High Demand Drives Robust Book 1

NEWMARKET, UK-Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale drew to a close in Newmarket on Thursday with a record aggregate and a much-improved year-on-year clearance rate, and an average and median that were largely on par with 2017 figures.

At the close of three days' trade, 392 yearlings were traded from 456 offered for 106,503,000gns, up 4% from last year when 349 were sold for 102,290,000gns. The clearance rate was up to 86% from 79%-the highest at this sale in more than a decade. The median climbed slightly (2%) to 167,500gns, while the average dipped 7% to 271,691gns.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “It is an extraordinary statistic that for seven consecutive years, Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has produced record turnover climbing from just over 50-million gns in 2011 to this year's new record of more than 105-million gns. We genuinely believed that last year's phenomenal October Book 1 would not be matched for a very long time, but yet again Europe's top Thoroughbred breeders have sent us the most outstanding collection of yearlings and buyers from throughout the world have responded accordingly. Quality is the key and Book 1 of the 2018 October Yearling Sale is the finest showcase for the best yearlings by the truly exceptional roster of stallions currently standing in Europe.”

Maktoum Family Support…

Unlike at recent sales when Sheikh Mohammed's buying team has purchased yearlings in the name of Godolphin, the 36 new recruits from Book 1-including the 1.2-million gns joint top lots on Thursday–were all signed for by the sheikh's long-time ally Anthony Stroud in the name of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock.

With the sheikh and his son Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed both present, along with a large number of Godolphin associates, including trainers Saeed Bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby, John Gosden and Simon Crisford, it was clear that Godolphin's support for Book 1 was as strong as ever, and the 36 yearlings bought raised a tally of 21,075,000gns-20% of the Book 1 gross.

Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan bought 16 yearlings for 5,885,000gns and the brothers' cousin Sheikh Mohammed Obaid was also active, buying yearlings designated for Kevin Ryan and Henri-Francois Devin through Stephen Hillen, and also through his established trainer Roger Varian.

Collectively, the Maktoum family's contribution to the sale was immense: of the record turnover of 106,503,000gns, it is estimated that just over 30% of that came from the three owner-breeders.

Godolphin's Thursday haul included the top three lots and six of the top 10:

Lot 350, a Sea The Stars (Ire) grandson of Group 1 winner and producer Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig) for 900,000gns.

Lot 421, a Dubawi (Ire) son of multiple group winner J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) for 850,000gns.

Lot 451, a Galileo (Ire) filly out of G2 Sandringham H. winner Laugh Out Loud (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}) for 700,000gns.

425, a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-sister to stakes winner Awesometank (GB) (Intense Focus) for 650,000gns.

Barronstown Bonanza…

David and Diane Nagle may only have brought six horses to Tattersalls but they found their Barronstown Stud in the top five consignors for Book 1, the group raising just shy of 4-million gns at an average price of 662,500gns.

In each of the last two days Barronstown received a bid of 1.2- million gns for a Galileo filly–the first a sister to this year's G1 St Leger and G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris winner Kew Gardens (Ire) (lot 298), while Thursday's offering is a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner and young Coolmore sire Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) (lot 431). The latter's dam, Keenes Royal (GB) (Red Ransom), a daughter of the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Kinnaird (Ire) (Dr Devious {Ire}), foaled another Galileo filly this year and is back in foal to the champion sire.

The breeders also sold a three-parts brother to Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 462) for 850,000gns to Roger Varian. The son of Frankel (GB) will race in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

“He looks like he can motor. Frankel is still a young sire and doing well, and this horse is a close relation to a Group 1 winner,” said Varian, who has the owner's Sheikha Reika (Fr) (Shamardal) entered for Saturday's GI EP Taylor S. at Woodbine.

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's cousin Sheikh Hamdan was also among the buyers from the Barronstown draft, and through Angus Gold bid 350,000gns for a half-brother to Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) from the first crop of Shadwell's Muhaarar (GB). David Nagle bought his dam How's She Cuttin (Ire) (Shinko Forest {Ire}) just less than two years ago for 260,000gns when carrying this colt.

Elle Family Dazzles Again…

Within the first handful of lots in the ring on Thursday morning, Sheikh Mohammed's buying team had struck again, with Anthony Stroud bidding 900,000gns for a Sea The Stars (Ire) grandson of the German champion racecmare and consistent producer Elle Danzig (Ger).

