A Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) gelded half-brother to 2017 G1 Investec Derby hero Wings of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {GB}) fetched a final bid of HK$11 million (£1,006,423/€1,141,773/A$1,810,647/US$1,402,492) to establish a new record price at Friday's Hong Kong International Sale conducted in the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse. The previous mark of HK$10.5 million was set just last year by a son of Hussonet.
With two late scratches, a total of 26 Northern and Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds went under the hammer and, as widely expected, it was lot 17 that stole the show. Bred in Great Britain by Mme Aliette Forien, the April foal is a son of 2005 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third-place finisher Ysoldina (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}), whose half-brother Belle et Celebre (Fr) (Peintre Celebre) was the winner of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary. Lot 17 was acquired by the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Mark Richards and his team at the 2016 Arqana August Yearling Sale for €130,000 from the consignment of Haras de Montaigu, where Wings of Eagles is standing his first year at stud in 2018. Holy Roman Emperor has been a prolific sire in Hong Kong, accounting for the likes of Designs on Rome (Ire), Beauty Only (Ire) and Rich Tapestry (Ire). John Moore will train for businessman Cheung Kwok Keung.
Eight horses fetched better than HK$6 million, including a Poet's Voice (GB) three-parts brother to the reliable Catkins (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was one of two horses to realise HK$7.2 million Friday evening. An A$280,000 graduate of the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, lot 6 was acquired by the Vision Syndicate, who campaigns its horses in Hong Kong with trainer Caspar Fownes.
Kern Dim, who paid HK$6 million in 2016 for a Shamardal gelding that would become 'TDN Rising Star' Pakistan Star (Ger), was at it again Friday evening, stretching to HK$7.2 million for a beautiful moving son of Arrowfield Stud's Not a Single Doubt (Aus). The chestnut, cataloged as lot 14, was an A$210,000 acquisition by the HKJC at Magic Millions two years ago and is out of a half-sister to GSW Moon Dragon (Aus) (Danehill).
Total gross receipts for the sale were HK$135.3 million, good for an average of HK$5,203,846 (+15.3% over 2017) and a median price of HK$4,700,000 (+11.9%), both HKIS records.
The Hong Kong International Sale was held in a night-time slot for the third consecutive year and was preceded by a cocktail reception for guests.
“We are very pleased with tonight's results, with a number of new marks. The purchase of lot 17 speaks for itself and is a credit to the astute work of the Club's buying team,” said Andrew Harding, executive director of racing for the HKJC. “They uncovered this horse as a yearling, before Wings Of Eagles soared to Derby glory at Epsom, and its page justified the price. I congratulate Nick Columb and Mark Richards on their expert efforts.”
A second HKIS, including the two horses that were scratched Friday, is scheduled for June.
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