Irish 2,000 Guineas Winner Mac Swiney Relocates To Anngrove Stud

Irish 2,000 Guineas winner and Group 1-winning two-year-old Mac Swiney (Ire) has relocated from the Irish National Stud to Anngrove Stud for the 2024 season. 

Mac Swiney lit up the 2021 season for trainer/breeder Jim Bolger when beating his stable-mate, the 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare (Ire), to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

A three-time winner as a juvenile, he had ended his debut season with victory in the G1 Vertem Futurity having also landed the G2 Beresford S. Mac Swiney's dam Halle Na Saoire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a full-sister to the Group 2 winner Light Heavy (Ire).

Anngrove Stud's Alastair Pim commented, “We are delighted to stand Mac Swiney. It's rare that a small stud gets the chance to stand a Classic winner in his first year at stud. He was a high class two-year-old who showed speed and versatility and is a Classic winning three-year-old. As the late great Paddy Mullins said to my father 'every National Hunt mare in the country will stay three miles, it's the bit of speed they need in the final furlong' and Mac Swiney certainly fits that criteria.”

MacSwiney, described by Bolger as 'tough, courageous and adaptable' joined the Irish National Stud roster initially for 2024. However, the switch to Anngrove Stud is thought to better suit his appeal to the dual-purpose breeders.

Irish National Stud boss Cathal Beale said, “In recognition of the Irish National Stud's enduring support of National Hunt racing and breeding we are delighted to offer a horse of Mac Swiney's calibre to the breeders of Ireland, he is a beautiful specimen with lots of quality and a big strong athletic walk. INS has a long tradition of standing our dual-purpose horses with the Pim family at Anngrove Stud. The sire line speaks for itself with horses like Pied Piper flying the flag for New Approach.”

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‘He’s The New Kid On The Block’ – Bolger Backs Mac Swiney To Be A Hit

Jim Bolger has encouraged breeders and racing fans alike to pay a visit to his Classic-winning homebred Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) at the Irish National Stud and promised 'they won't be disappointed' by what they see. 

The two-day Irish Stallion Trail kicks off on Friday and Bolger is backing Mac Swiney to go down a bomb. The legendary trainer also revealed that he plans on supporting the Group 1-winning two-year-old and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero with 20 mares in his first season at stud.

Bolger said, “He's the new kid on the block and he'll be a big attraction. Anybody who goes and sees him on the Irish Stallion Trail, they definitely won't be disappointed.”

He added, “I've 20 mares lined up for Mac Swiney. He's a very meaningful horse to us. We knew from the time he arrived here first that he was special. He's such a good looker. He looked like a real one even from the time he was foaled. Looks-wise, he never disappointed and I'd be very disappointed if he didn't go down well.”

Mac Swiney showed top-class form as a juvenile by taking out the G1 Futurity S. on his final start at two. He built on that promise at three when taking the scalp of his stablemate Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before finishing an honourable third in the G1 British Champion S. over 10 furlongs later that season. 

With that in mind, Bolger says he is confident that Mac Swiney can appeal to every facet of the market and that he is fairly priced at an opening fee of €8,000. 

Bolger explained, “The sprinter/miler types are the ones that are most sought after in the sales ring and Mac Swiney falls into that category being a Group 1 winner at two and a Classic-winning miler at three. I'd be confident that that's the way he will be viewed. If that is the case, I think he'll go very well at stud. I think he's great value and I wouldn't have it otherwise because breeders, now more so than ever, deserve a break. I think he's proper value at that money.”

He added, “Along with his top performances at two and three, he's a great looker with the most wonderful temperament. They are going to find it very easy to manage him at the Irish National Stud.”

It didn't always appear likely that Mac Swiney would be available for Irish or even European breeders. Bolger revealed that there were offers, one in particular to abroad which piqued interests, but in the end, a deal was brokered with the Irish National Stud where Mac Swiney will stand alongside fellow Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain (Ire), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Lucky Vega (Ire), Nando Parado (GB), Equiano (Fr) and Elusive Pimpernel. 

Bolger said, “I got a very good offer from abroad and he nearly went away but I wasn't happy about it. Ken [Bolger], my nephew who runs Redmonstown Stud, approached the Irish National Stud and they had a deal wrapped up fairly quickly.”

Mac Swiney's dam Halle Na Saoire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a full-sister to the Group 2 winner Light Heavy (Ire) and he represents a family that Bolger has been involved with since 1994. Amoura (Northfields), then an 11-year-old mare who had produced seven foals and just one winner at the time, was snapped up by Bolger for just $5,000 at Keeneland. 

She would go on to breed Siamsa (Quest For Fame {GB}), the dam of Light Heavy, but more importantly, Halla Na Saoire (Ire), who went on to produce Mac Swiney. 

Not only that, but Halla Na Saoire is also by one of Bolger's most famous homebreds, Teofilo (Ire), so you could say this latest Classic-winning stallion prospect is a Bolger special in every sense of the word. 

He concluded, “It's a family that started out with the Aga Khan followed by Prince Khalid Abdullah and now it's the Irish National Stud and myself. It's very exciting to see him off to stud and I'm confident that he will go down very well.”

