THE Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will kick off 2016 with a Mare Owners Open Meeting in Palmerstown House, Johnstown, Co Kildare (just off Exit 8 on the N7) next Tuesday, January 19th at 7.30pm.
The meeting will review the 2015 flat sales season and discuss current trends in the market with a view to aiding breeders in decision-making.
The evening will be chaired by ITBA chairman Derek Iceton and the panellists are Cathy Grassick (sales consignor and ITBA Mare Owners Committee chairman), Matt Camacho (Racing Post bloodstock director), Jamie Railton (sales consignor and pinhooker), and Charles O’Neill (CEO, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing).
Iceton said: “We believe now is a perfect time to reflect on the 2015 flat yearling and foal sales and discuss how best to proceed.
“We have put together an experienced panel of industry experts and I would urge all flat breeders to attend.
“With the increase in the number of flat foals registered we must ensure that we continue to breed quality and avoid unnecessary overproduction.”
Those interested in attending should register with Regina on (045) 877543.
JAMIE RAILTON
Jamie Railton has been buying and selling bloodstock for over 20 years. As a jump jockey he rode over 250 winners but his passion has always been in flat racing and bloodstock. After several years successfully pinhooking foals to sell as yearlings, and spending time in America on a few stud farms to further his knowledge, he set up Jamie Railton Bloodstock in 2000.
Since then Jamie has established a reputation as a professional and honest agent with an intuitive knowledge of the bloodstock markets.
Competitive by nature he is always striving to improve his service and ensure any bloodstock under his care reaches its optimum potential.
Jamie is a regular top 10 consignor at leading bloodstock auctions such as Tattersalls, DBS and Arqana. Group 1 winners Wootton Bassett and Presvis were sold by Jamie Railton Bloodstock.
CATHY GRASSICK
Daughter of Sheila and Brian of Newtown Stud in Co Kildare, Cathy now assists her mother in running Brian Grassick Bloodstock.
She has many years of experience working with horses in a wide range of roles and also has a degree in Business and Law from UCD.
Cathy joined Brian Grassick Bloodstock as an agent in 2008, having previously worked alongside her father as his assistant for many years.
In recent years she has been responsible for purchasing such good horses as Grandeur, Majestic Queen and Appealing under the Brian Grassick Bloodstock banner. She is now a director of Brian Grassick Bloodstock and Newtown Stud.
The farm has been responsible for producing or consigning Gimcrack Stakes winner and sire Approve, Group 3 winner Rockaway Valley, Three Sea Captains and Dress Rehearsal. Cathy is a member of the ITBA Council and chairman of the ITBA Mares Owner Committee.
MATTHEW CAMACHO
Matthew is currently Head of Bloodstock at the Racing Post.
A keen breeder, he has built a successful career in the City where, as a solicitor, his previous employers have included Slaughter and May, J.P. Morgan and Macquarie.
Matthew is a son of former Malton trainer, Maurice, and brother of trainer Julie.
The best horses to have emerged in recent years from the family’s Star Cottage Stud in Yorkshire are five-time Group 1 winner Soviet Song, Triumph Hurdle winner Penzance and Princess Margaret Stakes winner River Belle.
CHARLES O’NEILL
Charles joined Irish Thoroughbred Marketing in October 2014 from the financial sector where he worked in various roles over the last number of years.
He is from Clane in Co Kildare and has a strong equestrian and racing background having worked in the industry in Ireland, France and Germany.
He is a graduate of Agricultural Science from University College Dublin.