Thoroughbred Owner Breeder by The Owner Breeder

£4.95 MARCH 2018 ISSUE 163

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Definite chance

Danny Cook’s Gold Cup dream

Spin of a lifetime

Jedd O’Keeffe’s stable star gunning for Festival glory

Made in Britain

NH breeding resurgence

Tony Morris

The best shilling I ever spent

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37373_Gr1_2YOs_TBOB_DPS_Mar18.qxp_Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder 21/02/2018 16:26 Page 1

CAMELOT

MASTERCRAFTSMAN

Group 1 winner at 2 and Triple Classic winner at 3 by MONTJEU

Proven Group 1 sire by DANEHILL DANCER

CARAVAGGIO

NO NAY NEVER Royal Ascot rocket by SCAT DADDY

Brilliant Royal Ascot winner at 2 and 3 by SCAT DADDY

PRIDE OF DUBAI

CHURCHILL

Dual Group 1 winning 2YO by STREET CRY From the immediate family of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT and KODIAC

European Champion 2YO and dual Classic winner by GALILEO

GLENEAGLES

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR Proven Group 1 sire by DANEHILL

Champion at both 2 and 3 years by GALILEO Out of an own-sister to GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

WAR COMMAND

HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

Dewhurst and Coventry Stakes winner by WAR FRONT

Proven Group 1 sire by DANEHILL

ZOFFANY

KINGSTON HILL

Proven Group 1 sire by DANSILI

Group 1 winner at 2 and 3 by MASTERCRAFTSMAN

• 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 •

37373_Gr1_2YOs_TBOB_DPS_Mar18.qxp_Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder 21/02/2018 16:26 Page 2

Take your pick and give us a call!

Contact: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Tel: 353-52-6131298. Fax: 353-52-6131382. Christy Grassick, David Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars, Jason Walsh, Tom Miller or Neil Magee. Tom Gaffney, David Magnier, Joe Hernon or Cathal Murphy: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) 44-7827-795156. E-mail: sales@coolmore.ie Web site: www.coolmore.com All stallions nominated to EBF.

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

Making the most of their second chances

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

Subscriptions: Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7152 0212 Fax: 020 7152 0213 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: UK Europe RoW

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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 MARCH 2018 ISSUE 163

PLUS

Definite chance

Danny Cook’s Gold Cup dream

Spin of a lifetime Jedd O’Keeffe’s stable star gunning for Festival glory

Made in Britain

NH breeding resurgence

Tony Morris

The best shilling I ever spent

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Sam Spinner and Joe Colliver romp home in a Grade 3 contest at Haydock this season Photo: George Selwyn

Edward Rosenthal Editor

he prices for young jumping talent may have sky-rocketed in recent times – see our feature on NH pinhookers (pages 52-56) and Sales Circuit (pages 68-78) – but there is still value to be had, if you know where to look. Jedd O’Keeffe, primarily known as a Flat trainer, spent £12,000 on a three-year-old son of Black Sam Bellamy, on behalf of Paul and Caron Chapman, at Doncaster’s Spring Store Sale in 2015. Three years on and Sam Spinner, as he was named, will enter the Cheltenham Festival as one of the leading fancies for the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle. It is a tribute to O’Keeffe’s dedication – and his unswerving stable of owners – that his name will be alongside Sam Spinner’s in racecards. After being diagnosed with throat and neck cancer in 2011, he came close to calling it a day on the training front. In fact, he had already made the decision to walk away. “At one point we did ring all our owners to tell them we couldn’t continue because of the financial pressures,” O’Keeffe tells Tim Richards (Talking To, pages 42-46). “But the response and support we received from our loyal patrons persuaded us to persevere, thank goodness. “The owners were patient, tolerant and stuck with us when they could easily have moved their horses elsewhere when there was so much uncertainty about our future. Some even pledged more horses. “We realise how lucky we are to have such a good team of owners, both longstanding and new.” The matter of loyalty, perhaps in shorter supply than ever before in racing, also applies to the man in Sam Spinner’s saddle. Joe Colliver’s future in the sport looked bleak indeed when he was serving a prison sentence following a car crash while drunk. Yet he was given another chance by O’Keeffe and his owners and now finds himself riding one of the hottest properties in jump racing. Danny Cook is another jockey grateful for a second chance. The Essex boy turned adopted northerner had his own misdemeanour to overcome when failing a drug test for cocaine but has bounced back to become one of the top riders in the north, with support from Brian Ellison and

Sue and Harvey Smith. In the shape of Phil and Julie Martin’s Definitly Red, a nine-year-old chaser at the peak of his powers having graduated from handicaps to Graded races, Cook has the opportunity to win the most prestigious prize in jump racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. One thing is certain; the combination won’t fail through a lack of belief. “I think I’m going to win, obviously, but time will tell,” Cook explains to Tom Peacock (The Big Interview, pages 48-51). “The thing is, I do have a lot of confidence in him. I have to go out there thinking I’m going to win. If I think I’ll lose, I will lose. So a positive mindset and hopefully it will pan out.

“O’Keeffe decided to walk away but his owners made him rethink” “Definitly Red is not overly big but he’s got a very big stride for a little horse. He’s lovely to ride – very laid-back, very low – and the more you ask of him, the more he’ll give you.” Sadly, one name missing from the Cheltenham Festival this year is that of Malcolm Jefferson, who passed away in early February. Jefferson, a stalwart of the northern racing scene and much admired in racing circles, was always to be feared with his southern runners and enjoyed some big days at the Festival. How fitting it was that the well-named Waiting Patiently (The Big Picture, page 16), running for daughter Ruth in the colours of Richard Collins, captured the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase just 24 hours after his former handler’s funeral. Whether or not this exciting seven-yearold takes up his Ryanair Chase engagement, connections have much to look forward to for the rest of this season and beyond. We wish them well.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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23/02/2018 18:26

Contents

March 2018

News & Views

International Scene

ROA Leader

View from Ireland

Expansion of ownership key to prosperity

TBA Leader Stud environments need nurturing

9 10

Featuring Gun Runner and Hugh Bowman

Features

20 22

Dawn Run makes history

Sam Spinner’s trainer Jedd O’Keeffe

Jewellery, fashion and homes

Waiting Patiently’s poignant strike

16 18

Talking To...

Racing Life Cut a dash at the Cheltenham Festival

From The Archives

Howard Wright Trust in racing and betting’s relationship

The Big Picture

Tony Morris The book that started it all

New President for the racing authority

Around The Globe

Changes News in a nutshell

Continental Tales

News Changing of the guard in Chantilly

Derek O’Connor’s record-breaking antics

The Big Interview Essex boy made good Danny Cook

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Mar_163_Contents.indd 4

23/02/2018 18:52

Features

Forum

The Store Pinhookers Leading exponents in Ireland and Britain

ROA Forum 52

National Hunt scene British breeding on the up

58 68 81 112

24 Hours With... Assistant trainer Ciara Fry

120

Forum The Thoroughbred Club What our bursary grant can do for you

Equine Herpes threat

109

Data Book National Hunt Graded Races

Dr Statz The best behind black-type performers

National Hunt Stallion Showcase

Vet Forum

Caulfield Files The French are flying

TBA Forum

Sales Circuit Point-to-pointers make big bucks

Funding boost for former racehorses

Winners and analysis

114

Did you know? Our monthly average readership is

20,000 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Mar_163_Contents.indd 5

23/02/2018 18:52

CLASSIC winner and CHAMPION 3yo Colt

INTELLO Sire of Unbeaten First Crop 2yo’s

INTELLOGENT

KING AND EMPIRE

“ INTELLOGENT is a horse we

KING AND EMPIRE is a lovely horse with a fantastic temperament. He impressed when winning on debut, and we are excited by him.

have the highest hopes for. If he’s as good as he looks, he will be really special.

”

Amanda Skiffington – Bloodstock Advisor to owner Mrs Fiona Carmichael

“

”

REGAL REALITY

“ REGAL REALITY showed distinct

promise on his debut victory at Yarmouth. He is a clean-limbed athletic colt, that we are very much looking forward to this year. Sir Michael Stoute – Trainer

”

Andrew Balding – Trainer

A proven Stakes sire with SONJEU and INTELLO KISS also from his first crop Covered a full book of mares in 2016 and 2017

Don’t miss out - call us today to secure a deal

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

Intello_Owner_Breeder_March_2018.indd 1

23/02/2018 14:28

ROA Leader

Nicholas Cooper President

Retaining owners key to racing’s prosperity E

ver since the ROA and BHA undertook an owners’ survey in the spring of 2016, the British racing industry has been focussed on ownership like never before. It is doing this because there is a growing conviction that the key to improving racing on many different levels is through the expansion of ownership. As this expansion has the effect of increasing the number of horses in training, so it will bring significant benefits for the whole industry. Put simply, more horses in training produces more competitive racing and more betting on the sport. It allows racecourses to put on a better show, and brings economic benefits for trainers, jockeys, stable staff and breeders. The drive behind what can only be described as a virtuous circle is being led by the ROA. The association is now working with all of racing’s stakeholders on a wide range of initiatives, all of which fell out of the survey. The central aim of the Ownership Strategy for British Racing is not so much to increase the number of owners but to retain the involvement of existing owners for longer periods. In doing this, the objective is to improve retention levels through initiatives both on and off the racecourse in order to grow the horse population. Retention of owners is obviously linked to some things outside of our control, but research also shows how much can be done to retain an owner’s enthusiasm and continued involvement even when they may not necessarily have enjoyed great success on the racecourse. It is a fascinating detail that owners who are members of the ROA remain in ownership, on average, for eight years, whereas this figure comes down to five years for non-members. The reason for this is clear. Through their membership of this organisation, owners have a much better ownership experience, particularly when they go racing. They receive benefits, advice and communications that stimulate their enthusiasm even at a time when the success rate with their horses may be below expectations. To be acknowledged and treated with courtesy on the racecourse, even when you don’t have a runner, is just one example of how a relatively simple thing can make owners feel valued and more likely to retain their involvement in the sport. By extending this philosophy into many different aspects of owning racehorses, we believe it will result in a greater buy-in from owners and gradually improve their retention. We should remember that existing owners represent racing’s greatest sales force. The trainer is clearly central to all of this, often being the owner’s main point of contact. It is also true, however, that most trainers never have enough hours in the day, so it is not surprising that

some of them are the last to want to embrace new ideas and working practices. But trainers are also the prime beneficiaries of seeing positive results come from these initiatives. They must therefore be persuaded of the importance of developing new skills in such areas as social media and the use of new technology to help enhance their relationship with owners. Syndicates represent another important strand to this work, representing as they do a gateway for many owners to arrive in the sport. Ensuring that all syndicates adhere to the Code of Conduct is an important way to minimise the number of owners who are put

“ROA members stay in ownership for longer than owners that are not members” off because they feel they are the victims of sharp practice. While it is true that owners are now seeing better levels of prizemoney – and the new appearance money scheme kicked in at the beginning of the year – this alone will not be sufficient to ensure we meet our objectives. Whether it is trainers, racecourses or the ROA, we all have to realise that most owners don’t just want to own horses. They – sorry, YOU – have other expectations. You have told us what these expectations are and we now need to continue the work towards meeting them.

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L@CPStudOfficial 23/02/2018 14:28

TBA Leader

Julian Richmond-Watson Chairman

Stud farms’ vital role as havens for wildlife E

veryone in racing, and particularly those involved with breeding, have an affinity with our horses, whether it is helping them into the world as foals, looking after them throughout their lifetime, or as a racegoer or armchair punter following a favourite racehorse. We all have our own ways of thinking about and caring for them and their futures. The recent debate about the rights of animals and their existence as ‘sentient beings’ has sparked controversy across a spectrum from jellyfish to lobsters, farm animals to apes. Somehow this argument needs to be brought back on to the middle ground, where animal welfare can be discussed in a rational and more sensible way. The topic came to the fore in the middle of December, when Michael Gove, the secretary of state for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), published a draft document with the rather unwieldy title of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill. According to the explanatory notes, the bill “sets out the details of laws the government plans to make, introducing new penalties for animal cruelty, and covering other animal welfare issues.” Its essential elements are that the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences will go up from six months’ to five years’ imprisonment, and it will ensure that animals are defined in UK law as sentient beings. The bill is Mr Gove’s latest departmental action after he was handed the DEFRA job last June. This in itself marked a return to the government’s front benches for the former education and justice secretary, following his failed party leadership bid. Recently described by close allies, according to a media report, as having been transformed from “a shy green into a full-throated environmentalist,” on account of the enthusiasm he has brought to his latest ministerial role, Mr Gove is a committed Brexiter. His bill is framed to ensure “animals will not lose any recognitions or protections once we leave the EU,” he says. From racing’s point of view, the health and welfare of racehorses is vitally important. Any animal who is not in the best of health is unlikely to breed successfully or to perform well on the racecourse. Those of us who live with horses know they are sentient. They have characters; they feel pain and they have good and bad days. So, as fellow sentient beings, we do our best to alleviate or manage these issues in the racehorse as best we can. Years of experience working with the thoroughbred have taught us how to ensure their wellbeing and happiness,

wherever possible, and with the BHA’s new 30-day foal notification system the industry now knows the whereabouts of horses from birth. We do not need a raft of legislation or governance rules to ensure we look after the thoroughbreds in our care. As sentience seems to cover the entire animal world, it set me thinking about how our studs offer exactly the wildlifefriendly environment that DEFRA – from its minister to its officials – is so keen to recreate in the world after Brexit. Our hedgerows and grass paddocks, often with their variety of herbage and little input from artificial fertilisers or chemical sprays, are just the habitats being talked about as needing to be encouraged and grant-aided, in order to support those

“From racing’s point of view, the health and welfare of racehorses is vitally important” sentient birds and mammals, butterflies and other insects that we all enjoy seeing. Our studs are a haven for this wildlife and we all benefit from the oasis of natural history that studs can provide from the arable fields beyond. It is important that those making decisions in DEFRA recognise that the environment to be found on British studs needs encouraging and nurturing. Any new plans for government support after Brexit should take into account what thoroughbred stud farms do, and can do, to enhance the rich and varied biodiversity that is so cherished. We foster an excellent habitat for wildlife, we create local rural employment, and we look after our horses often better than ourselves. Please Mr Gove, we trust you will recognise all this and support us.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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23/02/2018 17:05

News Criquette bows out after 40 years

ultiple Classic-winning trainer Criquette Head-Maarek has saddled her last runner, retiring at the age of 69 with 60 Group 1 winners in France to her name. Head-Maarek trained for 40 years and enjoyed success throughout her career, her first Pattern winner coming in 1978 and brilliant mare Treve claiming the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2013 and 2014. News of Head-Maarek’s retirement sandwiched that of announcements by Francois Doumen and Elie Lellouche, leading to something of a changing of the guard feeling within Chantilly racing circles. Head-Maarek will still be involved in the sport and will devote more time to the family stud, Haras du Quesnay. She said: “I’ve been very lucky to train for some wonderful owners, like the Wertheimer brothers, Juddmonte Farms and Prince Khalid Abdullah, Maktoum Al Maktoum and obviously my dad [Alec Head].” Retirement will not be easy, but HeadMaarek said: “I’m 70 this year and one day you have to go and do something else. I always knew that one day I’d have to stop. Life goes that way and has pushed me a little sooner than I thought. I’m retiring for personal reasons. “I want to benefit from a little more time for myself. It’s tough work, not easy, even if you have a fantastic life like I have. It’s been a wonderful racing career and I’ve trained a lot of big-race winners.

Criquette Head-Maarek: retiring for personal reasons after a glittering career

“People perhaps don’t know but I’ve had a lot of Group 1 winners – more than most trainers.” Head-Maarek was assistant to her father Alec before starting on her own in 1977. Two years later became the first woman to saddle the winner of the Arc with Three Troikas, ridden by her brother Freddy and owned by her mother, Ghislaine. As well as her three Arc wins, HeadMaarek won the French 1,000 Guineas seven times, the French Oaks three times, the French 2,000 Guineas twice and French Derby once. In Britain she won the 1,000 Guineas four times, while also at Newmarket she won the 1993 Champion Stakes with Hatoof and 1996 July Cup with Anabaa. Lellouche likewise sent out a string of Group 1 winners and will perhaps be best

remembered for the devastating frontrunning victory of Helissio in the 1996 Arc. “It wasn’t a difficult decision,” said Lellouche, 65. “I had lost a few clients and that forced my hand a little, but I felt it was the right time to stop for a variety of reasons.” Between 1990 and 2012 Lellouche enjoyed notable success training for Daniel Wildenstein and later his family, a relationship notable for its longevity when compared with many of the owners’ other trainers over the years. Among the Lellouche-trained champions to carry the Wildenstein silks were Aquarelliste and Bright Sky, who won successive editions of the French Oaks. Westerner, meanwhile, became the first French-trained winner of the Gold Cup for 28 years when landing the meeting’s premier prize in 2005. “Helissio was obviously wonderful but don’t forget Westerner,” said Lellouche. “Winning the Gold Cup was quite something. “I didn’t go over to Britain too often but my horses were nearly always there at the finish when I did. Shake The Yoke won the Coronation and Bigstone did the Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes double.” Lellouche added: “I regret a little bit that there aren’t as many owner-breeders now as before. It’s hard work and if anything it’s harder today than in the past. I will miss working with the horses a little, I suppose, but I’ll get used to it. I will continue to breed racehorses and as for owning, we’ll see.”

Death of Malcolm Jefferson

Malcolm Jefferson: highly respected and much admired in jump racing

Multiple Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Malcolm Jefferson died last month following a long illness. He was 71. Jefferson started out as travelling head lad to the late Gordon Richards, setting up training on his own in 1981. He had his first success at the Festival with Tindari in the Pertemps Final in 1994 and the following year sent out Dato Star to land the Champion Bumper, becoming the first British trainer to win the race. Dato Star went on to prove a highquality hurdler with wins in the Christmas Hurdle and Fighting Fifth Hurdle. In 2012 Jefferson had a Cheltenham Festival double with Cape Tribulation and Attaglance, both of whom followed up at the Grand National meeting.

Jefferson died with his wife and four children – one of whom, Ruth, has taken on the licence at their North Yorkshire yard – at his side, and the family said in a statement: “We would like to thank everybody for the kindness and support they have given during recent months.” Over the course of his 37-year career, Jefferson carved a reputation as a highly respected and well-liked trainer. Brian Hughes, who rode 131 winners for Jefferson in the last five seasons, said: “He hadn’t been well for more than a year but he put up a good fight. He was a great trainer who had some lovely horses. “He has been a massive influence in my career. I rode a lot of winners for him and I will miss him greatly.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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23/02/2018 18:19

Stories from the racing world

Staying race upgrades Further progress on the project to safeguard the staying horse has been made with the news that the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood has been upgraded to Group 2, with the March Stakes at the same course upgraded to Group 3. York’s Listed Silver Cup has also been upgraded to Group 3, and the course will host a new Group 3 over 14 furlongs for older fillies and mares in May called the Brontë Cup. York’s Listed Grand Cup has been moved from May to mid-June to accommodate the new contest. The upgrades come amid an industrywide project to ensure the continued production of quality stayers to race in Britain. They follow on from the upgrades of the Goodwood Cup to Group 1 and Queen’s Vase to Group 2 for 2017, plus grassroots initiatives and commitments from the BHA Development Fund for stayers, also announced last year. Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Racing Development at the BHA, said: “The Pattern upgrades show we continue to be absolutely committed

The Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood, won last year by Endless Time, is now a Group 2

to our project to protect and enhance the programme designed to attract and encourage quality horses with an aptitude for stamina. “Following a year of good progress in 2017 and a significant commitment from the BHA’s Development Fund for 2018, our current focus on boosting the programme for staying fillies and mares, and for three-year-olds, has been bolstered by the European Pattern Committee’s support of the upgraded and new contests at Goodwood and York.” Also being upgraded is Chester’s Huxley Stakes to Group 2, Newcastle’s

McLernon crowned Employee of the Year

Hoppings Stakes to Group 3, and Epsom Down’s Derby Trial to Listed level. A new Listed contest over seven furlongs for older fillies and mares has also been agreed, to take place at Chelmsford on June 21 - the first permanent black-type contest for the Essex racecourse. Quinn added: “The Hoppings is a consistent high performer in terms of ratings and is fully deserving of the upgrade. We would hope, over the next few years, to be able to introduce at least one other Group 3 race into the tenfurlong fillies’ programme, sited in the second half of the season.”

2018 WINNERS Employee of the Year Jessica McLernon – Richard Fahey Leadership Award Jessica McLernon – Richard Fahey Runners up: Andrea Kelly – Tim Vaughan Edward Murrell - Juddmonte Farms Rider/Groom Award Petra Sebestikova – Luca Cumani Runners up: Ben Stephens – Malcolm Jefferson Faisal Tahir – Henry Spiller Stud Staff Award Sarah Taylor – Mickley Stud Runners up: Kate Ford – Goldford Stud Daniel James – Brookside Stud

Jessica McLernon with her trophy after being named Employee of the Year

Jessica McLernon, assistant trainer to Richard Fahey at Musley Bank stables in North Yorkshire, was crowned Employee of the Year at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, held in London on February 19. McLernon, who was also successful in the Leadership Award category, received the perpetual Godolphin Trophy from special guest presenter Michael Owen alongside presenter Ed Chamberlin at an event hosted by the British Horseracing Authority. She was presented with a cheque for £40,000, of which £20,000 will be shared amongst the staff at Musley Bank, part of £120,000 in prize-money which was awarded on the evening by sponsor Godolphin.

Dedication to Racing Award William Reddy – Eve Johnson Houghton Runners up: Chris Jerdin – Oliver Sherwood Patrick Lennon – Shadwell Stud David Nicholson Newcomer Award Adrian Stewart – David Loughnane Runners up: Hannah Farrell – Dianne Sayer Josephine Saunders – Hillwood Stud Rory MacDonald Community Award John & Jackie Porter – ex-Injured Jockeys’ Fund Runners up: Angela French – The Racing Centre Peter Williams – British Racing School

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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23/02/2018 18:19

Changes

Racing’s news in a nutshell

People and business GVC Holdings Firm set to take over Ladbrokes Coral are fined £350,000 by Gambling Commission for repeatedly misleading punters with adverts relating to free bonuses. Amateur riders Will have first names published on racecards for the first time from March 1.

Liam Treadwell

Jockey most famous for winning the Grand National on 100-1 shot Mon Mome hangs up his saddle aged 32. Spendthrift Farm US stud invite fans of champion mare Beholder to suggest via social media a name for her first foal, a colt by Uncle Mo. Racehorse aftercare BHA launches survey and asks trainers to share their experiences of what happens when horses retire from racing.

Singapore Group 1s Country makes moves to return to world stage by elevating Kranji Mile to invitational event; four overseas horses will be invited to line up on May 20. Championship Horse Racing New series proposed for summer of 2019 involving 12 branded teams competing over eight consecutive Thursday evenings at different tracks. Royal Ascot running order Wolferton Handicap moves to Tuesday from Saturday, Windsor Castle in reverse, with the Sandringham from Wednesday to Friday, and the Queen’s Vase in reverse.

Grand National weights Event at Bafta headquarters in Piccadilly, London, has to be abandoned due to a local power outage.

Flying Five Upgraded to Group 1 this year, becoming Ireland’s first top-level sprint; the German Derby and Lydia Tesio are at risk of losing their Group 1 status.

Gambling advertising ‘Bet now’ television adverts to be banned as watchdog toughens up rules, the latest in a series of measures taken surrounding gambling advertising.

William Hill Fined £6.2 million by the Gambling Commission for breaching anti-money laundering and social responsibility regulations.

Sammy Jo Bell

Shergar Cup-winning jockey, 27, calls it a day after failing to regain the momentum she had built up prior to a bad fall at Carlisle in May 2016. Sha Tin racegoers Bus carrying racegoers from Hong Kong’s premier track involved in fatal accident, with a death toll of 19. Charles Laird Leading South African trainer retires after most of his string is sold by owner Markus Jooste, who is engulfed in a financial scandal. Ted Durcan Dual Classic-winning jockey calls time on career aged 44 and will look to explore avenues in the bloodstock world. Elie Lellouche Trainer of Helissio, winner of the 1996 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, announces his retirement. He also trained Westerner, winner of the 2005 Gold Cup.

Horse obituaries Taquin De Seuil 11

Stalwart of the Jonjo O’Neill yard and a two-time Grade 1 winner, including of the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Crucial Moment 4 Promising juvenile hurdler who had won his two previous races before suffering a fatal fall at Musselburgh. Prussian Eagle 7 Consistent handicap hurdler and three-time winner for the Evan Williams stable.

Paint The Clouds 13 Near-founder member of Warren Greatrex’s yard, he had run in the Foxhunter for the last three years, finishing third in 2015 and 2016. Innkeeper 30 The last son of Secretariat to be active at stud in the United States.

Fountains Windfall 8 Very promising chaser suffers fatal accident during schooling at Anthony Honeyball’s yard.

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TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS

MARCH 2018

MAKES HIS MARK A Hot Streak foal has certainly marked himself out at Tweenhills… with a streak of lightning on his nose! The chestnut colt seems typical of the progeny of top-class sprinter Hot Streak, who stands at £6,000 October 1st SLF and whose first crop are now yearlings.

Lightning quick? A unique Hot Streak foal

The foal’s dam is the winning mare Sciarra. She is a full sister to both the Gr. 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Move In Time and Razzmatazz, runner-up in Listed company in 2017. Their dam is a full sister to Gr. 1-placed sprinter Tropical Star. The boy is bred to be seriously fast!

GOSS WINS GOLDEN BUTTON AGAIN Yvonne Goss riding Untilla Legend – aka Jaffa – won the 2018 Complete Utilities Golden Button Challenge, becoming the first dual winner of the cross-country chase. The three-mile Golden Button takes place in Ledbury Hunt country, close to Tweenhills. Ledbury Joint-Master David Redvers helped design the 25-fence course.

Ciaron Maher (who flew in especially from Australia) completed after remounting. 2009 winner Paul Carberry was still going well when falling late on.

