Tag: Ballylinch Stud

Ballylinch Stars As Book 2 Closes With Record Returns

NEWMARKET, UK–With almost 100 lots still to sell, the turnover for Book 2 had already surpassed the tally set in 2021 and, just as witnessed last week at Tattersalls, this second catalogue of four for the October Yearling Sale, bettered all markers of a year ago.

There was a broader spread of buyers, but Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, whose principal Anthony Stroud had been so busy on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation during Book 1, was again active throughout, with the agency ending Book 2 as the leading buyer with 23 bought for 5,625,000gns.

Tally-Ho Stud dominated the consignors' list all week, and the farm's flagship stallion Kodiac (GB) was paid several compliments by leading owner-breeders keen to buy his daughters, notably Cheveley Park Stud and Watership Down Stud, who spent 320,000gns and 150,000gns on a filly each.

In his closing statement, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony  referred to “Three extraordinary record-breaking days at Book 1”, which was neatly followed by more records tumbling at Book 2 for the second year running. The average of 96,020gns was up by 14%, while the median also climbed, by 13% to 70,000gns. At the final fall of hammer after three days and another 732 yearlings through the ring at Park Paddocks and a clearance rate of 86%, Book 2 had pulled in 60,780,500 (+11%) to add to the 126,671,000gns accrued from Book 1 yearlings.

“The word most commonly used to describe the trade we have experienced throughout this week has been 'unrelenting',” Mahony said. “There have been records established in pretty well every conceivable category. Turnover, average and median have all reached unprecedented levels and yet again Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has been the second-highest grossing yearling sale in Europe, second only to Book 1. The number of yearlings selling for 200,000gns or more is a wide margin record as is the number selling for 300,000gns or more, and never before have seven yearlings at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale broken the 500,000-guinea mark.”

He continued, “Following on from Book 1, buyers from America, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and throughout the Gulf region have all continued to make significant contributions over the past three days. European buyers have also been conspicuous at all levels of the market while the domestic British and Irish demand continues to be the bedrock of Europe's largest yearling sale which annually showcases so many of the best commercial yearlings to be found and consistently produces top class horses like this year's outstanding unbeaten Derby winner Desert Crown.”

 

The Stroud And Ballylinch Show

Anthony Stroud signed for two members of a strong Ballylinch Stud draft, for two different owners. Lot 1303, a Lope De Vega (Ire) filly out of a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to the classy dual Group 1 winner Chriselliam (Ire), went the way of Godolphin for 650,000gns, but Stroud had to see off a determined attempt from the Coolmore camp.

“I knew she'd sell well but I did not expect that,” said John O'Connor, manager of Ballylinch Stud, which bred the filly. “But when you get a clash between two very interested buyers, these things can happen. There were lots of people on her, too. This is a family we have been associated with a long time. I originally bought [third dam] Ingabelle from Tom Lacy, Tony Lacy's father, and we have bred most of the black-type horses on this page.”

Along with Chriselliam, the filly's dam Gallitea (Ire) is a half-sister to the G2 Cape Verdi S winner Very Special (Ire), herself by Lope De Vega. The further family also includes Ingabelle's champion 2-year-old daughter Priory Belle (Ire) (Priolo) and her half-sister, the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Eva's Request (Ire) (Soviet Star).

Lope De Vega was not the only one of the Ballylinch stallions to feature prominently on Wednesday. With Night Of Thunder (Ire) having been hugely popular through Books 1 and 2 at Tattersalls, it was the turn of another son of Dubawi (Ire), New Bay (GB), to shine in the closing session when Anthony Stroud went to 425,000gns for lot 1264, the half-brother to G3 Concorde S. winner Statement (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Peter Harris, the former successful breeder and trainer at his Pendley Farm in Hertfordshire, has meant business with his purchases this week, and this colt out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Fact Or Folklore (Ire) is another to be joining Jane Chapple-Hyam's Newmarket stable, where Harris already has a number of horses in training. The trainer will be delighted with the latest recruit as she had great success with the offspring of his sire of late, including with the dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (GB) and Group 3 winner Claymore (Fr), both of whom won at Royal Ascot this year.

“The trainers really like the New Bays,” said O'Connor. “And with the kind of mares he is covering now he has the opportunity to step to a higher level again. Every horse has to take that opportunity, but we believe he can. The major players are still here and they are still anxious to buy nice horses. There were plenty of bids coming for him from all over the sale ring.”

