Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

Feb_126_Cover_OwnerBreeder 21/01/2015 18:35 Page 1

£4.95 | February 2015 | Issue 126

Incorporating

Staying power

How Kayf Tara is keeping Overbury Stud’s name in lights at the age of 21

Plus • Sir Martin Broughton’s battles on and off the racecourse • Rous respect: Tony Morris praises the audacious Admiral • Jessica Harrington enjoys the challenge of beating the boys

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

31268_Galileo&Sons_TBOB_Feb'15_31268_Galileo&Sons_TBOB_Feb'15 20/01/2015 17:12 Page 1

STOP PRESS

AUSTRALIA IS OFFICIALLY A WORLD CHAMPION

RIP VAN WINKLE

A EUROPEAN CHAMPION AT BOTH 3 AND 4.

First 2YO’s: Dick Whittington (6f Gr.1 Phoenix S.), I Am Beautiful (6f Gr.3 wnr), Jeanne Girl (6f Gr.3-pl), Colour Rhapsody (Classic contender for John Oxx), Stravagante (Sir Michael Stoute), Arethusa (Ed Dunlop), Yeenaan (Marco Botti) etc.

AUSTRALIA - NEW

CHAMPION 3YO IN THE WORLD IN 2014.

A top-class 2YO, and a brilliant winner of the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Juddmonte International.

His dam is the remarkable racemare Ouija Board.

KINGSBARNS - NEW

EUROPE’S 2ND TOP-RATED 2YO OF 2012.

An unbeaten Gr.1 winning 2YO. He’s from the same dam line as Gr.1 sires Rip Van Winkle and Halling, champion sire Volksraad etc.

RULER OF THE WORLD - NEW

EUROPEAN CHAMPION 3YO (9½-10½F.) OF 2013.

Won the Epsom Derby on only his third start to remain unbeaten. He hails from the same sire producing family as A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid etc.

Fee: €25,000

(£18,750)

Fee: €50,000

(£37,500)

Fee: €6,000

(£4,500)

Fee: €15,000

(£11,250)

• ALFRED NOBEL • AUSTRALIA • CAMELOT • CANFORD CLIFFS • DYLAN THOMAS • EXCELEBRATION • FASTNET ROCK • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • • HENRYTHENAVIGATOR • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • KINGSBARNS • MASTERCRAFTSMAN • MOST IMPROVED • NO NAY NEVER • POUR MOI • POWER • • REQUINTO • RIP VAN WINKLE • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • RULER OF THE WORLD • SO YOU THINK • THEWAYYOUARE • WAR COMMAND • ZOFFANY •

31268_Galileo&Sons_TBOB_Feb'15_31268_Galileo&Sons_TBOB_Feb'15 20/01/2015 17:12 Page 2

He’s simply an outstanding sire of sires.

His first sons at stud Teofilo, New Approach, Rip Van Winkle, Sixties Icon and Heliostatic all got Group winning 2YO’s in their first crop.

His first son to Coolmore, Rip Van Winkle, is already a Gr.1 sire with his first 2yo’s, and early reports suggest his 3yo’s will be even better.

It all bodes extremely well for the sons of Galileo on our roster.

GALILEO, his first 3 Gr.1-winning sons at stud in GB/IRE have all sired Gr.1 winners

2014 leading first-crop foal sires SIRE

HIS SIRE

Frankel Galileo Nathaniel Galileo Excelebration Exceed And Excel

RING SOLD

AVERAGE €

7 22 21

857,220 118,499 75,292

3 18 16

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

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

Feb_126_Editors_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:10 Page 3

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR Publisher: Michael Harris Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Designed by: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk @OwnerBreeder Advertising: Giles Anderson Tel: 01380 816 777 USA: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 01380 816 778 advertise@anderson-co.com Subscriptions: Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7152 0212 Fax: 020 7152 0213 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: 1 Year 2 Year UK £55 £90 Europe £66 £105 RoW £99 £154 Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 1134293 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA ABC Audited

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£4.95 | February 2015 | Issue 126

Incorporating

Staying power

How Kayf Tara is keeping Overbury Stud’s name in lights at the age of 21

Plus • Sir Martin Broughton’s battles on and off the racecourse • Rous respect: Tony Morris praises the audacious Admiral • Jessica Harrington enjoys the challenge of beating the boys

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Kayf Tara, who turned 21 in January, is enjoying stallion life at Overbury Stud Photo: Emma Berry

Follow us on... @OwnerBreeder

EDWARD ROSENTHAL

Let’s hope new chief can solve fixture conundrum A

s one era closes, another begins. The BHA waved goodbye to Paul Bittar in January and welcomed Nick Rust into their High Holborn HQ with the news that prize-money would hit an alltime high in 2015. Unfortunately, figures show that the number of runners in Britain continues to slide.

Our sport faces many challenges but the most immediate concerns the lack of raw materials, i.e. racehorses, to serve the current number of race meetings staged each year. Sanctioning an increase in all-weather tracks is unlikely to help in that regard.

The logical answer to a declining horse population (as owner and breeder numbers fall), fewer runners and increasing number of small-field races – which turn off punters, produce lower betting activity and therefore return less via the levy – is to cut fixtures.

Yet as we know, this hasn’t happened, primarily due to the demands of the betting industry and racecourses. The appointment of a man who has spent his entire working life protecting the interests of bookmakers is, to say the least, unlikely to change matters.

That’s not to suggest that Mr Rust’s CV will be a drawback – his excellent links with bookmakers and intimate knowledge of the gambling sector helped him secure the job, after all – simply that it would be difficult for someone who has heard the ‘more is better’ message for the best part of 30 years to suddenly decide the opposite is true.

The new BHA man starts with an overflowing intray and must be given time to make his mark. But I hope his reign produces a better response to the small fields conundrum than simply asking owners to run their horses more often. That was never going to work, while a recent initiative to remove certain races that fail to attract sufficient entries looks doomed.

Of course, the weary quest for a replacement to the levy scheme, now centred on a ‘racing right’, which is discussed in ROA President Rachel Hood’s Leader column on page 7, would change the game as far as

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

racing’s funding is concerned. However, putting our hopes on this particular horse coming in any time soon would be optimistic at best, especially with a General Election looming.

Previous governments have been anything but quick to act if past events are anything to go on – we haven’t the space to go into the history of the Tote sell-off but needless to say our sport came out of that decade-long debacle the worse for wear.

As we know, Fred Done’s Betfred eventually gained the Tote – much to the chagrin of Sir Martin Broughton, the former Chairman of the British Horseracing Board, who believed his consortium was in pole position to land the prize.

Broughton has pretty much done it all during his business career, as Chairman of British Airways, British American Tobacco and also Liverpool FC, when he effected the removal of the club’s unloved American owners, much to the delight of the fans.

While the Tote failure still rankles with Broughton, as he tells Alan Lee in this month’s fascinating Big Interview (pages 40-44), events on the track have proved far more productive.

In Taquin Du Seuil and Dodging Bullets, Broughton coowns two of the best chasers around, with the former scoring at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and subsequently voted Outstanding Novice Chaser at the ROA Awards, and the latter claiming a brace of Grade 1s this season, most recently defeating the returning Sprinter Sacre at Ascot in January. Not bad for someone with just a handful of horses in training.

He must be thrilled with his lot, right? Wrong.

“I don’t have a problem with ownership being a luxury item,” he says. “Just the same as playing golf or owning a boat.

“But I do have a problem with percentages. There is a 23% return rate now. Getting that up to 50% might be a major achievement but, actually, it would be an acceptable position.”

“It will be difficult

for someone who has always heard ‘more is better’ to decide the opposite is true

”

3

Feb_126_Contents_v3_Contents 21/01/2015 18:59 Page 4

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2015

48

34 NEWS & VIEWS 7

ROA Leader

FEATURES 16

From Kempton and Ascot

Racing right needs support

9

TBA Leader New year brings optimism

10

News Prize-money up, runners down

12

Changes News in a nutshell

20

Tony Morris Respect for Admiral Rous

22

Howard Wright Goodwood’s Qatar deal

INTERNATIONAL SCENE 25

View From Ireland Noel Meade’s Road To Riches

28

Continental Tales Robinsons’ landmark triumph

31

Around The Globe Kaleem Shah set for a big year

4

The Big Picture

34

Talking To Trainer Jessica Harrington

40

The Big Interview Sir Martin Broughton exclusive

48

COVER STORY Overbury Stud Kayf Tara’s home in focus

55

TBA Stallion Parade Sires set to shine

62

Sales Circuit Keeneland’s January Sale report

64

Caulfield Files Stallions in and out of fashion

89

NEW! Dr Statz Under the skin of breeding

96

24 Hours With...

Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro Sir Martin Broughton enjoys further Grade 1 success with Dodging Bullets in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, accompanied by groom Lucy Sharp

Feb_126_Contents_v3_Contents 21/01/2015 19:00 Page 5 B

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

96

Yearlings unsoundness of wind Horses at grass

FORUM 66

ROA Forum New charity partnership launched

72

Racecourse League Tables How the tracks measure up

74

LEADING THE FIELD IN BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE

TBA Forum Website upgraded for members

78

Renee Robeson tribute The late breeder and trainer

80

Breeder of the Month Bryan and Sandra Mayoh

82

Next Generation Club Innovation through sponsorship

84

Vet Forum Gastric ulceration: is special treatment required?

AHEAD OF THE FIELD CONTACT US TODAY

DATA BOOK 90

TO STAY

Graded Races National Hunt results

Our monthly circulation is certified at

9,340

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5

Lanwades FP_Owner_Feb15_Layout 1 21/01/2015 13:46 Page 1

ARCHIPENKO

Kingmambo ex Bound (Nijinsky)

£10,000

Sire of a Group 1 winner with his first crop ❚ Sire in 2014 of: MADAME CHIANG Group 1 and Group 3), LADY PENKO (FR) (Listed winner & Group 1 placed) & RUSSIAN PUNCH (2yo Listed winner) ❚ The Leading Sire of 2yos in Europe in 2014 by % winners to runners (64%) (at 15.12.14) ❚ The Leading 2nd Crop Sire in Europe in 2014 by % winners to runners (55%) (to 31.12.14) ❚ The Joint Leading Active Sire in Europe in 2014 by % winners to runners (55%) (to 31.12.14)

Sire of 16 individual 2yo winners in 2014, including 5 Stakes horses

AUSSIE RULES

Danehill ex Last Second (Alzao)

£7,000

Classic winning miler – Dual Gr.1 winner at 3 ❚ Sire of 11 Stakes horses in 2014, including FIESOLANA (Group 1) and Listed winners AUSSI CELEBRE, BERTINORO, DINKUM DIAMOND and KRAMULKIE. ❚ Sire of 21 individual 2yo winners in 2014.

His 2014 yearlings made up to 210,000gns

LEROIDESANIMAUX Candy Stripes ex Dissemble (Ahonoora)

£14,000

Eclipse Award winning Champion Turf Horse in the USA ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚

Won 9 races and $1,658,377 including 3 Group 1’s over 1m on turf.

Sire of World Champion ANIMAL KINGDOM and of the winners of over $19m.

Sire of 11 individual 2yo winners in 2014.

A mare in foal to Leroidesanimaux sold for €320,000 at 2014 Arqana December Sale.

First European Sire of 3 individual 3yo winners already in 2015. foals in 2015

An exceptional outcross for Europe’s mares New for 2015

SEA THE MOON

Sea The Stars ex Sanwa (Monsun)

£15,000

Brilliant winner of the Group 1 German Derby by 11 lengths ❚ Winner of 4 races (3 at Group level) at 2 and 3, 8f to 12f, from just 5 starts. ❚ A Champion 3yo in 2014 • Rated 127 by Timeform ❚ Out of a full sister to Group 1 Classic winners: SAMUM (Champion Sire in Germany), SCHIAPARELLI and SALVE REGINA.

The first son of Champion SEA THE STARS to retire to stud

SIR PERCY

Mark Of Esteem ex Percy’s Lass (Blakeney)

£7,000

Unbeaten Champion 2yo and Classic winning Champion 3yo ❚ Sire of 13 Stakes horses in 2014, including Group 3 winner WAKE FOREST, Group 3 and Listed winner LADY PIMPERNEL, Listed winners NAFAQA (at 2, also Group 2 placed), LADY TIANA, and INDIGO LADY, and Group 2 placed NEWSLETTER. ❚ A mare in foal to Sir Percy sold for 220,000gns in 2014.

Sire of 13 individual 2yo winners in 2014, including 2 Stakes horses

LANWADES

All 2015 fees on 1st October Special Live Foal terms

The independent option ™

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

Feb_126_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 21/01/2015 18:22 Page 7

ROA LEADER

RACHEL HOOD President Racehorse Owners Association

Racing on right path but political input is essential Government must support levy replacement scheme to maintain momentum

I

nto a new year, and with less than six months of my four-year presidency of the ROA remaining, I am acutely aware that some of the ROA’s key objectives still have to be realised. Of course, we have made excellent progress in many areas but our principal goal – establishing a ‘racing right’ to replace the levy – remains just beyond our grasp.

Although the little matter of a general election might slow up the imminent government consultation, I remain optimistic this new funding mechanism can and will be achieved. In recent years we have been very successful in impressing the importance of the horseracing industry on the hearts and minds of politicians and we must not let this excellent work be squandered, whatever the complexion of the next government.

Political input is crucial to maintaining the momentum behind establishing a ‘racing right’ – or, to use its proper title, a Horserace Betting Authorisation right – especially as it will be necessary to achieve European compliance. Without continued government buy-in, this and other obstacles may prove to be intractable.

Until the ‘racing right’ is established to replace the levy, a quantum leap in prize-money is probably unachievable. That said, it is encouraging to see the prize-money total for 2015 being projected as £130 million, representing a 6.2% increase on last year. Most of this increase is due to the agreements struck between horsemen and racecourses and I must acknowledge this as one of the most successful aspects of my presidency.

The Horseman’s Group, acting as a professional and unified body and run by people who are respected by racecourses, has proved to be one of the best developments in horseracing in recent years. Fitting neatly, as it does, within the make-up of horseracing administration, the Horsemen’s Group is now clearly established as one of the three major planks of the

industry, though there remains an urgent requirement to get the sport’s stakeholder structure properly organised.

It is as well that the BHA, operating under a relatively new, innovative Chairman and a brand new Chief Executive, is beginning to look fit for purpose, such are the magnitude of the tasks it now faces. Putting aside levy replacement, the BHA has to find a way of centralising the race programme and taking an overall and holistic view of the fixture list. A consequence of this would be that both the programme and fixtures become a better fit with the available horse population, which in turn lays the foundation for addressing the problem of small fields. But, as industry commentators are quick to point out, these issues are going to be difficult to grapple with, much less solve, unless there is more vision and collaboration from the racecourses.

Throw into the mix matters such as how to handle overuse of the whip and new rules on anabolic steroids and you wonder whether members of the new BHA board will know what’s hit them once they truly get their feet under the table.

But there is more. This mustn’t be seen as a board of fire fighters. They must show creativity, especially when a project entitled ‘Strategy for Growth’ is already being regarded as a kind of racing industry holy grail.

As you can imagine, the ‘Strategy for Growth’ sets out lots of very laudable intentions. Higher prize-money, more owners, more horses, more punters, better regulation, better welfare and training and, of course, more racing fans. And, along with these, the strategy calls for British racing to build on relationships with government, to attract more high net worth investors and to maintain and promote its world-class status.

Yes, the BHA board is going to be very busy as activity now begins to gather pace. Likewise the ROA, as its new President prepares to take the hot seat in the second half of the year.

“A quantum leap in

prize-money is probably unachievable until the ‘racing right’ is established

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

7

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Feb_126_TBA_Leader_TBA 21/01/2015 17:55 Page 9

TBA LEADER

RICHARD LANCASTER Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

A time for optimism as breeding season begins Encouragement to be drawn from wealth of new stallions on offer in Britain

B

reeders have to be optimistic by nature, but as the start of the covering season edges closer, dare we hope there are grounds for entertaining a little more optimism than usual? After the setbacks of the recession years, I believe so, at least judged on one, small measure.

The highly popular TBA Stallion Parade, to be held at Tattersalls’ Park Paddocks on February 5, has attracted an unprecedented number of applications and 15 representatives of 12 different British studs will step out for inspection. Remarkably, nine of them are standing their first seasons which strongly suggests that confidence in the stallion market is returning.

Among the newcomers is the five-year-old Garswood, a high-class, four-time winner whose most recent public appearance brought success in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. The son of Dutch Art, who was bred and sold as a foal

by Cheveley Park Stud, has returned to his birthplace, which early in December received the TBA award for the most successful breeder of Group-race winners on racecourses owned by the Jockey Club.

Garswood is a reminder that David and Patricia Thompson’s Cheveley Park Stud is a commercial breeding operation.

Yet, as highlighted last year by their Group 1-winning filly Integral, they are also owner/breeders, a declining species but still responsible for 40% of fillies in training.

Perhaps not unexpectedly, the majority of new stallions in the parade excelled at up to a mile on the racecourse, but it is encouraging that their numbers also include the outstanding globetrotter Dunaden, whose successes included the Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase, and Galileo’s son Sun Central, a winner at up to 14 furlongs and half-brother to George Washington and Grandera.

It takes patience to bring a middle-distance or staying horse to its peak. Yet, with a few exceptions, these are the races in summer and autumn that attract the aspirations of so many owners, and which draw big crowds to our racecourses and maintain racing’s high profile in the British

sporting calendar. Our prize-money might lag behind other leading nations, but we are still the envy of our counterparts for staging such fixtures as Royal Ascot, Epsom, York and Goodwood.

We must provide breeders with incentives to produce the cross-section of runners required for these spectacles, and greater recognition of the part they play will help to encourage more breeders to commit time and money to support the middle-distance and staying programme.

Look at Australia, where commercialism and speed proliferate to the extent that they are short of horses with stamina for their important races. We must not let this happen in Britain, and more will be said about this topic in the coming months, when a report examining the state of our staying races, commissioned on the TBA’s behalf, is published.

While there is more to breeding racehorses than solely attempting to turn a profit, potential financial rewards must be sufficient to encourage breeders to continue to make this commitment. Much has been said recently about the problem of field sizes, but this is secondary to the prize-money issue at every level.

If prize-money was greater, more people would be prepared to make the financial commitment necessary to own and breed racehorses. More middle-distance horses would continue their careers here, rather than being sold abroad.

A word, though, about the contribution to prize-money that breeders themselves make, which flows along three channels: through stallion studs and the BEBF, which the TBA is delighted to learn will spend £1.35 million in 2015, an increase of about £300,000 on last year; through breeders and the new Plus 10 bonus venture; and through individual sponsorship undertaken by such as Juddmonte, Darley, Cheveley Park, Lanwades, Shadwell and others.

In overall terms, the breeding industry is the UK’s second largest race sponsor, with total prize-money of £6.9m. No-one can argue that breeders as a group are backward in coming forward with self-help schemes.

“The breeding industry

is the UK’s second-largest race sponsor, with total prize-money of £6.9 million

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

9

Feb_126_Newsv2_Owner 21/01/2015 18:41 Page 10

NEWS Stories from the racing world

Prize-money climbs to record levels...

Boost thanks to agreements signed by most courses with Horsemen’s Group and BHA

B

ritish racing will achieve record prizemoney of £130 million this year, representing a £7m increase on last year’s total, which was itself a record.

Total prize-money in 2014 was £123m, which was £9m above 2013 and included an extra £6m from racecourses. This follows almost all racecourses entering into threeyear prize-money agreements with the Horsemen’s Group and the BHA. The agreements established a contractual link between racecourses’ media rights income and their contributions to prizemoney, with participating tracks signing up to a premier tier or standard tier agreement.

Courses that have signed a premier tier agreement have pledged at least 40% of their total media rights income into prize-money, while standard tier tracks must put in a minimum of 33%.

With Chelmsford City and Hexham having signed deals that commence at the beginning of 2015, this leaves only four tracks – Catterick, Redcar, Plumpton and Towcester – without an agreement in place, which means they continue to have total discretion over their contributions to prizemoney.

Richard Wayman, Chief Executive of the ROA, said: “The growth in total prize-money is very welcome. It was only in 2011 that prize-money had sunk to £94m and so the fact we expect it to exceed £130m this year shows that reasonable progress has been made in a relatively short period of time.

“There must be no doubt however that an awful lot more work needs to be done.

Owner numbers continue to fall and the recovery rate of owners in Britain remains below all other major racing nations.

“The key to making further progress will be the introduction of a sustainable funding model that provides a level playing field between betting operators by capturing a share of all bets placed by British-based punters on British racing no matter where the bookmaker is located.

“The ROA will continue to work with our partners in the Horsemen’s Group, as well as the BHA and racecourses, to support the government’s plans to make the legislative changes that would support the future of the racing industry and the thousands of jobs it provides.”

10

Racecourse Performance Table January-December 2014 Racecourse contribution to prize-money per fixture Racecourse

2014 (£)

2013 (£)

1. ASCOT

211,779

201,686

2. YORK

169,619

160,032

3. GOODWOOD

88,884

84,714

4. JOCKEY CLUB GROUP

52,447

50,109

5. NEWBURY

50,665

46,146

6. CHESTER/BANGOR GROUP

49,364

44,184

7. MUSSELBURGH

33,287

28,604

8. RIPON

31,611

27,030

9. AYR

30,774

29,181

10. PONTEFRACT

30,367

28,935

11. SALISBURY

27,890

27,239

12. THIRSK

27,174

20,943

13. LUDLOW

26,716

20,323

14. PERTH

25,650

28,814

15. KELSO

24,809

18,473

16. CARTMEL

24,425

24,931

17. WETHERBY

23,838

20,931

18. HAMILTON PARK

22,641

17,024

19. STRATFORD

22,552

19,274

20. BEVERLEY

22,241

17,864

21. FAKENHAM

22,080

15,936

22. NEWTON ABBOT

21,497

20,588

23. ARC

20,654

15,361

24. FFOS LAS

20,059

17,472

25. LEICESTER

17,637

15,222

26. CATTERICK BRIDGE

16,838

12,818

27. HEXHAM

16,447

12,494

28. REDCAR

16,378

13,911

29. TAUNTON

14,290

17,385

30. PLUMPTON

14,060

12,063

31. TOWCESTER

10,915

8,655

Key to agreement level: GOLD Premier Tier • SILVER Standard Tier • RED Not Signed Notes: 1. Racecourse Groups have signed single agreements to cover all of their tracks. Jockey Club group comprises Aintree, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Epsom, Exeter, Haydock, Huntingdon, Kempton, Market Rasen, Newmarket, Nottingham, Sandown, Warwick and Wincanton. ARC comprises Bath, Brighton, Chepstow, Doncaster, Fontwell, Lingfield, Newcastle, Sedgefield, Southwell, Uttoxeter, Windsor, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Yarmouth.

2. The average racecourse contribution per fixture shows the average amount provided by the racecourse to prize-money at all fixtures during the period including any abandoned fixtures.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_Newsv2_Owner 21/01/2015 18:41 Page 11

...but number of runners in UK continues to decline

BHA raises fees to balance books

Number of runners in Britain Year

Flat turf

Flat a-w

Hurdle

Chase

Bumper

Total

2010

39,611

21,205

10,452

17,547

3,120

92,025

2011

39,245

20,347

11,481

20,013

3,290

94,376

2012

36,501

22,092

10,690

17,814

3,077

90,174

2013

36,704

20,822

11,360

18,514

3,436

90,836

2014

36,080

20,246

10,713

17,441

3,091

87,571 Richard Wayman: increase is high

Figures recently released by the BHA indicate the slide in the horse population, with 87,571 runners last year representing a fall of 3,265 – or 3.6% – on 2013.

The BHA are on a mission to improve average field sizes, with some of their measures, such as the trial of removing all-weather races at short notice in the event of four declarations of fewer for a race, causing controversy.

Paul Bittar, who has now left his position as

Chief Executive at the BHA, said: “The number of small-field races remains one of the critical issues currently facing the sport, and other yearend figures highlight the task ahead.

“Incentivising runners through increases in prize-money is one of several initiatives designed to help tackle the issue, but ensuring we do all we can as an industry to maximise prize-money will always remain integral to this cause.”

Middle Park moves back in calendar is the new date for Future Champions Day. With Champions Day itself – which offers the most valuable card in British racing – held on October 17, it is difficult to see how the ‘Champions Weekend’ concept can continue.

In other changes, Longchamp’s Prix JeanLuc Lagardere, run on Arc weekend, will now be staged over a mile instead of seven furlongs, while the Criterium International is reduced in distance and becomes a sevenfurlong race.

GEORGE SELWYN

Changes announced by the European Pattern Committee in January will see the Middle Park Stakes move to an earlier slot in the calendar, while the experiment to stage Future Champions Day and Champions Day on consecutive October afternoons has been shelved after just one year.

Having occupied the same card as the Dewhurst since 2011, the Middle Park Stakes will now be run on Saturday, September 26, two weeks before the Dewhurst on Saturday, October 10, which

Charming Thought (left) beats Ivawood in last year’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

The British Horseracing Authority has raised its fees for the first time in three years having run at a larger-thanforecasted loss in 2014.

Entry fees and licence and registration fees paid by owners, trainers, jockeys and racecourses have increased by 5.85% (from January 1). In addition, the Horsemen’s Group has been asked to start paying back a £500,000 loan it received in 2011.

The BHA had expected to operate at a deficit of £850,000 last year, however, due to additional costs revolving around the fixture list and levy consultations, the actual figure is closer to £1.2 million.

Paul Foster, BHA Group Financial Controller, said: “To get from £1.2m loss to break even in one year is a pretty big jump and would have required quite a large fee increase.

“We thought if we could phase it over a couple of years it would be more palatable.

“The Horsemen’s Group came to us with a proposal and if they can make some payments back direct we’re happy with that. Discussions are ongoing about what happens with the balance of the loan.”

Richard Wayman, Chief Executive of the Racehorse Owners Association, said he was not surprised by a rise in BHA fees but that the increase was “higher than originally expected”.

He added: “Maintaining tight control over all expenditure, making savings wherever possible, must be a key objective for new BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust and his team.”

11

Feb_126_Changes2pp_Layout 1 21/01/2015 18:49 Page 12

in association with

Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Simon Crisford Godolphin’s former racing manager starts new career as a trainer, saddling his first runner at Meydan.

Mikael Magnusson Former trainer takes up post as assistant to Paul Fitzsimons at Saxon Gate Stables in Lambourn.

Darryll Holland Have-saddle-will-travel jockey agrees contract that will see him in action at tracks run by Japan’s National Association of Racing until March 31.

Aqueduct Racing shifts to the inner dirt track for the winter racing season after 11 horses are killed during the first 20 days of the meeting.

Charlie Swan

Atlantic City

Istabraq’s jockey who started training in 1998 announces that he is relinquishing his licence and will concentrate on bloodstock trading interests.

One-time major summer attraction for Hollywood movie stars like Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra closes down after falling on hard times.

Jamie Spencer Jockey backtracks on plan to retire from the saddle following sacking by Qatar Racing and will continue as a freelance in 2015.

Racing Post Reaches agreement with Racecourse Data Company to become official distributor of pre-race data for British racing until the end of 2018.

Heather Dalton Trainer who quit the sport in 2009 to look after her children takes out a licence from her base in Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Geoff Huffer Classic-winning trainer planning a comeback after the expiration of his four-year corruption ban.

Also...

Sean Bowen, the ultra-promising conditional jockey, has progress halted by shoulder injury suffered in a fall at Catterick.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase attracts a modern-day record entry of 33, despite presence of Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy. John Gosden saddles his first runner for Godolphin – and there will be many more after Princess Haya’s horses are transferred to the boys in blue. Former Cheltenham MD Edward Gillespie is appointed an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Chris Munce retires from race-riding after 30-year career to become a trainer.

Brian Ellison benefits from the moving of seven horses by owner Phil Martin to his Malton yard from that of Steve Gollings.

Sandra Hughes reveals she is to take over as full-time trainer from her late father Dessie when the new season begins in May.

Lizzie Kelly Latest female star of the saddle has progress underlined by appointment as conditional jockey to up-and-coming trainer Neil King.

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS

FEBRUARY 2015

Makfi has registered his first Stakes winner in Australasia through the impressive victory of Marky Mark in New Zealand’s Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes, run at Ellerslie.

Trained by Moira Murdoch and racing in the colours of his breeders, Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Marky Mark had become his sire’s first New Zealand winner when landing a nine-runner maiden in mid-December, and he smoothly stepped up to Stakes company on New Year’s Day. Murdoch said of Marky Mark, who has

been ridden in both his races by Leith Innes: “Wasn’t that impressive? He’s always been a real little character and he really is untapped. It was a super field and there was so much pace on, but he’s a real professional.”

It is thought Marky Mark will now be prepared for New Zealand’s autumn Group One two-year-old prizes.

His sire, who is owned by Qatar Bloodstock, has shuttled between Tweenhills Farm & Stud in Gloucestershire and Westbury Stud in Karaka, New

Photography: Trish Dunell

Marky makes his mark for Makfi

Zealand, for the past four years. For 2015, Makfi, a son of champion sire Dubawi, has transferred to HH Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in France, a move that gives French breeders easier access to the Classic-winning miler.

staff PROFILE

Smashing first foal for Havana Gold

Lucy Biddlecombe Groom/Breakers

A foal born at the stud on a snowy night in mid-January became the first for his sire, resident stallion Havana Gold (pictured).

Your surname is familiar?

My dad, Terry, was a champion jump jockey, but I didn’t see him on a horse.

He and my mum, Ann, divorced when I was two, but I spent lots of time with him and Hen [Knight] before he died last year. I used to take days off school to watch Best Mate run, and friends would spot me on TV – whoops, busted! The first year Matey won the Gold Cup Dad and I stood under Cheltenham’s Tote Stand on our own; the second year we were joined by 100 people and the third year by 1,000, but Dad always fought to get ‘our lucky spot’.

Guess it had to be horses…

I used to ride my pony on Hen’s gallops, but then I became involved with showjumpers at a yard built by my stepdad, Sid. It’s a hobby, but we produce youngsters and sell when we can. Two years ago I was asked to clip horses at Tweenhills ahead of the yearling parade, and, after helping out part time when needed, started here full time in September.

Quite different from coloured poles…

Very different. I didn’t know anything about the breeding side when I arrived, but you soon take an interest.

Recently I was helping Graham [McCourt] with yearling breakers and they will soon be running as two-year-olds, so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.

I’ve got my ideas about the nicest ones – two fillies, [by Sea The Stars] out of Honorine and [Dream Ahead] Jessica’s Dream, are on my list.

The colt was produced by the eight-yearold mare Maid In Heaven (Clodovil), a close relative of champion sprinter Pipalong and owned by Qatar Bloodstock.

Havana Gold was fully booked in his first season when supported by top breeders such as Whatton Manor Stud, Trickledown Stud, Kildaragh Stud, Roundhill Stud, Kirtlington Stud, Crimbourne Stud, Chasemore Farm and Haras des Monceaux.

A Group One-winning miler and son of unbeaten Teofilo, he is standing his second season at Tweenhills, where his fee remains £8,500 (Oct 1, SLF).

Watch in top shape Harbour Watch, an unbeaten son of champion sire Acclamation, has returned from shuttling duties at Emirates Park in New South Wales, Australia, looking an absolute picture.

While away his first European sons and daughters made a big impact at the foal sales, headed by a 240,000gns filly bought by Shadwell Estates. His Australasian first crop also includes some very good-looking youngsters, as can be seen at a gallery of his foals on the website www.emiratespark.com.au.

Photo finish - Jamie, by a nose Top jockeys Jamie Spencer and Tom Queally travelled from Newmarket recently for a day in Gloucestershire with the Ledbury Hunt.

Following a meet which took place near Tweenhills Farm & Stud, the two jockeys soon showed they can jump a hedge, although, as this photograph shows, Jamie lost out in an argument with a bramble that raked across his nose.

Budding jockey, George Daly (also pictured), a keen pony racer and nephew of racehorse trainer Henry Daly, shadowed the two men during the day – just in case they needed some tips.

Tweenhills Farm & Stud, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BG W: www.tweenhills.com T: + 44 (0) 1452 700177 / 700545 M: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 E: davidredvers@tweenhills.com 416 - Tweenhills Times Feb 2015_V06.indd 1

15/01/2015 12:02

Feb_126_Changes2pp_Layout 1 21/01/2015 18:49 Page 14

RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Time For Rupert Paul Webber-trained World Hurdle runner-up in 2010, but whose career was blighted by setbacks, is retired aged 11.

Mad Moose Talented but moody ten-year-old retired for a second time after refusing to race on his comeback at Cheltenham in December.

Falco Sire of exciting juvenile hurdler Peace And Co moves from Haras d’Etreham to Haras du Grand Chesnaie.

Premio Loco Group-class performer for Chris Wall, the winner of 16 of his 50 races and more than £750,000, is retired aged ten and will be retrained as a dressage horse.

Also...

Group 1 winner Mr Medici will stand at Hedgeholme Stud in County Durham for a fee of £1,500 this year after recovering from colic surgery. The royal colours will be seen in Australia again this year following the arrival of the Queen’s horse Bold Sniper at Gai Waterhouse’s Sydney stable. Born To Sea will continue his stallion career alongside his half-brother Sea The Stars at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in County Kildare; his fee this year is €10,000.

El Salvador, a son of Galileo out of Group 1 winner Balisada and winner of last year’s Irish Cesarewitch, is acquired by trainer Shay Shelvin to stand at his Killack Stud in County Wexford.

PEOPLE OBITUARIES

Ocovango Son of Monsun, a Group 2 winner in France, is snapped up by Coolmore to join its jumps division for 2015.

Christopher Sporborg 75

Bill Shand Kydd 77

Stephen Freud 93

Belle Leggat 97

Gary Palmer 53

Renee Robeson 87

Held a number of important positions in the racing industry as well as being a stalwart of point-to-pointing.

Ivanhowe Horse who deprived Sea The Moon of his unbeaten record when landing the Grosser Preis von Baden last September is sold to race in Australia.

Elder brother of Lucien and Sir Clement, he owned and bred point-to-pointers and was a part-owner with David Gandolfo.

Former star apprentice and multiple Group 1-winning jockey in Australia; he was most recently a steward.

Jim Hogan 81

International-standard marathon runner who owned horses, and performed breaking and pre-training services.

Businessman, daredevil sportsman, racehorse breeder and trainer – and related by marriage to Princess Diana.

Owned and bred horses for more than half a century. Her best were Hundalee, Cruachan and Meikleour.

Breeder of triple Group 1 winner Notnowcato and Canadian International victor Hillstar, and trainer of Grade 1winning hurdler Ogee (see tribute page 78).

George Rogers 79

Worked for Jeremy Hindley and John Gosden during 50-year career in racing.

HORSE OBITUARIES Master Tern 19

Won the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2000 for JP McManus and Jonjo O’Neill, later winning at the Grand National meeting.

Ihtimal 4

Winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas and Oaks, and third in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, sustains an injury during training at Al Quoz stables.

14

Doriemus 24

One of just 11 horses to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in the same year, in his case 1995.

King Edmund 12

Talented and popular front-running chaser, a stalwart for the Chris Gordon stable, the winner of nine races and over £110,000.

Quito De La Roque 10

Top-class chaser for Colm Murphy stable and Gigginstown House Stud, winner of two Grade 1s, suffers heart attack on the gallops.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_126_Big_Picture_Faugheen_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:03 Page 16

THE BIG PICTURE

FAUGHEEN SUPERB He’s won a point-to-point over three miles and claimed the 2m5f novice hurdle championship at last year’s Festival, but Faugheen is certainly not short of pace.

Rich Ricci’s seven-year-old was an easy winner of the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over two miles at Kempton on Boxing Day under Ruby Walsh, taking his unbeaten record to eight races under Rules. Willie Mullins’ stable star is now the red-hot favourite to extend his winning run in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 10 Photo George Selwyn

Feb_126_Big_Picture_Faugheen_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:03 Page 17

KEMPTON

Feb_126_Big_Picture_DodgingBullets_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:05 Page 18

THE BIG PICTURE

Feb_126_Big_Picture_DodgingBullets_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:05 Page 19

ASCOT

SPRINTER OUTGUNNED An absence of more than a year did not stop Sprinter Sacre (left of shot) being backed into odds-on favourite for his comeback in Ascot’s Grade 1 Clarence House Chase on January 17. The big horse ran well but was unable to master the Paul Nicholls-trained Dodging Bullets (right) and Noel Fehily in the final stages, with Twinlight third ahead of evergreen 11-year-old Somersby (centre).

Sir Martin Broughton, co-owner of the winner, discusses his life in racing and business in this month’s Big Interview (pages 40-44) Photo George Selwyn

Feb_126_Tony_Morris_Owner 21/01/2015 17:24 Page 20

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris Admiral Rous’s book is a treasure, his regime one to aspire to. Nick Rust is the latest to walk in the shadow of this giant of the turf, but is he the benevolent dictator we need?

