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Alcohol Free Joins Waterhouse/Bott Stable with Everest the Aim

Four-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who topped the Tattersalls December Mares Sale on Tuesday evening when selling for 5,400,000gns to Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong Investments, will be trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Yulong's chief operating officer Sam Fairgray confirmed to TDNAusNZ on Wednesday that the 4-year-old, formerly trained by Andrew Balding and a Group 1 winner at two, three and four, will potentially be aimed towards the A$15-million The Everest.

He said, “If everything fell into place she would definitely take her place for us in The Everest and, given her race record, I think she would be very competitive. She is going into training with Gai and Adrian so it is going to be really interesting to see how she will perform over here.

“It is fantastic. She is a very exciting mare and she is obviously high-class and it is great for the industry that she is coming down to race here against the Australian competition, but then she will have a great career as a broodmare as well. It is what Mr Zhang is about and trying to achieve and to have her race on is a bonus as well.”

Fairgray continued, “There is no limit to the options for any of the mares he buys. He has a very broad mind and he is very passionate about racing.

“It is a nice thing to be able to interchange some of these mares between hemispheres and obviously with Lucky Vega (Ire) he is going to get supported with some fantastic mares in his second year, it's really very good for him.”

Yulong Investments already own Alcohol Free's dam, the Hard Spun mare Plying, who was bought for for €825,000 at last year's Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale and is currently in foal to Irish National Stud resident Lucky Vega with a foal by the son of Lope de Vega (Ire) on the ground.

The Yulong team has been working in partnership with Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, who purchased over 30 fillies and mares at Tattersalls this week. Another of those, the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), is also heading south to Sydney. Formerly trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, she will join Chris Waller's stable.

Donohoe said, “She's a big 2-year-old and what she did this year is extraordinary for a big filly. Again, she vetted exceptionally well and we'll give her a little bit of time to acclimatise in Australia. She's for the same syndicate of people who bought Alcohol Free.”

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Champagne Celebration For 5.4m Alcohol Free At Tatts

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin

NEWMARKET, UK–Widely tipped for the top, Jeff Smith's Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) duly shone brightest in a galaxy of stars on display at Park Paddocks, bringing the second-highest price ever recorded at a European auction when the hammer fell at 5.4 million gns.

Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong Investments, acting through BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe, has flexed some serious fiscal muscle at the breeding stock sales this season and that reached a new high at Tattersalls on Tuesday when Donohoe outlasted Coolmore's MV Magnier in the race for the four-time Group 1 winner. The four-year-old Alcohol Free, who is set to race on in Australia, led the operation's mammoth haul.

During a frenetic three hours of the Sceptre Session plus a few illustrious wildcards, and with the Tattersalls auditorium at bursting point, 11 elite fillies and mares changed hands for seven-figure sums, with Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) sold to Najd Stud for 3.6 million gns, and Godolphin picking up Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}) for 2.7 million gns to fill the top three.

On a day which saw the highest turnover in a single session at Tattersalls, the aggregate of 54,005,000gns was up by 29% on last year, with the average shooting up by 50% to 281,276gns, and the median by 7% to 112,500gns. A clearance rate of 83% was achieved from 192 horses sold.

The Sceptre Sessions, conducted over two consecutive evenings within the main catalogue, brought a total of 45,907,000gns for 71 sold at an average of 646,577gns. 

Donohoe, confirming that Alcohol Free would remain in training for a partnership, said, “She vetted extremely well for a filly who has plenty of miles on the clock, her reports were exemplary. The partners already have horses in training and breeding interests in Australia and obviously she'll make a fantastic broodmare at the end of her racing career. 

“I think there's 87 races in Australia next year worth a million-plus, so the prize-money on offer there is big, and she's that type of filly. She's won the July Cup over six furlongs then she stays a mile too so there'll be a lot of options for her. Fair play to Andrew Balding and the guys, they did a great job with her.”

He added, “I bought the dam last year for Yulong Investments at Goffs and she's got a lovely Lope De Vega foal at foot and she's back in foal to Lucky Vega.

“It's impossible to value those blue-chip fillies off the track, they're collectors' items because they don't come on the market very often. They're like Picassos, they're a rare commodity. I had a figure in my head though and I was bidding pretty strongly, so that might've indicated I had some petrol left in the tank.”

