Sent off at prohibitive odds of 1-3 for his belated unveiling in a low-key affair at Wolverhampton, Friday evening, he made no mistake and registered a 1 1/2-length triumph in the extended one-mile contest.

The March-foaled bay is out of G3 Musidora S.-winning G1 Prix de l'Opera third So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself a full-sister to MG1SW sire Too Darn Hot (GB) and multiple Group 1-placed distaffer Lah Ti Dar (GB).

3rd-Wolverhampton, £7,300, Mdn, 1-12, 3yo/4yo, 8f 142y (AWT), 1:53.14, st.
KALIDASA (GB) (c, 3, Frankel {GB}–So Mi Dar {GB} {GSW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $242,742}, by Dubawi {Ire}) hit the heights when knocked down to Godolphin for a sale-topping 2.8-million guineas at 2022's Tattersalls October Book 1 fixture, but missed his intended debut at Kempton last month with a foot infection. Bowling along in handy third after an alert getaway, the 1-3 lock turned for home in second and kept on powerfully under whipless cajoling in the straight to defeat Alvesta (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) by an ultimately comfortable 1 1/2 lengths. Kalidasa is the third of four foals and first scorer from two runners out of G3 Musidora S.-winning G1 Prix de l'Opera third So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself a full-sister to MG1SW sire Too Darn Hot (GB), multiple Group 1-placed distaffer Lah Ti Dar (GB) and Listed River Eden S. runner-up Darmoiselle (GB). So Mi Dar, who is a daughter of MG1SW distaffer Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), is also kin to multiple Group-placed sire De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The March-foaled bay is a full-brother to the 2-year-old filly So Dar Licious (GB). Sales history: 2,800,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,031.
O-Godolphin; B-Watership Down Stud (GB); T-Charlie Appleby.

By Frankel
Out of So Mi Dar
Cost 2.8 million guineas

Kalidasa makes a winning debut for team @godolphin at @WolvesRaces! pic.twitter.com/rrylntvOoQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 12, 2024

The post 2.8-Million Guineas Tattersalls Book 1 Topper Sheds Maiden Status In Belated Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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NEWMARKET, UK–A Frankel (GB) filly out of the brilliant G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) provided a sprinkling of stardust on the final day of the Tattersalls Book 1 October Yearling Sale when selling to Shadwell for 1.6 million gns.

Sheikha Hissa has been a notable presence on the sales ground all week and, according to Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold, it was her determination that helped see off the attention of underbidder Kieran Lalor for the first foal out of the former Jessica Harrington-trained star. 

That result brought Shadwell's haul of fillies to seven and pushed the operation's total spend to 3.66 million gns this week. 

Gold said of lot 492 bred by Stonethorn Stud Farm, “Sheikha Hissa absolutely loved her when she saw her. I said she's probably going to make a lot of money and she said, 'well, we need fillies for the stud.' 

“A first foal out of the Cheveley Park winner by one of the world's great stallions, it's sort of self-explanatory. She seemed very athletic and had a very good mind for a Frankel. A very well-balanced filly.”

He added, “I thought she'd make a million and two, probably a million and three. We were determined to buy her and there is obviously a period of rebuilding. It's a long-term project for Sheikha Hissa. It's exciting times for the stud but obviously you need to keep regenerating.

Shadwell did not add any colts to the team this week but that's not to say that the major owner-breeders would be against the idea with Gold going on to reveal that there is a possibility that Shadwell will be active at next week's Book 2 sessions.

He said, “Obviously we'll be looking. The concentration has been fillies but we will see what Sheikha Hissa wants to do.”

The day-three topper was consigned by Watership Down Stud, who also sold a Dubawi (Ire) filly to Shadwell earlier this week for 450,000gns. 

Watership Down's Simon Marsh said, “This is a real reward for the breeder who has been with us for about 15 years. The filly was born and raised on our farm in Ireland at Kiltinan Castle Stud and it was a great result all round.

“It's wonderful for Sheikh Hissa and it's great to see the success of Shadwell since the very sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan. It's a great testament to him to see what's been happening on the racecourse. and it's wonderful to see her wanting to buy lovely fillies to put into the broodmare band in the future.”

The filly was the sole millionaire offering of the final session, with the trade lagging some way behind the record figures of 2022. The deficit was acknowledged by Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony in his closing statement.

He said, “Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale produced some outlandish figures which will most likely remain in the record books for many years to come, and it is no surprise that this year's renewal has not matched the extraordinary 2022 returns which saw a year on year rise in turnover of almost 40 million guineas.

“Nevertheless, Europe's premier yearling sale has enjoyed plenty of memorable moments, very much reflecting the quality of the yearlings which have been on show throughout the past three days.”

Cumani: 'We Owe That Family a Hell of a Lot'

The last Frankel (GB) colt in the sale, lot 493, from the Cumani family's terrific Souk (Ire) dynasty, lifted the spirits as the afternoon drew to a close when joining the list of Coolmore's purchases this week at 950,000gns.

Last year the Cumanis' Fittocks Stud sold Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 1.9 million gns, and he timed his run rather well to score on debut at Navan on Wednesday. So it was back to a trusted source, and in fact as association that stretches back at least 24 years to when the Coolmore team bought a Sadler's Wells colt for 650,000gns at the Houghton Sale for 650,000gns and named him Milan (GB) after the birthplace of his breeder Luca Cumani. As a St Leger winner and a leading National Hunt sire for Coolmore, he served his owners well.

In the case of the team's latest purchase, a decent update could be in the offing, because John and Thady Gosden think enough of the Frankel colt's three-year-old half-sister Naaey (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to be planning entering her in the G2 Pride S. in the coming weeks. The dam Materialistic (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) won twice and was Listed-placed for Cumani in his training days. Now 10, she is a great-grand-daughter of the Fittocks foundation mare Souk, who was herself by Ahonoora (GB).

“From the moment he was born he was strong,” said Cumani of the yearling. “Obviously yesterday's result helped, and we have to thank the Juddmonte team, as they were underbidders and without them we wouldn't have got this far.”

His wife Sara added, “It'll be great for all the guys at the farm as it's not been the easiest sale. [The market has been] up and down. We sold one for more than we expected, four for less than we expected and two we took home. Anything that is bred to look like a mile-and-a-half horse they didn't seem to be excited about. But this was a great result and we are grateful to the people who support us and grateful to the people who work with us.”

Materialistic is now back in foal to Frankel, having lost an earlier colt by him as a weanling, and she has a colt foal by Wootton Bassett (GB).

Luca Cumani added, “We'd like to thank Coolmore very much. They have been great supporters of ours, especially this year and last year.

“I bought Souk as a yearling in Goffs for Ir£100,000, which was a lot of money in those days, and I got home and got quite a bollocking. I'm glad it has worked out okay. [Her grand-daughter] Platonic, who struggled to win, and finally won as a four-year-old in the French provinces, we sold for 100,000gns, and look what she has produced. It is a great family. We owe that family a hell of a lot.”

