Thoroughbred Owner Breeder

£4.95 FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 162

Cool Frost

Meet the jockey making waves in jump racing

PLUS

Nigel Twiston-Davies

‘I still hate to lose on the track’

Merry Dance

Laurens launches Classic dream

Tony Morris

Odds stacked against new sires

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

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19/01/2018 17:06

37108_GalileoSons_TBOB_DPS_Feb'18.qxp_37108_GalileoSons_TBOB_DPS_Feb'18 17/01/2018 15:49 Page 1

SUPERIOR GENES!

During the 2017 season almost half the Group 1 races run in Britain, Ireland & France were won by horses sired by

Galileo, sired by sons of Galileo or out of daughters of Galileo

2,000 Guineas 1,000 Guineas Irish 2,000 Guineas Irish 1,000 Guineas Tattersalls Gold Cup Coronation Cup Oaks St. James’s Palace Stakes Prince of Wales’s Stakes Coronation Stakes Irish Derby Eclipse Stakes Falmouth Stakes Irish Oaks King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Prix Rothschild Nassau Stakes Prix Jean Romanet International Stakes Yorkshire Oaks Matron Stakes Irish Champion Stakes Irish St Leger Moyglare Stud Stakes St Leger Stakes Cheveley Park Stakes Middle Park Stakes Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Prix de l’Opera Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Sun Chariot Stakes Dewhurst Stakes British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Champion Stakes Racing Post Trophy

GALILEO

and six of his finest sons stand at

Coolmore for 2018

AUSTRALIA CHURCHILL New GLENEAGLES HIGHLAND REEL New RULER OF THE WORLD THE GURKHA

• AUSTRALIA • CAMELOT • CARAVAGGIO • CHURCHILL • EXCELEBRATION • FASTNET ROCK • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • GLENEAGLES • HIGHLAND REEL • • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • IVAWOOD • KINGSTON HILL • MASTERCRAFTSMAN • NO NAY NEVER • PRIDE OF DUBAI • REQUINTO • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • • RULER OF THE WORLD • STARSPANGLEDBANNER • THE GURKHA • WAR COMMAND • ZOFFANY •

37108_GalileoSons_TBOB_DPS_Feb'18.qxp_37108_GalileoSons_TBOB_DPS_Feb'18 17/01/2018 15:50 Page 2

Brilliant 2YO and 7-time Group 1 winner HIGHLAND REEL

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

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

PEACE ENVOY

NEW FOR 2018

Power (GB) ex Hoh My Darling (GB)

• Winner of Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (Gr.3) • Winner of Coolmore War Command Rochestown (C & G) Stakes (LR) • Placed 3rd in the Darley Prix Morny (Gr.1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (Turf) to Lady Aurelia • 2nd in the GAIN Railway Stakes (Gr.2) • Highest RPR 112 OR 105

“He was a very smart juvenile.”

“He reminds me very much of Rock of Gibraltar.”

Ryan Moore

Aidan O’Brien

WORSALL GRANGE FARM

Low Worsall, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom Tel: 01642 789800 www.worsallgrange.com NOMINATIONS LUCY HORNER - Main Office: 01642 789800 Mobile: 07581107071 Email: Lucy@worsallgrange.com

Worsall Grange|2017|Peace Envoy|OB|A4|210mm(w) x 297mm.indd 1

08/11/2017 14:51

Welcome

NH racing scene lit up by touch of Frost

Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Luxury Editor: Sarah Rodrigues Fashion Editor: Christopher Modoo Design/production: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Twitter: @OwnerBreeder Equine Advertising: Giles Anderson/ Oscar Yeadon UK: 01380 816777 IRE: 041 971 2000 USA: 1 888 218 4430 advertise@anderson-co.com Luxury/Fashion Advertising: Nick Edgley Tel: 07774703491 nedgley@nemediaworld.com

B

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Thoroughbred Owner Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 1134293 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA Our monthly average readership is 20,000 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0200 • Fax: 020 7152 0213 info@roa.co.uk • www.roa.co.uk Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661 321 • Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk • www.thetba.co.uk

£4.95 FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 162

Cool Frost

Meet the jockey making waves in jump racing

PLUS

Nigel Twiston-Davies

‘I still hate to lose on the track’

Merry Dance

Laurens launches Classic dream

Tony Morris

Odds stacked against new sires

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Feb_162_Cover.indd 1

Cover: Bryony Frost in relaxed mood at trainer Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat stable in January Photo: George Selwyn

Edward Rosenthal Editor

19/01/2018 17:06

ryony Frost entered last year’s Cheltenham Festival as a relatively unknown amateur, albeit one with a fine National Hunt pedigree as the daughter of former top jockey, Jimmy Frost. This March she will gallop into jump racing’s Olympics as one of the sport’s newest stars, with a burgeoning CV that includes Grade 1 success. Such is the progress the 22-year-old has made in the last 12 months.

Victory in the 2017 Foxhunter Chase on Pacha Du Polder – the horse that finished a never-nearer fifth the year before under Victoria Pendleton – was an early indication of Frost’s talent. Turning professional four months later, she had her first ride as a conditional aboard novice chaser Black Corton, on a midweek card at Worcester. They won that day – and it has been onwards and upwards for both horse and rider ever since, culminating with a top-level triumph in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

Frost, the subject of a superb interview with Tim Richards (pages 56-60), says she would not have turned professional without the support of Paul Nicholls, and the trainer (along with the owners) deserves huge credit for giving her the chances to prove her worth, especially in Graded races where she is not allowed to use her claim.

There may be considerable momentum behind the female jockey movement, if one can call it that, with the excellent Josephine Gordon leading a number of talented women on the Flat, but can it extend to NH racing? There remains a degree of scepticism from a number within the sport, particularly over jumps in Britain, about the fairer sex’s capabilities. Frost’s claim, 5lb at the time of writing, may be valuable to the Nicholls stable but one would have thought there would be greater demand for her services from outside.

In the same way that a horse’s pedigree becomes mostly irrelevant once their ability has been proven on the racecourse, so the gender of the pilot should cease to matter once they have done the same. You can argue all day about strength in the saddle but riding racehorses is about so much more than strength, as Frost explains.

“You must have faith in the horse, and the horse in you,” Frost says. “You are going out to battle together and you have to ask him or her to push their body to the limit and they must want to do it for you.

“For me, I must believe in them and get to know them very fast, sometimes for the first time on the way to the start, like Milansbar, who showed me he’s an awesome chap to ride before winning last month’s Classic Chase at Warwick.

“You must work out what sort of character you are on, be it a willing partner, or one that needs telling what to do. Some horses don’t take kindly to being told, like some humans they’ll stick

“The trainer and owners deserve credit for giving her the chances” two fingers up at you. But some have to be told because they lack confidence.

“On the day, I believe that I am trying to encourage the horse to be ‘somebody’ and if he or she responds by giving everything, win or lose, I feel proud and grateful.”

Perhaps Nigel Twiston-Davies would be happy to give Frost an opportunity or two, although the Naunton handler has his own team of promising conditionals to support.

A mainstay of the upper reaches of the trainers’ championship for three decades, Twiston-Davies was, at the time of writing, sitting in third place in the table behind Nicholls and current champion, Nicky Henderson.

In a must-read feature, Twiston-Davies tells Chris Cook (The Big Interview, pages 48-54) how he fell into training racehorses, why he still hates to lose and how his ever-expanding family keeps him grounded.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Contents

February 2018

62

48

32

News & Views

International Scene

ROA Leader

View from Ireland 7

Focusing on the positives

TBA Leader 9

News 10

Fire devastates Californian community

14

Features

28 30

One Man in 1994

Redoubtable trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies

Cruises, watches and fashion

4

King George VI Chase at Kempton

20 26

The Big Interview

Luxury & Lifestyle British tourists making waves

37

From The Archives

Howard Wright Levy system hurdles ahead

34

The Big Picture

Tony Morris How the stallions of 1988 fared

German jockeys’ title shared

Around The Globe

Changes News in a nutshell

32

Continental Tales

Confidence in regulation and integrity

Hughie Morrison fined

The story of Samcro

40

48

Talking To...

Jockey-of-the-moment Bryony Frost

56

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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112

56

20

Features

Forum

John Dance A growing force in owner-breeder world

TBA Forum 62

Sales Circuit Focus on Cheltenham and Keeneland

70

Difficult foalings

77

Data Book

101

European Pattern

Dr Statz Society Rock legacy

92

Vet Forum

Caulfield Files The rise of Uncle Mo

TBA Stud Farming Course proves a hit

104

Grade 1 winners and analysis

106

24 Hours With...

Rewards4Racing’s Josh Apiafi

112

Forum The Thoroughbred Club A year to look forward to

80

ROA Forum Jockey Club Racecourses’ record purses

82

Did you know?

Our monthly average readership is

20,000 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_162_Contents.indd 5

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19/01/2018 17:24

THERE’S A DEAL ON THE TABLE

CH T U D ART

AL H T LE CE FOR

ULYSSES

GARSWOOD

TWILIGHT SON

INTELLO

MA YSO

N

PIV

OTA

L

CALL US Cheveley Park Stud Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD +44 (0)1638 730316 • enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk www.cheveleypark.co.uk • L@CPStudOfficial

CheveleyRoster_Deal_February_2018.indd 1

19/01/2018 10:37

ROA Leader

Nicholas Cooper President

Prize-money record a triumph for our industry N

ews of a £160 million prize-money total in 2018 is a pretty good way for racehorse owners to start the new year.

Add to that the introduction of a new appearance money scheme aimed at benefiting the lower tiers of racing, and the fact that almost all races are to be run for minimum total prize-money of £6,000, gives everyone in the racing industry something to celebrate.

This forecast prize-money/appearance money figure is an all-time high and represents an increase over last year of nearly 11%. It comes on the back of increased prize-money contributions from both the Levy Board and racecourses, both of which are now benefiting from higher bookmaker contributions.

The levy (whose expenditure function is due to be taken over next year by the new Racing Authority) is now doing much better as a result of being able to capture a gross profits percentage on those online bets being processed offshore. At the same time, racecourse media rights money, already exceeding levy yield, is predicted to rise still higher later on in the year when their new SIS contract comes on stream.

Not a time, then, to raise concerns about betting shop closures being brought about by new FOBT legislation or by those diminishing horseracing online betting margins, to which racing’s levy income is linked.

Better that we now concentrate on racing’s good news story and better that we extol the virtues of the new appearance money scheme that ensures benefits go to the grassroots of racing.

The scheme means that every horse that finishes in the first eight for qualifying races will collect, either through prize-money for finishing in the first four or through appearance money for finishing between fifth and eighth. With the exception of maiden and novice races, on the Flat and over hurdles, appearance money will be paid in virtually all Class 4, 5 and 6 Flat races and Class 3, 4 and 5 jump events.

The real trick underlying the new scheme is that racecourses have been given the ability to ‘unlock’ extra Levy Board funding by investing their own money and substantially increasing overall race values. As a result, a large proportion of races run in 2018 will have an advertised total race value of at least £6,000.

Looking at the list of racecourses that are eligible for extra prize-money funding, it is very gratifying to see that almost every course has responded positively, most having ‘unlocked’ well over 90% of races that qualify in the first quarter of the year.

It is also reassuring that the old practice of racecourses ‘dumbing down’ their race programme to lessen their minimum prize-money liability can no longer be pursued. Now, the average

level of a racecourse’s race programme within a three-month period must compare favourably with that of their previous year’s race programme.

The appearance money initiatives are, of course, designed to create a virtuous circle, with benefits trickling down to trainers, jockeys and stable staff. Improving the economics of owning horses should translate both into an increase in the number of horses in training and an incentive for owners to stay in the sport longer. It also means the creation of a better racing and betting product, where fields of eight runners or more increase each-

“The new appearance money scheme ensures benefits go to the grassroots of racing” way betting and more competitive racing encourages greater engagement with the sport.

Nobody pretends this substantial and very welcome prizemoney increase in 2018 will put the economics of ownership in this country on an acceptable level, but it is most definitely a step in the right direction and one that would not have been possible had not horsemen, racecourses and the governing authority worked together with a common aim.

It certainly creates the right climate for when the new and vitally important Racing Authority, under the Chairmanship of Sir Hugh Robertson, comes to fruition next year.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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A LEGEND IN THE MAKING

ULYSSES 2013 Chesnut. Galileo – Light Shift (Kingmambo)

Dual Group 1 winner by GALILEO out of Oaks winner LIGHT SHIFT Won 5 races, including the Gr.1 Juddmonte International and Gr.1 Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Also 2nd Gr.1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and 3rd Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Gr.1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Defeated 21 individual Group 1 winners including CHURCHILL, BARNEY ROY and DECORATED KNIGHT. Timeform rated 130. The highest rated GALILEO of 2017.

Retiring to Cheveley Park Stud in 2018 Fee: £30,000 (1st October SLF)

Cheveley Park Stud Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD +44 (0)1638 730316 • enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk • www.cheveleypark.co.uk • L@CPStudOfficial

Ulysses_OwnerBreeder_February_2018.indd 1

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TBA Leader

Julian Richmond-Watson Chairman

Integrity of utmost importance for industry C

onfidence in the regulation and integrity of horseracing is vital, not only for punters and those members of the public who go racing or follow the sport at home, but for all of us directly involved. This is certainly the case for breeders, since decisions we make based on racecourse performance should rely totally on accurate records of horses displaying their natural ability, without any medication or human interference that could give a false picture.

Breeders believe implicitly in the integrity of the General Stud Book and now, with DNA testing, we should be safe in the knowledge that every thoroughbred’s parentage and bloodlines can be checked and verified, which might not always have been the case.

However, a number of recent issues and cases have highlighted how complex integrity is and how different perceptions can challenge the status quo and erode confidence in the system.

The British judicial system uses lay magistrates and juries to ensure a balance. For incidents that occur in British racing, where there will always be a variety of opinions, a panel of well-informed and professionally-led stewards has stood the sport in good stead over the years.

As members of the Horsemen’s Group, sitting alongside representatives of trainers and jockeys who appear in front of stewards, the TBA believes that an independent stewarding system is the best, and we are happy to support our colleagues in the pursuit of maintaining this approach.

Announcements and consultation about the BHA’s ongoing stewarding review could have been better handled. The issue is far from settled, and it is to be hoped that common sense will prevail and a satisfactory solution that guarantees independent stewarding can be found.

Recent disciplinary cases involving trainers Philip Hobbs and Hughie Morrison have highlighted another issue for licensed personnel and their responsibilities over medication. I refer to the system that assumed guilt in a trainer involved in a positive drugs test, and the consequences that flowed from that assumption, which has been watered down to such an extent that when there is no direct evidence that the trainer was involved in administering a prohibited substance to the horse, a token breach of the rules is now judged to have occurred.

I have no problem with this principal, but somehow those responsible need to be found and dealt with appropriately.

Otherwise confidence in the system will be eroded and the racing rumour mill will advance any number of fanciful theories fit for a Jilly Cooper novel. It will be interesting to see how the

BHA’s legal team examine this and consult on any changes.

The outcome has relevance to the new 30-day notification rule under which breeders and owners declare that a foal has not, and will not, be given prohibited steroids. A horse tested and found to have been given steroids will be banned from racing, but what happens to the person who administered the substance, who is unlikely to be licensed? Does that become an issue between the owner, assuming they didn’t administer the drug, and the person who did? After all, the horse can never race under rules. Is this a civil matter or one for the BHA? Another new issue is the declaration of wind operations, but just for the first run back after the procedure and only in Britain. At the time of writing the sanctions for breaches of this

“Breeders need a medication-free and fair racing system that gives us confidence in results” rule were unknown and, of course, the declaration itself gives only a partial picture. This feels like a messy regulation that needs more thought and consultation.

Looking overseas, I have doubts about some regimes which allow medication that is not permitted in Britain. However, that should not be an excuse for Britain to stray from stringent drug-free racing, and being proud of it.

Breeders need a medication-free and fair racing system that gives us confidence that our racecourse results and performances are sound and can be relied upon. Then we can make a well-informed decision on mating plans based on the most important factor in assessing the thoroughbred - its racecourse performance.

Good luck to you all for the breeding season.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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19/01/2018 17:15

News Hughie Morrison avoids ban over steroids case

Hughie Morrison: fined £1,000 by the disciplinary panel after a horse tested positive for a steroid

T

rainer Hughie Morrison was a relieved man following the result of a disciplinary panel hearing into the positive test returned by Our Little Sister after a race at Wolverhampton in January last year.

The hearing, at BHA headquarters in London, took place in December, the panel opting to impose a fine of £1,000 on Morrison, rather than issue a ban. The ‘entry-point’ penalty for an offence of this nature – Our Little Sister had returned the first steroid positive in British racing for four years – is two years.

However, the undeniably more independent nature of the disciplinary panel nowadays in the wake of integrity changes made – connected to the high-profile Jim Best case – has resulted in penalties being imposed that reflect the panel’s personal beliefs and instincts, rather than BHA

guidelines, as before.

Morrison accepted he was in breach of the rules – which make a trainer strictly liable for any substance in one of their horse’s systems – but argued he was the victim of a “malicious plot” and should not face any penalty as a result.

The panel did not go that far, but the trainer was nonetheless delighted to avoid a ban, the panel ultimately deciding to ignore the guidelines, use its discretion and impose ‘only’ a fine, deciding “on the balance of probabilities Mr Morrison was innocent of any involvement” in the administration of a steroid to one of his horses, and that the offence had been committed “by person or persons unknown, for unknown reasons”.

The panel later said, in its full written reasons for the decision, that the rules allowed them “residual discretion” and that disqualification and withdrawal of

Morrison’s licence would not have been appropriate.

Morrison said: “I cannot overstate the stress that has been caused by this long-running case, both for me and my wife, all my staff and connections, and the relief now felt having been rightly and so comprehensively exonerated.”

He added: “The culprit who injected the filly is still out there so everyone needs to be on their guard.”

The BHA had already pledged to amend the rules of racing after losing an appeal against a previous disciplinary panel decision not to penalise Philip Hobbs after one of his horses had tested positive for a prohibited substance.

Speaking after the panel’s written reasons for the Morrison decision were published, BHA Head of Media Robin Mounsey said: “The independent panel makes a number of observations regarding its interpretation of the rules, which the BHA will consider as part of its response to the Philip Hobbs case.

“We’ll set out our approach towards these matters, and other issues arising from the panel’s findings, in due course.”

A National Trainers Federation statement read: “The NTF supports the current rules on strict liability in equine anti-doping cases and the disciplinary panel’s detailed and incisive analysis confirms our contention that these rules are no bar to the panel arriving at wise decisions and appropriate penalties in the light of the specific evidence in each case.

“We accept the disciplinary panel’s finding that the BHA ran a fair investigation.

At the same time, aspects of recent prohibited substance cases raise a number of serious concerns that will have an impact on the way trainers manage their yards and wider implications for the industry. We intend to meet the BHA to discuss these issues soon.”

New appointments at Weatherbys David Bellamy has been appointed Chairman of Weatherbys Bank. He joins from St James’s Place Wealth Management, where he spent 26 years.

Bellamy, who has worked in the financial services sector since 1973 and will be 65 this year, succeeds Johnny Weatherby, who will continue on the board as a Non-Executive Director.

Roger Weatherby, Chief Executive of Weatherbys Bank, said: “I am delighted to welcome David as our new Chairman. His experience in the financial services sector, his leadership skills,

10

and his passion for innovation, growth, and trusted advice will make him an invaluable addition to Weatherbys Bank.

“David is deeply respected and he’ll bolster our position as a leading private bank. His track record at St James’s Place speaks volumes, where, over the course of 11 years as Chief Executive, funds under management more than quadrupled to over £85 billion.”

Weatherbys Hamilton, the specialist private client insurance broker, has appointed Julian Taylor and Mark Egar as Non-Executives from January 1.

David Bellamy: new Chairman of the Bank

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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19/01/2018 18:29

Stories from the racing world

Cheltenham well on top for turnover in 2017 Top 40 betting races in Britain in 2017

(Figures supplied by Coral based on betting shop turnover) 2017

2016

2015

RACE

RACECOURSE

DATE

1

(1)

(1)

Grand National

Aintree

April 8

2

(2)

(2)

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cheltenham

March 17

3

(3)

(3)

Derby

Epsom

June 3

4

(4)

(4)

Scottish Grand National

Ayr

April 22

5

(8)

(5)

King George VI Chase

Kempton

Dec 26

6

(15)

(31)

Coral-Eclipse

Sandown

July 8

7

(-)

(12)

Stayers’ Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 16

8

(26)

(8)

2,000 Guineas

Newmarket

May 6

9

(7)

(7)

Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 14

10

(11)

(15)

Albert Bartlett Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 17

11

(9)

(9)

Oaks

Epsom

June 2

12

(20)

(10)

Triumph Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 17

13

(10)

(14)

Foxhunter Chase

Cheltenham

March 17

14

(-)

(-)

St Leger

Doncaster

Sep 16

15

(35)

(-)

King George

Ascot

July 29

16

(12)

(16)

Grand Annual

Cheltenham

March 17

17

(31)

(39)

Neptune Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 15

18

(40)

(-)

Mares’ Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 14

19

(25)

(19)

Ascot Gold Cup

Royal Ascot

June 22

20

(18)

(35)

Coral Cup

Cheltenham

March 15

21

(-)

(11)

JLT Novices’ Chase

Cheltenham

March 16

22

(21)

(28)

County Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 17

23

(-)

(38)

July Cup

Newmarket

July 15

24

(-)

(27)

Commonwealth Cup

Royal Ascot

June 23

25

(19)

(23)

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 17

26

(-)

(-)

Nunthorpe Stakes

York

August 25

27

(17)

(22)

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Cheltenham

March 14

28

(38)

(34)

Diamond Jubilee

Royal Ascot

June 24

29

(22)

(32)

1,000 Guineas

Newmarket

May 7

30

(-)

(-)

Lockinge

Newbury

May 20

31

(39)

(-)

Brown Advisory Plate

Cheltenham

March 16

32

(24)

(33)

RSA Chase

Cheltenham

March 15

33

(29)

(13)

Ladbrokes Trophy

Newbury

Dec 2

34

(33)

(-)

Cesarewitch

Newmarket

October 14

35

(-)

(-)

Wokingham

Royal Ascot

June 24

36

(-)

(-)

Close Brothers Novice Hcap Chase

Cheltenham

March 14

37

(-)

(-)

Pertemps Final

Cheltenham

March 16

38

(30)

(-)

Stewards’ Cup

Goodwood

August 1

39

(13)

(20)

Ryanair Chase

Cheltenham

March 16

40

(-)

(30)

Champion Bumper

Cheltenham

March 15

The Gold Cup: Cheltenham’s top betting race

The growing appeal of the Cheltenham Festival to punters has been illustrated

by Coral’s release of the top 40 races by turnover for 2017, plus comparisons with previous years, as exactly half occurred at the four days on the hallowed turf in March.

All seven races staged on Cheltenham Gold Cup day, including the two nonterrestrially televised races, the Grand Annual Handicap Chase and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, were in the top 25.

Meanwhile, the importance of competitiveness in top-class races to punters was demonstrated by the return of the St Leger – where last September they went 3-1 the 11-runner field – to the top 40 after two years out, and the improved showing of the Coral-Eclipse, which jumped to sixth spot, having been 15th in 2016, off the back of a nine-runner field.

The King George at Ascot also made huge strides in betting terms in 2017, finishing 15th, up 20 places from 2016, thanks to the star appeal of Enable and a good supporting cast in a ten-runner renewal.

The sprinting division also appealed more to betting shop punters in 2017, with Caravaggio’s match against Harry Angel and Blue Point seeing the Commonwealth Cup return to the list, and the July Cup and Nunthorpe entering the top 40 thanks to high quality and competitive renewals.

Coral’s Simon Clare said: “Whilst the Grand National, with its unique mass market appeal, is the undisputed champion when it comes to betting turnover on a single race, the Cheltenham Festival is without doubt the most popular four days of betting in the horseracing calendar.”

He added: “The midsummer Group 1s performed really well in 2017, with the Coral-Eclipse, King George, July Cup and Nunthorpe all showing improved performances. The Lockinge and the St Leger also proved more popular than in previous years, proof once again that the combination of star quality and competitiveness is the perfect betting cocktail.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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News

Racegoer numbers were a little down last year on 2016 though the total attendance held its own relative to other years in the past decade

Attendances dip in 2017 Racing retained its position as the second most popular spectator sport in Britain for 2017, behind football, with a total attendance in excess of 5.95 million.

The final tally was 5,953,749, against 5,987,167 in 2016. While down on the 12 months before, the 2017 figure was still relatively good in the context of the past decade, being the fourth highest aggregate attendance in the last ten years.

The average crowd figure across the 1,463 fixtures held in 2017 was 4,070, down on the 4,175 in 2016.

The most encouraging months last year were June, July and August, which saw an increase across the three-month period with a total of 2,617,046 people

going racing, compared to 2,596,002 in 2016. The average attendance in August increased 18%, from 4,918 to 5,848.

Weekend crowds were also up, with Saturdays attracting 2,290,937 in 2017 compared to 2,271,999 in 2016, while Sundays increased by 9% from 451,756 to 493,646.

On the flipside, midweek attendances were down, while the abandonment of a few major meetings also had a negative impact on figures.

Racecourse Association Chief Executive Stephen Atkin said: “The overall attendance numbers for 2017 were stable and comparable to 2016.

This is offset by several major racedays where big crowds would be expected

being abandoned, including the whole of the William Hill Gold Cup meeting at Ayr, Coral Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow and Ascot’s Clarence House Chase day.

“If just those three had gone ahead the overall figure would likely have been up on 2016.”

He continued: “The increase in weekend crowds and over the summer is positive news and highlights the importance of holding fixtures at times when spectators can attend. We know the majority of racecourse attendees are very local and so the more we can do to get fixtures into customer-friendly slots the more likely we are to increase crowds.”

Plus 10: owner registration deadline looms Time is running out for owners to qualify their two-year-olds for the newly expanded Plus 10 bonus scheme.

The Plus 10 owner registration must be paid by February 28 in order for eligible 2016-born horses to be qualified to win a £10,000 bonus as a two- or three-year-old.

For the first time, £10,000 Plus 10 bonuses will feature across all Class 5 three-year-old maiden races over a mile and three furlongs and further, which will see bonuses offered across about 800 races in 2018.

Plus 10 Chairman Julian RichmondWatson said: “We are hugely excited

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to be expanding the scheme to offer more opportunities to staying type horses and to link in with broader

industry objectives to encourage more people to breed and own stayers.

“I urge owners of eligible twoyear-olds to finalise their Plus 10 registrations by completing the owner registration stage before the end of February, and to stake their claim in the rich bonus prize pool on offer across British and Irish two- and threeyear-old races.”

Plus 10 has paid out more than £11.5 million in bonus prize-money since 2015. In 2017 alone 384 bonuses were won, rewarding around 500 owners and breeders.

For more information, visit www.plus10bonus.com.

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Changes

Racing’s news in a nutshell

People and business Many Clouds Will be remembered at Cheltenham on anniversary of his death with the screening of the film Many Clouds – The People’s Horse on January 27.

Lulu Stanford Apprentice jockey decides not to return to ride in Britain having been offered a job with Gai Waterhouse in Australia.

Matt Hancock

MP whose constituency includes Newmarket is promoted to Culture Secretary by Theresa May in a cabinet reshuffle.

John Gosden Leading trainer is appointed by the Jockey Club to the board of the National Stud as a non-executive director.

Ascot Racecourse announces that its prizemoney for 2018 will break £13 million barrier for the first time, excluding QIPCO British Champions Day. Racing Welfare Launches Be Friendly phone service – named after Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s sprinter – to help those from the racing industry who are elderly or incapacitated.

Matt Chapman ITV Racing presenter is axed as Dancing On Ice commentator after just one show.

William Hill Bookmaker set to sell the Australian arm of its business after a ban on credit betting and the likely introduction of a point of consumption tax.

Henry Morshead Promising conditional jockey with Paul Nicholls quits the saddle aged 20 in order to pursue a university course in politics.

Kei Chiong

Hong Kong’s record-breaking apprentice retires from race-riding aged 25 due to injury. Her 58 wins make her the leading woman jockey ever in the territory.

PMU France’s former monopoly betting operator records a rise in turnover for the first time since 2011, unveiling a provisional operating figure of €9.92 billion.

Also...

Danny Tudhope faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone in a fall at Newcastle. Markus Jooste, the beleaguered South African business tycoon, sells off some of his bloodstock after allegations of financial irregularities at multinational company Steinhoff. Former Conservative sports minister Sir Hugh Robertson is named new Chairman of the Racing Authority. Mark Scully, 29, is appointed Racing Post Group Bloodstock Editor. Recently retired jockey Steve Drowne begins a new role with the BHA as a Stipendiary Steward. George Chaloner joins the management team at Pontefract, two months after retiring from the saddle.

Racehorse and stallion

Movements and retirements Shaman Ghost

Third highest prize-money earner in North America in 2017 after Arrogate and Gun Runner will stand first season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, California.

Berkshire Dual Group winner has been retired and will take up covering duty at Haras de Sorelis in Pau, France.

Firebreak Bearstone Stud pensions 19-year-old son of Charnwood Forest – his best offspring was Group 1 winner Hearts Of Fire.

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Deep Impact Overtakes Dubawi as the world’s most expensive advertised sire, his fee increasing this year to ¥40 million (about £263,000) from ¥30m.

Stand Guard All-weather record holder with 28 wins is retired aged 14 by trainer John Butler.

Lady Eli Five-time Grade 1 winner – including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – is retired aged six to start life as a broodmare. Her first cover is to War Front.

››

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Changes Horse Obituaries Archipenko 13

Group 1 winner on the track who has sired top-flight winners on three continents and stood at Kirsten Rausing’s Lanwades Stud.

Starchitect 6 Promising young chaser for the David Pipe stable who suffered fatal injury when in front in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Castletown 31 One of New Zealand’s most durable stayers, he was trained by Paddy Busuttin to win 16 of his 103 races, including six at Group 1 level.

Edvardo 8 Decent and lightly-raced hurdler for the Richard Woollacott yard who was fatally injured when brought down at Wincanton.

Jonny Delta 10 Popular and versatile nine-time winner and stable stalwart for the Jim Goldie yard who scored on the Flat, in a bumper and over hurdles.

Spot Thedifference 25 Cross-country specialist for JP McManus and Enda Bolger whose regular rider was the late JT McNamara, on board for 11 of his 14 wins.

People obituaries Bryn Crossley 59

Former champion apprentice who rode more than 200 winners on the Flat in Britain.

Roger Curtis 68 Former trainer and popular Lambourn figure perhaps best known for association with 1993 Midlands National winner Mister Ed. Brian Lee 76 Champion apprentice in 1961, when he also won the Lincoln run as the Lincolnshire at Lincoln racecourse, on Johns Court.

Daniele Porcu 34 Group 1 winning-jockey dies in Milan, less than two months after revealing he had been diagnosed with cancer.

John ‘Joe’ Bates 72 Well-known figure on the racecourse for many years as a bookmaker, punter and owner.

Mary Hambro 67 Pioneer in the world of bloodstock consignment and also a successful owner, breeder and trainer.

Vivian Kennedy 75 Former jockey and trainer who saddled Flute Player to win the 1986 Kerry National, and father of current jump jockey Will.

Noel O’Brien 57

Joined the Turf Club in 1977, before sitting final secondary school examinations, and worked way up to become Senior Jumps Handicapper.

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Jack Van Berg 81 US trainer who stands fourth on the alltime North American list with more than 6,500 winners to his name.

Richard Cousins 58 Chief Executive of the firm that supplies catering to every Jockey Club racecourse.

Ken Higson 77 Pharmaceuticals manufacturer who was a colourful character at the races, owning top jumpers Karinga Bay and Roll A Dollar.

Anne Grossick 64 Named HWPA Photographer of the Year in 2001, her husband John is also a wellknown photographer based in the north.

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Aclaim

Gregorian

Marcel

Fee: £12,500*

Fee: £4,500*

Fee: £5,000*

Handsome Gr.1 winner by the sire of DARK ANGEL from the family of MONTJEU

First crop of yearlings sold for €60,000, 45,000gns, €46,000, 36,000gns, £37,000, 34,000gns, €40,000, 32,000gns etc.

Gr.1 winning 2yo

2013 ACCLAMATION - ARIS

Winner of the Gr.1 Prix de la Forêt, Gr.2 Park Stakes, Gr.2 Challenge Stakes, Dubai Duty Free Cup, L., and his only start at two Timeform 123. Rated the best three-year-old by Acclamation – and even higher rated at four The best speed horse in an exceptional family Out of a Stakes-placed juvenile who beat Gr.1 winner Gordon Lord Byron to break her maiden

2009 CLODOVIL - THREE DAYS IN MAY

Averaged over 9 times his stud fee at Tattersalls Book 2, and 6 times his fee at Goffs Sportsman’s Sale Yearlings going to some of the industry’s most well respected trainers: Keith Dalgleish, Kevin Ryan, Karl Burke, Brian Ellison, Tim Easterby, Michael Dods etc

2013 LAWMAN - MAURESMO

Timeform rated 118, after just his 3rd start at 2yo, in the top 3 European 2yo colts of his generation First book of mares included over 30% Stakes performers or producers and from beautiful black type families, including those of Gr.1 winners Dick Whittington, Moriarty and Virginia Waters

Winner of the Gr.2 Hungerford Stakes, and Gr.1 placed 4 times

By a son of Invincible Spirit, and from the family of Gr.1 winners Annoconnor and At Talaq

F IRS T C RO P 2 YO S 2 0 1 8

F IRS T C RO P FOA L S 20 1 8

N E W FO R 201 8

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

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STALLIONS 2018 Spill The Beans

Time Test

Fee: £6,000*

Fee: £8,500*

Undefeated 2yo and multiple Group winning 3yo, including Gr.2 QTC Cup (6.5f)

Dual Gr.2 winning miler

2012 SNITZEL - MISS DODWELL

First son of record breaking Australasian dual Champion sire Snitzel in Europe Winner of 5 of his 11 starts, and placed a further 4 times.

Defeated Gr.1 winners Pride Of Dubai, Stratum Star and Holler Most popular 1st season sire in Australia in 2016, covering over 200 mares Outstanding first crop foals in Australia 2017

NEW FOR 2 0 1 8

2012 DUBAWI - PASSAGE OF TIME

4 times Gr.1 placed Timeform Rated 125 Royal Ascot track record breaking winner of the Gr.3 Tercentenary Stakes By record breaking sire DUBAWI, out of Gr.1 winning DANSILI mare Passage Of Time, from the family of Champions Twice Over, All At Sea etc.

“Time Test blew away the opposition at Royal Ascot as a three-year-old when he looked like a Group 1 horse. Speed and acceleration were his main assets...” Roger Charlton

N E W FO R 2 0 1 8

* 1st October slf

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The Big Picture

Might Bite delight As quirky as he is talented, Might Bite is one of the most exciting names in jump racing, and he delivered the Christmas present that a lot of fans were hoping for when justifying favouritism in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day under Nico de Boinville, also pictured right with trainer Nicky Henderson. The duo scored by a length from Double Shuffle (blue silks), with Tea For Two (right) third and the previous year’s winner Thistlecrack (left) in fourth Photos George Selwyn

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King George VI Chase

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The Big Picture

String theory Nigel Twiston-Davies is, as always, flying high in the trainers’ standings, going unflashily about his business as he has been doing for around three decades. Here he is pictured keeping a close eye on a string that contains a potent mix of established performers and promising youngsters, about which he tells us – along with plenty more besides – in a revealing interview on pages 48-54 Photo George Selwyn

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Nigel Twiston-Davies

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19/01/2018 16:12

The Big Picture

Welsh Grand National

Razzle-dazzle The Welsh Grand National was well worth the wait for connections of Raz de Maree. The race was abandoned in December due to waterlogging and restaged last month, when 13-year-old Raz de Maree became the oldest winner of the contest in modern times, and his 16-year-old rider James Bowen the youngest winning jockey ever Photo Bill Selwyn

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From The Archives Cometh the Man One of the most popular jumps horses since Desert Orchid, fellow grey One Man thrilled National Hunt fans with his bold jumping and exuberant style. In this picture, the Gordon Richards-trained chaser and Neale Doughty clear the final open ditch on the way to victory in the 1994 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot over an extended three miles. Nothing if not versatile, One Man proved his brilliance over two miles, famously winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 1998 Cheltenham Festival Photo George Selwyn

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One Man on February 9, 1994

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19/01/2018 17:14

Tony Morris

A time of hope but few will be star sires I n the northern hemisphere, February means the start of another breeding season. The stallion owners have done their marketing, proclaiming and often exaggerating the qualities of their horses, while breeders have made most decisions over how to mate their mares.

The vendors and buyers of nominations generally have the same objective: they want to make money. Owner-breeders, now very much a minority, may not be motivated by their commercial brethren’s desire – perhaps need – to sell young stock profitably, but even the likes of the Aga Khan and Khalid Abdullah run operations that are intended to pay their way.

Of course, the dice are loaded. The stallion masters may make much of their wish that their clients prosper, but their chief concern has to be that their horses more than repay what has been invested in them. If their stallions prove to be no good, they may still be significant earners before they are ditched.

So while February may seem a time for excitement among ambitious breeders, it’s also a time when they can throw good money after bad and make expensive errors. The potential to get things wrong is now greater than ever, with stallions covering huge books of mares.

We should always try to learn lessons from the past, and one of the facts that history tells us is that more than 90% of stallions turn out to be non-achievers, at best just providing stock who become low-level betting fodder.

So I decided to conduct an examination of what one season’s matings had realised, and 1988 – 30 years ago – seemed to represent a suitable example. Sufficient time has passed for an objective assessment of what the horses at stud in that year had achieved; their careers were now over. And it was possible to make a judgement about the fee charged for their services. I have looked at the 30 British or Irish horses who stood for fees in excess of £15,000.

The top-priced stallion of 1988 was Dancing Brave (£120,000). He was in his second season at stud, still trading on an exceptional racing reputation. He got nothing of any consequence from that crop, but had such as Commander In Chief, Wemyss Bight and White Muzzle a year later.

