Royal Buys: With Ed Sackville

[Wandering Eyes]

Purchasing a future Royal Ascot winner would be high on the agenda for any agent, and next week Ed Sackville will see Cosmic Law (Ire) (No Nay Never), a colt he bought from Doncaster for £90,000 for owner John Dance, line up in the G2 Coventry S. at the Royal meeting. The TDN‘s Gary King caught up with Sackville to talk about the horse then and now.

GK: What impressed you about Cosmic Law as a yearling?

ES: He was just an imposing and impressive individual who came from a great farm. I should make it clear though that it wasn’t just me who he impressed, but also John Dance and Dan Creighton, who I bought him in collaboration with.

GK: Any chance of finding out exactly what you wrote on your catalogue page?

ES: Attractive. Racey. Good type. Good enough walk. Improver.

GK: No Nay Never has made a fast start at stud. You were obviously impressed by his yearlings?

ES: Yes, I was impressed by them and ended up buying a few. I must say that although No Nay Never himself was a precocious horse I never expected his 2-year-olds to be as precocious as him, and I definitely think that they will get a lot better, particularly as plenty of them had great size and scope.

GK: Cosmic Law is the third-highest rated 2-year-old in Europe (Timeform 105p). That must be extremely satisfying for you and owner John Dance?

ES: We aren’t even halfway through the season so I don’t think one can get too carried away. But yes, it is an undoubtedly impressive and deserved figure. Of course I am delighted for John, he has invested a lot into this business and racing needs owners like him, so it is great when they are rewarded.

GK: Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) is currently trading at about 2-1 for Team Ballydoyle. Is he going to be tough to beat?

ES: I think anything from Ballydoyle is tough to beat, however, you can’t run scared of one horse.

GK: Jackstar (Dark Angel), another £120,000 purchase at Goffs UK Premier, impressed earlier in the year at Newmarket. Do you have an update on him?

ES: I know that Tom Dascombe thinks a lot of him but I suspect that he will miss Ascot and give him time. Remember that Tom has an exceptional record at the July meeting with his 2-year-olds.

GK: Finally, what’s the best thing about Royal Ascot? Any dos and don’ts for first timers?

ES: I think the best thing has to be the sheer quality of the racing; it is consistently exceptional. As for dos, arrive early to try and miss the traffic and as for don’ts, don’t ever let go of your top hat; the minute you put it down in a box or the car park, someone else will take it thinking it’s theirs-they all look the same.

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