Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

Jan_149_Cover_OwnerBreeder 12/12/2016 19:14 Page 1

£4.95 | January 2017 | Issue 149

Incorporating

New recruits Haras de Bouquetot’s Shalaa heads a bumper crop of freshman sires in 2017

Plus • Brian Hughes in flying form but plays down title talk • ROA Awards: superb Sprinter Sacre takes the plaudits • Sara Bradstock on Gold Cup-winning ‘thug’ Coneygree

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

35022_MoreAtCoolmore_TBOB_DPS_Jan17.qxp_Underwood Review 05/12/2016 14:36 Page 1

You get more at Coolmore.

Against some decidedly pricier options, it’s interesting to note how a selection of the Coolmore sires performed this year.

It’s worth bearing in mind when making your plans for 2017.

• 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 •

35022_MoreAtCoolmore_TBOB_DPS_Jan17.qxp_Underwood Review 05/12/2016 14:36 Page 2

13 9 8 7 5 4 4

FASTNET ROCK

Fee: Private

Stakes winners including Gr.1 winners Rivet (2yo), Intricately (2yo) and Fascinating Rock and Gr.2 winners Cougar Mountain and One Foot In Heaven.

That’s more than Sea The Stars, Teofilo, Exceed And Excel, Lope de Vega etc.

FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND

Fee: €10,000

Stakes winners including Richard Hannon’s Group winning 2yo and 2,000 Guineas prospect Larchmont Lad. That’s higher than Invincible Spirit, Pivotal, Dutch Art, Azamour, Dalakhani, Iffraaj etc.

HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

Fee: €17,500

Stakes winners including Ralph Beckett’s Gr.2 winning 2yo Rich Legacy.

That’s level with Pivotal, Invincible Spirit, Dutch Art, Iffraaj, Dalakhani, Azamour etc.

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR

Fee: €9,000

Stakes winners including Charles Hills’ Group winning sprinter Jallota.

That’s the same as Acclamation, Monsun etc. and more than Cape Cross, Kodiac, New Approach, Oasis Dream, Showcasing etc.

ZOFFANY

Fee: €35,000

Stakes winners including Gr.1 sprinter Washington DC. That’s identical to Siyouni, Kyllachy, Lawman, Le Havre etc. but Zoffany has done it from his first crop!

POWER

Fee: €8,000

Stakes winners from his first 2YO crop including Group winners Peace Envoy and Pleaseletmewin.

Only Galileo, Kodiac, Frankel and Dark Angel have more!

STARSPANGLEDBANNER Fee: €15,000 Stakes winners including the Group winners Home Of The Brave and Spangled.

And he sired them from only 24 runners. He now has excellent fertility with 90 mares in foal.

Source Hyperion Promotions, 1st Jan to 14th Nov. (all stats are northern hemisphere crops only)

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.

Jan_149_Editors_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:06 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

£4.95 | January 2017 | Issue 149

Incorporating

New recruits Haras de Bouquetot’s Shalaa heads a bumper crop of freshman sires in 2017

Plus • Brian Hughes in flying form but plays down title talk • ROA Awards: superb Sprinter Sacre takes the plaudits • Sara Bradstock on Gold Cup-winning ‘thug’ Coneygree

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Haras de Bouquetot’s new stallion recruit Shalaa poses for the camera Photo: Zuzanna Lupa

Follow us on... @OwnerBreeder

EDWARD ROSENTHAL

Lack of clarity on media rights not picture perfect T he growth, in value and importance, of media rights has been one of the biggest changes in the racing industry over the past few years. As levy income continues to slide – and with a replacement funding scheme looming, possibly in place by April – this booming revenue stream has assumed a vital role in the sport’s finances.

Payment for providing the live racing pictures goes to the venue, the racecourses, which have organised themselves accordingly to maximise income. It is the reason why the Horsemen’s Group devised contractual agreements to ensure that a percentage of this money is put into prize-money, previously a discretional spend for the tracks.

There has been a great deal of secrecy and indeed a lack of clarity over exactly what figures are being paid and received for media rights, but Howard Wright (pages 64-70) tackles the subject head on and gets to grips with the numbers and players involved, explaining the significance for racecourses, broadcasters and bookmakers.

Owners may not be rewarded financially for providing the runners on which the racecourses build their businesses but the standout performers – and the people who pay their bills – are acknowledged every year at the ROA Horseracing Awards (see pages 43-55).

This year’s glittering ceremony at the InterContinental on Park Lane in London in early December recognised the highest achievers from the past 12 months. The Coolmore team scooped three trophies courtesy of brilliant fillies Minding and Found, and leading juvenile Churchill, with Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor also being named Owners of the Year.

Undoubtedly the biggest roar of the night came when the recently retired Sprinter Sacre was announced as the Horse of the Year. This brilliant twomiler, owned by Caroline Mould and trained by Nicky Henderson, captured the imagination with his sheer

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ability but also courage to come back from a serious heart problem. It was a reminder, if one were needed, that the National Hunt racehorse has the edge on his Flat counterpart when it come to public adoration.

Brian Hughes (Talking To, pages 58-62) may not have anything of the calibre of Sprinter Sacre to ride this season, however the Ulsterman is enjoying a superb time in the saddle, partnering a mammoth 31 winners in November, a haul that included a first five-timer at Musselburgh.

Hughes has become the go-to man for the better horses in the north and is currently top of the chasing pack behind runaway leader Richard Johnson, who is hoping to land consecutive jockeys’ championships after filling the runner-up berth so many times during Sir Anthony McCoy’s 20-year reign.

This year’s Flat title race featured a cracking dual between Silvestre de Sousa and eventual champion Jim Crowley, a battle that illuminated many a mundane midweek card. The Crowley/de Sousa story was played out over many weeks, providing the kind of ‘narrative’ that we have heard mentioned so often by those in charge of the marketing of horseracing.

The current parameters of the jumping season do not suggest that such a scenario will be replicated – so should the jumps follow the Flat and introduce a ‘truncated’ championship? It’s certainly food for thought.

Hughes himself is not bothered by any title-winning talk, content to take each day as it comes and keep doing what he’s been doing. Nor is he too worried with what people have to say when things don’t go quite so well on the racecourse.

“Nowadays there is a lot of pressure from social media, which I think is a load of bollocks,” he explains.

“It doesn’t concern me, but you get these clowns who’ve had a fiver on your horse and when it gets beat they call you all sorts. As long as the owner and trainer are happy, then so am I.”

“There has been a

great deal of secrecy over exactly what figures are being paid and received

”

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Jan_149_Contents_Contents 12/12/2016 18:59 Page 6

CONTENTS JANUARY 2017

72

43

NEWS & VIEWS

INTERNATIONAL SCENE

9

ROA Leader

31

View From Ireland

11

TBA Leader

35

Continental Tales

12

News

39

Around The Globe

14

Changes

26

Tony Morris

28

Howard Wright

New year, new ownership drive

Incentive schemes help to sell the dream

Jim Best verdict delivered

Your news in a nutshell

John Bell remembered

Why music matters

Luke Harvey, Mick Fitzgerald and Ed Chamberlin will be at the forefront of television coverage of racing from this month

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Mixed views on payment proposals

Spirit Quartz joins Nicolas Caullery

World’s richest race taking shape

Jan_149_Contents_Contents 12/12/2016 18:59 Page 7

58

128

FEATURES

FORUM

18

The Big Picture

102

The Thoroughbred Club

22

From The Archives

104

ROA Forum

43

ROA Horseracing Awards

110

TBA Forum

115

Breeder of the Month

119

Vet Forum

Many Clouds flies at Aintree

Large Action’s 1997 Cleeve Hurdle win

Your winners, your night

58

Talking To...

64

Media Rights

72

COVER STORY

Top jump jockey Brian Hughes

The price of pictures

Haras de Bouquetot Al Shaqab’s stallion operation

78

New Sires for 2017

92

Sales Circuit

99

Caulfield Files

122

Dr Statz

128

24 Hours With...

The next generation arrives

A look back and a peek forward

Chester and Nottingham triumph

Cheltenham Stallion Parade

Roland Crellin for Cue Card

Congenital birth defects

DATA BOOK

124

NH Graded Races

126

Stallion Statistics

Jumps takes centre stage

More winners for Dark Angel

Warning lights flashing

Does age wither them?

Stallions’ average profit

Our monthly circulation is certified at

9,500 Can other magazines prove theirs?

Sara Bradstock

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 12/12/2016 17:32 Page 9

ROA LEADER

NICHOLAS COOPER President Racehorse Owners Association

New year will bring new drive to boost ownership Industry recognises the importance of retaining and recruiting participants

O

wners are central to the wellbeing of the sport of horseracing. It may seem strange that this simple fact has not always been recognised within the industry, but now, at last, there is a strong industry-wide impetus behind a new strategy for the retention of existing owners and the recruitment of new ones.

Not surprisingly, the ROA is pivotal to this strategy. Of course, it has always been part of this association’s raison d’être to increase the number of owners, but there is now buy-in from all parts of racing to create an action plan to bring this about.

It is difficult to name any element of racing that is not affected by the number of owners. Self-evidently, more owners provide more horses in training and this allows us to maximise betting turnover and give racecourses the opportunity to put on a better show, thereby boosting their attendances and TV audiences.

An increase in the number of owners and horses in training is also good news for horsemen, putting racing’s workforce on a sounder economic basis.

Perhaps, however, the most important benefit stemming from the promotion of ownership is that it provides a natural marketing energy for the sport overall with greater buy-in and participation.

With all this in mind, plans are already in place for a launch, early next year, of an online hub from which owners will be able to manage their ownership administration. There is to be a simplification of ownership registration types and a consolidation of owners’ fees. There will also be a general streamlining of different types of ownership and, crucially, changes made within the area of partnerships so it will be mandatory that all syndicate members own a share of the horse.

Group ownership of horses provides a natural entrypoint to owning a horse or horses outright. For nearly three-quarters of owners, a first experience of ownership comes from taking a share in a horse. Such owners are then often encouraged to take a further step, not always

because that first horse has been successful but simply because the social side of racing appeals to them.

Recognising the importance of pointing potential owners in the right direction, Great British Racing is about to launch a new comparison website called ‘In the Paddock’. This will list many syndication companies, showing their structure and prices, and the trainers with whom they have horses.

As much as the acquisition of new owners must be seen as fertile ground, however, the first priority of racing’s ownership strategy is to tap into the pool of existing owners and, importantly, those who have lapsed. It is a salient statistic that one in four owners have, at one time, taken a break from ownership, mostly due to finances or horse injury. Also, that three out of four lapsed owners say they would return to owning if the circumstances were right.

Through its benefits and the services it provides, the ROA plays a huge role in encouraging existing owners to stay in the game and for lapsed owners to return. But the overall strategy can only be complete if trainers and racecourses are also central to the process.

Trainers often act as recruiting agents for owners and their relationship with an owner will frequently determine whether that owner enjoys the experience and stays in the game, irrespective of success. Neither is it necessarily about fees or even prize-money. Most owners enter racing to have fun and the trainer will usually play a big part in this.

Similarly, the owners’ racecourse treatment is crucial.

Thanks partly to pressure from the ROA’s raceday initiatives, a good number of racecourses have improved their treatment of owners enormously in recent years, with complimentary lunches, good owner facilities and, in some cases, generous ticket allocation now usually being part of the standard provision.

And this strive for excellence must continue as racing seeks to find more owners in the increasingly competitive world of leisure activity.

“There is to be a

simplification of ownership registration and a consolidation of owners’ fees

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

Jan_149_TBA_Leader_TBA 12/12/2016 15:24 Page 11

TBA LEADER

JULIAN RICHMOND-WATSON Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Many challenges still to face in our centenary year Incentives for owners to race horses, and fillies in particular, remain vital

A

n early deadline means I am writing this while surveying the dying embers of the December Sales in Newmarket, where foals and breeding stock alike are exposed to the market and fashion, which seems more and more to drive the breeding industry nowadays. Stallions are in or out of favour and can be condemned on the back of one foal crop, to be replaced by the latest headline-maker. Fillies and mares have to possess exceptional pedigrees or be, at the minimum, black-type winners to command serious attention, and there seems to be very little interest in those who do not reach the higher echelons of ability.

That’s fine for those associated with horses who fetch the higher prices, but fancy figures are out of reach for the average breeder or owner.

However, the fact is there needs to be a healthy environment in the middle and lower tiers to support a racing industry that runs for 12 months of the year.

The TBA believes that this situation will only come about when more owners are brought into the sport at every level, which is why the association so enthusiastically supports the Plus 10 scheme on the Flat and the Mare Owners Prizes Scheme (MOPS) for jumping fillies bred in Britain.

MOPS is still in its infancy but Plus 10, which was introduced in March 2015, achieved two notable milestones in December by registering its 800th bonus winner and taking total payments over £8 million. Four hundred owners and as many breeders have benefited, and more than half the total payout came in 2016.

Giving owners an achievable bonus target is one of the sport’s best selling points, and ways other than just focusing on prize-money must be found to make ownership more attractive. Telling owners that on average they will recover only 25% of their costs, which compares badly with many other racing nations, is not particularly helpful. After all, this is about selling the dream and excitement, not the financial return, but

bonuses and, of course, the chance to win good races, are part of the excitement. Efforts should be focused on this and achieving the jackpot in top-class races on topclass racecourses.

In 2016 the TBA launched #thisfillycan to explain the advantages of owning a filly, who on average will win more money than a colt once rated 75. The promotion, which will continue in 2017, is aimed at owners and trainers, and along with the EBF-sponsored fillies’ series should encourage more to buy and race fillies.

The issue of the decline in stayers and staying stallions is not new. It was highlighted in the 2015 TBA report ‘A study into British stayers and staying races’, since when the BHA’s racing team has made steady progress, which should lead to a turnround in the next few years.

Only long-term planning can make a difference here.

The TBA celebrates its centenary in May and the challenges that breeders face are in many ways very different from those in war-torn Britain in 1917, but the reasons why the association came into existence and still exists – to support breeders and encourage the testing of and breeding from the best thoroughbreds – is no different.

The TBA is having to adapt to the modern world.

Change is never comfortable or easy, but to best serve our members we must move forward and maintain this as an organisation ready to support every breeder, including the next generation, for whom we have created the increasingly well supported Thoroughbred Club. However much time we spend on the many challenges, it should never be forgotten that every thoroughbred foal born over the coming months is the lifeblood, the vital ingredient and the dream that breeders live for. Each one could realise the dream for some lucky connections as a big-race winner.

I wish you all the very best for the New Year, and to all our members a successful breeding season.

“Plus 10 achieved a

notable milestone in December, registering its 800th bonus winner with payments over £8m

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Jan_149_News_Owner 12/12/2016 19:11 Page 12

NEWS Stories from the racing world

Best disqualified for six months T

Trainer found guilty for second time at rehearing but penalty significantly reduced rainer Jim Best has been disqualified for six months after being found guilty of ordering his-then conditional jockey Paul John to stop two horses in December 2015, and for conduct prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing.

The penalty is in stark contrast to the fouryear ban originally handed down, but which was quashed after it emerged that Matthew Lohn, the Disciplinary Panel Chairman at the time, had undertaken paid work for the BHA, leading to a perception of bias.

Reconvening at the BHA in the wake of a five-day rehearing, panel Chairman Sir William Gage and his wingmen William Norris QC and Nicholas Wachman appeared to lend more weight to defence counsel Jonathan Laidlaw QC’s arguments and submissions than that of BHA barrister Louis Weston.

Principally, Laidlaw argued that the BHA’s own guidelines to procedures and penalties, along with previous disciplinary cases he claimed were similar, should lead the panel to conclude it was inappropriate to disqualify Best.

Weston, conversely, tried to persuade the panel that a punishment more in line with the original penalty was appropriate as there were

no mitigating circumstances and that the previous cases Laidlaw referred to were “not helpful comparisons”.

In delivering their verdict, the panel said they largely agreed with that point, but, crucially, also agreed with the defence that the initial four-year disqualification was “too substantial to stand”.

Gage said the panel had taken into account the written submissions and verbal arguments from both sides, and Best’s financial situation, adding: “Quite clearly these are very serious

Jim Best: six-month ban for trainer

breaches and strike at the heart of racing. In the circumstances we conclude that the proper penalty is licence suspended for six months from today. There will be no financial penalty.”

Best’s solicitor Harry Stewart-Moore, speaking to the media immediately after the hearing at the London offices of the BHA, described the initial four-year ban as “frankly psychotic”.

Addressing the revised penalty, he said: “It’s very disappointing but it is careerinterrupting rather than career-ending.

“It’s hard to know how to react. The penalty could have been a lot worse given what had happened first time around. The original penalty was outrageous, this penalty is more in proportion to the offences.”

Best was not present to hear the verdict announced, but Laidlaw passed the panel a note from his doctor, and told the hearing that Best was suffering from “low mood and anxiety”, while adding that his finances were “perilous”.

It was unknown at the time of going to press whether the Lewes trainer would appeal against the six-month ban. He had seven days in which to decide.

The BHA, which cannot appeal against the verdict, issued no immediate comment.

Global stallions app launch Bloodhorse and Weatherbys have announced the release of Global Stallions, a free mobile app available on Apple and Android.

Featuring over 700 stallions from around the world (that are in the Bloodhorse Stallion Register and the Weatherbys Stallion Book), the Global Stallions app will give users access to a huge level of up to date information in what is being hailed as an exciting development for stallion promotion and reference.

From stud analysis and statistical summaries through to results, entries and auction prices, those behind it hope the app will become the ‘go to’ option for anyone wanting current information on stallions free of charge.

Users will be able to customise the app and, as well as providing a huge amount of

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data, Global Stallions will also be a source of regular bloodstock and stallion-related news.

“This app should be exceptionally useful for thoroughbred breeders all over the world, and we enjoyed working with the Weatherbys team to develop it,” said John K Keitt Jnr, Publisher and Editorial Director of Bloodhorse.

“It is not just a digital version of a printed stallion register; it has many interactive, real-time features that are not possible in a printed format.”

Andrew Carter, Weatherbys Commercial Director, said: “Weatherbys are delighted to have jointly developed an app that we believe will be the most useful source of information for bloodstock professionals around the world.”

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Jan_149_News_Owner 12/12/2016 19:11 Page 13

Longest-running sponsorship at an end The longest-running sponsorship in British racing has come to an end, with official confirmation that the recent 60th Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury was the last to be run under that race title.

Before Native River won another memorable edition of the valuable and historic handicap chase it had been known that Hennessy were likely to pull out, with Ladbrokes reported to be the front-runner to take on the race.

Were that to materialise it would cause ructions, as Ladbrokes, along with their merger partner Coral, have not signed up to British racing’s authorised betting partner initiative that has the full support of Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company.

However, Newbury is not alone among independent courses in having adopted a neutral stance when ABP is concerned, and blue-chip sponsors are not easy to come by.

An inevitable issue for any potential new sponsor is the likelihood of the contest continuing to be called the Hennessy, in the same way that the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown is still referred to by many as the Whitbread, 15 years on from when the brewer pulled out, and to a lesser extent the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham is still known as the Mackeson.

Native River (right) wins the last ever Hennessy Gold Cup

The first three Hennessy Gold Cups took place at Cheltenham, from 1957 to 1959, with the initial contest won by the legendary Mandarin, owned by Peggy Hennessy, a member of the Hennessy family. From 1960 onwards, the race has taken place at Newbury.

Newbury’s Chairman Dominic Burke said: “We are enormously grateful to several generations of the Hennessy family and the company’s management team for their wonderful support of such a special event, but everything comes to an end at some point and

it is fitting that the sponsorship is drawing to a close after such a thrilling race to mark the 60th Hennessy Gold Cup as the highlight of two wonderful days of top class jump racing.”

On behalf of Moët Hennessy UK, Managing Director Jo Thornton said: “Hennessy has enjoyed 60 wonderful years of sponsoring the Hennessy Gold Cup. Hennessy are proud to have worked with Newbury in creating such an important and enjoyable day in the racing calendar. We wish them every continued success.”

BHA announce fee rises Racehorse owners’ fees to the BHA are to rise by 7.5% over the next three years as British racing’s regulator seeks to eliminate a £645,000 budget from 2016.

The deficit was partly a result of the legal costs incurred by the BHA within the highprofile integrity cases over the past 12 months.

In an unusual move the BHA published a business plan and budget guide covering the three-year period 2017-2019.

Legal and professional costs rose by more than 25%, it was revealed, costing the BHA £1.285 million in a year in which they were burdened by significant additional spending due to rehearings and costs associated with cases overseen by ex-disciplinary panel Chairman Matthew Lohn.

Lohn was discovered to have been on the payroll of the BHA, leading to a perception of bias in the cases he chaired, and their consequent re-enactment.

Also within the BHA’s business plan was THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

the announcement that owners will be able to design their own colours as part of a new “premium option”, while everyone will have access to a wider range of designs and shades.

It is the increase in fees, however, to be phased in at 2% in 2017, and 2.75% in 2018 and 2019, that was the headline act for owners. The fees paid by owners and racecourses provide about 90% of BHA income.

BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust said: “We’ve set a budget that will enable us to deliver more for our sport while phasing in fee changes over a three-year period and keeping increases to an absolute minimum.

“I appreciate that any increase is unwelcome and that our sport’s participants are yet to see the benefit of increased funding from the levy. That’s why we’re committed to delivering total annual savings of £1.1 million in the BHA’s budget by 2019 and are limiting the increase in fees in 2017 to 2%.”

The budget, the BHA said, has been

Nick Rust: ‘keeping increases minimal’

designed to break-even over a three-year period, with BHA cash reserves remaining between £3-4m.

The BHA’s budget for 2016 was forecast to deliver a cash deficit of £770,000, although it is likely the actual deficit will be somewhere in the region of £600,000.

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Jan_149_Changes2pp_Layout 1 12/12/2016 17:11 Page 14

Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Hennessy Ends 60-year association with Newbury by ceasing to sponsor the Gold Cup that has carried its name since 1957.

William Hill Agrees media rights deal with The Racing Partnership, owned by ARC and set up to sell pictures directly to bookmakers.

Tom Kerr Racing Post scribe is named HWPA Racing Writer of the Year, Marcus Townend takes the top reporter accolade and Edward Whitaker photographer.

Jonathan Burke Freelance jump jockey set to be on the sidelines for around six weeks after suffering a fractured fibula in a fall at Fairyhouse.

Business rates Trainers express serious concern after rateable value of yards across Newmarket soars by 53% following the government’s latest rates revaluation.

Randox Health Grand National backer steps in to sponsor the Tingle Creek Chase from next year, also adding Sandown and Newmarket to its Flat portfolio.

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Jim Crowley Champion jockey named first jockey to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, succeeding Paul Hanagan.

Chester Selects Premier Gateway International to take over in-house betting along with Bangor in a five-year deal.

Connor King Ireland’s two-time champion Flat apprentice takes out a jumps licence but will continue to ride on the level.

Levy scheme The government announces a rollover of the current levy for 2017-18, to be applied if the replacement system is not established by April.

Chris Meehan Jockey who broke his leg after being run over by an ambulance breaks it again following trampoline accident.

Roger Varian Newmarket trainer moves from Kremlin House Stables to Carlburg Stables after purchasing Clive Brittain’s former yard.

>>

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Jan_149_Changes2pp_Layout 1 12/12/2016 18:51 Page 16

RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Ol’ Man River Arctic Tack Stud recruits Group 2-winning son of Montjeu, who will stand alongside Aizavoski, Arcadio and Jet Away.

Monbeg Dude

V.E. Day

Welsh Grand National winner owned by James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall and Nicky Robinson and trained by Michael Scudamore is retired aged 11.

Son of English Channel who caused an upset in the 2014 Travers Stakes is retired to stand at Waldorf Farm in New York. His fee is $6,500.

Vif Monsieur

Tourist

Multiple Group 3-winning son of Doyen is retired and will stand at Haras de Longechaux in the east of France at a fee of €1,500.

Dual Grade 1 victor who defeated Tepin in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Mile is retired to stand at his birthplace of WinStar Farm in Kentucky; the son of Tiznow’s fee is set at $12,500.

Wiener Walzer Dual Group 1-winning son of Dynaformer will stand at stud in Turkey in 2017 having spent the last five seasons at Gestut Erftmuhle in Germany.

HORSE OBITUARIES

Captain Dunne Sprinter owned by Middleham Park Racing is retired after finishing unplaced on his 100th start. The 11-year-old won 12 races and over £200,000.

Take Charge Indy Son of AP Indy, winner of the 2013 Florida Derby, will stand in South Korea in 2017 having previously been stationed at WinStar Farm in Kentucky.

Sleeping Indian Son of Indian Ridge, sire of Group winners Crazy Horse and Night Carnation, is sold to stand at stud in the Czech Republic.

Skarino Gold

New Bay

Joint top-rated two-year-old in Germany, whose sire Wiener Walzer has moved to stud in Turkey, is sold to continue his career in Hong Kong.

Khalid Abdullah’s 2015 Prix du JockeyClub winner is retired and will stand at Ballylinch Stud for €20,000; China Horse Club has bought a stake in the horse.

Pearl Secret Affinisea

Talented sprinter, winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes and a regular in top company, will stand at Bucklands Farm in Gloucestershire for £4,000.

Winning three-parts brother to Irish Derby victor Soldier Of Fortune will stand at Whytemount Stud in County Kilkenny.

PEOPLE OBITUARIES Red Marauder 26 Winner of the 2001 Grand National for trainer Norman Mason and jockey Richard Guest; the son of Gunner B won by a distance as only four finished.

Bill Hennessy 79 His blue and maroon silks were carried

by Sublimity, winner of the 2007 Champion Hurdle, and Grade 1winning chaser Rubi Light.

Walter Swinburn 55 Black Jack Ketchum 17

Three-time Derby-winning jockey, best known for his association with Shergar.

High-class staying hurdler owned by Gay Smith, he won all five races in 2005-06 culminating with success in a Grade 1 novices’ event at Aintree.

James Adam 71

Robin Craddock 51

Owner and trainer who was based in the Scottish Borders – his best horse was Monnaie Forte, winner of ten races.

Owned outstanding sprinter Lethal Force with his father Alan and had horses in training with Clive Cox for a decade.

Liam Brennan 83

Neal Wilkins 68

Champion amateur rider in Ireland in 1955 who trained Yellow Sam to a land a legendary coup at Bellewstown in 1975.

Long-time chief starting-price reporter with the Sporting Chronicle and the Press Association.

Delegator 10 Runner-up to Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas, Delegator made a promising start with his first runners in 2016, including Delectation.

16

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_BigPic_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:15 Page 18

THE BIG PICTURE

MAJESTIC CLOUDS The 2015 Grand National hero Many Clouds clearly enjoys the Liverpool air, as he notched his second victory at Aintree in the Betfred Lotto Chase in December under Leighton Aspell. Trevor Hemmings’ chaser, trained by Oliver Sherwood, is being aimed at the 2017 National, sponsored for the first time

by Randox Health, on Saturday, April 8 Photo George Selwyn

Jan_149_BigPic_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:15 Page 19

AINTREE

Gestut Ammerland OB Jan 2017 dps_Layout 1 05/12/2016 09:07 Page 1

Gestut Ammerland OB Jan 2017 dps_Layout 1 05/12/2016 09:08 Page 2

Jan_149_FromTheArchive_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:50 Page 22

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The story behind the photo Looming large is a horse who would be winning the last race of a stellar career and a photographer just beginning to establish himself as a leading light in his profession.

Taking things sitting down, on the opposite side of the track to Owner & Breeder’s George Selwyn, is Edward Whitaker, who last month was named Racing Photographer of the Year for the seventh time.

The focus of attention here is Large Action and Jamie Osborne, who combined to win 13 races, the best of them being a Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, Challow Hurdle and two Bulas, and the last coming in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in this month 20 years ago.

Large Action, who was also runner-up in the Champion Hurdle and won 15 times in total, faced just three opponents in the 1997 Cleeve and ran out a fairly comfortable length and three-quarters winner from Pridwell, whose nosebanded head creeps into our picture, with Castle Sweep – seen more clearly in the photo – third and Muse bringing up the rear.

When Large Action died aged 22 in 2010, trainer Oliver Sherwood said: “He was one of the best, if not the best, I’ve had in 25 years doing the job.

“He was actually bought to be a three-mile chaser, but he turned out to be a Champion Hurdle horse and was probably one of the best two-mile hurdlers never to win the race. He was a sulky horse at home, but a thorough professional on the racecourse.”

Photo George Selwyn

Jan_149_FromTheArchive_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:51 Page 23

LARGE ACTION JANUARY 25, 1997

NEW FOR 2017

BOBBY’S KITTEN 2011 by Kitten’s Joy – Celestial Woods (Forestry)

Specialist Turf Miler who could also Sprint!

Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Won

6

races at 2, 3 and 5 years and

$1,424,417

in the USA and Ireland, all on Turf

Graded Stakes winner at 2 and 3 years

View videos of his races on www.lanwades.com Own brother to two Stakes winners; dam by 2016 Leading Broodmare Sire in USA First stallion son of

KITTEN’S JOY

(Champion Turf racehorse & multiple Champion sire) in Europe 2017 fee: £12,500

A G R E AT O U T C R O S S F O R M O S T E U R O P E A N M A R E S

LANWADES Lanwades_OwnerSpread_Jan17.indd 2

The independent option TM

12/12/2016 16:26

ARCHIPENKO 2004 by Kingmambo – Bound (Nijinsky)

• Group 1 winner and Group 1 sire • Won 6 races at 2, 3, 4 & 5 years and over $3 million • In 2016 sire of Group 2 winners DON ARCHI and SILVER LOOK; Group 3 winners ALGOMETER, VA BANK (unbeaten in 12 races) and STONY BROKE • Sire of 44 individual 2yo winners (8 in 2016) • LEADING BRITISH-BASED 2YO SIRE IN 2016 with 58% winners to runners in GB/IRE, ahead of FRANKEL, DANSILI, OASIS DREAM, DUBAWI, etc.

2017 fee: £10,000

SEA THE MOON 2011 by Sea The Stars – Sanwa (Monsun)

• Sensational German Derby winner; CHAMPION 3yo and HORSE OF THE YEAR, 2014 • Winner at 2 on debut by 4 lengths • First sire son of SEA THE STARS – Classic German female family • First foals sold in 2016 made 160,000 gns, 78,000 gns, €90,000, etc.

• Supported by Europe’s Leading Breeders in his first two seasons

FIRST YEARLINGS 2017 2017 fee: £15,000

SIR PERCY

2003 by Mark of Esteem – Percy’s Lass (Blakeney)

• Undefeated CHAMPION 2yo; CHAMPION 3yo and Derby winner • Sire of 37 individual Stakes horses including 2016 Group 1 winners WAKE FOREST and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD • Sire of 60 individual 2yo winners • 2016 yearlings sold in UK/IRE at the end of Tattersalls Book 2 averaged £66,184 (11 times his 2014 stud fee)

e

• A consistent and proven sire of STAKES winners 2017 fee: £7,000

info@lanwades.com • www.lanwades.com • Tel: +44 (0)1638 750222 • Fax: +44 (0)1638 751186 All 2017 fees on 1st October Special Live Foal terms

Lanwades_OwnerSpread_Jan17.indd 3

12/12/2016 16:26

Jan_149_Tony_Morris_Owner 12/12/2016 16:31 Page 26

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris Remembering John Bell, prisoner of war and small-time breeder with a thorough knowledge of stallion traits and pedigrees, who died in November at the age of 96

26

GEORGE SELWYN

I

t’s a comment I’ve got used to hearing in recent years: “I suppose you’ve seen quite a lot of changes in the game since you became involved with racing.” And it’s one I can hardly deny in my 54th year as a professional writer on the subject.

But I can recall making the same remark to my elders and betters back in the day, and last month I attended the funeral of one whom I surely quizzed in similar terms. He had been witness to a whole lot more changes in the thoroughbred business than me, and, amazingly, he retained vivid memories of everything right to the end.

Born a generation before me, John Bell was 96 when he died towards the end of November after a full life punctuated by a three-year spell as a prisoner of war, first in Italy and later in Germany. On his repatriation in 1945 he completed his qualification to become a chartered surveyor, but he had been introduced to the thoroughbred before the war, and horses soon became his dominant passion.

He attended his first December Sales in Newmarket in 1947 and he was present at every renewal of that auction up to 2014. I dare say it was on one such occasion that I first met him, maybe as long ago as at my initiation to the event in 1965.

He began as a small-time breeder and was never anything but a small-time breeder. There was a time when he had horses in training in England, France and Belgium, but that was a costly exercise which brought little success and he could not sustain it for long. Ask me to name a number of horses with which he was associated, and I would find it a struggle. But I do know that his favourite mare was Blackpool Belle, and there was a good reason for that.

Blackpool Belle was a diminutive daughter of The Brianstan who had won sellers at Hamilton and Wolverhampton as a two-yearold and an apprentice handicap at Ripon at three when in training with Jack Berry. To a mating with the unfashionable Crofthall, she produced a colt who realized 2,000gns as a yearling at Doncaster, and who eventually, as a six-year-old gelding, earned distinction as winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 1997.

Croft Pool (centre) gives John Bell his sole Pattern win in the 1997 Temple Stakes

He was Croft Pool, and it seemed fitting that the only Pattern winner John Bell ever bred should notch his success at Sandown Park – in what was the village of Esher when he was born there in April 1920.

Few horses successful at such an exalted level have been as obscurely bred as Croft Pool.

His sire got nothing else of note, and both halves of his pedigree were remarkable for a profusion of non-achievers, but his breeder would have been well aware that two of the third-generation ancestors – Philemon in the top half and King’s Leap in the lower – had connections in common, each being by a son of Nasrullah out of a daughter of Big Game.

John was thoroughly versed in pedigrees and knew the characteristics transmitted by all the stallions of his time, and I was grateful for the opportunity to pick his brains on numerous occasions over the years. I have often wondered what he might have achieved if he had been able to play in the big league.