By Northern Dancer and out of the dam of Seattle Slew, Lomond (Ir100,000gns) was easily promoted, and he had some early successes. His 1988 matings resulted in one real star in Marling, but the auctioned yearlings averaged under half his fee, and he ultimately mattered little.

An outstanding miler and sire of fillies’ Triple Crown winner Oh So Sharp, Kris (£100,000) was the champion sire of 1985, which earned him respect, but his best work as a sire was already done, and only two Group 3 winners emerged from this crop, and his sons turned out to be poor sires.

We were supposed to believe, on limited evidence, that Shareef Dancer (£100,000) was a top-class racehorse, and his pedigree allowed hopes of success. He did Sheikh Mohammed some favours, but little for anyone else and is rarely encountered in pedigrees now.

Before the 1988 breeding season we knew nothing about Sadler’s Wells (Ir80,000gns) as a sire. But we did know that he had been a racehorse of considerable merit, and that his

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Arc hero Dancing Brave (pink cap) stood at £120,000 in 1988

young stock had sold exceptionally well. He had stood his first two seasons at Ir125,000gns, and the market had been keen. We were soon to learn that he was a sire of enormous consequence.

It was understandable that Reference Point (£70,000) should become one of the most exciting recruits to the ranks of stallions in 1988. He had won the Futurity, the Derby, the King George and the St Leger, proving himself an exceptional athlete. He died at seven, leaving nothing of note.

A far better sire-son of Mill Reef was Shirley Heights (£50,000), but his best contributions, which included a major influence in Darshaan, were now history. Contrastingly, Ahonoora (Ir45,000gns) enjoyed a reputation on the rise, having produced numerous high-quality runners from modest mares off a cheap service fee. The Derby winner Dr Devious was to spring from the 1988 coverings.

Be My Guest (Ir40,000gns) had been champion sire when his first crop were three-year-olds, but the likes of Sadler’s Wells and Caerleon (Ir40,000gns) were now being more strongly promoted by Coolmore. Be My Guest still had Pentire in his future, while Caerleon was about to earn the first of two sires’ titles.

Top Ville (£40,000) had started quite well as a sire in France, but he had little impact after his transfer to England.

By contrast, Last Tycoon (Ir35,000gns) was well patronised in Ireland, and buyers liked his early yearlings. He had Marju, Ezzoud and Bigstone among his first three crops, and he became a familiar presence in Australasian pedigrees.

Ajdal (£35,000) died during his first stud season, but is remembered as the broodmare sire of Mark Of Esteem, who was by Darshaan (Ir30,000gns), a potent influence through his runners and even more through the produce of his daughters.

Law Society (Ir30,000gns) was meant to become an important outcross for all the Northern Dancer horses at

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The man you can’t ignore Coolmore, but that never materialised, sons of Alleged proving generally disappointing at stud. Runaway Derby hero Slip Anchor (£30,000) had a stamina-laden background, which put many breeders off, but from his 1988 book he got a real star in five-time Group 1 winner User Friendly.

Sure Blade (Ir£30,000) failed, which was the norm for sons of Kris, but Dominion (£25,000), a hardy veteran of 48 races met with some success before fading from pedigrees.

If he seemed a tad expensive at the price, that could not be said for two others standing at the same fee. Green Desert had a pedigree profile to excite breeders and, while he lacked consistency at first, he soon established himself as Danzig’s best representative in England and is recognised now as head of a flourishing male line. Rainbow Quest had to be considered a snip at the price and duly developed into an important sire and broodmare sire, if not as a sire of sires.

Rousillon (£25,000) is remembered for Vintage Crop and nothing else, proving a disappointment like most other sons of Riverman, while Bellypha (£20,000) features in pedigrees now chiefly as paternal grandsire of Linamix and the descendants of his daughter Bella Colora.

Sharpo (£20,000) enjoyed some success, generally with sprinters and milers, but was never able to replicate himself, while Don’t Forget Me and Kings Lake (both Ir17,500gns) turned out to be notable non-achievers.

“One of the facts that history tells us is 90% of stallions turn out to be non-achievers” Persian Bold (Ir£17,500) impressed some as a potentially significant agent for the Bold Ruler line in Europe, but the promise was not realised. Still, his son Persian Heights gave us Persian Punch, for which racegoers had to be grateful, and he was a substantially better sire than Wassl (Ir16,000gns), who left nothing worth remembering.

Still commanding respect when he died at 19 in 1988, Classic-winning miler High Top (£16,000) had done well, albeit somewhat surprisingly as sire of middle-distance and staying performers, while Niniski (£16,000) conformed to type, getting accomplished stayers like Petoski, Minster Son, Lomitas and Hernando.

By all accounts there are upwards of 30 new recruits to the 2018 stallion roster in Britain and Ireland, while history tells us that one or perhaps two will actually prove a real success. Not a few of them appear to me to own dubious qualifications for a berth at stud.

Of course, the nomination fees for this year’s 30 most highly priced stallions are on a very different scale from those charged in 1988, but that is not what best illustrates the heightened risk in the 2018 market.

The busiest Flat stallion in these islands 30 years ago was Alzao, whose book numbered 79; all the most popular horses this time around are going to cover more than 100 mares, some over 200.

Invest prudently, if you can. The 2020 yearling sales are going to feature huge numbers of products of every stallion in demand this spring.

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The Howard Wright Column

Levy overhaul saga has hurdles to jump I

n less than a fortnight the next stage in the structural overhaul of the levy system, aimed at providing a meaningful central funding mechanism for British racing, will end.

However, despite a mountain of well-meaning platitudes and the best intentions of various parties, closure of the government’s latest public consultation exercise will merely mark the start of a new phase. And who knows when that will finish.

The first round of levy reforms was completed last April, when offshore betting operators were included for the first time. Their money is coming through nicely, but the second stage – removing government from the process, abolishing the Levy Board, and handing over responsibilities for collection to the Gambling Commission and distribution to a new Racing Authority – has two weeks of public consultation to run. Then comes more fun.

Change will come through a Legislative Reform Order, whose ramifications are explained in a 59-page document available on the Department for Business Innovation & Skills website. Forgive me for not having digested every word, but the gist is that before an LRO can come into force, the relevant minister must complete three manoeuvres: consult widely with those affected by the proposals; lay before Parliament a draft order and explanatory document, and allow time for Parliamentary consideration; and obtain Parliament’s sanction for making the order.

The first prerequisite is under way; the second, which determines the outcome of the third, is in the lap of the gods, and the portents are not good, given there is bound to be opposition in the Lords, when, or if, it gets that far.

A year ago public consultation ended on implementing Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which would make news publishers pay both sides’ costs in libel cases, win or lose, if they have not signed up to a Royal Charter-backed press regulator. The government has admitted there is no timescale for publishing its response.

Sir Hugh Robertson has been named Racing Authority Chairman

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The two cases may not be entirely comparable, but with bigger issues on the table for the coming months – who said Brexit? – it would be no surprise if levy replacement was regarded as too slight a measure to find time to debate and slipped farther into the long grass. Even a successful resolution in Westminster may not entirely clarify the finer details of implementation.

The quasi-Racing Authority has been getting on with things, pumping some of the offshore bonus cash into grassroots prize-money, for example. But as for a formal constitution, the appointment of an independent Chairman and the compilation of a strategy document, they were matters for discussion behind closed doors throughout 2017, and at the time of writing remain mysteries to an inquisitive public.

“It would be no surprise if levy replacement slipped farther into the long grass, with bigger issues on the table” Identifying an acceptable Racing Authority Chairman, apparently, caused a difference of opinion between one element that wanted foremost a racing person and another that pushed for someone who had intimate knowledge of the betting industry. Interestingly, they have settled for former sports minister Sir Hugh Robertson.

Forming a strategy for spending the new-found gains has also stalled, leaving the Levy Board and some expectant beneficiaries grasping at straws. The Levy Board had a working document on the agenda for its September meeting; it never arrived, and December’s intended board meeting was cancelled for similar lack of relevant business to discuss.

Then there is the liaison group that will assist the Racing Authority in formulating policy to drive extra betting activity; or to be more accurate, again at the time of writing, there is no liaison group. Betting industry leadership is in such a state of disarray that it must be nigh impossible to find legitimate nominees.

Oh for a John Brown, a Chris Bell or a Ralph Topping.

Instead, neither of the relatively new Chief Executives at Paddy Power Betfair and William Hill has shown any political inclination, and one possible contender, Jim Mullen, will ride off into the sunset when the GVC takeover of Ladbrokes Coral is completed.

Amid all this apparent confusion, the best advice is simple: if you’re expecting a quick final solution to the levy replacement issue, don’t hold your breath. It just isn’t going to happen.

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CC3346 TOB Feb 2018 (MUKHADRAM results)_Layout 1 09/01/2018 15:01 Page 1

MUKHADRAM

Shamardal - Magic Tree

FIRST 2YOS IN 2018 Yearlings sold for up to £200,000 and averaged more than five times his fee £7,000 (1st JAN, SLF) Call the nominations team to discuss terms 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

View Fr m Ireland

Samcro: Taylor made for stardom

B

efore running in a single chase, Samcro has become a legend in Ireland and beyond. The making of that legend began almost a decade ago when his breeder Douglas Taylor enjoyed a famous tilt in the ring.

On a June evening at Kilbeggan, his D Four Dave lined up for the three-mile handicap hurdle, as all around Ireland 200 stopwatches were going off.

Taylor had recruited 200 foreign agency workers through his recruitment company MCR to each place €200 on D Four Dave at exactly five minutes before the off. It was a plot straight out of a Dick Francis novel – in fact mirroring that of the great writer’s latest book – and though not every €200 bet was placed, enough was down to yield a six-figure return when Mark Walsh steered D Four Dave to a seven-length victory.

Taylor bought D Four Dave as a twoyear-old for €38,000, the same year he also bought the unraced four-year-old mare Dun Dun for €12,000. Her plan was nowhere near as calculated yet she would become just as famous as the dam of Samcro.

“I hunt with the Galway Blazers and I’m a Master with North Galway, so I know plenty of people in the area and that’s where [the stallion] Germany is, at Craughwell at Woodlands Stud,” he said. “I was sending a different mare to him that year but she didn’t take, so I told them to use Dun Dun. That’s how it happened.”

He added: “Everything else she produced has been mediocre, but from the get-go everyone liked him. It was clear early on he was different.”

Samcro was broken at two by Taylor’s

sister Millie, who manages his yard in Kilcock, County Meath, then sent to Vincent Ward’s for pre-training before the summer store sales.

“He was very straightforward,” said Taylor. “I could let my daughter into the stable with him and he’d just put his head down and sniff her hair; she’s never forgiven me for selling him.”

Whilst he was always for sale, he was also never for sale. And yet he went to three sales.

“My plan was to qualify him for the Goffs bumper and then the Tattersalls Ireland bumper,” laughed Taylor.

“Unbeknownst to me, there’s an unwritten rule that you can’t do that, you have to choose, so once I’d bought him back at Goffs, I was turned away from Tattersalls.”

Before those sales, Taylor had named his colt, provocatively. Knowing Michael O’Leary’s penchant for naming horses with a rebellious theme, he decided on Samcro, the acronym for the mother charter of the motorcycle club in hit TV series Sons Of Anarchy.

After six weeks off in the field, the three-year-old returned to training, this time with Colin Bowe, who would prepare him for a four-year-old point-to-point.

Samcro had already shown glimmers of brilliance in gallops with Ward, but Bowe’s stable was stronger, so what he did there made waves.

“This horse was famous before he was famous,” Taylor explained. “A friend from Australia came to work at Willie Mullins and he already knew about ‘this machine with Colin Bowe’.”

He added: “I remember him doing a piece of work at Leopardstown with some

Most Expensive Four-Year-Old Point-To-Pointers* Horse

Price (£)

Venue

Purchaser

Vendor

Flemenshill (deceased)

480,000

Cheltenham

Tom Malone for Ann & Alan Potts

Colin McKeever

Trevelyn’s Corn

400,000

Cheltenham

Tom Malone for Paul Nicholls

Colin Bowe

Know The Score

380,000

Cheltenham

David Pipe

Sean Doyle

Presenting Forever

370,000

Doncaster

Howard Johnson for Andrea & Graham Wylie

Dromond Stables

Good Man Jim

360,000

Cheltenham

Roger Brookhouse

Michael Goff

Samcro

335,000

Aintree

Gordon Elliott for Gigginstown House Stud

Colin Bowe

Maire Banrigh

320,000

Cheltenham

Ryan Mahon for John Hales

Richard Black

Palmers Hill

310,000

Cheltenham

Kieran McManus

Denis Murphy

Cool Getaway

305,000

Cheltenham

Mags O’Toole for Gordon Elliott

Stuart Crawford

* Sold at public auction between 2008-2018

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Samcro: an expensive purchase for Gigginstown yet it could be money well spent judged on early promise

of Colin’s best four-year-olds and Shantou Flyer [a Cheltenham and Punchestown chase winner].

“It was two miles on soft ground, and you know those fences are stiff enough, but the other four-year-olds were miles behind – he took Shantou Flyer off the bridle up the straight.”

It was no surprise, then, that after his point-to-point win, Taylor was in demand.

“Every sale wanted him,” he said. “They were throwing everything at me to get him; low commission, flights over, hotels.”

He went to Goffs’s Aintree Sale and was knocked down to Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud, for €335,000.

Taylor was the underbidder, and fighting with regret.

“Right up until the last bid I still didn’t know if I could sell him,” he admitted.

“Gordon had an open day last year so I went to see him. The place was full with

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CAROLINE NORRIS

By Jessica Lamb

people, and there he was. I thought to myself, I might give Gordon his brother, just so I can see him more.”

His full-brother is smaller and destined for a hurdling career. Samcro also has a sister with Taylor and a two-year-old halfsibling by Taylor’s own stallion, Jet Away.

“He should have won a Caulfield Cup for me in Australia,” he said of Jet Away. “But he’s doing well so far as a stallion. He stands at Arctic Tack Stud and covered 180 in his first year, 160 in his second and 150 in his third. He’s a jumps sire, so his first crop are two this year and it’s now a waiting game.

“They have been selling well. He stands for €1,500, so when they are getting €25,000 it’s a good return. Hopefully it will continue.”

Taylor was introduced to racing by friends. Luckily they were friends like Frank Broad at Moyglare Stud Farm. It is no accident that he has ended up with

National Hunt racing’s hottest dam, nor that he spent 320,000gns on his first broodmare, College Fund Girl.

She was a good buy at that price, producing County Hurdle winner Final Approach, his latest Flat winner She’s So Flawless, Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Stakes winner Mehdi, and German Group 2 winner Parvaneh.

Poster boy

As Samcro continues to live up to his infamous hype, Gigginstown House Stud’s potential superstar is becoming a poster boy for his kind.

There were trends at the sales in the year he was sold, 2016, that suggested everyone might want their own Samcro, prices for four-year-old point-to-pointers soaring, but not surpassing his price tag of £335,000.

Then one of those sales graduates,

Finian’s Oscar, won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and the avalanche began.

From 2008 to the day Samcro was sold, only 15 four-year-old point-topointers sold at public auction for more than £200,000, the three most expensive knocking down for £300,000 (Old Kilcash and Alisier D’Irlande) and £370,000 (Presenting Forever).

In the 22 months since, 19 have sold for more than £200,000, nine of them for £300,000 or more, and two for more than £400,000 – record-setting Flemenshill, who cost £480,000 at last year’s Cheltenham sale in February, and Trevelyn’s Corn, sold for £400,000 at Cheltenham’s last December sale.

The four-year-old point-to-point season opens this month, with the first sale to be held at Cheltenham in February once again.

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Continental Tales

Shootout scuppered GERMANY

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G

erman racing scored an embarrassing public relations own goal on Boxing Day as the jockeys’ title race reached its denouement in highly unsatisfactory circumstances that bordered upon bringing the sport into disrepute.

Both the main protagonists, Filip Minarik and Alexander Pietsch, played their part in a scenario that left a sour taste in the mouths of hardened German racefans, at a time when the embattled industry needs to cherish every member of this seemingly dying breed.

A close-run finish to the jockeys’ championship always brightens up the otherwise dreary final days of a racing season, giving national media outlets a compelling narrative despite the relatively low quality fare on offer.

The epic duels between Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery in 1987 or Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer two decades later live long in the memory.

Maybe Great British Racing is missing a promotional trick with its recent decision to call a halt to this particular battle on QIPCO British Champions Day, with three weeks of the turf season still remaining, when it is likely to come a poor second on the news agenda behind the results of the big races.

But at least our current system means that what happened at Dortmund on December 26 will not be repeated in this part of Europe. Here is the way that things played out.

Going into the penultimate meeting of the season, at Neuss on December 23, Pietsch was three winners behind Minarik at the head of the standings, trailing 64 to 67. After each winning one of the first two races, Pietsch completed an unlikely 204-1 four-timer in races three, five and six and would have taken the lead but for losing out by a head aboard the favourite in the concluding contest.

All was set fair for the last fixture of the year, billed as the ‘Saisonfinale’, a celebratory day at Dortmund when all the gongs won over the previous 12 months were to be handed out. Having the two men locked together at the top of the table was an ideal situation,

Filip Minarik: four-time champion jockey after sharing 2017 crown with Alexander Pietsch

especially since they both had a full book of rides – eight apiece.

Then, at the very last minute, and after some spectators had already arrived at the racetrack, it was announced that, owing to injury, neither of the principals would be taking part in the final day festivities and the title would be shared.

Battling an ongoing shoulder problem, Minarik said that the pair had “given everything” in the previous few weeks and were now “running on empty”, while Pietsch revealed that his Neuss four-timer had been achieved despite the fact that he was nursing a broken rib.

Neither was fit enough – or could their affliction have been sheepishness?

– to travel to Dortmund to pick up their joint trophies.

There is a recent precedent for two parties agreeing to share a title in Germany. In 2015 Peter Schiergen and Andreas Wohler made just such a pact about the trainers’ championship.

But their decision came weeks before the end of the campaign and was immediately reported to the public, unlike on this occasion when racegoers

were left feeling robbed of a final day showdown.

Minarik was the reigning champion jockey so now has four riding crowns on his mantelpiece. Pietsch, who at 45 is three years Minarik’s senior, has now won the title twice though never outright – his decision to divide the spoils may have been influenced by his experience in 2015, when he took the lead by landing the penultimate race of the year only for Andrasch Starke to move back level 30 minutes later.

The Direktorium (German Horseracing Authority) made it plain what they thought about this year’s shenanigans by promptly announcing a rule change for 2018, so that in the event of another tie the rider with the most second places would be named the champion.

In the circumstances, it was a surprise that Pietsch was riding again just six days after standing himself down at Dortmund and was able to win the second race of the 2018 season at Neuss on New Year’s Day, adding fuel to the flames of controversy fired by those who questioned the severity of his rib injury.

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By James Crispe, IRB

A great Dane in the desert?

DENMARK Bent Olsen, the 64-year-old Klampenborg trainer who has just celebrated his eighth consecutive Danish trainers’ championship and tenth in total, will enjoy a brief respite from the hardships of a Copenhagen winter in the coming weeks in his bid to become the first Dane to saddle a winner in Dubai.

Olsen has sent three horses on the 3,000-mile journey into the desert hoping to improve upon his one previous sortie there two years ago, when sixth place was the best that Liber could manage from two starts in Meydan sprint handicaps.

Queen Estoril, a daughter of Camacho who won the biggest twoyear-old race in Norway, the Norsk Kriterium, in October, is being aimed at the UAE 1,000 Guineas on February 8, while the Danish-bred Efesos, a five-time winner in 2017 including in Sweden, will be contesting older-horse handicaps at around a mile and a half alongside the Oratorio gelding Jubilance.

Olsen picks Jubilance, a 52,000gns

purchase out of Jeremy Noseda’s yard way back in 2011, as the most likely scorer of the trio, though he admits to “just hoping to pick up some prizemoney” and would regard a top-three finish as a triumph.

Jubilance enjoyed something of a renaissance last season at the age of eight, breaking a three-and-a-half-year win drought when landing a Listed race in the spring. He then responded well to being teamed up with Brazilian jockey Elione Chaves for the first time to register Group 3 placings on each of his last three starts of the year, most notably when caught only close home at Ovrevoll in late August.

Olsen had toyed with the idea of sending his best horse, the five-time stakes winner Brownie, to the Gulf, before deciding there were enough lucrative opportunities for him in Scandinavia to make an off-season spent at home the more sensible option.

And he is already licking his lips at the prospect of running Learn By Heart, a son of Frankel bred by his previous owner, The Queen, in the Scandinavian

Olsen: bidding for slice of history in UAE

Classics of 2018.

He considers the 160,000 guineas he paid for him at the Tattersalls HorsesIn-Training Sale a relative snip given that his dam, Memory, won the Cherry Hinton Stakes in 2010 and that Learn

By Heart was no slouch when trained

by William Haggas, making the frame in Listed races at Newbury, Haydock and Pontefract.

No mob rule in Sicilian horseracing ITALY Recent reports in the national press that Palermo racecourse in Sicily has been shut down owing to links with the Italian mafia are shocking indeed, yet should not be allowed to cast a shadow over the entire Sicilian racing industry, parts of which are in perfectly good health.

What those reports failed to mention is that Palermo is a venue devoted entirely to trotting racing, a sport that has always been more susceptible to interference from organised crime than Flat racing owing to the ease with which illegal, unregulated trotting races can be staged on public roads.

The solitary Flat racing venue in Sicily is in Siracusa, on the opposite side of the island and 150 miles away from Palermo. Its racecourse the ‘Ippodromo del Mediterraneo’ was opened only in 1995 and is adjacent to a five star hotel spa resort of the same vintage

called the Eureka Palace, where you can stay in rooms offering balconies with panoramic views of the racing below.

This course seems to be faring as well as anywhere else in Italy during these tricky financial times. In 2017 it staged 47 meetings, its 287 races with 2,224 runners meaning that it totalled a perfectly satisfactory 7.75 runners per race, a little above the national average.

It is impossible to say with certainty that any part of Sicilian life is untainted by association with the Cosa Nostra. But the Ippodromo does not seem to be a particular hotbed for local gangsters and race-fixing, if it does go on, is carried out quite subtly.

Ironically, however, the course’s single annual Listed race, the Criterium dell’Immacolata run on December 8, did have a result so bizarre that one could have been excused for thinking that something fishy was going on.

Such a conclusion is probably unfair

given that a race like this – a sevenfurlong 21-runner two-year-old contest run around a 180-degree bend – is always likely to supply more than its fair share of trouble-in-running and shock results.

But the 2017 renewal of this £16,667-to-the-winner event produced a shock of seismic proportions as Pachinaaj led home a 1-2-3 for 35-year-old trainer Erasmo Lo Piparo and owners the Guerrieri family, the three stablemates finishing in reverse order compared to their positions in the betting market – the third home, Siciliano Bello, was the most fancied at around 33-1.

A member of the first crop of the Gazeley Stud resident Finjaan, Pachinaaj was bred by Essex-based Michael Broughton. He is a half-brother to four different winners in Britain yet cost just £6,000 at Goffs UK Sale, Doncaster in August 2016.

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Around The Globe

The Worldwide Racing Scene

Southern California calamity NORTH AMERICA

By Steve Andersen

GEORGE SELWYN

I

n his own neighbourhood, California trainer Peter Miller was lost on December 8. The preceding day, the San Luis Rey Downs training centre in Bonsall, California, about 35 miles northeast of Del Mar racetrack, was hit by a devastating wildfire that started about four miles away.

Fueled by high winds and tinder dry brush, the fire swept through the northern San Diego countryside and reached San Luis Rey Downs so fast on a Thursday afternoon that there was no time to load approximately 450 horses on the property on to vans to transport to safety.

Horse vans seeking access were briefly blocked by the sheriff’s department, to allow emergency vehicles priority on the few roads into the canyon.

Ranches in the immediate area that could gain access sent vehicles of all sizes.

Staff from farms even closer ran to San Luis Rey Downs and led horses to safety.

With no options to escape the property, stable hands at San Luis Rey Downs led horses out of stalls where they ran loose in herds – through the grounds and the one-mile training track – amidst lung-searing smoke and fire that destroyed eight barns.

The fire claimed the lives of 46 horses.

When the fire moved past the training centre and horse vans were allowed on to the property, loose horses were corralled and shipped to Del Mar’s stables, which are vacant during the winter.

By midnight, more than 200 thoroughbreds and 600 other horses were housed at Del Mar. There were many San Luis Rey-based runners unaccounted for. Miller, and many of his colleagues, walked up and down the stalls at Del Mar on the night of December 7 trying to identify horses.

The next day, Miller and other trainers visited farms and ranches near San Luis Rey Downs, hoping to find missing horses.

It was that afternoon, on December 8, that Miller found Richard’s Boy, who had finished second to stablemate Stormy Liberal in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar the previous month. He was at a nearby farm, having been taken there after the fire.

Breeders’ Cup runner-up Richard’s Boy (right) was caught up in the fire-induced melee

“He ended up at a little barrel racing farm about five miles from San Luis Rey,” Miller said. “I drove in there the next day.

They said they had some horses and he stood out.

“He was clean. But most had scrapes, burns, scars and bumps.”

Richard’s Boy would finish third in the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on January 1 in his comeback race.

Others were not so fortunate. Miller lost five horses, including the multiple stakes winner California Diamond. Trainer Scott Hansen lost half of his 30-horse stable in a barn that burned down.

Trainers Martine Bellocq and Joe Herrick were hospitalised with severe burns. Outrider Les Baker was kicked by a loose horse and hospitalised. Herrick lost six horses.

Miller, 50, said in late December that the devastation is impossible to erase from his mind. He said he had “kind of” recovered from the ordeal.

“It’s taken a while,” he said. “It’s been tough on everyone. We’re getting through it.”

A month earlier Miller had been at the pinnacle of his career. He won two Breeders’ Cup races at Del Mar – the Turf Sprint and the Sprint with Roy H.

The long-term effects on stabling in southern California were unclear as of early January. Del Mar housed approximately 200 horses in early January and can do so until May, when a massive county fair moves on to the property for two months. There is no firm timetable on the reconstruction or reopening of San Luis Rey Downs.

The Stronach Group, the parent company of San Luis Rey Downs and the Santa Anita racetrack, has taken bids to replace the San Luis Rey Downs barns, but has also expressed a desire to consolidate stabling at Santa Anita.

Such a move would be a blow to people based at San Luis Rey Downs, which has capacity for 495 horses. Many people based there live in San Diego county. A 100-mile drive to Santa Anita would be an inconvenience.

There were many heart-warming moments through the ordeal. A horse van with stable equipment was sent from Florida – 3,000 miles away.

More than $650,000 was raised to aid the backstretch employees whose personal property was lost and to help trainers with immediate day-to-day costs.

The pledges came from the nation and, indeed, throughout the world.

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Around The Globe

Young stallions come good AUSTRALIA Back in the October issue of this magazine I discussed the merits of, and the competition between, two young, much-heralded Australian sires that were struggling to make an impact as their second crops were near ready to race.

The pair, Coolmore Stud’s Pierro and Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard, sat on the cusp of being labelled high-priced flops, after starting their stud careers with big books at hefty fees of A$77,000 (inc GST) and A$66,000 respectively.

At the time of writing to meet a midSeptember deadline, Pierro had sired only one three-year-old winner (from 17 starters) in comparison to All Too Hard’s six. The summation was that the jury was out on Pierro as All Too Hard looked to be leaving him in his wake.

Around that time I had spoken to a Coolmore representative, who said that he was concerned about Pierro’s start to his career, and hoped that the stoutness of his pedigree – despite him being a Group 1 Golden Slipper winner and Australia’s champion juvenile – would result in his stock emerging as late-maturing three-year-olds. It was a struggle to fill his book, as wary breeders looked elsewhere for the next young stallion star.

However, within two months Pierro had turned his stud career around, and those who took advantage of a fee heavily discounted off the advertised A$49,500 will reap the rewards for their foresight and, maybe, bravery to back the stallion when so many others doubted him.

All Too Hard has continued his improvement, and now the two stallions are matching strides as the best young prospects in the country, also capable of siring the middle-distance/staying gallopers that Australia struggles to produce.

We didn’t have to wait 12 months to assess Pierro and All Too Hard, as I concluded my original story; the decision was made in a matter of six weeks. These two stallions are the real deal.

Soon after I wrote the story, Pierro’s extremely well-bred three-year filly Pinot emerged for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, who sent her from their

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PRESS ASSOCIATION

By Danny Power

Pinot, by Pierro, after winning the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks, with trainer Gai Waterhouse

Randwick stable to race in Melbourne, where there were better options for a staying filly.

After winning the Oaks Trial at Flemington on September 27, Pinot won the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield before producing an outstanding performance to win the Group 1 VRC Kennedy Oaks at Caulfield.

A few days earlier Pierro’s son Levendi scored a resounding win in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington and stamped himself as a colt with a big future.

Two days after the Oaks, Pierro’s Kentucky Breeze continued his unbeaten run to win the Listed Emirates Airlines Handicap at Flemington. That was three stakes winners in eight days for Pierro.

During the same spring carnival, All Too Hard sired the exciting All Too Huiying, winner of the Listed Connoisseur Stakes at Flemington and the colt Villermont, who stormed home to win the Group 2 Sandown Guineas at Sandown in mid-November.

On New Year’s Day, All Too Hard’s tough colt Demonitization won the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie in New Zealand. His trainer Nigel Tilley is aiming him at the Group 1 New Zealand Derby in March.

In mid-September, about six weeks into the new season, Pierro had produced eight winners and one stakes winner from a huge first crop of 150 foals. As we

turn into the second half of the season in 2018 he has 28 individual winners from 81 starters, seven stakes winners (8.6%) and four Group winners.

Over the Christmas break Pierro’s son Pierata emerged, first in Sydney, and then in Queensland to win the Listed BRC Vo Rogue Plate.

The colt, with a double cross of Zabeel (like Pinot) and a healthy influence of Danehill and Star Kingdom, looks to be one out of the box.

Pierro’s nick with mares by Danehillline stallions is proving an exciting revelation – all but one of his stakes winners is out of a Danehill-line mare, and that one, Pinot, is out of a Zabeel mare, out of a Danehill mare.

Importantly for thoroughbred breeders in both hemispheres, Pierro continues the incredible success of the Sir Ivor sire line in Australia and New Zealand, which was started when Sir Patrick Hogan imported Sir Ivor’s son Sir Tristram to New Zealand in the 1970s.

Pierro is a son of champion stallion Lonhro, the near black son of the champion racehorse Octagonal, who is by Sir Tristram’s multiple champion son Zabeel, the sire of New Zealand’s champion stallion Savabeel.

In the shrinking sphere of global breeding, it’s a sire line unique to this part of the world. Maybe the rest of the world, especially Europe, should start to indulge in it a bit more.

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Luxury & Lifestyle

DIVE RIGHT IN

Immersive experience is adding a new layer to luxury cruising

By Sarah Rodrigues

S

eeing the world from the water is such a desirable way of taking a holiday that it warrants its very own season in the fashion calendar: to ‘Spring/ Summer’ and ‘Autumn/Winter’, add ‘Cruise’. Small wonder that the ever-stylish Brits have surged ahead in recent years to become one of the world’s largest source markets for the industry; according to trade body Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), around 1.9 million UK passengers cruised in 2016.

It’s not just about what to wear on board, of course. Cruising offers a unique and stress-free form of all-in-one vacation, and packages are incredibly anticipatory and responsive, with operators constantly introducing new elements to the cruise experience to correspond to changing trends and passenger concerns – for instance, adding wellness-conscious or tech-friendly offerings.

The growing demand for holidays to be more experiential than simply restorative is also being answered, not least by Silversea Cruises’ 2018 introduction of its Couture Collection. As the industry’s first custom-curated ocean and land experiences, these exclusive 5-11 day ultra luxury experiences will be priced at up to £57,600 per guest.

“Our guests are seasoned luxury travellers looking to discover the least accessible corners of our planet, where nature can still astound with its untouched beauty,” says Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea’s Executive Chairman. “The Couture Collection reveals the most exotic places, cultures and people on

A villa with Celebrity Edge offers the chance to travel closer to the water than ever before

carefully curated journeys that feature all the extraordinary touches of comfort and luxury for which Silversea is renowned.”

Each experience in the collection – which range from exploring Australia’s vast and mysterious outback or following in Amundsen and Scott’s footsteps to the South Pole, to adventuring in the wilds of Iceland or immersing yourself in vintage luxury and tiger tracking in India – is combinable with a corresponding Silversea cruise and includes private air travel.

It’s not just in luxe exploration addons that the demand for this type of

immersive experience is being met, it’s also having an impact on ships’ design, with Celebrity Edge, created in collaboration with A-list architects and designers including Kelly Hoppen MBE, Tom Wright and Patricia Urquiola, launching in December this year.

Its unique, outward-facing design represents a departure from tradition, allowing guests to feel a deeper sense of connection with both the sea and the itinerary destinations – and the new Hoppen-designed Edge Stateroom with Infinity Balcony transforms guest quarters into a seamless space, with

Celebrity Edge suites have been designed by A-List architects while the roof-top garden exudes style and sophistication in a special setting

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Travel just a touch of a button required to give open-air access all the way to the water’s edge. Passengers can also board the engineering feat that is the Magic Carpet, the world’s first cantilevered, floating venue, which scales 16 decks of the ship and allows the exclusive ‘Dinner on the Edge’ experience at its uppermost level.

Trend reports show that there will continue to be a rise in Skip-Gen cruisers: that is, children travelling just with their grandparents, while Mum and Dad are elsewhere. And if this older generation starts to feel like they’ve bitten off a little more than they can comfortably chew?

After all, it is meant to be a vacation for them as well… luckily, the insatiable curiosity and relentless energy of young passengers is also being answered by Celebrity Cruises, with a new Explorer Academy launching this year in partnership with Wales-based adventure business Anturus. Children on board will be able to participate in challenges, experiments and demonstrations, at no extra cost to their carers.

“Children who join their families on cruise holidays are embracing what it means to be an explorer and an adventurer,” says Sam Otter, Sales and Marketing Director of Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland. “With the new Explorer Academy, we hope to inspire a lifetime of learning and inventing.”

Activities are to include creating a compass and learning about the earth’s magnetic field, collecting weather data and applying it to expedition plans, and shelter-building, complete with overnight sleepover testing on the top deck. The Academy will form a new component of Celebrity’s enduringly popular ‘Camp at Sea’ programme, which includes DJ tournaments and film making, with onboard youth teams delivering learning – along with a huge dose of fun.

CLIA’s most recent research has also

Crystal Cruises enable travellers to access Europe’s famous rivers, including the Danube

demonstrated that river and small ship cruising continues to be a popular choice with travellers – and the desire for the experiential and transformational is just as great here. Crystal River Cruises recently announced details of a new collection of destination experiences along the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers, all of which will launch this year and provide a firm focus on local authenticity, with small group sizes ensuring an attention to detail – and to the specific interests of individual travellers, from culture and architecture, to gastronomy or adrenaline.

Whether you fancy having hands-on instruction in Linzer torte baking, or riding horses through the forests of Novi Sad’s Fruška Gora National Park, Crystal Cruises, which has been established for 27 years and is the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, is determined to allow you to fully experience your surroundings.

“Each locale offers its own distinct ‘can’t-miss’ experiences,” says Walter Littlejohn, Managing Director and VicePresident of Crystal River Cruises, “but we recognise that every guest brings his or her own distinct style of exploration, and we strive to cater to that individuality.”

“It’s yachting, not cruising,” defines the SeaDream Yacht Club ethos, where a maximum of 112 guests are looked after by an award-winning crew on one of two luxury mega-yachts. The more manageable size of the vessels means that smaller ports and harbours, many of which are inaccessible to larger ships, can be explored, including on 2018’s Wine Voyages, which will comprise five- to tenday voyages in some of the Mediterranean and Caribbean’s most scenic ports – coupled with experiential itineraries for both novice and experienced oenophiles, all of which have been expertly curated

by Ida Elisabeth Dønheim, SeaDream’s chef and sommelier. We’ll definitely drink to that.

Contacts Silversea • T: +44(0)844 251 0837 www.silversea.com Celebrity Cruises • T: + 44(0)845 163 8141 www.celebritycruises.co.uk Crystal Cruises • T: +44(0)207 399 7601 www.crystalcruises.co.uk SeaDream Yacht Club • T: +44(0)800 783 1373 www.seadream.com

SeaDream yachts allow jetskiing (above) and visiting destinations such as the island of Capri, a playground for the rich and famous

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Luxury & Lifestyle HERMÈS - Making time for the inner child

By Sarah Rodrigues

Jacqueline Hermès shows off her wrist watch, commissioned in 1912 by her father, Emile

A

beloved name, and one that evokes both timeless quality and inimitable class, Hermès began as a saddlery and equestrian leather goods maker in Paris in the 1800s. The house’s extension into watchmaking has its roots firmly in this equestrian past: in 1912, just as wristwatches were starting to replace pocket watches,

Emile Hermès had a watch strap made by his in-house leather craftsmen for his daughter Jacqueline to wear while riding.

Fast forward to 1978, and Hermès had moved beyond simply crafting exquisite watch straps and had established a watchmaking division in the very heart of the horological

universe – in Switzerland. In 2006, it enhanced its offering by setting up a workshop focused exclusively on the making of fine leather straps, in materials ranging from goatskin and calfskin, to ostrich and alligator.

Having previously exhibited at Basel, January 2018 marked the first year that Hermès appeared at SIHH (Salon de la Haute Horlogerie), one of the most important events of the year in the fine watchmaking calendar. Marking the occasion, they launched a new version of the classic Arceau, the 1978 design of which was already inextricably linked with equestrianism: the classic round shape was originally reimagined with the addition of asymmetrical lugs, reminiscent of stirrups.

Forty years later, this new Arceau – the Arceau Casaque – holds firm to its equestrian heritage, with its case a manège, imprinted with beautifully curved hoof marks. The Cavale motif sits proud against this background, on a dial crafted using champlevé, lacquer and transfer techniques.

