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Dramatic Turnaround: Dubawi Filly Proves Book 2 Wildcard Star At Tattersalls

Lodge Park Stud produced one of the most unlikely of turnarounds to top Monday's Book 2 session at Tattersalls with their Dubawi (Ire) filly selling to Godolphin for 725,000gns.

Not because the price wasn't expected as the quality of their offering was never in doubt. But when the filly gave herself a nasty cut en route to Book 1 and was forced to miss that engagement, plans B, C and D whirled through the head of her breeder Damien Burns.

To the delight of Burns, his Dubawi filly out of Galileo (Ire) mare Park Bloom (Ire) proved a model patient and made a swift enough recovery to sell as the sole wildcard on Monday and, in doing so, ended what was a tumultuous few days on a high note.

Burns explained, “She got on the lorry and she was doing a little bit of jumping round, nothing unusual for any yearling, but the video from the next door stall and our best guess is that her headcollar got caught and she cut her jaw. This happened as they were going down the driveway! She came off the lorry and went back to her stable. She was fine but had a laceration on her jaw.

“We took her down to Fethard [equine hospital], they stitched her up, kept her overnight and she ate up fine. She got back home, and she was back out in her paddock. The Friday before Book 1 we got in touch with Tattersalls and the transporters and said, 'look we think this filly will be okay.”

He added, “The wheels were set in motion to come here for today. A lot of thanks goes to the guys at home. We were over here with Book 1 horses and they did a great job. Thanks also to Tattersalls for accommodating this. I think it helped being a week in front so we had time.

“We discussed everything and waiting for the December Sale was the original thought. It might have also meant us putting a saddle on her, but usually we don't keep them out of young mares as we are a commercial stud. We try to let them get a few foals sold–they are easier to look at when they have paid for themselves!”

Godolphin spent 2.675 million gns on four yearlings by Dubawi during Book 1 and, according to Anthony Stroud, who buys on behalf of the powerful operation among others, Monday's sale-topper stacked up with the best that was on offer here at Tattersalls last week.

Stroud said, “She moved very well and has a good outlook. Obviously she's by Dubawi, who's an unbelievable stallion. She's bred on a good cross and comes from a very good farm, so we're very lucky to receive her. She compares very favourably with the stock on offer at Book 1, she's a lovely filly. She's very classy.”

He added, “They did very well to get her here this week–there's a scar under her jaw but the vets have clearly done a very good job. She's behaved incredibly well, especially considering she's been through a lot.”

Park Bloom boasts a Book 1 pedigree being a sister to Was, Amhran Na Bhfiann and Douglas MacArthur. She is from a deep family that goes back to Park Express (GB) and New Approach (Ire).

Burns concluded, “She is quite typical of Dubawi, but with a bit more action than some, which she gets from her dam line–that bit of quality. She vetted very well–the family does tend to vet well, I don't know why, those hidden genetics you can't see!

“The family has been very good to us. The Night Of Thunder [Lot 129 in Book 1] who sold for 400,000gns is from another branch. We have Park Bloom, Stellar Glow and a Dark Angel four-year-old filly called Express Way who won her sole start. She is in foal to Night Of Thunder. Park Bloom has a Wootton Bassett on the ground and is in foal to Baaeed.”

'We'd Be Delighted To See Her At Royal Ascot' – That Would Be Amazing

Peter and Michelle Morgan were left thanking their lucky stars for the heavy helping of good fortune involved in selling their homebred Showcasing (GB) filly to Ben McElroy on behalf of Stonestreet Stables for 325,000gns.

It was at this sale in 2017 where Carmel Stud put So Brave (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), the dam of the Showcasing filly, on the market. However, the sales experience proved a bit much for So Brave and, after getting herself into a bit of a tizzy, she picked up a minor injury and was led out unsold at 30,000gns.

The husband-and-wife team at Carmel Stud may not have viewed it as such at the time, but So Brave failing to sell six years ago has worked out to be the best thing for the operation.

Peter said after Monday's sale, “I've only just stopped shaking! This is the classic case of getting lucky as we brought the dam to the sales a few years ago but she just lost the plot and got injured so we had to withdraw her.