The immediate post-war years must have been a fascinating time for a young man to make a start in the bloodstock business, which was just beginning to resume its international character and racing was entering a boom period, exemplified by huge attendances, while

a number of innovations represented significant progress in the sport.

Aged two, going on three, my 1947 meant precisely nothing until I came to learn about it as history – the year of the severest winter in living memory, the magical summer when Denis Compton was able to amass over 3,800 runs, and Gordon Richards set a similar enduring record by riding 269 winners. They were events that occurred in my lifetime while making no impression on me, but were firsthand experiences for the preceding generations. The time would come when I would feel a need to play catch-up, and John Bell was one of the many to whom I could turn for some sense of the way things were.

John’s 1947 took in the introduction of the photo-finish camera, first employed at Epsom in April, and the novelty of evening racing, which began with a fixture at Hamilton Park in July. Between those consequential events came Tudor Minstrel’s 2,000 Guineas, a performance whose like nobody expected to witness again – and nobody did until Frankel produced a near carbon copy in 2011.

That was also the year when Sayajirao, the record-priced yearling of 1945, won the St Leger, ridden to victory by Edgar Britt, who, THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_Tony_Morris_Owner 12/12/2016 16:31 Page 27

astonishingly, has contrived to out-live John, having celebrated his 102nd birthday last October.

The leading sire of 1947 was Nearco, heading the list for the first time after Hyperion had collected five titles in the previous seven years. Who could have guessed that Nearco’s male descendants would come to dominate around the world while the Hyperion line would fall into something approaching terminal decline?

Nearco was syndicated, his fee not advertised, and the only way in was to obtain a shareholder’s nomination, which rarely became available. But 400gns sufficed to use Hyperion, always assuming that one’s mare was deemed good enough to fill one of only 40 slots.

Precipitation commanded the same price, as befitted one whose fame on the turf rested on victory in the Gold Cup, and another at 400gns was Ocean Swell, victorious in both the Derby and Gold Cup, but Tudor Minstrel’s sire Owen Tudor could be used for only 300gns.

Stamina was clearly the most prized asset among the stallions of the day, with demand for the proven middle-distance and staying horse coming overwhelmingly from private breeders. Sprinters catered for a completely different clientele and were generally much cheaper, though Panorama, who had been unbeaten as a two-year-old, must have seemed an expensive option for commercial breeders at £300.

I valued John Bell’s friendship for part of my education in racing and breeding matters, but I shall also remember him for an experience we shared that left us both in shock. It was perhaps 20 years ago, when he phoned to say that he was about to head for Newmarket from his stud at Six Mile Bottom and wondered whether he could pop in for a chat. He would do that from time to time, and was always a welcome visitor.

In the course of our conversation his attention was drawn to a set of books which he had never noticed before, and he asked me what they were. I told him that they were volumes, bound half-yearly, of an old weekly publication, the Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. Perhaps not surprisingly, he asked what on earth I wanted with them.

I explained that the paper was aimed at the pub trade, and because in the late 19th century devotees of the turf commonly congregated in pubs, it always devoted a lot of space to racing matters. I’d bought the books, which covered the period from 1878 to 1894, as I’d long had a fascination for racing history, and I’d learnt a lot from them.

John asked if he could take a look at a copy, and I told him to go ahead. There were 26 volumes to choose from and he took one off the shelf at random, then opened it at random. His eye immediately hit on an item which seemed to disconcert him, his voice fainter as he mumbled something about an ad for the sale of a London pub. He was checking on the date of the publication while I told him that the paper always carried loads of ads for pubs.

He was visibly more uncomfortable now, and I suggested that he might like to sit down. He took a minute to compose himself before he could find the words to explain, and the halting delivery was understandable once they had come out. That pub was his grandfather’s, and the date of the ad would have been about the time he bought it.

A shiver ran down my spine, and the room fell silent for several minutes before John stood up to take his leave.

“Stamina was the most prized asset among the stallions of the day”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

27

Jan_149_HowardWright_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:14 Page 28

HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT

Opinion is divided but it shouldn’t be – professionals do not have to stay on after the racing, and the money tracks make goes back into the sport

Music matters as acts hot up

F

ireworks in September, Christmas carols in early November, Black Friday stretching over a week or more, and racecourses advertising tickets for their 2017 music nights at least a month before the turn of the year. The world’s gone mad. Or has it?

Forget the sheer commercial desperation that drives earlier and earlier shopping for Bonfire Night and Christmas, and consider instead racecourses highlighting their summer entertainment even before they had swung into the festive party season.

Their theory makes sound business sense.

Get the dates into people’s diaries in good time, and get some useful cash in the bank at the same time.

Choice is everything, as was demonstrated by the offers that cascaded into many an email inbox towards the end of November. For the younger element – and mums – there’s Olly Murs at Market Rasen in June and Newbury and Sandown in August, while Jess Glynne is booked for Carlisle and Newbury in July. For those with a little more maturity on their side, there’s Bananarama at Pontefract in May and UB40 at Chelmsford City in August.

Of course, not everything’s as it was for the over-40s plus. They remember the good old days when Bananarama was a trio but have had to settle for the twosome of Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward since 1992, while

“Without Nick Lees’ groundwork it is doubtful if the music scene would be as active as it is today”

Chelmsford has had to be careful to promote ‘UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue’, three of the nearly-original members of the reggae band formed in Birmingham in the late-1970s, who broke away from their former colleagues but need to be distinguished from those old-timers and some newcomers carrying on under the old name.

Never mind, time waits for no man, or

28

Jess Glynne: already booked up for concerts at Carlisle and Newbury in July

woman, in showbiz and a selection of these venerable chart-toppers is better than none, and is definitely better than the parade of tribute bands that heralded the arrival of music on racecourses, on the initiative of forwardthinking former Newmarket supremo Nick Lees, many moons ago.

Lees was a man with an idea before its time, but without his groundwork it is doubtful if the scene would be as active as it is today, with one racecourse executive comparing the scramble to sign up bigger and better-known names to “an arms race.”

Nevertheless, the advance of post-racing music nights has divided opinion, with a noisy band of professionals and annual members on one side, the downside, and a boisterous collection of casual racegoers on the other, the upside. They should be on the same side.

Professionals do not pay for racecourse admission, and they can quietly disappear from whence they came after racing ends, if the thought of rubbing shoulders with masses of ordinary folk offends their sensibilities. Annual members get cut-rate entry, and for once or maybe twice a season they can do the same.

For thousands of others, though, music nights provide a unique opportunity to mix

sport, plus an outside chance of getting a return on the evening’s betting, with entertainment.

You don’t get that at the Manchester Arena or the Hammersmith Apollo, where it’s usually one or the other but not both.

For the host racecourses themselves, music nights have become a valuable revenue stream in their own right and an opportunity to promote other days. That’s always provided they get the mix right. Some acts go down well in one part of the country but not another; some do not go down well at all and are quickly ditched.

Promoting entertainment has been a steep learning curve for some racecourse managements. For instance, Goodwood quickly decided that DJs were a better bet than chasing groups or single artists. The Jockey Club has learned more quickly than most, setting up a joint venture that has extended to acting for Newbury and York, and cutting numbers by a third to concentrate on events that attracted larger average crowds and were therefore more profitable.

And where there are profits there is money that can be ploughed into creating a bigger prize-money pool and better facilities. What’s not to like about that?

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

Jan_149_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:25 Page 31

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By JESSICA LAMB

Owners and trainers at loggerheads Payment and forfeit list proposals fail to gain support of the owners’ association

A

proposal from trainers to ban owners who fail to pay training fees from having any runners in Ireland will not be supported by the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO).

The initiative was agreed at the AGM of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association’s (IRTA), when unanimous backing was also given to Horse Racing Ireland handling the payment of training fees.

Though accepting of the fact that trainers need to be paid, Aiden Burns, chief of AIRO, said he could not support the measure.

“We are supportive of trainers getting paid,” he said. “But not of the methods being proposed.”

The potential solutions to this significant financial issue were being aired for the first time at the AGM, with HRI aware of and receptive to HRI will not support a measure to ban owners who don’t pay their training bills

“There could be a

legitimate reason for a dispute over a bill; owners may not pay if they are unhappy” the ideas, but it will be this month before any concrete proposals are tabled.

In the meantime, discussions have been ongoing between the trainers, HRI and AIRO. Burns explained: “There are problems; some trainers have been left with bills, but we would not be supportive of owners having to pay bills

through HRI and we are not in favour of having all horses being put on the forfeit list, when the dispute relates to only one – that’s just not fair.

“There could be a legitimate reason for a dispute over a bill. An owner sometimes doesn’t pay an account because they aren’t happy.”

Burns suggested that HRI could instead operate an arbitration system to allow trainers and owners to work through disputes over bills.

He cited changeable deals as a key reason why HRI handling payments would not work.

He said: “It is hard to know what type of issues could arise but it could lead to complications.

“Training fees vary a lot. Owners and trainers will do deals. I think that’s the way business is everywhere, and that flexibility is good.”

Discussions were conducted between all parties last month, but official meetings will not take place until this month.

Michael Grassick, IRTA Chief Executive, said: “Before we put it to the trainers, we went to HRI and asked if it was possible and if they would be supportive.

“Now the owners and all parties need to get involved, but that won’t happen until January.”

The trainers may be on the road to resolving one issue, but as they agreed to move forward with that initiative, they passed over another; this month the Irish Stable Staff Association will again put forward requests to raise the minimum wage.

“It’s a disgrace we didn’t hear anything about our request,” said spokesman Bernard Caldwell.

“We’ve [had] no rise for eight years off the trainers and what we are asking for is very reasonable.”

Talks will also focus on conditions, as staff numbers continue to fall. There is plenty on the agenda for all three industry bodies in 2017.

HRI to help jockeys finance additional qualifications Jockeys can now have training and education paid for by Horse Racing Ireland under a new grant scheme.

Through Careers and Racing Education [CARE], professional jockeys can apply for a grant to assist them in covering the costs of any Quality and Qualifications Ireland accredited course.

This can be to allow them to improve in their current role, or to help them prepare for life post-riding, even outside of horseracing.

Patrick Ryan of CARE said: “I hope the grant programme will act as an incentive for jockeys to consider upskilling, or getting back into education, and that any jockey who is out injured will look at using their

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

time on the sidelines to do a course in an area that is of interest to them.

“We will also be willing to offer expertise and experience from within HRI for any jockey who needs assistance or advice with an assignment, study plan, or project.”

Applicants to the grant will be required to apply, enrol and pay any fees due for their selected courses. CARE will then reimburse part of this fee in two instalments: 50% at the commencement of the course and 50% upon successful completion.

Applicants must have held a professional jockey’s licence, issued by the Turf Club, over three of the past five years.

31

Jan_149_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:25 Page 32

VIEW FROM IRELAND

From global stage to rural economy Further increases in government funding could come via racing’s new minister. Michael Creed, appointed minister for agriculture, food and the marine last May, has taken over responsibility for racing and addressed the industry for the first time last month.

Praising stakeholders for continued successes on the international stage, he acknowledged point-to-pointing as the “cornerstone” of Irish racing and added that he was already seeking an increase in funding for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Board.

He said: “Subject to approval of the Oireachtas, I will be seeking an increase in funding of 8% from 2017, on top of last year’s increase of 9%.

“It is one of those industries in which we are global leaders and I am acutely conscious that that is a position that is hard won and

could be taken from us without vigilance.”

Creed also recognised the impact Irish racing has on the rural economy and particularly highlighted point-to-pointing as a key area for investment.

“Celebrated as much as we are on the global stage, I’m also acutely aware of the reach of the industry within the rural economy,” he said. “One of the first people in my own door after my appointment on May 6 was involved in the point-to-point sector.

“That is acknowledged as the cornerstone of the industry and I think the board of HRI is working to address structure weaknesses that might have emerged, and challenges that have faced those involved, on a voluntary basis by and large, in running point-to-points and putting the show on the road for owners and trainers. And indeed prize-money.”

Michael Creed: minister values racing

Mullins and Morris top list of award-winning luminaries

Maureen Mullins with her very wellreceived award

go to. So that day she went up there and the security guard said, ‘Excuse me, may I have your name’. She said, ‘Of course, it’s Maureen Mullins,’ and he said, ‘I’m sorry, but your name isn’t on the list’. ‘That’s okay,’ she said, ‘just make sure it is tomorrow,’ and walked right on by him’.”

CAROLINE NORRIS

Patrick Mullins left the room in giggles as he congratulated his grandma Maureen Mullins on her win at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards last month.

Mullins was presented with the Contribution to Racing Award for being the backbone of the Mullins dynasty, marrying the late Paddy Mullins and becoming Mum to trainers Willie, Tom, Tony and Sandra, whose own offspring include successful jockeys Patrick, Danny, David and Emmet.

Stunned by the accolade, Mullins was quietly spoken when interviewed by compere Des Cahill, but her grandson had already captured her spirit in his congratulations message.

“We were at Cheltenham one year,” he said, “and there was a box she would always

The Outstanding Achievement Award went to the equally stage-shy Mouse Morris for saddling the Irish and Aintree Grand National heroes in the same year – the latter, Rule The World, gaining his first win over fences in the world’s most famous chase.

For Rogue Angel the win was not his first, but certainly his narrowest, Bless The Wings fighting hard on the inside to force a photo finish.

“You know, my son was telling me about all the texts we got after the race,” Morris said.

“There were hundreds and they didn’t know whether we’d got up or not. I told him to tell all of them that I still didn’t know either.

“It was a great day, a day for Tiffer,” he reiterated, paying tribute to his late son, to whom he dedicated the Fairyhouse victory in an emotional post-race interview back on that memorable Easter Monday.

Rogue Angel – now rated 145 – jumped Aintree’s fences for the first time last month when tenth in the Becher Chase.

The eight-year-old has had a wind operation since last season to improve his finishing effort and is set to have one further outing before returning to Aintree for the Grand National in April.

He will do so without the defending champion, Rule The World having been retired in May. “He had so many problems and where do you go after winning the Grand National?” said Morris. “He retired at the top.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:13 Page 35

CONTINENTAL TALES E

FR A N

C

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

Spirit’s six degrees of separation Half a dozen stable moves fail to throw Spirit Quartz off his game

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

GEORGE SELWYN

T

he long and cosmopolitan career of Spirit Quartz, one of Europe’s leading sprinters for the last six seasons, took another turn when he was knocked down to young French trainer Nicolas Caullery at Tattersalls in late October.

You could understand why, as a gelding two months short of his ninth birthday, connections were prepared to let the old stager go, particularly since he had won two Listed races in the preceding four months and so might find opportunities hard to come by at that level in 2017.

But a price tag of 35,000gns looked good value for a horse rated 107. And so it proved as, little more than three weeks after the sale, he landed the Prix Contessina at Fontainebleau to earn his new owner, Charley Lauffer, around £17,000.

Spirit Quartz and Caullery may be at opposite ends of their careers but both are interesting characters.

A son of Invincible Spirit, Spirit Quartz has now moved yards on a remarkable six separate occasions and has come under the hammer four times, realising fluctuating amounts. Bred at Ballygallon Stud in Ireland, he must have breezed well prior to his first visit to an auction ring, as he fetched 105,000gns as an unraced two-year-old.

Yet this early promise soon evaporated as he didn’t even make it onto a racecourse before being discarded by his new owners, Darley, for a paltry 5,500gns, less than seven months later.

His next home was the barn of trainer Devis Grilli in Pisa, Italy. Immediately gelded, within another few months he was making a successful debut and went on to win three of his next four starts, including the solitary Pattern race success in Grilli’s eight years with a licence.

Talent-spotted by that noted judge of a good sprinter, Tom Morley, he was then sold privately to return to Newmarket and join Robert Cowell.

Now his true talent really shone through as he posted a series of top-class efforts, including a Group 2 triumph and a second-placed finish in the Group 1 Nunthorpe.

By now sporting the silks of Qatar Racing, he was shipped off to Tattersalls again, where this time the final bid of 125,000gns came from the French owners Ecurie La Boetie. They sent him to Chantilly trainer Xavier Nakkachdji, only for his form to suffer (no top-two finishes in nine starts over two seasons), so he was reunited with

Spirit Quartz is familiar with Meydan and will be back for the World Cup Carnival

“I bought Spirit

Quartz to take to Dubai and thought that he would be more expensive” Cowell prior to the start of a much more fruitful 2016 campaign.

His next assignment is a trip to the Dubai World Cup Carnival in Meydan, where he has ventured once before, twice running creditably, four years ago. However, for Caullery it will be a first foray to Dubai.

The 37-year-old has been one of the quiet achievers of French racing since starting training in 2011, every year improving upon the previous season’s winning tally and, in March 2016, notching his first Listed triumph

with Black Sea in the Prix Francois Mathet at Saint-Cloud.

The son of a racing-mad hotel-restaurant owner from northern France who took PMU bets at his brasserie, Caullery shared his father’s passion from an early age and gained valuable experience working for David Smaga, Valerie Dissaux and Patrice Chatelain in France, D Wayne Lukas in America, and Teruya Yoshida in Japan before setting up on his own.

Highly unusually, his wife, Marine Henry, also holds a licence at their 17 Rue Charles Pratt base in Lamorlaye, but they work together incredibly closely.

“I bought Spirit Quartz to take to Dubai and thought that he would be more expensive,” Caullery said. “His Fontainebleau win surprised me – especially as six furlongs is a bit too long for him and we hadn’t bothered to use his usual headgear.”

Spirit Quartz will be part of a five-strong Caullery team at Meydan, including the stable stalwart Zack Hope, a 12-time winner for the yard.

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CONTINENTAL TALES O

POL

Improvements continue to be made to the country’s infrastructure as Morocco maintains its mission to become acknowledged as a major racing nation.

The latest development is the building of a training centre at Bouznika, halfway between and within a brief drive of the cities of Casablanca and Rabat. Both are home to racecourses, although Rabat’s will shortly close down to allow its grandstand to be rebuilt.

Two circular sand gallops and stables for over 300 horses have been constructed at the new centre, which is just off the main CasablancaRabat highway.

It also adjoins the recently refurbished National Stud of Bouznika, home to eight thoroughbred stallions including two big players from Royal Ascot 2012 in Energizer (winner of the Tercentenary Stakes) and Hermival (runner-up in the St James’s Palace

AN

Energizer: at stud in Morocco

But Imaz had to give best to the home team in the showpiece event, the mile and a half £82,136 Grand Prix de Sa Majeste Le Roi Mohammed VI, in which Striving proved a length too strong for his fellow German-bred Karltheodor.

D

Overseas campaign awaits Va Bank

The late-season exploits of the German-trained colt Potemkin have heightened anticipation at what the pride of Poland, Va Bank, might be able to achieve when let loose on the international stage next season.

Va Bank is a son of Archipenko who was purchased at the 2013 Tattersalls Ireland September Sale for just €4,500 as a yearling.

Trained by veteran Polish handler Macel Janikowski, he was exported to Warsaw, where he proceeded to carry all before him, winning 11 straight races over three seasons, including the 2015 Derby and St Leger, before he dipped his toes in overseas waters for the first time at Baden-Baden in August.

It was here, in the Group 3 SpretiRennen, that he crossed swords with Potemkin and proved himself comprehensively superior, by a length and a half with the rest of the field, including two subsequent Pattern-race scorers, six lengths and more further adrift.

Potemkin has given that form some lustre by going on to annexe both the Group 2 Prix Dollar at Chantilly on Arc Saturday, when he defeated Group 2 scorer Heshem and Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Zarak, and the Group 1 Premio Roma, seeing off the Harry Dunlop-trained Robin Of Navan by a length and a half.

Va Bank, by contrast, returned home to suffer a shock half-length defeat while going for a second straight success in Poland’s top

36

Stakes), and is little more than a mile away from Bouznika Beach and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Yet to be opened to local trainers, it was used for the first time to house the visiting horses contesting Casablanca’s International Meeting on November 19.

No Brits were among the seven foreign raiders for its three main races, which were all run on a sand surface and boasted combined prize-money of 2.5 million dirhams (£171,116). But plans are afoot to organise air travel to next year’s renewal, so British involvement in future is a distinct possibility.

In its absence, the overseas trainer to follow was the Spaniard Ana Imaz. She had already plundered this fixture on three occasions, and registered her fourth and fifth victories when Xiuni won the Grand Prix des Eleveurs (Oaks) and Intaglio held off the French hope, Malte Brun, in the Grand Prix des Proprietaires (Derby).

GEORGE SELWYN

ROCC MO

Training centre boost

Va Bank: pampered Polish flagbearer has his own dietician and masseuse

race, the Wielka Warszawska.

But, although Janikowski admits that the loss of his unbeaten record was “extremely disappointing”, there were mitigating circumstances. Possibly still feeling the effects of his trip to Germany, he played up beforehand, and then found the 2016 Polish Derby hero Caccini getting first run on him in a very slowly-run affair that took 11 seconds longer than the course record.

A 50% ownership share having been sold after the Baden-Baden sortie to Team Valor, the successful international syndicate of Animal Kingdom fame, an extensive

overseas campaign is a given in 2017.

“Va Bank is in good shape, spending his winter in Warsaw resting,” Janikowski reports. “His next race will most likely be in Warsaw in March or April and then he might go to France and then to Berlin, for the Group 1 Deutschland Preis in August.

“All my horses are very important to me but Va Bank does get special treatment, being watched over by three different vets and having his own dietician and masseuse.”

Now 74 years old and with 50 years of training under his belt, Janikowski has 40 horses under his care and is a regular visitor to the yearling sale circuit in Britain and Ireland.

He says: “I picked Va Bank out of the catalogue myself, guided by his pedigree, and although he didn’t make any great initial impression on me, I knew within a short while of him going into training that he could be a great horse.

“I’ve had success at the same sale before, most recently with Lucky Peter, a Marju colt I picked up for €6,000 in 2010 who went on to win six races for me, including three Group races.

“Va Bank is even better – he’s best at a mile and three furlongs or a mile and a half – and we think he’s up to winning in Group 1 company.

“Team Valor is a very experienced operation and together we can find the best racing plan for him.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

first crop winners

group performers

----------

Over the course of three seasons, Bated Breath matched speed and class with toughness and consistency. He got quicker as he matured, clocking a track record in the Gr.2 Temple Stakes as a five-year-old.

With 17 winners and more first-crop stakes horses than his sire Dansili, along with over 200 horses to run for him in 2017, his offspring seem guaranteed to build on these foundations.

Applications being taken for 2017.

Contact Shane Horan, Sabine Bouard or Claire Curry

01638 731115 nominations@juddmonte.co.uk www.juddmonte.com

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2017 Fee ÂŁ8,000 slf

Jan_149_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:08 Page 39

AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A M E R I CA

by Steve Andersen

Will Pegasus make a flying start?

T

GEORGE SELWYN

he match-up is a promoter’s dream.

The first $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on January 28 may feature Arrogate and California Chrome, the first two finishers of the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

California Chrome is the most popular horse in the United States and bound for stud in Kentucky in 2017. The Pegasus is scheduled to be his last start. Arrogate, the three-year-old who showed rapid improvement in the second half of 2016, is considered the heir apparent to California Chrome as the leading older male on dirt in the United States.

Those are the sort of runners Gulfstream Park officials hoped to attract when the Pegasus World Cup was announced early in 2016. The race will surpass the $10m Dubai World Cup as the world’s richest race, and has a structure unique in thoroughbred racing in the United States.

Up to 12 horses can start. Berths were purchased for $1m each by people such as the partnership behind California Chrome and by speculators who do not have a runner worthy of such a race. Some are not even horse owners.

As of early December, conversations were under way about potential arrangements. There are no restrictions on how the berths are transferred, or at what cost. They could involve leasing a horse for the race, selling the share above or below the $1m purchase price, or simply buying a leading older horse.

Paul and Zillah Reddam, the prominent California owners, bought a berth last

“The $12 million

Pegasus World Cup will surpass the Dubai World Cup as the world’s richest race” spring, hoping to start Nyquist, the winner of the Kentucky Derby in May. Nyquist was retired to stud in the autumn, leaving Reddam with the possibility of starting a second-tier horse from his stable, acquiring a top-class runner for a massive price, or developing a partnership.

The Reddams are among several recognisable names with berths for the race, but without an apparent

starter. Jim McIngvale, who campaigned champion 2015 sprinter Runhappy, and Dean Reeves, who raced the millionaire multiple stakes winner Mucho Macho Man, own berths but did not have runners as of early December.

Frank Stronach, the owner of Gulfstream Park, has a berth and could start Shaman Ghost, the champion three-year-old male of 2015 in Canada and a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga last summer.

Coolmore are considering Highland Reel, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Highland Reel was the only foreign-based candidate as of early December.

Other potential runners are Keen Ice, who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the November Grade 1 winners Gun Runner, who won the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs, and Connect, who took the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Their owners did not have berths as of early December.

Stronach’s racetrack company – The Stronach Group, which also owns courses such as Laurel, Pimlico and Santa Anita – has purchased television time on NBC to showcase the race.

The timing could not be better. The race is on a relatively quiet weekend in American sports, between the National Football League conference finals on the preceding weekend and the Super Bowl on February 5.

Whether the race is a success with punters remains to be seen, and, to an extent, needs to be.

The race will pay $7m to the winner, $1.75m for second, $1m for third and $250,000 to the other runners.

The berth holders have put up the entire purse, and each berth holder will receive a 1/12th share of net revenue generated from betting turnover.

Arrogate won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and could clash again with California Chrome at Gulfstream

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:08 Page 40

AROUND THE GLOBE

AUST R A L I A

by Danny Power

BRONWEN HEALY

New South Wales roars ahead

Most connections can only dream of having a horse as good as Winx, whose jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller enjoyed a sensational 2016 with the mare

The easy way out is to declare the highlight of Australian racing in 2016 was Winx’s magnificent eight-length thrashing of her rivals in the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

It was a performance for the ages, a rare dominance at the highest level in Australia’s most important weight-for-age race.

Winx, trained by Chris Waller, has panels on the next best horse in Australia and she will campaign in the Sydney autumn carnival in the first half of 2017 in an attempt to build on her imposing record of 13 consecutive wins – nine Group 1s – and a bank balance of $9.26m.

Everyone would love to own a horse as good as Winx, but they are a rarity and there is no easy definition of how to find one as good, or even one half as good.

However, for the rank and file Australian owner and trainer, especially those based in New South Wales, the 2016 highlight is an easy call: Racing NSW’s announcement in September of a massive increase in prizemoney across the board.

It means that horses with a fraction of Winx’s talent can race in the Sydney metropolitan area for minimum prize-money of $100,000 with the following breakdown: 1st $54,000, 2nd $19,000, 3rd $9,000, 4th $4,500, 5th $2,500, 6th-10th $2,000,

40

“The boost to

prize-money has thrown the ball into the court of Victoria’s controlling body” and $1,000 for a horse welfare fund. The new prize-money structure kicked in on October 1.

The massive boost to purses is the result of Racing NSW’s tough stand on corporate bookmakers and the resultant windfall from its race-fields legislation and tax.

“This increase headlines several prizemoney initiatives totaling almost $53 million annually, which has been announced this year, capping off a surge in NSW prize-money over four years,” said Racing NSW Chairman John Messara at the press conference which revealed the increases.

“In 2012, total NSW prize-money was $118.9 million. I’m delighted to advise that annual prize-money in NSW will be more than $204 million, an increase of $85 million

over that time.

“These increases are entirely sustainable and are fully-funded from the proceeds of the sale of digital media rights, race fields legislation fees and tax parity.”

The best way to appreciate the impact of the new prize-money structure is that in Sydney there will be close to 650 races each year with a stake-money level of at least $100,000.

When you consider the cost of training a thoroughbred at a metropolitan track in NSW and Victoria is between $40,000 and $50,000 per year, the prize-money increase puts owners in a position of more than covering their costs with a handy horse.

The boost has thrown the ball into the court of Victoria’s controlling body, Racing Victoria.

Already there are rumblings from the Victorian Trainers’ Association for RV to lift its prize-money levels to parity with NSW. For the time being at least the main weekend metropolitan meeting in Melbourne offers a stake of between $70,000 to $90,000, which is $10,000 to $30,000 shy of the new level in Sydney.

NSW provincial prize-money has risen to $30,000 (compared to Victoria’s $23,000), while Group 2 prize-money must be at least $200,000 and Group 3 races must be at least $150,000.

It seems, all in all, that Victoria will be forced to lift its prize-money levels to keep pace with its northern rival.

Anyone who has an appreciation of the cross-border rivalry between NSW and Victoria will understand that bragging rights in thoroughbred racing sit firmly with NSW after years of chasing the tail of a wellorganised Victorian industry.

It’s easy to understand why Australian racing is not only attracting record levels of ownership, especially through syndication, but also a focus of international interest from Europe, the US, the Middle East and China.

That international interest rose further in late November when it became apparent that Newmarket-based Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby had taken a leaf out of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book, declaring after a brilliantly successful Melbourne trip: “I’ll be back.”

Godolphin has said that Appleby is working on developing a team to target the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals from the end of February until the middle of March, including the $1m Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington and the $4m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

$15,000 LFSN BILL OPPENHEIM, TDN

Karakontie winning the historic Grand Criterium (G1)

Gainesway Farm 859.293.2676 / Michael Hernon 859.621.6295 Ian Tapp 678.429.2755 / Neil Howard 859.621.6273 Brian Graves 859.621.6270

Dutch Art OwnerJan17_Dutch Art 2 12/12/2016 12:50 Page 1

Proven sire of Gr.1 winning sprinters GARSWOOD and SLADE POWER

DUTCH ART ALL AREAS COVERED! Sire in 2016 of 110 winners of 173 races and over £2,500,000 in prize money.

His Group winners included the Gr.2 Lennox Stakes hero DUTCH CONNECTION and the Gr.3 winning miler ZONDERLAND, who both remain in training for 2017, along with progressive Stakes winning filly ETERNALLY.

Multiple Group winner DUTCH CONNECTION wins the Gr.2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood

2016 yearlings made €450,000, 300,000gns,165,000gns, 160,000gns, etc, and his foals made up to 130,000gns.

Fee:

£25,000 (1st October SLF)

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

Jan_149_ROA Awards_intro_v2_Owner 12/12/2016 19:21 Page 43

The ROA Horseracing Awards celebrated the outstanding equine performers and their owners of the past year

Awards photographs by Chris

Renton

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:23 Page 44

BIG ORANGE OUTSTANDING STAYER Received by Lily, Tim and Pollyanna Gredley

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:23 Page 45

LIMATO OUTSTANDING SPRINTER Received by Paul Jacobs

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:24 Page 46

SUE MAGNIER, DERRICK SMITH AND MICHAEL TABOR

OWNER OF THE YEAR Received by JP Magnier and Paul Smith 46

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:25 Page 47

MINDING OUTSTANDING MILER

CHURCHILL OUTSTANDING JUVENILE

FOUND OUTSTANDING FILLY AND MARE

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:26 Page 48

ALMANZOR OUTSTANDING MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE Received by Herve Bunel on behalf of Ecurie Antonio Caro

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER 48

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:27 Page 49

MRS DANVERS SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Received by Simon Marsh, Sophie and Jonathan Portman, Connie and Mark Burton, and Peter Deal

GRENDISAR OUTSTANDING ALL-WEATHER HORSE Received by Tom Palin, Sarah Davey, Mike Prince and Charlotte Holmes THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:27 Page 50

THISTLECRACK OUTSTANDING HURDLER Received by Heather and John Snook

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:28 Page 51

ALTIOR OUTSTANDING NOVICE HURDLER Received by Patricia Pugh

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:29 Page 52

ANNIE POWER OUTSTANDING NATIONAL HUNT MARE Received by Susannah Ricci

DOUVAN OUTSTANDING NOVICE CHASER

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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA_Awards_v3_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 19:30 Page 53

SPRINTER SACRE HORSE OF THE YEAR & OUTSTANDING CHASER Received by Caroline Mould, with Nico de Boinville, Nicky Henderson and David Minton

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_ROA Awards_social_Owner 12/12/2016 19:30 Page 54

CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS The champagne reception, enjoyed by ROA members, their guests and leading industry figures, was generously sponsored by the Jockey Club

Rich Ricci and Sir Anthony McCoy

Kelly Voy, Karl Burke, Elaine Burke and Lucy Burke

Grainne and Jim Hobern

Sam Hills, Lily Gredley, Pollyanna Gredley, Louisa Gill and Rachel Wyse

Guy Henderson and Nicky Henderson

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Trish and Steve Harman

Annie and Chris Richardson

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_ROA Awards_social_Owner 12/12/2016 19:31 Page 55

Photographs by Dan Abraham

Mike Cattermole and Jilly Cooper

Charles Yardley, Rebecca Bowtell and James Maltin

Simon Clare and Nick Rust

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Eimear Chance, Sarah Nash and Serena Cookson

Nadia Gollings and Peter Jensen

Nicholas Cooper, Dena Arstall and David Silk

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1 20

7

NEW BAY C H . 2 0 1 2 , 1 6 H H ( 1 . 6 2 M ) D U B AW I E X C I N N A M O N B AY

Fee: €20,000 1st October

An easy winner of the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club like LOPE DE VEGA, SHAMARDAL, LAWMAN and LE HAVRE By one of the world’s best sires DUBAWI from the stallion producing family of OASIS DREAM and KINGMAN Timeform 128 and 2nd in an exceptional Gr.1 French 2000 Guineas

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12/12/2016 12:48

NE

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FASCINATING ROCK

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B. 2011, 16.1 ½ HH (1.66M) BY FASTNET ROCK E X M I S S P O L A R I S

World’s Joint Top Older Turf Horse over 10f in 2015 Highest rated son of FASTNET ROCK – TFR 127

"A good stakes winner over a mile, he had the ability to carry that speed to win two Group One races over 10 furlongs. He has great conformation, size and scope and a lovely temperament."

Dermot Weld

Fee: €10,000 1st October

BALLYLINCH STUD THOMASTOWN, CO. KILKENNY Tel: 056-7724217 • Fax: 056-7724624 • info@ballylinchstud.ie • davidmyerscough@ballylinchstud.ie mark@ballylinchstud.ie • joc@ballylinchstud.ie • WWW.BALLYLINCHSTUD.COM

Ballylinch_Owner_DPS_January_2017.indd 57

12/12/2016 12:56

Jan_149_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:33 Page 58

TALKING TO...

