THE ups and down of watching the progress, or otherwise, of sires with their first crop runners can be quite dizzying. From month to month the jury is in, out or sitting on the fence about sires, all of which is a nightmare for stallion masters, but also for vendors at the yearling sales who put their trust in certain sires, gambling on them delivering with their first runners.

Almost every foal by Minzaal offered from his first two crops sold, an amazing statistic given the numbers who passed through the sale ring. His first crop of 45 sales averaged €57,574, while the 19 sold last year averaged €36,689. Those who bought last autumn were the ones taking a gamble on his first runners doing well, and they included a number of smart judges. Has their gamble paid off?