Newland- Idiotic,Insulting, Incendiary, Interesting and Important.
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
1w ago
Dr. Richard Newland’s article with Racingtv was insulting, incendiary, interesting and important. He came across as a Little Englander with a dislike of Johnny Foreigner who automatically assumes that the Irish could not win without cheating (“the Irish ‘advantage'”). The reference to a ‘lack of trust’ in the Irish anti-doping regime makes it clear where he thinks lies the source of that advantage. At no stage does he consider other reasons for the Irish level of success such as better stock sourcing policies, a better funded industry in Ireland, and the benefits that accrue from the need for ..read more
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Seven Value Sires for 2024
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
3w ago
For any breeders who have yet to decide on their 2024 stallions, I have compiled a shortlist of seven budget-friendly sires offering a good risk/reward ratio. In trying to identify value sires, I ignore sires who haven’t had runners, as most new sires will fail. Value sires will typically fall into one of three categories Older proven stallions who are getting fee reductions to compete with the more fashionable younger sires. Oasis Dream falls into this category. Sires with limited track representation who have shown promise but could be on the cusp of breakthrough success. Frontiersman, Coul ..read more
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Coolmore’s 2024 fees (Part 2-stallions below €20k)
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
2M ago
I received a lot of feedback on my post previous post about Coolmore’s fees. For the avoidance of doubt: a) I don’t have a grudge against Coolmore. b) I try to be impartial and I apply the same standards to other studs. c) My comments are based on the published fee. Most breeders will get a better rate. A lower rate would lead to a more favourable assessment of the sires. If we return our focus to the Coolmore roster, they have 9 stallions standing for under €20k. This is a more competitive segment of the market, with nearly 50 Irish flat sires standing between €5k and €20k. The Coolmore roste ..read more
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Coolmore’s 2024 fees (Part 1-stallions from €200k to €20k)
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
2M ago
2023 was a good year on the track for Ballydoyle with 20 Group/Grade 1 winners. Results weren’t nearly as impressive for Coolmore’s stallion roster. Their best placed stallions on the GB/Ire sires table were Galileo in 5th and No Nay Never in 10th. Disappointment with their Irish sires, will have been tempered somewhat by the performance of the Ashford based Justify. He impressed with 4 Group/Grade 1 winning two year olds this year, in a second crop that was considerably better than his first crop. It would be intriguing to see him spend a few seasons in Tipperary but that doesn’t seem to be o ..read more
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10 things we’ve learnt so far this season
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
7M ago
1. Havana Grey (Havana Gold ex Blanc de Chine (Dark Angel) is the real deal. This is a proper breakthrough sire who just had his first Group 1 winner with Vandeek (ex Mona Misa by Exceed and Excel) . Rags to riches sires are a rarity and he is following in the recent footsteps of his broodmare sire Dark Angel, along with Showcasing and Mehmas who all established themselves as quality sires of two year old and sprinter/milers. His current crop of two year olds includes Group 2 July Stakes winner Jasour (ex Twilight Thyme by Bahamian Bounty) and Group 3 winner Elite Status (ex Dotted Swiss by Sw ..read more
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Kildangan Fees 2023
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by Victor Sheahan
1y ago
There are 9 stallions at Kildangan for 2023. Belardo (Bearstone Stud) and Ribchester (Haras du Logis) have departed and Naval Crown has landed. There are four sons of Dubawi, two sons of Shamardal and one each for sons of Galileo, Invincible Spirit and Elusive Quality. Five of the sires have yet to have runners and overall the Irish roster is weaker in quality and quantity than the 12 sires in Dalham stud. Dubawi’s growing reputation as a sire of sires has worked in their favour. It also helps that Dubawi’s sons are often a good outcross option for an Irish broodmare band saturated in crosses ..read more
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Coolmore Fees 2023- €20k or less sires- What do the fortune cookies foresee?
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
1y ago
Since I published my initial review of Coolmore stallions, Gustav Klimt has been exiled. This leaves ten sires standing for €20k or less. It’s a mix of the young and old, proven and unproven, pretenders, contenders and wannabees. Luck is a huge factor in successful breeding. Building on this insight, I incorporated a fortune cookie generator to help with my sire reviews. Initial results are promising and it seems more credible than some of the ‘expert analysis’ available in the trade press who simply regurgitate press releases/puff pieces. The Gods have spoken and who are we to disagree? 1. Gl ..read more
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Coolmore Fees 2023- Part One- The big guns reviewed
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
1y ago
2022 was a disappointing year overall for Coolmore’s Irish sires. No Nay Never did well, but no other sire really enhanced his reputation. Coolmore lost their 30 year grip on the UK/Irish sires championship in 2021 and they seem unlikely to reclaim that championship anytime soon. Their best placings in the sires table were the irreplaceable Galileo in 4th and No Nay Never in 10th. Ballydoyle was light on top three year old colts so the only addition to the roster was the temperamental two year old Bluebeard. The roster saw the departure of Highland Reel (to Japan) and Rock of Gibraltar (to hor ..read more
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Whitsbury Stud Fees 2023- After Due Diligence, what sires will be Showcased as havn’ a greyt price?
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by Victor Sheahan
1y ago
Whitsbury Stud were quick off the mark with their fees for 2023. The stud was founded by the bookmaker William Hill in the 1950’s and is now run by Ed Harper. Their website https://www.whitsburymanorstud.co.uk/index.html is surprisingly basic but they are fortunate that their stallions progeny are doing the business on the track and they don’t need flashy websites Below is my assessment of their published fees for 2023.. Stallion 2023 fee (2022 fee) Showcasing £45,000 (£45,000)- (2007 Oasis Dream ex Arabesque by Zafonic) Verdict: Slightly Overpriced Showcasing retired for a fee of £500 ..read more
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‘Saving’ the Irish Derby…
Montjeu.com
by Victor Sheahan
1y ago
Alan Sweetman is proposing that the Irish Derby should become a 10 furlong race. He argues that it is now a diminished sporting and social occasion. He is right that it is a diminished occasion. He is wrong that dropping the distance by two furlongs will address the problems. The main problems with the Irish Derby lie with the Curragh management. They spent €80 million redeveloping the Curragh but don’t know how to attract crowds. The Irish Derby as a social occasion has completely lost its way. As a student, I remember attending when it gave those of us in baggy jumpers a chance to admire th ..read more
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