Proudest moment of 2023?
Catherine Of Siena (Ire) (U S Navy Flag), who we bought for £13,000 as a yearling, earning black-type.

What is your biggest ambition for the New Year?
More winners and happy clients.

Give us one horse to follow and why?
Bladon (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). He ran eye-catchingly for Atomic Racing and Kevin Coleman in a Killarney over a mile and was sold to Joseph O'Brien and OTI Racing after that. He looks like a nice prospect for connections this year.

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

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year? 
Earthlight (Ire).

And the best value stallion in Europe?
Golden Horn (GB).

What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?
I mostly buy yearlings so I'll tell you this time next year! I was underbidder to Anthony Bromley on a Tasleet (GB) filly out of Rapid Recruit (Ire) at Doncaster and she is one I may wish I had bought come Royal Ascot.

Biggest regret?
There are always horses where you will be underbidder which go on to do well but I'm not one to have regrets–hindsight is a great thing!

Biggest influence on your career?
Demi O'Byrne. I wouldn't be doing what I am today if it wasn't for his guidance and the knowledge I have gained from him and continue to do so.

If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
John Magnier, Vincent O'Brien and Robert Sangster. Their knowledge and business acumen on every facet of the industry would make for fascinating listening.

The post In The Hot Seat: Sean Grassick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Echo Zulu winning the GI Ballerina S. She put on an impressive performance. I've always been a fan of hers. She's a hell of a horse. Exceptionally fast and a generational defining talent.
–Clay Scherer, Bloodstock Agent

The post What Was Your Favorite Moment Of 2023: Clay Scherer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

From what Elliott describes as a potential Melbourne Cup horse in Balance Play (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to the rapidly-progressive He's A Monster (Ire) (No Nay Never), Imperium Sales has the potential to make its debut draft a memorable one. 

In many ways, Elliott offering horses on behalf of existing clients will represent a new phenomenon at Tattersalls this week, but he explained how the same idea has been replicated with great success in America and beyond.

He said, “It's something that I have seen Bradley Weisbord and Liz Crow do successfully in America. They've got Elite Sales over there where they buy the horses, manage them and then sell them on behalf of their clients.”

Elliott added, “We have bought 85 yearlings on behalf of various different clients this year so why wouldn't we offer them the facility to see the process the whole way through for them? 

“It's something of a new thing over here but you've got Jacob West, probably the biggest yearling buyer in America, and he has Highgate Sales [along with Jill Gordon], while Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock is involved in Capucines. It's just another service that we can provide to our clients and a lot of them were keen for us to do it.”

Balance Play: one of the star attractions in the Imperium draft | Racingfotos.com

In an ideal world, horses with the ability of Balance Play and He's A Monster would not be going under the hammer this week. A lack of meaningful pots for horses rated 90 and above to aim for means that horses of this ilk are a far more valuable commodity to the international market than to keep in training in these shores. That's the simple fact of the matter at present and nobody is more aware of the situation than Elliott, who has been trading under his own name since 2014.

He explained, “We're offering 14 horses this week. Some of the horses we offer on Tuesday evening you wouldn't normally want to be selling those. But that's the way it is with my clients buying so many yearlings, they have to move some on. 

“Because we are racing around for little or no prize-money, the value is in the commodity, and you've got to look after that commodity. That's what I try to educate my clients about all the time.
“There is a time in a horse's life where he is worth more to the foreign market than he is to keep running here in Britain. That is the case with our entire draft, really. We will be sad to see them gone. I know our trainers will certainly be sad to see them gone. They've been with great caretakers-Ralph Beckett, Clive Cox and Archie Watson-and the horses will arrive at the sales in great shape and will do someone serious service.”

Elliott continued, “But they don't all have to be sold and, Balance Play, for example, will have an entry for the St Simon Stakes at Newbury the week after the sale. It's blue skies ahead for a horse like Balance Play. On one hand, we'd love to keep him but on the other, how do you hold on to a horse like that who could be running around for hundreds of thousands of pounds abroad whereas they are competing for a fraction of that in Britain? 

“As John Gosden said, we have become a nursery for the rest of world racing and if you own a three-year-old gelding who boasts a rating of 101 like Balance Play does, now is the time where he is at his maximum value to sell to the other jurisdictions around the world where he can potentially earn a lot of money. Balance Play could be a Melbourne Cup horse. But, as I said, buying so many yearlings for our clients, we've got to keep the conveyor belt going.”

Balance Play will form part of what promises to be a helter-skelter Tuesday for Elliott's Imperium Sales with 11 horses going through the ring. The classy He's A Monster and similarly progressive three-year-olds Bear On The Loose (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Just Bring It (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) also take to the stage on Tuesday with Elliott quietly optimistic that the market will react kindly to his offerings. 

