Stewart Hoping His Luck Continues With Breeders’ Cup Hope Victoria Road

What you want to hear from a major owner-breeder like Trevor Stewart, the man who has set up a mini-empire off the back of buying wondermare Cassandra Go back in 1997, is that there is a nuanced approach to breeding and, with the right blend of skill and hard work, you too can make this game pay.

The trouble is, Stewart does not believe that is the case. Not only does he put buying top-class racemare-turned-blue hen Cassandra Go down to good luck, but he also points to fortune favouring him once again in producing her grandson Victoria Road (Ire), a leading fancy for Friday's Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

To paraphrase Stewart, he threw the kitchen sink at Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a daughter of Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), with matings to Dark Angel (Ire), Frankel (GB) and Shamardal failing to produce a single black-type runner. 

Just when Stewart had started to view Tickled Pink as a disappointing broodmare, along came Victoria Road, by first-season sire Saxon Warrior (Jpn), who bids to put the pedigree in lights at Keeneland on Friday. 

Stewart said, “Tickled Pink has been a bit disappointing up until now. I have thrown everything at her–Dark Angel, Frankel and Shamardal. A few of them were a little bit on the small side and, while they had good ratings, were limited by size. To think now that a first-season sire seems to have hit it. It's amazing really.”

He added, “It was all about Deep Impact (Jpn) when it came to choosing Saxon Warrior for the mare. I loved Saxon Warrior as an individual as well. He was a very good racehorse and had size and scope. I felt that I had sent Tickled Pink to a few very good sires and decided to risk something different to see if it worked.”

Victoria Road has taken his form to a new level in the autumn for Aidan O'Brien and boasts rock-solid credentials for Friday's contest at odds of 5-1. 

Convinced that the colt would emerge to be one of the better 2-year-olds at Ballydoyle this season, O'Brien advised Stewart to return to Saxon Warrior this breeding season with Tickled Pink, who is happily in foal to the Coolmore-based stallion. 

Stewart explained, “Interestingly, I was going to cover Tickled Pink with No Nay Never this year and sent a message to Christy Grassick asking him to ask Aidan [O'Brien] about what his view would be. Aidan came back and told me that it was an absolute no-brainer and that I had to go to Saxon Warrior

“That was a very easy decision in that there was a big difference in price between Saxon Warrior and No Nay Never's stud fee. Aidan was also talking up Victoria Road at the time, for all that it was only March.

“I was down with Aidan in May and, of course, the No Nay Nevers had come out and were winning everything. I said to Aidan, 'I think you might not have given me the best advice.' Aidan just said, 'wait and see, you'll be fine.'”

And what an understatement that has turned out to be. Victoria Road followed up his listed success at Deauville with a hard-fought Group 3 victory at Chantilly last month and suddenly Stewart is viewing Tickled Pink in a different light.

“She has an outstanding colt foal by Ghaiyyath (GB) on the ground. I went to Ghaiyyath because he's the most beautiful horse. He's big and strong and has good limbs. I felt that he would put some size into her because the Invincible Spirit seems to be coming out in her. They are just a little on the neat side. Hopefully I have found the secret to this mare because you need size and scope to make up into a good 3-year-old.”

He added, “I don't know if she's carrying a colt or a filly but obviously I am praying it's a filly. I would love to keep a filly out of her. I try to keep all the fillies and it's an exception if I bring a filly to the sales. 

“I have four daughters and three granddaughters out of Casandra Go and we have a few fillies on the ground. I will keep those and race them.”

And while Stewart, along with James Hanly of Ballyhimikin Stud, who boards all of his mares, clearly adopt a professional approach and are following a proven strategy to success in the ring and on the racetrack, nothing will dissuade the renowned owner-breeder from believing that anything other than luck can be attributed to the success.  

He said, “It's really all down to luck. Even the way I have covered Tickled Pink has been lucky. You would think that going to Frankel, Dark Angel and Shamardal would do the trick for her. Now, Saxon Warrior is looking like he will be an above-average stallion, but it's funny that a first-season sire is the one to get the mare off the ground.”

