'We couldn't have a Galileo, it would need three legs for us to afford it'
Aisling Crowe hears the story behind Goresbridge cover star Layfayette
The bright white face of Layfayette, ears back as he listens to Oisin Orr's commands, and powerful muscles visible under his bright bay coat make for an arresting image on the front cover of the catalogue for the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale, which began on Wednesday.
Patricia Hunt's five-year-old is captured winning the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at the Curragh, since when his ascent has continued with victory in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes under Chris Hayes to tee him up for a potential tilt at Royal Ascot's Hardwicke Stakes.
If the son of French Navy were to win the Group 2 contest, it would be a golden anniversary for his breeder Matthew Duffy, whose first Royal Ascot winner played a role in shaping the modern bloodstock world.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on 18 May 2022inBloodstock Big Read
Last updated 17:28, 18 May 2022
Copy- Meet the 6ft 3in Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey keen to keep going in the saddle - and the sales ring
- 'It was surreal' - meet the bloodstock stalwart who rode an Irish Grand National winner
- 'His pedigree is phenomenal and will drastically improve any mare' - behind the scenes at the National Stud
- From Azertyuiop to Galopin Des Champs - how French-breds have come to the fore at the festival and beyond
- 'I for sure didn’t want to breed sprinters' - meet the small breeders whose crowd-pleasing pair have ripped up the script
- Meet the 6ft 3in Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey keen to keep going in the saddle - and the sales ring
- 'It was surreal' - meet the bloodstock stalwart who rode an Irish Grand National winner
- 'His pedigree is phenomenal and will drastically improve any mare' - behind the scenes at the National Stud
- From Azertyuiop to Galopin Des Champs - how French-breds have come to the fore at the festival and beyond
- 'I for sure didn’t want to breed sprinters' - meet the small breeders whose crowd-pleasing pair have ripped up the script