“As I said with Balance Play, do we keep him here to run in a 20-runner November Handicap for thirty grand or do we sell him to a place where he will be running for a lot more money? He's a May foal and his best days are ahead of him. His numbers have improved run after run and he was very impressive last time at Newbury. He's very good over ten furlongs but he is bred to stay twelve-plus. He could be a Cup horse here next year or he could be a Cup horse abroad. Who knows?”

Elliott added, “Bear On The Loose is Timeform 103 and officially rated 93. He was a one-hundred-grand yearling and is three from five and very progressive. He's a half-brother to a black-type hurdler in Warnaq (Ire) and he hit the line strong over a-mile-and-a-quarter on his last start. He's very unexposed and has been very well cared for by Kevin Philippart De Foy. He's a horse I'd highly recommend. 

“He's A Monster is Timeform 113 and officially rated 104. He's five from nine and his last run was his best run where he demolished a competitive handicap field at Chelmsford off 99. He loves fast ground and the synthetic surface and is a beautiful horse. The only time he let us down was when we ran him on soft ground. He could go on to be anything. 

“Then we have Just Bring It, who has won his last two for Clive Cox. He's Timeform 99 and is officially rated 94. He's a rapidly-improving horse and, again, who do we keep an improving three-year-old running around for twenty grand? 

“He will love a mile on fast ground and, being out of a Pour Moi (Ire) mare, he'll probably get a-mile-and-a-quarter somewhere. He's an attractive horse. Overall, it's a very exciting bunch.”

It says something about Elliott's hunger that, in a year in which he bought his greatest number of yearlings and was once again thrust into the spotlight on Saturday through King Of Steel, a horse of whom he sourced for Amo Racing, that he has added another string to his bow. 

None of this would have been possible, according to Elliott, however, without the aid of right-hand woman Lucy Ryan.

He said, “Lucy Ryan, who works with me, has put this whole thing together. She has done all of the heavy lifting. Between us buying 85 yearlings and her getting this off the ground, she really is one in a million. 

“Lucy has put a great team of people together who I know personally. We have some great show people and some great horsemen and women. That's what we wanted and that's what she's done. We've both been very busy at the yearlings sales so, for her to have been doing this in the background, it has been a great effort.”

On future plans for Imperium, he added, “We're going to be selling four fillies at the December Mares Sale-two black-type fillies [Lose Yourself (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Trust The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})] and one [La Isla Mujeres (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire})] who is borderline black-type who might stay in training. I won't be getting involved in the yearling or foal market, it will simply be horses in training and fillies and mares.”

The post Alex Elliott’s Imperium Sales Out To Light Up Tatts With First Ever Draft appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Uluru was one of eight yearlings that Grassick purchased on behalf of Atomic Racing at the sales last year and was considered just about the most talented juvenile the commercial syndicate had to go to war with this season. 

Despite showing signs of greenness, the €40,000 purchase from the Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale picked up in the style of an above average filly under Colin Keane to win going away at the line, and that performance put Uluru firmly in the shop window. 

Grassick said, “Uluru is likely to be sold and there is going to be loads of improvement in her because she was still very green at Gowran and a lot went wrong for her in the race. She has loads of natural ability and there is a huge amount of improvement in her. If she is sold, we think she can potentially go on and be a Group filly and hopefully she is very lucky for her new connections.”

A son of the well-known Ronan Grassick, who runs a successful bloodstock transport business, Sean is also the cousin of Curragh trainer Michael Grassick. The 28-year-old has worked closely with legendary bloodstock agent Demi O'Byrne in recent years and, despite once harbouring dreams of training, has decided to put his experiences working at the sales to good use. 

He explained, “I set up Atomic Racing a couple of years ago and we had our first two-year-old runners last year. Before that, I had helped Kevin source a couple of yearlings at the sales and they turned out to be Queens Carriage (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Lolly Yeats (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who did well for him. 

“When I set up officially as a bloodstock agent, Kevin was my first client and Coumshingaun (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) was the first horse I bought for him in that role. She has won three times now for him and was a relatively cheap purchase, as are the majority of our yearling purchases.”

Uluru: potentially classy on the evidence of her debut win for Kevin Coleman | Racingfotos.com

He added, “It was off the back of those horses that I said to Kevin, 'look, let's try and get a bit of investment into the yard to go and buy some yearlings,' and that's how Atomic Racing came about. 

“We got a few guys in and we have done reasonably well. Catherine Of Siena (Ire) (US Navy Flag) cost £13,000 at Tattersalls Ireland and she won twice at Dundalk and was Listed-placed. With Love (GB) (Territories {Ire}) cost 35,000gns at Book 3 and she won at Leopardstown before we sent her to Phil D'Amato in America to try and win a Stakes race.”