Available in bright primary colours – red, yellow, green and blue – the Arceau Casaque is playful yet sophisticated, with an appeal to the child within each of us. And how perfect this is, when you recall that this esteemed house’s first foray into the world of watches came about, indeed, because of a child.

The Arceau Casaque: playful yet sophisticated and available in four colours

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Watches

AUDEMARS PIGUET - What women want The modern woman demands a timepiece that reflects her strength and independence: Audemars Piguet has it absolutely right when it says that “women’s watches shouldn’t be limited to ‘shrinking, pinking and adding a few diamonds”. Equally, women need a watch that reflects their individuality – what better material than the opal?

Introduced at SIHH last month, the Millenary collection comprises three new timepieces: two of which feature a mother-of-pearl dial, and one with a dial formed of opal, a gem as unique as a fingerprint: no two are ever alike. In many cultures, opals are said to bring good fortune; for the aesthete, their sudden brilliance and ability to dissect and diffract light as it bends around the tiny particles of hydrated silica within is irresistible.

For the craftsman, their fragility also

The Millenary opal face is a unique timepiece for the modern-day woman

makes them a challenge to work with – and only the most precious white stones have been selected for this new model.

Framed by an 18-carat pink gold case,

with a shimmering Frosted Gold finish, the watch is worn with a complex, pink gold Polish mesh bracelet, which sits smoothly on the wrist.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

By Sarah Rodrigues

Financial planning for smart savers Spending our money isn’t often something that many of us have a problem with. It’s saving it that tends to prove tricky – or at least, saving it in the most efficient and beneficial ways, and saving it for the ‘big’ things that actually matter.

These concerns are at the very heart of Sean Downs’ Wealth Management.

Working in partnership with a leading wealth management company, his clients tend to be highly successful people – and they may be at any stage of life, whether in the first flush of their career or nearing retirement. They have money; they come to Sean to ensure that they’re getting the most out of it.

“Discovering what a client’s issues and goals are, in terms of their finances, is one of the very first things that needs to be done,” says Sean. “For instance, one of my clients needs regular access to funds to support his daughter’s professional dressage aspirations. Others may be looking towards a one-off sum, such as to pay for a luxury cruise or car.”

Sean’s philosophies around financial planning are simple: you need to know that you have enough money coming in to cover what is going out. Then, he says, you need to ensure that you have access to enough of a ‘cushion’ to make you feel

comfortable about dealing with emergencies and situations requiring a quick fix.

Anything beyond that should be invested – and, if your investments are managed effectively, you have the potential for strong growth.

“Years of history, as set out in the annual Barclays Equity Gilt Study, demonstrates that in every 18-year period, equities have outperformed cash around 99% of the time,” says Sean. So, assuming that we want to safeguard our money for our own futures or for that of future generations, where should we be putting it?

“Pensions are always one of the first options to consider, because the tax benefits are so good,” says Sean. “ISAs, which are tax free and don’t attract any CGT (Capital Gains Tax) are also very worthwhile, along with Unit Trusts.”

There’s also the slightly riskier – but therefore exciting – option of investing in smaller-sized, fledgling companies via EIS (Enterprise Investment Schemes) or VCT (Venture Capital Trusts), which the government actively encourages, by offering significant tax benefits to those who do.

Many clients will invest across a range of such companies, so as to spread the risk – and the returns can be impressive, too.

That’s not to say that you should go

Sean Downs: investment specialist

and stick your money in a pension and forget about it, however. According to Sean, systematic review is vital to ensure that your money is still working as hard for you as possible. For this reason, an element of working with him requires you to meet and discuss performance at least twice each year. “You examine your mortgage deal and your bank account on a regular basis to make sure that you’re getting the best deal,” he points out. “Just because invested money is less ‘visible’ or ‘tangible’, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t revise where it is and what it’s doing on a regular basis.”

The value of an investment is directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise.

You may get back less than the amount invested.

www.seandownswealthmanagement.co.uk T: 020 3862 0433

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Luxury & Lifestyle

Property Investment

Surrenden says look to the north

By Sarah Rodrigues

Gateshead, home to The Angel Of The North, is tipped as a good investment opportunity

I

n the three years since it was established, Surrenden Invest has become the ‘go to’ consultancy for those looking to invest in property, gaining a substantial share of the UK investment market. Over 700 clients have invested in bricks and mortar under the company’s guidance, with clients typically buying between one to five apartments in large scale developments in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle.

It’s an astonishing success story for someone whose career started out in eventing. Founder and MD Jonathan Stephens started riding aged five when he received a pony for Christmas; when he reached his teens he was encouraged by his mother to start taking his talents more seriously.

With the aim of becoming a professional event rider, Jonathan, after completing his GCSEs, became a working pupil for British eventer Tina Cook (née Gifford). “Working pupils work very hard, but I was incredibly lucky to be taken on

by Tina, whose equestrian credentials are absolutely impeccable,” says Stephens.

Manchester is “booming” according to Jonathan Stephens, who expects the growth to continue over the next five years

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By age 18 he had reached a high level, but he suffered a severe setback when his ankle was crushed while out hacking his horse. Two operations and a fused ankle later, he’d missed too much valuable time in the saddle for his eventing dreams to ever become a reality and, aged 20, moved into property, where he quickly became head of sales and gained a valuable decade of experience before setting up on his own.

He says: “I am a firm believer in the merits of investing in property and I wanted to help others fulfil their dreams of creating a property portfolio. Using my experience I founded Surrenden Invest to deliver the most attractive, off-market UK opportunities which individual property investors wouldn’t ordinarily have access to.”

The team, a blend of property and finance professionals, like to get under the skin of markets across the UK, and although London has traditionally been the first-choice market for investors, Stephens says the capital is now slowing.

“Prices are high and rental yields are low; unless you’re able to unearth a previously untapped pocket you’re unlikely to see much in the way of genuine growth.”

His tip? Look further afield to the regions.

“The smart money is going north of the Watford Gap,” he says. “Manchester is booming and looks set to continue to do so for at least another five years. There’s been a great deal of investment into its infrastructure and now about 60% of the north’s economic output comes from here, with wages consequently on the rise. The market is really being driven from within and the perfect buy-to-let recipe has been created.

“Rental yields have increased by 4% and we’re seeing high capital gains for the first time ever. You can still pick up

reasonably priced property – around £230k for a two-bed apartment, or £165k for a one-bedroom – but these values have increased by around 25% in the last couple of years.”

With Manchester’s population tipped to expand by 20% by 2025, this growth shows no signs of slowing.

Birmingham is also a strong contender for investment. Currently one of the strongest buy-to-let markets in the country, the UK’s second-largest city has a youthful population and is soon to be the site of HSBC’s major headquarters.

Jonathan Stephens founded Surrenden Invest after his event riding career ended

With the new high-speed rail link set to make Birmingham part of London’s commuter belt, it’s also going to capture the interest of London workers who have been priced out of the capital’s market.

The dark horse for 2018? “It’s got to be Newcastle and its twin city Gateshead,” says Stephens.

“This north-east city has been quietly waiting in the wings, growing – both in population and economically – over the last couple of years: 2018 will be its time to shine.”

Higher than average economic activity rates, rising property prices and significant local investment mean that Newcastle is becoming something of a favourite with businesses and investors.

“With the current conditions and banks offering attractive lending terms, the buy-to-let market in the UK is the best it’s ever been,” says Stephens. “At Surrenden Invest we’re seeing clients buy property in every city to achieve a balanced portfolio.”

Having said that, Stephens himself, with his remarkable career turnaround, is living proof that putting all of your eggs into one basket isn’t always disastrous. www.surrendeninvest.com T: 0203 3726 499

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Luxury & Lifestyle

In praise of the Chelsea boot

By Christopher Modoo 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 online edition of The Rake magazine

Y

ou are either in your bed or your shoes, so it pays to invest in both – so goes the expression often used to try and sell us more footwear.

But it is very true.

The discomfort of ill-fitting footwear can be excruciating, but nothing can let down a nice outfit more than a poorly selected pair of shoes.

The most well-cut bespoke suit will lose all its power if the shoes are unpolished and scuffed.

I am often asked what shoes someone should buy as their first good pair and I always suggest a Chelsea boot.

This is often met with surprise, as a classic lace-up oxford or brogue is seen as more traditional, but a good boot is so versatile.

A smart black boot combines well from casual to formal. Equestrian in origin, it became fashionable in the swinging sixties when they were worn by mods in Carnaby Street, hence the name ‘Chelsea boot’.

They look great with slim-legged jeans or formal suits. Buy a pair in black calf or brown (perhaps in suede) and you have the start of a good collection.

They are also available in dark blues and greens, however these are less versatile.

Avoid excessive designs on the boots,

particularly around the toe area.

They are ideal in inclement weather as they provide ankle protection. They are, in my opinion, the most elegant choice for morning dress. As the morning coat was originally a riding coat it is fitting that your footwear should share the same heritage. With all the fuss of waistcoats and top hats, it is better to keep your footwear simple.

This is particularly true when morning dress is worn for a day at the races.

All good British shoe brands offer a version of the Chelsea boot. Sanders & Sanders offer a variety of styles, which are solidly constructed and robust. They also make shoes and boots for military regiments and forces around the world, so they are well made.

Joseph Cheaney also offers good boots and, like many makers, offers a factory repair where the shoes are returned to Northamptonshire and relasted.

This process is not cheap and often the same price as a new pair of (cheap) shoes, but your boots will be as good as new except with the advantage that they are already worn in.

You should be able to get three repairs on a pair of shoes before the

uppers are too worn. You can also change the style of sole.

Thick rubber soles in a Danite or Commando style will give the boot a more casual and practical nature. If you are unable to return your boots, find a good cobbler to repair them.

This usually means finding somewhere that does the repair on the premises and doesn’t send them out.

An exception to this is John Rushton in London, where they send them to a Northamptonshire specialist. As well as repairs, they stock a wide variety of

Stylish and versatile: Fairfax’s Chelsea boot will take you from the office to a night on the town 46

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Men’s Fashion shoes from various quality makers as well as all the right kit to keep them in top condition.

Of course, the Chelsea boot is also a very elegant choice for ladies.

Although they are not quite as versatile (I wouldn’t recommend them for Royal Ascot!), they are perfect for the dreaded ‘smart casual’ dress code.

Carmina is a Spanish shoe company based in Palma that makes elegant boots for women.

Fairfax and Favour offer a great ladies’ Chelsea boot with a slight heel and great range of coloured suedes, from dark brown to navy.

Of course, the most expensive shoes will look terrible very quickly if not properly cared for.

Never wear the same pair for two days running and if they become wet always allow them to dry naturally and not by artificial heat. Shoe trees should be inserted after wear to maintain shape and they should be cleaned and polished regularly.

Apply a good quality shoe cream to keep the leather supple. I have recently discovered the French brand Saphir, which makes a cream with a high percentage of beeswax.

They also have specialist cleaners for

suede and nubuck. If you appreciate a military shine they offer a new polish called ‘mirror gloss’ that will make lighter work of it than the traditional ‘spit and shine’ method.

They are not cheap - but they are significantly cheaper than a new pair of shoes! www.cheaney.co.uk www.sanders-uk.com www.johnrushtonshoes.co.uk www.carminashoemaker.com www.fairfaxandfavour.com www.hangerproject.com (for Saphir products)

Four British brands to know about...

CARACALLA 1947

Named for the famous win

by Ferrari at the 1947 Roman racecourse, Caracalla is an English-based company specialising in luxury Italianmade leather goods.

Crafted from super-soft brown leather, this structured holdall features light-blue quilted lining with impeccable tonal stitching, metal hardware, keyring and luggage tag. The bag has an internal zipped pocket for essentials as well as a detachable and adjustable strap with a non-slip shoulder pad.

If this is not exactly what you are looking for they can even make one to your exact requirements. Caracalla 1947 make bespoke luggage to fit the sleekest of supercars. www.caracalla1947.com

SPOKE

Shopping for casual trousers can be a pain. So many High Street stores seem to cater only for very skinny boys wanting very skinny trousers. And then you have to get them altered.

Spoke is a UK-based company that specialises in chinos and corduroy trousers. After filling in an online questionnaire (honest answers please) they will find your size from the wide range of fits available. They will also finish them to your correct inside leg before delivering them by courier to your home or office. My favourite pair is the blue corduroy, as versatile as blue denim jeans but more comfortable and a little smarter. www.spoke-london.com

LAVENHAM

Lavenham is a true success story for UK manufacturing.

Situated in Sudbury in Suffolk, Lavenham is one of the leading suppliers of quilted jackets. They enjoy a cult status in Japan and have a growing reputation back home. Their quality and fit is also on point but never at the expense of good style. Classic jackets and gilets are great for travel and are made with a water-resistant polyester. www.lavenhamjackets.com

LONDON SOCK COMPANY

If you constantly find yourself looking for a decent pair of socks in the morning, maybe it is time to re-boot your sock drawer.

The London Sock Company was set up in 2013 to offer the modern gentleman quality, choice and convenience.

Offering a wide range of colours and designs, they even have a subscription service, where they will post regular pairs in the post so you always have a new pair. A good place to start would be the Sartorial Collection, offering 15 pairs of solid coloured socks with not a cartoon character in sight. They are properly sized and a good length but also ‘over the calf’ for the traditionalist. www.londonsockcompany.com

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The Big Interview

The accidental

PURIST A quarter of a century ago Nigel Twiston-Davies finished third in a trainers’ title dominated by those we have since lost or have retired – longevity is a strong suit but there are many more that sustain success Words: Chris Cook Photos: George Selwyn

N

igel Twiston-Davies has been a big name in jump racing for so long that it comes as a shock to hear him say it has all been a bit of an accident and his ideal career would have been very different. The man who might yet end this season as champion trainer, if everything falls right, followed his father into farming and would be doing it still, had the economy of the late 80s

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been just a bit kinder.

“We bought this place and he kept it for four years,” recalls Twiston-Davies, who was in his mid-20s at the time and, having had his fun as a jockey, was now a permit trainer whose handful of horses included the sainted, prolific Mrs Muck.

“We went belly-up.

“It was when the interest rates went up,” he continues, recalling that stressful

time in late 1988 when rates went into double-figures and stayed there. “We had to sell because we were going down the pan otherwise. So we sold three-quarters of it. That’s why I started training, because I had only 80 acres left.

“I never wanted to train racehorses.

A very lucky break, the way it’s all worked out.”

He can say that again, and indeed he

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Nigel Twiston-Davies

Nigel Twiston-Davies on the Naunton gallops, from where he has prepared big-race winners for three decades

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The Big Interview

Nigel Twiston-Davies

Nigel Twiston-Davies and assistant Carl Llewellyn keep a close eye on the string at exercise

›› does, repeatedly acknowledging his good

fortune as the conversation takes in the horses he has been sent, the staff who have worked for him, the children he now has in bounteous supply. But no one gets that lucky for that long; Twiston-Davies has endured as a trainer because he is a natural at it and because of other qualities that he wears on his sleeve, such as grit, determination and an overpowering competitiveness.

A glance at the trainers’ table for the season that ended 25 years ago shows he finished third. Of the others in the top seven, David Nicholson, Gordon Richards, Josh Gifford, Jimmy FitzGerald and Toby Balding are, alas, no longer with us. Martin Pipe retired more than a decade ago. Only Twiston-Davies is still going from those who came out on top of the heap that spring.

Twenty years ago, Twiston-Davies was still hunting along in third place. Ten years ago, he was fourth. Last year, he was also fourth. As I write, he lies third once more. The names of those around him in these tables have changed over time, veterinary science has moved on, training methods have developed, land values in the Cotswolds have shot up and all the while Twiston-Davies has remained a potent force in jump racing, as solid a presence as the famous hill up which his horses have been puffing for three decades.

He stands there now, watching them pass, in the shadow of a double-decker

50

bus, which, like the trainer, now seems part of the landscape. It used to ferry owners or parties of journalists from the stable to the gallops, the trainer driving, Cliff Richard belting out ‘Summer Holiday’ over the speakers as glasses of port were handed round. TwistonDavies’s diffidence in front of a camera may mean that this comes as a surprise but it is fun to own a horse here.

“We’ve always been thereabouts and without the benefit of expensive horses” The bus is not so mobile as it was and is now fixed in place as a means of shelter. The trainer does not avail himself but eyes his horses from a distance of three feet, impervious to icy winds and spattering rain. Whether you knew his history or not, you would say this doughty, weatherbeaten man belonged on exactly this exposed point.

But his presence, like his occupation, is just another consequence of 80s economics. “We came here because, 36 years ago, land was half the price it was in Herefordshire,” he says. “The land isn’t so good [for farming] and this was before the area was discovered. I don’t know what date the M40 went in [January 1991] but anyway, no one wanted to live here, the houses were nothing and everything was for nothing.”

But this ridge above the pretty, honey-coloured village of Naunton proved to be the ideal spot to train chasers and hurdlers and, in TwistonDavies’s view, accounts for his sustained success. “This place is exceptional,” he says. “The gallops here are exceptional, we’re very lucky with that. We never miss a day.

“We have been lucky. We’ve always been thereabouts and without the benefit of expensive horses. We’re luckier now, we’ve got some really nice horses being sent to us, but Tipping Tim was 15 grand, Earth Summit was six, Young Hustler was nine. We’ve kept near the top with very cheap horses.”

Ah, those grand old names, enough by themselves to thrill any jumps fan whose memory goes back that far.

Tipping Tim, who won a Charlie Hall and a Mackeson, is remembered by the trainer as the first horse sent to him after he gained his full licence. He was owned by Raymond Mould, the man who had just paid up when Twiston-

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19/01/2018 18:11

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Nigel Twiston-Davies

Willy Twiston-Davies (poppy) is the natural successor to his father, with brother Sam (left) enjoying a successful riding career

›› Davies Sr needed to sell most of his

farm.

The bargain basement Young Hustler won 15 races, more than a quarter of a million in prize-money and finished third in a Gold Cup at 20-1. A hugely popular front-runner who raced 65 times, he now looks comfortable in retirement on a nearby farm, close to Burford.

Equine Stakhanovites of that kind still make up the bulk of the Twiston-Davies string, which, numbering 90, is smaller than might be expected in view of the impact it makes. But, thanks largely to Simon Munir, the trainer now also gets sent his share of expensive horseflesh.

“He’s very important and he’s got some lovely horses with us - that was a bit of luck, really,” Twiston-Davies says, when asked how the association began.

“I happened to be talking to his racing manager, Anthony Bromley, and asked him to value a horse I’d got called Ballybolley. He’d won two bumpers.

Anthony said, ‘Well, hang on, Simon and Isaac [Souede] are actually looking for a horse. We’ll have him.’ But he failed the vet.”

So much for that. The two went their separate ways but TwistonDavies bumped into Munir again on the Thursday of the Grand National meeting

in 2014. Munir asked after Ballybolley.

“I said, ‘He’s running on Saturday. I think he’ll win it.’ He said, “Well, sod the vets, we’ll buy it.” He did buy it and it won the Champion Bumper. So I was feeling a little bit sad, in a way, that I’d sold it. Then on the way home he rang me up and said I could have the prizemoney.”

“It really hurts to lose. I don’t mind so much if they’re mine.

I hate letting people down” Was this the beginning of a beautiful friendship? Munir has horses at several powerful yards but his greatest concentration is here, where his horses take up 11 boxes and include among their number the great grey record-

breaker Bristol De Mai. This is the animal responsible for the title talk that has attached to his trainer this winter, prompted by his wins in the Charlie Hall and the Betfair Chase. He was memorably awesome at Haydock, pounding home 57 lengths clear of Cue Card, an unprecedented margin for a Grade 1 contest.

In the press room, some fagpacket calculations were made of the prize-money Twiston-Davies would accumulate if the King George and the Gold Cup fell to Bristol, and Blaklion won the Grand National. “If I’d won all those, we’d have been in with a squeak,” he says, but acknowledges that his charge’s flop at Kempton put “a huge dent” in such aspirations.

“That can’t have been his run. If he’d been beaten ten lengths, you’d say, well, he just isn’t good enough. But he was beaten further than that, beaten too soon. Nothing really has come out of it.”

The trainer does not seem quite ready to accept that a complete explanation lies in the stomach ulcers for which Bristol De Mai has been treated. “Anyway, he’ll be a better horse, hopefully, at Cheltenham,” he adds.

Perhaps the grey can still give the yard a second Gold Cup to go with the

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The Big Interview ›› one that Imperial Commander won in

2010. But, even then, Twiston-Davies still believes that a shortage of ammunition would prevent him from getting seriously involved in a title battle this spring.

He says: “My novice chasers have all got penalties and they’ve all gone up in the weights now. I haven’t got the things like Henderson, he’s got tonnes that haven’t run yet.” He believes his rival has access to “twice as many horses, and well done him”.

It seems a pity because the chance to wear the champion’s crown would be a fitting peak for the 60-year-old’s career, a vindication of his swashbuckling approach to campaigning horses. He has gifted so much enjoyment to jump racing fans with his willingness to run horses and to run them in quality races if they might conceivably be good enough. At one point during our conversation, he breaks off to counter

the cautious approach advocated for a particular horse by a staffer. “Bollocks to it, I want to start him,” he exclaims.

“Have we got a racehorse or not?”

But Twiston-Davies wouldn’t just need more horses if he were to be a realistic championship contender; he would also need more owners to provide them and it appears that this is a stumbling block. He likes the people he trains for, he enjoys discussing plans with them and perhaps he doubts that the back-and-forth badinage would be so pleasurable if he broadened that circle.

“We have a lot of fun and I get on with them,” he says of his owners.

“When you’re dealing with friends, it’s easy, isn’t it?” How many of them are friends, I ask. “All of them, really,” he answers. “They’ve become friends.”

Surely no one would get a bigger kick out of being champion, but he does

Bristol De Mai: Betfair Chase winner is being readied for another tilt at the Gold Cup

Gold Cup-bound Bristol heads Festival squad Twiston-Davies famously loves to send his horses 14 miles down the road to Cheltenham, if they’re good enough. His Festival team was only just beginning to form in his mind as we spoke.

Betfair Chase hero Bristol De Mai will try to improve on his seventh place in last year’s Gold Cup, when he was only six and had an interrupted preparation.

Blaklion, the RSA winner of two years ago, has the Grand National as his main target but he may also turn up in the Gold Cup, taking advantage of the fourweek gap between the two races.

The Stayers’ Hurdle seems the “obvious” target for ten-year-old The New One, who won the Neptune five years ago. “One should never be frightened of one horse, but Buveur D’Air [Champion Hurdle favourite] beat him pretty comprehensively at Kempton,” the trainer admits. Wholestone, back to form with a win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, is also targeting the Stayers’.

“Bit of give in the ground, he might be right there,” is Twiston-Davies’s verdict.

The trainer saw plenty of promise in Ballyandy’s fourth place in the Dipper.

He reckons the horse has a beatable mark and is thinking about the Festival’s novice handicap chase.

54

Nigel Twiston-Davies not expect it to happen and denies it is a major priority for him. So what are his ambitions? “To win every race,” he replies, quickly. “That’s the thing. Not lose any.”

Even after all these years, does it still hurt to lose? “Oh, it really hurts,” he admits. “Even now. It doesn’t matter so much if they’re mine. If I own them, I don’t mind so much. If you’re responsible for letting people down...”

There is too much angst in the thought for it to be completed.

Family appears to be a source of great sustenance for Twiston-Davies, who is at his most light of heart when his wife, Victoria, appears with their two-year-old Ted. They have three children together and are due a fourth any week now. Few men of his vintage would appreciate so many young voices around the house yet he seems to relish his situation. Victoria enjoys her racing but is “not a horsey person, really,” so he can leave the job at the front door.

“It’s lovely having your family about,” he says, the conversation having moved on to his grown-up sons. “Willy’s the more obvious successor, one day. He wants to do it more than Sam does.

Nowadays, jockeys don’t retire, do they?

Sam’s 25 now, so he’s got another 20 years riding.”

Willy, meanwhile, has quit the saddle but without forming a definite plan.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do, whether he’s going to stay,” says his dad.

“He hasn’t decided.”

Asked what Willy’s role is at the yard now, Twiston-Davies replies: “Nothing.

He rode out two lots this morning and now he’s off doing other things. The sensible thing to do would be to run off to Ireland and work for someone else for a bit, but whether he’s going to do that or not, I don’t know.”

Of Sam, he says: “It’s a sadness he’s not first jockey here but I can’t stand in his way. Paul [Nicholls] has many more horses. He still lives here, he rode out this morning. He easily could come back here if something changed.”

While generous in his appreciation of his eldest son’s skills, Twiston-Davies jokes “I was much better than him,” and reminisces about being aboard the 1976 Gold Cup winner Royal Frolic in the final race of his career. “I rode winners for Fred Winter, Fred Rimell, Harry Thomson Jones, Richard Head. Bloody smart rider, I was.”

Sounds like you wish you’d stuck at it, I suggest. He smiles and pushes open the door to his office. “Can’t do it forever, can you?”

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The life of BRYONY Bryony Frost became just the second female jockey in Britain or Ireland to win a Grade 1 over obstacles when scoring at Kempton over Christmas on her favourite horse Black Corton, and with the support of boss Paul Nicholls she has every intention of building on her success Words: Tim Richards Photos: George Selwyn

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ongratulations on your first Grade 1 success aboard Black Corton in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. How did you approach the race and what did it feel like to achieve this landmark on what must be your favourite horse?

I approached it as I always do. I go through the race to see if there’s likely to be much pace, which ones jump left or right, which to follow or try to avoid and what makes the running or drops in. I walked the course with an eye on the soft ground, as I needed to know the best line I could take.

Black Corton is my favourite horse, though I am fortunate to have had many horses that are special to me. ‘Blackie’ and I have progressed together on a route, from Worcester to a Grade 1, which is remarkable in itself.

I see him as my partner, like so many horses I’ve been associated with right

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back to my pony days. At Kempton I was more overwhelmed for ‘Blackie’ than myself and don’t see it as my achievement – it’s our achievement.

The trainer and owners have placed enormous faith in your abilities, with Paul Nicholls stating you are “as good as any girl that’s ever ridden”.

Does that give you confidence, extra pressure or both?

The hardest part is to be able to show at home you’re good enough to ride these horses in races and then to be lucky enough for the race to go your way. I am very blasé when it comes to it all; I just try to concentrate on improving and stepping forward the whole time. But when you have your boss telling you that you are one of the best girls out there, that’s really cool. I want to try to be the best I can.

The hard work has been done before

Perfect partnership: Bryony Frost with Black Corton at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat stable

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Bryony Frost

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Talking To... ›› you get on the horse at the races. My

pressure is nothing compared with the pressure Paul must be under at times.

All the effort put in by him, his staff and the money that goes into the operation make for a massive jigsaw before the horse reaches the racecourse. I am fitting the last piece of the puzzle, trying to think out of the box and be one jump ahead. Paul always sends you out with confidence, not pressure.

In your opinion, what are your strengths and in what areas do you need to improve?

I don’t get wound up or nervous.

When I go out for a race I know I need to perform but that does not make me anxious. I break the race down in my mind into stages and ride to my instructions. My nickname was ‘Bog Riding Bryony’ when I was coming up through the ranks because I ride so long.

And it suits me because I put my heels into the horse and help it with its balance.

That’s just the style I’ve taken, it seems to work and I don’t think I’ll change.

I find it hard talking about one’s own strengths, but I do think if you stop improving at any point in your career you might as well quit – however good you are. I analyse every race, looking closely at my hands and my heels, watching to see if I asked for a stride when it wasn’t there, or if I put my mount on the wrong lead. You have just got to be smarter and faster through life and keep connecting with people.

Your progress, from turning professional only in July to Grade 1 winner in December, has been remarkable. What has been the key to your success?

Support, as simple as that. You wouldn’t be anywhere without friends and I don’t think there is any jockey who has made it without that crucial backing. We have

Frost and Black Corton en route to Grade 1 glory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, and, inset, the jockey with Milansbar after victory in the Classic Chase at Warwick

definitely have crumbled and not been on this amazing upward spiral without everyone pulling me up it.

As soon as you could walk you rode the family donkey, Nosey, and were hunting by the time you were four. Can you describe your affinity with the horse?

You must have faith in the horse, and the horse in you. You are going out to battle

“I would rather be winning on a horse than going out to a club” all been very fortunate having someone behind us. Paul and his owners have the confidence in me to put me up. I work closely with Clifford [Baker] and everyone in the yard as well as my family and my jockey coach, Mick Fitzgerald. I have massive support from people I can lean on, ask where I’ve gone wrong or what I could have done better. I would

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together and you have to ask him or her to push their body to the limit and they must want to do it for you. For me, I must believe in them and get to know them very fast, sometimes for the first time on the way to the start, like Milansbar, who showed me he’s an awesome chap to ride before winning last month’s Classic Chase at Warwick.

You must work out what sort of character you are on, be it a willing partner, or one that needs telling what to do. Some horses don’t take kindly to being told, like some humans they’ll stick two fingers up at you. But some have to be told because they lack confidence and are not sure where they’re going.

They naturally follow the herd and you have to get into their mind and work out what clicks. On the day, I believe that I am trying to encourage the horse to be ‘somebody’ and if he or she responds by giving everything, win or lose, I feel proud and grateful.

As an outgoing 22-year-old, there must be times when you feel you are missing out on other things in life. What are they and how do you cope?

When I was at school I was a bit of a loner. I got invited to a couple of parties and didn’t turn up because I wanted to go home and ride my ponies. So they soon stopped inviting me. Call me boring, but partying is not for me. My life is my horses and I don’t consider I am missing out on anything. I would rather

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Bryony Frost a bigger point to prove because I would have to break ‘the girl’ perception. People have an opinion and Dad would tell me I would have to re-write that opinion to become a fact in racing. He warned me it would take a thick skin as it might be hard to change peoples’ views. He said I must be prepared and that I might not even get there, might not be good enough. As a result, I don’t dream and I try not to focus on things I can’t control.

As a rising star in the National Hunt ranks, what is the most important lesson you have learnt from your father – about life, and about racing?

I’ll speak to Dad four or five times a day.

He has visited the high and low points in racing and is very much the current that keeps me moving forward when I am sitting in my little boat trying to paddle along. The theme of Dad’s advice has

be winning on a horse than going out to a club. My buzz is rock climbing or taking a horse from home on to Dartmoor and enjoying the adrenaline rush, rather than socialising.

Your father Jimmy Frost, former Grand National-winning jockey and now successful trainer, spent 12 years trying to dissuade you from becoming a jump jockey like your brother, Hadden.

How did you manage to overcome his advice?

By being stubborn. Dad had a daughter that when she stuck her heels in, they went down very firmly. He stopped me from dreaming and taught me to have a realistic look at the future. He made it clear it was going to take me longer, going to be harder and that I would have

always been to keep your head down and work hard. Dedicate yourself if you want to achieve something and I do think that’s in my nature. I used to live and breathe my ponies as a kid; I would break them in and watching them progress was everything to me. We are very much an ‘animal’ family and that’s been ingrained in me. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

When you were 15 you started weight training. How important is strength in the saddle in order to compete successfully in a male-dominated sport?

I started weight training because I had a bad fall at home, damaging the membrane around my kidney, spent two months in hospital and lost quite a lot of weight, which gave me a chance to shake off my puppy fat. I needed to get

my strength back and build myself up as I was going pointing. But, for me, rhythm is more important than strength when it comes to winning races. If a horse isn’t keeping its rhythm, isn’t jumping, hasn’t got its stride and its breathing is out of time with no oxygen to the body, then physically it cannot win. Strength alone wouldn’t overcome that. There’s a lot in the technique of keeping the rhythm and helping a horse with its jumping.

Hadden and I used to practise for hours on a makeshift equicizer called ‘Woody’ in the attic and Dad would come up and tell us where we could improve.

Of course, personal fitness is huge, enabling you to keep the weight down in your heels, keep your calves into the horse and maintain the stride all the time through the drive.

You met Megan Nicholls point-topointing where you rode over 55 winners and that friendship led you to Megan’s father Paul’s stables, where you now work. How have you found working and riding for a championship yard?

It’s all about opportunities and Meg gave me the chance to ride her pointers, while Paul and Dad are close friends going back a long way. So I was no stranger coming to Ditcheat and I can only describe the yard as a very welloiled machine. The staff’s dedication is timeless. To be working with people who are always a step ahead is incredible. I am trying to be a sponge and absorb the smallest details. Every win is just as important, be it a Grade 1 or a handicap at Exeter. The same amount of effort and time will have gone into both winners.

The moment female jockeys start to do well – Josephine Gordon, Lizzie Kelly and Hollie Doyle, to mention three – the media latches on to them. Do you see it as part of your job to speak up for women jockeys?

I am where I am because of the horses, not because I am a girl. I like to give everyone the time of day because people are giving me the time of day. I’ll help young kids, girls or boys, when they come for a bit of advice, as they do at the races. I feel strongly that if girls are to progress in the sport they have to do it largely off their own back. I take the view it doesn’t matter what you’ve got between your legs, you’ll still bring out the best in your horse. And if what I do encourages people to have more faith in girls, then that’s awesome.

Does the media do a good job for racing?

From the inside, our world of racing looks

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Bryony Frost Away from racing you enjoy rock climbing on Dartmoor and surfing off the Devon coast. Is it the risk and danger that appeals to you?

I am a bit feral. I like the outdoors and I don’t do cities; they scare the hell out of me with all the cars and rushing. Climbing is very good for me because I am a thinker and always trying to concentrate on the next step forward. The Dartmoor rocks provide the opportunity for me to fathom my next move and switch off from the outside world. It is also good for your fitness and when you meet other climbers you can chat about completely random subjects. When I can, I like to surf at Bantham on the Devon coast, where there are sandbanks and a three foot swell, which I enjoy riding.

Bryony Frost lives for horses and riding, though she likes a bit of rock climbing and surfing

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massive, but from the outside, comparing it with football, cricket, rugby or tennis, it is small. We need the help of ITV and any other television broadcasters to bring the public closer to racing, to help them understand and show them what an amazing partnership we have with the horse. Many of the camera shots of the horses in action and enjoying life behind the scenes in the stables are amazing.

Yes, the media and press generally do a very good job. They always react responsibly when we lose a horse or a jockey has a bad fall. From a personal point of view I have found the media very supportive. Sometimes I wonder if we should have more summer meetings staged with fun days, consisting of fairs, dog shows and the like, which would appeal to families and attract a wider public.

How do you deal with criticism?

Not very well and my thick skin has become thicker. In reality I feel as if the public have taken to me, for whatever reason. But I haven’t seen anything bad written or spoken about me and I am always trying to avoid making mistakes.

I keep my head out of social media – I don’t do Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and never have. Of course it depends where the criticism comes from. If Paul tells me I didn’t do a very good job and must do better that would be very positive and a point I’d have to correct.

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Have you experienced a lot of teasing – or, indeed, sexism – in the weighing room?

I am very boyish, having grown up with two older brothers. My girlie side is zero and the lads in the weighing room accept me and we chat about the racing and general matters. There aren’t any sexist comments, nothing inappropriate. I guess I come across as ‘laddish’ and that’s how they see me.

You are in the hands of two top professionals, ten-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls and agent Dave Roberts, the man responsible for guiding AP McCoy’s record breaking career. Describe their individual input into your job?

Paul has given me the time to gain experience on the right horses and progressed my career perfectly, like he does with so many other young jockeys.

He is a master at moulding us and I couldn’t be under a better wing. Even when I’ve been champing at the bit he’s managed to rein me in and told me to take my time.

Dad and Hadden were with Dave Roberts and I always wanted to have him as my agent. He’s the best at what he does, spot on and doesn’t miss a beat.

He watches more races than anybody and I text him regularly asking him what I could have done better and he comes straight back with sound advice that fills me with confidence.

What would you like to achieve in 2018?

The metaphor I live by is, ‘If you look at the top of the mountain it can be daunting and if you don’t get to the top you feel you’ve failed’. So I believe in taking a step at a time as long as I’m going upwards. I don’t set myself goals because if I didn’t meet them I’d be failing. I just want to keep progressing.

CLOSE UP AND… PERSONAL Can’t get through the weekend without… a Saturday winner My weakness is… a glass of Coca Cola Favourite holiday spot… I haven’t travelled but Black Corton’s owners have invited me to Barbados later this year. That’ll be my favourite, I’m sure The perfect day off is… on Dartmoor on a horse Favourite artist/song… Bombay Bicycle Club’s Luna

CLOSE UP AND… PROFESSIONAL Best advice I’ve been given… concentrate on the hand that gives you the money, not the money that comes from the hand Greatest thrill in racing… the road leading to our Grade 1 victory at Kempton on Boxing Day My racing idol is… Dad Favourite course to ride…

Cheltenham Racing has taught me… patience

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Al Kazeem TOB-Feb 2018:Oakgrove Stud

9/1/18

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Page 1

Al Kazeem

Two winners from from just a few runners so far including stakes filly Golden Spell, a winner at 5 and 6 furlongs and placed second Legacy Stakes LR (6f) and third Blenheim Stakes LR (6f), and Clairette (class 2 winner).

bay 2008, 16.1hh by Dubawi - Kazeem (Darshaan) Ë European Champion at 10 furlongs

Ë Winner of 10 races at 2 to 7 years including 4 Gr.1 races

Ë By DUBAWI – sire of 33 Gr.1 winners including Classic sire MAKFI

Ë From the stallion producing family of IN REALITY, KNOWN FACT and RELAUNCH Ë Timeform rated 128 in three consecutive seasons

Ë “He was a gentleman from the outset, full of class and tough as they come” Roger Charlton

Ë In 2016 his first crop of yearlings averaged £135,000 Ë His second crop will be yearlings in 2018

STANDING AT OAKGROVE STUD

Fee: £12,000 Oct 1st SLF (Limited Book)

Oakgrove Estate, St Arvans, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH Tel: 01291 622876 G Fax: 01291 622070 G Email: oakgrovestud@btinternet.com G www.oakgrovestud.com For Nominations Contact: David Hilton: 07595 951248 G Vannessa Swift: 01291 622876

John Dance

Winter of

Content The burgeoning bloodstock empire of John Dance now incorporates the Barnett family’s Fair Winter Farm, which will eventually be home to the new owner’s Group 1 winner Laurens

Words: Tom Peacock

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here is not simply a change of ownership in the air at Fair Winter Farm. The arrival of John Dance at the Buckinghamshire stud established in 1981 by the Barnett family and nurtured to provide generations of blue-chip stock descending from the great Time Charter could bring some cutting-edge thinking to breeding thoroughbreds.

