Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

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Incorporating

£4.95 | July 2017 | Issue 155

Big is beautiful Orange pips George in epic Gold Cup

Plus • Ger Lyons tackles the big boys while balancing the books • Brexit matters: the TBA’s Paul Greeves on leaving the EU • Francesca Cumani loving life at home and on the track

07

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

36065_AscotAd_TBOB_DPS_Jul'17.qxp_36065_AscotAd_TBOB_DPS_Jul'17 26/06/2017 13:01 Page 1

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

36065_AscotAd_TBOB_DPS_Jul'17.qxp_36065_AscotAd_TBOB_DPS_Jul'17 26/06/2017 13:02 Page 2

Caravaggio Highland Reel Big Orange Lady Aurelia Barney Roy Winter Rajasinghe Qemah Sioux Nation Idaho

Scat Daddy Galileo Duke Of Marmalade Scat Daddy Excelebration Galileo Choisir Danehill Dancer Scat Daddy Galileo

Commonwealth Cup Prince of Wales's Stakes Gold Cup King's Stand Stakes St James's Palace Stakes Coronation Stakes Coventry Stakes Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Norfolk Stakes Hardwicke Stakes

Gr.1 Gr.1 Gr.1 Gr.1 Gr.1 Gr.1 Gr.2 Gr.2 Gr.2 Gr.2

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: 353-25-31966/31689. Kevin Buckley (UK Rep.) 44-7827-795156.

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

Jul_155_Editors_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 17:26 Page 3

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR Editor: Edward Rosenthal Bloodstock Editor: Emma Berry Designed by: Thoroughbred Group Editorial: First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0209 Fax: 020 7152 0213 editor@ownerbreeder.co.uk www.ownerbreeder.co.uk @OwnerBreeder Advertising: Giles Anderson Tel: 01380 816 777 USA: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 01380 816 778 advertise@anderson-co.com Subscriptions: Keely Brewer Tel: 020 7152 0212 Fax: 020 7152 0213 subscriptions@ownerbreeder.co.uk Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker can be purchased by non-members at the following rates: 1 Year 2 Year UK £55 £90 Europe £66 £105 RoW £99 £154 Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder incorporating Pacemaker is published by a Mutual Trading Company owned jointly by the Racehorse Owners Association and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is a registered charity No. 1134293 Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the ROA or TBA ABC Audited Our proven average monthly circulation is certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation at 9,500* *Based on the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 Racehorse Owners Association Ltd First Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0200 Fax: 020 7152 0213 info@roa.co.uk www.roa.co.uk Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stanstead House, The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA Tel: 01638 661 321 Fax: 01638 665621 info@thetba.co.uk • www.thetba.co.uk

Incorporating

£4.95 | July 2017 | Issue 155

Big is beautiful Orange pips George in epic Gold Cup

Plus • Ger Lyons tackles the big boys while balancing the books • Brexit matters: the TBA’s Paul Greeves on leaving the EU • Francesca Cumani loving life at home and on the track

07

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Big Orange and James Doyle en route to victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot Photo: George Selwyn

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EDWARD ROSENTHAL

Orange’s Big performance the Royal Ascot highlight F or me, it was two horses racing at opposite ends of the distance spectrum that produced the most impressive performances at Royal Ascot, one scoring easily by three lengths, the other all out for a short-head success. Very different victories, but each utterly compelling.

Big Orange, one of the most popular thoroughbreds in training, enhanced his considerable reputation with a brilliant display in the Gold Cup under James Doyle. The six-year-old used his giant stride and never-say-die attitude to maximum effect in the 2m4f showpiece, making most of the running to deny the previous year’s victor Order Of St George in a pulsating finish.

Owner-breeder Bill Gredley has seen his famous silks carried to big-race triumphs by the likes of User Friendly and Environment Friend, and Big Orange must surely have given him as much pleasure as that top-class duo. As someone who enjoyed watching stayers such as Further Flight, Persian Punch and Yeats race season after season, I hope Big Orange will be around for years to come. We needs these star stayers to race on and resonate with the public.

Lady Aurelia had already displayed her prowess at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old with her scintillating victory in last year’s Queen Mary Stakes. The only three-year-old to line up in this year’s King’s Stand Stakes, the Wesley Ward-trained runner blew the opposition away, proving far too good for Group 1 winners Profitable and Marsha.

The Commonwealth Cup, won this year by Caravaggio, was introduced to give the three-year-old generation their own championship away from the older sprinters. The race is now tremendously competitive, a sign of its success.

Lady Aurelia’s raw pace may mean she is not as effective over six furlongs (despite winning the Group 1 Prix Morny at that distance). However the weight concession – as a filly she carried 9lb less than the runner-up – suggests other trainers may be missing a trick in not targeting the fivefurlong prize.

Like Frankie Dettori, who missed the rides on Big Orange and Lady Aurelia due to injury, Ger Lyons didn’t

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

make it to the winner’s enclosure at Royal Ascot this year, but the County Meath handler is sure to put that right in future.

Competing successfully against Aidan O’Brien, Jim Bolger and Dermot Weld in the Irish championship might appear an impossible task for someone lacking both their owner numbers and buying power, yet Lyons has proved it can be done with a mixture of hard work and shrewd buys in the ring.

Clearly undaunted by the prospect of taking on these giants every day, the trainer actually views their influence as a positive thing.

“We meet Aidan O’Brien’s runners every day here, whereas you guys in England may meet the top stables mainly at weekends,” Lyons tells Tim Richards (Talking To, pages 40-44). “Some trainers might call that a curse, but I consider it a good thing. I regard myself as a much better trainer as a result of competing with the elite.

“Aidan raises the bar every year and I applaud him for that because I have to keep trying to improve my own standards to stay anywhere near him. The only difference is I can’t afford Galileos.

“I have the best staff, the best facilities and I do the best with what I have. Training, in my opinion, is about sourcing the horses. If you just sit back and wait for what comes through the gate then you will be disappointed and quickly go out of business.

“However, if you buy something you’d like to train you have more idea of what you’re getting and there might even be a bonus at the end. Sadly, we have to keep selling to stay in business, which makes the job of keeping in touch with the top stables all the more difficult.”

How Lyons and his colleagues will be affected by Brexit is yet to be determined. However, according to Paul Greeves, Deputy Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Irish industry could be hardest hit by changes to the tripartite agreement. Greeves (The Big Issue, pages 50-52) explains what steps have been taken to understand the possible consequences of Brexit and why the TBA is taking the lead in this matter.

“Racing needs these

star stayers – it must be hoped Big Orange will be around for years to come

”

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Jul_155_Contents_v2_Contents 29/06/2017 17:24 Page 4

CONTENTS JULY 2017

40

16

NEWS & VIEWS

INTERNATIONAL SCENE

7

ROA Leader

34

View From Ireland

9

TBA Leader

36

Continental Tales

10

News

38

Around The Globe

12

Changes

30

Tony Morris

32

Howard Wright

Owner optimism over finances

Brexit battle started

New disciplinary panel revealed

News in a nutshell

Derby crop could be class

Aftercare no afterthought

Ribchester and William Buick gave Godolphin the perfect start to Royal Ascot with victory in the Queen Anne Stakes

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Halpin’s hopes

Young guns Luka and Moser

Calumet Farm’s resurgence

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88

96

FEATURES

FORUM

16

The Big Picture

67

The Thoroughbred Club

28

From The Archives

68

ROA Forum

40

Talking To...

78

TBA Forum

46

Southern Hemisphere Covers

85

Breeder of the Month

50

The Big Issue: Brexit

86

Vet Forum

55

Breeders’ Digest

At Epsom and Royal Ascot

Mr Brooks and Lester Piggott

Trainer Ger Lyons

No need to leave home

With the TBA’s Paul Greeves

Staying power superb

56

Sales Circuit

64

Caulfield Files

88

Dr Statz

96

24 Hours With...

Manor House and Chester thrills

Tie-up with Goffs UK to support RoR

NH Breeders’ Celebration Dinner

Darley takes the plaudits

Identifying and tackling Lawsonia

DATA BOOK

90

European Pattern Your latest victors

Covering Britain, Ireland and Germany

Juddmonte’s milestone with Enable

Frankel on fire

Francesca Cumani

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Our monthly circulation is certified at

9,500 Can other magazines prove theirs?

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Jul_155_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 29/06/2017 16:34 Page 7

ROA LEADER

NICHOLAS COOPER President Racehorse Owners Association

We’re not in fast lane but owners’ lot is improving Optimism as prize-money and cost recovery percentage going the right way

I

t is an ongoing dilemma for the ROA. Whether, in an effort to encourage as many people as possible to participate in racehorse ownership, we refrain from publicising details of the dire economics of British racing. Or whether we continue to remind people that the return on investment for the British owner is the worst on the international scale in the hope that a constant rehearsal of the arguments will eventually improve those finances.

The reality is, of course, the ROA would be neglecting its duties if it did not give the true picture of costs and prize-money of British racing. Along with this, however, the association does an excellent job in enhancing many different aspects of racehorse ownership.

We were reminded of the costs of having a horse in training in Britain by a recent ROA survey. It revealed that in 2015 the average total annual cost of having a horse on the Flat was calculated at £22,595, and over jumps £16,325. Allowing for the fact that these are very much average figures and there are wide geographical variations, this was, nevertheless, a very revealing survey.

A particularly salient figure was the average cost per run, which the survey said was just over £3,000 on the Flat and £3,500 for a jumps race. On this basis, anyone winning a Class 6 race under either code would still be a financial loser on the day. It would also suggest that owners need to be aiming their horses at races with a total prize fund of at least £5,000 to break even on winning a race.

As poor as these figures are, things are actually improving across-the-board for the British owner, albeit slowly. In the past ten years total prize-money has increased from £98.7 million to £137.6m, representing a percentage increase of nearly 40% against an inflation figure of about half that. However, not only is this skewed because 2007 was a low starting point, but we have to recognise that most owners have not benefited

from this uplift as the majority of it would have been directed at the top tiers.

Owners remain by far the biggest contributors to British racing. In 2016, there were over 18,000 individual horses that ran at least once and when you multiply this by, say, £20,000 (an approximate annual average cost of having a horse in training), you get to a total of £360m. After subtracting net prize-money of £110m, the overall annual contribution by owners is £250m – and considerably more if you allow for the many thousands of horses that never make it to the track.

So, even ignoring the capital outlay for the horse, it is clear the owners’ contribution to the racing pot easily dwarfs that of the racecourses and the betting industry put together.

But, that aside, there are now definite reasons for optimism.

First, the owners’ percentage cost recovery, while still very low by international standards, is now creeping up towards the 30% level, which is significantly better than it was ten years ago.

Second, racecourses’ contributions to prize-money, boosted greatly by media rights income, has more than doubled in the last decade and should continue to increase; and, third, with the reform of the levy system, the betting industry’s contribution to prize-money is expected to increase by £20m-£30m annually when the new system properly comes on stream.

It is now generally recognised and agreed upon that the area where prize-money must be increased is for the middle and lower tiers of racing. Almost three-quarters of the horses in training in 2016 won less than £2,500 in prize-money, while over one third of those won nothing at all.

It is just as well that prize-money is not the prime motivation for most owners, but if the imbalance between costs and income is not rectified then the numbers of active owners will continue to decline.

“Anyone winning a

Class 6 race under either code would still be a financial loser on the day

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Jul_155_TBA_Leader_TBA 29/06/2017 16:26 Page 9

TBA LEADER

JULIAN RICHMOND-WATSON Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

TBA leading the way on industry Brexit planning European colleagues working closely with us to uphold Tripartite Agreement

O

n pages 50-52, Deputy Chairman Paul Greeves sets out the work the TBA has been doing on Brexit and how we are tackling the various issues that are likely to emerge. It follows presentations from Paul and TBA tax expert Peter Mendham at our June 15 seminar.

Ease of movement of horses, particularly to and from Ireland and France, is important to the breeding industry, which is why the TBA has taken the lead in researching the facts and why I am delighted to be now chairing the industry’s Thoroughbred Brexit Steering Group.

The best and only way to tackle the many potential problems already identified, and those that will doubtless be raised during the process, is to work together with the BHA, Weatherbys and horse transporters to ensure that the message we take to Defra and Brussels is clear, well researched and factual.

One significant advantage is that we already work closely with the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations, which means we can be sure of taking the same message and solutions to Brussels. All three countries have the same aim in maintaining, as far as possible, the status quo for the movement of thoroughbreds that also remains tax and tariff free.

We live in uncertain times but everyone involved with this important topic will enhance contacts in the UK and Brussels, so that people responsible for making the decisions understand the issues and are as well informed and briefed as possible.

Turning closer to home, an opportunity to review all central expenditure in racing has been created as the sport moves into the brave new world of the reformed levy mechanism, which captures all betting on UK horseracing, and the Racing Authority, which will administer the funds that this revised scheme generates.

Over recent years racecourse funding has changed, notably in the substantial growth of media rights, and those

under the Racecourse Media Group (RMG) umbrella will receive another major uplift in April 2018. Arena Racing Company (ARC) and its associated courses are still negotiating with some of the major bookmakers, but whatever arrangements they make are likely to reflect those of the RMG courses.

Assuming this is to be the case, it is no secret that payments to racecourses will reflect much more closely the requirements of the betting industry to produce adequate and if possible larger field sizes, and will apply a heavy penalty for small fields that do not generate turnover. Of course, this generally aligns with the aims of racing to achieve a higher levy generation, which relies in the most part on exactly the same metrics.

While racecourses have always appreciated and aimed at good average field sizes, to stimulate higher betting turnover and therefore higher levy yields, they will now be even more strongly incentivised to achieve the same result. Previous deductions to racecourses for small fields were annoying, but they could be factored into budgets. The new system, which rewards upwards and penalises downwards on field sizes, will bring racecourse management thinking into strong focus about the types of races they run and any historic underperformance in field sizes.

Horsemen, which includes breeders, should see this as a real opportunity. As racecourses increasingly compete with each other to attract runners, owner-breeders in particular should support those that make an extra effort, through whatever means, to attract us.

A significant number of racehorses, particularly females, are owned or part-owned by their breeders, and a separate prize or some form of recognition in suitable races may tip the balance in favour of targeting a particular race. Three or four extra runners in a race can bring a substantial reward to the racecourse involved, and it will be interesting to see how those with the most progressive managements try to encourage our participation.

“Ease of movement of

horses, particularly to and from Ireland and France, is important to the breeding industry

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

”

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Jul_155_NewsV2_Owner 29/06/2017 16:37 Page 10

NEWS Stories from the racing world

New look BHA disciplinary panel Criticism of body’s impartiality sees former trainers and jockeys coming on board

F

ormer trainers Jenny Pitman and Gardie Grissell and ex-jockeys Philip Robinson and Jodie Mogford are among 23 members of the restructured BHA disciplinary panel.

The addition of racing professionals to the panel was among several changes recommended by Christopher Quinlan QC in his report last September on the BHA’s actions following the Jim Best and Matthew Lohn debacles, in which he labelled the disciplinary panel “not structurally independent”.

Pitman, who won the Grand National and Gold Cup and was made an OBE, said: “It’s a great honour to have been invited to join.

“I’m very much hoping that if an incident arises, an explanation from people who have worked their whole life in the sport will be deemed worthwhile. Hopefully common sense will prevail. I hope we can pool our resources and knowledge.

“You have some high-powered legal people on the panel, I haven’t got a legal brain I’ve got a logical brain – I deal in common sense.

People have said about me in the past, ‘She’s hard but fair’, and I hope they’re still saying that at the end of my three-year contract.”

Robinson, who won the 1,000 Guineas on Pebbles and Ameerat, and the St Leger on Bob’s Return, was regarded as one of the best tactical minds of his generation.

He said of his inclusion on the panel: “One of the main things I can bring is reading races,

Philip Robinson and Jenny Pitman will bring considerable knowledge to the panel

not only from a rider’s aspect but from the horse’s. I think that will be a big bonus for the panel, to get that insight from a rider’s perspective.

“I like to think I was a bit of a thinker when it came to race-riding and that will hopefully stand me in good stead.

“I might also be able to see when a horse is hanging for a medical reason in a way your average person may not understand.”

Robinson is a Coaching Development Manager for the Jockeys’ Education & Training Scheme, with responsibility for leading and developing the industry’s Jockey Coaches and will not sit on any cases that involve his

students, past or present.

Brian Barker QC, appointed judicial panel chairman after the quasi-judicial functions of the BHA were removed from the regulator’s corporate structure, began the recruitment drive in February.

Barker, who interviewed 53 of the 138 applicants before deciding on the final make-up of his 23-strong panel, said: “The appointment process has been an extensive one.

“I’m pleased we have been able to put in place a panel which combines greater diversity of skills and experience, bringing together significant legal expertise and in-depth horseracing knowledge.”

New jump racing festival at Leopardstown Leopardstown now has a wondrous weekend to look forward to in 2018 and beyond after a reshuffle of the pre-Cheltenham racing programme.

The BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle will be the feature event on Saturday, February 3 while the Stan James Irish Gold Cup will headline the following day’s Sunday card.

It combines the feature contests from Leopardstown’s current three standalone meetings in late January and mid-February, and is equidistant in the calendar from Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and the Cheltenham Festival in mid-March.

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Seven Grade 1s and three Grade 2s, along with both existing and new valuable handicaps (including the Coral.ie Hurdle), will feature over two days that will offer prize-money of €1.5 million in 2018, with plans to progressively increase that fund each year, rising to €2.1m in 2020. This represents an increase of 50% on this year’s prizemoney for the equivalent races.

The minimum race value for the weekend will be €75,000 for 2018, and by year three it is envisaged every race will have a minimum prize fund of €100,000.

HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh said: “The HRI Board enthusiastically

supported the proposal from Leopardstown to create a new two-day festival of jumps racing and has agreed to enhance its prizemoney commitment to reflect the increased sponsorship and racecourse contribution.

“HRI believes the new festival, featuring 15 top-class races, will be very popular as it fits nicely between Christmas and Cheltenham, and will offer perfect opportunities for the top horses, not just from Ireland but Britain too. We’d also hope to attract a large number of overseas racegoers.”

Leopardstown Chief Executive Pat Keogh added: “This is a very exciting development and we’re delighted to create this new festival.

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Jul_155_NewsV2_Owner 29/06/2017 16:37 Page 11

Tributes paid to sprint king Nicholls David Nicholls, whose prowess with horses at the lower end of the distance spectrum earned him the sobriquet the ‘Sprint King’, died aged 61 on June 4.

Nicholls was a fine jockey, riding more than 400 winners including the flying filly Soba, but will always be remembered more as a trainer, for he saddled the winners of the July Cup, Nunthorpe, Abbaye and Sprint Cup, along with major handicaps like the Ayr Gold Cup and Stewards’ Cup – he won those two races a combined nine times.

For a long period Nicholls, whose career tally as a trainer was 1,269 winners and who was known as ‘Dandy’, dominated such contests and he would often have multiple runners, none of whom could be discounted.

Among Nicholls’ best horses were Continent, Bahamian Pirate, Regal Parade and Ya Malak, a horse who gained his own place in the history books when deadheating for the Nunthorpe under the trainer’s wife Alex Greaves, as she was the first female jockey to win a Group 1 in Britain.

Nicholls’ son Adrian, who rode for him, said: “Everybody knows in racing what he did.

He was a very good jockey and an even better trainer and probably an even better dad.

David Nicholls: good jockey became an even better trainer

“His record speaks for itself. There are a few other people snapping at his heels to take the ‘Sprint King’ title, but they’ll be doing well to do what he did.”

He continued: “He was good with apprentices and would always help jockeys out. There are a lot of lads who wouldn’t be where they were if it wasn’t for his help. He’d go out of his way to help you.

“What he did with Bahamian Pirate, winning a Nunthorpe at the age of nine, an Ayr Gold Cup and other big races having started off as a plater, showed what he could do.

“He won the Epsom Dash five times – I won it for him once [on Rudi’s Pet in 2002] – and I don’t think there was a sprint he didn’t win.

Sizing John: likely to defend his Irish Gold Cup crown

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And he wasn’t just winning them, he was having the first two, three or even four.”

Kieren Fallon rode alongside Nicholls, and then for him when he became a trainer.

Fallon recalled: “Dandy was just a lovely person and had such energy to be around.

It’s so sad because he was still a relatively young man with such great talent and he’s gone. He’ll be sadly missed.

“I rode a lot of winners for him. I’d love to see my strike-rate for Dandy because I’d guarantee it would be very high.

“I remember I had just come over to England from Ireland and he’d be in the sauna with a can of Budweiser and he would be jogging on the spot trying to lose weight.

He was a funny, funny man.”

“We’re fortunate to have wonderful sponsors and are very grateful to them for their support in establishing this new concept, without which it would not have been possible.

“In the same way Irish horses target the big spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, our race programme and the prize funds is designed to ensure British trainers and owners will be keen to target a wonderful weekend of top quality and high value racing.”

Sizing John won last year’s Irish Gold Cup, before going on to land the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and would seem almost certain to have the Leopardstown race on his agenda again, while Yorkhill and his stablemate Djakadam will be among the other likely contenders.

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Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS Andy Clifton Will become the new Racing Director for the Racecourse Association, moving on from his role as Newbury’s Head of Communications.

Paul Barton BHA Head of Stewarding is to retire at the end of the year after 27 years of officiating on behalf of the sport’s regulator.

Tracey Crouch Conservative MP retains her position as Sports Minister, with responsibility for racing and betting, following the general election.

Jon Pullin Promoted by ARC to the position of Racing Director following Stephen Higgins’ decision to take up a role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Betfred The Tote’s owner announces increases to win and place pool takeouts in response to the setting up next year of a rival operation by racecourses.

BHA Stops handicappers from raising the marks of horses based on information about jockeys carrying overweight that is not in the public domain.

Matthew Lohn Financial cost of dealing with those cases involving the former Disciplinary Panel Chairman is revealed to be £425,000 in the BHA’s annual accounts.

Ballymacoll Stud The Weinstock family’s breeding farm in Count Meath, Ireland is sold for €8.15 million at public auction.

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Sally Hall

Gerald Mosse

Quits the training ranks after more than 40 years; the best horse she trained was Hallgate, who went on to become a successful sire.

Frenchman signs up as retained jockey to Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who have been making a big splash in the sales ring.

James Bowen Sean Bowen’s younger brother sets a British record for point-to-point victories by a novice rider when partnering his 26th winner of the campaign.

Arena Racing Company Swoops to buy Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound stadiums from William Hill from under the noses of SIS.

Also...

Harry Challoner, 27, hangs up his saddle after finding it difficult to make the job pay; he won five times on Truckers Highway. South African jockey Keanen Steyn has joined Ger Lyons and will be one of the trainer’s riding team for the rest of the season. Former jockey-turned-trainer Simon Hodgson hands in his licence and in a stark career change takes charge of the transport of lorries at a recycling firm in Andover. Ken Robertson, Paddy Power’s ‘Head of Mischief’, who helped build the company’s profile through controversial adverts, is set to leave the company. Philip Carberry, who won the 2007 Champion Hurdle on Sublimity, retires from the saddle in order to support wife Louisa’s training career in France.

HORSE OBITUARIES Well Chief 18 Top draw two-mile chaser for David Johnson and Martin and David Pipe, winning the Arkle Trophy, Maghull Novices’ Chase and Celebration Chase.

Just Marion 5 Clare Ellam-trained horse who suffered a fatal injury at Brighton when running loose with the blindfold still attached.

Katarino 22 1999 Triumph Hurdle winner for Robert Waley-Cohen who also won two Fox Hunters’ at Aintree under the owner’s son Sam.

Depardieu Van T Kiezelhof 14 The showjumper sent to racehorse trainer Charlie Mann in preparation for the Hickstead Derby suffers a heart attack.

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TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS

JULY 2017

So close to Royal Ascot glory Tweenhills’ stallions Havana Gold and Harbour Watch both made their mark at Royal Ascot when siring 2-year-olds who went very close to winning on the big stage.

Leading first-season sire Havana Gold gained his first stakes success as a sire when Havana Grey won the Listed National Stakes in May, and he went agonisingly close to siring another when Headway ran a cracker to finish a head second in the Gr. 2 Coventry Stakes.

Headway

staff PROFILE Scott Marshall Stud Hand A horseman from an early stage…

I grew up in Newnham on Severn, which is only 15 miles from Tweenhills. My parents were not particularly into horses but I started riding at a local riding school when I was five – thinking about it, I’m not actually sure why! It was great though, and I made some good friends there.

Great experiences…

I worked at Meadow Stud in Gloucestershire – which is a sport horse stud - for six years. I then worked for the Retraining of Racehorses project for a year.

About six months of my time there was spent riding horses that had come straight off the track, which was very rewarding.

I then worked the hunting season before coming to Tweenhills in April. I’ve learn so much already, especially from Stud Groom Ben Hyde and Graham McCourt, who does the breaking and training - it’s so different to the sport horse industry.

Headway is bred to relish a step up to seven furlongs and it promises to be an exciting second half of the season for his owners The Royal Ascot Racing Club, his breeders Whatton Manor, Global Equine and Larry Stratton and all those supporting Havana Gold!

Harbour Watch is already a sire of three Stakes winners worldwide, and his son Santry put in a huge performance in the Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes. He ‘won’ the race on his side only to be beaten by a colt on the far rail.

Santry is owned by Ray Flegg, John Bousfield and Steve Ryan, and he was bred by Qatar Racing’s Irish Representative Peter Molony.

Another gallant second at Royal Ascot was Tweenhills’ homebred Count Octave in the Gr. 2 Queen’s Vase.

BROOKE CHARITY DAY A GREAT SUCCESS Tweenhills hosted an open day on June 15 which raised £11,000 for The Brooke - Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, a charity helping working equines in developing countries.

The afternoon featured a parade of stallions, including one of the leading first-season sires in Europe in Qatar Bloodstock’s Havana Gold (pictured). Also very popular were a gallery of images from the 2017 Mongol Derby, an exhibition by artist John Redvers, and, of course, afternoon tea in the sun!

All eyes on Havana Gold (credit: Sarah Farnsworth)

The event ties in with The Brooke’s current campaign, How The Other Horse Lives, which aims to highlight the stark differences between the daily lives of horses and donkeys in Britain and those working in developing countries. For more information visit www.thebrooke.org.

CHARM SPIRIT ON HIS TRAVELS Charm Spirit left Tweenhills for quarantine on June 22 ahead of his third season standing the Southern Hemisphere breeding season at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand.

Ambition the path to success…

At the moment I generally have Fridays and Saturdays off, which allows me to go away and event most weekends – actually, two of the horses I event with now are from Retraining of Racehorses. I would love to do a CCI 1 Star in the near future.

I’m also just aiming to keep progressing in the racing industry; I’ve just started helping with stallions, which is great, while I really enjoy seeing the yearlings develop.

While he’ll initially be joined on his trip by our stallion man Tom King, it’ll be a while before the rest of us see Charm Spirit again as he will return to Haras de Bonneval in 2018 as part of an agreement initiated between Qatar Bloodstock and the Aga Khan Studs.

However, we are very much looking forward to seeing how his sons and daughters fare at the yearlings sales in the coming months.

Charm Spirit

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

Jul_155_Changes2pp_Layout 1 29/06/2017 17:07 Page 14

RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS

Medicean Man Talented sprinter for trainer Jeremy Gask, winning 13 races – four at Meydan – and over £600,000 in prize-money, is retired aged 11.

Owned by Stuart and Kate Dobb, he ran in the King’s Stand Stakes six times, finishing a short-head second to Goldream in 2015.

Brutal

Marchingontogether

Able Friend

Three-year-old is transferred to Gordon Elliott from Ger Lyons by Qatar Racing – he is the owners’ first horse with the predominantlyjumps trainer.

Juvenile filly whose name is borrowed from a Leeds United chant is bought by Qatar Racing having cost BGC Racing just £800.

Hong Kong superstar who was rated the best horse in the world at one point, and is the highest-rated in Hong Kong history, is retired.

Acapella Bourgeois

Beckford

Winner of the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase joins Willie Mullins following Sandra Hughes’ decision to retire from training.

Gordon Elliott’s first two-year-old winner is sold by the Nick Bradley Racing Club to Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd.

Solow Five-time Group 1 winner who had not run for 14 months due to injury is retired; he will spend his retirement at the Haras de SaintLeonard.

PEOPLE OBITUARIES John Sumner 94

Lady Jane Gillespie 54

Owner whose familiar dark green and yellow colours were carried with particular distinction by Royal Marshal and Dublin Flyer.

County Tyrone-based trainer who was known as an outstanding horsewoman.

Tony Power 89 Former racing correspondent for the Irish Press Newspaper group who rode as an amateur and was also a racing interviewer on television.

Tony Parsons 78 Third generation family bookmaker who owned horses with Ken and then Dean Ivory.

Sir Gordon Brunton 95 Founding Chairman of the Racing Post and the owner-breeder of 1991 Ascot Gold Cup winner Indian Queen.

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David Nicholls 61 Known as the ‘Sprint King’, the jockeyturned-trainer saddled winners of the Nunthorpe, July Cup, Sprint Cup, Abbaye and Ayr Gold Cup (see page 11).

Major Johnnie Lewis 80 Former Vice-Chairman of the British Bloodstock Agency who was racing manager and bloodstock advisor for Prince AA Faisal.

Kevin Mercer 67 With wife Susan he owned Usk Valley Stud, which produced the Italian Oaks winner Zanzibar, dam of Grade 2 scorer Sprice Route.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jul_155_Big_Picture_Derby_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:09 Page 16

THE BIG PICTURE

WHERE EAGLES DARE Looks of determination in the race and delight after it are etched across the face of Padraig Beggy, who with partner Wings Of Eagles sprang a 40-1 surprise in the Derby, the world’s greatest Flat race. Wings Of Eagles, a son of 2011 Derby hero Pour Moi, overhauled stablemate Cliffs Of Moher (middle) and Cracksman (red cap) at the death to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with his sixth triumph in the race Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_Derby_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:09 Page 17

INVESTEC DERBY

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THE BIG PICTURE

ENABLE REIGNS It’s fair to say that open-topped buses did not exactly come into their own as a vantage point for this year’s Oaks, and a big clap of thunder resulted in Olivier Peslier bailing out of the saddle on spooked US raider Daddys Lil Darling before the rest of the field set off in torrential rain. The Classic still produced a great, and brave, battle between Rhododendron and Enable, and it was Khalid Abdullah’s Enable under Frankie Dettori who proved the stronger in the closing stages, scoring by five lengths Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_Oaks_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:13 Page 19

INVESTEC OAKS

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THE BIG PICTURE

Jul_155_Big_Picture_BigOrange_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:51 Page 21

ROYAL ASCOT

BIG AND BOLD Big Orange was one of the most popular Flat horses in training before this year’s Gold Cup, so his battling success over Order Of St George in the Royal Ascot showpiece can only have won him more fans. James Doyle did the steering on the Michael Bell-trained six-year-old (left), whose owner-breeder Bill Gredley collected his trophy from The Queen, herself successful in the 2013 renewal with Estimate Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_CoolmoreMontage_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:55 Page 22

THE BIG PICTURE

THE REEL DEAL Aidan O’Brien enjoyed a superb Royal Meeting, taking the top trainer award with six winners for owners John Magnier (pictured below), Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. Highland Reel led the way with an ultra-tough performance in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (main image), while Caravaggio (below left) and Winter (below right) also claimed Group 1 victories in the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes.

Ryan Moore, pictured with O’Brien, was the leading rider over the week with six wins Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_CoolmoreMontage_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:56 Page 23

ROYAL ASCOT

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THE BIG PICTURE

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ROYAL ASCOT

LADY’S FIRST Three-year-old filly Lady Aurelia showed her elders the way home in the King’s Stand Stakes to give her American trainer Wesley Ward (left) another big-race success at Royal Ascot. A year on from her scintillating victory in the Queen Mary Stakes, Lady Aurelia scorched the Ascot turf under John Velazquez, powering home three lengths clear of 2016 victor Profitable, with favourite Marsha (black and white) a head away in third Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_RoyalAscotOthers_v2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:05 Page 26

THE BIG PICTURE

TIN MAN SHOWS HEART The Diamond Jubilee Stakes produced a dramatic finish as The Tin Man held off the late challenges of Tasleet and Limato (centre) to score by a neck. The James Fanshawe-trained five-year-old, owned by Fred Archer Racing (Ormonde), had to survive a stewards enquiry having drifted left inside the final furlong but Tom Queally’s mount kept the Group 1 prize Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Big_Picture_RoyalAscotOthers_v2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:06 Page 27

ROYAL ASCOT

Right column, top to bottom: Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation enjoyed a superb Royal Ascot with six winners, including Benbatl (Hampton Court Stakes), a first triumph at the meeting for Oisin Murphy, Ribchester (Queen Anne Stakes), Barney Roy (St James’s Palace Stakes) and Atty Persse, providing Kieran Shoemark with his debut Royal Ascot strike.

Below: Amanda Perrett enjoys Zhui Feng’s frontrunning victory in the Hunt Cup under Martin Dwyer.

Left: Olivier Peslier delivers Coronet (grey) with a perfectly-timed challenge to win the Ribblesdale Stakes

Jul_155_FromTheArchivesV2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 16:17 Page 28

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Jul_155_FromTheArchivesV2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 16:17 Page 29

MR BROOKS J U LY 9 , 1 9 9 2

The story behind the photo Lester Piggott famously won a lot of Derbys – nine – but he won even more July Cups, with his tenth winner coming 25 years ago this month.

Piggott tended to win the July Course’s showpiece contest in bunches. He won four on the spin from 1957, three on the trot from 1978, and notched back-to-back triumphs in 1973 and 1974.

Mr Brooks’ victory in the 1992 July Cup was one of Piggott’s last major wins, and one of his more unexpected top-level triumphs. In a field of eight that contained crack sprinters like Sheikh Albadou, Shalford – his stablemate and much the more fancied of Richard Hannon snr’s two runners – and Wolfhound, he started at 16-1.

Favourite Sheikh Albadou looked the winner a furlong and a half out, with Walter Swinburn motionless and well positioned, but Mr Brooks was also travelling well and in the closing stages Piggott and his mount got on top in an exciting three-way drive to the line.

The duo scored by a head over the unlucky Pursuit Of Love and John Carroll, with Sheikh Albadou a neck behind in third.

Of Mr Brooks, who was owned by Paul Green and had finished last in Quest For Fame’s Derby two years before, Piggott told journalists, including John Oaksey (below, left): “He was hanging a bit on the ground and I gave him a chance to find his legs. But I was always on their heels and knew he would pick up when I asked.”

Photos George Selwyn

Jul_155_Tony_Morris_v2_Owner 29/06/2017 14:35 Page 30

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris Just because this year’s Derby was won by a big outsider our three-year-old crop of colts shouldn’t be written off as below-par just yet – Troy’s year, 1979, was an example of why

F

or as long as I’ve been following racing, and for a century and a half before then, the Derby has been the race that everyone – breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys – wants to win. As such, we recognise it as an end in itself, the summit of every horseman’s ambition, the reason why many become involved, and that sense was admirably expressed to me by Lord Howard de Walden after Slip Anchor’s Epsom romp in 1985: ‘Mission accomplished – at last.’

And winning it invariably prompts the desire to win it again. The Coolmore partners make it their prime objective every spring, so Aidan O’Brien regularly turns up mob-handed for another shot at Derby glory for patrons who have become addicted; they don’t find it boring to register regular victories in the world’s most fabled Classic.

But while the Derby may mean mission accomplished for the winning connections, it does not represent the culmination of anything when it comes to establishing the pecking order among middle-distance three-year-olds.

It’s a rare year when it does no more than confirm previous impressions; it’s generally better characterised as a fact-finding exercise about a group of colts who have yet to realise their true potential and whose peak may come months later. Sea-Bird won his Derby in a canter, but how much better was he on Arc day? The best part of a stone, I would surmise.

We are only just beginning to form a view about the merits of the 2017 three-year-olds at middle distances, and I think it’s fair to say that the Derby did not allow us to get very excited about them. But what were we to expect? The field of 18 included not a single previous Group 1 winner, although that did not necessarily indicate that the Classic crop were not up to much, as we were entitled to assume that there would be significant improvers, perhaps relishing a longer distance.