For all of his good fortune, Stewart admits that he was a little miffed at the price tag that Victoria Road made at Book 1 at Tattersalls last year. He says the fact that the mare could have been viewed as disappointing may have contributed to the colt making just 115,000gns to MV Magnier, not that he's complaining.

“He was a lovely yearling, very correct and moved like a dream. It was a disappointing price but I had a few other yearlings that I was keeping last year and decided to sell him. As my wife has told me since, Aidan has well made up for that disappointing price by what he has done with the horse on the track, so that's much more important. 

“Maybe people felt that Tickled Pink was beginning to look a bit marginal and that didn't help her. But everyone at Coolmore were all over Victoria Road at the sales and they all loved him. I'm very lucky he went where he did.”

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Aidan O’Brien String Exits Quarantine And Steps Out At Keeneland Ahead Of The Breeders’ Cup

Tuesday marked the first day the seven-strong Aidan O'Brien string got a taste of the Keeneland track ahead of the two-day Breeders' Cup on Nov. 4-5.

Leading the Coolmore partners septet after their quarantine period was Group 1 winner Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and G3 Derby Trial S. hero Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who both line up in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and will leave from stalls four and three, respectively. Second in the 2021 Turf to Godolphin and Charlie Appleby's Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Del Mar, Broome took the G2 Hardwicke S. from six starts this term and enters the Breeders' Cup having run eighth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last out at the beginning of October.

“Looking at the team, we have two horses in the Turf,” O'Brien said. “Broome ran very well in the race last year. Conditions have not always been in his favour, but I think he will enjoy the ground if it's quick.

“His one flaw is he misses the break. He's a late loader, but he can get on the back foot. We are trying to do things to help him break better. He broke badly at Del Mar under Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] and he rides him again. That day he gave him a chance and said he couldn't believe he got beat.

“Stone Age ran well [when fifth] in the heavy [G1 Champion S.] and is comfortable over a mile and a half, but I think there'll be no more rain this week and the going will be different for him.”

Already a Breeders' Cup winner after taking the GI Mile in 2020, Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) aims to take his second Mile. The 5-year-old entire ran second in the G1 Prix du Moulin to Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in September and he was third to the re-opposing Annapolis (War Front) and Ivar (Brz) (Agnes Gold {Jpn}) in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. over this course and distance on Oct. 8. He exits stall 10 in the 16-horse field.

“We have Order Of Australia in the Mile, going for a repeat of two years ago,” O'Brien said. “I was very happy with his run at Keeneland and he was drawn out a bit. I've taken my time with him all year and have just gently turned the screw on him and his last work was very pleasing. We bred him and still own a leg in him.”

O'Brien also has a pair of fillies entered in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in listed winner and G1 Irish Oaks runner-up Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Cazoo Oaks victress Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Ryan Moore will be aboard Tuesday and will leave from barrier five, while Wayne Lordan has the call on Toy. The latter pair have drawn gate seven.

O'Brien said, “Tuesday is very well, she has a nice draw. It was bad ground when she ran in France [G1 Prix de l'Opera], but her work has been very good.

“Toy has made very good progress since her last race, she has a good draw and the trip and ground should be fine for her.”

Consistent filly Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is four-for-six, flies the flag for O'Brien in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Besides winning her first four starts in succession, including group victories in the G3 Coolmore Stud Fillies Sprint S., G3 Albany S., and the G2 Debutante S., the dark bay rolled a pair of twos in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and the G1 Cheveley Park S. both in September.

“Meditate is one I really like stepping up in trip and I think that, coupled with going round a bend, will help her,” he said. “She's a No Nay Never out of a mare by Dalakhani (Ire) and we are still learning about these No Nay Nevers who are fast, precocious horses. Meditate has plenty of stamina on the dam's side, we are still working out about what we do with her next year.

