Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

Feb_150_Cover_OwnerBreeder 20/01/2017 17:01 Page 1

Incorporating

£4.95 | February 2017 | Issue 150

Winter warmer Ben Pauling on his title aspirations and quest for a Cheltenham Festival winner

Plus • Jim McGrath reflects on his 35-year career on TV • German studs: young sires out to make their mark • Tony Morris recalls dual Classic hero Royal Palace

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

35312_Ostrich_TBOB_DPS_Feb17.qxp_Underwood Review 13/01/2017 14:56 Page 1

• AUSTRALIA • CAMELOT • CANFORD CLIFFS • EXCELEBRATION • FASTNET ROCK • FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND • GALILEO • GLENEAGLES • HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR • • IVAWOOD • KINGSTON HILL • MASTERCRAFTSMAN • MOST IMPROVED • NO NAY NEVER • POWER • PRIDE OF DUBAI • REQUINTO • ROCK OF GIBRALTAR • • RULER OF THE WORLD • STARSPANGLEDBANNER • THE GURKHA • WAR COMMAND • ZOFFANY •

35312_Ostrich_TBOB_DPS_Feb17.qxp_Underwood Review 13/01/2017 14:56 Page 2

87% of our sires are Gr.1/Gr.2 winners at a mile or less including: Camelot European Champion at 2 & 3, Classic winning miler

Fastnet Rock Champion sprinter, Gr.1 winner over 5 & 5½f.

FootstepsInTheSand Unbeaten and a Classic winning miler

Gleneagles Gr.1 winner at 7 & 8f.

Holy Roman Emperor Gr.1 winning 2yo over 6 & 7f.

Ivawood Dual Gr.2 winning 2yo over 6f.

Mastercraftsman European Champion 2yo. Gr.1 winner at 6, 7 & 8f.

Most Improved Won the 8f. St James’s Palace Stakes-Gr.1

No Nay Never Very fast 2yo, Gr.1 winner at 6f., Gr.2 winner at 5f.

Power Gr.1 or Gr.2 winner over 6, 7 & 8f.

Pride of Dubai Gr.1 winning 2yo over both 6 & 7f.

Requinto Gr.2 winning 2yo over 5f.

Rock Of Gibraltar 7 Gr.1 wins at 7 & 8f., Gr.2 winner at 2 over 6f.

Starspangledbanner Champion sprinter, Gr.1 winner at 5½, 6 & 8f.

The Gurkha Brilliant dual Gr.1 winning miler in 2016

War Command Top 2yo, Gr.1 winner at 7f., Gr.2 winner at 6 & 7f.

Zoffany Gr.1 winning 2yo over 6f.

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 or Cathal Murphy. Tel: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) Tel: +44-7827-795156.

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

Feb_150_Editors_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:43 Page 5

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR 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 Our proven average monthly circulation is certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation at 9,500* *Based on the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0200 Fax: 020 7152 0213 info@roa.co.uk www.roa.co.uk Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661 321 Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk • www.thetba.co.uk

Incorporating

£4.95 | February 2017 | Issue 150

Winter warmer Ben Pauling on his title aspirations and quest for a Cheltenham Festival winner

Plus • Jim McGrath reflects on his 35-year career on TV • German studs: young sires out to make their mark • Tony Morris recalls dual Classic hero Royal Palace

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Ben Pauling with his string at exercise at his stable in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire Photo: George Selwyn

Follow us on... @OwnerBreeder

EDWARD ROSENTHAL

JCR plans leave sour taste with Kempton up for sale C

ut through all the bluster produced in the wake of the news that Kempton Park will be sold for housing, with a new all-weather track proposed for Newmarket, and you are left with some uncomfortable truths about the future direction of British horseracing.

Fewer jumps courses and more all-weather racing (which now accounts for 21.7% of fixtures) are not appetising prospects to most observers yet it appears this is now regarded as ‘progress’ by Jockey Club Racecourses, owner of many of our most prestigious venues and obviously keen to cash in on some of these valuable assets to balance the books – it’s £115 million in debt, you see.

JCR’s plans would see the King George VI Chase, a race in which the likes of Mill House, Arkle, Pendil, Captain Christy, Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid, Kauto Star and, most recently, Thistlecrack have showcased their brilliance, move down the road to Sandown Park.

Never mind that Sandown is a very different racecourse, which produces different ground and rewards a different type of chaser.

The words ‘Newmarket’ and ‘all-weather’ do not appear natural bedfellows yet we face the prospect of Flat racing’s HQ, the home of top-class action for centuries but a small town nonetheless, welcoming its third racecourse. Why stop at three? I’m sure space could be found for a new NH course – and you could guarantee decent ground for most of the year.

Unfortunately, Newmarket’s racecourses may be a vital part of both the local economy and community but they have consistently failed to draw larger crowds from further afield to some of their bigger racedays. That is one of the reasons why the Champion Stakes is now ensconced at Ascot.

And what of Kempton? If a Grade 1 course can get the chop, where does that leave our other premier tracks?

Undoubtedly the average all-weather fare largely staged in Sunbury-on-Thames fails to fire the imagination as far as the public is concerned, but whose fault is that?

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Kempton is a JCR venue – and, apparently, a profitable one – so JCR must accept responsibility if it is not pulling in the punters. It took the plunge to axe the Flat turf course and replace it with racing on synthetics, a decision that has undoubtedly helped to lead us to a world where, it seems, Kempton is expendable.

It’s not all about crowds, as I understand it, which would certainly help Newmarket’s bid for a new addition.

However if you were intent on building a new racecourse and had a choice of two locations – one 45 minutes from London (direct train with its own station) and one 80 minutes away (change at Cambridge then taxi) – which would you go for?

For trainers based in the Lambourn and Epsom areas, Kempton plays a vital role. The prospect of the extra schlep to Newmarket or some of the other all-weather tracks will not exactly be welcomed during the depths of winter.

Ben Pauling has enjoyed a handful of winners at Kempton in his fourth season training but it is another course under JCR control – Cheltenham – that is occupying his mind as the Festival begins to loom into view.

Without his stable star Barters Hill, who sadly suffered an injury on his chasing debut in November, Pauling is relying on a talented supporting cast that includes the likes of promising novice chaser A Hare Breath and exciting novice hurdler Willoughby Court, winner of a Grade 2 contest at Warwick in January.

As Pauling tells Tom Peacock (The Big Interview, pages 40-46), he is hoping this year’s Cheltenham experience eclipses 2016.

“We left feeling a bit sore really, because we had some genuine chances and just hit the bar a couple of times, but it just shows how hard it is to win a race at the Festival,” Pauling explains. “It will happen and it’ll be great when it does.

“This year it will maybe not have the hype of Barters Hill but the majority will be exciting young novices. As long as we continue to get them there in good health, that’s great.”

“If a Grade 1 course can get the chop, where does that leave our other premier tracks?

”

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Feb_150_Contents_Contents 20/01/2017 16:47 Page 6

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2017

56

40

NEWS & VIEWS

INTERNATIONAL SCENE

9

ROA Leader

29

View From Ireland

11

TBA Leader

33

Continental Tales

12

News

37

Around The Globe

14

Changes

24

Tony Morris

26

Howard Wright

Levy news superb

Breeders can stimulate interest

Kempton to close

Your news in a nutshell

Royal Palace remembered

Japan out to conquer

Walter Swinburn, who died in December, on his first Derby winner Shergar in 1981

6

Native River’s humble start

Milord Thomas one of the greats

Baffert and Shah split

Feb_150_Contents_Contents 20/01/2017 16:47 Page 7

48

104

FEATURES

FORUM

18

The Big Picture

76

The Thoroughbred Club

22

From The Archives

78

ROA Forum

40

COVER STORY

84

TBA Forum

90

Breeder of the Month

92

Vet Forum

Walter Swinburn tribute

Donegal Prince in 1982

The Big Interview With trainer Ben Pauling

48

Talking To...

Jim McGrath

56

German Breeding Tour

66

Sales Circuit

73

Meet the nation’s best stallions

In Europe and America

Caulfield Files Galileo’s global influence

94

Dr Statz

104

24 Hours With...

Fantastic year ahead

Cheltenham marquee tickets on sale

Stud Farming Course a triumph

Robin and Scarlett Knipe for Thistlecrack

Foaling preparation

DATA BOOK

96

NH Graded Races

103

Stallion Statistics

Your latest victors

Shantou’s rise

Rank through ratings

Top sire Dubawi

Our monthly circulation is certified at

9,500 Can other magazines prove theirs?

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Ready to fly in 2017….

LETHAL FORCE GR. 2009, 16.1HH, DARK ANGEL EX. LAND ARMY

Champion Sprinter and best son of Dark Angel Dual Gr.1 winner of the Darley July Cup and Diamond Jubilee Stakes, and the fastest horse ever over 6 furlongs at Newmarket.

His first crop yearlings at the sales in 2016 achieved 160,000gns, 125,000gns, 120,000gns, 100,000gns, etc.

First crop of runners stabled with leading trainers: Richard Fahey

Roger Varian

Richard Hannon

Sir Michael Stoute

Clive Cox

William Haggas

Bryan Smart

Ger Lyons

Tom Dascombe

Andrew Balding

Karl Burke

Mark Johnston, etc.

Fee:

£10,000 (1st October SLF)

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

Cheveley_Owner_LethalForce_Feb_2017.indd 1

20/01/2017 12:08

Feb_150_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 20/01/2017 16:32 Page 9

ROA LEADER

NICHOLAS COOPER President Racehorse Owners Association

New funding model sees racing’s dream come true Levy replacement to yield an extra £35m from offshore betting businesses

T

hanks to the support of government and to the persistence of the BHA, the biggest change in the central funding of British racing in well over half a century will occur in April this year as the levy system will be replaced by an entirely new model.

Based on a rate of 10% on gross profits on horseracing bets, levy replacement will capture the all-important offshore business on British racing and produce an estimated annual income of £90 million, against the current £54.5m.

The collection and distribution of funds will be taken over by the Gambling Commission and a new Racing Authority respectively, but not until the beginning of 2018.

At this time, however, we remain uncertain as to whether racing’s old nemesis, European State Aid legislation, can still possibly frustrate the new legislation now being put into place.

It would be catastrophic for racing if anything were to trip up the levy replacement programme in the coming months. Even if the existing Levy Board were to act as a safety net, the board’s muchdiminished funds would not allow it to sustain anything like its current contributions to prize-money.

So, as we pray for a smooth legislative passage towards the introduction of the new structure, we must still recognise that central funding will be dwarfed by media rights income flowing from bookmakers to racecourses for pictures in betting shops.

It is an unavoidable truth that every time a betting shop closes there is less money for racing. Equally unavoidable is the fact that FOBT machines have become fundamental to the profitability of betting shops. It is therefore argued that racing should give its full support to bookmakers in the face of probable legislation against FOBTs, but is it right that we should adopt such a position when the jury is still out on whether these machines are addictive?

Bookmakers also claim that racing is no longer a big money-maker for them but this is a bit rich when it is they

themselves who often choose to keep their margins very tight on horseracing bets as a means of attracting more punters. Such a strategy might suit their marketing departments but it does nothing for racing’s income which continues to be linked to gross profits rather than turnover.

Nowhere is the inter-dependence of racing and betting more clearly defined than with the Arena Racing Company courses which provide most of the live racing action pictures in betting shops during these winter months. But due to the current stand-off in commercial negotiations between Ladbrokes/Corals/Betfred and Arena’s new media company, The Racing Partnership, the affected betting shops are now seeing their customer numbers diminish.

This dispute will surely soon be settled, though it is not entirely unhelpful to have further proof of how betting shops remain so dependent on the racing product, even if it is has been an expensive way to underline the point.

It is difficult to talk about the racing-betting relationship without mention of the BHA’s Authorised Betting Partner concept. This has bound participating bookmakers to an agreement to pay British racing voluntary contributions on their British horseracing business that fell outside the scope of the levy.

The ABP initiative has proved very worthwhile, capturing significant funds for racing that we would not otherwise have received. The ABP experience has also underlined the fact that some of the major bookmakers cannot ever see beyond their balance sheets and that the large independent racecourses would rather sit on the fence than to sign up to the terms of an agreement that is for racing’s greater good.

All this will, however, soon be behind us as we approach the brave new world of a funding model underpinned by new legislation. It will ensure our industry not only receives income commensurate with the true volume of betting on British racing but will also enable us to decide how it is spent.

“We must still

recognise that central funding will be dwarfed by media rights income for racing pictures

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Just a few of the reasons why people join the TBA… FREE Third party liability insurance FREE Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder Magazine subscription (worth £55) FREE Stallion Guide (worth £25) FREE Exclusive member events FREE Employer support

FREE Online bloodstock taxation guide FREE Annual seminar FREE Boarding stud agreements FREE Education and training advice

Whether you own a broodmare, racehorse or are just a bloodstock enthusiast, join us today.

Membership from just £115

01638 661321 l info@thetba.co.uk Find out more at thetba.co.uk

Feb_150_TBA_Leader_TBA 20/01/2017 15:40 Page 11

TBA LEADER

JULIAN RICHMOND-WATSON Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Sharing knowledge with fans can only help racing Breeders are in a unique position to stimulate greater interest in our sport

L

ast month’s confirmation by Sports Minister Tracey Crouch that the government is committed to replacing the levy system was welcome news. It means that British racing is on the edge of a substantial change, not only in the sport’s funding but also the relationship that must be built with the multifaceted and complex betting industry, which provides so much of racing’s finance.

The relationship can never be simple, as the requirements of retail and on-course customers are so different from the online betting industry, which has an insatiable appetite for more information and more action at different times of the day.

The variety of opportunities required by online gambling are a new and ever-developing demand on racing, which must work with all customers to grow the cake for everyone’s benefit. Yet it should never be forgotten that over many years racing has developed a structure and purpose to improve and advance the breed for the benefit of all. That structure is vital and, while improvements are always possible, the rush to engage with the new gambling scene must not damage basics that have been built up over the decades.

Racing is not just a gambling product. It’s a many-sided sport that engages with and employs thousands of people who enjoy the thoroughbred and the competition developed through the centuries.

The thoroughbred is a magnificent animal, whose keenness to learn and please shone through the recent Retraining of Racehorses Awards ceremony, where I was constantly reminded by those who have taken on and love ex-racers just how intelligent and willing so many of the horses bred for the sport can be. Bringing more of them to racecourses where the public, who love animals of all breeds, can see them at close hand and be told how they are cared for must be a good idea, especially as it would enable more people to see racehorses as something other than a betting medium.

By the very nature of the exercise, breeders have the closest affinity with their horses, and explaining their individual characteristics to the public has to be of enormous benefit. Breeders spend so much time matching characteristics, conformation and racing ability when making mating plans that putting into words the fascination of how or why an individual thoroughbred resulted from a particular mating can provide racing fans with so much more information and stimulate greater interest than if they merely looked at the horse as just another betting opportunity.

This outstanding animal has been nurtured and selectively bred for so many years. As breeders we should try to engage others in explaining how and why the racehorse became the finished article they see on the racecourse.

With this in mind, racing’s new terrestrial broadcaster ITV has made an excellent start by noting the name of the breeder, as well as the sire and dam, of winners in its results’ captions.

ITV Racing has a great opportunity to turn the spotlight on the thoroughbred as an animal to build a special relationship with the public.

Britain is rightly known as a nation of animal lovers.

Breeders, as well as owners and trainers, should share their horses with the public, not least because the animal rights lobby could so easily take advantage of any lapse in our continuing efforts to demonstrate how well thoroughbreds are cared for. Breeding and racing are constantly under scrutiny, and although the sport enjoys support from those familiar with country life, we must never be complacent about the growing urban majority that has been brought up on sanitised wildlife and animal programmes.

The BHA’s appointment of Dr David Sykes in the new role of Director of Equine Health and Welfare is a step in the right direction, and everyone in racing should welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the care and attention paid to the welfare of the thoroughbred racehorse and why animal rights bodies are so wrong to target the sport.

“We should try to engage

others in explaining how and why the racehorse became the finished article they see on the course

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Feb_150_News_Owner 20/01/2017 17:04 Page 12

NEWS Stories from the racing world

Kempton klaxon Jockey Club sound death knell for track

J

ockey Club Racecourses incurred the wrath of a large majority of racing professionals and fans when announcing it intended to sell off Kempton for housing and build an allweather track in Newmarket.

JCR is £115 million in debt, though at the same time as revealing their plan to bulldoze the historic home of the King George VI Chase – which they expect would raise £100m in a partnership with homebuilder Redrow – they pledged to spend at least £500m on British racing over the next ten years, including significant investment in Sandown, where the King George meeting would be run.

JCR said their debt and their Kempton proposal are unrelated, but their sums left some confused, with plenty wondering why the Jockey Club couldn’t spend ‘just’ £400m and keep Kempton open.

Further bafflement came with confirmation that Kempton is a profitable course, despite its sparse crowds for all-weather fixtures – albeit as was frequently pointed out in the days that followed the bombshell, all-weather racing in Newmarket would likely attract even fewer spectators.

JCR found support from some industry figures – Jonjo O’Neill, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Kim Bailey – prepared to say that while they would be sad to see Kempton go, the Jockey Club were doing the right thing. However such opinions were in the minority.

Indeed, not even the local council are in favour, despite the need for housing in the region – far from it in fact, with Spelthorne Council saying they could meet their obligations Brian Fletcher and Red Rum: a formidable combination

Thistlecrack: reigned supreme in the latest King George at Kempton

for more housing elsewhere, and that they were wholly against the building on green belt land that Kempton occupies.

The opinion of local residents barely needs referencing – the prospect of 3,000 more homes on their doorstep received short shrift.

JCR said racing would continue at Kempton until at least 2021, though the likelihood of receiving planning permission anyway appears a long shot.

The Links was the area in Newmarket identified as being suitable for an all-weather track, a prospect welcomed by some of the town’s trainers but by few others.

The all-weather tracks at Chelmsford and Wolverhampton would be chief sufferers of a new venture at Newmarket, although all three further afield – Lingfield, Southwell and Newcastle – would not be immune either. Many observers felt Newmarket would be cheapened by an all-weather track, some pointing out it had prospered for 350 years without one.

Brian Fletcher 1947-2017 Brian Fletcher, who partnered the legendary Red Rum to the first two of his three Grand National triumphs, has died aged 69.

Fletcher was in the saddle when ‘Rummy’ scored at Aintree in 1973 and 1974, their first victory coming in dramatic fashion as the pair caught Crisp and Richard Pitman close home, receiving 23lb from the gallant runner-up.

In 1974 Red Rum had to carry 12st but still proved far too good for his opponents under Fletcher, while the duo also finished runner-up in 1975. Tommy Stack was on board when Red Rum won his third National in 1977.

Fletcher started his career with Denys Smith

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Jockey Club Senior Steward Roger Weatherby said: “The Jockey Club is governed by Royal Charter to act for the long-term good of British racing.

“One of the ways we want to live up to that is through a series of projects that offer benefits all around the country and collectively add up to us contributing more than half a billion pounds over the next decade from its grassroots to top level.

“We must show leadership with the assets we have and, where merited, take tough decisions to help our sport to keep moving forwards.”

A large majority did not share Weatherby’s view that JCR is acting for the long-term good of British racing by closing a jumps track and building an all-weather course.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “National Hunt racing cannot afford to lose Kempton, we don’t want to be without it. It is unique, predominantly because of the ground. I fear it will be a nail in the National Hunt coffin.”

aged 16. At 19 he was handed the ride on Red Alligator in the 1967 National, the pair coming third in a chaotic renewal won by 100-1 outsider Foinavon. A year later they were reunited at Aintree and went two places better.

Fletcher retired in 1976 and began to farm sheep and breed Welsh Cobs near Bishop Auckland before moving to west Wales.

Gerry Scott, who won the National on Merryman II in 1960, rode against Fletcher for several seasons and said: “He was one hell of a horseman, you don’t ride three Grand National winners and not know what you are doing. He didn’t get the recognition he deserved.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_150_News_Owner 20/01/2017 17:02 Page 13

Levy system reformed British horseracing will benefit from mandatory contributions from all major gambling businesses that take bets on the sport in the country, Sports Minister Tracey Crouch announced last month.

The scheme – intended to replace the outdated levy system in April, subject to state aid approval – will ensure any firm that takes bets from consumers based in Britain on races held in the nation will pay 10% of gross profits from racing, above the first £500,000 they make, to support the sport and equine industry.

It will be enforced via a reformed statutory levy and follows consultation with the betting and racing industries – although the betting industry’s view is that 10% is too high a rate given what they pay in media rights.

The new system ensures a level playing field among gambling operators based in Britain and those offshore, and Crouch said: “This move will help secure the future of horseracing in Britain by making sure gambling firms pay a fair return to support the sport.

“Horseracing has a strong heritage in this country, employing thousands of people, and is enjoyed by many almost every day of the year. This new approach to the Horserace Betting Levy will help sustain and develop the sport.

“The levy will support funding for a range of areas including prize-money, integrity, equine welfare, veterinary science, and the mental and physical wellbeing of participants.”

The levy scheme applies to all operators who offer bets on British horseracing by customers in Britain, including pool betting, betting exchanges, on-course bookmakers and on spread bets.

The rate set will be reviewed within seven years of the legislation coming into force, to ensure it reflects any future changes in the market.

The government intends to transfer responsibility for collecting the levy to the Gambling Commission early next year, a move which will result in the Levy Board being wound up.

The funding will be passed on by the Gambling Commission to a nominated Racing Authority, that will act on behalf of British racing and be responsible for making decisions on spend.

Reacting to the news, BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust said: “This will restore to racing a return from all betting on our sport at a fair and proportionate rate. This is critical to the future health of British racing.

“Once the new system is implemented in April we will see a significant uplift in the sport’s central funding that will benefit our participants and the many local communities racing supports across all corners of the country.”

He added: “British racing is committed to working closely with our partners in the betting industry to make a success of this new environment, and grow what is the most natural, exciting betting product to the future advantage of both our industries and the wider economy.”

From April all bookmakers taking bets on British racing from punters in Britain will be paying levy

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

McCreery: rider, breeder and pioneer

Bob McCreery dies at 86 The highly respected breeder and former amateur rider Bob McCreery has died aged 86.

McCreery’s Stowell Hill Stud in Somerset is synonymous with a string of top-class horses, led by the 1972 2,000 Guineas victor High Top and 1989 Prix du Jockey-Club and Irish Derby winner Old Vic. Both became successful stallions, the former responsible for European Classic winners Cut Above, Circus Plume, Top Ville, Colorspin and My Top. High Top was also champion broodmare sire of Britain and Ireland in 1993, largely thanks to the exploits of Opera House, whose success on the track was later followed by his full-brother Kayf Tara.

Old Vic, a son of High Top’s sister Cockade, was sold as a yearling to Sheikh Mohammed for 240,000gns. An outstanding racehorse, he subsequently became champion National Hunt sire of Britain and Ireland in 2007-08.

Stowell Hill’s other high-achieving alumni include Gale Force Ten, who topped the DBS Premier Yearling Sale in 2011 at £280,000 before winning the Jersey Stakes and later taking up stallion duties at the Irish National Stud, and fellow Jersey Stakes scorer Camden Town.

The multiple Group winner Electric, who also became a decent stallion at Whitsbury Manor Stud, was trained by Sir Michael Stoute for McCreery in partnership with Raymond Clifford-Turner and former Hampshire Cricket Club captain Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie.

McCreery’s exploits as a fearless rider include being champion amateur in 1955-56 and 195657. He rode around 150 winners in Britain, including the 1953 Welsh Grand National on Stalbridge Rock, three in the USA and one each in France, Spain and Sweden.

Among his many roles, McCreery served as TBA Chairman, was a longstanding trustee of the Injured Jockeys Fund, and was one of the founders of the European Breeders’ Fund.

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Feb_150_Changes2pp_Layout 1 20/01/2017 16:25 Page 14

Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Brian Harding Jump jockey set to be out until late February after fracturing a vertebra and bruising ribs in a fall at Musselburgh.

John Gosden Two-time champion trainer is made an OBE in the New Year’s honours list.

Guy Wildenstein Head of the famous art-dealing and horseracing dynasty is acquitted of tax fraud and conspiracy to launder money by the French courts.

Sun Bets Andrew Thornton Achieves his ambition of riding 1,000 winners on the Seamus Mullinstrained Kentford Myth at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

Kristin Stubbs Calls time on training career after sending out Top Of The Bank to win at Wolverhampton in January. She has started working for David O’Meara.

Paul Hanagan Dual champion jockey returns to his northern roots with the Richard Fahey stable, having lost his role as first rider to Hamdan Al Maktoum last year.

Martin Keighley Trainer is declared bankrupt but the BHA is allowing him to retain his licence and send out runners.

Lee Newman Former champion apprentice, 35, is making a riding comeback in Australia based with Perth trainer Fred Kersley.

SIS Betting industry service provider sees annual profits fall by 22% in the year to March 31, 2016. Profits after tax fell from £21.4m to £16.6m.

Sharon Dunphy Former trainer along with owner Joey Logan banned for two years by the Turf Club following an investigation into the ownership of Like A Diamond.

14

New sponsor of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, previously known as the World Hurdle since 2004. The deal is for three years.

Jonathan Moore

Brief tenure as stable jockey to Rebecca Curtis appears over after missing the trainer’s bigrace winner at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Rachael Gowland

Shadwell’s Marketing and Sponsorship Manager will join the British European Breeders’ Fund as Marketing and Communications Manager in March.

Also...

Josephine Gordon, champion apprentice in 2016, is signed up to ride for the Hugo Palmer stable. Northumberland-based owner-trainer Vic Thompson quits the training ranks after half a century; his best horse was Jethro’s Cat, fourth in the four-miler at the Festival.

Saltburn trainer Keith Reveley hands over to long-time assistant Gill Boanas; he sent out Ungaro to win the Grade 1 Feltham Novices’ Chase in 2006. Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Paul Gilligan is disqualified for six months for a second time – he was found guilty of running an unqualified horse at Uttoxeter in 2014. Australian-based jockey James McDonald is banned for 18 months by Racing New South Wales and has his contract with Godolphin terminated after falling foul of betting rules.

HORSE OBITUARIES Cool Roxy 20 Fakenham specialist, winning 11 times at the Norfolk venue for ownertrainer Alan Blackmore. The track has named a bar after its star gelding.

Helsinge 15 Achieved fame through her daughter Black Caviar, the brilliant sprinter unbeaten in 25 races, while her son All Too Hard won four Group 1s.

Saintly 24 Winner of the 1996 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup trained by Bart Cummings.

Eduard 8 Exciting chaser for trainer Nicky Richards and owner Eddie Melville, winning six races including a Grade 2 and finishing fourth in the 2015 Ryanair Chase.

Hurricane Run 14 Winner of the 2005 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and 2006 King George, he sired Ectot, successful at the highest level in France and America.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_150_Changes2pp_Layout 1 20/01/2017 16:25 Page 16

RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Don Cossack Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will not defend his crown at the Festival after a tendon injury forced the retirement of the Gigginstown-owned ten-year-old.

Dream Ahead Five-time Group 1-winning son of Diktat transfers from Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny to Haras de Grandcamp in France.

His fee is €12,000.

Estidkhaar Tara Stud in County Meath signs up recently-retired son of Dark Angel, twice a winner in Group 2 company. His fee is set at €5,000.

Dynaste High-class chaser for owner John White and trainer David Pipe, winning the Feltham Novices’ Chase and Ryanair Chase, is retired aged 11.

Meandre Nine-year-old son of Slickly, a four-time Group 1 winner, will stand in the Czech Republic in 2017.

Maurice Son of Screen Hero who landed his sixth Group 1 in the Hong Kong Cup in December is retired to stand at the Shadai Stallion Stallion at a fee of £27,700.

Roi Du Mee Grand servant to owner Gigginstown is retired aged 11. He won 16 races under rules, including the JNwine.com Champion Chase, and over £340,000.

Acapulco Brilliant winner of the 2015 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot moves from Wesley Ward in America to join Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable.

PEOPLE OBITUARIES Clare Trickey 71

Brian Fletcher 69

TBA regional representative based in North Moulton, Devon whose late husband Michael was former Clerk of the Course at Taunton.

One of only three men to win the Grand National on three occasions, on Red Alligator in 1968 and Red Rum in 1973 and 1974.

Padge Berry 90 Trainer regarded as an outstanding judge of a young horse. The best runner he produced was 1993 Champion Hurdle winner Granville Again.

Lord Spencer-Churchill 76 Owner for many years with Fulke Walwyn; his best horse was Black Andrew, a talented handicapper in the mid-1970s.

Bryn Palling 86 South Wales trainer known for his prowess with sprinters and whose best horse was Carranita, winner of 16 races including four Listed events.

16

Bob McCreery 86 Champion amateur rider in the 1950s, later a successful breeder, producing the likes of High Top, Old Vic and Dominica from his Stowell Hill Stud in Somerset.

Gordon Price 85 Dual-purpose trainer who saddled 100-1 outsider Stans Pride to finish third behind See You Then in the 1985 Champion Hurdle.

Jack Hanson 92 Yorkshire businessman who rode as an amateur on the Flat, later training under both codes and owning some good horses with Barry Hills.

John Pearce 98 Owner-breeder whose familiar navy and white silks were carried

by Gold Cup victor Arcadian Heights and Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer.

John Buckingham 76 Rode Foinavon to a dramatic 100-1 victory in the 1967 Grand National. He later became a jockeys’ valet to Richard Dunwoody and AP McCoy. THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_150_SwinburnBigPic_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 16:51 Page 18

THE BIG PICTURE

Feb_150_SwinburnBigPic_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 16:51 Page 19

WA LT E R S W I N B U R N T R I B U T E

WALTER SWINBURN August 7, 1961 - December 12, 2016

R

iding racehorses came easily to Walter Swinburn, whose death in December at the age of 55 shocked the world of

racing.

Like with so many naturally gifted riders, Swinburn had his demons over the years, but his passing came out of the blue and sparked much regret that racing had not been graced with his proactive involvement for several years, Swinburn having retired as a trainer in 2011.

He had been successful in that endeavour – at least far more so than many other trainers who continue with fewer horses and winners – albeit without attaining the giddy heights of his riding career, and minus the buzz of raceriding.

It would, of course, have been extremely difficult for anyone so dazzling in the saddle to achieve anywhere near equivalent success in another discipline. ‘The Choirboy’, as Swinburn was fondly called due to his angelic young looks, was simply the most gifted jockey of his generation, a phrase that passed the lips of so many who paid tribute to him.

If there is one horse he is most closely associated with, that horse is Shergar. So natural in the saddle from the get-go was Swinburn that while he looked like a teenager when winning the Derby on Shergar in 1981, he did not ride like one.

Just 19 at the time, he and the Aga Khan’s outstanding colt strode off with the world’s most famous Flat race by ten lengths, a margin that has never been bettered.

The two were poetry in motion, and the

subsequent infamous kidnapping of Shergar by the IRA perhaps even added to the legend of their Derby heroics.

Swinburn was far from a one-horse rider, though; nowhere near it. He was to win another two Derbys, on Shahrastani and Lammtarra, and while the Shergar success came as easy to him as riding racehorses per se, these other Derby victories arguably better showcased his fantastic talents.

On Shahrastani, Swinburn was perfectly placed throughout and delivered a tactical masterclass to withstand the famous late thrust of Dancing Brave and Greville Starkey, while on Lammtarra – a victory that might have meant more to Swinburn than any other in his career – he displayed his innate understanding of a raw, inexperienced colt facing a uniquely challenging racecourse.

A list – by no means exhaustive – of Swinburn’s other famous rides will come with a personal memory for many readers, for such horses are, like his Derby winners, integrated into the history of our sport: Marwell, All Along, Shareef Dancer, Shadeed, Shardari, Green Desert, Ajdal, Shernazar, Unite, Doyoun, Aliysa, Zilzal, Musical Bliss, Kartajana, Indian Queen, Sayyedati, Hatoof, Ezzoud, Sonic Lady, Halling and Pilsudski.

There were so many glowing tributes to Swinburn, but legendary jumps jockey Sir Anthony McCoy perhaps summed him up better than most.

“Brilliantly stylish and a genius in the saddle,” said McCoy. “A jockey that God hath retained.”

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Feb_150_SwinburnBigPic_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 16:52 Page 20

THE BIG PICTURE Below: trainer Michael Stoute welcomes back Shergar and Swinburn, then 19, after their scintillating 1981 Derby win.

Right: Pilsudski gives Swinburn another big-race moment with victory in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Woodbine

Feb_150_SwinburnBigPic_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 16:51 Page 21

WA LT E R S W I N B U R N T R I B U T E

Feb_150_FromTheArchivev3_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 15:29 Page 22

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Feb_150_FromTheArchivev3_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 15:29 Page 23

DONEGAL PRINCE FEBRUARY 13, 1982

The story behind the photo There was no Schweppes Gold Trophy in 1981 or 1983, so the 1982 renewal was well worth winning.

Indeed, between 1969 and 1991, the famous handicap was lost no fewer than eight times. Snow, frost and rain were the culprits, sometimes all three.

They bred them tougher, perhaps, in those days, horse and rider, and in 1982 the finish to the race – now the Betfair Hurdle – was so close, and the angle of the camera so different to now, that even the late, great Sir Peter O’Sullevan was caught out.

John Francome was the man aboard Donegal Prince, trained by Paul Kelleway (inset), and the duo were to the fore over the last five flights.

Donegal Prince (left in our picture) was still close up jumping the last, but the leader over that flight was Mount Harvard (centre), ridden by Steve Smith Eccles. However, the strongest finisher was Ekbalco (right), the mount of David Goulding.

Ekbalco looked all over the winner 50 yards out, having seemingly taken the measure of Donegal Prince and Mount Harvard, but inexplicably he lost the lead in the dying strides.

“Ekbalco for me, he’s just won it,” said O’Sullevan.

Alas, he had not, for unlike in the Ebor two and a half years earlier, when he had just been denied by none other than Sea Pigeon, Donegal Prince came out best in this close finish.

Photos George Selwyn

Feb_150_Tony_Morris_Owner 20/01/2017 15:11 Page 24

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris The events of 1967 are more vivid for our columnist than those of 2016, and the racing year of half a century ago was a vintage one, Royal Palace being the abiding memory

24

PRESS ASSOCIATION

O

ld age does not come unaccompanied, and among the many unwelcome manifestations is short-term memory loss. In common with many others of my generation I have difficulty remembering what I did yesterday, or whatever happened to the specs I was wearing ten minutes ago.

But events from way back linger. Old entries in the memory bank lodged permanently. The phrase ‘dim and distant past’ is inappropriate; what is distant in time actually remains as vivid as the original experience, and that recurrent thought surfaced yet again as I took down the 2016 calendar and replaced it with one for 2017.

Blimey, is it really 50 years since that season which provided so much that it’s impossible for me to forget?

I was a humble junior sub-editor in the racing department of the Press Association, and across the desk sat a rather more experienced chap called David Chapman, who came from a privileged background and was apparently enhancing his prospects further by some successful punting. He was prospering to a large extent by virtue of bets on horses trained by Noel Murless, and he bored me and his other colleagues rigid with tales of his latest windfalls courtesy of inmates of the Warren Place stable.

Sure, the yard had thrived in 1966 and seemed to be especially strong in the twoyear-old department, a fact which Chapman crowed about constantly. In the pub downstairs he pursued the familiar theme, asking me what were the odds against a Murless sweep of the 1967 Classics. I reckoned that 100-1 would be about right, which naturally prompted him to enquire whether I would lay him such a bet.

Drink tends to cloud anyone’s judgement, and while I was sufficiently compos mentis to recognise that it would be folly to do that, I contrived to do something dafter. Foolishly emboldened by the knowledge that the Classics were always extremely competitive, I offered the thought that it was probably 100-8 against Murless winning any one of

Royal Palace took the first two legs of the Triple Crown but had to miss the St Leger

them, let alone all five. He leapt in sharply, urging me to put my money where my mouth was, and I shook hands on it: £100 to 8. Well, anything to shut him up.

So a few months later, there I was on the press stand at the Rowley Mile, willing the Murless colt Royal Palace, 100-30 jointfavourite, to get beaten in the 2,000 Guineas.

He nearly did, but my cheering for Taj Dewan throughout the final furlong proved to no avail; Royal Palace got home by a short head.

I could only ask for time to pay. After all, I was taking home no more than £12 a week, and I had to eat – and drink, of course.

If Royal Palace hadn’t done it, my bet would have been lost on the following day, when Fleet proved a ready winner of the 1,000 Guineas to complete a Warren Place Classic double. Murless was well on the way to a record-breaking season.

By Derby day I had still to settle the debt, while Chapman was confidently predicting that he would collect on his ante-post wager on Royal Palace to win the Triple Crown, a bet he had struck thankfully not with me but a properly licensed bookmaker.

My most vivid recollection of that Derby concerns Richard Baerlein, racing

correspondent of The Observer, who had made scathing remarks about Ribocco, one of the top juveniles of 1966 but already a threetime loser at three – in the Craven Stakes, the Dee Stakes and the Lingfield Derby Trial, fitted with blinkers on the last-named occasion. All the evidence, Baerlein asserted, indicated that Ribocco was irresolute, lacked stamina and hated starting stalls, which were being used for the first time in the Epsom Classic.

Always known for his forthright opinions, Baerlein told his readers he would jump off the Press Stand if Ribocco were to win the Derby. Unlike the present arrangements, whereby the press are expected to watch the Derby on a television screen at ground level, in those days we were favoured with a splendid pitch up several flights of stairs, so a jump from that height could only have been fatal.

I had half an eye on Baerlein as Ribocco, under a canny Piggott ride, moved stealthily up the centre of the course in the straight, evidently full of running. But Royal Palace was also going strongly and a couple of flicks from George Moore’s whip were sufficient to carry him clear – a life-saver for the Observer THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_150_Tony_Morris_Owner 20/01/2017 15:11 Page 25

scribe and a performance that looked a good omen for Chapman’s Triple Crown wager.

In fact, nobody doubted that Royal Palace would now complete the treble. He had perhaps been fortunate that no tip-top miler had contested the Guineas, but he had proved his dominance over his division at Epsom, and his pedigree, by Ballymoss out of a high-class Solar Slipper mare, guaranteed that he would have ample stamina for the Doncaster test. He would have a warm-up in York’s Great Voltigeur Stakes before emulating Bahram, the latest Triple Crown hero, all of 32 years earlier.

