Morning and welcome to Day 2, featuring the second Sceptre Session: Lots 1764-1824
Follow all of today's stories and results here at sales day live (09:17)
Day 1
Day 1 statistics: (+/- last year's session) Offered: 298
Sold: 242
Total: 15,477,300gns (-30%)
Median: 43,000gns (-22%)
Average: 78,168gns (-22%)
% Sold: 82%
Leading sires (by agg): 1. Galileo, 2. Fastnet Rock, 3. Dubawi
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Golden Horn, 2. Showcasing, 3. Fastnet Rock
Leading purchasers (by agg, accum): 1. Badgers Bloodstock, 2. Lake Villa Farm, 3. C Gordon Watson Bloodstock
Leading consignors (by agg, accum): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Godolphin, 3. Barton Sales
Today's top five prices
Lot 1534: Callisto Star (IRE) 2015 B.M. >> Ballybin Stud, Ireland >> Badgers Bloodstock >> 675,000gns
Lot 1535: Mauiewowie (GB) 2020 Ch.F. >> Norris Bloodstock >> Lake Villa Farm >> 625,000gns
Lot 1531: Authoritaire (IRE) 2019 Ch.M. >> The Castlebridge Consignment >> C Gordon Watson Bloodstock >> 525,000gns
Lot 1546: Wonderful Times (IRE) 2019 B.F. >> Barton Sales >> Kia Ora Stud >> 460,000gns
Lot 1533: My Eyes Adore You (IRE) 2019 Ch.F. >> Thomastown Castle Stables, Ireland >> Hillwood Bloodstock >> 380,000gns
Lot 1544: Aussie Girl (IRE) 2020 Ch.F. >> Thomastown Castle Stables, Ireland (J. A. Stack) >> Woodford Thoroughbreds >> 380,000gns (20:51)
Lot 1546: Wonderful Times (Golden Horn), winner of the Prix Urban Sea (L), is heading to the southern hemisphere bought by Kia Ora Stud for 460,000gns. She is out of Wonderfully, placed fourth in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile and an own-sister to black-type winners Gustav Klimt, Cuff, Blissful and a half-sister to Nayarra, a champion in Italy and winner of the Premio Gran Criterium (G1).
Third dam is Rafha, dam of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac.
Shane Wright from the her new farm said: "We had quite a lot on our list and we were making our way through, but she has such a deep page and she offers something that does not come our way too often. She has black-type by her name, but she has a page of champions, it is so full. When you come to a place like this you really come for the big families like this.
"She will be coming straight home, it is tempting with her form [to race], she would be very competitive down our way in anything over mile or 2000m plus, but she has black-type already. We will see how she travels down and we may give her time in the breeding barn next season, that decision will be made.
"We have done some work in the US as well, but the Tatts catalogue and especially the Sceptre Session with so many quality mares in there – you have to come here if you want to be competitive internationally. We found some lovely mares and, hopefully, we can pick out one or two tomorrow as well.
"Kia Ora has been very successful boutique farm in Australia for a number of years it is only in the last few years that we have revolutionised what is going on. We have got quite a big racing syndicate now and we stand some good stallions – in our first year of stallions we got a Golden Slipper winner which is the pinnacle and what you want. It is very exciting times and it is great to be able to come over here to buy beautiful mares to send home to our stallions."
Om the Sceptre Session, he said: "Getting all these mares in together in one helps to gets your eye in on values, I suppose, and what is going on rather than if they are being offered sporadically through a sale, but when there is a quality bunch of mares offered in small amount of time over a couple of days it is very easy to get caught up in the hype... I reckon the vendors do better than the buyers!" (20:44)
Lot 1534: Callisto Star (Fastnet Rock), dam of the Grade 1 American Oaks winner Rhea Moon (Starspangledbanner) and There’s The Door (Starspangledbanner), second in the Cheshire Oaks (L), is bought by Badgers Bloodstock for 675,000gns.
The mare, carrying to Starspangledbanner, was sold by Ballybin Stud. She is out of Livia Gallilei, a Galileo an own-sister to Eye Of The Storm, winner of the Ballyroan Stakes (G3), and a half-sister to Satchem, winner of the Joel Stakes (G3) and the Sirenia Stakes (G3).
“She’s to stay here in Europe,” said Tom Pritchard Gordon, whose purchase was made on behalf of an existing client. “She’s a beautiful mare and has already produced a Grade 1 winner with her first foal. She’s carrying a full-sibling to that Grade 1 winner inside her, too.
"Fastnet Rock is as good a broodmare sire as there is and her dam is by Galileo so it’s all the bloodlines you want. She’s the whole package. I haven’t decided who she’ll be covered by next year but Starspangled is an obvious target. Fastnet mares work with so many different bloodlines that she could go anywhere.”
Callisto Star was bred and owned by Kevin Molloy, who was at Tattersalls to watch his mare sell.
"We bred Mohican Princess, her grand mother," said Molloy. "Callisto Star was injured and so did not race, we always liked her as an individual, she has a lovely head, very compact and very strong. We wanted to get her a faster horse and so we used Starspangledbanner. Rhea Moon was amazing – last St Stephens night the whole family watched the American Oaks, she had this incredible speed. She has gone to Japan.
"It was a big decision to sell today, but we have a lot of the family – we still have the mother and she is in-foal to Starspangledbanner, and we have a half-sister by Zoffany." (19:58)
Lot 1535: By Night Of Thunder and out of the Holy Roman Emperor mare La Chapelle, Mauiewowie was the winner of two races as a juvenile including the Listed Curragh Stakes. She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Something Enticing (Fascinating Rock).
