The Back Nine

A horse for 2022: Akhu Najla (GB) (Kingman {GB}) with Roger Varian. First season or proven: First season. Success stories last year like Ardad (Ire), Time Test (GB) and Zarak (Fr) among others show what an art form picking one is. Speed or stamina: Stamina, on the Flat and especially in National Hunt. Eat out or home cooking: Eating out. Rugby or football: Rugby, although cricket is the sport outside horseracing I really follow. Broodmare you wish you owned: Starlet's Sister (Ire). She's achieved so much and she's only 13....

Horse to look out for in 2022: El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Proven or first-season sire: Proven. Best piece of advice you've received: If you employ the best people the best horses will come. Value sire: Zoustar, £25,000 at Tweenhills. Pedigree or physical: Pedigree. Favourite sport (besides racing): Football. Favourite team: Manchester United. Young person in the industry to keep an eye on: Dan Muscutt. Three people you'd like as dinner guests: Paul McCartney, Tom Hanks, Sean Connery. Trainer you admire the most: Sir Mark Prescott. Favourite racehorse of all...

First-season or proven stallion: Proven. Speed or stamina: I have had a bit of luck with both. It seems the stayers have many avenues to sell in the horse-in-training market later in their career at the moment. Best piece of advice you've received: The harder you work the luckier you get! Value sire: Cotai Glory (GB) on the Flat and Hillstar (GB) for National Hunt. Cotai Glory had 35 winners in his first crop with eight stakes horses. He trained on himself and he gets good looking stock. Hillstar has...

A horse for 2022: Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}). He's my best horse, and he's ready for Saudi. First season or proven stallion: Whatever I can afford! The market dictates, but I've had luck with first-season sires. Speed or stamina: It depends on the clients, but I would prefer a horse that stays a bit, with size and scope. Kildare or Meath: My heart is in Meath, but all my kids are playing for Kildare! Best current jockey: I've the best young jockey in Ben Coen. Favourite horse you rode: Sinndar...

A horse for 2022: Erevann (Fr), a son of Dubawi (Ire) out of triple Group1 winner Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). First season or proven: Proven. Speed or stamina: Stamina, if only because we get to enjoy the staying stars for longer. Eat out or home cooking: Home cooking with friends or family. Country walk or art gallery: Art gallery for a change of scenery. Pâtisserie or fromage: I have to say fromage, it's a matter of national pride! Chantilly or Longchamp: Chantilly is very special. Bright young thing to follow:...

A horse for 2022: With a touch of recency bias can I say Life Is Good? He's so... good! First season or proven: Proven Speed or stamina: Stamina - I'd rather win a Derby than a dash Eat out or home cooking: Professional chefs cook way better than I do! Friday brunch or Sunday Roast: Friday brunch Super Saturday or World Cup night: Nothing tops DWC Ascot or Longchamp: Ascot Bright young thing to follow: Marco Ghiani should go far; he's rides well and seems grounded Wise owl to look...

A horse for 2022: Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Fabrice Chappet First season or proven: Proven Speed or stamina: Class Croissant or Full English: A long lunch please Newspaper or podcast: Newspaper Ascot or Longchamp: Both on their day Rock or classical: The late Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman (my generation's Wagner) Bright young thing to follow: Jack Cantillon Wise owl to look up to: Daniel Kahneman, never met him and not in racing but the wisest of owls.

A horse for 2022: Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Emollient, by Empire Maker), with Andre Fabre. First season or proven: Proven. Speed or stamina: If I had horses in training an Ascot Gold Cup winner would be the dream, so stamina. Eat out or home cooking: Both; but eating out has become way too expensive. Newspaper or podcast: Newspaper, and sometimes even in print. Ascot or Longchamp: Ascot in June and July, Longchamp in April and October (I'm spoilt!). Walk in the country or art gallery: A walk in the country every...

A horse for 2022: Trueman (GB), a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt with William Haggas. First season or proven: A proven, good sire. Speed or stamina: Acceleration. Eat out or home cooking: Both (obviously!). Coffee shop or pub: I'm Irish. Pub. Ascot or Longchamp: Can I say York? Rock or classical: Rocking All Over The World was my first single purchase so there's your answer. Bright young thing to follow: David Redvers would LOVE it if I mentioned him here but he doesn't qualify. Jack Foley (no relation) is my pick...