Bred by Churchtown House Stud, Alcohol Free was a rare non-homebred to race in the famous colours of Jeff Smith of Littleton Stud, who has campaigned such great names as Lochsong (GB), Arabian Queen (GB) and Persian Punch (Ire) during his long association with the turf. Littleton Stud manager David Bowe selected the daughter of No Nay Never and the Hard Spun mare Plying at the Goffs November Sale of 2018, signing for her at €40,000.

He said, “It's the end of a wonderful, wonderful journey that we have been on, a wonderful dream. 

“She walked in and looked beautiful. If it had been five years earlier with Jeff we might not have brought her to the sale ring. We have enough broodmares, she was not bred by us, but it is really to do with the timescale. She will make a beautiful mare in time and it is time for someone else.”

Bowe continued, “We have had so much luck. Everyone involved with her, the team at home on the farm, the Gaffneys whom we bought her from, all of her jockeys. I can't thank everyone enough.

“It has been emotional. Jeff is not here tonight, but it is all down to him: he let us buy her, let us all get involved in the whole dream. I am absolutely delighted, it is a beautiful end to our chapter, and we wish her new connections all the luck.”

Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) was the first filly to break the million mark and, like Alcohol Free, was snapped up by the BBA Ireland to head down under.

The Prix Marcel Boussac-runner up was trained by Jim Bolger and consigned by his grand-daughter Clare Manning of Boherguy Stud who described the filly as the “highest-profile horse” she has ever sold.

The 29-year-old said, “In one sense I'm not surprised that she made what she did but, in another, for her to go in there and make 1,000,000gns, it's unbelievable. Things like this don't happen too often. Everything just fell into place and it all went to plan.”

Manning added, “I was talking to Grandad. I said 'well done,' but he told me to go and congratulate the people who foaled her and all the team at Ennistown Stud, not him. Everyone played a part and we're all delighted. How could you not be?

“I spoke to Michael Donohoe briefly as he was running back into the ring. I don't know where she will go back into training but I hope she is very lucky wherever she goes. She is a Classic prospect and we are looking forward to following her career wherever she goes. I hope she is as lucky for him as she was for us.”

Donohoe, who purchased over 30 fillies and mares this week, described the catalogue as being exceptionally strong as well as explaining why he feels Gan Teorainn is a good fit for racing in Australia.

He said, “Gan Teorainn is going to Australia as well. She's a big two-year-old and what she did this year is extraordinary for a big filly. Again, she vetted exceptionally well and we'll give her a little bit of time to acclimatise in Australia. We'll decide on a trainer after that and she's for the same syndicate of people who bought Alcohol Free.”

He added, “Saxon Warrior has the makings of becoming a top-class Classic-type sire. He had a lot of maiden winners towards the back end of the season and they are hard to win. She is going to be a lovely miler, maybe even a mile-and-a-quarter filly in time, and she has a lovely pedigree as well so she should make a broodmare. We're delighted to get her as well. It's been an exceptional catalogue. It's rare that you get a catalogue so strong.”

Saffron Beach to the Saudi Cup

An international bidding duel between Shunsuke Yoshida of Japan's Northern Farm and Saudi Arabia's Najd Stud ended with the latter prevailing at 3.6 million gns for the dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). Like top lot Alcohol Free, the four-year-old will remain in training, and she will stay in Newmarket with Jane Chapple-Hyam to be prepared for the $20 million G1 Saudi Cup in February. 

“I'm very excited for these gentlemen,” said Chapple-Hyam standing alongside Saud Al Qahtani and Saud Bin Mishref of Najd Stud. “It's a big thrill and a big honour and we've got a good winter to look forward to. She's in good order, she's tough and I believe she'll get the nine furlongs out in Saudi. You never know about the surface but we'll give it a go. 

“She'll have a little rest now and then build her up and get her ready. I'll have to do a very good racecourse gallop because when I sent her to Dubai I felt even though we ran fourth the ones who finished in front of her had all had a run.”

Originally bought as a foal by Liam Norris for 55,000gns, Saffron Beach was an intended pinhook prospect for Ben Sangster and James Wigan, but a minor foot problem as a youngster kept her from returning to the sales. Eventually she was put into training with Sangster's step-sister Chapple-Hyam, for whom she won the G3 Oh So Sharp S. as a juvenile before landing the G1 Sun Chariot and G1 Prix de Rothschild at three and four as well as finishing runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas.

Lucy Sangster, who raced Saffron Beach with her son Ollie and James Wigan, added, “We've had just the best time ever. She's amazing. We've had a journey, from a foal and keeping her, to this. It's a story that has involved all of our family. When we broke her in at home during Covid our daughter Eliza rode her hunter alongside her. Our son Ollie owned a share and Jane is a family member too so it has been a great story for all of us.”