She was bought by the Japanese commercial breeders Lake Villa Farm, which has a broodmare band of 50 and is based in Hokkaido.
"She is going to Japan, and to stud. She is a strong mare, we love her conformation and we love her attitude," said Yoshihisa Iwasaki, stud manager and the farm's representative at Tattersalls this week. "We have not made covering plans yet, but she will go to one of the very best stallions in Japan."
Mauiewowie's dam La Chapelle is a half-sister to Ghaiyyath, the champion older horse, the winner of nine races, including the International Stakes (G1), the Eclipse Stakes (G1, the Coronation Cup (G1) and the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) Ghaiyyath. And to Zhukova, winner of the Man O War Stakes (G1).
Their dam Nightime won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and Maueiwowie’s third dam Caumshinaun was a champion older mare in Ireland in 2001.
Consignor Jenny Norris said: "She came to me through Katie Walsh, who recommended us to owner Eleanora Kennedy, who is the US. It is great to have mares of that calibre, and to have mares in the Sceptre Session and for a small consignor.
"She has behaved like an absolute dream and it did not take much imagination to think what she will look like when she lets down as a mare. She has some different markings [patches of white on her stomach] and her Japanese buyers loved her markings and were very keen and were determined to get her.
"She had a lot of lookers, 87 shows on the first day and every time she just came out and marched up and down. It was great to see all the connections who have been involved with her through her career to date and will be interesting to see how she gets on in the breeding shed.
"You never know what is going to happen in the ring, but it is always nice when they are in the Sceptre Session, you kind of think they are special." (19:16)
Lot 1531: Authoritaire offered by The Castlebridge Consignment is bought by Charlie Gordon Watson Bloodstock for 525,000gns.
Afour-year-old mare by Tamayuz, Authoritaire is a daughter of the champion older mare Aquarelliste, winner of the Prix de Diane (G1) and dam of two black-type winners, including the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Ame Bleue, and two black-type placed horses.
Her second dam is the Prix de Psyche (G3) winner dual French Classic placed mare Agathe, the dam of Artiste Royale, winner of the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (G1) and the Clement L Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (G1).
Under the third dam Albertine, who finished third in the Prix de l'Opera (G2), is Arcangues, winner of the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan, and more distantly the three-time Group 1 winner Luxembourg and the Beverly D Stakes (G1) and Diane Stakes (G1) winner Angara.
"It is one of the great families, she is in-foal to Night Of Thunder and she is a mare who will suit him, and it all makes good sense," said Gordon Watson. "She will be going to Ireland. (19:12)
Lot 1509: bred and owned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd, leading consignor at this year's October Book 1 Sale, Sous Les Etoiles makes 210,000gns, sold today with Barton Sales.
The Sea The Stars four-year-old was a winner at three, trained by Charlie Fellowes, and is in-foal to Night Of Thunder. She is a half-sister toToken Of Love, winner of the Listed Dick Hern Stales and dam of the Mighty Ulysses, winner of the Sovereign Stakes (G3).
Sous Les Etoiles descends from one of the farm's leading pedigrees – her Listed-placed dam Nyarhini (Fantastic Light) is a half-sister to the Coronation Stakes (G1) winner Rebecca Sharp. (18:10)
Lot 1481: Repole Stables spends 220,000gns on the Siyouni ex Angel Falls (Kingmambo) three-year-old filly named Faial from The Castlebridge Consignment.
She is a half-sister to four black-type horses, including the French champion two-year-old colt National Defense (Invincible Spirit), winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
It is the extended family of Adayar, winner of the Derby (G1) and a European champion three-year-old colt. (17:12)
Lot 1479: the French wing of Petches Farm, Haras des Trois Chapelles, might by gaining a new mare, Wandflower purchased by Petches with the plan to send her to the Normandy farm.
"Quite a what the plan is now, is a good question!" said Simon Venner. "Whether she goes straight to the farm or not, I don't know. We will have a think. We might foal here and cover and then send her, or she might go immediately.
"We are trying to up the quality of the broodmare band and she is a lovely physical, a Dark Angel which is great, and she is in-foal to an elite sire."
Wandflower is carrying to No Nay Never, and is an own-sister to the Silken Glder Stakes (L) winner Fantasy Lady.
It is the family of Kinnard, winner of the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera, and her son the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner Berkshire, and the Richmond Stakes (G2) winner and the Middle Park Stakes (G1) runner-up Ivawood. (16:59)
Lot 1438: Zerkaza (Dalakhani), a daughter of the dual champion Zarkava and a half-sister to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) winner and sire Zarak, is sold by Highclere Stud to De Burgh Equine / Glen Hill Farm for 170,000gns. She is in-foal to Sea The Moon on a March 31 covering.
She was unraced, but has produced the Australian Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Zeyrek (Sea The Stars). She foaled a filly by Too Darn Hot this spring. (16:42)
Lot 1426: the Listed winning three-year-old Many Tears, bred by a partnership with Mount Coote Estates, and sold as a yearling in 2021 October Book 1 for 115,000gns to Gaelic Bloodstock, is purchased today by Ridgmont Farm / Clarke Bloodstock for 300,000gns.
The chestnut filly by Showcasing and out of Just One Kiss (Cape Cross) was sold by The Castlebridge Consignment. She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Intello Kiss (Intello) and the Listed-placed Bell'imbusto (Helmet).
