds are likely to act as an anchor on this score.

In terms of brilliant racehorses, Frankel’s top ten horses had produced an average Timeform rating of 118.9 at the end of year two – the best of any stallion in recent years. The next three sires on this list give

98

CAMELOT’S BLACK-TYPE HORSES Form

TFR

Name

YOB

Sex

Dam

Broodmare Sire

MaxWD

G1w

119

LATROBE

2015

C

QUESTION TIMES WLRp

SHAMARDAL

12

G1w

112

ATHENA

2015

F

CHERRY HINTON G3p

GREEN DESERT

10

G2w

112

FIGHTING IRISH

2015

C

QUIXOTIC UR

PIVOTAL

6

G3wG1p

121

HUNTING HORN

2015

C

MORA BAI UR

INDIAN RIDGE

10

G3w

111

WAIT FOREVER

2015

C

MOUNT MCLEOD W

HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

9

G3w

108

POLLARA

2015

F

BROOKLYN’S STORM W

STORM CAT

12

LRwG2p

108

ALOUNAK

2015

C

AWE STRUCK UR

RAIL LINK

11

LRw

104

NATURALLY HIGH

2015

C

JUST LITTLE G3wG2p

GRAND SLAM

10

LRw

101

ARTHUR KITT

2016

C

CEILING KITTY G2w

RED CLUBS

7

WG2p

105

ALHADAB

2015

C

GRACE LADY G2w

MUHTATHIR

8

WG3p

103

KING OF CAMELOT

2015

C

MISS EMMA MAY W

HAWK WING

8

WG3p

97

STELLA DI CAMELOT

2015

F

STAR FORCE W

BLU AIR FORCE

8

LRp

106

LUCIUS TIBERIUS

2015

C

KEEGSQUAW LRw

STREET CRY

10

LRp

97

WHIRLING DERVISH

2015

C

SYNERGY G3w

VICTORY NOTE

9

G3p

105

AMAZING LIPS

2015

F

ATHENAIRE UP

DUKE OF MARMALADE

-

you a fair indication of how good this score is – Montjeu 118.2, Galileo 117.8 and Dubawi 117.3. The task facing Camelot is a stiff one. His current top-ten average is 110.7, even after Latrobe’s Irish Derby success, of which Timeform has taken a conservative view, rating him 119p. So, Camelot’s top ten runners by Timeform ratings – whoever they may be at the end of the year – will need to improve by 8.2lb each to match Frankel.

However, Camelot doesn’t need to

Camelot: next big thing?

match Frankel’s meteoric trajectory. After all, the great Galileo didn’t produce a set of ten runners better than all other sires until the end of year six and his top ten have been unsurpassed since. Moreover, Galileo and Montjeu, Camelot’s sire, had profiles not dissimilar to Camelot midway through their second years. One thing in Camelot’s favour is the fact that he’s covered highquality books in his first four years at stud and, unlike many so-called commercial sires, there has been little fall off in quality between his first and fourth crops. Broadly speaking, he’s been afforded the same opportunities as his great sire and not much worse than Galileo.

So far, Camelot has nine stakes winners (7.4%) including two Group 1 winners in Latrobe and the recent Belmont Oaks heroine Athena. That ratio is well behind what his mares have produced with other sires (10.7%) at this early stage. And that’s to be expected of sires that get latedeveloping stock. Galileo was on 7.3% stakes winners from mares that produced 10% with other sires at the end of his second year. At the same stage, Montjeu had sired 9.2% stakes winners from mares that produced 9.7% with other sires.

What really needs to be appreciated is that we have another stallion that can sire high-class runners beyond a mile and a quarter. Only Galileo, Sea The Stars and Teofilo currently have a stamina index of ten furlongs or more and can get stakes winners at a rate of 10% or higher.

Camelot looks like he could easily join this elite club.

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Data Book • Analysis by Andrew Caulfield European Pattern 113 PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES G1 CHANTILLY. Jun 17. 3yof. 2100m.

1. LAURENS (FR) 9-0 £505,664 b f by Siyouni - Recambe (Cape Cross) O-Mr John Dance B-Bloodstock Agency Ltd TR-K. R. Burke 2. Musis Amica (IRE) 9-0 £202,301 b f by Dawn Approach - White Star (Darshaan) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-A. Fabre 3. Homerique (USA) 9-0 £101,150 gr/ro f by Exchange Rate - Chiquita Picosa (Congaree) O-Ecurie de Montlahuc B-N. Drion & F. Drion TR-Francis-Henri Graffard Margins Neck, Nose. Time 2:06.11. Going Good to Soft.

Sire: SHAMARDAL. Sire of 118 Stakes winners. In 2018 - BLUE POINT Royal Applause G1, PAKISTAN STAR Peintre Celebre G1, ALJAZZI Danehill Dancer G2, HAZAPOUR Daylami G3, HANDSOME THIEF Galileo LR, MAGNOLIA SPRINGS Rainbow Quest LR, SHAMTEE Dubai Destination LR, WINTER LIGHTNING Dubai Destination LR. 1st Dam: Scarlett Rose by Royal Applause. Dam of 3 winners:

2007:

2008: 2009: 2010: 2011: 2013: 2014:

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 7 5 2 £1,127,905 Sire: SIYOUNI. Sire of 24 Stakes winners. In 2018 LAURENS Cape Cross G1, AYLMERTON Smart Strike G2, FINSBURY SQUARE Dyhim Diamond G2, BARKAA Apeldoorn G3, CITY LIGHT Kendor G3, LA SIGNARE Beat Hollow G3, FATALISTE King’s Best LR, SEQUILLA Doyen LR, SULLY Verglas LR. 1st Dam: RECAMBE by Cape Cross. 2 wins at 3 in France. Dam of 3 winners:

2011: 2013: 2014: 2015:

AUTIGNAC (f Solon) Winner over jumps in France. Broodmare.

Murviel (f Siyouni) ANEMOI (g Manduro) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race at 4.

LAURENS (f Siyouni) Sold 209,523gns yearling at DNPRM. 5 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, bet365 Fillies’ Mile S G1, Prix de Diane Longines G1, The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1, William Hill May Hill S G2, 2nd Qipco 1000 Guineas S G1, Shadwell Prix du Calvados G3.

2nd Dam: Razana by Kahyasi. 4 wins, 2nd G.P. Conseil General de Loire Atlantique LR. Dam of SALFORD MILL (c Peintre Celebre: Stanspoker.co.uk Newmarket S LR, Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby LR, Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile LR), Ovambo (g Namaqualand: 2nd Cadogan Charity Fred Archer S LR, 3rd betfair.com Ormonde S G3). Grandam of Domination.

Broodmare Sire: CAPE CROSS. Sire of the dams of 54 Stakes winners. In 2018 - LAURENS Siyouni G1, MASAR New Approach G1, CELLARMAN Mossman G3, MONTOYA STAR High Chaparral G3, POWER O’HATA Power G3.

LAURENS b f 2015 Polar Falcon

Nureyev Marie d’Argonne

Fearless Revival

Cozzene Stufida

Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Pivotal SIYOUNI b 07 Sichilla

Slipstream Queen Conquistador Cielo Country Queen Green Desert

Danzig Foreign Courier

Park Appeal

Ahonoora Balidaress

Kahyasi

Ile de Bourbon Kadissya

Raysiya

Cure The Blues Rilasa

Cape Cross RECAMBE b 05 Razana

See race 47 in the July issue 114 KING’S STAND STAKES G1 ASCOT. Jun 19. 3yo+. 5f.

1. BLUE POINT (IRE) 4 9-4 £305,525 b c by Shamardal - Scarlett Rose (Royal Applause) O-Godolphin B-Oak Lodge Bloodstock TR-Charlie Appleby 2. Battaash (IRE) 4 9-4 £115,831 b g by Dark Angel - Anna Law (Lawman) O-Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum B-Ballyphilip Stud TR-Charles Hills 3. Mabs Cross (GB) 4 9-1 £57,970 b f by Dutch Art - Miss Meggy (Pivotal) O-Mr David W. Armstrong B-Highfield Farm LLP TR-Michael Dods Margins 1.75, Neck. Time 0:58.10. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 13 6 6 £741,558

Aug_168_DataBook.indd 99

2017:

ESYTOPOLISHADIMOND (g Starcraft) 3 wins at 5 and 6.

FORMOSINA (c Footstepsinthesand) 2 wins at 2, ladbrokes.com Railway S G2.

Leitrim Prince (g Strategic Prince) unraced.

Flywheel (f Teofilo). Broodmare. (f Virtual) Sunstatic (c Heliostatic) ran on the flat in France.

BLUE POINT (c Shamardal) Sold 200,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 6 wins at 2 to 4, King’s Stand S G1, Irish TB Marketing Gimcrack S G2, John Guest Bengough S G3, Merribelle Stable Pavilion S G3, 2nd Juddmonte Middle Park S G1, Qatar Richmond S G2, District One Meydan Sprint G2, 3rd Dubai Dewhurst S G1, Commonwealth Cup G1. (c Night of Thunder)

2nd Dam: Billie Blue by Ballad Rock. Dam of TUMBLEWEED RIDGE (c Indian Ridge: Vodafone Horris Hill S G3, Ballycorus S G3 (3 times), Prix de la Porte Maillot G3, 2nd Scottish Equitable Gimcrack S G2).

