Havana Grey topped the standings with a profitability index of 10.75, comfortably ahead of the next best stallion, Sioux Nation, on 6.61. Those figures were calculated by dividing each sire's 2023 yearling average by their covering fee of 2021, when the offspring in question were conceived.

It was another hugely successful year on the racecourse for the progeny of Havana Grey, with the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner Vandeek (GB) emerging as the star of his second crop of two-year-olds. The sire's burgeoning reputation was later reflected at the sales where his 65 yearlings sold for an average of 90,951gns/€107,914, a significant return on their investment for any breeders who sent mares to him in 2021 when his fee was just £6,000. His fee has been increased to £55,000 (from £18,500 in 2023) for his sixth season at Whitsbury Manor Stud in 2024.

Sioux Nation has also been given a fee increase by Coolmore (from €17,500 to €27,500) having built on the success of his juveniles in 2022 when he was second only to Havana Grey among that year's first-season sires. Several members of that crop became Group winners in 2023, headed by G2 Challenge S. heroine Matilda Picotte (Ire), and those who invested in one of his 30 yearlings to sell last year will be hoping for more of the same. They made an average of 55,676gns/€66,060 having been conceived at a fee of just €10,000.

Cotai Glory (GB) and Twilight Son (GB) both operated at basement fees in 2021–€5,000 and £5,000 respectively–and there was certainly value to be had for those breeders who took advantage. Tally Ho Stud resident Cotai Glory had a 2023 yearling average of 25,914gns/€30,747 from 54 lots, giving him a profitability index of 6.15, while Cheveley Park Stud's Twilight Son wasn't far behind on 6.00 having seen his 25 yearlings make an average of 28,595gns/€33,928.

The top five was completed by Sergei Prokofiev (Can), who joined Havana Grey at Whitsbury Manor at a fee of £6,500 in 2021 and will be represented by his first runners in 2024. Those two-year-olds shouldn't be underestimated if the way they performed at the sales last year is anything to go by, making an average of 34,624gns/€41,081 from 84 lots sold.

With a profitability index of 5.59, Sergei Prokofiev was one of only two first-season sires to make the top ten along with Ghaiyyath (Ire) on 4.68, the multiple Group 1 winner who stood at the much higher fee of €30,000 when covering his first mares at Kildangan Stud in 2021. Big things are expected from his first runners in 2024 after his 65 lots caught the eye in a big way at the yearling sales, fetching an average of 118,457gns/€140,549.

The post Havana Grey Tops Profitability Index Calculated By Weatherbys appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The parade is typically limited to first- and second-year stallions, but breeders will have a wider range of sires to view this year with the invitation being extended to those whose advertised fee sits at £15,000 or less. Breeders who purchase a nomination will also be entered into a free prize draw thanks to a new incentive launched by Tattersalls in support of the parade, giving them the chance to win one of five complimentary foal entries at the 2025 December Foal Sale.

To be entered into the prize draw, breeders need to sign a service contract for one of the stallions within 24 hours of the parade. All of the stallions can be viewed from 11 a.m. in the sales ring, as well as in the Left Yard and Terrace Yard after the parade hosted by racing broadcaster Gina Bryce and Shirley Anderson-Jolag of Tattersalls.

Along with A'Ali, Caturra and Stradivarius, the stallion show will also feature El Caballo (GB), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), Midnight Sands, Mutasaabeq (GB), Soldier's Call (GB), Twilight Son (GB) and Ulysses (Ire).

Tattersalls associate director and TBA trustee, Matt Prior said, “We are delighted to be once again supporting the TBA Flat Stallion Parade and the revised format along with the new incentive scheme we are offering alongside the TBA will hopefully encourage breeders to come along and purchase a nomination.”

TBA chief executive, Claire Sheppard added, “It is important for us to continuously enhance what we do to support the British thoroughbred breeding industry, especially at this current time. The Flat Stallion parade is a key event which offers a great opportunity to promote an array of British-based stallions to breeders and to suit all mares and budgets. We are very grateful to all those studs bringing stallions along as well as Tattersalls for their ongoing support of the event.”

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His fellow resident Twilight Son (GB) will stand at £6,000, which is also a small reduction from his fee for this year. The Group 1-winning sprinter was responsible for seven black-type performers this season, including the listed winner Vetivier (GB). Twilight Son covered 35 mares this year, while Ulysses covered 50.

The G1 Prix Morny winner Unfortunately (Ire), who is based at Springfield House Stud in Ireland and is the sire of the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye runner-up and dual listed winner Perdika (GB), is priced at €3,000 for 2024.

In releasing the fees for the stallions, Cheveley Park Stud also confirmed the retirement of Dutch Art (GB). The former top-class 2-year-old and winner of the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. turns 20 in January. He is the sire of Group 1 winners Starman (GB), Garswood (GB) and Slade Power (GB) and also features as broodmare sire of this year's 2,000 Guineas winner and new Juddmonte stallion Chaldean (GB).

Matthew Sigsworth, Cheveley Park Stud's bloodstock manager and head of nominations, said, 'We feel our stallions offer both outstanding value and opportunity for anyone wanting to breed either a Classic performer or a precocious Royal Ascot 2-year-old. As always, we invite breeders to contact us directly to discuss their mares' mating plans for 2024.

“Dutch Art has now being retired from stallion duties, and will enjoy a happy retirement at Cheveley Park Stud, where he will see out the rest of his years.”

