By Brian Sheerin
DONCASTER, UK–New dreams abound for Natalie Folland and her partner Matt Bowen, who offer their first yearlings at this year's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale under the banner of Folland-Bowen Bloodstock.
Many people will know Folland from her days of managing Elkington Stud. She met her partner Bowen, who worked at a neighbouring farm, during that time but now the pair are concentrating on going it alone at Fonthill Stud in Wiltshire.
Not long after the pair welcomed daughter Imogen (2) into the world, Folland-Bowen Bloodstock was formed, and this week marks the beginning of an important new chapter.
“This is our first yearling sale together,” said Folland, wearing an expression of nervous anticipation at Barn J at Doncaster on Sunday. “We took a mare to the July Sale under Folland-Bowen Bloodstock but these are the first yearlings we've offered under our own name and I can honestly say, of all the sales I've done in the past, this is the most nervous I have ever been.”
She added, “I have been in this game for years now but, when they are under your own name, there's extra pressure involved. We want to get it right for the clients–we want to do it for them.”
First up for Folland-Bowen is lot 71, a colt by Land Force (Ire), whose first yearlings have gone under the hammer this sales season. The couple also offer colts by Cable Bay (Ire) [lot 224] and Havana Grey (GB) [lot 230], with all three described as typical Doncaster types by Folland.
She explained, “The horses have been going down really well–it was very nearly only two as the Havana Grey got a foot abscess in the build-up to the sale but thankfully he's made it.
“The Land Force is going down quite well as well. He's a half-brother to Tatsumaki (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}), who won the valuable Tattersalls October Auction Stakes at Newmarket for Marco Botti last season before selling for a lot of money to go to Hong Kong. I quite like the Land Force. He's a proper sprinter and that's why we brought him here.”
She added, “All three of them look like they belong here–they are sharp, early types and they look like they will do that job quite well. They are all straightforward and have scoped well and have clean x-rays so we're excited. You can't really fault them.
“The Cable Bay is a pinhook. The Land Force and the Havana Grey are homebreds belonging to clients of ours. We like the Cable Bay. He is out of Secret Insider (Elusive Quality) and was bought by Richard Knight at the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls for 28,000gns. The Havana Grey is the first foal out of a nice Fastnet Rock (Aus) mare [Sheila's Rock (Ire)] and we adore him.”
Despite the fact that Bowen cut his teeth with farm animals rather than horses, he has quickly become an integral part of the burgeoning operation.
“I was managing a major farm but became sick of doing paperwork,” he explained. “When Natalie fell pregnant, I decided that I needed a change of direction, and now we're here.
“We have 40 to 45 horses on the farm. From mares and foals, to the rehabilitation of racehorses and yearling and foal sales prep, it's pretty full-on.
“We have five heading to Book 3 at Tattersalls and then there are plenty for the foal sales so hopefully this week will provide the springboard.
Natalie and Matt have put the shoulder to the wheel in getting Folland-Bowen Bloodstock off the ground but there's no doubting who the real boss of the operation is.
Folland revealed, “The past few weekends, Imogen has had her small wheelbarrow out and she has been running around trying to help us. She's definitely the boss. Hopefully this week goes well.”
The two-day Premier Yearling Sale kicks off at 10am on Tuesday morning.
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