On The Coalface

Join us on this enlightening episode of our podcast as we delve into the world of hunting with two distinguished guest : Sir Mark Prescott, a prominent figure in the horse racing industry known for his expertise in training with over 2000 winners to his name, including Alpanista, winner of the 2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. and David Redvers, a renowned Bloodstock agent and founded of Tweenhills Stud in 1995. He have purchased Roaring Lion, Lightning Spear, Havana Gold, Elm Park, Mangoustine ect... David is also the Racing and Bloodstock manager for Sheik Fahad al Thani and his brother's Qatar Racing operation. We explore together the contentious topic of whether horse hunting should be banned. We consider the ethical implications, the historical significance of hunting with horses, and the potential impact of such a ban on the sport of horse racing.

Patrick Veitch studied mathematics at Cambridge University but soon find himself devoting more to the horses than the algorithms. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful gamblers. He made over 10 millions in profit from betting between 1999 and 2007. However, his success has not come without controversy, and his life had been marked by both triumph and tragedy. In his autobiography, titled "Enemy Number One: The Secrets of the UK's Most Professional Punter," Veitch details his journey to becoming one of the most successful punters of modern times. The autobiography also delves into the methods and strategies Veitch used to earn his fortune, which he claims were based on mathematical models and statistical analysis.

This month, I am joined by Bill Dwan and David Cox from Baroda Stud. Nestled in the picturesque county of Meath, The Castelbridge Stud stands out as premier European thoroughbred sales consignor. The company wealth of experience and unwavering professionalism ensure a top-tier service for both vendors and purchasers. Baroda stud is one of Ireland's best farms. Situated in the heart of the renowned thoroughbred county Kildare. Baroda and Rosetown Stud Farms are set on 400 acres and provide excellent facilities for producing top quality thoroughbred horses.

Tally-Ho Stud is located close to Lough Ennell in Co. Westmeath on limestone land which has produced horses for three-quarters of a century. The stud has been under the ownership of Tony and Anne O’Callaghan for over 40 years who manage the enterprise with their sons Roger and Henry. During that time, Tally-Ho have built a reputatation that see's them recognised as one of the leading consignors of thoroughbreds in both Ireland and England. Hear from Roger O'Callaghan as he talks everything Tally Ho as well as industry issues and his opinion on the current state of British and Irish racing and breeding.

Eve started training in 2007 and had a flying start with 22 winners and has continued on an upward curve ever since, consolidating her position as a leading lady trainer. The 2018 season saw Eve scale new heights with her breakthrough Group 1 & Royal Ascot winner Accidental Agent who scored in fine style in the Queen Anne stakes. In recent seasons team Woodway has also had other notable successes from the likes of The Cheka, What About Carlo, Scarlet Dragon & Magnolia Springs. Going forward, boutique trainer Eve is looking to keep on improving and increasing the size of the string whilst retaining the personal touch. As a leading amateur jockey Eve rode 20 winners including the prestigious Ascot Diamond race twice. She rode for some notable trainers including Barry Hills, Roger Charlton and her father Fulke Johnson Houghton. She also rode in the Euro American Champion series with Chris Bonner representing England, where over a series of 8 races in England, Germany and the USA they were champions.

Ralph started as stable lad in 1989, spending a year in Australia working for Colin Hayes and others. He then did two seasons with Jimmy Fitzgerald, a summer in Belmont, New York, and two and a half years with Arthur Moore. After a season with Martin Pipe, he went to work for Peter Walwyn as his assistant in 1996. He took over from Peter in 2000, training 105 winners from Windsor House in Lambourn. His best performer whilst there was the G3 Fred Darling winner Penkenna Princess, who was a short-head second in the 2005 Irish 1000 Guineas. Come On Jonny won The November Handicap the same year. Whitsbury Manor’s landlord Chris Harper asked him to go there for the 2006 season, replacing David Elsworth, trainer of Desert Orchid and Persian Punch. Look Here won the 2008 Oaks, becoming the first and only classic winner trained at Whitsbury. Muhannak won the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in the same year. In all, Ralph sent out 245 winners during his stint there. Ralph started negotiating to buy Kimpton Down from Toby Balding and his son-in-law Jonathan Geake in 2010. This was completed in time to move for the start of 2011. In August 2019 at Salisbury, Another Boy won an Apprentice Handicap, and in the process became Ralph’s 1000th domestic winner. His most notable achievement to date is the 1-2 in the 2013 Oaks with Talent and Secret Gesture. Simple Verse won the 2015 St Leger, becoming the first filly to do so since User Friendly in 1992.