The post Dutch Art Retires; Cheveley Park Stud Fees Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Last year, this auction produced 17 six-figure sales from 158 lots. This time round, as many had been recorded by the halfway stage of an admittedly expanded offering of 184. By the end of proceedings, no fewer than 33 lots had made £100,000 or more. At one stage there were three £200,000-plus sales–as many as were achieved from the whole catalogue last year–in the course of just seven lots into the ring. The average duly soared from £48,989 to £63,396 (+29%). The median rose 11% to £40,000.

In the circumstances, it could be no surprise that the principal protagonists in the record sale should be those namesakes, and mutual stalwarts of this auction, the O'Callaghan family of Tally-Ho Stud and trainer Michael O'Callaghan.

With typical acuity, Tally Ho had bought the record-breaking colt as a €38,000 foal, at the Goffs November Sale of 2021-not as a potential yearling pinhook, but expressly as a long-term play for their breeze-up division. He was out of Go Angellica (Ire) (Kheleyf) (lot 191), who promised to double down the speed as a stakes winner at two.

“Yes, when we bought him the plan was always to breeze,” confirmed Roger O'Callaghan. “He was always a class horse, a natural: unbelievable temperament, just easy, so simple. When you asked him, he delivered. And when you didn't ask him, he didn't!”

Michael O'Callaghan will already have had his eye drawn to the page, having bought dual group winner Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) from the same vendors here two years ago: he was out of a half-sister to Go Angellica. But then the colt breezed a tick off the quickest time of the sale on Monday.

NEW TOP LOT @GoffsUK

Lot 191 sells for £500,000! This colt by Harry Angel was consigned by @HoStud who bought the horse as a foal for €38,000.

The colt has been bought by @MDOCallaghan & sets the new record top price for this sale. pic.twitter.com/t468SGnI77

— TDN (@theTDN) April 25, 2023

“I thought him the best horse here by a long way,” the trainer declared. “Obviously I've been extremely lucky with the vendors, and he's from the same family as a very good horse for us. Trade has been very strong so we kept our powder dry for this lad, we didn't want to leave without him.”

His model has often been to trade on breeze-up graduates, but the stakes for this one are plainly high.

“Please God, he needs to be a Group 1 horse,” he conceded. “He could potentially be traded, down the line, but he has to go and do it. But if he can get to a high level by midsummer, who knows? He certainly looks ready to go, hopefully we'll be getting the top hats out.”

Tally Ho have been selling here annually since the inauguration of a first European breeze-up sale here, way back in 1977, and there could be no more fitting holder of the new record.

“We've always sold good horses here, so why not bring another one?” Roger O'Callaghan said. “Between Tally Ho, 'Donny', Mike and Blandford [Bloodstock], there have been a lot of good horses sold here. It's been very strong today, so fair dues to Donny, they got it right.”

Anthony Stroud, who topped the purchasing averages with three at £710,000, noted the strength of the market after a rather patchy start to the breeze-up circuit last week.

“There's lots of middle, which is very encouraging, and I'm sure the clearance rate is good, it certainly feels like it,” he said. “Last week I felt it was very selective and I questioned whether you could have this amount of breeze-up horses, and if there were enough clients, but I think today has really underlined that things are going in the right direction.

“Of course it makes buying more difficult, but you want the best for the industry. These guys work so hard and it's such a difficult job preparing a horse for a breeze-up, so while you want to buy them at the right price it's important that everyone gets rewarded for their efforts.”

Michael O'Callaghan | Sarah Farnsworth/Goffs UK

The Main Talking Points

• Tally Ho had already enjoyed another excellent day even before topping the sale and duly ended as leading consignor, banking £1,340,000 for a dozen sold. Federico Barberini/Apple Tree Stud gave £200,000 for a son (lot26) of Kodiac (GB), who has had some of his finest hours in this ring, out of a mare bought by Tally Ho for 35,000gns back in 2015. In the meantime she has gained fresh distinction as a half-sister to the mother of Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never).
• Fillies were in conspicuous demand and Longways Stables processed two with nice pedigrees within five minutes for a total of £550,000. Jake Warren gave £340,000 for a Dark Angel (Ire) filly (lot 167) (a €52,500 private purchase at Arqana) specifically because his clients Bermuda Racing would ultimately want to breed from “a beautiful filly who did a phenomenal breeze-and whose half-sister has already bred a top-class horse” in G2 May Hill S. winner Powerful Breeze (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). Then two lots later Oliver St Lawrence gave £210,000 for a Dubawi (Ire) filly (lot 169) out of a group-placed mare.
• Havana Grey built on his Newmarket triumph by fuelling another tremendous pinhook, Knockanglass Stable banking £200,000 from Al Mohamediya Racing for a son (lot 46) found in this ring last August as a £27,000 private sale to Kilronan.
• The Blue Point bandwagon was another to keep on rolling, with five lots changing hands for an aggregate of £690,000. Katie Walsh of Greenhills Farm had been hoping to ride the wave with the colt (lot 37) she had found in Book 2 at Tattersalls last October for 42,000gns, and was delighted as he soared to £220,000 for Arthur Dobell of Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock in the company of trainer Roger Varian. “The sire's on fire,” Walsh enthused. “With all the chat about them, I felt lucky to have one. They're just so consistent and straightforward. I'm not sorry that I can't be at Punchestown now!”
• The Sioux Nation filly (lot 35) presented by Gary Bloodstock clocked one of the fastest times on Monday and that completed an impressive salvage operation after she was returned unsold for €15,000 at Fairyhouse last September. A £160,000 docket from Avenue Bloodstock/Paddy Twomey was not just due reward for keeping the faith, but for John Nagle's discovery of her young dam for just €2,800 at Goffs in February 2020. Another hit for Sioux Nation was the colt from Mocklershill (lot 204) that brought £210,000 from Anthony Stroud.
• One of the fastest times had set more parochial shoppers a challenge as a daughter of Lane's End rookie Catalina Cruiser out of a mare (aptly named Quizzical) by the obscure Cindago. She'd been purchased by Glending Stables for $50,000 at Keeneland last September, but while Roderick Kavanagh could not quite match his eye-watering triumph at Tattersalls last week, £140,000 from Najd Stud was another highly satisfactory increment on his ledger.
• Another profitable Keeneland pinhook was lot 101, a son of the late Claiborne stallion Flatter picked out by Bushypark Stables for just €25,000 last September. Out of a sister to Grade I winner Capo Bastone (Street Boss), here he elevated his value to £195,000 as Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock sought to enhance his brilliant record at this sale.