Talking Points

• Edmond Mahony highlighted a “selectivity to the market”, and that is reflected in the figures for Book 1. The final day's trade dipped by 35% year-on-year to 29,158,000gns, with the median being the lowest of the week at 155,000gns (-35%) and the average at 219,233gns (-32%). Across the three days, the aggregate was  down to 95,395,000gns (-25%), which was still up on the 'Covid years' of 2020 and 2021 and just beneath the preceding three years when the turnover passed 100 million gns. From 470 yearlings offered, 391 were marked as sold, to give a clearance rate of 83% (-5%) The median price for the three days was 180,000gns (-10%) and the average was 243,997gns (-18%).
• The trade at last year's Book 1 reached record levels, but it is worth reflecting that more than 10 million gns of that was attributed to yearlings 'bought' by Saleh Al Homaizi which ultimately had to be reoffered after payment wasn't forthcoming. Another 2.7 million gns was spent by John Dance of Manor House Farm, who has not been active in the yearling market this season since Dance's business affairs came under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority earlier this year. On the other hand, Richard Knight, who last year signed for the yearlings on Al Homaizi's list, is now acting on behalf of a new name on the buyers' sheet, the Saudi Arabia-based Al Salhia Stud, which is owned by Mohammed Saleh Bin Laden. Al Salhia Stud, which has previously been involved in Arab racing, is now branching out into Thoroughbreds and was active at Arqana in August. Through Book 1, the operation bought 10 yearlings for a total of 2,555,000gns.
• Though Godolphin was still a significant presence as the leading buyer, with 20 horses bought for just north of 12 million gns, even this expenditure pales next to last year's outlay of 25.3 million gns for 35 Book 1 yearlings. Rabbah Bloodstock, too, spent 1.5 million gns at last year's sale but was absent from the buyers' list this week. 
• Tom Goff and Richard Brown buy for a range of clients, and their Blandford Bloodstock was the second-leading buyer at Book 1, with 25 yearlings signed for at a total outlay of 8.1 million gns. Brown has been the main buyer of horses in training for Wathnan Racing, owned by the Emir of Qatar, and a new name in the owner ranks in recent seasons. Though no confirmation was given of any yearling purchases for the operation, it is fair to assume that some of those bought under the Blandford banner may be seen racing in the Wathnan colours in the future.
• For the sixth year in a row, Graham Smith-Bernal's Newsells Park Stud topped the Book 1 consignors' list with 25 sold for a total of 10,565,000gns. There were also noteworthy results from the select drafts of Anthony Oppenheimer's Hascombe & Valiant Stud, which sold six yearlings at an average of 554,167gns, including the overall top lot, and for Paul and Marie McCartan's Ballyphilip Stud, which averaged 504,000gns for five sold.
• Frankel was responsible for the most expensive colt and filly in the sale, and two of the seven yearlings to have sold for a million or more. That number of seven-figure lots was down from 16 last year.
• Twelve late withdrawals on the day from the final session tells its own tale of how some vendors viewed the dip in trade on Thursday.

Another Gem for Grangemore

Grangemore Stud's full-sister to the Group 2 winners Charyn (Ire) and Wings Of War (Ire), both by Dark Angel (Ire), will join her brother Charyn in the ownership of Nurlan Bizakov, who, under his Sumbe banner, when to 850,000gns for the daughter of the 10-year-old mare Futoon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

Grangemore owner Guy O'Callaghan bought Futoon in partnership with his brother David for 100,000gns, and she has more that repaid that outlay, with her repeat matings with Yeomanstown Stud's Dark Angel having produced those two black-type winners from as many foals of racing age.

O'Callaghan said of the yearling filly [lot 376], “She's always been a spectacular filly at home. I'm thrilled with the price she made and the home she's going to. We had to come over to the sales a day early with the storm last week, so she's been here nine days and she's not put a foot wrong. It's a lot for a yearling to take and she's been a class act. They're all so great out of the mare but she was probably the best of them.”

Futoon, who was placed multiple times at Listed level, is from the family of the G2 Mill Reef S. winner Galeota (Ire) and of the Group 3-winning siblings Burnt Sugar (Ire) and Brown Sugar (Ire).

O'Callaghan added, “My brother David and I bought the mare here as a four-year-old from Steven Hillen and Kevin Ryan. We were following her as a racehorse and she's been very lucky for us ever since. It's a real fast, tough family. There was a good Dark Angel in the family already, and she just made so much sense.”

Along with Nurlan Bizakov, major owner-breeder operations Cheveley Park Stud, Shadwell and Al Shira'aa Farms were also among those to have selected well-bred fillies on the final day of Book 1.

On Shadwell's behalf, Angus Gold went to 575,000gns for lot 427, Meon Valley Stud's daughter of Sea The Moon (Ger) and Group 2 winner Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose second and third dams, Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic) and Colorspin (Fr) (High Top {GB}) are both Group 1 winners.

Kieran Lalor picked up another smart filly for Al Shira'aa in lot 393, a Siyouni (Fr) half-sister to Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the G1 Nassau S. after publication of the catalogue. Shadwell were under-bidders on the filly, having sold her dam Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to David Nagle of Barronstown Stud for 400,000gns when she was in foal to Siyouni in 2021.

Bennett's Merry Week

Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud signed off on a good week of selling alongside Newsells Park Stud when Godolphin went to 800,000gns to secure his Dubawi (Ire) filly (lot 470) out of Luminate (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Along with Newsells Park, Bennett brought four yearlings to the market this week and sold all four, with the owner-breeder describing himself as happy with the business conducted at Tattersalls.

He said, “Great week-I sold four out of four. Going home now! The first mare we bought in partnership with Newsells was Luminate. She is clearly a lovely-walking mare and she passes that walk on. This is the first one we have brought to market and got very well paid to go to a good home. It's a great cross and the Rainbow Quest in the second generation really suits the sire, particularly for fillies, so I think they have got a very good chance of her being a very good racehorse. The mare is in foal to Lope De Vega, carrying a filly, and we are just working out mating plans for next year.”

Market View

There were plenty of positives to take from Book 1, the highest-priced yearling sold in Europe this year being one of them, but there were just seven lots all told to break the million gns throughout the three days. 

Unlike the Orby Sale at Goffs, where well-bred fillies led the way, the majority of the big-ticket horses sold at Tattersalls this week were colts. 

Kieran Lalor, who buys on behalf of major owner-breeder Al Shira'aa Farms, cut the image of a frustrated figure on Thursday when sharing his feeling that the well-bred colts matched up better physically than the fillies this week. 

That played out in the results and Al Shira'aa signed for four yearlings–two fillies and two colts–in what was at times a patchy sale. 

Bloodstock agent Mark McStay shared that while he felt the top end of the market remained strong at Tattersalls this week, the middle tiers were difficult at times. 

