Turf Travel I

Again we decided to start our Turf-year off in 2008 with a little trip to Ireland to see some old favourites: we went to see Ela-Mana-Mou (again!), who starts showing his age in his 32nd year, and visited several studs. We hope the photos refect some of the pleasures we had when seeing these horses:
(all photos: Jim Clark)

Ela Mana Mou, Jan 2008

visiting Manduro at Kildangan Stud:

Teofilo is a new stallion-recruit as well:

A new(ish) Stud on the map is Woodlands Stud near Galway. They stand 4 stallions for 2008, and really add some quality horses to the area: Germany, a multiple Group I winner in Germany (where else), French Group I winner Court Masterpiece, the wonderful Foreign Affairs (see his entry in the Star-Section!) and the unraced, but well-bred Robert Emmett.
This is Germany:

17 now, he looks magnificent and is clearly enjoying life. 2 Cheltenham winners in Captain Cee Bee and Tiger Cry boosted his profile no end:

Robert Emmet (Sadlers Wells ex Eva Luna) gives us a sceptical look:

Court Masterpiece:

Only days before our trip with our visit to Woodlands Stud already booked I read a small notice in Racing Post that old favourite Foreign Affairs has retired to this stud as well. He looked so well, but was clearly a handful and keen to mount everything that crossed his way:

Off to Coolmore once more, always a treat. This is Peintré Celebré, who, believe it or not, is struggling for support:

Footstepsinthesand looks very smart:

Tough impressive, the mighty Dylan Thomas looked a bit tired though after his Far-East exertions:

Hurricane Run, a german-bred son of Montjeu, was a most impressive Arc-winner in 2006, but very reluctant to pose:

Trying to make friends with the mighty Montjeu: :

More Coolmore Sires; this is Aussie Rules, who had improved considerably from last year:

Holy Roman Emperor looked very impressive too:

"The Rock":