Alex Elliott’s Imperium Sales Out To Light Up Tatts With First Ever Draft

Imperium Sales may be the newest name on the consignment block but this is no rookie outfit. Imperium is the brainchild of leading bloodstock advisor Alex Elliott and it makes its debut with 14 horses hitting the market at this week's Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale.

From what Elliott describes as a potential Melbourne Cup horse in Balance Play (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to the rapidly-progressive He's A Monster (Ire) (No Nay Never), Imperium Sales has the potential to make its debut draft a memorable one. 

In many ways, Elliott offering horses on behalf of existing clients will represent a new phenomenon at Tattersalls this week, but he explained how the same idea has been replicated with great success in America and beyond.

He said, “It's something that I have seen Bradley Weisbord and Liz Crow do successfully in America. They've got Elite Sales over there where they buy the horses, manage them and then sell them on behalf of their clients.”

Elliott added, “We have bought 85 yearlings on behalf of various different clients this year so why wouldn't we offer them the facility to see the process the whole way through for them? 

“It's something of a new thing over here but you've got Jacob West, probably the biggest yearling buyer in America, and he has Highgate Sales [along with Jill Gordon], while Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock is involved in Capucines. It's just another service that we can provide to our clients and a lot of them were keen for us to do it.”

Balance Play: one of the star attractions in the Imperium draft | Racingfotos.com

In an ideal world, horses with the ability of Balance Play and He's A Monster would not be going under the hammer this week. A lack of meaningful pots for horses rated 90 and above to aim for means that horses of this ilk are a far more valuable commodity to the international market than to keep in training in these shores. That's the simple fact of the matter at present and nobody is more aware of the situation than Elliott, who has been trading under his own name since 2014.

He explained, “We're offering 14 horses this week. Some of the horses we offer on Tuesday evening you wouldn't normally want to be selling those. But that's the way it is with my clients buying so many yearlings, they have to move some on. 

“Because we are racing around for little or no prize-money, the value is in the commodity, and you've got to look after that commodity. That's what I try to educate my clients about all the time.
“There is a time in a horse's life where he is worth more to the foreign market than he is to keep running here in Britain. That is the case with our entire draft, really. We will be sad to see them gone. I know our trainers will certainly be sad to see them gone. They've been with great caretakers-Ralph Beckett, Clive Cox and Archie Watson-and the horses will arrive at the sales in great shape and will do someone serious service.”

Elliott continued, “But they don't all have to be sold and, Balance Play, for example, will have an entry for the St Simon Stakes at Newbury the week after the sale. It's blue skies ahead for a horse like Balance Play. On one hand, we'd love to keep him but on the other, how do you hold on to a horse like that who could be running around for hundreds of thousands of pounds abroad whereas they are competing for a fraction of that in Britain? 

“As John Gosden said, we have become a nursery for the rest of world racing and if you own a three-year-old gelding who boasts a rating of 101 like Balance Play does, now is the time where he is at his maximum value to sell to the other jurisdictions around the world where he can potentially earn a lot of money. Balance Play could be a Melbourne Cup horse. But, as I said, buying so many yearlings for our clients, we've got to keep the conveyor belt going.”

Balance Play will form part of what promises to be a helter-skelter Tuesday for Elliott's Imperium Sales with 11 horses going through the ring. The classy He's A Monster and similarly progressive three-year-olds Bear On The Loose (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Just Bring It (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) also take to the stage on Tuesday with Elliott quietly optimistic that the market will react kindly to his offerings. 

“As I said with Balance Play, do we keep him here to run in a 20-runner November Handicap for thirty grand or do we sell him to a place where he will be running for a lot more money? He's a May foal and his best days are ahead of him. His numbers have improved run after run and he was very impressive last time at Newbury. He's very good over ten furlongs but he is bred to stay twelve-plus. He could be a Cup horse here next year or he could be a Cup horse abroad. Who knows?”

Elliott added, “Bear On The Loose is Timeform 103 and officially rated 93. He was a one-hundred-grand yearling and is three from five and very progressive. He's a half-brother to a black-type hurdler in Warnaq (Ire) and he hit the line strong over a-mile-and-a-quarter on his last start. He's very unexposed and has been very well cared for by Kevin Philippart De Foy. He's a horse I'd highly recommend. 

“He's A Monster is Timeform 113 and officially rated 104. He's five from nine and his last run was his best run where he demolished a competitive handicap field at Chelmsford off 99. He loves fast ground and the synthetic surface and is a beautiful horse. The only time he let us down was when we ran him on soft ground. He could go on to be anything. 

“Then we have Just Bring It, who has won his last two for Clive Cox. He's Timeform 99 and is officially rated 94. He's a rapidly-improving horse and, again, who do we keep an improving three-year-old running around for twenty grand? 

“He will love a mile on fast ground and, being out of a Pour Moi (Ire) mare, he'll probably get a-mile-and-a-quarter somewhere. He's an attractive horse. Overall, it's a very exciting bunch.”

It says something about Elliott's hunger that, in a year in which he bought his greatest number of yearlings and was once again thrust into the spotlight on Saturday through King Of Steel, a horse of whom he sourced for Amo Racing, that he has added another string to his bow. 

None of this would have been possible, according to Elliott, however, without the aid of right-hand woman Lucy Ryan.

He said, “Lucy Ryan, who works with me, has put this whole thing together. She has done all of the heavy lifting. Between us buying 85 yearlings and her getting this off the ground, she really is one in a million. 

