Has Ballyphilip Another 'Angel' In Its Midst?

For a boutique farm that keeps no more than a dozen mares, Ballyphilip Stud in Limerick has certainly punched above its weight in producing and rearing high-class flat horses. The farm, owned by Paul and Marie McCartan, is riding high on the success this summer of two of its current star graduates Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Although Harry Angel has won a G1 Darley July Cup, he is still rated three pounds inferior to fellow 3-year-old Battaash whose blistering performance in the G2 Qatar King George S. at Goodwood earned him a BHA rating of 122, which put him on a par with Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy). Despite the anticipated York showdown between the pair not quite materialising when Battaash finished fourth, as a 3-year-old he still has the potential to add to the Ballyphilip Group 1 roll of honour.

For the McCartans, the year 2000 was a significant one on two counts for not only did they get married but they also purchased what is now Ballyphilip Stud and began the process of converting it into a farm suitable for breeding and rearing thoroughbreds. They both brought strong credentials for succeeding in the game with Paul gaining a thorough education at some of the most noted nurseries in the world.

He explains, “After I studied a commerce degree at UCD I gained experience at stud farms all over the world–Juddmonte Farms in the UK and USA, Ardsley Stud in New Zealand and Corduff Stud in Ireland.  After those stints I took on management positions, first at Mount Coote Stud with Alan Lillingston where I spent six years, then with the Cashmans in Rathbarry Stud where I spent eight years. Finally I worked with Denis Brosnan in Croom House Stud for 14 years.  They were years well spent and I learnt a huge amount from these people before finally branching out on our own.”

For much of his time at Croom House, Ballyphilip was also in full swing and during that period it was Marie who held the reins and she was certainly highly qualified to do so. Formerly an O'Sullivan from Cork where her parents farmed, the family enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success when the prolific point-to-pointer and hunter-chaser Lovely Citizen (GB), trained by Marie's brother Eugene and ridden by another brother William, won the Foxhunters' Chase in 1991. Marie is also a college graduate having completed an equine science degree before also working at Rathbarry Stud, in addition to spells in Roundhill Stud, with Brian Meehan in England and with Gerry Dilger in Kentucky.  Further experience that no doubt stands her in good stead to this day was gained as a veterinary nurse and supervisor at the equine clinic Hagyard Davidson Magee in Lexington.

As mentioned above, Ballyphilip Stud is home to a select band of mares and the team run a tight ship and hold an emphasis very much of quality over quantity. “We try to keep our broodmare band at about a dozen,” Paul says. “We have been very lucky with some of the mares we have bought but they don't all work out and if after three runners by proven stallions we don't get or approach black type we cull immediately.”

One mare that has worked out remarkably well is Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who was bought by Ballyphilip Stud five years ago for 14,000gns at Tattersalls and sent to Dark Angel (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) the following spring. Her breeding career got off to a flyer when her first produce, subsequently named Battaash sold for 200,000gns as a yearling in the same ring in Newmarket.

“We bought Anna Law as a 2-year old,” McCartan recalls. “There are some things we don't compromise on when we buy a broodmare prospect–they must be good looking and they must have a good temperament.  She had good conformation and a lovely kind eye and she has become a fantastic mother. Her Gutaifan filly may be offered for sale next year and is very athletic and Anna is back in foal to Dark Angel.”

Her latest cover was almost a no-brainer, despite the fact the Yeomanstown Stud stallion's cover fee has risen more than fourfold since McCartan first supported him. “My initial interest in Dark Angel came from a conversation I had with bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud who recommended that I use him when he was just €12,500. We sent him two mares and had two lovely colt foals, Harry Angel and Battaash, so that really couldn't have worked out any better.”

While Battaash commanded a significant price as a yearling, Harry Angel was relatively inexpensive when picked up by Clive Cox at the Premier Yearling Sale at Goffs UK for £44,000 and the McCartans will be hoping their burgeoning reputation as breeders will aid their three-strong draft in Doncaster this week. Clive Cox will no doubt stop by for a look given his record in purchasing stock from the Ballyphilip team. Nine years ago the Lambourn trainer bought a yearling by Xaar (Ire) from McCartan for €15,000 and subsequently named Xtension (Ire) he won the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood and was third in the G1 Prix Jean Prat before being sold to Hong Kong where he won two editions of the G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

“Xtension was our first Group 1 winner and was also the first yearling that Clive Cox bought from us.  We have had great success with Clive over the years since then. As well as Harry Angel we also sold him Group 2 winner [and current Rathbarry Stud stallion] Kodi Bear. I'm sure the 'Xtension factor' was important when it came to Clive buying Harry Angel.  He is a brilliant, intuitive and patient trainer and a man of great integrity,” says McCartan.

Beatrix Potter (Ire) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), the dam of Harry Angel is a bit more homegrown than Anna Law, being a half-sister to Xtension, and she made her way back to the McCartans after a mainly unsuccessful racing career for trainer Frank Ennis that yielded just three placings from 15 runs.

“Beatrix Potter was bred here and we bought her back principally on account of Xtension doing so well and also because Cadeaux Genereux was such a good broodmare sire and influence for speed,” adds McCartan.

That speed has certainly been passed on to Harry Angel, bred by the McCartans under the banner of CBS Bloodstock, which is named after their three sons, though the subsequent arrival of a fourth son may have the youngest arguing for a rebrand.

“CBS Bloodstock is our bloodstock company and the name comes from the initials of our three eldest boys, Charlie, Ben and Sonny.  We have a fourth boy now Archie though who is probably feeling a bit left out,” says McCartan.

Group 1 winners are what the majority of breeders strive for and given how elusive they are it is rare for an Irish breeder to miss out on an opportunity to see their pride and joy reaching the pinnacle on the track. However, even the prospect of a homebred winning a July Cup can be trumped by family occasions.

“Unfortunately neither of us was at Newmarket to see 'Harry' win the July Cup as our son Sonny had some serious riding commitments for his local Pony Club team,” recalls the proud father.

With the focus now firmly back on business at Doncaster, Ballyphilip has a select trio of yearlings on offer and from a relatively small sample each year its draft is a must-see for investors.

“We have just three going to Goffs UK Premier Sale this week, a fine colt by Zebedee [lot 169] who is enjoying a 40% strike rate with his 2-year-olds, including the [G2] Richmond Stakes winner Barraquero.  Also on offer is a Heeraat colt [lot 384] out of All Fur Coat who won the Lily Agnes Stakes,” McCartan offers.

Having supported Dark Angel from his early days it is worth noting that McCartan has homed in on a stallion son of his in the shape of the Mickley Stud-based freshman Heeraat (Ire). A tough and consistent colt when trained by William Haggas, he raced for four seasons and won the G3 Hackwood S. at Newbury in 2013.

“Heeraat is a very interesting horse.  He is a son of the great Dark Angel and the first three broodmare sires are Green Desert, Ahonoora and Lord Gayle, all of whom I like,” explains McCartan. “He won his first start as a 2-year-old by 11 lengths and I bought three lovely colts by him last year. I very much like what I am seeing at home.”

While breeders and vendors must be flexible and offer their produce in the most suitable sales, there is no doubt the sales complex at Doncaster holds a lofty position in the McCartan pecking order. “We are big fans of Goffs UK here in Ballyphilip. We have sold two Group 1 winners there in Tiggy Wiggy and Harry Angel.  It is a sale that is well supported by a lot of very good trainers which we believe is important when you are breeding to sell. Furthermore, it is now frequented by some of the bigger players so if you bring the complete package you will get well paid.”