Antoinette Tops Loaded Field in Valley View

Godolphin homebred Antoinette (Hard Spun) headlines a large and talented field in Friday’s renewal of the GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. at Keeneland. Third in the GI CCA Oaks on the Saratoga main track, the Bill Mott pupil captured the Saratoga Oaks when getting back on grass next out Aug. 16. She led the way in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. Sept. 19, but was run down late by Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and forced to settle for second.

The Chad Brown-trained Duopoly (Animal Kingdom) has not tested stakes waters before, but is proven at this distance. Earning her diploma by five lengths at Monmouth going 1 1/16 miles July 3, she wired an allowance going the same distance at Saratoga Aug. 21, earning an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Also making her black-type bow here is the undefeated Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}). Romping in her Colonial Downs unveiling Aug. 2, the dark bay repeated in a one-mile test at Monmouth Park Sept. 5.

Several runners from the Sept. 4 GII Edgewood S.–won by GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Sharing (Speightstown)–return here, including fourth-place finisher In Good Spirits (Ghostzapper), who also finished third in the GIII Regret S. Other contenders exiting the Edgewood are third-place Lucky Betty (Munnings); fifth-place Pranked (Into Mischief); and sixth-place Walk in Marrakesh (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), who came up a nose short in the July 11 GII Appalachian S.

Another contender worth a look here is the Ian Wilkes-trained Witez (More Than Ready), who rallied from well back to be a close third in the GIII Lake George S. Aug. 28. Prior to that, the bay captured an allowance at Saratoga July 26.

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Lope De Vega Colt Tops Second Day At Tattersalls October Book 2

A son of Lope de Vega was the star turn when selling for 675,000 guineas (US$916,770) on a remarkable second day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which saw nine lots sell for 300,000 guineas (US$407,451) or more, taking the two-day total to 14, three more than last year's three-day total.

Anthony Stroud continued his buying spree on the second day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, securing the Lope de Vega colt out of the Galileo mare Loch Ma Naire for 675,000 guineas (US$916,770).

“He is bred on a successful cross – Lope De Vega ex Galileo – he is an attractive horse and beautifully bred, and Lope De Vega has done incredibly well,” said Stroud, after buying on behalf of Godolphin.

The colt's dam is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Simply Perfect and was offered by Newsells Park Stud on behalf of breeder Andrew Stone's St Albans Bloodstock.

“The team did a great job prepping him but we have only had him for eight or nine weeks, so credit must go to Andrew Stone of St Albans Bloodstock who bred him and the farm that raised him,” said Julian Dollar of Newsells Park Stud.

“In this climate we did not think it would be at all easy, but the market seems to have taken off incredibly this week. I keep thinking there was value last week, but I am not complaining, it is fantastic. Thanks to all the people prepared to take their hands out of their pockets and spend big money on racehorses, long may it continue.”

The colt, who Stroud secured at the expense of underbidder Andrew Balding, is the fifth highest priced colt in the history of the October Book 2 sale.

Glen Hill Farm Strikes for Frankel Filly at 460,000 Guineas

Fairway Thoroughbreds' John Camilleri, breeder of wondermare Winx, enjoyed a second consecutive day in the limelight when the Frankel filly out of Love is Blindness was sold to Hubie De Burgh for 460,000 guineas (US$624,757) on behalf of Craig Bernick's Glen Hill Farm. Like yesterday's 400,000 guineas (US$543,267) Kingman colt, Camilleri's filly was offered by Harry McCalmont's Norelands Stud.

“She has been bought for Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm to go into training with Fozzy Stack,” said de Burgh. “We tried all week through Book 1 and could not get anything. This filly is by one of the great sires of the modern era and there are classic winners in her page, she could be a Guineas or an Oaks filly.

“On top of that she is a beautiful looking filly from a top farm where I keep a lot of stock, and I've known her since she was foaled. I watched her and every time I have seen her she gets better and better and better. As you can see, she is a queen. Now we keep our fingers crossed and hope she is going to be as good as we think she is going to be!”

Of the buyer Craig Bernick, De Burgh added: “Craig is a great lover of the horse industry and is going to be a great breeder, he has got some wonderful stock in Europe already. He wants to collect this quality of bloodstock because he is thinking 20 years ahead, hopefully she will be one of the foundation mares in the broodmare band. Craig is developing an Australian operation, European and American, it is very exciting.”

De Burgh rounded off by saying; “You just don't get your hands on fillies like this. She has a bit of Frankel about her, she really walks, has a really good hind-quarter, she is just all quality.”

The Sir Percy mare Love is Blindness is a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Reliable Man and a granddaughter of the English and Irish Oaks winner Fair Salinia.

White Birch Farm Strike for Showcasing Colt

Agent Demi O'Byrne secured two of the lots to sell for 300,000 guineas (US$407,451) or more on the second day on behalf of Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, the first of which was the Showcasing colt consigned by Kenilworth House Stud. The son of the Acclamation mare Harlequin Twist was knocked down to O'Byrne for 310,000 guineas (US$421,039), a substantial return on the 70,000 guineas (US$95,073) that Kenilworth House Stud manager Gerry Ross and “a couple of mates” paid for him at last year's Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Ross said: “He had a good walk – as auctioneer Alastair Pim said he was one of the best-looking walkers he had seen through the two weeks. A foal will never lose its walk. Hopefully he will go on to fulfil his potential, he has been flat to the board here all week and his last show was as good as his first. He has been a pro so far, hopefully he will continue.”