“We ended up racing her and she won a couple of races. Now, she has turned out to be a beautiful broodmare. If things hadn't gone wrong on that day, and it was a complete disaster at the time, we wouldn't now be in this position. It's a great day. You need luck at times.”

So Brave has already produced the goods for Carmel Stud. Her Havana Grey (GB) filly Queen's Guard (GB) looks a high-class prospect for Michael Bell having been sourced by Joe Foley on behalf of Clipper Logistics for 125,000gns at Book 3 last year.

Peter continued, “The mare has already produced Queen's Guard, who is in training with Michael Bell. Unfortunately she didn't run in the Lowther because of the ground but she looks a very nice filly for next year. The mare has a lovely Pinatubo (Ire) colt foal at foot and is in foal to Blue Point (Ire).”

Asked if he expected the Showcasing filly to rock into 325,000gns, he replied, “No, absolutely not. She had 15 vets and over 180 shows. She was incredibly busy. She is a lovely model and lots of people liked her but, we're a bit like trainers approaching a race, as the closer we get to a sale, the less confident we are! We thought that she'd make one hundred thousand-plus, but it was certainly a good result.

“Plenty of really good judges liked her. Ben McElroy bought her on behalf of Stronestreet so we'd be delighted to see her run at Royal Ascot next year–that would be amazing.”

Monday's result represented one of the biggest Carmel Stud have achieved in the ring and Peter paid special tribute to local stud director Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor, where Showcasing is based.

He said, “Whitsbury Manor is our local stud. They are only fifty minutes away. Ed [Harper] has been a great help to us and, without his help, this probably wouldn't have happened today.”

Talking points

One of the main takeaways from Book 1 was the strength of the top tier of the market and the patchiness of the middle tiers. With that in mind, there was some justifiable caution leading into the trade at Tattersalls this week but the early signs were positive. Granted the average was bolstered by the Dubawi filly who was initially placed in Book 1, but an aggregate of 18,530,500gns, average of 88,240gns and median of 69,000 bodes well for the rest of the week. A clearance rate of 84% compared to 86% on day one last year provides further encouragement for the week ahead.
Anthony Oppenheimer carried on the momentum of a strong Book 1 sale for his Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd operation by accounting for the second-highest lot of the day, a Too Darn Hot (GB) colt, who sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock 350,000gns. Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd sold four horses on Monday for 830,000gns.
There is no stopping Alex Elliott. The bloodstock agent spent more than 6 million gns on behalf of some of the biggest names in the game during Book 1. Elliott was busy again on Monday when signing for seven yearlings to the tune of 895,000gns and ended the day as the second busiest buyer.
Pinatubo continues to impress. Once again, his yearlings were very well received by the market with Justin Casse, Najd Stud, Ed Sackville, Robson Aguiar and Ben McElroy some of the notable names on the list of buyers of the stallion's progeny. All told, Pinatubo averaged 186,333gns for six yearlings sold on Monday.
Book 2 may have been billed as something of 'a bread and butter sale' by Tattersalls' Jason Singh when interviewed on Racing TV over the weekend and, while that is true, there was still plenty of international interest on day one. Along with Najd Stud and Ben McElroy getting in on the action, Nicolas De Watrigant of Mandore International Agency was another interesting buyer. The French-based De Watrigant spent 385,000gns on three yearlings headed by a No Nay Never filly from Watership Down Stud for 260,000gns.

'It's Fun For Sheikha Hissa' – Shadwell Spends Over 500k At Book 2

Shadwell's Angus Gold hinted after signing for a 1.6 million gns Frankel (GB) filly at Book 1 that Sheika Hissa may continue her shopping into this week.

Well, we didn't have to wait long to find out whether that would come to fruition or not, with Shadwell signing for four yearlings for 665,000gns on day one of Book 2.

The haul was headed by a 230,000gns Night Of Thunder colt who, interestingly, is out of a mare that was dispersed by Shadwell in 2021 for 135,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock.

“We bought three today, which is great,” Gold said. “We bought an elegant Mohaather (GB) colt for 75,000gns early in the day. Obviously, nobody knows yet about the stallion but I just thought this was a very elegant horse with a lot of scope to him. I don't think he'll be terribly early but I like the look of him.”