Grandam of GILDED. Third dam of FORT DEL ORO. Broodmare Sire: ROYAL APPLAUSE. Sire of the dams of 19 Stakes winners. In 2018 - BLUE POINT Shamardal G1, DAN’S DREAM Cityscape G3.

BLUE POINT b c 2014

ASCOT. Jun 19. 4yo+. 8f.

1. ACCIDENTAL AGENT (GB) 4 9-0 £367,197 b c by Delegator - Roodle (Xaar) O-Mrs R. F. Johnson Houghton B-Mrs F. M. Johnson Houghton TR-Eve Johnson Houghton 2. Lord Glitters (FR) 5 9-0 £139,213 gr g by Whipper - Lady Glitters (Homme de Loi) O-Geoff & Sandra Turnbull B-S.C.A. Elevage de Tourgeville & H. Erculiani TR-David O’Meara 3. Lightning Spear (GB) 7 9-0 £69,671 ch h by Pivotal - Atlantic Destiny (Royal Academy) O-Qatar Racing Limited B-Newsells Park Stud Limited TR-David Simcock Margins 0.5, Neck. Time 1:38.80. Going Good to Firm.

Storm Bird Terlingua

Mariah’s Storm

Rahy Immense

Machiavellian

Mr Prospector Coup de Folie

Helen Street

Troy Waterway

Waajib

Try My Best Coryana

Flying Melody

Auction Ring Whispering Star

Ballad Rock

Bold Lad True Rocket

Sire: DELEGATOR. Sire of 2 Stakes winners.

Blue Nose

Windjammer Hill Slipper

1st Dam: ROODLE by Xaar. 2 wins at 2 and 4. Dam of 1 winner:

Helsinki

Royal Applause SCARLETT ROSE b 01

115 QUEEN ANNE STAKES G1

Storm Cat Giant’s Causeway SHAMARDAL b 02

potential Gr1 winner, but he went down by half a length to The Last Lion when a hot favourite for the 2016 Middle Park Stakes. It was beginning to look as though he had missed his chance of Gr1 glory, especially when he finished last as a 23-1 chance in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong in April 2018, but a very strongly-run five furlongs brought out the best in him in the King’s Stand Stakes. This victory guarantees that Blue Point will be very popular when he eventually joins the Darley stallion team.

Blue Point’s dam is a half-sister to the smart and durable seven-furlong specialist Tumbleweed Ridge and to the dam of the Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes winner Gilded.

Billie Blue

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 14 5 4 £601,260

2014:

When Royal Applause’s daughter Scarlett Rose was offered at the 2004 December Sales as a threeyear-old, she failed to find a buyer at 11,000gns. Although she was kept in training at four, she ultimately retired a maiden after a career total of 13 starts. Put in foal to the high-class miler Starcraft at a cost of £10,000 in 2006, Scarlett Rose proved much more popular when she was returned to the December Sales, selling for 50,000gns. She has proved a surprisingly good investment. Her first mating for her new owners was Giant’s Causeway’s Classic-winning son Footstepsinthesand, the resultant foal being Formosina. This colt won the Gr3 Railway Stakes before being sold for 320,000gns for export to Saudi Arabia.

Formosina’s achievements made a 2013 visit to Shamardal a natural progression, even though his fee was a substantial €50,000. Like Footstepsinthesand, Shamardal is a Classic-winning son of Giant’s Causeway and his Timeform rating of 129 was 9lb higher than Footstepsinthesand’s. Shamardal duly succeeded in siring the very good Blue Point from Scarlett Rose.

Bought for Godolphin for 200,000gns as a yearling, Blue Point quickly established himself as a

2016: 2017:

ACCIDENTAL AGENT (c Delegator) Sold 8,000gns yearling at TAOC3. 5 wins at 2 to 4, Queen Anne S G1, 2nd Dubai Duty Free Cup S LR, 3rd Celebrate Commonweath Paradise S LR. Madame Tantzy (f Champs Elysees) unraced to date. (f Due Diligence)

2nd Dam: Roodeye by Inchinor. 2 wins at 2 and 3, 3rd EBF Irish TB Marketing Dick Poole S LR. Dam of PRIZE EXHIBIT (f Showcasing: San Clemente H G2, Monrovia H G2, 3rd Del Mar Oaks G1), Harbour Master (c Harbour Watch: 2nd Let it Ride S) Broodmare Sire: XAAR. Sire of the dams of 25 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ACCIDENTAL AGENT Delegator G1, THE ALFONSO Magnus LR.

to be ideally suited by Ascot, scene also of his 2017 victory in a very valuable heritage handicap.

It is arguable that, as a racehorse, Delegator stayed too long at the fair.

Early in his three-year-old career he drew attention to himself by winning the Gr3 Craven Stakes before chasing home Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas and running Mastercraftsman to a neck in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Unfortunately he failed a dope test after his win in the Gr2 Celebration Mile and it was decided to keep him in training rather than retire him to stud. The son of Dansili won only a Listed race at four but bounced back to take the Gr2 Duke of York Stakes over six furlongs at five. Sadly he failed to reproduce that effort and a handicap win at Meydan was all he had to show for staying in training at six. He had managed only nine starts in his final three years and was retired not to Dalham Hall or Kildangan but to Overbury Stud at a fee of £5,000.

Delegator made a bright start with a crop of 73 in 2016 but his death later that year meant that he was unable to capitalise on it. Accidental Agent belongs to that first crop, as does the triple Gr3 winner Delectation, but his second, third and fourth crops are much smaller than his first.

Accidental Agent’s dam Roodle won over five and seven furlongs and is a half-sister to Prize Exhibit, a Showcasing filly who won four Graded stakes at up to a mile in California. Their dam, the Inchinor mare Roodeye, earned a Timeform rating of 100. Roodeye was also closely related to Bannister, winner of the Gr2 Gimcrack Stakes in 2000.

In addition to sharing the same sire as Roodeye, Bannister was a half-brother to Roodeye’s dam, the speedy Roo. This family isn’t short of two-year-old talent and has produced winners of both the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes (champion filly Dead Certain) and Gr1 Middle Park Stakes (Astaire).

116 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES G1

ACCIDENTAL AGENT b c 2014 Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Hasili

Kahyasi Kerali

Efisio

Formidable Eldoret

Dansili DELEGATOR b 06 Indian Love Bird

Indian Love Song Be My Guest Indian Bird Zafonic

Gone West Zaizafon

Monroe

Sir Ivor Best In Show

Inchinor

Ahonoora Inchmurrin

Roo

Rudimentary Shall We Run

Xaar ROODLE b 07 Roodeye

At odds of 33-1 and as a winner of only four of his 13 previous races, Accidental Agent was not expected to become a Gr1 winner in a race as competitive as the Queen Anne Stakes, but that is exactly what the son of Delegator achieved. He seems

ASCOT. Jun 19. 3yoc. 8f.

1. WITHOUT PAROLE (GB) 9-0 £305,525 b c by Frankel - Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid) O-John Gunther & Tanya Gunther B-Mr J. Gunther TR-John Gosden 2. Gustav Klimt (IRE) 9-0 £115,831 b c by Galileo - Massarra (Danehill) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Wootton (FR) 9-0 £57,970 b c by Wootton Bassett - American Nizzy (American Post) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Ecurie Haras De Quetieville TR-H. Pantall Margins 0.5, 3.25. Time 1:38.60. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 4 4 0 £336,489 Sire: FRANKEL. Sire of 25 Stakes winners. In 2018 CRACKSMAN Pivotal G1, MOZU ASCOT Hennessy G1, WITHOUT PAROLE Lemon Drop Kid G1, LIGHTENING QUICK Marju G3, NELSON Dalakhani G3, FRANKEL LIGHT Kingmambo LR, MIRAGE DANCER Green Desert LR, MONARCHS GLEN Lear Fan LR, ROSTROPOVICH Machiavellian LR.

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Data Book European Pattern 1st Dam: Without You Babe by Lemon Drop Kid. unraced.

Dam of 4 winners:

2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2015:

2016: 2017:

TAMARKUZ (c Speightstown) 8 wins at home, UAE, USA, Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile G1, 2nd Priority One Jets Forego S G1. Sire.

Lemon Gin (f First Samurai) unraced.

Broodmare.

TEMPIETTO (c Bernardini) 4 wins at 4 in USA. ALWAYS ON MY MIND (f Congrats) 3 wins at 3 in USA. WITHOUT PAROLE (c Frankel) Sold 650,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 4 wins at 2 and 3, St James’s Palace S G1, Matchbook Heron S LR. She’s Got You (f Kingman) unraced to date. (f Oasis Dream)

2nd Dam: MAROZIA by Storm Bird. 1 win at 4. Dam of STAY THIRSTY (c Bernardini: Travers S G1, Cigar Mile H G1, 2nd TVG Jockey Club Gold Cup Inv. S G1, Belmont S G1, Three Chimneys Hopeful S G1, 3rd Jockey Club Gold Cup S G1), ANDROMEDA’S HERO (c Fusaichi Pegasus: Fred W Hooper H G3, 2nd Belmont S G1, 3rd Jockey Club Gold Cup S G1, Suburban H G1, Donn H G1), SUPERFLY (c Fusaichi Pegasus: Whirling Ash S, 3rd Champagne S G1) Broodmare Sire: LEMON DROP KID. Sire of the dams of 34 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WITHOUT PAROLE Frankel G1, HORSEPLAY Cape Cross G2, SPANISH REEF Lope de Vega G2, DIVISIDERO Kitten’s Joy G3, MEISHO TEKKON Manhattan Cafe G3.