New Bay had nine yearlings sell in Book 2 for an average price of 141,333gns.

 

Knight Starstruck for Ballyvolane Colt

A strong sale for Starspangledbanner (Aus) included a colt from John Foley's Ballyvolane Stud out of the Dandy Man (Ire) mare Great Dame (Ire), who brought the hammer down at 600,000gns and was signed for by Richard Brown. Lot 1321 was bred by The Great Dame Partnership and is the first foal of the half-sister to the G2 Goldene Peitsche winner Donnerschlag (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and to listed winner Izzy Bizu (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). The mare has a Churchill (Ire) filly foal on the ground and was covered this year by Ardad (Ire).

Richard Knight, active through Book 1 but quiet so far this week, signed for the colt and said, “He was the only one we picked out in this sale, thought he was a lovely individual. I like the fact that the mare was a useful 2-year-old herself and he looks like he will be sharp. We felt he will be a great addition to the horses we have already bought and he shouldn't take a huge amount of time.”

Now five, Great Dame, won at two over the minimum trip for the Nick Bradley Racing syndicate and was bought three years ago at the December Sale by Barry Lynch for 28,000gns.

 

 

The Nays Have It

A horse that can do it on both sides of the world, No Nay Never had a good day on Wednesday, siring the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Madame Pommery (Aus) at Caulfield in Melbourne and featuring among the leaders during the final day of Book 2 yearlings at Tattersalls.

His popularity this sales season is no surprise given the season No Nay Never has had, which includes Group 1 victories from Blackbeard (Ire), Little Big Bear (Ire) and the tough filly Alcohol Free (Ire), who extended her tally of top-level wins to three at ages two, three and four.

His colt consigned by John Cullinan and Roger Marley of Church Farm & Horse Park Stud as lot 1113 was an expensive foal-turned-even more expensive yearling when the duo's initial investment of 110,000gns last December grew to 360,000gns.

Reporting an “up-and-down week”, Cullinan said of the son of Bright Sapphire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), “The whole way through the year, I always thought he was our banker.”

His confidence was justified when MV Magnier agreed with him and snapped up the half-brother to the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).

Charlie Gordon-Watson was another to plump for No Nay Never, buying lot 1180, Baroda Stud's son of the G3 Park Express S. winner Czabo (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), for 325,000gns following an earlier purchase from Manister House Stud of lot 1155, for Al Shaqab Racing, at 220,000gns. The latter, out of the useful dual winner Conniption (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), was bred by Frank Hutchinson.

No Nay Never's average for Book 2 weighed in at 162,357gns for 14 sold.

 

Shadwell Invests

As we count down to the swansong of Baaeed (GB) in Saturday's G1 QIPCO British Champion S., it has been encouraging to see his owner Sheikh Hissa present at Park Paddocks on several occasions over the last fortnight, and her Shadwell operation signed for eight yearlings at Book 2, seven of which were fillies.

Heading the list was lot 1190, a Siyouni (Fr) second foal of the listed-placed Dancing Breeze (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who was bought from the Castlebridge Consignment for 350,000gns.

Bred by Merry Fox Stud, which also enjoyed some decent results during Book 1, the filly's dam is a half-sister to G3 Desmond S winner Future Generation (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), who is in turn the dam of G2 Prix de Chaudenay winner Brundtland (Ire).

 

Havana Field Day

Whitsbury Manor Stud can not only bask in the glory of having bred the G1 Dewhurst S winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), but the Hampshire farm is also being well represented by its freshman sire Havana Grey (GB) this season.

The former sprinter has sired 36 winners for far this season, including the one-two in Friday's G3 Cornwallis S. courtesy of Rumstar (GB) and Maylandsea (GB), so it was therefore no surprise to see his yearlings closely scrutinised at the sales.

Havana Grey's former trainer Karl Burke landed the most expensive of the group at Book 2, bidding 325,000gns for lot 1226, Kilminfoyle House Stud's Stud's colt out of Dotted Swiss (GB), a three-time winner by the farm's former resident winner Swiss Spirit (GB).

“I saw the colt on Sunday and really liked him straightaway,” Burke said. “He's a strong, powerful horse, very like his sire and came highly recommended. I've had four or five this year by him and this is by far the nicest.”