Dance, 43, is a self-confessed “geek” who founded Newcastle-based Vertem Asset Management in 2010 after working his way through the banking and finance ranks. Its success has allowed him to start not only an ownership empire but a string of broodmares and a share in the stallion Pearl Secret, who is standing at Bucklands Farm and Stud in Gloucestershire and whose first foals will be born this season.

“Buying a stud had been on the radar for a while,” Dance explains. “My wife Jess and I had a growth of broodmares ourselves which board at Salcey Forest Stud, which

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MAIN IMAGE: GEORGE SELWYN, FACING PAGE: SARAH FARNSWORTH

Main image: Laurens, left, wins the May Hill Stakes en route to Group 1 glory in the Fillies’ Mile. Below: John and Jess Dance with Daniel Creighton, left

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John Dance ›› is rented and run by a couple of friends,

The dream foundation mare will be Laurens, who has made Dance live up to his name with some questionable celebratory shimmying following her victories in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes and Group 1 Fillies’ Mile. She is currently emerging from a winter break at trainer Karl Burke’s yard with the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) a cautious long-range plan.

“I’ve honestly never seen a horse like Laurens before; she may have ruined buying yearlings” “Even before she ran we always had in our head she’d be a ten-furlong three-yearold,” Dance says. “Whether she’s a kind of mile to ten or ten to a mile and a half filly, we’re not entirely sure, that depends upon how she matures. She could go straight to a Guineas, I’d certainly guess a mile would be her absolute minimum, or perhaps the Musidora, the French, Irish Oaks, we’ll see.”

As the most expensive filly of the Goffs UK Premier Sale of 2016, Laurens’ purchase price of £220,000 was far above her owner’s usual range as he eventually outbid Shadwell’s Angus Gold, but it was

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Dan Creighton and Josh Schwartz. Then a few of us who were involved in the purchase of Pearl Secret through a kind of bloodstock company called Aspire had bought a further 16 mares to support him. When you added on Dan and Josh’s existing clients, we’d completely overflowed Salcey Forest and had mares at all sorts of locations. Dan and Josh were so concerned about their monthly bill to me, they said, ‘You could pay a mortgage for that, why don’t you?’”

A cross-country search took place before Dance alighted upon the 137 acres of Fair Winter.

“It had been on the market for a little while and the size, location, the way it’s presented, it all felt a bit perfect,” he says.

“It’s 15 miles from Salcey Forest so we felt we could run a two-location entity between us.

“The Barnetts had maybe wound down their operation a little bit in recent years, which has been a huge advantage to us as many of the paddocks are just in brilliant condition, really rich grass that hasn’t been overfarmed. The buildings are quite modern, with manicured walkways and verges. It’s a lovely place, it really is.”

One of the four staff members has retired and Dance will retain the rest.

“We had a chat and they all seem quite excited about the future,” he says. “We’ll try to come up with ways to get everyone involved a bit more but we’ll be relying on their experience, their knowledge of the farm, and they’re into a good routine.

“They’ve had some fantastic horses and hopefully our crops in years to come will start getting back to the quality that they had. It’s nice to know that one day we’ll have a Group 1 winner making her way there, anyway.”

clearly meant to be.

“Last year we had a two-year-old who was effectively a Christmas present to my eldest daughter (Ashley), he’d been named Ladofash as he was a horrible horse who’d bite and kick all of us but would snuggle into her,” he recalls.

“I was looking at the catalogue last year and we’ve got a quaint method of rating the pages, that creates a framework. If Dan likes it, then it’s a framework of levels in which we’re willing to bid. I got to her page, she was already named Laurens, and as my youngest is called Lauren, I thought we had to at least look. She didn’t score particularly highly on this method I use which is based on complex algorithms, but her dam was a half-sister to Salford Mill, who did well in Hong Kong, and that boosted the score.

“I didn’t think she would necessarily be attractive to Dan, he had a preference for speedy, early types, but I like Siyouni as a sire and got a message from him at the sales. It said, ‘I’ve found the most gorgeous filly, the nicest in the sales by miles’, and lo and behold it was Laurens!

“We pulled her out and I’ve honestly never seen a horse like her before, she may have ruined buying yearlings since, as she just looked sensational. It felt like there was some kind of fate. We planned on spending an average per horse on eight but every time one came under, I thought I’m adding that to the Laurens budget.”

The methods of managing the equine portfolio are fascinating, if beyond the grasp of most of us.

“I definitely don’t think there’s anybody else that has got an algorithm!” he laughs.

“There are a couple of variables, as with every good algorithm, based on Dan’s subjective opinion on the horse.

“One is size – the smaller it is, the lower the score – and too big and it starts going down again. It’s a bell-curve for optimum size for foals and yearlings. We give them a mark based on what we think physically, crunched via my never-ending formulas and come out with a value of what they are worth to me. That forms the basis of what we’re willing to let them sell for and broadly what we’re willing to pay.”

Dance insists this is not a “status hobby” for him, and trading will be necessary to establish his own Fair Winter brand. His first homebreds will hit the track next year and colts have already been sent through the ring elsewhere, having already mentioned in print that Cheveley Park Stud’s model is an inspiration.

He says: “We’d be a very mini version of Cheveley Park, but it’s the philosophy of more often than not selling the colts

John Dance, Karl Burke, PJ McDonald, Lucy Burke and Jess Dance with Laurens

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BOBBY’S KITTEN

(Kitten’s Joy – Celestial Woods, by Forestry)

BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT STAR • ONLY 3YO EVER to win Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint • Specialist miler who could also sprint • Won 6 races at 2, 3 and 5 years and $1.4m in the USA and Ireland– all on Turf • A Graded Stakes winner at 2 and 3 years FIRST FOALS 2018

2018 fee: £12,500

• First stallion son of KITTEN’S JOY (Champion Turf racehorse and multiple US Champion sire) in Europe

SEA THE MOON

(Sea The Stars – Sanwa, by Monsun)

A RISING STAR • Sensational 11 length German Derby winner; CHAMPION 3yo and HORSE OF THE YEAR • Unbeaten 2yo & winner of 2 further Group races at 3 • His first yearlings sold in 2017 made 525,000gns, €460,000, etc

FIRST RUNNERS 2018

• His GB/Irish Sales* average was £115,361 (€128,050), putting him top of the table of GB/Ire Stallions with first crop yearlings in 2017 standing at £25,000 or under.

2018 fee: £15,000

SIR PERCY

(Mark of Esteem – Percy’s Lass, by Blakeney)

STELLAR DURABILITY & VALUE • Undefeated CHAMPION 2yo; CHAMPION 3yo and Derby winner • Sire of 39 individual Stakes horses including Group 1 winners WAKE FOREST & SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD; also sire of 2017 Group 2 Park Hill Stakes winner ALYSSA • Sire of 68 individual 2yo winners including promising 2017 winners BOMBYX and THRAVE A CONSISTENT STAKES SIRE

2018 fee: £7,000

• 2017 yearlings sold at the major GB/Ireland Sales* averaged £72,330 (€80,786) – over 10 times his 2015 nomination fee

info@lanwades.com • www.lanwades.com • Tel: +44 (0)1638 750222 • Fax: +44 (0)1638 751186

LANWADES Lanwades_3StallionRoster_OB_Feb18.indd 1

The independent option TM *To the end of Tatts Oct Book 2 – All 2018 fees on 1st October Special Live Foal terms.

19/01/2018 14:36

John Dance

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“Jedd is an absolute joy to work with,” enthuses the owner. “His communication is brilliant, he plans where he wants to go weeks in advance and it means that we can plan things with other trainers so I don’t have three one-mile two-year-olds with different trainers in the same race.”

With so many developments coming to

fruition, Dance is wishing away the months.

“I can’t wait for spring onwards from next year,” he admits. “The Flat is back, a few three-year-olds could become better, anything with Laurens is going to be exciting, and baby Pearl Secrets are being born all over the place. It’s probably going to feel like a terribly long winter.”

GEORGE SELWYN

and keeping the fillies. It’s the point of me breeding – if I sell then hopefully that subsidises the cost of breeding some of the other stock. You need a set philosophy in many respects otherwise people will think, ‘They race horses why are they selling it, what’s wrong?’

“I’ve alway looked at the racing fleet, if you like, as a bit like an investment portfolio. You have diversification, you have a number of investments and stocks as the more you’ve got, the more chance you’ve got of offsetting a loss. I suppose it was more like the more horses we had, the more chance we’d have one that might be quite good and ultimately pay for the others.

“Having spent a couple of years in the sales environment, looking at the cost of breeding, I thought that it might be a better way of subsidising it a bit if we can slowly improve the broodmare band. It was an evolution and will take a few years.”

There are no plans to move Pearl Secret to Fair Winter, particularly as the stud is not set up for stallions. Dance and partners including Matt Eves, who was the majority owner of Irish Guineas winner Jet Setting, will be keenly awaiting the first foals of David Barron’s smart sprinter.

“We were a bit late to the party by the time we bought him after various tests, so we weren’t marketing him until January or February,” he says. “He covered 61, 59 were in foal, so we were quite happy, and hopefully there will be a similar number next year. Six of my own are in foal and 16 from Aspire, so about a third are those connected with us. We tried to find relatives to families that have done well with his sire Compton Place.

“Pearl Secret is out of a Listed winner (our Little Secret) and his brothers and sisters are decent if not spectacular. He hit the crossbar a few times on the track, sometimes it didn’t go in his favour, but I certainly think he was of Group 1 ability and if he had won one, we’d have never got anywhere near to buying him.

“He was a talented racehorse and most importantly a fine stamp of a horse. If he can stamp them, even if flashy chestnuts aren’t to everyone’s taste, he could have some great runners.”

Among the two-year-old fillies Dance will have in training are a Charm Spirit out of Ivory Gala, the dam of Red Galileo, and a Kodiac sister to his Rebecca Menziestrained sprinter Landing Night. He will maintain a strong northern roster of trainers closer to his home near Whitley Bay, including Tom Dascombe and Richard Fahey as well as Burke, with Jedd O’Keeffe a major beneficiary who sees his 2018 quota rising from one to six.

Robert Barnett’s outstanding homebred Time Charter wins the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes of 1983 from Diamond Shoal and Sun Princess

Leaving on the Best Terms Owner-breeder Robert Barnett’s announcement that it was “time to think of what is best in the next generation” and his exchange of contracts for Fair Winter Farm with John Dance was also the end of an era for Will Edmeades, who had been managing the family’s horses for 17 years.

“I think there are probably two personal highlights,” Edmeades says.

“We sold Time Control as a yearling for 1.2 million guineas. She was a daughter of Time Away and went on to be the dam of Cursory Glance, who won the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

“Then there was Best Terms, who was out of Sharp Terms. We couldn’t sell her as a yearling but she went on to win her first four starts, including the Queen Mary and the Lowther.

“It’s a fantastic farm with great land and it easily coped with 15 mares. Ted Voute was involved in the designing of it and it didn’t change much during the time I was there. I’m pleased that the staff are staying as they are all very sweet and knowledgeable – you would never worry at all when you had to be away.”

The Barnetts have been associated with racing for more than a century, tracing back to Athasi.

Their traditional feed business W&R Barnett, which now encompasses other industries, is based in Belfast and Robert Barnett’s daughter Jenny O’Callaghan lives in America, which made it difficult to manage the breeding side in Buckinghamshire.

However, the distinctive cherry silks will continue to be in use and Edmeades will oversee their mares at Newsells Park Stud, as well as rekindling his and wife Sandie’s bloodstock business.

“They’ve got three two-year-olds in training and I think All Out could be pretty decent,” Edmeades says.

“She was third in a Listed race.

“Then, I think possibly never before in the time I’ve worked for them, they’ve retained four yearling fillies to go into training and I think that’s a bit of a statement of intent.

They’re by Frankel, Kingman, Sea The Stars and Distorted Humor so that should be interesting.

“I’ll be checking in on the mares boarding at Newsells Park as well as working on my own clients. We do quite a bit of mating plans and so on, and it feels like we’ve been away from Newmarket for a long time. It’s quite exciting to be having a new start at the age of 65!”

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Bearstone-FOY TOB-Feb 2018:Layout 2

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By European Champion Sprinter and leading sire influence OASIS DREAM out of European Champion 2YO and five-time Group 1 winner ATTRACTION His first foals sold for £47,000, £44,000, etc.

FIRST YEARLINGS 2018

d secon s i h n i ares ertility r 80 m e 94% f v o n with seaso l in foa d e t s te

“

“

Fountain of Youth was all speed which is not surprising considering how fast his parents were. His form over 5 furlongs was excellent.

Aidan O’Brien

His parents won eight Group 1 races, his Group-winning two-year-old half-brother ELARQAM, a 1,600,000gns yearling, is now among the favourites for this year’s 2000 Guineas, and his yearling half-brother sold for 1,350,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1.

Fee: £4,500 Oct 1st SLF Tel: 07974 948755 or 01630 647197 G Download our 2018 brochure at www.bearstonestud.co.uk

Mattmu TOB- Feb 2018:Layout 2

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Page 1

By Indesatchel, the Leading British First Crop Sire in 2010, and son of Danehill Dancer, the sire of Group 1 stallions Choisir (sire of Starspangledbanner), Mastercraftsman, Fast Company etc.

NEW FOR 2018

& IRE g to stud in GB n ri ti re s n io ll ars Sta Rating at 2 ye rm fo e m Ti y B in 2018 123 120 118 115

Caravaggio Churchill se National Defen Ribchester

113 Mattmu

€35,000 €35,000 €12,000 €30,000

£3,000

€15,000 old 113 Galileo G €17,500 Reel 111 Highland ,000 d Knight €15 te ra o ec D 0 11 €6,000 ry 109 Cotai Glo £6,500 107 Ardad £20,000 d 105 Postpone €12,000 le 100 Profitab £10,000 y 94 Barney Ro £4,000 s 92 Jack Hobb £8,500 st Te e m Ti 91 £12,500 83 Aclaim £30,000 81 Ulysses

“

“

Mattmu was a truly sound and tough sprinter with lots of talent.

Tim Easterby

I Group 2 winner at 2 years, Group 1 placed at 3 years I Defeated six Group 1 winners inc. Sole Power, Goldream, Profitable, Astaire, Maarek, and Move In Time I Retired sound after 20 races with earnings of almost £400,000 VIEW HIM AT THE TBA STALLION PARADE AT TATTERSALLS

Fee: £3,000 Oct 1st SLF Tel: 07974 948755 or 01630 647197 G Download our 2018 brochure at www.bearstonestud.co.uk

Breeders’ Digest

Emma Berry Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes: Sales Circuit: An American Pharoah half-brother to Caravaggio sells for $1m – pages 70-74 Caulfield Files: Uncle Mo a great outcross option for America and Europe – pages 77-78 Dr Statz: The late Society Rock top by both winners and Timeform ratings – page 104

More sires than ever but diversity dwindles

T

wo months ago in this magazine Tony Morris lamented the everdwindling diversity in sirelines. What we certainly don’t lack is sires themselves, with another huge intake of new stallions in Britain and Ireland, and more than 20 new sires in France alone.

Whether or not this will lead to an increase in diversity is hard to say, but what it is likely to produce is a continuation of the trend that sees breeders flock to unproven new stallions, a growing number of whom haven’t raced beyond two and have pedigrees to match relatively moderate race records. Admittedly, not every stud is in the position to be able to stand a horse such as Ulysses, a dual Group 1 winner not just by a Derby winner but by the world’s most dominant sire, and out of an Oaks winner. But then it may well transpire that, despite the considerable support of Cheveley Park Stud and the Niarchos family, Ulysses’ first book will fill at the same rate as a stallion who happened to show precocity but was never given the chance to show his durability.

This is nothing new, of course. I was recently fortunate enough to have been made custodian of Sir Victor Sassoon’s scrapbooks detailing the career of his 1957 Guineas and Derby winner Crepello.

The bloodstock writers of the day – including such illustrious names as Peter Willett and John Hislop – noted the fact that it was fortunate that Crepello was produced by an owner-breeder as such an unfashionably-bred colt, i.e. one whose pedigree contained plenty of stamina influences, would have been an unpopular yearling at the sales. Ah, ‘twas ever thus, only now perhaps even more so.

Down side of the numbers game

Obtaining industry-wide agreement on limiting stallions’ books would be nigh on impossible and there are only a handful of studs who observe restrictions – Shadwell and Whitsbury Manor Stud spring to mind in Europe, while Kentucky’s famous Claiborne Farm has traditionally attempted to restrict its stallions, even the extremely popular War Front, to around 100 mares.

In January, Claiborne’s young President Walker Hancock said in a tweet: “Limiting book size has many positives that I think most people don’t even realize. It would give more stallions opportunities to succeed, increase stallion fertility/breeding longevity, and boost regional stallions markets, just to name a few.”

Few people can disagree with this statement, and another element worth

Sam Spinner, a star of the north and British breeding, is a leading fancy for Cheltenham

considering is how pruning numbers could actually boost a stallion’s stock in the sales ring. Even with the most commercially desirable stallions there’s a risk of there being too much of a good thing. Yearlings by a stallion on the up naturally become more prized if there’s a rarity value attached.

So without such an agreement on book sizes, which would doubtless lead to claims of restraint of trade, the one way to ensure you’re not a breeder of one of several hundred foals by a particular stallion is to ask the stud how many mares the horse is likely to cover and don’t book yours in if the answer is unpalatable.

British revival

Morris’s columm decried breeders’ failure to look past Northern Dancer and his male descendants and there really is no getting past him now, even in the National Hunt sphere. Sadler’s Wells continues his dominance here, with eight sons and two grandsons currently among the top 20 jumps stallions (happily, dear old unfashionable Crepello has been represented strongly in this table in recent years by his late great-grandson Presenting).

Though still dominated by French and Irish imports, the current jumping scene boasts stars who have pointed to signs of a revival in British breeding, which is lucky to have the likes of Kayf Tara, Scorpion and Black Sam Bellamy – the sires of Thistlecrack, Might Bite and Sam Spinner respectively.

As the TBA’s National Hunt Committee Chairman Robert Waley-Cohen points out in this month’s TBA Forum, Britain, though seriously lacking in numbers, can hold its own when it comes to the quality of National Hunt mares. In previous years, many of them have gone to Ireland to be covered but that is starting to change. The retention in Britain of new stallions such as Jack Hobbs has come about largely thanks to the efforts of Waley-Cohen’s committee in introducing the TBA Elite Mares’ Scheme.

British breeders have been responsible for two of the last three Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, and there’s now reason to believe that more will follow the fine examples of Coneygree and Sizing John.

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TATTERSALLS IRELAND

Sales Circuit • By Carl Evans

Trevelyn’s Corn was the best of three horses offered at Cheltenham by Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables and topped trade at £400,000

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham December Sale

At this sale 12 months earlier the top lot made £305,000, which at the time was a record for a horse sold at Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham venue.

That sum was bettered by the top lot at four of the six Cheltenham sales held by Tattersalls Ireland during 2017, including at this event – of course, a very good horse can skew a narrative by giving results a biased glow, but that is not the case in this area of the bloodstock world. Demand for young jumping horses with a bit of form has never been more bullish – even the second-best price at this sale, one of £350,000, bettered the Cheltenham high prior to 2017.

Racecourse form has significant meaning if it is gained in the Irish pointto-point field (and, to a lesser extent, in British points), where a test of three miles over fences gives licensed trainers and their owners a good insight to a horse’s merit. It is currently an upward spiral, because the prices gained at sales like this encourage the pinhookers who work in the field to buy better, more expensive stores for the job – that means bigger, scopier, more athletic

70

types with pedigrees are lining up in points, and that gives more substance to the form.

When the horses then progress to licensed courses and do well – think Samcro, Getabird and Finian’s Oscar to name but three – and you have a situation in which National Hunt breeders, pinhookers, vendors and

buyers, plus the sales companies, can all benefit.

The three young stars mentioned in the previous paragraph all hailed from yards based in County Wexford, including two from Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables, which offered three youngsters at this event.

The result was sales of £400,000,

TALKING POINTS • Given the strength of bloodstock sales at a variety of levels in 2017 it was no surprise that this event posted improved figures, but it had a very hard act to follow. Turnover at the 2016 edition had risen 97% and there was a gain of 63.5% in the average mark – to trump such improvements was impressive.

• Cork trainer Eugene O’Sullivan will never forget the 1991 edition of the Cheltenham Festival, at which he trained family horse Lovely Citizen to win the Foxhunter Chase.

The gelding was ridden by his brother William and owned by his father, Owen, who bred the horse.

Returning to the scene of that triumph, Eugene offered Chris’s Dream (Lot 9), a five-year-old son of Mahler who won a point-to-point, had to be given time off for a hobday operation, but returned to land a maiden hurdle. Tom Malone liked what he saw and secured the horse with a bid of £170,000 – ten times the sum paid for him as a store in 2015.

The O’Sullivan theme of keeping it in the family has been maintained to another generation, for Eugene’s daughter Maxine is now one of Ireland’s leading women amateurs, and on the day of the sale it was announced she had landed the At The Races ‘Ride of the Month’ award after sitting tight to overcome a final-fence blunder and go on to score on Wilcosdiana at Cork.

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£300,000 and £100,000, headed by Trevelyn’s Corn, a four-year-old who had won a point-to-point five days earlier and was bought by Tom Malone to join Paul Nicholls.

Underbidder JP McManus did not leave empty-handed, gaining Straight Red from Bowe’s draft for £300,000, but do not be fooled into thinking it is a walkover for men like Bowe to make money at this game.

Trevelyn’s Corn, who Bowe owned in partnership with his cousin JJ, cost €45,000 as a store, and Straight Red was €50,000, considerable sums for geldings who have not been backed.

Mags Mullins was the breeder and vendor of the £350,000 gelding Downtown Getaway, who became another good result in the ring for his sire, the Grange Stud-based Getaway.

The four-year-old won a bumper ahead of his sale, which played a part in helping turnover rise 19% to £3,777,500, albeit from a catalogue that saw 67 horses walk the ring, an extra ten compared to last year.

The average gained 16% to £80,372, the median was static at £50,000, but the clearance rate fell back from last year’s excellent 81% to 70%.

TATTERSALLS IRELAND

Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring

Downtown Getaway was sold by his breeder Mags Mullins for £350,000 to Nicky Henderson

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham December Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyers

Trevelyn's Corn (Oscar - Present Venture)

Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)

400,000

Tom Malone/Paul Nicholls

Downtown Getaway (Getaway - Shang A Lang)

Canterbrook Stud (Margaret Mullins)

350,000

Highflyer Blstk/N Henderson

Straight Red (Westerner – Stratosphere)

Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)

300,000

Jonjo O'Neill

Sometime Soon (Shantou - Back Log)

Leginn House Stables (David Christie)

225,000

Mags O'Toole/Gordon Elliott

Chris's Dream (Mahler – Janebaile)

Millwood Stables (Eugene O'Sullivan)

175,000

Tom Malone

Press Conference (Getaway - Beautiful Tune)

Highfort Stud (John Murphy)

160,000

Jessica Harrington

Beyondthestorm (Flemensfirth - Blue Gale)

Ballyboy Stables (Denis Murphy)

150,000

Highflyer Blstk/N Henderson

El Merano (Saddex – Violaska)

Alain Couetil

120,000

Harold Kirk/W Mullins

Captain Drake (Getaway – Julika)

Ballyboy Stables (Denis Murphy)

115,000

Harry Fry

F (Germany - Sumability)

Meadowview Stables

115,000

Neil Mulholland Racing

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017

47

3,777,500

80,372

50,000

400,000

2016

46

3,178,300

69,093

50,000

305,000

2015

38

1,636,000

43,053

31,500

120,000

2014

39

1,799,500

45,500

35,000

150,000

2013

31

1,569,000

50,613

30,000

290,000

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››

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Sales Circuit A smaller catalogue and a cut in sessions did not prevent this fourday auction producing better results, including a 22% rise in turnover and an improved clearance rate.

It went up from 69% to 74%, the average climbed 22% and the median by 29% as buyers put a vote of confidence in the bloodstock sales world’s ability to maintain or improve upon some wonderful results posted around the world in the previous 12 months. Pinhookers of yearlings were particularly active, while those who had carried cash over from the Keeneland November Sale were out in quantity looking for mares to foal and/or put in foal.

Individual sales of $1,600,000 for top lot Mrs McDougal, a six-year-old Medaglio d’Oro mare, and $1,000,000 for an American Pharoah yearling, prompted Keeneland’s Director of Sales Operations, Geoffrey Russell, to say: “Selling two million-dollar horses

KEENELAND

Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale

The short yearling from the first crop of American Pharoah, a half-brother to Caravaggio

Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price ($)

Buyers

Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d’Oro - Distorted Passion)

Eaton Sales

1,600,000

Steven Young

C American Pharoah - Mekko Hokte (Holy Bull)

Paramount Sales

1,000,000

M V Magnier

Bellavais (Tapit - La Cloche)

Darby Dan Farm

485,000

Steven Young

Banree (Macho Uno - Grand Glory)

Eaton Sales

450,000

Andre Lynch

Spring Eclipse (Unbridled’s Song – Coragil)

Shawhan Place

425,000

Green Leaf Farm

C American Pharoah - Air France (French Deputy)

Pope McLean

400,000

Alex & JoAnn Lieblong

C War Front - Circle The Empire (Empire Maker)

Eaton Sales

390,000

Baccari B/s

Stradivarius (Street Cry - Aldebaran Light)

Denali Stud

375,000

Bluegrass T’bred Services

Majestic Quality (Quality Road - She Nuit All)

ELiTE

350,000

Shadai Farm

Charm City Girl (Pioneerof The Nile – Charming Toutsie)

Upson Downs Farm

350,000

Larkin Armstrong

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg ($)

Avg ($)

Mdn ($)

Top Price ($)

2018

909

34,996,000

38,499

12,000

1,600,000

2017

960

28,730,500

29,928

10,250

1,025,000

2016

1039

35,461,500

34,130

11,000

700,000

2015

948

35,305,500

37,242

16,000

2,200,000

2014

1027

41,025,700

39,947

20,000

775,000

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Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, Conrad Allen, Alice Rose Dryden, Christos Dimitrou Copelouzos, Juan Carlos Cid, Jill Lamb Bloodstock, Mick Flanagan, Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock, Zubieta, J.D. Moore, Ralf Rohne, Harry Dutfield, T. Hillman, Ana Imaz, Pat Donworth, Salcey Forest/ Pearl Secret, Blythe Park Stud, Compas Stallions, Tally Ho Stud, Stockvale Bloodstock Ltd, Az Agr Domenico Manca, Harefield Cottage Stud, BBA Ireland, Mescall/ Feane, Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, Stephen & John Quigley, McCracken Farms, Pierce Molony, Keatingstown Bloodstock, E.B.S, Az Agr Domenico Manca, BBA Ireland, Roalso, Knockatrina, Federico Barberini, Tom Cooke, Blandford Bloodstock, Omar Shaban, CDS Bloodstock, JP O’Farrell, Stefan Uppstrom, James McAuley, Stuart McPhee, Corballis Stud, Ercan Dogan, Gaelic Bloodstock, Elwick Stud, BBA Ireland, GG Bloodstock & Racing, Peter L. Whatley, John Clarke, Mohammed Anjum, Patrick Moyles, Carraig Ard Bloodstock, Barberini Bloodstock, Dean Ivory Racing, Larry Stratton, Rabbah Bloodstock, Whitwell Bloodstock, Emerald Bloodstock, Gonzalo Martin Lopez, Mulbarak Al-Sehan, Richard Venn Bloodstock, Faisal Al-Saan, Graham Thorner, L Russell, Pedro Vega Rodriguez, Richard Knight Bloodstock, AC Elliott, Gassim Mohammed Ghazali, Linden Lodge Bloodstock, Norris/ Huntingdon, Faith Eyziama, Mark Flannery, Sarah Lynham, Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, Armando Duarte, Andrew Balding, New Racing Factory, Con Marnane, Blandford Bloodstock, Gill Richardson Bloodstock, Rabbah Bloodstock, Richard Knight, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah, Noel Meade, Hyde Park Stud, Donal O’Brien, BBA Ireland, Bobby O’Ryan, Chimax SRL, Kevin Hegarty, Sebastiano Guerrieri, Rodrigo Goncalves, Janda Bloodstock, CDS Bloodstock, Alisares, Highfort Stud, Glenville Bloodstock, Sebastiano Guerrieri, Glyn Davies, Gatewood Bell, BBA Ireland, Sonessa Ltd, Elliott & Scott, Witold Miedzianowski, Jamie Lloyd, Nick Bradley, BBA Ireland, Kilronan, Blandford Bloodstock, Jerry O’Reilly, Mark Johnston, Ralph Beckett, Hugo Merry, Stephen Hillen, Stuart Williams, Mayfair Speculators, Godolphin, BBA Ireland, Con Marnane, Antonio Peraino, BBA Ireland, Ballymore Bloodstock, Shamrock Thoroughbreds, Hyde Park Stud, Imperial Bloodstock, Godolphin, Rabbah Bloodstock, Lillingston Bloodstock, Rabbah Bloodstock, Gestut Gunay, Mark Johnston Racing, Al Shaqab, Godolphin, DMM com, Klaravich Stables, BBA Ireland, Sackville Donald, Godolphin, AC Elliott, Joseph O’Brien, BBA Ireland, Mark Johnston Racing, Rabbah Bloodstock, Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock, John Ryan Racing, Morna Mc Dowell, John & Jake Warren, Shadwell, Con Marnane, H. Morrison, Mark Flannery, Axom, Tim Gredley, Rabbah Bloodstock, Middleham Park Racing, Kenji Ryotokuji, Rabbah Bloodstock, H. Morrison, Stroud Coleman, Highflyer Bloodstock, Stroud Coleman, Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock, Paul Cole, Sackville Donald, Mark Johnston Racing, M. Massimi, Royal Amber Bloodstock, Blandford Bloodstock, Charlie Gordon-Watson, C. Fairhurst, Joe Foley, Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, Fabrizio Alessandrucci, Warren House, Stadnina Koni Moszna, SC Cavalli Da Corsa Gianotti Pierlugi, Charles Marini, HJ Racing, Marco Bozzi Bloodstock, Anacleria, Hyde Park Stud, Federico Barberini, Nick Bradley Racing, Biondi Raffaele, Mark Flannery, Sam Stronge, JD Moore, Matthew Sheppard, Michael Butler, NC Kelly, Marco Botti, Argamia Bloodstock, Emerald Ted Voute, Henry Birtles, Tony Martin, Sultan al Bloodstock, Highflyer Bloodstock, Hyde Park Ermay, Global Equine, Federico Barberini, Stud, D. Bridgewater, Somersby, Michael Dods, Jason Kelly Bloodstock, Blandford Bloodstock, Scuderia Emme International, Paola Cosentani, WLS Bloodstock, Ali Abdulmajeed, Allan Khaled Alajami, K. Kyrkou, Oliver St Lawrence Bloodlines, Marco Bozzi Bloodstock, Bobby Bloodstock, Abu Rkaiek Abd Halil, Elmhurst O’Ryan, Dusko Pajic, Mohammed Salem AlBloodstock, Imperial Bloodstock, Paolo Favero, Aimi, Eric Cantillon, Weir View, Darley Japan, KA Margaritis, Rakan Salah, Harold Kirk, WP Ballyhimikin Stud, Cathaganstown Stud, Mullins, Hamad Al-Ajmi, Abu Rkaiek Abd Halil, Monday Bloodstock, Glencoole Stud, SH Imperial Bloodstock, Let’s Be Lucky Racing Bloodstock, Anthony Stroud, Glenvale Stud, Partnership, Richard Knight Bloodstock, David Emerald Bloodstock, Hugo Lascelles, LTM Loughnane Racing, Al Rowais, Gary Ryan, Saud Bloodstock, Ken Bolger, Broadhurst Agency, Aldaihani, Mohammed Alathab, Gassim Capital Bloodstock, Danesrath Stables, Mohammed Ghazali, JD Moore, Alex Hales, Morna McDowell, Paddy McCaughhey, Paddy Stamina Turf, Middleham Park Racing, Jason Burns, Lynn Lodge Stud, Yeomanstown Stud, Kelly, Gassim Mohammed Ghazali, Stable Ken Bolger, Turquoise Bloodstock, Bedrock Krasnodar, John Ferguson Bloodstock, Direct Bloodstock, Omer Halim Aydin, Eyefield Lodge Hannemers, David McGreavy Bloodstock, Stud, Hart Farm Livery & Stud, Haras de Castillon, Sackville Donald, Drumroy, Federico Barberini Bloodstock, Worsall Grange, Elwick Stud, Paul Nataf, Rathmore Stud, Cormack McCormack Bloodstock, KHS, Guarav Rampal, Broadhurst Agency, Barronstown Stud, Haras d’Etreham, Katsumi Yoshida, Filip Zwicky, Blandford Bloodstock, Wilton Stud, Elwick Stud, BBA Ireland, John Curley, Michael Kelly, Padraig Looney, Pat Todd, Riverside Racing, Pernilla Nilsson, Three Ways Bloodstock, Roger Asp, Pipe View Stud, European Bloodstock Management, Yeomanstown Stud, A Mulholland, Euross, Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, Euross, Mo Mo, Collegelands Stud, Domenico Manca, Blandford Bloodstock, Paul Nataf, Domenico Manca, Sandial Farm, KBS Andalama KPT, AT Bloodstock, Alvaro Soto, Janda Bloodstock, Muhammad Anjum, BBA Ireland, A. Elliott, McStay Bloodstock, Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Con Marnane, Stroud Coleman, Tina Rau Bloodstock, William Muir, R. O’Ryan, R. Fahey, Khubler Khan, Twiston Davies Bloodstock, Andrew Williams Bloodstock, Grangemore Stud, Jonathan Coddington, Dandy Bloodstock, Tristan Kingston, Ralf Rohne, M. O’Toole, T. Steve Bloodstock, MC Bloodstock, Buckley Bloodstock, Rabbit Trhovy Steoanov AV, Redpender Stud, Guy Stephenson, Luke Cummins, Creighton, Schwarz, Redpender Stud, Yeomanstown Stud, Tally Ho Stud, Hugo Lascelles, Darley Japan, Camas Park Stud, Hillwood Bloodstock, Cheveley Park Stud, Trickledown Stud, Cormack McCormack Bloodstock, Jamie Railton Sales Agency, James McHale, Yeomanstown Stud, Joe Foley, John & Jake Warren, BBA Ireland, Ballyphilip Stud, D. O’Byrne, Mandore International Agency, M O’Toole, Rabbah Bloodstock, Sackville Donald, Rifa Mustang, Hillwood Bloodstock, China Horse Club, John McCormack, John & Jake Warren, Stauffenberg Bloodstock Services, Black Type, David Byrne, BBA Ireland, Renello Bloodstock Agency, Brian Grassick Bloodstock, BBA Ireland, Yeomanstown Stud, McKeever Ferguson Bloodstock, Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Masalls Stud, Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Emerald Bloodstock, Widgham Farm Stud, Gazeley Stud, Cormack McCormack Bloodstock, Rifa Mustang, David Myerscough, Stroud Coleman, Cheveley Park Stud, Hillwood Bloodstock, Ever Union Shokai, Moyglare Stud, Hugo Lascelles, Blandford Bloodstock, Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock, Ballylinch Stud, Flaxman Stables, Barnane Stud, Godolphin, Highfield Farm LLP, SJ Leahy Bloodstock, De Burgh Equine, Stroud Coleman, Fittocks Stud, Marette Farrell for Mount Brilliant Farm, Godolphin, Marette Farrell for Mount Brilliant Farm, Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, Mick Flanagan, Bolton Grange, GHS Bloodstock, Richard Frisby Bloodstock, Loberods Hastklinik, Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa al Attiva, Desert Boy, Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Bolton Grange, AFB Bloodstock, LTS, One Agency, Minch Bloodstock, BBA Ireland, Eclipse Penumbra Holdings, Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock, KGS, Mostafa MA El-Bakkoush, Nelson Farm Stud, Brendan Boyle Bloodstock, Eric Cantillon, Conrad Allen, Nelson Farm Stud, GG Bloodstock & Racing, Edward Freeman, McKeever Bloodstock, Brian Grassick Bloodstock, Team Hogdala, Chris Richner Bloodstock, SARL Imperial Bloodstock, Meridian International Sarl, Rémi Sabatier, Trickledown Stud, Troy Steve Bloodstock

WITH THANKS TO ALL OUR 2017

PURCHASERS

www.castlebridge.eu

Sales Circuit market at the moment.”

Bloodstock agent Steve Young bought Mrs McDougal, a daughter of the stakes winner Distorted Passion and who herself won stakes races at Grade 2 and 3 level and was placed in the Grade 1 Longines Just A Game Stakes.

She had run her final race a couple of months before this sale opened and, while Young could not name his client, it can be assumed the breeding shed is next on her agenda.

The seven-figure yearling was knocked down to Coolmore Stud’s MV Magnier, whose purchase might have been expected to make an appearance at the Keeneland November Sale, but was said to have been a little immature when that auction closed. Magnier needed little persuasion to bide his time for the youngster, since he was a half-brother to the dual Group 1 winner Caravaggio, who is about to start stallion duties at Coolmore having raced in the colours of Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

KEENELAND

›› in January shows the strength of the

Mrs McDougal surveys the sales grounds at Keeneland ahead of topping the January Sale

TALKING POINTS • Taylor Made Sales headed vendors by aggregate, selling 77 lots for $3,455,700 at an average of $44,879. Lane’s End reaped $2,581,400 when selling 54 lots, but Eaton Sales’ much smaller draft of 13 lots resulted in eight sales for a handsome $2,494,000 at an average of $311,750.

