Twelve Questions | Horse Racing Free Tips

Twelve Questions: Bob Nastanovich

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?
Jockey agent for Greta Kuntzweiler.

Biggest influence on your career?
Chuck Scaravelli. He took extra time to teach me and gave me every chance to become an Equibase chart caller.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?
Drink Bubbly. She was a gentle grey daughter of Marfa who I owned in 2000. I had never been so comfortable around or confident in a horse. She was cool and a pleasure to be associated with.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?
In Europe, Blue Point is a logical choice. In the US, Mitole's progeny should make an immediate impact.

Greatest race in the world?
The Derby. I am fond of Sandown Park so I love a strong renewal of the Eclipse Stakes too. In the US, the Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Turf is a race I look forward to and savour.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
William Buick. It must be a thrill to ride talented horses with the skill he possesses and determination that he has.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?
I'm impressed by the poise and confidence that Harry Davies rides races with. In the US, I think Reylu Gutierrez is a skilled and enthusiastic jockey. I hope both of them get good opportunities next season.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?
The regally-bred Imperial Emperor. Won his only race at the Rowley Mile in October. Left the impression that he could develop into a contender in next season's Classic races.

Under-the-radar stallion?
Study of Man. It's exciting to have a son of Deep Impact in the UK. In the US, Gentlemen's Bet, from small sample sizes, simply produces runners.

Friday night treat?
I like to play Scrabble on my phone.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?
I like to have an accumulator on random sets of sporting events. I'm a mug punter.

Race I wish I'd been there for…
I have long been a fan of Sir Percy. I would have loved to have seen his dramatic win at Epsom. Frankel's defeat of Nathaniel in a July Course maiden would have been a race to savour. Both were newcomers on that rainy August day.

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Twelve Questions: Chris Richardson

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry?

It was a school holiday job opportunity, after a family Christmas at home in Northumberland, when my brother, Tim, suggested I might like to come back to France with him and spend a few weeks working at the Haras de La Verrerie in Normandy where he was the manager. My parents thought this was an excellent idea as it would help me with my French, so one snowy morning we set off in Tim's Mini Cooper and slithered our way over the snowy hills of Northumberland to France.

The biggest influence on your career?

The stallion Nureyev, Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey and my brother, Tim, who, in 1980, when I was working at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, called to ask me to return to France to look after Nureyev upon his retirement from racing. He stood at Haras de Fresnay Le Buffard for one season, before going to stand at Johnny Jones's Walmac Farm in Kentucky. Tim gave me a wonderful opportunity, the result of which allowed me to meet my wife Annie and then, thanks to Sir Philip, I ended up managing Spring Oak Farm (Oak Tree Farm) in Lexington, Kentucky.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

Nijinsky most impressed me winning the Derby in 1970 and then to have helped out and been around him during my time at Claiborne in 1980 was so very special.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I would love to see Cheveley Park Stud-bred Advertise be champion first-season sire, as I feel he ticks all the boxes on pedigree and performance having won three Group 1 races.

Greatest race in the world?

Having been involved with several owner-breeders who have mostly bred fillies to race, the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be the race for me, as it usually brings the best colts and fillies together to crown the racing year in Europe.

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

Edmond Mahony, as I would love to know the inner workings of the hugely successful Tattersalls Limited Auction House.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

It is wonderful to see so many young trainers and agents getting involved in the industry and I feel the next generation are coming to the fore. I think Sam Haggas will prove a great innovator in the business.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Triple Group 1 winner Inspiral.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Of course, I have to say Ulysses, who is beautifully bred and who has really started his stallion career tremendously well having had Classic-placed Piz Badile, winner of the G3 Ballysax S., and runner-up in the G1 Irish Derby. In addition, Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Holloway Boy winning first time out in the Chesham S. at Royal Ascot for his connections proved Ulysses can get smart 2-year-olds as well as Classic prospects.

Friday night treat?