BRIAN HUGHES

Brian

POWER Brian Hughes is enjoying his best season to date, highlighted by a terrific 31 winners in November alone, but his feet are firmly on the ground and his mind not prepared to race away with thoughts of a title he sees as unrealistic

By Tim Richards • Photos George Selwyn

A

s a 16-year-old weighing 7st you schooled over fences for James Lambe and knew from then that you preferred jumping to the Flat, even after a three-year apprenticeship with Kevin Prendergast. What made jumping more attractive?

I came from a hunting background and was still at racing school when I started riding out for James Lambe – even then jumping seemed to take pride of place in my mind. He took me to Down Royal to ride work the morning after James Nicholson Chase day and I assumed we’d be going round on the Flat. But when we went out on to the track we suddenly seemed to be showing the horses a fence. James told me to follow the other lad, Danny, down the back straight and then I realised we were supposed to be schooling!

Danny set off over the fences and I just followed him, all 7st of me! I was on a big jumper and wasn’t strong enough to hold him; he winged every fence, passed Danny and pulled up at the top of the hill. James revealed I was on a four-year-old who was away from home for the first time, and he told me I was wasting my time thinking of being a Flat jockey.

What made you leave your roots in South Armagh in 2005 and come to England?

During my apprenticeship with Kevin Prendergast I was wasting and pretty weak. I knew how tough it was on the Flat and I probably wasn’t good enough. James told me to go to England and become a jump jockey. As I’d left home at 15 to go to Kildare I didn’t think a move to England would be too much of a challenge. Bobby

>>

Jan_149_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:34 Page 59

Jan_149_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:34 Page 60

BRIAN HUGHES

Hughes has struck up a fruitful partnership with Seeyouatmidnight, winning four chases on Sandy Thomson’s popular stable star

>> O’Ryan, the bloodstock agent, got me a job

with Howard Johnson. I rode 11 winners in the first six months when Graham Lee was stable jockey. He left, Paddy Brennan took over, got the quality rides and I started to struggle with just three winners that season. I was a bit miffed and contemplated going home and taking a trade; Dad’s a carpenter but he convinced me to have another go. So I left Johnson’s and rode for Alan Swinbank, John Wade, Jimmy Moffatt, Bob Woodhouse, Diane Sayer and anyone that wanted me. I ended up champion conditional.

With 100 winners in the last two seasons and recent five-timers and four-timers your public profile is growing. Are you comfortable in the limelight?

I prefer to be on the outside looking in and not the centre of attention. I just want to get on riding the horses as best I can and maintain a low profile. I’m not one for all singing and all dancing; I like to keep my head down and kick on. I always try and portray racing in the best light possible, particularly in the north where there are so many good trainers. All racing up here lacks is the big owners. It’s a concern there are TV pundits who try to portray themselves in a good light, rather than the racing. Not all of them, but some of them.

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You ride with “sweetness and finesse” according to one trainer. You are not a ‘stick’ jockey. Is it your natural instinct to let your mount tell you when it can or can’t go, rather than forcing it?

I like to listen to the horse, get the feel of how it’s going. When I was at Howard Johnson’s Graham Lee was stable jockey and I watched what he did and tried to do it myself. He used to creep around in a race quiet as a mouse, making the horse do as little as possible. He always had his mounts well balanced, in a great rhythm, popping away saving energy. I always thought I’d like to ride like that.

You have fewer whip bans than almost any other jockey. What do you think of the present ruling where eight hits from a jump jockey, compared with seven on the Flat, triggers a review?

In 2015 Sam Twiston-Davies and myself were the only two jockeys among the top few who didn’t receive a ban. Though shortly afterwards we received a ban each. I hit mine a couple over the limit and that was the only stick ban I have received. Again going back to Graham Lee, he always picked up his stick as a last resort and I always tried to follow his example. In general it becomes very hard for

a jockey, particularly in a three-mile chase, to restrict himself or herself to eight hits. Ten might be more realistic, though I have to say most jockeys ride within the rules. There are instances when you go over the limit but they are more slaps of encouragement. You do need to keep a horse’s mind on the job, especially over those last few fences in a long-distance chase. The stewards are more understanding these days if you do go over the limit.

How important is your agent, Richard Hale, to the Hughes tally of winners?

He is very important. Richard decides what I ride, advises me where to go and gets it right more than he gets it wrong. Nine times out of ten it’s his decision and I go along with it. He is a very, very good judge of form and an excellent race-reader. He watches all the racing on television, day in day out. We talk twice a day about different rides and he invariably has the last word. Without him I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.

You are a regular visitor to Jack Berry House in Malton even when you are fit. What makes you head to the IJF headquarters in the north and how does it benefit you professionally?

Why wouldn’t you use it? Jack Berry House is a state-of-the-art facility and it doesn’t cost

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:34 Page 61

BRIAN HUGHES jockeys anything. For us it’s not just about getting fit, it’s keeping fit. Any young jockeys that don’t use the amenities – hydro therapy pool, physios and gym – want a kick up the backside. It’s a wonderful place for fitness training as well as receiving all the necessary treatment and help in recovering from injuries. From 10lb claimers to top jockeys, they should all be using Jack Berry House. The staff there can’t do enough for you.

How can racing in the north start to find its way again, particularly challenging for the big southern prizes? The new Northern Lights series culminating with a big finals day at Carlisle in December is encouraging, but what else needs to be done?

The problem in the north is that they cater too much for bad horses. They need to put on higher-rated races so our better horses do not have to go south in search of opportunities. In other words provide more chances for horses rated 120 upwards, rather than all those races for horses rated 105 down. The race planning system is strange in that we might have three or four meetings one week and then hardly anything the next. Also, there are times when we have two northern meetings on the same day and then nothing the following day; such clashes must surely have an adverse effect on attendances. It goes without saying that the other thing badly needed is better prizemoney.

As the most successful jockey in the north, could you ever be attracted south to compete regularly at the major meetings and for bigger prizemoney?

I go south a couple days a week when there’s no northern racing. I only drop in for the odd spare here and there. Some southern trainers use me when their regular jockeys are not available and I appreciate that. Of course, you never know what’s round the corner, but I’m not one for looking at what I don’t have, I try and make the most of what I do have.

Richard Johnson, who’s a worthy champion, a very good jockey and a nice fella into the bargain. The likes of AP used to have a great month every month, I’ve just had one good month. Of course people talking in terms of championships does boost your confidence.

It’s a case of the more winners you have the more people want you, and that’s a great situation to be in.

“Any young jockeys

You have been described as “dedicated, grounded and totally professional” in your preparation for a day’s work. But you must have some time for relaxation. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I don’t seem to have too much spare time.

Recently on a day off I mucked out our horses while my wife, Lucy, rode them out. I’m generally a groom for my two hunters. I enjoy going out to dinner with friends, though I am teetotal. Sun holidays bore me – three or four days off is enough for me.

that don’t use the amenities at Jack Berry House want a kick up the backside” Does title talk grate with you? Or does the fact that you are being mentioned as a possible champion jockey boost your confidence?

I think people are getting a little bit over excited. I have had a great time but am still 40 winners off Richard Johnson. I don’t want to sound defeatist; I am simply being realistic. If I can stay in a similar position to where I am in the table, ride as many winners as I can and stay in one piece, I’ll be happy. Of course, I’d like to ride a couple of big winners along the way and maximise the opportunities I have. I know everyone wants to be champion, but at the end of the day there’s only one champion. At the minute it’s

You have ridden over 100 winners for Malcolm Jefferson, who has enjoyed a great start to the season with his 48-horse stable. What makes him such a successful trainer?

He buys the right type of horse and then

Hughes and Always Waining soaring en route to Topham Chase success in 2010 – the first of a remarkable hat-trick in the race for the Peter Bowen-trained chaser

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BRIAN HUGHES >> brings it on steadily. When he goes to the sales he might not be on a good page, with the posh sires like Robin des Champs and Flemensfirth, but the horses he selects will be good lookers, good athletes, good walkers and good movers.

Malcolm will always buy a good model, but not necessarily off a good page in the

“Nowadays, there is a lot of pressure from social media, which I think is a load of bollocks”

catalogue. When you start off with the right model that’s very much in your favour and Malcolm always nurtures his young horses. I know how he wants the bumper horses and novice hurdlers ridden, always with the future in view.

What has been the most exciting moment in your career so far?

Winning the Cleeve Hurdle on Tidal Bay when I was only just out of my claim meant a lot at that stage of my career. A couple of winners over the National fences about six years ago also gave me a great feeling – Always Waining in the Topham and Frankie Figg in the Sefton. I hope I’ve still got some exciting moments to come; I haven’t won a Grade 1 yet. It’s difficult to name one favourite, but Oscar Rock, Cloudy Dream and Seeyouatmidnight are among those I always look forward to riding.

With all the travel, wasting and inevitable injuries there must be considerable pressure, particularly when things aren’t going well. How do you cope?

When you’re younger you’re inclined to take it personally when things aren’t going well.

Then you start trying too hard, only to make matters worse. It takes time to learn to deal with the stress when you think everything’s against you. Nowadays there is a lot of pressure from social media, which I think is a load of bollocks. It doesn’t concern me, but you get these clowns who’ve had a fiver on your horse and when it gets beat they call you all sorts. As long as the owner and trainer are happy, then so am I. There is a lot more pressure and hype because you are increasingly in the public eye and I tend not to listen to what people are saying. Obviously, I am not keen on the wasting side of the job but the travelling is particularly hard and, for me, it’s the downside. But I really love what I’m doing.

You took near identical falls in consecutive high-profile races at Ayr’s 2015 Scottish National meeting. Did that knock your confidence?

Both horses, Oscar Rock and Runswick Royal, were knocked over and both would have won.

And, yes, of course, such incidents don’t do your confidence any good.

Turning in on Oscar Rock I switched to the outside to have a clear run, but at the third last Top Gamble jumped across me, hitting Oscar Rock in mid-air and we came down. You have a split second to make decisions; clearly it wasn’t the right decision because I came down.

Hughes: would rather win the National than the Gold Cup

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL Favourite drink… tea with sugar I am irritated by… getting stuck behind slow traffic I couldn’t get through the day without… my racing admin of checking entries and rides Four dinner party guests… Lucy, my wife, Phil and Helen Kinsella, JP O’Farrell, his fiancée Lucy and my good friend Gary Thomson Actor to play me in a film… Lucy says it would have to be someone “stubborn and boring”

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL Would you rather win the Gold Cup or Grand National… Grand National, the biggest race in the world Best advice I’ve been given… to believe in myself My racing hero is… AP McCoy Greatest influence on my career… Bobby, Robin and Tom O’Ryan, and Ray Hawkey, who opened a lot of doors for me Alternative career… I thought a trade, but Dad kept telling me I hadn’t got the hands to bless myself

It’s all about tiny margins but at the end of the day you’ve got to pick yourself up and go on.

On Runswick Royal I was travelling well and delaying my challenge when the horse in front of me was jumping violently left; I was full of horse going to the last fence but had nowhere to go and was knocked over. That was hard to swallow because it wasn’t my horse’s fault.

There is a lot of advice nowadays for professional sportsmen and women regarding diet, fitness and mental health. Are you disciplined enough to follow it all?

My diet isn’t great. When we were in apprentice school we were told to eat a bit of this and bit of that, but at the end of the day if you don’t like that sort of food you are not going to eat it. I always try to eat a little of what I enjoy and then follow it with some exercise.

I’ll eat what I like in moderation; when it comes to diet you’ve got to find what works for you because everyone’s body is different. I eat a lot of chicken, sometimes steak as well as brown bread. I can do 10st and keep my weight fairly level, though I am always very conscious of being as strong as I can be.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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The price of

PICTURES The value of media rights has soared in recent years – here we outline the figures involved and explain how it all works for the racecourses, broadcasters and bookmakers Words Howard Wright

Y

ou cannot exaggerate the importance of free-to-air television coverage to horseracing, said ROA President Nicholas Cooper in this magazine last month.

He was referring to ITV’s return as British racing’s sole partner from January 1 and put special emphasis on the exposure the sport can expect to gain from a larger audience than Channel 4 provided.

He could just as pertinently have centred on the fact that the new four-year deal has cemented the principle of a media rights payment; only a decade ago racing was paying television for airtime. Granted, the unconfirmed but unchallenged suggestion that the broadcaster will pay a total of £30

“Media rights can

GEORGE SELWYN

help align the interests of the betting industry and our customers” million over the period represents a tiny drip in the football ocean, where the Premier League recently pulled off a rise in its annual takeaway from China alone from £17.4m to £187.7m, but football lives in a world of its own.

Still, as the unpublished Frontier Economics report points out: “The growth of racing’s media revenues has been one of the successes of the last five years.” But has the rise and rise reached a plateau?

The surprise pairing announced last

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summer between Racing UK’s parent company and SIS will bring together in 2018 what previously were warring parties, killing off one betting-shop channel, TurfTV, but prompting the creation of another, The Racing Partnership.

Video streaming is on the increase but faces stiff competition from other sports.

Bookmakers have so far proved resilient to price rises, but with other pressures on the horizon, their uncompromising support may not last forever.

Here, as well as outlining the players and the figures, we gauge the media rights temperature among the three major elements – racecourses, broadcasters and bookmakers.

THE RACECOURSES Change in the landscape of racecourses’ media rights is coming in stages. The deal with ITV starts on January 1; the betting-shop channel created by ARC will be cranked up a notch on the same day, but the once-unlikely marriage between RMG and SIS will not be consummated until April 2018. Some, but not all, are driven by increasing revenues.

The switch from Channel 4 to ITV, for example, was predicated on reaching and engaging with a larger audience, according to Jockey Club Chief Executive Simon Bazalgette, an influential member of the negotiating team.

“Payment is not the real issue,” he said. “It’s the coverage and the engagement, the audience and the ability to engage the audience. ITV pitched a story which convinced us they would be able to do that better than anyone else, and they put a bit more money on the table.

“Had we been in the position where they offered less money but pitched the same story, we would have had to balance things, but

>> THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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THE BIG ISSUE MEDIA RIGHTS

Native River leads the field over the water jump in this year’s Hennessy at Newbury; the course reported an increase in media revenues of £300,000 to £3.14 million in 2015

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MEDIA RIGHTS THE BROADCASTERS

ITV gained the contract to broadcast terrestrial racing, taking over from Channel 4

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luckily we didn’t have to do that. In the end a couple of million pounds here or there didn’t matter. Making more money is fine in the short term, but in the long term this is about getting more people interested in racing.”

By contrast, RMG’s hammering out a contract for betting-shop picture rights with SIS, and effectively sounding the death knell for its own channel TurfTV, was about money.

Rather the money that racing believed was being denied the sport by dividends siphoned off to outside interests, such as those that owned shares in SIS or TurfTV, and by duplication.

The new deal, which is understood to have been underwritten by the major bookmaking companies and offers protection for the smaller independents, will trim SIS’s earning potential while providing mechanics to enable racing to incentivise racecourses to drive value for betting.

Bazalgette explained: “We have genuinely done the deal to get the leakage out and make sure that although racing gets more money, the bookmakers should be able to pay less.

“It’s also worth saying that racecourses have become much more focused on driving the betting value of our product, because we’re getting significant revenues from betting operators. We recognise its importance and are putting pressure on ourselves to deliver better value to the bookmakers. That’s built into the SIS deal, since it’s a per-fixture fee linked to performance, in which field sizes have a pretty strong correlation.”

Whatever the changes in implementation, the importance of media rights to racecourses, big and small, cannot be underestimated.

Bazalgette said: “If managed properly media rights can help align the interests of the betting industry and our customers and generate interest in the sport. It’s not all about revenues, but media rights still represent probably our biggest revenue stream.”

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Size varies, as does relationship to annual turnover. Newbury Chief Executive Julian Thick pointed to his company’s latest annual accounts, which showed that in the year to December 31, 2015 media revenues rose by £300,000 to £3.14m and represented 22% of revenue, while his Beverley counterpart Sally Iggulden had no hesitation in saying: “Media rights are now the most important part of our revenue stream, because the levy is a drop in the ocean, a top-up to prize-money.”

All three executives agree, though, that the joined-up approach is best, with Thick commenting: “Media rights are a very important asset for a business like ours; having them in a professionally managed collective is the best way to maximise their value. The different ways that people connect to racing means that the landscape is changing very quickly, particularly with streaming and bet-to-view products, therefore we need to pool the rights to make the most of them.”

Iggulden added: “The collective approach is the most vital. Of course there are challenges, but the industry needs first to preserve its media rights and then to grow them.”

And Bazalgette summed matters up: “There’s no doubt whatsoever that aggregated rights are best. A sport working together always performs better than one that doesn’t.”

While the days of British racing’s being able to support more than one trade daily newspaper are long gone, two dedicated television channels for the sport are here to stay.

That’s the view of Richard FitzGerald, Chief Executive of Racecourse Media Group, the parent company of Racing UK, who commented: “Our business models are different – RMG is subscription, while ATR is more of a bookmaker product – and there’s just too much content for one channel.

“Given the strength of competition, we’re complementary not confrontational, and through GBI’s international business we have shown we can work well together. Overseas bookmakers and their customers don’t want to buy from different suppliers.”

Both operators are rewarding their racecourse partners handsomely, and FitzGerald gives a pat on the back to the tracks themselves. “They own the rights and have organised themselves very well with a professionalised business model to provide a compelling proposition, and have taken control of the commercialisation of the rights,” he said.

Looking ahead, he added: “One of the challenges comes through social media. We have to be careful that we have something to sell, and new-fangled technologies have to drive long-term revenues.

A recent report in the Financial Times said that

RMG Chief Executive Richard FitzGerald: commends courses for their professional approach

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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CC3070 TOB November (Roster) +Fees_Layout 1 06/10/2016 12:11 Page 1

SHADWELL

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£30,000 (1st JAN, SLF)

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

01842 755913

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Jan_149_MediaRights_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 18:27 Page 69

MEDIA RIGHTS

THE MEDIA RIGHTS PLAYERS Racecourse Media Group (RMG) – holding group responsible for a range of media-rights management businesses, including Racing UK (RUK), the subscription satellite horseracing channel launched in 2004 that has 34 British racecourse shareholders who receive dividends (£80 million in 2015) from group revenues, and joint-venture partner in the betting-shop channel TurfTV (see below).

At The Races (ATR) – joint-venture partnership between Sky and Arena Racing Company, and three independent racecourses, operating a dedicated racing satellite and cable channel that covers 25 British racecourses and all 26 in Ireland, and website with streaming; pays racecourse partners a percentage of revenues.

GBI Racing – joint-venture company launched in March 2010 by RUK and ATR as sole rights-holder for distributing British and Irish racing to overseas retail betting outlets and online operators.

Satellite Information Services (SIS) – the original services provider that introduced televising of British racing to betting shops for the first time in May 1987, after being founded with bookmaker investment.

Currently majority-owned by bookmaker interests but significant shareholdings are also held by Caledonia Investments (22.55%) and Alternateport Ltd (20.54%, holding company of Catalyst Media Group).

>>

millennials are already getting bored of social media, so we have to make sure not to undermine those revenues.

“It’s a very competitive market place and we now have more international racing coming into the UK. Also, we are competing with other sports that before the internet had very little appeal to punters. Golf, tennis and football, for instance, all offer a lot of opportunities for inplay betting, so we have to make the racing product better.”

FitzGerald’s counterpart at ATR, Matthew Imi, is preparing to hand over record levels of media rights income for 2016 to the company’s racecourse partners from distribution across more platforms at home and abroad than ever.

He said: “The brand goes from strength to strength and our broadcast and online audience continues to grow. What is particularly pleasing is that our level of engagement with that elusive audience, the 18-24 demographic, ranks highest amongst other racing media brands in the UK and is poised to grow further.

“Whilst there are clearly challenges going forward, we remain very positive about our ability to maximise the value of our racecourse partners’ media rights.

“We see technology and taking a global view at the heart of this and are well positioned to take advantage of any streaming, social media or over-the-top content opportunities, as and when they arise, because we own our own streaming platform.

“Whilst we operate in a competitive market worldwide with other sports trying to take market share from us, we believe horseracing remains a compelling betting product and perhaps the greatest challenge remains one of THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Had its monopoly position broken by TurfTV (see below) and was left to cover ATR racecourses, but will undergo further fundamental change in 2018 following a deal with RMG brokered in 2016.

TurfTV – brand name of Amalgamated Racing Ltd (Amrac), jointventure company owned 50-50 by Racecourse Media Services (part of RMG) and Timeweave (through its parent company Mayfair Capital Investments), operating since January 2008 a dedicated horseracing channel for betting shops covering 34 RUK racecourses. Due to disappear when the RMG-SIS deal starts in 2018.

The Racing Partnership (TRP) – betting-shop channel established in 2016 by Arena Racing Company to sell pictures from their tracks and seven independent racecourses direct to bookmakers, with six ARC tracks exiting SIS from January 1, 2017. Many independent bookmakers signed up but at the time of writing discussions were still going on with the ‘Big Three’.

Racecourse Data Company (RDC) – joint venture formed in 2014

by Racecourse Media Group and Arena Racing Company, plus nine independent racecourses as shareholders, to license and control prerace data, assigned from Great British Racing (formerly Racing Enterprises Ltd), to third parties.

judgement – of all the opportunities out there in the global market, which ones should we pursue?”

THE BOOKMAKERS The betting industry remains by far the biggest contributor to British racing’s media rights income, yet operators large and small argue that increased payments have come against a background of falling gross win from the sport.

Early in 2016, when the debate about the

BHA’s authorised betting partner scheme was at its height, Gala Coral Chief Executive Carl Leaver released figures to show that over the previous seven years, his company’s costs on UK racing, including levy, media rights, sponsorship and online streaming, had increased by 45%, from £33m to £48m, while in the same period gross win from the sport, including from online business, had gone down by 19%, from £152m to £124m.

Among the direct costs he outlined, media

Carl Leaver, pictured with Ladbrokes’ Jim Mullen, says racing is a declining product

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MEDIA RIGHTS

THE FIGURES: WHAT MEDIA RIGHTS ARE WORTH Knitting jelly, herding cats, gathering verifiably accurate figures for revenues from British racing’s media rights: all impossible pursuits.

Two recent studies – one well-publicised by the sport, the other hidden from public view by the government – have included detailed references to media rights. Their differences illustrate the difficulty in nailing down the subject.

DELOITTE: Economic Impact of British Racing, 2013 It said: “The growth of racing’s media revenues, whether from selling pictures to bookmakers, allowing punters to watch racing on the move via their mobile or smartphone, or from selling British racing to close to 40 countries worldwide, has been one of the successes of the last five years.”

Quantifying the success, its findings included: • Amount paid to racecourses in licence fees for broadcasting up from £57m in 2008 to £88m in 2012, and expected to exceed £100m in 2013 after exclusive deal with Channel 4. Figures primarily made up of payments from terrestrial channels (BBC and Channel 4), bookmakers (through SIS and TurfTV), and RMG and ATR (subscriptions, overseas sales of picture rights and betting commission). Included all amounts paid to TurfTV but only racecourse licence-fee element of bookmaker payments to SIS. • Majority of growth resulted from higher fees in LBO (Licensed Betting Offices) market following launch of TurfTV in 2008 – up to £67m in 2012, more than 50% higher than in 2008 – plus ATR and RUK developed video streaming products, and GBI Racing increased sales to overseas outlets.

• Including £17m from GBI Racing joint venture, ATR and RMG combined increased revenue from £33m in 2008 to £60m in 2012.

FRONTIER ECONOMICS: Analysis of the funding of horseracing, June 2016 The report, prepared for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of its search for a sustainable levy replacement system, said: “There is a complex flow of funding into and around British racing.” Maybe that, backed by a telling illustration, explains why its findings have never been officially published, although a copy has been seen for the purposes of this article.

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rights and streaming had gone up from £17m in 2008, when TurfTV entered the market, to £35m in 2015, whereas the profit contribution of UK racing before operating costs had declined from £96m to £58m.

Leaver, who has since become Executive Deputy Chairman of the expanded Ladbrokes Coral Group, added: “Looking at retail only, the costs of UK horseracing account for more than half [54%] of Coral’s gross win after tax, up from 26% seven years ago. Indeed, this cost burden now means that over 200 Coral shops make a loss on UK horseracing before any allocation of shop operating costs, such as payroll, rent and rates, and central overheads.”

Coming up to date, the merger of the two majors will only partly redress the imbalance, according to Mark Chambers, Chief Operating

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On the topic under consideration, it said: “Media income varies by racecourse, with payments based on the number of fixtures and the attractiveness of the racecourse’s races to consumers.” Its overall findings included: • British racecourses’ estimated income from media rights up from £89.9m in 2012 to £116.1m in 2013 to £127.8m in 2014. However, the report notes: “Media rights income is an overestimate, as some racecourse media income is attributable to consumers directly (eg, pay TV subscriptions). It adds: “Around 24% of media income comes from sources other than bookmakers taking bets on GB racing from GB consumers. These are likely to include viewers who pay for a racing subscription channel, revenues from bookmakers not serving GB customers and other sources. If we assume that around 76% of the revenue flowing to courses comes from bookmakers, the figure for 2014 would be reduced to around £97m.

“The difference between what betting operators pay and what the racing sector receives (termed ‘leakage’) reflects profit by media companies not distributed to the racing sector.”

• 2014 total of £127.8m in dividends and other payments made up of £152.7m in media and data payments from bookmakers to SIS, RMG and ATR, minus £73m in media companies’ capture and distribution costs, other dividends and profits, plus £48.2m in payments by course visitors, media viewers and other media income.

• 2014 figure of £152.7m for total media services income compared with £125.8m in 2012 and £144.8m in 2013.

• Media revenue is greatest among racecourses categorised as ‘low quality’, attracting £58.5m in 2014, against £32.6m for ‘top quality’ and £36.6m for ‘mid quality’ in 2014. [No identification of racecourses is provided.] Jump racing was responsible for £55.2m of media revenue in 2014, against £48m for Turf Flat racing and £24.6m for all-weather.

On the other side of the divide, the report estimated that among direct bookmaker costs related to British racing, those for media and video streaming rose from £104.2m in 2012 to £127.9m in 2014 for betting operators classed as ‘terrestrial’, while for similar services they went up from £11.1m to £16.5m for remote operators. However, a caveat noted: “Figures are from 11 bookmakers so not reflective of all betting activity.”

Officer for the Coral retail division, who said: “The big challenge is that racing’s gross win from betting continues in long-term decline but racing’s operators are looking for substantial hikes in media payments, such as through the new ARC deal and for video streaming.

“Coral are paying at least £35m in media costs and around £12m in levy, so that will be more than double for the new group, £100mplus in total, for a declining product.”

The situation is proportionately worse for smaller independent bookmakers, as Howard Chisholm, who operates 47 shops in the north of England and has already removed TurfTV from two, pointed out.

“The levy is proportional, media rights are not,” he said. “You pay out a chunk of money for media rights, which is easier for the big, city-

centre shops to cope with, not the smaller independents.”

Chisholm, who traded without TurfTV for five years until SIS dropped full audio commentary facilities and he was forced to fall in line with larger competitors, added: “We now have to win £102 per day from every customer group in order to pay SIS and TurfTV, as well as betting duty, which adds up to £35,000 a year.

“Media costs per shop have more than doubled since TurfTV was introduced – from £12,286, including VAT, in 2007 to £31,946 in 2016 – which is why the independent sector has declined so much. And yet the vast majority of small bookmakers are still pro-racing, so they would go to the wall before they ditched a service. I don’t know how long that can continue.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Shalaa, whose first book was full by early December

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AL SHAQAB STALLIONS

The reawakening of

BOUQUETOT Al Shaqab’s stallion operation has only been in existence since 2014 but, as it starts its fourth season with the high-profile Shalaa as a new recruit, it is already having a major impact on the French breeding scene Words Emma Berry • Photos Zuzanna Lupa

B

ack in 2010 when the now-popular La Route des Etalons was started in a bid to reinvigorate France’s breeding industry, Haras de Bouquetot, like the country’s stallion ranks, was experiencing something of a dormant spell.

Having been developed in the 1960s by the Wessweiler family and more recently used as a training centre by Jennifer Bidgood, the stud was restored to its original purpose following its purchase in 2012 by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani. Its revival has been swift and has helped to play a part in a current dramatic resurgence for the breeding heartland of Normandy, not least through an

increasingly appealing stallion roster. This year that list includes the most expensive new sire in Europe, Al Shaqab Racing’s dual Group 1 winner Shalaa.

Throughout his juvenile season, the son of Invincible Spirit blotted his copybook only once, when greenness on debut saw him finish last in a competitive conditions race won by the subsequent Group 2 Superlative Stakes winner Birchwood. The penny dropped quickly for Shalaa and he constructed a seamless procession of victories, most importantly perhaps in the Qatar Richmond Stakes during the meeting now so heavily backed by his owner, followed by that Group 1 brace in the Prix Morny and the

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A L S H A Q A B S TA L L I O N S

Weanlings at the 130-hectare farm between Lisieux and Deauville; Sheikh Joaan has recently purchased more land locally

>> Middle Park Stakes. Even after a three-year-old

season seriously blighted by injury he was able to return a winner, at Ascot in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes, but that pipe-opener for his swansong on QIPCO British Champions Day was not enough to have him properly match-fit against battle-hardened sprinters.

Shalaa nonetheless remains a highly enticing prospect for breeders. They visited him in their droves at Bouquetot during the recent Arqana December Sale and will not have been disappointed in the macho stallion, who takes plenty of his substance from his sizeable American-bred dam Ghurra, a War Chant halfsister to another Middle Park Stakes winner in Sheikh Hamdan’s Hayil.

Shalaa is but the latest arrival to a stallion operation that welcomed the first mares to its first two resident sires – Planteur and Style Vendome – in 2014. Since then, Olympic Glory and The Wow Signal have joined them at the brand new Bouquetot stallion yard which has been painstakingly built in the traditional beamed style so redolent of the Normandy countryside. Set in Clarbec, just 15 minutes’

drive from Deauville, the farm is at the heart of the French stallion business which now pumps with renewed vigour.

“It has been an effort because around ten

“The farm is at the

heart of the French stallion business which now pumps with renewed vigour” years ago in France we lost Anabaa, Linamix, Kendor, Bering, Highest Honor,” says Benoit Jeffroy, Manager of Haras de Bouquetot and Bloodstock Advisor to the Al Shaqab operation.

“We had good stallions known to an international standard and then they all disappeared. The talk back then was that we needed to find some good stallions for France

and some incentives were put together. It took time but then horses like Le Havre and Siyouni started to take off. France has been through a dip but it’s now coming back up.”

In Style Vendome, a son of Anabaa, Haras de Bouquetot is carrying on one of the traditional French sirelines, while Olympic Glory, Planteur and The Wow Signal all represent the Danehill Dancer line which had been absent in the country until Air Chief Marshal retired to Haras de la Cauviniere. Shalaa adds a different string to their bow through the speed-orientated Green Desert branch of the Danzig dynasty which has so many foot soldiers in Britain and Ireland.

Jeffroy says: “That’s probably one of the main things for Al Shaqab: to develop a really good stallion roster. And it won’t just be in France.

We’re standing Toronado at the National Stud in England and eventually we want to be standing horses around Europe. Shalaa is probably the most exciting horse to retire to France in a long time. I can’t remember a horse starting at €27,500 first season in France.

“Even at that price he’s full. That says a lot for the quality of mares in France, which is going

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A L S H A Q A B S TA L L I O N S

GEORGE SELWYN

up: this year they bred the best horse in Europe – Almanzor – and the best miler filly in Qemah.”

Of the150 mares to visit Shalaa this year in France, around a quarter of them will be from Ireland and a quarter from England, with the rest split between outside French mares and Al Shaqab’s own mares. In tandem with the fastgrowing stallion roster, a significant band of broodmares has been recruited to the 130 hectares at Bouquetot. Some have been expensive mare-sale purchases, such as Twyla Tharp, the dam of four-time Group 1 winner The Fugue, who was bought for 1.7 million gns in 2012, or Grade 3 winner Changing Skies, a three-parts sister to Nathaniel who cost $4.2 million that same year.

Others have been bought as yearlings or in training, most notably the queen of the Bouquetot paddocks, Treve, who will deliver her first foal by Dubawi this spring.

“We’re up to 120 mares now,” notes Jeffroy.

“We feel we must support our stallions and we’re sending at least 15 to 20 mares to each of them. We know it’s a risk as we’re sending 80% of our broodmare band to our own unproven stallions and only 20% outside.

“This year Treve will go to Shalaa, along with Twyla Tharp and between 20 and 30 of our good black-type mares.”

The large and airy American barns that house some of those good mares are another new addition to Haras de Bouquetot. Among those nestled in their boxes are Avenir Certain’s dam Puggy, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Zagora and Al Naamah, the full-sister to Oaks winner Was who sent records tumbling when bringing the hammer down at 5 million gns at Tattersalls’ October Book 1 Sale in 2013.

Jeffroy, born in Brittany to a family of good breeders responsible for the likes of Never On Sunday and Texalina, recalls the formative years of the Al Shaqab breeding operation. >> Top: Al Shaqab General Manager Khalifa Al Attiya with Haras de Bouquetot Manager Benoit Jeffroy. Above: Sheikh Joaan Al Thani and Frankie Dettori with Galileo Gold, a future stallion prospect. Below: the Bouquetot stallion yard

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A L S H A Q A B S TA L L I O N S >>

Jeffroy says: “The farm was half asleep when Sheikh Joaan bought it in 2012. In the middle was the main house with a barn of 30 boxes and about 40 hectares which were developed, and then the rest needed to be fenced. We built two barns with 25 boxes, a foaling unit. Planteur and Style Vendome were our first stallions here in 2014 – we started in the lunge ring and the office was only a piece of wood.”