The transaction secured yet another good result for one the best pinhookers in the business, Michael Fitzpatrick, who bought the colt from his breeder Whitsbury Manor Stud at Park Paddocks last year for 56,000gns,

He said, “I thought he was the best foal here on the Saturday of last year's foal sale. It was big price to give for him as a foal but it has paid off.

Fitzpatrick added, “He looks sharp, and does look a real Royal Ascot 2-year-old. Havana Grey has gone from strength to strength this season, and I'd like to wish Karl Burke all the best with him. Hopefully he can become the next Havana Grey.”

Burke, who buys in partnership with his daughter Kelly, also picked up a colt by another Whitsbury Manor stallion, Showcasing (GB), with whom he has enjoyed great success in the past, notably through the Group 1-winning sprinter Quiet Reflection (GB) and G2 Mill Reef S. winner Toocoolforschool (Ire).

The trainer went to 300,000gns for the colt out of the G3 Musidora S. winner Give And Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) from Nicholas Jones's Coln Valley Stud, the sole offering from the breeder in Book 2.

Whitsbury Manor did have its own good result with Havana Grey, however, when selling lot 1233 for 220,000gns to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. The colt is the first living foal of Dundunah (Sidney's Candy), a winning half-sister to the Grade II-placed Cuvee Uncorked (Cuvee).

Havana Grey, who stood for £6,500 in his second season, recorded a Book 2 average of 150,857gns for seven yearlings sold.

Another 15 yearlings by Havana Grey will be offered in Book 3, which is where the attention now turns for Thursday and Friday during which another 600 or so yearlings will pass through the ring before a short Book 4 session on Saturday morning. It is worth recalling that two of this year's star fillies, Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) were found respectively in these sections of the sale in 2021 and 2020, as Edmond Mahony referenced in his closing address for Book 2.

He said, “The support we receive from so many breeders and consignors from Britain, Ireland and further afield is the key to the enduring popularity of the October Yearling Sales at Tattersalls and is hugely appreciated. There is quality to be found at every level and next up is Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale, which has produced two of this year's top European 2-year-olds; Lezoo, recent winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, and Crypto Force, the impressive winner of the Group 2 Beresford S.”

Book 3 gets underway on Thursday at the slightly earlier time of 9:30 a.m.

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Anthony Stroud Goes To 650,000 Gns For A Lope De Vega Filly At Tattersalls Book 2

Breeder Ballylinch Stud offered a bay filly (lot 1303) by their resident stallion Lope De Vega (Ire) on Wednesday and she was knocked down for 650,000gns to Anthony Stroud. The daughter of Gallitea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full-sister to the winning Oviedo (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was third in the G3 Acomb S. in August. Gallitea is a half-sister to the ill-fated G1 Shadwell Fillies Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), and Lope De Vega's triple Group 2 scorer Very Special (Ire), second in the 2016 G1 Falmouth S.

 

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Tattersalls Makes History With Europe’s Highest-Grossing Day 

NEWMARKET, UK–A marker in bloodstock history was plunged firmly into the ground at Tattersalls on Wednesday, when those present at Park Paddocks bore witness to the highest-grossing day of horse trade that has ever taken place in Europe. An eye-watering sum of 49,545,000gns was spent on 144 yearlings throughout the eight-hour session, including the most expensive yearling in the world this year–a colt by Frankel (GB) sold for 2.8 million gns. He was one of eight bought for seven-figure sums, bringing the number of million-plus youngsters from the first two Book 1 sessions to 11.

Across those two days, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the most determined spender, bolstering his team of 2-year-olds for the 2023 season by an extra 22 just from Book 1, his bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud having been charged to bid a collective 16,520,000gns on his behalf.

The name of agent Richard Knight has been cropping up on buyers' lists from Deauville to Newmarket via Kentucky and Kildare, and he continued his lavish spree on behalf of his unnamed client with 6.13 million gns spent on 10 yearlings at Book 1 so far. That beats the amassed influence of the Coolmore and White Birch Farm teams, which collectively have signed up five yearlings for 5.43 million gns.

On a blockbuster day with a clearance rate of 88%, the turnover was up by 65% when set against the equivalent day last year. The median rose by 25% to 200,000gns and the average by 49% to 344,062gns.

 Watership Down's 'Jewel in the Crown'

A frenetic start to the day's trade at Park Paddocks soon brought a new top price for a yearling anywhere in the world this year when Watership Down Stud's Frankel (GB) colt out of Group 3 winner So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought the hammer down at 2.8 million gns.

