Down To Dance with Amy Marnane
We caught up with the up-and-coming Amy Marnane to talk all things Givemethebeatboys, Goffs London Sale and a chance to get to know her.
- Did you always have an interest in horses and want to work in the industry while growing up?
Having grown up in a racing family, living on the farm and being surrounded by horses there was never anything else I wanted to do. From the day-to-day workings of the farm, attending the sales from a very young age, and the buzz of watching horses we have sold or carry our colours go on to be successful at the track there was never a doubt in my mind! My Mum was adamant that I got my education so I graduated with an honours degree in equine management and completed the Irish National Stud course.
- What's your current role within racing?
It’s hard to pinpoint my role within racing to one particular thing! Our year is quite busy, generally starting in August as the yearling sale season starts. Con and I work the yearling sales trying to select horses which we think look like genuine athletes- wherever there is a yearling sale on we are there! This then rolls into the breeding stock sales where we sell our best foals and any stakes fillies that have managed to pick up some black type throughout the season. Breeze-up season begins in January and is arguably the most exciting time of the year, the cream begins to rise to the top in March/ April and the “Royal Ascot” murmurs begin! The breeding season coincides with breeze up season and our ever growing broodmare band is at the height of foaling and covering- often we are cantering the two-year-olds and organising coverings at the same time. Luckily we have a fantastic team behind us led by Mike O’Brien- without them, nothing would be possible!
- What do you look for when purchasing a horse?
I really enjoy working the yearling sales and generally know the minute a horse comes out of a stable whether you like them or not. A strong horse with size, a good hind end, and some speed in the pedigree is a must for me. The way they move is an important factor but some of the best sprinters can’t walk, thankfully they can run! A horse with presence always catches the eye, we’re looking for a genuine yearling- good looks don’t always win races.
- What made Givemethebeatboys stand out to you and Con as a yearling when you purchased him at Goffs?
He was magnificent as a yearling, tall, powerful, and looked to have a great mind-set. He ticked all the boxes and was bred by Airlie Stud who produce stakes horses year in, year out! Con and I were gutted when he was withdrawn from the Goffs UK yearling sale but as Con says- what’s for you won’t pass you and luckily we still loved him at the Goffs Autumn yearling sale, the rest is history!
- At what point did you start to realise what an exciting horse you had on your hands?
From the very beginning! Good horses are always good and he did everything so easy from the start of the breaking process right through to his first win in Navan. He’s very special, a horse of a lifetime. Only problem is horses like Givemethebeatboys don’t come around too often!
- Why did you choose the Goffs London sale for him?
After he won the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh he was in high demand, numerous agents had been in contact to buy him. We had so much interest in him that the fair thing to do was send him to public auction and let them fight it out in the sales ring. The Goffs London sale is the highlight of our calendar- it surpasses Christmas Day in our house! We have been very lucky with Goffs through the years, the London Sale is the pinnacle- everyone is in London full of excitement for the weeks racing ahead and it just makes so much sense to have a boutique sale on the eve of the Royal meeting.
- What was going through your head during the bidding process? And what was it like to have the sale topper at the Goffs London Sale?
Insane! We knew he was going to make more than what we had purchased him for as a yearling- €11,000. But to reach the heights he did in the sales ring was unbelievable, even Con was speechless! So many dilemmas go through your head in the run-up to the sale so once the bidding process started and he passed his reserve price we just enjoyed it! We are so grateful to the Sands Family of Bronsan Racing for buying him and by the looks of it- we are all in for a very exciting summer ahead with Givemethebeatboys!
- Givemethebeatboys now holds an entry in the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes this Sunday at Naas for their Royal Ascot Trials Day. If he runs well, will all roads lead back to Royal Ascot?
Givemethebeatboys was very tough to win on seasonal debut in the Listed Committed Stakes at Navan. He needed the run after his winter break and we are looking forward to seeing him in the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes on Sunday. In Bansha, all roads always lead to Royal Ascot! It’s the highest profile meeting of the year for us and basically the Olympics of flat racing.
- Where's your favourite place to go racing?
Wherever we have a winner! Naas is a fantastic track and is managed very well. They do a fantastic job encouraging all generations to attend race meetings. The Royal Ascot trials day is a fantastic concept for both connections of horses and members of the public to get a real insight into what horses may travel across the Irish Sea in mid-June.
- What's it like working with your Dad?
It’s a privilege to work beside Con on a daily basis, I’m very lucky. He is always thinking ahead and there’s never a dull moment when he’s around! We have a fantastic team of people around us John Crosse and Danny Sinkevicius break all of the yearlings. Emma Welsh deals with the administration side of things, Mike O’Brien manages all of the breeding stock. We have a super team of riders who start in January namely Ghrainne Clancy, Hetty Spencer, Florian Guyader and Val Petrukonis- they are invaluable in the horses early education. My sister Olivia plays a big part too- she really enjoys the training side of things once the horses leave Bansha and manages all of the advertising and social media when she’s not studying or riding out for Mrs Harrington. Between Con, Olivia and the team of people with us there’s always something new to learn!
Goffs London Sale, a boutique thoroughbred auction held on the eve of Royal Ascot, offers a unique platform to buy and sell Royal Ascot entries and international racing prospects as well as elite breeding stock. Held in the beautiful setting of Kensington Palace Gardens, this is the curtain raiser to the most prestigious week in flat racing. Find our more here.