And he issues a statement of intent which make it clear that the development hasn’t stopped there.

“All the stallions we stand have raced for us but in the future if there’s a good opportunity

“Sheikh Joaan is so

passionate about it; he loves walking in the fields with the mares and foals” and we think we might need a new horse we may invest in one from outside,” he says. “We have only seven stallion boxes at the moment but next year we are going to expand the stallion yard and double it in size.”

As the equine population of the farm grows, so of course does the human workforce. Jeffroy left France at 18 to work at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand “just to learn to speak English” and went on to become the youngest member of Darley’s Flying Start programme, before spending several years at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket after his graduation from the course 11 years ago.

There he met Audrey Leyval, whom he

describes as his right-hand woman, while she was in Newmarket to work for Shadwell. Leyval swiftly followed Jeffroy back to France as Al Shaqab started to grow and now manages the office and looks after the stallion marketing.

“It started with Sheikh Joaan [Al Shaqab’s General Manager], Khalifa Al Attiya and me,” says Jeffroy. “Nicolas de Watrigant was our agent, and that was it. Now we have 35 people at the farm, plus we have Harry Herbert, Alison Begley and Alice Jefford in England.”

One of the latest recruits to the team at Bouquetot is the man who replaced Jeffroy at Darley, Sebastien Desmontils, who will combine a role selling stallion nominations with managing Al Shaqab’s version of Rabbah Bloodstock.

“We are trying to develop something similar to Rabbah called Al Mariyah, which is the breeding and racing operation of Sheikh Joaan’s friends and associates, and Sebastien will look after them and help with their matings and other plans,” Jeffroy explains.

For someone who is soon to celebrate his 30th birthday, the man at the heart of the dayto-day running of such a fast-growing operation remains remarkably laidback about life and, despite his early world travels, maintains that it was always his intention to return to his homeland.

“I went to Cambridge Stud only because my cousin was a vet there and the idea really was just to learn to speak English – I never thought I’d be here where I am today,” he admits. “I was just in the right place at the right time.

“I was always planning to go back to France.

Being a young breeder, it’s probably the best place to succeed – land is cheaper and the premiums system makes it easier. The last ten years have seen big changes in France – there are lots of new names among the consignors at the sales and they are all young people who

Anabaa’s Classic-winning son Style Vendome has his first runners in 2017

have travelled around the bloodstock world and returned with everything they have learned.”

Of course it helps the young team at Al Shaqab that the head of the operation, who is also the brother of the Emir of Qatar, is, at 32, a young breeder himself.

“Sheikh Joaan is so passionate about it,” says Jeffroy. “He loves to be a farmer. He loves walking in the fields with the mares and foals and wants to know why we do this and that. He is involved in everything, from grass management to matings and the pricing of stallions.”

In just a short time, the force of Sheikh Joaan’s passion for the industry has been keenly felt, both through Qatar’s sponsorship of the Arc meeting, Glorious Goodwood and Newbury’s Lockinge meeting, as well as his participation through various agents at the sales.

If early signs are anything to go by, Al Shaqab’s contribution to the stallion industry in France and beyond will also be significant.

The rolling paddocks at Haras de Bouquetot are now home to 120 broodmares, including Treve

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The next

GENERATION A recap of the racing careers of a bumper crop of 42 new Flat stallions which will take to the ranks in Europe for 2017 Words Tom Peacock • Photos George Selwyn ENGLAND Adaay (IRE, 2012) Kodiac - Lady Lucia (Royal Applause) Whitsbury Manor, £7,000 Adaay locked horns with some big names in his time and defeated the useful Kodi Bear on his two-year-old debut at Newbury. A busy juvenile season was cut short by mid-July and trainer William Haggas nursed him back in 2015 to finish third behind the top-class Limato in a hot Listed race at Ascot. Adaay then won the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury and reversed placings with Limato in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes. He claimed the biggest prize of his racing career later that season in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

Bobby’s Kitten (USA, 2011) Kitten’s Joy - Celestial Woods (Forestry) Lanwades Stud, £12,500 Spent the majority of his career in America, emerging an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park before being sent off favourite for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, where he took third behind Outstrip. After warming up for 2014 by winning at Tampa Bay Downs, he was aimed towards the Kentucky Derby only to look uncomfortable on the dirt in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Bobby’s Kitten was much more at home back on the grass when running away with the Penn Mile and later dropped down in trip for what was to prove his career highlight, staying on wide and late past the entire field to steal the

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint out of the clutches of No Nay Never. He was not seen again until the latter stages of 2015, failing to quite recreate his Breeders’ Cup heroics, and owner-breeder Ken Ramsey decided he would be sent to Dermot Weld in Ireland. The sprinter was quite spectacular on his debut for Weld, winning the Listed Cork Stakes in late March by eight and a half lengths. Ultimately, it was to be his only European start and it was announced in September that he would be retired to stud.

Cannock Chase (USA, 2011) Lemon Drop Kid - Lynwood Chase (Horse Chestnut) Worsall Grange Stud, £3,000 Having made just one placed start at two, Cannock Chase started his three-year-old season

Charming Thought, left, wins the Dewhurst from Ivawood; Bobby’s Kitten swoops wide and late to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

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NEW SIRES FOR 2017 in blazing fashion, winning his first three races, emulating his brother Pisco Sour in landing the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was disqualified after winning the Listed Godolphin Mile at four but bounced back the following month to take the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. His sole start in 2016 resulted in victory in the Group 3 Huxley Stakes at Chester.

Charming Thought (GB, 2012) Oasis Dream - Annabelle’s Charm (Indian Ridge) Dalham Hall Stud, £8,000 Ranked second in the 2014 European champion juvenile standings behind Belardo, Charming Thought did not even race at two until mid-August and claimed minor heats at Lingfield and Leicester before being thrown in at the deep end in the Middle Park Stakes. As a largely unconsidered 22-1 shot, he got the better of odds-on favourite Ivawood by a nose in an exciting duel over the last furlong with the following year’s champion sprinter Muhaarar back in third. Trainer Charlie Appleby was forced to abandon a Classic campaign when Charming Thought suffered a knee injury in his build-up to the 2,000 Guineas and he did not appear again until the summer of 2016, showing some promise but failing to make a solid impact in three stakes races.

Eagle Top (GB, 2011) Pivotal - Gull Wing (In The Wings) Hedgeholme Stud, £3,000 Homebred by Lady Bamford from Sariska’s family, Eagle Top is a full-brother to last season’s Dante hero Wings Of Desire and 2013 Park Hill Stakes winner The Lark. His racing career began at three, taking a Newbury maiden on debut, and captured the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on only his third start. He went on to finish fourth to Taghrooda in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

That Ascot contest saw his best performance as a four-year-old, when losing out by a nose to Postponed in a fabulous finish.

Makin prior to the 2,000 Guineas but this was to be his one and only outing for the Australian owner-breeder.

Haydock and a 2015 victory in the Group 2 Temple Stakes was his career highlight. A fourth behind Profitable in the same race was his leading performance of 2016.

Mattmu (GB, 2012) Indesatchel - Katie Boo (Namid) Norton Grove Stud, £3,500 After an admirably consistent racing career, Mattmu remains under the ownership of his breeder James Bowers and adds some vitality to Yorkshire’s breeding industry. Trained by Tim Easterby, he was campaigned hard at two, running nine times. He was to win four of them, finishing second to Limato in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy and ending up landing the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. Mattmu continued the good work at three, taking second again in the Duke Of York and Chipchase Stakes, gaining a short-head verdict over Toscanini in the Phoenix Sprint and producing arguably the best effort of his life in defeat when third to Mecca’s Angel and Acapulco in the Nunthorpe Stakes. His finest effort at four came on his seasonal bow, just losing out on second in a tight finish to an Abernant Stakes won by Magical Memory.

Pearl Secret (GB, 2009) Compton Place - Our Little Secret (Rossini) Bucklands Farm & Stud, £4,000 Looked the most exciting of three-year-old sprinting prospects in 2012, stretching his unbeaten record to four in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown. He was then seen only twice in almost two years, with a fine third in the King’s Stand Stakes on his sole start in 2013.

The chesnut was to become a reliable performer, going close on a few occasions at the highest level. Pearl Secret saved his best efforts for

Territories (IRE, 2012) Invincible Spirit - Taranto (Machiavellian) Dalham Hall Stud, £12,000 Made a useful start as a two-year-old, breaking his duck at the second attempt in a conditions race at Chantilly and then placing behind Full Mast in both the Prix La Rochette and the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Andre Fabre decided to train the colt for the 2000 Guineas and after a successful prep run at Longchamp, he finished a respectable second at Newmarket behind Gleneagles. The subsequent defeat of Dutch Connection in the Prix Jean Prat was to be his final win but he put in a highly respectable effort as a three-year-old to chase home his older stablemate Esoterique in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. Territories remained in training at four but was unable to hit those heights again in four starts at Group 3 level in France.

Tha’ir (IRE, 2010) New Approach - Flashing Green (Green Desert) Lilling Hall Farm, £3,500 It was not long before Tha’ir began delivering for Godolphin and Saeed Bin Suroor as he quickened away with the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on only his third juvenile start. This was followed up by close positions in the Vintage, Solario and Champagne Stakes before he struggled in the heavy ground at the end of the campaign in the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere. He had to have his sights lowered a little in 2013, getting back on the scoreboard when dropped in class to a Newmarket handicap and he

Marcel (IRE, 2013) Lawman - Mauresmo (Marju) National Stud, £5,000 Picked up for 26,000gns as a yearling, Marcel spent his first season running in the colours of Paul Hancock, finishing a promising fifth on his debut at Ascot before going on to a comfortable victory in a maiden at Newcastle.

Peter Chapple-Hyam was not afraid of then aiming straight for the top and although he was the 33-1 outsider of the seven runners in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy, he swept through the field under Andrea Atzeni and fought off Johannes Vermeer by a length and a half. Marcel was bought privately by Paul THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Marcel secures Group 1 glory in the Racing Post Trophy

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NEW SIRES FOR 2017 the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, his intended prep for the 2016 Commonwealth Cup, and came in a fair way behind Quiet Reflection. He was to appear only one more time, struggling with the hurly-burly of a top-class sprint in the King George Stakes at Goodwood.

Awtaad (IRE, 2013)

Tha’ir wins the Chesham Stakes under Frankie Dettori

>> developed

into a durable middle-distance performer. The Dubai Carnival proved a good spot for him and he won valuable handicaps on the 2014 and 2015 circuit. His penultimate contribution was to be his most lucrative for the Godolphin operation, when taking the Turkish Group 2 Anatolia Trophy at Veliefendi.

Toormore (IRE, 2011) Arakan - Danetime Out (Danetime) Dalham Hall Stud, £5,000 Proved an inspired purchase by the Middleham Park syndicate at £36,000 from the DBS Premier Yearling Sale as he managed to remain unbeaten throughout his juvenile campaign. He narrowly defeated Outstrip in Goodwood’s Vintage Stakes and went on to capture the Group 1 National Stakes in commanding fashion from Sudirman, a performance which led him to top the end-of-season European twoyear-old rankings. Toormore made a successful reappearance in the Craven Stakes but could only manage seventh in the 2,000 Guineas, somewhat rescuing the rest of the year with a far more encouraging third to Charm Spirit in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Good showings in the 2015 Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes alerted the attention of Godolphin and his first appearance in the blue silks was a win in the Lennox Stakes. He went on to race regularly for the following year or so, achieving Group 2 victories in Turkey and in the Sandown Mile.

Twilight Son (GB, 2012) Kyllachy - Twilight Mistress (Bin Ajwaad) Cheveley Park Stud, £10,000 This lightly-raced but very capable sprinter was given a quiet introduction by Henry Candy as a

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juvenile in 2014, winning both his starts at Salisbury and Thirsk. The softly-softly approach continued into his three-year-old career as he maintained his unbeaten record through two further outings in handicap company. After his win in the valuable Charity Sprint at York, Candy was encouraged to aim higher and it paid off with interest as he was successful in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup. By this time, Cheveley Park Stud had bought into the colt previously owned by Godfrey Wilson and although he lost his perfect sequence in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot, he was a worthy second to Muhaarar on that occasion.

Appearances were limited due to his preference for ease in the ground but Twilight Son was to clinch another Group 1 in 2016 when coming out on top in a five-way blanket finish to the Diamond Jubilee Stakes

IRELAND Ajaya (GB, 2013) Invincible Spirit - Nessina (Hennessy) Rathbarry Stud, €10,000 William Haggas sent Ajaya to the Norfolk Stakes as a maiden and his auspicious-looking seventh at Royal Ascot was quickly followed by a victory at York. He then very nearly won the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin, going down by a head to Gutaifan after a sustained duel. The following month at York, Ajaya was to pick up his biggest prize, coming a length and a quarter clear of subsequent Group 1 star Ribchester in the Gimcrack Stakes. Haggas then geared him towards the Middle Park Stakes, where he finished fourth behind the impressive Shalaa.

Ajaya gave away too much ground at the start in

Cape Cross - Asheerah (Shamardal) Derrinstown Stud, €15,000 Awtaad is unusual for a Classic winner in that he began his three-year-old season by landing a handicap, albeit in facile style. Trainer Kevin Prendergast could then put an eye towards the Irish 2,000 Guineas and his colt earned a place in the line-up by winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curagh. Three weeks later he returned for the Guineas itself and never looked better under a bold ride from Chris Hayes, lowering the colours of Newmarket Guineas hero Galileo Gold by two and a half lengths.

Awtaad got too far adrift of Galileo Gold in the rematch in the St James’s Palace Stakes, eventually being pipped for second by The Gurkha, and could only manage eighth behind the same rivals in the Sussex Stakes. Any fears the Irish Guineas was a fluke were allayed when he won the Group 2 Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown and he signed off with a perfectly acceptable fourth behind Minding in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Belardo (IRE, 2012) Lope De Vega - Danaskaya (Danehill) Kildangan Stud, €15,000 Europe’s 2014 champion two-year-old had clearly been showing trainer Roger Varian something on the Newmarket gallops as he was sent off at odds-on prior to a comfortable debut victory at Yarmouth. He went on to win two of his four subsequent starts, the Listed Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury and then what was to prove his defining performance in the Dewhurst. This prompted Godolphin to buy into the colt with Prince Faisal. His threeyear-old campaign was not an immediate success and a moderate reappearance in the Greenham Stakes prompted him to miss the 2,000 Guineas and head instead for the Irish equivalent, where he improved with fourth behind Gleneagles. He later finished threequarters of a length second to Solow in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Varian found a gentle 2016 launchpad in the Doncaster Mile and despite defeat to Toormore in the Sandown Mile, his representative put his best foot forward again to win the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. He was beaten just half a length by the star North American mare Tepin in the Queen Anne Stakes, his final start.

Buratino (IRE, 2013) Exceed And Excel - Bergamask (Kingmambo) Kildangan Stud, €5,000 One of the most precocious of the 2015 juveniles, Buratino had a win under his belt THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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N E W FO R 2 0 1 7

Ajaya

Impressive Group 2 Winning 2-Y-O

2013 Invincible Spirit x Nessina (Hennessy)

• Placed Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes, 6f.

“AJAYA was a high-class two year-old blessed with bags of speed and a good temperament. His performance in the Gimcrack was a top-class one, beating subsequent Group 1 winner, Ribchester, and he loved fast ground. He is a thoroughly likeable colt who thrived on racing”.

William Haggas, Trainer

Kodi Bear 2012 Kodiac x Hawattef (Mujtahid)

“KODI BEAR was a pleasure to train and showed a lot of class right from the beginning. He was an exceptional winner of the Sovereign Stakes and confirmed that form when winning the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in tremendous style. His temperament and appetite for racing was first class and I am sure he will pass on these qualities to his offspring”.

Clive Cox, Trainer

• Winner of Gr.2 Gimcrack Stakes, 6f. (defeating Ribchester etc.)

• 2nd Gr.2 Prix Robert Papin, 51/2 f. (to Gutaifan, beaten a head) • Winner of Maiden over 51/2f. at York.

• 2015 Timeform rating 117 in GB/IRE versus Gutaifan (117), Ribchester (115) in the same year • From the family of BATED BREATH, CITYSCAPE and REDOUTE’S CHOICE • By Leading Sire and Sire of Sires INVINCIBLE SPIRIT

High Class 2-Y-O & Impressive 3-Y-O

• Winner of Gr.2 Celebration Mile, 8f. (defeating Cable Bay (IRE), Breton Rock (IRE), etc.).

• Winner of Gr.3 Sovereign Stakes, 8f. (defeating Custom Cut (IRE), etc.).

• Winner of L.R. Midsummer Stakes, 81/2f.

• Winner of L.R. Winkfield Stakes, 7f. (defeating Muhaarar (GB)).

• 2nd Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, 7f. (to Belardo (IRE), defeating Estidhkaar (IRE)) • Placed Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat, 7f.

• 2015 Timeform rating 123 in GB/IRE versus Belardo (123), Custom Cut (122), Estidhkaar (121), Cable Bay (119), Breton Rock (118) in the same year • From the family of ESOTERIQUE and COOL CREEK and by Multiple Stakes Producing Sire KODIAC

Rathbarry Stud, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland • Tel +353 (0)25 36362 • rathbarr@iol.ie • www.rathbarrystud.com

A4 TOB Dec 16.indd 1

16/11/2016 11:44

Al Kazeem TOB-Jan 2017:Oakgrove Stud

6/12/16

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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

Jan_149_NextGeneration_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:28 Page 83

NEW SIRES FOR 2017 the first weekend in June, even if his participation was put in doubt when he lost a shoe on his journey from Ireland and had to have his foot bathed in a bucket of ice. Harzand was not affected by the fuss and mastered US Army Ranger and Idaho under a powerful ride

by Pat Smullen. He was expected to complete the Derby double in Ireland but Idaho made him work even harder at the Curragh and was within half a length at the line. Weld decided to give the colt a summer break and brought him back for the Irish Champion Stakes, where he failed to feature and was subsequently reported to have been struck into. He recovered in time for the Arc but his swansong followed similar lines, with Harzand finishing a never-dangerous ninth.

Dual Derby victor Harzand stands alongside his sire Sea The Stars

Kodi Bear (IRE, 2012)

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even before the end of March at Chelmsford and later added a novice event at Newmarket. Just as it appeared other two-year-olds had caught him up, he improved again and overcame a troubled start to draw a striking six lengths clear in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom’s Derby meeting.

The Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot was another step up again but Buratino was now on a roll, winning by two lengths and inflicting the sole juvenile defeat of 2015 champion Air Force Blue. Positions were reversed when he finished third to Air Force Blue in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and he signed off with another fine effort on his eighth start of the year, closing to within half a length of Shalaa in the Middle Park Stakes.

He could not add to those achievements at three, looking as if he did not see out the mile in the 2,000 Guineas.

Coulsty (IRE, 2011) Kodiac - Hazium (In The Wings) Rathasker Stud, €5,000 A fine servant for four seasons for owner Lord Vestey and trainer Richard Hannon, Coulsty started with a faultless maiden victory at Leicester and was to later manage a Listed third at Deauville. He began the next term with another win in the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket and maintained consistency throughout the campaign, rounding it off with another visit to Deauville to claim the Prix de Meautry. His 2015 season continued in a similar vein and Coulsty showed his best efforts at seven furlongs, holding Aljamaaheer by a nose in a Leicester Listed race and taking second in the Group 3 Hungerford Stakes. Coulsty took in eight more starts in 2016, falling short at the very highest level but adding a conditions event at Thirsk to his tally.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Fascinating Rock (IRE, 2011) Fastnet Rock - Miss Polaris (Polar Falcon) Ballylinch Stud, €10,000 Dermot Weld had Fascinating Rock out smartly in 2014 to win an early Leopardstown maiden, followed by the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes and then the Derrinstown Derby Trial, which he was awarded after the disqualification of Lotus Breeze. His successful run ended in the Derby at Epsom, in which he might have got closer to Australia than eighth but for being involved in some bumping. His season was brought to a conclusion after coming in last in the Irish Derby. Careful planning by his trainer yielded further Listed and Group 3 victories the following year and he was second to Al Kazeem in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. His autumn campaign was even better and culminated in a game defeat of Found in the British Champion Stakes. Fascinating Rock was to become a dual Group 1 winner when beating Found again in the 2016 Tattersalls Gold Cup but he was unable to defend his Champion Stakes title as he was not seen after finishing second in a Group 3 at the Curragh in late August.

Kodiac - Hawattef (Mujtahid) Rathbarry Stud, €10,000 The often cautious Clive Cox was confident enough in Kodi Bear’s ability to pitch him into Royal Ascot’s Coventry Stakes as a once-raced maiden, where he caught the eye in staying on for fifth behind The Wow Signal. A Listed win in the Winkfield Stakes back at Ascot was a formality and he went on to finish a clear second behind European two-year-old champion Belardo in the Dewhurst Stakes. He was prepared for the 2,000 Guineas but missed the race when cast in his box and made a successful later return in the Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor. Fourth in the Prix Jean Prat, Kodi Bear went on to the most fruitful period of his racing life in partnership with jockey Gerald Mosse.

They won the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury and doubled up a fortnight later in the Group 2 Celebration Mile. A little keen when beaten only three lengths behind Solow in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, Kodi Bear was then prepared for the major mile events of 2016.

Despite a respectable seventh to Tepin in the

Harzand (IRE, 2013) Sea The Stars - Hazariya (Xaar) Gilltown Stud, €15,000 The dual Classic hero raced only once as a juvenile, making strong headway in the closing stages to take fifth at Gowran Park and was soon in the swing of things in 2016, winning a maiden at Cork at the end of March by a remarkable 16 lengths. Dermot Weld did not initially sound keen about running at Epsom after Harzand’s encouraging trial victory in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes but he made it there on

Belardo joins the Kildangan roster

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NEW SIRES FOR 2017 >> Queen Anne, he failed to place in four runs as

Breeze-up quickly got to work at repaying his £170,000 fee for trainer Robert Cowell and The Cool Silk Partnership. Rather than trying a maiden, he went straight into the Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy at Beverley and ended up beating the Brocklesby Stakes and eventual Middle Park winner The Last Lion by a length and a quarter. From there Prince Of Lir went to Royal Ascot and came past that same rival in the closing stages to win the Norfolk Stakes. He showed plenty of pace when defending his unbeaten record in the Prix Robert Papin only to drop away in the last couple of furlongs and finish fifth of six. From there, Cowell took a gamble by tackling hardened sprinters in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York but even with the huge weight allowance, Prince Of Lir failed to feature.

an older horse.

Markaz (IRE, 2012) Dark Angel - Folga (Atraf) Derrinstown Stud, €6,000 Rarely ran a bad race in spells under the care of John and Barry Hills and then Owen Burrows, starting with an impressive juvenile maiden victory at Ascot and finishing the season with second in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes. Markaz found life typically tough as a three-year-old sprinter when running into the likes of Limato and Adaay, although he struck in another Group 3, the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. He managed to get his head in front once again at the same level in 2016 in the Chipchase Stakes at Newmarket and ran nicely in the Lennox and Hungerford Stakes.

He was elevated to a Group 2 winner after finishing second to the subsequently disqualified Donnerschlag in the Goldene Peitsche at Baden-Baden on what was to be his final start.

Mehmas (IRE, 2014) Acclamation - Lucina (Machiavellian) Tally-Ho Stud, €12,500 The retirement of Mehmas to stand at Tally-Ho Stud after only his juvenile season was announced prior to his final outing, a decent third-placed finish behind The Last Lion in the Middle Park Stakes. The terrier-like colt won half of his eight starts and was runner-up in the other three, starting off in the best possible way under Frankie Dettori at the Chester May meeting. Trainer Richard Hannon kept him busy up to Royal Ascot, where he led home his side of the field in the Coventry Stakes and would have taken the Group 2 prize himself but for the presence of the fleet-footed Caravaggio.

He resumed winning ways in the July Stakes and chose to deliver perhaps his most memorable performance at Glorious Goodwood. In a tooth-and-nail fight with Godolphin’s Blue Point, Mehmas, who is bred on the same cross as Dark Angel, showed admirable determination to prevail by a neck.

He later produced another reliable effort when second to Churchill in the National Stakes.

New Bay (GB, 2012) Dubawi - Cinnamon Bay (Zamindar) Ballylinch Stud, €20,000 Held in the utmost regard by trainer Andre Fabre, New Bay was set a stiff challenge in the nascent part of his career when aimed for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. It nearly worked as he was held up to the rear of the field only to make up an enormous amount of ground in the closing stages, passing everything but his prominently-ridden stablemate Make Believe.

An extra couple of furlongs were to his advantage in his next Classic mission, beating Highland Reel with plenty in hand in the Prix

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The Gurkha was sensational in victory in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains

du Jockey Club. New Bay was then aimed towards the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, winning the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and then the Prix Niel in straightforward fashion but third was the best he could do behind Golden Horn in a vintage renewal of France’s showpiece event.

After New Bay ran poorly on his comeback on soft ground in the Prix d’Ispahan, Fabre began to plan towards the Arc again; he won another Group 3 at Deauville and then finished a fine fourth to Almanzor in a glittering Irish Champion Stakes. In the Arc itself, he was towards the rear of the field for much of the way and was only seventh.

Pride Of Dubai (AUS, 2012) Street Cry - Al Anood (Danehill) Coolmore, €15,000 This shuttle-stallion arrival from Coolmore Australia earned his stripes with a glittering albeit brief juvenile campaign. After a gentle introductory third by trainers Peter and Paul Snowden in a minor race at Rosehill in Sydney, he stepped up to take a narrow second in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield. A fortnight later, Pride Of Dubai went a place better in the Blue Diamond itself, Victoria’s signature twoyear-old contest. It was a performance which would have been more impressive but for jockey Damian Browne having to weave neatly through traffic. Upon returning to New South Wales, he snared the Sires’ Produce Stakes in more straight-forward fashion. Pride Of Dubai was forced to miss the major festivals the following spring when it emerged he had picked up an issue with a hind leg and finished well down the field when making a belated reappearance in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick early in 2016.

Prince Of Lir (IRE, 2014) Kodiac - Esuvia (Whipper) Ballyhane Stud, €5,000 The joint-top seller at the 2016 Goffs UK

Strath Burn (GB, 2012) Equiano - Irish Light (Irish River) Bridge House Stud, €5,500 Second in both the Prix Robert Papin and the Cornwallis Stakes as a two-year-old, Strath Burn was technically a seriously high-achieving maiden at that stage as he had been disqualified from an earlier win at Newbury. That statistic was corrected at Doncaster the following July and a more important prize was quickly secured in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

Strath Burn was unfortunate not to go higher still in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup when he came with a flying challenge and was only beaten a short-head by Twilight Son. Following a couple of ordinary runs early in the 2016 season, he was transferred from Charlie Hills to the care of Robert Cowell but it did not have the desired effect and he produced no better than third in four more outings.

The Gurkha (IRE, 2013 Galileo - Chintz (Danehill Dancer) Coolmore, €25,000 Aidan O’Brien’s colt, unraced as a juvenile owing to colic surgery, looked more of a future prospect than an imminent Classic winner when making his racecourse debut as a threeyear-old at Leopardstown in April 2015.

Although only third in a maiden, the way he overcame obvious inexperience saw him enter many notebooks and he had no problems in scoring by nine lengths a few days later at Navan. The Coolmore partners then elected to throw him straight into the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Deauville and they were rewarded in spades as their colt streaked five and a half lengths away from the field. A clash with Galileo Gold awaited in the St James’s Palace Stakes but The Gurkha could never get on terms with the prominently-ridden 2,000 Guineas winner.

Compensation was expected in the Eclipse, where he travelled ominously well only to find Hawkbill too good on the day. He was returned to a mile for the Sussex Stakes and a rematch with Galileo Gold, this time keeping closer to THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

>>

His yearlings caught the eye of some of the best in the business and sold for up to £71,400 ~a filly for Hugo Palmer

OVER11737 Owner Breeder full page 1 JAN16.qxp 09/12/2016 09:59 Page 1

* First two-year-olds race in 2017 And ~ remember! ~ Cityscape broke the Ascot mile record as a juvenile!

OVERBURY Stud S I M O N S WE E T I N G 07796 174926 (01386) 725552 simon@ovstud.co.uk

JO B RO WN (01386) 725552 jo@ovstud.co.uk

S AM H O S K I N S 07791 746119 sam@ovstud.co.uk

C I TY SCA P E Selkirk ~ Tantina {Distant View} £4,500 Oct 1, SLF

Also standing jump stallions K AYF TA R A and SCHI A PA R ELLI J UDG E S V OT E WITH THEIR MONEY

‘‘

Buyers of his yearlings Amanda Skiffington for MV Magnier, Tim Gredley and Paul Shanahan, Derek Veitch, Peter & Ross Doyle, Marco Bozzi, Eoghan O’Neill Breeders of his yougstock Bob McCreery, Emma Balding, Willie Carson, Luke Lillingston, Kevin Mercer, Peter Onslow

~

MY HORSE OF A LIFETIME!

Sheikh Fahad on Dunaden First foals sold for up to £21,000, with a median of more than three times his fee.

And Sheikh Fahad bought three of them!

Timeform rated 130, and at his best over 12f.

According to Timeform, no new stallion retiring to stud in Europe in 2017 was as good as Dunaden.

Watch his three amazing G1 wins on www.ovstud.co.uk

The fastest ever winner of the

STUN N IN G

F OA LS!

MORE

ONLINE

The fastest horse in the

J E R S E Y STAK ES

AL L E G RE T TA

a race won by the likes of

family of Classic sires

I N DI AN R IDGE DI KTAT M OZAR T

G AL I L E O SEA T H E STARS

~

~

and

In his first book, very well supported by his owner Sheikh Hamdan, and his trainer Dermot Weld They know how good he was....

M USTA J E E B Nayef ~ Rifqah {Elusive Quality} £4,000 Oct 1, SLF

D U NAD EN Nicobar ~ La Marlia {Kaldounevees} £3,000 Oct 1, SLF

Best of both worlds

Sire of the Gr.1 Champions Sprint winner THE TIN MAN

Fee: £8,000 1st Oct SLF

7

Fee: £17,500 1st Oct SLF Acclamation ex Entente Cordiale

Gr/Stks winners in 2016

Brilliant 3yo & 4yo from a Classic family Nathaniel and his siblings improved dramatically from 2 to 3 by between 30lbs to 50lbs. Watch his progeny follow suit in 2017!

THE TIN MAN

Gr.1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint MEDICINE JACK Gr.2 Railway Stakes

Leading GB sire of sprinters in 2016 by winners – 4th in GB & IRE (5f & 6f)

2 Group performers and 9 winners

from his first-crop. Second-crop yearlings made up to €250,000 and averaged £64,000.

Better results than his paternal half-brother DARK ANGEL from their first 3 crops

Group winners 7 Winners 115 2yo Group winners 3 2yo Black-type winners 6 2yo winners 59

Galileo ex Magnificient Style

Dark Angel 5 98 2 4 62

566

mares covered in his first 4 books

Supported by a syndicate of Europe’s leading breeders

Julian Dollar or Gary Coffey +44 (0)1763 846000 Newsells Park Stud, Barkway, Royston, Herts SG8 8DY

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09/12/2016 08:57

Jan_149_NextGeneration_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 17:28 Page 87

NEW SIRES FOR 2017 >>

his rival and sticking a neck ahead passing the post. In August that he had needed a further operation to deal with a displaced colon, and a month later he was retired.

The Last Lion (IRE, 2014) Choisir - Mala Mala (Brief Truce) Kildangan Stud, €12,000 He lasted only a season on the racecourse but few two-year-olds have managed to make such a sustained impression. Mark Johnston had the juvenile spot-on for Flat’s traditional curtainraiser of the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, which he won in imperious fashion as an oddson favourite. Demoted from second to third for causing interference in a messy event at Ascot, he went on to chase home Prince Of Lir in both the Beverley Two-Year-Old Trophy and Royal Ascot’s Norfolk Stakes. Johnston regards The Last Lion as one of the toughest horses he has trained and he never finished worse than third in ten starts. These included further victories in the Listed Dragon Stakes and the Group 3 Sirenia on the Kempton Polytrack. His enthusiasm continued to burn and his final display is the one that caused him to be purchased by Godolphin. Despite being one of the outsiders for the Middle Park Stakes, he led for every yard of the six furlongs, coping with not only a fierce wind but the attentions of hot favourite Blue Point and keeping enough up his sleeve to give veteran jockey Joe Fanning a first top-level win.

Vadamos (FR, 2011) Monsun - Celebre Vadala (Peintre Celebre) Tally-Ho Stud, €10,000 Vadamos began his racing life in the French provinces, running for two seasons in the care of Francois Rohaut. Beaten in two back-end starts at Bordeaux as a juvenile in 2013, he was off the mark the following April in a maiden at littleknown Tarbes. He quietly went through the ranks and signed off for Rohaut when wellbeaten in the Prix Niel. A transfer to Andre

Fabre’s care for a brief 2015 campaign brought about considerable improvement as he won a Group 2 at Baden-Baden by five lengths. He was later tailed-off in the British Champion Stakes.

Fabre had Vadamos back out early the following year, even if a challenge for the Dubai World Cup ended in another tame defeat, and he went on to lift two more domestic Group races before finishing just half a length behind Ribchester in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. Adventurous campaigning eventually resulted in a first Group 1 success in the Prix du Moulin and with partowner John Camilleri being Australian, it was decided to prepare him for the Cox Plate. The wonder mare Winx was much too good at Moonee Valley but Vadamos picked up useful prize-money with fourth and followed up by taking the same placing in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

Dariyan (FR, 2012) Shamardal - Daryakana (Selkirk) Haras de Bonneval, €8,000 Benefitted from a typically patient preparation

by Alain de Royer-Dupre, not racing at two and making steady headway through maidens and conditions races at three before winning the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte in effortless fashion. Dariyan was beaten by only New Bay in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville and wrapped up 2015 with a fine third behind Highland Reel in the Hong Kong Vase. He was campaigned far more boldly at four, coming up a little short against Postponed on two occasions in Dubai and finally gaining a Group 1 win in the Prix Ganay. He followed that with a distant second to A Shin Hikari in the Prix d’Ispahan and did not run again after the Juddmonte International.

