Tag: Michael Donohoe

Diverse Buying Bench Powers Electric Keeneland November Opener

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale gained momentum throughout its opening session and concluded a day of competitive bidding Wednesday evening with 11 seven-figure mares and a median up 30% from its 2022 counterpart.

“It was a good day. It was a really good day,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “We were really pleased with the session overall. The theme of the century seems to be that the quality sells and there was really high demand for the quality. There was great international participation, but plenty of domestic participation as well. There was a real diversity among the buyers. It was a very, very strong market.”

During Wednesday's session, 120 horses grossed $54,340,000. The average of $452,833 was down 8% from the corresponding 2022 session, which included a $4.6-million fractional interest in champion Flightline. The median of $375,000 was up 29.31% from a year ago.

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the day's top seller in the ring, when BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe bid $2.1 million for the dam of Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), but the session had a post-sale topper when Puca (Big Brown), carrying a full-sibling to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), was purchased by John Stewart for $2.9 million after initially being led out of the ring unsold. The mare capped a busy couple of days for Stewart, who also purchased a colt by Curlin for $600,000 Wednesday, as well as seven horses Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton for $13,350,000.

“There is a lot of confidence in the breeding industry right now,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “I think the median jumping just over 30% when you include Puca, is a significant increase.”

Shadwell Racing, which purchased the co-topping weanling at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, purchased Wednesday's highest-priced foal when going to $750,000 for a colt by Gun Runner (hip 154) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The colt was the top of a particularly vibrant weanling market Wednesday.

Last year's November Book 1 section had six weanlings sell for $400,000 or more. Twelve hit that mark Wednesday.

“The foal market was especially strong, we thought today,” said Arvin. “We had double the number of foals this year sell for $400,000 or more than last.”

With 65 horses reported not sold, Wednesday's buy-back rate was 35.14%. It was 26.49% a year ago.

“There was some protectionism in the market,” said Lacy. “A lot of people were setting reserves that were not letting horses go. They were not going to sell them short. There were quality mares not being sold off cheap which I think is great for the industry. When you speak to the sellers, they were comfortable that they were not going to sell this one below a certain value. And that's ok.”

The Keeneland November sale continues through Nov. 16 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.

Mage's Dam Puca Brings $2.9M

Plenty of the pre-sale hype revolved around Case Clay Thoroughbred Management's initial sales offering, including the big mare–Puca (Big Brown) (Hip 191)–dam of this season's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). Initially led out of the ring unsold at $2.8 million, the 11-year-old mare later found a home with Lexington financier John Stewart, who snapped the mare up for $2.9 million.

Clay sold the mare on behalf of Robert Clay's Grandview Equine, who purchased her in foal to Gun Runner for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2018.

Puca | Keeneland

“What we were fine with, RNAing her, was that Good Magic Baby in her belly,” Clay explained. “We were confident in her value, and fortunately, John Stewart recognized that.”

Puca, a half-sister to Grade I winner and $1.5-million earner Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}), is also responsible for multiple stakes placed Gunning (Gun Runner) and Dornoch, a full-brother to Mage. Runner up in the Sapling S. at Monmouth this past summer, he came back to graduate impressively going a mile and a sixteenth at Keeneland Oct. 14. To further bolster her resume, Puca's yearling colt by McKinzie also realized $1.2 million at the Keeneland September Sale.

“He's buying a queen,” Clay said of Puca. “She is the dam of Derby winner and black-type for the first three foals. If Dornoch wins the [Dec. 2] GII Remsen S. [at Aqueduct], she's 'Broodmare of the Year'.”

The daughter of SP Boat's Ghost (Silver Ghost) sold carrying a full-sibling to the Derby hero.

Clay underscored, “I really think that's her fair market value. Dams of Kentucky Derby winners don't come along in the same year. It's been a long time since that has happened.”

Later in the sale, Clay also sold the second half of his maiden consignment–Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger})–to Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success for $1.65 million.

“I am really grateful to both Paul Varga [owner of Dalika] and Grandview for giving me the opportunity to sell them. And for Bryant Prentice who purchased Dalika and John Stewart for buying Puca. I am excited for them too. I think they bought beautiful mares.”–@CbossTDN

White Hot in Demand at Keeneland

After bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, got outbid on GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday night, he went to $2.1 million to acquire that filly's dam, White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 170) Wednesday at Keeneland.

“She is a Galileo mare and she's the dam of a Group 1-winning juvenile,” Donohoe said of the 10-year-old mare who sold in foal to Into Mischief. “She is in foal to a champion stallion. So she made a lot of sense. It's a great family and those Galileo mares, you can see what they can do around the world as broodmare sires. We are happy to get her.”

 

White Hot was consigned by Stone Farm on behalf of Bobby Flay, who purchased the mare as a yearling for 1,250,000gns at the 2014 Tattersalls October sale. While the bay never made it to the races, her first foal was Pizza Bianca, who sold for $3 million Tuesday night.

