The 11-2 chance raced in mid division after a stuttering start. Easing closer to the front rank once past halfway, he surged to the front in taking fashion approaching the final furlong and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily account for User Amistoso (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths. Subsequent G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up and G3 Goldene Peitsche victor Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status in the 2021 renewal of this contest. War Rooms becomes the second Rising Star for his sire, whose first was River Thames (Ire).

“He gave me a good feel on the way to post and they went a strong pace, I thought, on that [soft] ground,” said winning rider Jim Crowley. “He stayed very well and galloped out past the line really well. He's been doing things nicely at home and he'd have learnt plenty today. He's got a good mind on him and he'll be a lovely horse for next year. He's a rangy horse and he'll be quite smart over a mile-and-a-quarter next year.”

War Rooms, half-brother to a weanling filly by Australia (GB), is the seventh of eight live foals produced by a half-sister to G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Distant Music (Distant View) and G3 Lancashire Oaks third New Orchid (Quest for Fame {GB}). Descendants of the May-foaled bay's second dam Musicanti (Nijinsky II), herself a half-sister to MGISW sire Vanlandingham (Cox's Ridge), also include three-time Group 1 winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine African Rose (GB) (Observatory) and MGSW sire Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

3rd-Doncaster, £6,800, Nov, 7-27, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.21, sf.
WAR ROOMS (IRE), c, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Apticanti, by Aptitude
2nd Dam: Musicanti, by Nijinsky II
3rd Dam: Populi, by Star Envoy
(200,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,752. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Brook Farm Bloodstock; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley.

Impressive on debut! Churchill colt War Rooms looks pretty smart and wins first up for @JimCrowley1978 and @ojburrows74 at @DoncasterRaces… pic.twitter.com/sIhXYdzpoI

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2023

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“He is a physically imposing colt who, gave me a great feeling going to post on the dirt surface,” said winning rider Christophe Soumillon. “It wasn't easy on that very soft ground today, which is why I didn't want to come too late and I anticipated the move early in the straight. He will come on for that and no doubt that he will be among the favourites for the [G1 Prix du] Jockey Club.” Coolmore representative Hermine Bastide added, “We are very happy to win as it is quite important for Saxon Warrior. Soft ground is not what he prefers and, all being well, he will come back to France for the Prix du Jockey Club.”

Pedigree Notes
Greenland, who becomes the fourth pattern-race winner for his second-crop sire, is the third of five foals and one of two scorers for Listed Prix Six Perfections victrix Aktoria (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}). Aktoria is kin to G3 Prix d'Arenberg third Galaktea (Ire) (Statue of Liberty), the dual stakes-placed Now You're Talking (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and to the dam of stakes-winning GII Santa Ana S. placegetter Sweet Charity (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Greenland's stakes-winning third dam Epagris (GB) (Zalazl), who also ran second in the G3 Nell Gwyn S., is the leading performer for Trikymia (Final Straw {GB}) and thus hails from the family of G1 Irish Derby-winning sire Tyrnavos (GB) (Blakeney {GB}), G1 Dewhurst S. hero Tromos (GB) (Busted {GB}) and G1 Middle Park S. victor Tachypous (GB) (Hotfoot {GB}). Aktoria also has the unraced 2-year-old colt Benimaru (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) to come.

Monday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX GREFFULHE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-1, 3yo, 10 1/2fT, 2:17.86, vsf.
1–GREENLAND (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn)
1st Dam: Aktoria (Fr) (SW-Fr), by Canford Cliffs (Ire)
2nd Dam: Granadilla (GB), by Zafonic
3rd Dam: Epagris (GB), by Zalazl
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (160,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 300,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Werterberg; B-SCEA Marmion Vauville & Alain Jathiere (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-1, €82,353. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Harry Way (Fr), 128, g, 3, Galiway (GB)–Miss Vinga (Fr), by High Rock (Ire). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie & Robert Bonaventure; B-Robert Bonaventure (FR); T-Nicolas Perret. €16,000.
3–Rashford (Fr), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Randium (Fr), by Sinndar (Ire). O/B-Friedrich Hodel (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €12,000.
Margins: NO, 1 1/4, 3. Odds: 1.20, 3.10, 4.60.
Also Ran: Zalamo (Fr), Fortune (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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That's not to say that people in the bloodstock industry don't work incredibly hard. There is no real let-up in the work either, with almost wall-to-wall sales these days, foals on the way, mares to be covered, mud to be scraped off almost everything and, some mornings, ice to be broken on water troughs and buckets. 

But it's a wonderful life nonetheless, and every now and then moments can be found for for a collective letting down of hair and slapping on of glad rags to celebrate those whose contributions have been particularly noteworthy over the previous year. 

The best of these events in Europe by a country mile is the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's National Breeding and Racing Awards. For a truly immersive experience, and in an effort to make it look like I wasn't turning up merely for the Champagne and dancing, the weekend escape from Newmarket to Ireland was augmented by trips to visit two significant breeding operations in the country's heartland. One of those has already featured significantly at the ITBA Awards over many years and another will undoubtedly do so in the future, and you can read more about Tally-Ho Stud and Al Shira'aa Farms in the TDN in the coming week.

I will admit to some trepidation ahead of my visit to the O'Callaghan family at Tally-Ho. Their incredible success is matched by their collective disinclination to be interviewed, so when you turn up at someone's house at lunchtime knowing that your arrival brings about as much joy to your hosts as a trip to the dentist for root canal treatment then it is nigh on impossible not to spend most of the time apologising for your presence. As it transpired, the warm welcome from Disney the black Labrador was extended heartily by Tony, Anne, Roger and Henry. Tally-Ho's seven stallions paraded without fuss, their laidback demeanours undoubtedly contributing to the success of the offspring of those far along enough in their careers.

“Temperament is everything,” declared Tony O'Callaghan over lunch, and it is hard to disagree with a man whose farm churns out smart winners with metronomic regularity. 