• Top lot Mrs McDougal, consigned by Eaton Sales, put her sire, Medaglio d’Oro, in the spotlight, but new boy American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) was not overshadowed. Five of his yearlings were offered and three sold for sums of $1,000,000, $400,000 and $220,000.

• Other first-crop sires to make a mark included Violence and Palace Malice, who posted good results when trade quietened down on day three. A colt by Violence (Medaglio d’Oro), who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale, made $130,000, just missing the session’s top-lot honour, while a filly by Three Chimneys’ stallion Palace Malice (Curlin) made $85,000 to finish third on that day’s list.

Earlier in proceedings a colt by the last-named sire made $130,000, while other new sires making a mark included Hill ‘n’ Dale’s Bayern (Offlee Wild), responsible for a $100,000 colt, Lane’s End Farm’s Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) and Tonalist (Tapit), the sires of fillies who made $150,000 and $140,000 respectively, and Claiborne Farm’s Lea (First Samurai) who also posted a sale of $140,000 for a filly.

• Keeneland was quick to point out demand in the middle market, with 28 horses making $200,000-plus, which compares to 19 last year.

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• Steve Young’s purchase of Mrs McDougal and threeyear-old Bellavais for $485,000 resulted in him becoming leading buyer by aggregate, although Japan’s Shadai Farm left with four horses for a total of $1,160,000. New Mexico-based trainer Justin Evans secured the most lots, a total of 14 fillies or mares. Their immediate role will be as mates for sprinter Toews On Ice, a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed son of Archarcharch. Toews On Ice is about to stand under Evans’s A & A Equine banner.

• BBA Ireland was the most active outfit among European buyers – its purchases included the fiveyear-old Lope De Vega mare Spiga, a winner in France and the USA and who cost $65,000. The same agency splashed out $32,000 for dual French winner Spanish Romance and $50,000 on the five-year-old Galileo mare Expect Amazing with a cover by Speightster (Speightstown). Jamie Railton gained a yearling filly by The Factor for $30,000, while Gerry Burke of Glidawn Stud also bought a filly by The Factor with a bid of $10,000.

• While MV Magnier was gaining a $1 million American Pharoah yearling in America he was doing so in absentia, preferring to take in the Magic Millions Sale on Australia’s Gold Coast. While there his brother Tom – forming a partnership with trainer John O’Shea – created another yearling millionaire, this one a son of Fastnet Rock who was knocked down for A$1 million.

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International Bloodstock Agent specialising in purchasing French and Irish form horses.

Buyer of over 140 Grade 1 winners.

2015 Champion Hurdle - 1st FAUGHEEN, 2nd ARTIC FIRE, 3rd HURRICANE FLY - all three purchased by Harold Kirk.

Contact HAROLD KIRK: +44 (0)7882 061382

Clients of The Castlebridge Consignment enjoyed truly outstanding results in 2017 by being part of Europe’s largest sales consignor Please contact

Andrew Mead (01638 561116 mead@castlebridge.eu) or Bill Dwan (+353 87 648 5587 dwan@castlebridge.eu) to discuss all your 2018 sale requirements

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Caulfield Files

Bloodstock world views

Encouraging signs in the rise of Uncle Mo Coolmore America’s statuesque young stallion will be appealing to breeders on both

COOLMORE

sides of the Atlantic as an outcross for many American and European broodmares

Uncle Mo’s pedigree contains three lines of Northern Dancer but none within the first three generations, making him an enticing prospect

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ccording to one report on the Powerball USA lottery in midJanuary, the odds against winning the mammoth jackpot were 292,200,000 to one. Even so, three people earned the right to share a winners’ prize of $1,586,000,000.

The odds are also quite considerable against anyone producing a top-class stallion prospect with an outcross pedigree. However, the increasingly urgent need for new bloodlines at the top end of the market means that such a stallion would virtually also have a licence to print money.

The early signs are that the syndicate which owns Uncle Mo is in that enviable position. No doubt some would argue that a horse with three lines of Northern Dancer isn’t exactly an outcross, but only one is as close as Uncle Mo’s fourth generation. His sire is Indian Charlie, his grandsires are In Excess and Arch and his great-grandsires are Siberian Express, Leo Castelli, Kris S. and Dixieland Band, so he doesn’t create close duplications with the vast majority of mares.

From an American viewpoint, breeders must love the fact that Uncle Mo has no Mr Prospector, Storm Cat, A.P. Indy or

“Uncle Mo has no Mr Prospector, Storm Cat, A.P. Indy or Unbridled blood”

Unbridled blood. And for any European brave enough to use a dirt horse, he has no Sadler’s Wells/Galileo and no Danehill or Green Desert (though Danzig appears in the fifth generation of Uncle Mo’s foals).

In typical Ashford Stud manner, Uncle Mo had numbers on his side when his first crop reached the track in 2015, with the American Jockey Club crediting him with 167 live foals from 211 mares covered in 2012. Even so, he has made a tremendous start, coming out top in three different measures of class.

At one stage it looked as though Scat Daddy was uncatchable in the race to become America’s champion sire of two-year-olds. He had, after all, been represented by six individual juvenile Graded stakes winners by early October and had earned himself a rise in fee from $35,000 to $100,000 (only to die in December at the age of 11).

However, Uncle Mo was able to cut him down with a late flourish which took his

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Caulfield Files ›› total of stakes winners to seven, including

three at Graded level. The telling blow came when Uncle Mo’s unbeaten son Nyquist followed in his sire’s footsteps to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. This eyecatching start resulted in Uncle Mo’s fee soaring to $75,000. He had spent his first two years at $35,000, his third at $27,500 and his fourth at $25,000.

The next indication of Uncle Mo’s potential came towards the end of January, when the entries for America’s Triple Crown events were published. With 19 nominees, Uncle Mo topped the list, his nearest pursuer, on a mark of 16, being the $300,000 Tapit. The only others to achieve double figures were Bernardini (13), Candy Ride (12), the deceased Smart Strike (11) and Flatter (10).

Next came the publication of the official two-year-old rankings, the Experimental Free Handicap. Once again Uncle Mo proved to be the most prolific sire of qualifiers, with a total of ten. His nearest pursuers, with eight, were Scat

fast time. One question left unanswered was whether he would have stayed well enough to win any of the Triple Crown events, had he been well enough to contest them.

Progressive types

The very early signs are that Uncle Mo’s progeny will continue to shine at three, with Mo Tom becoming his fourth Graded winner in the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes.

Indeed Uncle Mo isn’t a neat, quickmaturing sort. He stands 16.2 hands and his pedigree contains several other big individuals. His sire Indian Charlie was 16.3, his grandsire In Excess was 16.2 and his great-grandsire, the French 2,000 Guineas winner Siberian Express, was a 16.2 1⁄2hand son of the 16.3-hands Caro.

The gulf between dirt and turf has become so deep that it is tempting for Europeans to dismiss Uncle Mo as a specialist dirt horse with limited chances of succeeding in Europe. But is there any justification for such a knee-jerk reaction,

“He stands 16.2 hands and his pedigree includes several other big individuals” Daddy and Tapit, with Bernardini next with a figure of six. It could be argued that Tapit at least shared the honours, as seven of his eight qualifiers, including the exciting Mohaymen, were rated 110 or higher. However, six of Uncle Mo’s representatives also reached that level, with Nyquist taking top place with 126.

The others were Gomo (118), Mo Tom (115), Thrilled (113), Mokat (111) and Uncle Vinny (110).

The question now is whether Uncle Mo can maintain his progress. After all, his own second season proved a little anti-climactic for a colt who had been good enough to top the Experimental by as much as 5lb (his weight of 128lb was the highest awarded since 1997). Not that Uncle Mo’s second season was a disaster, even though it was seriously interrupted by illness. The compilers of the World Thoroughbred Rankings still considered him the joint-second best American threeyear-old. On one occasion he went down by only a nose to the sprint specialist Caleb’s Posse in the seven-furlong King’s Bishop Stakes after an absence of 20 weeks. On another he landed the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap over a mile in a very

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with hardly any racecourse evidence in Europe?

There are a few straws to be grasped at. His sire Indian Charlie was given very few opportunities to prove himself in Europe, but his son Western Reserve – out of a smart Oasis Dream mare – showed very useful form on turf and all-weather in England last year.

Don’t forget, either, that Uncle Mo’s grandsire In Excess was a European import to the US. In Excess arrived in the States in 1990, having won three of his six starts at up to seven furlongs. He continued in fine form on turf as a threeyear-old, winning a pair of Grade 3s over a mile and an eighth. Bearing in mind that his dam Kantado and broodmare sire Saulingo had raced almost exclusively over five furlongs, his stamina came as a bit of a surprise.

Even more surprising was In Excess’s successful transition to dirt racing as a four-year-old. He became a quadruple Grade 1 winner from a mile to a mile and a quarter (over which he set a track record in the Suburban Handicap). This ability to shine on dirt could be attributed to the champion American two-year old Warfare,

sire of the dam of Siberian Express.

There is also some encouragement to be drawn from the records in Europe of the first three stallions in the bottom half of Uncle Mo’s pedigree. Despite having raced exclusively on dirt, Arch made his mark via the likes of Les Arcs (Diamond Jubilee and July Cup), Pomology, Arch Swing, Arch Rebel, Montgomery’s Arch and Waterway Run. Similarly, Arch’s sire Kris S. – another dirt horse - did very well with his sons Kris Kin (Derby), Dr Fong (St James’s Palace Stakes) and Lucky Story.

Dixieland Band, who gained all eight of his wins on dirt, also had a pleasing record with his runners in Europe. He enjoyed Group 1 success with Drum Taps, Egyptband and Menhoubah and also sired several Group-winning European twoyear-olds.

In the circumstances we shouldn’t be too surprised that several members of Uncle Mo’s first crop have already earned black type on turf. His daughter Thrilled failed by only a nose to win the Grade 3 Miss Grillo; his son Uncle Brennie won the Sunday Silence Stakes; his daughter Mokat failed by only half a length to win the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes; and Little Mo was a close third in a wellcontested Kitten’s Joy Stakes.

It would be very convenient if members of Uncle Mo’s first Australian crop were to provide further evidence that he can shine as a sire of turf horses.

Unfortunately it appears that Australian breeders were somewhat wary of him in his first three seasons. After he covered 80 mares at a fee of AUS$24,200, his fee was reduced to AUS$16,500 and he next covered books of 95 and 103.

However, his bright start in America didn’t go unnoticed in the second half of 2015, when he covered 193 mares in his fourth Australian season. With 63 live foals in his first crop in Australia, Uncle Mo will find it much harder to impress there than in his homeland. At the time of writing he had had just four runners, but two of them – both out of grand-daughters of Danehill – had won.

Of course there can be a considerable difference between turf courses in Europe and America, where races are usually transferred to dirt when the ground comes up soft. That said, there is enough encouragement in Uncle Mo’s pedigree to suggest that he could sire smart turf performers from European mares – given the chance.

But even if no-one is brave enough to gamble on this possibility, Uncle Mo should continue to shine in the US. His second-crop yearlings averaged over $117,000 and sold for up to $700,000.

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Stud visit and Sandown trip kick off new year of events T he Thoroughbred Club is delighted to announce the first series of events for 2018. The club is dedicated to supporting young people aged 16-35 with a passion for the industry, and has lined up an exciting benefits package for this year ahead.

Chasemore Farm and afternoon racing at Sandown Park, March 10

Kicking off the year is a visit to the heart of Surrey, where members will be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Chasemore Farm. Andrew and Jane Black began the farm in 2007 and following significant investment they welcomed horses onto their modern stud in 2011. The Black family have maintained their investment in the farm to ensure it continues to provide the highest quality facilities.

Chasemore Farm is more than a commercial operation, with many homebreds racing in their distinctive green and mauve silks. In 2017 they

Members can enjoy the thrill of jump racing at Sandown on March 10

enjoyed late season success with Eartha Kitt, who took Listed honours at Newmarket before retiring to the farm for the upcoming breeding season.

Following the morning at Chasemore, members will make

the short journey to Sandown Park for Matchbook Imperial Cup Day, featuring the EBF Final, Listed mares’ bumper and the Imperial Cup itself, a competitive two-mile handicap hurdle.

Chance to get up close to Frankel and Dubawi The Thoroughbred Club’s highlight event of the summer is a visit to two of the biggest stud farms in Newmarket, Juddmonte Farms and Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud. This visit offers a chance not only to see tentime Group One winner Frankel, but the phenomenal leading British based sire Dubawi, sire of 33 Group 1 winners to date.

At Juddmonte the impressive roster is completed by Bated Breath, Dansili, Oasis Dream and Kingman, whilst Dalham Hall Stud offers an equally impressive line-up including two Derby winners in Golden Horn and New Approach and two new recruits for 2018 – Barney Roy and Postponed.

The offspring of Frankel have been highly touted from their day of birth, and it is easy to see why with 16 individual Group winners from his first two crops. Perhaps Frankel’s most

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exciting offspring, Cracksman signed off the Flat campaign in superb style when demolishing the field in the Group One Champion Stakes.

Kingman, a Classic-winning miler, is set to see his first two-year olds hit the track this year and has covered 443 mares in his first three books.

Leading sire Dubawi enjoyed another stellar year with his offspring on the track, claiming the leading British based sire title once again thanks to eight top flight winners in 2017. Starting from a covering fee of £25,000 in 2006, his fee for 2018 has been set at £250,000, and three of his sons now stand beside him on the Darley roster at Dalham Hall, including the four-time Group 1 winner Postponed.

We hope members can join us on these exciting events in 2018. Details on how to book onto the events will

be included on the TTC website in due course. Please keep an eye out on our social media pages for updates on forthcoming events.

See the Darley stallions at Dalham Hall

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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk •

@TTC_GB

New committee member Natalie Folland Natalie Folland has joined the TTC committee, bringing her wealth of experience as Stud Manager of Elkington Stud.

Natalie has a strong academic background, having attended Hartpury College, completing a National Certificate in Stud Management and a degree in Equine Science, and has gained over a decade of experience in foaling and sales preparation. We are thrilled to have her on the committee and we are sure she will be a great asset to TTC going forward.

TTC was also delighted to see Natalie was shortlisted into the final

ten of the Stud Staff Award at the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards for 2018.

The awards were initiated to recognise the contribution made by key staff in the industry and to be nominated and shortlisted for any of the categories is a great achievement in itself.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony, which will be held on Monday, February 19 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in Knightsbridge, London.

Natalie Folland joins TTC committee

Royal appointments TTC is continuing its link with Ascot racecourse, which has extended a range of benefits for members to keep them racing throughout the year. The 2018 offers are as follows: Half-price tickets to all Ascot racedays, with the exception of three days of Royal Ascot and British Champions Day. Purchase on the day only from ticket office east, sold at half the onthe-day price, subject to availability.

May Race Night, May 11 Members can purchase a King Edward VII ticket, drink and racecard for £10. This offer is only available on production of a valid TTC membership card to the ticket office east, sold at half the on-the-day price, subject to availability.

Royal Ascot, June 19-23 Members can purchase half-price tickets for the Tuesday and Wednesday of Royal Ascot. Booking forms will be available to members from the TTC website in late February.

November Raceday, November 23 We are delighted to offer free Queen Anne admission to the Friday of the November racing weekend. Tickets for this day must be booked in advance, see ascot.co.uk for details.

Please keep an eye out on the TTC

Our Ascot offers include half-price entry on Tuesday and Wednesday of the Royal Meeting

social media pages throughout the year for exclusive badge offers and events for our members. For details on how to join, or for more information on any of

the offers and to book on the events, please visit thethoroughbredclub. co.uk or contact us at info@ thethoroughbredclub.co.uk.

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The special section for ROA members

GEORGE SELWYN

ROA Forum

Milansbar and Bryony Frost (right) win the Classic Chase at Warwick, where every meeting will be worth at least £80,000 in 2018

JCR raises prize-money by a record £4.2 million T

he Jockey Club announced in December that it is to pump an extra £4.2 million into prize-money in 2018, increasing total race values by £8m.

The record executive contribution of £27.1m, to be spread across all levels, subject to abandonments, is a massive 18.3% increase to 2017 prize-money from its own resources.

Total race values offered across its 15 racecourses will increase to more than £53m, a new record. These race values will include circa £1.6m on offer from the new industry appearance money scheme, in which qualifying races will offer payments of at least £300 for horses finishing down to eighth place.

Jockey Club Racecourses has unlocked that funding in every available case through increasing its own investment where necessary.

Since 2010, the Jockey Club has more than doubled its annual contribution to British racing’s prize-money from its own resources (2010: £13m).

Paul Fisher, Chief Executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “This is the Jockey Club’s largest ever commitment

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to horsemen and we really hope that will also translate into good news for racing fans alike.

“I’m very proud of our people who have worked hard to achieve the commercial results we need to be able to offer this. Because we already put all of our money back into the sport, we can only increase our prize-money contribution if we create the commercial returns to do so.”

Key among those commercial returns is the new media rights deal between SIS and Racecourse Media Group, which the Jockey Club is part of and which is due to start on April 1. Ticket and hospitality sales, music, conferences, events and sponsorship have also contributed.

The Jockey Club confirms all its 348 fixtures in 2018 would offer at least £40,000 in total race values, with that figure rising to at least £65,000 on Sundays.

Each fixture will include at least one race worth £10,000, while 83% will have at least two per meeting, compared to 58% this year.

Grassroots race values have increased by a third. The Jockey Club’s ‘smaller

courses’ – Carlisle, Exeter, Huntingdon, Market Rasen, Nottingham, Warwick and Wincanton – will have at least one fixture previously worth around £55,000 boosted to £80,000 or more from 2018, meaning they will each stage at least four fixtures worth £80,000 or more next year.

Fisher added: “Some people might think that our prize-money is all about the highest race classes or at one or two racecourses, but these figures demonstrate another step forward in our commitment to supporting British racing at all levels.”

Record Festival prize-money

Cheltenham racecourse has also revealed record prize-money for the season.

Its New Year’s Day fixture enjoyed a notable increase of 23% on last year, while Festival Trials Day in January and the four-day Festival in March boast a 7% prize-money rise.

There is a new record total of £4,590,000 offered across the four days of the Festival, with every day boasting more than £1 million in prize-money for the first time.

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Cheltenham, Bangor and Musselburgh on top Cheltenham, Bangor-on-Dee and Musselburgh racecourses were recently named as the best in Britain for racehorse owners.

The awards were made on December 7 at the 36th annual ROA Horseracing Awards at London’s InterContinental Hotel.

The three venues were among 12 of the country’s racecourses awarded Gold Standard status during the autumn.

Alan Pickering, Chairman of the ROA Raceday Committee, said: “Happy racehorse owners say that a good raceday experience is critical in maintaining their loyalty to the sport. At the end of last year we revealed the six large and six small racecourses that have proved to be best at doing this. From these 12 Gold Standard Award holders we can now announce the outright winner in each class.

“Cheltenham has been voted the Large Racecourse of the Year. This is in response to the tremendous investment it has made in recent years for the full extent of the owners’ experience, from entrance to dining to – if lucky enough – winning. It has also not been shy in upping its prizemoney, and all of these efforts have not been in vain.

“There may have been disappointment at not securing the Gold Standard Award during its development stage, but this accolade goes to prove that any racecourse, with the right attitude and investment, will be recognised.

Cheltenham has gone out of its way to make owners feel special, whatever the outcome of the race. Its attentiveness and co-operative spirit are veritable beacons.

“Bangor-on-Dee and Musselburgh have been voted the joint winners of the Small Racecourse of the Year. Their dead heat epitomises the increase in standards virtually across the board amongst the smaller racecourses. No form of modern technology could have split this dead heat,

Bangor’s new owners’ restaurant has been well received by ROA members

and tossing a coin would have devalued the concept.

“Bangor’s new owners’ restaurant has proved to be one of the best-received improvements across all racecourses by the ROA membership. Combine it with a friendly and proactive workforce, complimentary wine and entertainment of placed connections, and you have a winning combination.

“Musselburgh is one of the most consistently high-scoring racecourses according to the ROA members, and it demonstrates a fantastic can-do attitude throughout the levels of management. Its winners’ experience is universally praised, as is the owners’ lunch, and it couldn’t help but be declared the winner also.”

In addition to the three winning racecourses, the finalists were: Large Racecourses – Ascot, Ayr, Chester, Haydock Park and York; Small Racecourses – Bath, Hamilton Park, Market Rasen and Sedgefield.

As part of the ROA Gold Standard Award process, association representatives visited every racecourse in Britain at least once between January and October to assess all aspects of the owners’ raceday experience.

In addition, feedback was provided by a record number of ROA members

following their own racecourse visits in 2017.

Help decide this year’s Gold Standard Award winners

Members are encouraged to provide feedback on their raceday experience via the ROA to help shape and improve the raceday experience for owners. This is an important component in keeping the ROA Raceday Committee informed.

Comments and observations are shared in an anonymous format with courses, and this has helped towards making positive changes.

Feedback is factored into the committee’s decisions on the annual Gold Standard Award winners, which recognise those courses which have set the bar for the racehorse owners’ experience at the highest level.

The ROA website has an easy to complete feedback form at roa.co.uk/ raceday which only takes a few minutes to complete.

Each month we draw a winner from the responses received and they are sent a £50 John Lewis gift card. Our latest recipient is Graham Pratt, a very regular feedback provider who runs three syndicates, all horses trained by Nick Williams.

ROA regional meeting at Wolverhampton The ROA team will be heading to Wolverhampton racecourse on Monday, February 12.

This is the second of eight regional meetings planned this year. These sessions create an opportunity for ROA members to meet before racing and to be updated on current issues and

activities of the ROA. Members are invited to stay for lunch and to use the facility for the afternoon’s racing, and can bring a guest. Invitations have gone out to members who live locally. If you would like to attend this or a future regional gathering, we will also be organising events at Beverley,

Newton Abbot, Perth, Sandown, Chepstow and Southwell later this year.

The Wolverhampton card will feature an ROA Owners Jackpot race, part of a scheme injecting over £100,000 into grassroots racing this year, by adding £2,000 in bonus funds to one race each week.

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ROA Forum

ROA Marquee at Festival Places are selling swiftly for the ROA Marquee at the Cheltenham Festival, March 13-16.

The facility provides a comfortable base in the tented village, a short walk from the paddock. Hot and cold food is available to purchase, and complimentary tea and coffee will be available. With unreserved seating, TV viewing, a cash bar and Tote betting, it provides the components to recharge at racing’s busiest jumps festival.

Members can book places for themselves and up to three guests, for individual days, or weekly packages.

Members Guests

Daily £38 £48

Weekly £120 £155

New Festival package

If you want to treat yourself at the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival

News in Brief

Looking for sponsorship?

Owners who have a sponsorship contract in place can register for a VAT number, enabling them to reclaim VAT on the costs of ownership. Joining the ROA/ SIS owner sponsorship scheme is a straightforward way to do this and the ROA can provide information to owners wishing to register for VAT. Full details and an online application form can be found at www.roa.co.uk/sis Racing Secretaries social The ROA will host two social events for Racing Secretaries and senior staff during February. The first will be near Epsom on the afternoon of Monday, February 5. The second will be at Taunton on February 21.

The purpose of the events is for members of the ROA staff team to get to know trainers’ secretaries and other members

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The ROA Marquee offers a haven to members and guests at the Cheltenham Festival

we have the ideal package for you.

Located in the heart of The Village, our Horsewalk Suite facility gives easy access to the parade ring.

Providing a table for the day, our fourcourse sit-down lunch is available for members and their guests, with shared

tables of ten. You will be welcomed with coffee and biscuits on arrival, and will also enjoy afternoon tea during the course of the racing. The package costs £360 (inclusive of VAT) per person, but does NOT include your entry to the track or drinks on the day.

of staff who may liaise with owners on a day-to-day basis.

We are particularly keen to discuss new ideas for the recruitment and retention of owners, and any ways we can support trainers and their secretaries and senior staff in their daily communications with owners.

If you are interested in attending, or know someone who may be, please call the ROA office or email info@roa.co.uk for further details. The events will be held from 1-3pm and lunch will be provided.

all horses to run in France.

From April 1, horses need to have completed a vaccination programme comprising two primary vaccinations followed by a booster. A horse will be permitted to race after the second primary vaccination.

Details have been circulated to trainers via the NTF. Horses will be allowed to run in France up until April 1 with the current vaccinations requirements.

Riding fee increase The Racehorse Owners Association and Professional Jockeys Association reached agreement at the end of last year that the jockeys’ riding fee would increase by 3.1%, from January 1, 2018. The Flat riding fee increased from £120.66 to £124.40, and from £164.74 to £169.85 over jumps. Also, fees payable to a rider where the horse is declared a non-runner is set at 40% of the riding fee, and this also increased to £49.76 (Flat) and £67.94 (NH).

Runners in France France Galop has, via the International Racing Bureau, provided details regarding the Equine Herpes (EHV) vaccination that is now a requirement for

Series details Details of upcoming race series, such as the popular Challenger and Veterans’ series, are available to owners with a login at the Racing Admin website at www2. racingadmin.co.uk. Relevant links can also be found on the ROA website.

Old racing silks wanted Racing to School, the racing education charity, would love to get its hands on plenty of old racing silks in decent condition. If you have any spare, please send to John Blake, Racing to School, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS. Cheltenham Festival preview nights The ROA website now contains a list of Cheltenham Festival preview nights. See roa.co.uk/cheltprev for details.

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GEORGE SELWYN

Industry Roadshows The ROA/JCR Admission Scheme includes Sandown Park among its 15 racecourses

Are you making the most of ROA free admission schemes?

Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners

Members who are registered owners with 50% or more of a horse in training – and up to two syndicators per syndicate – can enjoy free admission all year around through the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners.

Members with a PASScard activated for the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners can save the list of participating fixtures in an Outlook calendar format. Details can be found on the RBSO page on the website – this applies to members who are activated onto the scheme.

ROA/JCR Admission Scheme

Owners in a syndicate or partnership with less than 50% of a horse in training can book free admission to participating Jockey Club Racecourse fixtures for themselves AND a guest. Tickets need to be booked online through a special ticketing link in the members’ area at roa.co.uk.

ROA/ARC Admission Scheme

Members with less than 50% ownership can enjoy free access to participating fixtures

at the 16 ARC racecourses twice during the year. Members are sent a barcoded ticket on request.

Newbury

ROA members are also eligible for free entry to almost every meeting at Newbury. The course generously provides two badges for ROA members at every meeting, with four exceptions, which this year are Weatherbys Super Sprint Day (July 21), Ladies Day (August 18), Mill Reef Stakes Day (September 22) and Ladbrokes Trophy Day (December 1).

Scottish Racing Admission Scheme

Members who own at least 5% of a share in a horse training in Scotland can apply for the Scottish Racing Admission Scheme. The scheme provides free admission to almost every fixture held at Ayr, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth racecourses on production of a Horseracing Privilege Card. The exception is Musselburgh on Scottish Sprint Cup Day (June 9).

More on these free admission schemes can be found at roa.co.uk/freead

Diary dates and reminders FEBRUARY 12 ROA regional meeting at Wolverhampton.

MARCH 13-16 ROA Marquee for the four days of Cheltenham’s Festival. Fine dining option in a private suite for day one, Champion Day. APRIL 10 Member visit to HEROS racehorse retraining centre in Wantage.

Four dates have been announced for the 2018 Industry Roadshows this spring. The sessions provide a collective platform for British racing to engage with its stakeholders, and owners are welcome to book a place at any of the four events on a first come, first served basis.

The roadshows will be presented by a panel comprising the British Horseracing Authority, Racecourse Association, Horsemen’s Group and Great British Racing.

The dates and locations are as follows: • Thursday, March 1 – Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse • Friday, March 2 – Musselburgh racecourse • Monday, March 26 – York racecourse • Tuesday, March 27 – Newbury racecourse

The sessions are an opportunity to hear from the leaders of the sport and to have your voice heard on the key issues facing British racing, as well as providing an outline of how the industry will continue to build a bright future for our sport, our horses and our people.

Each event will run from 10.30am – 1.30pm with a networking lunch to follow.

To secure your place at your preferred event, please email racingindustryupdate@ britishhorseracing.com

APRIL 12-13 Free admission to Aintree’s Festival Zone on the opening Thursday and Friday of the Randox Health Grand National Festival. Lunch option in a private facility for day one.

APRIL 26 ROA regional meeting at Beverley.

JUNE 4 ROA regional meeting at Newton Abbot.

BHA chief Nick Rust at a roadshow

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ROA Forum

MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Kate Brazier

E

very owner knows racing is a rollercoaster ride, but rarely do the peaks and troughs jut into one another as quickly as was the case with Emperor’s Choice either side of the new year.

Owned by the Bellamy Partnership, of which Kate Brazier, an ROA member since 2014, is a part, Emperor’s Choice had gone nearly a couple of years without a victory until justifying favouritism in the Last Fling Handicap Chase at Haydock, seemingly setting himself up nicely for a crack at the Welsh Grand National a week later.

He had won the flagship race in Wales in 2014 and started jointthird favourite at 10-1 this time, the £150,000 handicap chase having initially been abandoned due to waterlogging but salvaged and restaged.

However, much to the disappointment of connections, his backers and his many fans accumulated over the best part of seven years of racing, the 11-year-old did something he had not done in his 35 previous outings over obstacles.

He fell. At the first, to boot.

Fortunately, the Venetia Williamstrained horse and rider Charlie Deutsch were unhurt.

Reflecting on that Chepstow misfortune, and racehorse ownership experiences generally, Kate says: “Sport is such a great leveller and racing no different, so naturally there have been highs and lows, as there are for most owners.

“Aso finishing a gallant third in the Ryanair at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and Emperor’s Choice winning the Welsh Grand National in 2014 are definite highs.

“With Emperor’s Choice having won the Last Fling Chase at Haydock a week before the Welsh Grand National, we were quietly hoping he might run a good race at Chepstow and challenge for the crown again.

“Rather than being a versatile type, he’s a horse who needs all the

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Aso and Charlie Deutsch return after finishing a gallant third in the 2017 Ryanair Chase

variables to be 100% in his favour to win: heavy going, longest possible trip, weight, jockey booking, fitness, design of track, etc. So from this perspective everything was as wellprepped as could be.

“Unfortunately we were brought back down to earth after the success at Haydock rather quickly, when three furlongs into the race he fell at the first.”

While obviously disappointed, the main thing for Kate, as with any owner, was Emperor’s Choice’s wellbeing, while keeping in mind the incident’s place in the grand scheme of things can also be a mind-settler.

She says: “I think it’s really important in situations like this to try to keep things in perspective – thankfully, and most importantly, both horse and jockey were fine. It must be

terrible for those who don’t fare so well and experience fatal falls and/ or sustain long-term injuries that can affect the rest of their lives.”

While perhaps not unique in this, Kate is certainly a very unusually hands-on owner – she has ridden Emperor’s Choice out on the gallops.

“I switched from eventing to racing in my late teens, since when I’ve had lots of fun riding out for various trainers, both Flat and National Hunt, taken part in a charity race – at the Ascot Shergar Cup meeting in August 2002 – and am now, along with six others, enjoying the time as a coowner of a few National Hunt horses,” she explains.

Elaborating on that enjoyment, she says: “Off the track the stable visits to Aramstone in Herefordshire, where our horses in training with Venetia are

››

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“While appreciating there’s a delicate balance to be struck so that some of the sport’s much loved traditions and character are not entirely lost, surely it’s equally crucial to stay on trend by continuously innovating and learning from mistakes to end up with an even better product with a more sustainable long-term future?

“There was an interesting article in The Times recently about a survey of 1,616 British adults who, along with racing, watch a wide range of 16 other sports including athletics, golf, cricket, tennis, darts, cycling, boxing and gymnastics. The result was that only 25% considered racing to be exciting to watch, versus 47% for athletics, which came out on top.

“Despite lacking in clarity as to exactly who accounted for the 1,616 taking part in the survey, it’s still a statistic that would be good to see improved upon, and racing deemed more entertaining by a wider portfolio of the public.”

Summing up the experience of owning horses, Kate adds, in a summation which is also very fresh given the literal recent ups and downs of Emperor’s Choice: “I guess the best and worst elements of ownership are not entirely mutually exclusive – somewhat of a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences where we are kept grounded by the unexpected pitfalls, while also having lots of fun along the way.”

GEORGE SELWYN

based, are always fun, and a good opportunity to learn a lot and to see behind the scenes exactly how much hard work is involved, plus the extent to which success relies enormously on a concerted team effort.

“The dedication and tenacity of the stable staff – especially at this time of year when weather conditions can be at their most harsh – is an inspiration.

“My former eventing trainer introduced to me the concept of ‘the 6Ps’: prime and proper preparation prevents a p***-poor performance – the group effort we see from everyone involved backstage at Aramstone is a great example of this in action.”

Efforts, meanwhile, to promote racing and broaden its appeal, especially to the younger generation through such mediums as concerts after racing, is a topic that divides, as much as it groups racing stakeholder bodies and individuals together. Kate, though, is very much in the camp of those who believe the industry needs to persevere with such initiatives.

“As exciting and unique a sport as it is to be involved in at close quarters, I agree with the sentiment from Ed Chamberlin – expressed at the Gimcrack dinner in December and reported in the Racing Post – about racing needing to modernise in some areas, and not just move with the times but aim to be ahead of the curve,” she says.

An array of offers at Aintree for members

Aintree member offers An exciting addition to this year’s event calendar is a private facility for members on the opening day of Aintree’s Randox Health Grand National meeting.

Members will be able to book into the Hospitality Pavilion (formerly known as Amberleigh House, a double decker glass-fronted facility overlooking the racecourse) on Thursday, April 12.

On a day featuring a host of Grade 1 races, the package for our members’ facility will include lunch, cash bar, closed circuit TV feed and tote facility.

Bookings are now open and the hospitality package will be priced as follows: members £85 per person, guests £100 per person. Full details can be found at www.roa.co.uk/events

Free admission on opening two days

Kate Brazier: not just an owner of Emperor’s Choice but a work-rider too!

Aintree is kindly allowing ROA members free access to Aintree’s Festival Zone on the first and second days of the three-day Randox Health Grand National Festival, April 12-13.

This is an extension of Aintree’s popular free admission offer to members for the opening day of the Festival in recent years.

Members will enjoy admission on production of their Horserace Privilege Card or PASScard. Members will be able to purchase a ticket at face value for accompanying guests on the day, subject to availability.

To reserve a car parking label, email info@roa.co.uk

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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ROA Forum ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Members looking to boost their winnings this month can bag a £2,000 bonus in one of four weekly ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot races.

February February February February

9, Chelmsford City 1m 5f Class 5 4yo+ 0-75 Handicap 12, Wolverhampton 1m1 1/2f Class 5 3yo 0-75 Handicap 19, Kempton 1m Class 4 4yo+ 0-80 Handicap 28, Musselburgh 2m7 1/2f Class 4 5yo+ 0-120 Novices’ Handicap Chase

Winners of these races will be eligible to win the £2,000 bonus if they are qualified as below: • Sole Owner/Company Owner – who is a member of the ROA; • Partnership – horse is registered at least 51% in the ownership of ROA members; • Clubs/Syndicate – majority of the club/syndicate managers are members of the ROA.

Owners Jackpot+ The ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot races have been running on a weekly basis since their inauguration in 2014. They provide a qualifying ROA member with a weekly opportunity to win a bonus of £2,000 and champagne for the owner of each qualifying runner in the selected race. The races are staged to promote grassroots racing throughout the UK, targeting Class 4-6 races.

In 2017 these were augmented with the development of the Jackpot+ scheme, which also includes £250 travel expenses for qualifying runners. In addition, ROA members are also entertained during the raceday free of charge.

For 2018, the ROA is also looking to benefit the yard of the winning horse if the trainer is a member of the ROA themselves. Therefore if the winning owner and trainer are members, then the winning yard will also benefit from a bonus of £500.

Our four Owners Jackpot + races will be run at the following fixtures this year: February 9 Chelmsford City May 11 Market Rasen July 13 (eve) Chester October 24 Fontwell Further details can be found at www.roa.co.uk/jackpot and for up to date Jackpot information follow @RacehorseOwners on Twitter.

Shortlisted finalists for the first Lycetts Team Champion Award

Dan Skelton’s yard features in the 40+ horses category

GEORGE SELWYN

This month will see the National Trainers Federation (NTF) announce award winners for the inaugural Lycetts Team Champion Award.

The award celebrates those training yards that have developed a strong team ethos through their standards of staff management and safe working practices.

The award has two categories – one for yards with 40 or more horses, and one for yards with fewer than 40 horses.

The shortlists (in alphabetical order) are:

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Will you win a £2,000 bonus in 2018?

40+ horses Tom Dascombe Warren Greatrex Mark Johnston Dan Skelton

Fewer than 40 horses Nick Alexander Martin Keighley Seamus Mullins Suzy Smith

Under the grading system, all shortlisted yards are awarded 3-star status.

The standard of nominations was high, resulting in other yards also achieving a 1, 2 or 3-star rating.

A panel of judges comprising Yogi Breisner, Dana Mellor, Kevin Parsons, Olly Stevens and Laura Whyte emphasised the high standard of nominations and the progress taking place in management practices in racing yards.

The panel of judges visited shortlisted yards during January 2018.

Winners will be announced at the NTF Annual General Meeting on February 22.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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G DAVID DAVID V R. R. LANIGAN LANIGAN DAVID HAS HAD SUCCESS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE STARTING TRAINING. Some notable successes have been: MEEZNAH – Winner of the Park Hill Group 2 & Lillie Langtry Group 3

MAIN SEQUENCE – Winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial Group 3, 2nd Epsom Derby Group 1

BIOGRAPHER – Winner of the Noel Murless Stakes Listed

POLYBIUS – Winner of the Hopeful Stakes Listed INTERCEPTION – Winner of the Wokingham Stakes, Royal Ascot Wet cater for all types of ownership and David would be delighted to show you around our wonderful facilities at Rathmoy Stables.

