'It's Almost Like Dancing,' – Top Consignors On The Art Of Showing

Jamie Railton and Charles Brière, two of the leading consignors in Europe, have spoken out about the difficulties in attracting sales staff and agreed that a good show person was just about the most important aspect when it comes to maximising a horse's value in the ring. 

The short supply of staff entering the racing and bloodstock industries in Europe has been described by many key stakeholders in recent years as a crisis and Railton and Brière admitted that the lack of new faces getting involved in the game is a worry. 

However, Railton said that earning a good wage whilst travelling the world and working hands-on with thoroughbreds is something that needs to be showcased more in an effort to attract prospective talent and said he'd 'be thrilled' if one of his kids decided to one day work the sales circuit. 

He said, “Finding new people is the hardest thing. There aren't too many new people coming onto the scene. I'm sure we could source more people from the showing scene. This is a great career and provides people an opportunity to travel the world and meet a huge variety of different people. It's something I would encourage any person coming into the business to give a go because it is an avenue that not many people know that much about.”

Railton added, “It is very exciting working up close with a very special animal. We sell horses of all different varieties, from foals right up to horses who have raced on the track, so there is nothing dull or boring about it. Every day is different and that makes the job very interesting. You can travel the world with these magnificent animals. I mean, how much fun is that? If one of my own kids said they wanted to do it, I'd be thrilled.”

Constance Vincent: has spoken positively about her experiences as a show person

The freelance nature to the sales work was put forward as a possible deterrent for more young people getting into the profession by well-known sales person Constance Vincent. Currently based with Baroda Stud in Ireland for the yearling prep, the French native has worked for some of the top training operations and sales consignments in the business. 

The 25-year-old has said the experiences she has gained in the handling of young thoroughbreds whilst working for some of the major consignors and the contacts made on the sales circuit is standing her in good stead with a view towards her long-term goal of becoming a breeze-up trainer.

Vincent said, “I always dreamed of becoming a trainer, but when I did the yearling sales with Monceaux in 2019, I realised how attractive and exciting working the sales circuit is, and how much buzz you get from selling a horse. You work very hard, it's non-stop all day long. It is tough both physically and mentally because you have to give the best show possible whether you feel fresh at 8am or tired at 6pm. At the end of each day, we all look at our phone to see how many miles we walked in a day. Funny enough, the more miles you do, the prouder you are! The reward of taking the horse you have been looking after for the week through the ring makes this work addictive. 

“There is a great atmosphere at the sales, you have 'craic' with people you work with and, if you have a tricky horse, someone comes around to help you straight away. There is great goodwill and camaraderie on the sales circuit. I also found that the buyers are very considerate about the work you are putting in for them. They never look down on you and are always very polite. Recognition is crucial in this game to keep everyone happy and to make you want to challenge yourself by pushing your own limits.”

She added, “My dream is to have my own breeze-up operation and I have learned so much working with young horses at the sales from many great people and that will be a major help for when I decide to set up my own business. At the sales, you are surrounded by proper horsemen and women and you learn hugely from them. If you are with the right people and you are willing to learn and take your time, the sales trip is a massive plus for young people.”

A graduate of the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud, Vincent spent last winter working with renowned breeze-up handlers Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables and is set to work at the American breeze-ups in October for Niall Brennan. Working the sales season has proved a cost effective way for the young operator to gain experience before setting up by herself.

She explained, “Basically, I wanted to learn about how to buy yearlings but also how to gain horsemanship skills. And so the sales circuit was a great opportunity to do so because it is so flexible and easy to find work, you can decide which sales you will be earning money and gaining hands-on skills, and which sales you can go on your own cost and follow a bloodstock agent.

“The freelance nature of working at the sales may not appeal to a lot of young people who want security and that may be one of the reasons why more new people are not getting involved. But I can only speak from my own experiences and say that working at the sales has been a hugely positive thing for me and I would recommend it for any person who wants to gain experience and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Charles Briere | Tattersalls

Brière set up his successful Fairway Consignment operation in France back in 2015 after cutting his teeth working for such powerhouses as Coolmore, Aidan O'Brien, Bill Dwan of Castlebridge and Peter O'Callaghan at Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky. 

The French man compared showing horses to riding and even dancing in terms of the level of skill required and, while he described his Fairway Consignment to be in decent shape with regards to staff ahead of the busy yearling sale period this year, he admitted that recruiting employees in recent times has been a major headache. 

He said, “This year we have been lucky as we are okay for staff but for the previous few years, we found it very difficult to get staff on the farm for prepping the horses. We have one person on the team this year who is a complete novice, they never worked with thoroughbreds before in their life, but sometimes I find employing these people easier as they have no bad habits. Like I said, we are not in bad shape this year, but last year was very difficult.”

On what makes a good show person, he added, “Light hands, patience and a natural feeling. I would compare the art of showing horses to riding them. You need to have a feel for the horse, to know whether to walk slower or faster, and to show it to best effect. It's as difficult to ride a horse than it is to show a horse properly. You can teach the basics but, after that, it's like riding and it can take years to become a very good show person. Some people are just natural and they have a very good feeling. It's almost like dancing. Some are just better than others.”

Like Brière, Railton put forward light hands as one of the most desired characteristics when it comes to sales staff, and said that he is one of the more demanding consignors when it comes to how he likes his horses presented. 

He explained, “We would be a lot fussier than most when it comes to employing show people at the sales. We would expect a higher level than most people would, I think that's fair to say. We absolutely cherish and appreciate our staff and the difference between good show people and bad show people is night and day.

“It's all about having good sympathetic hands. Most of our good show people have come from the showing world and that's not a coincidence. Everyone has a different list of priorities but for me, good staff is right up there with being one of the most important aspects of the sale season.”

He added, “But when the numbers get very big, it can be hard to maintain standards but that does not mean you shouldn't try. That's the way I look at it. Yes, the numbers can get very big and sometimes you need to call upon staff that you don't really know that well but you still have to try and maintain standards and we really do focus on that. Before every sale, I talk with new members to explain what standards are expected from them.”