Bloodstock View: Five things to note at Royal Ascot

As an owner/breeder we often wear a different set of glasses to the average racegoer. We watch Royal Ascot while looking out the window at the mares and foals in the paddock. Celebrating as if we’ve won whenever there is a winner for a stallion we have used this season or last.

Below are five things that will be in the forefront of my mind when I look through the racecard for Royal Ascot and if I'm looking to have a cheeky bet.

Which Trainers are outperforming their pedigrees?

There are some trainers who go to the sales and buy relatively cheap yearlings with average pages.

They are often very good at preparing and placing their horses and would have a good track record at having one ready for the big day. Never dismiss the small guy!

Last year we saw Joe Murphy land his first ever Group 1 when Cercene took the Coronation Stakes and this year, don't dismiss Mick Mulvany's The Scallionator or Arizona Raider. His two entries in the Coventry Stakes were purchased for a total of €19,000 and it would be a wonderful story if the yard could bring the prize back to Ireland.

Which Stallions are improving their mares?

Havana Grey is a classic example of a stallion who improves his mares. The entries for Royal Ascot so far are full of his stock.

A stallion in my eyes that can do little wrong and that comes from a Stud who really looks after breeders.

Major Owner/Breeder operations

Coolmore, Juddmonte and Godolphin. I would expect all three to be dominant. The pedigrees behind each horse they bring to the track are mouthwatering.

Wootton Bassett, No Nay Never, Camelot, Kingman, Frankel and Dubawi all have to command huge amounts of respect. These operations are also protecting their stock, making stallions and broodmares for the future. They aren’t running horses for a day out in the sunshine.

Which owners are overpaying at the sales?

I would personally be ‘turned off’ by a horse which was purchased for more than its true value.

If it hasn’t really proven itself on the track, cost more in the ring than its physical and page value then something is amiss. Don’t fall for ‘it cost three million so it must be good’, a horse doesn’t know how much it cost.

Bloodstock Agents

I enjoy, sad I know, looking through the sales results to see which agents purchased the runners at Royal Ascot. We are blessed to have such experienced and knowledgeable men and women working in this industry.

It may sound like a glamorous job but it's not. It’s days of walking round sales complexes, trawling through pedigrees and entertaining potential clients. With the amount of sales that the sales companies have flooded us with, these agents are rarely home.

If they purchase a yearling or breeze up horse that becomes Royal Ascot winner there is a possibility of further business. And a few celebrations!

Richard Brown's purchases on behalf of Wathnan Racing are always worth a look as they've teamed up for great success at the Royal meeting.