WITHOUT PAROLE b c 2015 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Urban Sea

Miswaki Allegretta

Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Quest Rockfest

Kingmambo

Mr Prospector Miesque

Charming Lassie

Seattle Slew Lassie Dear

Storm Bird

Northern Dancer South Ocean

Make Change

Roberto Equal Change

Galileo FRANKEL b 08 Kind

Lemon Drop Kid WITHOUT YOU BABE ch 05 Marozia

It was a case of like father like son in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Seven years after Frankel hung on by a diminishing three-quarters of a length to extend his unbeaten record to seven, his son Without Parole held on by a diminishing half a length to stretch his unbeaten record to four.

This was Without Parole’s first start in Group company but he had won his previous races so encouragingly that he started favourite to beat the winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the runner-up in the 2,000 Guineas.

Without Parole’s dam Without You Babe represents a powerful American female line. Her fifth dam Equal Venture was a sister to Assault, the Triple Crown winner of 1946. Without You Babe’s half-brother Stay Thirsty was a Gr1 winner over a mile and a mile and a quarter, in addition to finishing second in the Belmont Stakes, an achievement matched by his half-brother Andromeda’s Hero.

Without Parole’s third dam, the Roberto mare Make Change, was also a very smart performer, finishing second or third in such prestigious races as the Mother Goose Stakes, Alabama Stakes, the CCA Oaks and the Monmouth Oaks.

Although this is primarily an American dirt family, it has produced Punctilious (Yorkshire Oaks), Nayyir (second in the Sussex Stakes), Sky Hunter (St Simon Stakes), Solford (Eclipse Stakes) and Highest (second in the St Leger). It also

offers some stamina, so Without Parole should eventually stay a mile and a quarter.

Without You Babe never raced but she is one of the mares who have helped Lemon Drop Kid make a very encouraging start as a broodmare sire. Without Parole is their tenth Gr1 winner, another being his half-brother Tamarkuz, a Speightstown colt who landed the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Without You Babe also has 2016 and 2017 fillies by Kingman and Oasis Dream.

117 PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES G1 ASCOT. Jun 20. 4yo+. 10f.

1. POET’S WORD (IRE) 5 9-0 £425,325 b h by Poet’s Voice - Whirly Bird (Nashwan) O-Mr Saeed Suhail B-Woodcote Stud Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute 2. Cracksman (GB) 4 9-0 £161,250 b c by Frankel - Rhadegunda (Pivotal) O-Mr A. E. Oppenheimer B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden 3. Hawkbill (USA) 5 9-0 £80,700 ch h by Kitten’s Joy - Trensa (Giant’s Causeway) O-Godolphin B-Helen K. Groves Revokable Trust TR-Charlie Appleby Margins 2.25, 8. Time 2:03.50. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-5 15 6 8 £2,015,449 Sire: POET’S VOICE. Sire of 14 Stakes winners. In 2018 - POET’S WORD Nashwan G1, SAND ZABEEL Gold Away G2, SUMMER FESTIVAL Diktat G2, POETA DILETTO Selkirk G3, LEAVES OF GRASS Al Maher LR, MONTSARRAT Entrepreneur LR. 1st Dam: Whirly Bird by Nashwan. 5 wins at 3 and 4, 3rd EBF Harvest S LR. Dam of 5 winners:

2007:

2008: 2009: 2010: 2012: 2013:

2014: 2016:

WHIRLY DANCER (f Danehill Dancer) 2 wins at 3. Dam of BECKFORD (c Bated Breath: 3 wins at 2 and 3 at home, USA, GAIN Railway S G2, 2nd Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S G1, Keeneland Phoenix S G1) Dervisher (c Dansili) CLOWANCE ESTATE (g Teofilo) 2 wins at 3 and 4.

ROYAL SIGNALLER (g Dylan Thomas) 4 wins at 3 and 5.

MALABAR (f Raven’s Pass) 3 wins at 2 and 3, Whiteley Clinic Prestige S G3, Bonhams Thoroughbred S G3.

POET’S WORD (c Poet’s Voice) Sold 300,000gns yearling at TAOC2. 6 wins at 3 to 5, Prince of Wales’s S G1, Matchbook Brigadier Gerard S G3, Betfred Glorious S G3, 2nd Qipco Champion S G1, QIPCO Irish Champion S G1, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic G1, sportingbet.com Huxley S G3.

Yuno Tesoro (c Rip Van Winkle) ran on the flat in Japan.

Incharge (f Kingman) unraced to date.

2nd Dam: INCHYRE by Shirley Heights. 1 win at 3. Dam of URSA MAJOR (c Galileo: Gain Ballycullen Irish St Leger Trial G3), INCHIRI (f Sadler’s Wells: EBF Galtres S LR), Whirly Bird (f Nashwan, see above), Inchberry (f Barathea: 2nd Tote Bookmakers Silver Tankard S LR).

Grandam of HAWK’S EYE, Measuring Time, Divine Unicorn. Third dam of Ptolemaic.

Broodmare Sire: NASHWAN. Sire of the dams of 79 Stakes winners. In 2018 - POET’S WORD Poet’s Voice G1, URBAN FOX Foxwedge G1.

POET’S WORD b h 2013 Dubawi POET’S VOICE b 07 Bright Tiara

WHIRLY BIRD b 01

118 ASCOT GOLD CUP G1

Dubai Millennium Seeking The Gold Colorado Dancer Zomaradah

Deploy Jawaher

Chief’s Crown

Danzig Six Crowns

Expressive Dance Riva Ridge Exclusive Dancer Blushing Groom

Nashwan

It may sound a bit harsh, but Poet’s Voice wasn’t widely mourned at the time of his death from a heart attack in March 2018. This winner of the 2010 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes was standing at £6,000 in his seventh season, having spent his first five years at Dalham Hall at twice that amount. Although he had sired plenty of winners, including a high percentage of two-year-olds in 2017, he was still waiting for his first Gr1 winner and three of his five northern hemisphere Group winners had done their winning in Italy or Germany. He had also shuttled regularly to Australia but had only one Group winner, the Gr2 scorer Viridine, to his credit.

The one bright star on the horizon was Poet’s Word, a 300,000-guinea member of Poet’s Voice’s first crop.

Handled with Sir Michael Stoute’s usual patience, Poet’s Word had shown plenty of potential as a three-year-old, when he won a maiden and a handicap, and he continued to progress at four, when he boosted his Timeform rating from 109 to 124. His sole Group victory had come in the Gr3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, but he had subsequently bettered that effort when second in the Irish and English versions of the Champion Stakes.

The now-five-year-old Poet’s Word lined up in the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes against Cracksman and Hawkbill, both of whom had previously handed him sizeable defeats. Maybe Cracksman failed to show his best form in finishing second, but Poet’s Word had around ten lengths to spare over third-placed Hawkbill and 11 over the fourth-placed Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher, so this was a career-defining performance.

Poet’s Word’s high price as a yearling reflects the quality of the bottom half of his pedigree. He follows the dual Gr3 winner Malabar as the second Group winner out of Whirly Bird, a middle-distance filly who also improved with age. Whirly Bird, who is also the second dam of the smart Beckford, is a half-sister to Ursa Major, winner of the Gr3 Irish St Leger Trial. Poet’s Word’s second dam, the Shirley Heights mare Inchyre, was a half-sister to the very smart seven-furlong performer Inchinor and to Ingozi, the dam of the Gr1 EP Taylor Stakes winner Miss Keller and second dam of the St Leger winner Harbour Law.

Red God Runaway Bride

Height of Fashion Bustino Highclere Shirley Heights

Mill Reef Hardiemma

Inchmurrin

Lomond On Show

Inchyre

ASCOT. Jun 21. 4yo+. 20f.

1. STRADIVARIUS (IRE) 4 9-1 £283,550 ch c by Sea The Stars - Private Life (Bering) O-Mr B. E. Nielsen B-B. E. Nielsen TR-John Gosden 2. Vazirabad (FR) 6 9-2 £107,500 b g by Manduro - Visorama (Linamix) O-H.H. Aga Khan B-Haras De Aga Khan Scea TR-A. de Royer Dupre 3. Torcedor (IRE) 6 9-2 £53,800 b g by Fastnet Rock - Magnolia Lane (Sadler’s Wells) O-Te Akau Torcedor(Mngr David Ellis) B-Barronstown Stud TR-Mrs J. Harrington

Margins 0.75, Head. Time 4:21.00. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 11 6 4 £902,199 Sire: SEA THE STARS. Sire of 47 Stakes winners. In 2018 - STRADIVARIUS Bering G1, CRYSTAL OCEAN Mark of Esteem G2, NIGHT MUSIC Monsun G2, KNIGHT TO BEHOLD Sadler’s Wells LR, SEA OF CLASS Hernando LR. 1st Dam: Private Life by Bering. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France, 3rd Prix de Liancourt LR, Prix de Thiberville LR. Dam of 6 winners:

2003:

2004: 2005: 2007: 2008: 2010: 2011: 2014:

PERFECTIONIST (c Fantastic Light) 7 wins at 4 to 6 in Denmark.

