Bred For It

It's Episode 28!
With the countdown onto the Cheltenham Festival, the French-breds are set to dominate once again. 
So what’s the secret?
In this episode, Jess Stafford speaks to Céline Gualde who runs Cap Orne Stud in Normandy and sits at the heart of French breeding as Secretary of the French TBA on the committee of France Galop and President of the National de l'Obstacle Show. 
From AQPS to “bred to race” thinking, this is a deep dive into why French-breds keep delivering on racing’s biggest stage as Jess and Celine unpack the structure, culture and stallion philosophy behind France’s National Hunt success. Plus, find out what Celine really thinks about the British & Irish purchasing powers landing the very best French NH stock! 

It's Episode 27! 
*WATCH NOW on YOUTUBE*
For Episode 26 of Bred For It, we do something a little different with our first-ever audio and visual episode.
I’m joined by Classic-winning owner, breeder and Rebel Racing founder Phil Cunningham in Meydan, Dubai. Phil's colours lit up the track last season with major sprint victories including the Stewards’ Cup and an extraordinary Ayr and Silver Gold Cup double but his success spans three decades going back to the extraordinary English & Irish Guineas winner Cockney Rebel. 
The on-track success has taken Phil rapidly from hobby owner into the bloodstock world: owning mares, producing homebreds and, most notably, standing his horses Cockney Rebel and Rajasinghe as stallions. But as Phil explains candidly in this episode, that experience has fundamentally changed his outlook.
So what is it really like to go from hobby owner to Classic winner and why has Phil decided he’ll never stand another stallion again?
Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tbrwr-F4tOc
This podcast is brought to you in association with VV Chapeaux the unique hat brand of VV Rouleaux - Situated in London's chic Marylebone Lane, VV Chapeaux is the place to top off your raceday style. 

It's Episode 26! A new year brings fresh stallion momentum to two of the most influential and forward-thinking studs in Britain.
In an exclusive interview, Jess speaks to David Redvers of Tweenhills Stud, who lifts the lid on the decision to add King Of Change to the roster. He explains the strategic thinking behind the acquisition, the partners involved, and how a near-miss stallion buy ultimately strengthened his belief in backing proven stallions.
Continuing the theme of ambition and expansion, Jess catches up with David Futter of Yorton Stud, who discusses bringing Cracksman onto his roster. David outlines why Cracksman is perfectly suited to a dual-purpose role, the challenges that come with it, and the enthusiasm driving his growing team. The conversation also revisits David’s journey in sourcing the late Blue Bresil, the return of the Goffs Yorton Sale in 2025, and the optimism and opportunity he sees ahead for British National Hunt breeding in 2026.
This podcast is brought to you in association with VV Chapeaux the unique hat brand of VV Rouleaux - Situated in London's chic Marylebone Lane, VV Chapeaux is the place to top off your raceday style. 

It's Episode 25!
Jess reflects on the loss of leading National Hunt stallions, emerging sires making their mark, and key developments shaping the global breeding landscape.
Jess is joined by legendary Auctioneer John O'Kelly to reflect on his final sale at Tattersalls, alongside stories and insights from more than 30 years at the heart of the sales ring
Harriet Jones of Consign Ltd gives her account of the remarkable €2.6 million Arqana sale of Half Sovereign, the pressures of consigning and establishing their name in the industry.
 
This podcast is brought to you in association with VV Chapeaux the unique hat brand of VV Rouleaux - Situated in London's chic Marylebone Lane, VV Chapeaux is the place to top off your raceday style. 