“Pizza Bianca made all of that money last night at Fasig-Tipton,” Donohoe said. “We had a good go at her last night.”

Out of Gwynn (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), White Hot is a half-sister to G1 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi (Montjeu {Ire}).

“I bought her for an existing client and she will probably stay in the States and foal here,” Donohoe said.

Of a potential mating in 2024, Donohoe said, “We will see what kind of baby comes out of her. But those Galileo mares, you can cover them to most of the stallions based here in the States.”

While Donohoe declined to name his client, the Irishman has previously bought several high-profile fillies and mares for Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong.

Lynn Hancock of Stone Farm said it was a good result from both sides of the transaction.

“Obviously, great sale, but she's a lovely mare,” Hancock said. “She's beautiful, looks the part. Her first foal is a Breeders' Cup champion. So, you can't ask any more of a mare than that. We're happy with that.”

Of the price, Hancock added, “I think she's worth every penny of it. She's a lovely mare, she's beautiful. She acted like a queen in the back ring and she is in foal to a hot sire.” @JessMartiniTDN

Juddmonte Strikes Late for Ack Naughty

After getting shut out on a number of high-profile mares at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday and earlier in the first session of the Keeneland November session, Juddmonte Farm's Garrett O'Rourke finally got his mare when acquiring Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (hip 246) for $1.8 million. The 11-year-old mare, who sold in foal to Into Mischief, was consigned by Sequel New York as agent for Chester and Mary Broman. She is the dam of ill-fated Grade I winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).

 

“We were at the sales yesterday and we were here again today for Puca,” said O'Rourke. “This felt like the last legitimate big, good-looking mare. Obviously, she is the dam of a Grade I winner and she's in foal to Into Mischief, who is a stallion we have had a lot of success with and we breed to every year. There is the opportunity to keep on doing the same mating if the family would want to do that. We are happy with her. She's my type of mare–a nice, big, strong mare with great bone, a good race mare and a good producer already. So I'm glad we got something.”

O'Rourke admitted it's been tough bidding, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and Wednesday at Keeneland.

“It's been hard in there,” he said. “The top end, as everyone says, is just killer strong. It's just like people are buying art in a hot market. It's hard to put a value on them at this level. If you want them, you've got to pay for them. And we weren't able to get there earlier today. This was our last chance and I'm delighted to have something to bring home to add to the Juddmonte broodmare band.”

The Bromans purchased Ack Naughty, in foal to Upstart, for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale. That was just a month after her first foal to race, Practical Move, won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. The colt added wins in the GII San Felipe S. and GI Santa Anita Derby this past spring.

“We just bought this mare in January,” said Sequel's Becky Thomas. “But it was before Practical Move really became Practical Move. So he won a Grade II and then a Grade I after we bought her. Mr. Broman still races quite a bit, but he is breeding to sell in a commercial market. This will be a chance to put cash back into the program and that's what we did.”

Of the mare's price tag Wednesday, Thomas added, “Way above the reserve, but she's a beautiful mare and she had Practical Move. We are just really happy that we were able to do it and happy that Mr. Broman gives us the ability to play at a high level.”

Frankel Filly for Lyon

Graded stakes winner Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (hip 125) became the first seven-figure mare of the Keeneland November sale when selling for $1.8 million to Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm.

“I am very excited about getting this mare,” Lyon said. “I am a Frankel lover. I had one filly [by him] that unfortunately isn't going to be a race filly that I bred. But when I saw this filly, with her race record, I was so excited to have her in my broodmare band.”

 

Bred and raced by Andrew Rosen and trained by Shug McGaughey, Skims won last year's GII Sands Point S. and was second in this year's GII Canadian S. On the board in eight of 14 starts, she won four times and earned $426,685.

The 4-year-old racing or broodmare prospect, who was consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, is out of Royal Decree (Street Cry {Ire}) and is a half-sister to group winner War Decree (War Front). Her second dam is multiple Grade I winner Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).

“That was right in line with what we thought she would bring,” said Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services' John Stuart. “She is by Frankel and from a nice family. I am really happy that she is staying right here in the Bluegrass.”

'Pursuit' Lands Dalika for $1.65M

Bryant Prentice's Pursuit of Success may not have made the leader board with raw numbers, but it certainly did when it came to quality. With Archie St. George handling the bidding duties, Prentice extended to $1.65 million for Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) (Hip 223) during Keeneland's Book 1 session.

“I was thinking she might not bring that much, but the market is strong and she is a Grade I winner,” said St. George. “It was definitely more than we were hoping to have to give.”

 

Consigned by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management, the gray mare sold in foal to Flightline.

Clay said, “I thought it was great and was well sold and well bought. She's sound, a Grade I winner and in foal to Flightline, so I think it's a fair value for her.”

The mare is a member of the first group of mares to be bred to the 2022 Horse of the Year.

“She is a beautiful mare. We were keen to get her,” said St. George. “Obviously, in foal to a beautiful stallion. She was just a top-quality mare.”

