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One of the finest judges of Thoroughbred bloodstock in the world, Hong Kong-based George Moore has purchased over 75 Group winners including Hong Kong super-stars like Beauty Generation, Able Friend, Viva Pataca and HK’s only 4YO Triple Crown winner - Rapper Dragon.
The Impact caught up with the son of Hong Kong’s leading trainer John Moore to chat about his plans for the buying at Australia’s leading yearling sales, given the travel restrictions still in place in many countries.
Moore’s global network of elite clients and trainers have already provided him with their request lists and the expert Thoroughbred researcher is knee-deep in data and analysis which will take him to his final choices.
Q: Please tell us more about your top-performing purchases from this sale? What makes this sale special?
A: Magics the first yearling sale of the year and one of the main ones on our calendar for the more forward precocious types. One World came from this sale who was one of the top sprinters in his hay day coming second in the Gr.1 international sprint in HK and placing in Dubai Gr.1 Sprint. More recently Thanks Forever was also bought there and was one of the fastest horses in Hong Kong.
Q: What is your process from the time the catalogue is released to the day(s) of the sale?
A: Presale I will on the phone to breeders about their stock and inspecting the complete catalog. Unfortunately, timing doesn’t allow me to be at the farms doing pre-inspections like other sales permit.
Q: How many horses do you expect to buy at the 2021 edition of the MM GC Yearling Sale and generally across the yearling sales season?
A: Right now we have around 12 confirmed orders for yearlings this year so hopefully 5-6 at this sale and up to 10 at the other sales.
Q: Which sales are you planning to attend over the next few months after the MM GC Yearling Sale?
A: We will be buying at the Classic, Easter, and National sales this year and possibly at the Premier in Melbourne. Usually, we are at all the sales buying throughout the year for different reasons however COVID is restricting our movement right now from Hong Kong.
Q: Which sires do you expect to see do well in the 2021 edition of the MM GC Yearling Sale/ the 2021 yearling sales in-general across different levels of pricing?
A: We like to target proven sires for our clients like Exceed and Excel and Sebring. Deep Field is also making his mark in Hong Kong and I think Shalaa has a big future as a top producer. I am excited to see new progeny by Invader and Merchant Navy
Q: Given the resilience showing by the industry in this very difficult year, could you tell us what trends you are expecting in ownership groups during 2021 and how that has shaped your buying plans for 2021 as well?
A: Owners are still willing to spend at the sales the only issue is our attendance at the sales is limited. And we won’t buy horses for our clients without being thorough and inspecting the stock personally.
Q: Who is your favourite racehorse (self-owned or any other, past or present) and why?
A: We have purchased 2 world champions and 9 horses of the years in Hong Kong however I would have to say Able Friend was probably the pick of them as we trained him from the very beginning – he was purchased at the Easter Yearling sale. This would be closely followed by Rapper Dragon the first-ever 4YO Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong history.
Q: What would you say has been your most successful personal and professional achievement this year?
A: Would have to say sourcing Beauty Generation as a private purchase who just retired two-time Horse of the year in Hong Kong, Longines World Champion last year, and leading stakes earner. He ended up beating Viva Patacas all-time lifetime stakes money who we also purchased as a private purchase back in the day.