By Lizzy Sainty
A bustling international crowd gathered on a crisp autumnal morning for the first day of the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale, which saw the record for the top price tumble when the Group 2-winning daughter of Galileo (Ire), Elizabeth Browning (Ire) (lot 247) entered the ring. The bidding climbed rapidly, with Alex Elliot having the final say over underbidder Hubie de Burgh at 700,000gns. This beautifully bred filly is a full-sister to Group 1 winner Johannes Vermeer (Ire), and she was sold by Ballydoyle Racing on behalf of China Horse Club International and Mrs. John Magnier.
Elizabeth Browning is bound for the paddocks, as Alex Elliot explained, “She's been bought for a client of mine. These types of fillies are so hard to find, and I think if she had been here in December she would have brought more, as there is a stronger market at that sale for a horse like her. She's a full-sister to a Group 1-winning 2-year-old, and a group winner and a winner at two herself, so she has everything. The mating plan has yet to be decided.”
There were 301 lots offered on this first day of selling, 31 more than during the equivalent session last year, resulting in 250 horses finding new homes. The aggregate saw a rise to 6,600,900gns, however there was a slight drop in the clearance rate to 83% from last year's 91%. The average and median both rose, the average by 1.5% to 26,404gns, and the median to 14,000gns, a 3.7% increase.
Kirk Snaps Up Jumping Prospects…
Jumping prospects are always in high demand at this sale, and Fast Buck (Fr) (lot 143), a 3-year-old gelding by popular French stallion Kendargent (Fr), from The Castlebridge Consignment caught the eye of the National Hunt crowd. He was eventually knocked down for 150,000gns to Harold Kirk for Willie Mullins, having seen off Eddie O'Leary and Tom Malone.
“He's got size and scope,” enthused Kirk. “He reminds me a lot of Djakadam.”
This rangy colt, who was trained by Eoghan O'Neill in France, was coming off an easy win in a handicap at Lyon-la-Soie over a mile and a half since the catalogue was printed, the second win of his career, and has been a very consistent performer having only ever finished out of the money once from his 11 lifetime starts.
Harold Kirk struck again shortly after for Lot 158, Mister Blue Sky (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), paying 130,000gns. This 3-year-old gelding is a winner of four races from six furlongs to 1 1/4m, out of a winning Linamix (Fr) mare. Mister Blue Sky was consigned by his trainer, Sylvester Kirk, who had bought him as a yearling for €28,000 out of the 2015 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.
“He's been bought as a high-class dual purpose prospect,” Harold Kirk said. “He might have a break now.”
Haggas Offerings Prove Popular on Monday…
Alastair Donald went to 100,000gns to secure Zwayyan (GB) (lot 305), a 4-year-old son of Pivotal (GB) out of G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Mail The Desert (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}). Originally purchased for 380,000gns out of the Tattersalls October Sale and now trained by William Haggas, this gelding is effective from a mile to 1 1/4 miles, and currently holds an official rating of 96 having progressed steadily through the year.
Donald said of the Somerville Lodge consignee, “He's been bought as a fun Saturday horse to stay in England. He's an improving type and there should be some nice races to be won with him. We will probably give him a break, no decision has been made as yet on the trainer.”
The Qatari trainer Gassim Mohammad Ghazali appears regularly on the buyers list at this sale, and he signed for fellow Haggas offering Musical Times (GB) (Shamardal) (lot 309). This 3-year-old gelding was trained by Haggas for Her Majesty the Queen, and carries an official rating of 80, with both his wins coming on the all-weather track at Chelmsford.
Will Douglas who was standing alongside Ghazali said, “He runs over a mile and he should handle the ground and the track in Qatar. Shamardal has been successful over there.”
The Statesman Goes to Donohoe…
The first of five wildcards through the ring on Monday was Lot 317A, The Statesman (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) from the Dominion Racing Stables consignment, who made the second-highest price of the day when knocked down for 310,000gns to Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland for Zhang Yuesheng's Yulong Investments. Yuesheng is the owner of Yulong Racecourse in China, and has been actively investing in the racing industry in recent years, particularly making a big impact in Ireland. Out of a half-sister to Listed Montrose S. heroine Classic Legend (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), this imposing 3-year-old gelding has proved his versatility, having won his last three starts; two on the flat over 1m2f at Sandown and Newmarket within three days, and his most recent victory coming over hurdles when he breezed home by 16 lengths at Ludlow. No decision has been made regarding The Statesman's immediate future.
Donohoe explained, “He has been bought for Yulong Investments as a Cup-type horse. He stays well and he has plenty of speed. He's a gorgeous looking horse, with size and scope and looks very sound.”
Hugin Headed for Hong Kong…
A son of Henrythenavigator, Hugin (Ire) (lot 322) will continue his career in Hong Kong for trainer Michael Chang, having been sold for 130,000gns to Kam Sum Ho. Previously trained by David Simcock, whose Trillium Place Stables offered the gelding Monday, the son of SP Silver Star (GB) (Zafonic), herself a full-sister to European champion juvenile Xaar (GB), has never been out of the first four from his seven starts to date.
“He's been bought to go to Hong Kong, and he will head out there straight away,” said Sum Ho. “He's done it all on his race record, he looks progressive and vetted clean. He is a robust sort, which you need in Hong Kong.”
Shalfleet Stables Offerings Prove Dear…
The horses from Jeremy Noseda's Shalfleet Stables provided some evening sparkle when the 3-year-old colt, dual winner Me Too Nagasaki (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) (lot 352) sold for 125,000gns to owner Tom Morley. He will join the yard of Stuart Williams, along with Morley's earlier three purchases, which included the Shadwell Stud-consigned Lot 187, Alaadel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won last Friday at Newbury, for 90,000gns.
“I think he's been fairly progressive, and the form of his Pontefract race is good,” Morley said regarding Me Too Nagasaki, who is out of a half-sister to U.S. SW & MGSP Golden Balls (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). “Hopefully there is more to come. He will race for me, or my mother. Alaadel won really nicely last week, and he's lightly raced for a 4-year-old. He comes from a family that improves with age.”
Next into the ring, also from Noseda's stable, was the 102-rated Winning Ways (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) (lot 353), who made 250,000gns. He is out of the Danehill mare Sahara Sky (Ire), the dam of G1 Phoenix S. victor Dick Whittington (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who sold at this sale last year for 150,000gns.
Dermot Farrington signed the ticket, and commented “He's been bought in conjunction with Chris McNulty and will go to Hong Kong. He was owned by Mr. Makin, so I know all about him. He ended up on the wrong side when he ran at Ascot. He's a very nice horse. Chris had identified him a long time ago.”
Cheveley Park's Ornate Will Remain in England…
Bought to stay in training in England, Ornate (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) (lot 368) was knocked down to northern trainer David Griffiths for 110,000gns. Sold by his former trainer, Robert Cowell, this 4-year-old sprinter has been a consistent performer for his breeders, Cheveley Park Stud, winning two races this summer, and only going down by a length on his latest start two weeks previously off an official rating of 105. He is out of the winning Kyllachy (GB) mare Adorn (GB), who also produced the G2 Richmond S. victor Saayerr (GB) (Acclamation {GB}).
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