Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder

May_153_Cover_OwnerBreeder 21/04/2017 16:15 Page 1

Incorporating

£4.95 | May 2017 | Issue 153

The TBA at 100 From its turbulent birth to industry champion

Plus • Josephine Gordon’s quest for quality over quantity • Craven fireworks: extraordinary trade at Tattersalls • James and Anita Wigan hit right note across the globe

05

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

35847_Top2YOListGB_TBOB_May'17.qxp_35516_Mastercraftsman_TBOB_Mar'17 11/04/2017 16:56 Page 1

by GALILEO

by WAR COMMAND’S sire War Front

by CHOISIR, also sire of STARSPANGLEDBANNER

by GALILEO

by FASTNET ROCK

by NO NAY NEVER’S sire Scat Daddy

by NO NAY NEVER’S sire Scat Daddy

by WAR COMMAND’S sire War Front

by WAR COMMAND’S sire War Front by a son of GALILEO

by HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

by FASTNET ROCK

by WAR COMMAND’S sire War Front by a son of GALILEO

by CHOISIR, also sire of STARSPANGLEDBANNER

by FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND

by POWER

• 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 •

35847_Top2YOListGB_TBOB_May'17.qxp_35516_Mastercraftsman_TBOB_Mar'17 11/04/2017 16:57 Page 2

Churchill (Galileo) quickens clear to score easily in the Dewhurst Stakes-Gr.1

Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) runs away with the Coventry Stakes-Gr.2 before landing the Phoenix Stakes-Gr.1 by 4 lengths

Rivet (Fastnet Rock) beats Yucatan (Galileo) and Salouen (Canford Cliffs) to win the Racing Post Trophy-Gr.1

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.

May_153_Editors_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 17:28 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 | May 2017 | Issue 153

The TBA at 100 From its turbulent birth to industry champion

Plus • Josephine Gordon’s quest for quality over quantity • Craven fireworks: extraordinary trade at Tattersalls • James and Anita Wigan hit right note across the globe

05

9 771745 435006

www.ownerbreeder.co.uk

Cover: Mare and foal Photo: Adam Smyth

Follow us on... @OwnerBreeder

EDWARD ROSENTHAL

Turner’s fine work inspires Gordon to make her mark J

osephine Gordon was undoubtedly one of the stars of 2016, her breakthrough season taking her all the way to the apprentice jockeys’ title. This year, without her claim, brings her into ‘difficult second album’ territory but with the backing of rising force Hugo Palmer, the future looks immensely promising for the 23-year-old.

With a select band of riders taking more rides than ever before – as discussed in Howard Wright’s column on page 28 – it’s becoming harder for the younger brigade to break in to the elite. It’s a credit to Gordon’s hard work, drive and talent that she is now making such an impact.

Hayley Turner set the benchmark for female jockeys in Britain, proving that women could be just as good as men if given a fair crack of the whip. At her best, Turner was a top-ten rider, and although her form dipped in the latter stages of her career, the woman who partnered three winners at the highest level remains an inspiration to a younger generation. Asked for her biggest influence in the saddle, Gordon is unequivocal.

“Hayley Turner set the bar so high for us girls,” she relates (Talking To, pages 36-40). “We all look up to Hayley because she is the first girl who has competed with so much success. She has been there and done it at all levels.

“I’d love to achieve half of what she has done. She has been a real eye-opener for the rest of us, the standard bearer who has given us all a goal to aim for.

Hayley is a proper role model.”

Having booted home 87 winners last year, Gordon now has her sights set on making her mark in the better races – preferably on TV, which would help to boost her profile further.

She says: “Last year the aim was to ride 100 winners, but now I am after quality rather than quantity. I want some nice winners, big handicaps and Group races if possible, preferably on ITV. “Now that I have joined Hugo Palmer’s stable he can

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

take me to the next level. Hugo has got the ammunition, some really nice horses that will give me a good chance of realising my immediate ambitions.”

One of the biggest charges levelled at women jockeys – and a view that is still prevalent – is that they lack the strength in the saddle needed to be competitive at the top level. Anyone who has watched Gordon ride will know that she will not fall short on that score.

With Godolphin also seemingly an admirer of this nascent talent, it must be hoped that Gordon can herself, in time, prove an inspiration to those following behind her, backed up by the likes of Hollie Doyle and the returning Sammy Jo Bell. As Lizzie Kelly proved at Aintree on Tea For Two in the Grade 1 Betway Bowl Chase, all the girls need is a chance.

Aintree’s sparkling three-day fixture saw Colin Tizzard gain ample compensation for a blank Cheltenham Festival. His five winners included three Grade 1s with Fox Norton (The Big Picture, pages 16-23), Pingshou and Finian’s Oscar, all partnered by man-of-themoment Robbie Power, now first jockey to Ann and Alan Potts.

Power also claimed the Irish Grand National on the Jessica Harrington-trained Our Duke for the Cooper Family Syndicate, defying the might of Gigginstown, which supplied 13 runners.

The Grand National may not have attracted an impressive audience figure on ITV (see news, page 10) but it did see a star performance from Derek Fox and the Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur. His hold up ride rightly took the plaudits as Scotland celebrated its first triumph in the big race since 1979.

In this issue we also celebrate the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association turning 100. Tony Morris (pages 42-46) tells the fascinating story of how the TBA was established at a time of great change for Europe, in an era when the Jockey Club very much ruled the roost in the sport.

“She has drive and

talent and dispels the myth that women lack strength in the saddle

”

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May_153_Contents_Contents 21/04/2017 17:33 Page 4

CONTENTS MAY 2017

36

24

NEWS & VIEWS

INTERNATIONAL SCENE

7

ROA Leader

30

View From Ireland

9

TBA Leader

32

Continental Tales

10

News

34

Around The Globe

12

Changes

Tote opportunity exciting

A century of achievements

National viewers switch off

News in a nutshell

26

Tony Morris

28

Howard Wright

4

Hermit’s Derby story

Jockeys in decline

Damian English’s bargain buys

Thierry Délègue on the right path

New York names to follow

The ‘Two Golf Widows’ – Belinda McClung (left) and Deborah Thomson – celebrate One For Arthur’s Grand National victory with jockey Derek Fox

May_153_Contents_Contents 21/04/2017 17:34 Page 5

48

56

FEATURES

FORUM

16

The Big Picture

66

The Thoroughbred Club

24

From The Archives

68

ROA Forum

36

Talking To...

78

TBA Forum

42

COVER STORY

84

Breeder of the Month

86

Vet Forum

From Aintree and Meydan

Oh So Sharp in 1985

Top jockey Josephine Gordon

TBA Centenary Early days of the association

48

James and Anita Wigan

55

Breeders’ Digest

56

The independent breeders

Breeze-up trade booming

Sales Circuit New records at Tattersalls and Goffs UK

64

Caulfield Files

88

Dr Statz

96

24 Hours With...

Gallery event a hit

Ownership costs revealed

Annual seminar preview

David Young for Special Tiara

The development of the hoof

DATA BOOK

90

NH Graded Races

94

Stallion Statistics

Your latest winners

Theatre shows on top

American breezers find favour

Snitzel’s sons strike

Colin Nutter

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Our monthly circulation is certified at

9,500 Can other magazines prove theirs?

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Knockhouse Stud OB April 2017 f-p_Knockhouse Stud OB April 2017 f-p 21/04/2017 13:30 Page 1

LIBERTARIAN Bay, 2010, 16.3hh by New Approach ex Intrum Morshaan (Darshaan)

First Crop Yearlings 2017

Libertarian's foals were in demand at the sales Race record from only 6 starts: 1st Maiden Stakes, 1m2f, Pontefract, on debut.

1st Gr.2 Dante Stakes, 1m2½f, York, beating Trading Leather.

2nd Gr.1 Investec Derby, 1m4f, Epsom Downs, behind Ruler Of The World and beating Battle Of Marengo and Ocovango.

4th Gr.1 Ladbrokes St Leger, 1m6½f, Doncaster, behind Leading Light.

Stunning looking son of NEW APPROACH Bred on the classic NEW APPROACH/DARSHAAN cross From the same family as HALLING Second son of NEW APPROACH to go to stud

“With any pace in the race, he'd have won.”

KARL RICHARD BURKE, AFTER THE EPSOM DERBY-GR.1 Exceptional First Foals

Also standing: Notnowcato, Workforce, September Storm & Prince Flori

Sean, Geraldine & Janet Kinsella, Knockhouse Stud, Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland Tel: 00353 51 885170/885363 • Mobile: 00353 85 7852067 or Alan Grace: (085) 8136735 seankhstud@eircom.net • www.knockhousestud.com Follow us on twitter and facebook

May_153_ROA_Leader_Layout 1 21/04/2017 16:08 Page 7

ROA LEADER

NICHOLAS COOPER President Racehorse Owners Association

Pooled resource should give racing tote it needs Perfect environment exists for racecourses to create a successful operation

A

plea I made in this column about the future of the tote almost a year ago is beginning to come to fruition – well almost. I argued then that the only way racing would successfully operate its own tote system when Betfred’s exclusive licence expires in July 2018 would be if the racecourses all came together to operate a pool betting system that maximised the all-important liquidity of the pool.

I say ‘almost’ because we now know that Ascot has, rather interestingly, decided to spurn its fellow racecourses and join up with Betfred, while Chester and Bangor will continue with their in-house betting operation and presumably extend this to include pool betting, assuming they are granted a licence.

While it is true the absence of Ascot and Chester leaves a significant dent in the racecourses’ plan to create and operate their own tote, there is sufficient resolve and unanimity among all the other courses to make this happen.

To some ROA members with long memories it might seem rather odd for today’s representative of owners to be championing the cause for a racecourse-owned tote. But, in reality, this is the only way the racing industry can achieve its long-term goal of gaining proprietorial rights over a large section of the pool betting market.

The world of intellectual property rights may be a legal minefield, but it’s pretty clear that racecourses have ultimate control over most things that take place on their premises and, while we must all continue to dream of huge off-course pool betting markets, it’s difficult to imagine how British racing can get any sort of traction in building up pool betting without it being a collective racecourse-led operation.

As we have seen with the enormous sums of money that are now coming from the sale of TV rights, the sensible approach for owners and horsemen is to ensure there are always binding prize-money agreements with racecourses so that we are assured of a fair share of

whatever money is flowing into the courses’ coffers.

Yes, of course, we continue to have our gripes, but the world has changed and in recent years most racecourses have become well run business entities with proprietors and managers who possess a good understanding of event management backed up with commercial nous.

It will not be lost on the racecourse consortium that the hardware and software infrastructure behind the pool betting system will be key to the early success of the venture. We know that the real jackpot is about enfranchising the off-course market through online betting, but this is an objective that is much more likely to be achieved if a solid foundation is first created by building up the tote on-course.

Just how many competitors the consortium will have when they push the button next year is anybody’s guess. While the Gambling Commission will no doubt apply ‘the fit and proper’ test on licence applicants they will also have to be scrupulously fair in applying whatever becomes their chosen criteria for granting a pool betting licence.

God forbid, though, that this should create a situation where numerous new operators end up competing for a part of what is now a fairly small pool betting market. One can only hope that commercial realities will quickly deter almost all of the crystal-ball optimists.

We must also hope that major bookmakers see this as a development that allows them to build on the part they now play to facilitate pool betting through their shops, rather than give way to any temptation that they will themselves also become pool betting operators.

With the staggering growth of digital technology, we now have a perfect environment for the racecourses to establish a big and meaningful tote in the country, though whether British punters, with their fixed-odds mentality, will ever truly embrace pool betting is another question.

To be given the chance to find the answer is as much as we can hope for at this stage.

“We know that the real jackpot is about enfranchising the offcourse market through online betting

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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

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

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

Membership from just £115

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

May_153_TBA_Leader_TBA 21/04/2017 17:20 Page 9

TBA LEADER

JULIAN RICHMOND-WATSON Chairman Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Celebrating 100 years as thoroughbred guardians The TBA is every bit as vital today as it was at its formation during wartime

O

n May 14, 1917, a meeting chaired by Lord D’Abernon agreed a proposal to establish a Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. Today, as we celebrate 100 years of the TBA’s history, it is a time to reflect on what has happened in that time and then to look forward.

Lord D’Abernon, who was later confirmed as the TBA’s first President, and his 18-strong Council came together to ensure that the thoroughbred continued to be tested on the racecourse, even during the war years, and they persuaded the government of the day that this was so important for the breed that a limited amount of racing was allowed to take place.

By the time of the TBA’s second AGM in December 1918, the war was over, and the newly-formed association set about asking the Jockey Club, the sport’s ruling body, to recognise its existence.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this took some time and even when recognition came, the TBA was given little credit for its original initiative.

However, not only has the TBA survived, it has gone from strength to strength. Its work might lack the glamour and excitement that is often associated with owning, training and riding racehorses, but nevertheless it is vital to both the breeding and racing industries.

As thoroughbred breeders, we must be very thankful for the work that many generations of TBA Council and committee members have encompassed over those 100 years. Lord D’Abernon and his original Council were setting out on a long journey. Yet I am sure they would recognise the many challenges the TBA faces today.

In certain instances little seems to have changed, and it is interesting to note that the argument, which still rumbles on, about the number of mares a stallion should cover was already underway in 1922, when Sunstar was reputed to have serviced 75 mares instead of the usual 40 or 45. I wonder what the leading lights of the association then would think about the advances in veterinary science and

practices that the TBA and Equine Fertility Unit have brought about, so that even unproven stallions regularly cover more than 150 mares in a season and many National Hunt stallions over 200.

However, history and heritage remain so important, and the patronage of royalty, latterly by Her Majesty the Queen, and many substantial breeders from around the world has been vital in securing the quality of the British thoroughbred over the last century.

The ability to go back over so many generations of stars and make mating decisions on their racing and breeding performances is due to the constant mantra that the horse must be tested on the racecourse before deserving its place in the paddock.

The TBA will always work with the racing authorities, and stay true to its founders, in ensuring that there is a race programme that tests the breed and rewards and defines the best, across all distances and agegroups, for those who strive to produce top-class thoroughbreds.

Recent work by the TBA on a suitable pattern of races for stayers and fillies illustrates the importance of race planning to breeders.

The TBA has succeeded in ensuring that breeders not only have a voice within the sport but also are active in every aspect of equine reproduction, welfare, veterinary science, international trade and the education and training of staff, all of which are vital to the industry. This has helped to encourage British breeders such as Cheveley Park while bringing in overseas investors such as Juddmonte, Darley and Shadwell, and the best veterinary expertise.

Veterinary advances and the increasing globalisation of our sport bring their own disease and welfare issues, while training and education are as important as ever for those handling thoroughbreds. These and the many other issues the TBA has to address make its role every bit as vital as it was 100 years ago. I have no doubt that the association will be equally important and relevant to thoroughbred breeding in another 100 years’ time.

“The TBA will stay true

to its founders in ensuring that there is a race programme that tests the breed

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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May_153_News_Owner 21/04/2017 17:12 Page 10

NEWS Stories from the racing world

National audience slumps on ITV The Derby and Royal Ascot will be crucial for racing’s exclusive terrestrial partner

H

opes that the decision to pair up with ITV as horseracing’s terrestrial partner would deliver a significant ratings boost for the sport have so far failed to materialise, with the peak viewing figure on Grand National day being lower than all four of the race’s Channel 4 years.

The good weather would certainly have affected the number of people who tuned in to watch One For Arthur gallop his way into immortality, but the bare facts were that the five-minute peak audience of 8.2 million represented a drop of 18% from a peak of 10m in 2016.

ITV’s audience share during the race was an impressive 62%, up 3% on Channel 4’s share in 2016, and the coverage itself was positively received.

One eye-catching figure was a viewing audience of just 31,000 for The Opening Show on the first day of the Grand National meeting, thought to comfortably be the smallest number for a horseracing programme on terrestrial television.

That programme aired at 10am, a timeslot reserved midweek on BBC1 for Homes Under The Hammer, which pulls in around 1m viewers.

Richard FitzGerald, the Racecourse Media Group chief executive, who led the team that

A peak audience of 8.2 million watched One For Arthur claim Grand National glory

selected ITV as racing’s new mainstream television partner, identified the Derby and

Royal Ascot as meetings he believed would “see some substantial increases” against

Distances altered after remeasurement The BHA has issued some alterations following the first remeasurement of Flat distances since 1991.

Of the 262 measurements taken, 88% were found to have differences of no more than 20 yards following remeasurement.

Britain’s most valuable race, the Investec Derby, will have a new official distance – but unlike in the case of the Grand National, its change after remeasuring is very minor. It has actually been run over 1m4f6yds, not the 1m4f10yds it was traditionally thought to have been.

There will be no movement of the start, so the race will be run over the same distance as

10

before, and will be advertised as ‘about 1m4f’.

However, on many courses starts will be moved in order to ensure races are run over precisely their advertised distance, and where a discrepancy has been identified and a start cannot be moved, the advertised distance will be changed.

Of the more significant findings, the traditional turf distance of ‘about 2m’ at Lingfield was found to be ‘2m and 68 yards’, and that will be the distance over which such races will be advertised in future, with no change to the start position.

Lingfield will continue to run turf races at

‘about 1m6f’, but that start will be moved forward by 118 yards in the most significant move at any of the re-measured courses.

The new distances and amended starts will appear in all publications and platforms for fixtures taking place from May 8.

Brant Dunshea, BHA Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations, said: “We remain committed to meeting industry and public expectations to provide accurate racing data.

“The remeasurement of Flat racecourses is an important step as we continue to improve in this area and build the confidence of those who follow British racing in the data that is available.”

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May_153_News_Owner 21/04/2017 17:12 Page 11

Channel 4 figures, and he and others involved in choosing ITV will certainly be hoping that belief materialises.

Overall, up to and including Aintree, The Opening Show and afternoon racing programmes on ITV and ITV4 had been seen by well over three million fewer people than watched the equivalent output on Channel 4 in 2016.

Figures, however, for the first two days of the National meeting had been well up on Channel 4’s for the corresponding days last year, as were the daily audiences for Cheltenham, and it is not unknown for the National to throw up what seems a freak figure – for example ‘just’ 7.6m watched Sir AP McCoy’s victory aboard Don’t Push It on BBC1 in 2010.

Aintree boss John Baker, asked about the ITV viewing figures and coverage generally, said: “It was such an unusual day weather wise, and while it was great for all of our customers at Aintree it meant lots more people were out and about, catching the race perhaps in the pub or while on the go.

“ITV Racing have really taken forward the story of the National as the people’s race.

They told it brilliantly with their very accessible presentation and with the respect they showed to the horse and horse welfare, which is so important at Aintree and to the race.

“I thought Ed Chamberlin and his team were tremendous, and so were the team behind the cameras. We’re absolutely delighted with the coverage.”

Applications open for Horseracing MBA The University of Liverpool has opened applications for the 2017 Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA, which was launched in 2015 and is set to see its first graduates this year.

Created by the British Horseracing Authority, Levy Board and University of Liverpool, the MBA is a part-time course that runs over two years. It is designed for individuals already working in British racing or anyone wishing to embark upon a career in the industry.

The final module covered ‘Finance and Economics of the International Thoroughbred Horseracing Industry.’ In addition to academic theory and analysis covering the key issues of horse population, attendance and betting turnover on racing, the students also heard from a number of industry experts who gave their views on the current state of the industry. These included former BHA Chairman Paul Roy, ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton, and a combined session from Patrick Masterson, Managing Director of Newton Abbot, and Claire Shepherd, new Chief Executive of the TBA. Ahead of the maiden graduation, two of the students have already been appointed to key industry positions. Emma Marley took up her role as Head of Raceday Operations for the BHA in April, whilst Matt Mancini of the BHA became a Non-Executive Board Director for the British Equestrian

Emma Marley: MBA graduate

Federation in January.

Upon the former’s appointment, Brant Dunshea, Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations for the BHA, said: “Emma really stood out, not only because of her proven track record at both Bath and Ayr but also her understanding of the racing industry as a whole, which is reflected in her qualifications and participation in the Horseracing MBA.” The University of Liverpool is now recruiting new students to join the third running of the MBA programme, which starts in September. Details about the programme can be found at www.liverpool.ac.uk/horseracingmba.

Any questions about the MBA or information about scholarships for the course should be addressed to Neil Coster, Programme Director, at neilc@liverpool.ac.uk.

The Derby, won last year by Harzand, will have an official new distance after the Epsom course was remeasured

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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May_153_Changes2pp_Layout 1 21/04/2017 17:18 Page 12

Racing’s news in a nutshell PEOPLE AND BUSINESS

Jean-Claude Rouget Outbreak of equine herpes virus hits one of the French champion trainer’s Pau yards, affecting 57 horses and resulting in two deaths.

Neil Mulholland Posts a century of winners for the first time, with Espoir De Teillee notching the milestone at Ffos Las on April 9.

Jonathan Garratt Succeeds Richard Landale as Managing Director of Kelso.

Allan Mackay Former jockey, 57, in intensive care after suffering a fall on the Newmarket gallops in March.

Tommy Dowling Conditional attached to Charlie Mann’s yard sustains fractured vertebrae and ribs in fall after his mount suffers a heart attack at Newbury.

Ascot racecourse Will launch its own pool betting operation in 2018 supported by Betfred-backed technology, rejecting the opportunity to join with other courses.

Paul Moloney Mark Quinlan Finishes his riding career in the best possible fashion with a double at Sedgefield; he will become assistant to trainer Neil Mulholland.

Dale Swift Jockey, 32, quits the saddle due to weight problems. He won the 2011 Ebor on Moyenne Corniche and enjoyed a great partnership with Top Notch Tonto.

Gerard Tumelty Calls time on career in the saddle, finishing second on his last ride, Canford Chimes at Exeter. He partnered around 100 winners in total.

Seb Sanders Champion jockey in 2007, when he shared the title with Jamie Spencer, joins Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby as a work rider.

Signs off after 20-year career in the saddle.

The 38-year-old won over 800 races and finished placed in seven consecutive Grand Nationals between 2009-2015.

Jonathan Mullin Former editor of the Irish Racing Post is to join Horse Racing Ireland as Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

Barry Geraghty Jockey breaks arm and is set to be out of action for a few months.

Tom Cannon A neck fracture sustained in a fall at Stratford will keep the jockey on the sidelines until mid/late May. He was only two winners behind his best tally of 38.

George Baker Trainer purchases Robins Farm in Surrey from Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, former home to Olly and Hetta Stevens. He is planning to expand the 55-box yard.

PEOPLE OBITUARIES Graham Parr 67

James McNeile 57

Helped found Arena Leisure, serving as its first Chief Executive, having started his working life at holiday camp Pontins with Trevor Hemmings.

Amateur jockey dies after sustaining a serious brain injury following a fall from his own horse at Larkhill point-to-point in April.

John Deane 87

Hansjorg Eisele 84

West Country bookmaker for over 60 years, he had a pitch at Cheltenham, owned two betting shops and stood at Bristol greyhound stadium.

Co-founder of the BBA Germany with his son Dirk, he acted as an advisor to Baroness Gabrielle von Oppenheim of Gestüt Schlenderhan and also worked as a commentator and journalist.

Richard Casey 70

David Stoddart 79

Former trainer who sent out Vague Shot to win the 1987 Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and enjoyed success over jumps with chaser Hogmanay.

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He bred and owned Party Politics, winner of the 1992 Grand National, selling the horses just days before his Aintree triumph.

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TWEENHILLS TIMES AN EYE FOR SUCCESS

MAY 2017

BROCKLESBY WINNER FOR HARBOUR WATCH Tweenhills stallion Harbour Watch got off to a flying start for 2017 when two of his progeny won on the opening day of the Flat turf season in Britain.

Santry

staff PROFILE

Both represented breeding triumphs for Qatar Racing’s Irish Representative Peter Molony, owner of Rathmore Stud, with three-year-old Wefait taking a Kempton maiden and two-year-old Santry making a winning debut in the first division of the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster.

Santry was bought by his current connections for €24,000 and is well regarded by trainer Declan Carroll, who has won five races with his half-sister Pull The Plug. Santry could be another Royal Ascot runner for Harbour Watch, whose Gr. 2-winning son Tis Marvellous looks in line for the Gr. 1 Commonwealth Cup.

Zoustar and Havana light up sales ring A filly by Zoustar – the stallion partly-owned by Qatar Bloodstock Limited – became the first yearling by a first-season sire to sell for seven figures in Australia in 2017 when changing hands for $1 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Hannah Mika Stud hand Getting started…

I come from a city called Bendigo near Melbourne in Australia and have been around horses pretty much my whole life. I have two horses back home, an eventer and one whom I have done some Liberty Training with.

Before Tweenhills…

I never really followed racing when I was younger, but then I worked in a racing yard for four months.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when it came to leave education, so for a while I shadowed an equine dentist before Ryan Arnel put me in touch with Tweenhills – Ryan worked at Tweenhills for a while and now spells Qatar Bloodstock Limited horses in Australia. I arrived in Britain on Jan 27 and started work two days later.

Tweenhills and the future…

My daily tasks include turning out mares and foals, mucking out and feeding, and I report to Stud Groom Ben Hyde. I’m really enjoying it here and everyone is really friendly, so I plan to stay for at least twelve months, though my visa will let me stay for two years. As for the future, who knows – I’m still making up my mind!

Havana Gold - Remarkable Story (photo: Sarah Farnsworth)

Then just a week later, Havana Gold’s first crop of two-year-olds made a big impression at the breeze-up sales in Britain. Two of them broke the £100,000 barrier at Doncaster, including a half-brother (pictured) to Gr. 3 winner Grendisar purchased by our own David Redvers for £135,000. The colt, who now joins David Simcock, recorded a very fast time, just as another Havana Gold – a filly out of the Gr.1-placed Esloob – had at Ascot the previous week before selling for £64,000 to join Robert Cowell. Havana Gold, a Gr.1winning son of champion two-year-old Teofilo, stands at Tweenhills for a covering fee of £7,000 (Oct 1st SLF).

David makes his Point Tweenhills’ Manager David Redvers made a return to competitive race-riding for the first time since 1995 when a fast-finishing second at Bitterley point-to-point on Apr 1.

Wearing the Pearl Bloodstock colours, David guided his mount – his own Sacre Toi – around the two-and-a-half-mile course in the mens open, dodging a horse who unseated in front of him before almost catching the odds-on winner Silver Roque. “I don’t mind admitting I was on the back foot from an early stage!

But hopefully this – and running in the London Marathon – will put me spot on for my next ride at Berkeley on April 29.”

Tweenhills, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BG W: www.tweenhills.com T: + 44 (0) 1452 700177 M: + 44 (0) 7767 436373 E: davidredvers@tweenhills.com 2300 - Tweenhills Time_April 2017_V04.indd 1

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RACEHORSE AND STALLION MOVEMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Tepin Brilliant US-bred mare, successful six times in Group/Grade 1 company, including the 2016 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, is retired aged six.

Brian The Snail Three-year-old son of Zebedee, winner of all three races, is purchased by Godolphin and will remain with the Richard Fahey stable.

Soll Mud-loving chaser for owner Derrick Mossop, winner of six races under rules including the 2016 veterans’ handicap chase final at Sandown, is retired aged 12.

Palentino Son of Teofilo, a dual Group 1 winner in Australia, is retired to stand at Sun Stud in Victoria.

Holywell

Cable Bay

Le Mercurey

Highclere stallion, who has his first foals on the ground this spring, will shuttle to Australia for the southern hemisphere breeding season.

David and Patricia Thompson purchase seven-year-old and Highland Lodge days before the Grand National, the duo finishing 12th and pulling up.

Enigmatic performer for owner Gay Smith and trainer Jonjo O’Neill. A dual Cheltenham Festival winner, he defeated Don Cossack in an Aintree Grade 1.

Knockara Beau Popular hurdler is retired aged 14.

Trained by George Charlton and ridden

by Jan Faltejsek, he won 11 races, causing a 66-1 shock in the 2014 Cleeve Hurdle.

Silviniaco Conti Top-class chaser is retired aged 11; the winner of seven Grade 1s, including back-to-back King George VI Chases, amassed over £1.1 million.

HORSE OBITUARIES Imperial Commander 16 Winner of the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup, defeating Denman by seven lengths.

Owned by Our Friends In the North, he won three Grade 1s.

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Bellotto 33

Seabass 14

Son of Mr Prospector was placed in both the 2,000 Guineas and Derby in 1987, he was later three-time leading sire in South Australia.

Talented staying chaser for the Ted Walsh stable, winner of seven races and twice favourite for the Grand National, finishing third in 2012.

Reve De Sivola 12

The Tatling 20

Top staying hurdler for Paul Duffy and Nick Williams, his ten wins including three renewals of the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Milton Bradley-trained sprinter whose 18 wins included the 2004 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and three Grade 3 races.

The Bay Oak 8

Rebecca Sharp 23

Promising staying chaser for the Dan Skelton stable and Infinity Racing dies immediately after winning the West Wales National at Ffos Las.

High-class filly trained by Geoff Wragg for Anthony Oppenheimer, winner of the Coronation Stakes and an unlucky second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeSpread2_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:17 Page 16

THE BIG PICTURE

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeSpread2_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:17 Page 17

AINTREE

GREAT SPRING Robbie Power has been flying of late, having won three races at Cheltenham headlined by the Gold Cup, after which he was appointed retained rider by Ann and Alan Potts. He also landed the Irish Grand National and four races at Aintree, including three Grade 1s and which was enough to make him leading rider at the meeting. Fox Norton’s victory in the Melling Chase was the highlight and here the sevenyear-old and Power appear poetry in motion Photo George Selwyn

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeSpread3_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:26 Page 18

THE BIG PICTURE

Lizzie Kelly (left) enjoyed her second win at Grade 1 level on Tea For Two, trained by Nick Williams, in the Betway Bowl Chase, the duo seeing off the challenge of Cue Card and Paddy Brennan

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeSpread3_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:26 Page 19

AINTREE

YAN’S THE MAN JP McManus’s Yanworth had been unable to cut any ice in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but upped in trip at Aintree in the Liverpool Hurdle, the Alan King-trained seven-year-old was able to deploy his stamina to maximum effect. Despite being sandwiched between Supasundae (right) and Snow Falcon jumping the last, he was driven hard

by Barry Geraghty to see the pair off on the run-in Photos George Selwyn

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeGrandNational_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:21 Page 20

THE BIG PICTURE

ONE FOR SCOTLAND One For Arthur and Derek Fox delivered a famous success for Scotland in the Randox Health Grand National, the eight-year-old, owned by two golfing ‘widows’ in Deborah Thomson and Belinda McClung, becoming only the second Scottish-trained winner of the world famous race, after Rubstic in 1979. Lucinda Russell, pictured below with Fox, is only the fourth female trainer to win the race, after Jenny Pitman, Venetia Williams and Sue Smith Photos Bill Selwyn and George Selwyn

May_153_Big_Picture_AintreeGrandNational_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:21 Page 21

AINTREE

May_153_Big_picture_Dubai_World_Cup_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:28 Page 22

THE BIG PICTURE

AWESOME ARROGATE He fell out of the stalls and was still well in rear down the back straight at Meydan, but the world’s highest rated horse still won the Dubai World Cup by more than two lengths under Mike Smith. Arrogate, owned

by Khalid Abdullah and trained by Bob Baffert, has already earned more than $17 million and will likely add to it, with all roads leading to the defence of his Breeders’ Cup Classic crown at Del Mar in November Photo George Selwyn

May_153_Big_picture_Dubai_World_Cup_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 15:28 Page 23

DUBAI WORLD CUP

May_153_FromTheArchives_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:56 Page 24

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The story behind the photo Oh So Sharp was oh so good but boy did she need every yard of the 1,000 Guineas 32 years ago, for she was being bustled along two furlongs out, and even with 100 yards to run it looked for all the world as if the Newmarket fillies’ Classic was between Bella Colora (left) and Al Bahathri (middle).

But the Kentucky Kid Steve Cauthen never gave up and his perseverance ultimately paid off, as Oh So Sharp caught the two leaders right at the death to win by two short heads (then the narrowest margin of victory recorded), providing Sheikh Mohammed with his first British Classic success. The winning time of the Henry Cecil-trained filly eclipsed a race record that had stood since 1950.

Al Bahathri, owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s older brother Sheikh Hamdan, later won the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes, while Bella Colora took the Prix de l’Opera. The Newmarket form was bombproof, franked most of all of course by Oh So Sharp, who went on to land the fillies’ triple crown.

Speaking about Oh So Sharp in this magazine in 2015, Cauthen reflected: “When you look at the fillies she beat in the 1,000 Guineas – Al Bahathri, Bella Colora as well as Triptych – that tells you how tough a filly she was racing on ground firmer than she liked. I rode Indian Skimmer, Time Charter and Triptych, three outstanding fillies, but Oh So Sharp was the best.”

Photo George Selwyn

May_153_FromTheArchives_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:57 Page 25

OH SO SHARP MAY 2, 1985

May_153_Tony_Morris_Owner 21/04/2017 14:21 Page 26

THE MAN YOU CAN’T IGNORE COMMENT

Tony Morris The Derbys of 1844 and 1913 are certainly two of the most sensational, but on the 150th anniversary of Hermit’s 66-1 victory, the startling story behind it is well worth recounting

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PA

W

hich race in the 237-year history of the Derby ranks as the most sensational? For most the issue would surely come down to a choice between 1844 and 1913, the years in which the first horse past the post suffered disqualification, the former all about an over-age ringer, the latter concerning an owner penalised for having had an affair with the senior steward’s sister-in-law.

Perhaps 1913 shades it, as that was also the year when a suffragette was killed by the hooves of the King’s contender, but there is also a case for the Derby staged 150 years ago this month.

The events leading up to Hermit’s victory in 1867 were truly extraordinary, and its consequences hardly less so.

