Knockgraffon Stables
Stephen Byrne of Knockgraffon Stables has quickly established himself as one of the sharpest young breeze-up handlers on the circuit. A former amateur jockey, Byrne built up a good relationship with Jim Will Fix It, and guided that horse to win a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown back in 2010. He also spent time working with Joseph O'Brien before returning home to Knockgraffon Stables. From under that banner, Byrne has sent out many high-class runners, including the 103-rated Hammer The Hammer along with recent Dundalk juvenile scorer Sovereign Cry (Ten...
NEWMARKET, UK -- It felt more like the July Sale at Park Paddocks as May got off to a blistering start with record-breaking temperatures. The trade was warm enough in the ring, too. Though the figures for the Guineas Breeze-up Sale didn't rise quite as swiftly as the mercury, the returns were decent, with the 78% clearance rate being up three points on last year, while the median of 30,000gns represented a rise of 11%. The 6% dip in average was the one negative marker, with the turnover lifting slightly,...
With a little help from above, Stephen Byrne of Knockgraffon Stables enjoyed an emotional fillip during a time of unimaginable heartache when selling his Coulsty (Ire) colt for €200,000 just over two weeks after his brother and former jockey Michael died in tragic circumstances. The sales ring can be a magical place. Full of dreams and disappointments, but on Friday, Tattersalls Ireland was full of tears. And smiles. Lots of smiles. An understandably emotional Byrne said, "It's been a very rough couple of weeks but my brother Michael was looking...
Wood Hall Stud's 2-year-old filly Tardis (GB) (Time Test {GB}), who hit the board contesting five-furlong heats at York and Haydock in June, graduated in a July 13 maiden tackling an extended five furlongs at Bath last time and continued on the upgrade with a first black-type win for her freshman sire (by Dubawi {Ire}) in Friday's Listed BetVictor St Hugh's S. at Newbury. Breaking with the tailenders and in rear through the initial fractions, the 11-1 chance made relentless headway from halfway to go seventh entering the final furlong...