In other words, the recession-proof buyers were there, but in reflection of what is going on in the wider world outside racing, the middle market has taken somewhat of a dent. 

He explained, “Like every sale that I have attended for the past number of years, for the very good stock, the trade is highly competitive. Underneath that top level, business is being done but it can be sticky in patches.

“The standard of horses has been high and all of the big players are here. What we have seen play out this week is probably a fair reflection of the worldwide bloodstock market.”

He added, “Some people who have been active here in the past number of years haven't appeared but, then again, some of the bigger players, the likes of Sheikh Mohammed, have participated stronger than ever.”

A much clearer picture will be painted on the middle market, according to McStay, after Books 2, 3 and 4 take place at Tattersalls next week. 

He continued, “I am very happy with how my week went. We bought some nice horses and, while we weren't in the big league, I'm happy and am looking forward to Book 2 and onwards. Next week will be telling and it will be interesting to see what trainers have orders.”

Edmond Mahony concluded his own assessment of the market in a philosophical fashion. He commented, “Year on year the consignors show enormous faith in Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale with the sale showcasing the very best that Europe has to offer, and yet again we have seen so many of the world's leading owners competing for the finest turf-bred yearlings to be found anywhere in the world. 

“Amongst them have been a greater number of yearlings selling for one million guineas or more than all other European yearling sales combined, Europe's highest-priced yearling yet again, and 40 yearlings selling for in excess of 500,000gns which similarly is more than all other European yearlings sales to date this year. As ever Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has attracted buyers from throughout the world, so many of them drawn annually to Park Paddocks by the consistent success of Book 1 horses at the highest level on the global stage. In the course of the past three days buyers from Abu Dhabi, Australia, Bahrain, China, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the USA have all made significant contributions at all levels of the market confirming the unparalleled esteem in which the finest European yearlings are held and specifically those found annually at this particular sale. This is a sale that produces stallions and breed-shaping broodmares on an annual basis and it is the sale's unrivalled reputation which annually makes this fixture an unmissable event for so many of the most influential thoroughbred owners in the world.”

He added, “Amongst the success stories and numerous pinhooking triumphs, there has nevertheless been a selectivity to the market which we must recognise. Last year's game-changing October Book 1 was always going to be a challenging target, and so it has proved with the sale turnover some way short of the massive 2022 total, but the median has held up well, second only to last year's record level, the average of almost 250,000gns is an impressive figure, and the clearance rate in excess of 80% is a solid number. We extend our gratitude as ever to the consignors and purchasers alike whose support is what makes Newmarket and Tattersalls a true hub for the European bloodstock industry and we look forward to seeing this year's crop of October Book 1 yearlings competing globally at the highest level as well as earning their owners in Britain and Ireland yet more lucrative £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonuses.”

Buy Of The Day

Mark Flannery has turned water into wine on more than one occasion–the top breeze-up handler famously got €210,000 for €5,000 Book 2 buy Landshark.

Perhaps Flannery found more value at Tattersalls this week in the shape of a 40,000gns Kingman (GB) colt (lot 516) from Blue Diamond Stud. 

Kingman has done well with his breeze-up graduates and this could be another. He's gone to a top outfit and could rock into six figures or more at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale here in the spring. Time will tell. 

The post Frankel On Top Again as Book 1 Figures Take a Dip appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Shadwell Stud give 1.6 million gns for a daughter of Frankel at #TattsOctober Book 1

Lot 492 is the first foal of G1 winner Millisle. She was consigned by @WatershipStud pic.twitter.com/i8lrwGXKo3

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2023

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The extended yards of R, S and T in the Somerville Paddock seem to have almost doubled in size during the levelling-up process, with extra rubber runways making the business of showing and viewing horses that bit easier.

Gerry Meehan, the yearling manager of Blue Diamond Stud, is delighted with the position for his quartet of yearlings, describing the renovation as a “game-changer”.

He says, “Even though the yard is only a metre wider all round, it seems massive compared to how it used to be.”

Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud is selling four colts by big-name stallions in Dubawi (Ire), Kingman (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire) and Sea The Stars (Ire), and on paper, at least, it is hard to look past the Dubawi half-brother to the treble Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“He is what it says on the tin,” says Meehan of lot 35. “He's a star: he looks a star and he does everything like a star. He'a a proper horse and he shows off when he comes out here.”

He adds, “They are four very nice horses; we're very lucky.”

Down at Solario yard EE, which was revamped impressively last year, there's a strong French flavour, with La Motteraye Consignment making a rare reappearance at Tattersalls and stabled just around the corner from Michel Zerolo's European Sales Management draft.

Gwen Monneraye, who runs the Normandy-based La Motteraye operation with his partner Lucie Lamotte, is on hand with a pair of Book 1 yearlings, including a filly by Night Of Thunder (Ire) from the family of The Wow Signal (Ire) [lot 495].    The consignors have 39 yearlings being prepared for the October Yearling Sale at Arqana, which is naturally much closer to home for them, but Monneraye admits to a touch of FOMO necessitating a return to Tattersalls after a four-year absence.

“In French we have a saying 'Les absents ont toujours tort', which roughly translates to 'if you're not there you are missing out on something',” he says.

“We sell for ourselves but we also sell for lots of clients and it's nice to provide the options for them. When you want to sell in France and in England, you have to be very well organised, and we don't do anything unless we are well organised. We are building a bigger barn to make it more practical for us to come here more often, so I think in two years' time we will have a bigger draft.”

Monneraye adds, “The horses travelled over really well, so we were able to show as early as Friday afternoon, which I didn't expect, but all through the weekend we have seen a lot of people. We have another four for next week so it's going to be a full month of sales.”

Making their Book 1 debut is Natalie Folland and Matt Bowen, who consign from Fonthill Stud in Wiltshire as Folland-Bowen Bloodstock and offer a son of Showcasing (GB) as lot 63 on behalf of breeder Jane Keir. The colt, from a well-established and successful international family, enjoyed a good update since the publication of the catalogue when his half-brother Flight Plan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) won the G2 Dullingham Park S. for Steve Parkin's Clipper Logistics on Irish Champions weekend.

“The update came just at the right time. We're still pinching ourselves,” says Keir.

“Liam Norris found his dam Romp for me and said, 'Jane, this mare probably won't be to everyone's taste but she's worth looking at.' She was on the end of the row and she ended up costing 14,000gns.

“She's a Pivotal mare with Singspiel as her broodmare sire too, and [Breeders' Cup Turf winner] Rebel's Romance is in the family as well, so hopefully it's building.”

Romp, who wasn't covered this year, now has a Pintaubo filly foal at foot, and she resides at Lord Margadale's Fonthill Stud, which is leased by Folland and Bowen. Keir herself was the former owner of Elkington Stud, which was managed by Folland until its sale a few years ago.

Keir adds, “There was no question that the mares would go with Nat. They are treated like royalty there.”