NEW DONCASTER BREEZE UP SALE RECORD

Fireworks this afternoon at the #BreezeUpSale as Lot 191 from @HoStud, a stunning Harry Angel colt is knocked down to @MDOCallaghan for £500,000 pic.twitter.com/xFThnujjgh

— Goffs UK (@GoffsUK) April 25, 2023

A Following Breeze For Tradewinds

Tradewinds Stud celebrated a tremendous coup with a Twilight Son (GB) filly found at the Tattersalls Somerville Sale for just 30,000gns and brought here as lot 141. Reportedly the quickest through the demanding conditions in Monday's breeze show, she also made £360,000 from sale specialist Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock.

Shane Power and his brother Alex are only in their second year as a breeze-up consignors, having diversified from foals and yearlings more or less by accident after finding themselves with a couple of yearlings “left over”. One of those turned out to be Bright Diamond (Ire) (El Kabeir), whose success on the track encouraged the Powers to acquire five yearlings specifically for this job-and also sustained Brown and his patrons through a protracted duel with Conrad Allen.

Now Tradewinds will have the ammunition to raise the stakes afresh. “Though we're in the middle of building a new barn at home, so this will help with that as well,” Power said. “When you do a breeze like she did, you spend the whole day hoping that all the right guys will pitch up. And when she came into the ring it was, 'Okay, everyone's here.' But you can't expect [money like] that.”

Recalling his impressions of the filly from Rosyground Stud at Tattersalls, he said, “I just thought she was a very nice individual. We wouldn't focus as much on the stallion as others might. She was very athletic, very light on her feet, looked a nice and early type we could kick on with.

“A special mention goes to 'Flash' [Gordon Power] who rode the breeze. He's top-class, and there have been a lot of cold wet days riding on the Curragh in February and March. There's been a lot of hard work gone into this, but now the most important thing is that the filly goes on and does well for them on the racetrack. We had the two last year and Richard bought one and was underbidder on the other. To be fair, he's very straightforward to deal with and takes you at your word. And repeat business is everything in this game.”

Sure enough, Brown stressed that a good experience with Bright Diamond had encouraged him to keep going, albeit he was now sinking exhausted into his chair. He also had the self-deprecating grace to bring up his comments in Tuesday's TDN about the folly of spending big at the breeze-ups purely on the clock.

“There I was on the front page saying that's how you do really badly!” he said with a smile. “And yes, she was the quickest, on how we do it. We handicap it all, take everything into account, but it does mean she beat all the colts and it was a phenomenal breeze. That was significantly more than we expected, I have to say, a real war of attrition. But this market is phenomenal and we're very excited to get her.”

This filly will also run in the colours of Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum, just like Bright Diamond and indeed Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), the multiple Group 1 winner Brown found in this same ring a couple of years ago for £110,000. Her trainer, however, could not yet be confirmed.

“Bright Diamond won her maiden at Newmarket by nine and then ran third in the [G1] Fillies' Mile,” Brown noted. “So we've had success buying off Shane. Obviously we've had a lot of luck at the breeze-ups, particularly in this ring, and [Sheikh Rashid] was very determined. This filly obviously looks a faster type, so I'd imagine she will be pointing to Ascot.”

All's Well That Ends Well for Holland

Brendan Holland of Grove Stud is a man of many talents but nonetheless appeared here in an unusual capacity as breeder, as well as consignor, of the Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly who made £350,000 from Anthony Stroud (for Bahrain interests) as lot 102. She was out of a Shadwell cull, Sulaalaat (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), picked up for just 36,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale of 2017.

“I only have a share in four mares,” Holland said. “While this one didn't have an extremely strong pedigree close up, she had some really good speed figures when she was running. She was a bit inconsistent but had a lot of speed for a New Approach (Ire). Her first foal was average, and her second one was born this size.” Here he held his hand unfeasibly low. “And stayed this size! It's amazing that the same mare could produce a filly as nice as this.”

This was a classic example of the axiom that you never know, in racing, when your good luck may prove your bad luck-and vice versa.

“Unfortunately all mine got sick and I had no horses in Book 3 [at Tattersalls last October],” Holland explained. “I kept this one because she always had lovely balance and action. I thought this had come too early for her, but she produced on the day because she's just got loads of quality.”

£350,000 for lot 102 @GoffsUK

This filly by Starspangledbanner was consigned by @grovestud and had plenty of interest in the ring.

Anthony Stroud was the winning bidder for this relation of The Fugue. pic.twitter.com/8m5FtaxlK5

— TDN (@theTDN) April 25, 2023

To be fair, Sulaalaat (GB) could summon some outstanding genes through her own mother, a half-sister to Group 1 winners Compton Admiral (GB) (Suave Dancer) and Summoner (GB) (Inchinor {GB}) as well as to the dam of champion The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

“She breezed well but she's not an immediate type of 2-year-old, I think she'll be better over seven furlongs,” said Stroud. “She looks all New Approach and I think she's a horse with a future. Brendan does a terrific job.”

