Stage Set for the Bloodstock World’s Theatre of Dreams

As the darkness draws in on the Monday and Tuesday afternoons of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, it is a signal for the those around Park Paddocks to head ring-wards for the bloodstock world's version of captivating theatre.

Who present, shoulder to shoulder in the packed auditorium over recent years, can forget moments such as the sale of Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) for 6 million gns? Even her trainer Sir Mark Prescott, always ready with a witticism, was for once lost for words in the drama of it all. 

A decade ago the Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was sold for 4 million gns carrying a foal from the first crop of Frankel (GB). Such was the clamour surrounding the Juddmonte superstar's transition to stallion duties that Dancing Rain's appearance at Tattersalls prompted a segment on BBC Radio 5 Live that evening. 

It is anyone's guess as to who will emerge on top at this year's sale. The only thing that is not in doubt is that there is a vast array of contenders to choose from. 

Although this segment of the sales season is collectively referred to as the breeding stock sales, there is a strong element to the December Mares Sale which could just as legitimately have it rebranded as the most elite horses-in-training sale out there. Generally, it is buyer's choice, when being lucky enough to snare one of the fillies on offer, whether or not they race on next season or head straight to the paddocks. 

A poster girl for the former strategy is Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), sold for 695,000gns two years ago to Tracy Farmer, for whom she has subsequently raced in America to land the GI EP Taylor and GI Beverly D S., along with another two Grade II wins. Her earnings have increased by more than £800,000 in the interim and she remains an enticing broodmare prospect. 

Similar comments apply to Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who could hardly have been better named. Still a maiden when sold in 2020 for 27,000gns to David Redvers and Rosemount Stud, she then went on to Australia and won the G2 Emancipation S. plus a $2 million conditions race at Randwick before being sold at Magic Millions in May this year for $1,350,000.

As this example shows, there will doubtless be future success stories to come from all levels of the market, but the introduction last year of the Sceptre Sessions, staged during those first two sessions, naturally shines a spotlight on some particularly high achievers. 

It is hard to look past a particularly well-credentialed pairs of fillies from the same stable and owned by the same partnership. Through Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen enjoyed a particularly noteworthy 2022 season, with a Group 1 win apiece for these two fillies trained by Ralph Beckett.

Describing the four-year-old Prosperous Voyage as “a strong, robust filly with a good walk”, Beckett casts his mind back over the last three seasons.

He says, “She's been an extraordinarily tough and genuine filly. I'm not sure we knew how good she was when we first ran her in the Prestige Stakes. She progressed quickly to finish second tin the May Hill and the Fillies' Mile. Then at three she had a stellar year, with being second in the Guineas and winning the Falmouth Stakes.

“So we've had a terrific time with her, and she backed that up by winning the Princess Elizabeth at four.”

Indeed, in Prosperous Voyage's last two runs as a juvenile she was second to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), recent heroine of the Breeders' Cup. But she had that great filly's measure when beating her the following year in the G1 Falmouth. Prior to that she had finished just a neck behind Cachet, who also features in the Sceptre Sessions, when second in the 1,000 Guineas.

Becket adds, “In terms of performance, I was equally proud of her in the Guineas. I thought she really outperformed all expectation that day.”

As Tattersalls' marketing director, Jimmy George is naturally relishing the prospect of the fillies' appearance at Park Paddocks.

“It's going to be an exciting few hours not only for Ralph Beckett, but also the owners, Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen,” he says. “Prosperous Voyage's finest hour obviously came in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes last year when she beat a very high-class field, including most notably Inspiral.

“She has a huge pedigree too. Her third dam is Monroe. It's a very smart Juddmonte family: fourth dam is Best In Show, one of the most influential broodmares of of the modern era. So she has plenty that should appeal to breeders from every corner of the globe.”

Prosperous Voyage is set to be sold on the Tuesday of the sale as Lot 1811. Prior to that, the three-year-old Lezoo takes to the ring as Lot 1776.

“She took her racing extraordinarily well at two,” says Beckett of the latter. “I think I ran her four times in six weeks, from a maiden to the Empress Stakes, the Cherry Hinton and the Princess Margaret, and she had a break after that and came back strongly to win the Cheveley Park. This year, things haven't gone quite so well but she did win the Hopeful Stakes against the colts, and she's been a sound, genuine filly throughout. And like Prosperous Voyage, she has barely had a sick day, so I think she'll do very well as a racehorse next year or as a broodmare.”