While Keir admits that Flight Plan's sire Night Of Thunder is now at the top of her list for Romp next year, it is another Darley-based son of Dubawi, Too Darn Hot (GB), that has brought an extra large smile to the face of Watership Down Stud's Simon Marsh this season. It is with good reason, too, as not only was Too Darn Hot bred at Watership Down Stud by Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber, but they retained a significant share in him when he retired to Dalham Hall Stud. With his first crop of juvenile runners, the stallion from Watership Down's signature family of Darara (Ire) now has four group winners to his name, including the G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Fallen Angel (GB).

“He was always a horse that one would have thought that his 2-year-olds would be later types, and since August he has done exceptionally well. His pedigree is really full of later-maturing horses, like Dar Re Mi and So Mi Dar, and then Darara and Darshaan. Everything he's doing at the moment is really a bonus and we hope that next year his 3-year-olds will really develop and do even better,” Marsh says.

“It's fantastic to have bred a horse who could become a significant influence, and for us to have ended up owning half of him is extraordinary. We have a couple by him to sell this week, including a filly who is interestingly inbred 3×3 to Darara [lot 259].”

With Too Darn Hot's sire Dubawi, the reigning champion, still in full flow and responsible for 19 of the yearlings in Book 1, it is fair to expect to see him feature prominently on the leaderboard at Tattersalls this week, especially with Sheikh Mohammed in attendance. On Monday afternoon, the ruler of Dubai was patrolling the sales grounds, inspecting yearlings with his principal trainer Charlie Appleby, and the Godolphin buying team of Anthony Stroud and David Loder.

The sheikh is far from the only major player in town, however. His niece Sheikha Hissa was also spotted alongside Shadwell's Racing Manager Angus Gold, while owners and breeders from as far afield as Australia, America and Japan have also made the bloodstock pilgrimage to Newmarket. There seems little doubt that the next three days will bring with them yet more staggering trade for a very special bunch of yearlings.

The post ‘He Is What It Says On The Tin’: Nashwa’s Dubawi Half-Brother Among Stellar Lots at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Newtown Anner Stud's homebred, who registered a 10-length tally at Thirsk in her penultimate start, bounded along behind a steady tempo and raced third through the initial fractions. Taking closer order once past halfway, the 11-10 favourite quickened to the fore passing the quarter-mile marker and, despite drifting right inside the final furlong, drew off late under urging to post an ultimately impressive three-length success from See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Mark McKay's G3 Sweet Solera S. third and G2 Prix du Calvados fourth Les Bleus (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) was four lengths adrift in third as the field came home at wide-margin intervals.

“They didn't go quick and, when I asked her, she quickened up really well for a few strides and then galloped on towards the line,” said winning rider Clifford Lee. “She's very good and I'd like to see her next year when she's physically and mentally stronger. She handles that soft ground, she does stay very well and she does have a bit of boot about her as well, so we'll see next year how we get on.”

Burke added, “She's a classy filly and, on that ground, she's very good. We'll have to see how she is on quicker ground, but she's tough and she stays. She's not in the [G1] Fillies' Mile, but she is in the [G1] Prix Marcel Boussac. I haven't spoken to the owners, but she'd be more likely to get her ground in France. She's not the biggest in the world, but she should strengthen up even if she doesn't grow much. If she bumps into soft ground she could be anything.” Explaining his absence from the track, the trainer continued, “I was all set to come today, but I had a busy morning and decided not to. They don't run any faster for me being there.”

Pedigree Notes

Darnation, half-sister to a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus), is the first of two foals produced by an unraced full-sister to dual Group-placed G2 Beresford S. third Exemplar (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay's dam is also a half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer). Descendants of her second dam Miarixa (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), herself out of stakes-winning G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Mrs Arkada (Fr) (Akarad {Fr}), include dual stakes-winning GIII Intercontinental S. and GIII Franklin S. placegetter Star Devine (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and G3 Earl of Sefton S. runner-up Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

Thursday, Doncaster, Britain
BETFRED MAY HILL S.-G2, £120,000, Doncaster, 9-14, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:41.38, sf.
1–DARNATION (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Too Darn Hot (GB)
1st Dam: Monday Monday (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miarixa (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Mrs Arkada (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm (IRE); T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. £68,052. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $149,904. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–See The Fire (GB), 128, f, 2, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Arabian Queen (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-J C Smith; B-Littleton Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £25,800.
3–Les Bleus (GB), 128, f, 2, Blue Point (Ire)–Huma Bird (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€52,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; £60,000 2yo '23 GOUKB). O-Mark McKay; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Richard Hughes. £12,912.
Margins: 3, 4, NK. Odds: 1.10, 4.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Hard To Resist (Ire), Francophone (GB), Hala Abrar (Ire), Romanova (GB). Scratched: Meribella (GB), Zenjabeela (GB).

Gr.2 winner for TOO DARN HOT (GB)

DARNATION takes the Gr.2 May Hill Stakes for @karl_burke at @DoncasterRaces, continuing the @DarleyEurope stallion's fine form.

He is the leading first-season sire in terms of Group winners. pic.twitter.com/7z6IoHpM4O

— GBRI (@GBRI_UK) September 14, 2023

The post Too Darn Hot’s Darnation Powers To May Hill Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The March-foaled bay had earlier registered a sixth over the same trip in Royal Ascot's Listed Chesham S., before breaking through at Newmarket in her penultimate start, and was settled off a solid early tempo in eighth. Coming under pressure when slipping one spot on the home turn, she made headway out wide in the straight to launch her bid underneath the stands' side rail passing the furlong pole and stayed on in relentless fashion to secure a career high by a neck in the dying strides. Jean-Pierre Carvalho trainee Schutzenzauber (Ger) (Amaron {GB}) finished second, a half-length in front of West Man (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), in a thrilling three-way tussle for the prize.

“It was a tough race for her,” said winning rider Jack Mitchell. “In England, she's very sharp and she can make the running, but today she just didn't want to. I had to ride her differently, wherever she was happy, and she just did enough for me.”

Pedigree Notes

Darley's Too Darn Hot now leads his European first-season sire class in the group winners category with his trio of fillies. The list also features G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Fallen Angel (GB) and G3 Prestige S. victrix Darnation (Ire). Carolina Reaper is the seventh of nine foals and one of four winners produced by Listed Rosemary S. victrix Dark Promise (GB) (Shamardal), herself half to four black-type performers headed by G1 Oaks heroine Love Divine (GB) (Diesis {GB}). Love Divine's trio of stakes performers includes G1 St Leger-winning sire Sixties Icon (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) while another half-sister, Love Excelling (Fr) (Polish Precedent), is the dam of dual G1 Singapore International Cup and G1 Champions Mile hero Dunboyne Express (Ire) (Shamardal). The leading performer out of Carolina Reaper's third dam Maryinsky (Northern Dancer) is G1 Champion S. and G1 Premio Roma-winning sire Legal Case (Ire) (Alleged). The March-foaled bay is kin to a yearling colt by New Bay (GB) and a weanling filly by Time Test (GB).