Strong Statistics Across The Board

Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent said, “What an incredible day at Europe's Oldest Breeze-Up Sale. A record top price; record turnover; record average; record median; four horses selling for £300,000 or more; 10 horses selling for £200,000 or above and 33 horses realising £100,000 or more.

“That is an incredible achievement for any sale and accurately sums up today's trade but there is so much more that goes into today and we must thank all our vendors and purchasers who have supported this record-breaking event. When we started to visit vendors in the early part of the year, we knew they were planning to target this sale with some of their better horses and the fact that there was a healthy increase in their purchase price compared to last year was a positive way to start. We then began to hear many positive reports after vendors had started to work these horses and the momentum continued to Town Moor where some sensational breezes led to some breath-taking prices.

“But it's not just the top end that has been a success. Indeed, the success of any sale relies on buyers at every level of the market, and we made a concerted effort to ensure that everyone was encouraged to participate at a sale which has a long history of winners being bought at all levels of the market.  This obviously meant that we focussed on all domestic buyers, but we also worked closely with GBRI to ensure that we had an increased participation from overseas clients with many new faces visiting Doncaster for the first time including those from Australia, Denmark, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. All of this led to a healthy 86% clearance rate which is the envy of any recent sales of this kind.

“Today's results graphically illustrate how this sale is capturing the attention of buyers from across the globe and this is purely down to the unrivalled success on the racecourse. Seven Royal Ascot winners in seven years is an incredible accomplishment for any sale and this 'royal dream' is a large part of what has attracted so many people to Doncaster today and helped to fuel this breath-taking trade. We are certain that vendors have provided the ammunition to continue this incredible success story and we look forward to welcoming these horses to the winner's enclosure in the coming weeks. Roll on Royal Ascot!”

The post “He Was Always A Class Horse” – Roger O’Callaghan On £500,000 Harry Angel Colt At Goffs UK Breeze-Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Twilight Son (GB) will stand for £7,000, while Mayson (GB)'s fee has been set at £6,000. Also standing for Cheveley Park is Unfortunately (Ire), who is based at Springfield House Stud in Ireland. His fee is €3,500. All fees are payable Oct. 1, special live foal terms.

Bloodstock Manager and Head of Nominations Matthew Sigsworth said, “It has been pleasing to see our stallions' progeny have yet another solid year both on the track and in the sales ring. We have therefore decided to leave our fees unchanged for 2023.

“The regally bred Ulysses has continued to make an encouraging start with his first two crops of runners. Highlighted by the group winning and Classic-placed Piz Badile, along with the Royal Ascot 2-year-old stakes winner Holloway Boy,

who was group placed on no less than four other occasions, including at Group 1 level. He now has Classic aspirations and is being aimed at the G1 2000 Guineas in May.

“Once again, Mayson is one of the leading sires of sprinters in Europe, headed by the group winner and Group 1-placed Rohaan (Ire). We believe Mayson continues to be one of the most consistent and best value sprint stallions standing in Europe.

“Twilight Son has enjoyed another excellent year, with seven black- type horses, including the group winners Twilight Jet (Ire) and Twilight Spinner (GB), as well as the leading sprinter and Group 1-placed Twilight Calls (GB).

“Unfortunately has made a most promising start with a 44% winners to runners strike rate with his first crop 2-year-olds, and he will once again stand at Springfield House Stud in Ireland, with Reddy and Linda Coffey.

'We feel our roster offers outstanding value and quality and, as always, we invite breeders to contact us directly to discuss their mares' mating plans for 2023.”

The post Cheveley Park Stud Releases 2023 Roster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Highly-tried at two, Twilight Jet went unplaced in his first four tries at group company before finally getting in the frame in one when third in the G2 Gimcrack S. at York in August. Upped to seven furlongs for the first time when third in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster the following month, the bay was 1 1/2-lengths fifth in Newmarket's G1 Middle Park S. a fortnight later before coming back to that track to take the five-furlong Cornwallis by storm. Only 10th in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar, he put that rare disappointing performance in the past here to crack Straight Answer (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) before denying New York City any prospect of a fistfight.

“He always looked like one that could improve with time, he's a fine big horse,” his trainer added. “He has a bit of class and has a lot of natural speed. He's going to improve for the run today, I've no doubt Leigh is going to tell me that he had a blow. He took plenty of pulling up and galloped down to the third fence down the back before he got him pulled up. In the Middle Park last year, he showed his class but just didn't see out the six furlongs. I think this year he looks strong enough to go to Royal Ascot for the [G1] Commonwealth Cup with a big chance.”

“Michael and Julia Iavarone, whose colours he runs in, used to own Big Brown who won the Kentucky Derby and they bought into 50% of him to go to the Breeders Cup. I'm just delighted that he's come out this year as a three-year-old and he's furnished and he's gone and done it. We always thought he was probably a group 1 horse. He's trained on now over the winter and proved that he justifies being classed as something that's maybe a group 1 horse this year.”

Twilight Jet, who was a €28,000 discovery by Tally Ho Stud at the 2020 Goffs February Mixed Sale before returning a smart profit of £210,000 when purchased at last year's Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up Sale, is the last foal out of My Lucky Liz (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). She is a half to the stakes scorer Bredenbury (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and the Listed Stonehenge S. winner Go Angellica (Ire) Kheleyf). This is the family of the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen hero Germany and the leading sire Hail Bold King.

