By Gary King
BBA Ireland agents Michael Donohoe and Patrick Cooper have interests in horses purchased for clients from all over the world at this year's Royal meeting. The TDN's Gary King caught up with each of them to hear more about the horses they purchased.
Michael Donohoe:
GK: Indigo Balance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) looked very impressive at The Curragh on May 27. You must have been delighted with that performance, especially winning first time out at HQ?
MD: Yes we were all delighted with his win. Historically this has always been a strong maiden and on such an important day “Irish 2000 Guineas day” everyone with Royal Ascot aspirations likes to win this race.
GK: He's currently 14-1 for the G2 Coventry S. Do you feel that's about right?
MD: I think it's about right. A lot of luck is needed at Ascot with the usual big competitive fields. The form of his win has worked out really well and the colt has improved both mentally and physically. He may lack a little in experience having only had the one run but we are hopeful of a big run and that he can show everyone the class he shows us at home.
GK: Was he a precocious-looking yearling? (He was a €155,000 purchase for Yuesheng Zhang at Goffs Orby)
MD: I wouldn't say he was obviously precocious but he was a beautiful, balanced colt. At the time he was a little angular in ways but he had the frame, pedigree and a beautiful temperament at the sale. All he needed was time and patience and the team at Commonstown Stables gave him plenty of both.
GK: Mr. Zhang has made a significant impact on the racing/bloodstock scene over recent years. A Royal Ascot winner must be high up on the list of goals?
MD: It would give me and the team at BBA Ireland, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and everyone in Ireland a huge thrill if he could win for Mr. Zhang and Yulong at Royal Ascot. Mr. Zhang has been a huge supporter of the Irish Thoroughbred industry and we are forever indebted to him. It would also be fitting that a colt bred by the Irish National Stud by their own stallion, bought at Goffs and trained in Ireland, would be his first Royal Ascot winner.
GK: You have obviously been to a lot of the major racing festivals around the world. What makes Royal Ascot so special?
MD: It's unique, it's as much about the horses as it is about the fashion and social side of the week, these aspects make us so lucky to be involved in this great global industry. Who said one can't work and play at the same time!
Patrick Cooper:
GK: It must be exciting to have purchased two fillies, Servalan (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Chicas Amigas (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), that have strong chances at Royal Ascot?
PC: It is fantastic to have chances in both the Queen Mary and Albany. Fair play to Mrs Harrington. The two will not run against each other. Servalan goes to the Queen Mary and Chicas Amigas to the Albany. It's a long way from Naas to Ascot, but they are entitled to have a rattle.
GK: Both were relatively inexpensive yearlings as well. Servalan was knocked down for €50,000 at Goffs Orby (owner, Vimal Khosla), while Chicas Amigas (owner, It's All About The Girls) was €25,000 at the same sale. What attracted you to the fillies?
PC: We were buying to a budget and both were good-looking fillies by stallions who you could make a case for with the funds provided. Any eejit can spend a lot of someone else's money. It is always fun to buy cheaper yearlings although it doesn't put meat on the table. The biggest draw back though is that it does preclude you from buying where the really good stock lies as they are the ones with the pedigrees.
GK: Was there any extra pressure buying yearlings for Elaine 'Legs' Lawlor and the It's All About The Girls syndicate?
PC: I am sure they will be gentle with me.
GK: How many members of the syndicate will be in attendance?
PC: Legs is the boss, so I am not certain. We have a picnic booked in Car Park 2 and judging by the booze order either quite a lot or a few very thirsty ones.
GK: Servalan actually beat Chicas Amigas in a strong-looking listed race at Naas on May 20. They obviously came out of the race in good order?
PC: Both worked well this week and, fingers crossed, are all set.
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