Third dam is the Oaks (G1) winner Love Divine, the dam of Sixties Icon, winner of the St Leger Stakes (G1).
Jim Clarke of Clarke Bloodstock said: "The whole Ridgmont team and Mitch Cunningham have been pounding the pavements and braving the weather and looking at fillies off the track. She was our number one pick – she is a gorgeous mare, now a stakes winner, a three-year-old with racing upside and a pedigree we can't access in Australia.
"She will go to Frankel in time. She is going into training with James Ferguson and in the first half of next year we will see if she can add to the stakes record, depending on the first half of the year she might go to Frankel in the second half.
"Ridgemont has got a lovely broodmare band that has bene invested in the last couple of years, it is tailored toward young mares and stakes performing mares. They are all bred very commercially and we are looking to sell yearlings at the premier end of the market. The opportunity to acquire bloodlines in this part of the world to get some diversity.
"To be going home with the one we all loved is very pleasing."
Ridgmont has a broodmare band of 35 and is also a full commercial breeding farm with client mares.
"There has been a lot on investment into the farm," added Clarke. "The farm was purchased by the Cunningham family, we have built up a good broodmare band now, and we are looking forward to getting horses to market in the next few years.
"Australia is very dominated by speed and Danehill is the prevalent sire, buying mares with these types of pedigrees gives us a lot more options in terms of who we breed to. The factor to coming to this sale was also to get mares who could got to Kingman or Frankel, and both are elite stallions and both done it in the southern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere and Kingman has had two Group 1 winners in Australia. It is great to take the opportunity to breed to those stallions, and also gives mare the chance to kick off early in her career with a good horse. Ridgmont is intending to develop a really high end broodmare band and mating with these stallions is a good way to help set that up." (15:24)
Lot 1410: Beautiful Timing joins the Newsells Park Stud breeding and racing syndicate – the Dubawi mare, f-sister to the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) winner Cursory Glance, from the family of Time Away, is signed for by Jill Lamb at 270,000gns.
Graham Smith-Bernal of Newsells Park Stud explained the purchasing plan: "She has been bought for a breeding syndicate we have put together. From the racing syndicate we run a few people said they would like to get involved in the breeding and consigning action.
"So we have put together this syndicate which is a hybrid with a portfolio including a mix of two race fillies, two broodmares in foal, and then one maiden mare. Hopefully it will give a whole experience. There are 20 shares available and Newsells has retained ten shares."
Of this mare, he said: "She is a winning Dubawi mare, she is very well bred. There is a lot of action going on in the first dam. We know the breeder Craig Bennett very well – he is partners on Shambolic with us."
Lamb added: "We liked her a lot, we know the family very well and we know the half-sisters and who they are being mated to. We don't have any stallion plans right now , but we did like the Palace Pier a lot so we are quite pleased to get a mare in-foal to him."
She has had one foal so far, a 2022 colt by Invincible Spirit. (14:51)
Lot 1387: the juvenile winner and Listed-placed Misty Ayr, a four-year-old by Kodi Bear and sold in-foal to Starspandledbanner, is bought by Barry Lynch for 125,000gns from Kellsgrange Stud.
She is a half-sister to the Supreme Stakes (G3) fourth-placed Aldovrandi (Cape Cross) and out of Rasana, the Royal Applause half-sister to the six-time Group 1 winner Rakti. (13:33)
Lot 1348: the three-year old filly Accept The Outcome ( No Nay Never), sold by Tweenhills Farm & Stud, is heading to Ireland bought by Ballyphilip Stud for 90,000gns.
Bred by Barronstown Stud, she was bought as a yearling by West Bloodstock and went on to win once in the US. She is out of the Galileo mare Silent Thoughts, a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Yellow Rosebud and from the family of Malhub, winner of the Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1).
Silent Thoughts was covered again this spring by No Nay Never. (11:54)
Lot 1340: a first purchase this week by Shadai Farm – the Japanese-based organisation spending 170,000gns on the 2019 daughter of Frankel, Love You Grandpa. She has not yet been covered.
She was placed on the track at three and four, and is a half-sister to Ceiling Kitty, winner of the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) and dam of the Listed winner and Group 3 placed Eartha Kitt and Arthur Kitt.
Love You Grandpa was sold by Whatton Manor Stud having been bred by King Power Racing Co Ltd (11:27)
Lot 1331: True Scarlet, who achieved a rating of 90 and won four races over 1m2f, is bought by Luke Lillingston for a client. The Make Believe mare was sold carrying her first pregnancy to Ardad on a February 27 covering.
She is an closely related sister to Shuwari, winner of the Star Stakes (L) and runner-up in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. She was also placed second in the Rockfel Stakes (G2). She is entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1).
Bred by Ballylinch Stud, she was sold today by Overbury Stud, having been bought in the US by Jocelyn Target's Black Type for $20,000.
"The dam Lady Pimpernel could run, the sister will always be Group 1-placed even if she does not run again and I love the family,"said LIllingston. "I love this family. Lady Pimpernel is with Balllyinch and is in-foal to Bayside Boy."
While being thanked by Targett for his custom, he said (to the agreement of Targett): "You can bred this filly to just about anything, there is speed and class – I also love the Sir Percy in this pedigree, too. Although she has not got the black-type, she was good enough for it. Ballylinch still has the dam."
