What do you look for when buying a foal?

Ideally I like to buy a nice horse but sometimes one has to forgive faults a little. Maybe forgive in front and hope my genius farrier can fix them! Or a nice foal, light on pedigree, or a foal that looks small but pedigree or date of birth suggests it will grow. Sometimes you have to use your imagination to get value!

Do you research pedigree updates, find out if there are others in the family showing promise in training?

I check briefly but I don’t look into pedigrees until I’ve seen the foal. To be honest if I don’t like the physical the updates are irrevelant.

How important is is to buy a lot by a fashionable stallion or avoid one that is seen as ‘cold’?

It is very important to have the right stallion when you come back to the yearling sale. I personally like to try pick a stallion that might not be on everyone’s radar and take a chance. It’s a gamble but that’s what pinhooking is - glorified gambling!

Describe the foal trade at Goffs and the market in general?

The foal market is very competitive and trade was very strong and the nice foals are always hard to get. In saying that there is always a few that will slip through and, as frustrating as it is, you just have to keep following the ones you like in the hope some of them fall at what you value them at or near enough!

What did you buy last week and why?

I bought a Choisir colt for €42,000 from Churchtown House Stud. He wasn’t cheap but I loved him and the stallion is one of those I targeted, because he is a proven sire and trainers seem to love them as they are sound and honest. Choisir is also very capable of getting a proper Group 1 horse like Olympic Glory.

This foal also comes from the same family as Devonshire, who races on for Willie McCreery next year, so there could be a chance of an update which would be fantastic.

Hopefully by picking one of the better ones by the stallion he’ll stand out next year!

A lot of pinhookers lost money this year. What advice would you give to somebody interested in entering this market?

Pinhooking is very risky and you are not guaranteed a return. I would say get as much experience as possible or try team up with somebody experienced in the industry that can advise you. Try buy in numbers and not have all your eggs in one basket. I was once told the best way to learn is to lose your own money and this is definitely true!

You also have to think about the other end as well - buying the foal is only the first step. The preparation for the yearling sales starts as soon as you buy them. They have to be produced to the minute and managing growth problems throughout the year is crucial.

When you bring your yearling back you are going to be competing with the most professional operations like Lynn Lodge and Tally-Ho, so your yearling has to look the part. No shortcuts!

And finally, placing the yearling in the right sale is very important. I like to be the big fish in the smaller pond and stand out. Don’t overface the yearling in the wrong sale.