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Wardlow / People / Tom Rutherford

Tom Rutherford

Agent

With the firm
Since 2016
Based
Newmarket and Kildare
Buys
Yearlings and horses in training, 15,000–150,000gns
7

Listed purchases

24,000

Cheapest, in guineas

240,000

Dearest, in guineas

10

Years with the firm

Background

Ten years with the agency, specialising in the middle market — the 20,000 to 150,000gns range where most owners actually operate and where value is hardest to find.

Tom works the middle market, which is where almost every owner actually operates and where value is hardest to find. Anybody can spend a million guineas well; finding a horse at 40,000 that wins four races is a different skill and it is the one he has.

He handles most of the agency's Irish and French buying, and spends a good part of September and October between Kildare and Deauville. He was raised in a point-to-point yard in Co. Meath and rode as an amateur, which shows in the kind of horse he likes — sound, correct and able to take a season's racing.

The 2025 market data makes his case better than he does. With 77% of Europe's 300,000gns-plus yearlings selling in one Newmarket fortnight, everything below that figure is a wider and more forgiving market. Tom lives in it.

Experience

Where Tom has been

2010–2014
Co. Meath

Raised in a point-to-point yard; rode 22 winners as an amateur.

2014–2016
Goffs

Two years on the sales side at Kill.

2016
Joined the agency

Brought in to cover the Irish sales.

2018
Studlands

€210,000 at the Orby; won the Irish Champion Stakes.

2020
Ashley Heath

£28,000 at Goffs UK; won eleven races and is still in training at seven.

2024
Anstey Grange

115,000gns at Book 2; Gr.2 Gimcrack winner.

Specialisms

What Tom actually does

  • Yearlings between 15,000 and 150,000gns, at all four Books and in Ireland
  • Horses in training — often the quickest route to a runner
  • Irish and French sales; he is at the Orby and Arqana every year
  • Soundness and durability over precocity
Tom found me a horse for twenty-eight thousand that has won eleven races. I have owned dearer ones that never saw a racecourse.
Deborah VossOwner, Cambridge

Record

Horses Tom has bought

The whole firm's record
HorseBoughtSalePrice What happened next
Moulton Green2025Tattersalls October Book 1240,000gnsWon on debut at Newmarket, June 2026
Anstey Grange2024Tattersalls October Book 2115,000gnsGr.2 Gimcrack Stakes; Group 1 placed twice
Beccles Bay2023Goffs UK Premier£42,000Listed winner at two; won five races by four
Kentford Mill2022Tattersalls October Book 336,000gnsListed winner; Group 3 placed twice
Snailwell2021Goffs Orby€125,000Gr.2 Royal Lodge; Classic placed at three
Ashley Heath2020Goffs UK Premier£28,000Won 11 races; still in training at seven
Studlands2018Goffs Orby€210,000Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes

Every horse Tom has bought that has raced, been resold or entered a broodmare band. Prices are hammer prices exclusive of commission.

Where to find him

Sales Tom 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.

  • Goffs Orby
  • Arqana August
  • Tattersalls October Books 2 & 3
  • Goffs UK Premier
  • Tattersalls February
Full sales diary

Get in touch

Speak to Tom 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 Tom

No charge, no obligation

Half an hour on the telephone costs you nothing

Tell us what you want to achieve and what you want to spend. If we think you would be better served by somebody else, we will tell you that instead.

Arrange a conversation +44 (0)1638 555 210

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