But what seemed so straightforward in June and July became less so in August. Royal Palace knocked a joint over the weekend before York and Murless had to go easy on him. Perhaps that was no big deal; there were still three weeks before the final Classic, and that might be enough to restore the colt to full fitness. As the big day – Wednesday, September 13 – drew nearer, the trainer let it be known that he would make a decision about the St Leger after a gallop on the preceding Saturday.

I remember that day well. It was down to the Press Association to relay the all-important news, and, inevitably, it was David Chapman who took it upon himself to phone Murless for the verdict at 10am.

The call was brief, and from across the desk I learned the apparently glad tidings that the colt had worked well. “But did he actually say Royal Palace would run?” I asked, only to be ridiculed for such a dumb question, as Chapman tapped out his story and sent it on its way to news media far and wide.

At 11am Weatherbys issued the four-day declarations for the St Leger, and Royal Palace’s name was not among them. Chapman’s Triple Crown wager was lost, and he had to send out a revised story to the effect that while Royal Palace had worked well, he had not worked well enough to suggest he could be at his peak for a potentially gruelling contest in four days’ time.

Of course, there was no reason to doubt that a fully-fit Royal Palace would have won the St Leger, in which his markedly inferior stable -companion Hopeful Venture finished an honourable second to the formerly much-maligned Ribocco. He did have one more run that year but gave a sub-par performance as third in the Champion Stakes behind Reform and Taj Dewan. We had to wait until 1968 to see him at his peak again, unbeaten in five efforts, including the Coronation Cup, the Eclipse and the King George.

So the wait for a successor to Bahram was prolonged, and we were not to know that he already existed, improbably grazing in a paddock on the other side of the Atlantic.

My personal memories of half a century ago remain vivid, but now we should all be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the birth, in February 1967, of Nijinsky, the colt who achieved the target that Royal Palace was forced to miss, and who remains Bahram’s only successor to date.

It was my privilege to witness all of Nijinsky’s Classic triumphs, and to retain the memory of one of the finest thoroughbreds I ever saw in action. Unfortunately, David Chapman was not around to share that privilege. His luck as a punter ran out, and a week before Nijinsky’s debut he committed suicide.

“There was no

reason to doubt that a fully-fit Royal Palace would have won the St Leger”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_150_HowardWright_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 15:25 Page 26

HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT

Japan’s betting-mad racing fans now have overseas contests, including in Britain and Ireland, to take an interest in – and take an interest they will

Sun rising over foreign fields

D

o not be surprised if the entrance gates at Ascot, Leopardstown and York this year include an embellishment to the usual signs – in Japanese. For the uninitiated, the characters will translate into English as ‘youkoso’, a traditional greeting of welcome in an important year for the three tracks, which have a bigger incentive than usual to attract owners from this area of the Far East.

For the first time, overseas events have been introduced to the horserace betting market in Japan, the largest in the world with turnover equivalent to £19.66 billion in 2015, compared to the next biggest of £12.66bn in Britain and £12.47bn in Australia, according to records compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Japanese owners have been slower than most to engage in international competition in any numbers. Seeking The Pearl in the Prix de Maurice de Gheest and Taiki Shuttle in the Prix Jacques le Marois were the first wins for Japanese-trained horses at the top level in Europe, both at Deauville in 1998, the year that horses from Japan who had run in races open to overseas entries were first included in what were then known as the International Classifications, in return for the Japan Racing Authority’s agreeing to allow foreign runners into a significant number of its top races.

“Interest in the

overseas races was predictable, but the early results have still been astonishing” The door, if not exactly the flood gates, to the outside world had been opened, and gradually more and more Japanese-trained horses have ventured to the west, notably fueled by a so-far unfulfilled desire to land the biggest prize of all, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

However, Japan’s avid punters had no legitimate outlet for their growing interest in overseas races, other than to venture to the tracks themselves, as they did in droves to

26

Deep Impact’s Arc outing highlighted Japanese fans’ passion for racing and betting

support Deep Impact in Paris in 2006, for example. Natural cautiousness on the part of the JRA’s sponsoring government department, the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries no less, maintained the domestically entrenched barriers, until last summer, that is.

Following extensive negotiations, a list was drawn up of 24 overseas races on which local tote pools could be promoted to online and mobile bettors for the first time. The only, but all-important, stipulation was that there must be a Japanese-owned runner for the race to qualify.

Interest was predictable, but the early results have still been astonishing. The very first promotion, October’s Arc de Triomphe, drew the Japanese Derby winner Makahiki, and with involvement back home driven by his prep-race success in the Prix Niel, the local pool amounted to 4.18 billion yen, or £29.65 million in our money, more than twice the original expectation.

Not surprisingly, betting on neither the Melbourne Cup, which featured the outsider Curren Mirotic, nor the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, in which Nuovo Record flopped, came anywhere near the Paris figure, but their turnover totals in Japan – the equivalent of

£4.9m and £5.7m respectively – were still remarkable, especially that for Santa Anita, given the 4.40am local off time.

However, back under more familiar conditions and with a time-zone to suit, sheer weight of numbers prevailed again when a record team of 13 horses travelled to Hong Kong for December’s four international races and total betting turnover in Japan reached the equivalent of £21.16m, more than half of which went on the Cup, contested by Maurice, the winner, and A Shin Hikari, on his farewell outing before being retired to stud.

Next up for the new Japanese venture are Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong, and then the attention switches to Europe, which is where Ascot, for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, York, for the Juddmonte International Stakes, and Leopardstown, for the Irish Champion Stakes, come into the potentially lucrative equation.

No wonder delegations representing each were spotted at the Japan Cup meeting in Tokyo at the end of November, and doubtless phrase books are at the ready right now, as invitations to take part are prepared.

With 3% of turnover going to the host organiser, the stakes are high.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

CC3123 TOB Jan 2017 (MUKHADRAM Foal Stats) PREF_Layout 1 30/11/2016 14:52 Page 1

Mukhadram

Shamardal - Magic Tree

Leading first day sire (aggregate) at Tattersalls Foal Sale.

December Foal Sale 2016 - Top 10 Sires Name

Average (guineas)

Total (guineas)

2015 Stud Fee

1

Dark Angel (IRE)

96,583

2,318,000

€27,500

2

Sea The Stars (IRE)

167,545

1,843,000

€125,000

3

Kodiac (GB)

91,550

1,831,000

€25,000

4

Toronado (IRE)

38,790

1,202,500

£15,000

5

Charm Spirit (IRE)

54,273

1,194,000

£25,000

6

Showcasing (GB)

59,611

1,073,000

£15,000

7

Invincible Spirit (IRE)

220,000

880,000

€100,000

8

Dansili (GB)

415,000

830,000

£100,000

9

Lope de Vega (IRE)

95,875

767,000

€40,000

10

Mukhadram (GB)

31,208

749,000

£7,000

Sales statistics courtesy of www.tattersalls.com

1of only 3 First Season Sires in the top 10.

Foal average of 31,208gns. from a £7,000 stud fee.

Lot 750 Mukhadram (GB)/My Inspiration (IRE) B.C. Consigned by Petches Farm - Purchased by Shadwell Estate Company for 120,000gns.

Top selling foal 120,000gns. www.tattersalls.com

Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.com Or call Richard Lancaster, James O’Donnell or Rachael Gowland on

01842 755913

Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

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343546_S&P_ThoroughbredOwnerBreeder.indd 1

20/12/2016 14:48

Feb_150_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 14:07 Page 29

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By JESSICA LAMB

River’s story is more like a fairytale Gold Cup hope Native River came from type of humble roots that now barely exist

“I used to breed 30 a year. Now, if you’re not using the top five or six sires, you’re wasting your time”

his story shows could be about to go out of print.

“We have about 4,000 ducks laying,” revealed Paddy Byrnes, whose Park House Stud stood Indian River. “We’re the biggest producers of duck eggs in Ireland now. We had to diversify when things went bad. We couldn’t borrow money at that time and farming was absolutely flying in 2007 and 2008 so we looked for something we could get into.”

Byrnes still has mares and a personal stallion, which he keeps as a hobby, but breeding horses THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

PRESS ASSOCIATION

T

he story of this season’s newest Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Native River may never be repeated.

The emphatic Hennessy and Welsh National hero was produced under humble terms by a dairy farmer and sold as a foal for a fitting price.

His route, through an unseat in his only point-to-point outing, led him to another dairy farmer’s stables and there he tootled along until, one day, he jumped a fence.

Five months later, a gutsy six-year-old finished a good second in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, earning a tilt at the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Native River stayed stoutly to win that by three lengths and was pointed head-first into his first handicap, the Hennessy Gold Cup. Off a rating of 155, he gave all he had under Richard Johnson to justify 7-2 favouritism. Six weeks later he made most of the running to add the Welsh National to his haul – the first top weight to win in 16 years.

It’s a remarkable tale of a hardy horse, bred entirely by small, private studs, defying his unfashionable breeding to land a spot in a top yard.

It’s a tale that came in as often as the milk in the year that Native River was born, but one that

Native River bounds away with the Welsh Grand National under top weight

is no longer his business, and he doesn’t feel he is alone in that fate.

He said: “We have kind of given up because we can’t compete any more; Coolmore have a minimum of 20 National Hunt sires covering maybe 200-300 mares. It’s the same for everyone.

“I used to breed 30 a year, what I would call ‘the commercial foal’, which people would buy and resell to go point-to-pointing. Now, if you’re not using the top five to six sires, which Coolmore generally have, you’re wasting your time.”

Byrnes stood Indian River for his neighbour, owner Nicky Teegan. He ran Bluegate Stud and had bought the stallion from a stud in France.

Like Byrnes, Teegan’s game has altered for good since Ireland’s economic crash.

“I’m still here surviving away,” he assured.

“We had to take a slight change of direction when the market got competitive and now just board mares and breeding stock.

“We’d foal for local people, and take in French mares for the season too – we basically do bed and breakfast for them at a more

competitive rate than the big studs.”

He added: “We do have our own ten mares as well, but breeding for the sales has become trickier every year. I’ve actually often found it’s the ones I couldn’t sell that I ended up putting into training that get me out of jail.”

Things are quite different for Native River’s owner, Fred Mackey. The County Down dairy farmer never made a business out of breeding horses, and yet the price of his stock just continues to rise.

He bought Native Mo at Tattersalls Ireland for 3,200gns and sold her first foal, a filly by Taipan, for a fraction more. Her first colt, by Beneficial, sold for €10,000, making more than double as a three-year-old, and last year her latest filly foal by Milan sold for €26,000 – €6,000 more than her 2015 filly foal by Jeremy.

“Native Mo came at the fourth attempt I think,” Mackey’s wife Maureen explained. “He’d had bad experiences breeding half-breds, so he bought his first thoroughbred mare, Charming Mo, maybe 20 years ago. He’d another brown mare at the same time, then he bought Grey Mo at Fairyhouse, and finally Native Mo.

29

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Feb_150_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 14:07 Page 30

VIEW FROM IRELAND “She started to produce foals that were good straight away and we were able to go to better sires. Indian River wouldn’t have been popular, but we took a chance because Fred liked him and Paddy [Byrnes] did too.”

Byrnes, though based in County Carlow, some 140 miles from Mackey’s Dromore farm, had become close friends with the breeder owing to the famous horse show he was involved in running, right through the middle of town.

“It was the funniest place,” he explained. “We used to go up – Jim Mernagh and all those guys – to judge at this horse show. It was held on the main street. It would be a big occasion.”

It was from their association with the horse show that Mackey decided to take the plunge into thoroughbreds, so when Byrnes revealed he was standing a stallion, Mackey supported his judgement.

“He gets great fun from sitting in front of the television shouting at them,” Maureen adds of Fred. “My eldest son Robert, if he goes for the Gold Cup, is going to go to Cheltenham to

he died suddenly in his stable in March 2011, but his legacy continues through Teegan’s Bluegate Stud, as his stamp – quirky, slowmaturing, stayers – is showing in his mares’ foals.

“I bred the Galway Plate winner Shanahan’s Turn [Indian Danehill] out of Chanson Indienne,” he said. “She also now has Wakanda [Westerner]. He’s won a Grade 2 novice chase, the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, Silver Cup Chase at Ascot, and finished second in last Christmas’s Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby off 11st 8lb.”

Despite the continued success of the Indian River lines, Teegan and Byrnes will not return to the market.

“I still have ten to 12 mares but they aren’t for business reasons,” said Byrnes. “I have a stallion called Frammassone – he won 13 hurdles and two on the Flat over seven furlongs and a mile in Italy. John O’Byrne, the bloodstock agent who used to buy for JP, saw him and loved him, but you couldn’t stand him commercially. Not these days. It wouldn’t be worth it.”

hopefully meet his owners and the Tizzards.

We’ve spoken to the Tizzards before, we’re dairy farmers and so is Tizzard, so when we run out of horses to talk about there’s always cows.”

Madison Du Berlais, another Hennessy Gold Cup winner, was Indian River’s other big star.

The stallion came to Ireland right as the David Pipe-trained stayer was about to emerge.

“Pipe actually bought him out of a claimer in France, where he’d won for the first time on his 12th run,” Nicky Teegan explained. “He really only came on the scene after we’d bought Indian River, that’s when he took off.”

Flashy looks, size and an attractive French pedigree sold the French Grand Nationalwinning stallion to Teegan almost instantly, but the type of horse he produced made him a harder sell elsewhere.

“They don’t want rushing,” he explained.

“I’ve had some of the young stock and they are all a bit cracked. They just need a while to live and to realise you aren’t going to kill them; they need time to develop mentally.”

Indian River’s rise was tragically cut short as

Cleary and his horses finally in the clear after floods A year that started under water for trainer Tom Cleary has ended in triumph.

The Athlone-based handler began 2016 with his horses marooned at the Curragh racecourse stables, and his house cowering behind a sandbag fortress.

Persistent flooding had forced all out of the yard in December, and none would return until waters began to subside in this month last year.

By the end of 2016, all facilities had finally been restored and so had his horses’ form, but the real victory has come elsewhere.

Frustrated by a lack of movement by authorities and a series of floods that had built up to this catastrophic level, Cleary “had no choice but to...stand up for our rights”.

He said: “I’ve been living here 40 years, and 2009 is the first time I had problems with flooding. I got involved to stand up for our rights not to have an obstruction of water that’s clearly a man-made problem.

“We have no choice but to get into it and I am confident there will be improvements now.”

The Flood Forum of Ireland and the organisation from Cleary’s area, Shannon System Flood Alliance, staged the National Flood Conference in Ballinasloe last October, inviting key minister Sean Canney to hear from Dutch and UK flood defence experts.

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CAROLINE NORRIS CAROLINE NORRIS

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Tom Cleary, left, made his voice heard

Cleary said: “We brought in a crew from the Netherlands who deal with rivers there.

Room For The River is their initiative, and there’s no flooding there. We took the director Liesbeth van Paap for a cruise on the Shannon, we showed her the problem areas and she thought it would be simple to fix.

“We invited the minister to hear her speak, and he did listen.”

Less than two months later state agencies agreed to put in place a dredging plan for the Shannon.

“It’s what we’ve been looking for, nothing else will work,” Cleary insisted. “They are

talking about starting in May or June, so we’ve called for a meeting with the minister on January 30, and we are going to invite other ministers and reps from all the other key areas – Bord na Mona, the ESB, fisheries, and wildlife agencies.

“We just want to make sure nothing goes wrong and it all goes ahead.”

Cleary added that he feels local authorities are already promoting better management of river levels. He also thanks those that helped keep him and his team afloat during the deep floods, including the government.

“I really appreciate what Paul Hensey at the Curragh and Michael Grassick at the trainers’ association did for us,” he said. “In fairness, I couldn’t have got a nicer place to keep the horses.”

He added: “The government did help us out a little bit too; it was a long way short of what it took to get the place back running, but they didn’t ignore us. I appreciated that.”

Double Fast brought Cleary back to the winners’ enclosure at Limerick in October and Super Focus landed him two more winners before 2016 was out.

“We might get another one out of her before March,” said Cleary. “When I had to move them they did go off a bit stale and weren’t as good at the grubbing, but you can really notice the difference now. They are back in their groove.”

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CONTINENTAL TALES E

FR A N

C

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

Milord Thomas one of the best

PANORAMIC

France’s answer to Thistlecrack and Douvan has achieved more

Having only just turned eight, Milord Thomas is younger than Thistlecrack but has already won five Grade 1s over fences

W

ho is the world’s best young chaser?

‘Easy,’ I hear you cry, ‘the King George winner Thistlecrack, unbeaten over fences, open to stacks more improvement and with the potential to merit mention in the same breath as the all-time greats such as Arkle and Kauto Star.’

All of that may be true, but our friends across the Irish Sea could make out a very fair case for another unbeaten chaser, French-bred Douvan, who has never allowed a rival to get within seven lengths passing the jamstick at the end of his eight outings over the bigger obstacles.

I would throw into the argument a horse that many of you may never have heard of – another French-bred gelding, but this time one that has done all of his racing in his native land.

His name is Milord Thomas. He is younger than Thistlecrack, has won three times as much prize-money as Douvan (not to mention almost £1 million more than Thistlecrack), and is more versatile than either of them; while Thistlecrack’s last ten starts have all near enough been over three miles, and Douvan has never been asked to go further than two miles and a furlong Milord Thomas won over two miles two

in autumn 2015, shortly after he won France’s top steeplechase over three miles six!

A comparison of the differing career development of these three jumping superstars shows in glorious technicolour that every horse is an individual and that there is no such thing as a ‘textbook’ route to the top of the horseracing tree.

Thistlecrack, of course, is famed for being a late-developer, and knowing the incredible heights he has gone on to scale, it is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the patience of his trainer, Colin Tizzard, his stockman’s instinct

When Travers Stakes winners go bad!

Just as ten-race maidens can develop into champions, à la Milord Thomas, some horses can go in the other direction following promising beginnings. And Magalen Bryant, Milord Thomas’s 87-year-old American owner, has recently suffered the flip side of the coin with her 2014 Travers Stakes winner V E Day. The best Flat horse to run in Bryant’s light blue and dark blue silks, V E Day lost his form after he took his record to four victories from his first six outings when landing the Travers and its £404,000 first prize back in the summer of 2014.

After a barren subsequent season, he left the New York barn of Jimmy

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Jerkens to cross the Atlantic and join the 27-time French champion trainer Andre Fabre. But things went from bad to worse following his arrival in Chantilly, four defeats in pretty moderate company culminating in a last of five at Saint-Cloud and a very distant third at Le CroiseLaroche on November 19, 2016.

Seeing a Travers Stakes hero finish down the track in the French provinces was obviously the final straw – V E Day had singularly failed to live up to his name. So he has since been shipped back to the US with his tail between his legs, ready to use another part of his anatomy as he takes up stallion duties at Waldorf Farm.

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to know what is best for his animals emboldened by five decades in dairy farming.

Thistlecrack wasn’t deemed mature enough to do any jumping in public until the age of seven when he ran in (and won) a Wincanton novice hurdle on his fourth lifetime start.

In stark contrast, Douvan, who is two years Thistlecrack’s junior, was racing over hurdles in the May of his four-year-old season, suffering his one and only defeat to date when runner-up in an ordinary contest at Saint-Malo in Brittany.

Milord Thomas splits the other pair in age and is much the most precocious of the trio having begun racing in September of his threeyear-old season and made his first visit to the Mecca of French jump racing, Auteuil, just a month later. That is not to say that his early career was a raging success, far from it – he was beaten on each of his first ten runs.

But he was already jumping fences halfway through his four-year-old campaign (at the same

“Milord Thomas has

a realistic chance of emulating Al Capone II, who won the Haye Jousselin seven times” stage, Thistlecrack was still ten months shy of his inaugural bumper appearance) and was taking on France’s top chasers of all ages not long after his fifth birthday.

Trained throughout his 33-race career by the former jump jockey Dominique Bressou, who is based within sight of Mont-Saint-Michel on the west Normandy coast, Milord Thomas is much more battle-hardened than the other two pretenders to the crown.

While Douvan has had two chases outside novice company and Thistlecrack half that number, the son of Kapgarde has been squaring up against the best since the spring of 2014, or on 16 occasions to be precise.

Streets ahead Milord Thomas’s career win percentage is a modest 36 compared to 72 for Thistlecrack and a remarkable 93 for Douvan. But, in terms of successes in the showpiece steeplechases and prize-money gleaned in such races, the French horse is streets ahead.

Thistlecrack has a solitary King George VI Chase victory to his name and Douvan has yet to contest an open ‘championship’ race of any description, while Milord Thomas has already won the Prix La Haye Jousselin – the French equivalent of our King George – on three occasions, as well as plundering the 2015

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CONTINENTAL TALES NY MA

Wohler the winning formula for Qataris

German handler Andreas Wöhler confirmed his reputation as one of the world’s preeminent international trainers by winning the £340,000 Qatar Derby in Doha on December 29 with Noor Al Hawa.

Wöhler has enjoyed success in both the Melbourne Cup and the King George at Ascot in the past few years, and annexed other top intercontinental prizes in the United States, Hong Kong, the UAE and Singapore if you trawl back a little further.

So it is no surprise that Noor Al Hawa’s new Qatari owners, Al Wasmiyah Farm, have gone back on their initial plan to switch their recent acquisition to a Qatari trainer, instead instructing Wöhler to take the Makfi colt back to his Guterlsoh base and prepare him for a crack at an even more valuable Doha prize, the £813,000 Emir’s Sword, on February 25.

A dual Group 3 winner over a mile in Europe, Noor Al Hawa was trying a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Qatar Derby, but his superiority was such that the extra two furlongs of the Emir’s Sword may not be enough to cause his downfall.

Having shared the 2015 German trainers’ championship with Peter Schiergen, Wöhler dropped to second place behind Markus Klug last season. But if you look a little deeper into the 2016 statistics there can be no doubt which German trainer enjoyed the best season.

Wöhler may have saddled nine fewer domestic winners than Klug, but he had three different individual Group 1 winners compared to Klug’s zero and earned almost €500,000 more in prize-money than his rival – and that is before you even take overseas results (and two more Group 1 triumphs) into account.

Remarkably, Wöhler has pocketed more in foreign earnings (€5.7 million) over the past four years than he has in his home

renewal of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the closest cross-Channel race to our Cheltenham Gold Cup. Sadly, we are unlikely ever to see the three in the same race – given his horse’s love for Auteuil and the riches on offer there, it is unsurprising that Bressou is reluctant to bring Milord Thomas to Britain.

Indeed, bearing in mind Thistlecrack and Douvan’s different trip preferences, it seems probable that none of the trio will meet.

Andreas Wohler: trainer particularly successful in his overseas ventures

country (€5.5m).

In total contrast to France, where PierreCharles Boudot blew the opposition away with a European record 300 victories, the 2016 German jockeys’ title race produced a champion, Filip Minarik, with a winning tally of just 66 victories.

You have to go back fully half a century, to Oskar Langner in 1966, to find a jockey that had landed the crown with a lower total than that.

This can largely be explained by the shrinking German fixture list. The nation staged just 1,226 races last year, a drop of almost 10% from the 2014 figure.

Czech-born Minarik, 41, was taking the title for third time and was a worthy enough champion given that he missed the first couple of months of the campaign with a shoulder injury.

But his victory was a triumph for hard work – he had 80 more rides than any other jockey and his unremarkable strike rate of 12.2% was the lowest of anyone in the top six in the table.

Yet Milord Thomas should be celebrated for his own sake. When Al Capone II registered one of jump racing’s most amazing feats by landing his seventh straight Haye Jousselin back in 1999, it was widely accepted that his record would never even be threatened.

Now, less than two decades on, Milord Thomas has a realistic chance of emulating him.

He just needs to stay injury free and keep winning the race until he is within a few weeks of turning 12 years old!

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17/01/2017 17:36

Feb_150_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:47 Page 37

AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A M E R I CA

by Steve Andersen

GEORGE SELWYN

Baffert and Shah go separate ways

Bayern’s 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic win brought joy for trainer Bob Baffert (white hair) and owner Kaleem Shah (second left)

T

he announcement came when few people were paying attention – on New Year’s Eve, hours before the arrival of

2017.

Prominent owner Kaleem Shah and trainer Bob Baffert were parting ways, with Baffert announcing the end of the relationship in a terse four-paragraph statement. Two years earlier, the tandem peaked with a win by Bayern in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Now, Baffert was without a leading client, while fellow California trainers Doug O’Neill and Art Sherman were the recipients of the Shah-owned runners.

Shah and Baffert declined to discuss the break up, although philosophical differences regarding results appeared to cause the disintegration.

“From my perspective, it was my desire to race horses with Bob as long as I had horses in training,” Shah said on New Year’s Eve. “I always wanted to have Bob as my trainer and it was not meant to be.

“There is a lot of sadness. We decided to move on.”

Even without Shah, who lives in Virginia but spends considerable time in California, Baffert’s 100-plus stable remains strong, but it lacks a deep-pocketed client willing to spend extensively at breeze-up sales.

The Shah-Baffert team had prominent runners in recent years. Aside from Bayern, Shah and Baffert raced Dortmund, the millionaire who was third in the 2015 Kentucky Derby behind the Baffert-trained American Pharoah, and Klimt, the winner of the Grade 1 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Del Mar Futurity last September.

Shah’s stable was second in the United States in earnings in 2014, with $5,977,978. The season was boosted by Bayern’s success. More recently, Shah, 54, ranked 24th in 2015 with $2,345,130, but he fell to 41st in 2016 with earnings of $1,803,081.

Baffert, 64, has one of the most high profile stables in the United States. In 2016, he ranked fourth in the nation in earnings, with $15,864,326, and won the Breeders’ Cup

“I always wanted to

have Bob as my trainer and it was not meant to be. There is a lot of sadness” Classic for the third consecutive year, with Arrogate, who is owned by Juddmonte Farms.

Baffert has been honoured as the nation’s leading trainer on four occasions, most recently in 2015 when the stable was led by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who is owned by Zayat Stables.

Klimt was the most successful Shah runner of 2016, and is bound for Sherman’s stable along with Dortmund and Power Jam, the

minor stakes-winning sprinter who has been plagued by injuries.

O’Neill’s new acquisitions will include American Gal, who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita in November; Americanize and Iliad, maiden race winners for two-year-olds at Los Alamitos in December; and Fantastic Style, a five-year-old mare who has won three sprint stakes.

The 48-year-old O’Neill, who has won the Kentucky Derby twice, most recently in 2016 with Nyquist, briefly trained for Shah in the early 2000s before either of their stables reached national prominence.

O’Neill said he was unaware Baffert and Shah were having differences.

“I was floored by it,” he said.

Sherman, 79, has gained worldwide recognition in recent years as the trainer of California Chrome, the winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby and 2016 Dubai World Cup. California Chrome is scheduled to be retired to stud this winter, and the addition of the Shahowned runners gives Sherman’s stable a tremendous boost.

Sherman said Shah called him by surprise on December 31 to ask to join his stable. Shah’s investment will afect Sherman’s method of buying horses, particularly at breeze-up sales.

“He said, ‘I’ve been watching you with Chrome’,” Sherman recalled of his conversation with Shah. “He told me the horses that he would be sending me and I said, ‘Wow.’ I’ve never had a client I can go to the sale with and buy a horse, per se.”

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AROUND THE GLOBE

AUST R A L I A

by Danny Power

When Harness Racing Australia made the decision to ban the use of the whip in training and racing, shockwaves resonated through the harness racing community and, by natural progression, quickly engulfed the thoroughbred industry.

Harness Racing Australia made its announcement at the end of its annual Inter Dominion racing carnival in Perth on December 9; whips will be banned in training and racing from September 1, 2017.

The media release claimed that the decision was made “in a world-leading animal welfare initiative that improves the industry’s image and enhances its sustainability.

“It aligns with the high expectations of the community, fans and the industry participants.”

The Chairman of HRA, Geoff Want, said the whip ban decision was not taken lightly.

“However, it was made on our own initiative because we believe it is the right decision at the right time,” he explained.

“We see this ban as a vital way of demonstrating our responsibility as an industry”

“We have been moving down this path for six years by limiting its use with a strong focus on health and welfare of horses.

“We see the ban as a vital way of demonstrating our responsibility as an industry, and to earning and maintaining the social acceptance and sustainability of harness racing.”

The move had strong support in some circles, including the champion harness racing driver Chris Alford, who is one of only three to have driven more than 5,000 winners.

Alford told the Herald Sun he had used a whip in every race in which he had driven for more than 35 years.

“I’ve watched races when I’ve driven 20, 30 years ago, and how we used to hit them back then compared to now, it’s all changed,” he said.

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BRONWYN HEALY

Harness racing bans the whip

Glen Boss, here on So You Think, said ‘the notion the whip produces speed is crazy’

“We’ve adapted our ways and it looks quite good; if we can make it work without whips it’ll be even better.”

Of course, not everyone was in agreement.

One veteran harness racing driver said at a forum to discuss the issue that the whip is necessary, and that even his wife needs a “tap” now and again to keep her in line. That remark, of course, did little for the pro-whip cause.

The thoroughbred industry suffered the backlash, with suggestions it was a matter of time before it will be forced to follow suit.

Debate raged in the press and on social media. The usual for and against arguments prevailed: for the pro-whip brigade, it was that new padded whips don’t hurt the horses and the whip is needed as a safety tool for jockeys; the anti-whip advocates led with the argument that whips don’t make horses run faster and that the public perception of whip use wasn’t a good look for an industry trying to attract more supporters.

By the time Santa was in his sleigh – whip use unknown – the debate had died down.

That was until early January when respected, widely travelled journalist Steven Moran wrote a measured and articulate comment piece in which he claimed that it is inevitable that whips will be banned in thoroughbred racing in Australia.

Moran wrote: “I love a punt and I love to see a jockey doing their utmost to win. I have

no torch to carry for the extremists in the animal welfare world. At least until they adjourn and solve the ethical, intellectual and philosophical debate of mankind’s treatment of animals.

“But I am a realist. Community attitudes and perceptions change and attitudes toward the use of the whip in horseracing have been changing for quite some time.

“So, Racing Australia bites the bullet and bans whip use in Australian horseracing – what changes?”

Moran claims people will bet because, like him, punters play because they think they are smarter than the next bloke.

He quoted triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss: “The notion that wielding the whip produces speed is just crazy.”

But Melbourne-based jockey Mark Zahra had the opposite opinion, saying: “It’s a tool to assist in education and controlling the horse, and safety argument is real in my opinion.”

Trainer Mick Kent said the safety issue was “nonsense”, while noted horse breaker Julien Welsh claimed whips were unnecessary, saying: “I don’t use the whip at all in training or breaking. We carry them so that the horses get used to them but we don’t use them.”

You get the feeling the whip issue will reemerge when harness racing’s new rule comes into effect on September 1, and especially if it is a smooth transition.

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Feb_150_BenPauling_v2_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:38 Page 40

THE BIG INTERVIEW BEN PAULING

Big Ben’s

TIME

Ben Pauling, with 60-odd horses and set to expand that number next season, is one of the select band of young trainers with the potential to one day compete for the very biggest races and the championship itself Words Tom Peacock • Photos George Selwyn

H

earing Ben Pauling talk seriously about one day becoming champion seems somewhat at odds with the informal atmosphere of a frosty morning at his Gloucestershire stables. Bourton Hill Farm is not a place of forelock tugging or stony silences, with the trainer not immune to some gentle ribbing about the next time he might get back in the saddle himself. Pauling even fetches a jacket from a rider who has worn too many layers, certainly not an action one would have expected from Captains Price or Forster.

At 33, he is still young to be an employer of 16 staff and fostering happy and trusting relationships is key to his methodology.

“You’re reliant on feedback,” he says. “If they are thinking something about a particular horse, I need them to feel able to tell me.”

The results halfway through Pauling’s fourth season with a licence underscore the profile of a man going places. His string has already quadrupled in size to 60 and should reach 75 next year, with last season’s peak of 26 winners certain to be bettered despite a slow start.

“Ultimately my aim is to train as many nice horses as I possibly can,” he says. “Yes, it’s a numbers game in the fact you need to have a certain number to find a lot of nice ones, but I’d be a very happy man training 80 nice horses, a lot happier than training 140 that weren’t so good.

“It’s always pie in the sky but everyone wants to be at the top of their game at some point and I’d like to think if we were in this game for the next 30, 40 years that at some point we might be very much knocking on the door of trainers’ championships.

“Just because I’m a very competitive person who wants to be at the top, that doesn’t mean I want 200. You see the situation now, with Colin Tizzard chasing Paul Nicholls in the championship. He doesn’t have the quantity Paul’s got

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Ben Pauling: ambitious trainer may be without Barters Hill but there are plenty of promising youngsters at his Gloucestershire stable

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Feb_150_BenPauling_v2_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:39 Page 42

B E N PA U L I N G >> but he has some bloody smart ones which

are firing in the big winners and that’s what matters.”

Pauling has been forced to survive through the winter without the smartest horse in his own artillery. Barters Hill, one of his first purchases in 2013 and owned by a syndicate of family and close friends, won the Grand National meeting bumper and the Challow Hurdle and went all the way to Cheltenham with an unbeaten record. Big things were expected only for the durable gelding to slip a tendon on his novice chase debut.

Reflecting on that wretched November afternoon back at Cheltenham, he says: “In hindsight it was definitely one of the worst days we’ve had. We’ve been unfortunate to lose horses, like everyone, and they’re always the toughest, but actually the day it happened I was remarkably calm.

“I was so worried about him going over fences first time because he’s such a big part of the yard, even though they are racehorses and they have to go and get on with life.

Suddenly to see him pull up so soon I just thought, ‘There we are, there’s not much we can do about that now’.

Barters Hill recuperating in his box, above, and left, Jaleo and Local Show working on the all-weather gallop

“It very quickly dawns on you how much he does for the yard, he’ll forever be a horse that will be very fondly remembered. I hope that he’ll come back, but it’s not an injury that you can ever guarantee that. It’ll be the autumn when he returns to training, doing some fast work, we’ll see where we are with him. With him being such a gentle, kind, quiet horse, he’ll give himself every opportunity to heal.”

It could have all turned out differently.

While at Bloxham School, a teenage Pauling designed and built ‘Irreguwrap’, a device which could bind hay bales without needing a fork-lift. It saw him crowned Young Engineer for Britain 2002 and offered an appearance on BBC’s Working Lunch, where he amused presenter Adrian Chiles by telling him he planned to go into the property world.

Pauling was offered a number of university places and took a land management degree at Reading, subsidised by organising student

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Bearstone-FOY TOB-Feb 2017:Layout 2

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14:15

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FIRST FOALS 2017

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Feb_150_BenPauling_v2_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:39 Page 45

B E N PA U L I N G

Pauling spent six years with Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows before taking the plunge to strike out on his own

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nights in the town. He was so adept at drawing a sporty crowd to one bar that he was poached by another.

After a stint working for bloodstock agent David Redvers, he took his masters’ at the Nicky Henderson training academy, following a long line including his own brother-in-law Charlie Longsdon. The period as pupil assistant coincided with Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle wins, hastening Henderson’s re-emergence as champion.

Patience was the greatest virtue he learned at Seven Barrows and he largely follows the same tried-and-tested rules allied with some “thinking outside the box”.

“I was there for six years, which is a long time to spend in one place, but there are not many places better,” he says. “It wasn’t like I would leave there and go somewhere else. I felt I had enough experience under my belt to give it a go. I think a few people thought I might be going in a bit early, but it’s worked.”

Bourton Hill, just south of the summer tourist hotspot of Bourton-on-the-Water, was being vacated by Shaun Lycett and Pauling took on the lease. A six and a half-furlong carpet gallop, rising in intervals, is supplemented by a polytrack, equine spa and a large and well-used outdoor school.

It is country he knows well, with the family home only a few miles away in Chadlington. His father Howard, an arable farmer, trained pointers and Pauling defied

his 6’3’’ frame to ride winners himself.

“I always was very driven by horses, the mechanics and training and wellbeing,” he says. “I’m more of a horseman than a jockey, which I think stands you in good stead.

“For a long time growing up, it was a case that I thought maybe it’s not the safest industry to go into. I think I was right, but ultimately my desire for the game made me want to give it a go. It was probably when my licence was taken away riding point-to-

“I think a few

people thought I might be going into training a bit early, but it’s worked” points, I went blind in my right eye (after an accident on a student job when pulling wire from a hedge), that gave me the hunger to go and seek that involvement in training rather than riding.”

The striking aspect of the stable is how many unknown quantities it contains.

Pauling bought 15 more three-year-old stores and these are the months in which he and

the owners can dream.

“If I look through the string, there’s a stamp,” he says. “There are a couple that are smaller but I wouldn’t be into buying a racy, light type; I always buy a strong three-yearold that is ultimately going to be a chaser.

“My view is that if you keep building from the bottom they are going to be coming through in spades. If you think about what a bumper winner is worth now, if you win a nice one you’re talking 150, 200 grand all day long.

“I have certain sires I like and certain sires I don’t, and that’ll be my starting point. As long as it has a nice enough page that you can see success in, nine out of ten times the most important thing is the individual.

“If it has a leg in each corner, it’s not back of the knee, it’s got a strong hock, it’s in proportion to its back and up to its neck, if it fills the eye then I can see a future for it.

“I tried to buy a Yeats, I went to 95 grand for it, and I suddenly thought this is mad, it’s an unbroken three-year-old! That, for me, is a lot of money. An amazing amount go through for 40, 50, 60,000 and if you look hard enough they are there. Some of the best, like Barters Hill, cost only 12.”

While those fledgling racehorses will not be ready for Cheltenham, others will. Pauling has unfinished business with the Festival as he drew a blank in 2016 with what looked a strong initial challenge.

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Feb_150_BenPauling_v2_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:39 Page 46

B E N PA U L I N G >>

“Two of our best chances, A Hare Breath and Cyrius Moriviere, missed out in the County Hurdle, Silvergrove and Local Show ran blinders, and Barters Hill was beaten four lengths in the Albert Bartlett.

“We left feeling a bit sore really, because we had some genuine chances and just hit the bar a couple of times, but it just shows how hard it is to win a race at the Festival. It will happen and it’ll be great when it does.

