Featuring the season's only seven-figure breezer and with a much larger catalogue than usual, it was no surprise to see turnover increase, though a near-50% upturn was perhaps even better than anticipated, with the 140 sold bringing in a total of €21,110,500 to ring the new record bell. Other indicators were also up: the average by 15% at €150,789, and the median to €105,000.

No stranger to picking up the top lot at this sale, Oliver St Lawrence was the agent behind the first millionaire two-year-old of the European season when going to €1.2 million for Grove Stud's Siyouni (Fr) colt (lot 145) out of the dual Listed winner Isabel De Urbina (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

“I had to pay twice the price for this one,” joked St Lawrence in reference to the €550,000 it took to buy last year's top lot, the subsequent G2 Mill Reef S. winner Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). The Siyouni colt will also join Roger Varian's stable.

“He turned out alright so hopefully this one will be just as good. I wouldn't have thought we'll see him racing until August or September, a proper race towards the end of the season.”

He also issued an update on KHK Racing's Sakheer, who finished seventh in the 2,000 Guineas. He said, “He didn't love the ground but he has come out of the race well. There was some discussion about withdrawing him on the morning of the race when all that rain came. He'll drop back in trip now for the Commonwealth Cup, that seems the obvious thing to do, and we'll just take it one race at a time.”

KHK Racing also owns 2021 Arqana Breeze-up graduate Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the winner of last year's St Leger, who is entered in Friday's G2 Yorkshire Cup.

The seven-figure mark has been broken at the #BreezeUp Sale as lot 1️⃣4️⃣5️⃣, a son of @AgaKhanStuds Siyouni?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Siyouni, sells for €1,200,000 to @OStLawrence from @grovestud. pic.twitter.com/wyQweJBEvU

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

The main talking points:

• The transatlantic travels of Arqana's executive director Freddy Powell have not been in vain for there was a strong American theme to proceedings on Saturday. Two of the top four lots are both heading to the United States. Coolmore bought the Uncle Mo colt (lot 51) for €600,000 from Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud and he will be trained by Todd Pletcher, while Arnaud Delacour will take charge of a Blue Point (Ire) filly bought for €500,000 by Nicolas Bertran de Balanda for Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stable.

• West Point Thoroughbreds, one of the owners of Flightline, also appeared on the buyers' sheet alongside a Street Sense colt (lot 17) from Knockanglass Stables, while Flightline's trainer John Sadler was active at the sale, buying three horses through Fernando Laffon-Parias and Francoise Dupuis.

• It was a stellar day for Brendan Holland, who sold seven horses through his Grove Stud, including three of the top eight, for a total of €2.4 million and average of €342,857 to lead the vendors' table.

• Two colts by Dubawi (Ire) featured in the catalogue, and they both sold to Godolphin through Anthony Stroud for €800,000 and €400,000, from Oak Tree Farm and Yeomanstown Stud respectively. Mags O'Toole had bought the colt (lot 180) from the family of Group 1 winner Chicquita (Ire) and Magic Wand (Ire) for €150,000 at the Arqana October Sale, while Yeomanstown gave 180,000gns for the half-brother (lot 116) to Group 2 winner Turath (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) at Tattersalls December Yearling Sale.

• Richard Brown struck early with three purchases within the first 11 horses through the ring, led by the €420,000 bid for lot 13, Mocklershill's full-brother to G2 German 1000 Guineas winner Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The colt had been a €170,000 buy-back in the same ring last August. Blandford Bloodstock ended the day as the second-leading buyer at the sale with nine bought for €1,525,000.

• Lot 12, a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) colt out of the unraced Posh Claret (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) bought for 34,000gns as a yearling, was not sold when knocked down at €480,000 in the ring. A private sale of €400,000 was later agreed between vendor Johnny Collins of Brown Island Stables and Anthony Stroud, and the colt will go into training with John and Thady Gosden.

• Anthony Stroud later bought the Blue Point half-brother (lot 87) to Darley sire Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) for €325,000. Bred by Coolmore, the colt was in utero when his dam Beach Frolic (GB) (Nayef) sold for 2.2 million gns to MV Magnier at Tattersalls in 2020. Another half-brother, the year-older Castle Way (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), provided a recent update when winning the Listed Newmarket S. at the Guineas meeting.

• The run on Blue Point continued, with four members of his first crop sold for an average of €281,250 to make him the leading freshman. Of his contemporaries, Calyx (GB) was also represented by four sold for an average of €178,000.

Offered by Oak Tree Farm, lot 1️⃣8️⃣0️⃣, a @DarleyStallions #Dubawi colt, brought the hammer down at €800,000 in favor of @godolphin at the #BreezeUp Sale. pic.twitter.com/LdtzOPpMLz

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

The Bleep Bleep Connection

We had to utilise the bleep-o-meter when transcribing the interview with Johnny Hassett of the Bloodstock Connection after he sold his Sioux Nation filly (lot 45) to Oliver St Lawrence. There weren't quite 450,000 expletives on the tape, but that was the number of euros it took to secure the half-sister to Listed winner Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {Ire}) who had been picked up for €90,000 at the Goffs Sportsman's Sale. From that same sale, Hassett had also bought a Magna Grecia (Ire) colt (lot 94) for €145,000 in partnership with Nico Archdale and resold that son of the unraced Callisto Star (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on Saturday for €210,000 to Saudi Arabia's Najd Stud.

“What's not to like? I've had a tricky season,” Hassett said. “I haven't counted it yet but my gut reaction was that I hadn't made or lost too much money up to here, which probably means I had lost some because I'm always positive. But I'd say I'm out now and I've four more horses to sell here.

