How to buy a Bargain Breezer?

I want a fast horse. 

It’s what we all strive to do – the breeder sending his mare to his chosen stallion, the punter picking out his punt, the bloodstock agent searching the sales grounds, the trainer developing his young stock, the syndicate bringing everyone together for a horse they all believe in. Fast, isn’t about flash. Fast is about finishing in a comparatively short time – it could be the Epsom Dash, it could be tomorrow’s Grand National. It doesn’t matter – we all want a fast horse. 

The most fun way to find fast? A breeze up sale.  I know, you know this, but for the people in the back of the class that we’re trying to expand the game to – a breeze up sale is an auction of horses that all perform a solo two furlong gallop. It’s timed and prospective buyers analyse those times, stride length, gait and much more to unearth the best horse. The quickest timed horse is the best horse then? Not so fast. Remember, flash doesn’t mean fast. Far Above, one of resident stallions, was one of the fastest horses of his generation over five furlongs and yet in his breeze-up sale he didn’t clock a quick time but he did clock a very impressive gallop out (the period after the finish line until pulling up). It pays off fast to think different at a breeze up sale.

That’s why in 2020 we created our Bargain Breezers syndicate. I hadn’t bought at a breeze up sale before so we brought together hundreds of people and we learned how best to do it together on YouTube.

Since then, we have developed a strong belief that by analysing these sales hard you find great value. We’ve put together our Bargain Breezer syndicate every year since 2020, here’s how we’ve got on (we haven’t skipped a single horse and you can click on them all and watch their breeze to start your study):

2020 | We bought four – Cliffofthunder (Eddie and Patrick Harty) we sold to America for six figures after her debut, Shoot The Breeze (Richard O’Brien) wasn’t very quick, Yourplaceermine (Denis Hogan) could blitz her gallops but not the track and Rock The Barzah (Joseph O’Brien) didn’t show much for us but won multiple races after leaving us, most recently in action this year at Meydan. 

2021 | We bought one – Lady of the Realm (Henry De Bromhead) who was injured in her only start. 

2022 | We bought one – Queen Maedbh (Gavin Cromwell) won a barrier trail and was second on debut before being sold for a big sum privately. 

2023 | We bought three – Queen of Atlantis (James Ferguson / Peter Chapple-Hyam) has won her last three starts for us, Coulstar (Johnny Murtagh) has placed but hasn’t got her head in front and OrderofthePhoenix (Ado McGuiness) won her maiden and was sold for for another big result. 

In those four years, what have we learned that had made us improve year-on-year? I think to look beyond the obvious, focus on fillies with strong resale potential and listen to vendors (many of whom are close friends).

Cliffsofthunder wasn’t fast but was by Night of Thunder and came highly recommended by a vendor we trust. Queen Maedbh got a kick before her breeze but still managed to clock an acceptable time, especially so considering she’s by Gleneagles. Queen of Atlantis had to perform her breeze on soft ground and she was the second fastest on her side of the track of the whole sale but most of the sale raced on a different quicker patch. OrderofthePhoenix clocked well but was a big, imposing filly and again came with a big thumbs up by her vendor. 

Next week, breeze up season 2024 begins. If you’d like to receive the times, behind the scenes video insights and first news of any purchases sign up to our community WhatsApp group or contact John Bourke to let him know you’re interested. 

Now let’s find some fast horses.