Rathmoy Stables | Hamilton Road | Newmarket | Suffolk | CB8 0GU | England Telephone: +44 (0)1638 664063 | E-mail: david@laniganracing.co.uk

Web: www.laniganracing.co.uk

DAVID DA AVID R R.. LANIGAN LA ANIG GAN

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Email: robert@robertcowellracing.co.uk Website: www.robertcowellracing.co.uk

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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ROA Forum Figures for period January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017

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 Musselburgh Chelmsford City Salisbury Hamilton Park Ripon Pontefract Newcastle Ayr Lingfield Park Leicester Wetherby Thirsk Beverley Bath Carlisle Nottingham Kempton Park Ffos Las Windsor Redcar Yarmouth Catterick Bridge Chepstow Wolverhampton Brighton 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 (£)

I I I JCR JCR I I ARC JCR JCR I I I I I I ARC I ARC I I I I ARC JCR JCR JCR ARC ARC I ARC I ARC ARC ARC ARC

439,135 229,497 191,742 155,972 117,576 85,085 81,645 75,817 67,769 66,025 53,609 46,163 40,004 39,024 38,886 38,082 36,993 34,085 32,785 32,722 32,248 31,417 31,160 30,958 30,373 30,086 28,679 28,053 27,072 26,370 25,440 23,738 22,492 20,427 19,596 14,328 56,414

131,739 88,889 84,869 71,141 73,515 39,937 59,715 47,851 45,638 39,812 17,106 19,082 27,344 21,005 20,218 31,388 19,727 16,626 24,167 22,798 7,234 16,847 19,769 15,332 16,304 19,007 18,779 12,017 19,270 17,845 17,573 16,278 13,494 18,771 12,846 18,509 30,290

262,713 111,472 69,935 112,900 66,124 10,653 38,401 35,240 28,872 18,325 6,182 6,057 6,014 4,709 4,661 3,928 5,538 5,202 4,478 5,987 5,184 6,017 4,060 4,379 5,208 6,101 4,794 3,965 5,102 13,563 4,865 2,825 3,857 3,428 2,826 2,404 19,936

834,005 432,914 347,124 340,014 257,343 137,341 182,070 158,949 142,279 125,717 78,133 71,417 73,363 64,738 63,882 73,398 62,258 55,913 61,431 61,557 44,667 54,281 55,041 50,669 51,885 55,237 52,252 44,035 51,481 57,778 48,233 42,840 39,844 42,686 35,268 35,240 106,892

18 18 19 11 39 15 17 24 16 23 17 52 16 17 17 16 51 17 75 20 3 16 19 21 13 23 58 6 27 18 24 17 16 78 22 34 893

15,012,086 7,792,450 6,595,357 3,740,149 10,036,381 2,060,116 3,095,187 3,814,786 2,276,470 2,828,643 1,328,260 3,713,677 1,173,800 1,100,549 1,086,001 1,174,375 3,175,166 950,525 4,607,302 1,231,138 134,000 868,500 1,045,782 1,064,056 674,510 1,270,460 3,030,643 264,211 1,389,992 1,040,000 1,157,583 728,282 637,500 3,329,499 775,899 1,198,173 95,401,506

439,286 212,321 176,251 140,472 114,448 80,126 76,642 79,833 62,705 54,369 41,025 42,214 37,668 31,889 36,725 36,467 31,977 45,309 34,732 26,736 32,066 28,713 30,417 26,611 26,996 25,603 24,751 24,167 28,527 22,119 23,371 22,440 23,081 20,850 19,068 9,121 53,533

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

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Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Doncaster Newcastle Kelso Wincanton Perth Stratford-On-Avon Cartmel Newton Abbot Ludlow Hereford Wetherby Market Rasen Fakenham Taunton Carlisle Chepstow Musselburgh Warwick Exeter Ffos Las Huntingdon Uttoxeter Worcester Hexham Bangor-On-Dee Lingfield Park Leicester Fontwell Park Plumpton Catterick Bridge Southwell Sedgefield Towcester 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 (£)

Up/ down

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I ARC ARC I JCR I I I I I ARC I JCR I I JCR ARC I JCR JCR ARC JCR ARC ARC I I ARC I ARC I I ARC ARC I

275,542 247,933 145,888 103,458 102,819 63,452 57,205 41,014 36,133 33,849 31,700 31,249 31,149 30,826 30,773 29,790 29,695 29,145 28,001 27,999 27,899 27,622 27,139 26,564 26,472 26,286 25,850 24,153 23,913 23,668 22,394 21,693 21,510 20,863 19,874 18,996 18,184 17,682 17,533 16,965 16,961 40,706

129,713 119,391 82,499 85,945 76,596 73,391 59,423 31,626 41,970 28,584 30,778 34,058 23,924 18,550 19,406 29,781 30,236 14,961 26,365 26,725 22,787 25,199 28,904 28,412 37,171 32,124 31,671 21,643 20,881 24,917 19,289 15,552 17,294 25,902 35,117 19,470 25,713 22,645 18,958 19,173 19,971 33,412

70,798 65,075 18,844 16,229 15,515 19,009 9,142 10,049 7,549 5,093 3,382 5,955 3,556 3,652 4,398 60 4,835 5,440 4,850 4,663 0 5,429 4,962 6,591 4,630 5,612 5,929 4,907 4,232 5,472 3,898 2,843 4,188 4,415 5,200 3,165 3,790 2,629 3,680 2,948 3,719 7,959

476,866 432,399 248,659 207,299 199,047 157,876 126,156 82,854 85,652 68,256 66,401 71,261 58,628 53,370 54,576 59,631 64,766 50,359 59,217 59,898 50,685 58,903 64,737 61,568 68,273 64,963 63,450 50,972 49,776 54,182 45,581 40,087 43,142 51,180 60,191 41,632 47,688 43,106 40,171 39,208 40,881 82,475

8 16 7 9 9 11 13 14 11 10 12 15 15 19 9 17 17 8 17 22 11 15 11 14 10 17 17 13 15 24 22 16 15 7 9 22 16 10 20 19 10 572

3,814,929 6,918,383 1,740,614 1,865,688 1,691,901 1,736,634 1,640,024 1,159,951 942,175 682,555 796,817 1,068,921 879,425 1,014,038 491,185 1,013,719 1,101,016 402,869 1,006,689 1,317,764 557,539 883,543 712,106 861,948 682,733 1,104,369 1,078,658 662,642 746,641 1,300,363 1,002,787 641,398 647,124 358,258 541,719 915,901 763,001 431,062 803,411 744,946 408,812 47,134,257

250,443 236,046 144,181 94,922 92,632 28,489 49,092 39,092 36,613 24,418 36,645 27,365 56,164 28,982 30,843 25,105 49,092 17,411 25,667 16,471 23,041 22,478 19,879 39,914 19,002 21,002 19,557 18,520 20,702 24,225 19,683 18,143 20,424 36,645 20,702 18,924 14,279 16,038 17,430 16,739 15,261 38,440

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

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

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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TBA Forum

The special section for TBA members

TBA Annual Stud Farming Course

John Hernon from Cheveley Park Stud spoke to delegates about sales preparation during the course

H

eld in December at Newmarket’s British Racing School, the popular Annual TBA Stud Farming Course was once again well supported with 41 delegates attending the course over the three intensive days.

The programme featured 22 leading industry speakers from key organisations in the breeding sector, who shared their abundant knowledge and experience on key aspects of practical stud management, successful conception, foaling, care of the newborn foal, sales preparation, nutrition, and stallion management. The latest developments in parasite control, genetic testing, treatment of OCD and subchondral bone cysts, equine dentistry and foot care were also

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covered in the course. Delegates joined the speakers on the first evening at the Bedford Lodge Hotel for dinner, which allowed them to discuss and share ideas in a more relaxed setting.

Staff at the Rossdales Equine Hospital hosted the first of two external visits on the course, where delegates were treated to a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the practice, including a look at the extensive range of diagnostic equipment used to assist with the treatment of patients. On the second day, delegates visited Lanwades Stud, where Stud Manager Alastair Watson was on hand to provide a guided tour of the stud facilities and a viewing of the stallions, which included Derby hero Sir Percy and the exciting sire Sea The

Moon, whose first yearlings averaged £106,000 from a nomination fee of £15,000.

On the final morning of the course, a tour of the British Racing School conducted by BRS Chief Executive Grant Harris gave delegates an insight into how much hard work goes into ensuring that the recruits who graduate from the school are well prepared for their new careers in racing.

Feedback received on the course was overwhelmingly positive, with the delegates relishing the opportunity to learn from such well-respected industry figures. The TBA is enormously grateful to all speakers and visit hosts whose contribution helped to make the course such a success.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Reminder: 30-day foal notification for 2018 crop At the beginning of the 2018 breeding season, the BHA introduced the 30-day foal notification, whereby breeders will now have to notify the General Stud Book (GSB) of the birth of all thoroughbred foals within 30 days of their birth date, in addition to the completion of all present requirements to gain entry to the GSB. There is no fee for the foal notification if carried out within the 30-day window, though an ascending fee structure will be put in place for any notifications made after the 30 days have elapsed.

The new requirement was introduced by the BHA to allow them to trace the welfare and whereabouts of youngsters before they arrive in a registered training yard and thus improve transparency and traceability around the care of thoroughbreds at all stages of their lives.

The 30-day foal notification will be processed through the Weatherbys

HBLB Codes of Practice 2018

General Stud Book Online system, and the existing foal registration can be carried out on the same platform, cutting out any need for double entry.

Further details of the new process and FAQs are available on www.weatherbys.co.uk/30day.

• • • • • • •

Register your newborns within 30 days

Regional days for 2018 We are pleased to announce the following regional days for 2018. Please look out for details for other regions in future editions of this magazine and TBA newsletters/email notifications.

East Region: Wednesday, April 25 Weatherbys Bank, Northampton. This offers a chance for members to have a behind-the-scenes look at Weatherbys, including a tour of the Bloodstock/ Stud and Racing Services departments, followed by a lunch in the conference centre.

Wales & West Midlands: Tuesday, May 8 – David Dennis Racing, Hanley Swan, Worcestershire. A chance to experience the day-to-day running of this superbly equipped training establishment followed by lunch at the Swan at Hanley. During the afternoon we will visit Throckmorton Court Stud, near Pershore, which has been run by Peter Balding since 1993. Their stallions include Music Master, Assertive and Olden Times.

Scotland: Wednesday, June 6 – Tour

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has published the 40th edition of the Codes of Practice on equine disease, in preparation for the 2018 equine breeding season.

The Codes are an essential guide for the prevention and control of equine diseases which represent a potential major threat to equine breeding:

of Floors Stud, followed by lunch and a tour of Floors Castle and gardens.

Floors Stud was established in 1947 by the 9th Duke of Roxburghe and is now run by his son, the present Duke. The stud is home to 16 broodmares, where yearling colts are sold and a number of fillies are retained to race. The stud famously produced star filly Attraction, who returned to Floors to commence her broodmare career.

The West: Wednesday, May 30 – visit to Hillwood Stud, Aldbourne, Berkshire.

Run by Charlie and Tracy Vigors, the stud has recently been upgraded and offers breaking, pre-training, rest and rehabilitation, pre-sales prep and boarding broodmares.

Application forms will be sent to members in the respective regions in due course. However, if you wish to register interest or live outside of the respective regions and wish to attend, please email Annette Bell – annette. bell@thetba.co.uk. Priority will be given to those who reside locally.

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) Equine viral arteritis (EVA) Equine herpesvirus (EHV) Equine coital exanthema (ECE) Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) Dourine Guidelines on Strangles

For each disease there are sections which describe transmission and clinical signs, as well as advice on prevention, diagnosis and control of infection.

The codes explain the notification requirements that apply for the four diseases that are notifiable by law: CEM, EVA, EIA and Dourine.

The 2018 version of the codes includes the following key changes...

• An explanation of the new arrangements for managing any CEM outbreak, as agreed between the industry and DEFRA. • Advice to stallion owners on what to do while the supply of Equip Artervac is suspended.

In addition, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has taken over responsibility for administering the Laboratory Registration Scheme. Mare owners and stud farms should be aware that Mare Certificates will be available to download from www. beva.org.uk.

Hard copies of the Codes of Practice will be mailed to TBA members who have requested a copy. Any member who wishes to receive a copy and has not done so should contact the TBA on 01638 661321.

The Codes are also available online at codes.hblb.org.uk, or as a free app, EquiBioSafe, available from iTunes or Google Play.

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TBA Forum Ms Parfois wins the Listed TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Newbury The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association sponsored the Listed mares’ novices’ chase at Newbury on December 20. The seven-runner race was won by Ms Parfois, ridden by Noel Fehily, who stayed on well to win by three and a half lengths, with the bestturned-out winner Happy Diva taking second. Ms Parfois, who was bred by William and Daryl Deacon and is owned

by Martyn Chapman, has proved herself

Diary Dates Thursday, February 1 TBA Flat Stallion Parade at Tattersalls, Park Paddocks, preceding the start of the February Sale at 11am. Hot drinks and light refreshments will be served in the hospitality boxes in Right and Left Yard, where stallions will also be available to view after the parade.

to be highly consistent, winning six times from 11 starts to date.

She also won at the International Meeting at Cheltenham, just five days prior to her win at Newbury and again at Warwick in January.

Speaking after the win, trainer Anthony Honeyball said: “Ms Parfois is a lovely big scopey mare for a track like this. She jumps well and is as genuine as they come.”

Friday, February 9 EBF/TBA Mares-only Novices’ Chase at Bangor-on-Dee racecourse Thursday, February 15 EBF/TBA Mares-only Novices’ Chase at Kelso racecourse Tuesday, February 20 EBF/TBA Mares-only Novices’ Chase at Wetherby racecourse Wednesday, April 25 East Regional Day at Weatherbys Bank, Northampton Tuesday, May 8 Wales and West Midlands Regional Day at David Dennis Racing Wednesday, June 6 Scotland Regional Day at Floors Castle & Stud

FRANCESCA ALTOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

Ms Parfois jumping the last in the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Newbury; she went on to win again on January 13, the mare’s third win in a row

New Members Carl Hinchy Esq, Merseyside Peter Foster Esq, Norfolk R Rainbow & Sons, Warwickshire Mr and Mrs A Gale, Dorset David Chapman-Jones Esq, Kent Mr Ian Thurtle, Norfolk Miss Clare Malpas, Hertfordshire Keith Reveley Esq, Cleveland Mr Jeremy Young, Rutland Ms Katherine Hawke, Devon Apple Tree Stud, Gloucestershire Mr & Mrs C & T Shaw, Gloucestershire Mrs Diana J White-Hamilton, Dorset Mrs Eileen Smith, Scottish Borders Mr Graham Smith, Surrey Mr Patrick McCormack, County Kildare Suzy Smith, East Sussex Elisa Morgan, Devon Claire Lambert, North Yorkshire Rebecca Ogle, Devon Mrs Sara Bates, Warwickshire Nicola Worley, East Sussex

TBA representative Thomas Symonds with the winning connections of Ms Parfois

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TBA-sponsored races in December On December 21, the 2m1f-furlong chase at Exeter was run as part of the EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series.

The five-runner race was won by the Warren Greatrex-trained The Nipper.

The consistent daughter of Scorpion has now won eight of her 12 starts.

The following week another EBF/ TBA-sponsored race was run at Wincanton. The Bathwick Tyres EBF/ TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase was won by the six-year-old daughter of Robin Des Champs, Pearl Royale, who was bred by T J Whitley and trained by Nigel Hawke.

The race was her first run since last March, and she was given a confident ride by Gavin Sheehan to make all and win impressively by 11 lengths.

The following day, Wetherby

NH MOPS Winners December 5, 2017 Lingfield Park THE STARSPORTSBET.CO.UK MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: BELLE AMIS Owned by: Peter Hockenhull & Paul Rich Bonus Value: £10,000

racecourse used prize-money funds awarded to the course as part of the ‘TBA Mares-only Racecourse Award’ to host the TBA/Download The App at 188Bet Mares’ Handicap Chase.

The contest, run over three miles, was won by Sheneededtherun, who was bred by Brian Moran and is a daughter of Britain’s leading National Hunt sire Kayf Tara. This victory qualifies her, and all other mares who ran in the race, for the popular Challenger Mares’ Staying Chase Series Final at Haydock on March 31.

Unfortunately, inclement weather meant that Doncaster was forced to cancel its meeting on December 29 at which the TBA-sponsored mares’ chase was scheduled to be held.

December 6, 2017 Ludlow THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MARES’ STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: BRUSHED UP Owned by: The Mumbo Jumbos Bonus Value: £5,000 December 20, 2017 Ludlow THE G C RICKARDS LTD EFT MARES’ NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: CHILLI FILLI Owned by: Strachan Lewis Gabb Graham Salwey & Griffith Bonus Value: £10,000 December 26, 2017 Sedgefield THE LE RAAJ SEDGEFIELD MARES’ STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 6) Winner: ETERNALLY YOURS Owned by: Mr Alistair Duncan Bonus Value: £5,000

MATTHEW WEBB

December 26, 2017 Wetherby THE KING GEORGE BETTING AT 188BET MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: PETTICOAT TAILS Owned by: Wynnstay Wanderers Bonus Value: £10,000

The Nipper on her way to winning the EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Exeter

TBA Veterinary Seminar – Saturday, July 28 This year the TBA will take advantage of the presence of world-renowned speakers attending the 12th International Symposium on Equine Reproduction to hold a Breeders’ Seminar on Saturday, July 28. Topics

will include stallion fertility and behaviour, pregnancy loss and Equine Grass Sickness. The full programme will be released shortly. To register interest, please contact Caroline Turnbull at the TBA on 01638 661321.

December 31, 2017 Warwick THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MARES’ ‘NATIONAL HUNT’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: BLACK TULIP Owned by: Mr Henry Daly & Mr B G Hellyer Bonus Value: £10,000 January 3, 2018 Ludlow THE #235 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MARES’ STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 4) Winner: SEA STORY Owned by: John and Susie Kottler, Emma Buchanan Bonus Value: £5,000

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TBA Forum TBA STATISTICAL AWARDS FOR 2017 The Queen’s Silver Cup –

In a year of change for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stud, one constant was its retention of the award for the leading British-based Flat breeder for a fifth year in succession.

Earnings in GB and Ireland determine the award, and it is worth noting that horses registered in the name of Darley secured that top place with Godolphin in fourth place. In January 2016, the Sheikh’s racing and breeding operations were merged under the Godolphin banner with the Darley name retained as a brand to promote his stallions.

Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock operation is the biggest the sport has seen, and has 2,000 racehorses stabled in Britain, Ireland, the United States, Japan, Australia and Dubai. Its breeding arm includes 2,500 breeding stock, stallions on four continents, and employs 1,500 staff.

The highlight on the domestic scene in 2017 was the victory of Nezwaah in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. However, that does scant justice to the global reach of the operation, which saw Darley-bred runners triumph in Group and Grade 1 races around the world.

A Breeders’ Cup double at Del Mar gave the stud its most successful day of the year, Wuheida winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Talismanic the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

BBA Silver Cigar Box and Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup –

Dubawi

The son of Dubai Millennium added further lustre to his outstanding record by heading both the prize-money list and individual winners list for British-based stallions. This was the fifth consecutive year he topped the prize-money list, holding off a strong late challenge from Frankel, the stallion most likely to challenge his domestic hegemony in the future.

Both belong to a small group of elite stallions who are judged by their international success at the highest level. In that respect, 2017 was another

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EMMA BERRY

Darley

Tweenhills Farm and Stud resident Havana Gold was the leading British first-season sire

outstanding year for Darley’s flagship stallion with eight Group 1 winners, all from his northern hemisphere crops.

Highlights included Wuheida’s victory at the Breeders’ Cup, and firsttime Group 1 wins for Zarak (Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud) and Bateel (Prix Vermeille).

With an eye to the future, perhaps the most significant addition was Wild Illusion’s success in the Prix Marcel Boussac, a second successive victory in the two-year-old championship race for a daughter of Dubawi, following Wuheida’s 2016 triumph.

The increasing impact of Dubawi’s juveniles – 33 individual winners including four Group winners in 2017 – complements the long recognised soundness and durability he imparts, with two members of his first crop (Prince Bishop and Lucky Nine) winning Group 1 races at the age of seven.

Tattersalls’ Silver Salver –

Havana Gold Once again it was the award for the leading British-based first-season sire which prevented a Darley clean sweep.

The winner this time is Havana Gold, who stands at Tweenhills Farm and Stud in the ownership of Qatar Racing.

The son of Teofilo out of the good

sprinter Jessica’s Dream was a Group 3 winner at two and enjoyed his finest hour the following season when winning the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly.

His first crop of 104 foals combined quality with quantity, finishing the year with 24 individual winners in Europe that included two Group winners.

The best of these was Havana Grey, who in a busy first campaign took in most of the major two-year-old sprint prizes, winning the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville and the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.

Treasuring, who ran in the colours of Qatar Racing, provided a second pattern success when winning the Group 3 Curragh Stakes in August, and Headway was placed twice in Group 2 company, finishing second in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot and third in the Gimcrack Stakes at York.

Unsurprisingly, after such a fast start and with his second crop of yearlings in strong demand at the sales, Havana Gold’s fee for 2018 has more than doubled from £7,000 to £15,000. He stood his first three seasons at £8,500.

The awards cover the calendar year 2017 and relate to racing in Great Britain and Ireland only.

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More bookings for a new stallion by the middle of January than ever before: that’s the good news about Jack Hobbs from his base at Overbury Stud. And credit for the decision by Godolphin and partners to stand the dual Group 1 winner in Britain goes directly to the TBA’s Elite Mares’ Scheme, according to stud manager Simon Sweeting.

Describing Jack Hobbs as “the best racehorse to retire straight to the National Hunt ranks in Britain since Sheikh Mohammed sent us Kayf Tara in 2001,” he explains: “With a horse of his quality there were a lot of studs, particularly in Ireland, which showed interest, but my reasoning with Darley was that having the Elite Mares’ Scheme in operation, he would have a better chance to become a good stallion in the UK than if he started by covering lesser mares elsewhere.

“Robert Waley-Cohen and his team on the TBA National Hunt Committee have always argued that although there are more mares in Ireland, there are more good jumping racemares in the UK but the majority were going straight to Ireland to be covered. The Elite Mares’ Scheme helps to address that issue.”

The scheme, funded by HBLB, is open to TBA members who own jumpraced mares rated above 130. It offers subsidised, and in some cases free, nominations to 26 eligible stallions in 2018. Discounts vary according to the rating of the mare or her offspring.

Sweeting adds: “Good mares make good stallions, so in a sire’s first year he needs to be covering the best book of mares possible. Because of the Elite Mares’ Scheme, I felt for the first time ever in getting hold of a new stallion that he has a better chance of making it in the UK than in Ireland.

“The point I made to Darley was that although they wouldn’t earn quite so much money to start with, I believe Jack Hobbs will get more good mares as a result of the scheme, which in six to eight years’ time will make him look a lot better when first foals have run.”

Dartmouth is another top-class, middle-distance Group-race winner

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Investing in British NH breeding and racing – The Elite Mares’ Scheme

Jack Hobbs, winner of the Irish Derby and the Dubai Sheema Classic, with Frankie Dettori

entering stud for the first time, having joined Shade Oak Stud, whose owner Peter Hockenhull has dual reason to back the Elite Mares’ Scheme.

Not only has he nominated the stud’s six stallions to the scheme but his bumper-winning mare Belle Amis is the latest winner produced by EMSqualified Amaretto Rose, who raced successfully and was Cheltenham Festival-placed, after being leased by Peter’s father David, before returning to Shade Oak as a broodmare.

Peter explains: “The Elite Mares’ Scheme is the reason why I’ve reinvested in all our stallions, because I feel it’s the only opportunity we have of trying to get another Kayf Tara. A stallion lays down a foundation and is as good as the mares he gets, and we’ve aggressively marketed and tried to attract as many elite mares to the young stallions as we could.

“I’m using the scheme as a tool to launch my new stallions, given

that you really only get one chance, which is how we went from about 28 elite mares to something like 48 for Telescope alone.”

Hockenhull adds: “Bryan Mayoh, the TBA board member, has done the statistics and shown that elite mares are somewhere around 12-14lb better off with their offspring than other mares, which is a heck of a measure.

“On that basis I’ve gone for it, and it has made a difference. We wouldn’t have got the quality of mares to our young stallions – the likes of Telescope - without this scheme, and hopefully the same will apply to Dartmouth, who’s already had a number of elite mares booked to him.

“In ten years’ time, we’ll have the proof of whether the scheme has worked, but for the moment it’s giving the opportunity to young National Hunt sires to get started by attracting mares that otherwise would not have stayed on this side of the Irish Sea.”

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TBA Forum

MEET THE BOARD with Robert Waley-Cohen

Tell us about yourself. What do you do in your professional life?

I worked for many years in the art world and then founded and ran a company providing diagnostic imaging services in the USA. After selling that company in 1988, I founded and ran a similar company in Europe, which was sold in 2007.

What is your background in breeding/ racing?

I graduated from watching point-topoints as a child to riding in them, then to owning and breeding horses, as well as training under permit. I have been lucky enough to own five Cheltenham Festival winners, all trained by Nicky Henderson, beginning with Rustle in 1989 and most recently with Long Run in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Three of my Festival winners later went on to win over the Grand National fences: Rajdhani Express, who was bred at Upton Viva Stud, Liberthine, who is now a mother and grandmother at the stud, and Katarino.

My biggest wins as a permit trainer are The Dragon Master in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown and Oscar Time in the Becher Chase at Aintree, though the greatest satisfaction was training Katarino to win two consecutive Aintree Fox Hunters’ with no race in between.

Upton Viva Stud’s objective is to produce top class National Hunt horses.

We have seven mares, five of them elite mares, while the two who didn’t achieve this are both winners out of our own mares.

I was a Racecourse Steward for 30 years at seven different courses including Aintree and Epsom, served as Secretary of the Amateur Riders’ Association, on the Horseman’s Group, as Chairman of the Point-to-Point Authority, Chairman of the Pony Racing Authority and Deputy Senior Steward of the Jockey Club. I am currently Chairman of Cheltenham racecourse and the TBA’s National Hunt Committee.

What made you want to join the TBA

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Robert Waley-Cohen dreams of breeding the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Board and what are your specific areas of interest?

I wanted to improve the number and quality of UK-bred National Hunt horses and to create more opportunities for fillies and mares to be proven on the racetrack. During my time on the NH Committee we have introduced the elite mares scheme, which encourages the best British-based mares to visit UKbased stallions, and NH MOPS (NH Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme), which pays up to £10,000 per race to the connections of winning UK-bred fillies. A lot of work has been done to improve and expand the opportunities for fillies and mares to race against their own sex. There are now nearly twice as many fillies’ races as there were in 2011-12.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the breeding industry? And what are the solutions?

The biggest challenges, on which everyone is working for solutions, are Brexit, which may impede the free movement of horses to race and to visit stallions, and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Apart from those two huge issues, and focusing on NH breeding, the biggest challenge is not the quality of the mares in the UK, which numerically has as many top mares as France and Ireland, but the

modest total number of NH mares in the UK. This is a tough problem to solve, as it’s hard to make NH breeding financially viable. However, we need to make the effort as we have become over-reliant on imports from France and Ireland – after Brexit this could result in there not being enough horses to fill races, with severe consequences for the sport. This could be partially offset if more fillies were tested on the racecourse.

On the Flat, 40% of the horses racing are female. In NH races only 20% are fillies. More opportunities and better rewards would encourage owners and breeders to race more fillies, but increasing the numbers racing will take time. A threat, already being addressed, is the shortage of horses bred to stay on the Flat, as some of these in the past would have gone jump racing.

In terms of breeding/bloodstock what has been your best/favourite moment?

I bred Shatabdi, who won a Flat race in France, a Grade 2 hurdle race and a chase, and her three-parts brother Rajdhani Express, a Cheltenham Festival and Topham Chase winner. Both were ridden by my son, Sam. What race would you most like to win as a breeder and why?

The dream for me is to breed the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most important race in National Hunt racing, and, to put the cherry on the cake, for it to be ridden by Sam. Winning it once, with Liberthine’s threeparts brother Long Run with Sam on board, whets the appetite.

Where would you like the breeding industry to be in five years’ time?

I’d like to see far more NH mares based in the UK. To achieve this there will have to be more financial incentives for breeders, as the present number of UKbased NH mares is at a threateningly low level. Also, it is imperative that far more fillies are tested on the racecourse, so that we can be sure that we are breeding in future from proven, sound mares.

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Breeder of the Month Words Hyperion Promotions Ltd

BREEDER OF THE MONTH – DECEMBER

WRIGGLE VALLEY THOROUGHBREDS & ROBERT ECCLESHALL The staying hurdle division has been a happy hunting ground for British-bred horses in recent seasons. Thistlecrack (by Kayf Tara) was the dominant force throughout the 2015-16 season which culminated in seven-length victories in the Ryanair World Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Unowhatimeanharry (by Sir Harry Lewis) did not achieve quite the same supremacy in the 2016-17 season, but still scored notable successes in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown. In the latter, he turned the tables on his Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle conqueror, the sadly ill-fated Nichols Canyon, a British-bred son of Authorized, albeit one bred with a different discipline in mind.

The rising star of this season’s campaign is Sam Spinner, an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot two days before Christmas. Making only his seventh start over hurdles, the five-year-old belied his relative youth and inexperience to make all the running and score readily from Grade 1 winner L’Ami Serge, with Unowhatimeanharry more than ten lengths back in third.

In doing so, Sam Spinner provided his now 19-year-old sire Black Sam Bellamy with his first Grade 1 winner over jumps.

The Group 1 winning brother to champion sire Galileo began his stud career at

Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

Gestut Fahrhof in 2004 from where he sired Earl Of Tinsdal, his only Group 1 winner on the flat.

In 2009, he transferred to Shade Oak Stud. The Shropshire-based stud had an especially memorable Christmas, as it also stands the St Leger winner Scorpion, sire of King George VI Chase victor and Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Might Bite.

Wriggle Valley Thoroughbreds and Bob Eccleshall bred Sam Spinner.

Wriggle Valley Thoroughbreds is the former operating name of Doug and Lucy Procter, who run The Glanvilles Stud in the village of Glanvilles Wootton, near Wincanton racecourse in Dorset.

“The first mare we bred from was a point-to-pointer I used to ride, which we did for sentimental reasons,” Procter told Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder in December 2016. “We started boarding mares for other people and then it grew from there - it’s a hobby that turned into a business, but my background is very much National Hunt. You can throw a stone from our farm and it would usually land on a top jumps trainer’s gallop.”

The stud currently has 20 broodmares, including boarders, and Sam Spinner is their first Grade 1 winner. He is the last foal produced by Dawn Spinner, an Arctic Lord half-sister to The Tsarevich, who won the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase at Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson in 1985 and 1986 and was runner-up in the 1987 Grand National.

Dawn Spinner, also trained by Henderson, won a Hereford bumper for her breeder Judy Maitland-Jones in 1997

Doug and Lucy Procter of The Glanvilles Stud, co-breeders of Sam Spinner

and finished second in the last of her two hurdle races. She was subsequently sold to Procter.

Although the stud has raced a few of its own fillies, commercial necessity meant that her final foal had to be sold for £6,000 at the Doncaster December NH Mare & Foal Sale. In 2015, the then threeyear-old gelding returned to Doncaster for the Spring Store Sale where Caron and Paul Chapman paid £12,000 and sent him to Jedd O’Keeffe in North Yorkshire.

Happily, The Glanvilles Stud is home to Sam Spinner’s Alflora half-sister, Tsarinova, who is in foal to Black Sam Bellamy. It is safe to assume that it will take more than £6,000 in future to buy a close relative to one of the brightest young stars on the British jumping scene.

Remarkably, there was even more reason for Christmas cheer in the picturesque Blackmore Vale village. At Wetherby on Boxing Day, Get On The Yager, bred by Charles and Fiona Wilson at their Pitts Farm Stud, won the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase – quite some double for a village of fewer than 200 people.

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Over the last 70 years we’ve made a big from our members.

In the industry

The raceday experience

Member benefits

● Founder member of the Horsemen’s Group – 2006 Members’ Tripartite Agreement – 2015 ● Prize-money agreements – 56 out of 60 racecourses now have one in place ● Owners Jackpot – over £350,000 given back to members so far ● National Racehorse Owners Survey 2016 – largest ever survey of racehorse owners. Findings showed average duration of ownership amongst ROA members is 6.5 years vs 4.7 years for registered owners ● ROA Ownership Costs Surveys ● ROA Trainer Pack – a resource for

● ROA Gold Standard has encouraged many racecourses to improve their

● ROA / SIS owner sponsorship scheme – over 2,500 horses on the scheme, enabling their owners to reclaim an average of £4,000 per horse on annual costs ● Automatic third-party liability insurance ● 20% discount on most BHA registration fees ● Free racecourse admission schemes – four schemes meaning all members qualify ● Owners’ priority parking at racecourses ● Raceday hospitality facilities and events ● Subscription to Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder magazine

● 2016 National Racehorse Owners Survey – showed the racecourse experience needs to improve – racecourse experience a key reason for leaving ownership (44%)

● Supporter of ‘The Horse Comes First’, Equine Infectious Diseases Service (EIDS), Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and Racing Welfare

There’s still much to do.

Join the ROA and help us improve owners’ rights.

Call 020 7152 0200 or visit roa.co.uk

Vet Forum: The Expert View

By Deidre Carson MRCVS

Difficult foalings – what can go wrong?

Stage one might be missed but many mares will look uncomfortable and might sweat or lie down/get up repeatedly. During this stage the foal will normally rotate into the ‘correct’ position for delivery (Fig 1). Stage two commences with rupture of the membranes and passage of placental fluids. The foal is usually born front feet first, quickly followed by the muzzle and head (anterior presentation). It should be ‘right way up’ with its spine uppermost. Increased effort by the

Many foalings happen without incident but experienced people should always be present

foal’s abdomen once the foal starts to struggle or the mare stands.

mare is often needed to deliver the shoulders and hips and then the hind legs should follow on easily. If the mare remains lying down, the hind limbs may remain in the birth canal after the hips have been delivered until either the mare stands or the foal moves. Similarly, the cord usually ruptures close to the

Be prepared

Fig 1

JAMES POWER

Normal delivery

EMMA BERRY

O

n most larger thoroughbred studs, at least one person has considerable experience in monitoring mares for impending parturition (foaling). It is important to assess each mare individually and be able to respond to potential – and real - problems. Fortunately, most mares manage to foal uneventfully and most foals do all the right things and are standing and sucking within hours of birth. However, there are occasions where a foaling problem can very quickly become a disaster. The quicker problems are detected, the better the chances of survival for mare and foal.

It is difficult to find accurate statistics for the occurrence of difficult foalings (dystocias) as many minor problems are corrected by vigilant stud staff or with limited veterinary interference. There is only a very short window to detect and act if there is a problem so it is worth having an idea of the potential issues.

Most mares give warning that they are thinking about foaling well in advance. The mammary glands gradually increase in size over the last month, with the greatest changes occurring in the last two weeks. The ligaments around the tail relax and the vulva may appear to lengthen.

The consistency of the milk changes from a thin pale liquid to thick, creamy colostrum and ‘wax’ may form on the teats in the last few days. However, not all mares show any or all of these signs and maiden mares may foal with little or no obvious mammary development or wax formation.

The correct position for delivery

Ensure you have the right equipment available. This includes warm water, disinfectant and soap, clean towels, sharp scissors, a clean tail bandage, good light, plenty of clean bedding and contact numbers for assistance, if required. Larger studs will have an oxygen cylinder, regulator and tube in case oxygen is needed. If the mare has been stitched (caslicks) she should be ‘opened’ before foaling. At all times, be aware of your own safety. Foaling mares can still kick and might also go down abruptly.

Be alert

Once labour commences, the mare’s tail

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Vet Forum: The Expert View

What might go wrong?

Dystocia can be due to incorrect position or presentation of the foal or a mismatch between the size of the foal and the mare’s pelvis. Rarely, the mare might simply not be able to ‘push’ adequately. In many instances the problem can be overcome at the stud – sometimes by experienced staff but in many cases by manual manipulation by the vet the using ropes. Other cases may require general anaesthesia and raising of the hindquarters using a hoist to permit what is known as assisted vaginal delivery. In a few cases, caesarean section under general anaesthesia may be required to save the mare and, if possible, the foal.

Unfortunately foals are very susceptible to the effects of low oxygen levels (hypoxia) during prolonged labour and even if they are alive at birth, might suffer from brain or other organ damage. If there is any impairment to a normal delivery, you should call your vet immediately.

In a very small number of cases, usually if there are financial considerations, a dead foal might be

cut into pieces to allow delivery without having to operate on the mare. This is called fetotomy. As caesarean section is a now a relatively safe procedure for the mare, fetotomy is increasingly rare, especially as considerable damage to the cervix may result.

Fig 3

JAMES POWER

(under her tail around anus and vulva) washed. Once stage two commences, wash your hands and gently feel inside the vagina to check that the front feet are present. You might also be able to feel the muzzle. If in any doubt, call for experienced help.

Specific problems with position, anatomy or size

Relative foal oversize: In these cases, the foal will become ‘stuck’ either at the shoulders or at the hips. Traction on the foal combined with gentle rotation and ‘walking’ the limbs might be effective.

In a small number of cases, traction can make the situation worse because the foal becomes wedged and can’t be shifted. Don’t continue to pull – call for help.

One or both front legs back due to flexion at the shoulders: This might be correctable with manipulation if the mare is roomy enough. However, assisted delivery under general anaesthesia or caesarean might be required.

One or both legs bent at the knee: This might be easily corrected if the flexion is not due to permanent contracture of the joint (arthrogryposis, Fig 2).

If the knees cannot be straightened, assisted delivery or caesarean might be required. In many of these cases, the foal is not viable because it is unable to stand even if born alive.