He adds, “Lezoo is a strong filly, deceptively robust, in the sense that you wouldn't have her down as masculine but the scales say that she is. In terms of physique, she's taken it very well throughout her career. She's got bigger and stronger as she's got older. To be able to come back from the last weekend in July to winning a championship race in early October takes a bit of doing. She had had a bit of a dip after winning the Princess Margaret and we had to bring her back gradually. So for her to do that was quite extraordinary, really, and unusual.”

Whether Lezoo races on or not, Jimmy George points to the genetic attributes which make her an attractive broodmare prospect beyond just what she has achieved on the track.

He says, “Lezoo does have a different profile to her stable-mate Prosperous Voyage, but a very attractive profile at that. She's by Zoustar, she's out of a Red Clubs mare, and it's hard to imagine a Group-1 winning filly that would be easier to mate. She can go to any stallion in the world pretty well. And she was top class when she won the Group 1 Cheveley Park. She beat Mawj, who won this year's 1,000 Guineas. She beat Meditate, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup that year. She is very high class and from an all-speed family.”

All sectors of the December Sale have had their notable representatives this year. Via Sistina (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the 5,000gns December yearling who became a Group 1 star, returns this time to the Sceptre Sessions as Lot 1788, as does Rogue Millennium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), bought for 35,000gns two years ago as a two-year-old and now a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed for Tom Clover and The Rogues Gallery. She is Lot 1800.

A family which has hogged the limelight at the December Foal Sale in recent years is that of Whitsbury Manor Stud's Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), whose Frankel (GB) foal of 2020 was sold for 550,000gns. Later named Chaldean (GB), his juvenile exploits gave a huge boost to his Kingman (GB) half-brother who topped last year's foal sale at 1,000,000gns. This year, their four-year-old half-sister Get Ahead (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) makes an appearance in the Sceptre Sessions. A Listed winner who was second in this year's G1 Flying Five S., she is sold 'in training' and is one of five black-type performers for her dam, led of course by the Classic winner and new Juddmonte sire Chaldean.

Among the young fillies included in the sale are the group-winning juveniles Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Dawn Charger (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). 

The former (Lot 1798) has only once been headed in five starts when beaten a nose in the G2 Queen Mary S at Royal Ascot. Since then she has won both the Weatherbys Super Sprint and the G2 Lowther S.

Dawn Charger meanwhile is Lot 1766 and has had a similarly productive season, winning three and finishing second in another three of her seven starts. She won the G3 Prix Eclipse and was most recently runner-up in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. 

A slightly different format to the foal sale week this year sees the traditional 'dark day' shifted back to Thursday to allow for more viewing time for the last two foal sessions. Trade gets underway on Tuesday straight after Monday's yearling session, which in itself usually provides plenty of gems for the years ahead.

Following the success of Chaldean over the last seasons, the December Foal Sale has had some other notable graduates to its name this year. Dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) may have been most readily associated with topping the Craven Breeze-up Sale in April, but his sales history stretches back to December 2021 when his breeder Kelly Thomas offered him in her Maywood Stud consignment. This year, in Thomas's draft of three, she brings Vandeek's half-brother by Starspangledbanner (Aus), who is sure to be one of the most heavily perused foals on offer on the Friday. 

Vimal Khosla's G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) was another to have been offered at that same foal sale as Vandeek, as was the unbeaten G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The Clive Cox trainee runs in the colours of Jeff Smith's Littleton Stud. A notable breeder, Smith doesn't buy many foals but he has done well with recent purchases, particularly Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who was picked up at the Goffs November Foal Sale for €40,000 and, after winning four Group 1s for Smith and Andrew Balding, topped last year's December Mares Sale at 5.4 million gns. Just another one of those unforgettable moments of Tattersalls' own brand of theatre.

 

 

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Tattersalls December Yearling Sale Catalogue Now Online

The catalogue for the 2023 Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, set to be held Monday, Nov. 27, is out and can be viewed online. A total of 188 lots are set to sell over the one-day sale that immediately precedes the December Foal Sale, which will take place from Tuesday, Nov. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 2.

