'I'm getting out there and meeting people and seeing what route I can go'

Harry Dunlop was looking to pastures new at a busy Park Paddocks on Tuesday for Tattersalls Book 1, with the Group 1-winning trainer taking a keen interest in proceedings amid his work for Watership Down Stud.

Having managed the careers of Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Robin Of Navan, French Group 2 scorers Knight To Behold and Fighting Irish, and this season's May Hill Stakes winner Polly Pott, Dunlop is now keeping an eye on the stars of the future.

They included the Siyouni filly, the first foal out of Group 2 Middleton Stakes winner and St Leger second Lah Ti Dar who sold to Shadwell for 880,000gns. The regally bred youngster hails from one of the stud's flagship families, that of dual Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi and going all the way back to foundation mare Darara.

He said: "The Siyouni filly out of Lah Ti Dar sold really well and it's a wonderful family, while there are some very nice Frankel colts here including one out of Bold Lass among many others, but overall it's a very nice consignment.

The Siyouni filly out of Lah Ti Dar sold to Shadwell for 880,000gns on the first day of Tattersalls Book 1Credit: Laura Green

"Simon [Marsh, Watership Down general manager] offered me this role purely for Book 1 and I'm helping Tom Ward for Book 2, so I'm getting out there and meeting people and seeing what route I can go, which is really exciting."

Expanding on his Book 1 duties and plans for the future, Dunlop said: "I knew a fair few people in the industry and Simon thought it would be good to have me doing some cards.

"I've never done it before and it's been a real eye-opener and I've met some really interesting people. There are obviously some lovely horses here that the guys are dealing with.

"I was slightly nervous about it all but it's a great team and they all point me in the right direction. What I'm looking to do career-wise is to build a portfolio of different things, I'd love to stay in the industry, be it managing some horses for example."

Harry and Christina Dunlop with Polly PottCredit: Lee Mottershead

On trade at Tattersalls, he said: "I suspect it's feast or famine from what I can see, you get a very top price but from what I hear there are a lot of nice horses in the sale so I suspect people are selective. If everybody really likes your horse, you'll get paid very well."

He also had news of his Group 2 winner, owned by the Megson family and bred by Biddestone Stud. A graduate of Book 2 when selling to Highflyer and her trainer for 21,000gns, Polly Pott lines up for a shot at Group 1 glory in Friday's bet365 Fillies' Mile.

He said: "She's in good form and the Megsons were really sporting to pay the supplement fee of £35,000, which was a big decision. Overall she seems to have come out of the May Hill well and we think, fingers crossed, the form is good.

"Ground-wise she's won on fast and soft, although I hope it will be good. She seems in good form but has to improve from the Group 2, but it's exciting to be involved."

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