Uluru's Gowran success was a timely one for everyone connected to the Coleman yard. It is less than a month since the stable lost flagbearer Catherine Of Siena and Grassick explained how the excitement generated by Uluru has gone some way to lift the spirits in the County Tipperary operation. 

He said, “That was a tough blow. We lost Catherine after her last run and she was very much our headline horse this year. I spend a lot of time in the yard with Kevin and you get quite attached to them so it was nice when Uluru went and won, especially when we thought she was talented, so that gave everyone a much-needed boost.”

Grassick and Coleman are more than just business partners. The latter, a talented Galway Plate-winning jockey whose career was cut short through injury, took out his trainer's licence in 2018 and Grassick has never been far away.

“I met Kevin when he was riding out for my cousin Michael on the Curragh,” Grassick recalled. “We kept in touch from that point on and, when he started training, he asked if I'd give him a hand at the sales to buy a few fillies. That's how it started. We've been helping each other ever since. He got me going as a bloodstock agent and now I'm helping him to get going as a trainer with a few nice horses. We work very well together and it seems to work.”

He added, “We will try and buy more horses next year and there is a good level of interest. We actually ran out of horses for the syndicate last year and could have filled more if we wanted to. “We will keep our budget to a similar level but just try and buy more horses. There's a level there that we can buy to that you can still trade on but, when you get into spending between fifty and one hundred grand on yearlings, it gets much harder to get a return on those horses. 

“We bought eight yearlings last year for an average of thirty grand. We are going to try and buy between 10 and 15 yearlings this year and raise the average slightly but we will basically be trying to do the same thing again.”

With that in mind, Atomic Racing are open to new investors ahead of the yearling sales and there should be no shortage of such off the back of recent results. 

Grassick explained, “We are looking for more investors and we've had a good bit of interest in the past month especially. Our main selling point is that we like to get people involved on a bunch of horses rather than just one or two. 

“Every investor is involved in at least four horses while the majority of people are involved in six or seven. Those people might have five or 10 per cent of five or six horses and, that way, one or two could end up paying for them all. It spreads the risk and it means that the owners will always have something running for them.”

He added, “We had an instance there recently where one owner had four runners in the one week. They get plenty of excitement that way and, if one horse is a bit more backward and needs more time, at least they will have a few others who will be running for them. The most important thing for us is that our owners get something out of it. We don't want anyone to miss out on the fun if they're only in one horse so we think spreading it out between four or more horses is a good idea.”

It's not just the Ulurus of this world that help keep a commercial syndicate ticking over. That filly is likely to net her connections a major payday and has generated interest from some of the top agents who buy for many different jurisdictions but it is Colemen's placing of the lesser talented two-year-olds that proves he's equally as adept at trading to the middle to lower tier markets. 

Grassick explained, “Pretence (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) was unplaced in three Irish maidens. We knew she was a very genuine filly but I suppose you could say that she was of average ability. We like to move them on no matter what the level so Kevin decided to run her in a seller at Chester. 

“She ended up winning the race and bagged us €10,000 in prize-money. We also got her sold in the ring afterwards for £20,000. That was a great result for a filly who cost 21,000gns at Book 3 and was rated in the mid-60s.”

He added, “Kevin has always been a very good judge. He's a very good rider himself and knows what he has. He's particularly good with the two-year-olds and educates them well and is always thinking of the future with them which is why they improve from run to run.

“Seamie Heffernan is also a huge help to us. He came on board last year when we had more two-year-olds and he rides a lot of work for us. He would have sat on them all and his opinion is second to none. To have Seamie advising us on where to go is invaluable. It's a pity that he missed out on riding Uluru at Gowran Park because he was riding in the King George on Saturday. He always had a high opinion of her and told us she was well above average so he's a major help to us as well.”

Grassick continues to work alongside O'Byrne, a man who needs no introduction in the bloodstock sphere having purchased household names like Montjeu (Ire), Camelot (GB), Thunder Gulch, Rags To Riches and more. In fact, it was one of the horses that O'Byrne bred that played a role in the development of Atomic Racing.

ULURU flies home to win impressively on debut @GowranPark1 for @AtomicRacingIRE, @Ktcoleman330 and @ctkjockey. Purchased @tatts_ireland from Church View Stables. Congratulations to all connections! pic.twitter.com/jR5T5xNuLA

— O'Byrne & Grassick (@OByrne_Grassick) July 29, 2023

Grassick said, “I still work with Demi and he is a huge help to us at the sales. Demi actually bred Coumshingaun and, after Kevin and I bought her off him, he got to know Kevin and the relationship developed from there. Demi could see the talent that Kevin has for training and has helped us at the sales ever since. 

“My Dad is in the horse transport business and my uncle Michael trained and now his son Michael Jnr has taken over the licence. I actually wanted to be a trainer myself and going down the bloodstock route was never really the intention. I spent a summer with Wesley Ward to do something different and gain some experience in the USA. I was then introduced to Demi at the sales in Saratoga by Charlie O'Connor. I then started going to the sales with Demi and learning from him. With the knowledge I learned from Demi, I felt it would be a waste not to put it to good use.”