Sunday, Naas, Ireland
GOFFS LACKEN S.-G3, €55,000, Naas, 5-15, 3yo, 5f 205yT, 1:10.87, gd.
1–TWILIGHT JET (IRE), 131, c, 3, by Twilight Son (GB)
     1st Dam: My Lucky Liz (Ire), by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
     2nd Dam: Areyaam, by Elusive Quality
     3rd Dam: Yanaseeni, by Trempolino
(€28,000 Ylg '20 GOFFEB; £210,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Michael & Julia Iavarone & Michael O'Callaghan; B-Tom Radley (IRE); T-Michael O'Callaghan; J-Leigh Roche. €33,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 12-3-0-3, $170,995. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–New York City (Ire), 131, c, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Rajeem (GB), by Diktat (GB).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (375,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 600,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Westerberg,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,D Smith; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock & Jack Cantillon (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €11,000.
3–Saliteh (GB), 128, f, 3, Ardad (Ire)–Poesy (GB), by Poet's Voice (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (43,000gns Ylg '20 TATASY; 14,000gns RNA HRA '22 TATFEB). O-Amo Racing Limited & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Corps Commerce Ltd (GB); T-Adrian Murray. €5,500.
Margins: 3, 2 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 4.50, 1.20, 125.00.
Also Ran: Andreas Vesalius (Ire), Elliptic (Ire), Straight Answer (GB). Scratched: Beauty Inspire (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Twilight Jet Too Fast In The Lacken appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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That was literally the case, of course, when the embryonic version first staged at Ascot only in 2017 was last year transferred to Park Paddocks as an expedient of the pandemic. But it's an ill wind that blows no good, and the market adapted so healthily to its sanctuary that it was decided to keep it there.

Rebranded as the Somerville Yearling Sale, and deriving many logistical and psychological benefits from its setting, the hosts feel that the auction cannot be fairly measured against its nascent years. But with even those sales having produced some highly accomplished graduates, there was no mistaking the momentum behind this catalogue. Sure enough, trade soared along with the mercury. If the Indian summer made for exceptionally thirsty work for consignors and their staff, then for many the dividends made all their perspiration worthwhile.

Whatever asterisks may be required in making comparisons, turnover of 4,952,000gns outright doubled 2,458,418gns last year. Of a slightly larger offering into the ring, 270 up from 250, as few as 38 were unsold (47 last year), yielding an average of 21,345gns. That is 76% up on 12,110gns last year. The 16,250gns median was even stronger, up 93% on 8,400gns.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony was justly elated.

“We are absolutely delighted with today's inaugural Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale,” he said. “We had no choice but to relocate last year's Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale and it proved a great success—which made the decision to rebrand and permanently relocate the fixture a relatively straightforward one. Sale turnover of double last year's wide-margin record level, as well as huge rises in average and median, fully vindicate the decision and suggest that the Somerville Yearling Sale can legitimately be regarded as Europe's most progressive yearling sale.

“There has been a genuinely vibrant atmosphere around Park Paddocks for the past few days and, just as with last week's Tattersalls August Sale, it has been a pleasure to have been able to conduct the Somerville Yearling Sale without the need for any restrictions. We have welcomed buyers from throughout Europe and further afield, but perhaps the most encouraging feature of today's sale has been the prolific number of British trainers who have been active. They have all contributed to a sale which has produced more lots sold for 50,000 guineas or above than the previous four Ascot Yearling Sales combined, a record top price of 120,000 guineas and a clearance rate well over 80%.

“We should also pay tribute to the consignors, both British and Irish, who have allowed us to take this sale to a new level. They have supported the sale with quality stock and their confidence in the sale and the venue has been rewarded. The inaugural Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale has been energetically and widely promoted, not least with the introduction of the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction S., and the enthusiastic response from buyers is a positive indicator as we look forward to the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and Books 1 to 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.”

Sale Topper's Topsy-Turvy Tale

Bloodstock sales depend on industrial levels of optimism, and we all know that few of the dreams embraced here will ever be realized quite as hoped. At the same time, however, the unpredictability of the business can cut both ways—and the 120,000gns given for a son of Twilight Son (GB) (lot 206) represented a far happier ending than was once envisaged for his dam; or than seemed remotely possible, in a terrifying episode coming up here, for the colt himself.

For the two yearlings comprising the Petches Farm consignment were extremely fortunate to escape unscathed from a crash that required them to be transferred to another lorry on the roadside. Stud manager Ollie Costello, who had been following a few minutes behind, explained, “The lorry was run off the road: it is a write-off. I rang Keith Harte, whose farm is only five minutes away. He jumped into his own lorry and came out, he was with us really quickly, and both horses behaved impeccably. Thank God everyone involved, and the horses, were all okay. And today's result is fantastic, I am so pleased for all the team.”

But the colt would not have been foaled at all, had his dam not made a narrow escape of her own. In her racing career, Baileys Jubilee (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) was one of those who really did achieve the kind of things buyers aspire to. Though only a £19,000 yearling, she won a listed race in France and was placed in races as prestigious as the G1 Cheveley Park S. and the G2 Lowther S.

But within weeks of coming out of training she was stricken by laminitis. “It was touch and go for a while,” recalled Simon Venner, sales director of Baileys Horse Feeds and son of its managing director Paul. “So we always felt she was slightly on borrowed time.”