“This sale is strong so far and I think a lot of the high-dollar horses are stacked later. I think I have a couple of shots at the €150,000-plus lots and that was the first one and it worked.”

Asked if the pressure was off now, he replied, “Oh ****, yeah. You do a bit better when you're not hungry. It makes it easier when the pressure is off; you perform better.”

Hassett added, “A lot of credit must go to Emma Chilcot and the selection team, who got this right.”

The Bloodstock Connection ended up with six sold for an average of €193,667 and aggregate of €1,162,000, and there was a definite improvement in Hassett's language as the day wore on.

€450,000 from @OStLawrence secures lot 4️⃣5️⃣, a daughter of @coolmorestud #SiouxNation consigned by @TheBloodstockC at the #BreezeUp Sale. pic.twitter.com/4kz6zSzOGb

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

Ryan Signs Up Lone Waldgeist

Very few French consignors feature at the breeze-up sales but Philip Prévost Baratte made his presence felt when selling the sole entrant in the catalogue from the first-crop of Ballylinch Stud resident Waldgeist (GB) for €360,000.

Richard Ryan, who was been busy throughout the season, signed for lot 47 on behalf of Teme Valley, with Anthony Stroud and Alastair Donald also in the hunt. 

Ryan indicated that the son of Sous Le Soleil (Tizway), who is out of the G1 Preis der Diana winner Que Belle (Ger) (Seattle Dancer), would be trained in Ireland by Paddy Twomey.

“He's quite set and neat, balanced, there's an awful lot of Galileo about him,” said the agent, who signed for four on the day for Teme Valley and Opulence Thoroughbreds respectively. “He'll get a run or two for sure before this season is out, but he was bought with a view to try to run in the Classics next year.”

Ryan continued, “He has a German pedigree on top of an Arc winner. Waldgeist wanted a mile at two himself, so you're not trying to break any records, you just want them to present properly, have a good mouth, nice stride, and finish out the breeze ready for the next stage of his career, which is where he's at.”

He added of Prévost Baratte, “He's a skilled vendor. At this stage, everything has been done right for the horse.”

Offered by @Prevostbaratte2 at the #BreezeUp Sale, lot 4️⃣7️⃣, a colt from the 1st crop of @BallylinchStud #Waldgeist, is knocked down for €360,000 to @richryanracing. pic.twitter.com/lGqTZqPCpb

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

No Jogging but a Trio of Breezers for Sadler

In the company of Fernando Laffon-Parias and Francoise Dupuis, Californian trainer John Sadler made the most of his maiden voyage to Arqana by recruiting a trio of European breezers to take home with him.  

“It's my first trip to Deauville and to Arqana. It's lovely driving here from Paris through the French countryside and everyone has been so nice,” Sadler told TDN.

“The Powell brothers [Freddy and Richard] have been good hosts. [Their brother] Lenny Powell, who trains with us at Santa Anita, sent me a text and said 'You might want to think about going for a jog along the boardwalk'. This was last night when it was raining and cold!”

He continued, “There are a lot of horses here with American pedigrees, which is good, through we didn't end up buying one. There's so much turf racing now worldwide, and there are plenty of options for a turf runner in the United States, especially in California, because we have year-round turf racing and the perfect climate for it.”

Joining the Sadler barn will be a colt by Highclere Stud's freshman sire Land Force (Ire), who has been represented by his first two winners in the last two days. Lot 100 from Lackendarra Stables was knocked down at €250,000, and was later joined by Knockanglass Stables' Siyouni filly (lot 122), sold for €150,000, and a filly from the first crop of Haras d'Etreham's City Light (Fr), himself a son of Siyouni, who was bought from Philip Prévost Baratte for €160,000 as lot 177.

The hammer comes down at €600,000 for lot 5️⃣1️⃣ as @MccalmontJamie buys the colt by @coolmorestud #UncleMo offered by @PowerstownStud at the #BreezeUp Sale. pic.twitter.com/DN3WDeFtt7

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

A Blether with Blarney

Brendan Holland, best known to all as Blarney, was understandably a happy man as he reflected on a day's work that represents months and months of planning and hard graft, starting at last season's yearling sales. 

The sale's leading vendor said, “Today has gone above and beyond Plan A, for once, as everyone who does it will appreciate, things went according to plan. 

“I've been lucky in France since this sale was in Saint-Cloud, and I tend to buy, in general, a later-maturing horse. I'm just attracted to that kind of horse, and that type of horse is more suited to this sale than any other sale. It's not just that I like coming here, it just suits my type of horse, and I also have a few left for Goresbridge for a similar reason. I have to split my horses.”

Observing the breeze-up market overall in 2023, he added, “Regardless of many economic woes, if this year wasn't a good year for the breeze-ups then there was never going to be a good year. We had three Classic winners last year and four other Group 1 winners. The quality of the horses is improving every year. We, as a bunch, are spending more on yearlings. That's not always reflected on the track if you spend more, but in this sector that is being reflected. The more we spend on yearlings, we're offering a better product, and maybe we're producing the product better as we are learning. 

“The industry is very connected worldwide and everyone is aware of what's going on in the different jurisdictions. It's no surprise that the breeze-ups are attracting new clients from different parts of the world. I sold one to America and two to Australia today, and that's reflective of the market. The breeze-up market really is worldwide.”

