ÂŁ4.95 SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE 169
Roaring success
Lion and Murphy are International kings
PLUS
Phoenix Thoroughbred
Global operation making giant strides
TBA Awards
09
Celebrating the best of British breeding
Stamina above speed
Industry acts to boost staying division
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Welcome
Johnston is rewarded for staying the distance
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£4.95 SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE 169
Roaring success Lion and Murphy are International kings
PLUS
Phoenix Thoroughbred
Global operation making giant strides
TBA Awards
09
Celebrating the best of British breeding
Stamina above speed
Industry acts to boost staying division
9 771745 435006
www.ownerbreeder.co.uk
Sep_169_CoverV2.indd 1
Cover: Roaring Lion and Oisin Murphy put distance between themselves and their rivals in the Juddmonte International at York Photo: Bill Selwyn
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Edward Rosenthal Editor
24/08/2018 16:04
hortly before this issue went to press, Mark Johnston became the most successful trainer in British racing history when Poet’s Society captured the Clipper Logistics Handicap at York’s Ebor meeting, taking him to 4,194 winners, eclipsing the figure set by Richard Hannon snr. The master of Middleham, who sent out his first winner in 1987, boasts incredible numbers, sending out at least 100 winners every year since 1994, on seven occasions breaking the double century. Yet, as he revealed in a sensational interview with the late Alan Lee in this magazine in 2010, he came mightily close to quitting the sport completely. “It was the end of 2004, we’d had our best season ever and I wanted out. I was hating every minute of it,” Johnston explained. “I spoke to my financial guru and asked him to find me a way out. He said he first wanted me to fill in a lifestyle questionnaire and from that it emerged that the thing making me miserable was the worklist – I never had it finished before 11pm, often it was past midnight, and I never wanted to delegate the task. “He persuaded me to put systems in place to get someone I trusted to do it. So now Jock Bennett, my assistant, looks after the worklist and most staff problems. It’s dealt with most of the issues I had with the job.” With more than 200 horses in his stable, perhaps it’s not surprising that the worklist was causing such a headache for Johnston. Another interesting aspect of Johnston’s set-up is that it was used as a nursery by owner Sheikh Mohammed. If he excelled with a young horse, then there was always the possibility that it would be moved to one of the Godolphin trainers, as happened with future Group 1 star Monterosso. Sheikh Mohammed now appears content to leave horses, both homebreds and private purchases, with their original trainers. Which is good news for Johnston, trainer of exciting twoyear-old Dark Vision, who was bought by the sheikh after his scintillating victory in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Mark Johnston has been closely associated with some top-notch stayers over the years, notably Gold Cup winners Royal Rebel (twice) and Double Trigger, and protecting the staying horse is now one of the industry’s key targets. In 2015, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association commissioned a report, which showed the British-bred staying horse was in decline. Working with the BHA and wider industry, a number of initiatives have now been implemented aimed at boosting the stayinghorse ranks and encouraging breeders and owners to change their behaviour regarding this type of runner.
“The master of Middleham came mightily close to quitting the sport” TBA Board member Philip Newton, a key figure in the stayers’ project, explains: “We identified that there was an issue, the report confirmed all that we feared. It’s absolutely important for British racing that we have diversity of product. “We took it to the BHA and they were an open door, both creative and co-operative. It’s an industry initiative – between us we have put the infrastructure into the racing programme that can develop and encourage the middle-distance horse.” See pages 48-52 for the report. There has been air of mystery about Phoenix Thoroughbred since they burst on to the racing and bloodstock scene last year. In this issue, Julian Muscat talks to CEO Amer Abdulaziz Salman (The Big Interview, pages 54-57) about their exciting team of runners globally, including Group 1 star Advertise and Belmont Stakes runner-up Gronkowski, and ambitions in the sport.
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Contents
September 2018
54
32
26
News & Views
International Scene
ROA Leader
View From Ireland
Balance between exposure and income
5
Continental Tales
TBA Leader Challenges ahead
7
News Mark Johnston makes history
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Changes News in a nutshell
12 28
Howard Wright Sexuality study pointless
30
Racing Life
2
Around The Globe Brad Cox on the up
32 34 36
Features The Big Picture From The Archives Minster Son’s 1988 St Leger
Trainer focus With David Marnane
Stayers’ Report Industry’s bold initiatives
16 26 46 48
Phoenix Thoroughbred
Glorious activities Goodwood glee and Longines Awards
Ziva Prunk rocks
From Ascot, Goodwood and York
Tony Morris Change does not mean progress
Eddie O’Rourke’s Aussie adventure
38
CEO Amer Abdulaziz Salman on future plans
54
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58
48
64
Features
Forum
Trainers buying yearlings
ROA Forum
What to look for at the sales
Palace House Newmarket’s marvellous museum
TBA Awards Best of British breeding
Sales Circuit Yearling sales underway
Caulfield Files Myboycharlie outperforms fee
Dr Statz No Nay Never impresses
24 Hours With... Derek Thompson
58 64 68
Tickets available for Richard Fahey visit
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GB-bred scheme plan outlined
Grading yearling scopes
85
European Pattern Winners and analysis
120
88
96
Vet Forum
Data Book
112
90
TBA Forum
74
Forum The Thoroughbred Club
Prize winner’s bonus
108
114
Did you know? Our monthly average readership is
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ROA Leader
Nicholas Cooper President
Exposure and income juggling act for racing T
he importance of televised coverage of racing cannot be exaggerated. It is fundamental to the exposure of our sport and to its income. You have only to consider the benefits the sport receives from ITV coverage. Free-to-air TV allows many thousands of racing fans to indulge their hobby from an armchair. It also attracts a mass of casual viewers, a small number of whom will one day become committed converts to our sport. Racing must constantly remind itself of the importance of the balance between exposure and income. Those sports that have given in to the temptation of grabbing a higher income from paid-for TV channels may initially do well financially but their profiles invariably suffer through attracting smaller, more specialised audiences, even though football is an obvious and notable exception. We also have to remain vigilant to the prospect that any future government may decide that betting-related advertising should be banned on daytime TV. Clearly, it is this advertising that makes racing an attractive proposition for ITV and, without it, much of the commercial justification for covering our sport would disappear. But, while terrestrial television is massively important to racing as a marketing tool, its monetary contribution is relatively small. The bulk of the £200 million the sport receives each year from selling its live pictures comes from betting shops and, as everybody knows, the shops are due to suffer significant closures over the next two or three years as a result of the changes made to legislation effecting FOBTs. Various estimates have put this reduction at between 30% and 50% on the current 8,500 UK shops and, even taking the lower of those figures, still translates into an annual hit for racing of around £50m. While shop closures will obviously affect levy income, the biggest impact will be felt by racecourses which are the direct beneficiaries of payments for pictures either through Racecourse Media Group or through The Racing Partnership. And this in turn is very likely to impinge on the contributions the courses make to prize-money. Up to the point where the FOBTs factor begins to bite, racecourses will have done very nicely from their media rights deals. Over the past decade there has been a steady increase in this source of funding and there was more good news for the RMG racecourses when SIS took over the production of their programmes in the spring, providing a further significant financial boost. Although At The Races will lose their Irish racing coverage to Racing UK next year, they also have reasons for optimism. Under
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their new name of Sky Sports Racing, they will have the might of Sky behind them and their depleted portfolio of fixtures will at least be bolstered when Ascot and Chester move over to their camp. The extent to which all major sport is now dependent on media rights income is well illustrated by Premier League football, where TV rights attract such eye-watering amounts of money that, for some of the top clubs, gate receipts account for less than 10% of turnover.
“Most of the £200m the sport receives each year from selling live pictures is from betting shops” Racecourses are some way from being in that position but, if you take out the major festival meetings, you will find a course’s revenue from TV rights is more important to them than all their other revenues put together. Nobody likes to think of racing taking place in front of empty grandstands, but this happens all the time at small meetings during the winter months, where the only commercial justification for horseracing is to feed the off-course betting market, whether that means betting shops or, increasingly, live streaming to those who bet online. Like it or not, this is the reality of today’s world and one which the sport of horseracing must fully embrace if it is to survive and prosper.
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24/08/2018 15:28
TBA Leader
Julian Richmond-Watson Chairman
Plenty of challenges ahead for new board T
he TBA’s annual awards ceremony, held on the July Course at Newmarket, highlighted the success of British breeders both in the National Hunt and Flat fields, and the range of individual winners provided an encouraging picture of the quality of British breeding, particularly at the higher end of the sport. We have a good number of high-class Flat stallions and an increasing number of successful National Hunt sires standing in Britain. In addition, it is encouraging that two TBA initiatives, the Elite Mares’ Scheme and the National Hunt Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (NHMOPS), are beginning to change perceptions about jump-race breeding, as evidenced by buying activity and breeders’ decisions. Of course, no-one can deny that there is still a long way to go, but while these are early days for both schemes, in a process that will not be successful overnight, the early signs are encouraging. In what was deemed to be a popular move, the TBA’s annual general meeting was held the day after the awards evening, and with a high number of votes cast among the four candidates for two seats on the board, this was the best-contested ballot for some time. All in all, it was an encouraging sign of the serious engagement in TBA matters among members. It was pleasing to receive such positive feedback from the AGM and sincere thanks must go to all who attended. Personally, I would like to thank those who voted, and I extend particular thanks to the candidates, whose participation ensured such a close-fought election. I look forward to welcoming Anita Wigan, who will sit on the board for the first time, and Bryan Mayoh, who is back for his second term in office. Bryan, who received the most votes, was one of the speakers at the AGM, where he provided a snapshot of a new economic impact study commissioned by the TBA, of which we will hear more shortly. The AGM was also noteworthy for marking the retirement from the board of Paul Greeves. I referred to his contribution in my Chairman’s address but would like to thank him publicly and more widely for all he has done in his many years of service and support for the TBA and breeders in particular and racing in general. Paul has been associated with the TBA for almost all his working life, first through Weatherbys and more recently as a coopted member and Deputy Chairman of the board. Everyone will miss his wise counsel and steadfast and loyal support. Personalities change but nothing stands still in British racing, and there will be much for the new board to do. With Brexit, however it turns out, getting ever closer, it is important for board members to focus on what can be done to support British
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breeders and ensure that whatever happens we are ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. TBA board members have a breadth of experience across all aspects of breeding and business. While veterinary research and the various strands of education and training remain the core charitable activities undertaken on behalf of TBA members, it is equally important to ensure that breeders are recognised and supported across the whole racing industry. This requires board members and the executive to engage with numerous committees and other bodies that have an influence on our activities. The annual review highlights the association’s main activities but the primary focus for the coming year must be on developing that support and understanding across the whole of the industry.
“Board members have a breadth of experience across all aspects of breeding and business” British breeders need support. Those already involved and those thinking of becoming involved must feel that there is a positive message underpinning their activities and, while there are no guarantees, that they have a good chance of success and reward in British racing. British racing needs British breeders and the horses they produce to fulfil the racing programme. Perhaps Brexit will be the catalyst for that recognition to spread across the sport, because without the horses we breed there is no racing industry. A substantial and successful British breeding industry is essential for the long-term health of British racing.
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News
Record-breaking Johnston makes history at York
Mark Johnston with Poet’s Society after the gelding’s victory at York’s Ebor meeting took his trainer to 4,194 wins in Britain
M
ark Johnston has become the winningmost trainer in British racing history, surpassing Richard Hannon snr’s total of 4,193 wins. In what turned out to be a rather lengthy countdown after a relatively quiet spell, Johnston achieved victory number 4,194 when Poet’s Society scored at York under Frankie Dettori on August 23 to give him the record outright. It was, fittingly, a typical Johnston winner, a four-year-old gelding having his 26th start of the year, fending of allcomers from the front having gone off a relatively unconsidered 20-1 chance in a big-field handicap. The trainer, often referred to as ‘Braveheart’, told the Racing Post: “This horse epitomises all we’re about. This is his sixth win this year and his 26th run of the season. I called him an old fellow in the saddling boxes, forgetting he is only a fouryear-old. It’s great it has happened with a horse like this and it hadn’t even occurred to me he was carrying my own colours.
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“I do have to pinch myself and ask how I could get to 4,194 winners” “If we could have written the result we’d have had Joe Fanning on the horse, and of course it would have been great if it had been one of our regular jockeys, but I did say before the race at least if it was Frankie no one would forget it!” He added: “It’s a relief to get it out of the way. I’ve been wishing we could switch it all off and pretend it never happened. “People keep saying, ‘What does it mean?’ I don’t think anyone has tried to
belittle it, but sometimes I think, ‘How important is it? At the same time, I do have to pinch myself and ask how I could get to 4,194 from where we started. It’s unimaginable.” The record has passed from 19th century jumps giant Arthur Yates to Arthur Stephenson, to Martin Pipe and then to Hannon snr. Johnston, 58, has no immediate plans to hand over to son Charlie, so should set the bar some way higher before retiring. Hannon snr chose to hand over to son Richard after a career during which for the most part there was less racing, while unlike Johnston he had no backing from Arab owners. If the trainers’ championship were decided by number of victories, Johnston would have been champion 11 times, but as it is based on prize-money he has never been champion, and might never be. That squares with the fact Johnston has ‘just’ 13 Group 1 wins to his credit, including three Gold Cups and two
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Stories from the racing world
The history-making ride: Poet’s Society and Frankie Dettori (centre) edge home on the Knavesmire in front of a huge crowd
Classics with Mister Baileys and Attraction. Johnston told Great British Racing: “The horse I am most proud of by far is Attraction. She did more for us than any other horse, she won five Group 1s, and I suppose her 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket was an incredible race and the culmination of a lot of heartache and worry during that winter. “I will never forget Mister Baileys’ win in the 1994 2,000 Guineas. I get a feeling of déjà vu whenever I am watching a race
on the Rowley Mile and one of our horses is in front with a furlong and a half to go.” Johnston sent out Shamardal to win the 2004 Dewhurst – the son of Giant’s Causeway was Europe’s champion juvenile. After being transferred to Saeed Bin Suroor, he became a dual French Classic victor. The Middleham yard has been a nursery for many other subsequent Godolphin winners, including Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso. His best-known horse is gallant stayer
Double Trigger, who scored a record total of seven victories in the Cup races at Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster, winning all three in 1995. He is the only horse to win the Goodwood Cup three times. The stable’s other record-breakers include Yavana’s Pace, who won a Group 1 in Germany at the age of ten in 2002. Johnston’s tally of winners includes five over jumps, and he has been training since 1987, his first winner coming that July in the shape of Hinari Video.
Classic moments: Mister Baileys and Jason Weaver won the 1994 2,000 Guineas while Attraction and Kevin Darley claimed the 2004 1,000 Guineas
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News
Bastiman cobalt convictions Rebecca Bastiman was fined £5,000 and her father Robin disqualified for three years following the first cobalt case involving a British trainer. It was the second time a hose had tested positive for cobalt in Britain, but the previous instance concerned County Armagh father and son Stephen and Michael McConville and Anseanachai Cliste, who was denied a run in the 2017 Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham after bloody syringes were found in a bag being taken into the course. Rebecca Bastiman denied administering a raceday injection to John Caesar, who ran at Wolverhampton in April 2016, following which he tested positive for cobalt. A disciplinary panel could find no direct evidence she had conspired with her father and assistant Robin, the former licence holder, to administer the injection of Hemo 15, a type of Vitamin B12 supplement that contains cobalt. However, they fined her a total of £5,000 on the three charges she accepted responsibility for, including strict liability and not maintaining medical records properly, and the fine will be significant, for it emerged during the hearing at the BHA’s head office in London that Bastiman takes only £80 a week in wages and had liquid assets of no more than £7,000.
It also emerged that the trainer had a benign brain tumour removed in 2010 after suffering seizures, since when she has had two batches of chemotherapy. She continues to receive treatment and admitted depression has been an issue. Bastiman told the panel: “Horses are my life, and if my licence is taken away from me I’ve nothing to look forward to. I don’t know how I would get by without horses. It would be like a prison sentence.” After avoiding that ‘prison sentence’, Bastiman said: “I’m particularly pleased the panel accepted I didn’t want my horses injected, I didn’t inject them and there was no evidence I sanctioned my father’s actions.” Her father, who trained Borderlescott to win two Nunthorpes, said: “In all my years in horseracing I never thought I would be banned for giving a horse a B12 injection. There wouldn’t be a trainer in the country who hasn’t given a horse a B12 injection and I didn’t know it contained cobalt. It’s basically a tonic for finicky eaters.” Cobalt was found to be present in John Caesar’s system at a level more than three times that of the threshold level, which had been introduced by the BHA just six days before the race. The move followed growing concerns around the racing world that cobalt was
Robin Bastiman: disqualified for three years
being used to enhance performance by reducing fatigue through the promotion of increased red blood cells. It is, however, a matter of debate as to whether cobalt, which occurs naturally in horses, enhances performance. Britain’s leading trainer of all time Mark Johnston, who is also a vet, commented: “I don’t believe for one second it makes them run faster. There’s mixed evidence and different opinions on whether it’s of any benefit to humans. I think most of the evidence suggests it probably isn’t. Even if it is, why should that work in horses?”
Stars booked for Champions Day party Ella Eyre, the award-winning singersongwriter, and chart-topping DJproducer Jax Jones will provide the post-racing entertainment on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 20. The London-based duo will headline the after-party at Britain’s richest raceday, which offers £4.35 million in prize-money and features four Group 1 races, headlined by the £1.3m Champion Stakes. Ella Eyre was named best female artist at the MOBO Awards in 2015 and enjoyed a top five hit earlier this year (with duo Banx and Ranx) with Answerphone, while Jax Jones coproduced I Got U with fellow DJ and producer Duke Dumont, a track that reached the top spot in the UK singles chart. Ella Eyre said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be playing QIPCO British Champions Day. It’s looking like an
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Ella Eyre and Jax Jones will headline the Ascot after-party on Saturday, October 20
action-packed day of sport and entertainment, and I’m so excited to bring the day to a close.” Jax Jones commented: “I can’t wait for Saturday, October 20! Ascot racecourse is one of the most historic sporting venues in Britain and one to tick-off my bucket list. Bring your
dancing shoes, because I promise to bring the ultimate after-party to the ultimate raceday!” Ticket prices for QIPCO British Champions Day start from £35 for adults and under 18s attend for free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at britishchampionsday.co.uk.
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TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS
September 2018
LIGHTNING STRIKES IN GROUP 1 Qatar Racing celebrated a second Gr. 1 win in a month when the very popular Lightning Spear won the Sussex Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, his first top-level success… Lighting Spear travelled typically strongly before Oisin Murphy pressed the button inside the final furlong. Oisin said: “I never ever get nervous before Gr. 1s, but I was nervous today. What a horse and training performance. At 7 years of age, outstanding.” Oisin Murphy celebrates on Lightning Spear
staff PROFILE
“That was the horse we see at home all the time,” added David Simcock who, along with wife Jennie and his team,
has indeed handled Spear superbly. He has previously been placed in six Gr. 1s, including when beaten an agonising short head in this year’s Lockinge Stakes. Lightning Spear was bred by our friends at Newsells Park Stud, by sire of sires Pivotal out of out of Listed-winning 2-year-old Atlantic Destiny. He’s a very special horse for all those connected with him.
Someone who knows Lightning Spear well is Rob Archibald – one of Australia’s top polo players and assistant to David Simcock – who took part in the 2018 Mongol Derby, which finished on Aug 15. Rob is raising money for MS Research (www.arideforacure.com). Several members of the Qatar Racing team contested the 2016 race and in other link, this year’s honours went to Adrian Corboy and Annabel Neasham, whose boss Ciaron Maher trains two 2-year-olds for Qatar Racing in Australia.
DOZEN WINNERS FOR CHARM
Chelsea McLeod and Sam Wylie Stud Hands
Charm Spirit – who made his own debut on Aug 9 – took his individual tally of winners to 12 when Lively Lydia bolted up at Windsor on Aug 6.
So you are Kiwis – first time in England? C: I was actually born in Chelsea! S: I came to Europe a few years ago to work in France and then visited England with my dad. He’s a bloodstock agent and buys horses for Hong Kong. How do you know each other? C: We’ve been together 3 years and met whilst working at Waikato Stud, which is near where we each grew up. S: I grew up on a stud farm, while Chelsea rode from an early age and her dad’s family have trotters. We did the Southern Hemisphere sales circuit together earlier this year.
Charm Spirit showed his best form at 3 when winning three Gr. 1s over a mile, including the QEII. A Charm Spirit yearling half-brother to recent Gr. 1 Beverly D Stakes winner Sistercharlie sells at Arqana as this issue goes to print.
AGA KHAn HAS HAVANA WINNER The famous green and red silks of H. H. Aga Khan were carried successfully by homebred 2-year-old Havana Gold colt Zuenoon at the Galway Festival in August. Zuenoon is out of Dalakhani mare Zindana and looks an exciting prospect.
More than a flying visit? S: Yeah - we’ve only been at Tweenhills a month but are here until Christmas. C: We’re then off travelling, first to Scotland and then to see as much of Europe as possible.
QATAR R ACING ON TWITTER Qatar Racing (@Qatar_Racing) has joined Tweenhills (@TweenhillsHub) on Twitter. Follow both accounts for the latest news on our racehorses and stallions.
Tweenhills, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BG W: www.tweenhills.com T: + 44 (0) 1452 700177 M: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 E: davidredvers@tweenhills.com 3379 - Tweenhills Times_Sept 2018_V07.indd 1
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Changes
Racing’s news in a nutshell
People and business
Cesarewitch
Newmarket’s famous staying handicap – this year worth £500,000 – is to be sponsored by Dubai as part of a new deal with the track that runs to 2022.
Thomas Sherry
Receives four-year ban – to be reviewed in 2019 if the jockey reapplies for his licence – after testing positive for cocaine after riding at Gowran Park in June.
Adam Pogson
Jump jockey, 35, quits the saddle and hopes to take over the training operation from his father Charlie in January 2019.
Ballinrobe
Jessica McLernon
Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board sanctions continuation of racing at the track – fears over the safety of the ground had put its future in doubt.
Employee of the Year at the 2018 Stud & Stable Staff Awards is the first recipient of the Toby Balding Award, worth £4,000, which provides a chance to learn new skills.
Towcester
Stephen Atkin
Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association to stand down from his role after 18 years in charge.
Sophie Doyle
Jockey and sister of British-based James Doyle notches 200th winner in the United States as her career there continues to go from strength to strength.
Yuga Kawada
Racecourse goes into administration, with ARC a contender to add the track to its portfolio.
Rider hailed in some quarters as the next Yutaka Take gets off the mark in Britain at Redcar – he is spending time with Roger Varian.
David Egan
Last year’s champion apprentice forfeits the likelihood of successfully defending his crown by taking out his professional licence.
John Dunlop
A memorial service for the master trainer, who died in July aged 78, is scheduled for September 19 at 2pm at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London.
Charlie Deutsch
Jumps jockey is released from prison after serving two and a half months of a ten-month sentence for offences relating to drink-driving.
Trainer celebrates winner number 3,000 with Brave Eagle in a beginners’ chase at Worcester in late July.
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British win number 2,069, which came on Late Change at Yarmouth last month, moves jockey into the top 20 all-time winningmost riders in Britain.
Fanny Cypres
Katie O’Farrell
Fumio Matoba
Godolphin
Graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start programme joins the Aga Khan Studs team in a nominations and client relations role.
Nicky Henderson
Jamie Spencer
Veteran jockey becomes Japan’s winningmost rider when partnering his 7,154th winner at Ohi racecourse in Tokyo, aged 61.
Beverley
Yorkshire track unveils plan for new £4.8 million grandstand, with completion scheduled for 2021.
Up-and-coming conditional jockey will be on the sidelines for up to six weeks with a fractured leg.
Expecting To Fly’s success at La Teste de Buch in France brings up the 5,000th winner worldwide for Godolphin.
LED advertising
Screens similar to those at football grounds will be used on British fences for the first time from October 1, providing extra revenue for tracks.
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Changes
Racehorse and stallion
Movements and retirements
Vintager
Royal Ascot fourth who then won at Newmarket leaves the yard of David Menuisier after being purchased by Godolphin.
Desert Law
Smart sprinter for owner Andy Taylor and trainer Paul Midgley is retired aged ten; he won eight races including the Epsom Dash in 2015.
Torcedor
Top-class stayer for the Jessica Harrington stable, placed in this year’s Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, is sold to continue his career in Germany.
Justify
US Triple Crown winner retires unbeaten in six starts, earning $3.8 million.
Calyx Coventry Stakes winner suffers a bone injury and connections draw stumps for the remainder of the year.
Classic Seniority
Marjorie Fife stable star receives a sixmonth ban in Britain after three stalls transgressions within a year; he could, however, run in Ireland.
Hazapour
Derrinstown Derby Trial winner trained by Dermot Weld will miss the rest of the season after meeting with a setback.
People obituaries
Naval Intelligence
Unbeaten three-year-old trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam to win the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes is sold to continue career in Hong Kong.
Smart Call
South African-bred mare, a multiple Grade 1 winner, is retired aged seven and is set to visit Kingman.
Bahamian Dollar 5
Winner of four of his 30 races, latterly in the care of trainer David Evans for owners the Shropshire Wolves.
Starry Dreamer 24
Former travelling head lad to Classic-winning trainer John Dunlop.
Former ROA Council member who was the ex-wife of singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry.
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Exciting two-year-old who maintained his unbeaten record in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood is purchased by Godolphin.
Horse obituaries
Steve Collier 63
Lucy Birley 58
Dark Vision
Sparky Gayle 28
Trained by the late Colin Parker and owned by Ray Anderson Green, he won the 1997 Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Multiple stakes winner best known as the dam of international leading sire War Front.
Clondaw Kaempfer 10
Four-time winner for the Donald McCain stable, including the Grade 3 2m4f handicap hurdle at the 2014 Grand National meeting.
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The Big Picture
Stoute has clout The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has produced some wonderful finishes over the years – the 1975 battle between Grundy and Bustino is known as the ‘Race of the Century’ – and this year’s renewal did not disappoint. Crystal Ocean and William Buick looked to have stolen a march on their rivals when kicking for home two furlongs out, only for Poet’s Word and James Doyle (right) to swoop fast and late to get up close to the line. The result proved a triumph for trainer Sir Michael Stoute (below), renowned for his handling of older horses, and responsible for the first two home for owners Saeed Suhail and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. Photos George Selwyn
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King George
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The Big Picture
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Qatar Goodwood Festival
Lightning strikes once As deserved victories go, Lightning Spear’s Sussex Stakes triumph at the Qatar Goodwood Festival will be difficult to top. The seven-year-old has been a regular presence in the top mile contests for the past four seasons and finally broke his Group 1 duck at the 16th attempt under an assured Oisin Murphy, riding for Qatar Racing. Murphy found a gap at the right time and Lightning Spear sprinted clear of Expert Eye (pink cap), scoring by a length and a half. Photo Bill Selwyn
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The Big Picture
From left to right: William Buick produces a perfectlyjudged front-running ride on Wild Illusion in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes; apprentice Jason Watson celebrates the best day of his career, winning the Stewards’ Cup on Gifted Master; Stradivarius and Andrea Atzeni capture the Group 1 Goodwood Cup
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Qatar Goodwood Festival
Battaash brilliance He may not be able to follow his same owner’s Muhaarar into a career at stud but gelding Battaash must still provide Hamdan Al Maktoum with enormous pleasure on the racecourse. Battaash – like Muhaarar trained by Charlie Hills – turned the Group 2 King George Stakes into a procession, putting his rivals to the sword with a blistering display of speed to score easily by four lengths, to the delight of jockey Jim Crowley. Photos George Selwyn
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The Big Picture
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Juddmonte International
Lion roars home in the International A sensational renewal of the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York produced a sensational winner in the form of the John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion. Qatar Racing’s brilliant son of Kitten’s Joy was produced with his challenge by Oisin Murphy a furlong and a half out and promptly settled matters with a devastating turn of foot, scoring by three and a quarter lengths from King George hero Poet’s Word, with Thundering Blue running the race of his life in third. Photo George Selwyn
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CC3438 TOB DPS Sept 2018 (MUHAARAR) v2.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 16:35 Page 1
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MUHAARAR
Leading European-based first-crop sire at Arqana. His yearlings averaged
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From The Archives
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Minster Son on September 10, 1988
Minster strikes on Town Moor The betting suggested the 1988 St Leger should have been a cruise for Sheikh Mohammed’s outstanding filly Diminuendo, trained by Henry Cecil to capture an Oaks treble at Epsom, the Curragh and York that season. As it turned out, the 4-7 chance, partnered by Walter Swinburn, was unable to get past the gutsy Dick Hern-trained Minster Son and Willie Carson, the duo scoring by a hard fought length. The triumph was a double celebration for the successful rider, who also bred the son of Niniski, seen below toasting victory with Minster Son’s owner, the Dowager Lady Beaverbrook. Photos George Selwyn
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Tony Morris
Would I be into racing if a kid these days...? A
GEORGE SELWYN
t a recent Newmarket meeting I came across an old pal whom I had not seen for yonks. And as friends of our vintage are apt to do, we reminisced about the old times, unsurprisingly agreeing that racing and breeding today were not a patch on what they were when we came into the game. Now we had to conclude that racing was generally staged at an inconvenient time of day, when we are accustomed to taking our post-prandial nap. That was never an issue in our youth, but we could only put that down to anno domini. We could hardly blame anyone else for that. But there have been so many changes over the last halfcentury or so, and at times I feel bound to ask: what have they done to my sport? What is left of the game that so fascinated me and caused me to fall in love with it as a lad? What attracted me from the outset was the history, the fact that it had existed long before every other sporting pursuit was invented, and thrived not least because of traditions respected and kept sacrosanct over numerous generations. While I am conscious that not all of our links with the past have been wantonly severed, it is undeniable that the powers that be in the 21st century care far less about tradition than their predecessors. And that makes me wonder whether the sport would capture my imagination and make me a lifetime adherent if I were a 12-year-old of 2018. The sport that captivated me as a kid had a season topped by the Lincolnshire Handicap and tailed by the
Lammtarra wins the first Derby run on a Saturday, a change that, in the words of Tony Morris, was a ‘catastrophic blunder’
Manchester November Handicap, as tradition had dictated since anyone could remember. The Lincoln, when staged on the Carholme, attracted enormous interest, with an ante-post market busy throughout the winter, and in one year it attracted a field of 58. Adventurous punters sought higher rewards through the medium of the Spring Double, attempting to couple the winner of the Lincoln with the winner of the Grand National, staged a few days afterwards. The challenge was always most likely to represent a bookmaker’s benefit, but the multiplied odds proved a major incentive, and the press gave it plenty of attention, as they did over the Autumn Double, when the Cesarewitch and the Cambridgeshire – always run in that order, two weeks apart – were the races involved. The Spring and Autumn Doubles had been such a feature of the punting year for so long that I could never have anticipated their disappearance. They are long gone now, unheard-of by younger generations. The major handicaps were a big deal, sometimes contested by horses of real class, best exemplified by the fact that Gladness won the Gold Cup before landing the Ebor in 1958. And they were proper handicaps, with weight ranges of three stone or more, affording chances to natural light-weight jockeys like Des Cullen, David East and Sammy Milbanks, a breed unknown these days. One of my favourite handicaps was always the Great Metropolitan, contested over two and a quarter miles at the Epsom spring meeting. Today’s racegoers would find it hard to imagine how the course could stage an event at that extreme distance. The most eccentric race in the calendar started at the winning post, the field running the reverse way almost to Tattenham Corner, then taking a right turn and snaking its way across the downs before joining the main course again at the mile post. I could never watch the Great Met without thinking of Virago, the filly who won it an hour after her victory in the City and Suburban Handicap in 1854. She won two more handicaps against older horses on consecutive days at York before her success in the 1,000 Guineas. They trained horses differently in those days. But we still had tough horses in the 1950s and I recall two or three instances as late as the 1960s of horses running twice in one day, albeit without the results that Virago achieved. They came to no harm, but I suppose it was no surprise when the practice was outlawed. There was quite a long dry spell in the summer of 1955, when most courses were reporting firm or even hard going, but that did not result in depleted fields. Horses coped with the conditions they found, and trainers had yet to become paranoid about underfoot conditions. Then watering of courses was gradually introduced – everywhere except at Bath – and it is hardly coincidental that today’s breed is softer, less sound and more prone to injury. All trainers of long experience have recognised a deterioration in those respects. But we can’t blame tap-happy clerks for all the ills in the racehorse population. The breeding industry, so ordered and
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The man you can’t ignore exemplary in the centuries when 40 mares constituted a full book, became nothing short of chaotic once books expanded into three figures with greed taking hold. The percentage of sires who achieved real success remained as low as ever, while some stallions had 500 foals before they became recognised as failures. No horse of the modern era can hope to match the achievements of Northern Dancer, who sired a remarkably high percentage of stakes winners while never having a crop larger than 36. There were a number of prominent owner-breeders operating with success in the 1950s, but none was ever so dominant that others were discouraged from competing with them. And nobody routinely reigned over the yearling market. Everyone could feel that they had a chance, something that cannot be said these days, when the super-rich boringly rule the roost. We should, like Germany, have regulation in the breeding industry, with horses having to meet certain criteria, including ability over at least two seasons in training, conformation and soundness, to earn an opportunity at stud. But it’s a bit late for that. Restraint of trade, etc. For 100 years there were separate governing bodies for Flat and National Hunt racing, which effectively and rightly acknowledged that they were two different sports. It was a backward step to ditch that distinction, given that one form exists as a consequential part of a global bloodstock industry, while the other is a popular diversion with a limited profile outside Britain and Ireland.
“What’s left of the game that so fascinated me and caused me to fall in love with it as a lad?” One tradition that was absurdly abandoned, but might just be reinstated before long is the method of determining the jockeys’ title. The season now runs from Guineas weekend to Champions Day, and to ignore a large chunk of it is living a lie. By next month there will have been four bogus champions, and I can but hope that the rumour of a return to sanity is correct. Two more pet gripes before I’m done. The transfer of the Champion Stakes from its traditional Newmarket home to Ascot was unforgivable. The straight mile and a quarter on the quick-draining Rowley course made it a unique test, and it is simply not the same race going clockwise at a venue prone to soggy conditions at that time of year. I don’t hold out much hope of a return to common sense in that case, and I’m no more confident over my last one. But it needs saying again. Moving the Derby from Wednesday to Saturday was a catastrophic blunder, a classic example of self-harm. On its midweek date it had a huge media profile, dominating the schedule as the day’s main event, and Epsom forfeited all that for a weekend slot where it would inevitably find competition from alternative attractions. I have been present at more than 50 Derbys. If I had been growing up in the era of a Saturday Derby, would it have seemed special to me and made me one of its keenest supporters? I wonder…
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The Howard Wright Column
Letts talk about sex? Actually, let’s not!
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all me old-fashioned – but what useful purpose is going to be served by a study into the sexuality of jockeys riding in Britain, or stable staff, amateur jockeys and administrators, come to that? Diversity, I can understand. Everyone is talking about the subject these days, and British racing should be alive to its potential ramifications. Gender equality, I can fully appreciate, since equal merit should be rewarded equally, regardless of gender, and that too is of vital importance to the future of British racing. But sexuality among riders, the study of which by European Breeders’ Fund Operations Manager David Letts is being supported by the Professional Jockeys Association? The point of it is beyond me, while the risks of its likely findings being misinterpreted seem limitless. Diversity is such a buzz word that it has been picked up by the BHA and is now the topic of animated conversation among a steering group numbering 16 industry representatives, whose initial report produced enough lines of inquiry under eight general headings to keep them busy for several months. Good luck to them, although they should be wary of running down blind alleys, looking for ethnic inclusion in areas from which it will never emerge, simply for the sake of trying to find truth in a popular myth. For example, attempts to replicate the staffing of stables in Dubai by recruiting among the Indian and Pakistani communities of West Yorkshire have been tried, and failed, for tending to the needs of horses no longer has a place in the culture of most urbanised, first, second and third generation youngsters born in Britain from immigrant families. Gender equality comes just as high on the list of priorities – indeed, there is a sound argument to say it should be the highest priority. And the BHA’s Diversity Group has embraced the topic to the extent that one of its report’s
Jockeys’ sexuality is a new focus of study, but is there any point?
headline recommendations was “supporting and promoting opportunities for female jockeys”. Hardly surprising, really, since the group itself was spawned from an inquiry conducted by Oxford Brookes University on behalf of Women in Racing, looking into women’s representation and diversity in British racing, and its opening action-plan report followed hard on the heels of a study carried out by Vanessa Cashmore into the relative merits of performance by female jockeys measured against their male counterparts. Cashmore’s valuable piece of work, which was rewarded with a bursary from Women in Racing to extend the study, was the result of her taking part in the Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA degree course at Liverpool University. This two-year, part-time experience is aimed at candidates with a 2:1 honours degree or the equivalent and a minimum of two years’ “substantive managerial experience”.
“Diversity is such a buzz word that it has been picked up by the BHA and is now the topic of animated conversation” MBAs have a mixed reputation – Times columnist Hannah Betts recently described them as “degrees in corporate pussyfooting” – but the unique nature of the Liverpool course, with fees of £16,000, renders it worthy of attention, not least because it is backed by funding from the BHA, Levy Board and Racing Foundation. In other words, anyone who has directly or indirectly handed over cash to racing’s governing body, levy-paying bookmakers or the Tote has contributed. David Letts is among the latest intake of students, and his deciding projects are the sexuality study among jockeys and a parallel exercise among stable staff, amateur riders and administrators. Making an appeal for data, on a confidential basis, he told the Racing Post: “I believe having a better understanding of diversity, in all its forms, is fundamental to the sport remaining relevant in today’s society. The Diversity in Racing steering group has made excellent progress in this regard, and I hope this research will provide valuable information for both the participants involved and the industry more widely.” There is a huge danger here of blurring sexuality with gender equality. One is a societal issue, with no direct relevance to the specifics of running a sport, other than from a safeguarding issue, which is covered by individual authorities. The other most definitely does impinge on the future of British racing, which is where Mr Letts and his backers would do better to concentrate.
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BRONWEN HEALY
Australia the land of opportunity
Eddie O’Rourke is making it pay down under and looking forward to the Sydney season getting going for his stable stars and juveniles
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ookie trainer Eddie O’Rourke admits he would not be a trainer at all if he had stayed in his native Ireland, instead of relocating to Australia seven years ago. O’Rourke and his family in Wexford have been involved in thoroughbreds for generations. He has seen firsthand the decline in conditions and opportunities for young trainers, but also how this could be reversed. “At home, in Ireland, unless you are in the top echelons, with over 100 horses on the books, you cannot survive on training alone,” he said. “You have to buy and sell, produce young stores horses, yearlings, breezers. You have to do that on top of training. It’s not enough. “I wouldn’t be training if I was at home. It’s just too hard to compete with the likes of Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld. “You have to keeping selling
anything that’s half decent to pay the bills, then your quality is just going up so slowly. You never make a name for yourself.” In Australia, O’Rourke, 33, earned AUS$400,000 (£226,000) from eight Flat winners in his first season last year – that’s an average of £28,500 per winner. He describes that as an ‘average year’ for him. In Ireland, even champion trainer O’Brien doesn’t make that much money – at the end of July O’Brien was earning an average of £21,400 per winner. “The prize-money is great here and that gives owners incentive to invest in horses,” continued O’Rourke. “For a winner at a country meeting it’s AUS$11,000. Midweek it’s AUS$35,000 and every race on a Saturday in town now is worth AUS$100,000, the winner picking up AUS$50,000 minimum.” He added: “It’s one of the major issues back home that there isn’t
as much racing, which means the powerhouses dominate. “The smaller trainers do get a look in, but not enough of a look in. It becomes impossible for the average trainer, and it’s not worth owners’ while.” Australia’s model works in a similar vein to the Pari-Mutuel in France, with the pool betting, the TAB, all going back into racing. Money earned through the pools generates prize-money and owners’ schemes. Each region in Australia has owner and breeder bonus schemes; O’Rourke’s area of New South Wales, for example, offers a minimum of AUS$5,625 bonus prize-money for winning two- and three-year-olds registered for the BOBS or BOBS Extra schemes. “Ireland could take a lot from how Australia operates,” said O’Rourke. “On a Saturday you get AUS$3,800 for turning up to race if you don’t finish in the top five, because the more runners
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By Jessica Lamb they have, the more turnover they have on the TAB [in the 2017 financial year the TAB accrued nearly AUS$2billion in revenue].” Britain and Ireland both have various owners’ schemes too, but the funding streams for those are not necessarily as secure. They tend to require sponsorship. The Irish Stallion Farms and European Breeders Fund are key organisations funding these bonus schemes, with a focus presently on improving investment in mid-level horses on the Flat and over jumps, and also in mares over jumps. It does work. O’Rourke went to Australia because he wanted to become a trainer. He was in his mid-20s when he arrived, and was surprised by the welcome he received. He began with time at the yards of 53-time Group 1 winner David Hayes, Anthony Cummings, son of legendary trainer Bart Cummings, who won the
“Prize-money here is great and that gives owners incentive” Melbourne Cup 12 times, and Australian Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse. It was an enlightening opening period in the southern hemisphere, focussing on two-year-olds, and it led to O’Rourke joining the Randwick yards of Michael Freedman as stable foreman. “I spoke to him from the start about a four-year plan to end up training on my own and he said he would support that,” said O’Rourke. “But then he got an offer to train in Hong Kong.” Freedman encouraged O’Rourke to take out a licence and take over his yard, inheriting many of his stars, including Group 1 runner-up Frolic. O’Rourke took the advice, and was a fully-fledged trainer by April 2017 with a yard of 20 quality horses. “I came to Australia because I couldn’t see a future in Ireland,” he revealed. “There are a lot more opportunities in the game here, they are a lot more open to young people coming through. “They are willing to give young people a go, they want the younger
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generations coming through, so trainers are happy to teach you. “They want you there and want to support you, even if that means you moving on.” The new season is just beginning for O’Rourke in Sydney, with his stable stars Frolic and Ringerdingding primed for new challenges, but there are also a new batch of two-year-olds that will be the focus this September. He said: “We have some nice yearlings coming through, in particular a couple by Dawn Approach. They start here in trial races in September. It’s the same as schooling bumpers at home. They are every week and are televised for people to see.” He added: “Australian racing is very open to the public. We’re always aiming to generate as much information as possible.” There are negatives to training in Australia; the climate has extremes to deal with and O’Rourke finds the unsociable hours make finding quality staff a test. He said: “We are close to the sea, so have a nice sea breeze every day. We wouldn’t get hit by the heat anywhere near as bad as they do inland. The humidity is the tough part, but it’s not too bad. “The biggest thing is finding quality staff. We work tough hours, starting at 3.30-4am, with the track opening at 4am and closing at 8.30am. We have to have all the horses worked by then.” It will be an exciting season for the Irishman come the winter when Frolic and Ringerdingding are in full swing. Having won a Group 2 and finished second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper as a juvenile, Frolic was caught out by a flurry of soft ground around Sydney last autumn. She still finished third in the Inglis 3yo Guineas. O’Rourke is hoping she can build on that this term, and also that fellow star filly From Within can shine with a step up in trip. He said: “From Within came to us at the beginning of last season. She’d won some very valuable races, and we kept her at about five furlongs. She’s already won a trial over five furlongs this season and has been tried over six furlongs. She could step up to that trip again, and maybe even to seven furlongs. “Ringerdingding could be anything. He stepped up well to Group racing last year, getting a bit unlucky with draws, but he’s a really nice horse and we’re looking forward to him.”
