‘A Similar Hind End To Baaeed’ – Sea The Stars Colt Leads Way At Book 2

Many hands make light work. Or in this case, it was many feet and steps that allowed Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock to find and then secure the Sea The Stars (Ire) colt who topped the final session of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Wednesday at 425,000gns.

It was Juddmonte's Sam Guyette, shortlisting for the top bloodstock agent this week, who first lauded the Norelands Stud-drafted colt as a potential nap. 

Brown revealed that, after taking this nugget with a heavy pinch of salt initially, he was then bowled over by Wednesday's topper when he made his way down to Highflyer.

“A lot of credit has to go to our spotters because it's very hard to get around these numbers,” Brown said after securing the colt for his existing client. “Sam Guyette, who works for Juddmonte, has been helping us get through the numbers this week and told me very early that there was a special horse for me to see. I sort of raised my eyebrows and went down to see him and went, 'wow, this is a very serious horse.' 

“I knew he'd be hard to buy. He's by one of the greatest stallions around and has a proper back page. Luckily I had somebody who was willing to stretch and have a proper go. He'll stay in England.”

The Sea The Stars colt is out of Dawn Approach (Ire) mare Miss Aiglonne (GB), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea The Stars). It was a combination of that strong pedigree and likable physical attributes that enticed Brown to go to 425,000gns. 

“He's not a huge horse,” the agent explained. “He's a perfectly-sized horse for me. I got to see Baaeed (GB) quite a lot in William Haggas's. Baaeed had this huge, flat quarter and great width of hip. He wasn't actually a huge horse. This horse had a similar hind end to Baaeed. He has great movement and is just a classy animal.”

Brown added, “We're all realists and know that most horses are not very good. But, buying a horse who looks like that and is by Sea The Stars, it gives you a chance of having a top Group 1 horse.”

Similarly to Book 1, the trade at Park Paddocks this week didn't quite compare to last year, but Brown was left focussing on the positives at close of play on Wednesday.

He concluded, “I think the market has been strong. I think it's been really good. It has been well documented that last week was tricky. This week has been hard to buy. 

“I didn't buy as many this week as I did last week and I've tried on plenty. There's definitely cracks and it would be foolish for everyone involved to say it was completely smooth sailing. But, overall, you'd have to have a positive take away from the sale.”

Key Figures Fall At Book 2

The key figures took a dip at Book 2 this year; the aggregate fell by 11% at Book 2 compared to 12 months ago. There were similar dips with the median and average which fell by 11% and 10% respectively. The clearance rate fell by 1% to 85%.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “As referenced last week the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales reached extraordinary heights the like of which we may not see for many years to come, so for Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale to produce returns which, although falling short of last year, compare favourably with all bar two renewals of Europe's largest yearling sale gives some perspective. 

“As recently as 2016 the turnover at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was below 40 million guineas, with a then record average price of 65,000 guineas, a record-equalling median of 50,000 guineas and an unprecedented 117 lots selling for 100,000 guineas or more. This year's sale has achieved an average in excess of 80,000 guineas, a median second only to last year's runaway record and a clearance rate of 85%. 

“The outstanding Dubawi filly who topped the sale at 725,000 guineas was the second highest priced filly ever sold at this sale, 55 lots have sold for 200,000 guineas or more which is fractionally fewer than last year and the diversity of buyers has been notable at all levels of the market.”

He added, “As ever the support from the consignors has been outstanding. Year after year horses purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale are successful at the very highest level throughout the world, annually demonstrating the extraordinary quality of yearlings that British and Irish consignors, alongside many from mainland Europe, commit to this sale. Buyers, both domestic and international, derive huge confidence from the consistent racecourse achievements of Tattersalls October Yearlings and buyers from throughout Europe and the Gulf region, as well as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA have all made valuable contributions this week alongside the domestic British and Irish participants who will always be the backbone of the October Yearling Sales.