He added, “It's very good when you find a horse that's up to a level because there is a good market place to be selling out of Ireland. We've run six two-year-olds this year; two have won and two have placed. Even when you don't win, if you can get placed it's almost as good as a winner when you are reselling. Take for example Bladon (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). He finished seventh at Killarney, albeit a good seventh in that he was an eye-catcher the way he kept on to the line. He is now sold to go to Joseph O'Brien. We got three or four different phone calls from different agents about him straight after the race. 

“We prefer to try and buy the seven furlong-plus type of horse at the sales. I pull up a lot quicker on the earlier types at the sales because, unless you sell those speedier horses before Royal Ascot, there is no market. We never had a solid offer for Catherine Of Siena and she was rated 97 and had black-type. You need to buy those horses who get seven furlongs-plus if you want to appeal to the international market.”

Despite the results Grassick and Coleman have enjoyed through Atomic Racing in a short but successful period, there is no danger of anyone's feet leaving the ground, according to the shrewd young agent. 

He said, “Kevin is the most unassuming guy that you'd ever meet. There's a house I always stay in when I go to the sales at Newmarket and, for one reason or another, I couldn't go to one of the sales last year and Kevin went instead. 

“He stayed in the house all week and never even mentioned to the landlady that he was a trainer. I know her quite well and was speaking to her after Kevin stayed. She told me she just assumed he was a lad working at the sales or maybe a box driver. 

“She said he was the most unassuming fella she's ever met. But that's Kevin, he's some worker and he deserves everything he gets.” 

Doubtless there will be many more red-letter days for this burgeoning operation.

The post ‘Potential Group Filly’ Uluru Provides Explosive Start For Atomic Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

As a Lexington native, Bell was a graduate of Lafayette High School before heading out of state to Marshall University, where he was an accomplished football player for the Thundering Herd. Subsequently, he served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, as helicopter pilot in the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1964 to 1968.

Not one to speak of his honors, his family would like to highlight his combat medals and commendations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Medal with 27 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Vietnam Campaign Medal National Defense Service Medal.

As a Thoroughbred bloodstock agent, Bell worked in Kentucky and around the world. Known for his kindness, integrity, keen eye for a horse and his yellow golf cart at the sales, Bell was always quick with a joke or a kind word. Above all else, he honored his trusted clients and respected the majestic horses he loved.

Bell prided himself on accepting people from all walks of life and was a pillar of the recovery community in Lexington for more than 35 years. Known for his no-nonsense mentoring style, he embodied servant leadership. He never expected anything from those in crisis that he was not prepared to give himself and he was always willing to help anyone who wanted to help themselves.

Serving in several capacities in the Lexington area as an educator, administrator and Board Member at the Sayre School, Bell was admired and beloved by his students and colleagues. He enjoyed music, food and maintaining a golf handicap of six. In addition, he caught the biggest fish ever known in Kentucky, but unfortunately no one was there to see it.

Bell was preceded in death by his mother Norma Bell, father Robert Marcum, sisters Bobby Looper, Beverly Bell and beloved cousin Jay Spurrier. He is survived by longtime companion Barbara Beaney of Danville, his children Jessica Bell of Atlanta, Georgia, Patrick Bell (Vanessa) and Desha Bell both of Lexington; niece Cynthia Looper, and cousins Allison Spurrier, Katherine Spurrier Ferster (Todd), Hunter Spurrier and four cherished granddaughters Casey Cherry of Cincinnati, Ohio–Zaida, Rilke and Parker, all of Lexington.

Visitation will take place at Milward Funeral Directors at 391 Southland Drive in Lexington Thursday, July 13 from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. ET, with a service afterwards. The burial will take place the following day at Camp Nelson with family and friends in-attendance.

In lieu of flowers please send donations 'In Memory of Gus Bell' to the Hope Center of Lexington.

The post ‘Working Agent’ Gus Bell Passes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

A large proportion of the greatest horses bred and raced by Juddmonte from the late 1980s onwards have descended from fillies or mares bought by Delahooke on the Prince's behalf. The Juddmonte families which have yielded the likes of Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Zafonic (Gone West), Workforce (GB) (King's Best), Warning (GB) (Known Fact) and the legendary broodmare Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) all trace to the foundation mares selected by Delahooke; while his yearling purchases for the Prince included Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Dancing Brave (Lyphard), winners of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1985 and '86 respectively.

Another yearling purchase who played a massive role in the Juddmonte success story was Razyana (His Majesty), from whom the Prince bred Danehill (Danzig); while the Prince's first two home-bred Derby winners, Quest For Fame (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and Commander In Chief (GB) (Dancing Brave), were notable for having both of their parents bought by Delahooke.