It was Tuesday's leading buyer Godolphin that prevailed in the contest for lot 221, whose dam is a full-sister to Darley's first-season sire Too Darn Hot (GB), but Stroud faced stiff opposition from Bill Farish of Lane's End Farm, who was sitting alongside David Ingordo in the ring at Tattersalls.

The March-born colt is the third foal of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber's G3 Musidora S. winner So Mi Dar, a daughter of treble Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), who is herself out of the Watership Down Stud foundation mare Darara (Ire) (Top Ville {GB}).

“It's an amazing thing to happen whenever you're selling horses, but he was an exceptional colt and is the image of Frankel in so many ways,” said Watership Down Stud's general manager Simon Marsh. “It's obviously been an extraordinary family that Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber have been involved with for so many years. Selling horses like that is really the culmination of an enormous amount of work that goes in with so many people involved, with Terry [Doherty] the stud manager and Donna [Vowles], our stud manager in Ireland. Then there's Conor, who led the horse round and is assistant to Terry, right through to the farriers, the vets, the feed people; there are so many involved in creating a result like this.”

Along with the champion juvenile Too Darn Hot and So Mi Dar, Dar Re Mi is also the dam of G2 Middleton S. winner Lah Ti Dar (GB), who is also by Dubawi, and young French-based stallion De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Among Darara's four Group 1 winners is Godolphin's ill-fated G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}).

Marsh added, “We were so lucky all those years ago to have been able to buy Darara from the Aga Khan, who had so brilliantly created the family, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to take it on.”

After signing for the colt on Sheikh Mohammed's behalf, Anthony Stroud said, “He was a jewel in the crown, and, needless to say, is an extremely nice horse.”

 

Frankel Fever From the Off

During the lively first few hours of Wednesday's session, three yearlings by the champion sire Frankel (GB) left the ring with seven-figure price tags. The trio included the three-parts-brother to group winners Broome (Ire) and Point Lonsdale (Ire), both by Australia (GB), who was bought by Coolmore's MV Magnier for 2.4 million gns.

Sold by breeder Denis Brosnan of Ireland's Croom House Stud as lot 238, the late April colt is a son of the stakes-winning Acclamation (GB) mare Sweepstake (Ire). The mare's 2-year-old, Saadiyat (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), is entered to make her debut at Saint-Cloud on Thursday.

“It's hard to describe this feeling,” said Croom House Stud manager Joe Hartigan. “We knew he was good but this is beyond our wildest dreams. We thought he'd make a million-plus. He's had a heap of vets. The others [Broome  and Point Lonsdale] have been a little longer and typical of Australia, but this fella is shorter and more compact, more of a 2-year-old type. He has a great attitude, the same attitude as his two brothers.”

 

I Got You Babe

The fourth Frankel millionaire was the result of a tried-and-tested mating, with John and Tanya Gunther's full-brother to Without Parole (GB) joining a strong Godolphin squad for next year at 1.3 million gns.

Offered as lot 303 by Newsells Park Stud, where his G1 St James's Palace S.-winning brother recently completed his second covering season, and where their dam Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid) is a permanent boarder, the colt's exit from the ring brought Tanya Gunther to tears as she thanked Sheikh Mohammed.

Her father, John, said, “I loved him so much that I still kind of wanted to race him myself, but you need the cash flow to pay the bills. To me he was a fantastic-looking yearling, and he has a presence about him. He's sort of special.”

Without You Babe never made it to the racecourse herself but the half-sister to the dual Grade I winner Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) has been a stellar producer for the Gunthers. Alongside Without Parole, she is also the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown) as well as the listed winner She's Got You (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The mare has a full-brother to the latter on the ground this year.

Their breeder continued, “I raced the first two and I wouldn't have minded racing this guy as well, but it was nice to see Sheikh Mohammed buy him. He'll be given a great chance.”

While Without Parole has his first crop of foals on the ground this year, another Gunther-bred, the Triple Crown winner Justify, is currently riding high in the freshman sire tables in America.

“Without Parole has had some lovely foals,” Gunther said. “We sent some nice mares to him so we are excited about all his offspring coming up. Justify was the leading sire up until a few weeks ago but now Good Magic is ahead of him. But I think Justify will come back. I bred a nice filly by him, Justique, and she is going to run in a Grade I in a few weeks so maybe she'll win and put him back in front.”