A

nyone who has visited my abode knows that I live in what is more recognisably a library than a dwelling. All the rooms bar the two smallest are lined with bulging bookshelves, and the shelves are themselves insufficient. There are also tall heaps of books, growing ever higher, scattered about the place, as well as boxes full of the never-to-beconsulted-again items in the cellar.

That is what comes of spending close on 60 years as an avid book-buyer and never having found a cure for the addiction. I’ve never sought a cure, mind, and remain susceptible whenever another catalogue lands on the mat or I find myself in a bookstore with my credit card.

Inevitably, much of what I have accumulated is no longer of much interest to me, but getting rid is not easy. Bonfires are discouraged in the centre of town, and charity shops tell me that they already have more books than they can shift. I have even been advised, frighteningly, that ‘people don’t read books any more.’

A pal recently asked me if there was one book in my possession that I treasured above all the 6,000-odd others that clutter my home. I might have mentioned quite a few that I knew were worth several hundred, and some sets that might fetch thousands, but I didn’t think that was the question he was

asking. He wanted to know if there was one particular item that I was especially proud to own.

I didn’t have to think long about it, and was soon able to hand it over for inspection. Had I bought just this one book, I would have needed no shelves and my home would appear to be at least twice the size. It measures just six and a half inches by four inches, has only 128 pages, and fits comfortably in a jacket pocket.

Small is beautiful This slim little treasure is entitled On the Laws and Practice of Horse Racing, etc., etc., and its author is described as ‘The Honourable Captain Rous, R.N.’ It is a first edition, so is presumably worth a few quid more than the following two, but what makes my copy special is the unique quill-penned inscription on the flyleaf, which reads: ‘Sophia Rous from her affectionate husband H. J. Rous, 1850.’ It subsequently passed into the hands of another distinguished person, as it also carries the bookplate and coat of arms of Sir Robert Loder, whose son Eustace earned fame as the owner/breeder of Pretty Polly and infamy as the vindictive Epsom steward who disqualified Craganour – a colt he had bred – in the Derby.

Henry John Rous, second son of the 1st Earl of Stradbroke, had a remarkable career, leaving school to join the navy at the age To Rust from Rous: the latest leader of our sport will be going some to run a regime anywhere near as effective as that of the great Admiral

of 13 in 1808 and remaining in the service until 1836. His last command was of HMS Pique, which he brought back from Quebec after a series of mishaps that resulted in his being subjected to a court martial. He was acquitted.

Rous came from a Suffolk family steeped in racing – his father and brother both owned Classic winners – and he was elected to the Jockey Club as early as 1821, still only 26. On quitting the navy he became more active on the Turf, and was so highly regarded that he was appointed as a Steward of the Jockey Club in 1838. From 1841 to 1846 he also served as Member of Parliament for Westminster, but duties in the Commons did not occupy him so fully that he could not devote a lot of time to consideration of how racing was administered and how improvements might be effected, how officials should operate, how betting disputes should be resolved, and how a more efficient means of handicapping might be implemented.

Rous lost his seat in the Commons at the very time that Lord George Bentinck, who had been a virtual ‘Dictator of the Turf’, dropped out of racing to pursue a parliamentary career that turned out to be very brief. Shortly after the 1848 Derby and St Leger victories of Surplice, a colt he had bred and sold, Bentinck was dead.

Who could now doubt that Rous, who had been acquiring a reputation as the

Feb_126_Tony_Morris_Owner 21/01/2015 17:24 Page 21

supreme authority on racing matters, was the man to lead the sport? That little 1850 publication, in which, among other significant issues addressed, he presented the scale of weight-for-age that was his own creation, consolidated his position at the top.

In Rous we trust After Voltigeur’s victory over The Flying Dutchman in the 1850 Doncaster Cup, their owners, the Earls of Zetland and Eglinton, determined on a re-match over two miles at York in the following spring; they acknowledged Rous’s unrivalled expertise, turning to him to set the weights. Rous decided that the five-year-old Dutchman should give 8.5lb to his year-younger rival, and such was the respect for the handicapper’s judgement that the betting was even between them on the day. The older horse triumphed by a length in what would go down in history as one of the greatest match races of all time. In 1855 Rous was appointed official handicapper to the Jockey Club.

Although he never went to sea after 1836, Rous contrived to advance through the naval ranks, becoming Rear-Admiral in 1852, Vice-Admiral in 1858 and Admiral in 1863. His progress in racing was no less startling, as he continued to govern the sport fairly and firmly with ever-increasing authority, getting involved in every issue that arose, regularly writing letters to The Times to elucidate his stance. It was a brave – and generally foolhardy – man who ever questioned his judgement.

After his retirement from the Royal Navy in 1836, Rous devoted his life almost exclusively to the Turf until his death aged 82 in 1877. He spent three decades as the undisputed Dictator of the Turf, a term that had previously been used to describe Sir Charles Bunbury, who kicked the Prince of Wales out of racing, and Lord George Bentinck, who was not above issuing rulings that were to his own benefit.

Rous was different, truly a benevolent dictator, and a man I have always admired. Now, having been involved professionally in this marvellous sport for more than half a century, and having witnessed so many changes in the way it has been run, I am more than ever convinced that the Rous regime was the best there has ever been. We need another benevolent dictator, and one who will make a lifetime commitment to it.

The Jockey Club, when its leaders were generally pompous ex-military men, let the sport down when the chance to institute a Tote monopoly was spurned in 1961. All the subsequent lamentation about lack of prizemoney stemmed from the crass indecision of those in control at that time.

I have never understood why it was thought reasonable to dispense with the National Hunt Committee and let it be subsumed by the Jockey Club.

It was obvious then, and it is obvious now, that Flat racing and jump racing are distinct sports, and should be governed by different bodies.

Still searching for a star We have seen the BHB come and go, and the BHA take its place. We haven’t found a man – or a woman, let it be said – able to run the show effectively over a period. We had Paul Bittar at the helm for three years, and by all accounts he did as well as could be expected in a difficult role.

But three years is not long enough to make a serious impact; if he really was good, British racing should have sought to extend his contract and keep him committed.

Nick Rust has now taken over, somewhat controversially, given that his business background – albeit admirably successful – has been all about the gambling industry. We are told that he is a racing enthusiast, and I would hope so too. Does he know anything about horses? It matters, if he is to run our industry.

I’m happy to welcome Rust and wish him the best of luck in his role.

But I’d be happier if I thought he had arrived with a ten-year contract, had been given the authority to bang heads together and lay down the law over beneficial change in the sport, and that his career ambitions ended here.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

21

Feb_126_HowardWright_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:25 Page 22

HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT

Not everyone liked what amounts to the biggest sponsorship agreement in British horseracing history, but none of the complaints hold much water

Let’s back this Glorious deal

22

GEORGE SELWYN

T

hank goodness for the survival of racing over Christmas and New Year, and a good start to 2015. Otherwise the Goodwood racecourse executive might have endured weeks of jibes about a commercial venture for which in some quarters it was accused at best of pandering to elitism, and at worst of selling its soul to the devil.

Instead, purveyors of gloom and insinuation, who allied Goodwood’s ten-year, £25 million prize-money deal with Qatar to criticism of the World Cup 2022 bidding process and human rights issues, while venting their anger about naming rights and prizemoney distribution, spent a mere 24 hours in the spotlight afforded by social media.

However, doubtless the snipers will be back.

Time then to put their doleful responses into perspective.

The comparison with football, from a background of accusations of bribery, human rights violations and even alleged support for terrorists, is pointless, since they centre on Qatar itself, not events in Britain.

The World Cup bid involved the game’s governing bodies, not an individual sporting entity, and the rights and wrongs of ethical issues that concern internal politics are best approached by lobbying governments and international organisations. Neither affects Goodwood’s case for doing business with the Qatar Equestrian Federation.

As for purely racing matters, Goodwood was castigated for trading the Glorious title for the new branding of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, as well as allowing the new sponsor to place its golden eggs into one five-day fixture basket, instead of spreading them around the season’s programme. Both observations miss the fundamental point about what amounts to the single biggest sponsorship deal ever done for the benefit of British racing.

Glorious Goodwood was never an official title. It was a catchy slogan handed down by a few generations of racing fans after the course grew out of a single annual event, first to three meetings by adding two days in May and two more at the end of August, and then gradually to today’s 19-day calendar. Those who want to call it Glorious Goodwood will continue to do so.

As far as names go, the real significance of the Qatar deal is that the Stewards’ Cup is

Goodwood’s festival meeting needed nurturing – the prize-money boost does that

back and a range of new brands is likely to move in.

Goodwood, not to mention its demanding sponsor, which had already sullied the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket, was rightly vilified for introducing the 32Red Cup, with an apologetically bracketed Stewards’ Cup added almost as an afterthought, and the fact

“As far as names go, the real significance of the Qatar deal is that the Stewards’ Cup is back”

the shameful episode lasted only a year makes the decision even more reprehensible.

Now, though, the Stewards’ Cup is back, and with a prize fund of £250,000 it is stronger than before. And if Qatar’s connections introduce new names such as The Shard, the Shangri-La and Harrods to the sponsors’ roster, all the better.

One of the drawbacks to the support by QIPCO, which represents a different branch of the Qatari royal family, for British Champions Day and associated events is that it offers very little by way of brand awareness.

By contrast, Goodwood’s benefactors have drawn in fresh names while backing the Arc weekend in Paris, which if replicated in Britain would provide a welcome diversion from the sport’s overwhelming dependence on involvement by betting companies.

The argument that the quality of racing at Goodwood, which has been diluted by its increased number of fixtures, would have been addressed by spreading Qatar’s record prize-money through the season, holds some water, but is not watertight. There is no doubt that the five-day festival, which is central to the whole programme, needed nurturing, and the provision of individual big-race increases, with a promise that no race will be worth less than £20,000, does just that.

As for the Sussex Stakes, if the magnet of a million-pound prize fund does not tempt the leading milers of all generations in Britain, Ireland, France and maybe farther afield, I will reluctantly agree with the Twitterati and ask Qatar to put their money into a couple of hundred Class 4 and 5 handicaps. Then maybe everybody would be happy.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Shadwell OB Dec 2014_Shadwell OB Nov 2014 18/11/2014 12:59 Page 2

NEW FOR 2015

SHADWELL STALLIONS 2015 Standing at Nunnery Stud, England

MUKHADRAM Shamardal - Magic Tree

The first Gr.1 winning son of leading European sire SHAMARDAL to stand in the UK. 2 length winner of 2014 Coral-Eclipse (Gr.1) beating the winning time of: NATHANIEL, TWICE OVER and SO YOU THINK.

MUKHADRAM

2015 Fee - £7,000 (1st JAN, SLF)

NAYEF Gulch - Height Of Fashion

2014: 51% winners/runners with his European 3YOS.* 2014 Group performers: Gr.2 British Champions Long Distance Cup winner FORGOTTEN RULES, Gr.3 Jersey Stakes winner MUSTAJEEB, Gr.3 winner SNOW SKY and Gr.1 placed TASADAY.

2015 Fee - £5,000 (1st JAN, SLF)

NAYEF

MAWATHEEQ

MAWATHEEQ Danzig - Sarayir

A Group winning last son of DANZIG with a winning first crop of 2YOS.

2015 Fee - PRIVATE

SAKHEE Bahri - Thawakib

Sire in 2014 of dual stakes winning sprinter TIMELESS CALL.

2015 Fee - PRIVATE Also standing in England

HAAFHD Alhaarth - Al Bahathri

SAKHEE

HAAFHD

2014: Sire of Gr.1 winner JUNOOB.

2015 Fee - £3,000 (1st OCT) Standing in France

MUHTATHIR

Elmaamul - Majmu

A leading sire in France with a winners/runners strike rate of 40%.

2015 Fee - €7,000 (1st OCT, Live Foal) Standing in Italy

MUJAHID Danzig - Elrafa Ah

Leading Italian based sire in Italy for the 3rd consecutive year.

MUHTATHIR

MUJAHID

2015 Fee - €5,500 (1st OCT, SLF)

*www.racingpost.com 15-10-14

Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.co.uk Or call Richard Lancaster, Johnny Peter-Hoblyn or Rachael Gowland on

01842 755913

Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

Bearstone roster TOB February -15:Layout 2

7/1/15

12:19

Page 1

BEARSTONE STUD BEAR IN MIND THE BEARSTONE STALLIONS

50%+

That was the 3yo winners to runners ratio achieved by both our stallions in 2014

FIREBREAK Group 1 Champion Miler & Group 1 Sire Fee: £4,500 Oct 1st LFFR

MAJOR CADEAUX Top Class Sprinter/Miler & Multiple Group Winner Fee: £3,500 Oct 1st LFFR

Choose a C:C Certified Stallion What is a C:C? Fast, Speedy, Sprint Type Best distance 5f - 1mile www.equinome.com Enquiries: Bearstone Stud, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 4HF, UK Office: 01630 647197 Mobile: 07974 948755 Email: enquiries@bearstonestud.co.uk See our 2015 brochure online at www.bearstonestud.co.uk

Feb_126_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:39 Page 25

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By JESSICA LAMB

Meade’s championship chance Trainer has yet to win a big-four race at the Festival but has a leading player this term would have to stay in hard training throughout January. This way means he can have an easy month, then have his build up for the Gold Cup.” Meade has captured all three of Cheltenham’s big novice hurdle races but he has not won any

“The Gold Cup is the

Blue Riband. We haven’t won it and it’s the race you always want to win”

of the four championship events at the prestigious meeting.

“Harchibald came second in the Champion Hurdle back in 2005 and we had Harbour Pilot finish third twice in the Gold Cup, but we haven’t won it,” he said. “Of course you’re delighted to win any race at Cheltenham, but they are the ones you really want and the Gold Cup is the Blue Riband.”

With 51 Grade 1 winners, Meade is no stranger to handling brilliant horses and he agrees with the theory that good horses are easier to train than others – they have the engine to do the work and the class to carry it forward.

But he does find them harder to train mentally.

He said: “You worry all along that something is going to go wrong. They have to do the work and they have to run. You’re just hoping all the time that they don’t get hurt doing that.”

His big Festival winner last year was Very Wood, who put a dent in his chances for this year when pulling up in the Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December.

Meade said: “We had him checked out because obviously something had to be amiss with him and we think we may have found a reason for that run so hopefully we can put a line through it. We’ll have to see.

Apache Stronghold was second in that race, he just didn’t get home.”

GEORGE SELWYN

CAROLINE NORRIS

N

ext month could see the already highly-decorated Noel Meade reach the pinnacle of his career when dual Grade 1 winner Road To Riches tackles the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Gigginstown House Stud’s eight-year-old was an average novice hurdler and did not shine as a novice chaser, but on good ground at Fairyhouse’s Easter festival he finally showed what he could do.

That wide-margin win over Mallowney carried him forward to a narrow defeat in Punchestown’s valuable novice handicap chase and he went on to win the Galway Plate by a stunning 11 lengths.

His JNwine.com Champion Chase and Lexus Chase victories confirmed the promise he showed at Ballybrit that day and now Meade can safely look forward to saddling a live contender for Cheltenham’s showpiece.

He said: “You live in hope. It’s lovely to have a horse that looks good enough to run in the race. We were delighted to win at Leopardstown and it was always the plan to put him away after that for Cheltenham.

“That’s the way we have campaigned him; he had time off after the JNwine.com Champion Chase and after the Galway Plate, and it just works for him.

“If he was to run in the Irish Hennessy then he

Noel Meade and his Gold Cupbound star Road To Riches

>>

Feb_126_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:39 Page 26

VIEW FROM IRELAND

The Turf Club has been granted the funding it fought Horse Racing Ireland for to upgrade the testing equipment at the BHP Laboratories in Limerick.

As part of an uplifting budget announced

by HRI in December, the Turf Club has been given €7.1 million, including a significant capital provision to allow for the purchase of much-needed new equipment at BHP, to keep up with the ever-changing prohibited substance landscape.

This move from HRI, which has slashed its administrative charges by 17.5% and pledged an increase of €5m in prize-money, does not appear to have come willingly though.

Shortly before the board meeting which decided the budget, it had an extraordinary meeting to discuss drugs specifically, setting up a taskforce involving representatives from all stakeholders. This was preceded by the Turf Club resorting to deploying an independent arbitrator to make a binding decision on its request for funding for the testing laboratories. The regulatory body’s Chief Executive Denis Egan said his requests had fallen on deaf ears and he was forced to take this action, provided for under the Irish Horseracing Industry Act of 1994, but never used before.

Egan was naturally tight-lipped over the tensions that led up to this good news, but added: “We’re delighted to have this funding.

It is much needed. We have our own ideas about what we need to spend it on and what needs to be done at the laboratory, but we are awaiting Dr Terence Wan’s review and we will go with whatever he says. His view is what’s important.”

Hong King-based Dr Wan was commissioned by HRI’s board to carry out an independent review of Ireland’s drug-testing

CAROLINE NORRIS

Crucial funding secured in war against drugs

Turf Club Chief Executive Denis Egan chats with champion trainer Aidan O’Brien

systems and he is expected to complete this by the end of next month.

Wan is a world-renown expert in the area of sports doping control. He has been head of Hong Kong’s laboratory for 19 years, sits on numerous international horseracing doping advisory and drug control committees, and has been a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory committee for three years.

A non-disclosure agreement prevented him from discussing his review, but he did expand on what his position in Hong Kong entails.

He said: “To summarise, in over 19 years I have assisted this accredited laboratory to maintain the utmost in its testing reliability – we have never reported a false positive finding in any official samples in our 44-year history.

“In the past decade, our laboratory’s rates of positive findings in post-race horse ‘A’ samples collected from Hong Kong or external authorities were respectively 0.07% and 2.6% of horses tested, which compare favourably with the world average of approximately 0.37% [from latest IFHA data from 2003 to 2012].”

The magnitude of the drugs issue in Ireland, highlighted by the court convictions of trainers Philip Fenton and Pat Hughes, was expressed by HRI’s Chairman Joe Keeling at the governing body’s annual awards in December.

He said: “There is a cloud of drug cases hanging over the sport. This is a top priority and matters immensely.”

In Brief Hanlon makes hay After two poor seasons, Carlow trainer Shark Hanlon is enjoying what could go down as his best ever campaign, at least numerically.

Usuel Smurfer’s victory in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival meant he finished 2014 with 19 winners and a 12% strike rate, a percentage higher than he has ever achieved before. His personal-best tally of winners in an Irish season is 24.

26

Last year’s Ryanair Chase runner-up Hidden Cyclone will lead his team at the Cheltenham Festival.

He will hand over to his 31-year-old son Michael, presently working at Plumpton racecourse in Britain, in August.

Only the Moloney

New jumps Senior Steward

Galway will wave goodbye to long-standing Manager John Moloney after this year’s summer festival.

The 64-year-old has been at the helm for 27 years, proving instrumental in the track’s major redevelopments and the summer festival’s extension to a seven-day meeting.

John Powell has been appointed Senior Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Powell, a member of the committee for 11 years, takes over from Michael Hickey, with Peter Allen taking his position as deputy senior steward.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

BUY BLACK TYPE Big Bad Bob

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■

2014 purchasers include Shadwell, BBA Ireland, Big Red Farm, Jessica Harrington, Bobby O’Ryan, Bertrand le Metayer, Clive Cox, Anthony Stroud Bloodstock, Emma O’ Gorman, John Warren, Brian Grassick Bloodstock, Amanda Skiffington, Jeremy Brummit, Ger Lyons, Badgers Bloodstock, Peter & Ross Doyle and Federico Barberini

www.irishnationalstud.ie John Osborne, Gary Swift, Sinead Hyland or Helen Boyce Tel: +353 (0)45 521251 Gary +353 (0)86 6031979

Feb_126_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:32 Page 28

CONTINENTAL TALES NC

E

Overdose of deserved enjoyment Midlands-based owner/breeders sold star sprinter cheaply but have no regrets

APRH

I

t has been a long road but when Majestic Mount won the Prix Luthier at Deauville on December 13 to give his adoring owner/breeders Graham and Diane Robinson a first Listed success in their own light blue and pink diabolo silks, it was the culmination of an involvement in the sport that goes back almost four decades.

“The Prix Luthier was more than a month ago and we are still up in the clouds now, just slowly coming down,” admitted Graham Robinson. “It was absolutely fantastic.”

The triumph completed an exceptional 12month period for Majestic Mount and his Robinson homebred stablemate Faithful Mount. Between them they ran ten times, notching five wins and plundering €96,900 (£80,750) in total having never finished out of the money – not a bad upturn in fortunes for owners whose first horse, the Reg Hollinsheadtrained Gipsy Prince, failed to manage a single success in 23 starts during the late 1970s.

And, if the evidence of our lengthy phone conversation or the testimonials of their trainers is anything to go by, the Robinsons are a hugely enthusiastic and cheerful couple who could not be more deserving of their recent successes.

Hailing from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, the Robinsons have a broodmare band numbering just two, both based at Peter Player’s Whatton Manor Stud, whose progeny they largely retain to race.

Of late their horses have tended to be based at Chantilly in France, first with Rupert Pritchard-Gordon and then, upon his retirement at the end of 2013, with Rod Collet.

It is a measure of the level of their passion for racing that in 2014 they crossed the Channel to cheer on their two Collet-based charges on no fewer than 18 occasions!

And we are not just talking quick

Diane and Graham Robinson are thrilled after Listed glory with Majestic Mount at Deauville; below, ‘Budapest bullet’ Overdose, whom they sold for just 2,000gns

flits from Birmingham Airport. No, each of these Gallic sorties incorporated a pair of epic 12hour car journeys plus an early morning on the gallops and a couple of nights in a hotel.

Robinson first dipped his toes in ownership waters with Gipsy Prince before deciding to take a break until he had the time to do it properly.

“Reg [Hollinshead] taught me a lot but I was so tied up with my business at that point that I couldn’t participate as I wanted to,” he said.

Roughly ten years passed before the aforementioned business, Robinson & Sons Limited,

GEORGE SELWYN

F RA

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

28

a drop forging engineering company that supplied the aeronautical and submarine industries, was sold.

“When I retired 17 years ago, my wife and I had to decide which way we wanted to go,” he continued. “We thought about golf but we both had dickie backs so we knocked that on the head, and after I decided not to extend my association with Wolves [Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club] it was Diane’s idea to buy a racehorse.”

The result was the purchase in 1998 of the 16,000-guinea Warning yearling filly Our Poppet, who went into training with Rae Guest.

The new venture almost started tragically as, after a promising effort on her only juvenile start, Our Poppet fractured her pedal bone while at exercise in Newmarket.

“One vet advised that we put her down while another said that she could be saved but that it would cost a lot of money,” Robinson recalled. “Diane said, ‘Save her and she will repay us’ and by god she has, producing eight winners from her first ten foals.”

The Robinsons’ next yearling purchase, the Danehill Dancer filly Lady Lindsay (12,000 guineas), has also served them well, in her case both on the track and in the paddocks. Winner of her first two starts in 2001, she never quite managed a stakes race success but was Group- and Listed-placed on three occasions, while four of her first five THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

foals have won, including Faithful Mount.

The standout among Our Poppet’s progeny has been none other than the brilliant Hungarian-trained sprinter Overdose, who won four Group races and smashed the Longchamp course record in the 2008 renewal of the Prix de l’Abbaye, only to have the race declared void following a false start fiasco.

Having sold him as a yearling for just 2,000 guineas, Overdose’s future achievements could have been a source of eternal regret for the Robinsons. “It’s not a sore point,” Graham said.

“It was good for our broodmare and we started off selling the colts and keeping the fillies, so you have to accept it. But we saw the Longchamp race on television and it broke our hearts.

“When you are in racing and breeding you have to try and be philosophical. There are more downs than ups but when you have an up, it’s fabulous.”

He also stresses how lucky they have been in building up a strong relationship with Player, who just happened to be Our Poppet’s breeder and has played a central role in the Robinsons’ enjoyment of the sport ever since.

AU S

Feb_126_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:32 Page 29

TR

IA

Racing uncertainty

“Selling Overdose is not a sore point. It was good for our broodmare and you have to accept it”

He said: “We couldn’t have done it without Mr and Mrs Player and their son Edward, they are wonderful people. Peter says that both our mares are really good at present and that we should just keep going with them.

“Lady Lindsay has a yearling colt by Harbour Watch and is in foal to Havana Gold, while Our Poppet has got a Bated Breath yearling colt and is in foal to Helmet. The plan is for them to then visit Paco Boy and Showcasing respectively.”

And what are the prospects on the track for 2015? Faithful Mount has been sold to go jumping – “we have spoken to his new trainer, Ian Williams, and intend to go and see him in the near future,” Robinson revealed – but Majestic Mount has been joined at Collet’s by Faithful Mount’s half-sister Rose Abella, who ran twice for Andrew Hollinshead last season.

“We had a little talk about taking Majestic Mount to Meydan but neither of us are too keen on the new dirt surface there,” Robinson said.

“So we have put him away for a while and will try for some Group races later in the year.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Rumours that Magna Racino will not stage racing in 2015 have been refuted

Nine months on from this column reporting how Austrian racing was struggling to keep afloat, murmurings have begun that Magna Racino, the nation’s only operational racecourse, will not be staging Flat racing in 2015.

While Doctor Isabella Copar, the CEO of the Austrian Racehorse Owners Club, strongly refutes such rumours, she does admit that, with only around 50 active racehorses currently in training, a 2015 race programme reduced from even last year’s total of ten fixtures and 40 races looks inevitable.

“I will move mountains if I have to in order to ensure that there is Flat racing in Austria at some point over the coming year,” Copar said. “But it was mid-April before we hosted our first meeting last season and it’s too early to know what is going to happen.

“I spoke twice on the phone with Frank Stronach [the Canadian-based owner] during December and he has agreed to meet me when he next comes back to Austria.

“Even if Mr Stronach cannot provide any funding, as long as he gives us permission to use the course, I would be hopeful of being able to stage six or seven fixtures and save around half of our Classic races.

“The Austrian State Lottery, which was our second biggest sponsor last year, has already promised to come back on board.”

Ironically, just as stories of the demise of racing at Magna Racino have made it into the Austrian media, so Karl Friedrich Habel, owner of the historic Freudenau racecourse, which lies 15 miles to the north of Magna Racino in central Vienna, has hinted that his venue, on the banks of the River Danube, could soon stage racing again for the first time since 2003.

But Copar, while welcoming the possible return of a course that dates back to 1839, suggests that turf management issues would mean that it would be autumn at the very earliest before Freudenau is in a fit state to reopen its doors.

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Beechwood Grange OB Feb 2015 f-p_Beechwood Grange OB Jan 2015 f-p 21/01/2015 09:05 Page 1

Desideratum Bay, 2002, (16.11⁄2 hh) by DARSHAAN - DESIRED (RAINBOW QUEST)

FEE:

£1,250

Group Winner from a Star-Studded Stallion Family Desideratum won 4 races, £152,677, at 3 years, and was placed 3 times, all his starts.

Won Gr.3 Prix du Lys, 12f. Longchamp, “totally outclassed his three rivals” Raceform Won LR Prix de l'Avre, 12f, Longchamp, by 21⁄2 lengths, beating Kendor Dine (Gr.3), etc.

2nd Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris, 12f, Longchamp, beating Plea Bargain (Gr.2), Bellamy Cay (Gr.2), Laverock (Gr.1), Musketier (Gr.3), etc.

4th Gr.2 Prix Noailles, 11f, Longchamp.

Racehorses of 2005: 118 (same rating as Gr.1 winner Laverock)

Sire of Hurdle, Bumper and Point to Point winners

Haafhd

European Champion 3yo

Ch. 2001 15.3 h.h. (1.59m) by ALHAARTH – AL BAHATHRI (BLUSHING GROOM)

FEE:

£3,000

Rated 115+ at 2 • Rated 129 at 3

Won 5 races at 2 and 3 years, 6-10f, £492,288, and was placed 3 times, all but one of his starts.

Won Gr.1 2,000 Guineas Stakes, 8f, Newmarket by 1¾ lengths, beating Gr.1 winners Azamour, Grey Swallow, Whipper, Bachelor Duke, etc.

Won Gr.1 Champion Stakes, 10f, Newmarket by 2½ lengths, beating Gr.1 winners Chorist, Azamour, Refuse To Bend, Doyen, etc.

Won Gr.3 Craven Stakes, 8f, Newmarket, by 5 lengths, beating Three Valleys.

Won LR

Washington Singer Stakes, 7f, Newbury, at 2 years

3rd Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, 7f, Newmarket 3rd Gr.2 Champagne Stakes, 7f, Doncaster.

A Multiple Stakes sire in 2014 of 31 individual winners of 57 races

Sleeping Indian Bay, 2001, (16hh) by INDIAN RIDGE – LAS FLORES (SADLER’S WELLS)

FEE:

Timeform rating: 122

£3,000

Won 6 races, £252,417, 7-8f, from 3 to 5 years, and placed three times, from 12 starts Won Gr.2 Challenge Stakes, 7f, Newmarket, beating Gr.1 winner Somnus and 11 other Group winners Won Gr.3 Hungerford Stakes, 7f, Newbury, beating Gr.1 winner Attraction and 2 other Group winners Won LR Dubai Duty Free Cup, 7f, Newbury, beating Gr.1 winner Spinning Queen and 8 other Group winners Won LR Ben Marshall Stakes, 7f, beating Gr.1 winner Tout Seul and 3 other Group winners Won LR John O’Gaunt Stakes, 7f, Haydock Park, beating 3 Group winners 2nd Gr.2 Park Stakes, 7f, Doncaster, beating Gr.1 winner Court Masterpiece and 5 other Group winners 2nd Gr.2 Challenge Stakes, 7f, Newmarket, beating Gr.1 winners Somnus and Peeress, and 4 other Group winners

Consistently siring 2yo Stakes horses

Apply: STEVE KNOWLES, BEECHWOOD GRANGE STUD, Malton Road, York YO32 9TH. Tel: 01904 424573 • Fax: 01904 427079 • Mobile: 07786 260 904 E-mail: steve@beechwoodgrangestud.com • Website: www.beechwoodgrangestud.com

Feb_126_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:33 Page 31

AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A MER ICA

by Steve Andersen

GEORGE SELWYN

Own advice pays off for Shah

Kaleem Shah (left) and family celebrate Bayern’s win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, a triumph masterminded by trainer Bob Baffert (right)

T

he advice was part of conversations between every father and son, except these discussions involved horseracing. When Kaleem Shah was a young man in India, he wanted to follow the work of his father, the noted trainer Majeed Shah.

“He said, ‘Hell no, go to school,’” Shah recalled in early January on a cool morning at Santa Anita racetrack.

When Shah’s Virginia-based telecommunications and intelligence business took off in the early 2000s, becoming a racehorse owner was a viable option. Majeed Shah, who trained the winners of two Indian Triple Crowns, was not impressed. “I told you not to buy horses,” Shah remembers.

What has been impressive is the level of success the 52-year-old Kaleem Shah has enjoyed in recent months. He is the owner of Bayern, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, and Dortmund, a contender for the Kentucky Derby in May. Dortmund is unbeaten in three THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

starts, including the $500,000 Los Alamitos Futurity in southern California in December.

Seldom does one owner have a horse capable of winning the Dubai World Cup and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. Hall of

“I’m a racing fan

first and I like the races to be decided on the track without controversy” Famer Bob Baffert trains for Shah. “We’ve tried to be in this position,” Shah said.

An American citizen since the early 1990s, Shah has spent most of his adult life in the United States, attending university and run-

ning his privately-held company, CALNET, which was founded in 1989. The company’s business was initially focused on information technology and telecommunications, but it expanded after the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Today, CALNET’s principal client is the United States government, with much of its dealings classified.

“I can’t talk in details,” Shah said of the company. “We provide troop support worldwide and we provide intelligence to the US government.”

A married father of two, Shah is an avid football fan, evidenced by the name of his leading performers. Another runner, Everton, was not as successful, but there are high hopes this year for a two-year-old named Bundesliga.

Bayern rose to prominence in the second half of 2014, winning the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in July, the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing in Philadelphia in September and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Classic was a controversial win, as Bayern veered left badly away from the gate and bumped with Shared Belief shortly after.

Shared Belief took the worst of the collision, while Bayern took the lead in the first furlong. He held off a sustained bid from Toast Of New York and crowd favourite California Chrome to win the richest race in the United States. After a stewards enquiry the results stood, but it was not a popular victory. The incident still stings Shah.

“I wish there was no issue,” he said. “I’m a racing fan first and I like the races to be decided on the track without controversy.

Besides Shared Belief, all the horses had a chance to get by him and they didn’t.”

The following day, Dortmund made his debut, winning a maiden race at Santa Anita.

Shah missed the Los Alamitos Futurity win.

Majeed Shah has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Kaleem Shah said. Shah and his family were in India in late December.

“They wanted to see him more than me,” he said, gesturing towards his 16-year-old son, Arman. “Family is very important.”

Shah will be surrounded by his family if his horses are in the winners’ circle in the United States and Middle East in coming months.

“It’s a blessing,” he added. “I’m hopeful that we can be that lucky.”

31

>>

Feb_126_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:33 Page 32

AROUND THE GLOBE

AU S T RA L IA

by Danny Power

32

The popular Sepoy has recently returned from Australia to Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud

stallions can sell on their racetrack performances and pedigree before we know if they can leave a runner or not.

The Magic Millions sale has developed from a sale attached to a high-value race to the standalone second most important auction in Australia behind Inglis’s Easter yearling sale in Sydney in April. This year’s sale grossed A$92m, up significantly on the A$75m taken at last year’s. The average of A$170,728 (539 sold) also jumped from last year’s A$144,122.

Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox was thrilled with the results, saying: “What the figures show is that people that bring their top quality horses here will get the top money, which we’re very happy about.”

“First-season sires

being in such demand stems from the fact that syndicators find them an easy sell” This modern phenomenon of first-season sires being in such demand stems from the fact that syndicators – who these days have taken over from trainers as holders of most of the credit with the sales companies – find them an easy sell to prospective shareholders. Unproven

Shoemark leaves his mark

RACINGFOTOS

Australia’s first yearling sale of 2015, the extravagant Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast in Queensland, promised to showcase some of the best offspring of the strongest band of first-season sires ever assembled in one year.

And it lived up to its promise in spades.

A smashing chestnut colt by new boy Sepoy from the Group-winning mare Sister Madly, a half-sister to former Hong Kong star Silent Witness, topped the sale at A$1.2 million – the equal highest price for a yearling by a firstseason sire in Australia.

In the past 12 months some of the big American farms have been buying Australian bloodstock as yearlings, and Spendthrift Farm’s Ned Toffey, who was so active last year at Easter, signed for the colt. The youngster will be trained by the team of John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes.

“The number one is always physique,” Toffey said. “He’s a classy looking horse. He has a great walk and looks the part. He looks to us like a solid Australian horse and, of course, there was enough page there.”

The progeny of the Darley-owned Sepoy, the former crack juvenile, was in great demand, especially those youngsters that looked a lot like him – the quintessential Australian sprinting type; smallish, compact and ready to run. His 26 youngsters sold for an average of A$286,346 (off a fee of A$66,000). He finished third on the averages list behind Fastnet Rock (A$380,147, fee A$220,000) and Redoute’s Choice (A$366,579, fee A$137,500).

The first yearlings by So You Think were also popular. His 16 youngsters sold for an average of A$234,688 off a A$66,000 fee. Most carried So You Think’s athletic stamp even though they were out of speedy mares.

Other exciting first-season sires to sell strongly included the Fastnet Rock sons Smart Missile (33 lots at A$179,394) and Foxwedge (22 at A$157,955).

Shuttler Dream Ahead proved that the right sort of European sprinter will hold his own as a stallion against the locals. His progeny showed the strength and substance that appeals to Australian buyers, and his seven yearlings averaged a healthy A$125,714 off a A$27,500 fee.

JOHN REARDON/DARLEY

Gold rush for Sepoy’s yearlings

Kieran Shoemark: impact down under

Apprentice Kieran Shoemark is having a similar impact on Australia’s summer racing in Melbourne as Oisin Murphy did last year.

Shoemark, like Murphy attached to the Danny O’Brien stable at Flemington, rode for the first time at Moonee Valley on December 19.

Within two weeks he had managed eight winners – two provincial trebles and a metropolitan double at Sandown – before a suspension sidelined him until January 14.

Shoemark said he particularly enjoyed riding at the undulating Sandown circuit. “Sandown is very similar to the English tracks, there’s loads of time to get in a position,” he said.

The young rider will return to Andrew Balding in February all the better for the experience – and some Aussie sun.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_126_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:20 Page 34

TALKING TO...

JESSICA HARRINGTON

A woman for all

SEASONS Jessica Harrington is the only female who regularly appears in Ireland’s top ten jumps trainers’ list, thanks to the likes of Champion Hurdle hero Jezki, yet she is equally capable on the Flat and could have a candidate for 2015 Classic glory

By Tim Richards

H

CAROLINE NORRIS

aving represented Ireland at Three Day Eventing at European, world and Olympic level before embarking on a training career, can you say what the change in your equine discipline has taught you?

