NEWMARKET STUD FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION
2009 BREEDING REGULATIONS

The Horserace Betting Levy Board’s Code of Practice will be strictly applied with respect to the control of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), Equid Herpesvirus (EHV-1), Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and other Equine Bacterial Venereal Diseases, as well as additional precautions that are considered necessary by the Newmarket Stud Farmers Association.

A. HIGH RISK MARES (those who have had previous contact with CEMO or who originate from countries with CEMO or who originate from countries outside the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom) require:



1. One negative clitoral swab test taken before arrival at boarding stud.
2. One negative clitoral swab test taken at boarding stud.
3. One negative endometrial swab test taken at the boarding stud during the oestrus prior to service.

Negative swab test results must be certified for clearance for CEMO, Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2, & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a Horserace Betting Levy Board Designated Laboratory (UK) or other National Approved Laboratories in Ireland or France. Swab certificates from laboratories in other countries will not be accepted and will need to be repeated at the boarding stud.

Subsequent walkings-in:

Repeat negative endometrial swab for each subsequent oestrus period

B. LOW RISK MARES require:

Before first time of covering:

One negative clitoral swab test and one negative endometrial swab taken during oestrus. Negative swab test results must be certified for clearance for CEMO, Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2, & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a Horserace Betting Levy Board Designated Laboratory (UK) or other National Approved Laboratories in Ireland or France. Swab certificates from laboratories in other countries will not be accepted. The Stallion Stud Manager may, at his or her discretion, on veterinary advice, allow mating to proceed on the basis of satisfactory results from aerobic culture of endometrial swabs if adequate clitoral swabbing has already been carried out. However the microaerophilic endometrial swab results should be sent to the stallion stud as soon as they are available.

Subsequent walkings-in:

Repeat endometrial swab tests during all subsequent oestrus periods must be cultured aerobically for Klebsiella Pneumoniae & Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and results certified before mare is covered. Microaerophilic cultures for CEMO are still recommended and full results should follow afterwards if covering has already taken place.

C. ALL MARES
In the case of pregnant mares who have had difficult foalings requiring veterinary attention and antibiotic treatments, an additional clitoral swab should be taken after foaling and more than 7 days after antibiotic treatment has finished, in addition to routine endometrial swabs, in order to rule out acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. Providing the pre-foaling clitoral swab was certified negative for Taylorella equigenitalis, the additional post-foaling clitoral swab may be cultured aerobically only.

D. EVA tests to be taken after January 1st 2009
1. All mares that have not been outside the United Kingdom and Ireland within the last twelve months will require one negative blood test to be taken after 1st January 2009 and before service. Seropositive mares will require two blood-tests to be taken a minimum of 14 days apart; these should demonstrate a stable or declining titre.

2. All mares originating from outside the UK and Ireland will require two negative blood tests, the first to be taken within a 28 day period prior to arrival in the UK, with the second to be taken at the boarding stud, a minimum of 14 days after arrival. Similarly, animals that are seropositive for EVA will require two tests to be taken in the UK. These should be taken a minimum of 14 days apart and demonstrate a stable or declining titre. It is recommended that mares traveling from Mainland Europe should not be traveled with non-thoroughbreds or with any animals that have not been tested for EVA. All correctly completed international travel documents should accompany the mare/s.

3. NB. If a mare should leave the boarding stud after service or scanning in foal and thereafter wish to return during further oestrus, it may be necessary to provide a second negative EVA test.

These test results must confirm no significant rise in antibody titres (seroconversion).



E. EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANAEMIA (EIA)

1. All mares that have NOT been outside the United Kingdom and Ireland within the last 12 months will require one negative blood test for EIA to be taken after 1st January 2009.

2. All mares originating from OUTSIDE the United Kingdom and Ireland will require a negative blood test for EIA taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in this country. A second blood test must be taken at the boarding stud, prior to covering, a minimum of 14 days after arrival. Further blood tests must be taken as required to ensure that the mare is tested within 21 days prior to, and as close as possible to, EACH COVERING until a final blood test has been taken a minimum 60 days after the mares arrival in this country.

3. Any mare arriving from ITALY with a foal at foot will require a blood test for EIA to be taken from the foal a minimum of 14 days after arrival in this country.

F. STRANGLES
Owners and managers are required to declare any possible contact or exposure their mares or stud might have had to strangles, over the last two years. The current Code of Practice guidelines on prevention and control will be observed.

The following documents MUST ACCOMPANY THE MARE the first time she walks in for covering:

a) Clitoral swab certificate(s) – specifically certifying negative culture results for Taylorella equigentalis (CEMO), Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2 & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Negative test results must be certified by a Horserace Betting Levy Board designated Laboratory (UK), or other National approved laboratory in Ireland or France. Certificates from Laboratories outside these three countries will not be accepted.

b) Cervical/endometrial swab certificate –– specifically certifying negative culture results for Taylorella equigentalis (CEMO), Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2 & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Negative test results must be certified by a Horserace Betting Levy Board designated Laboratory (UK), or other National approved laboratory in Ireland or France. Certificates from Laboratories outside these three countries will not be accepted. Addition Cervical swab certificates must be provided for each oestrus period for which mare is covered. CEMO cultural results may follow but Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa results must be certified before the mare is covered.

c) A passport or fully legible photocopy (to include number, markings and vaccinations) MUST accompany the mare on EVERY occasion when walking in. Equine influenza and tetanus vaccinations must be up to date.

d) Horserace Betting Levy Board or other National Approved Laboratory breeding history certificate (CEM certificate)

e) A correctly completed N.S.F.A. Freedom from Infection Certificate is required on every occasion that the mare walks in, including cross services.

f) Negative EVA test certificate(s)

g) Negative EIA test certificate(s)

PLEASE NOTE

a) Additional swabbing and/or other tests may be required in certain circumstances at the stallion stud managers discretion.
b) If a mare is changed from one stallion to another during the course of the breeding season a new clitoral swab, endometrial swab and EVA test will be required. These should be taken no sooner than 7 days after the mare was last covered by the original stallion.

In February 2007, the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and The British Horse Society (BHS) launched an international campaign to raise awareness of Strangles, an equine plague and the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease in horses around the world. Launched by HRH The Princess Royal, and with a target of £250,000, the campaign has proven to be hugely successful already, with money raised so far being used to develop a diagnostic screening test. This test was launched in March 2008 and is perfect for screening horses and ponies prior to movement, sales or competition.