“We left the

Cheltenham Festival last year feeling a bit sore as we hit the bar a couple of times” “This year it will maybe not have the hype of Barters Hill but the majority will be exciting young novices [including potential Arkle contender A Hare Breath]. As long as we continue to get them there in good health, that’s great.”

A fascinating development has been the

Willoughby Court is one of Pauling’s promising young horses, here winning the Grade 2 Leamington Hurdle at Warwick

THE NEXT STABLE STAR? Should Barters Hill fail to return from injury the same horse, Ben Pauling must unearth another new talent or two to maintain his upward curve.

“I’ve given the four-year-olds plenty of time to come to hand but this year’s do seem a little bit more forward than we’ve had before,” he says. “I can see a lot of them running in the spring, whereas last year I could barely find one that was going to be precocious enough, probably because of the way I train them. They seem a lovely bunch.

“Before they get to the track they can’t be brilliant, they can’t be useless. But as long as there’s more good than bad, we’ll be fine.”

At least half a dozen of the unraced stock catch the eye at this early stage and the Circle Of Friends Partnership have reinvested some of their winnings in Barley Hill (Stowaway–Saysi), a powerfully-built chestnut that moves neatly.

Cavernous (Court Cave–Willoughby Sue) is a brother to the yard’s Grade 2-winning novice hurdler Willoughby Court and there are hopes he can follow in his sibling’s hoofprints. Hidden Glen (Stowaway–Gleanntan) looks a nice horse capable of winning races and the same applies to the athletic grey Silver Hollow (Beat Hollow–Onemix), whose dam was trained to effect by Pauling’s mentor, Nicky Henderson.

There will be pressure for Savanna Roar (Let The Lion Roar–Addie’s Choice) to deliver as he is owned by a syndicate headed by Pauling’s mother Juliet, but early indications are that he should, while Hero’s Creek (Kalanisi–Iftitafs Sister) also appears to be giving a good impression.

patronage of John Ferguson, who relinquished his licence in order to concentrate on his role with Sheikh Mohammed. Ferguson entrusted Pauling with a trio from his Bloomfields business and High Bridge has looked a Supreme Novices’

Hurdle candidate in two starts for him to date. The arrivals did not come in only equine form. Ferguson’s son, Alex, is now Pauling’s amateur, and Camilla Cotton joined as secretary.

“I didn’t really know John that well other than to say hi to, and it’s only this season we’ve come to work a lot more closely,” Pauling explains.

“He’s a very busy man but a very kind man, and for somebody to juggle what he does is quite amazing. Certainly for someone that has trained, he doesn’t interfere. He’ll always say whatever you do is the right thing, which is always nice to hear.”

Others happy to allow Pauling to plough his own furrow include Paul and Clare Rooney, Lord Vestey and recent recruits Middleham Park Racing.

It is hard to stand out among young trainers, with Dan Skelton and Harry Fry also enjoying a conspicuous rise. Pauling, whose success as a university social fixer seems to have proved a transferable skill, is a gregarious, cheerful multi-tasker. But with a one-year-old daughter and his wife, Sophie, expecting again, as well as a house renovation project on the go, the party animal must be tethered.

“It has to be fun, both working here and being an owner,” he says. “It’s time spent in the company of the trainer, enjoying the experience you have, getting something for your money. That’s something we’ve definitely tried to follow on with.

“With modern day social media, emails, mobiles, whatever, gone are the days you had to be in on a Sunday religiously to phone owners. I generally phone them any time on any given day. At least that way it allows you more of a private life away from racing.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_150_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:30 Page 48

TALKING TO...

JIM MCGRATH

Life Jim but not as

HE KNEW IT Jim McGrath’s opinion has always been one of the most sought after and respected in horseracing – unfortunately for his fans he is no longer a face of the sport on television, although that means his views, as outlined here, come with a valuable, exclusive handle

By Tim Richards

Y

ou joined Timeform in 1974 as a 19-year-old and left the company in 2009 as Chairman. How did 35 years with the specialist rating and publishing company influence your outlook on racing?

Having arrived as a fan, who thought he was knowledgeable about racing, after a smattering of practical experience as a stable lad at Bill Marshall’s Whitsbury stables in 1971, I quickly realised I knew nothing of real worth. My experiences at Timeform, fulfilling various roles, helped me gain a much broader and hopefully valuable understanding of our sport.

programme lost viewers?

John has a personality that lights up a room and he was a natural for TV, so of course I think his decision not to join IMG’s production was a loss. He is one of those blokes that women fancy and guys like. For all his style being essentially fun, irreverent and relaxed, he had a gift for communicating to the layman some of the finer points of horses and riding. Given his sunny personality, it’s very easy to underestimate how insightful he is. As his co-commentator, I tried

As a member of the Channel 4 team at the launch of its racing coverage 32 years ago, you must have seen many changes within the sport. In your view, which has been the most significant?

That’s a tough one. When I made my TV debut at the 1981 York May meeting when the programmes were still under ITV’s remit, there was no Maktoum family, no BHA, no allweather racing, no Sunday racing, no ATR or RUK channels, no five-day entry system and international racing was nothing like it is today.

I’ll plump for the Maktoum family because their involvement in our sport eventually changed racing’s horizons on a global scale.

realised how lucky it was to have regular terrestrial coverage every Saturday”

You enjoyed a fantastic rapport and working relationship with John Francome. Why did your ‘double act’ work so well – and was his retirement one of the main reasons why IMG’s

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“I don’t think racing

not to tread on his toes, and vice-versa. If the subject matter concerned horses in the practical sense, it was John’s territory. My principal contribution was to know the form and the rules. As John used to say there’s no point both of us looking up the latter! We became good friends and still are.

It was inevitable that over the years TV viewing figures would decline as a result of the introduction of the many viewing outlets that have become available outside of terrestrial TV.

Maybe I’m biased, but I don’t think racing realised how lucky it was to have regular terrestrial coverage virtually every Saturday as well as the Festivals.

Having started out on ITV, would you have liked to continue on racing’s current terrestrial partner? What did you make of the first show?

From the moment ITV didn’t take on Nick Luck or Simon Holt I realised they weren’t going to take someone with my background [too identified with Channel 4]. I had a great run with 35 and a half years of racing on terrestrial TV and only Sir Peter O’Sullevan has lasted longer. I’m not in the slightest upset because producers make shows and are entitled to choose whom they please. However, I didn’t ask for an interview with ITV; Niall Sloane and his colleagues invited me to meet them. I duly obliged, giving up a day to travel from Yorkshire for an appointment in London last April. At no stage since has Mr Sloane or any of his team been in touch to acknowledge my attendance or to inform me they wouldn’t be using me.

Thankfully, my three bosses, John Fairley, Andrew Franklin and Graham Fry, were fair guys with far better manners.

I have made a point of not watching any of ITV’s output so far. The new team’s arrival has been done to death – written up and written off.

I experienced the same when IMG took over Channel 4 and I am fed up with reading and hearing about it.

What will you miss most about not THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

>>

Jim McGrath: no longer on our screens but looking forward to the future and, perhaps, owning or breeding another top racehorse

DAN ABRAHAM

Feb_150_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:30 Page 49

Feb_150_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:30 Page 50

J I M M C G R AT H >> working on TV – and what will you do now with your spare time?

Spare time! What’s that? Seriously though, so far I haven’t actually missed the shows, or the travelling, but I do miss the people. Also, a bit like when I left Timeform, I miss the discipline of preparing for racing on TV. Both Highflyer and IMG’s teams contained some outstanding professionals and, while good on-screen performers are important, slick, seamless live TV depends hugely on umpteen unsung heroes too.

Not withstanding the latest news on levy replacement, the debate over prize-money has dominated racing politics in recent times. What would be the best practical move that could be made to tackle the funding crisis facing British racing?

A proper overhaul of the fixture list, which is still littered with inadequately funded races, principally at the lower level. A review was carried out in conjunction with Deloitte some seven years ago when racing found itself with three levy cuts in a year and the owners were but one group to overrule the BHA’s initial decision to cut out the 200 worst performing fixtures, even though a few of these were close to levy negative. Instead minimum values disappeared and the fixture list actually grew.

The ROA’s decision on this matter was one reason why I resigned after 20 years as a member.

There is too much racing for too little prizemoney. Money is being wasted supporting weak condition events; even now on a few occasions races are being put on with a total prize-fund of £2,500. Put in charge with the power to enact change, I would not be cowed by bleating from

“Fixture expansion has not helped owners. The time has come to try pruning instead”

the bookmakers, who claim more racing is better for racing. For those who supply the core product, the owners, our lot has not improved during the dramatic fixture expansion over the last few years. The time has come to try pruning instead.

Is British racing too focused on betting and not sufficiently about racing as a sport?

To answer this properly I’d need to understand what those in charge of our sport, never mind the bookmakers, actually know about what a thoroughbred is. Nowadays, many decisions concerning races and fixtures appear to be made without that basic consideration in mind. Flat racing is dictated by a breeding programme, which evolved to produce horses at key times.

Our two-year-old, three-year-old and older horse programmes are linked by a weight-forage process. People seem to forget that, in contrast to humans, the thoroughbred is a hugely precise species. It progresses physically throughout the season and, as such, dictates the best times for some of our programmes to take place. Leaving aside the arguments concerning bookmaking content on terrestrial TV, overall

the major high street bookmakers market racing splendidly. After all, it’s in their interests to do so.

You were an Independent Member of the BHA but resigned in 2010 as you were opposed to the plans Racing For Change was going to implement. On reflection, was your resignation justified in view of subsequent events?

As a member of a board like the BHA one is pretty much duty bound to accept the majority decision on a certain subject. On most occasions I accept that. However, in particular, some plans for our two-year-old races as well as some dotty proposals for jumping, which mercifully ended in the shredder, incensed me. There was no way I could just sit on my hands and keep schtum.

Racing was assured that a mega fixture, Ascot’s Champions Day as the climax to a series, and Newmarket’s Future Champions Day would engage the 18-45-year-olds in the sport.

Where are these people and if they exist why hasn’t racing heard about our newly acquired fans? From a racing perspective Ascot’s standalone fixture was a success this year with, in the main, strong representative fields. The first year it took place the same could be said. The common denominator both times was a fair racing surface. On the other occasions soft ground ensured absentees and, inevitably, a few disappointing performances.

While thanks to QIPCO’s generous support, Ascot as a sole day’s racing in October has shown it can be a fine day’s sport. Though whether the concept for which it was introduced has worked is still open to debate.

And don’t tell me the recent changes forced upon Future Champions Day – running the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes two weeks

>>

GEORGE SELWYN

The McGrath silks have been carried by some good horses -– here Fresh Air And Fun and AP McCoy prove too good for their opponents at Sandown in March 2009

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Clean hay means healthier horses – that’s pure horse sense.

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Hedgeholme Stud OB Feb 2017 f-p_Hedgeholme Stud OB Feb 2017 1-2p 20/01/2017 09:37 Page 1

HEDGEHOLME STUD

INTRINSIC

DEFEATED 8 GROUP/STAKES WINNERS

Bay 2010, by OASIS DREAM – INFALLIBLE by PIVOTAL

Tough and consistent sprinter, winner of ultra-competitive Stewards’ Cup

PEDIGREE:

by OASIS DREAM, one of the world’s leading sires of: MUHAARAR, SHOWCASING, POWER, APPROVE, GALE FORCE TEN, CAPTAIN GERRARD etc.

Out of INFALLIBLE, winner of G2 Nell Gwyn S., 4th 1,000 Guineas and also 2nd in both Coronation Stakes G1 and Falmouth Stakes G1. Dam of MUTAKAYYEF (SEA THE STARS), winner and not out of the placings in all ten starts incl.

2nd Tercentenary S. G3, 2nd Darley S. G3 (twice), 2nd Strensall S. G3 etc.

RACE RECORD: WON 6f Maiden, Newcastle at 2; WON 6f Handicap, Ascot from 18 runners; WON 6f Handicap, Goodwood; WON 6f Stewards’ Cup, Heritage Handicap, Goodwood from 24 runners.

Fee 2017: £1,750 Oct 1st

EAGLE TOP Chesnut 2010, by PIVOTAL – GULL WING by IN THE WINGS

Outstanding G1 performer and Royal Ascot winner New for 2017

Out of a 2yo Stakes winner, from a Classic family

BY AN INFLUENTIAL SIRE WORLDWIDE FROM A TRUE CLASSIC FAMILY PEDIGREE: by 6 time Champion Sire PIVOTAL, sire of sires including: SIYOUNI, FARHH, KYLLACHY and G1 winners SARISKA, IMMORTAL VERSE, SOMNUS, REGAL PARADE, FALCO etc.

Out of GULL WING - rated 106 and three time winner including LR Further Flight stakes. Half-sister to dual Oaks G1 winner SARISKA. Dam of G2 Park Hill winner and 3rd Epsom Oaks G1 The Lark. A Classic pedigree.

RACE RECORD (RPR 123): WON 11f Maiden, Newbury, first start; WON 12f King Edward VII Stakes, G2 Royal Ascot (beating G1 winners ADELAIDE, DYLAN MOUTH etc.); 2nd 12f King George VI, G1 Ascot (btn nose to POSTPONED); 2nd 12f Hardwick Stakes, G2 Royal Ascot; 3rd 11f Arc Trial, G3 Newbury; 4th 12f King George VI, G1 Ascot.

Fee 2017: £3,000 Oct 1st Also standing MR MEDICI, Group winning son of Medicean.

Anyone booking a nomination to either Eagle Top or Intrinsic is welcome to a free nomination to Mr Medici for a second mare.

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

Feb_150_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:30 Page 53

J I M M C G R AT H

GEORGE SELWYN

McGrath’s ‘double act’ with John Francome was one of the big draws of the old Channel 4 Racing team

>>

apart, instead of clashing on the same day – aren’t much for the better.

What stands out as your most exciting moment on television? And the hairiest?

I never particularly liked presenting, but circumstances dictated that I was the anchor for the first Dubai World Cup on Channel 4 in 1996. Those few days proved a tremendous experience, especially with a marquee horse like Cigar triumphing. The hairiest came in 2001 when the December Cheltenham meeting was abandoned at 10am and I was immediately despatched to Channel 4’s second site, Doncaster, where I was due to kick off at 1pm.

I made it with five minutes to spare. Andrew Franklin had not told me there were no ‘reverse’ facilities at Doncaster, meaning that I was working without graphics or VT, just a countdown in my ear and unable to see what was happening! The show went okay but when I reflect as to the reasons why, 12 years ago, I needed eight stents in my heart, days like that loom large in the memory.

You are well known for keeping a meticulous record of your bets and at times have even let TV viewers know which horse is carrying your cash. Can you let us in on a couple of particularly memorable punts – or one that got away?

There’s no point kidding yourself, the majority of us back more losers than winners. The only way you can keep a proper track of punting is

by logging every bet. I still do this. My biggest recent win in terms of odds/return was on Neptune Collonges in the 2012 Grand National.

I couldn’t believe his price was 33-1 and actually doubled my bet. My biggest single recent loss by some way would have been St Nicholas Abbey in the 2010 2,000 Guineas.

There are more betting firms than ever, yet some punters find it nigh on impossible to get their bets accepted.

Why is that and what should be done?

I understand odds and form, but I am not a betting ‘expert’ per se and rarely use exchanges.

These days most big businesses are run by accountants. In general, to members of that profession, risk is something to avoid, not something to be taken. In a lot of cases, the personal elements between bookmaker and punter have disappeared.

You must have a favourite horse, trainer and jockey. Who are they, and why?

I got hooked on racing after watching the 1963 Grand National to the extent I could hardly wait for the next renewal and, two years later during the build up, I became aware of that fine hunterchaser Freddie and started to follow him. He was the first horse to make a real impression on me. As for jockeys, in my early days at Timeform I got to know Jonjo O’Neill when he began doing some promotional work for us. So I always followed his career and, after he began training, had several horses with him. He and his wife Jacqui are outstanding people.

As an owner and breeder you have met with considerable success over the years with such as Toogood To Be True, Castles In The Air, Sir Reginald and Decorated Hero (one of Frankie Dettori’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ at Ascot in 1996). To what extent are you still an owner and breeder?

They were all smart horses, though of that quartet only Decorated Hero was owner-bred, in partnership with the late Reg Griffin. All told, I’ve bred some 80 winners on the Flat and over jumps. This current year is the first time I haven’t had a horse in training. Don’t worry though, I’m still shredding money courtesy of my broodmare Annina, who has a yearling by Footstepsinthesand and is due to Camelot before the end of January.

The BHA has introduced the Northern Lights Series to boost jump racing in the north. Is this a step in the right direction?

It’s really hard to pinpoint because so far as the Flat goes, the opposite applies. But since I started working in racing, from a perspective of quality, I’ve never known jumps racing in the north struggle for support in the way that currently appears to be the case.

JCR plans to close Kempton Park, invest millions in Sandown and build a new all-weather track at Newmarket.

Discuss...

Since the flat course was redeveloped in 2005 as an all-weather circuit, Kempton has

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Feb_150_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 17:30 Page 54

J I M M C G R AT H >>

struggled for customers on a regular basis.

According to Levy Board figures, total daily attendances in 2016 varied from 317

“In such a random sport you have to dream, otherwise you might as well not bother”

for a February all-weather to 21,164 who watched Thistlecrack win the King George.

Kempton is an excellent jumping facility, providing a vastly different test to those undertaken at Cheltenham and Sandown. It drains well and stands up to the vagaries of the weather better than most courses. It’s hard to see from statements issued so far why the Jockey Club feels it’s time to say goodbye.

We are told by the authorities: “Kempton is a highly profitable racecourse”. So why does it have to go?

The Kempton proposal is part of a pledge by the Jockey Club to put £500m into racing over

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL

My favourite meal is… traditional Sunday lunch or a meal at Ruchetta in Wokingham

Alternative career… professional squash player

Four dinner party guests… Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Vladimir Putin and Henrietta Knight with her long tom to sort them out I love visiting… Mallorca Guiltiest pleasure… champagne Actor to play me on screen… don’t be silly!

the next decade, the sale of the Sunbury site reportedly yielding £100m towards this. The precise detail as to how this huge windfall unfolds has been merely touched on in accompanying statements, including improving the ground at Sandown, where the King George will be re-homed, and farming out Kempton’s jumps programme to other Jockey Club-owned tracks with improved prize-money.

As for a new all-weather track at Newmarket, surely it would have an adverse effect on nearby Chelmsford, where fields sizes aren’t great

Racing hero… John Oaksey, not forgetting the achievements of AP Best horse I’ve seen… Frankel I handle defeat by… shrugging my shoulders, if it’s betting Best day of my racing life… Haydock five days after having six (of eight) stents inserted in my ticker. I just felt so lucky to be there

anyway. We are entitled to know much more on the whole highly controversial subject – who, what, why, where and when will do for starters.

What ambition would Mr Jim McGrath – your name on twitter – like to fulfil next?

To stay happy and healthy for at least the next ten years – and to own and breed a top horse.

In such a random sport you have to dream, otherwise you might as well not bother.

FIREBREAK

Bay 1999 15.3 h.h. by Charnwood Forest - Breakaway

G

Group 1 Champion Miler and Group 1 Sire

G

Timeform rated 125

G

G

His progeny have won over £1.6 million and include Gr.1 winning juveniles, Group winning 3yo sprinters, Group winning older milers and tough handicap sprinters His best runners in 2016 included stakes placed winner You’re Fired and multiple winners Henry Smith (5 wins) and Breakable (3 wins including a £45,000 handicap at Chester)

Fee: £3,500 Oct 1st Special Live Foal Enquiries: Bearstone Stud, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 4HF Office: 01630 647197 • Mobile: 07974 948755 • Email: enquiries@bearstonestud.co.uk view our brochure at www.bearstonestud.co.uk

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Al Kazeem TOB-Jan 2017:Oakgrove Stud

6/12/16

14:53

Page 1

THE GREY GATSBY

POSTPONED

FASCINATING ROCK

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

FIRST 2YOS IN 2017

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

Ë By DUBAWI – sire of 26 Gr.1 winners including Classic sire MAKFI

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

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

10 wins from 23 career starts inc: Gr.1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, 2015 Gr.1 Coral-Eclipse, 2013 Gr.1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, 2013 Gr.1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, 2013 Gr.2 Jockey Club Stakes, 2012 Gr.2 Prix d'Harcourt, 2015 Gr.3 Winter Hill Stakes, 2014 Gr.3 Gordon Richards Stakes, 2014

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

First yearlings averaged 128,588gns and sold for up to €360,000 STANDING AT OAKGROVE STUD

Oakgrove Estate, St Arvans, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH Tel: 01291 622876 G Fax: 01291 622070 G Email: oakgrovestud@btinternet.com For Nominations Contact: Tim Lane: 07904 231899 G Vannessa Swift: 01291 622876

Feb_150_GermanStuds_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:35 Page 56

GERMAN BREEDING TOUR

A noble

HERITAGE The German breeding population may consist of around only 1,200 mares but the country’s thoroughbred bloodlines are revered the world over and it has some exciting young stallions on the way up Words and photos Emma Berry

Monsun immortalised in bronze in front of Schlenderhan Castle

I

t’s more than four years since Monsun died at Gestüt Schlenderhan at the age of 22. The influence of the dark brown stallion, who was blind for the last decade of his life, is still keenly felt in his native Germany, not just in the bloodlines of thoroughbreds but also through the wider recognition he brought his homeland as a breeding nation.

The sheer size of Germany, with its stud farms spread far and wide, makes it nigh on impossible for its promoters of thoroughbred breeding to emulate France or Ireland in attempting to host a showcase weekend for the country’s stallions, but Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder was fortunate to be able to call on the goodwill and expert knowledge of well-known breeder and consignor Philipp Stauffenberg to organise a bespoke tour of a

56

number of stallion farms in early January.

Gestüt Fährhof Our trip covered almost the entire length of Germany from north to south, with a detour out west, and started at Gestüt Fährhof. The stud will be familiar to many, not least through its association with Newsells Park Stud, which was bought in 2000 by Klaus Jacobs, the son of Fährhof’s founder Walther Jacobs. Nowadays, both farms, as well as Maine Chance Farms in South Africa, are owned by Klaus’s son Dr Andreas Jacobs.

This year is a significant one for Fährhof as its two young stallions, Maxios and Pastorius, are set to have their first runners. However, as important as it is for young sires to make a good early impression, thus prompting continued or

increased support, the whizz-bang two-yearolds that have become so popular in Britain and Ireland are of less significance in Germany, where the first juvenile race isn’t until late May/early June and no Group 1 race is run at less than ten furlongs.

In words that will be music to the ears of those breeders who bemoan the dwindling popularity of middle-distance stallions, Fährhof’s Manager Stefan Ullrich explains: “It doesn’t really affect the popularity of a stallion if he doesn’t have many two-year-old runners. It’s much more important here to have a Derby runner – that’s what many of our clients want.”

Fährhof has a rich stallion history of its own via its homebred six-time German champion sire Surumu and his multiple champion son Acatenango. As broodmare sire, Surumu was THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Feb_150_GermanStuds_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:35 Page 57

Maxios has been well supported at Fährhof and has his first runners this season

responsible not only for Monsun but also for the Fährhof-bred former reprobate Lomitas, whose ban from racing through his being difficult to load into the stalls, was lifted after he became the first high-profile beneficiary of Monty Roberts’ famous Join-Up method of breaking youngsters or dealing with difficult horses.

Monsun appears in the pedigrees of both the farm’s young stallions – as sire of Maxios and broodmare sire of Pastorius – and as the hunt continues for a proper Flat heir to the great stallion, many hopes rest with Maxios. He will not fail for lack of support. His breeder, the Niarchos family, has retained a major share and the near-black stallion, whose prowess over a mile to ten furlongs will enhance his appeal outside Germany, has been well supported, both by breeders and at the sales. He has six colts entered for the 2018 Investec Derby.

In contrast, Pastorius not only achieved the aim of many German breeders in winning the German Derby of 2012, but he was the first Group 1 winner and is now the first son at stud for the increasingly popular Soldier Hollow, whose rising prominence has gone a long way to filling a void left by Monsun’s death. Pastorius is set to cover around 50 mares this season, which may be a small number for some British and Irish stallions but compares favourably to his own sire, who covered only 22 mares in his first book, while Monsun had only 28 foals in his first batch. It is worth remembering that they each produced a first-crop German Derby winner from these limited opportunities.

One other stallion who remains under the radar at Fährhof is Acetenango’s son Sabiango, whose two German Group 1 wins were THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

followed by success in the Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap in America.

The fact that he raced on Lasix in the US means that he is affected by Germany’s strict rules on standing stallions – through he is allowed to stand at stud, none of his offspring qualify for the lucrative German premiums, rendering him understandably unpopular with breeders.

In common with a number of other major German breeding operations, Fährhof has its owns breaking and pre-training facility based on its 180-hectare estate and still receives an annual visit from Monty Roberts, who teaches the staff his Join-Up method. The yard is in the capable hands of Racing Manager Simon Stokes, an Englishman whose tenure dates back to 1994 and who played a significant role in the rehabilitation of Lomitas.

Gestüt Auenquelle From Pastorius, we travelled next to see his sire, Soldier Hollow, at Karl-Dieter

Soldier Hollow will be Germany’s busiest stallion, covering 110 mares

Ellerbracke’s Gestüt Auenquelle, the 17-year-old having been transferred there after spending his first four seasons at Gestüt Röttgen.

The British-bred stallion is a small horse with a big reputation: with just over 100 mares booked at the time of our visit, he will be the busiest stallion in Germany this year, though his book will be capped at 110 mares. He was also responsible for three of the five most expensive yearlings at the BBAG Yearling Sale last September, with international buyers of his stock including Jeremy Brummitt, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ralph Beckett, Matt Coleman and Peter Doyle.

“From covering 22 in his first year at stud, Soldier Hollow covered 70 mares in 2012 when he first arrived here and his first really big crop are two-year-olds this year,” said Ellerbracke, the President of BBAG and former Chairman of the German Owners’ and Breeders’ Association.

“I like to stand stallions who have proved themselves on the racecourse year after year. I would never stand a stallion who has not raced beyond two.”

In this regard, Ellerbracke has met his perfect match. Soldier Hollow, a son of the equally diminutive In The Wings bred at Car Colston Hall Stud, ran 31 times across six consecutive seasons for his owner Gestüt Park Wiedingen.

He won a Listed race over a mile at two before winning a Group race in each of his following seasons, including four Group 1 contests in Germany and Italy.

Soldier Hollow’s good temperament is exemplified by the fact that hard-working Stud Manager Tanja Sramek allows us to wander through his stable with doors at each side and brings him out to parade in just a headcollar. He is now the sole stallion on the farm which stood the high-class sprinter Big Shuffle – who is immortalised in a near-lifesize fairytale painting in the hallway of Ellerbracke’s home – as well as the King George winner Doyen before his sale to Ireland’s Sunnyhill Stud.

Ellerbracke says: “Big Shuffle and Doyen I sourced myself. I was asked to stand Soldier Hollow and I was very happy to take him as he fulfils all my targets: he’s a very tough horse and a

>>

Feb_150_GermanStuds_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:35 Page 58

GERMAN BREEDING TOUR >>

very honest horse who always fought to win. It gives me a lot of joy to have a third successful stallion now here at the farm.

“I’m overwhelmed by the response to him and never expected it. Big breeders are sending three or four mares and he has a number of mares coming from France as well as some from England.”

In Ellerbracke’s role as BBAG Chairman, he has welcomed the increasing international interest in Germany.

“BBAG was a club of German breeders and up until 15 years ago only German horses could be sold there,” he says. “Now we have some

Neatico’s eldest crop are now yearlings

international shareholders in BBAG and the number has increased – first it was mainly French horses who came and now there are a few more from England.”

Gestüt Hof Ittlingen Just as Big Shuffle’s image dominates Karl-Dieter Ellerbracke’s home, there’s no mistaking Gestüt Hof Ittlingen as the birthplace of the 1995 Japan Cup winner Lando, whose photos adorn many walls at the farm. He went on to sire seven Group 1 winners throughout his time both at his home stud and at Haras d’Etreham.

Owned by the President of the German Owners’ and Breeders’ Association Manfred Ostermann and his sister Janet LeweOstermann, the Westphalian farm is home to 40 broodmares and their followers, as well as the homebred Group 1 winner Neatico and Lando’s multiple Group 1-winning son and 2002 Horse of the Year Paolini.

It is uncommon for the Ostermanns to sell their stock as yearlings – the 2013 Deutsches Derby winner Lucky Speed, now standing at Sunnyhill Stud in Ireland, being a rare example of ‘one who got away’. As one of the biggest breeders in Germany, their reluctance to sell means that they are also the biggest owner in the country, with around 60 horses in training, predominantly in Cologne with Waldemar

58

Hickst and Peter Schiergen.

The most recent top-level winner in the Ittlingen red and white silks was Medicean’s son Neatico, who strongly resembles his broodmare sire Sadler’s Wells. The ten-year-old currently has his first yearlings on the ground, including a half-sister to the Group 2 Sky Classic Stakes winner Lauro.

The Ostermanns also bred Group 1 Preis von Europa winner Scalo, another son of Lando whom they stand at Haras du Logis St Germain in Normandy.

Gestüt Schlenderhan A whole book could be written on the history of Schlenderhan, which sits in the heart of the small town of Bergheim, not far from Cologne.

Founded in 1869 by Baron Simon von Oppenheim, the great-grandfather of the current owner Baron Georg von Ullmann, the stud is thus the oldest in the world to have remained constantly under the ownership of one family.

Of course it has become synonymous with Monsun, who was bred farther south at Gestüt Isarland but raced in Von Ullmann’s colours before making an indelible impression on the breed following his retirement in 1996. But Schlenderhan was already guaranteed more than a historical footnote as the breeder of the hugely influential broodmare Allegretta, a fifthgeneration descendant of their homebred German Derby and Oaks winner Asterblute.

Allegretta may have been ‘culled’ at three, being sold from the stable of Sir Michael Stoute via Tattersalls to commence stud duties in America, but the blood of her female line still flows freely at Schlenderhan, while she has herself played a highly significant role in modern-day pedigrees, predominantly through her extraordinarily successful daughter Urban Sea. Schlenderhan officially now stands just one stallion, Adlerflug, like Soldier Hollow a son of In The Wings but this one descending from the farm’s special dynasty as Adlerflug’s third dam

Anatevka is also the dam of Allegretta. As well as hailing from one of the best stallion families in the business, Adlerflug also owns an important credential for the German breeding market – a domestic Derby victory.

Owned by a partnership which includes Fährhof, he has, however, spent his entire stud career at Gestüt Harzburg, but while that farm undergoes renovation Adlerflug has temporarily returned to stand at his birthplace, where it is expected that he will cover around 40 mares.

Just down the road, another two Schlenderhan homebred stallions have been entrusted to neighbour Gestüt Erftmühle, which is home to the veteran Tertullian – a grandson of Allegretta who shares his sire, Miswaki, with Urban Sea – and his young son Guiliani, from another top-class Schlenderhan family which produced Baron von Ullmann’s dual Group 1 winner Getaway.

“We always try to keep the old lines and even if they are not producing for some years we don’t give up – blood is blood,” says Schlenderhan’s General Manager Gebhard Apelt. “Our two original ‘A’ families – from Asterblute and Aubergine who were first and second in the German Derby in 1949 – are still in existence at the farm.”

Apelt is quick to acknowledge Monsun’s influence in keeping Schlenderhan to the fore, saying: “He lived on an island – he was a complete outcross. If he hadn’t been here we would be bankrupt. When I saw his first twoyear-olds in training and they were such easy gallopers I knew he would have a good chance.

“He had the champion two-year-old Sommernacht in his first crop of only 28 foals.

But it is important to remember that they got so much better at three and older, and it was important not to push them too hard too soon.”

The farm alternates between selling colts and fillies at the yearling sales, and those that are retained are trained ‘at home’ by private trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho. The Frenchman may have lost last season’s Melbourne Cup winner

Adlerflug enjoyed a terrific run in 2016 as the sire of five individual Group winners

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_150_GermanStuds_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:35 Page 61

GERMAN BREEDING TOUR

Reliable Man has returned from a busy season in New Zealand

>>

Almandin – who grew up in the same paddock as the 2014 Cup winner Protectionist – to Australia’s Robert Hickmott, but among the Classic hopes in his barn this year is the filly Tusked Wings, by Adlerflug out of a half-sister to Tertullian and thus inbred 4x4 to Allegretta.

As Apelt says, blood is blood.

Gestüt Röttgen Just a stone’s throw from Cologne’s industrial suburbs lies the walled utopia of Gestüt Röttgen, owned in trust since the death in 1985 of Maria Mehl-Mulhens, who is remembered in the naming of the Mehl-Mulhens Rennen (German 2,000 Guineas) at the farm’s local racecourse.

Within those walls, which have stood since 1924, lies 300 hectares of land for the stud’s broodmare band, training centre and stallion yard, which is currently occupied by Sven Hansen’s Prix du Jockey-Club winner Reliable Man and newcomer Protectionist.

Reliable Man’s dual-hemisphere success in his racing days has led to him being a popular shuttler. The grey has recently returned from covering 160 mares at New Zealand’s Westbury Stud but he will have a quieter time in Germany, where he is likely to cover around 50.

Having stayed in Australia for an unsuccessful season after his Melbourne Cup victory, Protectionist was reunited with Andreas Wohler to win a further two Group races last year.

Hailing from the high-class Wildenstein family of Pawneese, and as one of the last sons of Monsun to retire to stud, he is an appealing addition to the German ranks for 2017.

Markus Klug is the man entrusted to train the Röttgen homebreds but he is not retained solely as a private trainer, with horses from Gestüt Wittekindshof, Ittlingen and Maine Chance Farms among those currently in his 100-strong team. Klug’s most recent major success came for another outside breeder, Gestüt Gorlsdorf, whose Sea The Moon won the German Derby for the stable in 2014. Among those to have spread the Röttgen name to a wider audience in Europe are Star Appeal, who became the first German-trained horse to win the Prix de l’Arc THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

de Triomphe, and Wild Coco, winner of the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes for Sir Henry Cecil in the farm’s colours.

Despite its proximity to a major city, it’s easy to see how racehorses thrive in the calm environment of Röttgen. Pleasingly devoid of mod-cons, it instead offers kilometres of quiet forest tracks and a vast, cathedral-like indoor school for starting off the yearlings.

Gestüt Etzean On high land in the Odenwald region outside Frankfurt lies Gestüt Etzean. a place which, given the choice, it’s likely that all stallions would wish to live.

It is almost certainly unique in its method of letting each of its three resident sires share a paddock with an in-foal mare, with the ‘couple’ stabled alongside each other at night. The Irish St Leger winner Jukebox Jury certainly seems happy with this arrangement as he is shown to us in relaxed mode wearing just a Parelli headcollar. He is then rugged up and turned back out in the snow with his chesnut companion, Pastis, a daughter of another of the farm’s stallions, Lord Of England, whose sire Dashing Blade also stood at Etzean. The current trio is completed by Amaron, a tough and goodlooking son of Shamardal who was bred by

Genesis Green Stud and had his first foal born at the farm the day before our visit.

Originally owned by Heinz Weil and managed by his neighbouring dairy farmer Gerhard Kredel, the farm, which is closing in on its half-century as a thoroughbred breeding centre, is now under the care of the next generation, with Heinz’s daughter Christiane Weil-Dasbach having taken over ownership, while Gerhard’s son Ralf Kredel manages the day-to-day running of the operation. The Kredel family’s cows have given way to horses and the two adjacent farms are home to 35 boarding mares alongside their own band of around 40.

“Dashing Blade was very nervous when he came here so we gave him a mare for company and after that he was a very calm and gentle horse,” explains Ralf Kredel, who sensibly undertook a degree in economics before going back to his roots to complete the Irish National Stud course and then returning home.

“We put them together once the mare is in season and the stallion will cover her naturally and they stay together until she foals. We will then put another barren or maiden mare with each stallion, usually one owned by the stud unless a client has given permission.”

Like all independent stallion farms, Etzean searches far and wide for potential new recruits and Kredel is understandably delighted with the start made by Jukebox Jury, who had 12 firstcrop juvenile winners in 2016.

He says: “We can only get a stallion like him if they’re not wanted in England or Ireland. For Flat studs he was just a stayer, and maybe the National Hunt studs thought he was too small.

We had sold Sholokhov so we were looking for a replacement and it was great to be able to buy him.”

With around only 1,200 broodmares in Germany and somewhere between 850 and 900 foals born there each year, Etzean nevertheless plays a significant role in the domestic industry.

Kredel adds: “My guess is that the three stallions will cover 150 mares between them this year and if that happens I will be happy as there are not so many mares in Germany.”

Jukebox Jury and his companion, Pastis, who is in foal to him from a natural cover

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Feb_150_GermanStuds_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 13:36 Page 62

GERMAN BREEDING TOUR

Gestüt Etzean is one of the highest farms in Germany; Ralf Kredel with Amaron, whose easy nature is a trait of the Etzean stallions

>> Gestüt Ammerland

The southernmost stallion operation in the country, deep in the heart of Bavaria, is Dietrich von Boetticher’s Gestüt Ammerland. As the Alps move into view from the motorway just south of Munich, it’s our cue to turn off, through villages of wooden chalets which are more commonly seen in ski resorts than en route to stud farms.

In fact, the Ammerland office and yearling barn resembles a deluxe Alpine chalet and is entirely appropriate in the sub-zero temperatures with frozen snow still clinging to the paddocks.

“When I started people said I couldn’t breed horses in Bavaria as it’s far too cold,” says von Boetticher. As a fierce wind blows up from the vast body of water known as Starnberger See, it’s easy to see what the ‘people’ meant, but the thick-coated, hardy yearlings in the surrounding paddocks seem unbothered by the big freeze, and their breeder has done a very convincing job in proving people wrong.

A worldly, far-thinking lawyer who loves to travel, von Boetticher struck lucky early in his days of racehorse ownership with the Derby winner Luigi. Bitten by the bug, he started buying mares and has become a breeder of international renown, chiefly through his Prix

de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Hurricane Run and dual French Classic hero Lope De Vega.