PERSIAN STORM (g Monsun) 3 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, Furstenberg-Rennen G3, German Tote Bavarian Classic G3. (f Pivotal). died as a foal.

Persona Non Grata (g Azamour) Magical Eve (f Oratorio) Winner at 4 in South Africa, 3rd Steel Doctor The Scarlet Lady LR. Broodmare.

PLUTOCRACY (g Dansili) 5 wins.

Rembrandt Van Rijn (g Peintre Celebre) 4 wins at 4, 3rd Abu Dhabi Championship G3.

STRADIVARIUS (c Sea The Stars) Sold 330,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 6 wins at 2 to 4, Ascot Gold Cup G1, Qatar Goodwood Cup S G1, Queen’s Vase G2, Mansionbet Yorkshire Cup G2, 3rd William Hill St Leger S G1, Qipco Brit. Champions Long Distance Cup G2.

2nd Dam: POUGHKEEPSIE by Sadler’s Wells. 1 win at 3 in France. Dam of PRETTY TOUGH (c Desert King: Prix La Moskowa LR), PARISIENNE (f Distant Relative: Grand Criterium de Bordeaux LR), Poincon de France (c Peintre Celebre: 3rd G.P.Conseil General des Alpes Maritimes LR), Pirate Bay (c Hawk Wing: 3rd Prix de Saint Patrick LR, Japan Racing Association Plate LR), Private Life (f Bering, see above). Grandam of Soviet Courage. Third dam of PROTECTIONIST. Broodmare Sire: BERING. Sire of the dams of 84 Stakes winners. In 2018 - STRADIVARIUS Sea The Stars G1, SINGING Singspiel LR, SPADAY Exceed And Excel LR.

STRADIVARIUS ch c 2014 Green Desert

Danzig Foreign Courier

Park Appeal

Ahonoora Balidaress

Miswaki

Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal

Allegretta

Lombard Anatevka

Arctic Tern

Sea Bird II Bubbling Beauty

Beaune

Lyphard Barbra

Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Pawneese

Carvin II Plencia

Cape Cross SEA THE STARS b 06 Urban Sea

Bering PRIVATE LIFE b 97 Poughkeepsie

Sea The Stars’ fourth crop, born in 2014, contained only 74 foals, compared to the 164 in the 2014 crop by his half-brother Galileo.

However, Sea The Stars’ comparative shortage of four-year-olds didn’t stop him supplying two of the top winners at Royal Ascot, with Crystal Ocean taking the Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes and Stradivarius the Gold Cup. These two had been separated by only a short head when second and third behind Capri in the 2017 St Leger.

Stradivarius had stamped himself as a potential Gold Cup winner with his victories in the Gr2 Queen’s Vase, the Gr1 Goodwood Cup and the Gr2 Yorkshire Cup, so the Bjorn Nielsen homebred has compiled a terrific CV for a stayer who is still only four.

Stradivarius’ wins act as a reminder that Sea The Stars’ progeny are usually suited by middle

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CAULFIELD ON WITHOUT PAROLE: “His dam Without You Babe represents a powerful female American line. Her fifth dam Equal Venture was a sister to Assault, the Triple Crown winner of 1946” distances or further. They have an average winning distance of 11 furlongs, whereas Sea The Stars’ half-brother Galileo has a figure of 11.2. Raheen House, another member of Sea The Stars’ 2014 crop, won the Gr3 Bahrain Trophy over 13 furlongs.

Stradivarius is the third very useful performer to have represented the Listed-placed Bering mare Private Life, who scored over a mile and 11 furlongs. Her Monsun gelding Persian Storm was a dual Gr3 winner over ten furlongs in Germany, while her Peintre Celebre gelding Rembrandt Van Rijn stayed at least 14 furlongs. Stradivarius’ third dam is Pawneese, who reeled off victories in the Oaks, the Prix de Diane and the King George on her way to becoming Europe’s champion three-year-old filly of 1976. Pawneese proved a major disappointment as a broodmare, but her Sadler’s Wells filly Poughkeepsie did better. In addition to Stradivarius’ dam, she produced the Listed winner Parisienne, who ranks as the second dam of the Melbourne Cup and Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Protectionist.

119 COMMONWEALTH CUP G1 ASCOT. Jun 22. 3yo. 6f.

1. EQTIDAAR (IRE) 9-3 £283,550 b c by Invincible Spirit - Madany (Acclamation) O-Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum B-Shadwell Estate Co Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute 2. Sands of Mali (FR) 9-3 £107,500 b c by Panis - Kadiania (Indian Rocket) O-The Cool Silk Partnership B-Mr S. Urizzi TR-Richard Fahey 3. Emblazoned (IRE) 9-3 £53,800 b c by Invincible Spirit - Sendmylovetorose (Bahamian Bounty) O-H. R. H. Princess Haya of Jordan B-Mr M. Enright TR-John Gosden Margins 0.5, 1. Time 1:12.10. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 5 2 3 £310,149 Sire: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT. Sire of 111 Stakes winners.

In 2018 - EQTIDAAR Acclamation G1, ANCIENT SPIRIT Galileo G2, INVINCIBLE ARMY Diktat G3, TOMYRIS Seeking The Gold G3, DEEMSTER Grand Slam LR, EMMAUS Galileo LR, ENLIGHTED Zamindar LR, MUTHMIR Danehill LR, ORBAAN Raven’s Pass LR, STUNNING SPIRIT Dynaformer LR, ZHUI FENG Inchinor LR. 1st Dam: MADANY by Acclamation. 2 wins at 2. Dam of 3 winners:

2013:

2014: 2015: 2016: 2018:

MASSAAT (c Teofilo) 2 wins at 2 and 4, Betfred Hungerford S G2, 2nd Dubai Dewhurst S G1, Qipco 2000 Guineas G1, 3rd Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1.

HATHIQ (g Exceed And Excel) Winner at 2.

EQTIDAAR (c Invincible Spirit) 2 wins at 2 and 3, Commonwealth Cup G1, 2nd Merribelle Stable Pavilion S G3.

Baraajeel (c Kodiac) unraced to date. (c Muhaarar)

2nd Dam: BELLE DE CADIX by Law Society. 1 win at 3.

Dam of DOLLED UP (f Whipper: Prix du Bois G3, 3rd Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte G2, Prix Robert Papin G2), ZEITING (f Zieten: Prix Zeddaan LR, Omnibus S LR, Frances A Genter H LR). Grandam of COMBAT ZONE, ROYAL EMPIRE, SCOTTISH, Bikini Babe, Zut Alors, Colour of Money, Sante. Third dam of PRECIEUSE, Peut Etre, Baccarat.

Broodmare Sire: ACCLAMATION. Sire of the dams of 9 Stakes winners. In 2018 - EQTIDAAR Invincible Spirit G1, BROWN STORM Scat Daddy G2, TRUE VALOUR Kodiac G3, MISS HELIN Bin Ajwaad LR.

Aug_168_DataBook.indd 101

EQTIDAAR b c 2015 Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Foreign Courier

Sir Ivor Courtly Dee

Kris

Sharpen Up Doubly Sure

Eljazzi

Artaius Border Bounty

Royal Applause

Waajib Flying Melody

Princess Athena

Ahonoora Shopping Wise

Law Society

Alleged Bold Bikini

Gourgandine

Auction Ring North Forland

Green Desert INVINCIBLE SPIRIT b 97 Rafha

Acclamation MADANY b 08 Belle de Cadix

The Shadwell team made a shrewd investment when they went to 130,000gns to secure a yearling daughter of Acclamation at Tattersalls’ 2009 sale. Named Madany, the filly wasn’t a star on the racecourse but she was good enough to win a minor event and a nursery at Haydock as a two-year-old and to earn a Timeform rating of 94.

However, her true worth has been as a broodmare. She is proving capable of passing on the speed of her sire Acclamation, as her first foal, Massaat, demonstrated. Although a son of Teofilo, a stallion whose progeny have an average winning distance of 10.5 furlongs, Massaat was fast enough to finish second in the 2,000 Guineas and to win the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes. Now Madany’s third foal, by the sprinter Invincible Spirit, has shown himself to be one of the fastest members of his generation with his victory in the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup. This was comfortably the best effort of Eqtidaar’s five-race career and there may be more improvement to come, as Eqtidaar is a May foal.

There is reason for thinking that Madany will produce further notable winners. Her 2016 colt, Baraajeel, is

by Invincible Spirit’s close relative Kodiac and her 2018 colt is by the champion sprinter Muhaarar. Her 2018 mate, Frankel, is bred to the same nick as Teofilo, sire of Massaat.