Delahooke was not on the Juddmonte team from the very beginning in 1978 but he was recruited shortly afterwards by the Prince's original manager Humphrey Cottrill and soon was both buying the yearlings and breeding prospects and managing the original Juddmonte Farm at Wargave.  In these roles he did more than anyone to plant the proverbial acorns from which the mighty Juddmonte oaks have grown. He was obviously working on a large budget, but his genius is even better illustrated by the much less expensive horses whom he bought on behalf of patrons of the Coombelands stable of his friend Guy Harwood (trainer also, of course, of numerous Juddmonte champions including Dancing Brave). Heading the list were the 1979 G1 Derby place-getter Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire) (Pitcairn {Ire}) and the 1981 G1 2,000 Guineas winner To-Agori-Mou (Ire) (Tudor Music {GB}) as well as the 1982 G1 Eclipse S. and G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. winner Kalaglow (Ire) (Kalamoun {Ire}), the 1980 G1 Grand Criterium winner Recitation (Elocutionist), the 1984 G1 Prix Jacques le Marois winner Lear Fan (Roberto) and the 1979 G1 2,000 Guineas place-getter Young Generation (Ire) (Balidar {GB}). These he picked up for 4,500 guineas, 20,000 guineas, 11,500 guineas, $35,000, 64,000 guineas and 9,000 guineas respectively.

While Juddmonte ranks as the most obvious beneficiary of Delahooke's wisdom and judgement, several other great breeders were also recipients of his invaluable assistance.

In particular, the late Gerald Leigh was on record as saying, “James Delahooke has a flair and knowledge. He is an outstanding judge of a horse. He helped lay the foundations of my stud in the early years as a breeder.”

Delahooke also played a big part in the success enjoyed by the late William Barnett, standing High Line (GB) (High Hat {GB}) for him at his Adstock Manor Stud, the stallion covering merely 14 mares in his first year before going on to become one of the most successful sires in Europe, most notably siring four winners in one afternoon at York's Ebor Meeting in 1981, a four-timer which included two Group 1 winners headed by the Barnett home-bred Master Willie (GB), successful that afternoon in the G1 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (now Juddmonte International S). Adstock Manor was Delahooke's home for 25 years prior to his relocation to Yorkshire in 1992, and while there he owned and trained the 1987 Aintree Foxhunters winner Border Burg (GB) (Perhapsburg {GB}).

James Delahooke played a less conspicuous role in the bloodstock world in recent years but still continued to advise a select band of clients including Bobby Flay, who has paid him a fulsome tribute.

“James's influence on the breed has made an indelible and permanent mark on some of the most important pedigrees in the Western Hemisphere. For the last 15 years I've had the good fortune of employing his knowledge and keen eye to identify my most important bloodstock. I will miss his insight, love of good food and wine and his opinionated teachings. Although James has left us suddenly, his influence will be felt for decades at the highest end of the stud book. I, for one, will do my best to honour his ongoing impact.”

A countryman born and bred who rode over 50 winners in point-to-points or under National Hunt rules in his youth, James Delahooke passed away on the Yorkshire moors on Wednesday and we offer our condolences to the family and friends of a legend of the bloodstock world who was once described by the late Lord Oaksey as “arguably the best judge of yearlings in the world”.

Said his brother, Matthew, “I was fortunate enough to work for him for a few years. He was a mentor for me, a great brother. We had some good times at the sales. He was very well respected and loved and was a good man.”

He is survived by his wife, Angie; his brothers, Matthew and Tom; four children, Amber, Rorie, Holly, and Eve, and nine grandchildren.

Arrangements have not yet been made, but they will be shared as soon as they are available.

The post Superb Horseman James Delahooke Dies at 77 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

A former TVLine and Entertainment Weekly journalist, Slezak is now a full-time bloodstock agent who also dabbles in TV pilot script writing. One month and a day before Rich Strike made Derby history, Slezak claimed the colt's half-sister My Blonde Mary (Oxbow) for $5,000.

“I am not a quiet race watcher,” Slezak admitted as he relived his Derby day experience. “My kids will be like, 'He's screaming again.' I'll also scream in a race for a $4,000 claimer but in this case, I lost my damn mind. I was like a crazy person. I felt like I had won the Derby.”

The purchase of My Blonde Mary for client Mary Jane Nuckols was a Michael Slezak special. The agent focuses on finding value with fillies and mares competing in the claiming ranks by meticulously studying every claimer entered to race while giving scrupulous attention to pedigree activity and family members that could have a breakout race performance or auction result. An array–or maybe a disarray–of notes cover the surface of his desk and on his computer, comprehensive spreadsheets would make little sense to anyone but Slezak himself.