Clay added, “[She was] the whole package. She won in 5 1/2 furlongs up to 11 furlongs–very versatile and carried her speed. It was every little thing and then when she arrived here she showed well the whole time. People really liked her, so there was a lot of attention.”

Out of the Hurricane Run (Ire) mare Drawn To Run, the 7-year-old is a half-sister to Group 3 placed Drawn To Dream (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}). Her extended family includes Group 1 winners Corre Caminos and Recital.

“She is a top race filly,” said St. George. “She has the quality and looks and, hopefully, she can throw something that looks like her. The sky is the limit.”

While at the forefront of Wednesday's purchase for Prentice, St. George was quick to credit the late bloodstock James Delahooke for much of the team's success.

“Mr. James Delahooke used to do a lot of work for [the Prentices] and I am carrying on his legacy,” he said. “It's really a team effort. The mare is on the farm.”

“Taking on James's legacy, it takes an army to do it. God rest his soul.” —@CbossTDN

Dalika Departure Bittersweet for Varga

Paul Varga of Bal Mar Equine found himself in the unprecedented position of experiencing the joy of reeling in seven figures for his prized mare Dalika, but also facing the sad reality of her departure.

“She definitely gave us a great day,” he said. “But it really is hard obviously to let go of a mare like that.”

 

Bred by Gestut Ammerland, Dalika made three starts in Europe, including a win at Dresden in 2018, before selling privately to Varga late in her 2-year-old season.

For Varga and trainer Al Stall, the German bred annexed four wins at the graded level in the U.S., headed by a score in the 2022 GI Beverly D. S. before retiring with earnings in excess of $1.4 million

In regard to the final price, he added, “Given the results of her accomplishments, that's sort of where we thought she might be.”

While bittersweet, Varga explained the bright side was that he retains Drawn to Race (Ger), a full-sister to the Grade I winner.

“One great thing is I have her full-sister. She's in foal, so I can still keep the family. A huge amount of congratulations to not only Case [Clay] for selling her, but also to Albert Stall, who trained her all along. She required a ton of patience to run that much over that long a time. And he and his group did a super job. Honestly, this was great, but it's so much more fun to watch them win on the racetrack.” —@CbossTDN

Repole Back in Action at Keeneland

Mike Repole, who spent $6 million to buy out his partners on champion Nest (Curlin) at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Tuesday, was back in action at Keeneland Wednesday, purchasing five mares for $4.4 million. Leading the way was the racing/broodmare prospect Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) (hip 201), who sold for $1.4 million.

“Nice, nice, nice horse,” Repole said of the 4-year-old Ontario-bred who was consigned by Four Star Sales. “I thought she was worth that as a broodmare. We are going to race her next year. I am trying to save racing one horse at a time. Thought about keeping her with Brad Cox.”

 

Interstatedaydream, who was purchased by Staton Flurry's Flurry Racing Stable for $175,000 at the 2021 OBS April sale, won last year's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and GIII Indiana Oaks and was third in the GI Ashland S. She came into the Keeneland sale off wins in the Sept. 30 Twixt S. and Nov. 3 Turnback the Alarm S.

The bay filly is out of Babcock (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to Canadian champion Uncaptured (Lion Heart).

Repole, who said Tuesday he expects to return Nest to the races in 2024, also plans to send Surprisingly (Mastery) (hip 140)  back to the track after purchasing the 4-year-old filly for an even $1 million Wednesday from the Claiborne Farm consignment. Bred and campaigned by the Phipps family, the filly won the GIII Endeavor S. in February for trainer Shug McGaughey before hitting the board in four straight graded events through the summer. She was most recently seventh in the GII Ballston Spa S. in August at Saratoga.

“I have a lot of respect for the Phippses,” Repole said. “I have been partners with them on other horses. Plus, I like that she can race. We will keep her here for about 30 days and then ship out to Palm Beach to Todd [Pletcher] and have some fun with her last year. And then put her in our broodmare band.”

Surprisingly is out of Vagabond (Arch), a half-sister to graded winner Great Island (Scat Daddy). Her third dam is Matlacha Pass (Seeking the Gold), who produced MGISWs Point of Entry and Pine Island.

“I get excited about the mares we are buying to race,” Repole said. “[My associates] are getting excited about the mares we are buying in foal. But I like running and I enjoy the races. If we can keep horses around at ages four and five, they can become stars and be more durable.”

Champagne Lady to Barronstown Stud

Stakes-placed Champagne Lady (Uncle Mo) (hip 214) has a pending date with Triple Crown winner Justify after selling for $1.45 million to the bid of the David and Diane Nagle's Barronstown Stud. The 6-year-old mare, who sold in foal to champion Flightline, was consigned by Lane's End. She is out of Grazie Mille (Bernardini) and is a full-sister to Grade I winner Mo Town and a half-sister to stakes-winning and multiple graded placed 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify).

“We loved Champagne Lady's pedigree and we bought her to go to Justify,” said Diane Nagle. “She's a gorgeous mare. Fingers crossed.”