Last year's sale produced a number of standouts, including dual Group 1 winning 2-year-old Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Ire}), purchased for 42,000gns and 5,000gns, respectively.

Overall this year there are own or half-brothers and sisters to 41 Group and Listed winners catalogued and 27 yearlings out of Group and Listed-winning dams, including five Classic/Group 1 winners and the last yearling by the late Galileo (Ire) (lot 171) to sell at public auction.

Also among the offerings this year are 11 yearlings eligible for the £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme, which will increase from £20,000 to £25,000 in 2024, and 18 yearlings eligible for the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction S., as well as four yearlings eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction S. The catalogue also features 26 fillies already entered for the Great British Bonus and one lot qualified for French Owners' Premiums.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “This year's catalogue has an abundance of quality, including the last ever yearling by the incomparable Galileo to be offered at public auction, as well as a large number of yearlings eligible for lucrative £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonuses, the ever-popular £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, and the well-established Great British Bonuses.”

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Foal Trade Reaches New High at Tattersalls

NEWMARKET, UK–A pair of colts by the young Darley and Shadwell stallions Masar (Ire) and Mohaather (GB) shared the top spot on the final day of foal trade at Park Paddocks which brought the curtain down, not just on a record week for weanlings but also a record year for Tattersalls–and that's before the Mares Sale even begins.

The average and median for the fourth session were both up on last year, with a total of 2,267,750gns added to the overall tally from the sale of 150 foals. For the sale as a whole, the aggregate of 35,255,050gns represented an increase of 13% on last year's trade, with the average up by 11% at 47,386gns and the median by 4% to 26,000gns. From a larger catalogue of 1,173 foals, of which 983 were offered and 744 sold, the only figure to drop was the clearance rate, which was down to 76% from 81%.

Commenting on a week led by a million-guinea Kingman (GB) foal from Whitsbury Manor Stud, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Strong yearling sales will always drive demand for foals and the extraordinary strength of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales has been followed by a Tattersalls December Foal Sale which has achieved significant increases in average and median as well as a record turnover in excess of 35 million guineas. The cream of the British and Irish foal crop has been assembled here at Park Paddocks and buyers at every level of the market and from throughout the world have all contributed to yet another record-breaking sale in a year of extraordinary sales at Tattersalls.”

 

Sweeting's Surprise

On the day that Overbury Stud announced that it would be standing G2 Flying Childers S. winner Caturra (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) next year, the farm's draft took co-top billing when selling a Masar (Ire) half-brother to this season's Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Rogue Millennium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for 110,000gns to Yeomanstown Stud.

The colt was born three months after his dam, the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. winner Hawaafez (GB) (Nayef), was sold by her breeder Shadwell for 14,000gns to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock, who, unbeknown to Overbury's Simon Sweeting, bought the 14-year-old mare on his behalf. Three days after she safely foaled her Masar colt, his 3-year-old sister Rogue Millennium stormed to her listed victory. Enhancing the pedigree further was the victory earlier this month of 2-year-old Naomi Lapaglia (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}),  who won on debut at Kempton for Richard Spencer.

“I wasn't around and [Richard] did it himself,” said Sweeting. “It looked like a chancey buy to start with but the mare was an exceptional racehorse and Rogue Millennium has come along, and everything else has landed into place. The 2-year-old is now one for one and her Kingman yearling has gone to trainer George Boughey.”

He added, “It is definitely a progressive family. That sale did take me by surprise, but it is a lovely surprise to have. He was a late foal, but he has been very straightforward and everything has worked out well.”

 

Shadwell Restock With Classy Foals

While the Masar colt was one that escaped the Shadwell clutches, some new recruits have been added to the future racing string for Sheikha Hissa, with Angus Gold signing for seven foals this week, including the day's other 110,000gns colt, by first-season sire Mohaather.

“Obviously, we are a bit biased,” Gold confessed. “Mohaather was a very special horse for us. We thought he was slightly underrated if anything. For me, what he did at Goodwood that day in the Sussex S. was out of the ordinary. I haven't seen a horse quicken like that since Kingman in the same race.”

He continued, “So we are big fans and I have liked the stock I have seen. What I particularly liked is that, leading into this week, lots of people have told me that they have a really nice Mohaather foal, which is great to hear. We bought one two days ago, and the vendor told me they had an even better one at home. There are some really good vibes about him.”