This time last year, the achievements of Tony and Anne O'Callaghan were deservedly recognised by their induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame. A Tally-Ho connection continued through Saturday's awards when the hugely popular Tom Lacy was recognised as Small Breeder of the Year for Persian Force (Ire). Not only is the G2 July S. winner and dual Group 1 runner-up a son of Mehmas (Ire) but he has joined his father on the roster at the O'Callaghans' farm this year. They know him well, having pinhooked him as a foal from the Lacy family. 

Tom Lacy was presented with his award by John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud, to whom Lacy had sold his homebred Ingabelle (GB) (Taufan), who went on to become an important foundation mare at Ballylinch. Lacy's achievements extend well beyond his success as a breeder, however. In a marvellous video compilation encapsulating the 87-year-old's career in racing we saw grainy black-and-white footage of his days in the saddle. Not many people can boats of riding against the great Arkle (Ire) and Flyingbolt (GB), not that boastfulness is a term one would use to describe the hard-working Lacy.

After his race-riding days, he went on to carve a successful career as a trainer, launching the career of no less a talent than the much-missed Pat Smullen, who rode for him in his early days, as did Lacy's sons Barry and Tony, both of whom present on Saturday to support their father. 

Tony and his wife Cathy had made the trip from Kentucky, as had the recipients of arguably the most popular award of the evening, the Wild Geese Award, which recognises the contribution of Irishmen and women in the racing and breeding industry around the world. It is safe to say that the ITBA will not run out of potential recipients, for the Irish influence runs deep, particularly in Kentucky, where David and Ann Hanley have been based since leaving Ireland. 

Like Tom Lacy, David Hanley was previously a successful trainer before his move, with the Grade I winner Golden Apples (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) among his many achievements as both trainer and breeder (with James Egan of Corduff Stud).

Now general manager of WinStar Farm, he was described in the video marking the award by Mike Ryan as, “The best judge of a horse that I have ever been around.”

Ann Hanley is as beloved as her husband and, since being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 16 years ago, has raised more than $4 million in vital research funding for the debilitating condition as well as being a tower of support to her many friends and colleagues in the breeding industry. The Hanleys' award was jointly deserved and universally approved by those in attendance, and surely by many more tuning in via the livestream.

This year's inductee into the ITBA Hall of Fame was William Flood, master of Boardsmill Stud and a great servant to Irish National Hunt breeding.

Flood's award was warmly greeted by a standing ovation from the 300-plus guests at The Heritage hotel on a night when emotions ran high. Earlier in the proceedings, the award for the Novice Hurdler of the Year, Sir Gerhard (Ire) (Jeremy), had ben collected by Joe and Sharon Fitzpatrick. Their son Jonathan, who bred the eight-year-old at the family's Keatingstown House Stud, died in a car crash in 2017 at the age of just 23, several years before Sir Gerhard became so successful in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud. Beaten only twice in his ten races to date, the gelding is a glorious, galloping reminder of the nascent talent of the young Fitzpatrick, a graduate of the Irish National Stud course who had also worked at Coolmore and Ballylinch. 

Two important anniversaries took place in 2022. The Aga Khan Studs celebrated its centenary while the Haefner family's Moyglare Stud marked its 60th year in the breeding industry. Both these milestones went hand-in-hand with continued excellence on the track for graduates of the respective operations. 

Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her mother Princess Salima were both in attendance to collect the Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year Award for the exciting Classic prospect Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

“It was an amazing year, and I spent most of the year thinking about my grandfather and great grandfather,” said Princess Zahra, reflecting on the 2022 season which also saw Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) win the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse S. “I think it was incredible that it happened last year. We are going into year 101 with such a lovely range of hopes.”

Eva-Maria Bucher-Haefner, who took over the running of Moyglare Stud from her late father Walter, was the recipient of two awards on the evening, for the Three-Year-old Filly of the Year, the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and the Stayer of the Year, Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whom she races in partnership with Coolmore. It has been noted before but it bears repeating that Kyprios's celebrated dam, Polished Gem (Ire) (Danehill), bore ten foals for ten winners, eight of whom won black-type races, including the Group 1 winners Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Kyprios, and his full-sister Search For A Song (Ire).

Ben Sangster was back at The Heritage to claim an award for the second year running as the breeder of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {Ire}), who was named Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year, while Timmy Hyde of Camas Park Stud, flanked by his wife Trish and daughters Wendy and Valerie, collected the trophy for Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year, Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Aidan O'Brien trainee was bred by Hyde along with his son, Tim, of Summerhill.

From budding talent to esteemed veterans of the sport, the ITBA Awards reward the passion, dedication and determination of the participants of what remains a vital industry in Ireland. The huge importance of Thoroughbred breeding to the Irish economy and the country's reputation of a global forerunner in horseracing was reflected by the fact that three Irish government ministers attended the ceremony, with Charlie McConalogue, Minster for Agriculture, on hand to present William Flood with his Hall of Fame Award alongside ITBA chair Cathy Grassick. 

That connection to the country's seat 0f power is undoubtedly one of the reasons that the Irish racing and breeding industry continues to thrive and remains a shining example to other nations attempting to emulate its success. 

The ITBA National Breeding and Racing Awards 2022

Next Generation Award: Micheal Conaghan

Young National Hunt Horse: Facile Vega
Bred by Hammer & Trowel Syndicate

Novice Hurdler of the Year: Sir Gerhard
Bred by Keatingstown Bloodstock

Novice Chaser of the Year: Bob Olinger
Bred by Kenneth Parkhill

Hurdler of the Year: Flooring Porter
Bred by Sean Murphy

Chaser of the Year: Shishkin
Bred by CJ & EB Barnett

Small Breeder of the Year: Tom Lacy

Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Tahiyra
Bred by HH The Aga Khan's Studs

Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year: Little Big Bear
Bred by Camas Park Stud & Summerhill

Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Homeless Songs
Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm

Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year: Luxembourg
Bred by B V Sangster

Stayer of the Year: Kyprios
Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm

Wild Geese Award: David and Ann Hanley

Hall of Fame: William Flood

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“I only had the horse two weeks before I sold him,” Hyde recalls wryly. “I suppose I was 17 or 18. I'd been out hunting with Demi one day, and we came back in and his father said to me, 'Would you buy a horse, Tim?' I knew, in the back of my mind, there was going to be no problem here anyway. Larry O'Byrne was not going to sell me a dud. So I was very comfortable. 'Yeah, I would.' I think I gave 200 quid for him.”