Nick has placed horses in his management to win over 200 races and his knowledge of the race fixture book is second to none. By the start of the 2016 turf season Nick had spent £2.2 million in the sales ring on behalf of his owners since 2009, during the same period the same bloodstock returned just over £5 million, with 40% of the horses still to be sold. Such an extraordinary return has been achieved spotting the talents of equine stars who were sold for up to 30 times their purchase price. Since 2016, Nick's buying record has gone from strength to strength with 2020 being an extraordinary year for Nick Bradley Racing. In 2020 only Godolphin and Hamdam al Maktoum picked up more 2yo victories or prize money than the Nick Bradley Racing horses. When you consider that in 2020, Nick Bradley Racing had less than twenty 2yos in training it was quite an achievement to see so much success on the track. Nick has developed a reputation for being as sharp as anyone in the horse racing industry when it comes to selecting bloodstock. This is not a self labelled title Nick has given himself, regular success of buying the right horses for small budgets has seen this reputation build over the last 10 years. Nick has chosen to focus very much on the 2yo and 3yo race programme. When at the sales he views, selects and purchases in the main, yearling and 2yo fillies to race within this programme. In essence, this allows Nick to aim to master his trade rather than being the jack of all trades.

Having grown up on a stud farm, horses have always been a passion for Charlie and his reputation as a fine horseman has helped him establish one of Europe’s most successful bloodstock agencies. For over 35 years Charlie has been purchasing top-class bloodstock which continue to compete at the top level across the globe. Among many career highlights Charlie has purchased 10 Classic winners, including Epsom Derby hero Kris Kin and 2000 Guineas winner King’s Best, and the winners of 63 Group 1 races. In addition to an impressive yearling purchase record, Charlie has an exceptional mare purchase record, having bought the dams of world-class horses such as Dar Re Mi, Alexandrova, Magical Romance and War Command. He has also made many shrewd horses-in training buys, which include the winner of the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (Brave Music) and Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (Cape of Good Hope).

John Francome MBE (13 December 1952) is a former National Hunt Champion Jockey, television pundit and author. At sixteen years old he became apprentice to Lambourn trainer Fred Winter and so began his career as a jockey. He rode a total of 1,138 winners, his last being in April 1985. He was Champion Jockey seven times, between 1976 and 1985 and is dubbed the best jockey never to have won the Grand National. After retiring, Francome was awarded the MBE in 1986 for services to racing. He was a trainer for 18 months before becoming a TV presenter for Channel 4’s horse racing broadcasts. Like another former jockey, Dick Francis, Francome has taken to writing works of fiction. His books have featured on the bestseller lists. Francome ceased appearing on Channel 4 Racing at the close of 2012 when the Highflyer Production term ended. He stated in a Racing Post interview that he had only continued to work on TV for so long out of loyalty to producer Andrew Franklin.

"Breeze-up horses are tougher, more durable, see the racecourse more often and last longer" Hear from Jamie Railton and John Cullinan, Joint Head Of The Breeze-up Consignors Association on all things Breeze-up Sales, how John got into the industry, some funny stories and global industry chat!

Angus Gold has been Racing Manager at Shadwell for over 30 years! He is a well-known figure at racecourses and sales complexes all around the globe! On this second episode of On The Coalface you will enjoy hearing Jamie Railton and Angus discuss the following topics: - Shadwell going forward following the restructure after the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. - The global racing industry over the past 10 years and the future of racing - Stable Staff crisis - As well as some personal questions with Angus.

Joe Foley wears many hats in the bloodstock world. First and foremost he is the owner and manager of Ballyhane Stud in County Carlow, while in recent years he has overseen his friend Steve Parkin’s growing Clipper Logistics racing and breeding operation. Hear from Jamie Railton and Joe Foley as they discuss new stallions with first runners and yearlings as well as other relevant bloodstock topics.