“It is a source of pride that Books 1 and 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale showcase so many of the best yearlings to be found in Europe, but as we move on to Books 3 and 4 we should also highlight the quality of the yearlings to be offered in the next few days. The likes of last year's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lezoo and recent Group 2 Beresford Stakes winner Deepone were both bought at Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale and are graphic illustrations of the opportunities still to be found at Tattersalls this week.”

Owner Makes Hay At Book 2 By Splashing Out On Nine Yearlings

Jim Hay, whose wife Fitri's colours have been carried by Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory (GB) and more recently by smart sprinters Khaadem (Ire) and Equilateral (GB), outlined his passion for British racing after buying nine yearlings at Book 2.

That outlay was headed by a 325,000gns Gleneagles (Ire) colt from Whatton Manor Stud on Wednesday. Hay had been active at the yearling sales from Arqana through to Keeneland, Goffs and now this week at Tattersalls. 

Shortly after snapping up the Gleneagles, the owner's Ciro Di Marzio (Justify), a €518,519 purchase from the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale earlier this year, won a Kempton novice for trainer Ralph Beckett. 

Hay, who expects to be represented at the Breeders' Cup by Nakatomi (Firing Line) [who he owns in partnership with Sheikh Fahad] and Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), admitted that his love for British racing comes fraught with frustrations, but put on the record his commitment to racehorse ownership after bolstering his team for next year. 

Hay said, “We bought a few today. We like Gleneagles and have had a lot of success with them-Royal Scotsman and Highland Chief-so we like the bloodline. The one we bought today is out of a Pivotal (GB) mare, the same as Royal Scotsman, so we like that cross. The experts [agents Ed Sackville and Dermot Farrington] tell me that he looks the business.”

He added, “UK racing is in a terrible bloody state financially. But that's okay, we'll keep doing what we've been doing for twenty-odd years. We'd love UK racing to actually become sensible and be funded properly.”

Hay ran 34 individual horses in Britain this year alone and, along with Beckett, he supports Andrew Balding, Paul and Oliver Cole, Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills and more. A 310,000gns Churchill colt bought from Clare Castle Stud also featured on Wednesday's shopping list for a man who spent $1 million at Keeneland earlier this year. However, Hay relayed his ongoing worry over what the future lies for the industry in Britain due to affordability checks on punters.

He said, “The big dream with all of this for everyone is to produce a stallion that could potentially be worth a lot of money. Otherwise, the whole thing is just basically shredding money. The other thing is these affordability checks. 

“A bookie won't let me put a fifty quid each-way bet on but I've just spent over three-hundred-grand on a horse. This is the nonsense in all of it. All this kind of stuff needs to come to a halt.”

The Gleneagles colt was consigned by Whatton Manor Stud, who were also in lights when selling a Too Darn Hot (GB) colt to Highclere for 320,000gns. Those figures elevated Whatton Manor Stud to end Book 2 as the second busiest consignors with 22 selling for 1,879,000gns. That was only bettered by the 2,628,000gns aggregate posted by Tally-Ho Stud for 28 yearlings. 

Reflecting on the week, Whatton Manor's Ed Player said, “Trade feels tough when you are selling quite a few horses. We had four horses in Book 1 and 25 in Book 2. It has been quite tough but, if you have nice horses, there are plenty of people for it. It definitely feels tougher than it has done in previous times but trade just can't keep going up year after year. But, if you have a nice horse, there is still great trade.”

He added, “A lot of work has gone into these two weeks. The guys at home work incredibly hard and you've just got to try and show the horses as best you can. If people don't like them, that's the market value at that given time. When Tattersalls come and inspect the horses in June, obviously some progress a lot and others don't do as well. Overall, trade is perfectly okay but it's just tougher this year than other years.”

O'Brien Lands Colt By 'One Of The Top Sires In The World' 

Joseph O'Brien has been a constant presence at Tattersalls since Book 1 and bought horses at every level in the past week. The leading trainer picked up a 310,000gns Siyouni (Fr) under the banner of Opm Equine, a partnership that includes American bloodstock agent Justin Casse. 

