Granite’ Tops Session 1 of Tattersalls Autumn Sale

by Emma Berry 
Qatar, Australia, Dubai and Saudi Arabia are the destinations for the leading lights on the opening day of the Horses-in-Training Sale at Tattersalls, which drew its now customary international buying bench. 

Conducted under clear-blue autumn skies in unseasonably warm conditions, the first session amassed a turnover of 5,451,000gns–down 1% on the same day last year, but for 27 fewer horses sold. The median improved by 40% to 14,000gns, with the average also up, by 11%, to 23,700gns. A decent clearance rate has become a hallmark of European bloodstock sales of almost every description this year and this time 85% of the 270 lots offered found a buyer–a rise of two points. 

Shalfleet Stables Presents Top Lots During Session 1… 
Towards the end of the session, the draft from Jeremy Noseda’s Shalfleet Stables drew plenty of attention. Dance Of Heroes (GB) (lot 374), a Danehill Dancer (Ire) colt out of a sister to High Chaparral (Ire), held top honors for a matter of minutes when knocked down to Alastair Donald at 150,000gns, but his price was beaten three lots later by Dark Angel (Ire) 2-year-old Black Granite (Ire) (lot 377), who was bought to race on in Qatar by the country’s champion trainer Gassim Al Ghazali at 155,000gns. The winner of his last three starts, the gelding was sold with a rating of 91. 

“He’s been bought to race in the Emir’s Sword in Qatar in February,” said the trainer, who bought 11 lots on the opening day. “I trained the first four home in the race this year and I think this is the ideal type of horse. He has form up to a mile and Dark Angel is very popular in Qatar.” 

Alastair Donald confirmed that his purchase, the Newsells Park Stud-bred Dance Of Heroes, a winner over 10 furlongs back in March, is set to travel to Australia to continue his career. 

He said, “The trainer hasn’t been decided on yet but this is a gorgeous looking horse who, despite his pedigree, would probably benefit from being gelded. He pulls very hard in his races, but I think he’s talented.” 

Saudi Arabia Destination for ‘Runaway’… 
Red Runaway (GB) (Medicean {GB}) (lot 168), a six-time winner for Ed Dunlop, joins the exodus from Newmarket and is bound for Saudi Arabia after being bought for 100,000gns for a client of BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe. 

The agent said, “He is a consistent sort, Ed Dunlop recommended him and he is by Medicean, whose offspring go well on the surface in Saudi.” 

Another ‘Angel’ for Qatar… 
The popularity of Dark Angel in Qatar was further illustrated by Adbullatif Saad A Al-Muslamani’s purchase of lot 216, the 2-year-old filly Bronze Maquette (Ire), at 120,000gns. Trained by Gary Moore, she has notched three victories this season, including the listed St Hugh’s S. at Newbury in August. 

Al-Muslamani, who bought the filly on behalf of his uncle, said, “We were looking for a colt or filly rated over 100 to go back to Qatar, and she is a good filly. She has only run over five and six furlongs so far, but I think on her pedigree she will get seven furlongs.” 

Dubai Carnival Beckons for Stroud Purchases… 
Anthony Stroud’s purchases at the horses-in-training sale usually end up racing at the Dubai Carnival and among those on the list on the first day was the tough sprinter Kickboxer (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) (lot 391), who was bought from Mick Channon’s stable for 120,000gns. The 3-year-old grey gelding has managed five wins to date plus a third-place finish in the G3 Cornwallis S. 

Stroud also went to 85,000gns for this season’s Wokingham S. winner Baccarat (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}) sold from Richard Fahey’s stable (lot 236). 

Hillen Acknowledges ‘Craftsmanship’… 
Another two lots to reach the six-figure mark will be remaining a little closer to home. Lot 291, a lightly-raced Mastercraftsman (Ire) colt by the name of Resiliency (Ire) was selected from David Wachman’s stable by Stephen Hillen, who bid 100,000gns for the 3-year-old. 

“His form is really solid,” said Hillen of the 10-furlong winner. “Timiyan beat him on his last start and won by five lengths the next time despite going up 16lb. He’s been bought for a new client and looks a real Chester Cup type. I’ve bought the winner of the race for the last two years–let’s hope this is the third.” 

Varian Acquires ‘Business’… 
A horse that will be transferring Newmarket yards is 3-year-old Mindurownbusiness (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) (lot 322), who is making the reverse cross-town trip from David Simcock to Roger Varian. Bought for 85,000gns, the Laundry Cottage Stud graduate has chalked up a trio of wins this term at Lingfield, Yarmouth and Epsom for a rating of 90. 

Performance Counts… 
Examiner (Ire) (lot 333), a three-time winner by Excellent Art (GB) will make the short trip across Newmarket from William Haggas’s Bury-side yard to the racecourse-side stable of Stuart Williams. The 3-year-old miler is currently rated 90 and was bought by Thomas Morley to race for a partnership of three. 

“The yearling market was so strong and as 80% of the horse population is below a rating of 80, you could easily spend 100,000gns on a yearling and not have any fun,” said Williams. “We know where we are with this one. We’ve watched him run and we hope he’ll be a ‘Saturday horse’ who can run in some valuable heritage handicaps.” 

Soviet Courage Bound for Oz… 
Chris Waller will be the eventual trainer of lot 337, 3-year-old Soviet Courage (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}) after he was bought for 100,000gns by Guy Mulcaster. 

“He’s going to Australia, but won’t be back in work until at least January once he’s cleared quarantine and settled in,” said the New Zealander of the 13-length winner of a 10-furlong Goodwood maiden in September who hails from the family of leading Melbourne Cup fancy Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). 

Australia Destination for BBA Ireland’s Purchases… 
Johnny McKeever of BBA Ireland was back in action for last season’s Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse, signing for a colt and a gelding from William Haggas’s Somerville Lodge at 85,000gns each. The purchase of Teofilo (Ire) gelding Queensberry Rules (Ire) (lot 332), a multiple winner from the family of Selkirk, was swiftly followed by lot 338, Zee Zeely (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), a grandson of G1 Prix de l’Opera winner Zee Zee Top (GB), who won over 10 furlongs at Newmarket in the spring. 

The sale continues today at 9:30 a.m. local time.