He pauses, smiles. “Two weeks later, somebody drove into the yard wanting to buy a horse. My father had some in the yard, but of course I showed my own first, and sold him. And, funny thing, Mr. O'Byrne got into his car with a bottle of champagne, drove up and drank it with my father–celebrating the success I'd had, buying the horse from him.”

So what price did he get, £250 maybe?

Hyde chuckles quietly. “No, we did a bit better than that,” he says. “We did well anyway, that's for sure.”

But it would be too literal to say that this was where it all began, over 50 years ago now, for one of the consummate horsemen of his time. Because between nature and nurture, between his “page” and the way he was raised, the story of this understated figure–familiar to the point of veneration on the international bloodstock circuit–blends the lore of generations. He learned from revered horsemen of the old school before himself becoming a similar beacon for the next generation, whether as breeder or consignor or pinhooker, while always modestly insisting on the role of peers and partners.

Nobody, however, can doubt his individual genius–especially as it now extends generationally, all five of the children raised with wife Trish sharing an inherited flair for the Thoroughbred, notably Tim, Jr. in assisting the operation (not least as a veterinarian) of the home farm, Camas Park Stud, at Cashel in Co Tipperary.

Just a few names will attest to this seamless heritage. I mean, good grief, Hyde's first job was with Harry Wragg. His father rode a Grand National winner before the war and sold another, Royal Tan (Ire), to Vincent O'Brien. Hyde remembers Prince Regent (Ire)–ridden by T.J. Hyde to win the 1946 Cheltenham Gold Cup–being paraded through an excited crowd at a horseshow in Cork. Decade after decade, Hyde has had a hand in dozens of elite racehorses all round the world.

So a recent cup of coffee with Hyde at Keeneland must, for anyone in this business, be counted one of the privileges of our times. But it would, in truth, be a disarming experience simply on a human level. Yes, he is too reliably self-effacing and discreet to vaunt all this priceless interaction, with great horses and horsemen alike. But the other side of the same coin is a down-to-earth, humorous nature that can only have served him well, ever since that precocious first transaction, as a trader.

Where on earth do you start, though? Well, we may as well go in reverse order with Little Big Bear, son of another Hyde project in No Nay Never, and last seen winning the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. by seven lengths. Because his pedigree–combining the American influences of his sire with the group-placed Bering (GB) mare Adventure Seeker (Fr), acquired from the Wildenstein dispersal in 2016–attests to the cosmopolitan perspective Hyde has obtained in long commuting between the American and European markets.

“She was a lovely mare, really good-looking,” Hyde recalls. “Sadly she's not with us anymore, we lost her foaling this year. The foal was saved, another No Nay Never colt. But, look, these things happen. We were lucky to get the good one. Little Big Bear [sold at Deauville for €320,000] was born a very good foal, he stood very soon. Very strong.”

Though Little Big Bear is plainly channeling the speed of his sire-line, Hyde would not be surprised to see his maternal genes (the dam was “definitely a European, staying mare”) drawing him into Classic contention.

“He's so relaxed,” he reasons. “If you look at his races, he's probably the first of those in contention off the bridle. But that's only because he's so idle, he just about falls asleep. The last day, once Ryan Moore gave him a kick, he ran right away. A horse that can do that over six furlongs, being so relaxed, I could see him getting a mile. It would have been nice to see him over seven in the Dewhurst, but he twisted his shoe and injured his hoof and couldn't run again. But I'm sure he'll be fine.”

It feels apt that this latest star should represent a transatlantic blend. When Hyde first started coming to Keeneland, after all, he was ahead of the most dynamic commercial curve in bloodstock history. It would be primarily branded by John Magnier and Vincent O'Brien, but Hyde was also a pioneer himself–in the pinhooking trade that has since become such a pivotal driver of investment.

“And the dollar was cheap at the time, not like now!” he notes. “When we first came over, in the late '70s, we just bought a few cheaper foals. But we were lucky with them, and so we crept up the ladder a bit. Very few Europeans were coming to buy foals at the time. The late Joss Collins, a great man, he was some of our opposition at that time.

“We thought we'd just buy the good individual that had some European appeal. The dirt horses are usually bigger and broader, and some of those did work in Europe.” (Here he notes the American background of horses like Indian Skimmer, Al Bahathri and Soviet Star.) “At the time, people in Europe were very interested in buying American-bred horses. To be quite honest with you, I didn't really know what a dirt horse looked like. We probably just thought we were buying nice horses, like we were used to at home.”

An abiding paradox is that many who excel in developing young Flat stock, both sides of the ocean, were brought up in National Hunt yards–full of big, slow-maturing horses.

“I don't know why that should be, but it has happened,” Hyde says, listing several breeze-up consignors of such a background. “I suppose the guys that do that, they have to be horsemen first. And they probably have an eye for maturity in a yearling.”

Certainly Hyde never shed that ancestral connection. A longtime Master of Hounds, both with the Golden Vale and the Tipperary Foxhounds, he bought the legendary hurdler Istabraq (Ire) off the Flat for no more than 38,000gns.

“My grandfather was a foxhunting man in Cork, and my father the same,” he reflects. “And he started point-to-pointing, people noticed him, he turned professional and became champion jump jockey. He was a wonderful horseman. Unfortunately when he was training–and training very successfully, he'd had a couple of winners at Cheltenham, and won the Irish National–he had an awful show jumping accident. He was only 42 at the time, and remained the rest of his life in a wheelchair.”