Offered by Normandy-based Haras du Mezeray, which in recent years has consigned a select draft of yearlings for sale outside France, lot 350 is the second foal of the 8-year-old Samum (Ger) mare Elle Same (GB), a winner herself at two and three and placed at listed level. Among a list of her half-siblings, which includes 11 winners and six black-type performers, is the dual Group 3 winner Elle Shadow (Ire) (Shamardal). On this day of the sale last year, a Sea The Stars colt out of Elegant Shadow (Ger) (Shamardal), a daughter of another of the mare's half-sisters Elle Gala (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was sold from Deerpark Farm for 1-million gns to Phoenix Thoroughbreds.

Mezeray's Charles-Henri de Moussac said, “He was certainly one of the best colts from our crop this year and I'm very pleased that he has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed. It's great for the mare that he will be going to a good trainer.”

“We decided to come here as the August Sale [in Deauville] would have been too early for him. He is a strong colt and we wanted to give him some time. He has really blossomed during his preparation.”

Shadwell Stays In The Family…

Angus Gold went to a joint sale-topping 2.6-million gns at this sale in 2016 for a Dubawi (Ire) colt out of Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic) later named Emaraaty (GB), and Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager jumped into action late in the sale's final session on Thursday for that one's close relative, lot 508. That colt is out of Emaraaty's unraced half-sister Monzza (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), and Gold had to go to 900,000 to ensure he would carry Shadwell's blue and white silks.

This colt is the third foal out of Monzza, who is not only a sister to the dual winner Emaraaty, but also G1 Pretty Polly S. and G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Izzi Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and the G1 Prix de la Nonette winner Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The third dam, the G1 Irish Oaks winner Colorspin (Fr), produced the champions Kayf Tara (GB) and Opera House (GB), as well as the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Necklace (GB).

“He's a very well-bred horse by a very good stallion from a fantastic family,” Gold said. “We had this horse Emaraaty that we paid a lot of money for a few years ago. He has plenty of ability–he's slightly declined to show it the last couple times but he's had a nice break and he's just touched down in America. I think he is a good horse; he has tons of talent. I think he's going to go to Chad Brown.”

Chung Strikes For Glorious Journey's Brother…

Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) shared top billing at Book 1 two years ago when sold for 2.6-million gns and while his full-brother (lot 362) didn't quite hit the same heights, his 500,000gns price tag is still significant, and the colt will remain in Newmarket to be trained for Hong Kong-based HK Tang and Daniel Tang Ming Hei.

“He's for a client who is well-established overseas but this is a step up again so we've raised expectations,” said Greg Chung, acting on behalf of the buyer. “The pedigree is there of course and he's a nice individual. The owner is good friends with Frankie Dettori so I think he will have a say in where he is trained. There are some good trainers along the Bury Road.”

Newmarket's Bury Road is where the colt's dam Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was trained by John Gosden for owner-breeder Philippa Cooper. She won the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot and her second foal, Glorious Journey, is now a dual Group 3 winner for Godolphin.

The colt's grandam, listed winner Fallen Star (GB) (Brief Truce), was purchased as a yearling for 140,000gns and raced in the colours of Cooper's husband, Nicholas, who is currently president of the Racehorse Owners Association. Fallen Star has since become a stalwart of Cooper's Normandie Stud operation. Along with Fallen For You, she is the dam of two other black-type performers, Fallen Idol (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Fallen In Love (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), and her 3-year-old son Hareeq (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) won on debut in August.

Glorious Sale For Showcasing…

With seven lots catalogued for Book 1, Whitsbury Manor Stud's Showcasing made a good showing indeed, with six sold for an average of 291,166gns. These yearlings were conceived off a £25,000 fee, which rose to £35,000 the following two seasons and may be under the microscope for another hike following the exploits of the sire's G1 Phoenix S. winner Advertise (GB) this year.

Advertise is raced by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, which took home Showcasing's most expensive yearling at Tattersalls this week, Wednesday's 650,000 colt from WH Bloodstock. Whitsbury Manor's Ed Harper was in a good mood on Thursday after Stroud Coleman Bloodstock signed for Showcasing's lot 394, Coln Valley Stud's half-brother to the G3 Musidora S. winner Give And Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}).