Madany has a distinguished half-sister in Zeiting. This Zieten mare won at Listed level over six furlongs in France at two before going on to win three stakes races at up to 8.5 furlongs in the US. She has produced three Group-winning sons and two Group-placed daughters, including those smart Teofilo geldings Royal Empire and Scottish, who were both at home around a mile and a half. Zeiting’s Groupplaced Pivotal filly Zut Alors produced Precieuse, winner of the 2017 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

120 CORONATION STAKES G1 ASCOT. Jun 22. 3yof. 8f.

1. ALPHA CENTAURI (IRE) 9-0 £305,525 gr f by Mastercraftsman - Alpha Lupi (Rahy) O-Niarchos Family B-The Niarchos Family TR-Mrs J. Harrington 2. Threading (IRE) 9-0 £115,831 b f by Exceed And Excel - Chaquiras (Seeking The Gold) O-Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum B-Darley TR-Mark Johnston

3. Veracious (GB) 9-0 £57,970 b f by Frankel - Infallible (Pivotal) O-Cheveley Park Stud B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute Margins 6, 1.75. Time 1:35.80. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 7 4 1 £576,894 Sire: MASTERCRAFTSMAN. Sire of 53 Stakes winners. In 2018 - A RAVING BEAUTY High Chaparral G1, ALPHA CENTAURI Rahy G1, SAINT EMILION Pentire G1, AVAY Catienus G2, SANTA MONICA Zamindar G2, THEE AULD FLOOZIE Spinning World G2, LUVALUVA Galileo G3, MASTER OF ARTS Carnegie G3, MASTER THE WORLD Zaha G3, NEUFBOSC Verglas G3.

1st Dam: Alpha Lupi by Rahy. unraced. Own sister to Helike. Dam of 4 winners:

2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2014: 2015:

2016: 2017:

TENTH STAR (c Dansili) 2 wins at 2 and 5 at home, USA, Golden Fleece S LR, 2nd Juddmonte Royal Lodge S G2.

ELITISTE (f Danehill Dancer) Winner at 3 in France. Broodmare.

Sellsabeel (f Galileo) unraced. Broodmare. (c Galileo) GALILEO GAL (f Galileo) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in Canada.

ALPHA CENTAURI (f Mastercraftsman) 4 wins at 2 and 3, Coronation S G1, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Coolmore Stud EBF Naas Juv.Sprint S LR, 2nd Albany S G3.

Etoile Filante (f So You Think) unraced to date. (f Sea The Moon)

2nd Dam: EAST OF THE MOON by Private Account.

Champion 3yr old filly in France in 1994. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France Dubai Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1, Prix de Diane Hermes G1, P. Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1, 2nd Emirates Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1. Dam of MOON DRIVER (f Mr Prospector: Prix d’Arenberg G3), Mojave Moon (c Mr Prospector: 2nd Fayette Breeders’ Cup S G3, 3rd Californian S G2), Helike (c Rahy: 2nd Grand Prix de Marseille LR), Canda (f Storm Cat: 2nd Prix Yacowlef LR, Criterium de Vitesse LR). Grandam of AUTOCRATIC, EVASIVE, IBN MALIK, Moon Prospect, Enquete. Third dam of Rabiosa Fiore.

Broodmare Sire: RAHY. Sire of the dams of 134 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ALPHA CENTAURI Mastercraftsman G1, BEE JERSEY Jersey Town G1, NOCTURNAL FOX Farhh G2, AROD Teofilo LR, MUNTAZAH Dubawi LR.

ALPHA CENTAURI gr f 2015

MASTERCRAFTSMAN gr/ro 06

Danzig Razyana

Mira Adonde

Sharpen Up Lettre d’Amour

Black Tie Affair

Miswaki Hat Tab Girl

Reves Celestes

Lyphard Tobira Celeste

Blushing Groom

Red God Runaway Bride

Glorious Song

Halo Ballade

Private Account

Damascus Numbered Account

Starlight Dreams

Rahy ALPHA LUPI b 04 East of The Moon Miesque

1st Dam: LEGALLY BAY by Snippets. 3 wins in Australia, Sweet Embrace S G3, 2nd Silver Shadow S G2, T J Smith S G2, 3rd Oakleigh Plate G1, William Reid Australia S G1.

Dam of 6 winners:

2006: 2007: 2008: 2009:

2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014:

2016: 2017:

Unity (f Redoute’s Choice) unraced.

LEGALISTIC (c Encosta de Lago) 2 wins in Australia.

CARBON TAIKUN (g Lonhro) 9 wins in Australia.

JOLIE BAY (f Fastnet Rock) 2 wins in Australia, Vil’s Pie Roman Consul S G2, 2nd Coolmore Stud Ascot Vale S G1.

Broodmare.

MAROON BAY (f Exceed And Excel) 2 wins in Australia. Broodmare.

Bayrock (f Fastnet Rock). Broodmare.

Zara Bay (f Fastnet Rock) 2 wins in Australia, 2nd Rosemont Stud Black Pearl S LR. (c Fastnet Rock) MERCHANT NAVY (c Fastnet Rock) 7 wins at home, Australia, Diamond Jubilee S G1, Coolmore Stud S. Ascot Vale S G1, Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands S G2, H D F McNeil S G3, Anzac Day S LR, 3rd Lexus Newmarket H G1, Schweppes Rubiton S G2. (c All Too Hard) (c Fastnet Rock)

2nd Dam: DECIDITY by Last Tycoon. 2 wins in Australia.

Dam of BONARIA (f Redoute’s Choice: Myer Empire Rose Classic G1), TIME OUT (g Rory’s Jester: Illawarra Mercury 2yo Classic G3), LEGALLY BAY (f Snippets, see above). Grandam of MONTSEGUR, TESSERA, Light Touch.

Broodmare Sire: SNIPPETS. Sire of the dams of 89 Stakes winners. In 2018 - MERCHANT NAVY Fastnet Rock G1, BURNING PASSION Northern Meteor G3, CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES Not A Single Doubt G3, PERFORMER Exceed And Excel G3, ROMANTIC TOUCH Northern Meteor LR. The Fastnet Rock/Snippets cross has produced: HINCHINBROOK G1, JOLIE BAY G1, MERCHANT NAVY G1, SCANDIVA G1, WANTED G1, Essence G1, Lionhearted G2, Wordplay G3, Zara Bay LR.

MERCHANT NAVY b c 2014

Danehill Danehill Dancer

Sire: FASTNET ROCK. Sire of 137 Stakes winners. In 2018 - AGE OF FIRE Galileo G1, AVANTAGE Zabeel G1, COMIN’ THROUGH Bite The Bullet G1, MERCHANT NAVY Snippets G1, SHOALS Hussonet G1, UNFORGOTTEN Galileo G1, CATCHY Fusaichi Pegasus G2, HOLY SNOW End Sweep G2, SAMBRO Encosta de Lago G2, ENNIS HILL Stravinsky G3, KAEPERNICK Stravinsky G3, TORCEDOR Sadler’s Wells G3.

Nureyev Pasadoble

See race 45 in the July issue 121 DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES G1 ASCOT. Jun 23. 4yo+. 6f.

1. MERCHANT NAVY (AUS) 4 9-3 £340,260 b c by Fastnet Rock - Legally Bay (Snippets) O-Merchant Navy Synd/Smith/Magnier/Tabor B-Mr C. Barham QLD TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. City Light (FR) 4 9-3 £129,000 b c by Siyouni - Light Saber (Kendor) O-Ecurie J L Bouchard/Madame I Corbani B-Sarl Jedburgh Stud, Ms I. Corbani TR-S. Wattel 3. Bound For Nowhere (USA) 4 9-3 £64,560 b c by The Factor - Fancy Deed (Alydeed) O-Wesley A. Ward B-W. Lyster, Gray Lyster & Bryan Lyster TR-Wesley A. Ward Margins Short Head, 0.75. Time 1:12.00. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 4-7985 10 7 2 £402,914

Danzig

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom

Razyana

His Majesty Spring Adieu

Royal Academy

Nijinsky Crimson Saint

Gatana

Marauding Twigalae

Lunchtime

Silly Season Great Occasion

Easy Date

Grand Chaudiere Scampering

Last Tycoon

Try My Best Mill Princess

Class

Twig Moss Pirouette

Danehill FASTNET ROCK b 01 Piccadilly Circus

Snippets LEGALLY BAY ch 00 Decidity

When a stakes-winning mare by the champion Australian sprinter Snippets visited Redoute’s Choice, a champion son of Danehill, the outcome was Snitzel, who has done so well that he has become his country’s highest-priced stallion in 2018, at AUS$220,000. The omens therefore look very good for Merchant Navy. He is another produced by a mating between a champion son of Danehill, Fastnet Rock, and a stakes-winning Snippets mare, Legally Bay. Snitzel won only one Gr1 race during his 15-race career − the 5.5-furlong Oakleigh Plate − but Merchant Navy has overtaken him, adding the Gr1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot to his win in the Gr1

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Data Book European Pattern Coolmore Stud Stakes in his native country. He won seven of his ten starts.

An interesting aspect of Merchant Navy’s story is that he is Legally Bay’s seventh foal by sons of Danehill and is comfortably the best of them. The most successful of his predecessors were his sisters Jolie Bay, a Gr2 winner over six furlongs, and the Listed-placed Zara Bay. There is also a 2017 brother to Merchant Navy.

Speed was also Legally Bay’s main asset. She won the Gr3 Sweet Embrace Stakes over six furlongs and was twice third at Gr1 level, most notably when beaten only two necks by none other than Fastnet Rock in the 2005 Oakleigh Plate.

Legally Bay is also a half-sister to Bonaria, a Redoute’s Choice filly who became a Gr1 winner in the Myer Classic over a mile.