Hyde himself was 10 when the family was hit by this trauma, but had already been riding ponies and hunting for three years or so.

“But even after that happened, I learned an awful lot from him,” he emphasizes. “You know, he actually coped very well with it. He was a wonderful teacher, a great judge of a horse, and showed me all the finer things. He was strict about stable management, or not strict but a stickler for the way things should be: for tidiness, for all that stuff that was drilled into me.”

A mentor with a similar outlook was duly chosen after his father lost what Hyde recalls as “a big tussle” over whether he should go to veterinary college.

“He knew Harry Wragg from his riding days and said he was the greatest thinker through a race,” Hyde says. “As you know, they used to call him 'The Head Waiter', and my father was very impressed with that. So he sent me over [to Newmarket]. I was only 15, and less than seven stone. But I learned a lot there. What a man! He was very similar to my father. His stable management was unbelievable, and he took time teaching. He had a number of apprentices at the time, and he'd ride beside you on the pony, just explaining things as we walked along. It was a good education and I rode a few Flat winners there, my first in an apprentice race on the Rowley Mile.”

In fairness, we should mention that Hyde also had the benefit of a strong “bottom line”: his mother was a sister of Willie O'Grady, another champion jump jockey (and father of trainer Edward).

“And another great man,” Hyde says. “I rode a winner in Cheltenham for Willie O'Grady, Kinloch Brae in the Cathcart [1969]. He won everything between then and Cheltenham the following year, and started favourite for the Gold Cup–only to fall at the third last. It's a long way from home, but he was going well, yeah. And he was a brilliant jumper, up to then. But he just hit it so low, he turned head over tail. He was stunned, definitely, he lay down for a minute or two, and never showed any form of that type afterwards.”

In a vintage era among jump jockeys, Hyde concedes modestly that he was “always comfortable” in the heat of battle.

“I loved it,” Hyde says. “You had to hold your corner, that's for sure. When you go out to ride a race, you're on your own, it's you against everybody else. But when the race is over, the weighing room is a great place. Tommy Carberry was a great friend of mine, and a great, great jockey. Pat Taaffe was a bit older than me, but another great man. Bobby Beasley. Bobby Coonan. That was a different era, but we had great days.”

Hyde had been a trader even as a jockey, albeit primarily in show jumpers. But while a couple of Olympic medalists passed through his hands, he realized on retirement, at 32, that he could process a higher volume with horses that you didn't need to ride yourself day in, day out. He'd always had three or four Thoroughbred foals about the place and now made them his priority.

He would be blessed, in doing so, not just to catch an imminent revolution in commercial breeding but also to fall in step with some of its most inspired participants. There was Demi O'Byrne, as already mentioned, while Paul Shanahan has been a partner in many a project.

“Paul came over here [i.e. Kentucky] to work with Melinda Smith, who I knew very well, Demi and I had horses there,” Hyde recalls. “That's when I first met Paul. Very sound mind, very sound man, wonderful judge of a horse. His record of buying horses speaks for itself.”

And over the years Hyde, Shanahan and O'Byrne have all been on terms of great mutual trust with the doyen of the new era in bloodstock, John Magnier himself.

“I'd say John was in his early 20s the first time I met him, out hunting with the Avondhu Foxhounds,” Hyde recalls. “I was addicted to foxhunting I have to say. He was just a very nice young man, and obviously very clever. We got friendly, and have been friendly ever since.”

We look around us: everyone in the room, trying to eke a living out of an international horse auction, shares a degree of debt to the example and opportunity introduced by Magnier, together with O'Brien and their sponsor Robert Sangster.

“All over the world,” Hyde agrees. “Huge impact in Australia as well.” He points to his forehead. “It's all on top, isn't it? John is actually the most forward thinker I've ever known in my life.  An amazing mind.

“Vincent was a friend of my father's, his attention to detail was something else. Of course he was another that started out with jumpers. And Robert I knew as well: a very nice, very generous man. He loved people, loved the party and really enjoyed his racing. He was a great man for the game.”

If his timing and associations were opportune, Hyde clearly brought something special of his own to the equation: a shrewd eye, most obviously, but also a temperament equal to a volatile marketplace.

“I suppose you had to be brave,” he acknowledges. “But at that stage, I never really worried about anything. Though they did think we were off our rockers after Demi and I bought Authaal!”

That colt, one of only 35 foals bequeathed by Shergar (GB), cost Ir325,000gns at Goffs in 1984, only to set an Irish record at Ir3,100,000gns in the same ring as a yearling. (He went on to Group 1 success in both Ireland and Australia.)

“Well, at that time, the market was really sky high, wasn't it?” Hyde says with a shrug. “Oh, it was unbelievable. And then there was a very sharp downturn. Saw a few of those! They did hurt me. Because we were brave, we didn't really see it coming.

“He was an outstanding foal, and turned out to be an outstanding yearling. But it's always a big risk. You've got a year to go by, you've got to pass the vet, he's got to grow properly, he's got to have a good temperament. Everything has to go right. Especially at those figures. Well, he never gave us any trouble. But listen, you're younger, you're braver. It's gone the other way for Demi and me, too, from time to time!”

So what kind of horse, filtered by all this experience, is most apt to find its way to Camas Park?

“I love horses with quality, anyway,” Hyde muses. “Quality, and strength. I think all the good horses have that. And action, a walk. If you can afford it, some good blood in there somewhere, even if it's back a bit. It can skip a generation or two, but then it comes alive again. Not always, but it can do.

“Of course you like to see a sensible horse, too. If a horse is always uptight, you worry a little. But most horses that misbehave, you just have to keep on top of them. You could spoil a horse very easy, probably, not if you're too gentle, but if you show a bit of nervousness. The people around them need to be confident. Somebody's nervous, a horse will find out fairly quick. So you just keep an eye out for things like that, maybe put a different handler on him.”