Tranquil Lady to Godolphin

It has been quite the year for the Quiet American mare Repose, who changed hands in a private transaction from the Cantillon family's Tinnakill House to the broodmare band of Juddmonte. Her second foal State Of Rest (Ire) (Straspangledbanner {Aus}) added the G1 Prix Ganay and G1 Prince of Wales's S. to his 2021 victories in the G1 Cox Plate and GI Saratoga Derby, while his year-younger half-sister  Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}) won two Group 3 races and brought the curtain down on her season by selling for 2.7 million gns to Godolphin at Tattersalls on Tuesday. 

Richard Ryan bought Tranquil Lady for £160,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale on behalf of Teme Valley Racing, who also raced State Of Rest during his first two seasons. 

He said,  “It was a bittersweet situation really. It's so hard to acquire something at this level, with these credentials: that clean, that sound, and her best year is next year. But we knew there was an incredible desire at this moment and you don't know how long those windows stay open. We were pretty brave to quite a long way ourselves to make sure she wasn't going to be undersold, and Joseph had a team very keen to try to retain her, but this is a fabulous result. There's a lot more to come from her.”

Anthony Stroud, who bought the three-year-old filly on behalf of Godolphin, said, ” Joseph O'Brien really recommended her, and he's done a great job with her. Physically, she's a very nice model and you can go two ways: we could keep her in training or she could retire. The decision will be made in due course. 

“There's plenty going on in the family and it's a family that seems to improve.”

Ville De Grace In Big Money Transfer To Lordship

Less than 24 hours after her dam Archangel Gabriel (Arch) topped the opening session of the December Mares Sale, her Group 3-winning daughter Ville De Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), bred by Hunscote Stud and Chris Humber, fetched 2 million gns to join the broodmare band at Lordship Stud.

Ville De Grace was signed for under the banner of One Agency and Tom Harris, son of Lordship Stud's Trevor Harris, explained why he felt the three-time winner, who was beaten just a nose to Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), would make a good addition.

Harris said, “We loved her and she was our pick of the sale. She is beautiful, athletic and a good race filly and is an outcross so she can be mated to all of the top stallions. It is very difficult to buy in this market, as owner-breeders we are trying to invest in new blood for the farm and something like her to come and breed for us is a long-term plan and an investment in the future. We are over the moon.

“It was a little bit more than we were initially going to pay, but it is so competitive and you go so far selecting the ones you like. If the foals are as good-looking and as athletic as she is well then we will be happy. It was nice to see the mum sell yesterday and she is producing very nice foals, and she will help us too.”

Consignor Jenny Norris was responsible for one of the biggest transactions in Tattersalls history when selling the Oaks winner Dancing Rain for 4 million gns nine years ago and, having led the opening session with Archangel Gabriel at 800,000gns, followed up with her daughter.

She said, “It has been amazing, we had so many views, and all the right people are here. All credit to Hunscote Stud, they bred her and raced her and had the courage of their convictions, and she has rewarded their efforts.”

Hunscote's Andy Lloyd added, “Our plan was to buy [out partner Chris Humber for] her mum, and we did. We knew there was phenomenal interest in the daughter from all over the world. I never dreamt in my wildest dreams but, hey, it's the market place at the moment. We had Japanese vetting, Americans, French, English.
“I'm sure Trevor will have big mating plans, which will only help our family.”

Derby Winner's Dam Joins Coolmore

It is a rare moment that the dam of the current year's Derby winner comes up for public auction, and rarer still that she is carrying a full-sibling to the Classic hero. 

Breeder Gary Robinson of Strawberry Fields Stud decided the time was right to offer Desert Berry (GB) (Green Desert) in foal to Nathaniel (Ire), the sire of her most illustrious offspring Desert Crown (GB). It is perhaps fitting that the breeding operation which has done more than most to support the Derby in recent years stepped forward to buy the 13-year-old mare, with MV Magnier going to 1.9 million gns. 

Desert Berry is also the dam of Hong Kong Group 3 winner Archie McKellar (GB) (Archipenko), as well as his full-sister Rose Berry (GB), who has been retained by Robinson and is now also in foal to Nathaniel. 

Magnier said of the mare, “At the end of the day she has bred a Derby winner, and from my point of view, which doesn't mean it's the right point of view, the Derby is everything. It's the most important stallion-making race. It's the holy grail, the greatest race. She's bred a Derby winner and she's carrying a full-sibling to the Derby winner.”