The principal actors in the drama, both born in the early 1840s, were two extremely wealthy young men from privileged backgrounds. Both inherited extensive country estates in their youth, one of them a lengthy list of titles in the British peerage as well.

Henry Chaplin, scion of a distinguished Lincolnshire family, was only a teenager when he came into a fortune and the imposing edifice that was Blankney Hall on the death of an uncle.

Henry Weysford Charles Plantagent was not yet ten when he inherited the equally impressive Donington Hall, in Leicestershire, and his string of titles, chief among them Marquis of Hastings.

In light of the way upper-class Victorian society was constructed, it was inevitable the paths of two such almost exact contemporaries would cross, and they may already have been acquainted before their known association at Christ Church College, Oxford. Harry Hastings, an Old Etonian, arrived in 1860, some time after Henry Chaplin, an Old Harrovian, had become established there, so well-connected that the Prince of Wales looked up to him and was glad of his friendship and company.

In 1862 Chaplin and Hastings both found themselves in demand for ‘the season’, that round of London balls and functions in which eligible bachelors were scrutinised by mothers of daughters who needed to be partnered advantageously. The titles suggested Hastings might represent the better catch, but he seemed to be a delicate sort, for all his charm, and it was

Hermit, winner of the 1867 Derby for owner Henry Chaplin

said that he gambled. Chaplin impressed as probably the steadier fellow, with his august bearing, but there were rumours that he was just as reckless with his money. Neither man took these events very seriously, each choosing to enjoy the fun that single life allowed and to bide his time before actively seeking a bride.

Of course, that state of affairs was not going to last forever, and while both men began to harbour aspirations about a successful career on the Turf, adding another aspect to their friendship, Chaplin was first to determine to end his bachelor days. His choice as life partner was a woman also known to Hastings. The star debutante of the 1863 season, Lady Florence Cecilia Paget was the youngest daughter of the Marquess of Anglesey, recognised as a remarkable beauty, even praised by Queen Victoria herself for her grace and carriage.

Chaplin’s request for Lady Florence’s hand in marriage was accepted, prospective husband showered prospective wife with expensive jewels, and in June 1864 the announcement of the engagement was published in the Morning Post and The Times. Messages of congratulation flooded in, including one from the Prince of Wales, who rejoiced for his old Oxford friend, and a wedding in early August was planned.

By now Hastings had launched himself on the Turf, he owned the favourite for next year’s Derby in The Duke, and that seemed to provide the main focus of his life. But things soon went awry. The Duke was beaten twice at the Newmarket July meeting, his owner incurring heavy losses, a salutory lesson that racing was not as easy as he had imagined.

For July 15 Chaplin had booked a box at Covent Garden for a performance of Faust in which the celebrated Adelina Patti had a starring role. He suggested to his fiancée that they might invite Hastings; perhaps a spot of culture might prove a welcome diversion for their friend after his bad experience at Newmarket. Florence approved the plan, and the trio duly spent the evening together. They parted, and went their separate ways, the lady to a nearby hotel.

Next morning she hired a cab to take her to Marshall & Snelgrove, a fashionable Oxford Street store, which she reached at around 10am.

Having entered by the front door, she made her exit from the back door and by midday had become the Marchioness of Hastings in a quiet ceremony at St George’s, Hanover Square.

One may well imagine the humiliation that the jilted Chaplin suffered. Invitations to the wedding had been sent out, and presents THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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received. The new life he had planned, to begin in a matter of weeks, was suddenly not going to happen. Of course, he was inundated by messages of sympathy, and generally held to be the wronged party. But to be embroiled in such a scandal, an episode that titillated an entire nation – it was the ultimate demeaning embarrassment. Had he never realised Hastings was a rival in love? Probably not. Had he ever imagined that the woman he loved would betray him so cruelly? Certainly not.

Chaplin was now desperate to find a diversion on which he could focus, and he found one in racing, which had long featured as a minor interest and now became his passion. And a small-scale operation was not what he had in mind, signalling his intentions by spending £11,000 on Breadalbane and Broomielaw, who turned out to be unsuccessful candidates for the 1866 Derby. It was said that “he bought horses as though he were drunk, and backed them as if he were mad.” No doubt that was all about striving to gain revenge on his former friend; in time he would moderate his policy and act more sensibly.

In June 1865 Chaplin attended the annual sale of yearlings at William Blenkiron’s Middle Park Stud in Eltham, Kent. He bought six for a total of 4,730gns, including a colt by Newminster out of Seclusion for 1,000gns. A fanciful account of that occasion by Henry Blyth in his book The Pocket Venus is sheer fiction, and there is no contemporary evidence for his assertion that Harry Hastings was the underbidder.

Chaplin named his colt Hermit and put him into training with George Bloss in Newmarket. After a juvenile campaign which yielded four wins and two seconds, some regarded him as a Derby candidate.

Chaplin put his money where his mouth was; Hastings eagerly laid against him. In April he was never quoted higher than 11-1; in May, the Derby only a couple of weeks away, he burst a blood vessel and for most people became a no-hoper.

According to Edward Moorhouse’s version of events in his History and Romance of the Derby, Hermit was then “on the point of being scratched,” which I might have been inclined to believe, if my copy of that book had not previously been owned by Henry Chaplin. “Not a chance of it” was his pencilled remark in the margin. But it was a fact that Hermit took a long walk in the market. Hastings was happy to lay the colt for big sums at higher prices, Chaplin content to take the longer odds.

On a day that brought freak episodes of snowfall on Epsom Downs before and after the race, Hermit was dismissed at 66-1. He got up close home to win by a neck from Marksman, the colt who had followed him into the ring at Blenkiron’s sale as a yearling. Chaplin won a fortune, and Hastings lost one. Some of the Hastings losses came in bets struck personally with Chaplin, who sportingly gave his rival time to pay.

By the following spring the moneylenders were into Hastings in a big way and only a Derby victory for his filly Lady Elizabeth could rescue him. He had no such luck and before 1868 was out, the woman he had stolen from his erstwhile friend was a 26-year-old widow. He died a thoroughly dissipated “old young man”.

Chaplin went on to become a member of the Jockey Club and be ennobled as a viscount. But even he had been forced to sell the ancestral home he had inherited. Hermit failed to win at four and five, his reputation shot. He stood for a fee of only 20gns in his first season at stud, but ultimately became renowned for seven sires’ titles.

“Before 1868 was out

the woman Hastings had stolen from his erstwhile friend was a 26-year-old widow”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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May_153_HowardWright_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:17 Page 28

HOWARD WRIGHT COMMENT

While the BHA’s overhaul of jockey licensing procedures should produce more rounded riders, there are notably fewer of them than 40 years ago

Never had it so good or bad?

T

o paraphrase a well-known political saying, jockeys in Britain have never had it so good. An ambulance still follows the field, providing a safety-first reminder of dangers that will never be totally eradicated, but the days of a devil-take-thehindmost attitude are long gone, replaced by high-class medical care and superior racecourse facilities.

Off the track, riders enjoy access to extended medical, recovery and rehabilitation supervision, personal insurance and pensions, health and nutritional advice, coaching, postracing careers and qualifications services, and even media training, none of which their forebears of 40 years ago would recognise.

Now comes a new initiative that has been three years in the making, “a significant overhaul to the jockey licensing and training process,” according to the BHA, which coordinated the review, with the aim of introducing “procedures to produce the next generation of elite performance jockeys.”

It could be argued that producing any jockeys, particularly on the Flat, for the next generation is crucial, for the landscape has changed dramatically over the last 40 years and the figures relating to today’s apprentices make alarming reading. In this sense, jockeys have never had it so bad.

In 1977, there were 152 professionals and 425 apprentices. Taken together, the ratio of jockeys to the 2,946 races run was 1:5. At the beginning of last month, Weatherbys recorded 116 professional Flat jockeys, a drop of 23.6% over the 40-year period, but just 111 apprentices, a fall of 74%. Applying those figures to a 2016 Flat fixture list that in the meantime had grown by 113% to 6,283 races, the ratio of jockeys to races is 1:28.

More races, even though the average field size fell by a relatively insignificant margin from 10.6 to 9.2 between 1977 and 2016, but far fewer jockeys, and among the distribution of rides an enormous change of emphasis. Last year, from 57,599 runners on the Flat, the top 20 winning jockeys – 8.8% of all riders – accounted for 15,219 mounts, 26.4% of the total.

Among them, at 18th in the table, was Josephine Gordon, whose breakthrough year as champion apprentice produced outstanding totals for wins and rides, at

28

87 and 834 respectively. Next-best claimer was Ben Curtis, with 74 winners from 620 rides, another remarkable achievement. But most of the rest were left picking up the scraps.

Will the BHA’s new initiative help to redress the balance, and will it iron out deficiencies highlighted by the governing body that 30% of licensing-course attendees do not ride a winner and 88% do not ride out their claim? It may.

It will certainly produce a more rounded intake of apprentices and conditionals, with its emphasis on pre-licence assessment, an initial course extension from five to ten days, which will include curriculum-based exposure to personal development and life-skills, as well as the provision of annual continuation training for all claimers, not just a selected few, as at present.

However, the initiative will fall short of its specific aims if it does not receive wholehearted support from trainers, and that will involve a change of culture among some.

NTF President Seamus Mullins, whose organisation was part of the review group, has warmly welcomed the changes to the licensing and training programme, although he recognised one of the pitfalls when he admitted: “Trainers may be slightly inconvenienced by the extra time young jockeys are away from their place of work.”

Here is the crux of any downside to the initiative, which Mullins and others will have to sell to National Trainers Federation members on the basis of his additional comment about “the improvement in riding and life skills this extra training will provide.”

Declaring an interest as a trustee of the Northern Racing College, which will be taking part in the procedures, it came as no surprise to learn from a recent survey among trainers about recruitment of staff that 51% had not funded or arranged training or development in the previous 12 months, compared with 34% of businesses nationally. A change of attitude among the silent majority cannot come soon enough.

Josephine Gordon was one of very few apprentices not feeding on scraps in 2016

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

CC3178 TOB May 2017 (MUHAARAR 1st Crop Foals) Preferred_Layout 1 20/04/2017 09:52 Page 1

EUROPEAN CHAMPION SPRINTER & CARTIER SPRINTER 2015

MUHAARAR Highest rated son of emerging sire of sires Oasis Dream

PRECOCIOUS

Colt ex THE LARK (PIVOTAL) “This is a seriously good foal by Muhaarar, owned by Lady Bamford. He has size,scope, strength and a quality head. He has extra action, this is a very good foal.”

HUGO LASCELLES

LOOKS SPEED Colt ex RISKIT FORA BISKIT (KODIAC) “He is quite simply an exceptional foal with a great walk, temperament and conformation. We will definitely be sending more mares to Muhaarar.”

DIEGO ROMEO, LONGVIEW STUD

And his first foals are following suit ...

Colt ex WHATDOIWANTTHATFOR (KODIAC) “He looks a real sprinter - very deep and powerful as well as having very good bone.”

JOHN O’CONNOR, BALLYLINCH STUD

Colt ex DUSKY QUEEN (SHAMARDAL) “He’s a very nice, compact colt owned by the China Horse Club. He’s correct, with a nice outlook and a good step.

He is really stamping his stock. I really like what I’ve seen so far.”

JOHN O’CONNOR, BALLYLINCH STUD

Colt ex TWILIGHT MISTRESS (BIN AJWAAD) “We’re delighted with our foal, which is demonstrated by the fact we have returned to Muhaarar again this year with the dam of Twilight Son.” CAROLINE WILSON, BREEDER

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

01842 755913

Email us at: nominations@shadwellstud.co.uk

May_153_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:27 Page 30

VIEW FROM IRELAND

By JESSICA LAMB

English lessons earning top marks Trainer turning his experience at the sales into winning formula for the racecourse

“All these horses are

proof that they never lose their ability; people just lose patience” being Red Avenger, who cost 14,000gns in October and won more than €30,000 in his first three races at Dundalk.

And the pièce de résistance? Geological sold as a yearling for €80,000, Bluesbreaker for £56,000, and Red Avenger for a whopping 175,000gns as a two-year-old.

“This winter was a big achievement,” said English, only 31. “I’ve never had big money to spend. I’m training for my father, but I want to be able to do this now for other owners and open it up.”

Patience is vital to land the value buys. At the sales English might make up to 60 picks – “big, backward, and unraced, or with form

30

CAROLINE NORRIS

A

drian Keatley and Johnny Levins are two examples of young Flat trainers who have developed a winning formula for buying talent, one that keeps them in business on small budgets. But in Damian English this winter we found a model producing a whole new level of value.

“When Tribal Path finished fourth in the Irish Lincoln on the first day of the turf season he earned €5,500,” he explained. “That’s about what the total cost was of buying him, Geological and Bluesbreaker!”

Since purchasing them for 3,000gns, 800gns and 800gns respectively, the trio has netted 11 races between them, Tribal Path starring with six victories and two premier handicap placings.

Each was bought as an in-training threeyear-old at Tattersalls in Newmarket, and their stories are not unique for English; this winter he had eight horses racing at Dundalk. Five of them helped to amass €95,000 in prizemoney, with Tribal Path topping up the pot to €100,000 in the Irish Lincoln.

Four of the five were bought by English for a combined €19,000, the expensive horse

Damian English: trainer’s purchasing and training policies are reaping big benefits

and lost their way” – then he will sit and wait for one to fall through the cracks.

Like traditionalists, English started buying from yearling sales, striking gold with All Ablaze, who cost €1,000 at Tattersalls Ireland and went on to win more than €30,000.

But other buys became expensive and he moved on to Newmarket’s horses-in-training sale. Ask Dad (115,000gns as a yearling) came next, winning three races after being bought for 1,000gns in 2013, and giving English the beginnings of a reputation.

“When we first started doing this, so many lads would say, ‘You got lucky with that one and this one,’ but I’ve more orders for this July Sale than ever before.”

He added: “I’m mad for the challenge. I’d love to have 40 to 50 horses in for Dundalk for next winter. We’ve been doing it with ten the last five years, but we’ve had an offer to move yards to a 50-yard box ten minutes down the road and we’re moving in May. “It’s on the way to the beach that we train on. I think the beach is my edge.”

English believes the beach is crucial as the type of horse he is buying needs the space it provides. He’s developed a formula for rejuvenating horses.

“The horses with form, you know they have ability, it’s a case of working out why they aren’t showing it,” he said. “We have the time to find that out, and the fact that we are training on the beach freshens their mind.

“Coming from the sales, we’re seeing a trend where they all need three months off at some point. It might be an injury or a small illness, or they’re just tired, but they all seem to need that time eventually, so we’ve started giving them three months off straight away. We can afford to do that here – that’s what I need from my new owners too, space, so we’re not forcing horses.”

After a successful winter, English has big plans for this summer, with Tribal Path set to lead the way.

“He’d run through a wall for you,” he said.

“It kills me to say it, because I absolutely love him, but he probably does have a bit more ability than Cash Or Casualty did.

“He was our first stable star, but I definitely think Tribal Path has one or two more in him.

He will be going to Chester and Galway and if he got a good draw at Chester I’d hate to be the horse trying to go with him.

“We’ve really nailed his training and it’s great he’s proving the system is working.”

Dance Alone, bought for 5,000gns last year, won before Christmas and is tipped as English’s dark horse.

He says: “He’s been given the three months off and he’ll be a proper horse towards the backend of this year.”

He concluded: “I really wanted to make this training work and I had to find a way to make it pay. All these horses are proof that they never lose their ability; people just lose patience.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

May_153_View_From_Ireland_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:27 Page 31

Maiden hurdles for horses unplaced in three outings and €15,000 mid-range handicaps are two of the new jumps races being rolled out this month.

Answering calls to help smaller jumps trainers struggling to make their businesses pay, Horse Racing Ireland last month revealed three new race types aimed at providing more opportunities for horses in the lower to middle tiers.

We get to see how two of these will work this month as Tipperary hosts the first €15,000 0-116 handicap chase on May 11.

Six days later, Punchestown hosts another and on May 18 Clonmel stages a 0-116 handicap hurdle for the same value, with 0109 horses catered for over fences at Wexford on May 24 and over hurdles at Limerick in July.

Wexford also hosts one of the new maiden hurdles at its late May meeting, with a further two scheduled for June at Tramore and Wexford, the latter for mares only.

On paper, these races should be effective in distributing the prize-money more evenly – at the time of writing Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott had amassed between them more than €7 million, a total that is more than the combined seasonal earnings of the

CAROLINE NORRIS

Much needed support at grassroots level

Maiden hurdles for lesser lights are among the initiatives to help smaller trainers

18 remaining trainers in the top 20.

Then in September HRI will run a trial series of six auction maiden hurdles for horses purchased for €30,000 or less at National Hunt store sales.

These will be open to horses bought as unraced three- or four-year-olds who have not won any race, including point-to-points – the first, at the Listowel festival, will be for mares only and open to those bought for €20,000 or less.

Alongside the trialling of these new races,

handicappers are experimenting with allocating handicap chase marks to lowergrade hurdlers (rated 102 or less) after their first run over fences. Currently horses need to run twice to be assessed, but running once will cut costs for owners and trainers.

There is also an increase in rated beginners’ and novice chases, and novice hurdles, and 11 more mares-only races to reflect the increase in females coming into training, up 13% from 951 to 1,071 between July 2016 and April 2017.

In Brief Mullin returns to racing

Point-to-point pot boiling up

Roscommon under orders

Jonathan Mullin, former Editor of the Irish Racing Post, has joined Horse Racing Ireland to become Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

Mullin said: “There are few jobs that would tempt me to leave my current position with RTÉ, but this is certainly one of them. I cannot wait to start and greatly look forward to the challenges which the position will bring.”

Mullin left the Racing Post in 2016 to take on the role of Head of Digital Sport at RTE. Hailing from County Mayo, he replaces Michael O’Rourke, who announced his intentions to pursue an independent career in January.

In point-to-pointing both the leading riders and trainers titles look set to go down to the wire.

Reigning champion jockey Jamie Codd has been chasing rising star Barry O’Neill all year, with 11-time champion Derek O’Connor back in third.

The concluding meetings come in the first week of June, and the smart money could be on O’Neill, whose prime supporter Colin Bowe has been fighting for the lead in the trainers’ table with rookie Declan Queally.

Queally has been the season’s revelation, training 15 winners with just 11 horses – and riding most of them, too.

Roscommon starts its season on May 8 as the proud owner of state-of-the-art French starting stalls.

Horse Racing Ireland began installing the new equipment in 2015, with the Curragh, Galway, Navan and Gowran Park the first beneficiaries. Roscommon is set to be one of three courses to gain them this year, the key benefits of the custom-made technology being bigger bays, non-invasive tyres, and a strong, quiet release system.

They also come with a cut-off switch to enable a race to be started manually in the event of an electrical failure.

The May 8 fixture is the first of nine at Roscommon this year.

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May_153_Continental_Tales_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:50 Page 32

CONTINENTAL TALES E

FR A N

C

By JAMES CRISPE, INTERNATIONAL RACING BUREAU

The man behind The Right Man

GEORGE SELWYN

Former France-Galop General Manager now eyeing Royal Ascot tilt

Thierry Délègue (green tie) and connections of The Right Man celebrate his triumph in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan

‘I

t’s not up to much.’ That’s the obvious conclusion to jump to when assessing the strength of the form of the fabulously well-endowed Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Day. For a pair of outsiders, neither previously successful at above Group or Grade 3 level, fought out the finish in a race run on rainsoftened ground when most of its participants had arrived in the Emirate with the expectation of a firm surface.

Yet to denigrate the performance of the winner, The Right Man, a British-bred son of Lope De Vega, may be a mistake, just as it would be to underrate the ability of his littleknown French trainer/jockey combination, Didier Guillemin and Francois-Xavier Bertras.

We shouldn’t have to wait long to find out, as The Right Man’s next assignment is the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old is managed by 60-year-old Thierry Délègue, a familiar name in French

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racing circles as he is the former General Manager of the sport’s governing body, France-Galop. He owns a quarter of the Anita Wigan-bred gelding in conjunction with his wife, Géraldine Richshoffer, under the banner of their company Pegase Bloodstock.

The remaining three-quarters of the crack sprinter belong to three North African friends of Délègue’s – Zied Ben M’Rad, Azaddine Sedrati and Samira Turki – with the final 10% down to a current board member of FranceGalop, Comte Guillaume de Saint-Seine.

Délègue and Saint-Seine first teamed up as owners with Penny’s Picnic, a Group 2winning juvenile in 2012 who now stands at Haras du Hoguenet in Normandy and has his first two-year-old runners this season.

And, beyond the exact same yearling purchase price of €30,000, there are a number of similarities between the pair, as Délègue explains.

“I am always prepared to look a long way

back on the female side of the pedigree when going through the sales catalogue, and both Penny’s Picnic and The Right Man had exceptional third dams – in one case Mrs Penny [a Group 1 winner as both a two- and three-year-old in 1979 and 1980] and in the other Three Troikas [the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine of 1979],” he says.

“Penny’s Picnic was the first yearling that I ever sent to Didier Guillemin and nothing has happened in the meantime to change my strategy, even though having horses with him down in Mont-de-Marsan, some 500 miles away from where Pegase is based in Chantilly, may not seem logical.

“Didier is a very honest guy; we work well as a team as he allows me to use my knowledge of the racing programme to pick out the races for them, and he will tell me straight if a horse has no ability.”

As for Bertras, Délègue says: “FrancoisXavier is 41 years old now but he’s been one THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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NY

Löwe steps aside

ITA

Some significant changes have just taken place among the top ranks of Germany’s training and riding fraternities with the retirement of Cologne handler Andreas Löwe and his replacement with the former top jockey Andreas Suborics.

Löwe hailed from a breeding background (his father was a renowned stud manager) but had held a licence for 35 years, winning more than 1,300 races including seven German Classics, although never the Deutsches Derby, in which he saddled the runner-up on three separate occasions.

At the age of 74 he decided to step down, though he will stay on in an advisory capacity for the next two seasons.

His protégé is the 45-year-old Suborics, who hung up his boots for a second time last November. He was forced out of the saddle on doctor’s advice following a fall when riding track work in Hong Kong in March 2010, only to return nine months later having obtained a second medical opinion.

Born in Austria, where he rode until his early twenties, Suborics won the German jockeys’ championship on three occasions

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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GEORGE SELWYN

GERMA

of the top jockeys in the south-west of France for 20 years and he’s a superb judge of pace, which I think is crucial in sprints – he can get a horse to settle and he knows if he’s in the red or in the green.

“He’s also had a lot of success riding in Arab races, which is a very good sign as Purebred Arabians are even more difficult to ride than thoroughbreds.

“As a small owner, it’s often difficult to get the same jockey to ride your horse every time, which can be frustrating as I think continuity is really important. Thankfully, FrancoisXavier has been able to ride The Right Man on every one of his starts for the last two years.”

Délègue has been careful to allow The Right Man to progress slowly, although his early career was something of a disappointment compared to the talent he showed at home.

But after three defeats from four juvenile starts in minor provincial races, he was found to have a small bone chip in his knee, which he had surgically removed and, because he was becoming both sturdy and a bit flighty, he was simultaneously gelded.

His initial three-year-old start, a never-tobe-repeated try at one mile (there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree and one of his five winning siblings, the Roger Varian-trained Steve Rogers, is a useful two-miler), was another flop. Since then, over sprint distances, his career has been one long success story, with eight wins from 13 outings and just one finish outside the first three.

The Al Quoz Sprint triumph, which was worth an amazing £487,805, was the culmination of a long- term plan. “As soon as the Dubai World Cup Carnival race conditions came out, and I saw that the race was going to be run over six furlongs for the first time, I knew that it was the race for us,” says Délègue “The Right Man was out in Dubai for over five weeks and ran well there in his prep race, but, contrary to what I read in some papers, he wants good ground – when he won a Group 3 last November it wasn’t really that soft for the time of year. So when it was raining throughout the week before the race, we were really worried, although again it wasn’t that soft, only yielding.

“Initial thoughts after the race were that we might take him to Hong Kong [for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize on May 7]. But it just comes too soon, maybe we’ll go out there in December instead.

“I want him to have only five or six races this year, so we’ll send him straight to the Diamond Jubilee and then take it from there.”

You can already sense his excitement when he signs off with “it’s always been my dream to have a runner at Royal Ascot, fingers crossed!”

Andreas Suborics: fine start as trainer

and gained his biggest international success aboard Silvano in the 2001 Arlington Million. Coincidentally, both he and Löwe have each tasted victory in Britain just once, Suborics in the 2012 Shergar Cup and Löwe via Horeion Directa in a Listed race at Lingfield in 2005.

Understandably keen to make a big early impression, Suborics has enjoyed a brilliant start to his second career, soon notching a stakes race victory in Berlin and a handicap triumph in Chantilly as his first ten runners all finished in the money.

Entry system changes may see farcical affairs

British trainers beware. Not only is Italy this season down to a paltry total of 26 Group races but, in their infinite wisdom, the powers that be there have decided to implement an idiosyncratic new entry system for these marquee events – contrary to the information in the European Pattern Book.

The initial entry deadline for each of these Pattern contests remains as published, but entry fees have been done away with altogether – no money will change hands until the declaration stage, when connections of horses that want to run will have to cough up 1% of the race’s total prize-money.

Supplementary entries will still be taken, charged at 20% of the first prize. There will be no forfeit stage for the 11 Group races

run at the Capannelle in Rome, but the other 15, all run at San Siro in Milan, will have forfeit stages even though these will surely be farcical affairs since, as there is no financial implication of leaving your horse engaged until the declaration to run date, what is the point of forfeiting in case you have a change of mind?

This new system is set to make predicting the size and strength of the final field virtually impossible, as the number of horses standing their ground until the declaration stage will probably be vast.

Local trainers may well be tempted to enter virtually any eligible member of their string, however moderate, on the off chance that the race cuts up and they can sneak a share of the generous place prizemoney with a substandard animal.

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AROUND THE GLOBE THE WORLDWIDE RACING SCENE

NORT H A M E R I CA

by Steve Andersen

t’s easy to keep track of the leading jockeys in New York in the last two years.

It’s been an Ortiz or a Castellano.

Brothers Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr and Javier Castellano have dominated the year-round circuit in New York in the last two years, combining to win the 11 race meetings at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. Chances are that will continue when Belmont Park conducts its prestigious spring-summer meeting from April 28 to July 16.

From 62 stakes, all worth $100,000 or more, to the lowest selling races for maidens, the Ortiz brothers and Castellano will have mounts in all sorts of races at Belmont Park.

Last year, there were 514 races at the Belmont Park spring-summer meeting. The three jockeys combined to win 181 races, or 35%.

The domination was more pronounced last summer at Saratoga, when the three riders won 173 of the 399 races, or 43%.

The success translates into staggering earnings on a New York circuit that has higher purses – fueled by slot machine revenue – than other high-profile racecourses in California, Florida or Kentucky. Last year, Castellano led the nation’s riders with mounts that earned $26.8 million. Irad Ortiz Jr was second with $23.4m, closely followed by brother Jose at $22.9m.

“Castellano has won

the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey for the last four years” The three riders represent two generations of jockeys in New York.

Castellano, who has ridden in the United States since 1997, is by far the best known of the trio and is more likely to ride a graded stakes winner. A native of Venezuela, Castellano has won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey for the last four years. Castellano’s mounts earned a single-

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GEORGE SELWYN

Two names reign in New York I

season record $28.1m in 2015.

Already this year, Castellano has shown his brilliance on both coasts, winning major stakes at Gulfstream Park in Florida and Santa Anita in California.

At 39, Castellano has bridged an era in American racing that included the final years of trainer Bobby Frankel’s career and the current success of former Frankel assistant Chad Brown.

For Frankel, Castellano rode Ghostzapper to a win in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Lone Star Park. Last year Castellano won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on the Brown-trained New Money Honey.

Irad Ortiz Jr had a 15-race lead in the jockey standings of the Aqueduct winterspring meeting going into the final day of the four-month meeting on March 26. He won five races that day.

The 24-year-old has been second in the nation in earnings the last two years to Castellano. For now, Ortiz has stayed in New York on a year-round basis, riding the highprofile meetings at Belmont and Saratoga and

Irad Ortiz jnr (top left) and brother Jose (top right) dominate New York racing along with Javier Castellano (left)

the harsh winter meeting at Aqueduct, where all racing is held on dirt.

Irad Ortiz has won two Breeders’ Cup races – most recently at Keeneland in 2015 on Stephanie’s Kitten in the Filly & Mare Turf, while Jose Ortiz had his first Breeders’ Cup win last year when Oscar Performance won the Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Irad Ortiz moved from his native Puerto Rico to the United States in June 2011 and was followed six months later by Jose, who first rode in Philadelphia before moving to New York in early 2012.

Jose Ortiz, 23, has fewer riding titles than Irad Ortiz, but did guide La Verdad to six stakes wins in 2015, the year she was honoured as the champion female sprinter. In 2016, Jose Ortiz’s mounts earned a careerbest $22.9m, but it still wasn’t enough to keep up with his big brother.

The sibling rematch is underway in 2017.

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AUST R A L I A

by Danny Power

As the sun set over the famous Newmarket sale yards in Sydney in early April, all that remained was the raucous hum from the beer swillers in the nearby bar, drowning out the swoosh of the cleaner’s broom removing the remnants of the last yearlings sold at the historic complex.

For more than 100 years the Inglis family has sold bloodstock at the sale yards, perfectly placed on the edge of Sydney’s CBD – about four furlongs from both the Randwick racecourse and the surfers at Coogee beach.

It was a bittersweet moment for those from Inglis, who also are celebrating the family’s 150th year as one of the world’s oldest auction houses. Selling off the Newmarket complex to developers for not far shy of $AUD300 million (£180m) meant that economics put a Winx-like space over sentiment, but it didn’t stop some tears from flowing.

Inglis is moving west, to Warwick Farm racecourse, where a state-of-the-art $140m complex, including a hotel, will be ready for next year’s internationally renowned Easter sale.

Some long-time Easter vendors and buyers will go west “kicking and screaming” because, as one vendor said: “There’s nothing out there, we might as well be selling horses on the moon.”

That might be terribly unfair to Warwick Farm and its surrounds, which at peak hour is a dawdling 60-minute drive from Sydney city, where most people have said they plan to base next year, and suffer the commute. As for finedining restaurants to cater for the high-rolling locals and a bevy of international visitors, you are indeed more likely hear “do you want fries with that?” rather than “truffles shavings, sir?”

However, most others, especially as the last ‘Newmarket’ yearlings were paraded, have accepted the change with a ‘let’s embrace it’ attitude. Much the same was said when Wrightson’s moved to Karaka, 45 minutes south of Auckland in New Zealand, and that complex, now run by New Zealand Bloodstock, is a joyful experience unmatched anywhere in the world.

The last Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket was memorable for more than its place in THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

INGLIS

Newmarket sale ends on a high

This colt by Redoute’s Choice out of Hussonet mare Secluded was the sale-topper

history. Yearlings sold through the roof, with the average a whopping $355,875, up an incredible 26% on last year and second only on average to the record $375,785, set in the ridiculously heady days of 2008 when 31 yearlings sold for $1m or more. This year, 17 yearlings topped $1m, with the highest price paid – $2,500,000 – for a magnificent colt by Redoute’s Choice from the Hussonet mare Secluded.

The colt was sold by Arrowfield Stud, which recently bought a half share in the colt’s twoyear-old brother Pariah, who had finished second behind the filly Catchy in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in February, and is widely regarded as the ‘colt most likely’ from a crop dominated by classy fillies despite finishing 11th behind She Will Reign in the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on a bog track on his only run since.

The top lot was bought by Tim Stakemire, acting for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who has broad Australian racing interests and is a regular at the Easter sales.

While the top seller seemed an obvious contender for anyone flicking through the catalogue, the second top-priced yearling, a colt

by Medaglia D’Oro from the stakes-winning mare Hoss Amor, was a surprise – until you inspected him.

Yarraman Park’s Harry Mitchell said he’d never had a “busier” yearling at a sale. “He’s rarely in his box, but he still walks [brilliantly] like he did when he first arrived here.”

A consortium that include Coolmore, Stonestreet Farm and Aquis Farm paid $2.4m

for a colt who was probably regarded as a $200,000 to $300,000 yearling on paper.

The sale was boosted by the first Easter appearance of big drafts of yearlings by rising star stallions Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) and Written Tycoon (Iglesia), who have emerged from low bases to attract the better mares, resulting in yearlings deserving of a place at the Easter table.

Winx in wonderland Meanwhile, Winx won again. That’s 17 on the trot and most of them in a trot.

She strolled home in the $4m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, beating Hartnell by six lengths. It was her sixth Group 1 win of the season and it took her prize-money total to just north of $12m – only Makybe Diva ($14.52m) has won more.

Australia hasn’t seen a middle-distance mare this dominant in modern times and she now deserves a ranking higher than Sunline, the mare she is most compared to and who also won two Cox Plates in a canter Black Caviar – unbeaten in 25 starts – is our supreme sprinting mare. Makybe Diva, with three Melbourne Cups, was virtually unbeatable from 12 furlongs and beyond. Winx makes up a triumvirate of outstanding mares in filling the seven to ten furlongs void.

Whether trainer Chris Waller and her owners will ever send her overseas remains to be seen.

It won’t be this year as a record third Cox Plate in October is on her agenda, but Waller has done more than hint at Royal Ascot 2018.

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TALKING TO...

JOSEPHINE GORDON

First among

EQUALS Josephine Gordon looked up to Hayley Turner but now she is the first lady of the weighing room – and she could go even further in future with the jockeys’ title no forlorn ambition

By Tim Richards • Photos George Selwyn

W

hen you set your heart on becoming a jockey you wrote a ‘must do’ list: ride in a race, ride a winner, ride abroad and ride on TV. Now you’ve ticked them all off, what’s on your new list?

