Anyone who has been to a flagship race meeting in Britain will attest to the fact that the atmosphere is every bit as electric as the world-class action on the track. Indeed, much of the appeal of having a racehorse in training in Britain is rooted in the raceday experience, as well as the luxury lifestyle that racehorse ownership in Britain can unlock.
This year, as the world opens up again to full international travel and as racecourses up and down the land celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the lure of Britain's flat racing festivals has never been greater.
Ahead of this year's European breeze up season, we review why Britain's appeal as a country in which to buy, raise and race turf Thoroughbreds endures, and how Great British Racing International – British racing's not-for-profit service provider that helps international parties to navigate the industry's networks – can help you to get your British racing venture off the ground.
Britain's bloodstock auction houses are devoted to finding the champions of the future. In 2021, it was the 2-year-old sales in Newmarket and Doncaster in the spring that produced the season's most successful juveniles.
The breeze up sale season's curtain raiser takes place, appropriately, at the home of horse racing, with buyers flocking to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the Craven Sale, in search of exceptional turf pedigrees.
It was at this sale 12 months ago that Godolphin sourced their still unbeaten European two-year-old Champion, Native Trail.
Notably, Native Trail went on to land an additional £125,000 (US$164,429) in bonus prize money for winning his first of two Group 1s, courtesy of the inaugural £250,000 (US$328,839) Tattersalls Craven Royal Ascot/Group 1 Bonus scheme. Once again in 2022, Tattersalls are offering the generous bonus – £125,000 (US$164,429) to the first winner of one of six juvenile races at Royal Ascot and £125,000 (US$164,429) to the winner of any of the 15 Group 1 races open to two-year-olds in Europe. Further to this, all Craven graduates are eligible for the widely acclaimed £15,000 (US$19,645) Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up bonus.
This year, Craven Sale lots will breeze on the morning of Monday, April 11 on the watered gallop at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse and will go through the sale ring from 5:30 p.m. on April 12-13, after racing has concluded.
The second must-attend 2-year-old sale in Britain is the Goffs UK Breeze Up Sale, which will take place April 19-21 in Doncaster. The breeze will take place on the 19th, inspections on the 20th and the sale of 186 cataloged lots on the 21st.
This sale positions itself as the Royal Ascot Breeze Up Sale – and justifiably so. It is on a roll, having produced six Royal Ascot winners in the last six years. The latest acclaimed graduate, the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes winner Perfect Power, cost just £110,000 (US$144,028) and went on to land two Group 1 contests later in the season, cementing his reputation as one of the world's leading turf juveniles.
“If you are in the racing game for the love of the sport, Royal Ascot is one of those events that you only hope you can have a horse run at,” said David Bernsen, who co-campaigned the globetrotting champion Stormy Liberal.
With Royal Ascot on the horizon and the aforementioned domestic sales bonuses to be won – not to mention the lucrative Great British Bonus pay-outs – it is easy to see why many internationals opt to place their breeze up purchases in training in Britain with trainers who hold a deep understanding of the widely coveted turf bloodlines that dominate the European sales.
If you are interested in seeing your colors carried to victory on one of Britain's historic racecourses, Great British Racing International (GBRI) can support you on your journey. Offering a 360-degree service from initial interest to ongoing support, GBRI will provide you with a tailored concierge service, unparalleled knowledge, industry introductions, behind the scenes and luxury lifestyle experiences, and race day experiences will meet your every need.
To find out more about sales and trainers in Britain, as well as what the GBRI team can do to help you, visit greatbritishracinginternational.com or contact Amanda Prior, Client Relations Manager, on aprior@greatbritishracing.com.
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