“She's never lost a kilo since her last run, we've given her the chance to back out in her work but there are no negative signs. She's also got a good mind and is a hardy filly whose constitution will also help her with the distance.”

The master of Rosegreen also saddles G3 Prix de Conde hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He's drawn in stall one and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

“Our 2-year-old colt [Victoria Road] came from a good bit back at Chantilly and we think he could develop into a [G1] French Derby horse,” O'Brien said. “The main thing is that we don't want him to get lost early in his race on Friday, but I feel it's only when he goes further that we will see him in a better light.”

O'Brien also reflected on the strong European Breeders' Cup participation, and added, “It's always good to see Charlie Appleby with his team at the Breeders' Cup. He's a very good trainer, he's doing a great job and has an adept team of horses and people to bring with him.

“We love coming to Keeneland because its weather can be similar to ours and everyone here is horsey minded, like we are in Ireland. You have to be tactically quick around here, but you need to be able to finish off your race as well.

“We will be looking at the ground, but in my opinion I prefer it quick because Flat horses should be all about speed.”

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No Foldin’ For Cohen As He Lands 850,000 Gambler At Tattersalls

Tim Cohen did not come halfway around the world to walk away from the Tattersalls table when the stakes get higher and the American-based agent did not blink in securing I'm A Gambler for 850,000gns on behalf of Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal on day two of the Autumn Horses In Training Sale. 

I'm A Gambler (Ire) (No Nay Never), a typical Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained runner who has gone from strength to strength this season and was last seen winning a Listed event at Redcar, will continue his career in California.

Cohen said, “It's hard to find a solid three-year-old and he's obviously one of the highest-rated in the sale. Physically, he's beautiful. Certainly didn't want to go that far but also didn't want to come all this way and not use something worthwhile.”

“There are a few three-year-old stakes races left in California this year, but he has had quite a few races, so we will finish the year and then he can have a little break.”

Asked how high he thinks I'm A Gambler can go in America, Cohen joked, “He better go pretty high! He is a quality individual, has already proven that, so if we can maintain that and can enhance that, it will be even better. He does not have much left to prove to me.”

Charlie Johnson watched the sale on the rope and revealed that selling the nine-time winner made good sense financially for the Kingsley Park team and owners John Brown and Megan Dennis.

He said, “It was quite some theatre because bidders that seemed to drop out of the running suddenly came back for more. It just showed what high demand he was in. He's a phenomenal physical, a beautiful horse, and he's had no issues all the way through his career. He's been an easy horse to train as he's very sound and very tough and he's really taken off in the last four or five months. It's a phenomenal result.”

Johnson added, “Watching trade I thought he was going to make 400,000gns or maybe 500,000gns on a good day, so the end result is quite fantastic. Normally, you wouldn't sell good horses like that but the reality is, I spoke to John a few weeks ago and his dream campaign for next year would involve winning the Lennox S. 

“The horse has just earned five, six or maybe even seven times the prize-money of that race for selling here. It leaves a huge hole in our yard to sell a 110-rated horse but economically it was a logical decision for the owner.”

 

The Johnson team have sold a total of 27 horses at the sale thus far for 1,270,500gns while Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal pushed spending to 1,215,000gns after buying Bellstreet Bridie (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) for 260,000gns and Maltese Falcon (Ire) (Caravaggio ) on Monday.

Figures were up again on Tuesday. Trade reached 12,373,000gns on the day which represents a 10% rise on last year. The median was also up 22% to 25,000gns while the average rose 15% to 50,709gns. 

The clearance rate was 93%, the same as in 2021, while the total spend for Monday and Tuesday together is 20,939,100gns. 

'Very Ambitious' Wathnan Racing Flexes Buying Power

Wathnan Racing, one of the newest racing ventures in Qatar that is headed by Alban Elie De Mieulle, the multiple champion trainer in that jurisdiction, once again flexed its buying power when snapping up Persian Royal (GB) and Inverness (Ire), two of the most expensive horses sold on Tuesday.

