Bred For It

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.

Episode 18: Goodwood Festival once again proved that the so-called ‘under the radar’ stallions can shine on the big stage, with progeny of Expert Eye, Ulysses and Without Parole all hitting the scoresheet. Eve Johnson Houghton was one of the meeting’s standout trainers, landing two winners including Zavareti’s Vintage Stakes triumph — another example of her sharp eye for yearlings. In this episode, Eve shares her sales-ring strategy, what she must see (and can’t have) in a pedigree, and the auctions that have delivered her biggest results. Jess also speaks to Paul Curran, European representative for Yulong Investments, about their headline acquisitions of Shaquille and Soldier’s Call, how they fit into Yulong’s global stallion portfolio, and the future for fan favourite Carl Spackler.

It's Episode 17:  It’s Glorious Goodwood week and Jess shines a spotlight on the value sires ready to make their mark and highlights how year on year the Festival creates the perfect proving ground for stallions standing outside the commercial elite. With the first European yearling sales less than a month away, bloodstock expert Nancy Sexton, fresh from Japan’s JRHA Select Sale, explores how Japanese breeders are rewriting the global playbook — from Sunday Silence’s enduring legacy to the new generation of stallions making waves. Nancy also reveals why the Japanese approach to putting on a sale is something the rest of the world could only dream of emulating.  

It's Episode 16:  With the fantastic Royal Ascot meeting of 2025 still fresh in our minds, Jess looks back on the bloodstock success stories, the unlikely winning stallions and the blue bloods that triumphed over the five days. Jess catches up with bloodstock supremo Anthony Stroud fresh from celebrating Ombudsman success in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Anthony talks securing the son of Night Of Thunder from his friend and co-breeder James Hanly.  Jess and Anthony look ahead to a weekend to savour for Anthony where his breeding passions collide with his business ventures with Ombudsman looking to take the Coral Eclipse whilst Estrange, bred by himself alongside James Hanly & Trevor Stewart takes her place in the Lancashire Oaks. Jess takes you through the sales dates that are coming up over the coming months and updates you on the first season sire table at the mid way point of the year! 

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. 

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! 

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! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.    

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.   

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. 

Its Episode 6: After a stellar Christmas period for National Hunt racing, Jess chats to Grade 1 winning breeder Jackie Chugg of Little Lodge Stud about the success of Challow Hurdle winner The New Lion.  With British NH breeding having a memorable festive period on both sides of the Irish Sea, Jess speaks with Will Kinsey who bred Leopardstown Grade 1 Future Champion Novice Hurdle star Romeo Coolio. Both featured horses were by the late great Kayf Tara and we go through the other sires who had a memorable Christmas as well as leading stallions from 2024 and stallion predictions for 2025.

Its Episode 5: We focus on National Hunt breeding with Ian Kellit, co-breeder of current Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth. Listen to the journey to breeding the popular grey mare, the family coming through as well as insight to Lossiemouth formative years in France before joining Willie Mullins. Champion Point To Point rider turned Point To Point handler Derek O'Connor takes us through his approach to starting horses earlier over obstacles which has included many homebred of leading NH owner, JP McManus.

Its Episode 4: We talk all things foals with Charlie King of Heritage Thoroughbreds as he goes through best practice for foaling, why foals are so in demand at the sales and how his business will look to foal both Northern and Southern Hemisphere broodmares in England.  We catch up with David O'Callaghan of one of the most celebrated studs in Ireland, Yeomanstown Stud after a record breaking year for their sire, Dark Angel.  Listen to how Yeomanstown Stud approach finding new stallions and the hopes for their exciting first season sire, Supremacy. 

Its Episode 3: It is a Breeders' Cup special and Jess digs into the pedigree of City Of Troy ahead of the eagerly anticipated running of the Breeders' Cup Classic.  Will City Of Troy throw more to Justify or Galileo? Does he have the speed to go the Classic pace?  Listen to a fascinating conversation with legendary bloodstock journalist Bill Oppenheim as well as insights from US analyst and host Kaitlin Free as we look to answer the question: Is City Of Troy bred for Breeders' Cup Classic glory?

Its Episode 2!   Jess catches up with Bernard Condren of auction house Goffs about what it takes to put a sale together an auctioneering a €1.85million yearlings.  Jess talks data with Tom Wilson of Racing Squared as he explains his biomechanics model and how data can be used in the bloodstock industry.    Please like & subscribe for plenty more to come!