Almost Midnight wins again

First stop was Darley, where we saw a full show of all their stallions on offer. New to their roster this year are Rosallion and Inisherin. Rosallion was a standout, four-time Group 1 winner on the track, he has an impressive physical outlook to back up his status. Modern Games was another stand out from Darley, we were lucky enough to purchase two foals by him in 2025 for our investment syndicate. 

Next stop was Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud, where we spent time assessing 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐧 and first-season sire 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭. Chaldean is a stallion we know well, having sold two of his foals last year and tried hard to buy one. He has changed a terrific amount physically over the past 12 months since we were last here. He looks every inch a stallion likely to produce sharp, quality types, a view already reflected in his strong first-crop results at the sales. Lead Artist, a Group 1-winning miler by Dubawi is a Juddmonte homebred from the renowned Hasili family, he is very much bred to be a stallion and looks ready for the role. 

We visited Cheveley Park stud and saw Champion 2yo Vandeek.  He is a horse with plenty of quality, size and substance. An exciting stallion prospect. It was nice to see four-time Grade 1 winner Allaho out in the stud’s paddocks, along with retired Dutch Art. Down the road to Genesis Green Stud, we inspected their new stallion Royal Scotsman. He is a very good looking horse and was a dual Group winner on the track. His price tag should attract breeders. 

A further trip down to Whitsbury Manor Stud, home to Havana Grey, Dragon Symbol, Showcasing and new for 2026, 𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒. Elite Status is the best-looking son of Havana Grey I’ve ever seen. He’s a proper athlete and one that really stands out when you see him in the flesh.

The last day of the UK tour concluded with trips to Barton Stud and The National Stud. Barton Stud are standing their debut sire, Scorthy Champ. He showed speed and precocity on the track, and was an impressive winner of the Group 1 National Stakes. He impressed in the flesh by having a lot of substance, a very exciting new venture for Barton Stud, he seems to have all the credentials to be a success for them. At the National Stud we saw their new stallion Diego Velazquez, winner of the Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois. The impressive looking son of Frankel who looks sure to appeal to breeders. 

We head over to Ireland in February, and will be visiting a selection of studs on our trip. 

Arqana December Sale was our last sale of 2025. We consigned 10 foals at this years sale and had a clearance rate of 80%. Our results were strong, with 3 foals making €100,000 or more. 

A huge thank you to our clinets, buyers and hard working staff. 

JR investment purchased 11 foals in 2024 to sell as yearlings this year. The first of those went through the ring at this weeks Goffs Premier Yearling Sale. The filly was by Sergei Prokofiev out of Blue Aegean, making her a half sister to Ed Walker's top class filly Mgheera. Mgheera already had 4 lots of Black Type to her name when we purchased her half sister, since then the page has recevied some fruitful updates with Mgheera winning two more Group Races, alonsgide being second in a Group 2. 

The filly went down well at the sales and was purchased for £92,000 by AZR Bloodstock. We purchased her in November 2024 for 19,000gns with Peter Molony. A huge well done and thank you to Peter and his team at Rathmore Stud, who have had her since November.