If it's impossible to go through all the good ones, it seems barely less so to pick out one that gave most satisfaction. If pressed, Hyde would say that breeding a first Classic winner gave him a unique kick with Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), especially as such an exceptional looker. Indian Skimmer was another cherished beauty. “Because she was one of the first of the top horses we had,” Hyde recalls. “We bought her privately, in a bunch: a job lot of Storm Birds! I sold her to Sheikh Mohammed, and after the [G1] Prix de Diane he was over the moon, he came over to shake hands and said, 'Congratulations to you.'”

But Hyde's aversion to personal credit is soon back to the fore, as he stresses how even the best horses can sometimes be unprofitable.

“Johannesburg, for instance,” he says. “Made a loss on him. No issues, but we just didn't have customers.”

On the other hand, a failed pinhook with Johannesburg's grandson No Nay Never turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He cost Hyde and Shanahan $170,000 as a foal, and made $95,000 as a yearling. Luckily, they stayed in the colt along with Wesley Ward's clients at Ice Wine Stable.

“So the way he turned out was a stroke of luck really,” Hyde admits. “He was a beautiful foal, a massive, strong horse. But when we brought him back as a yearling his X-rays weren't clean. Rightly or wrongly, a lot of other good horses have failed that way. These days everybody wants peace of mind that they're buying a clean horse. But a lot of horses that have little faults can be trained. Some trainers have a great knack that way, I've been amazed what they can do.”

Even breeding Nyquist (Uncle Mo) had a bittersweet quality: besides selling the future GI Kentucky Derby winner as a weanling, Hyde and his partners also sold the dam as next lot into the ring.

“But we were happy for the guy who got her,” Hyde insists. “I mean, that's the thing I enjoy most of all: when the horses you sell go to the top. That's what I enjoy more than buying or selling or anything. Particularly horses you've bred. That gives me a wonderful kick.”

So, too, does his own dynasty. Hyde takes pride that the horsemanship he inherited–his father once bought a 2000 Guineas winner (1951, Ki Ming {Ire}) as a foal for 370 guineas–has long been safely entrusted to the next generation. His daughters have all been integral to the work of their respective husbands: Wendy with Eddie O'Leary; Valerie with John Osborne; Janet with Norman Williamson; and Carol with Charlie Swan. And Hyde is gratified that he again prevailed when repeating, with Tim Jr., exactly the “tussle” he once had with his own parents.

“Because they were right,” he concedes. “I often regretted not being a vet. Tim's a great help, that's for sure. People do ask me whether I want to retire. But what am I going to do if I retire? Horses have been my life. And I'm very lucky that I adore what I do.” He shakes his head. “You know what, I don't believe I ever worked a day in my life.”

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“His work has always been very good at home and we thought he would win first time, but he ran into a smart filly at Windsor [Magical Sunset],” said Varian. “He then won well at Haydock and he looks good. How good, I don't know, but he is possibly the best of my 2-year-olds. He has size and scope, he's very exciting and I think he'll stay seven furlongs or a mile. You can never really expect things to go as well for us as it has today, but everything is clicking. He is in the [G1] Middle Park, but it's next week. It's very soon, so we'll have to see.”

Sakheer, who was the highest-priced lot when knocked down for €550,000 at this year's Arqana Breeze-Up sale, is the fifth of seven foals and one of three scorers produced by a half-sister to G3 Prix de Meautry winner Indian Maiden (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), herself the dam of G3 World Trophy victrix Maid In India (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) and the dual stakes-winning G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis second Love Spirit (GB) (Elusive City). The February-foaled bay, who hails from the family of Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}) and Chief's Crown (Danzig), is a half-brother to multiple Group-winning GI Beverly D. S. third Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass), a yearling colt by Exceed And Excel (Aus) and a weanling filly by Sea The Stars (Ire).

Saturday, Newbury, Britain
DUBAI DUTY FREE MILL REEF S.-G2, £84,250, Newbury, 9-17, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.53, gd.
1–SAKHEER (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Shortmile Lady (Ire), by Arcano (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jinsiyah, by Housebuster
3rd Dam: Minifah, by Nureyev
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (80,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; $65,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; €550,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-KHK Racing; B-Drumlin Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-David Egan. £47,778. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $63,902. *1/2 to Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass), MGSW-Ire, GSW & GISP-USA, $386,350. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Rousing Encore (Ire), 129, c, 2, Acclamation (GB)–Jolie Chanson (Fr), by Mount Nelson (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (57,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 32,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Paul K Spencer; B-Hunting Hill Stud (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £18,114.
3–Charyn (Ire), 129, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Futoon (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (250,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Grangemore Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £9,065.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, NK. Odds: 0.80, 20.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Shouldvebeenaring (GB), Wallop (Ire), Mustajaab (GB), Heroism (Ire).

Impressive!

Sakheer is a decisive winner of the Group 2 @DDFRacing Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, cruising clear to complete a four-timer on the card for jockey @DavidEgan99 on what is turning into a remarkable afternoon for trainer @varianstable pic.twitter.com/t9huXswU6R

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) September 17, 2022

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“He ran a great race first time out, he picked up and finished well clear of the third,” commented winning rider David Egan. “We wanted him to have a nice debut, he learnt a lot and came from behind. I expected him to take a step forward and, from halfway, I knew he was a class above the rest. It's been a great job by everyone at home to get him here and to get his win. To do it like that was impressive and the feel he gave me was even more impressive. I don't think I've had an easier race, in any sort of race, since I've been riding. He has a big price tag, he's got some big entries coming up and there is a lot more in the tank. Horses like this make our jobs easier, he's a classy individual and very exciting.”

Sakheer, who was the highest-priced lot when knocked down for €550,000 at this year's Arqana Breeze-Up sale, is the fifth of seven foals and third scorer out of a half-sister to G3 Prix de Meautry winner Indian Maiden (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), herself the dam of G3 World Trophy victrix Maid In India (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) and the dual stakes-winning G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis runner-up Love Spirit (GB) (Elusive City). The February-foaled bay is a half-brother to multiple Group-winning GI Beverly D. S. third Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass), a yearling colt by Exceed And Excel (Aus) and a weanling filly by Sea The Stars (Ire).

