Ringside With Alex Elliott

1) What is your one essential to get you through the busy sales season?

A good client is always deemed essential and a morning phone call to them, whilst reading the TDN and downing a Berocca, usually puts a pep in my step!

2) Which stallion's first yearlings impressed you most this year?

Verrazano (More Than Ready) in America and Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in Europe. I managed to buy two Sea The Moons, both of which will be trained by Ralph Beckett, and I think he is a stallion who has every chance.

3) What horse springs to mind as your favourite purchase?

Another Batt (Ire) (Windsor Knot {Ire}) is a horse Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud recommended I buy earlier in the year after being placed in two Irish maidens for his owner/trainer/breeder John Nicholson. He actually beat US Navy Flag (War Front) into third when he placed second at The Curragh on his second start. I purchased him on behalf of Excel Racing, who is backed by England striker Charlie Austin and he is trained by a good friend and supporter of mine, George Scott. The horse has already proved to be a wonderful servant running well at Royal Ascot, placing in numerous stakes races and rounding out his season by winning a valuable Group 3 in Turkey. He is very light on pedigree and is fairly insignificant to look at but has the heart of a lion and a huge personality and we are looking forward to taking him to Qatar and Dubai in the New Year.

I don't buy as many National Hunt horses as I would like to, however, when I first set up Elliott Bloodstock Services in 2014 I was fortunate enough to be able to buy Supasundae (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) for the late Alan Potts. When he won at the Cheltenham Festival this year it was very satisfying and I look forward to any time he runs. He should be very competitive in Grade 1s this season.

4) Finally, if you had to select one other agent to buy a horse for you, who would it be and why?

Ben McElroy. Not only is he a great mate but his results both in the ring and on the track speak for themselves. Ben and another of my closest pals, Simon Callaghan, are proving to be a formidable team Stateside with purchases such as Fashion Plate, Firing Line and Moonshine Memories. Ben and I generally split Keeneland September up between ourselves and it works well as I know that I'll like whatever he leaves on. We try and do the same whenever he visits Europe.