That helped elevate Wathnan Racing's spending to 1,750,000gns across the two days. It was Roger and Harry Charlton's Persian Royal, a four-time winner by Al Kazeem (GB), who boasts a rating of 90 that made 450,000gns while Inverness (Highland Reel {Ire}) was sold for 380,000gns. 

Wathnan Racing, for which Olly Tait has been buying on behalf of, acquired nine horses from the sale and were also in the running for the top lot I'm A Gambler for much of the bidding. 

“Wathnan Racing is a new stable that has started up in Qatar,” Tait said after buying Persian Royal. “We want to have enough horses so that the stable can be successful.”

He added, “His form was excellent and he looks progressive. Not only is he progressive but he's super consistent. He's a nice horse for this season and hopefully many more seasons to come.”

Persian Royal raced in the familiar silks of John Deer, who also owned the sire Al Kazeem, a four-time Group 1 winner for Roger Charlton. 

The Qatar Derby was identified as the likely target for Inverness, the second highest-rated son of Highland Reel with a mark of 94, who held on to top-lot status for much of the day.

Tait said of that dual winner, “He has very consistent, progressive form, and he will go on firm ground. He is a horse who could hopefully be competitive in the Qatar Derby. 

“He is that level of horse. He wasn't inexpensive but that is what you have to pay for a horse of that quality. He is very willing and his form stands up very well.”

He added, “There is a big programme of racing in Qatar and Wathnan Racing is very ambitious, looking for horses who can win races at different levels. In time, a broader Middle Eastern campaign for the horses could be on the radar.”

Havana Grey's Best Boy Off To Qatar

Eddie's Boy (GB), the highest-rated son of crack first-season sire Havana Grey (GB), will continue his career in Qatar after selling online to Will Douglass of Charlie Gordon Watson Bloodstock and Al Wasmiyah Stud for 320,000gns.

A teak-tough two-year-old, Eddie's Boy has won three of his 10 starts this term, and is set to be kept on the go a little longer with December targets in Qatar pencilled into his diary by the new connections. 

The Middleham Park-owned and Archie Watson-trained colt enjoyed his greatest day on a racecourse so far when landing a Group 3 at Chantilly last month and has amassed over £210,000 in prize-money. 

Douglass said, “He is an absolutely cracking-looking horse and has danced every dance this year. He vetted brilliantly–you can't knock what he has done. He is well-made, strong and solid, and is going to do well in Qatar. I think he has the best two-year-old form in the catalogue.

“He will first aim for the Al Rayyan S., which is run in mid-December, and then for the Al Biddah Mile in early February. We have managed to buy the winner of that for the last seven years so there is no pressure!”

The agent added, “Plans are a bit up in the air at the moment, but we have found that it works better to leave the horses here for the December race and run them off the plane, then leave them in Qatar for the later race.”

That would suggest that Eddie's Boy will stay in training with Watson for that December target in Qatar. 

Middleham's Tim Palin said, “A 45,000gns buy at Tattersalls to selling today, there is a certain synergy there, we have sold really well and it is just a privilege to be dining at the top table and selling at the top table.

“Horses such as him and The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) show that even for the cheaper sort of horse, if you club together and share the expense, you can achieve and get to the best places. He has been a fantastic success story under Archie's tutelage.”

On Breeders' Cup bound The Platinum Queen, who was a 57,000gns Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up purchase, he added, “She travels to America on Saturday for her Breeders' Cup assignment. We are looking forward to a fantastic race. She is favourite, we could do with a good draw, it is not imperative but important. 

“Hollie Doyle is booked. Let's hope we can go over and serve it up to the Americans in their own back yard. We will have around 20 members heading over.”

High Definition To Embark On Hurdles Career

He was once talked about as a leading Derby contender at Ballydoyle but now High Definition (Ire) will have major targets over jumps to aim for after Coolmore sold the 2020 G2 Beresford S. winner to join Joseph O'Brien for 350,000gns. 