Don Adam's Courtlandt Farms purchased Champagne Lady for $875,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. She was third in the 2022 My Charmer S.

Spendthrift Back in Action at Keeneland

On the heels of an active day of buying the preceding day, Spendthrift Farm was back at it during Keeneland's Book 1 session. The operation's purchases were led by the $1.05-million buy Tarabi (First Samurai) (Hip 142), offered by Lane's End Farm.

“She is a really impressive physical and a well-bred filly, so we are really excited to have her,” said Spendthrift's Ned Toffey. “It was about what we thought we would have to pay. It was a fair price for her. She would be a nice addition to the broodmare band.”

 

A stakes winner and twice Grade I placed on the track, the chestnut is out of Indian Bay (Indian Charlie), also responsible for full-sibling Shivaji, a group stakes winner and Group 1 placed in Japan.

Asked about who might be first up as a possible mate for the 4-year-old mare, Toffey said, “We have a couple of options there. Maybe something on the farm, or maybe we'll take her off the farm. We'll figure it out.”

At Fasig-Tipton Tuesday, Spendthrift secured five mares for $7.7 million, headed by the $3-million purchase of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate).

“A couple of years ago we bought a number of really strong mares,” said Toffey, explaining the nursery's spending over the two days. “We always continue to try to upgrade the broodmare band. The old adage: pad at the top, and carve from the bottom. That's us just trying to do that. This is part of our process.” —@CbossTDN

Technical Analysis to Japan

Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) (hip 145), consigned by Elite, will eventually be heading to the Far East after selling for $1 million Wednesday at Keeneland. Bloodstock agent Keisuke Onishi of J S Company made the winning bid on behalf of an undisclosed Japanese client.

“She was a very good race horse and was quite a good mover,” said Onishi. “The owner may keep her here to breed her in the U.S. or he may send her straight to Japan.”

Technical Analysis, purchased for 200,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October sale, was a four-time graded stakes winner for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown, with victories in the 2022 GII Ballston Spa S. and 2021 GII Lake Placid S. The 5-year-old mare capped her racing career with a win in the Oct. 27 Athenia S.

The mare's trip through the sales ring Wednesday added to an impressive roster of sales for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, which also sold Grade I winner Search Results (Flatter) to Katsumi Yoshida for $3.6 million and stakes winner Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) for $2,150,000 to Alpha Delta Stables at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday.

The Japanese buyers, who were such a strong presence at Fasig-Tipton, continued to be active across town Wednesday despite the weakness of the yen to the dollar.

“The currency situation is not that good for us, but I think the Japanese buyers still have to be active and try to find good pedigrees and horses to import to Japan,” said Onishi.

AAA Active from Fasig to Keeneland

Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's weanling-to-yearling pinhooking partnership AAA Thoroughbreds, which enjoyed seven-figure success at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, has been busy buying foals, both at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday and at Keeneland Wednesday. The group purchased a colt by Gun Runner (hip 51) for $470,000 and a colt by Justify (hip 67) for $450,000 Tuesday.

At Keeneland Wednesday, AAA Thoroughbreds purchased four weanlings, led by a daughter of Curlin (hip 151) consigned by Denali Stud for $550,000. The foal is out of multiple graded winner Tin Type Gal (Tapit), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Miss Shop (Deputy Minister).

“She's a Curlin filly with a big pedigree,” Hartley said of the chestnut's appeal. “It's so hard to buy Curlins, so we felt like any one that we can get our hands on, we are going to try to buy. I felt like this filly, with the pedigree, she had the whole package. It's a lot of money, but to get a Curlin, if you like them, you're going to have to pay for them.”

Keeneland November Sale | Keeneland

The AAA Thoroughbreds partnership also acquired a colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Yaupon (Uncle Mo) (hip 37) for $400,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The weanling is out of graded winner Lady Sabelia (Majestic Warrior).

“I thought he was the best Yaupon on the ground,” Hartley said. “My goal was to come here and try to buy the best one.”

Hartley said he had plenty of faith in the young stallion, who stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm.

“And my friend Hoby Kight bought [Yaupon] as a yearling, so I was around him when he worked :20 and change at Gulfstream,” Hartley said. “He was such a beautiful horse. And then he went off and won those graded races. We just felt like he could be a big up-and-coming stallion for us. We searched over there [at Fasig] and over here and he was the best one we saw.”

Yaupon worked a quarter in :20 3/5 before RNA'ing for $485,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. He returned to sell for $255,000 to Corinne and Bill Heiligbrodt at the OBS June sale and went on to win the 2021 GI Forego S.

Yaupon was also represented in the Keeneland sales ring Wednesday by a filly (hip 5) who sold for $400,000 to Haruya Yoshida.

