Record Clearance, As Ulysses Mare Tops Tattersalls Online

The winning mare Julia Augusta (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) (lot 15) topped the Tattersalls Online April Sale when selling to Jimmy Chua for 72,000gns on Wednesday during a sale noted for its record clearance of 76%.

Offered by Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables, the 5-year-old mare has won twice–once each on turf and the all-weather–and was fourth in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton last Saturday. From the family of Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}), she is out of a half-sister to the dam of GIII Chicago S. winner Abby Hatcher (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).

A yearling filly by Mehmas (Ire) (lot 55) came in second on the buyers' sheet when making 45,000gns on the bid of Kingthorn Racing. A half-sister to the G2 Superlative S. and GIII Quick Call S. third Neverland Rock (GB) (No Nay Never), the Baroda Stud-consigned bay is a granddaughter of multiple group winner Jessica's Dream (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Jean Prat hero and Group 1 sire Havana Gold (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).

Another two lots cleared 25,000gns–a yearling son of Admire Moon (Jpn) (lot 58), also from Baroda Stud, caught the eye of R T Goodes at 35,000gns. Rounding out the top four was Laafy (Noble Mission {GB}) (lot 17), who was consigned by Whitewall Stables and brought 27,000gns from Brian Ellison.

Padraic Gahan of Baroda Stud, which was the leading vendor at the sale with 13 yearlings sold of 13 offered, said, “We are pleased with our consignment at the Tattersalls Online April Sale. It is great that all 13 of our yearlings sold and we would like to wish their purchasers luck with them be that for re-offering in the Autumn, at the breeze-up sales or on the racecourse. Particular thanks to the teams at Castlebridge, Castlehyde Stud and Ecurie des Monceaux for their assistance in bringing these to the market.”

Of the 62 horses offered, 47 were marked as sold for a gross of 427,100gns. The median was 4,200gns and the average was 9,087gns.

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No Racing Background To Top Breeder And Pinhooker – Q&A With Hanshen Tham 

Hanshen Tham has become one of the most recognisable faces on the bloodstock circuit in Britain and Ireland but that's not to say that many people know a lot about the owner-breeder and pinhooker. Instead, Tham prefers to go about his business quietly. 

This year was a big one for the 34-year-old. His family enjoyed its greatest success on a racecourse when homebred Thornbrook landed a listed contest in France for Joseph O'Brien.

Not long afterwards, the Tham family enjoyed its biggest day in the ring when a Night Of Thunder half-sister to Thornbook, out of their top producer Lillebonne, sold for a whopping 500,000gns at Book 1 at Tattersalls. 

Despite no racing background, Tham has cut his teeth from working with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to developing a quality broodmare band. He has also embarked on pinhooking foals recently and added a €210,000 Night Of Thunder colt to the books at Goffs last week.

Good horses are what drives the native of Malaysia who, having studied Computer Science at University, adopts a mathematical approach to his racing and breeding endeavors without limiting himself to it.

In this week's Q&A, Tham sat down with Brian Sheerin at Park Paddocks where he explained how he became hooked on bloodstock, his approach to the December Foal Sale and much more. 

What's your background in the game?

I was just your regular student who loved to punt on horses. I got into the sport that way and have no background in horses. When I was at University, instead of studying for my final exams in Computer Science, I was punting on Cheltenham. I would have been a casual follower of the sport at that time but, the more racing I watched, the more fascinated I became. I thought, 'I really have to try and get into the industry somehow.' But, definitely, it was from punting on racing that the passion developed. 

Was there any particular horse responsible for developing that passion?

I am 34 now, so I wouldn't have been that young at the time, but Frankel (GB) was the first wow horse for me. I never really thought about pedigrees much until he came along. After Frankel, I became very interested in why certain horses are better than others. 

Were you a serious punter?

Yes, I started to get into it quite seriously. I approached races from a mathematical point of view and loved the puzzle of working out races. I have an analytical mind-as I said, I studied Computer Science and I also spent some time in real estate-and still like the punting side of things. But, the pinhooking and breeding has probably taken over. 

The breeding and pinhooking is another form of punting, isn't it?

