Byrne was speaking during the Irish Stallion Trail where visitors to Coolmore got a chance to see newbies Paddington (GB), Little Big Bear (Ire) and The Antarctic (Ire). Parallels were drawn between the quandary facing breeders in 2024 to that of the Covid year of 2020 with Byrne keen to point out that many people were rewarded for their resilience at the yearling sales in 2022.

The polarisation of the market in 2023 was one of the main talking points at almost every sale be it yearlings, breeding stock or even National Hunt. Byrne agreed that 2023 presented challenges but took several positives from last year's trade and says he is looking forward to working with breeders for the upcoming season. 

He said, “There are several ways to look back on last year's market. It was tough. Nobody is doubting it was tough. But it was tough in every aspect–tough for people selling horses but also tough for people buying horses as well. We tried to acquire stallions, yearlings, mares, you name it, and it was still very hard to buy them so there is still a lot of money in the market. It was just so competitive to buy the nicer horses. In that respect, the market was so unusual. I've never seen it so strong at the top and then it falls away rather steeply. I know it's a word we keep hearing a lot but things have become very polarised. 

“Nobody outlays more money in the game than stallion masters do. They put so much up to buy these stallions and they have to make it work. Everyone wants it to work and there's no point in saying the stallion masters charge too much or that the mares aren't good enough. We're all in this together and we have to make it work as a collective. I was looking at some of the figures at the end of last year and on paper it was probably the second best year of all time for turnover, just behind the best year we ever had, which was in 2023.”

Byrne added, “Breeders have to keep going. What's the alternative? If you stop you won't have a product to bring to the sales. But this is an important year for them and now more so than ever breeders will need to steady the ship and use the good stallions that they can afford. There's always an element of risk involved but you don't overstretch that risk by leaving yourself exposed by using a stallion you can't afford. 

“I can remember March and April when Covid just broke out. We were wondering whether or not we'd be able to cover mares in 2020. There was a bit of a pullback but people eventually decided to cover their mares. The 2022 yearling sale season was one of the best I ever attended so, the people who decided to pull up during Covid, they might have been left ruing that decision in 2022. I think there are similarities with the dilemma some people are faced with this season in light of the market last year but who's to say what's happening today will be happening tomorrow? It's not always dark at five o'clock.”

Coolmore will be hoping that Paddington can prove something of a beacon of light at €55,000 to breeders. The four-time Group 1 winner is the third top-class son of Siyouni (Fr) to retire to Coolmore in recent years and Byrne says he is confident that the brilliant Irish 2,000 Guineas, Sussex, St James's Palace and Coral-Eclipse winner has all of the right ingredients to be a hit.

He said, “Anyone who sees Paddington will agree that he is a beautiful horse. He is also a hardy horse given he won four Group 1s in the space of just 68 days. He won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Coral-Eclipse, the St James's Palace and the Sussex Stakes. Horses such as Kingman (GB), Frankel (GB), Giant's Causeway and Sadler's Wells, they all came close to doing something similar but Paddington is the only one to have been able to do that as a three-year-old. I think that's a massive testament to him as well. 

“Bought by Laurent Benoit on behalf of Coolmore for €420,000 at Arqana, Paddington hails from a lovely Wildenstein family. I think there are loads of good ingredients there for him to be a success and, of course, he is by Siyouni. He is our third son of Siyouni to stand here at Coolmore and the two others [St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and Sottsass (Fr)] are world champions. That bodes well for Paddington.” 

Byrne added, “He's going to be very well-supported and Monceaux has committed a strong selection of mares to him. He was obviously raised by Henri Bozo's Ecurie des Monceaux farm in France. A lot of the top breeders in Britain and Ireland are also keen to row in behind him and give him the support that he deserves.”

While Paddington proved himself at the highest level over a mile and a mile-and-a-quarter, Little Big Bear was devilishly-quick and represents something altogether different at €27,500. The European Champion Two-Year-Old put in arguably one of the most memorable performances posted by any juvenile in recent years when romping to a seven-length success in the G1 Phoenix S. at the Curragh and he clearly has the looks to match that ability.

TDN's @BrianSheerin91 is making his way around the @IREthoroughbred #IrishStallionTrail! Check it out

European Champion 2-Year-Old LITTLE BIG BEAR on the walk at @coolmorestud! He is new to the stallion roster this year pic.twitter.com/TbTWlsDVpu

— TDN (@theTDN) January 12, 2024

“Little Big Bear is another beautiful horse,” Byrne said. “I remember when he sold at Deauville he was the talk of the sale and I actually thought he'd make a lot more than €320,000. He went on to become the European Champion Two-Year-Old and got a rating of 124 which is a freakish rating. But then again, he produced a freakish performance in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes where he was seven lengths clear of his rivals. He was just a phenomenal racehorse and won four times as a juvenile at a combined aggregate of 15 lengths.

