Darley Buys and Sells

There was an Aga Khan link to the second-top lot of the day, the listed-winning Galileo (Ire) mare Dalkova (GB) (lot 1151), who was consigned by Johnny Murtagh’s Fox Covert Stables on behalf of owner Andrew Tinkler and understandably proved to be a major draw. 

Jimmy Hyland, Director of Darley’s Kildangan Stud, outbid Australian-based New Zealander Gary Mudgway at €370,000 to secure the prized mare, whose dam Dalasyla (Ire) is a Marju (Ire) half-sister to G1 Coronation Cup and G1 Hong Kong Vase winner Daliapour (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), while grandam Dalara (Ire) is a half-sister to Darshaan (GB). 

“It’s a lovely page and she’s a lovely individual,” said Hyland of the 5-year-old three-time winner. “She’ll be a really nice addition to the Darley broodmare band–we’re slightly undecided which stallion she’ll go to at the moment.” 

Mudgway made his trip from Victoria worthwhile, however, when relieving Darley of a current member of its broodmare band. Lot 1144, Forum Floozie (NZ) (Danasinga {Aus}), is from a family well known in his part of the world but will remain in Europe to deliver the first-crop Dawn Approach (Ire) foal she is carrying after being sold for €60,000. A listed winner and Group 1-placed herself, the 16-year-old is a half-sister to New Zealand champion 3-year-old and subsequent European champion miler Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star). The five-time Group 1 winner raced in the colours of Paul Makin, whose Paulyn Dispersal drew a huge crowd to Goffs on this day last year. 

Another top-10 mare to be carrying to Darley’s young stallion Dawn Approach was lot 1148, the Royal Ascot winner Nijoom Dubai (GB) (Noverre), who was sold to Clifton Stud for €130,000. Out of the Rainbow Quest (GB) mare Aileen’s Gift (GB), Nijoom Dubai and her half-sister Samitar (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) both won the G3 Albany S. at two for Mick Channon, with Samitar going on to win the Irish 1000 Guineas followed by the G1 Garden City S. after her sale to Martin Schwartz and relocation to the U.S.