It's all part of the problem solving aspect of racing that my mind has always been fascinated with. We have eight or nine broodmares in Ireland with some good friends of ours, Peter and Carol Henley, and we try to adopt a quality over quantity approach. Peter and Carol are based in Kildare and are very good breeders. They produce very good racehorses and we're delighted to have teamed up with them. 

How has your broodmare band and racing interests developed? You and your Dad have gone from owning fun handicappers like T For Tango, Our Manekineko and My Manekineko to winning listed races and breeding big-ticket lots at some of the premier sales.

My Dad [Terry] liked punting as well. He used to work in England in the seventies and eighties and would always tell me about Grundy and Bustino. We're originally from Malaysia but Dad got introduced to horses originally through punting and walking in and out of the bookies. Dad took me to a lot of race meetings when I was younger. So, our interest started out as a bit of fun and, even up until recently, it has been that way. Our family business is property. My Dad obviously wanted me to go into that but I was too contrary and wanted to have a career in horse racing. My older brother and older sister are helping him out with the property business and I'm helping him to waste money on horses! I've gone a different path and, while my family took some convincing initially, it's been going okay in the past number of years so hopefully that will continue. 

Doing okay might be an understatement. While people might not know a lot about you, they are probably aware of Thornbrook (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who is the latest high-class performer that your mare, Lillebonne (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), has produced. 

Thornbrook has won her listed race but we do think she is capable of winning Group races next year, which is why she will stay in training. The whole story with the mare is just incredible. We've had successes with pinhooks and things like that but nothing quite like Lillebonne. 

How did you get into the family?

I am very good friends with trainer James Nash in Ireland. He has introduced me to a lot of good people in the industry, including Peter Henley. A lot of people I have met at the sales and in racing, they have been through James's connections. Peter is a very nice guy and I always liked the stock he produced-they all had good bone and looked like proper racehorses. I can remember he wouldn't shut up about this big Mehmas (Ire) colt he had going to Goffs one year. He was telling me for weeks and weeks that I needed to buy this horse. He turned out to be Magnanimous (Ire), who we bought for €50,000, and put into training with Joseph O'Brien. We got him sold for over €500,000 to Hong Kong where he has turned out to be a brilliant horse. After that, I bought into Lillebonne, and she has done it every year since, which is pretty incredible.

She has an excellent track record.

It's not normal. She has produced Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Thornbrook, Magnanimous and, funnily enough, Micro Manage (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who was probably the most talented of them all.  He had Group level talent but was very hard to keep sound. Seisai was sold to Lane's End last year and I understand she is going to visit Flightline, which is exciting. Then there was the Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly, who we sold for 500,000gns through Baroda Stud here at Book 1. That was another brilliant result with the mare. 

Where does that rank in terms of achievements in the sport?

It's by far the best result we've had. We got a touch out of Magnanimous but it was special to share the success with the Henleys at Book 1. Full credit has to go to them because Carol sourced the mare for 40,000gns here in 2013. Carol is an excellent judge of a mare and I have learned a lot from her. 

And how did the link with Joseph come about? 

We got a horse for my Dad, Uncle Henry, who was a pretty average jumper but we got to know Joseph through that and we got on very well with him. Joseph is young but is very intelligent, driven and is an incredible horseman. I wouldn't describe myself as a horseman but I can ask Joseph anything and he will help me. I rely on the best horsemen I know and surround myself with the best people who know what they are doing. 

You might not label yourself as a horseman but plenty of people have described you as a good judge. How have you gone from having no background in the game to breeding and pinhooking to a high level?

One of the first agents I followed was a guy called Justin Bahen. I got to know him through James Nash and he mainly works the horses-in-training sales for the Hong Kong market. I can remember being green as grass with Justin. I know I was not a good student but I still follow a lot of the stuff he did and adopt similar processes to how he shortlists horses, what to look for and what not to look for. He was quite particular and I'd say I am quite particular as well. But the key was just getting out there and looking at as many horses as I could. I'd go to every sale and look at every horse I could. Over time, you pick it up. It's only recently that I became confident in my own abilities to judge a horse.

