John O'Kelly

From the storied history of Haras de Bonneval to the beginning of a new chapter at Haras de Castillon, the 17th edition of La Route des Etalons had something to satisfy the curiosity of all who flocked to Normandy and its surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday. Among the overseas visitors taking part in the two-day event for the first time was renowned auctioneer John O'Kelly, just a few short weeks after bringing the curtain down on his time on the rostrum at Tattersalls. In any other year, O'Kelly would...

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted and entertaining auctioneers in the business, John O'Kelly brought the curtain down on his time on the rostrum at Tattersalls during the Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday evening.  And what a way to do it. O'Kelly brought the hammer down at 4.5 million gns to MV Magnier on Donnacha O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna. It was a moment in time for the throngs of people packed into the auditorium as, for many in attendance, they had grown up listening to O'Kelly's...

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the show must go on for the breeders and pinhookers preparing to bring their investments to the yearling sales later this year. While lockdowns and heightened border controls threatened to put a damper on cross-continent inspections, Tattersalls auctioneer John O'Kelly wasn't about to leave his clients high and dry. With the familiar territory of hotel reservations and restaurant dining out of the question, O'Kelly devised an adventurous alterative: a campervan journey. Last week, O'Kelly set out from his home in Belgium in a...