Brian McConnon

Having endured bad luck with Crypto Force (Time Test) after his G2 Beresford Stakes victory as a juvenile, Kia Joorabchian will be praying that things pan out more smoothly for the Wootton Bassett half-brother who cost the Amo Racing founder 2,200,000gns during the second session at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Matching the sum fetched by the Fittocks Stud-consigned Frankel colt earlier in the day, lot 247 is the fourth foal out of the winning Galileo mare Luna Mare, from the family of Lord Weinstock's globetrotting champion...

Many in this game associate the name Marlhill House with the successful Thoroughbred breeding and consigning operation based near Cashel, County Tipperary. In reality, though, its history of sporting success was established well before current owners, Eddie and Eimear Irwin, purchased it to become a stud in 1997. Given the moniker in recent times of the 'Home of Three Champions', Marlhill House raised and grazed Ireland's only Wimbledon Ladies' Singles winner Lena Rice, who lifted the title in 1890. The baton of athletic achievement was then passed onto another resident...