By Alan Carasso
Locally based trainer Satish Seemar struck for a total of six horses, including the co-topping pair at AED400,000 (£83,266/€92,683/US$108,918), at Thursday's Racing In Dubai sale at Meydan Racecourse.
Lot 20, the 2-year-old gelding Leading Spirit (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), was the first to reach the top price. The first foal from the French stakes-winning Inspiriter (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the bay broke his maiden with a facile success for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby at Newbury July 26. He hails from the extended female family of MGSW & MG1SP Carlton House (Street Cry {Ire}).
Seemar hung around until the last of the 45 horses entered the ring and struck for George Villiers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 3-year-old colt is a son of Comic (Ire) (Be My Guest), making him a half-brother to multiple Hong Kong champion, MG1SW and Horse of the Year Viva Pataca (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) as well as MG1SW Laughing (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). A 750,000gns Tattersalls October yearling purchase, George Villiers was trained by John Gosden on behalf of Princess Haya and won twice from seven starts, including a Newmarket handicap over a mile July 20.
According to the conditions of the sale, each of the horses sold must remain in the UAE for the next 18 months.
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