2023 started with the Keeneland January Sale where Billy secured the Juddmonte bred filly Chaberton for $240,000 – the daughter of Kantharos is a ½ sister to French 1000 Guineas winner Special Duty and Exemplify, dam of Group 1 Breeders Cup winner Expert Eye -‘Chaberton is a lovely looking filly and fillies with her pedigree don’t appear on the market often, so I was pleased to be able to have bought her.’

Tattersalls, Goffs and Arqana were attended during February both in a selling and buying capacity. Queenhope, who was pinhooked for a client, was the third highest price of Tattersalls, selling to Hugo Merry for 140,000 gns. She was purchased in 2021 for 65,000 gns when in foal to Galiway. She produced a superb first foal in 2022 and was offered back at Tattersalls in February in foal to emerging talent New Bay.

During Goffs Billy secured a Night Of Thunder colt for €110,000, third top lot of the sale, on behalf of Rogues Gallery. The colt, out of the 92 rated Street Cry mare Serene Beauty, will be reoffered as a yearling later this year.

The last of the February sales took place at Arqana, in France. Where Billy secured a Goliath Du Berlais colt foal in partnership with Stroud Coleman, the colt will be re-offered at store sale.

Following on from the February sales Billy went to Qatar for their two day International meeting. The meeting has grown significantly in recent years and with the prize money for the big race now totalling $2.5 million, it’s sure to continue growing. Harb, who’s dam was bought by Billy and belongs to long-time client Abdullaziz Al Rabban, took on older horses for the first since winning the local Qatar Derby.  Harb finished a very pleasing close third having been beaten home by two older horses.