Barry Kennedy

NEWMARKET, UK -- After a weekend of brutally cold winds and rain at Park Paddocks, summer decided to reappear to bless the final yearling viewing day at Tattersalls with warm sunshine. An omen of bright days ahead, perhaps? Or if you're not a fan of symbolism, a more concrete guide to what could be in store over the next three days of Book 1 of the October Sale may have been gleaned from a car park full to the brim by early morning on Monday as the crowd rolled in...

KILLENARD, Ireland - At bloodstock's own annual version of Groundhog Day, it's a familiar scene. A flagging British hack shuffles out of the bar at The Heritage, apologising for retiring to bed "so early" at 3.30am while all around Irish breeders great and small are still on the bridle and full of running. Welcome to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association National Breeding and Racing Awards. They breed 'em tough on this isle, both horses and their minders. Not even the aftermath of Storm Eowyn could deter the 300-plus members of...