Yet she defied the odds, and is now one of few among their broodmare band to be kept on home soil as opposed to farming French premiums at the Haras de Trois Chapelles. Her Twilight Son (GB) colt proved a fine advertisement for the house nutrition in forcing Adam Driver of the Global Equine Group to go far higher than he had anticipated.

“I was hoping we might get him for around 75,000gns,” admitted Driver, who was acting for Raed El Youssef. “But there you go. He was the only one on my shortlist! We will get him back to Jo Fenton's and let her work her magic, break him in and get him backed. He's a strong, solid horse, so we'll see what he shapes up into.”

Venner, of course, was conversely delighted by the price. “Obviously we were very hopeful,” he said. “We knew we were bringing a nice individual to the sale and all the right people were on him. But we couldn't expect quite that level. He's been flat out since he got here. I think he owned this runway [in the Further Yard] and caught quite a few eyes.”

As for Baileys Freedom, now 11, she was given a break in the last cycle and is now in foal to Oasis Dream (GB).

Aguiar Jumps to it

In an environment like this, all hot sunshine and precocious yearlings, it was pleasant to be reminded of the sheer diversity of our business. For the nursery that produced an Ardad filly (lot 128) to realize 85,000gns from Robson Aguiar was Cobhall Court Stud, where the late Robin Knipe bred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats (GB) (Oats {GB}) and, more recently, another warmer of National Hunt hearts in Thistlecrack (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}).

Over the years Cobhall Court was also home to a series of important jumps stallions, but nowadays Knipe's widow Scarlett operates at the opposite end of the spectrum.

“I sell foals, mainly, and I'll be going home now to get 11 ready for December,” she said. “But we're starting to keep the fillies now, as you just can't sell them [as weanlings].”

This was a case in point, as a daughter of Sparkling Eyes (GB) (Lujain), acquired here in 2008 for 16,500 gns carrying her first foal. That turned out to be eight-time winner Pea Shooter (GB) (Piccolo {GB}).

“The mare's getting older now but she had a nice colt foal by Tasleet (GB) and she's in foal to Havana Grey (GB),” reported the happy breeder. “I just go for something I think good-looking and hope they come out straight and correct: if they do that, you're halfway there, aren't you?”

Nonetheless this dividend was rather more than she had expected. “I'm slightly gobsmacked,” she admitted. “But she's never really in her box here, and she's been good as gold, a joy to deal with.”

Aguiar, bidding online and presumably somewhere in the shade, also gave 75,000gns for a Tasleet (GB) filly presented as lot 100 by Trickledown Stud on behalf of Richard Tucker's Nelson Farm in Devon.

As this Valentine's Day delivery entered the ring, auctioneer Ollie Fowlston commanded attention for “an out-and-out Queen Mary filly.”

“Ollie said that, and we all like to think our fillies might be,” reflected Paul Thorman of Trickledown. “But she really could be, you know.”

Thorman disclaimed all credit for the filly. “We only met her here,” he said. “And she consigned herself. Anybody could consign a filly like this. You know, sometimes they can be a bit trappy: they don't want to do this, they don't want to do that. But she just had everything you need. I'd say the best thing of all about her is her head: she had over 100 views and she just loved it, being walked up and down in a heatwave. Great temperament, physically hard to fault, and of course she had a page as well.”

Her half-brother A Momentofmadness (GB) (Elnadim) was a prolific, group-paced sprinter, and the second dam Applaud (Rahy) won the G3 Cherry Hinton S. But Thorman thought that the contribution of her rookie sire, the son of Showcasing (GB) standing at Nunnery Stud for just £5,000, should not be underestimated.

“They tell me that by the end of October he'll be the one we're all talking about,” he said. “There are supposed to be some very nice ones around.”

“She stood out for me,” said Aguiar. “She has a good walk, she's strong, she looks sharp–like a 2-year-old. Like a Royal Ascot filly!”

Buyers Snapping Up Breeze-Up Prospects

In a catalogue like this, it was no surprise to see Aguiar's breeze-up rivals active throughout the day, though prices were hardly leaving them a comfortable margin for error. It spoke well for the Zoustar (Aus) filly offered as lot 236 by Galloway Stud, then, that he was knocked down to one as shrewd as Jim McCartan at 70,000gns. The docket was signed in the name of MC Bloodstock.

Sadly this is the final foal of Cordial (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who had been a low-key Juddmonte cull as a 3-year-old in 2014. “Unfortunately the mare died last year,” revealed Stuart Thom of Galloway Stud. “But the team at home have done a fantastic job and the filly never put a foot wrong. And we had some perfect timing on the updates.”

Those included a graded stakes placing at Kentucky Downs for the dam's half-brother Monarchs Glen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on the eve of the sale, while her Helmet (Aus) filly Libertine Belle (GB) won for a third time the same day. Not that it's a family that needs a great deal of help, second dam Mirabilis (Lear Fan) being a Group 1-placed half-sister to that classy Juddmonte filly Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat).

“She's been walked off her feet,” Thom said. “And I've done a few steps myself! But Tattersalls have done a marvellous job, the quality of the catalogue is fantastic. Some people haven't quite picked up on Zoustar yet, but they will next year!”

That, of course, is when the Australian star's first Northern Hemisphere crop will start to exhibit their wares on the racetrack.

Pinhook Catches Tylicki's Eye

One of the bigger pay-outs of the day had to be placed in the context of its biggest stake, the Expert Eye colt consigned by Kilminfoyle House Stud as lot 173 having been the sale's top foal pinhook when sold by Dukes Stud for 41,000gns to JC Bloodstock here last December. The wager paid off here when Freddy Tylicki signed an 80,000gns docket.