He added, “We bought a very nice Galiway (GB) filly that Sheikha Hissa liked very much. We haven't had one of those before but she seemed to have a great attitude. The Night Of Thunder colt is out of Ridaa (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who we sold during our dispersal. He's a nice solid horse and looks like a runner.”

It was well-bred fillies that were placed at the top of Shadwell's wish list for Book 1 but the modus operandi on Monday was a simple one; buy racehorses, be that colts or fillies.

Explaining the brief, Gold continued, “We're mainly buying fillies but, for interest, as Sheikha Hissa is here, we have been showing her a few colts. We bought one colt here last year. He hasn't run yet but Sheikha Hissa said that she'd like to come and look at a few colts this year as well as the fillies. We'll try to cherry pick a few for her to see and she likes to see what the offspring of particular stallions look like. It's fun for her.”

Gold added, “We've had plenty of success from Book 2 and found plenty of good racehorses here. It's not the sort of thing where one can say, 'we'll only buy in Book 1 and leave Book 2 and 3,' because an awful amount of good horses have come out of here. There's a thousand-odd horses so I think this week is much more of a buyers' market. You get to see a good cross-section. It's a good sale to work.”

The Night Of Thunder was consigned by Greyridge Bloodstock, who were getting off to a dream start at Tattersalls. The new consignment is run from Denis and Clare Barry's Wiltshire-based Glebe Farm Stud and is managed by Carwyn Johns.

“It has gone full circle and this colt has gone home,” Johns said. “He was the big one for us for the year. We bought the mare with Tom Biggs of Blandford Bloodstock.”

Golden touch

By Georgia Cox

Lot 541

Earthlight (Ire) colt out of One Spirit (Ire)

Consigned by Ballyhimikin Stud

Purchased by Qatar Racing, China Horse Club and David Howden

Out of the Listed winner and Group 3-placed One Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is already the dam of Group 3 winner One For Bobby (Ire) Frankel {GB}), this Earthlight colt proved to be well-bought as a foal by Johnny McKeever and Ballyhimikin Stud at the Goffs November Foal Sale.

The pair turned their initial outlay of €90,000 into 200,000gns on Monday with David Redvers, the China Horse Club and David Howden the winning bidders.

These same connections have been busy snapping up well-bred colts at the premier yearling sales this year. After a strong Orby Sale, where Redvers revealed that the group were on the hunt for well-bred colts that could one day go to stud depending on what they achieved on the race track, they went on to spend over 1.1 million on three colts at Book 1.

From the same family as Diktat (GB) and Cape Cross (Ire), the Earthlight colt fits that sort of criteria and was clearly well bought by McKeever and Ballyhimikin Stud as a foal given they more than doubled their money here.

Buy of the day

Mark and Charlie Johnston are famous for bagging bargains at the yearling sales and they may well have found one in the shape of lot 584, a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) colt out of champion older mare in France, Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre).

Consigned by Ballyhimikin Stud, the Saxon Warrior is a half-brother to six winners, including the smart One Foot In Heaven and Queen.

He looks the type that could develop into a nice three-year-old and has plenty of scope.

Older mares are not for everyone, and the fact that Pride was 22 when she produced this colt may have resulted in him being a bit of value in the ring. He looks well bought at 100,000gns.

Thought for the day

How early is too early to start blowing up a first season sire? Darley knocked it out of the park with Blue Point this season and the early signs are that Pinatubo is cut from the same cloth. An outstanding racehorse, Pinatubo seems to have really stamped his stock and a lot of the top judges have declared themselves a fan. He could be the real deal.

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Racing’s Unique Claim to Sporting Immortality

Only in racing are the best sent off to stud to produce new – or preferably better – versions of themselves. Roger Federer, say, will have fielded countless offers for his retirement years – but not that one.

To watch magisterial Thoroughbreds race is privilege enough. But we then get to see fresh manifestations of them arrive as foals. Champions retire but their progeny take over and keep the family story going.

For many of us the end of Frankel's racing career was hard to bear. Yours truly felt a bit better about it after a visit to Juddmonte to give him a pat and write about his new life as a stallion. His change of role was such big news that BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast a 90-minute programme on how it might turn out.