Hurricane Run returned from stud duties at Coolmore in 2013 and was put down at the end of last year at the age of 14 as a degenerative disease affecting his sight took hold. Lope De Vega has made a terrific start to his stallion career at Ballylinch Stud, while Ammerland has recruited the Schlenderhan homebred Ito, a son of Adlerflug out of the Group 1 winner Iota, for 2017.

The stallion wing is located a 15-minute drive away on the other side of the lake at Gestüt Bernreid on land formerly owned by a monastery which was bought by von Boetticher ten years ago. He has big plans for the 450hectare site, 300 of which is taken up by forest, the rest by rolling paddocks.

“I’m building a new stableyard and a riding hall,” says the breeder, who is also a keen dressage rider and has a separate barn of warmbloods for his family to ride.

“It will be in the traditional Bavarian style – I want to leave something behind that is aesthetically pleasing.

“The best part of a start-up – and this is a start-up – is when you’re building it. When it’s

finished you think, ‘What next?’”

What next could well be an increase in the number of stallions standing at Ammerland, with Ito currently having only von Boetticher’s Coronation Cup winner Boreal for company.

“I work very closely with Ballylinch and with Coolmore,” von Boetticher continues. “It has been a wonderful relationship for me. We are planning to expand to offer more services to the breeding industry. It is a long way for mares to come and I’d like to bring more stallions here.”

By way of encouragement, Ammerland meets the transport costs, not only for German mares but those from outside countries.

Despite being President of Munich racecourse, Von Boetticher insists that he doesn’t enjoy racing politics, though he played a part in ensuring that German Group 1 races were opened up to foreign horses, which didn't happen until the early 1990s.

“Boreal was the first German horse to win a Group 1 race in England, and with him, Hurricane Run, Luigi and Lope De Vega I wonder if I’ve used up all my luck,” he grins.

“We’ve had amazing success but I’m lucky always to have had good people working for me. Really it’s their success.”

Dietrich von Boetticher with Lope De Vega’s dam Lady Vettori; Ammerland’s beautiful Bavarian-style office and yearling barn

62

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_150_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 20/01/2017 14:27 Page 65

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Sales Circuit: Analysis of the rise of boutique sales for in-training jumpers – pages 66-71 • Caulfield Files: Champion sire Galileo now a major force all over the world – pages 73-74 • Dr Statz: Ratings are as important as black type when assessing stallions – page 94

What a wonderful racing world

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

can be far greater than selling middle-distance stock as yearlings, as we’ve seen by the influx of overseas buyers to horses-in-training sales in recent years.

but the reality is that a large segment of the breeding community now has to consider the commercial viability of their businesses, and mating choices often come down to how appealing a resultant (preferably colt) foal will be to the marketplace rather than how suitable a particular stallion is for the mare in question.

Writing in the Racing Post recently, TBA board member Bryan Mayoh highlighted how many stallions standing here under the National Hunt banner offer terrific value for Flat breeders with Classic aims and he’s right, except that realistically they can often only be used if the breeder is planning to race the offspring. In fact, for those with the means to do so, the potential rewards down the line

Starting as we mean to go on

EMMA BERRY

H

aving spent a number of enjoyable January weekends on the Route des Etalons and Irish Stallion Trail, I decided to follow the path less travelled this year and make my way to Germany.

There’s no official tour in that country but I had a wishlist of studs and stallions I was longing to see and all I needed was a willing accomplice to help me navigate the hundreds of miles between Germany’s major stud farms. In fact, I found two. Liam Norris left Granham Farm in the more-than-capable hands of his wife Jenny and we flew to Bremen to meet Philipp Stauffenberg, best known, with his wife Marion, as a sales consignor par excellence and breeder of Group 1 winner Lady Marian. In this instance, however, Philipp also proved to be an outstanding tour guide, breeding historian, advisor on the varieties of German sausage and (very fast) chauffeur. We are hugely indebted to him for giving up four days to show us the delights of his country’s breeding industry, not to mention the odd bierkeller.

In this column over the years I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love nothing more than a good stayer. As a very small hobby breeder, it remains my aim, however unpopular and uncommercial it now is, to breed a top-class Cup horse. In this regard, Germany may well be my spiritual home. At farm after farm I found myself nodding in fervent agreement with the comments of our hosts.

“The aim of most of our clients is to have a runner in the Derby,” said Stefan Ullrich of Gestüt Fährhof.

“I wouldn’t stand a stallion who had raced only at two. For me, a stallion has to have proved himself season after season on the racecourse,” added Gestüt Auenquelle’s KarlDieter Ellerbracke.

These statements would have been commonly heard in this country some decades ago, and for some they still hold true,

Boreal, the first German-trained horse to win a Group 1 race in England, is now 19 and stands at his birthplace in southern Germany, Gestüt Ammerland

Anyway, it’s a fresh new year and we should start in a positive vein. Having come close to breaking several land speed records on the autobahn en route to our final port of call at Gestüt Ammerland, with its stunning backdrop of the Alps, I found myself sitting at Munich airport reflecting on how fortunate we all are to be in this business in the first place. The sometimes sheer awfulness of racing politics – and don't even get me started on the potential loss of Kempton – can make us wonder if it’s all worthwhile, but a trip anywhere to speak to like-minded horse people always provides a fillip.

It’s hard to think of too many other lines of work, if we can call it that, in which you can turn up almost anywhere in the world and if you have a common love of racing and horses you are welcomed into the homes of complete strangers and treated like an old friend, even if the last time you attempted to speak their language was when scraping a pass in German O-Level in 1985.

I’m always in awe of the people who look after stallions – and we can hear about Dubawi’s special friend on page 104 – as it can at times be a dangerous job. It was, therefore, especially heartening to see the bond between Ralf Kredel and his three very relaxed stallions at Gestüt Etzean. The farm’s unusual practice of turning a stallion out with a mare clearly reaps benefits when it comes to the mental wellbeing of a horse who may well otherwise spend his entire life after going into training away from his natural place in a herd.

A heartfelt thank you to all the German breeders we met at the farms detailed in our feature on pages 56 to 62. Their warm welcome was a timely reminder that however racing’s politics may divide us, the horse will always unite us.

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Feb_150_Sales_CircuitV2_Sales 20/01/2017 16:37 Page 66

SALES CIRCUIT Overview and analysis of the latest events and trends in Europe and America

Popularity of boutique sales for in-training jumpers on the rise

SARAH FARNSWORTH

By Carl Evans

The inaugural Goffs UK Sale at Aintree last April proved popular, with 21 of the 24 horses offered being sold for a six-figure average

A

rumbustious Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham December Sale was a grand way to close another year of auctions focusing on young jumping horses with recent form.

As the single-session sale, held after racing, began to unfold the pluses stacked up – there was a Cheltenham record price of £305,000 for a point-to-pointer (a four-year-old called Cool Getaway), nine horses sold for six-figure sums, compared to three the previous year, and a rare group of five French horses all sold well. Even a tranche of breeze-up stores stepped up to the plate, with two making it onto the top-ten board and a best price of £105,000.

Although the 57 horses offered was just one more than in 2015, turnover rocketed up by 97% and the average soared 63.5%. The median rose 59%, while the clearance rate – which had been 59% two years ago and 69% last year – was a notable 81%.

66

Tattersalls Ireland’s Richard Pugh, the company’s Director of Horses-in-Training Sales, believes that while the December Sale was “outstanding”, a rise in the quality of Irish pointers is driving better results at auctions, and the catalyst, he believes, was, obliquely, a disease that rocked farming.

Pugh says: “Foot and mouth [which hit racing and pointing on both sides of the Irish Sea in 2001] revolutionised the sport by leading to an autumn season [which was introduced in Ireland to enable trainers to run horses they had been stuck with when racing was abandoned at the start of the year].

“This gave more opportunities to run a horse and meant a lot of young handlers became involved – it was a good progression for their training careers.

“They have perfected the art of buying a three-year-old store, then running and selling it. I believe they are the most talented group of people in the entire racing industry, and they

have the business acumen that enables them to overcome the financial issues that go with producing a horse. If a horse they plan to run in the spring is not ready they can stand back and give it time to run in the autumn – they are not under pressure to run.”

Pugh says the likes of Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd, the ‘amateurs’ who deliver the final polish to a horse’s value by riding them in races, should be as revered as the likes of Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy, but he says better horses are also playing a part.

“We are currently seeing an improvement in the calibre of horses running in Irish points,” says Pugh. “Cool Getaway, who won his only point-to-point before topping the December Sale, cost €40,000 as a store, as did the horse he beat, King Of Kilmeague [who made £150,000 at the same auction]. The market had been receptive to both horses before they ran, they then produced the goods in a race, they proved sound, and they made good money.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

“The model reduces the probability of buying a dud. Colin Tizzard was able to run [subsequent Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle winner] Finian’s Oscar, who sold well [£250,000] at the [Cheltenham] November Sale within a month of his purchase. But you don’t have to buy big – the first lot into the ring at the May Sale [Same Circus] was knocked down for £10,000, then won a bumper first time out and has been runner-up in two novice hurdles.

“In the past if you wanted to buy an Irish pointer you needed good connections because information was hard to come by. Some horses are still bought privately, but more information is now available [via websites, form books, and films of races]. If you look at high-priced sales horses of the recent past – Minella Rocco, Clondaw Cracker, Finian’s Oscar, Redhotfillypeppers, Samcro and Getabird – they have all achieved or begun to show achievement on the track. It was a shame Presenting Forever [the £370,000 highestpriced ex-pointer, sold by DBS in 2008] died aged seven because he had become a 145-rated chaser and was still progressing.”

Critics claim there are too many sales of this type, that wildcards render the main catalogue of limited value, and that Festival sales at Cheltenham (Tattersalls Ireland), Punchestown (Goffs) and Aintree (Goffs UK) add pressure to events which are already heavy on social engagements, but the figures suggest that the

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Feb_150_Sales_CircuitV2_Sales 20/01/2017 16:37 Page 67

Richard Pugh believes it is a talented group buying three-year-old stores

format works.

Could more horses trained in France be enticed over the Channel? Nicky De Balanda, who represents Tattersalls Ireland in France, says: “Yes, if the timing is right. I didn’t expect to get horses for the January Sale at Cheltenham because it is a quiet time of year for jumps racing in France. It gets going again in the spring, and I hope to have horses for the Festival Sale and the April and May sales.

“A horse has to tick the boxes – it cannot have run too much, it must have a good physique, and not be too small or narrow. We want the buyers to be happy, so we have to supply the right horse. There is a history of selling privately in France, but the sales at Cheltenham show what can be done in the ring.”

Goffs UK’s first Aintree Festival Sale was a marked success in terms of the figures, and the company also gave a group of chosen Irish pointers and bumper horses their own place and space in the Spring and Autumn Sales (held adjacent to Doncaster racecourse, but not during a race meeting).

Director Tim Kent says: “The Spring Sale was extremely successful – we put the horses for that section of the sale in a separate yard, and arranged a hospitality suite where people could view videos of races. We had a top price of £220,000 and the vendors were happy.

“The Autumn Sale did not work so well, but there weren’t the number of horses from the Irish point-to-point field at that time. We’ll definitely repeat the Spring Sale format, and review the Autumn Sale nearer the time.

“The Aintree Festival Sale was very successful. We received more horses than we expected and an incredible number of winners have come out of it. We will repeat that, and vendors have said they will keep a good one back for it.”

TATTERSALLS IRELAND Cheltenham December Sale 2016 TOP LOTS Name/Breeding/Age/Sex

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

COOL GETAWAY (Getaway-Coolnacarrigal) 4 g

Newlands Farm

305,000

Margaret O’Toole

POKER PLAY (Martaline-Becquarette) 3 c

Yannick Fouin

280,000

Horse Racing Advisory/David Pipe

MAX DO BRAZIL (Blue Bresil-Lili Valley) 4 g

Arnaud Chaille Chaille

160,000

David Pipe

KING OF KILMEAGUE (King’s Theatre-Symphonica) 4 g

Ballyboy Stables

150,000

Kieran McManus

POLIDAM (Trempolino-Eladame) 7 g

Arnaud Chaille Chaille

145,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

DIS DONC (Kingsalsa-Skarina) 3 g

Alain Couetil

125,000

Margaret O’Toole/Noel Meade

COEUR DE BEAUCHENE (Peer Gynt-Iris De Beauchene) 4 g

Ballynoe Stables

115,000

Margaret O’Toole/Gordon Elliott

ROBBIN’HANNON (Robin Des Champs-Culleen Lady) 5 g

The Dairy Stables

110,000

Aiden Murphy

CAP ST VINCENT (Muhtathir-Criquetot) 3 g

Brown Island Stables

105,000

SPRINGTOWN LAKE (Gamut-Sprightly Gal) 4 g

Millwood Stables

95,000

Aiden Murphy

ROSIE MCQUEEN (Milan-Royal Rosy) 4 f

Milestone Stables

95,000

Kieran McManus

Kayf Tara-Seemarye (Romany Rye) 3 g

Nicholastown Stud

95,000

Aiden Murphy

Tom Malone

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2016

46

3,178,300

69,093

50,000

305,000

2015

38

1,636,000

43,053

31,500

120,000

2014

39

1,799,500

45,500

35,000

150,000

2013

31

1,569,000

50,613

30,000

290,000

2012

39

1,818,600

46,631

26,500

165,000

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Feb_150_Sales_CircuitV2_Sales 20/01/2017 16:37 Page 68

SALES CIRCUIT

Market remains selective as season kicks off in Kentucky

By Nancy Sexton The Kentucky sales season picked up where it left off in 2016 with a renewal of the Keeneland January Sale that was at the mercy of a selective and unforgiving market.

Unlike last year, which featured a draft of horses belonging to the late Sarah Leigh, there was no dispersal to fuel buyer interest.

The catalogue was then dealt a further blow through the repercussions of the EHV-1 outbreak at the Fair Grounds track in Louisiana. With the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian imposing an embargo on any horses that had been based at a Louisiana track since December 10 from shipping to any track or training facility in Kentucky, a significant number of late withdrawals were forced upon the sale, among them the Grade 1-placed Savings Account and Grade 3 winner Uchenna.

“The percentages of

In all, 961 horses sold during the sale’s five-day run for a total of $28,785,500, down 19% from 2016. The average fell 12% to $29,954, while the median dropped 4.5% to $10,500.

“Without a dispersal or some of those upper-end horses, I think there were some people that didn’t come,” says Craig Bandoroff of Denali Stud. “And then I thought it was very clear that there were not enough people for those lower-end horses.

“People need to start scrutinising what they are going to breed. It was called the Sport of Kings because it was a rich man’s game. The percentages of profitability are low and I think a lot of people are being priced out of it.

“At the end of the day, we’re probably seeing a shake out, perhaps more in the regional markets rather than Kentucky.”

One bright spot was the presence of a million-dollar lot for the first time since 2013

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KEENELAND

profitability are low and I think people are being priced out of it”

Siren Serenade provided the Keeneland highlight as the sole seven-figure offering

in Siren Serenade, who sold for $1,050,000 to the Don Alberto Corporation in foal to Tapit. Offered by Hill ’n’ Dale Sales Agency, the daughter of Unbridled’s Song embodied

the potent combination of pedigree and produce record as a half-sister to Grade 1 winner George Vancouver and dam of the Grade 1-placed Luminance. >> THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Feb_150_Sales_CircuitV2_Sales 20/01/2017 16:37 Page 71

SALES CIRCUIT

KEENELAND

K E E N E L A N D

Chilean-based owner, breeder and trainer Oussama Aboughazale

HOT TRADE FROM CHILE Don Alberto wasn’t the only outfit with Chilean roots shopping at Keeneland.

During a week which featured a distinct Chilean flavour, Oussama Aboughazale’s International Equities Holdings purchased 11 lots worth $2,251,000 to end the week as leading buyer. They included the Grade 3 winner Delightful Joy, a Tapit filly from Denali Stud for whom he paid $700,000.

She is slated to visit War Front, but Aboughazale also spent the week shopping for mares to support his stallion Protonico, a Grade 2-winning son of Giant’s Causeway who is new to Taylor Made Farm this season. The Jerusalem-born but Chileanbased Aboughazale is well established as an owner, breeder and trainer in the US and recently stepped up his involvement with the purchase of a property in Kentucky.

FLINTSHIRE GAINS SUPPORT In addition to Aboughhazale, connections of other first-year stallions such as

B R I E F I N G . . .

Flintshire, Not This Time and Texas Red were also busy stocking up on mares. Hill ’n’ Dale Farm went to $75,000 to add Singwiththebirds, an Elusive Quality halfsister to Canadian champion Up With The Birds, to Flintshire’s book. Erich Brehm, meanwhile, paid a total of $238,000 on mares to support his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red, who is new to Crestwood Farm, while Albaugh Family Stables purchased $897,000 worth of mares to send to their homebred Not This Time, who was retired to Taylor Made Farm following his runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

to sell particularly well which mirrored the market back in Europe,” he says.

“I think there was a bit of value to be had with slightly older mares with sound breeding records but in foal to slightly quieter stallions. Overall the market seemed incredibly selective with anything obvious making at least 25% more than I valued them at. Every box had to be ticked and if it didn’t you were friendless.”

In addition, the BBA Ireland came away with Nancy From Nairobi, a Grade 2winning daughter of Sixties Icon who cost $210,000, while Gerry Burke’s Glidawn Stud signed for four short yearlings.

WHITE BIRCH BACK IN FORCE

TOP AND TAYLS

Fresh from spending aggressively at the Wildenstein dispersal at Goffs, New York businessman Peter Brant of White Birch Farm again confirmed his return to the game by paying $380,000 for Divalarious, a Listed-placed daughter of Distorted Humor out of Alidiva. Brant was once an influential player who is best remembered as the breeder of Gulch and his Kentucky Derby-winning son Thunder Gulch, one-time owner of Triptych and part-owner of Fasig-Tipton.

Taylor Made Sales Agency assumed its customary position at the head of the leading consignors’ list as the vendor of 100 horses that sold for $4,740,800.

HOULDSWORTH MAKES HIS KEENELAND DEBUT While European activity was relatively muted, the sale did feature first-time investment from Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock. Matt Houldsworth came away with three lots led by a $77,000 daughter of Dixie Union, Starship Scarlett, who was in foal to Shanghai Bobby.

“Young mares with enough pedigree in foal to young fashionable stallions seemed

AMERICAN PHAROAH STILL OUT IN FRONT… American Pharoah was the leading covering sire by average with more than one sold.

Two mares in foal to the Triple Crown hero sold for an average of $477,500, although the other five through the ring failed to find new homes.

…BUT CAIRO PRINCE IS ON THE UP Leading young sire Uncle Mo was unsurprisingly all the rage, with five short yearlings by the stallion averaging $212,000 off a 2015 fee of $25,000. Among the firstcrop sires, there continues to be a good vibe surrounding Cairo Prince, Fed Biz and Verrazano, all of whom returned averages in the $50,000 to $60,000 range.

KEENELAND January Horses Of All Ages Sale TOP LOTS Name/Age/Sex

Breeding

Covering sire

Vendor

Buyer

SIREN SERENADE 11 m

Unbridled’s Song-Versailles Treaty

Tapit

Hill ’n’ Dale Sales

Don Alberto Corp.

Price ($) 1,050,000

DELIGHTFUL JOY 5 m

Tapit-Graeme Six

N/A

Denali Stud

International Equities Holding

700,000

JOYFULLY 5 m

Mineshaft-Rejoicing

American Pharoah

Paramount Sales

International Equities Holding

575,000

GROSSE POINTE ANNE 10 m Silver Deputy-Playa Maya

Pioneerof The Nile

Taylor Made Sales Agency Alistair Roden Bloodstock

460,000

CHOCOLATE POP 11 m

Bernardini

Four Star Sales

Springhouse Farm

460,000

Hillwood Stable, LLC

Cuvee-White Chocolate

2016 b c

Uncle Mo-Gone To Utah

N/A

Warrendale Sales

DIVALARIOUS 9 m

Distorted Humor-Alidiva

American Pharoah

Taylor Made Sales Agency White Birch Farm

380,000

2016 b c

Uncle Mo-Joyfully

N/A

Paramount Sales

Key Palm Stable

370,000

2016 b f

Shanghai Bobby-Saravati

N/A

Mulholland Springs

Hunter Valley Farm

285,000

DREAM YOUR DREAMS 4 f

Tapit-Takesmybreathaway

N/A

Lane’s End

Not This Time/A. F. S

270,000

2016 c

Into Mischief-Im Cruising Dixie

N/A

Mulholland Springs

Everest Bloodstock

270,000

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

385,000

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ownerbreeder ad pages 02-2017_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 02-2017 20/01/2017 09:50 Page 72

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Feb_150_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 14:14 Page 73

CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Galileo, quite magnifico The champion sire continues on his determined path to bloodstock world domination aided by some increasingly influential sons at home and abroad

Frankel stirs in Japan Frankel, of course, has been flying the flag for Galileo with his runners in Japan, where his daughters Soul Stirring and Mi Suerte ended their juvenile careers by starting favourite for Japan’s most important two-year-old races. Soul Stirring passed her test, with this daughter of Stacelita keeping her unbeaten record intact in the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Although Mi Suerte started favourite for the Grade 1 Asahi THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

EMMA BERRY

A

s Queen once sang, the story of 2016 was all about Galileo, Galileo, Galileo – and not only in Europe. In the US, Highland Reel, Mondialiste, Photo Call and Deauville all enjoyed Grade 1 success, while in Australia the former Irish-trained The United States won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes.

Altogether Galileo topped the world’s stallions in virtually every category except prize-money, with 30 Group winners among his 39 blacktype winners. His 14 individual Group/Grade 1 winners left Dubawi and Tapit trailing.

It is tempting to speculate just how far Galileo’s influence will spread in the coming decades, as he already has well-qualified stallion sons scattered throughout the thoroughbred world. For example, he has Group 1-winning sons standing in Kentucky, Maryland (the Grand Prix de Paris and Irish Derby runner-up Seville) and Florida (Irish Derby and Secretariat Stakes winner Treasure Beach). The young Kentucky-based sons are Magician and Noble Mission. Magician retired to Ashford Stud in 2015 and is credited with 77 live foals in 2016.

Noble Mission arrived at Lane’s End Farm not long after his victory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes. Buoyed by the brilliant exploits of his older brother Frankel, Noble Mission covered 146 mares at a fee of $25,000 in his first season, for 116 live foals.

Unlike Magician, Noble Mission was well represented at the weanling sales, with his colt out of Seal Of Approval selling for $210,000 and a filly out of Shared Dreams for $135,000.

No doubt Frankel’s exceptional start – and the popularity of some of Noble Mission’s weanlings – will benefit Noble Mission during the 2017 season. However, he experienced the common fall in demand between his first and second seasons, with his second book being less than half the size of his first.

Galileo at Coolmore Australia’s base in the Hunter Valley, where he spent five seasons

Hai Futurity, she was opposed by 16 colts and in the circumstances wasn’t disgraced in finishing fourth.

Japan’s only stallion son of Galileo is Cape Blanco, who numbered the Irish Derby among his five top-level wins. He was recruited after he had spent three seasons in the US and has 93 foals in his first Japanese crop, foaled in 2016.

It is easy to forget that Galileo didn’t set the world alight when he shuttled to Australia for five seasons early in his career. Because two of his three male Group 1 winners, Niwot and Linton, were geldings and the other, Sousa, was exported, Galileo will be dependent on shuttle sires or imported stallions if he is to become a successful sire of sires in Australia.

That task probably won’t be easy. Breeders will certainly remember that Galileo’s Australian results fell short of his spectacular achievements in Ireland. Also, Galileo’s name tends to be synonymous with stamina, whereas Australian racing is synonymous with speed.

The Australian Stud Book currently lists just

four stallion sons of Galileo, two of which were not stakes winners. Coolmore relies on Adelaide, a Cox Plate and Secretariat Stakes winner who represents the Galileo-Danzig cross.

He stood his first season at a fee of AUS$22,000, covering 98 mares in 2015, but his book rose to 116 mares when his fee was reduced to AUS$16,500 in 2016.

Darley has a higher-profile son in Teofilo, the champion juvenile who returned to Australia for the 2016 season after an absence of two years.

His return was at a fee of AUS$44,000 – double the price he had commanded in his five earlier visits to Australia. Clearly these earlier crops have done well. The first contained Sonntag (Group 1 Queensland Derby) and Group 2 winner Happy Clapper. The second was headed

by Kermadec (Group 1 Doncaster Handicap and Group 1 George Main Stakes) and the third produced Palentino (Group 1 Australian Guineas and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes).

However, having a dam by Danehill must limit Teofilo’s options in Australia and he

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GEORGE SELWYN

CAULFIELD FILES

The impeccably-bred Sixties Icon recently notched a first Grade 1 winner in Argentina

>> apparently covered only 64 mares on his 2016

return to Australia, when he was joined by his son Kermadec on the Darley roster.

Similarly, Darley Australia depended on New Approach’s son Dawn Approach in 2016. New Approach shuttled to Australia for four years between 2009 and 2012, with the Schweppes Australian Oaks winner May’s Dream being the best of his Group winners.

Perhaps New Zealand, with its proven record for producing high-class stayers, would be a more natural home to Galileo’s sons. The disappointing Rip Van Winkle has a couple of Group 2 winners there.

The South African industry has frequently shown itself capable of producing performers of international class, so what might it achieve with sons of Galileo? The best-performed son is Kingsbarns, the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy winner who experienced a difficult first season under the Coolmore banner before following another former Coolmore stallion, Duke Of Marmalade, to Drakenstein Stud. Bush Hill Stud is home to Flying The Flag, winner of the Group 3 International Stakes at the Curragh in 2013.

Although a Group 3 win isn’t often the basis for a successful stallion career, Flying The Flag also has the advantage of being a son of an Irish 1,000 Guineas and Nassau Stakes winner and a brother to Rhododendron, one of 2016’s leading juvenile fillies.

Ascot Stud acquired Global View, a winner at Group 2 and Group 3 levels at around a mile on turf in the US, to make his stallion debut in 2016. Together with the Group 1 winners Gleneagles, Churchill, Marvellous, Misty For Me and Ballydoyle, Global View represents the highly potent Galileo-Storm Cat cross, so he is another with more to offer than just a smart

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racing record.

The idea for this article came to mind following the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina on December 17. The roll of honour for this famous all-aged event features Forli, a horse who left Argentina for a distinguished stallion career in Kentucky. It is doubtful

“Sixties Icon is a

stallion who has had to struggle for support far more than he should have” whether the latest winner, Sixties Song, will achieve similar fame but he still represents a feather in the cap of Sixties Icon.

Swinging start for Sixties Sixties Icon is a perfect example of a stallion who has had to struggle for support far more than he should have in an industry where precocious speed is increasingly being prized over middle-distance prowess. With a Derby winner as his sire and an Oaks winner – Love Divine – as his dam, Sixties Icon was bred to shine at the top level and that is exactly what he did. A Group winner at three, four and five, he committed the cardinal sin of winning the St Leger. Consequently, he stood for £6,000 when he retired to Norman Court Stud, but even so, breeders did not stampede to his door. His first

three crops numbered 40, 28 and 17 foals, but then Sixties Icon surprised just about everyone except Mick Channon by siring eight first-crop two-year-old winners from only 17 runners in Britain and Ireland. Three earned black type, including the Group-winning Chilworth Icon.

This bright start prompted a surge in interest during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, the result being crops of 50 and 64. While crops of these sizes still left Sixties Icon at a considerable numerical disadvantage against the most fashionable stallions, they helped him add to his black-type performers. Epsom Icon, Czabo and Harrison all did well in 2016, when the fiveyear-old Nancy From Nairobi won the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes on turf in America.

Sixties Icon shuttled to Argentina in August 2012, for the first of five successive seasons at Haras La Pasion. Unlike in England, there was considerable demand for his services and he covered 126 mares for 100 foals. His figures for the next three years were 75 foals from 115 mares covered in 2013, 52 foals from 81 mares in 2014 and 74 foals from 118 mares in 2015.

Sixties Song belongs to his first Argentine crop, which is three years old in 2016-17. The colt’s dam Blissful Song failed to find a buyer at $225,000 as a yearling and her price was a mere $30,000 when she was sold as a five-year-old in 2009, having won in the US at four and Canada at five. Blissful Song was imported to Argentina in June 2011 by Haras Firmamento, while carrying a Candy Ride filly conceived to southern hemisphere time. Candy Ride, of course, was bred in Argentina, where he enjoyed Grade 1 success before being transferred to the States. Now firmly established among Kentucky’s leading stallions, Candy Ride added another Graded winner to his tally in the form of Blissful Song’s filly. Named Celestial Candy, she has landed four Graded stakes at up to a mile, winning on both dirt and turf.

Blissful Song has had four foals since then, producing the winning filly Harlan’s Song by the accomplished American shuttler Harlan’s Holiday and then Sixties Song. She has a fine pedigree, as her half-sister Celestial Woods is the dam of Lanwades’ new stallion Bobby’s Kitten.

Their dam Celestial Bliss was a half-sister to the champion turf horse Paradise Creek and his fellow Grade 1 winners Forbidden Apple and Wild Event.

Sixties Icon isn’t the only Galileo stallion to enjoy Grade 1 success in South America. The Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune – now part of Coolmore’s National Hunt team – was represented in 2016 by Rey del Rock and Nieta Querida, while the Derby Italiano winner Cima de Triomphe was responsible for the turf Grade 1 winners Besitos and Missile Top in Argentina.

Soldier Of Fortune’s brother Heliostatic also got into the act, despite having only 14 runners in Argentina. His son He Runs Away took two legs of the 2016 Triple Crown – the Gran Premio Jockey Club and Gran Premio Nacional.

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Hill Top Equestrian Centre We are currently looking for a professional trainer to rent our yard, this would suit an established trainer with a minimum of 35 horses who is looking to increase their business.

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Rental rates will include business rates.

3 bed bungalow and mobile home available to rent.

The yard has ample turning and parking space for lorries and visiting owners.

These are proven facilities that have been instrumental in assisting past and present trainers to expand their business and have success on the race track.

Further details are available by contacting; Amanda on +44 (0)7917 117 613 or +44 (0)1636 707581 Or by emailing hilltopequestriancentre@yahoo.com Hill Top Equestrian Centre, Danethorpe Lane, Danethorpe Hill, Newark, Notts, NG24 2PD.

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Feb_150_ThoroughbredClub_Owner 20/01/2017 15:05 Page 76

Plenty to inform and entertain TTC members over the course of 2017

T

here is plenty to look forward to over the coming 11 months with The Thoroughbred Club and the first announcement of the year is its five STAR events, which will give members the opportunity to gain exclusive access to different facets of the industry from racecourse trips, yard visits and stud tours.

MARCH 2 LYCETTS CHELTENHAM PREVIEW EVENING The opening STAR event of 2017 will be hosted at the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester, where members will be given the opportunity to partake in a Cheltenham preview evening run by Lycetts Insurance. The panel of industry experts and participants will run through various races at the upcoming Festival and hopefully unearth some gems for when the four-day National Hunt highlight comes round.

JUNE 10 MANOR HOUSE STABLES VISIT WITH AFTERNOON RACING AT CHESTER On the second Saturday in June members will be able to visit Manor House Stables, the Cheshire-base of Group 1-winning trainer Tom Dascombe.

The operation was set up over ten years ago by Michael Owen, Andrew Black and Dascombe. Since then the yard has grown, with some impressive facilities being built, and last season was the best in terms of prize-money won.

Since Dascombe took over, the number of horses has expanded and numerous Group winners have been trained, including Owen’s homebred Brown Panther, winner of the Irish St Leger amongst a number of Group victories. Other high-profile horses to have come out of the yard include Royal Ascot winners Ceiling Kitty and Rhythm Of Light, and last year’s Commonwealth Cup runner-up Kachy.

After a morning on the gallops, members will then go to the unique track that is Chester and take in an afternoon’s racing, with hospitality, on the Roodee on

76

Michael Owen enjoys a big winner at his favourite course Chester

a day which has been titled ‘Summer Saturday’ by the course.

JULY 1 MORNING WITH THE AT THE RACES TEAM AT NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE One of the major Flat meetings to take place in the north through the season is Northumberland Plate day and At The Races will kindly allow access for a behindthe-scenes morning with the team ahead of the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’.

Members will get to see what goes on as the whole team prepares to cover the two-mile contest, which was won last year

by Godolphin’s Antiquarium.

SEPTEMBER 16 TOUR OF WHITSBURY MANOR STUD In September members will be able to visit the historic Whitsbury Manor Stud in Hampshire, which is owned by the Harper family. The stud is home to TTC

Showcasing is the star sire at Whitsbury Manor Stud

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Feb_150_ThoroughbredClub_Owner 20/01/2017 15:05 Page 77

www.thetho ro ug hb re d clu b . co . u k •

@ T T C_ GB

Simon Sweeting at Overbury Stud, home to Britain’s leading National Hunt stallion Kayf Tara

broodmare Sacre Coeur, whose second foal is due this month. The stud is also home to four stallions in the shape of 2017 newcomer Adaay, Due Diligence, whose first foals are born this year, Swiss Spirit, whose first runners hit the track this year, and the Group 1 sire Showcasing.

The first three will parade for members, with Showcasing being on shuttle duty in New Zealand. As well as the parade of stallions, members will be given a tour of the stud, which was created in 1948, and also given an insight into the work that goes into getting a yearling to the sales.

NOVEMBER 18 OVERBURY STUD AND CHELTENHAM Home to five stallions, Overbury Stud, run

by Simon Sweeting, keeps on growing and members will get the opportunity to see

the stud and its stallions in November.

Headlining the roster is three-time champion stayer Kayf Tara, sire of Thistlecrack and who has cemented himself as Britain’s number one National Hunt stallion over the past few seasons.

Schiaparelli completes the National Hunt side of the operation. The stud stands three Flat stallions headed by Cityscape, whose first juveniles will be hitting the track this year. The other two are Dunaden, whose first crop have just become yearlings, and Mustajeeb, who is about to embark on his second season at stud.

The tour and stallion parade will be followed by an afternoon of top quality racing at Cheltenham on the second day of its Open meeting, where the highlight is the extended two and a half mile handicap chase, won last year by Taquin du Seuil.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Open to all 16- to 30-year-olds £50 per year (£35 per year for 16- to 22-year-olds)

Full Member • Access to all TTC events • Follow our TTC broodmares and horse in training • Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder magazine subscription • Annual Thoroughbred Stallion Guide • Blogs, webinars, vlogs with exclusive access on our website • Career course and educational opportunities

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Alongside the STAR event programme, a whole host of regional occasions will be organised to give members across the UK the opportunity to engage with the club and get the most from their membership.

These events will be announced regularly throughout the year on the website, thethoroughbredclub.co.uk, but for the most up-to-date event news follow @TTC_GB on twitter.

Bookings TTC full members have priority access to all our events and can book a place via the Events page on the website; booking for the STAR events will be open a month before each one takes place.

There will be limited places for TTC associate members, so to ensure your place upgrade to full membership via our website.

Associate Member - Free • Six-month membership • Limited TTC events access • Limited TTC website access

HOW TO JOIN • Visit thethoroughbredclub.co.uk to sign up • If you would like to discuss membership options please contact Tallulah Lewis at info@thethoroughbredclub.co.uk

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Feb_150_ROA_Forum_Owner 20/01/2017 16:21 Page 78

ROA FORUM T he spec i al sec ti on for ROA members

Book your Festival marquee badges T

MARQUEE BADGE PRICES ROA members: £35 per day, or £112 for the four days Guests: £45 per day, or £145 for the four days Members can bring up to three guests per person, per day. Prices are for entrance to the marquee only and do not allow access into the racecourse itself – they must be purchased through Cheltenham directly. Marquee badges will not be available for purchase on the day.

Please note this year places are limited to 400 per day. We expect to sell out early, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Festival prize-money This year’s contenders at the Festival will be racing for greater prize-money than ever before.

California Chrome wins the 2016 Dubai World Cup

An injection of just under £200,000 means that there will be record prize-money of £4,305,000 – an increase of more than 10% since 2015. This boost has enhanced the totals available for 23 of the 28 races, with the four novice chases the main beneficiaries.

A £25,000 increase to both the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase and the Grade 1 RSA Novices’ Chase means both are now worth £175,000. The pot for the Grade 1 JLT Novices’ Chase now stands at £150,000 (up £20,000) and the JT McNamara National Hunt Novices’ Chase £120,000 (up £20,000).

Preview evenings The ROA website will once again be listing Cheltenham Festival preview evenings. If you are organising an event, please send the details to info@roa.co.uk and we will include them on the website.

This year the ROA’s official travel partner, Racing Breaks, are offering Cheltenham Festival bookers the chance to meet Gold Cup-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald on the night before the tapes come down.

On Monday, March 13 Fitzgerald will be going through all the runners and riders and giving out his selections for the week. Anyone that books through Racing Breaks will also receive a free pint of Guinness!

Head to racingbreaks.com to see their Cheltenham packages.

GEORGE SELWYN

he ROA Marquee at the Cheltenham Festival in March is always hugely popular and is a handy base for the flagship four days. Located in the tented village area close to the paddock, the marquee is just a short walk from the course viewing areas.

As in previous years, there will be hot and cold food available to purchase, a private cash bar, tote facilities and numerous TV screens so members can view all the racing action. Seats and tables are available but cannot be reserved.

We will be holding a champion tipster competition each day – it’s never too early to get studying! Access to the marquee requires Club admission.

ROA members will be able to book a badge for the four days, or for individual days, and can book places for up to three guests each day.

Thistlecrack: Gold Cup favourite

Dubai World Cup Racingbreaks.com provides a one-stop-shop for admission and hospitality packages to a number of major race fixtures in the UK and Ireland, including Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, Newmarket, Leopardstown, Chester, Epsom, The Curragh, Ascot, Goodwood and York.

The company also offers tailored international packages for racing in Dubai, Keeneland, Santa Anita, Kentucky and Melbourne.

ROA members can enjoy an exclusive five-night package for the Dubai World Cup, which includes accommodation, transfers, Breakfast with the Stars event, premium seating hospitality ticket and a drinks evening with Frankie Dettori.

Racing Breaks are also offering ROA members £25 off any package trips. See the resources section at roa.co.uk for details and exclusive discount codes for members.

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www.roa.co.uk

ROA members offered free admission to 16 ARC racecourses in 2017

The ROA and ARC have teamed up to deliver more free racing for owners

Members who don’t qualify for nationwide complimentary racecourse admission are to receive a new benefit of membership this year.

