'Breeze-ups were always appealing' - Justin Timmons on Dolmen Bloodstock

It is the mark of Justin Timmons that a 'bit of an interest' led to the creation of Dolmen Bloodstock around seven years ago, and the operation has set its sights on standing its ground alongside the leading breeze-up consignors.

Timmons, who has worked for the likes of Dermot Weld, Gilltown Stud, the Castlebridge Consignment and Bansha House Stables, started off in the racing industry before turning his attentions to bloodstock and, in particular, the breeze-up sector.

He explains: "It started about six or seven years ago as a bit of an interest, where we said we'd try to train a horse and see how we got on.

"I started out on the racing side so the breeze-up sector was always appealing to me. I was keen to give that a try and luckily enough the first horse worked out and it's just gone on from there."

The main focus, at least for now, will be on the forthcoming breeze-ups, although Timmons - who set up Dolmen Farm near the Curragh with Danny O'Donovan - has not ruled out a return to breeding and producing youngstock.

He continues: "For the moment it's what we want as it's our bread and butter, but there are other avenues I would like to explore going forward. Every year the pressure is on to try and taste success.

"I've bred from a few mares in the past but we've fallen back on that; the long-term plan would be to purchase a few and to get back into it again. I also love working with youngstock."

It would be an understatement to say the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic last March has made travel to and attendance of sales tricky, but Timmons still managed to make his presence felt at 2020's leading auctions.

He says: "Last year we found it hard to buy yearlings - I attended all the major sales and got stuck in as best as I could and picked up a fair few between proven and first-season sires.

"I went for the likes of Iffraaj; with the rise of Wootton Bassett and Ribchester having his first runners we felt it was the best call to go back to the source."

On plans for attending the sales this year, he adds: "I still have to sit down and go through it, a couple of the sales are nearly on top of each other so we'll just have to figure out how to work it with the restrictions. It's going to be difficult but I'll try to be present as much as I can.

"One thing I've learnt from this [the pandemic and sales restrictions] is to never try to forecast or predict it, you've just got to try and weather it. Whatever happens, it is going to happen."

Timmons is particularly sweet on the prospects of the team's Iffraaj filly, who is bound for the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale next month.

He says: "I've a lovely filly by Iffraaj who'll head to the Craven - all the bonuses they're offering this year meant we were keen to put one in there and we felt she'd fit the bill.

"She's a sharp, racey filly out of a black type Oasis Dream mare so I'm looking forward to her."

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