 

Newsells Park Makes Early Splash

With the sale-ground whispers that Wednesday's group of horses was stronger again than the first day, it didn't take long for the trade at Tattersalls to pick up where it left off on Tuesday, with the opening session's top price of 1.5 million gns quickly matched.

That bid came from the Coolmore camp for the first foal of Shambolic (GB) (Shamardal), a filly (lot 201) by the champion sire Frankel (GB) bred in partnership by Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud, but MV Magnier first had to see off bids from Simon Mockridge of Juddmonte and eventual underbidder Richard Knight, whose spending has continued apace throughout the yearling season in Europe and America.

Magnier, buying in partnership with Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, said, “Congratulations to Graham Smith-Bernal and Craig Bennett for producing such a nice filly.

“Frankel is doing very well, Newsells have been very good breeders and a good filly like that deserves to make a good price. She has a lot of quality.”

Coolmore's investment in the stock of Frankel continued late in the session when Magnier also signed up the colt (lot 356) out of the stakes-placed Auld Alliance (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for 800,000gns. He was consigned by Kirtlington Stud on behalf of breeder Bobby Flay.

Newsells Park Stud, on top of the consignors' list again with 18 horses sold for more than 9 million gns, is the co-breeder with Gestut Ammerland of the full-brother to Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who was consigned as lot 284. The colt from the penultimate crop of the late former champion sire was signed for by Jill Lamb at 725,000gns on behalf of Graham Smith-Bernal, who bought out Ammerland's Dietrich von Boetticher.

 

Global Super Sires

Dubawi and Frankel have been jousting in the sires' championship all season, with the Darley sire ahead in the table for Britain and Ireland and Juddmonte's champion leading in Europe, especially thanks to Sunday's Arc heroine Alpinista (GB). The allure of these two superpower stallions, who live barely a mile from each other as the crow flies, draws owners and breeders from all over the world to Britain. Of the 11 seven-figure lots sold during the first two days of Book 1, Dubawi and Frankel have been responsible for nine of them, sold to entities from America, Dubai, Ireland and Japan.

The two other millionaire lots were Ballylinch Stud's Kingman (GB) half-sister to Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 261), and Ballyphilip Stud's Lope De Vega (Ire) half-sister to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (lot 344), sold for 1.05 million gns and 1.8 million gns, respectively.

 Yoshito Yahagi: 'I want to win the Arc'

Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi did not flinch when asked why he went to 1.6 million gns to secure lot 301, a Dubawi colt consigned by Luca and Sara Cumani's Fittocks Stud.

“Because I want to win the Arc,” came the response, from the man who also spent €2.1 million for a brother to Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at Arqana in August.

Yahagi's quest to fulfil the Japanese dream in Paris brought him to Book 1 at Tattersalls for the first time and the world-famous trainer is hoping that his maiden trip can prove lucky.

He said, “This colt has very good points of Dubawi. This is my first Dubawi. He will come back to Japan. This is my first time buying at Book 1. First and last!”

The colt, bred by Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud, is a half-brother to GI Turf Classic S. hero Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and G3 Prix La Rochette heroine Acer Alley (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), and is out of the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Willow View.

Under the second dam is Bennett's stakes-producing G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Cursory Glance (Distorted Humor).

Fittocks Stud was also the co-breeder with Peter Brant and Andrew Stone of lot 257, a Kingman (GB) colt out of a Frankel (GB) half-sister to Group 1 winners Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar) and Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The first foal of his unraced dam Time Saver (GB), he was sold to Richard Knight for 500,000gns.

 

Fox Trots On for Barnane

The Kieswetter family's Barnane Stud has enjoyed a Royal Ascot winner this year with homebred Candleford (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and future hopes will be high for the juvenile Outfoxed (Ire, a son of Dubawi and Group 1 winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}), who is currently in training with William Haggas. At Tattersalls on Wednesday, the breeders opted to sell Outfoxed's yearling full-brother (lot 272) through Baroda Stud and, at 1.1 million gns, the colt joined the significant list of bluebloods signed up by Sheikh Mohammed and Anthony Stroud over the last few days.

In their native South Africa the Kieswetters are successful commercial breeders through their farm Ridgemont Highlands, and five years ago they purchased Barnane Stud in Co Tipperary, which is now home to around 15 mares.