Patience and waiting for horses to come to themselves. Eventers go on competing well into their teens as long as the people concerned don’t do too much too soon with them. With National Hunt horses, if one can give them a bit more time it can be beneficial, but time is not a thing some owners understand. Eventers can go on until they are 14, 15, 16, while a lot of racehorses don’t, in some cases because they’ve done too much too soon. I am just wondering if we are getting at these big National Hunt four-year-olds too soon, expecting too much of them early in their careers.

You started training jumpers with considerable success, and still do. So what made you turn your hand to the Flat?

We always had one or two Flat or dual-purpose horses. Then I got one or two more just before the recession and found I could keep my staff all the year round with two lots of different horses. Also some owners prefer to have a Flat

34

horse because they know where they stand after a year, instead of buying a three-year-old at the Derby sale and two years later being told, “Sorry, this is no good”. I always enjoyed the Flat and I’m used to working all the year round.

What do you see as the major differences between handling jumpers and Flat horses and which gives you the most pleasure?

I train them all together. We have jumpers out with two-year-olds and yearlings cantering all in the one lot, though the younger horses might not go as far as the others. I find that when the yearlings are out with the older horses they learn to behave better, they walk around and watch horses jump and the experience of being with the older horses seems to be good for them.

A two-year-old is very exciting because it all happens so quickly when you consider how young they are. Your three-mile chaser is the one you’ve nurtured, had patience with and hope you haven’t done too much when it was young. The fun with the two-year-old is the fact that you picked it as a yearling and it comes good. It is equally satisfying when you manage to nurture a horse through from an unbroken three-year-old to an eight-year-old winning a high-class three-mile chase. Anything that wins is what I like.

>>

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:20 Page 35

Jessica Harrington supervises work aboard Rock The World, set for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next month

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

35

Feb_126_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:20 Page 36

JESSICA HARRINGTON >> Your late husband Johnny, who

bought your champion two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer for just 17,000 guineas, had a great eye for a horse and you must miss his input enormously. What has to be top of your list when buying a horse, for jumps or the Flat?

Johnny taught me an awful lot. I am a bad judge of a foal; I cannot envisage a fluffy lump of four legs, a head and tail turning into a yearling. Johnny was a very good judge of a foal, whereas I was a better judge of a yearling.

We both had the same ideas but also our differences. Yes, of course I miss Johnny’s input, which was so good.

The first thing I look for in a horse is balance; it must be able to walk out of the stable and stand in balance. I also like horses to be good movers and to be very light on their feet. Most bargains are by horses that are unfashionable out of a good dam line. If they are by something fashionable you’d be paying twice or three times as much. A good example is the filly Jack Naylor I bought just over a year ago for €10,500. She had a nice pedigree and was by Champs Elysee, who hadn’t done that well by then. Two good horses I bought, Intelligent and Macs Joy, were both by Religiously, an unknown sire. I don’t mind them being by something strange if they’ve got a good dam line.

From a breeding perspective, it has been said that horses now are less sound than they used to be. Is this true?

I am not certain that statement is true. Before, if a horse went lame, the thing to do was shut it up in the stable for three or four weeks because you thought it had pulled a muscle.

You didn’t have scans so you didn’t know whether it had done a pelvis unless it really looked as if it had.

Jezki and Barry Geraghty land the 2014 Champion Hurdle, to the delight of trainer Harrington

Easy-going Jezki pleasing ahead How is your Champion Hurdler Jezki and what is the plan before returning to Cheltenham?

He is in great form and we are very happy with him. At Leopardstown over Christmas, Jezki finished closer to Hurricane Fly than ever he has done when he’s been

beaten by him. In the past he’s gone down by three or four lengths but this time he had him battling all the way to the line.

Jezki has beaten him twice and it’s going to be the same old programme heading for the Irish Champion Hurdle [January 25], then back to Cheltenham and on to Punchestown.

What is he like to train and why did you put a hood on him for the first time in the Champion Hurdle?

He is very easy and very straightforward.

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Feb_126_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:20 Page 37

JESSICA HARRINGTON If a horse made a noise, you hobdayed or tubed it, because you hadn’t got a scope to put down it. Now there is every kind of scope and we have much more information at our fingertips.

I think we are more or less dealing with the same animal but are more aware of the injuries thanks to science.

Your daughters Emma and Kate must be a big help to you. What are their roles?

Emma has been running the office and riding out for the last five or six years. She deals with the hiring and firing as well as the accounts and books so I have just the one secretary, Susan.

Between them, they leave me to do all the nice parts of the job – training the horses and being nice to the riders. Kate has spent the last three years at Ballydoyle with Aidan O’Brien and loved it. She is back with me for three months, rides out, helps a lot in the yard and has ridden over 20 winners.

You say Jezki is the best hurdler you’ve had, though Moscow Flyer never got the chance to show how good he was over hurdles as he never ran in the Champion Hurdle. Was he up to winning a Champion Hurdle?

He was going to take on Istabraq in the 2001 Champion when the foot and mouth outbreak caused the meeting to be cancelled. They met three times but never finished a race together.

They were frustrating encounters because Istabraq fell twice and Moscow Flyer the other time. I think he would have been up to winning a Champion Hurdle, I really do. Maybe if he’d have won the Champion I may never have gone chasing with him; there would have been all sorts of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. The first time he ran over fences he took a mother and father of a fall and everyone said go back to hurdling with him. I said ‘no’; I knew he was trying to walk on water, standing off too far. We carried on and the rest is as it was.

of Champion Hurdle defence Jezki is much more relaxed at home than he was last year. He comes out, does his work, comes back in and then goes out in the field. You couldn’t have a nicer horse to train. I put a hood on him in the Champion Hurdle because he’d been pulling and tugging a lot in his races. We thought with the buzz at Cheltenham he’d be better off with a hood. It isn’t as invasive as ear plugs, which I’d fitted at home, but he didn’t like them.

At this stage what others are on

your Festival hopeful list?

Jetson [Jezki’s half-brother], who ran so well when second to Lieutenant Colonel in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December, goes for the World Hurdle; Rock The World probably runs in the County Hurdle; Macnicholson for the Coral Cup, while Rock On The Moor and Keppols Queen are a couple of fillies who will also be entered.

I have Hurricane Ridge in the St Patrick’s Day charity race and he will be ridden by Hayley O’Connor, who does the PR work for Ladbrokes in Ireland.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

In what way did the phenomenal success of Moscow Flyer – 26 wins over fences and hurdles, 13 at Grade 1 level – affect your life?

He put me more on the map than I had been, he took me to a lot of places I never thought I’d go to, and we had a lot of fun. It was a great privilege to train a horse like that. He won 13 Grade 1s and never once ran in a handicap.

Moscow Flyer, now 21, is based at the Irish National Stud where he is an equine ambassador for the Irish Horse Welfare Trust. Is he still very popular and do you ever get to visit him?

Everyone wants to go and see him. He was meant to parade on Champions’ Day at the Curragh but unfortunately he had a stone bruise and didn’t make it. A lot of people see

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Feb_126_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:21 Page 38

JESSICA HARRINGTON

GEORGE SELWYN

more than England, racing is a far more maledominated business. We don’t have a female starter here, or a clerk of the scales, or a stipendiary steward, or a clerk of the course. I am always laughing about the situation. But Liz Doyle is doing very well training National Hunt horses and Joanna Morgan [who recently announced her retirement] had a winner at Ascot.

The brilliant Moscow Flyer is now enjoying his retirement at the Irish National Stud

>> him, he loves being there and they look after him wonderfully well. He’s at the Irish National Stud with Beef Or Salmon, Kicking King, Hardy Eustace and Rite Of Passage. I am on the board of the Irish National Stud and love going to see them all – my grandchildren love going to see Moscow Flyer in particular.

Is your bargain buy Jack Naylor a genuine Classic contender this year?

Yes, I think she is. I know she started from humble beginnings but she won a Group 3 and a Listed race with a penalty. She ran well enough in the Marcel Boussac in France where they didn’t go quick enough for her. If anything she’s an Oaks filly, not very big but very strong.

We might even run her in the English Guineas because if she ran here in any of the trials she’d have to carry a penalty. We’ll just see what the spring brings. We’ve also got other nice fillies, Lola Beaux, Bocca Baciata and Jeanne Girl.

What do you see as the basic difference between racing in Ireland and England?

Ireland is very competitive. To win a maiden hurdle here you have to have a horse that’s going to end up being rated over 110-112. I have a horse rated 116 and he hasn’t won a maiden hurdle yet. That’s how competitive it is and that’s good because it makes us get off our backsides and try to do better. We all take each other on in races; we don’t have the choice of a lot of races like you do in England so we can’t keep avoiding each other.

Very few of our top horses run in handicaps because we have a good programme of condition races. It’s not worth going to England unless it’s for a big race because you are running for so little money. Of course, you’d take a mare over for a suitable opportunity if you want to get a bracket for her. Our basic

38

prize-money is due to go up another €1,000 so we won’t have a race worth less than €7,500.

What change in Irish racing in recent years has had the biggest impact on the sport?

Basically the recession has reduced the number of horses. At the peak of the Celtic Tiger there were something like 12,000 foals produced a year and now we’re down to about 7,500. If we can maintain the bottom end of the prizemoney the smaller trainers, jockeys, agents, valets and stable staff will get a bite of the cherry, albeit a small one. Of course, we must keep the top end up to maintain our international status. In England they overload the top end and forget about the bread and butter. It’s the bread and butter that buys the cheap horses and looks after the small owner, which is important.

You are a mainstay in the top ten trainers’ table in Ireland but very few other women have made a similar breakthrough. Why is that?

I see myself as being very lucky. In Ireland,

Is Willie Mullins’s domination of the NH game in Ireland a good or bad thing?

I look at it as a challenge to get better. I agree with what Gordon Elliott said recently: instead of moaning about Willie Mullins just go out there and try and improve yourself. Aidan O’Brien dominates the Flat because he is being sent the best horses every year, but there are lots of other trainers having success on the Flat, and a lot of good young trainers both on the Flat and National Hunt. If you can’t compete you just chip away or even find something else to do. To me, Willie is a challenge.

The big debate in Britain currently concerns small fields, caused by a decline in the horse population and an increase in the number of races. Do you have the opposite problem in Ireland, too many horses and not enough races?

We have enough racing for our population.

Though we do suffer a bit from small fields in some of the condition races and we are trying to address that with some new novice condition races for horses that haven’t got a rating above a certain mark. Some good initiatives have been introduced here and they seem to be working.

Recently we had two maiden hurdles with 30 runners in each, and that makes for competitive racing.

Which racing moment do you treasure most, and why?

When Moscow Flyer regained the Champion Chase as a ten-year-old in 2005. A number of people didn’t think he could win it again at his age. It meant a lot to all of us when he did.

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL

Best advice I’ve been given… never be afraid of one horse in a race

One horse outside Commonstown I’d love to have trained… Australia

Four people for dinner… my children Kate, Emma, James and Tara

My hero is… Vincent O’Brien

The most overrated thing is…

Sunday newspapers Favourite holiday Bordeaux, France

destination…

I relax by… mowing the lawn

Biggest lesson I’ve learnt… never give in Best horse I’ve seen… Frankel Race I would most like to win… the Gold Cup, Grand National and a Classic

ITM OB Feb 2015 f-p_ITM OB Feb 2015 f-p 13/01/2015 11:16 Page 1

Feb_126_MartinBroughton_v3_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:25 Page 40

Smoking hot: Sir Martin Broughton has enjoyed a tremendous run on the track with star chaser Dodging Bullets, the winner of two Grade 1s and heading for the Queen Mother Champion Chase

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_MartinBroughton_v3_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:25 Page 41

THE BIG INTERVIEW SIR MARTIN BROUGHTON

Flying HIGH Sir Martin Broughton has experienced it all during a career that has seen him run some of Britain’s biggest firms, as well as the BHB, but now he has more time to enjoy his horses, like Festival-bound duo Taquin Du Seuil and Dodging Bullets Words Alan Lee

GEORGE SELWYN

A

decade ago, Sir Martin Broughton was the leader of British racing, at the helm and battling a storm he had unwittingly inherited. He has hardly been idle since. Aside from his ten-year day job as the boss of British Airways, he was briefly Chairman of Liverpool FC and almost bought the Tote. Now, in semiretirement, he owns two of the finest steeplechasers in the land.

Listed in this way, it seems too hectic a midlife for anyone, let alone such an unassuming man. Broughton, 67, is not at all the ruthless, combative type. He was not born into money or power and he has not embraced their familiar characteristics. His manner is ruminative, almost gentle, his approach is to unify rather than divide. In this sense, at least, he offers a stark contrast to his predecessor as Chairman of what was then the British Horseracing Board.

You will not, however, find Broughton casting stones, verbal or otherwise. He describes Peter Savill as “a brilliant man” and still mourns the fact that his meticulously planned remedy for the funding of British racing was sabotaged by a European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision that still seems perverse to this day. Broughton also regrets, though is not surprised, that racing has yet to effect an alternative replacement for the levy, ten years on.

“Peter knew more about racing than the rest of the board put together,” Broughton says. “He was a total student, had every fact at his fingertips. He came up with a good solution, based on data, one that would have solved racing’s problems. It was thrown out for what I would call corrupt reasons.”

Few are better qualified to pass such judgement, for Broughton was thrust into the

very heart of the matter when Savill’s apparently rich legacy was bankrupted overnight in November 2004. With passing years, it is easy to forget the scale of the crisis for the sport.

Understandably, Broughton cannot forget.

We are talking in the tea-room of a London hotel, a pianist tinkling over the quiet buzz of late-afternoon chatter. On a bracing January day, Broughton has walked from the Regent Street office of his latest venture, Sports Investment Partners, and now he is relaxing over a pot of fresh mint tea and reminiscing. If he has spoken more openly about those harrowing days, I have never heard it.

“I’d been on the board for four years, working closely with Peter on his ‘Modernisation’ project,” he continues. “When I took over, I saw my role as implementing it – I certainly didn’t realise I’d be spending my time in court. It was such a shock, because we had won the right to implement the plan at every stage – even the advocate general stage of the ECJ. The problem was how it would apply to football pools.

“The Germans, Portuguese and Greeks objected because the state ran their pools, and didn’t like it. It was an entirely political decision, to suit those governments, and we had no right to appeal. I’d say we are revisiting it now – the ‘racing right’ is different, but a similar principle.

It has taken a long time but our legal advice back then was that it might take ten years.”

Shamefully, there was no shortage of folk, some deeply embedded in racing, who relished laying the blame on Savill to sully his legacy.

This still saddens Broughton now. “Peter had his faults,” he says. “He wanted to win every battle, rather than focus on the ones he needed to win, so he created enemies unnecessarily. When it

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Feb_126_MartinBroughton_v3_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:26 Page 42

GEORGE SELWYN

SIR MARTIN BROUGHTON

Taquin Du Seuil and AP McCoy give owners Martin Broughton and friends a Grade 1 victory at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival

>> went wrong, there were people happy to blow

his reputation. That was unfair, unjust.”

He recalls vividly the mood of the BHB board in the days that followed that seismic judgement. “A few members were quite nervous,” he says, with heavy understatement and raised eyebrow. “We were already getting claims from Irish bookmakers, who had paid us £32 million under the new structure and wanted their money back. We only had £1m, as we’d spent the other £31m.

“It was here that my background in the tobacco industry was quite helpful. I’d been in court often in America, and lost one case for 17 billion dollars – but we knew we would win it on appeal. I was able to relax, tell the other directors we would sit tight and fight our way through it. In the end, we didn’t pay any of that money, but it was quite a harrowing time.”

Broughton stayed as Chairman for four years and is blunt about the frustrations. “So much time was spent fire-fighting,” he says. “Contrary to the original idea, the BHB was structured not to work. Each of the individual directors were perfectly rational people but they came to meetings mandated to protect territories, rather than represent racing. Once they’d got the board papers, the ROA, RCA or whoever, would have

42

their own meetings in advance and instruct their delegate as to what they wanted – no matter if it was in the best interests of racing. Board members didn’t act as they should have done.

“My legacy was to merge it with the HRA and get all the vested interests off the board. It took

“We were favourites

to buy the Tote but Jeremy Hunt went out of his way to make sure we didn’t get it” a while, because it was asking turkeys to vote for Christmas and there was a sense around the table that I was trying to expand my role. So I told them I was happy to stand down at the same time and have a new Chairman and Chief Executive [of what became the BHA]. Once they heard that, it became a lot easier.”

Broughton has never been tempted to return to racing politics and doubts there is a role that

could match up to the one he held. Nor does he make a habit of commenting on recent leaderships. “Once you’ve stood down from something, you shouldn’t hover over the shoulders of your successors,” he says. “If you comment at all, any absence of a positive becomes a negative.

“But one thing I did feel important, before I left, was that there should be a Chairman’s Committee, with representation from the horsemen and the racecourses so that they felt involved in the process. It’s never been clear to me that this has worked as well as I planned it, so I’m pleased to hear of the tripartite structure, which is a similar idea.”

Leaving the embattlement of racing board rooms did not mean Broughton turned away from the sport. It has been quite the opposite and, since his work commitments slackened after British Airways was merged into a new structure, he has been able to enjoy his ownership even more.

There was, though, another diversion, which blended his business acumen with his sporting passion. “When the Tote was being privatised, we had just started Sports Investment Partners and it seemed right up our street,” he says. “It’s a company I run with my son and three others.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_MartinBroughton_v3_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:26 Page 43

SIR MARTIN BROUGHTON We find things to invest in, find investors and put the two together. At the time, there were about 15 bidders for the Tote and we were the outsider of the field. But we got through to the last two and, eventually, it was a big disappointment. In my view, racing would be better off if we had won.”

Broughton’s analysis of why his consortium lost out to Fred Done and Betfred is revealing.

He says: “We were favourites by then and Fred actually went into the BHA on the morning of the decision, asking what he’d done wrong and why he wasn’t going to get it!

“I misjudged a number of things. Although it was being sold by Jeremy Hunt and DCMS, I thought the ultimate decision would be made by the Treasury and George Osborne. I thought DCMS would support racing, which wanted us to win, but that Osborne would go for the money. I got it all wrong. We had offered more money, Osborne supported us but Hunt supported Fred and produced an arcane legal opinion that showed in certain, unlikely circumstances, that our bid might infringe state

subsidy laws. It was a contorted scenario that he had never checked out with us. I’ve never discovered why, but Jeremy Hunt went out of his way to make sure we didn’t get it.”

Broughton is not a man prone to bitterness. “I see no point in brooding over setbacks,” he says.

“I’m quite good at shrugging my shoulders and moving on.” His courtship of the Tote, however, was neatly ironic, given that his racing interest was first piqued by a Christmas present of the board game, Totopoly.

“My twin brother Steve and I were given a board game every Christmas and I think we were 12 when we got Totopoly,” he says. “We were interested but thought it was a pretty feeble game and needed sophisticating. We started reading the racing pages of the News Chronicle and then began producing racecards, championships and newspaper reports to go with the game. It was the full works.

“By the time we actually went to our first race meeting – it was an August Bank Holiday at Epsom when we were 16 – we thought we knew everything there was to know.”

As a lifelong Chelsea fan, it was a curious experience for Sir Martin Broughton to emerge from the High Court, in 2010, and find himself cheered by Liverpool supporters as the Chairman who had saved their club.

Broughton had taken on the role, “purely as a business transaction”, to effect the removal of Liverpool’s then owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and the sale of the club. “It all became much more public than I’d anticipated,” he says. “The Chairman is usually a grey suit who gets very little recognition, yet I was regularly being stopped in the street.”

This came with its personal challenges.

Broughton has followed Chelsea since he first went with his father aged seven. He says: “The first year I went, Chelsea won the league. It seemed so easy and I had no idea it would take 50 years for them to win it again. But 60 years on, I’m still going.

“I sit in the Matthew Harding Stand and see the same gang every week. It took most of them a while to twig it was me who had taken on the Liverpool role, but then they ribbed me endlessly.

“Sod’s law struck and the second home game for Liverpool was Chelsea. I thought about it and put a note in the programme, explaining I couldn’t change allegiance overnight and I didn’t want to be there, as Liverpool’s Chairman, supporting Chelsea, so I’d watch from home. That went down well. They recognised the honesty of it.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

PA IMAGES

Chairman thrust into spotlight by court battle

Sir Martin is cheered by Liverpool supporters after emerging from court in 2010

Broughton spent only six months at Anfield and is now happily back at Stamford Bridge. “I’ve never been asked to take a role at Chelsea but the job I would have liked – and was asked to do – was to chair the Premier League,” he reveals.

“I regard the FA as designed to fail, so I

had no interest in that, but I had seen how the Premier League worked during my Liverpool time and I would have enjoyed it. I declined because I saw the League as a potential client of Sports Investment Partners and that would have created a conflict of interest.”

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Feb_126_MartinBroughton_v3_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 19:26 Page 44

BILL SELWYN

SIR MARTIN BROUGHTON

Dodging Bullets captures the first of two Grade 1 wins this season in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December

>>

Broughton grew up in post-war west London.

His father had a mild interest in racing and a greater one in football. “He wasn’t a gambler but I do remember one day he had a bet,” says Broughton. “It was the Grand National of 1956 and we listened to it on the radio. Everyone remembers it for Devon Loch’s collapse but very few remember the name of the winner – ESB, which were my father’s initials!

“He was disabled and had been in hospital from the age of 11 to 18, so he didn’t get much of an education. His job was repairing the interiors of cars. In those days, instead of getting a new one, most people got the seats re-covered, and that’s what he did.”

Broughton went to grammar school but his A-Level grades were inadequate for university.

“Neither I nor my parents had given much thought to what I’d do but I was numerate and a friend of the family worked in the Civil Service, so I told the careers advisory officer I was thinking of joining the Civil Service tax department,” he says. “He persuaded me I should work to be a chartered accountant but when I told my father, he sucked in his breath and said, ‘No-one wants to know a failed

44

chartered accountant.’”

Accountancy, though, took Broughton steadily to the upper echelons of the business community. He spent 11 years as Chairman and Chief Executive of British American Tobacco, despite being an avowed non-smoker.

“I’m getting to see

more of the horses now but I still have an issue with cost and the poor return rate” “I was clear about that and I think it helped in a sensitive time,” he says. “I took the public stance that we didn’t ask anyone to smoke but, if they were going to, they should smoke our brand.”

He says he would like to think that this “positioning of BAT as the responsible tobacco

company” contributed to his 2011 knighthood.

“But I suspect I got it for my time as President of the CBI,” he suggests. “It did mean a lot. I was glad of the recognition.”

He wears it so lightly, though, that most of his horses still run under the tag ‘Martin Broughton and friends’, a gathering that usually includes brother Steve. Taquin Du Seuil and Dodging Bullets have each won landmark Grade 1 races in the past year, the latter taking the prized scalp of Sprinter Sacre at Ascot on January 17.

Previously, he housed all his horses with Henrietta Knight, who trained him 60 winners, but now he spreads them among five trainers.

“Taquin winning at Cheltenham last year was a huge thrill,” he says. “I’d never had a Festival winner before. But then Dodging Bullets won the Tingle Creek and that was special, too.”

He adds: “I’m getting to see the horses more now but I still have an issue with cost. I don’t have a problem with ownership being a luxury item, just the same as playing golf or owning a boat. I do have a problem with percentages.

There is a 23% return rate now. Getting that up to 50% might be a major achievement but, actually, it would be an acceptable position.”

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Feb_126_Overbury_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 15:23 Page 48

OVERBURY STUD

Coming

OF AGE Currently enjoying his best season to date, Britain’s champion National Hunt sire Kayf Tara turned 21 in January and has spent his entire career at Overbury Stud, where he has recently been joined by some exciting young stallions Words and photos Emma Berry

P

aying a visit to the stallion yard at Overbury Stud and not paying homage to Kayf Tara in the corner box he has inhabited since his retirement from racing is simply unthinkable.

Stallions have come and gone in the 15 years in which Simon Sweeting and his team have developed the operation into a thriving concern, but throughout that time one horse has lent consistency, which is now being rewarded with a constant stream of winners.

At the age of 21, and well on his way to a sixth champion British National Hunt sire title, Kayf Tara still does not look too far removed

from the tremendous athlete he was in his racing days, during which time he collected two Ascot Gold Cups and two Irish St Legers among his ten victories for Godolphin. Little wonder then that Sheikh Mohammed was keen to retain his staying star, even though his profile didn’t secure him a place in the stallion barn at Dalham Hall Stud.

“I owe him everything really,” says Sweeting, who is not one given to overt displays of emotion but who clearly adores the horse who has helped to put his stud on the map.

“Horses like him are very few and far between. He came at the right time and

Two-year-old stores, with a Kayf Tara filly ex Welsh National winner L’Aventure, right

48

everything just worked. I’m very lucky that Sheikh Mohammed let us have him. John [Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor] said to me, ‘If you can find a stud you can have a stallion’.

“He was our first stallion. The whole thing started with him. The stud was available, the horse was retiring – he was the first animal that came here. It was pretty extraordinary that John decided to do that. I’ve still no idea why but it’s worked out well.”

With fellow sons of Sadler’s Wells – Old Vic and King’s Theatre – having gone on to carve successful jumps stallion careers in Ireland after being sold by Sheikh Mohammed, the decision to keep Kayf Tara was a welcome one for British NH breeders. King’s Theatre still rules the jumps table more than three years after his death and, while Kayf Tara’s home in England means he struggles to compete with his Irish counterparts numerically, he has carved a dependable niche through the opportunities presented to him, which has seen his offspring winning major races on both sides of the Irish Sea this season.

The uphill struggle of standing a jumps stallion in Britain – even a successful one – is exemplified by the fact that even in the year that Kayf Tara became the first British-based sire to pass £1 million in progeny earnings, he covered ‘only’ 155 mares, while 15 stallions in Ireland covered that number or more, with the country’s busiest stallion, Getaway, almost doubling that tally on 304.

Leading the way on the track this year for Kayf Tara is the Heather Calzini-bred dual Grade 1 winner Lieutenant Colonel, one of the THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Kayf Tara and Dan Matty stride out at Overbury Stud

Feb_126_Overbury_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 15:23 Page 50

OVERBURY STUD

Simon Sweeting will be assisted through a busy season by new recruit Sam Hoskins

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stars of the all-powerful Gigginstown House Stud operation, while previous Aintree Grade 1 winner Special Tiara had spectators gasping at his flamboyant round of jumping when winning the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas. Other black-type winners by the stallion during his recent purple patch include Hawkes Point, Tea For Two and Blaklion, and two horses which will have particularly pleased the TBA’s National Hunt Committee are the Listed-winning mares Tara Point and Lifeboat Mona.

Sweeting says: “It’s tremendous to see what Kayf Tara is achieving at the moment, though

“I owe Kayf Tara

everything. He was our first stallion, the whole thing started with him” obviously it’s quite a large remove from when we were doing the work to get some of the better mares in, as jumpers take so much longer to come to hand. But there’s a great sense of pride and we’re just so pleased for the horse himself. It’s great to watch it happening and it’s also great that he’s still about as not all stallions are still operating at the age of 21.”

Sweeting, who grew up in Oxfordshire on his family’s Conduit Farm Stud, is steeped in the bloodstock business and, despite his own fondness for the winter game, is quick to point to the dual element of Overbury Stud. Though not far from Cheltenham, which many would consider to be the spiritual home of jump racing, there is now a far greater Flat influence

50

at the farm, courtesy of its current line-up of youngsters Delegator, Cityscape and new boys Kuroshio and Dunaden. Keeping Kayf Tara company on the jumps side is Schiaparelli, by growing National Hunt influence Monsun and closely related to Lanwades’ new stallion Sea The Moon.

Sweeting adds: “Schiaparelli is from one of the best families operating at the moment, but his eldest are three-year-olds so it will be at least 18 months before he has a serious amount of runners and that’s a long old way away. You just have to be very patient.

“Although obviously we have the National Hunt stallions and that’s what we’re known for, we’ve actually had far more Flat stallions over the years. Bertolini was European champion first-season sire when he was here.

“There’s a jumping feel to the area and we happen to have a very good National Hunt stallion, but we’re only three hours in a horsebox from Newmarket, and there are more and more Flat studs in the area, with David [Redvers] leading the way at Tweenhills.

“What would be great is if more boarding studs would spring up as that’s what we’re desperately short of around here – it would take some pressure off the stallion studs.”

The next few seasons promise to be both busy and potentially exciting for the Overbury team thanks to the recent influx of stallions.

Delegator’s first yearlings will hit the sales in the autumn, while Cityscape, who is owned in partnership by Sweeting and Steven Smith, has his first foals on the ground this spring.

It has been known since last summer that treble Group 1 winner Dunaden would be

joining the fold from Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing team, but the Darley stallion Kuroshio, a sprinting son of successful shuttler Exceed And Excel, was such a late signing that he doesn’t appear in any of this year’s stallion books. That said, Sweeting is confident of matching the tally of around 100 mares the dark brown five-yearold covered during his first season in Australia.

“It was [Darley’s] Jono Mills’s idea for Kuroshio to come here and he thought he should have a chance,” Sweeting explains.

“There’s only one other son of Exceed And Excel standing in England and to my mind, Exceed And Excel should be what every commercial breeder wants – he has that precocious speed and he’s by a very good stallion.

“If Kuroshio can produce animals who look like he does, he’s absolutely nailed on for Doncaster and that’s a great market now. This horse has a very northern hemisphere bloodline anyway, being out of a Gone West daughter of Grade 1 winner November Snow, who is by Storm Cat. We’ve had a good response to him so far and I’ll be very disappointed if he doesn’t cover a good book of mares.”

That responsibility falls in part now to Sam Hoskins, who is well known to many in the industry via his various roles with Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, Hot To Trot Racing, and as a TBA board member and Chairman of

Schiaparelli, by Monsun out of the famed German matriarch Sacarina, who is the grandam of Sea The Moon

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HORSERAIL

Lucinda Russell ~ ‘We have recently installed another order of Horserail and once again it has exceeded our expectations. It was quick and easy to install, very cost effective, looks great and most importantly provides a secure and safe fence’

Charlie Longsdon ~ ‘Horserail looks fantastic and certainly does its job.

It is hard wearing and I would recommend to anyone’

Noel Meade ~ ‘I am extremely happy with Horserail. I will never put up timber post and rail again’

OWNER BREEDER.indd 1

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OVERBURY STUD

In the dying years of the 19th century, the Duke of Portland went to the considerable effort, not to mention expense, of importing one of Australia’s greatest racing heroes to England. The horse in question was the 1890 Melbourne Cup winner Carbine, who sired two Victoria Derby winners before leaving his homeland for Wellbeck Abbey Stud, where he stood alongside another formidable name in the annals of the turf, St Simon.

Carbine made his mark in the northern hemisphere, too, siring 1906 Derby winner Spearmint, who in turn would sire the 1920 winner Spion Kop, himself the sire of Felstead, hero of the 1928 Derby. Not until the Blue Riband triumphs of Mill Reef (1971), his son Shirley Heights (1978) and grandson Slip Anchor (1985) would this feat be repeated, though with Galileo having already sired three Derby-winning sons, it seems likely it will be achieved again before too long.

Though emulating Carbine’s legacy is a tall order, Overbury’s new recruit, Dunaden, will not fail for lack of positive thinking by his enthusiastic owner, Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, as he becomes only the second Melbourne Cup winner ever to stand at stud in England.

Simon Sweeting explains the background to Dunaden joining Overbury Stud, revealing: “While I was at Tweenhills a few

Dunaden ‘deserves his chance at stud’

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the NGC Committee. Hoskins has added to his CV by agreeing to assist Sweeting with nomination sales for the Overbury stallions.

Sweeting says: “With more stallions on the roster I needed some extra help and it was a case of finding the right person. Sam just seemed to fit the bill really well.

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ROUCH WILMOT LIBRARY

‘Dunaden’s not just a horse, he’s part of my family’

1890 Melbourne Cup winner Carbine sired Derby winners in Australia and England

years ago looking at Harbour Watch, I asked David Redvers what he planned to do with Dunaden, who had just won the Melbourne Cup, but as it turned out was some way off retiring. David said then that he hoped he would stand at Overbury.

“Later we heard that Sheikh Fahad had bought Longholes Stud in Newmarket so I thought Dunaden might stand there, but last July David rang to ask if I’d take the horse.

“It was very clear that they wanted to promote him as a Flat stallion, so Jocelyn Targett and I sat down and came up with a few ideas to help that aim and Sheikh Fahad liked the idea of the equivalent of the French premiums.”

The Dunaden Breeders’ Club – which rewards owners of two- and three-year-old winners by the stallion with a 64% supplement of their prize-money, while the winning breeder receives a 15% bonus – was launched. To add a little extra spice to the intriguing incentive, the breeder of a stakes winner at two or three from Dunaden’s first crop will receive a one-off £25,000 prize.

“We’re delighted with how Dunaden and the incentives have been received,” says Sweeting. “The way things look at the moment, he should cover just north of 100

“He is very well-liked and will be representing the stud. Even though he’s not a full-time employee, hopefully over time people will come to associate him with Overbury.

“Sam will also be going out to visit breeders and to look at foals by our stallions, which I don’t really have the time to do so much of now.

mares this season, and a good mix of mares at that – some sprinters, some stayers, and some black-type horses in there as well.

“All Sheikh Fahad wants for him is the chance to prove that he can make it as a stallion.”

Sheikh Fahad himself has taken to film on the Overbury website, echoing Sweeting’s words when he says his aim is for Dunaden to be “the greatest stallion possible”.

Describing his Melbourne Cup experience as “one of the most thrilling days of my life”, he goes on to say: “I’ll be supporting Dunaden myself – I’ve been buying mares to send to him and I can’t wait to see his first foals. He deserves to take his chance at stud. He’s not just a horse to me, he’s part of my family.”

Plenty of stallions have failed simply through lack of support and, while only time will tell if Dunaden can live up to the hopes placed upon him, the winner of ten races, including three Group 1 contests, and more than £5 million in prize-money will at least have been given the opportunity warranted by this fine record. And, in these days of craven commercialism, few can argue with an owner’s refreshingly heartfelt desire simply to do right by a horse who has done right by him.

I’m sure he’ll be a huge asset.”

He adds: “It’s nice to have first-season sires as they tend to be busy, but while we’re waiting for their first runners to make it to the track at least we have Kayf Tara to fly the flag for us.”

It’s a job the old boy has done admirably over the years. Long may it continue to fly high.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

STALLIONS 2015 TORONADO W by High Chaparral - Wana Doo

NE

FEE: £15,000 1st Oct SLF

GREGORIAN

W NE

by Clodovil - Three Days In May FEE: £4,500 1st Oct SLF

BAHAMIAN BOUNTY

by Cadeaux Genereux - Clarentia FEE: £8,500 1st Oct SLF

DICK TURPIN

by Arakan - Merrily FEE: £4,000 1st Oct SLF

PASTORAL PURSUITS

by Bahamian Bounty - Star FEE: £4,000 1st Oct SLF

Undefeated Gr.2 winning 2yo European Champion 3yo Gr.1 Qipco Sussex Stks, Gr.1 Queen Anne Stks

3 time Group winner 4 times Gr.1 placed Defeated 15 Gr.1 winners

Yearling average of 57,777gns in Books 1 and 2 of 2014 Tattersalls October Sale Sire of over 50 Stakes performers

Top yearlings sold for 70,000gns in 2014 and achieved averages of over 57,000gns First crop of 2YO runners in 2015

17 individual 2yo winners and a winners/runners strike rate of 45% (GB/IRE 2yos of 2014) Sire of 8 Stakes performers in 2014

2015 WWW.NATIONALSTUD.CO.UK NOMINATION BOOKINGS:

Brian O’Rourke: 07789 508157 | Rob Stapleton: 07717 558766 Amy Taylor: 01638 675929 or 07872 058295 or email stallions@nationalstud.co.uk

THE YOUNG GUNS The most recent recruits to the RED ARMY

New for 2015

First foals 2015

GARSWOOD

INTELLO

£7,000

£25,000

By Dutch Art ex Penchant (Kyllachy)

By Galileo ex Impressionnante (Danehill)

Group 1 winning sprinter by DUTCH ART

Classic-winning Champion 3yo in France

A Stakes winner at 2, 3 and 4 years, including the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and Gr.2 Lennox Stakes.

“The fastest horse I’ve ever trained.” – Richard Fahey.

Won 6 races, including the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club.

Also placed Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains; Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois and Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

His dam is half sister to Gr.3 winner and dual Gr.1 placed INFALLIBLE.

His Gr.2 winning and Gr.1 Classic placed dam is from the family of DUBAI MILLENNIUM.

First foals 2015

LETHAL FORCE £10,000

First yearlings 2015

MAYSON £6,000

By Dark Angel ex Land Army (Desert Style)

By Invincible Spirit ex Mayleaf (Pivotal)

The fastest horse ever over 6f at Newmarket

Highest rated sprinting son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT

Won the Gr.1 July Cup (in record time), Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Also 2nd Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest.

5-length winner of the Gr.1 July Cup and only beaten a neck in the Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp.

