12 Questions | Horse Racing Free Tips

12 Questions: Padraic Gahan

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

With Helen Markham a few miles from home in Grangecon, County Wicklow. I was only 14, but learned many lessons about horses and humans over the course of four years.

Biggest influence on your career?

That would be my father. He has been my sounding board for advice on Thoroughbreds and my life in the industry.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

Kauto Star. He was the horse that gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling about this as a sport.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I will go with Blue Point. He appears to have covered sufficient mares, and sufficient quality mares, to do it and they seem to have found themselves in good hands. The ones that I encountered had a toughness to them.

Greatest race in the world?

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day, who would it be, and why?

Probably one of my longest friends Jerry Horan. Because you would be guaranteed to have a story to tell after the day!

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

There are too many to name. It is a fantastic time for young people who are making their mark in all facets of the industry. Some of them are not seen at the races or at the sales; they are in the stables or on the studs. I work with some of them at Baroda Stud.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Bayside Boy. He also embarks on his stud career at Ballylinch Stud in 2023.

Under-the-radar stallion?

I think that Due Diligence punches above his weight and has his best crop of 2-year-olds to represent him next year.

Friday night treat?

A pint of Guinness.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Going to a rugby match or playing 18 holes.

Race I wish I'd been there for?

I have had some brilliant days racing with colleagues and friends but a recent one was when Imaginarium, who I bred, won a Curragh maiden in October.

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12 Questions With Arqana’s Thomas Leffray

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry?

I did an internship at Haras de Montaigu about 10 years ago during my school holidays.

The biggest influence on your career?

I have always had the chance to work for great people all over the world that always pushed me to go forward in the industry. Ballylinch Stud has been one of them. I learned everything there, about horses and all industry. They gave me every opportunity to learn.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

It must be Allaho. For a tiny family breeding operation, he is an impossible dream coming true, he has changed our lives.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I think Calyx could do well. He is the first son of Kingman to stand at stud and he was an impressive winner of the Coventry S. He comes from a very good Juddmonte family and is closely related to the champion Native Trail.

Greatest race in the world?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is incredible for anyone who loves National Hunt racing. Nothing compares to the Cheltenham Festival.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

The master Willie Mullins. I would like to understand all the things he has to think about in a day, but also watch all those champions working at Closutton.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Mark Byrne, the nicest and most interesting young talent. Always smiling and good fun.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

The G1 Fillies Mile winner Commissioning. She won impressively first time out and has the pedigree to go on next year.

Under-the-radar stallion?

A french National Hunt stallion call Karaktar. He is the sire of the unbeaten 4-year-old hurdler in France Il Est Français from his first crop.

Friday night treat?

During winter I always enjoy a nice cheese board with a strong red wine in front of a nice fire.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

Rugby, I started it not that long ago, but I really enjoy the atmosphere. I am getting ready for World Cup in France.

Race I wish I had been there for…?

The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. That was some battle between Long Run, Kauto Star and Denman.

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12 Questions: Kevin Blake

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

Working a breeze-up season with Con Marnane in Bansha House when I was 18. It wasn't my first rodeo there though, as I had learned how to ride on ponies up in Con's (before he became the King) when I was a child.

Biggest influence on your career?

Naming one individual would be tough as I've had a bunch of editors, colleagues, and friends from when I started in racing up to the present day that have been a huge help. It probably sounds a bit odd but opening a Twitter account 12 or so years ago turned out to be a very important decision for me. Since then, the vast majority of the work I do has been posted on there to be scrutinised and analysed by what is a very informed audience, many of whom specialise in very specific areas of the sport/industry and can offer a very high level of comment. The criticism and feedback I've got over the years has been a big factor in driving my standards forward. Every day is a learning day in this game.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

The obvious answer is Frankel, as I'll be surprised if I ever see a horse that approaches his greatness in my lifetime. More personally, I have a mare here called Midnight Oasis that was bought very cheaply and delivered a series of very important results in the sales ring and on the track that allowed me to expand my breeding operation. She'll always be very special here.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I'm much happier evaluating racecourse performance than engaging in First-Season Sire Bingo, but I had a couple of Ten Sovereigns's colts through my hands and saw as many of them as I could in the last year. An awful lot of them have very good hind legs, plenty of action and the ones I dealt with had notably good minds.

Greatest race in the world?

The Derby has still got a hold on me. Perversely, I think the passing of the great Galileo might well lead to the most exciting and competitive middle-distance scene for quite some time in the years ahead.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day, who would it be, and why?

Any jockey with a fancied ride in the Grand National would be a fair day to experience, win or lose.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

I don't really like talking up young jockeys as making the transition from promising apprentice to top-class jockey is really difficult, but I have a great amount of belief in Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Al Riffa. Considering how rangy he is, I thought what he did last season in winning the National S. in such style off the back of a maiden win was genuinely remarkable. He could be special, and I don't say that lightly.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Coulsty.

Friday night treat?

Dominos and Dundalk!

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

True crime podcasts and long runs.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

State of Rest winning the Cox Plate, as none of us could travel due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time. No horse has ever been made to jump through as many invasive veterinary requirements and logistical hoops to be allowed a run in a Group 1 as he had to in the months leading up to it. For him to go down there and beat the best in Australia after all that was just incredible. The stewards' inquiry threatened to take it from him, and it was as close to a 50/50 decision as you'll see, but I'd say the whole of Tipperary heard the roar when the result was announced as unaltered!

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12 Questions: Jess Stafford

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

Working for Thurloe Thoroughbreds, assisting at the sales. My first job is still a current one!

Biggest influence on your career?

My dad–he's taught me everything I know whilst encouraging me to take my own route in the industry.

Clare Balding was a big inspiration growing up. I was obsessed with her presenting style from an early age.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

Enable on the Flat–she danced every dance; she harnessed a global following, and she was trained impeccably by an absolute genius. Plus, her win over Crystal Ocean in the King George goes down as a race of a lifetime for me.

Hurricane Fly over jumps. I followed him throughout my university years while I was in Ireland. He was electric over a hurdle and watching him and Ruby Walsh at their best was spine tingling.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I was a big fan of Soldier's Call as a racehorse, and I loved his progeny at the sales. Sadly, we didn't get to buy one, but I think they will be precocious and hardy like his sire who would run through a brick wall for Archie Watson, especially at two.

Greatest race in the world?

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Everyone worldwide wants to win it and normally the best horse in the world does–as this year proved.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day, who would it be, and why?

Ryan Moore. To ride like him and see what he sees every day would be fascinating. He famously doesn't do many interviews so knowing what really goes on from his perspective would be a real treat.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Billy Loughnane. Four wins in a week last week (early December) and rides beyond his years. Speaks very well too with a lot of enthusiasm which is a joy for me as a presenter.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Mostabshir.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Triple Threat, a young National Hunt sire based in France. He is a son of Monsun who has had a handful of runners in UK/Ireland but the ones we have seen have been good. Willie Mullins bought a 4-year-old of his for €120,000 at a recent Arqana Sale for Rich Ricci called Mister Policeman.

Friday night treat?

A pint of Guinness in a cosy pub.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Watching Gogglebox on catch up on a Sunday evening.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

Shishkin v Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot this year. It was jaw-dropping. I was working not too far away from Ascot and could feel the atmosphere from where I was watching on a small TV.

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