O'Brien commented, “Siyouni has had an exceptional year. This is a nice strong colt and we're lucky to have gotten him. We've had a few by Siyouni and he's one of the top sires in the world. We're delighted to have him. He's been bought with Justin Casse and Olivia Perkins-Mackey, who works with Justin. We're looking forward to hopefully a mature two-year-old.”

The Siyouni was expertly pinhooked by Guy O'Callaghan of Grangemore Stud from Etreham at Arqana last December for €78,000. He is out of an unraced Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare whose dam is a sister to high-class Ballydoyle-trained runners Rhododendron (Ire), Magical (Ire) and Flying The Flag (Ire).

O'Callaghan said, “He is a smashing colt from a very good family and Siyouni has had an amazing season with two of the best three-year-olds [Tahiyra and Paddington] around. This is just a lovely simple horse and I bought him with my brother Robert for €78,000 from Haras d'Etreham and the late Lady O'Reilly.”

Golden touch

By Georgia Cox 

Lot 1270 

Sire: Mohaather (GB) Dam: Maid For Winning (GB)

Bred by Claiborne Farm

Consigned by Ballyvolane Stud

Purchased by Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock for the Guest Family

This colt is out of the well-named Maid For Winning, who has produced seven winners from eight runners including three black-type performers. Most notable of which is the Group 3 winner Yourtimeisnow (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}). 

Bought by John Foley under the banner of GHS Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Foal Sales for 55,000gns, the Mohaather colt almost doubled in price when selling to Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock on behalf of the Guest family for 100,000gns on Wednesday.

The Guest family are big supporters of George Margason and the trainer could have plenty to look forward to with this colt by freshman sire Mohaather, the progeny of which have been snapped up by notable buyers, including Shadwell, Highflyer, Ed Sackville, Dermot Farrington and Paddy Twomey this week alone.

Buy of the day

A strong case can be made for the last horse [lot 1351] in the ring on Wednesday, a belter of a Blue Point colt, being the best bought horse on the day. Consigned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud, this colt snuck marginally under the average [133,900gns] posted by the stallion this week at 130,000gns, but he was anything but average. He was bought by Thomond O'Mara, a prominent breeze-up handler and, assuming the colt breezes well, he could be one to turn a profit. He'd fit in nicely at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale here next spring and looks very well-bought. 

Thought for the day

Some of the talent displayed by the sales staff on the sales ground over the past few days has been off the charts. We have had the odd yearling get loose in the parade ring, but thankfully, there was no harm done. That's been down to the quick-thinking and skill displayed by the men and women on the ground. A job well done.

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The Next Bucanero Fuerte? Aguiar Lands 200k Wootton Bassett At Doncaster

Robson Aguiar showered Tuesday's Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale-topping Wootton Bassett (GB) colt with praise by comparing him to his Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) and said £200,000 could prove to be good value for the colt in time. 

The leading breeze-up handler, who also plays a major role in the Amo Racing operation, flew back to Ireland following inspections but lot 48 clearly made a lasting impression with Aguiar, who saw off stiff opposition for the Highclere Stud-drafted colt remotely.

Speaking after the sale, Aguiar said, “He really reminded me of Bucanero Fuerte when I bought him as a yearling. He's got a good loose walk, he's very athletic and has a good pedigree. If he works out I think he could be another Bucanero Fuerte. I see a lot of value in this horse at that price.” 

Bucanero Fuerte cost €165,000 at last year's August Sale at Arqana. He became an important first Group 1 winner for Amo Racing when landing the Phoenix S. at the Curragh and is as short as 8-1 with some firms for next year's 2,000 Guineas. 

Aguiar revealed that a number of options are open to his latest acquisition by the stallion and said the half-brother to Flying Childers S. winner Trillium was a standout for him in the sale. 