Wednesday, Baden-Baden, Germany
150TH RENATE AND ALBRECHT WOESTE – ZUKUNFTS-RENNEN-G3, €55,000, Baden-Baden, 8-30, 2yo, 7fT, 1:27.14, g/s.
1–CAROLINA REAPER (GB), 125, f, 2, by Too Darn Hot (GB)
1st Dam: Dark Promise (GB), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: La Sky (Ire), by Law Society
3rd Dam: Maryinsky, by Northern Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (46,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Gallop Racing; B-Lordship Stud (GB); T-Charlie Johnston; J-Jack Mitchell. €32,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-0, €54,051. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Schutzenzauber (Ger), 128, c, 2, Amaron (GB)–Schutzenpost (Ger), by American Post (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Walter Busch (GER); T-Jean-Pierre Carvalho. €12,000.
3–West Man (Ger), 128, c, 2, Areion (Ger)–Wild Approach (Ger), by New Approach (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€52,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-msn-racing; B-Gestut Brummerhof (GER); T-Andreas Suborics. €6,000.
Margins: NK, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.80, 7.40, 5.20.
Also Ran: Mademoiselle Ninet (Ger), Geography (Ger), New Emerald (Ger), Son Roc (Ger), Emir (Fr), Royal Rose (Fr), Sommerblitz (Ger), Taifa (Ger).

Carolina Reaper
(Too Darn Hot – Dark Promise , by Shamardal )

Schutzenzauber
(Amaron – Schutzenpost , by American Post )

Zukunfts-Rennen
Baden-Baden #BadenBaden #Almanya #Dubawi #Shamardal #HoistTheFlag #Bering #ShirleyHeights pic.twitter.com/vcE3RFmpJD

— Aydın Stud (@aydin_stud) August 30, 2023

The post Carolina Reaper Too Hot For Baden-Baden Rivals, Third Group Winner For Too Darn Hot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Across those two days, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the most determined spender, bolstering his team of 2-year-olds for the 2023 season by an extra 22 just from Book 1, his bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud having been charged to bid a collective 16,520,000gns on his behalf.

The name of agent Richard Knight has been cropping up on buyers' lists from Deauville to Newmarket via Kentucky and Kildare, and he continued his lavish spree on behalf of his unnamed client with 6.13 million gns spent on 10 yearlings at Book 1 so far. That beats the amassed influence of the Coolmore and White Birch Farm teams, which collectively have signed up five yearlings for 5.43 million gns.

On a blockbuster day with a clearance rate of 88%, the turnover was up by 65% when set against the equivalent day last year. The median rose by 25% to 200,000gns and the average by 49% to 344,062gns.

 Watership Down's 'Jewel in the Crown'

A frenetic start to the day's trade at Park Paddocks soon brought a new top price for a yearling anywhere in the world this year when Watership Down Stud's Frankel (GB) colt out of Group 3 winner So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought the hammer down at 2.8 million gns.

It was Tuesday's leading buyer Godolphin that prevailed in the contest for lot 221, whose dam is a full-sister to Darley's first-season sire Too Darn Hot (GB), but Stroud faced stiff opposition from Bill Farish of Lane's End Farm, who was sitting alongside David Ingordo in the ring at Tattersalls.

The March-born colt is the third foal of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber's G3 Musidora S. winner So Mi Dar, a daughter of treble Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), who is herself out of the Watership Down Stud foundation mare Darara (Ire) (Top Ville {GB}).

“It's an amazing thing to happen whenever you're selling horses, but he was an exceptional colt and is the image of Frankel in so many ways,” said Watership Down Stud's general manager Simon Marsh. “It's obviously been an extraordinary family that Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber have been involved with for so many years. Selling horses like that is really the culmination of an enormous amount of work that goes in with so many people involved, with Terry [Doherty] the stud manager and Donna [Vowles], our stud manager in Ireland. Then there's Conor, who led the horse round and is assistant to Terry, right through to the farriers, the vets, the feed people; there are so many involved in creating a result like this.”

Along with the champion juvenile Too Darn Hot and So Mi Dar, Dar Re Mi is also the dam of G2 Middleton S. winner Lah Ti Dar (GB), who is also by Dubawi, and young French-based stallion De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Among Darara's four Group 1 winners is Godolphin's ill-fated G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}).

Marsh added, “We were so lucky all those years ago to have been able to buy Darara from the Aga Khan, who had so brilliantly created the family, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to take it on.”

After signing for the colt on Sheikh Mohammed's behalf, Anthony Stroud said, “He was a jewel in the crown, and, needless to say, is an extremely nice horse.”

. #

This colt by Frankel @JuddmonteFarms attracted the attention of Bill Farish & David Ingordo but it was Godolphin who bought the @WatershipStud yearling. pic.twitter.com/WLNOwWGgh9

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Frankel Fever From the Off

During the lively first few hours of Wednesday's session, three yearlings by the champion sire Frankel (GB) left the ring with seven-figure price tags. The trio included the three-parts-brother to group winners Broome (Ire) and Point Lonsdale (Ire), both by Australia (GB), who was bought by Coolmore's MV Magnier for 2.4 million gns.

Sold by breeder Denis Brosnan of Ireland's Croom House Stud as lot 238, the late April colt is a son of the stakes-winning Acclamation (GB) mare Sweepstake (Ire). The mare's 2-year-old, Saadiyat (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), is entered to make her debut at Saint-Cloud on Thursday.

“It's hard to describe this feeling,” said Croom House Stud manager Joe Hartigan. “We knew he was good but this is beyond our wildest dreams. We thought he'd make a million-plus. He's had a heap of vets. The others [Broome  and Point Lonsdale] have been a little longer and typical of Australia, but this fella is shorter and more compact, more of a 2-year-old type. He has a great attitude, the same attitude as his two brothers.”

. #
Just like the good oul days with Coolmore & Godolphin bidding against each other for this colt by Frankel @JuddmonteFarms but it was the former who won out. Sold by @CroomStud pic.twitter.com/9qCV2T8sEW

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

I Got You Babe

The fourth Frankel millionaire was the result of a tried-and-tested mating, with John and Tanya Gunther's full-brother to Without Parole (GB) joining a strong Godolphin squad for next year at 1.3 million gns.

Offered as lot 303 by Newsells Park Stud, where his G1 St James's Palace S.-winning brother recently completed his second covering season, and where their dam Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid) is a permanent boarder, the colt's exit from the ring brought Tanya Gunther to tears as she thanked Sheikh Mohammed.

Her father, John, said, “I loved him so much that I still kind of wanted to race him myself, but you need the cash flow to pay the bills. To me he was a fantastic-looking yearling, and he has a presence about him. He's sort of special.”