Last year the aim was to ride 100 winners, but now I am after quality rather than quantity. I want some nice winners, big handicaps and Group races if possible, preferably on ITV. I believe now that I have joined Hugo Palmer’s stable he can take me to the next level. Hugo has got the ammunition, some really nice horses that will give me a good chance of realising my immediate ambitions.

“Hugo has got the

ammunition that will give me a good chance of realising my immediate ambitions” Growing up in Devon, can you recall when you decided you wanted to become a jockey – and who was your biggest influence in pursuing that dream?

At the age of 12, after completing my first pony race, I got off and said, ‘I want to be a jockey’.

The new experience was enough to tell me where I would be heading. I’d done a lot of

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showjumping and dressage, which was exciting, but it was the speed of racing that gave me the real thrill. Whenever I’ve ridden horses I have been excited but the pony racing was a completely different feeling. I have always been a mummy’s girl. As soon as I finished school we’d be out with the horses until 7.30pm-8pm and sometimes even before I went to school in the morning. Mum has always supported me and there was a bit of tough love when I started in racing.

After nine weeks at the British Racing School I was placed with Anabel Murphy at Stratfordupon-Avon and after a couple of weeks I came home for the weekend and didn’t want to go back. I was very homesick. Mum drove me, kicking and screaming, all the way back to the job, chucked me out of the car and drove off without saying goodbye. But it was for my own good and very much tough love on Mum’s part as she meant nothing but good. I texted her the next day and said, ‘Thank you, I needed that’. I was 16 at the time and spent two years with Anabel, who was brilliant and took me in as if I was her daughter.

From riding no winners in 2014 to an amazing total of 87 in 2016, landing the apprentice championship, was a monumental leap from the doldrums into the limelight. How do you account for your dramatic change of fortune?

I remember that long, winnerless period, having to keep my head down and attempting to do my best on every ride. To be honest, it was disheartening turning out day after day with nothing to show at the end. But I am not complaining because I have always loved the job. Now, looking back, I feel I have done it the

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Josephine Gordon experienced a tough start but is now reaping the rewards of perseverance

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JOSEPHINE GORDON >> right

way and learnt to race-ride properly, though of course I am still learning. When I moved to Stan Moore in Lambourn he kept putting me up and my name was in the papers.

Then I got an agent, Phil Shea, who I often talk to four times a day. He was a big help and always on the phone to trainers – I began to get outside rides and started making new connections.

After that elusive next winner – Shamrock Sheila at Bath in June 2015 – I started to get more rides and the winners just came along. I kept getting busier, things never slowed down after that, and I thought this is the normal jockey’s life. Even though it had taken so long to ride the winner that set me off, I felt it all happened quite quickly.

“I like to think I

am good on twoyear-olds and horses running for the first time” How did you cope when the winners did not arrive at that early stage in your career?

If I’m honest, I was frustrated, angry and on the verge of giving up. I was seriously thinking of completely changing course, going off to America or Australia to ride track work and scrapping my dreams of becoming a jockey. I’ve seen other jockeys going through those barren periods and you realise what a rollercoaster we ride. Now I appreciate how you’ve just got to try and come through the other side with a few pluses and then make the most of everything. Looking back, my lean spell acts as encouragement and tells me I mustn’t let myself fall back into that situation again. Riding 100-1 shots teaches you a lot, trying to get them placed and finishing well.

Being on a good horse is much easier; it’s the bad ones that can take some riding and you learn from that.

What are your biggest strengths and in what areas do you need to improve?

I like to think I am good on two-year-olds and horses running for the first time. Also giving connections feedback, which is important. You don’t come in after a race and tell the owner and trainer what they want to hear, you tell them what can be done to benefit the animal and hopefully help its chances in future races. In a

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Gordon partners Wall Of Fire to success in the Mallard Stakes at Doncaster at the St Leger meeting

race I am always aware of what’s going on around me and I like to try to follow the right horses and find the best position for my mount.

I have spent a lot of time on the equiciser trying to improve my use of the whip. My left hand was bad but has improved to the extent that it’s now better than my right. I spend every week in the gym on the equiciser, all the time trying to improve with the whip.

When I was in Lambourn John Reid was my jockey coach and he was brilliant. When I started he would have me practising five times a week and I’d end up absolutely shattered, but it paid off. You can drop a text to John asking what he thought of a ride and he’d be straight on the phone to offer advice. Now in Newmarket, Richard Perham, of the British

Racing School, and Michael Hills, who also rides out for Hugo Palmer, are a big help. I have never modelled myself on anyone, but I’ve always admired Hayley Turner and Cathy Gannon, the first girls I’ve really watched.

After four years in Lambourn you moved last winter to Newmarket after accepting a position with Classicwinning trainer Hugo Palmer. Has this massive vote of confidence given you more confidence in your own abilities?

Of course it has. Hugo is a very good trainer with some very nice horses and big owners. I believe he will be champion trainer in the next few years. For him to want me to come aboard means the world to me. Where I have worked

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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JOSEPHINE GORDON

before, the yards have been made up of about 50 horses, but Hugo has anything between 150 and 200. The organisation is amazing, sometimes with six people on the ground making sure certain horses are doing the requisite exercise or training. A big operation that needs to be, and is, run very well.

How different is life and riding out in Newmarket compared with Lambourn?

Newmarket feels much bigger. The whole operation here is different. In Lambourn you’d be riding out six lots a morning with 40 minutes a horse. Whereas in Newmarket you could be on your horse for an hour to an hour and a half, giving you even more chance to get to know it.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

I think it is busier in general here, but I do miss Lambourn. You just have to go where the work is and I also ride out for Saeed bin Suroor once a week and have been into Sir Michael Stoute’s.

Obviously, Hugo, with his two yards, keeps me very busy.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career, and in what way?

Hayley Turner, who has set the bar so high for us girls. We all look up to Hayley because she is the first girl who has competed with so much success. She has been there and done it at all levels. I’d love to achieve half of what she has done. She has been a real eye opener for the rest of us, the standard bearer who has given us all a goal to aim for. Hayley is a proper role model.

How disciplined are you with your lifestyle and diet?

I am lucky because I can eat what I want and still do bottom weight. Every so often it is good to go out and let your hair down, but at the same time you mustn’t get out of control, though I might have a glass of red wine. If I had to sweat every day and watch my diet it would be much tougher.

A jockey’s life is hard graft and requires huge dedication. What is the hardest part of trying to become a top jockey and what does a 23-year-old have to sacrifice in order to focus on a jockey’s life?

The hardest part is proving yourself, which

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JOSEPHINE GORDON

CLOSE UP AND...

PERSONAL

CLOSE UP AND...

PROFESSIONAL

Favourite song/artist… Jessie’s Girl

by Rick Springfield

My ambition is… to be champion jockey

My guiltiest pleasure is… crisps

Most thrilling moment in racing… watching the brilliance of Frankel

Perfect day off is spent… a walk and pub lunch with friends Four dinner party guests… Georgia Cox, Hollie Doyle, Sophie Killoran and Lulu Stanford, with lots of laughs!

One chore I dislike… emptying the dishwasher

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requires a very strong work ethic. I was lucky with the trainers I worked for because I always felt if I was first in and last out of work they’d give me chances. Jo Hughes was very good in that respect. She made me feel that if I kept up with the work I would eventually get the opportunities. Driving to the races becomes a chore, even for us younger ones, and if I am racing far away like Newcastle I would have a driver. I once thought I should have gone to college, where all my friends were. But I don’t regret sacrificing education for the riding experience. You do have to give up a social life to a degree, though I have lots of friends in racing and we enjoy ourselves.

You were critical of the French authorities for bringing in a 4lb weight allowance for female jockeys, calling the move “offensive”. Do you still feel the same way?

Yes, I do. I think it is the most sexist change that could have been introduced in the sport.

Obviously, when the news first came out from France I was very angry. I am a bit more relaxed about it now and if they brought it in over here I’d accept it. But it is an insult when you consider how long I spent riding out my claim and here they are handing it back. I don’t approve, but at the same time it is only going to help me ride more winners so I am not going to say no. You are either good enough to ride out your claim or you’re not. It’s hard work and if you’ve done it, you’ve done it and you shouldn’t have to ride with an allowance again. There are a lot of 5lb and 3lb claimers among the girls and we all feel insulted by the concession.

The weighing room is known for its unique atmosphere and camaraderie among jockeys – what is it like for a woman?

I was 17 or 18 when I walked into the jockeys’ room and it was a bit of a shock. I felt like a little girl. Now I am pretty much one of the lads, we have a laugh and I like to think I am part of the set-up. I usually go to Adam Kirby or George Baker for a bit of advice. They are brilliant and

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Best advice I’ve been given… keep myself to myself Alternative career… professional footballer My racing hero is… Lester Piggott

always happy to help. I have been out to Barbados for a riding holiday with the lads and we had a great time. I also get on really well with all the girls, including Hollie Doyle and Lulu Stanford.

Do you see part of your responsibility to speak up for women jockeys in the media? Are you happy in front of the cameras?

I think all the girls can speak for themselves – they all have their own opinions. When I spoke out and said the 4lb claim was offensive they all gave me a tap on the shoulder and said, ‘Well done, at least you spoke up’. I never used to be happy in front of the cameras and went in for some media training to try to improve.

Interviews are something we have to take in our stride as jockeys, because we all get microphones stuffed in our faces at some stage.

It’s better for us, and the image of the sport, if we can handle the media.

Jockeys often take a hammering on social media when things don’t go well in a race. How do you cope with criticism?

Constructive criticism I can accept. But it’s not a very nice thing to see on social media. I realise when people have a lot of money on a horse and it gets beat they are not happy and we get abused. I suppose it does go with the territory.

But at the end of the day we all go out there and give it everything we’ve got, which makes it harder to swallow when the public shout us down. Don’t forget, we’re on animals that have minds of their own. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

Realistically, how do you rate your chances of riding 100 winners this year? Or even going for the title?

After riding 87 winners in 2016 the immediate aim for this year was 100. But I have since decided to try and go for a Listed or Group winner rather than quantity, as I mentioned earlier. And I think that is possible now I have the support of Hugo and his owners. Though,

Champion apprentice: applauded by her colleagues on Champions Day 2016

of course, I wouldn’t say no to 100! As far as the title is concerned, that would be amazing but I don’t think I am ready yet and, let’s face it, I still have a lot to learn. I need a few more years’ experience.

Can you give us a horse or two that you are really looking forward to riding this season?

I won on To Be Wild at Ffos Las and Doncaster last year. There were a few problems with him because he was such a big horse but this time he has filled into his frame and is an exciting prospect. Architecture, second to Minding in the Oaks, is quality compared with what I have been used to in the past. I remember working her at home, getting off her and Hugo laughed, telling me I had exactly the same excited expression on my face as Frankie Dettori when he rode her. Architecture felt amazing to me.

Where would you like to be in five years’ time?

Working for Hugo Palmer as champion jockey.

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Bearstone-FOY2 TOB-May 2017:Layout 2

13/4/17

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TBA CENTENARY

Triumph over

ADVERSITY The birth of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, which turns 100 this month, came at a time of huge change in Europe and massive disruption to the racing and breeding industry Words Tony Morris

T

he Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, which celebrates its centenary this month, was founded as a result of the special circumstances that prevailed within racing in the dark days of World War I. Great Britain had declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, a day on which meetings were scheduled, and duly took place, at Birmingham, Brighton and Ripon.

Perhaps because many were taken in by the optimistic suggestion that it would ‘all be over by Christmas,’ there was no interruption to the schedule in the six weeks that followed.

Racing was not alone in apparently carrying on regardless; the Football League authorities saw no need to amend the full programme of fixtures scheduled in their new season.

But the confidence and complacency expressed by that approach was not shared universally. While young men in their thousands were joining up to fight for their king and country, many felt that sport’s governing bodies were choosing to ignore the serious threats that war imposed; with the nation in peril, was it right that such trivial pursuits should be indulged? In some quarters, disapproval reached the level of outrage.

Racing had to react to the criticisms. The Stewards of the Jockey Club – Henry Greer, Lord Wolverton and Lord Villiers – called all members to a special meeting on September 16 to discuss the crisis.

The position they adopted was to recommend that racing should continue, and they proposed to allay the concerns of the antis by arguing that their stance had nothing to do with providing a spectacle and betting opportunities for the public, but instead recognised that a cessation of racing would

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throw thousands out of work and would be damaging to the nation’s breeding industry.

After the ensuing debate, the motion put to members proposed that the fixtures scheduled at Newmarket and elsewhere should stand as arranged, where the local conditions permitted, and the feeling in the local community was not averse to the meeting being staged. The membership swallowed that whole; the motion was carried unanimously.

It might seem extraordinary now that there was not a single dissenting voice, but that was par for the course in the Jockey Club of that period – arrogant, authoritarian, and so confident of its long-established supreme powers that it expected its pronouncements to be accepted without question.

Few members would have imagined that in this case many would charge the Club with having acted irresponsibly and with flagrant insensitivity, its message being interpreted as an indication that the privileged classes intended to do as they liked, regardless of the circumstances.

Of course, the war was not all over by Christmas. In the early spring of 1915 Lord Kitchener intensified his recruitment drive for the armed forces, making special reference to football and racing, sports involving men who should be serving their nation at the front. He was unequivocal where racing was concerned: it should cease for the duration of the war, and its workforce diverted to roles more in the national interest.

Kitchener’s views were widely supported by the general public, prompting the Stewards of the Jockey Club to call another special meeting for March 16. On that occasion it became clear that some members had now acquired doubts, but when the vote

was taken a clear majority remained in favour of standing by the resolution passed six months earlier. The Club’s intransigence had the inevitable effect of stiffening the resolve of the antis, and parliament was urged to take action.

King George V (centre) and Lord Derby review the 57th Division, which served on the Western Front, in Aldershot on June 1, 1916

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In May the subject was debated in the House of Commons, and from all sides there came condemnation of the racing authorities.

Shortly afterwards the President of the Board of Trade wrote to the Stewards of the Jockey Club in terms that might now seem surprising: there was a need to keep the whole of the railway system free from congestion for the rapid and unimpeded transit of troops and munitions, so “all race meetings should be suspended for the duration of the war, except at Newmarket, the peculiar circumstances of which, dependent as they are entirely on racing, combine to make this exception expedient.”

The government scarcely needed an excuse for imposing a ban that would be widely supported throughout the country, but here it was evidently anxious not to upset the Jockey Club too much, and seemingly apologising for the inconvenience its decision would cause.

The Stewards were bound to comply, though they probably felt it was hard to acknowledge the existence of a higher authority than the Jockey Club. After the fixture at Windsor on May 22,

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“The government

scarcely needed an excuse for imposing a ban that would be widely supported” only Newmarket staged racing in England in 1915, the revised schedule including substitute versions of the Epsom and Doncaster Classics. Football was subject to similar restrictions, the professional game being suspended after Everton claimed the League title and Sheffield United beat Chelsea 3-0 in the FA Cup Final. That sport would see no resumption until the start of the 1919-20 season.

Racing never suffered a total ban, and in 1916 there was even some relaxation of the partial ban. Newmarket again had its full quota of fixtures, but neither the War

Office nor the railway companies objected to the staging of a limited number of meetings at Gatwick, Lingfield Park, Newbury and Windsor. Those courses hosted 24 days between them.

A letter from the President of the Board of Trade to the Stewards of the Jockey Club in February 1917 offered assurance of something similar for racing in the coming season. It confirmed that the same number of Newmarket fixtures would be permitted, while leaving open the question of meetings at other courses; that would remain in abeyance for a while. At least there was nothing obviously negative in the message.

However, there was negativity to come soon enough, and the complacent Stewards, who were now Lord Jersey (the former Lord Villiers), Sir John Thursby and Arthur James (shortly to be replaced by Lord Penrhyn), made a hash of trying to deal with the situation. An anonymous letter to The Times from someone calling himself ‘Horse Lover’ expressed the view that horseracing was not essential for the maintenance of

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TBA CENTENARY >>

the breed; the notion that it was he regarded as absurd. His remark that cart horse and shire horse breeding thrived without racing seemed hardly relevant, and the first response from inside the Jockey Club was to criticise the editor of The Times for his folly in allowing the publication of such nonsense.

But there was an unwelcome sequel to the nonsense. The opposition to racing in wartime suddenly became a feature in The Times correspondence columns, the anti brigade renewing their attacks with more vigour and intensity. It was scandalous that racehorses, a luxury commodity, had a ready supply of feed while there was an urgent need for oats to sustain the stock who were actively engaged in trying to win the war.

Was it not obvious where priorities should lie? Every succeeding letter helped to build a case against racing. The Jockey Club had failed to appreciate the influence that The Times could have; it had come up against another institution that could exercise more clout, and it was losing the argument.

Less than three months after the government had sanctioned a programme for racing throughout the year, there came a complete U-turn, plainly determined by the

views reflected in the correspondence columns of The Times. There was no apology for inconvenience caused this time. The blunt statement decreed: “It was decided that public opinion, which was shared by members of the Cabinet, was opposed to racing at the present moment, and it was therefore advisable, for that reason, and in view of the fact that severe restrictions would be placed on the provision of oats, that after the Newmarket First Spring week there should be no more racing as long as the war lasted.”

The Stewards of the Jockey Club had to back down and comply with the order; they

“A proud industry

and livelihoods were at stake; the new TBA was approved unanimously”

cancelled all the scheduled meetings after Friday, May 4.

The unthinkable followed. The rank and file of the Jockey Club turned on the Stewards, asserting that they had not made a sufficiently convincing case for the continuation of racing. One member, the 17th Earl of Derby, found himself in a particularly difficult situation. He had been active in promoting racing’s cause, and, as one of the nation’s most successful ownerbreeders, he had a vested interest in taking that stance, but now, as Secretary of State for War, he had to recognise priorities. His signature appeared on all the black-tinged missives to new widows, recording the debt owed by the nation to the sacrifices of their spouses; it was hardly for him now to plead the case for racing.

Who could, or should, take on that role?

Newmarket’s First Spring Meeting, a fourday fixture beginning on Tuesday, May 1, was set to bring down the curtain on racing in 1917. The Jockey Club could no longer present a united front, it had lost its credibility, and it was now clearly powerless to achieve its primary objective. If there was to be a resumption of racing in the near

Gay Crusader and Steve Donoghue, winners of the 1917 Derby, which was run at Newmarket

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TBA CENTENARY future, somebody else would have to make it happen – and, at that time, there was no somebody else.

That First Spring meeting at Newmarket in 1917 was always going to be significant.

If it was to be the last meeting of the year, as the government had determined, what happened mattered – and mattered much more than any fixture at that time of year in the entire history of racing.

The implications of an imminent shutdown exercised the minds of all who attended that meeting. Nobody doubted that the first priority for the nation was to win the war, but that did not mean that other objectives had to be abandoned. Great Britain had a proud record in thoroughbred production that was acknowledged the world over, and it would be folly to jettison that reputation.

In the projected parlous situation, with no racing to advertise the merits of their stock, what was the future for breeders? All that seemed clear was that there would be no market for their foals and yearlings, no funds for replenishment of stock, in brief, no hope for their business. A capricious decision to do away with the all-important racecourse test meant that there could be no future for breeding.

But livelihoods depended on the breeding industry and plenty of people were determined to ensure that there was a viable future for those who participated in it. The Jockey Club had had its say, to no substantial effect, and it very soon became clear that a significant group of breeders favoured a protest; at a hastily convened meeting in the Newmarket Subscription Rooms, a dozen or so debated how best they might draw the attention of the government and the public to the grave consequences that would inevitably follow the ban on racing.

That meeting, chaired by Lord D’Abernon, resolved to call a conference of bloodstock breeders from Great Britain and Ireland (where racing was also subject to a ban after May 10) to take place in the Subscription Room at Tattersalls’ Knightsbridge headquarters on Monday, May 14. A committee was appointed to make the arrangements for that event, which all thoroughbred breeders on both sides of the Irish Sea would be invited to attend.

The recipients of that invitation had very short notice of the conference, but the message it carried proved notably compelling and it produced a remarkable response. It noted that if the ban merely involved the temporary cessation of a public recreation, breeders would have no reason to intervene, but they needed to dispute it because it menaced the security and the essential basis of an industry which deserved the fullest support of the government in that it was one THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Lord Derby (left), here with trainer George Lambton, was Secretary of State for War

in which Great Britain and Ireland had always held a pre-eminent position in the world. It was evident that the government was not in possession of all the facts relating to the issue, and had not fully appreciated the calamitous effect that the total prohibition of racing must have on the horse breeding industry.

The conference exceeded all expectations, as it attracted breeders in huge numbers from all parts of the United Kingdom. A proud industry and livelihoods were at stake, and suddenly, for the first time, those who produced the nation’s racing stock found a collective voice. The meeting, again with Lord D’Abernon in the chair, heard a proposal to establish a Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, which was approved unanimously.

At another meeting in London on the same day, the Jockey Club debated the crisis, the mood of that gathering indicating widespread disapproval of the Stewards’ ready acceptance of the government’s directive. By the end of that critical day the bodies representing the interests of both racing and breeding were

united in resolving to seek meetings with Prime Minister David Lloyd George to present their case for a resumption of the sport upon which an important industry depended.

It was on July 4, two months to the day after the last racing conducted in England, that a deputation from the Jockey Club met with Lloyd George at Derby House in London. There had by that date been ample time for the racing authorities to prepare a thorough and coherent case, setting out what they – and their friends in the newly-formed TBA – regarded as the minimum number of race meetings required to protect the sport and the nation’s breeding industry.

It seems likely that there had been some highly effective lobbying before that meeting, notably in two consultation sessions involving representatives of the TBA and Members of the House of Commons, because the Prime Minister seemed readily disposed to accept the arguments presented, and before the day was out the President of the Board of Trade sent a letter setting out the conditions for a resumption of racing to Sir John Thursby, the Jockey Club’s Senior Steward.

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Lord Rosebery and the Aga Khan III paid their two guineas to become members of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

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There could be, the letter stated, approximately 40 racedays between the middle of July and the end of the Flat season “at Newmarket and such other places and on such days as may be agreed with the War Office, the Ministry of Munitions, and the Board of Trade.”

There would be no special trains for the conveyance of racegoers, and, in view of the shortage of petrol, steps should be taken to prevent the running of motor cars and taxicabs to race meetings. Of course, all other professional sport remained suspended for the duration of the war, and there was still a vocal anti-racing lobby; in anticipation of any opposition, it was expressly stated that the special dispensation to racing was granted “in view of the national importance of horse breeding.” The fledgling TBA had made an immediate and consequential impact.

On May 14, 1917 it was little more than a germ of an idea. Within a month it had 200 members, a president in Lord D’Abernon, and a 15-strong committee.

Renowned auctioneer Somerville Tattersall was the appointed Treasurer, while Edward Moorhouse, author of a history of the Derby and a partner in the British Bloodstock Agency, assumed the role of Secretary, based at the

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BBA’s headquarters, 26 Charing Cross Road.

A sub-committee charged with drafting a set of rules for the Association completed its task in time for their adoption in September, and on December 3, during the annual breeding stock sales in Newmarket, the first Annual General Meeting took place.

“Within a month the

TBA had 200 members, a president and a 15-strong committee” Lord D’Abernon was there confirmed as President, and 18 members elected to serve on the Council for the ensuing 12 months.

The rules of the Association, which stipulated a minimum annual subscription of two guineas, were adopted after some debate, and the aim clearly stated: “The object of the Association is to encourage and ensure co-

operative effort in all matters pertaining to the production and improvement of the Thoroughbred Horse, and the interests of Thoroughbred Horse Breeders.”

It came as no surprise that the Jockey Club resented the arrival of a new representative body and was reluctant to concede that the TBA had played a significant role in achieving the industry’s objectives. As late as November 1920 at the annual Gimcrack Dinner in York, Lord Lonsdale flatly denied that the Association deserved any credit in the matter and even made a scathing personal attack on Lord D’Abernon.

It would take some time, but the old guard ultimately had to accept that the Jockey Club and the TBA had a shared objective in furthering the cause of prosperity in racing.

Many Jockey Club members were themselves breeders and they had to recognise that the new association had brought numerous benefits to the industry.

In 1926 Lord Rosebery, one of the leaders of the old guard, stumped up his two guineas for membership of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the Aga Khan, the most significant newcomer to the business, did the same.

The TBA has never looked back.

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JAMES AND ANITA WIGAN

The Right

APPROACH For James and Anita Wigan, success has been both significant and independent, but two heads are often better than one, even if they don’t always agree with each other Words Julian Muscat

“It was absolutely

wonderful. We were quite surprised because the opposition was very strong” very strong, and suddenly we started receiving all these messages and texts. The Right Man is my second Group 1 winner but this was a better race than Leadership’s win in Italy (the 2003 Gran Premio di Milano).”

There have been several twists and turns along the way. In 1993 Wigan bought The Right Man’s grandam Three Terns, a daughter of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Three Troikas, for 19,000gns at Tattersalls. From Three Terns she bred and raced the Warning filly Three Owls, a

winner at Brighton, whom she subsequently gave to her son-in-law, Ben Goldsmith, on his marriage to her daughter Kate.

Some years later, in 2010, Goldsmith decided to disperse his bloodstock assets and returned Three Owls to Wigan. The mare had been a frequent visitor to Montjeu, who was bred and initially raced by Ben’s father, Sir James Goldsmith, before his sale to Michael Tabor.

“That was the point,” Wigan reflects. “Three Owls was perfect for Montjeu, both physically and on paper.”

Three Owls did well in her trysts with Montjeu. She bred the stakes-placed Three Moons, subsequently dam of Listed winner Tashaar, while her last foal by Coolmore’s late sire was Steve Rogers, a winner six times to date who ran third in the recent All-Weather Marathon Championship at Lingfield.

When Wigan retrieved Three Owls she sent her to Lope De Vega. The consequence was The Right Man, whose triumph in Dubai was his seventh from 11 starts. There should be more to come from this lightly-raced five-year-old, who is very much on the march.

All this must have seemed like a pipedream to Wigan when she took her first, tentative steps into the world of breeding. She was prompted by her first husband’s aunt ‘Dolly’ de Rothschild, who bequeathed her a broodmare in 1990. By then she’d developed a taste for the sport through riding out for Cumani, to whose wife, Sara, she is distantly related.

“I have always loved horses,” she reflects. “I rode as a child and lived near Newmarket. I started off by looking at pictures in Pacemaker magazine and when I got more involved during my time with Luca I discovered a whole new world.”

Her new-found fascination found expression at Rushbrooke, the Rothschild family estate near >>

NESTA WIGAN

I

t would be true, if a little misleading, to say that Anita Wigan has spent the last 27 years looking for the right man. Now she has found him. When The Right Man surged to victory in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March, he became the first horse bred by Wigan to win a front-line Group 1 race.

It was a close-run thing. Having quickened smartly to overhaul Ertijaal approaching the final furlong The Right Man had to fend off Long On Value, whose flying late thrust failed him by a scant nose. Cue pandemonium at West Blagdon Stud, where Wigan was watching the race with her husband James.

“It was absolutely wonderful,” she says. “We were quite surprised because the opposition was

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James and Anita Wigan at West Blagdon with Shared Experience and her Kodiac filly

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J A M E S A N D A N I TA W I G A N >> Bury St Edmunds where she lived with her late

husband. And there she stayed until her son, James, moved to the US two years ago, in the process triggering Rushbrooke’s sale.

Wigan, 59, has fond memories of breeding and raising horses at Rushbrooke, especially since she never had more than a handful of mares and their progeny on the stud.

Leadership was bred there; the son of Selkirk was sold as a yearling to Khalid Abdullah for IR£350,000 after being sold by the Wigans as a foal for 42,000gns.

Also raised at Rushbrooke was Green Moon, owned by her aforementioned son-in-law Ben Goldsmith, who outpointed subsequent Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso in the London Gold Cup at Newbury before his sale to Australian business magnate Lloyd Williams.

Of course, Green Moon found greater fame on his export to Australia, where victory in the 2012 Melbourne Cup propelled him to career earnings just shy of £3.5 million.

“Green Moon was a beautiful yearling but very naughty with it,” Wigan recalls. “His dam, Green Noon, was bought for Ben specifically to

visit Montjeu but she died soon after foaling Green Moon, who was her only foal.”

Leadership and Green Moon are legacies from Anita’s second marriage 15 years ago to James Wigan, who has advanced his family’s reputation as Britain’s foremost consignor of

“While selling

Rushbrooke broke my heart initially, a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders” foals from West Blagdon, an idyllic property in Dorset. The couple bred Leadership from Louella, the first mare they owned in partnership. And it was James who bought Green Moon’s dam.

One of James’ clients is Waddesdon Stud, in Buckinghamshire, which he manages for the Rothschild family. On their behalf he sought out and bought some top-class breeding stock – among them Magnificient Style, subsequently dam of Nathaniel and Great Heavens – when Nat Rothschild joined his mother, Lady Serena, in upgrading the Waddesdon broodmare band ten years ago.

When Rushbrooke was sold Anita moved down to West Blagdon, although her bloodstock was relocated to Whatton Manor Stud and Newtown Stud in Ireland, with one mare, Three Owls, kept at Haras de Meautry in France. Three other mares she owns in partnership with her husband are based at West Blagdon; otherwise she no longer has daily contact with much of her stock.

“I was very proud of what we achieved at Rushbrooke,” she says. “It was easier keeping stock there because you didn’t have to carry the cost of each horse, as I do now. Getting the [keep] bill each month makes you much more attentive of what you are doing, especially when you are trying to balance the books.

Dank lands her second consecutive Grade 1 win in America in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

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J A M E S A N D A N I TA W I G A N

GEORGE SELWYN

EMMA BERRY

The Right Man during morning trackwork at Meydan

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“It’s a big change for me not to see my horses regularly but I also keep some quite locally [at Lushes Farm] in Somerset with James Read, who is first class. And while selling Rushbrooke broke my heart initially, it was a big responsibility. I now feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m thrilled with where my mares are, and everything is wonderful.”

The stud at West Blagdon started when James’ mother, Dawn, was given two mares and some land by her father, Charles Gordon, who bred and raced horses largely with Jack Jarvis.

Gordon won the 1949 Lincolnshire Handicap, the race’s centenary running, with Fair Judgement. The handsome trophy, redolent of the race’s stature back then, remains at West Blagdon today.

James Wigan’s parents only kept a handful of mares but their progeny, offered occasionally at Tattersalls as foals, were in such demand that they topped the December foal sale five times.

“It was more of a hobby to them but they were very successful,” Wigan says.

That established West Blagdon’s reputation, which Wigan had since embellished. So much so that over the last ten years the West Blagdon foal draft, usually around 12-strong, has reaped an average price in excess of 100,000gns per head for 91 lots sold.

In 1978 Wigan also established London

Thoroughbred Services, a bespoke agency which offers a personalised service to breeders such as George Strawbridge and now Denford Stud in addition to Waddesdon. It is also heavily involved in bloodstock traffic to Japan.

One of the mares that passed from Charles Gordon to his daughter was Firmament, whose daughter, Pelting, became West Blagdon’s mainstay. Pelting is ancestress of several Group 1 winners, among them Bassenthwaite, Brashee, Central Park and Keen Hunter. Sadly, however, her line has now expired from West Blagdon.

It all went up in a puff of dark smoke. “I had two full-sisters, Piffling and Pivka, who I sold,” Wigan relates. “Piffling then died of colic when she was very young, just after I had sold her filly

by Footstepsinthesand (Volunteer Point), whom I would otherwise have kept. She was the last one.”

The absence of Pelting’s blood from West Blagdon has been mitigated by Wigan’s purchase of Masskana for 48,000gns in 1994.

Masskana has been prolific, producing two Group 1 winners in Eagle Mountain and Sulk, the latter retained by Wigan. Sadly, Sulk died young, although the upshot was that Wigan retained Masskana’s filly foal at the time. But for that, Dank would have passed through the auction ring at Tattersalls in time-honoured fashion.

Dank is the best homebred to race in Wigan’s

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GEORGE SELWYN

J A M E S A N D A N I TA W I G A N

Anita and James Wigan leading in homebred Dank and Ryan Moore after her Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare victory

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colours by her brace of Grade 1 triumphs in the US, notably the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. By Dansili, she has since foaled two successive fillies by Galileo and returned to him this year.

Wigan celebrated Dank’s high achievement by commissioning a striking oil painting in which Dank stands high on the undulating West Blagdon pasture, with the south coast in the background. This is truly a magical stretch of countryside at Cranborne Chase, which is part of a large expanse of chalk downland.

It is also Hardy country. When the eponymous heroine of Tess of the d’Urbervilles danced in a barn at Cranborne before walking across the hills towards the village of Pentridge, she would surely have trespassed on Wigan family land.

Unlike Tess, who was seduced in a nearby forest, the land has been kind to three generations of Wigans. And West Blagdon itself has been greatly enhanced by the recent addition of a row of boxes that look like they have been standing since time immemorial.

Spacious and redolent of a bygone age, they are clad in wooden panels to a height of three feet from the floor, which is made of compressed chalk for natural drainage and replaced when necessary. At West Blagdon, with James and Anita Wigan in residence, it is very much a case of back to the future.

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‘She won’t be sold if I can help it’ Of the young sires at Coolmore, Anita Wigan loves The Gurkha while husband James is firmly behind Gleneagles. It’s the sort of divergence you’ll find whenever two breeders express an opinion, so imagine the potential for discord when it comes to choosing mates for the four mares they own in partnership.

Except that it doesn’t play out that way.

The couple look at each other in mild exasperation when the matter is raised. “It isn’t an issue,” Anita avers. “Most of the time the stallions actually pick themselves.”

