Gaybrook Lodge

It is the typically interesting opinion of John Sikura that "a stallion's genetic switch is either on or off." The quality and quantity of his books may affect his profile, but his potency (or otherwise) will be operative the day he covers his first mare. Sure enough, six Grade I winners to date for Not This Time all belong to his first two books, conceived at just $15,000. Whatever he might yet achieve with his upgraded mares, paying $135,000 last year and now $150,000, he did not need their help...

DEAUVILLE, France--The temperature is rising at Arqana and so, too, are the stakes. Breeze-up consignors young and old have made no secret about the fact that trade this year has been tricky, particularly at the middle to lower tiers.  All duck or no dinner, feast or famine--whatever way you want to describe it, vendors have had to negotiate some choppy waters, meaning a lot is still on the line at Arqana when the sale gets underway at 11am on Saturday. But, weirdly, the optimism is palpable. Maybe it's the baking...

DONCASTER, UK--There is little doubt that the decision to hold the Goffs UK and Arqana Breeze-up Sales in the same place on the same day has reaped dividends for vendors and the sales companies alike. In times of trouble, anything that can make life a little easier for those longing for some return to normal business practices has to be applauded. As emphasised by bloodstock agent Richard Brown after he signed for an American Pharoah colt at £175,000, the international resale market remains reassuringly recession-proof, which in turn has emboldened...