Defeated 7 other Gr.1 winners, including SOLE POWER, SEPOY and SOCIETY ROCK.

By DARK ANGEL (a leading Group sire in 2014) from the immediate family of Gr.1 winners G FORCE (Sprint Cup, 2014) and FLOTILLA (Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches).

By the sire of KINGMAN and leading sires LAWMAN and I AM INVINCIBLE.

Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DD Tel: (01638) 730316 • Fax: (01638) 730868 • enquiries@cheveleypark.co.uk • www.cheveleypark.co.uk

CheveleyRoster_OwnerBreeder_Feb15.indd 1

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Feb_126_StallionsParade_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:05 Page 55

TBA STALLION PARADE

Bigger and

BETTER Fifteen stallions will strut their stuff at the TBA Parade at Tattersalls’ February Sale, giving breeders the chance to view both established sires and new recruits in the flesh

T

he TBA Stallion Parade, which precedes Tattersalls’ February Sale at Park Paddocks, has become an established fixture in the bloodstock year. This year’s parade will be the biggest yet, with 15 stallions available for inspection. Nine of these are first-season sires, for whom the opportunity to impress breeders with their physique is particularly important.

The show begins at 10am on Thursday, February 5, with each stallion set to parade in the auditorium, and commentary provided by Channel 4 Racing presenter Gina Harding and TBA Next Generation Committee stalwart Matt Prior. The stallions will be available for closer inspection afterwards as they will be stabled in the Further Paddock, where breeders will have

the opportunity to discuss the horses with their connections.

The TBA will be offering refreshments to members and their guests in its new hospitality area in the Sale Ring Bar. Of the nine first-season sires present, one is not strictly a new stallion: Darley’s Australian recruit Kuroshio has recently arrived in the UK after covering his first southern hemisphere book at Northwood Park Stud in Victoria. He was understandably popular there, having been one of the most precocious two-year-olds in Melbourne in the 2012/13 season (when he twice scored at stakes level) before training on to win a Group 3 weight-for-age race over five furlongs at Moonee Valley as a spring three-yearold in September 2013. >>

Stallions on show Albaasil (2008, Dansili ex Wrong Key), Longdon Stud, £1,750 Burwaaz (2009, Exceed And Excel ex Nidhaal), Hedgeholme Stud, £2,500 Coach House (2011, Oasis Dream ex Lesson In Humility), Bucklands Farm and Stud, £3,000 Dick Turpin (2007, Arakan ex Merrily), National Stud, £4,000 Dunaden (2006, Nicobar ex La Marlia), Overbury Stud, £3,000 Equiano (2005, Acclamation ex Entente Cordiale), Newsells Park Stud, £8,000 Garswood (2010, Dutch Art ex Penchant), Cheveley Park Stud, £7,000 Gregorian (2009, Clodovil ex Three Days In May), National Stud, £4,500 Heeraat (2009, Dark Angel ex Thawrah), Mickley Stud, £4,000 Kuroshio (2010, Exceed And Excel ex Arctic Drift), Overbury Stud, £3,500 Mazameer (2010, Green Desert ex Straight Miss), Herringswell Manor Stud, £3,000 Mount Nelson (2004, Rock Of Gibraltar ex Independence), Newsells Park Stud, £6,000 Sixties Icon (2003, Galileo ex Love Divine), Norman Court Stud, £6,000 Sun Central (2009, Galileo ex Bordighera), Elusive Bloodstock, £2,000 Swiss Spirit (2009, Invincible Spirit ex Swiss Lake), Whitsbury Manor Stud, £4,500

Clodovil’s son Gregorian is proving a popular addition to the National Stud for 2015

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_126_StallionsParade_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:06 Page 56

Kuroshio has just covered his first book of mares in Australia and joins Overbury Stud

“Longdon Stud’s

Albaasil bids to enhance the reputation of Dansili as a sire of sires”

GEORGE SELWYN

Kuroshio comes to the parade from his European home at Overbury Stud, along with another horse with good Australian victories on this CV: Dunaden, winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2011 and the following year’s Caulfield Cup. These horses are discussed further in the feature on Overbury Stud (pages 48-52).

Another stud sending two stallions to the parade is Newsells Park, whose representatives are Mount Nelson and Equiano. These two will already be familiar to most observers, as are some of their offspring: Mount Nelson’s winners last year included Berkshire, Volume and Purr Along, while Equiano’s first batch of juveniles contained the Group 3 winner Dark Reckoning.

While Mount Nelson and Equiano have only a short run up the A505 to get to Park Paddocks from their home near Royston, the National Stud’s pair have an even shorter journey, Dick Turpin and Gregorian coming into town from their quarters alongside the July Course.

Dick Turpin, though, has already done his fair share of travelling recently, having just returned from a dual-hemisphere stint at Mungrup Stud in Western Australia, where this dual Group 1 winner has proved very popular.

Gregorian, too, is a well-travelled horse, the fast son of Clodovil having made plenty of trips to the continent from John Gosden’s stable during his successful four-season racing career.

Another pair of sires at the parade are Mazameer and Burwaaz: although the young stallions do not stand at the same property, both are owned and managed by Herringswell Manor Stud proprietor Will Barrons, who stands Mazameer at home and has Burwaaz based in County Durham under Andrew Spalding’s care at Hedgeholme Stud.

Garswood is new to Cheveley Park Stud

TREVOR JONES

>>

JOHN REARDON/DARLEY

T B A S TA L L I O N PA R A D E

Equiano made a good start with his first two-year-olds in 2014

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Mazameer, a winner at both Group 3 and Listed level when trained by Freddy Head, showed plenty of speed in his races. Unsurprisingly he proved popular during his first season in 2014, when he was based at Throckmorton Court Stud; while the early indications are that Burwaaz, another horse who showed high-class two-year-old form when racing for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, is also likely to find favour with breeders looking for a cost-effective way of producing precocious stock. Burwaaz’s placings in both the Gimcrack and the Flying Childers provide plenty of encouragement, as does his pedigree: the son of Exceed And Excel hails from the Irish Lass family which has churned out so many top-class winners for Kilfrush Stud.

Two more former Sheikh Hamdan colourbearers at the parade are Albaasil and Heeraat. The former, who stands at Longdon Stud, recorded his best victory at Newmarket’s July Meeting in 2011 and now bids to enhance the reputation of Dansili as a sire of sires. Heeraat, a son of Dark Angel, did even better, relishing the fast ground to land a Group 3 sprint at Newbury as a four-year-old. He looks

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

>>

DICK TURPIN

FEE: £4,000 1st Oct SLF

OUTSTANDING FIRST YEARLINGS IN 2014

ex Mookhlesa (realised 70,000gns) Consignor: Woodtown House Stud, Ireland Purchaser: Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock

ex Valiantly (realised 70,000gns) Consignor: Carmel Stud Purchaser: Ricky PF Yiu

FIRST NORTHERN HEMISPHERE 2YO RUNNERS 2015 “The Dick Turpin two-year-olds we have in training have great temperaments, are sound and love to work. We’re really pleased with their ability and their attitudes.” Richard Fahey

“She is a very athletic filly who I like a lot, and she has a great temperament” Charlie Hills on Serial Sinner ’13, purchased for £25,000 at the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale

“Our Dick Turpin two-year-old is a really lovely athletic colt” Kevin Ryan on Whirly Dancer ‘13, purchased for £32,000 at the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale

2015 WWW.NATIONALSTUD.CO.UK NOMINATION BOOKINGS:

Brian O’Rourke: 07789 508157 | Rob Stapleton: 07717 558766 Amy Taylor: 01638 675929 or 07872 058295 or email stallions@nationalstud.co.uk

ownerbreeder ad pages 02.2015_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 01.2015 21/01/2015 09:51 Page 58

STALLIONS STANDING FOR 2015

DONCASTER ROVER

BURWAAZ

Bay 2009, by EXCEED AND EXCEL – NIDHAAL by OBSERVATORY Fee: £2,500

SEE HIM AT NEWMARKET NOW

Bay 2006, by WAR CHANT – REBRIDLED DREAMS, by UNBRIDLED’S SONG

Won Enderby Maiden S, 5f, Leicester, Fav by 2L, at 2.

2nd Gr.2 Flying Childers S, 5f, Doncaster, at 2, beaten a s/h, to Requinto, beating Lilbourne Lad (Gr.2), Caledonia Lady (Gr.3), Angels Will Fall (Gr.3), Kohala, My Propeller, Miss Lahar, etc.

2nd Gr.3 Molecomb S, 5f, Goodwood (in record time), to Requinto, beating Charles The Great (Gr.2), Miss Work Of Art, Pyman’s Theory, etc.

3rd Gr.2 Gimcrack S, 6f, york, at 2, to Caspar Netscher, beating Justineo, Reply, B Fifty Two, etc.

3rd L Pavilion S, 6f, Kempton, at 3, beating B Fifty Two, etc 3rd L King Richard III S, 7f, Leicester, at 4 to Producer (Gr.2), Aljamaarheer (Gr.2), beating Majestic Myles, etc.

MR MEDICI Gr.1 winner, tough and sound over several seasons

Tough and consistent multiple Stakes winner with solid Group form over several seasons

Won Gr.1

Champions and Chater Cup, 12f, Sha Tin, beating Viva Pataca (Gr.1 x 8), Packing Winner (Gr.1), Fat Choy Ichiban (Gr.1), Super Satin (Gr.1), Super Pistachio (Gr.2) and Uramazin (Gr.2).

Won Gr.3D Premier Plate, 9f, Sha Tin, with top weight, beating Bullish Cash (Gr.3), Jamesina (Gr.3), etc.

Won Gr.3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup, 12f, Sha Tin, beating Jamesina, Viva Macau (Gr.3), etc.

2nd Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy, 8f, Sha Tin, beating Viva Pataca, Beauty Flash (Gr.1), Sight Winner (Gr.1), Collection (Gr.1), Unique Jewellery (Gr.2), etc.

Won 5 races from 2 to 5 years, 5-7f, £206,654, and was placed 17 times, from 47 starts, 34 in Group/ Stakes company: Won LR City of York Stakes, 7f, York, beating Regal Parade (multiple Gr.1, at level weights), King Torus (Gr.2, rec. 3 lbs), Across The Rhine (Gr.3), etc.

Won LR Hopeful Stakes, 6f, Newmarket, beating Bated Breath (multiple Gr.2, rec. 3 lbs), Sir Gerry (Gr.2), etc.

Won LR Queensferry Stakes, 6f, Chester, beating Tournedos (Gr.3), etc.

Won Lily Agnes Stakes, 5f, Chester, at 2 years, beating Aspen Darlin (Gr.3), etc.

WESTLAKE

NEW

Bay 2005, MEDICEAN – WAY FOR LIFE (PLATINI) Fee: £1,250

Fee: £2,000

Bay 2004, by SADLER’S WELLS – RAINBOW LAKE, by RAINBOW QUEST Fee: On

Application

VERY CLOSE WINNING RELATION TO FRANKEL

Won 3 races at 3 years, £26,088, and was placed 3 times, all his starts.

Won conditions race, 12f, Listowel, beating Larkwing (Gr.3, recd 8 lbs), New Spirit (Stakes placed, recd 20 lbs).

Won maiden at Leopardstown, 12f, beating Captain Cee Bee (Gr.1 Supreme Novice Hurdle, Gr.1 Ryanair Chase, etc), Farmer Brown (Galway Hurdle, Grade One placed), Sesenta (Ebor Handicap).

2nd Maiden, Leopardstown, 12f, to Honolulu (Gr.2), btn ½ length.

HEDGEHOLME STUD WINSTON, DARLINGTON, CO. DURHAM DL2 3RS. Enquiries: ANDREW SPALDING • Telephone: 01325 730209 • Mobile: 079 90 518751 • Fax: 01325 730769 e-mail: andrew@hedgeholmestud.co.uk • www.hedgeholmestud.co.uk

NE W

COACH HOUSE OASIS DREAM EX LESSON IN HUMILITY

FO

R2

01

5

Precocious and fast 2yo 5f Stakes winner & Norfolk Stakes 2nd By a Champion sprinter and sire of 11 Gr.1 winners sire Showcasing From a top class precocious sprint family Out of a Gr.1 sprinter BUCKLANDS FARM & STUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE Roisin Close M: 07738 279071 W: www.bucklandsfarmandstud.co.uk Paul Thorman M: 07831 431556

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Stud Fee: £3,000 October 1st LFFR

“Coach House was a high class and precocious two-yearold whose career was cut short by injury”

Coach House breaks the juvenile course record at Royal Ascot when finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes Gr.2 to No Nay Never

Aidan O’Brien

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_StallionsParade_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 16:06 Page 59

T B A S TA L L I O N PA R A D E sure to sire some very fast horses from his base at Mickley Stud.

Similar comments apply to Swiss Spirit, who comes to the parade from Whitsbury Manor Stud, the historic Hampshire property which remains a rock-solid source of high-class sprinting stock.

Whitsbury Manor has been home to some terrific stallions in recent decades. The late Cadeaux Genereux was its patriarch for many years, having succeeded his own sire Young Generation. Compton Place is the stud’s current stalwart, while it unveiled a new star during the 2014 season in the shape of leading first-season sire Showcasing. Swiss Spirit, a son of Invincible Spirit from an excellent sprinting family, will bid to emulate Showcasing’s success when he has his first runners in 2017.

Bred and raced by Lordship Stud, Swiss Spirit will be joined at the parade by another of the stud’s protégés Sixties Icon, winner of the 2006 St Leger and based since 2009 at Norman Court Stud. By a Derby winner (Galileo) out of an Oaks winner (Love Divine), Sixties Icon is bred on the same formula which more recently has yielded Australia. His class is coming out in his offspring as he is already proven as a reliable sire of good winners of all ages across the distance spectrum. Norman Court Stud will offer a 25% discount with a ‘free filly return’ for all nominations sold and signed on the day.

The other son of Galileo at the parade is Sun Central, a Listed-winning half-brother to top-class winners George Washington and Grandera. In his racing days he showed honesty and consistency in winning five of his ten starts, and he should be a terrific flag-bearer for the

Will Barrons’ foundation stallion Mazameer stands at Herringswell Manor Stud

burgeoning Elusive Bloodstock operation.

Another upwardly mobile concern is Bucklands Farm and Stud, which sends the former Aidan O’Brien-trained Coach House to the parade. Runner-up to No Nay Never in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2013, Coach House showed both speed and precocity during his short racing career – which he was bred to do, being by Oasis Dream from the Group 3winning sprinter Lesson In Humility.

Garswood, who makes the short trip across

town to Park Paddocks from his base at Cheveley Park Stud, also possesses a lovely sprinting pedigree. He backed this up with some splendid performances on the track, most notably when taking the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in 2013 and the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last year. He is sure to attract plenty of interest at the parade – as will the other 14 sires available for inspection, all of whom have plenty to offer breeders.

GEORGE SELWYN

>>

Sun Central, a half-brother to George Washington, stands in Lincolnshire

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

59

WE DO THE RESEARCH YOU FEED IT BROODMARES & FOALS

STALLIONS Vitamin E has been linked to maintaining libido and semen quality in stallions.

In addition to this, one of the most important functions of Vitamin E in stallions is cell membrane protection.

Sperm motility is commonly used as an indicator of oxidative stress. Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, reacts with free radicals to protect the cell membranes and the fatty acids in those membranes that are crucial to fertilizing capacity.

Mares supplemented with Vitamin E have shown optimum passive transfer of antibodies to foals, which ensures the strength of the neonatal immune system. The antibody and colostrum concentrations of foals reflect those of their dams, with foals of supplemented mares showing increased levels in research studies. Mares known to have poor quality colostrum, or to be poor milkers, should be supplemented for a month pre and post foaling.

Stallions suffering sperm motility problems may benefit from supplementation with Nano-E™. Higher circulating levels of antioxidants may create an environment to support the survival of progressively motile sperm.

Mares can be supplemented with Nano-E leading up to covering, as evidence has shown that Vitamin E supplementation may aid fertility. Newborn foals may also benefit - this natural form is retained in tissues for longer periods of time, so can be used strategically during the breeding season.

DOSE RATES STALLIONS • Stallions during the breeding season 6 – 12 ml per day (1500 – 3000 iu)

Nano E - A more bioavailable and effective source of Vitamin E with accelerated absorption rates.

MARES

• Pregnant & lactating mares (late gestation & early lactation) 6 – 12 ml per day (1500 – 3000 iu)

FEED THE DIFFERENCE

FOALS

• Foals, including newborns 12 ml per day (3000 iu)

Please call a member of our dedicated specialist Thoroughbred team.

POLLY BONNOR Tel: +44 7973 802 210 CLARE AITKENHEAD Tel: +44 7714 768 250 OLIVIA YATES, KER Nutrition Advisor Tel: +44 7921 437952 or contact the Thoroughbred Office Tel: +44 (0) 1488 73 456 or visit www.saracenhorsefeeds.com/kerx-supplements-tb working with

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21/01/2015 09:43

Feb_126_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 21/01/2015 16:15 Page 61

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Sales Circuit: Galileo mare Up sells for $2.2 million at Keeneland January – pages 62-63 • The Caulfield Files: Fickle market means fluctuating numbers for stallions – pages 64-65 • Dr Statz: John Boyce highlights the emerging talents of the broodmare ranks – page 89

Plenty of cheer to start the new year D

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

stallion, Kayf Tara, who has notched seven black-type winners since the beginning of December and whose career at Overbury Stud is discussed on pages 48-52. As Overbury manager Simon Sweeting indicates, patience is key when it comes to establishing a National Hunt stallion, with the time lapse between attracting the best mares possible to the breeding shed and then seeing their runners on the racecourse often more than double that on the Flat.

Naturally, this means that by the time a stallion has earned respect and a decent following, he is usually in the twilight of his career. The last 12 months have seen the death of Mickley Stud’s Overbury and the retirement of Alflora at Shade Oak Stud. We must appreciate 21-year-old Kayf Tara and Midnight Legend, who is three years his senior, while we’re still fortunate enough to have them on active duty in this country.

Stallion choices still to be made By the middle of this month, the first mares will be arriving at covering sheds around the country. For those breeders still to settle on a stallion for their mare, a trip to Tattersalls on February 5 would be time well spent. The TBA has gathered the largest number of stallions yet for its annual parade, and among them will be nine stallions who are new to the

British ranks this year. The full line-up is featured on pages 55-59.

The parade comes hard on the heels of the ITM Stallion Trail in Ireland, which preceded France’s La Route des Etalons, on which it is based, by a week. The French initiative, in its sixth year, has grown consistently in its popularity. Its inception was brought about by a dearth of elite stallions in France at the time but the situation has improved greatly since then.

In 2010, the first year of ‘La Route’, both Kendargent and Le Havre had only just taken up residence at Haras de Colleville and Haras de la Cauvinière repsectively. The former stood initially for €1,000, while Le Havre, even after winning the Prix du Jockey Club, entered stud at a the very reasonable fee of €5,000. It’s a different story now, with a clutch of stakes winners for each horse meaning that their fees have risen to €18,000 and €20,000.

The addition of Australian champion Redoute’s Choice for two years, plus the rise of the Aga Khan’s Siyouni – who, with Le Havre, is the country’s most expensive stallion – and introduction of young sires such as Planteur, Olympic Glory and Anodin has seen a resurgence in the ranks which enables France to be on much more competitive terms with Britain and Ireland.

CAROLINE NORRIS

ecember and early January provided a plethora of Britishbred National Hunt black-type winners and, most notably, two Grade 1 winners in Ireland.

Only last month in this space we congratulated Bryan and Sandra Mayoh for the Listed victory of the young mare Lifeboat Mona but there were further celebrations to come just after Christmas via Sizing John, who landed the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. Sold just 24 hours before Lifeboat Mona at the Tattersalls Ireland November Sale of 2010, Sizing John has earned his breeders this month’s TBA award and more can be heard of the exploits of his dam La Perrotine, who featured at last summer’s TBA National Hunt Foal Show at Bangor alongside her Black Sam Bellamy filly, on page 80.

Sizing John also became the first top-level winner for his sire Midnight Legend, a stalwart of British jumps breeding during his stud career, producing such talented runners as Midnight Chase, Holmwood Legend and Seeyouatmidnight, as well as a decent array of good mares, including My Petra, Sparky May and Easter Legend.

The exploits of Lieutenant Colonel in 2013/14 were enough to secure his dam Agnese and breeder Heather Calzini the Dudgeon Cup at the 2014 TBA Awards.

Despite stiff competition from La Perrotine, Agnese has to be in the running to take the prize again after her son, who has just turned six, won back-to-back Grade 1 races in Ireland in November and December for Sandra Hughes. Another threat could come from Robert and Shirley Carter’s broodmare Gaelic Gold, the dam of gritty Grade 2 OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle winner Bitofapuzzle, who has had only one horse finish in front of her in six starts.

Lieutenant Colonel has been at the vanguard of a barnstorming run for the progeny of another consistent British jumps

Sizing John, left, and Lieutenant Colonel, took top honours in Ireland over Christmas

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Feb_126_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/01/2015 18:22 Page 62

SALES CIRCUIT

By EMMA BERRY, CARL EVANS AND SID FERNANDO

The highlight was Up but figures were down as the sales year got under way in Kentucky Galileo mare and her War Front yearling take star billing at Keeneland’s January Sale

Keeneland January Sale

KEENELAND

Observing the first sale of 2015 in America was like being in a jet – after roaring along the runway the plane surges into the air, then enters a disarming flat spot as the pilot eases off the throttle and the ascent levels out.

Yet Keeneland Vice-President of Sales Walt Robertson was not about to reach for his parachute after this four-day event, despite falls in all the key figures.

“Two years of strong increases followed by the consistent results we’ve experienced this year [2014] show the market is reaching stability,” he said. “The environment now creates buyer confidence and provides a foundation on which to build the future.”

Robertson was speaking after this mixed sale had cleared 75% of stock, with a 14% drop in aggregate, 7% decline in average and 20% median fall. Quality was the key word, as domestic buyers supported by those from overseas sifted through a large catalogue (albeit it had once peaked as a seven-day event), and it seemed empty mares were more popular than at the bigger November Sale. At this time of year they can be covered within weeks of purchase to produce a nice early foal.

It was a very busy occasion for Taylor Made Sales Agency, which sold 85 horses for a total of $4,639,100 to head the consignors’ table, but

Dutch Art’s half-sister Up follows her War Front ‘short’ yearling filly in the parade ring

Keeneland January Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price ($)

Buyer

Up (Galileo - Halland Park Lass)

Four Star Sales

2,200,000

Ran Jan Racing

F War Front - Up (Galileo)

Four Star Sales

800,000

Solis/Litt

Carolyn’s Cat (Forestry - People’s Princess)

Lisa/Tim Turney

450,000

Hidden Brook

Premier Steps (Footstepsinthesand - Primissima)

Denali Stud

400,000

Shadai Farm

Elusive Jackpot (Elusive Quality - Silverbulletday)

Hill ‘n’ Dale

375,000

River Bend Farm

Topic (Discreet Cat - Quiet Maggy)

Paramount

365,000

Adena Springs

Ruban Bleu (Broken Vow - Elle Meme)

Taylor Made

360,000

Olin Gentry

Magical Steps (Giant’s Causeway - Mayville’s Magic)

Paramount

350,000

BBA Ireland

Evening Sky (Heart’s Cry - Eventail)

Taylor Made

335,000

Sagamore Farm

Pianosa (Bernardini - Nataliano)

Blandford Stud

300,000

Warrendale

KEENELAND

Five-year tale

The former Tom Dascombe-trained Premier Steps sold for $400,000

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Year

Sold

Agg ($)

Avg ($)

Mdn ($)

Top Price ($)

2015

948

35,305,500

37,242

16,000

2,200,000

2014

1,027

41,025,700

39,947

20,000

775,000

2013

1,105

45,207,300

40,912

15,000

1,450,000

2012

1,003

37,991,900

37,878

15,000

1,400,000

2011

1,021

25,250,350

24,731

7,500

1,400,000

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Feb_126_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/01/2015 18:22 Page 63

KEENELAND

Brightwells December Sale, Cheltenham

Close inspection for a January yearling

the top-ten board was led by a mare and her yearling filly consigned by Four Star Sales.

Up, a precious asset merely by being a daughter of Galileo, had plenty more to offer stud owners by being sold in foal to one of America’s leading stallions, War Front. It took a bid of $2,200,000 by Frank Taylor to secure her for Robert Naify and his wife Jan Van de Bos of Ran Jan Racing. Her War Front yearling filly followed her into the ring and made $800,000, a pair of prices that put each horse well up on the list of highest-priced January Sale offerings.

Up’s background includes a memorable piece of trading by Paul and Sara Thorman of Hampshire’s Trickledown Stud, who bought her dam, Halland Park Lass, with a Kyllachy foal inside for just 12,000gns at Tattersalls in 2005.

Her yearling colt by Medicean became none other than outstanding juvenile Dutch Art, and the Thormans, now in a partnership, reoffered Halland Park Lass and her foal, gaining 710,000gns and 280,000gns respectively for the pair.

They were to miss out on Up, who was foaled three years later, but then again, the Galileo mating that created her may not have been in their plans.

Japan’s Shadai Farm made its presence felt on day one when taking the session-topping maiden mare Premier Steps with a bid of $400,000. Craig and Holly Bandoroff’s Denali Stud offered this five-year-old, and they also found an overseas buyer for Pure Symmetry, who joins Bobby Donworth and Honora Corrigan’s Limerick-based Roundhill Stud after making $230,000. The couple were always likely to be interested in the 12-year-old, for they know her family – from it they have produced top-notch filly Rizeena plus Australian Group 2 winner Puissance De Lune.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

This was not a memorable occasion at Brightwells’ Cheltenham arena, but turnover did at least take a year of trading at the now regular Prestbury Park venue to a new high of £12,187,500 (+7%).

That was a good note on which to enter the Christmas break, but it would have chimed more sweetly had this sale filled all the stockings. Admittedly the median went up by 17% and turnover rose 15%, but the latter figure was helped by a bigger catalogue, swelled following the transfer of breeze-up horses from the November Sale. The average fell 5% while the clearance rate dropped from 79% to 59%.

However, a glance at the five-year table shows the figures were still pretty healthy, and while the breezers proved hard to sell, a threeyear-old son of Westerner, who made £50,000, will have been a fillip for vendors of such unproven stock.

A very chilly night reflected not only trade but a rather quiet mood in the ring, although the appearance of Peter Molony added a shot of anti-freeze to the occasion, not least when he bid £150,000 for the mare Twentytwo’s Taken, the sale’s top lot.

Molony is well-known in National Hunt circles, but of late has become more familiar as a member of Sheikh Fahad’s team and his

representative in Ireland. However, when racehorse owner Kenneth Alexander asked him to check out six-year-old Twentytwo’s Taken he was happy to oblige. David Pipe, who handles the choicely-bred mare Swing Bowler for Alexander, now has the job of trying to build on the new recruit’s record of two wins and a place in a Listed bumper for vendor Stuart Crawford. She held novices’ hurdle entries in mid-January.

In 2013, this sale had been headed by Tell Us More (£290,000), recently a close second in a Grade 1 hurdle, while another horse whose name appeared on the top-ten board, Tiger Roll, won the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Results like that, and, of course, Lord Windermere’s Gold Cup win, are enabling Brightwells to put together an impressive list of horses to have graduated from their ring.

That should stand them in good stead for some time, and, while the Irish point-to-point market is going through a lull at present, and affecting the supply to their in-training sales, it will get stronger as foal production picks up.

It was a surprise to outsiders when former jump jockey and successful trainer Charlie Swan announced recently he was quitting his profession to concentrate on bloodstock – who could blame him given some cracking ring results on both sides of the Irish Sea, although he enters a very competitive market at an interesting time.

Brightwells December Sale, Cheltenham Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Twentytwo’s Taken (King’s Theatre - Persian Desert)

Newlands Stables

Price (£) Buyer 150,000 Rathmore Stud

Drumlee Sunset (Royal Anthem - Be My Sunset)

Sean/Noel McParlan

130,000 R Brookhouse

Mr Gallivanter (Heliostatic - Purepleasureseeker)

R Harmon/Highfield Stables

125,000 J & S Quinn

General Principle (Gold Well - How Provincial)

Newlands Stables

80,000 Gordon Elliott

American (Malinas - Grande Sultane)

Leighmoney Stables

70,000 Highflyer Bloodstock

Indy Five (Vertical Speed - Beesplease)

Suirview Stables

70,000 David Dennis

What A Moment (Milan - Cuiloge Lady)

Lingstown Stables

68,000 D Pipe

Catching Shadows (Catcher In The Rye - Castletown Girl)

Glenview Stables

65,000 B O’Ryan/J Ewart

Highway Storm (Stowaway - Snow In Summer)

Glenbower Stables

60,000 G Costelloe

Unnamed 3yo gelding (Westerner - Glenair)

Sherbourne Lodge Stud

50,000 Highflyer Bloodstock

Sky Full Of Stars (Mahler - Gold Flo)

Lingstown Stables

50,000 B O’Ryan/J Ewart

Big River (Milan - Call Kate)

Whitehall Stud

50,000 T Malone/L Russell

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Mdn (£)

Avg (£)

Top Price (£)

2014

39

1,799,500

45,500

35,000

150,000

2013

31

1,569,000

50,613

30,000

290,000

2012

39

1,818,600

46,631

26,500

165,000

2011

55

1,672,000

30,400

25,000

75,000

2010

34

899,000

25,853

20,000

75,000

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Feb_126_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 15:01 Page 64

CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Victims of fashion

The fluctuation of stallion book sizes highlights fickle nature of the breeding industry

64

Acclamation’s 2015 twoyear-old crop will be worth following

TREVOR JONES

T

he Return of Mares can’t be many people’s idea of ideal bedtime reading, but this Weatherbys publication always contains a wealth of valuable information. It also often highlights the capriciousness of a breeding industry in which too many breeders opt for the kneejerk reaction rather than trying to play the long game.

How else can we explain the substantial fluctuations which frequently occur? Let’s take three sons of Danehill as examples. One, Champs Elysees, is credited with 112 mares in 2012 but only 49 in 2013, before being inundated with 169 mares in 2014. Then there’s Camacho, whose figures for the last four years are 36, 9, 41 and 106.

Then there’s Kodiac, whose results-driven surge to prominence has seen his book change from 53 mares as recently as 2009 to a mammoth 234 in 2014.

One thing the Return of Mares doesn’t include is the various fees for the stallions, which also have to be factored in while assessing a stallion’s long term prospects. It is only fair to expect that the size of a stallion’s fee will influence the quality – or lack of it – of his progeny. This, combined with crop size, can therefore often be used as guides to a stallion’s potential a few years down the line.

Unfortunately a stallion whose fee fluctuates over the years can also be prone to a yo-yo effect in his racecourse results.

Rathbarry Stud’s accomplished stallion Acclamation is a fine illustration of this. His popularity is currently at a bit of an ebb – his 2014 book of around 118 mares was his smallest by some margin since 2010 – but I will be surprised if this dependable source of speed and precocity fails to bounce back.

Let me explain. When Acclamation first retired to Rathbarry at the end of his fouryear-old career, he had obvious appeal to Ireland’s commercial breeders at a fee of €10,000. As the product of a mating between winners of the Coventry Stakes and Queen Mary Stakes, he had every right to be fast and precocious, and he duly reached the first two

in all five of his juvenile starts. He looked to have the makings of a fine three-year-old sprinter when he collected the £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes, but was then off the track for over a year. Acclamation quickly made up for lost time at four, winning the Group 2 Diadem Stakes after being placed in the King’s Stand Stakes and the Nunthorpe.

Even so, he lacked a Group 1 success and there was always a danger that he would be increasingly overlooked as the next generations of leading sprinters were recruited to Irish studs. Sure enough, his book went from 103 mares in his first year to 97 in his second and 73 in his third, even though his fee was reduced to €9,000.

Consequently it was no great surprise when Acclamation wasn’t initially able to maintain the spectacular success enjoyed by his first-crop sons Dark Angel (2007 Middle Park Stakes) and Equiano (two editions of the King’s Stand Stakes).

This bright start saw Acclamation’s fee shoot up to €30,000 in 2008 but, with no European Group winners emerging from his second, third or fourth crops, his fee was soon sliding again, down to €20,000 in 2009, then to €15,000 in 2010 and 2011.

The whole process started again when the €30,000 crop reached the track in 2011.

Although this crop didn’t add to Acclamation’s tally of Group 1 winners, it highlighted his ability to get Group-winning juveniles, with Harbour Watch, Lilbourne Lad, Alsindi, Angels Will Fall, Ponty Acclaim and Talwar all achieving Groupwinner status. Harbour Watch, of course, may well have enjoyed Group 1 success had his two-year-old season not been curtailed by injury – Timeform rated him the year’s best juvenile.

This time Acclamation’s fee shot up to a new high, at €35,000 in 2012, and his fee has been kept at this level since then. As he covered 164 mares at his increased fee in 2012, I have every confidence that Acclamation’s 2015 two-year-olds will repeat the success of his 2005 and 2009 crops.

Incidentally, the smaller size of Acclamation’s 2014 book may also be a reflection of the fact that – at the age of 15 – he was facing stiff competition from several of his sons, all of whom are cheaper. The

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 15:01 Page 65

competition is led by Dark Angel (159 mares in 2014) and then there’s Equiano (134 mares before being represented by a first-crop Group winner), Harbour Watch (108 mares) and Lilbourne Lad (107 mares).

Rathbarry must be hoping that Lilbourne Lad will make as fast a start as his father.

Winner of the Group 2 Railway Stakes and a close second in the Group 1 Middle Park before being retired early, Lilbourne Lad started out at €7,500. He has therefore done well to sire three first-crop yearlings which sold for 130,000gns, plus another that made 140,000gns. It surely won’t be long before precocious winners start to flow from this sixyear-old stallion.

expect that a stallion’s fee will influence the quality of his progeny” Another stallion likely to enjoy a rewarding 2015 is Holy Roman Emperor. With his fee set at €20,000, this diminutive son of Danehill ranks only equal-eighth with newcomer No Nay Never on the Coolmore pecking order. The 2015 season will be his third consecutive year at this fee, but his early career saw his fee go into freefall.

Although no fee was published when Holy Roman Emperor was retired unexpectedly to substitute for the sub-fertile George Washington in 2007, his fee fell from €35,000 to only €10,000 over the next four years. The reduction to €10,000 in 2011 didn’t appear to help, as his 2012 crop numbers only 66.

However that €10,000 season was followed by some eye-catching efforts by members of his first two crops. The end result was that Holy Roman Emperor ended 2011 as leading sire of two-year-olds and a creditable ninth on the leading sires’ table.

Even so, his fee for 2012 was set no higher than €12,500, but his profile received further boosts early in 2012 from several second-crop three-year-olds. The runaway 1,000 Guineas success of Homecoming Queen must surely have brought in extra mares. Consequently Holy Roman Emperor’s 2013 crop is twice as big as its predecessor, so there could well be more two-year-old Group winners to add to the likes of Morandi, Leitir Mor, Maureen, Princess Noor and Wilshire Boulevard.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

EMMA BERRY

“It’s only fair to

Kapgarde raced over hurdles and fences before retiring to stud in France

Jumping to success at stud No doubt thanks to the presumption that any high-class chaser is sure to have been gelded, even the ultra-careful Timeform referred to Nickname as a gelding in the two editions of the Chasers & Hurdlers annual.

The truth is that this French-bred son of Lost World still possessed all his faculties, even though he had built an impressive record of nine wins and three seconds from 15 starts over fences in Ireland. He only once failed to finish and had started his career with a similarly impressive record of nine wins from 16 hurdle starts in France.

A Grade 1 winner in both countries, his victories including the Grande Course de Haies de 4 Ans and the Paddy Power Dial-ABet Chase. His sterling efforts earned him a Racing Post rating of 170 and a Timeform rating of 164. He also had some classy bloodlines for a jumper, with 4 x 3 inbreeding to the great Mill Reef (that brilliant chaser Kauto Star is inbred 3 x 3).

Appropriately, one of Nickname’s victories came in the Fortria Chase – a race named after a Champion Chase and Irish Grand National winner sired by Fortina. Despite being an entire, the French-bred Fortina easily won the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup before proving a major asset to Ireland’s National Hunt breeders. He sired Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Fort Leney and Glencaraig Lady in addition to Fortria and a string of other important winners.

Fortina’s obituary in the 1968 Bloodstock Breeders’ Annual Review makes interesting reading: “Mrs Elie Magnier, who owns

Grange Stud [where Fortina spent his stallion career] said it was very difficult to get good mares to him when he first went to stud.

Breeders thought he would get only plodders, but they were soon proved to be mistaken.”

Although this sort of attitude still persists, there is now plenty of evidence that highclass winners over jumps often have a lot to offer jumping breeders. The top two places on France’s table of leading jumping sires in 2014 were taken by Saint Des Saints, a seventime jumping winner who was Grade 1-placed, and Kapgarde, a Grade 3 winner over hurdles and Grade 1-placed over fences.