Goss, who landed the first renewal in 2006, partnered her ex-racehorse to victory over point-to-point riders Rowan Cope, Peter Bull and Ed Bailey, the next three home in the 45-runner race. All participants returned unscathed. Brian Harding finished just outside of the places, while Gary Carroll and

Yvonne Goss leads Rowan Cope in the Golden Button

Zousain (claret) wins on debut (credit: Chris Waller Racing)

ANOTHER ZOU-STAR Zousain, a son of Southern Hemisphere first-season sire Zoustar, carried the Qatar Racing colours when making a winning debut at Randwick in February. Zousain’s trainer Chris Waller, who trained Zoustar himself, said: “He is a most promising colt. He has so many of the attributes of his sire — they are so alike.” David Redvers bought Zousain’s dam Pasar Silbano with Ger Lyons for €25,000 as a yearling. The aim was to win the valuable Goffs Sportman’s Challenge Sales race at the Curragh and she did just that, as well as the Listed Curragh Stakes carrying the colours of Lynne Lyons. After a spell in the US where she won a Gr. 3 for Three Chimneys Racing, Pasar Silbano was sold at Tattersalls for 125,000 guineas to Richard Pegum, who bred and part-owns Zousain.

Classic winner Just The Judge produced a beautiful filly by Dubawi in February, her second foal by the sire. As you can see, mother and baby are doing very well.

MAHER CHARMED BY SPIRIT A fortnight before the Golden Button, Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher bought a $400,000 filly from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Charm Spirit. Maher had already secured a $300,000 daughter of Charm Spirit at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. Some 16 Charm Spirit yearlings sold for $100,000+ at Karaka, where another head-turner went through the ring — a pure white daughter of the stallion.

Charm Spirit – Lady Kipling filly

Also in high demand at Karaka were bottles of ‘Charm Spirit’ water...

Tweenhills, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BG W: www.tweenhills.com T: + 44 (0) 1452 700177 M: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 E: davidredvers@tweenhills.com

Changes People obituaries Richard Woollacott 40

Highly popular Devon-based trainer whose stable was put in lights this season by talented Grade 2-winning hurdler Beer Goggles.

Anthony Cane 69 Chairman of Epsom racecourse between 2008 and 2016, he was instrumental in securing Derby sponsor Investec as a longterm partner. Charlie Davis 78 Charismatic exercise rider of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

Malcolm Jefferson 71 Multiple Cheltenham Festival-winning North Yorkshire-based trainer who was successful throughout his 37-year career (see story, page 10).

David Shekells 74 Owned Old Mill Stud in Chippenham, from where he bred Richmond Stakes winner Mister Cosmi. He was a member of the TBA for 30 years.

David Barons 81 Trainer of the 1991 Grand National winner Seagram and dual Whitbread Gold Cup hero Topsham Bay.

Sheila Hoare 75 Longstanding TBA member who bred top-class filly Jwala, whose finest moment came when winning the 2013 Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes.

Sandy Taylor 76 Stalwart of the northern racing scene, his favourite tracks were Kelso and Hexham, where he enjoyed having runners.

Peter Casey 82 Colourful character who trained top chaser Flemenstar to three Grade 1 wins in Ireland.

Racehorse and stallion

Movements and retirements Vics Canvas 15-year-old who finished a gallant third in the 2016 Grand National as a 100-1 shot is retired, with niggling injuries taking their toll.

Smad Place

Popular grey chaser for the Alan King stable is retired aged 11. Owned by Peter and Trish Andrews, he won nine races including the 2015 Hennessy.

St Patrick’s Day Three-year-old brother to US triple crown winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic scorer American Pharoah moved to Europe to be trained by Aidan O’Brien. Age Of Fire Group 1 Levin Classic winner will take his place on the Cambridge Stud stallion roster at the conclusion of his racing career. Beatrix Potter China Horse Club further strengthens the quality of its broodmare band with the private purchase of Harry Angel’s 13-year-old dam. Zarkandar Top performer for the Paul Nicholls stable is retired aged 11. He captured four Grade 1s among 11 victories and won more than £900,000. Irving Dual winner of the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is retired aged ten. Racing for Axom and Paul Nicholls, he won eight races in Britain and over £300,000.

Herald The Dawn

Group 2-winning brother to champion and promising young sire Dawn Approach is to start his stallion career at Haras de Tierce, near Lion d’Angers.

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The Big Picture

Ascot Chase

Joy for Jefferson The Betfair Ascot Chase looked a promising race from the moment entries were published, and with the leading lights standing their ground all the way to the start, it let nobody down. In what many consider to have been the race of the season to date, it was promising seven-yearold Waiting Patiently (right) and Brian Hughes who came out on top, from a back-to-form Cue Card. For trainer Ruth Jefferson (inset), it was a poignant success, coming just 24 hours after the funeral of her father Malcolm Photos George Selwyn

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From The Archives Dawn delight Jonjo O’Neill and Dawn Run are engulfed in a sea of goodwill following their historic victory in the 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the mare becoming the first – and still only – horse to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. It was a hard-fought victory, with Dawn Run and Run And Skip going at it hammer and tongs from flagfall, while she still had Wayward Lad and Forgive ’N Forget in front of her after jumping the last. However, she dug deep to nail Wayward Lad, sparking joyous scenes as racegoers used all means possible to get a good view of the winner Photo George Selwyn

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Dawn Run on March 13, 1986

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Tony Morris

One racing annual and the rest is history N ewmarket has almost as many estate agents as it has bookmakers, charity shops and pubs, and I’m forever finding fliers on the mat from all of them. They are presumably in fierce competition with one another, but they’re all agreed on one thing: properties like mine are in strong demand in my area. Of course, the profession generally has a reputation for being economical with the truth, but in this case I’d like to believe what they say. And so, I dare say, do my heirs. Anyway, a month or so ago I was rash enough to let a representative of one firm come and have a look around the place, and he seemed a decent enough cove for one in his line of business. Having had his guided tour of the premises and inspected everything bar the attic, which I assured him contained nothing, he ventured the thought: “I could tell you how to double your living accommodation here without the need to seek planning permission.” As it happened, I didn’t need him to tell me, so I gave expression to what was on his mind and was blatantly obvious to the pair of us: “I know exactly what you’re thinking, but I’m not quite ready yet to dump all the bookcases and the thousands of volumes sitting on their shelves.” I perhaps didn’t make that point strongly enough, because within a week I had one of the guy’s staff on the phone, asking whether I was now ready to put the house on the market. I admit it – the house is a bit cluttered. And it might be argued that the baby grand piano, which I can’t play, is a tad oversized for its sole effective purpose, namely to serve as a TV stand in the sitting room. But elsewhere it’s books which cause most restrictions and impediments, perhaps most conspicuously in the dining room, where the leaf had to be removed from the table. Meals for more than four have to be a summer alfresco event. It’s a fact that I was always an avid reader as a kid, but that tended to be mostly newspapers and the few books my parents possessed. Until March 1956 my personal library consisted of just two volumes – Water Rat’s Picnic, by Alison Uttley, a school prize I’d acquired as a six-year-old, and the 1954-55 edition of the FA Book For Boys. The catalyst for my conversion into an inveterate bibliophile was my purchase of the 1956 News Chronicle Racing Annual from a station bookstall – something with which to occupy myself on the three-hour train journey that would take me to the home of my aunt and uncle for the Easter holidays. My one sporting passion at the time was football, but there was nothing available on that subject, so my shilling was invested on the little racing book out of sheer curiosity. Aged 11, my knowledge of racing was virtually zero. If there was one fact I had grasped, it was that the Derby mattered more than any other race – the sport’s equivalent of the Cup Final. It had been front-page news when Gordon Richards at last rode the winner in 1953, and the papers had got all excited again the following year, when a teenager called Lester Piggott was successful. The race completely passed me by in 1955, which hindsight suggests was largely about a French victory that did not lend itself to extensive press coverage at home. I wasn’t to know that one of the hooves of that year’s winner – Phil Drake – would one

Australian jockey Scobie Breasley was one of the stars of the sport in the 1950s when our columnist was in his youth

day serve as a paperweight on my desk. I can’t claim that my purchase of that book made me instantly aware that affairs of the Turf would come to dominate my life and provide my livelihood for over half a century, but when I take it down from the shelf now I can readily appreciate how it captured my imagination and made me want to learn more about a subject that would not normally interest a townie kid who had never been near a horse. It was an unpretentious, pocket-sized paperback, and while its chief target audience was naturally punters, there was much more to it than that. Betting shops were something for the years to come, so legal betting away from the racecourse was about phone or postal contact with a turf accountant, an obviously inconvenient arrangement for both sides of the transaction. No wonder illegal street bookmakers thrived. So although the little book carried advertisements for tipsters and bookmakers, and provided lists of horses to follow in the coming season – 50-1 Guineas hero Gilles de Retz the most conspicuously successful pick – its broader appeal was reflected

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The man you can’t ignore in numerous features calculated to interest the ordinary racefan. And those sections were key to making me become a racefan. There were fascinating pen-portraits of jockeys Scobie Breasley, Edgar Britt, Ken Gethin, Manny Mercer, Peter Robinson and Paul Tulk, all featured on account of their achievements in the previous season. There were 26 pages devoted to racecourses, describing their different characteristics, and indicating the trainers – all new names to me, of course – who tended to do well at each of them. There was an article on evening racing, evidently something new in the sport, and a piece on the important contribution of farriers, whose work behind the scenes might be easily overlooked. I’d never heard of Free Handicaps before, but I could readily recognise what they were all about as I read the lists of the two-year-olds and three-year-olds included in them. Only one race abroad got a mention, but that served to make me realise the significance of the Washington DC International, which in 1955 had been contested by horses from England, Ireland, France, Germany and Venezuela, in addition to the US and Canada. It seemed racing had its own World Cup. There was a list providing the dates of all the big races to come in 1956, and most of them meant nothing at all to me, but there followed, in a section covering more than 20 pages, long lists of previous winners of those races, some covered in considerably more detail than others. The 2,000 Guineas, the 1,000 Guineas, the Derby, the Oaks and the St Leger were all subjected to special treatment. The past clearly mattered.

“The latest in a long list of insane ideas seeks to turn racing into a team sport like Formula 1” And the Derby, I learnt, had been going since 1780, predating the foundation of the Football League by nearly a century. Horseracing was obviously special, with a longer history than any other sport, and it had apparently survived and thrived as succeeding generations valued the traditions handed down to them. My shilling – 5p in today’s money – had introduced me to a world previously unknown to me. That book was really meant for a committed racing fan who thoroughly understood the various aspects of the sport it covered, but fate decreed that it fell into the hands of a total ignoramus who found it utterly fascinating and immediately wanted to learn more about it. When I reached my destination, I told my aunt and uncle how I had amused myself on the train, and was thrilled to hear that they had once been to the Derby. It had evidently not been a great experience, because they had stood at Tattenham Corner in driving rain and seen nothing more than the caps of jockeys as they passed. (I established much later that it must have been Sansovino’s year, 1924.) Nevertheless, it was they who first took me racing, at Brighton in 1957. I wonder what it takes to fire an 11-year-old kid with enthusiasm for racing in 2018, when tradition counts for nothing and the lunatics appear to have taken over the asylum. The latest in a long list of insane ideas seeks to turn racing into a team sport based on the Formula 1 model. Perhaps tempting providence, I say: over my dead body.

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The Howard Wright Column

Racing and betting make ideal partners T he relationship between British horseracing and betting has been well established for centuries, from the moment one member of the landed gentry threw down the challenge that his horse was better than the other’s, and backed up his opinion with hard, if not entirely hard-earned, cash. That horseracing as we know it could not exist without the betting element was brought home to me 50 years ago, sitting at the shoulder, if not the knee, of Phil Bull, the guiding light of Timeform and as enlightened a 20th century reformer as any. He put the sentiment into words in a letter to The Sporting Life in 1978, writing: “Racing is no longer a private cricket match for owners and breeders, an exercise whose primary purpose is to determine which horses are best worth breeding from. That’s what it used to be in the good old days of the big owner-breeder establishments. Those days have gone by. “It is now essentially an entertainment for people. The entertainment lies in the betting. Deplore that as much as you like, but it is a fact. Racing now depends for its survival not on the Aga Khans, Lord Derbys, Solly Joels and their ownerbreeder establishments of the 1920s: it depends upon its revenue from betting, upon the levy. In short, the punter.” Forty years on, the words echo the same ring of truth. Only the sport’s business model has changed, with the levy supplemented by media rights. The levy has been put back on its feet through the inclusion of offshore money. Media rights have gone through the roof but have lately assumed an unexpected state of flux, through the buccaneering exploits of Racecourse Media Group, owner of Racing UK, and its new-found friendship with SIS. The irony is that RMG spent more than a decade trying to blow SIS out of the water, but when Arena Racing Company, the key British component of fellow broadcaster At The Races, decided to go it alone, RMG realised the best, perhaps

Only a very small proportion of gamblers have a problem

only, option was to link up with SIS, while sinking its own betting-shop service, the erstwhile rival TurfTV. Now, with SIS a willing partner, RMG seems intent on putting ATR out of business. Oh, what a tangled web they weave. Talk about the present and future of media rights has been muddied by the association with betting shops and fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), whose revenues now exceed those of traditional gambling. The almost puritanical argument against FOBTs – even by members of the media who spend much of their time exhorting people to bet on horses – is so weakly focused on a small majority of punters for whom they cause social problems that it has been turned into a moral issue.

“Self-confidence: there in a word lies the way forward, and not just for the betting industry but also for racing” Assailed by media forces who would otherwise make strange bedfellows, politicians and church leaders have taken up the cause, a new chant being that exposure to FOBTs and increased advertising is ‘normalising gambling’. Normalising gambling? Gambling is normal for a great number of people, a very small proportion of whom cannot handle its worst consequences. As betting sector expert David Zeffman explained at a recent conference organised by his company CMS: “The industry is being judged solely on negative outcomes.” To which Rank Group Chief Executive Henry Birch added: “We need to make a business case for why responsible gambling matters. If we can take general ownership of reducing [problem gambling], we will have the self-confidence to talk about the things we should be stressing.” Self-confidence: there in a word lies the way forward, and not just for the betting industry but also for racing, which has a better chance of achieving the objective in the short term than its counterpart, if we are to believe the apparent strength of the tripartite agreement, judged against the distressing disarray demonstrated among betting organisations and individuals. Those who argue that striking FOBTs out of the bettingshop equation will entice more people to bet on horses are at best guilty of wishful thinking, at worst of delusion. Those who refuse to have self-confidence in racing’s relationship with betting are guilty of the same afflictions.

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CC3365 TOB March 2018 (MUKHADRAM 2yo quotes) Preferred_Layout 1 19/02/2018 16:13 Page 1

“He looks a PROPER HORSE and will make his mark this year.” OWEN BURROWS

“They’re going well and are good moving, SOUND HORSES with GREAT TEMPERAMENTS.” KARL BURKE

“I like what I have seen and THEY’RE STRONG, well made, GOOD MOVING horses.” WILLIAM HAGGAS

MUKHADRAM

HIS TWO-YEAR-OLDS ARE COMING

£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

By Jessica Lamb

O’Connor’s amateur dramatics

CAROLINE NORRIS

lans are in place for record-setting amateur Derek O’Connor to retire, even if the County Clare rider is not yet ready to leave the saddle. The 11-time Irish champion point-to-point jockey achieved an unexpected landmark victory last month when partnering the remarkable Edwulf to success in the Grade 1 Unibet Irish Gold Cup. It was O’Connor’s first Grade 1 and sits proudly alongside his two Cheltenham Festival winners, Chicago Grey and Zemsky, as the highlights of his limited track-riding career. While watching O’Connor in his unique style at Leopardstown, many wondered why he was never a professional. “I have had opportunities to turn professional,” he said. “But it wasn’t something I ever wanted to do. I love what I do, I am in a very privileged position to ride for the people I ride for, and ride the horses I do. I was always happy staying on the point-to-point circuit – and it’s a bit late to change that now.” At 35, O’Connor holds the record for most winners ridden in a point-to-point season – 113. He is the first to ride more than 1,000 winners and, with 11 pointto-point rider titles, is the most highlydecorated of all time. His influence on the industry stretches far outside the point-to-point field, and that’s why trainer Joseph O’Brien booked him for Edwulf at Leopardstown last month. “He’d a very poor reputation jumpingwise,” said O’Connor. “I schooled him a few times and seemed to get on very well him. I can’t say why, I’m just lucky that he jumps well for me. Maybe it’s my style of riding suits the horse. I don’t really know why. I’m just lucky.” He was unlucky the first time they teamed up over fences on the track, falling halfway at Navan, then their ordeal at Cheltenham has been welldocumented – Edwulf running himself to a collapse in the four-mile chase, and astounding vets with his recovery. But by O’Connor’s magic touch he had already jumped 24 fences by that stage and his trainer confirmed him as his jockey for the foreseeable future. “I was just very fortunate that circumstances gave me the opportunity

Derek O’Connor: record-breaking jockey who appreciates his ‘privileged position’

to ride this horse,” he said. “Then everything went brilliantly for him on the day. It’s hard to describe it any other way. I was sad leaving Bellharbour that morning, sad to miss our local point-topoint, but the draw of Leopardstown and this opportunity was stronger. That doesn’t happen to amateurs often.” Only one other modern amateur, Patrick Mullins, has won an Irish Grade 1 over fences. “It’s very difficult for an amateur rider to get opportunities in a race like that,” O’Connor explained. “The only race in Ireland for amateurs is the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival. You never get opportunities to ride against professionals in Grade 1 races – chases or hurdles – unless you’re attached to a big stable.” He added: “I’m in a privileged position to be riding for Joseph and I intend to keep my job for as long as I can.” How long he will continue to think of riding as his job is anyone’s guess, but retirement is lurking in the back of O’Connor’s mind. Will it be another ten years?

“There’s plenty of Monday mornings I don’t feel like it, but for the foreseeable future I’ll continue as I am, taking what I can as it comes,” he said. “I’m also working with Goffs UK as an agent, and I hope I can develop that into a full-time job when I stop riding. “I source horses for the horses-intraining sales, and also the store horse sales now.” He has seen the rise in popularity of four-year-old point-to-point winners, spurred on by the dominance of Samcro in the novice hurdle sphere. “He’s incredible, but I still have the opinion that the four-year-old can do too much too early and won’t be able to stick the training,” he stressed. “I think there is a nice balance there though at the moment, with the strong, mature type of fouryear-old being run, and also the stronger five-year-old. I don’t think it’s all about the four-year-olds.” Of Samcro, he added: “I wouldn’t be confident that he’d go to Cheltenham. I’d have thought a nice career at home might suit better. He’s definitely a Gold Cup horse down the line.”

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View Fr m Ireland Caravaggio will be remembered for many things, but it has transpired that by far his most significant contribution to Irish racing came in September. The Scat Daddy speedster was unbeaten at two, winning at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes. His second Royal Ascot win came in the new Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, and his first two defeats then brought him back to Group 2 company at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend, in September. In the inaugural year of Irish Champions Weekend, this column said that its success would hinge on whether or not it could bring Ireland a first open Group 1 sprint. No other initiative or race meeting had managed that in the history of Irish racing, but placing the Flying Five Stakes in mid-September represented the best chance yet that it would finally achieve the required ratings improvements. The few Irish trainers with sprinting talent, like Eddie Lynam, backed the cause even before it got to that stage,

GEORGE SELWYN

Caravaggio’s Group 1 shove

Caravaggio scoring at Royal Ascot

but it needed a final push to get over the line – and that was Caravaggio. Along with Sole Power, Caravaggio is the only Group 1 winner to run in the race. Benbaun is among those who won Group 1s after winning the Flying Five, and others – Washington DC, Danehurst, the mighty The Tatling – had been placed in Group 1s, but a Group 2 has to prove it takes Group 1 quality horses to secure an upgrade.

Caravaggio was that proof, the highest rated horse to ever run in the race, lining up with a mark of 121. A year after the Flying Five was moved, the five-furlong Sapphire Stakes left the Irish Derby card for the Oaks meeting in July, and it too has increased significantly in quality, being upgraded from Group 3 to 2. It now rests on the cusp of Group 1 status. Its proximity to the July Cup – and Royal Ascot – means it is unlikely to follow the Flying Five to the top table, but within these two races are a plethora of incentives for Irish trainers to seek sprinting talent. Other key changes to the Flat Pattern for 2018 include a focus on the female staying division, with Leopardstown getting its July 14-furlong race upped to Group 3, and Gowran getting a new Listed race over the same trip in May – obvious opportunities for high-class hurdling mares. There is also a new 14-furlong three-year-old Listed contest at Leopardstown in July, open to both sexes.

Ballydoyle not only yard inspected over working hours Ballydoyle was not the only major Irish racing yard to be inspected by the Workplace Relations Committee. Others also came under scrutiny and passed, including that of Cheltenham Gold Cupwinning trainer Jessica Harrington. The County Kilkenny yard employs more than 50 staff for up to 150 horses and complies by adopting the traditional working schedules of racing staff, then paying overtime as or when a staff member exceeds the maximum working hours. This proves that racehorse trainers can function under compliance with the Organisation Working Time Act. An inspection in May 2016 at Ballydoyle by the WRC found some staff worked for up to 19 hours a day without adequate rest periods, while others worked for 28 days without a day off. They issued compliance notices to Ballydoyle in February last year and the operation appealed against those to the Labour Court on the grounds that racehorse training was an agricultural activity and should therefore be exempt from regulations.

The Labour Court dismissed this appeal in January, forcing Ballydoyle to appeal the ruling to the Circuit Court, and causing widespread unease amongst trainers and stable staff. The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and Irish Stable Staff Association have met and written to the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation in order to open a line of communication they hope will lead to a racing-specific working hours agreement. IRTA Chief Executive Michael Grassick said: “We have written to the minister Heather Humphries with the intention of getting back into agriculture. We would hope that between ourselves and the ISSA we can both be recognised by the Labour Court and come to a new agreement specifically for horseracing. “At the moment we are waiting for a reply. In the meantime, trainers are being policed by the WRC, and we have to abide by those rules and regulations.” Harrington may have proven that it is possible for trainers to work under the WRC rules and regulations, but it

remains true that many smaller trainers struggle due to chronic staff shortages and financial difficulties. The Organisation Working Time Act states that the maximum average working week for employees cannot exceed 48 hours. This is calculated over four months for most employees, but there are exceptions, including industries with peak periods and agriculture. The Labour Court decided that racehorse training operations are neither. The average groom works 12 and a half days, then has a Sunday and Saturday afternoon off. Generally, they don’t work eight-hour days, instead having early mornings, long breaks at lunch, then short afternoons. This system amounts to approximately six hours work per day – 75 hours a fortnight or an average of 37.5 hours per week. Working hours therefore become a problem only when yards become shortstaffed, or you factor in the extra hours required to accompany horses to the races, or any other travel. There is also the extra workload taken on at those times by the staff remaining at the yard.

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Continental Tales

GERMANY

ichael Vesper, a man well known in political and sporting circles but with no history of interest in racing, is set to become the new President of the German racing authority, the Direktorium. Vesper’s appointment needs to be voted through at the Direktorium’s Annual General Meeting on March 14 but, as the likely only candidate and having been publicly endorsed by the outgoing President, Albrecht Woeste, his accession to the throne should be a formality. Now 65, Vesper was a founder member of Germany’s Green Party in 1979 and was for some time a real player in the corridors of power, holding a number of ministerial positions and even acting as Prime Minister of Germany’s largest region, NordRhineWestphalia, for a brief period. After leaving politics he then spent over ten years as the head of the Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (German Olympic Association) and was chef de mission of the German team at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. News of Vesper’s recruitment has sparked a largely negative reaction from within the racing industry, partly because

the Green Party has in the past been less than supportive of racing and also wary of his lack of previous links to the sport. It is an unpaid post but unsubstantiated media reports of the carrot of a whopping €200,000 (£177,000) annual expenses allowance have not gone down too well, either. Yet being a true outsider could work in Vesper’s favour, as he will be able to see racing from a different perspective. While most senior figures within the sport have been attending race meetings all their lives, the accompanying knowledge brings with it a potential conflict of interests. Vesper, by contrast, should be unburdened by personal associations with members of any of the different factions within the sport. He has a reputation as a tough negotiator and his broad network of political contacts means that he should be able to get things done. The position of President of the Direktorium has at times in the past, and certainly over recent months with the octogenarian Woeste in post, been a largely ceremonial one. But rarely has the sport been more in need of a true reformer. In 2017 just 1,196 races were contested in Germany,

Vesper the man to restore fortunes?

Michael Vesper: tough negotiator

compared with over 3,000 two decades earlier, and the number of horses in training has plummeted from over 5,000 to a current figure of a mere 2,441 during that same 20-year period. Worst of all, betting turnover has fallen by almost 80% and even a promised cash windfall when a new 5% betting tax was instigated a few years back has come to nought. The proceeds, which were meant to be ploughed back into racing, have simply disappeared into an administrative black hole. There is some money available, however, thanks to the sale of racing’s €13 million stake in the online betting operator RaceBets a little over a year ago. Hopefully Herr Vesper can help come up with some far-sighted decisions about how to spend it.