In brief Off The Ball show
Emerging sports media agency Off The Ball has signed a deal with Horse Racing Ireland to produce a weekly horseracing show on its social media platforms. Friday Night Racing, presented by Ger Gilroy, launched late in July and will run for 12 months, providing listeners and watchers with in-depth horseracing analysis and interviews each week. Paul Dermody, Commercial and Marketing Director at HRI, said: “We are really excited to work with the Off The Ball team to produce appealing, relevant and thoughtprovoking content, to promote the wonderful stories and stars of our sport, whether they be our jockeys, trainers, breeders, owners or stable staff.” Friday Night Racing can be found on OffTheBall.com and via the group’s social media channels. HRI will also sponsor all of Off The Ball’s horseracing coverage.
Galway development
Off the back of another successful Galway festival, the racecourse has announced further development plans. The works are part of a €12 million project that saw its €6m Wilson Lynch Building unveiled at last month’s festival. Galway now seeks tenders for a design team to take on the next phase; revamping the parade ring and pre-parade ring areas. The aim is to make more of the parade ring spectacle and the preand post-race celebrations. New hospitality venues and office buildings will be built, with existing administration areas refurbished, and the first floor of the existing Millennium Grandstand will be redeveloped to include a new fullyglazed wall facing the track, along its full length. Concept drawings have been produced in conjunction with Turnberry Consulting, and design of the new development is expected to commence in early 2019, with plans to start construction within three to four years.
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Continental Tales
Prunk rock solid despite setbacks t’s almost the definition of swimming against the tide. Ziva Prunk is only 35 years old yet she has held a trainer’s licence for 14 years. She hails from one country – Slovenia – which has no tradition of horseracing and has so few active current thoroughbreds that it is not even a member of the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation. In addition, she has chosen to train in another country – Austria – which, despite a rich racing history dating back more than two centuries and being home to a purpose-built modern racecourse, at present stages a princely total of one annual day of Flat racing! Against this background, Prunk has battled through numerous setbacks to train a dozen-strong string with a degree of success. Her principal owner is Phil Clarke, an Aussie racing nut best known as part of the syndicate that raced the 2017 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Jet Setting, and whose tech company is based in Graz in Austria. Of late her standard bearer has been the sprinter Pretorian, a British-bred Sakhee’s Secret gelding who ventured to Berlin in late July to get within half a length of Artistica, herself a Nottingham Listed race winner 14 months earlier, in the Listed Sparkassen Sprint Cup, the pair pulling over three lengths clear of the field. Bred by Richard Withers’ Southill Stud in Cullompton, Devon, Pretorian was purchased as a yearling by Prunk at Tattersalls in Newmarket for 6,500 guineas. Having been brought along steadily, he hit top form when reeling off a hat-trick
ZIVA PRUNK
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AUSTRIA
Ziva Prunk with apprentice Shu Murakami, Janez Naglič and owner Borut Bernik Bogataj
towards the end of his four-year-old season, including the Overdose Stakes in Budapest (which, fittingly, was sponsored by Tattersalls) and the Czech Republic’s richest all-aged Flat race, the European Jockeys Cup Million, in Prague. His 2017 campaign was less successful, owing to a virus that laid low many of the Prunk string, but this year started with two fine efforts in Italy, when fourth in a Milan Listed contest and then runner-up in the
Group 3 Premio Tudini in Rome. His preparation for that Berlin raid was hardly ideal. Prunk was at the wheel for 15 hours to get Pretorian to Paris to take part in Group 3 Prix de Ris-Orangis ten days earlier, only to find on arrival at Maisons-Laffitte that the horse’s entry had mysteriously been cancelled by the France Galop computer, meaning that her long journey had been utterly futile. Sadly, an even more expensive
Burggraf hopes Homerique is Arc player FRANCE He may have a long way to go to rival Coolmore, the Maktoum family or the Aga Khan, but Steve Burggraf is a new home-grown force in French racing who is hoping to get one over on the superpowers when he runs his crack three-year-old filly, Homerique, in next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Burggraf, 45, is the flamboyant boss of the Big Fernand chain of gourmet burger
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bars, founded in 2012 and now boasting around 50 restaurants, mainly in France but also in Dubai and Hong Kong. He shares a love of horses with his glamorous blonde wife Sybille and four years ago they set up the racing operation ‘Ecurie Montlahuc’, named after Sybille’s late mother and incorporating a handful of horses in training (all beginning with the letter ‘H’ and sporting beige with white cap silks), plus a new stud in the Sologne region of north central France. After Homerique, a €75,000 purchase
at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale last May, finished third in the Group 1 Prix de Diane on just her third career start, Burggraf was interviewed over Chantilly’s public address system and, his emotion and excitement clear to all who listened, vowed that the daughter of Exchange Rate would try to avenge that defeat in the Arc. Following her comfortable victory in the Group 3 Prix de Psyche at Deauville on July 28, that dream is very much still alive.
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By James Crispe, IRB misfortune has befallen Prunk concerning another British import, the Pastoral Pursuits gelding Puramente, who has raced three times in Hungary, winning once and earning place prize-money on the other two occasions, since joining her over the winter. Runner-up off a handicap mark of 58 at Kempton last October, when he was trained by Jo Hughes, Puramente’s acquisition is at the centre of an ongoing dispute with a bloodstock agent, which could leave Prunk out of pocket by a fivefigure sum. Undeterred, yet utterly frustrated by the powers-that-be in Austria who seem hell bent on driving Flat racing into extinction, Prunk soldiers on. Why? “Because I am stubborn,” she says. “Facilities here at Magna Racino [in Ebreichsdorf, a suburb of Vienna] are nearly perfect – comparable with the best private training centres in the Czech Republic – and the racecourse was opened less than 15 years ago. “There are a couple of covered horse walkers, a sand training track and a grass track which, although not perfectly maintained, we can use occasionally. There is also a river which, though not deep enough to swim in, is useful to cool off horses’ legs. “After building the course and funding it for a decade, Mr [Frank] Stronach has closed his wallet and now there are no sponsors and it is just a venue for trotting racing and showjumping. There are four Flat trainers here, but between us we have fewer than 25 horses, and the authorities seem to think that we are more trouble than we are worth and are trying to kick us out. “At the moment the course is dying but we have lights here, so there is the potential for night racing and the training
surface doesn’t freeze, so we could have winter racing on the sand.” The one annual meeting with Flat racing is the upcoming Austrian Derby fixture, which will be staged on September 16. The big race itself, which from a British point of view has the subsequent Triumph Hurdle hero and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Commanche Court as its most famous recent winner, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The on-track action, which will include only three or four Flat races, will just be a sideshow for some spectators who may be attending more for an eclectic mix of rival attractions, such as a fashion show, ‘most elegant outfit’ competition, Friesen stallion demonstration, sports car display and guest appearances from Gary Howard, from the 1980s pop band The Flying Pickets, and the world champion bagpiper, Robert Watt. Ironically, Prunk may not be involved despite being the biggest resident trainer, as she has no entries in the Derby and most of her charges are too highly rated to take part in the low-grade supporting races. Instead, she will continue to ply her trade exclusively on foreign fields, particularly at Kincsem Park, in Budapest, and in Bratislava, which is less than 50 miles from Ebreichsdorf. “You have to chase up any prize-money you win in Hungary or Slovakia, and usually you have to wait until February of the next year to get paid,” she reveals. “But I love Kincsem Park, where the races are good, the track is good and the stewards are fair. “Bratislava is less welcoming, they don’t seem to like foreign horses there and you automatically get drawn on the outside. I’ve tried to object a few times after one of my horses has suffered interference but the stewards won’t listen, they just slam the door in my face.”
Bad news for British raiders TURKEY The Turkish Jockey Klub’s unavoidable decision to ban European horses from its Istanbul International Racing Festival, which takes place at Veliefendi on the first weekend in September, will leave a big hole in the coffers of a number of British trainers. The reason for the ban was the discovery last autumn of a case of the highly infectious Glanders Disease among horses used to pull the carriages aboard the motor vehicle-free Princes’ Islands, which are just about visible from the top of the Veliefendi grandstands and are oases of unpolluted air in the Sea Of Marmara, just off the coast of this throbbing metropolis. As soon as the case was verified in December, the European Union stopped allowing the free movement of horses in and out of Istanbul and that measure will remain in place until October 1. This Veliefendi fixture has long been a goldmine for British visitors. In each of the last four years they have won at least four of its five international events (it was a full house in 2015) and not since 2008 have they gone home with less than half a million pounds worth of Turkish lira. The apogee came in 2009 – when foreigners were allowed in only four races but the prize-money was even better than it is now – and the Brits plundered a remarkable £1.28 million. Robbed of the chance to see topclass visitors from western Europe, Turkish race fans at least have a star of their own to look forward to as Hep Beraber is on the cusp of completing the Turkish Triple Crown. After a three-and-a-half-length victory in the 2,000 Guineas, he extended that winning margin to four lengths in the Gazi Derby, in the process allowing his jockey, Ahmet Celik, to become the first rider to win four consecutive Derbies. The third and final leg takes place over a mile and three-quarters in Ankara on September 22.
Pretorian, a British-bred son of Sakhee’s Secret, has been one of Prunk’s stable stars
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Around The Globe
Monomoy Girl, here winning the Kentucky Oaks under Florent Geroux, is the stable star for trainer Brad Cox
Cox rows into upper echelons NORTH AMERICA By Steve Andersen
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n 30 years, Brad Cox has travelled about two city blocks – and to the top of American horseracing. Cox grew up on Evelyn Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, which is about 500 feet south of the entrance to the stable area at Churchill Downs. The same barn area is the base of Cox’s growing training operation, which is in the midst of its best season in 2018. In May, Cox, 37, won his first American Classic when Monomoy Girl won the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Monomoy Girl later won the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park in June and the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in late July. Those wins have essentially clinched her status as the champion three-year-old filly of 2018. “People train a lifetime and don’t have a chance to have a horse like that,” Cox said in late July. Monomoy Girl will be the first champion for Cox, who has more than 100 horses in training. Cox has built a stable expected to operate at the highest level of American racing in coming years. In the summer, Cox had runners at Saratoga in upstate New York, Ellis Park in western Kentucky and Indiana Grand, near Indianapolis. Kentucky racing at Churchill Downs and Keeneland are a focus in the spring and
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autumn. In the winters, the stable migrates south to Fair Grounds in New Orleans and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Through August 1, Cox’s stable had earned $8.16 million with 153 wins from 521 starters. Cox was far behind national leader Steve Asmussen, who led with $17.9m. By comparison, Cox’s stable won 204 races and earned a career-best $8.8m in all of 2017.
“People train a lifetime and don’t have a horse like Monomoy Girl” “We’ve been getting horses and great owners who have trusted us with higherpriced stock,” Cox said. “It gives us more opportunities. I’m very pleased with what our team has accomplished. We’ve got employees that are very dedicated to what we do and I know that is why we’ve been successful.” Cox’s stable ranked sixth in earnings in the United States as of August 1. A position in the top five by the end of the year will depend on how several of the leading runners in the stable perform in some of the nation’s biggest races, such as the Breeders’
Cup at Churchill Downs on November 2-3. Monomoy Girl could easily start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff as a filly capable of challenging the brilliant four-year-old Unique Bella, the winner of Grade 1 races at Santa Anita and Del Mar this year. For Cox, training thoroughbreds has been a plan since he tagged along to Churchill Downs with his father in the late 1980s. He took a greater interest in the sport in the early 1990s and worked in the Churchill Downs stables as a teenager. Cox spent several years as an assistant to Dallas Stewart before starting on his own in 2004. A father of three, Cox had his first stakes winner in Iowa in 2005. Monomoy Girl is his first Grade 1 winner. The stable cracked $1m in earnings in 2014 and has grown rapidly in subsequent seasons. Since the start of 2017, the stable has earned $16.9m, nearly half of his career total of $34.08m. Cox trains Monomoy Girl for Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stable. He has stakes runners for a diverse list of clients including Calumet Farm, China Horse Club, Flurry Racing Stable, Klein Racing, Medallion Racing and Shortleaf Stable, to name a few. They have provided Cox with capital to participate at a higher level at yearling and two-year-olds in-training sales. “I don’t see it slowing down,” Cox said. “We’re trying to get better and stronger every year, and every month for that matter. Our simple goal is trying to get better all the time.”
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The Worldwide Racing Scene
Mix of joy and sadness within stallion circles AUSTRALIA By Danny Power
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ot surprisingly, Winx’s trainer Chris Waller and regular jockey Hugh Bowman dominated the Group 1-winning lists at the end of the racing season, which concluded on July 31. Waller clocked in with 13 Group 1 wins, taking his tally to 84, which places him seventh on the all-time list of Group 1-winning trainers, headed by the late Bart Cummings, who trained 246, three more than his contemporary Tommy Smith (243). Bowman’s seasonal tally was nine, which takes him to 75, which is ninth on the all-time list, headed by current veteran and champion jockey Damien Oliver on 109 and the late George Moore on 105. Winx, winner of 18 Group 1 races in her 25-win unbeaten sequence, contributed six of Waller’s and Bowman’s season tally. Star stallion Snitzel (by Redoute’s Choice) won his second general sires’ title, topping the earnings (almost $30 million) and the winners lists (173). Snitzel, 16, who stands at Arrowfield Stud, Scone in NSW, has had his fee increased to $A220,000 (inc. GST) – from $176,000 – for the upcoming breeding season. The leading first-season sire titles were split between the exciting Zoustar (by Encosta De Lago’s late son Northern Meteor) and the unlikely Queenslander Spirit Of Boom (by Sequalo), who has taken the breeding game by storm. Zoustar was recently purchased outright by Antony Thompson’s Widden Stud, NSW, and a syndicate of backers after Widden shared him in alternate seasons with Victoria’s Woodside Park, Tylden, who partowned the young stallion. Extremely quick filly Sunlight was one of three stakes winners for Zoustar, who topped the earnings list with A$3.2 million; Spirit Of Boom, who stands at Eureka Stud on Queeensland’s Darling Downs, sired the most winners with 18, including five stakes winners. Zoustar’s 2018 fee is A$60,500, up from A$44,000 (although nominations were sold at A$33,000), and Spirit Of Boom’s fee has increased dramatically, from
before finishing fourth in the 2010 Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill behind Crystal Lily, when in the care of Gerald Ryan. He was syndicated to stand at Arthur and Harry Mitchell’s Yarraman Park, where he was born and raised, in 2011 for a fee of $16,500. His profile as a stallion gradually built and at the time of his death he had sired 13 stakes winners, including the multiple Group 1 victor Press Statement (standing at Vinery Stud) from his first crop. Harry Mitchell said everyone at the farm was devastated at the death of the young stallion. “He’s been a special horse for us and we believed in him from the start,” he said. “He wasn’t an easy horse to get going as he was not the most fertile, but he kept proving himself and getting that good horse,. “It just breaks your heart, but it’s something that happens. It happened to Northern Meteor and it happened to Scat Daddy. As sad as it is, you have to regroup and move on.” The Mitchells also stand the star stallion I Am Invincible (by Invincible Spirit) and his first-season Group 1-winning son Hellbent.
A$11,000 to A$55,000. In disappointing news for Australian breeding, Hinchinbrook, who was a stallion on the rise, died in July after breaking a hind leg in a paddock accident at Yarraman Park Stud. Hinchinbrook, by Fastnet Rock and a half-brother to Snitzel, was only ten and had his fee boosted to A$55,000 after a strong season of results that included the outstanding filly Seabrook, winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick in April. Hinchinbrook, who broke down while preparing for the 2011 Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot when trained by Peter Moody, didn’t win at the highest level, but he was multiple Group 1-placed and he won at Group 3 level as a juvenile
Zoustar: one of the most exciting and in-demand sires in Australia
Leading first-season stallions Stallion
Stud
Winners (SW)
Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo)
Eureka Qld
18 (5)
Zoustar (Northern Meteor)
Widden NSW
10 (3)
Sizzling (Snitzel)
Newgate NSW
9 (0)
Epaulette (Commands)
Darley NSW
6 (2)
Shamus Award (Snitzel)
Widden NSW
6 (0)
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Racing Life
Glorious Girl Power Sarah Rodrigues talks to Katie Forrest, the dynamic winner of this year’s Magnolia Cup at Goodwood
Katie Forrest streaking to victory in this year’s Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood, which precedes racing on the Thursday
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elebrating women and their achievements should always be high on the agenda, but this year - one hundred years since women were granted the right to vote - female successes seem especially wonderful, even more so when they take place in arenas perhaps more commonly dominated by men. Katie Forrest is unquestionably a lady worth celebrating. The winner of this year’s Magnolia Cup, a women’s only charity race held at Goodwood’s ladies’ day on August 2, she embodies a passion and drive for everything she tackles that’s nothing short of inspirational. Riders in this year’s Magnolia Cup wore bespoke silks by Iranian/Swedish fashion designer and women’s rights activist Morvarid Sahafi, and it was sponsored for the second year running by Swarovski, whose work around
female empowerment has taken them from the United Nations to The Fashion Awards. The Cup has raised over £1.2 million for a range of causes in the eight years since its inception; this year the beneficiary was Cancer Research UK - a cause that struck deep with Katie as both of her parents had, in the past few years, been diagnosed with varying forms of the disease. Katie tells a story that won’t be unfamiliar to many whose loved ones have been diagnosed. She says: “I felt helpless. I’m not a doctor; what could I do other than offer my love and support? The prospect of raising money for the cause seemed like an outlet into which I could at least pour my love for my parents.” Unfortunately, by the time she found out about the race, the riders had already been selected. “I begged
and begged for a place; I sent emails to every random Goodwood address but I had no joy until someone dropped out shortly before the race and a place became available,” says Katie. The Magnolia Cup doesn’t require the participating women to have had a lifetime of experience with horses; indeed, some have never sat on a horse before gaining a place - like Sarah Ayton, Olympic sailing champion, who competed in 2017 on Archangel, despite having absolutely no experience of riding beyond her preparation for the Cup. Katie wasn’t quite in that boat, having ridden since childhood - “but racehorses are such a completely different proposition,” she admits - and as such, she had to prepare harder than she has ever prepared for anything in her life, hitting the gym every night and riding out every morning, with her day job as
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Goodwood an interior designer - she is a partner at Surrey-based interior design firm The Edit Design Agency - sandwiched between the two. With just six weeks between learning that she could ride in the event and the fitness test to determine her capability for it, and then another six weeks between that and the race, Katie didn’t have a great deal of time to prepare and she credits much of her readiness to George Baker who, together with his wife Candida, offered her no end of support, encouragement and, critically, belief. Baker’s training facility is just down the road from Katie’s family home, to which she has returned from London in order to be close to her parents. “George and Candida were incredible,” she says. “I could not have won without the months of support and help they’ve given me. They really welcomed me into their team and I feel so lucky to have been based with them I owe them so much.” Part of the Bakers’ incredible support of Katie’s bid for the Cup was arranging for her to ride her winning horse, Harry Hurricane. Having ridden about ten different horses - of all ages, levels, and abilities - during her daily practice sessions, she didn’t know which horse she’d be riding on raceday. “The trainer will assess the rider in relation to the horses and then approach the owners to ask if they’ll allow the horse to be ridden,” explains Katie. “When you consider the expense involved in owning and training a racehorse, it’s really an extraordinary leap of faith to allow an unknown to ride.” Katie had heard of Harry Hurricane but had never ridden him. Seven days before the race, Candida George told her that Harry was the horse she’d be riding in the Cup - and Katie burst into tears. “‘Even when I was younger, competing in dressage and showjumping, I’ve always been the type to be quite anxious before an event,” she says. “Right up until learning I had Harry, I was still wondering whether I had the bottle to go through with the race but as of that moment my anxiety just melted away. I was still nervous, but it was so amazing to think that his owners, and the Bakers, had put so much trust in me, it was incredibly empowering and confidence-inspiring.” Does she have the racing bug now? “I can’t stop,” she admits. “I may not compete again, but I’ve continued to ride out at George Baker’s several mornings a week.”
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Katie hugs Harry Hurricane following their triumph at Goodwood This new craving for speed may find a happy marriage with Katie’s other love, cars. Having won on horseback at Goodwood, she has now set her sights on also conquering the track in a racing car. Growing up with a car-loving father, who took delivery of a vintage 1912 Rolls Royce Ghost when Katie was a child (it
had previously belonged to a Maharaja and was dubbed Nellie, “because she was big, grey and came from India”), cars have always been a part of Katie’s life - but it was only when her father, too weak from chemotherapy to drive in a tour he’d helped to organise, asked her to be his co-pilot, that she got behind the wheel for the first time.
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Katie and her family’s Vintage Rolls, Nellie, won last year’s Concours of Elegance
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Racing Life
Goodwood
There’s an exquisite attention to detail in both classic cars and luxury timepieces
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In a manner that won’t surprise anyone who witnessed the all-or-nothing yet relatively last-minute effort she put into riding at Goodwood, she took Nellie for a few short spins in some of the lanes close to her home - she estimates that she had two half-hour crash course sessions - and then set off on a trip of just under 1,000 miles with her dad, for which she was, for the majority of the distance, the driver. Like the difference between riding a dressage horse and a racehorse, Katie soon learned that knowing how to drive a car had scarcely prepared her for driving Nellie. “There was a lot of crunching and clanking of gears at first,’ she admits. “But my dad was so wonderful and patient, and eventually it does click. I spent so much energy trying to correct the steering with every bump and pothole but then I learned that if you just let Nellie dance, she’ll go as straight as an arrow. She performs just brilliantly.” That first spin in Nellie was in spring 2016; since then Katie has become a member of the VSCC (Vintage Sports Car Club) and has won several cups and prizes. “For a car that’s designed for smooth, efficient, long-distance drives, I’ve certainly ripped it around a bit,” laughs Katie. “Hills, sprints, you name it - but I believe these beautiful cars are there to be driven, to be used, to be experienced. I’m always inviting people into the passenger seat, to immerse themselves in her and enjoy her. Showing her off is such a privilege.”
In summer 2017, Katie, driving Nellie, won the Concours of Elegance - and in the inevitable come-down following her Goodwood win, she’s been overjoyed to have the 2018 event to focus on. “I’m definitely something of a perfectionist when I commit to something,” she acknowledges. “Before the event last year, I must have polished
“This was along the same principles of gears, weights and balances - but shrunk down to such a microscopic scale” Nellie solidly for about two weeks! It’s a relief to have her to focus on after the high of the Magnolia Cup.” Held from August 31 to September 2, Hampton Court Palace is the
location for the Concours of Elegance, a contest bringing together a selection of 60 of the rarest cars from around the world, many of which will never before have been seen in the UK. This year, luxury watch brand A. Lange & Söhne is partnering with the event for the first time, a partnership that has its roots in the attention to detail embodied in the mechanics of both cars and timepieces. “Ultimate craftsmanship, technical innovation and timeless elegance are the key values behind the Concours of Elegance and A. Lange & Söhne’s approach to watchmaking,” says Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid. “Car and watch connoisseurs are united by their passion for technology and art.” Katie agrees wholeheartedly - having been invited out to the watchmaker’s ‘manufactory’ in Germany to learn more about the brand, she was stunned by the minute precision required in the making of the watches. “Nellie’s mechanics are extraordinary, and this was along the same principles of gears, weights and balances - but shrunk down to such a microscopic scale,” she says. “The passion of every member of the team was extraordinary to witness.” A. Lange & Söhne’s brand new timepiece, the 1815 Tourbillon, was showcased at this year’s Concours. A limited edition - only 100 have been made - it appeared for the very first time in the UK on August 31.
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Longines Awards
Legendary partnership honoured The Magnier family and Aidan O’Brien are presented with the 2018 International Award of Merit in Dublin, writes Sarah Rodrigues
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ongines have packed a lot into the past month or so, including the UK leg of the Global Champions Tour, which was held in the unique and historic grounds of London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century. Scott Brash, who won team gold at the 2012 Olympics - also held in the capital - had yet another London success, achieving his second straight victory in this stage of the event, with his horse Hello Mr President winning the seven-horse jump-off in a time of 38.88 seconds. Fellow Olympic team rider Ben Maher, on Explosion W, also competed on the day. Having won second place in 2017, he this year came fourth thanks to a dropped pole at the penultimate fence, but still remained the overall LGCT winner at the event’s end. Later in August, Dublin was the location for the presentation of the 2018 International Award of Merit, which was awarded to the Magnier family and trainer Aidan O’Brien. Longines is the official watch and official partner of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and this partnership was created by the two bodies to honour the outstanding contributions of public figures to the world of horseracing. Although Longines and the IFHA award a number of other prizes in recognition of horseracing excellence throughout the year, this one, held on August 14, coincided with the launch of the 2018 Longines Irish Champions Weekend, which is to be held at Leopardstown on September 15 and at the Curragh on September 16. The recipients of this year’s Award have long been renowned as the driving forces behind Coolmore and the Ballydoyle racing stable, an
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On his family’s behalf, MV Magnier accepts a special version of the Longines Equestrian Pocket watch from Juan-Carlos Cappelli, Longines VP of Marketing operation that first joined together in the 1970s, with The Minstrel their first significant winner in the 1977 Epsom Derby. The partnership’s first major homebred was Sadler’s Wells, an inimitable racehorse who, by the time he died in 2011, had sired 73 Group 1 winners and had been champion sire in 14 of the 15 years following 1990 - the
only exception being in 1991, when another Coolmore resident took that place. Speaking at the International Award of Merit ceremony, Vice-President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, Juan-Carlos Capelli, said: “Our brand, and myself personally, have had the pleasure to witness a great number of this illustrious family and trainer’s exceptional performances and to reward them very often with Longines timepieces. “It is an honour to host this ceremony in a country where horse is king and where the horseracing industry has such an important impact on its economy, culture and history.” IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet added: “The Magnier family and trainer Aidan O’Brien have built a stunningly powerful partnership on a truly global scale. The success of the Coolmore and Ballydoyle team is so ubiquitous in both Ireland and abroad that it would be impossible to list all of their accomplishments here today. “It has been a privilege to have both the Magnier and O’Brien families here as we celebrate their contributions to horseracing.”
Left to right: Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland; Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman; Aidan O’Brien, trainer; MV Magnier, Coolmore; Juan Carlos Capelli, Longines, VP of Marketing; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
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Racing Life
Accessories
THREE THINGS Sarah Rodrigues looks at new objects of desire TUMI
AW18 sees the launch of the new V3 collection in galvanised silver from Tumi, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories. As life becomes more fast paced, fewer and fewer of us are willing to spend time by a baggage carousel when we could already be outside, hailing a taxi. This, plus the fact that airlines are increasingly charging for hold luggage, means that never before has our cabin baggage been so important to us - not only in terms of how it functions, but also in terms of the style statement it makes. The new V3 collection is the lightest-ever hardside luggage offering from the brand and promises to set new standards for travel, with its attention to design and technology, which deftly walks the line between structure, strength, performance and aerodynamics. Constructed from a multi-layer polycarbonate shell, the luggage is incredibly tough and able to withstand impact without creating weight or bulk, and the material’s flexibility and contours ensure maximum resistance to cold impact cracking, as well as to showing signs of wear. Other features? Integrated low-profile TSA locks, TUMI Tracer®, retractable moulded top and side carry handles,
and a patented X-Brace 45® telescoping handle system crafted from aircraftgrade aluminium, plus four dual-spinning recessed wheels for optimum mobility all combine to make your trip seamless. The V3 carry-on suitcase in galvanized silver print is priced at £445.00
processes are repeated several times to ensure the evenness of the enamel and only then is the dial polished so that the delicate pattern emerges and a perfect, smooth surface is achieved, revealing a face of deep, soulful blue that mirrors that of the seas surrounding Japan.
SEIKO
There’s no doubt that coffee can achieve miracles - just ask almost anyone after they’ve imbibed their magical first cup of the morning. Now Caran d’Ache are taking the alchemy one step further by producing a new limited edition of their classic 849 pen, crafted from the aluminum of recycled Nespresso capsules. Regularly reinvented by the Swiss firm in the form of special and limited editions, this understated design classic has employed the coffee giant’s Darkhan capsule (which in itself creates a wonderfully rich and satisfying brew, for those who are yet to try it!) for the barrel which, with its dark slate blue colour, gives the pen an even more sophisticated and elegantly unisex appearance. The hexagonal body makes for a smooth and comfortable writing experience, while the steel tip with rotating tungsten carbide ballpoint ensures a clean text line over the upto-600 pages of A4 that one single ink cartridge can produce. Available from thefowndry.com.
Combining the exquisite detail of traditional Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship with the intricacies and skill of mechanical watchmaking, Seiko’s 2018 Presage collection includes the Shippo Enamel Limited Edition. Shippo is a type of enamel developed
CARAN D’ACHE
in Japan in the 17th century and is primarily distinct from porcelain enamel in terms of how it is polished after firing - a process that takes on a particular level of care and challenge when dealing with a watch dial that’s no more than 1mm high. Made by Ando Cloisonne, a specialist manufacturer in Nagoya with over 100 years of history, the Presage Shippo enamel dial is then hand painted by craftsman Wataru Totani. To ensure that the dials comply with Seiko’s high ecological and safety standards as well as the EU’s RoHS Directive, he uses a lead-free glaze, which has been specifically developed for these watches, before firing the dial at 800 degrees celsius. The painting and firing
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Property
Cool Change Sarah Rodrigues looks at a selection of hot properties, where opportunities for cooling off abound
Emerge from the cool stone of this chateau to the shade of the garden or the refreshing waters of the river
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t’s been a long hot summer and, according to scientists, this may well end up being a regular occurrence in the UK. If you don’t fancy leaving next summer’s temperatures to chance, however, then the approach of autumn is probably the ideal time to turn your attention to securing your own place in the sun, complete with easy access to water, so that cooling down is a breeze. French property experts French Entree are marketing a range of such properties in France, including a chateau on a riverbank in Gourdon. Priced at €609,000, not only will its solid 15th century stone walls keep you from overheating, but there’s also a pool in the grounds, outdoor terraces and balconies for alfresco dining, plus vast, lushly planted gardens for shade-seekers. Entering through the carved front entrance, the sight of the spiral staircase that links all of the chateau’s four floors immediately transports you to medieval times, as do the huge stone fireplaces and exposed beams on almost every floor, but the chateau has been impressively restored to modern standards. Spread over about 350 square metres of living space, there are four bedrooms, as well as kitchen, drawing room, dining room and library, plus two large cellars including, of course, one for wine
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The river runs through the grounds of this restored property, allowing direct access stores - after all, you need somewhere to keep your supplies of Chablis ready for those balmy evenings. No less harmonious is a beautifully renovated miller’s house in Charente, which is set on nearly six hectares of land through which the river actually runs, allowing direct access for both swimming and fishing. On the market at €480,000, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus two reception areas, including an enormous vaulted-ceiling living room that opens straight out on the terrace, from which there are wonderful views. Exposed beams, traditional tiles and a stone staircase are features, but contemporary touches like double glazing and under-floor heating have also been incorporated for all-season climate control. There’s a garage and
Compact apartment living in an enviable river setting, this property has a communal pool within its grounds
barn within the grounds, and shops are just five minutes away. If you’re the sort to pray for good weather, then where better to do it than in a converted monastery? With two bedrooms and a ground floor location, there’s a €199,000 apartment on the market in Vendée, which is known as one of the soughtafter ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’; popular with artists for its quaint beauty. Located opposite a Romanesque church, there’s a large swimming pool in the communal grounds, as well as seven hectares of landscaped gardens with views of the river, plus direct access with private fishing and jetty - so there’s no end of ways to keep cool in the summer, whether on the bank or in a boat. For those whose sun-chasing leads them even further south, a new development in Mallorca grants incredible sea views and direct beach access in under 200 metres, as well as a communal pool and gardens. Dubbed Royal Blue, the 17 homes in the modern, Med-style development each comprise three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as large terraces for the enjoying of a sundowner. Developed by Taylor Wimpey Spain, the properties are available from €380,000. frenchentree.com taylorwimpeyspain.com
Feast your eyes on that blue: this modern development in Mallorca is named after the colours of its stunning views
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Racing Life
Gieves & Hawkes AW18 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 Rake magazine. Follow him on Instagram at @chrismodoo
tailoring at Gieves & Hawkes is excellent; over the last few years, many of the traditional brands have tried too hard to be ‘younger’ and produce clothing that would appear too small on a young teenager with skinny, short jackets that pull around the waist. Gieves cuts are intelligent, appropriate and flattering; they probably make the best ready-to-wear suits on Savile Row today. Being proper tailors, they are also
able to offer a full alteration service. It is well worth the time and expense of having your ready-made suits altered. Autumn Winter ’18 looks to be a vintage year for the brand. John Harrison has created a collection that celebrates the naval heritage in a playful and modern way; there are also some very clever technical pieces in the outerwear, but the strongest part of the collection is the smart-casual. This has always been the most difficult part of the wardrobe for the gentleman with classic taste, as the options have been limited. But not only are Gieves offering excellent less formal pieces, they are illustrating how even suits can be interpreted in a more casual way. The colour palette is masculine and autumnal, with English navy, deep royal blue and maroon, highlighted with cream, tobacco and ginger. The maroon double-breasted flannel suit is the perfect example of this. Executed in a rich, soft woollen flannel, it is a refreshing update on the classic grey flannel. The jacket can be worn as a blazer with odd trousers in cotton moleskin or corduroy, and the trousers can be worn with knitwear. The colour is remarkably
Black tie done properly with the added opulence of a fur-collared topcoat
The nautical heritage of Gieves is celebrated in this ‘rope striped’ suit
Gieves & Hawkes shearling coat for sophisticated casual dressing
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avile Row is famous all over the globe for offering the best in handmade bespoke tailoring - and standing proudly on its corner is the magnificent No.1 Savile Row, the home of Gieves & Hawkes. They are the complete gentleman’s outfitter and, as well as the tailor-made services, they offer the best selection of ready-made clothing in the West End. Gieves & Hawkes can dress a gentleman for all formal and business occasions - right down to the collar stud. Although they have a tailoring heritage that stretches back to 1785 and 1771, the tailoring houses of Gieves & Hawkes merged only in 1974. Hawkes have been in residence at No.1 Savile Row since 1912, when they acquired the address from the Royal Geographical Society. Gieves Ltd were, and still are, a leading military tailor, supplying uniforms for officers of the Royal Navy and numerous services from overseas. Today, under the skilful eye of creative director John Harrison, they are creating pieces that complement the wardrobes and lifestyles of the modern gentleman: clothing that is stylish and elegant for the man who is not afraid to be considered fashionable. The fit of the
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Fashion versatile and can be worn with shirts in cream, lilac or sky blue. It is the ideal suit for more festive occasions when your navy or charcoal suit would be too corporate. It also combines superbly with knitwear and works perfectly with a dark red roll neck. On colder days, the raglan sleeved tweed overcoat will keep the wearer equally warm and stylish. Woven in Scotland to an exclusive pattern, it would be ideal for a winter raceday and looks as good with a suit as it does with a sweater and jeans. On the subject of jeans, Gieves & Hawkes also offer the ubiquitous denim trouser. As you would expect, they have sourced the best Japanese denim, made on a traditional loom and woven with a selvedge. In a practical sense, this means they are made with good-quality fabric that will improve with age - but it also means you have the luxury of buying your jeans from a proper shop in a sensible fit. As you might expect from a brand with nautical links, they offer an excellent peacoat. Realised in navy shearling it will last years and is the perfect casual winter coat that is both versatile and practical. They also offer clean-cut technical blousons and, for the more adventurous, a Prince-of-Wales checked greatcoat. Gieves & Hawkes are the master of formal wear and are a one-stop shop for all your dresswear. They stock white tie
The perfect camel cardigan for cooler weather
Gieves & Hawkes greatcoats add colour to your winter wardrobe
and have dressed many a gentleman in morning dress for an appointment at the palace. With all three Royal Warrants, they know how to do things properly. For AW18, they are offering an exquisite shawl collared evening suit in the blackest of fine worsted wools and offer a satin bow tie to match the lapels. They even have a fur-collared evening coat to keep off the chill on the way to the event. As an elegant alternative to traditional black tie, Harrison has created an evening jacket in a blue silk jacquard design,
based on the tentacles of an octopus. It can be worn with traditional accessories or dressed-down with a merino crew neck. This is the perfect outfit for Christmas drinks when traditional black tie is too formal and a suit is too stuffy. It is cool, sophisticated and grown up. Gieves & Hawkes have branches across the UK as well as a comprehensive online offering - but I would strongly recommend a trip to No.1 Savile Row to enjoy a piece of sartorial history. www.gievesandhawkes.com
LE CHAMEAU For anyone looking for the best in rubber boots that are comfortable, stylish and fit for purpose, they should seek out Le Chameau. Founded in 1927 by Claude Chamot, Le Chameau is French for The Camel, a name inspired when Claude Chamot opened a rubber boot factory in Casablanca in 1949. Today Le Chameau still handcraft rubber boots from a factory in Morocco. In addition, Le Chameau has launched an innovative range of waterproof and breathable leather boots. The sheer range of product from Le Chameau is impressive
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and they make the perfect boot for stalking, shooting, agricultural purposes and general countryside wear. As well as being made by fully trained artisans in a traditional manner, they also embrace modern technology and offer neoprene lining for comfort and durability. Each sole of a pair of Le Chameau boots is designed to provide maximum grip and comfort. Their Prestige collection uses ChamoluxTM rubber, which is a closely guarded recipe and process, but it is this material that affords the boots unparalleled fit and durability.