On next year's potential mating, he added, “There are plenty of options for her: she could go to any of the sons of Galileo, to Churchill or Australia.”

In celebratory mood, Newmarket-based Robinson said, “Merry Christmas! We are going to have a good party in a minute, job done.

“Definitely it is a problem losing one like that, but we have all the family back at home. It's a bit  like losing a beautiful woman, they leave you, but she has left me with her children.”

That brood includes a two-year-old filly by Al Kazeem (GB), a yearling colt from the first crop of Study Of Man (Ire), and a weanling full-brother to Desert Crown.

Robinson said, “The full-brother is very similar to Desert Crown, spot on, same character. She is a good mare, she teaches that character, she's an individual. That's what we all want to see.”

King And Queen Snapped Up By Northern Farm 

The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) confirmed herself one of the fastest two-year-olds to grace the turf when storming to G1 Prix de l'Abbaye glory at ParisLongchamp this term and that performance clearly earned international recognition as she was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for 1,200,000gns. 

The Tally Ho-bred filly carried the Middleham Park Racing colours with great distinction for Richard Fahey this season, winning four times, including that memorable French triumph, and while she was purchased by Northern Farm in Japan, there is a chance she could carry on racing in Europe next season. 

King's Harlequin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), a Group 3 and Listed winner in France as a juvenile for Sam Sangster and Nicolas Clement, joins The Platinum Queen in being Japan-bound with Yoshida's Northern Farm signing for the mare at 600,000gns. 

Normandie Stud's Au Revoir 

Phillipa Cooper insisted that there were no regrets after seeing her hugely successful broodmare disbanded for over four million gns and revealed that the Normandie Stud dispersal was made easier by the fact that the majority of the mares were sold to friends. 

Godolphin went to 1,400,000gns to secure Love Is You (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), a daughter of Cooper's high-class Fallen for You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who is in foal to St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and highlighted the Normandie Stud draft. 

All told, Cooper sold 16 mares for a total of 4,265,000, and speaking afterwards, said, “It is tinged with emotion but they have all been bought by friends which is so nice. It is bittersweet but the decision was made six months ago and it was the right decision. I have no regrets.”

Cooper added,  “I have only got two older mares left. I don't sell them beyond the age of 12. I have a few horses left to run but that's it. I don't want to breed anymore-it's too expensive.”

Twomey's Fillies Fetch A Million Apiece

Paddy Twomey's Group 1 winner La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and Group 1-placed Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) sold for 1,000,000gns apiece with the leading Irish trainer selling four fillies and mares for a total of 2,480,000gns under Athassel House Stud. 

La Petite Coco gained her Group 1 victory when landing the Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh this season while Rosscarbery, controversially demoted from third in that same race when her rider Wayne Lordan weighed in light due to a error on behalf of the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, went on to finish second in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet.

Rosscarbery was snapped up by Charlie Gordon Watson Bloodstock while La Petite Coco was bought by the Wertheimer family. 

Twomey also sold Show Of Stars (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) for 300,000gns to Clarke Bloodstock/Sheralee Estate while Tally-Ho Stud bought Limit Di Greccio (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) for 180,000gns. 

Prosperous Business

The four-year-old Thar She Blows (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) never made it to the racecourse but she has been dealt a significant update this year by her Group 1-winning sister Prosperous Voyage, and with an early cover by No Nay Never, the young descendant of Best In Show provided an early highlight ahead of the second Sceptre Session. 

Sold to Mags O'Toole on behalf of the O'Leary family's Plantation Stud for 400,000gns, Thar She Blows, out of the Juddmonte-bred Mizzen Mast mare Seatone, is also a half-sister to the stakes-placed Romanesque (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and to the juvenile Tenerife (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is in training with Aidan O'Brien.

Magic Result For Duffy

You would think that with all of the glitz and glamour that went with the Sceptre Session later in the evening, there would be no place for a rags-to-riches story to emerge at Tattersalls but Magic Chegaga fitted that bill when knocked down to Yeomanstown Stud for 185,000gns early in the day. 

Picked up by small-time trainer Brian Duffy for €12,500 out of Dermot Weld's stable at the Goffs February online sale last year, the Moyglare Stud-bred daughter of Teofilo (Ire) climbed through ranks for her new connections in Ireland. 

Magic Chegega was rated just 70 by the time Duffy got his hands on her but she improved 27lbs for the trainer and bagged valuable black-type when second in the Group 3 Snow Fairy S. at the Curragh in August before selling for six figures on Tuesday. 

