New Approach Colt Tops Tatts Yearlings

The 10-day Tattersalls' December Sale commenced Monday with the final chance to buy a yearling in Europe at the single-session December Yearling Sale. To be precise, there were 178 chances, and 142 of those sold brought 4,091,400gns in turnover–a tally that will be significantly augmented over the next few days as some of Europe's best foals take to the ring.

The figure was down by 11% on last year's auction, at which 19 more yearlings were sold, but the clearance rate improved by one point at 80%, as did the average of 28,813gns, while the median posted the biggest rise, up 11% at 20,000gns.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is the new owner of the day's two most expensive yearlings after going to 200,000gns for lot 175, a New Approach (Ire) half-brother to Group 2 winners Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). The colt, offered by Highclere Stud, was a 360,000gns vendor buyback at October Book 1.

Trainer Mark Johnston signed the ticket for the chestnut son of Night Frolic (GB) (Night Shift), and will oversee his racing career from his Kingsley House Stables in Middleham.

The highest-priced filly, lot 137, will also run in the blue and white of Shadwell and this time it was trainer Simon Crisford who did the bidding on the Sheikh's behalf, eventually seeing the hammer fall in his favor at 170,000gns.

The Sea The Stars (Ire) filly is a grand-daughter of former Shadwell star Mehthaaf (Nureyev) and was a 75,000gns pinhook by Barouche Stud.

“It's a family Sheikh Hamdan knows well. She's a lovely filly with a great pedigree so let's hope she's lucky for him,” said Crisford.

The third of Shadwell's purchases of the day was another in the top ten, lot 122, a Shamardal half-brother to freshman sire Harbour Watch (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who sold through Riversfield Stud for 100,000gns. Roger Varian was the successful bidder and will train the great grandson of Fall Aspen for Sheikh Hamdan.

A rare offering at Park Paddocks from Haras du Mezeray filled the joint-third spot on the leaderboard, with Charlie Gordon-Watson going to 115,000gns for the Normandy farm's son of Shamardal out of the listed winner Astrologie (Fr) (Polish Precedent) (lot 182). The colt's sibling Barreesh (Ire), by Shamardal's sire Giant's Causeway, was a dual winner in the UK this season for Al Shaqab Racing.

The same price was reached for Staffordstown's Archipenko half-brother to G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Alea Iacta (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 179), the duo being great grandchildren of Kirsten Rausing's dual G1 Champion S. winner Alborada (GB) (Alzao).

The second of only two fillies by Sea The Stars in the catalogue (lot 183) also achieved a six-figure return, selling for 105,000gns to Nick Bradley and Jason Kelly. Out of the Aga Khan's listed winner Behkiyra (Ire) (Entrepreneur {GB}), herself a daughter of champion filly Behera (GB) (Mill Reef), the Castlefarm Stud consignee will be trained by David O'Meara. The duo also went to 90,000gns for lot 168, a first-crop son of Nathaniel (GB)–a half-brother to G3 Somerville Tattersall S. winner Crius (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire})–offered by Baroda & Colbinstown Studs.

Chantal Regalado Gonzalez is selling one of next week's most enticing broodmare and racing prospects in this year's Investec Oaks winner Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who will be offered as lot 1987 through the Castlebridge Consignment a week Tuesday. But the Classic-winning owner was in buying mood on Monday and, in partnership with Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Jo Hughes, went to 80,000gns for a son of Lope De Vega (Ire) (lot 139). The chestnut colt is out of the Indian Ridge (GB) mare Indian Express (GB) and is a half-brother to GII Mrs Revere S. winner Hoh Buzzard (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}) and G3 Bentinck S. winner Ashdown Express (Ire) (Ashkalani {Ire}).

The first of five days of foal sales begins today at 2 p.m. with 112 weanlings catalogued to go under the hammer during the abridged session.

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