That's handy because you spent €210,000 on a Night Of Thunder colt last week at Goffs!

The main focus is breeding but I want to supplement that with pinhooking and will aim to buy a couple of foals each year. It's funny, the first sale I ever went to was at Goffs and I went around with Bobby O'Ryan. I can remember it was the time of No Nay Never's first foal crop and I liked a filly by him. I bought her with Bobby and that was my first pinhook. 

And did you turn a profit?

No, but she was a Group 2 winner. Her name was Nay Lady Nay (Ire) and she won four times for Chad Brown. Her full-brother Arizona (Ire) came out the following year and she ended up selling for $1.7 million. It's a mad game. 

Will you try and buy another foal here at Tattersalls?

I'll be trying but it won't be easy. I tried on a few on Wednesday but got outbid. I'll try again on Friday and have plenty on the list. The market is very sire dominated. You need to be by the right sire-Havana Grey (GB), Blue Point (Ire), Pinatubo (Ire), Night Of Thunder, that kind of thing. It's very sire focussed and I need to factor that into my pinhooking. Everything by the big sires will make a little more than it should. The yearling market was tricky enough this year and, apart from the Night Of Thunder filly, we had a pretty average year. 

With all of that in mind, how will you approach the next few months in terms of doing up mating plans for your mares?

Lillebonne needs a good cover but we don't go too high on the sires. She is in foal to Saxon Warrior, so we'll have a sibling to Thornbrook, but we don't like to stretch ourselves. We've a few nice mares coming through who, hopefully, will be the next Lillebonne. We'll see. There's a lovely mare there called Statuesque (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who we bought off Cheveley Park here in 2019 for 52,000gns. She has been producing really good stock. We bought her in foal to Le Havre (Ire), who turned out to be Beechwood (Ire). She won her maiden for John O'Donoghue and looks a promising filly. Statuesque has a really nice Space Blues (Ire) filly who is probably the best foal on our farm. We'd give her a good shot. 

You say you approach everything with an analytical mindset but how do you apply mathematics to breeding horses?

It's all probability, isn't it? You have a good sire and a good dam, you've got a good chance. But, anyone who works solely on stats, the proper horsemen will just run rings around them. You need to understand where you are looking. It's good to have things in the background about certain sires and statistics can be good at times but nothing is more important than looking at the physical attributes of a horse.

Given numbers are your forte, how have you viewed the market in recent times?

The domestic market is a bit of an issue. The health of the industry over here is a big worry. Take for example the Night Of Thunder filly we sold at Book 1, almost all of the vets were on behalf of American buyers. Very few trainers in Britain and Ireland had orders and that can't be healthy because the racing product is going to suffer. There are some very good trainers in Britain and they don't seem to have orders. Obviously, I am a racing fan, and I think racing in Britain and Ireland is the most entertaining. I live in London and never miss Royal Ascot and go to Sandown quite regularly as well. Prize-money is a big problem and, if the talent drain continues for another 10 years, we're going to weaken the product quite significantly. It's turning into an exporting business. Book 1 is the best of the best over here in England but the majority of the big horses were being sold abroad. That has to be a big worry. We still have amazing stallions and brilliant owner-breeders over here so that's the positives. 

And what are your own aims going forward?

To be involved in good horses. Like everyone, I'd love to be involved in a Group 1 horse. It might take a long time but that's the aim. I just want to be involved in good horses, be that buying them or selling them. My Dad supports me and, as I said, it took a long time to convince him about the idea. We buy nice fillies and race them with Joseph. If they're good enough, they feed into the broodmare band, and the hope is that we keep on breeding nice horses. There are some very good breeders around, the likes of Lodge Park Stud, Ballyphilip Stud, those kinds of guys are people to look up to. I just try to emulate those guys. We've a lot of good people helping us out so hopefully one day it happens. This is a great game, full of interesting people and some fascinating characters. I don't know how I got down this road but I am hooked. It's one big puzzle and I love it. 