Asked about paying $400,000 for a pinhooking prospect by a first-crop sire, Hartley said, “$400,000 is the new number if you like a baby now. You used to be able to come here and buy these for $200,000 or $250,000, but those $200,000 babies are $400,000 now. If you want them, you've just got to buy them.” @JessMartiniTDN

Justify Colt Brings $525K On Day 1

Midway through Wednesday's Book 1 session, a weanling colt by Justify, Hip 150, realized $525,000 from Michelle St. George, signing as Teddy Town Thoroughbreds from the back of the sales pavilion. Consigned by Vinery Sales, the Feb. 27 foal is out of Peruvian Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Thundering Emilia (Thunder Gulch).

“Everything about him was desirable,” said St. George. “He was a beautiful horse. The stallion is also on top of the world right now. We are very happy to have him.”

According to St. George, also the wife of Archie St. George, the colt was purchased as a pinhook prospect.

“We have been very fortunate this year,” she said when asked about the year in the ring thus far. “Some of them were pinhooks and others, homebreds. But we did have a  good year. When you have the right stallions and the right pedigree, it helps.”

The colt's 17-year-old dam is also responsible for Peruvian Group 1 scorer Emilia's Moon (Malibu Moon), SP Mighty Scarlett (Scat Daddy) and Helium (Ironicus), winner of the GII Tampa Bay Derby.

The St. Georges also purchased Hip 138, a filly by Charlatan, for $280,000 earlier in the session. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales selling on behalf of the dispersal of White Fox Farm, the chestnut is out of GSW Summersault (Rock Hard Ten).

According to St. George, the operation aims to secure up to about 20 weanlings throughout the season, but admits that they typically aren't at the price point of Wednesday's purchase.

“You have to do this [buy at the upper level] unfortunately. It's hard, but it's kind of what we're up against now. But this is the one we wanted for today, and we are delighted to have him.” —@CbossTDN

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Pizza Bianca’s Dam White Hot Surges To Session Lead at Keeneland November

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 170), the dam of 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf heroine Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), was knocked down to the BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe for $2.1 million to take the lead at the Keeneland November Sale Wednesday afternoon. The 10-year-old mare, offered by Stone Farm in foal to the all-conquering Into Mischief, comes with a world of pedigree, as she is a half-sister to 2011 G1 Investec Derby hero Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and MGSW/MG1SP Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), the dam of MGSW/MG1SP Ancient Rome (War Front) and Group 3 winner Etoile (War Front). Celebrity chef Bobby Flay purchased White Hot for 1.25 million guineas ($2,122,050) as a yearling at the 2014 Tattersalls October and her yearling colt by Not This Time sold to Lael Stable for $350,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Pizza Bianca was bought back on a bid of $3.45 million at Fasig-Tipton November last fall and was one of several high-profile mares purchased by John Stewart Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton.

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Good Horses, Good Oysters, Good Vibrations: It Must Be Deauville!

DEAUVILLE, France–It would seem that Arqana has pulled off the impossible. Ask ten different people at the sales a certain question and you'd usually end up with ten different opinions. But there is one thing on which everyone patrolling the sales grounds in Deauville can apparently agree, and that is that a pretty stellar line-up of horses has been assembled for the Arqana Breeze-up Sale.

The only thing they can't agree on is which horse is likely to top the sale. We'll know that by Saturday evening, and it is every sales reporter's prayer that it will not be the last lot into the ring, with apologies to Eddie O'Leary, who has that honour this time with his Calyx (GB) wild card.

Nerves can jangle among the consignors, and who can blame them? After all, the investment in yearlings from the breeze-up set has increased significantly in recent years, and for that to continue, a decent return on investment must be found somewhere along the way. But with some gains elsewhere this season, notably at a strong Goffs UK sale in Doncaster, a more relaxed vibe has settled on Deauville and the mood is generally positive. 

Some new faces are in attendance. John Sadler, the man behind the sensational Flightline, is at Arqana for the first time, and his fellow Californian trainer Simon Callaghan has made a temporary return closer to his former homeland of Britain. Also assembled are Terry Henderson of Australian-based OTI Racing, various members of the Saudi racing fraternity, as well as Satish and Bhupat Seemar and Fawzi Nass, the latter trio now all regular attendees at the European breeze-up sales.
Drawing a large contingent of people around his boxes was Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud. That may have had something to do with the generous hospitality offering of oysters, paté, cheese and a rather cheeky little Muscadet, though Whitehead will be hoping that it is more to do with his draft of horses, which includes an imposing Uncle Mo colt (lot 51) who was barely in his stable all day.

Each new person who appeared at the Glending Stables draft asked the same question first: “Can I see your Kodiac, please?” Roderick Kavanagh clocked up some miles jogging to and fro the breeze track on Thursday, but then his extra long legs mean that he takes one step to a regular person's three, so his exertions hadn't worn him out. Indeed, by Friday, he was still bearing the broad grin of a consignor who has had a jolly good season so far.

“We've just landed on a good vein of horses and we've been very lucky,” said Kavanagh. “They've all trained well, got here well, and it's just been a good run. When things are bouncing in your favour, it's amazing. 

“It all has to come together, the people have to get here and it's not done until it's done, but there's definitely a very positive vibe.”