The family hails back to the outstanding runner, dual champion, and ancestress of 11 black-type winners Anna Paola. (11:20)
Welcome to the first session of the December Mares Sale.
Selling is starting at 9.30am (09:31)
December Foal Sale
Chairman’s Statement At the conclusion of the 2023 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented:
“Sustained demand for quality foals has been the feature of the four days of selling at Europe’s premier foal sale. In addition to the highest price for a foal in Europe and North America this year there have been a record 29 foals sold for 200,000 guineas or more and a healthy diversity of buyers in all sectors of the market.
“The cream of the British and Irish foal crop has attracted buyers in abundance not only from Britain and Ireland but also from throughout Europe and the Gulf region as well as China, Japan and America. The overseas demand has had a significant impact on trade which, although not matching last year’s record levels, has remained robust with the exception of the lower end of the market, which we must all recognise has been challenging.
"The pinhookers will always be the backbone of any Tattersalls December Foal Sale and, as ever, they have worked tirelessly, but the contribution from so many significant owners is becoming an increasingly important and regular feature of the sale. When a sale consistently produces racehorses the calibre of the 2000 Guineas winner CHALDEAN and the unbeaten Group 1 and 2-winning two-year-olds VANDEEK and GHOSTWRITER, it reflects the quality of the stock presented by the consignors and it is clear that their confidence in the sale has been reciprocated by many of the world’s most successful racehorse owners.
“Another positive to come out of this year’s December Foal Sale has been the overwhelmingly favourable response to the break in selling on the Thursday of the sale, which allowed buyers valuable extra time to view the Friday and Saturday foals. The change was introduced in response to feedback from vendors and purchasers alike and as well as being well received it is notable that the clearance rates for both Friday and Saturday have improved significantly on last year’s record-breaking sale.
“With a solid Tattersalls December Foal Sale behind us we now look forward to welcoming buyers from every continent in the world to Park Paddocks for another quality renewal of the Tattersalls December Sale, which features some spectacular fillies and broodmares, many of them showcased in the elite Sceptre Sessions which take place on Monday and Tuesday.” (23:45)
December Foal Sale statistics: (+/- compared to last year) Catalogued: 1,084
Offered: 888
Sold: 669
Total: 29,842,902gns (-15%)
Median: 21,000gns (-19%)
Average: 44,608gns (-6%)
% Sold: 75%
Leading sires (by agg): 1. Havana Grey, 2. Kingman, 3. Pinatubo
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Kingman, 2, Wootton Bassett, 3. Starspangledbanner
Leading purchasers (by agg, accum): 1. Godolphin, 2. Kelly Equine, 3. Yeomanstown Stud
Leading consignors (by agg, accum): 1. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 2. Barton Stud, 3. Norelands Stud
Top five prices
Lot 869: St Mark's Basilica (FR) / Talent (GB) Ch.F. (GB) >> Ashbrittle Stud >> Jill Lamb Bloodstock / Newsells Park Stud >> 575,000gns **
Lot 961: Starspangledbanner (AUS) / Mosa Mine (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Maywood Stud >> M V Magnier >> 450,000gns
Lot 903: Wootton Bassett (GB) / Poet's Vanity (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Langton Stud >> Juddmonte Farms >> 425,000gns
Lot 942: New Bay (GB) / Hayyona (GB) B.C. (IRE) >> West Blagdon Stud >> Stroud Coleman Bloodstock >> 375,000gns
Lot 909: Kingman (GB) / Arcamist (GB) Gr.C. (GB) >> Whitsbury Manor Stud >> A C Elliott, Agent / Amo Racing >> 360,000gns
** Most expensive foal sold in Europe / North America this year (22:50)
Day 4
Day 4 statistics: (+/- compared to last year) Catalogued: 248
Offered: 195
Sold: 145
Total: 2,075,002gns (-19%)
Median: 9,000gns (-25%)
Average: 14,310gns (-16%)
% Sold: 74%
Today's top five prices
Lot 1203: Showcasing (GB) / Messalina (IRE) B.F. (GB) >> Daymark Stud >> Glenvale Stud >>125,000gns
Lot 1095: Blue Point (IRE) / Thesme (GB) B.C. (GB) >> West Moor Stud Kelly Equine >> 88,000gns
Lot 1093: Space Blues (IRE) / Jameerah (GB) B.C. (GB) >> West Moor Stud GHS Bloodstock >> 62,000gns
Lot 1074: Havana Grey (GB) / You've Charmed Me (IRE) B.C. (GB) >> Daymark Stud >> Church Farm / Horse Park Stud >> 60,000gns
Lot 1177: Mohaather (GB) / La Arenosa (IRE) B.F. (GB) >> Manor House Farm Stud >> Hazelwood Bloodstock >> 60,000gns
Lot 1098: Ardad (IRE) / Graceful (IRE) B.C. (GB) >> Mickley Stud Ltd. (Agent) >> Ray Townsend >> 52,000gns (17:23)
Lot 1203: Daymark Stud is enjoying a fine Saturday's trade at Tattersalls – having sold Lot 1076, a colt by Havana Grey to Church Farm / Horse Park Stud for 60,000gns and a Showcasing colt to Grangemore Stud (Lot 1075) for 36,000gns, its afternoon draft hits further heights – this penultimate lot, a filly by Showcasing, is bought by Glenvale Stud for 125,000gns.