 

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‘It’s Almost Like Dancing,’ – Top Consignors On The Art Of Showing

Jamie Railton and Charles Brière, two of the leading consignors in Europe, have spoken out about the difficulties in attracting sales staff and agreed that a good show person was just about the most important aspect when it comes to maximising a horse's value in the ring. 

The short supply of staff entering the racing and bloodstock industries in Europe has been described by many key stakeholders in recent years as a crisis and Railton and Brière admitted that the lack of new faces getting involved in the game is a worry. 

However, Railton said that earning a good wage whilst travelling the world and working hands-on with thoroughbreds is something that needs to be showcased more in an effort to attract prospective talent and said he'd 'be thrilled' if one of his kids decided to one day work the sales circuit. 

He said, “Finding new people is the hardest thing. There aren't too many new people coming onto the scene. I'm sure we could source more people from the showing scene. This is a great career and provides people an opportunity to travel the world and meet a huge variety of different people. It's something I would encourage any person coming into the business to give a go because it is an avenue that not many people know that much about.”

Railton added, “It is very exciting working up close with a very special animal. We sell horses of all different varieties, from foals right up to horses who have raced on the track, so there is nothing dull or boring about it. Every day is different and that makes the job very interesting. You can travel the world with these magnificent animals. I mean, how much fun is that? If one of my own kids said they wanted to do it, I'd be thrilled.”

Constance Vincent: has spoken positively about her experiences as a show person

The freelance nature to the sales work was put forward as a possible deterrent for more young people getting into the profession by well-known sales person Constance Vincent. Currently based with Baroda Stud in Ireland for the yearling prep, the French native has worked for some of the top training operations and sales consignments in the business. 

The 25-year-old has said the experiences she has gained in the handling of young thoroughbreds whilst working for some of the major consignors and the contacts made on the sales circuit is standing her in good stead with a view towards her long-term goal of becoming a breeze-up trainer.

Vincent said, “I always dreamed of becoming a trainer, but when I did the yearling sales with Monceaux in 2019, I realised how attractive and exciting working the sales circuit is, and how much buzz you get from selling a horse. You work very hard, it's non-stop all day long. It is tough both physically and mentally because you have to give the best show possible whether you feel fresh at 8am or tired at 6pm. At the end of each day, we all look at our phone to see how many miles we walked in a day. Funny enough, the more miles you do, the prouder you are! The reward of taking the horse you have been looking after for the week through the ring makes this work addictive. 

“There is a great atmosphere at the sales, you have 'craic' with people you work with and, if you have a tricky horse, someone comes around to help you straight away. There is great goodwill and camaraderie on the sales circuit. I also found that the buyers are very considerate about the work you are putting in for them. They never look down on you and are always very polite. Recognition is crucial in this game to keep everyone happy and to make you want to challenge yourself by pushing your own limits.”

She added, “My dream is to have my own breeze-up operation and I have learned so much working with young horses at the sales from many great people and that will be a major help for when I decide to set up my own business. At the sales, you are surrounded by proper horsemen and women and you learn hugely from them. If you are with the right people and you are willing to learn and take your time, the sales trip is a massive plus for young people.”

A graduate of the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud, Vincent spent last winter working with renowned breeze-up handlers Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables and is set to work at the American breeze-ups in October for Niall Brennan. Working the sales season has proved a cost effective way for the young operator to gain experience before setting up by herself.

She explained, “Basically, I wanted to learn about how to buy yearlings but also how to gain horsemanship skills. And so the sales circuit was a great opportunity to do so because it is so flexible and easy to find work, you can decide which sales you will be earning money and gaining hands-on skills, and which sales you can go on your own cost and follow a bloodstock agent.

“The freelance nature of working at the sales may not appeal to a lot of young people who want security and that may be one of the reasons why more new people are not getting involved. But I can only speak from my own experiences and say that working at the sales has been a hugely positive thing for me and I would recommend it for any person who wants to gain experience and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Charles Briere | Tattersalls

Brière set up his successful Fairway Consignment operation in France back in 2015 after cutting his teeth working for such powerhouses as Coolmore, Aidan O'Brien, Bill Dwan of Castlebridge and Peter O'Callaghan at Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky. 