Arena Racing Company (ARC), in partnership with the ROA, is offering members the chance to visit 16 racecourses twice each during 2017, free of charge.

The admission schemes arranged for members by the ROA that allow owners to go racing without a runner are highly valued.

While members with half a share in a horse – or shares that amount to 50% – qualify for the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners, those with less do not.

From this month, all ROA members not in the RBSO arrangement can obtain 32 complimentary admissions at racecourses managed by or associated with ARC. They can choose from more than 500 of 559 fixtures.

The new ARC initiative complements the popular Jockey Club Racecourses and Scottish Racing admission schemes that the ROA operates.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “In 2016 the ROA and BHA undertook the largest ever survey and it was clear that admission schemes are highly prized by members. I’m thrilled that ARC has created this new scheme for 2017 and my sincere thanks are extended to them for working with us and providing our members with another benefit of their ROA membership.

“We have a growing number of syndicate and partnership owners and I am hopeful that this benefit should really resonate with them.

“This scheme means members can enjoy

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

our wonderful sport even when they don’t have a runner. And, combined with our existing free admission schemes, it means there’s a wealth of meetings that members can attend.”

The scheme was also commended by ARC Chief Executive Martin Cruddace, who said: “We are delighted to work with the ROA to launch this scheme to allow their members, with less than 50% of a share in a horse, to have up to 32 complimentary visits to ARC racecourses every year.

“Owners are the lifeblood of the sport and we want to play our part in recognising this. We hope as many eligible owners as possible will make use of this scheme and we look forward to welcoming them to our racecourses.”

ROA members can obtain their free ROA/ARC card online at www.roa.co.uk/roaarc, by emailing info@roa.co.uk or by writing to the ROA, 1st Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS, with name, postcode and, if

possible, their membership number.

ROA members must register for the ROA/ARC card to obtain one and this must be swiped for entry. Please see the ROA website www.roa.co.uk/roaarc for full terms and conditions, exclusions and FAQs. The 16 racecourses involved in the ARC scheme are: (Mixed) Newcastle, Doncaster, Southwell, Ffos Las, Chepstow and Lingfield Park; (Flat) Wolverhampton, Great Yarmouth, Royal Windsor, Bath and Brighton; (Jumps) Sedgefield, Uttoxeter, Worcester, Hereford and Fontwell Park.

SIS sponsorship SIS, sponsor of the ROA SIS ownersponsorship scheme, are set to rebrand next month.

Regular racegoers and TV viewers will be familiar with the SIS branding worn on the chest and collar of the rider’s silks each time a sponsored owner’s horse runs.

This has been a popular benefit of membership over the past four and a half years, enabling ROA members who participate to register for and reclaim VAT on their costs of ownership.

Over the past 12 months the scheme has covered 1,750 horses. An incredible 30,800 horses have run with branding since SIS first sponsored members in September 2012.

In preparation of the rebrand, new SIS branding patches will be sent out in midFebruary to trainers of all horses on the SIS scheme.

Please note that from March 1 all horses sponsored and on the SIS scheme must carry the new branding.

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ROA FORUM

M AGICAL M OM E NT S with ROA member Carl Hinchy

T

o say 2017 got off to a good start for owner Carl Hinchy would be a huge understatement as he was finally able to enjoy a winner at Cheltenham courtesy of Shantou Flyer, 20-1 victor of the most valuable race on the New Year’s Day card, the £60,000 Grade 3 handicap chase.

His enjoyment was tempered slightly by the following day’s Racing Post not carrying a mention of Shantou Flyer and his owner’s first victory at Cheltenham, denying Hinchy a cherished memory for his scrapbook – but there should be many more opportunities to flesh it out.

Hinchy has around 14 horses in training, and thanks to the likes of Beast Of Burden, Definite Outcome and Aurore D’Estruval, his colours have become a familiar sight.

His aim this term was to turn the letters next

Shantou Flyer (right), trained by Rebecca Curtis, gives Carl Hinchy (left with wife Louisa and son Monty) a New Year’s Day winner at Cheltenham

to some of his horses’ names into numbers – one, for example was known as ‘Popub’, his form figures being P0PUB – and it’s a case of so far, so good.

Given his background, it’s probably not surprising that Hinchy has become a predominantly jumps owner.

He explains: “I was born in 1968 and grew up in Southport. I lived through the Red Rum years and remember watching him on the beach and the buzz of the town and area for those Grand Nationals.

“In my teenage years I attended Aintree by sneaking under the fence at the Melling Road with my pals and experiencing the thrilling sight of the steeplechasers attacking the big fences and the roar of the crowd enjoying the unique noise and atmosphere.”

Hinchy and his friends and family don’t have to duck and dive these days, and his table of 12 at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day certainly enjoyed themselves.

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“It’s a bit of a tradition to go to Cheltenham that day and it was lovely,” he says. “We stayed the night, had a few drinks, and were on the gallops the following day.”

Shantou Flyer is trained by Rebecca Curtis, one of ten Hinchy has with her, while he is also

“Watching your

horse come home in front is a feeling of heart-thumping joy” excited by a more recent link-up with Dan Skelton, and has a couple of “longer-term projects” trained by Richard Hobson, best known for ‘discovering’ the likes of Hurricane Fly and Sir Des Champs in France.

Hobson’s ownership career got off to a rocky start when the first horse he had a small share in died on the gallops before making the racecourse, but he then had a good time with Diamond Racing and Henrietta Knight.

“Having small shares enabled me to get a taste of ownership and I hoped as time went by to be able to fulfil my ambition of owning a horse outright,” he says.

He certainly achieved that, and continues: “I’m 48 now and have owned around 30 or so horses. Shantou Flyer was our 40th winner and the most special of all by far.

“I’ve a strong relationship with Rebecca and her partner Gearoid Costelloe, which has survived through thick and thin, so it was very special for me and my family to enjoy a big win at Cheltenham. Although we’ve had winners at Ascot and Aintree, winning at Cheltenham was beyond compare.

“It’s so difficult to win there, and I’ve been attending racing for 30 years, dreaming of one day seeing a horse in my own colours storming up the hill. The feeling of watching your own horse come home in front is one of heartthumping joy and satisfaction, which you share with all those involved and is impossible to appreciate unless you have experienced it yourself.”

Hinchy continues: “I’ve enjoyed a brief but so far very successful relationship with the Skeltons; as we speak we’ve a 100% record,

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Diary dates and reminders FEBRUARY 7

APRIL 6

ROA regional meeting

Free admission to ROA members

At Hereford.

For the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival.

FEBRUARY 8 having won the Summer Plate with Long House Hall and a bumper with the promising Cause Toujours.

“I expect this relationship to go from strength to strength as I’ve nothing but the highest regard for Dan, Harry and his team.

They’ve outstanding facilities and ethos, and we’ve found them all to be engaging and warm on a personal level.

“I also have horses with Richard Hobson, who has joined me in a project of bringing through young well-bred horses from France in the hope of discovering an alternative route to market and utilising Richard’s eye for a horse, and hopefully a bargain, together with his skills of nurturing and caring for young horses.

“This is a project I’m very excited about.

Richard has also trained me a Listed winner with one of my mares and I hope to enjoy breeding in the future. I have my dual Listedwinning mare Aurore D’Estruval, also runner-up in the Fighting Fifth, booked in to be covered by Kayf Tara this spring – our first foray into breeding.”

Magical moments on the racecourse aside, the familiar feel of jumps racing gives Hinchy a lot of pleasure, something he failed to find in Flat racing!

“Our journey and experience of the National Hunt world has seen us meet lots of wonderful, great-spirited people, and there seems a unique camaraderie between owners, jockeys, trainers and lovers of the sport, who all wish each other well and offer congratulations and commiserations to each other at every turn,” he says.

“It’s a genuinely unrivalled spirit born out of an appreciation of the toughness of the job and the love of the sport. This spirit, we have found, binds National Hunt people together in a very special way. Probably this in itself is the greatest experience, win lose or draw, that we have had from our involvement in jumps racing.”

The solicitor was off to Barbados the day after speaking to Owner & Breeder, after which the road to the spring festivals at Cheltenham and nearby Aintree – where the likes of Shantou Flyer, Long House Hall, Definite Outcome and Tahira could be among Hinchy’s team – will loom large.

His seven runners at the Cheltenham Festival last season “all stank the house out”, as the owner put it. Here’s hoping there’s something for the scrapbook this time!

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Ownership Matters Roadshow

APRIL 25

The Vineyard, Stockcross, Newbury.

ROA regional meeting At Hexham racecourse.

MARCH 14, 15, 16, 17 ROA Marquee

APRIL 25-29

At the Cheltenham Festival.

Punchestown Festival Access to AIRO Marquee.

MARCH 22 Ownership Matters Roadshow

APRIL 26

In Winchester.

Ownership Matters Roadshow In Newcastle.

Further details and how to book for ROA events can be found online at roa.co.uk/events

News in brief Two-year-old programme changes The BHA Racing Group has been developing changes to the two-year-old programme which will be introduced this season. In summary these are: • The novice/maiden programme, introduced from March to June 2016, will be extended to the full year.

• To qualify for a rating for nursery handicaps, two-year-olds will have to run either three times, or twice including one win. Two-year-old ratings will be published from July 1.

• There will be an increased share of auction races with 75 new auction races converted from open and median auction races.

• An auction cap will apply in median auction races. This will comprise the median price plus £20,000; for example a race with a sire’s median of £20,000 will exclude horses that were sold or bought in for in excess of £40,000.

• There will be more staying races for two-year-olds in the autumn.

Ownership Matters Roadshows The ROA will be moving around the country staging Ownership Matters Roadshows each month this year. The roadshows are designed to provide an opportunity for members to gather with other owners for an informal networking evening.

Members and their guests will be able to enjoy a drink with other owners, trainer and individuals involved in racing,

including representatives from the NTF and ROA. Our next roadshow will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at The Vineyard, Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire. Next month we will head to Winchester, Hampshire, on the evening of March 22.

Both these evenings have received early interest, so please let us know if you would like to book a place by contacting Rebecca Bowtell on rbowtell@roa.co.uk Members and non-members are welcome to attend, so do feel free to pass this on to any potential future owners or members. ROA members will take priority if all places are filled.

Regional meetings 2017 The ROA team will be heading to Hereford racecourse on February 7 for the first in a series of six regional meetings planned for this year. Regional meetings provide members with an opportunity to express their views on racing and ownership issues, and to meet fellow owners and ROA board members.

On hand to answer questions will be the ROA's Chief Executive, Charlie Liverton, with other ROA board members and staff in attendance. The day will also feature an ROA Owners Jackpot race.

Invitations have been emailed to owners who live locally. Future gatherings will be held at Hexham (April 25), Wetherby (June 6) and Brighton (August 9).

Any members interested in attending future regional events can find further details and book at roa.co.uk/events, or by contacting the ROA on 020 7152 0200.

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Team App takes off for owners The Steeple Chasers Syndicate seemingly have lots to look forward to this season, after enjoying a winning start to the year when their eight-yearold Morney Wing, trained by Charlie Mann, won the Sussex National at Plumpton at the start of January.

ROA members Andy Stone and Bill Brindle contacted the ROA and explained that the syndicate, which formed at the start of the 2015/6 jump season, is set up and managed through a dedicated Steeple Chasers smartphone app. The platform, available free of charge from Team App, allows teams and social groups to improve communication by creating a smartphone app, and is perfect for those running a syndicate.

Andy, who updates the syndicate’s innovative app regularly, said: “The technology is freely available but as far as I am aware not frequently

The Steeple Chasers celebrate the success of Morney Wing in the Sussex National

adopted for this activity. The flow of information is critical to the whole experience for syndicate members and all owners. My daughter created the app for the syndicate. My golf society uses Team App and it works very well, posting video clips, etc.

“We are able to update the Steeple Chasers accounts each month. We don’t charge a management fee, we do it for the love of racing, and it shows transparency and builds trust.”

The free app provides syndicate members with latest news, entries and declarations, and allows discussion with other members via a forum. Photos of the partnership’s three horses are updated to a gallery regularly. Protection can

be added in the app so that some features are open to view by all, and other features, e.g. horse updates and chatroom, can be gated for syndicate members only.

Team App can be found at www.teamapp.com/app and can be downloaded via iTunes or Google onto your smartphone.

We loved this in the ROA office and think it is a great innovation by the Steeple Chasers.

The results of the Racehorse Owners Survey last year showed there was an appetite for greater communication of information to owners, and we are sure that this model will be useful for many more trainers and those running syndicates.

ROA Owners Jackpot scheme enhanced The ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Scheme will be enhanced this year. The scheme focusses on those horses racing at grassroots level, working with racecourses to provide benefits to members of the Racehorse Owners Association. Members of the ROA will share a jackpot of over £100,000 throughout this year.

Racecourses across the whole of the UK will be working with the ROA on the Jackpot scheme. Races are run at racecourses which have signed up to the racing industry’s prize-money agreement but, in a new development for 2017, the weekly races will be run where racecourses guarantee a minimum total prize fund of £5,000.

Racecourses see the scheme as important given the impact the Jackpot races have on field sizes. Consistently throughout last year the field sizes in a ROA Jackpot race have outperformed the industry standard. A key focus for the ROA is the flow of funds to grassroots racing, and this is something that it and other members of the Horsemen’s Group continue to work with racecourses and the BHA to develop.

The schedule of upcoming races can be found at www.roa.co.uk/jackpot, in the Racing Post and this magazine, as well as in BHA publications such as the Racing Calendar and on the Racing Admin website.

This successful scheme is about to enter its fourth year. Every week

one race has a £2,000 bonus attached to it. If the winning horse belongs to an ROA member, the extra payment is made on top of the prize-money from the racecourse.

The ROA Owners Jackpot, with continued support from the Racing Post, is a development of a scheme that has paid out over £300,000 to the association’s members in the last three years.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “The ROA Owners Jackpot has been very well received by members and, having paid out over £300,000, it has established itself as another popular membership benefit.

“We are delighted to be upgrading the scheme, working in partnership with racecourses, highlighting the importance of grassroots racing and working to ensure that all races run in 2017 are done so at a total minimum prize fund of £5,000.

“As the ROA survey in 2016 highlighted once again, the retention of owners is critical, and prize-money at grassroots level is the biggest concern.

“The scheme will continue to develop throughout 2017 and will see further upgrades that will be of benefit to all owners.”

THE FOUR OWNERS JACKPOT RACES IN FEBRUARY OFFERING A £2,000 BONUS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: February 1, Leicester 2m Class 5 4yo+ 0-100 Handicap Hurdle

February 14, Fontwell 2m1f Class 4 5yo+ 0-115 Handicap Chase

February 11, Warwick 2m Class 4 4yo+ 0-120 Handicap Hurdle

February 20, Carlisle 2m4f Class 4 5yo+ 0-120 Handicap Chase

To qualify, horses must be owned by ROA members. Where a horse is jointly-owned, at least 51% of the owners must be ROA members.

In a racing partnership, both nominated owners must be members of the ROA

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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 36

Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Chester Doncaster Newbury Sandown Park Haydock Park Ayr Chelmsford Musselburgh Salisbury Ripon Pontefract Lingfield Park Wetherby Newcastle Hamilton Park Beverley Thirsk Windsor Carlisle Leicester Bath Nottingham Kempton Park Ffos Las Yarmouth Chepstow Catterick Bridge Redcar Wolverhampton Brighton Southwell Total

Figures for period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

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 2015 (£)

Up/ down

I I I JCR JCR I ARC I JCR JCR I I I I I I ARC I ARC I I I ARC JCR I ARC JCR JCR I ARC ARC I I ARC ARC ARC

439,286 212,321 176,251 140,472 114,448 80,126 79,833 76,642 62,705 54,369 45,309 42,214 41,143 37,668 36,725 36,467 34,732 32,066 31,977 31,889 30,417 28,713 28,527 26,996 26,736 26,611 25,603 24,751 24,167 23,371 23,081 22,440 22,119 20,850 19,068 9,121 53,535

127,650 91,453 82,011 68,655 74,177 41,667 51,071 53,755 45,957 39,600 29,697 17,763 14,545 25,850 21,230 28,919 24,745 0 18,845 19,206 18,658 16,436 18,848 13,777 19,430 13,723 19,240 19,727 12,050 20,622 13,672 16,613 17,559 19,165 14,373 27,239 30,573

251,426 121,269 69,398 113,995 77,302 10,430 35,997 37,556 28,632 17,925 11,270 4,973 5,239 5,154 4,491 3,824 4,310 4,185 5,677 4,150 4,269 5,235 5,112 4,467 5,037 4,054 5,559 4,246 3,609 4,669 3,566 2,675 13,267 3,505 2,771 2,575 20,249

818,363 425,749 327,660 323,122 265,927 132,223 167,058 169,093 137,294 112,449 86,335 64,950 60,927 68,673 62,445 69,210 63,882 36,250 56,499 55,246 53,344 50,384 52,488 45,241 51,204 44,389 50,446 48,725 39,827 48,662 40,319 41,727 52,944 43,533 36,212 38,935 104,422

18 17 19 11 39 15 24 16 16 23 17 63 17 16 17 16 79 2 37 18 19 17 27 13 20 22 23 57 6 18 15 17 18 79 22 31 884

14,730,525 7,237,740 6,225,542 3,554,346 10,371,159 1,983,351 4,009,385 2,705,495 2,196,700 2,634,519 1,467,700 4,091,845 1,035,760 1,098,766 1,061,566 1,107,354 5,046,708 72,500 2,090,469 994,420 1,013,537 856,525 1,417,179 588,129 1,024,079 976,553 1,160,249 2,777,303 238,960 875,922 604,784 709,360 953,000 3,439,088 796,654 1,207,000 92,354,169

388,619 188,919 168,936 136,791 105,410 86,530 66,008 68,579 57,439 49,896 36,465 37,188 39,867 32,289 34,084 33,032 31,129 32,205 26,159 27,399 24,486 27,121 21,099 25,473 24,323 20,435 23,318 23,878 22,888 19,876 17,669 18,539 19,019 16,184 14,759 12,104 47,826

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲

Up/ down

Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Chepstow Ayr Newcastle Kelso Doncaster Cartmel Stratford-on-Avon Ludlow Perth Wincanton Newton Abbot Wetherby Musselburgh Market Rasen Uttoxeter Fakenham Taunton Warwick Huntingdon Bangor-on-Dee Carlisle Worcester Exeter Lingfield Park Fontwell Park Ffos Las Hexham Southwell Hereford Sedgefield Leicester Catterick Bridge Towcester Plumpton 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 2015 (£)

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR ARC I ARC I ARC I I I I JCR I I I JCR ARC I I JCR JCR I JCR ARC JCR ARC ARC I I ARC ARC ARC I I I I

250,443 236,046 144,181 94,922 92,632 56,164 49,092 39,914 39,092 37,503 36,645 36,613 30,843 28,982 28,489 28,103 27,365 27,196 25,667 25,105 24,418 24,225 23,041 22,478 21,002 20,702 20,424 19,879 19,683 19,557 19,002 18,924 18,520 18,143 17,430 17,411 16,739 16,471 16,038 15,261 14,279 38,440

131,251 114,932 86,513 86,434 86,025 80,065 58,693 48,040 32,731 43,445 24,713 48,184 17,023 19,467 25,998 21,875 29,929 29,517 27,418 34,240 22,541 28,153 23,725 27,172 29,524 21,895 20,408 24,165 23,551 28,245 27,426 24,268 19,835 17,860 20,360 22,072 21,521 28,050 25,867 22,146 23,061 34,839

71,423 61,928 20,536 16,636 19,485 21,969 10,319 12,197 11,290 7,773 3,079 8,829 5,156 4,398 4,791 3,755 5,228 0 4,885 5,148 4,338 7,380 0 5,597 5,680 4,362 4,912 4,366 4,252 4,948 4,396 3,856 3,930 3,173 3,954 4,516 3,342 4,324 2,781 3,617 3,328 8,496

453,929 412,906 253,730 201,102 205,274 160,197 119,873 100,151 83,290 89,611 64,937 94,043 53,022 53,280 59,278 53,733 62,522 56,713 57,971 65,523 51,979 59,853 46,766 55,247 58,388 47,253 46,578 49,894 47,739 53,749 50,824 47,048 42,286 39,197 41,744 43,999 41,845 48,845 44,941 41,174 40,667 82,335

8 16 8 9 8 10 13 15 13 9 13 12 9 15 14 16 14 18 17 10 22 24 12 13 17 17 15 12 19 15 5 20 13 14 19 4 19 9 9 10 15 550

3,631,431 6,606,494 2,029,836 1,809,922 1,554,219 1,601,972 1,558,346 1,502,258 1,082,773 806,496 844,183 1,128,515 477,198 799,206 829,892 859,728 875,311 1,020,836 985,504 655,234 1,143,541 1,436,469 561,191 718,207 992,600 803,307 698,673 598,723 907,037 806,231 254,119 940,968 549,718 548,762 793,132 175,995 795,047 439,603 404,466 411,739 610,006 45,248,889

242,694 225,291 140,718 95,606 83,729 26,747 50,104 22,554 34,003 23,155 28,326 27,470 25,256 23,882 50,104 50,194 26,929 25,289 24,552 15,327 16,382 17,947 21,205 18,376 20,755 19,014 19,326 20,544 14,741 20,106 28,326 15,526 20,291 16,762 15,439 0 14,112 19,014 15,017 11,901 13,971 34,898

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

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 Gold Standard Award

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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

International support for TBA course Held in December at Newmarket’s British Racing School, the popular Annual TBA Stud Farming Course was voted a unanimous success by the 32 delegates who attended, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Ireland, Germany and Hong Kong.

Over the course of the three days, 22 speakers shared their abundant experience of the key aspects of practical stud management, including successful conception, foaling, care of the newborn foal, nutrition, and stallion management. New lectures were added to the programme this year, including presentations on ‘The uses of genetic testing in breeding’ made by Dr Sarah Blott, of Nottingham University, and ‘Diseases of the upper respiratory tract’ made by Lewis Smith of Rossdale and Partners.

In addition, John Hernon of Cheveley Park Stud shared his experience of sales preparation, fresh from the operation consigning the 1,300,000gns Frankel colt at the Tattersalls October Book 1 sale.

On the first evening, there was a chance to socialise as speakers and delegates attended the course dinner held at the Bedford Lodge Hotel.

Included in the course this year was a visit to Cheveley Park Stud, where the delegates were treated to a private parade of the stallions, which included leading sire Pivotal and newest recruit, dual Group 1-winning sprinter Twilight Son. Managing Director Chris Richardson then took the visitors on a tour through the stud from Cheveley Park to

A parade of the stallions at Cheveley Park Stud included the farm’s top sire Pivotal

Learning how a horse is anaesthetised before surgery at Newmarket Equine Hospital

A morning spent watching students in action at the British Racing School was included in the course

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Ashley Heath, which included the rest and rehabilitation yard for the many horses they have in training, and the sales preparation nursery, from which many successful racehorses have graduated. The tour was immensely popular among members of the group, which relished the chance for a behind-the-scenes view of such a wellrespected operation.

Newmarket Equine Hospital was the location of the second visit on the course, where delegates were once again treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of this worldrenowned veterinary practice. Leading veterinary practitioners offered insights into the facilities and treatment available to clients should the occasion arise for their need.

On the final morning of the course, a number of delegates took the opportunity for

an early morning tour of the British Racing School, conducted by BRS Chief Executive Grant Harris. They were able to witness the relatively new recruits learning to maintain a controlled steady canter in pairs, in preparation for their future careers. The experience gave the delegates an insight into how much hard work goes into ensuring that the recruits are well prepared for their new role in a racing yard on graduation.

Feedback received on the course was overwhelmingly positive, with the delegates feeling they had come away with a greater understanding of situations they may encounter in daily stud work.

The 2017 TBA Stud Farming Course will be held from December 12 to 14 at the British Racing School, with more information available later on in the year.

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The TBA was excited to see Lamanver Odyssey become the first winner of the £10,000 MOPS bonus prize when she landed the Exeter Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on December 15. Owned and bred by Dr Donna Christensen, the filly recorded her second career win to scoop the prize. The filly was also bred through the TBA Elite Mares Scheme.

The second winner of the £10,000 bonus prize was Ellens Way, who is owned by the Bet The Farm Partners and was bred by Mickley Stud and Mrs M Adamson.

The registrations for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 crops have been flooding in and the scheme has been extremely well received by both TBA members and non-members.

The deadline for these crops has now closed but information regarding any future crop registrations will be published in this magazine and will appear on the TBA website along with a list of qualifying races

PHIL MINGO

Lamanver Odyssey wins first £10,000 MOPS bonus

Dr Donna Christensen and winning connections with Lamanver Odyssey

for 2017.

The TBA would like to wish all those who

have registered for the scheme good luck with their fillies.

Young stallions return to Tattersalls The TBA’s Annual Stallion Parade will include a line-up of 11 first-and-second-season stallions who will be on show at Park Paddocks on Thursday, February 2, starting at 10.45am.

The main parade, in the sales ring, includes six stallions retiring to stud in 2017 and five due to embark on their second covering season. An additional four sires will be

available for inspection after the parade throughout the morning, giving breeders the opportunity of viewing 15 stallions from around the country at one venue.

The stallions on show include the dual Group 2-winning Adaay, and fellow Group 2 winner Pearl Secret. They will be joined by Grade 1 Canadian International winner Cannock Chase, Highclere Stud’s Cable Bay,

while Hellvelyn, the sire of the exciting filly Mrs Danvers, will also be available to view throughout the morning. Commentators for the parade are Gina Harding and Matt Prior.

TBA members and their guests are invited to the sales ring bar after the parade for complimentary refreshments.

The stallions will be stabled in Left and Right Yards throughout the morning, where connections will be delighted to discuss with breeders their mating plans for the forthcoming season.

Stallions on show: ADAAY CABLE BAY CANNOCK CHASE COACH HOUSE DUE DILIGENCE EAGLE TOP FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH GREGORIAN HEERAAT HELLVELYN MATTMU MUSTAJEEB PEARL SECRET TELESCOPE THA’IR

There’s always a full house at Tattersalls for the annual TBA Flat Stallion Parade

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: a selection of features from the TBA’s first 100 years

EDWARD MOORHOUSE The TBA’s first Secretary Edward Moorhouse (1868 – 1939) was an eminent British sports’ journalist who specialised in writing about bloodstock and horseracing. His expert knowledge was unrivalled in his time.

Oats were rationed during World War I and misinformation circulating in the press and parliament caused the government to ban racing in 1917, wrongly assuming that the public endorsed this.

Moorhouse became a significant catalyst in the formation and growth of the TBA. He utilised his many influential contacts, drawing together diverse parties interested in the survival of the bloodstock and racing industries.

He also privately lobbied pro-racing MPs and a new cross-party committee formed in parliament to protect the interests of both industries, transforming the situation.

In 1917, Moorhouse also became the TBA’s first Secretary, a service he continued until 1924, by which time the association’s importance and influence were wellestablished.

Moorhouse’s career had begun in general journalism at the Leeds Mercury, where he introduced a popular racing feature. In 1901 he joined the Pall Mall Gazette and subsequently contributed to the Sunday Chronicle and the Sunday Observer.

In 1906, Moorhouse became the Special Commissioner for The Sporting Life, where

he remained until 1913. He occasionally wrote for the South American newspaper La Nacion. His expertise in thoroughbred matters was internationally acknowledged and sports journalists across the world waited to receive Moorhouse’s latest contributions.

In 1911, Moorhouse, together with fellow journalists Ernest Coussell and Robert Bunsow, founded the British Bloodstock Agency Ltd (BBA). Ernest Coussell became TBA Secretary after Moorhouse.

In April 1912, the BBA launched its publication Bloodstock Breeders’ Review (BBR), which became the leading voice on thoroughbred interests. Moorhouse always wrote the opening feature ‘The Racing Year’.

Throughout the War he produced knowledgeable articles, including some about bloodstock and racing in New Zealand, America and Australia.

Following a 1916 tour of thoroughbred stud farms in America, he campaigned for stricter standards of entry into the General Stud Book. His influential article, ‘The Renaissance of the Modern Thoroughbred’, followed.

Moorhouse also wrote several books about thoroughbred matters. Examples are his famous The History and Romance of the Derby (published 1911) and the autobiography of noted owner/breeder John

Edward Moorhouse

Porter in John Porter of Kingsclere (1918).

Additionally, he was a familiar visitor to the sales at Tattersalls. His bloodstock agency was involved in the purchase of many significant thoroughbreds of the day.

Moorhouse’s contacts had promoted the diversity of the TBA’s founder membership, drawn from all strata of British society and from abroad. These, and the TBA’s continuing success, helped launch the later formation of many similar associations internationally.

As TBA Secretary, Moorhouse influenced the British racing scene in many ways to improve the whole industry. Examples were increased prize-money and promotion of the pari-mutuel (tote) type of betting, already used in many European countries.

In 1939, Moorhouse’s obituary in the BBR said: “For more than 40 years Edward Moorhouse’s devotion was unswerving to his life’s interest – the true enhancement of the prestige of the British thoroughbred and the Bloodstock Breeders’ Review was Moorhouse’s chosen life’s work; moreover it was a labour of love”. Publication of the BBR continued until 1979.

CPD courses for TBA members throughout 2017 A range of short courses for TBA members will take place in 2017, organised in partnership with the National Stud.

Broodmare Ownership Course – Tuesday, May 23 A one-day course held at the National Stud on the key aspects of owning a broodmare and getting her in foal successfully.

MIND Mental Health First Aid – Wednesday, June 7 This accredited half-day course held at the National Stud is for anyone interested in learning more about common mental health issues and how to support colleagues or employees who may be in distress.

Summer Regional Courses in the North and South East regions – Tuesday, July 4 and Thursday, July 6 One-day courses running from 10am. to 3pm and covering key stud management topics. TBA members qualify for discounted rates and all delegates will receive certificates of attendance. The venues will be confirmed in due course.

In addition, the National Stud will run its biennial Stud Secretaries and Stud Administration Course at the stud from September 4 to 8, 2017.

For further information please see the TBA website or contact Leaya Slater at the National Stud on 01638 675930, or email: Leaya@nationalstud.co.uk/

Supervisory Skills Course – Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27 and 28

Save the date

A two-day course held at the National Stud for those already in, or about to take up, a supervisory position.

Thursday, June 8 – TBA West Regional Day at Highclere Stud, details to follow.

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Racecourses step in to support mares’ races Uttoxeter hosted the TBA Mares’ Maiden Hurdle on December 6, using prize-money funds awarded to the course as part of the Mares-only Racecourse Award. The race was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained six-yearold Theatre Territory, who is owned by Robert Waley-Cohen and was ridden by the owner’s son Sam. Theatre Territory led three out and won by nine lengths from Canoodle, trained by Hughie Morrison.

Two Yorkshire tracks, Doncaster and Wetherby, were also the recipients of award, with Doncaster using it to host the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Handicap Hurdle on December 9. Two Swallows, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden

by Tom Cannon, won by two and a half lengths from the Ian Duncan-trained Lochnell.

Wetherby used its mares’ award from the TBA to host the TBA / World Darts at 188BET Mares’ Handicap Steeplechase on December 27. The race was won by the Michael Scudamore-trained Two Smoking Barrels, an eight-year-old daughter of Kayf Tara.

The mare was ridden by Liam Treadwell and held off Money Maid, trained by Graeme McPherson, by a nose in an exciting finish.

TBA representative Sandra Mayoh, right, with Rebecca Burton of Doncaster racecourse

The Valuation Office Agency has now published the draft 2017 Rateable Values for all commercial properties, which are available to view online on the valuation office website (https://www.gov.uk/correct-yourbusiness-rates). These results will be used by your local council to calculate the business rates you will be expected to pay when the new tax year begins in April 2017. As this is still in its draft phase, it’s important for all proprietors to establish if the new published rates are factually correct.

For further information and the available allowances, please visit the members’ section of the TBA website.

Members are also urged to contact our ratings advisor, Bill Simpson Bsc FRICS, of the Tyto Consultancy on 01488 685111. He will help with any problems or queries relating to the published valuations.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ALAN WRIGHT

Business rates and the 2017 draft valuations TBA representative Michael Binn and Jonjo Sanderson of Wetherby racecourse

Notification of abortion/neonatal foal death The TBA recognises the vital importance of screening for the presence of EHV-1 at recognised laboratories. While the disease is not notifiable by law, the TBA encourages breeders to notify Stanstead House of any suspected cases of the EHV infection when an equine abortion or neonatal foal death has taken place. This is in order to monitor any disease outbreaks, to act to prevent further spread of the disease by facilitating communication between relevant bodies and to provide the necessary information, advice and guidance to TBA members.

In the unfortunate event of an equine abortion or death of a neonatal foal (occurring within 14 days of birth) and where EHV is the suspected cause of death, TBA members are able to apply for a £200 subsidy towards the screening costs at a recognised laboratory.

Members must notify the TBA within three days of an abortion/neonate foal death undergoing investigation and must complete the TBA abortion/neonatal foal death report form over the telephone. To apply for the subsidy and for full terms and conditions please contact the TBA office on 01638 661321.

For a list of approved laboratories please visit the HBLB website: http://codes.hblb.org.uk/downloads/Approved%20lab%20list%202015-162.pdf

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TBA issues guidance for mare owners ahead of the 2017 breeding season The TBA Breeders’ Committee regularly meets with both mare owners and stallion representatives, and at the last meeting in November it was agreed that the industry would be well served by the provision of some guidance notes for mare owners walking their mares in to stallion studs for covering. With the assistance of veterinary advice, the TBA has produced this document which we hope will help mare owners and stallion studs to achieve the successful outcome ‘tested in foal’.

Guidance for mare owners ‘walking in’ mares for covering 1. Use a veterinary practice that has experienced equine reproductive clinicians that use HBLBapproved laboratories, and fully understand the HBLB Codes of Practice. Be prepared to have your vet visit frequently to ensure that the mare is at the optimum stage of her cycle for conception. This will save money and time in the long term. Discuss breeding regulations and all required cover paperwork with your vet and with the stud where the covering stallion resides well in advance.

2. From the day you book your nomination, communicate pro-actively and frequently with the stallion stud well in advance of booking a covering date, particularly if the mare has come from abroad, or was covered abroad previously, and during the days leading up to sending your mare for covering. Stallion studs prefer frequent communications from mare owners to enable them to maximise the stallion’s covering schedule and to avoid a mare owner being disappointed.

3. All stallion studs will follow the principles of the HBLB Codes of Practice and you should apply these to your own circumstances. The Codes are minimal recommendations and the NSFA issues breeding regulations for Newmarket stud farms each year (see website).

Individual studs may have their own regulations which you will need to follow. Never assume that all studs have the same requirements and check with the stallion stud if you are not clear on what is required. If breeding regulations are not followed correctly your mare may not be covered.

4. Ensure that all paperwork issued to you is completed and returned to the stallion stud promptly. This will include: • Nomination agreement • Details of mare form • HBLB laboratory certificate (for CEM, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas) 5. Ideally, copies of all paperwork should be sent to the stallion stud before the mare goes for covering. For peace of mind, it is best to send the documents direct, as difficulties contacting

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vets at weekends to forward certificates can be frustrating. This will include but not be limited to: • Freedom from Infection certificate (be sure to notify the stallion stud of any significant incident under investigation) • Passport – a legible photocopy as the original should accompany the mare whilst travelling • Clitoral swab HBLB laboratory certificate (for CEM, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas) • Negative EVA Certificate • Negative EIA Certificate • Endometrial/cervical swab (and ideally smear) certificate A separate Freedom from Infection certificate will be needed for each covering and a new endometrial/cervical swab (and ideally smear) taken if she fails to conceive.

6. Arrange for regular vet checks to be carried out and get the mare on the books early to ensure a covering slot. Book your covering date when the vet is present with you to aid communication.

7. Ensure that the mare is at the optimum time for covering. Use of a teaser is highly recommended as the best method of doing so, but if this is not practicable regular vet checks right up to the covering date are crucial to ensure the mare is fit and at the optimum stage to be covered.

8. Let the stud know if the mare does not show well, or has any other behavioural traits that might affect the covering process. If she is a maiden mare, inform the stud whether or not she has been exposed to the teaser and ‘bounced’.

9. Use of an ovulatory agent is helpful when walking-in to reduce the likelihood of a second (cross) cover.

10. Arrange for mares and fillies in training with hind shoes to have them removed before they arrive at the covering shed.

11. When walking-in from a distance, while it may be a cost saving to put more than one mare on the lorry, this can result in a mare having to make a return visit to the stallion if she was not at the optimum time for covering, so treat all mares as individual cases and avoid ‘batching’ them up.

12. Follow up a covering with appropriate vet checks for ovulation and uterine fluid, and scanning for pregnancy. Update the stallion stud immediately with all scan results, and confirm whether pregnant or empty, so that if necessary she can go back on their books again in good time.

13. Check the mare for pregnancy before October 1. Inform the stallion stud and send a

TBA diary dates THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 TBA Flat Stallion Parade at Tattersalls, Park Paddocks, preceding the start of the February Sale at 10.45am.

Members are invited to join us for refreshments in the sale ring bar after the parade. For further details please contact the TBA office on 01638 661321.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 EBF/TBA Mares-only Novices’ Chase At Bangor-on-Dee racecourse.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 EBF/TBA Mares’ Only Novices’ Chase Handicap At Wetherby racecourse.

NEW MEMBERS James T Brown Esq, Surrey; Tim Leslie Esq, Cheshire; The Ferandlin Peaches, Warwickshire; Daniel Creighton Esq, Northamptonshire; Mrs Jill Gittus, Yorkshire; Shane O’Sullivan Esq, Devon; Mr J Bernstein & Mrs C Green, London; Mrs Valerie Beeson, Cambridgeshire; All Things Rural Ltd, Warwickshire; Mrs Gillian Davies, Ceredigion; Ms Gina Farrow, Worcestershire; West Mercia Fork Trucks Ltd, West Midlands; Malcolm Green Esq, Norfolk; Raymond Fielder Esq, Surrey; Martin Lightbody Esq, Glasgow; Mrs Lynn Lambert, Suffolk; Gary Sanderson Esq, Yorkshire; Mrs Rachel Dawson, County Durham; Harris & Ford, Warwickshire; Ms Heather Buxton, Suffolk; J L Frampton Esq, Dorset; Adrian Wintle Esq, Gloucestershire; Patrick Fennessy Esq, County Waterford; Mr & Mrs Bernard Llewellyn, Carmarthenshire.

barren mare certificate from your vet if your mare is not in foal.