Craig Kieswetter, the former England cricketer, said of star resident Urban Fox, who won the G1 Pretty Polly S. in the green-and-red silks of Barnane Stud and  is now in foal to Frankel, “She was terrific on the racecourse, travelled really well around Europe and won some good races. Sam Haggas helped us with her purchase.”

He continued, “We are delighted with this result and we wish Sheikh Mohammed and his team all the best. Dubawi is a top sire, and the team at Barnane Stud has done a remarkable job, as has David [Cox] and his team at Baroda. You can do the matings, but you also have to have the physical specimen.”

Craig, who was at Tattersalls with his father Wayne Kieswetter, added, “The farm is growing, we are adding mares and there are some beautifully-bred fillies we are taking to the track. It is early days for us but it is going in the right direction.”

Hazelwood Bloodstock had been responsible for the 1.5 million gns top lot on day one, and on Wednesday Adrian O'Brien and his team sold another pair of Dubawi yearlings for 800,000gns apiece. Lot 278, the colt out of a full-sister to Group 1-winning Galileo (Ire) brothers Highland Reel (Ire) and Idaho (Ire), joined the Godolphin team, while the filly out of the stakes-placed Wisdom Mind (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), offered as lot 302, was signed for by BBA Ireland. The Hazelwood Dubawi quartet was completed by lot 328, the half-brother to Group 1 winner Barney Roy (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}), who was another for Godolphin at 750,000gns.

 

Night Of Thunder Shines

Night Of Thunder's popularity has been one of the more fascinating subplots to the sales season and, once again, the Darley-based stallion came up trumps on the big stage with 20 selling for an average of 256,500gns. His covering fee when these yearlings were conceived was €25,000.

An impressive afternoon's trading was highlighted by Roundhill Stud's grey filly (lot 195) out of proven producer Serena's Storm (Ire) (Statue Of Liberty), the dam of dual Group 1 winner Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who sold for 650,000gns.

So overcome with emotion, Honora Donworth of Roundhill couldn't bring herself to speak, but seeing the filly knocked down to Alex Solis, Jason Litt, Monceaux and LNJ Foxwoods would have been made easier for the fact that the newly-formed partnership would be sending the filly to her son Tim to train in France.

Based in Chantilly and in his second season training, Tim Donworth boasts a string of 36 horses and was understandably delighted to be entrusted to train the filly from a pedigree that he and his family know extremely well.

“It's the family that keeps giving each year,” he said. “She has been bought for a partnership of LNJ Foxwoods and Monceaux.

“I have one filly for LNJ Foxwoods this year and will have a few more for them next year, hopefully. It's a great effort. I'm delighted for Mum and Dad. It's a fantastic family. Hopefully this time next year, or maybe the year after, there will be more big black-type to the [mare's] name.”

As well as being a half-sister to Rizeena, the Night Of Thunder filly is a descendant of US champion racemare Serena's Song, which formed part of the appeal for Alex Solis.

He said, “We're big fans of Night Of Thunder and it goes back to a wonderful family and to Serena's Song, a champion in the US, and the dam has already produced a Group 1 winner. It's a very productive family. We talked to Henri Bozo and he loved her as well.

“Night Of Thunder gets a very racey type. She has a great walk to her and great strength. We're excited to have her.”

Desmontils Doubles Down

It was another offering by Night Of Thunder, the first horse through the ring (lot 184) on day two of Book 1, who lit the touch paper for an outstanding day's trade.

That colt, consigned by Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle House Stud, was sold to Sebastian Desmontils of Chauvigny Global Equine on behalf of Japanese owner Hisaaki Saito for 575,000gns. On Tuesday, the same sire, vendor and buyer had combined in the sale of lot 106, a filly out of Pacifica Highway (Pulpit), who made 525,000gns.

“We've always looked at horses like the Frankels and Dubawis, but they are very hard to get because all the big teams are on them,” said Desmontils. “So this year we decided to go for the upcoming stallions like Night Of Thunder, whose stats are really good and who has been covering better and better mares.

“We were really lucky to get the filly yesterday and the colt today. The owner has his horses based in France and he really enjoys the overall game as a business. He loves the sales as well, so it is our mission is to give him as much fun as we can and to find some nice horses.”

