With the yearling sales now in full swing, TDN quizzes industry figures on past purchases, life during lockdown and their perspective on the sales for the next few weeks. Today, Tom Pritchard-Gordon answers our questions.
TDN: What was your best yearling purchase over the last few years? And your favourite?
TPG: We only purchased six yearlings last year and, to date, the best appears to be Zoetic (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) who won the Listed St Hugh’s S. at Newbury last time out. She has been trained impeccably by James Ferguson, who looks to be a trainer going places and hopefully she runs with plenty of credit in the G1 Cheveley Park S. on Saturday.
Our favourite, at the time of purchase, was a Galileo (Ire) colt we purchased off Newsells Park at Tattersalls Book 1. Named Pleasant Man (GB), he won impressively on debut at Haydock last month for Roger Charlton and might take up his place in the G2 Royal Lodge on Saturday as well. He could be a very exciting horse next year.
TDN: Are there any positives you have taken from how the sales have been conducted this year?
TPG: The main positive that can be taken from the sales season so far is the cohesion and solidarity shown throughout the bloodstock industry. From sales companies through to agents working in unison, there has been a far greater emphasis on working for the common good than there has been in the past. If only this were applied to the wider field within the industry, then we might make some headway with regard to the issue of prizemoney.
TDN: How has your business adapted?
TPG: We have always tried to be frontrunners when it comes to the tech side of our business and that has certainly helped in keeping our heads above water during the pandemic. Obviously Zoom and WhatsApp have played a far greater role in our daily lives than we would like in an ideal world. However, the main difference this year has brought is that we have had time to focus heavily on data analysis and finding angles through big data to help give us an edge.
TDN: In general what are your thoughts on the 2020 yearling catalogues? And what new stallions’ progeny are you most looking forward to?
TPG: As always, Book 1 at Tattersalls has some mouth-watering pedigrees on offer and the inspection days leading up to that sale are some of the most enjoyable of the year. Being able to view so many beautifully bred yearlings all in one place really is a privilege. However, not being able to afford the majority of them does tend to put a dampener on things.
Regarding new stallions, we have always had a soft spot for Caravaggio and have loved what we have seen at our farm inspections. We were lucky enough to pick up a foal by him in December for 80,000gns and he sold at Keeneland last week for $200,000. He obviously has the profile to be a leading 2-year-old sire next year.
TDN: Did you develop any new interests or hobbies during lockdown?
TPG: The News played a big part of our lives during lockdown, and with all the opinion pieces shown on Sky and the BBC, I moved over to watching Bloomberg. Through osmosis more than anything, I seem to be more aware of the financial markets and how crazy and illogical they appear to be, much like the bloodstock world.
TDN: Who is the most interesting person you know?
TPG: The honest answer is John Magnier. However, no doubt he has been used a number of times. Therefore, I would have to plump for using the past tense and say Bobby Frankel. He knew every one of his horses far better than I know my kids and was kind and gentle on his charges but was still able to get the very best out of them. He also had the ability to turn swearing into an art form.
TDN: What’s one mistake (if any) you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?
TPG: I’ve certainly made plenty of mistakes to date and will surely make plenty more going forward. The one I regret the most financially is not listening to Barry Mahon and investing in Kodiac (GB) when he retired to stud; what an idiot I am.
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