‘Buying Cachet will always be my favourite memory…even if I broke the pedigree rule’ - Jake Warren

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With the European two-year-old sales season fast approaching, we've hit up a host of leading industry names in our Behind the Breeze-Up Scene Q&A series. Next up is Highclere’s Jake Warren, whose breeze-up buying missions have unearthed a Group 1 winner in Believing, Classic heroine Cachet and the prolific stakes scorer Spycatcher.

1. Which of this year’s breeze-up sales are you most looking forward to and why?

The Craven and Arqana are the two sales for me. We only ever buy three or four in a season and those sales tend to be where the focus lies.

2. Which of this year’s first-season sires do you think will show up well at this year’s breeze-ups, and is there an under the radar name you’ll be keeping an eye on?

The speedier types will be better suited to breezing, but I’ll be paying close attention to Baaeed’s stock; he was a phenomenal racehorse bred in the purple. I think in the long run he has the best chance of the first-season sires this year.

3. Put these factors in order of importance when assessing a two-year-old's breeze: two-furlong time, stride length, style of breeze, pedigree 

The visual style of breeze would be what forms my list to start with, then I’d check the pedigree to see if it fits with the orders. Then I’d inspect the physical and review the two-furlong time. I’ve never seen any stride length data, people talk about it but it’s not in my wheel house.

Jake Warren: "I’ll be paying close attention to Baaeed’s stock" Credit: Laura Green

4. To what extent do you think data shapes the modern-day breeze-up market? 

I’d say the data is hugely shaping the market, mainly because it gives people who’re not on the sales ground enough information to bid. If you can see a time sheet, read a vet report and watch a video, it gives principles all over the world great info to get stuck in and play in the market successfully.

5. What kind of market conditions are you expecting at this year’s breeze-up sales? Do you think the conflict in the Middle East will have a significant bearing? 

I’m sure there will be competition for nice horses at the better end, there never hasn’t been.

6. Who from the breeze-up world do you most admire and why? 

I take my hat off to all the O’Callaghans. Managing to craft endless consignments of breeze-up horses while having full covering sheds and young children in the mix would be a logistical minefield. It’s an incredible family commitment.

1,000 Guineas heroine Cachet: "It was green lights all the way for me," says Jake WarrenCredit: Edward Whitaker

6. What’s your favourite breeze-up sale memory? 

Buying Cachet will always be my favourite memory. From the minute I saw her breeze, to seeing her in the flesh and then getting her bought, it was green lights all the way for me, even if I did slightly break the pedigree rule that time. 

7. The one that got away?

I loved Native Trail. He was a very impressive physical and I brought Harry [Herbert, Highclere Racing founder] to see him a few times as I knew we’d have to dig deep to get him. I don’t think we even came second, or perhaps third, in the end, but he was a beauty. Anthony Stroud always picks well!

9. If you could change one thing to improve the breeze-up sales season, what would it be and why? 

I think for the consignors, if the time sheets were categorised with their time by stallion winning distance it would help the overall market. By that I mean, have a sheet of times for stallions that won over five to seven furlongs and a sheet for those that won over a mile plus. I think you’d get more action with two time sheets, rather than everything being concentrated around the top 30 times all in one.

Anthony Stroud: a man who always picks well, according to Jake WarrenCredit: Alisha Meeder

10. If you had to let another agent buy you a breezer, who would you choose and why? 

I’d ask Anthony Stroud or Ed Sackville, maybe even ask them both together, which would make for some enjoyable phone calls.

11. Who would play you in a film about your life? 

Me and Timothee Chalamet both have baby faces and struggle with facial hair…

Timothee Chalamet: Hollywood's answer to Jake WarrenCredit: FilmMagic

12. Who would your three ideal post-sales dinner guests be and which restaurant would you eat at?

I’d want to be with whoever we’ve bought for or sold with on the day. There’s usually a load of exciting things to discuss on a sales day, and I doubt the likes of Winston Churchill or Arsene Wenger would give a sh*t about the day's events!

Next up: up-and-coming agent Jamie Piggott

Catch up on our earlier Q&As: 

'Most of us can spot the obvious horses but we don’t necessarily have the budget' - Mark McStay in the breeze-up Q&A hotseat 

'It was one of the most thrilling victories I’ve ever shouted home' - Tattersalls' Orlaith Nangle in the Q&A hot seat