And yet, what were we to make of the fact that the colt who graduated to Group 1 success at Epsom had previously won only a maiden, and had finished ninth in his only previous venture at the top level, in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last backend? The only Wings Of

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Wings Of Eagles could head a talented generation of colts, similar to Troy (inset)

Eagles to have penetrated my consciousness before was a rather indifferent 1957 movie, one of the less notable collaborations between John Wayne and John Ford. Most people acquainted with the colt of that name assumed that he would feature as just an extra in the Derby, and for the first nine furlongs of the race that was what he appeared to be, but he fairly flew at the finish, much to the delight of the bookmaking fraternity.

It was tempting to rate the colt on a similar level to the film, such was the shock induced by his victory. That probably meant that the whole crop was no great shakes. I was inclined to feel that Enable had won her Oaks in more impressive style and might be the best of either sex at a mile and a half.

But then I realised that I was forgetting my own sermon, the one I’ve been preaching these past 40 years. It’s too early to be writing off a crop as sub-standard. The Derby does not mean that sweeping conclusions can be drawn.

It just provides the first hints about the group’s class, and there will be plenty of unravelling to

come, as we assess and compare the various strands of form.

My mind goes back to the spring of 1979, when we were all looking forward to the reappearance of the previous season’s champion European juvenile Tromos, whose victory in the Dewhurst impressed many as the best two-year-old performance of recent years.

A big, strong sort, by Busted out of a topclass mare, he seemed a ready-made Classic winner, the Guineas surely at his mercy. But on his return he suffered a tame defeat in the Craven Stakes, promptly picked up a virus and was never seen again.

By Guineas day we had a new and surely worthy favourite in Kris, who was unbeaten in five starts, including the recent Greenham Stakes. But he contrived to get beaten by Tap On Wood, the most exposed runner in the field, making his 16th career start. The season was not turning out as we had expected.

I didn’t head for Epsom with any great expectations, although it was the landmark 200th edition of the Derby. There were going THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jul_155_Tony_Morris_v2_Owner 29/06/2017 14:35 Page 31

to be 23 runners, the market being headed by Ela-Mana-Mou, second best to Tromos among the 1978 juveniles and recent winner of the Heath Stakes at the Craven meeting. Only two of the contenders had a Group 1 win on their CV – Tap On Wood and the Irish Guineas hero Dickens Hill – and both seemed unlikely to excel again over the mile and a half. There was nothing in the form book to indicate that this was a distinguished crop.

But that Derby was to produce a striking performance, and I remember it well. These days the facilities provided for the press to watch the race leave a lot to be desired, but in 1979 we still had a marvellous pitch at the top of the stand, and I have vivid recall of Troy’s triumphant charge up the centre of the course. Rather like Wings Of Eagles last month, the Ballymacoll-bred colt had a dozen or more rivals ahead of him at Tattenham Corner, but when Willie Carson pulled him out of traffic and asked him to lengthen stride the effect was explosive.

He eventually had seven lengths to spare over Dickens Hill, and there were three more lengths back to Northern Baby in third.

Another sharp image I lodged in the memory bank that day was acquired because the press stand was adjacent to the Royal Box. The word beforehand out of the Dick Hern stable was that there was little to choose between Troy and the Queen’s runner Milford, and to judge from Her Majesty’s expression at the end of the race, that was what she had been led to believe. She was clearly not amused as Milford trudged in tenth, 20 lengths behind the winner.

Derbys are not usually won quite as emphatically as that, so Troy was duly recognised at once as a high-class performer.

But none of the vanquished had previously seemed outstanding, so it was perhaps possible that he was just the best of an ordinary group. We would have to wait and see what later results indicated.

The first test of the form came at Ascot, where Derby fourth ElaMana-Mou won the King Edward VII Stakes. Then Troy collected his second Derby on the Curragh, with Dickens Hill again his runner-up, four lengths adrift this time. A week later Dickens Hill won the Eclipse against older rivals.

Troy’s season was further embellished by victories in the King George, with Ela-Mana-Mou in third place, and the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup, with Derby fifth Lyphard’s Wish an honourable third, before a valiant but unsuccessful effort in third to Three Troikas in the Arc. We had a pretty good idea of how gifted an athlete he was by then.

What of Troy’s other Derby victims? Son Of Love, a 200-1 shot and only 15th at Epsom, returned to win the St Leger, with Niniski in third place. Niniski, a stablemate of Troy who had finished ninth in the Derby, proceeded to win the Irish St Leger and the French equivalent, the Prix Royal Oak. The last example of the worth of the Derby form in 1979 came with Northern Baby’s win in the Champion Stakes, but further compliments were to come in 1980, with Ela-Mana-Mou’s victories in the Eclipse and King George.

Yes, no doubt about it. Troy was an outstanding Derby winner. How we eventually rank Wings Of Eagles is an intriguing question for the coming months, as he and his Epsom victims are subjected to further serious tests.

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Jul_155_HowardWright_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:33 Page 32

HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT

What happens to racehorses after their career is over has become a mustaddress issue – which is why Britain has to keep better tabs on numbers

Traceability key to aftercare

O

f the many sound comments expressed at the Pan American Conference, held in Washington towards the end of May, one of the most fascinating, and disturbing, came in a roundup report from a complementary seminar organised by the newly-formed, Godolphininspired International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses.

“We still don’t accurately know the numbers of thoroughbreds in Britain,” said Di Arbuthnot, chair of IFAR’s steering group and Chief Executive of Britain’s leading equine rehoming charity Retraining of Racehorses.

Pardon. Don’t know where the 4,663 thoroughbred foals born in Britain in 2016 are, or likely to be in the future? Then someone should know, and preferably someone in the highest authority, the BHA. Traceability is the most valuable tool in the box labelled Racehorse Aftercare. If no-one is aware of the starting point, there’s little hope of adequately covering the end result, which has to be the provision of a suitable second career, if at all possible.

Ongoing welfare of racehorses has been accorded proper, high-level attention only recently, which probably mirrors the changes in public perception over a post-war period in which urban affairs have grown to overshadow rural matters.

In 2008, when the JRA hosted the Asian Racing Conference, the world’s most wideranging and influential gathering of racing administrators and professionals, in Tokyo, the agenda made no mention of equine welfare.

Two years later, when Racing NSW staged the next ARC in Sydney, the subject was squarely on the list for debate, and it has remained there at three

32

subsequent such conferences and will no doubt figure again when the event reaches Seoul next May. In Britain, Retraining of Racehorses, or its equivalent, has been established for 15 years.

Yet it has still taken until now to gather international efforts into a recognised forum, in the shape of IFAR, whose membership stretches from the US to Australia but is characterised by widely differing degrees of formal involvement.

Arbuthnot’s plea to delegates at the Pan American Conference, explaining IFAR’s vision for 2020, was straightforward: “Racing authorities need to understand this is a really important subject that has to be taken seriously. Every racing jurisdiction needs to have some form of aftercare programme.” Her reasoning was equally unequivocal: “We all have a shared responsibility for the welfare of racehorses, which extends beyond the track. Across the entire welfare debate, the spotlight is on an animal’s quality of life and the emerging concept

of a life worth living.”

Britain has embraced the concept, and RoR’s work has been invaluable. Its series of championships for second-career racehorses, a model since replicated in several countries, was exemplified at the recent Royal Windsor Horse Show, where the Tattersalls Show Series championship went to Barbers Shop, a 15year-old chase winner bred by the Queen Mother and inherited by her daughter the Queen.

No more than a decade ago, the Queen was indirectly embroiled in a welfare controversy stirred up by a British tabloid newspaper, which discovered that a horse that had long before raced in her colours was caught up in the Belgian meat trade. The Queen was an easy target, but similarly toxic headlines, however undeserved, can happen to anyone, hence the urgent need for a fully integrated programme of traceability, from which a defence of caring by the sport can be mounted.

The need was best illustrated at the Washington conference by Dr Eliot Forbes in his capacity as Chairman of Racing Australia’s national Retirement of Racehorses Committee. His presentation, which can be viewed under the Resources link of IFAR’s website, outlined the starting points for Racing Australia’s programme of traceability – registration of foals within 30 days of birth and registration of their beneficial owners within a further 60 days.

Such a system, computerised and administered centrally through Weatherbys, which already has close links with RoR, so that it is neither onerous nor expensive, should be the norm in Britain. Once in place, and with anti-doping concerns among certain sectors set aside in favour of a sensible approach to what is essentially a matter of welfare, all other issues will be dealt with naturally and safely for the benefit of the whole sport.

Barbers Shop: successful as a racehorse and in his post-racing career

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29/06/2017 14:44

Jul_155_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:19 Page 34

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By JESSICA LAMB

Halpin happy out of the limelight Padraig Beggy’s Derby win shows you don’t need to be racing royalty to succeed

Gary Halpin on one of his winners, Avenante

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Halpin didn’t start riding horses until his teens, using the invaluable RACE jockeys’ course to get a placement in a big yard with Kevin Prendergast, where he has remained since 2011, and thrived.

“You get out of racing only what you put into it,” he philosophised. “I work hard and I feel I’ve improved a lot since I started riding.

“As my agent Kevin O’Ryan says, ‘You have to keep stepping up. You can’t afford to be getting left behind. You have to be sharp’.

“I’m at John Oxx’s on a Friday and Kevin’s every other day and getting used by plenty of other trainers, too, which is good for your confidence, especially when I haven’t long left on my claim.”

Since his first win in 2011, Halpin has ridden 76 more in Ireland, Britain and France, coming to the fore in 2014 with victory in the Longines Future Racing Stars Race at Chantilly and Topaz Mile at the Galway festival. It was a life-changing year at home and work.

“You get out of racing

only what you put into it. I work hard and I feel I’ve improved a lot since I started riding” “My son Jack was born on March 29 that year,” he said. “That changed me; I’d more to prove, and not just for me any more. I was not a one-man army. I’d definitely like to think that helped me make those breakthroughs; he certainly continues to help me now.

“I only live five minutes from Kevin Prendergast’s, so my son feeds Katie T and her foal everyday, he’s been down to Tally-Ho Stud and seen Kodiac and Zebedee, and he sees Vastonea after school.

“He’s been amazing and has really made me mature fast, grow up and realise what’s important.”

That new outlook is why he hasn’t let the apprentice title race distract him, and why he is, in fact, grateful to be out of the limelight.

“It’s been well documented there’s a lot of criticism [of jockeys] on social media, it CAROLINE NORRIS

P

rivilege holds sway at the head of Ireland’s apprentice jockeys’ table as the season’s halfway point approaches, but those below are far from frustrated after Padraig Beggy’s victory in the Derby.

Last season, champion trainer Aidan O’Brien’s son Donnacha followed his older brother Joseph when winning the apprentice title.

In 2017, he and sister Ana are fighting it out at the top of the table – with the full weight of Ballydoyle and Joseph’s new training operation behind them.

For their rivals it can seem luckless to be caught up in their generation, particularly as a rider who started from scratch, with little or no connections in racing before attending the jockey’s course at RACE. That describes Padraig Beggy, though, so when the 31-year-old Dunboyne rider won the world’s most famous Classic, beacons lit across the spectrum, not least for Dublin native Gary Halpin, second to Donnacha last year, and third to the O’Brien pair now.

“It’s strange because when I first started down with Sean Mahon, who sort of taught me how to ride, Padraig Beggy used to come in to ride out a point-to-pointer or two before they went shooting,” recalled Halpin.

“When I saw him coming in the first time, he made me sit up and take notice and I remember looking at the Irish Field to find out how many rides and winners he’d had.

I kept following him after that, so it was great to see him win at Epsom.

“It’s good to see a small fellow doing well.”

Beggy did not grow up in a racing family and got his entrance through the RACE training programme, graduating in 2003. A year later he finished third to trailblazing female rider Cathy Gannon in the apprentice title race, giving him a similar profile to Halpin.

Brought up in the suburbs of north Dublin,

Jul_155_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:19 Page 35

we gave them a good contest last year, and you can’t be afraid of three or four people in the game.”

Lack of chances addressed Not long after the start of Halpin’s career there was a stark decline in young riders wanting to become Flat jockeys in Ireland, and an exodus of those that did to Britain and beyond – Oisin Murphy being a prime example.

It happened due to a lack of opportunities brought about not least by too few races, and higher minimum weights allowing senior

riders to take more rides.

So in 2013 there was an alarmingly low 44 apprentices registered, ten less than the average.

That has been addressed and numbers grew again to 55 – 18 new – in 2016, including more from outside racing, like Sean Davis.

Based with Michael O’Callaghan, the Kildare rider has an almost identical profile to Halpin, having begun riding with trainers Sean Mahon and John Geoghegan, then graduated from RACE in 2015. Davis has already ridden ten winners.

CAROLINE NORRIS

can be disheartening if you read into it,” he said. “They ride more favourites than I do and would need to be mentally stronger. I still get it, but wouldn’t look too much into it – you’d feel sorry for these people more than anything.”

He added: “I’m happy with the way things have gone. I know I’ve worked hard for what I have, getting three good ‘pot’ winners for three good trainers – the Topaz Mile for Kevin Prendergast, Ragusa Handicap for John Oxx and Sovereign Handicap for Kevin Ryan.

“It is hard to compete with the O’Briens, but

Galway attracts runners and racegoers in their droves but there is ongoing uncertainty over the track’s future

Go-ahead Galway still nervous over roadworks This year’s Galway’s summer festival will be the most valuable ever staged, but what will become of the course’s future in light of proposed major roadworks?

A total of €2 million is now up for grabs at the seven-day meeting, providing a minimum prize fund of €100,000 per day, with an extra €30,000 for Wednesday’s feature, theTote.com Galway Plate, worth €250,000, and the Guinness Galway Hurdle offering €300,000.

The meeting continues to thrive, attracting and retaining leading sponsors and horses, and the biggest racing crowds of the summer. It is vital to the local economy, and vital to Irish horseracing as a showcase for all that is enjoyable about a racing festival.

That was thankfully taken into account as

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a route was finalised for the National Road Authority’s N6 Galway bypass in October last year, after a planning application is expected to be submitted in the third quarter of this year.

At present, the actual works could cause disruption around the city for up to four years, though these would not affect Galway’s racing surface or stands.

The latest plan is to build a tunnel under the site where the stables are, meaning they would have to be moved permanently.

Officials at the course are focussed on ensuring no festival is cancelled, though they have no control over external disruptions that could affect the summer highlight.

It’s not a problem for 2017, nor probably for 2018, but it does still loom, as it does for

the hundreds of homes it will affect in the locality.

Works that will definitely go ahead this year are the €6m redevelopment of the area to the north of the parade ring, currently home to the narrow Tote hall.

This will be demolished and replaced with a new two-storey building, incorporating betting, bars and food outlets. The move is aimed at improving the space and atmosphere around the parade ring. It will provide shelter and views of the racecourse and parade ring at all levels, with capacity for 550 people in the betting hall on the ground floor and 450 in the champagne bar and covered terrace on the first floor.

The project will begin at the end of this year’s festival and will be launched in advance of the 2018 festival.

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Jul_155_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:17 Page 36

CONTINENTAL TALES

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

H REP EC

LIC UB

Luka making his own luck Trainer’s French forays are paying their way – and then some

CZ

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he victory of Wireless in last month’s Listed Prix de Montretout at MaisonsLaffitte was another feather in the cap of his young Czech trainer Vaclav Luka, who, undaunted by the number of hours of motorway driving involved, is shunning the frugal opportunities available in his homeland in order to plunder the great riches on offer in France.

The son of a trainer of the same name, Luka jnr first took out a licence in 2005 and since December 2008 has been based at a purpose-built new yard at Bošovice, 60 miles south of Prague.

After winning the Czech trainers’ championship three times in a row between 2010 and 2012, he extended his sights to further afield and in particular to France, where an average midweek card at one of the main Parisian racecourses offers prize-money which is nigh on ten times what is available on a Sunday afternoon at Velka Chuchle in Prague, the nation’s premier Flat racing venue.

In 2016 he saddled 15 French winners, compared to just four in the Czech Republic, and this year, up until early June, he is still waiting to get off the mark at home yet has already won three French races each worth at least £20,855 to the winner. When one considers that the most prestigious race on the Czech calendar, the Derby, carries a first prize of a mere £31,586, Luka’s decision to travel makes enormous sense.

To further underline the financial imperatives one must also look at the horses involved and where they came from.

All three winners – Wireless plus the handicap scorers Donuts Reyor and Borsakov – were bought by Luka for no more £20,600 out of claimers run in France and, crucially, all of them qualify for French-bred premiums.

In Donuts Reyor’s case this adds another 58% to every prize (and means he pouched more for winning a regulation MaisonsLaffitte handicap than is on offer for the Czech Derby) and for the other two adds a still not-to-be-sniffed-at 39% to all their French prize-money.

The final piece in the jigsaw is the incredibly cheap training fees that Luka is able to charge. His website advertises a basic rate of just €16 per horse per day, which equates to €112 (£96) per week, €485 (£415)

Vaclav Luka and his horses cover a lot of miles but the returns make it worthwhile

per month or €5,824 (£4,978) per year.

The one added expense to bear in mind is, of course, travel - or a 1,200 mile round trip from Bošovice to Paris to be precise. The key here is filling up the horsebox, so as long as four horses travel together, and again using figures provided on the trainer’s website, each one can get to Paris and back for little more than a £250 bill to their owners, although this charge is tripled should they travel alone.

“Everybody asks me why I don’t train in France,” 38-year-old Luka says, “but I much prefer the peace and quiet of Bošovice compared to a big training centre and everything is much cheaper here.

“My facilities are good enough and the way things work here we are able to train in a very

different way to France or Britain – it’s a much more personal style.

“The travel is no problem, it’s a ten-hour run to get to Paris but the roads are really fast so the horses are very comfortable, we can keep checking on them from the cab via a CCTV screen. I like them to get to the course the evening before they race and then they can canter on the track the following morning.”

Asked what his owners think about having their horses compete such a long way from home, Luka responds: “I have owners from Austria, Germany, Denmark and Poland, as well as Czechs, and pretty much all of them prefer to send their horses abroad, even though it can be complicated for them to get THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Germany three times this season, finishing second in a trio of Listed races, beaten in photo finishes on the first two occasions, and last time out travelling a mere 900 miles to Dortmund and back.

Wireless is now being aimed at the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August, taking in the Group 3 Prix Messidor en route, while Partyday has a fillies’ Group 3 in Hamburg on July 3 on her agenda.

So what are the chances of Luka broadening his horizons yet further and

having runners in Britain? Having spent time in his youth working for Jonjo O’Neill and then, as travelling head lad, for Alan Berry, he is a big fan of our racing, saying: “Britain is number one as far as I am concerned, the quality of the horses is better, and I think that the way that races are run there would suit my horses better than France, where the pace is often slow.

“But the travel to England is a bit more difficult for us and when you get there it is such a high level of competition.”

Moser eyes further British success and sees long-term future as trainer

In contrast to Luka, one overseas handler we are likely to see represented in British races in the coming months is Dominik Moser, who is in charge of a 33-horse string at Hanover racecourse in northern Germany.

The son of former jockey Rolf Moser, he has saddled an unspectacular 52 domestic winners during just under eight years with a full training licence.

However, he has done rather well on his occasional visits to these shores, starting back in 2012 when his first ever British runner, Gracia Directa, carried off the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York, then returned to the same race 12 months later and finished second.

Moving on to 2017 and Artistica pulled off a 33-1 surprise for Moser in the Listed Kilvington Stakes at Nottingham on May 13 before, a fortnight later on her trainer’s 44th birthday, she notched the second Pattern race success of his career by landing the Group 3 Silberne Peitsche at Baden-Baden.

“Artistica is currently on a break after having run three times during the spring,” Moser says. “She will probably run next in the Summer Stakes at York on July 14, a race that I could well have two runners in as it is also a target for Sugar Free [sixth to Buying Trouble in the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock on her latest start].

“Artistica clocked a really good time at Baden-Baden and I think that she could be good enough to go for the Haydock Sprint Cup. I am drawn to the sprint races in England because I believe that they don’t go quite so fast in the first half furlong after leaving the stalls there, allowing horses to find their feet a little, unlike in Germany and France where they seem to go a bit

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there to watch in person.

“Some of them make a mini-break out of it and go away for a couple of days, otherwise it’s easy enough for them to get access to Equidia [the French racing channel] – and then, if they win, they can celebrate in the comfort of their own homes.”

It’s not just France that Luka targets.

Alongside Wireless, his other flagbearer is the €13,000 Tattersalls Ireland yearling purchase Partyday, a four-year-old daughter of Footstepsinthesand. She has ventured to

Artistica gives Dominik Moser (left of horse) a Group 3 win at Baden-Baden

quicker at the very start.

“I like my horses to spend two nights away if they are going to England, and it seems to work best taking the ferry from Rotterdam to Hull, leaving at 7pm and arriving almost 12 hours later, as they sleep well that way and it is more comfortable for them than going further by road. York is close to Hull and, although they won’t always eat their food when they arrive, they are invariably back eating normally by the second morning.”

Moser confides that he is a little surprised to find himself with a training licence having given one up in 2014 in order to become racing manager to the Baum family’s Gestüt Brümmerhof, only to take

over the reins of the Brümmerhof training operation a year or so later.

“My background is in breeding, and I still spend one day a week at my family’s stud, Gestut Trona, which is just an hour’s drive from Hanover,” he says. “So when I was offered the position at Gestüt Brümmerhof, which has a number of wonderful broodmares, I viewed it as one of the best jobs ever.”

Circumstances swiftly changed and Moser has excelled since being asked to resume his training role for Brümmerhof – this season his eight winners have come at a 30% strike rate. “I work very well with Mr and Mrs Baum and certainly see my future as a trainer,” he stresses.

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Jul_155_AroundtheGlobe_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 14:24 Page 38

AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A M E R I CA

by Steve Andersen

Calumet regains lost profile

“Calumet has

runners spread across the United States, and with Dermot Weld in Ireland” earnings of $2.52m, with many of the leading race meetings still to come, notably the summer seasons at Del Mar and Saratoga, Keeneland autumn and the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in November.

Kelley is the latest person to sustain the farm’s role in American racing. In 1992, Henryk de Kwiatkowski bought Calumet at a

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ne of the most iconic names in American racing is in the midst of a revival this decade.

Calumet Farm in Kentucky has been a fixture for a century, through various owners that pushed the farm to the pinnacle of racing and later into bankruptcy. Since 2012, the 798-acre farm has been owned by Brad Kelley, an intensely private billionaire businessman from Tennessee, who acquired the property for $35 million.

Under the direction of Kelley, who turns 60 this year, Calumet’s profile in American racing, and to a lesser extent, Europe, has grown significantly in recent years.

There were three Calumet-owned horses in the 20-horse field in the Kentucky Derby, with an 11th by Hence the best finish of the group.

Up to June 6, Calumet ranked second among American owners with $3.1m in earnings for the year. Only Juddmonte Farms was higher at $8.3m, boosted by the star older horse Arrogate.

Calumet has already surpassed its 2016

Calumet’s Alydar chased home Affirmed in all three legs of the 1978 Triple Crown

bankruptcy auction for $17m after the farm’s bloodstock was dispersed and the property put up for sale following years of financial neglect.

De Kwiatkowski died in 2003. While the farm continued as a breeding and boarding operation, Calumet all but disappeared on the racetrack, winning just 24 races between 2000-2011.

Kelley essentially started over. He had previously raced under the stable name Bluegrass Hall and had a breeding operation titled Hurricane Hall. Those horses provided the start of the Calumet operation.

This year, Calumet has runners spread across the United States, with trainers in California, Kentucky and New York, and with Dermot Weld in Ireland.

The American trainers, which include such names as Steve Asmussen, Neil Drysdale, D Wayne Lukas, Richard Mandella and Doug O’Neill, among others, are tasked with trying to emulate arguably the greatest racing stable in the United States for part of the 20th century.

Calumet won a record eight Kentucky Derbys from 1941 to 1968, including with Triple Crown winners Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (1948), and owned Alydar, who finished second to Affirmed in all three legs of

the 1978 Triple Crown.

Back then, Calumet was known for its red and blue silks, the rights of which were later sold at a bankruptcy auction. These days, Calumet is represented by Kelley’s black and yellow silks, which won such races as the 1982 Preakness Stakes with Oxbow, and as recently as June 3 when the Brazilian-bred Bal A Bali won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita.

Calumet Farm brought the breeding rights to Bal A Bali last autumn and decided to keep the seven-year-old in training this year before going to stud. The win in the Shoemaker assured Bal A Bali of a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 4.

Situated adjacent to Keeneland racecourse, Calumet has expanded its stallion holdings in recent years. Eventually, Bal A Bali will join a massive roster of stallions at Calumet, which includes 18 other stallions, notably English Channel and Oxbow.

Last autumn, Mandella suggested Bal A Bali should stay in training for another year instead of going to stud. Calumet, directed by farm manager Eddie Kane, agreed to the plan. Bal A Bali is in the midst of his best season.

“It’s never been about goals or what they want to do,” Mandella said. “They want to do what’s right by the horse.”

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AUST R A L I A

by Danny Power

Flat or jumps Allen’s just ace

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He’s not a Hugh Bowman or a Damien Oliver, but there hasn’t been a jockey in Australia like John Allen for 100 years, and certainly not since the Hall of Fame jockey Hughie Cairns was killed in a hurdle race at Moonee Valley in Melbourne in 1929.

Cairns is widely regarded as the most versatile rider in Australia’s racing history, a star on both the Flat and over jumps, which he mixed with wonderful success.

Cairns, born in New Zealand, was the headline grabber of 1917 when he rode the winners of the Grand National Hurdle and a host of other feature jumping races as well as many top-class Flat races, including the All Aged Stakes at Randwick and Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield. The following year at Caulfield he won both the main jumps race, the Australian Hurdle, and the feature Flat race, the Futurity Stakes.

In 1926, Cairns became the first jockey to win the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup in the same year. At the time he’d given up on jumps riding, but he returned to the discipline a couple of years later, only to tragically lose his life. The statue at Caulfield in honour of jockeys killed doing their job is a life-size bronze of Hughie Cairns, as it should be.

Allen, 32, has a long way to go to be another Hughie Cairns, but he’s the only jockey since to be a star under both codes.

This year he is combining his abilities to great effect. At the famous May Warrnambool Carnival he was the top jockey, winning seven races over three days, including the feature Grand Annual Steeplechase on Regina Coeli and the Galleywood Hurdle on Renew along with five Flat wins, mostly for trainer Darren Weir.

Allen, a struggling jump jockey in Ireland, moved from County Cork to Australia in 2011, encouraged by an advertisement placed by Racing Victoria to lure jumps riders to try their luck in Australia, where there was a diminishing pool of jockeys as the industry struggled for survival.

“I was at a crossroads in my career and I also had a bit of a desire to see the world and travel so I thought I’d give it a go,” Allen told radio RSN. He started life as a track rider for Weir’s big stable at Ballarat and quickly established himself as a team leader and, according to Weir, “the best judge of a horse I have seen”.

In 2016, Allen came to prominence as a top Flat rider after winning the Group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville on

Howard Be Thy Name for Weir, although at the time it was considered a novelty.

However, after his versatile dominance at Warrnambool, Allen repeated his SA Derby triumph, again for Weir, on the Pentire colt Volatile Mix. “When I first came here I was an Irishman trying to get rides; then when I got going I was a jumps jockey trying to get rides on the Flat,” said Allen.

“You get looked at as being a jumps jockey, but it helped in breaking into the Flat with

“He is the only

jockey since Hughie Cairns 100 years earlier to be a star under both codes” owners and trainers. When you can get on and win a big race like that, it really lifts your profile. It is a lot easier for them, if they want to use you, to always be confident in your ability.

“I was sort of brought up with jumps racing. As a young man, Flat racing was more alien to me than the jumps. When I was 13 all I wanted to be was a jumps jockey. I’m just lucky enough now that my weight allows my to ride in Flat races as well.

“It is fortunate, too, because there isn’t a huge amount of jumps races in Australia and you only get a small window of opportunity to compete.”

As of June 9, Allen had ridden 357 winners in Australia, of which 73 were last season and 89 so far this term, which finishes at the end of July. In the past two seasons his strike-rate has been between 16-17%.

Weir summed up his feelings about Allen on radio recently when he said: “He’s the best all-round rider I have seen.”

Allen remains quite modest, saying: “I’m just a track rider who has been lucky.”

John Allen: struggled in Ireland but is thriving down under

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Ger Lyons: enjoys taking on the big stables in Ireland

Jul_155_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:23 Page 41

TALKING TO...

GER LYONS

The Lyons speaks

ALL RIGHT

Outspoken trainer Ger Lyons admits he is something of an acquired taste but one thing he has acquired is a team of owners, horses and jockeys capable of delivering top-level success to a yard that can consistently be relied on to keep the Aidan O’Brien juggernaut on its toes

By Tim Richards • Photos George Selwyn and Caroline Norris

Y

ou had four seasons as a National Hunt jockey in England in the 1980s, riding some 50 winners before injury ended your career. Despite training a Grade 1 winner over fences, you soon decided to focus on the Flat. Why? I love two-year-olds and their quick turnaround factor. Basically, I get bored very quickly and once I know a horse’s level or rating I need to move on, especially if it’s a bad one, which sadly can be quite often. I’ll go to an owner and explain the horse is a 0-60, that it may win a small race or it may not, but will cost the same amount to train as the best horses in the yard.

So I recommend moving on; it’s a business decision. Of course, it is the anticipation of the unknown in an unraced two-year-old that excites me.

The Irish training business appears to be as tough and competitive as it is in Britain. How do you cope with an economic situation that has forced a number of your fellow trainers into early retirement?

I would say the Irish Flat scene is as competitive as it gets. We meet Aidan O’Brien’s runners every day here, whereas you guys in England may meet the top stables mainly at weekends.

Some trainers might call that a curse, but I consider it a good thing. I regard myself as a much better trainer as a result of competing with the elite. Aidan raises the bar every year and I applaud him for that because I have to keep trying to improve my own standards to stay anywhere near him. The only difference is THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

I can’t afford Galileos; I have to go to war with everything bar the Galileos. I have the best staff, the best facilities and I do the best with what I have. Training, in my opinion, is about sourcing the horse. If you just sit back and wait for what comes through the gate then you will be disappointed and quickly go out of business.

However, if you buy something you’d like to train you have more idea of what you’re getting and there might even be a bonus at the end.

Sadly, we have to keep selling to stay in business, which makes the job of keeping in touch with the top stables all the more difficult.

“Some trainers think

they are owed a living the moment they take out a licence.

But they are not” Is there anything HRI can do to aid struggling trainers in Ireland?

It sounds trite, but training is the same as any business; the harder you work the more successful you will be as long as you work smart. Some trainers think they are owed a living the moment they take out a licence. But they are not. New guys come and go in our game and I’ve always said that the test of time is

the ultimate true standard. HRI need to modernise their systems, which in turn will make our lives easier. They must continue to upgrade racetrack facilities for owners, who are the lifeblood of the game and are sometimes taken for granted, though some owners’ amenities have improved recently. The system for naming horses could also be speeded up, bringing it into line with the UK. Horses such as Wade Giles (Destined For Glory), Strada Colorato (Gold-Fun), Watsdachances and more recently Doctor Geoff have impressed for you before being bought to race abroad. Is it a mixture of pride and regret when you lose such quality animals?

My family will tell you how down I get when this happens. I am very competitive and love taking on the big boys when I can, but to stay in business we have to sell our good ones. So sourcing a decent horse and knowing that eventually I’m going to have to sell hurts, but I have to accept it’s a necessary evil. When Qatar joined me I thought, ‘lovely’, now I can keep some talented ones to race. But they sell more than I do. At the end of the day it’s down to prize-money; if we had a better structure for our good horses then maybe we wouldn’t have to part with so many. Though, ultimately, everything has a price.

Sean Jones is one of your biggest supporters – it appears all his horses in training are with you – and owned Cappella Sansevero, a 25,000gns yearling purchased by Qatar Racing

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G E R LY O N S >> for £1.3 million. What makes this trainer/owner partnership work so well?

One hundred per cent trust on both sides. Sean has had horses with me since the turn of the century. He’s one of life’s gentlemen, a real family man and we’ve grown together over time.

He gets a real kick out of any winner we have, however big or small. I just can’t wait to train him a Group 1 winner.

You have said that sourcing horses is a very important part of your business.

What system do you use, who helps you and what are the most important features you look for in a prospective racehorse?

We’ve had to learn from scratch, and from our mistakes. But Roger Marley, an old riding mate of mine, has become a huge part of our system.

He used to work for Peter Easterby and is as good a judge as there is in the game. Between Roger and his faithful sidekick, John Cullinan, I’m in very safe hands. Basically they knock off all the scrub at the sales and leave a list for me to look at. I will either like a horse or not on first impressions, but it does have to walk well and have a nice head. Sadly the prices are becoming ridiculous, which is really making my job harder every year.

If you could make one change to

benefit the Irish racing industry, what would it be and why?

I would close a number of tracks that are completely unsuitable for proper modern Flat racing, bearing in mind we are a nation of horse suppliers, selling to Hong Kong and America.

Running around gaffs is not conducive to that.

Flat horses that are being earmarked for Hong Kong or America don’t need to be running around some courses that are not much better than fields. And the Irish will know which courses I’m talking about. When you’re asked, ‘Where did it win?’ and the answer is ‘Leopardstown’, that can clinch a sale. But not winning at some of those lesser tracks, I’m afraid.

Unless, of course, they move Aidan out and me in! We have 92 boxes in the yard and always have an overflow. We have a farm up the road which is for isolation. I never wanted to train huge numbers but I can handle what I have. It’s as big as I want. I don’t need 200 or 300 horses, though I would if I was trying to be champion trainer.

You have finished fourth in the Irish Flat trainers’ table for the past three years.

Would it be realistic to consider yourself as a challenger for the title in future?

It’s a numbers game, so not while I keep on selling. I would like to think that one day I might lead on the number of winners.

But it will never happen on prize-money.

Promising filly Black Sails (above) followed a debut win over the colts with a midfield finish at Royal Ascot, though she has a long way to go to match the achievements of Group 1 heroine Lightening Pearl (right)

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G E R LY O N S You won the Cheveley Park Stakes with Lightening Pearl for Qatar Racing and now you handle their highly promising filly Black Sails. Do you particularly enjoy training fillies?

As I’ve said I love training two-year-olds as it brings in a new team every year and you never know what you have. Only recently I heard a stud owner quip, ‘But Ger doesn’t train fillies’. I never used to buy fillies as you can’t move them on unless they are the real deal and to buy that type was beyond my budget. We’ve done well with plenty that have been sent to us, including Lightening Pearl and Black Sails, and not forgetting Lily’s Angel, who was narrowly beaten

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in the Group 1 Matron Stakes. Hopefully, Black Sails, who won at the Curragh in May, will continue to make progress as I like her a lot. I feel she will be a better second half of season filly. Hopefully she can grow into a Moyglare Stakes prospect, but that is a long way off and a lot of improvement will be needed.

You have an informative website, which includes a regular – and honest – blog from you as well as an aerial film of your impressive facilities, and are on twitter. Has your website/social media been beneficial to Glenburnie Stables?

I’m not so sure that it has owner-wise as I seem

to be an acquired taste. We’ve always taken the view that if we created a website it would have to be kept alive and up to date. The twitter feed does that and the daily blog, when we have runners, was set up because I was fed up with being asked by journalists if my horse was well.

I don’t have a bet and we are not a gambling yard so I felt a blog from the horse’s mouth was the way to go.

Colin Keane, your retained rider, has been leading the jockeys’ table this season. What are his main attributes as a jockey and as a person?

Colin is a very straightforward lad, turns up for

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G E R LY O N S assistant trainers. How does the dynamic work? Is your wife Lynne or any of your other family members involved?

Shane is in charge of all things travel, which means I don’t have to be at the races every day and that suits me perfectly. Being brothers has its moments, but we get on. Lynne runs the office and, while I may come across as technically competent, she is the tech maestro and guides the lot of us. My daughter Kerri rides out every day and has a great interest in the game. But hopefully she will spread her wings and learn from other sections of the industry before deciding her route. I have a proper team here, which can be seen in our consistency.

Lyons with stable jockey Colin Keane, who he hopes will be champion one day

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work every day, says very little and I never have to discuss a race with him before he goes out.