Another half-sister by a son of Danehill, the Flying Spur mare Chatoyant, has produced the Group winners Montsegur and Tessera to the Sadler’s Wells-line stallions New Approach and Medaglia d’Oro. This bodes well for Merchant Navy when he stands in the northern hemisphere, where his sire Fastnet Rock has built up impressive statistics with daughters of Galileo and Sadler’s Wells.

122 DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH DERBY G1 CURRAGH. Jun 30. 3yoc&f. 12f.

1. LATROBE (IRE) 9-0 £756,637 br c by Camelot - Question Times (Shamardal) O-Mr Lloyd J. Williams B-Sweetmans Bloodstock TR-Joseph Patrick O’Brien 2. Rostropovich (IRE) 9-0 £252,212 b c by Frankel - Tyranny (Machiavellian) O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M J Jooste B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Saxon Warrior (JPN) 9-0 £119,469 b c by Deep Impact - Maybe (Galileo) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 0.5, Neck. Time 2:32.62. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 5 2 3 £1,533,317 Sire: CAMELOT. Sire of 9 Stakes winners. In 2018 ATHENA Green Desert G1, LATROBE Shamardal G1, HUNTING HORN Indian Ridge G3, POLLARA Storm Cat G3, WAIT FOREVER Holy Roman Emperor G3, ALOUNAK Rail Link LR, ARTHUR KITT Red Clubs LR, NATURALLY HIGH Grand Slam LR. 1st Dam: Question Times by Shamardal. Winner at 3, 2nd EBF Bosra Sham Fillies’ S LR. Dam of 3 winners:

2013: 2014: 2015:

2016: 2017:

DIAMOND FIELDS (f Fastnet Rock) 2 wins at 2 and 4, Gladness S G3, 2nd Sands Point S G2.

ENTANGLING (g Fastnet Rock) 2 wins at 3.

LATROBE (c Camelot) Sold 65,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 2 wins at 3, Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby G1, 2nd Airlie Stud Gallinule S G3.

Pink Dogwood (f Camelot) unraced to date. (c Zoffany)

2nd Dam: FOREVER TIMES by So Factual. 6 wins at 2 to 5. Dam of SUNDAY TIMES (f Holy Roman Emperor: Japan Racing Association Sceptre S G3, 2nd Jaguar Cars Cheveley Park S G1), Question Times (f Shamardal, see above). Grandam of CLASSICAL TIMES. Broodmare Sire: SHAMARDAL. Sire of the dams of 21 Stakes winners. In 2018 - LATROBE Camelot G1, MIGHTY HIGH Pathfork G1, ROYAL YOUMZAIN Youmzain G3, ASTOR Iffraaj LR, DANCE DIVA Mayson LR, LAKE VOLTA Raven’s Pass LR, LAW POWER Lawman LR, PERFECT CLARITY Nathaniel LR.

LATROBE br c 2015 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Floripedes

Top Ville Toute Cy

Kingmambo

Mr Prospector Miesque

Fickle

Danehill Fade

Montjeu CAMELOT b 09 Tarfah

Shamardal QUESTION TIMES b 08

Giant’s Causeway Storm Cat Mariah’s Storm Helsinki

Machiavellian Helen Street

So Factual

Known Fact Sookera

Simply Times

Dodge Nesian’s Burn

Forever Times

Although Latrobe’s stamina played its part in his Irish Derby success, he comes from a speedy family. His dam Question Times won over six furlongs on Wolverhampton’s all-weather track at three, but she had finished second in a Listed race at two and this helped her to sell for 50,000gns at the 2011 December Sales. Her sire Shamardal is also the broodmare sire of another Irish Classic winner, the 2016 Irish 2,000 Guineas scorer Awtaad. Other good winners with dams by Shamardal include Strathspey, Royal Youmzain, Gifted Master and Diamond Fields. The last-named is a half-sister to Latrobe.

A daughter of Fastnet Rocks, Diamond Fields didn’t stay nearly as well as Latrobe, gaining her Group success over seven furlongs. Their dam Forever Times did her winning from five to seven furlongs, as might be expected of a daughter of the Nunthorpe Stakes winner So Factual.

Forever Times also produced Sunday Times, a Holy Roman Emperor filly who landed the Gr3 Sceptre Stakes over seven furlongs and finished second in the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes.

Latrobe’s third dam Simply Times was a rather obscurely-bred American filly. She raced only twice but did well as a broodmare, producing the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes winner Welsh Emperor, who was twice second in the Gr1 Prix de la Foret, and the speedy Majestic Times.

See Caulfield Files for details of Latrobe’s sire Camelot.

123 PRETTY POLLY STAKES G1 CURRAGH. Jul 1. 3yo+f. 10f.

1. URBAN FOX (GB) 4 9-8 £130,531 b f by Foxwedge - Lomapamar (Nashwan) O-Barnane Stud Ltd B-Mascalls Stud TR-William Haggas 2. Forever Together (IRE) 3 8-12 £42,035 b f by Galileo - Green Room (Theatrical) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Mr and Mrs V. Khosla TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Athena (IRE) 3 8-12 £19,912 b f by Camelot - Cherry Hinton (Green Desert) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Roncon & Chelston TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 3.25, 2.25. Time 2:06.98. Going Good to Firm.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 18 5 10 £284,318 Sire: FOXWEDGE. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. In 2018 URBAN FOX Nashwan G1, VOLPE VELOCE Barathea G1.

1st Dam: LOMAPAMAR by Nashwan. Winner at 3. Dam of 5 winners:

2006: 2007: 2008: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2014:

2015: 2016: 2017:

MISTER FANTASTIC (g Green Tune) 3 wins.

Could It Be Magic (g Dubai Destination) Hollow Penny (g Beat Hollow) 5 wins, 2nd Betbright Pendil Novices’ Chase G2, Bathwick Tyres Rising Stars Nov Chase G2.

GETAWAY CAR (g Medicean) 4 wins at 2 and 3.

Falsoespia (c Mount Nelson) GHOST CAT (c Equiano) Winner at 2.

URBAN FOX (f Foxwedge) Sold 10,000gns yearling at TAOC3. 5 wins at 2 and 4, Pretty Polly S G1, 2nd Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling S G3, 3rd Dubai Fillies’ Mile S G1, Clugston Construction May Hill S G2, Prestige S G3.

Boing (c Bated Breath) Garryowen (g Garswood) unraced to date. (c Hot Streak)

2nd Dam: MORINA by Lyphard. 1 win at 3 in France.

Dam of MONS (c Deploy: Royal Lodge S G2, 3rd Racing Post Trophy G1, Gran Premio del Jockey Club G1), Inforapenny (f Deploy: 2nd Shadwell Stud Cheshire Oaks LR, 3rd Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks G1), Funday (f Daylami: 3rd Haafhd Godolphin S LR), PIGEON ISLAND (g Daylami: Anglo Irish Bank Dovecote Nov. Hurdle G2, J. Henderson Gd. Annual Chall. Cup Chase G3, 2nd Dipper Novices’ Chase G2, Ind. Newspaper November Nov. Chase G2). Grandam of PRONTO PRONTO, Funmaker.

Broodmare Sire: NASHWAN. Sire of the dams of 79 Stakes winners. In 2018 - POET’S WORD Poet’s Voice G1, URBAN FOX Foxwedge G1.

URBAN FOX b f 2014 Danehill

Danzig Razyana

Piccadilly Circus

Royal Academy Gatana

Forest Wildcat

Storm Cat Victoria Beauty

Miss Timebank

Water Bank Countless Times

Blushing Groom

Red God Runaway Bride

Fastnet Rock FOXWEDGE b 08 Forest Native

Nashwan LOMAPAMAR b 01 Morina

Height of Fashion Bustino Highclere Lyphard

Northern Dancer Goofed

Arewehavingfunyet Sham Just Jazz

Although Fastnet Rock made his name as a champion sprinter in Australia and was beaten on all four occasions he ventured beyond six furlongs, this hasn’t stopped him siring some very good middledistance horses when mated to mares with plenty of stamina − in much the same way that his sire Danehill had done. Fastnet Rock’s best European-born representatives include Qualify (Oaks), Fascinating Rock (Champion Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup), Zhukova (Man o’War Stakes), Diamondsandrubies (Pretty Polly Stakes) and One Foot In Heaven (Grand Prix de Chantilly). He has even sired a Gold Cup third in Torcedor.

In the circumstances we shouldn’t be too surprised that Fastnet Rock’s fast Australian son Foxwedge should emulate his sire by supplying a winner of the Gr1 Pretty Polly Stakes. This winner − Urban Fox − is another with plenty of stamina in the bottom half of her pedigree. Her dam, the Nashwan mare Lomapamar, won over a mile and a quarter and was tried at up to 13 furlongs.

Lomapamar had a smart half-brother in Mons, a Royal Lodge winner who stayed well enough to finish second in the Yorkshire Cup, and Mons’s sister Inforapenny was also smart, as she showed with her third in the Irish Oaks. Their dam, the Lyphard mare Morina, won over 11

furlongs in the French Provinces but Urban Fox’s third dam, Arewehavingfunyet, was a high-class performer in California, where she won the Gr1 Oak Leaf Stakes and the Gr2 Del Mar Debutante at around a mile as a juvenile.

Urban Fox comes from the first of only three British crops by Foxwedge, whose best win came in the Gr1 William Reid Stakes over six furlongs.

