In this TDN series we ask a group of experts for their predictions for the 2020 flat season in Europe. Today we hear from Tom Goff.
TDN: Who do you think will be the leading first-season sire this year?
TG: Very tough question this year. Personally, I felt the classiest crop of yearlings were those by Territories (Ire). I'm not totally convinced they'll be that early but they were very nice. I also liked the stock by Kodi Bear (Ire) and Mehmas (Ire).
TDN: Have you bought any by Territories? Does he typically stamp his stock?
TG: I didn't this time around, but both my colleagues Richard Brown and Tom Biggs did. I thought they were lovely, bright bay horses on the whole with great attitude, a good action and plenty of substance.
TDN: Hope for the 2020 flat season?
TG: I hope we have a memorable and safe year (on an equine level) on both sides of the Atlantic with racing enjoying some positive media coverage and less plagued by negative headlines.
On a personal level, my hope is that the BHA, having spent an enormous amount of time and resources on integrity and welfare, will now turn their hand to by far the most pressing other domestic matter facing racing in the UK, which is prizemoney. We require a really decisive push on this and strong leadership, especially in the field of media rights where there must be a fairer distribution of income across the industry.
TDN: We have been running a series in TDN recently on value sires. What European stallion(s) do you think represents the best value?
TG: For me, the value horses are Farhh (GB) at Darley for £12,000, Bated Breath (GB) at Juddmonte for £12,500, Footstepsinthesand (GB) at Coolmore for €15,000, and Sea The Moon (Ger) at Lanwades for £15,000.
Of the new ones, I liked Advertise (GB) at The National Stud for £25,000, Masar (Ire) at Darley for £15,000 and Magna Grecia (Ire) at Coolmore for €22,500.
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