Nancy Sexton

At a record-breaking Keeneland September Sale, there were very few hidden gems throughout the two weeks of trade and buyers shopping at all levels had to dig deep to land any of the treasures they came to find. 31 different countries were represented on the Keeneland results sheets, but just like some domestic buyers, there were also international buyers that came away without signing a ticket. The way Newmarket-based trainer Dylan Cunha chooses to look at it, leaving empty handed just means you're landing on the right horses. "Our shortlist...

Owner-breeder Arturo Cousino has promised to cheer on Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) when she lines out in the G1 Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival after admitting to have been completely lost for words when his star filly landed a Group 3 at Leopardstown last week. What that victory meant to the 63-year-old, whose family is steeped in racing and breeding history in his native Chile, can scarcely be put into words. Literally. "Honestly, I couldn't believe it," Cousino recalled of that Brownstown Stakes success. "When I saw her...

Sam Sangster, Nancy Sexton and Fred Barrelet have all joined The National Stud (TNS) Board, the stud announced on Tuesday. SireCam creator Sangster runs the Manton Thoroughbreds syndicate, as well as a bloodstock agency, while Sexton possesses pedigree knowledge and an astute understanding of the international Thoroughbred market. Formerly clinical director at Rossdale's Veterinary Surgeons, Barrelet is a veterinary delegate for the FEI veterinary committee. Chairman Lord Grimthorpe said, "We are very lucky to have secured three outstanding new members who will bring a wide variety and vital range of...

We may bemoan the fact that Flat horses come and go in what feels like the blink of an eye, but this season we are fortunate to be welcoming back not just the Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) but the four best fillies and mares in the world last year: Liberty Island (Jpn), Inspiral (GB), Emily Upjohn (GB) and Nashwa (GB). The last three named are all trained at John and Thady Gosden's Clarehaven Stables and both Emily Upjohn and Nashwa will make their return to the track next weekend...

In this time of back-to-back yearling sales, the logistics for bloodstock agents and trainers may be one of the biggest concerns, but one thing that appears not to be a worry is the strength of the market.  From America to Europe, the yearling season has started in bullish fashion. A proper staying pedigree is required to last to the end of Keeneland's September Sale, which is now well into its second week, while at Fairyhouse, the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale is also in full swing. Plenty of breeze-up pinhookers have...

By Brian Sheerin and Emma Berry   After a hectic few months perusing this year's foal and yearling crops, we asked the buyers to share their thoughts on the young stallions with first foals and yearlings.  Dermot Farrington, agent: "If you look at the list of people who have bought yearlings and foals by Advertise, it's a long time since a young stallion has attracted the who's who of the bloodstock world, and that's exactly what he has done. Whether it be yearlings to breeze, yearlings to race or foals...