“Anyone who comes to see him won't be disappointed as he has size, strength, scope and a lot of quality. Pedigree-wise, he's very well-bred as well. You'd have to think at €27,500, he'll be on a lot of people's lists.”

The Antarctic, a full-brother to the Champion Sprinter Baattash (Ire), will appeal to plenty of smaller breeders at €6,000 and he completes the trio of newbies with Byrne stressing the importance for fresh blood at a stud of Coolmore's status.

He said, “The Antarctic is another interesting horse and is the most expensive colt by Dark Angel (Ie) ever sold at 750,000gns. He won the Lacken Stakes, which Caravaggio and Sioux Nation also won, but The Antarctic won it in record time. He's incredibly well-bred and is a full-brother to Baataash, who we all knew so well. It's a story that every Irish breeder knows and loves with the dam, Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), being bought inexpensively by Paul McCartan and going on to produce brilliant horses like Baattash and The Antarctic, not to mention her latest two yearlings through the ring making a combined 3.3 million gns.

“When you talk about being commercial, this guy was fast, good-looking and has a great pedigree. I think he'll be very popular for breeders who are looking for a bit of value. One thing I've noticed is that he is quite similar to Havana Grey (GB). 

“Havana Grey is out of a Dark Angel mare and this guy is by Dark Angel. They were both rated 113 and have similar enough race profiles as they placed in the Prix Morny. They're not too dissimilar.”

On keeping things fresh with the new blood at Coolmore, Byrne concluded, “It's like a Premier League football team. You need to keep buying new players and freshen up the roster with new talent every year. This is a fast-moving industry and, as a stud, we need proven stallions, stallions who are about to have their first runners and are just getting going, then you have the stallions in between and also the fresh blood coming through. You don't know where the next Sadler's Wells or No Nay Never is going to come from.”

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Bragging rights belong to St Mark's Basilica (Fr), who topped the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls when a filly by the multiple Group 1-winning stallion out of Oaks winner Talent (GB) sold for 575,000gns. 

The St Mark's Basilica sale-topper was consigned by Ashbrittle Stud and bought by agent Jill Lamb on behalf of Newsells Park Stud, with the former labelling the filly as the nicest foal that she had seen by the stallion. 

Add that result to a 180,000gns colt to Camas Park Stud, a filly to Ronald Rauscher for 175,000gns and a colt to Yeomanstown Stud for 130,000gns, it's fair to say St Mark's Basilica stamped his authority as a force to be reckoned with.

Space Blue (Ire) was the other big name whose first foals were eagerly anticipated at Goffs and Tattersalls. A colt by the Kildangan-based stallion caught the attention of Baroda Stud at €140,000 at Goffs while the triple Group 1 winner enjoyed solid trade at Tattersalls with a filly making 95,000gns and two colts selling for 80,000gns apiece. 

'Yeomanstown Don't Come Up With A Bad One Too Often'

Peter Kelly summed Supremacy (Ire) up at Goffs when, after selling his half-brother by the stallion to Group 3-winning juvenile Caught U Looking for €180,000, he said, 'Yeomanstown don't come up with a bad horse too often.' The early signs are that the O'Callaghans could be on to a decent one with Supremacy with 31 foals selling at Goffs for an average of €30,952.

The Six-Figure Lots For Starman

Three foals–two colts and a filly–by Starman (GB) have cleared six figures between Goffs and Tattersalls. Two of those were snapped up by Tally-Ho Stud, where the Group 1-winning sprinter will stand at €10,000 for 2024. Jimmy Murphy of Redpender Stud was another notable supporter of the stallion when signing for a Starman colt for €120,000 at Goffs. 'Flash' Conroy, Timmy Hyde of Camas Park Stud and the Gleeson brothers were other notable buyers.

Vega Looking Lucky

One of the stories to emerge from Goffs was the positivity at which the market met Lucky Vega (Ire). The Group 1-winning juvenile, who stands at the Irish National Stud, achieved sales of €75,000, €72,000 and €65,000. The support continued at Tattersalls last week with Tinnakill House Stud selling a half-sister to Prix de l'Abbaye runner-up Good Vibe (Ire) (Dream Ahead) for 82,000gns.

