Expert panel assembled to discuss matings and key considerations in stallion selection during Foal Sale

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association has announced its Breed Smart Forum: Matings for Markets, set to take place on Thursday during the Tattersalls December Foal Sale from 5pm.

Following the success of last year’s Foal Forum, the focus of this year’s free-to-attend event will look at matings and discuss key considerations when it comes to selecting a stallion, the importance of trends, data and statistics in that process, physical assessment and breeding for the racetrack, as well as considering the potential commercial appeal of each horse in the sales ring. 

An expert panel has been assembled, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and expertise from statistical-based analysis of pedigrees, finding value in stallion selection, considerations when entering into stallion agreements and the influence of trends. 

This will be followed by a Q&A session for attendees to get involved with.

Sponsored by Streets Bloodstock, the forum will be hosted by Sky Sports Racing's Vanessa Ryle and features leading trainer and breeder William Haggas; bloodstock agent Richard Brown from Blandford Bloodstock; Patrick Diamond from The Castlebridge Consignment; Alice Thurtle, marketing and nominations for Tweenhills; along with pedigree and matings expert Clive Web-Carter, of Clive Webb-Carter Bloodstock Services.  

Claire Sheppard, CEO of the TBA, said: “We are really pleased to be able to announce our Breed Smart Forum next Thursday at Tattersalls, with an expert panel assembled to discuss the subject of matings.

“We are here to support not only our members but all breeders and help their breeding entities thrive and, while there are plenty of challenges for the sector, we want to provide platforms such as this for industry professionals, new entrants and enthusiasts alike to exchange knowledge, ideas and importantly ask questions. 

"Thanks must go to Streets Accountants for their support of this event, Tattersalls for providing the venue and all our panellists."

Brown said: “This is an interesting subject and one which I am sure will raise plenty of questions. We will all approach this from different perspectives but, acting on behalf of both commercial breeders and owner breeders, we all want to produce the most successful racehorse we possibly can.”

Diamond said: “In my role with The Castlebridge Consignment, I see a lot of stock sold from breeders at all ends of the market, as well as trading nominations and planning matings.

“I have a number of questions to ask the rest of the panel, and this is a really great opportunity to hear from a wealth of knowledge and experience from the assembled experts. As a still relatively young person in the industry, this is a great platform to come and learn from.”

Andrew Diplock, partner for Streets Bloodstock Accountants & Tax Advisers, added: “We are delighted to be working with the TBA and supporting this event – this is a unique opportunity for us all to hear from an extremely knowledgeable panel and we look forward to welcoming TBA members, as well as breeding enthusiasts, to next week’s event."

To start the Christmas festivities, attendees will be treated to complimentary mulled wine and sausage rolls on arrival from 5pm, before the panel kicks-off at 6pm, followed by a Q&A session. The event will end by 7.45pm.

Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register.

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