Welcome to Gaybrook Lodge
Welcome to the website of Jim McCartan and Gaybrook Lodge Stud. Based just 45 minutes from Dublin airport near Mullingar in County Westmeath, Jim has been involved in the breeze-up sector for over 30 years, having established Gaybrook Lodge Stud in 2005. With state-of-the-art facilities and international experience at its disposal, the team at Gaybrook Lodge Stud offer a variety of services to cater for every need while specialising in pre-training and breeze-up preparation. The stud is a regular vendor at the European breeze-up sales and has wasted little time in becoming one of the leading operations of its kind, with success achieved at a consistently high level both in the sale ring and on the track.
Another outstanding year
It was another outstanding year on the track for Gaybrook Lodge Stud in 2024.
The stud hit Group 1 heights yet again in March through the track-record setting win of California Spangle in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in Dubai. Now the earner of almost £8.1 million, yearling purchase California Spangle was a breeze-up graduate of 2020 and following his sale to Hong Kong to Howard Liang Yum Shing through Badgers Bloodstock, has become one of the nation’s outstanding performers as the winner of no fewer than 13 races. In addition to the Al Quoz Sprint, in which he defeated some of the world’s fastest horses, his wins include the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile over champion Golden Sixty and Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. He also holds two Griffin grade track records for 5f and 6f at Sha Tin.
His win in the Al Quoz Sprint, achieved in a track record of 1:07.50, further underlined his place as one of the world’s best racehorses.
California Spangle
Closer to home, Shareholder was one of Europe’s top 2yos. A Keeneland September Sale pinhook, the Not This Time colt was sold by Gaybrook Lodge at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of Wathnan Racing. Less than a month later he made a winning debut at Beverley for Karl Burke before following up in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Thus within the space of just six weeks, he had gone from Gaybrook Lodge breezer to leading Royal Ascot-winning 2yo.
Shareholder
Royal Ascot 2024
Norfolk Stakes Gr2
International success
In February 2024, Jim was one of the team from the Breeze-Up Consignors Association (BUCA) to represent the sector at The 1000 Championship at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Gaybrook Lodge Stud graduates have been flying the European breeze-up flag to great effect in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
In Saudi Arabia, the star is Muqtahem, the winner of six races for Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah. The son of Soldier’s Call was sold by Gaybrook Lodge to his owner at the 2023 Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale and was out early for George Boughey, winning six weeks later at Pontefract.
He has thrived in Saudi Arabia since then, with his best run coming last time out when second to Breeders’ Cup winner Straight No Chaser in the Grade 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup day to confirm his place as one of the nation’s best sprinters.
3yo Albshur also won on debut at Riyadh and ran second in the Gulf Cup for Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz while Azelio is a winner at Riyadh for Sa’Ad Ahmed Alwahid.
In Dubai, Mr Raj won his second start at Meydan for Ahmad Bintooq Al Marri and ran placed in the Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas.
In March 2025, Jim was on his travels again, this time to represent BUCA in Hong Kong.
California Spangle is one of Hong Kong’s most popular horses but he isn’t the only successful Gaybrook Lodge graduate to have found success there. Kings Shield, who topped the Tattersalls Craven Sale, was a stakes performer in Britain before his sale to Hong Kong where he won another five races and retired with earnings of almost £800,000. Toronado Phantom also won six races and over £850,000.
Horses for Sale
We have some smashing horses for sale this year including colts by Mohaater, Mehmas (3), Siyouni, Maxfield, No Nay Never, Beau Liam, McKinzie, Sioux Nation (2), Blue Point, Wooten Bassett, Acclamation, and Knicks Go.
Fillies by Havana Grey, Mohaater, Palace Pier, and Ifraaj.
All horses are available to view prior to sale at the farm or by video on this website.
Please contact Jim McCartan on +353 (0)87 2555 880 for further information
