Breeder, agent and syndicate manager Luke Lillingston of Mount Coote Stud is next in line to face the questions.
What are your goals for 2024?
Trying to figure out opportunities that will arise from the downturn in the bloodstock market, while trying to keep our heads above water.
Give us a horse to follow…
Dragon Leader (Ire) (El Kabeir) did us proud in 2023 winning over £300,000 as a two-year-old and should give his Kennet Valley owners plenty more fun.
And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…
Charlie Dee works with me in Lillingston Bloodstock and is steadily building a good reputation both at home and around the world which will stand him in good stead for a bright future.
Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024?
Hello Youmzain (Fr).
And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France?
Naval Crown (GB), Mosthadaf (Ire) and Vadeni (Fr).
Your best buy/sale of 2023?
I was excited to buy True Scarlet (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) at the Tattersalls December sales as her half-sister Shuwari (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was second in the G1 Fillies’ Mile and could be a contender for the 1,000 Guineas. On the yearling front I couldn’t pick one but I think the group of five yearlings we bought for Kennett Valley are the most exciting ever.
The best yearling/weanling you saw at the 2023 sales (that someone else bought)?
The St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly out of Talent (GB), bought by Jill Lamb, was a deserving sale-topper at Tattersalls, and I believe still good value at 575,000gns.
Who is or was the perfect Thoroughbred?
We have been and are all very lucky to witness the almighty Frankel (GB).
Biggest professional regret?
Not taking the opportunity to buy and bring back Sir Prancealot (Ire) from America to Ireland. He would have been an excellent sire for small breeders looking to afford a proven stallion.
If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
Nick Luck, but I might need four days to get through what he regularly achieves in one. His work rate is quite extraordinary.
