For many in the business, the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale that begins Dec. 6 will be the last hurrah of a long year on the road. Thousands of lots—from foals, yearlings, and horses in training to proven producers—have been sold across the globe in recent months.
While the buyers of the top lots tend to hog the headlines, none of the glitz and glamour would happen without the dedicated band of staff putting in the hard yards on the ground. Despite the long season, packed with early starts, late finishes, and whatever the weather has to offer, events in Newmarket this week mean a couple of the scene's more familiar faces have headed to France with an extra spring in their step.
Baroda Stud's Jonny Nolan was still on a high having been beside Barnavara as she brought 4.8 million guineas, not only topping the Tattersalls December Mares Sale trade but making her the highest-priced filly in training in the world this year.
"I didn't say anything but I had a feeling she was going to make three to four million," he said. "I was getting a good vibe. When I went into the ring, I knew it was going to happen. To top the sale was just brilliant.
"Someone asked me if I got much of a buzz out of it. I said, 'If you don't get a buzz out of that, you're in the wrong job.' I've had my hands on a lot of good horses and try to keep up with them all, but she won't be forgotten. It's been a great week. I got a right kick out of it."
Nolan began riding out for John Oxx during the Sinndar days, and has also spent time with past masters like Kevin Prendergast and Sir Michael Stoute. Having had hands-on experience with a whole host of group 1 stars, including during his 14 years working for Baroda's David Cox, he is in no doubt that Barnavara will do her new connections proud.
"I've said it from day one, she's the real deal," he said. "I think the people who bought her will be successful with her, and best of luck to them."
While Nolan acknowledged the level of celebrity that comes with being involved in a seven-figure sales-topper—"I turned my phone on and every post on social media, she was all over it"—he credited Jessica Harrington and her team for delivering Barnavara in peak condition. "To be fair, Jessie had her looking a million dollars," he said. "She was brilliant, she was very easy to handle. She made my job easy."
Another stalwart of the sales scene was on the end of the lead rein as Porta Fortuna fetched 4.5 million guineas earlier in the session.
"That's what you get up in the morning for, to look after horses like that," Mick O'Dwyer said. "It was brilliant, she's probably the best horse I've ever led through the ring. It's a great feeling. It isn't every day you get to work with a filly like that. I got a real buzz out of being in the ring with her."
O'Dwyer is on duty in Deauville for the late Lady O'Reilly's Haras de la Louviere. His time with Porta Fortuna saw him renew a particularly successful association with United States outfit Taylor Made Sales Agency.
"I actually looked after Mariah's Storm when she was carrying Giant's Causeway back when I worked for Taylor Made in Kentucky," he said. "That was in 1996, and that was the last time I worked for them. Philip Shelton (Porta Fortuna's co-owner) asked me if I'd look after the filly about four months ago. Of course I said, it would be a pleasure."
Although the sales can be a fiercely competitive environment, there is also a real sense of camaraderie among those working the beat. Nolan provided a timely piece of supporting evidence for this point when he revealed that he and O'Dwyer engaged in a friendly wager on the outcome of the December Mares Sale.
"I had half an hour to myself during the week and I went down to town and ended up bumping into Mick," he said. "He gave me a lift back and as we were sitting in the car I said, 'Jeez Mick, how's it going to go? We're doing the two best fillies in the sale.'
"He said, 'Well, one of us will top it anyway!' and that's when he said he'd have £500 on it with me. I pipped him on the line! When I went to the bar afterwards he was the first person I saw and he shook my hand."
With so many sales coming back-to-back, and with many staff working a global schedule, this can be a grueling time of year. However, both Nolan and O'Dwyer pointed to the positives that come along with the workload.
"The first sale I ever did was in Pomona, California, for Laura Cotter, who was assistant to Wayne Lukas," O'Dwyer said. "That was 35 years ago and I've been doing it ever since. I'm 60 now so I'm not getting any younger, but it's a great job. I love it. Sometimes it's a bit tough, especially as I'm getting older, but I still enjoy it. When I stop enjoying it, I'll give it up and retire."
Nolan added: "I went over to America for the first time this year. I went to work for Jim Fitzgerald at Knockgriffin Farm, he brought me over to do Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. When you're away it can be tough back home, especially with kids, but it's also rewarding.
"I learned a lot over in America. I know it was my first time, but that just shows it's never too late to do something new. There's a big difference in how they do things over there. Jim Fitzgerald's a very good man and he taught me a lot."
Both horsemen said they were looking forward to heading back to Ireland once the curtain comes down on the sales year. Given the importance of the work they and their fellow staff have put in over the past months, these unsung heroes have more than earned their Christmas break.
Another member of sales staff will find themselves in Nolan's shoes in leading a sales topper through the Arqana ring Saturday.
The standout offerings include the likes of Prix Miesque (G3) scorer Half Sovereign (Lot 195); Simple Magic, the dam of Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) hero Sajir who is being offered in foal to Starspangledbanner (200); the group 3-winning and group 1-placed Daylight (206); 2024 Prix Saint-Alary (G2) heroine Birthe (248E); and Preis der Diana (German Oaks, G1) runner-up Spanish Eyes (248F).
Selling begins Saturday at 10 a.m. local time, with 462 mares, 219 fillies in and out of training, 301 foals, and five stallions set to be offered over the four days.
