Sophie Buckley

G2 Sandy Lane Stakes winner El Caballo (GB) will stand for a fee of £5,000 next season, Culworth Grounds announced on Thursday. The son of Havana Gold (Ire) reportedly covered 100 mares when standing for £6,000 in his first season, including 25% black-type performers/producers. Culworth Grounds co-owner Sophie Buckley said, "We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first crop of foals. He was an outstanding two-year-old and proved tough, versatile and durable, winning six races in a row. At £5,000 he offers breeders exceptional value."

Group 2 winner El Caballo (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) will stand at Culworth Grounds Farm in 2024, the stud announced on Wednesday. The four-year-old will stand at £6,000 in his first season. This is a first stallion for Culworth Grounds, which is owned by Sophie Buckley, a familiar face on the sales circuit as a consignor and pinhooker. She said, "We are delighted to have secured El Caballo. He was a precocious, tough and consistent racehorse. Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud he has an excellent pedigree and is rated only...

A total of 33 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online April Sale and can be viewed here. Bidding for the sale commences from 12 noon on Tuesday, Apr. 4 and closes from 12 noon on Wednesday, Apr. 5. The catalogue is comprised of 28 horses in and out of training from both Flat and National Hunt disciplines, four broodmares and a yearling filly by Planteur (Ire), sire of dual Group 1 winner Trueshan (Fr). Set to go through the ring from Darren Bunyan's Blackmiller Stables is three-time winner...

In this TDN series we ask a group of experts for their predictions for the 2020 flat season in Europe. Today we hear from Sophie Buckley. TDN: Who do you think will be the leading first-season sire this year? SB: When I think about who might be leading first-season sire I try and go for one whose stock I think that I will be able to afford to buy. I like the idea of Belardo (Ire) on paper. His dam Danaskaya (Ire) was a top 2-year-old and Belardo himself won...