Without You Babe never made it to the racecourse herself but the half-sister to the dual Grade I winner Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) has been a stellar producer for the Gunthers. Alongside Without Parole, she is also the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown) as well as the listed winner She's Got You (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The mare has a full-brother to the latter on the ground this year.

Their breeder continued, “I raced the first two and I wouldn't have minded racing this guy as well, but it was nice to see Sheikh Mohammed buy him. He'll be given a great chance.”

While Without Parole has his first crop of foals on the ground this year, another Gunther-bred, the Triple Crown winner Justify, is currently riding high in the freshman sire tables in America.

“Without Parole has had some lovely foals,” Gunther said. “We sent some nice mares to him so we are excited about all his offspring coming up. Justify was the leading sire up until a few weeks ago but now Good Magic is ahead of him. But I think Justify will come back. I bred a nice filly by him, Justique, and she is going to run in a Grade I in a few weeks so maybe she'll win and put him back in front.”

@JuddmonteFarms !
. #
Consigned by @newsellspark for @tanyagun & @johndgunther, this colt is a full brother to Without Parole. Bought by Godolphin. pic.twitter.com/apIXMb3Mkk

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Newsells Park Makes Early Splash

With the sale-ground whispers that Wednesday's group of horses was stronger again than the first day, it didn't take long for the trade at Tattersalls to pick up where it left off on Tuesday, with the opening session's top price of 1.5 million gns quickly matched.

That bid came from the Coolmore camp for the first foal of Shambolic (GB) (Shamardal), a filly (lot 201) by the champion sire Frankel (GB) bred in partnership by Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud, but MV Magnier first had to see off bids from Simon Mockridge of Juddmonte and eventual underbidder Richard Knight, whose spending has continued apace throughout the yearling season in Europe and America.

Magnier, buying in partnership with Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, said, “Congratulations to Graham Smith-Bernal and Craig Bennett for producing such a nice filly.

“Frankel is doing very well, Newsells have been very good breeders and a good filly like that deserves to make a good price. She has a lot of quality.”

Coolmore's investment in the stock of Frankel continued late in the session when Magnier also signed up the colt (lot 356) out of the stakes-placed Auld Alliance (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for 800,000gns. He was consigned by Kirtlington Stud on behalf of breeder Bobby Flay.

Newsells Park Stud, on top of the consignors' list again with 18 horses sold for more than 9 million gns, is the co-breeder with Gestut Ammerland of the full-brother to Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who was consigned as lot 284. The colt from the penultimate crop of the late former champion sire was signed for by Jill Lamb at 725,000gns on behalf of Graham Smith-Bernal, who bought out Ammerland's Dietrich von Boetticher.

. #

M V Magnier was the winning bidder for this daughter of Frankel @JuddmonteFarms who was consigned by @newsellspark. pic.twitter.com/MjfHgo62AW

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Global Super Sires

Dubawi and Frankel have been jousting in the sires' championship all season, with the Darley sire ahead in the table for Britain and Ireland and Juddmonte's champion leading in Europe, especially thanks to Sunday's Arc heroine Alpinista (GB). The allure of these two superpower stallions, who live barely a mile from each other as the crow flies, draws owners and breeders from all over the world to Britain. Of the 11 seven-figure lots sold during the first two days of Book 1, Dubawi and Frankel have been responsible for nine of them, sold to entities from America, Dubai, Ireland and Japan.

The two other millionaire lots were Ballylinch Stud's Kingman (GB) half-sister to Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 261), and Ballyphilip Stud's Lope De Vega (Ire) half-sister to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (lot 344), sold for 1.05 million gns and 1.8 million gns, respectively.

 Yoshito Yahagi: 'I want to win the Arc'

Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi did not flinch when asked why he went to 1.6 million gns to secure lot 301, a Dubawi colt consigned by Luca and Sara Cumani's Fittocks Stud.

“Because I want to win the Arc,” came the response, from the man who also spent €2.1 million for a brother to Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at Arqana in August.

Yahagi's quest to fulfil the Japanese dream in Paris brought him to Book 1 at Tattersalls for the first time and the world-famous trainer is hoping that his maiden trip can prove lucky.

He said, “This colt has very good points of Dubawi. This is my first Dubawi. He will come back to Japan. This is my first time buying at Book 1. First and last!”

The colt, bred by Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud, is a half-brother to GI Turf Classic S. hero Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and G3 Prix La Rochette heroine Acer Alley (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), and is out of the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Willow View.

Under the second dam is Bennett's stakes-producing G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Cursory Glance (Distorted Humor).

Fittocks Stud was also the co-breeder with Peter Brant and Andrew Stone of lot 257, a Kingman (GB) colt out of a Frankel (GB) half-sister to Group 1 winners Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar) and Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The first foal of his unraced dam Time Saver (GB), he was sold to Richard Knight for 500,000gns.

#

This colt by Dubawi @DarleyEurope was consigned by @saracumani and has been bought by Yoshito Yahagi for 1.6million gns. A half-brother to G1 winner Digital Age. pic.twitter.com/uA0xxgvGaE

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Fox Trots On for Barnane

The Kieswetter family's Barnane Stud has enjoyed a Royal Ascot winner this year with homebred Candleford (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and future hopes will be high for the juvenile Outfoxed (Ire, a son of Dubawi and Group 1 winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}), who is currently in training with William Haggas. At Tattersalls on Wednesday, the breeders opted to sell Outfoxed's yearling full-brother (lot 272) through Baroda Stud and, at 1.1 million gns, the colt joined the significant list of bluebloods signed up by Sheikh Mohammed and Anthony Stroud over the last few days.

In their native South Africa the Kieswetters are successful commercial breeders through their farm Ridgemont Highlands, and five years ago they purchased Barnane Stud in Co Tipperary, which is now home to around 15 mares.

Craig Kieswetter, the former England cricketer, said of star resident Urban Fox, who won the G1 Pretty Polly S. in the green-and-red silks of Barnane Stud and  is now in foal to Frankel, “She was terrific on the racecourse, travelled really well around Europe and won some good races. Sam Haggas helped us with her purchase.”

He continued, “We are delighted with this result and we wish Sheikh Mohammed and his team all the best. Dubawi is a top sire, and the team at Barnane Stud has done a remarkable job, as has David [Cox] and his team at Baroda. You can do the matings, but you also have to have the physical specimen.”

Craig, who was at Tattersalls with his father Wayne Kieswetter, added, “The farm is growing, we are adding mares and there are some beautifully-bred fillies we are taking to the track. It is early days for us but it is going in the right direction.”

Hazelwood Bloodstock had been responsible for the 1.5 million gns top lot on day one, and on Wednesday Adrian O'Brien and his team sold another pair of Dubawi yearlings for 800,000gns apiece. Lot 278, the colt out of a full-sister to Group 1-winning Galileo (Ire) brothers Highland Reel (Ire) and Idaho (Ire), joined the Godolphin team, while the filly out of the stakes-placed Wisdom Mind (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), offered as lot 302, was signed for by BBA Ireland. The Hazelwood Dubawi quartet was completed by lot 328, the half-brother to Group 1 winner Barney Roy (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}), who was another for Godolphin at 750,000gns.

