In March 2024, Gaybrook Lodge Stud hit Group 1 heights yet again through the track-record setting win of California Spangle in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in Dubai. Now the earner of £7.26 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. Victories include the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile over Golden Sixty and Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup while 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 isn’t the only successful Gaybrook Lodge graduate to have raced in Hong Kong. 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.

Longevity was also key to another Group 1 breeze-up graduate, Thundering Blue. Trained by David Menuisier, Thundering Blue won seven races for Clive Washbourn including the York Stakes. He was also second in the Group 1 Canadian International and third in the Group 1 Juddmonte International.

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, 3yos Albshur won on debut and ran second in the Gulf Cup for Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz and Muqtahem won his second start by nearly 9 lengths for Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah while 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. Winning graduates from the 2023 sales also include Art Defender, Aurinko, How’s The Guvnor, Kinnigoli Kid (on debut), Never Better and Via Blanca (x2).