The in-demand Kodiac filly (lot 164) was a €90,000 Goffs foal purchase and she has plenty to recommend her on the page along with clocking one of the fastest times of the breeze. Her dam Leyburn (GB) (Shamardal) is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Centennial (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) with an extended family that includes Classic heroine Sleepytime (Ire) and Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (Jpn).

Kavanagh continued, “The ground was beautiful for the breeze. You've no excuses out there. The star of the show for us is probably the Kodiac filly. She certainly looks the part and is bred on a very successful cross. But we've got a lovely Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly with an interesting pedigree, inbred to Eljazzi (GB) [dam of Rafha (GB)], and then a French-bred Galiway (GB) filly who should appeal to the domestic market. We've also got two lovely colts by Wootton Bassett (GB) and New Bay (GB) and it takes a lot to get a bunch like this together. That stallion power gives you a great chance.”

There's a strong Irish background to the main breeze-up gang and only three French-based consignors appear in the catalogue, with nine horses between them. Among the trio is Jennifer Pardanaud, who, with husband Ronan, has been selling through her Ecurie La Frenée for the past five years.

“I ride them all myself, both at home and in the breeze,” says Pardanaud, who is offering fillies by Zarak (Fr) and Dark Angel (Ire) and a colt by Sioux Nation. 

“I like to let them gallop easily within themselves and not push them too hard. I'm really happy with how the breezes went yesterday.”

Her Sioux Nation colt (lot 54) traces right back to the influential broodmare and German Classic winner Anna Paola (Ger), but closer up on the page, his grand-dam is the Listed winner and Group 2-placed Sugar Baby Love (Ger) (Second Empire {Ire}).

During a short coffee break at the Zinc bar, agents Ted Durcan and Colm Sharkey were hard pressed to pick just one favourite horse at the sale. “There's a whole fleet of them,” said Durcan.

Another agent, BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe agreed with this assessment and praised the Arqana team for the organisation of the most crucial part of the sale.

“The breeze was so well run,” he said. “It took two hours and 15 minutes for 180 horses. You can really get a good view of them, close up and on the screens, and the ground looked good. It's very user-friendly.”

Donohoe added, “It's been quite a good season so far. The Craven was probably a bit disappointing for some, but the Guineas sale was excellent and Doncaster was excellent. This sale has had some good horses in recent years and it's been lucky for me, so when you're lucky you want to come back.”

Yeomanstown Stud's consignment may be missing from the catalogue's index but its draft of five in B yard was drawing plenty of attention nonetheless. On paper, the quintet appears to offer something to suit most tastes: from a colt by the champion sire Dubawi (Ire), a filly by his son Night Of Thunder (Ire), colts by American speedster Speightstown and the Derby winner Masar (Ire), and of course one by Yeomanstown's dependable flagship stallion Dark Angel.

“There's good traffic around and when people come down they are all picking different horses, which is good, to see them landing on different horses,” said Yeomanstown's David O'Callaghan. “Hopefully they all have a good chance and a few will sell well. There are lot of well-bred horses here.”

Elaborating on how he decides which of his team of breezers will head to which sale, he added, “They kind of pick themselves up to a point. You assess them on pedigree and physique and, to a lesser degree, on price bracket. The Craven horses need to be early, sharp horses because the Rowley Mile is hard to breeze for a bigger horse; they need to be very together. And Donny, again, people are focussing on an early two-year-old. But from there on they broaden their spectrum a little bit so you can send a slightly less precocious horse to the later sales.”

The headline horses from the Arqana breeze-up in recent years have included British and American Classic winners in Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and War Of Will (War Front), both of whom were consigned by Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm, as well as the smart juveniles from last year's event, Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). It is a range which pulls in major names from the training ranks even in the midst of important Classic trials at Chester and Lingfield, and at Arqana by Friday were Charlie Appleby, Roger Varian, Simon Crisford, Thady Gosden, Donnacha O'Brien, and Tom Clover among others, while the home guard included Andre Fabre, Francis Graffard, Jean-Claude Rouget, Christophe Ferland and Pia Brandt.

Such apparent interest on the ground during Friday's viewing session was balm for Arqana's Freddy Powell, who has been flying around the world to spread the word. 

“The breeze was very smooth, so that's the first jump that's been jumped,” he noted. “France Galop has a great team here in Deauville and they really embrace the whole thing because it's a great advertisement for their racecourse. 

“There are a lot of people here, some new faces. It's interesting; I was in Ocala a few weeks ago and a lot of Americans are thinking about this sale, and not trying to buy American horses especially but trying to get some horses for the turf, too.”

By the time withdrawals have been taken into account, around 170 horses will be offered on Saturday, making this the biggest breeze-up held at Arqana. 

“We do have to limit the numbers as there's only a certain amount of time people can stand next to the track watching the breezes,” he explained. “At the same time, we had to increase the number because we don't want to turn away the really nice horses that we are offered but we also need to keep a group of horses that are accessible to everyone. Our July sale has some breezers, but that's much later, so for French clients, we need horses who, on paper, who are not looking like €200,000 horses. So we have increased the numbers, but this is probably really the most we can take. There's only is much the track can take, and also the people too.”

