Bred For It

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 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 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.

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 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!

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!

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.