“I loved him, I thought he was the pick of the sale,” Tylicki said. “I am very taken with how well Expert Eye is throwing them. This is for a client, no trainer is planned yet, we'll have to have a chat and make plans but he'll stay in Britain I'm sure. We were very keen on this lad, so we're delighted to have got him. He has a lovely physique, a great walk, plenty of presence, very good eye to him. He ticked a lot of the boxes—probably all of them!”

Certainly a tick could be applied to a page that might have held up well enough here next month: the dam, who has already produced a graded stakes winner in the U.S., is a Dalakhani (Ire) half-sister to G1 Coronation S. winner Balisada (GB) (Kris), their mother in turn of a half-sister to Inchmurrin (GB) (Lomond), runner-up in the same race.

That might only get you so far, of course, with a colt. But a few minutes later there was a case for saying that an Awtaad (Ire) filly (lot 188) from Tally-Ho might eventually justify the 65,000gns paid by Jamie Piggott and Nigel Tinkler simply as a breeding prospect. For her dam, already a black-type producer, is a half-sister to Independence (GB) (Selkirk), the dual Group-winning dam of G1 Eclipse winner Mount Nelson (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}); while the next dam is a half-sister to Derby winner Reference Point (GB) (Mill Reef).

The same partnership bought another Awtaad colt for 50,000gns in Book II here a couple of years ago, now the 99-rated four-time winner Isla Kai (Ire). “So this one was a no-brainer,” Piggott said. “She's a big, strong, beautiful filly.”

October Quality a Month Early

Another fine example of the maturing quality of this auction was the 70,000gns paid for lot 105, a Kodiac (GB) filly from Knockatrina House. She, too, has clear potential in terms of residual value as a half-sister to Group 3 winner Laraaib (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) out of a stakes-winning half-sister to several black-type producers, including the dams of Gutaifan (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Maraahel (Ire) (Alzao) and Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). As such, she could easily have been reserved for next month.

“She was accepted for Book II,” disclosed Canice Farrell of Knockatrina. “But I thought she might get lost in it. Don't get me wrong, she's a phenomenal filly. We've had a lot of good horses over the years, three or four Group 1 winners—and this is a Royal Ascot filly. But I knew she'd be in the top 10% here, and she's had 100-plus shows. She has a great mind, and a lovely action.”

While Farrell nodded towards Brendan Cooney as he led the filly back to the Wall Boxes, describing him as “the one who has really done all the work”, there's no doubting his own, innate horsemanship. He bred G1 Golden Jubilee S. winner Fayr Jag (Ire) (Fayruz {GB}); pinhooked the prolific miler Paco Boy (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}); and was plainly raised to have the same kind of eye as that so respected in the American industry in his sister, Marette.

Remarkably, given the proliferation of black type on the page meanwhile, Farrell was able to pick up this filly's dam Sahool (GB) (Unfuwain) for just 4,500gns here in December 2016, just a few months before Laraaib's emergence as a juvenile. Having retained another of her daughters, herself in foal to Kodiac, Farrell will be hoping that this one excels for Kevin Ryan.

The same trainer, again accompanied by Roger Marley, had earlier recruited lot 49, a Cotai Glory (GB) half-brother to Weatherbys Super Sprint winner Bettys Hope (GB) (Anjaal {GB}), for 47,000gns. Sadly, Llety Farms this spring lost their dam Miss Poppy (GB) (Averti {Ire}), a half-sister to the champion sprinter Kyllachy (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).

“There's plenty of speed in the family,” said Marley. “And we all like speed! Kevin has had a good one by the sire.”

That would be Atomic Force (Ire), winner of the G2 Prix Robert Papin after being found by Ryan and Stephen Hillen for just €22,000 at Goffs last September.

Night of Thunder Lights up the Evening

The embers of a sweltering day, in and out of the ring, were stoked up in the cool of the evening by the appearance late in proceedings of a Night Of Thunder colt consigned as lot 272 by Whatton Manor Stud.

Out of the wryly-named Fleabiscuit (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), a debut winner at two before managing only one more start, he brought 78,000gns from Kevin Ross after some determined breeze-up competition.

“He's by a proper sire,” the agent said. “And a good, solid colt. The mare must have had a lot of ability, for a High Chaparral to win as a 2-year-old, and we just liked the individual.”

Ross was acting on behalf of Paul and Clare Rooney, as had been the case earlier when he gave 68,000gns for lot 247, a Dandy Man (Ire) filly consigned by Cooneen Stud. The big spur there was the blossoming of half-sister Corazon (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), unraced on publication of the catalogue but winner of the G3 Prix d'Arenberg just five days previously for George Boughey.

“Obviously that was a nice update,” Ross said. “But we thought she was a nice, racy filly in her own right.”

St Lawrence Feels the Heat

“Very hot!” said Oliver St Lawrence, when asked about how he was finding the afternoon. And he was referring to the trade, not the weather, having been underbidder to Robson Aguiar on both the top prices paid to that point, when he finally landed a Kessaar (Ire) colt from Tally-Ho Stud for 62,000gns.

The agent admitted that he hadn't particularly had the rookie stallion in the front of his mind, coming to Doncaster and then here, but had been quite taken with what he had seen of his output so far.

Though the family tapers through the studs of Aga Khan and Marcel Boussac, it has recently been concentrating on outright speed and that wouldn't seem likely to change with lot 138, result of the union of Kessaar with an unraced Whipper mare already responsible for half a dozen juvenile winners.