Ciaran "Flash" Conroy of Glenvale Stud said when informed he had purchased the top lot: "Let's hope she is a top lot next year! She is a lovely physical, I like the stallion, he is a very good sire of fillies. She is a really good individual, very balanced, very good walker. She is a Book 1 individual. And from a young operation so great to see young breeders having a good result."
The farm's final lot Lot 1024, a filly by Havana Grey and out of The Blue Bower, is sold for 42,000gns.
Josh Cameron of Daymark was a little stunned by today's results.
"It is a sigh of relief! It has been incredible, we are very lucky, we are a very small operation," he smiles. "I have done every hand walk with every single foal and some days I think 'Oh maybe I should get someone to help', but I do think it benefits the foals in the end. I am not sure my girlfriend has loved living with me over the last eight weeks!
"But we got there in the end and thanks to the little syndicate who own the mare Messalina for their support. Two mates bought her out of Archie Watson's yard and sent her to me, and just said, 'See how you get on!' Her first foal by Havana Grey, who we sold here last year for 46,000gns, is going to Kevin Philippart De Foy and this year she has produced this amazing Showcasing filly, who has not missed a beat all week. She is a real athlete and for someone like Flash to buy her is unreal.
"For us to have one foal go to Yeomanstown and this filly to Glenvale – I never in a million years thought I could sell foals to those people. It is incredible to have that support."
Of his close relationship with stud farm of the moment Whitsbury Manor, he said: "Ed [Harper] found me my first mare and he gives me a lot of support with stallions and help when I need it. He also gives me a lot of rope to go and hang myself! He never says don't do that, he just lets me learn.
"However, we are still very separate, we are near Sherborne in Dorset about an hour or so away from Whitsbury. It has been a difficult year with renting our property, and are very much looking for a place of our own, we would love to stay in the region as we love it down there. We have seven broodmares [nearly all the broodmare band had representatives here today], my girlfriend trains point-to-pointers and I do some pre-training and breaking. We'd love to buy a place one day perhaps."
Finally, he added: "Messalina is in-foal to Showcasing, she is a lovely mare and was a 200,000gns yearling bought by Shadwell. Archie bought her as an unraced three-year-old and ran her a few times through the funny covid year, she did not really get a fair run at things.
"She is a lovely mare – she is a bit like a dairy cow! She never carries loads of condition as she gives it all to the foal and she has thrown two great-sized foals. They are very different, but both proper sized and proper horses.
"I think I am going to have to give her a pat!" (15:44)
Lot 1177: Manor House Farm Stud sells the filly by Mohaather out of the Listed Warwickshire Oaks winner La Arenosa for 60,000gns to Hazelwood Bloodstock.
The February-born filly was bred by Stuart McPhee, who was at Tattersalls to watch the sale – he had bought the mare himself for 16,000gns at the December Mares Sale in 2021.
"She has a lovely page, but she had a very patchy breeding record, we have been very lucky so far and nothing has gone wrong," said McPhee. "The first Masar was a really lovely foal and she sold here for 40,000gns and this is a lovely, lovely filly, I could not be any happier. She has been non-stop busy since she has been here, and she has been bought by a great team."
Of the decision to use Mohaather, he said: "We just believe in him and we had a nice foal by him last year, we think he will do well and he was a great racehorse. The mare is in-foal to Pinatubo now."
When asked how many mares he has at stud, McPhee had to stop and think for a moment: "There are too many! I think it is 25 – I have mares in Britain, Ireland, France and Australia. This was the only foal we have sold this year in Europe, the rest will be sold as yearlings – she is just such a good foal that we had to come to market with her."
Purchaser Adrian O'Brien said: "She wasn’t on my radar coming here. But she was stabled next to me in the Wall Boxes so I’ve been watching her for three days – you couldn’t miss her! She’s the first by the sire I’ve had.” (15:11)
Lot 1098: Mickley Stud sells this Ardad colt, bred by Pineapple Stud, to Ray Townsend for 52,000gns.
He is out of Graceful, the dam of one winner from one runner, and she is a half-sister to Gilt Edge Girl, winner of the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye and the Flying Childers Stakes (G2) winner Godfrey Street.
Third dam Tarwiya won the Group 3 Park Stakes and was runner-up in the Moyglare Stakes (G1) and third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1).
The mare was covered by Earthlight this spring. (13:57)
Lot 1115: Camas Park Stud spends 45,000gns on the Havana Grey colt from Houghton Bloodstock.
The March-born colt is out of the homebred mare Our Gal (Kyllachy), the winner of three races and dam of two winners from three runners.
Camas has purchased six foals here this week, including Lot 999 by Kingman, the colt purchased from Hazelwood Bloodstock for 260,000gns. (12:39)
Lot 1095: the Blue Point colt from West Moor Stud sells for 88,000gns. Although the February-born colt was signed for under the Kelly Equine banner purchaser was John Morrin of Pier House Stud, who explained what attracted him to the colt.
"His action, his walk, he has lovely movement, we love the stallion we have been lucky with the stallion, and we have couple of mares in-foal to him," said Morrin. "He is an obvious horse today, he looks racy, he will probably come back here to Book 2 if he grows enough."
The colt is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Thesme, the winner of three races and runner-up in the Listed Scarborough Stakes. She is a half-sister to the Oak Tree Stakes (G3) winner Last Empire. (12:01)
Lot 1093: "I love these quick sons of Dubawi," said Kate Sigsworth when explaining the selection of Space Blues for the Simon Chappell-owned mare Jameerah, the dam of one winner from one runner.