IMPRESSIVE!!
Sakheer hacks up by 6 lengths in a canter winning at just the second attempt @haydockraces for @varianstable and KHK Racing
The son of @coolmorestud Zoffany is a breeze up from @InfoArqana sold by @Mocklershill1 to @OStLawrence
pic.twitter.com/4zaPI0NNR6

— Breeze Up Sales (@BrzUps) September 1, 2022

3rd-Haydock, £10,000, Nov, 9-1, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:11.20, g/f.
SAKHEER (IRE), c, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Shortmile Lady (Ire), by Arcano (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jinsiyah, by Housebuster
3rd Dam: Minifah, by Nureyev
(80,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; $65,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; €550,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-KHK Racing Ltd; B-Drumlin Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $9,337. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“He is a horse that we have got a bit of experience with the family with having had Bay Of Poets,” explained trainer Charlie Appleby. “Whatever he did today there was going to be marked improvement. He had done some good work at home and I told [rider] Jack [Mitchell] to teach him to race the right way. Today was a learning day and his class prevailed. He travelled very well and picked up well. I've not had chance to speak to Jack, but visually it was impressive. We liked Bold Act too, so hopefully that is a useful pointer, amd we will keep him at seven [furlongs] for the moment. I think he has got a lot of natural speed and we will probably look at something like the [G3] Solario S. [at Sandown]. I need to have a chat with the lads before making any firm decisions.”

Highbank is the latest of seven foals and fourth scorer out of a winning half-sister to G3 St Leger Italiano victor Burma Gold (Ire) (Java Gold) and Listed Prix Finlande runner-up Burma Sea (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), herself the dam of G3 Prix Eclipse winner Devil (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to Listed Prix Pelleas victor and G2 Al Rashidiya runner-up Bay Of Poets (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Bristol Bay's full-sister Burning Heights {Ire}) is the dam of G3 Killavullan S. scorer Blue De Vega (Ger) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and the second dam of G2 Premio Lydia Tesio victrix Angel Power (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Highbank's second dam Bougainvillea (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) is a full-sister to G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden heroine Borgia (Ger) as well as being a half-sister to  G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Coronation Cup-winning sire Boreal (Ger) (Java Gold).

1st-Newmarket, £8,000, Mdn, 7-23, 2yo, 7fT, 1:27.30, g/f.
HIGHBANK (IRE), c, 2, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Bristol Bay (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Bougainvillea (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
3rd Dam: Britannia (Ger), by Tarim (GB)
1ST-TIME STARTER. (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Lynch-Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,187. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Lots to like.

The well-bred Highbank (Kingman) impresses on debut for Charlie Appleby, who won this race last year with future Classic winner Modern Games @godolphin@Mitchelljack77 | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/gS8o3gRA57

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 23, 2022

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Capri (Ire), Highland Reel (Ire), Nyquist and No Nay Never were all either bred or pinhooked under the banner of the Cashel-based stud, run by Tim Hyde and his son Tim Jnr, who were once again put in lights at Royal Ascot when Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) stormed to victory in the Listed Windsor Castle S. on Wednesday.

Away from all the bright lights and razzmatazz of the royal meeting, Hyde Jnr watched Little Big Bear score for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore on his phone at Wexford racecourse, just under an hour before sending out Mind Your Money (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) to finish second in a novice hurdle at the track.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Hyde Jnr said, “It's great to breed a horse who can do what he did and hopefully he can go on.

“He's a very talented horse and it looks like he will stay six furlongs as well. I'd be hoping he'll go for the [G1] Phoenix S. or the [G1] Prix Morny. It's an easy six [furlongs] in the Prix Morny.”

Hyde added, “I was actually at Wexford yesterday [Wednesday] with Mind Your Money. She ran a blinder to finish second. I watched it on the phone in my car.”

There was a kaleidoscope of emotion surrounding the victory of Little Big Bear. The win was made extra special by the fact that Hyde Snr pinhooked the sire, No Nay Never, however, the result was also tinged in sadness by the fact the stud lost the dam Adventure Seeker (Fr) (Bering {GB}) during foaling this year.

Hyde Jnr said, “We bred Ten Sovereigns here, which was brilliant, and we've bred a lot of good horses over the years. Little Big Bear is special because we have a good association with No Nay Never. Dad was involved in pinhooking No Nay Never and kept an interest in him so we have bred quite a lot of mares to him.”

He added, “Unfortunately we lost the dam foaling this year. She has a yearling colt and a colt foal on the ground, both by No Nay Never. The yearling is likely to be going to Part 1 at Newmarket and the foal is also very nice.

“Little Big Bear was a beautiful looking horse–a real beast. He was much more powerful and bigger than any of the other yearlings in that crop. He always stood out.”

The Hydes may not be finished at Royal Ascot yet. Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), last seen finishing a neck second in the 1000 Guineas, is another to come off the Camas Park conveyor belt and rates a leading player in Friday's G1 Coronation S.

“There was only a neck between Prosperous Voyage and Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) at Newmarket and there was only a head between Cachet and Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the French Guineas and none of them are favourite. It's going to be a hell of a race.”

He added, “My brother-in-law, Norman Williamson, sold the winner [Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})] of the [G2] Queen's Vase. I had a share in him as well and we breezed him. It's been a very good week.”

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Runner-up by a short head to the subsequent G3 Marble Hill S. runner-up Tough Talk (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and ahead of future winner Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) on debut at The Curragh Apr. 10, Little Big Bear dealt with the drop to this trip without fuss when dominating his maiden from the well-regarded Joseph O'Brien-trained Alexis Zorba (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) at Naas May 7. The extent of the money flow in his direction leading up to the off spoke volumes about the expectation surrounding him and he was carrying that weight looking to provide Aidan O'Brien with the Royal Ascot winner the form of his juveniles seemed to suggest was a formality this Spring.