Happy Chappet breaks into top six FRANCE

Fabrice Chappet with Olivier Peslier

In 2017 Fabrice Chappet finished a career-best sixth in the French trainers’ championship, with 57 winners from 407 runners and almost £1.65 million in prize-money — £2.29m when owners’ premiums are taken into account. The magnitude of that achievement is quite considerable given that the top six in the trainers’ table has been something of a closed shop over recent times. Andre Fabre, Jean-Claude Rouget and Alex Pantall have been ever-present for the last dozen years, while Alain de Royer-Dupre missed out for the first time in that period when eighth last season, and Freddy Head has been outside the leading sextet just once (and even then

by a single place) in the last five years. Unlike Christophe Ferland, another recent interloper into this exclusive club who had barely turned 40 when making the breakthrough in just his sixth season with a licence in 2016, 54-yearold Chappet has got there after a long wait while saddling a steady stream of winners in lower grade races. He has been in possession of a training licence since 1996 and began his career with something of a bang, winning 22 races with just 21 horses in his first full season. But it took him until 2012, when Leaupartie won the Prix Psyche, to lift his first Pattern race. Before last season he had never finished in the top 15 in the title race. It was a breakthrough campaign for

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By James Crispe, IRB

Wanted: foreign raiders The Stockholm Cup Festival, which this year takes place at Bro Park on Sunday, September 23, has been revamped with the intention of attracting participation from outside Scandinavia. Two of the day’s three Listed races, the Tattersalls Nickes Minneslopning and the Bro Park Sprint Championship, have had their prize-money boosted by 33%, meaning that they now boast a first prize of £44,248. “Some hefty travel allowances will be on offer to all the long-distance travellers,” says Dennis Madsen, Head Of Racing at the Swedish racing authority, Svensk Galopp. “And we will be doing all we can to enable visiting horses to get in and out of Stockholm as swiftly as possible.” There is a particular spotlight on the Nickes, the only one of the four feature races on the card not run on turf, promoting it as an ideal prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in America. “I believe that our surface here is the most similar to American dirt anywhere in Europe and the race’s position in the calendar, five weeks prior to the Breeders’ Cup, could not be more perfect,” says Madsen. Meanwhile, Sweden is currently experiencing its longest period without racing in over 50 years while the Bro Park dirt surface, which is less than a year old,

many different reasons, most obviously thanks to an inaugural Group 1 triumph, and in a Classic no less, when Precieuse landed the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. His statistics represented personal bests on all the major criteria – money won, number of winners and strike-rate (14%). Looking back six weeks on, Chappet admits: “It definitely was a great year and I really feel that the stable has taken a step forward. But we didn’t do anything differently, the only change was that the number and quality of horses in the yard has increased.” Both Precieuse and Chappet’s other Group winner of 2017, Vue Fantastique, have been sold to continue their careers in America. Yet there is still much for him to look forward to in the coming months, initially with his star sprinter Finsbury Square, who will have a prep race at Chantilly on

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SWEDEN

Interesting times at Bro Park, with a revamped autumn festival but troubles with the track

is relaid. “We have been experiencing problems with the dirt when it freezes or thaws very rapidly so we have been making changes to the drainage system and increasing the camber on the bends to 5%,” says Madsen. “The dirt is a mixture of sand, clay and silt which we blend ourselves, much as the tracks in America do. We have been

March 6 in the hope of gaining another invitation to run in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai at the end of the month. A little later he will start to unleash what is surely his best ever band of three-year-olds, in particular Dice Roll, a son of Showcasing owned by the London-based Italian art and antiques dealer Giacomo Algranti. Dice Roll has prevailed in three of his four starts and was Chappet’s secondhighest earner last term thanks to his victory – despite being badly drawn in a big field – in a new sales race, the £117,000-to-the-winner Criterium de la Vente d’Octobre d’Arqana. Chappet hopes that he will develop into a Classic contender and also has high expectations for Intellogent, who pulled 12 lengths clear of a wellregarded Godolphin adversary, Mind Mapping, when winning a maiden at

taking advice from officials from the New York Racing Association and they revealed that it took them four and a half years to get the blend right at Belmont Park.” The most recent Swedish fixture took place at Jagersro in Malmo on December 6 and the renovation closure means that Bro Park will not open its doors again until March 25.

Saint-Cloud. On the fillies’ side he picks out Prontamente and the sprinter, Over Reacted, both Group-placed last term. “I do have some nice three-year-old prospects and over 50 two-year-olds,” he says, “and the size of my string has reached 100 for the first time. But that still leaves us not even half the size of Monsieur Fabre or Monsieur Rouget!” Unusually, there is no background of racing in the family of Chappet, who served his apprenticeship in America with Hall of Fame trainer John Nerud prior to returning home to act as assistant to Robert Collet for five years. An economics graduate from Sorbonne University, his talents could have been lost to another profession but for an accident of geography. His father, a fighter pilot, was based near Chantilly, where he just happened to grow up and develop a passion for horses.

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Around The Globe

The Worldwide Racing Scene

Gun runs away with riches NORTH AMERICA By Steve Andersen

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he milestones – personal and professional – occurred on a daily basis on the last weekend of January for Gun Runner and the people around the star American horse. On January 25, Gun Runner won the Eclipse Award as the 2017 American Horse of the Year. Of the 250 votes cast, 248 were for Gun Runner, with two for Arrogate. The next day, Florent Geroux, a native of France and Gun Runner’s regular rider, was sworn in as a United States citizen. On January 27, Geroux guided Gun Runner to an impressive win in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on the five-year-old’s final start. On January 28, Gun Runner was flown to Kentucky to begin a stud career at Three Chimneys Farm. Gun Runner, who was trained by Steve Asmussen for the Winchell Family and Three Chimneys Farm, left the racetrack in peak form and as the undisputed leading horse in the United States. After finishing second to Arrogate in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March 2017, Gun Runner won five consecutive Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, to complete his remarkable career. “He has improved with every opportunity,” Asmussen said after the Pegasus World Cup. “Even when he didn’t have success he moved forward from it. I’m so pleased to be in his presence. This memory will be with us forever. How much love this team and Florent have for this horse is just a beautiful thing.” Gun Runner won the Pegasus World Cup over nine furlongs on dirt by two and a half lengths over West Coast, the champion three-year-old male of 2017. The race drew 12 starters from stables based primarily in California and Florida as well as Toast Of New York, trained in England by Jamie Osborne. Toast Of New York finished last after racing in sixth for the first half of the race. Jockey Frankie Dettori said the distance was “too sharp” for Toast Of New York, who was second in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic in his preceding start in the United States. Toast Of New

Gun Runner and Florent Geroux take flight to win the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream

York was sidelined by a tendon injury in early 2015 and was bred to 15 mares in Qatar in 2016 before going back in training. Gun Runner finished his career with 12 wins from 19 starts and earnings of $15,988,500. He is second on the all-time list of earnings for an Americanbased horse behind Arrogate, who earned $17,422,600. Arrogate won the Pegasus World Cup and $10 million Dubai World Cup in his first two starts of 2017. For Asmussen, Gun Runner was his third Horse of the Year in the last decade, preceded by Curlin (2007 and 2008) and Rachel Alexandra (2009). Those horses did not have an opportunity to run in a race as lucrative as the Pegasus World Cup, staged for the first time in 2017. The race was introduced with a relatively simple, but expensive, formula – 12 berths were

available for $1 million each. Owners could buy a berth for one of their horses, or transfer the berth to another owner. The remaining $4 million was provided by the Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream Park. The race was quickly subscribed in 2017, but not so in 2018. This year, the Stronach Group gave away three berths to ensure a full field. In addition, every runner was guaranteed $650,000, an increase of $250,000 in 2017, to further entice participation. The presence of dominant runners such as Arrogate in 2017 and Gun Runner this year discouraged owners of lesser horses from taking a chance, with entry expenses a leading factor. Gulfstream officials said the race will go ahead for 2019. There is a possibility the financial structure may change. One thing is certain – the best American older horses will be in the field.

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Around The Globe

Bowman on top of the world AUSTRALIA By Danny Power

World’s Best Jockey Award. The award is based upon performances in 100 select worldwide Group 1 races; jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, six points for placing second and four points for placing third. Bowman, with ten Group 1 wins in the top-100 list, beat Ryan Moore, the winner in 2014 and 2016, 142 points to 124. Bowman won four fewer Group 1 races but he won when it counted for the award, thanks mainly to six Group 1 strikes on the sensational mare Winx. For the record, Bowman had 47 rides in Group 1 races in 2017 for a strike-rate of 34%, which bettered Moore’s 84 rides for a strike-rate of 23.8%. Bowman gave praise to Winx (he has ridden her in all but two of her 22-win sequence) and the great horses he has ridden in the past 12 months, including his final Group 1 of the season on Cheval Grand in the Group 1 Japan Cup in late November. “What distinguishes one jockey from another is the horse,” Bowman told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I have been

BRONWEN HEALY

have a confession. I only recently discovered where Dunedoo was on the Australian map. Oh, I knew it was a small town in the bush in New South Wales, mainly because of its most famous ex-resident, ‘The Boy from Dunedoo,’ champion jockey Hugh Bowman. Despite often referring to Bowman’s origins in my stories over the past decade, I have only recently pinpointed Dunedoo on my Google search. It’s more than bush, and would be regarded so by most visitors from the north of the equator as ‘outback’, although it’s far from it. It’s cattle and horse country – with a few million sheep thrown in – where stockmen, and stockwomen, wear floppy, widebrimmed Aussie versions of the Stetson hat to keep the scorching sun at bay, and the softest part of them are their teeth.

Dunedoo town, discovered in 1823, hosts about 800 inhabitants. It’s perched just inside the north-western edge of Australia’s Hunter Valley, about 100km (60 miles) from Dubbo in central-western New South Wales. On the map, Dunedoo isn’t far from the famed Widden Valley, where the Thompson family has run the historic Widden Stud for a few months more than 150 years. Dunedoo has nothing to do with the Australian slang word for a toilet, the ‘dunny’. It’s aboriginal for swan, the native species of which are often found in the region’s lagoons. Hence the name of the local rugby team, the Dunedoo Swans. The good news on the name is that the shire council rejected the offer to build a giant dunny as a tourist attraction. They should replace that idea with a statue of Bowman. Bowman, 37, has put this quirky town on the map. Nobody before him can lay claim to such international fame, and it reached new heights at the end of 2017 when he was landed the Longines

The amazing run of Winx can be attributed as much to Hugh Bowman’s prowess as her own talent and trainer Chris Waller’s placing

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lucky enough to be riding the best horses in Australia and Hong Kong for the past two years, so that helps. “The horse is what sets you apart from everyone else because all the top guys can ride. I’m at the point of my career where I get the opportunity to ride the better horses and that makes a difference.” Bowman comes from a generational family of graziers, these days specializing in black Angus cattle. His father Jim and his grandfather Bruce rode as amateur jockeys, as did his great uncle, James Hugh Bowman, after whom Hugh is named. Bowman believes fate – or the length of a straw – is the reason he exists. During World War II, the edict came for the rural boys to join the army. Bowman told G1X.com.au in 2016: “There were three of them in our family who got called for duty: grandfather, his brother and his cousin. Two out of three had to go, one had to stay and look after the properties. They went down the river and drew straws. Two went and never came back. Grandfather stayed.” Life wasn’t always about getting on the best horses for Bowman. As a youngster he was a star of the local pony club circuit and polocrosse, where he was known for his horsemanship, daring and great hands. He rode for a while as an amateur at the bush picnic meetings and so impressed the bush trainers and jockeys that they begged his parents to let him become a professional. That move meant the youngster had to leave the prestigious Scot’s College in Sydney, where he had been a boarder since 12, but the racing bug had bitten Bowman hard and his parents reluctantly agreed. Bowman was apprenticed to trainer Leanne Aspros in 1996 at Bathurst. Aspros’s husband Billy, a champion bush jockey, told him to learn his timing by counting apples in his head – 15 to the furlong. Bowman said he’s been filling buckets with apples every since, and his

BRONWEN HEALY

“The horse sets you apart from everyone else because all the top guys can ride”

Hugh Bowman, ‘The Boy from Dunedoo’, has been likened to a robot by his wife Christine

signature sign off after winning is the ‘she’s apples’ with thumb and pointer finger, a la Groucho Marx. The biggest influence on his early career was former champion jockey Ron Quinton, a successful trainer based at Randwick. In 1997 Bowman moved to Sydney, where Quinton became his master and mentor. By 2000 he was Sydney’s leading apprentice. His first Group 1 winner came aboard Defier in the 2004 Doomben Cup, and around that time he linked up with the brilliant speed colt and now top sire Exceed And Excel, for trainer John O’Shea, who at the time predicted the wiry boy from the bush was headed for the top. Bowman won his first of four Sydney metropolitan jockeys’ premierships in the 2008-09 season (98 wins) and he now sits on a career total of 75 Group 1 wins. Bowman has often said he’d love to ride more in Europe. He has ridden in Ireland, in 2004, and in Britain on a separate trip, but both were for less than three months. In recent times he’s spent the end of each year under contract in Japan.

He said: “I love the racing in England. It’s the home of racing and you can ride all over Europe, which inspires me. But it’s very hard to leave here.” Irish lass Christine Bowman (nee Walsh) is the Ying to Bowman’s Yang. Funny, articulate, engaging, chatty, she first came to Australia as the track rider of the Dermot Weld-trained 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle in 2003. She met Bowman in Sydney on a backpacking trip soon after and, in spite of her early rejections of the Dunedoo lad, they make a great team, along with their two daughters Bambi, 4, and Paige, 2. Christine is in admiration of her husband’s success. “He’s the nearest thing I’ve seen to a robot,” she said. “I wouldn’t function off the food he eats, I’d be in a hospital. He’s one of the most mentally strong people I’ve met. If Hugh wants something and aims for it, nothing will stop him.” There are few better sights than Hugh Bowman on a horse. He lets his hands do the talking and the horse listens. Winx’s record is as much about Bowman’s skill as it is her talent and trainer Chris Waller’s care and placement.

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Racing Life DIAMOND LIFE – Boodles takes relationship with the Cheltenham Festival to the next level

By Sarah Rodrigues

oodles has been a Cheltenham Festival Partner since 2014, when it first sponsored the ‘Leading Jockey’ Award, but this year marks the first time that Boodles will sponsor a race at this prestigious event. The Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – which was previously named the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – is a Grade 3 National Hunt race open to four-year-old novices. Taking on this famous course — albeit with smaller hurdles — is a key event for horses starting their careers. This year, the event will take place on Wednesday, March 14, and this new three-year sponsorship will take the existing partnership between Boodles and Cheltenham racecourse to six years. Michael Wainwright, Managing Director at Boodles, said: “Being passionate about National Hunt racing personally, I am thrilled that Boodles is sponsoring a key race at the Cheltenham Festival for at least the next three years. It is easily the sporting highlight of the year for me and for many of our customers.” Boodles will continue to showcase their incomparable jewellery with retail space in the tented village at this year’s Festival, although in 2018 it will be double the size of previous years. Established in 1798, Boodles remains, six generations later, a family-owned

Boodles: a popular choice for engagement rings, which are available for under £5,000

Boodles in the only family-owned jeweller on London’s Bond Street

Pinky Rings are a recent addition to the Boodles range – the collection combines rose and white gold with diamonds in four different designs

enterprise — and the only family-owned jeweller on London’s Bond Street. This accessibility is mirrored in the fact that, despite the brand’s high offerings — exemplified for 2018 by the ‘Boodles Orange’, a 3.03 carat fancy vivid yelloworange diamond — one can still choose a Boodles engagement ring for under £5,000. The company is now run by brothers Nicholas and Michael Wainwright, together with the next generation of the family, Jody Wainwright and James Amos, but it’s not just these family ties for which the brand is revered. Their ‘above and beyond’ approach to customer relationships is also a factor, with gems and employees speeding through the cities and time zones towards anxious event attendees and proposal-poppers, not to mention the beauty of their designs, which makes Boodles beloved of red carpet stars, such as Kate Winslet and Dame Helen Mirren. Their Raindance ring is also showcased in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Boodles has recently launched its collection of diamond-set ‘Pinky Rings’: playfully combining the ‘pink’ of rose gold, which makes up a large part of the

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Jewellery and Watches brand’s design aesthetic, with the name commonly given to the smallest finger of the hand, the collection combines rose and white gold with diamonds in four different designs. Two of these feature a swirl detail around a central round brilliant cut diamond, alongside an abstract flower in a choice of either pink or white diamonds. A delicate butterfly motif graces the side of another ring in the range, complemented with a central round brilliant cut diamond at the top, while the collection’s final offering incorporates tiny floral and butterfly shapes with a mix of pink and white diamonds. The new ‘Pinky Ring’ collection ranges in price from £4,000 to £10,500. The 2018 Cheltenham Festival takes place from Tuesday, March 13 to Friday, March 16 with tickets currently on sale. www.boodles.com

Raindance Rings: with their shimmering cascades of diamonds, they are reminiscent of raindrops glistening in the sun

TAKING FLIGHT – The Santos de Cartier has been reimagined for our times

his year’s edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) – the invite-only watch trade event that showcases new luxury timepieces from high-end names – was, as ever, full of stand-out pieces of horological craftsmanship and expertise. One particularly covetable piece at the Geneva show was from Cartier, who introduced the Santos de Cartier Skeleton in pink gold with alligator straps. First created in 1904, the Santos de Cartier very much reflected its time: it was the age of engineering, with speed, progress and modernity the bywords of the era. The watch, of course, takes its name from, and was created for, Alberto Santos-Dumont, a pioneer of aviation, whose comments to Louis Cartier about pocket watches being somewhat inconvenient for time checking while flying were evidently taken on board: a key feature of the original version was a leather wrist strap. Having piloted the first hot air balloon flights in 1897 and invented the La Demoiselle, (the predecessor of the aeroplane) in 1907, Santos-Dumont came to be honoured as much for his modern approaches to collaboration, to style and to innovation as for his accomplishments: the Santos de Cartier pays homage to the man as a whole.

The pink/gold Santos de Cartier is priced at £56,500 and due for release in April

Many of the watch’s original features remain unchanged in its latest incarnation; for instance, its straight lines, which at the time represented a break from the traditional round design. This style also echoed the symmetry inherent in engineering feats of the day, such as the Eiffel Tower – in 1901, SantosDumont had been the first person to fly around this now-iconic landmark. The signature visible screws on the bezel have also been retained. Described

as a ‘miniature tribute to the proliferation of mechanical steel structures associated with a golden age of architecture,’ these also represented a shift in design, as such functional hardware had previously been concealed. The bezel itself has been reimagined to enhance the synergy between the lines of the case and the strap. That original and groundbreaking leather strap has given way to a new innovation: the Cartier QuickSwitch system allows the wearer to effortlessly change between straps of steel, gold, calfskin and alligator skin, tailoring the look of their timepiece to suit both outfit and occasion. With the mechanism invisibly blending into the structure of the case, all the wearer needs to do to activate the system is to press the mechanism. Smartlink self-fitting technology provides the added benefit of adjusting the length of the metal bracelet to the nearest link without the use of a tool: just a touch of a button on each SmartLink unlatches the attachment bar, enabling one of the brushed metal links with screws to be added or removed from the timepiece. Due to be released in April, the pink gold Santos de Cartier (Ref WGSA0008) features Cartier’s classic skeleton craftsmanship and is priced at £56,500. www.cartier.co.uk

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Racing Life

Property

FITNESS RETREAT

Is at-home exercise the key to keeping resolutions on track?

By Sarah Rodrigues

o, now we have two months of 2018 under our belts – and speaking of belts, what hole are you currently buckling at? Why, you ask? How very impertinent! Well, yes – perhaps so, but it’s also relevant to the issue of New Year’s resolutions, which, according to research, 80% of us will have abandoned by now, falling (desperately diving?!!) off whatever self-imposed bandwagon we jumped on when Father Time sliced 2017 away with his scythe. As usual, the most popular (and therefore the most broken) resolutions relate to weight, health and fitness. Gyms are wise to this, and prey on our good intentions, with membership sweeteners (no joining fee, buy nine months get three free) abounding over the new year period – but even inexpensive memberships are dead money if they’re not used: research shows that, in the UK alone, £558 million is wasted on unused gym memberships every year. Of course, there’s a positive side to all of this dismal news: an 80% failure rate means that 20% of us will still be on track by now. And actually, the goal itself probably isn’t the issue: it’s how manageable achieving it is, and hitting the gym for an hour, three or four times a week, actually ends up taking a fairly hefty chunk of time out of our already jam-packed lives once you factor in travel, changing and showering. Small wonder that so many of us find it difficult to maintain – and small wonder that more and more people are turning to at-home workouts for their fitness fix. UK construction and development company Bellis Homes reports that increasing numbers of buyers demand residences that enable them to weave their health and fitness goals into their home lives. In response, Bellis now aims to incorporate space for gyms, pools and other fitness facilities into most of their planned residential developments. “We want to offer owners beautiful and functional spaces where they can rest, play, work and exercise in a flexible manner which seamlessly blends into their daily lives, freeing them up for the things which really matter,” says Henry Fordham, Bellis Homes’ Director. One wonders what the former

Rosary Manor: former convent has been transformed into luxury apartments

inhabitants of Rosary Manor House, which was made into a convent by the Sisters of Charity St Vincent in 1887, would make of its Bellis Home transformation: this Grade II listed building now boasts its own fully equipped gym. Located in London’s Mill Hill conservation area, the 11 luxury apartments into which the building has been converted range from one to three bedrooms and from £1.1m to £4m. Another such development – Eleven Trees, also in Mill Hill – comprises three new detached homes, each of which has its own gym, complete with changing rooms and swimming pools, as well as spa areas with steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs. Priced from £4.5m, these five- and six-bedroom homes were designed by HAP Architects and finished by Alexander James Interior Design. Recognised as one of the World’s Top 100 Interior Designers by the Andrew Martin Design Awards 2016 and 2017, Alexander James is also largely

The homes in Eleven Trees are finished by Alexander James Interior Design

responsible for the exceptional appeal of Whitelands, located on the exclusive St George’s Hill estate in Weybridge, Surrey. Part of the team’s brief involved creating a basement gym, where function and purpose blended effortlessly with the grand aesthetic of the rest of the property. Sweat is just one part of the quest for wellness, however, and there’s an increasing emphasis on ‘inner’ fitness, with relaxation recognised as a core element. At Whitelands, this is reflected in natural tones and copper lanterns illuminated by natural flames – not to mention the jacuzzi, Rasul with starlit sky and adjustable depth swimming pool. Creative Director Stacey Sibley says:

Whitelands: spa facilities reflect and draw on natural scenes

“Wellness and nature are intrinsically linked and we wanted to reflect this within the spa facilities at Whitelands. We drew elements of the colour palette from soothing natural scenes, like the deep blue of the summer sky as day turns to dusk and the burnished glow of the setting sun as it sinks below the horizon. The result is an area which inspires relaxation the moment you step into it – it’s the perfect setting for refreshing and rejuvenating mind, body and spirit.” This magnificent six-bedroom home is available through Beauchamp Estates, with price on application. Contacts Bellis Homes • bellishomes.co.uk T: +44 (0)1279 424 733 Beauchamp Estates • beauchamp.com T: +44 (0) 20 7499 7722

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Handbags

ASPINAL UNDER LISA MONTAGUE: SIX MONTHS ON By Sarah Rodrigues

ecoming CEO of a luxury accessories brand right before the festive onslaught is no small feat, and since taking on the role at Aspinal in September, it’s probably fair to say that Lisa Montague has scarcely drawn breath. Her role here was preceded by seven years as CEO of LVMH’s Spanish design house Loewe, as well as a stint at Mulberry. Pierre-Yves Roussel, the boss of LVMH’s fashion division, speaks glowingly of Montague’s leadership qualities - as well as her “great riding skills on a beautiful Spanish horse in a bullring in Jerez de la Frontera.” For Aspinal, with its equestrian links, both of these commendations could be considered valuable: her appointment to the brand came on the heels of a 20% sale of the business – which is worth around £75 million – to family investment office Four Seasons, in a bid to raise funds for international growth. The website has also been overhauled, and online Christmas figures were up 20% on the previous year’s. Sales in Aspinal stores were largely stagnant, but performance was good at the new flagship store on St James’s Market in Regent Street, which opened at the end of November. It’s a beautifully realised expression of Aspinal’s signature style, which is quintessentially British, evoking the kind of luxury and sophistication that seems to make its relative youth (the brand was originally launched by Iain Burton in 2001) somehow surprising. Spread over two floors, linked by a curving oak staircase, the store features stucco plastered ceilings and open fireplaces in each room. Hand detailed moldings adorn the ground floor Ladies’ Drawing Room, where the women’s goods are displayed; upstairs, Tudor panelling and leather armchairs give the men’s and travel goods a distinctly masculine feel. The members’ room – which is available for private event hire – is where the concierge service is located: here you can have gifts embossed, personalised and delivered to almost anywhere in the world within 48 hours. Best sellers over the Christmas period? For men, it was wallets. For

The flagship Aspinal store in London’s Regent Street is spread over two floors and features stucco plastered ceilings and open fireplaces in each room

women, the Lottie bag, which retails for up to £650 depending on size, proved a popular choice, with its semi-structured design, letterbox style closure, and plaited metal chain strap, suitable for both shoulder and crossbody wear. The style is also available for SS18 in new pastel shades. Classic tans are a permanent offering, perfectly complemented by the silk horseshoe scarf, which has been a transeasonal staple in the range for several years now. Saddlebags – crafted from Italian calf leather and available in both letterbox and slouchy styles – can be personalised on either the cross body strap or shield tab closure. A collaboration with Downton

Abbey’s Michelle Dockery has also been very successful: named The Dockery, its shape was inspired by a bag passed down to the actress from her grandmother. Another collaboration – this time for men – is also planned for later this year, as well as plans to take the brand beyond London and on to the wider UK audience, with 12 shops and concessions set to open across Bristol, Oxford, Manchester and Glasgow. Long term, North America and Japan are on the radar. Even now, almost six months down the track, Lisa Montague shows no signs of slowing the pace. www.aspinaloflondon.com

The Saddle bag (left) and Lottie bag (right) are two popular handbag options for the modern woman

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Racing Life

Awards

Arrogate named Longines World’s Best Racehorse By Sarah Rodrigues

anuary 24 saw Claridge’s play host to some of the most respected names in racing, with American thoroughbred Arrogate winning the Longines World’s Best Racehorse title for the second year in a row, earning a top rating of 134 both years. Arrogate’s owner, Juddmonte Farms, represented by Lord Grimthorpe and trainer Bob Baffert, were each presented with a Longines watch and a magnificent Longines Equus Crystal Vase. Manager of Juddmonte Farms, Garrett O’Rourke, said: “Having Arrogate named the Longines World’s Best Racehorse two years in a row is an honour for the entire operation. He has settled in nicely at Juddmonte Farms in Kentucky as he prepares for his stallion career, and we hope that he goes on to produce foals with just as much talent.” Second place was taken by Australian mare Winx, whose racing career is far from over. Rated 132, she won all nine of her starts last year and is currently the topearning horse in Australian history, as well as being the highest-rated turf horse in the world. Her regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, was recently honoured at the Longines International Races Gala Dinner in Hong Kong, where he took the World’s Best Jockey title. “Winx will be back to the races soon and still has plenty to say,” said her coowner Debbie Kepitis. Longines and its longtime partner, the International Federation of Horseracing

Arrogate claimed the Longines World’s Best Racehorse title for the second year in a row – the son of Unbridled’s Song is now embarking on a stallion career in America

Authorities (IFHA), hosted the event. The Swiss watch brand is closely linked with the world of horseracing – as well as other prestigious sports – thanks to its horological expertise, which has made it a natural choice for timekeeping in events. In fact, it timed Arrogate’s victory in the Dubai World Cup last March. Longines also timed the QIPCO Champion Stakes – in which British-trained Cracksman earned his 130 rating – as well as being Official Timekeeper of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, at which Gun Runner notched one of his 2017 victories. Those two horses took joint-third place with their 130 rating. The title of 2017 Longines World’s Best Horse Race was claimed by the Qatar Prix

Trainer Bob Baffert and Racing Manager Lord Grimthorpe (centre) with their Longines watches after Arrogate, owned by Khalid Abdullah, was named the world’s top racehorse

de l’Arc de Triomphe, for which France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild was presented with a Longines watch and a majestic horse head trophy. The 2017 race’s first four finishers were Enable, Cloth Of Stars, Ulysses and Order Of St George. The event was attended by a number of high-profile guests, both those associated with the equine world – Lord Grimthorpe, Winx’s owners, which also include Peter and Patricia Tighe, Victoria Pendleton and trainers John Gosden and Linnea Aarflot – and socialites including models Rosie Tapner and Bonnie Jill Laflin, plus influencer Ali Gordon.