Nando The Surprise Package

Fellow Irish National Stud-based stallion Nando Parrado (GB) could be viewed as something of a surprise package. Standing for just €6,000, he achieved a rock-solid average of €17,800 for 20 foals sold at Goffs with three foals clearing €30,000. A 20,500gns average for six foals sold at Tattersalls represented another good innings for the son of Kodiac (GB) who makes plenty of appeal to breeders operating on a budget.

Alkumait Packing A Punch

Similar comment could apply to Alkumait (GB), the Showcasing (GB) half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who stands for €5,000. Two foals by Alkumait sold for €32,000 and €30,000 at Goffs, with top judges Shane and Alex Power of Tradewinds signing for the latter.

Lope Y Looking Good

A 100,000gns colt capped a memorable debut performance for the foals by Lope Y Fernandez (Ire). Standing at the National Stud for £8,500, Lope Y Fernandez is averaging more than double that fee on 50 foals sold in Britain and Ireland. He has earned the plaudits of some top judges and, along with a 100,000gns colt sold at Tattersalls, Kelly Equine also signed for a colt by the stallion for 78,000gns.

Top Judges Row In Behind Pinatubo

Of the stallions with their first runners next year, it seems as though Pinatubo (Ire) is the one that the majority are rowing in behind. It was a fair achievement for Pinatubo to finish third in the sires table at Tattersalls in terms of aggregate. Granted, Pinatubo was well-represented with 14 foals selling throughout the week, but perhaps the metric to concentrate on here is that his average of 115,500gns and aggregate of 1,617,000gns is greater than what the brilliant first-season sire Blue Point (Ire) achieved through the very same representation. For Blue Point's 14 foals, he cleared an average of 109,929gns and an average of 1,539,000gns. Could Pinatubo chart a similar path next season?

Strong Support For Ghaiyyath

The strength behind Ghaiyyath (Ire) continued last week, with 10 foals selling for an average of 97,500gns, but most interesting was the support from within. Godolphin signed for just four foals last week, two of which were by Ghaiyyath–a colt and a filly respectively to the tune of 540,000gns. That followed on from a bumper performance from Ghaiyyath at Goffs where 23 foals sold for just shy of a €50,000 average and an aggregate of €1,127,500 which made him the second-highest performing stallion at the Irish sale. The figures held up at Tattersalls last week with 10 foals selling for an average of 97,500gns. It's probably an understatement to describe the Darley operation to be in good health with a view towards next season. Rare has there been a more exciting time for the outfit. 

Earthlight Adds To The Excitement At Darley

Earthlight (Ire) adds to that excitement at Darley. There were just six foals by the stallion at Tattersalls and they averaged 63,800gns. But the real story was how punters couldn't get enough of foals by Earthlight at Goffs with Yeomanstown Stud, Camas Park, Ballyphilip and Manister House Stud all featuring on the list of buyers where 13 sold for an average of €56,770.

Good Vibes Behind Mohaather 

Of the other stallions with runners next year, Mohaather (GB) is one who continues to earn the respect in the ring. Not only does Shadwell have eight horses by the Group 1-winning miler to look forward to next season, but plenty of shrewd buyers snapped up yearlings by Mohaather this year. The foals were equally well-received with Mark Dwyer, Eddie O'Leary, 'Flash' Conroy and Shadwell themselves signing for foals by the big-walking stallion at Tattersalls.

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It was bloodstock agent Jill Lamb, bidding on behalf of Newsells Park Stud, who came out on top for the most expensive foal sold at public auction in Europe or North America this year.

“She is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous-I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her,” Lamb said of lot 869. “She is very athletic and has a wonderful page. She has been bought to race and to come back to Newsells Park Stud [as a broodmare]. She has two half-sisters by Dubawi and she ticked all the boxes for us. We are delighted to get her.”

Talent landed the Oaks at Epsom a decade ago for trainer Ralph Beckett. She has already proved herself as a broodmare with her daughter, Ambition (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Group 2 winner in France.

Lamb added, “I watched everyone going in for her and thought, 'oh my gosh!' St Mark's Basilica is the unknown quantity, but she is the nicest I have seen by him.”

The filly was bred, like her Classic-winning dam, by Mark Dixon and James Rowsell of Ashbrittle Stud in Somerset, which is also home to Talent's aforementioned daughter Ambition.

Stud manager Ginny Whales said after exiting the ring, “We have Ambition back and she had a Frankel (GB) foal this year and is in foal to Palace Pier (GB), and Talent herself is in foal to New Bay (GB), so if she has a filly we can keep her and race her.