Gold indicated that Shadwell will have around 75 to 80 horses in training in 2023 and, having sold a number of mares last year, the stud has a foal crop of only around 35.

“I spoke with Sheikha Hissa and she was keen to get some foals to supplement the racing team, if we could buy at relatively sensible money,” he added.

Tom Blain, more usually seen at the head of his expanding Barton Stud consignment, was one of the breeders of the Mohaather colt under the name of Ickworth Stud. The colt is the first foal of the Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Time Of Change (Ire), a sister to the G2 Gimcrack S. runner-up Taajub (Ire).

“Time For Change is owned in partnership, it is a great thrill and I am delighted for all involved,” Blain said. “It was a bit weird to watch one of our own sell. We bought the mare for 9,000gns and I know the family as we used to board her dam Purple Tiger. There is a lot happening under the second dam.

He added of the colt, “I think he should make up into a serious racehorse and I just want to thank Angus for his support. It is great that Shadwell and Sheikha Hissa are backing their own stallion; we used him a number of times in the first year so we are really happy.”

Mohaather's name featured three times in the top 10 list on Saturday, with Tally-Ho Stud buying another from the Barton Stud draft, a filly out of Muaamara (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), for 68,000gns, while Cathy Grassick went to 50,000gns for a filly from Whatcote Farm Stud who is a three-parts-sister to recent juvenile winner American Sonja (GB) (Tasleet {GB}).

 

Freshman Action

As our accompanying vox pop shows, one of the talking points for the bloodstock industry at this time of the year is always which young stallions are taking the eye–and which are not.

Of course, what really matters is what their offspring end up doing on the track, and there will be plenty of disappointments and surprises to come next summer and beyond, but the foal sales always provide a first litmus test of a stallion's progeny.

Ghaiyyath (Ire), as a top-class performer himself, and with two Classic winners as parents, should have what it takes for a decent stud career, and plenty of buyers have backed him at Goffs and Tattersalls. This week his 10 weanlings sold returned an average of 130,700gns, and the only other first-season sire to set a six-figure average was Ghaiyyath's fellow Darley sire Pinatubo (Ire). He only had a handful of foals for sale this week but the quintet changed hands for an average of 126,400gns.

Earthlight (Ire), like Pinatubo a son of Shamardal, also proved popular with 12 sold at and average of 56,500gns, while Mohaather, referenced above, had 21 weanlings sold this week at an average of 41,881gns.

 

The Key Players

With a million-guinea filly in its draft, it was no surprise to see Whitsbury Manor Stud at the top of the consignors' table with 19 foals sold for 2,201,500gns. Norelands Stud posted a decent average for the sale of 123,667gns for nine sold, with Langton Stud's boutique draft had three sold for an average of 248,333gns.

Juddmonte's outlay of 2,425,000gns on Friday put them at the top of the buyers' list but noted pinhookers Tally-Ho Stud, JC Bloodstock and Yeomanstown Stud were all as busy as ever, with 15, 14, and 13 foals bought, respectively.

Concluding his appraisal of the week's trade, Edmond Mahony continued, “To see so many British and Irish breeders rewarded so handsomely this week reflects the quality of the stock which they have brought to the market and we should thank the consignors for their confidence in the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. In addition to Whitsbury Manor Stud's outstanding one million guineas sale-topping Kingman filly, the sale has produced the four highest-priced foals in Europe and a record-equalling 27 foals sold for 200,000 guineas or more.”

He added, “While the December Foal Sale is always dominated by the tireless and loyal British and Irish pinhookers, their European counterparts have also made their presence felt, as have a significant number of the world's leading owners who recognise the December Foal Sale as a consistent source of Classic and Group 1 performers. It is no coincidence that the connections of the Group 1-winning 2-year-olds Blackbeard (Ire) and Chaldean (GB), both bought at the 2020 December Foal Sale, have again targeted this sale, and international buyers from America, China, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Switzerland and from throughout the Gulf region have also made significant contributions, particularly at the top of the market.

“The international influence will without doubt be even stronger as we move on to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which starts on Monday and features the inaugural Sceptre Sessions for elite fillies and broodmares. We have an exceptional catalogue which includes some of the best race fillies and mares to be offered at public auction for many a year and we look forward to ending the Tattersalls year on a high note.”