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Supremely practical, they also feature an anti-fatigue, dual density all-terrain grip that is both shock-absorbing and insulating. The reinforced shank offers superior arch support and protects against fatigue. Le Chameau boots are not the cheapest on the market but they are well-made and will last if properly cared for. Each pair of boots comes with a twoyear guarantee against manufacturing defects. They are available in a wide range of sizes for both men and women and are a regular at game fairs. In addition to having an excellent website that helps you to select the right product from their vast selection, they also stock cleaning products and accessories. www.lechameau.com
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Trainer focus
David versus
GOLIATHS David Marnane’s Tipperary location may not be the ideal spot from which to take on the powerhouse stables in Ireland but as results have shown, he is more than capable of landing a big pot with the right horse Interview: Jessica Lamb
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here are things David Marnane has achieved that no champion trainer has, with a fraction of the resources available. Does that make the Royal Ascot winner better than a champion trainer? It certainly suggests he has the skills to be competing in that bracket. Yet he’s not. “When we get the horse, we know what to do with it – and I think we’ve proven that,” he says. “I don’t see us as competing against the likes of Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld. I take a different view; we’re trying to run our own show here, and I’m not interested in what they’re doing. “Do I want to be champion trainer? There’s always the aspiration to be bigger. We’re very ambitious and with support we can compete successfully at home and abroad – our record demonstrates that. But we have only ever had around 20-30 horses. That’s the issue.” It is a feature of the Irish racing landscape that a trainer of Marnane’s considerable ability and international success is just a sidebar on the domestic scene. Despite consistent, quality results at the Dubai Carnival, being the only Irish trainer to win the Portland Handicap or Victoria Cup in the past 50 years, and being the first Irish handler in 27 years to take the Wokingham Handicap, Marnane’s numbers remain static. Even
after Settle For Bay won him his second Royal Ascot trophy in June, when battling back from a fractured pelvis to win the Royal Hunt Cup. That was a perfect example of the skill Marnane and his team have in executing plans, the piece of weaponry that sets them apart. “We had Settle For Bay pencilled in for last year’s Britannia, but when he got injured we had to put him away for nearly all of his three-year-old year,”
“We’re trying to run our own show here, I’m not interested in what others are doing” he says. “We brought him back on the all-weather in the autumn, and once we saw him start to progress, we knew we had a well-handicapped horse when he got to a mark of around 99 at Christmas. “The Royal Hunt Cup then was on our minds and we began working back from there.”
Settle For Bay won all four of his starts over a mile at Dundalk. He took a break from January to May, then finished fourth in a seven-furlong handicap at Leopardstown, before heading straight to Royal Ascot for a two-and-a-quarter length win in the race that Marnane set out to win six months earlier. “It’s hard to get an unexposed horse into those races nowadays, as the minimum rating is about 98 or 99,” he said. “Settle For Bay was probably unexposed because we hadn’t gotten to the end of him, due to his injury. “We bought him for €35,000 as a big, gangly yearling. He was a fine horse at 16.3hh, with scope to improve physically for years. “Sometimes they can stay ahead of the handicapper by their physical development; as the handicapper puts weight on, you’ve got to improve physically.” He added: “I think they can also improve through learning, especially in sprinting. It’s about learning how to do it in that game, and that can take a horse a long time.” The secret to being good at anything is enjoying it. The secret to being one of the best is loving it. Marnane has an outlook that meshes seamlessly with the style of big handicap plotting. “Being around horses is the number one reason I do this,” he says. “No doubt about that. Looking at horses
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David Marnane
David Marnane with Settle For Bay at Royal Ascot, where a long-held plan to win the Royal Hunt Cup came to fruition
every day, and looking for the next good one, and plotting a course for them – that’s why I’m here. “You’re always looking forward. Even if you have a Royal Ascot winner, as soon as they’ve crossed the line you’re thinking, ‘Where is he going next?’ “I really enjoy that, and I enjoy owners who enjoy racing. It’s not an easy game, but it is such an exciting sport. We love sharing that.” The stable’s runners will be travelling again this winter, with Settle For Bay on course to recover from a stone bruise in time for the Dubai Carnival. It is a
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familiar routine, but Marnane wants more. “In an ideal world I’d like to have 50 horses in training,” he said. “I think one of the biggest barriers we have is location – being down in Tipperary as opposed to on the Curragh or in Newmarket. It’s frustrating, because when people come into our yard, see the facilities – and get a good breakfast – more often than not, they will get involved.” An initiative pushing towards that goal is Marnane’s innovative all-in yearling syndicates; ten members pay
one annual fee to own a pool of two or three yearlings until the end of their two-year-old career. It has recently thrown up Listed-placed Freescape and promising Requinto colt Jarrocho, and will be launching again at the yearling sales this autumn. Marnane adds: “To be honest, we’ve been doing what we do with a limited budget for years. I don’t know, do we buy well or are we just lucky? But what I do know is that we can do this, we want to build, and we just need people to sit up and take notice. Our doors are completely open.”
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Stayers’ project progress report
Stay
WITH ME
From a TBA report in 2015 to a fully-fledged BHA project the following year, the staying-bred horse is being given a greater chance to thrive thanks to concerted and cohesive efforts to improve racing opportunities and prize-money Words: Emma Berry
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hen Flat racing comes in for criticism, it is usually connected to the fact that the sport’s stars are seldom around long enough to achieve the hero status often afforded the topclass jumpers. In the staying division, however, this is not the case. Over the years, plenty of racing fans have come to worship names such as Persian Punch, Double Trigger, Yeats and Big Orange. Now, of course, we have a new star in our midst in Bjorn Nielsen’s homebred Stradivarius, whose extraordinary achievements this season have included him netting a massive bonus on top of his prize-money of more than £1.3 million by winning the inaugural Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million. Despite the popularity of these horses among racegoers, there remains a massive disconnect in the breeding sheds and the sales rings, where staying-bred yearlings are often bought for relatively little or, worse still, marked ‘return to vendor’. Those horses which are eventually given a chance to shine at the races and who show decent form at a mile and a half or more are often snapped up for export overseas. That’s good business for those owners selling on, often for six-figure sums, but not such good news when it comes to the increasing depletion of Britain’s staying stock. In early 2015, the TBA issued a ‘call to action’ to the racing industry following a commissioned report which showed the British-bred staying horse to be in decline. The then-TBA Chairman Richard
This season’s star stayer Stradivarius en route to winning the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at the Glorious meeting
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Lancaster said at the time: “This research was commissioned as a result of two triggers: the European Pattern Committee downgrading the Queen’s Vase, and then the Bahrain Trophy being put on the ‘at risk’ list. Both deliver a worrying picture that the staying Pattern and black-type programme is under threat and, as a consequence, the stayer is in decline.” In a heartening example of the industry working in harmony on an issue which had the potential to damage not just the racing programme but a huge chunk of the reputation on which British breeding is built, the TBA put forward a number of recommendations to the BHA, including increasing the number of maidens for the offspring of middle-distances sires as wells as 12-furlong-plus races for fillies. The BHA swiftly took up the baton, at once initiating consultation which led to the launch of a stayers’ project the following year. This has already helped to make notable improvements to the racing opportunities for middle-distance and staying horses of varying ages and abilities.
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“It’s important for British racing that it has a diversity of product” Philip Newton: BHA was an ‘open door’
TBA board member Philip Newton says: “We identified that there was an issue, the report confirmed all that we feared. It’s absolutely important for British racing that it has a diversity of product. “So we took it to the BHA. They were an open door, and they were both creative and cooperative. The great thing about this is that it’s an industry initiative, not one person should be taking credit for this. But between us we have put the infrastructure into the racing programme that can develop and encourage the middledistance horse.” This encouragement has come on a raft of enhanced incentives for middle-distance and staying horses of varying ages and abilities. The previously demoted Queen’s Vase has now been upgraded to a Group 2, albeit the distance was shortened by two furlongs to a mile and six furlongs. The Goodwood Cup has been a Group 1 contest for the last two seasons, while the Lillie Langtry Stakes has been upgraded to a Group 2, and the March Stakes and Silver Cup are both now Group 3 races. Furthermore, this season York launched the new Group 3 Bronte Cup, run over a mile and six furlongs for fillies and mares. In the spring, Weatherbys Hamilton launched its Stayers’ Million series. The odd eyebrow was raised at the time as some suggested it was an almost unattainable pot of gold, but Stradivarius has very swiftly dismissed that notion, remaining spotless throughout a season which has seen him return triumphant from winning post to winner’s enclosure in the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup. Outside Pattern class, changes to the 2018 staying programme have included York’s historic Ebor Handicap receiving a prize-money boost to £500,000, with the intention that the race will be worth £1 million next year. The Cesarewitch, too, will be run for £500,000 next month, with further increases to £750,000 and £1 million over the next two years. This season has also seen extra
handicaps being staged at a mile and a half or more, a trial run of two one-milesix-furlong maidens, plus a one-mille-fivefurlong conditions race for three-year-olds at Newbury worth £50,000. For juveniles, there have been extra novice and maiden races with increased prize-money for the progeny of a sire or dam who won over staying and middle-distance trips, plus an increase in the number of ten-furlong maidens. The Zetland Stakes has won back its Listed status and is now worth £40,000. And it doesn’t end there. Between 2018 and 2020, the BHA Development Fund has pledged an investment of £1,894,500 for “races aimed at horses with stamina” alongside extra financial input from the racecourses. “We have a commitment from racecourses to continually invest in this new programme up until at least 2020,” says Ruth Quinn, the BHA’s Director of International Racing and Racing Development. “Obviously, this time next year or a lot earlier than that, probably late spring of 2019, we’ll start the negotiations to get a financial package in place beyond 2020. “I had lots of meetings with trainers throughout the second half of 2016 on the back of the consultation process that I started in 2015. They’re all hugely supportive and offered lots of advice, lots of different opinions about what they would want to see in terms of race programme and alterations. If it looks like there is no positive change in behaviour
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Ruth Quinn: trainers ‘hugely supportive’
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Stayers’ project progress report
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to wait years for this type of horse to make it to the track. Some will, some won’t, but once the horses start racing, the statistics show that as a group they generally have greater longevity and earning potential. “One of the messages that doesn’t get through hard enough is the residual value of the middle-distance horse,” says Newton, himself a breeder in this sector. “It’s significantly more than the faster-bred horses. And the agents say, ‘We’ll buy this little horse, win a couple, and then we’ll sell him to Hong Kong.’ It’s all Hans Christian Anderson stuff most of the time. “The fact that with this new programme, and the new million-pound races coming in, the Ebor and the Cesarewitch, there’s suddenly starting to become an incentive for breeding these horses and keeping • Throughout the pack, distances are often categorised according to the SMILE categories, which are defined them here.” as such: Newton stresses, however, that the Double Trigger: prime example of a horse who had longevity and earnings aplenty TBA is not oblivious to the desires of the most commercial sector of the breeding more, 90% of them ran as two-year-olds of any shape or form two years from industry. He says: “Really, we just need to and 60% won at two. now, then we’ll start the process again manage the production-line efficiently, so “I think that would surprise a fair few and will be asking people, ‘Well, okay, this that we get reds, and blues, and greens, people, though I’m very much aware that isn’t working. What might work instead?’ and yellows, and so that we don’t just every year is different, and that data is But hopefully we won’t have to do that get reds and blues. If we do, we’ll go the probably going to be volatile,” she says. because I think we’ve pretty much put same direction that Australia has done, Potential volatility aside, it is an in place already, or are hoping to put Indexed average prize fund, by distance category and year and that will have a limitation. We don’t encouraging snapshot that gives lie to the in place very shortly, everything that want to provide bias for one or the other, yearling sales moan that owners will have everybody asked for.” The required change in behaviour is Total Prize Funds of course multi-layered but entwined. Fundamentally, breeders need to be Average prize fund, by distance category and year breeding more staying types, but many are reluctant to do so knowing how hard it can be to sell stamina-laden yearlings to a buying group with an increasing focus on speed and precocity. How much the message is getting through to trainers and potential owners will perhaps start to be seen at the forthcoming sales, though other factors, not least a rising foal crop, lacklustre recent breeze-up returns and The stayers’ initiatives introduced recently have seen the %increase in average prize funds of extended races move Brexit concerns between the core trading well above the average, especially for 2018 as highlighted here. nations, may make this sales season shakier than the last. The BHA and TBA have taken a Average prize money won, by distance category and year long-term view on this project but will Average prize funds have been on the rise across the board over the period but there has been a concerted effort to nevertheless be increasing the marketing increase funding aimed at long and extended races in recent years, which means average prize money exceeds any in this area around this autumn’s sales. other distance category. That said, Quinn has been encouraged by some early findings in data from 2017 races which shows that of the horses who won black-type races over 13 furlongs or
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COLOUR KEY TO GRAPHS
= sprint
= mile
= intermediate
= long = extended
As shown in the figures above, there is a greater chance for horses racing over longer trips to win prize money. With increased funding, the disparity between sprinting/mile races and longer trips has grown.
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Stayers’ project progress report Average prize money per run, by distance category and year
Races over long and extended distances offer an increased prize money return per run. A run in a long or extended race in 2017 earnt typically 70% or c.£1000 more than a sprint run.
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not to say that we’re not fully aware of the needs of members who breed commercially and want to breed fast horses. But what we do want to do is educate the owner and the trainer of the opportunities across the scale.” Overall, Newton is encouraged by the cohesive strategy produced by various industry groups, including the British European Breeders’ Fund (BEBF), which has provided financial assistance for the sire- and dam-restricted races. He continues: “The biggest thing and the best thing is the BHA, the industry collectively, have recognised that this is an investment for the next five, ten, 15 years, and that we’re not going to change behaviour immediately. We have to be prepared to accept disappointment in terms of field sizes sometimes, or sometimes a significant amount of prizemoney going to a few horses to get the show on the road. It is going to take time. “The breeders need convincing, and there’s significant financial pressure in that sector – 66% of small breeders lose money. But we’ve got to persuade them to send their mares to staying-bred stallions and we’ve got to persuade stallion owners to stand more stamina-influenced horses. But it can happen only over a five- or ten-year period, so we’ve got to have courage and stick to our guns.” From the BHA’s perspective, the ‘carrot’ for owners and, hopefully, breeders will come in the form of returns on the racecourse. Quinn says: “Anything we can do to increase the prize-money of these races will give us the biggest chance of getting owners and trainers to change their behaviour, and so will helping the TBA to find an effective and meaningful breeders’ incentive to get people to patronise middle-distance sires more. That’s going
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to be something that will drive breeders’ behaviour. “We’ve produced a leaflet detailing all the improvements to the stayers’ programme and prize-money increases which will be available for the sales. We’ve got to keep trying to find different and effective means to tell people about this.” The staying division could hardly have had a better poster boy this season
than Stradivarius, who was a winner before he turned three. Quinn adds: “One of the things that came out of the questionnaire sent out in 2016 was the suggestion to have a big bonus scheme linking some of the key cup races. Weatherbys Hamilton obviously sponsors the Lonsdale and they came to us and said they’d been putting some ideas together. We talked back and forth about some of the races that they were looking to include in the Stayers’ Million. The BHA was very supportive but Weatherbys Hamilton needs a lot of credit for actually pulling it off.” Weatherbys Hamilton does indeed deserve credit, especially having had its big pot plundered in year one. But anyone who owns, breeds and trains racehorses will be aware just how extraordinary are the achievements of Stradivarius. Winning the Stayers’ Million remains a devilishly difficult thing to do, as does changing the mindsets of people averse to breeding and racing stayers. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be attempted, and the determined challenge currently being mounted by the BHA and associated groups deserves to be supported.
BEBF: Part of our job to protect diversity We’ve spoken before in these pages about the unsung hero that is the European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) and its associated country-by-country subsets, so it was no surprise to find that the British wing of the EBF had stepped in to support the BHA’s stayers’ project. Rachael Gowland, Marketing and Communications Manager of the BEBF, says: “One of the jobs that the BEBF has always done – and it’s similar to our support of conditions races – is that we continue to put money into areas of the programme that might otherwise come under jeopardy because they’re not fashionable or they’re maybe not excellent betting fodder and so on. That’s part of our job, to protect the
Cracksman: got off the mark on his debut in a stallion-restricted EBF Maiden
diversity of the race programme.” From last season to this, the BEBF has increased the number of staying races it helps fund from 76 to 85, with a contribution for those races of £435,000. It has also pledged £72,000 via a programme of 15 sire- and damrestricted two-year-old open maiden and novice races – set to rise to 18 next year – with a minimum total prize fund of £10,000, the remainder coming from the racecourses. “As 14 of these races are run over seven and eight furlongs, we don’t class them as middle- or long-distance races but obviously they are geared towards horses that are bred for further, later in their career,” says Gowland, who notes that previous winners of these races, which the British EBF pioneered with the BHA and which run from mid-August to December, include Stradivarius, Cracksman, Herculean and Elarqam. “The British EBF trustees are a representation of stallion owners so they are perhaps more mindful than anyone and acutely aware of how difficult it is to stand a stallion that has won over a trip, or produces horses who want a trip. Supporting this project very much fits our remit.”
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Amer Abdulaziz Salman, Chief Executive of Phoenix Thoroughbred, has been delighted with progress so far, with much more in the pipeline
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Phoenix Thoroughbred
Now taking
FLIGHT Phoenix Thoroughbred’s emergence and rapid ascent has been as surprising as it has been successful and with horses of the calibre of Group 1 star Advertise in their stable, the future looks rosy for this global bloodstock operation Words: Julian Muscat Photos: George Selwyn
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s introductions go, few have been more high-profile to the orbits of racing and breeding than that of Phoenix Thoroughbred. Let’s start with the numbers. An outfit that didn’t even exist at the start of last year now owns or has interests in upwards of 160 horses worldwide. It has already spent close to $60 million, and has set aside $10 million for buying yearlings at elite auctions in 2018. Before too long it aspires to own or be partners in 25 stallions, with which it hopes to challenge the global breeding hegemony of Coolmore and Darley. It wants to buy breeding farms in Australia, Europe and the US. All in all, it amounts to a bold statement of intent. Phoenix Thoroughbred has also taken a flyer from the gates on the racing front. In the US it has seen Dream Tree, a $750,000 purchase at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Florida two-year-old sale, land a pair of Graded stakes races, notably the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes. And there’s Gronkowski, the former Jeremy Noseda trainee who ran second in the Belmont Stakes, and who was due to contest the Travers Stakes at the time of going to press. It has been a similarly gilded beginning on the racetracks of Europe, too. Phoenix’s purchase of horses in training leaves it hugely in credit. Signora Cabello, in whom Phoenix bought a 75% share before Royal
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Ascot, has since landed the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and Prix Robert Papin – in which Pocket Dynamo, another recent purchase, finished fourth. But Phoenix’s totem purchase in Britain to date is Advertise. The colt bought on Royal Ascot eve chased home Calyx at Royal Ascot before adding the July Stakes and Phoenix Stakes to his resume. Advertise’s triumph in the latter race heralded a maiden Group 1 victory for his new proprietors. “I couldn’t be much happier,” says Amer Abdulaziz Salman, Phoenix’s Chief Executive Officer. “To go to Royal Ascot for the first time and have a winner and a second was a great feeling, especially in our first year. It was like winning the Derby for us, if not better. And now our two-yearolds in Australia are stepping up in class after winning their maidens.” So who, or what, is Phoenix Thoroughbred? Details have emerged sporadically ever since the company – an investment fund geared towards attracting financial institutions, pension funds and high-worth individuals – made a splash at the two-year-olds-in-training sales in the US 18 months ago. The fund is registered in Luxembourg. Abdulaziz maintains it’s the only equine fund of its kind to have successfully completed the process, for which clearance was finally received from
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The Big Interview ››
the authorities in July. Its financial administrators and fund managers are based there, while the Luxembourg annexe of Ernst & Young have been appointed auditors and EFG Bank (Luxembourg) the fund’s bankers. Achieving registration was an arduous process of financial checks and due diligence. But why bother when such official endorsement seems to be just about the last concern of so many other equine-related outfits? According to Abdulaziz, that is precisely the point. “Unfortunately, you can get cheated by people in this business,” he says. “We wanted to register the fund with a jurisdiction that is very strict, and where financial transparency is required 200 per cent.
Signora Cabello carries the colours of Phoenix to Queen Mary glory at Royal Ascot, and, left, delighted connections
“We want to be transparent ourselves,” he continues. “We don’t want people investing in horses, only to have no knowledge of what is going on. That has happened to me before. That is why we have taken the most difficult route of all to set up the fund. “We worked hard for the last four years to make that happen. We talked to the authorities, explained what we wanted to do, and I think it is a great achievement to have completed it.” The boot will now be on the other foot. Each potential investor is subject to stringent financial checks and due diligence tests before the Luxembourg authorities will consent to them joining the fund. The fund itself will run over five years with the option to extend it for a further two, although that scenario is thought unlikely. The fiscal target is to accrue $250 million for investment. As an act of good faith, and to help Phoenix hit the ground running, Abdulaziz and his family have committed $25m to the venture. The five-year duration is designed to
allow Phoenix to make investments in stallions, which is where the real action is. In November it bought a 50% stake in Aclaim, who started his innings at the National Stud in Newmarket three months later. In February it bought 25% of Invader, the stallion prospect who commences duties shortly at Aquis Farm, in New South Wales. “Having a five-year plan means that we will have the chance to assess whether a stallion we are involved with is any good,” Abdulaziz says. At the end of year three, Phoenix’s assets will be aggregated, after which Abdulaziz will put the launch of the second Phoenix fund before those who invested in the first. His financial projections are as ambitious as the project as a whole. He has targeted an annual return of 8%. “I guarantee you that if we hit those figures, 60% of the people who invested in the first fund will invest in the second,” he maintains. He also envisages a seamless transition between the two funds. “Monies raised for the second fund will be used to purchase the assets of the first fund.”
Inevitably, the racing community was unsure what to make of Phoenix when it first surfaced. Next to nothing was known about a new entity that was suddenly outbidding Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager, Angus Gold, for the €1.4m top lot at Arqana’s breeze-up sale in May last year. However, as Phoenix extended its high-profile presence over time, certain aspects spoke for themselves. In a business where rumours of non-payment are part of the fabric, global sales companies are more than happy to see Abdulaziz and his advisors on the grounds, which suggests that all sales dockets have been settled. Furthermore, Phoenix continues to pursue horses in training both in Europe and the US; Abdulaziz was expecting to close two more deals during our hour-long conversation in London. No such deals would be in the offing were there any qualms. The racing community being what it is, speculation also surrounded the identity of Abdulaziz’s investors. But Abdulaziz smiles when he is asked whether he encountered any early scepticism. “I didn’t,” he says, “although I understand what you are saying. “Racing people love the gossip but we are very open with everyone, especially potential investors. But there has to be discretion about individuals in the fund. It’s the same with any investment vehicle of this type.” Abdulaziz then smiles even more broadly when an irony occurs to him. “You
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Phoenix Thoroughbred know, if it was common knowledge who was in the fund, bloodstock agents would go directly to them and try to take away our business.” A personable and engaging character, Abdulaziz has long had an affinity with horses. The 54-year-old was born and raised on a farm where his parents bred Arabian horses in Bahrain. He was champion owner there for four years when just out of his teens before he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, having also studied in England. According to his profile on the website of Auxilia Homes, in which he is described as the person behind an investordriven venture that builds homes for vulnerable adults with complex housing needs, Abdulaziz worked for an array of investment banks before deciding to set up Phoenix. His involvement with Auxilia makes an attractive statement. He has recruited investors to build special-purpose homes for people with conditions like autism, in addition to elderly and retired people. Documents filed at Companies House signal his involvement in a raft of umbrella companies but Phoenix preoccupies him most. He developed a passion for thoroughbreds in California, where he spent many an afternoon at Golden Gate Fields racetrack. Abdulaziz was bitten by a bug that never left him. He is now living the dream and wants to share it with others, convinced in the financial efficacy of his project. The minimum level of investment in Phoenix has been set at $500,000, although Abdulaziz makes the odd exception to embrace lesser sums. Investors acquire shares at a nominal value of $1, which will be recalibrated after an imminent audit. Each investor buys into the entire breadth of Phoenix
Thoroughbred’s operations, which includes pin-hooking ventures in Australia and the US. By diversifying as much as it can, Phoenix is constantly hedging against itself. Abdulaziz wants Phoenix to play at the top tables of Australia and Europe, especially given the opportunities to shuttle stallions between the two territories, although its main focus will gravitate towards the US. The appointment in December of Tom Ludt, formerly President of Vinery Farms and Chairman of the Breeders’ Cup board, as Phoenix’s Vice-President telegraphed that ambition. “It took us some time to get Tom on board,” Abdulaziz says of Ludt, a muchrespected figure in the industry. “He asked us lots of questions and in the end he wanted to join us. His reputation and credibility are very important.” Despite its short gestation period, Phoenix has come a long way. At last year’s US yearling sales it forged racing partnerships with some of that country’s biggest entities, among them Gainesway, Three Chimneys and Stonestreet. And of course, Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots tight end, bought into the colt named after him in April. Gronkowski was on hand to watch the colt chase home Justify in the Belmont Stakes, in the process showering some of his glitter upon the sport. “I think the perception of us has changed in the last 18 months,” Abdulaziz says. “At first we were spending a lot of money; people wanted to know who we were. Now they want to partner with us. That’s a great feeling.” Given Phoenix’s status as an investment project, and its scrutiny by the authorities in Luxembourg, Abdulaziz is acutely aware of the need for all in his employ to act scrupulously. He would not comment on
Advertise shows his rivals the way home in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket
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“I think the perception of Phoenix has changed in the last 18 months” the decision to cut trainer Jeremy Noseda and his estranged wife, Kerri Radcliffe, from the Phoenix retinue earlier this year, although the dope test failed by Walk In The Sun when he was in Noseda’s care was a likely contributing factor. Walk In The Sun was subsequently moved to Martyn Meade, from whose stable Phoenix bought Advertise. Meade also trained Aclaim; his son-in-law is the bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington, who is now aligned with Abdulaziz as he scours the horizon for further investments in bloodstock. Meanwhile, the trainers’ roster continues to expand, with Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown and Steve Asmussen in the US complementing the likes of Meade, Andre Fabre and Sir Michael Stoute in Europe. It’s not the first time that bloodstock has been the chosen vehicle for significant investment. Much of the 1980s bloodstock boom was fuelled by funds from beyond the sport’s traditional sources. It’s a difficult platform from which to generate profits, yet what has become clear from Coolmore’s evolvement into the dominant global entity is that the best chance of success lies in buying the best and dealing with the best. Abdulaziz believes firmly in that philosophy. Buoyed by recent successes on the track, he is about to embark on an aggressive marketing campaign to recruit investors from domains beyond the Middle East, where Phoenix’s head office is sited. His long-term vision is to fly Australian investors to totem races around the world, where they will engage with other Phoenix investors who share his passion for horseracing. He wants to take Americans to Europe and Australia. He also believes he can open doors of opportunity beyond racing in Dubai, where he is now resident. “We have a lot of strengths in a lot of jurisdictions,” he says. “We want it to be like Capital Club. Yes, we are living the dream at the moment but the fund needs to do well so that we can move on to the second fund. We are in this business to stay.”
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Trainers buying yearlings
P u rc h a s i ng
POWER
The yearling sales have arrived and future stars of the track are waiting to be uncovered at auction; here six trainers explain their approach to buying and what they look for when trying to unearth talent Interviews: Zoe Vicarage
SIR MARK PRESCOTT
Heath House, Newmarket “It depends on what orders you’ve got but you want something you think you can train. Trainers can always be a little more forgiving than an agent so if you haven’t got perhaps as much to spend, that’s the area where our expertise lies. “We all have something we probably think we can deal with or we’ve been lucky with horses with a fault, for example. Alborada was fascinating – she was bred by Miss Rausing and was one of those animals that pushes their hocks out when they walk. Plenty of people think it’s quite a serious fault, but as a boy I led up King’s Nephew in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and walked round behind Arkle. I was trudging round leading my thing and Arkle walked exactly the same. “When I was offered the choice of two yearlings I had no hesitation to pick Alborada. Had I not trudged around behind Arkle, I probably wouldn’t have done. “It’s an amalgamation of the two in terms of conformation and pedigree. James Delahooke said, famously, conformation would decide if he’d buy it and pedigree would decide how much he’d have to pay. “I don’t do much looking at the catalogue. I’ll have been through it and highlighted a few things I might know and somebody else might not – but I wouldn’t be a guru.
Sir Mark Prescott: mainly buys colts to balance his yard as owner-breeders send him fillies
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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
“I would look at as many yearlings as possible. I tend to buy colts as I’m lucky enough to have fillies come from my owner-breeders. If I have an order it tends to be for a colt, otherwise I would have a very lopsided yard. “If they sprint and are useful they’re not worth much but if they’re useful and stay there’s a better market for colts further down the line, though you have to wait longer. It depends on the owners and whether they mind waiting. The staying horse, except the Classic-bred horse, is always cheaper because it’s factored into the horse that you’re going to have to have more training fees. “You might say I can’t stand a particular thing and someone else might say I’ve had a bit of luck with this. I tend to avoid bit grinders and flaxen tails but I’ll still buy the horse if I like him and he’s cheap enough. “I like stayers because for your onehorse owner there’s much better re-sale potential. For my owners, most horses are a two-year project. We’ve got two years to get out of the fearful mess we’ve made or capitalise on our success! “I had a lovely time with Hernando when he wasn’t quite as popular. Ela-ManaMou was good to me. They were perhaps horses whose stock needed a bit of time and weren’t at their best as yearlings. They didn’t walk round there looking very glossy, they needed a bit more time. Those were the sires that were lucky for me. “When I started I was very susceptible to Wolver Hollow; they were beautiful bays, just my sort. They walked for fun and were lovely. The ones I had all used to win one race and dissolve into sweat and were very disappointing. The fourth year I was going over to Goffs, I wrote in the back of my catalogue, like you did at school, ‘You must not buy a Wolver Hollow’. “I only buy really from the first crop of the horse nobody wants. The logic is that we don’t know if any of them will be any good. Therefore, the value must lie in the one everybody doesn’t fancy and they must be expensive if they’re the one everybody fancies. “They all start from the same point, they’re likely to be unsuccessful – that applies to every stallion – so you don’t want to be on the most expensive one first time round. Let everybody else experiment with them; they might well be right but I’d like them to do the experimenting. “I don’t like any of the sales. It’s a very important part of the job, but the part I don’t like because you’re away too much. I like training horses. Even if the sale’s at Newmarket, I’m not doing my job here. “For Newmarket trainers it’s tough. When you’re at Goffs you can’t do any
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training, but for a Newmarket trainer, when the Tattersalls sales are on, you’ve got first lot to see out, plus your owners staying, then someone saying, ‘Can I pop in second lot?’ You’re trying to do the sales and at that time of year you’re trying to sell horses, so by October I feel like the Newmarket trainers are all one-man bands you’re used to see on the street, trying to do everything. You get the feeling you are doing nothing properly. “No sooner have you finished selling yearlings then you are getting horses in training ready to sell, so everybody is coming to see them. I think people forget how important the horses-in-training sales are. For the ordinary owner and trainer, what we can sell them for is very dependent on how much we can spend at yearling sales. Whilst that’s not influencing top-priced horses, it’s very strong in influencing what middle yearlings make. “If there’s no second-hand market, your middle drops away. I think that’s been the case in recent years, where the middle has been weaker. So those horses-in-training sales, which tend to be dismissed, are very important. To get my owners a good price there is a very important part of my year.”
MARTIN SMITH
Stable Cottage, Newmarket “I look for size and strength first and foremost. I tend to give horses plenty of time as yearlings and tend to buy the bigger, more progressive type, rather than a precocious one. “It’s mainly because the precocious ones you want to buy are extremely expensive, and a lot of my owners are breeders anyway – breeders tend to be more patient owners. “Some of my owners will go for proven stallions, but if I’m looking for myself I tend to go for new stallions. They’re a bit cheaper and you can take a chance. “There are stallions I stick to, stallions I don’t. I go more on what I see in front of me rather than what’s on the page. You can’t train a piece of paper. “Generally, the very well-bred horses you don’t want don’t look great. I’d rather take a chance on a horse that might not have the greatest pedigree but looks like they’ll stand up to a few years’ training. “I probably go back for a second look if I really like them at the sales. I enjoy looking at them at home in their paddocks as you get to see much more when they’re running around loose at home. “If I’m drawn to one I tend to go for it as long as the page fits, then I go where I’m
“For my owners, most horses are a two-year project” drawn with my eye. I’ve got the catalogues but haven’t looked at any of them yet. “I go for horses that walk well and have a good shoulder. I like big strapping types. They tend to take a little bit longer, but that doesn’t bother me. “One of the first fillies I bought went to Bahrain and did well. She was a half-sister to a Guineas winner but because the mare was 20 and she was the last one from her and wasn’t very big, I got her cheaply, a little filly by Haafhd. “One thing I’ll go for is the strike-rate of stallions and, if anything, I go for winners over Group horses. Stakes horses tend to depend on the quality of mares, whereas if a stallion can turn out 30% winners, that’s pretty good. “I’ve not spent more than £50,000 at the sales. If I had a bigger budget I’d probably have a completely different way of approaching it. “Over the years I’ve learned which horses I do well with and ones I might not do well with. I’ve got a really nice unraced two-year-old, who might not even race this year. He’s by Helmet and I really like him. I have a couple of three-year-olds by Holy Roman Emperor who didn’t do a lot at two but are starting to progress. They’re both rated about 90. I’ve also got an Exceed And Excel, who is probably my favourite horse. “The Goffs Doncaster Sale is my favourite sale. I’ve seen the best horses come from there, even for other trainers I’ve worked for. “Doncaster seems to attract speedy types; they sell a lot there who go on to do breeze-up sales. Richard Hannon buys an awful lot from Doncaster and I spent a bit of time at the Hannons back in the day. “I’ve had most success with sevenfurlong horses so tend to go for sprinters/ milers. I do have longer-distance horses but for some reason I’ve won the most races over seven furlongs; they’re the ones that I tend to pick up now. I try to play to my strengths. “We’ve had a nice couple of winners this year and are really enjoying the season. A lot of the time I follow a horse into the ring
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Trainers buying yearlings ›› but walk back out when it gets to £70,000 – at least I know I’ve got expensive taste!”
DANIEL KUBLER
High View Stables, Lambourn “I want horses that move well. Claire and I try to observe as much as we can about their temperament. We’d look at pretty much every yearling. “We’d look at a lot as we’re working on a fairly limited budget compared to most, working harder than everyone to find ones big agents aren’t putting forward to their clients. The focus is on athletic-looking horses that move well; those are the type we’ve had success with. “We’re always open on sires because when you’ve got a budget the sire is rarely the limiting factor. Most sires were good racehorses and our belief would be that the mare might be the limiting factor. That said, you do develop preferences. “We’ve had a bit of luck with Teofilo so bought a nice Teofilo last year. When you’ve had a couple by one particular one, you start to notice traits you dislike in others when you’ve trained the horse. “A lot of owners don’t have the patience for a more staying type. People who want to buy a horse want to see it run. That’s often where there’s a little bit more value, because lots of people want to buy quicker, sharper types, but actually, if you’re thinking commercially and longterm, there are a lot more opportunities for a horse that stays a mile and a quarter. “We’ve done well buying horses that have gone on to be sold abroad. We sold one to Team Valor, she was a fairly inexpensive purchase that made a lot more to race in America. We had a Royal Applause who we paid a similar amount for who made even more to go to race in Hong Kong.
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
“I go for horses that walk well and have a good shoulder” “The most we’ve spent on a yearling was for Outrage, who was a Book 1 horse for 80,000gns. He’s won five races and will threaten to win a half-decent sprint handicap at some point. “We buy most on spec and sell them on. That limits us with budget. It’s dangerous to write off any stallion. I’m not sure many would have picked Bungle Inthejungle to be breathing down No Nay Never’s neck this time last year. That’s the beauty of it; that’s why you have to look at every horse you can. “I’m very lucky Claire and I get to work together, we split a sale to get through the horses. “I like going to Book 1 with a nice order! We enjoy going to Fairyhouse as it’s a nice atmosphere and it’s an easy sale to work. You can see a lot of horses and you don’t have the buying power there that there is at some other sales. You feel like you’ve got a chance of getting something. “Finding the hidden gem at a bigger sale isn’t as straightforward. You find it but everyone else has looked at it too. “We’ve got a lot of young horses. The three-year-olds weren’t a particularly forward bunch so I think it’s really a year building towards next season and moving into a new purpose-built yard in Upper Lambourn. It’s going to be fantastic.”
Daniel and Claire Kubler share the workload and try to look at as many horses as possible
Ed de Giles: prefers a longer-term project
ED DE GILES
Lilly Hall Farm, Herefordshire “I start with the book and look at pedigree. I’m looking for those that suit the particular type of horse I want, which is normally non-precocious and will get a trip. “Conformation is very important but I always look for something that might be one I deem trainable and workable, that might not fit people with a larger budget. “The individual is extremely important as well as the pedigree; one would marry the pair. Then you’d probably find yourself completely out-budgeted. You have to have a big list and have to watch a lot of horses. If you’ve got a small list you’re probably going to get blown out of the water; one has to be realistic. “I’ll have a first look and will certainly have a second, maybe a third. Some horses show a lot better up in the ring. “We’ve been training eight years and had a lot of stayers and a lot of sprinters that have done well. I take my time. A precocious horse that needs to be running early doesn’t sit with the way I train. I would rather be patient. “If you’ve got a more staying pedigree and longer-term project, you’ve got so many more options. You’re going to see improvement as a horse progresses. That’s the model I like to work with. But we’ll train anything. “If you’re buying a lot of yearlings it’s easier to take a punt on a new sire. But I tend to look at something that’s got a track record. “I bought a Raven’s Pass last year and we had a nice Raven’s Pass four years ago. Though I wouldn’t say there’s one particular sire I would be going to buy specifically. “One of the cheaper ones I’ve bought was a Tiger Hill called Kashmiri Sunset.
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The independent option TM
24/08/2018 14:22
Trainers buying yearlings ›› Bought in the December, and he was a
half-brother to Darley Sun. He was very leggy and unfurnished and we took our time. He ran only a couple of times at two. On his three-year-old campaign he filled out and progressed nicely to win twice. We sold him for a reasonable turn at the horses-in-training sales. “Bombastic is nice. He’s won this season and was very unlucky at two, getting touched off at good tracks in good races. We’ve got a very nice horse this year by Teofilo called Sexy Beast. He’s an out-and-out stayer and is a typical horse I love. We took a lot of time and have had to be patient, we didn’t run him as a twoyear-old. He’ll be better again next year. “I always attend Tattersalls but try to go to as many sales as I can, depending on what orders I’ve been given. Doncaster comes quite early in the season. Even if your budget isn’t massive, Book 1 is still worth going to, because if you keep looking there’s occasionally one that slips through the net. “From now on, not only are you spending your time training horses but trawling through the catalogues looking for what you can get. It’s a lot easier if you’ve done a lot homework. I was always told at school but didn’t really listen! It’s a busy time of year so it makes it easier.”
NIGEL TINKLER
Woodland Stables, Malton
“The first thing I look for is whether the horse is going to stay sound to see if it’s trainable. The second thing is its head, to see whether it’s kind or whether it’s gaga. The third thing is stride pattern. “You watch them walk, see them move. When you’re looking at stride pattern you’re looking at where their head carriage is. If they have a high head carriage that means when they want to quicken they won’t get down and race. You’re looking for a horse with a low head carriage. “Then you see whether you can train it, which doesn’t take too long, then you look at its temperament. “You have the pedigrees you like, and you look through the book of all the pedigrees. Some trainers don’t look at them at the stables, they look at them in the ring. If you look at them in the stables, they’re shown a number of times and the horses can get very tired and bored and you don’t always see the right attitude. I’d go and check to see whether they’ve eaten, and how are they in a stable. “I think it’s going to be interesting to see what Hot Streak does. He’s not an expensive sire but he’s by Iffraaj and he was a very good racehorse, a very sharp
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
“You have to be patient. If you can’t buy what you want, don’t buy”
Nigel Tinkler checks out a horse’s head ‘to see whether it’s kind’
shorse and I was actually underbidder to David Redvers when he was a yearling. This year I bought a very nice horse called Whinmoor by Havana Gold. “It’s always better to go and get a feel and spend what you think is right. I think if you haven’t got a lot of money, you’re better off buying something by an established sire than going for a new sire. You’re taking a punt with a new stallion – often they’ve been fashionable and people have paid over the odds. “It’s always difficult to buy a nice horse but I just think you have to be patient. Don’t be afraid of coming away without a horse. If you can’t buy want you want, don’t buy.”
