In the hot seat

The questionnaire series continues with trainer Diego Dias in the spotlight.   Proudest moment of 2023? Mansa Musa (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) winning at Goodwood. It was a great day, the owners were there and everyone was very excited. It worked out as we planned and it was a great day.   What is your biggest ambition for the new year? I'd like to win a Group race this year.   Give us one horse to follow and why? I have to say Gaenari (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}). She...

The latest industry member to share their best moments from 2023 and likely prospects for this year is Boherguy Stud's Clare Manning.   Proudest moment of 2023? Frazil (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), who Dad [Kevin] and I bought as a foal, winning his maiden at Naas in my own colours   What is your biggest ambition for the new year? Make money and sell winners.   Give us one horse to follow and why? A two-year-old Blue Point (Ire) colt out of Bandiuc Eile (Ire). He always had a great...

He may not be able to dance but Martin Buick, bloodstock consultant for De Burgh Equine, is not afraid to face the TDN question master. What was your proudest moment of 2023? The first horse I signed for, ADMIRAL DE VEGA, won the G3 Stockholm's Stora Pris, one of Scandinavia's most prestigious races. He beat a Dubai Carnival winner and Archie Watson's Brave Emperor who went on to win Group races in France, Italy and Germany.  Give us one horse to follow and why... Prime Art (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) who...

The TDN picks the brain of bloodstock agent Sean Grassick on his highs and lows of 2023 and what he's looking forward to this year.   Proudest moment of 2023? Catherine Of Siena (Ire) (U S Navy Flag), who we bought for £13,000 as a yearling, earning black-type.   What is your biggest ambition for the New Year? More winners and happy clients.   Give us one horse to follow and why? Bladon (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). He ran eye-catchingly for Atomic Racing and Kevin Coleman in a Killarney over a...

Saturday's edition of this column features Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother, Jessica Harrington.   Proudest moment of 2023? Of the team at Commonstown throughout the year. They all worked so hard in 2023 to finish third in the trainers' championship. We had more winners in 2023 than we did in 2022 and we all know the winners helped Mum beat cancer.   What is your biggest ambition for the new year? Helping Jessica Harrington to train as may winners as possible in 2024.   Give us one horse...

Next to answer our questions is breeder, pinhooker and TBA vice-chair Kate Sigsworth, who manages her family's West Moor Stud in Yorkshire. What are your goals for 2024? Professionally: Happy, healthy horses and owners. Good, healthy foals and mares back in foal. Personally: To get my house built - a sealed shell by the end of the year would be great. Give us a horse to follow... Nemov (GB) (Blue Point {Ire} - Barynya {GB}). A big horse, trained by Clive Cox, who made a very promising debut in an above-average...

Chantilly trainer Tim Donworth is the latest to face the TDN question master. What are your goals for 2024? To train more winners than 2023. More winners each year while maintaining the strike-rate has to be the goal really. Give us a horse to follow... Fathom (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}), a big, tall filly who got black type for me last year I think she will be nice three-year-old. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on... Joe Callan of Whitsbury Manor Stud. Who do you think...

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...

Next to face the questions is Denise Callanan, who manages her family's commercial breeding operation at Nanallac Stud. What are your goals for 2024? To produce good racehorses on the track and in the sales ring, make profits on our pinhooks and breed a black-type horse from our 2023 yearling draft. Give us a horse to follow... Phoenix of Spain (Ire). I think for a stallion whose progeny didn't look like two-year-old types, he still produced nearly 40% winners to runners in his first season, which is impressive, and I...

Breeder, consignor and pinhooker Ronan Burns of Herbertstown House Stud is first up in our series of mild interrogations to start the new year. What are your goals for 2024? To jump out of bed keen and excited every day. Give us a horse to follow... Zaphod (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}). And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on... George Connolly. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire in 2024? Earthlight (Ire). And the best value stallion in Ireland, England, and France? Not much value...