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Whitsbury’s ‘Year Never to Forget’ as Chaldean’s Sister Makes a Million

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin

NEWMARKET, UK–It wasn't too hard to imagine that a Kingman (GB) half-sister to this season's leading juvenile Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) would steal the show at Tattersalls, and with shades of two years ago it was Juddmonte that swooped for the weanling from Whitsbury Manor Stud's increasingly influential broodmare Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) at an even million gns.

This time though Juddmonte's general manager Simon Mockridge was forced to stake almost double the amount it took to buy Chaldean, and that is largely thanks to the colt's exploits this season, with his four victories including the G1 Dewhurst, G2 Champagne and G3 Acomb S.

But Suelita is far from just a one-trick pony: her five black-type offspring and six winners from six runners include the G2 Mill Reef S. winner and young sire Alkumait (GB), by Whitsbury Manor's Juddmonte-bred stallion Showcasing {GB}), and his full-sister Get Ahead (GB), who has been retained by the Harper family.

It was Chris Harper who bought the four-time winner Suelita at Tattersalls nine years ago for 21,500gns, having been involved in the family in the past through Chaldean's third dam Horatia (Ire) and a half-sister to her fourth dam named Heady (GB). The breeder, whose son Ed is now at the helm of Whitsbury Manor, wiped away tears as Suelita's latest offspring left the ring with a seven-figure price tag.

He said, “This is Gerald Leigh's old pedigree and years ago Gerald and I shared Horatia and Heady. This mare came up for sale and I went and had a look and thought she was a lovely mare, all quality. If I can buy for under 30,000 I do and she has been such a star. She's in foal to Showcasing and I hope she has a filly for obvious reasons, because she has to go back to Frankel now and if she has a filly then we won't be able to afford to keep her.”

Harper added of the million-guinea transaction, “This is a fabulous moment, it has never happened before, and we are all so thrilled.”

Whitsbury Manor is currently riding the crest of a wave as the breeder of one of the most exciting juveniles of the season and with a stallion roster that includes the proven Showcasing, leading first-season sire Havana Grey (GB), and Sergei Prokofiev, whose first foals have been well received this week.

Harper continued, “I bought my first stallion in 1974, he was called Philip Of Spain (GB), and I know that the majority of stallions fail. So we've battled on and we've always been lucky enough to have one that has carried the others–whether it was old Compton Place, or Cadeaux Genereux–and they have kept the show on the road. Now we are in the really amazing position of having two really popular horses and one that is going so well.

“It has been a year never to forget.”

Simon Mockridge and the Juddmonte team have played a significant part in that memorable year, and they now have a legitimate Classic contender on their hands for 2023, a situation made even more pleasing for them by the fact that Suelita's star colt is a son of Frankel.

Mockridge said of the latest member of the family to join the Juddmonte fold, “You know that it is going to be expensive buying a filly like her, especially when you have a new Group 1 winner on the page and Chaldean is very exciting. We're delighted to be able to buy him from Whitsbury and the Harpers do a great job. I'm very pleased for Ed Harper and his team.

“The [Abdullah] family wants to reinvest in families. This is a very strong page and, with Chaldean, who knows what's going to happen next year. She could be a very valuable filly going forward.”

He added, “Chaldean was a slightly smaller horse. She's bigger. She's got a great, big backside on her and she looks faster–if you can say that. She's an exciting filly. Kingman has had such a good season–two Group 1 winners, 14 individual group winners, and he is going from strength to strength.”

As with so many bloodstock auctions this year, the December Foal Sale also appears to be going from strength to strength. Last year 19 weanlings made 200,000gns or more; this time around it was 24. That pushed the session aggregate to 20,045,000gns, more than 3 million gns clear of the 2021 tally, with the average arising by 19% to 110,495gns and the median by 13% to 68,000gns. With 182 foals sold from 226 offered, the clearance rate was 81%.

 

Heatherwold's Last Hurrah

The purchase of the sale's top lot was by no means Juddmonte's lone strike as Mockridge signed for the four of the six most expensive weanlings of the session for a total of 2,425,000gns. The quartet included a Frankel filly bred by Eminent Kind Ltd and the final offering from Mike Caddy's Heatherwold Stud. The February-born weanling, who was sold for 500,000gns, is the second foal of the dual listed winner and Grade I runner-up Awesometank (GB) (Intense Focus).