A quiet supper for two at Sticks 'n' Sushi before a West End show.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

Fly fishing for trout when the mayfly are hatching with my trusty 9′ CC de France split cane fly rod.

Race I wish I had been there for…

The Cheltenham Gold Cup when A Plus Tard won this year. I could not believe I lost my voice and then tested positive to Covid-19 on the Monday morning of Cheltenham week.

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Twelve Questions: Luke Barry

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

Picking stones in Ashtown House Stud whilst being told I was getting invaluable experience.

Biggest influence on your career?

My parents, Frank and Liz Barry. One is very much missed and Liz still takes a strong interest in the goings on around here.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

I'm not old enough to have seen Red Rum, but Sea The Stars was just immense as a 3-year-old. Istabraq has always been a favourite. Pure class.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Such a deep year, and plenty have proper credentials. The broodmare band of both Tally-Ho and Yeomanstown should give each of their new horses (Inns Of Court and Invincible Army) a massive leg-up, whilst the first-crop foals of Ten Sovereigns were stand-outs.

Greatest race in the world?

The Grand National still stops our house every year. Most races can't do that.

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

Antoine Greizmann, French soccer international (I believe he has a large bloodstock portfolio). For one day? Saturday, Dec. 10. I'd have enjoyed being Antoine that day in particular.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Harry Eustace and James Horton, literally the Blind Leading the Blind.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Lark In The Mornin won a maiden in Listowel for Joseph O'Brien and has not seen since but I think we may hear more of him in 2023.

Under-the-radar stallion?

David Cox.

Friday night treat?

Summer evening barbecue, al fresco dining with entertaining company and some vin rouge.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

David Futter told me recently he once asked my uncle did he play golf. “Good Lord man, you hardly think I've given up sex do you?” was the reply. I'm afraid to admit it's golf in the evenings for me.

Race I wish I had been there for…

Astadash winning the 2021 Denny Cordell Lavarack and Lanwades Stud S. in Gowran Park.

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Twelve Questions: Jeremy Brummitt

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?
Pupil assistant to Robert Baker at Manton. I did pretty much everything from laundry to mole catching. Not very well, but at least I got a workable mark.

Biggest influence on your career?
David Whiteley. He was meticulous and everything he did had a specific reason.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?
Montjeu. I cannot think of another that was on the bit at the distance in a Group 1 race. He was the most athletic mover and managed to pass it on regularly and, unlike most horsemen, I like a horse with a sense of humour! Apologies to Night Nurse.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?
This is the most overhyped accolade in horse racing. Enormous books of rabbits to chase dubious glory in egg and spoon races. Well we find what we want to look for. Blue Point did not win a Group 1 until he was four. Inns of Court made one start in the November of his first season. Invincible Army was beaten by Masar over six furlongs on his May debut. I think Masar is by far the likeliest to sire a very good horse, which is the criterion that should matter. I think Magna Grecia has been underestimated.

Greatest race in the world?
There is a Derby in every racing jurisdiction. There is no 'Kentucky Irish Champion Stakes' or 'Australian Arc de Triomphe'. When they race on the moon, they will promote it with an inaugural 'Moon Derby'. It is a poor reflection on our sport and our country that we have not maintained the pressure to emphasise this. It is unquestionably the most difficult test and some modern-day softies shy away from the challenge.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
Charles Byrnes' dentist – he may be the only man who would find out.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?
Sir Mark Prescott: if he has campaigned himself like his horses he will win the next four Arcs.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?
I wasn't aware that they had missed any, indeed I thought they would soon appear in a supplement.

Under-the-radar stallion?
Pastorius.

Friday night treat?
Cold rare beef, pickled walnuts, real ale, Humphrey Bogart.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?
Ballroom dancing.

Race you wish you'd been there for…
1903 Eclipse Stakes. Well worth reading up on. I hope that I see its like again, but it will not happen until they take the pruning shears to the Pattern. When one reads the campaigns that these horses endured, it is easy to see why racing was so popular.

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