Exosphere (AUS, 2012) FRANCE Bow Creek (IRE, 2011) Shamardal - Beneventa (Most Welcome) Haras du Logis, €4,000 A glamorous globe-trotting career did not look as if it awaited Bow Creek following his debut ninth in a maiden at Newmarket and he was campaigned with typical regularity by Mark Johnston as a two-year-old, scoring twice in seven runs. It was only in the middle part of his three-year-old season that he began to really shine, finishing second in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot and then winning the Group 2 Celebration and Boomerang Miles in quick succession. A switch to Charlie Appleby at Godolphin did not result in success but Bow Creek found his feet again when moved to John O’Shea’s Australian branch, with a second in the Group 2 Crystal Mile and a later breakthrough at the same level in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. He returned to Appleby via Hong Kong for a light British campaign in 2016 but never made the racecourse.

Lonhro - Altitude (Danzero) Haras Logis, €6,000 Sharp enough to win a Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Warwick Farm at two, it was not until early in his three-year-old career that Exosphere really took off. He picked up three consecutive Group victories in Sydney, the highlight being a rapid performance in the Golden Rose Stakes. By now, John O’Shea’s Godolphin runner was being hailed as the next star of Australian sprinting, only to meet defeat as an odds-on favourite for the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Royal Ascot was said to remain on the agenda after his decent fourth to Chautauqua in the Lightning Stakes but he was retired after finishing lame behind the same horse in the TJ Smith Stakes.

Goken (FR, 2012) Kendargent - Gooseley Chope (Indian Rocket) Haras de la Huderie, €5,000 An early two-year-old for Alex Pantall, Goken already had a couple of conditions races under the belt at Chantilly before taking out the Group 3 Prix du Bois. He ran honourably in the Prix Robert Papin and Prix Morny and was back to winning ways at three in the Group 3 Prix Texanita. After struggling in top-level sprints, he was moved to Kevin Ryan’s care towards the end of 2015 and immediately landed a Lingfield Listed event that November. Despite being unable to win again, he produced an excellent attempt in overcoming a troubled passage in the King’s Stand Stakes, steaming home for third.

Morandi (FR, 2010)

Mehmas beats Blue Point in the Qatar Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

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Holy Roman Emperor - Vezina (Bering) Haras du Mont Goubert, €3,000 A highly consistent juvenile campaign saw Morandi mark himself out as a highly promising individual, wining four of his six starts that year, including the Group 3 Prix de Conde and Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He failed to strike in later seasons but was twice runner-up to Intello in Group company, most notably the

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Prix du Jockey-Club, and remained winless in four starts in America as a five- and six-year-old.

Scissor Kick (AUS, 2011) Redoute’s Choice - Back Pass (Quest For Fame) Haras d’Etreham, €10,000 Scissor Kick claimed consecutive victories in maiden, Listed and Group 3 company before Hallowed Crown denied him a Group 1 by a nose in the Golden Rose at Rosehill. Trainer Paul Messara mapped out a bold campaign for the following autumn and his sprinter was back in front in the 2015 Eskimo Prince Stakes. His best performance in the book came in defeat, when upgraded to fourth from fifth behind Dissident, Wandjina and Chautauqua in a very strong renewal of the All Aged Stakes at Randwick.

Shalaa (IRE, 2013) Invincible Spirit - Ghurra (War Chant) Haras de Bouquetot, €27,500 The second-best European two-year-old of 2015 was described by Frankie Dettori as the fastest juvenile he had ever ridden. Shalaa was green on debut at Newbury but quickly made amends in a Newmarket maiden and then the Group 2 July Stakes. He looked more like the finished article when winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and earned such lofty praise from Dettori with a storming frontrunning performance in the Group 1 Prix Morny. He went off the 1-2 favourite for his final start of a busy campaign in the Middle Park Stakes and never looked in any danger.

Trainer John Gosden outlined that the Commonwealth Cup would be Shalaa’s first significant target for 2016 but it was announced in April that a pelvic injury would keep him out for the first half of the season. He finally reappeared in October, taking the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot under only hands and heels. A challenge for the British Champions Sprint proved short-lived with Shalaa showing up prominently only to drop away with a furlong to go.

Triple Threat (FR, 2010) Monsun - Drei (Lyphard) Haras du Mont Goubert, €3,000 Initially trained in France by Andre Fabre, he was a ready winner of his third juvenile start at Saint-Cloud before landing fourth in the Group 1 Criterium International. A reappearance victory in the Prix la Force seemed to put Triple Threat in line for the French Derby but he was held back by issues with the stalls and managed only one more success in 2013, running away with the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam. An ordinary set of results through the following year saw him sent across the Atlantic to Bill Mott and it had the desired effect as he outlasted Middleburg by a nose to make a winning debut in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes. He went on to place third in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf at Woodbine.

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Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist, one of three sons of Monsun to retire in 2016

GERMANY Guiliani (IRE, 2011) Tertullian - Guadalupe (Monsun) Gestüt Erftmuehle, €3,500 A winner in three consecutive seasons, Guiliani took a Frankfurt maiden and a Listed event at Maisons-Laffitte at three but made less impression in a couple of Group starts. He rectified that at four, losing out in a head-bob for the Group 2 Badener Meile and then showing a smart change of gear to claim the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis. Later ran well for fourth in the Premio Roma and made his only appearance in 2016 a successful one, beating Lucky Lion in a Group 3 over a mile.

Protectionist (GER, 2010) Monsun - Patineuse(Peintre Celebre) Gestüt Rottgen, €6,500 He will be best remembered for a pioneering first German victory in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, although there are other chapters in Protectionist’s career. He was Group-placed as a juvenile and looked on the brink of better things in the Listed Derby Trial at Bremen but failed to race for the rest of 2013. The HansaPreis and Prix Kergorlay set him up for the long journey to Melbourne but the decision to keep him in training in Australia after the Cup with Kris Lees proved a disaster as he looked a lost cause throughout 2015. Returned to Andreas Wohler’s care in Germany, he was slowly rebuilt to claim a maiden European Group 1 in the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

Ito (GER, 2011) Adlerflug - Iota (Tiger Hill) Gestüt Ammerland, €5,000 This slow-burner did not encounter Group company until his four-year-old season in 2015

but he quickly made an impression, leading all the way in the Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmen to win by four lengths. Ito was caught close home in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin by Second Step but be dominated the Grosser Preis von Bayern at the end of the year. After disappointing in the Japan Cup, Ito won a Group 2 at four in Cologne.

Isfahan (GER, 2013) Lord Of England - Independent Miss (Polar Falcon) Gestüt Ohlerweiherhof, €4,000 Looked a strong staying type from the start of his light career, winning at the second attempt as a two-year-old in the Group 3 Preis des Winterfavoriten over a mile at Cologne before finishing in mid-division in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Isfahan made a triumphant return in 2016, taking the Bavarian Classic at Munich by a decisive two lengths. Trainer Andreas Wohler blamed the quicker ground for his ordinary effort in the Derby Italiano but, on what proved to be the last of six starts, he held on by a head in a pulsating finish to the Deutsches Derby.

Lucky Lion (GB, 2011) High Chaparral - Lips Arrow (Big Shuffle) Gestüt Graditz, €5,000 Showed his mettle among stiff competition at three, the first notable achievement being victory in the German 2,000 Guineas and then beating all but wide-margin winner Sea The Moon in the Deutsches Derby. Three weeks later, Andreas Lowe’s colt won a Group 1 by getting the better of the top-class Noble Mission in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis. He could not top that performance in two more seasons but finished a narrow fourth in the same race 12 months later and got within two lengths of Solow at Chantilly at the beginning of 2016.

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09/12/2015 16:41

Bearstone-FOY TOB-Jan 2017:Layout 2

6/12/16

15:21

Page 1

FIRST FOALS 2017

By European Champion Sprinter and leading sire influence OASIS DREAM Out of European Champion 2YO and five-time Group 1 winner ATTRACTION

tility in his Over 98% fer h 85 mares it w n o s a e s t firs tested in foal

“Fountain of Youth was all speed which is not surprising considering how fast his parents were. His form over 5 furlongs was excellent. At 2 he won his maiden by 4 lengths and was beaten less than a length in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot while at 3 he beat older horses in the Sapphire Stakes-Gr.3 at the Curragh.” Aidan O’Brien

View his video online!

His yearling half-brother was bought by Shadwell for 1,600,000gns

Rated 111 by Timeform at 3 years, higher than Oasis Dream’s most successful sire son Showcasing (sire of dual Gr.1 winner Quiet Reflection)

Cost 420,000gns as a yearling

IF YOUR MARE IS A CLOSE MATCH, WE’VE GOT THE PERFECT DEAL. Enquiries: Bearstone Stud, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 4HF, UK Tel: 01630 647197 Mobile: 07974 948755 Email: enquiries@bearstonestud.co.uk view our brochure at www.bearstonestud.co.uk

Jan_149_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 12/12/2016 16:09 Page 91

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Sales Circuit: Wrapping up the European foal and breeding stock sales – pages 92-97 • Caulfield Files: Do older stallions receive the support they deserve? – pages 99-100 • Dr Statz: Which sires had the X-factor in the sales ring in 2016? – page 122

Stallion intake at an all-time high

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935,000gns, Jack Naylor was James Wigan’s selection at 800,000gns and Euro Charline is off to Japan after being bought by Katsumi Yoshida for 750,000gns. As yearlings, the three subsequent top-class racemares cost €16,000, €10,500 and 13,000gns respectively (with Euro Charline also having sold in the February of her yearling year for just 800gns). The one consolation for breeders in cases like this is the extra value added to the family by such success.

chance to prove themselves on the track.

Dunaden may not have a pedigree to appeal to commercial breeders, and indeed he fetched just €1,500 when offered by Haras de Maulepaire as a foal at Arqana in 2006. Seven years later, he’d earned more than £5 million in prize-money, grafting his way to a deserved place at Overbury Stud.

Within an hour on Tattersalls’ big night last month – the Tuesday of the December Mares’ Sale – a trio of fillies who could have been bought collectively as yearlings for less than £40,000 each attracted lofty price tags. Irish Rookie sold to Andreas Putsch for

Form horses coveted

TATTERSALLS/LAURA GREEN

I

t’s hard to imagine that there’s ever been a larger pool of stallions retiring to stud than the list of new boys for 2017.

With more than 40 new sires spread around Europe for the forthcoming season, breeders will be spoiled for choice. As important a choice as which stallion to use, however, is whether or not to cover your mare in the first place.

Forget about the BHA’s call for 1,000 more horses in training – that is simply untenable in the current climate. One didn’t have to read too closely between the lines at a range of sales in 2016 to understand the underlying message: plainly, the demand at the lower end of the market has fallen worryingly short of the current supply chain. Even more concerning were the weaker days of the mares’ sales, at which a number of in-foal mares returned prices lower than the covering fee of the stallion they’d visited last year.

It’s not uncommon for vendor frustration to be taken out on sales company representatives, with one being asked at a recent foal sale what his company was doing to help breeders. The fact is that all the major sales companies do sterling work in attracting potential buyers from the world over – Henry Beeby even goes as far as ringing individual trainers and agents personally to ensure that they will be attending sales at Goffs. If a horse fails to sell at a level deemed suitable to the vendor then a long, hard look should be taken at that individual and decisions made as to whether his or her dam should remain in the breeding pool.

The tragedy is that, so often, it’s not even about the individual foal or yearling but about fashion. Who can tell if a currently popular stallion will still be in vogue in two or three years’ time when the offspring of this year’s coverings are brought to the market?

It’s not feasible for everyone, but rewards can be great farther down the line once horses have been put into training and given a

Irish Rookie, a €16,000 yearling, sold for 935,000gns at the December Sale

On a more positive note, if the yearling and breeding stock sales were hard for many breeders, the horses-in-training sales were hard for buyers. The autumn sale at Tattersalls in particular saw a frenzy of activity hitherto unseen at Park Paddocks. The competition between American, Australian, Hong Kong and Arab buyers, all of whom have the luxury of knowing horses they export can race for prize-money we can only dream about on these shores, has long been a feature of this sale but it appeared to reach a new level in 2016, leading to record turnover and a hugely encouraging clearance rate of 92%.

Of course there are two ways to view these results. On one hand, it’s sad to lose so many of our good horses overseas when one of Flat racing’s hardest battles is capturing the public imagination through horses who race for such a relatively short space of time. Equally, however, the fact that so many people will fly halfway across the world in a bid to select horses from a catalogue made up primarily of British- and Irish-breds should be a source of national pride to both countries.

Our breeding industry remains one of the most respected in the world and flagship race meetings like Royal Ascot will always prosper.

How sad, though, that the important grassroots-level races which keep the sport afloat, providing employment and betting opportunities, have been eroded to such a degree that for many people it’s now more fun to have a touch in the sales ring than to follow their horse into the winner’s enclosure.

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Jan_149_Sales_Circuit_Sales 12/12/2016 17:26 Page 92

SALES CIRCUIT

By CARL EVANS

It’s tough at the bottom as lowly mare and foal sessions struggle Huge international demand for top tier remains but warning signs are clear

92

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Goffs November Foal Sale This five-day sale reached a peak two years ago, but has bumped down in each of the following two renewals.

A 47% clearance rate on day one at this year’s event was a worrying note on which to open, and while the ratio of horses offered and sold improved as the sale went on it remained behind the 2015 percentages at each session.

Stock by sires such as Kodiac were feasted upon, but the “perceived commerciality of each foal” – to use the words of Goffs’ Chief Executive Henry Beeby – counted heavily against any that failed to fit the criteria of pinhooking judges.

Their recent experiences at the yearling sales, where lower-end horses had been very hard to shift, almost certainly lay behind their caution when it came to foal selection. For the big pinhookers the market has shifted upwards, and at present they would rather gamble on smaller quantities of six-figure foals by the most popular sires than have a selection across the board. That is not to say they won’t take a chance on a superb foal by a stallion who is not five-star popular, but at a price.

Turnover declined 22%, the average dropped 10% and the median by 17%, while the overall clearance rate of 67% (77% last year) meant that of the 1,041 foals offered, 347 went back to their owner. One trader, commenting during Tattersalls’ four-day foal sale that followed a week later, suggested Irish breeders had sent their best foals to Newmarket, which, if true, seemed curious given that the weaker pound was not an incentive for them to do so.

On a bright note this sale finished strongly, helped by a selection of quality foals offered from The Castlebridge Consignment draft on behalf of a dispersal from the Wildenstein family. Their foals walked the ring during the final session, which achieved figures on a par with the same day 12 months earlier, and underlined Beeby’s mantra that Goffs can get the buyers and the prices if given the right material.

Shadwell took the sale topper, a daughter of Siyouni, but the underbidder was American Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm, which soon gained two high-value Dansili foals from the draft, and was to place a stranglehold on Wildenstein mares at the two-day breeding stock sale which was to follow.

A Siyouni filly from the Wildenstein dispersal topped the Goffs Foal Sale at €775,000

Goffs November Foal Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

F Siyouni — Amerique (Galileo)

Wildenstein Stables

Price (€) 775,000

Buyer Shadwell Estate

F Dansili — Beauty Parlour (Deep Impact)

Wildenstein Stables

450,000

White Birch Farm

C Kingman — Anna’s Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar)

Knockenduff Stud

320,000

Shadwell Estate

C Dansili — Pacific Rim (Singspiel)

Wildenstein Stables

320,000

White Birch Farm

C Sea The Stars — Quad’s Melody (Spinning World)

Old Carhue Stud

240,000

Rabbah B/s

F Dark Angel — Sioduil (Oasis Dream)

Jockey Hall Stud

230,000

Mountarmstrong

F Oasis Dream — Noyelles (Docksider)

Neilstown Stud

220,000

Stauffenberg B/s

F Dark Angel — Elshamms (Zafonic)

Esker Lodge Stud

190,000

Richard Knight B/s

F Acclamation — Tecla (Whipper)

Airlie Stud

185,000

Meridian International

C Sea The Stars — Martine’s Spirit (Invincible Spirit)

Nuala Lynch

180,000

Rabbah Bloodstock

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2016

697

20,083,350

28,814

15,000

775,000

2015

810

25,852,500

31,917

17,750

1,100,000

2014

742

27,504,700

37,068

22,000

1,800,000

2013

689

18,096,200

26,264

17,000

420,000

2012

570

14,747,500

25,872

15,000,

310,000

Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale Following on from a foal sale which produced figures that fell across the board,

came a high-quality breeding stock auction glittering with drafts from some of the world’s leading breeders. Goffs’ Chief Executive Henry Beeby described it as “the best breeding stock catalogue we have THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jan_149_Sales_Circuit_Sales 12/12/2016 17:26 Page 93

spending €5,210,000 while gaining ten lots.

No less important to owners of lesser mares was businessman and racehorse ownerbreeder Luke Comer, who took a remarkable 80 lots with a high of €28,000 and a low of €1,000.

Brant, a billionaire who made his fortune from manufacturing newsprint who spotted Andy Warhol before the world beyond New

produced, for many a year at least . . .”

Perched atop this lofty selection were mares from the ongoing Wildenstein dispersal. They duly claimed the top five prices, and seven of the top ten as buyers dipped into a rare jewellery box. Better make that ‘buyer’ rather than buyers, because American Peter Brant of White Birch Farm had a curiously driven desire to claim the majority and duly did,

Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

Beauty Parlour (Deep Impact — Bastet)

Wildenstein Stables

1,600,000

White Birch Farm

Amerique (Galileo — Aquarelliste)

Wildenstein Stables

975,000

White Birch Farm

Pacific Rim (Singspiel — Prairie Runner)

Wildenstein Stables

680,000

Narvick International

Blue Kimono (Invincible Spirit — Bastet)

Wildenstein Stables

675,000

White Birch Farm

Altamira (Peintre Celebre — Arlesienne)

Wildenstein Stables

530,000

White Birch Farm

Typique (Galileo — Denebola)

Kiltinan Castle Stud

450,000

Broadhurst Agency

Newton’s Night (Galileo — Sassenach)

Jockey Hall Stud

440,000

Ecurie des Monceaux

Peinture Rare (Sadler’s Wells — Peinture Bleue)

Wildenstein Stables

410,000

White Birch Farm

Andromeda Galaxy (Peintre Celebre — Arlesienne)

Wildenstein Stables

400,000

Eaton Sales

Love Is Blindness (Sir Percy — On Fair Stage)

Jockey Hall Stud

380,000

De Burgh/Harron

York and bought his art extensively, and whose friends include Donald Trump, had pursued Wildenstein stock that was being cleared at Goffs’ Orby Yearling Sale and from a selection of horses in training offered at that same auction. He had also bought a weanling and a mare from other vendors at FasigTipton and Keeneland’s November Sales.

Classic winner Beauty Parlour, carrying a Kingman foal, was long odds-on to top the sale and did, selling for €1,600,000 to Brant.

He headed underbidder Paul Makin, the Australian whose dispersal at this sale in 2013 had been even more lucrative than the Wildenstein cull.

Yet this sale was no one-draft wonder, and, putting the Wildenstein dispersal to one side, it witnessed 26 horses break the six-figure barrier, up from 17 last year. ‘Up’ was the theme of most of the figures, with turnover rocketing by 111% and the average price showing a 67% increase. The median remained static.

Goffs’ turnover for the year also went up during the sale, rising 9% to €118,806, and lifting the average price of horses sold by the company during 2016 by 8% to €39,184.

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2016

397

20,777,700

51,815

15,000

1,600,000

2015

315

9,840,400

31,239

15,000

460,000

2014

297

7,757,400

26,119

13,500

480,000

2013

324

13,011,600

40,159

14,500

6,000,000

2012

293,

8,155,500

27,834

10,750

450,000

Tattersalls December Yearling Sale Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

C Frankel — Debonnaire (Anabaa)

Highclere Stud

Price (gns) Buyer 250,000 C Gordon-Watson Bloodstock

F Sea The Stars — Holy Moon (Hernando)

Old Buckenham Stud

170,000 McKeever Bloodstock

C Kodiac — Azia (Desert Story)

Rathbarry Stud

120,000 Blandford Bloodstock

C Acclamation — Framed (Elnadim)

Gaynestown Stud

110,000 Peter & Ross Doyle/MPR

C Dutch Art — Dare To Dream (Exceed And Excel) Carmel Stud

110,000 Blandford Bloodstock

C Galileo — Better Not Cry (Street Cry)

Highclere Stud

110,000 The Channel Consignment

C Galileo — Mauralakana (Muhtathir)

Castlebridge Consignment 100,000 Mick Flanagan

F Sea The Stars — An Saincheann (Dylan Thomas) Al Eile Stud

98,000 Rabbah Bloodstock

C Shamardal — Myrine (Sadler’s Wells)

Al Eile Stud

95,000 Salcey Forest Stud

C High Chaparral — Awjila (Oasis Dream)

Glenvale Stud

85,000 Jo Hughes/CC Regalado Gonzalez

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2016

142

4,377,500

30,827

21,500

250,000

2015

142

4,091,400

28,813

20,000

200,000

2014

203

4,573,700

28,408

18,000

325,000

2013

145

3,570,100

24,621

15,000

200,000

2012

167

3,595,300

21,529

13,000

140,000

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Tattersalls December Yearling Sale In keeping with a number of other Tattersalls sales through the autumn this one was down in size, but up in the key statistics.

The catalogue contained 24 fewer lots, but of the 168 who arrived at Park Paddocks, 142, or a pleasing 85%, found a home. As ever with this, the final yearling sale of the year, its contents and the figures depend on the calibre of horses who, through immaturity, minor injury or bad luck, have missed earlier yearling auctions and are offered at this oneday auction. The 2016 British Champions Sprint Stakes winner The Tin Man, whose picture featured on the back of the catalogue, is but one example.

Bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson has often found a good one by waiting for the book, and he gained the top lot, a 250,000gns Frankel half-brother to top British-bred Australian performer Hartnell. Bred by Greg Goodman of Mount Brilliant Farm, the yearling had been offered at Keeneland September, failed to sell, but thrived following a spell at Highclere Stud, which consigned him at this sale.

Turnover rose by 7% from an identical number of lots, the average went up by the same percentage, while the median increased 8%. The number of six-figure lots was seven, the same as in 2015.

93

>>

Jan_149_Sales_Circuit_Sales 12/12/2016 17:26 Page 94

SALES CIRCUIT >> Tattersalls

December Foal Sale

Top lots Sex/Breeding

Vendor

F Dansili — High Heeled (High Chaparral)

West Blagdon Stud

600,000 MV Magnier/Mayfair/P&R Doyle

C Dubawi — Snowgal (Galileo)

Airlie Stud

500,000 Jamie McCalmont 375,000 John Ferguson Bloodstock

C Shamardal — La Collina (Strategic Prince)

Kenilworth House Stud

375,000 John Ferguson Bloodstock

F Frankel — Household Name (Zamindar)

New England Stud

350,000 JS Company

C Invincible Spirit — Cabaret (Galileo)

Norelands Stud

340,000 MV Magnier/Mayfair/P&R Doyle

F Galileo — Lady Springbank (Choisir)

Castlefarm Stud

300,000 Stauffenberg Bloodstock

F Australia — Caserta (Dansili)

Castlebridge Consignment 300,000 Blandford Bloodstock

C Frankel — More Than Sotka (Dutch Art)

Amy Marnane B/s

280,000 John Ferguson Bloodstock

F Sea The Stars — Lynnwood Chase (Horse Chestnut) Hascombe & Valiant Stud

240,000 Blandford Bloodstock

C Dark Angel — Safiyna (Sinndar)

240,000 CBS Bloodstock

Glebe Farm Stables

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2016

743

30,568,350

41,142

21,000

600,000

2015

803

33,565,600

41,800

20,000

800,000

2014

779

32,110,900

41,221

25,000

450,000

2013

740

31,420,400

42,460

23,000

450,000

2012

708

24,132,700

34,086

20,000

500,000

Camas Park, Grove Stud, Cooneen Stud and Glenvale Stud, to name but a handful, are examples of Ireland’s talented pinhookers who can look at a foal and see a racehorse, while factoring in all the trends which will influence the price when they resell. Some of the above are seemingly fearless on prices.

John Ferguson of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation was once again leading buyer, taking 12 foals for 2,150,000gns, although that was half the number of purchases and slightly more than half the value of his spend in 2015.

The Castlebridge Consignment headed vendors, gaining 1,707,300gns for 35 sold.

As expected, first-crop sires proved popular, and Toronado, Charm Spirit and Mukhadram all made the top table.

Hazariya, dam of 2016 dual Derby winner Harzand, sells for 2 million gns at Tattersalls

94

Price (gns) Buyer

C Sea The Stars — Something Mon (Maria’s Mon) Yellowford Farm

LAURA GREENN/TATTERSALLS

This was another example of Tattersalls reining in the mammoth by reducing the horses, and the trim meant the company was able to cut the number of sessions from five to four.

An improved clearance rate of 78% was the result, although of the 957 foals offered, 213 failed to find a buyer – their vendors will now probably be targeting yearling sales next autumn.

Less can often mean more in terms of the key figures, and the median did nip up 5%. The smaller catalogue did not have those who would have generated stellar prices, though the Frankel colt out of Finsceal Beo was a 1.45 million gns buy-back. As a result, turnover dipped 9%, but the average price barely moved, falling by 1%.

The West Blagdon Stud-owned mare High Heeled was responsible for the top-priced foal at this event in 2013 and 2015, and she brought up the treble on this occasion. Three years ago her Dubawi filly made 450,000gns, but his standing in the world of stallions had risen by 2015 and another daughter gained 800,000gns.

For the treble, High Heeled relied upon a daughter of Dansili, and she headed proceedings when knocked down to a Coolmore Stud partnership for 600,000gns.

Buyers with a view to racing took the next five foals on the list of the top ten, but a 300,000gns Galileo filly – a rarity at any sale these days – could be pinhooked said her buyer, Philipp Stauffenberg. Offered by Mark and Aisling Gittins – Aisling is the daughter of Mick Kinane, who rode Galileo – the filly was the standout among possible pinhooks, but she was certainly not alone among six-figure foals bought to resell.

Two branches of the O’Callaghan family were particularly noticeable in this category, with the Yeomanstown team taking 18 foals for 1,208,500gns at an average of 67,139gns, and Tally-Ho Stud signing for 14 at a total cost of 761,000gns and an average of 54,357gns.

The O’Callaghans, Paddy Twomey, Michael Fitzpatrick, Paula Flannery and the likes of

Tattersalls December Foal Sale

Tattersalls December Mares’ Sale Hazariya topped Goffs’ November Sale in 2014, and she completed a rare double at this four-day event when knocked down for 2,000,000gns.

That was more than four times the sum she fetched two years earlier, but 2016 victories in the Derby and Irish Derby for her son Harzand had a dramatic effect on her valuation. It was great business for Newsells Park Stud, who bought her at Goffs, gained the Fastnet Rock filly she carried at the time and had another by Dansili this year. She returned to the ring carrying to Invincible Spirit.

The buyer was Coolmore Stud and partners – including South African Markus Jooste – which, in the vernacular of the trade, was ‘logical’. Coolmore owns the great Galileo, one of very few stallions who could do justice to such a mare, but she is about to turn 15. Had she been half that age her price might have doubled.

Hazariya will help the 2016 version of this famous sale linger in the memory, but little else from the catalogue had, at this stage, the glitter to make it a truly lasting event. One other horse made a seven-figure sum, and that was given for the six-year-old mare Eblouissante, a half-sister to the great Zenyatta, and with an Oasis Dream cover. She was bought by Jane Lyon of America’s Summer Wind Farm.

Another valuable commodity, the threeyear-old filly Replete (775,000gns), became THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Jan_149_Sales_Circuit_Sales 12/12/2016 17:26 Page 97

SALES CIRCUIT

having been foaled by Juddmonte’s great broodmare Banks Hill. She was also the horse in the ring when Tattersalls’ turnover for the year achieved a new record, a sum in excess of 265,000,000gns.

This was particularly gratifying for the sales company, not least because it has been celebrating its 250th anniversary, and a rise in turnover was the perfect conclusion. It has also been trying to keep customers happy while reducing the numbers at auctions which had been too popular for their own good in 2015.

The result was 461 fewer horses being offered over the year, and a clearance rate of slightly more than 82%, which compares to just over 80% the previous year.

Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale Arqana’s Eric Hoyeau described this sale as one of “four distinct markets”, in which buyers could ponder high-value Flat mares, fillies, foals and jumping stock. The French are never afraid to put an independent spin on something.

Day one opened with the cream of the catalogue, and a €1,000,000 sale for the threeyear-old Holy Roman Emperor filly Parvaneh, a winner at up to Group 2 level in Germany, and related to Classic-placed Sky Hunter and Highest among others. Bloodstock agent James Delahooke, who said he had been unable to strike at Tattersalls the previous week, signed for this one on behalf of American clients.

A slightly smaller opening session helped the average (+5%) and median (+2%), and also the clearance rate which rose a couple of points to a worthy 80%, although it pulled down the aggregate figure by 5%.

Japanese buyers had been active in Kentucky with some notable high-end broodmare purchases, and they continued at all the major European breeding stock sales as the year ended. Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm maintained this steady acquisition of gems when paying €850,000 for another three-year-old filly in Camprock.

A wildcard Frankel foal from Haras des Capucines proved best of his age group – he was also bound for the States after being bought by agent Hugo Merry for €450,000 – while Haras Du Berlais had the honour of selling the top two jumping mares for €210,000 and €86,000. They were daughters of Presenting and Mansonnien respectively.

Over the four days 832 horses were offered, a fall of 63 on 2015, but the clearance rate dipped to 77% and turnover dropped 11%.

The average was down 2%, the median by 16%.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Tattersalls December Mares Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Hazariya (Xaar - Hazaradjat)

Newsells Park Stud

Price (gns) Buyer 2,000,000 MV Magnier/Mayfair

Eblouissante (Bernardini - Vertigineux)

National Stud

1,100,000 Summer Wind Farm

Irish Rookie (Azamour - Bold Assumption)

Sefton Lodge Stables

935,000 Crispin De Moubray

Chartreuse (Lawman - Bufera)

Highclere Stud

825,000 Ballylinch Stud

Jack Naylor (Champs Elysees - Fashionable)

Castlebridge Consignment 800,000 London Thoroughbred Services

Replete (Makfi - Banks Hill)

Juddmonte Farms

775,000 Amanda Skiffington

Euro Charline (Myboycharlie - Eurolink Artemis)

Prestige Place

750,000 Katsumi Yoshida

Screen Star (Tobougg - Actoris)

Kingsley Park

675,000 Ballylinch Stud

Follow A Star (Galileo - Shouk)

John Troy

575,000 Hillen & Highbank Stud

The Miniver Rose (High Chaparral - Bloemfontain)

Godolphin

550,000 Blandford Bloodstock

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2016

681

44,709,200

65,652

27,000

2,000,000

2015

680

46,513,500

68,402

28,000

4,500,000

2014

685

48,290,695

70,497

26,000

4,500,000

2013

721

62,998,500

87,377

28,000

4,700,000

2012

762

43,932,200

57,654

19,000

1,700,000

Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale Top lots Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€) Buyer

Parvaneh (Holy Roman Emperor - College Fund Girl)

Monceaux

1,000,000 James Delahooke

Camprock (Myboycharlie - Camporese)

Coulonces Consignment 850,000 K Yoshida/Narvick International

Reponds Moi (More Than Ready - Pas De Reponse)

Wertheimer & Frere

F Frankel - Ascot Family (Desert Style)

Haras Des Capucines

450,000 Hugo Merry Bloodstock

Silimeri Dansili - Stormina (Gulch)

Wertheimer & Frere

420,000 Suprina

Qatar Power Le Havre - Brave Power (Aldebaran)

Channel Consignment

380,000 Suprina

Iromea Dansili - In The Mist (Pivotal)

Haras de Saint Pair

320,000 Crispin de Moubray

Stone Roses Rip Van Winkle - Sailor Moon (Tiger Hill)

Head

280,000 Hillwood Bloodstock

Alpine Spirit Invincible Spirit - Alpine Snow (Verglas)

Louviere

280,000 Meridian International

Ana Luna Dream Well - Lunaba (Anabaa)

Haras Des Capucines

250,000 Broadhurst Agency

750,000 Carlos Lerner

Five-year tale Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2016

634

23,396,000

36,902

16,000

1,000,000

2015

702

26,498,500

37,747

18,500

900,000

2014

675

27,107,000

40,159

17,000

1,100,000

2013

686

26,430,000

38,528

13,000

800,000

2012

598

19,561,500

32,712

12,000

1,175,000

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Jan_149_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:57 Page 99

CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Reaching the twilight zone The widely held belief that the effectiveness of stallions decreases with age could be a self-fulfilling prophecy as support dwindles and fashions change

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

GEORGE SELWYN

A

ccording to the old American song, the old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be. But what about the old grey, bay or chesnut stallions? Is there any basis to the widespread belief that veteran stallions tend to become less effective once they are past their prime?

This is not an easy question to answer, partly because the picture is slightly different in the US, compared to Britain and Ireland. Perhaps because of the difference in climate (and the greater size of the American industry), Kentucky seems to have more long-lived stallions. Among the oldest active stallions in 2016 were the 23-year-olds Distorted Humor, Elusive Quality and Northern Afleet, who respectively covered books of 102, 55 and 106 mares. Of the 22-year-olds, Awesome Again covered 71 and Tale Of The Cat 83, while the 20-year-old Lemon Drop Kid attracted 113 mares. There is also a sizeable group of popular American stallions which will be 20 in 2017, including Giant’s Causeway (48 mares), More Than Ready (132) and Tiznow (128).

The veterans’ brigade in Britain and Ireland has been depleted in recent years by the pensioning of such as Danehill Dancer, Cape Cross, Bahamian Bounty, Royal Applause, Zamindar and Peintre Celebre. This effectively leaves Pivotal and Tagula, who respectively covered 81 and 49 mares at the age of 23 in 2016, and Dansili, who had a book of 79 at the age of 20. Rapidly heading in the same direction are Invincible Spirit, who dealt with 151 mares at the age of 19 in 2016, and Galileo, who was 18 in 2016, when his book stood at 158 mares.