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Ouija Board, Classic Winner and Producer, Dies at 21

Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the brilliant racemare and dam of Derby winner Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), has died at the age of 21.

Confirming the dual Classic winner's passing on Tuesday, her breeder Lord Derby said, “In our wildest dreams, we never imagined we could breed a horse that would be a global record-breaker and inspire so many people with so many happy memories. She was simply the best and always had the most wonderful temperament. She loved a hug and a polo mint every time we walked around the stud. We were so lucky to have her in our lives as she brought us so much joy. The fun and the pleasure that she gave us in a four-year journey around the globe will give us happy memories forever.”

Trained by Ed Dunlop, Ouija Board won the Oaks and Irish Oaks and rounded off her Classic season with victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. At four, she added the Hong Kong Vase to her Group 1 haul and then remained in training at five to win the G1 Prince of Wales's S. and G1 Nassau S. before a repeat success at the Breeders' Cup.

Retired home to her owner's Stanley House Stud in Newmarket, Ouija Board produced five winners, led by Australia, who now stands at Coolmore in Ireland, while his half-brother, the Group 2 winner and Group 1 runner-up Frontiersman (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is at Overbury Stud in England. Another son, Voodoo Prince (GB) (Kingmambo) won a Group 3 in Australia. 

Stud manager Peter Stanley, the brother of Lord Derby, said, “It has been a privilege to be associated with such an extraordinary and remarkable filly. Even in one's wildest dreams one dare not dream of a filly such as Ouija board. She danced every dance and more beside. Her stud career was equally inspiring, producing in the same year a Derby winner with Australia, and the Melbourne Cup favourite at the same time. She followed this up with Frontiersman finishing second in the Group 1 Coronation Cup. If I have one sadness, it is that she left us only one daughter, but the truth is she was a joy from beginning to end.”

Ed Dunlop added, “What a champion she was. I was so, so lucky to be entrusted with such a great horse. There were so many happy and great moments with her that is impossible to single out one. Winning the Oaks was so special for me as a trainer, and the iconic Nassau battle will live long in the memory. Putting it simply she changed my life and I owe her a huge, huge debt.”

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Angel Shines At Inaugural Tattersalls Sceptre Session

By Brian Sheerin and Emma Berry

NEWMARKET, UK — With the participants at Tattersalls braced for an even livelier Sceptre Session on the traditionally strong Tuesday evening of the December Mares Sale, the first of the two elite sessions eventually sprang into action once darkness had descended on Monday evening.

A packed ring witnessed the sale of 22 of the 25 Sceptre mares and fillies for a combined 8, 270,000gns on a day when the figures overall showed a significant uplift on last year's prices.

This is of course a trend that has been evident throughout the major sales at Park Paddocks throughout the year, and follows on from a record-breaking foal sale, and a new high for annual turnover already recorded even before the tills have stopped ringing from four days of mare trade.

The overall aggregate, bolstered by that bumper first Sceptre Session, rose 45% to 22,090,500gns and the average rising a further 52% to 99,957gns. The median was up 38% to 55,000gns while the clearance rate was 82%.

Angel On High

Archangel Gabriel (Arch), the dam of G3 Pride S. winner Ville De Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), took the top spot for the day as Stephen Smith's Hunscote Stud bought out partner Chris Humber at 800,000gns.

The 9-year-old mare, consigned on their behalf by Norris Bloodstock, is in foal to the Coolmore newcomer St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and already has two winners to her name plus two youngsters by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) yet to race for her.

Unraced herself, she is a sister to the Grade I winner Prince Arch and a half-sister to G1 National S winner Kingsfort (War Chant). Her daughter Ville De Grace, who also won the Listed John Musker S., was narrowly beaten by subsequent Group 1 winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) when second in the G2 Dahlia S. She sells on Tuesday as lot 1893.

Hunscote Stud manager Andy Lloyd said of Archangel Gabriel, “Every one of her foals has made six figures plus. They've been correct and she is a delight to deal with. These outcross mares come along very rarely and we are very happy to take her home. So she'll come back to Hunscote and then we'll see. I didn't think it was right that we made any mating plans until we knew, and sadly we can't go back to Le Havre.”

Archangel Gabriel's 3-year-old son King of York (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) made 350,000gns as a Tattersalls October yearling in 2020, while the 2-year-old filly Foederati (Ire) fetched 280,000gns at the 2020 foal sale before changing hands for 325,000gns last October.