JONATHAN PORTMAN
Whitcoombe House Stables, Lambourn “I look for value, raceability, temperament and conformation – but I know that I might have to accept the odd fault to make it affordable. There’s got to be
Jonathan Portman: always on the lookout for value at the sales
something in the pedigree that suggests it’s capable of winning. “You get to the sales and cross everything off in your catalogue that you see and don’t like. Then you’ll see something walking round the ring that you can’t take your eyes off and you haven’t picked it out in the catalogue. It’s really what comes together on the day. “I don’t have big orders so I’m not looking at the obvious horses unless someone wants me to train them, so I’m having to look for value. “They’ve got to look as if they can gallop. Some conformation discrepancies you can cope with and others you know they’re going to be permanently under the vet. “I’m not too biased about stallions simply because that’s often where you can get the value. Bloodstock agents just go berserk on stallion fashion, which can be quite unfair on a lot of sires. “I always look at the stallions with first yearlings. I think the mistake people make with first-season stallions is assuming that they’re going to be sharp and early because obviously, more and more first-season stallions tend to be sprinters. Even sprinters sometimes take time. “I’m not too swayed by the first-season stallion hysteria but I’m always excited looking at first-season stallions with yearlings and especially if they’ve had a good crop of foals and there’s been a good buzz about them. It’s always very interesting talking to the horsemen in the trade and the people who have bred them as foals. “Some of the best purchases I’ve made have been done privately. We’ve bought lots of winners from the sales and most of what I buy wins. However, I’m just as happy to go to studs to look at horses. It’s important to have good relationships with breeders. “Goffs/Doncaster has a very good record of selling proper racehorses. It’s a very good sale and you buy winners there. But I like any opportunity to buy a future winner when I think I’m getting value”
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Al Kazeem 2 TOB-Sept 2018:Oakgrove Stud
15/8/18
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Al Kazeem Back On Track
bay 2008, 16.1hh by Dubawi - Kazeem (Darshaan) Ë 80% of his mares are in foal at the close of season
Ë 14% black type horses to runners in GB & IRE in 2018 The only British stallion with more is Frankel Ë His second crop are yearlings this season STANDING AT OAKGROVE STUD 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
Palace House
Meet &
GREET It has a wonderful collection of sporting art, interactive exhibits and a superb restaurant – but the real stars of the show at Newmarket’s National Heritage Centre are the former top-class racehorses
››
EMMA BERRY
O
pportunities to visit racehorses, either active or retired, do not grow on trees, with training centres tending to host open days on only one day each year, but at Palace House stables at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art in Newmarket, you can find famous residents all year round. Two such are Sire De Grugy and Purple Moon, two former topclass racehorses who now serve a similar role – putting smiles on faces of those who pay a visit to Palace House. ITV Racing’s Francesca Cumani owns Purple Moon – the stayer was trained by her father Luca to race all over the world. Now 15, Purple Moon landed the Ebor, though arguably his best efforts came when finishing in the frame in Group 1s, including the Hong Kong Vase (second), Gold Cup and Sheema Classic (third in both). “Purple Moon loves meeting the public, being adored and getting loads of attention,” Cumani said. “People love meeting him, so it’s a symbiotic relationship. “He enjoyed a successful second career in the show-ring so to have had two careers and now be here for the public to see is just great. “Purple Moon is looked after impeccably. I think museums have to do more these days – it’s not only about looking at objects behind glass screens – and the more we can show them the real thing, the better it is. It’s a wonderful learning curve and education for visitors.” Sire De Grugy, now 12, won the Champion Chase and two Tingle Creeks for the Preston family and trainer Gary Moore, ridden by his son, Jamie. The pair are not the only old favourites at Palace House, as Our Vic and Starluck are also residents. Recently, Frankie Dettori cut the ribbon to officially open the Peter O’Sullevan Arena Viewing Stand, which seats 63 people, with disabled access viewing, and complements the extensive all-weather arena which opened in November 2016. The state-of-the-art arena is the focal point of all equine-related activity every day at the venue. It has been funded by the generosity of the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust through the Home of Horseracing Trust, and allows Retraining of Racehorses to give visitors an insight into the process of retraining a racehorse and showcase the skills they can go on to develop once their racing days are over. Dettori said: “It’s a great place here at Palace House and so brilliant that this arena is used on a daily basis to demonstrate the work of the
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Francesca Cumani in the Rothschild Yard at Palace House with former stars of the Flat and National Hunt, Purple Moon and Sire De Grugy
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Palace House “It showcases the UK’s largest collection of horseracing memorabilia” Street. There are celebrity chef demos, live music and, of course, food and drink.
Mike Dillon, Rachel Hood and Frankie Dettori open the Peter O’Sullevan Viewing Stand
›› Retraining of Racehorses charity.
“My kids have used it in the past for showjumping clinics and pony club events. Seeing all the equine stars was fantastic and Sir Peter would love it.” Peter Jensen, Chairman of the Home of Horseracing Trust, added: “It was fantastic we were able to demonstrate the purpose of the new viewing stand this morning with a parade of equine stars in front of a big audience. “We are incredibly grateful to the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust for their generosity in providing the necessary funding for the arena and viewing stand.” The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art was formally opened by its patron, Her Majesty the Queen, on November 3, 2016. Its creation was made possible by a £4.99m National Lottery grant and further support from the racing industry as well as many private trusts, foundations and individuals from the world of horseracing and beyond. Forest Heath District Council and Suffolk County Council also invested in the project, designed to celebrate Newmarket’s unique royal and racing history with a visitor attraction that would boost High Street spending. As well as showcasing the largest collection of historic memorabilia the sport has to offer in the UK, the National Heritage Centre has also hosted a number of special art and photographic exhibitions. Alongside the former racehorses and art exhibitions, the site houses a superb restaurant, The Tack Room, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry visitors.
WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH… Heritage Open Day, Thursday, September 6, 10am-5pm, free entry To celebrate Heritage Open Day, the Packard Galleries in Palace House will be free and open to the public all day. Dr Patricia Hardy, Head of Collections, Exhibitions and Displays, and Briony Jackson, Assistant Curator, Science and Learning, will be giving tours of the James Ward exhibition at 11am and 3pm. Newmarket Food & Drink Festival, Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16, 10am-5pm, entry £5 To celebrate the town’s festival, the National Heritage Centre of Horseracing and Sporting Art offers the chance to explore the site for just £5. The Newmarket Food & Drink Festival is a traditional fayre held annually in September on Palace
An Evening with Lars Tharp, Friday, September 21, 7pm-8.30pm, £18 per person The popular historian, lecturer and TV personality, best known from the BBC Antiques Roadshow, talks about the Terracotta Cavalry and beyond. Newmarket Open Weekend, Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, 10am-5pm, free entry to NOW ticket holders The National Heritage Centre of Horseracing and Sporting Art at Palace House is part of the line-up for this year’s Newmarket Open Weekend, which gives visitors the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at British horseracing’s HQ. Ticket holders have free access to Palace House all weekend.
The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art Palace House, Palace Street Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EP palacehousenewmarket.co.uk
Visitors are able to enjoy a superb collection of art at the Heritage Centre
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I S YO U R C U R R E N T E G U S T R E AT M E N T P E R F O R M I N G ?
EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME (EGUS) AFFECTS OVER 50% OF PERFORMANCE HORSES1
With nearly 20 years of robust studies, you can trust GastroGard® to help keep performance horses at the top of their game
NOT ALL TREATMENTS ARE
EQUAL
To find out more about the new offers from GastroGard® please contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager GastroGard® contains omeprazole. UK: POM-V IE: POM. Further information available in the SPC or from Merial Animal Health Ltd, CM19 5TG, UK. UK Tel: 0870 6000 123, IE Tel: 1850 783 783. GastroGard® is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2018 Merial Animal Health Ltd. All rights reserved. Merial is now part of Boehringer Ingelheim. Date of preparation: Feb 2018. AHD10631. Use Medicines Responsibly. References: 1. Sykes BW, et al. ECEIM Consensus Statement – EGUS in Adult Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 1288-1299.
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24/04/2018 14:22
TBA Awards
The award winners gather together in Newmarket after the annual dinner and prize-giving at the July Course
The TBA’s Annual Awards celebrate cream of the crop Flat and jump breeders recognised after another stellar year for British breeding
T
recipient of the Queen’s Silver Cup for the fifth time as leading British-based Flat breeder by earnings during a year in which Wuheida and Talismanic both won Grade 1 races at America’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar. Wuheida’s sire Dubawi won two categories. The BBA Silver Cigar Box is once again his after he was named the leading British-based sire by Flat earnings for the fifth consecutive year and he claimed the Barleythorpe Cup from his stud mate Exceed And Excel for being the leading British sire by Flat winners.
he success of British-bred thoroughbreds isn’t restricted to home turf and 2017 proved to be another year in which the GB suffix was responsible for the metaphorical flying of the Union Jack the world over. Britain has long been home to many major breeding operations representing international owner-breeders, and of the world-renowned names to have headquarters in Newmarket, Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley and Godolphin operations and Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms were both among the award winners.
Juddmonte’s Enable won last year’s Oaks en route to five consecutive top-flight victories but it was her Epsom Classic success which provided her breeder with a 200th Group 1 winner, one of the factors leading to Juddmonte winning the TBA Silver Rose Bowl for Flat Breeder of the Year for the fifth time. There was also an award for Enable’s dam Concentric (Sadler’s Wells), who was honoured with the HJ Joel Silver Salver for Flat Broodmare of the Year. Darley was a dominant force among the stallion awards and was also the
Guests at the July Course
Nick Luck interviews Andrew Devonshire Award winner Philip Freedman
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Last November, Robert, Wendy and Nick Pocock gathered around the breakfast table at Stringston Farm at an hour which was early even for dairy farmers, but the 3.30am alarm call was well worthwhile as the family watched Rekindling gallop to success in the Melbourne Cup for his young trainer Joseph O’Brien and in so doing become the first Group 1 winner for the Somerset breeders. The Pococks were on hand in Newmarket to collect the TBA Silver Salver. The Langham Cup for Small Flat Breeder of the Year was presented to an operation which may be considered on the small side in breeding terms but is one of the largest ownership syndicates in the country, Elite Racing Club. Founded 25 years ago by Tony Hill, Elite Racing has enjoyed fantastic success under both codes via such homebred flagbearers as Soviet Song and Penzance, and in 2017 it was the turn of Marsha, a thirdgeneration homebred, to star. The Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly added the Nunthorpe Stakes to her win the previous year in the Prix de l’Abbaye before selling for a European recordbreaking 6 million gns at the Tattersalls December Sales. Among the awards for the National Hunt sector, James and Jean Potter of Yorton Farm received the Queen Mother’s Silver Salver for the National Hunt Achievement Award, and Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes’s Tinagoodnight, the dam of Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle winner Santini, was named as National Hunt Broodmare of the Year, for which she won the Dudgeon Cup. Meanwhile, Britain’s pre-eminent National Hunt sire Kayf Tara, who is still owned by Sheikh Mohammed but
has stood his entire stud career under Simon Sweeting’s care at Overbury Stud, was the winner of two awards. The 24-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells received the Whitbread Silver Salver as the leading active British-based National Hunt stallion for the eighth time in nine years and took the Horse & Hound Cup for the number of individual steeplechase winners for a sixth time. The Tweenhills team was out in force to receive the trophy for the stud’s exciting young stallion Havana Gold, who was named the leading Britishbased first-season sire of last year and awarded the Tattersalls Silver Salver. Among his notable flag-bearers last year were the Group/Graded winners Havana Grey and Treasuring. The Dominion Bronze and the Andrew Devonshire Bronze are awarded annually to recognise longstanding commitment and high achievement in the bloodstock industry. This year’s thoroughly deserving winner of the Dominion Bronze was Patrick Lennon, a long-term and valued Stud Groom at Lord and Lady Howard de Walden’s Plantation Stud before joining Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud on the sale of Plantation. The Andrew Devonshire Bronze was awarded to owner-breeder Philip Freedman of Cliveden Stud, whose many roles within the industry include the current chairmanships of the European Breeders’ Fund and the Horsemen’s Group. The TBA wishes to thank Jockey Club Racecourses, Jockey Club Catering, the National Stud, Weatherbys, Tattersalls, Horse & Hound and Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder for their generous support of the awards evening.
ROLL OF HONOUR The Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based Flat breeder (Flat earnings)
DARLEY The TBA Silver Rose Bowl for TBA Flat Breeder of the Year
JUDDMONTE FARMS The TBA Silver Salver for Special Merit (Flat)
THE POCOCK FAMILY The BBA Silver Cigar Box for leading British-based stallion (Flat earnings)
DUBAWI The Barleythorpe Silver Cup for leading British-based stallion (Individual Flat Winners)
DUBAWI The Tattersalls Silver Salver for leading British-based firstseason sire
HAVANA GOLD The HJ Joel Silver Salver for Broodmare of the Year (Flat)
CONCENTRIC The Langham Cup for Small Breeder of the Year (Flat)
ELITE RACING CLUB The Queen Mother’s Silver Salver for National Hunt Achievement
JAMES & JEAN POTTER The Whitbread Silver Salver for leading active British-based National Hunt stallion
KAYF TARA The Horse & Hound Cup for leading active British-based National Hunt stallion (individual chase winners)
KAYF TARA The Dudgeon Cup for NH Broodmare of the Year
TINAGOODNIGHT The Dominon Bronze
PATRICK LENNON The Andrew Devonshire Award
PHILIP FREEDMAN Pre-dinner Champagne reception alongside the racecourse
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TBA Awards
British breeding celebrated There was a terrific turnout for the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual awards at Newmarket’s July Course, where breeders from both codes gathered to mark victories for British-breds from the Breeders’ Cup to the Cheltenham Festival
Julian Richmond-Watson and Patrick Lennon
Philip Freedman and Julian Richmond-Watson
Julian Richmond-Watson and Liam Donoher of Darley
Juddmonte’s Simon Mockridge with Claire Sheppard
Anthea Gibson Fleming with Overbury Stud’s Jo Brown
Sam Bullard with Robert, Wendy and Nick Pocock
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Photography: xxxxxx
Darley’s Sam Bullard and fellow TBA board member Nicholas Jones
Dan Downey of Elite Racing Club with Nicholas Jones
Hannah Lemieux of Horse & Hound with Simon Sweeting
David Walsh of Darley with TBA Chief Excecutive Claire Sheppard
The team from Tweenhills Farm & Stud collecting the prize for freshman sire Havana Gold
Robert Waley-Cohen with Jean and James Potter
Robert Waley-Cohen, Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes
Anthea Gibson Fleming and Claire Curry of Juddmonte
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Your next chance to find a Derby winner
Weltstar winner of the German Derby 2018 - a BBAG graduate
Windstoss - winner of the German Derby 2017 - a BBAG graduate
Isfahan - winner of the German Derby 2016 - a BBAG graduate
Germany´s Premier Yearling Sale Friday, 31st August www.bbag-sales.de
Breeders’ Digest
Emma Berry Bloodstock Editor
Our bloodstock coverage this month includes: Sales Circuit: European yearling season underway in Deauville – pages 74-82 Caulfield Files: The quiet but steady rise of Myboycharlie – pages 85-86 Dr Statz: No Nay Never looking promising at this early stage – page 112
Will the market sustain numerical hike?
R
ound one of this season’s yearling sales was completed in Deauville in mid-August and by the time this publication hits the streets the major sales of Goffs UK and BBAG will also have taken place. These three sales are all very different in character but one factor of Arqana’s August Sale that will have caused concern if not surprise is that vendors found it tougher than they have done in recent years. The downturn in the breeze-up market waved a warning flag ahead of this autumn’s sales, along with the fact that sales companies have reported a greater demand for places this year. The accompanying table shows the comparative figures for those catalogues to have been released to date and all bar Goffs’ Orby and Sportsman’s Sales and Arqana’s V.2 show a rise in numbers. Tattersalls Ireland’s Ascot Yearling Sale was only introduced last year and this time around has an extra 37 yearlings in the book, while the company’s flagship Irish sale is to some extent a victim of its own success and, divided into two parts for the last few years, it now has an extra 87 yearlings on offer. Copious amounts of stamina and Berocca will be needed to get through the first two weeks of October at Tattersalls, which has sensibly brought Book 4 into the same week as Books 2 and 3 instead of tagging it onto the end of the Horses-in-Training Sale, though it is now scheduled for the Saturday morning of Champions Day. Book 4 this year features 122 yearlings compared to 47 last year, and it is far from just a problem for this sale but, given that the Book 4 average for the last two years has been less than 4,000gns, most vendors will approach this, and other auctions at a similar level, knowing that they will lose money if they sell at all. The TBA’s Economic Impact Study will be published in full in the first week of September but the snapshot that was presented by Philip Newton at the AGM in July pointed to the fact that 66% of British breeders operate at a
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loss and, unsurprisingly, were dwindling in numbers. How the numbers hold up going into next year will be interesting to see but it’s easy to imagine that there will be some sort of adjustment when it comes to the number of mares being covered next season.
BANNER YEAR FOR GB-BREDS
In the coming months it will be decided whether ot not the TBA’s proposed GB-bred bonus scheme will go ahead. Despite the woes faced by some breeders, as referenced above, it has already been a banner year for horses carrying the GB suffix. On August 13, GBRI highlighted the fact that British breeders had been responsible for 16 individual winners of 20 Group 1 races, and those numbers have subsequently increased to 18 and 22. Pretty Pollyanna became the latest high-class success for Bill and Tim Gredley in the Darley Prix Morny will provide some compensation for Big Orange ruled out for the season. With an increasing focus on sire power at the sales, it’s been heartening to see Juddmonte’s Oasis Dream enjoying such a good season. He’s had plenty of success throughout his stud career
but one quiet spell led to buyers largely turning their backs on his offspring. With a juvenile strike-rate of 50% at the time of writing, including Pretty Pollyanna, not to mention the Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Polydream flying the flag for his three-year-old crop, let’s hope we see a resurgence in demand for Oasis Dream yearlings this season. He is also the grandsire of the Marie Matthews-bred Alpha Delphini, who became the first Group 1 winner for Mickley Stud’s Captain Gerrard and the second, after Tangerine Trees, for his dam Easy To Imagine in the Nunthorpe Stakes. Incidentally, apart from the fact that Pretty Pollyanna, Polydream and Sea The Stars’s dual Oaks heroine Sea Of Class are all Group 1-winning fillies, they are linked by the fact that they are all on the small side. I’m constantly surprised at the preoccupation with big horses at the sales – a number of sales yearlings these days look like show horses rather than athletes. Of course, good horses come in all shapes and sizes – and from a range of sales at varying prices – but it’s worth bearing in mind that when it comes to selecting yearlings, size doesn’t always matter.
NUMBER OF YEARLINGS CATALOGUED Sale
2018
2017
ARQANA AUGUST
345
334
ARQANA V.2
140
145
GOFFS UK PREMIER
501
470
GOFFS UK SILVER
174
149
BBAG
279
269
OSARUS SEPTEMBER
280
276
163
126
TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER
845
758
GOFFS ORBY
418
468
GOFFS SPORTSMAN’S
286
287
2,097
2,016
TATTERSALLS IRELAND ASCOT
TATTERSALLS OCTOBER
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Sales Circuit • By Carl Evans Arqana August Yearlings
Arqana’s seaside venue proved a sunny location for successful buyers and vendors when Europe’s yearling auction season opened. International prospectors flew in for some of the cream of European bloodstock, confirming the global nature of top-end racing and bloodstock. The point was proved in the sale of a €1.4 million colt who headed trade. This potential stallion was sired by Dubawi – who stands in Britain and is owned by Dubai’s Al Maktoum family – and foaled by the Classic-winning mare Just The Judge, who is owned by Qatar Bloodstock and China Horse Club. The buyer was John O’Connor, managing director of Ireland’s Ballylinch Stud, which is owned by Americans John and Leslie Malone. Apart from seeing the obvious appeal of such a lovely model, O’Connor could also draw upon a sentimental connection, saying: “It’s an original Ballylinch family – we bred and sold Just The Judge’s dam Faraday Light.” Ballylinch the buyer was also Ballylinch the vendor, its highlight in the latter guise coming when selling
The Dubawi first foal of the Classic winner Just The Judge stole the show in Deauville
a €900,000 Invincible Spirit filly to Godolphin, while a Lope De Vega half-brother to impressive recent Glorious Goodwood winner Dark Vision made the same sum. He is bound for Ballydoyle after MV Magnier of Coolmore Stud signed the docket. Few new sires around the globe
can generate as much interest as US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and it was clear that two fillies from his first crop would not be attending Deauville for the sea air alone. Both sold for significant money, with US agent Deuce Greathouse and his client, Cindy Hutson, paying €850,000 for a
Arqana August Yearlings Top lots Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (€)
C Dubawi - Just The Judge (Lawman)
La Motteraye Consignment
C Lope De Vega - Black Dahlia (Dansili)
Ecurie des Monceaux
900,000
MV Magnier
F Invincible Spirit – Mayhem (Whipper)
Ballylinch Stud
900,000
Godolphin
F American Pharoah - Marbre Rose (Smart Strike)
Ecurie des Monceaux
850,000
Deuce Greathouse
F Galileo - Tender Morn (Dayjur)
Haras des Capucines
810,000
Justin Casse
F American Pharoah – Shawara (Barathea)
Haras d’Etreham
750,000
MV Magnier
F Galileo - Naissance Royal (Giant's Causeway)
Ecurie des Monceaux
600,000
Narvick International
C Frankel – Sabratah (Oasis Dream)
Ecurie des Monceaux
600,000
Oliver St Lawrence
C Lope De Vega – Danaskaya (Danehill)
Ballylinch Stud
600,000
China Horse Club
1,400,000
Buyer Ballylinch Stud
Five-year tale Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2018
240
37,828,000
159,701
110,000
1,400,000
2017
235
38,505,000
165,587
110,000
1,550,000
2016
271
40,595,667
152,566
110,000
1,400,000
2015
265
42,881,000
163,292
95,000
2,600,000
2014
269
39,417,500
147,864
90,000
1,200,000
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Overview and analysis of the latest events in the ring
John O’Connor signs for the Arqana August top lot at €1.4 million
daughter of the winning mare Marbre Rose. Their purchase will go back to the US to race, Greathouse having reasoned he would get better value if buying one of the sire’s first yearlings in Europe. The other American Pharoah filly was foaled by Shawara and offered by Haras d’Etreham for Barronstown Stud as a half-sister to dual Group 1 heroine Shareta. This one made €750,000 to a bid from Magnier. The sires’ table at a sale of this type is skewed by limited numbers for the very best stallions, but for what it’s worth Dubawi’s two lots placed him top with an average price of €960,000, ahead of American Pharoah (two lots), Frankel (three) and Galileo (five). Lope De Vega’s nine sales at an average of €300,556 was a feather in his cap, while Siyouni, whose position in 17th place was in part due to his large representation, proved the pick of French-based sires – his 19 yearlings sold for an average of €179,474; nice work for breeders who used him in 2016 at €30,000, although that fee had risen by 150% this year. Among European first-crop sires Muhaarar proved popular, with six sales at an average of €256,667. The pick among his draft was a €420,000 colt out of Prudenzia, hitherto a mate for Galileo and Montjeu, and whose colt by the champion sire had topped this sale in 2017. David Redvers of Qatar Racing bought her latest offering. All Prudenzia’s yearlings, including four who realised seven-figure sums, have been offered by the mare’s jointbreeders, Ecurie des Monceaux, based some 30km from Deauville. Once again Monceaux was the leading consignor at this sale, trading 32 horses for €9,325,000 at an average of €291,406. French consignors filled the first four
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Anthony Stroud and Hubert Honoré in discussion at Arqana
places, ahead of Ireland’s Ballylinch Stud which, having bought the €1.4 million Dubawi colt who headed the sale, gained €2.13 million by selling six horses at an average of €355,000. MV Magnier headed buyers with five purchases for €2.65 million ahead of Qatar’s Al Shaqab Racing, which bought 17 yearlings for €2,387,000. Godolphin, Phoenix Thoroughbred and Sun Bloodstock were notable among high-end purchasers, as was America’s Justin Casse, but Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell, which had spent nearly €3 million at the sale 12 months earlier when leading buyer, bought none.
Arqana chief Eric Hoyeau referred to the absence of Shadwell when reflecting on the sale’s figures, which showed small falls in turnover, average and clearance, although the median held steady. Hoyeau said: “This may serve as a reality check to some vendors. The middle level of the market is the one most affected. There are some positive points to take from this sale, including the success of French-based stallions such as Siyouni, but people are being prudent in the current European climate and we are seeing that reflected in the statistics of this sale.”
››
The Galileo filly out of Tender Morn will be trained in America by Mark Casse
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Did you Know? The first 50 2 year old maidens in Ireland were won by 35 different owners racehorseownership.ie
HOUGHTON BLOODSTOCK MAKING YOUR BLOODSTOCK DREAMS A REALITY
Taking orders now for Tattersalls December Mares & Foals Sale following our fantastic results in 2017.
Contact: Robin Sharp; T: 01638 563238 or 07850 661468 Malcolm Bryson; T: 07711 160856 E: info@houghtonbloodstock.co.uk • www.houghtonbloodstock.co.uk Fox Farm, Barnardiston Road, Hundon, Suffolk, CO10 8EL
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Sales Circuit Goffs Goodwood Sale Of 13 lots on offer for the inaugural Goffs Goodwood Sale, including a lifetime breeding right to Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Showcasing, six were sold to bring turnover of £1,425,000. The sale was held in the magnificent parade ring after racing on the Wednesday of Glorious Goodwood. Agents representing buyers from as far afield as Hong Kong and Singapore brought the latest in the boutique auction range some international caché, and the sale was headed by Mildmay Racing’s Group 2-placed Perfect Angel, sold to Ed Sackville of SackvilleDonald for £400,000. The four-year-old daughter of Dark Angel remains in training but has moved to Richard Hughes from Andrew Balding. The runner-up at £390,000 was Curiosity, formerly trained by Hugo Palmer but bound for Singapore having been bought by Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock, who confirmed that the 99-rated three-year-old would be joining the stable of Lee Freedman. Sometimesadiamond, homebred
››
Goodwood’s parade ring was the venue for the latest boutique sale in the calendar
by Jim Bolger and a daughter of his own stallion Vocalised, was bought from the trainer to carry on racing for Phoenix Thoroughbred for the sum of £220,000. The once-raced juvenile Flying Dragon, who showed good form on his Chantilly debut, was sold by Con
Marnane for £175,000 and will be trained by Richard Hannon before eventually moving to Hong Kong, while a half-share in stayer Cosmelli fetched £50,000 to a bid from Sydneybased Import Racing. China Horse Club bought the breeding right to Showcasing for £190,000.
Goffs UK August Sale
A switchback ride for this one-day mixed sale saw it cresting another peak at the latest edition when offering 229 horses. That was two lots fewer than in 2017, yet 36 more horses found a home as the clearance rate shot up from 64% to 80%. There was also a 74% increase in turnover and rises of 40% and 44% in average and median prices respectively. Having been dropped from Goffs UK’s roster in 2014 and 2015 this auction had come back with a bang in 2016, dipped markedly 12 months ago, but on this occasion rallied to good effect. Whether Tiger Roll’s Grand National win in April had anything to do with the upturn is a debateable point, but he provided an excellent branding opportunity having been sold here as an unbroken store for just £10,000 in 2010. Stores were again on offer, and their group was headed by a £25,000 son of Black Sam Bellamy, bought by Caron and Paul Chapman and set to join their star hurdler Sam Spinner at Jedd O’Keeffe’s yard, but top-lot honours went to winning hurdler Amschel, a son of Nathaniel who made £155,000. The four-year-old had been plucked unraced from Luca Cumani’s annual summer cull at Tattersalls’ July Sale 13 months earlier for 2,000gns by Raymond
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Donald McCain and Colin Bowe compare notes on The Con Man, bought by McCain
Cody, but had subsequently run four times over hurdles and won his three most recent starts. Knocked down to Paul Byrne, Amschel will next be seen running over jumps in America. Last year’s top price at this sale of £36,000 was confined further into history when Hasanoanda, a three-time winner for John Gosden’s stable, and owned by his wife, Rachel Hood, made £115,000 en route to joining Middleham
trainer Ben Haslam, who had a dualpurpose plan in mind. A small group of select Irish pointers were headed by The Con Man, a winner in April at Monksgrange on his sole start and knocked down for £70,000. Now a five-year-old, he had been bought by trainer Colin Bowe for €50,000 as a Derby Sale store in 2016. Donald McCain’s Cheshire stables is now The Con Man’s place of residence.
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Sales Circuit ››
Goffs UK August Sale Top lots Name/Breeding
Vendor
Price (£)
Amschel (Nathaniel - Darinza)
Raheen Stud
155,000
Paul Byrne
Hasanoanda (Champs Elysees - Indian Mystery)
Clarehaven Stables (John Gosden)
115,000
Tom Malone/Ben Haslam
The Con Man (Oscar - Phillis Hill)
Milestone Stables (Colin Bowe)
70,000
Donald McCain/D O'Connor
Champagne West (Westerner - Wyndham Sweetmarie)
Knockeen Stables (Henry De Bromhead)
Black Centaur (Oscar - Arcanum)
Beechmount Stables (Eric McNamara)
45,000
Colin Tizzard/M Selway
Not The Chablis (Scorpion - De Street)
Mulgrave Lodge Stables (Eddie Harty)
39,000
Nick Alexander
Stellar Notion (Presenting - Green Star)
Down Farm (Tom George)
38,000
Lewisham Developments Ltd
Mr Mercurial (Westerner - Arcanum)
Hardwicke
36,000
Will Ramsey
Samharry (Exceed And Excel - Ballymore Celebre)
Shadwell Stud
33,000
Federico Barberini
Karawaan (Sea The Stars - Magic Sister)
Shadwell Stud
32,000
Gaelic Bloodstock
50,00
Buyer
Stephen Dunn
Figures Year
Sold
Agg (£)
Avg (£)
Mdn (£)
Top Price (£)
2018
181
2,071,000
11,442
7,000
155,000
2017
148
1,219,150
8,238
5,000
36,000
2016
233
2,624,000
11,262
6,000
190,000
Tattersalls Ireland August Sale
Buyers from Britain, with pockets large and small, pitched up in quantity at this, the final store sale of the year, where horses with looks and pedigree made notable prices. No fewer than six lots – all threeyear-old geldings – made more than €50,000, a sum which had headed trade 12 months earlier, although a bigger catalogue which had resulted in an additional third day pulled down some of the figures. Of the 620 horses offered – an increase of 75 – 422 found buyers, up 39 on the number sold in 2017, but slightly knocking the clearance rate, which dipped to 68%. Turnover rose 5%, the average fell back by the same margin, while the median dropped 15%. Progeny by Fame And Glory remain top of many buyers’ lists, his death last year coming just weeks before his first crop of four-year-olds began making their racing debuts in points and bumpers. At the time of this sale he had been responsible for nine bumper winners, a handful of successful Irish pointers and just one winner over hurdles, but his stock have the look of future stars, and one topped this sale when knocked
This son of Fame And Glory topped the sale at €80,000, bought by Clive Boultbee-Brooks
down to agent Matt Coleman for €80,000. A half-brother to winners on the Flat and over jumps, and offered by Timmy Hillman’s Castledillon Stud, the gelding will race in the colours of Clive Boultbee-Brooks, whose trainers include the Herefordshire pair of
Venetia Williams and Tom Lacey. Gordon Elliott’s purchases included a Peter Nolan-consigned half-brother to his mercurial hurdler Labaik. A son of Falco named Falco Lux, this youngster made €65,000 having been picked up for just €22,000 a month earlier at Arqana’s Mixed Summer Sale.
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Sales Circuit ››
Tattersalls Ireland August Sale Top lots Name/Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price (€)
Buyer
G Fame And Glory - Ivy Queen (Green Desert)
Castledillon Stud
80,000
Stroud Coleman Bloodstock
G Presenting - Lemon Cello (Accordion)
Abbey Stables
70,000
Gordon Elliott
G Falco – Avanguardia (Choisir)
Peter Nolan Bloodstock
65,000
Aidan O'Ryan/Gordon Elliot
G Pour Moi – Tracker (Bustino)
Greenville House Stud
65,000
Gearoid Costelloe
F Saint Des Saints - La Politique (Poliglote)
Brown Island Stables
60,000
Tom Malone/Paul Nicholls
G Oscar - Bobbing Back (Bob Back)
Lough Na Sollis Stud
55,000
Tom Malone
G Fame And Glory - Outo'Theblue (Grand Lodge)
Kildallan Farm
46,000
Paurick O'Connor/Robert Tyner
G Milan - So Proper (Topanoora)
Brown Island Stables
45,000
Gerry Griffin
G Milan – Enniscoffey (Old Vic)
Kilcornan Stables
44,000
Carheenlea
F Milan – Dewasentah (Supreme Leader)
Thistletown Stud
40,000
Gerry Griffin
C Flemensfirth - Moon Storm (Strong Gale)
Hillcrest Stables
40,000
Donal Coffey
Figures Year
Sold
Agg (€)
Avg (€)
Mdn (€)
Top Price (€)
2018
422
3,964,600
9,395
5,500
80,000
2017
383
3,768,300
9,839
6,500
50,000
2016
365
3,026,200
8,291
5,000
75,000
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale
America’s yearling sales season has got away to a very positive start, with healthy gains at Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale being followed by record turnover at this twosession event. A gross figure of nearly $63 million beat a mark set in 2001, as buyers came in for top-end horses, helping turnover rise 18% year on year. Five horses passed the million-dollar mark, compared to two last year, and 35 beat $500,000, helping the average price to gain 9%, while the median remained static at the record figure it had achieved in 2017. Medaglio d’Oro took sire honours, being responsible for three of the five millionaires and the top-two horses. This was another early opportunity for the market to assess offspring by the latest wunderkind sire, American Pharaoh, and a filly and colt gained him the first session’s headlines when selling for $1.2m and $1m respectively. OXO Equine, which was created by medical device entrepreneur Larry Best, gained the filly, whose profile had been boosted a few hours earlier when her two-year-old half-sister won on debut at Woodbine. The pair were bred by Life At
Amer Abdulaziz’s Phoenix Thoroughbred operation has been active in America and France
Ten, a dual Grade 1 winner. Bob Baffert, who trained American Pharoah, took the seven-figure colt in partnership with MV Magnier of Coolmore Stud – the stallion stands under that organisation’s umbrella at its Ashford Stud in Kentucky. Best also signed for a $950,000
filly during the first session, this one a daughter of Spendthrift Farm stallion Into Mischief, who sired OXO Equine’s best horse to date, Grade 2 winner Instagrand. Medaglio d’Oro’s turn came at the second and final session, when a colt consigned by Taylor Made Sales was knocked down for $1.35m to
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Don’t miss these quality 2yo types selling at Tattersalls IRE Ascot Sale 11th Sept. Lot 91 b. colt by Pastoral Pursuits x Finalize (Firebreak) Half-brother to Suitcase ‘N’ Taxi, 4 wins over 5 & 6f at 2-4 years and £23,000 Second dam Choisette, dam of Straightothepoint, 3 wins, 21 places and £45,000 and Flying Pursuit, 6 wins, 9 places and £113,000
Lot 67 br. colt by Fountain Of Youth x Charcoal (Primo Valentino) Half-brother to Royal Fortune, 3 wins, 2 places and £59,000 and Indastar, 3 wins and £10,000 Second dam Waterfowl Creek, dam of MAID OF CAMELOT, 2 wins inc. Lupe S. LR and £22,000 From the family of Group 1 horses INCHMURRIN, INCHINOR, BALISADA & POET’S WORD
Lot 162 ch. filly by Fast Company x Rhal (Rahy) Half-sister to Happy Queen, 3 wins, placed and £17,000, Rocket Power, 2 wins and £41,000 and Aerosphere, won at 2 years, 2018, over 5f Second dam Queen of Stars, dam of ILLUMINATE, won Duchess Of Cambridge S. Gr.2. From the family of Group 1 winner PRINCE GIBRALTAR
Lot 57 b. filly by Fountain Of Youth x Big Sky (Fastnet Rock)
Fountain Of Youth
First foal of Big Sky, winner at 2 years Second dam SHEPPARD’S WATCH, 5 wins and £123,000 inc. Concorde S. Gr.3; dam of 3 winners. From the family of Group horse DESERT SUN
Tel: 07974 948755 or 01630 647197
www.bearstonestud.co.uk
D
o you want to purchase a relatively inexpensive Black Type horse and yet don’t want to pay commission on either purchase or sale?
If the horse is to be trained at Heath House, no commission at all is charged, so, why not contact SIR MARK PRESCOTT, Bt. and WILLIAM BUTLER, who this autumn will be at Keeneland (Sept), Fairyhouse (Ireland), Goffs (Ireland) and Newmarket (Books 1, 2 and 3)? It is at these Sales that they have purchased the likes of SARAFAN $90,000 (at Keeneland), FAR CRY (Ire) 26,000, ROYAL DIAMOND (Ire) 70,000 (at Goffs), TIME WARP (Ire) 37,000 (at Fairyhouse), AMOUR DE NUIT 16,000, FOREIGN AFFAIRS 20,000, STRAW BEAR 25,000, BRAVE ACT 26,000, COMIC STRIP/ VIVA PATACA 26,000 and PALLASATOR 32,000 (Tattersalls). Further, in recent years, at the autumn Sales, horses from the Heath House draft have topped both the December Sale and the Horses In Training Sale (Tattersalls) on several occasions. For further information contact: sirmark@heathhousestables.com • william@heathhousestables.com Heath House, Newmarket, CB8 8DU 01638 662 117 • www.heathhousestables.com
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Sales Circuit ›› a partnership involving West Point
company’s November Sale last year. Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Amer Abdulaziz attended the sale and watched as his organisation gained a $1.3m Medaglio d’Oro half-sister to Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator, while Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables gave $1m for a filly by the same high-rolling stallion. Europeans whose names appeared
Thoroughbreds, Rob Masiello, Chris Larsen and Siena Farm, while the horse’s breeders, WinStar Farm, joined in by taking a reported 10% stake. The colt is closely related to champion racemare Songbird, a Fasig-Tipton yearling graduate and who made $9.5 million as a broodmare prospect at the
high up on the scoresheet included James Delahooke, whose client Bobby Flay gained an $875,000 Tapit filly, and Hugo Merry who signed for an $850,000 daughter of the same sire. Kerri Radcliffe, formerly the buyer for Phoenix Thoroughbred, was back for new clients and gained a $500,000 More Than Ready colt.