From the 1st crop of @DarleyStallions #BluePoint, lot 4️⃣4️⃣, a filly offered by @grovestud goes to @nbbracing for €500,000 at the #BreezeUp Sale. pic.twitter.com/Oym8LrLJDF

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

Hoyeau And Powell Pleased At Curtain Fall

Arqana President Eric Hoyeau and Executive Director Freddy Powell said, “We are very pleased with the results, thanks to the hard work and professionalism of our vendors who have once again placed their trust in us and brought horses of such a high standard that have been extremely well prepared. The quality of the catalogue brought many buyers to Deauville, whom we would also like to thank for coming. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the work of our teams as well as that of France Galop and the staff at Deauville Racecourse, who largely contributed to the success of this sale by allowing us to hold the breezes on a beautiful prepared track again this year.”

The post ‘Worldwide’ Breeze-up Demand Fuels Bumper Arqana Edition appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The seven-figure mark has been broken at the #BreezeUp Sale as lot 1️⃣4️⃣5️⃣, a son of @AgaKhanStuds Siyouni?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Siyouni, sells for €1,200,000 to @OStLawrence from @grovestud. pic.twitter.com/wyQweJBEvU

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) May 13, 2023

The post Siyouni Colt Brings 1.2 Million Euros at Arqana Breeze-Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“He's a nice colt, he's been showing a bit at home and Wayne [Lordan] gave him a lovely ride,” commented Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “It can be tricky here first time out, but Wayne was patient on him. He found the gaps at the end and hit the line well. He should have no problem stepping up to stakes company at the back end of this year and hopefully will be a nice middle-distance horse for next year. He has a very good staying pedigree and Galway is a lovely place to start them at this time of year.”

Alexandroupolis–whose catalogue of entries include the G1 Dewhurst S., G1 Futurity Trophy and next year's G1 Derby–is the third of five foals and second scorer produced by a full-sister to G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis victrix and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up Thawaany (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). His dam Jazz Cat (Ire), herself a daughter of G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Chelsea Rose (Ire) (Desert King {Ire}), is also a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G3 Munster Oaks victrix Snow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Grand Prix de Paris second and G1 Irish Derby third Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Listed International Trial S. runner-up Hamlool (Ire) (Red Ransom). The February-foaled bay is full to a yearling filly, who is slated to sell as Lot 553 at next month's Tattersalls October Book 2 sale, and half to a weanling colt by Churchill (Ire).

1st-Galway, €16,000, Mdn, 9-6, 2yo, 8f 123yT, 1:54.85, sf.
ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE), c, 2, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Jazz Cat (Ire), by Tamayuz (GB)
2nd Dam: Chelsea Rose (Ire), by Desert King (Ire)
3rd Dam: Cinnamon Rose, by Trempolino
1ST-TIME STARTER. (240,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mrs Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $9,534. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

This is a serious performance from Alexandroupolis

Named after a Greek city, this 240,000gns purchase overcomes trouble in running to hose up in some style at @Galway_Races under @waynemlordan, leading home a @Ballydoyle 1-2 in the process pic.twitter.com/SyOG0erQDC

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2022

The post Camelot’s Alexandroupolis Earns TDN Rising Star Tag On Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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DEAUVILLE, France–It wasn't until the wild-card selection after the end of the main catalogue that the day's top lot walked the ring at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, and that honour went to Willie Browne's Mocklershill team and their colt by the late Zoffany (Ire), who sold for €550,000.

Oliver St Lawrence had kept his powder dry for much of the day, but having warmed up with a €520,000 bid for a Siyouni (Fr) colt from Longways Stables, he went strong again for the session leader, with both colts having been purchased for a friend of Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass. They will be trained in Britain by Roger Varian and Charlie Hills, respectively.

Of the top lot (148), St Lawrence said, “Roger Varian saw this horse this afternoon and really liked him. They just seemed to be getting harder to buy all day. He's a big, strong horse with a big shoulder on him and he went very well and did the ninth-fastest time.”

Bought at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 80,000gns, the half-brother to G2 Kilboy Estates S. winner Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass) was unsold at $65,000 when put through the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Having led allcomers in Deauville, the colt was naturally the star of the Mocklershill draft, which ended the day as leading vendor with eight horses sold for €1,690,000.

They included a brother to Group 1-winning juvenile Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never), lot 55, who was bred by Camas Park, Lynch Bages and Summerhill, and bought by Ross Doyle for €300,000.

“He is a very good-looking and imposing horse, like his sire, and this is the type of horse he throws,” said Doyle. “The sire is also having a very good season. He's just a very nice horse who was bought for an existing client.”

The sale's figures contracted slightly from last year's record-breaking turnover and median, but the latter figure, at €100,000, was only the second time in the auction's history that a six-figure median had been recorded. The average of €131,777 was down by 4%, and the aggregate dropped by 10% to €13,573,000, with five fewer horses sold this year compared to last. The clearance rate of 84% was recorded from 103 horses sold from 123 put through the ring.

We have a new top lot @InfoArqana as lot 55, a brother to Ten Sovereigns, is knocked down to Ross Doyle who goes to €350,000 for the colt drafted by @Mocklershill1. pic.twitter.com/Y6uBOGXgbB

— TDN (@theTDN) May 13, 2022

Another 'Lucky' Siyouni For Longways

Mick Murphy and Sarah O'Connell already had good reason to love Siyouni (Fr) and their “lucky sire” delivered again when their colt by the French champion left the ring with a price tag of €520,000. Oliver St Lawrence saw off a range of potential purchasers, which included Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and Alastair Donald, and confirmed that the colt out of a full-sister to crack sprinter Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), had been bought for a Bahraini owner.

“He was a horse that caught our eye. I wasn't expecting to have to pay that sort of money for him but it has been a tough day to buy the horse one wants to buy,” St Lawrence said. “He came up there very nicely and hopefully he justifies our confidence. He'll go to Charlie Hills.”