“I bought him for myself at the moment but we'll see, maybe later on I could have a partner in the horse,” he said. “I'll get him home, break him in and see how he's going before deciding what I do with him. He could breeze or race but I like him a lot and for me he really stood out in this sale.” 

Wootton Bassett continues to go from strength to strength and the Coolmore-based stallion's exploits on Tuesday came after a sensational August Sale at Arqana where 21 were sold for an average of €378,810.

Like Arqana, the trade at Doncaster was strong, with the opening day top lot one of 18 horses to make six figures. Of the 218 lots offered, 183 sold at a clearance rate of 84%. The aggregate was up 1% on last year at £9,082,000 while the average climbed 10% to £49,629 and the median stood at £36,000. 

 

 

Johnston Snaps Up Sister To Sacred Angel

Sacred Angel has proved herself one of the best horses in Charlie Johnston's stable this season in winning the G3 Princess Margaret S. at Ascot and the trainer went to £175,000 to secure her sister from Yeomanstown Stud. 

Last seen finishing fourth behind Vandeek in the Prix Morny, Nurlan Bizakov's Sacred Angel will now be aimed at the Cheveley Park, and her little sister was purchased on behalf of the same owner. 

Johnston explained of lot 160, “She's for Nurlan Bizakov who now owns Sacred Angel. Things have gone fantastic since he acquired her and we were delighted with her run in the Prix Morny. She will almost certainly go to the Cheveley Park next and let's hope lightning can strike twice as we were keen to get the sister.”

He added, “I think there are similarities and this filly is a bit more backward than Sacred Angel was at this time last year. She will get broken in fairly quickly now and then get turned away. She has the same athleticism as Sacred Angel. Delighted to get her.”

Sacred Angel came out of this sale last year and was originally knocked down to John Dance's Manor House Farm for £52,000. She won her maiden at Newmarket in the colours of the Titanium Racing Club before switching ownership to Bizakov. 

The Sumbe boss reaped immediate rewards when Sacred Angel landed the Princess Margaret and was then beaten just under five lengths by Vandeek (GB) in the Morny, a race which is sponsored by the French stud. 

Explaining how the relationship came about, Johnston said, “This is Sumbe's first year sponsoring the Morny and Nurlan was keen to have a runner in it. They were on the hunt for suitable horses in the months leading up to the race and Richard Knight [bloodstock agent] got in touch off the back of her winning her maiden at Newmarket.”

He added, “Could I have said to him that the filly was capable of holding her own in Group 1 company at that point? No. But we were already thinking that her next start would be in the Princess Margaret. It was a bit of a punt with regards to the Morny but it worked out fantastically well.”

Sacred Angel is out of Sacred Aspect (Ire) (Haatef), herself a speedy two-year-old for Ken Condon back in 2013 when landing a listed event over five furlongs at Tipperary.

 

 

'The Sire Is Absolutely On Fire' – Williamson Keen On Havana Grey Colt

Vandeek (GB) has flown the flag for the breeze-ups this season with a scintillating two-year-old campaign that featured Group 1 glory in the Prix Morny earlier this month and Norman Williamson pushed the boat out to secure what he hopes could be the next top colt by Havana Grey {GB}) for £120,000. 

Bought alongside Mags O'Toole, Williamson had to fend off a strong challenge from Roderick Kavanagh, who transformed Vandeek from a 42,000gns yearling purchase into a 625,000gns breeze-up sensation at the Craven Sale. 

Williamson has never breezed a Havana Grey before but said he was keen to snap up the colt from Whitsbury Manor Stud with a view towards the premier sales in the spring. 

“He has been bought to breeze and we all saw what Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) did this year,” Williamson said. 

“The sire is absolutely on fire and I'm delighted to get him. He looks as though he might need a little bit of time but he's a great mover and he has size and scope.

“I haven't breezed a Havana Grey before–I haven't been able to buy one. We had to stretch to get this lad but that's what it has been like at all of the markets. The better ones are making a premium.”