He added, “Ville De Grace is a sensational horse in her own right. We also own her with Chris and we look forward to her going round tomorrow.”

 

 

 

Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Remembered

The breeding empire of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, who died earlier this month, played a poignantly significant role in the first Sceptre Session, when three members of the same family from the partial dispersal of the stock of Southcourt Stud sold for a collective 1,655,000gns.

In quick succession a  daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Crystal Cavern (Be My Guest) passed through the ring, all representing the family which has become synonymous with the late owner-breeder and includes the former joint top-rated horse in the world, Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Leading the way on price was the 10-year-old Dubawi (Ire) mare Crystal Zvezda (GB), a half-sister to Crystal Ocean and out of the Listed Radley S winner Crystal Star (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Already proving her worth as the dam of promising 3-year-old Crystal Caprice (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), she was bought by Eugene Daly of Longview Stud for 775,000gns. Crystal Zvezda's Sea The Moon (Ger) colt foal sold for 210,000gns last week, while Crystal Caprice is set to sell on Tuesday.

Immediately prior to the sale of Crystal Zvezda, her dam's half-sister Waila (GB) was knocked down for 550,000gns to Adrian Nicoll. The 12-year-old mare by Sir Evelyn's homebred stallion Notnowcato (GB) won the Listed Aphrodite S at Newmarket and was sold in foal to Pinatubo (Ire).

 

 

 

Nicoll said, “I think I bought her cheaply in this market. She is a lovely mare and is definitely one of the picks of the day.

“Her Sea The Stars foal made 400,000gns last week, the 2-year-old Infinite Cosmos (GB) is supposed to be very good, she's a lovely-looking mare, and she's a stakes winner.”

He added, “She is going to Ireland and has been bought for a partnership. She is a lovely mare and a great reflection of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's breeding programme.”

Completing the trio was the listed-placed winner Crystal Hope (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), whose dam Crystal Etoile (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is another half-sister to Crystal Ocean. Sold in foal to Sea The Stars, the 7-year-old was bought by Luke Lillingston for 330,000gns.

Sir Evelyn's longtime friend Peter Stanley of New England Stud, who consigned the foals and breeding stock for Southcourt Stud, said, “They are lovely mares from Southcourt. I am so sad that these lovely ladies leave us, they are gorgeous mares, each one is a queen. It is not often that you see such a beautiful group of mares together, each one athletic, every one with depth and substance and bone, just gorgeous.

“I think the testament was the four foals who sold so well last week, they showed the type of horses that they are breeding. You can't complain at the prices, but it is terribly sad that it is not to be any longer.

He added, “Evelyn and [his late sister] Renee loved it, they talked about it. They would be both very proud of what has happened. They will look down and smile. The children are not racing fanatics, but they do have a sense of the history for their father and I think they have been very moved by the whole thing.”

Not part of the dispersal but from the same family is Crystal Starlet (GB), the 4-year-old daughter of Frankel and Crystal Zvezda who was offered by New England on behalf of the Natalma syndicate, who bought her last year for 150,000gns. Switched from Sir Michael Stoute to James Ferguson, she won at Wolverhampton in April and was covered by Palace Pier (GB) in his first season at Dalham Hall Stud. Reoffered with that Mar. 29 cover she returned to the ring to make 425,000gns and was signed for by Sam Haggas of Hurworth Bloodstock.

Ottoman Fleet's Dam to Newsells

Innevera (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), the dam of this season's dual listed winner Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), will join the Newsells Park Stud broodmare band after being bought for 750,000gns by Jill Lamb on behalf of the stud's owner Graham Smith-Bernal.

The 8-year-old mare's first three foals have all sold for six-figure sums, with Ottoman Fleet, who has also been group-placed, leading the way when bought by Godolphin for 425,000gns at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale.

Innevera, herself a dual winner in France and a half-sister to the Group 1-winning miler Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) and offered in foal to the Aga Khan Studs resident Zarak (Fr), was sold by Fittocks Stud.

Lamb said, “We're really pleased to get her as we were targeting her,” said Lamb after signing the docket. “She ticks every box; she's a lovely individual, she's bred a stakes winner with her first foal, who's very highly rated, and I loved her Le Havre (Ire) yearling [filly, bought by David Redvers for 350,000gns at Book 1], she's a beauty and I think she's going to Ralph Beckett so she's in safe hands.