He is as good with his feedback as he is during the race, though he is a man of few words. In life you meet someone and it works and that’s Colin. He knows what I’m about, what I expect and he delivers. I love legging the guy up. On the track he keeps it simple and is as strong as any jockey around, particularly at the business end. He has finished second in the jockeys’ championship for the last two years and is close to becoming champion. I’m not saying it’ll be this year or next, but he’s on Pat Smullen’s tail and, please God, Colin will be champion one day.

Having enjoyed success with Keagan Latham, another South African jockey, Keanen Steyn, has joined your stable.

How did this link-up come about?

Colm O’Donoghue called me and asked if I could take Keanen on for the summer and, as far as I know, he’ll be here for the season. I have two jockeys here – Colin and Gary Carroll – and I didn’t think I’d have enough rides for three but Keanen does the minimum weight, which few jockeys can do in Ireland. He has ridden over 300 winners so I invited him over to use Glenburnie as a base and hopefully he’ll have a successful visit. He’s a lovely rider and, like Keagan, is a credit to the South African Apprentice School.

You had three winners at the Curragh in May when the massive redevelopment programme was in progress. There has been much discussion as to whether or not racing should continue during the rebuilding,

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and even be transferred to Leopardstown. What is your view?

They should have closed it at least for their big days as it’s crazy to turn potential customers away. To lose such a quality track for a season or two would have been difficult for us but I felt we could have coped. It will take more than a lick of paint or new buildings to make the Curragh a popular venue. A lot of things need to change. I criticised the place on my May blog saying, ‘The Curragh has always had an elitist feel to it and is not on my favourites list’. Yes, I had three winners at the May meeting but nobody came over to shake my hand and say, ‘I know that you’re not happy, but hopefully we can make things better’.

Ardhoomey, one of Ireland’s most talented sprinters, and your eight-yearold Irish Lincoln winner, Brendan Brackan, have been great flagbearers for the yard. Have you some impressive plans for them later this summer?

Ardhoomey is aiming for the big five-furlong races like the Nunthorpe and maybe the Prix de l’Abbaye, although at the moment I am favouring staying at home for Irish Champions weekend. Brendan Brackan will stick to Listed and Group 3 level, but both owe me nothing and are a pleasure to see every morning. They are fairly similar in that they are stabled next to each other; they both think they are the boss of the yard and both expect to be treated as such.

They are pretty rock solid, though Ardhoomey is probably a tad more mentally stable than Brendan.

Which racing moment in your career do you treasure most, and why?

Obviously winning the Cheveley Park with Lightening Pearl was important as we are all judged by the big winners we train. Our success in two Group 2 races last year with Medicine Jack and Ardhoomey was great as the two owners are lovely unassuming men and deserve all the success that comes their way.

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL My pet hate is… owner-retained jockeys Four dinner party guests… my immediate family as when we’re all on form we can be hysterical Favourite holiday destination…

Barbados, which sounds pretentious, but Lynne’s dad has a house there so it’s free!

I like listening to… all music from Eminem to Johnny Cash My relaxation away from racing is… watching TV, most sports, movies and walking my dogs. Also a good book on holiday

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL Racing has taught me… work ethic, patience and about people I handle defeat by… beating the sh*t out of myself. I’m getting better but I hate losing My racing heroes are… John Francome, Steve Cauthen and Walter Swinburn (RIP) I’d love to win… all the Guineas in England and Ireland Favourite racecourses… Naas, Navan and Leopardstown

Your brother Shane is one of your

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Jul_155_SouthernHemisphere_v2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:47 Page 46

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE COVERINGS

The best of BOTH WORLDS Shuttling stallions has revolutionised the worldwide breeding industry and has helped to expand certain bloodlines but sires of a certain ilk don’t even have to leave home to receive interest from the southern hemisphere Words Aisling Crowe

U

nder the gaze of the crowd gathered around the ring, a horse is led into the glare of the lights while the breathless tones of an auctioneer recite her pedigree, intone her virtues and entreat those listening to reply in monetary terms.

In foal to Frankel, a name instantly recognisable to millions, the auctioneer brings the hammer down when the bidding ends at 500,000. Dollars that is, Australian dollars.

At last month’s Gold Coast Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Australia’s biggest by numbers, five mares in foal to the Juddmonte wonderhorse on southern hemisphere time were offered for sale. Four of them changed hands, three destined for new homes in New

Zealand. The lowest price achieved was Aus$300,000.

Frankel doesn’t leave his Newmarket home.

Neither does Golden Horn, who was also represented in the sale by a single mare in foal.

Instead, small but growing numbers of breeders are sending mares to leading northern hemisphere sires to be covered on southern hemisphere time. The interconnectedness of modern life is responsible for this, says Tom Reilly, CEO of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

“In a general sense the world is becoming smaller and people are more aware than they ever were before about what is happening in different parts of the world. Thanks to the improvements in communications people can

The Canadian-bred mare Best Behavior sold in foal to Tapit for $500,000 at Magic Millions

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follow racing and breeding more closely where it takes place.”

Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions with Darley, agrees with Reilly’s assessment that, as with everything in life from how we interact with others to how we bank, it is the online era which has sprung this into life.

“The world is getting smaller and breeders have more information than ever, they have a knowledge of where the good stallions are in the world and in the southern hemisphere they are looking at those stallions that don’t shuttle,” he says.

The trio of mares in foal to Frankel sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale represent a small proportion of the 28 mares he covered during the 2016 southern hemisphere season. That was the busiest of his short career so far, with 21 mares covered in 2013, 11 in 2014 and just eight the following year.

Frankel may grab the headlines but each one of his colleagues at Banstead Manor Stud has attracted interest and mares from breeders with their compasses pointing south.

Simon Mockridge, Stud Director of Banstead Manor, expects Kingman in particular to cover more mares to southern hemisphere time this year.

“Kingman covered five mares in 2016 and early indications suggest that he will cover a larger book in 2017. Dansili, Oasis Dream and Bated Breath have covered a handful of mares to southern hemisphere time in recent years.”

Frankel’s phenomenon isn’t solely the reason for a small surge in interest in the best stallions the northern hemisphere has to offer, at least not in the case of his home in Banstead Manor.

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ASUNCIÓN PIÑEYRÚA

Jul_155_SouthernHemisphere_v2_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:47 Page 47

The global appeal of Frankel is such that he doesn’t have to leave Newmarket to cover some decent Australasian mares “The Juddmonte stallions have historically been available for southern hemisphere coverings,” noted Mockridge. “Dansili, for example, has sired 24 foals of racing age (13 winners, two stakes winners), Oasis Dream has 16 foals of racing age (ten winners, two stakes horses). However, Frankel’s global reputation has ensured that southern hemisphere coverings have been taken to a new level.

Recently we have just started to see his first Southern hemisphere runners reach the track and from the 18 foals of racing age he has had seven runners and two winners, including Flora Di Mariposa who won against three-yearolds in Japan.”

According to Tom Reilly, it is mainly mares bred and raced in Europe or North America who are covered in the northern hemisphere before being shipped south to foal or be sold.

His assertion is supported by the experiences of some of the stud farms in Europe.

Darley’s stallions cover a limited number of mares to southern hemisphere time and Bullard concurs with Reilly’s assessment.

“We find we get requests from people who have an eye on buying a mare to send to the southern hemisphere in foal or have a relation THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

to a mare that has done well there who they want to cover and send down. That is more likely in our experience,” Bullard added.

“We are happy to consider requests from breeders for all of our stallions with the exception of Dubawi. New Approach has done well in Australia and he is very appealing to

“American champion sire Tapit was represented by three yearlings at the Inglis Easter Sale”

breeders there while Golden Horn has attracted attention, too. They would be the stallions we get most interest in covering on southern hemisphere time,” he says.

Like so much about Frankel, there is nothing ordinary about the stallion and so taken were

some Australian breeders with the unbeaten xxxxxx champion xxx that they sent mares from the other side of the world to Banstead Manor.

Michael Martin, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, reveals: “I am aware that New Zealand-based breeder Sir Peter Vela sent two mares to Frankel to southern hemisphere time in his first year at stud, and a resultant colt (ex Our Echezeaux) topped the NZ Premier Session of the Karaka Yearling Sale in January 2016 at NZ$1.3m.

“Another NZ breeder, Kevin Hickman, has also sent his Group 1-winning mare Silent Achiever to Frankel to southern hemisphere time. She has a filly, rising yearling, and is in foal to him again.”

Bruce Neill, owner of Cressfield Stud in New South Wales’s Hunter Valley was so taken by the exploits of Frankel that he wanted to be the first to offer progeny of his for sale in Australia.

A suitable mare was found in Australia and sent to Newmarket, along with a mare purchased in France.

Group 2 winner Jeu De Cartes, bought in Australia, foaled a filly who was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida of Japan’s Northern Farm for Aus$750,000. That filly is the

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SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE COVERINGS

colt out of Buenos Aires was bought by Australian trainer Robbie Laing for $550,000 at the 2016 Easter Inglis Sale.

Neill bought a Street Cry mare who boasts Allegretta as her third dam in America in 2014 and sent her to Frankel for her first covering.

The resultant filly has been retained by Cressfield Thoroughbreds to race in Australia.

In 2015 he bought Acts Of Grace, a Barathea half-sister to Invincible Spirit and Kodiac and she was sent to Frankel to be covered on southern hemisphere time before being shipped to Cressfield where she foaled a colt. Neill also has two fillies in training in the UK and plans to send them both to Frankel when their racing careers come to an end. And he isn’t the only breeder who was willing to undertake the arduous and costly task of sending a select broodmare to Frankel from the southern hemisphere.

“Certainly in the first two seasons Frankel attracted some lovely mares direct from Australasia including the likes of More Joyous, Samantha Miss, More Strawberries and Our Echezeaux along with the likes of Val De Ra and Chocolicious from South Africa. We are extremely grateful to the faith and support we have received from these breeders,” Mockridge adds. “More recently the larger percentage of visiting mares are usually European-based prior to being bred and exported.”

The Aga Khan Stud team at Haras de Bonneval has experience of successfully reverseshuttling a stallion, in this case the former Australian champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

“Siyouni will be

available to cover southern hemisphere time for the first time this year” Now that the Normandy farm is home to one of Europe’s best young stallions in Siyouni, and with Sea The Stars resident at the Aga Khan’s Irish base at Gilltown Stud, breeders from across the globe are keen to access their brilliant DNA. Similar to Juddmonte’s experience with Frankel, the demand comes from both hemispheres.

“Sea The Stars has been covering southern hemisphere time since 2014,” reports Aline Giraud, Marketing Director for the Aga Khan Studs. “He has covered mares which were purchased in Europe to be subsequently exported to Australia in foal, and also mares coming from Australia to be covered by him, like for example Group 1 winner Shamal Wind.

“Sea The Stars was a champion racehorse and

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GEORGE SELWYN

>> aforementioned Flora Di Mariposa, while the

Golden Horn is one of the non-shuttling Darley stallions to cover Australian mares

is now a highly proven sire, which makes him attractive beyond European racetracks. Siyouni will be available to cover southern hemisphere time for the first time and his profile, being a sire of fast and precocious horses, should make him attractive to the Australian market.”

Sons and grandsons of Invincible Spirit are beginning to make their presence felt in the Australian sires’ standings but the Irish National Stud’s flagship sire will not be adding further to his genepool in Australia this season.

“He has covered mares previously on southern hemisphere time but not this year,” says Helen Boyce from the farm’s nominations team. “He is 20 years old now so we have to look after him.”

The interest of breeders in stallions outside the southern hemisphere is not limited to those based in Europe, as recent sales in Australia show.

Reigning North American champion sire Tapit was represented by three yearlings at the Inglis Australian Easter Sale this year and seven mares carrying foals by the Gainesway stallion were offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.

“In the last couple of years there has been a bit more of a change as there are sires Australian breeders are keen to use but their owners will never shuttle them,” Reilly remarks. “The most obvious reflection of this is the number of horses

by Tapit that are going through the ring here.”

Tapit’s three yearlings at Inglis sold for Aus$300,000 apiece, while six of the mares in foal to the son of Pulpit, who has sired 22 individual Grade 1 winners, changed hands.

Top price was Aus$500,000 paid for Best Behavior, a Grade 3-winning daughter of Into Mischief carrying her first foal. All this took place before Tapwrit became his sire’s second consecutive Belmont Stakes winner (after Creator), ensuring that Tapit’s prowess was back in the headlines once more.

Breeders and buyers are responding to the increasingly global reach of stallions but whereas

with Frankel, Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and their ilk the stallion farms are responding to mare owners’ requests and interest, in the case of Tapit down under, it is Gainesway Farm’s president Antony Beck who has tapped into the strong sales market in the quest to maximise their stallion’s potential.

“Antony Beck has sold a number of mares in foal to Tapit on southern hemisphere time in Australia, and young horses too,” says Reilly.

“Gainesway has seen the yearling market in Australia is buoyant and vendors want to sell into it. The market here is more fluid than in Europe and there is a stronger middle market in Australia. The buying bench is not dominated by a handful of players and it is more global. If you can make your stallion attractive in more markets, particularly in Australia, there is the potential to create another strong revenue stream for him. Farms like Gainesway have noticed that and people here are very happy to buy sons and daughters of Tapit.”

The shrunken globe we now inhabit has changed the way in which we live our lives and do business and the bloodstock industry is no exception. Globalisation has transformed the markets but as ever it is the results on which breeders will judge the merits of selling the offspring of the northern hemisphere’s best in the south.

“There is no doubt that there will always be a global market for stallions with the right profile, especially if they can make an impact on the local commercial market,” offers Simon Mockridge. “Ultimately, though, any stallion will be judged by progeny performance and it is difficult for any European-based stallions to make a significant impact against those that are locally-based. International buyers find themselves in a strong position with the weakness of the pound. Hopefully this will see a greater number of filly purchases for the southern hemisphere market and further opportunities for northern hemisphere-based stallions.”

Jul_155_Big Interview_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:45 Page 50

THE BIG ISSUE BREXIT

The Brexit

CONUNDRUM Hard or soft? Now or later? Only time will tell exactly how Brexit plays out but it could have a serious impact on British racing and breeding. PAUL GREEVES, Deputy Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, explains how the industry, led by the TBA, is rising to meet the challenge

W

hy has the TBA taken the initiative in tackling the Brexit issue and its possible consequences for the British racing and breeding industry?

The TBA board recognised very early on in the post referendum days that the decision to leave the EU could, and probably would, have a significant effect on the activities of its members.

It was realised that whilst racing would likely face change, the TBA’s members oversee the greater part of the life of a thoroughbred. The board was therefore very clear that it should take the initiative and lead the early work and response. The board’s constitution, which brings together six elected trustees plus six co-opts chosen to provide a range of relevant skills and experience, provided a relevant pool of knowledge about the industry’s needs. As a result there was an early appreciation at the TBA of the subject areas that had to be exposed in the context of Brexit and its range of potential consequences.

What work has the TBA done so far?

The TBA started by commissioning a report aimed at identifying all the areas of potential change, together with the necessary compendium of existing legal and technical processes which surround the European Union’s directives and decisions. These provide the framework for movement of horses, trade, employment, veterinary care and welfare and financial transactions, plus a whole further list of such items.

This report was prepared for us by Scientalis and by its principal Tim Morris, who we have retained over many years to advise on parliamentary matters. It arrived at the TBA at the end of March and was shared with a number

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TBA Deputy Chairman Paul Greeves is at the forefront of racing’s Brexit talks with the free movement of horses (above) the key area of discussion

of key organisations and stakeholders; these included the British Horseracing Authority, Weatherbys and the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (EFTBA), whose members have indicated that a positive outcome from Brexit is equally as key to them as it is to our own thoroughbred industry. The TBA is very aware that its members do business not just domestically but on a European, even a global scale.

Naturally we were intent on first working closely with our own government and had started a process of consultation when the general election intervened so we had to pause, but we will be active again on this front as soon

as possible. A key development was the creation of a Thoroughbred Brexit Steering Group (TBSG) in June. Our own Chairman, Julian Richmond-Watson, will also chair this group, whose membership includes BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust and Johnny Weatherby together with their key seniors. Claire Sheppard, the TBA’s newly appointed CEO, is a group member and has Brexit matters firmly on her list of priorities.

Such is the breadth and variety of the subjects TBSG has to address, that its initial considerations have already led to the appointment of four specialist sub-committees to tackle taxation, trade and tariffs, horse THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jul_155_Big Interview_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 15:46 Page 51

Should we fail to preserve or come close to preserving what we have, travel of horses outside this country would require full animal health certification and entry could be only via official Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), where veterinary inspection would have to be carried out for horses entering any EU country from the UK. Extra costs and delays would be inevitable for UK exporters sending horses to Europe and for UK horses going racing, with the same applying to EU horses coming here if all this were reciprocated by the UK. Existing BIPs are very limited in number and can be some considerable distance from racecourses and from breeding centres. Horse movement as we have come to expect it would be no more.

This is why it is our number one priority as thoroughbred businesses would most definitely suffer a reverse.

movement/transport, people movement, plus animal health, welfare and identification. There is a great deal to do!

As things stand, what are the biggest challenges that Brexit could bring?

The challenges are many and more are likely to emerge as Brexit negotiations move on. We have identified four key areas as things stand.

We are used to free movement of thoroughbreds across Europe and particularly between ourselves, Ireland and France under the Tripartite Agreement – that includes an absence of trade barriers, common documentation and simple free movement for thoroughbreds. Taxation is, as ever, an area of concern, but we have Peter Mendham on our board, an acknowledged expert on all such matters. He is leading for us in this area. We do know that, post-Brexit, for racing animals, especially geldings, it is likely that the standard World Trade Organisation 11.5% tariff could be levied.

However, it is the prospect of the UK becoming a ‘Third Country’ when we leave the EU in the spring of 2019 that is of particular concern – this would bring both tariff and nontariff barriers unless we can find solutions that ensure that our industry can continue to work in a favourable business environment.

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Why is the movement of horses your number one priority?

Because the racing and breeding industry today is truly international and in our case has evolved to rely upon and expect simple and unhindered horse movement in Europe. We know and understand that breeders here can

“The TBA board was very clear that it should take the initiative and lead the early work”

now select matings that involve sending mares to Ireland, France and even further afield.

Young stock cross the Irish Sea to be reared and our sales catalogues attract numerous entries from Ireland and elsewhere. Racehorses are declared to run abroad without the need to think about any barriers to travel. A hard Brexit would see this free and easy horse movement evaporate.

The Tripartite Agreement and/or Principle of Equivalence is absolutely key. Discuss…

We are very aware that should we go to government simply highlighting potential difficulties we cannot expect to get far. We have to help them to help us. We have to offer solutions. This is why these two items are very much a part of our thinking.

The Tripartite Agreement on equine movements between Britain, Ireland and France pre-dates EU law and UK and Irish entry to the EU. It is a three-way recognition of the high standards of care of thoroughbreds in these countries permitting free movement of both racing and breeding stock. The preservation of this agreement would go a long way to avoiding damaging barriers.

Equivalence is one of those technical terms to be found in our glossary. The European Commission can recognise that a Third Country’s rules and practices in specific business areas are in compliance with its rules.

So, if we can show that after we leave the EU we continue to have standards of the highest order in supervision of thoroughbred health, welfare and traceability, we could seek reciprocal removal of barriers to free movement of horses to and from all EU countries. Such a concession will not be achieved easily and we will have to re-double our efforts in these areas. We have agreed with the BHA and Weatherbys that we need to introduce a system next year which requires that breeders notify the arrival of a foal within 30 days of birth, to strengthen our records of thoroughbred whereabouts and bring them at least in line with best practice already present in a number of EU countries.

In what ways could a hard Brexit impact on the breeding community?

I have highlighted that a hard Brexit would see the UK treated as a ‘Third Country’ and without

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BREXIT

The Gurkha scored a Classic success in France last year – but will Brexit make foreign raids for British and Irish runners more difficult in future?

>> easement on this front free movement of horses

would be a thing of the past for our industry.

For example, breeders would find it really difficult to travel mares, particularly with foals at foot, to visit stallions beyond these shores.

Transport delays would be inevitable, bringing with them obvious welfare concerns.

Mating choices would likely narrow significantly. Employment of overseas staff is of course an area of uncertainty and at this time we have to await the outcome of Brexit negotiations on immigration before considering our next move.

What about the major sales houses and racing horses abroad – what changes could we see in these areas?

Once again it is free movement of horses which if lost is going to adversely impact the major sales houses with catalogues at many sales comprising large numbers of Irish-bred and based entries. It will not just be the horses’ inward journey that will be adversely affected; equally so will be their outward journey if returning to Ireland or moving on to another EU country. In coming here, they will have entered a ‘Third Country’ and will have to undergo all the inspection requirements and return only via BIPs. Sales houses are also bound to face increased documentation demands and increased logistical challenges as catalogued horses will likely be with them longer and will be slower in clearing boxes.

Racing horses abroad will also be more problematic if we cannot maintain free movement. Gone would be the present simple process of loading up the horse with its passport, heading off to the port and then on directly to the racecourse. Instead, full health certification before travel would be demanded, the horse would have to travel to a BIP approved for horse imports, where the horse would then

52

have to undergo veterinary inspection and clearance when a vet is on duty, which is very unlikely to be a 24-hour service and probably a great deal less. Longer and delayed journeys are the firm prospect. France does have BIPs at some channel ports but Ireland, we understand, has facilities only at Dublin port and airport, and Shannon airport. We have BIPs only at Heathrow, Gatwick and Prestwick airports, and none at ports. Irish horses wishing to compete here would clearly face major difficulties.

Who will be most disadvantaged if Britain is re-classified as a ‘Third Country’?

There is no doubt that it is the Irish thoroughbred industry that will be hit hardest by this. I have already mentioned the travel difficulties their racehorses face without solutions being found, and their breeding industry also faces serious challenges. It relies heavily on the British market for sales, as is well known. Additionally, stallion farms in Ireland face barriers to their trade. It is not just British mare owners wanting to use Irish stallions that will face movement difficulties. The great majority of thoroughbreds entering Ireland from EU countries, including France, travel via ferries through Britain. This means they will be traversing through a ‘Third Country’ and as a result will be subject to the same certification and inspection restrictions as horses domiciled here. This fact has already been recognised in Ireland and the authorities there have already made representations both to their own government and to the EU. We are part of the European racing and breeding industry and will remain so after Brexit – does this provide an opportunity?

Most definitely. We are well served as an

industry by and through European representative bodies, including the EFTBA and the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF). Discussions at these bodies have already led to agreement that they collectively will make strong representations to the EU seeking an approach to Brexit negotiations that takes account of the importance of the thoroughbred industry’s very significant economic contribution within Europe. Around 22,000 thoroughbreds are born across Europe each year, so the contribution to the rural economy is considerable. Also, some €760m is generated by thoroughbred sales each year.

In addition, facilitated by our Irish and French colleagues, we have already been party to a high-level meeting in London where we all met with EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, responsible for agriculture, to stress the importance of the Tripartite Agreement and to seek his help and advice.

What are the advantages that Brexit could bring?

A good question to ask, because we have received one or two comments along the line that if it is more difficult for horses born outside of the UK or domiciled outside of the UK, does this not present an opportunity for domestic

“Racing horses

abroad will be more problematic if we cannot maintain free movement” suppliers? Well yes, it may benefit home producers and horses in training here, but around 50% of our horse population is imported, so we need this supply chain to sustain the fixture list and race programme. Our thoroughbred industry is very much part of the European thoroughbred industry, which does not solely comprise EU member countries.

When do we expect any changes to be implemented/come into force?

The clear timeline, given that government triggered Article 50 in March of this year to signal our exit from the EU, is we are scheduled to leave by the end of March 2019. This dictates the timetable but we think work is bound to continue beyond then, as whatever changes eventually apply to our industry will need to bed in. But the TBA, and now the wider industry, through the new steering group, will do everything possible to achieve a positive outcome.

CALLING ALL READERS! Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder needs you…

We want to write and deliver a magazine that you look forward to reading every month.

One way we can do this is by better understanding our readership, so included in this issue is a survey that we would like you to complete.

By way of thank you, all replies received by the end of July 2017 will be entered into a super prize draw for:

An all expenses paid trip for two to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Two tickets to British Champions Day including lunch in our exclusive box Three third prizes of £250 John Lewis vouchers Alternatively, you can complete the survey and enter the free prize draw online at TOB2017.ci-surveys.co.uk Please be assured all replies are individually confidential.

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Jul_155_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 29/06/2017 16:14 Page 55

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Sales Circuit: National Hunt store sales underway in ebullient fashion – pages 56-62 • Caulfield Files: A notable milestone reached by Juddmonte in the Oaks – pages 64-65 • Dr Statz: No prizes for guessing the leader of the second-season sires – page 88

All breeders great and small strike at Ascot

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Blues, who, like his half-brother, won the QIPCO British Champions Sprint. Quite some achievement, not just for the mare, but also the horses’ small breeders and trainer James Fanshawe.

Of the Godolphin sextet, Benbatl and Sound And Silence were both homebred stakes winners by Darley stallions Dubawi and Exceed And Excel, while Highclere Stud and Floors Farming combined to breed Godolphin’s Duke of Edinburgh winner Rare Rhythm, another son of Dubawi. The outfit’s Irish-foaled Permian also landed another tough victory for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed in the King Edward Vll Stakes.

Bjorn Nielsen was responsible for Godolphin’s King George V Stakes winner Atty Persse – a first Royal Ascot winner for Frankel out of the Group-placed Listed winner Dorcas Lane. But greater excitement was to come for Nielsen, who saw his own colours carried to victory by his homebred Stradivarius in the Queen’s Vase, now happily boosted to Group 2 status but reduced in distance to 1m6f.

Denford Stud, which was represented by the Albany Stakes winner Illuminate at the Royal meeting two years ago, has another good filly on the track in the form of Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Coronet, while Willie and Elaine Carson’s Minster Stud contributed to a fruitful spell for Shadwell’s Nayef when Snoano won the Listed

GEORGE SELWYN

W

hile the behemoths of Coolmore and Godolphin slugged it out in the race to be leading owner at Royal Ascot with six winners apiece, the week had something for everyone involved at almost every level of the game, including some notable victories for syndicates.

Without doubt the most popular victory of the meeting was the outstanding frontrunning effort of Big Orange in the Gold Cup, as he held off last year’s winner Order Of St George with a do-or-die performance that has made him so beloved of the racing public.

The great irony, of course, is that had Bill Gredley offered his homebred for sale as a yearling there’d have been few takers for the gangly son of the commercially unpopular Duke Of Marmalade. The six-year-old is certainly no oil painting even now, but he has won enough prize-money to buy his ownerbreeder an Old Master, with more than £1 million in takings from his nine victories, six of which have come at Group level. So, as our American friends might say, “What’s not to like?”

Sadly there’s still not a lot of love out there at the sales for the staying horse, but the runaway commercial juggernaut, while not yet performing a u-turn, is perhaps starting to slow in its tracks as greater efforts are made by both the TBA and BHA to enhance the appeal of the offspring of middle-distance stallions.

Gredley must be in contention to be heralded as the leading British breeder at Ascot on the popular vote but at the other end of the distance spectrum there was an equally impressive performance for The Tin Man, a son of Newsells Park Stud’s Equiano – himself a dual winner of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot – and bred in Hertfordshire by Elizabeth and Ken Grundy.

From the same mare Persario (Bishop Of Cashel), the Grundys, in partnership with Peter and Jan Hopper, also bred Deacon

The Hot To Trot Syndicate enjoyed a Royal Ascot winner with Heartache, leased from Whitsbury Manor Stud

Wolferton Handicap for Tim Easterby and owner Martyn Macleod.

Gallant stayer Thomas Hobson, who so nearly brought up the double in the same two races as his erstwhile stablemate Simenon, couldn’t quite snag the Queen Alexandra Stakes but reminded us of the worth of the Dick Hollingsworth bloodlines when taking the Ascot Stakes on the opening day and setting up a possible trip to Melbourne in the process.

Thomas Hobson traces back to Hollingsworth’s 1980 Oaks winner Bireme, a family which was successfully represented again in the 2013 running of the fillies’ Classic by Bireme’s great grand-daughter Talent.

Bred in partnership by Hollingsworth’s nephew Mark Dixon and Mount Coote Stud, the seven-year-old Thomas Hobson combined with the juvenile filly Heartache to provide a memorable week for Mount Coote’s Luke Lillingston.

Along with former TBA board member Sam Hoskins, Lillingston developed the Hot To Trot Racing syndicate which specialises in leasing fillies from breeders for their racing careers. Hot To Trot has struck up a particularly fruitful relationship with the Harpers of Whitsbury Manor Stud, who bred Heartache, a fourth-generation member of a notably speedy family at the Hampshire nursery. So far, all five fillies leased by Whitsbury Manor have won as two-year-olds, with Kyllachy’s daughter Heartache the obvious standout among them to date.

Plenty of breeders have explored the leasing route and, while there are obvious pitfalls, there can be plenty to gain in having kept hold of a filly who suddenly increases her paddock value markedly through her exploits on the racecourse. Time will tell if it becomes easier to sell fillies but, just as with the stayers, the TBA has been putting plenty of effort into promoting the distaffers through its #ThisFillyCan campaign. Performances such as those posted during Royal Ascot by Lady Aurelia and September, both of whom more than held their own in mixed company, can only help. Let’s hear it for the girls.

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SALES CIRCUIT • By Carl Evans

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Overview and analysis of the latest events and trends in Britain and Ireland

Amid the heatwave, the Orangery at Kensington Palace provided the perfect backdrop to the sale-cum-cocktail party on Ascot eve

It only takes one enthusiastic buyer to make a 19-lot sale produce excellent figures, and Goffs will have been delighted by the presence of Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at this auction on the eve of Royal Ascot.

Few people in racing will have been familiar with his name, nor that of Abudiencia Co Ltd, under which title he has run a few horses to date, but he is very well known in Leicester as the head of the city’s football club. Given that they won the Premier League as 5000/1 outsiders last year it might not be wise to bet against his horses now that he is revving up for a greater involvement in racing.

At this sale, Srivaddhanaprabha utilised the services of agent Alastair Donald to buy half the sold lots – six of 12 – and his outlay of just over £2 million was 45% of total turnover despite swerving the two most highly-valued gems, who both fell to Australian agents working for Hong Kong clients. Neither wanted their horses – Lockheed, who made £900,000, and Born To Play, who realised £500,000 – to run at Royal

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SARAH FARNSWORTH

Goffs London Sale

Chasemore Farm sold Baldovina, in foal to Le Havre with her Muhaarar filly foal at foot

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Ascot, which was a pity since the sale and race meeting have become comfortable bed fellows, and it would have been good for the sales company’s business if either had won.

Breeze-up horses formed part of the catalogue in previous years, but they were dropped on this occasion, and probably just as well, for it was stonkingly hot, and 19 lots was just about the

right number to make a sale without the auctioneers needing to be placed on drips. Goffs reasoned June was a little late to be offering breezers, and their busy April sale of such horses at Doncaster did the job in any case.

Whether Mr Srivaddhanaprabha would have bought breezers is not known, but he is a horseman who loves polo in addition to racing,

and he spread his net at this sale to secure Baldovina, one of two in-foal broodmares who was offered with a Muhaarar filly foal at foot.

Turnover fell 20%, but from 19 horses offered compared to 41 last year. However, the absence of breezers and the concentration on horses-intraining with form meant the average price rose by 27% and the median soared by 79%.

TALKING POINTS

• China Horse Club has been a notable buyer of racehorses and breeding stock in recent years, but it became a profitable trader at this event. It sold three-year-old Lockheed, who had been bought for 450,000gns as a yearling, had finished second in the Group 2 German Guineas on his pre-sale start, and then made £900,000 when sent back to the ring.

That’s good business.

SARAH FARNSWORTH

• The clearance rate of 63% compares to 68% last year and 55% in 2015, although it is hard to imagine a sale of this nature will ever clear the catalogue.

You cannot blame owners for offering horses with high reserves in the hope that a Royal Ascot entry will mean a premium price, but if it is not achieved they can have the fun of a runner, and possibly a winner, at the famous meeting.

Chris McAnulty chats with Elaine ‘Legs’ Lawlor as he signs for the top lot in London

GOFFS London Sale TOP LOTS Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Lockheed (Exceed And Excel — Clinical)

China Horse Club/Somerville Lodge

900,000

Chris McAnulty & Eric Wong

Born To Play (Born To Sea — Centreofattention)

Crampcastle Stables

500,000

Bahen Bloodstock HK

Straight Right (Siyouni — Sailor Moon)

Christophe Ferland

450,000

SackvilleDonald

Tisbutadream (Dream Ahead — Choose Me)

Egerton House Stables

400,000

SackvilleDonald

Yulong Warrior (Street Cry — Mahkama)

Copper Beech Stables

360,000

Satish Seemar

Night Of Glory (Sea The Stars — Kesara)

M O’Callaghan Racing

340,000

SackvilleDonald

Aim To Please (Excellent Art — Midnight Flash)

Francois Doumen

340,000

John Dance

Whitefountainfairy (Casamento — Groupetime)

Commonstown Stables

300,000

SackvilleDonald

Baldovina (Tale Of The Cat — Baldwina)

Chasemore Farm

300,000

SackvilleDonald

Twin Star (Tagula — Chronicle)

Sheila Lavery Racing

260,000

SackvilleDonald

FIGURES Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

2017

12

4,525,000

377,083

340,000

900,000

2016

28

5,593,000

199,750

135,000

1,300,000

2015

23

3,784,000

164,522

100,000

825,000

2014

35

6,760,000

193,143

120,000

1,300,000

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Top Price (£)

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SALES CIRCUIT

Blue skies added to the positive vibe at Doncaster as the store sales season began

which offered 17 horses, the pick of which proved to be eight-year-old chaser Vaniteux, who made £125,000. It will be interesting to see whether David Pipe can wring a droplet or two of additional talent from the Grade 2 winner.

Elliott was also a player in the store market, and his £100,000 bid for a son of the late Fame And Glory created the joint-top price in this section of the sale – the threeyear-old had been bought as a foal for €21,500 and reoffered by Niall Bleahan – while an AQPS gelding by Diamond Boy and offered by Richard Hobson also made a round six figures.

Mouse Morris bought this one, and it would appear most, if not all, purchases on the top-ten list were bound for licensed trainers. Colin Tizzard was the leading buyer, with eight bought for £298,000, headed by a £90,000 Robin Des Champs gelding from Sluggara Farm.

The pinhookers who buy stores to race in point-to-points before returning them to the ring are rarely seen poking around in six-figure territory, but they will be the ones who reap the earliest rewards if their cygnets become swans. The Doyles of Monbeg Stables invested in 14 horses, but at an average of £18,464.

Colin Tizzard was busily restocking his stable after a successful 2016/17 season

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SARAH FANSWORTH

SARAH FARNSWORTH

This annual exchange of jumping stock has settled on a format that involves stores on day one and horses-in-training, including a select group of point-to-pointers, on days two and three.

It worked extremely well when first rolled out in 2016, and came back with a bang in its sophomore year, generating record figures for both stores and those with form on the track. An 87% overall clearance rate – 89% for stores, 85% for HIT – was handsome, while turnover (+35%), average (+9%) and median (+14%) all moved up.

Results underlined the continued strength of trade for young jumpers, as the aggregate, average and median prices all rose impressively despite the lack of big-name acts to drive up percentages. Turnover in 2016 had been helped by a pair of Million In Mind horses – Le Prezien and The Organist – who between them put £550,000 into the kitty.

That was not the first time members of the annual Million In Mind draft had been so influential, yet this year’s clear out of Messrs Minton and Bromley’s stock did not include a single horse that could make it to the topten board, the pick being £40,000 for five-year-old bumper winner and placed hurdler Boagrius.

Others stepped up to the plate, however, most notably Invincible Cave, a four-year-old debut point-to-point winning son of Boardsmill Stud’s ascendant stallion Court Cave, and knocked down for £210,000. The buyer was trainer Gordon Elliott, as Invincible Cave became yet another smart pinhook for the shrewd Doyle brothers of County Wexford’s Monbeg Stables. They bought the four-year-old for just £15,000 at this event 12 months earlier.