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding
Vendor
Price ($)
Buyer
C Medaglia d'Oro - Coco's Wildcat (Wildcat Heir)
Taylor Made Sales
1,350,000
West Point/Masiello/Larsen/Siena
F Medaglia d'Oro - Dawn Raid (Vindication)
Warrendale Sales
1,300,000
Phoenix Thoroughbred
F American Pharoah - Life At Ten (Malibu Moon)
Gainesway
1,200,000
Oxo Equine
C American Pharoah - Party Silks (Touch Gold)
Summerfield
1,000,000
MV Magnier
F Medaglia d'Oro – Veracity (Tomorrows Cat)
Indian Creek
1,000,000
Lael Stable
F Into Mischief - Reve D'amour (Warrior's Reward)
Denali Stud
950,000
Oxo Equine
F Tapit – Twirl (Galileo)
Dromoland Farm
875,000
Bobby Flay Thoroughbreds
F American Pharoah - Funny Feeling (Distorted Humor)
Lane's End
875,000
John Oxley
F Curlin - Minnie Macy (A P Indy)
Lane's End
850,000
White Birch Farm
F Tapit - Kid Majic (Lemon Drop Kid)
Gainesway
850,000
Hugo Merry Bloodstock
C Hard Spun - Helena Bay (Johannesburg)
Runnymede Farm
850,000
China Horse Club/Maverick Racing
C Honor Code - Hollywood Story (Wild Rush)
Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agenc
850,000
CRK Stable
Five-year tale Year
Sold
Agg ($)
Avg ($)
Mdn ($)
Top Price ($)
2018
170
62,794,000
369,376
300,000
1,350,000
2017
156
52,995,000
339,712
300,000
1,000,000
2016
156
45,570,000
292,115
237,500
1,450,000
2015
145
46,755,000
322,448
250,000
2,000,000
2014
114
33,284,000
291,965
237,500
1,250,000
Please contact Andrew Mead (+44 7940 597573 mead@castlebridge.eu) or Bill Dwan (+353 87 648 5587 dwan@castlebridge.eu) to discuss all your 2018 sale requirements
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FOR THE PAST DOZEN YEARS, ONE NAME HAS HEADED THE EUROPEAN FOAL AND BREEDING STOCK SALES ….. WILL YOU BE SELLING WITH THEM THIS YEAR?
www.castlebridge.eu
+44 (0) 7811 388 345 ed@eddegilesracing.com • www.eddegilesracing.com • @EddeGilesRacing Lilly Hall Farm, Little Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2LD
“We will achieve the maximum potential of every horse in our yard”
BIG RETURNS ON INVESTMENT KASHMIRI SUNSET – purchased at Tattersalls December Yearlings sale for 13,000gns – ran to a mark of 80 – SOLD for 150,000gns at Tattersalls Autumn HIT sales BREAK RANK (USA) – purchased at Tattersalls July sale for 30,000gns – won £25,000 in prize money – SOLD for 115,000gns at Tattersalls Autumn HIT sales
IMPROVING HORSES FROSTY BERRY rose by an impressive 42lbs, to a rating of 103, gaining Black Type in the process when winning the Further Flight at Nottingham KINGSGATE CHOICE (IRE) improved from 80 to a notable mark of 109 and was described by Timeform as “a credit to his upwardly mobile trainer” LUCY THE PAINTER (IRE) went up by 32lbs, to a rating of 100, winning 4 consecutive races and gaining the all-important Black Type
SARSEN FARM A stunning, new state of the art training facility
Daniel and Claire are moving to the heart of historic Upper Lambourn to a yard designed for your horse to excel Superb access to Jockey Club Gallops, turn out paddocks, large well ventilated stables and excellent on site accommodation for our experienced team will ensure your horse is happy, healthy and successful To arrange a visit, discuss your horse and ownership opportunities contact
Daniel & Claire on 07984 287254 or daniel@kublerracing.com 84 THOROUGHBRED OWNER BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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Caulfield Files
Bloodstock world views
Mezeray’s Myboycharlie vastly outperforming his covering fee Son of Danetime has four Group 1-winning fillies to his credit, including Sistercharlie
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EMMA BERRY
O
n May 29, at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Australia’s Gold Coast, there was plenty of excitement when the five-year-old Jameka entered the ring. After all, since being bought for AUS$130,000 as a yearling, Jameka had won three Group 1 races, including the 2016 Caulfield Cup by three lengths and the 2017 ATC BMW Stakes by more than six lengths. Her earnings stood at an enviable AUS$4.87 million and it took AUS$2.6m to buy the mare, who had been rated the second-best threeyear-old filly of 2015-16 and the secondbest older filly, behind the mighty Winx, in 2016-17. Then, some months later on another continent, the former French-trained Sistercharlie recorded her second and third Grade 1 victories of the year when she narrowly landed Saratoga’s Diana Stakes, followed three weeks later by the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington. Sistercharlie is therefore already well placed to take high rank among America’s top turf fillies and this win improved her record to six wins and three seconds from only ten starts. One of those seconds came behind Senga in the 2017 Prix de Diane. By now you may well have worked out the link between these two highclass racemares – both are daughters of the former National Stud stallion Myboycharlie. This winner of the 2007 Prix Morny also sired Euro Charline, who was sold for 750,000gns at the 2016 December Sales, even though she had cost as little as 800gns as a yearling. This spectacular rise in the filly’s value was the result of three years of smart performances, including a victory in the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes in 2014. Now owned by Katsumi Yoshida, Euro Charline produced her first foal, a filly by Arc runner-up Orfevre, in February 2018. Yet another Group 1-winning daughter of Myboycharlie is Peggy Jean, a Sires’ Produce Stakes winner who was sold at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for AUS$1m. Another cheap purchase as a youngster, Peggy Jean now has young progeny by
Myboycharlie started at the National Stud but is now in France and shuttles to Australia
those highly fashionable stallions I Am Invicible and Medaglia d’Oro. The extraordinary aspect of Myboycharlie’s Group/Grade 1 exploits as a stallion in two hemispheres is that, even now, he has never stood for more than £5,500 in his eight European seasons. It is a similar story in Australia, where his nine seasons have been spent at fees ranging from AUS$8,800 to AUS$16,500. Because he remained in Australia in 2016, he has no yearlings in Europe this year and at present he has fewer than 30 2018 foals registered with France Galop. Hopefully the 2017 exploits of Sistercharlie, which also included a win in the Group 3 Prix Penelope and a second in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational, will have been rewarded with greater demand for Myboycharlie’s services at only €5,000 at Haras du Mezeray this year. Sistercharlie is the second Prix Penelope winner by Myboycharlie, following Camprock, who was winning for the third time in three starts when she landed this Group 3 in 2016. Camprock nearly became another Group 1 winner for her sire, failing by only a head to take the Prix Saint-Alary. Like Euro Charline, Camprock has also
been sold to Japan, where her first foal is a 2018 colt by the great Deep Impact. It is a pertinent question to ask why Myboycharlie has been labouring at the lower end of the market. I would suggest that there were two sizeable obstacles barring his way to widespread popularity. One was that his sire Danetime carried the stigma of never having won a stakes race and the other was that Myboycharlie’s racing career had ended not with a bang but a whimper. Of course his racing career had started extremely well. Bought by Fozzy Stack for 54,000gns at Doncaster, the son of Danetime proved to be exactly the type of quickmaturing two-year-old in which the Doncaster sale specialises. A debut winner at the Curragh at the end of June, he reappeared 15 days later to take the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes by seven lengths from the future American Grade 1 winner Tuscan Evening. He then accounted for another notable filly – the future Cheveley Park Stakes and 1,000 Guineas winner Natagora – in taking the Prix Morny by two lengths. All three of his wins had been gained on soft or heavy ground but it was fast when he vied for favouritism with New
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Caulfield Files ›› Approach and Rio De La Plata in the
National Stakes. In the circumstances Myboycharlie wasn’t disgraced in finishing third, but the effort seemed to convince his connections that he was a sprinter rather than a potential Guineas horse. Perhaps they were wrong, as Sistercharlie, Jameka and Euro Charline have all won at nine and a half furlongs or more, and Myboycharlie disappointed in both of his three-yearold starts in Ireland, the first over six furlongs and the second over five. Maybe he had a problem, as he ended his three-year-old season with three starts in the US, where he won over a mile at Fair Grounds in Louisiana towards the end of 2008. By April 9, 2009 Myboycharlie had been transferred to Australia and he covered his first mares at Vinery later that year before being returned to Europe to make his debut at the National Stud in 2010. With his British stud debut coming nearly three years
entrust Bushranger with 184 mares in his first season, 155 in his second and 210 in his third. The market couldn’t get enough of his first-crop sons but the bubble soon burst and he is now based in Turkey. Coincidentally, Bushranger also has a Grade 1-winning daughter running in the US this year, as the former Scottish-trained mare Sophie P has won the Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita. For the record, another of Danetime’s sons, the 2,000 Guineas runner-up Vital Equine, has been represented in 2018 by Material Man, a gelding with the extraordinary record of having won Group races over 1,400, 1,600, 2,000 and 2,400 metres in Australia this year. This adds up to a greater legacy from Danetime than could reasonably have been expected at the time of his death in Western Australia in September 2005. He had stood the 2005 Irish season at a fee of €6,500 but was to enjoy considerable posthumous success.
after his Morny triumph, and memories being short, it was no surprise to see him attract no more than 68 mares in his first season and 61 in his second. When he next returned to Europe, it was to France, the scene of his finest victory. The perversity of the market is underlined by the welcome accorded to Bushranger, another Danetime colt who won the Prix Morny a year after Myboycharlie. Admittedly Bushranger also won the Middle Park Stakes but he too disappointed at three, never managing to reach the first three in Group 1 sprints before being retired to Tally-Ho Stud. It was at Tally-Ho that Danetime had been developing into a very effective stallion before his untimely death as an 11-year-old in 2005, and it was also at Tally-Ho that Kodiac, another non-stakes-winning son of Danehill, has undergone an even more dramatic transformation. These precedents encouraged breeders, in lemming-like style, to
It is hard to imagine now, after the exploits of Montjeu and Galileo, that there was a time when breeders questioned Sadler’s Wells’s ability as a sire of sires. Certainly there were some notable disappointments, such as Entrepreneur, King Of Kings, Old Vic, Saddlers’ Hall and King’s Theatre, with the last three all ending up in the National Hunt sector. But the early sons also included the likes of Barathea and In The Wings, a pair who maintained a high standard throughout their fairly lengthy careers. Like Galileo and Montjeu, In The Wings was a true mile-and-a-half horse, as he proved with his Group 1 wins in the Coronation Cup, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Breeders’ Cup Turf as a four-year-old. In The Wings also faced a widespread bias against small horses, as he stood only 15.1 1/2hh, but – like his grandsire Northern Dancer before him – he was to show that size isn’t always an issue. Making his stallion debut in the early nineties, In The Wings covered small books by today’s standards, with only 151 foals in his first four crops. However, his first crop contained the international star Singspiel and the Irish Derby winner Winged Love and 11 of these 151 foals became Group winners (7.2%). He ended up with ten
EMMA BERRY
Still succeeding in the wings
The diminutive Soldier Hollow
Group 1 winners and his total of 35 Group winners from a total of 721 foals represented a highly respectable 4.9%. Sadly, In The Wings’s male line is virtually extinct in the Anglo-Irish Flat industry, but it has been a very different story in Germany. In The Wings was responsible for the 2007 Deutsches Derby winner Adlerflug and another of his German sons, the three-time champion older horse Soldier Hollow, sired the 2012 winner
Pastorius and the latest winner Weltstar. Because Soldier Hollow raced until he was seven, he is already approaching veteran status as he was born in 2000. Even so, he still has only 394 foals of racing age in his first eight crops, while the four-yearyounger Adlerflug has only 160 in his first six crops. These low totals reflect the comparative smallness of today’s German industry. The flashy Adlerflug has 11 blacktype winners among his 160 foals and he commands a fee of €15,000 at Gestut Schlenderhan. Soldier Hollow has 25 black-type winners and his ability to sire Group 1 winners of the calibre of Weltstar, Pastorius, Dschingis Secret, Ivanhowe and the Preis der Diana winner Serienholde has established this Gestut Auenquelle resident as Germany’s premier stallion. He now commands a fee of €25,000, having started out at €6,500. Ivanhowe, Germany’s champion older horse of 2014, when he took a pair of Group 1 races over a mile and a half, went on to win two ten-furlong Group 1 races in Australia and is now standing at Haras du Thenney in France. Pastorius is also now based in France at Haras de la Hetraie, where the emphasis is on jumping.
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www.martinsmithracing.com
Be at the front of the field! JPORTMAN RACING
Calling all owners and breeders! You have seen what we can do with: MRS DANVERS (£1k): Weatherbys Supersprint, St Hughes Stks LR, Cornwallis Stakes G3 ANNECDOTE (£3k). Sandringham Stks Royal Ascot LR, Oak Tree Stks G3 ROYAL RAZALMA (£15k) Cornwallis Stks G3 and many others
NIGEL TINKLER
Trained over 1000 winners, including 2 Cheltenham Festival winners and Group winners on the Flat. Currently having his best season including victory in a £40k fillies race at Newmarket. Attending sales this autumn, Nigel welcomes single owners, partnerships and syndicates.
Our success can be your success. Join us now!
Training fees currently £260.00 pw with extras kept to a minimum.
WHITCOOMBE HOUSE STABLES Maddle Road, Upper Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 8RA 07798 824 513 • www.jonathanportmanracing.com
Please contact Nigel on 01658 658245, mobile 07836 384225 or email nigel@nigeltinkler.com
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Last call for Richard Fahey Racing and Oak Farm Stables visit
GEORGE SELWYN
A
limited number of places are still available for our upcoming event on Tuesday, September 11 and which features a behind-the-scenes look at Richard Fahey Racing and Oak Farm Stables. The day will start with a tour of Richard Fahey’s Musley Bank Stables in Malton, Yorkshire. Richard has established himself as one of the largest and most successful trainers in the north of England and last year saddled 200 winners and won over £4.2 million in prize-money. The tour will give members the chance to find out more about the yard and horses and also view some of the state-of-the-art facilities, which include a mile-long allweather gallop, indoor school, treadmills, horse walkers and an equine spa. The tour will be followed by lunch at the nearby Old Lodge in Malton, after which the group will travel to Oak Farm Stables. Oak Farm Stables was set up by Mark Dwyer following his retirement from raceriding, and specialises in the preparation, development and production of horses for yearling, store and breeze-up sales. Mark has been responsible for consigning Group-winning horses, including Hackwood Stakes winner Strath
Richard Fahey: phenomenally successful trainer will welcome TTC members this month
Burn, Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris, and multiple Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey. The event, including lunch, is free for
members of the Thoroughbred Club, and to book your place please email info@thethoroughbredclub.co.uk or visit our website.
Meet the Committee: Christian Williams, Chairman How did you first get into racing? I always had an interest from a young age. My mum works in the betting industry and I grew up around horses. I chose to study Equine Breeding & Stud Management at the University of Essex, after which I managed to get a stud hand job working for Ian Bradbury at Biddestone Stud. What is your favourite race meeting and why? Any early spring Flat meeting, it signifies a new season, a fresh batch of two-year-olds, unknown potential future champions and the end of winter! What does your current role in the industry involve? I recently started as Management Assistant at Cheveley Park Stud, after spending almost four years at
Overbury Stud as stud groom. My current role involves nominations and marketing of our stallions, assisting with the horses in training and assisting with the day to day running of the stud. I also own a few horses myself. Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time? I’m extremely grateful to Mr and Mrs Thompson and Chris Richardson for my current role so I hope I will still be with Cheveley Park! What made you want to join TTC Committee and what are your specific areas of interest within the club? I’m passionate about the future of the breed. As merely custodians of the thoroughbred, the next generation of trainers, stud managers, agents and stable/stud staff are fundamentally key to securing that future. To have a
Christian Williiams: enjoying Cheveley Park
small influence through TTC is truly humbling. What can a club like TTC do for a person trying to get into the industry? The club offers an extensive
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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk •
Special raceday badge offers in September Members have the chance to win a pair of tickets for each of the QIPCO Champions Series racedays throughout the 2018 Flat season. In September these include: • The 32red Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock Park (September 8) • The Doncaster Cup Stakes at Doncaster (September 14) • The William Hill St Leger Stakes at Doncaster (September 15) To enter, members must like and share the competition post through our social media platforms, or alternatively email an interest to info@thethoroughbredclub.co.uk. Entries close roughly the week before the date of the race and the winners will be announced on our social media channels. Members may also buy halfprice tickets at all Ascot meetings, including Festival of Food and Wine Friday Raceday (September 7) and Festival of Food and Wine Saturday Raceday (September 8). For a full list of raceday offers, please visit our website. Other selected offers will be available to members throughout the year, so please keep an eye on our social media pages and emails for details on our latest member deals.
support network to any young person wishing to join the industry through educational events and social gatherings. In addition, the TTC bursary of up to £500 offers a fantastic exclusive benefit to members who wish to further their education and career. What advice would you give to someone coming into the industry? Hard work will always be rewarded. Join clubs such as TTC, meet as many people as possible and get involved in as much as you can. Who is your favourite racehorse/ stallion and why? I was lucky enough to work with Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden. The grit and determination he showed in his races was amazing. He’s very much a character and has produced some great looking progeny who I hope progress well.
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@TTC_GB
Have you booked your place on the Careers Course at Tattersalls?
The Careers Course gives insight into all aspects of the bloodstock industry
Bookings are now being accepted onto this year’s Careers Course, which will take place at Tattersalls, Newmarket on Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14. The two-day course will give members an insight into the bloodstock industry, employment opportunities within it, and how to build a successful career, through a series of presentations and workshops delivered by industry experts.
The programme will also include a number of behind-the-scenes visits and an evening reception held at the historic Jockey Club Rooms. The course is free of charge for members or £50 for non-members (both days) or £30 for one day. Please note that places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come-firstserved basis. For further information and to book your place, please contact melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk.
Upcoming Events Thursday, September 6 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Exeter racecourse
Tuesday, December 11- Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course The British Racing School, Newmarket
Tuesday, September 11 The Thoroughbred Club Summer Event Richard Fahey Racing and Mark Dwyer
New Members
Thursday, September 13 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Haydock Park racecourse Tuesday, November 13 - Wednesday, November 14 The Thoroughbred Club Careers Course Tattersalls, Newmarket
The Thoroughbred Club would like to warmly welcome the following new members and look forward to seeing them at our events throughout the year. Millie Garfit, Suffolk Tara McCabe, Suffolk Roisin Wardle, Leicestershire Nick Urwin, Hertfordshire Joe Mongahan, London Sally Evans, Worcestershire
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ROA Forum
The special section for ROA members
Winning prize leads to marriage for ROA member
Wine at Windsor The winning experience at many courses is an enjoyable one, but what about those whose horse runs really well, just not well enough for the top spot? The ROA Raceday Committee has been encouraging all courses to reward placed connections in all races, and for small courses with not much available space this means getting inventive. We are delighted to reveal that Windsor is the latest course to take up this challenge, and in August they started to provide placed connections with a voucher for a bottle of wine in the owners’ facility to celebrate/ commiserate after their race.
JOANNE TOLNER
Feedback winner
I
n the summer of 2014, ROA member Luke Tofts was given the good news that he had won a VIP trip for two to enjoy Irish Champions Weekend, offered by the ROA in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland, following an article in this magazine. Luke journeyed to Dublin with friend Campbell Ross and enjoyed a first-class weekend of racing and hospitality at Leopardstown and the Curragh. The weekend proved to be even more memorable than Luke could have imagined, as it provided the opportunity for him to meet Clara Smith.
We are happy to report that romance blossomed and on August 4, Luke and Clara were married in London. At the wedding, each of the ten tables was named after a horse running in that day’s 7.05pm at Lingfield and every guest was given a betting slip for their respective horse, as a wedding favour. Naturally the race was streamed live to guests before the starter was served. We would like to wish Luke and Clara every happiness and we hope there will be many happy years ahead for them – and lots of fun days racing.
As the racing awards season draws closer, the ROA Raceday Committee need your help more than ever. Not only does your racecourse feedback help to decide upon the ROA Gold Standard Award holders, but it also contributes the shortlisted courses for the Racecourse Association’s Owner Experience Award. To aid in the decision-making process we would like members to visit roa.co.uk/feedback each time they have a runner, and complete our quick and easy racecourse feedback form. As well as helping to shape the 2018 awards process, you could also scoop yourself a £50 John Lewis giftcard. This month’s lucky winner was Clare Spencer-Herbert, who had a win and two places in July, the former with her horse Amanto at Epsom, and it was her feedback that was the first out of the ROA hat.
Galway festival reciprocal arrangement a big hit We were delighted to hear that a number of ROA members enjoyed visiting the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners marquee at Galway over three days of their summer festival. Member John Bushe, who visited Galway with his wife Alison and a friend, was effusive in his praise of the
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warm welcome received. He commented: “The AIRO marquee was a lovely facility, with a TV screen and betting facility. As an added bonus we were served a tasty lunch of roast beef and salad. “The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners really looked after us, and, with the unseasonal weather, use of
the facility was greatly appreciated.” Many thanks to our counterparts at the AIRO for offering members such a warm welcome at Galway as part of our reciprocal arrangements for owners in the UK, France and Ireland. Details of our diary of member events can be found at www.roa.co.uk/ events.
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News in Brief Invoice payment service
Wendy and Robert Pocock with guests enjoy the ROA’s pre-racing picnic
A glorious time had by all at Goodwood The Qatar Goodwood Festival lived up to its Glorious billing with five days of topclass racing action bathed in sunshine. On the opening day of the meeting around 35 members joined the ROA to enjoy preracing drinks and canapes in car park 4 before racing. Invitations were sent to members who had booked badges through the ROA for the Richmond Enclosure on that day, and to a number of trainers and owners expected to have runners that afternoon. The ROA had offered a specially tailored hospitality package to members, including lunch in the Horsewalk Restaurant for the five days of the meeting. Paul Jacobs, owner of dual Group 1 winner Limato, reported on his visit on August 3: “From the welcome through to the excellent levels of service and really nice food, it was as good an experience as at any racecourse I’ve attended. And my guests all agreed and asked me to pass on our appreciation to the ROA and the restaurant. Goodwood do a great job.”
September Jackpot races A whopping £10,000 can be won this month by ROA members, with a weekly chance to scoop a £2,000 bonus with the ROA Owners Jackpot. To qualify, horses must be owned by ROA members. Horses owned by partnerships need to be registered at least 51% in the ownership of ROA members. In the case of clubs and syndicates, the majority of the club/ syndicate managers will need to be members of the ROA to qualify.
This month’s ROA Owners Jackpot races
Race No.
September 4 Goodwood 1m3f Class 5 4yo+ 0-70 Handicap
46775
September 12 Uttoxeter 2m7 1/2f Class 4 4yo+ 0-115 Handicap Hurdle
50604
September 19 Sandown 1m2f Class 5 3yo+ 0-70 Fillies’ Handicap
47325
September 20 Pontefract 1m2f Class 4 3yo+ 0-85 Handicap
47343
September 24 Kempton 1m Class 4 3yo+ 0-85 Handicap
67473
Owners Jackpot+
It was a capacity night at Chester on Friday, July 13 for our latest Owners Jackpot+ race and reception with the use of a facility for the evening. And it was lucky for some as Sans Souci Bay’s owners, Chappell Rose & Radford, collected the £2,000 bonus, on top of the £250 contribution to travelling expenses for all qualified runners. Rain threatened, but didn’t materialise – to the disappointment of the farming guests present, and we enjoyed a champagne reception and delicious canapés during the evening. Chester racecourse, as you would expect as a Gold Standard holding course, looked after everyone superbly.
• The next Owners Jackpot+ event will be at Fontwell, on October 24. In addition to the £2,000 bonus for the owner of a qualified winning horse there will be champagne for every qualifying runner, and: • Travel expenses of £250 for every qualifying ROA-owned runner in the Jackpot race; • ROA hospitality for members with or without a runner in a racecourse facility, with a complimentary drink and light refreshments. • If the trainer of a qualifying winning horse in the Jackpot+ race is an ROA member, the winning yard will also benefit with a payment of £500.
Owners and trainers have for some time been able to make use of a mandate to take care of the payment of regular training fees through Weatherbys’ invoice payment service. Essentially it provides a personal direct debit service for the payment of training fees, which is available only to owners with a Weatherbys Racing Bank account. Owners continue to receive invoices and can query bills before the payment date. The mandate can also be used for the payment of vets and farrier invoices. The service is convenient and easy to set up, and lets trainers know on which day they will be paid. To find out more call Charlie Easton at Weatherbys Racing Bank on 01933 304777 or email tfm@ weatherbys.co.uk
Secretary socials
Members of the ROA team will be out and about meeting racing secretaries and senior staff during September and October. Sessions are being arranged in Lambourn, Malton, Middleham and Gloucestershire with other regional events in the pipeline. This follows a productive series of regional meetings held with key staff in training centres over the past 12 months, following the launch of the ROA Trainer Pack. The sessions provide an opportunity for staff who are regularly dealing with owners’ queries to feedback on current processes and share ideas. Details and dates of this year’s meetings will be circulated to trainers by the ROA and NTF.
Welfare email
The ROA has set up a dedicated email for members who may have questions around retraining, general welfare or veterinary issues relating to their racehorses. These might include questions about retraining options for retired racehorses, equine welfare on the racetrack, or further information regarding tendon injuries or other veterinary topics. Please email welfare@roa.co.uk and we will endeavour to assist.
Full details can be found at www.roa.co.uk/jackpot
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ROA Forum
MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA members Jenny and Christopher Powell
Ginger Nut gamely repels a host of rivals in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury to give her owners another memorable victory
A
fter barely missing a meeting at Cheltenham as racegoers, Jenny and Christopher Powell decided in 1991 they wanted to up their level of interest in racing by becoming owners. But how to go about it? As it happened, a good friend sponsored Peter Scudamore’s car, an introduction followed, along with a conversation about how to buy a horse and where to send it. Scudamore at the time was a business partner with Nigel TwistonDavies, and after Paul Webber had bought a mare – as requested by Jenny Powell – at the horses in training sales, Gulsha, out of Ben Hanbury’s yard, was duly sent to Twiston-Davies. “She won over hurdles twice within a week, at Wolverhampton and Exeter, and we were over the moon and thinking it was easy,” recalls Christopher Powell. Bitten by the bug, the Powells fancied another horse, though in the early 90s a depression had hit and Webber was given a “very tight budget”. “Lo and behold we paid the princely sum of £6,000 for Gaelstrom, who had won the mares’ class at the Doncaster
sales,” says Powell. “She turned out to be extremely good and won six for us. “The highlight was the Sun Alliance Hurdle at Cheltenham in 1993; she was the first mare to win it for donkey’s years. Needless to say we thought owning horses was easier than ever!” The Powells kept the same formula for their next buy, the mares’ class winner at Doncaster through Webber and Twiston-Davies, and this time it was Gospel. “She won a few races too,” says Powell, “including the National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle Final at Cheltenham’s April meeting, and she held the course record for something like ten or 12 years.” From Malvern sales, where Jenny Pitman was a show judge, came the Powells’ next horse, a gelding by Kaytu with eyecatching markings on his legs. Nicknamed Pongo, he was named General Pongo and was to turn out to be a particularly cherished horse, not so much for his triumphs but for what he had to overcome to get them. “He had appalling problems,” recounts Powell. “He had colic and then his intestines were taken out. It was a
miracle really but he came back to win at Bangor, a valuable handicap chase at Uttoxeter, and again at Chepstow. “In sentimental terms, he was our greatest pleasure, because of what he achieved despite his problems. He came back from the dead.”
Magical moments aplenty
The horses mentioned so far have probably been the “star ones” in the Powells’ years as owners to date, but there have been plenty of other memorable – for different reasons – horses, right up to the present day. Gatsby, for example. “He finished fifth in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham and then crossed the line first in the Fox Hunters’ at Aintree,” says Powell. “Trouble was, he’d unseated his jockey at the eighth! He was a good horse on his day and a pleasure to have. “Tom Scudamore won six on the bounce on Glevum, while Greenwich won the Lady Dudley Cup, one of the most prestigious prizes for point-topointers.” The Powells did try their hand at breeding but admit it didn’t really work out, and with it their investment in
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National Hunt racing lessened. Gulsha was sent to Batshoof and the result was the Powells’ most successful horse as breeders, Gulshan, who won the EBF Novices’ Hurdle Final at Newbury and an EBF intermediate chase final at Exeter the following spring. Things took a different turn for the Powells subsequently as they set out to find a horse to win the Triumph Hurdle with David Minton, who had been a good friend for years. A horse by Eagle Eye was spotted and bought, and named Goggles by Jenny Powell. Goggles did rather well at two, winning a maiden at Goodwood and then the hugely valuable St Leger Yearling sales race at Doncaster from just three starts. The following year he won the then Listed Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, after which an “irresistible” offer came in from Hong Kong. As it happened, while Minton was
“It’s important to have a good time as owners; it’s not just about winning” sorting out the purchase of Goggles, Christopher Powell took a shine to a Grand Lodge youngster at the same sale and stuck his hand up. Successfully as it turned out. Named Grand Fromage, he didn’t make it to the Triumph Hurdle either. He did score at Chester, smashing the course record on good to firm ground, but that effectively ended his racing career. Now 20, Grand Fromage currently lives at Juliet Minton’s, serving a useful role as a guiding light to younger horses. Aside from General Pongo, Genre was the other horse mentioned specifically by Christopher Powell in terms of magical moments, for he says: “Genre had been quite disappointing and after he’d finished unplaced at Doncaster, and come back with his heels
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bleeding, Jenny said to Richard Hannon to put him away. “Richard, however, said he’d be fine and less than a month later he went to Windsor and broke the course record. It was an amazing turnaround, and he then won at Doncaster by eight lengths. We sold him to the US – he went on to stand as a sire in Canada.” Ghetto was another winner for the Powells sold to the US, as were Grand Prix and Gal Aloud, while Gems Bond – the first horse trained for them by Richard Hannon snr – landed the TBA Handicap at Ascot. Gene Autry – permission to name him was successfully sought! – was another winner, and he was sold to Hong Kong. Golden Jubilee won a good few times, including the Newmarket Challenge Whip, a special event in racing history. By the way, by now, you might have picked up on a pattern. Not every horse owned by the Powells begins with ‘G’, but the vast majority of them do. Why deviate from a lucky letter, they thought when starting out on the right foot. Despite plenty of success, the Powells’ cupboard had been a little bare in recent years. Until July, that is, when along came Ginger Nut to plunder the richly endowed Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury at 16-1 – a victory she so nearly followed up at Newmarket last month, before gaining another victory in a nursery at the Ebor meeting. Ginger Nut was a second Super Sprint winner for Richard Hannon jnr, to go with seven saddled by his father. Jenny Powell, speaking on the day, said: “It’s a huge thrill. She was long odds this morning, but we never bet – we gamble owning horses!” Those horses these days include Flat and jumpers, with Nicky Henderson, Twiston-Davies, Charlie Hills, Archie Watson, Hannon and his brother-in-law Sylvester Kirk on the trainer roster. “We’ve been with Nigel since day one, 27 years ago, which is frightening,” says Christopher Powell. “A common thread with trainers we’ve been with for a while, Nigel, Richard Hannon snr and Charlie, is that it’s entertaining being owners with them. It’s important to have a good time as owners; it’s not just about winning.” With messrs Henderson, Watson and Kirk also on their side, however, the Powells are certain to continue having not just an enjoyable time but their fair share of winners.
Diary dates and reminders SEPTEMBER 19 ROA regional meeting At Sandown Park FULLY BOOKED SEPTEMBER 21 Member visit to Cheveley Park and Banstead Manor Studs In Newmarket with lunch at Palace House FULLY BOOKED SEPTEMBER 27 Morning visit to New Beginnings racehorse retraining centre in York With complimentary admission badges to Pontefract for the afternoon’s racing OCTOBER 20 Private box with exclusive hospitality package QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot FULLY BOOKED OCTOBER 24 Owners Jackpot+ At Fontwell OCTOBER 30 ROA regional meeting At Chepstow NOVEMBER 1 Ownership Matters event In Edinburgh NOVEMBER 20 ROA regional meeting At Southwell DECEMBER 6 ROA Horseracing Awards At the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London See roa.co.uk/events for further details on all the above and to book
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ROA Forum
MY DAY AT THE RACES with William Robinson at Doncaster on July 6
Yorkshireman William Robinson may have been a registered owner only since 2014, but he’s been lucky enough to have well over 100 runs from his horses since then. This includes a horse hoping to enter the ‘100 Club’ soon, Coiste Bodhar, who has proved an absolute stalwart with 96 runs and 12 wins at the time of writing. A patron of several trainers, the majority of William’s horses are with Nottinghamshire trainer Scott Dixon. This includes his youngest horse, and the subject of this month’s report, Champagne Mondays Did you receive any welcome information as an owner in advance of the raceday? Yes, I did have a letter explaining the car parking system, thanking me for entering the horse, etc. I would personally prefer an email, especially as I do not need most of the information provided. How was the experience of arrival at the racecourse, and collecting your owners’ badges? Unfortunately I did meet the park and ride bus trying to get out as I and others were trying to enter the owners’ car park and this is something that really does need addressing. Why is the car park not exclusive to owners? The badge collection process though was smooth, and there were no issues with my badge request.
William Robinson with one of his trainers, Scott Dixon, and jockey Kieran O’Neill
What were your thoughts on the location, comfort and provision in the owners’ facility? The new system with a young lady meeting owners and trainers in the lounge seems to work well. The dining area has also been the subject of a revamp and there was definite improvement to the dining tables, with white table cloths and chairs that are suitable for sitting on and eating food from. The food offered was good and there was plenty of it – fresh salad, soup and a roll – plus as a nice touch they have just introduced sponge cake and an almond slice along with the tea, which went down well. How was the pre-parade ring/ paddock experience? I did not go to the pre-parade but thought it was very good in the parade ring chatting with my fellow owners Jim and Chris Wylam. One horse did break free and there was some swift movement but it was soon all under control. How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing? They are located just outside the owners’ facility which is good, but it is up three flights of stairs in the stand, which some may find awkward.
Were you able to review a replay of your race easily on course? If a race review was available then I failed to see it. How were you treated as a winning owner on the day? My horse ran well but not good enough to win on this occasion. What was your overall lasting feeling of the day, based on your racecourse experience? I would enter any of the horses I have shares in to race at Doncaster. There is normally a good racing surface that is suitable for larger fields. We all like to win but to see a number of runners (ten to 15 would be my ideal - makes it entertaining.
HOW IT RATED Entry Viewing Atmosphere Owners’ facilities Food Overall score
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 18
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Figures for period August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018
Flat Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Sandown Park Chester Newbury Doncaster Haydock Park Chelmsford City Wetherby Pontefract Musselburgh Salisbury Hamilton Park Ripon Newcastle Ayr Lingfield Park Carlisle Leicester Kempton Park Nottingham Windsor Beverley Redcar Thirsk Catterick Bridge Ffos Las Yarmouth Bath Chepstow Wolverhampton Brighton Southwell Total
Ownership
Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)
I I I JCR JCR JCR I I ARC JCR I I I I I I I ARC I ARC JCR I JCR JCR ARC I I I I ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC ARC
470,801 239,700 218,992 185,720 127,097 88,553 87,751 86,970 79,297 75,854 48,106 44,862 44,628 43,744 43,499 41,949 41,208 37,984 37,181 37,096 36,548 35,382 34,293 32,979 32,825 32,480 31,812 31,769 29,986 28,395 28,306 24,160 24,082 23,274 21,624 21,357 62,177
Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)
Avg owner spend per fixture (£)
Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)
Total no. of fixtures
Total prize-money (£)
Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2016-17 (£)
129,769 273,469 90,453 108,079 92,092 80,622 70,751 86,937 71,381 70,778 49,894 40,799 42,751 12,987 58,667 39,565 48,439 35,340 41,575 18,599 20,066 6,031 13,600 7,438 30,796 3,818 22,233 5,682 25,709 5,844 21,617 4,397 20,129 4,685 22,108 5,887 21,396 5,559 25,777 4,921 16,949 6,020 23,498 6,274 21,152 5,477 21,059 6,561 19,541 5,546 22,903 4,147 18,990 15,220 20,839 6,339 18,822 2,791 13,143 4,044 19,133 5,226 16,328 3,588 13,827 3,907 19,937 3,713 14,947 3,247 15,725 2,553 31,667 20,793
876,540 441,288 392,256 343,408 270,665 180,379 146,271 190,084 163,138 139,229 74,793 65,900 80,509 72,034 75,581 67,963 66,023 65,980 64,136 67,794 59,517 65,571 61,051 60,599 57,949 59,582 66,022 59,510 51,599 45,582 53,394 44,147 41,817 46,957 39,819 39,635 115,201
18 18 20 11 39 15 16 17 24 23 61 4 15 16 17 17 18 46 15 73 12 18 58 22 27 19 16 16 16 5 24 21 16 78 21 37 889
15,777,712 7,943,181 7,845,111 3,777,485 10,555,941 2,705,682 2,340,330 3,231,436 3,915,323 3,132,650 4,562,390 263,600 1,207,628 1,152,547 1,284,883 1,155,379 1,188,407 3,035,059 962,039 4,948,965 714,210 1,180,283 3,540,960 1,333,186 1,564,626 1,132,056 1,056,350 952,155 825,582 227,911 1,281,454 927,094 669,069 3,662,624 836,189 1,466,500 102,355,997
429,953 210,728 71,230 167,801 123,132 68,603 84,999 78,214 82,037 56,661 41,746 32,248 37,817 55,836 38,831 37,076 37,518 34,894 45,022 33,545 28,905 32,003 27,008 27,658 28,311 31,177 24,467 30,234 23,149 26,026 22,797 31,160 22,635 20,787 19,997 12,732 52,649
s s s s s s s s t s s s s t s s s s t s s s s s s s s s s s s t s s s s s
Up/ down
Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Kelso Perth Doncaster Newcastle Newton Abbot Fakenham Carlisle Stratford-On-Avon Wincanton Cartmel Exeter Warwick Ludlow Chepstow Hereford Wetherby Market Rasen Taunton Leicester Musselburgh Hexham Uttoxeter Ffos Las Huntingdon Catterick Bridge Towcester Worcester Fontwell Park Lingfield Park Bangor-On-Dee Plumpton Sedgefield Southwell Total
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Ownership
Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)
Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)
Avg owner spend per fixture (£)
Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)
Total no. of fixtures
Total prize-money (£)
Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2016-17 (£)
Up/ down
JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I I I ARC ARC I I JCR I JCR I JCR JCR I ARC ARC I JCR I I I I ARC ARC JCR I I ARC ARC ARC I I ARC ARC
285,889 267,292 156,372 112,263 102,856 85,960 54,366 43,928 41,974 38,104 37,957 36,434 34,924 33,455 33,352 32,997 32,831 32,447 31,930 31,880 31,473 31,415 30,372 30,264 29,768 28,819 28,060 27,636 27,179 26,504 26,095 26,062 24,089 23,909 23,468 21,634 21,324 20,937 20,415 18,569 18,236 45,676
141,717 119,630 88,351 90,699 85,030 64,402 59,022 35,802 23,303 25,086 42,455 34,354 28,487 21,092 30,673 21,144 34,611 28,642 35,619 31,682 30,548 36,970 23,651 31,760 29,930 28,529 31,287 32,235 15,581 26,957 27,246 24,144 23,712 17,748 22,282 19,450 27,812 18,275 24,457 19,858 20,426 35,486
79,265 68,782 19,362 17,813 16,227 21,492 9,230 11,606 5,020 3,971 7,945 5,710 57 0 5,502 4,472 5,821 5,456 6,487 6,358 5,349 8,578 5,988 5,410 5,365 6,064 4,897 4,364 3,246 6,261 5,371 5,281 2,796 3,971 4,396 3,456 4,538 4,185 3,953 3,269 3,932 8,857
507,683 456,328 265,335 226,887 212,937 173,216 122,975 95,072 73,026 67,161 88,885 77,053 63,468 54,547 72,231 59,077 73,263 66,544 74,037 70,201 67,370 76,964 60,011 67,435 65,289 64,143 64,244 64,235 46,007 59,722 58,712 57,456 50,596 45,628 50,146 44,540 53,675 43,558 48,825 42,226 42,593 90,684
8 16 8 9 9 9 14 14 11 16 9 9 18 12 11 14 16 9 14 16 16 14 7 14 21 13 8 10 15 24 11 16 9 12 22 22 6 14 14 16 20 546
4,061,466 7,301,255 2,122,682 2,041,983 1,809,968 1,558,946 1,721,653 1,331,001 803,281 1,074,582 799,967 693,478 1,142,423 654,570 794,537 827,079 1,172,201 598,900 1,036,522 1,123,212 1,077,924 1,077,491 420,079 944,093 1,371,073 833,858 513,952 642,350 690,098 1,433,328 645,836 919,293 455,366 547,541 1,103,206 979,875 322,047 609,808 683,547 675,623 851,868 49,467,963
265,466 243,494 139,465 100,415 106,933 29,163 51,678 38,475 34,174 54,522 37,803 27,211 27,779 23,735 20,103 30,467 26,041 29,916 21,769 25,827 51,678 34,619 24,651 26,604 18,015 25,937 24,074 19,792 19,437 24,758 23,181 24,074 16,963 17,286 20,980 19,433 34,174 23,285 17,477 18,165 18,103 39,335
s s s s t s s s s t s s s s s s s s s s t t s s s s s s s s s s s s s s t t s s s s
EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prize-money: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period. The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors. If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow. As these tables are based on the prizemoney paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.
OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses ARC Arena Racing Company I
Independently owned racecourse
Gold Standard Award
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TBA Forum
The special section for TBA members
GB-bred scheme plans outlined at TBA AGM
Guest speaker Andrew Sentance of PwC
TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson delivers his address at the 101st AGM
A review of the Association’s achievements over the past 12 months, coupled with an assessment of the future challenges and possible solutions for the industry, were explored by Chairman Julian RichmondWatson’s address at the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s 101st Annual General Meeting. The Chairman continued to underline the Association’s commitment to work towards a long term sustainable future for the thoroughbred breeding industry, acknowledging the potential challenges both within the racing industry and broader economic/political factors. In 2017 the TBA continued to fund and deliver vital work in the veterinary field.