Victoria Pendleton was one of the famous faces at the Longines ceremony in London

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Racing Life

Dressing for the Cheltenham Festival 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

hilst there is no formal dress code at the Cheltenham Festival (this year March 13-16) it is certainly an opportunity to dress the part and most who attend enter into the spirit of the occasion. The classic ‘Cheltenham look’ for gentlemen was always a tweed jacket and bright-coloured corduroy trousers. I remember when I was the buyer at traditional outfitters Ede & Ravenscroft, I was encouraged to buy some corduroy trousers in quite a bright purple. As it was my first season, I was naturally cautious and a little disappointed when they had not sold as well as I had been promised. I reluctantly put them in the January sale only for the more seasoned shop managers to question my sanity… ”but we have not had Cheltenham yet!” was the general cry and they were right. As soon as February arrived, we actually sold out in the more popular sizes! Heavy cotton trousers are practical, comfortable and combine well with

Fit for the Festival: Richard Biedul wearing New & Lingwood (and right)

tweed and chukka boots, but there are elegant alternatives. New & Lingwood stock some great bold checked wool trousers to wear with either plain jackets, knitwear or, for the more adventurous, patterned tweed coats. As an alternative to the contrasting jacket and trouser, you can always wear a suit. A double-breasted prince-of-wales check in a medium to heavy flannel looks smart, as does a single breasted ‘salt and pepper’ Donegal tweed when worn with non-City accessories such as brown suede shoes and a wool tie. A wool tie can be woven or knitted and adds a layer of warmth to your neck. Anderson & Sheppard have some beautiful wool/silk blended ties that would add life to the dullest of shirts. For a luxurious layer to your outfit, wear a cotton and cashmere blended shirt from Budd in Piccadilly. Available in a wide range of colours from subtle blue herringbones to Tattersall checks, they are supremely comfortable. Whether you choose to wear a jacket or a suit, I always suggest a waistcoat for Cheltenham. It adds another layer of warmth and the extra pockets are always

useful. A checked flannel number will add a sportiness to a plain suit or jacket or you could select a plain one in doeskin or melton. Mustard and wine are good choices and are available off-the-peg from Cordings and Oliver Brown. Make sure the vest is long enough to cover the top of the trousers and cover your shirt. As an alternative to the tailored waistcoat, you can select a cardigan with or without sleeves. In either merino wool or cashmere they add warmth without additional bulk. For a more casual take, you can wear a v-neck or crew sweater. Bottle green, dark red and navy are all classic colours that combine well with most shades. In fact, it is better if outfits are not matched too carefully. Cheltenham is about the sport and you must not look as if you have tried too hard. Even if that requires a bit of effort! Of course, being held in England in March, the weather can be cold and a good piece of outerwear is essential. If you are wearing a heavy three-piece suit, a cotton Macintosh raincoat will protect you from the elements in style. Originally created in the 19th century using bonded cotton, they are sturdy and practical. If you need some more warmth from your coat, a tweed topcoat is a great

Gentlemen can stand out from the crowd with a double-breasted suit

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Men’s Fashion bit of kit. They can be worn instead of a jacket or as an additional layer. A velvet or corduroy top-collar to bring out the check in your tweed adds visual interest on both coats and jackets. London tailors, Dress2Kill, are advocates of the contrasting collar at Cheltenham and have a wide range of colours to choose from. They can even trim the pockets of your jacket to match. The right hat is important and the best

hats are from Lock & Co. They have the widest selection of racing felts, trilbies and fedoras in colours and sizes to suit all builds and face shapes. Since the popularity of the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders, tweed caps are available in most good menswear stores and are easy to fold and put in your pocket when not being worn. A good hat will last years and is better protection against a light shower than a cumbersome umbrella.

www.edeandravenscroft.com www.newandlingwood.com www.dress2kill.com www.lockhatters.com www.cordings.co.uk www.oliverbrown.co.uk www.andersonandsheppard.com www.mackintosh.com www.buddshirts.co.uk

Four of the best bespoke tailors outside of Savile Row COUCH & HOSKINS

Whisper it quietly but Savile Row is not as old as it often likes to think it is. The original home of the best in English tailoring would have been found in the City of London and keeping this tradition alive is the excellent bespoke house of Couch & Hoskins. Founded in 1908, it has a classic aesthetic and they are keen to add small touches such as cuffs on sleeves and ticket pockets. Their house silhouette is slightly waisted, but like all good tailors they are willing to adapt their style to give their customer what they want. The quality is first rate and prices start at £2,370 inc VAT. They also offer a full range of accessories. 40 Eastcheap, London, EC3M 1HD www.couchandhoskins.com

OLIVER BROWN

The traditional men’s outfitter offers a full bespoke service in their Chelsea atelier. Under the control of master tailor, Juan Carlos (pictured), it offers a bespoke service that boasts both precision and flair. Carlos is a third-generation tailor and served a sixyear apprenticeship at Kilgour on Savile Row as well as training in his native Madrid. This unique foundation of his skills allows him to handcraft tailoring that is traditional and conservative yet supremely comfortable. There are literally thousands of fabrics to choose from the world’s best mills but I would recommend starting with a plain dark blue in wool ‘fresco’ as your first suit. You will not be disappointed. 75 Lower Sloane Street, London SW1W 8DA www.oliverbrown.org.uk

SOUSTER & HICKS

Since 1966, the Woburnbased family firm has offered traditional bespoke tailoring. Their ‘green label’ suits are made to Savile Row standards and each client has an original pattern drafted for them by hand affording limitless opportunities for self-expression. Through a process of fittings each suit is built by hand and requires over fifty hours of work. During this process only the finest materials and trimmings are used in the creation of your suit. Of course, the most important material is the fabric used to make your garment and there is a selection of over 10,000 to choose from. Fortunately, there is expert advice available to assist you in every decision. Souster & Hicks also offer a visiting service and appointments can be made to see them on Savile Row. 14 Bedford St, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QB www.sousterandhicks.com

BRIAN SMITH

Located in the historic cloth mill of Fox Brothers in Somerset, Brian Smith is a bespoke tailor who specialises in the ‘soft’ style of bespoke tailoring where the fabric is allowed to drape and shape is created by using fullness. For this traditional technique to be successful, it must be made with a proper cloth. Fortunately, there is plenty available to choose from in the Fox collection of west-of-England flannels, worsteds and lambswool jacketing. If you have ever found it difficult choosing a cloth from the small samples in a tailor’s shop, here, there are fullsized lengths to choose from, including some exclusives. The Merchant Fox, The Counting House, Tonedale Mill Wellington, Somerset TA21 0AW www.themerchantfox.co.uk

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Talking To... Jedd Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keeffe with stable star Sam Spinner and jockey Joe Colliver

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Jedd O’Keeffe

Spin the

WHEEL Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe almost dropped out of racing in 2011 due to serious illness and financial pressures – now he is firing on all cylinders and heading to the Cheltenham Festival with a big chance of success in the shape of brilliant young staying hurdler Sam Spinner

Words: Tim Richards Photos: George Selwyn

ot many trainers boast a degree in Russian Language and Soviet Studies. What took you in that direction before the lure of racing changed your ambitions? I studied French, Latin and maths at A-Level and wanted a new challenge. There were very few languages back then that you could start from scratch at degree level. I was keen on the idea of student life, but had no idea whatsoever what I wanted to pursue as a career. I spent three months of my degree at Leningrad University in 1990 and became quite professional at the language but now it’s largely passed me by, though I can still pick out the odd word when I’m watching McMafia on TV. You completed the National Horse Management Course with a distinction at

the Cambridgeshire Agricultural College. What was it that made you want to pursue a career in training? Whilst studying for my Russian degree, almost by chance, I started riding again, which I hadn’t done for some time. I can’t explain why or how but I suddenly got a vocation for working with horses, and in particular I wanted to train racehorses. I needed to fill in the gaps in my equine knowledge quickly. Hence the horse management course. You are a Yorkshireman with an Irish name, an ideal match for horseracing. How tough has the journey been for John Eamon Declan Dunderdale O’Keeffe? At times very tough, but that was always what I expected. I knew nothing would be handed to me on a plate. My wife Andrea and I have worked really hard to get where we are now. We have always wanted the same things, have been prepared to make sacrifices, and as a result I feel we make a strong team. Without doubt there have been lean times financially, but since neither of us wanted to do anything different, we just ploughed on.

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Talking To... Sam Spinner leads the O’Keeffe string across Middleham Moor

›› Fellow Middleham trainer Micky

Hammond played a big part in your early racing experience. How did he mould your outlook on life in a racing stable? Micky made me realise very quickly that if you want any chance of succeeding you have to put in the graft. I was 22 when I joined him as pupil assistant and was then promoted to travelling head lad, ending up as his assistant. For years Micky and I fed all the horses every morning before the rest of the staff arrived. He was always first in the yard. He gave me the opportunities to learn all the aspects of training, for which I shall be eternally grateful. Micky is also very much a realist and doesn’t get carried away believing his geese are swans. He is brilliant at very quickly assessing a horse’s ability and then tailoring its career to get the very best out of it. His placing of horses is second to none.

You are heading to Cheltenham with Sam Spinner, the favourite, for the Stayers’ Hurdle. Describe what this means to a small, principally Flat trainer from the north? It means everything – hugely daunting and exciting in equal measures. It most certainly doesn’t feel like ‘just another race’. Since Sam Spinner’s Long Walk Hurdle win at Ascot we have been planning to go straight to Cheltenham and it’s my responsibility to have him cherry ripe on the day. I need to make sure I don’t mess things up for the sake of his owners, my staff and any punters who plan to back him. Although we are principally a Flat yard, having a National Hunt horse of his calibre is just as exciting as training a high-class Flat horse. The overwhelming feeling is that we are so lucky to have stumbled on

such a good horse when we have only a few jumpers. What first attracted you to Sam Spinner, impressive winner of his last two starts including Ascot’s Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle? And why did he cost only £12,000? Paul and Caron Chapman had given me an order to buy two reasonably priced stores, which was a bit of a departure from what we had been buying. They love jumping and wanted to look at the longer term. With my budget I couldn’t entertain the fancy pedigrees, so the individual was the priority. Sam Spinner’s page was solid without being top notch, but it was the physical specimen that I fell in love with. He isn’t necessarily my type in that he didn’t really fill the eye; he’s quite lean and athletic looking, but he moved with such

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Jedd O’Keeffe and find I get quite down when a horse of ours is injured. For me, one of the thrills of the game is studying Flat pedigrees and buying foals and yearlings, watching them develop and hopefully encouraging them into the winners’ enclosure. I am a big fan of Sir Percy, who is not hugely expensive. His stock is normally sensibly priced and I feel he is slightly underrated. I have two Sir Percys to train this year. If someone came to you with £50,000 to spend would you advise them to go down the Flat or jumps route? It has to be the owner who decides what sort of horse they want. Advising someone that they should do this or that is a recipe for disaster if they’re not really on

“I doubt we’ll expand our numbers a great deal, but I’m fiercely ambitious”

elevation, as if he was on springs. He also has a huge stride as well as the most lovely, honest face and eye. I’m no expert on NH sires, but maybe Black Sam Bellamy wasn’t the flavour of the month at the time. That, combined with just a decent pedigree, meant that Sam Spinner was buyable. Joe Colliver, who rides Sam Spinner, is back after serving a short jail sentence in 2016 for perverting the course of justice after a drunken car crash. His boss Micky Hammond and yourself have given him a second chance when perhaps many wouldn’t have done. Why? Joe made a foolish mistake. Of course, I don’t condone what he did, but he paid the price and I believe people deserve a second chance when they are genuinely remorseful. Joe learnt a hard lesson, which I have no doubt has made him a

better person. Micky stood by him from the outset and I know he’s a good judge of character. Joe has always been a really likeable lad, and I suppose it didn’t do him any harm that I knew he could ride a bit. You have enjoyed considerable success on the Flat recently. Do you consider yourself more of a Flat than jumps trainer? Yes, I’d have to say that I am more of a Flat trainer, based on the numbers of Flat horses we train versus jumpers. We probably have only five or six jumpers, as against 35 to 40 Flat horses. I wouldn’t like to say that I have a clear preference for one code over another; I just want to train any quality horse. However, I am happy with the proportions we currently have. If I’m honest, I struggle with the injury rates with the National Hunt horses

board. I need to know whether they want Flat or National Hunt, sprinter or stayer, hurdler or chaser. As we all know, owning racehorses is invariably a rollercoaster ride, so convincing someone to buy something they don’t really want is a very bad starting point. I am useless at attracting owners! I absolutely hate trying to sell something to someone if they’re not especially keen. I’ve always been a bit unsure about marketing in our industry; I believe it’s good results that get you noticed. Maybe one of the reasons we have such a loyal team of owners is that they haven’t been persuaded to get involved in a horse unless I have faith in it. I think they appreciate our honesty, even though at times it can be very painful. How big a part does your wife Andrea play in the Highbeck operation? And are any of your three sons involved in the business? It may be my name on the trainer’s licence, but Andrea and I are equal business partners and we play an equally important role. I wouldn’t want to operate without her. She does everything from mucking out to riding out, organising nearly all the office admin and taking care of staff

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Talking To... How close did you come to closing down your training operation? Extremely close. In fact, at one point we did ring all our owners to tell them we couldn’t continue because of the financial pressures. But the response and support we received from our loyal patrons persuaded us to persevere, thank goodness. They were patient, tolerant and stuck with us when they could easily have moved their horses elsewhere when there was so much uncertainty about our future. Some even pledged more horses. We realise how lucky we are to have such a good team of owners, both longstanding and new. Native Yorkshireman Jedd O’Keeffe

›› needs. When you run your own operation

the primary concern has to be staying in business and protecting the jobs that you have created. Being a good trainer of racehorses is not necessarily the same as being a successful business person. We have to work hard to be both. Our three sons, Joseph, 15, Jonny, 13, and Nicholas, 11, are all interested in what we do. They all learnt to ride on ponies and the eldest two have started sitting on the quiet racehorses. They love coming racing but I don’t know if any of them will enter our industry, though my experience of this lifestyle is great and I wouldn’t discourage them if they were keen. However, they need to be aware of one very important factor – they’ll achieve very little if they’re not prepared to work really hard. Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan and David O’Meara fly the flag for the north at the top Flat meetings, but northern jump trainers are struggling to compete at the highest level. Why? I agree, Flat racing in the north is flying at the moment. The quality of the trainers is outstanding. However, the quality of the northern jumps trainers is equally as impressive; it’s just that they are not being sufficiently well supported to showcase how good they are. I believe the reason for the divide is simple; the best National Hunt bloodstock is being trained largely in the south. The wealthy owners, who buy the most exciting potential jumpers, want them trained in the south. But I can’t explain why. Northern trainers offer exceptional value for money and we have many first-class tracks up here. Maybe if some of the more prominent National Hunt owners gave the talented trainers in the north a chance it would snowball. After being diagnosed with throat and neck cancer in 2011 you must have struggled to keep the show on the road.

To what extent has suffering from cancer changed your values and outlook on life? It puts things into perspective. Obsessing about one horse beating another becomes a little less important. It concentrates the mind on what really matters to me and my family. Such challenging experiences make you realise that quality of life is paramount. We always knew that training racehorses would never make us wealthy and it was always more of a lifestyle choice. The cancer reinforced the fact that money is not our motivation for what we do and, as a result, anything we achieve is that much more satisfying. Paul Chapman and his wife Caron, owners of Sam Spinner and big York sprint winner Shared Equity, have been massive supporters, particularly when you were ill. How many horses do they have with you and what would it mean to stand in the Cheltenham winners’ enclosure with them? It would mean everything to us for Paul and Caron to have a winner at that level. Their support has been unwavering through thick and thin, and not just in terms of them paying us to train their horses. They have known difficult times too, and have worked hard all their lives, so any success is well deserved. They currently have ten horses with us. What in your view is the best thing about racing? And, apart from increasing prizemoney, what could racing do better? Without doubt, the pure joy and euphoria that comes with a winner. Not just for us, the owners and jockeys but for the staff who put so much into the game. They take such pride in their horses, and many dedicate their working lives to racing. We have already seen an improvement in prize-money in 2018, for which I believe we have to thank Nick Rust and his BHA team. Hopefully rewards for owners will continue to increase. It may sound a

Jedd O’Keeffe familiar complaint, but I don’t think racing always treats owners as well as it might. Some courses take them for granted, on some occasions even making entry to the course difficult when it’s their horse that’s putting on the spectacle. In contrast, other tracks are completely the opposite, making the owners’ raceday experience a great one and they should be commended for that. Without owners most of us wouldn’t have a job or an income. We should all remember their importance to our industry. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? Probably in much the same position. I doubt we’ll expand our numbers a great deal, though I’m fiercely ambitious and want to continue to improve the quality of our horses. Like all trainers I want bigger and better winners. Having said that, I am very satisfied with my lot. I want to continue to make a living without the worry of paying the bills and for my family to be happy and healthy.

CLOSE UP AND… PERSONAL Away from racing I like… fly-fishing in the Yorkshire Dales My hero is… Brian Harding, a superb horseman and joy to watch on the schooling ground. When I was ill he insisted on riding out, then sweeping the yard. And he refused to be paid My worst habit is… never admitting to Andrea I’m in the wrong Actor to play me in a film… Richard Gere, for the grey hair Favourite drink… glass or two of Chassagne-Montrachet with some lovely fish

CLOSE UP AND… PROFESSIONAL Racing has taught me… to work hard, appreciate the good times and be sporting about the bad days Best advice I’ve had… if you haven’t anything good to say, say nothing Horse I would have loved to train… Desert Orchid (NH) and Frankel (Flat) Alternative career… bloodstock agent I deal with pressure by… keeping my head down, working and occasionally sulking

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The Big Interview

Danny Cook

Dynamite days for

DANNY

Life as a jump jockey hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Danny Cook but the kinks have been ironed out and along has come a horse, Definitly Red, who can take him to another level

anny Cook could easily be mistaken by the unaware for a participant on a reprised version of the Channel 4 documentary ‘Faking It’. In the series, members of the public from one background are taught a surprising skill in order to outwit a judging panel, so a country public schoolboy passed himself off as a doorman, and a burger flipper masqueraded as a gourmet chef. In the case of a landscape gardener’s son from Romford who had barely even seen a horse before attending the Northern Racing College, managing to become one of Yorkshire’s top National Hunt jockeys, this is no televisual role-playing. Cook’s application, something of a pipe dream from a meeting in the school careers’ office, boiled down to experiencing racing from the other side of the metaphorical fence. “My granddad and my dad would have a little bet at the weekend, watch it on TV and cheer them on while we were riding the sofas pretending to be jockeys,” Cook, who played for Leyton Orient as a youth, explains in a scene many will be familiar with. “I knew I wasn’t going to make it as a footballer or as a boxer and I thought that I was young enough to learn something new. “I used to love Norman Williamson, obviously Tony McCoy as well because he was so forceful and determined, he never knew when he was beaten.

“Norman was a waiting rider like Ruby Walsh, he knew the pace and what he had underneath him. I’m probably more on the lines of braindead and positive, so I don’t know who that puts me under!” Swapping an upholstered steed for a real one proved different. “I’d never sat on a horse until I was

“I was very dedicated, tried hard and would do anything to try to get a ride. I did it my way” nearly 17 – a bit of a late developer – but I like to think I caught up plenty quick enough,” he says. “I was scared of them until I went to the racing school, but once you get bitten by the horse bug, it’s hard to get away. It kind of happened straight away, when you start building up relationships with the horses.

“They look after you, teach you to walk and trot and stuff. I think I was quite quick to learn. Once we were trotting away, the same day I was on the gallops cantering.” There have been ruts in the road, whether you know the 34-year-old’s back-story or not, as he passed his assessment at the NRC at the turn of the century and has been receiving only wide-ranging plaudits in recent seasons. “I left racing for about 18 months and was back with my dad on the landscaping,” he says. “I was with little trainers who had only maybe seven or ten horses. It probably did me good in the long run but it was so tough to get going. “I still wanted to give it one more go so I went to David Pipe’s as a stable lad and worked my way up. Riding nice horses helps, and David gave me a lot of confidence but I think I helped myself, really. I was very dedicated, tried hard and would do anything to try to get a ride. I don’t think anyone took me to one side and said, ‘Do this, do that’. I think I did it all my own way.” Those few years as an amateur and conditional even yielded a Cheltenham Festival victory aboard Great Endeavour in the 2010 Byrne Group (now Brown Advisory and Merriebelle) Plate, but not long afterwards he again eared stagnation. Luckily, a lifeline came through Brian Ellison.

JOHN GROSSICK

Words: Tom Peacock

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Danny Cook

Danny Cook has matured into one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most accomplished jockeys

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The Big Interview “I felt I’d let everybody down but you either crawl into the hole or stand up and be counted” ››

“Basically one of Brian’s owners, Dan Gilbert, had followed me and asked Brian if he could put me on. I didn’t know him, but he wanted me to ride them and we had a few nice winners. Brian said to me if I’m riding Dan’s, I can ride all of them up north. I saw it as a good opportunity to spread my wings. “I was just about to lose my claim and we were coming to the summer, I’d had a bad fall and bust my collarbone, and I knew that other claiming lads were coming into the yard. Tom Scudamore was stable jockey, I wasn’t riding much other than for David and I really had no other contacts to keep me going. It seemed like a win-win situation for constant rides and a reliable income.” The pair were to pick up plenty of small races as well as several early nearmisses with Bothy in the 2011 Betfair Hurdle and Coral Cups. In seasons to come, the partnership with the shrewd Geordie has become a lasting one and Cook has also become first jockey to the Grand National-winning combination of Sue and Harvey Smith. He insists: “Brian’s very ‘say what he thinks’, shall we say, but he’s been nothing but good to me. He lets me ride how I find the horse and doesn’t put me under any set instructions. “I think the thing is that he keeps them fresh all the time, they’re never really overworked, they never get too tired and seem to hold their form well through the season. “With Brian, he’s quite a laid-back person, it probably rubs off onto the horses and the staff. Nobody’s getting too stressed. He can train anything from a three-mile chaser to a five-furlong sprinter. I don’t know what he does but he seems to do it well!” In early 2015, though, and in the midst of his best season, came another

major hitch. In what Cook confessed was a dreadful error of judgement, he tested positive for cocaine after a night out and was given a six-month ban. He says he again wondered briefly whether his career was over. “Yeah, there was [a moment],” he says. “I just felt embarrassed and that I’d let everybody down but when I spoke to Sue and Brian, they were keen for me to put it behind me, get back as soon as I could and prove what I could do. It’s nice I’m repaying their faith now. “Luckily the first couple of rides back both won, which put me in their good books. It’s bad, but you either crawl into the hole or stand up and be counted, and the show goes on.” He resumed with renewed purpose, landing the Rehearsal Chase on the Smiths’ Wakanda and getting the keys to a promising hurdler at Ellison’s called Definitly Red, who was to return him to the limelight for better reasons. Definitly Red was in handicaps this time last year, cutting a swathe through the Rowland Meyrick and the Grimthorpe Chase. The chestnut went off at 10-1 for the National, only for his chance to be ruined at Becher’s first time, with Cook almost catapulted out of the plate and managing a remarkable rodeo act through the next couple of fences.

“A horse fell in front of me and as he jinked left to avoid the faller, the saddle slipped under his belly,” he recalls. “I had no choice other than to pull up, it was too far gone. “It was very frustrating. The thing is, you ride it so many times in your head, visualise it and all the different scenarios that could happen. You’re always on the look out but the one thing I didn’t visualise was my tack slipping. “I had all the family up, they went out for drinks and food in Liverpool but I went straight home and sulked. I wouldn’t like to say too much but I don’t think he’d have fallen. He was topping them and going long, it’s just whether he was good enough. I think he probably might have been.” Determination has clearly been at

Cook describes Definitly Red, seen here winning the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, as the best he’s ridden

‘I think I’ll win the Gold Cup on Definitly Red’ The jockey is in confident mood about a horse who has gone from strength to strength this season. “I wasn’t even allowed to get on him when he first came into the yard, I think Richard Johnson and Will Kennedy rode him in his first couple of wins for us,” Cook explains. “It all came about one day at Haydock, neither Richard nor Will were there, so I got the call-up and finished second in the £100,000 fixed brush hurdle. I’ve had the ride on him nearly ever since. “Brian has a lot of good results with Richard Johnson, with those horses you want to have the best available jockey, but I took the opportunity with both hands and never let go. “To be honest, I expected him to be this good. I’ve always said to Brian since that day at Haydock that he’s the best I’ve ever ridden. Ultimately he had to go and prove it, and I’m glad he has. Hopefully he’ll

be competitive in a Grade 1 now. “He’s not overly big but he’s got a very big stride for a little horse. He’s lovely to ride – very laid-back, very low – and the more you ask of him, the more he’ll give you. “I’ve ridden a Cheltenham Festival winner and I won a Peter Marsh Chase on Our Vic, who was top-class back in the day, but the Cotswold Chase on Definitly Red was the best for me so far. “The Gold Cup is the plan. I think I’m going to win, obviously, but time will tell. The thing is, I do have a lot of confidence in him. I have to go out there thinking I’m going to win. If I think I’ll lose, I will lose. So a positive mindset and hopefully it will pan out.” Cook adds: “Obviously, it will be a lot more difficult if he went back to the National with another few pounds on his back, but if he went there or to the Bowl at Aintree, I’m sure he’d have a good chance.”