Monbeg sold six of its seven young pointers for an average of £73,000, but in terms of turnover the leading vendor was Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows Stable,

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Goffs UK Spring Sale

Eddie O’Leary, Tom Malone and Gordon Elliott in conference in Doncaster

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TALKING POINTS

auction when making £110,000. The sale of the five-year-old, who had won a point at Tabley in Cheshire before his ring appearance, continued a run of six-figure deals for British pointers at public auctions over the past eight months – they are few in number compared to Irish pointers, but there is a growing feeling the market is more receptive to the cream of fourand five-year-olds from the UK circuit.

A week after the sale it was announced that British point-to-point meetings can apply to hold two-mile bumpers in the 2017/18 season which kicks off in November – this follows the successful trial of such a race last December, and while only half a dozen such bumpers are likely, they will provide further opportunities for British point-to-point trainers to advertise a young horse’s potential.

• The health of the 2017 edition of this sale – and its improving figures over the past five years – will be a key argument for Goffs UK representatives when they start assessing horses and wooing vendors for the stores’ session ahead of next year’s event. With Tattersalls Ireland recently announcing it will hold a May sale of stores in 2018 – claiming it is needed to handle a bigger foal crop, and to avoid overloading its flagship Derby Sale in June – the store market is set to be even more keenly fought over.

• It is rare for a British point-to-pointer to head a horses-in-training session, but Indian Hawk, consigned by Yorkshire trainer Nicky Tinkler, pulled off that feat on the final day of this

SARAHFARNSWORTH

SALES CIRCUIT

Tessa Greatrex of Highflyer Bloodstock in action at the Goffs UK Spring Sale

GOFFS UK Spring Sale – Stores TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

G Fame And Glory — No Bodys Flame (Saddlers’ Hall)

Liss House

100,000

Gordon Elliott

G Diamond Boy — Pruneyle Do (Passing Sale)

RH Bloodstock

100,000

Mouse Morris

G Jeremy — Knockalane (Executive Perk)

Oak Tree Farm

95,000

Kieran McManus

G Robin Des Champs — Jay Lo (Glacial Storm)

Sluggara Farm

90,000

Colin Tizzard

G Coastal Path — Ile Rose (Le Riverain)

Brown Island Stables

85,000

Jeremy Hinds

G Midnight Legend — Sovereignsflagship (Supreme Leader)

Swanbridge B/s/Goldford Stud

82,000

Simon Clarke

G Kayf Tara — Special Choice (Bob Back)

Goldford Stud

78,000

Henry De Bromhead

G Malinas — Valleyofthedolls (King’s Theatre)

Goldford Stud

78,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

G Walk In The Park — Octane De Pimbo (Dadarissime)

Moanmore Stables

75,000

Noel Meade

G Martaline — Okawanga Royale (Lesotho)

Moanmore Stables

72,000

Kieran McManus

GOFFS UK Spring Sale – Horses-in-Training/Pointers TOP LOTS Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Invincible Cave (Court Cave — Bespoke Baby)

Monbeg Stables

210,000

Gordon Elliott

Fleminport (Flemensfirth — Geek Chic)

Loughanmore Farms

140,000

Kieran McManus

Summerville Boy (Sandmason — Suny House)

Skehanagh Stables

130,000

Roger Brookhouse

Vaniteux (Voix Du Nord — Expoville)

Seven Barrows

125,000

David Pipe

Article Fifty (Doyen — Annie Go)

Poplar Cottage Stables

115,000

Highflyer BS/Warren Greatrex

Settie Hill (Cape Blanco — Claire Soleil)

Oaks Farm Stables

110,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Indian Hawk (Westerner — Yorkshire Girl)

Ivy Lea Farm

110,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Duhallow Gesture (King’s Theatre — Rare Gesture)

Ferndale Stables

100,000

Anthony Honeyball

The Bottom Bar (Stowaway — Serenade Leader)

Cropredy Lawn

100,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Hitman Fred (Getaway — Garravagh Lass)

Ballyboy Stables

90,000

Gerry Hogan/Rose Dobbin

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017

536

12,184,700

22,733

16,000

210,000

2016

432

9,014,500

20,866

14,000

290,000

2015

413

7,628,550

17,865

12,000

220,000

2014

417

7,086,800

16,994

11,000

140,000

2013

340

4,977,200

14,638

9,000

105,000

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SALES CIRCUIT

Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale Europe’s biggest sale of breezers – and the only one held in Ireland – maintained the trend for buoyant trade and improved figures at similar recent sales in Britain and France.

Thirteen horses broke six figures – compared to nine in 2016 – helping turnover ease past €6 million for the first time, a rise of 15% on last year’s record figure despite a slightly smaller catalogue.

Increases of 21% in average, 34% in median and 86% in clearance were also joyous returns for Goresbridge and its vendors.

It would have been surprising had results been less successful, for the sale has been a

precursor to some excellent racecourse results by its graduates, but also because leading specialist breeze-up consignors were once again happy to patronise it with quality stock.

Names like Mocklershill, Tally-Ho Stud, Grove Stud and Horse Park Stud are five-star exponents of the art of prepping a juvenile to breeze, and they all sold horses who reached the top-ten board. However, they were beaten to the punch, and the kudos, for number one honours by the Flannery family of County Cork’s Egmont Stud.

The Flannerys had sold three lots at Tattersalls’ Guineas Breeze-Up Sale and two at Goffs UK, but they upped their game for this event, offering and selling 11 horses, including a Bated Breath colt who headed

trade with a valuation of €210,000 – Mark Flannery had bought the colt for just 5,000gns at Tattersalls October Sale Book 2.

BBA Ireland’s Eamonn Reilly, who bought the 2016 sale topper, was once again in pole position when the hammer fell, and subsequently revealed he was acting for ‘E Five Racing Thoroughbreds’, a syndicate based in the US which owns Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner New Money Honey. The team’s first European purchase has joined Jessuca Harrington.

Tally-Ho Stud’s 19-horse draft was the biggest in the catalogue, and with 17 sold for €693,000 became the leading vendor by aggregate. BBA Ireland bought nine horses for €685,000, topping the leading buyers’ list.

GORESBRIDGE Breeze-up Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

C Bated Breath — Tremelo Pointe (Trempolino)

Egmont Stud

210,000

BBA Ireland

C Society Rock — Yajala (Fasliyev)

Tally-Ho Stud

160,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C Bated Breath — Bea Menace (Mizzen Mast)

Mocklershill

150,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C Sepoy — Naddwah (Pivotal)

Horse Park Stud

140,000

Hillen/Ryan

C Dabirsim — Snow Jasmine (Exceed And Excel)

Tally-Ho Stud

140,000

Federico Barberini

F Dark Angel — Tan Tan (King’s Best)

Baroda & Colbinstown

130,000

Joe Foley

C Elusive Quality — Make Light (Empire Maker)

Grove Stud

120,000

Marco Bozzi

F Dark Angel — Queen Bodicea (Revoque)

Mocklershill

115,000

Bobby O’Ryan/Brian Ellison

F Red Jazz — Altogether (King’s Best)

Lexington Stables

115,000

BBA Ireland

F Kyllachy — Miss Bunter (Bahamian Bounty)

Grove Stud

110,000

Stroud Coleman

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2017

177

6,100,500

34,466

21,000

210,000

2016

183

5,289,500

28,904

16,000

270,000

2015

175

4,608,500

26,334

17,000

170,000

2014

160

3,514,700

21,967

14,000

125,000

2013

135

2,404,501

17,811

13,500

145,000

Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham May Sale With seven horses making six-figure sums this was another good day in the ring at Cheltenham, but fireworks were few, and one agent described it as “a soft market”.

May Sale by name, but June 1 by date, it was held on a warm summer’s day and there was a sense of going out to grass, rather than revving up for next winter’s Jumping programme.

A smaller catalogue – 56 horses offered, compared to 71 last year – did not help the aggregate figure, which fell 29%, and the average dipped 3%, but the median rose 4%

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and the 46 horses who found buyers created an 82% clearance rate.

Heading trade were a pair of four-year-old geldings who made £130,000 having been sent to the ring by the Doyle brothers of Monbeg Stables. Herefordshire trainer Kerry Lee bought the first of this duo, securing Storm Control, who had won a point-topoint at Lisronagh in late April, while agent Aiden Murphy signed for Rio Quinto, a maiden following two placings in points.

Murphy was joined at the ring by son Ollie, who is about to become a licensed trainer from a yard at his parents’ Stratford farm following a stint as assistant to Gordon Elliott, and it later transpired that the rookie

trainer would be handling dad’s purchase for an unnamed client. To be sent such a valuable asset is a show of faith in Murphy Jnr, but if some of Elliott’s stardust has rubbed off, Rio Quinto’s owner has placed his horse in good hands.

Fillies had been a key element of this sale at the two previous runnings, with Theatre Territory and Redhotfillypeppers both making £200,000. The pick of this year’s options proved to be bumper winner Simone, a half-sister to Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner Simonsig, and offered by trainer Shane Nolan. Tom Malone’s £105,000 bid gained the filly for clients of Lucinda Russell.

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SALES CIRCUIT TALKING POINTS

had to cry off following a visit to England for the Anglo/Irish point-topoint riders’ challenge, won convincingly by Ireland.

Whether Codd over-indulged at the celebrations is unclear, but the plane left without him, and J P O’Rourke stepped in for the ride, Another Barney won, and it was off to the ring where he made £85,000 to a bid from Kate Harrington, daughter of Jessica.

• Jamie Codd had some explaining to do after missing a flight.

A representative of Tattersalls Ireland, he persuaded colleague Bernadette Murphy to ditch plans to rough off Another Barney for the summer, and to run him in a point at Tralee a few days before this sale. He said he would ride the gelding, but

Murphy was all smiles, having bought the horse for just €8,500 as a store, but Codd must rue missing the flight and the winner.

The following Monday, when Ireland’s point-to-point season was completed, Barry O’Neill took the riders’ championship, beating Codd the title-holder – the score was 66 – 65 to O’Neill (and Codd’s winner at the Anglo/Irish counted for nothing).

TATTERSALLS IRELAND Cheltenham May Sale TOP LOTS Name/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

Storm Control (September Storm — Double Dream)

Monbeg Stables

130,000

Kerry Lee

Rio Quinto (Loup Breton — Seal Of Cause)

Monbeg Stables

130,000

Aiden Murphy

Moonshine Bay (Milan — Chantoue Royale)

Ballyboy Stables

120,000

Tom Malone Bloodstock

Simone (Presenting — Dusty Too)

Shane Nolan Racing

105,000

Tom Malone/Lucinda Russell

Carefully Selected (Well Chosen — Knockamullen Girl)

Greenhills Farm

100,000

Harold Kirk / WP Mullins

Ifyoucatchmenow (Westerner — Ifyoucouldseemenow)

Ballyboy Stables

100,000

Harold Kirk / WP Mullins

Peculiar Places (Presenting — Blu Louisiana)

Willow Farm

100,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

Another Barney (Scorpion — Roseabel)

Ballinagore Stables

85,000

Jessica Harrington Racing

Desirable Court (Court Cave — Desirable Rhythm)

Shanrod Stables

80,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017

46

2,281,000

49,587

41,500

130,000

2016

63

3,206,000

50,889

40,000

200,000

2015

43

2,459,200

57,191

35,000

200,000

2014

55

2,401,000

43,655

35,000

130,000

2013

58

2,360,500

41,100

29,000

140,000

BBAG Spring Sale A clash of dates with Goresbridge’s breeze-up auction did not help trade at this one-day mixed sale, where, ironically, the leading horses were breezers.

Richard Venn, acting for owner Pat Betts, signed for the top lot, a €43,000 daughter of

Gestut Evershorst’s resident stallion Areion, and offered by Larissa Kneip of Haras de Saint Arnoult.

Kneip also gained €20,000 for a Literato colt, while the pick of a small number of broodmares on offer proved to be Mandoria, who was consigned by Gestut Etzean in foal to its resident sire Lord Of England, and

knocked down for €18,000.

A slightly bigger catalogue could not prevent turnover falling 25%, while declines in the average (18%) and median (39%) were further signs of lacklustre trade. The clearance rate of 67% – 43 horses sold from 64 offered – added to the image of a quiet day at the ring.

BBAG Spring Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

F Areion — Estella (Acatenango)

Haras de Saint Arnoult

Price (€) 43,000

Buyer

C Maxios — Danila (Silvano)

Bor-Export Sumarstvo

30,000

B Olsson

C Literato — Calle A Venise (Invincible Spirit)

Haras de Saint Arnoult

20,000

Anton Kräuliger

F Bahamian Bounty — Amalfi (Acclamation)

NSN European Consignment

20,000

Renello B/s Agency

F Soldier Hollow — Queen Jean (Pivotal)

Gestut Auenquelle

19,000

Manfred Schmelzer

Richard Venn Bloodstock

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2017

43

413,200

9,609

7,000

43,000

2016

47

538,200

11,451

8,000

61,000

2015

44

569,900

12,952

10,500

61,000

2014

49

548,600

11,196

7,500

40,000

2013

45

595,300

13,229

3,500

180,000

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SALES CIRCUIT

Goffs Land Rover Sale

Goffs reduced the size of its premier store sale, but enjoyed some thumping trade and record figures.

Cutting the catalogue by 100 horses and condensing Part 1 from a two-day sale into one proved to be popular with buyers, although the market for stores is on a high – as witnessed two weeks earlier at Goffs UK’s Spring Sale – and trade was likely to be strong whatever the format. Requests for potential Saturday and Festival horses, and handsome pinhooking results for point-topoint trainers who convert unbroken three-year-olds into ready-made runners, is fuelling demand.

Despite a three-figure fall in buyer options, turnover rose 4%, while the average climbed 23% and the median 40% – six-figure horses went up from six to 11. An 88% clearance rate was an increase on last year’s figure of 84%. Fears that political upheaval in Britain caused by the previous week’s general election, and Brexit negotiations becoming muddier by the day, would lead to caution among UK buyers proved wide of the mark.

The €175,000 top-priced horse, who, curiously, emerged from the weaker Part II

who was knocked down to Joseph O’Brien.

The young trainer has been well supported and spent freely at other jumping sales in the past year, and three further purchases here, at an average in excess of €136,000, was evidence of continuing involvement in jump racing despite having talented Flat performers in his care.

Highflyer Bloodstock was the leading buyer by aggregate, with 20 bought for €747,000, while the Doyle family of Monbeg Stables – leading exponents of the store-topointer pinhook – left with 26 horses (three fewer than in 2016) at an average of just over €26,000. Colin Bowe, who recently held onto his title as Ireland’s champion point-topoint trainer, bought six for his Milestone Stables at an average just in excess of €32,000, a figure matched by the five who fell to Tom Lacey, the Herefordshire-based trainer who has enjoyed several six-figure sales in the past eight months with his UKtrained pointers.

Johnny Collins’s Brown Island Stables offered 11 horses, sold the lot and had the honour of heading Michael Moore’s Ballincurrig House Stud to the leading vendor position.

“Fears that political

upheaval would lead to caution among UK buyers proved wide of the mark” section held on the second day, was bound for a trio of owners based with Somerset’s Philip Hobbs, said agent Aiden Murphy after signing for the gelding. A son of Balko from Walter Connors’s Sluggara Farm, Murphy’s purchase was a half-brother to Vision Des Flos, who won a Goffs-sponsored bumper at the Punchestown Festival and then made €270,000 the following day at the company’s select Festival Sale.

Getaway was the most numerouslyrepresented sire in the catalogue with 29 listed, and he subsequently featured frequently on the top-ten board, the pick of his representatives being a €150,000 gelding

2013, and while the average price of their stock was helped by limited numbers in the sale, they throw handsome horses and are popular with big-money buyers.

TALKING POINTS • Of the leading 10 sires by average, only one, Robin Des Champs, was resident in Ireland when this group of stores was conceived. Network, Kapgarde, Balko, Soldier Of Fortune (now standing in Ireland) and Saint Des Saints completed a top-five clean sweep for sires based in France in

• Fillies were outnumbered by geldings at a ratio of six to one in the catalogue, but 82% of fillies found a buyer (45 of 55 offered) and their average price rose 32% to €21,100, still some way down on the boys (€33,820), but a paper profit.

GOFFS Land Rover Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (€)

Buyer

G Balko — Marie Royale (Turgeon)

Sluggara Farm

175,000

Aiden Murphy

G Getaway — Tierneys Choice (Oscar)

Brown Island Stables

160,000

Joseph O’Brien

G Network — Komunion (Luchiroverte)

Oak Tree Farm

150,000

Joseph O’Brien

G Kapgarde — Hillflower (Sabrehill)

Busherstown

125,000

Tom Malone/P Nicholls

G Getaway — Saintly Lady (Old Vic)

Wakefield Farm

120,000

Mouse Morris

G Robin Des Champs — Ghillie’s Bay (King’s Ride)

Walshtown Stables

115,000

Gordon Elliott

G Oscar — Asta Belle (Astarabad)

Goldford Stud

110,000

Walters Plant Hire

G Fame And Glory — Larkbarrow (Kahyasi)

Rathmore Stud

100,000

Joseph O’Brien

G Presenting — Accordingtoeileen (Accordion)

Rathbarry Stud

100,000

Bobby O’Ryan

G Getaway — Annaghbrack (Rudimentary)

Sladoo Farm

100,000

Gordon Elliott

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (€)

Avg (€)

Mdn (€)

Top Price (€)

2017

380

12,270,500

32,291

28,000

175,000

2016

448

11,770,600

26,274

20,000

165,000

2015

437

11,722,500

26,825

20,000

155,000

2014

418

11,557,000

27,648

22,000

200,000

2013

408

7,725,150

18,934

14,000

215,000

62

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

“Like all my horses, Big Orange is fed Immun-Ocean Gastro Race every day. It keeps him healthy and ready to perform at his best” MIKE BELL

GASTRO RACE Powered by

IRISH GOODNESS

CONTACT KIM SMITH-BINGHAM ON: Office. 01327 860892 Mobile. 07437 896979 Website. www.ksbequine.com Email. info@ksbequine.com

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CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Juddmonte’s major milestone

GEORGE SELWYN

Victory in the Investec Oaks for Enable during a thunderstorm sealed a dramatic 200th Group 1 win and 25th Classic success for her owner-breeder

In driving rain at Epsom, Enable surges clear of her rivals in the Oaks in a performance that epitomised both class and stamina

I

t wasn’t just the fact that Enable won the Investec Oaks that was so thrilling for her connections. It was the style of her victory and the courage she showed in repelling the challenge of the odds-on Rhododendron, both of which encouraged the belief that she has a major role to play in the year’s top mile-and-ahalf events. Julian Muscat in the Racing Post said that you will have to travel a long way to see a more majestic sight than Enable in full flight.

In the process Enable helped Prince Khalid Abdullah and his Juddmonte team reach some highly significant milestones. In addition to becoming the 25th Classic winner bred by Juddmonte, she also notched up the 200th Group 1 win by a Juddmonte-bred horse. On a personal level, I too was delighted, as Enable had added the one British Classic missing from the set during my 20-plus years working as a consultant to Juddmonte.

Appropriately, the imposing daughter of the

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resurgent Nathaniel has a pedigree which illustrates how long Juddmonte has been operating at the highest levels of the sport. Her first three dams, Concentric, Apogee and

“The Bourbon Girl family owes much of its success to the Sadler’s Wells male line”

Bourbon Girl, are all Juddmonte-breds and her next dam, the Habitat mare Fleet Girl, was part of the package when Prince Khalid purchased Dr Schnapka’s Ferrans Stud in 1982. Fleet Girl

had won easily over nine furlongs and a mile and a half on consecutive days at Tramore.

Ferrans, of course, continues to play a tremendously important role in the Juddmonte organisation, as it is there that the yearlings are raised and go through their pre-training.

Bourbon Girl’s history also provides another reminder of how the Juddmonte empire developed. This daughter of the King George winner Ile de Bourbon was conceived in 1983 at Banstead Manor Stud, roughly four years before the Cheveley-based stud was purchased from the Morriss family to become Juddmonte’s headquarters.

Of the families purchased from Dr Schnapka, the one descending from Fleet Girl is the only one still in the Juddmonte Stud book, and it owes its existence entirely to Bourbon Girl.

Trained by Barry Hills, the filly inherited the size and rather sparely-made appearance often found in Ile de Bourbon’s progeny, but that THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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didn’t stop her winning on her only appearance at two, over seven furlongs at Ascot. A powerful galloper, she had the unfortunate record of finishing second to Indian Skimmer in the Musidora Stakes and to Unite in both the Oaks and Irish Oaks on her first three starts the following season. She later finished third in the Yorkshire Oaks, so it isn’t too surprising that one of her descendants has become an Oaks winner.

Unfortunately, Bourbon Girl died after foaling at the age of 13 in 1997, but not before she had produced three daughters to carry on the good work. The first of them, the Rainbow Quest mare Shining Bright, won in good enough style at Longchamp to earn a tilt at the 1992 Oaks, in which she finished fifth.

Apogee, the second daughter of Bourbon Girl, was also well above average. This daughter of Shirley Heights won the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont over a mile and a half on her second start, and Daring Miss, the last of Bourbon Girl’s daughters, also became a Group winner. This daughter of Sadler’s Wells won the Grand Prix de Chantilly before taking second place behind Montjeu in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

All three daughters have helped build Bourbon Girl’s legacy, to the extent that there are now 16 stakes winners descending from the 1987 Oaks second. Eight have scored at Group level. Although Daring Miss was the best of Bourbon Girl’s daughters, she proved the least effective as a broodmare, her best efforts being the Listed winner Destruct and the Musidora Stakes second Quickfire, who is represented in the Juddmonte stud book by the sprinter-miler Ultrasonic (Timeform 111).

Shining Bright spent most of her broodmare career at Juddmonte’s Kentucky branch, where she proved an ideal mate for Sadler’s Wells’ son El Prado, producing three winners from three foals. The first, Spanish Sun, was good enough to win the Ribblesdale Stakes and her brother Spanish Moon was even more effective, once he overcame his aversion to the starting stalls, as he showed with his determined victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

This branch of the family still maintains a toehold at Juddmonte, as Spanish Sun’s Zamindar filly Swiss Range earned a Timeform rating of 113 in 2016.

As you may have gathered by now, the Bourbon Girl family owes much of its success to the Sadler’s Wells male line (Enable herself is

by Sadler’s Wells’s grandson Nathaniel). Apogee also visited this brilliant stallion to produce the Group 2 winner Dance Routine, who was also second in the Group 1 Prix de Diane, and Dance Routine’s younger sister Concentric, the Groupplaced Listed winner who has now found fame as the dam of Enable. Apogee also did well with Sadler’s Wells’ son Barathea, producing the Group 3-winning miler Apsis.

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This ongoing success with the Sadler’s Wells male line helps explain the 3 x 2 inbreeding to the 14-time champion sire found in Enable’s pedigree. Prince Khalid also enjoyed plenty of success in the past with horses inbred 2 x 3 to Sadler’s Wells’ sire Northern Dancer, with the first leg coming via Sadler’s Wells’s close relative Nureyev. Nureyev’s son Skimming earned nearly $2.3 million, thanks largely to two wins in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Another example was Nureyev’s daughter Viviana, a Listed winner who produced the multiple Grade 1 winners Sightseek and Tates Creek.

The other ongoing theme with Enable’s family is the success it has enjoyed with Hasili’s sons, led by Dansili. Dansili’s matings with Dance Routine resulted in two colts who were well above average. Dance Moves was both very useful and versatile, without being in the same class as his younger brother Flintshire, who became the biggest-earning Juddmonte-bred during his four-year career. Flintshire, whose record featured five Group/Grade 1 victories and two seconds in the Arc, is now based at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, an establishment with an enviable reputation for making stallions.

Enable’s dam Concentric visited Dansili’s brother Champs Elysees to produce Contribution, who was beaten less than a length when third in the Group 3 Prix Allez France in 2016. She is now in foal to Lope De Vega. Concentric herself has a two-year-old colt and a yearling filly by Dansili, which are closely related to Flintshire. Concentric foaled a Frankel filly in March and is now in foal to Sea The Stars.

Although Concentric’s sister Dance Routine died at the age of 15, both her daughters, Deliberate and Across The Floor, have been retained. Deliberate’s first two foals are the Group-placed winners Delivery and Projected, and she has a two-year-old Dansili filly called Relent with John Gosden. The once-raced Across The Floor is in foal to Dansili, sire also of her attractive colt foal. Delivery, runner-up in the Group 3 Prix Chloe, has also been retained and her first two foals, a yearling colt by Oasis Dream and a filly foal by Kingman, represent six generations of Juddmonte breeding The chances are that Enable isn’t going to be the last high-class winner from this excellent family.

Family matters A day after Enable’s Oaks victory, Juddmonte enjoyed further Group success, this time with the former French-trained Grand Jete in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park. I wouldn’t normally choose to write about a Grade 3 winner, but Grand Jete’s pedigree is an even better example than Enable’s of the Juddmonte brand.

As a daughter of Dansili and the Group 2 winner Modern Look, the four-year-old filly has two Juddmonte-bred parents and all four of her grandparents – Danehill, Hasili, Zamindar and Prophecy – were also bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Four of the eight great-grandparents are also Juddmonte homebreds, and the next generation of Grand Jete’s pedigree (the fourth) features several of the famous Juddmonte foundation mares, such as Sookera, Mofida and Slightly Dangerous.

Grand Jete’s fourth dam is the Kentucky Oaks winner Bag Of Tunes and her third dam is Andaleeb, winner of the Lancashire Oaks. Arguably more significantly, her second dam is the diminutive Prophecy, winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes in 1993. I use the word ‘significantly’ because Prophecy is also the second dam of another Dansili filly who has been in fine form in

2017, namely the Musidora Stakes winner Shutter Speed (who had Enable back in third place when she won a conditions race at Newbury in April).

As Prophecy’s Dansili gelding Foreteller developed into a triple Group 1 winner at up to a mile and a quarter in Australia, after having a Timeform rating no higher than 105 as a three-year-old in France, it arguably isn’t too fanciful to think that Grand Jete could also progress to even better things now that she has found her feet.

There is certainly plenty of encouragement to be found in the record of Dansili’s fillies in the US. Grand Jete is the ninth of his daughters to win at Graded level and as many as five of them – Proviso, Laughing, Dank, Queen’s Trust and Price Tag – have enjoyed top-level success. Dank and Queen’s Trust both landed the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The other three of Grand Jete’s predecessors all won at Grade 2 level.

One explanation for the American success of these Dansili fillies is that they are usually very much at home on the firm ground often found in the US. Grand Jete’s career in France was spent largely on allweather tracks and none of her three starts on turf was on ground firmer than good.

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www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk •

@TTC_GB

Manor House Stables and Chester races provide TTC Star Event thrills

T

om Dascombe and Chester racecourse played host to the latest TTC day out with an action-packed stable tour and behind-the-scenes raceday tour for members on June 10.

Dascombe and his assistant Colin Gorman were on hand to meet us for refreshments as we arrived, before Colin took members on an exclusive tour of Manor House Stables.

Manor House is more than just a yard for the horses to live and work in, with Dascombe having access to an equine pool and spa, full veterinary facilities and private gallops of both turf and Polytrack.

Members watched the 10am lot work on the Polytrack gallop before seeing the equine spa in action, with Ayr Silver Cup winner Roodee enjoying a spa treatment as part of his recuperation from injury.

A tour of the stables followed, offering a chance to see Dascombe’s stars up close and personal. Members were able to see stars such as Frozen Angel, who looked particularly well ahead of a tilt at the Norfolk Stakes, the Michael Owenowned Dragons Tail and the cheeky Kachy, who enjoys nothing but sticking his tongue out all day.

TTC then made the short journey up to Chester racecourse for the Summer Saturday raceday and a chance to see more of the roles in the horseracing industry. The BHA raceday team were able to offer TTC a tour of the weighing room and a talk from the clerk of the scales, raceday judge and raceday starter.

Each offered an insight into their role and the skills needed to succeed.

Chester is always a great day out but even more so when preceded by a yard visit

For the start of the second race, members were able to watch the race from the starting stalls and see how the handlers load the horses as well as deal with some of the more reluctant runners.

The highlight of the day was watching the thrilling feature Liverpool Gin Handicap from the judge’s box at the top of the grandstand, giving a panoramic view of Chester and described by the judge as “the best seat in the house”.

Victory for Richard Fahey’s Starlight Romance was only by a short-head and members were with the judge as he called a photo finish and deciphered the winner and distance on the monitor.

The event offered an opportunity for members to see the variety of roles available within the industry, both hands-

on roles with horses such as stable staff or veterinary experts, and the raceday roles such as judges, stewards, clerk of the scales and starters.

The Thoroughbred Club aims to promote the social, educational and professional opportunities within the industry and have many exciting events throughout the year. For your chance to be a part of it see our website for details, or contact the Club Executive.

We look forward to seeing you on our next event, On Track With At The Races at the Northumberland Plate, on July 1.

Contact Club Executive Joseph de Souza at joseph.desouza@ thethoroughbredclub.co.uk or call 01638 661321 for more information

Club appoints new Chairman The Thoroughbred Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Christian Williams as Chairman, following the completion of Harry Williams’ term.

Christian is Stud Groom at Overbury Stud, home of Kayf Tara, and steps up to the role of Chairman from the TTC Committee. Christian brings a wealth

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

of experience as well as a strong passion for the club into the role, and is keen to support young people within the industry.

The Thoroughbred Club wishes to thank Harry Williams for his time and efforts in helping to bring the club to where it is today, and wish him all the best for the future.

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

ROA and Goffs UK supporting RoR

B

ritain’s charity for the welfare of retired racehorses, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), is pleased to announce a new partnership involving the ROA and leading bloodstock auctioneer, Goffs UK. From 2017, RoR’s prestigious annual show at the Aintree Equestrian Centre will be known as the ‘ROA and Goffs UK National Showing Championships’. Due to take place this year on the weekend of August 26-27, the ROA and Goffs UK National Showing Championships conclude a six-day extravaganza of RoR events at the Aintree Equestrian Centre.

Launched in 2015, RoR’s National Showing Championships bring together the best former racehorses from all over the UK and the event has established itself as a showpiece in the calendar for horses that have carved out a new career in the show ring.

Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive of the ROA, said: “The ROA and Goffs UK National Showing Championships are the highlight of the year for those who have successfully retrained former racehorses to compete at the top level in showing and the ROA is delighted to be involved in the event.

“Owners are the single biggest financial contributor to RoR, with contributions amounting to over £200,000 annually, and supporting RoR’s outstanding work in promoting the retraining and rehoming of racehorses to give them fulfilling second careers

Monet’s Garden: always been a winner

is a natural extension to our commitment to horse welfare.

“The welfare of the racehorse begins long before it reaches a racecourse and ends long after its racing career and, as owners, we have a duty to ensure these wonderful animals are cared for at every stage of their lives. The ROA does this on behalf of owners through its support of the industry-led The Horse Comes First project board, the ROA Gold Standard award and the attendance of equine welfare events, as well as being a partner with RoR.” Tony Williams, Managing Director of Goffs UK, said: “We are delighted to be co-partner with the ROA. We recognise the importance of promoting the adaptability and versatility of the

thoroughbred and RoR does great work providing an increasing number of former racehorses with fulfilling second careers.

“Goffs UK has an existing tie-up with Aintree through our sale on the Thursday evening of the Grand National festival and we are looking forward to a fruitful relationship with all the parties involved for what is a great cause.”

Over 40 classes take place over the two days of the championships with champions crowned in a range of showing events; included among the winners in 2017 was subsequent RoR Horse of the Year Monet’s Garden. The show culminates on Sunday evening with a gala dinner and the awarding of the title ‘ROA and Goffs UK Supreme Champion’. The inaugural Supreme Champion was Jack The Giant, ridden

by Allister Hood, although last year the combination was foiled in their quest to retain the title by Beware Chalk Pit and Rebecca Court.

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, said: “It is wonderful news to be partnering with the ROA and Goffs UK. Thanks to the hard work of the teams at Aintree and RoR, the event has established itself in just two years and it warrants the additional promotion this support from the ROA and Goffs UK will enable.

“We very much look forward to welcoming ROA members and guests of Goffs UK over the weekend and, in particular, to the gala dinner on Sunday evening so they can see first hand former racehorses excelling in another career.”

Visit Cheveley Park, Tattersalls and Banstead Manor Put the date in your diary – Tuesday, September 12 – because for 50 lucky ROA members this will be the day they get to visit three of horseracing’s most coveted sites.

The day will commence with a morning visit to the internationally renowned Cheveley Park Stud. Set in just under 1,000 acres, the stud is currently home to eight top-class stallions, including the wonderful Pivotal, whose progeny have scooped over £25 million in prize-money, last year’s leading first crop sire Mayson, and new kid on the block Twilight Son. Members will be treated to a stallion parade followed by a coach tour of the stud itself.

Leaving Cheveley Park, members will go on to the world-famous Tattersalls, the oldest bloodstock auctioneer in existence.

Founded in 1766, Tattersalls now offers 10,000 thoroughbreds a year across 15

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sales, nine of which take place at its Newmarket venue. A tour of Park Paddocks will precede a two-course buffet lunch.

From Tattersalls, the visit will move on to Banstead Manor Stud, home to five of the world’s top stallions, including Oasis Dream, who has sired over 160 stakes horses, Dansili, the leading British-based sire in the history of the Pattern, and of course wonder horse Frankel. The stallions will parade for members and provide plenty of photo opportunities.

This amazing day is sure to sell out, so ROA members wishing to attend are limited to bringing one guest each, and are advised to book early. The entire package will cost £30 per person, and those wishing to attend can book online at roa.co.uk, by emailing sholton@roa.co.uk or by calling 020 7152 0200.

Frankel awaits for 50 ROA members

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www.roa.co.uk

Equine hospital, Sir Mark and Marsha a top trio on our trip

Visit Sandown for free with the ROA/JCR Admission Scheme

Are you making the most of free racing?

Free racecourse admission consistently ranks among the most popular benefits of ROA membership. Members with 50% or more of a horse in training automatically have their owner PASScard activated, providing access to the Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners.

Members with less than a 50% share in a racehorse and those involved in syndicates can enjoy free admission through four alternate options:

ROA/JCR Admission Scheme Free admission to a choice of 300 fixtures, with all 15 Jockey Club racecourses being part of the scheme.

Each member is able to claim a total of 50 badges for these fixtures, with a maximum of two badges at any one fixture.

Badges need to be booked in advance via the JCR ticketing system, accessed via the Members Area on the ROA website at www.roa.co.uk There is no charge and orders placed seven days or more in advance are posted out. Badges booked within a week are available for collection at the general Ticket Collection Point at the racecourse (rather than the Owners Entrance).

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ROA/ARC Admission Scheme Over 400 members have already signed up to enjoy this new benefit which provides two complimentary raceday admissions to each of ARC’s 16 tracks throughout the year. The 32 admissions apply at over 91% of ARC’s 559 fixtures.

Newbury racecourse Members enjoy free entry to almost every meeting at Newbury. The course generously provides two badges at every meeting, with the exception of Weatherbys Super Sprint Day (July 22), Ladies Day (August 19) and Ladbrokes Gold Cup Day (December 2).

May 22 was a beautiful spring day and the perfect weather for another exclusive ROA member visit. A group of 38 members started off their afternoon with lunch and a tour of the wonderful Newmarket Equine Hospital, the largest of its kind in Europe.

Purpose-built in 2008, it provides access to the most sophisticated equipment available including ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), all of which proved fascinating to the group, especially when explained by some of the expert on-site veterinary team.

From the hospital, members were transported to a date with the redoubtable Sir Mark Prescott, who personally gave a tour of his historic Heath House stables. Combining 400year-old stables with the latest mod-cons, including a treadmill with incline and a swimming pool, and Sir Mark’s outstanding knowledge of equine psychology, the day was an eyeopener for all involved.

The members were also treated to a look at top-class sprinter Marsha, who appeared to be in superb condition.

The ROA extends sincerest thanks to all those involved at both of these sites for their time and knowledge, it was a truly memorable day.

Scottish Racing Admission Scheme ROA members who own at least a 5% share in a horse trained in Scotland can join this scheme, which allows free admission to almost every fixture held at Ayr, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth.

To enjoy free racing and for more details of all schemes see the benefits section at www.roa.co.uk or contact the ROA office.