 

High Definition won twice for Aidan O'Brien but showed snippets of top-class form, including when second in this season's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, and Mark McStay secured the Galileo (Ire) colt for an existing client at Owning Hill. 

Celestial Halo (Ire), Supasundae (GB) and Windsor Park (Ire) rank among Galileo's best sons to have gone down the National Hunt route and McStay confirmed that he secured the 117-rated Flat performer for that sphere. 

“He is for an existing international client and he goes to Joseph O'Brien to go jumping,” McStay said afterwards. 

Another Coolmore-consigned wildcard, the Group 3-winning Aikhal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), sold to South Africa's leading bloodstock agency Form Bloodstock for 150,000gns. 

McStay's Avenue Bloodstock also signed for Aidan O'Brien's 107-rated dual winner Glounthaune (Ire), part-owned by the late Evie Stockwell, for 135,000gns. Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock were also down as buyers for the Kodiac (GB) colt.

Despite having a number of withdrawals, Coolmore have sold 14 horses for over 1.5 million across the opening two days of the sale, highlighted by Monday's 410,000 sale-topper Waterville. 

King's First Winner Sold As Australian Interest Amplifies

A number of The King's high profile runners, including Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who provided him with his first winner as an owner at Leicester earlier this month, sold strongly. 

The 99-rated Just Fine, trained by Sir Michael Stoute to win three races, changed hands for 300,000gns to Johnny McKeever on behalf of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

McKeever said, “It has been a while since I have bought one from the Royal Studs. Gai Waterhouse trained for the late Queen and will be thrilled to be getting a horse that she owned.

Sea The Stars is one of my all-time favourite racehorses and sires. I rate him up there with all the great ones and, except for Frankel, is one of the best staying stallions in the world.”

He added, “We are looking for good quality horses and Sir Michael recommended him very strongly. I don't know if there have been many by Sea The Stars in Australia, but this horse's level of form is pretty good, and he has the right profile. We have tried on a few others-we were underbidders on Chairman and this morning on Inverness.”

Fellow Stoute-trained Royal runners Theme Park and Naval College sold similarly well. Theme Park (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was knocked down to Jamie Piggott and Nigel Tinkler for 200,000gns while Sackville Donald bought Naval College (GB) (Dartmouth {GB}) for 185,000. 

Chairman (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) proved one of the highlights on Monday when selling from Freddie and Martin Meade to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for 400,000gns and the Australian trainers were back for more on Tuesday. 

Will Bourne, the bloodstock executive for the powerful training partnership, struck for Ruling (Ger) (Camelot {GB}), fourth behind Monday's session-topper Waterville (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the Irish Cesarewitch last month, for 300,000gns. 

 “He is a nice athletic horse and will go to Ciaron's Sydney operation,” Bourne said. “He is a genuine stayer. He has had a break but has come back well and he has the perfect profile for the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

“The carnival can really accommodate a horse like him and there is a lot of prize-money on offer. We are looking for five or six horses in total this week but it is a very buoyant market and they are hard to buy.”

The strength of the trade took its toll on many, but not Ronald Rauscher, who described himself as pleasantly surprised about being able to pick up the 106-rated Earl Of Tyrone (Ire) (Australia {GB}) for 300,000 on behalf of Australian Bloodstock.

Earl Of Tyrone has improved 29lbs since joining Paddy Twomey this season and Rauscher said he is hopeful that there can be more to come.

He said, “The objective is staying races in Australia. I know where he has come from and who trains him very well-he was obvious for us. I thought there might be a bit more action on him, so I am not unhappy where we landed. He is a very nice horse, very correct, very well looked after.”

Rockingham Runner-Up Captures Imagination

The Rockingham S. runner-up Kyeema (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) captured the imagination with Chinese owner YP Cheng going to 360,000gns for the William Haggas-trained gelding. 

Kyeema was purchased under the name of Domeland and, while a trainer has yet to be decided upon, Roy Cheng revealed the 102-rated sprinter would head to Australia. 