Rosegreen's two-year-olds are never hard-baked for this meeting and there were a few moments when Little Big Bear needed encouragement from Moore before halfway as several appeared to be travelling sweeter across the track. It was only as he approached the furlong marker that the sizeable colt began to emerge as one of the chief protagonists and by the time he had got to half a furlong out he had the measure of Rocket Rodney who was a few horse-widths out of range. “He was drawn a little away from the pace, but we were delighted with him,” O'Brien said. “He should get further in the future and is in the Phoenix Stakes. He is a big horse. It is obviously a very fast race and horses need to know a lot in it and be very educated. He had only had the two runs, so we were a bit worried about that, but we're delighted really.”

Little Big Bear is bred to stay much further on the dam's side, with the Listed Prix de Liancourt winner, G3 Prix Cleopatre runner-up and GI E P Taylor S. fourth Adventure Seeker being a granddaughter of the legendary All Along (Fr), the French champion and US Horse of the Year in 1983 courtesy of her G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, GI Turf Classic, G1 Rothmans International and GI Washington D. C. International victories. A half to the precocious but ill-fated G3 Princess Margaret S. third Along Again (Ire) (Elusive City), she produced Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway) who was second in the 12-furlong G3 Hobart Cup. Also connected to the G3 Prix du Muguet winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-placed Art Francais (Lyphard's Wish {Fr}), the dam's yearling is a full-brother to Little Big Bear.

Wednesday, Ascot, Britain
WINDSOR CASTLE S.-Listed, £100,000, Ascot, 6-15, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.33, g/f.
1–LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE), 131, c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Adventure Seeker (Fr) (SW & GSP-Fr, $155,312), by Bering (GB)
2nd Dam: American Adventure, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€320,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Camas Park Stud & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £59,200. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $84,657. *1/2 to Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), GSP-Aus, $352,585. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Rocket Rodney (GB), 131, g, 2, Dandy Man (Ire)–Alushta (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (18,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 18,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Victorious Racing Ltd; B-R W Stapleton (GB); T-George Scott. £22,390.
3–Eddie's Boy (GB), 131, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Spontaneity (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM). O-Middleham Park Racing XLV & Partner; B-Crossfields Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Archie Watson. £11,190.
Margins: NK, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.20, 14.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Chateau (Ire), Jumbeau (GB), Bolt Action (Ire), Silencer (Ire), Wodao (Fr), Union Court (GB), Kuwait City (Ire), Ramazan (Ire), Kaasib (Ire), Rocking Ends (GB), Yahtzee (Ire), Mehmar (Ire), Knebworth (GB), Edgar Linton (Fr), Far Shot (Ire), Democracy Dilemma (Ire), Finn Russell (Ire), Guiteau (Ire), Star of Lady M (GB), Seismic Spirit (Ire), Whistle and Flute (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Little Big Bear gets Aidan O'Brien on the board at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle. A son of No Nay Never @coolmorestud who was a Royal Ascot winner himself. pic.twitter.com/AmgzeC6Zzw

— TDN (@theTDN) June 15, 2022

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That Goffs Invitation Yearling Sale of 1984 is a world away from today's bloodstock scene but for some of those concerned that day, little has changed with the passage of time. Just as back then, Camas Park Stud wields a weighty presence at the forefront of the business, whether it be on the track or in the sale ring.

Situated just beyond the Rock Of Cashel on land shared with the River Suir, the stud has been under the ownership of the Hyde family for over 80 years. Its founder, Timmy Hyde, had a very successful career as a jumps jockey, steering Workman (Ire) to victory in the 1939 Grand National and the great chaser Prince Regent (Ire) to success in the 1942 Irish Grand National and 1946 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Equally adept at training, he also sent out Dominick's Bar (Ire) to win the 1950 Irish Grand National. 

Son Timmy was also an accomplished jumps jockey, partnering the Duchess Of Westminster's Kinloch Brae (Ire) to win the Cathcart Challenge Cup at the 1969 Cheltenham Festival, before hanging up his boots to develop the family stud into the major force that it is today.

Since then, Camas Park has been associated with numerous big names, among them stars of the 1980s such as Al Bahathri (Blushing Groom {Fr}), Indian Skimmer  (Storm Bird) and Soviet Star (Nureyev) to the likes of Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Fame And Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Johannesburg (Hennessy) and then more recently Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never), Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

From an auction perspective, Authaal's sale to Tote Cherry-Downes on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed was the landmark sale-ring moment. Yet that too worked out for both parties with the colt, one of only 35 foals left behind by the ill-fated Shergar, successful in the 1986 Irish St Leger prior to hitting Group 1 heights in Australia. 

In another slice of Goffs history, the stud also sold the last Northern Dancer yearling to be offered in Europe for a sale-topping Ir.1.3 million guineas at the 1988 Goffs Cartier Million Sale.

Head to Barn F at Goffs this week and Camas Park Stud, fronted by Hyde and his son Timmy Jr., will be there as it always is, its name at the helm of a sizeable draft that will undoubtedly secure plenty of interest. 

It was out of the stud's various Goffs consignments of yesteryear that buyers could have secured the Classic winners Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the 2011 Epsom Oaks heroine who was bought for €200,000 by Norris/Huntingdon, and Saffron Walden (Fr) (Sadler's Wells), the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner who sold to Demi O'Byrne in 1997. 

Like Authaal, Saffron Walden was a Goffs sale-topper, in his case when heading the 1997 renewal at Ir£1.2 million. At the other end of the spectrum, multiple Group 1 winner Grandera (Ire) (Grand Lodge) was secured for just Ir£30,000 by Amanda Skiffington and James Fanshawe in 1999. Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Toast Of New York (Thewayyouare), a €60,000 purchase by Jamie Osborne at the 2012 renewal, also went on to repay his connections with a flourish.

A good proportion of the Camas Park yearlings on offer at Goffs this year are the stud's own homebreds. A handful of pinhooks are also catalogued while adding further interest is a smattering of horses belonging to the Niarchos family's Flaxman Holdings and Ben Sangster.

