Listed purchases
Cheapest, in guineas
Dearest, in guineas
Years with the firm
Background
Joined in 2011 and became a partner in 2018.
Kate runs everything to do with breeding: mare purchase, mating plans, nominations and the unglamorous business of telling an owner which of their mares should be sold. She books several hundred coverings a year and reads pedigrees for a living without ever quite trusting them.
She came to the agency in 2011 from a Co. Tipperary stud where she had spent four foaling seasons, and became a partner in 2018. Her view is that the money in breeding is made in the culling decisions rather than the buying ones, and she will say so before you have finished describing your mare.
She sat on the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's Next Generation Committee and speaks French well enough to be useful at Arqana, which is more than most of the barn can manage.
Experience
Where Kate has been
Four foaling seasons on a commercial Irish stud, latterly as assistant manager.
Brought in specifically to build the breeding side, which then consisted of one client.
Now responsible for roughly 40% of the firm's annual turnover.
425,000gns at the December Mares Sale; has since produced two Group winners and a 600,000gns colt.
Two terms.
Specialisms
What Kate actually does
- Broodmare purchase at Tattersalls December, Goffs November and Arqana
- Mating plans, with the reasoning written down rather than asserted
- Nomination negotiation — several hundred coverings booked a year
- Culling advice: which mares to keep and which to sell before they cost more
Kate told me two of my mares weren't worth covering again. Cost her the nomination commission on both. I have used her ever since.
Record
Horses Kate has bought
| Horse | Bought | Sale | Price | What happened next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicken Rose | 2024 | Arqana December | €310,000 | In foal to Frankel; first foal retained |
| Warren Hill Lass | 2024 | Tattersalls February | 18,000gns | Three wins in her first season with us |
| Exning Girl | 2023 | Tattersalls December Mares | 180,000gns | Dam of a 2026 Gr.3 winner |
| Tan Lane | 2023 | Tattersalls October Book 2 | 88,000gns | Gr.3 Nell Gwyn Stakes; 1000 Guineas fourth |
| Silverbeck | 2022 | Goffs Orby | €240,000 | Gr.1 Falmouth Stakes; now a Juddmonte broodmare |
| Duchess Drive | 2022 | Tattersalls February | 31,000gns | Gr.3 winner within eight months of purchase |
| Cheveley Belle | 2021 | Tattersalls December Mares | 95,000gns | Her first two foals averaged 210,000gns |
| Pentlow Star | 2020 | Arqana August | €190,000 | Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat; sold to Australia |
Every horse Kate has bought that has raced, been resold or entered a broodmare band. Prices are hammer prices exclusive of commission.
Where to find him
Sales Kate attends
If you are going to one of these, say so and he will walk the barns with you for an hour. No charge and no expectation.
- Tattersalls December Mares Sale
- Goffs November Foal Sale
- Arqana December
- Goffs Orby
- Tattersalls October Book 1
The rest of us
Other people here
Get in touch
Speak to Kate directly
His number is above and he answers it. If you would rather write, the form takes two minutes and reaches him the same day.
Email Kate →