He said, “My boss really liked this horse. He will be heading to Sydney. We are not sure about a trainer yet.”

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Tattersalls Day One: 410,000 Buy Waterville Heading To Australia

Waterville (Ire), the main attraction on day one of the Autumn horses-in-training sale at Tattersalls, did not disappoint by topping the session at 410,000gns to join Chris Waller in Australia. 

Guy Mulcaster, who also bought the 84-rated Postwick (GB) (Postponed {Ire}) from Barton Sales for 130,000gns to join Waller, secured Coolmore's Irish Cesarewitch winner. 

Described by his trainer Aidan O'Brien at the beginning of the season as a lively each-way contender for the Derby, Waterville [lot 275] never made it to Epsom but went some way to justifying that high opinion by recording a last-gasp Irish Cesarewitch success at the Curragh last month. 

Camelot (GB), the sire of Waterville, has an excellent record in Australia and Mulcaster thinks this latest recruit by him has the right profile to be a success down under. 

He said, “We saw him in June when we were at Ballydoyle and his form has gone on since then. I spoke to Chris this morning and he was keen to get the horse, so fingers crossed he works out for us.”

Mulcaster added, “He is a well-bred horse, has been looked after and he has not had many runs. He has got a high profile and he looks obvious for us. We have not had many by Camelot ourselves, but he has done well in Australia.”

A large portion of that Camelot success was enjoyed by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace with the ill-fated Sir Dragonet, another ex-O'Brien-trained colt, whose finest hour came when he stormed to G1 Cox Plate glory in 2020. Sir Dragonet also won the G1 Tancred S. at Rosehill last year and amassed almost £3 million in career earnings. 

Russian Camelot (Ire) is another to have flown the flag for Camelot in Australia having won the G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield for trainer Danny O'Brien.

Maher and Eustace secured another classy European-bred runner in wildcard entry Chairman (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), a 94-rated dual winner for Freddie and Martyn Meade, who was knocked down to Will Bourne, the bloodstock executive for the hugely successful training operation.

Bourne said, “He's a very athletic horse and didn't carry too much condition. What I observed, and Ciaron did as well, is the ones who have worked for him down there are the ones that aren't too heavy. You don't have to work them as much and we obviously have much different facilities in Australia than here. I think he's a horse who will suit Australia and has been racing in really good handicaps over here.”

He added, “Prize-money is so good in Australia, especially in those distance races. Looking forward to getting him in Ciaron and David's stable. Ciaron's alarm goes off at three in the morning so he's well across the purchase. He's happy.”

Maher went on to buy John Murphy's Charterhouse [323], who climbed from humble beginnings to win four races and reach a rating of 105 in his pomp, for 130,000gns.

Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) was an 11,000gns foal but made just 3,000gns from Trickledown Stud to Stroud Coleman at Book 3 here in 2019. 

He changed hands privately after finishing just a head behind Juddmonte's Masen (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in second on debut at Leopardstown in 2020 and has won close to £100,000 for his owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez.

Tattersalls has been a happy hunting ground for the Australians in recent times, with Group 1 winners Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) poster boys of the Autumn sale, and representatives from the nation turned out in force on Monday.

Andrew Balding's unexposed Gleneagles (Ire) gelding Cadmus (Ire), a winner when last seen over 1m4f at Ascot on his third start, made 160,000gns to Badgers Bloodstock on behalf of trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

“Hopefully he has got his best days ahead of him. He is a very unexposed horse. I loved the way he quickened when he won at Ascot last time out and the second is a decent horse. They pulled clear of the field,” said buyer Tom Pritchard-Gordon.

“We will see how he progresses. He has only had three runs, won last time, and is going to like firm ground. He gets a trip and has a massive advantage over Australian horses over that distance.”

Zaaki's trainer Annabel Neasham also got in on the act when Blandford Bloodstock and Bennett Racing signed for Joseph O'Brien's recent Dundalk maiden winner Fawkner Park (Ire) [65] for 120,000gns.

