Vendors In The Spotlight: Q&A With Windermere Stud

[Wandering Eyes]

Windermere Stud, which is run by Australian native Janine Gandy and Pierre-Hugues Henry, enjoyed a successful consigning debut at the Arqana July Sale with nine lots selling for an aggregate of €396,000 and an average price of €44,000. That debut draft included a €135,000 Doctor Dino gelding.

The pair is hoping to build on that dream debut when consigning a Pinatubo colt [lot 122] and filly from the first crop of State Of Rest [231] at the August Sale at Arqana. The Pinatubo colt is out of a sister to Kenway (Galiway) while the State Of Rest filly is out of a Verglas mare who is a sister to the Listed-winning Glory Power (Medicean). 

The burgeoning duo have big hopes for the week ahead and are the first consignment to take part in the Q&A series aimed to shine the spotlight on a series of vendors in the build-up to the August Sale. 

What young sires are you most looking forward to seeing the progeny [yearlings or foals] of this season?

It is our first August draft and we are very excited to be presenting two nice horses in our first year of consigning. We are selling a lovely filly by the globetrotting, multiple Group 1-winning sire State of Rest, so we are very much looking forward to seeing some of his other progeny. We are also really interested in seeing some of the Baaeed yearlings. He was an exceptional miler so that should be very interesting. 

In your experience, what type of horse does particularly well at the August Sale?

As the sale is very early on in the calendar, you need a horse that is going to be physically mature early on.

What is your best memory on the sale ground at Arqana?

We have been lucky enough to have a few good ones, but our first consignment in July has to be up there as we had a one hundred per cent clearance rate and finished third-best vendor with the third-highest-priced store in the sale. We couldn't have wished for a better start.

And when you do get that all-important result in the sales ring, how do you like to celebrate?

It's always nice to release the pressure with a few beers and good friends. It can get a bit more wild if we aren't selling the next day…

If you weren't involved in bloodstock, what career path would you have taken?

Janine: I think I would definitely be an equine veterinary nurse. I really love taking care of sick and injured horses. 

Pierre-Hugues: Probably farming.

Tell us something that people don't know about you?

Janine: Before I started working on studs I was a travel agent for a year. 

Pierre-Hugues: I played Horse Ball for nearly 25 years! It's a great sport and a great school of life.

Do you have any superstitions or good luck charms?

We never back our own horses when they are racing – not even if they are hot favourites. 

Best piece of advice you ever received?

Janine: If what you're doing works, then don't let other people's opinion change the way you do it. 

Pierre-Hugues: That patience will save you a lot of time.

Your one wish for the upcoming yearling sales?

To return home with an empty truck and happy clients.

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