Monsieur Bond Filly Tops Silver Sale

The Monsieur Bond filly in the ring | Sarah Farnsworth

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Following consistent trade throughout the two days of the Goffs UK Premier Sale, figures took a tumble during the single-session Silver Sale, at which 72% of the 159 yearlings offered changed hands for a total of £1,256,500. The aggregate represented a decline of 7% on last year, while the average was down 19% to £11,022 and the median by 30% to £7,000.

Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby was philosophical in his appraisal of a sector of the market which is likely to struggle as the season progresses and catalogue sizes increase.

“Following a stunning renewal of the Premier Sale over the last two days the Silver Sale was always going to be in the shade,” he commented. “This is a day that has performed in the sales ring and on the track over the last two years so it is a little disappointing that it has been unable to at least match last year's figures. However, we would suggest that today's trade is perhaps symptomatic of the market in general over the last few months as the best are selling very well, as we saw over the last two days, but there is increasing selectivity as the foal crops grow again which is clearly illustrated by the fall in the clearance rate.

“We are grateful to our vendors who have supported the sale and are confident that there will be more Silver successes to following the footsteps of the likes of Quiet Reflection.”

As alluded to by Beeby, this year's G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was a £32,000 graduate of this sale in 2014, and this time around a filly (lot 623) led the way when a speedily-bred daughter of Monsieur Bond (GB) out of the Listed-placed black-type producer Saphire (GB) (College Chapel {GB}) was the top selection of Federico Barberini at £46,000.

Offered by David Powell's Catridge Farm Stud, the March-born filly will race in the silver-grey silks of Steve Parkin's Clipper Logistics, which have been carried to victory by the likes of Group winners Rosdhu Queen (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Beyond Desire (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Commenting on his purchase on Parkin's behalf, Barberini said, “She is just a really nice individual – a strong sprinter type who was a really good walker and fit the bill perfectly.”

He added, “She'll go over to Ireland to Ballyhane Stud to be broken in by Joe and Jane Foley and a trainer will be decided on after that.”

One other yearling to break last year's top price of £40,000 was a first-crop son of Lethal Force (Ire) (lot 581), a half-brother to the seven-time winner Pipers Note (GB) (Piccolo {GB}), who was bought for £41,000 by Bobby O'Ryan for trainer Keith Dalgleish.

The Wadacre Stud homebred was another who is likely to have shorter distances as his aim, being out of the unraced Primo Valentino (GB) mare Madam Valentine (GB) and from the further family of G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Sigy (Fr) (Habitat).

The sales-ring at Doncaster will be in action again on Sept. 6 for the one-day September Horses-in-Training Sale.

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