When I made the pilgrimage to Juddmonte, he was showing early promise. Now, he is the big daddy of sires. It's Frankel's world: we all just live in it.

The last week or so has affirmed once more his extraordinary potency. First, his grandson (via Cracksman) Ace Impact won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with an exhilarating burst of power. Chasing him home were two sons of Frankel, Westover and Onesto. A couple of hours later his daughter Kelina won the Group 1 Prix de Fôret. Longchamp's podium on Arc day was the Frankel show.

Then, four days later, a Frankel colt out of Bizzarria became (at current exchange rates) the most expensive yearling sold this year in Europe, falling to MV Magnier for 2 million guineas from Tattersalls October Book 1. Coolmore were splashing on a son of the fastest sire in history to reach 50 Group winners: a stallion with 10 Group 1 winners already in 2023.

To the bloodstock industry it's a numbers game. Yet each Frankel colt or filly represents him in a way more profound than the income generated or their status on a pedigree chart – important though they are.

On racetracks and in betting shops, most punters won't care who was the sire or dam of the quadruped carrying their bet, except as a piece of data (“will he get the trip?”). Readers of this publication will know that pedigrees are a richly fascinating second dimension for the sport: a realm of hit and miss, serendipitous pairings, and, when it works, eternal life for sire and dam.

There was a problem with sending Frankel to stud. It was virtually impossible for him to sire a superior son or daughter. The same might be said of Sea The Stars, and others. But Frankel had something extra: a perfect record of 14 wins and an exuberant, Hollywood racing style, topped off with a will – or make that a need – to win. And he raced on as a four-year-old, proof of his resilience.

The package felt unsurpassable. Even with the world's best mares to buddy up with, all Frankel could do was fertilise versions of himself that were good but less good than he had been. There were other frontiers for him. His own racing range from three-to-four years old was eight-to-10 furlongs. Perhaps he could spawn a champion mile-and-a-half-horse, or even a stayer? Well, this year he has laid claim to an Ascot Gold Cup winner (Courage Mon Ami) and, as grandsire, the best middle-distance horse in Europe, Ace Impact.

The successful second life bestowed on arguably the greatest horse to have
raced in Britain is immensely pleasing.

By Galileo, 12 times the champion sire in Europe, Frankel is creating a dynasty almost as striking as his 10 Group 1 wins on the track from 2010-2012, that golden age.

Twelve per cent of his runners have won Group races. In 2023 he has dispatched from his boudoir the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean and Soul Sister, who won the Oaks. Last year his nine Group 1 winners made him the world's leading stallion by that measure. Westover, Nashwa, Homeless Songs, Alpinista and Inspiral were all his. His sons already at stud include Cracksman, Without Parole, Elarqam and Logician, who stands as a National Hunt stallion, as if to tick yet another box.

The successful second life bestowed on arguably the greatest horse to have raced in Britain is immensely pleasing. So many of his offspring present his urge to race and dominate – and to quicken. So many of them have natural enthusiasm – and gears. Now, he's a mellow soul led to daily dalliances. Never again will we see his sumptuous flowing stride. But he lives on as a racehorse. The entertainment he lavished on us renews itself.

You can't help feeling that racegoers who have no interest in pedigrees and think of breeding as a remote industrial satellite of betting are missing out.

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Frankel On Top Again as Book 1 Figures Take a Dip

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin

NEWMARKET, UK–A Frankel (GB) filly out of the brilliant G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) provided a sprinkling of stardust on the final day of the Tattersalls Book 1 October Yearling Sale when selling to Shadwell for 1.6 million gns.

Sheikha Hissa has been a notable presence on the sales ground all week and, according to Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold, it was her determination that helped see off the attention of underbidder Kieran Lalor for the first foal out of the former Jessica Harrington-trained star.

That result brought Shadwell's haul of fillies to seven and pushed the operation's total spend to 3.66 million gns this week.

Gold said of lot 492 bred by Stonethorn Stud Farm, “Sheikha Hissa absolutely loved her when she saw her. I said she's probably going to make a lot of money and she said, 'well, we need fillies for the stud.'

