Tag: Shared News Europe

‘World-Class’ Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Has Mass Appeal

A total of 73 juveniles by some of the pre-eminent dirt sires from America complemented by a collection of top European turf stallions are set to go under the hammer during the second renewal of the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale to be held Tuesday evening in the sprawling parade ring at Meydan Racecourse.

“It's just a huge honour and privilege to be appointed as auctioneer now for the second year by the Dubai Racing Club and the chairman, Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, and it's a great feather in our cap that we are the appointed auctioneers to Sheikh Mohammed, really,” said Henry Beeby, Goffs Group Chief Executive.

Nothing breeds future success like past success, and Beeby is quietly optimistic that this year's renewal outperform the results from 12 months ago.

“It was a great success year one, the vendors have done a mighty, mighty job in learning a huge amount about what's required,” he said. “We've got a really good collection of horses, we've got global interest and we're very excited about the outcome for the sale.”

Beeby credits Goffs International Clients Relations Consultant Tom Taaffe, Nick Nugent and Gerry Hogan for their collective work in liaising with the sale vendors in recruiting the types of horses that can succeed at the races, be it in the Gulf region or beyond, now and in the future. Taaffe suggested that the freedom to travel abroad during 2022 has made the task at hand significantly easier.

“The vendors, purchasers, Goffs and the Dubai Racing Club have learned much from last year,” said Taaffe. “This year, the vendors–without any COVID restrictions–have moved around the globe, particularly the States, and picked up what they feel is suitable to come to this sale. I would say that the results will reflect that proof out on Tuesday night.”

The variety of horses on offer will suit all budgets, said Taaffe.

“Goffs and the Dubai Racing Club have produced a world-class catalogue to be held in a world-class country,” he said. “The horses in the catalogue are designed to be at three levels, there are many purchases that are top level and middle level and a slightly lower level. We are happy to present these horse to any audience.”

'Three-Quarter Speed Work On the Bridle'

Beeby would know a thing or two about breeze-up sales, as his late father Harry was the former chairman of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (now Goffs UK), which launched the concept of such an auction in the 1970s. An old-school mentality has been agreed to by the auctioneer and the Dubai Racing Club to allow the sales horses a chance to display their innate ability under tack without necessarily emptying the tank. This year's gallops took place Monday over the synthetic training track.

“This is a breeze-up with a difference because virtually every other breeze-up held around the world are very clock-based,” said Beeby. “When I first started with my father, what people were looking for in those days was a good three-quarter speed work on the bridle showing potential. That's what we told the vendors last year and I think it sat very well.”

Taaffe added: “We have to credit His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and His Highness Sheikh Rashid for agreeing with Goffs to run the sale with no clocks. There is no timing here, it's not based on speed, it's about producing the most quality horse that will develop with more of a 3-year-old programme in mind and longer longevity because they race at four, five, six, seven here. Having no clock here is a big thing, we can give a horse a chance to develop and its head not to be blown. The emphasis is more on the longevity and a good career rather than speed.”

Take Two

During last year's inaugural sale, 55 2-year-olds (from 69 offered) changed hands for turnover of €8,467,630, good for an average of €153,957 and a median price of €99,169. The event was topped by a colt by the wildly successful Hill 'n' Dale Kentucky-based Curlin who fetched just shy of €620,000 from Mohammed Al Subousi.

The 2022 Breeze-Up received a timely endorsement when two of its graduates–Go Soldier Go (Tapiture, €123,962) and Mr Raj (Bolt d'Oro, €86,773)–finished first and second, respectively, in the Listed Al Bastakiya S. on Super Saturday Mar. 4. The duo face a rematch in Saturday's G2 UAE Derby. Big Red Farm purchased Labeling (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for just over €520,638 at last year's event and watched as the half-brother to G3 Chartwell Fillies S. winner and G1 Matron S. runner-up Lily's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and to the stakes-winning and multiple Group 2-placed Zurigha (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) won his maiden at first asking before finishing third, beaten a half-length, in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity last December.

“We've had 14 individual winners out of the sale now, six different countries,” said Taaffe. “People are aware of that and I would expect it to fester and grow from there. This is a world-class sale, make no doubt about it. It can stand up properly over the test of time.”

Beeby believes there was a bit of a feeling-out process among buyers and sellers alike last year which he expects to have dissipated this time around.

“There was plenty of interest last year, but there's definitely been greater interest this year,” he said. “A lot of people watched last year, and we were pleased with the results, but there were people watching and monitoring and now they've seen the success.”

The team at Goffs and the Dubai Racing Club are committed to grow and evolve as necessary, and Beeby believes that will be on full display during Tuesday's sale.

