Bred For It

By Jess Stafford

Hello and welcome to Bred For It with Jess Stafford. This is a podcast dedicated to the thoroughbred bloodstock industry, coming to you by a bloodstock enthusiast for bloodstock enthusiasts. I am on a... more

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FAQs about Bred For It:

How many episodes does Bred For It have?

The podcast currently has 39 episodes available.

Bred For It episodes:

July 27, 2026Episode 37: Going For Gold at Goodwood
It's Episode 37!
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is approaching and with ten years of Weatherby’s data on hand, we reveal the stallions and pedigree patterns that consistently succeed at Goodwood.
We unpack the ‘double hit’ dam‑sire angles, juvenile and nursery trends, and the sires to follow this week — from Dark Angel and Dubawi to Sea The Stars, No Nay Never, Mehmas and underrated names like Twilight Son.
Plus an in‑depth interview with Jayne McGiven on Golden Horn, his son Trawlerman, the importance of dual‑purpose breeding, and how careful rearing and bloodstock decisions help produce durable racehorses.
This episode is brought to you in association with VV Rouleaux and VV Chapeau — top off your race day style in London’s Marylebone Lane.
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50min
July 07, 2026Episode 36: Takes Two To Tango
Its Episode 36!
We are still recovering from a sensational Royal Ascot and in this episode, we offer a concise wash‑up on the breeding storylines that shaped the meeting.
Highlights include the Dubawi sire‑line dominance, sprint sires holding their ground and another tough week for two busy and popular stallions.
Jess speaks to Rob Speers, racing and bloodstock manager to Ibrahim Araci who triumphed in the Albany Stakes with Libertango. What goes into finding a Royal Ascot winning juvenile? What were her pedigree clues that led to the purchase and Rob teases on long term mating plans for the unbeaten daughter of No Nay Never.
This episode is proudly brought to you in association with VV Rouleaux.
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38min
June 12, 2026Episode 35: Bred for Royal Ascot? The Bloodstock Insights You Need & Wathnan's Ascot Masterplan ft. Richard Brown
It's Episode 35!
The biggest week in global Racing and in this special episode, Bred For It has your bloodstock angles covered.
This episode is a full deep dive into ten years of Weatherbys data — stallion trends, dam-sire patterns and the pedigree angles shaping betting and breeding decisions across every distance category at Royal Ascot. Who leads the way? Which bloodlines keep delivering at the biggest meeting of the flat season? And which sires should you be following this week?
Guest Richard Brown — bloodstock director of Wathnan Racing and founding director of Blandford Bloodstock — joins the show to discuss Wathnan's 2026 Royal Ascot team, his breeze-up buying strategy, and his reaction to a remarkable stat about one of Britain and Ireland's most prominent stallions that has yet to register a single Royal Ascot winner. Richard also reveals which horses represent Wathnan's strongest chances at a meeting the operation targets specifically and prepares for year on year.
Sponsored by VV Rouleaux & VV Chapeau, the place to go for your Royal Ascot hats, found on Marleybone Lane, London.
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55min
May 29, 2026Episode 34: Up For The Derby Fight
It’s Episode 34!
With the Derby just around the corner, what can the pedigrees tell us about the leading contenders? Which horses are likely to stay the trip and who looks bred to thrive at Epsom?
To explore the Derby picture in greater depth, Jess is joined by part-owner Kevin Blake to discuss his Derby hopeful James J Braddock. A highly respected breeder, broadcaster and key member of the Joseph O’Brien team, Kevin shares his insight into the colt’s powerful pedigree, his Derby credentials, and his wider thoughts on this year’s fascinating Classic field.
Jess also brings you an exclusive interview from Coolmore, with a special focus on Castlehyde Stud following a memorable Irish Guineas weekend. Castlehyde’s resident sire Starspangledbanner enjoyed a remarkable Guineas double through Gstaad and Precise. Clare McInerney from the nominations team offers an inside look at this important division of the Coolmore operation.
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55min
May 13, 2026One Off, One On: The Stallion Merry-Go-Round
It's Episode 33!
The first Classics have been and gone and Jess begins by highlighting the pedigrees that triumphed at Newmarket and Longchamp as well as a nod to a dam who achieved a stakes double with a speedball sprinter and a classic miler.
Jess digs into a story that has peaked plenty of interest - that of the 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust returning to training in the UK after a year as a stallion in Australia. Despite getting 70 mares in foal, why have owners, Dr Jim & Fitri Hay pulled the plug on his stallion career? What does his future hold? Find out the thinking from Alex Cole, long standing racing and bloodstock manager to the Hay team.
Adam Sangster shares the story of Sweetenham Stud located in Victoria, Australia. Listen as he delves into the challenges and rewards of standing northern hemisphere bred stallions in Australia. He gives us an insight into the journey for Diego Velazquez who will shuttle to Sweetenham from The National Stud later in the year.
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55min
April 24, 2026Episode 32: It's A Breeze
It’s Episode 32!
It's breeze up fever, but what does the landscape currently look like after the first two European breeze-up sessions?
Jess reflects on the action with leading consignor Cormac Farrell. What were the key takeaways, and what do they tell us about the market as the season begins to take shape? All while Cormac's headline breeze-up graduate from 2025 DISTANT STORM now heads towards the 2000 Guineas as a leading contender. We hear his remarkable story.
Jess catches up on the data driving the future of the breeze ups with Stephen Davison of Pythia Sports with the driving question, how are analytics shaping the future of the bloodstock industry?
This episode is dedicated in loving memory of John Fleming.
Brought to you in association with VV Rouleaux.
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53min
April 07, 2026Episode 31: Aussie Rules
It's Episode 31!
The international racing scene is littered with equine and human talent and in this special Australian focused episode, Jess speaks with two members of the industry who have chosen New South Wales to set up their racing and bloodstock endeavours.
Louis le Metayer, a French native has run Astute Bloodstock for over 10 years. He shares his thoughts on the Australian and European bloodstock industry, the advantages of being a European in Australia and his hopes for Mr Monaco in the Sydney Cup.
Irish born and globally trained Jack Pilkington shares his perspective on setting up training in Hawkesbury, NSW and delivers a refreshing insight into buying yearlings and finding his edge in an ultra competitive landscape.
Brought to you in association with VV Rouleaux.
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1h 1min
March 17, 2026 Episode 30: Cheltenham Winners & Losers...
It's Episode 30!
A Festival review through a breeding lens.
Jess Stafford is joined by breeding expert and journalist Amy Lynam to analyse the stallions, pedigrees and production lines behind the 2026 Cheltenham winners.
We assess which sires boosted their standing, which lines continue to deliver elite jumpers, and how Irish and French breeding models are shaping the modern National Hunt horse.

