Bloodstock People
Racing Post
February 2001
Name: James Delahooke
Age: 56
Occupation: Bloodstock Agent
How and when did you become
involved in racing?
I made my first trip to Ballydoyle aged 13 and have been hooked
ever since.
Who had the greatest influence
on your career?
Guy Harwood, who was the first person to give me the chance to show
whether I knew anything about the horse.
What aspect of your job
do you most enjoy?
Following the success of past purchases on the racecourse and at
stud - for example, the Juddmonte and Gerald Leigh foundation mares.
There are over 50 stallions standing who I purchased as yearlings.
And least enjoy?
Reading catalogues.
What was your best day in
the business?
Probably To-Agori-Mou's win in the 1980 Solario Stakes at Sandown,
because it was the first time we were taken seriously and people
realised that Ela-Mana-Mou hadn't been a fluke.
If you intended to spend
500,000gns on a yearling or store horse, whose opinion would you
seek? And who would train and ride the horse?
I would take the opinion of my assistant Anthea Gibson-Fleming,
who is the hardest working and most able assistant anyone could
have. The trainer would be Amanda Perrett or John Hills and the
jockey Kieron Fallon.
Who is the most underrated
stallion?
Celtic Swing. He was very under-promoted at the National Stud and
is now resident at the Irish equivalent where, for the first time
in his life, he might get a serious chance.
Who do you most admire in
racing/bloodstock?
Alec Head and Vincent O'Brien, because they are the two most complete
horsemen in the world, having mastered every aspect of the bloodstock
business.
What is your ambition?
To buy a Derby winner. I've been second twice, with Dancing Brave
and Master Willie, and have bought the sire and dam of two winners.
What would you like to see
change in the bloodstock industry and why?
The guinea is an anachronism in this day and age and should be done
away with. It causes confusion and aggravation and we should be
selling in pounds. I'd also like to see Tattersalls falling into
line with all other sales companies and stop announcing when horses
are on the market.
What advice would you offer
to a newcomer in the industry?
Remember that the horse is a herd-instinct herbivore and treat it
as such; stay close to mother nature and go to Australia.
|
