Adam Houghton Appointed Associate Editor of TDN Europe

Adam Houghton has joined the TDN's burgeoning team in Europe in the role of associate editor.

Based in Yorkshire, Houghton has spent the last eight years working for Timeform and Sporting Life. He was shortlisted for the HWPA Racing Writer of the Year award in 2022.

The TDN's senior vice president Gary King said, “We are delighted to welcome Adam to the TDN's European team. The wealth of experience and knowledge he gained working for Timeform/ Sporting Life will only enhance our editorial coverage. Adam's appointment is also a testament to our focus on TDN Europe, and to build on the significant increase in readership we have had there in recent years.”

Houghton joins the TDN Europe team of Emma Berry, Alayna Cullen Birkett and Sean Cronin in the UK, Brian Sheerin in Ireland, Tom Frary in France, and Heather Anderson and Gary King in America. The line-up was further bolstered last year by the appointment of multiple award-winning sports journalist and author Paul Hayward as a regular columnist. The team is also supported by the top-class editorial and advertising departments of TDN America.

Houghton said, “I am delighted to have joined TDN and hope I can prove a worthy addition to a team I've long admired from afar. Their collective voice provides what I consider to be the definitive view on all things bloodstock, from the sales grounds to the stallion yards, plus everything in between.

“I've spent the last eight years working for Timeform – and latterly with Sporting Life as well – and the part of the job I've always enjoyed the most is getting out and meeting people in the industry, telling their stories and those of the horses who have put them on the map.

“In my opinion this is where TDN's coverage on a global scale is unparalleled and that is just one of the reasons why the opportunity to join the team was so exciting to me. I can't wait to get started and hope to become a familiar face at the sales, studs and yards in the coming months and years.”

European editor Emma Berry added, “Since the launch of our dedicated European publication in 2015, we have endeavoured to broaden our reach across Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and beyond, and it has been hugely encouraging to see the readership figures soar.

“We are all looking forward to working with Adam. To have a journalist of his quality on the team will be of huge benefit as we continue to deliver unrivalled bloodstock coverage 363 days of the year.”

 

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First Foal for Stradivarius Arrives at the National Stud

The first foal of multiple champion stayer and seven-time Group 1 winner Stradivarius (Ire) was born at the National Stud on Monday.

The chestnut filly was bred by Wretham Stud and is a daughter of the former Sir Michael Stoute trainee Give Me Breath (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

“She is a lovely first foal for Stradivarius and looks to have his strength and athleticism at this early stage which bodes well for future arrivals,” said Joe Bradley, head of bloodstock for the National Stud. “We have two more mares due in the next week so it is a very exciting time for everyone on the farm.”

He added, “Stradivarius's book for 2024 is looking very strong and breeders are really taken with him. His physique, temperament and of course his walk which I'm sure will be replicated in his progeny.”

Stradivarius's owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen said, “I'm astonished at how much this first foal is like 'The Strad' in both her colouring and movement, being chestnut with a big white blaze.”

The Stradivarius breeders' bonuses originally offered in 2023 will continue for breeders of members of his second crop. The breeders of the first 10 2-year-old winners will receive a £25,000 bonus, Group 2 and 3 winners in Britain, Ireland and France will earn a bonus of £100,000, while there is £250,000 for the breeder of a Group 1 winner.

 

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Sinnerman Popular At Auctav January Sale

Sinnerman (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) (lot 3), a 4-year-old out of Passing By (GB) (Raven's Pass), sold for €18,000 to Damien de Watrigant during the Auctav January Sale on Tuesday.

The chestnut is a half-brother to listed winner Sissy Chanel (Tapizar), who was also group placed. Second dam Miss Anabaa (GB) (Anabaa) won the G3 Ballyogan S.

A son of Anodin (Ire), Qantiem (Fr) (lot 1) made €11,000 to the same buyer earlier in the sale.

The mixed sale also featured shares in a pair of trotting sires, with a share in Gu d'Heripre (Fr) (lot 5) making €41,000 to Ecurie Luck; while Olivier Deboudaud spent €40,000 on a share in Ideal Du Pommeau (Fr) (lot 6).

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In The Hot Seat: Sean Grassick

The TDN picks the brain of bloodstock agent Sean Grassick on his highs and lows of 2023 and what he's looking forward to this year.

 

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.

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