Head back or down: Again, this might be relatively easy to correct if the

Occasionally the neck doesn’t straighten

muzzle can be reached and the bend is not too tight or a result of a physical deformity (Fig 3). In a few cases, the neck cannot be straightened either before or after birth.

Head down with feet over poll: In a few instances one or both feet might be sitting over the poll and in these, there is a considerable risk of a hoof punching a hole into the roof of the vagina and through into the rectum.

Care must be taken to reposition the hoof/hooves into the vagina so that the tear does not progress through to the anus as birth progresses. Feet should Fig 4

JAMES POWER

›› should be bandaged and her perineum

The hind feet can become wedged

OLIVER PYNN/ROSSDALES LLP

Fig 2

Legs bent at the knee can be corrected if the joint contracture is not permanent

never appear through the anus.

Dog sitting posture: (Fig 4) This can be very difficult to detect as the front legs and head might appear normally but foaling cannot progress because the hind feet become wedged in the birth canal. It can be difficult to reach past the foal’s chest to check if this is what is happening, but applying traction will only worsen the situation.

These cases almost invariably require assisted delivery or caesarean. Survival of the foal might be improved by administration of oxygen during transport and delivery.

Posterior presentation: This is definitely abnormal. If the hind feet are presented it might be possible to deliver the foal using traction and gentle rotation to help the hips through the birth canal. However, if the foal is in the breach position you might be able to feel the tail and rump if you put your

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OLIVER PYNN/ROSSDALES LLP

Fig 5

Transverse presentation

hand inside but nothing else. These usually require assisted delivery or caesarean and you should call your vet immediately.

Transverse presentation occurs when the foal is lying across the opening to the birth canal and cannot be delivered.

All four feet might present at the same time (Fig 5) or none, depending on which way the foal is facing. An emergency caesarean may be required.

Congenital deformities: Sometimes a foal develops in the uterus with significant anatomical or structural abnormalities which impede normal presentation for birth or prevent

expulsion from the uterus. These can include wryneck, limb or spinal abnormalities, brain or skull malformation, etc.

Pre-partum (before birth) death of the foal can result in failure of the final positional movements of the foal normally required for correct presentation for birth. Consequently, a stillborn foal might require assisted delivery or even caesarean.

Other foaling emergencies

Red bag: In a normal foaling, the allantois (outer layer of the placenta) ruptures at the beginning of stage 2 labour and the front feet and muzzle appear covered by the thin white amnion (inner layer of the placenta). In a very small number of cases, however, the unruptured thick red allantois bulges through the vulva. You must rupture this immediately if the foal is to survive. Use scissors if necessary but do not hesitate.

Mare haemorrhage: This does not usually become noticeable until after foaling and is usually due to rupture of

one of the uterine arteries internally.

No external signs will be apparent but the mare might collapse with pale membranes, rapid heart rate and signs of colic pain.

Call your vet immediately, although it is possible that the mare will die even with veterinary treatment.

Foal failure to breathe: The foal should start to breathe as soon as it is born. Up until then it has been kept alive via the umbilical cord but this soon ruptures and, at the same time, the placenta will be starting to separate away from the lining of the uterus. Check for a pulse by putting a hand on the foal’s chest.

If the foal is not breathing but the heart is beating, use a foal resuscitator or attempt to blow into one nostril while holding the other closed to see if you can stimulate regular respiratory efforts.

This is by no means a full account of all of the problems nor all of the treatment options available.

Preparation and experience are the major contributors to a successful foaling – as well as good luck.

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Dr Statz

John Boyce cracks the code

Rock’s offspring doing him proud

T

he race to accumulate the most winners in a season by a first-crop sire can be exciting. But as a means of detecting future top sires, this measure isn’t that reliable. Races are tailored for all classes of racehorses, so winning them – while vital for certain classes of sires – is by no means guaranteed to throw up the next Galileo or Dubawi.

This month we will review the firstseason sires of Britain and Ireland by using the class – as measured by Timeform – of the best ten runners by each stallion and comparing them to the elite first-season sires over the past 20 years. Frankel, predictably, didn’t match the raw numbers posted by many freshman sires, but when it comes to class, the son of Galileo now sets the standard. Zoffany had an outstanding first set of youngsters and he has earned superb patronage on the back of that.

Cape Cross, Oasis Dream, Kheleyf and Invincible Spirit, all by Green Desert, were well equipped to deliver impressive results with their first youngsters. Juvenile success could also be predicted for Rock Of Gibraltar, Shamardal and Acclamation, but Montjeu may have been a bit of a surprise. Again, the class of his youngsters – including Group 1 winner Motivator – has put him among the best ten.

The deceased Society Rock was just about the best racehorse sired by the multiple Group 1-winning miler Rock Of Gibraltar, who features on our elite ten list. Rated 126 by Timeform, Society Rock was a top-class sprinter. His dam was precocious and classy enough to bag the Rochestown Stakes and good enough to earn a Timeform equivalent of 114 in America later in her career.

A little less surprising, then, that Society Rock could not only provide more winners than any other freshman in 2017 but also top our ranking by the average Timeform rating of the best ten juveniles.

His 29 winners from 82 runners (35%) is right up there with the best first-season sires in the past 20 years. That said, the average rating of his best ten youngsters (95.7), while comfortably ahead of his contemporaries, is some way adrift of the level posted by the best ten sires of the past 20 years. What’s not in doubt, though, is the fact that his highest-rated

runner Unfortunately – winner of the Robert Papin and Morny and rated 117 – is better than the best runner of all but two of the elite group. Society Rock also has a pair of Group 3-placed colts in Corinthia Knight (106) and Tangled (105).

Declaration Of War (95.5), rated 128, the joint-highest by a son of War Front, sired only 11 winners but he himself wasn’t that precocious. And some of his stock’s best performances came late in the year with the promise of more to come. His son Olmedo, second in the Group 1 Prix JeanLuc Lagardere, was his top-rated on 116, followed by the Group 3 Anglesey heroine and Group 1-placed Actress on 105. Two more of his first crop, Baroness and On The Warpath, were both rated 101. In all, Declaration Of War sired three black-type winners and two Group 1 horses.

Third on our list is Teofilo’s son, Havana Gold (93.9), whose 112-rated Havana Grey won three black-type races, including the Group 3 Molecomb. He also sired the 107-rated Headway, who was second in the Coventry, and the 97-rated Group 3 winner Treasuring.

A sire that made late headway in

Tangled, a successful son of Society Rock

2017 was the Derby and 2,000 Guineas winner Camelot (91.8). Everyone knew that whatever he achieved with his first juveniles would be a bonus. The son of Montjeu ended up with 20 winners, including two black-type winners and three Group horses. Most of his two-yearolds can be expected to make big strides later this year when they encounter more suitable distances.

Dark Angel’s son Lethal Force (91.4) sired an impressive 25 winners, including three black-type horses and two Group performers. He was the only other sire to pass the 90-mark.

This ranking is an early look at 2014’s stallion intake and whilst no sire reached the scores of the best ten in the past 20 years, we would do well to remind ourselves Galileo scored 94.6 after year one, while Dubawi’s average was 98.3.

Leading GB-IRE first-season sires in 2017 (Ranked by the average TFR of their top ten horses) Name

Sire

Rnrs

Wnrs

(%)

T10Avg

Society Rock

Rock Of Gibraltar

82

29

(35.4)

95.7

Unfortunately

Top horse

TFR 117

Declaration Of War

War Front

54

11

(20.4)

95.5

Olmedo

116

Havana Gold

Teofilo

68

24

(35.3)

93.9

Havana Grey

112

Camelot

Montjeu

78

20

(25.6)

91.8

Fighting Irish

102

Lethal Force

Dark Angel

63

25

(39.7)

91.4

Mokaatil

101

Epaulette

Commands

63

23

(36.5)

89.6

McMunigal

104 104

Dawn Approach

New Approach

50

13

(26.0)

88.0

Mary Tudor

Red Jazz

Johannesburg

64

23

(35.9)

86.6

Snazzy Jazzy

97

Intello

Galileo

39

11

(28.2)

85.7

Gabr

108

Swiss Spirit

Invincible Spirit

43

17

(39.5)

84.9

Kick On Kick On

94

Leading GB-IRE first-season sires since 2000 (Ranked by the average TFR of their top ten horses) Name

Sire

Rnrs

Wnrs

(%)

T10Avg

Top horse

Frankel

Galileo

48

20

(41.7)

104.3

Soul Stirring

TFR 115

Zoffany

Dansili

85

32

(37.6)

103.7

Foundation

114

Cape Cross

Green Desert

55

28

(50.9)

103.4

Cape Fear

110

Oasis Dream

Green Desert

61

22

(36.1)

103.4

Visit

110

Kheleyf

Green Desert

70

31

(44.3)

103.3

Sayif

115

Rock Of Gibraltar

Danehill

62

21

(33.9)

102.3

Eagle Mountain

118 122

Montjeu

Sadler’s Wells

53

20

(37.7)

102.1

Motivator

Invincible Spirit

Green Desert

70

35

(50.0)

101.9

Captain Marvelous

114

Shamardal

Giant’s Causeway

65

24

(36.9)

101.8

Arctic

116

Acclamation

Royal Applause

60

28

(46.7)

101.5

Dark Angel

113

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Data Book • Analysis by Andrew Caulfield Grade 1 Winners 77 BETFAIR TINGLE CREEK CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 9. 4yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. POLITOLOGUE (FR) 6 11-7 £85,827 gr g by Poliglote - Scarlet Row (Turgeon) O-Mr J. Hales B-Mme H. Devin TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Fox Norton (FR) 7 11-7 £32,457 b g by Lando - Natt Musik (Kendor) O-Ann & Alan Potts Limited B-S.A. Scuderia Del Bargelo TR-Colin Tizzard 3. Ar Mad (FR) 7 11-7 £16,452 b g by Tiger Groom - Omelia (April Night) O-Mr Ashley Head B-M. Le Meur TR-Gary Moore Margins 0.5, 5. Time 3:54.30. Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-6

Starts 15

Wins 8

Places 4

Earned £280,394

Sire: POLIGLOTE. Sire of 86 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - POLITOLOGUE Turgeon G1, SO FRENCH Mansonnien G1, ROI MAGE Nikos G2, TOP NOTCH Pistolet Bleu G2, DEVICE Mansonnien G3, LET’S DANCE Bonnet Rouge G3, POP ART DU BERLAIS Polish Precedent LR. 1st Dam: SCARLET ROW by Turgeon. 10 wins over jumps in France, Prix Gerald de Rochefort Hurdle LR, 2nd P.Maurice Gillois 4yo Grand Steeplechase G1.

Dam of 2 winners:

2008: 2009: 2011:

2013:

SCARLETT DU MESNIL (f Muhtathir) Winner over jumps in France. Broodmare.

Lady Scarlet (f King’s Theatre). Broodmare.

POLITOLOGUE (g Poliglote) 7 wins, Bathwick Tyres Exeter Novices’ Hurdle LR, 2nd Betfred Challow Novices’ Hurdle G1, Betfair Tingle Creek Chase G1, 188Bet Haldon Gold Cup H. Chase G2, Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase G2, 2nd Star Sports Novices’ Chase G2.

Scarlet Ribbons (f Sholokhov)

Broodmare Sire: TURGEON. Sire of the dams of 28 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - CHAMP DE BATAILLE Dream Well G1, POLITOLOGUE Poliglote G1, SRELIGHONN Martaline G1, A MI MANERA Great Pretender G3, ASTHURIA Sagacity LR, FIXE LE KAP Kapgarde LR, LA BAGUE AU ROI Doctor Dino LR. The Poliglote/Turgeon cross has produced: POLITOLOGUE G1, STILL LOVING YOU G1, Reine Angevine G1, TOI ET LE SOLEIL LR, Fayas LR, Franche Alliance LR.

POLITOLOGUE gr g 2011 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Val de L’Orne

Val de Loir Aglae

Apachee

Sir Gaylord Americaine

Caro

Fortino II Chambord

Reiko

Targowice Beronaire

Le Glorieux

Cure The Blues La Mirande

Nile Palace

Crystal Palace Neomenie

Sadler’s Wells POLIGLOTE b 92 Alexandrie

Turgeon SCARLET ROW gr 02 Nile Glorieuse

Fox Norton and Politologue had each warmed up for the Gr1 Tingle Creek Chase with a smooth Gr2 victory and these two French-breds headed the betting. However, the odds-on Fox Norton could never quite catch his compatriot, with Politologue recording his first Gr1 success by half a length.

The young son of Poliglote has now won five of his seven completed starts over fences. He is admirably versatile, as the distances he has won over range from two miles to just under two and three-quarter miles.

Poliglote was France’s champion sire in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016, and narrowly missed out on the 2017 title. Poliglote has enjoyed similar longevity to his sire Sadler’s Wells and grandsire Northern Dancer, and France Galop credits him with 16 foals in 2017, conceived

when Poliglote was 24. Poliglote’s achievements also extend to siring the 2012 Arc winner Solemia.

His best representatives over jumps in Britain and Ireland include Don Poli (RSA Chase and Lexus Chase), Top Notch (Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase), Wonderful Charm (a Gr2 winner over hurdles and fences), Hinterland (Henry VIII Novices’ Chase) and Roi Des Francs (a Graded winner over hurdles and fences). His French roll call is also impressive, featuring such as So French (twice a winner of the Gr1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris), the Gr1-winning hurdlers Saint Du Chenet, Prince Oui Oui, Nikita Du Berlais and Tanais Du Chenet, as well as the multiple Graded hurdles winner Device.

Politologue’s dam Scarlet Row had the excellent record of ten wins from 18 starts over jumps, including a Listed race over hurdles. She won at up to two and a half miles and was Gr1-placed over a further quarter mile. Her brother Adelaide Square is a useful cross-country performer.

Their sire Turgeon stayed very well - well enough to win the Irish St Leger and Prix Royal-Oak as well as to finish third in two editions of the Gold Cup. Turgeon also sired the Listed winner Nile Bonheur from Politologue’s third dam Nile Palace.

Second dam Nile Glorieuse won twice over hurdles and once over fences. Nile Glorieuse’s half-sister Nile Princesse is the second dam of Princesse Kap, a Kapgarde mare whose victories included one over the smart Milord Thomas in the Gr2 Prix des Drags over two and three-quarter miles.

78 RANDOXHEALTH.COM HENRY VIII NOV. CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 9. 4yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. SCEAU ROYAL (FR) 5 11-2 £29,810 b g by Doctor Dino - Sandside (Marchand de Sable) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-Mr G. Vimont TR-Alan King 2. North Hill Harvey (GB) 6 11-2 £12,020 b g by Kayf Tara - Ellina (Robellino) O-Mrs G. Widdowson & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes B-E. J. Cantillon TR-Dan Skelton 3. Finian’s Oscar (IRE) 5 11-2 £6,685 b g by Oscar - Trinity Alley (Taipan) O-Ann & Alan Potts Limited B-R. O’Keeffe TR-Colin Tizzard Margins 11, 50. Time 3:53.50. Going Good to Soft.

Age 2-5

Starts 20

Wins 9

Places 6

Earned £171,339

Sire: DOCTOR DINO. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - MASTER DINO Mizzen Mast G1, SCEAU ROYAL Marchand de Sable G1, DOCTEUR DE BALLON Phantom Breeze LR, LA BAGUE AU ROI Turgeon LR. 1st Dam: SANDSIDE by Marchand de Sable. 4 wins at 3 and 4 in France. Dam of 2 winners:

2011: 2012:

2014:

SANDOSIDE (c Palace Episode) 8 wins at 3 to 6, 2017 in France.

SCEAU ROYAL (g Doctor Dino) Sold 10,840gns yearling at OSSEP. 9 wins, Stan James Elite H. Hurdle G2, 2nd Weatherbys Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle LR, 3rd Betway Kingwell Hurdle G2, randoxhealth. com Henry VIII Nov. Chase G1.

Apsisneo (g Apsis)

Broodmare Sire: MARCHAND DE SABLE. Sire of the dams of 12 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - SCEAU ROYAL Doctor Dino G1, OLD GUARD Notnowcato LR.

SCEAU ROYAL b g 2012

Majmu

Al Nasr Affirmative Fable

2007:

Priolo

Sovereign Dancer Primevere

2009:

Salagangai

Sallust Malagangai

2010:

Theatrical

Nureyev Tree of Knowledge

Mercantile

Kenmare Mercuriale

Al Nasr

Lyphard Caretta

Oui Papa

Riverman Amira

Logica

Marchand de Sable SANDSIDE b 05 Moi

In a lengthy and distinguished racing career, the French-trained Doctor Dino travelled the world to win the Gr1 Man o’War Stakes, and two editions of the Gr1 Hong Kong Vase, as well as being Gr1-placed in Britain, France, the USA, Singapore and Dubai. The son of Muhtathir didn’t win a Group race until he was four and enjoyed his most fruitful seasons at the ages of five and six.

His eldest progeny were only six years old in 2017 but he has already made a bright start as a sire of chasers with geldings from his 2012 crop. Docteur de Ballon won a Listed race at Auteuil over two and three-quarter miles, while Sceau Royal has won three of his four starts over the larger obstacles, notably taking the Gr1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. The Haras de Mesnil stallion is also making his mark with hurdlers of the calibre of Master Dino (Gr1 Grand Course de Haies des 3 Ans in 2017) and La Bague Au Roi (a multiple Listed winner).

It is essential to remember that none of Doctor Dino’s first five crops numbered more than 40 foals and Sceau Royal and Docteur de Ballon come from a crop of only 28.

Predictably, Doctor Dino has been covering plenty of mares in recent seasons, including 110 in 2015 and 89 in 2016.

Sceau Royal’s dam Sandside won four times at up to a mile, including at claiming level, and she shares the same sire, Marchand de Sable, as the top sprinter Marchand d’Or. Marchand de Sable also sired the smart two-mile chaser Andreas, so it is hardly surprising that Sceau Royal has so far done all his racing at around the minimum distance.

However, Sandside’s dam Moi was a half-sister to a very smart French stayer in The Little Thief.

79 JOHN DURKAN MEMORIAL PUNCHESTOWN CHASE G1 PUNCHESTOWN. Dec 10. 5yo+. 20f.

1. SIZING JOHN (GB) 7 11-10 £42,863 b g by Midnight Legend - La Perrotine (Northern Crystal) O-Ann & Alan Potts Limited B-Dr B. & S. Mayoh TR-Mrs J. Harrington 2. Djakadam (FR) 8 11-10 £13,803 b g by Saint des Saints - Rainbow Crest (Baryshnikov) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Mr R. Corveller TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 8 11-10 £6,538 b g by Brian Boru - Satellite Dancer (Satco) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-E. Coleman TR-Henry de Bromhead Margins 7, 2.75. Time 5:34.30. Going Heavy.

Age 4-7

Starts 20

1st Dam: LA PERROTINE by Northern Crystal. 4 wins.

Dam of 2 winners:

Diesis Modena

Muhtathir DOCTOR DINO ch 02

Sire: MIDNIGHT LEGEND. Sire of 18 Stakes winners.

Elmaamul

Wins 9

Places 9

Earned £776,804

2012: 2013: 2014: 2015:

Scholastica (f Old Vic) 4 wins, 3rd betatbluesq.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle LR. La Doelenaise (f King’s Theatre).

Broodmare.

SIZING JOHN (g Midnight Legend) 9 wins, Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1, 2nd Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, 3rd Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase G1, John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase G1, Stan James Irish Gold Cup G1, Coral Punchestown Gold Cup Chase G1, Ryans Cleaning Craddockstown Nov. Chase G2, Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase G3, 2nd Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Racing Post Christmas Novice Chase G1, Paddy Power Cashcard Chase G1, 3rd Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase G1.

Batoutahell (f King’s Theatre) unraced.

French Steps (g Schiaparelli) unraced.

Deadringerforlove (f Black Sam Bellamy) unraced to date.

Anythingforlove (f Black Sam Bellamy) unraced to date.

2nd Dam: HARATIYNA by Top Ville. 1 win at 2 in France.

Dam of Harawi (c Akarad: 3rd Prix Coupe des Trois Ans LR, 2nd P.RTL Clement Lesbordes Printemps Hurdle LR).

Grandam of JANE AUSTEN, Acapulco, Haraplata, LE CHATEAU, Le Missionnaire. Third dam of Hashbrown.

Fourth dam of EVASIVE’S FIRST. Broodmare Sire: NORTHERN CRYSTAL. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners.

SIZING JOHN b g 2010 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Ciboulette

Chop Chop Windy Answer

Troy

Petingo La Milo

Hay Reef

Mill Reef Haymaking

Crystal Glitters

Blushing Groom Tales To Tell

North Cliff

Green Dancer Nenana Road

Top Ville

High Top Sega Ville

Halwah

The Minstrel Herila

Night Shift MIDNIGHT LEGEND b 91 Myth

Northern Crystal LA PERROTINE b 00 Haratiyna

The Return of Mares credits Midnight Legend with 11 foals in 2017, with these 11 being conceived in the months prior to the death, at the age of 25, of the remarkable son of Night Shift. Midnight Legend had raced with distinction until he was eight, initially becoming a triple Listed winner at up to a mile and threequarters on the Flat. He also thrived over hurdles, winning a Gr2 at Aintree and a Gr1 at Punchestown, and he was asked to combine racing with stallion duties towards the end of his racing career, covering 25 mares as a seven-year-old and 24 the following year.

Midnight Legend has been represented by such as Wychwoods Brook (Gr2 Peter Marsh Chase), Midnight Chase (Gr2 Cotswold Chase), Seeyouatmidnight (a Gr2 winner over hurdles and fences), Quite By Chance, My Petra, Easter Legend, Bally Legend and Midnight Jazz. However, his ticket to lasting fame has been supplied by Sizing John, a Gr1 winner over hurdles who has become very hard to beat over fences. Sizing John now has an enviable collection of trophies, having taken the Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup in the first

106 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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CAULFIELD ON SAM SPINNER: “The Long Walk Hurdle winner, who was foaled when his dam Dawn Spinner was 20, has a pedigree which suggests he should eventually make a chaser” part of 2017 and he made it four consecutive Gr1 successes in the Punchestown Chase. His collection would have been even more impressive but for Douvan, who beat him into second place in no fewer than four Gr1s.

Sizing John’s dam La Perrotine was bought for 54,000gns as an unraced three-year-old at Doncaster in 2003. Her price reflected the fact that her dam, the winning Top Ville mare Haratiyna, was a half-sister to the Italian Derby winner Houmayoun.

Her sire Northern Crystal was a less familiar name in Britain, despite having been a dual Gr3 winner over a mile in France. La Perrotine justified her purchase price by winning a bumper and three novice hurdles.

80 JLT REVE DE SIVOLA LONG WALK HURDLE G1 ASCOT. Dec 23. 4yo+. 24f.

1. SAM SPINNER (GB) 5 11-7 £56,950 b g by Black Sam Bellamy - Dawn Spinner (Arctic Lord) O-Caron & Paul Chapman B-Wriggle Valley Thoroughbreds & Prof R. Eccleshall TR-Jedd O’Keeffe 2. L’Ami Serge (IRE) 7 11-7 £21,370 b g by King’s Theatre - La Zingarella (Phardante) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-P. Ryan TR-Nicky Henderson 3. Unowhatimeanharry (GB) 9 11-7 £10,700 b g by Sir Harry Lewis - Red Nose Lady (Teenoso) O-Mr John P. McManus B-R. J. Smith TR-Harry Fry Margins 2.75, 8. Time 6:02.90. Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-5

Starts 9

Wins 6

Places 3

Earned £142,356

Sire: BLACK SAM BELLAMY. Sire of 14 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - SAM SPINNER Arctic Lord G1, GALOP MARIN Great Palm G2.

1st Dam: DAWN SPINNER by Arctic Lord. Winner of a N.H. Flat Race. Dam of 4 winners:

1996: 2000: 2001: 2002: 2003: 2004: 2005: 2007: 2008: 2011: 2012:

MISTY DAWN (g King’s Ride) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race.

Halfway Home (f Presenting) unraced. Broodmare.

Dam of BALBRIGGAN (g King’s Theatre: 6 wins, Ladbrokes Troytown H. Chase G2) Man of Mine (g Classic Cliche) ran twice in N.H. Flat Races and ran a few times over hurdles and ran twice over fences. (f Classic Cliche) CARYS’S LAD (g Exit To Nowhere) Winner over hurdles.

Duffy Moon (g Presenting) ran twice in N.H. Flat Races and ran over hurdles.

Tsarinova (f Alflora) FLORAL SPINNER (f Alflora) 4 wins.

Broodmare.

Flora Aurora (g Alflora) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race and ran 3 times over hurdles.

It Just Aint Right (f Dr Massini) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race.

SAM SPINNER (g Black Sam Bellamy) 6 wins, JLT Reve de Sivola Long Walk Hurdle G1, Betfair Stayers Fixed Brush H. Hurdle G3, 2nd Totepool Silver Trophy H. Hurdle G3.

Broodmare Sire: ARCTIC LORD. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners.

SAM SPINNER b g 2012 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Miswaki

Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal

Allegretta

Lombard Anatevka

Lord Gayle

Sir Gaylord Sticky Case

Arctic Chimes

Arctic Slave Bell Bird

Bally Russe

Ballymoss Dame Melba

Sadler’s Wells BLACK SAM BELLAMY b 99 Urban Sea

Arctic Lord DAWN SPINNER gr 92 Madame Russe Dellanist

Colonist II Lardella

It was back in 2009 that Galileo’s Gr1-winning brother Black Sam

Bellamy was switched from Germany to Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire, so it is time to expect some smart purpose-bred jumpers from this 2003 winner of the Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Black Sam Bellamy had previously shown what he’s capable of by siring several Group/Graded winners on the Flat during his time at Gestut Fahrhof, including the Gr1 winner Earl Of Tinsdal.

The Fahrhof-bred The Giant Bolster had also raised hopes that Black Sam Bellamy’s progeny would flourish over jumps. This gelding finished second, fourth and third in consecutive editions of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Now Black Sam Bellamy appears to have exciting prospects in Galop Marin, a young Gr2 winner at Auteuil, and Sam Spinner. The latter was winning for the fifth time in seven starts over hurdles when he led throughout to take the Gr1 Long Walk Hurdle. The gelding had also won one of his two starts in National Hunt Flat races.

Sam Spinner, who was foaled when his dam Dawn Spinner was 20, has a pedigree which suggests he should eventually make a chaser. He is a half-brother to Halfway Home, dam of Balbriggan, a useful staying hurdler/chaser, and his dam, the bumper winner Dawn Spinner, was a half-sister to The Tsarevich, a smart chaser who was second in the 1987 Grand National.

81 32RED KAUTO STAR NOVICES’ CHASE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. BLACK CORTON (FR) 6 11-7 £43,466 br g by Laverock - Pour Le Meilleur (Video Rock) O-The Brooks, Stewart Families & J. Kyle B-Dominique Guyon TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Elegant Escape (IRE) 5 11-7 £16,781 b g by Dubai Destination - Graineuaile (Orchestra) O-Mr J. P. Romans B-J. Leahy TR-Colin Tizzard 3. West Approach (GB) 7 11-7 £8,779 b g by Westerner - Ardstown (Ardross) O-John and Heather Snook B-Mr & Mrs R. F. Knipe TR-Colin Tizzard Margins 1.5, 21. Time 6:09.40. Going Soft.

Age 4-6

Starts 21

Wins 12

Places 9

Earned £163,114

Sire: LAVEROCK. Sire of 2 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Pour Le Meilleur by Video Rock. ran on the flat in France at 4. Dam of 1 winner:

2009: 2011:

Victoire de Corton (f Robin des Champs) BLACK CORTON (g Laverock) 12 wins, Racing UK Novices’ Hurdle LR, 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase G1, 2nd Ladbrokes J. Francome Novices’ Chase G2.

Broodmare Sire: VIDEO ROCK. Sire of the dams of 22 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - BLACK CORTON Laverock G1, CANDALINE Martaline LR, CAPFERRET Day Flight LR, DAMALISQUE Linda’s Lad LR.

BLACK CORTON br g 2011 Zabeel

Sir Tristram Lady Giselle

Eight Carat

Pieces of Eight Klairessa

Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Criquette

Shirley Heights Ghislaine

No Lute

Luthier Prudent Miss

Pauvresse

Home Guard Misoptimist

Matahawk

Sea Hawk II Carromata

Jupe de Laine

Vieux Chateau Noce D’avril

Octagonal LAVEROCK b 02 Sky Song

Video Rock POUR LE MEILLEUR b 03 First Wool

Thanks to the likes of Exceed And Excel and Fastnet Rock, breeders are no longer suspicious of stallions that made their name in the antipodes. It wasn’t always so and one which did little to dispel such suspicions was Octagonal, a teak-tough New Zealander who shuttled to Haras du Quesnay for several seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Although Octagonal had been a champion at two and three in Australia, where he won ten Gr1s, his efforts in France resulted in only one Group winner, the Prix d’Ispahan and Gran Premio del Jockey Club winner Laverock.

It was a somewhat different story in Australia, where Octagonal’s son Lonhro became Horse of the Year before, in turn, siring the champion juvenile Pierro. Coincidentally Pierro was out of Right Note, a half-sister to Laverock.

Laverock gained his Gr1 successes as a four-year-old in 2006, but didn’t start his stallion career until 2009. By March 2016 he was on his way to Ireland, where his son Kitten Rock had been a triple Graded winner over hurdles during the 2014-15 season.

Laverock duly covered 38 thoroughbred mares at Clongiffen Stud in 2016. He proved more popular in 2017, no doubt thanks to the emergence of another talented son in the tough Black Corton.

Black Corton became a Listed winner over hurdles in October 2016 but it has been as a novice chaser that he has come into his own. He was winning for the seventh time in ten starts over fences when he became a Gr1 winner in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, partnered as usual by Bryony Frost.

Black Corton is the second foal of Pour Le Meilleur, a lightly-raced daughter of the dual middle-distance Listed winner Video Rock. Video Rock was France’s leading sire of chasers in 2007 and also did well with the British stayers Nenuphar Collonges (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle), Edmond (Welsh National) and Hussard Collonges (Royal & SunAlliance Chase).

He also sired Champion Hurdle runner-up Osana, the top French chaser El Paso III and French Champion Hurdle winner Lycaon de Vauzelle.

More recently Video Rock has made a name for himself as a broodmare sire, with his daughters producing the high-class Irish staying chaser Sir Des Champs, the Gr1-winning stayer Saint Are and the three-time Gr1 winner Valseur Lido.

82 32RED KING GEORGE VI CHASE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. MIGHT BITE (IRE) 8 11-10 £128,138 b g by Scorpion - Knotted Midge (Presenting) O-The Knot Again Partnership B-Mr J. O’Brien TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Double Shuffle (IRE) 7 11-10 £48,083 b g by Milan - Fiddlers Bar (Un Desperado) O-Crossed Fingers Partnership B-A. W. Young

TR-Tom George 3. Tea For Two (GB) 8 11-10 £24,075 b g by Kayf Tara - One For Me (Tragic Role) O-Mrs Jane Williams & Mr Len Jakeman B-Mrs P. G. Lewin TR-Nick Williams Margins 1, 2. Time 6:06.60. Going Soft.

Age 6-8

Starts 14

Wins 9

Places 2

Earned £348,207

Sire: SCORPION. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - MIGHT BITE Presenting G1, SCORPIANCER Silver Patriarch LR. 1st Dam: Knotted Midge by Presenting. winner of a pointto-point. Dam of 2 winners:

2008: 2009:

2014: 2016: 2017:

BEAT THAT (g Milan) 3 wins over hurdles, Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle G1, Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle G1.

MIGHT BITE (g Scorpion) 9 wins, 32Red King George VI Chase G1, RSA Novices’ Chase G1, Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase G1, Future Stars Intrmediate Chase LR. (c Milan) (c Milan) (f Walk In The Park)

Broodmare Sire: PRESENTING. Sire of the dams of 18 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - DEATH DUTY Shantou G1, MIGHT BITE Scorpion G1, PRESENTING PERCY Sir Percy G2, JUST JANICE King’s Theatre G3, RATHVINDEN Heron Island G3.

The Scorpion/Presenting cross has produced: MIGHT BITE G1, In The Rough LR.

MIGHT BITE b g 2009 Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Floripedes

Top Ville Toute Cy

Law Society

Alleged Bold Bikini

Thistlewood

Kalamoun Le Melody

Mtoto

Busted Amazer

D’Azy

Persian Bold Belle Viking

Brush Aside

Alleged Top Twig

Bulabos

Proverb Clonmel

Montjeu SCORPION b/br 02 Ardmelody

Presenting KNOTTED MIDGE b 00 Bula Beag

Exactly a year after he threw away certain victory with a last-fence fall in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, Might Bite returned to Kempton for the King George VI Chase. The fact that he started 6-4 favourite to beat the likes of Bristol De Mai and Thistlecrack in the King George, compared to 11-2 in the Kauto Star, indicates how well Might Bite’s career had developed in the interim.

He had won all four of his starts, notably taking the RSA Chase with an extraordinary display, and he duly won again at Kempton, despite idling from the second last.

Might Bite may have his quirks, but so did his sire Scorpion. Although this son of Montjeu was still reliable enough to win the Grand Prix de Paris, St Leger and Coronation Cup, his record as a stallion has generally been less impressive. Might Bite follows Don’t Touch It (Punchestown’s Champion Novice Hurdle) as only his second European Gr1 winner and the Racing Post rates him at least 21lb superior to Scorpion’s next-best winners, such as Tell Us More (a Gr3 winner over fences). Scorpion is based at Shade Oak Stud after starting his career under the Coolmore banner.

Might Bite’s dam Knotted Midge is a point-to-point winner sired by four-time champion sire Presenting.

Like plenty of other daughters of Presenting, Knotted Midge is

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Data Book Grade 1 Winners flourishing as a broodmare. Her Milan gelding Beat That enjoyed Gr1 success at Aintree and Punchestown as a novice hurdler in 2014.

Might Bite’s next two dams are daughters of Brush Aside, a brittle son of Alleged, and Proverb, a Goodwood Cup winner who sired three winners of the Whitbread Gold Cup. The Brush Aside mare, Bula Beag, produced Drombeag, a brother to Knotted Midge who won the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase over three and a quarter miles.

83 UNIBET CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1 1. BUVEUR D’AIR (FR) 6 11-7 £68,340 b g by Crillon - History (Alesso) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Gerard Ferte TR-Nicky Henderson 2. The New One (IRE) 9 11-7 £25,644 b g by King’s Theatre - Thuringe (Turgeon) O-S Such & CG Paletta B-R. Brown & Ballylinch Stud TR-Nigel Twiston-Davies 3. Mohaayed (GB) 5 11-7 £12,840 b g by Intikhab - Reyaada (Daylami) O-Mrs June Watts B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited TR-Dan Skelton Margins 2.25, 3.75. Time 3:57.50. Going Soft.

Starts 15

Wins 12

Places 3

Earned £582,378

Sire: CRILLON. Sire of 5 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - ALEX DE LARREDYA Panoramic G1, BUVEUR D’AIR Alesso G1, DIAMOND CAUCHOIS Limnos G2.

1st Dam: History by Alesso. Dam of 4 winners:

2003:

2004: 2005: 2007: 2011:

PUNCHESTOWNS (g Morespeed) 9 wins, BGC Long Walk Hurdle G1, 2nd Ladbrokes World Hurdle G1, Totepool Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase G1.

Quiet Story (f Franc Bleu Argent) ran on the flat in France. Broodmare.

RACKHAM LEROUGE (g Fado) 7 wins.

TISTORY (g Epalo) 5 wins.

BUVEUR D’AIR (g Crillon) 12 wins, 2nd Betfair Bumper Standard Open NH Race LR, Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1, Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle G1, Unibet Christmas Hurdle G1, Betway Aintree Hurdle G1, Imagine Cruising Top Novices’ Hurdle G1, Betfred Contenders Hurdle LR, 3rd Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1.

Broodmare Sire: ALESSO. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners.

BUVEUR D’AIR b g 2011 Rainbow Quest

Blushing Groom I Will Follow

Fiesta Fun

Welsh Pageant Antigua

Riverman

Never Bend River Lady

Garden Green

Pinturischio Focal

Alleged

Hoist The Flag Princess Pout

Leandra

Luthier Ady Endre

Altayan

Posse Aleema

Lili Dancer

Evainqueur Keen Dancer

Saumarez CRILLON b 96 Shangrila

Alesso HISTORY b 95 Clair Deux Lune

See race 47 in the January issue 84 RACING POST CHRISTMAS NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 26. 4yo+. 17f.

Age 3-5

1. FOOTPAD (FR) 5 11-12 £45,385 b g by Creachadoir - Willamina (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede B-L. Collet & C. Collet TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Any Second Now (IRE) 5 11-12 £14,615 b g by Oscar - Pretty Neat (Topanoora) O-John P McManus B-Mrs N. McManus TR-T M Walsh 3. Jett (IRE) 6 11-12 £6,923 b g by Flemensfirth - La Noire (Phardante)

Starts 17

Wins 7

Places 8

Earned £371,439

Sire: CREACHADOIR. Sire of 2 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: WILLAMINA by Sadler’s Wells. Winner at 4 in France. Own sister to SADLER’S FLAG. Dam of 5 winners:

2004: 2005:

2006: 2008: 2009: 2010:

KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 16f.

Age 3-6

O-Mr G. M. McGrath B-G. M. McGrath TR-Mrs J. Harrington Margins 11, 13. Time 4:13.60. Going Yielding.

2012:

ANIMATEUR (g Highest Honor) 8 wins in France.

Organisateur (g Highest Honor) 6 wins, 2nd Grand National Hurdle LR, Virginia Gold Cup Timber Chase LR, My Lady’s Manor Timber Chase LR. Motoriste (g Daylami) ran on the flat in France.

Dilliwalla (c Green Tune) ran on the flat in France.

WANABA (c Anabaa) 6 wins, Prix General de Rougemont H. Hurdle LR, 3rd Prix Amadou Hurdle G2.