@DarleyEurope .

This colt, out of G1 winner Urban Fox, was consigned by @BarodaStudIre and bought by Godolphin at the #TattsOctober Book 1 Sale. pic.twitter.com/lBNXbMQP1C

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Night Of Thunder Shines

Night Of Thunder's popularity has been one of the more fascinating subplots to the sales season and, once again, the Darley-based stallion came up trumps on the big stage with 20 selling for an average of 256,500gns. His covering fee when these yearlings were conceived was €25,000.

An impressive afternoon's trading was highlighted by Roundhill Stud's grey filly (lot 195) out of proven producer Serena's Storm (Ire) (Statue Of Liberty), the dam of dual Group 1 winner Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who sold for 650,000gns.

So overcome with emotion, Honora Donworth of Roundhill couldn't bring herself to speak, but seeing the filly knocked down to Alex Solis, Jason Litt, Monceaux and LNJ Foxwoods would have been made easier for the fact that the newly-formed partnership would be sending the filly to her son Tim to train in France.

Based in Chantilly and in his second season training, Tim Donworth boasts a string of 36 horses and was understandably delighted to be entrusted to train the filly from a pedigree that he and his family know extremely well.

“It's the family that keeps giving each year,” he said. “She has been bought for a partnership of LNJ Foxwoods and Monceaux.

“I have one filly for LNJ Foxwoods this year and will have a few more for them next year, hopefully. It's a great effort. I'm delighted for Mum and Dad. It's a fantastic family. Hopefully this time next year, or maybe the year after, there will be more big black-type to the [mare's] name.”

As well as being a half-sister to Rizeena, the Night Of Thunder filly is a descendant of US champion racemare Serena's Song, which formed part of the appeal for Alex Solis.

He said, “We're big fans of Night Of Thunder and it goes back to a wonderful family and to Serena's Song, a champion in the US, and the dam has already produced a Group 1 winner. It's a very productive family. We talked to Henri Bozo and he loved her as well.

“Night Of Thunder gets a very racey type. She has a great walk to her and great strength. We're excited to have her.”

Desmontils Doubles Down

It was another offering by Night Of Thunder, the first horse through the ring (lot 184) on day two of Book 1, who lit the touch paper for an outstanding day's trade.

That colt, consigned by Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle House Stud, was sold to Sebastian Desmontils of Chauvigny Global Equine on behalf of Japanese owner Hisaaki Saito for 575,000gns. On Tuesday, the same sire, vendor and buyer had combined in the sale of lot 106, a filly out of Pacifica Highway (Pulpit), who made 525,000gns.

“We've always looked at horses like the Frankels and Dubawis, but they are very hard to get because all the big teams are on them,” said Desmontils. “So this year we decided to go for the upcoming stallions like Night Of Thunder, whose stats are really good and who has been covering better and better mares.

“We were really lucky to get the filly yesterday and the colt today. The owner has his horses based in France and he really enjoys the overall game as a business. He loves the sales as well, so it is our mission is to give him as much fun as we can and to find some nice horses.”

Stauffenberg Bloodstock also secured an excellent result with a Night Of Thunder filly (lot 240), who was pinhooked as a foal for 240,000gns and sold on Wednesday for significant profit at 550,000gns to Godolphin.

Shadwell Not Slowing Down

In storming to G1 Prix de l'Opera glory at Longchamp on Sunday, Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) provided her Kingman half-sister (lot 261) with a timely update and Shadwell couldn't leave the Ballylinch Stud-consigned filly behind.

Tuesday marked the end of a two-year buying hiatus for Shadwell in Europe, and racing manager Angus Gold admitted that 2021 was a traumatic time for all associated with the operation.

Speaking after purchasing the filly for 1.05 million gns, Gold said, “I thought she'd make 700,000 to 800,000 gns going into it yesterday, but watching here, everyone wanted her, so obviously we had to pay a bit more.

“Sheikha Hissa was very keen to buy her and really liked her the minute she saw her. We have not discussed training plans yet–that will all come about in the fullness of time.”

Gold went on to reveal that Shadwell will have a significant team of 2-year-olds to look forward to next year, the majority of which are homebreds.

He said, “We will have around 45 homebreds to go into training and, along with the few we have bought, there will be the guts of 50 yearlings.”

He added, “Last year was pretty traumatic for everyone, selling all those half-nice horses and particularly the mares who had been there a long time, but we had to do what we had to do and obviously the family wanted to reduce things.

“Understandably, it was a big undertaking and Sheikh Hamdan had the knowledge, the understanding of it–for them, it had to be a smaller operation.”

The trimming down of Shadwell may have been a huge undertaking but, on the track, the renowned blue-and-white silks have been carried with aplomb by one of the modern day greats, Baaeed (GB), who is firmly on course to run in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot on Saturday week.

Gold said, “This year, we have been blessed by Baaeed, but also by some of the other lesser horses who have also come to the fore. It has been a joy this year, and for me, the real fun has been having Sheikha Hissa's input and seeing her enjoy it so much, and hopefully her family as well.

“Baaeed has been a real fillip, and particularly for the family–to have a horse as good as he is has given a lot of pleasure.”

Kingman was also in lights when lot 289, a colt by the Juddmonte-based stallion, was snapped up by Richard Knight from the Chasemore Farm draft for 750,000gns.

A brother to Group 3 scorer Boomer, he hails from a farm going through something of a golden period, with G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and the unbeaten G2 Gimcrack S. winner Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) flying the flag for Chasemore this term.

@ShadwellStud . #

This filly by Kingman @JuddmonteFarms had a timely update with Place Du Carrousel winning the G1 Prix de l'Opera. She was consigned by @BallylinchStud. pic.twitter.com/Xf3UcO4gfc

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

Knight Fights Off Flay For Half-Sister To Battaash

Bobby Flay turned up the heat but, such is the firepower that Richard Knight has behind him this yearling sale season, he burned off all competition for the Lope De Vega (Ire) half-sister (lot 344) to Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

Celebrity chef and a successful owner-breeder, Flay thought he had done enough to secure the Ballyphillip Stud-consigned filly when pushing the boat out to 1,750,000 gns but, when Knight pushed on again at 1,800,000 gns, the American offered no response.

That price tag was a new record for the Ballylinch Stud-based stallion, and Knight, who made a major impact at Keeneland and the Orby Sale last week but has yet to reveal who he is buying for, revealed that working to a bigger budget has provided him with a new lease of life.

“I thought she was probably the pick of the fillies in the sale,” he said. “I thought she was very racey, obviously by a top stallion and a sister to Battaash. She just ticked so many boxes. She's gorgeous, very athletic and we're delighted to get her. She will stay in the UK and a trainer will be decided on after she is pre-trained.”