Appropriately, the best of the quartet on the racecourse was Havant, a Group 3 winner out of Leadership’s dam Louella, who was the first mare the Wigans bought in partnership. Havant ended her racing days in the US, after which she returned carrying a filly by Elusive Quality. Named Exmouth, she was retained and subsequently won on her debut last season for Sir Michael Stoute before she ran too freely in the Rockfel Stakes.

Although the commercial imperative is strong, the Wigans will often keep the first-born from a promising mare to ensure she is given the best possible chance when sent into training. At other times, however, it is simply too hard to let

go of a loved one.

Havant’s yearling this year is a filly by Shamardal, who is among Anita’s favourite sires. Duly smitten, she took the plunge and bought out her husband’s 50% share on the condition the filly would be sent to Stoute.

Anita’s pride is obvious as she watches the bay cavort around a paddock at West Blagdon. Keeping her company is another veritable jewel, this one belonging entirely to James. He says of his Galileo yearling filly out of Dank: “She won’t be sold if I can possibly help it.”

The Galileo is a physical gem with attitude. She throws us a look of disdain as she circles us, her eye betraying her contention that she will just about tolerate us even though we are manifestly unworthy to be in her company.

James is accustomed to making difficult judgements but Anita faces the quandary of having to cull for the first time this year.

She needs to lose a couple of mares, perhaps three, to keep a lid on numbers.

And when she has done that, she will have to do it all over again when a pair of younger half-sisters to The Right Man she has in training in France retire from the racecourse.

Decisions, decisions.

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Looking for Classic winners… BBAG graduate ISFAHAN wins the German Derby, Gr.1

KNIFE EDGE leads home a 1-2 for BBAG graduates in the Group 2 German 2.000 Guineas, with DEGAS a close second.

Spring Breeze Up Sale: Friday, 26th May 2017 Premier Yearling Sales: Friday, 1st September 2017 October Mixed Sales Friday, 20th October and Saturday, 21st October 2017

www.bbag-sales.de

May_153_Bloodstock_Intro_Owner 21/04/2017 15:44 Page 55

BREEDERS’ DIGEST

By EMMA BERRY, Bloodstock Editor

Our bloodstock coverage this month includes:

• Sales Circuit: The British breeze-up sales begin in buoyant fashion – pages 56-62 • Caulfield Files: American sires have been proving popular at juvenile sales – pages 64-65 • Dr Statz: The increasing prominence of Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel – page 88

As one significant door closes

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Meon Valley Stud at last year’s Tattersalls October Sale, has been named Glorious Journey but has yet to be assigned to a Godolphin trainer.

One hundred not out This month the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association celebrates its centenary with the launch of a book detailing its 100-year history. On pages 42-46 of this magazine, Tony Morris outlines the circumstances that led to the initially turbulent formation of the TBA, and Morris, a former member of the TBA Council and winner of the prestigious Devonshire Award, is one of a number of contributors to the centenary book along with David Oldrey, Sue Montgomery, Nancy Sexton, John Berry and Jeremy Early.

Somerville Tattersall was the inaugural treasurer of the TBA and he and the founding members would likely be astounded at the ferocity of the trade at the recent Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale, which followed

AIDAN DULLAGHAN

T

owards the end of this year, a dispersal at Tattersalls will bring to a close a racing and breeding operation whose colours have become synonymous with excellence.

Ballymacoll Stud, once owned by the colourful Dorothy Paget who reportedly never visited the farm, has thrived under the stewardship of the Weinstock family since its purchase in the early 1960s by Lord Weinstock’s father-in-law Sir Michael Sobell.

The Derby winners Troy and North Light were bred there, the latter claiming the Epsom Classic in 2004, two years after the death of Lord Weinstock. Since then, the stud’s longstanding and highly respected manager Peter Reynolds has maintained the highest of standards that have led to a continuation of top-flight winners around the world: Islington, Spectrum, Conduit, Pilsudski, Fiorente and Golan among them.

It will doubtless be with a heavy heart that he fulfils his final duty for the operation by overseeing the dissolution of the farm’s bloodstock.

Of course those bloodlines won’t disappear. The dispersal of one operation is merely the founding or enhancing of others, but for anyone who has enjoyed watching countless good winners over the years in those pale blue and yellow silks, this is another sad step away from the glory days of the major owner-breeders.

As this issue was going to press, we heard the news that Philippa Cooper is to sell her Normandie Stud in Sussex. Happily, this does not mean that she is putting an end to her breeding interests – the Normandie mares will board at other farms in Britain, Ireland and France and we will doubtless still see plenty of decent winners in the pink and white. Meanwhile, the Dubawi colt out of Cooper’s Group 1 Coronation Stakes winner Fallen For You, who, at 2.6 million guineas shared top billing with a Dubawi colt bred by

The four-time Group 1 winner Islington will be offered in foal to Kingman as part of the Ballymacoll Stud dispersal

similarly strong markets at their respective levels during the preceding fortnight at Ascot and Goffs UK. These ‘ready to run’ sales are a far cry from the young stock auctions of the early 20th century but they nevertheless are now hugely important for the yearling market, with the breeze-up pinhookers forming a strong buying sector that will likely be strengthened further still this autumn.

As the excitement of the Craven Sale subsided, the two-year-old action returned to Florida, where two breezers posted new record times over a furlong of :9 3/5 seconds.

The issue of timing breezes remains a thorny one on these shores and, as one agent wisely pointed out, there are no races over two furlongs, so asking a youngster to go as fast as he can over that distance is fairly futile. More important is that horses show that they have the ability to cope with the early training, both mentally and physically. If so, the connections of those who breeze well stand to be rewarded handsomely.

It was gratifying, however, to hear fewer buyers of the more expensive lots obsessing over the speed of the breeze and focusing instead on other elements. The horses’ days in the sun should, after all, come on a racecourse and not in the sales ring.

The Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Daban provided a timely advertisement for the sector during the Craven Sale, for she had been purchased only 11 months previously at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale. Handled patiently by John Gosden, she is now unbeaten in two starts, having made her debut in November.

She is an enticing prospect, and as a filly her residual value as a future broodmare will make it easier to swallow that even now as a Group 3 winner, she has won only £37,261 – roughly a seventh of her 260,000gns sales price. Hopefully the often huge imbalance between amounts paid for some horses and their potential earnings in this country is an issue that will continue to be addressed once extra funding is made available through the levy replacement system.

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May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 17:58 Page 56

SALES CIRCUIT • By Carl Evans and Nancy Sexton

LAURA GREEN/TATTERSALLS

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

The American-bred son of Scat Daddy whose 675,000-guinea price tag led a sizzling renewal of Tattersalls’ Craven Breeze-up Sale

The bubble that had been inflating at Ascot and Doncaster breeze-up sales increased its girth by another big margin at this event, Europe’s highest-grossing auction of its kind.

A 63% rise turnover, 42% median increase (breaking six figures for the first time) and 30% improvement in the average price led to figures which were all European records.

Opinions as to why trade was so buoyant boiled down to new buyers and some excellent results on the track.

Yearlings bought in the USA were popular again, and one, a son of Scat Daddy, headed trade with a 675,000gns valuation – key buyers from leading racing interests fought for the right to own him, but Qatar Racing’s Sheikh Fahad, standing with advisor David Redvers, had the defining bid. Jim McCartan of Gaybrook Lodge Stud bought him last year outside the ring at the Keeneland September Sale for $67,000.

The price he made at this sale was some way below the best achieved for another US import, a son of War Front who made 1,150,000gns three years earlier, but it was good to see such a lift in the average price without any seven-figure horses to skew the figure.

56

EMMA BERRY

Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale

Jim McCartan discusses the sale-topper with his new owners in the Qatar Racing team

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 17:58 Page 57

impact on some horses – that they formed an association on which to hang their hats. The timing now bears comparison with the creation of a former government minister for drought, who was appointed on the day the heavens opened.

Breeze-up consignors will not disband their association as quickly as the minister lost his job, and their efforts to promote their trade via a series of adverts and success boxes

An additional 20 horses walked the ring, helping the aggregate, yet the clearance rate went up by 8% to 79%, evidence of the decent range of buyers present.

Little more than a year ago a number of breeze-up consignors were so concerned that the on-course success of their former charges was not being recognised – and stung by criticism from at least one trainer that the preparation of breezers had detrimental

could well have had some bearing on good recent results.

One of the driving forces, John Cullinan of Horse Park Stud, achieved an excellent result at this sale when trading, in partnership with Roger Marley, a Siyouni colt for 400,000gns.

As Cullinan pointed out, he and his colleagues are major buyers of yearlings, and that means they are important right down to the breeding sheds.

TALKING POINTS

LAURA GREEN/TATTERSALLS

• Kerri Radcliffe has been steadily buying stock at breeze-up sales on both sides of the Atlantic this season, re-establishing herself as a bloodstock agent to note. The recession had been a factor in her absence, she told the press, but with the backing of a new group of investors known as Phoenix Racing she is back in business. Now married to trainer Jeremy Noseda, Radcliffe said he and US trainer Bob Baffert would be handling her recent purchases – they included three horses bought at this sale, all during the second session, and gained at a total cost of 950,000gns.

That’s a big welcome back.

Chris Richardson selected six new recruits from the Craven Sale for Cheveley Park Stud

TATTERSALLS Craven Breeze-up Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (gns)

Buyer

C Scat Daddy — Gender Dance (Miesque’s Son)

Gaybrook Lodge Stud

675,000

David Redvers Bloodstock

C Intello — Marika (Marju)

Grove Stud

575,000

John Ferguson

C Siyouni — Acentela (Shirocco)

Church Farm & Horse Park Stud

400,000

Hillen & Ryan

C Point Of Entry — Sacred Feather (Carson City)

Malcolm Bastard

390,000

Shadwell

C Exceed And Excel — Please Sing (Royal Applause)

Knockanglass Stables

370,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C Youmzain — Atarfe (Anabaa)

Tally-Ho Stud

350,000

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock

F Shamardal — Lavender And Lace (Barathea)

Mocklershill

320,000

Alliance Bloodstock/John Egan

C Distorted Humor — In Bloom (Discreet Cat)

Tally-Ho Stud

300,000

C Gordon-Watson Bloodstock

C Acclamation — Clever Millie (Cape Canaveral)

Church Farm & Horse Park Stud

300,000

Al Shaqab Racing/P&R Doyle

C Lonhro — Four Sugars (Lookin At Lucky)

Lynn Lodge Stud

300,000

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock

C Dark Angel — Goldthroat (Zafonic)

Mocklershill

300,000

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (gns)

Avg (gns)

Mdn (gns)

Top Price (gns)

2017

98

14,120,000

144,082

110,000

675,000

2016

78

8,641,500

110,788

77,500

360,000

2015

96

9,893,500

103,057

71,000

850,000

2014

93

10,489,000

112,785

70,000

1,150,000

2013

103

9,235,000

89,660

55,000

760,000

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 17:58 Page 58

SALES CIRCUIT

Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale

SARAH FANSWORTH

What a difference a year can make to a sale and its figures.

Twelve months ago Henry Beeby, Goffs UK’s CEO, was putting a brave face on the “highs and lows” of an auction that had seen falls in all the key indicators, yet he and the company’s recently-appointed MD, Tony Williams, could stand loud and proud after a stellar resurgence at the latest renewal.

If racecourse results are a driving factor in an auction’s fortunes, then this one had Royal Ascot, and no fewer than four winning graduates from last year’s running of the famous race meeting, to drive it into orbit.

Gilding that link, the top two lots from last year’s sale – a pair of £170,000 colts by Kodiac – were Ardad and Prince Of Lir, who were among the quartet of Royal winners.

Could the sale repeat such successes? Buyers were not willing to miss out, leading Williams to refer to, “an amazing experience for the entire team at Goffs UK and indeed our consignors who supported us.”

There was a record top lot – another Kodiac from Tally-Ho Stud, this one a £360,000 recruit by Godolphin buyer Dick O’Gorman – and rises in all the other essential marks. A total of 12 six-figure lots was double the number in 2016, the aggregate rose 53%, the average by 37% and the median by 36%.

The clearance rate of 90% was the stuff of dreams for consignors, and a big hike on the 72% cleared 12 months ago.

A new record top price for a breezer at a revitalised Goffs UK sale was set at £360,000

GOFFS UK Breeze-Up Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

C Kodiac — Sodashy (Noverre)

Tally-Ho Stud

360,000

Richard O’Gorman

C Lonhro — Our Drama Queen (Danehill Dancer)

Fairgreen Stables

210,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C More Than Ready — Soot Z (Empire Maker)

Gaybrook Lodge Stud

200,000

Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock

F Showcasing — Primo Lady (Lucky Story)

Powerstown Stud

190,000

David Redvers Bloodstock

F Tamayuz — Arsheef (Hard Spun)

Knockgraffon Stables

140,000

Blandford Bloodstock

C Havana Gold — Remarkable Story (Mark Of Esteem)

The B/s Connection

135,000

David Redvers Bloodstock

C Lope De Vega — Wadjeka (Oasis Dream)

Bansha House Stables

115,000

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Malek

C Kodiac — Florida City (Pennekamp)

Fforest Farm Stables

100,000

Hong Kong Jockey Club

F Acclamation — Sister Red (Diamond Green)

Grove Stud

100,000

Dick O’Gorman

C Zebedee — Tap The Dot (Sharp Humor)

Tally-Ho Stud

100,000

Hillen/Ryan

F Kodiac — Ursula (Namid)

Meadowview Stables

100,000

Stroud Coleman

C Havana Gold — Chanter (Lomitas)

Lynn Lodge Stud

100,000

Hong Kong Jockey Club

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017

120

5,408,000

45,067

30,000

360,000

2016

109

3,562,750

32,686

22,000

170,000

2015

128

5,032,500

38,684

30,000

185,000

2014

127

4,646,250

36,585

22,000

340,000

2013

97

2,974,300

30,663

20,000

210,000

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May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 17:58 Page 59

SALES CIRCUIT

EMMA BERRY

Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Breeze-Up Sale

STEVEN CARGILL/TATTERSALLS IRELAND

Anna and Philip McCartan, aged 12 and 10, thank Kerri Radcliffe for buying their More Than Ready colt – purchased as a yearling at $5,000 – for £200,000 at Goffs UK

Tattersalls Ireland continues to put its stamp on sales at Ascot, which was the venue for the first breeze-up sale of the year.

Innovations for the latest renewal included holding the breeze the day before selling, rather than a few hours in advance, and introducing a new sales ring and bid board that showed international currencies. The company was rewarded with a 5% increase in turnover, despite a reduction of one in the number of horses offered, and a handsome rise in clearance to 80%, although there were falls in the average and median prices of 6% and 5% respectively.

The 2016 sale, which was the fifth renewal, had thrown up the event’s first sixfigure horses – three in total – and while that came back to two this time there is no doubt that consignors are supportive, and welcome an early opportunity to turn over stock.

A son of Irish National Stud stallion Worthadd headed trade when making £130,000, becoming another auction high for Willie Browne’s Mocklershill. John Quinn will train the youngster for Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing, said buyer Ross Doyle.

This colt by Worthadd made a splash for his first-season sire by topping the Ascot breeze-up and will be trained by John Quinn

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May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 17:58 Page 60

SALES CIRCUIT

TATTERSALLS IRELAND Ascot Breeze-Up Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

C Worthadd — Malayan Mist (Dansili)

Mocklershill

130,000

Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock

C Street Cry — Force One (Dansili)

Lynn Lodge Stud

100,000

C Panis — Kadiania (Indian Rocket)

Bansha House Stables

75,000

Cool Silk Partnership/Stroud Coleman

C Kodiac — Akuna Magic (Whipper)

Tally Ho Stud

75,000

Stroud Coleman Bloodstock

C Zoffany — Flamenco Red (Warning)

Gaybrook Lodge Stud

75,000

SackvilleDonald

C Arch — Wend (Pulpit)

Brown Island Stables

65,000

Hillen & Ryan

F Havana Gold — Esloob (Diesis)

Hyde Park Stud

64,000

Cool Silk Partnership/Stroud Coleman

C Helmet — Broadway Dancer (Fantastic Light)

Sherbourne Lodge

62,000

Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock

C More Than Ready — Coppermine (Unbridled’s Song)

Fairgreen Stables

55,000

Martyn Meade Racing

C Lawman — Polly Perkins (Pivotal)

Ballinahulla Stables

50,000

Richard Knight/Sean Quinn

C Showcasing — Proud Duchess (Duke Of Marmalade)

Derryconnor Stud

50,000

Peter & Ross Doyle/D Marnane

C Style Vendome — Sloane De Borepair (Sevres Rose)

Ardglas Stables

50,000

Champion Bloodstock

C Royal Applause — Sonko (Red Clubs)

Powerstown Stud

50,000

A C Elliott

A C Elliott

FIVE-YEAR TALE Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017

67

2,041,600

30,472

21,000

130,000

2016

59

1,914,500

32,449

22,000

180,000

2015

34

838,000

24,647

20,000

90,000

2014

21

315,700

15,033

8,000,

52,000

2013

20

147,300

7,365

4,650

25,000

Goffs UK Aintree HIT Sale The explosive start made by this sale when it was first held last year was slightly reined in, but it clearly has a place as a platform for trading a select group of young jumping horses in early April.

Predominantly Irish pointers with recent form, their consignors are happy to offer them during the Grand National meeting,

Ireland’s champion point-to-point trainer Colin Bowe. The gelding had taken the traditional route of winning a point-to-point – in his case at Monksgrange some 11 days earlier – and then heading to the sales.

Of 23 horses offered, 18 found a buyer, or 78%. Turnover fell back by 16% - although £1.8m was still way above Goffs UK’s aspirations for the event when they came up with the idea – and while the average price dipped 2.5%, the median rose 23%.

when many if not all of jump racing’s key owners or their representatives are on the premises.

Alan Potts is firmly among the leading lights of owners, his Timico Gold Cup success with Sizing John being reward for some serious investments in bloodstock. He was back at the forefront of this sale, calling upon the services of agent Tom Malone to secure top lot Madison To Monroe, a striking, dappled grey four-year-old from the stable of

GOFFS UK Aintree HIT Sale TOP LOTS Sex/Breeding

Vendor

Price (£)

Buyer

MADISON TO MONROE (Presenting — Caltra Princess)

Milestone Stables

300,000

Tom Malone

SOME MAN (Beat Hollow — Miss Denman)

Monbeg Stables

165,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

BLACKBOW (Stowaway — Rinnce Moll)

Cottage Field Stables

150,000

Harold Kirk/WP Mullins

LOCKER ROOM TALK (Beneficial — Whistling Gypse)

Monbeg Stables

135,000

Gearoid Costelloe

ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (King’s Theatre — Novacella)

Virginia Considine & Fiona Magee

130,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

KUPATANA (Westerner — Kildea Cailin)

Cobajay Stables

120,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

JUST A PAR (Island House — Thebrownhen)

Manor Farm Stables

100,000

Paul Nicholls

DALY TIGER (Tiger Groom — Reine Tresor)

Moate Stables

95,000

Margaret O’Toole

NEW QUAY (Mahler — Beg La Eile)

Skehanagh Stables

90,000

Ryan Mahon

OVERWORKDUNDERPAID (Getaway — Another Whiparound)

Milestone Stables

82,000

Highflyer Bloodstock

FIGURES Year

Sold

Agg (£)

Avg (£)

Mdn (£)

Top Price (£)

2017 2016

17

1,720,000

101,176

90,000

300,000

21

2,170,000

103,333

70,000

335,000

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May_153_Sales_Circuit_Sales 21/04/2017 18:03 Page 62

SALES CIRCUIT

GOFFS UK AINTREE TALKING POINTS • Some people invest heavily in bloodstock yet, sadly for them and the industry, have scant reward, but Alan Potts is enjoying one heck of a ride at present.

One day after purchasing the top lot at this sale he and wife Ann reaped Grade 1 wins at Aintree with Pingshou and Fox Norton, followed 24 hours later by another top-level success, this time by his £250,000 Cheltenham purchase Finian’s Oscar.

Talking of rides, bloodstock agent Tom Malone – who acted for Potts in the purchase of Madison To Monroe – is on one too, his ascending career gaining a new high when One For Arthur won the Randox Health Grand National.

• The profile of Randox Health must have increased onehundred fold after backing the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Company founder Dr Peter FitzGerald clearly enjoyed the Aintree experience, for just a few hours after his Grand National Festival encounter got underway, and two days before the big race, he attended Goffs UK’s sale, and invested in his first racehorse. His purchase, carried out through agent David Minton, was the fiveyear-old gelding Royal Rendezvous, who cost £130,000.

Not surprisingly, Dr FitzGerald hopes one day to present himself with the Randox Health Grand National trophy – it would be another National fairy story if Royal Rendezvous won the great race, but first-timers are often lucky.

The distinctively spotted Madison To Monroe, who will race for Alan and Ann Potts after topping trade at £300,000

62

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ownerbreeder ad pages 05-2017_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 03-2017 21/04/2017 10:21 Page 63

PROCONSUL Galileo - Kind (Danehill)

NEW FOR 2017 Full-brother to the multiple Gr.1 winners FRANKEL and NOBLE MISSION with a pedigree that speaks for itself.

Fee: £3,500 (Live Foal, 1st October) MICKLEY STUD • Enquiries: Richard Kent • M: 079 73 315722 • T: 01630 638840 • E: mickleystud@btconnect.com • www.mickleystud.com

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May_153_Caulfield_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 17:41 Page 64

CAULFIELD FILES ANDREW CAULFIELD REPORTS ON THE BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Believe in the American dream

LAURA GREEN/TATTERSALLS

When it comes to the breeze-up sales, pinhookers have found that it can pay handsomely to invest in the offspring of stallions across the Atlantic

The Point Of Entry colt who sold for 390,000gns at Tattersalls; his grandsire Dynaformer has a good record with Turf runners

64

2016 Goffs UK Breeze-up, with one of them – Prince Of Lir – going on to win the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes and the other – Ardad – the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes.

Kodiac’s 2017 juveniles were conceived at a fee of only €10,000 in 2014, since when Kodiac has never been out of the top three sires of twoyear-olds, so there is plenty of scope for profits.

However, the fact that there are well over 50

GEORGE SELWYN

F

oresight – the ability to predict what will happen or be needed in the future – is one of the essentials of a successful involvement in the breeding or buying of young racehorses. And foresight can be especially useful when it comes to purchasing a yearling for resale as a two-year-old in training. For example, the ability to envisage what a Mayfoaled yearling, or an unfurnished, gangly individual, will look like in several months’ time can yield substantial dividends.

More often it is simply a case of trying to predict which stallions will be most in vogue when the breeze-up sales come around in April and May in Europe, and a month or two earlier in the US. Last year, Invincible Spirit’s youngsters grabbed the headlines on the opening day of Tattersalls’ Craven Sale, when colts which had cost 150,000gns and €120,000 as yearlings respectively sold for 360,000gns and 320,000gns.

In 2017, many vendors have understandably pinned their hopes on Invincible Spirit’s threeparts-brother Kodiac. I say understandably because Kodiac supplied the top two lots at the

Ardad, one of two Royal Ascot-winning juveniles from the 2016 Goffs UK sale

Kodiac juveniles in the various catalogues means that potential buyers will be able to pick and choose.

In these circumstances, there is something to be said for having a more exclusive product for the sales, with quite a few vendors opting to take the American route. This strategy paid some handsome dividends at the 2016 European breeze-ups. On the second day of the Craven Sale, sons of The Factor, Exchange Rate, More Than Ready and Scat Daddy provided the top four prices, selling for 350,000, 340,000, 300,000 and 270,000gns respectively. Fact Finding, the colt by The Factor, was returned to the US, where he developed into a TDN Rising Star and an unbeaten stakes winner. There was also black-type success for the Exchange Rate colt, Rodaini, who was winning for the fourth time in four starts when he landed Doncaster’s Flying Scotsman Stakes.

It therefore comes as no surprise that quite a few vendors have again put their faith in American-bred youngsters and have had some eye-catching results at this year’s round of breeze-up sales.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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Rodaini’s sire, Exchange Rate, was represented at four of the spring sales.

Unfortunately, this grey son of Danzig is no longer with us, having died in January 2016.

Although predominantly a dirt performer, Exchange Rate has had several European stakes winners, headed by that very fast twoyear-old Reckless Abandon and the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes winner Bragging. His death looks all the more untimely in view of the smart form shown by his three-year-old American son El Areeb, and there has been strong demand for his best youngsters at the 2017 American breeze-ups. A filly sold for $850,000 and a colt for $550,000, with the latter going to John Ferguson. Pretty good

going when you remember that Exchange Rate’s 2014 fee was only $20,000.

Other well-established American stallions represented at several of the European sales include Arch (sire of a $1,050,000 colt in the US), the evergreen More Than Ready (whose 2017 American two-year-olds include a colt which sold for $1,100,000 and a filly for $600,000), Elusive Quality and Scat Daddy.

Sadly, Scat Daddy is another who is no longer around, but his American breeze-up horses include a $950,000 colt and an $800,000 filly, sired at a fee of $30,000. The exploits of Caravaggio and Lady Aurelia should guarantee that there is similar demand in Europe, and indeed Sheikh Fahad bought the top lot at the

2017 Craven Breeze-up Sale. The Scat Daddy colt, bought privately at Keeneland for $67,000, went on to fetch 675,000gns at Tattersalls.

The American stallion with the widest representation at the European sales is that noted turf sire Kitten’s Joy, who did so well in Europe last year with the likes of Hawkbill, Taareef and Bobby’s Kitten. Bearing in mind that Kitten’s Joy’s fee was already as high as $100,000 in 2014, most of his representatives didn’t sell well on their previous visits to the sales ring. However, buyers should know by now that it is often a case of handsome is as handsome does where Kitten’s Joy’s progeny are concerned and his youngsters could well make a bigger impact once on the track.

Who will take up the baton?

As several of the above proven stallions are dead, it makes an interesting exercise to speculate about their possible successors.

The 2016 American juvenile sales proved to be a pretty accurate guide to the year’s firstcrop sires’ championship. Of the stallions with sizeable contingents, the five with the highest averages – Union Rags, Bodemeister, The Factor, Gemologist and Tapizar – were all to finish among the top six on the year-end table, behind the surprise winner Dialed In. So what portents were highlighted by the American two-year-old sales which took place before the end of March? The star of the show was Orb, the A.P. Indy grandson who triumphed in both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. The fact that Orb failed to win any of his four subsequent starts no doubt contributed to his fee being set no higher than $25,000. It therefore represents a vote of confidence that his two-year-olds achieved a median of $290,000, with his top colt selling for no less than $1,250,000 (this colt had made $350,000 as a yearling six months earlier). As this male line has always struggled to make an impact in Europe, it comes as no surprise that no-one has taken a chance of entering any Orb youngsters here.

The same cannot be said for the top-notch turf horse Point Of Entry, who included a $675,000 colt and a $210,000 filly among his handful of American sales two-year-olds. A 16.3-hands son of the even bigger Dynaformer, Point Of Entry didn’t race at two and didn’t become a stakes winner until he was four. This profile suggests that his youngsters may take some time to fill their frames, a possibility underlined by his $675,000 colt, who had failed to attain his reserve at only $39,000 at Fasig-Tipton in July.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Malcolm Bastard’s well-connected half-brother to the French Group 3 winner Taareef sold well at Tattersalls this year for 390,000gns and will race for Sheikh Hamdan.

The 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom really blotted his copybook on his only visit to England, when he pulled too hard in the 2013 Queen Anne Stakes. However, this top-class dirt performer, who also won the Dubai World Cup, is out of a Gr.3 winner on turf in Germany and he showed he handled turf when second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Animal Kingdom’s breezers at the earlier American sales did well for horses sired at a fee of $35,000. Colts sold for $550,000, $300,000 and $205,000.

Bank on Bobby If any of the new American stallions can be expected to make a fast start, it is surely Shanghai Bobby, who won all five of his starts on his way to being named 2012’s champion two-year-old. The first yearlings by this son of Harlan’s Holiday (himself a four-time stakes winner at two) were in such demand that Shanghai Bobby’s fee has been upped to a new high of $25,000 before he has even had a runner. This enthusiasm for Shanghai Bobby no doubt stems partly from his being by the same sire of the up-and-coming Into Mischief (of whom more later).

It is interesting that a couple of first-crop youngsters by Violence are being offered in Europe. This son of Medaglia d’Oro looked to be full of potential when he won all three of his juvenile starts in 2012, including the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes and Grade 1 CashCall Futurity. Unfortunately, he managed only one more start, when he failed by only half a length to beat the future Kentucky Derby

winner Orb, giving him 6lb, in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. Three of Violence’s youngsters sold for more than $300,000 at the early American breeze-ups, even though they were sired at $15,000, while another brought 210,000gns at Tattersalls. The omens therefore look good for this young stallion from the very successful Gold Beauty female line.

Uncle Mo isn’t a first-crop sire, but Europeans have been slow to take a chance on this highly talented son of Indian Charlie. It is therefore encouraging that vendors are trying their luck with a couple of his youngsters. Two of their American counterparts sold for $1,500,000 and $750,000 in March, with these fillies being sired at $27,500.

The prejudice in Europe against American dirt horses such as Uncle Mo also extends to such accomplished stallions as Tapit, Pioneerof The Nile, Curlin, Ghostzapper and Into Mischief, none of whom are represented. Both Tapit and Pioneerof The Nile have had youngsters sold for seven figures in 2017, while Ghostzapper’s best price has been $800,000.

Bearing in mind that Into Mischief was North America’s champion sire of two-yearolds last year, with 37 winners (six of them black-type winners) from 89 runners, I would have thought he was one who deserved a chance to show what he can do. Although his fee is now $75,000, it stood no higher than $20,000 in 2014. He has therefore done well to achieve an average of $279,000 and a median of $225,000 with a sizeable American team in 2017, when his best price has been $600,000. Remember, he can’t prove himself in Europe unless someone is bold enough to give him a chance.

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Members enjoy art exhibition in London

TTC members were welcomed to the private viewing with drinks and canapes

The Osborne Studio Gallery in Knightsbridge, London played host to TTC

O

With drinks and canapes at the ready, our members were able to enjoy the exhibition of work by photographer Christian Schwetz and artist Tristram Lewis. Our very own trainers, Amy Murphy and Tom Clover, were in

CHRISTIAN SCHWETZ PHOTOGRAPHY

ver 40 members joined us on March 23 for a private viewing of ‘Contemporary Equine Photography and Sculpture’ at the Osborne Studio Gallery in Knightsbridge, London.

Study After Zurbaran by Christian Schwetz

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attendance along with Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds racing manager Sam Hoskins.

Schwetz’s work was displayed on the ground floor gallery and was very well received by members. He uses a technique that utilises neutral backgrounds and studio lighting that transcends the boundary between photography and oil painting, creating an effect that is reminiscent of a Stubbs painting.

The main focus of the evening was Lewis’s Denman sculpture. Having approached Paul Barber, Denman’s owner, with the idea of producing a bronze sculpture of the legendary horse, Lewis explained to the audience the concept behind the bronze and his passion for National Hunt racing.

Measuring a quarter life-size of the exceptional Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, often referred to as ‘The Tank’ during his racing days, the bronze sculpture took Lewis around five months to make. He ran through the entire process of how to create a bronze statue and all the steps and people that were involved. There were a number of other sculptures and paintings by Lewis on display around the gallery and which were equally well received.

Anna Rowlinson, The Osborne Studio Gallery Manager, said: “We are delighted to be involved with a bronze of this nature, he was a wonderful racehorse and we feel Tristram has represented Denman

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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THE OSBOURNE STUDIO GALLERY

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

Denman statue created

by Tristram Lewis

brilliantly with all the athleticism and power he evoked.”

The evening was the TTC’s first event in London this year and was a resounding success. There was a great atmosphere from start to finish and it provided an excellent networking opportunity for young professionals within the industry.

“There was a great crowd, a real across the board distribution of people in the different industries combined with really exciting art,” added Rowlinson.

@T T C_ GB

QIPCO 1,000 Guineas day offer for members As part of the TTC Raceday Membership benefits, all full TTC Members are offered half price admission for day two of the QIPCO Guineas festival on Sunday, May 7.

Members will get the chance to witness the second Classic race of the year, the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.

Manor House and Chester at the double On Saturday, June 10 TTC members will be invited to visit Manor House Stables, the Cheshire-based yard of Group 1-winning trainer Tom Dascombe. The yard itself was set up over ten years ago by Michael Owen, Andrew Black and Dascombe, since when it has expanded to contain top-notch facilities and horses.

Dascombe and his team have enjoyed numerous successes at Group level, including with Owen’s homebred Brown Panther, winner of the Irish St Leger among a number of Group victories.

Other high-profile horses to have come out of the yard include Royal Ascot winners Ceiling Kitty and Rhythm Of Light, and last year’s Commonwealth Cup runner-up Kachy.

After a morning on the gallops, members will then head off for an afternoon’s racing at the unique track that is Chester. Members will enjoy hospitality on the Roodee on a day that has been titled Summer Saturday by the course.

To book a place please visit www.thethoroughbredclub.co.uk

Brown Panther enjoyed some big days at Chester for the Tom Dascombe team

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

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

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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

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

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May_153_ROA_Forum_v2_Owner 21/04/2017 16:56 Page 68

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

Ownership costs revealed in survey O

ne of the themes that came out of last year’s National Racehorse Owners Survey was that owners wanted more information on costs and trainers.

In response to this, an ROA survey has revealed data on the annual costs of keeping a horse in training in 2015. For a Flat horse the average cost was £22,595 and for a jumps horse the average was £16,325.

These costs include all training and racing costs – i.e. training fees, gallops, farrier, transport, vets, entries, jockeys, registration fees, pre/out of training costs, etc. The average cost for Flat and jumps horses combined is £20,444 (this is after weighting results to correctly represent the proportion of Flat vs jumps horses in training).

