Alex Elliott Makes Waves at the Arqana Breeze Ups with the Sale of Lot 62

Through a career that has seen him span the globe, Elliott has been connected with some of the very best horses in the world across both the flat and jump spheres and has developed a world-class operation that has seen him achieve enormous success.

Horses such as King of Steel, A Plus Tard and Teahupoo have all propelled Elliott’s operation onto a different level, and there is a major hope that more success will follow.

Elliott has recently been involved in two of the biggest sales at the Arqana May Breeze Ups. He purchased two Justifys (Lot 62 and Lot 187), both excellent examples of the breed. The strapping colt out of Curlylocks, was knocked down for €1,000,000, while the filly out of Sarah Lynx, purchased for M. V. Magnier cost Elliott €800,000.

Justify, the North American Triple Crown winning stallion captivated attention at the latest edition of the Arqana’s Breeze-Up Sale. The Coolmore – owned son of of Scat Daddy commanded impressive prices, with Lot 110 fetching the highest bid of €2.3 million (AU$3.7 million).

We were able to sit down with Elliott after the conclusion of the busy sale, to discuss his hopes for the horses he purchased, his love for the industry, and what the future of the industry looks like.

LOT 62: THE RISING STAR OF ARQANA BREEZE UP SALES

Ever since he was a boy, Alex Elliott knew he wanted to work in the horse racing industry.

Initially, with his heart set on becoming a trainer, Elliott’s career has seen him spend time with master horsemen, such as legendary British jumps trainer Philip Hobbs and American great Christophe Clement.

Having been involved with horses all over the globe, it was bloodstock that got Elliott’s blood pumping, and in 2014, Elliott Bloodstock Services was founded.

After a whirlwind period of success, this year it celebrates its ten-year anniversary.

Now permanently based in the UK, Elliott has just made waves at the May Arqana Breeze Up Sales with his purchase of Lot 62 on behalf of the Amo Racing Group.

A strapping colt out of Justify, who is fast becoming one of the hottest names in the breeding game, Lot 62 fetched a cool €1 million in the sale.

“I have been in the business for a long time and have been around plenty of horses, and because of that, I can use my own intuition to get a sense of what makes an athlete and what doesn’t.

“At the breeze ups there are some 200 horses to review. I take a look at their action, whether they put their head in the right place, how vigorous the rider is and then we make a list.

“We then record their times electronically. We time them over 2 and a half furlongs and the horses that look like they run effortlessly and clock in the top 30 - 40%. I usually keep on my list and take another look at them. Lot 62 obviously hit all of my marks.

“When I went to see him, he was a big and imposing horse. He was very agile for a big horse and he turned very easily. His personality shone through. We felt he was one of the best horses in the sale,” said Elliott.

“A lot of people shy away from big horses, but we’ve had a bit of luck with them. He reminded us of one of our best horses, King of Steel, now retired, who was one of the best 3YO horses last year. We are all hugely excited about him and his future.

While there is always an element of luck around buying horses, Elliott hopes that his trainer’s experience is what gives him an edge when buying these young, exciting horses.

“Whatever you do in life, you have to have an edge to it; you have to try and do it better than everyone else. What I feel has given me the chance to buy good bloodstock for people is I look at it from a trainer’s point of view.

“Every horse I buy, I buy as if I’m going to train it and look at it every day. I become heavily invested in the horse, and for every horse I buy, I follow the same process.”

America looks to be the likely destination for Lot 62.

“He was bought for Amo Racing, and there are a few options. He might go to America, or he might stay here. It’s a very small world, and horses are very easy to ship these days.

“In Europe, we breed the best horses in the world, but we don’t run for great prize money. We are all about a global campaign for our horses if they are good enough,” he said.

LOT 187: THE ELEGANT FILLY - CONFIDENCE AND INVESTMENT

Another horse that Elliott was able to purchase at the sales was Lot 187. Fetching €800,000, Elliott describes her as a “very elegant filly, who ticked all of the same boxes as Lot 62.”

Likely to take a bit more time to hit the track than Lot 62, Elliott plans to campaign her in the UK, “where she will probably race for Simon Crisford”.

Despite the huge recent outlay from Elliott and his team, it’s fair to say that he was hugely impressed with the latest Arqana Sales and has confidence that his investments will be sound.

“When you look at horses that the Arqana Sales have produced, Teppal has won a French Guineas, War of Will has won a Preakness, the list of horses that come from Arqana is exceptional, and there is a good chance that the horses you buy could end up being top class.

This year’s catalogue was as good a breeze up as I have ever seen. Arqana has done an exceptional job to put itself at the forefront of the breeze up sales. They put on the best shows. It’s flat, good ground, good weather, it’s just a great environment for the horse sales.”

A BUSY SEASON AHEAD: THE SEARCH FOR HIDDEN TREASURES

The work never stops for Elliott, and there is plenty more to come this year.

“I’m keeping an eye out all the time; good horses can come from anywhere. The online sales are always on, and soon we will get into the summer sales, where I sell a lot of the horses I have bought.

Arqana has a July sale where I may buy some more jumping horses, and then from August to September I’m at sales all the time. I buy around 80 yearlings a year, so it’s a massive time for me and the team. We are always trying to find those gems!”

ADAPTING FOR SUCCESS: ELLIOTT'S STRATEGY AMIDST INDUSTRY CHANGES

Having built up a wealth of experience and enjoyed tremendous levels of success, Elliott always has one eye on the future, and he thinks the future of the bloodstock industry is in for an interesting time, particularly in the UK.

“I do think data is becoming more and more prevalent, and I do believe it will be data that drives the future of the business.

When it comes to fears, the main fear I hold is that compared to the rest of the world, prize money in the UK is low. A lot of American owners come to Tattersalls to buy the best blood, but in the future, some of that blood may stay over there.”

Regardless of what happens in the future, Elliott and his operation will be able to adapt.

Having produced a raft of champions, you feel that he is only getting started. Ten years in a game where money talks are no small achievement, and with his drive and intrinsic knowledge of what he is buying, the next ten years could be memorable.

Elliott’s could be a face we become accustomed to seeing in the winner’s circle at the sport’s biggest meetings.