I have always felt that the belief that elderly stallions become less effective with age is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Most stallions are only as good as the mares they receive and a stallion needs to be exceptional – a Mr Prospector, a Northern Dancer, a Danzig or a Sadler’s Wells – if he is to continue to attract top quality mares well into his twenties.

Breeders are less likely to risk their best mares with a stallion whose fertility may suddenly start to decline. The boredom factor mustn’t be underestimated, either, with commercial breeders and buyers both being constantly on the lookout for something new.

Increasing success at an earlier age can also

Pivotal, who turns 24 on January 1, remains popular after another banner season

contribute to the situation, as the accompanying hike in fee effectively forces many loyal supporters to start looking elsewhere, frequently to high-class young sons of the stallion concerned. A leading stallion’s decline can sometimes be traced to the time when he starts to face competition from his best sons.

By the time a stallion heads towards the age of 20, he is likely to be in competition not only with sons but also grandsons. His broodmare daughters will also be in full production, so his impact on the gene pool will be considerable, more so in Britain and Ireland than in the US. The end result is that a larger proportion of the best broodmares are unavailable to him, compared to the earlier stages of his career.

With stallion success being so much a numbers game these days, the perception that a stallion ain’t what he used to be may owe something to the inevitable reduction in the size of his book as he reaches veteran status.

Fortunately, the very best stallions tend to rise above such problems. Mr Prospector was as old as 26 when his Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus was conceived and 27 when he sired the champion sprinter Aldebaran.

Northern Dancer was well into his twenties when the likes of Ajdal and Unfuwain were conceived. Danzig did even better, as he was 26 when Hard Spun and Astronomer Royal – the last of his many Group 1 winners – were conceived.

As I said earlier, American stallions tend to>>

99

Jan_149_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:58 Page 100

CAULFIELD FILES >> stay active that little bit longer than many of

their European counterparts (though Hyperion was 27 when he sired Opaline II, the champion two-year-old of 1960). Sadler’s Wells had the extraordinary record of siring at least one Group 1 winner in each of his first 18 crops and he was 21 when he sired five Group 1 winners, headed by dual Oaks winner Alexandrova, Ask and Septimus, from a 2003 crop of 133.

I wish I could say that his last few crops proved equally effective but the truth is that his crops of 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 all drew a blank at the highest level. By then, of course, he was in direct competition with his excellent sons Montjeu, Galileo and High Chaparral.

So what does the future hold for Britain and Ireland’s elder statesmen?

The wonderful Pivotal will be 24 when he stands his 20th season at Cheveley Park Stud in 2017. Breeders are certainly keeping faith with him – and no wonder. He ranked as high as fifth on the leading sires’ table for 2016, thanks to a team featuring the Group winners Brando, Lightning Spear, Loving Things and Wings of Desire. His 2016 yearlings, conceived when he was 21, sold for up to 350,000gns.

His current level of his fee – it has been in the range of £45,000 or £40,000 since he turned 19 – has to be tempting when one considers that Pivotal was once the highest-priced Britishbased stallion, at £85,000.

His importance has been underlined by the emergence of his son Siyouni as one of the most sought-after stallions in Europe. Not to be overshadowed, Pivotal’s broodmare daughters have been doing so well that the son of Polar Falcon ranks third on 2016’s broodmare sires’ list. In finishing third, Pivotal was in extremely good company, as the top five positions were

“Breeders are

certainly keeping the faith with Pivotal, who ranked fifth on the 2016 sires’ table” completed by Danehill Dancer, Danehill, Galileo and Sadler’s Wells who – collectively – have taken the title of champion sire in 26 of the last 27 years. One of his daughters’ main attractions is that they have been working very well indeed with Galileo, with the juvenile fillies Rhododendron and Hydrangea being fine examples. It was one of Pivotal’s best daughters, Peeress, who produced a 1,300,000-guinea yearling to Galileo’s son Frankel. With his largely outcross pedigree, Pivotal looks set to keep on shining as a broodmare sire long after he has sired his last foal.

Dansili is three years younger, so there is no reason for thinking that he should slow down any time soon. But he too has been priced to reflect his advancing years, and breeders can now access him for £65,000, just two years after his fee was £100,000. It is important to remember that Dansili’s crop size – especially in recent years – has generally been a fair bit smaller than those of most other leading stallions. He is credited with 1,272 foals in his first 13 crops – an average of 98 per crop – and two of his last four crops of racing age have numbered 77 foals. This excellent sire of fillies

added another Group 1 winner to his collection when the three-year-old Queen’s Trust defeated the American defenders in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in November.

With 77 members, Dansili’s 2016 crop of two-year-olds could be described as on the small side, but it contains quite a few lightlyraced winners with the potential to be smart in 2017. Among them are Titus and Talaayeb, who were both designated Rising Stars by Thoroughbred Daily News, and the other promising types include Tansholpan, Tempera, Shutter Speed and the Andre Fabre trio of Pharaonic, Franz Schubert and Trais Fluors.

The 2016 season saw five sons of Dansili represented by Group winners and the promise being shown by Zoffany bodes well for Flintshire, who has retired to Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky.

Invincible Spirit and Galileo, two others who will soon be classified as veterans, already face competition from a growing number of stallion sons. Fortunately their parentage provides plenty of hope that they still have a great deal to offer. Invincible Spirit may be 20 years old in 2017 but his male line consists of Green Desert, Danzig and Northern Dancer. I have already mentioned how the last two continued to sire top winners into ripe old age and Green Desert’s last two Group winners, Maqaasid and Mazameer, were conceived when the Shadwell stalwart was 24 and 26 respectively.

Galileo’s career has already mirrored Sadler’s Wells’s in so many ways that it seems a safe bet – provided he stays healthy – that he will remain a major force for at least a few more years. By then, though, he could – like Sadler’s Wells before him – find his stallion sons snapping at his heels.

Sire brothers to the fore in Japan Over the years, the ranks of thoroughbred stallions have featured some famous teams of full-brothers. For example, Kris and Diesis sired five Oaks winners between them; Sadler’s Wells and Fairy King both numbered winners of the Derby and the Arc among their best sons; and we have even seen Dansili, Cacique and Champs Elysees all succeed in siring Group 1 winners.

Now we can add another pair of brothers to the list, following the efforts of Kitasan Black. Already a winner of the 2015 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) and the two-mile Tenno Sho (Spring), the four-year-old took the Japan Cup to improve his record to eight wins from 13 starts.

His sire Black Tide is a brother to Deep Impact, who had dominated several recent editions of the Japan Cup, thanks to Shonan Pandora and the dual winner Gentildonna. Deep Impact himself numbered the Kikuka Sho, Tenno Sho (Spring) and the Japan Cup among his numerous victories, so Kitasan Black could be said to be following in the family’s footsteps.

Black Tide was the first of three consecutive colt foals sired

by Sunday Silence from the German Group 1 winner Wind In

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Her Hair soon after her arrival in Japan.

The three provide an insight into the unpredictability of bloodstock. Black Tide, the first of the three, had a lengthy career which divided into two sections. He started second favourite in an 18-runner field for the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas), having won three of his five previous starts, including the Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes, a Classic trial which carried Grade 2 status in Japan. Something must have gone badly wrong, as Black Tide finished 16th of the 18. That race was in April 2004 and it was July 2006 before Black Tide was able to race again. Although he made 16 further starts on his return, he never won again.

By the time he retired, his year-younger brother Deep Impact had achieved superstar status, with 12 wins from 13 Japanese starts. The third brother, On Fire, showed promise as a two-yearold in 2005, winning his second start before finishing third at Group 3 level. But he made just the three starts, and he eventually took up stallion duties in 2007. On Fire has a Group 3 winner to his credit, without coming close to matching the achievements of his older brothers.

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ROGER HARRIS

Great year for the club – and plenty more in store for members in 2017

Thoroughbred Club member Amy Murphy saddled her first winner, Mercian King, in the club’s silks, ridden by Graham Watters

I

t has been a busy first year for The Thoroughbred Club. As well as staging various visits and social events aimed at building and maintaining interests in the industry, a variety of stakeholders within the industry have given incentives to members, such as discounted tickets for numerous race meetings. In the autumn the club announced its ambassadors.

From all around the country, they will be actively promoting the club, with the aim of widening the net and expanding the club’s reach.

Over the past year these pages have highlighted differing aspects of the industry, with a focus on career advice. The final event held by the club this year was

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the Careers Course, which was hosted at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

The two-day event gave members an overview of the entire industry, covering not just the obvious, such as training, stud work and media, but the less obvious, such as transport, insurance and land management. As well as a mix of guest speakers, seminars and workshops, those in attendance were able to take in visits to Banstead Manor Stud, Longholes Stud, Kremlin House Stables and Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse.

The second day also gave great joy to those in attendance, for they were able to watch a first winner in the club’s racing silks, thanks to its National Hunt horse-in-

training Mercian King, who also provided club member and first-season trainer Amy Murphy with her inaugural winner.

She is one of two members who joined the training ranks over the past year, the other being Lambourn-based Archie Watson, who got off the mark as a trainer in September.

The first announcement that the club made was that there would be three broodmares, Sacre Coeur, the Grade 2 producer at Whitsbury Manor Stud, the Grade 2 hurdle winner Shatabdi at Upton Viva Stud, and the maiden broodmare Blue Waltz at Fittocks Stud, which members would be able to follow.

We look forward to seeing their THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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www.thetho ro ug hb re d clu b . co . u k • produce and keeping up to date with them in the new year and beyond.

It was in March that the first TTC horse in training was announced. Trillium Placebased trainer David Simcock leased an unraced three-year-old son of Excellent Art, who was named King Of Arts after a draw of potential names put forward by members, to the club.

Unfortunately after three runs, it was decided that the gelding was not going to make a racehorse. However, in his place, Simcock leased another, the three-yearold filly Unsuspected Girl, who has been placed on all three starts for the club and is a horse that should keep on performing well next Flat season.

Four industry visits were held over the year for members to broaden their knowledge. The first took place in March and included a trip to Dalham Hall Stud, where members got to see up close the likes of Dubawi, New Approach and Exceed And Excel.

The second part of the day was spent at Godolphin’s pre-training centre on Hamilton Road, where the future stars for the boys in blue are handled by Kate Grimwade and her team.

York racecourse played host to the second industry visit of the year. Based in the Gimcrack Suite, members were given a tour of the various parts of the historic track, including a course walk, before settling down to an afternoon of racing.

The club was given rare access to The Queen’s Royal Studs at Sandringham in August, where members were run through the breeding process from conception through to pre-training. It was especially good to see that Royal Applause is still going strong at the age of 23. After a comprehensive tour of the stud, members were afforded the chance to speak with staff over a barbeque.

For those interested in the National

A trip to Dalham Hall Stud allowed members to get up close to some top stallions

Hunt part of the industry, the stable visit to Dan Skelton’s Lodge Hill Stables was an opportunity not to be missed. After a tour of the gallops and the impressive facilities, Skelton talked candidly about his career, advice on gaining a footing into the racing world, and the industry

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

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@T T C_ GB

and its direction as a whole.

In 2017 there is much to look forward to with the arrival of the three broodmares’ foals and various exciting events for members to attend, which will be announced in the near future on the TTC website and in this magazine.

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

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Sanne Taylor (left) and Jeannie Chantler from Chester receive the Large Racecourse of the Year award from ROA Council member Paul Duffy

DAM ABRAHAM

hester and Nottingham have been named as the best racecourses in Britain for racehorse owners.

The awards were presented at the 35th annual ROA Horseracing Awards at the InterContinental Hotel in London on December 1.

The two venues were among 12 of the country’s 60 racecourses awarded Gold Standard status during the autumn.

Alan Pickering, Chairman of the ROA Raceday Committee, said: “Happy racehorse owners say that a good raceday experience is critical in maintaining their loyalty to the sport.

“Certain racecourses are not just good but excellent. In October, we announced the six large courses and six small racetracks which qualified for the accolade of the ROA Gold Standard Award. We can now announce the outright winner in each class.

“Chester was voted the Large Racecourse of the Year in 2015, but they were not content to rest on their laurels and have come out on top once again. In particular, the introduction of appearance money has proved extremely popular with our members. It is as expensive to get a losing horse to the track as a winning one, which Chester have recognised, and their response is one that other racecourses in their category should look at.

“In fact, all racegoers get a good deal at Chester and it is particularly gratifying to see that owners continue to receive the quality of service which is essential if they are to continue running their horses on UK racecourses.

“The award for Small Racecourse of the Year goes to Nottingham. Although Nottingham has invested substantial amounts of money in improving the owners’ raceday experience – splendidly equipped rooms, excellent food and iconic prizes – it is the quality of service which has really made the difference. From start to finish at Nottingham, every member of the racecourse team makes owners feel special. This does not cost any money but is a massive credit to the staff and those who lead them.”

As part of the ROA Gold Standard Award process, association representatives visited every racecourse in Britain at least once between January and October to assess all aspects of the owners’ raceday experience. In addition, feedback was provided by hundreds of ROA members following their own racecourse visits.

DAM ABRAHAM

Chester and Nottingham voted top racecourses at ROA Awards C

The Nottingham team collect their Small Racecourse of the Year award

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www.roa.co.uk

Don’t miss out at Cheltenham this year Having a handy base at festival meetings can really make the difference to a day’s racing.

Members have enjoyed the ROA Marquee at Cheltenham’s Festival for many years, and many members book one year to the next.

This year, in response to feedback from members in March, we will be limiting the number of available places to 400 on each day of the Festival. Bookings are open and we would encourage members to book early to avoid disappointment.

Earlier this season members were able to enjoy access to a spacious ROA Suite at Cheltenham for the Open and International meetings. The suite, supported by Weatherbys Bank, will be available to book for racing on New Year’s Day and for Festival Trials Day on January 28.

The ROA Suite, situated in the old owners’ and trainers’ marquee between the north entrance and pre-parade ring, can hold a maximum number of 150 people. The facility provides hot and cold food available to purchase, a cash bar and tote facilities. All members and guests will also have access to unlimited tea and coffee throughout the afternoon.

Members can either book for individual fixtures, or save money by purchasing their tickets in bundle packages, which cover a range of meetings over the season.

Members can take advantage of a variety of packages at Cheltenham in 2017

FESTIVAL PLUS PACKAGE • Trials Day (Saturday, January 28) ROA Suite near North Entrance.

• Cheltenham Festival (March 14, 15, 16 and 17) ROA Marquee in the Tented Village Members: £130 (saving £35) Guests: £140 (saving £40) Prices do not include entry to the racecourse.

ROA Marquee at the Festival only: Members: £35 per day, or £112 for the four days Guests: £45 per day, or £145 for the four days *Please note that the ROA office will not be manned between Christmas and New Year. Bookings can be made online at roa.co.uk in the Events section.

Jackpot opportunities in January Members have four chances to win a £2,000 Owners Jackpot race in January. The weekly Owners Jackpot bonus is directed towards races where prize-money levels are at their weakest.

To qualify, horses need to be owned by ROA members. Horses owned jointly qualify provided 51% of owners are ROA members. In a racing partnership, horses qualify if both nominated partners are members of the ROA.

JANUARY JACKPOT RACES January 6, Ludlow 3m Class 5 5yo+ 0-100 ‘Hands and Heels’ Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase January 11, Taunton 2m½f Class 5 4yo+ 0-100 Handicap Hurdle January 18, Market Rasen 2m7f Class 4 4yo+ 0-115 Handicap Hurdle January 26, Fakenham 2m Class 4 4yo+ Maiden Hurdle

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Mercian Prince, partnered by Jack Quinlan, scoops an Owners Jackpot for Paul Murphy, father of trainer Amy Murphy, at Southwell on November 29

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ROA FORUM Feedback monthly winner

News In Brief

GEORGE SELWYN

Thank you to all members who contributed feedback over the past year. Throughout 2017 we will continue to present a feedback provider, drawn at random once a month, with a prize.

The latest lucky winner of £50 worth of Love2shop vouchers is Surrey-based Neville Boyce, who is a nominated partner in three partnerships with Lee Carter.

The feedback form can be found in the Raceday section at roa.co.uk. It’s easy to complete and takes only a matter of minutes, so please do share your raceday experience with us to help us encourage further positive improvements over the year ahead.

Riding fee increase The Racehorse Owners Association and Professional Jockeys Association have reached agreement that the jockeys’ riding fee will increase by 2% across both codes as of January 1, 2017.

From this date, the Flat riding fee will increase to £120.66 and the jump riding fee will increase to £164.74. In addition, fees payable to a professional rider where the horse is declared a non-runner will also rise from January 1, to £48.26 (Flat) and £65.90 (jump).

Survey extended Thank you to all members who took part in our ownership costs survey at the end of last year. This will help provide valuable data on the average costs of racehorse ownership for both Flat and jumps racehorse in training, and associated costs. If you would like to take part there is still time and we are offering an incentive. Please see www.roa.co.uk/tcsurvey or email info@roa.co.uk

Free admission at Newbury Newbury is continuing to offer all ROA members two complimentary admission badges to most of their fixtures this year on production of a PASScard (for members on the RBSO scheme) or a Horseracing Privilege Card (for all other members). In the coming weeks this includes racing on Wednesday, January 18 and Saturday, February 11, billed as Super Saturday.

This is a valuable benefit and we do hope that members will make good use of this during the year. There are just three fixtures excluded from this offer, and these take place on July 22, August 19 and November 28.

Check Events online at roa.co.uk for the latest information on member events.

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Ownership matters event in Warwickshire

Diary dates and reminders JANUARY 1 ROA/RCA Owner car parking label

The ROA will be staging an Ownership Matters roadshow every month this year. The first of these will be held at Stratford-uponAvon on the evening of January 26.

The roadshows are designed to give members the chance to discuss a range of ownership and racing issues in an informal setting. ROA executive and racing professionals will be on hand to field questions and lead the debate.

Places will be allocated to members on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments will be served and members can bring a guest and any prospective owners who may find the session of interest.

The next roadshow will be held in Newbury on the evening of February 8. To book for this or find out more see roa.co.uk/events.

The new parking label applies from this date.

Meet the ROA team

MARCH 14, 15, 16, 17

The first ROA regional meeting of this year will be held at Hereford on February 7.

Regional meetings give members the opportunity to be updated on current issues and to talk to members of the board and executive, and fellow members, before racing.

Members are invited to pose questions and have an informal debate. Guests are invited to join us for lunch and to enjoy our private facility for the afternoon’s racing.

We would welcome members who live near Hereford to book a place. Gatherings are well attended and provide a great source of feedback to the organisation, helping to shape policy and ensure we represent members’ views most effectively. Head to roa.co.uk/events to book a place.

ROA marquee

ROA Suite for New Year’s Day At Cheltenham. To book, see the Events section at roa.co.uk

JANUARY 26 Ownership Matters event In Warwick.

JANUARY 28 ROA Suite for Festival Trials Day At Cheltenham.

FEBRUARY 7 ROA regional meeting At Hereford.

FEBRUARY 8 Ownership Matters event At Newbury.

At the Cheltenham Festival.

MARCH 22 Ownership Matters event In Winchester.

APRIL 6 Free admission to ROA members For the opening day of Aintree’s Randox Health Grand National festival.

APRIL 25 ROA regional meeting At Hexham.

APRIL 26 Ownership Matters event In Newcastle.

Further details and how to book for ROA events can be found online at roa.co.uk/events

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M AGICAL M OM E NT S with ROA member Colin Perry

C

olin Perry is a novice owner who has enjoyed an “amazing run of luck”, but when it comes to horses he’s a veteran handicapper and still goes hunting a couple of times a week.

Perry, 76, lived in Staffordshire as a child, with his parents and siblings very keen on racing, and trips to Cheltenham and local track Ludlow a feature of his upbringing, though as it happened he was rather a slow-burner.

“I was brought up in that environment but was probably the least keen in my family,” he admits. “I rode in a few point-to-points on my mother’s horses, aged around 18 to 20, but lost touch with the racing world when I went to university and then into business, and I lived in the US for a bit.”

The sport was “always there in the background”, however. Perry started riding again aged 50 and he was a regular at local racecourses, while his children got involved in ponies and horses.

His first involvement in ownership came more through luck than judgement, however, as in 2013 he ended up being involved in the Henry Daly-trained Cyrien Star after an auction. The horse won three on the spin over hurdles and the seed was sown.

‘I quite like this’ thought Perry, who a couple of years later, after asking around, was recommended Tom George.

“I went to see him, we got on well, and I dipped my toe in the water by taking a thirdshare in a horse who’d been bought at Doncaster sales, Kk Lexion,” says Perry. “He won over hurdles at Southwell, then finished fourth at Cheltenham and third at Uttoxeter.

“That was all good, and after a few runs I said to Tom and Sophie George I’d be interested in owning a horse 100%. O Maonlai was in the stable and the owner wanted to sell but Tom didn’t want him to leave. I liked the look of him and bought him.

“He won the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase on his first run for me at Newbury on Hennessy day, so that was all very satisfactory! I’ve had an amazing run of luck and have seen all bar one of the horses’ wins.”

While ownership was unfamiliar to Perry, his colours definitely aren’t.

“They are dark green with pink crossbelts and sleeves and were the colours I rode in when riding my mother’s horses 55 years ago,” he explains. “The colours were allowed to lapse but no-one had them so I re-registered them a few years ago.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Colin Perry’s O Maonlai and Adrian Heskin put in a fine round of jumping to take the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Chase at Newbury in November

Less explicable is the name O Maonlai – “I’ll have to find out about that,” says Perry – but while Kk Lexion is not exactly standard either, his co-owner revealed the origin.

“Tom asked the breeder about that,” he says, “and was told that Kk was the name of his favourite golf course and Lexion the name of his favourite tractor.”

Communication key Key to enjoyment is the relationship with George, whose stable is about an hour’s drive away from Perry’s home in Worcestershire.

“I like the set-up, and Tom is a good communicator,” says Perry. “He sends a weekly newsletter by email and you’re not kept in the dark. It’s interesting to see the horses on the gallops – Tom’s is very tough; it looks like a 45-degree slope!

“He’s successful and has a brilliant retained jockey in Adrian Heskin. He’s an intelligent rider, quiet in the saddle.

“O Maonlai is a big horse – I’d have thought around 17hh – and that dictates the way he’s ridden. Bigger horses are often more nervous than smaller horses, and the tactic with him seems to be to start at the back of the bunch, with the horse gaining confidence by halfway, then picking them off one by one. That’s how it looked to me at Newbury.”

Unsurprisingly, that victory ranks as the

magical moment so far, though O Maonlai is in good hands and can hopefully provide some more in 2017.

“Newbury was the highlight of my brief period of ownership,” confirms Perry. “It was a good race at a top track, and I was there with my wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. So it was a proper family celebration. And AP McCoy presenting the prizes was another plus.”

Perry retains a business interest as he has a company that manufactures medical and laboratory equipment, and while the vagaries of owning a jumper or two include, naturally, not a lot of notice over where and when they are running, even that has not caused any personal frustration as Perry’s role is more parttime than full-time.

“I used to be Chief Executive of a listed quoted engineering group and in more recent years owned small manufacturing companies, but I’ve sold them and have just the one left,” he says.

“It leaves me time to go out two days a week hunting. I’ve got two hunters, one of which is getting a bit old, like me. It’s nice country, very beautiful. I’m with the Ludlow Hunt and it’s a good set-up with a good Master Huntsman.”

Two hunters, two racehorses, his family and his business – that should all add up to Perry’s new diary having plenty of entries already.

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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 City Musselburgh Salisbury Ripon Pontefract Lingfield Park Newcastle Wetherby 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 December 1, 2015 to November 30, 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 2014-15 (£)

Up/ down

I I I JCR JCR I ARC I JCR JCR I I I I I I ARC ARC I 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 42,302 41,143 37,668 36,725 36,467 33,958 32,770 32,066 31,889 30,417 28,713 28,527 26,996 26,736 26,611 25,603 24,425 24,167 23,371 23,081 22,440 22,119 20,365 19,068 9,642 53,230

127,650 91,453 82,011 68,655 74,177 41,667 51,071 53,755 45,957 39,600 29,697 17,955 14,545 25,850 21,230 28,919 24,954 18,603 0 19,206 18,658 16,436 18,848 13,777 19,430 13,723 19,240 19,818 12,050 20,622 13,672 16,613 17,559 19,322 14,373 26,160 30,569

251,426 121,269 69,398 113,995 77,302 10,430 35,997 37,556 28,632 17,925 11,270 4,919 5,239 5,154 4,491 3,824 4,262 6,037 4,185 4,150 4,269 5,235 5,112 4,467 5,037 4,054 5,559 4,216 3,609 4,669 3,566 2,675 13,267 3,442 2,771 2,507 20,153

818,363 425,749 327,660 323,122 265,927 132,223 167,058 169,093 137,294 112,449 86,335 65,176 60,927 68,673 62,445 69,210 63,266 57,410 36,250 55,246 53,344 50,384 52,488 45,241 51,204 44,389 50,446 48,459 39,827 48,662 40,319 41,727 52,944 43,187 36,212 38,309 104,021

18 17 19 11 39 15 24 16 16 23 17 63 17 16 17 16 81 31 2 18 19 17 27 13 20 22 23 59 6 18 15 17 18 82 22 34 888

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 4,106,095 1,035,760 1,098,766 1,061,566 1,107,354 5,124,567 1,779,719 72,500 994,420 1,013,537 856,525 1,417,179 588,129 1,024,079 976,553 1,160,249 2,859,053 238,960 875,922 604,784 709,360 953,000 3,541,338 796,654 1,302,500 92,415,028

388,619 188,919 168,936 136,791 105,410 86,530 66,008 68,579 57,439 49,896 36,465 36,867 39,867 32,289 34,084 33,032 30,933 26,159 32,205 27,399 24,486 27,121 21,099 25,473 24,323 20,435 23,318 25,099 22,888 19,876 17,669 18,539 19,019 15,941 14,759 10,954 47,764

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲

Up/ down

Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Kelso Newcastle Doncaster Chepstow Cartmel Stratford-on-Avon Ludlow Perth Wincanton Newton Abbot Wetherby Musselburgh Market Rasen Fakenham Uttoxeter Taunton Huntingdon Bangor-on-Dee Warwick Carlisle Exeter Worcester Hereford Fontwell Park Ffos Las Hexham Leicester Southwell Lingfield Park Sedgefield Catterick Bridge Towcester Plumpton Total

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Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2014-15 (£)

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I I ARC ARC ARC I I I I JCR I I I JCR I ARC I JCR I JCR JCR JCR ARC ARC ARC I I I ARC ARC ARC I I I

250,585 235,511 143,638 96,112 87,645 56,043 48,168 40,871 36,215 34,928 33,164 32,827 30,843 28,982 28,727 28,103 28,020 27,196 25,365 24,237 24,198 23,024 22,943 22,854 20,696 20,679 20,543 20,295 19,919 19,683 19,561 18,773 18,144 17,745 17,680 17,610 16,830 16,526 15,727 14,879 14,172 38,050

131,791 115,223 87,349 85,626 79,800 79,272 59,243 38,246 24,047 42,529 46,055 41,893 17,023 19,467 27,169 21,875 30,760 29,517 26,750 33,824 22,777 23,742 27,816 25,170 22,154 21,240 29,658 25,474 29,593 23,551 20,839 24,076 21,981 18,078 26,779 20,136 27,256 21,494 26,012 22,136 22,982 34,830

70,857 61,806 20,140 16,621 17,662 21,508 9,930 12,835 2,906 7,224 8,788 9,110 5,156 4,398 4,764 3,755 5,242 0 4,527 5,083 4,250 0 7,053 5,259 4,356 4,808 5,476 4,279 5,092 4,252 4,465 3,702 4,018 3,169 4,597 3,910 3,560 3,288 2,901 3,509 3,278 8,308

454,045 412,540 253,626 200,581 191,407 158,823 118,495 92,161 63,668 85,570 88,424 83,831 53,022 53,280 60,659 53,733 64,022 56,713 56,641 63,143 51,907 46,766 58,083 53,283 47,500 47,620 57,125 51,531 55,541 47,739 44,865 46,551 44,143 39,015 49,057 41,657 47,646 41,550 44,849 40,674 40,432 81,687

8 16 8 9 9 10 13 11 13 9 12 14 9 15 15 16 14 18 15 10 22 12 24 12 17 14 17 12 16 19 3 20 12 13 9 20 7 19 11 10 15 548

3,632,359 6,600,633 2,029,011 1,805,231 1,640,629 1,588,232 1,540,430 1,013,773 827,683 770,130 1,061,086 1,173,628 477,198 799,206 909,892 859,728 896,311 1,020,836 849,618 631,434 1,141,955 561,191 1,393,999 639,392 807,507 666,673 971,123 618,375 888,655 907,037 134,595 931,018 529,718 507,200 441,511 833,132 333,519 789,441 493,339 406,739 606,483 44,729,651

244,253 225,495 140,779 94,959 88,511 26,352 50,785 34,003 27,717 23,120 27,639 25,348 25,256 23,882 50,785 50,092 26,917 24,482 25,007 15,013 13,906 22,631 17,997 16,065 18,779 19,069 21,471 20,111 20,063 14,741 0 15,413 19,465 16,642 18,779 14,160 27,717 14,779 15,602 11,925 13,799 34,799

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

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

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 01-2017_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 08-2016 12/12/2016 12:08 Page 109

FRED ARCHER RACING

(FAR) had its first runner in 2014. Since then, from only five individual runners, we have enjoyed considerable success with, most notably, THE TIN MAN, winner of the 2016 Group One Qipco Champion Sprint at Ascot and our three year old LORD GEORGE, winner of three of his seven races. The two-year-old MAGICAL DREAMER has made a very promising start with one win from only two starts. We now have four new yearlings for the 2017 season which takes our tally to nine in training all with JAMES FANSHAWE who, since 2011, has trained the winners of EIGHT Group One Races.

Every partner gets the same service and attention as any other individual owner in the yard. You are welcome to come and see your horses during stable hours and, in addition to the annual FAR dinner, once a month we hold FAR mornings at the yard where you can meet with co-owners.

Each FAR Partnership is made up of ten 10% shares and the monthly costs are fixed at £360. You will receive regular reports via email and Jacko Fanshawe, who manages FAR, is very happy to take telephone calls. The website is continuously updated. Shares are still available in a couple of yearlings, with prices from £4,300 to £5,100 and we will be putting together new partnerships all the time. Please do get in touch if you are interested now or for the future.

FRED ARCHER RACING – JACKO FANSHAWE: Tel: +44 (0)1638 664525 • Mob: +44 (0)7780 915584 email: jacko@jamesfanshawe.com • website: www.fredarcherracing.com

127th Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin (Group 1 for 3 year old and up) Hoppegarten, Berlin – Sunday 13 August 2017

3 night fully escorted luxury tour including two days high quality racing at hoppegarten, berlin. departs london Friday 11th August 2017

Visit www.horseracing.tours or call 01903 700800 for more information.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

TBA Cheltenham National Hunt Stallion Parade On a gloriously sunny first day of the Cheltenham Open Meeting, British-based National Hunt stallions paraded for the crowds at the annual TBA NH Stallion Parade. Commentary was provided by Goffs UK Director Tim Kent and international equestrian commentator Stephen Hadley.

Following the parade, members gathered in the TBA hospitality marquee to discuss mating plans for 2017 with the stallions’ connections, while meeting up with other members who had travelled from all around the country and enjoyed the benefit of free entry to Cheltenham. The silent auction, raising funds for the TBA to continue its important work in supporting NH initiatives, saw six of the nominations sold.

The TBA would like to thank the sponsors of the parade: the British European Breeders’ Fund, Goffs UK Ltd, and Weatherbys General Stud Book Ltd. Our thanks also to the commentators, Tim Kent and Stephen Hadley, and all the studs who generously supported the event with their stallions, in order to make the parade possible.

Stallion parade photos by Steve Davies

Dunaden

The members’ marquee at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting

Schiaparelli

Pether’s Moon

DUNADEN

DREAM EATER

PETHER’S MOON

Nicobar ex La Marlia (Kaldounevees) Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden was a popular addition to the GB stallion ranks when he retired to stud in 2015, covering 99 mares in his first season. During his racing career, he won ten races between 10.5 and 16 furlongs, amassing a total of £5,271,884 in prize-money. Now in his third season at Overbury Stud, his first foals have been well received by their breeders and will be yearlings of 2017.

Night Shift ex Kapria (Simon Du Desert) A tough and consistent performer for Andrew Balding in the famous Jeff Smith colours, Dream Eater stands at Vauterhill Stud in 2017. Winning three times, including the Listed City of York Stakes, he was placed 18 times in his career, with arguably his best performance being his third place in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, to the brilliant Goldikova and Paco Boy. His first crop are now four-year-olds.

Dylan Thomas ex Softly Tread (Tirol) Retired to stud at Yorton Farm in 2016, Pether’s Moon’s first crop of foals will be eagerly awaited in 2017. Trained by Richard Hannon, he won a total of seven races over distances of eight to 12 furlongs, winning over £500,000 in prize-money. The son of Dylan Thomas was a tenacious and consistent racehorse at the highest level, and will provide breeders with an opportunity to use the successful Danehill line in Great Britain.

SCHIAPARELLI Monsun ex Sacarina (Old Vic) Hailing from a top-class German pedigree, Schiaparelli is standing at Overbury Stud for his seventh consecutive season in 2017. A consistent campaigner, he won five Group 1 races across Europe, latterly for Godolphin, with 12 victories in total over four seasons, including the Pries von Europa, Deutches Derby and twice winning the Gran Premio Del Jockey Club. His first crop will be five-yearolds in 2017.