Members on the ebulletin service will be reminded of participating fixtures.

Crack sprinter Marsha thrills ROA members

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ROA FORUM

Raceday Curtailment Scheme The ROA raceday curtailment scheme came into play three times recently, when racing was abandoned at three fixtures after the first race had been run.

The first occasion was at Windsor on May 15, when racing was abandoned after the fourth race due to slippery bends. Owners of 25 out of a possible 31 horses qualified for a payment of £100 where the ownership comprised 51% or more ROA members.

The second incident occurred at Cartmel’s bank holiday fixture on May 27, when torrential rain forced racing to be abandoned after the fourth race. Owners of 12 of the 20 horses affected qualified for the payment of £100.

Just five days later, Chelmsford had to abandon a race on June 1. The 6f handicap, due to be run at 9.10pm, was lost due to a power outage caused by a fire. Three of the six runners qualified for a curtailment payment.

Windsor’s May 15 meeting was abandoned for the second year running

On this occasion, the racecourse arranged a compensation payment of £400 to owners of each of the six horses due to run and paid the riding fees for the jockeys affected.

July’s Owners Jackpot There are four chances for members to win a £2,000 Owners Jackpot during July.

Each week a Class 3, 4 or 5 race has an ROA Owners Jackpot bonus up for grabs.

Races are selected at one of the 56 tracks that have signed up to the racing industry’s prizemoney agreement, and where there is already a guaranteed minimum prize fund of £5,000.

Winning horses that are owned at least 51% by ROA members will qualify for the £2,000 bonus, on top of win prize-money.

July 5 Worcester 2m4f Class 4 4yo+ 0-105 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle July 14 York 51/2f Class 3 2yo Novice July 21 Haydock 1m2f Class 5 3yo 0-70 Handicap July 27 Sandown Park 1m Class 5 3yo 0-75 Handicap

Reality Partnerships VI won a bonus in June with Brother McGonagall

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We are grateful to Weatherbys Hamilton for their support in providing the Raceday Curtailment Scheme, and for making swift payments to owners of the qualifying horses.

ROA supporting Racing Staff Week To celebrate Racing Welfare’s Racing Staff Week initiative, which takes place July 18, the ROA has agreed a contribution of £3,000 to support a series of staff BBQs. Individual payments have been made to trainers towards organising staff BBQs during the week where owners and staff can get to know each other better away from the often pressurised raceday atmosphere.

One of the themes that came out in the Racehorse Ownership Survey of 2016 was that an important element of the experience for owners was getting to know the members of staff that care for their horses. It is hoped that supporting social events will help develop owner/staff relationships and show the owners and trainers appreciation of their staff, to celebrate Racing Staff Week.

The regional Racing Welfare offices are also organising BBQs and other social events for stud and stable staff, which trainers and owners would also be very welcome to attend during the week.

Details can be found at www.racingwelfare.co.uk The ROA is also making a contribution towards the regionally organised Racing Welfare BBQs and social events during the week.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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w w w. r o a . c o . u k

MY DAY AT THE RACES WITH STEVE DICK AT AYR ON MAY 9, 2017

S

teve Dick became involved in racing in 2004, initially with a racing club then as a sole owner in 2006 when buying the mare Royal Citadel, who had been the club syndicate horse, at the Newmarket sales when the syndicate disbanded. Royal Citadel was placed on many occasions and has since retired to become a broodmare, producing Steve’s two horses currently in training – Royal Duchess and Royal Regent, who both ran on May 9.

Did you receive any welcome information as an owner in advance of the race-day?

Yes. Ayr always send a welcome letter together with luncheon vouchers for myself and three guests and a car parking label the day after the entries are made.

How was the experience of arrival at the racecourse, and collecting your owners’ badges?

Arriving at Ayr is very straightforward, driving directly into the car park that is well marshalled, then collecting the owner badges from the booth adjacent to the car park. The badges are waiting at the booth for collection on submission of the PASS card. In the summer months luncheon is served in the restaurant located in the main stand and the staff are friendly and extend a warm welcome.

Did you use the owners’ and trainers’ facility on the day?

One can stay for the entirety of the meeting in the main stand where there are plenty of Tote windows, but with having runners on the day, it is more convenient to utilise the owners’ and trainers’ bar between trips to the parade ring and the stands to watch the races. There is the provision of complimentary tea and coffee in the facility for the duration of the afternoon and plenty of seating on a quiet day, as this day was, but on the big meeting days the bar becomes very congested and one struggles to find a vacant seat.

What were your thoughts on the location, comfort and provision in the facility?

Everything is well laid out at Ayr, with the oncourse bookmakers on the rails of the parade ring and plenty of Tote windows available, depending on how busy the meeting is. The Chancellor Restaurant is spacious and

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Steve Dick has Royal Duchess and Royal Regent in training with Lucy Normile

comfortable with the food always of the highest quality with red and white wine, juice and water being available for the owner and three guests.

How was the pre-parade ring/paddock experience?

I never go to the pre-parade ring since the trainer and her team have enough to do preparing the horse, so I wait in the parade ring chatting with the jockey and enjoying the atmosphere until the horses have completed the parading and the trainer gives any last minute instructions to the jockey before giving him/her the leg up.

How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing?

Viewing the races is excellent from either of the stands, where there is a segregated section for owners and trainers, as well as many large big screens on the lawns and in the centre of the course.

Were you able to review a replay of your race easily on course?

Replays of each race are shown on the big screens and the televisions in the O&T bar, but this is courtesy of Racing UK’s television coverage.

How were you treated as a winning owner on the day?

I wasn’t a winner on the day, although very nearly with Royal Regent coming a very close

second. I’ve had winners before though at Ayr and the treatment for winning connections is very good. After receiving the prize from the sponsors for winning the race and posing for the customary photographs, we would be taken to one of the suites in the stands and offered champagne or juice together with snacks while the race was rerun from a DVD on their monitor. The DVD is then given to the winning owner together with a framed photograph of the horse crossing the line.

What was your overall lasting feeling of the day, based on your racecourse experience?

Ayr has become my favourite racecourse, with the staff being very friendly and one is made to feel welcome. What makes it more special is the wins from both my horses have come here, including the ‘Royal’ double occurring not once, which was tremendous, but incredibly twice two years later when Royal Duchess and Royal Regent both won on the same afternoon card.

From my experiences, Ayr for sure is the premier racecourse in Scotland!

How it rated Entry Viewing Atmosphere Owners’ facilities Food Overall score

★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 23

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ROA FORUM

Diary dates and reminders JULY 1-8 Racing Staff Week

JULY 2 AIRO admission offer at the Curragh

JULY 4 ROA AGM

and members’ & guests’ lunch

JULY 12 Ownership Matters evening at Hamilton

JULY 19 Member visit to Mark Johnston’s Middleham yard

JULY 31, AUG 1-2 & 4-5 Complimentary admission to

AIRO marquee on five days of Galway festival

AUGUST 1-5 The ROA regional meeting offered members a chance to give feedback over lunch

Get-together at wet Wetherby Around 40 members braved wet conditions and unseasonable temperatures at Wetherby on June 6 for the third of six ROA regional meetings this year.

Attendees were briefed on latest industry issues by ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton and were updated on membership matters by the ROA team. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session and members were able to give feedback on their ownership experience over lunch and during the afternoon’s racing.

An ROA Owners Jackpot was won on the day by the Reality Partnerships VI, owners of Brother McGonagall, who got up in the final strides to secure the £2,000 bonus.

The Wetherby gathering followed similar events held at Hereford in February and Hexham in April. The next ROA regional meetings will be held at Brighton (August 9), Kempton Park (September 25), and Musselburgh (November 8).

For details of these and other events see www.roa.co.uk/events

New facilities unveiled The latest ROA regional gathering coincided with the ‘soft’ opening of Wetherby’s new Millennium West Stand, the product of a £3.5 million redevelopment and extension of the Millennium Stand.

The facility features a new Owners & Trainers facility on Level 2, named The Riston

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Suite, after ‘Riston’, the first horse to win at Wetherby on the current site on March 31, 1891.

The spacious suite offers owners and trainers balcony viewing of both the parade ring to the south and the final furlong and winning post to the north, with panoramic views of the whole racecourse.

The new stand includes spacious public bars and a new betting shop on Level 1, the ground floor. The top floor, Level 3, provides an area for use by Premier and Annual badge holders and essential accommodation for race meeting integrity services, including the judge, photo-finish, camera and commentary positions.

Wetherby Chief Executive Jonjo Sanderson said: “We have been delighted to welcome owners and trainers into their new facility for the first time during June where, hopefully, they were all able to enjoy the racing and hospitality that we had on offer.

“The two flat meetings in June have acted as excellent ‘test runs’ on the Millennium West Stand, but we are now looking forward to the official opening of the new stand, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18.

“That is the opening of our 2017/18 season, when we will be able to showcase fully the excellent new facilities and improvements we have made as part of this £3.5 million redevelopment project.”

Richmond Enclosure at Glorious Goodwood Special service for booking badges and hospitality packages

AUGUST 8 Owners Matters evening in Hove

AUGUST 9 Regional meeting at Brighton

AUGUST 20 AIRO admission offer at the Curragh

AUGUST 23 Private box and hospitality offer for first day of York’s Ebor meeting

SEPTEMBER 5 Owners Jackpot at Goodwood.

Complimentary facility for members during racing (places to be booked in advance)

SEPTEMBER 12 Visit to Cheveley Park Stud and Banstead Manor Stud, with lunch

SEPTEMBER 13 Ownership Matters Event at Nottingham

SEPTEMBER 25 Regional meeting at Kempton Park

SEPTEMBER 27 Ownership Matters Event in London

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TRACK TALK The latest news from the UK’s racecourses even more memorable one and for that we send our thanks.”

Champagne at Nottingham

The July Course, where the viewing area for owners has changed this summer

Newmarket Adnams July Course With summer racing in full swing, Newmarket Racecourses and Al Basti Equiworld, sponsor of their owners’ and trainers’ facilities at both tracks, are committed to ensuring they provide the best experience to owners.

There are two dedicated facilities for owners and trainers at the Adnams July Course; the owners’ and trainers’ bar, with an outside terrace that backs on to the stunning pre-parade ring, and the Runners Lounge, located in the paddock pavilion, which offers a meal for connections with runners on the day as well as prime viewing of the parade ring. Meal vouchers are issued at the owners’ and trainers’ reception desk upon arrival at the racecourse.

Amy Starkey, Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses Eastern Region, explained: “Having received some useful feedback from members last year and with agreement of the ROA, we have relocated the viewing area for owners and trainers to the Head On Stand at the Adnams July Course, making it an easier and better experience. This new area will offer enhanced viewing of the racing and is also easily accessible from the dedicated owners’ and trainers’ facilities around the parade ring.”

Owners with queries and feedback about facilities are invited to contact Sara Rose, who joined the team in January as Racing Relations Manager. Sara can be reached at sara.rose@thejockeyclub.co.uk or on 01638 675556.

refurbished facility to enjoy. The owners’ and trainers’ renovations have included a relocation of the bar to offer more internal space, an extension to the upper balcony overlooking the parade ring, and the addition of a new groundfloor patio area complete with outdoor seating.

The facility has also seen the inclusion of a new food service point, as owners with a runner on the day will now receive a complimentary £10 refreshment voucher, which can be redeemed in the owners’ and trainers’ bar, the Silks & Saddles Bar, the Champagne & Seafood Bar or the Club Dining Room.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton was on hand to officially open the facility, and said: “The new owners’ and trainers’ facility is a wonderful addition to Ripon racecourse and the ROA were delighted to be involved in its opening.

“Investment in new facilities like this for owners, the single biggest investor in the sport, is crucial. We know from the 2016 National Racehorse Owners Survey that racecourse experiences have a direct impact on an owner’s tenure in the sport and, win or lose, owners need to be accommodated appropriately if they are to stay in the ownership ranks. Ripon’s new facility is sure to make the owner’s experience an

As the ROA Raceday Committee travel the country interacting with racecourses, they like to offer suggestions as to how things can be improved for the owner with a runner on the day. ROA Small Racecourse of the Year Nottingham is never content to rest on its laurels and has taken previous suggestions firmly on board.

Therefore, the ROA is delighted to reveal that the placed connections in each race will receive a voucher to redeem in the owners’ and trainers’ bar for a complimentary bottle of champagne, while they can also request a recording of their race, which will be emailed to them by the racecourse after the event.

There are always more losers than winners on a raceday, so anything a racecourse can do to improve the experience for their owners is always sure to be popular.

ROA member feedback The big summer racing festivals are now upon us, and the ROA wants your feedback. We hope that your raceday experiences with a runner are enjoyable, whether it is Royal Ascot or Royal Windsor, and we want to hear from you. Our very quick and easy feedback form is available in the Raceday section of the ROA website and, as a thank you, each month one contributor is picked at random to receive a £50 John Lewis giftcard.

This month’s lucky winner is Mrs Wendy Dyason, who has also been a lucky owner on the track recently, with her four partnershipowned horses scooping two wins and two seconds in May!

Ripon invests in facilities In 2013, Ripon introduced its own independent on-course betting operator RiponBET, and has since been ploughing many of the proceeds back into the racecourse, to the benefit of all racegoers. Prior to this year these improvements have included replacing the permanent big screen, relaying the hard standing in front of the Club and Paddock Stands, and fully renovating the Jim Joel, Claro and Theakston Bars.

Now, Ripon’s £1 million worth of investment has directly affected owners, who, following the May 12 opening, now have a fantastic, totally THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

The ownership experience at Ripon has been much improved through investment

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M AGICAL MOMENTS with ROA members Mick and Janice Mariscotti Drochaid (left) holds off Emenem to win the opener on Derby day at Epsom

T

he opening race on Derby day was a tasty aperitif: a close finish fought out between three fancied runners, and a slice of drama with the jockey on the runnerup banned for seven days for careless riding.

Runner-up Emenem was, curiously, owned by last month’s Magical Moments men in the spotlight, Robert Moss and Dale Brennan, while the winner, Drochaid, is one of 11 horses currently in training for this month’s featured ROA members Mick and Janice Mariscotti.

For Mick, being born and brought up in Epsom, a winner on Derby day is special, and the occasion certainly ranks high up the list of most memorable moments for the owners.

“The Derby was part of the sporting year,” recalls Mick. “It was on the Wednesday back then and we used to have the afternoon off school.”

Many would have the race returned to a midweek slot, and the Mariscottis would be able to attend with no work commitments in the way – their racehorse ownership life dates from 2006, after Mick had left Coral, where he was finance director, following the merger with Gala, able to become more involved in a sport he had always been interested in.

He went to school, in fact, with Bjorn Nielsen, and while the Mariscottis’ racing

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empire is not as expansive as Mick’s boyhood pal, they have owned 43 in all since setting out with Andrew Balding.

It wasn’t a conspicuous start – their first horse was “just not very good”, and Mick is still “amazed we went back” – but the next five all finished second on their debut and then won.

“We thought, ‘This is so easy’,” recalls Mick.

“But then reality sets in, and it’s tough when you have a run of poor results.”

“We enjoy it when a plan comes off, and have sales races and bonuses in mind”

At least the Mariscottis have only themselves to blame – which is how they like it – as they pretty much select all their horses themselves as yearlings at public auction. They aspire to Group-race runners and winners but for now the reality is that having runners on big racedays, given their budget, is the top end of expectations.

There is, of course, in any case much more to the ownership experience than racedays and there are several aspects the Mariscottis enjoy.

“We’re in Buckinghamshire, so not particularly handy for Andrew’s yard, or Charlie Hills, our other trainer, but we do love being on the gallops watching serious work,” says Mick. “On a sunny morning it’s fantastic.

“We really like the sales as well, and spend a lot of time there. It’s fun. There’s no one else to blame if it doesn’t work out, but equally there’s satisfaction if you pick a horse that turns out to be decent.

“We enjoy it when a plan comes off and always have sales races and bonuses in mind.

Zanetto got us a big pay cheque, for example [in the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint]. Such races aren’t easy to win but we like working out what races there are to aim at.

“Drochaid had one of the worst pages in Book 1 of Tatts but we all agreed he looked an athlete and he’s turned out to be decent value.

He’s already won more than he cost and is worth considerably more now.”

To have a football team’s worth of racehorses (nine with Balding and two with Hills), the Mariscottis have obviously been successful amid the ebb and flow of buying and selling – they got a “nice price” for Real Dominion, for

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Epsom breakfast and course walk example – while experiencing some magical days on the racecourse.

“The highest rated we’ve had has been Havana Beat,” says Mick. “He contested two Gold Cups at Ascot and the Gold Cup at Meydan, and was third in the American St Leger at Arlington, where, as owners, we were looked after fantastically well.

“Goldoni won a nursery at Glorious Goodwood, and the Derby Trial at Epsom – only he was a gelding and it was the year they introduced the ‘win and you’re in’ incentive.

He rather ruined that! It did get them lots of publicity, mind!

“Drochaid winning on Derby day was fantastic and it looks like he has a decent career ahead, having followed that up by finishing fourth in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. You’d love to be contesting Group races, but you need to get lucky and that’s a bit out of our league at the moment. Having runners on big racedays, Derby day, the Ascots and Goodwoods, would be a more realistic aim.”

He continues: “Five of the nine with Andrew are three-year-olds. Drochaid would be the pick but Native Prospect was beaten by the horse we beat at Epsom [Emenem] and is also a decent horse in the making.

“The others are two-year-olds and it’s always exciting when they make their debut.”

The Mariscottis gain much enjoyment out of ownership, though Mick has one particular bugbear, namely that while large amounts are paid for media rights, he and Janice often find themselves scrabbling around to watch re-runs of their races.

“I’d love for the ROA to have a dedicated site for owners to watch race replays,” he says. “There are huge amounts of money being paid for pictures, and while we’re not looking for a slice of it, having somewhere straightforward to watch re-runs would be very welcome.

“There’s bet365’s website, and the Racing Post used to have them, but it’s a scrabble – and a bugbear.”

The Mariscottis much prefer the Flat, but they do attend the Cheltenham Festival and there is an admission that the type of horse they buy lends itself to a subsequent hurdling career. The Graduate is one such horse.

But that’s a rather ‘watch this space’ notion. For now, more magical moments on the Flat is the hope.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

A group of 20 members enjoyed the first ROA visit to the Investec Derby festival ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ event on May 23 at Epsom.

Guests gathered early for coffee in the Jockey Club Room in the Queen’s Stand. The venue offered superb viewing on a perfect summer morning of horses cantering in preparation for the meeting. Derby runners who worked on the morning were third-placed Cracksman, fourthplaced Eminent and Peeler. They were joined on the track by Oaks fourth Horseplay, Coronation Cup fourth Elbereth and Best Of Days.

Live presentations and telephone interviews taking place in the next door Duchess Stand were screened in the facility while guests enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast.

Guests then joined a fascinating walk of the Derby course with Michael Church, Derby historian and author of The Derby Stakes 17802016.

Michael’s in-depth knowledge of the Derby and its history is encyclopaedic and members were enlightened on the walk with colourful commentary and stories and were able to view original maps, photos and illustrations from his collection.

Michael is offering members a 20% discount on his latest limited editions The Derby Stakes and The Oaks Stakes, RRP £65 per book. Quote discount codes Derby17 and Oaks17 (both can

Members learnt a lot about the Classics

be purchased as a multi-buy for £99). Orders can be made by phone to 01933 304858.

To see photos of this and other ROA events follow the ROA on: Twitter @RacehorseOwners Facebook facebook.com/RacehorseOwnersUK Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/ 138694719@N04/

Special offer at Deauville festival We are delighted that France Galop is once again extending a special service to the ROA for members to book into the exclusive owners’ garden area at Deauville’s August festival.

We have received very favourable reviews from members who have enjoyed access to the Jardin des Proprietaires over the past two years.

We will have a number of places in Deauville’s owners’ garden area on selected racedays during their August festival.

Selected dates and further details about ROA reciprocal arrangements can be found at www.roa.co.uk and bookings should be made via info@roa.co.uk or through the ROA office.

The selected dates exclude Arqana Sales weekend (August 19-21). Alternate options during the sales period are the Panoramic Restaurant or the Jardin du Paddock indoor and outdoor garden area. Bookings for these options can be made direct via email to reservationhippodrome@lucienbarriere.com

The Jardin des Proprietaires offers a comfortable haven for owners at Deauville

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Galway offers a unique festival occasion and once again ROA members can enjoy free entry to their sister organisation’s facility

Marquee for members at Galway A highlight of the summer season in Ireland is the Galway Races Summer Festival, boasting seven days of top racing, hospitality and entertainment that draws visitors from Ireland and abroad.

We are delighted that members heading to the Galway festival can enjoy free entry to the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) marquee once again this year.

The total prize fund on offer is a record €2 million over the week, which was attended

by more than 145,000 people last year.

Access to the AIRO facility applies to members on five of the six days of the festival: Monday, July 31 to Saturday, August 5 (except Thursday, August 3). Please note that racecourse admission is payable, and entry to the facility will be on production of a Horseracing Privilege Card or PASScard.

Free admission to the Curragh Members can also enjoy free admission to the

Curragh on August 20 through a reciprocal arrangement with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners.

Due to redevelopment works currently under way at the Curragh there is a limit on total attendance on each day this year and the management has asked for details in advance for any members wishing to attend on the day.

Please contact the ROA by July 25 to book a space.

News in brief Thoroughbred Health Network The Thoroughbred Health Network, originally run as a northern pilot project since June 2015, has now launched UK-wide. The network provides advice on how to avoid, recognise or treat the most common health and performance-limiting problems encountered by thoroughbreds and other equines. It publishes reviews, news on horse health and runs networking events. To subscribe visit www.thoroughbredhealthnetwork.co.uk

and Sir Sam Whitbread, the Patron of the British Sporting Art Trust.

Dr Hardy, known by the name Patricia Pugh as the owner of champion chaser Altior and ROA board member, will be a key member of The National Heritage Centre team, reporting to the Director Chris Garibaldi. Her primary focus will be on the Art and Academia of the Palace House Galleries and the collections of the BSAT.

National Heritage Centre role

Syndicate templates

The British Sporting Art Trust has appointed Dr Patricia Hardy to the position of Packard Curator for The Fred Packard Museum & Galleries of British Sporting Art, at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art in Palace House, Newmarket. The position has been funded by Mrs Dulce Packard

The ROA has updated its template agreements for syndicates and partnerships to reflect the new Syndicate Code of Conduct introduced by the British Horseracing Authority. The updated template agreements can be found online at roa.co.uk in the Resources section.

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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 Newbury Doncaster Chester Sandown Park Haydock Park Musselburgh Ayr Chelmsford City Salisbury Pontefract Ripon Newcastle Lingfield Park Hamilton Park Bath Wetherby Leicester Thirsk Beverley Windsor Carlisle Nottingham Kempton Park Ffos Las Redcar Chepstow Yarmouth Catterick Bridge Wolverhampton Brighton Southwell Total

Figures for period May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2015-16 (£)

Up/ down

I I I JCR JCR I ARC I JCR JCR I I I I I I ARC ARC I ARC I I I I ARC JCR JCR JCR I I ARC ARC I ARC ARC ARC

439,355 213,682 176,768 140,722 117,490 80,623 80,581 78,585 69,218 56,486 50,211 44,654 41,133 38,091 37,047 36,898 34,214 33,306 33,297 32,298 32,246 30,531 29,304 29,295 29,024 28,005 27,164 26,398 24,167 23,578 23,393 23,290 22,628 20,860 19,718 12,732 54,518

127,262 91,685 82,586 68,478 74,747 55,767 50,070 42,701 44,014 39,499 14,457 28,404 17,105 26,454 29,050 21,590 17,614 24,942 19,297 14,842 6,567 19,194 15,707 18,584 18,623 14,489 20,090 18,844 12,050 17,765 13,795 18,529 16,584 18,421 14,091 24,325 30,115

251,736 123,988 69,965 113,922 70,719 34,561 35,875 10,993 30,074 18,338 6,053 10,888 4,963 5,332 3,928 4,533 5,009 4,520 4,129 4,791 5,187 5,086 5,319 3,961 5,253 4,746 5,929 4,421 3,609 13,436 3,619 4,293 2,717 3,416 2,732 2,717 19,939

818,353 430,060 329,319 323,122 262,956 171,964 166,568 132,278 143,306 115,299 70,721 83,946 63,200 69,876 70,024 63,146 56,837 62,769 56,723 51,931 44,000 54,812 50,329 51,840 52,899 47,240 53,270 49,663 39,827 54,778 40,806 46,438 41,929 42,758 36,541 39,775 104,648

18 17 19 11 38 18 24 15 15 21 17 18 58 16 16 16 61 74 17 22 1 20 17 19 26 12 23 58 6 18 14 23 16 77 21 27 889

14,730,361 7,311,025 6,257,065 3,554,346 9,992,309 3,095,345 3,997,630 1,984,177 2,149,597 2,363,629 1,202,260 1,511,025 3,665,614 1,118,016 1,120,389 1,010,331 3,467,066 4,644,895 964,296 1,142,475 44,000 1,096,242 855,600 984,960 1,375,379 566,879 1,225,210 2,880,451 238,960 986,000 571,284 1,068,081 670,860 3,292,363 767,358 1,073,923 92,979,400

389,607 192,928 171,251 136,951 110,933 70,610 68,822 89,808 58,751 52,377 38,887 37,460 41,115 32,977 33,383 35,327 30,716 31,339 27,746 21,011 32,373 24,510 27,753 26,066 21,885 25,306 24,231 24,423 22,888 19,666 18,036 19,876 19,269 18,321 16,322 10,635 49,034

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

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 Haydock Park Sandown Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Doncaster Chepstow Newcastle Kelso Ludlow Perth Stratford-on-Avon Newton Abbot Cartmel Musselburgh Wincanton Wetherby Market Rassen Taunton Uttoxeter Warwick Hereford Huntingdon Fakenham Bangor-on-Dee Ffos Las Exeter Worcester Carlisle Lingfield Park Fontwell Park Hexham Sedgefield Leicester Southwell Plumpton Towcester Catterick Bridge Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2015-16 (£)

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I ARC ARC ARC I I I I I I I JCR I JCR I ARC JCR I JCR I I I JCR ARC JCR ARC ARC I ARC I ARC I I I

264,866 243,494 140,894 106,933 100,415 54,522 51,678 38,475 37,803 34,619 34,193 34,174 29,163 28,715 28,214 28,174 27,840 27,779 27,778 26,604 26,209 25,937 25,180 24,948 24,651 24,074 23,698 23,245 22,845 21,769 20,938 20,539 19,792 19,721 19,133 18,165 18,015 17,986 17,477 17,286 16,963 39,302

130,646 120,313 83,371 85,468 86,374 73,015 58,751 28,576 44,236 38,344 31,840 28,373 29,243 21,760 16,459 29,436 17,370 36,476 33,568 27,479 24,680 24,447 27,380 31,238 15,665 21,699 24,951 17,566 17,269 28,657 21,666 24,877 24,616 21,066 17,469 20,232 32,862 18,760 25,372 21,117 23,981 33,569

70,458 66,263 19,950 19,471 15,845 18,771 9,812 9,246 7,926 10,023 5,666 3,347 4,737 3,629 3,632 0 4,418 4,533 5,387 4,920 4,602 5,587 6,704 5,530 4,594 4,278 0 4,635 4,334 5,140 4,045 4,630 4,165 3,548 3,109 3,107 5,069 3,668 3,685 3,620 2,487 8,179

466,783 430,070 244,215 217,072 204,633 148,127 120,856 76,450 90,381 82,985 72,635 66,359 63,143 54,105 48,665 57,610 49,628 69,725 66,733 59,003 56,173 55,993 59,359 62,621 45,559 50,348 48,648 46,339 44,448 55,565 46,901 51,228 48,572 44,335 39,712 41,626 55,946 40,414 46,534 42,232 43,598 81,423

8 16 7 8 9 11 13 15 12 15 11 14 16 16 18 15 10 11 15 17 22 14 24 18 10 16 9 14 15 16 19 11 8 23 14 19 10 19 16 11 9 574

3,734,261 6,881,115 1,709,502 1,628,038 1,841,701 1,629,392 1,571,129 1,146,751 1,084,574 1,244,778 798,990 929,025 1,010,285 865,672 875,972 864,149 496,283 766,972 1,000,989 1,003,053 1,235,797 783,905 1,424,623 1,127,182 455,595 805,565 437,836 648,746 666,718 889,048 891,124 563,512 388,577 1,019,703 555,962 790,885 559,463 767,868 744,538 464,555 392,380 46,696,210

249,380 235,323 139,862 85,135 94,826 27,807 48,608 41,260 30,154 29,799 23,696 33,371 48,608 56,100 26,564 23,093 30,788 15,855 28,587 24,975 18,171 22,634 20,333 20,074 0 19,925 22,971 20,075 16,275 19,528 14,892 19,975 33,371 16,335 16,952 14,888 19,925 16,238 14,185 13,935 15,689 36,979

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▼ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prizemoney: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period.

The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors.

If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

As these tables are based on the prize-money paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses

ARC Arena Racing Company

I Independently owned racecourse Gold Standard Award

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TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

NH Breeders’ Celebration Dinner A good time was had by all as the jumping crowd gathered in Doncaster

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SARAH FARNSWORTH

I

n what has been another stellar year for British-bred jumpers, Sizing John, Thistlecrack and Yanworth were just three of the leading flagbearers of British National Hunt breeding for the 2016/17 jumps season.

The successes of their breeders, along with many others, was formally recognised at the third annual TBA National Hunt Breeders’ Celebration Dinner.

Held at the Mount Pleasant Hotel, just outside Doncaster on the eve of the Goffs UK Spring Sale, over 165 owners, breeders, trainers and supporters gathered to raise a glass to the triumphs of the year, with compere Nick Luck expertly guiding guests through the ten awards on offer.

The first award of the evening, the Mill House Trophy for leading NH Flat Mare, was presented

by David Minton of Mill House Stud and won

by Petticoat Tails, for breeders Richard and Sally Aston. Speaking of the mare, Richard quickly paid tribute to Fortune’s Girl, granddam of Petticoat Tails, who has created a legacy at Goldford Stud through her daughters.

The second award presented, again one for the girls, was the Mickley Trophy for Leading NH Flat Mare, which went the way of Augusta Kate, who had firmly placed herself as a leading contender for the award after her Grade 1 victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders’ Fund Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, for trainer Willie Mullins.

Four horses from the 30 nominated had won awards the previous year, and three of them were again successful on the night. Thistlecrack, having made the successful transition from hurdles this season before injury curtailed his campaign, picked up the Shade Oak Trophy for Leading Novice Chaser for breeders Robin and Scarlett Knipe. The second, Ballyandy, a standout performer in bumpers in 2016, collected his second award, this time the Birch Farm Stud & DGS Transport Trophy for Leading Novice Hurdler for breeder Jeremy Hinds, following fine efforts this season in Graded company since switching to hurdles.

The winner of the Leading Novice Hurdler Award last year, Yanworth, was once again successful in 2017, showing his continued progression by winning two Grade 1 races this season and collecting the Highflyer Trophy for Leading Hurdler.

The trophy was presented by Highflyer’s Tessa Greatrex and Anthony Bromley to

Richard and Sally Aston, breeders of Petticoat Tails, being presented with the Mill House Trophy by David Minton

Anthony’s father Bill, breeder of Yanworth.

Simon and Helen Plumbly, longstanding members of the TBA and the National Hunt racing community, have had some fantastic years on the track thanks to the exploits of homebreds Briery Belle and Briery Queen, both of whom were nominated for an award on the night. After Briery Queen’s success at last year’s awards, it was Briery Belle’s turn in the spotlight this year, winning the Beech Tree Trophy for Leading Chase Mare.

David and Kathleen Holmes of Pitchall Farm Stud presented the Leading Novice Hurdles

Simon Sweeting, right, presents Bryan and Sandra Mayoh with their second trophy of the evening, this time for their Gold Cup winner Sizing John

Mare Award, named the Midnight Legend Trophy in tribute to the eponymous stallion who sadly passed away aged 25 last year. Paying tribute to Midnight Legend, both were quick to praise their ‘horse of a lifetime’, known for passing his grit and determination to his stock.

Bryan and Sandra Mayoh, who have had an excellent year as breeders and who have had good success using Midnight Legend themselves, were there to receive the trophy for Lifeboat Mona, in their first of two visits to the stage that evening.

The Mayohs returned to the stage later, this time for Sizing John, recipient of the Overbury Trophy for Leading Chaser. The son of Midnight Legend has without question been the standout performer of British-breds this season, with scintillating victories in the Cheltenham, Irish and Punchestown Gold Cups for trainer Jessica Harrington.

On collecting the trophy Sandra recalled the young and newly-weaned Sizing John who had been a bit of a tearaway as a youngster, jumping out of his paddock into a quarry, where he remained for four hours. His dam, La Perrotine, was summoned out of her paddock four miles away to aid the rescue effort, and once he had caught sight of her the subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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SARAH FARNSWORTH

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SARAH FARNSWORTH

Tim and Monica Frost collect the Yorton Trophy from Lester Futter, left, for leading NH Flat horse Sam Brown

SARAH FARNSWORTH

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Anthony Bromley and Tessa Greatrex present Anthony’s father Bill, breeder of Yanworth, with the Highflyer Trophy

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Scarlett Knipe receiving the Shade Oak Trophy from Peter Hockenhull for leading novice chaser Thistlecrack

SARAH FARNSWORTH

Simon and Helen Plumbly receive the Beech Tree Trophy from Allan Munnis, left, for the mare Briery Belle

First trophy of the evening for Bryan and Sandra Mayoh, breeders of Lifeboat Mona, collecting the Midnight Legend Trophy from David and Kathleen Holmes

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Jeremy Hinds of Pleasure Palace Racing, right, collecting the Birch Farm Stud & DGS Transport Trophy from David Sherlock for Ballyandy

jumped a stone wall to be reunited with his dam, showing what scope he had, even then.

Other winners included the unbeaten Sam Brown, who took the Yorton Trophy for Leading National Hunt Flat Horse for owner/breeders Tim and Monica Frost. Special Tiara, who has remained ultra-consistent this season and whose wins include the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase, took the Eric Gillie Special Award for breeder David Young.

To close the evening, Nick Luck invited Colin Tizzard and Alan King to the stage, both of whom were trainers of winners on the night and were quick to heap praise on the successes of British-breds this season. Colin updated guests on the progress of Thistlecrack, whose return to action is eagerly awaited, while Alan spoke of the plan for Yanworth, who is to begin chasing later this season.

The finale of the evening was a highly entertaining interview with champion jumps trainer of 2016/17 Nicky Henderson, which rounded off a hugely enjoyable event.

The TBA would like to thank all those who helped to make the night such a success, including the generous award sponsors, our host Nick Luck, and joint-sponsor of the evening Goffs UK.

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Woburn Stud hosts the East Regional Day The first of the TBA’s 2017 regional days took place in the idyllic setting of the Woburn Estate. Keith and Eileen Harte took over what was then Bloomsbury Stud in 2013 and now run the 140-acre stud, renamed Woburn Stud, with their enthusiastic young team.

TBA members were cheerily greeted by the Stud Office Manager Abbey Croft and transported under sunny skies to the stud by tractor and trailer through the grounds of the estate, where one could not fail to be impressed on the approach to the stud with herds of deer grazing on the pasture land.

Once at the yard we were greeted by Keith and Eileen and their stud staff, where members were treated to a delightful reception with Champagne and pastries.

After our lovely welcome, members were invited to watch a parade of mares and foals accompanied by the Duke of Bedford. Among the mares on parade were Brave Times, who is in foal to Iffraaj; Mrs Mogg, with a Slade Power foal at foot and in foal to Twilight Son; Burlesque Star, with a Golden Horn foal at foot and in foal to Oasis Dream; Chortle, with her Exceed And Excel foal at foot; and Marika, who had recently been covered by Oasis Dream, with a Kingman foal at foot.

Following the parade we reboarded the tractor and trailer for a tour of the stud grounds, where we were able to see other mares and foals in their paddocks who were all very relaxed and happy to meet the group.