While he struggled for popularity in Britain, Foxwedge is doing well in his native Australia, where his daughters Volpe Veloce and Foxplay are respectively Gr1 winners over six furlongs and a mile.

124 GRAND PRIX DE SAINT-CLOUD G1 SAINT-CLOUD. Jul 1. 4yo+. 2400m.

1. WALDGEIST (GB) 4 9-3 £202,265 ch c by Galileo - Waldlerche (Monsun) O-Gestut Ammerland/ Newsells Park B-The Waldlerche Partnership TR-A. Fabre 2. Coronet (GB) 4 9-0 £80,920 gr f by Dubawi - Approach (Darshaan) O-Denford Stud B-Denford Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden 3. Salouen (IRE) 4 9-3 £40,460 b c by Canford Cliffs - Gali Gal (Galileo) O-Mr H. Balasuriya B-Silvercon Edgerodge Ltd TR-Sylvester Kirk Margins Nose, 1.25. Time 2:30.14. Going Good to Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 12 5 6 £818,738 Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 286 Stakes winners. In 2018 FOREVER TOGETHER Theatrical G1, RHODODENDRON Pivotal G1, WALDGEIST Monsun G1, CALL TO MIND Danehill Dancer G2, CLIFFS OF MOHER Dansili G2, FLAG OF HONOUR Warning G2, KEW GARDENS Desert King G2, MAGIC WAND Dansili G2, MISSION IMPASSIBLE Exceed And Excel G2, BYE BYE BABY Danehill Dancer G3, CAPRI Anabaa G3, FLATTERING Pivotal G3, IDAHO Danehill G3, ORDER OF ST GEORGE Gone West G3, PLATINUM WARRIOR Clodovil G3, YUCATAN Celtic Swing G3.

1st Dam: WALDLERCHE by Monsun. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix Penelope G3. Dam of 2 winners:

2014:

2015: 2016: 2017:

WALDGEIST (c Galileo) 5 wins at 2 and 4 in France, Criterium de Saint-Cloud G1, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud G1, Grand Prix de Chantilly G2, Prix d’Hedouville G3, 2nd Qipco Prix du Jockey Club G1, Prix Greffulhe G2, Gigaset Cumberland Lodge S G3, 3rd Prix de Conde G3.

WALDLIED (f New Approach) 2 wins at 3 in France, Prix de Malleret G2. (c Sea The Stars) (c Kingman)

2nd Dam: Waldmark by Mark of Esteem. 1 win at 2, 2nd Stan James Falmouth S G2. Dam of MASKED MARVEL (c Montjeu: Ladbrokes St Leger S G1, 3rd Diamond Jubilee Investec Coronation Cup G1), WALDLERCHE (f Monsun, see above), WALDNAH (f New Approach: Dallmayr Coupe Lukull LR) Broodmare Sire: MONSUN. Sire of the dams of 70 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WALDGEIST Galileo G1, NIGHT MUSIC Sea The Stars G2, WALDLIED New Approach G2, CAROLINAE Makfi LR, FORZA CAPITANO Captain Marvelous LR.

WALDGEIST ch c 2014 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Miswaki

Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal

Allegretta

Lombard Anatevka

Konigsstuhl

Dschingis Khan Konigskronung

Mosella

Surumu Monasia

Mark of Esteem

Darshaan Homage

Wurftaube

Acatenango Wurfbahn

Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Monsun WALDLERCHE ch 09 Waldmark

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CAULFIELD ON LATROBE: “Although stamina played its part in his Irish Derby success, he comes from a speedy family. His dam Question Times won over six furlongs at Wolverhampton�

When Waldgeist won the Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on his final start as a two-year-old, he had another Galileo colt, Capri, one and a half lengths back in third. Both these sons of Galileo clearly had Classic potential but, whereas Capri went on to win the Irish Derby and the St Leger, Waldgeist wasn’t so fortunate. After being caught by Brametot in the final strides of the Prix du Jockey-Club, he finished fourth behind Capri, Cracksman and Wings Of Eagles in

the Irish Derby. Waldgeist then suffered a further three defeats, but he has undergone a revival, with three consecutive Group successes, including a narrow victory over Coronet in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The Classically-bred Waldgeist is the first foal of Waldlerche, a Monsun mare who won the Gr3 Prix Penelope over 10.5 furlongs. More importantly, Waldlerche is a half-sister to Masked Marvel, the Montjeu colt who broke the

course record in defeating Brown Panther to take the 2011 St Leger.

Waldlerche’s second foal, by Galileo’s son New Approach, is Waldlied, an easy winner of the Gr2 Prix de Malleret about an hour after Waldgeist’s Grand Prix success.

Waldgeist’s second dam, the Mark Of Esteem mare Waldmark, is a half-sister to Waldpark, winner of the 2011 Deutsches Derby. Waldmark proved most effective over a mile, as she showed when an unlucky loser of

the Gr2 Falmouth Stakes.

A mile and a half appears to be the optimum trip for Waldgeist, whose third dam Wurftaube numbered the Gr2 Deutsches St Leger among her four Group victories. Waldmark’s sister Waldbeere produced Wiesenpfad, a six-time Gr3 winner at up to a mile and a quarter, and Waldtraut, who was third in the Preis der Diana. This is also the family of Wake Forest, a dual Gr3 German winner who went on to win the Gr1 Man o’War Stakes.

Group 2 & 3 Results Date 08/06 09/06 09/06 10/06 10/06 10/06 10/06 10/06 14/06 17/06 17/06 17/06 17/06 17/06 19/06 20/06 20/06 20/06 20/06 21/06 21/06 21/06 22/06 22/06 23/06 24/06 24/06 29/06 30/06 30/06 30/06 30/06 30/06 01/07 01/07 01/07 01/07 01/07 01/07 01/07

Grade G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3

Race (course) TRM Ballyogan Stakes (Curragh) Betway John of Gaunt Stakes (Haydock Park) Betway Pinnacle Stakes (Haydock Park) Soldier Hollow Diana Trial (Berlin-Hoppegarten) Oaks d’Italia (Milan) Premio Ambrosiano (Milan) Premio Carlo Vittadini (Milan) Morocco Cup - La Coupe (Parislongchamp) Ballycorus Stakes (Leopardstown) Prix Hocquart Longines (Chantilly) Oppenheim Union-Rennen (Cologne) Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines (Chantilly) Prix Paul de Moussac (Chantilly) Munster Oaks Stakes (Cork) Coventry Stakes (Ascot) Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Ascot) Queen Mary Stakes (Ascot) Queen’s Vase (Ascot) Jersey Stakes (Ascot) Norfolk Stakes (Ascot) Ribblesdale Stakes (Ascot) Hampton Court Stakes (Ascot) King Edward VII Stakes (Ascot) Albany Stakes (Ascot) Hardwicke Stakes (Ascot) Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft (Dortmund) Premio Primi Passi (Milan) Stobart Energy Hoppings Stakes (Newcastle) GAIN Railway Stakes (Curragh) P. Mitglieder Hamburger Flieger Trophy (Hamburg) Betfred Chipchase Stakes (Newcastle) Betway Criterion Stakes (Newmarket) Prix de la Porte Maillot (Parislongchamp) Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Curragh) pferdewetten.de Grosser Hansa Preis (Hamburg) Gran Premio di Milano (Milan) Prix de Malleret (Saint-Cloud) Finlay Volvo International Stakes (Curragh) Grangecon Stud Balanchine Stakes (Curragh) Premio Del Giubileo (Milan)

Dist 6f 7f 12f 10f 11f 10f 8f 10f 7f 12f 11f 8f 8f 12f 6f 8f 5f 14f 7f 5f 12f 10f 12f 6f 12f 8.5f 6f 10f 6f 6f 6f 7f 7f 14f 12f 12f 12f 10f 6f 9f

Horse Actress (IRE) D’Bai (IRE) God Given (GB) Well Timed (GER) Sand Zabeel (IRE) Together Again (GB) Poeta Diletto (GB) Dallas Affair (GB) True Valour (IRE) Nocturnal Fox (IRE) Weltstar (GER) Hunaina (IRE) Wusool (USA) Flattering (IRE) Calyx (GB) Aljazzi (GB) Signora Cabello (IRE) Kew Gardens (IRE) Expert Eye (GB) Shang Shang Shang (USA) Magic Wand (IRE) Hunting Horn (IRE) Old Persian (GB) Main Edition (IRE) Crystal Ocean (GB) Degas (GER) You Better Run (IRE) Smart Call (SAF) Van Beethoven (CAN) Julio (GER) Above The Rest (IRE) Sir Dancealot (IRE) Efaadah (IRE) Flag of Honour (IRE) Dschingis Secret (GER) Night Music (GER) Waldlied (GB) Yucatan (IRE) So Perfect (USA) Wait Forever (IRE)

Age 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 5 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 5 2 7 2 3 7 4 3 3 5 5 3 4 2 3

Sex F G F F F C H F C C C F C F C M F C C F F C C F C G C M C C G G F C H M F C F C

Sire Declaration of War Dubawi Nathaniel Holy Roman Emperor Poet’s Voice Pivotal Poet’s Voice Soldier Hollow Kodiac Farhh Soldier Hollow Tamayuz Speightstown Galileo Kingman Shamardal Camacho Galileo Acclamation Shanghai Bobby Galileo Camelot Dubawi Zoffany Sea The Stars Exceed And Excel Thewayyouare Ideal World Scat Daddy Exceed And Excel Excellent Art Sir Prancealot Dansili Galileo Soldier Hollow Sea The Stars New Approach Galileo Scat Daddy Camelot