However, despite its success, they still desperately need to raise further funds to allow scientists to develop a vaccine, to rid the equine world of the disease altogether.

One way to help the campaign is to buy the A Passion for Horses 2009 calendar. This beautiful year planner features exclusive artwork by renowned equine photographer Marie Bushill, including shots of the Household Cavalry riding through the waves on Holkham Beach, North Norfolk. There is also a photograph of The Princess Royal with her horse, and two ‘Turf Legends’, jockey Lester Piggott riding Desert Orchid.

Also featured is champion eventer William Fox-Pitt, an action shot of horses thundering down the racecourse during the July Meeting at Newmarket last year and an image of the Animal Health Trust’s very own herd of ponies.

Of the campaign, the AHT’s President The Princess Royal said, “As an owner who has seen the effects of Strangles, I applaud the work of the Animal Health Trust and the British Horse Society in trying to develop both a rapid diagnostic test and an effective vaccine against the disease. It is my hope that the ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ campaign, including sales of this calendar, will expedite the research work necessary to achieve these goals.”

Other ways to help break the Strangles hold include holding a collection box and selling pin badges, distributing campaign literature or purchasing a special Puffa polo shirt. The Breaking the Strangles Hold campaign has teamed up with the leading equestrian and lifestyle brand, who have produced a unique range of polo shirts to help raise funds.

The calendar costs £9.99 plus £1.50 and all proceeds will go directly to the Breaking the Strangles Hold campaign. To order yours, or find out more about the campaign and ways to help, visit www.strangles.org. Orders can also be placed over the phone by calling 01638 555 648

Cheltenham racehorse seminar -
the most informative event in the Thoroughbred calendar

The biggest names in the world of racehorse care and health will gather at the famous Cheltenham course in November.

The event – at the home of British jump racing – will showcase the latest advances in equine welfare and veterinary developments.

For all trainers and breeders – indeed anyone involved in the world of racing – the 2008 Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Seminar is an absolute must-attend event.

Since its was first held eight years ago, the annual Seminar has gone from strength to strength, become a landmark in the horse racing diary, and has consistently drawn the most authoritative speakers and the most knowledgeable audience.

This year’s event promises to be the biggest and best so far showcasing not just the latest research and cutting edge technology, but also the ultimate in practical, up-to-the-minute information, all presented in an entertaining format.

The Seminar will be held on Thursday, November 13 in the impressive Centaur conference and exhibition space, at the heart of the Cheltenham course.

Kicking the programme off will be a fast-paced News Bulletin, in which Dr. Peter Webbon, Seminar Chairman and Chief Executive Animal Health Trust, and highly regarded equine specialist Dr. Geoff Lane, will present an overview of ‘stop-press’ news from the equine veterinary profession.




Immediately after lunch, the audience can quiz a panel of experts on all aspects of equine veterinary science (questions can be submitted via the website ahead of the event but can also be accepted on the day).

The themes this year include immunology, with Professor Derek Knottenbelt, specialist in Equine Oncology, providing an overview of how the equine immune system works and how it can be enhanced, and Nick Wingfield Digby of Beaufort Cottage Stables, speaking on immunity in young foals. Prof. Knottenbelt will also discuss best practice in the treatment of wounds.

Professor Tim Morris from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will give details of a major study into the genetic basis of certain equine conditions.

While Professor Alan Wilson of the Royal Veterinary College, London, and Dr. Sam Franklin of Bristol University, leaders in their field, will give an extraordinary insight into the highly advanced technology now being used to monitor horses while they are working, highlighting the latest sophisticated video analysis and sound recording procedures.

• For a registration form or for more details contact:
Louise Holder, R&W Communications
Suites 3 & 4
8 Kings Court
Willie Snaith Road
Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7SG
Tel: 01638 667600; e-mail louise.holder@rw-communications.co.uk or visit www.thoroughbred-seminar.com.

Ends


Notes to editors:
Media Contact: Louise Holder, tel: 07813 218396 or 01638 667600; e-mail louise.holder@rw-communications.co.uk or visit www.thoroughbred-seminar.com.

First held in 2001, the Seminar is supported by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, Cheltenham Racecourse, Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health, and animal feed specialists Dodson & Horrell Ltd.

The Seminar aims to communicate in a practical way, the results of scientific research, and so benefit the welfare of Thoroughbred racing and breeding horses.

An experienced English-speaking stud groom from overseas, who has worked for a top English stud farm near Newmarket in the recent past (references available) is looking for temporary or permanent employment.
Any stud which needs someone fairly immediately to help with
yearling sales prep or other duties should contact Fay McLellan at Kings UK's office in Newmarket (Tel : 01638 665456). The candidate in question has a clean international driving licence.

The Newmarket Horseracing and Breeders Group
National Air Traffic Service (NATS) Consultation on Airspace Change Proposal known as Terminal Control North (TCN)

1. Consultation Exercise

As you will be aware, NATS are consulting on proposals to change the management of the heavily congested airspace of southern and eastern England. Much of the Horse Racing Industry at Newmarket sits below the proposed sub-region of the TCN Consultation area. The consultation period was proposed to end on 22nd May 2008 but is now extended to 19th June 2008 following which NATS will analyse feedback before deciding if they will alter their proposals; if so, there may be a further consultation. There is also potential for a legal challenge in the event that the consultation is not in accordance with law. The consultation exercise has been devised by and is carried out by NATS. The overseeing as to whether the consultation exercise is in accordance with published guidance is undertaken by the Directorate of Airspace Policy of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA DAP). The decision whether to revise or adopt the TCN proposals will be taken by NATS. Details can be found on www.nats.co.uk/TCNconsultation

2. Proposals

The changes proposed arise from an expansion of the airspace used to accommodate mainly aircraft departing and arriving from Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) Airports. The changes in departure routes do not impact on the Newmarket area, unlike the change in arrival arrangements. The current arrivals are arranged using reporting/holding areas that are situated well south of Newmarket, in particular to a hold or stack LOREL around Royston and one at Sudbury, the ABBOTT hold. Therefore these aircraft do not overfly Newmarket currently.

