Hipodromos y caballos - Racetracks and horses BloodStockReview2013 | Page 7

UPFRONT

7

A year of big change
but a year when
little changed at all
H

OW do you distil 12 months of top-class
racing, horsetrading and breeding-shed activity
into 400 words? The first thought that springs
to mind is that 2013 was a year of big change in the
bloodstock industry; there seemed to be more comings
and goings than for a long time.
The top table of racehorse owners and breeders
welcomed Qatari royal Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, whose
grey and red silks quickly became well known after
Group 1 victories for his private acquisitions Olympic
Glory, Toronado and Treve. Sheikh Joaan’s pursuit of the
best stock for his nascent Al Shaqab Racing operation
also drove prices for elite offerings at auction to new
highs.
Meanwhile, his cousin Sheikh Fahad, a big spender
for the past few seasons, put down roots with the

Frankel proved as professional in
the covering barn as on the track
purchase of Longholes Stud in Newmarket and a farm
in County Limerick, where another Qatari, Mubarak Al
Naemi, bought the famous Kilfrush Stud.
US investors John Moores and Charles Noell bought
all the Kilfrush stock and received substantial cashback
on their purchase when they sold the pearl of the
broodmare band, Immortal Verse, for a European record
of 4,700,000gns at Tattersalls in December.
Although not around for as long as Kilfrush, the
bloodstock industry lost a colourful participant when
Paul Makin decided to draw stumps on his breeding
operation and sell at Goffs the stock he acquired at
great cost. The dispersal included Irish Oaks heroine
Chicquita, who became the most expensive horse ever
sold in Ireland at €6 million.

Frankel embarked on his new career at stud and
proved to be as professional in the covering barn as
he was on the track, while New Approach announced
himself as the next