It's Episode 24:
As December settles over Newmarket and the foal and mares’ sales draw to a close, the Sceptre Session delivered real fireworks with Porta Fortuna and Barnavara topping the headlines, while stallion farms opened their doors to showcase the sires shaping future mating plans. With the Flat sales winding down and the National Hunt scene beginning to heat up, this episode brings you a blend of both codes: with both guests looking to unearth the next champion in their sphere.
This week’s guests:• Jerry McGrath – on National Hunt breeding, the type he looks for, and where future staying stars emerge across Britain and Europe + his thoughts on the Constitution Hill dilemma. • Oliver McKeever – on the breaking-in process on the flat, how raw talent shows itself early, and what sets a future flat superstar on the right path.
* Head to the Bred For It instagram page for an exclusive look at Oliver breaking in his mentioned yearling! 

It's Episode 23: 
With the 2026 stallion fees out, Jess breaks down the key headlines: major new arrivals at Coolmore and Darley, Juddmonte boosting their mid-market, and Diego Velazquez adding depth to Britain’s middle tier. But behind the big numbers sits a far tougher landscape for everyday breeders.
To dig into that reality, Jess is joined by Philip Newton, Chair of The Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Listen in as he addresses the falling foal crop, pressure on owner-breeders and the need for real structural change.

It's Episode 22: 
Jess catches up with Claudia Fitzgerald, Bloodstock Manager for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, to uncover the Australian approach to Newmarket: why Tattersalls continues to be a rich source of value, the unique type of horses the UK breeds that the team is so eager to take Down Under, and what tops Gai’s hit list when she sets her sights on a new recruit.
Then it’s all eyes on Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup week, where small breeder Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud is living every breeder’s dream. Hear her remarkable story of breeding not only Gstaad, who heads to California to fly her small stud’s flag on the world stage, but also Vandeek, one of Europe’s outstanding juveniles. It all began with the mare Kelly bred herself who she bought back to breed from at just £800.
From Newmarket to Del Mar, this episode celebrates the global reach of bloodlines and the people turning small beginnings into world-class success stories.

It's Episode 21:
What were the biggest stories from the major 2025 sales sessions? Who were the biggest buyers, the best characters and the special horses that set new records? Jess has the insight from another absorbing couple of trips from Goffs Orby at Kildare Paddocks, Ireland to Tattersalls Book 1 at Newmarket. 
Jess catches up with delighted pinhooker and breeder Dave Weston of Flinstone Bloodstock, who reflects on selling a standout Wootton Bassett filly for twice her foal price.
And with the shock of Wootton Bassett’s untimely death still rippling across the industry, Jess hears his remarkable breeding story from proud breeder Colin Bryce of Laundry Cottage Stud.

It's Episode 20:
After an eye-opening trip to America, including a visit to Lexington, Kentucky for the world-renowned Keeneland Sales, Jess shares her insights into what makes this premier auction such a standout event.
The 2025 September Sale set remarkable new records, with more than 4,500 yearlings sold for staggering prices. Jess is joined by leading bloodstock agent Jamie Piggott, who reflects on the rich history of Keeneland, what sets it apart from other sales, and the qualities that make its yearlings so distinctive.
Jess speaks to leading bloodstock agent Jamie Piggott as to what sets this sale apart, the history associated with it and what makes a Keeneland yearling different to the yearlings you might find at other auction houses.
Jess also catches up with Ramiro Restrepo of Marquee Bloodstock to hear about his unconventional path to becoming a Kentucky Derby–winning agent and his role in Netflix’s Race to the Crown—and how it has helped inspire the next generation within the industry.
 

It's Episode 19:
The story (so far) of Diego Velazquez: Jess unpacks how a shrewd move brought the iconic Sangster–Magnier partnership back to the winners’ enclosure — a tale of good timing and inspired bloodstock business.
Jess is joined by Joe Bradley of The National Stud, who explains the significance of Diego Velazquez joining their stallion roster for 2026 and what it really takes for a racehorse to make the leap into stallion duties.
Plus, trainer Jamie Insole reflects on the first European yearling sale of 2025 at Arqana in Deauville, the type of yearlings he’s looking to buy, and how he found himself celebrating on the winners’ podium with Team Diego Velazquez.