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NATIVE RULER

Dream Eater

Cape Cross ex Love Divine (Diesis) This good-looking son of Cape Cross boasts an illustrious blue-blooded parentage, being by an outstanding sire who has produced the likes of Sea The Stars and Ouija Board and out of an Oaks-winning mare in Love Divine. The half-brother to the Classicwinning Sixties Icon was a whisker away from winning a Group 2. His first crop will be four-year-olds in 2017.

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www.thetba.co.uk

Native Ruler

SCORPION Montjeu ex Ardmelody (Law Society) Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Scorpion was a highly successful racehorse and has already established himself as an excellent source of runners at the highest level. From the extremely successful Montjeu line which has produced Hurricane Fly, successful stallion Walk In The Park and four Derby winners, including Authorized, he is certain to prove popular with

Scorpion

NH breeders in Great Britain this year. After relocating from Coolmore’s Castle Hyde Stud, where he stood for nine seasons, he will stand his first season at Shade Oak Stud in 2017.

TELESCOPE Galileo ex Velouette (Darshaan) In the colours of Highclere racing for Sir Michael Stoute, Telescope was a highly regarded racehorse and by the outstanding sire

Telescope

Galileo. Winning the Hardwicke Stakes in impressive fashion, he also landed the Great Voltigeur, before running second to Taghrooda in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Retired to stud at Shade Oak in 2016, his first foals are due in 2017. From the sire line which has produced NH stallions such as Kayf Tara, King’s Theatre and Old Vic, it’s easy to see why he has proved popular with British breeders.

Stallions on show...

FOR FLAT BREEDERS The TBA is delighted to again be managing the annual Flat Stallion Parade, in conjunction with Tattersalls, on Thursday, February 2 at Park Paddocks, Newmarket, prior to the start of the February sale. A selection of first- and secondseason stallions will be shown individually in the sales ring, with the opportunity for mare owners to inspect the stallions individually at the conclusion of the parade, and discuss mating plans for 2017 with stallion masters from around the country.

This year breeders will also have the added opportunity to inspect additional stallions who are further on in their stud careers and, whilst these stallions will not be involved in the sales ring parade, they will be able to be viewed alongside the first- and second-season sires, after the parade. A full list of the stallions and the starting time of the parade can be found on the TBA website, or will be obtainable from the TBA office, a little nearer the time.

The TBA will be providing complimentary hospitality for its members and we look forward to seeing many of you on Thursday, February 2.

FOR NATIONAL HUNT BREEDERS With our ongoing commitment to NH racing and breeding in Great Britain, the TBA is supporting a stallion show being held in Doncaster during the Goffs UK January Sale on Wednesday, January 25. The sale features a fine selection of NH mares and foals, alongside an THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

exciting collection of horses in training, and the stallions will be available to view throughout the day in yards A and B, where the TBA will host a hospitality facility giving breeders the opportunity to discuss mating plans with stallion masters whilst attending the sale.

Many of the finest British NH stallions will be available to view and the line-up will include representatives from Yorton Farm, home of Blue Bresil, Gentlewave, Norse Dancer, Pether’s Moon, Sulamani and Universal, alongside new recruit Clovis Du Berlais.

Overbury Stud has pledged its support with Dunaden and Schiaparelli, whilst Shade Oak Stud will show Scorpion and Telescope.

Nunstainton Stud will be showcasing Dapper alongside new stallion Cannock Chase, whilst Vauterhill Stud, home of Arvico, Dream Easter and Phenomena, will be represented on the day.

Dunraven Stud will again be standing Dr Massini, Vinnie Roe and Mountain High in 2017, whilst Elusive Bloodstock will be showing their Sun Central, alongside Batsford Stud who will be offering Haafhd, Native Ruler and Passing Glance in 2017.

TBA NH Committee Chairman Robert WaleyCohen is looking forward to the new initiative and commented: “The TBA is delighted to be supporting a showing of NH stallions at a time when British NH breeding has so much to celebrate. Cue Card, Rule The World and Thistlecrack are just some of the big-race winners to have been bred in Great Britain and

Sun Central: among those on show

the Goffs UK January Sale gives British NH stallion masters and breeders the ideal platform to gather in one place to discuss mating plans for the forthcoming season. We are also aware of some very smart mares and foals being offered for sale in Doncaster on the same day, so there is no better time for British NH breeders to gather and watch the next generation being sold, whilst planning to breed the champions of the future.”

The full line-up of stallions will be available in the catalogue for the Goffs UK January Sale, which is published on January 11, and also available on the TBA website, www.thetba.co.uk.

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TBA FORUM

BARCH, BILD 102-00050 / GEORG PAHL / CC-BY-SA 3.0

FROM THE ARCHIVES: a selection of features from the TBA’s first 100 years

LORD D’ABERNON The TBA’s first President During the First World War Lord D’Abernon played a vital role in defending the thoroughbred breeding and racing industries.

He was an excellent choice as the first TBA President and fulfilled his role commendably, together with all the many other influential TBA founder members.

During the early years of the war, racing was at first restricted to just Newmarket and then later Gatwick, Lingfield, Newbury and Windsor. However, in 1917 the government revoked permission for any racing fixtures beyond May 4. Lord D’Abernon was instrumental in the resumption of racing later that year, through the establishment of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the subsequent lobbying of government departments.

His Presidency was affected when he was appointed the British Ambassador to Berlin in 1920, after the end of World War I. Lord

Rosebery stood in for him for a time before becoming TBA President himself in 1932.

D’Abernon was posted to Germany to help with the reconstruction of post-war Berlin and to influence the wider political landscape.

After retirement from the diplomatic service, D’Abernon became involved with a number of organisations in addition to the TBA. One of these was the Race Course Betting Control Board and The Royal Society, of which he became a Fellow. Of course, his other occupations included thoroughbred breeding and racing. D’Abernon bred a number of very good horses, most notably Diadem (trained by George Lambton), who won a total of 24 races including the 1,000 Guineas (1917), King’s Stand Stakes and July Cup. Educated at Eton, D’Abernon spent five years in the Coldstream Guards, before entering the diplomatic service as secretary to

New provider for TBA members’ legal assistance service As just one of the many benefits of membership, the TBA provides its members with access to legal advice when required.

From December 1 this service started being provided by Rachel Flynn, a solicitor with London-based Keystone Law. Rachel or her colleagues now provide TBA members referred by the TBA with ‘first call’ legal advice, including ad hoc assistance where possible over the telephone. Members with a legal issue that they would like to discuss should call the TBA team at Stanstead House, who will ask Rachel to contact eligible members within 24 hours.

We very much look forward to working with Rachel who has a lifelong involvement with racing and breeding. She has served on the board of Weatherbys as Racing and Stud Book Director and, before that, as a partner with Taylor Vinters. Rachel is nationally toprated by the legal directories for horseracing and bloodstock legal work, is married to Newmarket trainer Rae Guest and finished fourth in the 2016 Town Plate.

As part of its legal assistance service, the TBA will continue to provide a comprehensive

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Rachel Flynn from Keystone Law will be providing legal advice to members from now on

series of employment law documents which cover a range of employment issues from recruitment to termination of employment.

These are available to all TBA members in the members’ area of the website.

Lord D’Abernon

the Queen's Commissioner on the East Rumelian Question.

He then became commissioner for the evacuation of Thessaly and in 1879 he published a grammar of modern Greek.

D’Abernon also undertook the responsibility (1883–1889) of being advisor to the Egyptian government regarding financial matters and then became Governor of the Imperial Ottoman Bank from 1889-1897.

In 1899 he became Conservative MP for Exeter, remaining in the post until 1906. Later, D’Abernon became involved in the Liberal Party. In 1914 the Prime Minister Herbert Asquith recommended him for a peerage and he became Baron D’Abernon of Esher, Surrey.

Studs urged to participate in survey Studs are being asked to participate in a survey as part of an industry-wide initiative to improve recruitment and retention within the breeding and wider racing industry. The initiative is funded by the Racing Foundation working in partnership with organisations including the BHA, TBA, NTF and racing charities.

A number of programmes are already under way to attract and develop employees, including regional training activities and a bespoke careers advice and training service. The aim of the survey is to gather baseline facts to provide feedback from the industry that will shape activities and lead to a sustainable and effective strategy for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in future.

TBA members who employ staff will be sent the survey in early January. If you haven’t received a survey, please contact Caroline Turnbull at Stanstead House on 01638 661321 or email Caroline.turnbull@thetba.co.uk.

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w w w. t h e t b a . c o . u k

Horserace Betting Levy Board publishes Codes of Practice for 2017 The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has published the 39th edition of the Codes of Practice on equine disease, in preparation for the 2017 equine breeding season. This will be available online only at codes.hblb.org.uk.

No printed edition will be produced by HBLB, although the TBA will be issuing printed copies to its members.

The online version of the Codes may be accessed as a full document or as separate sections and can be downloaded in pdf format for printing or viewing offline.

EquiBioSafe is a free app, available on iOS or Android, containing the HBLB Codes and the National Trainers Federation Code of Practice for Infectious Diseases of Racehorses in Training. The app includes additional features and is updated automatically from time to time. The 2017 update was released

on December 1.

Applying to all breeds of horse and pony, and to both natural mating and AI, the Codes are an essential guide for the prevention and control of equine diseases which represent a potential major threat to equine breeding: • Contagious equine metritis (CEM) • Equine viral arteritis (EVA) • Equine herpesvirus (EHV) • Equine coital exanthema (ECE) • Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) • Dourine • Guidelines on strangles • Guidelines on artificial insemination (AI) For each disease there are sections which describe transmission and clinical signs, as well

TBA mares’ race sponsorships

as advice on prevention, diagnosis and control of infection. The Codes explain the notification requirements that apply for the four diseases that are notifiable by law: CEM, EVA, EIA and dourine.

The Codes of Practice are reviewed annually by an expert Sub Committee of HBLB’s Veterinary Advisory Committee. The Sub Committee includes representatives of: • Thoroughbred breeders in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy • The non-thoroughbred sector • Defra • Equine veterinary practitioners • Scientists expert in infectious disease All TBA members will receive a printed copy of the Codes by early January.

JOHN HOY

La Bague Au Roi lands valuable Listed prize La Bague Au Roi, a four-year-old daughter of Doctor Dino, made all to take the Listed TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on November 26. The mare, who is trained in Lambourn by Warren Greatrex, is owned by Julie Turner and Andrew Merriam.

Her three-and-a-quarter length victory over Dusky Legend was her sixth victory, including two black-type wins, and all from only seven career starts to date.

The TBA awarded a £750 ‘National Hunt Mares-only Racecourse Award’ to Lingfield Park for their high proportion of mares-only events in 2015.

Lingfield used the award to run the TBA Insurance Mares’ Maiden Hurdle on November 22. The maiden hurdle was won by Grace Tara, a seven-year-old daughter of Kayf Tara bred by Willie Jenks.

Trained by Michael Scudamore and ridden by his brother Tom, the mare won by a comfortable seven lengths from Knightly Pleasure, who is trained by Gary Moore. The winner, who was purchased for £10,000 in 2014, hadn’t been seen on the track since her last start in May of that year. This triumph made it three victories for the mare from only four careers starts to date.

Warwick racecourse also received the £750 ‘National Hunt Mares Only Racecourse Award’ from the TBA. They used the award to run the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on November 16.

The contest was won by the Fergal O’Brien-trained five-year-old Colin’s Sister, who is owned and bred by Caroline Beresford-Wylie. The mare started favourite having won and been placed in her previous two races, and duly went on to win the race by an impressive 11 lengths from Toberdowney, trained by Oliver Sherwood.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

FRANCESCA ALTOFT

TBA Regional Representative John Needham presenting the winning connections of Grace Tara with their prize

Robert Waley-Cohen presenting the winning owners Andrew Merriam and Julie Turner with their trophy

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TBA FORUM

Final 2016 award goes to Jo Brown The last Stud Staff Award for 2016 goes to a stalwart of Overbury Stud whose responsibilities range far and wide. Jo Brown is Assistant Manager to Simon Sweeting at Overbury Stud, where she has worked for 16 years. She was nominated by TBA member Vivienne Blow, whose glowing recommendation is endorsed by Sweeting.

Brown was particularly commended for her excellence at client care, including her warm welcome, good communication and attention to detail. In addition, Brown’s horsemanship skills

and extensive knowledge mean that clients of Overbury can have confidence that their mares will receive first-class care and attention.

She is a great asset to the thoroughbred breeding industry, as well as being an exemplary ambassador for Overbury Stud and a thoroughly deserving winner of the November Award.

Employers are encouraged to nominate a member of staff for the TBA Stud Staff Awards.

Please contact Stanstead House for an application form.

TBA diary dates SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 The TBA and EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase At Towcester.

MONDAY, JANUARY 20 The TBA and EBF Mares-only Novices’ Chase At Uttoxeter.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 Doncaster NH Stallion Parade Goffs UK Sales Complex, Doncaster.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 The TBA Flat Stallion Parade At Tattersalls, Newmarket.

NEW MEMBERS Michael Bullock, Greater Manchester; Mrs Anne Fulton, County Durham; Pevens Racing (Geoffrey Pooley), London; Patrick Fennessy, County Waterford, Eire; Steven Burdett, Lincolnshire; Ronald Hodges, Somerset; John Frampton, Dorset.

Simon Sweeting and Jo Brown of Overbury Stud with Regional Rep Hazel West

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Jan_149_BreederOfTheMonth_Owner 12/12/2016 17:00 Page 115

BREEDER OF THE MONTH Words Alan Yuill Walker Manufacturers of

GEORGE SELWYN

Sponsored by

Paddy Brennan celebrates Cue Card’s third Betfair Chase

BREEDER OF THE MONTH – November 2016

Roland Crellin While consolidating his position in the training hierarchy, Dorset-based Colin Tizzard has exerted a singular influence so far as candidates for the Breeder of the Month awards are concerned.

There was a major offensive for the opening October/November award with Cue Card gaining a spectacular triumph in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase for a third time, and Thistlecrack taking the Grade 2 Worcester Novices’ Chase – on the same afternoon at Newbury, his stable companion, the Irish-bred Native River, won the Hennessy Gold Cup. For this opening salvo of the season, the breeders of two more Tizzard runners appeared on the radar, Mrs S M Newell for Quite By Chance (Byrne Group Chase), and joint breeders Richard Kent and his sister Nicola O’Neill for Gentleman Jon (Badger Ales Trophy).

This season has been notable for a number of top horses returning to action after long layoffs and at Haydock Park, Cue Card defeated

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

another star British-bred in the long absent 2015 Gold Cup hero Coneygree.

Coincidentally both Colin Tizzard and Roland Crellin have a farming background. On his 300-acre Brook Farm at Penhow, near Newport in Gwent, the Welshman maintains a dozen broodmares alongside a suckler herd of cows and a sizeable flock of breeding ewes.

“We have about 12 or 13 mares about the place and we are very much hands on,” says Crellin. “We are trying to upgrade them all the time. It doesn’t matter whether you are breeding cattle, sheep or horses, you want the best and you have to be prepared to pay for that.”

Initially involved with point-to-pointers, Crellin’s mentor was Richard Aston of Goldford Stud. The two met through an introduction

by David Hockenhull of Shade Oak Stud at Fairyhouse where Cue Card twice went through the ring as a youngster – first as a yearling in February 2007 (€75,000) and then as a three-year-old at the Derby Sale (€52,000).

Fairyhouse has proved a popular venue for Crellin, both as a vendor and purchaser. It was here that he secured Cue Card’s dam Wicked Crack in November 2002, carrying her first foal, for €120,000. A useful staying chaser trained in Ireland by Englishman Eddie Hales (she fell at the first fence in the 2002 Grand National), she was successful in four hurdles and two chases.

Having produced three progeny, including Cue Card’s winning halfbrother Hidden Crack and own-sister The Wicked Kipper, Wicked Crack was then mated with King’s Theatre (twice), Flemensfirth, Presenting and Kalanisi only to draw a complete blank.

However, in 2013 she produced a Beneficial colt and he was consigned as a three-year-old gelding at the Derby Sale last June when he realised €150,000 and will be trained in Ireland – his illustrious half-brother Cue Card featured on the front cover of the catalogue.

Despite her age, their 24-year-old dam has since adopted a surprisingly regular breeding pattern; she currently has a three-yearold gelding by Gold Well, a two-year-old filly by Milan, and she produced a filly by Leading Light last July prior to being covered successfully by Walk In The Park.

The other piece of good news so far as their breeder is concerned is that he retained Wicked Crack’s only previous filly, The Wicked Kipper, and she has a two-year-old filly by Flemensfirth and is carrying to Leading Light.

Ironically Roland Crellin has yet to witness any of Cue Card’s eight Grade 1 victories, but he is fully aware just how lucky he is to have bred such a star. “I’ll be lucky to find another mare as good as Wicked Crack,” he says. “That’s for sure.”

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14/09/2016 21:54

Jan_149_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 15:46 Page 119

VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By DEIDRE CARSON MRCVS

Congenital birth defects Most foals are born healthy with relatively few issues, but sometimes nature can be cruel

These are among the most serious congenital malformations we see and this is partly because a foal must be able to stand and move around within a few hours of birth. Any part of the spine might be involved and occasionally the malformation might be so bad as to cause dystocia (problem foaling).

These can be assessed visually but radiography and CT imaging enable us to get a much better appreciation of the severity of the deformity and the structures involved so that a more informed decision can be made as to the foal’s future. Mild malformations might improve as the foal gets older but moderate to severe malformations usually result in euthanasia on humane grounds (see Figure 1). Occasionally a foal might be born with one vertebra less than normal and this would be most obvious if the tail is affected.

Head and throat Many significant malformations affect this region. Wry nose is a relatively common THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Figure 1: A CT scan shows severe curvature of the spine in a young foal

condition in which the nostrils and lower part of the face are twisted or bent to one side. In mild cases, the deviation may be hardly noticeable and a slightly harsh respiratory noise might be heard when the foal exercises but the foal’s quality of life is essentially unaffected. In severe cases, breathing is impaired and the jaws and teeth might also be malaligned to the extent that euthanasia is the only option (see figure 2).

Occasionally, one or both eyes are abnormally small and malformed or even absent (micropthalmia) and the eyelids might appear only partly open (see figure 3, overleaf).

The foal will be blind in the affected eye(s). If the other eye is normal, life expectancy is good but the horse will be unable to race.

Occasionally a foal is born blind in one or both eyes but as a foal’s eyesight is pretty poor for the first few days of life, this blindness might not be immediately apparent.

Fourth branchial arch defect (4BAD) is an abnormality affecting the anatomy and function of the larynx and pharynx. The first symptom of this condition is often an abnormal respiratory noise during fast exercise but this might not be detected until the horse is prepared for sale or broken in.

Endoscopy will usually demonstrate abnormal or missing laryngeal cartilages and displacement of some of the soft tissue structures of the larynx and pharynx.

Radiography can be useful to assess the severity of the deformities. The condition is not treatable and affected horses are unlikely to become athletes. Epiglottic hypoplasia (abnormally small) can occur but is usually only diagnosed once the horse is in training.

It is associated with an increased risk of soft palate displacement.

Cleft palate can occur and usually affects

>>

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Spinal deformities

ROSSDALES LLP

D

uring the approximately 11 months between mating and foaling, nature performs her usual magic to allow the two cells which meet at conception to develop into a 50 kg, long-limbed, haircovered foal that slips readily into extra-uterine life. In most instances, nature’s work has been virtually perfect and the foal arrives fully and normally formed and ready to take on the world. However, in a small number of cases, ‘mistakes’ have occurred in either the genetic material or the processes of in-utero development so that abnormalities are present at birth – so-called congenital abnormalities – that might affect the viability of the foal, its quality of life or its future potential as a racehorse.

A few of these are so very dramatic they are immediately obvious while others might be more subtle and take days or weeks to become apparent. The most commonly encountered malformations we see in thoroughbreds involve the spine, the head (including the throat and eyes) the gut and the limbs. This article is not meant to frighten you but simply to raise awareness that sometimes, nature does get it wrong.

Figure 2: A wry nose can prove fatal

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VET FORUM the soft palate but the hard palate can also be involved. The palate separates the respiratory tract from the mouth and prevents food material from entering the airway. The affected foal will often be seen with milk down the nostrils immediately after nursing or might ‘dribble’ milk and/or saliva. The foal might develop aspiration pneumonia as a result of inhaling milk or food material. In very minor cases, this might be the first sign that there is anything amiss.

Diagnosis requires endoscopy via the nostrils and/or mouth. Very small defects might not require treatment but recurrent respiratory infections might be a problem.

Surgery to correct soft and hard palate defects can be attempted in some cases, although access can be challenging and wound breakdown not uncommon. It is important to realise that in weak foals, milk might be seen at the nostrils for several days after birth and might be associated with a poor suck reflex. In these cases, recovery is usually

“Long-term welfare must always be considered when deciding how to proceed”

when the anus is absent so that the foal is unable to pass droppings. The first symptom might be colic which might be confused for simple meconium retention. Visual inspection under the tail along with digital exploration of the rectum will confirm the absence of the anus.

Surgical treatment may be a relatively straightforward option, provided no other structures are affected. Occasionally the atresia occurs further forward in the gut.

Atresia coli affects part of the large colon.

Affected foals will develop colic as the intestine comes to a blind end at the site of the missing segment of gut. Diagnosis is more difficult than with atresia ani and may require contrast radiography and/or exploratory surgery. In most cases, the atresia is associated with abnormal blood supply and total absence of the affected segment and surgical correction may not be possible.

Limbs Congenital abnormalities of the limbs include rare conditions such as complete absence of the hoof or malformation of the pedal bone.

There might be severe rotation of the cannon and lower limb so that the lower joints face inwards or outwards, rather than to the front.

We also occasionally see additional ‘feet’ – a condition known as polydactyl limbs. This doesn’t affect the foal’s viability but it would affect its ability to perform as an athlete.

Occasionally, these can be removed surgically but it will depend on the structures involved and how extensively the additional digit is

attached to the limb.

Internal organs Most foals are born with an obvious heart murmur which may be present up until 72 hours of life. After this, any loud murmur is usually associated with a significant cardiac defect such as VSD (hole between the ventricles or pumping chambers), PDSA or complex cardiac deformity. If severe, the foal will be lethargic and have significantly reduced exercise tolerance. The outlook will depend on an accurate diagnosis which might require ultrasonography, preferably with Doppler facility.

Kidney development might be impaired in some foals resulting in failure to thrive and lethargy in older foals. Blood tests and ultrasound are used to diagnose these conditions once suspected.

In rare instances, one of the tubes which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder might bypass the bladder and attach to the urethra (males) or vagina (females) so that there is a constant dribbling of urine. Some of these can be corrected surgically but in many, skin damage and infection from scalding and the development of urinary tract infections can result in the need for euthanasia.

This is not a complete list of all congenital abnormalities which might occur and many won’t necessarily affect the general wellbeing of the foal. However, long-term welfare must always be considered when deciding how best to proceed with any affected foal.

spontaneous once the foal strengthens up and can suck and swallow normally.

A foal may be born with an apparent dip in one side of the upper face over the sinuses.

While these can give a rather ‘lopsided’ appearance to the head, athletic ability is not usually affected because there is no distortion of the airways.

Parrot mouth (overshot jaw) and sow mouth (undershot jaw) are both congenital conditions with the former being much more commonly seen than the latter. They are widely considered to be hereditary on many cases. Affected foals usually have no trouble eating or drinking and the mal-alignment of the incisor teeth is obvious from visual inspection. However the molars are also involved and so hooks and sharp points will develop over time which might cause significant discomfort, especially if left untreated. Most horses with a parrot mouth require dental attention at least every six months starting from a young age.

ROSSDALES LLP

>>

Atresia Atresia is a condition in which an opening (orifice) or passage in the body is missing or closed. Atresia ani (imperforate anus) occurs

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Figure 3: Foals suffering from micropthalmia are born with an abnormally small eye or eyes and will be blind in the affected eye

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121

Jan_149_DrStatz_Owner Breeder 12/12/2016 16:52 Page 122

DR STAT JOHN BOYCE CRACKS THE CODE

Dubawi dazzles in the sales ring Average profit for a yearling by the Darley sire was an eyewatering £875,000 in 2016

GEORGE SELWYN

N

ow that the dust has settled on the 2016 yearling sales after Tattersalls’ December offerings, it’s an opportune time to assess which stallions have proven to be gilt-edged investments based on their 2014 fees.

Nine European stallions carried nomination fees of £50,000 or higher into this year’s yearling sales. This group of stallions accounted for only 331 yearlings offered and 245 sold, which netted £73.7 million. Not surprisingly, as this is the elite end, there was a very good gross profit margin.

Advertised fees for the sires of these elite yearlings were £23.6m, which represents a 68% gross profit margin before upkeep costs. And if we were to factor in an upkeep fee of say £15,000 per yearling, the total cost rises to £27.3m, which still leaves an extremely healthy prospect of a net margin in the region of 63%.

Of course, we all know commercial breeders usually have exposure at all levels of the yearling market, not just at its pinnacle. And it is often the role of these elite yearlings to add some much needed lustre to the profit and loss account, if not to save the day for the commercial breeder so that they can afford to reinvest for another year.

As can be gleaned from our table, which compares a stallion’s nomination fee with his yearling median price, Dubawi takes pride of place with his median price being 6.04 times greater than his advertised fee in 2014 of £100,000. All 17 yearlings sold made a net profit. In fact, the average profit for a Dubawi in 2016 was a staggering £875,000.

Invincible Spirit, who stood for €70,000 in 2014, also did well in 2016 with 45 of his 51 yearlings showing a profit. The Irish National Stud resident posted a fee/median index of 3.18, just ahead of Frankel’s 2.94.

The outstanding Frankel made a huge impression with his first runners in 2016, most of whom look like being better three-year-olds. Standing for £125,000, the son of Galileo did well to post an average net profit of almost £380,000.

In the £20,000 to £50,000 category, we had a total of 16 stallions, and once again it was a stallion under the Darley banner that topped our table.

Shamardal stood for €50,000 in 2014 and 90% of his 2016 yearlings were profitable for their breeders. In fact, only Dubawi, Frankel and Siyouni, among all stallions

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Leading yearling sales sires by median price/fee ratio Sire

Sold

FEE RANGE: £50,000-plus Dubawi Invincible Spirit Frankel Dansili Sea The Stars FEE RANGE: £20,000 – £49,999 Shamardal Dark Angel Intello Dawn Approach Fastnet Rock FEE RANGE: £10,000 – £19,999 Iffraaj Camelot Cacique Reckless Abandon Kyllachy FEE RANGE: £9,999 and under Penny’s Picnic Wootton Bassett Siyouni Le Havre Showcasing

Avg £

Med £

Fee £

MedXfee

17 51 24 15 42

989,857 233,388 519,191 249,360 148,734

603,750 173,250 367,326 221,569 94,500

100,000 54,474 125,000 95,000 66,147

6.04 3.18 2.94 2.33 1.43

41 89 52 42 19

232,714 136,212 104,664 94,749 113,903

170,438 90,000 77,724 70,343 93,741

38,910 21,400 25,000 27,237 38,910

4.38 4.21 3.11 2.58 2.41

65 88 13 10 40

100,214 106,132 64,261 58,015 60,685

89,250 73,500 42,000 34,453 44,657

19,455 19,455 12,000 10,000 15,000

4.59 3.78 3.50 3.45 2.98

20 20 39 49 40

30,312 34,983 74,406 64,227 47,494

30,679 36,044 55,392 46,870 35,944

2,335 3,113 5,447 5,447 4,500

13.14 11.58 10.17 8.60 7.99

with ten or more sold, bettered this ratio. The son of Giant’s Causeway recorded a median/fee ratio of 4.38.

One of the most successful sires in recent years is the Middle Park winner Dark Angel and it is no surprise to see the son of Acclamation soar at the sales, even allowing for the fact that as many as 99 were presented. In the event 85% were profitable and he posted an average profit margin very close to £100,000. The next three on the £20,000 to £50,000 table are all from Darley.

First-season sire Intello and Acclamation were also glaring successes in this price bracket.

In the £10,000 to £20,000 sector 21 sires qualified, with ten or more having found buyers. Iffraaj, who was represented by Europe’s top-rated miler Ribchester in Ribchester: top miler is

by Iffraaj, the most profitable sire in the £10k-20k category

2016, achieved a median/fee ratio of 4.59. It was the most successful year at the yearling sales for the Darley stallion, who achieved a career high average of £100,214 from a fee of €25,000. Also standing for the same fee in 2014 was 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot, whose yearlings topped the first-season sire table overall with an average of £106,132. His median fee ratio was a very healthy 3.78, as was his 84% yearlings turning a profit. Cacique, Reckless Abandon, Kyllachy and Holy Roman Emperor were others of note to have healthy ratios of yearlings making a profit in 2016.

The sub-£10,000 category is traditionally the most competitive and 2016 was no exception: 89 stallions were represented at this year’s yearling sales. French-based sires dominate our median/fee table with freshman Penny’s Picnic, a son of Kheleyf, taking top spot with Wootton Bassett, Siyouni and Le Havre close behind.

The top-placed British sire is Showcasing who stood for £4,500 in 2014, compared to £35,000 in 2017. There was a proliferation of Kodiacs at the yearling sales in 2016 but it just goes to prove – at least according to the market – that you can never have too much of a good thing: of his 132 yearlings to sell, 103, or 78%, would have made a profit if sold by their breeders.

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Jan_149_DataBook_Layout 1 12/12/2016 15:14 Page 124

DATA BOOK ANALYSIS BY ANDREW CAULFIELD

National Hunt Grade 1s 32 JNWINE.COM CHAMPION CHASE G1 DOWN ROYAL. Nov 5. 5yo+. 24f.

1. VALSEUR LIDO (FR) 7 11-10 £60,735 b g by Anzillero - Libido Rock (Video Rock) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-M. Contignon & Mme N. Contignon TR-Henry de Bromhead 2. Silviniaco Conti (FR) 10 11-10 £19,559 ch g by Dom Alco - Gazelle Lulu (Altayan) O-Mr Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd B-P. Joubert TR-Paul Nicholls 3. Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 7 11-10 £9,265 b g by Presenting - Noble Choice (Dahar) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-P. O’Reilly TR-Gordon Elliott Margins 11, 4.5. Time 6:00.30. Going Good.

Age 3-7

Starts 19

Wins 8

Places 6

Earned £330,099

Sire: ANZILLERO. Sire of 2 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Libido Rock by Video Rock. Dam of 2 winners: 2007: TANGO LIDO (c Ungaro) 8 wins over jumps at 4 to 8, 2015 in France.

2009: VALSEUR LIDO (g Anzillero) 7 wins, Rathbarry Hardy Eustace Novice Hurdle G2, 2nd Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase G1, Growise Ellier Champion Novice Chase G1, jnwine.com Champion Chase G1, 2nd Ryanair Festival Trophy Chase G1, John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase G1, Flogas Scalp Novice Chase G1, Bet365 Oaksey Chase G2, 3rd JLT Golden Miller Novices’ Chase G1.

2010: A Cappella Lido (f Fragrant Mix) unraced.

2012: Cadence Lido (f Fragrant Mix). unraced, , died as a yearling.

2014: Electro Lido (c Voix du Nord) unraced to date.

Broodmare Sire: VIDEO ROCK. Sire of the dams of 19 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - VALSEUR LIDO Anzillero G1, BLACK CORTON Laverock LR.

VALSEUR LIDO b g 2009 Alleged Law Society Bold Bikini ANZILLERO b 97 Plugged Nickle Anzille Allegretta No Lute Video Rock Pauvresse LIBIDO ROCK b 99 Laostic Vhiltida Hilda du Roy

Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Boldnesian Ran-Tan Key To The Mint Toll Booth Lombard Anatevka Luthier Prudent Miss Home Guard Misoptimist Dictus Djemona Roalty Miss Corso

In winning the 2001 Deutschland Preis, Law Society’s son Anzillero became one of the numerous Gr1 winners produced by the Allegretta family.

Of course, this family is associated primarily with the Flat, thanks to the exploits of such as Urban Sea, Galileo, Sea The Stars and King’s Best, but Anzillero – a grandson of Allegretta – has made his mark on the jumping sector.

Anzillero died in France in January 2014, at the age of 17, so his last progeny – nearly 70 of them – were born in 2014.

Many are out of French AQPS mares, as were the majority of the 180-odd foals Anzillero sired after his move to France. His best effort by a sizable margin is Valseur Lido, who was winning his third Gr1 race over fences when he easily defeated Silviniaco Conti in the Champion Chase at Down Royal. The gelding

124

had earlier won over a mile and a half from two starts in France, before becoming a Gr2 winner as a novice hurdler.

His last two victories prove that Valseur Lido is very well suited by distances of around three miles, which isn’t too surprising. His broodmare sire Video Rock also sired the dams of the high-class Irish staying chaser Sir Des Champs and the Gr1-winning stayer Saint Are. Video Rock was France’s leading sire of chasers in 2007 and also did well with the British stayers Nenuphar Collonges (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle), Edmond (Welsh National) and Hussard Collonges (Royal & SunAlliance Chase).

He also sired Champion Hurdle runner-up Osana, the top French chaser El Paso III and French Champion Hurdle winner Lycaon de Vauzelle.

Valseur Lido’s dam Libido Rock was third twice from seven starts in France but one of her half-sisters, Fhilida, is the dam of Rhialco, a Gr2 winner who was third in the 2014 running of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

33 BETFAIR LANCASHIRE CHASE G1 HAYDOCK PARK. Nov 19. 5yo+. 24f.

1. CUE CARD (GB) 10 11-7 £119,689 b g by King’s Theatre - Wicked Crack (King’s Ride) O-Mrs Jean R. Bishop B-Mr R. T. Crellin TR-Colin Tizzard 2. Coneygree (GB) 9 11-7 £46,393 b g by Karinga Bay - Plaid Maid (Executive Perk) O-The Max Partnership B-Exors of the Late Lord Oaksey TR-Mark Bradstock 3. Vezelay (FR) 7 11-7 £24,260 b g by Dom Alco - Outre Mer (Sleeping Car) O-P. Joubert B-Mme M Juhen-Cypres TR-Emmanuel Clayeux Margins 15, 13. Time 6:22.00. Going Heavy.

