Opening day sees Australasian buyers busy

Australasian buyers were in the thick of the action during the opening session of the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket on Monday.

Acting for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller, New Zealand agent Guy Mulcaster went to 240,000 guineas (A$430,000) to secure the grey Mr Reckless (IRE) (Reckless Abandon {GB}) out of The Old Malthouse consignment.

Waller and Mulcaster have enjoyed a strong winning strike rate out of the Sale and the colt has been on their radars for some time.

“He is exactly the sort of horse we are looking for,” Mulcaster said. “We took a look at him early in the year and have been following his progress and we are delighted to get him.

“The prize money for races that suit him has recently gone up in Sydney, so hopefully we'll have some fun.”

Mr Reckless has won three of his 10 starts up to 2200 metres for Upper Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne and is a half-brother to the two-time Listed winner Set To Music (IRE) (Danehill Dancer {IRE}).

Mulcaster also went to 60,000 (A$110,000) to secure Shuhood (IRE) (Tamayuz {GB}) from Dominion Racing Stables. The gelding has been a three-time winner for trainer Ian Williams up to 2000 metres.

Kiwi strikes for brother

Paul Moroney went to 180,000 guineas (A$325,000) for Buffalo River (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) on behalf of his brother Michael’s Ballymore Stables at Flemington.

“I actually saw this horse as a yearling in the United States - he made my final list then,” the New Zealander said.

“Buffalo River's form reads really well. He finished a good third to subsequent Group 1 winner Royal Marine on just his second start.

“He still looks quite babyish so he will head to Australia and will be given plenty of time to chill out, six months or so, to grow up both physically and mentally.”

Buffalo River is a son of Fashion Insider (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}), a sister to the Group winners Bwana Charlie and My Pal Charlie.

Jack Regan (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {IRE}) is on his way to Victoria after young Australian agent Jim Clarke signed for the buying group of Avenue Bloodstock, Clarke Bloodstock and Busuttin Racing. They paid 180,000 guineas (A$325,000) for the four-time winner, whose most recent success was in a 3200 metre hurdle.

Hitting the board

Also heading Down Under is Leaderboard (USA) (Street Cry {IRE}) following a 70,000 guineas (A$125,000) purchase for John Galvin’s Fortuna Racing, who have been represented by this season’s dual Group 1 winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).

The winner at 2400 metres of one of his nine starts, Leaderboard was signed for by De Burgh Equine, but it was young agent Will Johnson in charge of bidding.

“He should suit the ground conditions and the race programme in New Zealand,” Johnson said.

“He is a son of Street Cry, who has done so well with horses in the region, notably Winx. He is a lovely physical type and has improved as he has gone up in distance, the dream is to get to the Melbourne Cup.”

Fortuna’s John Galvin said the purchase of Leaderboard fulfilled a long-term aim.

“It has always been an ambition of mine to buy a horse of this type from the Northern Hemisphere and bring him back to New Zealand to be aimed at our major staying events here.

“Our clients love to be involved in racing stayers and this horse fits the bill perfectly.”

Go Racing’s Albert Bosman has sourced Australian winners Alward (IRE) (Aqlaam {GB}) and Raqeeq (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) from this Sale and he was in the buying mix again.

Bosma purchased the lightly-tried Obelos (GB) (New Approach {IRE}), a Longchamp 1600 metre winner from four appearances, for 32,000 guineas.