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In the Hot Seat: Ed Sackville

Bloodstock agent Ed Sackville, a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start and Highclere Stud, is hedging his bets by choosing “a son of Shamardal” to be leading first-season sire

Proudest moment of 2023?

Attending the Godolphin Flying Start 20-year anniversary event. I think I had completely failed to acknowledge what an amazing course the Flying Start is. It wasn't until I looked around the room and saw my fellow graduates that I appreciated the legacy the Flying Start has created within the Thoroughbred industry.

What is your biggest ambition for the new year?

To convert from my paper catalogue to an iPad. I think it will make lists and time management at the sales more streamline.

Give us one horse to follow and why?

River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). I don't think we ever really saw the best of him. He had a setback before the Morny and couldn't run in the Breeders' Cup. However, he looked very good at Ascot and ran with credit in the Middle Park having taken a strong hold.

And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…

I'm going to go with young people. I am consistently impressed by the yearlings sold by Tradewinds, Evergreen and Aughamore. I think the young lads behind these studs do a fantastic job and have a great understanding of the industry.

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year?

It's very open this year and could be any one of them, so I'm going to choose a son of Shamardal.

And the best value stallion in Europe?

Chaldean (GB). He's a Guineas winner, a Dewhurst winner, a son of Frankel (GB) and an absolute beauty. What's not to like?

What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?

Big Evs (Ire) is a horse that really captured my imagination. He was so cool and consistent and capped the year in such fine style in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Juvenile Turf Sprint has added a whole new dimension to the Breeders' Cup two-year-old races and is something I'd love to win.

Biggest regret?

I wish I had spent a year working with a vet. I'd then spend less time asking them to translate vet reports into layman's terms.

Biggest influence on your career?

I spent 11 years working for John Warren and he put a tremendous amount of time and effort into educating me. I will be forever grateful to both John and Carolyn for giving me so much of their time.

If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?

Richard, Duke of York. I'd like to be able to ask him who killed him and his elder brother whilst they were imprisoned in the Tower of London. Everyone assumes it was their uncle, Richard III, but the jury is out. My second choice would be Ayrton Senna. I've just re watched the Senna documentary film and I'm fascinated by him and his success. My third choice would be a member of the Tattersalls staff. I generally find they are incredibly generous with their hospitality allowance and if I'm going out with a murdered Prince and a dead Formula 1 star I imagine they are going to want to go somewhere fancy, so it'd be nice for someone else to pick up the tab.

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Jockey who was airlifted to hospital receives major health update

The 21-year-old lost consciousness after the incident at the Strathalbyn Racecourse south-east of Adelaide at about 1.40pm but was able to move her legs and hands.

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Auctav Recruits Vincent Le Roy

Vincent Le Roy has joined the French sales company Auctav as a new member on its team of bloodstock agents.

Born in Brittany, Le Roy previously worked at Haras de Gouffern, where, under the guidance of Jean-Pierre de Gasté, he trained Arabians for Sheikh Sultan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai. He later spent five years training in the Middle East.

Switching his focus to National Hunt, Le Roy has had stints working with Guillaume Macaire, Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and the Reveley family before settling back in Brittany to work as a pre-trainer.

At Auctav, he will work alongside Toby Jones, Jacob Pritchard Webb, and Anthony Grueau for trotting.

“At Auctav, I find a team of enthusiasts where I can leverage my experiences and continue to grow in my expertise. I have a strong network and solid experience with Arabians as well as National Hunt,” said Le Roy.

“At Auctav, I see myself as the one who must provide solutions and facilitate connections between producers and breeders on one side and future investors, developers, and buyers on the other.”

Arnaud Angéliaume, CEO of Auctav, added, “I am delighted with Vincent Le Roy's arrival in the Auctav team. We have common values. His diverse experiences make him a versatile polyglot with cross-cutting expertise in all horse races. I am confident that our current and future clients will also be won over by Vincent's enthusiasm and professionalism.”

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Newgrange Eyes Dubai World Cup After San Pasqual Win

Newgrange (Violence) was doing well the morning after successfully defending his title in Saturday's GII San Pasqual Stakes and becoming racing's newest millionaire, according to his trainer, Phil D'Amato.

“He came out of the race in great shape,” said D'Amato, who collected his fifth stakes win at the Classic Meet to lead all trainers.

Ridden for the first time Saturday by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, Newgrange broke on top and was never headed to score by a length as the 2-1 second choice. Newgate (Into Mischief), the 8-5 favorite for Bob Baffert, stalked Newgrange throughout the 1 1/8-mile dirt test but could not get to the winner. He checked in second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 11-1 longshot Mixto for trainer Doug O'Neill.

D'Amato offered praise to both his horse and rider for the performance. Espinoza rationed Newgrange through fractions of 23.27, 47.55 and 1:12.10 before crossing the wire in 1:49.26. The effort earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form's Brad Free.

“They controlled the pace and didn't look back,” D'Amato said. “You have to give Victor credit for getting good position, setting the right pace and having enough left.”

For 51-year-old Espinoza, who swept the 2015 Triple Crown with American Pharoah, the win was the 3,509^th of his career. It was just his second graded stakes win since 2022. Last year, Espinoza's lone graded-stakes tally came in the GII John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita with Balladeer for trainer George Papaprodromou.

As for Newgrange, a trip to the Middle East could be in the near future. D'Amato said it's possible they take a shot in the GI, $12 million Dubai World Cup at 1 ¼ miles on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse.

“Judging by what the owners were saying yesterday, I think that's what they are leaning towards,” D'Amato said. “But it's still a long way between now and the end of March.”
Newgrange is a 5-year-old Violence full horse owned by David Bernsen, Little Red Feather Racing and Rockingham Ranch. With the fifth graded stakes win of his career, he upped his record to 7-0-4 in 13 starts with $1,007,634 in earnings.

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