“A first foal out of the Cheveley Park winner by one of the world's great stallions, it's sort of self-explanatory. She seemed very athletic and had a very good mind for a Frankel. A very well-balanced filly.”

He added, “I thought she'd make a million and two, probably a million and three. We were determined to buy her and there is obviously a period of rebuilding. It's a long-term project for Sheikha Hissa. It's exciting times for the stud but obviously you need to keep regenerating.

Shadwell did not add any colts to the team this week but that's not to say that the major owner-breeders would be against the idea with Gold going on to reveal that there is a possibility that Shadwell will be active at next week's Book 2 sessions.

He said, “Obviously we'll be looking. The concentration has been fillies but we will see what Sheikha Hissa wants to do.”

The day-three topper was consigned by Watership Down Stud, who also sold a Dubawi (Ire) filly to Shadwell earlier this week for 450,000gns.

Watership Down's Simon Marsh said, “This is a real reward for the breeder who has been with us for about 15 years. The filly was born and raised on our farm in Ireland at Kiltinan Castle Stud and it was a great result all round.

“It's wonderful for Sheikh Hissa and it's great to see the success of Shadwell since the very sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan. It's a great testament to him to see what's been happening on the racecourse. and it's wonderful to see her wanting to buy lovely fillies to put into the broodmare band in the future.”

The filly was the sole millionaire offering of the final session, with the trade lagging some way behind the record figures of 2022. The deficit was acknowledged by Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony in his closing statement.

He said, “Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale produced some outlandish figures which will most likely remain in the record books for many years to come, and it is no surprise that this year's renewal has not matched the extraordinary 2022 returns which saw a year on year rise in turnover of almost 40 million guineas.

“Nevertheless, Europe's premier yearling sale has enjoyed plenty of memorable moments, very much reflecting the quality of the yearlings which have been on show throughout the past three days.”

Cumani: 'We Owe That Family a Hell of a Lot'

The last Frankel (GB) colt in the sale, lot 493, from the Cumani family's terrific Souk (Ire) dynasty, lifted the spirits as the afternoon drew to a close when joining the list of Coolmore's purchases this week at 950,000gns.

Last year the Cumanis' Fittocks Stud sold Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 1.9 million gns, and he timed his run rather well to score on debut at Navan on Wednesday. So it was back to a trusted source, and in fact as association that stretches back at least 24 years to when the Coolmore team bought a Sadler's Wells colt for 650,000gns at the Houghton Sale for 650,000gns and named him Milan (GB) after the birthplace of his breeder Luca Cumani. As a St Leger winner and a leading National Hunt sire for Coolmore, he served his owners well.

In the case of the team's latest purchase, a decent update could be in the offing, because John and Thady Gosden think enough of the Frankel colt's three-year-old half-sister Naaey (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to be planning entering her in the G2 Pride S. in the coming weeks. The dam Materialistic (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) won twice and was Listed-placed for Cumani in his training days. Now 10, she is a great-grand-daughter of the Fittocks foundation mare Souk, who was herself by Ahonoora (GB).

“From the moment he was born he was strong,” said Cumani of the yearling. “Obviously yesterday's result helped, and we have to thank the Juddmonte team, as they were underbidders and without them we wouldn't have got this far.”

His wife Sara added, “It'll be great for all the guys at the farm as it's not been the easiest sale. [The market has been] up and down. We sold one for more than we expected, four for less than we expected and two we took home. Anything that is bred to look like a mile-and-a-half horse they didn't seem to be excited about. But this was a great result and we are grateful to the people who support us and grateful to the people who work with us.”

Materialistic is now back in foal to Frankel, having lost an earlier colt by him as a weanling, and she has a colt foal by Wootton Bassett (GB).

Luca Cumani added, “We'd like to thank Coolmore very much. They have been great supporters of ours, especially this year and last year.

“I bought Souk as a yearling in Goffs for Ir£100,000, which was a lot of money in those days, and I got home and got quite a bollocking. I'm glad it has worked out okay. [Her grand-daughter] Platonic, who struggled to win, and finally won as a four-year-old in the French provinces, we sold for 100,000gns, and look what she has produced. It is a great family. We owe that family a hell of a lot.”