“I look at every claiming race for fillies and mares in North America every day,” Slezak said. “It's a lot of work, but I liken it to Roger Federer or Serena Williams. They go out on the court and hit thousands of forehands every day so it's like second nature. For me, looking at claiming races every day almost becomes muscle memory. Sometimes you get a sensation that things seem to be coalescing with a family. It's like puzzle pieces that come together.”

Slezak first spotted My Blonde Mary well before Rich Strike came into the picture or had even made his first start. In her 4-year-old debut last February, she had one win from 10 starts, but Slezak noted that she was out of a Canadian champion and a half to a Grade II winner. The pedigree was enough for him to keep an eye on her, but he was still waiting for some recent activity in the family. When Rich Strike ran third in the GIII Jeff Ruby S., it was enough for Slezak to go after her as she competed in the claiming ranks at Tampa Bay this spring.

“It would be a bald-faced lie to tell you that I thought Rich Strike could win the Derby when we purchased the mare, but it's always cool to have a sibling on the Derby trail,” Slezak said. “She was a terrific mare that we weren't spending an arm and a leg on, plus you have the extra cachet to say you own the half-sister to that horse when you're at your Derby party.”

Slezak had an additional rooting interest on Derby Day. Last June, he purchased Time Sensitive (Nyquist), the half-sister to Derby contender Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), after seeing Tawny Port's six-figure purchase price and noting that the colt was going to Brad Cox. When Tawny Port was two-for-two early this year, Slezak decided to run Time Sensitive through the Keeneland January Sale.

“She only brought $15,000, so my timing on that one was not stellar,” he admitted. “Fortunately it was for me and not a client, so I had nobody to yell at me except for myself.”

Even still, to pick out two half-sisters to Derby starters from bottom-level claiming races, Slezak was thrilled.

“I hope to repeat that every year,” he said with a laugh. “Of course it's not going to be that easy, but you can dream and you can do the research. With a lot of my clients, they're looking for commercial success to make money, but if you have that additional boost of having a connection to someone running in the Derby, the Oaks or the Breeders' Cup, that's icing on the cake.”

Growing up in upstate New York, Slezak's earliest memories are of his parents taking him to the races at Saratoga. He learned to read by studying the racing form and was always fascinated by pedigrees. He worked as an entertainment journalist for several decades, but racing always called to him. Seven years ago, he decided to make a career change and enter the Thoroughbred business.

When Slezak was first getting started, only a quarter of his purchases were for clients and he invested in the remainder himself. As he gained experience and celebrated early success, he began taking on more clients to where these days, the majority of his purchases are for other people.

Slezak said most of his principals have stayed the same from when he first started his business until now, but he added that his research system has become even more comprehensive.

“I think I've gotten better at understanding what the market wants,” he explained. “I'll find a hard-knocking, multiple stakes-placed mare, but if she's by a super obscure stallion, that's a harder sell. I'm also branching out a little more into buying in-foal mares at auction and selling their weanlings or yearlings. I'm trying to diversify and find other areas where I can identify horses selling for less than what they're worth.”

Slezak has already amassed an impressive list of success stories.

In 2018, he purchased You Laughin (Sharp Humor) for $2,000 when she was the last mare through the ring in one of the final sessions of the Keeneland November Sale. He sold her for a profit a few weeks later after her colt Zenden (Fed Biz) won a stake at Gulfstream Park.

Last January, he purchased the mare I Dazzle (Hold That Tiger) in foal to Catalina Cruiser for $13,000. In November, he sold the resulting filly for $100,000.

Of course, not every purchase is a home run. While Slezak isn't afraid to go with his gut when purchasing a prospect, he must also be willing to sell them when a family update doesn't happen after a period of time. Several years ago, he claimed the filly Tizn'tshebeautiful (Uncle Mo) in her debut and later sold her as a broodmare prospect for $45,000 at the 2017 Keeneland January Sale. Two months later, her half-brother Tiz the Law (Constitution) was foaled.

“Had I held onto her until Tiz the Law was a Classic winner, we could have done better,” he lamented. “I can't keep them all. But now, Tiz the Law won the Belmont and My Blonde Mary's brother won the Kentucky Derby, so I just need a Preakness winner to complete my own Triple Crown.”

Slezak stressed that his program is built on more than just studying the horses he might claim. Another big piece of the puzzle is following stakes horses, impressive maiden winners, and auction results to find updates on the racemares he already has tabs on. As was the case with My Blonde Mary, one important result from a sibling could tip the balance to make a mare worth pursing. He also noted that his network of connections at the track are essential in getting eyes on a mare before he claims her.

“There's so much potential to find value and it's really fun,” he said. “There's something crazy about these hard-knocking mares running for a bottom maiden claiming tag when somewhere at a bigger racetrack in a different time zone, there's a horse percolating toward the Kentucky Derby.”