The Zoffany (Ire) gelding pulled over six lengths clear of Aidan O'Brien's Fleet Commander (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) [274] last Friday, form which is clearly held in decent regard, as that horse made 100,000gns to join De Burgh Equine and Darby Racing. 

A total of 8,566,100gns was spent on Monday, which represents an increase of 20% on last year's figure of 7,126,000, despite the fact that many buyers described the opening day of trade as the calm before the storm given that many exciting lots are due through the ring on Tuesday. 

The median stayed that same as in 2021 at 16,000gns while the average was up 21% from 27,095 to 32,820. The clearance rate was 88%, which was also the same in 2021. 

Dream Bound For Saudi

Be it on the track or off it, the big results keep on coming for Simon and Ed Crisford as, just a couple of days after sending out Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) to win the G3 Horris Hill S. at Newbury, the father-and-son duo netted a big result in the ring with Beautiful Aisling (GB) selling for 240,000gns. 

The 90-rated daughter of Havana Gold (Ire), who won two of her seven starts in the colours of Khalifa Aldoseri, was purchased by Najd Stud and will continue her career in Saudi Arabia. 

The filly's new connections revealed that they think the juvenile is up to listed class in due course and identified a sprint campaign in Saudi Arabia as the main objective. 

Saud Al Qahtani said, “She is a good filly, she was beaten by a good filly last time [Magical Sunset (Ire) (Kodiac {GB})], who has already gone on to win at listed level and I think this filly is a listed class, too. She might be one for the Sprint on Saudi Cup day.”

Beautiful Aisling has the chance to prove herself up to listed class as soon as Friday as she holds an entry in the Bosra Sham S. at Newmarket.

Simon Crisford said, “She is a beautiful filly, she has done us well throughout the summer, she is a very straightforward filly and will do very well in Saudi Arabia. I think they have bought her well, I have a lot of confidence in the filly.”

Aisling translates to dream in Irish and, in the case of Danny Donovan and Stephen Byrne of Knockgraffan Stables, who sourced the filly as a yearling and turned a hefty profit on her at the Goffs breeze-up sale earlier this year, Monday's result was the best possible outcome for business.

Beautiful Aisling was snapped up by the well-known breeze-up operators for £22,000 off Ladytown Stables at the September Yearling Sale before selling to Stroud Coleman for £120,000 in April. 

Donovan, who happened to be in attendance for Monday's sale, described himself as delighted to see how the filly has progressed for the Crisfords.

He said, “She was lucky for me at the breeze-ups this year and, while it's great to get a good result in the ring, it's just as important for business that they go on and prove themselves to be good racehorses and she's obviously smart.”

Najd Stud also went on to buy Tom Dascombe's 2-year-old filly Red N Blue Candy (Twirling Candy) for 140,000gns.

Nicholls Returns To Oliver For Rare Talent

Andy Oliver supplied Paul Nicholls and Tom Malone with a Champion Chase winner in the shape of Dodging Bullets (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the powerful trainer-agent combination returned to the County Tyrone handler for classy prospect Rare Middleton (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}). 

A winner of a 10-furlong Leopardstown maiden on his second start, Rare Middleton [120] was always going to command plenty of interest, and it was Malone who fought hardest to secure the 3-year-old for 215,000gns. 

Oliver has a proven track record in unearthing future top-class jumpers, with dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Long Dog another graduate, and Malone is hoping Rare Middleton can prove even half as good as the 2015 Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets. 

Indeed, Rare Middleton could prove to be Classic-producing sire Aclaim's first jumps runner, but just whose colours the horse will run in remains to be seen. 

Malone said, “I absolutely loved him. His form has gotten stronger and stronger–the horse he beat at Leopardstown [Imaginarium (Ire) (Make Believe {GB})] won yesterday at the Curragh, the horse who beat him first time out at the Curragh went on and won the October Handicap [Zoffman (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire})] and Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who was behind him at Leopardstown, came out and made 120,000gns this morning. It is proper, proper form.”

