‘I’m In Disbelief’ – Meet The Derby Runner’s Breeder Who Was Expecting The 100-1 Shot To End Up In The Derby Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

Gavin Wallace, breeder of Derby outsider Al Wasl Storm, says he is completely flabbergasted about having produced a Classic contender and believes his story serves as a timely reminder for small breeders to keep on dreaming. 

The 52-year-old farmer, whose family bred dual Tingle Creek Chase winner Long Engagement, has only two mares on his County Kilkenny farm. Along with his wife Orla, he has been provided with an earlier update than expected in the shape of Al Wasl Storm, a horse he openly admits to having been bred for fences rather than the undulations of Epsom.

He explained, “This is the first foal out of the mare and I'm as surprised as anyone! It's unreal. People were telling me that there were too many mares like mine in the system but here we are. I'm still in disbelief.” 

Dearborn, one of two mares that Wallace owns, is a 10-year-old daughter of Martaline who never graced the track. She has produced three foals, all with the view of being National Hunt prospects, but somehow Al Wasl Storm found his way into Owen Burrows's system after being snapped up by Green Team Racing for €7,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland November Foal Sale in 2022.

Whatever way you slice it, that is looking like €7,000 well spent by Ahmad Alshaikh and, win, lose or draw at Epsom, Al Wasl Storm has proved himself a quality performer after landing his maiden on the third attempt at Chepstow and earning himself a rating of 86.

“I couldn't raffle Dearborn's most recent foal, which happened to be by Affinisea as well, so that's the reason why I actually didn't put her in foal this year,” Wallace explained. “I wanted to wait and see if there was anything coming along. I thought I might have to wait three or four years – never in my wildest dreams did I think the update would be coming on the Flat. 

“It was all so strange. She was bought online at the Tattersalls Ireland November Foal Sale by Ahmad Al Shaikh for €7,000. It wasn't until I saw the horse was named that I realised that he was going to be running for Green Team Racing.”

Al Wasl Storm | John Hoy

He added, “They seem to be delighted with him and, going by the interviews after Chepstow, they're pretty excited by him. Look it, I've only two mares so things like this are not supposed to happen to a fella like me. I think that's what makes it so special. A fella said to me, if this horse runs well in the Derby, I'll have the RTE cameras down doing a piece with me. I'm not sure about that but sure isn't it a great story for all of the small breeders in the game. Nobody would have predicted this – not even myself – so it just shows you there's no law to it at times.”

Even Michael Browne, who consigned Al Wasl Storm at the foal sales on behalf of Wallace, admits to being taken aback by the success of the Mocklershill Stables graduate.

He said, “The Derby? We thought we were selling a horse for the Derby Sale! Are you joking me? I actually hadn't a clue that this horse was running in the Derby until the other day when somebody said to me. Sure I thought they were joking. It just goes to show you. Gavin is a lovely fella and this is a great story. It would be an even better story if he manages to run well.”

For all that Wallace and Browne speak with a heavy dollop of reality, the two men – and indeed the wider industry – appreciates the magnitude of the achievement of the small-time hobby breeder to produce a Derby runner. And, do you know what? They've come this far, so who's to say the ink has run dry on this story yet. 

Wallace said, “I have two mares – Dearborn and another unraced mare by Robin Des Champs. We have always had mares down through the years and we actually bred a very good chaser, Long Engagement, who won the Tingle Creek twice. Listen, we're farmers and this is just a hobby. I actually got both of these mares off Paul Nolan, who is my wife's brother-in-law. They had broken down but, credit to Paul, he said they had a bit of book to them and that they might be worth breeding from. I was interested in getting back into breeding so I said I'd chance my arm and we've bred a winner at least so it's great.”

Asked if he will make the trip to Epsom for what is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, Wallace concluded, “I gave it serious consideration but I decided against it because I don't want to jinx them! I am an AI technician – I inseminate cows – so this would be my peak time at work. I couldn't take the time off work. If it was a month later? Absolutely. But I'll be tuning in without a doubt. I actually missed his previous races but I won't miss this. Horses like this keep the small fella interested in breeding and it would be brilliant if he could run a big race. I've had great help from Paul and Matt Gilsenan from Norelands Stud, which is close to me here in Kilkenny. It's a great interest. I know that he's 100-1 but he's already exceeded expectations so we won't go writing him off just yet.”

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