Regular TDN AusNZ contributor John Berry is writing a headline or two of his own at the Tattersalls December Mares’ Sale.
On the opening day, the Newmarket trainer went to 220,000 guineas to secure Tobacco Bay (IRE) (Dark Angel {IRE}) from the draft of Voute Sales Ltd and on Tuesday he purchased Patsy Boyne (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) from the same consignor for 300,000 guineas.
“I think both will be very suitable for Australia, but in different ways,” Berry said.
John Berry
“Tobacco Bay probably has the classic profile, she was a decent racehorse rated 88 and ran in a Group race but wasn’t quite good enough,” Berry said.
“She’s from a fast, tough family and is by Dark Angel, who I think has the makings of a terrific broodmare sire and there won’t be that many Dark Angels down there.” – John Berry.
“She’s from a fast, tough family and is by Dark Angel, who I think has the makings of a terrific broodmare sire and there won’t be that many Dark Angels down there.
Tobacco Bay holds an early covering to Coolmore stallion, Churchill
“She’s got a nice, early covering to Churchill and the foal will stay here and the mare can get to Australia in good time.
“She’s a strong, good-looking mare absolutely classic for what you might call the classic Australian blueprint.”
Covered by Churchill
Tobacco Bay, who is in foal to Churchill (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}), was a winner as a 3-year-old and is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Glamorous Spirit (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {IRE) and Just Glamorous (IRE) (Arcano {IRE}).
Patsy Boyne, who has been covered by Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {IRE}), is a three-quarter sister to the multiple Group 1 winner High Chaparral (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).
“The second mare is different in that she’s from a mile and a-half family and got a middle distance look to me and she’s as close to being a full-sister to High Chaparral as you could get.
“He is revered in the Southern Hemisphere for all he’s done as a stallion.” – John Berry.
“He is revered in the Southern Hemisphere for all he’s done as a stallion. Even if he’d just sired So You Think he would still have a reputation, but he’s sired so many Group 1 winners,” Berry said.
Patsy Boyne in the ring at Tattersalls
“He was a Group 1 winner at a mile and his brother (Black Bear Island) won the Dante so it’s not like it’s a mile and a-half family going on two miles, it’s more a mile and a-half going on one mile.
“I just thought she would be such an asset to any farm in Australia, as long as I liked her physical, and when I saw her she’s a beautiful mare – big, strong and really athletic.”
“They’re for an owner who’s building up a broodmare band in Australia.” - John Berry.
“They’re for an owner who’s building up a broodmare band in Australia. He’s called Eric Chen and as far as I know he keeps his mares at Kitchwin Hills. He bought a couple of nice mares earlier this year, which are already there.
Patsy Boyne has been covered by Kingman
“He’s in the early stages of his broodmare operation and both of these are nice, young mares and hopefully just what he needs.
“They were both fairly early covering dates so the foals will have the best part of five months with their Mums before they’re weaned and the mares can be in Australia for the start of the next breeding season.”
Galileo blood targeted
Acting on behalf of the Australian-based GSA Bloodstock, New Zealand agent Dean Hawthorne notched a quick-fire double on Tuesday when signing for consecutive lots Puppetshow (IRE) (Galileo {IRE)) and Wonderland (IRE) (Lope De Vega {IRE}) for 380,000 guineas and 130,000 guineas respectively.
Puppetshow is a winning half-sister to the Listed winner and G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Coach House (IRE) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
“We were particularly looking for Galileo blood,” Hawthorne said. “We bought a Galileo mare here last year and she’s had a lovely foal.
“The stallion is flying worldwide, including in Australia, and he works very well with the likes of Fastnet Rock and other Danehill-line stallions.” – Dean Hawthorne.
“The stallion is flying worldwide, including in Australia, and he works very well with the likes of Fastnet Rock and other Danehill-line stallions.”
Galileo
The 4-year-old mare has a positive to Caravaggio (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) on an early cover, making it feasible for the mare to foal in England and be exported after weaning in time for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
The same is also true of Hawthorne’s second signing, the unraced 3-year-old Wonderland, who is in foal to Kodiac (GB) and was covered the same day as Puppetshow on February 21.
“Lope De Vega has had some really good sprinters in Australia, but they are hard to find there.” -Dean Hawthorne.
“Lope De Vega has had some really good sprinters in Australia, but they are hard to find there,” Hawthorne said. “She’s a big, strong mare who should work well with Australian stallions.”
Wonderland’s Group 2-winning half-sister Manieree (IRE) (Medicean {GB}) is the dam of stakes winner Drumfad Bay (IRE) (Acclamation {GB}).
Puppetshow has been covered by Caravaggio
Cambridge Stud added to their three purchases on the first day by acquiring Great Court (IRE) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}) from the Tweenhills Stud draft for 220,000 guineas. Covered by No Nay Never (USA), she is from the family of the Group 1 winner and champion sire Western Winter (USA).
Australian assault
In other business of Australian interest, the Belmont Bloodstock Agency secured Rebel Assault (IRE) (Excelebration {IRE}) from Kingsley Park for 120,000 guineas for Woodside Park. She is the winner of the Listed Rockingham S. and the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Oratorio (IRE).
Rebel Assault has been purchased for Woodside Park
Widden Stud signed for Queen In Waiting (IRE) (Exceed And Excel), who was purchased for 70,000 guineas from Jamie Railton while Swettenham Stud bought Love So Deep (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}) for 50,000 guineas.
She is from the Group 1 winning family of Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) (Danehill {USA}) and Ruler Of The World (IRE) (Galileo {USA}).
