Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls
At A Glance
A Dubawi colt offered by Airlie Stud sold to Anthony Stroud, who signed the docket for Godolphin, for 700,000 gns (AU$1.34 million).
Stroud also secured another son of Dubawi for 600,000 gns (AU$1.15 million) from Fittocks Stud.
A total of 64 foals have sold for six-figure sums so far this week, most of those being offered on Friday, when the clearance rate rose to 87 per cent.
That came from the Sale of 189 weanlings for an aggregate of 16,341,000 gns (AU$31.4 million), down four per cent.
The average and median declined slightly, but not to an overly concerning degree, settling at 86,460 gns (AU$166,132), down 14 per cent and the median dropped 12 per cent to 57,000 gns (AU$109,525).
Richly-bred colt
First up (Lot 939) at Tattersalls was the Dubawi half-brother to the Irish champion 2-year-old filly Skitter Scatter (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}), brought to the Sale from Ireland by his breeder Airlie Stud to head proceedings at 700,000 gns (AU$1.34 million).
His price, 100,000 gns (AU$192,150) ahead of the top lot at last year’s Sale, made him the second-most expensive colt foal to be sold at Tattersalls after the 2.5 million gns (AU$4.8 million) paid for Padua’s Pride (Ire), the brother to Derby winner Generous (Ire), in 1997.
“In all these decisions we are always trying to aim for quality,” said Anthony Stroud, who signed for the foal in the name of Godolphin. “He comes from a wonderful nursery in Airlie and obviously we absolutely love Dubawi. The colt was a very good-looking and athletic individual and both David (Loder) and I really liked him.”
Just a handful of lots later (Lot 944), Stroud was back in action in the freezing fog outside the ring, this time going to 600,000 gns (AU$1.15 million) for the Dubawi colt out of Baisse (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
This half-brother to Godolphin’s G1 Cantala S. winner Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) didn’t have quite so far to travel as he was born at Luca and Sara Cumani’s Fittocks Stud just outside Newmarket and consigned by them to the Sale on behalf of his breeder Gerhard Schoeningh.
“He has been a star ever since he was born,” said Sara Cumani. “He’s just a complete charmer. He had Grade 1 x-rays and a Grade 1 scope and we are delighted he’s gone to such a good home. We’re also delighted that we are even able to be here at the Sale.”
“He had Grade 1 x-rays and a Grade 1 scope and we are delighted he’s gone to such a good home.” – Sara Cumani
The colt’s dam Baisse, a Listed winner in Germany and a full sister to G3 Dee S. winner Azmeel (GB), is a permanent boarder at Fittocks and is in foal to Frankel (GB). She will visit Sea The Moon (Ger) next season.
The sole Dubawi filly in the Sale (Lot 954), a daughter of Listed winner and G2 Oaks d’Italia runner-up Joyful Hope (GB) (Shamardal {USA}), was bought by Andreas Putsch’s Haras de Saint Pair for 310,000 gns (AU$595,665). Her dam is a sister to Italian champion 3-year-old Crackerjack King (Ire) and a half to his fellow Group 1 winners Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}).
Lot 954 - Dubawi (Ire) x Joyful Hope (GB) (filly) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
These may be troubling times but it was easy to forget the woes of the outside world on a bumper day of trade at Tattersalls. Certainly, racing has issues to face post-pandemic but pinhookers appeared not to be deterred by the events of 2020 with some bold plays in the ring throughout a busy session.
A total of 64 foals have sold for six-figure sums so far this week, most of those being offered on Friday, when the clearance rate rose to 87 per cent.
That came from the sale of 189 weanlings for an aggregate of 16,341,000 gns (AU$31.4 million), down four per cent. The average and median declined slightly, but not to an overly concerning degree, settling at 86,460 gns (AU$166,132), down 14 per cent and the median dropped 12 per cent to 57,000 gns (AU$109,525).
Alkumait’s brother to Juddmonte
While Sheikh Mohammed recruited a pair of colts by his star stallion, Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms did the same with a brace of Frankel colts.
Whitsbury Manor Stud’s half-brother to this season’s G2 Mill Reef S. winner Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was the more expensive of the duo at 550,000 gns (AU$1.05 million) with Simon Mockridge outbidding David Redvers for the son of Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}).
“He is an incredibly well-balanced and strong foal,” Mockridge said. “The mare has already produced two very good horses and she suited Frankel. This is the kind of animal that we are looking for. We struggled to buy yearlings, they were making a lot of money. We have got two by Frankel today so we are very happy."
Ed Harper said: “I’m so pleased Juddmonte have bought the colt. It is going to be so satisfying to see him in the pink and green. I am delighted and I really appreciate the fact they have bought him. I have to thank my staff, too.”