14. Pay the mare’s nomination fee in a timely fashion to obtain her covering certificate.

Sources of information HBLB Codes of Practice: available at http://codes.hblb.org.uk/index.php/page/2 EquiBioSafe App: available for Apple products at http://apple.co/29DGtyQ. And for Android products at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id= com.veterinaryadvances.android.equibiosafe NSFA breeding regulations available at http://www.nsfa.org.uk/ THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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TBA Statistical Awards for 2016 Darley sweeps the board with its stallions and as the leading Flat breeder for the year

The Queen’s Silver Cup

DARLEY Sheer weight of numbers has earned this award for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation as the leading British-based breeder (earnings in GB and Ireland) for a fourth year in succession.

It is a long haul from the sheikh’s initial venture into ownership, when he won the Molecomb Stakes (then confined to fillies) with his first ever racehorse, Hatta, whom Dick Warden of the Curragh Bloodstock Agency had procured as a yearling for 6,200gns in 1976.

Despite the much publicised reduction in Sheikh Mohammed’s overall bloodstock numbers worldwide, it’s a different scenario when it comes to his European-based stallions for 2017 with a total 38, of which 14 stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, 15 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland, with another nine at Haras du Logis in Normandy.

There is an additional Overbury connection too, but that has sustained a serious loss with the death of successful freshman sire Delegator in December.

Darley’s eight newcomers to stud are: Territories, Charming Thought and Toormore at Dalham; Belardo, The Last Lion and Buratino at Kildangan; with Exosphere and Bow Creek at Logis. As an added incentive, Toormore, Buratino and Bow Creek all come under the Darley Club banner’s incentive scheme.

BBA Silver Cigar Box

DUBAWI Dalham Hall’s flagship stallion Dubawi heads the list of British-based stallions for a fourth consecutive time, a fact reflected by his fee of £250,000 for 2017 – the fee for the perennial overall champion Galileo is not advertised.

So far as Britain and Ireland are concerned Dubawi’s principal winners were Postponed (Coronation Cup, International Stakes), and Journey (British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes), together with Group 2 winners, the Queen’s Dartmouth, Sheikhzayedroad, Shamreen and Time Test.

To be fair to Dubawi one should also mention his more prominent overseas winners, including Wuheida (Prix Marcel THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Helmet, left, and his own sire Exceed And Excel were both among the winners

Boussac), a Darley homebred, Left Hand (Prix Vermeille), and Erupt (Canadian International). Zarak and Left Hand were runners-up in the French Derby and Oaks respectively.

Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup

EXCEED AND EXCEL It is indicative of their respective merits that whereas Dubawi had 73 individual winners of over £3.6 million during 2016, his erstwhile Dalham Hall stud companion Excced And Excel attained corresponding figure of 91 and £1.8m.

This was sufficient to secure Exceed And Excel the Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup for the highest number of winners for a second consecutive year. His Group winners in Great Britain and Ireland comprised Marenko (Fred Darling Stakes), Yalta (Molecomb Stakes), Cotai Glory (World Trophy) and Hit The Bid (Curragh Stakes).

Still shuttling to his native Australia (Kelvinside Stud in New South Wales), where he embarked upon his stallion career, Exceed And Excel has switched from Dalham Hall to Kildangan for the 2017 season, to where his son Buratino has now retired.

Tattersalls’ Silver Salver

HELMET Last time Poet’s Voice completed the Darley whitewash and now Helmet has completed another stallion bonanza for the Arab-owned behemoth.

Whether Helmet proves to be as prolific a sire of winners as his own sire and erstwhile stud companion Exceed And Excel remains to be seen. Both were stars in their native Australia. Whereas Exceed And Excel was a champion sprinter, Helmet won the equivalents of the 2,0000 Guineas, Dewhurst Stakes and Racing Post Trophy.

Helmet’s progeny made an extraordinarily good start with his first crop of European runners and in the end he prevailed by the narrowest of margins over the much heralded Frankel. The former ended the year with 12 winners of 19 races and £371,618 (GB and Ireland), with the latter on 15 winners of 22 races and £364,586, so it was a close call.

Thunder Snow, a Darley homebred, was his sire’s best performer and after finishing second in the Champagne Stakes and Vintage Stakes he triumphed in the Group 1 Criterium International. In a supporting role came the Group-placed Mur Hiba in Ireland, and Eqtiraan.

The awards cover the calendar year 2016 and relate to racing in GB and Ireland only

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BREEDER OF THE MONTH Words Alan Yuill Walker Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

NH BREEDER OF THE MONTH – December 2016

Robin and Scarlett Knipe

STEPHEN DAVIES

The partnership between Thistlecrack and Tom Scudamore represents a family association nurtured in deepest Herefordshire and spanning four generations.

Robin Knipe, joint-breeder of the King George VI Chase hero along with his wife Scarlett (daughter of Fred Rimell), was born and bred just half a mile from their Cobhall Court Stud and, as a permit holder, his father Charles provided winning rides for Tom’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Cobhall Court is also indelibly linked with another celebrated Herefordshire rider as when Anzum won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 1999, he gave Richard Johnson his first ever Cheltenham Festival winner.

Four years earlier the Knipe-bred Master Oats had won the Gold Cup. Both Master Oats and Anzum were sired by Cobhall Court residents, the former by Oats and the latter by Ardross, sire also of Thistlecrack’s dam Ardstown.

Both Anzum and Ardstown resulted from Ardross’s one and only season at Cobhall Court. He is also the grandsire of Coneygree.

The Knipes’ involvement with stallions started with Celtic Cone.

“Everybody thought we were mad at the time, but we sold our milking

Scarlett Knipe winning a class at the 2016 TBA foal show

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herd of Friesian cows and bought Celtic Cone,” Robin Knipe recalls.

“He was then seven years of age. Frank Cundell was asking £14,000 for him and we bought him for £10,000.”

From 1988 to 1996, Cobhall Court won the Whitbread Silver Salver (the TBA’s annual award for the leading British-based National Hunt sire) with Celtic Cone (five times), Ardross (once) and Oats (three times). Back amongst the annual award winners for the 2015/16 season, Thistlecrack’s dam Ardstown won the Dudgeon Cup, the National Hunt Broodmare of the Year award.

Ardstown continues the Herefordshire connection, as Scarlett Knipe explains, saying: “She was actually foaled at Cobhall Court and we bought her out in the field from her breeder, a near neighbour.

Successful in point-to-points, she was trained briefly by Venetia Williams in Herefordshire and when she scored in a three-mile chase at Newbury, Coneygree’s dam Plaid Maid finished runner-up.”

Once they had decided to give up standing stallions, the Knipes concentrated increasingly on buying foals to sell as yearlings, or selling foals. They acquired a Lord Gayle foal for 15,000gns in 1985 and sold him as a yearling for 32,000gns; four years later as Carroll House he won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

With the switch from producing jumpers to Flat horses, Ardstown became one of their last jumping mares. Two of her final offspring are in training with Colin Tizzard and owned by John and Heather Snook.

They are Thistlecrack and West Approach, who realised €32,000 and €20,000 respectively as foals. Thistlecrack’s orphaned sister sold to the Snooks as a three-year-old at Cheltenham last March for £165,000 and was covered by Shirocco later that season.

In ‘Flat’ mode for Tattersalls’ December Foal Sale, the Knipes consigned eight, all from winning mares. With an emphasis on new sires, they included three by Coach House, and two by Dunaden and Toronado. Last of the octet was a Toronado half-brother to Global Applause at 145,000gns.

Winner of the National Stakes and placed in the Mill Reef and Molecomb Stakes, Global Applause, a 60,000gns foal from Mayson’s first crop, is Cobhall Court’s latest top Flat performer. The previous best was probably 2012 Challenge Stakes hero Fulbright, who now stands at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

There are no certainties in racing, but when two old dairy farmers Colin Tizzard and Robin Knipe have a chinwag at Cheltenham in March (always the Knipes’ highlight of the year), they certainly won’t be discussing Friesian cows or the price of milk.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 02-2017_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 02-2017 20/01/2017 10:04 Page 91

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VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By DEIDRE CARSON MRCVS

Be prepared for foaling A step-by-step guide to ensuring your newborn foal has the best possible start in life

Being prepared You should have a large clean stable with plenty of clean straw ready. In warmer countries, mares happily foal outside in clean foaling paddocks but in the UK it is best to anticipate bringing mares inside to foal. Ensure you have access to a tail bandage, a clean bucket, clean warm water and disinfectant, a sharp pair of round-nosed scissors, some clean towels, some string and a list of ‘emergency’ numbers for a spare pair of hands and for your vet. You should also have some hibitane tincture or dilute iodine to treat the umbilical stump once the cord has ruptured.

EMILY HAGGETT, ROSSDALES LLP

T

he scouts’ motto ‘Be Prepared’ is entirely relevant when it comes to an anticipated foaling. And with the normal gestation period for a thoroughbred mare falling within a fairly broad range of 320 to 360 days, it might be necessary to be prepared for quite some time.

Fortunately, most mares give out some fairly reliable early warning signs that they are thinking about foaling. These signs include enlargement of the mammary glands which usually begins around one month before foaling though most of the increase is seen in the last two weeks. As delivery gets closer, the teats will become elongated and fill with milk and small beads of wax-like material will usually appear.

This is known as ‘waxing up’ and usually occurs in the last 24 to 48 hours. Maiden mares might not show such obvious changes and must be watched more closely as some can suddenly foal without significant mammary gland development occurring until the time of foaling.

Relaxing of the ligaments around the base of the tail and perineum is seen usually within the last few days so that a ‘hollowness’ appears in the region. In addition to this the vulva will lengthen as parturition approaches.

Figure 1: After delivery of the foal the placenta should be tied up

stitched (i.e. has had a caslicks), this should be opened using the scissors if this has not been done previously. Take care not to get kicked!

Stage two This period starts when the waters break and delivery of the foal commences. The first thing to appear at the vulva is usually the white amnion (membrane) containing one of the front

feet. The second front foot should be very close behind and then the foal’s nose. It is always worth checking that this is actually what is happening by inserting a clean hand into the vagina. If all is in position, stand back and leave the mare in peace. If not, unless you are experienced or have experienced help to hand, call your vet immediately. The mare might stand up and lie down again more than once.

Additional effort is usually seen to move the shoulders and then the hips through the birth canal. Delivery usually takes place within 20 minutes following several forceful pushes by the mare. The foal is usually born with the amnion over its legs and head and it tears quite readily once it starts moving. If it does not tear quickly, you should tear it so that the nostrils and face are free. If a thick, red velvety membrane is the first thing to appear at the vulva this is known as a ‘Red Bag’ delivery and represents an emergency as it indicates that the outer part of the placenta has not torn open. You must use your fingers and the scissors to cut through this structure otherwise the foal might suffocate.

The foal’s hindlimbs may remain inside the birth canal if the mare stays on the floor and this is fine as long as the foal’s hips are free and the mare is no longer straining. This time is valuable for the remainder of the umbilical cord blood to be transferred to the foal.

The cord will usually rupture spontaneously a few centimetres from the abdomen once the foal starts to struggle or the mare stands up.

There might be a small amount of blood

During stage one of labour the mare will normally appear restless and might get up and down several times. Some mares appear quite distressed. Most will sweat, look around at their abdomen and paw at the ground. This stage can last for minutes or hours but it is important not to mistake the signs for symptoms of colic. Once it appears that foaling might be imminent, the mare’s perineum should be washed with a mild disinfectant solution and rinsed off and her tail bandaged. If the mare has previously been

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Figure 2: Motherhood comes naturally to most but maidens should be watched

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EMILY HAGGETT, ROSSDALES LLP

Stage one

dripping from the umbilical stump and this will soon stop. If there is a free flow of blood you should grab the end of the cord with your fingers and apply pressure until it stops. Only very occasionally is it necessary to tie a ligature around the stump to stop any bleeding. Use a piece of clean string or clamp for this.

If the mare appears settled, it can help to pull the foal around to her head so she can start cleaning it while she is still lying down. Many mares will jump to their feet as soon as the foal is born and turn to the foal. Maiden mares might be a little confused but it is amazing how motherhood comes naturally to most.

Stage three The placenta should be hanging from the vulva and at this point you should tie it up on itself using the string or twine so that it is not dragging around and under the mare’s legs. This serves two main purposes: it stops the mare standing on it and tearing it and the weight of the placenta can assist in its delivery.

The placenta should be passed within three hours of foaling. This is known as the mare ‘cleansing’. Once the mare has cleansed, you should check the placenta to ensure it is all present. Using gloved hands, locate the cord

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Feb_150_Vet_Forum_v2_Owner Breeder 20/01/2017 14:41 Page 93

Figure 3: The intact placenta should be passed within three hours

and the two horns of the chorion (thicker red/pink part). Lay the chorion out flat with either the smooth or the rough surface outermost. The cervical pole will be torn but the two horns (pregnant and non-pregnant) should be intact with rounded tips. If one of the tips is missing, or there appears to be a defect or missing piece, this probably means that it has been retained in the uterus and you should call your vet so that it can be manually removed.

If not removed, a piece of placenta can result in life-threatening endometritis and laminitis.

Occasionally the mare will retain the whole

placenta; this needs to be removed by your vet.

Once born, the foal should immediately prop itself onto its chest (sternal recumbency) and soon after,start making attempts to stand. This process can be painful and amusing to witness but it is important the bed is deep enough to ensure the foal does not injure itself.

The skin over the hocks is particularly susceptible to damage at this time. The foal should be standing within 45 minutes of birth.

A normal foal will also start seeking out the teats almost immediately, but in the process will explore various parts of the mare and also the stable. An experienced mare will assist the foal by standing still or moving into a better position. Normal foals are born with a strong suck reflex and, once latched on, will quickly receive the reward of mother’s milk. A normal foal will also pass meconium (first droppings) and urinate very soon after birth.

It is always exciting to see a new foal born. If you have no previous experience of foaling, either send your mare somewhere where they do have experienced staff or ensure you have ready access to an experienced assistant and your vet. Even with the most experienced people around, disasters can occur, but this is less likely if you are well prepared.

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DR STAT JOHN BOYCE CRACKS THE CODE

Ratings the purest way to rank Timeform figures always worth bearing in mind in conjunction with stallion ratios

GEORGE SELWYN

I

have always believed that it can be very dangerous to reduce stallion performance or stallion ability down to a single number.

Even though we all crave simplicity and clarity, it rarely helps a breeder to have global sire rankings as the nature of international racing varies so much. That said, if I did want to use a single number, I would not stray too far from Timeform ratings or indeed ratings in general, albeit on a country by country basis. Whilst it is true that racing is not a perfect meritocracy where black-type opportunities are perfectly aligned with ratings, they nonetheless are the purest method of ranking racehorses and therefore sires too.

Traditionally, the ratio of a sire’s black-type winners to foals has been a good international yardstick and remains so today, even allowing for the fact that crop sizes have mushroomed, making comparisons across generations problematic. I once undertook a study looking at the relative merits of Danzig, Galileo and Dubawi. Given that Danzig sired on average 40 to 45 foals a season, I chose the best 45 using the dam’s pedigree from each crop of Galileo and Dubawi and not surprisingly their respective ratios of black-type winners were all very similar at around 18%.

As good and trusted a measuring stick a sire’s ratio of black-type winners to foals/runners is, they still can, and do, disguise some strengths and weaknesses. It is always a very good idea to consider the average Timeform rating of a sire’s black-type winners in conjunction with his ratio. Or, as I have done in the accompanying table, to include an average rating of a sire’s best horses (his top 5%).

Consider for a moment Invincible Spirit and Teofilo. Invincible Spirit sires 8.4% black-type winners to runners while Teofilo is currently averaging 10.3%, yet Invincible Spirit’s elite average rating is 120.2 compared with Teofilo’s 119.3. Therein lies the quandary for breeders.

Leading UK-IRE sires by average Timeform rating of elite runners (100+ rnrs) Sire

AWD

BTW

%Rnrs

Galileo

11.0

206

15.5

125.7

Dubawi

9.1

104

15.4

124.8

Sea The Stars

10.4

34

12.7

122.8

Dansili

9.3

114

11.8

122.1

Shamardal

8.0

82

11.3

121.9

Pivotal

7.8

130

11.2

121.3

Invincible Spirit

7.3

90

8.4

120.2

Oasis Dream

7.7

103

11.2

119.5

Teofilo

10.1

52

10.3

119.3

Lope de Vega

8.4

20

10.6

119.3

Fastnet Rock

9.2

21

6.9

118.9

Dark Angel

7.7

34

7.0

118.8

New Approach

9.5

22

6.5

118.6

Beat Hollow

9.9

21

6.6

118.3

Dutch Art

7.6

26

6.2

117.8

Rock Of Gibraltar

8.7

72

6.8

117.7

Footstepsinthesand

7.9

40

6.4

117.1

Holy Roman Emperor

8.0

43

6.4

117.0

10.1

23

6.6

116.9

Nayef

9.6

24

4.6

116.9

Mount Nelson

9.5

15

6.6

116.4

Tamayuz

8.7

13

6.4

116.3

Iffraaj

8.1

29

5.4

116.3

Zoffany

8.7

10

6.0

116.2

Exceed And Excel

6.8

52

6.7

116.2

Mastercraftsman

Do they use the stallion more likely to sire a black-type winner or one more likely to provide a top-class horse like Kingman or Charm Spirit?

In fact, these are just two examples of the many often conflicting pieces of evidence to contend with and breeders will probably ultimately make their decisions based on other data entirely. It’s also the reason why it’s always easy to find something good to say about a stallion.

However, for the purposes of empirically evaluating stallions, I’d be inclined to favour the number that describes the quality of a sire’s top horses. After all, that’s how it should be. Gold medal counts always decide Olympic tables, even though silver and bronze totals can tell you much about a country’s overall effort.

When all is said and done, sires that produce good black-type winner ratios tend also to have high elite runner ratings. Galileo, Dubawi and Sea The Stars are the top three by both categories. The previously mentioned Invincible Spirit is a classic case of a sire who can get very good horses, but his overall ratio is lower than Teofilo (right): currently averaging 10.3% black-type winners to runners

94

Elite AvTFR

the stallions that surround him on the table.

That is not to say Invincible Spirit is anything but a top-class sire. You may have noticed he is the first speed-oriented stallion on the table with a stamina index of less than 7.5 furlongs for his progeny aged three and older. And we know that at this end of the stamina spectrum the opportunities to sire black-type winners are far rarer than those beyond a mile. Therefore we can say that the average Timeform rating of Invincible Spirit’s elite runners better represent his achievements than do his ratio of black-type winners.

There are not huge surprises, no anomalies, when we rank sires this way. To provide some context, it’s worth looking at some of the great sires of the past, those whose first runners were born from 1990 onwards. The best on record is Danehill (126.0). Montjeu scored 124.6, while Machiavellian recorded 122.8, marginally ahead of Rainbow Quest on 122.7, and Fairy King posted a score of 122.1. Others above 120 include High Chaparral (121.8), In the Wings (121.8), Peintre Celebre (121.6), Hernando (121.4), Singspiel (120.4), Halling (120.3), Selkirk (120.3) and Cape Cross (120.2).

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DATA BOOK ANALYSIS BY ANDREW CAULFIELD

National Hunt Grade 1s 71 BETFAIR TINGLE CREEK CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 3. 4yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. UN DE SCEAUX (FR) 8 11-7 £84,405 b g by Denham Red - Hotesse de Sceaux (April Night) O-E. O’Connell B-Haras de La Rousseliere & Mme Monique Choveau TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Sire de Grugy (FR) 10 11-7 £31,800 ch g by My Risk - Hirlish (Passing Sale) O-The Preston Family & Friends Ltd B-La Grugerie TR-Gary Moore 3. God’s Own (IRE) 8 11-7 £15,915 b g by Oscar - Dantes Term (Phardante) O-Crossed Fingers Partnership B-Mrs C. O’Driscoll TR-Tom George Margins 1, Neck. Time 3:51.30. Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-8

Starts 21

Wins 16

Places 2

Earned £689,425

Sire: DENHAM RED. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - UN DE SCEAUX April Night G1, ULTRAJI Africanus G3.

1st Dam: Hotesse de Sceaux by April Night. ran on the flat in France at 5 and over jumps in France. Dam of 2 winners: 2002: OLYMPE DE SCEAUX (f Diableneyev) Winner at 4 in France.

2003: Perle de Sceaux (f Diableneyev) unraced.

2006: Star de Sceaux (f Maresca Sorrento) ran on the flat in France and over jumps in France.

2008: UN DE SCEAUX (g Denham Red) 16 wins, Red Mills Trial Hurdle G2, Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Frank Ward Arkle Challenge Cup Nov.Chase G1, Betfair Tingle Creek Chase G1, Sodexo Clarence House Chase G1, Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, 2nd Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase G1, Bet365 Celebration Chase G1, Prix La Barka Hurdle G2, Prix Leon Rambaud Hurdle G2, Prix Hypothese Hurdle G3.

Broodmare Sire: APRIL NIGHT. Sire of the dams of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - UN DE SCEAUX Denham Red G1, CLAN DES OBEAUX Kapgarde G2.

final effort being a close defeat by Villez in the Prix Alain de Breil.

Denham Red died in October 2014 at the age of 22. He hadn’t been extensively used during his lengthy career, as can be gauged from the fact that he has only 14 foals registered in 2013, 11 in 2014 and 14 in 2015. Even so, he was represented in France by Oculi, a dual Gr1 winner over fences, and Ultraji, a Gr3 winner over hurdles. In Britain his better winners include Ouzbeck and Virgilio, a pair of very useful staying chasers.

Un de Sceaux ranks alongside Trifolium, Bristol de Mai and Ar Mad as one of four British or Irish Gr1 winners over fences produced by daughters of April Night, a versatile performer who scored at up to 15 furlongs in winning 18 times. Un de Sceaux is the only winner among the four foals out of Hotesse de Sceaux, who never finished closer than sixth in eight starts. The next dam was an Anglo-Arab.

72 RACING POST HENRY VIII NOVICES’ CHASE G1 SANDOWN PARK. Dec 3. 4yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. ALTIOR (IRE) 6 11-2 £25,628 b g by High Chaparral - Monte Solaro (Key of Luck) O-Mrs Patricia Pugh B-P. Behan TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Charbel (IRE) 5 11-2 £9,617 b g by Iffraaj - Eoz (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mrs Julie Martin and David R. Martin B-P. & S. McCarthy TR-Kim Bailey 3. Max Ward (IRE) 7 11-2 £4,815 b g by Milan - Made Easy (Rudimentary) O-Mr N T Griffith & H M Haddock B-J. and J. Lawler TR-Tom George Margins 6, 14. Time 3:54.10. Going Good to Soft.

UN DE SCEAUX b g 2008 Pampapaul Pampabird Wood Grouse DENHAM RED b 92 Giboulee Nativelee Native Berry Kaldoun April Night My Destiny HOTESSE DE SCEAUX ch 95 Diarifos Olympe Occitane Papakiteme

Yellow God Pampalina Celtic Ash French Bird Northern Dancer Victory Chant Ribero Noble Native Caro Katana Chaparral Carmelite Dionysos II Diana Klairon Gorda

Although a few defeats have diminished Un de Sceaux’s aura of invincibility, he remains a formidable opponent. He was gaining his fifth Gr1 victory over fences when he gamely overcame some indifferent jumping to take the Tingle Creek Chase.

In common with so many other smart French jumpers, Un de Sceaux is by a stallion who did well over jumps. His sire Denham Red switched very successfully to jumping after failing to win in 15 attempts on the level. A son of the very smart miler Pampabird, Denham Red developed into a leading three-year-old hurdler, winning three times in addition to finishing second to Villez in the Grande Course de Haies des 3 Ans. Villez continued to be Denham Red’s nemesis the following year, when the Pampabird colt finished second in four of his five starts, his

96

Age 4-6

Starts 11

Wins 9

Places 1

Earned £166,412

Sire: HIGH CHAPARRAL. Sire of 98 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - ALTIOR Key of Luck G1, HIGH MASTER Lion Cavern G3, LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY Acatenango G3, SURTEE DU BERLAIS Mister Sicy LR. 1st Dam: MONTE SOLARO by Key of Luck. 2 wins, Brandon Hotel H. Hurdle G3. Dam of 3 winners: 2007: KEY TO THE WEST (g Westerner) 4 wins.

2008: Cestus (g High Chaparral) 2009: PRINCESS LEYA (f Old Vic) 3 wins, R E./B G.Golf Classic New Stand H.Hurdle G2.

Broodmare.

2010: ALTIOR (g High Chaparral) 8 wins, 3rd Betfair Bumper Standard Open NH Race LR, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Sky Bet Supreme Trial Sharp Nov.Hurdle G2, Racing Post Henry VIII Novice Chase G1.

2011: Silverhow (g Yeats) 2013: Melior (f Milan) unraced to date.

2015: (c Milan) Broodmare Sire: KEY OF LUCK. Sire of the dams of 14 Stakes winners.

ALTIOR b g 2010 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge HIGH CHAPARRAL b 99 Darshaan Kasora Kozana Chief’s Crown Key of Luck Balbonella MONTE SOLARO br 00 Broken Hearted Footsteps Remoosh

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Shirley Heights Delsy Kris Koblenza Danzig Six Crowns Gay Mecene Bamieres Dara Monarch Smash Glint of Gold Rivers Maid

That sensational two-mile chaser Sprinter Sacre has been forced into retirement but it is just possible that his trainer Nicky Henderson has a viable replacement for him in Altior.

Having won all five of his races over hurdles, including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Altior has successfully graduated to fences, his wins including the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance that supplied Sprinter Sacre with two of his Gr1 victories.

Altior’s sire High Chaparral ranked among Sadler’s Wells’s most talented sons and his legacy from his northern hemisphere crops included eight Gr1 winners (all male), including Toronado, Free Eagle, High Jinx and Wigmore Hall. Even so, there was a time when the 2002 Derby winner’s career could have taken a different direction. With his fee in freefall – down to €10,000 in 2009 – High Chaparral began drawing attention from National Hunt breeders. His 2009 book included numerous mares with National Hunt backgrounds, one being Monte Solaro, a bumper winner as a fouryear-old who later won a Grade C handicap over hurdles. The resultant foal was Altior.

High Chaparral’s other good winners during the 2016-17 season include Landofhopeandglory, Surtee du Berlais and Different Gravey.

Although Monte Solaro did well over hurdles, she couldn’t be described as having a National Hunt pedigree. A daughter of the versatile Key Of Luck, Monte Solaro shares the same sire as Alamshar, winner of the Irish Derby and King George. Monte Solaro’s dam Footsteps (who admittedly shared the same sire, Broken Hearted, as the Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde) was a dual seven-furlong winner as a two-year-old.

Monte Solaro visited Old Vic, another son of Sadler’s Wells in 2008, to produce another talented hurdler in Princess Leya, who gained all her wins over two miles. The mare has a 2015 son by Milan and visited Walk In The Park in 2016.

73 BAR ONE RACING DRINMORE NOVICE CHASE G1 FAIRYHOUSE. Dec 4. 4yo+. 20f.

1. CONEY ISLAND (IRE) 5 11-10 £36,875 b g by Flemensfirth - Millys Gesture (Milan) O-Mr John P. McManus B-P. Tobin TR-Eddie Harty 2. Anibale Fly (FR) 6 11-10 £11,875 b g by Assessor - Nouba Fly (Chamberlin) O-Mr John P. McManus B-EARL Baty, Mr V. Baty, Mr F. Lemercier TR-A. J. Martin 3. Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 6 11-10 £5,625 b g by Saddler Maker - Omega des Obeaux (Saint Preuil) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Marie Devilder & Stephanie Fasquelle TR-M. F. Morris Margins 2.25, 2.25. Time 5:04.70. Going Good to Yielding.

Age 4-5

Starts 9

Wins 3

Places 5

Earned £99,060

Sire: FLEMENSFIRTH. Sire of 53 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - CONEY ISLAND Milan G1, ARCTIC SKIPPER Lafontaine G2, NOBLE ENDEAVOR Old Vic G2, POETIC RHYTHM Taipan LR.

1st Dam: Millys Gesture by Milan. unraced. Dam of 1 winner: 2010: Ile En Crise (f Flemensfirth) unraced.

2011: CONEY ISLAND (g Flemensfirth) 3 wins, INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hp Hurdle G2, 2nd Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase G1.

2012: Give Me A Minute (g Flemensfirth) ran a few times over hurdles.

2013: (f Getaway) 2014: (f Getaway) 2015: (c Fame And Glory) 2016: (c Leading Light) Broodmare Sire: MILAN. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

The Flemensfirth/Milan cross has produced: CONEY ISLAND G1, Kalopsia LR.

CONEY ISLAND b g 2011 Tom Rolfe Wavy Navy Prince John Princess Pout Determined Lady FLEMENSFIRTH b 92 Sharpen Up Diesis Doubly Sure Etheldreda Royal Coinage Royal Bund Nato Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge Milan Darshaan Kithanga Kalata MILLYS GESTURE b 06 Head For Heights Shirley Heights Vivante Monumental Gesture Super Concorde Temporary Lull Magazine Hoist The Flag

Alleged

The fact that Coney Island cost €34,000 as a foal gives some idea of the quality of his pedigree. His sire Flemensfirth, who will stand the 2017 season at €12,000, is firmly established as a sire of top-class chasers, such as Imperial Commander (Cheltenham Gold Cup), Flemenstar (four Gr1 successes over fences) and Tidal Bay (Lexus Chase and two other Gr1s), plus their fellow Gr1 chase winners Pandorama, Joe Lively and Defy Logic. Now Coney Island has won the Gr1 Drinmore Novice Chase in a style which encourages the belief that this young gelding could also develop into a leading staying chaser (he has already won over three miles during a pleasing campaign over hurdles).

Flemensfirth raced mainly at around a mile and a quarter, winning the Prix Lupin and Premio Roma, but he can clearly sire top staying chasers and Coney Island has the advantage of having a dam by the St Leger winner Milan. Milan, who is actually six years younger than Flemensfirth, will be priced at €7,500 in 2017. Milan has enjoyed Gr.1 success with Jezki, Darlan, Apache Stronghold, Sizing Granite, Martello Tower and Beat That, but Coney Island’s dam Millys Gesture didn’t add to his record, as she never raced. After conceiving her first foal at the age of three, she also has youngsters by Getaway, Fame And Glory and Leading Light.

With a son of Sadler’s Wells as her sire and Monumental Gesture as her dam, Millys Gesture is a three-parts-sister to Wichita Lineman, a son of King’s Theatre who won the Gr1 Challow Hurdle. She is also a half-sister to Rhinestone Cowboy, a son of Be My Native who won the Aintree Hurdle and Punchestown’s Champion Stayers Hurdle, in addition

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Feb_150_DataBook_Layout 1 20/01/2017 13:36 Page 97

Caulfield on Un de Sceaux: “He ranks alongside Trifolium, Bristol de Mai and Ar Mad as one of four British or Irish Grade 1 winners over fences produced by daughters of April Night”

to finishing third in the Champion Hurdle.

Coney Island’s fourth dam is Magazine, winner of the Coaching Club American Oaks. Magazine’s three-parts-sister Single Line became the dam of Barnbrook Again, a Flat-bred gelding who took the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1989 and 1990. Magazine produced the Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Martha Stevens, whose sister Temporary Lull is the second dam of Millys Gesture. In addition to producing Group winners on the Flat in Ireland and the USA, Temporary Lull bred the Triumph Hurdle winner Rare Holiday and the very useful jumper Blazing Spectacle.

74 BAR ONE RACING HATTON’S GRACE HURDLE G1 FAIRYHOUSE. Dec 4. 4yo+. 20f.

1. APPLE’S JADE (FR) 4 10-13 £43,382 b f by Saddler Maker - Apple’s For Ever (Nkosi) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr R. Coveliers TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 7 11-3 £13,971 b m by Voix du Nord - Naiade Mag (Kadalko) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-A. Maggiar & A. Maggiar TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Shaneshill (IRE) 7 11-10 £6,618 b g by King’s Theatre - Darabaka (Doyoun) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Mr D. Johnson TR-W. P. Mullins Margins Short Head, 7. Time 4:57.80. Going Good to Yielding.

Age 3-4

Starts 8

Wins 5

Places 3

Earned £230,816

Sire: SADDLER MAKER. Sire of 6 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - APPLE’S JADE Nkosi G1, MESSIRE DES OBEAUX Sheyrann G1, ALPHA DES OBEAUX Saint Preuil G3.

1st Dam: APPLE’S FOR EVER by Nkosi. 5 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2009: APPLE’S MAELYS (f Saddler Maker) 7 wins over jumps at 4, 5 and 7 in France.

2010: MADAME APPLE’S (f Saddler Maker) Winner over jumps in France.

2011: Le Sete For Ever (f Saddler Maker) ran over jumps in France.

2012: APPLE’S JADE (f Saddler Maker) 5 wins, AES Champion 4yo Hurdle G1, Betfred Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle G2, 2nd JCB Triumph Hurdle G1, stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle G1, WKD Hurdle G2.

Broodmare Sire: NKOSI. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

APPLE’S JADE b f 2012 Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special SADDLER MAKER b 98 Hoist The Flag Alleged Princess Pout Animatrice Val de L’Orne Alexandrie Apachee *unregistered Catherston Zulu VII *unregistered Nkosi Early Alarm Call Dutch Gold Ofc VII Joli Folie VII APPLE’S FOR EVER b 00 Succes Le Pontet Arielle Apple’s Girl Son of Silver Silver Girl Our Best Northern Dancer

Sadler’s Wells

Fairy Bridge

Just eight days after she had suffered an unexpected defeat in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, last season’s highly exciting juvenile hurdler Apple’s Jade was trying to gain her first win for new trainer

Gordon Elliott in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. The market suggested she would struggle to beat her former stablemate Vroum Vroum Mag and defeat indeed looked imminent when the older mare edged ahead after the last. However, Apple’s Jade proved she has the courage to match her talent, battling back for a narrow success – her fifth from eight starts.

Sadly, Apple’s Jade’s sire Saddler Maker died on May 25, 2016, just as his potential was becoming fully apparent. In addition to Apple’s Jade, he had been represented during the 2015/16 season by the likes of Bristol de Mai, Alpha des Obeaux and Label des Obeaux in Britain and Ireland, and by Verdure des Obeaux in France. Saddler Maker has since added another British Graded winner to his tally in Messire des Obeaux.

Fortunately, he has left a sizeable 2016 crop, having covered 92 mares in 2015, compared to 47 the previous year. He was clearly well on his way to overcoming the handicap of modest support in his early years.

Saddler Maker was 18 at the time of his death, but he didn’t take up stallion duties until he was seven, in 2005. In a career hampered by injury, Saddler Maker was placed at up to two miles when he finally raced as a five- and six-year-old. As a son of Sadler’s Wells and the Alleged mare Animatrice, Saddler Maker was closely related to Poliglote, a champion sire on the Flat and numerous times over jumps in France. Animatrice was a Classic-placed half-sister to Poliglote.

Apple’s Jade is out of a mare by Nikos, a stallion best remembered as the sire of that spectacular jumper Master Minded. Although Nikos was most effective over seven furlongs and a mile, he sired a Prix du Cadran winner in Nononito and jumpers of the calibre of Cenkos, Nakir, Encore Un Peu (runner-up in the 1996 National), Eric’s Charm (second in the Whitbread) and Fataliste.

Apple’s Jade’s dam, Apple’s For Ever, won over hurdles and fences at up to two and a half miles. Apple’s For Ever was a regular visitor to Saddler Maker, sire of six of her seven foals, the latest being a 2016 colt named Apple’s du Pont. Apple’s Jade is the partnership’s third winner from four runners.

Apple’s Girl, the second dam, was a seven-time winner over jumps.

Her sire Le Pontet won the French Champion Hurdle and numbered the 1994 King George VI hero Algan among his best winners, along with Le Pontif, the top French jumper of 1984, and As Des Carres, the topearning four-year-old of 1991.

75 BAR ONE RACING ROYAL BOND NOVICE HURDLE G1 FAIRYHOUSE. Dec 4. 4yo+. 16f.

1. AIRLIE BEACH (IRE) 6 11-3 £36,875 b m by Shantou - Screaming Witness (Shernazar) O-Supreme Horse Racing Club & K Sharp B-Mrs J. M. Mullins TR- W P Mullins 2. Saturnas (FR) 5 11-10 £11,875

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b g by Davidoff - Sayuri (Acatenango) O-Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd B-Mr E. Van Haaren TR-W P Mullins 3. Le Martalin (FR) 5 11-10 £5,625 ch g by Martaline - Hembra (Croco Rouge) O-Mrs Jane Dwyer B-Mr Gaetan Gilles TR-Noel Meade Margins 6.5, 2.75. Time 3:53.10. Going Good to Yielding.

Age 5-6

Starts 7

Wins 7

Places 0

Earned £91,884

Sire: SHANTOU. Sire of 19 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - AIRLIE BEACH Shernazar G1, DEATH DUTY Presenting G1, SHANTOU FLYER Bob Back G3.

1st Dam: Screaming Witness by Shernazar. Dam of 4 winners: 2007: DR MACHINI (f Dr Massini) 2 wins.

Broodmare.

2009: VALERIAN BRIDGE (g Heron Island) 3 wins in N.H. Flat Races.

2010: AIRLIE BEACH (f Shantou) 7 wins, Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle G1, Lough Construction EBF Mares Nov Hurdle G3, Pat Walsh Memorial EBF Mares Hurdle LR. 2011: Screaming Rose (f Darsi) 4 wins, 2nd Dunraven Arms Greenmount Park Nov.Hurdle LR, Paddy Power Acca Ins. EBF Novice Hurdle LR. 2012: (f Mahler) 2013: Irish Lass (f Getaway) unraced to date.

2016: (c Shantou) Broodmare Sire: SHERNAZAR. Sire of the dams of 23 Stakes winners.

was the Prix Vermeille winner Sweet Stream.

