Interview with justin Byrne
The Impact in-conversation with Justin Byrne, CEO, Emirates Entertainment Racing Club
“If I am purchasing for Dubai for Dirt racing, I look for proven dirt sires but can sometimes be willing to take a risk on looks”
Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC) is one of Dubai’s oldest and most successful syndicates. Justin Byrne and his wife Rebecca are both founders and managing partners of EERC.
Byrne has been to auctions around the world. He chats to The Impact about ERA’s December Sale:
Q: Have you had a chance to look at the same catalog and if so which lots have caught your eye?
A: I have looked at the catalogue. I tend to go through every auction even if I am not looking to purchase just in case something stands out. However, at the moment, I don’t plan to buy anything at this current sale. I will be at the sale though, so this could change once I have looked at the horses.
Q: Have you seen consistent success with any specific sires? And do you go out with those sires in mind when going to an auction?
A: Singspiel’s bloodline has been very lucky for me as a sire; either as the stallion or the sire of the mare. Our first carnival winner for the syndicate, Clasp was a Singspiel as is Sweet Child O’Mine who won 5 for us in the UK including on debut. Belgian Bill is from a Singspiel mare and he won at Royal Ascot, Goodwood, the Dubai Carnival and a Group race in Turkey.
So I used to always look out for Singspiel in the sales book. If I am purchasing for Dubai for Dirt racing, I look for proven dirt sires but can sometimes be willing to take a risk on looks. I did that with Grand Argentier who was not by a proven dirt sire but looked like he would handle it.
Q: What are your parameters when looked at a horse-in-training?
A: Sometimes it is just a gut thing, when you think that the horse is running over the wrong trip or should be raced in a different way. But I love to see a big heart in a horse which is already racing; a willingness to fight. If they already have that then it gives you a chance. In a syndicate, often the members just want a run for their money so horses like
Clasp and
Kilt Rock who both finished in the top 3 or 4 most of the time giving everyone some fun. Losing is part of the game but no one enjoys coming last all of the time.
Q: Of your current horses-in-training, which ones would you consider your best?
A: Los Barbados must be right up there. He is unbelievably well bred and has been great fun, but he has had one or two injuries. Shamaal Nibras would be the other one from the current team as he was our first Group winner in the UAE having hit the bar so many times before with a number of horses. I would have to say at the moment that it is between these two.
Published in The Impact 1 Issue, 1 Vol
