Sarah Rohan – Ballytrasna Farm takes the Derby Sale Q&A

1. Tell us about your background ?

I’ve been lucky in that I have been surrounded by horses from a young age. Before I could even walk all I wanted to do was ride horses. I had some very good ponies growing up, but my love was always in turn out and showing. That is what lead me into the sales area of the industry. My grandfather sold five Cheltenham Festival winners, including  three Champion Chase winners. My father has sold two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners and three Stayers’ Hurdle winners. I get great pleasure in seeing horses thrive and improve through their sales prep. It gives me so much satisfaction to see them blossom into the end product as they head to the Derby Sale.

I’m consigning under Ballytrasna Farm, and it is a big step for me as I consign under my own name for the first time. It is a big deal because the onus is on me to get them to their peak for those three days in late June. I definitely find that I’m looking at the horses slightly differently, and nothing less than 100% will do before they leave home.

I’ve taken the leap to consign under Ballytrasna Farm because the desire to sell under my own brand has always been a dream. I’m 23 and came home from the Irish National Stud breeding course thinking that I want to give this a go. My father has always said that there’s no time like the present to try something. I’ve been well supported, and I can’t thank the people enough that have backed me, and hopefully I can return the goods to them with their horses.

2. Tell us a bit about your Derby Sale draft?

We have a draft of nine horses for the Derby Sale. We’ll offer  seven across the opening two days, and we have two horses catalogued in Part II. We have two sons of Walk In The Park, and two sons of Crystal Ocean. We have a son of Order Of St George (Lot 130) who has size, scope and is very athletic. There is also a Blue Bresil gelding (Lot 313) out of a Montjeu mare and he is very nice. He is out of a full-sister to the Grade 2 winner Noble Prince. And we have a son of Bangkok (Lot 42) that has size, scope and a brilliant step.

The two horses in Part II are athletic types and both should sell well.

We think they are a nice bunch, and they fit the profile of a typical three-year-old offered at the Derby Sale. To stand out you need a horse with size, scope, and loads of step. They definitely fit the bill for what is required.

3. How has the preparation gone with them over the last few months?

The preparation has gone smoothly and they have all taken it well. All the horses go on the walker in the morning, then go outside for a few hours, and then come back in and get lunged. They all have great attitudes, and hopefully we can get them all to Fairyhouse now in one piece.

4. What does your sales day routine look like?

We have early starts – we get up at 5am. The first thing we do is walk them and make sure they are all sound. Hopefully, they will all have eaten up from the night before. We’ll groom them over and be ready to show from 8am. It’s important that the atmosphere is right for the horses – they are babies and it’s a new experience for them.

We have brilliant sales day staff. My other half Adam (Connolly) is on the team, along with Anthony Stamp. They will meet the horses on arrival, and it’s important that the horses trust them.

5. What person do you most admire in the industry?

I have most admiration for my father Richard. He’s a brilliant judge of a foal, and I’ve learnt so much from him. He has an excellent judgement in what to look for in foals, with the aim of coming back as three-year-olds. He’s always there to provide advice. I admire his ability and skill to select the target the right type of foal. He purchased the subsequent Cheltenham Cup Winner War Of Attrition as a foal in November 1999, and then consigned him at the 2002 Derby Sale.

6. What is your earliest memory at the Derby Sale?

I remember being brought to the Derby Sale by my late mother Josie and dad Richard at around eight year old. I was so excited heading off to Fairyhouse for the week. I used to be so excited heading off. Even at that age I was learning small things about the business. It would have helped me mature quicker because I was around adults. It’s a brilliant industry – you make friends for life, and we are like one big family.

7. What is your favourite memory of the Derby Sale?

I lead up an Oscar three year-old for my father in 2019. It’s a big deal leading up at the Derby Sale. There is so much history and prestige attached to the sale, and all of National Hunt racing’s biggest buyers are in attendance. It was a very special moment.

8. What is the best piece of advice you have been given from someone within the industry?

I’ve always been told to buy a horse with a good front leg. You are going nowhere without a good front leg. It is also important that they have a good step and are athletic.

9. Name three people you would like to sit down down to lunch with at the Derby Sale and why?

I’d definitely have to include my uncle Michael Moore of Ballincurrig House Stud who has been so good to me down through the years. Flash Conroy is a great character, and would bring plenty of laughs to the table. He is another that has thought me plenty over the years. And Fiona Magee is the ultimate professional horsewomen, and is superb company.

10. If you could swap jobs with anyone in the industry for one day, who would it be and why?

I’d swap jobs with my partner Adam Connolly who gets to ride out top class racehorses every day at Willie Mullins’ yard. He was so lucky to have looked after Galopin Des Champs, and to be associated with a horse like that would be amazing.

11. Name your one wish for Derby Sale 2026?

Hopefully they will all get there in one piece, pass the vet and then find new homes.

12. Have you anything nice planned once the Derby Sale ends on June 26^th?

I’ll take a few weeks down time, and then start working on the two-year-olds and hopefully find a star for next year’s Derby Sale.