Keith and Eileen, along with their Assistant Stud Manager Sarah Hickey, introduced us to the various mares and foals and gave us an

Members thoroughly enjoyed their morning’s transportation at Woburn Stud

Burlesque Star parades with her Golden Horn filly

Members were treated to a lovely spread by the stud

insight into the day-to-day operations at Woburn. The yearlings were also enjoying the warmer weather, with progeny of Oasis Dream, Dawn Approach, Pivotal, Dandy Man and Slade Power taking the interruption to their routine in their stride.

We continued through the grounds past herds of deer and the imposing Abbey towards the Duchess Tea Rooms for lunch.

From then the day continued for some members who took up the option of a guided tour around Woburn Abbey or a stroll through the gardens.

Our thanks to Keith and Eileen Harte and their team for making us so welcome and giving us a thoroughly enjoyable day at Woburn Stud. We wish them continued success in the future.

The TBA and EBF co-sponsored the Mares’ Intermediate Handicap Chase at Towcester on May 4. The three-runner field saw the Dai Williams-trained Rakaia Rosa land her first win from 14 starts to date. The daughter of Balakheri beat the favourite Adarenna, trained by John Joseph Hanlon, by an impressive 35 lengths.

The TBA also sponsored the TBA Mares’ Handicap Hurdle on May 9 at Fakenham as part of the 2016 mares’ only racecourse award.

The race attracted a field of six runners and was won in impressive style by Amron Kali, who landed the race by 17 lengths from runner-up Pretty Rose. The daughter of Kalanisi is trained

by Paul Henderson and is now the winner of three races to date.

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TBA-sponsored mares’ action continues

The connections of Rakaia Rosa, winner of the EBF/TBA race at Towcester

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There was a good turnout for the course held in the lecture theatre at the National Stud in Newmarket

Expert panel leads successful broodmare course In the latest series of TBA courses, members were invited to attend our broodmare ownership course at the National Stud.

The feature of the course was a crack panel of bloodstock experts, consisting of Ted Voute, Tom Blain, Dick Fowlston and chaired by Phillip Mitchell. Quizzed by members on all aspects of broodmare ownership, the panel were able to detail the pivotal aspects of such ownership. While a strong pedigree and good page is more than desirable, the panel unanimously agreed that the conformation of the mare is vital, with Dick Fowlston adding: “No feet, no horse!”

Guest speakers included John Marsh, Senior Manager at Cheveley Park Stud, who focused

on the selection process of a mare.

“Information is paramount,” he told the group, “you must know everything about your mare, stallion, and their pedigree.”

John has worked with some star names at Cheveley Park Stud throughout the years, and none more successful on the track than Russian Rhythm. The mare claimed the Lockinge Stakes at her peak, but Marsh expressed that breeding and race performance are no guarantee for success at stud.

For those looking to start a broodmare band, unraced mares often command lower purchase prices, and with the right knowledge of their pedigree, could become an attractive breeding prospect.

Huw Neal of Newmarket Equine Hospital offered advice on the practical methods to prepare a mare for breeding.

“It goes without saying a mare needs quality grazing and exercise,” he told the group, stressing the importance of a comfortable and well-kept paddock. The nutritional demands of a pregnant mare need not change until the final months, as the foetus experiences the majority of its growth at this time.

The course, attended by both TBA and TTC members, delivered integral knowledge to owning and caring for a broodmare, as well as offering essential guidance for administration and insurance. For further information on TBA courses, please visit www.thetba.co.uk

NH Mare Owners’ Prize Scheme (NHMOPS) winners May 20 – Bangor-on-Dee The Goldford Stud Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 5) Winner: CHILLI FILLI Owned by Strachan Lewis Gabb Graham Salwey & Griffith £5,000

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May 30 – Newton Abbot The Independent Racecourses Limited Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 4) Winner: KATY P Owned by Mr P E Atkinson £5,000

June 6 – Southwell The Coach and Horses Welwick Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 6) Winner: TELL IT TO ME Owned by: Turf Club 2016 £2,250

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: a selection of features from the TBA’s first 100 years

MAJOR SIR JOHN JACOB (JAKIE) ASTOR Very few owner-breeders win a British Classic with a horse starting at 28-1; fewer still achieve the feat twice, as Major Sir John Jacob Astor – better known as Jakie – did with Provoke, who made the most of a quagmire of a racing surface to take the 1965 St Leger by ten lengths, and Cut Above, who vanquished, among others, the great Shergar, in the same race 16 years later.

Both were ridden by Joe Mercer and trained by Dick Hern, whom Astor installed as private trainer in place of RJ Colling at West Ilsley. The same trainerjockey combination was responsible for Astor’s other Classic winner, Sharp Edge, who followed up his third in the 2,000 Guineas by taking the Irish equivalent and then the Prix Jean Prat in 1973.

Provoke came from an established Astor family, emanating from the foundation of Cliveden Stud by Jakie’s father William Waldorf Astor in the first quarter of the 20th century, being out of Tantalizer, a halfsister to the outstanding stayer Trelawny, whom, like the Champion Hurdler Persian War, Jakie bred but sold before they reached the pinnacle of their success.

However, Cut Above was the result of an astute exchange of mares with Astor’s great friend Dick Hollingsworth, in which Astor took the Park Hill Stakes winner Cutter, from whom he bred Sharp Edge and Cut Above. Hollingsworth gained Indian Twilight, who had given Astor his first major success as an owner-breeder in the 1956 Yorkshire Oaks – to be followed three years later by another outstanding filly, Rosalba, winning the Coronation Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – but Astor clearly had the better part of the deal.

Astor’s propensity for trading was evident from his selling Provoke as a stallion to the Soviet Union when his four-

Owner-breeder Jakie Astor, described by Lord Oaksey as a ‘proper person’

year-old career was thwarted by a viral infection. But by the time of Cut Above’s Classic success other forces, namely taxation issues, had brought about a drastic reduction in his bloodstock interests.

He closed the Hatley Stud at his Bedfordshire home, took in boarders at the Warren Stud in Newmarket, which had been handed over by his father while his brother William kept Cliveden, where Jakie was born in August 1918, and sold West Ilsley stables to Lord Weinstock.

Described in a Daily Telegraph obituary, following his death in September 2000 after a lengthy struggle against Parkinson’s disease, as “handsome, charming, witty and light-spirited”, Astor had a charismatic record in the Second World War. He followed his mother Nancy as MP for a

division of Plymouth but fell out with Tory party officials over the Suez affair, and was married three times.

He had two spells as a steward of the Jockey Club, from which he temporarily resigned to become a public trainer of jumpers, and was also an active member of the Tote Board and Levy Board, as well as serving two terms as President of the TBA, from 1959-63 and 1974-77.

Astor left New College, Oxford, wanting to be a jump jockey. His family had other ideas, but the last word on his character belongs to Lord Oaksey, who rode his first and several other winners over hurdles, and who in his autobiography Mince Pie for Starters described Astor as: “A ‘proper person’ in all the senses of that much argued-over expression.”

Alan Yuill Walker The TBA would like to thank Alan, who is retiring from writing for us after many years, for his hard work and contribution in expertly compiling the results and content of the Annual Awards and Breeder of the Month pages. His expert contributions, along with his exceptional writing skills, will be greatly missed. All of us at the TBA wish him a long and happy retirement.

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Claire Sheppard begins her role at the TBA On June 1 Claire Sheppard joined the team at Stanstead House as the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s new Chief Executive.

Claire joins the TBA from her previous post at the Racecourse Association as Racing Director and prior to that as Chief Executive at Plumpton racecourse.

One of her key priorities in her new role will be to ensure breeders’ interests are represented domestically and internationally through the Brexit period, in addition to continuing work on protecting the future health and welfare of the thoroughbred, and support for breeders’ education and training requirements.

Commenting on the start of her role, Claire said: “It is a great honour to be taking up the position as Chief Executive of the TBA. It fulfils a longstanding personal ambition, having had a keen interest in breeding from an early age.”

Claire will be based in the office in Newmarket and will be meeting members at

At Sparsholt College, Winchester

At York racecourse

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 TBA AGM At Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket

SUNDAY, JULY 30 TBA Foal Show At Bangor-on-Dee racecourse

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 TBA Fillies’ Handicap At Newmarket racecourse

TBA Chief Executive Claire Sheppard

forthcoming TBA events, including regional days, courses, seminars and the Annual General Meeting.

100th AGM of the TBA

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TBA/National Stud Regional Course

TBA/National Stud Regional Course

TBA members who have bred a runner at the York Ebor festival, which runs from August 23 to 26, are invited to apply for owners’ and trainers’ badges to watch the horse run. Badges are limited to two per member. All requests should be made to Annette Bell by email to annette.bell@thetba.co.uk, or in writing to The TBA, Stanstead House, 8 The Avenue, Newmarket CB8 9AA. Tickets will be issued only if the horse is declared to run. We will require the name of the breeder, horse and race entered.

• Ensuring the quality of a diverse racing programme with particular emphasis on proposals to protect the staying horse. The European Pattern Committee’s assessment

TUESDAY, JULY 4

THURSDAY, JULY 6

Latest breeders’ badge offers

The 100th Annual General Meeting of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will be held on Wednesday, July 12 at the Jockey Club Rooms, High Street, Newmarket. The meeting will commence at 10.30am.

The TBA is also delighted to announce that both Brian Kavanagh and Chris McGrath will be delivering speeches during the meeting on the following topics:

TBA diary dates

of the current environment and its plans to resolve key programme issues (Brian Kavanagh) • The history and romance of staying races and why we should care about the future of the staying horse (Chris McGrath) Members attending the meeting are also invited to a light lunch with board members following the AGM. To assist us in managing event numbers, please RSVP via info@thetba.co.uk or call 01638 661321.

NEW MEMBERS Anthony Williams, Roxburghshire Thomas Williams, Warwickshire Tim Davies, Gloucestershire Paul Cranfield, Oxfordshire Alex S F Frost, London Max Weston, Hertfordshire Mrs Angela Hooper, Oxfordshire Simon Capon, Hertfordshire Peter Gleeson, Hertfordshire Jamie and Roz Lloyd, Warwickshire Patrick Langdown, Dorset Ann Marie Burns, County Kildare, Ireland

TBA ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ Foal Show Entries can still be made until Monday, July 10 for the TBA ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ Foal Show. Held at Bangor-on-Dee racecourse on Sunday, July 30, the day is a social occasion which allows breeders from around the country to showcase their best stock. Foal entries are free for TBA members and include a complimentary exhibitors luncheon, kindly sponsored by the BEBF. Entry to the event is free for spectators and tickets are available for £25pp to join us at the foal show luncheon.

Entry forms can be obtained from our website or from Melissa Parris at melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk or by calling 01638 661321.

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French show winner in training with Mark Johnston A daughter of Martaline who scooped the coveted champion yearling filly prize at last year’s ANCCO National Hunt Show in France for her British stud is now in training with Mark Johnston.

Wadacre Gigi, out of the Juddmonte-bred mare Glenreef (Three Valleys) from a fine staying family that includes star names such as Reefscape, Coastal Path and Martaline, was produced by TBA member Jeanette MatthewsGriffiths and her partner Tom Heywood at Wadacre Stud, near Liverpool. She became the first British winner at the event in Normandy, awarded top honours by a panel that included leading trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

Backed at home by noted event rider Carlos Parro, Wadacre Gigi has been sent to Mark Johnston with a career on the Flat in mind. She has started walking and trotting and at the time of going to press was close to making her first appearance on the gallops. It is hoped she will make her debut later this year.

Wadacre Gigi clearly impressed many people, as she has also been selected to appear on promotional literature by France-Galop (inset).

Wadacre Stud’s daughter of Martaline, Wadacre Gigi, during last year’s show triumph

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The social, educational and professional club for young people

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BREEDER OF THE MONTH Words Alan Yuill Walker Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

BREEDER OF THE MONTH – MAY

SPECIAL MERIT – MAY

Whitsbury Manor Stud The respective breeders of Group 2-winning sprinters Tasleet (Duke of York Stakes) and Priceless (Temple Stakes) vied for this award.

The colt Tasleet (by Showcasing) was bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud and the filly Priceless (by Exceed And Excel) by Biddestone Stud. Both are

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EMMA BERRY

Darley Classic trials are just that to the public and the racing press, but to ownerbreeders at least they can represent admirable targets in their own right, adding invaluable black type to a pedigree. If, like the Prix Saint-Alary, they are Group 1 and worth over £122,000 to the winner, so much the better.

The most recent winner of this Oaks trial, which was staged for a second year running at Deauville while Longchamp undergoes a revamp, was Godolphin’s homebred Sobetsu, by Dubawi out of the Listed-winning Darshaan mare Lake Toya, from the family of Epsom Classic winners Generous and Imagine.

May proved quite a month for Darley-bred animals by their own sire Dubawi and he was responsible for the Queen’s Dartmouth (Group 2 Yorkshire Cup) and Laugh Aloud (Conqueror Sakes, Goodwood), while Nezwaah won a Listed race at Ayr. Another Dubawi colt, Dubai Thunder, a half-brother to Farhh, was supplemented for the Derby after winning a Newbury maiden by ten lengths in a field of 18 runners Considered by some to be the most relevant Derby trial, but once again a handsome prize in its own right, the Group 2 Dante Sakes was won by yet another Darley homebred, this one representing Mark Johnston.

Permian may be fully exposed but the Teofilo colt displayed the trademark resolution associated with so many of the Middleham stable’s runners.

While Dubawi is a homebred son of Sheikh Mohammed’s favourite Dubai Millennium, Teofilo, who stands at his Irish headquarters, Kildangan Stud, is, like New Approach, a son of Galileo in whom Sheikh Mohammed acquired a substantial interest from Jim Bolger during the course of his racing career.

Permian had earlier won the Newmarket Stakes, and Darley had another Listed winner by Teofilo on the same afternoon when Ajman Princess won the Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood.

Sobetsu claimed a Group 1 at the same time as a Classic trial

descendants of the Wigans’ wonderful grey mare Pelting, and Priceless’ granddam Sinking (Midyan – Taplow) was actually bred by and conceived at Whitsbury.

So too was Tasleet himself, which was the deciding factor in Whitsbury gaining this award. Chris Harper has a long association with many of Tasleet’s forebears and both his maternal grandsire Cadeaux Genereux and the latter’s sire Young Generation stood at Whitsbury. Cadeaux Genereux was actually foaled there for his breeder, Helen Kennard, then living just across the road.

Tasleet cost Shadwell £52,000 at Doncaster’s Premier Yearling Sales in 2014, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum having owned the smart Etlaala, a half-brother to his dam Bird Key. On her only start she finished last in a Newmarket maiden and prior to Tasleet she had bred just two winners.

Bird Key was trained by Rae Guest for Matthews Breeding and Racing, he having trained a top filly for Lord (Victor) Matthews in My Emma (Prix Vermeille, Yorkshire Oaks), a half-sister to Classic Cliche (St Leger, Ascot Gold Cup).

Whitsbury procured Bird Key at Tattersalls’ December Sales in 2010 from Brook Stud for 31,000gns. Previously she had been sold twice from Lanwades Stud, for 75,000gns in 2004 and for 100,000gns in 2005. The substantial prices can be attributed to her West Blagdon bloodlines.

Bird Key also has a yearling filly by Coach House (like Showcasing, a son of Oasis Dream), who realised 23,000gns as a foal and a filly foal by Showcasing. She stayed at home to be covered by new recruit Adaay, whom the stud owns in partnership with Shadwell.

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VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By EMILY HAGGETT BVSc, DACVIM, MRCVS

Identifying and tackling Lawsonia After a study co-funded by the TBA and Levy Board, Emily Haggett outlines the latest findings on the intestinal disease which commonly affects weanlings and young horses

L

Recent research has shown, however, that exposure to the bacterium is extremely common. The TBA and the Levy Board funded a recent study investigating Lawsonia intracellularis in thoroughbred foals in the Newmarket area. This showed that 78% of thoroughbred foals developed antibodies to the bacterium in the first 12 months of life.

The peak timing for foals to develop antibodies to the bacterium was between six and nine months of age. This roughly corresponded to a peak in seroconversion in December. In this same study 77% of all thoroughbred mares also had antibodies to the bacterium present in their blood. In this study no foals developed clinical signs of disease.

awsonia intracellularis is the bacterium that causes Equine Proliferative Enteropathy. This is an intestinal disease that affects weanlings and young horses. The first reported case occurred in 1982 and since then the disease has become increasingly recognised. In the last decade there have been multiple reported cases and outbreaks, especially in breeding populations.

How does infection occur?

Infection is acquired by accidental ingestion of the bacteria, usually whilst grazing. The bacteria can live in the intestinal tract of wildlife and be shed in the faeces. Multiple wildlife species have been implicated in the disease, including rabbits and deer. Domestic cats and dogs can also shed the bacteria. Pigs are often suggested as the source of infection for horses as the disease is very common in pig populations.

However, recent studies have shown that the pig strain of the bacteria is different and horses are usually quite resistant to infection with this specific strain.

Infection can also be acquired from other foals that have the disease. Large numbers of bacteria are shed in the faeces of infected foals and can be shed for two to three weeks after the disease is first diagnosed.

Once the bacteria are present in the environment they can survive for one to two weeks at normal temperatures.

What are the clinical signs of infection?

The disease most commonly affects weanlings between six and ten months of age. Nursing foals and older weanlings and yearlings are less commonly affected.

The most common early clinical signs are vague signs of ill health, including fever, lethargy, depression and reduced appetite. Fluid filled swelling is often seen around the throatlatch region, lower legs and ventral abdomen (see Figure 1).

Some foals develop signs of moderate to severe colic, and diarrhoea is a common finding (Figure 2). Dramatic weight loss can occur and is one of the reasons why the disease can have such a devastating impact on animals destined for foal or yearling sales (Figure 3).

The clinical signs can vary from mild to very

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Figure 1: Swelling around the throatlatch, ventral abdomen or lower limbs is a common sign

severe. In mild or subclinical infections, there may be no detectable signs other than reduced weight gain or mild weight loss.

How is infection diagnosed?

Diagnosis of the disease is usually relatively straightforward. However, some foals can also have concurrent problems (such as high parasite burdens or respiratory infection) and this can complicate the diagnosis. A basic blood test can be very helpful in making a diagnosis. A characteristic feature of the disease is a low blood protein concentration. In addition, many foals show signs of infection with a low or high white blood cell count.

Faecal samples can also be analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) a type of molecular test that analyses the sample for the presence of the bacteria. The bacterium is very difficult to culture and is not detected using routine faecal cultures. Blood tests can also be used to look for the presence of antibodies.

Ultrasound examination of the abdomen can also be helpful. This usually reveals evidence of thickening of the small intestinal wall (See Figure 4). Based on a combination of these tests, a diagnosis can usually be made in most cases.

What predisposes a foal to infection?

When we know that the majority of foals get exposed to the bacteria, how do we explain why clinical disease occurs only so rarely? This relates to the importance of the individual foal’s immune response in preventing infection.

A specific type of immune response is required to prevent infection. The bacterium invades deep into cells within the intestinal tract, which means antibodies have minimal effect in preventing the disease. The foal needs to mount a cell-mediated immune response, which means that specific targeted lymphocytes

How common is the infection?

The condition usually affects an individual or a small number of foals from a group. More rarely, a small outbreak of the disease will occur.

Figure 2: Diarrhoea is a common clinical sign of the disease

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Figure 3: Severe weight loss can occur in affected individuals

and other immune cells need to be generated to treat the infection. Certain foals have a reduced ability to mount this kind of immune response.

Other factors that reduce the efficacy of a foal’s immune response predispose the foal to infection. These can include respiratory infections, parasite infections or poor body condition or general health. The level of exposure is also important – foals that are exposed to a bigger bacterial challenge (either from wildlife or other diseased foals) are more likely to develop disease.

A milk diet seems to help protect foals from disease. This is one of the factors which helps explain why foals are more commonly affected after weaning. Other factors associated with weaning including diet change, and stress can increase the risk of disease. Antibodies acquired from the mare’s colostrum also disappear by three to six months, which may also contribute to increased risk of disease.

How is the disease treated?

Antimicrobials can be used to treat the infection.

A number of antimicrobials can be used successfully, but oxytetracycline or doxycycline are often considered to be the most effective.

However, many foals also require a significant amount of supportive care. Many foals will require additional nutritional support and foals can very quickly become very debilitated and weak. Intravenous plasma or synthetic protein solutions can be needed by some foals whose blood protein levels have dropped to a critical level. Foals with diarrhoea sometimes require additional fluid or electrolyte therapy. Many foals benefit from treatment with THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

gastroprotectant drugs.

What is the survival rate in affected foals?

The reported survival rate is between 70% and 90%. Foals that are presented with more severe clinical disease are less likely to survive. Another important factor related to outcome is that there is often a significant loss of weight in affected foals, and this can affect the sales value of individuals. One study reported that foals that had recovered from disease made only 68% of the sales price of unaffected foals by the same stallion.

How can we prevent disease?

Certain management factors can help reduce the risk of disease. These factors are generally common sense strategies that are employed by stud farms anyway. Good parasite control, nutrition and weaning practices can all help reduce the risk of disease. It is almost impossible to prevent foals from coming into contact with infected wildlife faeces as the bacterium is very widespread. Allowing some exposure is important to allow foals to generate immunity to the disease. However, trying to minimise excessive exposure to wildlife faeces can help reduce the level of challenge.

For example, removing feed bowls from the paddock after feeding can help reduce the number of wildlife scavenging in pastures. For the same reason, it is also important to isolate foals suffering from clinical disease as they shed large amounts of bacteria into the environment.

Another important factor in disease prevention is the use of vaccination. This

involves the use of the vaccine designed to prevent disease in pigs. Although the strain in the vaccine is different to the horse strain, there is sufficient similarity between them that an effective immune response can be generated.

The vaccine is given by squirting the liquid a short distance into the rectum using a catheter.

This route of administration is important to expose the foal’s gastrointestinal tract to the vaccine and encourage a cell-mediated immune response. The majority of foals tolerate this extremely well. Two doses of the vaccine are given about four weeks apart. The first dose is usually administered around the time of weaning. This vaccine is not licensed for use in horses and consequently its use should be discussed with your veterinarian and clients.

The vaccine also doesn’t offer complete protection against disease. However, in the rare cases in which disease still occurs the severity is usually less than in unvaccinated foals.

If a case of disease is diagnosed then it is important to carefully monitor the rest of the herd. It can be useful to carry out some screening tests in other foals to check for subclinical disease.

Summary Lawsonia intracellularis is a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract that predominantly affects weanlings and young animals. The main clinical signs of disease are anorexia, weight loss, swelling around the throatlatch and chest region, colic and diarrhoea. Disease is acquired via accidental ingestion of the bacteria in faeces from wildlife or other foals with disease.

The majority of foals are able to mount an effective immune response and do not develop the disease. However, a small number of foals become ill and the disease can be very debilitating and even fatal in some individuals.

Mild cases of the disease can also occur and these foals may simply fail to gain condition or suffer mild weight loss. Treatment of the disease involves antimicrobial treatment and supportive care. Prevention of the disease relies on good management practices and vaccination.

Figure 4: An ultrasound image of thickened small intestinal wall

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Jul_155_DrStatz_Owner Breeder 29/06/2017 16:26 Page 88

DR STAT JOHN BOYCE CRACKS THE CODE

Frankel clear of contemporaries And doing well on last 25 years’ measure albeit with work to do to match the very best

P

rior to Royal Ascot, taking stock of how second-season sires are performing is a worthwhile exercise given that we’ve now had our Guineas, Oaks and Derby. What will make it even more interesting is to compare the best this year to previous years’ second-season sires. I have used as my measure the average Timeform rating of a sire’s best ten runners. This measure is focussed squarely on quality only.

Some sires can boot in the winners or even black-type winners at a faster rate simply because there are more opportunities. With our tried and trusted Timeform numbers, there are few hiding places.

The leader by a long way among the latest group of second-season sires is, you guessed it, Frankel. His best ten average of 113.6 is way above his contemporaries and is headed by Derby runners Cracksman (122) and Eminent (121). Next on the list with average best ten scores of 101.8 are Nathaniel, another son of the mighty Galileo, and top-class Aussie juvenile and sprinter Sepoy (101.3). Nathaniel’s troupe are led by Oaks heroine Enable, currently rated higher than of any of Frankel’s progeny, on 124p.

Sepoy, meanwhile, has a more even spread of class among his runners, with five, including Dabyah (110p), Irish sprinter Khukri (108) and black-type winner Unforgetable Filly, rated higher than 100.

Another top-class Australian racehorse, Helmet, occupies fourth place on our leaderboard, with a combined top-ten rating of 99.9. His best is the 120-rated Thunder Snow, who showed excellent form in Dubai and in Ireland when second to Churchill in the Irish

Top second-season sires 2017 ranked by average rating of their best ten runners Name

T10Avg Best horse

Rating

Frankel

113.6 Cracksman

122+

Nathaniel

101.8 Enable

124p

Sepoy

101.3 Dabyah

110p

Helmet

99.9 Thunder Snow

Excelebration

98.2 Barney Roy

Harbour Watch 97.6 Tis Marvellous

120 125p 116p

Casamento

97.2 Glastonbury Song 105p

Bated Breath

96.8 Al Johrah

Sir Prancealot

96.5 Copper Knight

Mayson

96.3 Global Applause

Dragon Pulse

96.0 Aethos

108

Elzaam

94.9 Mustarrid

102

Born to Sea

94.3 Sea Of Grace

Delegator

92.0 Delectation

Power

90.8 Peace Envoy

107 113 104p

113 104p 111

2,000 Guineas. Following Helmet is the Exceed And Excel stallion Excelebration, the sire of Barney Roy (125p), whose top ten are averaging 98.2. Then come Harbour Watch (97.6), Casamento (97.2) and Bated Breath (96.8).

So where does the current crop of secondseason sires fit into the best over the past 25 years? Using Timeform ratings, we can only look at historic sires as they were at the end of their second season, but this still helps us to put the current crop in context. The leader is the great Montjeu, who had posted a best-ten average of 118.2 by the end of his second year. And what a

Cracksman: ran well for his second-season sire Frankel in the Derby, finishing third

88

group they were! Arc hero Hurricane Run (134) and Derby winner Motivator (131) were his stars of his first two years. The son of Sadler’s Wells sets the standard that Frankel and his contemporaries must reach to be considered the best at this stage of their careers.

Two other stallions that also set high marks are Galileo and Dubawi, with scores of 117.8 and 117.3 respectively. After two years Galileo already had the 126-rated Dewhurst hero Teofilo in the bag as well as Sixties Icon and Red Rocks both rated in the 120s. Galileo started his stud career relatively slowly but by the end of year six his ten best horses would never be matched again. Dubawi, meanwhile, was represented by the 2,000 Guineas winner Makfi (130) and another top-class miler in Poet’s Voice (126).

So, therein lies the task facing Frankel. He is 5lb per horse behind the best over the past 25

Top second-season sires 1993-2017 ranked by average rating of their best ten runners Name

T10Avg

BTW

%

Montjeu

118.2

12

9.1

Galileo

117.8

9

7.3

Dubawi

117.3

18

10.8

Shamardal

116.1

15

9.5

Lope de Vega

115.4

12

9.9

Sea The Stars

115.4

12

10.8

Oasis Dream

113.8

9

5.6

Frankel

113.6

9

11.7

New Approach

113.5

9

7.9

Cape Cross

113.2

10

8.3

years at the end of year two. That said, the Frankel runners have all summer plus the autumn ahead of them, and will without question continue improving. It’s probably safe to speculate that he’ll get much closer to the scores posted by the big three. Where he’s already ahead of the pack is by ratio of blacktype winners to runners. With nine first-crop stakes winners to his name, his score of 11.7% compares favourably to the 10.8% posted by both Dubawi and Sea The Stars after year two.

Remarkably, as good as his first season was, Frankel will have to add another nine black-type winners to his total if he’s to match the excellent number sired by Dubawi in his first two years.

No sire can get near Dubawi’s 18 black-type winners in the first two years of his career.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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89

Jul_155_DataBook_Layout 1 29/06/2017 14:06 Page 90

DATA BOOK ANALYSIS BY ANDREW CAULFIELD

European Pattern 43 QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS G1

44 QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS G1

2010: 2011:

NEWMARKET. May 6. 3yoc&f. 8f.

NEWMARKET. May 7. 3yof. 8f.

1. CHURCHILL (IRE) 9-0 £283,550 b c by Galileo - Meow (Storm Cat) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Liberty Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Barney Roy (GB) 9-0 £107,500 b c by Excelebration - Alina (Galileo) O-Godolphin B-Eliza Park International Pty Ltd TR-Richard Hannon 3. Al Wukair (IRE) 9-0 £53,800 b c by Dream Ahead - Macheera (Machiavellian) O-Al Shaqab Racing B-Ballylinch Stud TR-A. Fabre Margins 1, Neck. Time 1:36.60.

Going Good to Firm.

1. WINTER (IRE) 9-0 £283,550 gr f by Galileo - Laddies Poker Two (Choisir) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Laddies Poker Two Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Rhododendron (IRE) 9-0 £107,500 b f by Galileo - Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Daban (IRE) 9-0 £53,800 b f by Acclamation - Malaspina (Whipper) O-Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah B-Kildaragh Stud TR-John Gosden Margins 2, Neck. Time 1:35.60.

Going Good to Firm.

Age 2-3

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners. In 2017 CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

Starts 8

Wins 7

Places 1

Earned £988,897

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners.

In 2017 - CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

1st Dam: MEOW by Storm Cat. 2 wins at 2, Grangecon Stud S LR, 2nd Queen Mary S G2.

Dam of 1 winner: 2012: Curlylocks (f Galileo) 2014: CHURCHILL (c Galileo) Champion 2yr old colt in Europe in 2016. 7 wins at 2 and 3, Dubai Dewhurst S G1, Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas G1, Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S G1, Qipco 2000 Guineas G1, Galileo EBF Futurity S G2, Japan Racing Association Tyros S G3, Chesham S LR. 2015: Clemmie (f Galileo) 2016: (c Galileo) 2nd Dam: AIRWAVE by Air Express. Champion 2yr old filly in England in 2002. 6 wins at 2 to 5 betfair Cheveley Park S G1, 2nd Golden Jubilee S G1, 3rd Darley July Cup G1, Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1. Dam of ALOOF (f Galileo: D. C. Lavarack & Lanwades Stud S G3), ORATOR (c Galileo: Grand Prix Anjou Bretagne LR), MEOW (f Storm Cat, see above). Grandam of Navy Hymn.

Broodmare Sire: STORM CAT. Sire of the dams of 206 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CHURCHILL Galileo G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Galileo G1, SATONO ALADDIN Deep Impact G1, DISTINTA Summer Bird G2, IRAP Tiznow G2.

The Galileo/Storm Cat cross has produced: ALOFT G1, BALLYDOYLE G1, CHURCHILL G1, COOLMORE G1, DECORATED KNIGHT G1, GLENEAGLES G1, MARVELLOUS G1, MISTY FOR ME G1, GLOBAL VIEW G2, TWIRL G3, Galileo’s Song G3, Taj Mahal G3.

CHURCHILL b c 2014 Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Storm Cat MEOW b 08 Airwave

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mr Prospector Miswaki Hopespringseternal Lombard Allegretta Anatevka Northern Dancer Storm Bird South Ocean Secretariat Terlingua Crimson Saint Salse Air Express Ibtisamm Indian Ridge Kangra Valley Thorner Lane

See after race 49 later in this issue

90

Age 2-3

Starts 6

Wins 3

2009:

Places 3

Earned £448,642

1st Dam: LADDIES POKER TWO by Choisir. 3 wins at 3 and 5. Dam of 1 winner: 2013: Facts And Figures (c Galileo) unraced.

2014: WINTER (f Galileo) 3 wins at 2 and 3, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Qipco 1000 Guineas G1, 2nd Ballylinch 1000 Guineas Trial S G3.

2015: Snowflakes (f Galileo) in training.

2016: (f Galileo) Broodmare Sire: CHOISIR. Sire of the dams of 11 Stakes winners. In 2017 - WINTER Galileo G1, BRAZUCA Teofilo G2, ECKSTEIN I Am Invincible G3, SEANNIE Sebring LR.

2012: 2014:

2015:

Baccarat (g Dutch Art) 7 wins, 3rd Stobart Club and Shop Hopeful S LR. GREY BLUE (g Verglas) 2 wins at 2 and 4.

Peut Etre (f Whipper) 2 wins at 3 in France, 2nd Prix Fille de l’Air G3. Broodmare. (c Acclamation) PRECIEUSE (f Tamayuz) 2 wins at 3 in France, Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1, 2nd Prix Sigy G3, Prix Yacowlef LR, Prix Zeddaan LR. Delph Crescent (c Dark Angel) unraced to date.

2nd Dam: ZEITING by Zieten. 6 wins at 2 to 4 in France, USA Prix Zeddaan LR, Omnibus S LR, Frances A Genter H LR. Dam of COMBAT ZONE (g Refuse To Bend: Bayerische Hausbau Grosse Europa Meile G2), ROYAL EMPIRE (g Teofilo: Betfred TV Geoffrey Freer S G3), SCOTTISH (g Teofilo: Betfred Strensall S G3, 2nd BMW Caulfield Cup G1), Bikini Babe (f Montjeu: 2nd C L Weld Park S G3, 2nd Prix de Psyche G3), Zut Alors (f Pivotal, see above) Broodmare Sire: PIVOTAL. Sire of the dams of 60 Stakes winners. In 2017 - POLARISATION Echo of Light G1, PRECIEUSE Tamayuz G1, MIKKI ROCKET King Kamehameha G2, DELECTATION Delegator G3, FAN DII NA Deep Impact G3, HYDRANGEA Galileo G3.

The Tamayuz/Pivotal cross has produced: PRECIEUSE G1, ROYAL SPRING G3.

Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge GALILEO b 98 Miswaki Urban Sea Allegretta Danehill Dancer Choisir Great Selection LADDIES POKER TWO gr 05 Favorite Trick Break of Day Quelle Affaire

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal Lombard Anatevka Danehill Mira Adonde Lunchtime Pensive Mood Phone Trick Evil Elaine Riverman Ancient Regime

See after race 52 later in this issue 45 ABU DHABI POULE D’ESSAI DES POULICHES G1 DEAUVILLE. May 13. 3yof. 1600m.

1. PRECIEUSE (IRE) 9-0 £244,188 ch f by Tamayuz - Zut Alors (Pivotal) O-Anne Marie Hayes B-Knocktoran Stud TR-F Chappet 2. Sea of Grace (IRE) 9-0 £97,692 ch f by Born To Sea - Lady Dettoria (Vettori) O-Sunderland Holding Inc. B-Mr R. Norton TR-William Haggas 3. Heuristique (IRE) 9-0 £48,846 b f by Shamardal - T’As d’Beaux Yeux (Red Ransom) O-Ecurie de Montlahuc B-Pontchartrain Stud TR-Francis-Henri Graffard Margins 1.75, 0.75. Time 1:37.69. Going Soft.

Age 2-3

Starts 6

Wins 2

Places 4

Earned £291,636

Sire: TAMAYUZ. Sire of 15 Stakes winners. In 2017 PRECIEUSE Pivotal G1, BLOND ME Docksider G2, TUPI Rakti LR. 1st Dam: Zut Alors by Pivotal. Winner at 2 in France, 3rd Prix Miesque G3. Dam of 4 winners:

46 ABU DHABI POULE D’ESSAI DES POULAINS G1

PRECIEUSE ch f 2014 Mr Prospector Jameela Height of Fashion Bustino Highclere Northern Dancer Nureyev Special Riverman Allez Les Trois Allegretta Nureyev Polar Falcon Marie d’Argonne Cozzene Fearless Revival Stufida Danzig Zieten Blue Note Law Society Belle de Cadix Gourgandine Gulch

Nayef TAMAYUZ ch 05 Al Ishq

Pivotal ZUT ALORS b 04 Zeiting

WINTER gr f 2014

furlongs. A mile clearly suits her, even though her half-brother Baccarat (by Dutch Art) made his name principally as a smart six-furlong performer. Their dam Zut Alors made a winning debut over seven furlongs at two, when she was also placed at Group and Listed levels. Having tackled the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, this daughter of Pivotal was soon dropped back to sprint distances, again showing quite useful form.

