Twelve Questions | Horse Racing Free Tips

Twelve Questions: Kirsten Rausing

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?
Mucking out boxes, raking gravel at Simontorp Stud in Sweden.

Biggest influence on your career?
Captain A.D.D. 'Tim' Rogers of Airlie Stud, Lucan, Co Dublin; he single-handedly invented the European bloodstock industry.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?
Nijinsky – superb athlete; strong and correct with a most beautiful head; probably the last-ever Triple Crown winner…and sire of Niniski (without whom, no Lanwades Stud today).

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?
I would of course hope for Study Of Man, but realistically, it will be a sprint-oriented type who has covered more than 200 mares in 2020.

Greatest race in the world?
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (I have to say that).

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
I can think of a couple of names here but, to save everyone's embarrassment, nothing fit to print.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?
Plenty of them!

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?
Empress Wu, a 2020 bay filly by Sea The Moon ex Chinoiserie, by Archipenko. Easy winner (from the worst draw in the race) on her only start to date (Lingfield, Nov. 12) beating colts. Her dam is an own-sister to G1 Champion Fillies' and Mares' S. winner Madame Chiang.

Under-the-radar stallion?
Study Of Man: unlikely to remain so!

Friday night treat?
Watching Babylon Berlin.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?
A rum punch on the veranda when the Caribbean night closes in.

Race you wish you'd been there for…
Mahmoud winning the Derby in 1936, in a record time which stood for 59 years – if only to see the condition of the track at Epsom on the day; it must have been rock hard (officially described as “firm”). Possibly there was even quite reduced grass coverage on parts of the course. What could present-day industry participants learn from this? In spite of Mahmoud's not winning again after his Derby triumph, to his credit he ran three more times, including in the St Leger (in which his stamina ran out and he finished third). His legacy lives on through his granddaughter, Natalma and her son, Northern Dancer.

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Twelve Questions: Cathy Grassick

What was you first job in the Thoroughbred industry?

I trailed around sales after my father from a young age learning the ropes, but you couldn't really call that a job. My first job on a farm was in Mount Armstrong Stud in Co Kildare when it was owned by Noel O'Callaghan. I used to cycle there every day and learned to prep yearlings with Eddie O'Learys sister, Ashley.

The biggest influence on your career?

My father Brian and my grandfather Christy who taught me everything I could hope to know about horses. Eimear Mulhern and my mother, Sheila, who both showed me that women could be successful in business and encouraged me in my chosen career.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

San Sebastian. I used to ride him out when I was starting to ride racehorses as a teenager for my uncle, Michael Grassick, and he was a 42-rated handicapper with a habit for disappearing out from under me. He got gelded and started a miraculous rise from there, winning six races and finishing second three times in nine starts, culminating with in victory at Royal Ascot. I followed him every step of the way and my passion for racing was ignited. I loved him even if he mostly only tolerated me.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Wow, what a year to have to answer this question with so many high-class two-year-olds having their first runners. My heart will say Phoenix Of Spain as I was involved with buying his dam and selling him for his breeder, Arild Faeste, as a foal. My head says Blue Point as I have purchased a couple of very smart fillies by him. That said, I have been very impressed with the first crop of Invincible Army at the sales. It's such a tough year to call.

Greatest race in the world?

Oh a 50-50 between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup – incredible races with incredible horses and huge atmospheres. Going to either of them is a life-changing experience for a racing enthusiast.

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

Ryan Moore: just for a day to be able to ride the best horses and to understand that level of talent and to see inside that incredible tactical racing brain. For me that would be heaven.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

I have two cousins who are really starting to make their mark in the training ranks – Michael Grassick in Ireland and Chris Grassick, in partnership with William Muir, in the UK. Another eye-catching young trainer is Kevin Philippart de Foy, who has also made a great start.

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

Enable.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Gleneagles.

Friday night treat?

Dinner in a nice restaurant, usually the Brown Bear in Two Mile House, with my husband, Jamie Lowry.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Sport horses, riding, competing and judging them. Even when I'm not racing, I'm surrounded by horses.

Race I wish I had been there for…

Sea The Stars, Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. I had only missed his 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in his three-year-old career as I was riding in a charity race that day at Punchestown and watched him win on the big screen. After that I was there for all of his other starts and he really was the most incredible horse to follow. I was at the sales in Tattersalls cheering him home in the Arc on television and I was sorry to miss his swan song.

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Twelve Questions: Boyd Browning

Editor's note: Boyd Browning is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fasig-Tipton Corporation. We don't know much more about him because steadfastly refuses to let Chris McGrath do a profile on him, but we suspect he's a Lexington native.

Best Fasig graduate this year who wasn't Flightline?

It's a three-way tie between Cyberknife, Jack Christopher and Taiba.

What are you proudest of in your career?

To be part of an amazing team at Fasig-Tipton.

Horse you were proudest to sell?

I'll Get Along, the dam of Smarty Jones.

If I weren't in racing, I would be…?

Involved in corporate finance.

Favorite racehorse in history, and why?

Flightline! You wouldn't let me answer him before!

Best race you've ever seen?

The Breeders' Cup Distaff between Beholder and Songbird.

Who's the hardest-working person you've ever been around?

My dad.

If you could bring back one historical racetrack, what would it be?

Hialeah.

If you could have a conversation with one historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask?

Thomas Jefferson. “How can we get our government working for our country, and not our political parties??”

Morning wake-me-up drink?

Mountain Dew!

If you could have one meal the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pepperoni sausage pizza from Vito's Cafe in Timonium, Maryland.

All I Want for Christmas Is…?

More respect and tolerance for opposing views. Cooperation as opposed to conflict!

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