'You do have ups and downs, but this year I think we have our best draft yet'

Libby Snell, who works as communications manager for trainer Ed Walker, is consigning four horses at the Goffs UK Spring Store Sale on Monday, through Lulham Bloodstock. Snell, who pinhooks both Flat and National Hunt foals, grew up with horses and started at Walker's Lambourn yard in January 2019 after graduating from the Royal Agricultural University with a degree in International Agriculture and Equine Business Management. She has worked for several industry professionals and shadowed trainers and agents at the sales. Her other work engagements include stints for Goffs UK, Tweenhills Stud as well as a season in New Zealand as an eventing groom.

Was it always your plan to work in racing?

It wasn’t always the plan but I rode from a young age and I've always enjoyed National Hunt racing and point-to-pointing. I've more recently got involved in the Flat racing side working for Ed Walker in Lambourn.

When and how did you become involved in bloodstock?

I studied agriculture and equine business at the Royal Agricultural University and it was during my time there that I spent a summer working for SackvilleDonald, where I learnt a lot about the Flat industry and got more involved. My dad George and I started buying National Hunt foals eight years ago and it has evolved from there.

You're relatively new on the scene - how has your selling/pinhooking gone so far?

The first foal we ever bought was our most successful pinhook to date. Of course, like most people, you do have ups and downs with horses, but this year I think we have our best draft yet.

Tell us about your consignment at this year's Spring Store Sale, and who are you most excited by?

We have four this year with some strong pedigrees, including the Black Sam Bellamy full-sister to Tim Frost's Grade 2 winner Sam Brown (52). I'm most excited about Lot 101, a Kayf Tara gelding out of Gaye Sophie. He is a gorgeous horse, is a pleasure to deal with and he’s a really exciting prospect for the future.

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

I sense there is more excitement this year, and the team at Goffs have worked really hard on promoting and getting a very strong catalogue of stores together.

What are your plans and ambitions for the future?

I’d love to expand and prep and consign more, both Flat and National Hunt horses.

The Ed Walker yard had a couple of nice winners at the Dante meeting in Starman and Primo Bacio - could you give us another to follow?

It was a brilliant week for the team, and they were both very impressive winners. I absolutely love Starman and am thrilled for his owners David and Sue Ward. My horse to follow from the yard is Dreamloper. She's a very talented filly and, all being well, Ed plans to run her in the Kensington Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Credit: Goffs UK

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