The changes involve replacing these reporting/holding areas so that Luton arrivals go to a new hold situated between Cambridge and St Neots, GENLO, and STN arrivals go to either the proposed new holding stack just south of Newmarket, BASDO, or to a further proposed new hold OLMIT between Stowmarket and Hadleigh. BASDO is described by British Airports Authority as BERRY in their current application for a second runway at Stansted Airport.

The change which would be likely to have a material affect on the Newmarket Horse Racing Industry is the creation of a new Waypoint and hold, BASDO, located almost directly overhead of Cheveley, within the principal stud farm area south east of Newmarket.

LTN Arrival aircraft seeking to use the new hold for Luton Airport, GENLO, will also pass through the Newmarket area to reach that hold when approaching from the East (North Sea).

In essence therefore the proposals bring arrival traffic for these two Airports (STN and LTN) over the Newmarket area, such traffic currently is located well south of the area.
There is currently contradictory information over the heights of such aircraft ranging from overhead at 4,000 feet to 14,000 feet. Our team set up to evaluate the proposals are seeking to resolve the confusion, and currently suggest the lowest height of such aircraft will be at 7,000 feet above mean sea level, e.g. 6,650 feet above Cheveley Park, with most of such arrival aircraft to STN at lower levels.

 
3. Concern for Newmarket and the Horseracing and Breeding Industry

Newmarket is the centre of the British horseracing and breeding industry. Many tens of millions of pounds have been invested into the area over the last ten or so years, much with money that has originated overseas. Turnover in British Horseracing and breeding amounts annually to tens of millions pounds (Core expenditure of British racing was valued at £870 million in 2005 according to the British Horseracing Board's study on the Economic Impact of British Racing published in June 2006), much of which is reliant on the success of the Newmarket horseracing and breeding industry. Much of this investment is footloose in the sense that it is capable of being invested in a number of locations in the world, Newmarket and indeed Britain being merely one of them. Others include Ireland, USA, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. All have horseracing and breeding industries of increasing importance and some are growing fast, such as those in the Middle East. Currently investors prefer to invest in Newmarket because of the qualities it offers, but it would not take much to divert significant investment overseas that would otherwise go to Newmarket. A clear consideration in making such investment is the high quality of the environment around Newmarket and the absence of any pollution. It has been found to be one of the main factors affecting investors’ decision making. In the event of significant and continued investment from some of owners or breeders being taken oversees, the effect would be substantial and severely detrimental not merely to the Newmarket area but to British horseracing and breeding more generally. There are a sufficient number of concerned people in the Horse Racing Industry around Newmarket to have formed a group to understand the NATS proposals and the effects, and to consider what can be done to avoid or mitigate any likely harm. This group, the Newmarket Horseracing and Breeders Group, includes Jockey Club Estates Ltd, Tattersalls, a number of stud owners, trainers and other related businesses. The group have appointed a team of professional experts to advise and to submit an evidentially based response to the consultation.

4. The Professional Team

This is led by John Steel QC, an eminent barrister with considerable experience in aviation issues, and includes Jeff Charles, an acoustic engineer of Bickerdike Allen Partners (as used by BAA Plc) and two leading airspace design specialists both of whom formerly worked for CAA and NATS. Bidwells are assembling information regarding the industry to inform NATS by way of a comprehensive survey and other forms of investigation. The professional team are currently hampered in formulating an intelligent reply to the consultation. They are seeking information from NATS to enable them to understand how the current proposals have been formed, the likely impacts on the industry and to present potential alternatives which will be less damaging to the Horseracing and Breeding Industry and those who live and work in the area, and at the same time overall more in accordance with policy than the current NATS proposals. This can only happen if information can be gathered from those affected. However, NATS have to date failed to provide adequate answers to requests for information.

5. Scope of the Concerns

We would stress that the arguments we are proposing for change relate to mainly the potentially significantly negative economic effects on the racing industry, and specifically the breeding industry on studs in the Newmarket area. We understand that it has been said in NATS defence that it is a well known fact that aircraft noise has little effect on horses at the levels being considered. We do not and have never sought to challenge this. It is to miss the point completely. We are not suggesting that horses will be directly affected by the noise of overflying aircraft because of course they frequently adapt to suit their surroundings.

The operation of the Newmarket studs and training yards has a significant multiplier effect on the local economy (e.g. demand for equine veterinary specialists, farriers, transport, etc). Collectively, this interdependence makes Newmarket the heart of the horse racing industry in Europe.

As stated above, the over whelming concern is that one or more of the global players on whom the whole racing industry depends could temper their investment worth tens of millions of pounds each year and instead direct their investment and efforts towards other parts of the world more attractive for their horse racing interests notably Ireland, America, France, Australia or the Middle East. There is clear evidence that this is a real possibility. The effect of one of the major global players withdrawing in any way could have a devastating knock on effect to the smaller businesses and their employees who depend on the continuing investment.

We understand that it there is no clear evidence accepted by NATS that pollution from overflying aircraft affects agriculture, persons or animals on the ground. Even if there is no clear evidence of the pollution effects of aircraft over flying stud farms, it is the perception of an owner which matters to whether investment is or is not made. A stallion or brood mare can be worth many millions of pounds. Before they come to their first race, the cost of investment in a horse can amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds. The top owners attracted to Newmarket wish to be totally satisfied with all factors which affect or could affect the success of that animal’s welfare or performance, during training and when at stud. There are many stud farms in the world for them to choose from, all in competition with each other, all advertising ‘perfect’ conditions. It is easy to see that in the event of the Newmarket studs being placed under a main hold or stack, with most Stansted Airport arrival aircraft flying overhead on every day of the year in the future, with the potential for pollution from aircraft being unable to be discounted to normally fastidious owners, Newmarket would be placed at a significant disadvantage. It would not take much for owners to choose other training and stud locations and not to invest here, to remove their stallions and mares from Newmarket and to place them and invest elsewhere in the world, however much NATS or others may seek to reassure them. It would not take much to tip the balance away from Newmarket.