“What I've liked most is that when the nice ones have come into the ring, there have been a lot of people trying to buy them,” Harper said. “It's not just been two people who have fancied them, it's been different bidders from 100,000gns all the way up to 650,000gns. I was delighted to see Coolmore having a go at buying the horse yesterday that sold for 650,000gns from WH Bloodstock. Today's horse that made 600,000gns was a lovely colt, probably more typical of a Showcasing, very close- coupled and powerful. For his average to be just over 290,000gns for this sale is spectacular when you consider they were conceived off a £25,000 nomination.”

Showcasing started off at £5,000 and his fee has risen rapidly since his first 2-year-olds hit the track. So too has, of course, the quality of the mares visiting him.

“His book has taken big steps up with the support of the real top operations now,” Harper said. “Phoenix Thoroughbreds look to be a real big supporter of him now, certainly in the sales ring they've bought a couple big-priced lots after the success they've had with Advertise. I wish Phoenix all the best with their horse they've bought here. We're very lucky with the mares people are suggesting now. I thank them a lot when they come to have a chat with me about it.”

Harper said he thinks restricting Showcasing's numbers helped his popularity in the sales ring.

“We try to be careful not to go mad on the numbers that we cover,” he said. “We've always had a limited-book policy. Now that he no longer shuttles to the Southern Hemisphere he's under a bit less pressure covering-wise so we might be able to cover a few more, but we'll still restrict him. I think that's a big part of our success over the last few years, that people know they're not going to be part of a huge number in the sale.”

For Nicholas Jones's Coln Valley Stud, the breeder and vendor of Thursday's 600,000gns Showcasing colt, it was the stud's best-ever sales ring result with its lone Book 1 offering.

“Our previous best was the Havana Gold half-brother who sold last year for 250,000gns to Shadwell,” Jones said.

“I have been saying all week that he is a lovely colt and we should keep him. Ian [Emes], my stud manager, kept telling me he wanted a new tractor,” he quipped.

Jones bought the second dam, Gryada, in 2006 at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale for 180,000gns. Her Montjeu (Ire) colt also went through the ring at the sale and, after being sold for 190,000gns, went on to become the five-time Group 1 winner Fame and Glory (GB). Gryada's foal the previous year had been Yummy Mummy (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), the dam of Classic winner Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) as well as a Dubawi (Ire) colt that made 1.2-million gns from Stroud Coleman at this sale on Wednesday. It is also the family of Godolphin's triple Group 1 winner and young sire Farhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).

Jones said that, in addition to Grace and Glory, he has two other daughters of Gryada: Grace and Favour (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Great and Small (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Golden Opportunity For Ryan…

Kevin Ryan joined the roster of trainers for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid initially through the in-training purchase of G2 Gimcrack S. winner Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) and he will soon welcome an extremely well-credentialed colt to his Yorkshire stable among an intake of at least 11 horses bought this week, plus a colt by Frankel (GB) bought last week at the Orby Sale.

The Dubaian owner didn't have to stretch as far as he has done when buying yearlings in the past to secure a Galileo (Ire) half-brother to the Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Offered by breeder Harry McCalmont's Norelands Stud as lot 371, the strapping chestnut was knocked down to Stephen Hillen for 450,000gns.

“I thought we'd have to pay more,” said the agent. “He's a solid colt but he's a very nice horse—and of course he's by Galileo.”

McCalmont bought the colt's dam Fleche d'Or (GB) (Dubai Destination) from breeder Anthony Oppenheimer of Hascombe & Valiant Studs for 62,000gns in the year that Golden Horn was foaled.

Last week, Hillen and Ryan went to €400,000 to buy the Frankel colt out of Vital Statistics (GB) (Indian Ridge {GB}), but they did so safe in the knowledge that his 2-year-old sister East (GB), also trained by Ryan and at that stage just a maiden winner, was pretty useful. Three days later, she gave the family an immediate boost when winning the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud.

From the purchases at Tattersalls, Ryan will also take charge of a close relative to Kingman (GB) bought for 310,000gns from Oghill House Stud on Tuesday (lot 37). The Invincible Spirit (Ire) colt is out of Kingman's unraced half-sister Pleasantry (GB) (Johannesburg) and was bred Wansdyke Farms and Joseph Burke.

Chantilly-based Henri-Francois Devin is also another new name on the list of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's trainers. Stephen Hillen bought six yearlings at Arqana's August Sale for the owner to be sent to Devin, and the trainer will also gain another three bought during Book 1, including lot 436, a colt by Fastnet Rock (Aus) out of a winning half-sister to Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The colt was sold by breeder Denis Brosnan of Croom House Stud for 450,000gns.