The sales commences at Arqana at 11am, by which stage the vast pallet of oysters may all have been consumed at Powerstown Stud, perhaps to be replaced later in the day by Champagne.

The post Good Horses, Good Oysters, Good Vibrations: It Must Be Deauville! appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘We’re Confident He’ll Justify It’ – Donohoe On Lucky Vega’s Book Of Mares

Few stallions who stand in and around the €15,000 bracket can boast a book of mares quite like Lucky Vega (Ire). The Group 1-winning juvenile has been supported by his owner Yuesheng Zhang from the outset and, judging by the Chinese businessman's spending at the premier mare sales through BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe last year, that backing is set to continue. 

While the majority of the prominent owner's European-based mares will visit Lucky Vega this year, a number will also be spread out between Frankel (GB), Baaeed (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire), Siyouni (Fr) and Mehmas (Ire), with Donohoe revealing that the ultimate aim is to breed another stallion prospect. 

But the early indication, according to the County Kilkenny native, is that Lucky Vega is worthy of the mammoth support. The leading bloodstock agent and advisor says that he was most impressed by the first foals by the sire down under in Australia and reports the first crop of European-bred foals by the stallion to be catching the imagination of some notable breeders. 

Donohoe said, “We have always been a big believer in Lucky Vega and are happy to support him in a big way. He didn't show what he was capable of on the track and we know that. 

“Okay, he won his Group 1 but a decision was made pretty early in his three-year-old career for him to go to Australia. In hindsight, there were plenty of races that we could have aimed for and won after Royal Ascot with him.”

Michael Donohoe | Tattersalls

He added, “I think Jessica Harrington would also agree that her horses might not have been firing on all cylinders during the spring of his three-year-old campaign so there are a lot of reasons to believe that we did not see the best of Lucky Vega on the track for all that he won his Group 1. People seem to be amazed about the backing Mr Zhang is giving Lucky Vega but we have no doubt whatsoever in our minds. He is a fabulous-looking horse and the foals are fabulous as well. 

“I was in Australia earlier in the year for the Magic Millions Sale and I was delighted to see for myself what I had been hearing from all of the top judges down there because his foals really were gorgeous. There aren't as many on the ground here in Ireland yet but the early reports are that they are as good a bunch as you will see so we're very excited. He's getting a lovely type.”

One of the major themes to develop from the sale season in 2022 was the strength of Zhang through Donohoe at all of the major sales. All told, the owner spent roughly €20 million upgrading his broodmare band, concentrating on broodmares by Galileo (Ire) in particular. 

Donohoe explained, “There are so many smart mares booked into Lucky Vega this year. Obviously we put in a lot of work at the mare sales last year on behalf of Mr Zhang but, for these young stallions, there aren't too many nicks. 

“Lope De Vega (Ire) has done quite well himself with the Danehill line but that's probably the only standout. Mr Zhang bought a lot of Galileo mares last year because Galileo is one of these freakishly-good sires whose mares seem to nick with everything. He's just very potent as a broodmare sire. So Lucky Vega has covered a lot of nice Galileo mares already and he will cover a lot more again this year.”

He added, “Physically, Lucky Vega matches up well with these Galileo mares as he seems to be putting the strength into his stock with great, big back ends on them. Because he was a quite precocious and fast horse himself, we think he could inject that speed into the Galileo mares. We think that could be a good cross. 

“But we don't buy mares just for the sake of it either. We put a value on them and, if it goes over that value, we pull up.”

Zhang is expected to support Lucky Vega with over 50 of his own broodmares this year, the majority of which boast mouthwatering pedigrees. Asked to nominate some of the most exciting mares set to visit the young stallion, Donohoe joked, 'where do I start,' before putting forward a few of the more recent additions to the team.

“Let's Misbehave (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) could be a good mare to include,” he said. “She is a half-sister to High Chaparral (Ire) who we bought for €920,000 at Arqana last year. It's a tremendous pedigree and she's already the dam of a high-class War Front filly called Sippinsoda (Fr). She's a young mare who is the dam of a stakes winner from her first three foals and from a proper deep stallion-producing family. She is in foal to Siyouni and will go to Lucky Vega this year so she is definitely one we are excited about. 

“Lucrece (GB) is a beautiful Pivotal (GB) mare who is the dam of Hello You (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a half-sister to Signs Of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She was €710,000 from Arqana last year as well and is a fabulous-looking mare. Hello You was a proper fast two-year-old so Mr Zhang is not just sending those Galileo mares to Lucky Vega. He's giving him a chance to produce something with precocity as well.”

He added, “Expressionism (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a nice mare out of Lady Springbank {Ire}). She's in foal to him already actually and will go back to him again this year. She actually only cost 200,000gns from Godolphin at Tattersalls in 2021 and is from a good family. It's a family we know well because Eamonn Riley of BBA Ireland bought Lady Springbank for the Gittins family. 