Precieuse has a distinguished second dam in Zeiting, who also contested the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. A Listed winner over six furlongs in France at two, Zeiting went on to win three stakes races at up to eight and a half furlongs in the US. She has produced three Groupwinning sons and two Group-placed daughters, including those smart Teofilo geldings Royal Empire and Scottish, who were both at home around a mile and a half.

Precieuse is inbred 3 x 4 to the great Nureyev and 4 x 5 to the St Leger winner Bustino.

It is illuminating to compare the records of a couple of Gr1 winners that took up stallion duties in 2009.

The Derby winner New Approach, who started out at £30,000, now has 594 northern hemisphere foals of racing age, but Tamayuz, who began at €15,000 on the strength of victories in two of France’s top mile races, has only 276. The Derrinstown Stud resident’s output includes a crop of only 26 in 2012 and he has only 20 two-year-olds in 2017. Perhaps he hasn’t been helped by being a son of Nayef, but Tamayuz comes from the same female line as Galileo and Sea The Stars.

In the circumstances, it is all too easy to overlook Tamayuz’s solid achievements. For example, that 26-strong 2012 crop included four stakes winners headed by the Gr2 winner Blond Me and the very useful sprinter/miler Tupi. Tamayuz’s achievements also include the Gr1 Sprint Cup winner G Force (who proved infertile) and the fast Sir Prancealot, who did so well with his first runners in 2016. Now Tamayuz has become a Classic sire, with Precieuse achieving a 33-1 win in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

Precieuse’s improved performance in the Pouliches can be attributed to the fact that her five previous races, which yielded one win and four seconds, had all been at around six

DEAUVILLE. May 14. 3yoc. 1600m.

1. BRAMETOT (IRE) 9-2 £293,026 b c by Rajsaman - Morning Light (Law Society) O-G. Augustin-Normand & Al Shaqab Racing B-Mr H. Cardemil TR-Jean Claude Rouget 2. Le Brivido (FR) 9-2 £117,231 b c by Siyouni - La Bugatty (Dr Fong) O-HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled B-J Bugada & Mme B Bugada TR-A Fabre 3. Rivet (IRE) 9-2 £58,615 b c by Fastnet Rock - Starship (Galileo) O-The Starship Partnership B-Mr D. Scott TR-William Haggas Margins Short Head, 3. Time 1:36.82. Going Soft.

Age 2-3

Starts 7

Wins 6

Places Earned 1 £1,123,307

Sire: RAJSAMAN. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: MORNING LIGHT by Law Society. 2 wins at 3 in Germany. Dam of 4 winners: 2003: (f Tiger Hill). died as a foal.

2004: Morning Rise (f Acatenango) unraced.

Broodmare.

2005: Morning Glory (f Pentire) unraced.

Broodmare.

2007: Mulan (c Marju) 4 wins at 3, 6 and 8 in Germany, Sweden, 2nd Walter Nilsens Minnelop G3.

2008: Mountain Melody (f Refuse To Bend).

Broodmare.

2009: Montana (f Desert Prince) unraced.

2010: Morning Mist (f Peintre Celebre) unraced.

Broodmare.

2011: MISS KRUK (f Soldier of Fortune) Winner at 2 in Czech Republic. Broodmare.

2012: TWILIGHT (c Siyouni) Winner at 4 in France.

2013: Master Thomas (c Turtle Bowl) ran on the flat in France.

2014: BRAMETOT (c Rajsaman) 6 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains G1, Qipco Prix du Jockey Club G1, Prix de Fontainebleau G3, Gd. Criterium de Bordeaux HK Jockey Club LR, 2nd Criterium du Fonds Europeen de L’Elevage LR. 2nd Dam: MOSELLA by Surumu. 1 win at 3 in West Germany Las Vegas-Slenderella Rennen LR. Dam of MONSUN (c Konigsstuhl: Aral-Pokal G1, EMS Kurierpost Europa Preis G1 (twice), 2nd Aral-Pokal G1, BMW Deutsches Derby G1, Grosser Preis von Baden G1, 3rd P. der Privatbankiers Merck, Finck & Co G1).

Grandam of PIRACICABA, Beaulieu. Third dam of MOLLY MALONE, WEKEELA, Matauri Pearl. Fourth dam of Mauriac.

Broodmare Sire: LAW SOCIETY. Sire of the dams of 79 Stakes winners.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jul_155_DataBook_Layout 1 29/06/2017 14:06 Page 91

Caulfield on Ribchester: “He was a €78,000 foal so provided his breeders with an immediate profit on the 18,000gns paid for his dam when she was culled by Shadwell in 2011”

BRAMETOT b c 2014 Bellypha Miss Carina Breton Lutine Nijinsky Snow Bride Mr Prospector Stellarette Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Boldnesian Ran-Tan Literat Surama Authi Monacensia

Mendez Linamix Lunadix RAJSAMAN gr 07 Lammtarra Rose Quartz Graphite Alleged Law Society Bold Bikini MORNING LIGHT b 97 Surumu Mosella Monasia

See after race 56 later in this issue 47 THE GURKHA COOLMORE PRIX SAINT-ALARY G1 DEAUVILLE. May 14. 3yof. 2000m.

1. SOBETSU (GB) 9-0 £122,094 b f by Dubawi - Lake Toya (Darshaan) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-Charlie Appleby 2. Vue Fantastique (FR) 9-0 £48,846 b f by Motivator - Exit The Straight (Exit To Nowhere) O-Martin S Schwartz Racing B-J Studd TR-F Chappet 3. Coronet (GB) 9-0 £24,423 gr f by Dubawi - Approach (Darshaan) O-Denford Stud B-Denford Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden Margins 3, 1.75. Time 2:05.92. Going Soft.

Age 2-3

Starts 5

Wins 2

Places 1

Earned £141,653

Sire: DUBAWI. Sire of 137 Stakes winners. In 2017 ALMANAAR Bahhare G1, SOBETSU Darshaan G1, DARTMOUTH Galileo G2, AUTOCRATIC Storm Cat G3, BATEEL Chief’s Crown G3, BEAN FEASA Danehill G3, JUNGLE EDGE Carnegie G3, KITESURF Danehill Dancer G3, LAUGH ALOUD Singspiel G3, NORTH AMERICA Yankee Victor G3, ZARAK Zamindar G3.

1st Dam: LAKE TOYA by Darshaan. 4 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Totesport EBF Gillies S LR, Prix Caravelle-Haras des Granges LR, 3rd Prix de Flore G3.

Dam of 2 winners: 2009: NARUKO (f Street Cry) Winner at 3 in France. Broodmare.

2010: Hokkaido (f Street Cry) unraced. Broodmare.

2011: (c Monsun). Died in 2012.

2013: Lake Hamana (f Shamardal) unraced.

2014: SOBETSU (f Dubawi) 2 wins at 2 and 3 at home, France, The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1.

2nd Dam: Shinko Hermes by Sadler’s Wells. Own sister to IMAGINE and STRAWBERRY ROAN. Dam of LAKE TOYA (f Darshaan, see above), SIXTH SENSE (c Shamardal: Titanic Belfast Winkfield S LR, 3rd Prix des Chenes G3), Glen Innes (f Selkirk: 2nd Tattersalls Musidora S G3), Er Nova (f Sunday Silence: 2nd Hokkaido Shimbun Hai Queen S LR, Sportsnippon Sho Stayer’s S LR, Metropolitan S LR). Grandam of DEE MAJESTY, Sacred Reve, World Reve.

Broodmare Sire: DARSHAAN. Sire of the dams of 241 Stakes winners. In 2017 - SOBETSU Dubawi G1, ALEXA Caesour LR, ETIJAAH Daaher LR. The Dubawi/Darshaan cross has produced: AL KAZEEM G1, CORONET G1, SOBETSU G1.

SOBETSU b f 2014 Dubai Millennium DUBAWI b 02 Zomaradah

Darshaan LAKE TOYA b 02 Shinko Hermes

Seeking The Gold Mr Prospector Con Game Colorado Dancer Shareef Dancer Fall Aspen Shirley Heights Deploy Slightly Dangerous Dancing Brave Jawaher High Tern Shirley Heights Mill Reef Hardiemma Abdos Delsy Kelty Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge Master Derby Doff The Derby Margarethen

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin suffered a sizeable blow when a stress fracture ruled Dubawi’s unbeaten daughter Wuheida out of the 1,000 Guineas. However, the combination received a measure of compensation when Sobetsu, another daughter of Dubawi, dominated the Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary (in which another Dubawi filly, the previously unbeaten Coronet, finished third).

Sobetsu had looked a bright prospect when she landed a Newmarket maiden by ten lengths but reportedly scoped dirty after she finished a disappointing fifth behind Rhododendron in the Gr1 Fillies’ Mile.

That was clearly not an accurate reflection of the talents of this very well-related filly.

In winning ten-furlong Listed races at Toulouse and Lingfield, Sobetsu’s dam Lake Toya became one of four stakes winners sired by Darshaan from daughters of Sadler’s Wells. Sobetsu’s second dam Shinko Hermes ran only once in Japan, but she was a sister not only to the dual Classic winner Imagine (Irish 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks) but also to Strawberry Roan (runner-up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas). Shinko Hermes was by no means the first offspring of the celebrated broodmare Doff The Derby to race in Japan.

Her high-priced half-brother Osumi Tycoon won the Gr2 Yomiuri Milers Cup, while her record-priced half-sister Matikanebenizakura had won three times. Japanese buyers had been eager to acquire Doff The Derby’s progeny following the exploits of her outstanding son Generous, winner of the Derby, Irish Derby and King George.

Shinko Hermes started her broodmare career in Japan, where her Sunday Silence filly Er Nova was placed at local G1 level, but the daughter of Sadler’s Wells was later based largely in Europe, as part of the Darley broodmare band.

She had several useful performers to her credit and some of her broodmare daughters are now beginning to shine. Her Brian’s Time filly Hermes Tiara is the dam of Dee Majesty, the Deep Impact colt who won the 2016 Japanese 2,000 Guineas before finishing third in the Japanese Derby. Shinko Hermes’ sister Imagine also hit the Gr1 target as a broodmare via her Danehill colt Horatio Nelson (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere).

Another branch of this family produced the outstanding French sprinter-miler Moonlight Cloud, who retired with six Gr1 successes to her credit. But then we have become accustomed to seeing some extraordinary fillies emerge from this family, others being Trillion, Triptych and Treve.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

48 AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES G1 NEWBURY. May 20. 4yo+. 8f.

1. RIBCHESTER (IRE) 4 9-0 £198,485 b c by Iffraaj - Mujarah (Marju) O-Godolphin B-A. Thompson & M. O’Brien TR-Richard Fahey 2. Lightning Spear (GB) 6 9-0 £75,250 ch h by Pivotal - Atlantic Destiny (Royal Academy) O-Qatar Racing Limited B-Newsells Park Stud Limited TR-David Simcock 3. Breton Rock (IRE) 7 9-0 £37,660 b g by Bahamian Bounty - Anna’s Rock (Rock of Gibraltar) O-Mr John Cook B-Mr G. J. Kent TR-David Simcock Margins 3.75, 2.5. Time 1:43.00. Going Soft.

Age 2-4

Starts 11

Wins 4

Places Earned 6 £1,533,175

Sire: IFFRAAJ. Sire of 50 Stakes winners. In 2017 GINGERNUTS Generous G1, JON SNOW O’Reilly G1, RIBCHESTER Marju G1, WYNDSPELLE High Chaparral G2, FORJATT Danzero G3, ORDER AGAIN Van Nistelrooy G3, THE BLACK PRINCESS Cape Cross G3, LISTEN Centaine LR, MAYBE MIAMI Waikiki Star LR. 1st Dam: Mujarah by Marju. ran a few times at 2 and 3.

Dam of 1 winner: 2013: RIBCHESTER (c Iffraaj) Sold 83,333gns yearling at GOOY1. Jt Champion 3yr old miler in Europe in 2016. 4 wins at 2 to 4 at home, France, Al Shaqab Lockinge S G1, P. Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois G1, Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S G2, Jersey S G3, 2nd Qipco Queen Elizabeth II S G1, Irish TB Marketing Gimcrack S G2, 3rd Qatar Sussex S G1, Qipco 2000 Guineas G1, DP World Dubai Turf G1.

2014: Golconda Prince (g Arcano) 2016: (f Raven’s Pass) 2017: (c Dubawi) 2nd Dam: Tanaghum by Darshaan. 1 win at 3, 2nd EBF Harvest S LR. Dam of TACTIC (g Sadler’s Wells: At The Races Curragh Cup G3), YAAZY (f Teofilo: Prix Joubert LR, 2nd Prix Minerve G3, 3rd Prix de Malleret G2), Zahoo (f Nayef: 2nd totesport.com EBF Gillies S LR). Grandam of CONVERGENCE. Broodmare Sire: MARJU. Sire of the dams of 47 Stakes winners. In 2017 - RIBCHESTER Iffraaj G1, MARSHA Acclamation G3, ST JEAN Teofilo G3, TIBERIAN Tiberius Caesar G3, ABSOLUTE BLAST Kodiac LR.

RIBCHESTER b c 2013 Gone West Zafonic Zaizafon IFFRAAJ b 01 Nureyev Pastorale Park Appeal Last Tycoon Marju Flame of Tara MUJARAH b 08 Darshaan Tanaghum Mehthaaf

Mr Prospector Secrettame The Minstrel Mofida Northern Dancer Special Ahonoora Balidaress Try My Best Mill Princess Artaius Welsh Flame Shirley Heights Delsy Nureyev Elle Seule

Like his ‘uncle’ Cape Cross before him, Iffraaj is proving an increasingly important stallion, even though each of them began their career at Kildangan at comparatively modest fees (Iffraaj’s original fee of €12,000 had halved to €6,000 by his fourth season). His success has resulted in his fee rising to £27,500 at Dalham Hall in 2017, with the rise partly reflecting the fact that his first Gr1 winner – his first-crop son Wootton Bassett – sired Almanzor, the top-ranked European horse of 2016.

Iffraaj has commuted regularly to New Zealand and his New Zealandsired progeny have played a

significant role in his success story, especially in 2017. His son Gingernuts won the Gr1 New Zealand Derby, plus the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas in Australia, while Jon Snow has won the Gr1 AJC Australian Derby. Both these three-year-olds have confirmed that Iffraaj can sire very good middledistance performers, but the best of his current European representatives – Ribchester – is much nearer to Iffraaj in aptitude. Whereas Iffraaj gained his three Gr2 successes over seven furlongs, Ribchester has gained his now three Gr1 victories over a mile. Having taken the Prix Jacques le Marois as a three-year-old, he was impressive in landing the Lockinge Stakes.

Ribchester was a €78,000 foal in 2013, so he provided his breeders with an immediate profit on the 18,000gns paid for his dam, Mujarah, when this daughter of Marju was culled by Shadwell at the 2011 December Sales. The mare is now back in the Maktoum family fold, having been bought privately by Ribchester’s owners Godolphin. Her first foals for Godolphin are a yearling filly by Raven’s Pass and a colt foal by Dubawi (who creates 4 x 5 inbreeding to Fall Aspen).

Although Mujarah showed little sign of ability in five starts, her female line could hardly be better. Her fourth dam Fall Aspen produced a remarkable seven Group/Graded winners, including Mujarah’s third dam Elle Seule. Elle Seule in turn became the dam of the Gr1 July Cup winner Elnadim and ancestress of further Gr1 winners in Occupandiste, Intello and Mondialiste. Mujarah’s second dam, Mehthaaf, was another of Elle Seule’s Gr1 winners, taking the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and Mujarah’s dam Tanaghum is a successful daughter of Darshaan.

Other daughters of Mujarah’s sire Marju have enjoyed Gr1 success with Marsha, Canford Cliffs, Ribbons, Marcel, Vedelago and Sanagas.

49 TATTERSALLS IRISH 2000 GUINEAS G1 CURRAGH. May 27. 3yoc&f. 8f.

1. CHURCHILL (IRE) 9-0 £146,154 b c by Galileo - Meow (Storm Cat) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Liberty Bloodstock TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Thunder Snow (IRE) 9-0 £48,718 b c by Helmet - Eastern Joy (Dubai Destination) O-Godolphin B-Darley TR-Saeed bin Suroor 3. Irishcorrespondent (IRE) 9-0 £23,077 b c by Teofilo - Contrary (Mark of Esteem) O-Ballygallon Stud Limited B-Ballygallon Stud Limited TR-M. Halford Margins 2.5, 4.5. Time 1:40.46. Going Yielding.

Age 2-3

Starts 8

Wins 7

Places 1

Earned £988,897

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners. In 2017 CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

1st Dam: MEOW by Storm Cat. 2 wins at 2, Grangecon Stud S LR, 2nd Queen Mary S G2. Dam of

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DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

European Pattern 1 winner: 2012: Curlylocks (f Galileo) 2014: CHURCHILL (c Galileo) Champion 2yr old colt in Europe in 2016. 7 wins at 2 and 3, Dubai Dewhurst S G1, Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas G1, Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S G1, Qipco 2000 Guineas G1, Galileo EBF Futurity S G2, Japan Racing Association Tyros S G3, Chesham S LR. 2015: Clemmie (f Galileo) 2016: (c Galileo) 2nd Dam: AIRWAVE by Air Express. Champion 2yr old filly in England in 2002. 6 wins at 2 to 5 betfair Cheveley Park S G1, 2nd Golden Jubilee S G1, 3rd Darley July Cup G1, Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup G1. Dam of ALOOF (f Galileo: D. C. Lavarack & Lanwades Stud S G3), ORATOR (c Galileo: Grand Prix Anjou Bretagne LR), MEOW (f Storm Cat, see above). Grandam of Navy Hymn.

Broodmare Sire: STORM CAT. Sire of the dams of 206 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CHURCHILL Galileo G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Galileo G1, SATONO ALADDIN Deep Impact G1, DISTINTA Summer Bird G2, IRAP Tiznow G2.

The Galileo/Storm Cat cross has produced: ALOFT G1, BALLYDOYLE G1, CHURCHILL G1, COOLMORE G1, DECORATED KNIGHT G1, GLENEAGLES G1, MARVELLOUS G1, MISTY FOR ME G1, GLOBAL VIEW G2, TWIRL G3, Galileo’s Song G3, Taj Mahal G3.

CHURCHILL b c 2014 Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Storm Cat MEOW b 08 Airwave

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mr Prospector Miswaki Hopespringseternal Lombard Allegretta Anatevka Northern Dancer Storm Bird South Ocean Secretariat Terlingua Crimson Saint Salse Air Express Ibtisamm Indian Ridge Kangra Valley Thorner Lane

Even though his progeny have an average winning distance as high as 11.2 furlongs, Galileo has a peerless record in the six Guineas races in Britain, Ireland and France. He has sired winners of all six of these Classics, building a total of ten winners of 11 races prior to 2017. He could hardly have made a better start to 2017, with Churchill becoming his third winner of the 2,000 Guineas and fourth of the Irish 2,000, while Winter became his second of the 1,000 Guineas and fourth of the Irish 1,000.

Galileo owes this proud record almost exclusively to mares from just two male lines. Winter is his seventh mile Classic winner from a Danehill line mare, following Frankel, Roderic O’Connor, Magician, Minding, Golden Lilac and The Gurkha, and Churchill is his fourth from Storm Cat mares.

Twenty-four Storm Cat mares have 54 foals of racing age and ten of them – 19% – have become blacktype winners. They include the dual Guineas winner Gleneagles and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winners Marvellous and Misty For Me, as well as Decorated Knight, a dual Gr1 winner in 2017.

Churchill is potentially the best of them, as his record after this stood at seven wins from eight starts, the only reverse coming on his debut. He was precocious enough to win the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, six

92

years after his dam Meow had performed very creditably at the same meeting. Meow led for much of the way when a neck second in the Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes and later made all in a five-furlong Listed race.

Meow represented the first significant dividend from the 550,000gns paid for her dam Airwave as a four-year-old. Although conceived in Kentucky, Meow was foaled in Ireland, as Airwave had been transferred to become a perpetual visitor to Galileo. The first two of Airwave’s six Galileo foals became stakes winners, with her daughter Aloof winning a Gr3 over nine and a half furlongs before being sold for $3,900,000 in 2014. Airwave’s sixth Galileo foal is a 2016 colt.

Airwave comes from a family that used to be in the Non-Thoroughbred Register but that certainly proved no handicap on the racecourse. Prior to her sale as a four-year-old, she had won the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes and Gr2 Temple Stakes, in addition to being placed in the Golden Jubilee and July Cup. Her new owners tried the five-year-old Airwave over longer distances and she justified the move with a Gr2 victory over a mile.

Airwave’s half-sister Jwala also became a Gr1 winner, taking the Nunthorpe.

Churchill’s third dam Kangra Valley was a five-furlong two-year-old winner and the next dam, Thorner Lane, was a dual five-furlong winner.

Fifth dam Spinner was a half-sister to the very speedy Clantime, a winner of nine races over the minimum trip.

50 PRIX D’ISPAHAN G1 CHANTILLY. May 28. 4yo+. 1800m.

1. MEKHTAAL (GB) 4 9-2 £122,094 ch c by Sea The Stars - Aiglonne (Silver Hawk) O-Al Shaqab Racing B-Haras du Mezeray & Skymarc Farm TR-Jean Claude Rouget 2. Robin of Navan (FR) 4 9-2 £48,846 ch c by American Post - Cloghran (Muhtathir) O-Cross, Deal, Foden, Sieff B-Mme M. Lepeudry TR-Harry Dunlop 3. Usherette (IRE) 5 8-13 £24,423 b m by Shamardal - Monday Show (Maria’s Mon) O-Godolphin S.N.C. B-Darley TR-A. Fabre Margins Neck, 0.5. Time 1:49.92. Going Good.

Age 3-4

Starts 8

Wins 3

Places 4

Earned £252,170

Sire: SEA THE STARS. Sire of 36 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CLOTH OF STARS Kingmambo G1, MEKHTAAL Silver Hawk G1, ARMANDE Verglas G2, SEPTEMBER STARS Rock of Gibraltar LR. 1st Dam: AIGLONNE by Silver Hawk. 4 wins at 3 in France, Prix Fille de l’Air - Tierce Magazine G3, 3rd Orchid H G2. Dam of 9 winners: 2004: Apophis (c Rainbow Quest) 3 wins at 2, 6 and 7 in France, 3rd Prix Jacques Laffitte LR. 2005: DEMOCRATE (c Dalakhani) Winner at 3 in France, Prix Hocquart G2.

2006: CICERON (g Pivotal) 9 wins.

2007: Crosswind (g Cape Cross) 2 wins at 3 and 4 in France, 3rd Prix Ridgway LR, Prix Frederic de Lagrange LR. 2009: AIGUE MARINE (f Galileo) 5 wins at 3 to 5 in France, USA, Long Island H G3, Robert G Dick Memorial H G3. Broodmare.

2010: NOTAIRE (c Nayef) 4 wins at 3 to 5 in France.

2011: ETNA (g Montjeu) 4 wins at 3 to 5 in France.

2013: MEKHTAAL (c Sea The Stars) Sold 238,095gns yearling at ARAU1. 3 wins at 3 and 4 in France, Prix d’Ispahan G1, Prix

2014: 2015:

Hocquart G2, 2nd Prix d’Harcourt G2, Prix du Prince d’Orange G3.

AIGUILLON (c New Approach) Winner at 3 in France.

Miss Aiglonne (f Dawn Approach) unraced to date.

2nd Dam: MAJESTIC ROLE by Theatrical. 1 win at 2 EBF Tyros S LR, 2nd Prix de la Salamandre G1. Dam of AIGLONNE (f Silver Hawk, see above), Last Attempt (c Cape Cross: 3rd Derby de l’Ouest-Grand Prix de L’Asselco LR, Coupe des Trois Ans LR). Grandam of GERMANCE, GAILY GAME. Broodmare Sire: SILVER HAWK. Sire of the dams of 85 Stakes winners. In 2017 - MEKHTAAL Sea The Stars G1, BRANDO Pivotal G3.

MEKHTAAL ch c 2013 Green Desert Cape Cross Park Appeal SEA THE STARS b 06 Miswaki Urban Sea Allegretta Roberto Silver Hawk Gris Vitesse AIGLONNE b 97 Theatrical Majestic Role Autocratic

Danzig Foreign Courier Ahonoora Balidaress Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal Lombard Anatevka Hail To Reason Bramalea Amerigo Matchiche II Nureyev Tree of Knowledge Tyrant Flight Table

With so much emphasis on Galileo and his sons, following the 2017 Classic successes of Churchill, Winter, Soul Stirring and Enable, it mustn’t be forgotten that Galileo’s exceptional half-brother Sea The Stars has also been in fine form. One son, Cloth Of Stars, has achieved a trio of Group successes, culminating in the Gr1 Prix Ganay, and another, Mekhtaal, has recorded his first Gr1 success in the Prix d’Ispahan. For good measure, Sea The Stars’ daughter Armande has won the Gr2 Prix Corrida.

For all his many outstanding qualities, Sea The Stars hasn’t enjoyed the benefit of consistent support from breeders, with his first five crops numbering 118, 67, 124, 74 and 93 foals. That 2013 third crop, numbering 124 foals, arguably represents the best illustration of his excellence as a stallion. Cloth Of Stars, Mekhtaal and Armande are all members of this crop, as are Harzand (Gr1 Derby and Gr1 Irish Derby), Zelzal (Gr1 Prix Jean Prat), Across The Stars (Gr2 King Edward VII Stakes) and Stellar Mass (Gr3 Ballyroan Stakes). That’s a total of seven Group winners, including four at the highest level.

A €300,000 yearling, Mekhtaal’s record now stands at three wins and three seconds from eight starts. He even started favourite for the Prix du Jockey-Club, but could finish only eighth. As might be gauged from his price, Mekhtaal is a well connected individual. His dam Aiglonne, a Gr3 winner over 2,100 metres, visited Sea The Stars’ half-brother Galileo to produce Aigue Marine, a Listed winner in France who became a dual Gr3 winner at up to a mile and a half in the US. Aiglonne also produced the Gr2 Prix Hocquart winner Democrate to Dalakhani.

Aiglonne was sired by the highly effective Silver Hawk from Majestic

Role, a smart juvenile who was second in the Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre. Majestic Role was later beaten less than five lengths in the Oaks. When Majestic Role’s daughter Gaily Tiara visited Silver Hawk, the outcome was Germance, who became Silver Hawk’s 14th Gr1 winner when she landed the Prix Saint-Alary.

Germance then took second place in the Gr1 Prix de Diane.

Majestic Role was a half-sister to Fair Of The Furze, a high-class racemare who produced White Muzzle, a Derby Italiano winner, and Elfaslah, dam of the Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel.

51 TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP G1 CURRAGH. May 28. 4yo+. 10f 110yds.

1. DECORATED KNIGHT (GB) 5 9-3 £151,282 ch h by Galileo - Pearling (Storm Cat) O-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar B-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar TR-Roger Charlton 2. Somehow (IRE) 4 9-0 £48,718 b f by Fastnet Rock - Alexandrova (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Deauville (IRE) 4 9-3 £23,077 b c by Galileo - Walklikeanegyptian (Danehill) O-Mrs F Hay/M Tabor/Mrs J Magnier/D Smith B-Mrs F. H. Hay TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 1.25, 2.25. Time 2:18.03. Going Yielding.

Age 2-5

Starts 14

Wins 7

Places 6

Earned £522,012

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners. In 2017 CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

1st Dam: Pearling by Storm Cat. Own sister to YOU’RESOTHRILLING, GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, Tumblebrutus and Tiger Dance. Dam of 1 winner: 2012: DECORATED KNIGHT (c Galileo) 7 wins at 3 to 5 at home, UAE, Tattersalls Gold Cup G1, Emirates Airline Jebel Hatta G1, Icon Meld S G3, Al Basti Equiworld Festival S LR, Betway Winter Derby Trial LR, 2nd Investec Diomed S G3, 3rd Shadwell Joel S G2.

2013: Azizaan (c Dubawi) 2014: Ambrosia (f Frankel) in training.

2015: (c Dansili) 2nd Dam: MARIAH’S STORM by Rahy. 10 wins at 2 to 4 in USA Arlington Washington Lassie S G2, Budweiser Turfway Park Breeders’ Cup H G2, 3rd Spinster S G1. Dam of GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (c Storm Cat: Juddmonte International S G1, Coral Eclipse S G1, Esat Digifone Champion S G1, St James’s Palace S G1, Champagne Lanson Sussex S G1, Prix de la Salamandre G1, 2nd Entenmann’s Irish 2000 Guineas G1, Queen Elizabeth II S G1, Sagitta 2000 Guineas G1, Breeders’ Cup Classic G1), YOU’RESOTHRILLING (f Storm Cat: Irish Thoroughbred Cherry Hinton S G2), Hanky Panky (f Galileo: 3rd Ballyogan S G3), Freud (c Storm Cat: 3rd Cork and Orrery S G2), Tumblebrutus (c Storm Cat: 2nd Galileo EBF Futurity G2), Tiger Dance (c Storm Cat: 3rd Emirates Airline Minstrel S G3), Butterflies (f Galileo: 3rd Flame of Tara EBF S G3), Roar of The Tiger (c Storm Cat: 3rd Governor’s H LR). Grandam of GLENEAGLES, MARVELLOUS, STORM THE STARS, COOLMORE, Taj Mahal.

Broodmare Sire: STORM CAT. Sire of the dams of 206 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CHURCHILL Galileo G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Galileo G1, SATONO ALADDIN Deep Impact G1, DISTINTA Summer Bird G2, IRAP Tiznow G2.

The Galileo/Storm Cat cross has produced: ALOFT G1, BALLYDOYLE G1, CHURCHILL G1,

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Caulfield on Winter: “She descends from the extremely speedy Caterina, who was runnerup in the Nunthorpe Stakes as a two-year-old before going one better the following year”

COOLMORE G1, DECORATED KNIGHT G1, GLENEAGLES G1, MARVELLOUS G1, MISTY FOR ME G1, GLOBAL VIEW G2, TWIRL G3, Galileo’s Song G3, Taj Mahal G3.

DECORATED KNIGHT ch h 2012 Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Storm Cat PEARLING b 06 Mariah’s Storm

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mr Prospector Miswaki Hopespringseternal Lombard Allegretta Anatevka Northern Dancer Storm Bird South Ocean Secretariat Terlingua Crimson Saint Blushing Groom Rahy Glorious Song Roberto Immense Imsodear

In the July 2014 issue, in my notes on the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Marvellous (by Galileo out of You’resothrilling), I advised readers to keep an eye on You’resothrilling’s younger sister Pearling. “Although she failed to win, Pearling was sold for 1,300,000gns and is now the dam of a two-year-old Galileo colt called Decorated Knight,” I wrote. That advice took on greater weight when Marvellous’ brother Gleneagles became the champion Irish two-yearold of 2014, before completing the 2,000 Guineas double in Britain and Ireland.

In comparison to Marvellous and Gleneagles, Decorated Knight was a slow developer. Second on his only juvenile start, he was still looking for his first stakes success at the end of his three-year-old season, even though his Timeform rating stood at 110. After a change of trainers, Decorated Knight duly became a Listed winner and then a Gr3 winner at four, but it has been as a five-yearold that he has truly come into his own. Having recorded his first Gr1 success in the Jebel Hatta in March, he drew more attention to himself with his defeat of Somehow and Deauville in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. This victory at the Curragh confirmed that a fully mature Decorated Knight is well suited by an extended mile and a quarter.

Such stamina isn’t surprising in a son of Galileo, especially when Decorated Knight’s dam Pearling is a sister to that outstanding performer Giant’s Causeway, who landed three of Europe’s top events at around ten furlongs. Of course Giant’s Causeway was also a Gr1-winning juvenile over seven furlongs, whereas You’resothrilling, the dam of Marvellous, Gleneagles and the Gr1placed Coolmore, was a precocious Gr2 winner over six furlongs. Pearling, on the other hand, raced only twice, for one second place.

Decorated Knight’s second dam Mariah’s Storm built an impressive record of ten wins from 16 starts, despite suffering a fracture to her near-fore cannon bone in her final start at two. Nine furlongs was her most rewarding distance. She was rated 121 on the 1995 International Classifications, having been given

116 on the 1993 Experimental Free Handicap. The next dam, the Gr3 turf winner Immense, enjoyed excellent results with sons of Blushing Groom, producing Mariah’s Storm to Rahy, the very smart French middle-distance colt Panoramic to Rainbow Quest and the Japanese stakes winner Air Zion to Groom Dancer.

52 TATTERSALLS IRISH 1000 GUINEAS G1 CURRAGH. May 28. 3yof. 8f.

1. WINTER (IRE) 9-0 £146,154 gr f by Galileo - Laddies Poker Two (Choisir) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Laddies Poker Two Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Roly Poly (USA) 9-0 £48,718 b f by War Front - Misty For Me (Galileo) O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier B-Misty For Me Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Hydrangea (IRE) 9-0 £23,077 b f by Galileo - Beauty Is Truth (Pivotal) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Beauty Is Truth Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 4.75, Head. Time 1:39.78. Going Yielding.

Age 2-3

Starts 6

Wins 3

Places 3

Earned £448,642

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners. In 2017 CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

1st Dam: LADDIES POKER TWO by Choisir. 3 wins at 3 and 5. Dam of 1 winner: 2013: Facts And Figures (c Galileo) unraced.

2014: WINTER (f Galileo) 3 wins at 2 and 3, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas G1, Qipco 1000 Guineas G1, 2nd Ballylinch 1000 Guineas Trial S G3.

2015: Snowflakes (f Galileo) in training.

2016: (f Galileo) Broodmare Sire: CHOISIR. Sire of the dams of 11 Stakes winners. In 2017 - WINTER Galileo G1, BRAZUCA Teofilo G2, ECKSTEIN I Am Invincible G3, SEANNIE Sebring LR.

WINTER gr f 2014 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge GALILEO b 98 Miswaki Urban Sea Allegretta Danehill Dancer Choisir Great Selection LADDIES POKER TWO gr 05 Favorite Trick Break of Day Quelle Affaire

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Mr Prospector Hopespringseternal Lombard Anatevka Danehill Mira Adonde Lunchtime Pensive Mood Phone Trick Evil Elaine Riverman Ancient Regime

We have seen Galileo sire 15% blacktype winners, including a 2,000 Guineas winner, from daughters of Danehill and we’ve seen him sire 13% black-type winners, including a 1,000 Guineas winner, from mares by Danehill’s son Danehill Dancer. And now – thanks to the very progressive Winter – he has sired a winner of the 1,000 Guineas and Irish 1,000 from a mare by Danehill Dancer’s son, Choisir.

Winter’s dam Laddies Poker Two landed a gamble when she won the 2010 Wokingham as a five-year-old.

Her winning time was so fast that

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Timeform rated her 117, but she never raced again, leaving her career figures at three wins from five starts.

It is going to be interesting to see how much stamina Winter possesses, as there is far more speed than stamina in the bottom half of her pedigree. Her broodmare sire Choisir made his name by completing the King’s Stand/Golden Jubilee double at Royal Ascot. Although Choisir occasionally sires a talented middledistance performer, including winners of the Hong Kong Derby and South Australian Derby, he is better known as the sire of precocious stock which shine at a mile or less, such as The Last Lion, Starspangledbanner, Olympic Glory and Obviously. The best previous winner with a dam by Choisir is My Dream Boat, who outstayed his pedigree when he landed the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Winter descends from the extremely speedy Caterina, who was runner-up in the Nunthorpe Stakes as a two-year-old before going one better the following year. Caterina also excelled as a broodmare, producing four stakes winners.

Three of them were by the remarkably versatile American horse Olden Times, two of which were very speedy. The very tough Cricket Ball was a four-time winner of the Gr3 Prix de Meautry and also won the Gr2 Prix Maurice de Gheest. The other, Winter’s fourth dam Ancient Regime, won the Gr1 Prix Morny and was very smart over sprint distances at three, after finishing fourth in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

Ancient Regime succeeded in passing on the family’s speed, even when mated to stallions which did well over middle distances. She produced the Prix de l’Abbaye runnerup La Grande Epoque to Lyphard, the smart two-year-old Crack Regiment to El Gran Senor and the smart seven-furlong and mile performer Rami to Riverman. Winter’s third dam, Quelle Affaire, was a non-winning sister to Rami, as well as being closely related to La Grande Epoque’s Riverman colt Matelot, who was very useful at around seven furlongs.