She added, “I like the cover, too, as we have a mare in foal to Zarak. We don't have a mating plan in mind at the moment but that's the nice thing about her, she's a nice outcross so you can go almost anywhere. We're delighted.”

 

 

 

Seisai Set For Stateside Move

Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), one of the smartest runners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have been associated with in their short but successful ownership venture on the level, has danced her last dance in Europe after being snapped up Charlie Gordon Watson and Lane's End Farm in America.

Seisai was bought for just £78,000 by Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Munir and Souede at the Orby Sale when it was held at Doncaster in 2020.

She has proved herself a rock-solid filly for Joseph O'Brien, highlighted by her listed success at Tipperary as a juvenile and a narrow runner-up effort in a Group 2 at the Curragh as a 3-year-old this term.

The sale represents another big payday for the high-profile owners, best known for owning top-notch National Hunt horses, who also sold Hamaki (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) for 260,000gns to Wathnan Racing at the horses-in-training sale here in October.

Bromley said, “She has been a grand filly for the owners and I am pleased that Mr Farish has bought her to go breeding, although there is the option for her to continue on racing in America. She is going to go to one of his good stallions at Lane's End which is very exciting.”

He added, “We bought her at the Goffs Orby Sale when it was held at Doncaster. She has made 300,000gns profit on that price so it's a great result. We're thrilled.”

Bromley went on to reveal that Munir and Souede doubled down on the forays on the Flat by buying more yearlings than ever before this autumn but insisted that the men who have the Willie Mullins-trained Impulsive Dancer (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), Blue Lord (Fr) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) and Bronn (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}) to look forward to over jumps this season remain committed to National Hunt racing over the Flat.

He explained, “We bought 11 yearlings, which is more than we have ever bought for them, and is actually double the amount that we bought last year. Things like selling this filly today–and we sold Hamaki for 260,000gns at the horses-in-training sale here in October–advertises that there is a good second-hand market for horses, which you don't get over the jumps. We are exploring racing on the Flat more and more but the jumps is still obviously a big part of our operation.”

Pennine Hills (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who began her career with O'Brien before scoring at listed level and placing in a Group 3 under the care of Jerome Reynier, also played a big part of the Sceptre Session when selling to Alex Elliott for 375,000gns.

Elliott said, “She has been bought to join Jack Sisterson in Gulfstream. Jack is a long-time friend and old ally of mine so it was nice to be able to buy one for him. He is doing really well in America and has actually just moved to Florida having been based in Kentucky. She looks likely to be a good filly to join his squad given she is a listed winner. Hopefully she can add some graded stakes races to her resume in America. Jack picked her out and I am delighted to get her.”

Mendoza Makes It Pay

Teresa Mendoza (Ire), one of the highest-rated daughters of Territories (Ire), commanded 280,000gns to the bid of Badgers Bloodstock.

The Ken Condon-trained sprinter deservedly broke her duck at listed level this season when landing the Dubai Duty Free Dash S. at the Curragh  after multiple placed efforts in Group races.

All told, Teresa Mendoza, who carried the colours of Ecurie Ama Zingteam, won twice and placed eight times from 20 starts, amassing over €120,000 in prize-money en route to reaching a rating of 105. She was consigned by Baroda Stud.

The similarly likeable Roman Mist (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a five-time winner who reached a mark of 102 in her pomp for Tom Ward and the Hot To Trot Racing Syndicate, was sold to David Redvers for 360,000gns.

The best horse Ward has trained, Roman Mist recorded a career highlight when landing the Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton in April.

BBA Ireland Team Support Lucky Again

There was plenty of action from Yuesheng Zhang and Michael Donohoe at the Goffs November Sale and the Yulong Investments team returned to the fray on Monday, again in support of their Irish National Stud-based stallion Lucky Vega (Ire).

The regally bred Violante (Kingmambo), a half-sister to Classic winner Anabaa Blue (GB) (Anabaa) and dam of the G3 Prix Messidor winner Impulsif (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), was added to the list at 330,000gns from the draft of Godolphin.

Ulster Blackwater (Ire), the young, winning daughter of Camelot (GB) in foal for the first time to Siyouni (Fr), was later added to the team during the Sceptre Session, with Donohoe paying 470,000gns for the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly.

Speaking about Violante, Donohoe said, “It is a great family and there are not many young Kingmambo mares left.”

He added on the daughter of Urban Sea's half-sister Allez Les Trois (Riverman), whose own branch of the illustrious family includes Group 1 winners Tamayuz (GB), Santiago (Ire) and Eshaada (GB), “I believe the Kingman [yearling colt] and the Frankel [colt foal] out of her are nice and she should physically suit Lucky Vega–we think the nick of Mr Prospector will work on Lucky Vega.”