In addition to the regular advice, courses, seminars, articles and updates to members on the latest in equine veterinary science and practice, the Association has also funded a number of studies to combat key health issues including early pregnancy loss and parasitical worms in horses. The TBA’s veterinary advisors have also worked with Defra to develop a new protocol for managing outbreaks of CEM. Following challenges with the supply of EHV1-4 vaccine, the TBA also made a fiveyear commitment of a quarter of a million pounds to the Animal Health Trust’s EHV vaccine development research project. The Chairman addressed the growing issue of recruiting skilled staff in the
Ascot Breeders’ Lunch The 2018 Royal Ascot Breeders’ Lunch took place in the Ascot Authority Room on Friday, July 27, and was well attended with 43 guests - including the connections of Without Parole, who travelled over from the USA specifically to attend. TBA members were among the winning breeders as well as representatives from some of the stallion studs who were invited for the first time in recognition of
their contribution to the breeding industry. Guests were treated to a delicious lunch and a great day’s racing and all winning breeders were given a commemorative Garrard Strawberry Dish with their winning horse’s name, and a group photograph was taken after lunch on the presentation podium. The TBA would like to thank Ascot racecourse for hosting this wonderful day.
industry and hailed the success of last year’s pilot training programme Entry to Stud Employment (E2SE), which provided an opportunity for people who are traditionally ineligible for free education programmes to access training for roles in the industry - 11 students were successfully placed on stud farms in the first year of the pilot and the Year 2 course recruitment has commenced. The TBA continues its work to promote and support a resilient and diverse breed, with particular attention to stayers and fillies/mares. Plus 10 and NHMOPS have helped support breeders with these horses at sales and have demonstrated that incentive schemes can positively influence buyer behaviour. The Chairman then spoke of the current health of the industry, which has been assessed through an Economic Impact Study conducted by PwC. The early results of this have confirmed opinions that the breeding industry is in need of further financial support for a long term sustainable future. Richmond-Watson said: “The most effective way of boosting the racing and breeding industry would be a substantial increase in prize-money, and while in 2018 we will see a record of over £150 million in prize-money this may, with the legislation on FOBTs and betting shop closures, be the high-water mark for some time. “We need to have a scheme, which steers prize-money, rewards those who
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support British breeders and those who buy or race British-bred horses. And so we are working hard to gain support for a Britishbased [incentive] scheme.” The address closed with a message of thanks to outgoing TBA Deputy Chairman and board member Paul Greeves, who is stepping down from his role after many years of service. The Chairman said: “Paul’s great depth of knowledge and understanding of breeding issues has been invaluable to the TBA and he will be hard to replace.” TBA board member Philip Newton delivered a presentation on the initial findings of the 2018 Economic Impact Study (EIS) of the UK thoroughbred breeding industry. Early indications showed that more breeders have exited the industry since the 2014 study, and greater numbers are experiencing unprofitability, with the majority receiving low returns on investments. Fellow TBA board member Bryan Mayoh then discussed in greater detail the proposal for a British-bred incentive scheme as a possible solution to the many challenges which were identified by the Chairman’s address and EIS. The broader economic outlook was explored by guest speaker Andrew Sentance, Senior Economic Advisor at PwC, who delivered an informative speech on the cycles of growth and recession, the impacts of inflation on consumer confidence, and the future risks and opportunities facing the UK economy. These risks and opportunities included mid-term factors such as growth and interest rates, protectionism and Brexit, and political changes. Whereas longer term issues for economic change involved technology and disruptive change, climate change and natural resource, and an ageing population. Looking to the future, Sentance said: “We will be likely to see a little pick-up in growth as we get into 2019 and the early 2020s but economic growth is going to be fairly subdued in relation to our experience before the crisis.” He stressed that stable growth, as opposed to the volatile peaks from before the 2007 global financial crisis, should be preferred for the longer term UK economy. The meeting and speeches added further support to the TBA’s view that the thoroughbred breeding industry faces many challenges in its efforts to create a robust and sustainable industry. However, the Association continues to work on solutions to assist breeders both within industry and the broader political environment. Videos of all speakers from the AGM are available for members to view on the TBA website and the TBA YouTube channel.
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Delegates on the course were able to update, refresh or improve their knowledge
TBA/National Stud Regional Training Course The TBA and National Stud - with funding from the Racing Foundation – offered the first of three Regional Training Courses for TBA members, on July 24 at Lackham Hall, Wiltshire College. The course focused on feeding and nutrition, reproductive management, parasites and resistance, and also farriery and foot care. This provided delegates with a great opportunity to update, refresh or improve their knowledge on the key aspects of horse management. Louise Jones, Senior Equine Nutritionist at Connolly’s Red Mills, started off proceedings with a session on ‘Feeding the Broodmare’. Key points that emerged from this included the importance of feeding a balanced diet for both the health of the mare and to ensure optimum growth of the foal in utero and long term health of the offspring. Charlie Pinkham BVSc MRCVS of Pinkham Equine led the next two sessions of the day, in which he discussed ‘preparation for covering’ and ‘parasites and resistance’. In the first session he highlighted the importance of the pre-breeding requirements as outlined in the codes of practice, the pre-covering examinations which need to take place before bringing mares to the covering shed, and the process before, during and after a successful covering. The second session, ‘parasites and resistance’, involved looking at the different types of parasitic worms in the equine population and the preventative measures such as good pasture and stock management, and applying a programme of targeted use of wormers through faecal worm egg counts in the herd. The talk concluded with the increasingly important topic of resistance and the measures which are in place to preserve the future of the worming programme. After lunch, Dr Simon Curtis of O.A Curtis & Sons gave a talk on ‘Care of the Equine Foot’ which provided delegates with an interesting run through of the hoof anatomy and the importance of trimming and shoeing for heathy feet of both mares and foals. His presentation included a series of videos demonstrating the effectiveness of corrective farriery in foals with angular limb deformities. To conclude the day, Tabbi Smith, Training Director at the National Stud, spoke to delegates about the recently piloted TBA Entry to Stud Employment course. The course, open to anyone over the age of 18, is free of charge, and provides the necessary foundation training to help prepare them for a career working on a stud. The TBA would like to thank the National Stud, the Racing Foundation, Wiltshire College, the guest speakers and the delegates who made this day such a success.
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TBA Forum
Authorized filly crowned Foal
The show champion, a filly by Authorized by Miracle Maid, shown by Goldford Stud for breeder Dominic Burke
NH breeders and enthusiasts from around the country gathered at Bangor-on-Dee racecourse on Sunday, July 29, for the TBA ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ NH Foal Show. The event, which is kindly supported by Goffs UK, Weatherbys GSB, British EBF and Saracen Horse Feeds, attracted a total of 36 foals, who competed in four separate classes in front of panel of industry judges, which included Lady Emma Balding, Harry Fry, Stephen Kemble, Allan Munnis and Anne-Marie Poirier. After the judging of the four classes,
spectators and exhibitors convened for a tasty lunch, which was kindly sponsored by the British EBF. The lunch included the prize draw for the TBA’s raffle, which saw some great prizes won and money from which will go towards the TBA’s NH initiatives. In the afternoon the winners and runners-up from each of the four classes were then put forward for judging of the overall champion and reserve champion of the show. Reserve champion was awarded to a filly by Great Pretender who was owned and exhibited by Will Kinsey’s Peel
Bloodstock. The champion of the show was awarded to Dominic Burke’s Authorized filly out of Miracle Maid, who was exhibited by Goldford Stud and was also the winner of Class 2 for fillies born on/before April 14, which is also the date the champion filly was born. The filly, who is affectionally known as Tiger, is out of a mare who is a daughter of Selkirk and half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Katchit and Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Miracle Seeker. She was awarded a champion’s sash
FULL RESULTS OF THE TBA ‘STARS OF TOMORROW’ FOAL SHOW
Class 1 – colt born on or before April 14
Class 2 – filly born on or before April 14
Class 3 – colt born on or after April 15
1.
1. No.17 (Authorized – Miracle Maid), owned by Mr & Mrs D J Burke, exhibited by Goldford Stud 2. No.18 (Great Pretender – Miss Bailly), owned and exhibited by Peel Bloodstock 3. No.13 (Shirocco – Brantingham Breeze), owned and exhibited by Swanbridge Bloodstock 4. No.11 (Flemensfirth – Baby Shine), owned by Mr & Mrs D J Burke, exhibited by Goldford Stud
1. No.24 (Clovis Du Berlais – Kahooting), owned by Richard & Kate Bandey/Neil & Jane Maltby, exhibited by Richard & Kate Bandey 2. No.34 (Telescope– Well Connected), owned and exhibited by Swanbridge Bloodstock 3. No.29 (Shirocco – Pectora), owned and exhibited by Swanbridge Bloodstock 4. No.23 (Pether’s Moon – It’s A Discovery), owned and exhibited by Kevin & Anne Glastonbury
No.7 (Blue Bresil – Lifestyle), owned by David & Di Ford, exhibited by Kate Ford 2. No.4 (Black Sam Bellamy – Flemengo), owned by Ian & Eirene Ross, exhibited by Stuart Ross 3. No.5 (Proconsul – Function Dreamer), owned and exhibited by Mickley Stud 4. No.10 (Millenary – Saffron’s Song), owned by Killashee House Limited, exhibited by Worsall Grange Farm
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Show Champion and jacket, which was kindly provided by Saracen, as well as prize-money of £800 to go with the £400 won in the qualifying class. All prize-money for the show was kindly provided by Goffs UK, who in addition offered the winners and runnersup from each of the classes free entry to Goffs UK sales. Sally Aston of Goldford Stud said: “It’s great to see fillies coming to the fore today. We are all flying the flag for fillies because they are such an important part of the industry. This mare breeds athletic, goodlooking foals and, while this one was young,
Diary Dates
she is a real model. What she lacks in age she makes up for in movement. “Dominic, who was staying with us when she was born, has a policy of selling colts and keeping fillies to race and then hopefully go to stud. I’m thrilled for him because he puts so much into racing and breeding. Richard has rung him with the news and he’s as pleased as if he had won a big race.” The TBA would like to thank Goffs UK, Weatherbys GSB, British EBF, Saracen Horse Feeds and Bangor-on-Dee racecourse for their support.
Thursday, September 6 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Exeter racecourse. Tuesday, September 11 North Regional Day Richard Fahey Racing and Mark Dwyer Racing. Wednesday, September 19 National Stud/TBA Regional Training Course Haydock Park racecourse. Tuesday, December 11 to Thursday, December 13 TBA Annual Stud Farming Course The British Racing School, Newmarket
New Members Mr N Orpwood, Northumberland Fiona Anneliese Evans, Ayrshire Deborah Thomson, East Lothian Sarah Stoneham, North Yorkshire Ms Charlotte Clements, Suffolk Geraldine O’Mahoney, Kerry, Ireland
New board members
The ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ NH Foal Show was well supported, attracting a total of 36 foals
Class 4 – filly born on or after April 15
SUPREME CHAMPION
1. No.38 (Gentlewave – Precious Lady), owned and exhibited by Swanbridge Bloodstock 2. No.40 (Yorgunnabelucky – Sudden Beat), owned and exhibited by Mickley Stud 3. No.36 (Black Sam Bellamy – Faerie Reel), owned by Elizabeth Kellar, exhibited by Batsford Stud 4. No.42 (Kayf Tara – Whoops A Daisy), owned by Nicky Henderson & Sally Aston, ehibited by Goldford Stud
No.17 (Authorized – Miracle Maid), owned by Mr & Mrs D J Burke and exhibited by Goldford Stud
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RESERVE CHAMPION No.18 (Great Pretender – Miss Bailly), owned and exhibited by Peel Bloodstock
At the conclusion of the AGM held at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket on Thursday, July 19, the results of the TBA board elections were announced for the two elected positions available. Anita Wigan will join the Board of Trustees for the first time and Bryan Mayoh was re-elected for a further term of office. Anita Wigan has bred thoroughbreds for nearly 25 years at Rushbrooke Stud and has an in depth understanding of the problems facing small stud owners, such as retention of staff and high costs. She has a key interest in recruitment and retention in the industry and hopes to continue this as part of her role on the TBA board. Bryan Mayoh has helped to introduce and influence several initiatives, such as the NH Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (NHMOPS), an improved mares’ racing programme and the NH Elite Mares Scheme. His attention has now turned to working on a proposed British-bred Premium Scheme, which was announced at the AGM.
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TBA Forum South West Regional Day at Beckhampton Stables In late July Roger Charlton opened the doors of his immaculate Beckhampton Stables to TBA members and their guests, writes Alan Yuill Walker. Roger himself spent 12 years as assistant to Jeremy Tree. Having started in the City, Roger arrived at Beckhampton from Lambourn, where he ran the equine swimming pool at Windsor House. A competent amateur, he won the 1969 Kim Muir at Cheltenham for Edward Courage. Beckhampton House is a three-story, red-brick Victorian edifice situated on the old London to Bath road west of Marlborough. Close by is Avebury and this
Beckhampton, now home to Roger Charlton, has been the preparation ground for Classic winners through the ages
corner of Wiltshire is steeped in mystery and intrigue, from archaeological sites to modern day crop-circles; and the old Bath road would have been the haunt of many a highwayman. Beckhampton exudes racing history. Sam Darling and his son Fred trained the winners of 26 English Classics between them, and Roger’s predecessors Noel Murless and Tree both enhanced that tally. Roger achieved a unique treble in his very first season (1990) by saddling the first three colts to finish in the English, French and Irish Derbies with three separate individuals – if only a Maktoumowned filly had not been supplemented for the Curragh Classic!
TBA members soaked up much of this fascinating background from Roger’s running commentary as well as the seemingly never ending spell of sunshine which has made this summer one of the hottest on record. “We are still able to use our downland turf,” he confided. The bits of work witnessed by the TBA group were conducted on two separate all-weather strips, both over three-parts of a mile on the collar. “All 26 are two-year-olds, most of them unraced,” Roger informed us. “They are out for an hour every day and will do two canters. We are lucky in having 30 good riders which means we can usually get by with three lots.”
Roger is seldom without a flagship horse and recent Beckhampton stars include Al Kazeem, Bated Breath, Cityscape and Decorated Knight. All four homebreds are currently standing as stallions in the British Isles, John Deer’s Al Kazeem having returned to training after an abortive spell at stud. Deer and Khalid Abdullah are two of Beckhampton’s principal patrons and it was for the latter that Roger also trained Frankel’s dam Kind. One of the most high profile of the current inmates is Withhold, a strong Melbourne Cup candidate. The TBA would like to thank the Charlton family and their staff, including head lad Steve Raymont, for a memorable visit which opened with coffee and biscuits and concluded with a glass or two of chilled rose in their charming ‘hidden’ garden. To round off proceedings there was an excellent lunch at The Bell, just down the road at West Overton.
Roger Charlton is able to call on 30 work-riders, meaning he can exercise his entire string within three lots
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Photo Competition Winners
TBA Breeders’ Seminar
As part of the TBA’s support of Racing Welfare’s Racing Staff Week, which ran from June 30 to July 8, the TBA held a photo competition for stud staff with cash prizes for the winners and runners-up in three separate categories. The TBA would like to thank all those who submitted photos for the competition and congratulate the winners of the three categories. The seminar offered a rare opportunity to hear from many experts on a range of topics
Category A - Best Individual Photo Winner: Oliver Rawlings (Withyslade Farm)
Category B - Best Teamwork Photo Winner: Carla Bowers (Catridge Farm Stud)
Around 100 TBA members attended a one-day seminar at Tattersalls on July 28, which benefitted from international speakers who had been attending the Twelfth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction Conference (ISER XII) in Cambridge. Sessions for veterinary practitioners were held alongside the breeders’ day, and this format allowed for plenty of valuable informal discussions during the breaks. During the morning session both groups listened to stallion experts Dr Sue McDonnell and Dr Dickson Varner, from the USA, who discussed stallion behaviour and management of the stallion for optimal fertility. Other topics for breeders included the effects of climate on follicle growth, ovulation and conception from Dr Lee Morris from New Zealand, uterine conditions affecting fertility (Dr Angus McKinnon, Australia), and an update on the TBA-funded pregnancy loss research being conducted by Dr Mandi de Mestre. Dr McKinnon also provided a useful round up from the ISER XII conference itself.
The afternoon brought presentations from Dr Laura Peachey (Cambridge University), updating members on the TBA-funded research into host parasite interaction and how we might address resistance to modern drugs in parasites. The theme of the outdoor environment was continued by Dr Richard Newton (AHT), who discussed research into grass sickness, and then came a fascinating presentation from Dr Judy Cawdell-Smith (Australia) on the risk in the UK from hairy caterpillars as a cause of abortion and placentitis. The afternoon finished with presentations from Dr Pascalle ChavattePalmer (France) on feeding pregnant mares for optimal fetal, neonatal and adult health, and from Jan Pynn (UK) on neonatal foal disorders. The TBA is extremely grateful to all the speakers who kindly added another day to their long week at ISER XII. It was a rare opportunity to have such group of experts speaking on a wide range of subjects and greatly appreciated by delegates. Presentations were filmed and are available on the TBA website.
TBA Annual Stud Farming Course
Category C - best #myoffice photo Fiona Brown (Hellwood Stud Farm)
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This year’s TBA Stud Farming Course will run from December 11 to 13 at the British Racing School and will give breeders and stud staff the opportunity to update their knowledge on the latest in stud farm management from leading experts in the industry. The three-day course will cover an extensive range of subjects, which have been selected to provide a comprehensive overview of stud
management as well as topics of general stud practice. Delegates are also invited to a course dinner on the first evening and a number of external visits to leading industry establishments. For further information on the course, or to book your place, please visit the event page on the TBA website or email melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk
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TBA Forum
East Regional Day visit to The Royal Studs, Sandringham
The statue of Persimmon stands proudly in front of the stud office at Her Majesty’s stud in Sandringham, which played host to a TBA visit
On July 5, 45 TBA members were privileged to visit The Royal Studs in Sandringham, where Stud Manager David Somers’ impeccable knowledge of all the horses was a great help to understanding the stud’s ethos and breeding processes. The Royal Studs were established at Sandringham, standing in over 300 acres, in 1886 by Edward, Prince of Wales and soon became highly influential in the development of the thoroughbred bloodstock. From our visit, it was clear that Her Majesty The Queen takes a particular interest in her bloodstock breeding, which is also apparent with her success on the racecourse. Her Majesty also receives weekly updates from the stud, wherever she is, to keep her up to date on recent events. Before this, the stud was at Hampton Court; where now The Queen’s other passion, native ponies, are bred.
The day started with a tea and coffee reception at the Sandringham restaurant, followed by a tour of the stud and a lovely lunch back at the restaurant, with the optional offer of visiting Sandringham House, museum and gardens. The stallion standing at Sandringham is Royal Applause, who is now 25 years old, and appropriately spends his days in luxurious paddocks which have been developed in the historic walled garden. The group was fortunate to see Royal Applause looking in superb condition. The photo taken is by the statue of the famous racehorse and four-time champion stallion Persimmon in front of the stud office. Next to the office are two stable yards. There is also a foaling unit with excellent facilities, including CCTV cameras. Close by is a paddock used for mares before they foal.
Other areas are also used for stud purposes and include Friar Marcus Yard, a yard used for the horses as a winter’s rest, and Wolferton is used for quarantine. In addition, foals are weaned then move to Polhampton, before returning to Sandringham to start the breaking-in process, and mares are also kept there before returning for foaling. The Royal Studs are currently home to Her Majesty’s broodmare band, which includes National Hunt mares. During the visit, the group was treated to a parade of mares and their 2018 foals. These included: 1) WISHING WIND, with her bay colt foal. 2) PURE FANTASY, and her chesnut colt foal. 3) LIGHT MUSIC and her bay filly foal. 4) MOMENTARY and her bay colt foal.
TBA TO CONTINUE SPONSORSHIP OF THREE FILLIES’ RACES The TBA is delighted to announce the sponsorship of races at Goodwood, Newmarket and Nottingham this year. The races, which form part of the TBA’s mandate to improve the race opportunities for fillies, will be run over a distance of 13 furlongs (Newmarket), and 14 furlongs
(Goodwood and Nottingham), and confined to fillies rated between 76-95. The first was held at Newmarket on August 24, and is followed by Goodwood on September 26 and Nottingham on October 17.
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Investing in breeding & racing: #thisfillycan If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, the TBA’s This Filly Can campaign, which was launched in association with the BHA in 2016 to encourage more owners to put fillies and mares into training, is already having a beneficial effect. Two syndicates in particular – Hot To Trot, managed by Sam Hoskins, and Fillies First, run by Upper Lambourn trainer Jonathan Portman – are making the point. Hot To Trot, in its seventh season, is up to 12 horses, six in each group, with the Queen Mary Stakes winner Heartache the star turn after her lease from Whitsbury Manor Stud. Hoskins says: “Breeders mainly tend to sell their colts and keep the fillies, and Whitsbury have been great with us in this respect, because we’ve leased fillies from them and had all the fun of racing them, while putting value on them at the same time. “We’ve been able to lease wellbred fillies that, if they had gone to public auction, we probably wouldn’t have been able to afford.” Hoskins adds: “I’m not sure how you would have valued Heartache as a yearling, because she was the first foal of a Listed winner and Group 3-placed mare, and although she’s by Kyllachy, at the time his best progeny had been colts. “What I do know is that we’ve got Heartwarming, Heartache’s twoyear-old half-sister, this year, and we certainly wouldn’t have been able to afford her if she’d gone up for sale.” Heartwarming got off the mark at Sandown towards the end of July, but not before she had run second to another debutante Kurious – also carrying the Hot To Trot colours – over the same track the previous month. “Not really what we expected,” Hoskins admits, adding: “Kuriousis is by the Australian stallion Kuroshio out of the dam of the Abbaye winner Tangerine Trees, and we’ve been able to lease her but almost certainly wouldn’t have been able to buy. Her aim is the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy.” Taking an overall view, Hoskins says: “The benefit of racing fillies,
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Heartache winning the Queen Mary Stakes for the Hot To Trot Racing syndicate
which is what the This Filly Can campaign is all about, is that filliesonly races have been proved to be proportionately good value, and there’s the Plus 10 scheme as a bonus. “I’m a huge filly fan. They’re definitely value for money, because you can almost have a free bet to nothing. If racing doesn’t work out and the filly has a pedigree, there’s still value as a broodmare, especially if a half-brother or half-sister comes along to win a decent race. From the leasing aspect, we don’t benefit in the long term, but we do get all the fun of racing for just over £2,000 a time. And not every owner will have a runner in a Group 1 race, even a winner, as we have done with Heartache.” Following in the hoofprints of Hot To Trot, Jonathan Portman set up Fillies First, although a quirk of fate prevented the syndicate’s opening shots being fired by the stable’s Mrs Danvers, the poster girl for This Filly Can’s initial campaign in 2016. Instead, Mrs Danvers, who was bred by the staunch #thisfillycan supporters Mark and Connie Burton
and was recently sold to a top Irish stud, raced in the Turf Club colours and carried all before her in an unbeaten, five-race two-yearold campaign that culminated in Newmarket’s Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes. Her success prompted Portman into further action. “I’m appalling at marketing anything – myself or horses,” he concedes, “but Fillies First was set up on the back of Mrs Danvers. “When she was doing well the This Filly Can campaign took off and it gave me the idea to push fillies, so I set up the syndicate.” Four individual winners since last December – Unveiling, Folies Bergeres, Indiscretion and Hewouldwouldnthe – have given the enterprise a flying start. “There are seven or eight people in the syndicate, with room for more,” Portman says, “and they include a number of new people to the yard. “All the horses are leased from their breeders. It’s what the breeders I know seem to want, and I love to train fillies. They suit my way of training well, and one can get better value.”
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Breeder of the Month Words Hyperion Promotions Ltd
Sponsored by
Manufacturers of
BREEDER OF THE MONTH – JULY
GEORGE STRAWBRIDGE With You emulated her sister We Are to become another Group 1 winner for her owner and breeder George Strawbridge in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. She was also the third individual European stakes winner to carry his distinctive white and green colours in July. The mating of Juddmonte’s recently retired stallion Dansili and the Inchinor mare In Clover could yet produce a third Group 1 winner, as there is a two-year-old sister and a yearling brother to follow. James Wigan of London Thoroughbred Services has been bloodstock advisor to Strawbridge since the 1980s and it was at Tattersalls’ 1997 December Sale that he acquired In Clover’s dam Bellarida for 85,000gns from the Wertheimers. The winner of the Prix de Royaumont was carrying the future Listed winner Bellona (by Bering). In Clover won the Group 3 Prix de Flore and her offspring all began their careers in France with Freddy Head. We Are won the Prix de l’Opera and Dream Clover and Incahoots both collected Listed wins. The last two are by Oasis Dream, a stud companion of Dansili at Banstead Manor. Freddy Head is also the trainer of Stunning Spirit, a four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit and the winning Dynaformer mare Stunning View, who provided Strawbridge with his first stakes winner that month in a Listed race at Nantes. A second stakes winner came in the shape of the promising juvenile Look Around, who is by one of Juddmonte’s younger stallions, Kingman, out of the Group 3 winner Magic America (by High Yield). Strawbridge, who hails from
George Strawbridge: transatlantic success
Pennsylvania, was the recipient of the TBA’s Andrew Devonshire award in 2012 for his contribution to racing and breeding in Europe. Among the best horses to race for him in Europe are champion European miler Selkirk, later to become a very successful stallion at Lanwades Stud, champion sprinter Silver Fling and six-time Group 1 winner Moonlight Cloud. A one-time amateur steeplechase rider, Strawbridge has been an outspoken opponent of horse slaughter and raceday medication in America, where he raced champions Forever Together, Informed Decision and Waya. The majority of his mares in Europe are kept at Whatton Manor Stud in Nottinghamshire and his American mares are based at Derry Meeting Farm in Pennsylvania, just a few miles from where he lives. SPECIAL MERIT AWARD – JULY
WOODCOTE STUD When Poet’s Word won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot he became
the seventh Group 1 winner bred at Woodcote Stud. Back at Ascot in July, the five-year-old son of the recently deceased Poet’s Voice got the better of a tremendous tussle with his stablemate Crystal Ocean in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Poet’s Word, who was bought by Charlie Gordon-Watson for 300,000gns at the Tattersalls Book 2 Sale, is out of the Woodcote-bred and -raced Nashwan mare Whirly Bird. She won five successive races and was Listed-placed. At stud, she is also the dam of Group 3 winner Malabar (by Raven’s Pass) and grandam of last season’s Group 2-winning juvenile Beckford. Since Poet’s Word, there has been a two-year-old Kingman filly named Incharge, who fetched 200,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 Sale, and a colt foal by Kingman. Woodcote Stud is set on 70 acres just a mile and a half from Epsom town centre and is one of the great success stories among smaller British studs. Barry Reilly took over management of the stud, once owned by airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker, almost three decades ago. Prior to the emergence of Poet’s Word, the best horse raised at the stud was Kingston Hill, who finished second in the Derby and won the St Leger in 2014. He was bred by Ridgecourt Stud, the breeding alias of Woodcote Stud’s owner Albert Perry. He has enjoyed a long association with Barry and Fiona Reilly who trade under the Woodcote banner and consigned the future Classic winner to the Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale, where he was sold for 70,000gns to Charlie Gordon-Watson.
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Vet Forum: The Expert View
Grading yearling scopes Conformation and pedigree and two extremely important factors when assessing yearlings but each horse’s ability to breathe properly at exercise is equally vital, making laryngeal endoscopy a key part of the sales process
T
he evaluation and grading of the equine throat by laryngeal endoscopy (‘scoping’) is an important component of the pre-purchase examination of any horse destined for the racecourse. Laryngeal endoscopy offers buyers assurance that the laryngeal function of their next purchase is good enough to provide the best chance of achieving their full athletic potential as a racehorse. While foals, yearlings, two-year-old breeze-up horses and horses in training will all undergo a similar endoscopic examination process, this article will focus on the examination of the yearling throat at public auction.
Why?
How?
At present yearlings are not routinely wind-tested prior to purchase. The presale examination of their wind is limited to a physical examination and laryngeal endoscopy in the stable. The examination begins with inspection of both the nostrils and the bones of the skull to ensure there are no obvious external abnormalities that may adversely affect airflow. The scope is then passed up either the left or the right nostril. The nasal passages and both the pharynx and the larynx are examined. A normal architecture of the throat should be identified along with normal resting function of both the left and right sides of the larynx (the left and right arytenoid cartilages). The presence of any inflammation or infection will also be noted. Pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, as seen in Figure 1, is a normal finding in young animals and an indication of
The author, Stuart Williamson, scoping a young horse at rest
their immune response to a host of new infectious agents they encounter as they mature and mix with other animals. It normally settles with age.
NEH
Examination of the larynx at rest will, to a degree, allow a veterinary surgeon to predict how it will function during exercise. The larynx needs to open really wide during fast exercise to allow the vital flow of air to the lungs, and so oxygen to the muscles, to fuel the enormous energy demands of galloping. Without normal laryngeal airflow, respiration and therefore performance will be limited.
Figure 1: A normal throat demonstrating full abduction (opening) of both the left (red arrow) and right (blue arrow) arytenoid cartilages. Multiple raised spots are noted on the pharynx. This is a common finding and is described as pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia
The yearling is then observed to swallow several times. Upon each swallow, both the left and the right arytenoid cartilages should open symmetrically and completely; this is known as ‘full abduction’. If they are not breathing sufficiently to demonstrate good function, then both nostrils may be occluded by digital pressure from the veterinary surgeon to encourage them to breathe with an increased effort, whilst the veterinary surgeon continues to look through the endoscope. This provides the best chance of full abduction being achieved. A grade between 1 and 5 will then be provided, reflecting how well the arytenoid cartilages have functioned during the examination. While a number of grading scales and therefore subtle variations do exist; overall grades 1 and 2 are passes, whilst grades 3 and below are viewed as weak. Larynxes graded at 3 and below may not allow sufficient airflow at exercise, carry risk for purchase and therefore fail the examination.
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By Stuart Williamson MRCVS, Newmarket Equine Hospital
The scope result is then discussed with the potential purchaser in relation to each individual and their intentions for them as a racehorse. Subtle allowances may be given for certain types such as a well-bred or a precocious filly that the purchaser views as a two-year-old or a sprinter. In contrast, we must be strict on a colt that will be racing over longer distances that may have limited residual value.
The following grading system is that most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is adapted from a publication by Geoff Lane and colleagues in 2006. Laryngeal endoscopy is a subjective assessment and represents a veterinary surgeon’s opinion based on their examination at a specific time-point. It must be borne in mind that sedatives such as acepromazine (Sedalin, Vetoquinol, UK) may have been administered and in addition to inflammation of the pharynx, tired horses and improper restraint; all can negatively affect both the appearance and the function of the throat. All of these factors must be taken into consideration when examining each individual. Grade 1 Movements of both the left and right arytenoid cartilages are synchronised and symmetrical. Full opening of the larynx is achieved and maintained. Grade 2 All the major movements of both the left and right arytenoid cartilages are symmetrical. While full abduction is achieved and maintained this may be slightly delayed, transient asynchrony may be noted or a flutter may be seen, usually by the left arytenoid cartilage. A grade 2a is often given for a particularly strong grade 2 throat while a 2b may be given for a weaker grade 2 throat. Grade 3 Whilst the left side of the larynx is still capable of full abduction, a more significant and prolonged asymmetry is noted. Full abduction can be achieved only briefly upon nasal occlusion or swallowing. Grade 4 There is consistent asymmetry and the left arytenoid cartilage is not capable of full abduction. Minor movements do occur. Grade 5 A completely paralysed throat on the affected side.
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NEH
Grading laryngeal function
Figure 2: A grade 5 larynx and a paralysed throat. This image shows marked resting asymmetry of the left arytenoid cartilage (white arrow). No movement was noted either upon swallowing or upon nasal occlusion
Specific conditions
Each sales company will detail a number of wind conditions in the ‘conditions of sale’ in the respective catalogue. These conditions allow for the return of any horse if the specified abnormality is identified, usually in conjunction with an abnormal inspiratory noise heard when the animal is actively lunged. All of the listed conditions have the potential to adversely affect airflow and without treatment may carry a guarded prognosis for racing. These conditions are laryngeal hemiplegia, a branchial arch anomaly, cleft palate, a chondroma or severe arytenoid chondritis, permanent epiglottic entrapment and subepiglottic cyst(s).
Figure 3: Arytenoid chondritis
Arytenoid Chondritis
This condition is characterised by infection and inflammation of one or both of the arytenoid cartilages. The cause is unknown. A harsh respiratory noise may be heard when the animal is exercised. In advanced cases the condition may also result in reduced function or paralysis of the affected arytenoid cartilage(s). Figure 3 demonstrates an advanced case of arytenoid chondritis of the left arytenoid cartilage. Infection of this left arytenoid cartilage has resulted in swelling of this structure. The now misshapen left arytenoid cartilage lies across and is causing occlusion of the airway. The blue arrow points to the chondroma in this case.
Laryngeal Hemiplegia
This disease most often affects the left arytenoid cartilage, where the motility of the affected cartilage is markedly reduced or absent. When exercised a characteristic abnormal inspiratory sound is heard. Often described as a “whistler” or a “roarer”.
Branchial Arch Anomaly/Fourth Branchial Arch Defect A congenital defect where some of the external structures of the larynx have failed to develop. The condition is more commonly identified affecting the right arytenoid cartilage and results in weakness on this side.
Cleft Palate
This condition is most commonly identified following birth when milk is seen coming from the nostrils. However, mild forms of the condition, where the cleft is small, may present with an abnormal respiratory noise that may not be identified until the animal is exercised.
Figure 4: Epiglottic entrapment
Epiglottic Entrapment
This condition occurs when the epiglottis becomes entrapped within the soft tissues underlying it. Affected horses may show no symptoms or may demonstrate a harsh expiratory and/ or inspiratory noise. Surgery is required to release the entrapment. In Figure 4, no portion of the epiglottis is visible as it is completely enclosed within the entrapping soft tissues (white arrows).
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Vet Forum: The Expert View ››
Sub-Epiglottic Cyst
A sub-epiglottic cyst (white arrow, Figure 5) will be identified as a round mass sitting beneath the epiglottis and exists as an embryological remnant. Surgery is required to remove the cyst.
Figure 5: Sub-epiglottic cyst
Summary
This article describes a well-defined and proven method of examining the function of the larynx that is adopted by veterinary surgeons worldwide. When used in
combination with a clean post-sale wind test we can say with confidence that an individual’s larynx functions as it should. A number of American studies have examined the link between yearling scope results and subsequent racetrack performance. Dr Scott Pierce from Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky evaluated 816 thoroughbred yearlings and correlated their yearling endoscopic examinations with their racing performance at two and three years old. He identified no statistically significant difference between the racing performance of those yearlings scoping with grade 1, 2a and 2b throats, but did find that horses with grade 3 laryngeal movement had performance limitations at three years of age. Dr John Stick from Michigan State University performed a similar study examining the throats of 427 thoroughbred yearlings and following them through to their four-year-old career. He found that yearlings with grade 1 and 2 arytenoid cartilage movement had significantly better racing performance as adults when compared with those yearlings with grade 3
arytenoid cartilage movement. Unfortunately, we remain unable to evaluate the function of some components of the upper respiratory system during resting laryngeal endoscopy. In particular, the soft palate, which can displace and cause a significant obstruction and the aryepiglottic folds, which can deviate across and partially occlude the airway. Overground endoscopy is required for their examination and this modality remains the gold standard for examination of the throat to assess exercising respiratory performance. Overground endoscopy is often used for the examination of the throat of a private purchase where an abnormal inspiratory noise is heard or when there is a degree of uncertainty surrounding a borderline scope result. Pre-purchase endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract should be a major factor in developing recommendations for prospective buyers. In conjunction with the clinical examination, the radiography report and the physical examination, it allows buyers to make an informed decision on the suitability of the individual.
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Dr Statz
John Boyce cracks the code
No Nay Never doing his bit to advance Scat Daddy’s legacy H e blazed a trail as a two-year-old in 2013 and now he’s lighting up Europe’s racecourses again with his own offspring. No Nay Never – trained in America by Wesley Ward and as such only the second US-trained Group 1 winner in Europe – landed Royal Ascot’s Group 2 Norfolk Stakes and the Group 1 Prix Morny in a three-race juvenile career that got off to a perfect start on home soil over four and a half furlongs at Keeneland. Although he stayed at home after his Morny triumph, No Nay Never was one of the first to underline the considerable merits of his own sire’s stock on the turf courses of Europe. Since then, Scat Daddy hasn’t looked back and apart from the outstanding Triple Crown winner Justify, one could easily argue that Europe was a more productive environment for the offspring of the now-deceased son of the top-class Johannesburg. For the record, Scat Daddy’s European runners featured 16.1% stakes winners, while his North American starters included 10.2%. His American output is first rate, but it’s hard to argue with his European record. Since No Nay Never came along, he’s sired four higher-rated horses in Lady Aurelia, Caravaggio, Mendelssohn and Sioux Nation. It is now up to Scat Daddy’s sons to show the way and No Nay Never is doing just that. At the time of writing he’s up to 17 individual winners from 34 starters. Moreover, he’s already sired three stakes winners and six stakes horses. But there’s still much work to be done if he’s to hold on to pole position for the remainder of the season. In terms of siring high-class two-yearolds, he’s likely to be vulnerable to those whose juveniles make great strides later in the season. But from an individual winner point of view, he’s got every chance. It may surprise you to know though that, in the past 20 years or so, there have been 58 stallions that have sired more than 17 winners by the end of the season. So, to join the very best, No Nay Never will have to find as many winners again. Of the nine previous leading first-season sires by individual winners, No Nay Never is ahead of five of them at the same point in the year. Those ahead of No Nay Never’s pace by August 9 were Iffraaj, who had 22 of his eventual 38 winners already in the bag, and Zebedee, who had 22 of his
112
Leading GB-IRE freshman sires by Avg TFR of best 10 horses (20+ Runners) Stallion
Sire
Runners
Winners
NO NAY NEVER KINGMAN
Black Type winners
% Black Type winners to runners
Scat Daddy
34
Invincible Spirit
24
CHARM SPIRIT
Invincible Spirit
BUNGLE INTHEJUNGLE
Exceed And Excel
WAR COMMAND
War Front
SLADE POWER
Dutch Art
32
HEERAAT
Dark Angel
20
ALHEBAYEB
Dark Angel
39
COACH HOUSE
Oasis Dream
25
TORONADO
High Chaparral
23
GREGORIAN
Clodovil
24
GALE FORCE TEN
Oasis Dream
MORPHEUS
Oasis Dream
17
3
8.8
96.0
6
2
8.3
90.0
40
12
0
0.0
86.4
36
16
2
5.6
85.8
29
10
1
3.4
84.5
7
0
0.0
81.3
3
0
0.0
73.8
3
0
0.0
73.1
4
0
0.0
72.9
5
0
0.0
72.7
7
0
0.0
71.6
24
3
0
0.0
70.2
24
2
0
0.0
65.6
32 recorded. Dark Angel had 19 of his 34 and Canford Cliffs 19 of his 35. But Dubawi had only 13 of his eventual total of 36 – a clear case of comparatively late developing stock. In terms of stakes winners, the standard is set by the Banstead pair of Frankel and Oasis Dream, who each sired six juvenile stakes winners in their first crops. But only 11 previous sires have surpassed No Nay Never’s current total of three. When all is said and done, however, it’s quality that counts – classy juveniles with scope and promise to continue thriving as three-yearolds. And the undisputed standard-bearer in this regard is Frankel. By the end of his first year, the average Timeform rating for Frankel’s best ten youngsters was 104.3. Currently, No Nay Never, the leader among the latest set of freshmen, is on 96. So, his best ten have to move forward by over 8lb each to usurp Frankel. But a figure of 96 by this stage of the season is excellent.
T10
After all, it’s ahead of what the likes of Dutch Art, Raven’s Pass, Havana Gold, Zebedee, Kyllachy and even the great Galileo achieved in a full season. It’s possible that No Nay Never will not even be on top by this metric by the end of the year. We can expect those with better bred offspring to make good late headway. Kingman is one that could see a surge of quality later on. His excellent son, the Group 2 Coventry hero, the sidelined Calyx, when properly challenged should be capable of improving on his 118 rating in time. And his other stakes winner, Look Around, winner of the seven-furlong Star Stakes, is bound to leave her mark of 95 well behind in Group company. There will be many more with the breeding to go right to the top of the tree. This particular race is far from finished. No Nay Never’s son Land Force en route to winning the Group 2 Richmond Stakes
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Data Book • Analysis by Andrew Caulfield European Pattern 165 CORAL ECLIPSE STAKES G1 SANDOWN PARK. Jul 7. 3yo+. 10f.
1. ROARING LION (USA) 3 8-11 £448,363 gr/ro c by Kitten’s Joy - Vionnet (Street Sense) O-Qatar Racing Limited B-RanJan Racing Inc TR-John Gosden 2. Saxon Warrior (JPN) 3 8-11 £169,984 b c by Deep Impact - Maybe (Galileo) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 4 9-7 £85,071 b c by Galileo - Wave (Dansili) O-Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/M Jooste B-Wave Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins Neck, 2.5. Time 2:04.00. Going Good to Firm. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 9 5 3 £835,082 Sire: KITTEN’S JOY. Sire of 65 Stakes winners. In 2018 - HAWKBILL Giant’s Causeway G1, ROARING LION Street Sense G1, CATAPULT Storm Cat G2, SADLER’S JOY Dynaformer G2, DIVISIDERO Lemon Drop Kid G3, OSCAR NOMINATED Theatrical G3, OSCAR PERFORMANCE Theatrical G3, SNIPER KITTEN Catienus LR. 1st Dam: Vionnet by Street Sense. 3 wins at 3 and 4 in USA, 2nd Sweet Life S, China Doll S, 3rd Rodeo Drive S G1. Dam of 1 winner:
2015:
2016:
ROARING LION (c Kitten’s Joy). 5 wins at 2 and 3, Coral Eclipse S G1, Betfred Dante S G2, Juddmonte Royal Lodge S G2, 2nd Racing Post Trophy S G1, 3rd Investec Derby G1, bet365 Craven S G3. (c Medaglia d’Oro)
2nd Dam: CAMBIOCORSA by Avenue of Flags. 9 wins at 3 and 4 in USA Las Cienegas H G3, Senator Ken Maddy H G3. Own sister to CALIFORNIA FLAG. Dam of SCHIAPARELLI (f Ghostzapper: Royal Heroine Mile S G2), MOULIN DE MOUGIN (f Curlin: John C Mabee S G2), ALEXIS TANGIER (f Tiznow: Unzip me S, Swingtime S), BRONSON (c Medaglia d’Oro: English Channel S, 3rd Louisville H G3), Vionnet (f Street Sense, see above) Broodmare Sire: STREET SENSE. Sire of the dams of 3 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ROARING LION Kitten’s Joy G1, VALOUR ROAD Frost Giant G2, SPEED FRANCO Declaration of War G3.