“I just thought this was a lovely colt,” St Lawrence said. “All the siblings are rated in the 90s and 80s, and they're all 2-year-olds. He'll be off to Phil Makin and let's hope it'll be the top hat and all that.”

Cox Plucks Another Apple from a Cherished Tree

A single glimpse at the catalogue page would have sufficed to anticipate the author of the 50,000gns bid that landed lot 66, a Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly presented by Ballyphilip Stud. Sure enough, the congratulations from the rostrum were offered to Clive Cox, who could compress a whole chapter of his ever-lengthening CV under the second dam Great Joy (Ire) (Grand Lodge).

The Lambourn trainer won the G2 Vintage S. with her son Xtension (Ire) (Xaar {GB}); made a champion sprinter of one grandson, Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}); and won the G1 Middle Park S. with another, Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). For good measure he also trained this filly's dam Our Joy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) to win a maiden for the McCartans of Ballyphilip after she never made the sales.

“It's a family that has been extremely successful for us,” Cox said. “There are many fond memories, all the way down the page really. And this is a lovely filly, she has a very athletic walk, a very strong hip. There are a lot of similarities to [others in] the family and I am delighted to get her.”

Cox conceded disappointment with Supremacy's latest failure to rekindle his juvenile form, at Haydock last Saturday. “He came back fine,” he said with a shrug. “It was a little disappointing: he was top-class at two, and isn't quite reaching that level this year. But he is fine.”

Ballyphilip's Paul McCartan was one of many to identify “an upward curve” in this auction, having brought the filly here specifically to shine at this level, with the relocation to Newmarket and her eligibility for restricted races both viewed as a bonus. He'll be commuting back for the “Fairyhouse” auction and then the October Sale, where he promises the full brother to the stud's champion graduate Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be revealed as “a gorgeous horse.”

More Acclaim for Sheehan

Good horsemanship is good horsemanship, whatever your level, and James Sheehan of Clonmult Farm reiterated the skills that made such an impression at this end of the market a couple of years ago when presenting an Acclamation (GB) colt to realize 45,000gns as lot 36.

Sheehan, who sold a €1,000 yearling by The Last Lion for €78,000 to double the next highest lot at the Goffs Autumn Sale of 2019, co-bred this son of a multiple winner by New Approach (Ire) with Rachel Robinson. He was pleased to hear from purchaser Will Douglass that the colt will be going to Richard Hannon.

“They know what to do with their Acclamations there!” remarked Douglass of the firm that gave us Mehmas (Ire) and Harbour Watch (Ire). “Obviously he's by a very, very good sire and he's a really good-moving, lovely horse who really stood out.”

Douglass was acting on behalf of Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah, who has had a fine summer with a representative of this sire-line in Gubbass (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), winner of the Weatherbys Super Sprint for Hannon before placing in the G2 Richmond S.

Sheehan, for his part, was another full of enthusiasm for the overall direction of this auction.

“I liked it at Ascot too, it was laid-back and we had good luck there too,” he said. “But whether it was there or here, there's definitely better quality every year as you can see from what they're doing on the racetrack. This lad certainly suited this sale: he wasn't going to be missed, in fact he had 100 views. And there's every likelihood he will be a racehorse.”

Ardad Sets Early Pace

Ever since being forced to share top billing at the remarkable Doncaster breeze-up sale of 2016, where he sold another £170,000 son of Kodiac (GB) in Prince Of Lir (Ire), Con Marnane has been keen to keep on the right side of Ardad (Ire).

Both Ardad and Prince Of Lir, of course, went on to win at Royal Ascot—and both have already sired sons to do the same. Marnane was duly emboldened to pay the biggest price of the opening hour for lot 13, a son of Ardad from Manor Farm Stud (Rutland), at 42,000gns.

“I'm a huge fan of the sire, have been all along,” he explained. “I have a share in him, and a couple of mares in foal including a half-sister to Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}).”

For all his enthusiasm, Marnane had been forced to wait until now to pinhook an Ardad yearling at Bansha House. “I couldn't afford any!” he exclaimed with a grin. “But he's proven now, Richard Fahey's horse [G1 Prix Morny winner Perfect Power (Ire)] is an absolute machine. This one has a beautiful back pedigree and I'd hope to bring him back here to the Craven Sale.”

Sure enough, the dam—herself by Dutch Art—is out of a half-sister to those popular stalwarts Orientor (GB) (Inchinor {GB}) and Yeast (GB) (Salse). Their dam Orient (GB) (Bay Express {Ire}) is one of the linchpins of the speedy pedigrees cultivated by the Watson family, albeit she has not proved quite so remarkable an influence as Penny Pincher (GB) (Constable {GB}), who holds together the pages of so many good horses including Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). And the latter, auspiciously, is only a couple of winners behind the precocious Ardad as their respective first crops—who currently have them first and fifth respectively in the freshman prizemoney table—approach the autumn.

The post Hot Stuff as Somerville Sale Lands Running appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Studs around the world are reducing fees due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Cheveley Park is no exception. The Newmarket stud’s MG1SW Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has his first runners next year, will stand at a lowered price of £10,000. Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), ranked among the top 10 European first-crop sires, is reduced to £5,000 and Mayson (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), sire of this season’s G1 July Cup winner Oxted, will stand for £4,000. Unfortunately (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}), who stands at Springfield House Stud in Ireland for a Cheveley Park and Springfield House partnership, is priced at is €4,500.

“In what are undoubtedly unprecedented times, and in light of recent sales returns, we feel a significant reduction in all our stallions fees is fair and necessary, in order to help valued clients and breeders alike during this financially turbulent period,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson. “The roster offers outstanding value and quality.”

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