Asked if the colt being by Havana Grey played an important part in the buying of lot 91, Williamson replied, “It is very important at the other end. Of course they have to breeze well but, the plus here–which gave me an extra kick–was the fact he is out of a Pivotal (GB) mare. That's a plus. But he has a lot of size and scope to him and I think in the spring he will turn into a fine horse. Hopefully.”

  • Who said the smaller sums don't make a big difference? For Billy Kelly, son of bloodstock agent Peter, his £36,000 Tasleet (GB) filly represented a sizable profit given he bought the horse for just 6,000gns as a foal at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. The 18-year-old completed his leaving certificate this year and owned the Tasleet [lot 147] in partnership with Paul Winters. Asked what he planned on doing with the proceeds of the sale and Kelly's reply was “go again”.
  • David Loughnane has a £180,000 Blue Point (Ire) colt to look forward to next year after Ed Sackville purchased lot 197 on behalf of an unnamed British owner. The colt was consigned by Longview Stud and is out of the listed-placed So Hi Society (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}). Sackville said, “He was a real standout and the sire needs no introduction. He's out of a fast race filly and the pedigree goes back to a lovely Wildenstein family. He will be trained by David Loughnane, who has a good record with two-year-olds.”
  • Alastair Donald has had great success purchasing on behalf of PK Siu, notably with Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic) and more recently G3 Hampton Court S. winner Waipiro (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The top agent added lot 84, an Eathlight (Ire) filly from Jamie Railton's draft, for £160,000 on behalf of the owner.
  • Anna Sundstrom's good run continued when lot 60, a Havana Gold (Ire) colt purchased with Filip Zwicky at the Goffs November Foal Sale for €44,000, rocked into £85,000 to Howson and Houldsworth/Jamie Insole. The sale came off the back of a bonanza of results at Arqana for the Coulonces operator that included a €1 million Wootton Bassett colt to Yoshito Yahagi. Interestingly, Insole is the former assistant trainer to Charlie Hills and has recently joined Dr Richard Newland on the licence. The pair will operate a dual-purpose training facility.
  • As well as signing for a host of horses for his father Richard and landing the buy of the day in the shape of lot 121, Peter Fahey enjoyed a productive session in purchasing on behalf of Karl Burke, Kevin Ryan and Clive Cox. Fahey landed seven yearlings all told on Tuesday to the tune of £419,000 which represented something of a breakout sale for the young agent.
  • One of the more interesting stories to emerge from this sale last year was the strength of Richard Hughes and the trainer once again flexed his buying power by signing for four yearlings for £330,000. Hughes bought 11 yearlings for a total of £744,000 last year and his Tuesday purchases were headed by a £160,000 Sea The Stars (Ire) filly from Barton Stud.

 

 

Bromley Lands “Wish List” Mehmas For New Client And Classic-Winning Owner 

Classic-winning owner Phil Cunningham snapped up the services of ace agent Anthony Bromley of Highflyer to secure five yearlings for £422,000, headed by a Mehmas (Ire) colt from Tally-Ho Stud for £145,000.

The brief, according to Bromley, was simple; “fast ones,” for Cunningam, who owned 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel (Ire). In lot 97, the agent picked up a speedy-looking colt for Richard Spencer to go to war with next season. 

Standing alongside the trainer, Bromley said, “We've got three so far today. Two-year-olds and fast ones, that's the plan. Mehmas was on our wish list if we could get one. This looked like the archetypal Mehmas–all square, good bum on him, walks well, speedy family and the dam has had a good record. She was fast and there are some good ratings out of the dam.”

He added, “It just ticked all the boxes apart from the fact he was getting expensive! I don't normally spend that high but he was a proper two-year-old type and we really hope he can do well for Phil. Excited.”

Bromley also picked up a Mohaather (GB) colt from Barton Stud for £70,000 and an Advertise colt from Lynn Lodge Stud for £40,000 on behalf of his new client and praised the stock on offer at the sale. 