The choice of sire was well-received by the market today, this colt making 62,000gns to a successful bid from GHS Bloodstock.
"After Space Blues won the Breeders' Cup I thought he 'd be to expensive, but Darley were very fair with his price," continued Sigsworth of West Moor Stud and in charge of leading up this colt, adding: "This colt has just been so good since he got here, he has handled it all so well."
Sigsworth has been turning her hand to many different facets of this industry this week – as deputy chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), she was on the panel for this week's TBA Foal Forum and said: "We were delighted with the attendance and is definitely something we would like to do more." (11:50)
Lot 1074: Havana Grey's form continues, this colt consigned by Josh Cameron's Daymark Stud makes 60,000gns.
Bought by Church Farm / Horse Park Stud, the colt is the second foal out of You've Charmed Me (Charm Spirit) a half-sister to the Group 2 and Listed-placed Sound Of Guns, dam of the Hungerford Stakes (G2) winner Jumbly.
The mare was purchased by the Charm Syndicate for just 800gns at the Tattersalls February Sale in 2021. (11:20)
Lot 1070: consigned by Barton Stud, and bred by Musaad Alsalem, this colt by Kameko sells for 32,000gns.
Out of the Listed-winning Harbour Watch mare Miss Sugars, also a winner at two, the colt is a half-brother to King Of Gosford (Zoustar), a winner as a two-year-old since the catalogue was published.
Second dam Three Sugars won as a juvenile, while the third dam Hoh Dear won four races as a two-year-old, including the Natalma Stakes (G3), the Empress Stakes (L), and was a runner-up in the Cheveley Park Stakes ( G2). (10:56)
Lot 1052: from the first crop of Mohaather, this colt makes 16,000gns bought by John Ryan from Whitwell Bloodstock.
He is out of the Equiano mare Tarando, who won three races and is a half-sister to Hoyam (Royal Applause), winner of the Roses Stakes (L) and runner-up in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2). She was bought here by Chris O'Dowd at the December Mares Sale in 2021 for 4,000gns. (10:48)
Day 3
Day 3 statistics: (+/- compared to last year)
Catalogued: 276
Offered: 216
Sold: 187
Total: 17,943,000gns (-11%)
Median: 62,000gns (-9%)
Average: 95,952gns (-13%)
% Sold: 87%
Leading sires (by agg): 1. Havana Grey, 2. Kingman, 3. Pinatubo
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Kingman, 2, Wootton Bassett, 3. Starspangledbanner
Leading purchasers (by agg, accum): 1. Godolphin, 2. Yeomanstown Stud, 3. Camas Park Stud
Leading consignors (by agg, accum): 1. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 2. Norelands Stud., 3. Barton Stud
Today's top five prices
Lot 869: St Mark's Basilica (FR) / Talent (GB) Ch.F. (GB) >> Ashbrittle Stud >> Jill Lamb Bloodstock / Newsells Park Stud >> 575,000gns **
Lot 961: Starspangledbanner (AUS) / Mosa Mine (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Maywood Stud >> M V Magnier >> 450,000gns
Lot 903: Wootton Bassett (GB) / Poet's Vanity (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Langton Stud >> Juddmonte Farms >> 425,000gns
Lot 942: New Bay (GB) / Hayyona (GB) B.C. (IRE) >> West Blagdon Stud >> Stroud Coleman Bloodstock >> 375,000gns
Lot 909: Kingman (GB) / Arcamist (GB) Gr.C. (GB) >> Whitsbury Manor Stud >> A C Elliott, Agent / Amo Racing >> 360,000gns
** Most expensive foal sold in Europe / North America this year (20:11)
Lot 985: Sumbe spent 2,520,000gns on four yearlings at October Book 1 Yearling Sale, and the French stud farm invests a further 300,000gns in this son of Wootton Bassett.
The colt is out of the unraced Galileo mare Roses Are Red, a half-sister to Ivawood, winner of the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and placed in the 2,000 Guineas (G1) , the Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) and the Middle Park Stakes (G1).
Third dam is the Group 1 Prix de Opera winner Kinnaird, dam of seven winners, including the Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) winner Berkshire.
The colt was sold by Plantation Stud, who purchased the mare here in utero at the Mare's Sale in 2022 for 255,000gns. She was covered by Kingman this spring. (18:08)
Lot 979: "He was a fairly obvious one," said Frannie Woods of Abbeylands Stud regarding the purchase of the Sea The Stars colt out of the Group 1 fourth-placed Tango (No Nay Never).
"The plan is to come back to Book 1 next year, hopefully he fits the profile and stays in one piece. It is a nice young family and, hopefully, by then the Wootton Bassett will be some addition."
The last named, the first foal out of Tango, was bought by Godolphin for 450,000gns at October Book 1.
Tango was purchased at the December Mares Sale for 300,000gns in 2021 by BBA Ireland. (17:36)
Lot 961: the Starspangledbanner half-brother to this year's dual Group 1-winning juvenile Vandeek sells for 450,000gns, MV Magnier the successful purchaser.
Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud was quickly back at the colt's box with her team and she said: "We bred the dam [Mosa Mine] – we sold her as a yearling and bought her back for very little money.
"I have just had faith in the family for a long time and just felt that something had to come through at some stage. They are just too determined, that will to win and have their heads in front. This colt even has to have his head in front at feed time, the other foals can come second to him all the time; he just has that competitive nature. It is the important thing you need in a racehorse."