It is important to recognise too that the rural area around Newmarket is intensively used by large numbers of employees working predominantly outside on a daily basis throughout the year. This is in contrast to most other rural or agricultural areas elsewhere, in particular arable areas. The initial responses to the survey carried out by the Newmarket Horseracing and Breeders Group are from businesses employing over 600 permanent stud hands directly at a ratio of one per ten acres. This is a vast difference from the nearby arable farming where the ratio might be closer to one per thousand acres. Further, those workers will be predominantly working with noisy machinery or inside tractor cabs and are thus generally unaware of aircraft or other external noise. Initial estimates indicate that the racehorse trainers employ over 1,000 staff working outside for much of the day for much of the year and in particular at times when the aircraft traffic might be at its highest in the early morning or early evening.

We are advised that currently the background noise levels are very low in the area of the studs and that this means that the number of workers directly affected by the additional noise from aircraft will be much higher than for other areas our experts are modelling.


6. Response update

The Team have been grossly hampered by a lack of information from NATS despite requests.

These significant concerns have given rise to the tabling of an Early Day Motion (1540) in the House of Commons.

We believe there is a clear solution but it must be accepted by the Department for Transport, the CAA and NATS that it is in their best interest to avoid what we see to be a seriously harmful but potentially avoidable effect of a bad decision to propose to place a hold and arrival route over the UK’s principal horseracing and breeding area. They failed to take into account the very serious and detrimental economic effects on the area and Industry. We have clear evidence that NATS did not consider the Newmarket Horse Racing Industry in putting forward its TCN proposals and assumed the area to be like any other agricultural or rural area, which it is patently not. The group is willing to co-operate in any reasonable way to achieve the objective of avoiding a bad decision.

Your help is urgently required if we are to make a real difference to the decision making process and we urge you to support us making a representation to the consultation before 19th. June. Please either send a letter or go online and make your comments known that way. Please try to say what it would it would mean to you if the proposals are adopted and/or if one or more of the major global players were to reduce their commitment to Newmarket.


If you have any questions, please contact Ian Monks at Bidwells, Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 9LD, telephone 01223 559360 or e-mail ian.monks@bidwells.co.uk . Please send an e-mail if you would like a copy of the map showing the proposed route of the aircraft.

 

Appendix 1

Letter from Ian Monks to NATS


Appendix 2

E-mail from Barry Hawkins at Cyrrus – links for the references to Aeronautical Information Circulars
yellow 116 http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/aip/current/aic/yellow/EG_Circ_2003_Y_092_en.pdf
yellow 226 http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/aip/current/aic/yellow/EG_Circ_2006_Y_125_en.pdf


Appendix 3

Early Day Motion


Appendix 4

Plan showing NATS proposal

Anyone looking for a mare for a foal ? If so, please contact
HILARY PIERCE at Lodge Farm at Kinoulton in Nottinghamshire.
Contact numbers : 01949 81648 or 07817 043195.

Nicholson 800 Paddock Sweeper For Sale.
Good condition and working order. £3,000.
Buyer collects.
Telephone : 01638 577332

Andrew Devonshire Bronze (for its contribution to the thoroughbred breeding industry) : JUDDMONTE FARMS

Queen's Silver Cup (Leading British-based Breeder - Flat earnings) : CHEVELEY PARK STUD

BBA Silver Cigar Box (Leading British-based Stallion - Flat earnings) : PIVOTAL

Barleythorpe Cup (Leading British-based Stallion - individual winners) : PIVOTAL

Tattersalls Silver Salver (Leading British-based first season sire) : OASIS DREAM

Mobile home, in good condition, FREE, but purchaser must
arrange own collection. Please apply to Graham Nicklin at Glebe Stud on : 07885 777930

DUTCH ART, the leading sprinter miler and dual Group 1 winning two year old, has arrived safely at his new home at Cheveley Park Stud, where he is to take up stallion duties in 2008.

The precociously bred son of Medicean was an unbeaten two year old in 2006. After defeating subsequent Group 1 winner Simply Perfect first time out at Windsor he was next seen in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he showed a blistering turn of foot to win going away. After a short break he returned to action in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville; yet again he displayed raw pace to defeat a quality field that included Excellent Art. His final juvenile start came in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, and for the fourth time he ran out a comprehensive 2 length victor, in a performance that marked him out as one of the season’s leading juveniles. Dutch Art finished the 2006 season as the leading English trained two year old.

At three DUTCH ART demonstrated his versatility to perform at the highest level over a mile, by finishing third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. ‘Winning’ his race on the far side he was beaten a little over two lengths by the stand side group, but put up a notable performance nonetheless. Showing his durability he was dropped back in trip in the July Cup. Despite encountering problems in running and being nearly last with 2 furlongs to run he was foiled by half a length, but in doing so beat some of Europe’s leading sprinters including Red Clubs, Dandy Man and Marchand D’Or and proved himself to be one of the quickest horses in Europe. He also finished a creditable second in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Managing Director Chris Richardson said “We are thrilled to be in a position to offer British Breeders the opportunity to use a dual Group 1 winning son of Medicean, in Dutch Art. Dutch Art would lower himself almost level with the ground when asked to sprint to the line – his electric turn of foot was impressive.”

A fee for DUTCH ART is yet to be set.

Members of the Newmarket Stud Farmers Association are welcome to go and view the new stallion at Cheveley Park Stud, by appointment.

Other details for viewing will be given at a later date.

Longstones Stud at Kennett is looking to find a good home for
its long-serving 12.2-hands Welsh Pony Teaser.
Anyone interested should call : Brian "Bugsy" Parry (Manager at Longstones) on : 07867 553605.

SIR PERCY to stand at Lanwades

Dual Champion, unbeaten two-year-old and Derby winner SIR PERCY has arrived at Kirsten Rausing’s Lanwades Stud in Newmarket , where he will join Breeders’ Cup Mile winner DOMEDRIVER (successful first-crop sire this year) as well as leading sires HERNANDO, SELKIRK and WITH APPROVAL, to stand his first season in 2008.

Victoria and Anthony Pakenham, SIR PERCY’s owners, stated that “having examined various offers for SIR PERCY, we are delighted he is going to Lanwades, an independent and very professionally run stud with a marvellous record for producing Leading Sires”.

SIR PERCY’s trainer, Marcus Tregoning, speaking from Doncaster Sales said: “He was an exceptionally precocious two-year-old, probably the best I’ve ever trained. “PERCY” was an outstandingly tough and healthy individual, with a tremendous constitution and an eye-catchingly athletic walk”.

