Bred For It

Episode 16: The Royal Ascot Special with Barry Mahon, Juddmonte

It's Episode 16: This podcast is brought to you in association with The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.
Ahead of the five biggest days of international flat racing at Royal Ascot, Jess sits down with Barry Mahon of Juddmonte to discuss the operations leading hopes at Royal Ascot 2025. 
Jess and Barry chat through the pedigrees that make up their stars of 2025 including Field Of Gold, Lead Artist & Kalpana as well as the Juddmonte stallions including Frankel & Kingman who will be well represented throughout the week. 
Don't miss some fantastic insight into the star Juddmonte families represented at Royal Ascot as well as the under the radar types hoping for a big run in the handicaps. 

Episode 15: The Derby Storm

It's Episode 15!
An Epsom Derby special as Jess delves into the profiles of the key Derby contenders for the 2025 renewal. Who, on pedigree, will handle the Derby test and who might struggle?
With the Derby looking like one of the most open line ups for years, Jess asks leading stallion master and managing director of Ballylinch Stud, does the Derby still matter to breeders?
John discusses his stallion New Bay, his progeny credentials in this years race and the expectations for the stallions going forward
Plus, don't miss the unexpected Derby contender who was bred for the Point-to-point field and has ended up in the world's oldest classic. Al Wasl Storm's breeder Gavin Wallace joins the podcast! 

Episode 14: Queen Be's

Its Episode 14: 
In an exclusive interview with Mark Byrne of Coolmore, we hear about the cornerstone broodmares such as Lillie Langtry, Rhododendron and Immortal Verse and their importance to the global breeding powerhouse. 
You will hear about the mating process for the broodmares, the key decision makers & the qualities that make a brilliant mare and the stallions they are using.
Plus Mark exclusively shares with Bred For It listeners that recently purchased racemare BELIEVING will be covered by Frankel and race in foal at Royal Ascot. 
With the flat season in full swing, we hear from trainer Jamie Insole on the challenges of training two year olds and the rollercoaster story behind his first two year old runner + some up and coming two year olds to follow! 

Episode 13: Ruling The World

It's Episode 13:
With a superb weekend of International flat action, Jess digs into the breeding of one of the headline acts of the 2000 Guineas - Ruling Court. Jess speaks to Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Stud about buying him as a yearling, breezing him at the 2024 Arqana Sale & turning him into a 2.3million euro sale topper.
Jess finds out how important it is to see the son of Justify follow up on the racetrack and Norman gives his insight into keeping in close contact with Charlie Appleby since the horse has been in his care.
With the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Jess picks the brain of Ren Carothers "the Pedigeek" on the main bloodstock angles going into the eagerly anticipated Run For The Roses. 

Episode 12: Breezin' On Up

It's Episode 12:
Its Breeze Up Season and with consigners and buyers reading themselves for a busy sales period, Jess asks the people that make it happen why this type of sale has become such an attractive source of buying horses. 
Jess speaks with leading consignor Rodgie Kavanagh of Glending Stables who was responsible for the breeze up post boy and champion racehorse, Vandeek. Rodgie discusses the road to establishing Glending, how he sources the correct yearlings to breeze and the preparation they go through to get to the sales. 
Leading racehorse trainer and key buyer at the breeze up sales, Jamie Osborne also joins the podcast to discuss his breeze up graduate Heart Of Honor, his unique buying strategy and what 2025 looks to bring him and his team. 

Episode 11: Straight to the Chase with Christina Blacker

It's a special edition of the Bred For It Podcast! 
Jess is in Meydan for the Dubai World Cup and sits down with FanDuel Host and Analyst Christina Blacker to discuss welfare standards and improvements to safety in America, breeding and declining foal numbers, broadcasting about horse injuries and her roles with Light Up Racing & The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Christina also shares an insight into the journey her husband Dan Blacker has been on training the Champion dirt sprinter, Straight No Chaser for the ownership platform, My Racehorse. 

Episode 10: First Season Sires: Who, what, why?

It's Episode 10:
Jess details out the winners at the Cheltenham Festival, with a big breeding prediction that came good from Episode 9! 
With the flat turf season about to get underway in the UK, Jess takes a deep dive into the first season sires to follow for 2025 with breeder and bloodstock aficionado Archie Brookes. Jess asks why first season sire lists are so popular in this country and Archie has some interesting insight into the Japanese approach. 
You will also hear from leading trainer of two year olds by numbers for the last two years in Karl Burke. Jess finds out the niche of training juveniles, what Karl has learnt over the years and the two year olds who are showing up early. Jess also finds out about the most expensive yearling ever sold at auction in Europe which is now in training with Karl for Amo Racing. 

Episode 9: The Cheltenham Special

Its Episode 9:
This podcast is brought to you in association with The The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and Weatherbys
We are counting down the days to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and ahead of the biggest four days in National Hunt Racing, Jess is joined by a panel of esteemed guests to discuss the breeding clues around some of the standout horses involved in the standout races at Prestbury Park.
Who has a freak pedigree and who has the pedigree of dreams in the Champion Hurdle?
Which stallion should we be following and who should we steer clear of?
What dams might be having a Festival to remember?
On the panel:
Jane Mangan: Bloodstock specialist and leading broadcaster
Richard Pugh: Head of Racing and Insights at HRI and the founder of p2p.ie
Will Kinsey: British Breeder and pinhooker at Peel Bloodstock
Guy Petit: Leading French Bloodstock agent
Listen to this bumper episode as the panel delve into the bloodlines of the leading players as well as highlighting what bloodstock angles should be used when thinking about the Festival.
 
 

Episode 8: To Michael & His Highness

Its Episode 8:
A podcast dedicated to the life and memory of His Highness The Aga Khan who died on February 4th at the age of 88 and Grade 1 winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan who died in February as a result of his riding injuries at the age of 24. 
Jess speaks to legendary owner breeder Miss Kirsten Rausing of Landwades Stud who shares her personal and professional memories of His Highness The Aga Khan and discusses his influence on the bloodstock industry.
Miss Rausing also updates Jess on her stallions and broodmare band including an exclusive update on her champion, Alpinista.
Jess goes international with a fascinating insight into the Indian bloodstock industry with renowned agent, Guarav Rampal of Scintilla Bloodstock. Find out about well known names now based in India including Chindit and Tasleet. 
 

Episode 7: A Stocking for Dubawi

Its Episode 7:
It's the start of a new year and January means foaling time and mating decisions are made.
In an exclusive interview with Juddmonte CEO Douglas Erskine Crum at the Longines World Horse Racing Awards, Jess finds out the mating plans for 2024 champions Bluestocking and Idiomatic. 
Jess catches up with Simon Sweeting, general manager of Overbury Stud to discuss the ups and downs of being a stallion man, the journey Kayf Tara took him on and why he has such a variety of stallions on offer which includes Golden Horn, Jack Hobbs and Ardad. 
With yearlings now turned two, Jess finds out from trainer Jamie Insole as to why studying a two year old pedigree is fundamental at this early stage of training.