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Danny Cook Bingley Moor, and a shorter trip for one morning at Ellison’s. Both work and location make it harder to follow his beloved Arsenal any more and his main sporting buzz away from racing comes from watching eight-year-old daughter Isobel competing in triathlons. Son George is two, and a third junior Cook is on the way. “Basically I want to keep Sue and Brian happy,” he says. “I try to fill in round them. It’s tough to make a living through the summer, my trainers don’t have many in, so I go and do a bit of building back home. “Ultimately racing on quicker ground doesn’t help, but at the end of the day I want good horses in good races for good money. When you’re struggling to make it pay anyway, it’s not worth carrying on to win a £1,500 race.”

Much like Paul Mulrennan, the successful Flat jockey from west London based with Michael Dods near Darlington, Cook likes being an adopted northerner. The brighter lights, though, might eventually come calling, along with the patios and garden walls. “My wife Kirsty and I went to the same school together and our families both grew up in Essex,” he says. “Realistically I probably would go back there once my career finishes. My dad has just passed the business on to my brother now, and I enjoy it, it’s something different and nice to freshen up. “But I do feel like Yorkshire is my main home now, I love the racing and being a jockey up here, looking forward to the rides you get. To have achieved what I’ve achieved is more than I could ever have wanted.”

GEORGE SELWYN

the centre of Cook’s resurgence and it is a trait recognised by his agent, Bruce Jeffrey. “He’s just very professional,” Jeffrey says. “I’ve represented Ryan Mania and James Reveley, and they are nothing if not professional, but there’s something about Danny.” So where does Cook think his inner steel comes from? “That’s from my family,” he replies immediately. “My dad always says, ‘We never get nothing for free Dan, so if you want it you have to go and work for it’. The first holiday I went on when I was 16, I had to work for six weeks to save the money up, pay for it myself. I’ve always had it that you can’t be waiting for it to come to you.” Cook lives the quiet life in the small cathedral city of Ripon, which provides easy access to riding out twice a week at the Smith premises high on

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The store pinhookers

Pointing the way to

Cheltenham Feeding young horses into major jumps stables used to be the preserve of the Irish point-to-point

Colin Bowe, riding out with his string in County Wexford far right, and below

system but, with British pointers gaining wider recognition, we meet two leading exponents of the art of pinhooking and nurturing nascent talent on each side of the Irish Sea Words and photos: Carl Evans

o the casual observer who strolls into the domain of Colin Bowe’s County Wexford yard a key principle becomes apparent – keep it simple. Bowe, five times Ireland’s champion point-to-point trainer and a master of the art of buying unbroken store horses, prepping them to win a race and then selling them on, is not a man who gets bogged down issuing instructions. “I’m in Kiltealy,” he says down the phone line, nothing more, and when you arrive it becomes apparent this is his home village because there is Bowe’s Bar on one side of the road and Bowe’s Lounge Bar and Grocery on the other. One is run by his brother, the other by his uncle, whose son, J J Bowe, shared a nice touch with Colin at Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham December Sale, at which their winning pointer Trevelyn’s Corn – a €45,000 store purchase 18 months earlier – topped trade at £400,000. At the same auction two other Bowe-trained-and-consigned horses made £300,000 and £100,000. At least three of his former pointers are expected to line up at the Cheltenham Festival, namely Samcro, Getabird and Daklondike, but there may be others. Samcro was offered at Goffs UK’s Aintree Sale, where he made £335,000 en route to a place at Gordon Elliott’s yard, Daklondike was sold for £140,000 at Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham Festival

Sale to David Pipe, while Getabird realised €200,000 at Goffs’ Punchestown Sale before joining Willie Mullins. Bowe, 44, married to Fiona and the father of three children aged five to 12, is a hands-on guy who has a prong in hand and is shovelling straw into stables when I arrive. “How many do you want to ride?” he asks. “Two,” I say, and he points to the nearest stable and says: “Okay, take that one.” Simple, apparently, but there has to be a very bright brain behind the cheerful and relaxed countenance. He learned from another maestro, Jim Bolger, before returning to his home village to create a yard on a parcel of family land, initially to prepare and sell sport horses and hunters, before turning to pointers and training a few to run under rules. His first point-to-point winner, Snowy Morning, was later third for Willie Mullins in the 2008 Grand National. Little King Robin, on the other hand, was trained by Bowe to win up to Grade 2 level over hurdles, including one spell of seven wins from eight starts. Then he changed the business model, opting to concentrate on the buoyant market for Irish

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pointers at sales held at Cheltenham, Aintree, Doncaster and Punchestown. He says: “I trained for other people at first because I didn’t have the finances to buy my own horses. I still train for other people, but about five years ago I took a chance on buying one or two for myself and partnerships, and that has developed. “The sale at Cheltenham [six a year at present] has been a key part of that, and a season of autumn pointing in Ireland means that if a young horse is not ready to run in the spring of its four-year-old

season you can wait six months and then have a go. I keep it simple – the horses are treated the same no matter what they cost. They just get on with the job. “When buying stores I might take advice on a certain stallion, but when it comes to looks and conformation I go on my own. I’m looking for size, scope, a bit of movement and I tend to look for horses by fashionable stallions – I might chance a young-season sire occasionally. “I don’t target French horses, but they are on offer at the Derby Sale,

››

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The store pinhookers Lacey leading the British charge

The exciting Samcro is a Bowe graduate

›› and if I like them I buy them.

“I would currently go to €50,000 for a store, but €60,000 would take me out. I should think we are at the peak of the market and it has to level, but ex-pointers who do well under rules are keeping things going. In the past, a horse bought for €10,000 to €20,000 would win a point and the horses behind wouldn’t be particularly good, but today you can finish third, not beaten far, and still have a very nice horse to offer. There is more depth in races.” His charges are taught to jump and gallop, their daily spin coming up a five-furlong sand and fibre gallop that ascends a steady, but not severe, incline. He employs good work riders, including Ireland’s reigning point-to-point champion Barry O’Neill, and Rob James, who could be a contender for that title in the future. Another insight to Bowe’s uncomplicated but thorough approach comes following a ten-minute drive to one of Ireland’s schooling grounds. Three of Bowe’s lorries arrive, batches of young horses are unloaded – few, if any, pointers stay in his yard beyond the age of five – the riders leap into the saddles and away they go, streaming across the turf towards a one-mile circuit comprising six fences which are jumped three times. Watching the session from a tower in the centre of the track is Brendan Walsh, Bowe’s right-hand man, who says: “Everything has to be professional if you are going to win a point for four-year-olds. Look at the times of such races – they are often the fastest on the card. When a young horse gets inside the wings of that fence it has to know what to do.” With the skills and facilities at his disposal Bowe could surely train festival winners of his own, rather than preparing the raw material for others on which to capitalise, but he says: “I have a young family and I don’t like the road. Maybe one day I’ll change, and of course I would love to train a top horse, but at the moment this suits me.”

Tom Lacey is another fan of the doctrine that training horses is best kept simple, and that a routine which varies little suits thoroughbreds. Whether they appreciate scenic beauty is not known, but if they do why would they want for anything else but daily exercise from Lacey’s Herefordshire yard. It nestles in the lee of Marcle Ridge, a landmark from which there are breathtaking views to be gained while riding out. Yet for this visitor the most abiding sense at Cottage Field Stables is . . . nothing, unless silence is an entity. There is no passing traffic or overhead jets, no vast farm machinery preparing to plant or gobble up another swathe of food for the nation (the land here suits sheep). There is peace, so loud you can hear nature as spring approaches. That suits Lacey, a quiet man, not prone to idle chatter, but with a warm smile and a sense of life outside his boundary. Children tend to keep horseabsorbed people in the real world, and he and his wife Sophie have three of school age. Lacey, who describes himself as “someone who trains racehorses, some of which are for sale”, has unwittingly led British yards in a quest to collar some of the pinhooking market involving the buying of unbroken stores to trade as pointers, albeit he is not doing so on the scale of leading Irish exponents. However, his ring successes have encouraged others – Warwickshirebased Fran Nimmo and her partner, jockey Charlie Poste, have traded successfully, while Shropshire’s Phil Rowley, with advice from David Minton, is tapping into the market. Article Fifty and Black Pirate were sold for £115,000 and £75,000 respectively after winning for Rowley, and have since scored under rules, while Ed Walker, the Devon-based point-to-point trainer as opposed to the Lambourn licence holder, sold Santini last year for £150,000. That horse is now a Grade 2 winner with a leading chance in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Oliver Greenall (Cheshire), Sam Allwood (Shropshire), John and Chris Dawson (County Durham) and the Barber cousins, Jack and Chris (Somerset/ Dorset border), have all shown awareness of the potential market. Lacey says: “I’ve definitely seen an

increase in the number of people in Britain prepared to have a go, but they have to fund it themselves because there are not the investors here. I don’t know the set-up in Ireland, but the boys that do this job over there seem to have a leg with each other.” Lacey rode in point-to-points but learned the art of ‘nagging’ a horse from Captain Charles Radclyffe, who died last year aged 97 having been one of Britain’s foremost breakers and makers of jumpers, with the Royal family among his patrons. Having been taught how to transform a store horse

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Bread of

Evan 00_intro copy to go here and here etc

Words: 01_Word_Character Photos: 01_Word_Character

Respected trainer and pinhooker Tom Lacey

into a racehorse, Lacey and his wife bought their current home not far from Hereford, and are now in their fourth season at the premises. He spent time pondering the layout before investing in contemporary accoutrements – airy stables, an all-weather manège and uphill gallop, schooling grounds and a circular sand gallop – but he also studied the Irish method. Swerving away from the whingeing of his countrymen who bemoaned the fact that Irish pointers made pots at the sales, while the UK version made a pittance in comparison, he sought reasons, and

worked out how to increase the odds of selling a pointer for a profit. He concluded it should be no older than four (five may be acceptable on rare occasions), have run once (twice maybe), have size, scope and athleticism, be by a recognisable sire, have won or been very unlucky not to, and ready to go to market within days or weeks of that debut. If it made a goodly amount as a store – up to £50,000 is a ballpark figure at current valuations – and has therefore been assessed in a public place as rather nice, that helps, too. One more asset is respect for the vendor, which Lacey

could not achieve overnight, but which is now in his palm after he prepared, raced once, and then sold North Hill Harvey and Blackbow, among others. North Hill Harvey was traded for £100,000, and is a Grade 2-winning chaser this season with Racing Post Arkle Trophy pretensions at Cheltenham, while Blackbow made £150,000 and is now a key contender for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. What makes Blackbow significant to observers of the market is that the form of his win at a meeting in Gloucestershire was assessed worthy by none other than Willie Mullins, who saddled him to win

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The store pinhookers ››

a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival. Mullins has since been back to Lacey’s to secure, in a private deal, an imposing four-year-old son of Denham Red called Energumene, who won on debut at Larkhill in January. Lacey says: “The only difference between British and Irish point-topoints [in the context of pinhooking] is arguably that Irish maidens are deeper in depth – there might be only two four-year-olds among a field of maidens in Britain, while Ireland has races exclusively for that age group, but there will be a lot of ordinary horses behind the first three. They can’t all be Samcros. The Irish are taking more horses to market, and in a numbers game that means more of their horses will become successful under rules – what people fail to take on board are the horses that don’t make it. “You should never sell a horse you don’t believe in, because you are not going to get a return client. Of course, there are times when a horse we believe in lets us down, but those we don’t believe in we take as hits, and hope

The unbeaten Blackbow, winning on debut at Maisemore Park, is now a leading fancy for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper

some of the cream comes to the top and makes proper money.” Remembering Blackbow as a raw project, Lacey says: “He was rather on his forehand, so we did plenty of steady work up the hill and on the sand circle, and he coped. North Hill Harvey

Lacey’s string in training in Herefordshire

was similar in that he was very weak, but had so much raw, natural ability. They both won their first race, but they had to because of the perception of British pointing – otherwise a horse is considered rather exposed. However, people really need to start sitting up and taking notice of British pointers because they are proving themselves under rules.” Echoing a comment commonly heard in Ireland, but hitherto rarely in Britain, Lacey says: “We have a selling policy. A very wise old man once told me the only time to sell a horse is when someone wants to buy it off you. If offered a fair price we will sell – from the day a horse arrives back here from the Derby Sale it is on offer.” That clear understanding that a horse is for sale gives potential buyers confidence, but they are also taking note of runners from Cottage Field Stables because they are well grounded. Don’t take it from me – take it from an Irishman. Galway-born Tommie O’Brien, the son of trainer and former jump jockey Val O’Brien, who rode numerous big-race winners, works for Lacey and is now in his second season as the stable’s amateur rider. He has a vested interest, but walking back from the gallops, unprompted, he says: “I’ve never been to a yard where everything flows so smoothly – we never seem to hit a speed bump with a horse. From the moment they arrive, are broken in, then trot over poles and eventually go cantering and schooling, they fit in to the system without any bother. I’ve never seen an unhappy horse here.”

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National Hunt scene

Hope

Springs There’s a groundswell of renewed enthusiasm surrounding the British National Hunt breeding scene which, though small in comparison to its Irish and French counterparts, has produced some notable names of late and has been boosted by some new, exciting stallions Words: Emma Berry

scroll through the top 50 earners this National Hunt season reveals that 20% of the horses bear a GB suffix. For a country that prides itself on staging the most spectacular jump racing festival of them all, there is perhaps an imbalance when considering how few jumping stars are ‘made in Britain’. However, the current situation already marks significant improvement in recent years and from those within the British National Hunt breeding movement emanates a palpable sense of bullishness for the years ahead. Their message, as Bachman-Turner Overdrive once sang, is clearly: “You ain’t seen nothing yet”. Last year, Britain produced almost exactly half the number of foals bred in Ireland, but 75% of those foals were designated for the Flat, while only 57% of Irish-bred foals were for the same sphere. Statistical analysis in Weatherbys’ Return of Mares for 2017 shows that 627 – or 13% – of the British foal population were specifically National Hunt-bred. A further 478 (10%) were listed as dual-purpose prospects. In Ireland, the comparative figures were 2,914 (30%) and 1,274 (13%). Quantity doesn’t necessarily equate to quality, however, and there are enough British-bred star names

involved in the current racing scene to give reason to believe that, even if the numbers don’t improve dramatically, the standard of jumpers born and raised in Britain is on the rise. Two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners in the last three years courtesy of Coneygree and Sizing John, and a Grand National won by Rule The World in the intervening season isn’t bad for starters. Then we can serve up the much-loved Cue Card, the flamboyant Thistlecrack, last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Special Tiara, consistent young buck Sam Spinner, Grand National hopefuls Blaklion and Edwulf, who may yet ‘warm up’ in the Gold Cup, and the classy trio of Yanworth, Unowhatimeanharry and Tea For Two. A tasty main course by anyone’s standards. While Britain cannot boast the Gold Cup favourite and King George winner Might Bite, who was bred in Ireland by John O’Brien, we can now lay claim to his sire Scorpion, who has just embarked on his second season at Shade Oak Stud. He covered 47 mares there last year, eclipsed by his young stablemate Telescope, who was Britain’s busiest National Hunt stallion last season, covering 157 mares and almost 300 in his first two seasons, including 75 which were qualified for the TBA’s Elite Mares’

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Scheme. Telescope is a son of Galileo, who, like his sire Sadler’s Wells, looks certain to play a significant role in the National Hunt tables in years to come, but in this regard his full-brother Black Sam Bellamy is already one step ahead of him. Another Shade Oak resident, he is responsible for the Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Sam Spinner and for The Giant Bolster, who made no fewer than 15 of his 40 racecourse appearances at Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park and has the distinction of finishing second, third and fourth in the Gold Cup. The Hockenhull family’s Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire has a long tradition of standing jump stallions. Gunner B, born in 1973, the year the stud was founded, passed the baton to Alflora. Interviewed in this magazine two years ago, Peter Hockenhull said: “Getting a stallion is easy – people are prepared to give you them. Getting

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John, bred in Britain by Bryan and Sandra Mayoh

GEORGE SELWYN

“It’s about balance, and I would prefer to keep improving the quality we have in this country” the right stallion is very hard, one that generates enthusiasm and a decent book of mares, which means you have a good crop of foals, which attracts more mares. It’s a spiral that can go one way or the other.” Thought in its nascency, Telescope’s career appears to be spiralling the right way and he won’t fail for lack of early opportunity. Only time will tell whether he is the big name to follow Gunner B and Alflora at Shade Oak, and Hockenhull has not stood still in his quest to sign up young jumping talent. On QIPCO British Champions Day he could be seen ogling Dartmouth ahead of his run in the Long Distance Cup and the stallion master clearly liked what he saw as The Queen’s Hardwicke Stakes winner is the latest addition to the

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National Hunt scene ›› roster. Dartmouth follows Yorton Farm’s

GEORGE SELWYN

Universal as a son of Dubawi to join a stud predominantly associated with National Hunt breeding. Despite the fiercely competitive nature of the business, particularly when targeting a domestic pool of mares in just three figures, most involved in British National Hunt breeding will concede that the stallion we all have to bow to currently is Kayf Tara. Retired to stud in 2001 at the age of seven, he has had to earn his stripes and has been the leading jump sire in Britain for the past eight seasons. Now 24, the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner is about to cover a second season at a career-high fee of £10,000 and his book is limited to around 100 mares. For Simon Sweeting, Kayf Tara has been the making of Overbury Stud, where he stands alongside younger National Hunt sires Schiaparelli, Dunaden and new recruit Jack Hobbs. He says: “Unquestionably the quality of stallions in Britain is going up, if you think now we have Blue Bresil, Telescope, Jack Hobbs, Kayf Tara of the ones that are really exciting, and there are also the likes of Black Sam Bellamy, Schiaparelli, Scorpion, and so on. There’s plenty of choice and there’s no reason for a breeder to have to go to Ireland. And of course we have the Elite Mares’ Scheme, which I think is giving the stallion studs more incentives to get better horses and it helps us in our quest to do that.” The scheme, which rewards elite performers or producers with free or subsidised nominations to British-based stallions, has been in operation since 2012 and was devised in a bid to stop most of the best National Hunt mares being covered in Ireland. The number of eligible mares has grown, from 194

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Peter Molony and Barry Geraghty bought Bobs Worth as a foal and yearling respectively

Simon Sweeting: Elite Scheme a boost

in the opening year to 282 in 2017, and the owners of 108 of those mares made use of its benefits last year. The inclusion of Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs in the scheme this year has been a boost for Overbury Stud. Sweeting continues: “Certainly in the case of Jack Hobbs there was an incentive for his owners to leave him here [in Britain] rather than send him to Ireland because you get the better mares and that helps to make a stallion. Also, it’s got to be a huge bonus for the breeders and one which encourages them to focus on a higher-quality mare. If you go and buy a decent mare you know you will get a discount on the nominations, and that makes life easier down the road.” The traditional TBA National Hunt Stallion Parade at Cheltenham’s November meeting has been replaced in the last two years by a stallion showcase at the Goffs UK January Sale. It’s a format which has been both well received by breeders and well supported by stallion owners. Joining a trio from Shade Oak and Dunaden and Jack Hobbs from Overbury this year was a strong line-up from Yorton Farm, which brought two recent French recruits Clovis Du Berlais, a son of the multiple champion jump sire King’s Theatre, and Blue Bresil, whose Gordon Elliott-trained son Mick Jazz holds an entry for the Champion Hurdle. Also on the lorry from Yorton were the Coronation Cup winner Pether’s Moon and Universal, who is co-owned with Darley.

Batsford Stud, which routinely has a roster of dual-purpose sires in the heart of the Costwold jumping country, also supported the day with Sixties Icon’s half-brother Native Ruler and Passing Glance, sire of the recently deceased Fountains Windfall and also of Attaglance, who notched a notable double when winning at Cheltenham and Aintree in 2012 for Malcolm Jefferson. Batsford is also home to the regally-bred and underrated Haafhd, whose National Hunt achievements from limited opportunities run to two Cheltenham Festival winners in Countrywide Flame and Carlito Brigante. With Frankel having already sired a winner over hurdles, Richard Kent wasted no time in bringing his brother Proconsul to the parade from Mickley Stud. Worsall Grange Stud’s Grade 1 Canadian International winner Cannock Chase, an American-bred son of Lemon Drop Kid, and Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer, recently repatriated from France to Nunstainton Stud, ensured that northern studs were well represented on home turf. The showcase coincided with a buoyant renewal of the January Sale in Doncaster, which saw a 32% rise in the average price of jumping stock. Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud in County Limerick is involved with myriad aspects of the racing and breeding world and bought Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth as a foal for €11,000. He says: “I’ll probably get into big

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“Breeding winners is at the heart of everything we do” Now you can follow them through 2018 at yortonfarm.co.uk

Watch

Join Stud Cam and follow 4 broodmares through the season with foaling, covering and veterinary videos. From the families of Rule The World and Valseur Lido.

Listen

The Yorton team discuss all the latest news from the stud, sales, Yorton Racing and our In-House Equine Reproduction Vet answers breeder’s questions.

Download

Searching for a stallion for this season? Our 2018 brochure is now available online.

Better still, Visit

Face to face. Whether you’re an established breeder or looking for a way to get involved in National Hunt, visitors always receive a warm welcome.

01938 559 648 | info@yortonfarm.co.uk | www.yortonfarm.co.uk

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SARAH FARNSWORTH

National Hunt scene

Tim Varey with Batsford Stud’s Passing Glance at the TBA’s National Hunt Showcase

trouble for saying this but I think there’s been a huge improvement in the British National Hunt breeding scene in recent years. The telling thing for me was the sale recently at Doncaster. I flew over from Dublin and there were probably about 90% of the Irish pinhookers doing the same thing. That is a sure sign that things are on the up. I think we’re all interested in buying the offspring of stallions such as Kayf Tara, Midnight Legend and Blue Bresil.” Simon Sweeting was also encouraged by the strength of the recent sale. “It seems to be on the way back up again,” he says. “The Trull House Stud dispersal made a big difference this year but it was a decent sale with a good clearance rate and there was good, solid trade, much more so than five or six years ago. “I suspect that’s the result of hard work by Goffs UK but it’s working, and my feeling is that we’re getting a stronger core of British breeders slowly building up their numbers.” An area that has been of key concern to the TBA’s National Hunt Committee is the disparity between the prices of colts/geldings and fillies. A gulf still exists but it is lessening. Where once most major trainers overlooked fillies at the store sales, they can no longer afford to do so with an enhanced racing programme which this season includes 32 black-type races for fillies and mares, not to mention more than 200 races carrying the valuable MOPS (Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme) bonuses. The trainers have risen to the challenge and in turn foal pinhookers are no longer shunning fillies as they once did.

“The fillies’ incentives have made a huge difference,” says Molony. “It’s still early days but they are beginning to take off. I really like the idea of MOPS. I bought a Robin Des Champs filly recently who is qualified for it and I’m looking forward to advertising that fact when I sell her in a few years’ time. It has created real awareness and the bonuses are fantastic.” Sweeting adds, “There’s no doubt there are more people looking at fillies at the sales now because if a trainer sees a race that he doesn’t have a horse to put forward for he’s going to be disappointed, and if they don’t buy fillies they can’t compete in mares’ races. Fillies still don’t sell for as much as a colt but there is now a market for them.” Dual-purpose Newmarket trainer Amy Murphy is perhaps in the minority in that she has more mares than geldings in her National Hunt string, but she in no way sees this as a hindrance. “From a race-planning and buying

ADAM SMYTH

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David Futter with Bill Bromley, breeder of Stayers’ Hurdle hopeful Yanworth

perspective, MOPS is a great incentive with some good bonuses to aim for,” she says. “We’re definitely going the right way with the mares’ programme and I love the idea of the Cheltenham allmares’ card. We should be supporting those races. It’s already noticeable where once you might have had 12 entries for a mares’ bumper there are now 18 or 20, but I want to see the mares race on and not be whisked off to stud when they’ve won a bumper or a hurdles race. There’s much more incentive for them to stay in training and prove themselves now.” Murphy adds, “I went to Cheltenham [for the sale] last week thinking that even if the geldings were too expensive I might be able to buy a mare like I did at a previous sale, but I couldn’t get near one. That’s great for the sport.” Molony concurs with Murphy’s assessment. “Mares’ races in Britain used to be the preserve of Nicky Henderson but plenty more trainers are catching on now and the awareness is growing,” he says. “We’ve also seen some examples at the point-to-point sales in recent years whereby if a filly has won a race she doesn’t have to have the strongest pedigree to still make decent money.” He adds: “The TBA’s National Hunt Committee has worked hard to improve the situation for British breeding, especially David Futter, who through his breeding clubs, strategic alliances with French and Irish studs, and just general enthusiasm has really helped to get more people involved.” Futter, who, with his wife Teresa runs Yorton Farm just over the Welsh border, has certainly been an indefatigable force on the National Hunt Committee. With his fellow members he launched the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ Foal Show at Bangor, now an annual summer highlight for British jumps breeders which combines a fun social outing with the more serious business of entering their young stock for the show ring. But as much fun as Futter is himself, he too has a serious business to run when it comes to stallions. He says: “Last year we had quite a lot of French mares come over and there are French and Irish mares booking in this year. I’m sure there have been at other studs too, though I think the French particularly understand Blue Bresil and Clovis Du Berlais and we’re lucky to have them. “That doesn’t mean that they’re better than any of the other British stallions, but the French angle is why we’re attracting those breeders.