In 2010 the average cost for both codes combined was £18,651, suggesting overall ownership costs have increased by 1.8% (on average) over the last five years. The latter increase should be treated with some caution due to the small sample sizes involved.

The average training costs specifically – i.e. training fees, gallops, farrier, supplements, clipping and pre/out of training costs were £16,491 (Flat) and £11,847 (Jumps). Costs of horse insurance and VAT are excluded from all figures quoted.

When the ‘cost per run’ calculations are related to prize-money levels, owners may question whether they should be running their horses in races worth less than £3,000 to the winner. This is particularly true of owners of jumps horses, where not only is the cost per run higher but also the risk of injury.

There are obvious variations between the cost of having a horse with what we classify as a ‘big’ trainer vs a ‘small’ trainer. These definitions are based on a combined ranking of prize-money and number of races won in 2015. It is probably best to look at the differences here based on training costs (as defined above), excluding the more variable elements like racing (entries, jockeys, transport, racing expenses) and veterinary costs.

Data on the findings of average training costs x size of trainer can be found at roa.co.uk When choosing a trainer, the basic training rate per day is likely to be a key consideration for owners. The daily rate averages are £44 for a Flat horse and £39 for a jumps horse.

For the 28 Flat trainers in our sample, the highest daily rate was £75, with ten out of 28 charging £50 or more per day (vs only five out of 28 for jumps trainers in our sample). The

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Having a Flat horse in training costs an average £22,595 according to our findings

highest daily rate for a jumps trainer was £57 per day.

Breakdown of costs (averages) Flat (£) Jumps (£) TRAINING COSTS Training fees 14,444 Pre/out of training

10,675

813

493

15,257

11,168

Gallops

552

149

Farrier

532

594

Supplements/wormer141

91

Clip

12

23

16,494

12,025

VARIABLE COSTS Entries 2,283

773

Total (1)

Jockeys

785

705

1,498

949

Racing expenses

312

173

Registration fees

117

73

Vet, physio, dentist

966

1,506

Admin/other

176

168

22,631

16,372

Transport

Total (2)

Less, Appearance money-36 Total costs

22,595

-47 16,325

Survey and analysis: Ian Murray

We can make a direct comparison between the 2010 and 2015 surveys by looking at the daily rates for trainers who were represented in both surveys (i.e. ten Flat trainers and 12 jumps trainers). This shows that on a like-forlike basis daily training rates have increased by 7.4% (1.4% pa) for Flat trainers and 8.2% (1.6% pa) for jumps trainers. Findings here tally with the earlier discovery that overall ownership costs have increased by only 1.8% pa over the last five years.

With the smaller sample sizes, the regional comparisons we can make in daily training rates are limited. However, as in previous surveys, Newmarket (£55 per day on average) and the Lambourn area (£50 per day) remain the most expensive places to have a Flat horse trained. Yorkshire, of course, is also an important training area for Flat horses but here the average daily training rate is notably lower at £37 per day.

The west of England remains a power base for training jumps horses, and average daily rates here in 2015 are comparable with the Lambourn area, at £43 per day on average.

Daily training rates are notably lower in Wales and Scotland at £33 per day on average.

Charlie Liverton, ROA Chief Executive, said: “Last year’s National Racehorse Owner Survey revealed that owners want more information on costs and trainers – 44% of owners said there wasn’t enough information THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

May_153_ROA_Forum_v2_Owner 21/04/2017 16:57 Page 69

www.roa.co.uk Total costs in 2015 i.e. training, horse transport, veterinary, farrier, Weatherbys/BHA, gallops fees, racing expenses, jockey fees Average (£) Flat

22,595 (22,696)

Jumps

16,325 (16,587)

Bracketed figures = horses running at least once

Cost per run Average no of runs in 2015 (in sample)

Cost per run (£)

Flat

7.4

3,071

Jumps

4.7

3,552

Average daily rates Flat (£)

Jumps (£)

44

39

Variations by size of trainer are as follows: Flat (£) Jumps (£) Big trainers

56

48

Mid tier trainers

45

40

Small trainers

39

33

available. We know from the survey that potential new owners are taking more decision steps and are more likely to research online, so we hope the findings of the ROA ownership costs survey will help to bridge this data gap.

“The average cost findings also underline the importance of directing prize-money toward the lower and middle tier fixtures, where most horses are competing as well as highlighting that to cover the cost of getting the average horse to the races, it needs to be racing for a total prize fund of not less than £5,000.”

Further analysis and details on breakdown of costs can be found at roa.co.uk.

The higher racing costs for Flat horses is simply a reflection of the greater number of times on average a Flat horse runs. The higher veterinary costs associated with jumps horses is of note here.

We are very grateful to all members who took part in the survey.

In recognition of their efforts, respondents were invited to choose a gift card or charitable donation. As a result, the ROA has made a payment of £400 each to the Retraining of Racehorses and Racing Welfare charities.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Roll up for AGM lunch The ROA AGM will take place on the morning of Tuesday, July 4 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel, Knightsbridge, London.

The AGM is free to attend and members are encouraged to join us for an informative gathering. The morning session will feature keynote industry speeches from our President Nicholas Cooper and guest speaker, BHA Chairman Steve Harman.

The formal proceedings of the AGM will begin at 10.30am and will include an announcement of the results of the ROA board election. There will be an open forum where members can pose questions about ownership and membership to the ROA board. Even if you can’t attend, please contact us with your questions.

The AGM will be streamed live, so if you can’t be there you will be able to watch proceedings via a link from the ROA website.

An e-bulletin will be sent to members in advance of the event with details.

The Chris Deuters Award will be presented to an individual in recognition of services to the racing industry.

Tickets are on sale for the champagne reception and members’ and guests’ lunch, which follows the AGM. This is always a

Steve Harman: guest speaker

well-attended gathering and this year’s afterlunch entertainment will be provided by Nick Luck.

Lunch tickets are priced at £90 per person, as last year, and tables of ten are available.

Bookings can be made online at roa.co.uk/events or by calling 020 7152 0200. Please don’t delay in booking – the lunch is sure to sell out.

Visit to Mark Johnston in Middleham The ROA is delighted to unveil our latest exciting visit for members, a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour of top trainer Mark Johnston’s Kingsley House Stables.

Situated in Middleham, North Yorkshire, Mark and wife Deirdre have developed the yard into an impressive 270-acre complex since buying it in 1988. The first trainer to send out more than 200 winners in a season, a feat he has repeated no less than five times, Mark is renowned for his ‘Always Trying’ mantra, demonstrated by a host of top-class and extremely popular horses, including Double Trigger, Attraction, Shamardal and Mister Baileys.

The visit will take place on the morning of Wednesday, July 19 so members can go on to racing at Catterick in the afternoon if they wish. A guided tour of the yard will include viewing some of the 100 two-yearolds likely to be gracing the track over the coming weeks and months, and perhaps provide a clue or two to the Qatar Goodwood Festival, where the yard is so

Mark Johnston: will host members

often successful.

The visit is limited to 50 places, and is sure to be a sell-out, so we recommend booking promptly. Members will be limited to bringing one guest each, and applications to attend the visit can be made by calling Sarah Holton in the ROA office on 020 7152 0200, or by emailing info@roa.co.uk.

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ROA FORUM

British Champions Day

Al Naamah worked at the 2015 Breakfast with the Stars event

Stars on parade at Epsom ROA members can book places for a special Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom Downs, which takes place on Tuesday, May 23.

We will have exclusive use of the Jockey Club Room (Queen’s Stand). From the facility, guests will be able to listen to the morning’s presentation from the adjacent Duchess Stand, and watch the horses canter past on the track from the balcony before enjoying breakfast. This special morning will start at 7.30am.

After breakfast, at around 10.15am, guests will have the option to join a course walk with Michael Church, the official Derby historian and author of The Derby Stakes 1780-2016.

Michael will provide commentary, course maps and will take questions on the day.

Tickets for this special morning are £45 per person and are limited to 40 places.

Members are advised to book early by emailing info@roa.co.uk or by calling 020 7152 0200.

The first Classics are here, heralding a wonderful Flat Turf season to come, and which culminates in QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21.

Since its inception in 2011 British Champions Day has been graced by some of the sports’ most recent superstars, including Frankel, Muhaarar and Solow, and we want you to be there this year.

Teaming up with Ascot, the ROA is pleased to announce that we will once again be offering members the chance to book our discounted hospitality package in a superb box on the third floor of the Grandstand. Situated opposite the winning post, the box offers bookers a spectacular view of the action, as well as: • Queen Anne enclosure admission badge and racecard • One car park label per two places booked • Morning coffee and biscuits • Three-course sit-down lunch • Full afternoon tea • Complimentary house wines, beer and soft drinks throughout the afternoon This event is always popular, so early booking is advised. The cost is £320 per person, and bookings can be made by calling Sarah Holton in the ROA office on 020 7152 0200, or at roa.co.uk/events

Jackpot scheme receives extra boost The successful ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot scheme, which focuses on middle and lower tier races being run under both codes in the UK, has been further enhanced.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative aimed at boosting grassroots racing in Britain has been supported by the Racing Post since its inception in 2014.

Once a quarter, one of the races – called Jackpot+ – will receive an extra boost. In addition to the £2,000 bonus for the owner of each winning horse and champagne for every qualifying runner, there is: Travel expenses of £250 for every qualifying ROA-owned runner in the Jackpot race; ROA hospitality for members with or without a runner in a racecourse facility, with a complimentary drink and light refreshments.

Jackpot+ days will take place at Ripon on the evening of May 12, Goodwood on September 5 and Doncaster on October 27.

The ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot is a development of a scheme that has paid out more than £300,000 to the association’s members to date. Every week one race –

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Thrilled: another Jackpot winner

which must have a minimum prize fund of £5,000 already – has a £2,000 bonus attached to it. If the winning horse belongs to an ROA member and qualifies, the extra payment is made on top of the prize-money on offer from the racecourse.

Consistently throughout 2016 and the

opening months of 2017 the field sizes for our Jackpot races have outperformed the industry standard. A key focus for the ROA is the flow of funds to grassroots racing, and this is something that it and other members of the Horsemen’s Group continue to work in partnership with racecourses and the BHA to develop.

The schedule of races is found at www.roa.co.uk/jackpot. Races are flagged in the Racing Post, as well as BHA publications such as the Racing Calendar and on the Racing Admin website.

ROA Chief Executive Charlie Liverton said: “The ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot is loved by members and, having paid out over £300,000, it has established itself as another popular membership benefit. We are now delighted to enhance the Racing Post-supported scheme even further, with the introduction of Jackpot+ days each quarter, offering travelling expenses and hospitality.”

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 SARA BIGGINS AT EXETER, MARCH 21

I

n part two of our series where members share their racecourse experience as an owner with a runner, member Sara Biggins of KSB Bloodstock tells us about her experience at Exeter, when The Kings Writ, her six-year-old gelding, made his handicap hurdle debut.

Did you receive any welcome information as an owner in advance of the raceday?

I received a very comprehensive letter from the racecourse giving me the names of the clerk of the course, owners liaison contact (who I never saw), etc. However, I feel in this day and age an email would be more efficient as in the past at busy times of year the letter has turned up after the race has run.

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

The owners car park is well signed. This was a quiet midweek meeting so there was no problem parking or picking up tickets and meal vouchers. However, at busy meetings here the car parking is very crowded as it is not very big.

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

Sara Biggins had a mixed experience on her trip to Exeter

cheerful but only just coped on a quiet day.

When I have been there on their busy days they are always understaffed with long queues for food and drink.

How was the pre-parade ring/paddock experience?

The pre-parade/paddock experience was as normal. This is one of my favourite parts as I love seeing the horse and talking tactics with the jockey and trainer. At this point the dream is still alive.

Yes, I always use the owners’ and trainers’ bar.

How did you find the facilities for owners’ viewing?

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

As far as I know there is no designated owners’ viewing area. There is no viewing from the O&T bar as it is at the back of the stand, and the public stand in front of it. So most owners either watch from the main stand or, like me, from the paddock. As the viewing is generally not good there is, however, a big screen.

Even though it was a quiet midweek meeting the O&T bar was very busy with no free chairs. The steward policing the door, when seeing I was looking for a seat, said there was an overflow room. It had tables and chairs but no catering facilities, no bar, no televisions and no view, so unsurprisingly was empty. Seating became available in the main bar only halfway through the afternoon, after owners with runners in early races had left.

There were various complimentary food options on offer, a variety of hot pies with vegetables, or sandwiches or soup and a roll.

There was also complimentary tea/coffee served from a machine and at the end of the day a tray of cakes appeared. The food was fine but unimaginative – fine if you live locally like me but inadequate if you have had a long drive and, due to the lack of seating, difficult to eat. The staff are friendly and

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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

Unless you are a winning owner your only replay is very quickly after the race when you are normally getting a debrief from the trainer and jockey.

How were you treated as an owner on the day?

Like most days when you go racing my horse was not in the winner’s enclosure. However, having been lucky enough to having been there in the past, I know Exeter look after you very well with champagne, sandwiches, a

DVD and nice mementos.

Another very good initiative that they do is to give a bottle of champagne to all placed connections. This, or something similar, ought to be taken up by all racecourses as it’s very disheartening when your horse has run its heart out and just because it has not won you are ignored by the course.

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

I love going racing and Exeter is a very popular racecourse with both owners and trainers, with a strong local following. The staff are very friendly and you are made to feel welcome. However, the owners’ and trainers’ facilities need a major revamp; the bar is far too small with not enough tables and chairs, the food is only okay and it is often understaffed. They only just cope on small days, and having been there on major days it turns into complete chaos.

Although it is not a Grade 1 track they could still do things to make the owners’ experience more enjoyable, although the champagne to the placed connections is a step in the right direction.

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

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH 15

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ROA FORUM

Diary dates and reminders MAY 17 Ownership matters roadshow At York.

MAY 22 Visit to Newmarket Equine Hospital and Sir Mark Prescott’s Heath House Stables GEORGE SELWYN

A few places are still available.

MAY 23 Breakfast with the Stars and Derby course walk

Jim Crowley is a champion jockey – but what’s he like on the golf course?

At Epsom Downs.

Golfing ‘Duel of the Jockeys’

JUNE 6

What better way to sharpen up for Royal Ascot than with a round of golf with some of the riders contending for top honours during the week?

The ‘Duel of the Jockeys’ will give members the chance to do just that, with Frankie Dettori and Jim Crowley heading up jockey teams on the day. The competition, organised

by Racing Breaks and Your Golf Travel, takes place on Monday, June 19 at The Berkshire Golf Club.

Teams of four are invited to play for either Team Dettori or Team Crowley on this

prestigious golf course, before enjoying an evening of entertainment with many famous faces from the racing world. ROA members can avail themselves of a special rate of £1,000 + VAT for a team of four. The day includes breakfast, a drinks reception, two-course buffet and tips from the celebrity racing panel.

Tickets for Royal Ascot are available for purchase on request from Racing Breaks and are subject to availability.

For more information or to book your team contact Rhys Weston on 020 7336 5416 or email rhys.w@yourgolftravel.com

Plus 10 rule change The Plus 10 bonus scheme anticipates 600 opportunities to win a £10,000 bonus this Flat season. The scheme, which has paid more than £8 million in bonus prize-money to owners and breeders in just two years, will now see a limit on the number of bonuses each horse can win.

From April 1, Plus 10 horses are limited to one £10,000 bonus and if a horse is successful in another Plus 10 race, they are ineligible for that bonus.

The rule change is the result of the success of the scheme and changes to the two-yearold programme – as the number of qualifying juveniles rose 10%, a lot of races were divided. The number of qualifying races rose from 550 to 600 as tracks responded to the demand for the programme by increasing purses, and thus qualifying races. The change ensures that the scheme can continue to operate within its resources. Only 6% of the 769 horses that won a bonus during 20152016 added a second or third bonus, equalling 0.8% of the total pool of potential

72

Plus 10 winners from each foal crop.

Plus 10 Chairman Julian RichmondWatson said: “Plus 10 is achieving its aims of encouraging investment in bloodstock, stimulating racehorse ownership and incentivising owners to run their horses more often. Because of its success, we are introducing this small change, which we consider to be the least impactful to all stakeholders in Plus 10, to ensure the scheme operates at a sustainable level in the future.

“While qualifying horses will no longer be able to win a second bonus, this is offset by improved opportunities to win, thereby maintaining the broad scope of the scheme across two and three-year-old races, with large numbers of owners and breeders remaining beneficiaries.”

As a truly joint scheme, which recognises the significant links between the British and Irish industries and supports those operations which operate across both countries, the rule change will also apply in Ireland.

ROA Regional meeting At Wetherby.

JUNE 6 Ownership matters roadshow In Harrogate.

JUNE 20-24 Royal Ascot hospitality packages

JULY 2 Pretty Polly day reciprocal AIRO offer At the Curragh.

JULY 4 ROA AGM and members & guests lunch In London.

Testimonial request Nothing endorses a service better than recommendations. If you would be prepared to offer a brief testimonial regarding your experience of being a member of the ROA we would love to use it as part of our membership drive.

Ideally, we would like less than 25 words explaining why you joined and stayed a member of the ROA along with your name, region of the country and if possible, your ROA membership number. Whether it’s our work improving the rights of owners, a particular member benefit or an event you attended, your views could really help potential members join.

If you would like to provide a testimonial you can email info@roa.co.uk, write to us at ROA, 1st Floor, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS or call the office on 020 7152 0200.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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TRACK TALK The latest news from the UK’s racecourses Bangor’s new dining dynamite Many owners have experienced the wonderful hospitality offered by Chester, the two-time ROA Large Racecourse of the Year award winner. Now their National Hunt counterparts can have a taste of the action, as Chester’s sister racecourse Bangor-on-Dee has unveiled a superb new dining experience.

Owners and trainers with a runner on the day are now being entertained in a new facility, designed exclusively for their use. Representing a significant expenditure for the course, owners will be treated to a complimentary two-course meal and beverages (including wine). The facility will also provide a base for the day, offering an excellent vantage point from which to view the action, and the walls have been adorned with a motif that depicts the top-class horses to have graced the track over the years.

Racecourse Manager Jeannie Chantler said: “Our wish was to replicate the successful, award-winning model of sister course Chester and demonstrate our commitment to owners and trainers. Large investment was made and a six-week project undertaken to overhaul the owners’ and trainers’ facility.

“Our improved complimentary package,

combined with the new facilities will, we hope, prove invaluable when playing a part in the deciding factors on where to run. We’re convinced the improvements made will attribute to an enjoyable day win or lose.”

Hamilton up their game again Gold Standard racecourses are not known for resting on their laurels, and Hamilton Park are throwing down an early gauntlet for retaining the coveted accolade with £2 million of investment in both prize-money and facilities.

A near £200,000 increase in prize-money has pushed the racecourses’ contribution to almost £1.2m in 2017 (a 15% rise on 2016). Every fixture at the Lanarkshire track will now be worth at least £50,000 and with no individual race being worth less than £5,000 the course is showing its support for the grassroots owner.

A further £800,000 is being spent on reinvigorating the grandstand restaurant and bar facilities, as well as private hospitality boxes, which will be supported by catering partners Sodexo, with whom there is a new long-term deal. The extensive remodelling project will see full renovations to Duke’s Bar and Restaurant, the Panorama Bar and the Conservatory Café,

with the latter becoming an upmarket bar and eatery. Work has already begun on the project and looks set to be completed in time for the start of the new season in May. Hamilton’s Chief Executive Vivien Currie said: “This is a very exciting time. Our increased prize-money, in line with the game-changing improvements to our facilities, ensures we will continue to deliver an improved raceday experience for owners and other customers.”

The Silk Series ARC racecourses have launched The Silk Series, a new £100,000 race series for female jockeys across nine ARC fixtures. Races in the series will showcase the talent of pioneering sportswomen and will support Cancer Research UK. The first race will be staged at Lingfield on May 12, and the last race of the series will be run at Doncaster in September. Details at www.thesilkseries.com

Northern Lights Series The Northern Lights Series provides opportunities for mid-tier jump horses at racecourses north of, and including, Doncaster.

Races are being scheduled throughout the year until November, culminating in a valuable finals day, which will be held at Carlisle on December 3. During May there are races scheduled at Hexham, Perth, Aintree and Cartmel. Details of upcoming races, and other race series, can be found at roa.co.uk in the Resources section.

Feedback winner

Bangor will offer owners and trainers with runners a superb new dining experience

Online racecourse feedback forms completed

by ROA members are instrumental in the negotiations the ROA Raceday Committee have with racecourses, and each month we reward one person picked at random. This month’s lucky winner of a £50 John Lewis giftcard is a regular feedback provider Tony Gale, who had a double at Exeter in March, as well as a runner at the Cheltenham Festival.

Discount for Epsom Classic publications Members can enjoy an exclusive discount on Michael Church’s limited edition Classic publications.

The Derby Stakes 1780-2016 is a fine, collector’s history of the Derby, and is a must for anyone interested in pedigrees. It includes the classified results, race commentaries and illustrations, as well as 25 essays on ‘Derby Winner of the Decade’, analysis of winning times, indices and fascinating facts and accounts of Derby days passed.

The Oaks Stakes 1779-2015 is the first book to be published on the fillies’ Classic, which includes a comprehensive history of the race, its foundation, the results and race commentaries, including details of all

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

the winners, their breeding and analysis. There are also accounts of famous owners, trainers and jockeys, essays and pictures.

Both books are presented in a strong luxury binding, with gold block cover, gilt edges, and over 250 pages. Each book is a limited edition of 650 copies, signed by the author.

Members can enjoy 20% off the RRP of £65 per book by entering discount codes Derby17 and Oaks17 at the checkout at shop1.racingpost.com.

Codes can be used once but will work if a customer orders more than one copy. Alternatively, both books can be purchased as a multi-buy for £99.

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ROA FORUM

M AGICAL MOMENTS with ROA member Steve Barker

O

ne story dominated the news on the opening day of the Flat season, but it was not about who won the Lincoln, rather who narrowly failed to win the Lincoln.

Bookmakers estimated that Ryan Moore’s neck defeat on Oh This Is Us saved the industry up to £40 million, the punters’ pal having already posted a 575-1 treble in the opening three races.

The horse that denied him in a driving finish was the aptly-named Bravery, providing owner Steve Barker with his “best achievement” in racing.

Barker was born in Morecambe Bay but has spent the last 19 years in Antigua – a “betterlifestyle change” explains the property investor and developer – yet while he may have moved, racing is as much a passion as it has always been.

“I got into the sport at a very early age – at five I was watching racing every Saturday with my late grandad known fondly as ‘Pop’, who was a punter and off whom I quickly learnt not to gamble!” he says.

“It stayed with me as I’ve childhood memories going back to Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse, Wayward Lad and Red Rum over the jumps, along with the likes of Soba and Chaplins Club on the Flat.

“My pop took me to Jack Berry’s stables as a child, the nearest racing stable to us, and I watched Jack Berry’s progress with his twoyear-olds and sprinters. The National was always my favourite race and Red Rum’s achievements still amaze me.

“Every time your

horse wins is magical, whether a seller or Pattern race” “I grew up watching Lester Piggott, the greatest jockey I’ve ever seen, and all the Classic races as a child.”

Watching later turned to owning, as Barker explains, saying: “I started with purchasing Al Muheer from Tattersalls’ horses in training sale.

I bought him for 38,000gns, then formed a small syndicate in Antigua called the Antigua Cavaliers and sent the horse to Dandy Nicholls.

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Bravery (right) provides owner Steve Barker with a superb start to the Flat season

“Unfortunately we didn’t have too much success but we nevertheless enjoyed every moment. Around May 2011, I made the decision to move to Ruth Carr, whom we had some wonderful days with and won our first race at Musselburgh on July 29, 2011 with Al Muheer.”

Al Muheer was the start but not the finish for Barker, who has now owned around ten horses and runs them under the banner of Thoroughbred British Racing Ltd (thoroughbredbritishracing.com), his ownersponsorship company having previously been called Sprint Thoroughbred Racing.

He continues: “Fort Bastion won the Thirsk Hunt Cup for us and Ruth was overjoyed as she’d been trying to win the race for years.

“Then in or around October 2014 I decided to move to David O’Meara as I felt he was a trainer going places, and it’s proved a good decision. David seems to have the Midas touch and is an excellent trainer and shrewd man.

“Whilst last season was a slow one for David, he moved yards, built a new home and new team, which is always going to slow you down.

But what a start to 2017 with Bravery winning the Lincoln – especially switching from a high draw.

“I’d be surprised if David isn’t champion trainer one day. What he has achieved in such a short space of time speaks for itself, plus he’s a genuine, hard-working, down to earth good guy who thinks before he speaks.

“I must also point out he has an excellent young man by his side in assistant trainer Jason Kelly, who’s shrewd and knowledgeable and even at his young age keeps on educating me!”

Asked for his magical moments to date as an owner, Barker replies: “Every time your horse wins is magical, whether a seller or a Pattern race.

“A few standouts include Al Muheer winning at Chester; winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup, more so for Ruth Carr and her grandma Marion Chapman, who were smiling for days; So Beloved winning at York, Haydock and a Group 3 at Goodwood; having my first runner at Royal Ascot; and So Beloved running in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes, which was an especially proud day for me.

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Choice at the choicest of meetings ROA members can enjoy an exclusive discount on a choice of hospitality packages at Royal Ascot, June 20-24.

The member discount applies for the Carriages and Sandringham restaurants during the week. Both restaurants are located in the Queen Anne Enclosure and offer luxurious surroundings to watch the day’s events unfold both on and off the track.

The Carriages restaurant is conveniently positioned close to the Royal Enclosure.

Located on the top floor of the luxurious double decker marquee just past the winning post, it offers spectacular head-on views down the finishing straight.

Sandringham occupies the ground floor of

the double-decker marquee and boasts a spacious wooden veranda, well positioned to enjoy head on views of the winning post and looking back towards the racing action.

Members will be seated on shared tables of ten. The package includes a drinks reception, three- or four-course luncheon depending on package, afternoon tea, and a complimentary bar throughout the day, which includes champagne for the Carriages package.

Guests will also receive one car park label per two places booked, racecards and racing papers.

Bookings must be made via the ROA. To check availability see roa.co.uk/events or call the ROA on 020 7152 0200.

News in brief

PA

Ownership Matters roadshows The ROA is hosting two informal networking events for current owners and those individuals considering racehorse ownership. Chat and enjoy a drink with owners, trainers and others involved in racing, including representatives of the National Trainers Federation and the ROA. Our next evening gatherings will be held in York on May 17 and in Harrogate on June 6.

To book a place please contact the ROA office or complete the online form at roa.co.uk/events

ROA Trainer Pack

by winning the Lincoln at Doncaster

Regional meeting “However, the best achievement is without doubt Bravery winning the Lincoln, and what a training and jockey performance it was to win this old handicap in the manner he did, being his first run for us.

“My heroes are Sir Henry Cecil and my late mum, who likewise battled hard through cancer. She recently passed away and was always telling me no matter what to keep following my dream and that one day I’d win a big race, which came true with Bravery winning the Lincoln. I’d dedicate that win to her.”

Danny Tudhope was Bravery’s jockey, but Piggott is Barker’s all-time favourite, and with Dancing Brave his favourite horse, he clearly has a feel for the finer things in racing.

The best thing about being an owner, he says, is just being a part of a sport he is very passionate about – “winning is a bonus,” he adds.

“The worst thing is when your horse gets injured or worse. At the end of the day you just want your horse to come back sound and be happy.”

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

champion filly honours. Members are able to enjoy free admission for themselves and a guest, and access to the AIRO facility for up to three guests. Please note members do need to call the ROA Office (on 020 7152 0200) or email info@roa.co.uk to pre-book admission.

Due to the limits on numbers because of the renovations at the Curragh, please register you interest in attending with the ROA by Thursday, June 1 at the latest.

The next ROA regional meeting will take place before racing at Wetherby on June 6.

This is an opportunity for members who live nearby to meet some of the ROA team for an update on racing and ownership matters. We will host lunch and a private facility for members to enjoy the afternoon’s racing.

Members who live nearby have been sent details, but if you are interested in attending please contact the ROA.

Reciprocal arrangements at the Curragh The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) is offering free admission to the Curragh on Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Day on Sunday, July 2, and complimentary refreshments in the Curragh Rooms, overlooking the parade ring on the last day of the Irish Derby festival at the Curragh.

The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes, won in the past by Peeping Fawn and Alexander Goldrun, whilst last year Minding followed up her Epsom Oaks success on her way to

The ROA recognises that trainers are pivotal in providing an enjoyable experience for owners and guiding them through the ownership journey.

With this in mind an ROA Trainer Pack has been produced, designed as an information pack to assist with the various administrative elements that come with buying a racehorse, and answers to some frequently asked questions relating to ownership processes and benefits.

We hope this will prove a useful resource for trainers, their staff and owners. The pack was mailed out to trainers who are members of the NTF during April and copies are available on request from the ROA office. An online version is at roa.co.uk/Tpacks.

Dawn Bacchus of the NTF said: “The NTF welcomes the introduction by the ROA of this pack, pulling together useful information into one handy publication to help trainers answer owners’ queries and aid the registration process for new owners.”

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Flat Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Ascot York Goodwood Epsom Downs Newmarket Chester Doncaster Newbury Sandown Park Haydock Park Ayr Musselburgh Chelmsford City Salisbury Ripon Pontefract Lingfield Park Newcastle Wetherby Hamilton Park Beverley Thirsk Windsor Carlisle Leicester Bath Kempton Park Nottingham Ffos Las Yarmouth Chepstow Catterick Bridge Redcar Wolverhampton Brighton Southwell Total

Figures for period March 1, 2016 to February 28, 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 I I I ARC JCR I ARC JCR JCR I ARC ARC I I ARC ARC ARC

439,286 212,321 176,251 140,472 114,448 80,126 79,833 76,642 62,705 54,369 45,309 41,143 39,997 37,668 36,725 36,467 34,607 32,293 32,066 31,889 30,417 28,713 28,527 26,996 26,736 26,611 25,681 25,603 24,167 23,371 23,081 22,440 22,119 21,508 19,068 10,193 53,497

127,650 91,453 82,011 68,655 74,177 41,667 51,071 53,755 45,957 39,600 29,697 14,545 18,239 25,850 21,230 28,919 25,438 18,128 0 19,206 18,658 16,436 18,848 13,777 19,430 13,723 19,637 19,240 12,050 20,622 13,672 16,613 17,559 18,781 14,373 27,712 30,535

251,426 121,269 69,398 113,995 77,302 10,430 35,997 37,556 28,632 17,925 11,270 5,239 5,098 5,154 4,491 3,824 4,409 5,122 4,185 4,150 4,269 5,235 5,112 4,467 5,037 4,054 4,385 5,559 3,609 4,669 3,566 2,675 13,267 3,530 2,771 2,817 20,254

818,363 425,749 327,660 323,122 265,927 132,223 167,058 169,093 137,294 112,449 86,335 60,927 63,334 68,673 62,445 69,210 64,504 55,543 36,250 55,246 53,344 50,384 52,488 45,241 51,204 44,389 49,703 50,446 39,827 48,662 40,319 41,727 52,944 43,831 36,212 40,722 104,346

18 17 19 11 39 15 24 16 16 23 17 17 55 16 17 16 76 50 2 18 19 17 27 13 20 22 57 23 6 18 15 17 18 82 22 27 885

14,730,525 7,237,740 6,225,542 3,554,346 10,371,159 1,983,351 4,009,385 2,705,495 2,196,700 2,634,519 1,467,700 1,035,760 3,483,345 1,098,766 1,061,566 1,107,354 4,902,276 2,777,149 72,500 994,420 1,013,537 856,525 1,417,179 588,129 1,024,079 976,553 2,833,051 1,160,249 238,960 875,922 604,784 709,360 953,000 3,594,175 796,654 1,099,500 92,391,252

388,619 188,919 168,936 136,791 105,410 86,530 66,008 68,579 57,439 49,896 36,465 39,867 40,551 32,289 34,084 33,032 32,624 26,159 32,205 27,399 24,486 27,121 21,099 25,473 24,323 20,435 24,169 23,318 22,888 19,876 17,669 18,539 19,019 16,577 14,759 12,250 48,230

s s s s s t s s s s s s t s s s s s t s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s t s

Up/ down

Jumps Racecourse League Table Ptn Racecourse

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

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Aintree Cheltenham Ascot Sandown Park Haydock Park Newbury Kempton Park Ayr Doncaster Kelso Chepstow Newcastle Cartmel Musselburgh Stratford-on-Avon Perth Ludlow Wincanton Newton Abbot Wetherby Market Rasen Taunton Uttoxeter Fakenham Bangor-on-Dee Hereford Huntingdon Warwick Exeter Carlisle Fontwell Park Worcester Lingfield Park Ffos Las Hexham Southwell Sedgefield Leicester Catterick Bridge Plumpton Towcester Total

Ownership

Avg racecourse spend per fixture (£)

Avg HBLB spend per fixture (£)

Avg owner spend per fixture (£)

Avg prizemoney per fixture (£)

Total no. of fixtures

Total prize-money (£)

Avg racecourse spend per fixture 2015-16 (£)

JCR JCR I JCR JCR I JCR I ARC I ARC ARC I I I I I JCR I I JCR I ARC I I ARC JCR JCR JCR JCR ARC ARC ARC I I ARC ARC I I I I

250,443 235,147 136,540 96,737 93,516 53,514 51,026 37,945 37,435 36,932 35,311 34,576 30,843 30,155 28,982 28,103 27,551 27,374 27,196 26,073 24,590 24,420 24,033 22,389 22,296 21,902 21,602 21,483 20,699 19,944 19,802 19,683 19,370 18,723 18,143 17,817 17,586 17,520 16,561 16,557 15,812 37,975

131,251 121,028 83,450 86,809 86,588 74,429 63,774 28,423 45,127 25,340 39,783 35,056 17,023 40,207 19,467 21,875 29,965 31,086 29,517 27,291 22,869 26,506 27,793 25,545 17,780 15,342 22,235 30,341 28,339 25,112 22,508 23,551 23,274 19,813 17,860 19,256 20,541 32,242 24,073 24,582 21,492 34,140

71,423 62,512 20,277 16,905 19,555 19,500 10,877 9,983 8,140 3,101 10,257 6,530 5,156 4,934 4,398 3,755 5,077 5,257 0 5,018 4,407 5,967 7,308 0 4,712 4,681 4,352 5,740 5,409 4,603 3,851 4,252 4,009 3,982 3,173 3,859 3,286 5,025 2,554 3,805 3,833 8,318

453,929 418,688 243,124 203,563 206,791 149,261 126,344 76,504 91,118 65,837 85,351 77,098 53,022 76,441 53,280 53,733 62,593 63,716 56,713 58,383 52,548 56,893 59,227 47,934 45,482 42,737 48,189 59,746 55,383 51,142 46,161 47,739 46,652 42,517 39,197 40,932 41,643 54,787 43,338 44,944 41,304 80,956

8 16 7 9 8 11 12 15 12 14 15 11 9 9 15 16 15 15 18 17 22 13 25 10 18 8 14 17 16 12 22 19 8 13 14 20 20 11 10 15 9 568

3,631,431 6,699,001 1,701,868 1,832,063 1,565,707 1,641,869 1,516,124 1,147,561 1,093,415 921,712 1,280,258 848,081 477,198 687,972 799,206 859,728 938,892 955,747 1,020,836 992,504 1,156,048 739,607 1,480,669 479,336 818,673 341,895 674,641 1,015,678 886,135 613,700 1,015,538 907,037 373,219 552,718 548,762 818,632 832,854 602,657 433,380 674,160 371,739 45,948,251

242,694 226,859 141,268 95,904 87,945 28,445 48,903 36,492 28,457 28,703 27,652 22,896 25,256 15,435 23,882 58,990 48,903 26,942 23,094 24,381 18,624 22,518 18,069 22,921 16,904 0 19,862 20,575 20,284 19,861 15,759 14,741 28,703 17,636 16,249 15,595 13,411 19,862 15,704 13,413 12,844 35,724

s s t s s s s s s s s s s s s t t s s s s s s t s s s s s s s s t s s s s t s s s s

EXPLANATION The tables set out the average prize-money at each fixture staged by a racecourse over the last 12 months. They show how this is made up of the three sources of prizemoney: 1. Racecourses’ contribution 2. Levy Board (HBLB) 3. Owners The tables also confirm the number of fixtures staged and the total amount of prize-money paid out by each racecourse throughout this period.