These two are a reminder that a successful jumper can continue to earn plenty of money after retirement, as Saint Des Saints’s 2015 fee is €10,000 and Kapgarde’s is €6,500.

Look a little further down the leading sires’ list, to sixth place, and you’ll come to none other than Nickname, even though he started his stallion career as recently as 2009, at a fee of only €2,500 at Haras de Victot.

Unfortunately Nickname stood for only three seasons before dying after a paddock accident in 2011, but he is credited with 183 foals and he clearly started very well. Among his first four-year-olds in 2014 were the likes of the talented Royal Flag, My Name Is Nick, Aurore d’Estruval and As d’Estruval.

One potential consolation for his untimely demise is that his half-brother No Risk At All – a dual Group 3 winner on the Flat by Sire De Grugy’s sire My Risk – now stands at Haras de la Reboursière et de Montaigu.

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Feb_126_ROA_Forum_Owner 21/01/2015 18:32 Page 66

ROA FORUM The special section for ROA members

Ownership levels remain under pressure Richard Wayman says progress is required on many fronts to help reverse the current trend Regular conversations with ROA members highlight that views from an owner’s perspective on the current state of the British racing industry vary enormously. It is, of course, a subjective matter but, as we enter 2015, it is possible to look at some hard facts from the past 12 months to help inform this important debate.

I know many owners agree that prizemoney is a key indicator of the health of the sport and, on that front, improvements have been made. Total prize-money hovered around £100 million between 2004 and 2008, increased to £110m in 2009, crashed to £94m in 2011 and has improved steadily since. By 2013 it had recovered to £114m and last year’s total rose again to £123m.

The £9m increase in 2014 included an extra £6m from racecourses and sponsors, and the contractual prize-money agreements introduced at the beginning of last year as well as changes to the way levy funding is allocated between racecourses have undoubtedly contributed to this welcome development.

The number of horses in training is beginning to move in a positive direction, with a 0.2% increase in 2014 comprising a

1% rise on the Flat and, more worryingly, a 1.3% decline over jumps. A further reason for significant concern is that, despite the increase in total prize-money, the number of owners has yet to turn the corner with a further 0.5% fall in 2014 following the loss of over 16% of owners between 2008 and 2013.

I have little doubt this is largely because the growth in prize-money has not benefited owners at all levels, with some racecourses

“A 0.5% fall in

owners is in part due to poor prize-money at the lower end” preferring to target their larger budgets at feature races or fixtures. This has been possible, at least partly, because the minimum values stipulated within the Rules of Racing have failed to keep pace with the rise in total prizemoney, particularly at the middle and lower levels where the majority of horses operate. It is true there will be some improvement from April, when minimum values at the lower end are set to go up, but they will be returning only to where they were ten years ago.

With the annual cost of owning a racehorse in excess of £20,000, it is essential that, as well as improving returns to owners across all levels, the general experience of ownership is enhanced.

A number of racecourses deserve credit for recent improvements they have made to their raceday offering to owners, but there is still a long way to go to deliver the quality of experience that an owner should consistently expect whenever they have a runner. It is our aim that the changes to the ROA Gold Standard Award, which will involve presenting the award to the six large and six smaller courses that offer owners the best raceday experience, will generate a competitive environment within which the very best of class can be championed.

To name but a few, other areas where there is scope for improvement include general communication with owners, ownership administration, service levels provided by some trainers and syndicate managers, the race programme and greater recognition of owners.

Racing’s aim for 2015 must be to create the conditions in which the sport can flourish and, although opinions will always vary, there would be no better way of demonstrating progress if by the end of the year and for the first time since 2006, the number of racehorse owners is moving in a positive direction.

Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled The ROA has conducted a review of its Articles of Association with a view to ensuring it is able to provide the strongest possible representation on behalf of its members. The Council wishes to ensure that it always comprises different types of owners with a range of skills, knowledge and experience. It would also like to welcome new Council members on a regular basis with a view to supporting a progressive refreshing of the Council.

To enable appropriate changes to the Articles, the ROA is holding an Extraordinary General Meeting at 10am on Thursday, February 5 at The Stafford Hotel,

66

London. Full details and proxy forms were sent out to members last month.

There are 17 special resolutions to be approved. Key changes include:

strongest possible Council; more consistent election process for • Aelected Council members with three places offered each year;

Council appointments of three introduction of a formal, rigorous • Shorter • The years rather than four; and transparent process for the appointment of a maximum of two maximum of three consecutive terms • Ameaning Council members each year, including that Council members must step down after nine rather than 12 years;

the setting up of a Nominations Committee to recommend candidates.

revised balance of elected Council • Amembers (maximum of nine) and

Members are encouraged to support the ROA by returning their proxy form in support of each resolution. Forms must be returned by Wednesday, February 4.

appointed Council members (maximum of six) to ensure the

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_126_ROA_Forum_Owner 21/01/2015 18:32 Page 67

www.racehorseowners.net Visit to Alan King’s Barbury Castle Stables

Davy Russell celebrates Gold Cup glory in 2014

Festival marquee badges on sale A highlight of the season for all jumps fans is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Festival. The ROA will have an exclusive facility for members and their guests over the four days, March 10-13.

The ROA marquee will be in a new location due to the racecourse’s redevelopment, but will still be situated in the tented village.

The format for the ROA marquee will be similar to previous years, in that the facility will provide a comfortable base, with television viewing, a cash bar, hot and cold food available to purchase, and unreserved seating.

As was the case last year, members and guests will be able to enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in the facility each day.

We are pleased to confirm that prices have

been held at the same rate as last year. Bookings can be made online at racehorseowners.net or by calling 020 7152 0200.

Members may purchase a maximum of three guest badges on any day. Admission to the ROA marquee does not provide admission into the racecourse itself, and members and guests will require admission badges to get into the course. These can be purchased direct from Cheltenham racecourse online at cheltenham.co.uk or by calling 0844 579 3003.

Member

Leading jumps trainer Alan King (pictured below) is kindly hosting an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to his Barbury Castle training centre for ROA members on Friday, March 27.

The morning visit will provide an opportunity to check out the impressive facilities at one of the most famous training yards in the country and to see some of the yard’s equine stars going through their paces on Barbury’s private gallops.

Barbury Castle is located in Wroughton, near Swindon, Wiltshire. Places will be limited to 30 and will be available on a first come, first served basis (maximum of one guest per member).

To book a place please email Sadie Evans on sevans@roa.co.uk or call the office on 020 7152 0200.

Guest

Daily

£30

£40

Weekly

£85

£125

New charity partnership with The ROA is delighted to announce that it is teaming up with Racing Welfare in 2015, as the Newmarket-based charity becomes our second annual partner.

Established in 2000, Racing Welfare works tirelessly to provide support and guidance to stud, stable and support staff, some of the most important, yet vulnerable, individuals in the racing industry.

Racing Welfare ensures that its comprehensive range of services are made available as widely as possible to all current and former employees plus their dependants.

This represents, in total, about 70,000 people who are able to access help in times of need.

The charity is involved in a wide variety of fundraising activities and benefited by over £200,000 last year when a racing team including Sheikh Fahad Al Thani ran the London Marathon.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Over the next 12 months, members will learn more about the invaluable role played

by Racing Welfare within the sport, both through the pages of this magazine and a

Sheikh Fahad: supports Racing Welfare

dedicated page on our website. In addition, the net proceeds from the 2015 ROA Awards will be donated to this vital charity.

Lesley Graham, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected as the ROA charity partner for 2015.

It is a fantastic way to demonstrate the owners’ appreciation of the hard work and commitment of our beneficiaries, who play such a vital role in the racing industry.”

Richard Wayman, ROA Chief Executive, said: “We are very keen to support a charity partner within the industry each year, not only to raise money on their behalf but also to publicise their contribution to the sport.

“We had a lot of positive feedback about the features we ran on Retraining of Racehorses last year and I have no doubt that members will also enjoy learning more about the important work Racing Welfare undertakes.”

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MAGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Dan Downie

W

ith success and profile comes expectation and pressure. With syndicate ownership, much of that is heaped on the Racing Manager. In Elite and Axom’s case, that’s Dan Downie, who has been an ROA member for seven years.

The mirror did not crack before he joined, for it was in that very first year he experienced what remains his best day in racing so far.

“My most magical moment was undoubtedly when Bouggler won the Grade 2 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting in 2008,” says Downie. “It was something I’ll never forget.”

There are hopefully unforgettable memories ahead, too. Indeed, the past few months have been very productive and enjoyable, with the likes of Shotgun Paddy, Vibrato Valtat and Irving doing Axom proud.

Being involved in racing is not just a career but a passion for Downie, who says: “I’ve always been interested in horses. I started riding at the age of six and used to do eventing and showjumping.

“I remember being fascinated with the Grand National from an early age and bunking off school so I could watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV. I was told much later that my teachers and parents knew what I was up to.”

Racing, then, was perhaps his destiny, and in his roles for Elite – the most well known massownership vehicle – and Axom – a more select operation, though still very affordable compared to single ownership – Downie has been involved with several “wonderful” stars.

“I’ve been lucky,” he admits. “It’s highly unlikely I will ever be involved with a Flat horse

Dan Downie is looking for a first ever Cheltenham Festival winner in 2015

as good as Soviet Song. She came on the scene as I started working for Elite and Axom, and I remember some very special days with her, including when she won the Fillies’ Mile.

“Giving our owners

a memorable experience is the best part of the job” “To go on to be champion older mare was very memorable and something none of us at Elite have ever taken for granted.”

Diary dates and reminders FEBRUARY 26

ROA regional meeting and Owners Jackpot at Taunton Members of the ROA Council and executive host a regional meeting for members at Taunton at the second Owners Jackpot of 2015.

This event is now fully-booked.

MARCH 10-13

ROA Marquee at the Cheltenham Festival Book your place in the ROA marquee at the Festival. Daily and weekly badges available.

MARCH 19

ROA regional meeting and Owners Jackpot at Ludlow A chance for members who live near Ludlow to

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meet representatives from the ROA – with £10,000 up for grabs to be shared among ROA winners on the day.

MARCH 27

Member visit to Alan King Visit to Alan King’s Barbury Castle Stables in Wroughton, near Swindon.

JUNE 16-20

ROA facility at Royal Ascot Members can book a specially-tailored hospitality package for each of the five days at the Royal meeting. Contact Sarah Holton or see details online at the ROA website.

Bookings for all events can be made online at racehorseowners.net or by calling the ROA on 0207 152 0200.

He continues: “Axom and Elite have enjoyed great success. My main hope for 2015 is we continue to have good winners and maybe unearth a possible star or two. Axom has enjoyed a purple patch over the last few seasons and the recent Grade 1 wins of Irving and Vibrato Valtat were very special.

“We’re still looking for our first Cheltenham Festival winner though and we have some nice prospects for 2015.

“On the Flat, it would be great to see Ribbons finally get the recognition she deserves and land another top prize after her success in a Group 1 in Deauville last summer.”

With so many members, Elite and Axom have the financial clout to have their horses in training with the cream of the profession, the likes of Paul Nicholls and Sir Mark Prescott, while they also back girl power in Emma Lavelle and Julie Camacho.

Downie explains: “We choose trainers who we hope will give clients the best possible experience. Communication is key. We need to know the disappointing news as well as the good stuff if we’re to provide a transparent, firstclass service. Most of our trainers have been with us for a long time and understand the sort of service we require.”

He adds: “The best thing about running a syndicate is meeting the people who buy into the horses and hopefully providing them with a memorable experience.

“Wins always help but I always say that if a horse tries and is sound, you have the perfect syndicate horse. Edgardo Sol would be a perfect example. The worst part is injury.”

Let’s not end on a Downie downer, though.

Here’s hoping that elusive Festival winner is around the corner.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Fantastic free February action In Brief...

ROA members on the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners (RBSO) can enjoy free admission at a choice of 95 fixtures during February.

Highlights include Warwick’s Gentlemen’s Kingmaker Chase Day on Saturday, February 7.

The feature novice event was won last year by subsequent Grade 1 victor Balder Succes.

Sandown Park includes the Royal Artillery Gold Cup Day on Friday, February 13 and the following day Wincanton stages the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle, an important trial for the Champion Hurdle next month. Last year’s race saw Melodic Rendezvous and Zarkandar battle up the straight for top honours, with Jeremy Scott’s gelding just prevailing at the line.

Members who have had their Horseracing Privilege Photocards activated for the scheme have been sent a booklet of participating fixtures and these can also be downloaded to PCs, tablets

and phones by members on the scheme in the Members Area of the ROA website. Details of upcoming participating fixtures are sent to members who are on the ROA’s ebulletin service.

JCR Admission Scheme Members who own up to 50% of a horse in training as part of a joint-ownership or racing partnership and who do not currently qualify for the RBSO can enjoy free admission at an impressive range of Jockey Club Racecourse (JCR) fixtures during the year.

To enjoy free admission members can book up to two tickets in advance through the online JCR ticketing system, which can be found in the Members Area of the ROA website.

For this scheme, badges must be booked in advance, as the offer doesn’t apply to members who turn up on the day. Please see the ROA website for a list of the 19 fixtures which are part of the JCR Admission Scheme in February.

Melodic Rendezvous captured last year’s Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton

Regional meetings With a programme of six ROA regional meetings scheduled this year, we hope this will provide an excellent opportunity for members to meet with the ROA Council and staff.

Regional meetings are very important for the ROA as a representative body. The gatherings give us a chance to provide an update on current issues and also to hear direct those ownership and membership issues that are most important to members.

This ensures that we can target the ROA’s resources in the most appropriate way to represent members’ needs.

The first regional meeting of this year will be held at Taunton on February 26. As with all regional meetings, those present will enjoy a buffet lunch and the use of a private facility during the afternoon’s racing.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

While Taunton’s fixture is now fullybooked, members are welcome to apply to attend any of the remaining regional meetings in 2015.

The six regional meetings will all take place on an ROA Owners Jackpot raceday. There are 12 Owners Jackpot fixtures throughout the year where £10,000 will be shared among the owners of qualified winning horses on the day.

Full details of upcoming races and fixtures can be found on the ROA website ‘Jackpot’ section.

The six regional meeting dates are: Taunton February 26 Ludlow March 19 Perth May 13 (evening) Carlisle July 9 Thirsk August 28 Huntingdon November 10

Short notice race removal trial The BHA trial of removing small field races at declaration stage continues until March 31. The initiative involves Class 4 and below handicaps, sellers, claimers and classified stakes on the all-weather other than on Saturdays. Such races are put ‘at risk’ if they attract ten or fewer entries.

If an ‘at risk’ race subsequently attracts four or fewer declarations, the race could be cancelled. The BHA may decide not to take this course of action if there are no alternative races for the horses involved within the next few days. Details of races ‘at risk’ are being listed on the ROA and BHA websites and further information can be found online.

During the trial the ROA is monitoring the impact of any void races on those horses that are affected and we would be interested to hear from owners involved.

Entry handling fee Owners are charged a lower handling fee when entries and declarations are made by their trainer via the internet rather than by a telephone call. Although the vast majority of entries and declarations are now made online, some owners are picking up the higher costs associated with their trainer entering and declaring runners by telephone.

The handling fee for internet entries is £19.92 plus VAT and the fee for telephone entries is £27.25, so the net difference in charges is £7.33 per entry.

Owners whose trainers make internet entries will see a monthly cumulative credit on their racing accounts on the first of each month where there has been activity. If, for example, one entry has been made in the month, the credit, including VAT, would be £8.80. The credit is simply multiplied if there is more than one entry made in the month. With a view to saving costs, this may be something that owners wish to look at and discuss with their trainers.

VAT registration Weatherbys VAT Services have introduced an online registration process for new clients, which will simplify setting up a VAT registration.

Owners will still be required to submit a D1 or D2 BHA declaration form to apply to join the VAT Scheme for Racehorse Owners, and the new service will pick up from there.

They will liaise direct with HM Customs & Revenue and gather the necessary information required, which will save owners from complex forms.

A one-off fee for this service will be applied of £35 plus VAT for all sole applicants, and £50 plus VAT for all partnership applicants. For further information contact Weatherbys VAT Services on vat@weatherbys.co.uk or call 01933 440077.

Disqualified persons The BHA now publishes the names of all those persons who are either disqualified or excluded under the Rules of Racing. See britishhorseracing.com for further details.

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TRACK TALK

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE UK’S RACECOURSES

Ayr owners can rest easy

Lunch offer at Cheltenham Following last year’s Festival, the ROA and Cheltenham met to discuss feedback from members regarding the offering to owners with runners. It is excellent news that Cheltenham has decided to extend its complimentary lunch offer to owners and trainers with a runner at this year’s Festival.

Those with declared runners can enjoy four complimentary buffet lunches in a marquee near the parade ring, replacing the course-facing owners’ and trainers’ bar. Those with access will have use of this facility for the day but in order to accommodate everyone, it may not be possible to have use of a table for the day.

Access to this facility will be by a wristband, which will be issued at the reception desk at the entrance to the facility.

The usual owners’ and trainers’ marquee in the tented village will still be available for those with an owners’ and trainers’ badge, valid on any particular day, as before.

Grand Opening Day deal Hospitality at Ayr now includes overnight accommodation

Plaudits are to be given to Ayr, who at their January 12 and 21 fixtures offered a generous incentive to connections of the runners in the chase races on both days.

In a novel trial to boost field sizes, the Gold Standard racecourse was prepared to give the owner and trainer of every horse to come under starter’s orders complimentary accommodation for two after racing that day at the course’s four-star Western House Hotel, including dinner with wine and breakfast.

Willing participants were required to advise Ayr prior to the raceday of their intention to take up the offer, and it is sure to have been well received.

While it was unfortunate that the January 12 meeting was abandoned due to storm damage to racecourse buildings, the January 21 raceday went ahead as scheduled.

We are delighted to announce that Aintree is offering ROA members free admission to the opening day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival on Thursday, April 9. Any ROA member who would like to go racing at Aintree but does not have a runner will be issued with a free complimentary Tattersalls’ ticket.

Members can take advantage of this offer on production of a valid Photocard at the owners’ and trainers’ reception. As the course only issues owners’ and trainers’ badges to those who have runners on the day, Aintree are unable to provide access to the owners’ and trainers’ pavilion under this offer. The ROA car park label will not be valid but members can apply for a car park label by contacting the ROA office.

Aintree summit to celebrate women in the sport Aintree racecourse and Women in Racing (WiR) will host a ‘Grand Women’s Summit’ at Aintree on Ladies Day of the Crabbie’s Grand National meeting, on Friday, April 10.

The Grand Women’s Summit will celebrate women in horseracing, sport and business and provide an educational, career and networking opportunity.

Leading figures will speak on a panel, which will include Rose Paterson, Chairman of Aintree racecourse, Dr Denise BarrettBaxendale MBE of Everton Football Club, and BHA Chairman Steve Harman.

Channel 4 Racing presenter Gina Harding will chair the panel and Emma Spencer,

70

Steve Harman: guest speaker

Ladies Day Ambassador for Aintree racecourse and Channel 4 Racing presenter, will co-host the event.

Tickets cost £70 for WiR members and £99 for guests. The ticket includes a champagne reception and breakfast, The Grand Women’s Summit, raceday admission to Ladies Day in the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton enclosures, and a course walk with Katie Walsh.

To book tickets and for more information on The Grand Women’s Summit visit www.womeninracing.co.uk or contact Harriet Rochester at harriet@hrsmltd.co.uk or phone 07880 777766.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 02.2015_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 01.2015 21/01/2015 09:21 Page 71

Heeraat INTRODUCING

Bay 2009, 16.1hh (1.65m) DARK ANGEL – THAWRAH (GREEN DESERT)

THE LOOKS

A 140,000gns yearling (the top priced of his sire’s crop).

THE SPEED

GROUP WINNING SPRINTER OF 5 RACES, and 11 LENGTH WINNER of his maiden at 2.

The fastest winner of the Hackwood Stakes since 2001

THE PEDIGREE

By DARK ANGEL out of a half sister to the Gr.1 winning sprinter and Gr.1 sire

(faster than INVINCIBLE SPIRIT and 5 other Gr.1 winners of the race).

Won

MALHUB.

Half brother to LR winner AMBIANCE, out of a half sister to Gr.1 winning sprinter MALHUB and full sister to the dam of multiple Group winner YELLOW ROSEBUD, etc.

Family of DANDY MAN, ANTHEM ALEXANDER, SUDIRMAN, GENTILDONNA, etc.

The same DARK ANGEL – GREEN DESERT cross as LETHAL FORCE

Gr.3 Hackwood Stakes, 6f, Newbury, 2013 (above) in the fastest time since 2001, beating Gr.1 winner KRYPTON FACTOR (at levels).

Won Maiden Stakes, 6f, Pontefract, at 2, by an easy 11 lengths.

2nd (nk) Gr.3 Hackwood Stakes, 6f, Newbury, 2014, beating Gr.2 winner ES QUE LOVE (at levels).

2nd (nk) LR City Walls Stakes, 5f, York, to Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner JWALA (rec. 5lbs), beating two other Gr.1 winners.

Defeated 43 Black Type winners (5 Gr.1 winners) Rated 5lbs superior to DARK ANGEL by Racehorses of 2013

Retires to MICKLEY STUD in 2015 at a fee of £4,000 SLF Enquiries: Richard Kent, MICKLEY STUD, Ternhill, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3QW Telephone: 01630 638840 or 01630 685220 (h) • Mobile: 079 73 315722 • mickleystud@btconnect.com Or: John Walsh Bloodstock Telephone: +353 (0)45 875244 • Mobile: +353 (0)86 2558945

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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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

Ascot York Epsom Downs Newmarket Goodwood Chester Doncaster Newbury Sandown Park Haydock Park Musselburgh Ripon Pontefract Ayr Lingfield Park Salisbury Thirsk Ffos Las Newcastle Hamilton Park Beverley Carlisle Kempton Park Leicester Nottingham Windsor Bath Catterick Bridge Wolverhampton Yarmouth Redcar Chepstow Brighton Warwick Southwell Total

Figures for period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014

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 2013 (£)

I I JCR JCR I I ARC I JCR JCR I I I I ARC I I I ARC I I JCR JCR I JCR ARC ARC I ARC ARC I ARC ARC JCR ARC

360,861 169,619 118,711 91,930 88,884 81,446 64,832 55,785 54,675 47,465 39,444 31,611 30,775 30,759 27,858 27,442 27,174 24,490 23,350 22,641 21,852 21,234 21,089 20,104 19,898 19,707 17,760 16,912 16,857 16,478 16,378 13,169 12,786 11,757 10,894 40,931

140,561 101,795 84,726 85,792 77,199 47,063 60,088 61,138 56,651 48,867 25,367 28,557 33,991 33,722 25,621 30,130 21,832 9,578 23,269 21,083 19,205 17,357 18,187 22,309 22,393 22,168 15,996 20,273 19,266 20,188 19,911 14,808 16,723 16,166 20,256 33,930

218,152 93,710 109,390 90,483 26,402 10,055 43,732 27,621 23,058 17,037 5,677 4,658 3,719 9,959 4,339 4,942 5,603 3,323 7,075 3,333 2,954 3,945 3,805 4,822 5,427 4,795 3,165 2,739 2,837 3,389 14,820 2,874 2,481 3,305 1,989 18,215

719,574 365,418 312,828 268,461 192,709 138,898 169,246 144,853 134,759 113,796 70,489 64,825 68,485 74,735 57,925 63,181 54,943 37,390 54,532 47,058 44,289 42,689 43,279 47,521 48,153 47,040 37,671 40,276 39,063 40,273 51,108 31,620 31,991 31,228 33,138 93,303

18 17 11 39 19 15 24 17 16 23 17 16 15 17 93 15 15 7 17 18 18 13 88 21 23 27 20 17 97 23 18 13 21 6 49 883

12,952,340 6,212,100 3,441,104 10,469,983 3,661,465 2,083,471 4,061,900 2,462,493 2,156,139 2,666,084 1,198,306 1,037,208 1,027,280 1,270,500 5,387,008 947,720 824,139 243,035 927,050 847,044 797,200 554,959 3,808,530 997,934 1,107,519 1,270,087 753,415 684,700 3,789,096 926,282 919,950 411,058 671,809 187,365 1,623,772 82,380,043

349,480 160,032 120,544 91,698 84,714 77,393 54,738 46,673 53,586 41,800 31,993 27,030 28,935 29,569 15,199 27,239 20,943 23,461 20,782 17,024 17,864 21,280 20,202 18,719 16,842 20,262 14,678 15,840 12,228 12,327 15,226 10,464 8,671 15,897 9,435 36,487

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

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Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Kempton Park Newbury Ayr Chepstow Kelso Perth Wincanton Doncaster Ludlow Cartmel Wetherby Musselburgh Warwick Stratford-on-Avon Newcastle Fakenham Market Rasen Newton Abbot Carlisle Huntingdon Exeter Uttoxeter Ffos Las Bangor-on-Dee Hexham Catterick Bridge Fontwell Park Plumpton Worcester Taunton Southwell Lingfield Park Leicester Sedgefield Towcester Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2013 (£)

JCR JCR I JCR JCR JCR I I ARC I I JCR ARC I I I I JCR I ARC I JCR I JCR JCR JCR ARC I I I I ARC I ARC I ARC ARC I ARC I

248,442 220,192 124,639 105,703 99,361 48,004 42,753 30,796 26,187 25,891 25,650 25,640 25,505 24,969 24,425 23,838 22,819 22,741 22,552 22,226 22,080 21,892 21,497 20,340 19,967 19,244 18,576 18,348 17,364 16,447 16,368 15,734 14,692 14,083 13,903 13,511 13,127 13,091 12,803 11,341 33,753

120,439 112,026 81,314 81,894 83,309 64,862 73,535 39,727 32,151 31,733 22,799 33,164 39,995 34,829 18,129 25,439 31,835 36,438 18,394 33,882 17,691 25,023 26,962 24,763 22,117 31,426 20,604 20,046 18,507 16,478 25,540 22,048 26,256 18,487 23,879 17,690 30,684 25,048 20,231 16,128 33,106

69,741 56,579 17,096 17,768 17,362 9,994 15,839 10,683 6,719 3,181 1,953 5,000 6,207 5,015 4,014 4,486 4,891 5,661 3,866 4,671 0 4,437 0 3,941 4,008 4,367 4,570 3,345 3,369 2,433 2,647 3,118 3,536 3,263 3,682 2,859 2,815 3,694 2,843 2,821 7,256

439,497 388,797 224,298 206,794 201,353 123,267 132,127 82,115 65,056 61,887 50,516 63,823 71,707 64,812 46,568 54,324 60,246 64,840 44,976 61,479 39,771 51,686 48,459 49,860 46,092 55,504 43,877 41,740 39,240 35,880 44,735 40,900 44,485 35,833 41,464 34,060 46,626 41,867 36,227 30,290 74,365

8 16 8 7 8 13 11 11 14 12 16 16 11 14 7 18 10 10 17 10 11 21 18 12 17 15 22 17 13 14 10 20 14 22 14 20 5 9 20 16 546

3,515,977 6,220,754 1,794,387 1,447,555 1,524,533 1,602,471 1,453,400 903,262 910,789 742,646 808,250 1,021,160 788,777 907,373 325,975 977,840 602,456 648,397 764,600 614,794 437,482 1,085,400 872,259 598,318 783,559 832,559 965,299 688,713 510,118 502,319 447,349 818,001 622,783 788,317 580,490 681,195 233,132 376,800 724,532 484,637 40,608,655

232,451 228,095 93,112 74,582 84,693 49,724 44,171 32,200 28,363 15,431 28,814 22,334 11,797 21,304 24,931 20,783 23,906 23,438 18,614 19,755 12,677 19,383 20,588 14,468 17,318 15,865 10,908 14,191 11,416 12,838 8,131 13,275 13,820 12,278 14,236 10,436 9,155 9,192 7,029 9,393 29,727

Up/ down

▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prizemoney: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period.

The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors.

If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

As these tables are based on the prize-money paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses

ARC Arena Racing Company

I Independently owned racecourse

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 02.2015_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 01.2015 21/01/2015 09:25 Page 73

TBA 18-35yrs membership ONLY ÂŁ50 18-35yrs membership includes access to some fantastic events including tours of yards and studs, social events, seminars, race meetings and networking forums, as well as advice and support.

JOIN US TODAY

Protecting a heritage, representing a future.

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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

Introducing a new TBA regional representative Antonia Jamison has just joined the TBA as a new regional representative for the south-east region. We are delighted to welcome Antonia and hope that members in the south-east look forward to meeting her this year.

Telling us about her stud, Antonia explained: “Westerlands, is on an estate adjacent to the Goodwood estate in Sussex.

Amongst our residents we have my family’s mare Framed, by Elnadim. Having Elnadim’s bloodlines is very important to us as. He was related to Fall Aspen, who our family owned.

“The stud has bred numerous black-type winners, including Prolific, who won the Richmond Stakes, as well as Atlantis Prince and Cassilda, who won at Goodwood and many other black-type races.”

She continued: “Westerlands Stud was founded by Florence Nagle, who was renowned for her breeding ability as well as her fight for women to win training rights in 1966.

Florence saw racing as the true test of breeding and she was ahead of her time in understanding the importance of pasture. We are blessed with 300 acres of great pasture, chalk and a majority of all-weather paddocks.

Antonia Jamison with mares on her family farm near the Goodwood estate

“We share many of her views with respect to the nurture of future racehorses and I am particularly passionate about protecting the interests of the smaller breeder.

“I see keenly the issues that face the smaller breeder, having represented our family interests

as well as our clients.

“I hope that in my role as a TBA regional representative I will support many more breeders and ensure there is greater understanding of what they bring to the industry as a whole.”

TBA launches its brand new user-friendly website We are delighted to unveil the new TBA website which has been designed to offer a more user-friendly experience for members and visitors. The website reflects the new look of the TBA brand and, as part of the association’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information, it offers quick and easy access to essential industry news updates and documents.

The website boasts a modern, colourful design and offers a members’ log-in area for access to exclusive information, documents, contract templates and other helpful services.

Other new functions include the TBA video, an industry poll, online application forms for regional days and offers, and the opportunity to purchase or renew membership online. The URL remains the same, www.thetba.co.uk, and all members will receive an email notifying you of your new log-in details and password. If you do not receive this email, please contact Carrie.Cherry@thetba.co.uk, who will ensure we have the correct email address for you.

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The TBA’s new website is designed to be easier to navigate

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www.thetba.co.uk

TBA diary dates THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 TBA Flat Stallion Parade

At Tattersalls. The parade begins at 10am, preceding the start of the February Sale.

Kevin Needham takes to the floor during the TBA Stud Farming Course Please see pages 55 to 59 for full details of the 15 stallions on show, which includes nine first-season sires.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series At Bangor-on-Dee.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series At Wetherby.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase Series At Plumpton.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

TBA Mares-only Novices’ Hurdle At Catterick Bridge.

TBA NEW MEMBERS

Brendan Boyle Bloodstock, Suffolk; Sean Conway, Leicestershire; Sandra Mayoh, Yorkshire; Sean O’Connor, Herefordshire; Susan Perrett, Berkshire; Richard Phillips, Berkshire; Lucy Sandford, Berkshire; Timothy J Whitley, Devon.

18-35 MEMBERS

Kimball Edey, West Sussex; Antonia Milner-Matthews, Hertfordshire; Victoria Simons, Essex.

Annual Stud Farming Course is a hit with delegates once again The TBA’s Annual Stud Farming Course held at the British Racing School in early December once again proved a great success, with delegates citing it as an excellent opportunity to learn from top-class speakers and each other.

Forty delegates from the UK and Ireland spent three days covering a wide range of topics which started with ‘The mare’s reproductive Cycle’ and finished with ‘Care of the foot in the mare and stallion’.

Other talks included grassland management, parasite control, dentistry, foaling, sales preparation, genetics and stallion management along the way.

Experts from Newmarket Equine Hospital, Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, the Animal Health Trust, Royal Veterinary College, BBA Shipping, Newsells Park Stud, Saracen Horse Feeds and Whitsbury Manor Stud, as well as individuals such as Fiona Marner, Paul Overton and Simon Curtis, all willingly shared their knowledge with delegates.

For a break from the lecture theatre and some fresh air there were visits to the Newmarket Equine Hospital and Darley’s pre-training yard at Hamilton Hill, and an early-morning tour of the British Racing School – sadly that had to be abandoned due to the much heralded ‘weather bomb’ in the

form of a freak hail storm!

Delegates and speakers were able to relax informally over dinner at the Bedford Lodge on the first evening, and throughout the three days took the chance to exchange and absorb information during the breaks for lunch and refreshments. It was particularly pleasing to see a number of young people and new members at this year’s course, which received many plaudits including: “I’ve had a really good experience on this course and learnt so much. It’s been really great meeting like-minded people” Laura Whyte, Highclere Stud “I am just starting breeding so have got an enormous amount from the course, both from the speakers and the other people I have met” Miranda Amor, Somerset “Very useful for anyone involved in the breeding industry. Unbeatable opportunity to learn from the best in the world!”

Vicky Simons, Royal Veterinary College This year’s course takes place at the British Racing School from December 8 to 10.

Make a note of the date in your 2015 diary now!

Auto-enrolment for pension schemes – deadlines loom in 2015 Our September 2014 mailing to members included an information leaflet on changes to workplace pensions that are now beginning to affect all employers who employ one or more members of staff. If you employed between 30 and 58 people on April 6, 2012, you will need to take action in

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

2015, as the date by which you must have implemented a pension scheme – your ‘staging date’ – will occur between January 1 and October 1, 2015.

For those who employed fewer than 30 people on that date, your staging date will vary between June 1, 2015 and April 1,

2017. Check the Pensions Regulator website for more information. Contact Caroline Turnbull at Stanstead House for more copies of the leaflet and visit The Pensions Regulator website via the link below. http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk

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TBA FORUM The TBA’s Caroline Turnbull with winner Gabor Nadas

Gabor’s good start to new year saying: “He is an exceptionally hard worker who is essential to the smooth running of the stud and ensures that mares and foals are kept in excellent condition, resulting in success on the racetrack.

“Furthermore, Gabor has demonstrated a great appetite to learn, attending all TBA and National Stud Courses and embarking on the racing industry Foundation Course run in partnership between the British Racing School and Warwickshire College.

“His enthusiasm, dedication and desire for constant improvement make him a worthy winner of the January Stud Staff Award.”

The TBA January Stud Staff Award has been presented to Gabor Nadas, who is the Head Lad at Strawberry Fields Stud owned

by Gary Robinson.

Originally from Hungary, and having studied animal husbandry and agricultural engineering, Gabor spent time in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia before settling at Strawberry Fields near Cambridge. He is responsible for 12 mares and their followers, dealing with all foaling, sales preparation and management of the land.

Gary is effusive in his praise of Gabor,

Highland game The second race of the EBF/TBA Mares’ Novice Chase series took place at Huntingdon on December 7.

TBA regional representative Major Richard Wilson presented the award to members of the Harry Fry Racing Club for the nine-length victory of their eight-year-old mare, Highland Retreat.

Breeders’ Prizes National Hunt HBLB Breeders’ Prizes worth £1,000 or more Breeder

Prize (£)

Horse

Sire

Dam

Based on date money was paid

Date

Course

Sir Christopher Stephen Wates

1,250

Generous Ransom

Generous

Penneyrose Bay

05/12/2014

Sandown Park

Wood Farm Stud

2,500

Poole Master

Fleetwood

Juste Belle

06/12/2014

Aintree

Cobhall Court Stud

8,000

Wishfull Thinking

Alflora

Poussetiere Deux

07/12/2014

Huntingdon

Bryan & Sandra Mayoh, Eskdale Stud

2,500

Lifeboat Mona

Kayf Tara

Astar Love

07/12/2014

Huntingdon

Chieveley Manor Stud

1,000

Seedling

Cockney Rebel

Unseeded

12/12/2014

Cheltenham

Mrs M. E. Jones

6,000

Niceonefrankie

Ishiguru

Chesnut Ripple

13/12/2014

Cheltenham

Mrs M. D. W. Morrison

5,000

Blaklion

Kayf Tara

Franciscaine

13/12/2014

Cheltenham

Wood Farm Stud

2,500

Grandads Horse

Bollin Eric

Solid Land

13/12/2014

Doncaster

Jeremy Hinds

1,500

Chris Pea Green

Proclamation

Another Secret

15/12/2014

Plumpton

Newsells Park Stud

2,500

Supasundae

Galileo

Distinctive Look

19/12/2014

Ascot

Beechwood Grange Stud

1,000

Desilvano

Desideratum

Cruz Santa

19/12/2014

Ascot

The Queen

1,500

Close Touch

Generous

Romantic Dream

26/12/2014

Wincanton

Exors of the Late Lord Oaksey

8,000

Coneygree

Karinga Bay

Plaid Maid

26/12/2014

Kempton Park

Jethro Bloodstock

1,500

Jollyallan

Rocamadour

Life Line

26/12/2014

Kempton Park

D. E. M. Young

8,000

Special Tiara

Kayf Tara

Special Choice

27/12/2014

Kempton Park

Stewart Pike

1,750

Land Of Vic

Old Vic

Land of Glory

27/12/2014

Kempton Park

R. D and Mrs J. S. Chugg

1,250

Cogry

King's Theatre

Wyldello

27/12/2014

Chepstow

See Breeders' Prizes table effective from January 1 on TBA website, www.thetba.co.uk. Prizes subject to confirmation of qualification with Weatherbys

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TBA Statistical Awards: winners for 2014 The Queen’s Silver Cup

DARLEY With Juddmonte represented by Kingman and Noble Mission, and Shadwell with Taghrooda, one might have anticipated either Khalid Abdullah or Hamdan Al Maktoum being acclaimed the leading British-based breeder.