Age 4-10

Starts 33

Wins 15

Places Earned 14 £1,210,144

Sire: KING’S THEATRE. Sire of 91 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - CUE CARD King’s Ride G1, PEREGRINE RUN Definite Article G2, ROYAL REGATTA Mister Lord G2, BLOOD CRAZED TIGER Bob Back LR, STEPHANIE FRANCES Supreme Leader LR. 1st Dam: Wicked Crack by King’s Ride. 6 wins, 3rd McCabe Builders Ltd. Boyne Hurdle G2 (twice), 2nd Digifone Kinloch Brae Chase G2, Tote John Hughes Rehearsal H. Chase G2. Dam of 2 winners: 2003: (c Definite Article) 2004: HIDDEN CRACK (g Lahib) 5 wins.

2006: CUE CARD (g King’s Theatre) Sold 48,261gns yearling at TIFEB. 15 wins, Weatherbys Champion Bumper NH Flat Race G1, Cheltenham Collection Sharp Nov. Hurdle G2, 2nd stanjames.com International Hurdle G2, John Smith’s Mersey Novices Hurdle G2, William Hill King George VI Chase G1, Betfair Ascot Chase G1, Ryanair Festival Trophy Chase G1, Betfred Bowl Chase G1, Betfair Lancashire Chase G1 (3 times), Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase G2, Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup H. Chase G2, 2nd Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, William Hill King George VI Chase G1, John Smith’s Melling Chase G1 (twice), Fullers London Pride Berkshire Nov Chase G2, 3rd Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase G2, BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup H. Chase G2.

2007: For A Laugh (g Westerner) unraced.

2008: The Wicked Kipper (f King’s Theatre).

Broodmare.

2013: (g Beneficial) 2014: (c Gold Well)

2015: 2016:

(f Milan) (f Leading Light)

Broodmare Sire: KING’S RIDE. Sire of the dams of 17 Stakes winners.

CUE CARD b g 2006 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge KING’S THEATRE b 91 Princely Native Regal Beauty Dennis Belle Rarity King’s Ride Ride WICKED CRACK b 93 Deep Run Mighty Crack Treize

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Raise A Native Charlo Crafty Admiral Evasion Hethersett Who Can Tell Sovereign Path Turf Pampered King Trial By Fire Thirteen of Diamonds Clear Bay

The great Kauto Star won four editions of the Betfair (Lancashire) Chase between the ages of six and 11, but his record may yet be equalled, as the ten-year-old Cue Card was winning the race for the third time in four years when he easily accounted for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree.

This was the eighth Gr1 success for Cue Card, the first of which came as long ago as 2010, when the then-four-year-old defeated Al Ferof to land the Champion Bumper over two miles.

He also became a Gr2 winner during a brief innings over hurdles, but it has been as a chaser that he has shone most brightly, mainly at around three miles.

Although Cue Card seems to have been around for ever, his dam Wicked Crack is still active. She produced a 2016 filly by St Leger and Gold Cup winner Leading Light before visiting another of Montjeu’s sons, Walk In The Park.

The daughter of King’s Ride also has a 2015 filly by Milan and a 2014 son by Montjeu’s brother Gold Well.

Cue Card’s 2013 half-brother by former champion sire Beneficial sold for €150,000 at Tattersalls Ireland’s 2016 Derby Sale.

Cue Card has the highest Racing Post rating of any of King’s Theatre’s jumping progeny and is also his leading earner, which is quite an achievement when King’s Theatre has been champion sire on no fewer than four occasions.

King’s Theatre, who died in 2011, has also been very ably represented by the likes of Captain Chris, Menorah, The New One, Carlingford Lough, Shaneshill, Bally Green, Balthazar King, Riverside Theatre, Voler La Vedette, Fingal Bay, Southfield Theatre and Brindisi Breeze.

His legacy also includes at least 75 foals born in 2012 and more than 80 in 2011, so King’s Theatre may yet add more championships to his collection.

Cue Card’s dam Wicked Crack was sold for €120,000 in 2002. This tough mare won four times at up to three miles over hurdles before

developing into a talented chaser. Cue Card’s second dam, Mighty Crack, produced a very useful chaser in What’s The Crack, third in the Sun Alliance Chase.

Mighty Crack in turn was a sister –

by Deep Run – to Good Crack, a prolific winner over fences who won the HS Commercial Spares Handicap Chase over three miles.

34 STANJAMES.COM MORGIANA HURDLE G1 PUNCHESTOWN. Nov 20. 4yo+. 16f.

1. NICHOLS CANYON (GB) 6 11-10 £36,875 b g by Authorized - Zam Zoom (Dalakhani) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Jer’s Girl (IRE) 4 11-0 £11,875 b f by Jeremy - African Scene (Scenic) O-Mr E. Bourke B-Mr E. A. Bourke TR-Gavin Cromwell 3. Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 4 11-7 £5,625 b g by Montjeu - Northern Gulch (Gulch) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 12, 5. Time 3:52.40. Going Soft.

Age 2-6

Starts 24

Wins 11

Places 10

Earned £464,894

Sire: AUTHORIZED. Sire of 32 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - NICHOLS CANYON Dalakhani G1, TIGER ROLL Entrepreneur G1, STERNRUBIN Samum LR. 1st Dam: Zam Zoom by Dalakhani. unraced. Dam of 3 winners: 2010: NICHOLS CANYON (g Authorized) Sold 48,000gns yearling at TAOC3. 11 wins, Ascot Underwriting Noel Murless S LR, Prix Denisy LR, 2nd Worthington’s St Simon S G3, Tattersalls Ireland Champion Nov. Hurdle G1, stanjames.com Morgiana Hurdle G1 (twice), World Famous Just Eat Mersey Nov.Hurdle G1, Ryanair December Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle G1, Deloitte Novice Hurdle G1, 3rd Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1, BHP Insurances Champion Hurdle G1, Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle G1, 3rd Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle LR. 2011: Bright Approach (f New Approach) Winner at 3, 3rd Weatherbys Private Banking Cheshire Oaks LR. 2012: ZAMANI (f Teofilo) Winner at 3.

2014: Fujaira Prince (c Pivotal) unraced to date.

2016: (f New Approach) 2nd Dam: Mantesera by In The Wings. unraced. Own sister to CLOUD CASTLE. Dam of NIDEEB (c Exceed And Excel: Sportingbet Supports Heros Winter Derby G3), Suegioo (g Manduro: 2nd BetVictor Henry II S G3, 3rd Socialites Cigarettes Doncaster Cup G2) Broodmare Sire: DALAKHANI. Sire of the dams of 15 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - NICHOLS CANYON Authorized G1, SBARAZZINO Red Rocks G2.

The Authorized/Dalakhani cross has produced: NICHOLS CANYON G1, ZUBAYR G2.

NICHOLS CANYON b g 2010 Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Floripedes Toute Cy Rainbow Quest Saumarez Fiesta Fun Vallee Dansante Lyphard Green Valley Shirley Heights Darshaan Delsy Miswaki Daltawa Damana Sadler’s Wells In The Wings High Hawk High Line Lucayan Princess Gay France Sadler’s Wells

Montjeu AUTHORIZED b 04 Funsie

Dalakhani ZAM ZOOM gr 05 Mantesera

The admirable family descending from

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Jan_149_DataBook_Layout 1 12/12/2016 15:14 Page 125

Caulfield on Nichols Canyon: “He clearly remains very effective at two miles, although two of his seven Grade 1 victories have been gained over two and a half miles”

High Line’s daughter Lucayan Princess continues to shine, including on the international stage.

Lucayan Princess’ great granddaughter Queen’s Trust snatched victory in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf under an inspired ride from Frankie Dettori, while her great-grandson Mehmas earned himself a place at stud in 2017 with his Gr2 victories in the July Stakes and Richmond Stakes. These victories came two years after a great great granddaughter, Avenir Certain, won the French 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

Another of the family’s stakes winners, Nichols Canyon, has also been enjoying Gr1 success, but over hurdles, not the Flat.

Third in the Champion Hurdle, this son of Authorized has now won eight of his 14 starts over hurdles and was winning the Gr1 Morgiana Hurdle for the second time when he scored, easing down, by 12 lengths.

Nichols Canyon clearly remains very effective at two miles, although two of his seven Gr1 victories have been gained over two and a half miles. He has even been tried over three miles, on a trip to the US, which is hardly surprising when he gained his Listed wins on the level over a mile and three-quarters at Ascot and over a distance just short of two miles at Saint-Cloud.

Nichols Canyon is trained by Willie Mullins, who did exceptionally well with Montjeu’s son Hurricane Fly. Montjeu was also responsible for Nichols Canyon’s sire Authorized.

The Derby-winning Authorized is also the sire of those smart hurdlers

Zamdy Man, Tiger Roll (Triumph Hurdle), Commissioned and Beltor (Gr2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle), plus the big-earning handicapper Sternrubin.

Nichols Canyon’s unraced dam Zam Zoom is by Dalakhani and his unraced second dam Mantesera is by In The Wings, so there is plenty of stamina here.

The gelding is inbred 3 x 4 to Sadler’s Wells, while his dam is inbred 3 x 4 to Shirley Heights.

Second dam Mantesera demonstrated the family’s stamina by producing the Gr3 Winter Derby winner Nideeb to the sprinter Exceed And Excel.

Mantesera had three big-earning half-brothers, all of whom shone over a mile and a half. The most successful were Warrsan, a dual winner of both the Coronation Cup and Preis von Baden, and Luso, a Gr1 winner in Italy, Germany and Hong Kong.

Mantesera’s sister Cloud Castle was good enough to finish fourth in both the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

35 STANJAMES.COM FIGHTING FIFTH HURDLE G1

Sire: SINGSPIEL. Sire of 101 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Indigo Girl by Sternkoenig. Winner at 3 in Germany, 3rd pferdewetten.de Preis der Diana (Oaks) G1. Dam of 2 winners: 2007: Ignacia (f Monsun) unraced. Broodmare.

2008: IRVING (g Singspiel) 12 wins, stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle G1 (twice), Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle G2, Mitie Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle G2, stanjames.com Elite H. Hurdle G2, 2nd Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle G2.

2009: Indigolith (c Motivator) 2010: IVANHOWE (c Soldier Hollow) Jt Champion older horse in Germany in 2014. 5 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany, Pastorius Grosser Preis von Bayern G1, Longines Grosser Preis von Baden G1, Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup G1, 3rd BMW Caulfield Cup G1.

2012: Indigo Eagle (c Adlerflug) unraced.

2013: Indirocco (g Shirocco) 2015: (f Adlerflug) 2nd Dam: INDIAN JEWEL by Local Suitor. 2 wins at 2 and 3 in Germany. Dam of IRULAN (g Monsun: Jean Harzheim Rennen LR), INDIAN BREEZE (f Monsun: P. Baden-Badener Hotellerie & Gastronmie LR), Iolith (g Monsun: 2nd G.P. der Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf G3), Indigo Girl (f Sternkoenig, see above). Grandam of STORMFLY, Ice Cool.

Broodmare Sire: STERNKOENIG. Sire of the dams of 11 Stakes winners.

IRVING b g 2008 Sadler’s Wells

NEWCASTLE. Nov 26. 4yo+. 16f.

1. IRVING (GB) 8 11-7 £67,843 b g by Singspiel - Indigo Girl (Sternkoenig) O-Axom XLIX B-Gestut Schlenderhan TR-Paul Nicholls 2. Apple’s Jade (FR) 4 11-0 £25,759 b f by Saddler Maker - Apple’s For Ever (Nkosi) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr R. Coveliers TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 11 11-7 £13,051 b g by Stowaway - Hurricane Debbie (Shahanndeh) O-Mrs A. F. Mee & David Mee B-R. O’Neill TR-John Joseph Hanlon Margins Nose, 2.5. Time 3:56.30. Going Soft.

Age 4-8

Starts 21

Wins 12

Places 4

Earned £304,488

In The Wings High Hawk SINGSPIEL b 92 Halo Glorious Song Ballade Kalaglow Sternkoenig Sternwappen INDIGO GIRL ch 02 Local Suitor Indian Jewel Indian Pearl

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Shirley Heights Sunbittern Hail To Reason Cosmah Herbager Miss Swapsco Kalamoun Rossitor Wauthi Sternwacht Blushing Groom Home Love Gulf Pearl Indra

Repeat winners were very much in evidence in the early Gr1 races of the

2016/17 National Hunt season, with Cue Card, Nichols Canyon and Irving all winning a race for at least the second time.

Irving’s narrow victory over the Irish-trained filly Apple’s Jade – who was to frank the form by inflicting a first defeat on Vroum Vroum Mag since her switch to Willie Mullins in 2014 in the G1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse shortly afterwards – in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle came two years after his first success and a year after he had finished a distant sixth of seven in the same race.

Irving has raced only at around two miles over hurdles and this is unlikely to change for a gelding born back in 2008.

However, he showed fairly useful form at up to a mile and threequarters on the Flat in Germany and France. He is a three-parts-brother to Ivanhowe, a dual Gr1 winner in Germany who went on to Gr1 success in Australia. Ivanhowe’s sire Soldier Hollow – like Irving’s sire Singspiel – is a son of In The Wings.

Irving’s fourth dam, Indra, won the 1965 Preis der Diana for Gestut Schlenderhan. Indra’s similarly-named sister Indira was the dam of Idrissa, winner of the 1975 Preis der Diana for Schlenderhan.

Irving’s third dam, Indian Pearl, also contested the Diana and failed by only a neck to win in 1978. His dam Indigo Girl also tackled the Diana and finished third.

Sternkoenig, the broodmare sire of Irving, ended his career with victory in the Premio Roma Vecchia over 14 furlongs.

National Hunt Graded Races Date 04/11 04/11 05/11 05/11 05/11 05/11 06/11 06/11 06/11 06/11 11/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 13/11 13/11 13/11 13/11 13/11 13/11 17/11 17/11 19/11 19/11 19/11 20/11 20/11 25/11 25/11 26/11 26/11 27/11 27/11 27/11

Grade G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 GrC G3 G3 GrB GrC G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 GrB GrB

Race (course) WKD Hurdle (Down Royal) Lough Construction EBF Mares Nov Hurdle (Down Royal) Titanic Belfast Skymas Chase (Down Royal) Stan James Elite Handicap Hurdle (Wincanton) Wincanton Rising Stars Novices’ Chase (Wincanton) Billecart Salmon Mac’s Joy Hcp Hurdle (Down Royal) Paddy Power EBF Novice Chase (Cork) Brady Family Ham Poplar Square Chase (Naas) Paddy Power Cork Grand National Hp Chase (Cork) Paddy Osbourne Mem Brown Lad Hcp Hurdle (Naas) Neptune Investment Hyde Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham) JCB Triumph Trial Prestbury Juv. Hurdle (Cheltenham) BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) BetVictor Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Paddy Power Fishery Lane Hurdle (Naas) Race Post Arkle Trial November Nov.Chase (Cheltenham) Sky Bet Supreme Trial Sharp Nov.Hurdle (Cheltenham) Lismullen Hurdle (Navan) thetote.com Fortria Chase (Navan) stanjames.com Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham) For Auction Novice Hurdle (Navan) Clonmel Oil Chase (Clonmel) EBF T. A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase (Clonmel) Coral Ascot Hurdle (Ascot) Stella Artois 1965 Chase (Ascot) Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle (Haydock Park) Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Punchestown) Ryans Cleaning Craddockstown Nov. Chase (Punchestown) Bet365 Long Distance Hurdle (Newbury) Fullers London Pride Berkshire Nov Chase (Newbury) Bet365 Worcester Novices’ Chase (Newbury) Hennessy Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Newbury) Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Navan) Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase (Navan) Proudstown Handicap Hurdle (Navan)

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Dist 16f 16f 19.5f 15f 20f 16f 20f 16f 28f 20f 21f 16f 20f 27f 16f 15.5f 16f 20f 16f 16f 16f 20f 20f 19f 21f 22.5f 22.5f 16f 24f 19.5f 23f 25.5f 20f 24f 22.5f

Horse Rashaan (IRE) Airlie Beach (IRE) Sub Lieutenant (IRE) Sceau Royal (FR) Frodon (FR) Wakea (USA) Alpha des Obeaux (FR) Tell Us More (IRE) Raz de Maree (FR) Sir Scorpion (IRE) Peregrine Run (IRE) Defi du Seuil (FR) Taquin du Seuil (FR) Viconte du Noyer (FR) Missy Tata (FR) Le Prezien (FR) Moon Racer (IRE) Snow Falcon (IRE) Arctic Skipper (IRE) North Hill Harvey (GB) Labaik (FR) Alelchi Inois (FR) Westerner Lady (IRE) Yanworth (GB) Royal Regatta (IRE) Kruzhlinin (GER) A Toi Phil (FR) Identity Thief (IRE) Unowhatimeanharry (GB) Clan des Obeaux (FR) Thistlecrack (GB) Native River (IRE) Death Duty (IRE) Empire of Dirt (IRE) Jury Duty (IRE)

Age 4 6 7 4 4 5 6 7 11 7 6 3 9 7 4 5 7 6 7 5 5 8 6 6 8 9 6 6 8 4 8 6 5 9 5

Sex G M G G G G G G G G G G G G F G G G G G G G M G G G G G G G G G G G G

Sire Manduro Shantou Brian Boru Doctor Dino Nickname Cape Cross Saddler Maker Scorpion Shaanmer Scorpion King’s Theatre Voix du Nord Voix du Nord Martaline Astarabad Blue Bresil Saffron Walden Presenting Flemensfirth Kayf Tara Montmartre Night Tango Westerner Norse Dancer King’s Theatre Sholokhov Day Flight Kayf Tara Sir Harry Lewis Kapgarde Kayf Tara Indian River Shantou Westerner Well Chosen

Dam Rayyana Screaming Witness Satellite Dancer Sandside Miss Country Imiloa Omega des Obeaux Zara’s Victory Diyala III Lady Goldilocks Masriyna’s Article Quarvine du Seuil Sweet Laly Zouk Wood Queen Running Abu Dhabi Angel’s Folly Flocon de Neige Coco Opera Ellina Avanguardia Witness Gama Cloghoge Lady Yota Friendly Craic Karuma Lucidrile Miss Arteea Red Nose Lady Nausicaa des Obeaux Ardstown Native Mo Midnight Gift Rose of Inchiquin Swan Heart

Broodmare Sire Rainbow Quest Shernazar Satco Marchand de Sable Country Reel Kingmambo Saint Preuil Old Vic Quart de Vin Mister Lord Definite Article Lavirco Marchand de Sable Woodman Cadoudal Saint Cyrien Wesaam Kahyasi Lafontaine Robellino Choisir Take Risks Presenting Galetto Mister Lord Surumu Beyssac Flemensfirth Teenoso April Night Ardross Be My Native Presenting Roselier Broken Hearted

Index 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

125

Jan_149_DataBook_Layout 1 12/12/2016 15:14 Page 126

DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

European Pattern and 5 in France, Germany, Italy, Premio Roma GBI Racing G1, Qatar Prix Dollar G2, Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft G3, pferdewetten.de 25 P. Deutschen Einheit G3, 2nd Preis der Sparkassen Finanzgruppe G3, 3rd Grosser Dallmayr Bayerisches Zuchtrennen G1.

PRINCESS ALBA (f Lando) Winner at 4 in Germany.

Pealer (c Campanologist) (f Australia)

397 PREMIO ROMA GBI RACING G1 ROME. Nov 6. 3yo+. 2000m.

1. POTEMKIN (GER) 5 9-2 b/br h by New Approach - Praia (Big Shuffle) O-Klaus Allofs & Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof B-Siftung Gestut Fahrhof TR-A Wohler 2. Robin of Navan (FR) 3 9-0 ch c by American Post - Cloghran (Muhtathir) O-Cross, Deal, Foden, Sieff B-Mme M. Lepeudry TR-Harry Dunlop 3. Elliptique (IRE) 5 9-2 br h by New Approach - Uryale (Kendor) O-Rothschild Family B-Societe Civile Famille Rothschild TR-A. Fabre Margins 1.5, 5.5. Time 2:06.85. Going Soft.

Age 3-5

Starts 14

Wins 9

Places 5

Earned £301,091

Sire: NEW APPROACH. Sire of 29 Stakes winners.

In 2016 - ELLIPTIQUE Kendor G1, POTEMKIN Big Shuffle G1, BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE Cape Cross G2, MESSI Dashing Blade G2, NEARLY CAUGHT Danehill G2, NEW PREDATOR Fastnet Rock G2, SWORD OF LIGHT King’s Best G3, CHARLEVOIX Red Ransom LR, MOUNT LOGAN Distant View LR, ROYAL RUMBLE French Deputy LR.

2012: 2014: 2016:

2nd Dam: PRADA by Lagunas. 3 wins at 3 in West Germany Nereide Rennen LR. Dam of PAITA (f Intikhab: Criterium de Saint-Cloud G1, 3rd Prix de Diane Hermes G1, Prix Vermeille-Lucien Barriere G1), PUNTILLA (f Acatenango: Ostermann - Diana Deutsches Stuten Derby G2), Praia (f Big Shuffle, see above). Grandam of PIRIKA, Paolo, Picobella, Pakama. Third dam of PAS DE DEUX. Broodmare Sire: BIG SHUFFLE. Sire of the dams of 36 Stakes winners. In 2016 - POTEMKIN New Approach G1, PAS DE DEUX Saddex G2, KREACHER Dehere LR.

POTEMKIN b/br h 2011 Sadler’s Wells Galileo

1st Dam: Praia by Big Shuffle. Winner at 3 in Germany, 2nd Grosser Preis der Stadtsparkasse LR, Grosser Preis der Dr. Duve Inkasso LR. Dam of 4 winners: 2009: PARAISA (f Red Ransom) Winner at 2 in Germany, GP vom Gestut Burg Eberstein Brummerhof LR, 3rd Preis der Winterkonigin Rennen G3, K.Baronin von Ullmann Schwarzgold Rennen G3. Broodmare.

2010: PATUCA (f Teofilo) Winner at 3 in Germany.

Broodmare.

2011: POTEMKIN (c New Approach) Sold 142,857gns yearling at BBAGS. 9 wins at 4

Urban Sea NEW APPROACH ch 05 Ahonoora Park Express Matcher Super Concorde Big Shuffle Raise Your Skirts PRAIA b/br 04 Lagunas Prada Pradera

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Miswaki Allegretta Lorenzaccio Helen Nichols Match II Lachine Bold Reasoning Prime Abord Elevation Strings Attached Ile de Bourbon Liranga Abary Pedra

A few months ago I mentioned the fluctuating fortunes experienced by the Derby winner New Approach since his spectacular start as a stallion in 2012. Dawn Approach led a first crop which also included Oaks winner Talent, Nassau Stakes heroine Sultanina and Derby second Libertarian and their joint efforts helped boost the stallion’s fee from £22,500 to £50,000 in 2013 and £80,000 in 2014.

I wrote “consequently, New Approach’s highest-priced progeny are still largely untried and he is currently reliant on the three- and four-year-olds from his cheapest crops.” These cheapest crops were comparatively quiet for much of 2016, one exception being his four-year-old daughter Beautiful Romance, who has added a Gr2 success in Australia to her earlier success in the Gr2 Middleton Stakes at York.

Fortunately, New Approach’s older progeny have continued to shine.

Potemkin and Elliptique – two fiveyear-olds from his second crop – have respectively won the Gr1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis and the Gr1 Premio Roma. Also, New Approach’s six-year-old sons Nearly Caught and Messi have enjoyed Gr2 success in France and the US respectively. He now has eight Group winners in his

first crop and four in his second, but this hasn’t been enough to stop New Approach’s fee being slashed from 2016’s £60,000 to £30,000.

Potemkin is making up for lost time. He raced only twice before the age of four but has since won nine of his 12 starts in Germany, France and Italy. He comes from a fine German family. His dam, the Listed-placed Praia, is a half-sister to Paita, winner of the Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Another half-sister, Puntilla, won the German Oaks (a race in which Potemkin’s fourth dam, Palmares, was second). Puntilla’s grandson, the miler Pas de Deux, is another of Germany’s best older horses of 2016. Second dam Prada was a Listed winner over a mile and a quarter.

New Approach: his older progeny continue to shine

Group 2 & 3 Races Date 06/11 06/11 06/11 06/11 11/11

Grade G3 G3 G3 G3 G3

Race (course) G.P. Rondo Food Niederrhein Pokal (Krefeld) GP von Link in Krefed Herzog von Ratibor (Krefeld) Premio Carlo e Francesco Aloisi (Rome) Premio Guido Berardelli (Rome) Prix Fille de l’Air (Toulouse)

Dist 2000m 1700m 1200m 1800m 2100m

Horse Amazona (GER) Colomano (GB) Kathy Dream (IRE) Aethos (IRE) Powder Snow (USA)

Age 4 2 4 2 3

Sex F C F C F

Sire Dubawi Cacique Arcano Dragon Pulse Dubawi

Dam Amarette Codera Katy Guest Quela Snow Ballerina

Broodmare Sire Monsun Zilzal Be My Guest Acatenango Sadler’s Wells

Index 398 399 400 401 402

Leading sires of two-year-olds 2016 by earnings Name

Galileo War Front Kodiac Dark Angel Fastnet Rock Shamardal Acclamation *Sir Prancealot Lion Heart *Helmet Invincible Spirit Arcano Scat Daddy Exceed And Excel *Frankel Myboycharlie Three Valleys Mountain Cat Kaneko Victory Gallop Choisir *Dragon Pulse *Mayson *Native Khan Dubawi Luxor *Power Sageburg Soldier Hollow *Rajsaman Bosporus *Harbour Watch

YOF

1998 2002 2001 2005 2001 2002 1999 2010 2001 2008 1997 2007 2004 2000 2008 2005 2001 1990 2001 1995 1999 2009 2008 2008 2002 2000 2009 2004 2000 2007 1995 2009 Holy Roman Emperor 2004 Equiano 2005

Sire

Sadler's Wells Danzig Danehill Acclamation Danehill Giant's Causeway Royal Applause Tamayuz Tale Of The Cat Exceed And Excel Green Desert Oasis Dream Johannesburg Danehill Galileo Danetime Diesis Storm Cat Pivotal Cryptoclearance Danehill Dancer Kyllachy Invincible Spirit Azamour Dubai Millennium Distant Relative Oasis Dream Johannesburg In The Wings Linamix Night Shift Acclamation Danehill Acclamation

Rnrs

69 25 82 102 48 37 67 75 48 52 67 55 9 71 35 60 30 10 40 39 22 46 48 20 44 28 41 35 31 55 32 74 65 58

Wnrs

26 15 33 41 17 19 25 32 27 16 25 23 4 30 16 20 10 1 14 15 10 22 17 15 19 14 17 11 12 12 16 15 17 19

%WR

37.68 60.00 40.24 40.20 35.42 51.35 37.31 42.67 56.25 30.77 37.31 41.82 44.44 42.25 45.71 33.33 33.33 10.00 35.00 38.46 45.45 47.83 35.42 75.00 43.18 50.00 41.46 31.43 38.71 21.82 50.00 20.27 26.15 32.76

Races

AWD

Earnings (£)

Top horse

Earned (£)

38 21 48 52 23 24 32 46 36 28 30 33 8 41 26 25 23 6 28 29 15 31 26 24 23 25 24 17 14 20 27 23 20 25

7.5 6.5 5.9 6.8 6.9 6.6 5.9 6.5 6.4 6.5 6.7 6.7 5.7 6.3 7.0 7.2 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.3 6.2 6.5 5.8 6.3 7.5 6.2 6.6 6.5 7.2 7.7 6.3 6.3 7.0 5.8

2,122,786 919,504 886,372 772,554 633,636 630,998 619,388 608,704 599,588 593,211 572,675 549,179 499,322 480,125 479,526 470,559 445,750 442,117 438,233 429,483 421,337 420,610 419,756 403,601 402,815 383,258 383,085 379,070 351,699 346,393 331,398 329,632 329,630 326,245

Churchill Roly Poly Best Solution Dame du Roi Rivet Blue Point Mehmas Stormy Clouds Denizcanim Thunder Snow National Defense Mubtasim Lady Aurelia Yalta Queen Kindly Landfall Copperfield Waneta Nalan Sultan Ayrton The Last Lion Legendary Lunch Mazyoun Gazibora Khan Wuheida Finesse Peace Envoy Spain Burg Dia del Sol Brametot Utkunbaba Tis Marvellous Rich Legacy Medicine Jack

595,026 167,511 132,324 91,357 210,481 268,025 313,314 213,760 129,590 221,277 194,175 194,386 255,068 61,238 138,146 58,708 199,954 411,411 74,823 65,512 230,727 53,118 93,518 82,429 153,046 82,535 130,158 100,236 99,358 74,654 45,986 75,513 74,396 107,017

More Angel delight With only a modest number of races for juveniles the changes are subtle rather than obvious. Dark Angel cracked the 100 mark in runners and had three more winners, putting him on 41, eight ahead of Kodiac and nine clear of Sir Prancealot. Kodiac added one to his score and Sir Prancealot added two. Most of the other freshmen also boosted their tally.

Dark Angel’s 52 race victories puts him top there as well, from Kodiac, but Galileo has the advantage in stakes wins as well as earnings. He lies sixth in number of runners, a comment on his quality as a sire for all ages. The most significant move was by Lion Heart, who had four new winners, pushing him up three places to ninth.

Statistics to December 2; *denotes first-season sire

126

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127

Jan_149_24Hours_Owner 12/12/2016 16:06 Page 128

24 HOURS WITH… SARA BRADSTOCK

128

GEORGE SELWYN

M

ark does the early morning feeds and is up at about 5.30am. I don’t sleep very well and am out of bed around 7am. I might have a drink of iced water before my first job, which is taking Max [Coneygree’s stable name] for his morning walk.

This routine goes back to when Max (pictured) had ulcers and wouldn’t eat his breakfast; he always needed a pick of grass first. Now he insists on our constitutional, otherwise he starts to bang his stable door. We often find ourselves walking down Letcombe Bassett village for much longer than planned.

When we get back I’ll help the masseur, who comes in to treat any of the horses that need a massage before exercise. Then I may go out on Max or any other horse in the yard; I usually ride four each morning. When Max comes back he stands in cold boots, gets hosed down and then his legs are warmed up and dried. He is a very pampered pet!

Our daughter Lily lives at home and is a big part of the team. She has her own showjumpers and eventers, including one she has ridden in the British team. She rides out four racehorses each morning as well as being involved in the office and has an input with Mark and myself. Lily rides our Hennessy Gold Cup winner Carruthers in point-to-points.

Alfie, our son, works at Graham and Tina Fletcher’s showjumping yard near Faringdon and when he’s at home, rides out one lot before he leaves.

Our three dogs, Ossie, a husky-collie, Titch, a bichonterrier, and Scampy, a bichon-shih tzu, are always running around the yard, while our two supposedly feral cats are very good ratcatchers.

Children, dogs, cats and horses mean SARA BRADSTOCK has a full-on day, though she always makes time for one horse in particular, a thug nicknamed Max, plus iced water, soaps and books During the morning I might grab a piece of toast for breakfast, but I don’t like tea or coffee. We bought an ice machine so we could put ice in the cold water boots and now I find it a great luxury to enjoy a lot of iced water. When I get in around 1.30pm I try to find something for lunch; some times are easier than others – usually a sandwich or cheese on toast or leftovers from the night before.

I can spend the afternoon in the office writing emails and letters, and Mark and I discuss work, plans and go through entries. While I have been riding out Mark watches most of the exercise and advises us. He also does all the cooking and is an excellent chef. I love his

kedgeree and he also does a very good roast with various different sorts of gravy. He always enjoys producing a variety of new dishes.

Our life revolves round the horses and we don’t have much time for anything else.

These wonderful racehorses, Carruthers, with his Hennessy, and Coneygree, with the Gold Cup, are a miracle. They were born from a mare, Plaid Maid, that cost a couple of grand and they are very much my friends.

Max is much taller than Carruthers and more of a thug, while Carruthers is quite cerebral. In fact, Carruthers is so clever the owners’ children can ride him round the yard and he is allowed to graze on the

lawn. One day I forgot he was out there and at half past nine I opened the door and he stood there, looked at me and walked straight into his box as if to say, ‘Okay, it’s night time now’.

We look after them like pets; they don’t need to be in big yards to win big races.

We know everything about every horse here. Carruthers wouldn’t have won a race had he been part of a bigger set-up because he is such a funny character. We certainly love them – if you didn’t you wouldn’t do the job.

In the evening I can be a bit of a soap-watcher, though, to be quite honest, with the amount of riding out we all do we are quite knackered by the end of the day. I am also a great reader because I am such a bad sleeper as a result of a respiratory problem, which makes me cough and splutter. My throat basically behaves like a horse with a breathing problem, only worse.

I am a fast reader and often read a book a night.

We laugh because Mark is the slowest book-reader and also because I am quite capable of reading the same book a year later; halfway through I suddenly recognise the plot and realise I’ve read it before.

Mark often goes to bed at about 8.30pm because he is always up so early and I go up at about 10pm.

Sometimes I’ll go downstairs in the middle of the night and look at the CCTV to check Max is okay. Earlier this year when I was in hospital, I could watch him in his box on my phone from my hospital bed. When Alfie was riding him and supposed to be doing all his exercises and stretches, I could ring him and tell him he wasn’t doing it right!

Interview by Tim Richards

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DAR11754 OB page-CharmingThought 9DEC16.qxp 08/12/2016 15:56 Page 1

The Charm offensive!

Introducing CHARMING THOUGHT G1 Middle Park winner who defeated Muhaarar.

Rated above fellow Middle Park hero Dark Angel.

By Oasis Dream – and rated superior to both Showcasing and Power.

625,000gns yearling from a high-achieving, classy family.

NEW CHARMING THOUGHT £8,000 Oct 1, SLF Oasis Dream – Annabelle’s Charm (Indian Ridge) Stands at Dalham Hall Stud, Newmarket +44 (0)1638 730070 +353 (0)45 527600 www.darleystallions.com

Darley