Slezak hopes to continue to grow his business while keeping the same conservative approach with the mares he purchases. He said he enjoys the flexibility this career provides. Currently working on his third TV pilot script, he can also make time to attend his sons' soccer games and help them study for math tests.

“It has been a fun career change, even though my previous career was watching TV for a living which was also pretty fun,” he said. “It's never dull and everything about it is completely fascinating to me. It's been something I've been interested in and reading about for my entire life and I feel like there's so much more to learn. There's constantly new information and things to get better at.”

Slezak knows it will be difficult to replicate his results from this year's Kentucky Derby, but he is eager to give it a try.

“It was a great weekend, but now that those horses are claimed and the race is done, the question is, who is the next horse we're going to claim? How do I try and duplicate that? I couldn't wait to check out last week's claiming races to see what all was out there.”

The post Slezak Hoping to Replicate Kentucky Derby Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Speed or stamina: I have had a bit of luck with both. It seems the stayers have many avenues to sell in the horse-in-training market later in their career at the moment.

Best piece of advice you've received: The harder you work the luckier you get!

Value sire: Cotai Glory (GB) on the Flat and Hillstar (GB) for National Hunt. Cotai Glory had 35 winners in his first crop with eight stakes horses. He trained on himself and he gets good looking stock. Hillstar has had a great start siring several classy sorts from low numbers. He's a beautifully bred horse by the same sire as Jeremy.

Pedigree or physical: A mix of both. If I had to override one over the other I think pedigree regularly shines through.

Munster or Ireland (rugby): Ireland. We could be in for a massive Six Nations.

Micheál Martin or Leo Varadkar: Both have steered us through the pandemic showing admirable leadership, however they have several mammoth tasks to overcome in the coming years, so I will reserve judgment until then!

Young person in the industry to keep an eye on: Jennifer Fitzsimmons from Jack Davison Racing has been assisting me this week at Goffs. She has great enthusiasm for the industry and will do well.

Three people you'd like to meet for dinner/pint: Rafa Nadal, Captain Phillips, Rod Stewart (for pints).

Agent you admire the most: I admire anyone who makes bloodstock agency a career! It's an attritional business and it can be full of peaks and troughs. If I had to pick one agent specifically I admire, it would be Anthony Stroud. He has lasted the test of time, built a solid and sustainable business, and he has a reliable reputation.

The post The Back Nine With Barry Lynch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Based at a dedicated Goffs office in Lambourn, McGrath will join the Goffs inspection team and attend all Goffs Sales, plus travel to other sales and race meetings across the country to interact with new and existing clients. He will also be part of the team in charge of sourcing entries for all Goffs UK horses-in-training sales, and working closely with point-to-point handlers in the UK and Ireland to continue to grow that sector. Currently a bloodstock agent, he will continue in that role alongside his new appointment.

Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent said, “Jerry is a very personable individual with a real passion for the bloodstock business and brings a wealth of racing experience and industry connections to Goffs. He has worked closely with the Highflyer team for many years and we would like to thank David Minton for suggesting that we talk to Jerry towards the end of last year as his experience with them, and Clive Cox, ensures that he has a deep knowledge of both codes together with the personality to engage with all Goffs clients.

“We are excited to be working with Jerry, who is the second exciting appointment to our team this year after the announcement that Bernard Condren will also start with Goffs UK on 7 Feb.”

McGrath added, “I am very excited to be starting this new chapter in my life. Throughout my riding career, I've always been interested in the breeding and trading of horses, and I am delighted that I am able make a career out of this passion following a wonderful race riding career where I have worked with some incredible people.

“I will continue to be based in Lambourn where I can utilise the contacts made during my riding career whilst forging new links with key industry figures throughout the UK and Ireland. I have always admired the customer focussed approach and supreme integrity of Goffs, and am looking forward to getting started as part of the team at Goffs UK.”

The post Jerry McGrath Appointed Goffs UK Bloodstock Manager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

In the fall of 2014, Recio launched South Point Sales. South Point became a prominent consignor at the breeding stock and yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga. At the same time, he began Rockbridge Bloodstock, a full-service bloodstock agency that quickly proved successful with matings, racing and broodmare purchases and stallion placement.

Recio was involved in the private purchase of multiple graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape and had an especially strong record at the 2-year-old sales–13% of his juvenile purchases earned black-type, including 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contender The Critical Way. Also adept at purchasing broodmare prospects, he secured a quartet of mares under his Rockbridge Bloodstock banner have produced stakes winners in 2021, in addition to securing sisters to recent Grade I winners Swiss Skydiver and Super Stock.

South Point sold several more good ones, including record-setting Grade II winner Stubbins, who was also mated on Recio's advice, graded stakes winner Proud Emma, GSW and GISP Fear the Cowboy and multiple stakes winner and Sovereign Award finalist She's the Berries.