Shantou was switched to Ireland as a jumps stallion at the age of 12 in 2005, no doubt in the hope that he would prove as effective as some of Alleged’s other sons, such as Montelimar and Flemensfirth.

Shantou’s first Irish crop produced the very useful chasers Ballynagour, Super Duty and Our Father, and he has kept up an impressive strike-rate.

He sired the smart hurdler/chaser Morning Assembly in his second Irish crop; the Gr1-winning hurdler Briar Hill, the Gr2-winning chaser Measureofmydreams and the good hurdler Polly Peachum in his third; and the smart chaser Wounded Warrior in his fourth. Airlie Beach comes from his fifth crop and there should be plenty more good winners in the pipeline, as Shantou – now a veteran – covered more than 100 mares in each of the five seasons between 2012 and 2016.

Airlie Beach’s second dam is the French-bred Crazy Rose, a half-sister to two Listed winners over jumps at Auteuil and to the dams of the sizeable earners Odysseas and Sphinx du Berlais.

76 JOHN DURKAN MEMORIAL PUNCHESTOWN CHASE G1

AIRLIE BEACH b m 2010 Hoist The Flag Alleged Princess Pout SHANTOU b 93 Shareef Dancer Shaima Oh So Sharp Busted Shernazar Sharmeen SCREAMING WITNESS b 99 Son of Silver Crazy Rose Vieille Phoebe

Tom Rolfe Wavy Navy Prince John Determined Lady Northern Dancer Sweet Alliance Kris Oh So Fair Crepello Sans Le Sou Val de Loir Nasreen Silver Cloud Now What Gag Wish Trick

Although Airlie Beach boasted a perfect six-for-six record when she lined up for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, she was only third choice in the betting behind Peace News and Penhill. Perhaps there were worries that the two-mile trip would prove on the sharp side at Gr1 level for a mare who had earlier made all to win two races over two and a half miles and another over an extended 21 furlongs.

Airlie Beach again set off in front.

Her task was made easier when Peace News fell at the second last, hampering Penhill in the process, but these two would have struggled to catch the mare, who scored by more than six lengths. Airlie Beach has a colourful history, as she was covered unintentionally as a two-year-old by Miguel Angel, a horse wrongly believed to have been gelded, and she produced a colt as a three-year-old.

It is hardly surprising that Airlie Beach stays well, as her sire Shantou won the 1996 St Leger, to follow in the footsteps of his second dam Oh So Sharp. Shantou went on to win the Gran Premio del Jockey Club and Gran Premio di Milano before retiring to stud in Italy, where his best effort

PUNCHESTOWN. Dec 11. 5yo+. 20f.

1. DJAKADAM (FR) 7 11-10 £36,875 b g by Saint des Saints - Rainbow Crest (Baryshnikov) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Mr R. Corveller TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Outlander (IRE) 8 11-10 £11,875 b g by Stowaway - Western Whisper (Supreme Leader) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-R. O’Neill TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 7 11-10 £5,625 b g by Brian Boru - Satellite Dancer (Satco) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-E. Coleman TR-Henry de Bromhead Margins 1.25, 1.25. Time 5:16.10. Going Yielding to Soft.

Age 3-7

Starts 20

Wins 7

Places 9

Earned £499,720

Sire: SAINT DES SAINTS. Sire of 46 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - DJAKADAM Baryshnikov G1, STORM OF SAINTLY Garde Royale G2, CASTLE DU BERLAIS Garde Royale LR, CHAHUTEUR Trempolino LR, HOTMALE HAS Assessor LR. 1st Dam: Rainbow Crest by Baryshnikov. Dam of 4 winners: 2004: Merci Jandrer (f Trempolino) unraced.

Broodmare.

2005: Cimboldo (g Turgeon) unraced.

2007: RAINBOWLINE (f Martaline) 6 wins over jumps in France.

2009: DJAKADAM (g Saint des Saints) 8 wins, 2nd Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle G3, Goffs Thyestes H. Chase G1, John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase G1 (twice), boylesports.com Killiney Novice Chase G2, 2nd Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase G1 (twice), Bibby Punchestown Gold Cup Chase G1 (twice), 3rd Betfred Bowl Chase G1.

2010: SAMBREMONT (g Saint des Saints) 3 wins, Flyingbolt Novice Chase G2.

2012: ARKALINE (f Martaline) 2 wins over jumps at 3 and 4 in France.

2013: Nikodam (c Sholokhov) in training.

2014: Belladame (f Saint des Saints) unraced to date.

2nd Dam: Rainbow Rainbow by Vision. Dam of SUN STORM (g Subotica: Prix Congress Chase G2, 2nd P.Maurice Gillois 4yo Grand Steeplechase G1), ROCHEFLAMME (f Snurge: Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle

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National Hunt Grade 1s (fillies) LR), Tamarindo (g Galetto: 3rd Prix Ferdinand Dufaure Chase LR, Prix Fleuret Chase LR, Prix La Perichole Steeplechase LR), Ravna (f Nikos: 2nd Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle (fillies) LR).

Grandam of ROCK OF CASHEL, RAJASTHAN, ROCKAWANGO, RASANGO, Monita des Bois.

Broodmare Sire: BARYSHNIKOV. Sire of the dams of 9 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DJAKADAM Saint des Saints G1, SAINT GOUSTAN BLUE Blue Bresil G3.

The Saint des Saints/Baryshnikov cross has produced: DJAKADAM G1, SAMBREMONT G2.

77 JLT LONG WALK HURDLE G1 ASCOT. Dec 17. 4yo+. 24f.

1. UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (GB) 8 11-7 £56,950 b g by Sir Harry Lewis - Red Nose Lady (Teenoso) O-Mr John P. McManus B-R. J. Smith TR-Harry Fry 2. Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 5 11-7 £21,370 ch g by Hard Spun - Layounne (Mt Livermore) O-Davies Smith Govier & Brown B-Brushwood Stable TR-Neil King 3. Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 7 11-7 £10,700 b g by Robin des Champs - Rougedespoir (Bonnet Rouge) O-Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew B-Mr F. Talbot TR-David Pipe Margins 4.5, 14. Time 5:54.30. Going Good to Soft.

DJAKADAM b g 2009 Green Dancer Cadoudal Come To Sea SAINT DES SAINTS b 98 Pharly Chamisene Tuneria Kenmare Baryshnikov Lady Giselle RAINBOW CREST b 99 Vision Rainbow Rainbow Ivory North

Nijinsky Green Valley Sea Hawk II Camarilla Lyphard Comely Tanerko Torrefranca Kalamoun Belle of Ireland Nureyev Valderna Nijinsky Foreseer Sir Ivor Alma North

Saint des Saint’s prowess as a sire of jumpers is reflected in the way his fee has risen. After starting out at €4,500 in 2003, his fee rose to €7,000 in 2013, then to €10,000 in 2015, €12,000 in 2016 and now to €15,000 in 2017. Although he is now elderly, it is reassuring that his sire, the perennial champion jumping sire Cadoudal, was 26 when his last foals were conceived. Saint des Saints has added to his appeal by becoming the broodmare sire of the exciting Douvan and of De Bon Coeur (Gr1 Grande Course de Haies des 3ans in 2016).

Saint des Saints finished third behind Poliglote among France’s top jumping sires in 2015 and second in 2016, having topped the table in 2014. He also finished runner-up in 2012 and 2013, so is very consistent.

Two of his best current representatives are the chasers Djakadam and Storm Of Saintly. The latter was runner-up in the Grand Steeple-chase de Paris, whereas Djakadam repeated his 2015 victory in the Punchestown Chase. As the runner-up in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Djakadam clearly stays well, but his Gr1 wins have come over two and a half miles.

Saint des Saints himself gained four Graded successes at up to nearly two and a half miles in compiling a record of seven wins, four seconds and a third from 13 completed starts.

Djakadam’s broodmare sire, Kenmare’s son Baryshnikov, won the Gr1 Australian Guineas over a mile.

Djakadam’s dam Rainbow Crest raced 17 times without success, once being beaten only a short head over hurdles at Auteuil.

She produced a sister to Djakadam in 2014 and a brother in 2016.

Another brother, Sambremont, won the Gr2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase in 2016. Rainbow Crest is a half-sister to Sun Storm, a winner at Gr2 and Gr3 level over fences in France.

98

Age 5-8

Starts 20

Wins 8

Places 9

Earned £205,155

other high-class sons in Mighty Man (Gr1 Long Walk Hurdle), Diamond Harry (Gr1 Challow Hurdle and Hennessy Gold Cup) and Harry Topper (three Gr2 successes including the Charlie Hall Chase and Denman Chase).

Unowhatimeanharry’s dam Red Nose Lady, a four-time winner over hurdles, was a daughter of Teenoso, a Derby and King George winner who proved very disappointing as a stallion. Teenoso was a grandson of the American champion Ack Ack, who sired the leading hurdler Broadsword.

78 32RED KAUTO STAR NOVICES’ CHASE G1

Sire: SIR HARRY LEWIS. Sire of 16 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: RED NOSE LADY by Teenoso. 4 wins over hurdles. Dam of 1 winner: 2008: UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (g Sir Harry Lewis) 8 wins, JLT Long Walk Hurdle G1, Albert Bartlett Spa Novices’ Hurdle G1, Bet365 Long Distance Hurdle G2, Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle G2.

2009: (c Sir Harry Lewis) 2011: Happy Chance (f Indian Danehill) ran twice in N.H. Flat Races.

2013: (f Tikkanen) Broodmare Sire: TEENOSO. Sire of the dams of 11 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - UNOWHATIMEANHARRY Sir Harry Lewis G1, DESERT QUEEN Desert King LR. The Sir Harry Lewis/Teenoso cross has produced: UNOWHATIMEANHARRY G1, Comhla Ri Coig G1, Reindeer Dippin LR.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY b g 2008 Hoist The Flag Alleged Princess Pout SIR HARRY LEWIS b 84 Mr Prospector Sue Babe Sleek Dancer Youth Teenoso Furioso RED NOSE LADY b 97 Rymer Red Rambler Cytisus

Tom Rolfe Wavy Navy Prince John Determined Lady Raise A Native Gold Digger Northern Dancer Victorine Ack Ack Gazala II Ballymoss Violetta III Reliance II Piave Above Suspicion River Gold

Although it was back in 1977/78 that the brilliant Alleged recorded his Arc victories, he is still exerting a powerful influence on National Hunt racing nearly 40 years later. In the 2016/17 season, there have been Gr1 winners

by Flemensfirth (Coney Island and One Track Mind), Shantou (Airlie Beach) and Sir Harry Lewis (Unowhatimeanharry).

Unowhatimeanharry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Having suffered 12 consecutive defeats following a winning debut in a bumper in February 2013, he was transferred to Harry Fry’s care. Equipped with a tongue tie, he has won all seven of his starts, including the Gr1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and now the Long Walk Hurdle.

Sir Harry Lewis won the Irish Derby after finishing fourth in the Derby.

He was later returned to his native USA to take up stallion duties but proved very disappointing in that role.

Brought back to Europe, he justified his return by siring three

KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. ROYAL VACATION (IRE) 6 11-7 £40,569 b g by King’s Theatre - Summer Break (Foxhound) O-Mrs Jean R. Bishop B-T. Hegarty TR-Colin Tizzard 2. Virgilio (FR) 7 11-7 £15,663 b g by Denham Red - Liesse de Marbeuf (Cyborg) O-C J Edwards, D Futter, A H Rushworth B-Mr F. Cottin TR-Dan Skelton 3. Amore Alato (GB) 7 11-7 £8,194 b g by Winged Love - Sardagna (Medaaly) O-Mrs Sarah Faulks B-Mr & Mrs N. Faulks TR-Johnny Farrelly Margins 12, 8. Time 5:54.20. Going Good.

Age 4-6

Starts 16

Wins 5

Places 8

Earned £78,087

Sire: KING’S THEATRE. Sire of 93 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - CUE CARD King’s Ride G1, ROYAL VACATION Foxhound G1, BELLSHILL Be My Native G2, PEREGRINE RUN Definite Article G2, ROYAL REGATTA Mister Lord G2, THE NEW ONE Turgeon G2, THEATRE GUIDE Denel G3, BLOOD CRAZED TIGER Bob Back LR, BRIERY BELLE Anshan LR, REGAL ENCORE Bob Back LR, STEPHANIE FRANCES Supreme Leader LR. 1st Dam: Summer Break by Foxhound. 4 wins, 3rd Fairyhouse Juvenile Hurdle G3. Dam of 3 winners: 2005: Delphi Mountain (g Oscar) 3 wins, 2nd Guinness H. Hurdle G3.

2006: AHYAKNOWYERSELF (g Milan) 7 wins, totepool.com 32Red H. Hurdle LR, 3rd Totepool Elite H. Hurdle G2.

2007: Glor Na Gaoithe (f Presenting) unraced.

Broodmare.

2010: ROYAL VACATION (g King’s Theatre) 5 wins, 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase G1, 3rd Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase G2.

2011: Putland’s Bridge (f Flemensfirth) unraced.

Broodmare.

2012: Champagne Ruby (f Presenting) unraced.

Broodmare.

2014: (f Yeats) 2015: (f Milan) 2nd Dam: OUT IN THE SUN by It’s Freezing. 3 wins.

Dam of Aquila Oculus (f Eagle Eyed: 3rd Carlsberg Ruby S LR, Victor McCalmont Memorial EBF S LR, 3rd Listowel Races Supp.Club Lartigue Hurdle G2), Summer Break (f Foxhound, see above). Grandam of Namid.

Broodmare Sire: FOXHOUND. Sire of the dams of 14 Stakes winners.

ROYAL VACATION b g 2010 Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special KING’S THEATRE b 91 Raise A Native Princely Native Charlo Regal Beauty Crafty Admiral Dennis Belle Evasion Northern Dancer Danzig Pas de Nom Foxhound Buckpasser Lassie Dear Gay Missile SUMMER BREAK ch 97 T V Commercial It’s Freezing Articana Out In The Sun Foolish Pleasure Unbiased Unfurled Sadler’s Wells

Fairy Bridge

The secret to Summer Break’s success as a broodmare appears to be Sadler’s Wells’s stallion sons.

Mated to Oscar in 2004, she produced Delphi Mountain, who went close to winning a Grade C hurdle.

Next it was the turn of Milan, who sired her Listed-winning son Ahyaknowyerself, a very useful performer over hurdles and fences.

However, both these talented stallions have been outshone by King’s Theatre, sire of Royal Vacation.

A useful hurdler, Royal Vacation is now thriving as a chaser, though he had the last-fence fall of the clear leader Might Bite to thank for his victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Whereas Delphi Mountain and Ahyaknowyerself did much of their racing at around two miles, Royal Vacation has gained his chasing wins at around three miles. He can thank King’s Theatre for his stamina, as Summer Break gained her victories at up to ten furlongs on the Flat and over two miles over hurdles (over which she was third at Gr.3 level).

Summer Break’s sire Foxhound was an extremely well-bred son of Danzig. Foxhound’s best achievement was to sire the Prix de la Foret winner Mount Abu. Summer Break was a three-parts-sister to Aquila Oculus, a fairly useful middle-distance winner who also won three times over two miles over hurdles. Third dam Unbiased was a half-sister to Danzig’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Shaadi.

79 32RED KING GEORGE VI CHASE G1 KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 24f.

1. THISTLECRACK (GB) 8 11-10 £119,026 b g by Kayf Tara - Ardstown (Ardross) O-John and Heather Snook B-Mr & Mrs R. F. Knipe TR-Colin Tizzard 2. Cue Card (GB) 10 11-10 £44,663 b g by King’s Theatre - Wicked Crack (King’s Ride) O-Mrs Jean R. Bishop B-Mr R. T. Crellin TR-Colin Tizzard 3. Silviniaco Conti (FR) 10 11-10 £22,363 ch g by Dom Alco - Gazelle Lulu (Altayan) O-Mr Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd B-P. Joubert TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 3.25, Short Head. Time 5:53.50. Going Good.

Age 5-8

Starts 18

Wins 13

Places 2

Earned £623,018

Sire: KAYF TARA. Sire of 41 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - THISTLECRACK Ardross G1, IDENTITY THIEF Flemensfirth G2, SPECIAL TIARA Bob Back G2, NORTH HILL HARVEY Robellino G3, LIFEBOAT MONA Astarabad LR, MY KHALEESI Spectrum LR. 1st Dam: ARDSTOWN by Ardross. 4 wins over fences.

Dam of 3 winners: 2003: KENNEL BRIDGE (g Classic Cliche) 3 wins.

2005: Quick Approach (g Kayf Tara) unraced.

2007: Tiger Country (g Westerner) unraced.

2008: THISTLECRACK (g Kayf Tara) 13 wins, Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle G1, Ladbrokes World Hurdle G1, JLT Long Walk Hurdle G1, Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle G1, galliardshomes.com Cleeve Hurdle G2, Bet365 Long Distance Hurdle G2, 2nd Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle G1, 32Red King George VI Chase G1, Bet365 Worcester Novices’ Chase G2.

2010: West Approach (g Westerner) 2 wins, 3rd Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle G2, Neptune Investment Hyde Novices’ Hurdle G2.

2013: (f Kayf Tara)

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Caulfield on Royal Vacation: “He can thank sire King’s Theatre for his stamina as dam Summer Break gained her victories at up to ten furlongs on the Flat and two miles over hurdles”

80 32RED.COM CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1

Broodmare Sire: ARDROSS. Sire of the dams of 29 Stakes winners.

The Kayf Tara/Ardross cross has produced: THISTLECRACK G1, THE PACKAGE G3.

THISTLECRACK b g 2008 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge KAYF TARA b 94 High Top Colorspin Reprocolor Run The Gantlet Ardross Le Melody ARDSTOWN b 91 Master Owen Booterstown Vulgan’s Rose

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Derring-Do Camenae Jimmy Reppin Blue Queen Tom Rolfe First Feather Levmoss Arctic Melody Owen Tudor Miss Maisie Vulgan Nevada Rose

Patience certainly paid off with Thistlecrack after he was sold for €43,000 as an unbroken three-year-old in 2011. Asked to race only once at five and twice at six, he finally enjoyed a full schedule at the age of seven, when he recorded his first Gr1 victory in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

The full extent of Thistlecrack’s talents became apparent during the 2015/16 season, when he reeled off five impressive victories, including World Hurdle and two other Gr1 events.

If there was a downside to this patient approach, it was that Thistlecrack didn’t have enough time left for a conventional approach to the next stage of his career, as a steeplechaser.

After three triumphant efforts against novices, the soon-to-be-nineyears-old Thistlecrack was pitched in against Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti in the King George VI Chase.

Although these two had collectively won the last three editions of the King George, Thistlecrack proved much too good for them after an exhilarating exhibition of fearless jumping.

Thistlecrack now races exclusively at around three miles and there is every reason to think he will stay another quarter mile. His sire Kayf Tara triumphed in two editions of the Ascot Gold Cup, a race which was also won twice by Thistlecrack’s broodmare sire Ardross. Ardross also ranks as the grandsire of 2015’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree.

Thistlecrack’s dam Ardstown won four times over fences at around three miles. She is also dam of Kennel Bridge, a short-lived but talented hurdler, and of West Approach, a Westerner gelding now competing at Graded level over hurdles.

Thistlecrack has a traditional jumping pedigree, his next two dams being daughters of Master Owen, a stallion responsible for jumpers of the calibre of The Mighty Mac, Master Monday, Master H, Master Spy and Artifice, and Vulgan, who found lasting fame as the sire of three Grand National winners.

KEMPTON PARK. Dec 26. 4yo+. 16f.

1. YANWORTH (GB) 6 11-7 £56,950 ch g by Norse Dancer - Yota (Galetto) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Wood Farm Stud Limited TR-Alan King 2. The New One (IRE) 8 11-7 £21,370 b g by King’s Theatre - Thuringe (Turgeon) O-S Such & CG Paletta B-R. Brown & Ballylinch Stud TR-Nigel Twiston-Davies 3. Ch’tibello (FR) 5 11-7 £10,700 b g by Sageburg - Neicha (Neverneyev) O-The Can’t Say No Partnership B-Mrs E. Cucheval TR-Dan Skelton Margins 3.25, 2.25. Time 3:45.20. Going Good.

Age 4-6

Starts 11

Wins 8

Places 3

Earned £193,922

Sire: NORSE DANCER. Sire of 4 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: YOTA by Galetto. 2 wins. Dam of 5 winners: 2002: KWANZA (c Lost World) 2 wins over jumps in France.

2003: GRAND LAHOU (g Cyborg) 6 wins.

2004: TAFFETAS (f Nikos) Winner over jumps in France. Broodmare.

2006: Maryota (f Martaline). Broodmare.

2007: (f Poliglote) 2008: TRUST THOMAS (g Erhaab) 5 wins.

2009: I’m A Joker (g Erhaab) 2010: YANWORTH (g Norse Dancer) 8 wins, 2nd Ascot Championship Open NH Flat Race LR, 32red.com Christmas Hurdle G1, Coral Ascot Hurdle G2, Neptune Investment Classic Nov. Hurdle G2, Sky Supreme Trial Kennel Gate Nov.Hurdle G2, 2nd Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1.

2011: (g Act One) Broodmare Sire: GALETTO. Sire of the dams of 8 Stakes winners.

YANWORTH ch g 2010 Diesis Halling Dance Machine NORSE DANCER b 00 Rousillon River Patrol Boathouse Caro Galetto Gold Bird YOTA ch 95 Cariellor Junta Just Abroad

Sharpen Up Doubly Sure Green Dancer Never A Lady Riverman Belle Dorine Habitat Ripeck Fortino II Chambord Rheingold Orange Bird Fabulous Dancer Bonicarielle Abwah Seventh Bride

There are few better examples than Norse Dancer of the fact that there is an enormous gulf between victory and defeat, even if the margin of defeat is narrow. Although beaten a length or less in the 2,000 Guineas, Sussex Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes, Norse Dancer won nothing more important than a pair of Gr3 events.

Even a Timeform rating of 127 wasn’t enough to earn him much support as a stallion, and in the circumstances the son of Halling did well to sire Flat performers of the calibre of Norse King, Dorcas Lane and Norse Prize.

He is now being aimed at the jumping market and demand for his services should grow now that he has been represented by Yanworth. This progressive gelding improved his record to six wins from seven starts over hurdles when he outpaced The New One to take the Christmas Hurdle.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Yanworth is out of the French-bred Yota, a winner over a mile and a quarter on the Flat and over a mile further over fences. Yota’s sire Galetto was a high-class middle-distance three-year-old. One of ten winners produced by the jumping winner Junta, Yota was a half-sister to several substantial earners over jumps, including the Listed winner Azulego and the Gr3-winning hurdler Juntico. Third dam Just Abroad was a half-sister to Oaks winner Polygamy.

81 RACING POST CHRISTMAS NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 26. 4yo+. 17f.

1. MIN (FR) 5 11-12 £39,044 b g by Walk In The Park - Phemyka (Saint Estephe) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Madame M. Mimouni TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Ordinary World (IRE) 6 11-12 £12,574 br g by Milan - Saucy Present (Presenting) O-Mr C. Jones B-Dillon Family TR-Henry de Bromhead 3. Road To Respect (IRE) 5 11-12 £5,956 ch g by Gamut - Lora Lady (Lord Americo) O- Gigginstown House Stud B-Miss I. Rothwell TR-Noel Meade Margins 9, 0.5. Time 4:06.70. Going Yielding.

Age 3-5

Starts 7

Wins 4

Places 3

Earned £107,364

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK. Sire of 5 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - DOUVAN Saint des Saints G1, MIN Saint Estephe G1, ANTONY Nikos G3.

1st Dam: PHEMYKA by Saint Estephe. Winner at 3 in France. Dam of 4 winners: 2003: Sipiderman (c Spadoun) unraced.

2004: SATWA PRINCESS (f Daliapour) 4 wins at 3, 5 and 7 in France.

2005: BELAMAGE (c Daliapour) 6 wins at 3, 4 and 6 in France.

2009: GAONE (g Sagacity) 3 wins.

2011: MIN (g Walk In The Park) 4 wins, Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle G2, 2nd Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Racing Post Christmas Novice Chase G1.

Broodmare Sire: SAINT ESTEPHE. Sire of the dams of 9 Stakes winners.

MIN b g 2011 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes WALK IN THE PARK b 02 Robellino Classic Park Wanton Top Ville Saint Estephe Une Tornade PHEMYKA b 96 Akarad Stormyka Stormy Scene

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Roberto Isobelline Kris Brazen Faced High Top Sega Ville Traffic Rough Sea Labus Licata Storm Bird Drama

Montjeu’s son Walk In The Park was in fine form over the post-Christmas Leopardstown meeting, achieving a Gr1 double over fences with Min and Douvan. Representing the same Mullins/Ricci combination as Douvan, Min was scoring for the fourth time in five starts since he left his native France when he made all for an impressive success in the Racing Post Novice Chase. He had earlier won a Gr2 over hurdles and finished second to Altior in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Min has so far raced at up to two and a quarter miles and, if Douvan is anything to go by, he may well be kept

to the short distances. There is no reason, though, why he should not stay reasonably well. Walk In The Park was second in the Derby and was tried at up to 15 furlongs, and Min’s dam Phemyka is by Saint Estephe, a Coronation Cup winner who also sired the dam of the dual French Champion Hurdle winner Thousand Stars, who stayed well.

Min, who sold for only €6,000 as a two-year-old at Arqana, is the fourth runner and fourth winner out of Phemyka, a moderate middle-distance winner in the French Provinces.

Second dam Stormyka, a winner at up to 11 furlongs in the Provinces, was a half-sister to Stormez, a very useful chaser who thrived over long distances.

82 CORAL.CO.UK FUTURE CHN.FINALE JUV.HURDLE G1 CHEPSTOW. Dec 27. 3yo. 16f.

1. DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) 11-0 £28,475 b g by Voix du Nord - Quarvine du Seuil (Lavirco) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Mme C. Boudot TR-Philip Hobbs 2. Evening Hush (IRE) 10-7 £10,685 b f by Excellent Art - Applause (Danehill Dancer) O-Mr M. J. Haines B-Mr P. Byrne TR-Evan Williams 3. Dolos (FR) 11-0 £5,350 b g by Kapgarde - Redowa (Trempolino) O-Mrs Johnny de la Hey B-Pierre de Maleissye Melun TR-Paul Nicholls Margins 13, 5. Time 4:00.70. Going Soft.

Age 3

Starts 6

Wins 5

Places 1

Earned £68,251

Sire: VOIX DU NORD. Sire of 15 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DEFI DU SEUIL Lavirco G1, VROUM VROUM MAG Kadalko G1, MISS DE CHAMPDOUX Hawker’s News G2, TAQUIN DU SEUIL Marchand de Sable G3, ADAGIO DES BORDES Bateau Rouge LR, VIEUX MORVAN Kadalko LR, VINGA True Brave LR. 1st Dam: QUARVINE DU SEUIL by Lavirco. 2 wins at 3 and 5 in France. Dam of 1 winner: 2011: Brume du Seuil (f Equerry) ran on the flat in France.

2013: DEFI DU SEUIL (g Voix du Nord) 5 wins, coral.co.uk Future Chn.Finale Juv.Hurdle G1, JCB Triumph Trial Prestbury Juv. Hurdle G2.

Broodmare Sire: LAVIRCO. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DEFI DU SEUIL Voix du Nord G1, LISTEN DEAR Robin des Champs G3.

DEFI DU SEUIL b g 2013 Lomond Valanour Vearia VOIX DU NORD b 01 Top Ville Dame Edith Girl of France Konigsstuhl Lavirco La Virginia QUARVINE DU SEUIL b 04 Video Rock Fleur du Tennis Via Tennise

Northern Dancer My Charmer Mill Reef Val Divine High Top Sega Ville Legend of France Water Girl Dschingis Khan Konigskronung Surumu La Dorada No Lute Pauvresse Brezzo Favorite

The five contenders for the Finale Juvenile Hurdle included three French-bred geldings, including the odds-on Defi du Seuil. This son of Voix du Nord justified his market position with a 13-length success, which improved his record over hurdles to four wins from as many starts. He had earlier won a 12-furlong race for AQPS horses at Lyon Parilly.

Details of Voix du Nord’s career are

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National Hunt Grade 1s given in the notes on his daughter Vroum Vroum Mag later in these pages. Defi du Seuil is the second foal of Quarvine du Seuil, a winner of ten- and 12-furlong races for nonthoroughbreds. Her dam Fleur du Tennis, a winner at up to 15 furlongs, is a sister to Jimmy Tennis, a Video Rock gelding who won the Gr2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase over an extended three miles.

Defi du Seuil’s broodmare sire, the Deutsches Derby winner Lavirco, is best known in Britain and Ireland as the sire of Royal Boy (Gr1 Tolworth Hurdle), Mikael d’Haguenet (Gr1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle) and Roi du Mee (Down Royal’s Gr1 Champion Chase). He died in 2009 and the subsequent years made his death look regrettable, as his French representatives include Bel La Vie (Gr1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris).

In the role of broodmare sire, Lavirco is also responsible for Listen Dear, a Gr3 winner over hurdles and fences in Ireland.

83 PADDY POWER CASHCARD CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 5yo+. 17f.

1. DOUVAN (FR) 6 11-12 £43,382 b g by Walk In The Park - Star Face (Saint des Saints) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-S.A.R.L. Haras de La Faisanderie TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Sizing John (GB) 6 11-12 £13,971 b g by Midnight Legend - La Perrotine (Northern Crystal) O-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership B-Dr B. & S. Mayoh TR-Henry de Bromhead 3. Simply Ned (IRE) 9 11-12 £6,618 ch g by Fruits of Love - Bishops Lass (Marju) O-David & Nicky Robinson B-Miss I. Hatton TR-Nicky Richards Margins 8, 7. Time 4:02.10. Going Yielding.

Age 4-6

Starts 14

Wins 13

Places 1

Earned £501,037

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK. Sire of 5 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - DOUVAN Saint des Saints G1, MIN Saint Estephe G1, ANTONY Nikos G3.

1st Dam: Star Face by Saint des Saints. ran over jumps in France. Dam of 1 winner: 2010: DOUVAN (g Walk In The Park) 13 wins, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, sportinglife.com Moscow Flyer Nov.Hurdle G2, Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Frank Ward Arkle Challenge Cup Nov.Chase G1, Racing Post Christmas Novice Chase G1, Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase G1, Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, Paddy Power Cashcard Chase G1, Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase G2.

2011: Ribostar (c Epalo) unraced.

2013: Kalimama (f Charming Groom) unraced.

2016: (c Walk In The Park) Broodmare Sire: SAINT DES SAINTS. Sire of the dams of 6 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DE BON COEUR Vision d’Etat G1, DOUVAN Walk In The Park G1, GRAND DEPART Astarabad LR.

DOUVAN b g 2010 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes WALK IN THE PARK b 02 Robellino Classic Park Wanton Cadoudal Saint des Saints Chamisene STAR FACE b 04 Saint Preuil Folie Star Gate Miss French

100

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Roberto Isobelline Kris Brazen Faced Green Dancer Come To Sea Pharly Tuneria Dom Pasquini Montecha Mistigri Lise Belle

Despite being born as recently as 2010, Douvan was recording his eighth Gr1 victory – and his 13th successive win – when he landed the Paddy Power Chase by eight lengths from Sizing John, who has now chased him home on five occasions, including in Cheltenham’s Arkle Chase and Punchestown’s Champion Novice Hurdle.

Perhaps one day Douvan will come close to matching the magnificent total of 22 Gr1 wins achieved by Hurricane Fly, another Willie Mullins star who shares the same sire – Montjeu – as Douvan’s sire Walk In The Park. Walk In The Park had only around 120 foals in his first four crops, which also include the Gr3 Sodexo Gold Cup Chase winner Antony. His 2013, 2014 and 2015 crops are also small, but he left a sizeable 2016 crop in France before being recruited to Coolmore’s National Hunt team.

He covered around 200 mares in his first Irish season and is billed as “the hottest young NH sire around,” with his 2017 fee listed as private.

Walk In The Park is also responsible for another Mullins star in the novice chaser Min, so it is hardly surprising the Mullins team went to €165,000 for a three-year-old by him at the 2016 Land Rover Sale.

Douvan is the first foal of Star Face, who was sold for only €2,000 in 2012 but for €140,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in 2015. This daughter of the very successful jumping sire Saint des Saints produced foals by Epalo in 2011 and Charming Groom in 2013 before producing a brother to Douvan in 2016. Star Face is a once-raced daughter of the winning jumper Folie Star Gate, who has a moderate winning chaser by Walk In The Park, plus youngsters by Saddex and Sinndar. Douvan’s third dam, Miss French, was a sister to the smart French hurdler Discover d’Auteuil.

84 PADDY POWER FUTURE CHMPIONS NOV. HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 27. 4yo+. 16f.

1. SATURNAS (FR) 5 11-10 £36,875 b g by Davidoff - Sayuri (Acatenango) O-Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd B-Mr E. Van Haaren TR-W P Mullins 2. Brelade (GB) 4 11-7 £11,875 b g by Presenting - Polivalente (Poliglote) O- D P Sharkey B-Patrick Burling Developments Ltd TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Sunni May (IRE) 5 11-10 £53 b g by Presenting - Northwood May (Teenoso) O-Favourites Racing Syndicate B-J. R. Weston TR-Mrs John Harrington Margins 2, 4.25. Time 3:55.40. Going Yielding.

Age 3-5

Starts 5

Wins 3

Places 1

Earned £58,052

Sire: DAVIDOFF. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: Sayuri by Acatenango. Dam of 3 winners: 2009: SAQUIAS (f Walk In The Park) Winner over jumps in 2016 in France.

2010: KALILAS (f Davidoff) 3 wins over jumps at 6 in France.

2011: SATURNAS (g Davidoff) Sold 8,730gns yearling at BBAGS. 3 wins, Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1, 2nd Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle G1.

2013: Laquiolas (f Davidoff) ran over jumps in France.

2nd Dam: Saquiace by Sagace. 4 wins at 3 and 4 in France, 2nd Grand Prix de Villeurbanne LR. Dam of SKY DANCING (f Exit To Nowhere: Premio Buontalenta LR), Starla (f Lando: 3rd Bremer Stuten Meile LR). Grandam of SCALO, SEXY LADY, WHAT’S UP PUSSYCAT, Scolari.

Broodmare Sire: ACATENANGO. Sire of the dams of 67 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - SATURNAS Davidoff G1, LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY High Chaparral G3.

SATURNAS b g 2011 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes DAVIDOFF b 04 Shareef Dancer Dapprima Diaspora Surumu Acatenango Aggravate SAYURI b 02 Sagace Saquiace Laquiola

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Northern Dancer Sweet Alliance Sparkler Diu Literat Surama Aggressor Raven Locks Luthier Seneca Lyphard Kalila

With Willie Mullins having enjoyed so much success with Montjeu’s son Hurricane Fly and grandsons Douvan, Min and Nichols Canyon, it is no surprise that one of his latest Gr1 winners, Saturnas, also has a son of Montjeu as his sire. The Future Champion Novice Hurdle winner is by Davidoff.

Davidoff ranked as one of Montjeu’s faster sons, as he began his three-year-old season with two wins over 8.5 furlongs, including one in the Gr3 Dr Busch Memorial. He never won again in a career which took him to the UAE, France and Italy, and his fee was only €1,500 when he retired to stud in France in 2009.

France-Galop credits him with 113 foals, of which only 75 are old enough to have raced over jumps in 2016.

Saturnas won a small race over an extended mile and three-quarters in the French Provinces before being moved to Ireland, where he has now won two of his three starts. Although his dam Sayuri was placed in steeplechases in France, Saturnas comes from a classy Flat family. Halfsister Sky Dancing is the dam of Scalo (Gr1 Preis von Europa) and Sexy Lady (Gr3 Prix Chloe). Saturnas’ fourth dam Kalila had the distinction of being a half-sister to the Classic winners Val de Loir and Valoris, and Kalila herself was the dam of Prix du Jockey-Club winner Roi Lear.

85 LEXUS CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 5yo+. 24f.

1. OUTLANDER (IRE) 8 11-10 £65,074 b g by Stowaway - Western Whisper (Supreme Leader) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-R. O’Neill TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Don Poli (IRE) 7 11-10 £20,956 b g by Poliglote - Dalamine (Sillery) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Brian J Griffiths & John Nicholson TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Djakadam (FR) 7 11-10 £9,926 b g by Saint des Saints - Rainbow Crest (Baryshnikov) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Mr R. Corveller TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 2.25, Head. Time 6:02.40. Going Yielding.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 4-8 23 9 8 £239,638 Sire: STOWAWAY. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - OUTLANDER Supreme Leader G1, CHAMPAGNE FEVER Roselier LR. 1st Dam: Western Whisper by Supreme Leader. ran twice in N.H. Flat Races. Dam of 6 winners: 2001: Western Starlight (f Shahanndeh) unraced.

Broodmare.

2002: (f Stowaway) 2003: Bold Fencer (g Stowaway) 2004: WESTERN LEADER (g Stowaway) 5 wins, Michael Purcell Memorial Nov. Hurdle G2, 2nd John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle G1.

2005: MART LANE (g Stowaway) 6 wins, 888sport Totepool H. Chase LR. 2006: LOUGH ROE LADY (f Stowaway) 2 wins.

Broodmare.

2008: OUTLANDER (g Stowaway) 9 wins, Lacy Solicitors Golden Cygnet Nov.Hurdle G2, 2nd Coolmore NH Sires Festival Novice Hurdle G2, Cliona’s Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle G3, 3rd Tattersalls Ireland Champion Nov. Hurdle G1, Lexus Chase G1, Flogas Scalp Novice Chase G1, Shannon Airport Greenmount Nov. Chase G2, 2nd Ryanair Powers Gold Cup Novice Chase G1, John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase G1, Growise Ellier Champion Novice Chase G1, Titanic Belfast Skymas Chase G2.

2009: Western Twilight (f Stowaway) unraced.

Broodmare.

2010: ICE COLD SOUL (g Stowaway) 3 wins.

2011: Now McGinty (g Stowaway) 2012: MAYO STAR (g Stowaway) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race at 4.