Stauffenberg Bloodstock also secured an excellent result with a Night Of Thunder filly (lot 240), who was pinhooked as a foal for 240,000gns and sold on Wednesday for significant profit at 550,000gns to Godolphin.

Shadwell Not Slowing Down

In storming to G1 Prix de l'Opera glory at Longchamp on Sunday, Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) provided her Kingman half-sister (lot 261) with a timely update and Shadwell couldn't leave the Ballylinch Stud-consigned filly behind.

Tuesday marked the end of a two-year buying hiatus for Shadwell in Europe, and racing manager Angus Gold admitted that 2021 was a traumatic time for all associated with the operation.

Speaking after purchasing the filly for 1.05 million gns, Gold said, “I thought she'd make 700,000 to 800,000 gns going into it yesterday, but watching here, everyone wanted her, so obviously we had to pay a bit more.

“Sheikha Hissa was very keen to buy her and really liked her the minute she saw her. We have not discussed training plans yet–that will all come about in the fullness of time.”

Gold went on to reveal that Shadwell will have a significant team of 2-year-olds to look forward to next year, the majority of which are homebreds.

He said, “We will have around 45 homebreds to go into training and, along with the few we have bought, there will be the guts of 50 yearlings.”

He added, “Last year was pretty traumatic for everyone, selling all those half-nice horses and particularly the mares who had been there a long time, but we had to do what we had to do and obviously the family wanted to reduce things.

“Understandably, it was a big undertaking and Sheikh Hamdan had the knowledge, the understanding of it–for them, it had to be a smaller operation.”

The trimming down of Shadwell may have been a huge undertaking but, on the track, the renowned blue-and-white silks have been carried with aplomb by one of the modern day greats, Baaeed (GB), who is firmly on course to run in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot on Saturday week.

Gold said, “This year, we have been blessed by Baaeed, but also by some of the other lesser horses who have also come to the fore. It has been a joy this year, and for me, the real fun has been having Sheikha Hissa's input and seeing her enjoy it so much, and hopefully her family as well.

“Baaeed has been a real fillip, and particularly for the family–to have a horse as good as he is has given a lot of pleasure.”

Kingman was also in lights when lot 289, a colt by the Juddmonte-based stallion, was snapped up by Richard Knight from the Chasemore Farm draft for 750,000gns.

A brother to Group 3 scorer Boomer, he hails from a farm going through something of a golden period, with G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and the unbeaten G2 Gimcrack S. winner Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) flying the flag for Chasemore this term.

 

 

Knight Fights Off Flay For Half-Sister To Battaash

Bobby Flay turned up the heat but, such is the firepower that Richard Knight has behind him this yearling sale season, he burned off all competition for the Lope De Vega (Ire) half-sister (lot 344) to Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

Celebrity chef and a successful owner-breeder, Flay thought he had done enough to secure the Ballyphillip Stud-consigned filly when pushing the boat out to 1,750,000 gns but, when Knight pushed on again at 1,800,000 gns, the American offered no response.

That price tag was a new record for the Ballylinch Stud-based stallion, and Knight, who made a major impact at Keeneland and the Orby Sale last week but has yet to reveal who he is buying for, revealed that working to a bigger budget has provided him with a new lease of life.

“I thought she was probably the pick of the fillies in the sale,” he said. “I thought she was very racey, obviously by a top stallion and a sister to Battaash. She just ticked so many boxes. She's gorgeous, very athletic and we're delighted to get her. She will stay in the UK and a trainer will be decided on after she is pre-trained.”

Of his activity in recent weeks, he added, “It's been fantastic. Normally, when we go into most of these yearling sales, we're operating on a smaller budget. Here, and in the last few weeks, it's been a fantastic opportunity to go and try to buy the ones that you really want to buy. It's been thoroughly enjoyable.”

The filly was bred by Paul and Marie McCartan at Ballyphilip Stud, and the husband-and-wife team were understandably emotional about the big-ticket sale.

“She's an absolute beauty,” Paul said. “I think she's the nicest filly we've ever had. I always said Ladys First (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) was, she was very good to me as well, but this one was especially nice. The mare is a beauty as well. I wish Richard Knight all the best with her and I hope she's very lucky for her connections.”

Lope De Vega was not the only sire to record a record-breaking sale as lot 333, a half-sister to G2 Champagne S. winner Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), provided her sire Bated Breath (GB) with a 600,000 gns sale to Godolphin.

