Brother To Group 1 Winner Champers Elysees Leads Way At Sapphire Sale

A Cotai Glory (GB) half-brother to G1 Matron S. winner Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) led the way at the Tattersalls Ireland Sapphire Sale when selling to John Foley of Ballyvolane Stud for €37,000. 

Consigned by Railstown Stud, the Cotai Glory foal is out of La Cuvee (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), who has produced five-time winner Daddies Girl (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) as well as the high-class Champers Elysees.

Foley commented of lot 147, “He is a fine foal, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, and we will see what happens. I have had a few by the stallion, he is a good sire and has had a Group 1 winner and is very commercial.”

While the average climbed 13% to €6,748, the going remained tough with a 42% clearance rate, down 22% on last year. The aggregate was also down 11% to €533,100 while the median stayed the same at €4,000. 

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins acknowledged the “market correction” taking place in the middle to lower tiers after the sale. 

He said, “Our sincere appreciation goes to every vendor and purchaser for their trust and support of the Sapphire Sale. The notable contributions from purchasers, particularly those from Italy and the UK, played a strong part in today's sale.

“The year's earlier two Tattersalls Ireland Flat sales were headlined by this year's record-breaking and vibrant trade at the Breeze Up Sale, which produced an aggregate that topped €8,500,000 for the first time, and achieved best-ever figures for average and median of €43,033 and €30,000, both numbers hitting new spheres of accomplishment.

“The September Yearling Sale has firmly secured its position as an established choice for yearling buyers. Turnover for this year's renewal reflected this demand stretching over €12 million for the third year in succession with a record median of €28,000, an average over €30,000 for the third year in a row, and with yearlings selling at an 85% clearance rate.”

Kerins added, “However, the trading environment is not straightforward and as the year has come to an end it is evident that there is a market correction in place – buyers are adjusting their spend in light of the current economic headwinds leading to some contraction and a difficult marketplace at the lower levels.

“As the 2023 sales season comes to a close, I would like to acknowledge our vendors and purchasers who have supported Tattersalls Ireland throughout this past year, playing a crucial role in creating plenty of standout moments. Additionally, I would like to extend our appreciation to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their consistent support.”

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Injured Jockey Graham Lee Is Making Progress

Following a fall at Newcastle that landed Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee in intensive care, the reinsman is reported to be making “positive progress” by the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) as of Friday.

Also a Group 1-winning rider on the Flat, Lee was unseated from Ben Macdui (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) during the start of a synthetic handicap last Friday. Currently, he has been diagnosed with an unstable cervical fracture which has damaged his spinal cord, and has also undergone two surgeries to stabilise the fractures and protect his spinal cord further.

The IJF said in a statement, “Graham has made positive progress in the last 24 hours and has been able to talk normally with his family for short periods when his ventilator is turned down.

“He has been reviewed by his spinal consultant and when a bed becomes available in the ITU at James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough, he will be transferred closer to home.

“Graham and his family want to thank everyone for their continued and overwhelming support.”

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Marie’s Diamond Retired To Diamond Stud Bellewstown

Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}–Sindiyma {Ire}, by Kalanisi {Ire}) has been retired and will stand at Diamond Stud Bellewstown in 2024. The G3 Angelsey S. victor will stand for €6,000. There are also limited breeding rights available.

“I believe he is a very important stallion for the future of the Irish Thoroughbred, boasting an excellent 2-year-old record while showing great progression and soundness throughout a long and successful career,” said Diamond Stud's Ciaran de Barra. “This horse had an incredible constitution, he is free from Danzig, Sadler's Wells, and Acclamation (GB) blood, so he is sure to suit a large proportion of the broodmare population.”

Bred by Tony Ashley, the €35,000 Tattersalls Ireland September yearling won the Angelsey for trainer Mark Johnston and Middleham Park Racing at two. A seven-time winner, the 65,000gns Tattersalls Autumn HIT graduate was also third in the G1 Queen Anne S. and placed in six other group races throughout his 65-race career for various connections while earning $463,141.

Added Johnston, “Marie's Diamond has the perfect blend of precocity and progression and showed a special constitution that is rare in the modern Thoroughbred.”

The 7-year-old is a half-brother to the stakes-winning G1 Metropolitan H. third Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong). This is the extended family of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge).

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Jockey Club Meeting Serves As HKIR Appetizer

While two-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) are not taking part in Sunday's Jockey Club races, the majority of the jurisdiction's remaining top gallopers will line up to take their chances in the trio of local lead-ups to the Longines Hong Kong International Races in three weeks' time.

One horse not missing in action this weekend is champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), who is somewhat remarkably in search of a first victory in his third start of his current preparation. The 5-year-old, who won the G2 Jockey Club Sprint at a remarkable $4.50 (7-2) last year and was a troubled sixth in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, has been second at each of his two starts this term under handicap conditions and carries a five-pound penalty here, but is still far better off in the weights and should be able to strut his stuff with regular rider Zac Purton up.

After giving some consideration to prepping in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, the connections of Golden Sixty ultimately decided to go first-up in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, a race he won in 2020 and 2021. California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) lowered his colors on international day last December and will be tough to reel in facing just four rivals Sunday. Hugh Bowman rode the 5-year-old to a weight-carrying victory in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. when returning to action Oct. 15, but having been injured in a spill last weekend, Matthew Chadwick takes over in the saddle for trainer Tony Cruz.

Having only recently cleared quarantine following his historic victory in the G1 W S Cox Plate, Romantic Warrior is also in absentia this weekend, leaving a field of nine to contest the G2 Jockey Club Cup over the 2000 metres. Chadwick has the call aboard last year's HH The Amir's Trophy hero Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Douglas Whyte and should strip fitter for his comebacking 10th in the Sha Tin Trophy. Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah), an impressive course-and-distance winner in Class 2 in July, also makes his second start of the season after finishing sixth, beaten under a length, at the top of C2 over 1800 metres Oct. 22. He'll tote 123 pounds this time after carrying 135 on his return to the races.

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