The French man compared showing horses to riding and even dancing in terms of the level of skill required and, while he described his Fairway Consignment to be in decent shape with regards to staff ahead of the busy yearling sale period this year, he admitted that recruiting employees in recent times has been a major headache. 

He said, “This year we have been lucky as we are okay for staff but for the previous few years, we found it very difficult to get staff on the farm for prepping the horses. We have one person on the team this year who is a complete novice, they never worked with thoroughbreds before in their life, but sometimes I find employing these people easier as they have no bad habits. Like I said, we are not in bad shape this year, but last year was very difficult.”

On what makes a good show person, he added, “Light hands, patience and a natural feeling. I would compare the art of showing horses to riding them. You need to have a feel for the horse, to know whether to walk slower or faster, and to show it to best effect. It's as difficult to ride a horse than it is to show a horse properly. You can teach the basics but, after that, it's like riding and it can take years to become a very good show person. Some people are just natural and they have a very good feeling. It's almost like dancing. Some are just better than others.”

Like Brière, Railton put forward light hands as one of the most desired characteristics when it comes to sales staff, and said that he is one of the more demanding consignors when it comes to how he likes his horses presented. 

He explained, “We would be a lot fussier than most when it comes to employing show people at the sales. We would expect a higher level than most people would, I think that's fair to say. We absolutely cherish and appreciate our staff and the difference between good show people and bad show people is night and day.

“It's all about having good sympathetic hands. Most of our good show people have come from the showing world and that's not a coincidence. Everyone has a different list of priorities but for me, good staff is right up there with being one of the most important aspects of the sale season.”

He added, “But when the numbers get very big, it can be hard to maintain standards but that does not mean you shouldn't try. That's the way I look at it. Yes, the numbers can get very big and sometimes you need to call upon staff that you don't really know that well but you still have to try and maintain standards and we really do focus on that. Before every sale, I talk with new members to explain what standards are expected from them.”

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Order Of Australia One Of The Highlights Of The Tattersalls July Sale Catalogue

The 961-strong Tattersalls July Sale catalogue, featuring GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), is now online. Set for July 11-14, the catalogue is divided between 947 horses and fillies in/out of training and 114 broodmares, six of which have foals at foot.

Consigned as lot 236 as part of The Castlebridge Consignment, the 6-year-old entire is a half-brother to multiple Group/Grade 1 winners Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

Large drafts from Cheveley Park Stud, Godolphin, Juddmonte, and Shadwell–with the latter consigning through Barton Sales–have 108 lots between them. Of the broodmare portion of the sale, the 114 lots are in foal to a variety of sires like Churchill (Ire), Cracksman (GB), Dandy Man (Ire), Dream Ahead, Kodiac (GB), Mehmas (Ire), Nathaniel (Ire), Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Sea the Moon (Ger), Showcasing (GB), Sir Percy (GB), Starspangledbanner (Aus), Teofilo (Ire) and Wootton Bassett (GB).

Godolphin's 59 lots are led by G1 Fillies' Mile winner White Moonstone (Dynaformer) (lot 154) in foal to Teofilo (Ire); Shadwell's Qaafeya (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 193), herself a daughter of Tanaghum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), dam of Group 1 winner Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass) and five further group/listed performers including G2 Dante S. hero The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) is in foal to Ghaiyyath (Ire); while Juddmonte consigns  Source (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 782), a full-sister to Grade I-placed Masen (GB) out of a daughter of dual Grade I winner Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) as one of their 18 lots. Cheveley Park offers Sylvia Beach (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) (lot 178) a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Advertise (GB) in foal to his sire Showcasing (GB).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls July Sale has an extraordinary record not only for producing high-class horses in training, but also broodmares of the very highest quality on the international stage. The dam of leading Australian 3-year-old filly Amelia's Jewel (Aus) (Siyouni {Fr}) is the latest example of the quality to be found at the sale, and this year's Tattersalls July catalogue features the usual compelling combination of well-bred fillies and in foal mares, high-class horses in training and significant consignments from leading owner-breeders, all of which look set to attract plenty of interest from domestic and international buyers alike.”

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