KENILWORTH House Stud in Clonmel has a very busy time ahead, consigning both flat and National Hunt foals to the sales. We caught up with stud manager Gerry Ross before the foal sales season kicks off:

How are the finishing touches going before the sales get into full swing?

We have a draft at Fairyhouse [November NH Sale] this week so we’re getting close now. The Newmarket foals are in good shape and we’re all set to go now really. All the wheels are on the wagon, so we’re good to go, really.

Looking towards Newmarket, what are your expectations?

We’ve three nice foals going over. Naturally enough, you’ll be nervous with the way things are at the minute.

I was just looking at the Goffs [Open Yearling Sale] results and the median and average there say a lot about the market at the present moment. The market is extremely polarised.

If you’re on a list it’s very hard to put a value on your horse and it’s equally as hard when you’re not on a list.

You’ve really got to have a horse with a trendy sire to get on the list in the first place.

The market is very sire-driven at the moment. It’s definitely all about what’s fashionable and if you don’t fit the credentials you’re out.

Have you a favourite from your Newmarket draft?

I really like the Oasis Dream [Lot 962]. He’s a half-brother to Partner Shift, Mufarrh and Majenta, out of a Peintre Celebre mare.

He’s a solid block of a horse with a great attitude. He’s a lovely horse with a nice walk.

Majenta (a half-sister to the Oasis Dream) following her win at the Curragh with Des Cummins, Joerg Vasicek, Chris Hayes, Gerry Ross and Kevin Prendergast. Photo carolinenorris.ie

With regards to sires – how do you decide what to cover to?

We have a pretty long-term view of the game with regards to covering mares. We retain and race fillies with the ultimate aim of having a broodmare and breeding from her. As a result, we like to give mares every chance by covering them well and using proven horses.

I know the cost initially is high but in the long-run it’s more likely to work out.

How do you manage preparing foals for both codes?

We prep the flat and National Hunt foals the same way, basically.

The foals have a lot done before they come in for prep. This gives us a bit of a head-start when they come into the prep.

During the summer we do a bit with them in the field [picking their feet, et cetera].

They are all fed throughout the summer and they’re in groups that they’ll be in their sales prep. The National Hunt foals get a five-week prep and the flat foals, six.”

How important is routine in the preparation of foals?

Routine is key to the prep in my view. Monday to Saturday, they’re let out in the morning for a couple of hours, hand-walked and then pick their feet and those bits in the afternoon. On Sunday they’ve the full day out. But definitely Monday to Saturday is all about routine.

What’s left to be done?

I’m very lucky to have a Transition Year student come in on a Saturday and we’ve all the tack organised. It’s down to the nitty gritty now, washing manes and tails and getting ready to go.