Vendors Murphy and O'Connell of Longways Stables have previously topped the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale with a Siyouni 2-year-old and they also sold Le Brivido (Fr) here in Deauville for €105,000 six years ago. Beaten a short-head in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, he went on to win the Jersey S. at Royal Ascot.

“I love Siyouni,” said O'Connell, who was navigating the sales ground on crutches while awaiting hip surgery. “He's even a lucky sire for us and we've always had two or three by him every year from the word go.”

Despite turning this 200,000gns yearling into an expensive breezer (lot 124), the couple remarked that the breeze-up season has not been all plain sailing for vendors.

“It hasn't been a great year,” said Murphy. “We came here slightly up but we had a fair bit of money tied up in these horses so it is a relief to have sold him well.”

O'Connell added, “Everyone had expected there to have been a bit more of a buzz today. We had plenty of people looking in the last few days but the sale has been a little quieter than we thought it would be.”

More fireworks @InfoArqana as lot 124, a Siyouni colt out of a half-sister to Mecca's Angel and Markaz, is sold by Longways Stables for €520,000 to Oliver St Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/z2sv71wkDn

— TDN (@theTDN) May 13, 2022

Grove Has Good One Ready

Brendan Holland has rightly earned a reputation for being one of the best at his craft and, in producing a More Than Ready colt (lot 70) from a $90,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland in September to a €450,000 breeze-up star, he enhanced his already excellent record at this particular sale.

Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland secured the colt and revealed that he viewed him as more of a dirt performer in the making.

Donohoe said, “He's a beautiful-looking horse, very intelligent, and he did a fantastic breeze. He looks to have a fantastic temperament.”

He added, “We liked everything about him to be honest. Plans are undecided, but he could race on turf or on the dirt. He's probably more of a dirt-type horse so he will probably end up in the Middle East.”

Holland has topped this sale four times in the past and sold The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {GB}) and Ocean Atlantique (American Pharaoh) under his successful Grove Stud banner.

He said, “This horse has done really well from when he was a yearling. He's an exceptionally good-looking horse who breezed well. So far, so good. This sale has been lucky for me and we've had plenty of success on the track with horses we've brought here.”

More Than Ready stands at WinStar Farm in Kentucky and has had 12 horses break $1 million in career earnings. Holland's offering by the stallion is out of the unraced Sweet Lollipop (Candy Ride {Arg}), a half-sister to Danny Boy (Harlan's Holiday) and Meal Penalty (Tale of the Cat), who were genuine black-type performers in America.

Over halfway through proceedings @InfoArqana and it is Grove Stud's More Than Ready colt, lot 70, who leads the way after being sold for €450,000.

Michael Donohoe (BBA Ireland) bought and revealed the colt could end up in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/JHbd7nNklR

— TDN (@theTDN) May 13, 2022

Breeders' Cup-Winning Owner Buys Cracksman Filly

One of the main talking points in the build-up to this sale was the amount of international clients knocking about and Dean Reeves, who campaigned and now stands former GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno), made his presence felt by securing a Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) filly (lot 132) for €420,000.

Agent Stephen Hillen signed for the filly who will join Christophe Clement and, flanked by the leading owner, the pair could scarcely hide their delight afterwards.

Hillen said, “I saw her on the farm in Yorkshire about a month ago and really liked her. I think Cracksman could be a top sire. There have been a few by him breeze really well already and she's probably going to go a mile and a quarter. We think she's pretty exciting and she may not start until the autumn. Thrilled to get her. Well done to Dean.”

And with that, Reeves took the mic, where he outlined some ambitious plans for his new recruit. He said, “It's very exciting. We really wanted to get a nice filly to send back to the States and she fit a lot of the criteria. We think she will be very successful. The breeding is there for her to make a future broodmare so it's very exciting.”

Reeves added, “We'll take our time with her and Christophe is as good a trainer as you can find. He does a great job for us and Steven has done a wonderful job in selecting the horses. We've been very successful and that bodes well. My wife is here and we've met some wonderful people this week. Hopefully this filly will make us look pretty smart. We'll be back.”

The filly from the first crop of Darley's young son of Frankel (GB) was consigned by Church Farm and Horse Park Stud, who enjoyed a successful day as the second-leading vendor with 10 juveniles sold for an average of €150,800.

Also among their bestsellers was one of the early highlights when Anthony Stroud bid €300,000 for the second lot through the ring, a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly from the family of Group 1 winners Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal). The agent revealed that she will be trained in Newmarket by John and Thady Gosden.

Power Play

Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud posted a pair of decent returns within half an hour of each other when two colts each sold for €280,000 to Dubaian and Saudi Arabian owners, respectively.

Colm Sharkey, acting on behalf of a client from Dubai, signed for lot 74, a well-bred Shamardal colt out of the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis winner Thawaany (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) who was bought as a yearling for 92,000gns from the Shadwell draft at the Tattersalls December Sale.

“He's for a client in Dubai and he was the only horse we wanted from a very short list. He vetted well and breezed well, and cost a bit more than we thought but my client was keen to have him,” said Sharkey of the colt whose dam is a half-sister to the G1 Irish St Leger and G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Granddam Chelsea Rose (Ire) (Desert King {Ire}) won the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and has produced five black-type performers.

When lot 82 passed through the ring shortly afterwards, it was his American bloodlines that were the deciding factor for agent Marco Bozzi, who went to €280,000 on behalf of his undisclosed Saudi client. Whitehead had paid $60,000 for the son of Good Magic when buying him from breeder Hermitage Farm at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Three years earlier the breeders had bought his dam, the stakes winner Vieja Luna (Street Hero) in that same ring for $160,000.

