By Emma Berry
The Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Breeze-up Sale may be the new kid on the block of European 2-year-old auctions but it has swiftly become embedded as the seasonal opener and a strong turnout on Wednesday set the tone for a lively few weeks ahead.
Blue skies and sunshine played their part in the day's feelgood factor and while last year's record-breaking price of £180,000 couldn't be matched, turnover rose to a new high of £2,041,600 (from £1,914,500). This was aided by seven more horses being sold this year––67 from 84 offered––and an improved clearance rate which was up by 11 points at 80%. The average dropped by 6% to £30,472 and the median also took a slight dip, falling by 5% to £21,000.
The Irish National Stud will be delighted to be able to boast a breeze-up sale topper so early in the career of its young stallion Worthadd (Ire) and as the treble Group 2-winning son of Dubawi (Ire) is about to be represented by a select first batch of runners he is already making headlines courtesy of the Mocklershill-consigned colt which led proceedings at £130,000.
In the short history of this particular auction, its best performer remains a graduate of the first ever sale in 2014, The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who won the G1 Darley Prix Morny for John Quinn and Al Shaqab Racing. The same trainer and owner will team up in this year's top lot (15), with Ross Doyle having done the bidding on behalf of regular client Al Shaqab.
He said, “He's a big, strong horse with plenty of scope. He's perhaps not the usual breeze-up type but you always have confidence buying from Mocklershill as they do such a good job. We bought Ventura Storm from them a few years ago and he went on to win a Group 1.”
The son of dual winner Malayan Mist (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) is from the further family of three-time GI Canadian International winner Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and was bought by Willie Browne at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £35,000.
The vendor of The Wow Signal, Eddie O'Leary, also played a major part in Wednesday's sale, consigning through his Lynn Lodge Stud the only other six-figure juvenile of the day (lot 91). While Worthadd is a new name to the stallion stables, the sire of this colt is gone but certainly not forgotten. The sole offering by the talented and versatile Street Cry (Ire) eventually brought the hammer down at £100,000 was the selection of Alex Elliott, who was buying in partnership with young Newmarket trainer George Scott.
“He came highly recommended from one of the best vendors on the scene,” said Elliott. “There was quite a buzz about him when I went over to Ireland recently. A few years ago when I went to Ireland, Eddie told me about The Wow Signal and I ignored him. I didn't want to make that mistake again. I love seeing Street Cry in a pedigree and this colt is from one of the great Juddmonte families.”
Scott, who will train the half brother to the stakes-placed Force It (More Than Ready) for Sarah Spencer, added, “When you're buying a horse at the breeze-ups, naturally you have Royal Ascot on your mind. This colt has been very well prepped and I'd like to think he'll be on the racecourse in the next month or so.”
A trio of colts was knocked down with a £75,000 price tag, the first being lot 5, Kanizzi (Fr) (Panis), who is eligible for French premiums and was sold by Con Marnane's Bansha House Stables to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock on behalf of the Cool Silk Partnership. The half-brother to multiple winner Kadrizzi (Fr) (Hurricane Cat) was one of three purchases for the Cool Silk team of Peter Swann and Barbara Wilkinson, who struck breeze-up gold last season when Goffs UK graduate Prince Of Lir (Ire) (Kodiac {Ire}) won the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot.
Anthony Stroud returned to the tried and trusted formula of Kodiac colts at the breeze-up when signing for lot 57, a son of Akuna Magic (Ire), a Whipper half-sister to G3 Firth Of Clyde S. winner Aspen Darlin (Ire) (Indian Haven {GB}).
“He went very well in the breeze and he'll be trained by Simon Crisford, who has had success at this sale in the past with [Group 3 winner] First Selection (Spa),” said the agent.
Towards the end of the sale Alastair Donald went to £75,000 for Gaybrook Lodge Stud's son of Zoffany (Ire) (lot 89) from Juddmonte's top-class Bahamian (GB) family.
“He's for a new owner with Andrew Balding and I was very pleased to get him. He did a lovely breeze and was very good physically, plus he has a lovely pedigree––everything you need,” Donald commented.
A half-brother to Listed Prix Francois Mathet runner-up Customary (GB) (Anabaa), the colt's dam––Bahamian's grand-daughter Flamenco Red (GB) (Warning)––was a dual winner herself and has already produced five winners from her six runners.
The breeze-up action continues next week in Doncaster, where the Goffs UK sale is set to take place on April 11 and 12.
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