However, the statistics tell a different story as sheer weight of numbers put Darley in a substantial lead. The fact is Sheikh Mohammed’s operation based on Dalham Hall Stud was responsible for 158 individual winners of £3.6 million (win and place), ahead of Juddmonte with 61 winners of £2.7m, and Shadwell next with 65 winners of £2.3m. It would have been a very different story were calculations based on percentage of winners to runners.

Whereas Godolphin had top-flight winners overseas, there were no homebred Group 1 winners recorded in either Britain or Ireland.

Indeed, the most prestigious flagbearer proved to be the eight-year-old entire Cavalryman, successful in the Goodwood Cup and Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

Cavalryman was conceived at Emirates Stud in Dubai by Halling. Two more Group 2 scorers were Ambivalent (Middleton Stakes) and Lucida (Rockfel Stakes).

BBA Silver Cigar Box

DUBAWI The Fugue and Sky Lantern are two star debutantes who will travel to Dalham Hall Stud to be covered by Dubawi, whom many consider to be just about the best stallion around.

The first to win this award as the leading British-based stallion in successive years since Cheveley Park’s Pivotal (also part-owned by

Dubawi was leading sire on earnings

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Toocoolforschool was one of two Group winners for leading freshman Showcasing

Sheikh Mohammed) prevailed in 2007 and 2008, Dubawi has succeeded where his highprofile sire Dubai Millennium failed – he died from grass sickness at Dalham Hall after completing one solitary covering season.

Both Dubai Millennium and Dubawi won the Tattersalls’ Silver Salver as the leading British-bred first-season sire of their generation. Since then Dubawi has achieved worldwide recognition with Group/Grade 1 winners in Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, the UAE, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Canada and Australia.

Dubawi’s earnings in Britain and Ireland amounted to nearly £2.5m, with top billing accorded to 2,000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder, his sire’s second winner of the Newmarket Classic following Makfi in 2010.

Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup

OASIS DREAM

:

It seems almost inconceivable that hot on the heels of Frankel, Prince Khalid Abdullah should have a horse of the calibre of Kingman (ROA and Cartier Horse of the Year) to join forces with his dual champion at Banstead Manor Stud.

Such is the strength in depth of the Banstead stallions that Arc hero Rail Link (a Group 1-winning sire in 2014) has vacated Newmarket for France to make way for Kingman, whose dam Zenda is a half-sister to Oasis Dream – all three were trained by John Gosden.

Oasis Dream has now won this particular award for the greatest number of individual winners in Britain and Ireland for a third consecutive time, albeit with a reduced total

of 83, compared to 96 the previous year.

Although Muwaary just failed to become his sire’s fourth winner of Royal Ascot’s Jersey Stakes, his two-year-olds did particularly well, with Charming Thought and Muhaarar (Gimcrack Stakes) finishing first and third in the Middle Park Stakes.

Tattersalls’ Silver Salver

SHOWCASING

:

The most recent Duke of Devonshire award winner Chris Harper will be thrilled that Whitsbury Manor Stud resident Showcasing is the leading British-based freshman sire with 26 winners of 41 races and more than £476,000 in prize-money, dividing overall leader Lope de Vega and Zebedee.

Showcasing is living up to his name so far as his own sire Oasis Dream is concerned, as the Banstead Manor stallion is also responsible for Captain Gerrard, winner of this award in 2013, while last season his sons Approve and Arcano were also successful newcomers.

Winner of the Gimcrack Stakes in juvenile course record time, the Whitsbury resident was quickly off the mark with his first crop of runners, highlighted by the Group-winning pair Cappella Sansevero, who also was placed in the Coventry Stakes, Middle Park Stakes and Phoenix Stakes, and Toocoolforschool, winner of the Mill Reef Stakes.

Showcasing, who shuttles to New Zealand, was homebred by Juddmonte Farms, as were Zafonic and Warning, the respective sires of his dam and grandam. Incidentally, Warning’s sire Known Fact stood for an interim period at Whitsbury before being exported to the USA in the 1970s.

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TBA FORUM

‘An incredible lady who loved horses’ Tributes paid to Renee Robeson, breeder and trainer, who passed away in January aged 87

R

enee Robeson was born in the month when the worlds of jump and Flat racing collide, and she was to go on to make a considerable mark in both spheres.

Born on March 23, 1927, the daughter of Anthony Gustav de Rothschild and his wife Yvonne, her achievements were to include Grade 1 victories over jumps as a trainer and Group 1 triumphs on the Flat as a breeder.

Robeson, whose husband Peter won showjumping Olympic medals in 1956 and 1964, was in her 27th season as a licence holder when passing away at the age of 87 last month.

Her most successful seasons in terms of winners and prize-money arrived in later years, while her finest moments were achieved with horses partnered by Jimmy McCarthy.

He rode Ogee to land the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in 2009, three years after combining with Olney Lad to win a valuable chase at the Punchestown festival.

Ogee raced in the colours of Robeson’s brother Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, as did a number of the top Flat performers the siblings and longstanding TBA members bred at their Southcourt Stud in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

Undoubtedly their best homebred was Notnowcato, who gave Ryan Moore his first Group 1 triumph in the 2006 Juddmonte International Stakes and went on to capture the Coral-Eclipse and Tattersalls Gold Cup. Other stars included last year's Canadian International winner Hillstar and his halfsister Crystal Capella, who struck in Group 2 company three times, including when winning the Princess of Wales's Stakes by eight lengths.

Their trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, said: “The horse has lost a very dear friend. I have never met anyone who loved them more, and she

sometimes reminded me that she preferred them to people!

“She was an astute and extremely knowledgeable horsewoman. The prodigious success she had with the small stud she and Sir Evelyn owned was proof of that. All of us here are going to miss her.”

Her close friend and fellow breeder, Lady Tavistock, said: “Renee was a special friend, one of those people you know you will never forget. There are few people one gets to know in life that are exceptional and unforgettable – but Renee was one.

“She had honour, integrity, humour and steadfastness, plus common sense, which is rare today. Renee was great fun to be with and we shared a great love, that of the horse.

“I am so very glad I knew her – she was a shy person and never really was aware of what an incredible person she was.

Had she been born in today’s world she would probably have emulated the men in her family and had a very influential life in the City.

“As it was, she was a really good trainer of National Hunt horses and a very good breeder of Flat horses. She was so looking forward to her next crop of foals and the matings she had planned.

“Spending a day with Peter and Renee was such fun and a privilege She will be hugely missed by many people, especially her family.”

Louise Kemble, TBA Chief Executive, said: “Mrs Robeson was a longstanding TBA member and great supporter.

“She represented a generation of British breeders who shared an in-depth knowledge and love of both Flat and NH breeding that will be much missed.”

Renee Robeson with homebred Notnowcato and Ryan Moore after victory in the 2006 Juddmonte International Stakes at York

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Feb_126_TBA-BreederOfTheMonth_Owner 21/01/2015 17:53 Page 80

BREEDER OF THE MONTH

www.thetba.c o.uk

Words Alan Yuill Walker Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

BREEDER OF THE MONTH – December 2014

Bryan & Sandra Mayoh, Eskdale Stud

EMMA BERRY

On the Saturday after Christmas, Irish-based trainer Henry de Bromhead celebrated a splendid winning double with two Britishbreds, Sizing John (by Midnight Legend) in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, and Special Tiara (by Kayf Tara) in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Sizing John provided one half of another notable double in December as Bryan and Sandra Mayoh bred not only him but also Lifeboat Mona, and this daughter of Kayf Tara won the inaugural running of the mares’ Listed bumper at Huntingdon named after that course’s staunch supporter Henrietta Knight.

This was a poignant occasion for Bryan Mayoh, a TBA board member, who explained: “I have long been an advocate for an improved race programme for National Hunt mares and wrote several papers arguing the case. So it was a pleasant irony that we should breed the winner of one of only two such races recently introduced by the BHA.” One of his colleagues on the TBA’s National Hunt Committee is Peter Hockenhull of Shade Oak Stud. Having moved from Yorkshire to Shropshire, Mayoh now lives at Upton Magna, outside Shrewsbury, and he has transferred three broodmares to Shade Oak, which is only about 15 miles from his new home.

Rather incongruously this arrangement brings together two rather well qualified individuals who share a scientific bent. Dr Mayoh, a company director who has spent most of his working life in retailing, holds a doctorate in chemistry from Oxford University, while Hockenhull graduated from Newcastle University with an honours degree in agricultural engineering.

As exact contemporaries, both Sizing John and Lifeboat Mona were sold as foals by Tattersalls Ireland in November 2010.

“Sizing John realised €16,000,” Mayoh recalled. “But Lifeboat Mona fetched only €600 the next day. Although she was a most attractive foal, nobody wanted a filly and nobody came to see her.”

Lifeboat Mona is the last of Astar Love’s only three progeny and her solitary winner.

“Mona’s foaling caused irreparable damage to her uterus so her breeding career was short-lived,” explained Mayoh. “However, Sizing John’s dam, another French-bred, has had a more rewarding innings

La Perrotine, dam of Sizing John, at last year’s TBA Foal Show

during her career as a broodmare. She won a bumper and three hurdle races before her racing career was terminated through injury.

“I bought her privately in the bar at the Doncaster November Sales of 2006 from her trainer Howard Johnson,” said Mayoh. The price was rather less than the 54,000gns which the County Durham trainer paid Robert Chugg at Doncaster in May 2003 after she had won her class at the pre-sales show.

After Sizing John, La Perrotine, who is named after an island creek off the coast of Brittany, produced three younger siblings. All retained, they are the fillies Batoutahell, a three-year-old by Kayf Tara and Deadringerforlove; a yearling by Black Sam Bellamy; and an unnamed two-year-old gelding by Schiaparelli. La Perrtoine is carrying once more to Shade Oak’s Black Sam Bellamy.

Mayoh’s other two mares at Shade Oak Stud are Sizing John’s halfsister La Doelenaise (by King’s Theatre), and Sierra. They were covered last season by Lucarno and Fame And Glory respectively. La Doelenaise is owned in half shares with Hockenhull. A half-sister to Sillery, and a winner in her native France, Sierra was acquired as an in-foal mare at Tattersalls’ 2007 December Sale.

Mayoh added: “It’s another irony, as Sierra is an Anabaa mare we bought from Alec Head and we mated her with Motivator with little success. Alec Head repeated exactly the same cross and came up with Treve!”

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N E X T G E N E R AT I O N C L U B

www.nextgenerationc lub.c om

By Katherine Fidler

A fresh approach to stud funding Nicola Naylor has encouraged local businesses to sponsor her breeding operation In the footsteps of Robert Sangster: Nicola Naylor hopes to put Cheshire on the map again as a centre for breeding thoroughbreds

O

ne of the primary aims of the Next Generation Club is to encourage and support young thoroughbred breeders – quite literally, the next generation of our sport.

Nicola Naylor, a long-standing member of the club, knows only too well the difficulties faced when setting up a breeding operation, but drawing on experience gained working in sales and marketing she has developed a groundbreaking way of funding her fledgling Cheshire-based Readswood Stud.

“I didn't want to sell my first foal, mainly because she wouldn't have been worth that much as she wasn't commercially bred, she was bred on pedigree,” says Nicola of the stud's first new addition, a Native Ruler filly. “I decided to keep her and syndicate her, but that means you’ve got nothing coming back in. You’re stretching out the time still paying bills before getting any cash coming back in to continue the business, so I decided to look for sponsors.”

Although sponsorship in racing is far from a new concept, in the breeding industry it is largely confined to branding at the sales.

“I seem to be the first one,” says Nicola, a former point-to-point rider. “There was no model to work from, but I wasn’t exactly just making it up as I went along, I had a strong hand to play having worked in sales and marketing.”

Evidently that experience paid off, because she has since secured sponsorship from TFO Tax, a strategic tax advisory service, private bank Brown Shipley, a luxury car manufacturer and Lanwades Stud – which will be visited by Nicola’s mares this year.

82

“I have four mares at the moment,” says Nicola. “Edgefour [a daughter of King's Best] will visit Sir Percy, Patronne [by Domedriver] is going to Aussie Rules and Clifton Encore [by War Chant] will go to Sir Percy or Archipenko.”

The fourth, Moonlight Babe, is not due until May and so will be left empty until 2016, when she has a date in Turkey with Offlee Wild – the

“We need to

introduce more companies to racing to continue sponsorship” resulting foal being bred on the same cross as Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Bayern.

“The sponsorship mainly comes in the form of financial support,” says Nicola. “It will run from January to January and be reviewed next year.”

But with the breeding industry being one conducted largely out of the public eye, what benefits are provided to the sponsor if not branding?

“When I approached the companies I said, ‘This is a good synergy, our customers are your

customers’,” says Nicola. “It needs to be a twoway operation, but we also need to introduce more companies to racing, to continue sponsorship and to be able to put on the highlevel events that maintain racing at its current position.

“What the sponsors get from me is my time.

I’ll be taking them racing, positioning them well to be talking to the right people. Brown Shipley sponsors the owners’ and trainers’ bar at Haydock, so they already know what to expect from racing, and they can see that having a person on board backs up the facility that they already have. I’ll not only be attending Haydock but others events they have that are racing or equestrian-related, like polo, plus I have the sponsors’ branding on my business cards, media and jackets for at the sales – where I will be hosting some of their clients.”

The set-up appears to be the dream scenario – funding a stud by going racing. Although her time should ensure the sponsorship is mutually beneficial, if all goes to plan, working will be a pleasure for Nicola, whose mother started breeding thoroughbreds at the age of just 17 and who met Nicola’s father while the pair were schooling horses for Michael Dickinson.

“I have picked up the baton,” says Nicola.

“My parents met at a time when Cheshire was more on the map in terms of breeding because we had the absolute legend who was Robert Sangster. Cheshire doesn’t really have big breeding operations any more that are in the media constantly. It is missing, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to fill that gap – although they are massive shoes to fill!”

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FRANKLINS GARDENS b. 2000, 16.11⁄2 hh Halling – Woodbeck (Terimon)

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CAMERON HIGHLAND 16.0hh, 2009 Galileo – Landmark by Arch

From a Group producing mare • By a Top class stallion High class Group 2 & 3 Winner of 4 races, £201,376 including Gr2 Yorkshire Cup. A striking horse with an outstanding pedigree.

His progeny are correct, good movers and have wonderful temperaments.

Excellent fertility. Retired sound.

Youngstock in training with Jeremy Scott and David Elsworth.

Making a mark with PT to PT horses GARDEN WHISPER etc and NH Flat races with FLASHYFRANK etc.

Stud Fee: £1,250 (1st October Terms)

BABODANA ch. 2000, 16.1 hh

Bahamian Bounty – Daanat Nawal (Machiavellian) Tough and durable high-class miler Won 3 races (including the Lincoln Handicap in 2004) Winnings £222,083. Retired sound.

An impressive individual combining bone and quality with an exceptional temperament, suitable sire for any equestrian sphere.

Concession for NONTB Mare.

Stud Fee: £1,000 (1st October Terms)

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His mothers full sister, ARRAVALE, won 5 races at 2 & 3 years and £632,660.

CAMERON HIGHLAND has won 5 races at 3 & 4 years amounting to a total of £107,462.

He has won the August Stakes (Listed) at Royal Windsor in 2 successive years, beating GOLDINI by 41⁄2 lengths & the favourite SONGCRAFT by 71⁄2 lengths in 2012.

In 2013 he beat SHIROCCO STAR also favourite by 3 lengths.

He was 2nd to MICHELANGELO in the Newmarket Tatts Millions.

He then won 2 races at Epsom in August 2012 & 2013.

One of his half sisters, SUPPOSING, was sold in Book 1 2012 for 525,000gns and his other half sister, STOR MO CHROI, has an early entry in the Darley Irish Oaks 2015. His full sister was sold in Book 1 2014 for 420,000gns to Qatar Racing.

CAMERON HIGHLAND has excellent conformation and temperament, he is a very easy horse to handle.

Stud fee: £1,200 1st October

GROVECOURT STUD

Llanarth, Raglan, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 2NA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1873 840494 • Mob Zoe: +44 (0)7974 096252 Mob Mervyn: +44 (0)7830 258494 enquiries@grovecourtstud.com • www.grovecourtstud.uk

Want to find out which stallions are making waves?

For the very latest sire lists go to www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Tables updated every day THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_126_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:22 Page 84

VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By ROB PILSWORTH, MA VETMB BSc (HONS) CERTVR MRCVS

Equine stomach ulcers – a suitable and special case for treatment?

Up to 90% of horses in training are afflicted by some degree of gastric ulceration

T

he well-publicised disqualification of the Godolphin horse Sky Hunter from the Doonside Cup last year, following the presence of anti-ulcer medication in a postrace sample, has focused attention on the condition of equine gastric ulcers. So what are they, why do they occur, what can we do about them and what stance should the sport’s regulatory body be taking in regard to their control?

In man the development of stomach ulcers is often linked to the presence of a specific bacterium, Heliobacter pylorum, which predisposes the host to the condition. In the horse, no link to a specific bacterial pathogen has been established, but what has been pretty firmly proven is that the conditions which take place when a thoroughbred horse is in routine full training are highly effective in producing gastric ulcers. Several factors are thought to be involved.

1. The horse naturally grazes for 13-14 hours a day when in the wild state. As it grazes it produces copious amounts of saliva which naturally contain the acid-buffer, sodium bicarbonate. So with each mouthful of grass it swallows the horse is, in effect, taking a natural antacid treatment. The saliva production is truly prodigious, with a normal horse producing upwards of 50 litres a day, which is trickled into the stomach along with the ingested food, and then recycled by absorption through the intestines. When we keep horses in stables, and curtail their feeding to several small meals a day, the situation is very different.

For long periods of the day the horse will be unable to access forage and therefore will not produce large quantities of saliva. This raises the acidic environment of the stomach.

2. Coupled to this, it is common practice not to feed horses immediately prior to exercise as we know very recent feeding has a performancelimiting effect, and this means that the horse goes out with an empty stomach, full of acid which is then liberally splashed around the walls as the horse exercises.

3. High-intensity exercise seems to be a risk factor in the development of ulcers, and high-

84

DR MARK HILLYER, NEH

The problem

Dr Mark Hillyer of Newmarket Equine Hospital using the three-metre long gastroscope to examine the inside of a horse’s stomach, displayed on the monitor

intensity exercise is what racehorses do for a living.

4. High grain/low roughage diets don’t help

but, again, to get the calories into the horse needed to support full training they have to be employed.

Is there a safe withdrawal period?

In common with several other drugs, the BHA has carried out a trial on the period of time in which they can detect omeprazole following its oral administration and published this as a declared detection period.

The normal advice ‘on the street’ to form a safe withdrawal period is to add a margin of error of half as much again to this detection period. As the BHA’s declared detection period is three days, most clinicians have therefore advised their trainers to use a withdrawal period of four and a half days, which is normally rounded up to be five clear days from racing, but there are three problems with this.

First, the BHA trial was carried out at a dose level of only 1mg of omeprazole per kilogram for the horse. This dose level is simply not used in practice. The current

recommendation in the modern textbooks such as ‘The Racehorse, a Veterinary Manual’ (Ramzan), and ‘Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery’ (Hinchcliffe et al), both published in 2014, is for initial treatment at a level of 4mg per kg followed by maintenance at a level of 2mg per kg.

This is four times, or double the dose, which the BHA chose to use in its detection periods study respectively. The BHA’s stated defence is that they used the dose level recommended in the data sheet given out with the drug. Whilst this is true, the data sheet recommendation was based on drug use in experimental horses, when the initial application for product registration was made, and these horses were not undergoing full training with all its consequences.

Subsequent to the release of the drug on

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Feb_126_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:22 Page 85

The evolution of a special type of endoscope, the gastroscope (see facing page), a tiny camera on the end of a flexible tube long enough to directly examine the lining of the horse’s stomach, added to information that we previously had only from post-mortem examinations, established the fact that up to 90% of racehorses in training showed some degree of gastric ulceration. By definition, any feature which is present in 90% of a population could probably be classed as normal.

So are we treating a disease of the endoscope rather than of the horse? Most clinicians feel that this is not the case, and they do so simply as a result of the spectacular improvement in condition, demeanour and trainability of horses which have been treated for gastric ulcers following the diagnosis of the more severe grades. So it’s likely that this condition does affect at least some of the horses which carry it and does impact directly on their facility to show their true level of ability.

a Two very different cases of what would both be considered Grade 4 ulceration, and likely to cause trouble: a) extensive diffuse lesions in the upper part of the stomach and b) a solitary, isolated but very deep lesion, just near the margin between the keratinised upper stomach and the lower, glandular section

“In reality significant management change is often simply not practical for a large number of horses”

What are the clinical signs?

The first thing to say is that most horses that carry ulcers show no sign at all of them being present – as we’ve already said, up to 90% of racehorses have them.

When horses do seem to be affected by them, they show a variety of symptoms, none of which is totally specific to ulceration of the stomach. These include lack of appetite, poor weight gain, a dull staring coat, mild bouts of colic, often around feeding time, and a general change in demeanour where the horse appears to be ‘sour’ and slightly ‘dull’ at exercise. These signs often increase in tandem with increasing

the market, clinicians found that this low dose rate was not enough to prevent the recurrence of ulcers in the racehorse, hence the universally advised and adopted dose at 2mg per kg for control.

This obviously presents a problem, in that the detection periods study now offers no useful information to the true detection periods at the dose rate most commonly employed. Not for the first time, the BHA has carried out an administration study and issued a detection period based on the dose level of a drug which nobody in practice is using. A small amount of prior consultation with the stakeholders in the industry could have established what dose rates veterinary surgeons and trainers are actually using, and the study then be based on this. This would have given much safer advice on the period

b

DR MARK HILLYER, NEH

How do we diagnose ulcers?

amounts of galloping exercise. Unfortunately, over-training will produce a very similar set of symptoms and it’s often hard to distinguish between the two.

Whilst a correlation between clinical signs and what we find on examining the stomach

required for the drug to clear the system.

The second problem is that for many years there was only one product available to treat gastric ulcers, Gastrogard. This came in a syringe size which was very easy to use because the normal treatment rate was a full syringe per day and the maintenance rate was half a syringe per day. In recent years two new products have been released containing omeprazole, by other manufacturers. Because these products are aimed to include larger horses, the syringe size contains enough drug for a 700kg rather than a 550kg horse, as was the case with Gastrogard.

If stable staff continue to use the regime of a full syringe for treatment and half a syringe for maintenance, then they are slightly overdosing the horse, ending up with a drug level approaching three times that which was used

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

lining with the gastroscope is not good, most clinicians would be happy to consider the more extensive lesions in the range (ulcers are often graded 1 to 4 and grades 3 and 4 – see images above – are often regarded as significant) to be important in the face of a horse showing these clinical signs.

What can we do about it?

Whilst most in racing would pay lip-service to the fact that altering the management of the horse is the key to controlling stomach ulcers, in reality significant management change is often simply not practical for a large number of horses.

The changes usually suggested are pasture turn-out for as much of the day as possible, the provision of a low-starch, high-fibre diet, reduction of stress and almost ad-lib access to

in the BHA detection periods study. More drug means a longer detection period, and means that the guidance issued by the BHA based on the low level of 1mg per kg becomes totally unsafe.

The third problem is that gastric ulcers develop relatively quickly once omeprazole medication is withdrawn. Even with the current advice based on a dose level which nobody is using, ulcers will have begun to reform by six days following the end of treatment. If an even longer withdrawal period has to be used going forward, this will pretty much totally negate any effect omeprazole has had by the time the horse races. Just when the horse needs to be at its peak of condition, it may start to ‘back out’ of its food manger because of pain from the development of further stomach ulcers.

85

>>

Feb_126_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 17:23 Page 86

VET FORUM >>

feed and hay. In practice, it’s very difficult to maintain horses in peak fitness if allowing all of these management changes to take place.

For affected horses there are obviously some common sense minor modifications which can be carried out. For instance, the short-feed component of the ration could be divided into four to six portions and this delivered into the feed manger throughout the day and night.

Fillies can be given pasture access, if available, in small play pens, but the mass turn-out of an entire yard of horses in training, including colts, is clearly a completely impractical approach in the environment in which most racehorses live.

Management changes being only partially effective, this throws us back on medication, so what drugs are available and how are they used?

Ulcer medication

Use of medication internationally Other jurisdictions which do not, in principle, allow the use of medication have taken a different stance to the BHA. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) allows the use of omeprazole up to the day of competition. Although the FEI does not govern horseracing, it is not alone in allowing the use of omeprazole up to the day of competition, even within racing jurisdictions.

In Australia, all anti-ulcer medications, including ranitidine, are permitted to be administered right up to (but not including) raceday. These drugs have simply been removed from the ‘prohibited substances’ list altogether. This decision was taken on welfare grounds and there is no evidence that these drugs alter performance, other than allowing the horse to express its true level of ability because of lack of disease.

Similarly, in Hong Kong the administration of omeprazole is permitted up to two clear days prior to a race. Again, this advised withdrawal period was presumably agreed on the basis that the Hong Kong Jockey Club did not wish to have their horses affected with stomach

Whilst there are several drugs available to treat ulcers in the horse, only one presents a realistic opportunity, and that is omeprazole. Other drugs which were used in the past, such as ranitidine, have such a variable and long excretion period after cessation of treatment (up to three weeks) that it makes their use during the training season itself impractical under present BHA drug rules.

Omeprazole was originally developed for treating gastric ulcers in man and is a highly effective inhibitor of acid secretion in the stomach, allowing rapid healing of ulcerated areas. It is easily administered by mouth using oral dosing syringes. Although most of the administered product is destroyed in the stomach because of the high acidity, enough survives to reach the small intestine, where it is absorbed and circulates in the bloodstream, eventually acting back on the stomach.

This is an important distinction, as local action within the stomach is irrelevant, and what is needed for the drug to be effective is a blood level. It is this blood level of drug that leads to problems with the current BHA stance in racing, in that they have zero tolerance of the presence of omeprazole in the blood on raceday and this

is where the problems lie (see panel: ‘Is there a safe withdrawal period?’).

The National Trainers’ Federation has for some time been proposing that omeprazole be removed from the list of prohibited substances and treated as a special case, just as happened in the past with antibiotics and wormers, which are now allowed to be used, but previously would result in disqualification of the horse if present on raceday. The argument goes that, as stated in the BHA press release issued at the time of the publication of a detection period, omeprazole had no direct effect on performance

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in the racehorse.

As it is treating a disease which is an occupational hazard of being in training, and as the disease is widespread, many believe that medication with omeprazole should be encouraged rather than punished, on welfare grounds. This has already happened in other countries which are perceived to have drug-free racing (see panel above). It is hoped that the BHA will think again about this important disease, and take on board the concerns of trainers and owners in their future regulation of the use of drugs to control gastric ulcers in the racehorse.

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ulceration by the time they ran. Dr Terence Wan, head of the HKJC Racing Laboratory, comments: “Based on our experience in Hong Kong, the detection time for repeated use of oral omeprazole, in accordance with the recently-adopted IFHA International Screening Limit (ISL) for the parent drug only, is well within two clear days (not less than 60 hours since we seldom race before noon) of the last treatment.

“However, we do not know yet which other countries are or will be signatories to this new ISL. If anyone chooses to detect the omeprazole metabolite instead of the parent drug in urine, the detection time would be much longer. Furthermore, while monitoring the omeprazole metabolite can result in a long detection time, in our experience a prolonged detection time can also be due to stable or feed bin contamination with this drug, even when only the parent drug is monitored.”

It remains to be seen whether or not the BHA will adopt this more pragmatic approach, shown by the regulators in other ‘drug-free’ racing jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong and Australia, going forward.

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BATSFORD STUD NATIVE RULER B. 2006 16.2 h.h. (1.68m) by CAPE CROSS – LOVE DIVINE by DIESIS

RACE RECORD: Won at 3 years, 12f, £31,006, placed 4 times from 7 starts 2nd Gr.2 Jockey Club Stakes, 12f, Newmarket, beaten a nose, beating Campanologist (multiple Gr.1), Indian Days (multiple Gr.2), Monitor Closely (Gr.2) and Laaheb (multiple Gr.3). ”He loomed up passing the 3f pole, battled very hard under pressure and looked to have done just enough on the run to the line, but … he had the prize snatched from him in the very last stride…

He hardly deserved to lose…” Racing Post 4th Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup, 14f, York, beating Askar Tau (multiple Gr.2) and Stakes winners Buxted, Free Agent and Electrolyser. ”The way the race unfolded didn’t allow him to lengthen as well as he can…” Racing Post Timeform Rated: 119 PEDIGREE: Sire CAPE CROSS – Champion and Multiple Champion sire of 90 Stakes winners: Won Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes, Gr.2 Queen Anne Stakes, Gr.2 Celebration Mile, etc.

Sire of: SEA THE STARS (Champion, sire), OUIJA BOARD (Champion; dam of AUSTRALIA, Gr.1 Derby and Gr.1 Irish Derby, 2014), BEHKABAD (Gr.1), NAYARRA (Gr.1), ABLE ONE (Gr.1), SEACHANGE (Gr.1), GAZE (Gr.1), KINDACROSS (Gr.1), JOVIALITY (Gr.2), MOOHAAJIM (Gr.2), MOKABRA (Gr.2), HALICARNASSUS (Gr.2), RUSSIAN CROSS (Gr.2), CAPE NORTH (Gr.2), HATTA FORT (Gr.2), CAPE DOLLAR (Gr.2), CRYSTAL CAPELLA (Gr.2), etc.

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Dam LOVE DIVINE – Won 2 races, Gr.1 Oaks S, LR Lupe S: dam of 5 winners, incl: NATIVE RULER, SIXTIES ICON – Champion 3yo stayer in Europe in 2006 (Gr.1 St. Leger Stakes, Gr.2 Jockey Club Stakes, Gr.3 Gordon Stakes, Gr.3 Glorious Stakes, Gr.3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes, LR Festival Stakes, LEADING FIRST SEASON SIRE).

Grandam LA SKY – Three-parts sister to LEGAL CASE (Champion: Gr.1 Champion Stakes, Gr.1 Premio Roma, Gr.3 Select Stakes, sire): won 2 races, 2nd Gr.3 Lancashire Oaks, 3rd LR March Stakes: dam of 5 winners, incl: FLOREEDA (LR Chalice S, 2nd Gr.3 Park Hill Stakes), DARK PROMISE (LR Rosemary Stakes), LAURENTINE (LR Inter Regional Trophee: herself dam of GOBLET OF FIRE (3rd LR Winter Derby)).

Classic blood at a great price in Gloucestershire 87

Etalons OB Feb 2015 f-p_Etalons OB Feb 2015 f-p 21/01/2015 09:15 Page 1

Feb_126_DrStatz2_Owner Breeder 21/01/2015 15:01 Page 89

DR STAT CRACKING THE CODE

The bottom line?

It’s a waiting game It takes time to evaluate fully a stallion’s contribution as a broodmare sire – our table-topper will come as no surprise

E

valuating the part played by a broodmare sire in terms of his contribution to the class of a racehorse has always been intriguing. We are all used to seeing the leading sires of one era becoming top broodmare sires of another. It is tricky to understand the value a broodmare sire adds, above and beyond the female line pedigrees of his daughters, and indeed the part played by the stallions they visit.

Quite often the biggest advantage bestowed upon a sire or a broodmare sire is the very existence of each other, particularly if they are both good and have complementary bloodlines. There have been numerous successful double acts down through history. The most recent in these parts is perhaps the Galileo/Danehill cross and previously the Sadler’s Wells/Darshaan combination, with both providing many of our star racehorses in recent times.

In the adjacent table, which is ranked by average Timeform rating of a broodmare sire’s runners, we have attempted not only to put the best broodmare sire’s scores in context, we have also restricted our study to the younger damsires. Our table includes only stallions born since the 1990s. To be included, a broodmare sire must also have had 50 or more runners in 2014.

It is easy to evaluate a broodmare sire in terms of the stallions that his daughters have visited: we simply generate a comparable average Timeform rating for all the stallions that have runners by a particular broodmare sire. Here’s a quick example: if Darshaan’s daughters have ten runners by Sadler’s Wells and three runners by Marju, we combine Sadler’s Wells’s sire average (86.7) with Marju’s averages (72.1) weighted by the number of runners to generate a comparable average of 83.3, which we then compare to what Darshaan’s daughters achieved.

It won’t be a surprise to see Galileo sitting atop our rankings. The average TFR of his daughters’ runners is an impressive 80.3.

However, what may be unexpected is the fact that his average rating is a full 7lb better than THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

the comparable index for all the sires that covered his daughters.

What does this tell us? Well, apart from the obvious that Galileo is a good broodmare sire, admittedly benefiting from some excellent pedigrees, it also tells us that Galileo has not yet found a natural sire partner. The obvious place to look for such a partner is Danehill’s sons and grandsons, given the huge success of the reverse cross.

Even though he’s had plenty of exposure and indeed some success with Danehill-line stallions, none has yet emerged as the go-to sire for a Galileo mare.

Interestingly, Galileo’s best runner so far as a broodmare sire is Dubawi’s 2,000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder. It is a stallion of Dubawi’s quality that Galileo needs in order to make the same impact in the role of broodmare sire.

Number two on our list is 2,000 Guineas and Dewhurst winner Zafonic, already on his way to a fine record as a broodmare sire. His best one so far is 128-rated Papal Bull by Sadler’s Wells stallion Montjeu. His success is typical of a sire that works well with a wider range of stallions.

Then we have Oasis Dream, a very young broodmare sire that looks ideally placed to capitalise on all the Sadler’s Wells blood around as he offers yet more inbreeding to

Early days for Oasis Dream as damsire

Never Bend. Authorized’s Group 1 filly Lacy is a good early example.

Another sire worthy of a mention is Mark Of Esteem, who benefited greatly from the relationship his sire Darshaan established with Sadler’s Wells. He has two major winners in Masked Marvel (by Montjeu) and Treasure Beach (by Galileo) from that sire line. His ratio of runners rated 100 or more

by Timeform is 19.1%, second only to Galileo. And his improvement index puts him in an elite group of five broodmare sires – including Galileo, Zafonic, Oasis Dream and Peintre Celebre – that have outscored their sires’ comparative index.

It will come as no surprise to see many of the younger stallions on our list flourish in years to come. After all, many of their runners here have still to reach full maturity.

No doubt there are further successful alliances to be formed.

Leading young broodmare sires in UK and Ireland Name

YOF

Rnrs

%TF100+

TF Avg Sires' Avg Diff

Best Horse

Rating

Galileo

1998

174

19.5

80.3

73.3

7.0

Night Of Thunder 127

Zafonic

1990

419

18.2

75.5

71.5

4.0

Papal Bull

128

Oasis Dream

2000

81

10.5

75.0

70.4

4.6

Extortionist

121

Daylami

1994

133

14.4

73.9

73.3

0.6

Arcano

122

Peintre Celebre

1994

169

16.1

73.8

71.5

2.3

Protectionist

128

Rock Of Gibraltar 1999

91

9.1

72.1

71.6

0.5

Breton Rock

120

Mark Of Esteem

1993

223

19.1

71.8

69.1

2.7

Masked Marvel

126

King's Best

1997

163

14.4

71.6

71.5

0.1

Ektihaam

124

Pivotal

1993

348

14.4

69.9

69.5

0.5

Main Sequence

124

Dansili

1996

130

15.6

69.4

69.9

-0.5

Snow Sky

121

89

Feb_126_DataBook_Layout 1 21/01/2015 15:11 Page 90

DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

National Hunt Grade 1s 80 888SPORT TINGLE CREEK CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 6. 4yo+. 16f.

m

1. DODGING BULLETS (GB) 6 11-7 £85,425 b g by Dubawi - Nova Cyngi (Kris S) O-Martin Broughton & Friends B-L. Dettori TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Somersby (IRE) 10 11-7 £32,055 b g by Second Empire - Back To Roost (Presenting) O-Mrs T. P. Radford B-Miss N. A. Adams TR-Mick Channon 3. Hinterland (FR) 6 11-7 £16,050 b g by Poliglote - Queen Place (Diamond Prospect) O-Christopher Giles B-E. Aubree & C. Bresson TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 2.5, 1.5. Time 4:00.40. Going Soft.

Age 3-6

Starts 25

Wins 8

Places 11

Earned £232,694

Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 87 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - DODGING BULLETS Kris S G1, PURPLE BAY Nashwan G2, LACHLAN BRIDGE Anabaa G3.