Talking Points

Edmond Mahony highlighted a “selectivity to the market”, and that is reflected in the figures for Book 1. The final day's trade dipped by 35% year-on-year to 29,158,000gns, with the median being the lowest of the week at 155,000gns (-35%) and the average at 219,233gns (-32%). Across the three days, the aggregate was down to 95,395,000gns (-25%), which was still up on the 'Covid years' of 2020 and 2021 and just beneath the preceding three years when the turnover passed 100 million gns. From 470 yearlings offered, 391 were marked as sold, to give a clearance rate of 83% (-5%) The median price for the three days was 180,000gns (-10%) and the average was 243,997gns (-18%).
The trade at last year's Book 1 reached record levels, but it is worth reflecting that more than 10 million gns of that was attributed to yearlings 'bought' by Saleh Al Homaizi which ultimately had to be reoffered after payment wasn't forthcoming. Another 2.7 million gns was spent by John Dance of Manor House Farm, who has not been active in the yearling market this season since Dance's business affairs came under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority earlier this year. On the other hand, Richard Knight, who last year signed for the yearlings on Al Homaizi's list, is now acting on behalf of a new name on the buyers' sheet, the Saudi Arabia-based Al Salhia Stud, which is owned by Mohammed Saleh Bin Laden. Al Salhia Stud, which has previously been involved in Arab racing, is now branching out into Thoroughbreds and was active at Arqana in August. Through Book 1, the operation bought 10 yearlings for a total of 2,555,000gns.
Though Godolphin was still a significant presence as the leading buyer, with 20 horses bought for just north of 12 million gns, even this expenditure pales next to last year's outlay of 25.3 million gns for 35 Book 1 yearlings. Rabbah Bloodstock, too, spent 1.5 million gns at last year's sale but was absent from the buyers' list this week.
Tom Goff and Richard Brown buy for a range of clients, and their Blandford Bloodstock was the second-leading buyer at Book 1, with 25 yearlings signed for at a total outlay of 8.1 million gns. Brown has been the main buyer of horses in training for Wathnan Racing, owned by the Emir of Qatar, and a new name in the owner ranks in recent seasons. Though no confirmation was given of any yearling purchases for the operation, it is fair to assume that some of those bought under the Blandford banner may be seen racing in the Wathnan colours in the future.
For the sixth year in a row, Graham Smith-Bernal's Newsells Park Stud topped the Book 1 consignors' list with 25 sold for a total of 10,565,000gns. There were also noteworthy results from the select drafts of Anthony Oppenheimer's Hascombe & Valiant Stud, which sold six yearlings at an average of 554,167gns, including the overall top lot, and for Paul and Marie McCartan's Ballyphilip Stud, which averaged 504,000gns for five sold.
Frankel was responsible for the most expensive colt and filly in the sale, and two of the seven yearlings to have sold for a million or more. That number of seven-figure lots was down from 16 last year.
Twelve late withdrawals on the day from the final session tells its own tale of how some vendors viewed the dip in trade on Thursday.

Another Gem for Grangemore

Grangemore Stud's full-sister to the Group 2 winners Charyn (Ire) and Wings Of War (Ire), both by Dark Angel (Ire), will join her brother Charyn in the ownership of Nurlan Bizakov, who, under his Sumbe banner, when to 850,000gns for the daughter of the 10-year-old mare Futoon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

Grangemore owner Guy O'Callaghan bought Futoon in partnership with his brother David for 100,000gns, and she has more that repaid that outlay, with her repeat matings with Yeomanstown Stud's Dark Angel having produced those two black-type winners from as many foals of racing age.

O'Callaghan said of the yearling filly [lot 376], “She's always been a spectacular filly at home. I'm thrilled with the price she made and the home she's going to. We had to come over to the sales a day early with the storm last week, so she's been here nine days and she's not put a foot wrong. It's a lot for a yearling to take and she's been a class act. They're all so great out of the mare but she was probably the best of them.”

Futoon, who was placed multiple times at Listed level, is from the family of the G2 Mill Reef S. winner Galeota (Ire) and of the Group 3-winning siblings Burnt Sugar (Ire) and Brown Sugar (Ire).