“The idea is to keep the fillies and sell the colts but Talent's colts haven't been the prettiest. This filly was lovely though and she has been grand. She had 10 vets and she was getting very tired but she was still walking out and trying her best.”

She added, “I broke Talent in so it's been exciting to see the whole family. They tend to keep themselves out of trouble, so Talent and Prowess, when you got out to the field to feed them, they will walk away from everybody else and tell you where they want to be fed. They're complete divas. Then this foal and Ambition's Frankel foal do the same.”

a filly from the first crop of St Mark's Basilica sells for 575,000gns at #TattsDecember Foal Sale

This foal is out of Oaks winner Talent and was consigned by Ashbrittle Stud. She has been bought by Jill Lamb for Newsells Park Stud. pic.twitter.com/X8f0p7sKUM

— TDN (@theTDN) December 1, 2023

Coolmore Go Strong For Vandeek's Brother At 450k

It can be a daunting task stepping out from the shadows of your older siblings but the Starspangledbanner (Aus) half-brother to dual Group 1-winning and unbeaten two-year-old sensation Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) did not disappoint when knocked down to Coolmore's MV Magnier at 450,000gns. 

Offered by Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud, lot 961 capped a memorable year for the breeder following Vandeek's exceptional triumphs in the Prix Morny and Middle Park S. 

“He's taken everything in his stride. He's a very relaxed character, he likes his feed, likes his sleep and he likes to exercise,” a beaming Thomas said shortly after the sale. 

“Charlene [groom] has been frogmarched around the exercise ring every morning and he's come out every day as fresh as a daisy despite what he's had to do.”

Thomas added, “It's been one hell of a year for sure. Everything is quite surreal. We have five mares, we bred his dam. We actually sold her as a yearling and then bought her back for very little money. I've just had absolute faith in the family and felt that something had to come up at some stage. They're just too determined with that will to win, and their heads in front all the time. He even has his head in front at feed time; the other foals come second to him all the time, he just has that competitive nature.”

Thomas confirmed that the colt's dam Mosa Mine (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is not in foal this year but asked whether she would be sending her back to Vandeek's sire Havana Grey, she replied with a smile, “Quite possibly.”

She continued, “It's all a bit overwhelming. There's almost a little bit more to worry about, as much as you're happy about it and want to go on to the next stage, but we had him at home and you wake up every morning and hope that he's still in one piece.”

MV Magnier confirmed the Starspangledbanner to be everything one would expect him to be; fast and precocious. 

He said, “A lovely horse and, in fairness to Kelly Thomas and everyone associated with him, they've done a great job. Starspangledbanner is doing so well and he's a brother to a very good horse. We're just glad we can support the Thomases. It's a good result for them. He's a lovely quality horse and he looks like he will be early and fast. Hopefully he will be. 

Amo Makes Statement Of Intent

Amo Racing might be best associated for sourcing horses from the yearling and breeze-up sales but Kia Joorabchian made something of a statement when splashing out 360,000gns on a Kingman (GB) colt through agent Alex Elliott. 

The Kingman boasts a strong pedigree, being a half-brother to smart sprinter Dragon Symbol (GB)–who has recently retired to stand at Whitsbury Manor Stud–and Elliott says the purchase made a lot of sense. 

He explained, “This is a three-parts brother to Dragon Symbol, who has been retired to stud. He's by an elite stallion in Kingman and was a beautiful horse physically. The mare has produced to lesser stallions–way lesser stallions–and he has been bought for Amo Racing.”

The Kingman colt was bred by Whitsbury, who ended the day as leading consignors so far this week with 21 lots sold for 1,940,500gns. The sale represented an important one for Elliott, having been beaten by Juddmonte earlier in the afternoon on a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt, and the agent was all too aware that he'd levelled the score. 

Elliott said, “He will go back to Ireland. We tried hard to buy the Wootton Bassett that Juddmonte bought and I think they underbid us on this horse. It's one-one! We obviously like Wootton Bassett because of King Of Steel and Bucanero Fuerte.

“But this horse [lot 909] made a lot of sense. For an end-user, the half-brother by Havana Grey made 250,000gns here last year and he came back and made 600,000gns to Godolphin. Kia has a long-term plan for this horse and hopefully he's another good one for the Amo operation.”

Elliott went on to sign for the Showcasing (GB) half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on behalf of an unnamed client from Whitsbury for 260,000gns.

Godolphin Snaps Up Brother To Bay Bridge

A brother to Bay Bridge (GB) lived up to his billing as one of the star attractions to the Friday session when knocked down to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin for 375,000gns. 