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

DARTMOUTH 16.1 h.h

By DUBAWI – GALATEE by GALILEO

RETIRING TO STUD IN 2018 “A quality, clean-limbed, good-looking colt who showed great tenacity in many tough finishes” SIR MICHAEL STOUTE, TRAINER “A really good-looking horse with a great pedigree; exceptionally brave, tough and genuine” JOHN WARREN, H M THE QUEEN’S RACING MANAGER A high-class racehorse who won every year from two to five, from 1 mile to 1¾ miles, including the Hardwicke S (beating HIGHLAND REEL), the Yorkshire Cup (beating SIMPLE VERSE), the Ormonde S (beating WICKLOW BRAVE) and the John Porter S; also 2nd in Canadian Championship (G1) and 3rd in King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S (G1).

Fee:

£3,000 (1st Oct terms)

BLACK SAM BELLAMY

TELESCOPE

by SADLER’S WELLS – URBAN SEA by MISWAKI

by GALILEO – VELOUETTE by DARSHAAN

16.2 h.h

Fee:

£3,000

(1st Oct terms)

A sure-fire producer of staying chasers. Sire from a Flat mare of Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd, 3rd and 4th THE GIANT BOLSTER and in early NH crops of G1 Hurdles winner SAM SPINNER and numerous promising NHF and Hurdles winners incl. SAM BROWN, CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK, BLACK PIRATE, BELLE AMIS etc. Full-brother to GALILEO.

A brilliant racehorse with outstanding pedigree, looks and walk. Over 60 TBA Elite Mares covered in first two years, incl. PEPITE ROSE, MOLLY’S A DIVA, LIFEBOAT MONA, JAUNTY FLIGHT, AIMIGAYLE, GEMINI LUCY, EASTER LEGEND and dams or siblings to SIZING JOHN, CARLINGFORD LOUGH, CENTRAL HOUSE, BLAZING BAILEY, OLLY MAGERN, MIGHTY MAN etc.

SCORPION by MONTJEU – ARDMELODY by LAW SOCIETY

RECHARGE by CAPE CROSS – REBELLINE by ROBELLINO 16.1 h.h

16.11⁄2 h.h

Fee:

£3,000

£1,500

(1st Oct terms)

A top-class racehorse now proving himself a top-class NH sire, with his first crop containing the brilliant MIGHT BITE, winner of the King George VI, RSA and Mildmay Novices’ Chase (all G1). Also sire of Punchestown Gr1 wnr. DON'T TOUCH IT & multiple US Gr1 wnr. SCORPIANCER, with a host of promising youngsters including Scorpion Sid, Burning Ambition, Danny Kirwin. “I love Scorpions” – NICKY HENDERSON, MAY 2017

A good-looking horse who was a G3 winner, beating G1 winner INTENSE FOCUS, G1 placed behind FAME AND GLORY and MASTERCRAFTSMAN, by the sire of SEA THE STARS, GOLDEN HORN & OUIJA BOARD from a champion Gr1 wnr. mare. Sire of Pt-to-Pt, Flat, NH Flat, Hurdles and Chase winners from very few runners, including NHF and Hurdles winner THE VOCALIST (N. Henderson). A REAL BARGAIN!

Contact: PETER HOCKENHULL • Tel: (01939) 270235 • Mobile: 07740 257547 E-mail: info@shadeoakstud.co.uk • Website: www.shadeoakstud.co.uk

››

“At the moment, throughout Britain, Ireland and France, there is an opportunity for younger stallions to come through the ranks as some of the bigger names have either gone or are getting older – such as Presenting, Flemensfirth, Kayf Tara, Martaline, Saint Des Saints and Kapgarde.” The Yorton line-up certainly has a French flavour to it and that is echoed in the Futters’ approach to launching their youngsters. “As a farm, Yorton will be putting two-year-olds by the younger stallions in training and pre-training in France,” he says. “It’s not because I think the French have better trainers, but their National Hunt system allows three-year-olds a chance. I’m not saying every horse can do it as a three-year-old but it’s also giving the stallions a chance to prove themselves a bit earlier and it can help the mares too. We don’t really have that system here but we’re finding more and more owners are coming to us at Yorton to purchase two-year-olds and we would probably break in between 18 and 20 two-year-olds here each year.” Futter also feels there’s a gap in the National Hunt market for two-year-old sales, saying: “The one thing the French do differently to us is breaking in the

EMMA BERRY

National Hunt scene

Universal, one of two sons of Dubawi, along with Dartmouth, standing at a jumping stud

store horse and getting them jumping earlier. It might not make them gallop any quicker but I’ve seen in the three or four years we’ve been doing this the difference in how well they mature and strengthen just through light work and cantering. It helps them to develop. “I think more trainers are starting to see the advantage of it. They still may not go into training until they’re a late three-year-old, but you take a horse in

The numbers

627

purpose-bred National Hunt foals in Britain in 2017

253

mares eligible for the TBA Elite Mares’ Scheme

black-type races for mares this season

mares-only races at the Cheltenham Festival

206

MOPS races in 2017/18

£10,000 bonus for winning a MOPS-backed hurdle or chase

£5,000 bonus for winning a MOPS bumper

£329,250 paid out by MOPS so far this season from 55 races

the autumn of his three-year-old year that has been broken in, cantered and jumped as a two-year-old and a lot of them can be as strong as a four- or fiveyear-old at three.” He adds: “We sell as foals and as three-year-olds but breeders have to have more opportunities to sell their stock, so if we can build a sale for twoyear-olds with some depth to it that could help.” Futter does curb his natural enthusiasm to sound a cautionary note regarding overproduction – a refreshing stance for a man with six stallions to market. He says: “What we have to be conscious of is not going back to pre2008 numbers. It’s about balance, and I would prefer to keep improving the quality that we have in this country, and educating new breeders about the importance of breeding from a good racemare with a good pedigree. We’re not far behind that now. We’re really knocking on the door of being up there with the best. Kayf Tara has brought us on tremendously and there will be others coming along as well. For too long we’ve all concentrated on the sales price and not really on the racecourse, but I think that’s starting to change.” He adds: “We’ve invested in some young stallions but if you’re going to stand stallions you can’t just stand back and let everyone else do the work, you have to have mares to support them and also to get the offspring into training. “I do think it’s seriously exciting with the new stallions we have now in this country. As long as they are supported, and the farms that own them get behind them, then it’s a very exciting time for British breeding.”

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B ATSFORD S TUD HAAFHD

NATIVE RULER

PASSING GLANCE

Alhaarth x Al Bahathri (Blushing Groom)

Cape Cross x Love Divine (Diesis)

Polar Falcon x Spurned (Robellino)

CLASSIC BLOOD

Fee:

£3,000

£1,500

£2,000

1st October Terms (LF)

By a European Champion two-year-old out of a 1,000 Guineas winner from a family packed with Group Winners. A consistent sire of Stakes winners under both codes.

1st October Terms (LFFR)

By the sire of SEA THE STARS, GOLDEN HORN and OUIJA BOARD out of Oaks winner LOVE DIVINE and now with his first win and placed horses under rules. He is an ideal cross particularly for SADLER’S WELLS mares.

Tough and Sound Dual Group winning Miler from a Multiple Stakes Producing Dam. The value horse to upgrade your mare.

Batsford Stud, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9QF T: 01608 651890 • M: 07899 957355 • E: alanvarey@batsfordstud.co.uk

www.batsfordstud.co.uk

RELOCATED FROM FRANCE FOR 2018 New to Nunstainton Stud

DRAGON DANCER 



  

Consistent Group level performer over 12F inc. beaten a short head by Sir Percy in the 2006 Derby. Sire of winners under both codes including Goodbye Dancer (OR133), and recent Juvenille hurdle winner, and now listed hurdle placed Dylidancer Top class pedigree, looks and confirmation. Highest OR 119 2018 Fee: £1500

By Saddler’s Wells ex. Alakananda

“IF YOU WANT TO CONQUER THE WORLD YOU BEST HAVE DRAGONS” George RR Martin

For further details contact; Chris Dawson, Nunstainton Stud, Co. Durham. 07796530084/ nunstainton@yahoo.com

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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23/02/2018 11:55

Breeders’ Digest

Emma Berry Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes: Sales Circuit: Positive start to the year at Goffs UK and Tattersalls – pages 68-78 Caulfield Files: French stallion industry booming with huge new intake – pages 81-82 Dr Statz: Leading National Hunt sires by black-type performers – page 112

Patience pays off in NH sector

GEORGE SELWYN

e’re at the crux of the National Hunt season, heading towards the week that for many jumping fans is the highlight of the social and sporting year, and one in which equine champions are made. In that sense, the Cheltenham Festival is of the utmost importance for trainers, owners, breeders and even stallion masters, but it is important not to overlook the many excellent meetings that build up to it, not to mention a personal favourite, Aintree’s Grand National meeting. There have been a number of sad losses already to our sport in 2018, and in the death last month of Malcolm Jefferson we lost one of National Hunt racing’s most admired figures. As well as being a first-class trainer, Jefferson also bred and raced some of his own horses and was called up several years ago to judge the TBA’s National Hunt Foal Show. Despite the fact that it came at the hands of the beloved veteran Cue Card, the victory of Waiting Patiently in the Betfair Ascot Chase has been the most savoured result of the season to date. The north-south divide that exists within jump racing is lamentable and there’s simply no justification for owners not lending greater support to stables in the north of England and Scotland. Waiting Patiently gave Ruth Jefferson her first major victory the day after her father’s funeral and the seven-year-old’s consistency pays compliments to two excellent northern stables, as he started his career and won his first race for the now-retired Keith Reveley. We may have to wait patiently to see Ruth Jefferson’s star turn out again as the trainer, refreshingly, was in no great rush to get him to Cheltenham. She said at Ascot: “This to us could have been his Cheltenham because we don’t know what ground we’d get and even if we get soft ground we might stop and

Ruth Jefferson, right, with Grade 1 winner and stable star Waiting Patiently

think about it. “There are plenty of other races bar Cheltenham. Everyone else is obsessed by Cheltenham. We are not that fussed. We’re not going to risk him for the sake of it – there’s Aintree, or Punchestown, or other places we can go.” If he does make it to Prestbury Park this month, a Ryanair Chase victory for Waiting Patiently would certainly be a popular result, and would add to a Jefferson family roll of honour at the Festival which includes Dato Star, Cape Tribulation and Attaglance. The last two named are particularly noteworthy for having completed an extraordinary ‘double-double’ in 2012 when Cape Tribulation won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham followed by the Grade 3 Silver Cross Hurdle at Aintree and Attaglance landed a handicap hurdle at each Festival. National Hunt breeding advances Attaglance’s sire Passing Glance was one of 16 National Hunt stallions on parade at Doncaster earlier in the year at the TBA’s Stallion Showcase. This event, along with the aforementioned foal show and initiatives such as the Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (MOPS) and the Elite Mares’ Scheme, is just one of the many ways in which the TBA’s National Hunt Committee has worked in recent years to improve the lot of the National Hunt breeder and to try to

encourage more to join the fold. As highlighted in our feature which starts on page 58, Britain is still a long way behind Ireland and France numerically but there are signs that the quality is improving – and, in a wider industry which could well be teetering on the brink of overproduction again, that’s no bad thing. To this mind, the biggest problem within the jump breeding world in recent times has been the woeful lack of interest in fillies. From a welfare perspective alone we simply can’t have a situation where roughly half the population we produce is all but unwanted. Of course as broodmares we desperately need those fillies in order for the breeding programme to survive, and we must aim to breed from the best we can. Pedigree is undoubtedly important but we need to keep testing these fillies and mares on the track before sending them to stud, in order to refresh bloodlines and to ensure that we continue to breed from sound stock. Efforts on both sides of the Irish Sea have led to an improvement in this situation, certainly in regard to slowly improving figures and clearance rates for National Hunt filly foals at the sales, as Carl Evans points out in Sales Circuit (pages 68 to 78). The ageless Evans also took to the saddle this month to ride several lots at both Colin Bowe’s and Tom Lacey’s stables as he quizzed them over what they look for when pinhooking store horses to train for point-to-points and sell on (pages 52 to 56). There’s no doubt that many of the successful pinhookers in this sphere still prefer a big strapping gelding to a filly but, as proud Irishman Peter Molony pointed out, after admitting he’d be in big trouble for praising a British initiative, MOPS, still in its infancy, is already proving to be a big success and a lure for pinhookers or trainers to buy a filly. It’s a giant step in the right direction.

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Sales Circuit • By Carl Evans Goffs UK January Mixed Sale

Irish point-to-point winner Phoenix Way brought the hammer down at £270,000

Timmy Hyde signed for the two most expensive pointers at the January Sale

on New Year’s Eve. Timmy Hyde, a friend to some of Ireland’s biggest racehorse owners, liked both, and bought them for £270,000 and £210,000 – both sums being far ahead of the 2017 top price of £100,000. Also well ahead of that price was the pick of the Trull House dispersal, which involved a draft of broodmares and their offspring who were divided between consignors Robert Chugg and Juliet Minton, of Little Lodge Farm and Mill House Stud respectively. The pick on price proved to be an unnamed threeyear-old filly by Fame And Glory out of Hora, who herself was sold for £95,000 with a Kayf Tara foal in utero. Her buyer was Anthony Bromley, acting for James

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Some quality young Irish point-topointers and a dispersal of breeding stock from Richard and Lizzie Kelvin Hughes’s Trull House Stud gave this event a golden aura. Yet sales of newly-turned yearlings with jumping pedigrees was another reason for Goffs UK to be proud, and some thumping prices for horses in that group would have been a source of cheer without the bigger, proven lots. Those with form against their name were headed by Phoenix Way and Dickie Diver, both five-year-old winning Irish pointers, and from the stables of Donnchadh Doyle and Michael Goff respectively, two men who have proven extremely good at converting stores into pointers, and then profit. Phoenix Way was a once-raced winner at Killeagh nine days before his ring appearance – he had been bought for £15,000 at Doncaster’s Spring Store Sale 18 months earlier – while Dickie Diver had a similar racing profile having scored at Templenacarriga

and Jean Potter, who own the impressive and historic buildings that are now home to Yorton Farm Stud near Welshpool. Hora’s 2017 filly foal by Authorized realised £74,000 to a bid from Matt Coleman, while Chomba Womba, who was the pick of the draft on racecourse success alone, was another Bromley purchase, making £80,000. The aggregate of Trull House lots achieved a sum of £1,105,500, helping the second session’s turnover gallop up by 112%, yet had all Trull House lots been withdrawn turnover would still have been ahead by 25%. A fall in the clearance rate for horsesin-training on day one – from 87% to 78% – was a negative, yet the average price

TALKING POINTS • The Trull House Stud clear-out undoubtedly gave this sale a big lift, both in terms of publicity and turnover, yet the 2017 edition was not a non-event, and included a 14-horse dispersal of stock owned by the late Graham Roach. A couple from that draft gave that sale a lift, so to trump it so emphatically was another optimistic note for Goffs UK and trade in general at the start of 2018. It could be a hard act to follow in 12 months’ time, but we have said that of other sales in the past few years, and then been surprised. • Irish pointers were again to the fore at this sale, but there was little involvement from British pointers – a couple of Tom Lacey’s December winners would have been popular but were sold privately, while misfortune or heavy ground prevented other handlers from getting the pick of their young horses into action before the sale. That was a pity, because the following week Black Pirate, who made a handsome £75,000 at this sale in 2017 following a win on debut in Worcestershire, made his first start under rules and sluiced home in a Wetherby bumper for James Ewart’s stable. HIs victory provided further confirmation of the gems that can be found in Britain’s green and pleasant rural shires.

Richard Kelvin Hughes’s Trull House Stud stock brought extra interest to the sale

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring

was up 14%, helped by the continuing thirst for Irish pointers. Overall turnover was up by 53%, blasting past £4,000,000 for the first time, while the average and median figures rose 32% and 23% respectively. No doubt Goffs UK would love a Trull House Stud dispersal every year, but the January Sale has shown it can get big prices for smart young pointers, and that should stand it in good stead in future years, assuming mid-winter weather does not halt or put a dent in racing.

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Donnchadh Doyle’s Monbeg Stables was out in front, consigning the sale’s top lot

Hora’s three-year-old Fame And Glory filly led the dispersal of horses from Trull House Stud

Goffs UK January Mixed Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Phoenix Way (Stowaway – Arcuate)

Monbeg Stables (Donnchadh Doyle)

270,000

Timmy Hyde

Dickie Diver (Gold Well - Merry Excuse)

Moate Stables (Michael Goff)

210,000

Timmy Hyde

F Fame And Glory – Hora (Hernando)

Trull House Stud (Mill House Stud)

130,000

Michael Hyde

Hora (Hernando – Applecross)

Trull House Stud (Little Lodge Farm)

95,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Lorvon Pearl (Gold Well - Dont Tell Betty)

Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)

90,000

Eamonn Phelan

Aurore D'Estruval (Nickname - Option D'Estruval)

Carl Hinchy (R H Bloodstock)

90,000

George Mullins

Chomba Womba (Fourstars Allstar - Miss Muppet)

Trull House Stud (Little Lodge Farm)

80,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

F Authorized – Hora (Hernando)

Trull House Stud (Little Lodge Farm)

74,000

Stroud Coleman Bloodstock

Dontbitedabait (Oscar – Newcastlebeauty)

Monbeg Stables (Donnchadh Doyle)

68,000

Michael Hyde

F Malinas - Line Freedom (Freedom Cry)

Trull House Stud (Mill House Stud)

65,000

Stephen Kemble

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2018

262

4,108,200

15,680

8,000

270,000

2017

230

2,710,600

11,785

6,350

100,000

2016

173

1,427,350

8,251

5,000

38,000

2015

142

1,162,500

8,187

5,000

50,000

2014

153

1,177,550

7,696

5,000

65,000

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Sales Circuit Tatts Ireland February NH Sale

Tattersalls Ireland, which is staging a new, early store sale in May, provided vendors of stores with a late opportunity to buy raw material from the 2017 crop of jumping foals at this one-day event. They responded by tucking into the 258 lots offered, helping turnover rise 13%, despite a smaller catalogue which offered 41 fewer lots compared to the 2017 edition. Strong trade at the November Sale meant there was a sense of optimism entering this lastchance saloon, but record figures were a bonus. Increases of 17% in the average price and 4% in the median were evidence of demand for the product, as was a rise in clearance from 57% to 64%. Pinhookers now have just over two years to wait until they can see

the wisdom of their choice, assuming they plan to sell rather than race their purchases. Returning to the sales is the route expected to be taken by the top lot, a son of Flemensfirth offered by Diana Vasicek’s Kenilworth House Stud and bought by Glenvale Stud’s Flash Conroy, a man familiar at high-end yearling sales but not averse to a bit of jumping action. His purchase was out of a half-sister to Colin Tizzard’s good chaser Theatre Guide. The leading filly, who made €30,000 to a bid from Eamonn Finn, was also by Coolmore Stud sire Flemensfirth, but the leading female proved to be the nine-year-old King’s Theatre mare Solita, a seven-time winner and part of a small group of older horses to walk the ring. A bid of €58,000 saw her join the Rathbarry

TALKING POINTS • There was warming news in the figures for breeders of jumping stock whose mares produce fillies. At this sale last year, 49% of fillies found a buyer, but that went up to 55% on this occasion, as 42 of the 76 on sale left for new homes. In addition, the average price of fillies increased by 24% to €7,012 from €5,669. Colts remained more popular, however, and their average price rose too, going up 21% to €13,325. Stud broodmare band with a view to being mated with that farm’s new sire, Karpino (Cape Cross), a German-bred miler who won the Gr2 Mehl-MulhensRennen (German 2,000 Guineas).

Tatts Ireland February NH Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

C Flemensfirth - Erins Stage (King's Theatre)

Kenilworth House Stud

62,000

Glenvale Stud

Solita (King's Theatre - Wind Over Water)

Toberona House

58,000

Rathbarry Stud

C Martaline - Agathe Du Berlais)

Ballinaroone Stud

47,500

Richard Frisby

C Saddler Maker - Melancholy Hill (Marju)

Padraic Donohoe (Gaynestown Stud)

46,000

Kieran Shields

C Presenting - Another Tempest (Old Vic)

Rahinston Farm & Stud

38,000

David Yearsley

C Presenting - Diklers Oscar (Oscar)

Ringfort View Farm (Walshtown Stables)

38,000

Kevin Ross Bloodstock

C Mahler - Glebe Beauty (Good Thyne)

James Leahy (The Beeches Stud)

38,000

Noel Guiry

C Flemensfirth - Keep Face (Poliglote)

Ballincurrig House Stud

36,000

Anthony Gray

C Fame And Glory - Made In Kk (Kris Kin)

Longshill Stables

34,000

Country Agri

C Presenting – Saddleeruppat (Saddlers' Hall)

Ballincurrig House Stud

32,000

Darragh McDonagh

C Soldier Of Fortune - Galant Ferns (Bob Back)

Graiguebeg Stud

32,000

Garrynacurra Stud

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

161

1,880,194

11,678

7,500

62,000

2017

170

1,666,900

9,805

7,200

46,000

2016

159

1,472,350

9,260

5,800

67,000

2015

173

1,493,900

8,635

6,200

65,000

2014

127

1,009,250

7,947

5,000

65,000

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Al Kazeem TOB-March 2018:Oakgrove Stud

19/2/18

16:35

Page 1

Al Kazeem

Two winners 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 Email: david@oakgrovestud.com G Vannessa Swift: 01291 622876

Sales Circuit Is the Tattersalls February Sale becoming the new December Sale? Probably not, but after a second year of remarkable growth – owing to some choice lots and willing buyers – it is fair to say that missing the December Sale, or even the October Yearling or Autumn Horses In Training Sales, need not be a disaster. The February Sale can generate big-money transactions, as a European record price of 1,900,000gns for a colt in training proved. The horse in question, three-year-old colt Willie John, with a stallion’s page and a Derby entry, was among a number of desirable horses who appeared in the catalogue through chance, rather than planning. They helped draw buyers and gave the whole event a lift. Such gems will not fall Tattersalls’ way every year, but it is clear that bloodstock investors are not stuck in a time-of-year warp. A 40% increase in turnover and 58% rise in the average price was helped by events in a country on the other side of the equator, namely South Africa, where the multi-billion Rand retailing business Steinhoff International has been hit by allegations of accounting irregularities, a fall in share price and the resignation of charismatic CEO Markus Jooste. A racehorse and stud owner, Jooste began investing at European bloodstock auctions in 2015, often forming

TATTERSALLS/LAURA GREEN

Tattersalls February Sale

Willie John smashed the Tattersalls February Sale record when selling for 1.9 million gns

partnerships - primarily with Ireland’s Coolmore Stud – but his business problems have resulted in the need to sell off those equine assets. Willie John, who was owned by Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators and China Horse Club, proved the pick of a strong playlist, making a record sum before travelling across Newmarket from William Haggas’s stables to that of Roger Varian, who brought the hammer down on behalf of his main client, racehorse owner Sheikh

Mohahmmed Obaid. This sale was a lucrative one for Jooste and CHC, who bought the colt from Meon Valley Stud for 325,000gns as a yearling on the advice of Peter Doyle and Mick Flanagan. However, while other strands in Jooste’s portfolio, namely four-yearold fillies owned with Coolmore, sold for six-figure sums, the prices were generally down on those given for the stock as yearlings. Four-year-old filly Smoulder, who

TALKING POINTS • Tattersalls’ decision to make the event a two-day affair in 2017 seemed to find favour with buyers and vendors – 12 hours of selling at the bottom of winter is a grim endurance – and two sessions worked favourably again on this occasion. The TBA’s stallion parade, which opened proceedings on day one, added to the occasion, and, judging by the number of people who filled the sales ring to admire the sires, some studs will have benefited too.

John McCormack bought the final Ballymacoll Stud mare Thetis and her foal

• High prices were so common at this remarkable edition of the February Sale that one six-figure lot, Juddmonte Farms’ filly Fellbeck, who sold for 100,000gns to Cheveley Park Stud, could not make it onto the top-ten list. That would have been very unlikely in past editions of the auction – in fact Fellbeck would

have been comfortably the top lot as recently as 2015. • The name of Cheveley Park Stud appears on the top-ten list as buyer of four-year-old filly Tallulah Rose, who was consigned by Castlebridge on behalf of owner Barbara Keller. Both Tallulah Rose and Fellbeck could be mates for Ulysses, who has joined the roster at Cheveley Park for this year, further evidence that David and Patricia Thompson’s long stint as custodians of the famous stud remains on a firm and even keel. The couple took on Cheveley Park Stud 43 years ago, but their enthusiasm for racing and breeding appears undimmed, and their managing director, Chris Richardson, bid with some purpose on top lot Willie John before joining the also-rans.

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MORE 2YO WINNERS than ANY OTHER WINNERS IN 2016

WINNERS IN 2017

Europe’s Best

Doncaster Breeze Up Sale 9 – 10 April 2018 Europe’s best Breeze Up Sale for winners

Sales Circuit ›› made 550,000gns when bought by

Tom Harris of Lordship Stud, had been a 725,000gns yearling, but Key To My Heart’s 525,000gns valuation was a long way down on her 1,300,000gns yearling price. Longing, another part of the dispersal, made 220,000gns having been valued at 1,000,000gns as a yearling – all three, plus Pocketfullofdreams, who made

475,000gns - will have been bought with a racing then stud career in mind. The South African has missed out on the second part of the plan. The other key moment in the ring, and certainly the most poignant, was the appearance of Thetis, a five-year-old mare with a Lope De Vega filly foal at foot. The two became the final lot in the dismantling and dispersal of Ballymacoll Stud, making 550,000gns to a bid from

agent John McCormack, who was acting for an American client. The foal’s impending arrival meant Thetis could not travel to Newmarket for the December Sale, where her stud mates made such compelling viewing, but it would be hard to say she would have made more at that exalted event – in fact she might have made less. McCormack liked the foal, Thetis’s first, and that did her valuation no harm.