He said, “The vendors have really supported the sale well and they are being rewarded with what looks to be pretty decent trade. It must be said that the sales race [Harry's Half Million] is a great incentive.”

After purchasing the Mehmas, Bromley and Spencer landed another colt Mohaather (GB) [lot 185 for £95,000] and one by Kodiac (GB) [lot 156 for £72,000].

Buy Of The Day

The River Boyne (Ire) colt that Peter Fahey sourced from Tara Stud for just £15,000 looks well bought. 

A ball of speed, he is exactly the type of yearling that Henry Beeby spoke of as being synonymous with this sale. 

By first-season sire River Boyne, who won his Grade I in America before returning home to Tara Stud, the colt will be trained by the agent's father Richard. 

At £15,000, he can run in the lower class maidens in the north of England and he looks early so can be expected to be out in the first few weeks of the season. 

He's not that light on pedigree, either. Out of a Manduro (Ger) mare Princess Eva (Fr), herself a half-sister to Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), she has already produced a black-type winner, albeit in Italy. Given the strength of the trade at Doncaster on Tuesday, the River Boyne colt looks decent business. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Oliver St Lawrence bought a quality-looking Mohaather filly from Barton Stud for £75,000. 

Although above the average for the Tuesday trade, lot 125 boasts a good pedigree being a half-sister to the listed winner and Group 2-placed Sir Boris (Ire) (Due Diligence).

The filly was one of the nicest offerings by Mohaather to hit the sale ground this week and one to keep track of, for sure.

There is a strong chance, however, that the best transaction of the day did not happen on the sales ground at Doncaster, but a couple of miles down the road in an antique shop in the town centre. 

For just forty quid, bloodstock agent Peter Kelly unearthed a vintage top hat that should have cost many multiples of that initial outlay. Hats off, Peter!

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The Leading Sires-Of-Sires In Britain And Ireland? The Stats Will Surprise You

Which stallion does the data say is the outstanding sire-of-sires in Britain and Ireland? The answer will surprise you.

We often hear chat about a stallion's ability as a sire-of-sires being bandied about, but it is less common to see it examined in a more detailed and data-driven manner.

First and foremost, my personal opinion is that using a stallion's record as a sire-of-sires is one of the most brutally harsh measures in all of bloodstock on which to judge a horse. In short, the reality is that the vast majority of stallions do not prove to be long-term commercial successes. 

Consider this. I recently conducted a study to answer the question of what percentage of Flat stallions are a commercial success in the long run. It included every stallion that commenced their covering careers in Britain and Ireland from 2002 to 2014 inclusive and monitored the fluctuations of their published nomination fee. For the purpose of this study, long-term commercial success for a stallion was defined as standing for the same or a higher nomination fee in their 10th year at stud as they had in their first season.

The study included a total of 186 stallions ranging from those that started from as low as £3,000 all the way up to Frankel who began covering at a fee of £125,000. What percentage of that sample qualified as a long-term commercial success by the above definition? Just 17.7% of them. To hammer it down further, only 8% of them stood their 10th season at double their initial fee or higher. Just 3.8% of them stood at four times or more their initial fee in year 10. 

So, for a stallion to do enough to be considered even a reasonably good sire-of-sires is extremely difficult from a statistical perspective. With the very best sires tending to produce the most sons that are given a chance at stud, a top-class sire becoming considered a capable sire-of-sires can be something of a self-fulfilling prophesy. In comparison, even very successful stallions outside of the elite may only get a handful of opportunities for their sons to advertise their father's ability as a sire-of-sires, so the odds are very much stacked against them doing so.

Mind, when one examines the rarified air of stallions that stood for €50,000 or more in Britain and Ireland in 2023 in search of the most notable sires of sires, there is a surprise in store.

Just two stallions are responsible for two or more individual sire sons that feature on this list of the best of the best.