Bred by James Wigan, whose colours were carried with great distinction by Bay Bridge, winner of the G1 Champion S. at Ascot in 2022, the colt (lot 942) was offered by the breeder's West Blagdon Stud. 

Stroud said, “He's for Godolphin. He's a really attractive horse and is a full-brother to a very good horse. It's a great stud to buy off because they produce such good horses. We're delighted to buy him.”

Talking Points

• Juddmonte bought their 2,000 Guineas winner and new stallion Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at this sale three years ago and returned to buy his Kingman (GB) half-brother for a sale-topping 1 million gns last year. This time around Juddmonte's Simon Mockridge signed for three colts — two by Kingman (GB) and one by Wootton Bassett (GB) — for 1,015,000gns.
• It shouldn't go unnoticed the strong week that Sioux Nation has enjoyed. Three foals by the Coolmore-based sire, who has earned a bump to €27,500 for 2024, cleared six figures. One of which was a 210,000gns half-brother to Bright Diamond (Ire) (El Kabeir) (lot 898), bought by Castlehyde Stud from Riversfield Stud. All told, 10 horses by Sioux Nation have sold for an average of 71,200gns this week.
• One of the fascinating subplots to the foal sales is viewing the stock of a young stallion and one would wager that those in the Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) camp are quite happy with their lot. Considering Lope Y Fernandez stands at the National Stud for £8,500, his results of 78,000gns, 45,000gns and 41,000gns have to be viewed as a major positive. 
• Ghaiyyath (Ire) has not lacked for support from within at the yearling sales this season and that continued on Friday with Godolphin signing for a filly and a colt by the stallion for 350,000gns (lot 928) and 190,000gns (lot 916), respectively.
• Pinatubo is more than capable of paddling his own canoe, it would seem, with a whopping seven foals by the Darley-based sire selling for six figures. That included a 250,000gns filly (lot 878) sold by Barton Stud to Blandford Bloodstock and another filly (lot 983) from Plantation Stud to JP Bloodstock for 240,000gns.

Buy of the Day

Fashion can work both ways and often the market can overreact, be that positively or negatively. It might just be the latter at the moment with Time Test, whose colt (lot 827) out of listed winner Dynamic (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) looks a bargain at just 20,000gns. 

Consigned by Highclere Stud, the Time Test colt was a particularly racey offering by the sire, and Cigar Bloodstock–whoever that may be–could well be toasting this horse in the future. 

Thought of the Day

There was a super turnout at Tattersalls on Friday and the stock on offer clearly cut the mustard with 59 horses making six figures on the day.

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Little Big Bear (Ire), winner of the G1 Phoenix S. at two followed by the G2 Sandy Lane S. this year before finishing runner-up in the G1 Commonwealth Cup, will stand for €27,500. The Antarctic (Ire), a dual Group 3-winning brother to Battaash (Ire), joins Castle Hyde Stud at €6,000.

Of the current Coolmore residents, Wootton Bassett (GB), who covered 218 mares this year, leads the field at €200,000, up from €150,000 in 2023. He was represented with a new Grade I winner at the Breeders' Cup by Unquestionable (Fr) in the Juvenile Turf. His other top-level winners this year include King Of Steel and Bucanero Fuerte (Fr).

No Nay Never, who stood at €175,000 in 2023, is advertised at €150,000 for next season. He stands alongside four of his sons on the roster: Arizona (Ire) (€5,000), Blackbeard (Ire) (€20,000), Little Big Bear, as above, and Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (€17,500).

The European champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old St Mark's Basilica (Fr) will have his first foals for sale from later this month and his fee has been trimmed to €50,000. He has stood at €65,000 in his first two seasons at stud. Another son of Siyouni, the Arc winner Sottsass (Fr), will have his first runners on the track next year and will remain at €25,000.

Coolmore's David O'Loughlin told TDN Europe, “We're delighted to have three new exciting prospects for the coming season in the shape of Siyouni's brilliant son Paddington, No Nay Never's European champion 2-year-old Little Big Bear and Battaash's well-performed own-brother The Antarctic. Many of our stallions have enjoyed fantastic seasons but, in line with prevailing market conditions, we've decreased the fees of 10 of the 18 which remain on the roster from last year.”

A decision on whether Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) remains in training next year at four or retires to stud will be made next week.

