TOP breeze-up consignors Brendan Holland of Grove Stud and Jim McCartan of Gaybrook Lodge were racing in Saudi Arabia last weekend. They were representing the Breeze-Up Consignor Association, which sponsored the 1000 Guineas at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

‘Blarney’ Holland reported: “It was my first time in Saudi and it was interesting to see the place. They have a fabulous racecourse and our own Tom Ryan (ex-Naas Racecourse) and Emer Fallon hold very senior positions there. Tom is the Director of Strategy and International Racing. Emer is Director of Racing Services. They introduced us to all the owners and trainers, and we were very well looked after.”

Most of the racing is on a dirt or all-weather surface but there is a growing turf programme and Blarney reckons there is great potential in the Saudi market for Irish horses. “In Saudi you have a greater depth of individual owners than you might have in other Middle East countries. And a significant number of them have not yet played in the European market. The limited number of European breeze-up horses who have gone to Saudi have done well and trainers say our horses are easier to train that the American purchases. In fact a filly by More Than Ready sold by Tom Whitehead’s Powerstown Stud finished second in their 1000 Guineas.”

Having met plenty of the stakeholders, the visitors are hopeful that we will see more Saudi activity at the upcoming breeze-up sales.

“They are very ambitious in Saudi,” Blarney added. “They have two tracks and plans to build two more. There will be 23 weeks of racing there next season, three meetings a week and 12 races on every card.”