Of today's sale and the year she has enjoyed watching Vandeek strut his stuff in Group 1 races, she said: "We kinda thought that was the figure we could get. I wish we could replay it all again – while you are there [in the ring] you are a bit like a rabbit in the headlights, it is a bit overwhelming.
"In fact, the whole year has been a bit overwhelming, there is almost more to worry about now. As much as we are happy about it, you want to get to the next stage, and we had this colt at home and we'd wake up every morning and hope that he is one piece and that we are still going to be able to bring and present him for sale."
Mosa Mine is not in-foal, but Thomas mentioned that a return journey to Whitsbury would not be out of the question.
Buyer MV Magnier said: "He is a lovely horse, and in fairness to Kelly Thomas and everyone they have done a great job with him. He is a half-brother to a very good horse, and I am just glad we can support the likes of the Thomas's and it is a great result for them. He has quality, is a good mover and he looks like he will be a fast early horse, and hopefully he will be." (17:18)
Lot 942: the full-brother to Bay Bridge, a champion older horse, winner of the 2022 running of the Group 1 Champion Stakes, makes 375,000gns, successfully bought by Anthony Stroud for Godolphin.
The colt was from James Wigan's West Blagdon Stud draft, and the consignor said: "I am glad where he has gone. This colt is a little bit similar in some ways to Bay Bridge, this horse is very light footed and a very good mover. He has never been a moment's trouble and is a very straightforward horse. He will be a lovely colt."
Of any thoughts of retaining the foalfor a year to sell as a yearling, he said: "We always sell as foals, we have sold the occasional yearling, but it is disappointing for the team on the stud if they don't sell themselves [when the stock are foals]."
Of Bay Bridge's future plans he said: "He goes to stud, and the deal is being finalised."
Anthony Stroud said: "He is a really attractive horse, and is a full-brother to a good horse. It is a great stud to buy off, they produce such good horses, I am delighted to have bought him." (16:40)
Lot 909: Kia Joorabchian and Alex Eliott were an underbidder on the Wootton Bassett colt from Langton Stud (Lot 903) and the pair got some recompense when successfully buying this Kingman colt out of Arcamist from Whitsbury Manor Stud at 360,000gns.
The colt is a half-brother to the dual Group 1 runner-up Dragon Symbol, now a prospective stallion for Whitsbury, and to the 2022 Havana Grey colt who topped the day 2 foal session last year, and was a subsequent Godolphin purchase for 600,000gns at the October Book 1 Yearling Sale. (15:48)
Lot 891 and Lot 903: Juddmonte buys two top-priced colts in half an hour going to 350,000gns for the Kingman out of Golden Pelican from Hazelwood Bloodstock (Lot 891) , and the 425,000gns for the Wootton Bassett from Langton Stud (Lot 903).
Simon Mockridge Juddmonte Farms' general manager outlined the reasons behind purchase of the pair.
Lot 891: "The Kingman was very well presented, Hazelwood does a terrific job and there always have great turnout whether the are producing foals or yearlings. This foal has size and scope, which is just what we need, and has a great page. The cross is unbelievable [Kingman over Galileo mares] and has produced 15 per cent stakes winners-to-runners and has just made a lot of sense to us. Kingman has had a fantastic year with four Group 1 winners, and is the leading by three-year-old sire by stakes winners.
Lot 903: "We bought the Lope De Vega half-sister here last year and we think she is one of our nicest at home. This is a nice horse, a bit later as a May foal but very well balanced, compact, and a great walker. Wootton Bassett has had a very good year and this made a lot of sense to us. And this foal is out of a very good mare."
Michael Wates, consignor of the Wootton Bassett foal, said: "He is a very nice colt, a lot of people liked him and we got good money for him – Juddmonte is not a bad place for him to go! It is rewarding, people work very hard all year and sometimes it doesn't work, this year it has. My son runs the stud, he does a good job, he has got great staff and all being well we are going to stick at it and go one for more.
"Poet's Vanity we bought as a yearling and raced her and I have always been in love with her. She is going to Blue Point next season and hopefully onwards and upwards." (15:22)
Lot 869: the St Mark's Basilica filly out of the Oaks (G1) winner Talent sells for 575,000gns, bought by Jill Lamb Bloodstock / Newsells Park Stud.
The half-sister to Ambition, winner of the Prix Corrida (G1) and second and fourth in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet, is the seventh foal out of the New Approach mare.
"She is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous, I fell in love with her as soon as a I saw her," said Lamb after purchase. "She is very athletic and has a wonderful page. She has been bought to race and to come back to Newsells Park Stud. She has two half-sisters by Dubawi and she ticked all the boxes for us. We are delighted to get her. I watched everyone going in for her, and thought 'Oh my gosh!'"
Of the young sire, Lamb added: "St Mark's Basilica is the unknown quantity, but she is the nicest I have seen by him."
Georgina Whales, Ashbrittle's stud manager, admitted she had a mix of emotion seeing the filly go, but there is still plenty of this top class family at home with exciting mating plans.
"We have Ambition back on the farm, she had a Frankel foal this year and is in-foal to Palace Pier and Talent is in-foal to New Bay," reported Whales.
"This filly speaks for herself and he has been so well behaved here. She has bene really busy and had ten vets and it was just this morning she had got tired but she still marched around the sales ring. Jill came to see her several times."