“Lucy has put a great team of people together who I know personally. We have some great show people and some great horsemen and women. That's what we wanted and that's what she's done. We've both been very busy at the yearlings sales so, for her to have been doing this in the background, it has been a great effort.”

On future plans for Imperium, he added, “We're going to be selling four fillies at the December Mares Sale-two black-type fillies [Lose Yourself (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Trust The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})] and one [La Isla Mujeres (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire})] who is borderline black-type who might stay in training. I won't be getting involved in the yearling or foal market, it will simply be horses in training and fillies and mares.”

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Westover Retired With Injury Sustained in the Arc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Zoustar’s Starlust Prevails In Sirenia Thriller

Fitri Hay's dual nursery handicap second Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}–Beyond Desire {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), notched a quickfire double at Chelmsford and Newbury earlier in the year and took a step up the ladder with a narrow verdict in Saturday's G3 Unibet Zero% Mission Sirenia S. at Kempton, his sixth straight start going six furlongs.

With tasks made easier by the scratching of 'TDN Rising Star' Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}), Starlust went postward as the 2-1 second favourite and found a comfortable rhythm off the pace in sixth before improving one spot on the run to halfway. Making eyecatching headway out wide in the straight, he quickened stylishly to launch his challenge entering the final furlong and kept on in relentless fashion under hands-and-heels rousting to deny the resilient Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) by a head after a thrilling tussle. Juddmonte's Array (Ire) (No Nay Never), who ran second behind Starlust at Newbury in July, was on hand throughout the final quarter-mile and tapped out late to finish a half-length back in third.

“I was pretty tight to Callum [Shepherd on Seven Questions], so I couldn't use my stick and was hands and heels for a good furlong-and-a-half,” explained winning rider Hector Crouch. “Every time Callum came to fight back, my lad kept keeping his nose in front and I was always pretty confident we were going to win. He's a classy horse, he's very tough and his attitude is impeccable. I see no reason why he won't improve further from this. He's versatile, ground-wise, and I think he's going to be a real good, fun horse.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Starlust is the seventh of nine foals and one of four scorers out of G3 Prix de Saint-Georges victrix Beyond Desire (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The April-foaled bay is full to a weanling filly and a half to Listed Lansdown Fillies' S. winner Queen Of Desire (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Ghaiyyath (Ire). Beyond Desire is out of a multiple-winning half to G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Mazuna (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), whose descendants include dual Group 2-winning distaffer Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), G2 Premio Roma third Brentford Hope (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and the stakes-placed duo Good Fortune (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Executive Force (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}).

Saturday, Kempton, Britain
UNIBET ZERO% MISSION SIRENIA S.-G3, £70,000, Kempton, 9-9, 2yo, 6f (AWT), 1:12.97, st/sl.
1–STARLUST (GB), 129, c, 2, by Zoustar (Aus)
1st Dam: Beyond Desire (GB) (GSW-Fr, MSW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, $235,547), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Compradore (GB), by Mujtahid
3rd Dam: Keswa (Ire), by Kings Lake
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (55,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Branton Court Stud LLP (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Hector Crouch. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $110,305. Queen Of Desire (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Seven Questions (Ire), 129, g, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Get Up And Dance (GB), by Makfi (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£58,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Victorious Racing & Fawzi Nass; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-George Scott. £15,050.
3–Array (Ire), 129, c, 2, No Nay Never–Joyeuse (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £7,532.
Margins: HD, HF, 2. Odds: 2.00, 11.00, 1.38.
Also Ran: Who Said Go, Hala Emaraaty (Ire), Golden Trick (Ire), Asadna (Ire), Government Call (Ire). Scratched: Eben Shaddad.

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Observations: Skellet Bids to Make Up for Unlucky Debut

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features Skellet, a half to MGSW Skitter Scatter.

 

15.10 Salisbury, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, f, 6f 213yT
SKELLET (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) was one of the unluckiest losers all season at Sandown on her debut for the Ralph Beckett stable last month and with her killer pedigree steps out for this Bob McCreery Memorial British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' S. with a score to settle. Anthony and Sonia Rogers' homebred is a half to the G1 Moyglare Stud S., G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) and the G2 Superlative S. runner-up Victory Dance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), as well as the graded-stakes-placed dam of the recent GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify). Among the newcomers is Allan Belshaw's homebred Times Edition (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a Roger Varian-trained half-sister to the Gi Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just a Game S. heroine Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and Cheveley Park Stud's Santa Croce (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a Sir Michael Stoute-trained daughter of the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Fillies' Mile winner Nannina (GB)  (Medicean {GB}).

15.30 Haydock, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, c/g, 7f 212yT
GULF LEGEND (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) cost €300,000 when bought privately for Bon Ho at the Arqana Deauville August Sale, months before his half-brother Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) achieved notoriety as the winner of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Also a half to the smart Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the James Ferguson trainee encounters the €575,000 top-priced colt of last year's Goffs Orby, Stall Perlen AB's Odin Legacy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a Richard Hannon-trained half-brother to the stable's recent G3 Oak Tree S. winner Magical Sunset (Ire).

HOW THEY FARED
16.29 Cork, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8fT
Foxtrot Zulu (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), the 450,000gns Tatts Book 1 half-sister to Going Global (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), failed to threaten as the well-backed 4-6 favourite and could only manage a staying-on third, beaten around four lengths.

 

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