Dam Nasty Storm Savannah Belle Ever Rigg Wells Present Samira Gold Regal Aura Mia Diletta Daytona Sutton Veny Nabati Wellenspiel Hanakiyya Torrestrella Pikaboo Helleborine Nouriya Journalist Chelsea Rose Exemplify Yankee Victoria Prudenzia Mora Bai Indian Petal Maine Lobster Crystal Star Diatribe Ardena Good Judgement My Sister Sandy Julissima Aspasias Tizzy Majesty’s Dancer Albaraah Hawala Divya Night Woman Waldlerche Six Perfections Hopeoverexperience Mount McLeod

Broodmare Sire Index Gulch 125 Green Desert 126 Dubai Destination 127 Cadeaux Genereux 128 Gold Away 129 Teofilo 130 Selkirk 131 Lando 132 Acclamation 133 Rahy 134 Sternkoenig 135 Danehill Dancer 136 Orpen 137 Pivotal 138 Observatory 139 Danehill Dancer 140 Night Shift 141 Desert King 142 Dansili 143 Yankee Victor 144 Dansili 145 Indian Ridge 146 Singspiel 147 Woodman 148 Mark of Esteem 149 Tertullian 150 Dalakhani 151 Horse Chestnut 152 Montbrook 153 Beat Hollow 154 Tiznow 155 Danehill Dancer 156 Oasis Dream 157 Warning 158 Platini 159 Monsun 160 Monsun 161 Celtic Swing 162 Songandaprayer 163 Holy Roman Emperor 164

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24 hours with... OLI BELL

GEORGINA PRESTON @ ITV RACING

Oli Bell is not a morning person despite being the lead presenter on The Opening Show – it takes Coco Pops, shepherd’s pie and Luke Harvey to spark him into life Interview: Tim Richards

T

o be honest I’m not at my best in the mornings. On a Saturday I am up at 6.30am for The Opening Show, which is on air at 9.30am. But on a day-off I might still be in bed at 9am. The night before racing we stay in a hotel close to the racecourse and I raid the breakfast buffet on my way out. I’m on the course by 7am, which gives me two and a half hours in make-up. Just to be sure I’m presentable! In all seriousness, the build-up to The Opening Show is all about rehearsing.

Afterwards, we have about three hours before the racing programme and that’s when I chat to trainers and jockeys as they arrive. We also do pre-records, which are good fun as I am chatting again with the horses’ connections.

On the way home after racing I always speak to Paul Cooper, my producer, to discuss any cracks that may have appeared in the show. It’s useful to talk to Paul so I have his views on board when I get home to my flat in London and watch the programme right through. I know that sounds sad on a Saturday night when most people are out gallivanting. But I am always looking for faults to correct so I can improve myself professionally.

On mornings when I am not working I have Coco Pops or toast for breakfast and often go to the gym afterwards. I trained for a charity boxing match earlier in the year but my trainer wouldn’t have been happy if he knew Coco Pops was in my diet! It would be wrong to say I ‘enjoyed’ that fight, but it was certainly a good experience – even though I ended up with a broken nose. I raised money for Well Child, for sick children, and have been invited to box in another celebrity event in October.

Much of my spare time at the moment

is spent producing a children’s book about racing. Recently I went to France and did quite a bit of writing there. The book hasn’t got a title or publisher yet, but I am enjoying the challenge.

It is my responsibility to make sure people who start their weekend by tuning into The Opening Show enjoy the programme. I feel responsible because in a way, the show’s my baby. Working with Luke Harvey and Matt Chapman keeps me

“Interviewing this year’s Derby-winning connections was a buzz” on my toes; with them cackling away it’s fun. We are all good pals, but Luke is my best mate at work and neither of us takes life too seriously.

On the live afternoon programme I get to speak to owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff, which still gives me a big thrill.

Interviewing this year’s Derby-winning connections was a real buzz as well. Of course, there are people who watch racing and want to engage with us. I am very much aware of the importance of connecting with the public. We need to support each other because we need each

other. My dad, the broadcaster Rupert Bell, and uncle, trainer Michael Bell, have been great allies and are always there to answer any questions I have.

I accept it was deeply unprofessional to run on to the track after my uncle had won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year with Big Orange. I still have the mickey taken about the incident, which caused the Queen to ask who the lunatic was that chased the winner out on the course. An unforgettable day.

The television team is provided with packed lunches on the course so it’s a sandwich and on with the job.

I don’t bet a lot. I once went through the card at Yarmouth but they were all favourites. My biggest win came as a semiprofessional poker player. Poker was my vice in my younger days and I used to play in some big tournaments, once winning £30,000.

I presented racing for three years in Australia, where I also played for a semiprofessional football team in Sydney. This summer I have been enjoying some cricket, playing in the Cricketers Cup. When I was in Australia I learned to cook during a period when my flatmate won a television cookery competition and he taught me a few culinary delights. So now I can make a mean shepherd’s pie and that’s often washed down with a pint of cider while I watch Love Island. I have to admit I’m a big Love Island fan.

Bed is at 10pm and I usually take a book with me. I have just read The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck. A seriously interesting psychological book.

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DAR14688 OwnerBreeder OBC Dubawi100 23JUL18.qxp 11/07/2018 15:41 Page 1

darleystallions.com

Darley

No British stallion had ever sired Nausica Time Safety Check Sand Vixen Poet’s Shamal Wind Mubtaahij Amber Orchid Voice Cellarmaster Ball Of Muscle New Bay Almanaar Erupt Time Makfi Worthadd Test Tanaza Dubday Dartmouth Raseed So Anna Salai Monterosso Mi Dar Journey Left Hand Move Up Quidura Irish Field Happy Archer Shamreen Wuheida Amazona Powder Snow Astrophysical Jet Majestic North America Zarak Jungle Edge Bean Feasa Dubawi Prince Bishop Secret Sobetsu Autocratic Laugh Aloud Kitesurf Admirer Split Trois Dubawi Heights Perfect Bateel Benbatl Coronet Nezwaah Anna Nerium Tribute Waldpark Dubawi Gold Fox Hunt Glorious Journey Wild Illusion Ghaiyyath Rare Khor Sheed Kapitale Lucky Nine Rhythm Intimation Jordan Sport Soliloquy Al Kazeem Mickdaam Anton En Avant D’Bai Old Persian Crown Walk Tiger Tees Electralane Sand Vixen Poet’s Voice Cellarmaster Makfi Hunter’s Light Lady Of Worthadd Anna Salai Monterosso Irish Field Harrods Ahzeemah Happy Archer Majestic Dubawi Astrophysical Universal Willow Magic Jet Prince Bishop Secret Admirer Split Trois Danadana Principe Dubawi Heights Perfect Tribute Waldpark Adepto Kiyoshi Dubawi Gold Fox Hunt Khor Sheed Kapitale Aljamaaheer Afsare Lucky Nine Al Kazeem Mickdaam Tiger Tees Catkins Fitful Skies Al Electralane Hunter’s Light Lady Of Harrods Thakhira Piping Rock Ahzeemah Universal Willow Magic Danadana Narniyn Akeed Mofeed Aljamaaheer Afsare Intimate Moment Arabian Gold Night Of Thunder Principe Adepto Kiyoshi Srikandi Red Dubawi Arabian Queen Wannabe Yours Catkins Fitful Skies Al Thakhira Piping Rock Narniyn Akeed Mofeed Intimate Moment Sheikhzayedroad Muraaqaba Bawina Postponed

Arabian Gold Night Of Thunder Srikandi Red Dubawi Arabian Queen Wannabe Yours Sheikhzayedroad Bawina Muraaqaba Postponed Nausica Time Safety Check Nausica Time Shamal Wind Mubtaahij Amber Orchid Ball Of Muscle New Bay Erupt Almanaar Time Test Tanaza Dubday Raseed DartmouthSo Mi Dar Journey Left Hand Move Up Quidura Shamreen Wuheida Amazona North America Powder Snow Zarak Jungle Edge Bean Feasa Sobetsu Autocratic Laugh Aloud Kitesurf Bateel Benbatl Coronet Nezwaah Anna Nerium Glorious Journey Wild Illusion Ghaiyyath Rare Rhythm Intimation Jordan Sport Soliloquy Anton En Avant D’Bai Old Persian Crown Walk Makfi Poet’s Voice Happy Archer Secret Admirer Waldpark Lucky Nine Dubawi Heights Monterosso Hunter’s Light Al Kazeem Akeed Mofeed Willow Magic Night Of Thunder Tiger Tees Sheihkzayedroad Prince Bishop New Bay Erupt Postponed Zarak Arabian Queen Red Dubawi Shamal Wind Srikandi Journey Left Hand Wuheida Mubtaahij Bateel Sobetsu Almanaar Nezwaah Wild Illusion North America Benbatl

Group winners.

Then along came Dubawi The most successful British stallion in the history of the Pattern: now on a record 100 Group winners.

And counting...

Dubawi’s 100 Group winners, in order. They’re all so good, we’ve named them twice – with his 35 G1 winners listed a well-deserved three times.

Bring your dream to life...