'There has been a healthy demand for horses since the breeze-up sales last year'

Katie McGivern of Derryconnor Stud is the latest vendor to tackle our breeze-up Q&A. The County Wexford-based operation has previously consigned Nell Gwyn Stakes winner and 1,000 Guineas third Daban, while McGivern, who has been consigning since 2012, was also involved in the pinhook of Jersey Stakes scorer and Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Le Brivido.

How many horses are you consigning at this year's breeze-up sales and which are you most excited by?

I’ve 15 breeze-up horses to offer this year, which is my limit since relocating to Wexford; it helps keep the quality up and quantity down. I have some smart types going to the early sales, including ones by Kodiac, Starspangledbanner and Mehmas.

How did you find restocking at last year's yearling sales?

It was relatively the same. I don’t have a number in my head before I leave, I just try to work the sales as best as possible and buy some value.

How have you found the build-up to this year's sales in comparison to last year?

There is more certainty regarding sale dates, locations and the online platform and how that works for purchasers who cannot attend. The breeze-up consignment committee has also done a fantastic job in promoting the European breeze-up sales to the worldwide racing community. Seeing all the good racehorses that have graduated from the breeze-ups can only make potential purchasers get excited about getting involved.

Which first-season sires have impressed you most so far?

I’ve two by first-season stallions heading to Arqana - one by El Kabeir and the other by Caravaggio. Both are big horses with plenty of pace and good mentalities.

What are your expectations for the state of trade at the upcoming breeze-up sales?

I think it will be much the same as any other breeze-up year. The horses who clock and pull out sound will be sought after and the ones that don’t will be a tougher task. There has been a healthy demand for horses since the breeze-up sales last year so hopefully that continues.

Last year's breeze-up season proved particularly challenging. What lessons did you learn during 2020?

I’m not sure if I learnt anything other than trying to be patient in a pandemic! But there were many challenges when the sales dates kept being pushed back. We had to keep horses in for longer, and Irish sales were relocated to the UK, adding to the expenses for the Irish-based consignors. But we were happy to go along with that in order to have a platform to sell our stock on. Some of the earlier types missed out last year but I still went in and bought similar horses again, as that is what is needed for the earlier sales aiming at Royal Ascot.

Tattersalls introduced the Royal Ascot/Group 1 bonus this year. How big an incentive do you feel that is for buyers?

I think it’s a great incentive as it will attract buyers that are aiming for a runner at Royal Ascot to this particular sale. With the worrying issue of prize-money in the UK, I think any financial incentive for owners is a very welcome one.

Credit: Goffs UK

Read more

Pinhookers upping their game in hunt for future breeze-up stars (£)

'Breeze-up graduates are producing the results on a global scale'

'If the one we have is anything to go by Arrogate will be a hugely missed stallion'