In the Hot Seat: Martin Buick

He may not be able to dance but Martin Buick, bloodstock consultant for De Burgh Equine, is not afraid to face the TDN question master.

What was your proudest moment of 2023?

The first horse I signed for, ADMIRAL DE VEGA, won the G3 Stockholm's Stora Pris, one of Scandinavia's most prestigious races. He beat a Dubai Carnival winner and Archie Watson's Brave Emperor who went on to win Group races in France, Italy and Germany. 

Give us one horse to follow and why…

Prime Art (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) who is now with Jean-Claude Rouget in France. She was purchased privately by Hubie [de Burgh] after she won the G3 Firth of Clyde Stakes. She won with plenty in hand and should continue to improve. 

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

My younger brother Andrew who joined New Zealand Bloodstock last summer. He is thriving down there and I get a kick out of seeing him do well.   

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year?

Pinatubo (Ire) was an outstanding two-year-old and his yearlings looked sharp, so he gets my vote. With his profile and 109 two-year-olds to run for him he should take a lot of beating. 

And the best value stallion in Europe?

Proven value is hard to find so I'll go with Churchill at €30,000. Some might disagree that he's a value play at that price but he has had two champions from his first two crops in Vadeni (Ire) and Blue Rose Cen (Ire) and that fee could look cheap down the line. He is still a young stallion that I suspect we'll hear plenty more about in the years to come.  

What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?

A yearling filly by Sea The Moon (Ger) out of Jazzi Top (GB) at Tattersalls October Book 1. She was a lovely filly from Meon Valley's famous Reprocolor (GB) family and was bought by Shadwell for 575,000gns. Her looks matched her great pedigree which can be rare. 

Biggest regret?

In business I don't have too many yet but there's plenty of time to change that! On a personal level I wish I had learnt to dance. There have been occasions where I'm the awkward guy hovering around the bar, envious of fellas that can spin their partners around on the dance floor. 

Biggest influence on your career? 

I've spent most of my career in this industry with Hubie de Burgh and Alan Cooper, so they have definitely had the biggest influence. This really is a people's business and the way Hubie maintains and builds new relationships is an attribute that has enabled him to stay at the top of the game for decades. Aside from his astuteness as a judge of a horse I admire this quality about him and I'm trying to soak up as much of it as I can. 

During my time as assistant racing manager with Alan and the Niarchos family we had nine individual Group 1 winners over six years which was unbelievable and something that I'll never forget. Being afforded the opportunity by Alan to represent the family on the biggest of stages, amongst other responsibilities, gives me immense pride to this day.  

If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would the be and why?

The first would be Vincent O'Brien. I never had the chance to meet him and would love to talk to him about his life in racing, amongst other things. I married his granddaughter, Tara, so it could also be an opportunity to introduce myself! Well-known raconteur Sean Connery would be my second choice, he IS Mr Bond and his stories would keep us going well into the night. We would finish off with a private gig with my third guest, Stevie Nicks. 

 

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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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In The Hot Seat: Kate Harrington

Saturday's edition of this column features Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother, Jessica Harrington.

 

Proudest moment of 2023?
Of the team at Commonstown throughout the year. They all worked so hard in 2023 to finish third in the trainers' championship. We had more winners in 2023 than we did in 2022 and we all know the winners helped Mum beat cancer.

 

What is your biggest ambition for the new year?
Helping Jessica Harrington to train as may winners as possible in 2024.

 

Give us one horse to follow and why?
Givemethebeatboys (Ire). We definitely haven't seen his full potential on the racetrack yet.

 

And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…
Keithen Kennedy. He is a 7lb claimer who rode three winners for us at the end of last season from very few rides. He could be going places.

 

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year?
Even though we haven't got one in the yard yet, I love Pinatubo (Ire). I loved his stock at all the sales. He was a champion two-year-old himself and I think he has bred his precociousness into his stock.

 

And the best value stallion in Europe?
It has to be Calyx (GB). He's operating at an impressive strike-rate with his first runners and had three Group-winning juveniles last year. He looks good value to me.

 

What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?
If we had an open cheque book the, the Frankel (GB) filly out of Millisle (Ire). Out of a Group 1-winning two-year-old and by a champion, she was a beautiful filly and from a family we know very well at Commonstown. I can't see why she won't be a superstar.

 

Biggest regret?
Have no regrets. Whatever happens, happens, and tomorrow is a new day.

 

Biggest influence on your career?
Aidan O'Brien. I spent three years working at Ballydoyle and that experience left a lasting impression on me.

 

If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
Johnny Harrington. There are too many questions I never got to ask him when he was alive and he was always one for a good story. Kevin Prendergast would have to be there as well. He's just an absolute legend. Then the third guest would be Amy Marnane as you'd be guaranteed not to have silence at any point in the evening!

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In the Hot Seat: Kate Sigsworth

Next to answer our questions is breeder, pinhooker and TBA vice-chair Kate Sigsworth, who manages her family's West Moor Stud in Yorkshire.

What are your goals for 2024?

Professionally: Happy, healthy horses and owners. Good, healthy foals and mares back in foal. Personally: To get my house built – a sealed shell by the end of the year would be great.

Give us a horse to follow…

Nemov (GB) (Blue Point {Ire} – Barynya {GB}). A big horse, trained by Clive Cox, who made a very promising debut in an above-average all-weather race. Looks an exciting sort. 

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

Finn Kent of Mickley Stud.

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024?

Pinatubo (Ire). A brilliant two-year-old himself, a son of Shamardal like this year's leading first-season sire in Blue Point, and he should have plenty of horses to run for him.

And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France?

 Calyx (GB), Study Of Man (Ire) and Bay Bridge (GB).

Your best buy/sale of 2023?

A strong, good-looking colt by Space Blues (Ire) out of Jameerah (GB) (Dansili {GB}) at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred?

I'm still searching but Urban Sea (Miswaki) would have to come pretty close.

Biggest professional regret?

No regrets, keep learning and looking forward, tomorrow will be better.

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

Paul McCartan, the warmest, nicest person you could come across and second to none at selecting broodmares and breeding. I'd love to know what he sees and how he interprets what he's seeing.

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