Breeder, consignor and pinhooker Ronan Burns of Herbertstown House Stud is first up in our series of mild interrogations to start the new year.
What are your goals for 2024?
To jump out of bed keen and excited every day.
Give us a horse to follow…
Zaphod (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}).
And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…
George Connolly.
Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024?
Earthlight (Ire).
And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France?
Not much value this year: Awtaad (Ire), Harry Angel (Ire), Galiway (GB).
Your best buy of 2023?
We'll see in a few years…Irish Rookie (Ire).
The best yearling/weanling you saw at the 2023 sales (that someone else bought)?
Of what I saw I'll be excited to see the Kingman (GB) half-brother to Dragon Symbol (GB) on the racecourse in a couple of years.
Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred?
Galileo (Ire) in the early 2000s.
Your biggest professional regret?
Not listening to my gut (and my wife) and selling Libertarian (GB) for a big loss rather than racing him (he was then sold privately in training for a life-changing amount). Always trust your gut!
If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
Rory Mahon, just to be able to wander through the fields of Juddmonte weanlings everyday and spot the next potential superstar(s).
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