“I’m so pleased Juddmonte have bought the colt. It is going to be so satisfying to see him in the pink and green.” – Ed Harper
Suelita wasn’t covered this year as her foal was born on May 10, but the Harpers are considering a return to their home stallion Showcasing.
Juddmonte also bought Lot 882, the Frankel colt out of Group 3 winner Divine (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), for 260,000 gns (AU$499,590) from Voute Sales.
Lot 882 - Frankel (GB) x Divine (Ire) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Lope De Vega in demand
The demand for the stock of Lope De Vega (Ire) showed no sign of abating at the foal Sale, with six sold throughout the week so far for an average of 210,000 gns (AU$403,500).
The full brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner and young Irish National Stud stallion Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) was another to make the shortlist of Oneliner Stables and, at 300,000 gns (AU$576,450), is one of three foals bought by the Lowry family’s operation so far this week. Lot 854 was offered for sale by Newtown Stud on behalf of breeder Arild Faeste and his daughter Nina of Tourgar Bloodstock.
“He is very similar (to Phoenix Of Spain) in temperament and walk,” said Newtown’s Cathy Grassick. “They are unflappable, very athletic and that was what appealed about Phoenix. When he came to the Sale he stepped up a gear and handled it really well, and so did this horse. I hope he is very lucky for the buyer, he is a lovely horse.”
Two of 11 purchases this week by Yeomanstown Stud were by Lope De Vega, including the half-brother to dual Listed winner Khalid (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) at 260,000 gns (AU$499,600). The May-born colt (Lot 878) was consigned by Church View Stables for breeder Spencer Chapman of Aston House Stud.
Lot 878 - Lope De Vega (Ire) x Bezique (GB) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Floors Stud dispersal continues
Lope De Vega also provided the highlight for the foal section of the part-dispersal of the stock of the Duke of Roxburghe’s Floors Stud when the colt out of Hibiscus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Lot 906) sold for 220,000 gns (AU$422,730), again to the team from Yeomanstown.
His 7-year-old dam, who was a winner and Listed-placed at three, is a sister to Godolphin’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Line Of Duty (Ire) and a half to Onassis (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who provided an update when winning the Listed October S. at Goodwood.
Seven foals were sold for the Duke’s family by Kiltinan Castle Stud for a total of 600,000 gns (AU$1.15 million), including an Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly (Lot 905) from the family of Group 1 winners Magna Grecia (Ire) and St Mark’s Basilica (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). The daughter of Prance (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was bought by Blandford Bloodstock for 155,000 gns (AU$298,000).
Warrior leads charge
Saxon Warrior (Jpn) is heading the freshman sires at the Sale with nine sold for an average of 96,889 gns (AU$186,170).
They were led by his Norris Bloodstock-consigned daughter of Archangel Gabriel (USA) (Arch {USA}), an unraced full sister to Grade I winner Prince Arch (USA). Offered as Lot 835 on behalf of her breeders Hunscote Stud and Chris Humber, the filly had many admirers, including underbidders Gerard Lowry and Philippa Mains, but it was pinhooker Philipp Stauffenberg who placed the final bid of 280,000 gns (AU$538,000) from outside the ring.
Lot 835 - Saxon Warrior (Jpn) x Archangel Gabriel (USA) (filly) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“I’m happy and sad really as she was by far the best foal we’ve ever had through our hands,” said Hunscote Stud manager Andy Lloyd. “Chris is marooned in Guernsey and Steven (Smith, Hunscote’s owner) is in France but they’ve both been watching online and will be delighted.
“Norris Bloodstock did a very good job with her and Jenny is such a pleasure to deal with.”
Archangel Gabriel, whose half-siblings include the G1 National S. winner Kingsfort (USA) (War Chant {USA}), has had two foals to race to date, both of whom are winners, and her Kingman (GB) yearling colt was sold for 350,000 gns (AU$672,500) during October Book 1 to Kevin Ryan.
Top sale for Ringfort
Derek and Gay Veitch of Ringfort Stud brought 14 foals to Newmarket and sold 13, finishing on a starry sextet for Friday which included the Belardo (Ire) half-brother to G2 Gimcrack S. winner Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).
Concluding the draft as Lot 919, the son of Pardoven (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) elicited plenty of interest and brought a final bid of 280,000 gns (AU$538,000) from agent Alex Elliott.
“We had three nice foals there and they all sold really well,” said Derek Veitch of his final batch through the ring, including a Cracksman (GB) filly (Lot 917) bought for 92,000 gns (AU$176,780) by Brendan Holland. “Everybody seems resilient in our industry.
“It’s a very workmanlike sale for certain sires and certain pedigrees but if you have a nice horse it’s very strong. A lot of people have turned up and it’s a different world here really.”
