Horse you are most looking forward to seeing this season?
NDW: Al Wukair, a son of Dream Ahead purchased at Tattersalls Book 1, with Andre Fabre. He was very impressive last season with his two runs, winning both of them in very fashionable style. It looks like he will be aiming at some European Classics in the spring, which is always exciting.
A stallion who could feature prominently (doesn't have to be first season)?
NDW: Frankel is the one we will all be looking at this season again I would say. Indeed, he had a fantastic first crop of 2-year-olds and we are entitled to think that this same crop could have an even better 3-year-old season, as we would think that they will progress and that we still haven't seen all of them on the track yet. It will also be interesting to see how his new crop of 2-year-olds performs.
In parallel to that I am very much looking forward to seeing how the first crop of Style Vendome will act on the track. The further we get into the season and the more trainers I visit the more good vibes I receive about this first crop. They all say they are acting like they are going to be precocious and quick with a very good mind on them. This is something special when we know that he has covered some very nice mares in his first two crops and that he is standing this season at only €5,000. Al Shaqab has been very fortunate since the very beginning, so maybe they could have a European leading first-crop stallion with the first-ever stallion they have stood at Bouquetot in France.
Positive change you would like to see for the industry in 2017?
NDW: A positive change I would like to see in the industry is definitely attendance at the races. How to attract new crowds (especially in France) is one of the biggest challenges we are facing now in our industry worldwide, as there are so many ways of having fun. We have to find new ways to source new owners and new racing fans. Racing is about fun and tradition and I am convinced it can fit in our high-tech and modern world if we work hard enough on it. Owners and fans are the foundation of our sport. If we have them the rest will always follow.
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