It's hard to be confident towards a market that is still battling within the constraints of a pandemic era but against that, heart can already be taken from the way in which various yearling sales have held up this year. Camas Park Stud has not been alone in enjoying a successful sales season to date and hopes remain high within the operation that such positive momentum will carry over into this week's sale.

“We've had a good year, we're very happy,” says Timmy Hyde Jr. “There seems to be a great appetite for horses right now. Whether it's because people haven't been able to spend properly for two years, I don't know, but long may it continue.

“There have been some great results for the sales on the track and not just over here but in the US as well. Saratoga was great for the European horses and hopefully we'll see plenty of American buyers coming over this week.

“There are definitely a lot of people in town. I know there is not a hotel room left in the vicinity, which tells you everything. So the vibes are good. I saw a lot of horses this morning and the standard seems high. It's very important to have the sale in Ireland and I have to take my hat off to Goffs, they have done a lot of work to get people in.”

The reintroduction of a million-euro race, the Goffs Million, also resonates strongly with the team given that the stud sold Rinka Das (Nureyev), winner of the Cartier Million at Phoenix Park in 1990. A forerunner to the current million initiative, the Cartier Million was the richest sporting prize in Europe of its time.

“Goffs had to do something to incentivise people and I know they spoke to a lot of people after last year's sale,” says Hyde. “I think the Million is a good idea, it's definitely a help anyway.”

So are there any potential Goffs Million winners lurking within this year's draft?

Hyde speaks particularly fondly of lot 276, a homebred son of No Nay Never. He is the first foal out of Sweet Charity (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), a five-furlong French listed winner bought for $250,000 through the BBA Ireland at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale.

Hyde is well placed to appreciate No Nay Never given that he co-bred the stallion's G1 Middle Park S. and July Cup winner Ten Sovereigns in partnership with Lynch Bages and raised him on his Summerhill farm adjacent to Camas Park. 

“He's the star of the show,” says Hyde. “It's like Ten Sovereigns all over again. He's a beautiful individual, the right type of No Nay Never, a very good mover and very hard to fault.”

No Nay Never is also sire of a half-sister to the G2 miler True Valour (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), catalogued as lot 274.

“Her mother, Sutton Veny, was very fast,” says Hyde. “She won five races and this filly is very fast-looking. She's very nice.

“We also have a very nice filly by Dark Angel (lot 245). She's well put-together and a good mover. Her half-brother Duhail is a Group 2 winner but the 2-year-old out of the mare, Locke (Ire), also won recently at Windsor.”

Of particular interest is the Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) colt, one of six catalogued within the sale by his late sire. Catalogued as lot 98, the colt was bred by Ben Sangster out of the high-class Lady Lara (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}), a durable filly whose six wins included the G2 Honey Fox S. and G3 My Charmer H. in the U.S., and listed Dubai Duty Free Cup in Britain. The daughter of Excellent Art (GB)(Pivotal {GB}) was placed on another eight occasions at stakes level.

“I actually bred Lady Lara myself,” says Hyde. “She was the last one we had out of her dam Shanty. I sold her to Alan Jarvis, she did really well for him and then performed to a high level for Ben in the U.S. She was always a lovely looking mare and the colt out of her is very nice.”

The colt's full-brother Changingoftheguard (Ire) has been placed for Aidan O'Brien since the publication of the catalogue.

Group 1 producer Crazy Volume (Ire) (Machiavellian), meanwhile, is the dam of lot 417, a second-crop daughter of Churchill. Three of the mare's seven winners are black-type performers led by Gallante (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the 2014 G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner, and listed scorer Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}).

“The mare keeps throwing good runners and this filly is one of the nicest individuals that she has produced,” says Hyde. “She is a good-moving filly, and the sire is going well.”

Those who have supported U S Navy Flag (War Front) will be hoping that the same words will be uttered towards his first crop by this time next year. The Coolmore stallion has two representatives to fly the flag within the consignment starting with lot 85, a daughter of the Aga Khan-bred listed winner Karasiyra (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}). 

“She is a really fast-looking filly,” he says. “She's very good-looking, has a good back end on her and a terrific hind leg. From what we have, she's typical of what the sire is throwing. We also have a good colt by him, who was a pinhook (lot 388). I really like what we have by the sire–they look sharp and fast.”

The stud's pinhooks also include a 'good-moving' Lope De Vega (Ire) grandson of German champion Borgia (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) bought for €150,000 at the Goffs November Sale and catalogued this time around as lot 383.

The same sire is also represented by lot 161, a daughter of the fast Group 3 winner Only Mine (Ire) (Pour Moi {Ire}). A well-liked filly, she was bred by the Niarchos family's Flaxman Holdings, as is lot 425, a Zoustar (Aus) grandson of Divine Proportions (Kingmambo), and lot 432, a son of Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who descends from Miesque (Nureyev). The Mastercraftsman (Ire) brother to Alpha Centauri (Ire) and Discoveries (Ire) is a late withdrawal.

A qualified vet and former jump jockey, Hyde Jr was at school the day that Authaal went through the ring but well remembers the heightened outside media interest that accompanied the colt's sale. 

However, the day that Grandera went through the ring 15 years later evokes memories of a different kind.

“We actually couldn't sell Grandera in the ring,” recalls Hyde. “He twisted a shoe off in the outside ring just as it was his turn to go in, stepped on it and hopped around the sales ring on three legs–it couldn't have been worse timing. 

“But Amanda Skiffington and James Fanshawe had liked him and our head man at the time, Edmond Ryan, got them to come back down to the yard and we sold him afterwards to them for €30,000.”

Grandera turned out to be an excellent purchase, winning a listed race and running Group 1-placed for Fanshawe in the colours of Lael Stable before selling to Godolphin, for whom he won the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prince Of Wales's S.

Rarely has a year gone by since then when a classy graduate hasn't emerged out of Camas Park Stud. With that in mind, chances are that another one will do so out of this generation.

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