“Revenue Share (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is an interesting one as she's a sister to the dam of Sea Of Class (Ire). Mr Zhang bought a few mares in Japan to visit Lucky Vega and it's nice because it will be something different. Mr Zhang does a lot of research and follows racing on an international scale and obviously the success that Japan has had and the bloodlines that they are working with interests him greatly. He's investing in that now so it's amazing really.”

They say the secret to becoming an overnight success is the culmination of years of hard work. In the case of this emerging owner-breeder, who enjoyed a breakthrough Classic success with Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo) in the Irish Oaks last year and flexed his muscles at most of the major yearling and mare sales in Europe last term, the seeds had been planted over a decade ago. 

Donohoe explained, “Mr Zhang has been observing and doing his research for over 10 years now and didn't just rush into it without having his homework done like others in his position might have done. 

“He has taken his time and built up a strong team here in Ireland and Australia. He has a really good, young and dynamic team in Australia, headed by Sam Fairgray, and all of his family are involved as well. It's something that he has been building up to for a long time. This whole project has been years in the making. I've learned a lot from Mr Zhang-he's a genius.”

As well as sending a strong book of his own mares to the Irish National Stud resident, Zhang is reported to have a strong understanding of the bigger picture by Donohoe, who revealed that the owner plans on investing in a number of foals by the stallion this year. 

On other notable mares set to visit Lucky Vega, Donohoe said, “It's Magic (Ire) is a Galileo half-sister to Mukhadram (GB) who we gave €490,000 for at Arqana in 2021. It's a deep family. “High Heels (Ire) is another very nice Galileo mare being a stakes-placed daughter of Charlotte Bronte (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). This family is a real fillies-producing family. Recover Me (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is another nice stakes-placed mare from a stakes-producing French family that includes So Unique (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is also in Mr Zhang's broodmare band. 

“Mrs Frankel (Ire) (Frankel {Ire}) is quite an interesting one as well because Mr Zhang is a big believer in Frankel as a broodmare sire. Mrs Frankel is from the family of Gregorian (Ire) and is a sister to Hidden Dimples (Ire) in France. There is a lot of speed in the family.”

He added, “Ligne D'Amour (Ire) is worth a mention being a Galileo daughter of Rosdhu Queen (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She has a gorgeous Lucky Vega filly foal at foot and will go back to him this year. 

“Atone (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is a nice mare we bought in foal to Frankel from Juddmonte. She's a sister to Midday (GB) and has a cracking page. She should be a nice mare for Lucky Vega. Lights On Me (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who is the dam of Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}), is another. It's just a very exciting time for the stallion and we're confident that he will justify all of the support.”

Donohoe told TDN Europe last week that Zhang was expanding his string of horses in training in Britain, with Karl Burke set to train 20 two-year-olds for the owner, who is keen not to keep all of his eggs in the one basket with number one trainer Jessica Harrington. 

That approach is somewhat mirrored to the broodmare band with Zhang set to support a number of proven and up-and-coming stallions to go with Lucky Vega. 

Donohoe said, “Mr Zhang is a big fan of Baaeed and is going to send mares to him this year. Lady Hayes (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who was second in the G2 Lancashire Oaks, Shomooly (Frankel) and Aspiring (Ire) (Galileo), a sister to Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), will go to Baaeed. 

“He will send three to Frankel. Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), who won the G2 Kilboy Estate S. for Jessica Harrington, is going to him. As I mentioned before, Mr Zhang has been a massive fan of Frankel from the beginning. He sent a lot of mares to him and bought a lot of mares in foal to him in Australia as well. He's had a big role to play in the initial success Frankel has enjoyed in Australia. 

“The plan is to send German 1,000 Guineas winner Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who we bought at Arqana last year for €1.2 million, to Frankel. French Dressing (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is another nice mare going to Frankel and is actually in England already. She is the dam of Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel) so the plan is to go back to him.”

He added, “Rasmiya (Ire) (Galileo) will go to Siyouni (Fr). She is a sister to Above Average (Ire) (High Chaparral). We'll also send Zerziyna (Fr), a Fastnet Rock mare who we bought at Arqana, to Sea The Stars (Ire). She's a daughter of Zarkava (Ire) and is a gorgeous-looking mare. 

“We also plan on sending mares to Mehmas. He has had to do it the hard way and his results speak for itself. He's a proper stallion and his progeny know where the winning line is-they really try to win. Bay Of Islands (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) will go to Mehmas. She's the dam of a stakes winner called Bahrani Star (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 

“Maria Montessori (Ire) (Galileo), a daughter of Lesson In Humility (Ire) (Mujadil), is from a speedy family and will go to him as well. Slaney East (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), a nice mare we bought in foal to Mehmas from Jim Bolger, will go back to him along with Eaves (Ire) (Galileo).”

 

The post ‘We’re Confident He’ll Justify It’ – Donohoe On Lucky Vega’s Book Of Mares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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