The filly, out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Always A Dream (GB), represented another strong result at Book 1 for Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle House Stud, who bought her for 140,000gns as a foal.

 

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Lope De Vega’s Place Du Carrousel Swoops For Opera Triumph

Al Shaqab Racing's Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Traffic Jam {Ire}, by Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), off the track since failing to land a blow in Chantilly's June 19 G1 Prix de Diane, exacted revenge on that Classic's winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), with a late rush to secure a career high in the flickering embers of Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp.

The €260,000 Arqana August graduate had earlier annexed Saint-Cloud's Apr. 29 G3 Prix Cleopatre before taking second behind another 'TDN Rising Star', Above The Curve (American Pharoah), when contesting the May 29 G1 Prix Saint-Alary over this 10-furlong course and distance in her penultimate start. With this effort, she has punched her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland in November.

Shuffled back through the pack to race towards the rear after a sharp getaway, the 41-1 outsider responded to pressure from the turn into the straight to go fifth entering the final furlong and pounced inside the final 50 yards to deny Nashwa and Above The Curve by 3/4-of-a-length and a short head.

It was most certainly a case of right time, right place for Place Du Carrousel and breeder Ballylinch Stud, whose yearling half-sister by Kingman (GB) is due under the hammer as lot 261 on day two of Tattersalls' upcoming October Book 1 sale.

“Andre Fabre has done a magnificent job with the filly,” said Al Shaqab's racing manager Rupert Pritchard-Gordon. “He told me that she needed a break after the Prix de Diane as the filly had a hard race that day. He was worried because she hadn't had a prep race beforehand and that's why we went to Compiegne for a public gallop, which did her good. She's a tough filly, she got some good cover during the race and displayed neat powers of acceleration. To see these colours win on Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day is very important.”

“We had a good race,” continued Mickael Barzalona. “They went off fast from the gates, but I managed to hold a good position on my filly. She did backpedal a bit during the race, but that enabled her to get a breather. She didn't expend any unnecessary energy in this ground and came with a steady run. Once she swung around [eventual fifth] Rumi, she finished with great gusto.”

The ground was a compromising factor for G1 Prix de Diane heroine Nashwa, who made a bold effort from the front only to be collared by the winner in the final metres. “She ran very well and, given her draw, it was not an easy task,” said John Gosden. “She had to make her effort quite early on and, furthermore, the very soft ground did not help her. We have no idea where she will go next. It's hard to get beaten, but she ran a good race.”

Above The Curve's trainer Joseph O'Brien reflected, “Above The Curve ran a good race on this ground. I'm proud of her as she was keeping very good company.”

Pedigree Notes

Place Du Carrousel, who becomes the 17th Group 1 winner for her sire (by Shamardal), is the first of four foals out of G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris victrix Traffic Jam (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), herself the leading performer produced by a multiple-winning sibling of stakes-winning G1 Racing Post Trophy second Winged Cupid (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}). Descendants of her fourth dam Hiwaayati (GB) (Shadeed), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Lead On Time (Nureyev) and Group winning G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 July Cup runner-up Great Commotion (Nureyev), include G1 Coronation S. victrix Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and this year's G1 Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Traffic Jam has the hitherto unraced 2-year-old filly Nariman Point (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the aforementioned yearling filly by Kingman (GB) and a weanling filly by Sea The Stars {Ire}) to come.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:12.64, vsf.
1–PLACE DU CARROUSEL (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Lope De Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Traffic Jam (Ire) (GSW-Fr, $211,247), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)
2nd Dam: Place De l'Etoile (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Sweet Emotion (Ire), by Bering (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€260,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Al Shaqab Racing & Ballylinch Stud; B-Ballylinch Stud, Alexis Adamian & Mme Fan Adamian (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €285,700. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, €401,750. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nashwa (GB), 123, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Princess Loulou (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. €114,300.
3–Above The Curve, 123, f, 3, American Pharoah–Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150.
Margins: 3/4, SHD, 1. Odds: 41.00, 1.50, 3.80.
Also Ran: My Astra (Ire), Rumi (Fr), Tuesday (Ire), Mqse De Sevigne (Ire), Trevaunance (Ire), Jupyra (Fr), Fall In Love (Ire), Insinuendo (Ire), Agave (GB), Rosacea (Ire), La Parisienne (Fr), Zefania (Fr), Ebaiyra. Video, sponsored by TVG.

 

 

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