'It’s life-changing' - pinhookers in clover as 800,000gns trades bring massive Book 1 profits

Pinhooking is a game of risk and reward. Nowhere is this more evident than at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, and a couple of high-rolling thoroughbred speculators walked away from Park Paddocks on Wednesday having netted what one described as a “life-changing” profit. 

The touch of the day was landed by Fearghal Hogan, who trades under the Apollo Bloodstock banner. Eleven months ago Hogan invested €120,000 in a son of St Mark’s Basilica at the Goffs November Sale. On Wednesday he reaped an almighty dividend when Kia Joorabchian added the Galbertstown Stables-consigned offering to the Amo Racing string at 800,000gns. 

“I’m on cloud nine,” said Hogan. “He had 20 vets, I’ve never seen anything like it before. I knew we had a lot of people at that two to three hundred thousand level, but for the heavy hitters to come in and bring that kind of money was unbelievable. It’s a feeling that I can’t explain. I was short of breath watching it! It’s a massive amount of money. It’s life-changing for me.” 

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Hogan certainly landed on the right sire at last year’s foal sales. At that stage St Mark’s Basilica was still awaiting his first runners. He now boasts highly progressive profile, with 16 winners on the board and five black-type performers to boot, most notably Group 1 heroine Diamond Necklace. 

“I gave plenty of money for the foal on the day I bought him but I loved the individual, the way he walked, and I loved the stallion,” he said. “It was only in the last few weeks that I started to get really confident. For the first three or four months of the Flat season people were looking at me saying St Mark’s isn’t going to do it. Now he looks like he’s going to be an exceptional stallion. I followed every runner he’s had. I was a big believer in him as a racehorse and as a stallion. I’m just delighted.”

The St Mark's Basilica colt brings 800,000gnsCredit: Laura Green

Hogan, who operates out of Churchland Stud on the Curragh, said he will look to reinvest the six-figure windfall, be that in more stock or his own bricks and mortar. 

“If I have some money left after paying a few bills I’ll definitely be back at the foal sales,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who’ve been good to me along the way. I don’t want to name names but I want to thank everyone who’s helped me. They’ll know who they are.” 

His parting comment neatly sums up the optimism, resilience and work ethic required to make pinhooking pay. 

“This is a great game if you can make it work,” he said. “Some days can be tough but a day like today is something you can only dream of. You have to keep going, you can’t give up. Everyone will get their day if they work hard enough and you get a bit of luck on your side. You have to take a chance. If you don’t take a chance, you’ll never do it.” 

David Weston of Flintstone Stud in Wiltshire certainly took that chance as he was responsible for the biggest pinhook in this year’s Book 1 catalogue. Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock bid 410,000gns on Weston’s behalf to secure the Wootton Bassett three-parts sister to Facteur Cheval at last year’s December Foal Sale.

David Weston: "We were looking for a foal with a pedigree"Credit: Laura Green

The filly almost doubled her money when knocked down to Godolphin at 800,000gns when she was reoffered through The Castlebridge Consignment. 

“We were looking for a foal with a pedigree,” said Weston on his investment strategy. “We were looking for a filly that, if the worst comes to the worst, can become a broodmare for us. Obviously we don’t want to keep them, we want to trade, that’s why we’re buying them, but with a colt it’s a very different scenario.” 

Reflecting on the day the filly was sourced, Weston said: “We were nearly beaten. I was on the phone to Matt [Houldsworth] and said ‘Go two more bids’ and luckily we got her. We paid a bit more than we wanted but that’s how it goes. On the day, when we spent the money, we thought we could come back here and get 650,000gns to 750,000gns, that was the feeling.

“My son, Ben, fell in love with her at the foal sales and he’s done all the prep with her. She hasn’t not put a foot wrong. It’s great that Sheikh Mohammed has bought her. We knew all the right people were interested in her and when he starts bidding you can start to feel a bit more comfortable, although you do wonder if he’d scare a few others away because he’s very determined at the moment. We’re delighted with where she’s gone though, and it gives us a few pounds in the pocket to come back to the foal sales.” 

The monster pinhooking result is not the only success Weston has tasted this year, as he is also the breeder of Group 2 Lowther Stakes scorer Royal Fixation. 

Asked about his future pinhooking ambitions, Weston said: “Selling a horse for a million is the target. Whatever your business, you have to set a target and have a dream goal. If we work hard and we’re lucky enough, maybe one day we’ll do it.”

More from Tattersalls: 

‘Give me a Gold Cup anytime!’ - Amo Racing move for Gigginstown House-bred Night Of Thunder colt at 1,700,000gns 

'This is my best day in the sales ring, it’s very emotional' - a new high for Luca Cumani as Frankel colt fetches 2,200,000gns 

'If he’s a very good horse he’s going to be a stallion' - Amo Racing outmuscle Coolmore for 3,600,000gns Frankel colt