Bidding online, Donohoe went on to secure Divine Herald (GB), an unraced daughter of Frankel (GB) and G3 Dahlia S winner Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in foal to No Nay Never, for 380,000gns from the draft of John Troy. He also successfully recruited Juddmonte's well-bred Star Snap (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) for 300,000gns. Also unraced, she is out of Hot Snap (GB), a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to the outstanding Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from the packed black-type family of Oaks winner Reams Of Verse and dual Group 1 winner Elmaamul. The four-year-old mare is in foal to Bated Breath (GB).

Godolphin also offered dual Classic winner Blue Bunting (Dynaformer), in foal to Derby winner Masar (Ire), with the Guineas and Irish Oaks heroine selling to Bill Gredley for 70,000gns.

Blue Bunting also bagged the G1 Yorkshire Oaks in a glittering career on the track, however, she has been a rather disappointing broodmare, with just three of her six runners managing to win a race

 Ballylinch's Royal Approval

The first batch of mares to be offered by The Royal Studs attracted plenty of interest with John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud signing for the 170,000gns Fiery Sunset (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who has already produced a black-type performer in Evening Sun (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

The page could shine brighter this time next year as her 2-year-old winner Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) is reported to be held in good regard by Sir Michael Stoute and holds a Derby entry.

Ballylinch also paid 190,000gns for Royal Applause (GB) mare Royal Ffanci (GB), who has produced two black-type horses by Cityscape (GB), Dan's Dream (GB) and Caernarfon (GB), from Furnace Mill Stud.

Eight of the 18 horses The Royal Studs are due to sell at Tattersalls this week went through the ring on Monday for 780,000gns at an average of 97,500gns.

Speedy Mares Bought To Support State Of Rest

Two speedy mares were purchased in support of Rathbarry Stud and Newgate Stud's new stallion, the four-time Group 1 winner State Of Rest (Ire), whose fee has been set at €25,000 for his debut season at stud in Ireland.

Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock signed for both mares, headlined by the classy juvenile Maria Branwell (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire) for 180,00gns from The Castlebridge Consignment.

Maria Barnwell won twice for David O'Meara this season, including at listed level at Sandown, before placing third in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot in June.

She, along with the speedy Country Carnival (Ire) (Mayson {GB}), will visit State Of Rest in the new year.

American Buyer Reid Makes A Splash

There was a real international feel to Tattersalls on Monday and American buyer David Reid got some business done early when securing Magical Fire (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) and Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) to visit No Nay Never.

Speaking after buying Magical fire for 200,000gns under PE Equine Management from Baroda Stud, Reid said, “We're over here looking for mares to cross with No Nay Never. We're trying to find something under the marketplace because we think it's going to get hotter before it gets colder, for sure.”

Asked if Magical Fire being in foal to Sea The Moon (Ger) was a draw, he replied, “More so that she fit the profile to go to No Nay Never. But it didn't hurt to be in foal to that sire.”

He added, “There is everyone here from all around the globe and I think the marketplace is going to be very healthy from what I can see. Hopefully we can land a few more but it's going to be a challenging week. There are a lot of beautiful horses so we will see what happens. I anticipate that the sale will be very good and I like what they did with the mares' section [Sceptre Sessions].”

Just as Reid predicted, things did heat up in the ring later in the day, and he was forced to go to 280,000gns to secure the Group 2-placed Nazuna from Elite Sales in the Sceptre Session.

BUY OF THE DAY

Lot 1455: ON HER WAY (GB) (Medicean {GB}) 

Consignor: Barton Sales

Buyer: Mickley Stud, 18,000gns

At 15, On Her Way is getting to the age that puts off some buyers but the dam of Headway (GB), who was beaten a head in the G2 Coventry S., is now back in foal to that smart juvenile's sire Havana Gold (Ire) and has produced three other multiple winners to bolster her record. She will have a colt from the first crop of Blue Point (Ire) to run for her next year, who is already cantering away on Newmarket Heath for trainer Tom Clover. 

For Richard Kent of Mickley Stud, this is a low-risk purchase: he has the land, a range of stallions for future matings and, as the breeder of Havana Gold's best horse Havana Grey (GB), he's fully entitled to have a soft spot for the Tweenhills stallion, whose fee this year was two-thirds of the cost of the mare.

 

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