“He's a horse that we went to see last week in Ireland. He's for a new Saudi client and this is the horse we wanted absolutely,” said Bozzi. “He passed the vet, he passed everything, and the pedigree is right. They love [Good Magic's sire] Curlin in Saudi.”

Bozzi also bought lot 23 for €125,000 from Powerstown Stud, which was third overall on the leading vendors' table but led by average, with five sold for €223,000.

Double Delight for Derryconnor Stud

Katie McGivern had good reason to be quietly confident when she spoke to the TDN on the eve of the sale but, as every horseperson knows, it's never wise to be too confident before the horse has crossed the line in front, or exited the sale ring after selling well. For McGivern's Derryconnor Stud, the latter happened twice in three lots when the only two horses she had brought to Deauville rose sharply in value after posting professional and fast breezes on Thursday.

Marco Bozzi was in play again at €230,000 for the filly from the first crop of Sioux Nation, the Coolmore sire who has galloped off to a great start at stud with five winners from 15 runners. It would be no surprise to see this sleek, near-black filly out of Sparks (Ire) (Elusive City) join the list of winners before too long. Robustly made with an easy walk, lot 64 is the second foal of her dam, who is a half-sister to G1 Prix d'Astarte winner Marbye (Ire) (Marju {Ire}), who has in turn produced the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) winner Marcellina (Jpn).

Having paid 36,000gns for the Sioux Nation filly at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, McGivern pushed the boat out to €68,000 to secure the filly by Siyouni (Fr) at the Goffs Sportsman's Sale. Her boldness was rewarded with a winning bid of €160,000 from Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency for lot 66, out of the winning Sea The Stars (Ire) mare Stars So Bright (Ire).

“Until you go through the ring and people fall in love with them you can never be sure. I'm still shaking at the moment but I'm sure when I reflect on it I still won't believe it,” said McGivern.

“I've always said that the good ones can cope with all the pressure and they don't let you down, and these two didn't. All the team at home have worked so hard and they'll be delighted.”

De Watrigant also signed for lot 114, a Tally-Ho Stud-consigned daughter of Exceed And Excel (Aus), at €360,000.

He said, “We really fell for her. Physically she stands out and she went well in her breeze, showing a lot of quality. She's by a very good sire and I've bought her for MV Magnier, so she will be joining Coolmore.”

Barberini's Expert Eye For A Well-Bred Filly

A huge amount of patience is required to find the right horse at the sales but, in Federico Barberini's case, he had been waiting for Mocklershill's lot 49 ever since he saw the Expert Eye (GB) filly at the Tattersalls December Sale.

He explained, “I thought she was a gorgeous individual and I actually remember her from the Tattersalls December Sale. She really caught my eye last year so I remembered her. She has done really well since.”

Another consigned on the day by Mocklershill, the filly, who cost 85,000gns at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale and came back through the ring on Friday for €240,000, is out of an unraced Oasis Dream (GB) half-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), from a strong black-type family which includes treble Grade I winner Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

Barberini added, “She comes from a very nice family and came highly recommended. The sire is going well with his first 2-year-olds and they are nice horses who look to have the scope to be more than one-hit wonders.

“She's for Apple Tree Stud, good clients based in Gloucestershire, and the plan is that she will be a very nice racehorse and then a broodmare for the farm. A trainer is yet to be decided.”

Amo Racing Continues Investment

Amo Racing swooped for Aguiar Bloodstock's Good Magic filly (lot 18) out of the Grade II-winning mare Luna Vega (Malibu Moon) at €280,000, with Kerri Radcliffe signing on behalf of the prominent owners.

Between Britain and Ireland, Amo Racing has enjoyed 16 winners already this season, including Queen Olly (Ire) (No Nay Never), who became a 'TDN Rising Star' after scoring impressively at York on Thursday.

Radcliffe hopes the Good Magic filly can prove another good acquisition and said, “She has been bought on behalf of Amo Racing who are having a great time at the minute.”

As well as being a Grade II winner, Luna Vega was Grade I-placed in America, and is the granddam of Shesawildjoker (Practical Joke), who won at stakes level as a 2-year-old in America last year.

Arqana President Eric Hoyeau and Executive Director Freddy Powell said, “We're delighted to be back at Deauville. The sale took place in very good conditions, notably thanks to the work and professionalism of our vendors to bring their horses in the best shape. We must also salute the quality of the track at Deauville and the sun that was with us. The market was solid, without extravagance, with a very international dimension. Our buyers came from the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Scandinavia, some of whom made the trip to Deauville for the first time.”

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1st-Pontefract, £7,200, Nov, 9-16, 2yo, 6fT, 1:16.39, g/f.
ESKEN ROSE (f, 2, Hootenanny–Eskenforandreya, by Eskendereya) was the sharpest of nine into stride and seized an immediate lead in this debut. Holding sway throughout, the 14-1 chance turned for home with a comfortable buffer and kept on strongly under a final-furlong drive to hold the late bid of Clarets Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) by a length, becoming the first winner for her freshman sire (by Quality Road). Esken Rose is the lone foal produced by a winning full-sister to dual stakes scorer He's The Reason (The Factor) and stakes-winning GIII Ohio Derby and GIII Palm Beach S. placegetter South Bend (Algorithms). The April-foaled bay's MGSP second dam Sandra's Rose (Old Trieste) is a half-sister to three black-type winners headed by GII American Derby hero and GI Hollywood Derby runner-up Mananan McLir (Royal Academy). Sales history: $4,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT; £38,000 2yo '21 TATGOR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,381.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Hambleton Racing Ltd XXXVIII; B-J Adcock & Hume Wornall (LA); T-Kevin Ryan.