“I think the greatest thing we all learned was what that particular market wants and what works there,” he said. “The horses that did well at the sale were the dirt horses or the real top-of-the-range European horses–the Frankels and Dubawis. You've got to work to your market. We've got another good bunch.”

For the entire Dubai Breeze-Up catalogue, please click here.

 

 

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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).”

 

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Treble Group 1 Winner Pastorius Dies at 14

The G1 Deutsches Derby winner and dual-purpose sire Pastorius (Ger) has died at the age of 14 after failing to respond to treatment for a “multinodular pulmonary fibrosis syndrome”.

Bred by Franz Prinz von Auersperg and Florian Haffa, the son of Soldier Hollow (GB) landed three Group 1 victories in Germany and France for trainer Mario Hofer and owner Stall Antanando. He followed up his Derby win with success in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis before returning at four to win the Prix Ganay. 

Pastorius, who was out of the multiple-winning Monsun (Ger) mare Princess Li (Ger) and a full-brother to the Group 3 winner and German joint-champion juvenile colt Parthenius (Ger), stood his first four seasons in his native Germany at Gestut Fahrhof. In 2018, he moved to France to stand at Pascal Noue's Haras de la Hetraie, where he died on Saturday.

On Friday at Cheltenham, Pastorius's daughter Zenta (Fr) was third in the G1 Triumph Hurdle having won the G3 Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse in February. His growing profile as a jump sire has also been boosted by the Grade 1 AQPS bumper winner July Flower (Fr).

On the Flat, Pastorius is also the sire of last season's G1 Beverly D S. winner Dalika (Ger) and the Group 3 winners Parol (Ger) and Riocorvo (Ger).

Confirming the stallion's death, Noue said that Pastorius had not been shown to breeders during the Route des Etalons in January while suffering from a then-unexplained illness.

“Very quickly following this, he was diagnosed a multinodular pulmonary fibrosis syndrome,” he said. “The outcome is generally very gloomy. Shock treatment was nevertheless put in place and the situation seemed to have stabilised to such an extent that we were even considering being able to provide a minimum covering service until the end of the breeding season. However, in the last 48 hours his condition worsened and the treatment was no longer reasonable.”

Noue added, “I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past few weeks and all the veterinarians, specialists and friends whom I have asked to learn more about this disease and who have always been there with kindness.”

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Balding Keen On Greenham Prep Run With Guineas Livewire Chaldean

Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), one of the most exciting horses in Britain, is likely to have a prep run for the 2000 Guineas in the Greenham S. at Newbury next month, his trainer Andrew Balding has revealed. 

A general 8-1 chance for Guineas glory, Juddmonte's Chaldean will be bidding to chart the same path to victory as his sire Frankel, who took the Greenham before turning in one of the most memorable performances of all time in the Newmarket Classic. 

Balding is no stranger to Guineas success himself. In 2020, he sent out Kameko to win the race under Oisin Murphy. While Kameko won the 2000 Guineas without having a prep race, Balding is happy to adopt a different approach with Chaldean, given how the colt thrived on his racing last year. 

Balding told TDN Europe, “We are very happy at this moment in time. Chaldean has done very well in his coat and has come forward in his work so, at this moment in time, we are just where we want to be.”

He added, “I think we'd prefer a prep for the Guineas with him and the Greenham would be the obvious one for him. He's not penalised in that and it's eight miles down the road from us. It would be the equivalent of having a good gallop at home to go there and have a race. 

“He's a horse who improved with racing last year–with every race he got better–so we have been planning for a prep with him. That is the intention at the moment, to go to Newbury and then on to Newmarket all being well.”

Chaldean went from strength to strength last season. After suffering defeat on debut, he went on to win his next four starts, culminating with victory in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster followed by a battling victory over Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G1 Dewhurst S at Newmarket. 

Asked if the fact that Chaldean is a May foal contributed to his stupendous progression last term, Balding said, “It could well be. If I'm honest, he was a little unlucky first time out as he got caught in a pocket and was just a little bit inexperienced but he learned a lot from that and, as I said, with each run he seemed to get better. It was a very rewarding two-year-old career and hopefully he can do as well this year.”

He added, “After he ran a few times last year, he became not particularly flashy at home. He's very relaxed and every time we took him to the track, he put it in. He's just a great horse to have anything to do with.”

Frankie Dettori partnered Chaldean to his Champagne and Dewhurst wins and Balding confirmed that the intention is for the legendary jockey to maintain the partnership. 

He concluded, “That's the intention [for Dettori to keep the ride this season]. We are hoping that is the case.”

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