ROARING LION gr/ro c 2015 Sadler’s Wells
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Lady Capulet
Sir Ivor Cap And Bells
Lear Fan
Roberto Wac
That’s My Hon
L’Enjoleur One Lane
Street Cry
Machiavellian Helen Street
Bedazzle
Dixieland Band Majestic Legend
Avenue of Flags
Seattle Slew Beautiful Glass
Ultrafleet
Afleet Social Conduct
El Prado KITTEN’S JOY ch 01 Kitten’s First
Street Sense VIONNET gr/ro 09 Cambiocorsa
There was a lot of speculation in the autumn of 2017 that Kitten’s Joy was going to be switched from his owner’s Ramsey Farms in Kentucky to a European stud. “He is the most underappreciated sire in North America,” Ken Ramsey complained. “I am disgusted at what those horses [Kitten’s Joy’s 2017 yearlings] sold for at Keeneland. He is the number one living sire in North America, yet people here just aren’t interested in buying his yearlings. All the good ones are being bought by Europeans as it is, so that’s another reason to send him over there. I understand why. People here with the Grade 1-winning mares want to breed to Tapit and the top commercial dirt sires. And those are the horses people are willing to pay the big money for.”
He conluded: “For him, it’s time for a fresh start and a new chapter in his career.” However, other members of the Ramsey family objected to the proposal and Kitten’s Joy was instead moved to Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, after Hill ‘n’ Dale acquired a 50% interest. In an attempt to stimulate interest in the son of El Prado, Kitten’s Joy’s fee was cut to $60,000 for 2018, after four years at $100,000. It looks as though Hill ‘n’ Dale’s gain is Europe’s loss, as Kitten’s Joy was responsible for his second Coral-Eclipse winner in three years when Roaring Lion gamely defeated Saxon Warrior to follow in Hawkbill’s footsteps. Roaring Lion had also beaten the 2,000 Guineas winner in the Derby, when he finished third to Saxon Warrior’s fourth. However, Saxon Warrior had bettered Roaring Lion on two other occasions, notably by a neck in the Racing Post Trophy, to inflict the only defeat of Roaring Lion’s four-race juvenile career. Kitten’s Joy’s other European winners include the smart Taareef and the Lanwades Stud resident Bobby’s Kitten. Roaring Lion, who cost $160,000 as a yearling at Keeneland, is the first foal of Vionnet. This daughter of the Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was Gr1-placed over a mile and a quarter in California, where her dam Cambiocorsa and several of Cambiocorsa’s other foals also did well. Cambiocorsa, a sister to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag, was a speedy Gr3 winner, while her daughters Schiaparelli and Moulin de Mougin won at Gr2 level. 166 PRIX JEAN PRAT G1 DEAUVILLE. Jul 8. 3yoc&f. 1600m.
1. INTELLOGENT (IRE) 9-2 £202,265 ch c by Intello - Nuit Polaire (Kheleyf) O-Ms Fiona Carmichael B-Ecurie Des Monceaux TR-F Chappet 2. Cascadian (GB) 9-2 £80,920 ch c by New Approach - Falls of Lora (Street Cry) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-A. Fabre 3. Gustav Klimt (IRE) 9-2 £40,460 b c by Galileo - Massarra (Danehill) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins Short Neck, 1. Time 1:35.83. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 6 3 3 £339,068 Sire: INTELLO. Sire of 6 Stakes winners. In 2018 INTELLOGENT Kheleyf G1, REGAL REALITY Medicean G3, YOUNG RASCAL Clodovil G3, INTELLO KISS Cape Cross LR, NATIVE AMERICAN Henrythenavigator LR. 1st Dam: NUIT POLAIRE by Kheleyf. Winner at 3 in France. Dam of 2 winners:
2013: 2014: 2015:
2016: 2017:
Elombo (c Elusive City) Lightupthenight (f Dutch Art) 2 wins at 3 in France, 3rd Prix Amandine LR. INTELLOGENT (c Intello) Sold 224,089gns yearling at ARAU1. 3 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix Jean Prat G1, Prix de Guiche G3, 2nd Prix Omnium II LR. Light Heart (c Excelebration) (f Gleneagles)
2nd Dam: NIGHT TEENY by Platini. 1 win at 3 in Germany. Dam of NIGHT OF MAGIC (f Peintre Celebre: Oaks d’Italia G2), NIGHT SERENADE (f Golan: NereideRennen LR), Neele (f Peintre Celebre: 2nd Fahrhofer Stutenpreis G3), MELON (g Medicean: WKD Hurdle G2, 2nd Unibet Champion Challenge Trophy Hurdle G1, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1). Grandam of NYMPHEA, NIGHTFLOWER, NUTAN, NAVARO GIRL, NAZBANOU, Nimrod. Broodmare Sire: KHELEYF. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. In 2018 - INTELLOGENT Intello G1, ANGEL’S HIDEAWAY Dark Angel G3.
INTELLOGENT ch c 2015 Sadler’s Wells
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Urban Sea
Miswaki Allegretta
Danehill
Danzig Razyana
Occupandiste
Kaldoun Only Seule
Green Desert
Danzig Foreign Courier
Society Lady
Mr Prospector La Voyageuse
Platini
Surumu Prairie Darling
Nightrockette
Rocket Nightlife
Galileo INTELLO b 10 Impressionnante
Kheleyf NUIT POLAIRE b 08 Night Teeny
Expectations of Intello’s first crop were naturally high, as this Classicwinning son of Galileo had been the highest-priced new stallion to retire to a British stud for the 2014 season, at £25,000. Intello had plenty to recommend him. With a dam by Danehill, he was bred to the same cross as Teofilo and Frankel, and he also had those very smart French fillies Impressionnante and Occupandiste as his first two dams. He had also shown a good measure of speed for a son of Galileo, looking an unlucky loser of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (just as Impressionnante had done in the 2006 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches). And Intello had also stayed reasonably well, winning the Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club over an extended mile and a quarter before finishing third behind Treve and Orfevre in the Arc. Although Intello’s first crop took a little while to hit full stride, he has made rapid progress, to the extent that his first crop of 100 foals has already produced ten black-type performers, including five black-type winners and the Classic-placed Louis d’Or. Intellogent become his first Group winner, in the Gr3 Prix de Guiche in May, and has now also become his first Gr1 winner, in the Prix Jean Prat. The fact that Intellogent’s Gr1 success was gained over a mile will surely help Intello. The Jean Prat winner appears to have inherited some of Intello’s versatility. The bottom half of the colt’s pedigree is also a blend of speed and stamina, the speed represented by his broodmare sire, the Jersey Stakes winner Kheleyf. Intellogent’s dam Nuit Polaire scored over seven and a half furlongs as a three-year-old before proving that she stayed a mile and a quarter. Nuit Polaire comes from a family which has excelled in Germany. Her Group-placed half-sister Neele
produced the Gr1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Nymphea and the Gr1 Deutsches Derby winner Nutan. Neele’s sister Night Of Magic won the Gr2 Oaks d’Italia before becoming the dam of Nightflower, a two-time winner of the Gr1 Preis von Europe. Intellogent’s second dam Night Teeny was a winning half-sister to Night Petticoat, a Gr2 Preis der Diana winner who added to her Classic achievement by becoming the dam of the Deutsches Derby winner Next Desert and the Preis der Diana winner Next Gina. 167 DEUTSCHES DERBY G1 HAMBURG. Jul 8. 3yoc&f. 2400m.
1. WELTSTAR (GER) 9-2 £345,133 br c by Soldier Hollow - Wellenspiel (Sternkoenig) O-Gestut Rottgen B-Gestut Rottgen TR-Markus Klug 2. Destino (GER) 9-2 £115,044 b c by Soldier Hollow - Divya (Platini) O-Gestut Park Wiedingen B-Gestut Park Wiedingen TR-Markus Klug 3. Royal Youmzain (FR) 9-2 £69,027 b c by Youmzain - Spasha (Shamardal) O-Jaber Abdullah B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited TR-A Wohler Margins Neck, 1.5. Time 2:32.44. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 6 3 3 £402,473 Sire: SOLDIER HOLLOW. Sire of 29 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WELTSTAR Sternkoenig G1, DSCHINGIS SECRET Platini G2, DALLAS AFFAIR Lando G3, DESTINO Platini G3, FOSUN Silver Hawk LR. 1st Dam: WELLENSPIEL by Sternkoenig. 2 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany. Dam of 2 winners:
2014:
2015:
2016: 2017:
WINDSTOSS (c Shirocco) Champion 3yr old colt in Germany in 2017. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, IDEE Deutsches Derby G1, Preis von Europa G1, 3rd Investec Coronation Cup G1. WELTSTAR (c Soldier Hollow) Sold 28,011gns yearling at BBAGS. 3 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, Deutsches Derby G1, Oppenheim Union-Rennen G2, 2nd P. der SWK Stadtwerke Dr Busch Memorial G3. Walerian (c Reliable Man) unraced to date. Worrick (c Kamsin)
2nd Dam: WELL KNOWN by Konigsstuhl. Champion 2yr old filly in Germany in 1989. 4 wins in West Germany Preis der Winterkonigin LR, Schloss Roland-Stutenpreis LR, 2nd Preis der Diana - Deutsches Stuten Derby G2, ARAG Preis (1000 Guineas) G2. Dam of WELL MADE (c Mondrian: Deutsche Post Euro Express Europa Preis G1, 3rd Preis von Europa G1), WEICHSEL (f Soldier Hollow: Preis des Verlages Winterkonigin Trial LR), Whisperer (g Spectrum: 3rd Mehl-Mulhens Rennen G2), Wellola (f Lomitas: 3rd Frankfurter der Mehl Mulhens Stiftung G3), Wellanca (f Acatenango: 3rd Premio Giovanni Falck LR). Grandam of WASIR, Wellvita. Broodmare Sire: STERNKOENIG. Sire of the dams of 17 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WELTSTAR Soldier Hollow G1, MOZART Dream Ahead LR. The Soldier Hollow/Sternkoenig cross has produced: OUR IVANHOWE G1, WELTSTAR G1, Kasalla G1, Kassiano G1.
WELTSTAR br c 2015 Sadler’s Wells
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
High Hawk
Shirley Heights Sunbittern
In The Wings SOLDIER HOLLOW b 00 Island Race
Common Grounds Kris Sweetly Lake Isle
Caerleon Inisfree
Kalaglow
Kalamoun Rossitor
Sternwappen
Wauthi Sternwacht
Konigsstuhl
Dschingis Khan Konigskronung
Well Proved
Prince Ippi Well Tamed
Sternkoenig WELLENSPIEL br 08 Well Known
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CAULFIELD ON U S NAVY FLAG: “The July Cup hero’s fourth dam Anne Campbell was once voted Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, having produced Kentucky Derby seconds Desert Wine and Menifee” With Germany’s smaller equine population, it is perhaps not so surprising that several mares have achieved the distinction of producing two winners of the Deutsches Derby. Among them are Ordinale (dam of Orofino and Ordos), Laurea (Lando and Laroche) and Britannia (Borgia and Boreal). But none of these achieved what Wellenspiel has done. She has done so with her first two foals, thanks to her Shirocco colt Winstoss in 2017 and her Soldier Hollow colt Wellstar in 2018. All eyes will be on her next two sons, the 2016 Reliable Man colt Walerian and the 2017 Kamsin colt Worrick. Wellenspiel, a winner at three and four years in Germany, is a daughter of Sternkoenig, who filled third place behind Lando and Monsun in a particularly strong edition of the Deutsches Derby in 1993. Sternkoenig later became a Gr1 winner over a mile and a half. In addition to Windstoss and Weltstar, he is the broodmare sire of Ivanhowe, a dual mile-and-a-half Gr1 winner in Germany who went on to land two more Gr1s in Australia. Ivanhowe and Weltstar lead the 13 foals sired by the champion German stallion Soldier Hollow from Sternkoenig mares. Wellenspiel’s first Derby winner is inbred 3 x 3 to the German Triple Crown winner Konigsstuhl, but Weltstar has no inbreeding in the first four generations of his pedigree. He cost only €40,000 as a yearling, even though he comes from a fine family. His second dam Well Known was Germany’s best juvenile filly of 1989 and went on to finish second in both the German 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. She produced the Gr1 Preis von Europa winner Well Made. Weltstar’s third dam, Well Proved, won the 1983 German 1,000 Guineas and she is also the dam of Welluna, winner of the Gr3 Prix de Psyche, and Well Minded, who won the Gr3 Prix d’Aumale. 168 TATTERSALLS FALMOUTH STAKES G1 NEWMARKET. Jul 13. 3yo+f. 8f.
1. ALPHA CENTAURI (IRE) 3 8-12 £113,420 gr f by Mastercraftsman - Alpha Lupi (Rahy) O-Niarchos Family B-The Niarchos Family TR-Mrs J. Harrington £43,000 2. Altyn Orda (IRE) 3 8-12 ch f by Kyllachy - Albanka (Giant’s Causeway) O-Mr Nurlan Bizakov B-Hesmonds Stud Ltd TR-Roger Varian 3. Clemmie (IRE) 3 8-12 £21,520 b f by Galileo - Meow (Storm Cat) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Liberty Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 4.5, 1. Time 1:37.40. Going Good to Firm. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 8 5 1 £690,314 Sire: MASTERCRAFTSMAN. Sire of 53 Stakes winners. In 2018 - A RAVING BEAUTY High Chaparral G1, ALPHA CENTAURI Rahy G1, SAINT EMILION Pentire G1, AVAY Catienus G2, SANTA MONICA Zamindar G2, THEE AULD FLOOZIE Spinning World G2, LUVALUVA Galileo G3, MASTER OF ARTS Carnegie G3, MASTER THE WORLD Zaha G3, NEUFBOSC Verglas G3. 1st Dam: Alpha Lupi by Rahy. unraced. Own sister to Helike. Dam of 4 winners:
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2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2014: 2015:
2016: 2017:
TENTH STAR (c Dansili) 2 wins at 2 and 5 at home, USA, Golden Fleece S LR, 2nd Juddmonte Royal Lodge S G2. ELITISTE (f Danehill Dancer) Winner at 3 in France. Broodmare. Sellsabeel (f Galileo) unraced. Broodmare. (c Galileo) GALILEO GAL (f Galileo) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in Canada. ALPHA CENTAURI (f Mastercraftsman) 5 wins at 2 and 3, Coronation S G1, Tattersalls Falmouth S G1, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Coolmore Stud EBF Naas Juv.Sprint S LR, 2nd Albany S G3. Etoile Filante (f So You Think) unraced to date. (f Sea The Moon)
2nd Dam: EAST OF THE MOON by Private Account. Champion 3yr old filly in France in 1994. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France Dubai Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1, Prix de Diane Hermes G1, P. Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1, 2nd Emirates Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1. Dam of MOON DRIVER (f Mr Prospector: Prix d’Arenberg G3), Mojave Moon (c Mr Prospector: 2nd Fayette Breeders’ Cup S G3, 3rd Californian S G2), Helike (c Rahy: 2nd Grand Prix de Marseille LR), Canda (f Storm Cat: 2nd Prix Yacowlef LR, Criterium de Vitesse LR). Grandam of AUTOCRATIC, EVASIVE, IBN MALIK, Moon Prospect, Enquete. Third dam of Rabiosa Fiore. Broodmare Sire: RAHY. Sire of the dams of 135 Stakes winners. In 2018 - ALPHA CENTAURI Mastercraftsman G1, BEE JERSEY Jersey Town G1, NOCTURNAL FOX Farhh G2, MATERA SKY Speightstown G3, AROD Teofilo LR, MUNTAZAH Dubawi LR.
2015:
2016: 2017:
Prix Rothschild G1, 2nd Connollys Red Mills Cheveley Park S G1, Coronation S G1, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas G1. U S NAVY FLAG (c War Front) Champion 2yr old colt in Europe in 2017. 5 wins at 2 and 3, Darley Dewhurst S G1, Darley July Cup S G1, Juddmonte Middle Park S G1, Plusvital Round Tower S G3, 2nd Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas G1, Arqana July S G2, 3rd Cold Move EBF Marble Hill S LR. (f War Front) (c War Front)
2nd Dam: Butterfly Cove by Storm Cat. unraced. Own sister to KAMARINSKAYA. Dam of MISTY FOR ME (f Galileo, see above), BALLYDOYLE (f Galileo: Total Prix Marcel Boussac G1, 2nd Moyglare Stud S G1, Qipco 1000 Guineas G1), TWIRL (f Galileo: Irish Stal.FarmsEBF Hurry Harriet S LR, 2nd Tattersalls Musidora S G3, Lodge Park EBF Park Express S G3) Broodmare Sire: GALILEO. Sire of the dams of 114 Stakes winners. In 2018 - AGE OF FIRE Fastnet Rock G1, HERO’S HONOUR Await The Dawn G1, LEICESTER Wanted G1, SAXON WARRIOR Deep Impact G1, SISTERCHARLIE Myboycharlie G1, THE AUTUMN SUN Redoute’s Choice G1, U S NAVY FLAG War Front G1, UNFORGOTTEN Fastnet Rock G1. The War Front/Galileo cross has produced: FLEET REVIEW G1, ROLY POLY G1, U S NAVY FLAG G1, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE LR, Battle of Jericho LR, Leo Minor LR.
U S NAVY FLAG b/br c 2015
ALPHA CENTAURI gr f 2015 Danehill Danehill Dancer MASTERCRAFTSMAN gr/ro 06
Mira Adonde
Sharpen Up Lettre d’Amour
Black Tie Affair
Miswaki Hat Tab Girl
Reves Celestes
Lyphard Tobira Celeste
Blushing Groom
Red God Runaway Bride
Glorious Song
Halo Ballade
Private Account
Damascus Numbered Account
Miesque
Nureyev Pasadoble
Starlight Dreams
Rahy ALPHA LUPI b 04
Danzig Razyana
East of The Moon
See race 45 in the August issue 169 DARLEY JULY CUP STAKES G1 NEWMARKET. Jul 14. 3yo+. 6f.
1. U S NAVY FLAG (USA) 3 9-0 £283,550 b/br c by War Front - Misty For Me (Galileo) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Misty For Me Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien £107,500 2. Brando (GB) 6 9-6 ch g by Pivotal - Argent du Bois (Silver Hawk) O-Mrs Angie Bailey B-Car Colston Hall Stud TR-Kevin Ryan 3. Fleet Review (USA) 3 9-0 £53,800 b c by War Front - A Star Is Born (Galileo) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 1.75, 0.75. Time 1:11.30. Going Good to Firm. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 16 5 7 £848,345 Sire: WAR FRONT. Sire of 63 Stakes winners. In 2018 LANCASTER BOMBER Indian Ridge G1, U S NAVY FLAG Galileo G1, CAMBODIA Smart Strike G2, DREAM AWHILE Montjeu G3, FIRE AWAY Unbridled G3, LULL Tiznow G3, FLEET REVIEW Galileo LR, HOMESMAN Red Ransom LR, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE Galileo LR. 1st Dam: MISTY FOR ME by Galileo. Champion 2yr old filly in Ireland and France in 2010, Champion 3yr old filly in Ireland in 2011. 5 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Moyglare Stud S G1, Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly S G1, Total Prix Marcel Boussac G1, 3rd Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron S G1, Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf G1. Own sister to BALLYDOYLE and TWIRL. Dam of 3 winners:
2013: 2014:
COVER SONG (f Fastnet Rock) 2 wins at 3 in USA, Autumn Miss S G3. ROLY POLY (f War Front). 6 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Tattersalls Falmouth S G1, Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S G1,
Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma
Danzig WAR FRONT b 02
Pas de Nom
Admiral’s Voyage Petitioner
Rubiano
Fappiano Ruby Slippers
Lara’s Star
Forli True Reality
Sadler’s Wells
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Urban Sea
Miswaki Allegretta
Storm Cat
Storm Bird Terlingua
Mr P’s Princess
Mr Prospector Anne Campbell
Starry Dreamer
Galileo MISTY FOR ME b 08 Butterfly Cove
It takes a very good three-year-old to conquer the mature older sprinters in the July Cup, as we saw in 2003 (Oasis Dream), 2007 (Sakhee’s Secret), 2011 (Dream Ahead), 2015 (Muhaarar) and 2017 (Harry Angel). Oasis Dream and Dream Ahead had both won the Middle Park Stakes as two-year-olds and so had the latest July Cup winner U S Navy Flag, who had sealed the juvenile championship by adding the Dewhurst Stakes two weeks after the Middle Park. Fleet Review, the War Front colt who was a close second to U S Navy Flag in the Middle Park, filled third place in the July Cup. Of course, U S Navy Flag is also by War Front and both he and Fleet Review represent the War Front-Galileo cross which has been so strongly supported that it may well become the most dominant nick in the coming years. U S Navy Flag was racing for the 15th time when he won the July Cup, so he is every bit as tough as his year-older sister Roly Poly, who was racing for the 13th, 14th and 16th times when she landed Gr1 successes in the Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild and Sun Chariot Stakes. Their dam Misty For Me also has a 2016 filly, a 2017 colt and a 2018 filly, all by War Front. Misty For Me won four times at Gr1 level at up to a mile and a quarter, including in the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Irish 1,000
Guineas and the Pretty Polly Stakes. Misty For Me’s first three foals are all Group winners, as her first foal, the Fastnet Rock filly Cover Song, became a Gr3 winner over a mile on turf at Santa Anita. As a dual Gr1 winner at two, Misty For Me proved herself one of Galileo’s most precocious daughters and so did her younger sister, the Classic-placed Ballydoyle, who emulated her sister’s win in the Prix Marcel Boussac. These sisters were bred to mature quite quickly, as their dam, the unraced Butterfly Cove, is by Storm Cat, a multiple champion sire of two-year-olds, out of Mr P’s Princess, dam of the outstanding 1999 two-year-old Fasliyev. U S Navy Flag’s fourth dam Anne Campbell was once voted Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, having produced the Kentucky Derby seconds Desert Wine and Menifee. 170 JUDDMONTE GRAND PRIX DE PARIS G1 PARISLONGCHAMP. Jul 14. 3yoc&f. 2400m.
1. KEW GARDENS (IRE) 9-3 £303,398 b c by Galileo - Chelsea Rose (Desert King) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Barronstown Stud TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Neufbosc (FR) 9-3 £121,381 gr c by Mastercraftsman - Nonsuch Way (Verglas) O-Gerard Augustin-Normand B-Franklin Finance S.A. TR-Mme Pia Brandt 3. Dee Ex Bee (GB) 9-3 £60,690 b c by Farhh - Dubai Sunrise (Seeking The Gold) O-Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Mark Johnston Margins 1.25, 3. Time 2:28.62. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 10 4 4 £484,945 Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 288 Stakes winners. In 2018 FOREVER TOGETHER Theatrical G1, KEW GARDENS Desert King G1, RHODODENDRON Pivotal G1, WALDGEIST Monsun G1, CALL TO MIND Danehill Dancer G2, CLIFFS OF MOHER Dansili G2, FLAG OF HONOUR Warning G2, MAGIC WAND Dansili G2, MAGICAL Pivotal G2, MISSION IMPASSIBLE Exceed And Excel G2. 1st Dam: CHELSEA ROSE by Desert King. 5 wins at 2 and 3, Moyglare Stud S G1, 2nd Audi Pretty Polly S G1, 3rd Premio Lydia Tesio G1. Dam of 4 winners:
2008: 2009: 2010:
2011: 2012: 2013: 2015:
2016: 2017: 2018:
Hamlool (c Red Ransom) 2nd freebetting. co.uk Int. Trial S LR. PALE ORCHID (f Invincible Spirit) 5 wins at 3. Broodmare. THAWAANY (f Tamayuz) 4 wins at 3 and 4 in France, Prix de Ris-Orangis G3, 2nd LARC - Prix Maurice de Gheest G1. Broodmare. Amytis (f Marju) unraced. Broodmare. FLOWERS ON VENUS (g Raven’s Pass) 5 wins at 3 to 5. Jazz Cat (f Tamayuz) KEW GARDENS (c Galileo) 4 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris G1, Queen’s Vase G2, Godolphin Zetland S LR, 2nd Willis Ch’pns Juv Golden Fleece S G3, Betfred Derby Trial S LR, 3rd bet365 Feilden S LR. (c Galileo) (f Galileo) (c Galileo)
2nd Dam: CINNAMON ROSE by Trempolino. 1 win at 3. Dam of CHELSEA ROSE (f Desert King, see above), EUROPEAN (c Great Commotion: Amethyst S LR, 2nd Elkhorn S G3) Broodmare Sire: DESERT KING. Sire of the dams of 28 Stakes winners. In 2018 - KEW GARDENS Galileo G1, BLOOMFIELD Teofilo LR. The Galileo/Desert King cross has produced: KEW GARDENS G1, PRIMA LUCE G3.
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Data Book European Pattern Margins Neck, 1.5. Time 2:32.54. Going Good to Firm.
KEW GARDENS b c 2015 Northern Dancer
Nearctic Natalma
Fairy Bridge
Bold Reason Special
Miswaki
Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal
Allegretta
Lombard Anatevka
Danehill
Danzig Razyana
Sabaah
Nureyev Dish Dash
Trempolino
Sharpen Up Trephine
Sweet Simone
Green Dancer Servilia
Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea
Desert King CHELSEA ROSE ch 02 Cinnamon Rose
Because the Galileo-Danehill nick has become one of the world’s most potent crosses, breeders have inevitably also sent Galileo a lot of mares by sons of Danehill. Daughters of Danehill Dancer have rivalled the Danehill mares’ success and there have also been Group winners out of mares by the sprinter/milers Clodovil, Dansili, Exceed And Excel, Holy Roman Emperor, Mozart and Rock Of Gibraltar. There are also two Group winners out of mares by Desert King, a Danehill horse who stayed well enough to win the Irish Derby. Desert King’s stamina was also apparent during his stallion career, his handful of Gr1 winners featuring the Gold Cup winner Mr Dinos and the three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva. Another of Desert King’s Gr1 winners, the Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Chelsea Rose, scored at up to a mile and a half, so it isn’t surprising that her Galileo colt Kew Gardens has always shaped like a true stayer. A decisive winner from the future Derby second Dee Ex Bee in the ten-furlong Zetland Stakes at two, Kew Gardens comfortably landed his first three-year-old success in the Gr2 Queen’s Vase over 14 furlongs. However, he wasn’t troubled by a drop back to a mile and a half in the Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris, where he again comfortably accounted for the third-placed Dee Ex Bee. Chelsea Rose’s previous Group winner, the Tamayuz filly Thawaany, was a Listed winner over a mile but was arguably better over six furlongs, the distance of her win in the Gr3 Prix de Ris-Orangis. Kew Gardens’ second dam Cinnamon Rose gained her only success over a mile and a quarter. Cinnamon Rose was also a half-sister to two Group winners, most notably the Riverman colt River Warden, who started co-favourite for the 1989 Arlington Million on the strength of his win in the Prix Eugene Adam. 171 DARLEY IRISH OAKS G1 CURRAGH. Jul 21. 3yof. 12f.
1. SEA OF CLASS (IRE) 9-0 £201,770 ch f by Sea The Stars - Holy Moon (Hernando) O-Sunderland Holding Inc. B-Razza Del Velino TR-William Haggas 2. Forever Together (IRE) 9-0 £67,257 b f by Galileo - Green Room (Theatrical) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Mr and Mrs V. Khosla TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Mary Tudor (IRE) 9-0 £31,858 gr f by Dawn Approach - Antiquities (Kaldounevees) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-W. McCreery
Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3 4 3 1 £271,746 Sire: SEA THE STARS. Sire of 47 Stakes winners. In 2018 - SEA OF CLASS Hernando G1, STRADIVARIUS Bering G1, CRYSTAL OCEAN Mark of Esteem G2, NIGHT MUSIC Monsun G2, KNIGHT TO BEHOLD Sadler’s Wells LR, LISTEN IN Inchinor LR. 1st Dam: HOLY MOON by Hernando. 5 wins at 3 and 4 in Italy, Premio EBF Terme di Merano LR. Dam of 9 winners:
2006:
2008: 2009:
2010: 2011:
2012: 2013: 2014: 2015:
2017: 2018:
MOONEY RIDGE (f Indian Ridge) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in Italy. Dam of Troublemaker (c Vita Rosa: 4 wins at 3 and 4 in Italy, 2nd Premio St Leger Italiano G3) HOLY BALLET (c Shamardal) 16 wins at 3 to 8 in Italy. CHERRY COLLECT (f Oratorio) Champion 3yr old filly in Italy in 2012. 8 wins at 2 and 3 in Italy, Oaks d’Italia Trofeo Snai G2, 2nd Premio Lydia Tesio Longines Tris Int G1. Broodmare. CHARITY LINE (f Manduro). 6 wins at 2 and 3 in Italy, Premio Lydia Tesio Longines Tris Int G1. Broodmare. FINAL SCORE (f Dylan Thomas) Champion 3yr old filly in Italy in 2014. 5 wins at 2 and 3 in Italy, Premio Lydia Tesio Longines Tris Str G1. Broodmare. WORDLESS (f Rock of Gibraltar) 6 wins at 2 to 4 in Italy, Premio Verziere - Memorial Aldo Cirla G3. Broodmare. Magic Mystery (c Pour Moi) 3 wins at 3 and 4 in France, Italy, 3rd Premio Emanuele Filiberto LR. Back On Board (c Nathaniel) 2 wins at 3 in Italy, 2nd Derby Italiano Sisal Matchpoint G2. SEA OF CLASS (f Sea The Stars) Sold 170,000gns yearling at TADEY. 3 wins at 3, Darley Irish Oaks G1, Haras de Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial S LR, Johnnie Lewis Memorial Abingdon S LR. (c Oasis Dream) (c Golden Horn)
2nd Dam: Centinela by Caerleon. ran a few times at 2 and 3. Dam of HOLY MOON (f Hernando, see above) Broodmare Sire: HERNANDO. Sire of the dams of 43 Stakes winners. In 2018 - SEA OF CLASS Sea The Stars G1, PILASTER Nathaniel G2, APPELINA Appel Au Maitre LR, CASHMAN Soldier of Fortune LR. The Sea The Stars/Hernando cross has produced: SEA OF CLASS G1, St Michel G2.
SEA OF CLASS ch f 2015 Green Desert
Danzig Foreign Courier
Park Appeal
Ahonoora Balidaress
Miswaki
Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal
Allegretta
Lombard Anatevka
Niniski
Nijinsky Virginia Hills
Whakilyric
Miswaki Lyrism
Caerleon
Nijinsky Foreseer
New Generation
Young Generation Madina
Cape Cross SEA THE STARS b 06 Urban Sea
Hernando HOLY MOON b 00 Centinela
The Irish Oaks developed into a battle between daughters of the half-brothers Sea The Stars and Galileo. Galileo’s Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together looked to be heading for her second Classic success until she was caught close home by the inexperienced Sea Of Class. Sea Of Class hadn’t raced at two, no doubt because she has a May 23 birthday. Sea The Stars’ 2015 crop numbers ‘only’ 93. It is imperative to remember that Sea The Stars hasn’t always had number on his side. His second crop, born in 2012, numbered only 67 foals, but no fewer than 12 of them were to become black-type winners,
and his 2014 crop, which totalled 74 foals, has given us six black-type winners headed by Stradivarius and Crystal Ocean. Sea Of Class is his fourth Classic winner, following Harzand (Derby and Irish Derby), Taghrooda (Oaks) and Sea The Moon (Deutsches Derby). Sea Of Class was bred by Razza del Velino from Holy Moon, a mare who had made a huge impact on Italian racing. The daughter of Prix du Jockey-Club winner Hernando has produced four Italian Group winners, headed by the Gr2 Oaks d’Italia and Gr1 Premio Lydia Tesio winners Charity Line and Final Score. Another of Holy Moon’s daughters, Cherry Collect, also won the Oaks d’Italia, so Sea Of Class is her dam’s fourth Oaks winner - each of them by a different stallion. There is no shortage of stamina in this family, as Holy Moon, a Listed winner over 11 furlongs, is inbred 3 x 3 to Nijinsky. Holy Moon’s dam Centinela also had links to the Oaks d’Italia, a race won by her half-sister Bright Generation in 1993. Bright Generation has since become the second dam of Dabirsim, winner of the Prix Morny and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Sea Of Class’s fourth dam Madina also won the Prix Morny. 172 KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES G1 ASCOT. Jul 28. 3yo+. 12f.
1. POET’S WORD (IRE) 5 9-7 £708,875 b h by Poet’s Voice - Whirly Bird (Nashwan) O-Mr Saeed Suhail B-Woodcote Stud Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute 2. Crystal Ocean (GB) 4 9-7 £268,750 b c by Sea The Stars - Crystal Star (Mark of Esteem) O-Sir Evelyn De Rothschild B-Southcourt Stud TR-Sir Michael Stoute 3. Coronet (GB) 4 9-4 £134,500 gr f by Dubawi - Approach (Darshaan) O-Denford Stud B-Denford Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden Margins Neck, 9. Time 2:25.80. Going Good to Firm. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-5 16 7 8 £2,724,324 Sire: POET’S VOICE. Sire of 14 Stakes winners. In 2018 - POET’S WORD Nashwan G1, SAND ZABEEL Gold Away G2, SUMMER FESTIVAL Diktat G2, POETA DILETTO Selkirk G3, LEAVES OF GRASS Al Maher LR, MONTSARRAT Entrepreneur LR. 1st Dam: Whirly Bird by Nashwan. 5 wins at 3 and 4, 3rd EBF Harvest S LR. Dam of 5 winners:
2007:
2008: 2009: 2010: 2012: 2013:
2014: 2016: 2018:
WHIRLY DANCER (f Danehill Dancer) 2 wins at 3. Dam of BECKFORD (c Bated Breath: 3 wins at 2 and 3 at home, USA, GAIN Railway S G2, 2nd Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S G1, Keeneland Phoenix S G1) Dervisher (c Dansili) CLOWANCE ESTATE (g Teofilo) 2 wins at 3 and 4. ROYAL SIGNALLER (g Dylan Thomas) 4 wins at 3 and 5. MALABAR (f Raven’s Pass) 3 wins at 2 and 3, Whiteley Clinic Prestige S G3, Bonhams Thoroughbred S G3. POET’S WORD (c Poet’s Voice) Sold 300,000gns yearling at TAOC2. 7 wins at 3 to 5, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Prince of Wales’s S G1, Matchbook Brigadier Gerard S G3, Betfred Glorious S G3, 2nd Qipco Champion S G1, QIPCO Irish Champion S G1, Longines Dubai Sheema Classic G1, sportingbet.com Huxley S G3. Yuno Tesoro (c Rip Van Winkle) ran on the flat in Japan. Incharge (f Kingman) unraced to date. (c Kingman)
2nd Dam: INCHYRE by Shirley Heights. 1 win at 3. Dam of URSA MAJOR (c Galileo: Gain Ballycullen Irish St Leger Trial G3), INCHIRI (f Sadler’s Wells: EBF Galtres S LR), Whirly Bird (f Nashwan, see above), Inchberry (f Barathea: 2nd Tote Bookmakers Silver Tankard S LR). Grandam of HAWK’S EYE, DIVINE UNICORN, Measuring Time. Third dam of Ptolemaic. Broodmare Sire: NASHWAN. Sire of the dams of 79 Stakes winners. In 2018 - POET’S WORD Poet’s Voice G1, URBAN FOX Foxwedge G1.
POET’S WORD b h 2013 Dubawi POET’S VOICE b 07 Bright Tiara
Dubai Millennium Seeking The Gold Colorado Dancer Zomaradah
Deploy Jawaher
Chief’s Crown
Danzig Six Crowns
Expressive Dance Riva Ridge Exclusive Dancer Blushing Groom
Nashwan WHIRLY BIRD b 01
Red God Runaway Bride
Height of Fashion Bustino Highclere Shirley Heights
Mill Reef Hardiemma
Inchmurrin
Lomond On Show
Inchyre
See race 117 in the August issue 173 PRIX ROTHSCHILD G1 DEAUVILLE. Jul 29. 3yo+f. 1600m.
1. WITH YOU (GB) 3 8-9 £132,743 b f by Dansili - In Clover (Inchinor) O-George Strawbridge B-G. Strawbridge TR-F Head £53,097 2. Crown Walk (GB) 3 8-9 ch f by Dubawi - Dunnes River (Danzig) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Charlie Appleby £39,823 3. Rosa Imperial (IRE) 5 9-3 b m by Pivotal - Rose Trail (Kingmambo) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Darley TR-A. Fabre Margins 3, Head. Time 1:36.52. Going Good to Soft. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 5 3 1 £254,354 Sire: DANSILI. Sire of 134 Stakes winners. In 2018 WITH YOU Inchinor G1, EFAADAH Oasis Dream G3, CROSSED BATON Beat Hollow LR, ENVIRONS Oasis Dream LR, FIRST SITTING Distant View LR. 1st Dam: IN CLOVER by Inchinor. 4 wins at 3 in France, Prix de Flore G3. Dam of 5 winners:
2008: 2009:
2010: 2011:
2012: 2014: 2015:
2016: 2017: 2018:
ELODIE (f Dansili) Winner at 3 in France. Broodmare. DREAM CLOVER (f Oasis Dream) 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix de Saint-Cyr LR, Prix de la Cochere LR, 3rd Prix de Lieurey G3. Broodmare. (c Danehill Dancer) WE ARE (f Dansili) 2 wins at 3 in France, Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, 3rd Prix de l’Opera Longines G1, Darley Prix Jean Romanet G1. Broodmare. INCAHOOTS (f Oasis Dream) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in France, Prix Saonois LR. Broodmare. Call The Wind (c Frankel) WITH YOU (f Dansili) 3 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Prix Rothschild G1, Prix des Reservoirs-Etalon Kendargent G3, 2nd The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1. Featuring (f Dansili) unraced to date. (c Dansili) (c Dubawi)
2nd Dam: BELLARIDA by Bellypha. 4 wins at 2 and 3 in France Prix de Royaumont G3. Dam of IN CLOVER (f Inchinor, see above), BAYOURIDA (f Slew O’ Gold: Prix Madame Jean Couturie LR, 2nd Prix de la Nonette G3), BELLONA (f Bering: Prix Rose de Mai LR, 3rd Prix Penelope G3), Fumarelli (c Trempolino: 3rd Prix Le Fabuleux LR). Grandam of ADJUSTED, LILY’S ANGEL, GIUSEPPE PIAZZI, ZURIGHA, TELLURIDE, PARTY, Bee Charmer, Kansas Sunflower, Bella Ida, Peak To Peak. Third dam of DOMINANT, TEPPAL, ES QUE LOVE, OBSERVATIONAL, GLORIOUS SINNDAR, ZHUI FENG, LISTEN IN, Another Party. Broodmare Sire: INCHINOR. Sire of the dams of 34 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WITH YOU Dansili G1, LISTEN IN Sea The Stars LR, THEMIS Lord Shanakill LR, ZHUI FENG Invincible Spirit LR. The Dansili/Inchinor cross has produced: WE ARE G1, WITH YOU G1.
116 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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CAULFIELD ON BENBATL: “His pedigree would support the view that distances of around a mile and a quarter are ideal; sire Dubawi was essentially a miler, even though he was third in the Derby” WITH YOU b f 2015
Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-4 12 5 3 £3,058,573 Danzig
Northern Dancer Pas de Nom
Razyana
His Majesty Spring Adieu
Kahyasi
Ile de Bourbon Kadissya
Kerali
High Line Sookera
Ahonoora
Lorenzaccio Helen Nichols
Inchmurrin
Lomond On Show
Danehill DANSILI b 96 Hasili
Inchinor IN CLOVER b 02
Bellypha
Bellarida Lerida
Lyphard Belga Riverman Lalika
Bearing in mind that Dansili had four Gr1-winning siblings, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Banstead Manor veteran has sired a pair of Gr1-winning sisters in We Are and With You. There are some parallels between the careers of these sisters. Both were unbeaten when they lined up for the Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary but there the stories start to diverge. We Are, the older sister, won the Saint-Alary, only to be disqualified and forced to miss the Prix de Diane - after being found to have elevated levels of testosterone (the result of an ovarian tumour). The younger sister, With You, was beaten a short head by Laurens in the Saint-Alary and then finished a close fifth behind the same filly in the Diane. Whereas We Are concentrated on ten furlongs when she returned to action, notably winning the Gr1 Prix de l’Opera, With You was dropped back to a mile following the Diane and she showed her appreciation with a three-length victory in the Gr1 Prix Rothschild. With You’s victory made her the 21st Gr1 winner by Dansili. Significantly, 14 of the 21 are fillies. Although With You nearly won a Gr1 over ten furlongs, a mile could prove her optimum distance. Dansili ventured beyond a mile only once and With You’s broodmare sire Inchinor was a seven-furlong specialist. Her dam, the tough In Clover, won a Listed race over a mile and the Gr3 Prix de Flore over ten and a half furlongs at three. In addition to her two Gr1 winners by Dansili, In Clover has two Listedwinning daughters by Oasis Dream, namely the milers Dream Clover and Incahoots. With You’s second dam Bellarida won the Gr3 Prix de Royaumont, while fourth dam Lalika won the Prix Saint-Alary and was herself a half-sister to Roi Lear, a winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club. 174 GROSSER DALLMAYR BAYERISCHES ZUCHTRENNEN G1 MUNICH. Jul 29. 3yo+. 2000m.