Of his activity in recent weeks, he added, “It's been fantastic. Normally, when we go into most of these yearling sales, we're operating on a smaller budget. Here, and in the last few weeks, it's been a fantastic opportunity to go and try to buy the ones that you really want to buy. It's been thoroughly enjoyable.”

The filly was bred by Paul and Marie McCartan at Ballyphilip Stud, and the husband-and-wife team were understandably emotional about the big-ticket sale.

“She's an absolute beauty,” Paul said. “I think she's the nicest filly we've ever had. I always said Ladys First (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) was, she was very good to me as well, but this one was especially nice. The mare is a beauty as well. I wish Richard Knight all the best with her and I hope she's very lucky for her connections.”

Lope De Vega was not the only sire to record a record-breaking sale as lot 333, a half-sister to G2 Champagne S. winner Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), provided her sire Bated Breath (GB) with a 600,000 gns sale to Godolphin.

The filly, out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Always A Dream (GB), represented another strong result at Book 1 for Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle House Stud, who bought her for 140,000gns as a foal.

' – . #

This filly by Lope de Vega @BallylinchStud was consigned by @BallyphilipStud and has been bought by @rkba_com. pic.twitter.com/SIQWZ5ra3r

— TDN (@theTDN) October 5, 2022

The post Tattersalls Makes History With Europe’s Highest-Grossing Day  appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Emily Upjohn was given a Timeform rating of 119p following her narrow defeat in the Oaks 10 days ago, where she overcame a slow start to go down fighting behind Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo).

Emily Upjohn has a number of intriguing entries, including the Irish Oaks and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. 

Wherever she lines out next, the talented 3-year-old will run under Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber's name, alongside Jon and Cyril Shack's Tactful Finance and Stuart Roden.

“We're absolutely thrilled to have bought into such an exciting filly at this stage of her career,” said stud owner, Lady Lloyd Webber yesterday. 

“She is an absolutely stunning filly and the plan is very much for her to stay in training next year. We are also thrilled to be part of this new partnership with Jon, Cyril and Stuart, who are fantastic enthusiasts.”

Emily Upjohn was purchased as a yearling at Tattersalls by Blandford Bloodstock's Tom Goff for 60,000gns. She hails from a superb Aga Khan family that includes dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Godolphin's multiple Group 1 hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Lady Lloyd Webber, who alongside her husband Andrew, retains a 50% shareholding in leading stallion prospect Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and added, “We purchased Hurricane Lane's dam Gale Force (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) three years ago and she is very closely related to Emily Upjohn, so we are no strangers to the family. 

“When this filly eventually retires to stud, she will very much suit a mating to Too Darn Hot, which is clearly an added attraction for us.”

Jon Shack said, “As relatively small owners, we are extremely excited by this new partnership. Our family has had mares at Watership Down Stud for many years now and they do a fantastic job.”

“John and Thady and their amazing team at Clarehaven have done an incredible job with Emily so far. With a bit of luck, she can hopefully build on that [Epsom] performance and win a big prize for this new partnership before the season is over.”

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A Group 3 winner, So Mi Dar also finished third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. She is out of the Watership Down Stud-campaigned MG1SW Dar Re Mi (GB), who has produced four group performers, including European Champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old, Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He stands at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud and has his first crop of yearlings in 2022.

Watership Down Stud owners, Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber will decide on the winning entry, which will be announced Monday, May 2.

The winning prize for the selected name will include:

• Trip for up to six individuals or family to Watership Down Stud for a private tour and meet the foal
• Table for the day and Premier badges for six people in the Parade Ring Lawn Saturday, Sept. 17, including a picnic box.

There will also be the opportunity to enter the competition at Newbury Apr 16-17, as well as at the Newbury Racecourse exhibition stand at the Lambourn Open Day Apr. 15.

For more information or to enter, click here.

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“It was a very strong race today, but we've always believed this filly to be high class and we're very happy she won,” commented trainer Roger Varian. “The first half of the season didn't really work out for her, so we gave her a break and she's done well since. She's matured, she's been excellent in training at home and we were confident of a good performance and hopeful of a win. She ran at York in the [G3] Musidora over 10 furlongs, but was very fresh that day. She wasn't that well behaved, but still ran a good race behind Snowfall. She then went to the [G1 Epsom] Oaks where the ground was heavy and had a hard race, which took a lot out of her. She didn't enjoy it and is a filly who likes a sound surface. She's a big-framed filly, we had to give her time and I'd like to thank owner Ali Saeed for being very patient.”

Next month's Oct. 3 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe looms large on the horizon and Varian will take his time before confirming connections' plans. “We'll see how she is in her training at home over the next one or two week,” he added. “The Arc is under consideration, of course, and we'd like the sun to keep shining, but it's very important to see what her condition is beforehand. We'll speak with the owner and see what he wants to do.”

Bemoaning a perceived lack of urgency on the front end, rider Frankie Dettori sought to explain the first reversal of Snowfall's sophomore campaign and said, “I found myself too far from the front end and I think the pacemaker [La Joconde] didn't go fast enough. The race turned into a sprint and the winner kicked on first. The other filly has more speed than Snowfall and that's what made the difference.”

Teona, who becomes the 16th top-level winner for her sire, is the second runner and second pattern-race winner out of the smart Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}). Ambivalent's five victories include G1 Pretty Polly S. and G2 Middleton S. wins. She also ran third in the G1 Coronation Cup and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and her first produce is G2 Prix Hocquart victor Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Ambivalent is the leading performer out of Listed Aphrodite S. runner-up Darrery (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), herself the second dam of G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp hero Total Gallery (Ire) (Namid {GB}). Teona's third dam Flamenco (Dance Spell) annexed the G3 Waterford Candelabra S. and is kin to Listed White Rose S. victrix and stakes producer Portio (Riva Ridge). The March-foaled bay, who hails from the family of Listed Debonair S. victor and leading sire Claim (Mr. Prospector), is full to a weanling colt and half to a 2-year-old colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire) and a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE-G1, €600,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-12, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT, 2:31.99, gd.
1–TEONA (IRE), 122, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Ambivalent (Ire), by Authorized (Ire)
2nd Dam: Darrery (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Flamenco, by Dance Spell
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (280,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Ali Saeed; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Olivier Peslier. €342,840. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 7-4-1-1, €382,363. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Snowfall (Jpn), 122, f, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Best In The World (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Roncon, Chelston Ire & Wynatt (JPN); T-Aidan O'Brien. €137,160.
3–La Joconde (Ire), 122, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Wadyhatta (GB), Cape Cross (Ire) (850,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €68,580.
Margins: 1HF, HF, SNK. Odds: 17.90, 0.20, 46.00.
Also Ran: Burgarita (GB), Incarville (Fr), Philomene (Ire), Joan of Arc (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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