O'Callaghan added, “My brother David and I bought the mare here as a four-year-old from Steven Hillen and Kevin Ryan. We were following her as a racehorse and she's been very lucky for us ever since. It's a real fast, tough family. There was a good Dark Angel in the family already, and she just made so much sense.”

Along with Nurlan Bizakov, major owner-breeder operations Cheveley Park Stud, Shadwell and Al Shira'aa Farms were also among those to have selected well-bred fillies on the final day of Book 1.

On Shadwell's behalf, Angus Gold went to 575,000gns for lot 427, Meon Valley Stud's daughter of Sea The Moon (Ger) and Group 2 winner Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose second and third dams, Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic) and Colorspin (Fr) (High Top {GB}) are both Group 1 winners.

Kieran Lalor picked up another smart filly for Al Shira'aa in lot 393, a Siyouni (Fr) half-sister to Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the G1 Nassau S. after publication of the catalogue. Shadwell were under-bidders on the filly, having sold her dam Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to David Nagle of Barronstown Stud for 400,000gns when she was in foal to Siyouni in 2021.

Bennett's Merry Week

Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud signed off on a good week of selling alongside Newsells Park Stud when Godolphin went to 800,000gns to secure his Dubawi (Ire) filly (lot 470) out of Luminate (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Along with Newsells Park, Bennett brought four yearlings to the market this week and sold all four, with the owner-breeder describing himself as happy with the business conducted at Tattersalls.

He said, “Great week-I sold four out of four. Going home now! The first mare we bought in partnership with Newsells was Luminate. She is clearly a lovely-walking mare and she passes that walk on. This is the first one we have brought to market and got very well paid to go to a good home. It's a great cross and the Rainbow Quest in the second generation really suits the sire, particularly for fillies, so I think they have got a very good chance of her being a very good racehorse. The mare is in foal to Lope De Vega, carrying a filly, and we are just working out mating plans for next year.”

Market View

There were plenty of positives to take from Book 1, the highest-priced yearling sold in Europe this year being one of them, but there were just seven lots all told to break the million gns throughout the three days.

Unlike the Orby Sale at Goffs, where well-bred fillies led the way, the majority of the big-ticket horses sold at Tattersalls this week were colts.

Kieran Lalor, who buys on behalf of major owner-breeder Al Shira'aa Farms, cut the image of a frustrated figure on Thursday when sharing his feeling that the well-bred colts matched up better physically than the fillies this week.

That played out in the results and Al Shira'aa signed for four yearlings–two fillies and two colts–in what was at times a patchy sale.

Bloodstock agent Mark McStay shared that while he felt the top end of the market remained strong at Tattersalls this week, the middle tiers were difficult at times.

In other words, the recession-proof buyers were there, but in reflection of what is going on in the wider world outside racing, the middle market has taken somewhat of a dent.

He explained, “Like every sale that I have attended for the past number of years, for the very good stock, the trade is highly competitive. Underneath that top level, business is being done but it can be sticky in patches.

“The standard of horses has been high and all of the big players are here. What we have seen play out this week is probably a fair reflection of the worldwide bloodstock market.”

He added, “Some people who have been active here in the past number of years haven't appeared but, then again, some of the bigger players, the likes of Sheikh Mohammed, have participated stronger than ever.”

A much clearer picture will be painted on the middle market, according to McStay, after Books 2, 3 and 4 take place at Tattersalls next week.

He continued, “I am very happy with how my week went. We bought some nice horses and, while we weren't in the big league, I'm happy and am looking forward to Book 2 and onwards. Next week will be telling and it will be interesting to see what trainers have orders.”

Edmond Mahony concluded his own assessment of the market in a philosophical fashion. He commented, “Year on year the consignors show enormous faith in Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale with the sale showcasing the very best that Europe has to offer, and yet again we have seen so many of the world's leading owners competing for the finest turf-bred yearlings to be found anywhere in the world.