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The April-born New Approach colt, a full-brother to the Bolger-bred and trained New Treasure, winner of the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes, was bought by Robson Aguiar. He signed for Ebonos at £190,000 (US$242,016), purchasing on behalf of Amo Racing and trainer Roger Varian.

There was plenty of interest around the ring and underbidders included Dwayne Woods and Matt Coleman.

Consignor Clare Manning said of her two session-topping colts: “I knew the two of them were lovely individuals. Although they're quite different types, they're both extremely nice individuals in their own ways, and the updates were obviously big boosts. I thought they'd be popular but they've both completely exceeded expectations. They've both really pulled it out of the bag.

“It couldn't have gone any better really. To get one touch like that is unbelievable, never mind two.”

The other six-figure sale in the day two session was £155,000 (US$197,426) given for Lot 421, a Grove Stud-consigned colt by Night Of Thunder, also a son of New Approach.

He was one of 15 lots bought over the two days by the father and son team of Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock, the sale's leading buyer numerically and by spend. Trainer Stuart Williams was underbidder.

The two-day September Yearling Sale Part I produced a strong and a more-than-satisfactory set of results with its average of €24,145 (US$28,274) on a par with 2019, and its median of  €17,582 (US$20,589) a fall of 12 percent. Four yearlings sold for £150,000 (US$191,070) or more, another record for the September Yearling Sale.

The aggregate dropped by 15 percent to €7,992,107 (US$9,359,123), but the clearance rate was a very healthy 84 percent throughout the two-day sale.

At the conclusion of the September Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell commented;

“The venue for the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale was new, but the fundamentals of the sale remained the same. We had a catalog of quality yearlings catering for all sectors of the market and the clearance rate of 84 percent demonstrates the enduring appeal of the sale, even in these challenging times.

“The obvious highlight was the new record top price of £325,000 (US$413,978) for Jim Bolger's outstanding Teofilo colt consigned by his granddaughter Clare Manning and we are delighted that his support of the September Yearling Sale has been so richly rewarded. The feature of the sale has, however, been the depth to the trade from start to finish. We have had a record number of lots sell for £150,000 (US$191,070) or more and buyers from throughout Britain and Ireland have been competing with a strong overseas contingent, most notably from Italy.

“Relocating the sale was not an easy decision and we would like to thank the vendors and purchasers, all of whom have contributed to the success of the past two days. The sale has displayed a remarkable resilience under the circumstances and is a tribute to the professionalism and commitment of all concerned.”

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Overall, 125 horses were sold for an aggregate of €3,816,490 (US$4,448,506), an average price of €30,532 (US$35,588), an improvement of 9 percent compared with 2019, and a median price of €21,978 (US$25,617), an increase of 22 percent. The clearance rate was 85 percent.

The sale was conducted in sterling and four lots sold for six-figures with the Grove Stud consigned filly by Kitten's Joy fetching the top price of £220,000 (US$281,623) (Lot 74).

Her sale was a serious pinhook result for consignor Brendan Holland of Grove Stud – she cost just $27,000 as a yearling last summer.

“I bought her off my pals at Hunter Valley. She has done really well, she is a lovely, lovely filly, she has loads of quality. She was always very natural, I am delighted it is a great result,” said Holland.

The filly's sale was 2020's penultimate breeze up offering from Grove Stud and Holland added: “It is a great end to the season. I look forward to relaxing and watching Goodwood next week, but we have got yearlings in and we are starting to prep them.”

Another of the pinhook results of the day came late in the day – the colt by Dialed In, named Onesmoothoperator, purchased by Ger Kennedy of Sherbourne Lodge last autumn for $5,000, sold for £140,000 (US$179,217) today (Lot 244). He was bought by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock, standing on the stairs with trainer David Simcock.

He didn't do a fast time at all, but he is bred to be a [mile and a quarter] horse so you would not expect it – he is out of a Medaglia D'Oro mare from Stormy Atlantic's family,” said Brown. “He is a phenomenal mover.  he has a wonderful way of going. He has been bought for our Never Say Die re-sale syndicate. We will put him in a field for two weeks now and he will probably go to David's in September.”

“Ger found him late on in the U.S. at the Fasig October Sale,” said Yvonne Kennedy. “Buying yearlings in France and the U.S. has been good to us this year, and there has been a lot of interest in the horse this spring.”

Ger added: “The sale companies have all been brilliant with everything this year, and there is no place like an auction ring to find the true value of a horse.”

At the conclusion of the sale, Tattersalls Ireland Director Simon Kerins commented:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the vendors who have risen to the challenge of today's sale being relocated to Park Paddocks at the 11th hour. Like many in the bloodstock industry, the breeze up consignors have had to deal with difficult circumstances in the run up to the 2020 Breeze Up season, notably with today's sale original dated in May and they have met the change in date and venue with tremendous positivity and it was pleasing to see several vendors have excellent results.

“The bloodstock industry is truly resilient, and this was evident today by the strong demand for the choice lots. It was immensely satisfying to sell the second highest price ever for a two-year-old at the Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale with Grove Stud's Kitten's Joy filly selling for £220,000 (US$281,623) to David Simcock. There were considerable increases in the average of £27,284 (US$34,919) (up 9 percent from €27,992 (US$32,627) in 2019) and median of £20,000 (US$25,596) (up 22 percent from €18,000 (US$20,980) in 2019) considering that the numbers offered were down significantly on 2019, while the high clearance rate of 85 percent also needs to be acknowledged. We can now look forward to the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale returning to Fairyhouse Racecourse and Tattersalls Ireland respectively in 2021.

