Adam Ryan, who assists his father Kevin at their Hambleton Lodge yard in Thirsk, has high hopes for Shamardal colt Inisherin and a rising star on the pony racing circuit.
Proudest moment of 2023?
Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) winning the Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. He was a horse who we'd always held in the highest regard and it was a proud achievement to not only achieve a Group 1 win but to do it on the biggest stage. He also went straight there without a run and I believe that did elevate that performance.
What is your biggest ambition for the new year?
Setting goals is quite difficult but to continue our success is probably the most important thing. All winners are important but to be competitive on the biggest stage is what everyone is trying to achieve. It's always a goal to find that Group 1 winner which is so important.
Give us one horse to follow and why?
Our horse to follow would be Inisherin (GB). He has a wonderful pedigree, being by the late Shamardal and out of a Group 1-winning dam. He ran very well on his debut at Newmarket where the front two pulled a long way clear and always looked the type to progress into a nice three-year-old.
And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…
A young lad called Mason Paetel. He isn't actually in the industry just yet, but we saw him win a pony race at York last season and met him and his family afterwards. He looks like he could be a bright star in the future.
Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year?
This is always a difficult one and it looks to be a very good crop this year. Obviously, Pinatubo (Ire) would be very hard to look past, a wonderful racehorse with the pedigree to match. Hello Youmzain (Fr) has also produced some good-looking stock. He was a very good sprinter and also had a great mind. I'm sure he can make a very positive start to his stallion career if passing that on to his progeny.
And the best value stallion in Europe?
We've had a lot of luck with Kodi Bear (Ire) and last season Room Service (Ire) proved to be a cracking two-year-old, winning the valuable sales race at Doncaster. We are hopeful he could continue his progression this year and potentially take the step into pattern company.
What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?
I think Vandeek (GB) was very impressive in a short space of time. It will be interesting to see what route he goes down this year, but he could potentially be a sprinting superstar.
Biggest regret?
I don't really believe in having regrets, but I would say one of the biggest disappointments was The Grey Gatsby (Ire) just getting touched off in the Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in 2015. It was agonisingly close and he was a star for us throughout his career, but if he was to lose then there was no better man to beat us than Pat Smullen.
Biggest influence on your career?
Obviously, my father and being able to witness first-hand all the intricacies of the sport and business. To work as part of a team alongside him is very special. Stephen Hillen would be a big influence, too. He works alongside my father at the sales. It has been invaluable experience to shadow him and see what it takes to source the right horse.
If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
I would probably say some absent friends and family. To have one more evening with them would be the most important dinner to me.
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