1. BENBATL (GB) 4 9-6 £88,496 b c by Dubawi - Nahrain (Selkirk) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-Saeed bin Suroor £26,549 2. Stormy Antarctic (GB) 5 9-6 ch g by Stormy Atlantic - Bea Remembered (Doyen) O-Mr P. K. Siu B-East Bloodstock Limited TR-Ed Walker 3. Va Bank (IRE) 6 9-6 £13,274 b h by Archipenko - Vinales (Dilshaan) O-Team Valor International & J P Zienkiewicz B-Airlie Stud TR-A Wohler Margins 2.75, 2. Time 2:06.78. Going Good.
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Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 157 Stakes winners. In 2018 BENBATL Selkirk G1, NORTH AMERICA Yankee Victor G1, WILD ILLUSION Monsun G1, BATEEL Chief’s Crown G2, CORONET Darshaan G2, OLD PERSIAN Singspiel G2, QUORTO Mount Nelson G2, WUHEIDA Singspiel G2, ANTON EN AVANT Desert Prince G3, CROWN WALK Danzig G3, D’BAI Green Desert G3, JORDAN SPORT Tiger Hill G3, KITESURF Danehill Dancer G3, RARE RHYTHM Singspiel G3, SOLILOQUY Lonhro G3. 1st Dam: NAHRAIN by Selkirk. 5 wins at 3 and 4 at home, France, USA, Qatar Prix de l’Opera G1, Flower Bowl Invitational S G1, 2nd Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf G1. Dam of 1 winner:
2014:
2015: 2016: 2017: 2018:
BENBATL (c Dubawi) 5 wins at 3 and 4 at home, UAE, Grosser Dallmayr Bayerisches Zuchtrennen G1, DP World Dubai Turf G1, Jebel Ali Port Al Rashidiya S G2, Hampton Court S G3, Longines Ladies Master Singspiel S G3, 2nd Emirates Airline Jebel Hatta G1, Betfred Dante S G2, 3rd bet365 Craven S G3. Ta Allak (c New Approach) Montzar (c Dansili) unraced to date. (f Dubawi) (f Sea The Stars)
2nd Dam: BAHR by Generous. 4 wins at 2 and 3 Ribblesdale S G2, 2nd Vodafone Oaks S G1, 3rd Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks G1, Flower Bowl Invitational H G1. Dam of NAHRAIN (f Selkirk, see above), BAHARAH (f Elusive Quality: Transformer/Rectifier EBF Valiant S LR, ladbrokes.com EBF Fleur de Lys S LR) Broodmare Sire: SELKIRK. Sire of the dams of 69 Stakes winners. In 2018 - BENBATL Dubawi G1, REDKIRK WARRIOR Notnowcato G1, POETA DILETTO Poet’s Voice G3, CROSS FIRE Dai Jin LR. The Dubawi/Selkirk cross has produced: BENBATL G1, Graffiti Master LR.
BENBATL b c 2014 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02
175 QATAR GOODWOOD CUP STAKES G1 Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Deploy
Shirley Heights Slightly Dangerous
Jawaher
Dancing Brave High Tern
Sharpen Up
Atan Rocchetta
Annie Edge
Nebbiolo Friendly Court
Generous
Caerleon Doff The Derby
Lady of The Sea
Mill Reef La Mer
Zomaradah
Selkirk NAHRAIN ch 08
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf over 11 furlongs and returned to the US in the autumn of 2012 to win the Gr1 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes. Nahrain is a daughter of the top miler Selkirk. Her dam, the tough Bahr, showed the type of stamina we came to expect of Generous’ progeny, winning the Musidora and Ribblesdale Stakes in addition to finishing second in the Oaks and third in the Irish version. Bahr started her broodmare career in the USA, her best effort there being her late-maturing Elusive Quality filly Baharah, a Listed winner over a mile on turf and all-weather at four. The next dam, the winning miler Lady Of The Sea, was by the great Mill Reef, which means that Benbatl ranks among the numerous Gr1 winners by Dubawi which have two lines to Mill Reef or his son Shirley Heights. The Prix du Jockey-Club winner New Bay, the 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder and the high-class French colt Zarak are among the others with two lines of Mill Reef. Benbatl’s fourth dam La Mer was an import from New Zealand, where she was the champion juvenile filly of her generation.
Bahr
Although Benbatl has yet to thrive at Gr1 level in Britain, where he has finished fifth in the Derby and the King George and tenth in the Queen Anne, this versatile son of Dubawi now has two foreign Gr1 successes to his credit. The first came when he easily landed the Dubai Turf over nine furlongs at Meydan in March and he travelled to Germany four months later to add the Grosser Dallmayr Preis in equally comfortable style over a furlong further. The possibility exists that this type of distance suits him better than a mile and a half, though he appeared to stay the distance in the Derby. His pedigree would support the view that distances around a mile and a quarter are ideal for him. Dubawi was essentially a miler, even though he managed a remote third place in the Derby, and Benbatl’s dam Nahrain raced exclusively over a mile or a mile and a quarter in Europe, where she just held on to land her best victory in the Gr1 Prix de l’Opera over a mile and a quarter. However, she followed that win with an excellent second in the
GOODWOOD. Jul 31. 3yo+. 16f.
1. STRADIVARIUS (IRE) 4 9-9 £283,550 ch c by Sea The Stars - Private Life (Bering) O-Mr B. E. Nielsen B-B. E. Nielsen TR-John Gosden 2. Torcedor (IRE) 6 9-9 £107,500 b g by Fastnet Rock - Magnolia Lane (Sadler’s Wells) O-Te Akau Torcedor(Mngr David Ellis) B-Barronstown Stud TR-Mrs J. Harrington 3. Idaho (IRE) 5 9-9 £53,800 b h by Galileo - Hveger (Danehill) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Hveger Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 0.5, 6. Time 3:30.50. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-4 12 7 4 £1,185,749 Sire: SEA THE STARS. Sire of 47 Stakes winners. In 2018 - SEA OF CLASS Hernando G1, STRADIVARIUS Bering G1, CRYSTAL OCEAN Mark of Esteem G2, NIGHT MUSIC Monsun G2, KNIGHT TO BEHOLD Sadler’s Wells LR, LISTEN IN Inchinor LR. 1st Dam: Private Life by Bering. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France, 3rd Prix de Liancourt LR, Prix de Thiberville LR. Dam of 6 winners:
2003:
2004: 2005: 2007: 2008: 2010: 2011: 2014:
PERFECTIONIST (c Fantastic Light) 7 wins at 4 to 6 in Denmark. PERSIAN STORM (g Monsun) 3 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, Furstenberg-Rennen G3, German Tote Bavarian Classic G3. (f Pivotal). died as a foal. Persona Non Grata (g Azamour) Magical Eve (f Oratorio) Winner at 4 in South Africa, 3rd Steel Doctor The Scarlet Lady LR. Broodmare. PLUTOCRACY (g Dansili) 5 wins. Rembrandt Van Rijn (g Peintre Celebre) 4 wins at 4, 3rd Abu Dhabi Championship G3. STRADIVARIUS (c Sea The Stars) Sold 330,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 7 wins at 2 to 4, Ascot Gold Cup G1, Qatar Goodwood Cup S G1 (twice), Queen’s Vase G2, Mansionbet Yorkshire Cup G2, 3rd William Hill St Leger S G1, Qipco Brit. Champions Long Distance Cup G2.
2nd Dam: POUGHKEEPSIE by Sadler’s Wells. 1 win at 3 in France. Dam of PRETTY TOUGH (c Desert King: Prix La Moskowa LR), PARISIENNE (f Distant Relative: Grand Criterium de Bordeaux LR), Poincon de France (c Peintre Celebre: 3rd G.P.Conseil General des Alpes Maritimes LR), Pirate Bay (c Hawk Wing: 3rd Prix de
Saint Patrick LR, Japan Racing Association Plate LR), Private Life (f Bering, see above). Grandam of Soviet Courage. Third dam of PROTECTIONIST. Broodmare Sire: BERING. Sire of the dams of 84 Stakes winners. In 2018 - STRADIVARIUS Sea The Stars G1, SINGING Singspiel LR, SPADAY Exceed And Excel LR.
STRADIVARIUS ch c 2014 Green Desert
Danzig Foreign Courier
Park Appeal
Ahonoora Balidaress
Miswaki
Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal
Allegretta
Lombard Anatevka
Arctic Tern
Sea Bird II Bubbling Beauty
Beaune
Lyphard Barbra
Sadler’s Wells
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Pawneese
Carvin II Plencia
Cape Cross SEA THE STARS b 06 Urban Sea
Bering PRIVATE LIFE b 97 Poughkeepsie
See race 118 in the August issue 176 QATAR SUSSEX STAKES G1 GOODWOOD. Aug 1. 3yo+. 8f.
1. LIGHTNING SPEAR (GB) 7 9-8 £593,392 ch h by Pivotal - Atlantic Destiny (Royal Academy) O-Qatar Racing Limited B-Newsells Park Stud Limited TR-David Simcock 2. Expert Eye (GB) 3 9-1 £225,938 b c by Acclamation - Exemplify (Dansili) O-Mr K. Abdullah B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute 3. Lord Glitters (FR) 5 9-8 £113,128 gr g by Whipper - Lady Glitters (Homme de Loi) O-Geoff & Sandra Turnbull B-S.C.A. Elevage de Tourgeville & H. Erculiani TR-David O’Meara Margins 1.5, 0.5. Time 1:39.80. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-7 24 7 9 £1,358,434 Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of 144 Stakes winners. In 2018 BLAIR HOUSE Dubawi G1, LIGHTNING SPEAR Royal Academy G1, ADDEYBB Kingmambo G2, BRANDO Silver Hawk G3, TOGETHER AGAIN Teofilo G3, DIAPHORA Cadeaux Genereux LR, ROSA IMPERIAL Kingmambo LR. 1st Dam: ATLANTIC DESTINY by Royal Academy. 7 wins at 2 to 5 at home, USA, Gearhouse Group Sirenia S LR, Local Thriller H LR. Dam of 6 winners:
2004: 2006: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2011:
2013: 2014:
ATLANTIC LIGHT (f Linamix) Winner at 2. Broodmare. Seaway (g Dr Fong) Winner at 3, 2nd Chesham S LR. OCEAN WAR (g Dalakhani) 2 wins at 3, Makfi Newmarket S LR. First Destinity (f Lawman) 3 wins at 3 in France, 3rd Prix Occitanie LR. Ali Monsun (c Monsun) unraced. LIGHTNING SPEAR (c Pivotal) Sold 260,000gns yearling at TAOC1. 7 wins at 2 to 7, 2018, Qatar Sussex S G1, Doom Bar Celebration Mile G2 (twice), 2nd Al Shaqab Lockinge S G1 (twice), F.Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile S G2, 3rd Queen Anne S G1 (twice), Qipco Queen Elizabeth II S G1, Qatar Sussex S G1, Clipper Logistics Solonaway S G2. Atlantic Drift (f Oasis Dream) unraced. Broodmare. NAISHAN (g Pivotal) 2 wins at 4 in Greece.
2nd Dam: Respectfully by The Minstrel. ran on the flat in France at 3. Dam of MAKE NO MISTAKE (c Darshaan: Royal Whip S G2, 3rd Tattersalls Gold Cup G1), ATLANTIC DESTINY (f Royal Academy, see above). Grandam of Invincible Force, Khefyn. Broodmare Sire: ROYAL ACADEMY. Sire of the dams of 183 Stakes winners. In 2018 - LIGHTNING SPEAR Pivotal G1, DURO DE MATAR Salto G3, XENOBIA Falco G3, YAKEEN Teofilo G3, ABDICATOR Universal Ruler LR, BLUE MORPHO Hussonet LR, BRAVE CAROLINE Elusive Quality LR, FUSTIC Quick Road LR, RAIDO Husson LR. The Pivotal/Royal Academy cross has produced: LIGHTNING SPEAR G1, CHANTILLY TIFFANY G3.
THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 117
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Data Book European Pattern LIGHTNING SPEAR ch h 2011 Nureyev
Northern Dancer Special
Marie d’Argonne
Jefferson Mohair
Cozzene
Caro Ride The Trails
Stufida
Bustino Zerbinetta
Nijinsky
Northern Dancer Flaming Page
Crimson Saint
Crimson Satan Bolero Rose
The Minstrel
Northern Dancer Fleur
Treat Me Nobly
Vaguely Noble What A Treat
Polar Falcon PIVOTAL ch 93 Fearless Revival
Royal Academy ATLANTIC DESTINY b 96 Respectfully
Think back to Pivotal’s 2011 crop and you may remember that it contained the likes of Falco (Poule d’Essai des Poulains) and Eagle Top (beaten a nose by Postponed in the 2015 King George). But while those two last won in 2014, another member of this crop Lightning Spear - has continued to shine right up to the age of seven, even though he made a winning debut as a two-year-old. Part of his longevity may stem from the fact that he was off the course for 14 months following that debut, which meant that he didn’t step out of handicap company until July 2015, Since then, though, he has been campaigned exclusively at Group level and rewarded his connections with successive victories in the Gr2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood in 2016 and 2017. However, it wasn’t until his 16th attempt at Gr1 level that he finally gained the top-level win that his talent merits, when he confirmed his liking for Goodwood’s mile in the Sussex Stakes. He had earlier failed by only a short head to take the Lockinge Stakes. Lightning Spear’s dam Atlantic Destiny was also durable, winning seven times from two to five years. She began her career with Mark Johnston, for whom she won a Listed race as a juvenile before contesting
the Cheveley Park Stakes and the 1,000 Guineas. She was then switched to the US, where she again enjoyed stakes success over six furlongs. Of course, Lightning Spear is the son of a sprinter but Atlantic Destiny’s other black-type winner, Ocean War, was by a much better stayer in Dalakhani. Ocean War won the Newmarket Stakes over a mile and a quarter before tackling the Derby. Atlantic Destiny’s half-brother Make No Mistake was also suited by distances around a mile and a quarter, with his four Group/Graded successes being divided between Ireland and the US. 177 QATAR NASSAU STAKES G1
2016: 2017: 2018:
Prix Marcel Boussac G1, 2nd Investec Oaks S G1, Ribblesdale S G2, 3rd Prix d’Aumale G3. CERATONIA (f Oasis Dream) Winner at 2. (c Dubawi) (c Dubawi)
2nd Dam: ROYAL DUBAI by Dashing Blade. Jt Champion 2yr old filly in Germany in 2002. 2 wins at 2 in Germany Preis der Winterkonigin G3. Dam of RUMH (f Monsun, see above), REALEZA (f Maxios: BRAG Diana Trial LR). Grandam of Royal Fox. Broodmare Sire: MONSUN. Sire of the dams of 71 Stakes winners. In 2018 - WALDGEIST Galileo G1, WILD ILLUSION Dubawi G1, NIGHT MUSIC Sea The Stars G2, WALDLIED New Approach G2, CAROLINAE Makfi LR, FORZA CAPITANO Captain Marvelous LR, NAGANO GOLD Sixties Icon LR. The Dubawi/Monsun cross has produced: WILD ILLUSION G1, AMAZONA G3, QUANZHOU LR, Kazimiera LR.
WILD ILLUSION b f 2015 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02
GOODWOOD. Aug 2. 3yo+f. 10f.
1. WILD ILLUSION (GB) 3 8-13 £340,260 b f by Dubawi - Rumh (Monsun) O-Godolphin B-Godolphin Management Company Ltd TR-Charlie Appleby 2. Urban Fox (GB) 4 9-7 £129,000 b f by Foxwedge - Lomapamar (Nashwan) O-Barnane Stud Ltd B-Mascalls Stud TR-William Haggas 3. Veracious (GB) 3 8-13 £64,560 b f by Frankel - Infallible (Pivotal) O-Cheveley Park Stud B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd TR-Sir Michael Stoute Margins 2, Short Head. Time 2:06.20. Going Good. Age Starts Wins Places Earned 2-3 7 3 4 £680,498 Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 157 Stakes winners. In 2018 BENBATL Selkirk G1, NORTH AMERICA Yankee Victor G1, WILD ILLUSION Monsun G1, BATEEL Chief’s Crown G2, CORONET Darshaan G2, OLD PERSIAN Singspiel G2, QUORTO Mount Nelson G2, WUHEIDA Singspiel G2, ANTON EN AVANT Desert Prince G3, CROWN WALK Danzig G3, D’BAI Green Desert G3, JORDAN SPORT Tiger Hill G3, KITESURF Danehill Dancer G3, RARE RHYTHM Singspiel G3, SOLILOQUY Lonhro G3. 1st Dam: RUMH by Monsun. 4 wins at 2 to 4, Lord Weinstock Mem. Ballymacoll S LR. Dam of 3 winners:
2014: 2015:
REALLY SPECIAL (f Shamardal) 3 wins at 2 and 3 at home, UAE, British Stall. Studs EBF Montrose S LR. WILD ILLUSION (f Dubawi) Champion 2yr old filly in France in 2017. 3 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Qatar Nassau S G1, Total
Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Deploy
Shirley Heights Slightly Dangerous
Jawaher
Dancing Brave High Tern
Konigsstuhl
Dschingis Khan Konigskronung
Mosella
Surumu Monasia
Dashing Blade
Elegant Air Sharp Castan
Reem Dubai
Nashwan Gesedeh
Zomaradah
Monsun RUMH ch 08 Royal Dubai
Colts and geldings may outnumber the fillies among Dubawi’s worldwide total of 35 Gr1 winners but that doesn’t mean he isn’t an excellent sire of fillies. His 13 Gr1-winning daughters feature the likes of Journey, Sobetsu, Wuheida, Nezwaah, Bateel, Arabian Queen, Left Hand and Wild Illusion. The last-named finished fourth in the 1,000 Guineas and second in the Oaks before an all-the-way success in the Nassau Stakes, which was her second Gr1 success following her Prix Marcel Boussac victory as a two-year-old. A Godolphin homebred, Wild Illusion represents Dubawi’s successful partnership with broodmares by Monsun.
Eight of the nine foals bred this way have won and four have earned black type. Wild Illusion follows Amazona, a German Gr3 winner over ten furlongs, and Quanzhou, a French Listed winner over ten and a half furlongs, as the nick’s third stakes winner. No wonder her dam Rumh has been returned to Dubawi to produce colts in 2017 and 2018. Their prospects must be excellent, as Rumh’s first three foals have all won. Her first foal, the Shamardal filly Really Special, won her first three starts, including a Listed race at Newmarket at two and a trial for the UAE 1,000 Guineas. Rumh was bred in Germany, as was her dam Royal Dubai. Although Rumh spent part of her career as a pacemaker, she had cost 300,000gns as a yearling and was good enough to win a Listed race over a mile and a quarter as a threeyear-old. She later won twice at around two miles at four. With Monsun as her sire and Reem Dubai as her second dam, Rumh is closely related to Reem Dubai’s very smart Monsun filly Royal Highness. A Gr2 winner over a mile and a half in France, Royal Highness later won the Gr1 Beverly D Stakes in the US. Royal Highness has since produced the smart Oasis Dream colt Free Port Lux, winner of the Gr2 Prix Dollar. Oasis Dream also figures as the sire of Rumh’s two-year-old filly Ceratonia, who made a winning debut at Ascot in late July. Fourth dam Gesedeh won the Gr3 Prix de Flore and was rated 117 by Timeform. Gesedeh’s qualifications also included being a half-sister to the exceptional stayer Ardross and to the smart filly Larrocha. Gesedeh became the second dam of the top-class middle-distance colt Electrocutionist.
Group 2 and 3 Races Date 03/07 04/07 05/07 07/07 07/07 07/07 08/07 09/07 12/07 12/07 12/07 12/07 13/07 13/07 14/07 14/07 14/07 14/07 15/07 15/07 15/07 18/07 19/07
Grade G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3
Race (course) Prix du Bois (Deauville) Sparkasse Holstein Cup Stuten Meile (Hamburg) Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg (Hamburg) Bet 365 Lancashire Oaks Stakes (Haydock Park) Mehl Mulhens Trophy Stutenpreis (Hamburg) Coral Charge Sprint Stakes (Sandown Park) Irish Stall. Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes (Fairyhouse) Prix Chloe (Chantilly) Arqana July Stakes (Newmarket) Arqana Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Newmarket) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes (Leopardstown) Bahrain Trophy (Newmarket) bet365 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Newmarket) William Hill Summer Stakes (York) F.Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Ascot) bet365 Superlative Stakes (Newmarket) Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Parislongchamp) John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (York) Meilen Trophy (Cologne) P.Eugene Adam (G.P.de Maisons-Laffitte) (Maisons-Laffitte) Prix de Ris-Orangis (Maisons-Laffitte) Grand Prix de Vichy (Vichy) ICON Meld Stakes (Leopardstown)
Dist 5f 8f 10f 12f 11f 5f 7f 9f 6f 12f 14f 13f 6f 6f 8f 7f 14f 14f 8f 10.5f 6f 10f 9f
Horse Little Kim (GB) Indian Blessing (GB) Devastar (GER) Horseplay (GB) Taraja (GER) Judicial (IRE) Xenobia (IRE) Crown Walk (GB) Advertise (GB) Best Solution (IRE) Cimeara (IRE) Wells Farhh Go (IRE) Pretty Pollyanna (GB) Raven’s Lady (GB) Beat The Bank (GB) Quorto (IRE) Marmelo (GB) Dylan Mouth (IRE) Diplomat (GER) Gyllen (USA) Inns of Court (IRE) Noor Al Hawa (FR) Turret Rocks (IRE)
Age 2 4 6 4 3 6 4 3 2 4 3 3 2 4 4 2 5 7 7 3 4 5 5
Sex F F H F F G F F C C F C F F G C H H H C C H M
Sire Garswood Sepoy Areion Cape Cross High Chaparral Iffraaj Falco Dubawi Showcasing Kodiac Vocalised Farhh Oasis Dream Raven’s Pass Paco Boy Dubawi Duke of Marmalade Dylan Thomas Teofilo Medaglia d’Oro Invincible Spirit Makfi Fastnet Rock
Dam Primo Lady Alpen Glen Deva Mischief Making Taita Marlinka Acago Dunnes River Furbelow Al Andalyya Gold Mirage Mowazana Unex Mona Lisa Pivotal Lady Tiana Volume Capriolla Cottonmouth Desidera Miss Halory Learned Friend Majestic Roi Beyond Compare
Broodmare Sire Lucky Story Halling Platini Lemon Drop Kid Big Shuffle Marju Royal Academy Danzig Pivotal Kingmambo Galileo Galileo Shamardal Pivotal Diktat Mount Nelson In The Wings Noverre Shaadi Mr Prospector Seeking The Gold Street Cry Galileo
Index 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
118 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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EXCLUSIVE STALLION STATS
Leading sires of two-year-olds by earnings StallionName StallionYof StallionSire Rnrs Wnrs Wnrs/Rnrs Wins AvgDist Earnings BestHorse BestMoney SWnrs SWsRnrs 2001 Danehill 85 28 32.94% 37 5.5 £511,669 Fairyland £51,090 1 1.18 Kodiac *No Nay Never 2011 Scat Daddy 29 15 51.72% 18 6 £431,265 Land Force £164,626 2 6.9 2004 Johannesburg 16 9 56.25% 14 5.8 £354,500 Van Beethoven £94,635 4 25 Scat Daddy Camacho 2002 Danehill 47 10 21.28% 14 5.7 £287,279 Signora Cabello £162,820 1 2.13 Showcasing 2007 Oasis Dream 30 9 30.00% 11 5.7 £262,679 Advertise £84,087 2 6.67 2003 Mozart 59 15 25.42% 17 5.9 £230,006 Comedy £43,178 1 1.69 Dandy Man Dream Ahead 2008 Diktat 26 3 11.54% 7 6.0 £229,352 Dark Vision £128,040 1 3.85 Exceed And Excel 36 16 44.44% 19 5.3 £227,984 Rumble Inthejungle £53,004 2 5.56 *Bungle Inthejungle 2010 Sir Prancealot 2010 Tamayuz 23 9 39.13% 12 5.8 £212,159 Ginger Nut £137,952 0 0 Kaneko 2001 Pivotal 26 12 46.15% 20 5.6 £198,580 Ogey £45,127 0 0 2000 Green Desert 22 11 50.00% 14 5.6 £192,344 Pretty Pollyanna £51,606 1 4.55 Oasis Dream Footstepsinthesand 2002 Giant's Causeway 25 8 32.00% 11 5.9 £191,821 Marie's Diamond £112,781 1 4 2005 Acclamation 56 11 19.64% 12 5.7 £185,198 Angel's Hideaway £56,001 1 1.79 Dark Angel Zoffany 2008 Dansili 41 9 21.95% 12 6.3 £180,669 Main Edition £62,295 2 4.88 Society Rock 2007 Rock Of Gibraltar 38 12 31.58% 17 5.6 £179,314 Shumookhi £27,215 0 0 1997 Green Desert 25 9 36.00% 12 5.7 £170,247 Spirit of Brittany £34,010 0 0 Invincible Spirit *Kingman 2011 Invincible Spirit 20 5 25.00% 7 6.3 £158,211 Calyx £90,240 2 10 2007 Pivotal 29 9 31.03% 12 5.7 £152,246 Miss Flawless £25,146 0 0 Siyouni *Charm Spirit 2011 Invincible Spirit 38 11 28.95% 14 5.8 £149,390 Charming Kid £21,058 0 0 Pedro The Great 2010 Henrythenavigator 14 6 42.86% 9 5.6 £129,746 Sens du Rythme £40,190 0 0 2001 Green Desert 15 5 33.33% 6 5.5 £129,466 Simply Striking £35,335 0 0 Kheleyf *Olympic Glory 2010 Choisir 22 8 36.36% 9 6.5 £127,109 Glorious Spirit £25,734 0 0 1998 Sadler's Wells 24 6 25.00% 7 7.2 £123,616 Anthony Van Dyck £39,811 1 4.17 Galileo Lope de Vega 2007 Shamardal 27 7 25.93% 8 6.5 £121,654 Duke of Hazzard £32,465 1 3.7 Iffraaj 2001 Zafonic 30 6 20.00% 7 6.6 £117,559 Confiding £26,307 0 0 2008 Invincible Spirit 28 7 25.00% 8 5.4 £117,228 Sabre £34,932 0 0 Mayson *Slade Power 2009 Dutch Art 32 7 21.88% 9 5.9 £117,135 Princess Power £38,744 0 0 2007 Linamix 31 6 19.35% 9 6.1 £112,165 Winman in Grey £32,743 0 0 Rajsaman *War Command 2011 War Front 28 10 35.71% 14 6.5 £111,909 Victory Command £37,305 1 3.57 Diamond Green 2001 Green Desert 15 4 26.67% 5 5.5 £111,484 Sexy Metro £63,761 1 6.67 Henrythenavigator 11 5 45.45% 7 5.9 £109,618 Mister Vancouver £39,640 0 0 George Vancouver 2010 *Garswood 2010 Dutch Art 18 4 22.22% 6 5.7 £109,473 Little Kim £39,614 1 5.56 Native Khan 2008 Azamour 4 3 75.00% 6 6.1 £108,746 Mine of Fire £55,547 2 50 Dragon Pulse 2009 Kyllachy 32 6 18.75% 9 6.2 £106,641 Ninetythreetwenty £21,175 0 0 Wootton Bassett 2008 Iffraaj 11 3 27.27% 5 5.5 £102,580 Trois Mats £35,290 0 0 Exceed And Excel 2000 Danehill 23 7 30.43% 9 5.7 £99,605 Royal Intervention £28,880 1 4.35 Lethal Force 2009 Dark Angel 26 5 19.23% 5 6.2 £99,324 Konchek £43,542 0 0 *Kuroshio 2010 Exceed And Excel 14 5 35.71% 6 5.3 £99,245 Dunkerron £62,116 0 0 Dawn Approach 2010 New Approach 20 4 20.00% 7 5.6 £96,115 Second Generation £42,177 1 5 Sakhee's Secret 2004 Sakhee 23 9 39.13% 10 6.3 £95,398 Coming Soon £22,591 0 0 *Anodin 2010 Anabaa 17 6 35.29% 8 6.4 £95,218 Harmless £44,946 1 5.88 Zebedee 2008 Invincible Spirit 49 8 16.33% 9 5.9 £94,462 Barbill £19,144 0 0 Fast Company 2005 Danehill Dancer 22 4 18.18% 10 6.0 £92,603 Fast Berry £27,221 1 4.55
Leading sires by % of stakes winners to runners StallionName StallionYof StallionSire Deep Impact 2002 Sunday Silence Scat Daddy 2004 Johannesburg Galileo 1998 Sadler’s Wells Frankel 2008 Galileo Dubawi 2002 Dubai Millennium War Front 2002 Danzig Intello 2010 Galileo Farhh 2008 Pivotal Camelot 2009 Montjeu Nathaniel 2008 Galileo Teofilo 2004 Galileo Dawn Approach 2010 New Approach Invincible Spirit 1997 Green Desert Siyouni 2007 Pivotal Sea The Stars 2006 Cape Cross Panis 1998 Miswaki High Chaparral 1999 Sadler’s Wells Pivotal 1993 Polar Falcon Falco 2005 Pivotal 2000 Distant Relative Luxor Tamayuz 2005 Nayef Fastnet Rock 2001 Danehill Soldier Hollow 2000 In The Wings Lope de Vega 2007 Shamardal Dansili 1996 Danehill Youmzain 2003 Sinndar Shamardal 2002 Giant’s Causeway New Approach 2005 Galileo Scream To Scream 2000 Dr Devious Dylan Thomas 2003 Danehill Makfi 2007 Dubawi Exceed And Excel 2000 Danehill Manduro 2002 Monsun Zoffany 2008 Dansili Whipper 2001 Miesque’s Son Mastercraftsman 2006 Danehill Dancer Orpen 1996 Lure Declaration Of War 2009 War Front Kodiac 2001 Danehill 2010 Tamayuz Sir Prancealot Oasis Dream 2000 Green Desert Poet’s Voice 2007 Dubawi Le Havre 2006 Noverre
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Rnrs Wnrs Wnrs/Rnrs Wins AvgDist Earnings SHs SHsRnrs SWnrs SWsRnrs 13 6 46.15% 8 10.1 £1,584,876 3 23.08 3 23.08 42 20 47.62% 26 6.7 £604,883 9 21.43 7 16.67 195 71 36.41% 88 10.8 £4,428,541 36 18.46 22 11.28 94 49 52.13% 68 9.8 £2,834,497 23 24.47 10 10.64 145 63 43.45% 94 9.3 £2,746,997 19 13.1 14 9.66 51 24 47.06% 29 7.2 £1,217,529 11 21.57 4 7.84 71 28 39.44% 39 9.9 £1,157,676 10 14.08 5 7.04 31 13 41.94% 21 9.8 £760,751 4 12.9 2 6.45 117 51 43.59% 67 9.8 £1,995,751 15 12.82 7 5.98 122 42 34.43% 60 11.1 £1,103,903 12 9.84 7 5.74 158 58 36.71% 76 10.4 £1,502,780 13 8.23 9 5.70 73 20 27.40% 31 7.7 £726,092 7 9.59 4 5.48 220 87 39.55% 127 7 £2,319,534 22 10.0 12 5.45 153 55 35.95% 81 8.1 £2,372,984 14 9.15 8 5.23 117 42 35.90% 65 10.7 £2,434,009 12 10.26 6 5.13 40 14 35.00% 20 8 £616,432 5 12.5 2 5.00 126 38 30.16% 50 10 £800,477 6 4.76 6 4.76 128 50 39.06% 75 8.8 £1,945,003 12 9.38 6 4.69 45 15 33.33% 23 10 £541,296 3 6.67 2 4.44 68 26 38.24% 47 7.4 £903,652 4 5.88 3 4.41 68 25 36.76% 30 7.8 £528,953 7 10.29 3 4.41 98 46 46.94% 64 9.9 £1,365,996 11 11.22 4 4.08 125 47 37.60% 69 8.9 £1,255,888 10 8.0 5 4.00 164 67 40.85% 97 8.7 £1,526,947 19 11.59 6 3.66 138 50 36.23% 69 10.1 £1,388,965 12 8.7 5 3.62 57 15 26.32% 24 9.8 £573,362 2 3.51 2 3.51 175 66 37.71% 81 8.2 £1,683,913 16 9.14 6 3.43 119 42 35.29% 56 9.7 £1,954,241 11 9.24 4 3.36 30 10 33.33% 18 8.9 £535,890 1 3.33 1 3.33 63 25 39.68% 35 9.3 £587,026 5 7.94 2 3.17 127 36 28.35% 56 9.4 £1,247,598 6 4.72 4 3.15 192 71 36.98% 103 6.5 £1,452,844 10 5.21 6 3.13 104 32 30.77% 42 11.2 £821,073 6 5.77 3 2.88 178 53 29.78% 68 8.3 £1,020,797 8 4.49 5 2.81 73 26 35.62% 35 9.4 £1,044,002 3 4.11 2 2.74 223 87 39.01% 115 10.3 £2,417,929 17 7.62 6 2.69 77 25 32.47% 38 8.6 £573,584 3 3.9 2 2.60 78 30 38.46% 37 9.5 £739,228 4 5.13 2 2.56 314 105 33.44% 153 6.8 £2,173,336 17 5.41 8 2.55 82 39 47.56% 52 6.9 £884,977 4 4.88 2 2.44 167 66 39.52% 88 7.6 £1,523,295 10 5.99 4 2.40 175 70 40.00% 119 7.7 £2,612,913 7 4.0 4 2.29 131 47 35.88% 65 9.9 £1,114,865 7 5.34 3 2.29
Never again Over the years Kodiac has been an exemplar of the ‘quick return’ for owners and he continues in that vein, heading the table in earnings and by a wide margin in number of runners and winners. In 2017 he had more than 100 two-year-olds running; that looks set to be repeated this season. Immediately behind the leader, the presence of No Nay Never and his sire Scat Daddy emphasises again what a loss the premature death of the latter was in 2015. The pair have six stakes winners between them; the other sires in the top ten total eight. No Nay Never was a first-rate performer, showing blistering pace to win the Norfolk and Prix Morny at two and losing the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint by only half a length the year after. Based at Coolmore, he will be an influence mainly for speed and, given the ability shown by Land Force and Servalan, is one to follow. The 2018 juveniles are from Scat Daddy’s final crop of 147 and are frequently hitting the target. Railway Stakes victor Van Beethoven has the highest profile but that may change once the blip in form by a number of Aidan O’Brien’s team ends. No Nay Never’s 15 winners place him one behind top first-season sire Bungle Inthejungle. Then it’s Charm Spirit with 11 and War Command with ten. Bungle Inthejungle, standing at Rathasker Stud, was a five-furlong specialist and his two stakes scorers include Rumble Inthejungle, who copied his sire by landing the Molecomb. The best runner among the freshmen, Kingman, has had five winners from 20 runners including impressive Coventry winner Calyx. Fantastic Frankel For all his ability as a stallion, highlighted by Justify’s Triple Crown, Scat Daddy’s position near the top is artificial because as a non-European stallion he is represented by a higher proportion of above-average runners than sires based locally. We’re in more familiar territory with Galileo on 11.28%, just ahead of his son Frankel. Three other stallions in the top ten are by Galileo – Intello, Nathaniel and Teofilo – and only one of the group, Dubawi, is not from the Northern Dancer line. Galileo has had four Group 1 winners, Rhododendron, Forever Together, Waldgeist and Kew Gardens. With 195 runners Galileo is behind Kodiac (314), Dark Angel (265) Mastercraftsman (223) and Invincible Spirit (220). Frankel has had only 95 runners and 49 have won, putting him on top in percentages. He also leads War Front and Scat Daddy in percentage of stakes horses to runners. Frankel’s stars are Cracksman and Without Parole. Dubawi continues to impress; Benbatl and Wild Illusion have been on target for him at the highest level with Coronet a close second in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
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24 hours with... DEREK THOMPSON From trying to help retrieve Shergar to tracking down Rod Stewart in a crowd of 55,000 people, Tommo has seen and done it all, but his enthusiasm for racing is undimmed Interview: Chris Cook
GEORGE SELWYN
O
n a normal day I get up around 5.30-6am. The first thing is to take the dog, Coco, an Alsatian, out for a walk for at least two miles. I used to love running but now I’m down to the walking. I’ll have downloaded the Racing Post from the night before, which I’ll have read before I went to bed, but I still get the Racing Post in newspaper form every day. As soon as we get back from the walk, I get on the bike and go to the newsagents – he leaves it outside in a secret place, so I can get it before he opens at seven! I like to get it early, so I can know what’s going on. By 7.30am, I’ve had my breakfast and then it all depends what I’m doing. I do commentary work, I present for At The Races and Betfred TV, I do Thommo TV at tracks including Chelmsford and I travel around the world with my work for the Sheikh Mansoor Festival, a series of qualifying races for Abu Dhabi in November. If the day comes when I choose to slow down, I will not look forward to it. I love my racing. I’m honoured to be involved in it at what I consider a high level and for people to still want me – I still relish conveying my love of the sport to people and trying to get them more involved. When I have a day off, which is very rare, I occasionally have a round of golf with Bob Champion, and, after a few holes I’m ready to get back. It’s taking longer and longer on the roads these days, so you’ve got to set off early. If I’m commentating I always like to get there at least two and a half hours before the first race, because I study the colours and, if there’s a straight-course race with more than ten runners, I always colour them out in draw order. At the track I will never use the lift. It
means I’m up and down the stairs but I’ve always used the racecourse as a form of exercise. When I was reporting for BBC Radio 5 Live at the Cheltenham Festival, I covered 28 miles, just in the enclosures. I couldn’t believe it! I remember John Inverdale said to me
“I still relish conveying my love of the sport to people” live on air, ‘I’ve got it on good authority that Rod Stewart is here; your job is to find him and interview him.’ There were 55,000 people there but I got him within 12 minutes. The reason? I always talk to all the security guards and the people working on the gates and I know a lot of them. One of them told me which enclosure he was in, so I went and got an exclusive 15-minute interview with Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, and I got him to sing a love song to her on 5 Live. John Inverdale told me, ‘That’s the most incredible interview I’ve ever heard.’ I have great memories of my time
with the talented Channel 4 Racing team. Less enjoyable was when, 35 years ago, I was asked to negotiate with Shergar’s kidnappers and four of us in a car got lost in Belfast, in the middle of The Troubles. That’s when four guys in balaclavas with machine guns jumped out into the road – literally jumped in front of us. One of them motioned with his gun to wind my window down – I had this gun six inches from my eyes. He said, ‘Are you Derek Thompson?’ I said yes. He said, ‘We’re the police.’ I’ve never been so relieved! Food is on the go because we’ve got to keep moving so I rarely have lunch. I’m an evening person and love dinner. It used to be steak but red meat is bad for me, having had cancer six years ago. White meat or fish, that’s what I like to get stuck into these days. I love a glass of Malbec or Pinot Grigio Rosé. Then it’s an early night. You’ve got to recharge, try to help the body. I go to bed early and get up early. I’m 100% fit. My surgeon said to me a few weeks back when I went for a check-up, ‘I don’t want to see you ever again, now get out of here!’ Which is the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me. But obviously I keep a close check. The message to get across is if people do see something unusual after they have been to the toilet to go straight to the doctor and get it sorted. If it’s the slightest thing, please do go and get it checked.
120 THOROUGHBRED OWNER BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
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GOLDEN HORN 1: 2: 3:
Rule Rule Rule
Break the course record on debut at two. Break another record in a Derby trial.
Bolt up in the most famous race of all. And in the third-fastest time in 239 years.
4: 5: 6:
Rule Rule Rule
Come back in trip for the Eclipse, then...
...do it all over again against elite opponents in the Irish Champion.
Win the race of the year, beating the very best there is, to become only the third horse – after Mill Reef and Sea The Stars – to take the Derby, Eclipse and Arc in the same season.
7:
Rule
Scrutinise the first yearlings by this paragon of the breed at the sales this autumn. There is golden greatness to be found.
Go to darleystallions.com to see the Golden rules
Darley