“It is bittersweet really, as she is the final youngster to be sold from Heatherwold Stud under Mick Caddy's ownership,” said Heatherwold's bloodstock advisor Jeremy Brummitt. “He is ceasing operations and has gone out with a bang.

“I bought the granddam Janey Muddles; I remember seeing her win first time out at the Curragh, I think she was Lawman's first winner as a 2-year-old, she passed the whole field and was on the slowest of the ground.”

He continued, “I never forgot her and when the owner came around to sell her, she was carrying her second foal which was an in-house covering to Intense Focus. I bought her here for 115,000gns in 2014. That foal became an absolutely lovely yearling, was named Awesometank–we bought her back at the sales and raced her.

“She took us to Canada and Chicago and was second in the [GI] Beverley D [S.], and now she is breeding. She lives in a field with her dam and they are two of the happiest mares I have ever seen, and they both raise happy and contented foals.”

Kingman Filly:

 

Langton Stud's Day In The Sun

In a cloudless blue sky above Park Paddocks a daredevil pilot in a small plane was flying a loop-the-loop over Somerville Paddock R at Tattersalls as members of the media and fellow breeders flocked to congratulate Giles Wates. With two members of his Langton Stud draft (lots 928 and 929) having just exited the ring for a cumulative price of 685,000gns, it's likely that Wates felt like looping the loop himself, for this was by far the biggest sale result for his Dorset farm since he decided to sell his stock solely as foals 10 years ago.

“I am just about getting my breath. It has been great but it has been quite stressful too,” said Wates after being paid a huge compliment by one of the best breeding operations in the business when Simon Mockridge of Juddmonte Farms went to 500,000gns for the Lope De Vega (Ire) filly out of the G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Poet's Vanity (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}).

He continued, “It has been a few years getting here, but we have got there now, we are on our way and the team has done a great job.”

A half-sister to fellow stakes winners and proven black-type producers Lesson In Humility (Ire) (Mujadil) and Boastful (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), Poet's Vanity was bought by the Wates family with Richard Brown from Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale for 200,000gns and proved to be worth every penny, with a group win to her name as a juvenile followed by a placed finish in the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and two further victories.

“She's a lovely mare, a gentle giant,” Wates added. “She is in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB) and will probably then be rested as she will have a late foal. This filly's older brother by Kingman has been retained and has gone to Andrew Balding.”

Juddmonte looked to have the filly bought at 450,000gns until Philipp Stauffenberg made one last bid at 480,000gns, which was quickly countered.

“We knew she was very, very popular, everyone liked her,” said Mockridge. “She is a great athlete, a great walker, and has been well produced by Langton. We thought we'd have to be strong on her, but for us she is an outcross pedigree for the longer term. She is a beautiful filly, hopefully she can be a race filly now and then come back home.”

Following the Lope De Vega filly was a daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) out of Shemya (Fr) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 929) and from the family of G1 Champion S. winner Bay Bridge (GB). Michael Fitzpatrick, signing as JC Bloodstock, was the eventual buyer at 185,000gns and for him it was a case of returning to a successful source, as he pinhooked the filly's half-brother by Kingman (GB), later known as the Group 3 winner Cormorant (GB), for 135,000gns as a foal before selling him on in Book 1 for 1,050,000gns.

The Juddmonte team returned to the ring a little later to buy out Anita Wigan, with whom they co-bred a Kingman (GB) half-sister to G2 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Angel Power (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), at 425,000gns. Lot 973 was consigned by Selwood Bloodstock and is out of the Aussie Rules mare Burning Rules (Ire), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Blue De Vega (Ire) from the Gestut Ammerland family of German Group 1 winners Borgia (Ger) and Boreal (Ger). Burning Rules will be among the first book of mares to visit Baaeed (GB) next spring.

LDV Filly:

 

Taking The Long View With Frankel

In the upper echelon of the foal market the air can get a little thin for pinhookers but a variety of owner/breeders were out in force on Friday, looking to bolster their own broodmare bands with new blood.

Along with Juddmonte, the successful operations of Moyglare Stud, Shadwell, Sumbe, and Gestut Fahrhof were among those investing at the top end of a strong foal market and each of those named went home with a Frankel weanling.