“We are proud to see a Derby Winner joining the stallion ranks at Lanwades” Kirsten Rausing enthused, “With his outstanding pedigree and racing record, he represents marvellous value and opportunity for domestic and international mare owners”

SIR PERCY will be syndicated and he will stand at a fee of £8,000 (1st Oct, SLF).

For further information, please contact Lanwades Stud
on : 01638 750222

info@lanwades.com www.lanwades.com

Multiple Group 1 winner NOTNOWCATO is to be retired at the end of this year and will take up stallion duties at Lord Derby's Stanley House Stud in the Snailwell Road in Newmarket, where his deceased sire Inchinor formerly stood.
Winner of the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York last year, NOTNOWCATO has won the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland and the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown this year, beating the Epsom Derby winner Authorized, and was third to the latter in last week's Juddmonte International.
London Thoroughbred Services Ltd are handling his syndication at a reported cost of £30,000 per share and he will cover at a fee of £8,000 in 2008.

RAIL LINK AND THREE VALLEYS RETIRE TO BANSTEAD MANOR STUD
Rail Link, winner of the 2006 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is to join the stallion team at Banstead Manor Stud, where he will replace Rainbow Quest, another Arc winner who developed into Britain’s most accomplished stallion.
Rail Link will be standing alongside his highly popular sire Dansili, who dominated the recent yearling sales at Deauville, where his youngsters sold for €950,000, €800,000 and €600,000. These prices reflected the tremendous success enjoyed by Dansili’s first four crops, which have produced the Gr.1 winners Price Tag, Passage of Time, Rail Link and Zambezi Sun, as well as some very promising juveniles led by Proviso. The unbeaten Proviso recently moved to the head of the 2008 1000 Guineas betting following her victory in the Gr.3 Prix du Calvados.
Rail Link played a leading role in Dansili becoming champion sire in France in 2006. After losing his rider on his debut, Rail Link won the last five of his six completed outings to share the title of best horse in Europe with George Washington on the 2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. Timeform rated him 132.
A half-brother to the Group-winning Chelsea Manor, Rail Link reeled off four successive Group victories. In the Gr.3 Prix du Lys he easily defeated the subsequent Gr.1 winners Sudan and Prince Flori; in the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris, he won by two lengths, chased home by the future Gr.1 winners Red Rocks, Sudan and Grand Couturier; and in the Gr.2 Prix Niel he defeated the subsequent Gr.1 winners Youmzain and Sudan. Then, in the Arc, he showed the type of acceleration people have come to expect of Dansili’s best progeny, to score from Pride, the Japanese superstar Deep Impact and Hurricane Run. The second and third immediately franked the form by jointly going on to Gr.1 successes in the Champion Stakes, Hong Kong Cup, Japan Cup and Arima Kinen.
Another addition to the Juddmonte team is Dansili’s relative Three Valleys, who had the distinction of setting track records on three different courses.
The son of Diesis first caused a sensation at the 2003 Royal Ascot meeting, when he trounced the opposition by eight lengths in the Gr.3 Coventry Stakes, to lower the juvenile track record to 1:13.6. The next record came in 2005, in the Gr.2 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap, where Three Valleys stopped the clock at 1:32.21 for a mile, and he again rewrote the record books at Monmouth Park in 2006, when he took the Gr.3 Oceanport Stakes in a time of 1:40.06 for eight and a half furlongs.
Three Valleys’ other achievements included crossing the line first in the Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes, finishing a head second in the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes and a fine third behind older horses in the Gr.1 Citation Handicap on his American debut.
Only three horses were rated superior to Three Valleys on the two-year-old classifications. By training on to add further Graded successes at four and five, he showed the type of speed and durability for which Juddmonte’s Sookera family has become famous. Three Valleys’ dam Skiable is one of four daughters of Kerali to have bred a Group winner, the others being Arrive (dam of this year’s Princess Margaret Stakes Gr.3 winner Visit), Dissemble (dam of the excellent American miler Leroidesanimaux) and Broodmare of the Year Hasili.
When Champs Elysees won the Prix d’Hedouville earlier this year, he became Hasili’s sixth Group winner from her first six foals, the others being Dansili, Banks Hill, Heat Haze, Intercontinental and Cacique. All six are by Danzig line stallions. Three Valleys, who shares the same sire as the consistently successful Halling, is out of a close relative to Hasili, as both Skiable and Hasili are by stallions from the Nijinsky sire line. With a pedigree largely free of Northern Dancer blood, Three Valleys is sure to appeal to the many breeders with speedy mares from the Danzig line.

Philip Mitchell, General Manager of Juddmonte Farms, said:
“We are delighted to be standing Rail Link, as there’s every reason to hope that he can fill the void left by Rainbow Quest. Besides being a champion son of a champion sire, he’s an excellent physical specimen. He’s a strong, powerful, really good-looking colt, with the correct conformation breeders are looking for. He also has a great attitude. Three Valleys will offer breeders the opportunity to use a very fast 2 year old/miler combined with arguably today’s best female line”.

The National Stud has confirmed that the stud career of their Triple Group 1 winner, Phoenix Reach has got off to a successful start.
One of the first mares to be scanned in foal to Phoenix Reach is Pearl¹s Girl, a 4-year-old winning mare by King¹s Best.
Her owner, Andrew Christou of Winterbeck Manor Stud, who also owns Phoenix Reach, has high hopes for the outcome of this match. "She is a super mare² he said "and if Phoenix
Reach passes on his tenacity and toughness we should have an exciting prospect."

Pearl¹s Girl is likely to go back into training with William Haggas, who has said that he is optimistic that she is capable of picking up some black type.

The winner of 5 races and almost £2 million in prize money, Phoenix Reach retired to stud at the end of last year following a remarkable racing career, during which he raced in 7 different countries on 4 continents. His string of victories includes the 2003 Canadian International (Group 1), the 2004 Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) and the 2005 Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1).
For his first season at the National Stud, Phoenix Reach stands at a fee of £3,500.

Darley launches children's website

Darley has announced the launch of their website dedicated to children, www.darleykids.com.

Following a series of successful visits by local schools to Darley’s headquarters at Dalham Hall Stud, a web site was created to complement the visits and to provide school children an extensive source of information on the thoroughbred breeding industry.

