OF the thousands of yearlings that have gone through the sales ring over the last couple of months, only a select few will end up good enough to perform, let alone win, at Group 1 level and the chances are that they won’t be those who set the ring alight this autumn - looks and talent is a rare package, as much for horses as humans.

It’s testament then to Ballyhimikin Stud, that the 13 six-figure yearlings they sold in 2022 (an achievement in itself) included Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Estrange - bred in partnership with longtime allies Anthony Stroud and Trevor Stewart - and the now five-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman, plus dual listed scorer Bright Thunder for good measure.