A regular focus on the Goffs November Foal Sale, held Nov. 17-20, has been quietly paying off for Stanley Lodge, the Tipperary outfit whose results last year very much make them a consignor to watch.
Business partners William Kennedy and John Wall tend to breed horses under the banner of Tullpark, which has been given primetime advertising by the likes of Stanhope Gardens who finished fifth in this year's Derby (G1) before meeting with a fatal accident on the gallops, and the performances of high-class filly One Look, whose activities included a third in the Prix de l'Opera (G1).
Kennedy has also just received the update of all updates as the breeder of Ethical Diamond, who turned convention on its head for Willie Mullins when he went straight from landing the Ebor at York to an unlikely triumph in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.
Twelve months ago, Stanley Lodge sat third on the list of foal sale vendors at Kildare Paddocks, with 17 individuals traded for €1,501,500. Half a dozen made six figures, with the team running at a healthy average of €88,324.
"We had a broad range of horses last year that made good money," Kennedy says.
"We've gone well there going back to around 2018 and 2019 and we generally go for the foal sales because, as I explain to anyone who asks me, the car park is always full before the foal sales and at the yearling sales it's always easy to park. There are definitely a lot more buyers around.
Kennedy says there are "a few very nice ones" among a substantial Stanley Lodge draft, which features many of the names already mentioned.
Now standing front and center is an Awtaad brother (678) to Ethical Diamond, who Kennedy raced with his retained trainer Michael O'Meara before getting 320,000gns for the gelding at the 2023 Tattersalls July Sale after he won a mile-and-a-half maiden at Limerick.
"With the German side of his pedigree, the sales companies weren't overly excited with Ethical Diamond so I took the long road with him," he says.
"I think the great thing is he's been good to everyone, for us and his ownership syndicate. Knowing the horse and the temperament he has, his willingness, I'm sure over the next couple of years they'll do really well with him."
Kennedy was on a family holiday when Ethical Diamond triumphed under a fearless Dylan Browne McMonagle and fears he might have woken a few neighbors up when willing him home late at night.
"It was just an extraordinary weekend," he says. "I don't think anyone thought he would win, which is the beauty of the game. He has improved in every flat race he has run in. He has a great handler and a star jockey, and he's moving nicely through the gears now."
Of the February-born brother, Kennedy added: "He's a lovely colt, he's very similar to his brother, but I'd say a fraction stronger than he was at this point.
"He's really easy moving, lovely, and balanced. He looks like what he's supposed to be, and that's fantastic."
Also among the offerings is a Native Trail half-brother to Stanhope Gardens (689), the Ghaiyyath colt, who was also beaten only a neck by future championship performer Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes as a 2-year-old for trainer Ralph Beckett and owners Marc Chan and Chelsea Thoroughbreds.
"Ralph had seemed very excited about him last year and this year so it's just a shame he didn't turn into a proper result for the owners, but we all know accidents do happen with horses," Kennedy says.
