Group-winning updates aplenty as Clare Manning gears up for another sales season

Few, if any, consignors will have as current a draft of yearlings to offer this year as Clare Manning's Boherguy Stud. In a quite remarkable turn of events, siblings to no fewer than three of Boherguy's yearling lots have won at Group level since catalogues went to press.

Gear Up brought up the first leg of the hat-trick when the Mark Johnston-trained colt maintained his unblemished record in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. Just three days later, Mac Swiney claimed the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh, before New Treasure caused something of an upset in the Round Tower Stakes.

Mac Swiney and New Treasure were both bred and raced by Manning's grandfather, master trainer Jim Bolger.

"It's been absolutely unbelievable," said Manning. "To get three updates like that is massive, especially when they're all two-year-old updates as well. It's always nice to one get two-year-old update, but to get three – and to have two of the yearlings being full-brothers – is pretty good going."

Gear Up (yellow cap) stays on best to win the Group 3 Acomb StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The first of the well-related youngsters to come under the hammer is the Teofilo brother to Gear Up, who is set to be offered as lot 165 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, which this year takes place at Park Paddocks in Newmarket.

The March-born colt is now a brother to two juvenile Group winners, with another sibling, Guaranteed, having landed the Eyrefield Stakes.

"He's a really nice horse; very athletic and very light on his feet," Manning said of the Teofilo colt. "Gear Up was sold from Redmondstown but I remember seeing him and this colt would be a similar type all right. He's very racy."

Also due to be offered at the relocated September Sale is the full-brother to New Treasure (260). The colt is out of Maoineach, a daughter of Congaree who also landed the Round Tower Stakes and the Group 3 Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial during her racing days.

"He's more like the mare; compact and strong. He's a really good-looking colt and a lovely free mover," is Manning's assessment of the son of New Approach. Boherguy Stud will also be sending a five-strong draft to the Goffs Orby Sale, among which is a sibling to the Group 2-winning Mac Swiney (180).

Mac Swiney strikes a pose after winning at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

Manning, daughter of Classic-winning jockey Kevin and wife Una, said: "The half-brother to Mac Swiney is by Vocalised and he's a really big, strong and imposing horse who's very light on his feet. He just floats across the ground."

She added: "They're three really nice types to be selling. I can't see why they wouldn't be popular and they tick all the boxes with me. Hopefully they can tick all the boxes for an owner down the line."

It was only 12 months ago that Manning presented her debut yearling drafts from her parents' Boherguy Stud, which is situated near the Curragh, but the up-and-coming consignor reported that the operation will be much busier at this year's sales.

Reflecting on her debut sales season, she said: "We had only a handful to sell but it was a nice introduction and it was a good year overall. This year we have a much bigger draft, we'll probably end up offering around 18 yearlings. Some are homebreds and we've got horses for some nice clients too, which is a big help.

"There's a nice mix of horses, different types and different sires, so hopefully there's something there for everybody."

Clare Manning: the brains behind Boherguy StudCredit: Patrick McCann

Manning will also be consigning at the breeding stock sales on both sides of the Irish Sea later this year. She said: "We've some really nice foals coming through, there are 12 foals to sell later in the year. There are some full- and half-brothers to some nice horses among them, so there's plenty to look forward to.

"I didn't sell any mares last year but have a couple this time around, including Bandiuc Eile. She was second in a Group 2 at two and she's in foal to Profitable. She'll be going to Tattersalls for the December Sale."

While the state of the market remains a concern for all sectors of the industry, Manning said she was taking a pragmatic approach to the remainder of the sales season.

She said: "It's a tough job, everyone knows that. I've been working the sales for years and it's even tougher when you're working for yourself as you have to work ten times harder.

"If you enjoy it, it's great though. You just have to take the ups with the downs. There's no point giving out as at least the sales are happening - with the year we're in, it's just great the sales are going ahead."

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