Winners and Success Rates

2008 is now drawing to a close. This is a time to take stock of the last year, the highs the lows, the elation and the heart break.

The Highs:

We were rewarded in 2008 with our best year to date in terms of winning horses and prize money for clients. The aim of any bloodstock agent is to provide their clients with the best quality of horse available at the best price, and in 2008 we welcomed the success of many top quality horses which we had sourced for clients.

Academy Sir Harry, Eoin Griffin and Joe Comerford. Academy Sir Harry shows the same attributes as one of his stable mates, Kazal, both strong and determined racehorses. Academy Sir Harry is a winner of his bumper, his maiden hurdle and now a Grade Novice 3 hurdle, and all at the age of 6, his first run on a racecourse was in March 2008. He also finished 3rd in the Paddy Power Champion Bumper at Punchestown. He is a horse with a bright future ahead of him and it is a case of patience rewarded for all concerned and credit to Joe for his understanding of this late developer.

River Liane, Tom Cooper and Valerie and Eamon Courtney. When River Liane arrived in Ireland on Christmas eve 2007 Santa really brought a present of note to the Courtney family in Kerry. Prepared by Tom Cooper he won the Madigans hurdle on March 2nd and was installed favourite for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham just nine days later. Dreaming of Cheltenham success fuels the dreams of all horse owners and trainers, however it was not to be for River Liane this year. Back from his Summer break, he has landed a listed hurdle at Naas in early November and his owners can start dreaming again. A tough genuine horse with a will to win, coupled with ability, good owners and a trainer who knows what it is like to win at Cheltenham will ensure that this Christmas present will be around at the highest level for many years.

Solwhit, Charles Byrnes and The Top of The Hill Syndicate. Solwhit has gone from strength to strength from the time we first looked at him at his trainer’s yard in Belgium. Belgium is another of the countries where we maintain a high level of contact with horse trainers and breeders and it was through our contacts there that we began to follow his career racing. Under the guidance of trainer Charles Byrnes he then picked up The Leopardstown November Handicap on the flat, was an unlucky 3rd in the Irish Cesarwitch, is a winner of 2 over hurdles in Ireland alone and soon to step up to the top grade. He has provided his enthusiastic owners and astute trainer with some great moments already during his career. When searching for a horse for this syndicate we knew the pressure was on as they had already tasted success with their previous horse, Articulation, and now we were given the task of finding one similar or better. Four wins and a valuable 3rd place from 7 starts in Ireland, is a good indication that this is a nice horse with a very bright future.

Glencove Marina, Willie Mullins and John Brennan. Glencove falls into 2 categories this year, the Highs and the Heartbreak. He only managed one run in 2008 before suffering a slight tendon injury, but that one run ranks up there with one of the best of the year. He demolished a quality field at Leopardstown in a Grade 2 Novice Chase and was installed favourite for Cheltenham immediately. That day he had no less than Cheltenham winner “Finger on the Pulse” back in 2nd. Every indication is there that he can return fit and well and reward his owner John Brennan, himself a longstanding owner.

Don’t Be Bitin, Eoin Griffin and Mark McDonagh. Any horse that can boast of a career which includes 5 wins over hurdles and fences is a success. Don’t be Bitin has achieved this and in 2008 landed The Tied Cottage Grade 2 Chase at Punchestown, a track he knows and loves. Resilient and genuine jumpers are few and far between and we were thrilled for owner Mark McDonagh this year when this battler landed a prestigious prize. Still only a 7yo, he has plenty of time on his side and no doubt he will land many more big prizes during his career.

The Last Derby & Bantry Commons. Eoin Griffin and John Brennan. Success leads to hopes and aspirations for following seasons and both The Last Derby and Bantry Commons have been guilty of this. The Last Derby has never finished out of the money, placed twice in bumpers and then off the mark in his bumper he has gone on to win a good novice hurdle and looks a bright prospect for this season and the future. Bantry Commons is also guilty of leading those connected to think of the future, and this late maturing son of Rudimenatry is a winner of a good bumper with a promising future over obstacles.

No Full. Eoin Doyle and Mrs. P Doyle. Bought with high hopes this talented horse has been the model of consistency in 2008. Since finishing 3rd in the Paddy Power last Christmas he is a winner over hurdles and been placed in no less than 3 graded hurdles and a grade 3 chase. The hopes are high this year and it will be of no surprise to connections if he can land a very big race this season. Genuine and tough are necessary attributes of any champion and No Full has those in abundance. Eoin has two other promising young horses under his care and given better ground we are confident of their progress this season.

Lounaos, Eoin Griffin and JA McCarthy, Mark Nulty, Ray Gannon. The super filly, finished 4th in the AIG again in 2008 and although she never really captured her old sparkle on the racecourse she has provided her owners and trainer with great fun and success. She is now retired to stud and all concerned are looking forward to the next generation. Roll on Cheltenham 2014.

Dariak, Tom Foley and Pat Delaney. Having run only 7 times in 2008, Dariak notched up a noteworthy hat trick of successes. A winner on the flat and twice over hurdles this year, and still only a 5 year old this son of Highest Honor has developed into a high class performer and we expect further progress in 2009.

Finicius, Lucky Wish, Eoin Griffin and Ray Stokes. Finicius showed in 2008 that he retains plenty of the ability shown at 2 years, when notching up a hat trick of wins on his favoured all weather surface at Dundalk. He is a versatile performer in terms of trip, winning over trips from 6f to 8f. Both Ray and Eoin can look forward to a fruitful campaign in Dubai with this superb performer. Lucky Wish is a horse to look out for in 2009, he won his bumper in late 2007 and followed up nicely with a win in a maiden hurdle in 2008. He has now won or been placed 6 times from 10 outings.

There are many other horses who have performed with distinction over the last year. They include Weybridge Light(3 time winner on the flat), Artiste Bay a two time winner over fences, Sanglote, Caravino, Spanish Parade, South Wing, Norther Bay, Admiral Barry to name but a few.

The Lows

Unfortunately horse racing by nature is a rollercoaster ride and with the excitement of winning there are also the low times. Glencove Marina had built up a reputation as one of Ireland’s top Novice chasers until early February 2008 when he was found to have suffered a slight tendon injury. From dreams of Cheltenham glory to just making sure that the horse would recover properly, all in the space of 24 hours just show how fickle this racing game can be. Glencove has received the best treatment available here at our farm at Garryhack House and hopes are high that with time and patience he will make it back.

The Future

In times of economic doubt, Irish people and racing people in particular are a resilient bunch. One of the reasons for this is that next season and next year, circumstances will change and perhaps for the better.

PEAK BLOODSTOCK is certainly looking forward rather than backwards and it was with great delight we watched one of our newest recruits Qualviro run with great distinction, finishing 4th on his racecourse debut for trainer Jim Culloty and owner Dr. Lambe. Although the fog on the day prevented spectators from seeing all bar the final 200 yards of the race it was thrilling to see him emerge from the gloom and stay on nicely in fourth place.

Over the past year, PEAK BLOODSTOCK has had the privilege of working with many new owners and trainers and we are confident that the methods and requirements we used to source this years winners will reap the rewards for 2009 and our new owners and trainers. We will continue to strive to provide the most accessible and the highest quality packages for new and perspective owners and trainers so please contact us on 053 9135333 for any specific requirements or needs. Roll on 2009 and a Peaceful and Happy Christmas and New Year to all.