Worldwide Appeal At Tattersalls July

As documented in Emma Berry's recent TDN Look feature, 'July week' sees Newmarket spring to life, as the Tattersalls July Sale and three days of top-class racing draw the crowds back. Parties and stallion parades add to visitors' social calendars and the week can usually be relied upon having beautiful summer weather, though I'm disappointed to report that may not be the case this year.

Those descending upon Park Paddocks are spoilt for choice with a customarily thick catalogue. With six wildcards added to the sale, the number of lots stands at 910, almost on par with last year's 922. After a large number of withdrawals, as is characteristic of the sale and indeed the case this week, the 2018 turnover stood at 12,074,300 guineas, averaging at 21,485gns per horse, with a median of 10,000gns. These all represented a decrease on 2017, though that week brought record highs to the July Sale.

Last year's three highest-priced lots were well-bred fillies offered by the Castlebridge Consignment, contributing to their standing as leading consignors, and there is every chance that lightning will strike twice this week. Among their 68 catalogued is the wildcard At Last (Ire), lot 177A, a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire sensation Zoustar (Aus).

Castlebridge also offers Mouille Point (GB) (Motivator {GB}) as lot 178; she is a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Turning Light, now the dam of listed winner Surrey Star. The 5-year-old is offered in foal to Kodiac (GB).

The other wildcards added to the sale are horses in training and are sure to be popular, including listed winner Apex King (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 500A) from David Loughnane Racing, fellow listed winner Cosmelli (Ity) (Mr Vegas {Ire}) (lot 798A) from Gay Kelleway Racing and German Group 3 scorer Brian Ryan (GB) (Finjaan {GB}) (lot 798B) from Ecurie Andrea Marcialis. A last-minute addition on Tuesday is the Keith Dalgleish-trained Volatile Analyst (Distorted Humor), (lot 560A), following his debut success at Ayr on Monday.

As well as the wildcards, there are numerous eye-catching lots, among them lot 258, Jim Bolger's ultra-consistent 6-year-old Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Since the catalogue was printed, he produced a career-best performance to take the G2 Curragh Cup, bringing his stakes-winning tally to four.

Another making the trip over from Ireland, though this time offered by Joseph O'Brien's Carriganog Racing, is Eminent Authority (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). A winner on debut in May, he followed up with a close third at listed level before finishing fifth in the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. From the same draft comes lot 186, King's Field (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a 4-year-old colt and three-time winner who progressed to gain listed placing in the Owenstown Stud S. in May.

Another benefitting from a black-type update is the 3-year-old colt Admiral Rous (Ire) (Henrythenavigator), offered as lot 281 from Eoghan O'Neill. A three-time winner, he finished third in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac at Chantilly on his latest start. The Archie Watson-trained Barys (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 562) is also a proven stakes performer, successful in the Listed Prix de la Californie in February, while the Ger Lyons-trained Inverleigh (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) (lot 824) took the Listed Committed S. at Navan earlier this season.

Lot 191, Chesapeake Shores (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), is catalogued as a horse in training by the Fozzy Stack stable, but the 3-year-old filly will also appeal to breeders, being a three-parts sister to G1 Irish Derby hero Frozen Fire (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). A fine third since the catalogue went to print, she shares her sire with 3-year-old winner Kahina (Ire) (lot 172), a half-sister to G1 Metropolitan H. victor Magic Hurricane (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}).

Another who may catch the eye of Southern Hemisphere buyers is Queen Of Paris (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) (lot 286), a half-sister to G1 Queensland Derby heroine Dariana (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), whose second dam Sorbus (Busted) finished second in four Classics. Wamathaat (Speightstown) (lot 67), meanwhile, boasts a North American page, her half-sisters being GI Santa Anita H. scorer Gift Box (Twirling Candy) and multiple graded winner Stonetastic (Mizzen Mast). Though unraced, Wamathaat is presumably an impressive physical, having cost $550,000 as a yearling.

The family of lot 175, Bubbly (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}), knows Park Paddocks well, with the Castlebridge-consigned filly being a half-sister to listed winner Marlinka (GB) (Marju {Ire}), now better known as the dam of top-class sprinter Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who set a new record when selling for six million guineas in this very sales ring. Marlinka has also produced Group 3 winner Judicial (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Soviet Song (Ire) (Marju {Ire}).

Coverings can be just as attractive as pedigrees, and the two mares offered in foal to Showcasing will, no doubt, be in demand. The first, lot 75, is proven on both the racecourse and in the breeding shed, with Syan (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) having been placed at listed level and having produced to Stakes performer Dutch Treat (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}).

The second, lot 85, is offered by the stallion's base of Whitsbury Manor Stud. Blanchefleur (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) won as a 3-year-old and is closely related to listed winner and Group 1 third Miss You Too (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}).

Dandy Man (Ire) continues to go from strength to strength and amongst the mares offered in foal to the Ballyhane Stud sire is lot 70 from Kirtlington Park Stud, the winning mare Al Jamal (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). She is a half-sister to Grade I heroine She's A Julie (Elusive Quality) and to the dam of listed winner Ambassadorial.

No less exciting are the coverings by first season sires, including the Newmarket-based GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Expert Eye (GB), who will be doubly represented on Wednesday by lot 53, a winning half-sister to three black-type horses, and lot 78, a winning daughter of Mastercraftsman (Ire) from the family of Durtal and Roderic O'Connor (Ire).

Multiple Group 1 winner Cracksman (GB), who stood for £25,000 at Dalham Hall Stud this season, has just one covering catalogued, as lot 156 from Jamie Railton. Trend Line (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), is the dam of two winners from two runners and comes from the top family of Darshaan, Dar Re Mi (GB) and Too Darn Hot (GB).

Shadwell Stud consign two of the three mares offered in foal to champion sprinter Harry Angel (Ire) and they include lot 60, a half-sister to another top-class sprinter in Kingsgate Native (Ire) (Mujadil), as well as to the dam of Group 1 performer First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

One of the July Sale's 'cover girls' is Seeking Solace, dam of Ten Sovereigns, who was bought by BBA Ireland for 65,000gns from Godolphin. Those returning to the source of such riches have 21 fillies and mares to choose from, after withdrawals, at the time of writing. One of those of obvious appeal is lot 135, Isobel Archer (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who appeals on paper as a winning full-sister to G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Naaqoos (GB), and is offered in foal to Saxon Warrior (Jpn).