“Amongst them have been a greater number of yearlings selling for one million guineas or more than all other European yearling sales combined, Europe's highest-priced yearling yet again, and 40 yearlings selling for in excess of 500,000gns which similarly is more than all other European yearlings sales to date this year. As ever Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has attracted buyers from throughout the world, so many of them drawn annually to Park Paddocks by the consistent success of Book 1 horses at the highest level on the global stage. In the course of the past three days buyers from Abu Dhabi, Australia, Bahrain, China, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the USA have all made significant contributions at all levels of the market confirming the unparalleled esteem in which the finest European yearlings are held and specifically those found annually at this particular sale. This is a sale that produces stallions and breed-shaping broodmares on an annual basis and it is the sale's unrivalled reputation which annually makes this fixture an unmissable event for so many of the most influential thoroughbred owners in the world.”

He added, “Amongst the success stories and numerous pinhooking triumphs, there has nevertheless been a selectivity to the market which we must recognise. Last year's game-changing October Book 1 was always going to be a challenging target, and so it has proved with the sale turnover some way short of the massive 2022 total, but the median has held up well, second only to last year's record level, the average of almost 250,000gns is an impressive figure, and the clearance rate in excess of 80% is a solid number. We extend our gratitude as ever to the consignors and purchasers alike whose support is what makes Newmarket and Tattersalls a true hub for the European bloodstock industry and we look forward to seeing this year's crop of October Book 1 yearlings competing globally at the highest level as well as earning their owners in Britain and Ireland yet more lucrative £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonuses.”

Buy Of The Day

Mark Flannery has turned water into wine on more than one occasion–the top breeze-up handler famously got €210,000 for €5,000 Book 2 buy Landshark.

Perhaps Flannery found more value at Tattersalls this week in the shape of a 40,000gns Kingman (GB) colt (lot 516) from Blue Diamond Stud.

Kingman has done well with his breeze-up graduates and this could be another. He's gone to a top outfit and could rock into six figures or more at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale here in the spring. Time will tell.

The post Frankel On Top Again as Book 1 Figures Take a Dip appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Westover Retired With Injury Sustained in the Arc

Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, has been retired after sustaining a “career-ending injury” when finishing runner-up in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Announcing his retirement on Thursday, the colt's owner-breeder Juddmonte stated that stud plans for the 4-year-old would be announced at a later date.

Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said, “It's devastating news, unfortunately he suffered a career-ending injury on Sunday and he'll have to be retired. Long-term he'll be fine and he'll be okay for a stallion career, but we had such good days with him this year and last year, we had an exciting end to the season planned and we were all very excited about it. Unfortunately it's come to an end.

“We were looking at the Breeders' Cup and we actually only entered him in the Japan Cup on Tuesday. We were planning on doing a bit of travelling and seeing a bit of the world with him, but unfortunately that's not to be.”

A winner on debut at two, the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover came to greater prominence on his 3-year-old bow when winning the G3 Classic Trial at Sandown. An imposing son of Frankel and the Lear Fan mare Mirabilis, herself a stakes winner in both France and America, he went on to finish third behind Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in last year's Derby before claiming his own Classic victory in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

Westover's career has also included a number of gallant runs in defeat: he was second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic to Japanese superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and was also runner-up to Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in a memorable running of the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom this June. He claimed his second Group 1 prize in France after that before adding another two admirable second-place finishes to his record when beaten a head by Hukum (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth S. and, finally, on Sunday behind Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) in the Arc.

Mahon added, “I'd say he'll be a top-class stallion. He's one of Frankel's best sons and, as we saw with Ace Impact, Frankel's sons are off to a flying start.

“He's been beautifully trained by Ralph, Rob Hornby has obviously built up a good association with him last year and this year, and Colin Keane was exquisite on him the day he won the Irish Derby. It's been a great story for a lot of people, none more so than Juddmonte. We're very lucky to have had him.”

A fourth-generation Juddmonte homebred, Westover is a full-brother to the Group 3 winner Monarchs Glen (GB), who was one of Frankel's earliest Royal Ascot winners in the Listed Wolferton S. Their dam is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix du Moulin winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and to the G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner Burning Sun (Danzig).

Westover's trainer Ralph Beckett said, “I am very proud of the horse and what he has achieved, he gave his all every day at home and on the racecourse and we will all miss him.”

The post Westover Retired With Injury Sustained in the Arc appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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