The full list of Coolmore fees for 2024:

Arizona (Ire) €5,000
Australia (GB) €17,500
Blackbeard (Ire) €20,000
Calyx (GB) €12,500
Camelot (GB) €50,000
Churchill (Ire) €30,000
Footstepsinthesand (GB) €8,000
Gleneagles €17,500
Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) €8,000
Little Big Bear (Ire) €27,500
Magna Grecia (Ire) €10,000
No Nay Never €150,000
Paddington (GB) €55,000
Saxon Warrior (Jpn) €25,000
Sioux Nation €27,500
Sottsass (Fr) €25,000
St Mark's Basilica (Fr) €50,000
Starspangledbanner (Aus) €45,000
Ten Sovereigns (Ire) €17,500
The Antarctic (Ire) €6,000
Wootton Bassett (GB) €200,000

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Paddington provided O'Brien with a record 83rd Royal Ascot victory when slamming the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the St James's Palace.

The master of Ballydoyle went on to secure his 85th winner at the royal meeting before passing another important milestone at the Curragh on Sunday when Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) provided the 53-year-old with his 100th European Classic success with a hard-fought Irish Derby triumph. 

O'Brien will be hoping for more big-race success at Sandown on Saturday and drew comparisons between Paddington and his most recent Coral-Eclipse winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr).

Both colts are the highest-rated sons of Siyouni (Fr), and it's their ability to quicken that marks them down as something out of the ordinary, according to O'Brien. 

He told TDN Europe, “Paddington came out of Ascot really well and we always felt that he'd get further than a mile. I suppose what makes them different [the progeny of Siyouni] is the way that they quicken. 

“St Mark's Basilica was the very same, he used to quicken off a good pace and this horse does that as well, doesn't he? The Siyounis are really able to quicken and Paddington is a very exciting prospect.”

O'Brien added, “Paddington has done everything we've asked of him so far and seems to be progressing with every run. We're very happy with him and hope he runs a big race on Saturday. We've been happy with him since Ascot.”

The Sussex S. at Goodwood had been mentioned as the most likely option for Paddington after his Ascot triumph but O'Brien has said that, given how well the colt came out of the royal meeting, connections were keen to explore the possibility of stepping him up to 10 furlongs for the Sandown showpiece, for which he is a top-price 11-8 favourite.

Like former Group 1-winning Ballydoyle-trained inmates Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Paddington cut his teeth in handicaps before achieving success at the highest level, with O'Brien describing his progression as “unusual”.

On the decision behind running at Sandown, he said, “We thought he could do both [Sussex and Coral-Eclipse], really, and when it was when he came out of Ascot so well that we decided to aim him at the Coral-Eclipse. 

“We can just explore a little bit with him. We saw what he did at the Curragh and at Ascot over a mile so we're looking forward to seeing him run on Saturday.”

O'Brien added, “He's made very good progress from run to run, I suppose you could describe it as unusual progress, really. He's just a very natural horse.”

Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) led home an O'Brien-trained 1-2-3-4 in the Irish Derby on Sunday and is reported to have come out of that scrap in good heart. The long-term plan could be to revert to 10 furlongs with the dual Derby winner for either the Irish Champion S. or the Juddmonte International, but first, a tilt at the King George at Ascot is under consideration. 

O'Brien said, “We were delighted with Auguste Rodin. He's a great traveller and seems to have a great capacity. He's come out of the Curragh well and we're looking at the King George for him now.

“I know it's a little bit down the road but we thought that if we did go for the King George, then he could have a little bit of time after that and come back for either an Irish Champion Stakes or a Juddmonte International.”

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Vital Force is a half-sister to Godolphin's G2 Coventry S. winner Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and from the immediate family of Danehill Dancer.

“He's a good first foal with a good frame to fill into and a confident temperament,” Kiltinan manager Donna Vowles said.

St Mark's Basilica won six of nine starts and earned £2,196,080. He is a five-time group 1 winner, including the Irish Champion S., Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Coral Eclipse S. He stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a fee of €65,000.

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,

Consigned by @jenny_norris, ARCHANGEL GABRIEL is in foal to St Mark's Basilica and has been bought by Hunscote Stud at #TattsDecember pic.twitter.com/A0kefPVqhc

— TDN (@theTDN) November 28, 2022

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No Nay Never has had an exceptional year. Older filly Alcohol Free (Ire) landed the G1 July Cup at Newmarket, but it has been his Coolmore-owned and Aidan O'Brien-trained juveniles that have set tongues wagging this term. 

Like his father, Blackbeard landed the G1 Prix Morny in Deauville before doubling his tally at the highest level in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket. 