1st Dam: Nova Cyngi by Kris S. unraced.

Dam of 5 winners: 2004: SEIUN RHODEM (c Singspiel) 2 wins at 3 and 5 in Japan.

2005: YEM KINN (c Dubai Destination) Winner at 2.

2006: SINGITNSIGNIT (f Singspiel) Winner at 5 in USA. Broodmare.

2007: Fourlanends (g Dubawi) ran a few times.

2008: DODGING BULLETS (g Dubawi) Sold 8,000gns yearling at TADEY. 8 wins, Opus Energy Sharp Novices’ Hurdle G2, 2nd williamhill.com Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle G2, 3rd williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle G1, 888sport Tingle Creek Chase G1, Race Post Arkle Trial November Nov.Chase G2, williamhill.com Wayward Lad Nov. Chase G2, 2nd Betfair Game Spirit Chase G2, 3rd Shloer Chase LR. 2010: FRASERBURGH (g Shamardal) 2 wins at 3.

2011: Smart Panther (g Kheleyf) 2012: Good Omen (c Gloria de Campeao) 2nd Dam: NORTHERN TRICK by Northern Dancer.

Champion 3yr old filly in Europe in 1984. 4 wins at 3 in France Prix de Diane Hermes G1, Prix Vermeille G1, 2nd Trusthouse Forte P. de l’Arc de Triomphe G1, Prix Saint-Alary G1. Dam of ONDA NOVA (f Keos: Prix Imprudence LR), Evocatrice (f Persepolis: 2nd Prix de Meudon LR). Grandam of JEUNE-TURC, LIGHT SHIFT, SHIVA, NONNO LUIGI, LIMNOS, BURNING SUNSET, Hyades, Talwin, Edouna, Erewhon, Our Teddy, LETHAL WEAPON. Third dam of SMOKING SUN, MAGADAN, ZHIYI, Ikat, King of Dudes. Fourth dam of MAIN SEQUENCE. Broodmare Sire: KRIS S. Sire of the dams of 82 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - DODGING BULLETS Dubawi G1, MAHRAJAAN Machiavellian G3.

DODGING BULLETS b g 2008 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02 Zomaradah

Kris S NOVA CYNGI b/br 99 Northern Trick

Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Shirley Heights Deploy Slightly Dangerous Dancing Brave Jawaher High Tern Hail To Reason Roberto Bramalea Princequillo Sharp Queen Bridgework Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Prince John Trick Chick Fast Line

With his fee now set at £125,000, Dubawi shares with Frankel the distinction of being the highest-priced stallion in England. Consequently, this highly accomplished two-year-old and miler is not normally associated with the jumping sector. However, he is out of a mare by Deploy, sire of such Graded-winning jumpers as Shinrock Paddy, Gagewell Flyer and Caim Hill,

90

so it is to be expected that he will come up with the occasional good jumper.

His first Gr1 success in this role came in 2012, when Hisaabaat won in Ireland and France. Dubawi kept up the good work in 2014, thanks to the Graded winners Lachlan Bridge, a Gr3 winner over fences at Auteuil, the progressive Purple Bay, winner of the Gr2 Elite Hurdle, and latterly Dodging Bullets.

The last-named, bred by Frankie Dettori, has proved tough and versatile. Having won twice on the level as a three-year-old in Ireland, Dodging Bullets quickly developed into a smart hurdler, notably winning a Gr2 novice hurdle before finishing third in the Gr1 Christmas Hurdle.

Now he has successfully graduated to steeplechasing. He was winning for the fourth time in eight starts over fences when he benefited from mistakes by several of the market leaders in the Tingle Creek Chase.

With Dubawi as his sire, it isn’t surprising that Dodging Bullet’s best form has been at around two miles (he has been well beaten on both attempts at an extra half mile).

The gelding’s second dam is the excellent French filly Northern Trick.

This daughter of Northern Dancer won the Prix de Diane and Prix Vermeille and finished second to Sagace in the Arc. Although none of her foals showed similar talent, several did make their mark as producers. One, Lingerie, produced the top fillies Light Shift (Epsom Oaks) and Shiva, while another daughter, Lady Windley, produced the Gr1 hurdles winner Lethal Weapon.

81 RACING POST HENRY VIII NOVICE CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 6. 4yo+. 16f.

1. VIBRATO VALTAT (FR) 5 11-2 £22,780 gr g by Voix du Nord - La Tosca Valtat (Dom Alco) O-Axom XLIII B-Mme C. Duperret & Mlle A-M. Duperret TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Dunraven Storm (IRE) 9 11-2 £8,548 br g by Presenting - Foxfire (Lord Americo) O-Mrs Karola Vann B-Miss V. Sweeney TR-Philip Hobbs 3. Irish Saint (FR) 5 11-2 £4,280 b/br g by Saint des Saints - Minirose (Mansonnien) O-Mrs Johnny de la Hey B-S. C. E. A. Haras Du Ma TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 2, Head. Time 4:00.10. Going Soft.

Age 3-5

Starts 18

Wins 6

Places 11

Earned £106,066

Sire: VOIX DU NORD. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - VIBRATO VALTAT Dom Alco G1, VROUM VROUM MAG Kadalko G3, VIEUX MORVAN Kadalko LR. 1st Dam: La Tosca Valtat by Dom Alco. unraced. Dam of 1 winner: 2008: Una Dolce Valtat (f Brier Creek) 2009: VIBRATO VALTAT (g Voix du Nord) 5 wins, BathwickTyres Plymouth Novices’ Hurdle LR, 3rd Pertemps Network Swinton H. Hurdle G3, William Hill Imperial Cup H. Hurdle G3, Racing Post Henry VIII Novice Chase G1, 2nd Race Post Arkle Trial November Nov.Chase G2.

2011: Bel Canto Valtat (g Network) Broodmare Sire: DOM ALCO. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

The Voix du Nord/Dom Alco cross has produced: VIBRATO VALTAT G1, Vago Collonges G2.

VIBRATO VALTAT gr g 2009 Lomond Valanour Vearia VOIX DU NORD b 01 Top Ville Dame Edith Girl of France Dom Pasquini Dom Alco Alconaca LA TOSCA VALTAT gr 99 Kedellic Elegie de Valtat Caselle

Northern Dancer My Charmer Mill Reef Val Divine High Top Sega Ville Legend of France Water Girl Rheffic Boursonne Nonoalco Vela Edellic Upsala III Hul A Hul Missed

Luck was never on Voix du Nord’s side. Having earned the position of favourite for the 2004 Prix du Jockey-Club with victories in the Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Gr2 Prix Noailles and Gr1 Prix Lupin, he suffered a serious injury shortly before the Chantilly Classic. Although he eventually raced again, after nearly a year on the sidelines, he never won again.

Voix du Nord then died as a 12-year-old in March 2013. His demise looks all the more unfortunate a year later. In addition to holding a top-15 position among France’s leading jumping stallions, he has been represented by a pair of Gr1 winners in Britain. First came Taquin du Seuil, winner of the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and now Vibrato Valtat has won the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.

Voix du Nord possibly owes his prowess as a sire of jumpers partly to his broodmare sire Top Ville, who sired so many talented jumping stallions.

Voix du Nord also came from the same female line as the top stayer Westerner.

Vibrato Valtat is the second foal and first winner out of La Tosca Valtat, who managed just one victory in a 21-race career, in a hurdle race over two and a quarter miles at Cagnessur-Mer. Her brother Recital Valtat was more successful, scoring as a middle-distance performer on the Flat before winning three steeplechases at up to two and three-quarter miles.

This is a non-thoroughbred family but La Tosca Valtat is a daughter of the influential Dom Alco. Well known in Britain as the sire of such as Neptune Collonges, Silviniaco Conti, Al Ferof, Grands Crus, Unioniste and Al Co, Dom Alco has yet to make a similar impact as a broodmare sire.

However, another of his daughters produced the useful bumper horse/hurdler Vago Collonges and the successful chaser Ulysse Collonges to Vibrato Valtat’s sire.

82 JOHN DURKAN MEMORIAL PUNCHESTOWN CHASE G1 PUNCHESTOWN. Dec 7. 5yo+. 20f.

1. DON COSSACK (GER) 7 11-10 £40,000 br g by Sholokhov - Depeche Toi (Konigsstuhl) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Gestut Etzean TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Boston Bob (IRE) 9 11-10 £12,667 b g by Bob Back - Bavaway (Le Bavard)

O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Burgage Stud TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Lord Windermere (IRE) 8 11-10 £6,000 b g by Oscar - Satellite Dancer (Satco) O-Dr R. Lambe B-E. Coleman TR-J. Culloty Margins 4.5, 0.5. Time 5:11.00. Going Good to Yielding.

Age 4-7

Starts 17

Wins 9

Places 5

Earned £205,865

Sire: SHOLOKHOV. Sire of 20 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - DON COSSACK Konigsstuhl G1, ABAKAHN Dashing Blade LR. 1st Dam: DEPECHE TOI by Konigsstuhl. 2 wins at 3 in West Germany. Dam of 6 winners: 1996: Demetrius (c Polish Precedent) 1997: DUBAI DANCER (g Lando) 3 wins.

1998: DUBAI DIVA (f Unfuwain) 3 wins at 3 in Germany. Broodmare. Dam of Dubai Star (c Lord of England: 3 wins over jumps at 5 in France, 2nd Prix Aguado Hurdle LR) 1999: Dendera (f Lando) ran on the flat in Germany and over jumps in Germany.

2000: DABOYA (f Hernando) Winner at 4 in France.

Broodmare.

2001: DUBAI KING (g Dashing Blade) 2 wins.

2002: Dubai Perle (f Sagamix) ran on the flat in France.

2003: Don Corleone (c Tiger Hill) 2004: DIAMOND KING (c Dashing Blade) Winner at 4 in Czech Republic.

2007: DON COSSACK (g Sholokhov) 9 wins, Irish Form Future Chpns Pro-Am Flat Race G2, 2nd Racing UK Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle G2, 3rd paddypower.com Johnstown Novice Hurdle G2, Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase G1, John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase G1, Powers Irish Whiskey Skymas Chase G2, Star Best For Racing Carvills Hill Chase G3, 2nd Betfred Mildmay Novices’ Chase G1, Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase G1, Dobbins Catering Florida Pearl Nov.Chase G2.

2nd Dam: Diaspora by Sparkler. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in West Germany, 2nd Schwarzgold-Rennen (1000 Guineas) G3. Dam of DAPPRIMA (f Shareef Dancer: Everest TV Fruhjahrs Stuten Preis LR, 2nd ARAG Preis (1000 Guineas) G2), Donja (f Julio Mariner: 3rd Preis der Landeshauptstadt Munchen LR). Grandam of DENARO, DAVIDOFF, DUELLANT, DEAUVILLE, DOMINANTE, Dubai. Third dam of Dajolie.

Broodmare Sire: KONIGSSTUHL. Sire of the dams of 58 Stakes winners.

DON COSSACK br g 2007 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge SHOLOKHOV b 99 Lord Gayle La Meilleure Gradille Dschingis Khan Konigsstuhl Konigskronung DEPECHE TOI b/br 91 Sparkler Diaspora Diu

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Sir Gaylord Sticky Case Home Guard Gradiva Tamerlane Donna Diana Tiepoletto Kronung Hard Tack Diamond Spur Utrillo Didergo

With several of Ireland’s most popular jumping stallions attracting in excess of 250 mares apiece in 2014, it is rather surprising that Sadler’s Wells’s accomplished son Sholokhov is listed as covering no more than 68 thoroughbred mares at Glenview Stud in 2013 and 97 in 2014.

Sholokhov was very smart at his best, as he showed in winning the Gr1 Gran Criterium at two and in finishing second to High Chaparral in the 2002 Irish Derby and to Hawk Wing in the Eclipse.

Sholokhov eventually made his stud debut at €5,000 at Gestut

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Caulfield on Reve De Sivola: “Three miles seems to be his minimum distance. He surely owes his stamina to his sire Assessor, who like his own sire Niniski won the Royal-Oak”

Etzean in 2004 and he sired six stakes winners in a 52-strong first crop. His subsequent crops haven’t proved as productive, but they did produce Night Magic (German Oaks and Preis von Baden) and Monami (Gr2 Diana Trial).

One notable statistic is that ten of his 12 stakes winners on the Flat are fillies. Fortunately, several of Sholokhov’s sons have made amends as National Hunt performers. For example, the French-trained Esmondo won six of his nine starts over hurdles as a three-year-old, including a Gr1 event, and also won a Gr1 at four before being sidelined for a lengthy period.

Another German-bred gelding, Don Cossack, has also proved a tremendous ambassador for Sholokhov. Having taken three consecutive bumpers, including a Gr2 event, Don Cosack had only a light campaign over hurdles before tackling fences. He now boasts the excellent record of five wins and three seconds from nine completed starts over fences. He achieved a career best – and a second Gr1 success – when he stayed on strongly to get the better of the favourite Boston Bob in the Punchestown Chase.

Don Cosack was bred by Gestut Etzean from Depeche Toi, a winning Konigsstuhl filly from the female line responsible for Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup. 89 JLT LONG WALK HURDLE G1 ASCOT. Dec 20. 4yo+. 25f.

1. REVE DE SIVOLA (FR) 9 11-7 £56,270 b g by Assessor - Eva de Chalamont (Iron Duke) O-Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership B-G. Trapenard & Thomas Trapenard TR-Nick Williams 2. Zarkandar (IRE) 7 11-7 £21,200 b g by Azamour - Zarkasha (Kahyasi) O-Mr Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd B-His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs S.C. TR-Paul Nicholls 3. Aubusson (FR) 5 11-7 £10,610 b g by Ballingarry - Katioucha (Mansonnien) O-Mrs Jane Williams B-Mr S. Dubois TR-Nick Williams Margins Head, 23. Time 6:08.00.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 3-9

Starts 35

Wins 9

Places 16

Earned £547,670

Sire: ASSESSOR. Sire of 7 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: EVA DE CHALAMONT by Iron Duke. Winner in France. Dam of 4 winners: 2001: NEVA DE SIVOLA (f Blushing Flame) Winner over jumps in France. Broodmare. Dam of SOLEIL DE SIVOLA (g Discover d’Auteuil: 3 wins over jumps in France, Prix La Perichole Steeplechase G3), URBAIN DE SIVOLA (g Le Fou: 3 wins, 2nd Jumeirah Hotels December H. Hurdle LR, Prix Miror Hurdle LR) 2005: REVE DE SIVOLA (g Assessor) Sold 3,940gns yearling at AFDEC. 9 wins, Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Nov Hurdle G1, Racing UK Challow Novices’ Hurdle G1, Long Walk Hurdle G1 (3 times), Totepool Persian War Novices’ Hurdle G2, Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle G2, 2nd Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle G1, Wragge & Co. Juv. Finesse Nov. Hurdle G2, Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle G2, Cleanevent Hyde Novices’ Hurdle G2, 3rd Coral Future Champion Finale Juv Hurdle G1,

2006: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2012:

Bet365 Long Distance Hurdle G2, Prestbury Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle G2, 3rd Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase G2, Stewart Spinal Research Festival H Chase G3, GL Events O. Brown Silver Cup H. Chase LR, John Smith’s H. Chase LR, Grand Prix d’Automne Hurdle G1.

SUITE DE SIVOLA (f Assessor) Winner over jumps in France.

Ultra Chic Sivola (g Antarctique) ran over jumps in France.

VEAUCE DE SIVOLA (g Assessor) Winner over hurdles at 5.

After Eight Sivola (g Shaanmer) Eva de Sivola (f Assessor) unraced to date.

Broodmare Sire: IRON DUKE. Sire of the dams of 11 Stakes winners.

REVE DE SIVOLA b g 2005 Nijinsky Niniski Virginia Hills ASSESSOR b 89 Petingo Dingle Bay Border Bounty Sicambre Iron Duke Insulaire EVA DE CHALAMONT ch 92 Royal Exchange Bel Natura Fudnatura

Northern Dancer Flaming Page Tom Rolfe Ridin’ Easy Petition Alcazar Bounteous B Flat Prince Bio Sif Aureole Ismene II Royal Coinage Little Stormy Novitur Fudna

Having taken the Long Walk Hurdle by 14 lengths in 2012 and ten lengths in 2013, Reve de Sivola was seeking a hat-trick in this 25furlong contest when he lined up for the 2014 edition. However, his chances of achieving this remarkable feat seemed to have evaporated when the odds-on Zarkandar cruised past the front-running nine-year-old to establish a two-length lead coming to the last flight. Unfortunately for Zarkandar’s supporters, the favourite wasn’t fluent at the last and a resurgent Reve de Sivola pegged him back to score a memorable victory by a head.

Reve de Sivola now has six Gr1 victories to his name, including the 2013 Grand Prix d’Automne in his native France. His tally might have been even higher had his connections not tried to turn him into a steeplechaser. He spent the whole of the 2010-11 season and the start of his 2011-12 campaign over the bigger obstacles but managed only one win from ten starts.

Three miles seems to be a minimum distance for the mature Reve de Sivola, though he shone at around two and a half miles as a younger horse, when he recorded the first two of his Gr1 wins. He surely owes his stamina to his sire Assessor, who followed in the footsteps of his own sire Niniski in winning the Prix Royal-Oak over nearly two miles as a three-year-old.

Assessor went on to win the Yorkshire and Doncaster Cups at four, as well as the Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles. Assessor’s other notable achievement as a stallion is the versatile My Way de Solzen, winner at the Cheltenham Festival of the 2006 World Hurdle and 2007 Arkle Chase.

Reve de Sivola’s sister Eva de

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Sivola sold for €52,000 as a two-year-old in 2014. Their dam Eva de Chalamont was a lightly raced winner over a mile and a half.

This daughter of Iron Duke has four other winners to her credit, including two others by Assessor (the French winner Suite de Sivola and the Taunton winner Veauce de Sivola). Another of her winners is the successful broodmare Neva de Sivola, dam of the Gr3-winning chaser Soleil de Sivola and the talented Urbain de Sivola.

The next dam, Bel Natura, produced eight winners including the prolific winner Foehn de Chalamont.

90 KAUTO STAR N. CLARK FELTHAM NOV. CHASE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. CONEYGREE (GB) 7 11-7 £42,047 b g by Karinga Bay - Plaid Maid (Executive Perk) O-The Max Partnership B-Exors of the Late Lord Oaksey TR-Mark Bradstock 2. Warden Hill (IRE) 6 11-7 £17,141 br g by Presenting - Moon Storm (Strong Gale) O-Mrs T. P. Radford B-A. Metcalfe TR-Mick Channon 3. Virak (FR) 5 11-7 £9,672 b g by Bernebeau - Nosika d’Airy (Oblat) O-Hills of Ledbury (Aga) B-B. Thierry, S. Thierry & E. Labataille TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 40, 1.5. Time 6:07.70.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-7

Starts 8

Wins 6

Places 1

Earned £95,816

Sire: KARINGA BAY. Sire of 12 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - CONEYGREE Executive Perk G1, PASS THE HAT Primitive Rising G3.

1st Dam: PLAID MAID by Executive Perk. 5 wins. Dam of 3 winners: 2003: CARRUTHERS (g Kayf Tara) 9 wins, Ballymore Prop. Leamington Novice Hurdle G2, Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase G2, 2nd Totesport Bowl Chase G1.

2004: Cuckoo Pen (g Alflora) 2005: Carstaires (g Classic Cliche) unraced.

2007: CONEYGREE (g Karinga Bay) 6 wins, Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle G2, Neptune Investment Hyde Novices’ Hurdle G2, 3rd Neptune Investment Classic Nov. Hurdle G2, Kauto Star N. Clark Feltham Nov. Chase G1, Fullers London Pride Berkshire Nov Chase G2.

2008: Maid of Oaksey (f Overbury) ran a few times in N.H. Flat Races.

2009: FLINTHAM (g Kayf Tara) 2 wins over hurdles at 5.

Broodmare Sire: EXECUTIVE PERK. Sire of the dams of 8 Stakes winners.

CONEYGREE b g 2007 Run The Gantlet Ardross Le Melody KARINGA BAY ch 87 Green God Handy Dancer Miss Golightly Lord Gayle Executive Perk Areola PLAID MAID b 92 Rarity Tipperary Tartan Colourful

Tom Rolfe First Feather Levmoss Arctic Melody Red God Thetis II Jimmy Reppin Gracious Gal Sir Gaylord Sticky Case Kythnos Alive Alivo Hethersett Who Can Tell Busted Topaz

The Gordon Stakes winner Karinga Bay died in 2006, but he left at least one notable legacy. Among the 80-odd foals in his final crop, born in 2007, is Coneygree, who promises to

be Karinga Bay’s finest achievement.

A dual Gr2 winner over hurdles, Coneygree is now unbeaten in two starts over fences and he came home virtually alone in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (in which he benefited from some sloppy jumping by some other market leaders).

Coneygree has gained two of his best wins over three miles, which suggests he has inherited some of the stamina which helped his grandsire Ardross develop into one of the finest long-distance horses of modern times.

There is also plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree.

Coneygree is out of Plaid Maid, the Executive Perk mare who did such sterling work for the late Lord Oaksey. She began by winning five times over jumps, including four times over fences, and she proved she stayed extreme distances.

Plaid Maid then began her broodmare career in great style, her first foal being none other than Carruthers, who has amassed earnings in excess of £300,000.

His career highlights include a victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup and he too stays extremely well.

Plaid Maid in turn was a half-sister to Destriero, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

91 WILLIAM HILL KING GEORGE VI CHASE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 8 11-10 £113,900 ch g by Dom Alco - Gazelle Lulu (Altayan) O-Mr Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd B-P. Joubert TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Dynaste (FR) 8 11-10 £42,740 gr g by Martaline - Bellissima de Mai (Pistolet Bleu) O-Mr A. J. White B-Mr P. Chartier TR-David Pipe 3. Al Ferof (FR) 9 11-10 £21,400 gr g by Dom Alco - Maralta (Altayan) O-Mr J. Hales B-Mr J. Rauch & Mr G. Chenu TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 4.5, 5. Time 6:03.30.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-8

Starts 24

Wins 14

Places 8

Earned £872,759

Sire: DOM ALCO. Sire of 22 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - SILVINIACO CONTI Altayan G1, AL FEROF Altayan G2, VEZELAY Sleeping Car G2.

1st Dam: GAZELLE LULU by Altayan. 5 wins in France. Dam of 5 winners: 2002: ORFEO CONTI (g Bulington) 3 wins.

2005: RIO CONTI (g Video Rock) Winner at 5 in France.

2006: SILVINIACO CONTI (g Dom Alco) 14 wins, totesport.com Persian War Nov. Hurdle G2, Coral Ascot Hurdle G2, 3rd stanjames.com International Hurdle G2, William Hill King George VI Chase G1 (twice), Betfred Bowl Chase G1, Betfair Lancashire Chase G1 (twice), Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase G2, John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase G2, Totetentofollow Rising Stars Nov Chase G2, Betfair Denman Chase G2, 2nd williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase G1, 3rd Betfred Bowl Chase G1, Betfair Lancashire Chase G1.

2007: TOSCANA CONTI (f Dom Alco) 6 wins, Prix Triquerville Chase LR. 2008: UCELLO CONTI (g Martaline) 8 wins, Prix Roger de Minvielle Chase LR, 2nd Prix Duc d’Anjou Chase G3, Prix Fleuret Chase G3, Prix Edmond Barrachin Chase G3.

2010: Adagio Conti (g Dom Alco) Broodmare Sire: ALTAYAN. Sire of the dams of 5

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DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

National Hunt Grade 1s Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - SILVINIACO CONTI Dom Alco G1, AL FEROF Dom Alco G2.

The Dom Alco/Altayan cross has produced: AL FEROF G1, SILVINIACO CONTI G1, TOSCANA CONTI LR.

SILVINIACO CONTI ch g 2006 Rheffic Dom Pasquini Boursonne DOM ALCO gr 87 Nonoalco Alconaca Vela Posse Altayan Aleema GAZELLE LULU ch 94 Quart de Vin Tatiana Lulu Kaline Lulu

Traffic Rhenane La Varende Arctic Star Nearctic Seximee Sheshoon Cenerentola Forli In Hot Pursuit Red God Alannya Devon Quartelette Vieux Chateau Violine D P

See race 43 in the January issue 92 WILLIAMHILL.COM CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 16f.

1. FAUGHEEN (IRE) 6 11-7 £57,218 b g by Germany - Miss Pickering (Accordion) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Dr J. Waldron TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Purple Bay (IRE) 5 11-7 £21,638 b g by Dubawi - Velvet Lady (Nashwan) O-Bloomfields B-Darley TR-John Ferguson 3. Blue Heron (IRE) 6 11-7 £10,968 b g by Heron Island - American Chick (Lord Americo) O-Horwood Harriers Partnership B-Louise Cooper-Joyce TR-Dan Skelton Margins 8, 9. Time 3:46.30. Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-6

Starts 9

Wins 9

Places 0

Earned £256,836

Sire: GERMANY. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - FAUGHEEN Accordion G1, FREE EXPRESSION Bob Back G2.

1st Dam: Miss Pickering by Accordion. unraced. Dam of 1 winner: 2006: Molly’s Mate (f Goldmark) unraced.

Broodmare.

2007: Shedaka (f Lahib) unraced.

2008: FAUGHEEN (g Germany) 8 wins, Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle G1, Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, Coral Ascot Hurdle G2, Liberty Ins. Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle G3.

2009: (c Germany) 2010: (g Definite Article) 2013: (c Fracas) Broodmare Sire: ACCORDION. Sire of the dams of 6 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - FAUGHEEN Germany G1, MISTER HOTELIER Beneficial G2.

FAUGHEEN b g 2008 Atan Rocchetta Viceregal Trephine Quiriquina GERMANY b 91 Herbager Big Spruce Silver Sari Inca Princess Hail To Reason Inca Queen Silver Spoon Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge Accordion Successor Sound of Success Belle Musique MISS PICKERING b 01 Sham Creative Plan Another Treat Make Me An Island Ballymoss Bali Near The Line Sharpen Up

Trempolino

Superstar status surely beckons for Faugheen, who extended his unbeaten sequence to nine (including a point-to-point) when he easily landed Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle.

Faugheen’s emergence comes too late for his sire Germany (USA), who died at the age of 22 in 2013.

92

Although Germany’s stallion career wasn’t straightforward, this high-class son of the Arc winner Trempolino made quite an impact on the jumping sector. In winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival, Faugheen became his sire’s second winner of one of the Festival’s Gr1 novice hurdles, following Captain Cee Bee (2008 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle).

Germany had a third Gr1 winner to his credit in Conna Castle (2008 Powers Gold Cup Chase) and he appears to have another good prospect in Free Expression, winner of four of his five starts to date, including a Gr2 event at Navan.

Germany sired Faugheen in the first crop he sired after his move to Woodlands Stud in Co Galway in 2007. Germany was a dual Gr1 winner over middle distances in Germany at four and he was supposed to retire to Gestut Rietberg in 1996. However, he continued to race, improving his Timeform rating to 124. Although he then retired to stud in Ireland under the Gainsborough Stud banner, he struggled for support before being transferred to the National Hunt sector.

Faugheen’s dam Miss Pickering never raced and neither did her sire Accordion. However, Accordion’s brother Sonus won the Goodwood Cup and was placed in the Ascot Gold Cup, so it isn’t surprising that Faugheen has already won over three miles both in the point-to-point field and under rules. That said, he is now a dual Gr1 winner over two miles, so he has endless options.

Accordion is shaping up well as a sire of broodmares, as other daughters are responsible for Captain Cutter (Gr1 Challow Hurdle) and Monbeg Dude (Welsh National).

93 RACING POST NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 26. 4yo+. 17f.

1. CLARCAM (FR) 4 11-1 £46,042 b g by Califet - Rose Beryl (Lost World) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-J. Michel & D. Le Breton TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Ted Veale (IRE) 7 11-12 £9,917 b g by Revoque - Rose Tanner (Roselier) O-Mr John Breslin B-J. Mulcahy TR-A. J. Martin 2. Vautour (FR) 5 11-12 £9,917 b g by Robin des Champs - Gazelle de Mai (Dom Pasquini) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Haras de Saint Voir & P. Joubert TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 17, Dead heat. Time 4:36.10. Going Soft.

Age 3-4

Starts 14

Wins 4

Places 9

Earned £111,664

Sire: CALIFET. Sire of 11 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - CLARCAM Lost World G1, MOMITA HAS Dernier Empereur LR. 1st Dam: ROSE BERYL by Lost World. Winner over jumps in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2005: FABANNSO (f Dream Well) 5 wins.

Broodmare.

2006: MARCOMAX (c Ballingarry) 4 wins over jumps at 4, 7 and 8 in France.

2007: Lisalex (g Roli Abi) ran on the flat in France.

2008: Maxyvan (g Ballingarry) 2009: Maxaubin (g Ballingarry) 2010: CLARCAM (g Califet) 4 wins, 2nd Injured

2011:

Jockeys Fund Juvenile Hurdle G1, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle G2, J. Smith’s Scottish Triumph Trial Hurdle LR, 3rd Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle G3, Racing Post Novice Chase G1.

Monyjean (g Califet)

Broodmare Sire: LOST WORLD. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - CLARCAM Califet G1, CHANCOL Vangelis G2.

CLARCAM b g 2010 Soviet Star Freedom Cry Falling Star CALIFET br 98 Kendor Sally’s Room Square Room Last Tycoon Lost World Last Tango ROSE BERYL b 99 Master Thatch Rose Angevine Palisa

Nureyev Veruschka Mount Hagen Free French Kenmare Belle Mecene Dewan Keys Stormy Love Try My Best Mill Princess Luthier La Bamba Thatch Miss Sarah Abdos Amphipolis

Over the years Boardsmill Stud stallions, such as Furry Glen and Orchestra, have made sizeable contributions to National Hunt breeding. Now the Co Meath establishment has another very interesting stallion in the shape of French import Califet, who attracted a sizeable book in his first year in Ireland in 2014 – a year which also witnessed him finish tenth on the table of France’s leading jumping sires.

His arrival coincided with the promising career starts made in Britain or Ireland by Analifet, Calipto and Clarcam. The last-named showed useful form over hurdles, notably finishing second in Aintree’s Gr1 Juvenile Hurdle, but the indications are that the youngster will do even better over fences.

He has been impressive in winning his second and third starts over the larger obstacles and he claimed a notable scalp – that of Vautour, no less – in the Gr1 Racing Post Novice Chase.

Califet was good enough to finish a close fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – a race in which his sire Freedom Cry once finished second.

Califet also won Gr2 and Gr3 events over a mile and a half.

Clarcam’s dam Rose Beryl gained her only success in a steeplechase at Angers. Clarcam is her sixth foal and third winner, her seventh being Clarcam’s brother Monyjean, who has been second twice from three starts over hurdles. The next dam, Rose Angevine, won ten times over hurdles and fences during a busy career in the French Provinces. An extended two-and-three-quarter miles was the longest distance she won over. Rose Angevine produced two notable sons in Bonbon Rose, a Gr1 winner over fences at Auteuil, and Speed Rose, a Listed winner over fences.

Clarcam’s broodmare sire Lost World won the 1993 edition of the Grand Criterium. Most of his success came with his jumpers, led by the very prolific French and Irish winner Nickname.

94 CORAL FUTURE CHAMPION FINALE JUV. HURDLE G1 CHEPSTOW. Dec 27. 3yo. 16f 110yds.

1. BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) 11-0 £19,933 gr g by Saddler Maker - La Bole Night (April Night) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-Mr J. Touzaint TR-Nigel Twiston-Davies 2. Karezak (IRE) 11-0 £7,480 b g by Azamour - Karawana (King’s Best) O-McNeill Family B-His Highness The Aga Khan’s Studs S.C. TR-Alan King 3. The Wallace Line (IRE) 11-0 £3,745 b g by Mastercraftsman - Surval (Sadler’s Wells) O-Diamond Racing Ltd B-Tullamaine Castle Stud TR-Tim Vaughan Margins 6, 5. Time 4:06.80. Going Heavy.

Age 3

Starts 4

Wins 2

Places 1

Earned £39,966

Sire: SADDLER MAKER. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: La Bole Night by April Night. ran over jumps in France. Dam of 2 winners: 2005: Riva (f Winning Smile) ran on the flat in France and over jumps in France.

2006: Sicolas de Mai (g East of Heaven) 2008: ULA DE MAI (f Passing Sale) Winner at 4 in France.

2011: BRISTOL DE MAI (g Saddler Maker) 2 wins, Coral Future Champion Finale Juv. Hurdle G1.

Broodmare Sire: APRIL NIGHT. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners.

BRISTOL DE MAI gr g 2011 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge SADDLER MAKER b 98 Alleged Animatrice Alexandrie Kaldoun April Night My Destiny LA BOLE NIGHT gr 99 Hellios Grageline Rousseliere

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Val de L’Orne Apachee Caro Katana Chaparral Carmelite Nureyev Suprina Le Pontet Ifrane

Saddler Maker wasn’t one of Sadler’s Wells’s better sons. Winless in nine starts as a five- and six-year-old in France, he earned his biggest cheque when third in a Longchamp handicap over nearly two miles. However, he was well-bred – his sister Sadler’s Flag won the Gr3 Prix de Royaumont and their dam Animatrice was third in the Oaks. More to the point, Animatrice was a half-sister to Sadler’s Wells’s very smart son Poliglote, so Saddler Maker’s bloodlines were strong enough to earn him a place at France’s National Stud.

Saddler Maker had a couple of talented winners outside France towards the end of 2014, with Alpha des Obeaux following up a win at Punchestown with second place in a Gr3 novice hurdle and Bristol de Mai winning the Gr1 Finale Hurdle on his first start in Britain.

Bristol de Mai should eventually stay well. He comes from a nonthoroughbred family and his dam La Bole Night had the discouraging record of having failed to finish on all three of her starts.

She is doing better as a broodmare, with three winners among her first four foals. Her sire April Night

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Caulfield on Bristol De Mai: “He comes from a non-thoroughbred family and his dam La Bole Night had the discouraging record of having failed to finish on all three of her starts”

was a tough and versatile performer who scored at up to 15 furlongs in racking up 18 victories. Other daughters of April Night have produced the very smart hurdler/chaser Un de Sceaux and the smart chaser Trifolium.

95 PADDY POWER DIAL-A-BET CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 5yo+. 17f.

1. TWINLIGHT (FR) 7 11-12 £50,000 b g by Muhtathir - Fairlight (Big Shuffle) O-M. L. Bloodstock Ltd B-M. L. Bloodstock Limited TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 9 11-12 £15,833 b g by Stowaway - Hurricane Debbie (Shahanndeh) O-Mrs A. F. Mee & David Mee B-R. O’Neill TR-John Joseph Hanlon 3. Simply Ned (IRE) 7 11-12 £7,500 ch g by Fruits of Love - Bishops Lass (Marju) O-David & Nicky Robinson B-Miss I. Hatton TR-Nicky Richards Margins 4.75, 2.25. Time 4:20.50. Going Heavy.

Age 2-7

Starts 32

Wins 10

Places 13

Earned £333,172

Sire: MUHTATHIR. Sire of 26 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - TWINLIGHT Big Shuffle G1, LET IT SONG Mull of Kintyre LR, MONSIEUR PLAYBOY Danehill Dancer LR. 1st Dam: FAIRLIGHT by Big Shuffle. 4 wins in West Germany, Dusseldorfer Auktionsrennen LR, 3rd Moet & Chandon Rennen G2. Dam of 5 winners: 1998: FAIRLIGHTS DREAM (f Kendor) Winner at 3 in Germany. Broodmare.

1999: FAIRLINE (f Protektor) 3 wins at 3 and 5 in Germany, Poland. Broodmare.

2001: Fair Dream (f Dashing Blade) 2 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany, 2nd Grosser Hoppegartener 3yo Stutenpreis LR. Dam of Fair Boss (c Mamool: 5 wins at 3 to 6, 2014 in France, Germany, Switzerland, 2nd Grosser Preis Von DSW21 St Leger G3) 2002: Fairhope (c Protektor) 12 wins in France, Germany, 2nd RWE Rhein Ruhr AG Derby Trial LR, SWB Derby Trial LR. 2003: Fleurance (f Medaaly) unraced.

2007: TWINLIGHT (g Muhtathir) 10 wins, Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle G3, 3rd AES Champion 4yo Hurdle G1, Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase G1, Ladbrokes Ireland Fortria Chase G2, Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase G2, AGK Displays Craddockstown Nov. Chase G2, Faber Audiovisuals Ballybrit Nov. Chase G3, Poplar Square Chase G3, 2nd Normans Grove Chase G2, Flyingbolt Novice Chase G2, 3rd Paddy Power Newlands Chase G2, williamhill.com Kempton Park Chase LR, P. Gras Savoye Patrimoine Stanley Hurdle LR, 2nd Prix Robert Lejeune Hurdle LR, 3rd Prix Cambaceres 3yo Hurdle G1.