The racecourses are ordered by the average amount of their own contribution to prizemoney at each fixture. This contribution originates from various sources including media rights, admission revenues and racecourse sponsors.

If a racecourse has increased its average contribution at each fixture compared with the previous 12 months, it receives a green ‘up’ arrow. If its average contribution has fallen, however, it receives a red ‘down’ arrow.

As these tables are based on the prize-money paid out by each racecourse, the abandonment of a major fixture could distort a racecourse’s performance.

OWNERSHIP KEY JCR Jockey Club Racecourses

ARC Arena Racing Company

I Independently owned racecourse Gold Standard Award

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Hedgeholme Stud OB Feb 2017 f-p_Hedgeholme Stud OB Feb 2017 1-2p 21/04/2017 10:15 Page 1

HEDGEHOLME STUD

INTRINSIC

DEFEATED 8 GROUP/STAKES WINNERS

Bay 2010, by OASIS DREAM – INFALLIBLE by PIVOTAL

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

PEDIGREE:

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

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

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

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

Fee 2017: £1,750 Oct 1st

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

Outstanding G1 performer and Royal Ascot winner New for 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May_153_TBA_Forum_Owner 21/04/2017 15:59 Page 78

TBA FORUM The special section for TBA members

‘The TBA – Solving Breeders’ Problems’ Annual Seminar celebrating our centenary to be held at Tattersalls on June 15

ADAM SMYTH

T

his year’s seminar celebrates the TBA Centenary by highlighting the work that the TBA has engaged in for benefit of all British breeders over the years, as well as flagging up new issues on the horizon.

Focusing on the TBA’s three objectives – preservation of the breed, veterinary research and education – the day will offer members the chance to hear about and discuss subjects such as incentive schemes, staff recruitment and training matters, and the veterinary research that we support to help all breeders improve their stud management. We look forward to some lively debate with the audience, as well as suggestions from members for future activity.

As always, there will additionally be a chance to catch up with friends and clients over lunch.

The seminar is free to all TBA members, with a buffet lunch and refreshments included. Registration is at 9.30am, the programme commences at 10am and will finish by 4pm.

To register, and for further information, please contact Melissa Parris at Stanstead House on 01638 661321 or email Melissa.parris@thetba.co.uk.

The annual seminar will update breeders on the ongoing work by the TBA

Breeders’ badges for Guineas weekend The TBA is thrilled to announce news of more exclusive breeders’ badges for our members.

In association with Newmarket racecourse, the TBA is offering a limited number of owners’ and trainers’ badges for breeders who have bred a runner on the following dates: The QIPCO Guineas Festival

QIPCO 2,000 Guineas day, Saturday, May 6 QIPCO 1,000 Guineas day, Sunday, May 7 The Moet & Chandon July Festival

Ladies’ Day, Thursday, July 13 Gentlemans’ Day, Friday, July 14 Darley July Cup day, Saturday, July 15

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Tickets are for TBA members only and are restricted to two per application for breeders who have bred a runner on the above dates – subject to horses being declared to run. Applications must be sent

through one week in advance and successful applicants will be advised following declarations.

Newmarket racecourse is also offering entrance to all other meetings in the calendar (with the exception of Newmarket Music Nights) to breeders who have bred a runner and are holders of a Racecourse PASS/Horse Racing Privilege Card.

If you would like to take advantage of these and other offers but are not a TBA member, please contact the office on 01638 661321 for an application form or apply online at www.thetba.co.uk.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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JOHN HOY

www.thetba.co.uk

DAVID PRATT

FRANCESCA ALTOFT

Cap Soleil’s winning connections for the EBF/TBA sponsored race at Sandown Park

The winning connections of Buttercup after her victory at Warwick

TBA-sponsored races March saw the running of three TBA/EBFsponsored races, with Sandown Park hosting the first – the two-mile Listed EBF Stallions/ TBA Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race – on Saturday, March 11.

From a competitive ten-runner field, Cap Soleil, who is trained by Fergal O’Brien for Sally Noott, came from last to win by half a length from the Warren Greatrex-trained Petticoat Tails. Cap Soleil was purchased in 2014 for €14,000 and has remained unbeaten in all three of her career starts to date, including a Listed bumper at Cheltenham.

The second race benefiting from the jointsponsorship was held the following day at Warwick. The Class 3 TBA/EBF Mares’ Chase took place on soft ground, over a distance of two miles and four furlongs. From a sixrunner field, the winner Buttercup, trained by Venetia Williams, stormed to an impressive 18-length victory over the runner-up Kayfleur, who is in training with Henry Daly.

On Saturday, March 25, the newly upgraded Grade 2 EBF/TBA Mares’ National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle Finale took place at Newbury. Sixteen runners faced the starter for the valuable contest, with £40,000 in prizemoney on offer.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained Snow Leopardess took the honours to win by four lengths from Philip

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Hobbs’s Copper Kay. Snow Leopardess is owned and bred by Marietta Fox-Pitt, mother of the Olympic event rider William Fox-Pitt, and her victory qualified her to pick up an

Marietta Fox-Pitt and the winning connections of Snow Leopardess receive their trophies from Robert Waley-Cohen and the EBF’s Rachael Gowland

extra £10,000 as she is also eligible for the TBA National Hunt Mare Owners Prize Scheme bonus (NHMOPS).

Congratulations to all the winners.

NH Mare Owners Prize Scheme (NHMOPS) winners March 14, Sedgefield Betfred Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Betfred Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 4) Winner: MOLLY CAREW Owned by Mrs H R Cross and Mrs S A Keys Bonus Value: £5,000 March 20, Southwell Compare Bookmakers @Bookmakers.co.uk Mares’ Standard National Hunt Flat Race (Class 6) Winner: ROSEMARY RUSSET Owned by Somerset Racing Bonus Value: £5,000 March 25, Newbury EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale (A Limited

Handicap) (Grade 2) Winner: SNOW LEOPARDESS Owned by Mrs O Fox-Pitt Bonus Value: £10,000 March 27, Market Rasen 32Red On The App Store Mares’ Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race (Div II) (Class 6) Winner: MELANGERIE Owned by The Barrow Boys Bonus Value: £5,000 April 3, Huntingdon US Masters Golf at 188BET Mares Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 4) Winner: KATY P Owned by Mr P E Atkinson Bonus Value: £10,000

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TBA FORUM

TBA courses for breeders Members are reminded a number of courses are available to all from May onwards. A full list was published in the April issue of this magazine and is also available on our website.

For further information contact Caroline Turnbull on caroline.turnbull@thetba.co.uk or 01638 661321. The first three courses on the calendar are listed below:

Park Stud), Huw Neal (Newmarket Equine Hospital), Di Harvey (Weatherbys) and Amy Taylor (National Stud).

The day starts at 9.15am and ends at 4.30pm. A sandwich lunch is included.

The cost for TBA members is £54 (nonmembers £108). For further information please contact Leaya Slater on 01638 675930 or email Leaya@nationalstud.co.uk.

IOSH Managing Safely This course, which takes place on May 17/18 and 24/25, gives employers and managers the skills and knowledge to manage health and safety on the stud with confidence. An accredited course for supervisors and managers delivered by an industry expert, it covers a range of topics including risk management and investigation of incidents.

TBA-sponsored Broodmare Ownership Course If you are about to embark on broodmare ownership, are relatively new to it or just want to get some tips and ideas from the experts, this one-day course at the National Stud on Tuesday, May 23 will help you to do all of these things. Subjects covered will include purchase and ownership of broodmares, insurance, registration and health requirements, plus some practical tips on how to be ready to send your mare to stud and achieve a successful covering. There will also be a question-and-answer session when delegates and speakers can exchange ideas.

Speakers include John Marsh (Cheveley

TBA-sponsored Mind Mental Health First Aid Poor mental health is now the number one reason for staff absence, and yet it is a subject that people frequently don’t know how to tackle. Having an awareness of mental health issues and what can be done to support staff mental health and wellbeing can reduce sickness absence, improve staff morale and enhance the reputation of an employer.

The TBA has joined with the National Stud to facilitate mental health training from Mind, the leading charity providing help and support to those affected by poor mental health. This half-day introductory course on June 7 at the National Stud will enable participants to understand mental health and identify some common mental health issues as well as how to support people in distress and look after own mental health.

The course is open to employers and their staff, at a cost of £35 (non-members £75).

For the further information please contact Leaya Slater at the National Stud on 01638 675930 or email Leaya@nationalstud.co.uk.

Regional Day Updates Please note that the date for the South East Regional Day at Chasemore Farm has now changed to Thursday, June 8.

We are pleased to confirm the following details for the Regional Days:

SCOTLAND Thursday, July 20 Visit to Belstane Racing Stables, Carluke, South Lanarkshire by kind permission of Keith Dalgleish, followed by lunch and optional free racing at Hamilton.

WALES & WEST MIDLANDS Wednesday, September 6 Visit to Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Grange Hill Farm and Alan Varey’s Batsford Stud.

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THE NORTH

TBA Annual General Meeting Notice All members are invited to attend the 100th AGM of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, which will be held in the Jockey Club Rooms, 101 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8JL on Wednesday, July 12 at 10.30am.

Members are also invited to join the board for lunch and refreshments following the meeting. Further details including the agenda will be circulated near the time.

TBA diary dates FRIDAY, MAY 5 TBA Annual Awards Evening Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket

MONDAY, MAY 22 TBA National Hunt Breeders’ Celebration Dinner At Mount Pleasant Hotel, Doncaster

TUESDAY, MAY 23 National Stud/TBA Broodmare Ownership Course At the National Stud

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 TBA Annual Seminar At Tattersalls

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 MIND Mental Health First Aid Course At the National Stud

Tuesday, September 12 Visit to trainer Rebecca Menzies at Howe Hill Farm Racing Stables and Elwick Stud, Hartlepool.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

THE SOUTH WEST

MONDAY, JULY 12

Wednesday, September 13 Visit to Colin Tizzard at Venn Farm Racing, Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset followed by lunch at the Roth Bar & Grill (Hauser & Wirth Somerset).

At Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket

Supervisory Skills Course At the National Stud

TBA AGM

SUNDAY, JULY 30 TBA NH Foal Show, at Bangor-on-Dee

NEW MEMBERS Application forms will be sent to members within each area. Please note that some dates may be subject to change. To apply for application forms for the above visits if you are outside the areas please contact Annette Bell on Annette.bell@thetba.co.uk or call 01638 661321.

Ms Jean Lloyd, Suffolk Mr Julian Taylor, Northamptonshire Mr Andrew Wakefield, Buckinghamshire Mrs Greta Sparks, Yorkshire Mr Michael Foley, Berkshire Mr A Ellis, Suffolk Ms Lindsay Calder, North Yorkshire Mr Michael Dunne, Ireland Mr Bobby Richmond-Watson, London

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ADAM SMYTH

w w w. t h e t b a . c o . u k

The series will come to a conclusion with four £50,000 races run on the Finale Day at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile in October

The EBF/TBA Fillies’ Series returns for 2017 The TBA will renew its support for the EBF’s Breeders’ Fillies Series in 2017 with the £25,000 TBA nomination bonus.

Qualifying fillies can claim the additional bonus by winning any of the series races on the Finale Day at Newmarket in October (terms and conditions apply).

The prize aims to encourage owners to race their fillies more often, increase field sizes in the series and allow those fillies tested as racehorses to become the next generation of broodmares. The series and bonus also aim to encourage owners and trainers to keep fillies in training longer and incentivise their retention in Britain for breeding.

The 2017 series will feature 20 races throughout the Flat season and will offer valuable prize-money opportunities, with each race having a minimum value of £20,000.

All 20 races in the series will be for three-year-olds and above, with five races contested over each of the following distance categories: six furlongs, a mile, ten furlongs, and 12 furlongs.

The autumn Finale Day will feature four races, each offering a valuable £50,000 prize fund.

Please visit the TBA website for updates on the series and information about the bonus.

Theakston’s Lindsay Calder wins March award The TBA Stud Staff Award for March 2017 goes to Lindsay Calder, long-time employee at Theakston Stud near Bedale in North Yorkshire, who has received glowing compliments from employer Andrew McIntyre. In 20 years working at Theakston, Lindsay has shown great commitment to the stud and the horses there, treating mares, foals and yearlings with patient dedication and often nursing sick or injured foals or yearlings for weeks and months until fully recovered.

Over the years, she has also helped many new members of staff, giving them all clear direction, support and advice. No job is too big or too small for Lindsay and she is always first to volunteer to stay late for the farrier or vet. With the only time off work taken for a broken ankle, Andrew McIntyre comments that the stud would have struggled at times without the knowledge that Lindsay would be there in the yard every morning without fail or complaint, and she is therefore a very worthy winner of this award.

The deserving winner Lindsay Calder receives her award from the TBA’s Education and Employment Manager Caroline Turnbull

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TBA FORUM

FROM THE ARCHIVES: a selection of features from the TBA’s first 100 years

PETER WILLETT “The amount of his own knowledge is considerable and the vast research into the past with all its problems makes one realise the work he has undertaken.”

So wrote the Duke of Norfolk in his foreword to one of Peter Willett’s first books, An Introduction to the Thoroughbred, published in 1966. The duke had first-hand knowledge of Willett’s work ethic, for the year before he had called on the Queen’s Bays officerturned-horseracing journalist to be part of a three-man Jockey Club committee to report on the ‘pattern of racing’ in Britain.

The Norfolk Committee can take titular credit for a study that produced the framework for the Pattern-race system, which today underpins top-class racing programmes around the world, but without Willett’s studious research into classifying the best races it is to be doubted if the concept would have reached the stage of being accepted for introduction by Britain, France and Ireland in 1971. He later became a longstanding member and eventually chairman of Britain’s Flat Race Pattern Committee.

While Willett was well aware of the importance to racing of betting – after all, he contributed thousands of words over 35 years to the Sporting Chronicle as a tipster under the Kettledrum nom de plume – the foundation of his interest was the thoroughbred. Racing “provides that manysided fascination which is summed up in the phrase ‘the glamour of the Turf,’” he wrote.

“And not the least absorbing aspect of that glamour is the continuity of interest begotten by the transmission of the great qualities of famous parents to their offspring.”

In bringing this fascination to the wider public, Willett’s output was prodigious. As well as his tipping columns, he wrote long weekly articles about breeding for the Sporting Chronicle and Horse & Hound – “it lifted me at a stroke out of the stultifying routines of daily reporting” – and his eight books, all written in easily readable style, included Makers of the Modern Thoroughbred, The Classic Racehorse and a history of the General Stud Book for Weatherbys. His last book, Armoured Horseman, was published shortly before his death in November 2015 at the age of 96.

It is no exaggeration to quote a reference from the TBA’s soon-to-be-published centenary book, describing Willett as “the

82

Peter Willett, right, with the original team of the European Breeders’ Fund

most respected racing and bloodstock writer of his generation.”

However, writing was only a part of his skill and involvement. In addition to being bloodstock consultant to the Duke of Norfolk and his family and to Louis Freedman, both of whom enjoyed Classic success as a result of his advice, he took on various administrative positions, including presidency of the TBA (1981-86), chairmanship of the European Breeders’ Fund and directorships of the National Stud

and Goodwood racecourse.

Willett brought charm, diplomacy and a self-effacing approach to all his appointments, and his professionalism and friendship were valued in equal measures.

On his death, Tony Morris, the one bloodstock writer who has come near Willett’s reputation, summed up: “He was such a lovely man, with a great sense of humour, always ready to pass on his knowledge to anybody who sought his advice.”

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w w w. t h e t b a . c o . u k

M E E T

T H E

B O A R D

with Julian Richmond-Watson

I

n a new series, we meet the people who make up the TBA Board. This month, we talk to Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson.

Tell us about yourself. What do you do in your professional life?

I am based in Northamptonshire – I am involved in the property, leisure and investment sectors and have built up and sold in the past a number of businesses aligned to these.

What is your background in breeding/racing?

My father built up a stud in the late 1950s and I went racing at an early age. I started stewarding and owning shares in horses in my 20s and have been Chairman of three racecourses – Nottingham, Epsom and Newmarket – and Senior Steward of the Jockey Club. I didn’t become involved in the stud until my father retired in the late 1990s.

Julian Richmond-Watson has bred an Oaks winner at his Lawn Stud

What do you think is the biggest challenge(s) facing the breeding industry today? And what are the solutions?

Free movement of horses within Europe and the potential for outbreaks of disease associated with all international horse movement – Brexit is of course part of this.

The solutions will require hard work with DEFRA and European officials.

The disease risks needs constant monitoring and research as well as regular updates on veterinary practice. The TBA is at the forefront of this and must remain so.

What made you want to join the TBA Board and what are your specific areas of interest?

I was persuaded to join the TBA to help with race planning having been a past Chairman of the BHB Race Planning Committee. I believe the race programme is vital to breeders who produce horses to fulfil that programme. That is why we must reinvigorate the stayers’ programme to encourage the breeding of horses to support it.

In terms of breeding/bloodstock, what has been your best or

favourite moment?

Look Here winning the Oaks, our first black type winner; my favourite moment is the last homebred winner. All our horses in training are now homebred at Lawn Stud.

Which race would you most like to win as a breeder?

The Derby. I haven’t missed one since seeing Sir Ivor in 1968 but the Oaks is a good substitute.

Where would you like to be in five years’ time?

I would love to breed a stallion that was good enough to stand on merit at the National Stud; both of us need to be lucky.

Want to find out which stallions are making waves?

For the very latest sire lists go to www.ownerbreeder.co.uk Tables updated every day

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May_153_BreederOfTheMonth_Owner 21/04/2017 15:41 Page 84

BREEDER OF THE MONTH Words Alan Yuill Walker Sponsored by

Manufacturers of

NH BREEDER OF THE MONTH – March 2017

84

BILL SELWYN

David Young The two top chases at the Cheltenham Festival were won by horses trained in Ireland, which consequently received all the credit, but Sizing John (Gold Cup) and Special Tiara (Champion Chase) were very much bred and conceived in Britain.

These two stars have an unlikely connection. While it is well known that Special Tiara and Sizing John are former stable companions with Henry de Bromhead, few will realise that his late aunt, Anne Young, was married to Special Tiara’s breeder David Young.

As Sizing John was responsible for the previous month’s award, now is the turn of David Young, a retired QC whose home is Folke Manor, near Sherborne in Dorset. No horse was more deserving of a Champion Chase victory as this was Special Tiara’s fourth consecutive appearance in the race, having finished third in each of the two previous years.

Ten-year-old Special Tiara (by Kayf Tara) had previously scored twice at Grade 1 level, in the Maghull Novices’ Chase over the Mildmay fences at Liverpool in 2013, and the Celebration Chase at Sandown last season. In addition, Sally Rowley-Williams’ gelding won a second Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton’s Boxing Day fixture.

A descendant of Gonville Bromhead, who earned a Victoria Cross at Rorke’s Drift during the Zulu War of 1879 and was portrayed by Michael Caine in the 1964 film Zulu, Henry de Bromhead has campaigned Special Tiara extensively on this side of the Irish Sea. David and Anne Young used to enjoy having a mare or two at their Folke Manor, bringing on the young horses to run in point-to-points.

Those that showed obvious promise were sent to her nephew and they were invariably broken in by Connie Colfox at nearby Bridport. This was the route taken by Special Tiara, who was sold after scoring over hurdles at Kilbeggan and over fences at Ballinrobe.

Following his wife’s death, David Young offered two barren mares at the DBS January Sale in 2015 – Special Tiara’s dam Special Choice and her half-sister Little Choice.

That pair realised £22,000 and £10,500 respectively and were consigned from Trickledown Stud, as was a yearling brother to Special Tiara who sold for £42,000.

At present he has a couple of mares in training with de Bromhead, including six-year-old Little Folke (Sagamix – Little Choice). This grey passed the post first in a hurdles race at Clonmel in September only to be disqualified, but he made amends with an easy victory at

Special Tiara notched a deserved win in the Champion Chase

Tramore on April 9.

At one stage, Young was undecided whether to persist with his involvement in breeding, but Special Tiara’s exploits seem to have reignited his enthusiasm. “It’s very reassuring to know that I have two members of the family to continue the bloodline,” he says.

The starting point for the family at Folke Manor was Mammy’s Choice, the dam of unraced Special Choice, who was bought at Goffs as a three-year-old in June 1993 by Dorset trainer Robert Alner.

Bred in Ireland, by Mandalus out of a mare by Little Buskins, Mammy’s Choice was bred to jump a fence and was successful in a point-to-point prior to three chase victories. Carrying Young’s distinctive black and white colours, her daughter Royal Choice was a Grade 3 chase winner at Cork.

On the final day of the season, Special Tiara is scheduled to take on Altior in the hope of winning a second successive Celebration Chase.

His trainer is baffled why the Kayf Tara gelding has such an obvious preference for racing in England rather than Ireland, but his frontrunning style certainly seems to lend itself to Sandown.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

ownerbreeder ad pages 05-2017_OwnerBreeder Ad pages 03-2017 21/04/2017 10:37 Page 85

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May_153_Vet_Forum_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 14:19 Page 86

VET FORUM: THE EXPERT VIEW

By SIMON CURTIS

The development of the hoof Hailed as a miracle of biological engineering, the horse’s hoof changes significantly in the first few months of life and can often require intervention from the farrier

T

he foal stands upon its feet within minutes of birth. Although this may seem remarkable to us, this is not unusual in large herbivores which need to follow their herd to escape predators. The unique feature of the horse is that it does this on the tip of a single hoofed toe. The earliest equid (member of the horse family) was Hyracotherium, perhaps better known as Eohippus the Dawn Horse, which stood at 3060 centimetres and lived 50 million years ago.

Hyracotherium had four toes in front and three behind; by the Pleistocene epoch, 2.5 million years ago, equus arrived in a form all of us would recognise as a horse with a single digit, encased in horn, supporting each limb. The single-toed hoof is a marvel of nature that has served the horse well, allowing it to become the mammal with the greatest stamina of all and ranked in the top ten for speed.

When the foal is born the hoof is ready to fulfil its role of providing grip, resistance to wear, purchase over ground and protection for the sensitive tissues within. Unlike all other hoofed mammals the horse’s hoof wraps around the digit, apart from the back where the heel bulbs allow movement and anti-concussive mechanism. The hoof of a foal grows at twice the speed of its mother and the hoof is renewed in 145 days, compared to mature horse renewal which is about 330 days. The speed of renewal is to allow the rapid development of the bones within the hoof capsule.

While the foal is doubling its weight in a month and trebling it in two months, with the bones growing proportionately, it is still walking on the hoof with which it was born. This is one reason that foals need to be trimmed from one month of age. Trimming the hoof extends the base of foot back so that even foals with a slight flexural laxity gain support.

All horses produce hoof growth rings at times of change in their lives. Illness, alteration of diet and environment all give rise to visible growth rings at the same distance from the coronary band on all four feet. There is no greater change in any foal’s life than the day that it is born. The foal hoof crease becomes visible at about one month of age and marks the boundary between the fetal hoof, below it which developed in the uterus and the foal hoof above, which has grown since birth. The junction between these two is an area of weakness where the hoof can

86

Figure 1: The foal hoof crease (arrow) records the time of birth in the hoof wall; below the line is hoof developed in utero and above is the foal hoof grown since birth

drastically change angle in cases of a flexural deformity and is often the site of hoof breaking at the toe (Figure 1). Trimming should be immediate to round off the hoof wall to reduce breakage, and hoof hardener should be applied.

The colour of the hoof wall is not fixed at birth but often changes immediately afterwards, revealing its permanent pigmentation as the fetal hoof is replaced by the foal hoof. The colour of the hair above the coronary band is often an indicator of its future hue. In some cases the colour change is quite striking and the foal, for a short time, has two-tone hooves (Figure 2).

The hoof wall is thickening from the coronary band downwards as the wall grows. This is sometimes a cause of concern to breeders as it takes on an inverted cone shape which is more pronounced in some foals than others (Figure 3). The inverted cone resolves itself at four to six months of age, when it begins to expand at the ground bearing surface and takes on the recognised truncated oblique cone shape seen in mature horses.

Foals are born with hooves that are individually symmetrical to an imaginary line through the frog and also paired left to right.

Figure 2: Sometimes the colour of hoof changes after birth; this two-month-old foal was born with light coloured hooves which changed to dark post partum

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Figure 3: Because the foal hoof is thickening at the coronary band and this then descends with growth, the hoof capsule is an inverted cone – in some cases this is quite conspicuous

Although the hoof wall is thicker at the toe, it is the same thickness either side. This is not so in mature horses where the hoof wall facing out (lateral) is thinner than the wall towards the centre line of the horse (medial). This is because the horse bears more weight medially.

Whether the uneven loading of the hoof stimulates this change or the foal is adapted by evolution to change during maturation, is not known. Not only does the hoof become asymmetric in thickness, the angles also change so the lateral wall becomes more oblique.

This change in shape is exaggerated in foals with a conformational fault such as an outward rotation. Regular farrier work can mitigate these changes so that they do not cause future problems (Figure 4).

A foal with a flexural deformity, causing the heels to be raised from the ground at standing, loads the toe of the hoof, causing compression of horn and wear; ultimately the foal is left with a club foot. This condition occurs between 20 and 110 days of birth and the owner must respond to it immediately if a club foot is to be avoided (Figure 5).

The hoof angle changes during paediatric development. First it is usually shallow, along with the pasterns while the muscles, tendons, and ligaments strengthen in response to postnatal exercise. Once the foal is strong it is normal for the hoof angle to be 60° or more.

It then begins a descent so that at nine months it has declined to 54° and this continues into maturity, although the rate slows. In the paediatric foal the hoof-pastern axis is not aligned but typically broken forwards, while the alignment of phalangeal bones (below the fetlock) is typically broken back.

The straightening of the hoof-pastern axis and the phalanges occurs during the course of THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Figure 4: Although foals are born with symmetrical hooves, these can distort noticeably; here a nine-month-old foal has a flared lateral wall due to its conformation and lack of correct trimming

the first year of life, in some individuals quicker than others. In healthy well-conformed adults the hoof-pastern axis and the phalangeal axis are aligned.

In summary: The hoof undergoes many changes from birth which require a competent farrier to understand, monitor, and trim sympathetically. Changes occur to the speed of growth, colour of horn, the shape of the hoof capsule, and the thickness of the hoof wall and its angles. The hoof, which has been described

as a miracle of biological engineering, undergoes these changes in its first few months of life, occasionally requiring a little help from the farrier.

Simon Curtis has been engaged in a post-graduate research degree through the University of Central Lancashire for the past five years. His research project is “The effect of loading upon hoof growth and hoof shape in the Thoroughbred foal”. He remains a practicing farrier in Newmarket.

Figure 5: A three-month-old foal where the hoof shape is becoming club foot; note the change in hoof angle above the foal hoof crease

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May_153_DrStatz_Owner Breeder 21/04/2017 16:07 Page 88

DR STAT JOHN BOYCE CRACKS THE CODE

Snitzel’s seismic surge to the top Quality of his runners could yet end up challenging his own great sire Redoute’s Choice

O

ne of the more noteworthy aspects of the 2006-17 season in Australia has been the emergence of Arrowfield stallion Snitzel as a force to be reckoned with. It’s not that we didn’t know about Snitzel. After all, this is his eighth season with runners. The fascinating thing with him is that it shows what’s possible once a stallion starts to receive the nation’s best mares. In Snitzel’s case he’s become the hottest sire around and is poised to take over the baton from his illustrious father Redoute’s Choice at Arrowfield.

Snitzel was a precocious two-year-old and had won four of his five races, including the Group 3 Skyline Stakes, going into the Golden Slipper. He finished down the field in the Slipper but rebounded at three, working his way through the season to take the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate over five and a half furlongs and run a fine second in the Group 1 Newmarket over the minimum trip. Up until quite recently he was ranked the best of his sire’s progeny and today only the outstanding Lankan Rupee has a higher Timeform rating.

As things stand Snitzel has a 9.3% blacktype winners to runners strike-rate, which places him behind only Exceed And Excel (9.4%), Savabeel (9.7%) and his own sire Redoute’s Choice (12.3%) among active sires in Australia and New Zealand. Where he differs from his sire and from Exceed And Excel is that he can sire horses that stay better than he himself did. His best runner so far is the ten-furlong Cox Plate winner Shamus

PA

Shamus Award: stays better than his sire Snitzel

SNITZEL'S GROUP 1 WINNERS TFR Horse

Born Sex Dam

Broodmare Sire Yling Price ($) MaxWD

124 SHAMUS AWARD

2010 C

Sunset Express

Success Express

123 WANDJINA

2011 C

La Bamba

Last Tycoon

121 SNITZERLAND

2009 F

Monte Rosa

Fraar

120 HOT SNITZEL

2008 G

Flames Of Paris

120 SWEET IDEA

2010 F

230,000

10.3

1,000,000

8

125,000

6

Blushing Groom

60,000

7 7

Flidais

Timber Country

240,000

120 RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 2013 C

Ballet dAmour

Stravinsky

320,000

6

119 INVADER

2014 C

Flame Of Sydney Encosta De Lago

475,000

7

118 SIZZLING

2009 C

Admirelle

General Nediym

260,000

8

117 SUMMER PASSAGE

2014 C

Subsequent

Encosta De Lago

800,000

6

2013 C

Simply Carina

El Prado

200,000

9

HEAVENLY BLUE

Award. Winning an all-aged championship event in the spring of his three-year-old season was a major achievement for Shamus Award and he followed up a few months later with another Group 1 win, this time in the Australian Guineas over a mile.

His second-best horse, Wandjina, was also successful in the one-mile Australian Guineas.

Of course, Snitzel has also sired plenty of topclass speedsters, including Group 1 Lightning hero Snitzerland. It is interesting to note that 26 of Snitzel’s 36 Group winners have gone through the ring as yearlings. In fact, all ten of his Group 1 winners were sold as yearlings, including the million-dollar Wandjina.

The question now on everyone’s lips is can Snitzel start to match his excellent sire’s remarkable output. Well, if the current season is anything to go by, then yes, we can expect even more from Snitzel in the coming seasons. And here’s the reason why. It’s all down to the quality

of Snitzel’s mares in recent years. In his first four years at stud, he covered fewer than 50 elite mares in total. Then from 2011 onwards his opportunities started to increase markedly.

That year he attracted 28 elite mares, followed by 49 in 2012 and 99 in 2013. His current juveniles are from a group of mares that featured 107 elite mares. So it’s easy to understand why Snitzel has taken off this season.

His current group of youngsters include seven stakes winners, headed by Australia’s top-rated two-year-old colt Invader, who together with two other Snitzels, Summer Passage and Trapeze Artist, finished first, second and third in the recent Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes, the equivalent of our Dewhurst. Summer Passage is also a winner at the highest level, having won the Sistema Stakes in New Zealand.

In all, Snitzel has as many as ten juveniles that have won or been placed at Group level.

And his surge to the top probably won’t end here, as his current yearling crop are from a book of mares that featured 143 elite mares, while his foal crop mares include another 146 of the very best.

Whatever his achievements over the coming season, it’s probable that Snitzel will not end his career with a ratio of black-type winners on a par with Redoute’s Choice’s 12%. But one measure where he may indeed close the gap is the quality of his elite runners.