Winter’s second dam, the unraced Break Of Day, is a daughter of the American champion Favorite Trick. A son of the very fast Phone Trick, Favorite Trick was named Horse of the Year after his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile success. He had started his unbeaten campaign with victories over four and a half, five, and five and a half furlongs.

53 INVESTEC CORONATION CUP G1 EPSOM DOWNS. Jun 2. 4yo+. 12f.

1. HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) 5 9-0 £238,182 b h by Galileo - Hveger (Danehill) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Hveger Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Frontiersman (GB) 4 9-0 £90,300 br c by Dubawi - Ouija Board (Cape Cross) O-Godolphin B-Stanley Estate & Stud Co TR-Charlie Appleby 3. Hawkbill (USA) 4 9-0 £45,192 ch c by Kitten’s Joy - Trensa (Giant’s Causeway) O-Godolphin

B-Helen K. Groves Revokable Trust TR-Charlie Appleby Margins 1.75, 3.5. Time 2:33.30. Going Good.

Age 2-5

Starts 22

Wins 8

Places Earned 8 £5,521,711

Sire: GALILEO. Sire of 253 Stakes winners. In 2017 CHURCHILL Storm Cat G1, DECORATED KNIGHT Storm Cat G1, HIGHLAND REEL Danehill G1, WINTER Choisir G1, MINDING Danehill Dancer G2, SEVENTH HEAVEN Johannesburg G2, DEAUVILLE Danehill G3, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Green Desert G3, HYDRANGEA Pivotal G3, OBSERVATIONAL Cadeaux Genereux G3, TERRAKOVA Anabaa G3, ULYSSES Kingmambo G3, VENICE BEACH Danehill G3.

1st Dam: Hveger by Danehill. Winner in Australia, 2nd Feltex Carpets South Australia Oaks G2, 3rd Schweppes Australasian Oaks G1. Own sister to ELVSTROEM. Dam of 3 winners: 2006: Valdemoro (f Encosta de Lago) 2 wins in Australia, 2nd Vinery Stud Storm Queen S G1, Crown Victoria Oaks G1. Broodmare.

2007: Nakata (g Fusaichi Pegasus) 2011: Rings of Saturn (g Galileo) ran on the flat in Singapore.

2012: HIGHLAND REEL (c Galileo) Sold 460,000gns yearling at TAOC1. Jt Champion older horse in Ireland in 2016. 8 wins at 2 to 5, 2017 at home, Hong Kong, USA, Investec Coronation Cup G1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S G1, Secretariat S G1, Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf G1, Longines Hong Kong Vase G1, Veuve Clicquot Vintage S G2, Neptune Investment Gordon S G3, 2nd Juddmonte International S G1, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe G1, Prix du Jockey Club G1, Longines Hong Kong Vase G1, Hardwicke S G2, 3rd William Hill WS Cox Plate G1.

2013: IDAHO (c Galileo). 2 wins at 2 and 3, Betway Great Voltigeur S G2, 2nd Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby G1, 3rd Investec Derby S G1.

2014: Cercle de La Vie (f Galileo) in training.

2015: Via Condotti (f Galileo) unraced to date.

2016: (c Galileo) 2nd Dam: CIRCLES OF GOLD by Marscay. 6 wins in Australia AJC Oaks G1, 2nd Foster’s Caulfield Cup G1, Queensland Oaks G1, Eat More Fruit ‘n’ Veg S G1, 3rd C F Orr S G1. Own sister to Modern Era and Rings of Gold. Dam of ELVSTROEM (c Danehill: Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup G1, C F Orr S G1, Emirates Airline Underwood S G1, Victoria Derby G1, Dubai Duty Free G1, 2nd Prix d’Ispahan G1, 3rd Prince of Wales’s S G1, Australian Cup G1, Rosehill Guineas G1), HARADASUN (c Fusaichi Pegasus: Queen Anne S G1, Doncaster H G1, Cathay Pacific George Ryder S G1, 2nd Bigpond Queen Elizabeth S G1, 3rd Turnbull S G1, Tattersall’s WS Cox Plate G1), Hveger (f Danehill, see above), Altius (c Redoute’s Choice: 2nd Henry Bucks Best Dressed Exford S LR). Grandam of DECIRCLES, King Raedwald, Raffles Knight, Hybrid.

Broodmare Sire: DANEHILL. Sire of the dams of 345 Stakes winners. In 2017 - CHARMONT High Chaparral G1, HIGHLAND REEL Galileo G1, MUTHMIR Invincible Spirit G2, VERY SPECIAL Lope de Vega G2, BEAN FEASA Dubawi G3, CUSTOM CUT Notnowcato G3, DEAUVILLE Galileo G3, VENICE BEACH Galileo G3.

The Galileo/Danehill cross has produced: BANC DE FORTUNE G1, BONDI BEACH G1, CIMA DE TRIOMPHE G1, CUIS GHAIRE G1, DEAUVILLE G1, FIELDS OF ATHENRY G1, FRANKEL G1, GOLDEN LILAC G1, HIGHLAND REEL G1, IDAHO G1, INTELLO G1, MAYBE G1, NOBLE MISSION G1, ORCHESTRA G1, PROMISE TO BE TRUE G1, RODERIC O’CONNOR G1, ROMANTICA G1, SCINTILLULA G1, SECRET GESTURE G1, TAPESTRY G1, TEOFILO G1, Galileo’s Destiny G1, Gile Na Greine G1, Mars G1, The Assayer G1, GRETCHEN G2, PRETTY PERFECT G2, REEM G2, CRYSTAL GAL G3, DAZZLING G3, GALIWAY G3, JOHN F KENNEDY G3, LAGALP G3, MEKONG RIVER G3, SAYANA G3, SIDERA G3, SIR ISAAC NEWTON G3, THE CORSICAN G3, THE MAJOR GENERAL G3, VENICE BEACH G3, WONDERFULLY G3, Brightest G3, Circling G3, Claiomh Solais G3, Grey Lion G3, Impulsive Moment G3, Marksmanship G3, CUFF LR, ILTEMAS LR, MISS GALILEI LR, Acteur Celebre LR, Amerique LR, Benkei LR, Provenance LR, Via Galilei LR.

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DATA BOOK STAKES RESULTS

European Pattern ­

HIGHLAND REEL b h 2012 Sadler’s Wells GALILEO b 98 Urban Sea

Danehill HVEGER b 01 Circles of Gold

Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mr Prospector Miswaki Hopespringseternal Lombard Allegretta Anatevka Northern Dancer Danzig Pas de Nom His Majesty Razyana Spring Adieu Biscay Marscay Heart of Market Zamazaan Olympic Aim Gold Vink

Danehill’s Australian-bred daughter Hveger has been a permanent member of Galileo’s support staff since she first visited him in 2010, and she was represented in the Coronation Cup by Highland Reel and Great Voltigeur winner Idaho. The winner revived memories of the triple Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey when he added the Epsom Gr1 to a tremendous CV which also features the Breeders’ Cup Turf, King George and other Gr1 victories in the US and Hong Kong, plus now the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

It wasn’t just the fact Hveger is a daughter of Danehill that encouraged her move from Australia to Ireland.

She was also a smart, well connected individual. Hveger’s best efforts included a third in the Gr1 Schweppes Oaks over a mile and a quarter and a second in the Gr1 South Australian Oaks over an extended mile and a half.

Hveger’s year-older brother Elvstroem was highly talented. A Gr1 winner at three, four and five, Elvstroem won the C.F. Orr Stakes over seven furlongs, the Underwood Stakes over nine and both the Victoria Derby and Caulfield Cup at around a mile and a half. He also landed the Dubai Duty Free over a distance just short of nine furlongs in Dubai and is now at stud in France.

Circles Of Gold, dam of Hveger and Elvstroem, stayed pretty well, winning the Gr1 AJC Australian Oaks.

Another international aspect of Highland Reel’s family is that Hveger’s half-brother Haradasun travelled from Australia to win the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes. This female line also enjoyed Royal Ascot success with another Australian champion when Starspangledbanner won the Gr1 Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Starspangledbanner’s second dam National Song was a half-sister to Circles Of Gold. The latest Gr1 winner from this family, the Caulfield 1,000 Guineas winner Amicus, is by Danehill’s son Fastnet Rock.

54 INVESTEC OAKS STAKES G1 EPSOM DOWNS. Jun 2. 3yof. 12f.

1. ENABLE (GB) 9-0 £283,550 b f by Nathaniel - Concentric (Sadler’s Wells) O-Mr K. Abdullah B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd TR-John Gosden 2. Rhododendron (IRE) 9-0 £107,500 b f by Galileo - Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal) O-Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt TR-Aidan O’Brien

94

3. Alluringly (USA) 9-0 £53,800 b f by Fastnet Rock - All For Glory (Giant’s Causeway) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-All For Glory Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien Margins 5, 6. Time 2:34.10. Going Good.

Age 2-3

Starts 4

Wins 3

Places 1

Earned £321,978

Sire: NATHANIEL. Sire of 2 Stakes winners. In 2017 ENABLE Sadler’s Wells G1, NATAVIA Arazi LR. 1st Dam: CONCENTRIC by Sadler’s Wells. 3 wins at 3 in France, Prix Charles Laffitte LR, 2nd Prix de Flore G3.

Own sister to DANCE ROUTINE and Light Ballet.

Dam of 3 winners: 2010: Considerate (f Dansili) unraced. Broodmare.

2011: TOURNAMENT (g Oasis Dream) 3 wins.

2012: Contribution (f Champs Elysees) 2 wins at 3 in France, 3rd Shadwell Prix de Pomone G2.

2013: Birdwood (f Oasis Dream) unraced.

2014: ENABLE (f Nathaniel) 3 wins at 2 and 3, Investec Oaks S G1, Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks LR. 2015: Centroid (c Dansili) unraced to date.

2016: (f Dansili) 2017: (f Frankel) 2nd Dam: APOGEE by Shirley Heights. 2 wins at 3 in France Prix de Royaumont G3. Dam of DANCE ROUTINE (f Sadler’s Wells: Prix de Royallieu Hotel du Golf Barriere G2, 2nd Prix de Diane Hermes G1), APSIS (c Barathea: Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord G3, Prix Thomas Bryon G3), CONCENTRIC (f Sadler’s Wells, see above), SPACE QUEST (f Rainbow Quest: Prix Joubert LR), Light Ballet (f Sadler’s Wells: 3rd Prix Minerve G3), Summit Meeting (g Sadler’s Wells: 3rd WKD Core Hurdle G2). Grandam of FLINTSHIRE, KOCAB, DANCE MOVES, PENCHEE, Tandem, Porgy, Badee Ah. Third dam of VIRTUAL GAME, Projected, Delivery, Zamoura, TUK TUK. Broodmare Sire: SADLER’S WELLS. Sire of the dams of 402 Stakes winners. In 2017 - ENABLE Nathaniel G1, LIZZIE L’AMOUR Zabeel G1, SOMEHOW Fastnet Rock G2, ILITSHE Fastnet Rock G3, KISS ME KETUT Danroad G3, TORCEDOR Fastnet Rock G3.

ENABLE b f 2014 Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Miswaki Urban Sea Allegretta Roberto Silver Hawk Gris Vitesse Icecapade Mia Karina Basin Northern Dancer Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Fairy Bridge Special Mill Reef Shirley Heights Hardiemma Ile de Bourbon Bourbon Girl Fleet Girl

129 at four. Similarly, his Irish Oakswinning sister Great Heavens was fifth on her only juvenile appearance before boosting her Timeform rating from 70p to 120. Nathaniel’s rangy physique also hinted that his progeny might benefit from time and distance.

Fortunately, the early months of 2017 have shown Nathaniel’s first crop in a much more encouraging light. Two of his daughters, Enable and Natavia, lined up for the Oaks as Listed winners and a son, Glencadam Glory, was among the Derby runners.

Nathaniel had already supplied Back On Board, runner-up in the Gr2 Derby Italiano, and he’ll probably also be well represented in the Derby in Germany, where one son, Enjoy Vijay, was beaten a nose in the Gr3 Bavarian Classic and another, Kastano, was a good third in the Gr3 Ittlingen Derby Trial. Nathaniel had nine three-year-olds with Racing Post Ratings of at least 99 by June 4.

For further details of Enable’s pedigree, see Caulfield Files elsewhere in this issue 55 INVESTEC DERBY STAKES G1 EPSOM DOWNS. Jun 3. 3yoc&f. 12f.

1. WINGS OF EAGLES (FR) 9-0 £921,538 b c by Pour Moi - Ysoldina (Kendor) O-Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor B-Mme A. Forien & G. Forien TR-Aidan O’Brien 2. Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 9-0 £349,375 b c by Galileo - Wave (Dansili) O-Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/M Jooste B-Wave Syndicate TR-Aidan O’Brien 3. Cracksman (GB) 9-0 £174,850 b c by Frankel - Rhadegunda (Pivotal) O-Mr A. E. Oppenheimer B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd TR-John Gosden Margins 0.75, Neck. Time 2:33.00. Going Good.

Sadler’s Wells

Galileo NATHANIEL b 08 Magnificient Style

Sadler’s Wells CONCENTRIC b 04 Apogee

Less than two weeks after Frankel had enjoyed his first Classic success with the very good Soul Stirring in the Japanese Oaks, another of Galileo’s best sons, Nathaniel, also enjoyed first-crop Classic success, with the impressive Enable taking the Oaks in a very fast time.

Enable’s success provided the perfect answer for those who had lost faith in Nathaniel when the Newsells stallion failed to shine with his first two-year-olds (only five winners from 34 runners in Britain and Ireland).

This loss of faith was mirrored in the decline in his yearlings’ European sales average from 105,430gns in 2015 to 51,121gns in 2016.

Of course, the question everyone should have been asking was whether it was fair to expect Nathaniel to sire a lot of two-year-old winners.

Nathaniel’s Timeform rating rose from 101p at two (when he was second in his two starts) to 127 at three and

Age 2-3

Starts 6

Wins 2

Places 2

Earned £947,126

Sire: POUR MOI. Sire of 6 Stakes winners. In 2017 WINGS OF EAGLES Kendor G1, HAUSSMANN Volksraad LR. 1st Dam: Ysoldina by Kendor. Winner at 2 in France, 2nd Prix de la Grotte G3, 3rd Gainsborough Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1. Own sister to Causa Proxima. Dam of 4 winners: 2008: Torentosa (f Oasis Dream) 2 wins at 2 in France, 2nd Criterium de Vitesse LR. Broodmare.

2009: Lusail (f Oratorio) 2010: Gyrella (f Oasis Dream) 2 wins at 2 and 3 in France, 3rd Prix Ceres LR. Broodmare.

2011: Heroldina (f Invincible Spirit) unraced.

2013: SWEET ELECTRA (f Sea The Stars) Winner at 2 in France.

2014: WINGS OF EAGLES (c Pour Moi) Sold 162,421gns yearling at ARAU1. 2 wins at 2 and 3, Investec Derby S G1, 2nd MBNA Chester Vase G3.

2015: (g Holy Roman Emperor) 2016: (f Kingman) 2nd Dam: Rotina by Crystal Glitters. Dam of BELLE ET CELEBRE (f Peintre Celebre: Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary G1), WHORTLEBERRY (f Starborough: Prix Jean Romanet G2, Premio Lydia Tesio-Darley G2), VALENTINO (g Valanour: Prix Edmond Blanc G3, Prix Perth G3, Prix Andre Baboin (G.P.des Provinces) G3, 3rd Prix d’Harcourt G2), APPEL AU MAITRE (c Starborough: yoobet.de Grand Prix Premiere G3, Nicator Stockholm Cup International G3 (twice), Stockholms Stora Pris G3, Marit Sveaas Minnelop G3, 2nd Rheinland-Pokal G1, 3rd Deutschland Preis Freunde und Forderer G1), Ysoldina (f Kendor, see above), Causa Proxima (f Kendor: 3rd Prix La Sorellina LR). Grandam of STRAW HAT. Broodmare Sire: KENDOR. Sire of the dams of 53 Stakes winners.

WINGS OF EAGLES b c 2014 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes POUR MOI b 08 Darshaan Gwynn Victoress Kenmare Kendor Belle Mecene YSOLDINA gr 02 Crystal Glitters Rotina Rudolfina

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Shirley Heights Delsy Conquistador Cielo Royal Statute Kalamoun Belle of Ireland Gay Mecene Djaka Belle Blushing Groom Tales To Tell Pharly Rojanya

Amid all the adoration of the great Galileo, it is easy to forget that his total of three Derby winners falls one short of the magnificent Epsom tally of Montjeu, his former stud companion. Montjeu achieved his foursome in the space of eight years, thanks to Motivator, Authorized, Pour Moi and Camelot. Entering the final furlong of the 2017 Derby, when Cliffs Of Moher took the lead, it looked as though Galileo was about to match Montjeu’s score, but that was reckoning without Pour Moi’s 401 son Wings Of Eagles. Producing a finishing effort reminiscent of Pour Moi’s six years earlier, Wings Of Eagles made it two wins from six starts, and his first at stakes level.

It would be good to be able to report that Pour Moi has developed into a worthy replacement for his sire at Coolmore, but he was switched to the farm’s National Hunt sector for the 2017 season. That said, Pour Moi hasn’t had as many chances as some Coolmore stallions. His first crop numbered 96 foals, of which Only Mine became a Gr3 winner over six furlongs. Wings Of Eagles heads the 51 foals in Pour Moi’s second crop.

A €220,000 yearling, Wings Of Eagles was bred in France by Gilles and Aliette Forien from the Classicplaced Ysoldina. This daughter of Kendor had a frustrating career for one of her talent, winning only once in 11 starts, but Ysoldina also finished second in the Gr3 Prix de la Grotte and third in another four Group races, notably the Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. Wings Of Eagles is her third black-type performer from her first six foals and she also has a juvenile colt by Holy Roman Emperor and a yearling filly by Kingman.

Wings Of Eagles’ second dam Rotina visited comparatively inexpensive stallions for much of her career, but this didn’t stop her enjoying Group success with Whortleberry, Valentino and Appel au Maitre. Rotina’s escalating achievements earned her a visit to a much more expensive stallion in Peintre Celebre, with this mating resulting in the Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Belle Et Celebre.

Wings Of Eagles’ first five dams are a mixed bunch, comprising the Classic-placed Ysoldina, the nonwinning Rotina, the smart ten-furlong filly Rudolfina, the unraced Rojanya and the smart Rosetta II, whose wins included the Prix de la Porte Maillot.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Jul_155_DataBook_Layout 1 29/06/2017 14:07 Page 95

Caulfield on Brametot: “His first two dams were daughters of the Irish Derby winner Law Society and German Derby winner Surumu, which has no doubt helped him stay”

56 QIPCO PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB G1 CHANTILLY. Jun 4. 3yoc&f. 2100m.

1. BRAMETOT (IRE) 9-2 £732,564 b c by Rajsaman - Morning Light (Law Society) O-G. Augustin-Normand & Al Shaqab Racing B-Mr H. Cardemil TR-Jean Claude Rouget 2. Waldgeist (GB) 9-2 £293,077 ch c by Galileo - Waldlerche (Monsun) O-Ammerland/Newsells/Magnier/Tabor B-The Waldlerche Partnership TR-A. Fabre 3. Recoletos (FR) 9-2 £146,538 b c by Whipper - Highphar (Highest Honor) O-Sarl Darpat France B-Sarl Darpat France TR-C. Laffon-Parias Margins Short Head, 1. Time 2:06.51. Going Good to Soft.

Age 2-3

Starts 7

Wins 6

Places Earned 1 £1,123,307

Sire: RAJSAMAN. Sire of 1 Stakes winner.

1st Dam: MORNING LIGHT by Law Society. 2 wins at 3 in Germany. Dam of 4 winners: 2003: (f Tiger Hill). died as a foal.

2004: Morning Rise (f Acatenango) unraced.

Broodmare.

2005: Morning Glory (f Pentire) unraced.

Broodmare.

2007: Mulan (c Marju) 4 wins at 3, 6 and 8 in Germany, Sweden, 2nd Walter Nilsens Minnelop G3.

2008: Mountain Melody (f Refuse To Bend).

Broodmare.

2009: Montana (f Desert Prince) unraced.

2010: Morning Mist (f Peintre Celebre) unraced.

Broodmare.

2011: MISS KRUK (f Soldier of Fortune) Winner at 2 in Czech Republic. Broodmare.

2012: 2013: 2014:

TWILIGHT (c Siyouni) Winner at 4 in France.

Master Thomas (c Turtle Bowl) ran on the flat in France.

BRAMETOT (c Rajsaman) 6 wins at 2 and 3 in France, Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains G1, Qipco Prix du Jockey Club G1, Prix de Fontainebleau G3, Gd. Criterium de Bordeaux HK Jockey Club LR, 2nd Criterium du Fonds Europeen de L’Elevage LR.

2nd Dam: MOSELLA by Surumu. 1 win at 3 in West Germany Las Vegas-Slenderella Rennen LR. Dam of MONSUN (c Konigsstuhl: Aral-Pokal G1, EMS Kurierpost Europa Preis G1 (twice), 2nd Aral-Pokal G1, BMW Deutsches Derby G1, Grosser Preis von Baden G1, 3rd P. der Privatbankiers Merck, Finck & Co G1).

Grandam of PIRACICABA, Beaulieu. Third dam of MOLLY MALONE, WEKEELA, Matauri Pearl. Fourth dam of Mauriac.

Broodmare Sire: LAW SOCIETY. Sire of the dams of 79 Stakes winners.

BRAMETOT b c 2014 Mendez Linamix Lunadix RAJSAMAN gr 07 Lammtarra Rose Quartz Graphite Alleged Law Society Bold Bikini MORNING LIGHT b 97 Surumu Mosella Monasia

Bellypha Miss Carina Breton Lutine Nijinsky Snow Bride Mr Prospector Stellarette Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Boldnesian Ran-Tan Literat Surama Authi Monacensia

Bearing in mind that the three stallions currently standing at Haras de la Cauviniere all started out at fees €5,000 or less, they have built a truly extraordinary record in France’s top three-year-old events, including the Classics. Le Havre set the ball rolling, with his €5,000 crops producing the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane winners Avenir Certain and La Cressonniere. Next came Air Chief Marshal, who was priced at €3,000 when he sired the 2016 Grand Prix de Paris winner Mont Ormel.

Now it is the turn of Rajsaman, whose €4,000 first crop is headed by Brametot, the strong-finishing winner of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club. Brametot had earlier won the Gr3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Remarkably, the Fontainebleau had also been won by Rajsaman in 2010, by Rajsaman’s sire Linamix in 1990 and by Linamix’s sire Mendez in 1984. Linamix, like Brametot, also went on to win the Poulains, before developing into the outstanding French-based stallion of his era, with two sires’ championships.

Brametot’s victories highlighted his bright burst of finishing speed – an attribute also possessed by Rajsaman.

Rajsaman gained all four of his Group

successes over a mile, including the Gr2 Prix du Muguet and Gr2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein as a four-year-old.

However, he stayed further, as he showed when he ran on to finish a fine third behind Goldikova and Cirrus des Aigles in the Gr1 Prix d’Ispahan.

Rajsaman began his career in the colours of his breeder the Aga Khan and was apparently acting as a pacemaker when he held off Siyouni and Lope de Vega in the Prix de Fontainebleau. Rajsaman, who made €440,000 when offered to the Arc sale at the end of his three-year-old season, has the distinction of having been France’s busiest stallion in 2013 and 2015.

Brametot’s first two dams, Morning Light and Mosella, were respectively daughters of the Irish Derby winner Law Society and the German Derby winner Surumu, which has no doubt helped Brametot stay the JockeyClub distance. Morning Light had the distinction of being a half-sister to Monsun, the exceptional German stallion who often proved an influence for stamina. Moonlight Melody, another Law Society mare from this family, became the dam of Molly Malone, winner of the Gr1 Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles.

Group 2 and 3 Races Date 03/05 03/05 06/05 06/05 07/05 07/05 07/05 07/05 07/05 07/05 08/05 08/05 11/05 11/05 11/05 12/05 13/05 13/05 13/05 14/05 14/05 17/05 17/05 18/05 18/05 19/05 20/05 21/05 21/05 21/05 21/05 21/05 23/05 23/05 23/05 25/05 25/05 25/05 27/05 27/05 27/05 27/05 27/05 28/05 28/05 28/05 28/05 28/05 28/05 03/06 03/06 03/06 04/06 04/06 04/06 04/06 04/06

Grade G3 G3 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3 G2 G2 G2 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G2 G2 G3

Race (course) Longines Sagaro Stakes (Ascot) Merribelle Stable Pavilion Stakes (Ascot) Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes (Newmarket) Longholes Palace House Stakes (Newmarket) Gerling Preis (Cologne) Charm Spirit Dahlia Stakes (Newmarket) Prix de Guiche (Chantilly) Ard Glen Construction Amethyst Stakes (Leopardstown) Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial (Leopardstown) Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Leopardstown) Prix Greffulhe (Saint-Cloud) Prix d’Hedouville (Saint-Cloud) MBNA Chester Vase (Chester) sportingbet.com Huxley Stakes (Chester) Prix Texanita (Maisons-Laffitte) Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes (Chester) Prix de Saint-Georges (Deauville) Betfred Chartwell Stakes (Lingfield Park) Irish Stallion Farm EBF Blue Wind Stakes (Naas) Comer Group Int. Oleander Rennen (Berlin-Hoppegarten) P.Presidente della Repubblica GBI Racing (Rome) Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (York) Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (York) Betfred Dante Stakes (York) Betfred Middleton Stakes (York) Betway Yorkshire Cup (York) Al Rayyan Aston Park Stakes (Newbury) Mehl-Mulhens Rennen (2000 Guineas) (Cologne) Derby Italiano Sisal Matchpoint (Rome) EMS Copiers Lacken Stakes (Naas) Premio Carlo d’Alessio (Rome) Premio Tudini - II Tris (Rome) Prix Corrida (Saint-Cloud) Prix Cleopatre (Saint-Cloud) Prix du Lys (Saint-Cloud) DSV Deutscher Sportverlag Badener Meile (Baden-Baden) Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Sandown Park) Matchbook Henry II Stakes (Sandown Park) Lanwades Stud Ridgewood Pearl Stakes (Curragh) Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Curragh) Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes (Haydock Park) Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes (Haydock Park) Wackenhut Mercedes Silberne Peitsche (Baden-Baden) Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft (Baden-Baden) Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Chantilly) Oaks d’Italia (Milan) Ittlingen Derby-Trial (Baden-Baden) Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes (Curragh) Premio Carlo Vittadini (Milan) Investec Diomed Stakes (Epsom Downs) Investec Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Epsom Downs) Prix du Palais Royal (Maisons-Laffitte) Soldier Hollow Diana Trial (Berlin-Hoppegarten) Grand Prix de Chantilly (Chantilly) Prix de Sandringham (Chantilly) Prix du Gros-Chene (Chantilly) Prix de Royaumont (Chantilly)

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Dist 16f 6f 12f 5f 2400m 9f 1800m 8f 8f 10f 2000m 2400m 12f 10f 1100m 13f 1000m 7f 10f 3200m 1800m 6f 10f 10f 10f 13.5f 12f 1600m 2200m 6f 2400m 1200m 2100m 2100m 2400m 1600m 9.5f 16f 8f 6f 6f 5f 1200m 2200m 3000m 2200m 2000m 10f 1600m 8.5f 8.5f 1400m 2000m 2400m 1600m 1000m 2400m

Horse Sweet Selection (GB) Blue Point (IRE) Seventh Heaven (IRE) Marsha (IRE) Dschingis Secret (GER) Somehow (IRE) Phelps Win (FR) Custom Cut (IRE) Bean Feasa (GB) Douglas Macarthur (IRE) Recoletos (FR) Tiberian (FR) Venice Beach (IRE) Deauville (IRE) Aladdine (GB) Western Hymn (GB) Signs of Blessing (IRE) Mix And Mingle (IRE) Turret Rocks (IRE) Red Cardinal (IRE) Time To Choose (GB) Tasleet (GB) Shutter Speed (GB) Permian (IRE) Blond Me (IRE) Dartmouth (GB) Hawkbill (USA) Poetic Dream (IRE) Mac Mahon (ITY) Caravaggio (USA) Full Drago (ITY) Trust You (GB) Armande (IRE) Terrakova (IRE) Called To The Bar (IRE) Palace Prince (GER) Autocratic (GB) Big Orange (GB) Creggs Pipes (IRE) Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) Harry Angel (IRE) Priceless (GB) Artistica (GER) Guignol (GER) Vazirabad (FR) Folega (GB) Langtang (GER) Homesman (USA) Circus Couture (IRE) Sovereign Debt (IRE) Laugh Aloud (GB) Inns of Court (IRE) Tusked Wings (IRE) Silverwave (FR) La Sardane (FR) Muthmir (IRE) Kitesurf (GB)

Age 5 3 4 4 4 4 3 8 3 3 3 5 3 4 3 6 6 4 4 5 4 4 3 3 5 5 4 3 3 3 4 5 4 3 3 5 4 6 5 9 3 4 3 5 5 3 3 3 5 8 4 3 3 5 3 7 3

Sex M C F F C F C G F C C H C C F G G F F G C C F C M H C C C C C H F F C H C G M G C F F H G F C C H G F C F H F G F

Sire Stimulation Shamardal Galileo Acclamation Soldier Hollow Fastnet Rock Muhtathir Notnowcato Dubawi Galileo Whipper Tiberius Caesar Galileo Galileo Naaqoos High Chaparral Invincible Spirit Exceed And Excel Fastnet Rock Montjeu Manduro Showcasing Dansili Teofilo Tamayuz Dubawi Kitten’s Joy Poet’s Voice Ramonti Scat Daddy Pounced Kheleyf Sea The Stars Galileo Henrythenavigator Areion Dubawi Duke of Marmalade Rip Van Winkle Byron Dark Angel Exceed And Excel Areion Cape Cross Manduro Oasis Dream Campanologist War Front Intikhab Dark Angel Dubawi Invincible Spirit Adlerflug Silver Frost Kingsalsa Invincible Spirit Dubawi

Dam Sweet Coincidence Scarlett Rose La Traviata Marlinka Divya Alexandrova Take Grace Polished Gem Speirbhean Alluring Park Highphar Toamasina Danedrop Walklikeanegyptian Katerini Blue Rhapsody Sun Bittern Mango Lady Beyond Compare Notable Penfection Bird Key Photographic Tessa Reef Holda Galatee Trensa Zain Al Boldan Miss Sultin Mekko Hokte Almata Evening Guest Alpine Snow Goldikova Perfect Hedge Palace Princess Canda Miss Brown To You Sophie Germain Boa Estrela Beatrix Potter Molly Brown Artica Guadalupe Visorama Rosa Del Dubai La Vinchina My Annette Bois Joli Kelsey Rose Opera Comique Learned Friend Tucana Miss Bio Foresta Fairy of The Night Shimmering Surf

Broodmare Sire Mujahid Royal Applause Johannesburg Marju Platini Sadler’s Wells Take Risks Danehill Danehill Green Desert Highest Honor Marju Danehill Danehill Cacique Cape Cross Seeking The Gold Dalakhani Galileo Zafonic Orpen Cadeaux Genereux Oasis Dream Mark of Esteem Docksider Galileo Giant’s Causeway Poliglote Celtic Swing Holy Bull Almutawakel Be My Guest Verglas Anabaa Unfuwain Tiger Hill Storm Cat Fasliyev Indian Ridge Intikhab Cadeaux Genereux Rudimentary Pentire Monsun Linamix Dubai Destination Oasis Dream Red Ransom Orpen Most Welcome Singspiel Seeking The Gold Acatenango River Mist Forestier Danehill Danehill Dancer

Index 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113

95

Jul_155_24Hours_Owner 29/06/2017 14:10 Page 96

24 HOURS WITH… FRANCESCA CUMANI

96

GEORGE SELWYN

I

usually get up at about 6am though it does depend on what time Harry, our 18-month old son, decides it’s time to wake up.

He will be chatting away in bed, so I’ll get him dressed and then downstairs where coffee is pretty high on my list of priorities. Early morning is about being mum and after my cup of coffee I’ll give Harry his breakfast.

My husband Rob is currently in Australia but back with us in Newmarket soon, hopefully. He has been working for Gai Waterhouse, so when we’re at home in Australia he’s out of the house by 2.30am and obviously not able to help with Harry.

I try and throw something down while I’m feeding Harry and my breakfast can consist of an egg, tomato, sausage and a bit of bacon. The more the better – I’m a good doer!

I would love to have a whole menagerie of animals, but I am travelling so much it isn’t possible. When I’m away Harry’s time is divided between his nanny and my mum.

I’m very conscious of having to juggle work with my home life but it makes a tremendous difference having family around and mum loves having the chance to get to know Harry. I ride out for dad when I can because I love it so. But I also love my work on television and on racedays I get to the course early to go through recordings and rehearsals. There’s also makeup and other details before we are up and running for the first race on air.

Currently I am working 50 days for ITV from the Guineas meeting through to Champions Day before returning to Australia and, while it’s quite a challenge getting to know all the horses and form after nine years in Australia, I have a residual

FRANCESCA CUMANI is something of a shuttle broadcaster, splitting her time between Britain and Australia, all the while juggling the needs of a young son with help from her husband and family memory of life in a racing stable having grown up in Newmarket.

My background in racing helps massively and having my parents there to ask about anything training, breeding or veterinary is a big bonus. I always think it’s a good thing to be a bit nervous before going on air, that bit of adrenaline and excitement are almost part of the job. There is a great team spirit at ITV and we all help each other out; we have to make racing fun so people want to watch the sport.

Presenting racing for Channel 7 in Australia involves ten races a day, followed by a blank day. Here there are fewer races but at the big meetings you come

off air and it’s pretty much straight into homework for the next day. The presentation is the most important part but that would never be a success without all the preparation.

Lunch is pretty much a nonevent when I’m working. You get so involved in the job, then racing starts and lunchtime has passed you by.

At home with my parents we might sit down for lunch. In Australia I enjoy cooking; I am not brilliant but Rob is pretty good in the kitchen. I have a Thermomix: you put everything in, press a button, off it goes and produces pretty much a meal.

I studied Spanish and French at university and, speaking Italian and English

as well, can be useful when you’re on holiday. When I worked for CNN in Australia I used to present the Winning Post show in English and Spanish so the extra language there was helpful.

Presently I am involved with three broodmares, two at my parents’ Fittocks Stud, and one in Australia as well as three racehorses. I have been very lucky and had two Group 1 winners: Gailo Chop, who won the Mackinnon, and Global Glamour, who I own with about 40 other women.

Global Glamour is trained by Gai Waterhouse and won two Group 1s last year.

I recently competed in a charity polo match for Magic Millions with Rob and Zara Tindall. It is an incredibly tough game; I would think one of the most skilful sports in the world. I attempt to play, but very badly. In fact, compared with the level at which Rob and his brothers perform I don’t think what I do even qualifies as playing!

But it is very good fun.

One of my favourite relaxations is lying on a beach sunbathing with a good book. I play a bit of tennis, love skiing and, of course, riding is right up there. We go a lot to Tuscany where we got married. It is beautiful, with good food and weather.

At the moment, in the evening, while we are living with my parents I put Harry to bed and can relax. In Australia, Rob and I might cook supper and I really enjoy spaghetti bolognese with a glass of wine. I don’t watch much television and prefer to switch off with a book. I thoroughly enjoyed The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.

I try not to go to bed much later than 10.30pm. I used to be a good sleeper, but now as a mother I’ve become a lighter sleeper.

Interview by Tim Richards

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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DAR11322 OB page-Iffraaj-30 JUN17.qxp 26/06/2017 13:21 Page 1

ALL DATA: 23/6/17

Not if, not when...

...NOW!

Ribchester breaks the track

record to win the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, confirming his status as the world’s highest-rated miler and Europe’s highestrated horse. He’s the latest and greatest by Iffraaj, who also has two G1-winning colts in Australia and New Zealand in 2017. In fact, of all the stallions in the world, only Galileo has more 2017 G1 wins than Iffraaj.

Not since the ’80s has a stallion sired three G1-winning juveniles from his first four crops. That’s Iffraaj, in outline.

WATCH OUT

for more facts in the blue horse over the summer.

Darley +44 (0)1638 730070 +353 (0)45 527600 www.darleystallions.com