He added, “I am delighted to get him. Aclaim hasn't got a hurdler yet, his first crop are only 3-year-olds, but this is lovely horse and Andy always buys this sort of horse.”

Rare Middleton was not the only jumping prospect that Oliver sold on Monday. The 74-rated maiden Regally Blonde (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}), who finished second in a 1m5f handicap at Down Royal on her most recent start, was sold to Kevin Ross on behalf of trainer Ben Case for 62,000gns.

Malone and Nicholls also struck for Beny Nahar Road (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), without doubt one of the biggest horses in the sale, for 72,000gns. 

Trained by Richard Hughes, Beny Nahar Road failed to win in five starts but placed in four of them and achieved a rating of 81. 

Recent Form Pays 

Two-year-olds don't come much tougher than Legend Of Xanadu (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), who doubled his tally at stakes level when beating Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) in typically gritty fashion on his 13th start at Doncaster on Saturday. 

That effort went some way in Mick Channon securing 140,000gns from Gassim Al Ghazali for the colt [279] who also won the Woodcote S. at Epsom earlier in the season. 

Legend Of Xanadu was one of the more expensive of the seven horses that the champion Qatari trainer picked up on Monday for a total spend of 516,000gns.

Al Ghazali also made it his business to add Freddie and Martyn Meade's 103-rated Method (Ire) (Method {Ire}), last seen finishing a good third in a listed even at Ascot at the beginning of the month, for 155,000gns.

Method [315] was bought by Dermot Farrington for just £20,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale in 2019 and he raced in the white and black silks of Manton Park Racing. Farrington also unearthed Meade's Chairman for 75,000gns at Book 2 at Tattersalls last year.

Meanwhile, another runner with recent form in the book, last weekend's Give Thanks S. third Direct Security (Ire), netted her connections 135,000 when selling to Nasser Bin Omairah.

Robin Brisland bought the daughter of Sioux Nation for just £2,500 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale last year with Monday's result netting a major return for the filly who also broke her maiden at Kempton last month. 

The Qatar-based Alban de Mieulle [Wathnan Racing] made a similar splash by spending 460,000gns on four highly-rated runners, headed by Hello Deira (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) for 180,000gns and Bolthole (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) for 130,000gns. 

Hello Deira [148], bought by Federico Barberini on behalf of Ahmad Al Shaikh at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale for just 35,000gns earlier in the year, won his second race for Owen Burrows, a nursery at Kempton off 82, this month. The 91-rated Bolthole [300] won twice for Michael Bell.

Speaking after purchasing Hello Deira, Olly Tate, who was in charge of the bidding process, said, “He goes to Qatar and to trainer Alban de Mieulle. He is a lovely horse and had good form as a 2-year-old. 

“He has the distance profile and is a good racehorse. It is competitive wherever you race and he will do well in Qatar. There is plenty of racing in him, he has a progressive profile and Owen has said he is a straightforward horse.”

Red And Rancho Strike

Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal made the trip to Newmarket worthwhile by securing Bellstreet Bridie (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) and Maltese Falcon (Ire) (Caravaggio), a filly [303] and a colt [49], to race in America. 

Bellstreet Bridie was trained by Michael Bell to win three of her 12 starts and reach a mark of 80 while Maltese Falcon carried Lady Ogden's colours to finish second on debut at Redcar for Rebecca Menzies. Bellstreet Bridie was sold for 260,000gns while Maltese Falcon made 105,000gns.

Speaking after buying Bellstreet Bridie, Rancho Temescal's Tim Cohen, who was sitting beside Alistair Donald, said, “I think she will go on a bit of ground in California. That division is getting a little light, so with a younger filly, she should do well for the year. We could give her a break after that and bring her back at four. That's the plan.”

He added, “We thought we'd have to go to that sort of money, but the exchange rate helps. I am going to pay tomorrow before the rate goes up!”

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