Klaravich In The News Again…

Seth Klaraman's Klaravich Stables was active at this sale for the first time last year off the back of Classic success with GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music), signing for six yearlings. Just one of those has thus far raced but the venture could hardly have gotten off to a better start as that horse is Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' after winning by 6 3/4 lengths on debut at Saratoga in August before following up by a similar margin in Belmont's GII Miss Grillo S. on the turf for trainer Chad Brown. At 200,000gns, Newspaperofrecord was the third-most expensive of last year's group, which ranged from 110,000gns to 400,000gns.

Klaravich Stables signed for 10 yearlings at Book 1 this week:

Lot 170, Kingman (GB) colt for 210,000gns

Lot 174, Sea The Stars (Ire) filly for 200,000gns

Lot 176, Kingman (GB) colt for 300,000gns

Lot 225, Australia (GB) filly for 325,000gns

Lot 327, Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly for 300,000gns

Lot 375, Dansili (GB) filly for 40,000gns

Lot 378, Gleneagles (Ire) filly for 200,000gns

Lot 503, Lope de Vega (Ire) filly for 200,000gns

“They'll all go to Chad Brown,” said American-based agent Mike Ryan, who was in Newmarket representing Klaravich. “We feel that the best turf horses in the world are here; the best stallions, the best mares. This is the best of the best at the October Book 1 sale. We feel that if you want to be competitive at the high end, these are the horses you need.”

Ryan said that while Newspaperofrecord is the only one of Klaravich's initial Book 1 purchases to have yet started, there are high hopes for others.

“She's the only one that has run so far but there are several that have shown promise,” he said. “Chad is patient and takes his time. We like the first crop and hopefully we'll continue to be successful.”

Dilger's Star Pinhook…

Although an Irish-bred himself, Gerry Dilger could be considered as Kentuckian as they come. The County Clare native has resided in that state for over 30 years, and had his hands on back-to-back GI Kentucky Derby winners in 2016 and 2017 with Nyquist (Uncle Mo), who he pinhooked in partnership, and Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), who he bred in partnership. Dilger's Dromoland Farm pulled off another spectacular coup at Tattersalls on Wednesday when a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt that Dilger picked up for €330,000 at Goffs November last year was pinhooked for 1-million gns when bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock.

Dilger, speaking by phone from Kentucky, said he was partners with vendor Longview Stud in the colt (lot 299), who is the first foal out of the unplaced Chicago Dancer (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), a half-sister to French Group 3 winner Skins Game (GB) (Diktat {GB}) and listed winner Epatha (Ire) (Highest Honor {Fr}). It is also the family of G1 Sydney Cup winner Mourayan (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}).

“It's very good for the team involved, they were all very happy,” Dilger said, noting that trading in bloodstock in Europe isn't something he does very often.

“I'm based in America so I mostly focus on that,” he said. “I'd love to come back this year and try to do it again; there's no reason not to. But I have no plans at this point; I'll see what's happening here in America first. But I'd love to do it again.”

One of Dilger's partners on both Nyquist and Always Dreaming was Mike Ryan, who was in Newmarket this week buying for the likes of Klaravich Stables and Peter Brant of White Birch Farm.

At the conclusion of Book 1 trade on Thursday, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “From start to finish there has been fierce international competition for the cream of the European yearling crop with 14 selling for 1-million guineas or more, an unprecedented 59 breaking the 500,000 guineas mark and the sale producing the world's highest priced yearling for the seventh year in a row. While the 3.5-million guineas sale topping Dubawi colt out of Dar Re Mi and the 3.4-million gns Galileo colt out of Shastye were the highlights of the past three days, a particular feature of the sale has been the consistent demand in all sectors of the market.”

“There is no doubt that the £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus brings owners and trainers to the sale who might otherwise look elsewhere and it is no coincidence that the clearance rate of 86% is the best at October Book 1 for more than a decade. To date there have been 127 winners of more than £3-million in Book 1 Bonuses and it is a great endorsement to see pretty well all of the beneficiaries returning to the sale in search of more Bonus winners.

“Books 2, 3 and 4 of the October Yearling Sale start on Monday and we look forward to sustaining the momentum from this week's record-breaking sale.”