'Most of us can spot the obvious horses but we don’t necessarily have the budget' - Mark McStay

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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. Our first guest is international bloodstock agent Mark McStay, whose purchases include the likes of Group/Grade 1 winners Anisette and Porta Fortuna, as well as classy breeze-up recruits Letsbefrankaboutit, Purple Lily and Wonder Legend.

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

I always look forward to Tatts Ireland (formerly Goresbridge). It’s been a lucky spot for me when it comes to buying two-year-olds. 

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? 

Baaeed was an outstanding racehorse and I dare say if one by him breezes well, it will be in high demand. He has all the credentials to make a successful sire. Under the radar, perhaps Dubawi Legend; I remember watching him gallop when Hugo Palmer trained him. He had a lot of ability and that sireline keeps making stallions. He might be a dark horse.

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, anything else you feel is important

1.Temperament: they need to want to do it; 2) Style of breeze: not breezing back to front; 3) Stride length: their action needs to be good to race; 4) Pedigree: indication of what they might be in the future; 5) Time: can sometimes tell you what stage they’re at currently, particularly with ones that are supposed to be early two-year-olds or sprinters. However, the day of the breeze shouldn’t be their Derby; 6) Consignor: track records in producing good horses are very important – this could easily be number one!

Mark McStay: thinks Dubawi Legend could be a dark horse in the first-season sire ranksCredit: Tattersalls/Laura Green

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

I’m certain it does quite a lot. Times, being the most basic, first and foremost, but there’s much more than just times available now. However, I would think the people that employ these various methods and data sources use them as a tool rather than the be all and end all of the selection process. Budget is probably the biggest determining factor to me as an agent. Most of us can spot the obvious potentially good horses but we don’t necessarily have the budget for them. Like many other buyers, I can name a lot of top performers at the breeze-up sales that I simply didn’t have a budget for. 

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 expect the very top end will still be strong and business as usual in terms of high prices, but worldwide conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, could make the middle tier of the market trickier than usual for vendors (hopefully not too much so). Uncertainty is never good. At the end of the day we’re selling (and buying) a luxury item. It’s not compulsory to own a racehorse.

However, our sport thankfully provides great enjoyment for so many owners at all levels globally that they keep returning or wanting to get involved, so while we need to be realistic we must also be positive. 

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

I’ll single out two people for special mention: Willie Browne and Con Marnane for their enthusiasm to find the next good horse coupled with professionalism and integrity. Two legends.

Willie Brown: one of two breeze-up legends, says our manCredit: Alisha Meeder

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

Watching Captain Ramius fluff his lines at the Craven Breeze-Up for my mother and Brendan Holland many years ago. Mum ended up racing him and he won the Ayr Gold Cup, ridden by the late, great Pat Smullen and trained by Kevin Ryan. A wonderful day. That’s what you call a result, albeit on the day of the breeze we didn’t think so! 

8. The one that got away? 

I underbid Aesterius to Richard Brown at Doncaster a couple of years ago. I loved him; he was a smart two-year-old. 

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

There are plenty of small things we could work on but realistically the system seems to work well for vendors and buyers. The good horses keep coming from these sales. The breeze-ups in Europe are an outstanding source of top-class performers.

Captain Ramius: fluffed his lines at the sales but flew in the Ayr Gold CupCredit: GROSSICK RACING

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

Mags O’Toole: she doesn’t miss anything and is an excellent judge. 

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

Brendan Gleeson?!

Stephen Hillen (left): will be picking up the bill for Mark McStay's dream post-sales dinnerCredit: Healy Racing/Tattersalls Ireland

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

Many of us lament the closure of the King’s Head in Dullingham outside Newmarket, so in its absence I’ll go for the Drakkar in Deauville. I’ll choose five people: Firstly, my wife Eva, accompanied by Norman Williamson, Cormac McCormack, Peter Doyle for the stories and Stephen Hillen (to pay the bill)!

Next up: Classic-winning breeze-up buyer Jake Warren

More to read: 

‘For her first foal to be a good winner is wonderful’ - poignant start to new Longchamp season for Aga Khan Studs

'We didn’t quite expect a performance like that' - inside track from Aga Khan Studs on Erdenali, Calandagan and the ‘freedom to go off piste’

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