The colourful site’s many features include details of the horse’s anatomy; history of the thoroughbred and racing; and a Foal diary which tracks the lives of three foals born at Dalham Hall each year. Information on Sheikh Mohammed and Darley are also included, as are a series of interactive games, which are designed to test children’s knowledge and to offer them the chance to top the site’s leader board and win a monthly prize.

For further information on Darley’s educational visits, please contact Dawn Laidlaw on 01638 730070.

BANSTEAD MANOR STUD – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT EIA

Following the revision of the NSFA Breeding Regulations 1 February 2007, Juddmonte Farms have an additional requirement in respect of EIA testing for all mares originating from Ireland and Northern Ireland, walking-in to Banstead Manor Stud stallions. The full requirement for these mares is as follows: -

All mares originating from IRELAND, including those from NORTHERN IRELAND, will require a negative blood test for EIA taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in this country.

A SECOND blood test MUST be taken, in this country, not more than 21 days propr to, and as close as possible to, the first time of covering.

IN ADDITION, FURTHER BLOOD TESTS MUST BE TAKEN AS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE MARE IS TESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS PRIOR TO, AND AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO, EACH SUBSEQUENT COVERING UNTIL SHE HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 60 DAYS.

please contact Banstead Manor Stud if you have any queries. Telephone 01638 731115.

Darley have announced that Mark Of Esteem has been indefinitely suspended from stud duties, following recent tests which have indicated a decrease in his fertility level.

The 14-year-old son of Darshaan suffered the loss of a testicle following colic surgery around two years ago, but completed the 2005/06 southern hemisphere breeding season in Brazil and successfully covered over 90 mares at Dalham Hall last year.

Stud director Liam O'Rourke said "Mark Of Esteem's breeding season is very much on hold following recent disappointing fertility analysis results. Whilst his general health and libido remain excellent, on veterinary advice we have decided to suspend his season pending further investigation."

GROOM DANCER

GROOM DANCER, one of the best stallion sons of Blushing Groom has died at Cheveley Park Stud at the age of 23.

Bred in the U.S.A by Marvin L. Warner at Warnerton Farms the winner of 8 races at 2 and 3 years from 6 to 10½ furlongs, GROOM DANCER would be best remembered for the way he beat the Champion Trempolino easily in the 1987 Prix Lupin at Longchamp. Timeform quoted in the Racehorses of 1987 that Groom Dancer showed ‘tremendous acceleration’ in his races.

He was retired to stud in 1988 and stood at the Haras d’Etreham before being sold to Shadai Stud in Japan, where he shuttled to New Zealand standing at the Ra Ora and Trelawney Studs. In 1999 he was repatriated to Europe to stand at Cheveley Park Stud. In his career he sired numerous good horses including Groom Tesse, Lord of Men, La Balafre, Maiden Tower, Lovers Knot, Kabool, Pursuit of Love, Egerton, Another Dancer, Thrilling Day and the Group 1 winner SPHENOPHYTA winner of the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington in 2006.

He is already a Broodmare sire of considerable note siring the dams of Group 1 winners Tout Seul, Rouvres, Beckett and top sprinter Dananeyev.

Cheveley Park Stud Managing Director Chris Richardson said ‘Groom Dancer was a truly international traveller whose legacy will live on through his many sons and daughters around the world’

NEWMARKET STUD FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION
FREEDOM FROM INFECTION CERTIFICATE 2007 (revised 1st February 2007)

MARE___________________________________________________________________________ Foaling / Barren / Maiden

VISITING_______________________________________BOARDING AT_________________________________________

Date of arrival at the Boarding Stud _________________________________________________________________________

FOAL DETAILS (if applicable) D.O.B__________________Sex/colour___________________Sire______________________

[ ] The Passport/photocopy, must accompany the mare on every occasion she visits the stallion

I hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge the above mentioned resident mare is not suffering from any contagious disease likely to be a risk to the stallion at the stud.

No EHV-1 virus abortions, cases of Strangles, stillbirths or relevant contagious diseases (e.g. EVA, EIA, CEM, Influenza, Salmonellosis etc.) have occurred within the last six weeks, nor are any such cases currently under investigation other than those who have received total clearance from the appropriate authorities.

Signed____________________________________________ Name______________________________________________________

Position___________________________________________ On behalf of_________________________________________________

Date__________________________________________

Any additional information about the visiting mare______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALL MARES

[ ] Attached one Clitoral Swab taken on_____________________________________________
[ ] Attached one Endometrial Swab taken on _________________________________________
[ ] Attached one Negative EVA blood test result taken after 1st January taken on_____________
[ ] Attached one EIA blood test taken after 1st January taken on__________________

MARES ORIGINATING FROM NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC

Date of arrival in Mainland Britain_____________________________

[ ] Attached one Negative EIA blood test taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in Mainland Britain taken on___________
[ ] Attached one Negative EIA blood test taken within 21 days prior to first time of covering taken on_______________

MARES ORIGINATING FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND

These mares will require two negative EVA blood tests, the first to be taken within a 28 day period prior to arrival in the UK, with the second to be taken at the boarding stud, a minimum of 14 days after arrival. All mares should be placed in quarantine during this 14 day period.


Date of arrival in Mainland Britain_________________________ Country of Origin__________________________________

[ ] Attached first EVA blood test taken on ____________________________________________
[ ] Attached second EVA blood test taken on__________________________________________
[ ] Attached one Negative EIA blood test taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in Mainland Britain taken on___________
[ ] Attached one Negative EIA blood test taken a minimum of 14 days after arrival in Mainland Britain taken on____________
[ ] Attached further Negative EIA Blood test taken within 21 days prior to covering taken on _______________(if required)

Copies of all international travel documents should accompany the mare when visiting the stallion stud. Please refer to the Newmarket Stud Farmers’ Breeding Regulations 2007 for further details.

The declaration must EITHER accompany the mare at the time of covering or PREFERABLY to be lodged by fax at the Stud Office before the mare will be accepted for EACH INDIVIDUAL SERVICE.