2nd Dam: Frille by Shareef Dancer. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in West Germany, 2nd Gontard-Rennen LR. Dam of FAIRLIGHT (f Big Shuffle, see above), Fenix (g Lavirco: 2nd intercasino.co.uk Churchill H. Hurdle G2), Floreana (f Acatenango: 2nd Premio Prime Siepi Femmine Hurdle LR) Broodmare Sire: BIG SHUFFLE. Sire of the dams of 30 Stakes winners.

TWINLIGHT b g 2007 Sharpen Up Doubly Sure Roberto Modena Mofida Lyphard Al Nasr Caretta Affirmative Fable Affirmed Fairway Fable Super Concorde Bold Reasoning Prime Abord Raise Your Skirts Elevation Strings Attached Shareef Dancer Northern Dancer Sweet Alliance Favorite Prospect Mr Prospector Valiant Queen Diesis

Elmaamul MUHTATHIR ch 95 Majmu

Big Shuffle FAIRLIGHT b 93 Frille

After adding three Gr3 and Gr2 victories over fences to the three he gained over hurdles, Twinlight finally achieved Gr1-winner status in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (in which the hot favourite Uxizandre jumped moderately).

As you might guess from the fact that he raced twice as a two-year-old in France, Twinlight was bred with a Flat career in mind.

He was conceived in 2008, shortly after his sire, the high-class miler Muhtathir, had enjoyed international success with the likes of Doctor Dino, Satwa Queen and Mauralakana. More recently Muhtathir has been represented by a fourth Gr1 winner in Indonesienne (2013 Prix Marcel Boussac).

Twinlight has strong claims to being the best jumper sired by Muhtathir, but this son of Elmaamul is also responsible for several other successful hurdlers and chasers.

Among them are Salder Roque, a Gr1 winner over hurdles at Auteuil, Kruguyrova, runner-up in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, and Pacha du Polder, a Gr2 winner over fences in England.

Twinlight’s dam Fairlight, a daughter of the champion German stallion Big Shuffle, was a Groupplaced Listed winner over six furlongs as a two-year-old. A couple of Fairlight’s siblings were useful over hurdles, including the English-trained gelding Fenix (by Lavirco).

Their dam Frille was a Listedplaced daughter of Shareef Dancer, while Twinlight’s third dam, Favorite Prospect, was a stakes-winning daughter of Mr Prospector.

96 PADDY POWER FUTURE CHMPIONS NOV. HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 4yo+. 16f.

1. SIZING JOHN (GB) 4 11-7 £43,333 b g by Midnight Legend - La Perrotine (Northern Crystal) O-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership B-Dr B. & S. Mayoh TR-Henry De Bromhead 2. Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 5 11-10 £12,667 b g by Brian Boru - Satellite Dancer (Satco) O- Gigginstown House Stud r B-E. Coleman TR-Ms Sandra Hughes 3. Golantilla (IRE) 6 11-10 £6,000 br g by Golan - Scintilla (Sir Harry Lewis) O-Mr Barry Connell B-Sean O’Brien TR-A. J. Martin Margins 6.5, 0.75. Time 4:08.00. Going Heavy.

Age 4

Starts 5

Wins 2

Places 2

Earned £51,149

Sire: MIDNIGHT LEGEND. Sire of 16 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: LA PERROTINE by Northern Crystal. 4 wins.

Dam of 2 winners: 2007: Scholastica (f Old Vic) 4 wins, 3rd betatbluesq.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle LR. 2009: La Doelenaise (f King’s Theatre). Broodmare.

2010: SIZING JOHN (g Midnight Legend) 2 wins over hurdles at 4, Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1.

2012: Batoutahell (f King’s Theatre) unraced to date.

2013: (c Schiaparelli) 2014: Deadringerforlove (f Black Sam Bellamy) 2nd Dam: HARATIYNA by Top Ville. 1 win at 2 in France. Dam of Harawi (c Akarad: 3rd Prix Coupe des Trois Ans LR, 2nd P.RTL Clement Lesbordes Printemps Hurdle LR). Grandam of JANE AUSTEN, Acapulco, Haraplata, LE CHATEAU. Third dam of Hashbrown.

Fourth dam of EVASIVE’S FIRST.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Broodmare Sire: NORTHERN CRYSTAL. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners.

SIZING JOHN b g 2010 Northern Dancer Night Shift Ciboulette MIDNIGHT LEGEND b 91 Troy Myth Hay Reef Crystal Glitters Northern Crystal North Cliff LA PERROTINE b 00 Top Ville Haratiyna Halwah

Nearctic Natalma Chop Chop Windy Answer Petingo La Milo Mill Reef Haymaking Blushing Groom Tales To Tell Green Dancer Nenana Road High Top Sega Ville The Minstrel Herila

Midnight Legend is now a veteran but this tough son of Night Shift reportedly achieved 88% fertility with the 49 mares he covered at the age of 23 in 2014.

He was very close to his official 24th birthday when he finally achieved his first Gr1 success as a stallion, when his son Sizing John sprang a surprise in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle on only his third start over hurdles.

The lateness of this first Gr1 success owed a lot to the fact that Midnight Legend raced until he was eight. During his lengthy career he became a triple Listed winner at up to a mile and three-quarters on the Flat, as well as winning a Gr2 hurdle race at Aintree and a Gr1 at Punchestown.

Towards the end of his racing career he was asked to combine racing with stallion duties, covering 25 mares as a seven-year-old and 24 the following year.

Of course, numbers of this type didn’t make it easy for Midnight Legend to establish himself, but he got there eventually, to the extent that he attracted a three-figure book in 2009 – the year Sizing John was conceived.

In the process he has sired the likes of Sparky May (Gr2 Warfield Mares Only Hurdle), Seeyouatmidnight (Gr2 Rendlesham Hurdle), Wychwoods Brook (Gr2 Peter Marsh Chase) and Midnight Chase (Gr2 Cotswold Chase).

Sizing John’s dam La Perrotine was bought for £54,000 as an unraced three-year-old at Doncaster in 2003. Her price reflected the fact that her dam, the winning Top Ville mare Haratiyna, was a half-sister to the Italian Derby winner Houmayoun.

Her sire Northern Crystal was a less familiar name in Britain, despite having been a dual Gr3 winner over a mile in France. La Perrotine justified her purchase price by winning a bumper and three novice hurdles.

97 LEXUS CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 5yo+. 24f.

1. ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) 7 11-10 £75,000 b g by Gamut - Bellora (Over The River) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Sunnyhill Stud TR-Noel Meade 2. On His Own (IRE) 10 11-10 £23,750 b g by Presenting - Shuil Na Mhuire (Roselier) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Ms M. Treacy TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Sam Winner (FR) 7 11-10 £11,250

b g by Okawango - Noche (Night Shift) O-Mrs Angela Yeoman B-Ecurie Winning TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 1.5, 2. Time 6:33.90. Going Soft to Heavy.

Age 5-7

Starts 17

Wins 9

Places 4

Earned £318,778

Sire: GAMUT. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: Bellora by Over The River. unraced. Dam of 2 winners: 1996: (f Lord Americo) 1997: Winding River (g Montelimar) 1998: Agua Caliente (f Old Vic) unraced.

Broodmare.

2000: (g Old Vic) 2001: Lora Lady (f Lord Americo) unraced.

Broodmare.

2002: (g Carroll House) 2003: BAFFIN ISLAND (g Old Vic) Winner over hurdles.

2004: Belvic (g Old Vic) unraced.

2005: Ballyhiho (g Old Vic) unraced.

2006: (g Luso) 2007: ROAD TO RICHES (g Gamut) Sold 5,601gns yearling at TIFEB. 8 wins, Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle G3, thetote.com Galway Plate H’cp Chase G1, Lexus Chase G1, jnwine.com Champion Chase G1, 2nd Aon Novice H. Chase G1, PWC Gowran Champion Chase G2, 3rd Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase G1.

2008: (f Gamut) Broodmare Sire: OVER THE RIVER. Sire of the dams of 14 Stakes winners.

ROAD TO RICHES b g 2007 Rainbow Quest Spectrum River Dancer GAMUT b 99 Ela-Mana-Mou Greektown Edinburgh Luthier Over The River Medenine BELLORA br 91 Choral Society Chorabelle Miss Arctic

Blushing Groom I Will Follow Irish River Dancing Shadow Pitcairn Rose Bertin Charlottown Queen’s Castle Klairon Flute Enchantee Prudent II Ma Congaie Pinza Tessa Gillian Arctic Slave Mrs Mustang

See race 19 in the January issue 98 SQUARED FINANCIAL CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 4yo+. 24f.

1. LIEUTENANT COLONEL (GB) 5 11-10 £40,000 br g by Kayf Tara - Agnese (Abou Zouz) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mrs H. I. S. Calzini TR-Exors of the Late Mr D. T. Hughes 2. Jetson (IRE) 9 11-10 £12,667 b g by Oscar - La Noire (Phardante) O-G Mcgrath/Mrs Moira Mcgrath B-G. M. McGrath TR-Mrs J. Harrington 3. Monksland (IRE) 7 11-10 £6,000 b g by Beneficial - Cush Jewel (Executive Perk) O-Mrs Patricia Hunt B-C. Troy TR-Noel Meade Margins 0.75, 5. Time 6:19.50. Going Soft.

Age 4-5

Starts 10

Wins 5

Places 4

Earned £128,181

Sire: KAYF TARA. Sire of 27 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - LIEUTENANT COLONEL Abou Zouz G1, BLAKLION Legend of France G2, SPECIAL TIARA Bob Back G2, LIFEBOAT MONA Astarabad LR, SIGN OF A VICTORY Bob Back LR, TARA POINT Terimon LR. 1st Dam: AGNESE by Abou Zouz. Winner of a N.H. Flat Race. Dam of 1 winner: 2008: (f Kayf Tara) 2009: LIEUTENANT COLONEL (g Kayf Tara) 5 wins, Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1, Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle G1, Coolmore NH Sires Festival Novice Hurdle G2, 2nd I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle LR, 3rd Tattersalls Ireland Champion Nov. Hurdle G1.

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DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

National Hunt Grade 1s 2010: 2014:

Margray (g Kayf Tara) unraced. (f Shirocco)

Broodmare Sire: ABOU ZOUZ. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

HURRICANE FLY b g 2004 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge MONTJEU b 96 Top Ville

LIEUTENANT COLONEL br g 2009 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge KAYF TARA b 94 High Top Colorspin Reprocolor Miswaki Abou Zouz Bold Jessie AGNESE ch 00 Efisio Efizia Millie Grey

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Derring-Do Camenae Jimmy Reppin Blue Queen Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal Never So Bold Jubilee Song Formidable Eldoret Grey Ghost Nelka

See race 46 in the January issue 99 RYANAIR DECEMBER HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 16f.

1. HURRICANE FLY (IRE) 10 11-10 £50,000 b g by Montjeu - Scandisk (Kenmare) O-George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd B-Agricola Del Parco SS TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Jezki (IRE) 6 11-10 £15,833 b g by Milan - La Noire (Phardante) O-Mr John P. McManus B-G. M. McGrath TR-Mrs J. Harrington 3. Arctic Fire (GER) 5 11-10 £7,500 b g by Soldier Hollow - Adelma (Sternkoenig) O-Wicklow Bloodstock Limited B-Mr U. Gruning TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 0.5, 1.25. Time 3:49.50. Going Soft.

Age 2-10

Starts 38

Wins 25

Places Earned 9 £1,760,961

Sire: MONTJEU. Sire of 131 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: SCANDISK by Kenmare. Winner at 2 in Italy.

Dam of 4 winners: 2000: Hunzy (f Desert King) 2 wins at 2 and 3 in Italy, 3rd Criterium Labronico LR. Broodmare.

2001: Heir To The Throne (c Desert Prince) 2002: THUNDERWING (g Indian Danehill) 3 wins at 2.

2004: HURRICANE FLY (g Montjeu) Sold 43,903gns yearling at GOOY1. 25 wins, Prix Omnium II LR, Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1 (twice), BHP Insurance Champion Hurdle G1 (4 times), Dobbins & Madigans Morgiana Hurdle G1 (3 times), paddypower.com December Festival Hurdle G1 (4 times), Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1, Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, paddypower.com Future Chpn. Nov. Hurdle G1, Rabobank Champion Hurdle G1 (4 times), 2nd Racing Post Champion Hurdle G1, 3rd Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1, Dobbins & Madigans Morgiana Hurdle G1, Gras Savoye Longchamp Hurdle G3, 2nd Prix Alain du Breil d’Ete 4yo Hurdle G1.

2005: DISKUSSION (g King’s Best) 6 wins at 2 to 5 in Italy.

2006: Sosua (f Exceed And Excel). Broodmare.

2008: Mucho Macabi (f Exceed And Excel).

Broodmare.

2010: Sizing Hurricane (g Shirocco) unraced.

2011: Avichi (f Yeats) unraced.

2012: Blixt (f Yeats) unraced to date.

2013: (g Yeats) 2014: (f Yeats) 2nd Dam: YANKEE LADY by Lord Gayle. 1 win at 3.

Own sister to LADY SINGER and YANKEE GOLD. Grandam of SEA GAZER, PORTMAN SQUARE, Azillion, Soldiers Bay, Difesa Indiana, Kunucu, Grappolo, Langtonian, Dan Breen. Third dam of DERVISCIO, LAGUNA SALADA, Bazroy, Ladiesandgentlemen, Defaillance.

Broodmare Sire: KENMARE. Sire of the dams of 83 Stakes winners.

94

Floripedes Toute Cy Kalamoun Kenmare Belle of Ireland SCANDISK b 95 Lord Gayle Yankee Lady Ceol An Oir

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special High Top Sega Ville Tennyson Adele Toumignon Zeddaan Khairunissa Milesian Belle of The Ball Sir Gaylord Sticky Case Vimy Pal An Oir

See race 42 in the January issue 100 TOPAZ FORT LENEY NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 24f.

1. DON POLI (IRE) 5 11-9 £40,625 b g by Poliglote - Dalamine (Sillery) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Brian J Griffiths & John Nicholson TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Apache Stronghold (IRE) 6 11-10 £11,875 b g by Milan - First Battle (Un Desperado) O-Mrs Patricia Hunt B-J. Robinson TR-Noel Meade 3. Lots of Memories (IRE) 7 11-10 £5,625 b g by Jammaal - Remember Rob (Deep Society) O-Mrs Siobhain Fahey & John A Breen B-M. Lett TR-P G Fahey Margins 3, 11. Time 6:34.50. Going Soft to Heavy.

Age 4-5

Starts 8

Wins 5

Places 3

Earned £128,835

Sire: POLIGLOTE. Sire of 73 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - DON POLI Sillery G1, FLEUR D’AINAY Cadoudal G1, POLYGONA Trempolino G3, ALADIN DU CHENET Epervier Bleu LR, SO FRENCH Mansonnien LR. 1st Dam: DALAMINE by Sillery. Winner at 4 in France.

Dam of 3 winners: 2007: DALINO (c Trempolino) 2 wins over jumps in France.

2008: DO YOU JUMP (c Trempolino) 3 wins over jumps in France.

2009: DON POLI (g Poliglote) 5 wins, Surehaul Mercedes Powerstown Nov. Hurdle G3, 2nd Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle G1, Topaz Fort Leney Novice Chase G1.

2010: Mad About The Boy (g Robin des Pres) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race.

2011: Debece (g Kayf Tara) unraced.

2012: (f Kayf Tara) 2014: (f Beat Hollow) Broodmare Sire: SILLERY. Sire of the dams of 19 Stakes winners.

DON POLI b g 2009 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge POLIGLOTE b 92 Val de L’Orne Alexandrie Apachee Blushing Groom Sillery Silvermine DALAMINE b 00 Lou Piguet Dalyane Dannes

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Val de Loir Aglae Sir Gaylord Americaine Red God Runaway Bride Bellypha Sevres Habitat Tuneria Mourne Dulzetta

Don Poli’s seven starts in Ireland have yielded five victories and a couple of narrow defeats, and he became a Gr1 winner in the Topaz Novice Chase. As that was gained over three miles on heavy ground, Don Poli appears to stay better than Hinterland and Wonderful Charm, two other leading novice chasers sired by Poliglote.

Thanks to the 2012 heroine Solemia, Poliglote became the second son of Sadler’s Wells to sire a winner

of the Arc, but the Haras d’Etreham veteran has arguably made a bigger impact in recent years as a sire of jumpers. He was France’s champion sire of jumpers in 2010 and repeated the feat in 2012 with a team headed by the Gr1-winning hurdlers Saint du Chenet and Nikita du Berlais. He made it three titles in the space of four years in 2013, before finishing third behind Saint des Saints in 2014.

Don Poli’s dam Dalamine gained her only win over two miles on the Flat. She had a few outings over hurdles, no doubt because her brother Multipass had won the Gr1 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy at Auteuil as a three-year-old. Dalamaine’s halfsister Dalina was also above average over hurdles, after winning on the Flat.

101 BETFRED CHALLOW NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 NEWBURY. Dec 29. 4yo+. 21f.

1. PARLOUR GAMES (GB) 6 11-7 £19,933 ch g by Monsun - Petrushka (Unfuwain) O-Bloomfields B-Darley TR-John Ferguson 2. Vyta du Roc (FR) 5 11-7 £7,480 gr g by Lion Noir - Dolce Vyta (Grand Tresor) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-Mr A. Le Gall TR-Nicky Henderson 3. Blaklion (GB) 5 11-7 £3,745 b g by Kayf Tara - Franciscaine (Legend of France) O-S Such & CG Paletta B-Mrs M. D. W. Morrison TR-Nigel Twiston-Davies Margins Neck, 1.25. Time 5:13.70.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 2-6

Starts 22

Wins 8

Places 7

Earned £123,450

Sire: MONSUN. Sire of 115 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: PETRUSHKA by Unfuwain. Champion 3yr old filly in England and Ireland in 2000. 5 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks G1, Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks G1, Prix de l’OperaHotel du Lac Barriere G1, 3rd Sagitta 1000 Guineas G1. Dam of 4 winners: 2004: HALL OF FAME (g Machiavellian) 2 wins.

2005: Russian Doll (f Rainbow Quest). Broodmare.

2006: Puppetry (f Gone West) ran on the flat in France.

2007: PADMINI (f Tiger Hill) Winner at 2.

2008: PARLOUR GAMES (g Monsun) 8 wins, 2nd Betdaq Mobile Apps Floodlit S LR, Betfred Challow Novices’ Hurdle G1, Neptune Investment Hyde Novices’ Hurdle G2, 2nd William Hill Novices’ Hurdle LR. 2010: Mister Punch (g Raven’s Pass) unraced.

2011: (f Monsun) 2012: PULCINELLA (f Dubawi) Winner at 2.

2013: (f Manduro) 2014: (c Raven’s Pass) 2nd Dam: BALLET SHOES by Ela-Mana-Mou. 2 wins at 3. Dam of PETRUSHKA (f Unfuwain, see above), Danse Classique (f Night Shift: 2nd Harp Lager Ruby S LR). Third dam of DRIVING SNOW, Dazzling Day. Broodmare Sire: UNFUWAIN. Sire of the dams of 42 Stakes winners.

PARLOUR GAMES ch g 2008 Tamerlane Donna Diana Tiepoletto Konigskronung Kronung Literat Surumu Surama Authi Monasia Monacensia Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Height of Fashion Bustino Highclere Pitcairn Ela-Mana-Mou Rose Bertin Irish River River Dancer Dancing Shadow Dschingis Khan

Konigsstuhl MONSUN br 90 Mosella

Unfuwain PETRUSHKA ch 97 Ballet Shoes

There must have been such high hopes for Petrushka when this champion daughter of Unfuwain joined the Darley broodmare team in 2001, reportedly at a cost of more than $5 million. In addition to having won the Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and Prix de l’Opera for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, she also had the bloodlines to develop into a similarly effective broodmare. Her dam Ballet Shoes was a half-sister to the top-class Spectrum, as well as being a half-sister to Well Head, who was soon to find fame as the dam of Conduit, winner of a St Leger, a King George and two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Petrushka duly visited a string of top-notch stallions, in several countries, ranging from Machiavellian and Rainbow Quest in England, to Gone West in the US and Monsun in Germany. Unfortunately she is still awaiting her first stakes winner on the Flat, though that could soon change.

Her 2012 Dubawi filly Pulcinella showed progressively pleasing form in three starts as a juvenile in 2014 and next in line are a 2013 filly by Manduro and a 2014 colt by Raven’s Pass.

Petrushka’s best effort so far has been Parlour Games, who developed into a useful middle-distance stayer for Mahmood Al Zarooni as a threeyear-old in 2011. His progress then came to a halt during a sporadic Flat campaign over the next two years, after which the now-gelded son of Monsun was transferred to John Ferguson. Parlour Games is thriving once again, to the extent that he has won four of his seven starts over hurdles, his finest moment coming when he narrowly landed the Challow Novices’ Hurdle. His two victories over two miles five furlongs suggest that he appreciates a stronger test of stamina and there is no reason why he shouldn’t eventually stay three miles.

102 32RED TOLWORTH NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Jan 3. 4yo+. 16f 110yds.

1. L’AMI SERGE (IRE) 5 11-7 £23,491 b g by King’s Theatre - La Zingarella (Phardante) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-P. Ryan TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Jolly’s Cracked It (FR) 6 11-7 £9,259 b g by Astarabad - Jolly Harbour (Rudimentary) O-GDM Partnership B-H. Charlet & D. Charlesworth TR-Harry Fry 3. Thelordbewithyou (IRE) 11 11-7 £4,991 b g by Turtle Island - Georgic (Tumble Gold) O-The Secret Circle B-R. P. Killoran TR-Zoe Davison Margins 14, 99+. Time 4:16.00. Going Soft.

Age 3-5

Starts 9

Wins 3

Places 5

Earned £122,250

Sire: KING’S THEATRE. Sire of 73 Stakes winners.

NH in 2014/15 - L’AMI SERGE Phardante G1, BALBRIGGAN Presenting G2, LITTLE KING ROBIN Robin des Champs G2, MENORAH Strong Gale G2, SOUTHFIELD THEATRE Garde Royale G2, THE NEW ONE Turgeon G2, CARRIGMOORNA ROCK Bob Back G3, MORNING RUN Be My Native G3, PERFECT GENTLEMAN Mujadil G3, BALTHAZAR KING Hernando LR, LYRICAL THEATRE Bob Back LR, THE PIRATE’S QUEEN Arctic Lord LR.

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Feb_126_DataBook_Layout 1 21/01/2015 15:12 Page 95

Caulfield on Parlour Games: “His two victories over two miles five furlongs suggest that he appreciates a stronger test of stamina, and he should eventually stay three miles”

1st Dam: LA ZINGARELLA by Phardante. 3 wins over jumps in France, Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle (fillies) LR, 3rd Prix Congress Chase G2. Dam of 2 winners: 2005: Radio Eireann (g Milan) 2006: Milanella (f Milan) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race. Broodmare.

2007: Zingarella’s Joy (f Oscar) unraced.

Broodmare.

2008: (g Milan) 2009: Sizing Codelco (g Flemensfirth) Winner over hurdles at 5, 3rd Irish Racing Writer Kingfurze Nov.Hurdle LR. 2010: L’AMI SERGE (g King’s Theatre) 3 wins over hurdles at 4 and 5, 32Red Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle G1, Sky Supreme Trial Kennel Gate Nov.Hurdle G2, bet365 Gerry Feilden H. Hurdle LR, 2nd Prix General de Rougemont Hurdle LR, Prix Univers II H. Hurdle LR, 3rd Prix Finot Hurdle (c&g) LR. 2011: Viens Chercher (c Milan) 2012: Petit Oscar (f Oscar) unraced to date.

2014: (f Fame And Glory) Broodmare Sire: PHARDANTE. Sire of the dams of 47 Stakes winners. NH in 2014/15 - L’AMI SERGE King’s Theatre G1, GOD’S OWN Oscar G2.

The King’s Theatre/Phardante cross has produced: L’AMI SERGE G1, SLIEVEARDAGH G2, Baby Shine G2, Lily Waugh LR.

L’AMI SERGE b g 2010 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge KING’S THEATRE b 91 Princely Native Regal Beauty Dennis Belle Pharly Phardante Pallante LA ZINGARELLA b 98 Buckskin In Memoriam Superdora

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Raise A Native Charlo Crafty Admiral Evasion Lyphard Comely Taj Dewan Cavadonga Yelapa Bete A Bon Dieu Super Slip Solnora

L’Ami Serge may sound as though he is yet another successful French import – and indeed he is – but France can’t take all the credit. The reality is that he is an Irish-bred with a traditional Irish jumping pedigree, with

a son of Sadler’s Wells as his sire and daughters of Phardante and Buckskin as his first two dams.

Sending Phardante mares to sons of Sadler’s Wells has yielded rich dividends in recent years. For example, Oscar has sired Oscar Whisky, Oscar Dan Dan, God’s Own and Jetson, while Milan has sired Jezki and Double Seven. Then there are Cloudings (sire of Cloudy Too), Brian Boru (Fox Appeal) and Old Vic (Snoopy Loopy and Chelsea Harbour).

The champion sire King’s Theatre has now joined the club, thanks to L’Ami Serge. In winning the Gr1 Tolworth Hurdle, L’Ami Serge was recording his third successive stakes victory from three starts since his transfer from France, where he had shown useful form without winning L’Ami Serge’s dam La Zingarella also raced successfully in France after being bred in Ireland. She became a stakes winner on her debut over hurdles, taking the Prix Wild Monarch in the May of her three-yearold season. She also won over fences and was third in the Gr2 Prix Congress Chase. La Zingarella has youngsters by Milan and Oscar, so could add further gloss to the Sadler’s Wells/Phardante cross.

La Zingarella’s half-brother The Wicketkeeper was a useful chaser at around two miles. Their dam In Memoriam was an unraced half-sister to Niffy Nora, who did very well over jumps in France before becoming the dam of the Triumph Hurdle winner Snow Drop. Snow Drop is herself now the dam of the smart French hurdler Lina Drop. Niffy Nora’s half-sister Rubydora produced the Phardante gelding Rubissimo, a winner of two good chases at Auteuil.

103 LAWLOR’S HOTEL SLANEY NOVICE HURDLE G1 NAAS. Jan 4. 5yo+. 20f.

1. MCKINLEY (GB) 5 11-7 £37,209 b g by Kheleyf - Priera Menta (Montjeu) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-The Priera Menta Partnership TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Tell Us More (IRE) 6 11-10 £11,783 b g by Scorpion - Zara’s Victory (Old Vic) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-T. Conroy TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Free Expression (IRE) 6 11-10 £5,581 b g by Germany - Create A Storm (Bob Back) O-John P McManus B-A. Larkin TR-Gordon Elliott Margins 0.75, 1.5. Time 5:00.20. Going Soft.

Age 2-5

Starts 11

Wins 5

Places 3

Earned £76,511

Sire: KHELEYF. Sire of 19 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Priera Menta by Montjeu. unraced. Dam of 1 winner: 2010: MCKINLEY (g Kheleyf) Sold 12,725gns yearling at TISEP. 5 wins, Lawlor’s Hotel Slaney Novice Hurdle G1, For Auction Novice Hurdle G3.

2nd Dam: Plume Bleu Pale by El Gran Senor. 1 win at 3 in France, 3rd Prix de Lieurey LR. Dam of POPLAR BLUFF (c Dowsing: Prix de la Foret G1), Patch of Blue (f Siberian Express: 2nd Prix de Sandringham G3).

Grandam of Prince Tamino. Third dam of Pasco.

Broodmare Sire: MONTJEU. Sire of the dams of 22 Stakes winners.

MCKINLEY b g 2010 Danzig Green Desert Foreign Courier KHELEYF b/br 01 Mr Prospector Society Lady La Voyageuse Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes PRIERA MENTA gr 04 El Gran Senor Plume Bleu Pale Pixie Tower

Northern Dancer Pas de Nom Sir Ivor Courtly Dee Raise A Native Gold Digger Tentam Fanfreluche Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Northern Dancer Sex Appeal Songedor Cawston Tower

The Lawlor’s Hotel Novice Hurdle – the first ever Gr1 ran at Naas – was widely expected to provide the first top-level victory for Montjeu’s St leger-winning son Scorpion, via the unbeaten Tell Us More.

However, victory went instead to Tell Us More’s unconsidered stablemate McKinley, a 33-1 shot whose dam Priera Menta is by Montjeu. There appeared little fluke about it.

Montjeu surely merits some of the credit for McKinley, as this gelding possesses the stamina associated with Montjeu, rather than the speed which has been the basis for much of Kheleyf’s success.

Indeed, McKinley is the best jumping winner by Kheleyf, a Gr3 Jersey Stakes winner who is better known as the sire of the Groupwinning sprinters Sayif, Majestic Queen, Penny’s Picnic and Percolator.

It was over a mile and a half that McKinley gained his only success on the Flat, and he has now gained the most important of his four successes to date over hurdles over two and a half miles.

McKinley is the first foal of the unraced Priera Menta, who comes from a very distinguished Flat family.

Her half-bother Poplar Bluff landed the Gr1 Prix de la Foret.

McKinley’s third dam Pixie Tower was a talented half-sister to the brilliant juvenile filly Cawston’s Pride, who found added fame as the dam of the champion sprinter Solinus and ancestress of several other Gr1 winners. Pixie Tower also did well as part of the Wildenstein broodmare team, producing the smart colts Paradis Terrestre and Premier Ministre.

National Hunt Graded Races Date 05/12 06/12 07/12 07/12 07/12 07/12 12/12 13/12 13/12 13/12 13/12 13/12 13/12 14/12 14/12 14/12 19/12 19/12 20/12 26/12 26/12 26/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 29/12 29/12 01/01 01/01

Grade G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 GrB GrC G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 GrB GrB G3 G3 G2 G3

Race (course) Neptune Investment Winter Novices Hurdle (Sandown Park) Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (Aintree) Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase (Cork) Betfred Peterborough Chase (Huntingdon) Kerry Group Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle (Cork) Kerry Group EBF Lombardstown Nov.Chase (Cork) Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham) Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle (Cheltenham) stanjames.com International Hurdle (Cheltenham) bet365 RSA Trial December Novices’ Chase (Doncaster) bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Doncaster) Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Navan Novice Hurdle (Navan) Tara Handicap Hurdle (Navan) Foxrock Handicap Chase (Navan) Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase (Ascot) Sky Supreme Trial Kennel Gate Nov.Hurdle (Ascot) Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle (Ascot) Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Leopardstown) Shannon Airport Greenmount Nov. Chase (Limerick) William Hill Rowland Meyrick Hcp Chase (Wetherby) williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase (Kempton Park) williamhill.com Wayward Lad Nov. Chase (Kempton Park) Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase (Chepstow) Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase (Limerick) IFG WEillis EBF Mares Hurdle (Leopardstown) Cliona’s Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle (Limerick) BetBright Dipper Novices’ Chase (Cheltenham) BetBright Fairlawne Handicap Chase (Cheltenham)

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Dist 20f 26f 16f 20.5f 24f 17f 26f 24f 20.5f 17f 24f 16.5f 21f 20f 20f 20f 19f 16f 16f 16f 19.5f 25f 16f 16f 29.5f 24f 19.5f 20f 24f 21f 21f

Horse Vyta du Roc (FR) Oscar Time (IRE) Felix Yonger (IRE) Wishfull Thinking (GB) Black Hercules (IRE) Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) Benbane Head (USA) Blaklion (GB) Rock On Ruby (IRE) The New One (IRE) Virak (FR) Peace And Co (FR) Niceonefrankie (GB) No More Heroes (IRE) Lite Duties (IRE) Mount Colah (IRE) Ptit Zig (FR) L’Ami Serge (IRE) Bayan (IRE) Fiscal Focus (IRE) Gilgamboa (IRE) Dolatulo (FR) Special Tiara (GB) Vibrato Valtat (FR) Emperor’s Choice (IRE) Living Next Door (IRE) Page Turner (IRE) Carrigmoorna Rock (IRE) Martello Tower (IRE) Ptit Zig (FR) Splash of Ginge (GB)

Age 5 13 8 11 5 5 10 5 9 6 5 3 8 5 5 8 5 4 5 3 6 7 7 5 7 8 9 6 6 6 7

Sex G G G G G M G G G G G G G G G G G G G C G G G G G G G M G G G

Sire Lion Noir Oscar Oscar Alflora Heron Island Voix du Nord Giant’s Causeway Kayf Tara Oscar King’s Theatre Bernebeau Falco Ishiguru Presenting Mountain High Beneficial Great Pretender King’s Theatre Danehill Dancer Intense Focus Westerner Le Fou Kayf Tara Voix du Nord Flemensfirth Beneficial Bishop of Cashel King’s Theatre Milan Great Pretender Oscar

Dam Dolce Vyta Baywatch Star Marble Sound Poussetiere Deux Annalecky Naiade Mag Prospectress Franciscaine Stony View Thuringe Nosika d’Airy Peace Lina Chesnut Ripple What A Breeze Kill Bill Lady Newmill Red Rym La Zingarella Kindling Elida Hi Native La Perspective Special Choice La Tosca Valtat House-of-Hearts Except Alice I’m A Character Carrigmorna Flyer Johnsalice Red Rym Land of Honour

Broodmare Sire Grand Tresor Supreme Leader Be My Native Garde Royale Bob’s Return Kadalko Mining Legend of France Tirol Turgeon Oblat Linamix Cosmonaut Naheez Warcraft Taipan Denham Red Phardante Dr Fong Royal Academy Be My Native Beyssac Bob Back Dom Alco Broken Hearted Orchestra Tragic Role Bob Back Zaffaran Denham Red Supreme Leader

Index 83 84 85 86 87 88 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128

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Feb_126_24Hours_Owner 21/01/2015 16:16 Page 96

24 HOURS WITH… CLAUDIO PIZARRO

96

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T

he alarm goes at 7.30 and I am straight up to help my wife, Karla, organise our children for school. We have three kids, Claudio, 15, Antonella, 13, and Gianluca, 9. Once they are up I like to have a cappuccino and try to catch up with the local German news, although I also like to see what’s happening back home in Peru online.

We have three dogs, two are Weimaraners, Sky and Weida, and the other a tiny Russian Bolonka-Zwetna, called Chicha. I don’t have time to take them out in the morning, but if I can I’ll walk them at night.

I’ll get to the training ground at nine o’clock and usually have breakfast there – that’s any kind of cereal or muesli with toast and fruit juice. Training lasts anything up to four hours so we finish about 1pm.

For me, training is the best part of the job. After all, you are outside with a ball playing soccer with the boys and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

I am captain of Peru and have played about 70 times for my country. When I came to Germany I played for Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich; then Jose Mourinho took me to Chelsea for a short spell and now I am back with Bayern Munich.

My greatest moment came in 2013 when Bayern won the treble, that’s the Champions League, German League and German Cup. Lunch is very important to us as players and we always have carbohydrates at the ground, plenty of pasta and spaghetti. At home I can’t – and don’t – cook. Karla can cook but most of it is done

by Edith, who is from Peru and works for us. She gives us excellent Peruvian dishes and that reminds the kids where we come from, our food and our culture.

CLAUDIO PIZARRO, 36, believes that racehorses are similar to footballers; athletes being prepared for special moments. He has enjoyed plenty of those – on the pitch and racecourse Every afternoon I try to read the Racing Post on the internet and catch up with the racing in England, the US and back home in Peru.

I started racing 17 years ago when I went into jointownership with a teammate in Peru. Now I have a stud farm, Haras El Catorce, which is the Spanish for ‘14’, my club number at Bayern Munich. I also have a small stud in Argentina, which I am trying to sell.

I have always loved horses. Racehorses are similar to footballers; they are athletes being prepared for special moments. The only difference is they cannot tell you where their aches and pains are! On my visits to Peru two or three times a year, I always like to do some riding if I can.

When I was living in Peru, I could see the racing was not as good as it used to be and, with my fortunate

situation in football, I felt I could do something to help improve the sport and told the Peruvian Jockey Club that’s what I wanted to do.

I have three stallions and about 40 mares at El Catorce. Adam Driver, my agent in Newmarket, recently bought me three yearlings and four mares at the sales and now I have a total of five mares in England.

Raymi Coya, trained by Marco Botti, won the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket for us in 2007, while Black Arrow, a multiple Listed winner in Germany, finished fifth in the Deutsches Derby before I sold him to race in Hong Kong.

Winning the 2006 Peru Triple Crown with Muller – named after German striker Gerd Muller – was a fantastic moment for me because I was just starting in the breeding business. But, having said that, the best racing is in England; after all, everyone from around the world goes there to buy their bloodstock.

While racing and breeding is a relaxation, I do get very nervous when I have a runner, particularly if it’s one of my homebreds, whereas I’m never nervous before a big match.

Our manager, Pep Guardiola, is very good at giving us family time with our wives and kids and if I’m not following the racing, we like to go to the cinema.

Otherwise, I enjoy golf but generally as a fair-weather player.

We try to eat early in the evening, between 7.30 and eight. My favourite dish is chicken and green rice, Peruvian style. We go to bed around 11 o’clock and when I get to sleep I sleep very well, although I hardly ever dream.

Interview by Tim Richards

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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