It’s all action at Kiltannon Stables ahead of what may well be a landmark month for Mark and Lorraine Forbes.
As usual at this time of the year, the Cambridge couple’s key focus is another quality draft for the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on November 18 and 19. Just days beforehand, however, is the prospect of a starter in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, following the sudden emergence of the exciting three-year-old Thunder In Motion.
The Per Incanto gelding hadn’t even raced when initial entries for the Riccarton feature were taken in late August, and after finishing second on debut early last month, he left a big impression beating previous winners in an age-group race at Trentham on Labour Weekend.
That win continued a purple patch of form by members of the small racing team trained by Mark Forbes. Three days earlier stablemates Rising Moon and Shamwari had landed a double at New Plymouth, and when Thunder In Motion stepped up, he took his young trainer’s winning to tally to exactly 50.
The training side of Kiltannon Stables is more about preparing horses with offshore destinations rather than targeting domestic features, but Forbes is only too happy to think he has a leading prospect for one of his homeland’s premier classics.
“We never race a big team – we mainly buy to sell as well as looking after our clients’ horses – and we generally end of up racing horses we can’t move on,” Forbes told RaceForm. “Thunder In Motion is an exception though, thanks to Alex Teng entrusting him to us on behalf of his owner, Mr Ma.”
Teng, NZB’s Asia Bloodstock manager with a growing portfolio of clients, played a role in Thunder In Motion changing hands at $700,000 at last year’s Ready to Run Sale. Connections have until next Tuesday to make the $16,800 late entry payment, but the booking of Opie Bosson and confirmation of his owner’s travel plans are firm indicators.
“It’s a massive ask going to the Guineas in what will be just his third start, but we’ll have the right man on board and we’re looking forward to getting down to Christchurch and the chance to meet Mr Ma for the first time,” Forbes added.
After being born to racing, it didn’t take a lot of encouragement for Forbes to follow the family tradition, taking a holiday job at Cambridge Stud as a 13-year-old and eventually becoming a full-time employee under the guidance of industry icon Sir Patrick Hogan.
He rose to the position of yearling manager during an era when Cambridge Stud dominated the National Yearling Sale, and in 2007 he earned a scholarship to the Irish National Stud in the same draft as his Irish-born future wife. That led to Lorraine moving Down Under and also becoming a member of the Cambridge Stud staff, eventually succeeding her husband in charge of the yearling barn while he set about establishing Kiltannon Stables.
In time she joined him at the operation adjacent to the Cambridge training centre, and as well as their busy equine schedule, they’re now the parents of three sons aged 11, nine and four.
“I’d be lost without Lorraine – she’s incredible how she manages everything – and we’re also very grateful for the help we get with the kids from my mother and grandmother.
“Sir Patrick was a massive influence on my life, and others at Cambridge Stud like Marcus Corban have also played a big part,” added Forbes, who had the honour of leading the last National Sale yearling bred by Sir Patrick through the ring in 2023.
Now the busy young couple are in countdown mode ahead of the 2026 Ready to Run Sale, with high hopes that their draft will emulate previous good results when their time comes on November 18 and 19.
“We’re very happy with this year’s draft; they’re a nice line-up, a good mix for buyers to choose from across the board.”
While not detailing every member of the draft, Forbes was happy to provide insight to several that have impressed him during their sale preparations, beginning with the first Kiltannon will put forward, Lot 9, the filly by Profondo from Secret Lily.
“She’s a half-sister to a colt we sold last year for $380,000 and is one of a number from Profondo’s first crop that have really impressed us on the way through. She’s a very precocious filly, one you could put a saddle on any time.
“Lot 227 is another natural athlete, by sire of the moment Sword Of State – he could hardly be doing any more – and this guy is a beautiful specimen. I’d be surprised if he didn’t go early.
“Another speedy type is the Yes Yes Yes colt (Lot 285). He has shown us a hell of a lot at home. Lot 303, the sister to Japanese Emperor, she was one of the fastest fillies to breeze up (10.29 seconds). She’s also a half-sister to Stage ’n’ Screen, who we sold to Te Akau and has won four times for them in Victoria and is lovely type of Satono Aladdin filly.
“Another one of ours that breezed up super was the Ardrossan out of the winning Proisir mare London Bound. He has a beautiful action and an attitude to match.
“One that didn’t go quite as well as the breeze-ups was the Stay Inside (Lot 332). He just got a bit lost, but he’s a nice horse with a great pedigree and impresses me as a horse that will go well in the 1600 to 2000-metre distance range.”
The Dundeel half-brother to Manawatu Classic winner Outofstock (Lot 411) is another that Forbes singles out on the score of action and attitude. “For a colt he’s so laid-back and he’s a big, scopey type with the action of a Derby horse.”
If there’s a smokey in the Kiltannon Stables draft, Forbes reckons that might be Lot 197, the colt by the Written Tycoon stallion Dirty Work. “He nearly got me divorced,” says Forbes in jest. “We were on holiday on the Gold Coast in June, which just happened to be the same time as a Magic Millions sale. When I said to Lorraine I might just go and have a look, she said ‘that’s okay, but don’t buy a horse’.
“Well when I saw this colt I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t get a very good reception when I arrived back from the sale, so it’s a bit of a relief that he’s developed really well. He is a proper horse.
“Some of our draft are horses that have been held back by their breeders and targeted specifically at this sale. We always look forward to the Ready to Runs, and we’re confident that the draft we’re offering this year will have a lot appeal for the market.” - Dennis Ryan, RaceForm