NEWMARKET STUD FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

2007 BREEDING REGULATIONS (Revised 1st February 2007)

The Horserace Betting Levy Board’s Code of Practice will be strictly applied with respect to the control of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), Equid Herpesvirus (EHV -1), Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and other Equine Bacterial Venereal Diseases, as well as additional precautions that are considered necessary by the Newmarket Stud Farmers Association.

A. HIGH RISK MARES (those who have had previous contact with CEMO or who originate from countries with CEMO or who originate from countries outside the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom) require:



1. One negative clitoral swab test taken before arrival at boarding stud.
2. One negative clitoral swab test taken at boarding stud.
3. One negative endometrial swab test taken at the boarding stud during the oestrus prior to service.

Negative swab test results must be certified for clearance for CEMO, Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2, & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a Horserace Betting Levy Board Designated Laboratory (UK) or other National Approved Laboratories in Ireland or France. Swab certificates from laboratories in other countries will not be accepted and will need to be repeated at the boarding stud.

Subsequent walkings-in:

Repeat negative endometrial swab for each subsequent oestrus period

B. LOW RISK MARES require:

Before first time of covering:

One negative clitoral swab test and one negative endometrial swab taken during oestrus. Negative swab test results must be certified for clearance for CEMO, Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2, & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a Horserace Betting Levy Board Designated Laboratory (UK) or other National Approved Laboratories in Ireland or France. Swab certificates from laboratories in other countries will not be accepted. The Stallion Stud Manager may, at his or her discretion, on veterinary advice, allow mating to proceed on the basis of satisfactory results from aerobic culture of endometrial swabs if adequate clitoral swabbing has already been carried out. However the microaerophilic endometrial swab results should be sent to the stallion stud as soon as they are available.

Subsequent walkings-in:

Repeat endometrial swab tests during all subsequent oestrus periods must be cultured aerobically for Klebsiella Pneumoniae & Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and results certified before mare is covered. Microaerophilic cultures for CEMO are still recommended and full results should follow afterwards if covering has already taken place.

C. EVA tests to be taken after January 1st 2007

1. All mares that have not been outside the United Kingdom and Ireland within the last twelve months will require one negative blood test to be taken after 1st January 2007 and before service. Seropositive mares will require two blood-tests to be taken a minimum of 14 days apart; these should demonstrate a stable or declining titre.

2. All mares originating from outside the UK and Ireland will require two negative blood tests, the first to be taken within a 28 day period prior to arrival in the UK, with the second to be taken at the boarding stud, a minimum of 14 days after arrival. Similarly, animals that are seropositive for EVA will require two tests to be taken in the UK. These should be taken a minimum of 14 days apart and demonstrate a stable or declining titre. It is recommended that mares traveling from Mainland Europe should not be traveled with non-thoroughbreds or with any animals that have not been tested for EVA. All correctly completed international travel documents should accompany the mare/s.

3. NB. If a mare should leave the boarding stud after service or scanning in foal and thereafter wish to return during further oestrus, it may be necessary to provide a second negative EVA test.

These test results must confirm no significant rise in antibody titres (seroconversion).




D EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANAEMIA (EIA)

1 Mares from MAINLAND BRITAIN will require a negative blood test for EIA taken after 1st January 2007 and before covering. This can be taken at the same time as the test for EVA.

2 All mares originating from IRELAND, including those from NORTHERN IRELAND, will require a negative blood test for EIA taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in this country. A second blood test must be taken, in this country, not more than 21 days prior to, and as close as possible to, the first time of covering.

3 All mares originating from outside the United Kingdom and Ireland will require a negative blood test for EIA taken no more than 14 days prior to arrival in this country. A second blood test must be taken at the boarding stud, prior to covering, a minimum of 14 days after arrival. Further blood tests must be taken as required to ensure that the mare is tested within 21 days prior to, and a close as possible to, EACH COVERING until she has been in this country for 60 days.

4 Any mare arriving from ITALY with a foal at foot will require a blood test for EIA to be taken from the foal a minimum of 14 days after arrival in this country.

E. STRANGLES
Owners and managers are required to declare any possible contact or exposure their mares or stud might have had to strangles, over the last two years. The current Code of Practice guidelines on prevention and control will be observed.

The following documents MUST ACCOMPANY THE MARE the first time she walks in for covering:

a) Clitoral swab certificate(s) – specifically certifying negative culture results for Taylorella equigentalis (CEMO), Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2 & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Negative test results must be certified by a Horserace Betting Levy Board designated Laboratory (UK), or other National approved laboratory in Ireland or France. Certificates from Laboratories outside these three countries will not be accepted.

b) Cervical/endometrial swab certificate –– specifically certifying negative culture results for Taylorella equigentalis (CEMO), Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2 & 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Negative test results must be certified by a Horserace Betting Levy Board designated Laboratory (UK), or other National approved laboratory in Ireland or France. Certificates from Laboratories outside these three countries will not be accepted. Addition Cervical swab certificates must be provided for each oestrus period for which mare is covered. CEMO cultural results may follow but Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa results must be certified before the mare is covered.

c) A passport or fully legible photocopy (to include number, markings and vaccinations) MUST accompany the mare on EVERY occasion when walking in. Equine influenza and tetanus vaccinations must be up to date.

d) Horserace Betting Levy Board or other National Approved Laboratory breeding history certificate (CEM certificate)

e) A correctly completed N.S.F.A. Freedom from Infection Certificate is required on every occasion that the mare walks in, including cross services.

f) Negative EVA certificate(s)

g) Coggins test certificate

PLEASE NOTE

a) Additional swabbing and/or other tests may be required in certain circumstances at the stallion stud managers discretion
b) If a mare is changed from one stallion to another during the course of the breeding season a new clitoral swab, endometrial swab and EVA test will be required. These should be taken no sooner than 7 days after the mare was last covered by the original stallion.

Lord Derby's homebred mare OUIJA BOARD, winner of the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes, the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2006, has become the first repeat winner of the coveted Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Female.
Bred at Stanley House Stud in Newmarket and trained in the town by Ed Dunlop, the daughter of Darley stallion Cape Cross, earned 217 votes, compared to runner-up Gorella's 35.
The great mare retires to stud with earnings of more than US$6.3-million and is due to be covered this year by Kingmambo.

Phoenix Reach Breeders Prizes

Breeders are to be offered the added incentive to patronise the top-class Globetrotting triple Group 1 winning first-season sire PHOENIX REACH, in the form of Breeders prizes.