The Tattersalls Ireland team look with positivity to hosting our Derby Sale and May Store Sale on Aug. 18-20, followed by the August NH Sale on Aug. 27-28 in Ireland.”

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Whether in sterling or euros, the day’s top price of £220,000 was way in excess of last year’s €175,000 leader, and that was given for Grove Stud’s daughter of Kitten’s Joy (lot 74), who will remain in Newmarket to join David Simcock’s stable.

Brendan Holland of Grove Stud is no stranger to being atop the leader board in this sector. He has sold the top lot at the Arqana breeze-up for the last two years running, and the highlight of this sale was a filly bought at Keeneland September for $27,000, having originally passed through that same ring for just $4,000 as a weanling. Bred by a partnership including Kitten’s Joy’s owner Ken Ramsey, the April-born filly is a daughter of the four-time winner Desertstormelite (Chester House)

“I bought her from my pals at Hunter Valley,” said Holland. She has done really well, she is a lovely filly and has loads of quality. She is very natural, always.”

The pinhooker admitted to a degree of relief at the end of a delayed season. He added, “This is a great end to the season. Personally, we have done fine, and most consignors are relieved it is all over and everyone is still in the game, I’d say. I look forward to relaxing and watching Goodwood next week, but we have got yearlings in and we are starting to prep them.”

Jamie Spencer did the bidding on Simcock’s behalf and the trainer and jockey were also involved in the purchase of lot 17, a colt by Free Eagle (Ire), offered by Knockgraffon Stables and knocked down at £82,000.

“His breeze really caught the eye, the sire has been doing very well, and this is a horse for the future,” said Simcock of the third foal of the Exceed and Excel (Aus) mare Tristara (GB), whose first two offspring are both winners.

Relief All Round…

However strange and, at times, fraught this season has been, the most important thing for the breeze-up consignors and, in turn, the yearling sales to come, was to ensure that these sales took place in whatever format possible. The flexibility and patience shown by both sales houses and consignors should be applauded, and they have both been rewarded in the main with decent trade throughout the season–a relief all round when set against the backdrop of heavily reduced prize-money in Britain and Ireland and restricted access to the races for owners.

Last year’s Goresbridge Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up delivered an impressive clearance rate of 91% and though that couldn’t quite be matched this year, the 85% recorded on Friday was still decent.

That was brought about through the sale of 125 juveniles from the 147 offered after a high number of withdrawals. This meant that the turnover of £3,473,000 (€3,816,490) was down by 24%, but from 54 fewer horses sold than last year. The figures for both average and median were up however: the average of £22,784 (€30,532) was an improvement of 9% and the median of £20,000 (€21,978) jumped by 22%.

“Firstly, I would like to thank the vendors who have risen to the challenge of today’s sale being relocated to Park Paddocks at the 11th hour!” said Tattersalls Ireland Director Simon Kerins. “Like many in the bloodstock industry, the breeze up consignors have had to deal with difficult circumstances in the run up to the 2020 Breeze Up season, notably with today’s sale original dated in May and they have met the change in date and venue with tremendous positivity and it was pleasing to see several vendors have excellent results.

“The bloodstock industry is truly resilient, and this was evident today by the strong demand for the choice lots. It was immensely satisfying to sell the second highest price ever for a two-year-old at the Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale with Grove Stud’s Kitten’s Joy filly selling for £220,000 to David Simcock. There were considerable increases in the average of £27,284 (+9% – €27,992 in 2019) and median of £20,000 (+22% – €18,000 in 2019) considering that the numbers offered were down significantly on 2019, while the high clearance rate of 85% also needs to be acknowledged. We can now look forward to the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale returning to Fairyhouse Racecourse and Tattersalls Ireland respectively in 2021.”

Walsh Out In Front Again…

Former crack amateur rider Katie Walsh had a memorable day and her Greenhills Farm led the consignors’ table with four sold through the session for a total of £323,000. That included two of the top four lots of the day.

The more expensive of the duo was lot 26, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) and the most expensive colt of the sale at £160,000, who was bought by Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock. The first foal of the unraced Fastnet Rock (Aus) mare Kymera (Ire) hails from a family which includes the Arc winner Sagamix (Fr) as well as dual Group 1 winner Japan (GB), who contests Saturday’s G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. He will now return to Ireland to join John Oxx’s stable on the Curragh.

“The sire speaks for himself, he is doing fantastic things,” McStay said. “This horse did an exceptional breeze, he vetted particularly well and was well presented by Katie. I am delighted to get a Night of Thunder, they are only going to get more expensive as the year goes on.”

The colt was bred by Micheal Ryan of Al Eile Stud and prepared for the breeze-up by Walsh, who said, “[The Ryans] decided they would go to the breeze ups, my father [Ted] trains for Michael Ryan, Micheal’s father. He breezed really well and it is a fantastic result: great for the breeder, and great for Greenhills Farm, as well. Hopefully, he will go on now and be lucky for Mark McStay and his owners.”

Walsh added of the sale’s move to Newmarket from Ireland, “Personally, I was delighted to see the sale moved to here. You need the British-based clients, and this is where they are. It is apparent when you go into the sale ring.”

She continued, “He is an April foal and the breeders wanted to give him every chance, as he is tall, scopey and rangey, and so the Goresbridge sale was always the plan. Goresbridge has been very lucky for me in the past and I was delighted to come here with him.

“Trade has been great–it has not been an ideal year for everyone–but trade has been really good and everyone’s getting them sold, that’s the main thing. We can all go back shopping in a couple of weeks now, and that is what it is all about, it has been a short turnaround for everyone.”

Walsh’s other six-figure sale came with lot 172, a Lope de Vega (Ire) colt from the family of G1 Prix Ganay winner Corre Caminos (Fr), who was one of three juveniles signed for by Peter Nolan, this one at £100,000.