The post ‘He’s The New Kid On The Block’ – Bolger Backs Mac Swiney To Be A Hit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Stable Jockey News: Bolger Staying Loyal To Cleary And McAteer This Season

Jim Bolger has provided the strongest indication yet that the stable jockey vacancy left by his retired son-in-law Kevin Manning at Coolcullen Stables will not be filled by an outside rider and that the legendary trainer will be staying loyal to Rory Cleary and Luke McAteer this season.

Cleary has already tasted major success for his long-standing boss when partnering MacSwiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) to lead home a Bolger-trained one-two in the 2021 Irish 2,000 Guineas, outpointing Manning aboard the better-fancied Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}).

It was at Galway last October when Derby-winning jockey Manning, 55, called time on his storied career after riding Bolger's Vocal Studies (Ire) (Vocalised) to victory. 

His Derby win came in 2008 at Epsom aboard New Approach (Ire) and, all told, Manning was successful in eight British and Irish Classics.

Bolger failed to be drawn on a succession plan for his stable jockey of nearly 30 years back in October, however, with the Flat season a month away, hinted that Cleary and McAteer would share the rides going forward. 

When asked if he had made plans to appoint a stable jockey, the 81-year-old simply said on Tuesday, “I have been very well served by Rory Cleary and Luke McAteer in the past and I am sure that will remain the case into the future.”

He added, “Luke still has three pounds left on his claim and we will make full use of that.”

Luke McAteer | Racingfotos.com

Cleary is widely-regarded as one of the hardest-working riders in the weighroom and enjoyed another productive season last year when landing the G3 Eyrefield S. for Bolger at Leopardstown on Speirling Beag (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})

He also enjoyed notable success for Sheila Lavery at that track on Irish Champions Weekend last year when guiding Moracana (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) to victory in the “Petingo” Handicap.

McAteer is yet another quality apprentice to come through Bolger's famous production line. The Donegal native rode his first winner for the trainer in 2017 and has recorded tallies in the 20s for the past three consecutive seasons. 

Like Cleary, McAteer also enjoyed Group 3 success in the Eyrefield S. for Bolger, with that win coming in 2020 on Flying Visit (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}). 

While Bolger explained that “appearances will be scarce” in terms of going racing this season, he revealed that his Coolcullen operation still hums to the tune of about 100 horses and that he has already started to make plans for the best of them.

He said, “I'll have 100 horses this season. About 60 of those would be two-year-olds. Fleetfoot (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will run in the 2,000 Guineas Trial over a mile at Leopardstown.

“I have a couple for the fillies' trials as well. Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised), who was beaten a length by the Breeders' Cup winner [Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never)] is one and Clever And Cool (Ire) (Vocalised) is the other. She was bred by my late brother Patrick. He died a year ago and I miss him as he was a big help on the breeding side of things. There is improvement in those fillies this year.”

Asked about his breeding plans for the year, Bolger added, “We don't make plans until we see the foal. It's only then that we decide. But I will be using Dawn Approach big time. I'm still a believer. Also, I've always used New Approach, so I'll continue to use him. I'll send a few to him as well. We did some business last year with the O'Callaghans at Tally-Ho Stud. We sent a good few mares to Mehmas (Ire) and will send him more again.”

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‘He’s The First Stallion Prospect I’ve Sold At Auction’ – Bolger Offers Mac Swiney At Goffs

Jim Bolger says that his Classic-winning stallion prospect Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}–Halla Na Saoire {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) will appeal to just about any stud in the world when he is offered for sale online by Goffs on Friday, Jan. 20 but expressed a wish for the 2021 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner to stay in Ireland.

The reason being, according to Bolger, is that he'd like to support Mac Swiney with a dozen mares in his debut season at stud.

Bolger also revealed that, despite the fact the horse who led home stablemate Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in that memorable Curragh Classic had been subject to a number of “nibbles,” the legendary trainer and breeder was keen to offer the horse at public auction with Goffs.

He said, “It's interesting, isn't it? Mac Swiney would have appeal everywhere in the world but obviously I would prefer if he stayed in Ireland where I could use him.

“I've a dozen mares that I would like to send him and the only reason why I am selling him is because I wouldn't do him justice in promoting him.”

Bolger added, “Due to the unique nature of my business, I have to keep moving them on.  We had several nibbles over the past six months or so for Mac Swiney but we decided to sell him at public auction. He's the first stallion prospect I have sold at public auction.”

Mac Swiney's sale will take place just a few months after Bolger's Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), owned by Ennistown Stud, was sold for 1 million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

On that, he commented, “It was a good achievement. She can only improve because she was quite backward as a 2-year-old.”

Mac Swiney won four times all told. Three of those wins were recorded as a 2-year-old, including in the G1 Vertem Futurity S. at Doncaster back in 2020.

Reflecting on Mac Swiney's career highlight at the Curragh, Bolger added, “It was a special day. It was very comfortable on the day because we knew a furlong out that the race was ours. He has top-class form. He's an Irish 2000 Guineas winner and he showed precocity at two as well.”

Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby described it as “a rare opportunity” to be afforded the opportunity to sell the Classic winner on behalf of Bolger.

He said, “Goffs is delighted to be entrusted with the sale of Classic winner Mac Swiney on behalf of Mr. Bolger. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a multiple Group 1-winning stallion prospect and we anticipate plenty of international interest through the excellent Goffs Online platform that makes such sales so easily accessible for bidders regardless of location.”

The post ‘He’s The First Stallion Prospect I’ve Sold At Auction’ – Bolger Offers Mac Swiney At Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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