Wild Mania (f King’s Best) 2 wins over jumps in France, 3rd Prix Hopper Chase LR. FOOTPAD (g Creachadoir) 7 wins, GAIN Spring Juvenile Hurdle G1, 2nd BHP Insurances Champion Hurdle G1, 3rd JCB Triumph Hurdle G1, Ladbrokes Ch. Stayers Tipperkevin Hurdle G1, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle G2, Racing Post Christmas Novice Chase G1, Prix Alain du Breil d’Ete 4yo Hurdle G1, Prix Questarabad Hurdle G3, 2nd Prix Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle G1.

2nd Dam: ANIMATRICE by Alleged. 4 wins at 2 to 4 in France Prix de Malleret G2, 3rd Gold Seal Oaks S G1, 4th Prix Vermeille G1, Gran Premio di Milano G1. Dam of SADLER’S FLAG (f Sadler’s Wells: Prix de Royaumont G3, 2nd Prix de Malleret G2, Prix de Pomone G2), Anysheba (f Alysheba: 3rd Prix Petite Etoile LR).

Grandam of JEBEL MUSA, BAILADOR, BONDI ICEBERG. Third dam of LADYS FIRST, GOLDEN WOOD, Chantalle Rua, Primero.

Broodmare Sire: SADLER’S WELLS. Sire of the dams of 413 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - FOOTPAD Creachadoir G1, WHISKEY SOUR Jeremy G1, BEAU GOSSE Falco LR, EBANOUR Indian Ridge LR, RENEW Dansili LR.

FOOTPAD b g 2012

WILLAMINA b 99

LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 4yo+. 16f.

1. WHISKEY SOUR (IRE) 4 11-7 £42,863 b g by Jeremy - Swizzle Stick (Sadler’s Wells) O-Luke McMahon B-Airlie Stud TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Le Richebourg (FR) 4 11-7 £13,803 b g by Network - Fee Magic (Phantom Breeze) O-John P McManusB-Mr J. M. Prost Alamartine TR-Joseph Patrick O’Brien 3. Hardline (IRE) 5 11-10 £6,538 b g by Arcadio - Hidden Reserve (Heron Island) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Ms N. Humphreys TR-Gordon Elliott Margins 19, 1. Time 4:00.50. Going Soft.

Mr Prospector Miesque

Allegretta

Lombard Anatevka

Sadler’s Wells

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge

Sire: JEREMY. Sire of 13 Stakes winners.

Anima

Ajdal Cocotte

1st Dam: Swizzle Stick by Sadler’s Wells. unraced. Dam of 1 winner:

Sadima

Sadler’s Wells

85 PADDY POWER FUTURE CHMPIONS NOV. HURDLE G1

Kingmambo King’s Best CREACHADOIR b 04

Creachadoir, a son of the quirky King’s Best, was second in the French and Irish equivalents of the 2,000 Guineas before becoming a Gr1 winner at the age of four in the Lockinge Stakes. He retired as part of Darley’s French team at Haras du Logis, but is now based at Haras de Lonray. He is also the sire of Mitchouka, a useful juvenile hurdler in Ireland.

Footpad’s dam Willamina changed hands for £145,000 back in 2007.

She was a very well-connected product of the Wertheimer brothers’ studs, being a winning sister to the Gr3 Prix de Royaumont winner Sadler’s Flag and a daughter of the Gr2 winner Animatrice. Willamina was also a sister to Saddler Maker, sire of the likes of Apple’s Jade, Bristol De Mai and Alpha Des Obeaux, and was also closely related to Poliglote, France’s multiple champion jumping sire who was sired by Sadler’s Wells from Willamina’s Group-winning second dam Alexandrie.

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Alleged

Hoist The Flag Princess Pout

Alexandrie

Val de L’Orne Apachee

Animatrice

Having won three of his first four starts in Ireland, including the Gr1 Gain Spring Juvenile Hurdle, Footpad began to find victories harder to come by in Britain and Ireland, though he did well when returned to his native France for three starts, notably winning the Gr1 Prix Alain du Breil (Course de Haies d’Ete des Quatre Ans). After five consecutive defeats at Gr1 level over hurdles, the decision was taken to switch the five-year-old to fences and the early signs are that Footpad could be even more effective over the bigger obstacles. He has had 11 lengths to spare in each of his first two starts, including the Gr1 Racing Post Novice Chase.

Footpad has an interesting pedigree. Like Horse of the Year Enable, he is inbred 3 x 2 to Sadler’s Wells, who not only sired his dam Willamina but also the dam of his sire Creachadoir.

Age 2-4

Starts 15

Wins 6

Places 4

Earned £174,294

Perliere (f Verglas) unraced. Broodmare.

WHISKEY SOUR (g Jeremy) Sold 42,857gns yearling at DNPRM. 6 wins, Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1.

Fifty Stars (c Sea The Stars) unraced to date. (f Lawman) (c Slade Power)

2012: 2013: 2015: 2016: 2017:

2nd Dam: VIZ by Darshaan. 2 wins at 3 at home, Italy Premio Giovanni Falck - Trofeo Darley LR. Dam of VIZTORIA (f Oratorio: OLBG Park S G2) Broodmare Sire: SADLER’S WELLS. Sire of the dams of 413 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - FOOTPAD Creachadoir G1, WHISKEY SOUR Jeremy G1, BEAU GOSSE Falco LR, EBANOUR Indian Ridge LR, RENEW Dansili LR. The Jeremy/Sadler’s Wells cross has produced: OUR CONOR G1, WHISKEY SOUR G1.

WHISKEY SOUR b g 2013

LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 5yo+. 17f.

1. SIMPLY NED (IRE) 10 11-12 £50,427 ch g by Fruits of Love - Bishops Lass (Marju) O-David & Nicky Robinson B-Miss I. Hatton TR-Nicky Richards 2. Min (FR) 6 11-12 £16,239 b g by Walk In The Park - Phemyka (Saint Estephe) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Madame M. Mimouni TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Ordinary World (IRE) 7 11-12 £7,692 br g by Milan - Saucy Present (Presenting) O-C.Jones B-Dillon Family TR-Henry de Bromhead Margins 0, 15. Time 4:09.90. Going Yielding.

Danzig Razyana

Mira Adonde

Sharpen Up Lettre d’Amour

Arazi

Blushing Groom Danseur Fabuleux

Wind In Her Hair

Alzao Burghclere

Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Sire: FRUITS OF LOVE. Sire of 7 Stakes winners.

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

1st Dam: Bishops Lass by Marju. unraced. Dam of 2 winners:

Darshaan

Shirley Heights Delsy

For Example

Northern Baby Bold Example

Glint In Her Eye

Sadler’s Wells SWIZZLE STICK b 07

86 PADDY POWER REWARDS CLUB CHASE G1

Danehill Danehill Dancer JEREMY b/br 03

Ireland’s National Hunt sector suffered a serious loss when Danehill Dancer’s son Jeremy died in 2014 at the age of 11. He had completed only two seasons at Garryrichard Stud, after being transferred from the Irish National Stud following disappointing early results.

The silver lining to this bad news was that Jeremy had covered 229 thoroughbred mares in his first season at Garryrichard and 204 in his second. That means he left around 300 purpose-bred jumping foals. A Group winner at up to a mile, Jeremy also acted well on soft ground so he was likely to suit stoutly-bred National Hunt mares Although he proved generally disappointing as a Flat sire, Jeremy was responsible for several very useful performers, including the fast 2014 two-year-old Kool Kompany, the dual Gr3 winner Yellow Rosebud, the Gr2 York Stakes winner Success Days, the French Gr2 middledistance winner Baino Hope and the Gr3 winner Queen Blossom.

Now Jeremy has added another good winner over jumps to a collection that includes Our Conor (Gr1 Triumph Hurdle in 2013), Stocktons Wing (Gr2 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle), Who Dares Wins (Gr2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle) and Jer’s Girl (Gr1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final).

His latest Gr1 winner is Whiskey Sour, who maintained his unbeaten record for Willie Mullins when he landed the Future Champions Novice Hurdle. He was most fortunate to do so, as the favourite Mengli Khan ran out when leading at the second last and then the two leaders, Real Steel and Sharjah, both fell at the last.

Whiskey Sour is versatile, having won from seven furlongs to more than two miles on the Flat. He is the first winner produced by Swizzle Stick, an unraced Sadler’s Wells mare from the highly successful Bold Example family which produced the top milers Polish Precedent and Zilzal.

Viz

It is beginning to look as though

Age 4-10

2005: 2007:

Starts 36

Wins 9

Places 18

Earned £246,286

APT MANOR (f Craigsteel) 3 wins.

Broodmare.

SIMPLY NED (g Fruits of Love) 9 wins, Paddy Power Rewards Club Chase G1, 2nd Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase G1, Paddy Power Chase G1, Shloer Chase LR (twice), 3rd Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase G1 (twice), Paddy Power Nationwide

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CAULFIELD ON SIMPLY NED: “Now a veteran of 36 races, he is as good as he has ever been, even though he is 11 years old. His toughness can be attributed to his sire, Fruits Of Love” 2008: 2009: 2012: 2013:

Newlands Chase G2.

Back Home Again (g Darsi) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race.

Ah No Mattie (g Millenary) unraced. (f Kalanisi) (f Court Cave)

Broodmare Sire: MARJU. Sire of the dams of 48 Stakes winners.

winner:

2005: 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2011:

SIMPLY NED ch g 2007 Mr Prospector Playmate

Woodman Hansel FRUITS OF LOVE b 95

Count On Bonnie Dancing Count Buena Notte Secretariat

Bold Ruler Somethingroyal

Midou

Saint Crespin III Midget II

Last Tycoon

Try My Best Mill Princess

Flame of Tara

Artaius Welsh Flame

Kenmare

Kalamoun Belle of Ireland

Vallee Secrete

Marju BISHOPS LASS b 99 Priorite

2015: 2016: 2017:

Popalong (f Luso) unraced. Broodmare.

Automaticman (g Craigsteel) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race and ran 3 times over hurdles.

Lady Lorabelle (f Old Vic). Broodmare.

Old Meadow (g Old Vic) (f Old Vic) Jokarosie (f Gamut) unraced. Broodmare.

ROAD TO RESPECT (g Gamut) 6 wins, 3rd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle G2, Ryanair Powers Gold Cup Novice Chase G1, Leopardstown Christmas Lexus Chase G1, Brown Advisory & Merriebelle H. Chase G3, Irish Daily Star Carvills Hill Chase G3, 2nd jnwine.com Champion Chase G1, Ten Up Novice Chase G2, 3rd Racing Post Christmas Novice Chase G1. (c Gamut) (f Leading Light) (c Fairly Ransom)

Broodmare Sire: LORD AMERICO. Sire of the dams of 9 Stakes winners.

ROAD TO RESPECT ch g 2011

Princess Dixieland Dixieland Band Princess Ivor

Rainbow Quest

Blushing Groom I Will Follow

River Dancer

Irish River Dancing Shadow

Ela-Mana-Mou

Pitcairn Rose Bertin

Edinburgh

Charlottown Queen’s Castle

Lord Gayle

Sir Gaylord Sticky Case

Hynictus

Val de Loir Hypavia

Over The River

Luthier Medenine

Chorabelle

Choral Society Miss Arctic

Spectrum

The Leopardstown stewards had to intervene after the long-odds-on Min landed the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase. They had little option but to demote Min, as he had hampered Simply Ned on the run-in. Although none of Simply Ned’s eight previous successes had come at Graded level, the son of Fruits Of Love had run well in the corresponding race in each of the previous three years, finishing third to Twinlight, second to Flemenstar and then third behind Douvan and Sizing John.

Simply Ned, now a veteran of 36 races, is as good as he has ever been, even though he is 11 years old in 2018. His toughness can be attributed to Fruits Of Love, who packed 23 starts into four years of action for Mark Johnston. He was good enough to win the Dubai Sheema Classic, as well as the Gr2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes and two editions of the Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes. Fruits Of Love’s prospects as a stallion weren’t helped by the fact that his sire, the 1991 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Hansel, had disappointed in that role. Simply Ned is his best representative, while other talented sons are the Graded chase winners Financial Reward, Court In Motion and Double W’s.

Simply Ned’s dam, the unraced Bishops Lass, was bred for the Flat, as a daughter of Marju and a Kenmare mare.

87 LEOPARDSTOWN CHRISTMAS LEXUS CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 5yo+. 24f.

1. ROAD TO RESPECT (IRE) 6 11-10 £75,641 ch g by Gamut - Lora Lady (Lord Americo) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Miss I. Rothwell TR-Noel Meade 2. Balko des Flos (FR) 6 11-10 £24,359 ch g by Balko - Royale Marie (Garde Royale) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-C. Bardin & F. Bardin TR-Henry de Bromhead 3. Outlander (IRE) 9 11-10 £11,538 b g by Stowaway - Western Whisper (Supreme Leader) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-R. O’Neill TR-Gordon Elliott Margins 1.25, 2.25. Time 6:08.40. Going Yielding.

Age 4-6

Starts 18

Wins 7

Places 9

Earned £265,697

Sire: GAMUT. Sire of 3 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Lora Lady by Lord Americo. unraced. Dam of 1

GAMUT b 99 Greektown

Lord Americo LORA LADY b 01 Bellora

The last time Road To Respect’s pedigree was reviewed in these notes, following his win in the Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase, I mentioned that he had yet to prove he was suited by three miles. That statement needs revising, as he returned in the autumn of 2017 to take a Gr3 over a furlong further than three miles and he has now stayed on well to win the Leopardstown Christmas Chase (formerly Lexus Chase) over three miles.

The gelding’s pedigree had suggested that stamina should not be a problem. His sire Gamut had numerous good performances to his credit, including a victory in the Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and a second in the Irish St Leger. Golan, a close relative to Gamut, won the King George.

Gamut’s best previous winner, Road To Riches, won the Gr1 Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Gr1 Lexus Chase over three miles and was also third in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup. As might be guessed from Road To Respect’s name, he is closely related to Road To Riches. He is a half-brother to Road To Riches’ dam, the unraced Lord Americo mare Lora Lady.

Lora Lady’s dam Bellora was a daughter of Over The River, a useful Flat performer who graduated successfully to hurdling in France.

Over the River became one of the few stallions to have sired two winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cool Ground and Cool Dawn - and he also passed on a lot of stamina to such as Strong Flow (Hennessy Gold Cup), Into The Red (Eider Chase), Zeta’s Lad (Racing Post Chase), Harwell Lad (Whitbread Gold Cup), Bob Treacy (Thyestes Chase) and

Sullane River (Leopardstown Chase).

Bellora was a sister to Sullane River and was also a half-sister to Society Belle, dam of the very smart hurdler Davenport Milenium.

Age 4-6

88 SQUARED FINANCIAL CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 4yo+. 24f.

1. APPLE’S JADE (FR) 5 11-3 £42,863 b m by Saddler Maker - Apple’s For Ever (Nikos) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr R. Coveliers TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Supasundae (GB) 7 11-10 £13,803 b g by Galileo - Distinctive Look (Danehill) O-Ann & Alan Potts Limited B-Newsells Park Stud Limited TR-Mrs J. Harrington 3. Bapaume (FR) 4 11-5 £6,538 b g by Turtle Bowl - Brouhaha (American Post) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Maurice Rohaut-Leger TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 0.5, 4.75. Time 6:18.80. Going Soft.

Age 3-5

Starts 14

Wins 10

Places 4

3. Bon Papa (FR) 6 11-10 £6,538 br g by Network - Gibelotte (Royal Charter) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Haras de Saint-Voir TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 1.75, 16. Time 6:20.30. Going Yielding to Soft.

Earned £463,139

Sire: SADDLER MAKER. Sire of 9 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - APPLE’S JADE Nikos G1, BRISTOL DE MAI April Night G1, ALPHA DES OBEAUX Saint Preuil G2, APPLE’S SHAKIRA Nikos G2, DINARIA DES OBEAUX Le Nain Jaune LR.

2010: 2011: 2012:

2014: 2015: 2016:

APPLE’S MAELYS (f Saddler Maker) 7 wins over jumps in France.

MADAME APPLE’S (f Saddler Maker) Winner over jumps in France.

Le Sete For Ever (f Saddler Maker) ran over jumps in France.

APPLE’S JADE (f Saddler Maker) 10 wins, AES Champion 4yo Hurdle G1, Betfred Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1 (twice), Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle G1, Irish Stall.Farms EBF Mares Chpn. Hurdle G1, OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle G1, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle G2, Lismullen Hurdle G2, 2nd JCB Triumph Hurdle G1, stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle G1, WKD Hurdle G2, Quevega Mares Hurdle LR. APPLE’S SHAKIRA (f Saddler Maker) 3 wins, JCB Triumph Trial Prestbury Juv. Hurdle G2.

Grisy Apple’s (c Montmartre) unraced to date.

Apple’s du Pont (c Saddler Maker) unraced to date.

Broodmare Sire: NIKOS. Sire of the dams of 26 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - APPLE’S JADE Saddler Maker G1, APPLE’S SHAKIRA Saddler Maker G2, DISKO Martaline G2, DOUNIKOS Smadoun G2, ROI MAGE Poliglote G2.

The Saddler Maker/Nikos cross has produced: APPLE’S JADE G1, APPLE’S SHAKIRA G2.

APPLE’S JADE b m 2012 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Alleged

Hoist The Flag Princess Pout

Alexandrie

Val de L’Orne Apachee

Nonoalco

Nearctic Seximee

No No Nanette

Sovereign Path Nuclea

Le Pontet

Succes Arielle

Silver Girl

Son of Silver Our Best

Sadler’s Wells SADDLER MAKER b 98 Animatrice

Nikos APPLE’S FOR EVER b 00 Apple’s Girl

See race 49 in the January issue 89 NEVILLE HOTELS FORT LENEY NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 24f.

1. SHATTERED LOVE (IRE) 6 11-3 £42,863 b m by Yeats - Tracker (Bustino) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Limetree Stud Ltd TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Jury Duty (IRE) 6 11-10 £13,803 b g by Well Chosen - Swan Heart (Broken Hearted) O-Sideways Syndicate B-T. Carroll TR-Gordon Elliott

Wins 9

Places 4

Earned £141,135

Sire: YEATS. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 SHATTERED LOVE Bustino G1, CAPIVARI Hernando LR, FOR GOODNESS SAKE Deploy LR, THOMAS CAMPBELL Hernando LR. 1st Dam: Tracker by Bustino. unraced. Dam of 4 winners:

2000: 2002: 2003:

2004: 2006: 2007: 2009:

2010: 2011:

1st Dam: APPLE’S FOR EVER by Nikos. 5 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 4 winners:

2009:

Starts 15

2012: 2014: 2015:

Vallum (g Master Willie) unraced.

LAVENDER TRACK (f Pistolet Bleu) 3 wins.

Broodmare.

You Take Care (f Definite Article).

Broodmare. Dam of KEEPER HILL (g Westerner: 6 wins, 188Bet Sidney Banks Mem. Novices’ Hurdle LR, bet365 December Novices’ Chase G2) (c King’s Theatre) MAKE A TRACK (g Hernando) 9 wins, 3rd Irish Form Book Monksfield Nov. Hurdle G2, Tim Duggan Memorial H. Chase G2.

Top Track (f Beneficial) unraced.

IRISH CAVALIER (g Aussie Rules) 8 wins, Guinness H. Chase G1, 2nd EMS Copiers Novice H. Chase G1, 3rd Guinness H. Chase G1.

Timo (f Alhaarth) unraced. Broodmare.

SHATTERED LOVE (f Yeats) 8 wins, 3rd Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ NH. Flat Race G2, EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle LR, Coolmore Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle G3, 2nd Lough Construction EBF Mares Nov Hurdle G3, Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle LR, Neville Hotels Fort Leney Novice Chase G1, Kerry Lombardstown EBF Mares Nov. Chase G3, 2nd L&V Brennan Mem Florida Pearl Nov Chase G2.

River Blue (g Flemensfirth) ran once over hurdles. (f Jeremy) (c Pour Moi)

Broodmare Sire: BUSTINO. Sire of the dams of 66 Stakes winners.

SHATTERED LOVE b m 2011 Northern Dancer

Nearctic Natalma

Fairy Bridge

Bold Reason Special

Top Ville

High Top Sega Ville

Diamond Land

Sparkler Canaan

Busted

Crepello Sans Le Sou

Ship Yard

Doutelle Paving Stone

Royal Gunner

Royal Charger Levee

Look Out

Vimy Visor

Sadler’s Wells YEATS b 01 Lyndonville

Bustino TRACKER b 95 Make A Signal

When Shattered Love made €50,000 as an unbroken three-year-old at the Derby Sale she looked a solid investment. Even if she never raced, the daughter of Yeats had plenty to offer as a broodmare, as she is out of a half-sister to the Champion Hurdle winner Make A Stand. Her third dam Look Out was a half-sister to the high-class stayer Raise You Ten, who sired a winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and further back in the female line you will find such famous names as All Moonshine and Selene.

The three-year-old Shattered Love was already a half-sister to Make A Track, a Grade B winner over fences, and she has since become a half-sister to a Gr2 winner in Irish Cavalier (Charlie Hall Chase and once fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup).

Fortunately, Shattered Love no longer has to rely on her relatives’ achievements, as she has become a

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Data Book Grade 1 Winners very accomplished performer in her own right. She won her only point-topoint, then the first of her two starts in bumpers and three of her seven races over hurdles, including Listed and Gr3 events.

Now she is shining over fences and was winning for the fourth time in five starts when she took the Gr1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase (in which two of the leading fancies failed to finish).

Shattered Love has won at around two miles over hurdles and fences, including at Gr3 level, but her Gr1 win was gained over three miles. She is bred to stay well, with a four-time winner of the Gold Cup as her sire and a daughter of the St Leger winner Bustino as her dam.

Shattered Love is the third Gr1 winner to represent Yeats, her predecessors being Augusta Kate (EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final) and Capivari (Prix Renaud du Vivier Hurdle).

90 RYANAIR DECEMBER HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 16f.

1. MICK JAZZ (FR) 6 11-10 £50,427 b g by Blue Bresil - Mick Maya (Siam) O-Mr G. P. Mahoney B-Mrs G. Albert TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Cilaos Emery (FR) 5 11-10 £16,239 b g by Califet - Queissa (Saint Preuil) O-Luke McMahon B-S.A.R.L. Haras Du Bois & J. Poitou TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Campeador (FR) 5 11-10 £7,692 gr g by Gris de Gris - Royale Video (Video Rock) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Antonie-Audoin Maggiar & Jacques Cypres TR-Gordon Elliott Margins 1.75, 21. Time 4:04.90. Going Soft.

Age 3-6

Starts 12

Wins 3

Places 6

Earned £98,407

Sire: BLUE BRESIL. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - MICK JAZZ Siam G1, MISS SALSA BLUE Baroud d’Honneur G3, SAINT GOUSTAN BLUE Baryshnikov G3, CI BLUE Fasliyev LR. 1st Dam: MICK MAYA by Siam. 3 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 2 winners:

2010: 2011:

2012:

Mick Maresca (g Maresca Sorrento) MICK JAZZ (g Blue Bresil) 3 wins over hurdles at 5 and 6, Ryanair December Hurdle G1, I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle LR, 2nd For Auction Novice Hurdle G3, 3rd Bar One Racing New Stand H. Hurdle G1, WKD Hurdle G2.

Mick Salsa (g Kingsalsa) ran over jumps in France.

MICK MAESTRO (g Air Chief Marshal) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race.

Mick Melody (f Blue Bresil) unraced to date.

2013: 2015:

Broodmare Sire: SIAM. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

MICK JAZZ b g 2011 Kaldoun

Caro Katana

Mossma

Tip Moss Ticma

Exit To Nowhere

Irish River Coup de Folie

Miss Bresil

Bellypha Lady Eglantine

Nureyev

Northern Dancer Special

Pasadoble

Prove Out Santa Quilla

Dom Pasquini

Rheffic Boursonne

Mista

Misti IV Matamine

Smadoun BLUE BRESIL b 05 Miss Recif

Siam MICK MAYA b/br 00 Dona Miska

With the long-odds-on Faugheen having to be pulled up, victory in the Ryanair Hurdle went to the largely unconsidered Mick Jazz. This French-bred son of Blue Bresil had won only two of his 11 prior starts and nothing more important than a Listed race.

Blue Bresil is a big son of Smadoun, a stallion best known in Britain and Ireland as the sire of those smart chasers Smad Place, Nacarat and Smashing. Although all three of Blue Bresil’s wins were gained on the Flat, at up to 15 furlongs, he was also a talented jumper. He was a good second in three consecutive Graded races over hurdles at Auteuil as a four-year-old.

For a horse whose CV lacked an important win, Blue Bresil proved surprisingly popular as a stallion. In 2014 he reportedly covered 95 mares, including 84 thoroughbreds, and his total was 87 mares in 2015.

Even so, he left France for Britain in October 2015, to stand at Yorton Stud in Powys. He again proved popular, covering 114 thoroughbred mares in 2016 and 121 in 2017. This popularity reflected not only Mick Jazz’s efforts but also those of Le Prezien, a Gr2 winner over hurdles and fences in Britain in 2016.

Mick Jazz joined Gordon Elliott after selling for £27,000 in August 2016. His dam Mick Maya and third dam Mista both won over hurdles and fences.

RACING EQUIPMENT

91 BETFRED CHALLOW NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 NEWBURY. Dec 30. 4yo+. 20f 110yds.

1. POETIC RHYTHM (IRE) 6 11-7 £22,887 ch g by Flemensfirth - Sommer Sonnet (Taipan) O-The Yes No Wait Sorries B-V. Finn TR-Fergal O’Brien 2. Mulcahys Hill (IRE) 5 11-7 £8,655 b g by Brian Boru - Belsalsa (Kingsalsa) O-McNeill Family and Prodec Networks Ltd B-Mr N. Morris TR-Warren Greatrex 3. Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 6 11-7 £4,387 b g by Oscar - Kilbricken Leader (Supreme Leader) O-Mr A. Selway B-Mrs S. O’Keeffe TR-Colin Tizzard Margins Short Head, 23. Time 5:24.30.

Going Heavy.

Age 4-6

Starts 16

Wins 5

1st Dam: Sommer Sonnet by Taipan. unraced. Dam of 2 winners:

2008: 2009: 2010: 2011:

2012: 2014: 2015: 2017:

(f Beneficial) FORTHEFUNOFIT (g Flemensfirth) 4 wins over hurdles at 4, 6 and 8.

Bruce Of Crionaich (g Flemensfirth) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race and ran twice over hurdles.

POETIC RHYTHM (g Flemensfirth) 4 wins, J.C. Ownership Syndicate N.H. Flat Race LR, Betfred Challow Novices’ Hurdle G1, Totepool Persian War Novices’ Hurdle G2, 3rd Neptune Investment Classic Nov. Hurdle G2, Ballymore Hyde Novices’ Hurdle G2, Neptune Investment Close Bros.Nov. Hurdle LR. Nightingale Lady (f Milan) unraced.

Broodmare. (g Milan) (c Milan) (c Mahler)

Broodmare Sire: TAIPAN. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - POETIC RHYTHM Flemensfirth G1, FINIAN’S OSCAR Oscar LR.

POETIC RHYTHM ch g 2011 Hoist The Flag

Tom Rolfe Wavy Navy

Princess Pout

Prince John Determined Lady

Diesis

Sharpen Up Doubly Sure

Royal Bund

Royal Coinage Nato

Last Tycoon

Try My Best Mill Princess

Alidiva

Chief Singer Alligatrix

Pauper

Crepello Sans Le Sou

Petmon

Eudaemon Frances Pet

Alleged FLEMENSFIRTH b 92 Etheldreda

Taipan SOMMER SONNET b 02 Vinegar Hill

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY

sporting colours

www.treehouseonline.co.uk Tel: 01299 851625

Earned £66,330

Sire: FLEMENSFIRTH. Sire of 61 Stakes winners. NH in 2017/18 - POETIC RHYTHM Taipan G1, ROBINSFIRTH Phardante G3, PRESELI ROCK Cadoudal LR.

Treehouse Silks, Paddock Equipment and Safety Wear

Places 7

The novice part of the Challow Novice Hurdle’s title suggests inexperience, but the 2017 winner, Poetic Rhythm, was racing for the 16th time.

After six starts in point-to-points, he won two National Hunt Flat races, including a Listed race. He then made the first of his seven starts over hurdles more than a year before the Challow Hurdle, with his record mainly being one of steady improvement.

The Newbury Grade 1 looked a good renewal beforehand, indeed much stronger than it can be, yet Poetic Rhythm started favourite. He had to really knuckle down to see off outsider Mulcahys Hill, prevailing by a short head, with the first two 23 lengths clear of the third in a race in which the form looks solid.

Poetic Rhythm shares his broodmare sire, the smart middledistance performer Taipan, with that smart hurdler/chaser Finian’s Oscar and the ill-fated Fayonagh, winner of the Champion Bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Although Poetic Rhythm’s dam Sommer Sonnet never raced, she has a solid National Hunt background.

Her half-brother Bog Frog numbered the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) among his 19 victories.

Poetic Rhythm’s second dam, Vinegar Hill, was a half-sister to Sun Alliance Hurdle winner Mister Donovan and to Can’t Pet, a Cantab mare whose notable winners included Light The Wad (Leopardstown’s Arkle Chase), Chow Mein (Galway Plate) and Aherlow (Feltham Novices’ Chase).

Poetic Rhythm’s sire Flemensfirth covered more than 120 mares at the age of 25 in 2017. He has long been firmly established as a sire of top-class chasers, such as Imperial Commander (Cheltenham Gold Cup), Flemenstar (four Gr1 successes over fences) and Tidal Bay (Lexus Chase), so Poetic Rhythm ought to make a successful transition to fences.

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY

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CAULFIELD ON POETIC RHYTHM: “The Challow Hurdle winner shares his broodmare sire, the smart middle-distance performer Taipan, with the talented Finian’s Oscar and the ill-fated Fayonagh”

Grade 2 & 3 Winners Date 08/12 09/12 09/12 09/12 09/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 14/12 15/12 16/12 16/12 16/12 16/12 16/12 17/12 17/12 22/12 22/12 23/12 26/12 26/12 26/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 28/12 29/12 29/12

Grade G2 G2 G3 G3 GrB G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 GrB G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 GrB GrB G3 G2 G3

Race (course) Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Sandown Park) 188bet.co.uk Many Clouds Chase (Aintree) Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase (Aintree) Irish Farms EBF Klairon Davis Nov.Chase (Navan) Foxrock Handicap Chase (Navan) Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase (Cork) Kerry Group Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle (Cork) Kerry Lombardstown EBF Mares Nov. Chase (Cork) Peterborough Chase (Taunton) Unicoin Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham) Unibet International Hurdle (Cheltenham) bet365 December Novices’ Chase (Doncaster) bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Doncaster) Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Navan Novice Hurdle (Navan) Tara Handicap Hurdle (Navan) Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase (Ascot) Sky Supreme Trial Kennel Gate Nov.Hurdle (Ascot) Racing Welfare Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle (Ascot) Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Leopardstown) McMahons Greenmount Novice Chase (Limerick) 188Bet Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby) 32red.com Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Kempton Park) Unibet Desert Orchid Chase (Kempton Park) Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase (Limerick) Irish Independent Limerick Hurdle (Limerick) Guinness Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle (Limerick) Willis Towers Watson EBF Mares Hurdle (Leopardstown)

Dist 20f 25f 26f 17f 20f 16.5f 24f 16.5f 21.5f 26f 24f 17f 24f 16.5f 21f 20f 20f 21f 15.5f 15.5f 16f 19.5f 24f 16f 16f 24f 19.5f 16f 24f 20f

Horse On The Blind Side (IRE) Definitly Red (IRE) Blaklion (GB) Tombstone (IRE) Polidam (FR) Un de Sceaux (FR) Fabulous Saga (FR) Shattered Love (IRE) Top Notch (FR) Robinsfirth (IRE) Kilbricken Storm (IRE) My Tent Or Yours (IRE) Keeper Hill (IRE) We Have A Dream (FR) Guitar Pete (IRE) Next Destination (IRE) Diamond Cauchois (FR) Benatar (IRE) Claimantakinforgan (FR) Hunters Call (IRE) Espoir d’Allen (FR) Dounikos (FR) Get On The Yager (GB) Cyrname (FR) Politologue (FR) Anibale Fly (FR) De Benno (IRE) Duca de Thaix (FR) Fabulous Saga (FR) Let’s Dance (FR)

Age 5 8 8 7 8 9 5 6 6 8 6 10 6 3 7 5 6 5 5 7 3 6 7 5 6 7 12 4 5 5

Sex G G G G G G G M G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G M

Sire Stowaway Definite Article Kayf Tara Robin des Champs Trempolino Denham Red Saint des Saints Yeats Poliglote Flemensfirth Oscar Desert Prince Westerner Martaline Dark Angel Dubai Destination Crillon Beneficial Great Pretender Medaaly Voix du Nord Smadoun Tamure Nickname Poliglote Assessor Beneficial Voix du Nord Saint des Saints Poliglote

Dam Such A Set Up The Red Wench Franciscaine Connaught Hall Eladame Hotesse de Sceaux Fabalina Tracker Topira Phardester Kilbricken Leader Spartan Girl You Take Care Sweet Dance Innishmore Liss Alainn Diamond Turtle Carrigeen Lily Taquine d’Estrees Accordiontogelica Quadanse Baby Sitter Florentino Narquille Scarlet Row Nouba Fly Ros Nua Nouca de Thaix Fabalina Baraka du Berlais

Broodmare Sire Supreme Leader Aahsaylad Legend of France Un Desperado Snurge April Night Dear Doctor Bustino Pistolet Bleu Phardante Supreme Leader Ela-Mana-Mou Definite Article Kingsalsa Lear Fan Flemensfirth Limnos Supreme Leader Take Risks Accordion Maille Pistol Nikos Efisio Passing Sale Turgeon Chamberlin Roselier Subotica Dear Doctor Bonnet Rouge

Index 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121

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24 hours with... JOSH APIAFI Too small to be a basketball player, too big to be a jockey, Josh Apiafi has still found his calling within the racing industry, his most recent success being Rewards4Racing Interview: Tim Richards

T

he alarm goes at 6.15am and I dash downstairs to put the kettle on. I also drink a pint of water with my daily dose of Berocca tablets, which are full of vitamins to fuel the body. I ride out three mornings a week at Oliver Sherwood’s and prepare myself with 15 minutes of breathing exercises, pushups and sit-ups with special equipment designed for that type of fitness.

I let out our four chickens – Kentucky, Korma, Ken and Darren – take my wife Abby a cup of tea, wake our 12-year-old son, Finn, and get to the Sherwood stable about 7am. Usually in time for a tenminute catch-up with Oliver and Tarnya, discussing any recent industry scandals!

I’ll ride out Captain Peacock, who I own in partnership with Tom Joule, of Joules Clothing, and Andrew Black, co-founder of Betfair. I am back home by 9am to cook poached eggs from our chickens, have a quick shower and am on the road by 9.30am. Lambourn to the Rewards4Racing office in Burton on Trent takes about two hours.

It was in 2011 that I started Rewards4Racing, a racing rewards and loyalty programme, which now has 1.2 million members who bought over 170,000 tickets to the races in the last year using their Rewards4Racing points.

As a result, R4R can provide more insight into the sport’s customer base and pass that information on to the racecourses.

At the office I meet fellow R4R founders Tom Cowgill and Ian Lancaster to discuss topics including business plans, latest marketing campaign results, the launch in January of our new bookmaker partner, any new members’ offers and the

112

2018 annual report. I also spend time with each of our senior management team, who run the marketing, finance, insight and HR departments.

I have worked for Martin Pipe, Betfair, headed up the Professional Jockeys Association and now, from my position with R4R, I believe racing is on a good footing thanks to the new levy system, which has given the sport great strength.

On the downside, there’s too much racing, which dilutes the prize-money pool.

My grandfather was Nigerian and I don’t think there is enough inclusiveness in racing. Go into a betting shop and the diversity of the people there is from across the board. But on the racecourse black people feel alien because, historically, racing has been white.

We’ve been the sport of kings and the aristocracy for hundreds of years and that was the white man’s world. But now that isn’t the case and we need to become more inclusive. Perhaps Racing To School could have some of the answers. Why not follow up their introduction of some 20,000 school children to racing by sending the kids home with two free tickets to the races for their parents?

I don’t do lunch and only eat twice a day. I am 6ft 1in and, although I rode winners as an amateur for Martin Pipe, I was never destined to be a jockey. I think I must be the only man to have played Under 16s basketball for England while still being an amateur jockey. I was too small to be a proper basketball player but far too big to be a jockey.

I am a passionate jumps man and go racing domestically and internationally about 25-30 times a year. The Cheltenham

Festival is my Mecca. I love the big events and went with my Dad and Warren Greatrex to the Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. Interestingly, we were entertained and educated by the commentators during gaps in the play – surely that’s something racing could learn to do between races. Golf is another passion and Warren and I played Pebble Beach while in America.

Most evenings I become ‘Dad’s Taxi’ and a regular trip is taking Finn and Isla, our nine-year-old daughter, to ballet in Marlborough. Then Abby joins us and we all have dinner at Prezzo or Pizza Express.

The kids are in bed by 9pm and I check the day’s results and look through the next day’s cards. Abby and I collapse on the couch with the dogs Paedar and Snoop at our feet and watch Gogglebox.

Abby is Head of Partnerships for Rewards4Racing and sometimes we talk through the racecourse marketing plans and how the recent roll-out of ARC courses on the programme is going.

My cuisine is confined to the Apiafi poached eggs at breakfast so when it’s my turn to do the evening meal we go to the pub. I am particularly partial to spaghetti bolognese with a nice glass of red wine. I am dyslexic and struggle to read but am an audio-book fan and have just finished listening to Richard Branson’s latest book, ‘Finding My Virginity’, which is to be strongly recommended.

We’re in bed by 11pm, watch the news and asleep. I am not the greatest sleeper as I am always thinking about different things, so I keep a notebook by the bed.

You get some great ideas in the middle of the night, or not, as the case may be!

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