PHOENIX REACH's owners, the Christou family of Winterbeck Manor Stud, have pledged a £10,000 prize to the breeder of each individual Listed race winning 2-year-old, and a £25,000 prize to the breeder of each individual Group race winning 2-year-old. (One prize per individual black-type winner). In light of PHOENIX REACH's worldwide achievements, graded overseas wins will be eligible for breeder prizes.

PHOENIX REACH, a son of the European Champion juvenile Alhaarth, stands at The National stud for the 2007 season at a fee of £3,500 (1st October, Special Live Foal)
(one prize per individual black type winner)

Cheveley Park Stud delivered the first foal by STARCRAFT on Monday 15th January. The new arrival is a bay colt out of the winning mare Kirov (Darshaan), who is from the same family as Stakes winners Polar Bear (Polar Falcon) and Cheshire (Warning). Managing Director Chris Richardson described the colt as ‘a strong well balanced colt who weighed in at 54kgs. He has a quality head with a small white star on his forehead and is a good strong bay colour, with plenty of bone and over all substance’.

STARCRAFT, a five time Group 1 winner and Champion Older European Miler in 2005, will unfortunately not be returning to Cheveley Park Stud for this Northern Hemisphere season due to an injury sustained while travelling to the airport in Australia.

From 11.0.a.m to 3.0.p.m. each day next week (15th to 19th January), breeders are invited by Darley to view 14 stallions at Dalham Hall Stud at Newmarket.

Those stallions on show include the new inmates LIBRETTIST and SHIROCCO, as well as those returning from overseas - HALLING, BERTOLINI and DIKTAT.

Also appearing will be DOYEN, DUBAI DESTINATION, DUBAWI, MARK OF ESTEEM, RED RANSOM, SINGSPIEL, SULAMANI, TIGER HILL and last year's leading British-based first-crop sire, TOBOUGG.

Breeders interested in arranging a visit should contact the
Darley Nominations team on : 01638 730070.

Val Hughes has been appointed Nominations Manager at the
National Stud in Newmarket. This newly created position is a
reflection of the expanding roster of stallions at the Stud.

Val has a wide range of relevant experience in the Thoroughbred breeding industry, having run her own stud farm for 16 years. At Lostford Manor in Shropshire, she was a successful owner breeder, having bred 3 individual Group winners, as well as Doctor Brown, winner of the Doncaster St Leger Sales Race and second by a short head in this year’s Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.

Tina Dawson, Commercial General Manager, said “the Stud has reached a stage where it needs a manager dedicated to the promotion and sales of nominations. This appointment, in combination with our new Stud General Manager David Somers, who takes up his post in the New Year, will really strengthen the team. With two new stallions for next year, Phoenix Reach and Val Royal, the Stud is moving up a gear and it is essential to have the right personnel in place”.

Val Hughes is looking forward to being in Newmarket and working at the Stud. “I have always supported the role of the National Stud within the industry” she said, “and I’m excited at the prospect of my involvement with such a diverse range of stallions, who cover all distances and a price range of £2,000 to £10,000”.

Anyone wishing to discuss nominations can contact Val on 07855 821140 or e.mail valerie@nationalstud.co.uk.

National Stud
Appoints New Stud General Manager

The National Stud in Newmarket has appointed David Somers to the post of Stud General Manager with effect from January 2007.

Andrew Parrish, Chairman of the National Stud, said “The National Stud is at a crucial stage in its development and it was essential to make absolutely the right appointment. We received a very encouraging number of high quality applicants for the position, from five different countries, and David’s expertise, experience and vision appeared to make him the ideal candidate”.

David Somers’ career in the Thoroughbred industry commenced as soon as he left Agricultural College and became a student at the Irish National Stud. He remained there and was appointed first as Yard Manager and subsequently Stud Groom. From 1994 to 1998, during the southern hemisphere breeding season, he was also Stallion Man at Arrowfield Stud in Australia.

Following a brief period as Assistant Manager on the Kilboy Estate in Tipperary, he returned to the Irish National Stud in 2001 as Nomination Sales Manager. Two years later, he was appointed to the post of Stud Manager at Eliza Park Stud in Victoria, Australia, under Lee Fleming who is known to the National Stud as the owner of Desert Sun and former part-owner of Val Royal.

Mr Somers is looking forward to his new appointment. “I see it as a fantastic opportunity” he said. “The National Stud has a very special role to play in the British Thoroughbred Industry and I am excited at the prospect of being part of that and helping to develop it”.

John Clarke, Chief Executive of the Irish National Stud, also feels that this is a wise appointment “David is an excellent horseman as well as a competent, efficient manager” he commented “I am sure that he will be a great asset to the Stud”.

The Stud has also announced the appointment of Nigel Wright as Operations Manager. This will expand his responsibilities to encompass all site-related operations including the proposed Wavertree Training and Education Centre. He will also assume specific responsibility for the horses owned by the Stud’s Owner Breeders’ Clubs.

DISTANT MUSIC

High-class racehorse and promising young sire Distant Music (Distant View/Musicanti, by Nijinsky) will be standing at Hedgeholme Stud in 2007. He achieved Timeform ratings in the 120’s in all three seasons he raced, culminating in a mark of 126 after an excellent third to Kalanisi and Montjeu in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket as a three-year-old. Distant Music was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile when his victories included the Dewhurst Stakes Group 1 (beating King’s Best) and Champagne Stakes Group II (defeating Rossini and Ekraar).

Distant Music is currently one of the top ten second crop sires in Europe in terms of prize money won. He has produced five Blacktype performers, headed by the Stakes winning/Group II placed filly Sol Mi Fa, and over 25 individual winners. His best progeny in the UK include Dream Theme (Timeform 105) and Mango Music (Timeform 104). At the sales, his yearlings have made up to 52,000gns to date in 2006.

Philip Mitchell, General Manager Juddmonte Farms, stated “We are obviously delighted that Andrew Spalding has agreed to stand Distant Music at Hedgeholme Stud. Having stood his first 5 seasons at Morristown Lattin, Ireland, and with Observatory, also by Distant View, standing at Banstead Manor, it seemed a natural progression for Distant Music to be made available to breeders in the North”.

His fee will be £3,000 SLF.