The first is Dubawi through his top-class sire sons New Bay and Night Of Thunder. This won't be a major surprise to anyone given that Dubawi is one of the greatest sires of recent decades. He already has over 50 individual Group/Grade 1 winners to his name and more than 25 of his sons have been given a chance as stallions.

But, who is the other? It must surely be Galileo, Shamardal, Invincible Spirit or some other highly-credentialed star stallion?

No. 

It is Acclamation, via his exceptional sire sons Dark Angel and Mehmas.

The pride of Rathbarry Stud has been a wonderful sire for so many breeders since starting his stallion career at a fee of €10,000 in 2004. However, in terms of producing top-class runners, he doesn't have the numbers to compare to the very best sires around. He has had six Group/Grade 1 winners in his career to date, which is a wonderful tally judged against all other stallions, but it is a relatively small number in the context of the very best sires in Europe. For example, Galileo, Dubawi, Shamardal and Invincible Spirit have had over 200 individual Group/Grade 1 winners between them.

The performance of Acclamation's sons on the track has translated to just seven of his sons being given the opportunity to stand at stud in Britain or Ireland over the years. When one looks at them in more detail, the magnitude of what Acclamation has achieved as a sire-of-sires starts to become clear.

Despite just two of his seven sire sons having achieved RPRs of 120 or higher on the track and the seven of them having started their stallion careers at an average nomination fee of around €12,000, this group of sires have punched incredibly well above their weight. 

Five of the seven have produced at least one Group 1 winner. Four of them have produced multiple Group 1 winners. Of the two that haven't produced a Group 1 winner, it should be noted that Expert Eye's oldest progeny are just three-year-olds this year so it is still early days for him.

However, the real story of Acclamation as a sires of sires is that his sons Dark Angel and Mehmas have risen to elite status as stallions. They both rank up amongst the very best in Europe as sires of sprinter/milers and are members of the very exclusive club of stallions that have risen to a fee four times or more of their initial fee. Dark Angel has had 14 individual Group/Grade 1 winners as a sire and 10 of his own sons have already been given the chance to stand as sires in Britain and Ireland. Despite Mehmas's oldest progeny only being five-year-olds, he has sired four individual Group/Grade 1 winners and four of his sons are already standing at stud in Britain and Ireland. 

All told, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe Acclamation's record as a sire-of-sires as being a statistical sensation.

While Acclamation is still going strong at Rathbarry Stud at the age of 24, whether he can produce another stallion son to further enhance his incredible record as a sire-of-sires remains to be seen. If we have already seen the last son of Acclamation retire to stud, Dark Angel and Mehmas are well on their way to continuing his remarkable legacy as a sire-of-sires. What a legacy it is.

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Death Of Former Irish National Stud Boss John Clarke 

John Oxx has led the tributes to John Clarke, the former chief executive of the Irish National Stud and advisor to Mrs Tsui, who died on Thursday following a long illness. 

Clarke died peacefully in Blackrock Hospice in Dublin and, according to Oxx, will be remembered for leaving a “considerable mark” on the Irish National Stud's history.

Oxx said, “I knew John well. He was the chief executive of the Irish National Stud for a long number of years. He enjoyed a long stint there, during which time the stud had Ahonoora before he was sold to Coolmore.

“Then Invincible Spirit and Indian Ridge came along and they were great stallions for the stud. They are three outstanding stallions who were there for his tenure and he left a considerable mark on the stud's history.”

He added, “In John's latter years, he was looking after Mrs Tsui's interests and Sea The Stars's stud career along with Pat Downes of Giltown Stud. He's been associated with some of the biggest equine names in the Irish bloodstock industry. Sea The Stars of course was foaled and reared at the Irish National Stud before he came into training with me and Urban Sea used to board there and is buried on the grounds of the stud. John had quite a history of great horses under his wing over a long number of years.”

Clarke's funeral mass takes place on Wednesday, June 7, at 10am in the Church of the Assumption, Dalkey.

 

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