Tattersalls February Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

Willie John (Dansili - Izzi Top)

Somerville Lodge (W Haggas)

Thetis (Invincible Spirit – Serres)

Ballymacoll Stud (Castlebridge Consignment)

550,000

John McCormack B/s

Smoulder (Redoute's Choice - Yummy Mummy)

Castlebridge Consignment

550,000

Lordship Stud

Key To My Heart (Galileo - A Z Warrior)

Castlebridge Consignment

525,000

BBA Ireland

Pocketfullofdreams (Invincible Spirit - Dubai Rose)

Castlebridge Consignment

475,000

Stephen Hillen B/s

Longing (Galileo - Like A Dame)

Castlebridge Consignment

220,000

Cormac McCormack B/s

Relent (Dansili – Deliberate)

Juddmonte Farms

220,000

Brian Grassick B/s

Tallulah Rose (Exceed And Excel – Blinking)

Castlebridge Consignment

170,000

Cheveley Park Stud

Zenon (Galileo – Jacqueline)

Clarehaven Stables (J Gosden)

120,000

H Kirk/W Mullins

Canada Water (Dansili – Docklands)

Juddmonte Farms

110,000

Paul Webber

1,900,000

Buyer Roger Varian

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2018

299

8,037,150

26,880

7,000

1,900,000

2017

338

5,735,200

16,968

8,000

500,000

2016

251

2,718,800

10,832

5,000

145,000

2015

211

2,586,100

12,256

7,000

80,000

2014

172

2,166,600

12,597

6,750

145,000

Goffs February Sale

Good prices for the foals of 2017 was the highlight of this three-day mixed sale. Had there been a stronger group of mares and fillies the figures might well have improved across all the categories, but the absence of stars in that section, and a fall of 111 in the number of horses offered, resulted in an overall drop in turnover of 7%. On a happier note there were rises of 11% and 18% in the average and median prices, and the clearance rate crept up from 64% to 66%. The final day’s mares’ section did

produce the €280,000 sale-topper – Glamorous Approach, a Jim Bolgertrained-and-bred five-year-old mare by New Approach and from the family of Teofilo – but the 2017 edition of this sale had offerings from Ballymacoll Stud and Wildenstein with which to tempt buyers, and without such treasures the figures were pulled down. It was John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud who signed for Glamorous Approach, with four wins and plenty of black type to her name, and a suitable mate for one of Ballylinch’s stallions. Harrana, an Aga Khan-offered fouryear-old filly also by New Approach,

became another six-figure lot when knocked down for €150,000 to Tony O’Callaghan as a mate for his sire, Kodiac, but the most dynamic action had taken place during the first two sessions, when pinhookers latched onto horses to trade at the autumn yearling sales. Salcey Forest Stud’s Daniel Creighton – trading as C & S Bloodstock – landed on the plum lot from this section when paying €140,000 for the sole Dark Angel offering in the catalogue, a colt bred at Andrew Black’s Chasemore Farm. Creighton’s ability to pick a young horse has been highlighted by the

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Sales Circuit ›› exploits of the Grade 1 Fillies’ Mile

winner Laurens, who made £220,000 at Goffs UK’s Premier Sale in 2016. Creighton said the yearling’s future was fluid, but Jamie Railton had pinhook plans in mind for colts he bought by young sires Make

Believe (€115,000) and Bated Breath (€105,000), while Timmy Hyde, who had been buying top-end jumpers at Doncaster two weeks’ earlier, said the Kodiac yearling filly he bought for €130,000 during the first session would also be reoffered later this year.

Trade during the first two days of the sale – in which figures for young Flat yearlings were mixed in with a few horses in training and some jumping yearlings – generated rises of 34% in the average price (€13,011) and 51% in the median (€6,800).

Goffs February Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Glamorous Approach (New Approach - Maria Lee)

Glebe House Stables

280,000

Ballylinch Stud

Harrana (New Approach – Hazarafa)

Aga Khan Studs

150,000

Tally Ho Stud

C Dark Angel - Mary Boleyn (King's Best)

The Premier Consignment

140,000

C & S Bloodstock

F Kodiac – Sindjara (Include)

Jockey Hall Stud

130,000

T Hyde

C Make Believe - Lady Shanghai (Alhaarth)

Cornagher House (Collegelands)

C Bated Breath - Modesty's Way (Giant's Causeway)

Norelands Stud

Chica Loca (American Post – Comete)

Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang (Confey Stud)

80,000

Blandford Bloodstock

Elmaliya (Sepoy – Elbasana)

Aga Khan Studs

72,000

Tally-Ho Stud

C Bated Breath - Starlight Symphony (Oratorio)

Ridge Manor Stud

70,000

Goodwill Bloodstock

C Fastnet Rock - On A Pedestal (Montjeu)

Castlebridge Consignment

62,000

Grangemore Stud

F Kodiac – Portentous (Selkirk)

Tullamaine Castle Stud

62,000

MAB Agency

Fille Du Septembre (Choisir – Rocking)

Moyglare Stud Farm

62,000

Wardstown Stud

115,000

Jamie Railton

105,000

Jamie Railton

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2018

333

4,806,000

14,432

6,800

280,000

2017

387

5,131,300

13,259

5,500

210,000

2016

289

4,333,250

14,994

8,000

165,000

2015

322

5,238,900

16,270

10,000

220,000

2014

256

4,218,100

16,477

7,000

975,000

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham February Sale

Another terrific session of trade at Cheltenham resulted in further gains that were, encouragingly, generated by a diverse set of buyers. No one lot could top the £480,000 given for ill-fated Flemenshill at this event 12 months earlier, but two horses made £400,000 or more, and nine were knocked down for a six-figure sum. That helped turnover rise by 20% after the aggregate had more than doubled at the 2017 edition. The Festival Sale held at Cheltenham has hit an average price of six figures, but this one did too, achieving a sum of £105,621, up 36%, while the median gained 20%. In common with this type of sale, the pick for many high-spending vendors were four-year-old Irish pointers with recent

winning form, although on this occasion a five-year-old proved the most valuable. D’Lauro, from the busy Monbeg Stables – and trained by Donnchadh among the Doyle brothers who operate under that banner – had been bought for £33,000 at Doncaster as a store in 2016, but had been adjudged just a little too backward to be raced last year at four. Being given time to mature did neither him nor his value any harm, and after winning at Bellharbour just over a week before the sale he made £410,000 to a bid from Joseph O’Brien. The buyer said he was acting for a client who is new to his yard. Next on the list was the four-year-old Irish pointer Envoi Allen, who was sold out of Colin Bowe’s County Wexford yard for £400,000 to a bid from Tom Malone. The agent, who was acting for David and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud, said Gordon Elliott

would take delivery of the prize. Malone’s name featured once more on the top-ten board, but this time in conjunction with Paul Nicholls as they secured the five-year-old mare Danse Idol – a point-to-point winner and placed in a bumper – while Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins combined to secure two of the ten, but otherwise the spoils were further handed around to UK trainers Evan Williams, Neil King and Olly Murphy, plus Ireland’s Henry de Bromhead and Jessica Harrington. Big spender Alan Potts, who bought Flemenshill at the 2017 edition, has since passed away, while Roger Brookhouse, another major investor at past Cheltenham sales, was absent, yet the thirst for quality jumping stock, and, in particular those capable of competing at the big spring festivals, shows no sign of abating.

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OWNER BREEDER MEDIA GROUP

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Sales Circuit ››

TALKING POINTS • This event had been held in January and hitherto been called the January Sale, although it had been postponed until February in 2016 and 2017. It is now officially the February Sale, and with good reason. By moving it to the second month of the year it can include early four-year-old pointers who have advertised their ability, but are not allowed to run in Irish points until January has ended. • The British point-to-point season started in late November, and yet there were no representatives from the sport in this catalogue. Heavy ground had dented some trainers’ plans, and while Tom Lacey had run and won with two crackers at Larkhill in January both were sold privately. Ironically, within two days of this sale

closing, and after a brighter week of weather, British trainers were able to unleash some nice prospects, including Lacey, who won with two more four-year-olds. Hopefully there will be some UK representation at Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham Festival Sale. • It does a young horse’s value no harm to be the offspring of a well-known sire, but in this marketplace a less familiar stallion can still score. Envious Editor’s page was light on pedigree, and his sire, Aizavoski, although a well-bred son of Monsun, was not a household name beyond the walls of County Wexford’s Arctic Tack Stud, where he stands. For those reasons Envious Editor was not offered as a store. Yet soon after turning four he won an Irish point impressively for trainer Nick Stokes, and at this sale made £195,000 to a bid from Jessica Harrington.

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham February Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

D’Lauro (Lauro - Gergovie De Bussy)

Monbeg Stables (Donnchadh Doyle)

410,000

Joseph O'Brien

Envoi Allen (Muhtathir – Reaction)

Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)

400,000

Tom Malone

Asterion Forlonge (Coastal Path - Belle Du Brizais)

Suirview Stables (Pat Doyle)

290,000

Harold Kirk/Willie Mullins

Envious Editor (Aizavoski - Moll The Rol)

Knockbrack Bloodstock (Nick Stokes)

195,000

Kate Harrington

Bold Plan (Jeremy - Kings Orchid)

Bernice Stables (Warren Ewing)

195,000

Evan Williams

Malinas Jack (Malinas – Sphere)

Barton Hall Stables (John Mackie)

160,000

Knockeen Racing

Danse Idol (Dansant - Screen Idol)

John O'Calllaghan

110,000

Tom Malone/Paul Nicholls

Nearly Perfect (Malinas - The Lyme Volunteer)

Baltimore House Stables (James Doyle)

100,000

Stroud Coleman B/s/Neil King

Seemingly So (Dubai Destination - Jane Hall)

Johnny Hurley Racing

100,000

Olly Murphy Racing

Pragmatic (High Rock – Electrostatique)

Gurtacurrig Stables (Donncha Duggan)

82,000

Harold Kirk/W Mullins

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2018

3,063,000

105,621

65,000

410,000

2017

2,562,000

77,636

50,000

480,000

2016

1,230,000

53,478

40,000

200,000

2015

1,629,000

58,179

39,000

200,000

2014

1,459,500

52,125

31,500

190,000

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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THEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE YOU CAN PLUG INTO...

www.castlebridge.eu

Caulfield Files

Bloodstock world views

Major advances in vibrant French breeding business With a rise in both the quality and quantity of stallions available in Normandy and beyond, 35 sires covered three-figure books in 2017 – up from 21 four years earlier Recorder (a Group-winning two-year-old by Galileo). Thanks to statistics which appeared in Jour de Galop, it also appears that French stallions in general are producing more foals. Back in 2013 only four French stallions covered 150 mares or more, with another 17 covering books of between 100 and 149. By 2015 the respective totals had risen to nine and 24, with the 2016 score being six and 31. The provisional figures for 2017 stand at six and 29. These figures cover the Flat and jumping sectors of the French breeding industry.

“French stallions in general are producing more foals”

Busy boys

number of high-class performers which are covering their first mares in France in 2018. France has had the support of some free-spending members of the Al Thani family from Qatar, with Sheikh Joaan basing his operation at Haras de Bouquetot. Bouquetot figures prominently among the studs with new stallions, having added the Group 1 winners Al Wukair, Brametot, Ectot, Toronado and Zelzal to its team. French studs have also added the 2017 Derby winner Wings Of Eagles and 2016’s outstanding middle-distance threeyear-old Almanzor, while the Aga Khan’s stallion team has been boosted by Zarak, a Group 1 winner sired by the exceptional Dubawi from the brilliant Zarkava. For good measure, other newcomers to France include The Grey Gatsby (Prix du Jockey-Club and Irish Champion Stakes), Ultra (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) and

Mar_163_CaulfieldFiles.indd 81

The busiest stallion in 2017 was the upand-coming Dabirsim, who attracted 198 mares. This champion two-yearold certainly isn’t going to be short of ammunition in years to come, though he has only 64 two-year-olds this year from his second German crop, sired at Gestut Karlshof before his move to Haras de Grandcamp. He covered 161 mares in 2016, following his move to France, and he is also heavily oversubscribed in 2018, even though his fee has been raised from €9,000 to €30,000. That substantial rise reflects his feat of taking the title of France’s champion first-crop sire. Next on the list comes Siyouni. Here is another stallion whose career looks sure to keep following its upwards trajectory. Although all of his racing-age progeny in 2017 were produced at a fee of only €7,000, that didn’t stop him supplying performers of the calibre of Laurens, Le Brivido, Siyoushake and Sacred Life. In addition to taking the two-year-old sires’ championship, his fourth place behind Nathaniel, Galileo and Sea The Stars on France’s general sires’ table made him the most successful French-based stallion. Needless to say, Siyouni’s fee and crop size have undergone

substantial increases since his bright start in 2014. He covered 190 mares at €20,000 in 2015, 224 at €30,000 in 2016 and 191 at €45,000 in 2017. It will be interesting to see how many mares he is asked to cover now that he is priced at €75,000. The argument used to be that there weren’t enough high-class mares in France to support very high-priced stallions but Siyouni now has plenty of supporters in Britain and Ireland. More than 80 of his 2017 foals were foaled on the British and Irish side of the Channel, with two of them bred by The Queen. The other Flat stallions who covered more than 150 mares in 2017 were Olympic Glory (160), Shalaa (158 mares in his first year) and Le Havre (155). Of course, Le

››

ZUZANNA LUPA STALLIONS

early five years ago in this column I raised the possibility that the gap between the French breeding industry and its British and Irish counterparts was about to narrow. A variety of evidence suggests that this possibility is now coming to fruition. For example, when Siyouni’s fee for 2018 was set at €75,000, he became the highestpriced stallion ever to stand in France (the previous high belonged to the Australian shuttler Redoute’s Choice, at €70,000 in 2013). Then there’s the impressive

Olympic Glory covered 160 mares at Haras de Bouquetot

23/02/2018 17:53

Caulfield Files ›› Havre is another whose fortunes have been

Jumps form respected

Intello’s big year

The 2018 racing season is going to be a fascinating one for admirers of Intello, the 2013 Prix du Jockey-Club winner who was distinctly unlucky not to have also won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Bred on the same Galileo-Danehill cross as Frankel, Teofilo, Noble Mission and Highland Reel, Intello is now back at Cheveley Park Stud, where he began his stallion career in 2014 and 2015, before moving – as arranged – to Haras du Quesnay for the next two seasons. He appears to have been given a warm welcome back to France, covering 128 mares in 2016 and 147 in 2017. As might be expected of a Galileo colt trained by the patient Andre Fabre, Intello improved considerably from two to three, to the extent that Timeform rated him 129. Consequently, it is fair to expect Intello’s first crop to make a much bigger impact as three-year-olds in 2018. Some of Intello’s first two-year-olds hinted at what might be to come, with Sonjeu winning three of her five starts, including the Listed Prix Saraca, while Louis d’Or was second to Wind Chimes in the Listed Prix Herod. The best of his English representatives was Gabr, a creditable fifth in a hot-looking Racing Post Trophy. Another young French stallion with numbers on his side is Rajsaman, who followed the example of his stud companion Le Havre and Siyouni by siring a Classic winner in his first crop, thanks to the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club successes of Brametot. Rajsaman was France’s busiest stallion in 2015, when he covered 219 mares, and his tally for the next two years stood at 189 and 144. Although this son of Linamix now stands at double his initial fee, he still costs no more than €8,000.

Following Martaline’s Path

The busiest stallions’ list also produced a new leader in the jumping sector, with Halling’s smart stayer Coastal Path notching up 165 mares at a fee of €3,000. Part of this handsome horse’s appeal is that he shares the same dam, Coraline, as Martaline, who gained a well-deserved first sires’ championship in 2017. However, Coastal Path has also earned his growing

EMMA BERRY

rising thanks to an eye-catching start with five crops sired at fees of €7,000 or less. He covered 199 mares at €20,000 in 2015 and 189 at €30,000 in 2016. The drop to 155 mares last year coincided with his fee being raised to €60,000. British and Irish breeders who urgently need outcrosses will be hoping that Le Havre continues to thrive, and Dabirsim.

Masked Marvel is at Haras d’Etreham

popularity by siring several talented youngsters, headed by Bacardys, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles in Ireland. Coastal Path also covered 125 mares in 2016 and 99 in 2014, so he will have enough runners to make a big impact. Coastal Path was bred and raced by Juddmonte and so was Spanish Moon, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner who ranks second among the busiest jumping stallions, with 145 mares. The son of El Prado has already had a few promising representatives in Britain and Ireland, including the Grade 3 hurdles winner Laurina, the Grade 2-placed Crack Mome and Listed bumper winner Daphne du Clos, and there will be plenty more like them in future years.

The Montjeu factor

Montjeu’s Group 1-winning son Montmartre remains popular, his totals over the last three years standing at 165 in 2015, 154 in 2016 and 131 last year. Already well known thanks to the exploits of such as Petite Parisienne, Labaik, Capitaine, Bigmartre and Kalkir, Montmartre seems very well placed to further Montjeu’s influence in the National Hunt world. And so does Joshua Tree, a threetime winner of the Grade 1 Canadian International based at Haras du Grand Courgeon. This Group winner at the ages of two, three, five and six covered only 47 mares in his first season in 2015 but has since covered books of 110 and 131 mares, which suggests that breeders have been impressed by his youngsters. The third son of Montjeu riding high on the 2017 list is Masked Marvel, the 2011 St Leger winner who returned to Europe after failing to add to his reputation during a stint in Australia. He is based at Haras d’Etreham, a stud which has wielded a powerful influence on the jumping sector via the now-retired Poliglote and the now 20-year-old Saint Des Saints. Masked Marvel began with a book of 55 mares in 2015, but he is another who must be pleasing breeders, as his book rose to 91 mares in 2016 and then to 123 last year.

France owes its status as a first-rate source of jumping winners to a wide variety of stallions. In addition to using smart Flat performers the French have been happy to use entires which did well over jumps, such as Saint Des Saints, or sons of leading sires of jumpers. The rush to geld the vast majority of potential jumping horses in Britain and Ireland means that this type of stallion has only rarely been available on this side of the Channel, but there are still several in France which attracted 100 or more mares in 2017. The busiest, with 130 mares, was 19-year-old Kapgarde. Also well known is Great Pretender, sire of Ptit Zig, Mr Mole and Great Field. This talented Flat performer by champion jumping sire King’s Theatre covered 100 mares in 2016 and 113 in 2017. Among the less familiar names are Diamond Boy, Cokoriko, Jeu St Eloi and Choeur du Nord. Although Diamond Boy didn’t race over jumps, this 14-furlong Listed winner is proving popular as a son of Mansonnien, a stallion responsible for such smart jumping winners as Golden Silver, J’y Vole, Taranis and Mansony. Diamond Boy is another enjoying increasing demand, with his book going from 55 to 109 and 128 last year. Cokoriko was a Listed winner over hurdles at Auteuil during a brief career, and he has the added attraction of being a son of the good hurdler Robin Des Champs, sire of such standouts as Vautour, Sir Des Champs and Quevega. Based at Haras de Cercy, Cokoriko covered 111, 113 and 124 mares over the last three years. Jeu St Eloi won over hurdles and fences at Auteuil, also the scene of his sire Saint Des Saints’ seven wins over hurdles. From the same family as the successful sire Balko, Jeu St Eloi covered 119 mares in his first season in 2016, followed by 110 in his second. Choeur du Nord, who won two of his three starts over hurdles, has a fine jumping pedigree. His sire Voix Du Nord has made his mark as the sire of such good jumpers as Vibrato Valtat, Taquin du Seuil, Bachasson and Defi du Seuil. Choeur du Nord’s dam is also the second dam of Cokoriko and he covered 73 and 101 mares in the last two years. Also, keep an eye on Vision d’Etat. Although good enough to win the Prix du Jockey-Club and Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Vision d’Etat was always going to find it difficult, as a Flat sire, to overcome the fact that his dam Uberaba was a four-time winner over jumps. Already sire of De Bon Coeur, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, Vision d’Etat covered 107 mares in 2017.

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Membership Benefits: TTC Bursary

s part of our membership benefits, TTC members are eligible to apply for a bursary grant to help further their professional development as they pursue a career in the horseracing industry. In 2017, Grace Smyth used the grant to attend the TBA Stud Farming Course, where she learnt more about the latest stud management topics from leading industry experts. Here she talks to the TTC about her experiences and aspirations for the future. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got interested in racing? I’m currently in my second year studying Law at the University of Exeter. In future I would like to somehow combine my degree with my passion for racing and bloodstock, perhaps by specialising as a solicitor for clients in the industry, or maybe taking on some role within a specific business. At the moment I am applying for summer vacation schemes so we’ll take it from there! Having grown up near Newmarket, I was always drawn to what an exciting place it is and that is what really developed my interest in the thoroughbred industry. I am especially interested in the breeding side. There’s so much planning and dreaming that goes on years before those few fleeting moments on the racetrack! How has The Thoroughbred Club bursary helped support you? The bursary allowed me to attend the TBA’s Annual Stud Farming Course, which I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. This was so valuable, not only did I take on board fresh knowledge but I also met people who were keen to help in my career going forwards. When I’m applying for jobs in future I’m sure it will be useful to be able to say I attended this course, given how well respected it is. Can you tell us about your experience on the TBA Stud Farming Course? The course was fantastic! It was a fullon three days, with highly informative lectures throughout. My favourite was John Hernon’s talk on sales prep at Cheveley Park Stud. Sales prep isn’t something I have much experience of, so I learnt a huge amount and it’s always interesting to hear how different stud farms operate. The course dinner at the Bedford Lodge Hotel was a real highlight and we were also treated to visits to

The bursary grant can be used towards an educational development opportunity by members of TTC

Rossdales Equine Hospital and Lanwades Stud. On the last morning there was a tour of the British Racing School, where the course was held. It was lovely to stay at the School and we were very well looked after during the course with endless coffee and pastries (I’m not complaining!). Do you see both the course and the bursary as a great way to benefit your future? Quite simply, I wouldn’t have been able to attend the course without the bursary from TTC. The information I picked up over the three days will be enormously useful to me going forwards in pursuing a career in the industry. Would it be possible to do it without TTC support? No! TTC offers opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be open to people, such as behind-the-scenes trips to yards, studs and racecourses. I don’t come from a racing background so I particularly appreciate this. Would you encourage others to apply for the bursary grant? Definitely. It was a straightforward process and application. TTC are always keen to help young people who show an interest.

How have you found the experience of being a member of TTC? I joined the club to learn more about the industry and build contacts with like-minded people. It has definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of the opportunities on offer! It really opens up the industry and is a fun and exciting thing to be involved with. I feel like the club is extremely supportive and keen to help careers-wise in any way, and all this for £35 a year! The TBA Stud Farming course runs annually in December and applications for the 2018 bursary can be made via The Thoroughbred Club website.

New Members

The TTC would like to warmly welcome the following new members, and look forward to seeing them at our events throughout the year: Catherine Babey, Charlotte Coloe, Craig Scott, Elissa Cunnington, Heather Davie, James Gregory, James Worrall, Katie Foster, Megan O’Brien, Rebecca Alderson, Simon Stevens, Thomas Denham

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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk • Save the date Saturday, March 3 Mercian King at Newbury racecourse TTC horse Mercian King will be aimed at the charity race at Newbury racecourse on Saturday, March 3. To keep updated on his progress please follow our social media channels. Saturday, March 10 Chasemore Farm and Sandown Park Limited tickets are still available, to book visit the TTC website or contact Melissa Parris on 01638 661321. Tuesday-Friday, March 13-16 Cheltenham Festival Join us at the Cheltenham Festival. Members with a valid 18-24 RacePass will receive a discounted ticket price on Ladies Day of the Festival, March 14. For more information and to apply for a pass, please visit www.racepass18to24. co.uk

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TTC horse update – Mercian King The club’s horse will be ridden by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani on his seasonal return at Newbury. Mercian King, who is trained by TTC committee member Amy Murphy, returned to ridden exercise in January following a winter break and will now be aimed at the charity race at Newbury on Saturday, March 3. Keep an eye on your emails and social media for updates on his progress and badge offers.

Mercian King and trainer Amy Murphy enjoying a spot of hunting

TBA Regional Days offer to TTC members The TTC is please to announce that, starting this year, members will have the opportunity to attend popular TBA Regional Days. These events often include visits to trainer’s yards and stud farms and are a great way of meeting like-minded people, visiting places often not opened to visitors. A limited number of spaces will be reserved for TTC members at a discounted rate to the usual ticket price, with events spread thoroughout the country. Wednesday, April 25 Weatherbys, Northampton A behind-the-scenes tour of the ‘administrators’ of racing, followed by lunch in the Conference Centre. Tuesday, May 8 David Dennis Racing and Throckmorton Court Stud, Worcestershire A chance to experience the day-today running of this superbly equipped training establishment, followed by lunch at the Swan at Hanley. The afternoon will include a visit to Throckmorton Court stud, home of stallions Music Master,

Assertive and Olden Times. Wednesday, May 30 Hillwood Stud, Wiltshire Run by Charlie and Tracy Vigors, the stud has recently been upgraded and offers breaking, pre-training, sales preparation, rest and recouperation and boarding services to broodmares. The stud also becomes home to a host of National Hunt stars who spend their holidays at the farm.

scorer Secret Gesture and Simple Verse, the top-class daughter of Duke Of Marmalade who secured a dramatic victory in the 2015 St Leger. To register your interest for any of these events, please contact info@ thethoroughbredclub.co.uk and details of how to book will be available on the TTC website.

