Describe the foal trade this year and the market in general?

This year’s sale was a typically strong renewal with 11 foals making €50,000 or higher. Similar to every other sale, in-fashion sires took hold. Many foals by less conventional sires appeared good value considering the specimens themselves. Buyers are overly concerned with how sires will be perceived at time of re-sale but I’m sure those buying store horses in two years’ time will buy good-moving, well-made individuals too.

The disappointing aspect of the sale was the poor trade for fillies. It didn’t seem to matter if your foal was well-made and well bred. If you had a filly you struggled. We have a fantastic programme for mares in Ireland and the ITBA Fillies’ Bonus Scheme is a huge incentive for owners to put their fillies in training. However this year’s sale was not a good indication for the sale of fillies and many breeders were left frustrated.

What did you buy at Tattersalls and why?

It was a productive week with my parents selling a few foals and I also bought two. Both individuals are very different. The first, a son of Westerner, caught my eye just before he entered the ring. His walk was very fluid and he covered the ring in a matter of strides. He has an intelligent head with an honest eye and most importantly my mother liked him too! Our second purchase was a rangy, athletic son of Arvico (sire of Arvika Ligeonniere), who has plenty of strength and substance to him. We hope these foals will develop into nice horses but we have no solid plans for them yet. Their development over the next 12 to 18 months will determine what direction they will go.

Will you be looking at other sales?

We attend most sales, flat and National Hunt. We may not have any particular agenda at every sale but if we think we see value on offer then we’ll take the opportunity. The heart of our business is National Hunt and that has always been the case. However, I would love to venture into the flat in the future but I feel I’ve plenty more to learn about that side of the industry before I take the plunge!

A lot of pinhookers lost money this year. What advice would you give someone interested in entering this market?

They should try and learn all they can before they jump in and learn some more once they do! Pinhooking is a risky business and anyone who thinks that they know everything won’t last long. Observing the long established characters of the game is a great way to educate yourself. People are forever saying it’s not a good time to enter the market but is there ever really a good time?

What do you look for when buying a foal?

I have shadowed my parents at the sales for years and they have taught me everything I know. In my opinion, the individual itself is the most important element of buying any animal. If it doesn’t look like an athlete chances are it’s not! I value people’s opinions and some I take on board when looking to buy. Dad thinks you should spot the individual first and then open your catalogue rather than vice versa.

Do you research the pedigree updates?

I’ve always been fascinated by pedigrees, both National Hunt and flat. At home we have a nice band of broodmares and it’s only natural to follow their progeny and keep an eye out for any relations. When buying it’s important to know if the younger stock on the page are in training or showing promise but most vendors won’t be long informing you if there is anything positive to be known.

How important is it to buy a lot by a fashionable stallion or avoid one who is seen as ‘cold’?

Buying foals by fashionable sires is only important if you intend bringing it back as a store. If you’re buying a horse to race then it’s less significant because the less fashionable sire get winners on a daily basis too. I find the fashion of sires is difficult to comprehend - top sires get plenty of bad horses! My favourite stallion over the past decade is the recently retired Oscar. Strangely his stock were never considered ‘sales’ horses despite him siring top-class horses.