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39min
March 04, 2026 Episode 29: Who’s Bringing Their ‘A’ Game to Cheltenham?
Episode 29 – The 'A' Road to Cheltenham
With the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival underway, Jess speaks to two guests with major hopes for the week.
First, we hear from Chris Dawson of Nunstainton Stud, home to Dragon Dancer, whose son Haiti Couleurs lines up in the Gold Cup. Chris explains how he acquired Dragon Dancer from France, the pedigree influences that convinced him to pursue the stallion, and what Haiti Couleurs’ success has meant for Dragon Dancer’s growing reputation.
Jess is then joined by bloodstock agent Marcus Collie, who shares the story behind purchasing leading Triumph Hurdle contender Minella Study. Marcus discusses the physical and pedigree traits that made the horse stand out and gives an insight into how he sources talent in an increasingly competitive market.
Along the way, Jess uncovers a fascinating pedigree link connecting both Minella Study and Dragon Dancer - through Kirsten Rausing’s renowned ‘A’ family, a distinguished Flat dynasty now making its mark on the Cheltenham Festival stage.

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50min
February 17, 2026 Episode 28: Allez les Bleus
It's Episode 28!
With the countdown onto the Cheltenham Festival, the French-breds are set to dominate once again.
So what’s the secret?
In this episode, Jess Stafford speaks to Céline Gualde who runs Cap Orne Stud in Normandy and sits at the heart of French breeding as Secretary of the French TBA on the committee of France Galop and President of the National de l'Obstacle Show.
From AQPS to “bred to race” thinking, this is a deep dive into why French-breds keep delivering on racing’s biggest stage as Jess and Celine unpack the structure, culture and stallion philosophy behind France’s National Hunt success. Plus, find out what Celine really thinks about the British & Irish purchasing powers landing the very best French NH stock!
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46min

FAQs about Bred For It:

How many episodes does Bred For It have?

The podcast currently has 39 episodes available.