“They are for the same client, who is new to me, and they will head to Ireland,” said Nolan.

The sale concluded with a number of wildcards following the main catalogued lots and leading the way in this section was lot 244, a colt by American-based Dialed In out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Sueno d’Oro and a half-brother to two winners. Already named Onesmoothoperator, his £140,000 tag was a huge lift from his yearling price of $5,000. The pinhooker in question was Ger Kennedy, who runs Sherbourne Lodge Stud with his wife Yvonne.

“Ger found him late on in the Fasig-Tipton Sale,” said Yvonne. “The sale companies have all been brilliant this season with everything this year. There is no place like an auction ring to find the true value of a horse.”

The colt was bought by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock for the Never Say Die Syndicate which had already signed up an American Pharoah colt at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale earlier this month. After a break he will eventually be joining David Simcock’s Trillium Place Stables in Newmarket.

“He didn’t do a fast time at all, but he is bred to be a 10-furlong horse so you wouldn’t expect it,” Brown said. “He is a phenomenal mover and has a wonderful way of going. We’ll put him in a field for two weeks now and he will probably go to David’s in September with a view to probably running on the all-weather through the autumn.”

Trainer John Ryan did the bidding for lot 94, the Dark Angel (Ire) colt from the well-credentialed family of top sprinter G Force (Ire) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf winner Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast). Offered by Knockatrina House and sold at £85,000, the son of Lethal Lena (Ire) (Thousand Words {Ire}) will race for Flash Figs Racing.

The popular young stallion Night Of Thunder was to the fore again in the sale of lot 98, the sole offering from Johnny Hassett of The Bloodstock Connection, who also fetched £85,000.

The filly, who traces back to the Meon Valley foundation mare Reprocolor (GB) and is out of the Lord Shanakill mare Elevator Action (Ire), will join the newly relocated stable of William Knight after being bought by Jono Mills of Rabbah Bloodstock.

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We’ve heard far too much talk of the new normal. Most people in the racing and bloodstock world will be only too happy to return to the good old days of handshakes and hugs, and bonhomie over a beer in the sales-ring bar. That will take a while but for now we have a happy medium that many feared we would not see at all in 2020.

Almost 12 weeks after the Tattersalls Ascot Breeze-up should have taken place, and ten since the Craven, we now have the two combined for a one-day sale on Thursday. Sixty-three horses have been withdrawn from the original Craven Sale, and another 38, at the time of writing, from the Ascot line-up, including the colt listed as lot 40 for Aguiar Bloodstock but now known as the G2 Norfolk S. winner The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}).

With a large percentage of the horses catalogued for the various breeze-up sales having been prepared in Ireland, the consignors have arrived en masse in the UK, where they will remain for the next fortnight while sales take place in Doncaster next week for the combined Goffs UK and Arqana auctions, and then the Tattersalls Guineas Sale on July 8.

The sense of relief that finally some action is taking place was palpable. “It’s just great that the first part is out of the way and that the horses have done as expected,” said Brendan Holland of Grove Stud on Monday afternoon as his horses were being viewed at Park Paddocks.

“Even taking into account the fact that the racecourse side couldn’t be used I still thought [the breeze session] looked to be well attended, so that was pleasing. We’re showing now and the same familiar faces are around and people look like they’re here to buy horses, so we are hopeful. Obviously we had a very anxious few months. A huge amount of work went in on the part of the sales companies, not just for this but all the sales companies, and for this one specifically on the part of Harvey Bell, and of course the team. There was a lot of pressure to put on the sale under the circumstances and we are grateful that they were able to manage it and that we were given the chance to sell the horses. I hope for everyone’s sake it goes well and that when it’s all over we are still in the game and buying yearlings. I’m sure we will be.”

Holland’s relief was heightened by the fact that the horse who has been pleasing him the most in his work, a colt by Kodiac (GB) out of the winning Pivotal (GB) mare Honeymead (Ire) (lot 53), has also received significant boosts to his page by recent racing results. On Saturday at Royal Ascot his sire was represented by the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Hello Youmzain (Ire) as well as providing the winners of the two juvenile group races, Nando Parrado (GB) and Campanelle (Ire). Then the following day the colt’s 3-year-old half-brother High Accolade (Ire) (Outstrip {GB}) remained unbeaten when winning his second race for James Tate and Saeed Manana.

“There’s no secret that he’s the one I’m pinning my hopes on and I was especially pleased to see him to do what I was hoping he would do this morning,” Holland said. “He came up with plenty of style so I have my fingers crossed now for the next bit. The difficult part is out of the way.”

Tattersalls’ marketing director Jimmy George is also delighted that the sale house has been able to reopen the gates at Park Paddocks for the first time since the February Sale, albeit with strict protocols in place.

He said, “It’s great to be at this stage and to be able to put this sale on for the very patient and long-suffering consignors, and equally patient potential purchases. We are just pleased to be able to hold the sale under almost normal conditions. The ground was fantastic down on the racecourse side, the sun was shining and conditions were very good for the breeze so that’s a good start to the week.”

He added, “We’ve had a lot of medical declaration forms submitted so people have been very efficient and responded to all the requirements that we all currently face and that’s been impressive actually. While we are thrilled to be able to put the sale on, we’re equally very conscious that we have a responsibility to everybody’s health and safety in these slightly strange times.

“Logistically, so far everything has gone very smoothly. There’s been a lot of hard work put into it by the team at Tattersalls and it’s great to see everybody responding in the way you’d hope. I think that bodes well for the week and for the coming sales.”

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