Moyglare Stud has raced a homebred Classic-winning daughter of Frankel this season in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs, and Fiona Craig signed for a filly by him from the draft of Luke and Tabitha Lillingston's Mount Coote Stud at 550,000gns.

The filly in question (lot 1063) is out of Sunny Again (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), who has already proved her worth as the dam of Group 3 winner Elisa Again (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and St Leger runner-up Berkshire Rocco (Fr) (Sir Percy {GB}).

“She's not a big, long-striding thing, but I know what Homeless Songs looks like, and I wasn't trying to buy an Oaks winner, I was trying to buy something fast,” said Craig. “Speed is so hard to find and she looked fast to me. The pedigree is great, and Mount Coote is great–they've raised loads of good horses.”

Tabitha Lillingston added, “We've been so lucky with that mare; she does it every time and now she has some really exciting horses to run for her. When Fiona saw her she said she was really like Homeless Songs.

“We bought the mare for 15 grand and she has really rewarded us. Sometimes you just get lucky.”

Tina Rau has been active throughout the foal sale on behalf of Andreas Jacobs's Gestut Fahrhof and together they signed for a Frankel filly from the Whitsbury Manor Stud draft out of the listed-placed Heartwarming (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), a half-sister to the G2 Queen Mary S. winner Heartache (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}).

“She's been bought to race,” Rau commented after bidding 320,000gns. “We liked the pedigree. There's a lot of quality coming up in the next three or four years, there's lots of potential for it to grow. We love the mating, Frankel over Showcasing, and she's a handy version of Frankel which we like.”

Gestut Fahrhof has recruited five new weanlings from the sale for 836,000gns, including a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-sister to Group 2 winners Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass) and Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) from Yellowford Farm for 280,000gns.

 

Sumbe Joins Frankel Fray

With Mishriff (Ire) having joined the stallion ranks in France at Sumbe, there has been added significance to the purchasing of well-bred fillies and lot 1056, a New England Stud-consigned daughter of Frankel, fit the bill at 425,000gns.

A daughter of the dual stakes winner Mrs Gallagher (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the filly is from a family the Sumbe team is familiar with and she will be put into training, according to stud manager Tony Fry.

He said, “We were underbidders on the Starspangledbanner (Aus) [half-brother] as a yearling. She'll go back to Hesmonds Stud now. We have a plethora of stallions so, when she finishes her racing career, she can visit them.”

He added, “We bought yearlings for Clive Cox and Roger Varian and all of our French-breds will stay in France.”

G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Mishriff's fee has been set at €20,000 in his debut season at Haras de Montfort et Preaux and he will stand alongside Golden Horde (Ire), De Treville (GB) and Recorder (GB).

Asked how Mishriff has been received, Fry said, “Super. We haven't started showing him yet but the bookings have started to come in already. When people see him they will be very impressed by him.”

 

Sons On The Rise

Ghaiyyath (Ire) is one of the first-season sires being much talked about at the sales and he was the only one of his intake to nudge into the top 10 courtesy of his smartly-bred daughter from Norelands Stud (lot 1074) who was bought by Shadwell for 375,000gns.

The filly is a half-sister to the Aga Khan's recent juvenile maiden winner Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who is highly regarded by her trainer Dermot Weld, as well as the Group 3 winners Tanaza (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Taniyar (Ire) (Shamardal). Their dam Tanoura (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was purchased by David Nagle of Barronstown Stud for €200,000 last year.

Shadwell's Angus Gold has signed for six weanlings this week, including a Frankel half-brother to the German champion 2-year-old Wonderful Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) at 370,000gns. The colt was bred by Sea The Moon's breeder Gestut Gorlsdorf and consigned from Marwell Park.

Ghaiyyath was not the only son of Dubawi to post some decent results at the most prestigious of the four foal sessions this week. The Fagan family's Deerpark Stud sold lot 969, a colt by New Bay (GB), to Shadwell for 210,000gns. The half-brother to three winners is a grandson of 1000 Guineas Trial winner Zavaleta (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) whose descendants include Group 1 winner Intense Focus and Skitter Scatter, while further back the family also includes Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune (Ire).

Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe operation also bought a long-term racing prospect when going to 200,000gns for lot 924, a filly by Night Of Thunder (Ire) out of a sister to the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) from Prospect Stables. The filly was bred in partnership by Romanised's owner Robert Ng and his breeders the Aherne family. The filly's granddam Romantic Venture (Ire) (Indian Ridge {GB}) is a half-sister to the treble Group 1 winner Designs On Rome (Ire) as well as GII Arlington Derby winner Simple Exchange (Ire).

 

Sea The Stars Filly Heads Southcourt Dispersal

To sell or not to sell will be the decision for James Hanly of Ballyhimikin Stud to make after purchasing a jewel from the partial dispersal of the late Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's Southcourt Stud. Offered as lot 1002 from Peter Stanley's New England Stud, the daughter of Sea the Stars (Ire) and the listed winner Waila (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}), from the family of former Horse of the Year Crystal Ocean (GB), was knocked down at 400,000gns, with Johnny McKeever conducting the bidding on behalf of Hanly.

“James will probably put her back through Book 1, but she also has the potential to be a foundation broodmare,” McKeever said. “It is so hard to get into these families and it is a once-in-lifetime opportunity, sadly, with the passing of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild there is a chance to get into families that would never be available.”

The filly's full-sister Infinite Cosmos (Ire) was beaten just a short-head on her debut for Sir Michael Stoute last month, and she features in next week's Mare Sale at Tattersalls, along with her mother, the 12-year-old Waila, who is in foal to Pinatubo (Ire).

McKeever added of Infinite Cosmos, “It will be interesting to see which trainer gets hold of her, but I believe Sir Michael thinks she is very good. That was an added incentive to buy this foal.”

Peter Stanley, who sold four foals from Southcourt Stud and will consign some of the farm's broodmares next week, said, “It is incredibly sad when it comes to the end of an era and Evelyn was the most charming man. I would much rather be talking to him than selling his horse for a lot of money. It is a great credit to him that he had four foals on the ground and they all sold as well as they did.

“He created a couple of fantastic families, and we should not forget that his sister, [the late] Renee Robeson, was really the power behind the scene, she was the one who created these families with Evelyn. He gave her the firepower to do it, but he was always prepared to back her judgement.”

He added of the next week's sale, “There are some lovely mares there; it is sad to be letting go of horses like that. It is a legacy and I think what is wonderful is that Evelyn has left behind something to be very proud of, and for the family to be very proud of.”

A Sea The Moon half-brother to the promising Crystal Caprice (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is another to feature in next week's sale, was bought from the draft for 210,000gns by Bitzen Bloodstock.

 

O'Leary's 'Big Bite' For 280,000gns Colt

Eddie O'Leary has been one of the more active buyers at Tattersalls this week, and he has signed for 12 foals at a total spend of 995,000gns, headed by a 280,000gns No Nay Never colt from Awbeg Stud.

That was by far the most expensive of his purchases but, if he was feeling any pressure with his new acquisition, he scarcely made it be known after out-bidding Yeomanstown Stud.

“That's a big bite,” O'Leary joked, before adding, “I hope it doesn't come to bite me back!”

The No Nay Never colt (lot 965) is out of a winning Aqlaam (GB) mare Southern Belle (Ire) who has produced two winners, including Janoobi (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who started his career with Mark Johnston before winning and reaching a mark of 93 for Ger Lyons.

Heaping praise on his new addition, O'Leary added, “They all say this, but that's actually my pick of the whole sale. He's a brilliant horse by a brilliant sire and hopefully he goes places.”

 

Brown Named FBA Agent of the Year

Richard Brown was named as FBA Bloodstock Agent of the Year for the second year in a row at Tattersalls on Friday.

The Blandford Bloodstock agent, who bought this year's Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) for owner Saeed Suhail, was also responsible for buying the G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) and G1 Caulfield Cup winner Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) as well as G2 Lowther S victrix Swingalong (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and G3 JRA Cup winner Desert Icon (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Geoffrey Howson, honorary president  of the FBA, said, “When Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock received his FBA Bloodstock Agent prize last year, he told me that he was determined to win it again in 2022. I replied that the only way he could receive the award two years' running was to have bought the winner of the Derby.

“Immediately after his Book 2 yearling purchase, Desert Crown, won the Derby, he texted me, 'Told you I wanted another bottle of Krug!'”

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