2013: (f Stowaway) 2014: (f Stowaway) 2015: (f Stowaway) Broodmare Sire: SUPREME LEADER. Sire of the dams of 63 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 OUTLANDER Stowaway G1, OSCAR KNIGHT Oscar G2, SUPREME VINNIE Vinnie Roe G3, STEPHANIE FRANCES King’s Theatre LR. The Stowaway/Supreme Leader cross has produced: OUTLANDER G1, WESTERN LEADER G1, MART LANE LR.

OUTLANDER b g 2008 Mill Reef Hardiemma Birkhahn Suleika No Pass No Sale Northfields No Disgrace Vaguely Noble Noble Tiara Tayyara Busted Bustino Ship Yard Habitat Princess Zena Guiding Light Sovereign Path He Loves Me Short Commons Tyrant Kirin Mag Shirley Heights

Slip Anchor

Sayonara STOWAWAY b 94 On Credit

Supreme Leader WESTERN WHISPER b 94 Tsing Tao

Stowaway’s son Outlander hadn’t experienced much luck in his six starts prior to the Lexus Chase.

He had finished second four times and fallen twice, including a last-fence fall when three lengths clear in a Gr2 at Clonmel. However, he returned to the type of form which had previously earned him Gr1 and Gr2 victories as a novice chaser, accounting for Don Poli, Djakadam and Valseur Lido in good style.

The Lexus Chase was only Outlander’s third attempt – and first victory – over a distance of three miles or more, but he is clearly suited by a test of stamina.

Stowaway, a son of the stoutly-bred Slip Anchor, was very smart, as he showed in winning the Gordon Stakes and Great Voltigeur at three and a valuable

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Caulfield on Vroum Vroum Mag: “Unusually the eight-year-old is now concentrating on hurdling, even though she began her Irish career with an unbeaten campaign over fences”

race in Dubai at four. He didn’t start his stallion career until he was seven, in 2001, and initially struggled for support, covering books of around 30 thoroughbred mares in each of his first six seasons.

Fortunately, it became a very different story during the years prior to Stowaway’s death at the age of 21 in February 2015 – he covered 261 mares in 2011, 242 in 2012, 231 in 2013 and 200 in 2014.

This late surge in popularity was a response to the striking success enjoyed by Stowaway’s sons Hidden Cyclone (a multiple Gr2 winner over hurdles and fences), Western Leader (a Gr2 winner over hurdles who later won over fences) and Champagne Fever. The last-named was a dual Gr1 winner at the Cheltenham Festival, prior to winning a pair of Gr2 races over fences.

These very successful sons have now been joined by Kilcooley, a dual Gr2 winner over hurdles, and Outlander, who also enjoyed Gr2 success over hurdles. Outlander is one of three smart winners sired by Stowaway from the Supreme Leader mare Western Whisper, the others being Western Leader and the Listed chase winner Mart Lane.

Western Whisper contested a couple of bumpers but has proved much more effective as a broodmare.

She was virtually married to Stowaway, sire also of her 2012 gelding which sold for €40,000 as a three-year-old, and her 2013, 2014 and 2015 fillies. Outlander’s third dam, Kirin, was a half-sister to Lir (Aurelius Hurdle at Ascot), the winning hurdler Mazuma (dam of the very smart hurdler Asian Maze) and the talented chaser Quantitativeeasing.

86 SQUARED FINANCIAL CHRISTMAS HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 28. 4yo+. 24f.

1. VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 11-3 £36,875 b m by Voix du Nord - Naiade Mag (Kadalko) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-A. Maggiar & A. Maggiar TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 9 11-10 £11,875 b/br g by Overbury - Thespian (Tiraaz) O-Act D Wagg Syndicate B-Mr & Mrs J. & M. Murphy TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Snow Falcon (IRE) 6 11-10 £5,625 b g by Presenting - Flocon de Neige (Kahyasi) O-Mrs Patricia Hunt B-S. Gorman TR-Noel Meade Margins 1.25, 2.5. Time 6:06.90. Going Yielding.

Age 4-7

Starts 18

Wins 13

Places 5

Earned £374,247

Sire: VOIX DU NORD. Sire of 15 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DEFI DU SEUIL Lavirco G1, VROUM VROUM MAG Kadalko G1, MISS DE CHAMPDOUX Hawker’s News G2, TAQUIN DU SEUIL Marchand de Sable G3, ADAGIO DES BORDES Bateau Rouge LR, VIEUX MORVAN Kadalko LR, VINGA True Brave LR. 1st Dam: NAIADE MAG by Kadalko. Winner over jumps in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2009: VROUM VROUM MAG (f Voix du Nord) 13 wins, Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle G1, Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle G1, OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle G1, olgb.com Warfield Mares’ Hurdle G2, 2nd Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1, I.S.F. EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase G2, Coolmore Anaglog’sDaughter

2010: 2011: 2012: 2013:

EBF Nov Chase G2, Kerry Group EBF Lombardstown Nov.Chase G3, EBF T. A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase G3, John & Chich Fowler Mem. EBF Mares Chase G3.

ANTO MAG (f Lavirco) 2 wins at 4 in France.

Brise Vendeenne (f Dom Alco) 3rd Betfred TV Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle LR. CABRIOLE MAG (f Gris de Gris) 2 wins.

Dandy Mag (c Special Kaldoun)

Broodmare Sire: KADALKO. Sire of the dams of 13 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - VROUM VROUM MAG Voix du Nord G1, KADA RIQUE Enrique LR, VIEUX MORVAN Voix du Nord LR. The Voix du Nord/Kadalko cross has produced: VROUM VROUM MAG G1, Volca de Thaix G1, VIEUX MORVAN G2, Unique de Cotte LR.

VROUM VROUM MAG b m 2009 Lomond Valanour Vearia VOIX DU NORD b 01 Top Ville Dame Edith Girl of France Cadoudal Kadalko Koln NAIADE MAG b 01 Video Rock Fortanea Alconea

Northern Dancer My Charmer Mill Reef Val Divine High Top Sega Ville Legend of France Water Girl Green Dancer Come To Sea Fant Kornahre No Lute Pauvresse Brezzo Leuconea

Having suffered her first defeat since moving to Ireland in 2014 when narrowly beaten in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, the redoubtable Vroum Vroum Mag bounced back to land the Christmas Hurdle – her 11th win in her last 12 starts. Unusually, this daughter of Voix du Nord is now concentrating on hurdling, even though she began her Irish career with an unbeaten campaign over fences which featured five Graded victories.

Her sire Voix du Nord died as a 12-year-old in March 2013. This son of Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Ganay winner Valanour had earned the position of favourite for the 2004 Prix du Jockey-Club with his victories in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and Prix Lupin. Unfortunately, he was injured shortly before the Chantilly Classic.

Off the course for nearly a year, he never won again.

Voix du Nord’s demise is proving a significant loss to France’s National Hunt breeders, as he achieved top-ten finishes on France’s leading sires’ lists for 2015 and 2016. Although he left 11 only foals in his final crop, his 2012 and 2013 crops totalled nearly 100 foals, so more is likely to be heard of him – especially when his 2013 crop includes Defi du Seuil (Gr1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle). His other good recent representatives in Britain and Ireland include Vaniteux (Gr2 Lightning Novices’ Chase), Voix d’Eau (Gr2 Silver Trophy Chase), Vibrato Valtat (Gr1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, etc), Bachasson (a Gr3 novice hurdle winner), Val de Ferbet (a Gr2 novice chase winner) and Taquin du Seuil (Gr3 BetVictor Gold Cup Chase, etc).

Vroum Vroum Mag was bred to jump. Her dam, the winning French chaser Naiade Mag, is a daughter of Kadalko. This son of the

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outstanding jumping sire Cadoudal was ordinary on the Flat but Kadalko won 11 of his 15 races over jumps, with his last win coming in the Prix Leon Orly-Roederer over three miles, so he stayed well. Kadalko’s broodmare daughters are doing well, others being responsible for such as Vicente (Scottish Grand National), Balder Succes, Ma Filleule, Arkwrisht and Mr Mole.

The next dam, the Video Rock mare Fortanea, was a selle francais who scored four times on the Flat and three times over jumps. Fortanea also produced the Grand National runnerup Saint Are, while her half-sister Jalnea produced the Listed chase winner Tisane.

87 NEVILLE HOTELS FORT LENEY NOVICE CHASE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 24f.

1. OUR DUKE (IRE) 6 11-10 £36,875 b g by Oscar - Good Thyne Jenny (Good Thyne) O-Cooper Family Syndicate B-B. Cooper TR-Mrs John Harrington 2. Coney Island (IRE) 5 11-10 £11,875 b g by Flemensfirth - Millys Gesture (Milan) O-Mr John P. McManus B-P. Tobin TR-Eddie Harty 3. Disko (FR) 5 11-10 £5,625 gr g by Martaline - Nikos Royale (Nikos) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-E.A.R.L. Haras Du Luy TR-Noel Meade Margins 0.5, 0.5. Time 6:07.20. Going Yielding.

Age 5-6

Starts 7

Wins 4

Places 2

Earned £61,050

Sire: OSCAR. Sire of 61 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - FINIAN’S OSCAR Taipan G1, OUR DUKE Good Thyne G1, WRATH OF TITANS Lancastrian G1, DRAYCOTT PLACE Dashing Blade G2, OSCAR KNIGHT Supreme Leader G2, OSCAR ROSE Beneficial LR. 1st Dam: Good Thyne Jenny by Good Thyne. Dam of 4 winners: 2002: BILLY TO JACK (g Old Vic) Winner over hurdles.

2003: Sarahs Catch (f Safety Catch). Broodmare.

2004: FLYING WINDSOR (f Flying Legend) Winner over fences.

2007: (c Oscar) 2009: OSCAR SAM (g Oscar) 4 wins over hurdles.

2010: OUR DUKE (g Oscar) 4 wins, 2nd Future Champions Flat Race LR, 3rd Agnelli Motor Pk. Festival Novice Hurdle G2, Neville Hotels Fort Leney Novice Chase G1.

2012: Ask Granny (f Ask) ran twice over hurdles.

2014: (c Ask) Broodmare Sire: GOOD THYNE. Sire of the dams of 20 Stakes winners.

The Oscar/Good Thyne cross has produced: OUR DUKE G1, Augherskea G1.

OUR DUKE b g 2010 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge OSCAR b 94 Reliance II Snow Day Vindaria Herbager Good Thyne Foreseer GOOD THYNE JENNY b 94 Decent Fellow Cant Be Done Two Stars

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Tantieme Relance III Roi Dagobert Heavenly Body Vandale Flagette Round Table Regal Gleam Rarity Takette Wishing Star Flower Signal

were born. He will obviously continue to make his mark for many more years, though, and he appears to have sired another smart staying chaser in Our Duke. In gaining his first Gr1 success, Our Duke ran on strongly to catch another recent Gr1 winner Coney Island.

This was the first attempt at a distance longer than two and a half miles for Our Duke. Oscar, together with his sire Sadler’s Wells, ranked among the small number of stallions to have sired winners of both the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Oscar’s best progeny vary in their distance requirements, but they include stayers of the calibre of Lord Windermere, Black Jack Ketchum, At Fishers Cross and O’Faolains Boy. However, it is possible that Oscar needs a bit of help from his mares to sire a top-notch stayer.

Our Duke’s dam Good Thyne Jenny was sired by Good Thyne, runner-up in the Queen’s Vase and Irish St Leger in 1980. Good Thyne has the proud record of having sired the dams of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Kicking King and War Of Attrition. Good Thyne Jenny was placed over hurdles and her dam, Cant Be Done, won a bumper.

88 RYANAIR DECEMBER HURDLE G1 LEOPARDSTOWN. Dec 29. 4yo+. 16f.

1. PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) 5 11-10 £43,382 gr g by Al Namix - Arnette (Denham Red) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr P. Gueret TR-Henry de Bromhead 2. Nichols Canyon (GB) 6 11-10 £13,971 b g by Authorized - Zam Zoom (Dalakhani) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 4 11-7 £6,618 b g by Montjeu - Northern Gulch (Gulch) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 7, 2.25. Time 3:55.00. Going Yielding.

Age 4-5

Starts 10

Wins 4

Earned £132,915

Sire: AL NAMIX. Sire of 10 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: ARNETTE by Denham Red. 3 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 2 winners: 2011: PETIT MOUCHOIR (g Al Namix) 3 wins, Ryanair December Hurdle G1, 2nd Imagine Cruising Top Novices’ Hurdle G1, Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, 3rd Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1, WKD Hurdle G2.

2012: PRAVALAGUNA (f Great Pretender) 2 wins.

Broodmare Sire: DENHAM RED. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - PETIT MOUCHOIR Al Namix G1, PTIT ZIG Great Pretender G1.

PETIT MOUCHOIR gr g 2011 Mendez Linamix Lunadix AL NAMIX gr 97 Lead On Time Dirigeante Daytona Pampabird Denham Red Nativelee ARNETTE b 00

Oscar, one of the stalwarts of Ireland’s National Hunt industry, was retired at the age of 21 in 2015, the year his last foals (more than 120 of them)

Places 4

Cariellor Gashaka Ironique

Bellypha Miss Carina Breton Lutine Nureyev Alathea Barbare Dourdan Pampapaul Wood Grouse Giboulee Native Berry Fabulous Dancer Bonicarielle Riverman Moqueuse

The €100,000 paid for Petit

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DATA BOOK

National Hunt Grade 1s Mouchoir as an unbroken three-yearold at Goffs in 2014 has proved a sound investment. Progressing quickly through the ranks, Petit Mouchoir won a point-to-point, then the valuable Goffs Land Rover Bumper and then a maiden hurdle as a four-year-old.

Since then he has spent most of his career competing well at Gr1 level.

He finally won one at his seventh attempt, when he led most of the way to inflict a decisive defeat on the odds-on Nichols Canyon.

The €100,000 paid for Petit Mouchoir represented something of a gamble. His sire, Al Namix, had raced a total of 49 times from two to seven and had won nothing better than a trio of Listed races at around a mile, at the ages of four and five.

However, the son of Linamix quickly showed that he can sire good winners over jumps. His first crop, born in 2006, produced Solix, a Gr3 winner over hurdles in France. His second contained Grandouet, a Gr1 winner over hurdles. And his third featured the Gr2 winners Baby Mix and Unmix.

The flow of good winners has been maintained by Saphir du Rheu (Gr1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase), Street Name (a Gr2 winner over hurdles in France) and now Petit Mouchoir.

Petit Mouchoir is the first foal of

Arnette, who has a 2015 filly by Fuisse and a 2016 colt by Masked Marvel. Arnette won three times over hurdles at up to 19 furlongs, including two claiming races. Her sire Denham Red has lately found fame as the sire of Un de Sceaux despite having failed to win in 15 attempts on the Flat.

However, Denham Red then developed into a leading three-yearold hurdler. Although he was never extensively used, he is also the broodmare sire of Ptit Zig, winner of the 2016 French Champion Hurdle.

89 BETFRED CHALLOW NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 NEWBURY. Dec 31. 4yo+. 20f 110yds.

1st Dam: MADAME LYS by Sheyrann. 2 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2008: Les Trois Lys (f Enrique) ran over jumps in France.

2009: VARECK (g Cachet Noir) 3 wins over jumps at 6 and 7 in France.

2010: Alciaquoise (f Saddler Maker) 2011: Bouvreuil (g Saddler Maker) 2 wins, 2nd Fred Winter Juvenile H. Hurdle G3, 2nd Close Brothers Novices’ H. Chase LR. 2012: MESSIRE DES OBEAUX (g Saddler Maker) 3 wins over hurdles at 4, Betfred Challow Novices’ Hurdle G1, Neptune Investment Winter Novices Hurdle G2.

Broodmare Sire: SHEYRANN. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners.

The Saddler Maker/Sheyrann cross has produced: MESSIRE DES OBEAUX G1, Bouvreuil G3.

1. MESSIRE DES OBEAUX (FR) 4 11-7 £22,780 b g by Saddler Maker - Madame Lys (Sheyrann) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-M. Devilder & F. Sellier TR-Alan King 2. Baltazar d’Allier (FR) 5 11-7 £8,548 br g by Malinas - Kinoise d’Allier (Roi de Rome) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Mr Y. Maupoil TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Ami Desbois (FR) 6 11-7 £4,280 b g by Dream Well - Baroya (Garde Royale) O-EPDS Racing Partnership 12 & Partner B-E.A.R.L. Guittet Desbois TR-Graeme McPherson Margins 2, 4.5. Time 4:57.70. Going Good to Soft.

Age Starts Wins Places Earned 3-4 8 3 1 £57,951

MESSIRE DES OBEAUX b g 2012

Sire: SADDLER MAKER. Sire of 6 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - APPLE’S JADE Nkosi G1, MESSIRE DES OBEAUX Sheyrann G1, ALPHA DES OBEAUX Saint Preuil G3.

The Challow Hurdle added to the remarkable story of Saddler Maker, reviewed in the notes on Apple’s Jade

Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge SADDLER MAKER b 98 Alleged Animatrice Alexandrie Top Ville Sheyrann Shaiyra MADAME LYS b 00 Reve Bleu Divine d’Estruval Sainte Lys

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Val de L’Orne Apachee High Top Sega Ville Relko Asharaz Rose Laurel Carheve Don Roberto Sainte Sambre

earlier in this issue. We have seen the stallion shine in Britain or France with Alpha des Obeaux, Verdure des Obeaux and Label des Obeaux, and now the name of Messire des Obeaux can be added to the list. Although he finished no better than fifth in three outings in his native France, Messire des Obeaux has progressed to win the last three of his five starts in Britain, including a Gr2 at Sandown.

His best efforts have come over two and a half miles and there is enough stamina in his pedigree to suggest he will stay further. Messire des Obeaux’s broodmare sire Sheyrann isn’t a familiar name, but this son of Top Ville was a successful stayer on the Flat and also won several times over hurdles in France and Germany. One of his best efforts as a stallion was Silver Top I, a smart winner over hurdles and fences.

Messire des Obeaux’s dam Madame Lys won a couple of small races over hurdles and fences. She produced three consecutive foals by Saddler Maker, of which Messire des Obeaux is the third and the second winner.

The mare has youngsters by Diamond Boy and Protektor. Second dam Divine d’Estruval was a halfsister to the smart French chaser Garde d’Estruval.

National Hunt Graded Races Date 02/12 03/12 03/12 04/12 04/12 04/12 09/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 10/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 16/12 16/12 17/12 18/12 18/12 26/12 26/12 26/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 27/12 29/12 29/12

102

Grade G2 G3 GrB G2 GrA GrB G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 GrB G2 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 GrB G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 GrB GrB G2 G3

Race (course) Neptune Investment Winter Novices Hurdle (Sandown Park) Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (Aintree) EasyFix Ballyhack Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) Betfred Peterborough Chase (Huntingdon) Bar One Racing New Stand Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) Bar One Racing Porterstown Hcp Chase (Fairyhouse) Unicoin Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Albert Bartlett Bristol Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham) stanjames.com International Hurdle (Cheltenham) bet365 December Novices’ Chase (Doncaster) bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (Doncaster) Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Irish Farms EBF Klairon Davis Nov.Chase (Navan) Foxrock Handicap Chase (Navan) Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase (Cork) Kerry Group Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle (Cork) Kerry Group EBF Mares Novice Chase (Cork) Mitie Noel Novices’ Chase (Ascot) Sky Supreme Trial Kennel Gate Nov.Hurdle (Ascot) Wessex Youth Trust Ladbroke Hcp. Hurdle (Ascot) Navan Novice Hurdle (Navan) Tara Handicap Hurdle (Navan) Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Leopardstown) Shannon Airport Greenmount Nov. Chase (Limerick) 188Bet Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby) 32Red Desert Orchid Chase (Kempton Park) 32red.com Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Kempton Park) Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase (Chepstow) Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase (Limerick) Guinness Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle (Limerick) Willis Towers Watson EBF Mares Hurdle (Leopardstown)

Dist 19.5f 25.5f 17f 19.5f 16f 29f 26f 23.5f 16.5f 23.5f 16.5f 20.5f 17f 20f 17f 24f 17f 21f 15.5f 15.5f 20f 20f 16f 19.5f 24f 16f 16f 29.5f 24f 19.5f 24f 20f

Horse Messire des Obeaux (FR) Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) Peoples Park (IRE) Josses Hill (IRE) Waxies Dargle (GB) Forever Gold (IRE) Theatre Guide (IRE) Wholestone (IRE) The New One (IRE) Present Man (IRE) Cliffs of Dover (GB) Frodon (FR) Attribution (GB) Oscar Knight (IRE) Douvan (FR) Rathnure Rebel (IRE) Listen Dear (IRE) Politologue (FR) Capitaine (FR) Brain Power (IRE) Death Duty (IRE) Automated (GB) Bapaume (FR) Bellshill (IRE) Definitly Red (IRE) Special Tiara (GB) Altior (IRE) Native River (IRE) Noble Endeavor (IRE) Westerner Point (IRE) Penhill (GB) Let’s Dance (FR)

Age 4 7 7 8 7 9 9 5 8 6 3 4 6 7 6 6 6 5 4 5 5 5 3 6 7 9 6 6 7 7 5 4

Sex G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G M G G G G G G G G G G G G G G F

Sire Saddler Maker Sabiango Presenting Winged Love Sakhee Gold Well King’s Theatre Craigsteel King’s Theatre Presenting Canford Cliffs Nickname Alhaarth Oscar Walk In The Park Beneficial Robin des Champs Poliglote Montmartre Kalanisi Shantou Authorized Turtle Bowl King’s Theatre Definite Article Kayf Tara High Chaparral Indian River Flemensfirth Westerner Mount Nelson Poliglote

Dam Madame Lys Indecise Lambourne Lace Credora Storm Cup of Love Clonbrook Lass Erintante Last Theatre Thuringe Glen’s Gale Basanti Miss Country Competa Cool Supreme Star Face Euro Magic Crescendor Scarlet Row Patte de Velour Blonde Ambition Midnight Gift Red Blooded Woman Brouhaha Fairy Native The Red Wench Special Choice Monte Solaro Native Mo Old Moon Its Only Gossip Serrenia Baraka du Berlais

Broodmare Sire Sheyrann Cyborg Un Desperado Glacial Storm Behrens Lord Americo Denel King’s Theatre Turgeon Strong Gale Galileo Country Reel Hernando Supreme Leader Saint des Saints Eurobus Lavirco Turgeon Mansonnien Old Vic Presenting Red Ransom American Post Be My Native Aahsaylad Bob Back Key of Luck Be My Native Old Vic Lear Fan High Chaparral Bonnet Rouge

Index 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121

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DATA BOOK EXCLUSIVE STALLION STATS

Leading National Hunt sires 2016/17 by earnings Name

King's Theatre Presenting Kayf Tara Oscar Flemensfirth Beneficial Milan Westerner Shantou Midnight Legend Stowaway Authorized Kalanisi Vinnie Roe Gold Well Brian Boru Robin des Champs Overbury Indian River Scorpion Definite Article Martaline Voix du Nord Old Vic Yeats Kapgarde Heron Island Dr Massini High Chaparral Saddler Maker Walk In The Park Cloudings Sir Harry Lewis Craigsteel Winged Love Robin des Pres Generous Court Cave Galileo Golan Network Jeremy Poliglote Norse Dancer Fruits Of Love Dom Alco Alflora Mahler Blueprint Nickname Mountain High Gamut Antonius Pius Al Namix Royal Anthem Azamour Arcadio Denham Red Trans Island Montjeu Early March Black Sam Bellamy Astarabad Mastercraftsman Saint des Saints Spadoun Teofilo Cape Cross Whitmore's Conn Turtle Island Sir Percy Tikkanen Doyen Shirocco Indian Danehill Califet Helissio Aussie Rules Shaanmer Croco Rouge Duke Of Marmalade Soldier Of Fortune Lando Dubai Destination Sholokhov My Risk Turtle Bowl Halling Alhaarth Anzillero Catcher In The Rye Bach Night Tango Darsi Well Chosen Doctor Dino Mount Nelson

YOF

1991 1992 1994 1994 1992 1990 1998 1999 1993 1991 1994 2004 1996 1998 2001 2000 1997 1991 1994 2002 1992 1999 2001 1986 2001 1999 1993 1993 1999 1998 2002 1994 1984 1995 1992 1994 1988 2001 1998 1998 1997 2003 1992 2000 1995 1987 1989 2004 1995 1999 2002 1999 2001 1997 1995 2001 2002 1992 1995 1996 2002 1999 1994 2006 1998 1996 2004 1994 1998 1991 2003 1991 2000 2001 1996 1998 1993 2003 1999 1995 2004 2004 1990 1999 1999 1999 2002 1991 1993 1997 2000 1997 2002 2003 1999 2002 2004

Sire

Rnrs

Wnrs

Sadler's Wells Mtoto Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Alleged Top Ville Sadler's Wells Danehill Alleged Night Shift Slip Anchor Montjeu Doyoun Definite Article Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Garde Royale Caerleon Cadoudal Montjeu Indian Ridge Linamix Valanour Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Garde Royale Shirley Heights Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Montjeu Sadler's Wells Alleged Suave Dancer In the Wings Cadoudal Caerleon Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Spectrum Monsun Danehill Dancer Sadler's Wells Halling Hansel Dom Pasquini Niniski Galileo Generous Lost World Danehill Spectrum Danzig Linamix Theatrical Night Shift Monsun Pampabird Selkirk Sadler's Wells Dansili Sadler's Wells Alleged Danehill Dancer Cadoudal Kaldoun Galileo Green Desert Kris S Fairy King Mark Of Esteem Cozzene Sadler's Wells Monsun Danehill Freedom Cry Fairy King Danehill Darshaan Rainbow Quest Danehill Galileo Acatenango Kingmambo Sadler's Wells Take Risks Dyhim Diamond Diesis Unfuwain Law Society Danehill Caerleon Acatenango Polish Precedent Sadler's Wells Muhtathir Rock Of Gibraltar

239 309 250 254 247 284 286 193 101 156 137 56 131 69 86 89 94 63 45 142 94 51 23 55 84 37 68 73 62 10 12 45 26 80 53 78 62 72 53 69 47 46 24 20 50 27 57 81 35 11 56 56 16 27 38 32 45 4 50 28 10 67 18 39 31 21 30 31 27 44 34 52 19 43 47 13 28 17 9 14 33 12 9 45 19 4 4 36 19 3 19 41 2 36 17 3 17

74 94 69 69 67 67 64 54 39 45 38 26 24 25 23 28 27 16 14 27 24 17 10 17 27 13 16 18 11 6 4 10 9 20 11 21 14 14 15 12 13 12 6 7 10 6 14 16 9 3 15 11 5 6 12 10 10 2 9 6 4 15 5 11 7 12 7 9 5 7 9 10 8 6 9 7 6 6 3 3 5 6 3 10 7 2 2 8 6 3 7 6 1 6 5 2 2

%WR

30.96 30.42 27.60 27.17 27.13 23.59 22.38 27.98 38.61 28.85 27.74 46.43 18.32 36.23 26.74 31.46 28.72 25.40 31.11 19.01 25.53 33.33 43.48 30.91 32.14 35.14 23.53 24.66 17.74 60.00 33.33 22.22 34.62 25.00 20.75 26.92 22.58 19.44 28.30 17.39 27.66 26.09 25.00 35.00 20.00 22.22 24.56 19.75 25.71 27.27 26.79 19.64 31.25 22.22 31.58 31.25 22.22 50.00 18.00 21.43 40.00 22.39 27.78 28.21 22.58 57.14 23.33 29.03 18.52 15.91 26.47 19.23 42.11 13.95 19.15 53.85 21.43 35.29 33.33 21.43 15.15 50.00 33.33 22.22 36.84 50.00 50.00 22.22 31.58 100.00 36.84 14.63 50.00 16.67 29.41 66.67 11.76

Races

AWD

Earnings (£)

Top horse

110 130 101 89 79 97 84 74 67 75 55 38 39 37 30 38 37 21 19 34 31 24 13 26 36 18 25 27 19 9 8 15 11 27 15 28 21 18 21 18 18 17 13 11 15 8 15 22 10 10 18 15 7 9 21 14 11 3 13 10 5 20 9 16 7 16 10 12 6 10 15 11 13 8 14 10 7 8 3 7 9 8 5 14 7 2 3 10 9 4 10 8 3 7 6 5 7

19.9 20.1 20.4 20.2 19.8 20.3 20.5 19.7 20.4 19.8 19.4 18.6 19.5 20.9 20.3 20.4 18.4 19.5 22.4 18.4 20.3 19.0 18.1 21.4 19.0 18.4 20.2 20.6 18.9 19.5 18.9 21.0 23.3 22.5 19.6 19.7 19.4 21.0 18.8 20.9 18.8 16.6 18.0 20.0 19.5 19.5 21.7 19.9 19.9 19.3 19.5 19.9 20.0 18.5 20.8 17.7 18.7 18.9 19.3 17.4 18.3 19.9 18.2 16.9 22.5 19.9 18.3 17.7 16.8 19.9 16.9 19.7 19.6 18.1 20.7 17.5 19.9 17.9 21.3 19.0 18.2 16.9 16.4 18.0 18.8 18.9 16.1 17.1 19.4 19.1 19.1 21.5 21.6 22.0 20.1 16.1 18.5

1,655,295 1,469,882 1,154,609 1,058,782 966,956 936,342 876,114 819,061 743,193 617,346 562,430 465,705 411,375 391,997 390,300 380,183 349,417 345,365 343,224 320,191 308,727 303,648 301,354 299,954 277,822 265,556 263,563 250,792 236,078 225,781 216,815 216,013 212,660 212,383 209,643 206,828 206,613 205,594 196,398 192,226 184,361 184,230 183,573 181,405 180,932 180,478 178,617 177,251 162,264 161,024 152,167 148,108 143,783 142,291 139,028 134,565 133,062 132,731 127,262 127,165 125,942 120,919 120,095 119,746 118,924 116,072 114,870 112,527 112,035 110,094 109,327 109,284 109,058 108,595 108,262 107,613 106,899 106,438 103,473 103,458 103,346 102,320 102,001 99,982 99,598 98,475 93,765 92,369 90,311 89,596 88,504 87,809 87,770 87,668 86,906 85,828 85,567

Cue Card Lord Scoundrel Thistlecrack Wrath Of Titans Noble Endeavor De Plotting Shed Garri Rua Westerner Lady Airlie Beach Quite By Chance Outlander Tiger Roll Brain Power Supreme Vinnie Kylecrue Sub Lieutenant Listen Dear Clondaw Warrior Native River Jack The Wire Definitly Red Theligny Taquin du Seuil Village Vic Shattered Love Garde La Victoire Otago Trail Three Faces West Altior Apple's Jade Douvan Rightville Boy Unowhatimeanharry Wholestone Josses Hill Fleurys Fort Drop Out Joe Mercers Court Heist Gowanauthat Ball d'Arc Who Dares Wins Let's Dance Yanworth Simply Ned Silviniaco Conti Potters Cross Ah Littleluck Gas Line Boy Frodon King Leon Road To Respect Roman Flight Petit Mouchoir Drumlee Sunset Third Intention The Game Changer Un de Sceaux Black Warrior Hassle Sir Valentino Blackthorn Prince Missy Tata Cradle Mountain Djakadam Eiri Na Casca Tocororo Wakea Princely Conn Willow Grange Mirsaale Buywise Golden Doyen Rock The Kasbah Onefitzall Clarcam Coologue Irish Cavalier Raz de Maree Sharp Rise Duke Cass Time For Mabel Fox Norton Elegant Escape Kruzhlinin Sire de Grugy Ivan Grozny Rayvin Black Attribution Valseur Lido Courtncatcher Ballyknock Lad Alelchi Inois Screaming Rose Jury Duty Sceau Royal Penhill

Earned (£)

172,967 126,784 162,397 97,270 93,250 37,940 38,220 112,959 101,400 59,074 97,504 81,071 119,187 51,479 65,017 46,551 42,472 171,298 207,873 39,667 43,852 34,339 94,349 57,714 34,231 58,464 45,560 30,789 52,957 83,445 75,098 40,642 85,425 33,326 55,131 15,343 45,016 26,391 40,811 27,678 25,731 28,293 40,708 113,900 27,842 57,131 40,049 21,577 41,134 87,493 26,508 20,332 71,771 54,376 18,974 38,323 18,501 84,405 29,981 32,932 73,244 24,416 53,609 26,857 53,639 19,637 36,407 29,178 32,135 15,502 19,846 18,275 30,085 28,642 26,866 48,061 34,810 62,166 61,045 53,744 34,370 30,573 73,993 18,543 47,408 94,789 60,878 15,032 35,227 78,684 14,517 21,786 86,650 31,385 25,035 62,426 71,868

Grade 1 winners Airlie Beach and Death Duty help Shantou muscle in The jump sires offer a clear example of plus ca change. As in 2015-2016, King’s Theatre, Presenting and Kayf Tara are the first three, with Oscar, Flemensfirth, Beneficial, Milan, Westerner and Midnight Legend also in the top ten. The only newcomer is Shantou, whose cracking campaign is highlighted by Grade 1 winners Airlie Beach and Death Duty.

Shantou is hardly in the first flush of youth but the same can be said for his rivals. King’s Theatre died in 2011, Beneficial died in 2013 and Midnight Legend died last year, while Oscar was retired in 2015. At 24 Shantou is a year older than Kayf Tara and two years younger than Presenting and Flemensfirth. Milan is 19 and Westerner 18.

King’s Theatre’s principal earners are Grade 1 scorers Cue Card and Royal Vacation, while Bellshill, Royal Regatta, The New One and Theatre Guide have all hit the mark in Grade 2 company. Pete The Feat boosted the tally by more than £60,000 by winning the veterans’ series final.

Presenting hasn’t had any winners at the highest level but Ballycasey, Snow Falcon and Present Man have all been successful in Grade 2s, and his main earner, Lord Scoundrel, triumphed in the Galway Plate.

Kayf Tara has had one Grade 1 winner, Thistlecrack (King George), plus Special Tiara and Identity Thief in Grade 2s. Oscar’s team is led by Our Duke and Finian’s Oscar, both Grade 1 winners, plus Kerry National victor Wrath Of Titans.

Given the age of the still-active sires, it is no surprise to see they were not among the leaders in covering totals. Presenting covered 110 mares in 2016, Shantou had a book of 120, Kayf Tara 148 and Flemensfirth 155.

Westerner, with 215, is the only one above the 200 mark; Milan had 139.

Younger stallions led the way, with 13-year-old Soldier Of Fortune on 304, 14-year-old Getaway on 299, seven-year-old Ocovango on 274 and 16-year-old Shirocco on 248. It will be fascinating to watch their progress.

Statistics to January 12

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24 HOURS WITH… DUBAWI

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GEORGE SELWYN

M

y day starts at 5.45am when I hear Ken Crozier, our Stallion Manager, coming into the yard. I’ll have a look for him over my stable door, then walk to my manger and wait for Ken to bring me breakfast, which is a stud mix of 3lb of hard feed.

I am always pleased to see Ken because I love my food.

In fact, I am not allowed a bed of straw because I’d eat it, so I rest on wood shavings and am very comfortable at that.

Coming up to 7.30am I look forward to welcoming Artur Jeziorski, who is my best friend. Artur will spend four hours a day with me, even more during the covering season between mid-February and July. He ties me up while he mucks out my stable and I enjoy the routine when he smartens me up and makes me feel good for the day ahead with a thorough grooming, before leading me for an hour and a half’s exercise round Dalham Hall Stud.

This routine, which starts at the beginning of December, is part of the pre-covering season fitness programme.

Between the end of the covering season, about June/July time and December 1, I am turned out for as much as six hours a day. But come December we start focussing on the covering season. That’s when we are out around the stud and I enjoy the variety.

I don’t mind being at the front or the back of the string of 14 stallions, which include the Derby winners Golden Horn and New Approach.

I like to concentrate on the job in hand and even when we are passing the mares I take it all in my stride. It was great when Golden Horn joined us as a ‘new boy’ and I used to keep him company and make him feel welcome.

DUBAWI’S days are all about eating, grooming, exercise and, for half of the year, stallion duties. It’s certainly not a bad life and one which he enjoys in the company of his two-legged buddy Artur I was told I was like a Daddy to him, and so I should be after 12 years at Dalham Hall.

On Mondays and Thursdays Artur lunges me for about ten minutes at a time and that’s fun, too.

Artur will then disappear for his mid-morning coffee before coming back to groom me again and I always like having him around my stable.

When I hear Artur telling visitors that he treats me like his son and that I’m part of his family, it makes me feel very happy. He says when he’s at home he talks about “Dubawi, Dubawi, Dubawi!” all the time.

Artur even took a photo of me in the mist out in the paddock last year and made it into a Christmas card.

After exercise I have another good grooming session from Artur. Then it’s chill time and I can relax in my stable. About midafternoon Artur mucks out my box, tidies the place up and gives me a little bit more hay. I then enjoy a four o’clock feed and invariably I have visitors and prospective breeders calling to see me and I am more than happy being paraded up and down in front of them, particularly when I am given the occasional treat of a carrot.

I like being shown off and the company and attention of people is just as nice as being with my fellow stud companions. Artur tells me if I was human I would be a good friend to everyone.

At about 6pm Ken comes

round again to check we are fine, have eaten our feed and have plenty of water.

That’s it until the morning, unless we’re in the covering season when the routine changes. Then Artur is with me by seven and takes my temperature to make sure I’m fit and well, though he always says he can tell immediately if I’m not 100% because he knows me so well.

I can cover as many as four mares a day, at 8am, 1pm, 7pm and midnight, and last year totalled 160.

I am washed down with a little disinfectant after each cover and led out for my exercise mid-morning. These busy days mean I am flat out at night under the everwatchful eye of my individual stable camera. But it’s all worth it with a total of 44 Group 1 winners so far, including seven in 2016.

Ken and Artur reckon I could cover six, seven or eight mares if I was allowed to. I accept we can be quite a handful in the covering barn so all the exercise the stallion men have had with us is put to good use as they need to be very fit as well.

When Artur turns up at my stable wearing his safety helmet, which is compulsory in the covering shed, I automatically get excited knowing what’s in store.

Apparently I can be heard approaching the covering yard because I scream, roar and prance about on the way there; I am just very keen.

They tell me my father, the late, great Dubai Millennium was just the same and keep reminding me I’m the legacy he left behind.

So I realise I have to step up to the mark and fulfil those responsibilities. But I do love life, eating and sleeping in particular. And of course, Artur.

Interview by Tim Richards

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