Currently, Snitzel’s best ten runners have a combined average Timeform rating of 120.3.

He’ll need to get to a figure of 124.3 to match his great sire. That’s an average of 4lb per runner, so he’s got plenty of ground to make up, but you wouldn’t bet against him getting very close.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

Ownership Matters Roadshow Following a lively series of roadshows in the first half of 2017, the Racehorse Owners Association continues its informal monthly networking evenings for current owners and those individuals considering racehorse ownership.

Facilitated by ROA chief executive Charlie Liverton, these evenings have debated many hot topics including how owners are treated on racedays, levy replacement, prize-money and how to go about choosing a suitable trainer.

Chat and enjoy complimentary drinks with owners, trainers and others involved in racing. Mark your diary – venue and booking details will be available on roa.co.uk/roadshow

The evenings are from 6.30-8.30 and are free to attend.

Wednesday 12 July Tuesday 8 August Wednesday 13 September Wednesday 27 September Tuesday 7 November Tuesday 12 December

Hamilton Hove Nottingham London Edinburgh Reigate

roa.co.uk/roadshow

May_153_DataBook_Layout 1 21/04/2017 14:14 Page 90

DATA BOOK ANALYSIS BY ANDREW CAULFIELD

National Hunt Grade 1s 194 OLBG DAVID NICHOLSON MARES’ HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 14. 4yo+f. 19f 110yds.

1. APPLE’S JADE (FR) 5 11-5 £61,897 b m by Saddler Maker - Apple’s For Ever (Nikos) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr R. Coveliers TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 8 11-5 £23,320 b m by Voix du Nord - Naiade Mag (Kadalko) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-A. Maggiar & A. Maggiar TR-W. P. Mullins 3. Limini (IRE) 6 11-5 £11,671 ch m by Peintre Celebre - Her Grace (Spectrum) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Sir E. J. Loder TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 1.5, Nose. Time 4:50.20.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 3-5

Starts 10

Wins 6

Places 4

Earned £297,990

Sire: SADDLER MAKER. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - APPLE’S JADE Nikos G1, MESSIRE DES OBEAUX Sheyrann G1, BRISTOL DE MAI April Night G2, ALPHA DES OBEAUX Saint Preuil G3, DINARIA DES OBEAUX Le Nain Jaune G3.

1st Dam: APPLE’S FOR EVER by Nikos. 5 wins over jumps in France. Dam of 3 winners: 2009: APPLE’S MAELYS (f Saddler Maker) 7 wins over jumps at 4, 5 and 7 in France.

2010: MADAME APPLE’S (f Saddler Maker) Winner over jumps in France.

2011: Le Sete For Ever (f Saddler Maker) ran over jumps in France.

2012: APPLE’S JADE (f Saddler Maker) 6 wins, AES Champion 4yo Hurdle G1, Betfred Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1, OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle G1, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle G2, 2nd JCB Triumph Hurdle G1, stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle G1, WKD Hurdle G2, Quevega Mares Hurdle LR. Broodmare Sire: NIKOS. Sire of the dams of 22 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - APPLE’S JADE Saddler Maker G1, DISKO Martaline G1, INVICTER Sholokhov G2, ANTONY Walk In The Park G3, DROP OUT JOE Generous LR.

Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge SADDLER MAKER b 98 Alleged Animatrice Alexandrie Nonoalco Nikos No No Nanette Le Pontet Apple’s Girl Silver Girl

1st Dam: MONTE SOLARO by Key of Luck.

2 wins, Brandon Hotel H. Hurdle G3.

Dam of 4 winners: 2007: KEY TO THE WEST (g Westerner) 4 wins.

2008: Cestus (g High Chaparral) 2009: PRINCESS LEYA (f Old Vic) 3 wins, R E./B G.Golf Classic New Stand H.Hurdle G2.

Broodmare.

2010: ALTIOR (g High Chaparral) 11 wins, 3rd Betfair Bumper Standard Open NH Race LR, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Sky Bet Supreme Trial Sharp Nov.Hurdle G2, Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Racing Post Henry VIII Novice Chase G1, Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase G2, 32red.com Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase G2.

2011: SILVERHOW (g Yeats) Winner over hurdles at 6.

2013: Melior (f Milan) unraced.

2015: (c Milan) Broodmare Sire: KEY OF LUCK. Sire of the dams of 14 Stakes winners.

ALTIOR b g 2010 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge HIGH CHAPARRAL b 99 Darshaan Kasora Kozana Chief’s Crown Key of Luck Balbonella MONTE SOLARO br 00 Broken Hearted Footsteps Remoosh

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Shirley Heights Delsy Kris Koblenza Danzig Six Crowns Gay Mecene Bamieres Dara Monarch Smash Glint of Gold Rivers Maid

See race 72 in the February issue 196 SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 14. 4yo+. 16f.

APPLE’S JADE b m 2012

APPLE’S FOR EVER b 00

Sire: HIGH CHAPARRAL. Sire of 100 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - ALTIOR Key of Luck G1, HIGH MASTER Lion Cavern G3, LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY Acatenango G3, SURTEE DU BERLAIS Mister Sicy LR.

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Val de L’Orne Apachee Nearctic Seximee Sovereign Path Nuclea Succes Arielle Son of Silver Our Best

See race 74 in the February issue 195 RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE G1

1. LABAIK (FR) 6 11-7 £71,188 gr g by Montmartre - Avanguardia (Choisir) O-Mr A. J. O’Ryan B-Ecurie Des Monceaux TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Melon (GB) 5 11-7 £26,713 ch g by Medicean - Night Teeny (Platini) O-Mrs J. Donnelly B-Newsells Park Stud Limited TR-W. P. Mullins 3. River Wylde (IRE) 6 11-7 £13,375 b g by Oscar - Clarin River (Mandalus) O-Grech & Parkin B-L. Mahon TR-Nicky Henderson Margins 2.25, 8. Time 3:53.20.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 3-6

Starts 16

Wins 3

Places 1

Earned £97,959

Sire: MONTMARTRE. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - LABAIK Choisir G1, CAPITAINE Mansonnien G2, KALIFKO Cadoudal G3, TITI DE MONTMARTRE Machiavellian G3.

CHELTENHAM. Mar 14. 5yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. ALTIOR (IRE) 7 11-4 £99,663 b g by High Chaparral - Monte Solaro (Key of Luck) O-Mrs Patricia Pugh B-P. Behan TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Cloudy Dream (IRE) 7 11-4 £37,398 gr g by Cloudings - Run Away Dream (Acceglio) O-Mr Trevor Hemmings B-E. Purcell TR-Malcolm Jefferson 3. Ordinary World (IRE) 7 11-4 £18,725 br g by Milan - Saucy Present (Presenting) O-C.Jones B-Dillon Family TR-Henry de Bromhead Margins 6, 9. Time 3:55.50.

Going Good to Soft.

1st Dam: AVANGUARDIA by Choisir. Winner at 3 in France. Dam of 2 winners: 2011: LABAIK (g Montmartre) Sold 103,174gns yearling at ARAUG. 3 wins over hurdles at 5 and 6, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, For Auction Novice Hurdle G3.

2012: (f Montmartre). died as a yearling.

2013: DANZA DE LA BARRE (f Turtle Bowl) 3 wins at 2 in France.

2014: Aiguille Rouge (f Falco)

Age 4-7

Broodmare Sire: CHOISIR. Sire of the dams of 10 Stakes winners.

90

Starts 13

Wins 11

Places 1

Earned £294,550

2nd Dam: ANTHURIUM by Hector Protector.

4 wins at 3 and 4 in Germany Buchmacher Springer Sprint-Pokal LR.

LABAIK gr g 2011 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes MONTMARTRE gr 05 Linamix Artistique Armarama Danehill Dancer Choisir Great Selection AVANGUARDIA b 05 Hector Protector Anthurium Assia

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Mendez Lunadix Persian Bold Rossitor Danehill Mira Adonde Lunchtime Pensive Mood Woodman Korveya Royal Academy Alys

Quirkiness is something we came to accept as part of Montjeu’s tremendous success story as a stallion, with his daughters in particular often being hard to predict.

A perfect example was his Irish Oaks winner Chicquita, and another Gr1winning daughter, Montare, had her idiosyncrasies, as does her daughter Journey.

It is therefore none too surprising that Montmartre, another of Montjeu’s Gr1 winners, has sired a son, Labaik, who possesses talent and temperament in equal measures.

Having refused to race at Lingfield on his first appearance in Britain, the ex-French gelding was sold for £25,000 at Doncaster in 2016. He was similarly uncooperative on his first start for his new trainer, Gordon Elliott, on a trip to Laytown.

Since then the gelding has raced six times over hurdles. On three occasions he has virtually refused to race, and on the other three he has used his bright turn of finishing speed to win, including the Gr3 For Auction Novice Hurdle and the Gr1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Montmartre started his stallion career at the Haras National du Pin, but 21 shares in him were sold for €180,000 at Arqana in December 2014 and he was moved to Haras de Hoguenet. He had looked another potential superstar for Montjeu when he took the Grand Prix de Paris by four lengths in 2008, but joint problems meant that he never raced again. Although there was only one foal in his first crop, he had 63 foals in 2011, 47 in 2012 and 52 in 2013.

These three crops were big enough to allow Montmartre to show his talent and among them were Amour A Papa, runner-up in the Gr1 Prix de Diane, and Bello Matteo, a dual Gr3 winner on the Flat. He also has several talented hurdlers, such as Petite Parisienne (Gr1 Champion 4-yo Hurdle), Kalkir, Capitaine, Kalifko and Titi de Montmartre. He may go comparatively quiet when his 2014 and 2015 crops race, as each number fewer than 30 foals, but there is a large 2016 crop to look forward to, numbering more than 90.

Labaik’s dam, the German-bred Choisir filly Avanguardia, won one of her 17 starts, over five and a half furlongs as a three-year-old. Her dam, the talented sprinter Anthurium, was a half-sister to the Group winners Arcadio and Assiun.

197 STAN JAMES CHAMPION CHALL.TROPHY HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 14. 4yo+. 16f.

1. BUVEUR D’AIR (FR) 6 11-10 £227,800 b g by Crillon - History (Alesso) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Gerard Ferte TR-Nicky Henderson 2. My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 10 11-10 £85,480 b g by Desert Prince - Spartan Girl (Ela-Mana-Mou) O-Mr John P. McManus B-F. Dunne TR-Nicky Henderson 3. Petit Mouchoir (FR) 6 11-10 £42,800 gr g by Al Namix - Arnette (Denham Red) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-Mr P. Gueret TR-Henry de Bromhead Margins 4.5, 3. Time 3:50.90.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 3-6

Starts 12

Wins 9

Places 3

Earned £339,881

Sire: CRILLON. Sire of 4 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - ALEX DE LARREDYA Panoramic G1, BUVEUR D’AIR Alesso G1.

1st Dam: History by Alesso. Dam of 4 winners: 2003: PUNCHESTOWNS (g Morespeed) 9 wins, BGC Long Walk Hurdle G1, 2nd Ladbrokes World Hurdle G1, Totepool Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase G1.

2004: Quiet Story (f Franc Bleu Argent) ran on the flat in France. Broodmare.

2005: RACKHAM LEROUGE (g Fado) 7 wins.

2007: TISTORY (g Epalo) 5 wins.

2011: BUVEUR D’AIR (g Crillon) 9 wins, 2nd Betfair Bumper Standard Open NH Race LR, Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1, Imagine Cruising Top Novices’ Hurdle G1, Betfred Contenders Hurdle LR, 3rd Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1.

Broodmare Sire: ALESSO. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners.

BUVEUR D’AIR b g 2011 Rainbow Quest Saumarez Fiesta Fun CRILLON b 96 Riverman Shangrila Garden Green Alleged Alesso Leandra HISTORY b 95 Altayan Clair Deux Lune Lili Dancer

Blushing Groom I Will Follow Welsh Pageant Antigua Never Bend River Lady Pinturischio Focal Hoist The Flag Princess Pout Luthier Ady Endre Posse Aleema Evainqueur Keen Dancer

Victory in a pair of novice chases is an unusual way for any future Champion Hurdle winner to start his campaign, but that is what Buveur d’Air did.

Having won three of his four starts over hurdles in 2015/16, including a victory over Petit Mouchoir in a Gr1 at Aintree, he was switched to fences.

Although he won both his starts, he made hard work of winning when long odds-on at Warwick. He was promptly returned to hurdling and was very impressive in landing a Listed race at Sandown as a prep for Cheltenham.

Buveur d’Air had arrived at Nicky Henderson’s yard as a winner of two bumpers for non-thoroughbreds in France. He is the best winner sired by Crillon, a very useful performer who did most of his winning at around 15 furlongs. Crillon is also responsible for Alex de Larreyda, winner of the Gr1 Grand Prix d’Automne Hurdle at Auteuil in November 2016, having finished second in the French Champion Hurdle equivalent over nearly three and a quarter miles.

There is also plenty of stamina in

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

May_153_DataBook_Layout 1 21/04/2017 14:14 Page 91

Caulfield on Willoughby Court: “He has won three of his last four over hurdles and must have prospects of staying further. His pedigree suggests he may do even better over fences”

Buveur d’Air’s pedigree, but he has done so well at around the minimum distance that he is unlikely to have his stamina tested.

Crillon may not be a familiar name, but Buveur d’Air is the fourth British or Irish winner to represent his dam History, a lightly-raced selle français mare. All four won for Henderson.

Easily best of the other three was her Morespeed gelding Punchestowns.

Despite being sparingly raced as an older horse, Punchestowns became a Gr1 winner over hurdles and fences, at up to three miles. Unfortunately there won’t be any more winners for History, as she died foaling in 2017, along with her Coastal Path foal.

Buveur d’Air’s broodmare sire Alesso was second in the French St Leger before passing on his stamina to son Baracouda, one of the finest staying hurdlers of recent decades.

Buveur d’Air’s second dam Clair Deux Lune was another lightly-raced maiden, but his third dam Lili Dancer was a prolific cross-country winner, often at around three miles. Lili Dancer produced Fujiyama, a dual winner of the Grand Steeple de Craon, the cross country championship over three and three-quarter miles. Fourth dam Keen Dancer was another who shone in the cross-country sector.

198 BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 15. 5yo+. 15f 110yds.

1. SPECIAL TIARA (GB) 10 11-10 £208,300 b g by Kayf Tara - Special Choice (Bob Back) O-Mrs S. Rowley-Williams B-D. E. M. Young TR-Henry de Bromhead 2. Fox Norton (FR) 7 11-10 £78,163 b g by Lando - Natt Musik (Kendor) O-Ann & Alan Potts B-S.A. Scuderia Del Bargelo TR-Colin Tizzard 3. Sir Valentino (FR) 8 11-10 £39,136 b g by Early March - Valentine (Double Bed) O-Doone Hulse Susie Saunders & Lady Cobham B-Mlle Camille Serveau & Mr Roger Simon TR-Tom George Margins Head, 6. Time 3:55.40.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-10

Starts 29

Wins 7

Places 16

Earned £606,568

Sire: KAYF TARA. Sire of 43 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - SPECIAL TIARA Bob Back G1, THISTLECRACK Ardross G1, CONSTANTINE BAY Waky Nao G2, EDWULF Zaffaran G2, IDENTITY THIEF Flemensfirth G2, BALLYANDY Karinga Bay G3, NORTH HILL HARVEY Robellino G3, LIFEBOAT MONA Astarabad LR, MY KHALEESI Spectrum LR, RONS DREAM Emperor Jones LR. 1st Dam: Special Choice by Bob Back. unraced. Dam of 1 winner: 2007: SPECIAL TIARA (g Kayf Tara) 7 wins, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase G1, John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase G1, Bet365 A P McCoy Celebration Chase G1, williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase G2 (twice), 2nd Betfair Tingle Creek Chase G1, Buck House Novice Chase G3, 3rd Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase G1 (twice), Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, bet365.com Celebration Chase G1, Shloer Chase LR (twice) 2011: Special Diamond (f Kayf Tara) unraced.

2014: (g Kayf Tara) 2016: (f Kayf Tara) Broodmare Sire: BOB BACK. Sire of the dams of 32 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - SPECIAL TIARA Kayf Tara G1, FORGE MEADOW Beneficial G2, MANY CLOUDS Cloudings G2, MOUNT MEWS Presenting G2, SHANTOU FLYER Shantou G3.

The Kayf Tara/Bob Back cross has produced: SPECIAL TIARA G1, SIGN OF A VICTORY G2.

SPECIAL TIARA b g 2007 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge KAYF TARA b 94 High Top Colorspin Reprocolor Roberto Bob Back Toter Back SPECIAL CHOICE b 02 Mandalus Mammy’s Choice Liffey’s Choice

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Derring-Do Camenae Jimmy Reppin Blue Queen Hail To Reason Bramalea Carry Back Romantic Miss Mandamus Laminate Little Buskins Nenagh Belle

Once, when writing about Special Tiara in these pages, I made the mistake of saying that “just about everything about the gelding’s pedigree shouts ‘stayer.’” His connections knew better and the son of Kayf Tara has yet to venture much beyond the speedsters’ distance of two miles during a career which extends to 27 starts over hurdles or fences.

Special Tiara has contested four consecutive editions of the Champion Chase, with two thirds preceding his game front-running victory over Fox Norton. He had previously hit the Gr1 target in the Maghull Novices’ Chase and the Celebration Chase.

Kayf Tara is enjoying yet another excellent season, with help from a strong team of stayers, such as Thistlecrack, Tea For Two, Blaklion and Carole’s Destrier. However, Special Tiara isn’t the only one with more speed than stamina, as Identity Thief won a Gr2 novice chase over two miles. Significantly, another of the speedier types was the smart hurdler Sign Of A Victory, who shares the same broodmare sire, Bob Back, as Special Tiara.

Oddly, stamina has also been one of the main assets of Bob Back’s stock. Bobs Worth won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and many of Bob Back’s other top winners have won over three miles or more, including Back In Front, Burton Port, Bacchanal, Roberto Goldback and Rare Bob. We have also seen a daughter of Bob Back produce the stamina-packed Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised.

Special Tiara’s second dam Mammy’s Choice won three chases, at up to an extended three and a quarter miles, and has also produced the King’s Theatre mare Royal Choice, a Gr3 winner over fences.

Mammy’s Choice’s sire, the versatile Mandalus, was third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

The next dam, the winning hurdler Liffey’s Choice, was by the stayer Little Buskins.

199 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT BINGHAM NOV HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 15. 4yo+. 21f.

1. WILLOUGHBY COURT (IRE) 6 11-7 £71,188 br g by Court Cave - Willoughby Sue (Dabali) O-Paul & Clare Rooney B-J. H. Kidd TR-Ben Pauling 2. Neon Wolf (IRE) 6 11-7 £26,713 b g by Vinnie Roe - Missy O’Brien (Supreme Leader)

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

O-Masterson Holdings Limited B-Mr P. Magnier TR-Harry Fry 3. Messire des Obeaux (FR) 5 11-7 £13,375 b g by Saddler Maker - Madame Lys (Sheyrann) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-M. Devilder & F. Sellier TR-Alan King Margins Head, 3.75. Time 5:08.80.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 4-6

Starts 8

Wins 5

Places 2

Earned £100,241

Sire: COURT CAVE. Sire of 3 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Willoughby Sue by Dabali. ran 3 times in N.H. Flat Races. Dam of 2 winners: 2008: (f Whitmore’s Conn) 2010: MARKOV (g Morozov) Winner of a N.H. Flat Race at 6.

2011: WILLOUGHBY COURT (g Court Cave) Sold 3,015gns yearling at TIFEB, 4,761gns yearling at TINO1. 5 wins, Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, Neptune Investment Leamington Nov.Hurdle G2.

2013: Cavernous (g Court Cave) unraced.

2016: (c Court Cave) Broodmare Sire: DABALI. Sire of the dams of 1 Stakes winner.

WILLOUGHBY COURT br g 2011 Northern Dancer Sadler’s Wells Fairy Bridge COURT CAVE b 01 Dancing Brave Wemyss Bight Bahamian Doyoun Dabali Dabiliya WILLOUGHBY SUE br 00 Kambalda Still Hoping Ganston Girl

Nearctic Natalma Bold Reason Special Lyphard Navajo Princess Mill Reef Sorbus Mill Reef Dumka Vayrann Delsy Right Royal V Opencast Vulgan Weston Girl

Beat Hollow has enjoyed Gr1 success over jumps with Cinders And Ashes and Hollow Tree, and there will surely be more to come among his progeny sired following his move to Ballylinch Stud.

Now his four-year-younger brother Court Cave has joined the Gr1 club, following a number of fairly near misses. Having experienced Gr2 success with Champion Court and Court Minstrel, and Gr3 victories with Whodoyouthink, the unraced Court Cave has now broken through with Willoughby Court’s courageous victory in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.

Having shown distinct potential in bumpers, Willoughby Court has now won the last three of his four starts over hurdles. His pedigree suggests he may do even better over fences.

His dam Willoughby Sue is a lightly-raced half-sister to Nil Desperandum, a Gr1 winner over hurdles who progressed to win four times over fences, including the Gr1 Drinmore Chase by 14 lengths.

Nil Desperandum later completed the course in three Grand Nationals, once finishing fourth, and he also won the Eider Chase over four miles.

Willoughby Court has been winning over two miles five furlongs and he must have prospects of staying three miles. His second dam, the point-to-point winner Still Hoping, was by Kambalda, winner of the Ascot Stakes over two and a half miles. Kambalda later sired the

Grand National winner Miinnehoma.

Willoughby Court’s third dam, the unraced Ganston Girl, was by another stallion, Vulgan, who made his mark on the Grand National, siring three winners.

The gelding’s fourth dam, Weston Girl, was a half-sister to Phrygia, whose descendants included such notable jumpers as Young Hustler, Bosuns Mate, River Ceiriog and Inglis Drever.

There is one unfamiliar name in Willoughby Court’s pedigree – that of his broodmare sire Dabali. This Aga Khan-bred son of Doyoun made an encouraging winning debut as a three-year-old but never raced again.

He sired only 13 foals.

200 RSA NOVICES’ CHASE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 15. 5yo+. 24f.

1. MIGHT BITE (IRE) 8 11-4 £99,663 b g by Scorpion - Knotted Midge (Presenting) O-The Knot Again Partnership B-Mr J. O’Brien TR-Nicky Henderson 2. Whisper (FR) 9 11-4 £37,398 b g by Astarabad - Belle Yepa (Mansonnien) O-Walters Plant Hire Ltd B-H. & S. Hosselet TR-Nicky Henderson 3. Bellshill (IRE) 7 11-4 £18,725 b g by King’s Theatre - Fairy Native (Be My Native) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-F. Motherway TR-W. P. Mullins Margins Nose, 10. Time 6:08.80.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 6-8

Starts 11

Wins 6

Places 2

Earned £146,854

Sire: SCORPION. Sire of 8 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - MIGHT BITE Presenting G1, JACK THE WIRE Phardante G2, SIR SCORPION Mister Lord G3, TELL US MORE Old Vic G3, SCORPIANCER Silver Patriarch LR. 1st Dam: Knotted Midge by Presenting. winner of a point-to-point. Dam of 2 winners: 2008: BEAT THAT (g Milan) 3 wins over hurdles, Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle G1, Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle G1.

2009: MIGHT BITE (g Scorpion) 6 wins, RSA Novices’ Chase G1.

2014: (c Milan) 2016: (c Milan) Broodmare Sire: PRESENTING. Sire of the dams of 15 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DEATH DUTY Shantou G1, MIGHT BITE Scorpion G1, WESTERNER LADY Westerner G2, MINELLA AWARDS Oscar G3, PRESENTING PERCY Sir Percy LR.

MIGHT BITE b g 2009 Sadler’s Wells Montjeu Floripedes SCORPION b/br 02 Law Society Ardmelody Thistlewood Mtoto Presenting D’Azy KNOTTED MIDGE b 00 Brush Aside Bula Beag Bulabos

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Toute Cy Alleged Bold Bikini Kalamoun Le Melody Busted Amazer Persian Bold Belle Viking Alleged Top Twig Proverb Clonmel

Stallions which earn multiple titles as champion sire of jumpers are usually very well placed to become important broodmare sires, as the likes of Deep Run, Strong Gale, Be My Native and Supreme Leader have shown. With four championships to his name, the 25-year-old Presenting is another

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DATA BOOK

National Hunt Grade 1s whose broodmare daughters are making a significant contribution.

During the current season they have been represented by such as Might Bite, Death Duty, Presenting Percy, Ordinary World, Minella Awards and Westerner Lady. In previous years there have been Beat That, Highland Lodge, Somersby, Polly Peachum and Closing Ceremony.

One of the most accomplished of Presenting’s daughters is Knotted Midge, a point-to-point winner who now has two Gr1 winners to her credit. The first, her Milan gelding Beat That, enjoyed Gr1 success at Aintree and Punchestown as a novice hurdler in 2014. Now her Scorpion gelding Might Bite has proved himself one of the season’s best staying novice chasers. He appeared to have the Gr1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase totally at his mercy when he fell at the final fence and he again came close to throwing away victory in the Gr1 RSA Chase, when he made a lastfence mistake and then idled before staging a fight back.

Several of these good winners are

by Sadler’s Wells line stallions. Might Bite is by Montjeu’s St Leger winner Scorpion, who is based at Shade Oak Stud after starting his career under the Coolmore banner. Scorpion’s previous European Gr1 winner Don’t Touch It won Punchestown’s Champion Novice Hurdle.

Might Bite’s next two dams are daughters of Brush Aside, a brittle son of Alleged, and Proverb, a Goodwood Cup winner who sired three winners of the Whitbread Gold Cup. The Brush Aside mare, Bula Beag, produced Drombeag, a brother to Knotted Midge who won the Foxhunter Chase over three and a quarter miles.

201 WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER NH FLAT RACE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 15. 4-6yo. 16f.

1. FAYONAGH (IRE) 6 10-12 £42,713 b m by Kalanisi - Fair Ina (Taipan) O-Mrs M. Gittins B-Mr J. Bowe TR-Gordon Elliott 2. Debuchet (FR) 4 10-11 £16,028 gr g by Smadoun - Luzerne du Poitou (Royal Charter) O-Force Eight Syndicate B-Mme F. Adeline TR-Ms Margaret Mullins 3. Claimantakinforgan (FR) 5 11-5 £8,025 b g by Great Pretender - Taquine d’Estrees (Take Risks) O-Grech & Parkin B-Mr C. Plard TR-Nicky Henderson Margins 1.25, 1.5. Time 3:51.10.

Going Good to Soft.

Age 5-6

Starts 4

Wins 3

Places 0

Earned £67,405

Sire: KALANISI. Sire of 14 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - FAYONAGH Taipan G1, BRAIN POWER Old Vic G3, KALANE Old Vic LR. 1st Dam: FAIR INA by Taipan. Winner of a N.H. Flat Race. Dam of 1 winner: 2010: Kallerina (f Kalanisi) ran 3 times in N.H. Flat Races. Broodmare.

2011: FAYONAGH (f Kalanisi) 3 wins in N.H. Flat Races at 5 and 6, Weatherbys Champion Bumper NH Flat Race G1, Coolmore EBF Mares Flat Race LR. 2012: (f Kalanisi) 2015: (c Dubai Destination) 2016: (f Fame And Glory) 2nd Dam: Deep Peace by Deep Run. Dam of

92

SOLERINA (f Toulon: 3rd Vintage Crop S LR, Ballymore Prop. Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1 (3 times), Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle G1, John James McManus Memorial Hurdle G1), Florida Coast (g Florida Son: 2nd Ballymore Prop. Hatton’s Grace Hurdle G1) Broodmare Sire: TAIPAN. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - FAYONAGH Kalanisi G1, FINIAN’S OSCAR Oscar G1, POETIC RHYTHM Flemensfirth LR.

FAYONAGH b m 2011 Mill Reef Doyoun Dumka KALANISI b/br 96 Green Dancer Kalamba Kareena Last Tycoon Taipan Alidiva FAIR INA b 02 Deep Run Deep Peace Bargy Music

Never Bend Milan Mill Kashmir II Faizebad Nijinsky Green Valley Riverman Kermiya Try My Best Mill Princess Chief Singer Alligatrix Pampered King Trial By Fire Tudor Music Patsy Brown

The 22 contestants for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper included three representatives of the sizeable 2011 and 2012 crops by Kalanisi, winner of the Queen Anne Stakes, Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2000.

Unfortunately, this versatile horse disappointed badly as a Flat stallion at Gilltown Stud, siring nothing better than a few Listed winners.

However, several of his Flat-bred sons, such as Barizan, Alaivan and Simarian, did well over jumps, none more so than Katchit. Winner of the 2007 Triumph Hurdle, Katchit went on to take the Champion Hurdle in 2008, by which time Kalanisi had been moved to Boardsmill Stud. With his eldest purpose-bred jumpers eight years old in 2017, Kalanisi is making an impact and is likely to continue to do so, as he covered nearly 100 mares at the age of 20 in 2016.

Kalanisi has plenty of good winners during the current season, even though his smart son Barters Hill was injured on his debut over fences.

Brain Power collected a big prize in a Gr3 handicap at Ascot to earn a tilt at the Champion Hurdle and Kalane has won a Listed race over fences. He also has a number of talented bumper horses, such as Sassy Diva, Imperial Eloquence, Bang On Frankie and Fayonagh.

It was Fayonagh who triumphed in the Champion Bumper, improving her record to three wins from four starts.

She had changed hands for £64,000 in December 2016 after her first success.

Fayonagh shares the same broodmare sire, the smart international middle-distance performer Taipan, as the smart novice hurdler Finian’s Oscar. Her dam Fair Ina won a bumper and was a halfsister to that wonderful mare Solerina, who numbered three editions of the Gr1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle among her 22 wins. Fair Ina’s half-brother Florida Coast once took second place behind Solerina in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.

202 JLT GOLDEN MILLER NOVICES’ CHASE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 16. 5yo+. 19f 110yds.

1. YORKHILL (IRE) 7 11-4 £89,275 ch g by Presenting - Lightning Breeze (Saddlers’ Hall) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-P. Keating TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Top Notch (FR) 6 11-4 £33,500 b g by Poliglote - Topira (Pistolet Bleu) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-Haras Des Sablonnets & B. Gabeur TR-Nicky Henderson 3. Disko (FR) 6 11-4 £16,773 gr g by Martaline - Nikos Royale (Nikos) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-E.A.R.L. Haras Du Luy TR-Noel Meade Margins 1, 3. Time 5:00.20. Going Good.

Age 4-7

Starts 12

Wins 10

Places 1

Earned £272,681

Sire: PRESENTING. Sire of 69 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - LORD SCOUNDREL Dahar G1, YORKHILL Saddlers’ Hall G1, BALLYCASEY Montelimar G2, DAISY’S GIFT Dr Massini G2, MOUNT MEWS Bob Back G2, MR DIABLO Good Thyne G2, PEOPLES PARK Un Desperado G2, PRESENT MAN Strong Gale G2, SNOW FALCON Kahyasi G2, PLEASANT COMPANY Alderbrook G3, TRIANA DU BERLAIS Mansonnien G3.

1st Dam: Lightning Breeze by Saddlers’ Hall. unraced.

Dam of 1 winner: 2009: Hear The Thunder (f Presenting) ran once in a N.H. Flat Race.

2010: YORKHILL (g Presenting) 9 wins, Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, 32Red Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle G1, EZ Trader Mersey Novices’ Hurdle G1, JLT Golden Miller Novices’ Chase G1, coral.ie Leopardstown Novice Chase G3.

2011: See The Lightning (f Flemensfirth) unraced.

2013: Ocean Breeze (f Presenting) unraced.

Broodmare Sire: SADDLERS’ HALL. Sire of the dams of 13 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - YORKHILL Presenting G1, THREE STARS Westerner G3, SAMCRO Germany LR. The Presenting/Saddlers’ Hall cross has produced: YORKHILL G1, SADDLERS ENCORE G3.

YORKHILL ch g 2010 Busted Mtoto Amazer PRESENTING br 92 Persian Bold D’Azy Belle Viking Sadler’s Wells Saddlers’ Hall Sunny Valley LIGHTNING BREEZE b 04 Strong Gale Park Breeze Park Delight

Crepello Sans Le Sou Mincio Alzara Bold Lad Relkarunner Riverman Vallarta Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Val de Loir Sunland Lord Gayle Sterntau Saint Denys Lover’s Delight

National Hunt families don’t come much stronger than the one descending from Strong Gale’s unraced daughter Park Breeze. She had eight runners from ten foals and no fewer than five of them became black-type winners over fences.

Two of them, the chasers Offshore Account and Dooneys Gate, were brothers by Sadler’s Wells’s son Oscar. Offshore Account did the better of the two, notably winning the Gr1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Park Breeze also excelled with the staying chasers Distant Thunder (a Phardante gelding whose wins included the Gr2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase), Fork Lightning (a Roselier gelding who won the Gr3 National Hunt Handicap Chase) and The Listener (the Roselier

gelding who notched up four Gr1 successes over fences, including in the Lexus Chase, Punchestown Chase and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup).

Now it is the turn of Park Breeze’s daughters to extend her influence.

Unfortunately there were only three of them, but Park Athlete, an unraced Supreme Leader mare, is dam of the useful hurdler Vieux Lille, while Lightning Breeze, an unraced daughter of Saddlers’ Hall, has hit the jackpot with Yorkhill. With a son of Sadler’s Wells as her sire, Lightning Breeze is a three-parts-sister to Offshore Account and Dooneys Gate.

Apart from Yorkhill, Lightning Breeze hasn’t enjoyed much luck, with just four live foals in her first nine years as a broodmare.