Although Recio was a tremendous businessman in his own right, he will be remembered for his outgoing personality, the connections he made within the industry, and the people he brought together. Never one to turn down a drink at the Keeneland bar or a dinner at Jeff Ruby's, Recio had an astounding number of friends within the industry. The La Croix-filled South Point water cooler became the best spot on the sales ground for gossip, which he was more than happy to supply. He never knew a stranger, and spoke with an ease that truly was a gift.

While Recio loved the horse industry and his work, he took the greatest joy in spending time with his family and friends, whom he loved fiercely. He leaves behind his wife Nancy, his twins Wesley and Addison, whom he adored, his mother Lynn and father Bill, as well as his brother Gene, sister Katie Cauthen, brother-in-law Doug Cauthen, and niece Campbell Cauthen. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

TRIBUTES FROM THE INDUSTRY…
Mike was one of a kind, an irreplaceable fixture in this business and in Lexington. He treated everyone equally from employees to competitors to owners, and you always knew where you stood. This community is full of people from all walks of life that would tell you Mike Recio was their friend. He had a big heart and cared for his loved ones immensely. I can confidently say he lived his 46 years to the fullest. He loved this business, loved everything about trading horses, but the real joys of his life were his twins Wesley and Addison and wife Nancy. The void his loss has created cannot be filled. He will be missed and he is loved.  – John David Christman

Soup was 31-lengths the best storyteller I've ever known. There have been so many tears shed over these last several weeks, but so many of them have come from the laughter of remembering those incredible nights when he'd take over the dinner table with his most legendary tales. His best ones always came at his own expense and often with one of us secretly recording them so we could laugh just as hard about them later. He had the biggest heart of anyone I know, and it was filled to the brim with his love for Nancy and his two children. There's never been a prouder father than Soup, and it's the picture of him beaming with those squinty eyes and impossibly big Soup grin while holding Addison and Wesley that will always be with me. He will be missed every day by those of us who loved him, but I can promise you that his stories will be told wherever horses run and beer is served for as long as any of us are around. We'll try our best to tell them as well as you did, Soupy. – Bret Jones

We are heartbroken
Rest in Peace, Mike – South Point Sales (Twitter)

We are saddened by the loss of Mike Recio of SouthPointSales. It was truly an honor to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone in the thoroughbred industry. – The Green Group (Twitter)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends of Mike Recio. Mike was more than just a client of Fasig-Tipton, he was a great friend to many of us. Nobody enjoyed traveling to our various sales more than Mike, and we will dearly miss him and his infectious smile. – Fasig-Tipton (Twitter)

Mike Recio was a great horseman and most importantly, a great friend to so many. We will remember Mike's energy, enthusiasm and love of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Recio family and all of those who were fortunate to call him their friend.” – Keeneland (Twitter)

Our industry lost one of its sharpest minds and biggest personalities today, I've lost one of my best friends. First guy I met when I moved to KY 20 years ago, Soup has become family to me as he is to so many of us. Please share your stories and celebrate his life. Love you Mikey – Joe Miller (Twitter)

Today has been tremendously hard, seeing so many friends of Mike's and knowing how dearly he was loved by his family and friends. I will treasure every beer I had with him. He was a total legend – Tom Morley (Twitter)

Mike could always put a smile on your face. Will miss him dearly, but my heart goes out to his family and young children – Maggie Wolfendale (Twitter)

Brother we had so many laughs together, conversations, took many a Horse racing trip, & even sold some horses in between. You & Jake were my first 2 friends in Kentucky, Thank you Mike. My Folded hands to Nancy, Wes, Addi, Bill, Ella, Gene, & Katie. Till we meet again, gone too soon my boy – Ramiro Restrepo (Twitter)

Mike Recio, what a legend. Thank you for all you have done, I will miss seeing your smiling face and energy around the sales. Was always a pleasure to see you. We will hold a glass up to you, cheers Clinking beer mugsdear friend. – Atlas Bloodstock (Twitter)

The horse business lost a great ambassador today. Mike Recio was a good man: He will forever be remembered as a hardworking, fun loving character who was good for his word. There's not a sales complex in North America that won't miss his endless enthusiasm and welcoming smile. – Tom Ryan (Twitter)

Was lucky enough to have worked and learned under Mike for four years when I started out in the industry. Mike was more then a friend to me, he was like a 2nd dad who would tell me what I wanted to hear even if I didn't like it cause he genuinely cared about what was best for me. – Seth Wilkey (Twitter)

You are with angels now, please say hi to my grandma Betty…missing your larger than life personality at the sales so much my dear friend. My heart aches along with so many of us. Live Every Day. Going to miss you so so so much. – Carrie Brogden (Twitter)

To Share a tribute or story please contact Sue Finley or Gary King.

The post Mike Recio Passes Away at 46 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post