While he was prematurely retired due to a training injury, Group 1 scorers Little Big Bear (Ire) and Meditate (Ire) sit at the head of the ante-post markets for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively. 

Coolmore's director of sales, David O'Loughlin said, “No Nay Never has had an unbelievable year. The quality of the mares he got off the back of his success has really been shining through and, to have three individual Group 1-winning two-year-olds in the one year, he has caught the attention of a lot of people. 

“It has been another big week for him with Meditate winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and she is now a leading fancy for the 1,000 Guineas. Little Big Bear is favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, so No Nay Never has a big chance for the first two Classics of the season. That means a lot for us because we are trying to win the Classics.”

Sioux Nation hails from the same sire line being a son of Scat Daddy, and enjoyed a terrific debut season at stud at Coolmore with 43 winners. He will have his fee increased from €10,000 to 17,500 next year. Blackbeard is being backed to make a similar splash in his debut season by O'Loughlin. 

He said, “To get a horse like Blackbeard on the roster is hugely exciting as well. Breeders love fast horses and he proved himself of the highest quality this season and was reminiscent of his father when winning the G1 Prix Morny is some style before following up in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket. That was the icing on the cake of another big season. 

“Blackbeard is very like his father-the same colour, shape and he has the movement. Everything a breeder wants, he has. He's also out of a very fast mare who Eddie Lynam trained [Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire})] so I think a lot of people will be keen to use him.”

O'Loughlin added, “Commercially, what is driving the market is international appeal. When the international market zones in on a particular sire line, it puts a lot of value on that, much more than the domestic market can. No Nay Never is a good example of that as he has international appeal.

“Take Justify as another example, he has had two Group winners in Europe and three stakes winners in America. It's obvious that he is working both sides of the Atlantic-he has the dirt horses and horses who can do it in Europe as well. For breeders, it will help when they use Arizona, Blackbeard and Sioux Nation because they all hail from that exceptional Scat Daddy line. It's all the one line.”

Like Sioux Nation, Coolmore's Saxon Warrior (Jpn) made a big impression with his first crop of runners. As well as having the highly-touted Auguste Rodin (Ire) to look forward to this season, Saxon Warrior came up trumps with Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road (Ire), one of 21 international winners in his first season. 

O'Loughlin said, “Saxon Warrior had an exceptional year. Again, he's a horse with international appeal being a son of Deep Impact (Jpn), who was the best horse to stand in Japan. Auguste Rodin is a very special horse and Victoria Road crowned a remarkable year with his victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. 

“It's remarkable because Saxon Warrior wasn't the most precocious of horses and, for him to be getting all of these top-class two-year-olds is a big statement. He has some very good two-year-olds and who's to say that Greenland (Ire) won't be the best of them all. I know that a lot of people think he is a high-class horse to look forward to next year. Some big breeders have latched on to him after his debut season and I even sold a nomination to him out here in Keeneland the other day. They think the horse is great value at €35,000.”

Wootton Bassett will stand for €150,000, St Mark's Basilica's 2023 fee is €65,000, and Camelot (GB) is at €60,000. Churchill (Ire), the sire of dual Group 1 winner Vadeni (Fr), has had his fee increased to €30,000, Starspangledbanner (Aus) will stand for €50,000, Australia (GB) and Sottsass (Fr) for €25,000 and Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and Gleneagles (Ire) for €17,500. 

Footstepsinthesand, Circus Maximus, Calyx and US Navy Flag are set at €10,000, Arizona (Ire) is €5,000 and Gustav Klimt (Ire) will be available at €4,000. 

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A handful of black-type winners and producers have already been scanned in foal to St Mark's Basilica, including:

• Believe'N'Succeed (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}): the dam of G1 Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and New Zealand champion sprinter Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus});
• Scream Blue Murder (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}): a Group 3 winner and the dam of listed winner Too Soon To Panic (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire});
• Blanc Bonheur (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}): winner of the G3 Keeneland Cup in Japan and third in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies;
• Angelic Light (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}): a listed-winning 2-year-old;
• Joailliere (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}): Moyglare Stud's stakes-winning homebred and the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB});
• Lacily (Elusive Quality): the dam of G3 Molecomb S. winner Yalta (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus});
• Knyazhna (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}): the dam of Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a Grade/Group 3 winner in America and France;
• Chrissycross (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the dam of triple group-winning sprinter Gustavus Weston (Ire) (Equiano {Fr})

Group 1 producers already covered by St Mark's Basilica include:

• Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}): the dam of Group 1 winner Magic Wand (Ire), Classic winner Chicquita (Ire) and last year's Classic-placed Philomene (Ire);
• Chenchikova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells): the dam of G1 Prix de Diane winner Fancy Blue (Ire);
• Queen Titi (Ire) (Sadler's Wells): the dam of G1 Dewhurst S. winner Beethoven (Ire); and
• Chintz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}): the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Sussex S. winner The Gurkha (Ire)

Group winners and/or producers already covered by St Mark's Basilica include:

• Holy Dazzle (GB) (Sunday Break {Jpn}): the dam of G2 Prix Greffulhe winner Roman Candle (GB) (Le Havre {Ire});
• Llew Law (GB) (Verglas {Ire}): the dam of George Strawbridge's triple Group 3 winner Who's Steph (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire});
• Instant Sparkle (Ire) (Danehill): Moyglare Stud's dam of the dual Group 3-winning Making Light (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB});
• Carta Embrujada (Arg) (Storm Embrujado {Arg}): a triple Argentine Group 1 winner;
• Mot Juste (Distorted Humor): Robert Barnett's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner;
• Lady Wannabe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}): the G3 Darley S. winner

Group 1 winners or producers on the books still to be covered by St Mark's Basilica include:

• Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}): The Queen's G1 Gold Cup winner;
• Fiesolana (Ire) (Aussie Rules): The Niarchos Family's G1 Matron S. winner and black-type producer;
• Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil): the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner who was bought by SAS Gerard Larrieu for 450,000gns at Tattersalls in December;
• Cursory Glance (Ire) (Distorted Humor): Merry Fox Stud's G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner;
• Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}): the G1 Nassau S. winner;
• Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}): Jeff Smith's G1 Juddmonte International winner;
• Safari Queen (Arg) (Lode): Wertheimer et Frere's multiple graded winning dam of G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress Queen's Jewel (GB) (Pivotal {GB});
• Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar): Juddmonte's homebred G1 Falmouth S. winner;
• Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}): Juddmonte's homebred six-time Group 1 winner and stakes producer;
• Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}): Teruya Yoshida's Group 1 and Japanese Classic producer;
• Talent (GB) (New Approach {Ire}): the G1 Oaks winner and dam of triple group winner Ambition (GB) (Dubawi {Ire});
• Reckoning (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}): the dam of last year's champion stayer Subjectivist (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and fellow top-class stayer Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB});
• Shamiyra (Fr) (Medicean {GB}): the dam of G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Shakeel (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire});
• Path Of Peace (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}): the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Belvoir Bay (GB) (Equiano {Fr});
• Recambe (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}): the dam of six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr), by St Mark's Basilica's sire Siyouni;
• Here To Eternity (Stormy Atlantic): Kirsten Rausing's dam of Hong Kong Group 1 winners Time Warp (GB) and Glorious Forever (GB), both by Archipenko;
• Beatrix Potter (Ire) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}): the dam of champion sprinter Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and G2 Mill Reef S. winner Pierre Lapin (Ire) (Cappella Sansevero {GB});
• Motivation (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}): the dam of GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. winner Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}); and
• Night Visit (GB) (Sinndar {Ire}), the dam of G1 Irish Derby winner Trading Leather (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).

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Siyouni stands for a second consecutive season for €140,000 at the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval, and his 2022 book also includes Bob Scarborough's Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the dam of Siyouni's 2021 Horse of the Year and dual Classic winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr).

Other Aga Khan homebred Group 1 performers or producers booked to Siyouni this season include the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic victress Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}), whose first two foals are stakes performers; Ebiyza (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), the dam of high-class fillies Edisa (Kitten's Joy) and Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor); and the maiden mare Sagamiyra (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who won the G3 Prix du Pin last year and was second to Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Rothschild.

Outside breeders supporting Siyouni include Wertheimer et Frere, George Strawbridge and Kirsten Rausing, who will collectively send Group 1 winners Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}), Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Madame Chiang (GB) (Archipenko). Juddmonte will send the dams of Group 1 winners Viadera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Juliet Foxtrot (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

Siyouni's 2022 book also includes sisters to Group 1 winners Japan (GB), Mogul (GB), Secret Gesture (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire), Zelzal (Fr), Timepiece (GB), Passage Of Time (GB), Sacred Life (Fr) and National Defense (GB), as well as the dams of Group 1 winners A Raving Beauty (Ger) and Wings Of Eagles (Fr).

Among the mares due to foal to Siyouni this season are Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the dam of Siyouni's Arc and Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass (Fr); Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}); Group 1 winners Kitesurf (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) and Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and Venetia's Dream (Ire), the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Dream And Do (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

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