With Presenting, a multiple champion stallion, as his sire and a daughter of Park Breeze as his dam, Yorkhill was naturally in great demand as a foal, when he cost €41,000. He wasted little time in justifying his price, building a sequence of seven victories, comprising a point-to-point, two bumpers and four races over hurdles. He pulled off the difficult feat of winning Gr1s at Cheltenham and Aintree. Now he is proving similarly hard to beat over fences and his record stands at three for three following his second consecutive success at the Cheltenham Festival.

Park Breeze was a sister to Risk Of Thunder, the veteran who built up such a remarkable record in the La Touche Cup over Punchestown’s cross-country course. Risk Of Thunder was also second in the 1999 Velka Pardubicka and fourth in the Irish Grand National. Distances beyond four miles were no problem to him and Yorkhill should stay three miles, given the chance.

203 RYANAIR FESTIVAL TROPHY CHASE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 16. 5yo+. 20f 110yds.

1. UN DE SCEAUX (FR) 9 11-10 £170,850 b g by Denham Red - Hotesse de Sceaux (April Night) O-E. O’Connell B-Haras de La Rousseliere & Mme Monique Choveau TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 8 11-10 £64,110 b g by Brian Boru - Satellite Dancer (Satco) O-Gigginstown House Stud B-E. Coleman TR-Henry de Bromhead 3. Aso (FR) 7 11-10 £32,100 b/br g by Goldneyev - Odyssee du Cellier (Dear Doctor) O-The Bellamy Partnership B-I. Pacault, A. Pacault & M. Pacault TR-Venetia Williams Margins 1.5, 6. Time 5:09.60. Going Good.

Age 4-9

Starts 23

Wins 18

Places 2

Earned £900,328

Sire: DENHAM RED. Sire of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - UN DE SCEAUX April Night G1, ULTRAJI Africanus G3.

1st Dam: Hotesse de Sceaux by April Night. ran on the flat in France at 5 and over jumps in France. Dam of 2 winners: 2002: OLYMPE DE SCEAUX (f Diableneyev) Winner at 4 in France.

2003: Perle de Sceaux (f Diableneyev) unraced.

2006: Star de Sceaux (f Maresca Sorrento) ran on the flat in France and over jumps in France.

2008: UN DE SCEAUX (g Denham Red) 18 wins, Red Mills Trial Hurdle G2, Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Frank Ward Arkle Challenge Cup Nov.Chase G1, Betfair

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Caulfield on Penhill: “He had proved himself a fairly useful middle-distance handicapper by the time he was consigned to the 2014 Autumn Sales and it cost 230,000gns to secure him”

Tingle Creek Chase G1, Ryanair Festival Trophy Chase G1, Sodexo Clarence House Chase G1 (twice), Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, 2nd Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase G1, Bet365 Celebration Chase G1, Prix La Barka Hurdle G2, Prix Leon Rambaud Hurdle G2, Prix Hypothese Hurdle G3.

Broodmare Sire: APRIL NIGHT. Sire of the dams of 7 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - UN DE SCEAUX Denham Red G1, BRISTOL DE MAI Saddler Maker G2, CLAN DES OBEAUX Kapgarde G2.

NICHOLS CANYON b g 2010 Montjeu AUTHORIZED b 04 Funsie

Dalakhani ZAM ZOOM gr 05 Mantesera

UN DE SCEAUX b g 2008 Pampapaul Pampabird Wood Grouse DENHAM RED b 92 Giboulee Nativelee Native Berry Kaldoun April Night My Destiny HOTESSE DE SCEAUX ch 95 Diarifos Olympe Occitane Papakiteme

Yellow God Pampalina Celtic Ash French Bird Northern Dancer Victory Chant Ribero Noble Native Caro Katana Chaparral Carmelite Dionysos II Diana Klairon Gorda

See race 71 in the February issue 204 SUN BETS STAYERS’ WORLD HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 16. 4yo+. 23f 110yds.

1. NICHOLS CANYON (GB) 7 11-10 £170,850 b g by Authorized - Zam Zoom (Dalakhani) O-Andrea & Graham Wylie B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 6 11-10 £64,110 ch g by Hard Spun - Layounne (Mt Livermore) O-Davies Smith Govier & Brown B-Brushwood Stable TR-Neil King 3. Unowhatimeanharry (GB) 9 11-10 £32,100 b g by Sir Harry Lewis - Red Nose Lady (Teenoso) O-Mr John P. McManus B-R. J. Smith TR-Harry Fry Margins 0.75, 3.5. Time 5:49.60. Going Good.

Age 2-7

Starts 27

Wins 12

Places 11

Earned £649,715

Sire: AUTHORIZED. Sire of 36 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - NICHOLS CANYON Dalakhani G1, TIGER ROLL Entrepreneur G1, AUTOMATED Red Ransom G2, STERNRUBIN Samum LR. 1st Dam: Zam Zoom by Dalakhani. unraced. Dam of 3 winners: 2010: NICHOLS CANYON (g Authorized) Sold 48,000gns yearling at TAOC3. 12 wins, Ascot Underwriting Noel Murless S LR, Prix Denisy LR, 2nd Worthington’s St Simon S G3, Tattersalls Ireland Champion Nov. Hurdle G1, Sun Bets Stayers’ World Hurdle G1, stanjames.com Morgiana Hurdle G1 (twice), World Famous Just Eat Mersey Nov.Hurdle G1, Ryanair December Hurdle G1, Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle G1, Deloitte Novice Hurdle G1, 2nd Ryanair December Hurdle G1, 3rd Stan James Champion Chall.Trophy Hurdle G1, BHP Insurances Champion Hurdle G1, Neptune Investment Bingham Nov Hurdle G1, Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle G1, 3rd Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle LR. 2011: Bright Approach (f New Approach) Winner at 3, 3rd Weatherbys Private Banking Cheshire Oaks LR. 2012: ZAMANI (f Teofilo) Winner at 3.

2014: Fujaira Prince (c Pivotal) unraced to date.

2016: (f New Approach) 2nd Dam: Mantesera by In The Wings. unraced. Own sister to CLOUD CASTLE. Dam of NIDEEB (c Exceed And Excel: Sportingbet Supports Heros Winter Derby G3), Suegioo (g Manduro: 2nd BetVictor Henry II S G3, 3rd Socialites Cigarettes Doncaster Cup G2) Broodmare Sire: DALAKHANI. Sire of the dams of 15 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - NICHOLS CANYON Authorized G1, SBARAZZINO Red Rocks G2.

The Authorized/Dalakhani cross has produced: NICHOLS CANYON G1, ZUBAYR G2.

Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Top Ville Floripedes Toute Cy Rainbow Quest Saumarez Fiesta Fun Lyphard Vallee Dansante Green Valley Shirley Heights Darshaan Delsy Miswaki Daltawa Damana Sadler’s Wells In The Wings High Hawk Lucayan Princess High Line Gay France Sadler’s Wells

See race 34 in the January issue 205 ALBERT BARTLETT SPA NOVICES’ HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 17. 4yo+. 23f 110yds.

1. PENHILL (GB) 6 11-5 £71,188 br g by Mount Nelson - Serrenia (High Chaparral) O-Mr Tony Bloom B-Newsells Park Stud Limited & Equity Bloodstock TR-W. P. Mullins 2. Monalee (IRE) 6 11-5 £26,713 b g by Milan - Tempest Belle (Glacial Storm) O-Mr Barry Maloney B-A. Aherne TR-Henry de Bromhead 3. Wholestone (IRE) 6 11-5 £13,375 br g by Craigsteel - Last Theatre (King’s Theatre) O-Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede B-Michael O’Donovan TR-Nigel Twiston-Davies Margins 3.5, 4. Time 5:49.90. Going Good.

Age 2-6

Starts 26

Wins 11

Places 5

Earned £192,494

Sire: MOUNT NELSON. Sire of 17 Stakes winners.

1st Dam: Serrenia by High Chaparral. unraced. Dam of 3 winners: 2010: DUCHESS OF SEVILLE (f Duke of Marmalade) Winner at 3. Broodmare.

2011: PENHILL (g Mount Nelson) Sold 24,000gns yearling at TAOC2. 11 wins, Albert Bartlett Spa Novices’ Hurdle G1, Guinness Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle G2, Joe Mac Novice Hurdle G3.

2012: Bondi Sun (c Mount Nelson) ran on the flat in Italy.

2013: SIERRA LAW (g Lawman) Winner at 3 in Sweden.

2015: (f Harbour Watch) 2nd Dam: HELVELLYN by Gone West. 1 win at 2. Dam of HERBORISTE (f Hernando: La Prevoyante H G2), FAST AND FURIOUS (c Singspiel: Derby du Languedoc LR, 2nd Hollywood Derby G1, 3rd Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile S G1), Healing Music (f Bering: 2nd Prix des Sablonnets LR). Grandam of ROYAL MENANTIE, HIGH DUTY, At First Sight, Torrid Hell, Hot Beat, Fields of Song.

Broodmare Sire: HIGH CHAPARRAL. Sire of the dams of 16 Stakes winners.

PENHILL br g 2011 Danehill Rock of Gibraltar Offshore Boom MOUNT NELSON b 04 Selkirk Independence Yukon Hope Sadler’s Wells High Chaparral Kasora SERRENIA b 05 Gone West Helvellyn Accredited

Danzig Razyana Be My Guest Push A Button Sharpen Up Annie Edge Forty Niner Sahara Forest Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge Darshaan Kozana Mr Prospector Secrettame Alleged Belle de Nuit

In the thoroughbred world, fashion can (wrongly) be all-important. Sadly for Mount Nelson, he is by Rock Of Gibraltar, a stallion whose fee has dwindled from €65,000 to €9,000 despite a respectable record. Mount Nelson contributed significantly to that record by winning the Gr1 Criterium International and Gr1 Eclipse, but his fee also dwindled over

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

the years, from £10,000 to £5,000.

Although he failed to sire a Gr1 winner on the Flat, he had five Group winners and plenty of Listed winners in his first four crops.

This wasn’t enough, though, to maintain his career at Newsells Park Stud in England and his base in 2017 is Boardsmill Stud, where the emphasis is on National Hunt racing.

Consequently, the emergence of his son Penhill as a Gr1-winning hurdler is very timely. Penhill had proved himself a fairly useful middle-distance handicapper by the time he was consigned to the 2014 Autumn Sales and it cost 230,000gs to secure him. Although he proved progressive at four, it wasn’t until his attention was turned to hurdling, in the care of Willie Mullins, that he started to justify his high price. His first seven starts have yielded five wins, including a Gr3 and a Gr2.

Although he had proved he is suited by three miles in winning that Gr2, Penhill was sent off at 16-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, with his stable also being represented by the shorter-priced Augusta Kate.

It was Penhill, though, who proved much the strongest in the closing stages.

Penhill was bred for the Flat.

His dam Serrenia is an unraced daughter of Derby winner High Chaparral (also sire of Altior) and she is a half-sister to Herboriste and Fast And Furious, a pair of French winners who went on to show very useful form in the US. 206 JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 17. 4yo. 16f 110yds.

1. DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) 11-0 £71,188 b g by Voix du Nord - Quarvine du Seuil (Lavirco) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Mme C. Boudot TR-Philip Hobbs 2. Mega Fortune (FR) 11-0 £26,713 b g by Soldier of Fortune - Far Across (Common Grounds) O-Mr C. Jones B-Famille Niarchos TR-Gordon Elliott 3. Bapaume (FR) 11-0 £13,375 b g by Turtle Bowl - Brouhaha (American Post) O-Mrs S. Ricci B-Maurice Rohaut-Leger TR-W. P. Mullins Margins 5, Short Head. Time 4:00.20.

Going Good.

Age 3-4

Starts 8

Wins 7

Places 1

Earned £156,524

Sire: VOIX DU NORD. Sire of 15 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - DEFI DU SEUIL Lavirco G1, VROUM VROUM MAG Kadalko G1, MISS DE CHAMPDOUX Hawker’s News G2, TAQUIN DU SEUIL Marchand de Sable G3, ADAGIO DES BORDES Bateau Rouge LR, VANITEUX Video Rock LR, VIEUX MORVAN Kadalko LR, VINGA True Brave LR.

DEFI DU SEUIL b g 2013 Lomond Valanour Vearia VOIX DU NORD b 01 Top Ville Dame Edith Girl of France Konigsstuhl Lavirco La Virginia QUARVINE DU SEUIL b 04 Video Rock Fleur du Tennis Via Tennise

See race 82 in the February issue 207 TIMICO CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE G1 CHELTENHAM. Mar 17. 5yo+. 26f.

1. SIZING JOHN (GB) 7 11-10 £327,463 b g by Midnight Legend - La Perrotine (Northern Crystal) O-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership B-Dr B. & S. Mayoh TR-Mrs J. Harrington 2. Minella Rocco (IRE) 7 11-10 £122,878 b g by Shirocco - Petralona (Alleged) O-Mr John P. McManus B-Eclipse Bloodstock & C. & G. Hadden TR-Jonjo O’Neill 3. Native River (IRE) 7 11-10 £61,525 ch g by Indian River - Native Mo (Be My Native) O-Brocade Racing B-F. Mackey TR-Colin Tizzard Margins 2.75, Short Head. Time 6:36.10.

Going Good.

Age 4-7

Starts 17

Wins 7

Places 9

Broodmare Sire: LAVIRCO. Sire of the dams of 5 Stakes winners. NH in 2016/17 - DEFI DU SEUIL Voix du Nord G1, LISTEN DEAR Robin des Champs G3.

Earned £607,873

Sire: MIDNIGHT LEGEND. Sire of 17 Stakes winners.

NH in 2016/17 - SIZING JOHN Northern Crystal G1, QUITE BY CHANCE Gildoran LR, SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT Morpeth LR. 1st Dam: LA PERROTINE by Northern Crystal. 4 wins.

Dam of 2 winners: 2007: Scholastica (f Old Vic) 4 wins, 3rd betatbluesq.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle LR. 2009: La Doelenaise (f King’s Theatre). Broodmare.

2010: SIZING JOHN (g Midnight Legend) 7 wins, Paddy Power Future Chmpions Nov. Hurdle G1, 2nd Herald Champion Novice Hurdle G1, 3rd Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle G1, Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase G1, Stan James Irish Gold Cup G1, Ryans Cleaning Craddockstown Nov. Chase G2, Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase G3, 2nd Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase G1, Christmas Novice Chase G1, Paddy Power Cashcard Chase G1, 3rd Ryanair Colliers Novice Chase G1, Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase G1.

2012: Batoutahell (f King’s Theatre) unraced.

2013: French Steps (g Schiaparelli) unraced.

2014: Deadringerforlove (f Black Sam Bellamy) unraced to date.

2015: (f Black Sam Bellamy) 2nd Dam: HARATIYNA by Top Ville. 1 win at 2 in France. Dam of Harawi (c Akarad: 3rd Prix Coupe des Trois Ans LR, 2nd P.RTL Clement Lesbordes Printemps Hurdle LR). Grandam of JANE AUSTEN, Acapulco, Haraplata, LE CHATEAU, Le Missionnaire. Third dam of Hashbrown. Fourth dam of EVASIVE’S FIRST. Broodmare Sire: NORTHERN CRYSTAL. Sire of the dams of 2 Stakes winners.

SIZING JOHN b g 2010 Northern Dancer Night Shift

1st Dam: QUARVINE DU SEUIL by Lavirco. 2 wins at 3 and 5 in France. Dam of 1 winner: 2011: Brume du Seuil (f Equerry) ran on the flat in France.

2013: DEFI DU SEUIL (g Voix du Nord) 7 wins, JCB Triumph Hurdle G1, coral.co.uk Future Chn.Finale Juv.Hurdle G1, JCB Triumph Trial Finesse Juv. Hurdle G2, JCB Triumph Trial Prestbury Juv. Hurdle G2.

Northern Dancer My Charmer Mill Reef Val Divine High Top Sega Ville Legend of France Water Girl Dschingis Khan Konigskronung Surumu La Dorada No Lute Pauvresse Brezzo Favorite

Ciboulette MIDNIGHT LEGEND b 91 Troy Myth Hay Reef Crystal Glitters Northern Crystal North Cliff LA PERROTINE b 00 Top Ville Haratiyna Halwah

Nearctic Natalma Chop Chop Windy Answer Petingo La Milo Mill Reef Haymaking Blushing Groom Tales To Tell Green Dancer Nenana Road High Top Sega Ville The Minstrel Herila

See race 160 in the April issue

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DATA BOOK EXCLUSIVE STALLION STATISTICS

NH Graded Races Date 04/03 04/03 05/03 11/03 11/03 11/03 12/03 12/03 14/03 14/03 15/03 15/03 16/03 16/03 17/03 17/03 19/03 19/03 19/03 19/03 25/03 30/03

Grade G2 G3 GrB G2 G3 G3 G3 GrA G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G3 G3 G3 G2 G2 G3 GrB G2 G3

Race (course) totescoop6 Premier Kelso Nov. Hurdle (Kelso) William Hill Greatwood Gold Cup Hp Chase (Newbury) TRI Equestrian Carrickmines Hcp Chase (Leopardstown) Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Hcp Chase (Gowran Park) EBF Matchbook Nat.Hunt Nov.Hcp Hurdle (Sandown Park) Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Sandown Park) Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase (Naas) Ladbrokes Leinster National Hcp Chase (Naas) JT McNamara Nat.Hunt Chall.Cup Nov Chase (Cheltenham) Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham) Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham) Trull House Dawn Run Mares Nov. Hurdle (Cheltenham) Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Hcp Chase (Cheltenham) Johnny Henderson Gd. Annual H. Cup Chase (Cheltenham) Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham) Charleville EBF Dawn Run Mares Nov.Chase (Limerick) Webster Cup An Uaimh Chase (Navan) Kerry EBF Shannon Spray Mares Nov.Hurdle (Limerick) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nov. Hcp. Chase (Navan) EBF/TBA Nat. Hunt Mares’ Nov. H. Hurdle (Newbury) Hugh McMahon Mem. Novice Chase (Limerick)

Dist 18f 19.5f 21f 18f 19.5f 15.5f 20f 24f 31.5f 25f 21f 16f 16.5f 20.5f 16f 16.5f 22.5f 20f 22f 24f 20.5f 24f

Horse Mount Mews (IRE) Thomas Crapper (GB) Mr Diablo (IRE) Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) Minella Awards (IRE) London Prize (GB) Ball d’Arc (FR) Abolitionist (IRE) Tiger Roll (IRE) Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) Supasundae (GB) Flying Tiger (IRE) Let’s Dance (FR) Road To Respect (IRE) Rock The World (IRE) Arctic Fire (GER) Daisy’s Gift (IRE) A Toi Phil (FR) Kate Appleby Shoes (IRE) Mick The Jiver (GB) Snow Leopardess (GB) General Principle (IRE)

Age 6 10 8 10 6 6 6 9 7 8 7 4 5 6 9 8 10 7 8 7 5 8

Sex G G G G G G G G G G G G M G G G M G M G M G

Sire Presenting Tamure Presenting Balakheri Oscar Teofilo Network Flemensfirth Authorized Robin des Champs Galileo Soldier Of Fortune Poliglote Gamut Orpen Soldier Hollow Presenting Day Flight Flemensfirth Apple Tree Martaline Gold Well

Dam Kneeland Lass Mollycarrs Gambul Aremebooksready Echo Queen Montys Miss Zibet Pretty Moon All The Roses Swiss Roll Rougedespoir Distinctive Look Ma Preference Baraka du Berlais Lora Lady Sue N Win Adelma Daizinni Lucidrile Gotta Goa Pems Gift Queen Soraya How Provincial

Broodmare Sire Bob Back General Gambul Good Thyne Luso Presenting Kris Moon Madness Roselier Entrepreneur Bonnet Rouge Danehill American Post Bonnet Rouge Lord Americo Beneficial Sternkoenig Dr Massini Beyssac Publisher Environment Friend Persian Bold Be My Native

Index 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229

Leading National Hunt sires 2016/17 by earnings Name

King's Theatre Presenting Kayf Tara Oscar Flemensfirth Milan Beneficial Midnight Legend Westerner Shantou Stowaway Authorized Gold Well Kalanisi Brian Boru Robin des Champs Voix du Nord Scorpion Vinnie Roe Indian River Overbury Martaline Yeats Poliglote High Chaparral Court Cave Definite Article Old Vic Cloudings Kapgarde Winged Love Saddler Maker Heron Island Network Craigsteel Alflora Denham Red Dr Massini Galileo Sir Harry Lewis Dom Alco Soldier Of Fortune Robin des Pres Al Namix Mahler Crillon Generous Gamut Shirocco Golan Jeremy Walk In The Park Saint des Saints Nickname Turtle Island Blueprint Norse Dancer Arcadio Califet Fruits Of Love Azamour Sir Percy Black Sam Bellamy Mountain High Lando Montjeu Mount Nelson Mastercraftsman Astarabad Early March Montmartre Spadoun Teofilo Trans Island Desert Prince Cape Cross Tikkanen Royal Anthem Shaanmer Goldneyev Dubai Destination Antonius Pius Doyen Great Pretender Central Park

Statistics to April 6

94

YOF

1991 1992 1994 1994 1992 1998 1990 1991 1999 1993 1994 2004 2001 1996 2000 1997 2001 2002 1998 1994 1991 1999 2001 1992 1999 2001 1992 1986 1994 1999 1992 1998 1993 1997 1995 1989 1992 1993 1998 1984 1987 2004 1994 1997 2004 1996 1988 1999 2001 1998 2003 2002 1998 1999 1991 1995 2000 2002 1998 1995 2001 2003 1999 2002 1990 1996 2004 2006 1994 2002 2005 1996 2004 1995 1995 1994 1991 1995 1999 1986 1999 2001 2000 1999 1995

Sire

Rnrs

Sadler's Wells Mtoto Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Alleged Sadler's Wells Top Ville Night Shift Danehill Alleged Slip Anchor Montjeu Sadler's Wells Doyoun Sadler's Wells Garde Royale Valanour Montjeu Definite Article Cadoudal Caerleon Linamix Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Indian Ridge Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Garde Royale In the Wings Sadler's Wells Shirley Heights Monsun Suave Dancer Niniski Pampabird Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Alleged Dom Pasquini Galileo Cadoudal Linamix Galileo Saumarez Caerleon Spectrum Monsun Spectrum Danehill Dancer Montjeu Cadoudal Lost World Fairy King Generous Halling Monsun Freedom Cry Hansel Night Shift Mark Of Esteem Sadler's Wells Danehill Acatenango Sadler's Wells Rock of Gibraltar Danehill Dancer Alleged Dansili Montjeu Kaldoun Galileo Selkirk Green Desert Green Desert Cozzene Theatrical Darshaan Nureyev Kingmambo Danzig Sadler's Wells King's Theatre In the Wings

269 354 276 290 288 322 319 173 230 114 152 62 97 151 97 107 27 157 73 47 73 65 104 28 68 84 102 67 51 41 61 14 75 52 86 61 4 74 64 27 30 19 84 28 91 6 65 61 54 74 50 17 35 12 47 35 23 50 22 53 40 36 87 63 9 33 24 46 19 12 12 24 33 55 5 32 56 42 10 3 57 16 22 20 19

Wnrs

94 111 101 94 96 84 89 63 75 47 50 28 28 33 35 39 13 39 27 18 25 22 42 12 15 24 29 25 15 19 18 8 20 16 26 24 2 23 19 11 8 12 27 9 22 4 19 13 7 14 14 6 9 4 9 11 7 12 10 12 17 11 24 15 3 11 6 15 5 4 4 13 7 13 1 11 13 12 4 3 15 5 10 11 8

%WR

34.94 31.36 36.59 32.41 33.33 26.09 27.90 36.42 32.61 41.23 32.89 45.16 28.87 21.85 36.08 36.45 48.15 24.84 36.99 38.30 34.25 33.85 40.38 42.86 22.06 28.57 28.43 37.31 29.41 46.34 29.51 57.14 26.67 30.77 30.23 39.34 50.00 31.08 29.69 40.74 26.67 63.16 32.14 32.14 24.18 66.67 29.23 21.31 12.96 18.92 28.00 35.29 25.71 33.33 19.15 31.43 30.43 24.00 45.45 22.64 42.50 30.56 27.59 23.81 33.33 33.33 25.00 32.61 26.32 33.33 33.33 54.17 21.21 23.64 20.00 34.38 23.21 28.57 40.00 100.00 26.32 31.25 45.45 55.00 42.11

Races

AWD

Earnings (£)

Top horse

147 167 156 130 125 116 132 110 110 80 80 47 46 56 48 55 21 54 42 29 38 33 57 25 28 37 41 35 25 30 26 13 32 29 41 33 5 35 28 15 14 19 40 13 34 7 30 21 12 20 25 11 12 14 15 14 12 16 16 17 22 20 35 20 5 17 14 23 10 5 7 21 12 17 3 16 15 22 4 3 20 7 17 16 16

19.9 20.2 20.2 19.8 20.3 20.8 20.1 19.8 20.0 20.0 19.4 19.2 20.9 19.1 20.4 19.0 18.1 18.6 21.0 22.4 19.9 19.5 18.5 18.9 18.5 22.1 20.6 21.4 22.0 18.3 20.6 20.6 20.5 18.6 22.5 22.0 18.8 21.0 18.8 23.7 20.2 17.5 19.8 18.6 20.2 17.8 19.2 19.7 19.3 20.9 17.3 18.2 20.9 20.3 20.2 19.7 19.6 18.7 17.7 19.3 17.8 17.4 18.6 19.5 16.4 18.6 18.1 16.6 18.8 18.3 16.5 20.1 17.9 19.3 21.8 17.6 19.6 20.8 22.0 20.8 18.7 20.0 19.2 17.5 20.3

2,268,640 2,208,049 2,046,725 1,546,349 1,511,060 1,368,966 1,351,838 1,349,056 1,298,081 944,310 855,359 768,422 672,622 619,849 560,898 557,294 550,583 539,777 535,139 517,886 502,281 490,491 438,605 438,385 437,173 415,317 410,475 407,596 403,286 402,859 398,424 398,084 394,225 370,808 356,264 352,700 347,444 336,000 325,603 323,995 316,996 313,445 303,693 298,628 297,915 281,405 277,356 270,579 270,018 264,601 255,537 247,559 234,135 233,601 225,870 225,272 224,052 218,046 214,115 209,732 204,806 203,239 198,166 196,675 194,341 191,081 190,855 185,205 174,089 169,862 168,583 167,570 165,786 155,948 153,530 152,996 152,906 149,660 147,530 145,099 145,099 144,994 143,909 143,390 142,713

Cue Card Lord Scoundrel Special Tiara Wrath Of Titans Noble Endeavor Monalee De Plotting Shed Sizing John Westerner Lady Airlie Beach Outlander Nichols Canyon Mysteree Brain Power Sub Lieutenant Un Temps Pour Tout Defi du Seuil Might Bite Supreme Vinnie Native River Clondaw Warrior Disko Shattered Love Let's Dance Altior Willoughby Court Definitly Red Village Vic Many Clouds Garde La Victoire Some Plan Apple's Jade Otago Trail Ball d'Arc Wholestone Chase The Spud Un de Sceaux Foxtail Hill Supasundae Unowhatimeanharry Silviniaco Conti Mega Fortune I Just Know Petit Mouchoir Sutton Place Buveur d'Air Drop Out Joe Road To Respect Minella Rocco Missed Approach Who Dares Wins Douvan Djakadam Frodon Pilgrims Bay Gas Line Boy Yanworth Flying Angel Clarcam Casino Markets Third Intention Presenting Percy Blackthorn Prince Air Horse One Fox Norton Hassle Penhill Master Blueyes Whisper Sir Valentino Labaik Charlie Stout London Prize Black Warrior My Tent Or Yours Camlann Buywise Drumlee Sunset Raz de Maree Aso Dubai Angel Roman Flight Golden Doyen Great Field Tobefair

Earned (£)

258,392 126,784 263,761 97,270 104,485 60,524 46,814 439,095 142,604 101,400 97,504 230,067 92,793 119,187 118,132 90,070 148,944 111,317 51,479 297,873 178,822 76,432 52,824 108,909 181,095 95,363 78,260 57,714 79,730 58,464 66,177 150,626 87,195 123,157 63,786 75,108 295,120 46,253 71,396 151,695 62,461 80,512 19,432 152,520 39,766 258,810 45,016 87,041 128,228 30,501 40,768 98,032 84,287 113,515 68,846 45,132 148,070 32,387 65,236 28,223 42,769 84,972 24,416 41,707 162,841 32,932 143,056 30,741 71,262 112,380 95,455 37,111 46,014 29,981 127,781 38,240 23,872 21,073 63,686 92,648 20,833 71,771 30,085 34,322 38,020

Presenting and Kayf Tara narrow the gap on leader After all the action at the Cheltenham Festival, but without the Grand National meeting, King’s Theatre is still at the head of affairs. However, Presenting has narrowed the gap to just over £60,000. Kayf Tara also had a good month, passing the £2 million mark. The pursuing pack is £500,000 adrift.

To put some flesh on these bones, the star of the show for Presenting was Yorkhill with his stylish victory in the JLT Novices’ Chase. He was well supported by Grade 2 scorers Ballycasey, Daisy’s Gift and Mount Mews. Special Tiara’s Champion Chase success was a big fillip for Kayf Tara.

Special Tiara and Gold Cup winner Sizing John, by deceased Midnight Legend, were not typical top-class Grade 1 winners in so far as they are both trained in Ireland though by British-based stallions.

This goes against what may be called the norm, with so many Britishtrained Grade 1 winners over the last 25 years being by Irish-based stallions. Sizing John’s success moved his sire up only one place though.

King’s Theatre has had 13 stakes winners and Presenting and Kayf Tara 11. In contrast Milan is on four, but he still made headway, moving from eighth to sixth, and his position will improve markedly when One For Arthur’s Aintree triumph is included in the figures. Max Ward’s Kempton win and good placings at Cheltenham for Monalee, Singlefarmpayment and Ordinary World aided his cause.

THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER

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95

May_153_24Hours_Owner 21/04/2017 15:12 Page 96

24 HOURS WITH… COLIN NUTTER

T

he alarm goes off at 4.15am and I’m straight out of bed, downstairs to make a cup of tea and a flask for work. I take Sophie, our Labrador, out for a quick pee, leave home at 4.50am and I’m in the yard five minutes later. In the 45 years I’ve worked for Sir Mark Prescott I’ve been late only once, and that was when I couldn’t get the car out of the garage because of the snow. So I ran to work.

I was head lad at Heath House for 34 years, but gave up riding out last year when I was 59 and Rosie Jessop took over my role. I think the guv’nor put me out to grass!

But I enjoy what I am doing now, which is being in charge of the treadmill, a good job but it can be quite difficult.

You have to concentrate all the time when you are trotting, cantering and galloping a horse on the treadmill. They go on the horse-walker first so they don’t get set fast, then I follow the instructions for each horse, how many trots, canters and gallops. After that you swim them. I do 12 to 15 horses a day and that takes me through to midday when I finish.

Breakfast is a 25-minute break when I have two rounds of toast, a mug of tea and a good chat with the other lads.

Everything at Heath House has always been done properly; we never cut corners, from cleaning head collars to making sure horses are standing correctly at evening stables, ready for the guv’nor to come round and check their legs. Sir Mark has always been a good boss to me and I wouldn’t have been here so long if we didn’t get on. If he’s in a good mood you’re all right, but if he’s in a bad mood keep out of his way.

96

COLIN NUTTER has been late for work once in 45 years – and that was not his fault – but there are many reasons why he won the Dedication to Racing Award at this year’s Godolphin-backed event I combined race-riding with being head lad for about ten years and that was tough. After starting at 5am and riding out four lots, I’d dash home for a shower and then drive to somewhere like Beverley for a couple of rides. A similar routine would follow the next day, often for only one ride.

Any job has its ups and downs and receiving the Dedication to Racing Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards (from Richard Johnson, pictured) in February was my proudest moment. It meant everything; all my family were there to make it a wonderful moment. It gave me the feeling of having achieved something special.

In complete contrast, a real downer was being hit by a car when we were crossing the Bury Road in 2006. Rosie Jessop was behind me and shouted that the car coming wasn’t going to stop, so I gave my horse a kick in the belly to make it jump forward – that was the last thing I did before waking up in hospital. If I hadn’t got my horse to go forward at the last moment I don’t think I’d be here now, as we’d have been hit full on. I spent six days in hospital and, sadly, the horse died.

These are the exciting times, watching the yearlings develop as two-year-olds, showing promise after you have played a part in educating them and bringing

them along. This season we have Marsha, who won the Prix de l’Abbaye last year, and it will be fascinating to see how she does from three to four. Sir Mark always lets his horses come to themselves before he gets on with them. Spindrifter was my favourite, even though the only time I rode him in his second race in 1980 I got beat and he went on to win 12 more without me! He was game, genuine, all heart.

Lunch is a sandwich and a cup of tea and now that I don’t have to do evening stables the rest of the day is mine. I take Sophie for a walk and do a bit of gardening. If the racing is on television I’ll watch it.

I work Saturday mornings but find time to watch any football that’s on. Coming from Middleton in Manchester, I have always been a United supporter and used to stand in the scoreboard end at Old Trafford and watch Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. They were unbelievable days for United.

My wife, Abby, works at Newmarket Equine Hospital, and if she is not home in time I’ll cook the evening meal. One of my favourites is pork chops, mashed potatoes and peas with gravy, and on a Saturday night we have chicken madras, rice and poppadoms from the Indian takeaway.

Every Sunday I cook the roast for the family, our two daughters, Haley and Katie, and seven grandchildren.

I love watching Coronation Street and enjoy all the soaps on television in the evening. If I’m not in bed by 9pm I’m having a late night, which isn’t good for a 4.15am start. Straight to sleep and no dreams. If I dreamt about horses I think I’d wake up sweating.

Interview by Tim Richards

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