Of the prospects ahead of this sale for a profitable result, Ross said: “A week ago I would never had dreamt of that sort of money, but once you have a couple of big players involved you never know where it is going to end.

“Yesterday's trade was the best trade there has been all year. There was no vendor going into the ring with their chest out, but at least you've a bit more confidence.”

Little more than 30 minutes later, O'Byrne struck again when securing a daughter of first season stallion Ribchester for 300,000 guineas (US$407,451). Out of the Teofilo mare Hint of Pink, the filly was another success story for Harry McCalmont's Norelands Stud who bred the filly in partnership with Patrick Robinson, author of the famed bloodstock novel “Horse Trader: Robert Sangster and the Rise and Fall of the Sport of Kings”.

“Her half-brother winning in the last week or so was a big plus, timing is everything in this business,” said McCalmont. “I am very pleased because she belongs to my good friend Patrick Robinson. A couple of years ago Patrick wrote a book called 'Lone Survivor' which became a blockbuster movie. Patrick decided to retire and take up breeding horses and gave me a few quid to spend on them. I am delighted for him.”

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues with the third and final session at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

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Earthlight Retired To Kildangan

Godolphin’s dual Group 1-winning juvenile Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal-Winters Moon {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Kildangan Stud in 2021.

Bred by Godolphin out of its G1 Fillies’ Mile third Winters Moon-a half-sister to two Group 1 winners–Earthlight went unbeaten in five starts last year at two for trainer Andre Fabre. He took the G3 Prix de Cabourg at third asking before reeling off victories in the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S., the latter over subsequent G1 Commonwealth Cup victor Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}) and was named France’s champion 2-year-old.

Earthlight won two of his four starts this year at three-the G3 Prix du Pin and Listed Prix Kistena over seven and six furlongs-and bows out after finishing second to One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the G1 Prix de la Foret on Oct. 4.

Sam Bullard, Darley’s director of stallions, said, “We are delighted to be able to offer Earthlight to breeders in Ireland next year. During his unbeaten juvenile campaign, Earthlight’s victories in the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park were truly outstanding and his champion status at the end of that year was very well deserved.

“The loss of Shamardal in April left a big hole in the roster, but we are confident that his sons, Earthlight and Blue Point, will continue his legacy admirably in Ireland.”

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Kingman Colt Tops Book 2 Opener At Tattersalls October Sale

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale got off to a strong start with five lots selling for 300,000 guineas (US$411,500) or more and a son of Kingman topping proceedings at 400,000 guineas (US$548,667).

The fireworks started early during the opening day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, with the Kingman colt out of the Rip Van Winkle mare Allez Y selling for 400,000 guineas (US$548,667) to Godolphin. The granddaughter of champion European 3-year-old filly l'Ancresse was bred by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds and consigned to the sale by Harry McCalmont's Norelands Stud.

“He is a very nice horse, nice horses are easy to sell, and there is a strong market for nice horses,” admitted McCalmont. “The dam Allez Y is going to Australia, she belongs to John Camilleri, who bred Winx, and is in-foal to Lope De Vega on Southern Hemisphere time. I am delighted I have sold a good horse for him, very happy.”

The son of Kingman is one of seven yearlings on offer in Book 2 by the in-demand stallion and was knocked down to Anthony Stroud after he saw off the efforts of Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien.

“He is from Norelands who do a fantastic job, he is a well-balanced horse, moved well and we have had a lot of luck with Kingman – Palace Pier and Persian King. He will go to France to be trained by Andre Fabre,” reported Stroud.

Allez Y is a half-sister to the Group 3 winning Frankel colt Master of Reality, who is trained by Joseph O'Brien and is as short as 22/1 for this year's Melbourne Cup.

Date With Destiny's Daughter Makes 350,000 Guineas

Newsells Park Stud were celebrating when their daughter of first season sire Churchill out of George Washington's only foal Date With Destiny sold for 350,000 guineas (US$480,209). The three-parts sister to the Group 3 winner Beautiful Morming, who realized 1.4 million guineas (US$1,920,806) at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2018, was knocked down to Stroud Coleman's Anthony Stroud after he saw off AMO Racing's Kia Joorabchian stood alongside Robson Aguiar.

Julian Dollar of Newsells said: “When we bought Date With Destiny some people asked us if it was because of that rarity value, but it really wasn't. We'd had some luck with the family before, and Flawly was one of the first mares we bought and she produced Best Name – she was one of the best mares we had early on in terms of sales and as a producer. We were very fond of the family so when the opportunity came to buy a bit more of it, we came in with her.

“We mated her to Galileo and she produced a lovely filly in Beautiful Morning, so we went to the son. The Churchill was an interesting mating, going back to something familiar but to put in a bit more speed and precocity, the mare herself was quite precocious.”

Newsells Park Stud purchased Date With Destiny at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 185,000 guineas via agent John Warren.

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

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