Liam Norris Bloodstock
Liam has spent a lifetime with thoroughbreds. He grew up at Polhampton Stud, where his father Sean was stud groom for Her Majesty the Queen for 38 years, and he spent his formative years helping his dad with the yearlings before running for the school bus. An equine management course at Witney College was followed by a stint in Kentucky at Lane’s End Farm before returning to the UK to manage Highclere Stud for Lord Carnarvon for 12 years.
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Since then he has assisted various breeders in establishing new farms, including David Hardisty’s Oaklands Farm, Peter and Michelle Morgan of Carmel Stud, and Martin and Lee Taylor, for whom he purchased the subsequent Oaks winner Dancing Rain as a yearling before setting up Clairemont Stud.
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From 2016, Liam jointly managed Norris Bloodstock which consigned the top lot at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for two years in a row.
Pinhooking foals has always been a speciality of Liam’s and successful graduates from this part of his operation include the dual Group 1 winner and young stallion Shalaa as well as the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Karar and Group 3-winning fillies Leaupartie – who is now the dam of Commes, who was beaten a head and a nose in two French Classics – and Saffron Beach, a 2021 Classic contender.
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Liam also regularly buys in all sectors of the market. His most notable yearling purchase is the aforementioned dual Classic winner Dancing Rain, who was bought at Goffs for €200,000. After winning the English and German Oaks and the inaugural QIPCO British Champion Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes, she retired with more than £500,000 in earnings to be covered by Frankel. Dancing Rain then became one of the stars of the 2013 breeding stock sales when sold by Clairemont Stud for 4 million guineas at Tattersalls.
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Liam also advises breeders on stock management and is available for regular farm visits. His clients include Ben Sangster and Richard Kent of Mickley Stud.