How treading alternative path worked out perfectly

Someone keen to breed a smart young pointer would usually look for a mare at Doncaster or Fairyhouse sales, or through a bloodstock agent. Vet Martin Peaty and his wife Kathryn did things a bit differently, however. They went to a Southampton horse dealer, and left with a mare, but no paperwork.

In fairness, Maisie Malone was not bought as a broodmare, but as an eventer for Kathryn. She also ran in her hunt race twice to make up the numbers and at the age of 12 was beaten just three-quarters of a length by a five-year-old from the stable of Lucy Snowden, the wife of Jamie.

That made the Peatys think twice, and so they put her in foal — not to a run-of-the-mill sire, but to Midnight Legend, one of a handful of British stallions who could mix it with Ireland's best.