Wednesday, June 6 Floors Stud, Roxburghshire Tour of Floors Stud, owned by the Duke of Roxburgh, breeder of Attraction and exciting 2,000 Guineas hopeful Elarqam. The visit will be followed by lunch and an optional tour of Floors Castle and gardens. Thursday, June 28 Ralph Beckett’s Kimpton Down Stables, Hampshire A private tour of multiple Group 1winning trainer Ralph Beckett’s yard. His previous graduates have included 2013 Oaks heroine Talent, Group 2

Thistlecrack at Colin Tizzard’s stable was a highlight of the 2017 regional days

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ROA Forum

The special section for ROA members

A programme of competitions in new disciplines is just one of the branches of work performed by Retraining of Racehorses

Racehorse owners raise funding for retired racehorses B ritain’s racehorse owners are to increase their financial contribution to the welfare of retired racehorses this year, the first rise since 2009. In consultation with the British Horseracing Authority, the Racehorse Owners Association has agreed that the levy charged to owners every time a horse is entered in a race will be raised from £1 to £1.25 from March 1, 2018. That money goes to Retraining of Racehorses, the racing industry’s official charity for the welfare of racehorses when they have retired. Last year owners contributed £202,856 to the charity through the levy on all chargeable race entries made. ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “The welfare of retired racehorses is an area on which the Board of the ROA remains focussed given the important role that Retraining of Racehorses plays, not just for the horses of our own members during or after their racing careers, but for the wider industry as a whole.

“The 25% increase from March reflects the increased rate of inflation since the £1 levy was first established in 2009. “Our members have responded positively to this decision, such is their concern that the interests of former racehorses remain a priority for owners. The ROA will continue to support Retraining of Racehorses in the important work that the charity carries out.” The ROA played a fundamental part in the positioning of Retraining of Racehorses as the sport’s official charity for the welfare of retired racehorses, having transferred the funds from its own charity which had similar aims 11 years ago. Retraining of Racehorses Chief Executive Di Arbuthnot said: “We are very grateful to the ROA and its members for taking the lead on this and increasing its contribution to RoR. The increased revenue will be spread between our two core objectives, firstly promoting the versatility of former racehorses and providing them with

opportunities for a fulfilling second career after racing, and, secondly, ensuring their welfare is protected and stepping in to provide care and treatment should it be necessary. “As the scale of the charity has grown, so have our costs, which makes this announcement all the more welcome. We would like to thank the ROA Board and members for their support.” Retraining Of Racehorses raises funds from within the racing industry for the retraining and rehoming of former racehorses; provides a safety net for ‘vulnerable’ former racehorses; promotes the adaptability and versatility of racehorses to other equestrian activities; runs and funds an established programme of competitions and educational events across the country; and provides information for owners and trainers in both the racing and equine Industries to assist with the rehoming and retraining of their former racehorses. Twenty-time champion jump jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and broadcaster Clare Balding are patrons.

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Grassroots ROA Owners Jackpot enhanced The ROA’s successful Owners Jackpot, which every week offers a £2,000 bonus to the winner of a middle- or lower-tier race in Britain, is being enhanced further this year. By the end of 2018 more than half a million pounds will have been paid in bonuses at the grassroots of the country’s Flat and jumps racing over the last five years. Four times a year one of the races, Jackpot+, receives special promotion and, in addition to the £2,000 bonus for the owner of each winning horse and champagne, travel expenses of £250 are paid out for every qualifying ROA-owned runner in the race. Hospitality for association members with or without a runner is also provided, including a complimentary drink and light refreshments. In 2018, a new bonus is being added to Jackpot+. If the trainer of a qualifying winning horse in the Jackpot+ race is an ROA member, his or her yard will also receive £500. The first Jackpot+ day was at Chelmsford. The next three events are: • May 11 - Market Rasen • July 13 - Chester (evening meeting) • October 24 - Fontwell Park The ROA Owners Jackpot initiative, which is aimed at boosting grassroots

racing, has been supported by the Racing Post since its inception in 2014. Consistently the field sizes in ROA Jackpot races have outperformed the industry standard. A key focus for the ROA is the flow of funds to grassroots racing, and this is something that it and other members of the Horsemen’s Group continue to work in partnership with racecourses and the British Horseracing Authority to develop. ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “The ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot has been very well received by members and, having paid out over £400,000 since 2014, it has established itself as another popular membership benefit. “The Jackpot+ races are especially valuable to ROA members with runners, not just because of the £2,000 bonus for winning, but because they receive £250 travelling expenses, a real bonus at grassroots level. We are also delighted now to be offering £500 to the winning yard – if the trainer is an ROA member – in the four races during the year, thereby rewarding the racing staff who are so often the unsung heroes and heroines of our great sport.” Richard Jones, an owner with the Alyasan Partnership, said: “We were

lucky enough to win the ROA Owners Jackpot race at Ludlow last year. We’re a syndicate with just two horses and the extra prize-money makes a big difference – it helps our running costs. Three of our partners are first-time owners through the partnership so they are really pleased.” George McGrath, Chief Executive of the National Association of Racing Staff, said: “This initiative by the ROA in financially rewarding staff is very welcome. The more that can be done to enhance the appeal of a career in the country’s racing stables, the better.” Every week an ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot race – which must have a minimum prize fund of £5,000 already – comes with a £2,000 bonus if the winning horse belongs to an ROA member and qualifies.

This month’s Jackpot races

March 4, Huntingdon 2m Class 4 4yo+ 0-115 Handicap Hurdle March 15, Chelmsford City 7f Class 5 3yo+ Novice Stakes March 23, Sedgefield 2m 1/2f Class 4 5yo+ 0-105 Novices’ Handicap Chase March 25, Ascot 2m 3 1/2f Class 4 4yo+ Maiden Hurdle

Interested in joining the ROA Board? Each year we encourage members to vote to elect those candidates that they would like to represent their interests on the ROA board. At the same time we like to encourage members who are interested in helping to shape future racing policy to stand for election themselves to the board. There will be three places available in this year’s election, in accordance with the ROA’s Articles of Association. Four board members will complete their tenure this June and will be able to re-stand for election. They are Alan Pickering (Vice-President), Lynn Douglas, Charlie Parker and Paul Duffy, who would be able to stand for a twoyear term according to the Articles. In addition, Stephen Smith will have completed a maximum nine-year tenure on the board and as such will retire at the ROA AGM in June.

Interested candidates should be passionate about improving the racehorse ownership experience, be willing to draw on their experiences and knowledge to help shape the racing industry and be able to attend eight meetings per year, normally in central London. Members interested in finding out more, or standing for election to the board, should in the first instance contact Charlie Liverton, ROA Chief Executive, at cliverton@roa.co.uk. Closing date for applications is April 1.

ROA AGM

Results of the board elections will be announced at the ROA Annual General Meeting, which will be held in London on Tuesday, July 3 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel, Knightsbridge, London.

Members are invited to attend the meeting, which will begin at 10.30am. The morning session will include speeches from the ROA President Nicholas Cooper and keynote industry speeches. There is also the chance for members to put their questions to the speakers and members of the ROA Board. Places are on sale for the everpopular champagne reception and the members’ and guests’ lunch, which follows the AGM. The AGM is free to attend. Places for the lunch need to be booked in advance. Members can take advantage of an early booking rate of £108 per person until April 9. Tables of ten are available for £1,080 until that date. To book visit roa.co.uk or call the ROA on 020 7152 0200.

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ROA Forum

MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member David Robinson

t’s probably going too far to say that all is well with northern jumps racing, but there have been definite signs of a resurgence this season, a resurgence which has included a much-deserved first Grade 1 win for Simply Ned, the popular Nicky Richards-trained 11-year-old. Proud owners David and Nicky Robinson have also enjoyed seeing Duke Of Navan win for the first time since 2015. Explaining his journey towards ownership, David Robinson says: “Many years ago I used to go point-topointing, then we had children, business commitments, etc, but as that eased and the years passed and our business was successful we started to go National Hunt racing at places like Hexham. “About 15 years ago we got our first horse Pearson Glen, an ex-Flat horse we bought off Alan Swinbank – he’s retired now at home with us and still going strong, and I hack him out. He was with Jimmy Moffatt and won races but got a tendon injury. “We then approached Nicky Richards, about 12 years ago, and got our first horse with him. It went from there with Nicky, with whom we have an excellent relationship, and we’ve had great success for a small-time northern owner.” Robinson has had 35-plus horses, 12 of which are currently in training with Richards, while he and wife Nicky also have homebred youngsters waiting in the wings. As well as running horses in their own name, the Robinsons operate as Langdale Bloodstock, under which they run horses in bumpers with a view to selling on. They have been highly successful too, while those bought to race longer term, like Simply Ned (€23,000), Duke Of Navan (€25,000) and Baywing (€14,000), have been relatively inexpensive especially compared to the prices being paid nowadays for Irish point-to-pointers, like the £410,000 and £400,000 top lots at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham sale the day before this interview. Such figures astounded Robinson, who is content to take the more patient, less expensive road. Elaborating on why Richards is his trainer of choice, he remarks: “He’s

Nicky and David Robinson with groom Martin McMullen and Grade 1 winner Simply Ned

40 minutes from our home, which is important to us as we go to see the horses once a week, and we always liked the idea of buying unbroken three-yearolds, which he specialises in, and bringing them on, which is what we have done for the past ten years. “He has excellent facilities, the most important being his gallops, which are some of the best, and an eye for buying the three-year-old stores we like. We have bought all our horses at the

Tattersalls Ireland August sale, initially as it was cheaper than the Derby sale but subsequently because it has been lucky for us - and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. “We attend the sales with Nicky and agent Gerry Griffin, who’s been connected with Nicky and his father for 30-plus years. Gerry also has a good eye, but we have our say in what we buy. Nicky nearly always gets it right! “We’ve had a lot of success winning bumpers with the Langdale babies, who

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WH Stayers’ Million we sell to partly fund the others.” Simply Ned pays his own way, with a string of consistently good performances in the top two-mile chases earning him a big fan club. He was rightly awarded the Grade 1 Paddy’s Reward Club Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival after being interfered with by Min, then ran a typically gallant race to be second to that rival at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival. Asked for his magical moments as an owner, Robinson replies: “Simply Ned has had so many big days, being placed in numerous graded races at Cheltenham, Aintree, and of course Leopardstown – four years running never letting us down, punching above his weight, running against the best two-mile chasers around - Sprinter Sacre, Douvan, Sizing John, Special Tiara, Un de Sceaux, Dodging Bullets, Uxizandre, Min, etc. “We’ve been dining at the top table for the last four to five years with him. But the best day has to be him winning that elusive Grade 1 at Leopardstown at Christmas - made even more emotional with the stewards’ inquiry and Min impeding him. Mark Walsh was adamant he had him beat anyway. “We have also had great moments with Duke Of Navan, who is talented but a bit unlucky with injuries. He’s back to his best now. “Baywing provided a great day winning the Towtown last year and has probably paid for that, shooting up the handicap, as well as being inexperienced - he still has a lot to offer

as a staying chaser on heavy ground.” In terms of plans, Simply Ned might run in the €300,000 Grade 1 two-mile chase at the Punchestown Festival, although the spring tends not to be his time of year. Punchestown is also an option for Duke Of Navan, as are the other big spring festivals Cheltenham and Aintree. He was due to run at Doncaster first, while Baywing was due to contest the Eider as the magazine went to press. Duke Of Navan’s niggles, along with injuries – tendons especially – generally frustrate Robinson, while other bugbears include prize-money at lower levels – “although it is improving” – along with “certain racecourse that give owners bugger all; they could learn a lot from Leopardstown, who really look after you”. He adds: “The north/south divide is also an issue but that’s life - get on with it!” Robinson, 67, is certainly getting on with making the most of life after retiring eight years ago when selling his business, which installs and maintains fire sprinkler systems, in a management buyout. “We stay busy breeding racehorses,” he adds. “We now have four homebred babies. The first, Rubytwo, was placed in two bumpers last summer and is back in work with Nicky, and we have her younger sister, Amberose, who is also in work with Nicky - both will be racing this spring.” Established stars and promising youngsters - sounds like a cordial mix for the Robinsons.

ROA insurance partner Weatherbys Hamilton has launched the WH Stayers’ Million. The initiative will see a prize of £1 million awarded to the connections of a horse that having won one of four recognised preliminary races in May, then goes on to the win three main events; the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, the Qatar Goodwood Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July and the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York’s Ebor Festival in August. The preliminary races in May are the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester, the Yorkshire Cup at York, and the Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park. The £1m bonus would be split between the connections of the successful horse, with 70% awarded to the owners and 30% divided equally between the trainer, stable staff, breeder and jockey.

Breakfast with the Stars As part of the build up to the Investec Derby Festival, Epsom racecourse will host its Breakfast With the Stars event on Tuesday, May 22. The ROA is delighted to have secured the Royal Box for members to enjoy the morning’s presentations by video link, and to watch horses exercising on the hallowed turf. This is the second year the ROA has hosted a facility for members on the day, and follows positive feedback from last year’s event. Places, which include a full breakfast and option of a course walk after the morning’s presentations, can be booked for £47.50 per person. To book, see roa.co.uk or call 020 7152 0200.

Racing Secretary gatherings

Simply Ned never shirks a battle and is pictured here giving his all at Cheltenham

The ROA continues getting out and about meeting racing secretaries, and a positive session was held in Headley, Surrey, on February 5 for key staff attached to yards in Surrey, Sussex and Kent. This was another well supported session, following earlier meetings held in Lambourn, Middleham, Malton and Newmarket, and a visit to Taunton later in February. Feedback from the sessions is helpful in shaping future resources to support ownership and we are grateful to the National Trainers Federation and Racing Welfare for their support with arranging these sessions.

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ROA Forum

Glorious Goodwood package Members are able to avail themselves of a specially tailored hospitality package for the five days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival this summer (July 31-August 4). The five-day meeting is a highlight of the mid-summer season. The course plays host to over 100,000 guests for this quintessentially English sporting and social occasion, where Panamas and strawberries and cream replace the morning suits and designer hats of Royal Ascot. This year’s package for members will comprise: • Richmond Enclosure badge • Car park number 8 label • Racecard voucher • Table for the day in the Horsewalk Restaurant • A sparkling wine reception • Three-course lunch and afternoon tea On Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday the price per person is £170.50 and on Thursday and Friday £185.50 per person. The ROA will again be providing a service to sell badges for the Richmond Enclosure. Members can book badges for themselves and a guest. An early

News in Brief Badges non-transferable The Racecourse Association has been in touch to advise that they have been made aware of an individual who is attempting to sell complimentary owners’ badges allocated by racecourses. The RCA has contacted the individual to explain that this contravenes its terms and conditions of entry to all racecourses, which stipulate that tickets and badges are not transferrable, and may not be sold or offered for sale in the course of any business. If members are approached by this individual or anyone with a similar proposal, they must not engage with them. Should they sell any complimentary badges in this manner, it would be a violation of the terms and conditions of entry and would be regarded as badge abuse. Appearance Money Scheme Data on racecourse prize funds showing which racecourses have unlocked

Arguably one of the most beautiful racecourses not just in Britain but the world, Goodwood can be

booking rate applies until the end of April: Adults: £81 (price increases to £89 after May 1). Junior Badges (18-24 years): £44.50.

Appearance Money payments from the Race Incentive Fund can be found at www.roa.co.uk/ams Fine art for you Chris Stronge is a fine art equine photographer who has accepted private commissions from winning horse owners and trainers. Chris will be offering a photo-shoot and 23inch framed print as part of the ROA charity auction in December. Chris’ work will be on display in the O&T reception and lounge at the Aintree Grand National Festival in April. Fine Art framed prints of Gold Cup, Grand National and Derby winners will be on display. Speak to Chris at Aintree or contact him on 07857 623017 or chrisstronge@btinternet.com to commission a photo-shoot. Racing Staff Boxing Racing Staff Boxing is back and William Hill are sponsoring a black-tie event, which will take place on Saturday, March 17 at Goffs UK, Doncaster. The evening will raise funds for Racing Welfare and

Please call the ROA office if you require any Junior Badges. Under 18s are free of charge, but we do need to know the age of the child to order their correct wristband.

is being organised by Ultra White Collar Boxing. Thirty people who work in racing, including stable and stud staff, jockeys, a trainer and racecourse staff, have been undertaking an intensive eight-week training programme. Owners can book tickets to support those taking part and help raise vital funds for Racing Welfare. For more details and to book VIP Tickets or Standard tickets please click on the following link: https://racingwelfare. co.uk/events-challenges/william-hillracing-staff-boxing-night/ Lambourn and Middleham Open Days The Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day will take place on Good Friday, March 30. As well as visiting 25 local yards opening their gates for the morning, visitors can enjoy a parade of equine heroes, schooling session, camel racing and James Dylan Stuntworld. Proceeds from the day will go to the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, a registered charity which is building homes for both young, married and

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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enjoy

an be

GEORGE SELWYN

BHA launches stewards twitter feed

enjoyed with the ROA in the Horsewalk Restaurant

The ROA Car Park label will not work over the festival. Members can buy labels for Car Park 8 for £12 each. Members may book up to four badges per day.

retired stable staff in the valley, the Air Ambulance, which has helped many staff over the last few years, plus their families, and other local charities. Entrance is £15 per person, children under 12 free. Full details at www. lambournopenday.com. On the same day in Yorkshire, 12 yards in Middleham, including Karl Burke and Mark Johnston, will be opening their doors to the public from 9.30am to 1pm. The Low Moor will host a number of activities, including a Retraining of Racehorse Musical Ride and racing staff Donkey Derby. There will be a selection of food, gift and trade stalls in Middleham Marketplace. Tickets are £10, with seniors £7 and under 16s free. To book and for further info see www.middlehamopenday.co.uk Aintree music dates Aintree has announced that the fixtures on May 18 and June 15 are now music nights and will therefore no longer be covered under the RBSO and JCR admission schemes.

The British Horseracing Authority has launched a new Twitter account @BHAStewards - which will communicate information directly from the stewards room to social media audiences. The aim is to provide the public and media with information directly from the track, and to combine all of the updates, decisions and developments which go through the stewards’ room on a raceday in one place. The account will inform followers when information such as stewards’ enquiry notices and race reports are placed on the BHA website, and provide updates such as changes of race information, inspections and other useful raceday information when it is reported to or considered by the stewards. Robin Mounsey, BHA Head of Media, said: “We are aware that there are currently many different sources of information which racegoers, participants and the betting public must use in order to remain fully up to speed with events on raceday. “This twitter account is designed

to make everyone’s life just a little bit easier by pushing out all the information which flows through the stewards’ room into one handy social media feed. It will help us to be more open, transparent and put important information at people’s fingertips.” A particular benefit of the account will be ensuring that the public and media are aware when stewards’ enquiry notices relating to contentious decisions are placed on the website.” Mounsey added: :The BHA is aware that after major incidents there is a desire for information and explanations, and this social media feed ensures that its followers will be alerted as soon as these explanations have been posted online.” The BHA’s main twitter account @BHAPressOffice - will continue to be the main source of general information and BHA news, with the new feed acting as a raceday information source only The BHA’s main twitter feed and its info@britishhorseracing.com email addresses should remain the primary method of contacting the BHA digitally.

Diary dates and reminders MARCH 13-16 ROA marquee for the four days of Cheltenham’s Festival. SOLD OUT! Private dining option in an ROA suite on the opening day available. APRIL 10 Member visit to HEROS racehorse retraining centre in Wantage. APRIL 12-13 Free admission to Aintree’s Festival Zone on the opening Thursday and Friday of the Randox Health Grand National Festival. Lunch offer in a private facility on the opening day. APRIL 24-28 Access to AIRO marquee over five days of Punchestown’s NH Festival. APRIL 26 ROA regional meeting at Beverley. MAY 11 Owners Jackpot+ at Market Rasen.

MAY 22 Breakfast with the Stars facility for members at Epsom Downs. JUNE 4 ROA regional meeting at Newton Abbot. JUNE 19-23 Discounted ROA hospitality packages over the five days of the Royal meeting, across a choice of three restaurants. Full details can be found online. JULY 3 ROA AGM and Members & Guests Lunch, London. Book by April 9 and enjoy last year’s prices for the AGM lunch and/ or Horseracing Awards dinner on Thursday, December 6 See roa.co.uk/events for further details on all of the above and to book.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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ROA Forum

MY DAY AT THE RACES With David Fawcus at Wetherby on January 23 Five years ago, following the retirement of their daughter from a successful eventing career (twice winner of the Windsor three-day event), David and Mary Fawcus bought their first racehorses. They currently have three horses in training with Philip Hobbs, Ruth Jefferson and Tim Easterby, as well as a four-year-old waiting to start his career, and have hopes of a runner at the Cheltenham Festival in the near future Did you receive any welcome information as owners in advance of the raceday? We received a letter from Wetherby racecourse and Conference Centre after they had received our entry. This provided all the basic details about location, admission, parking and owners’ facilities together with contact numbers for any queries. We also received a standard email from PASS after declaration with details of who to contact with any questions. It was nice but not really necessary to receive this, having heard from the racecourse direct. How was the experience of arrival at the racecourse, and collecting your owners’ badges? The arrival experience could not have been easier. The course is less than a mile from the Wetherby Services junction on the A1(M), and there was ample parking space adjacent to the O&T entrance. The entry procedure was quick, simple and friendly using the PASS system and we were in the course within seconds. Full marks. Did you use the Owners’ & Trainers’ facility on the day? Yes. There is a dedicated facility for

Mary and David Fawcus with Secret Melody

owners called The Riston Suite, situated on the second floor of the brand new Millennium West Stand, and is a massive improvement on the overcrowded room owners used to share with members in the old stand. Definitely chalk and cheese. What were your thoughts on the location, comfort and provision in the facility? The new O&T suite is a good-sized facility overlooking the paddock on one side and the racecourse on the other. There is an exterior balcony directly

opposite the winning post for viewing. Inside there was plenty of room and even spare seating, although admittedly we were there on a Friday rather than a weekend. This was a welcome change from standing and waiting for a seat that one often experiences at many venues. Good cloakroom facilities were also available without leaving the suite. Owners were offered a choice of two hot main courses; both were excellent and fully made up for the lack of a starter or dessert offering. A bar and running coffee and biscuits were available as normal.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Upcoming events Ownership Matters evenings

How was the pre-parade ring/ paddock experience? The pre-parade ring and saddling up area are located just inside the O&T entry point, and immediately above the paddock. Both were well controlled. How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing? We did not notice any dedicated area where owners could view their race, but there probably was one somewhere. There was, however, a large viewing screen opposite the paddock so we were able to watch the race from the paddock itself and be opposite the winning post without difficulty. Were you able to review a replay of your race easily on course? This was shown on the big external screen straight after the finish, and the internal TV monitors also showed a replay. What was your overall lasting feeling of the day, based on your racecourse experience? It was a good day out, and we will certainly be happy to have a runner at Wetherby again. The atmosphere was muted being a weekday, but there was a noticeable absence of noisy, beerswilling racegoers to whom the sport itself often appears of minor interest. It would be an improvement if the prize-money at Wetherby matched the excellence of its other facilities. Overall, well done to Wetherby for raising the standard of northern racecourses.

HOW IT RATED Entry ★★★★★ Viewing ★★★★★ Atmosphere ★★★★★ Owners’ facilities ★★★★★ Food ★★★★★ Overall score 23

We are delighted to announce the dates of three Ownership Matters evenings being held this year. These events are free to attend and open to members and nonmembers who are interested in finding out more about ownership and the industry in general. Members of the ROA team host these informal sessions, which enable guests to network, ask questions about ownership and racing issues in like-minded company. Drinks and nibbles will be served during the sessions, from 6.30pm-8.30pm, in the following regions. • March 22 – Oxford • June 4 – Harrogate • November 1 – Edinburgh Please contact the ROA office to register your interest or book a place at any of these sessions, and do pass on details to any friends or colleagues who may be interested. Email info@roa.co.uk or call 020 7152 0200.

Cheltenham Festival

In response to member feedback we have reduced the capacity in the ROA Marquee in recent years and it is now sold out for all four days. There are a few places left in the ROA hospitality facility on the opening day

of the Festival, Tuesday, March 13. See roa.co.uk/events for details. To help mark your card in advance of the meeting, the ROA website includes dates of Cheltenham Preview evenings – see roa. co.uk/cheltprev

Aintree facility

Places are selling swiftly for the ROA hospitality offer on the opening day of Aintree’s Randox Health Grand National meeting on Thursday, April 12. Members can book into an ROA Hospitality Pavilion, a double decker facility overlooking the racecourse. The package includes lunch, a cash bar, TV feed and Tote facility. Places for members are £85 per person and for guests £100 per person.

Admission offer

Members can enjoy free entry to Aintree’s Festival Zone on the first and second days of the three-day Randox Health Grand National Festival, April 12 and 13. Members can enjoy free admission on production of their Horseracing Privilege Card or PASScard. Members can 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

RACING IN IRELAND We are delighted to confirm details of our collaboration with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, enabling members to enjoy privileged access to three principal race meetings in Ireland this year. The AIRO will once again be extending a welcome to ROA members and their guests to their hospitality facilities on the following racedays:

Punchestown Festival, April 24 to 28

Access to the AIRO Marquee located in Reserved Enclosure on production of ROA membership card/PASScard. Complimentary refreshments available. There will be a cash bar for the purchase of drinks. Members may bring up to three guests. Racecourse admission will be payable.

Curragh racecourse – Pretty Polly Stakes day, Sunday, July 1 Free admission to Racecourse. Please note admission must be pre-booked

via the ROA. Access to AIRO Marquee on production of ROA membership card/PASScard.

Galway Festival, July 30 to August 1

Access to AIRO Marquee located beside new Tote and Champagne Bar Building. Members may bring up to three guests. Access will be on production of ROA membership card/ PASScard. Racecourse admission will be payable. The facility will be available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On each day’s racing complimentary refreshments will be available in the hospitality marquee and there will be a cash bar for the purchase of drinks. This initiative has been welcomed by members in recent years. We are very grateful for the support of the AIRO and racecourses for giving our members a warm welcome at these popular racing festivals.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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ROA Forum TRACK TALK

Chelmsford City To complement a £5m-plus prizemoney commitment, Chelmsford City is now offering a complimentary welcome drink (glass of wine, bottle of beer or soft drink) at all fixtures to owners and trainers with runners, in addition to the food offering. A voucher system will be in place, with all vouchers being distributed from the owners’ and trainers’ area of the main ticket office. These may then be redeemed at the owners’ and trainers’ facility overlooking the parade ring.

GEORGE SELWYN