Whales has been at Ashbrittle for some time and in fact broke-in Talent herself. When asked if there are any family characteristics, she laughed: "The family tend to keep themselves out of trouble – Talent and Prowess when you feed them in the field they know they are queens and will walk away from everyone else and insist on being fed alone. This filly was out in the field with Ambition's Frankel foal and the pair of them did exactly the same!
"And the whole family are just complete foodies." (14:13)
Lot 855: You Look So Good, the dam of this year's Prix de Pomone (G2) winner and Prix Vermeille (G1) runner-up Melo Melo, has enjoyed a fine year on and off the track for Stringston Stud – her yearling colt by Wootton Bassett sold to BBA Ireland for 260,000gns at the October Book 2 Sale, and this foal by Too Darn Hot has made 245,000gns.
"This year has been exceptional for her, we are very pleased," said Nick Pocock of the Somerset-based farm, recalling: "We bred You Look So Good ourselves – we bought her dam Divine Grace many years ago [December Mares Sale 2002, 6,000gns]. We then sold You Look So Good for 125,000gns as a yearling to Roger Varian and then bought her back after she had raced for 18,000gns. She does produce a lovely horse, and it has been brilliant to watch Too Darn Hot's progress this year. She is not in-foal."
Aside from Melo Melo she is also dam of Treasuring, who won the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes and the Curragh Stakes (G3).
Buyer Nick Bell of Haras de Meautry said: "He is a very nice horse, there is a lot to like about him, a beautiful walker, the mare has produced two very good horses andToo Darn Hot looks as though he is going to make it. This colt will go to France to the stud and then into training with Andre Fabre." (13:52)
Lot 831: Apedroc Stud, a reasonably new name on the list of consignors, gets its first six-figure sum in the Tattersalls sales ring when the filly by Zarak sells for 160,000gns.
The farm in Sussex, which is in "Winnie the Pooh country" and near Ashdown Forest, is owned by Neil Goldie-Scot and Clare Salmon who founded it following their wedding in 2015. The couple's entry into racehorse breeding was usually achieved via the Magnolia Cup.
"We worked in the City, and we got into this because I did the Magnolia Cup three times. Gary Moore trained me and I said to him to buy me a horse who could win the race, and he bought us a lovely sprinter called Secret Missile and then we just got hooked," said Salmon.
"We have four mares at present, one of which was the 'training' mare. We are very hands on now," said Goldie Scot, who has retired, while Salmon is a non-exec director
"It is our fourth year trading, but this is the first time we have ever had anything like her to sell," reported Goldie Scot, Salmon adding: "We bought the mare in France and we had seen her Sottsass foal before her in the ring and he sold for €105,000, and she is such a lovely kind mare with a beautiful looking mare. We did not go to France looking to buy, but our eyes met! We did not anticipate anything like this and that is why I can't stop crying! I started crying about 85,000gns."
"She was prepped at Carisbrooke Stud and they have don a great job, and she has had nearly 200 viewings and ten vettings here," said the couple, adding: "This very special because we chose the mare ourselves and backed our judgement."
Unfortunately, Salmon won't be doing too much celebrating tonight – she is nursing three broken ribs sustained while out hunting with the local bloodhound pack.
And if you are wondering about the name Apedroc Stud... if means "on the big rock" in Anglo-Saxon – the house dating from before the Norman Conquest and Edward the Confessor's wife Queen Edith, who was described by scribes of the time as a "considerable beauty", lived in the house. (13:22)
Lot 815: the first to 150,000gns is a son of Kodiac from Oak Lodge & Springfield House Stud, bought by Chasemore Farm.
The farm's team of the resident Chasemore vet Pat Sells and stud manager Jack Conway, recently shortlisted for the Godolphin Stud Employee Awards, were in the sale ring and in charge of bidding duties.
"You will see him again back here next year. He is an exceptional physical, and Kodiac has 238 two-year-olds and Paddy Twomey has the Mehmas entered in the Irish Guineas [the unraced Lucky Silks], and is apparently a very nice young horse," said Sells. "It is a lot of money, but we and try and stack the odds in our favour with potential upsides ."
The farm's pinhooking purchases also depends on the broodmare band at Chasemore.
"It depends how many colts we have out of good mares, quite rightly we like to hold on to the good fillies but if we two consecutive years where our good mares have fillies, we like to bolster the draft with nice colts where we can," explained Sells.
Conroy will be busy on Monday – not only is it the first day of the Tattersalls December Mares' Sale, but he also has his interview for the Godolphin award. (12:00)
Lot 785: Havana Grey has been the sire of this year's summer racing and autumn sales season, and the trend continues with XF Thoroughbreds spending 95,000gns on the Byerley Stud-consigned colt out of Bubbly.
She is an Excelebration half-sister to the Listed winner Marlinka, dam of Marsha, the champion older European sprinter of 2017, winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) and the Prix de l'Abbaye (G1), and to Judicial winner of the Coral Charhe Sprint (G3) and the Chipchase Stakes (G3).
It is the further family of Soviet Song, the champion older European mare of 2004 and 2005 and five-time Group 1 winner.
Marsha, of course, sold for a European record price of 6,000,000gns at the December Mares Sale in 2017. (11:07)
Lot 765: stock by Lope Y Fernandez has been well received this week, and this colt out of Spain Blues makes 78,000gns, the young stallion's highest price in the sale ring so far.
The January-born foal is a half-brother to Spain Burg, winner of the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes, and he was sold by Glebe Farm Stables to Kelly Equine, the busiest buyer here so far this week with 11 purchases to this point.
Glebe Farm really appreciates the stallion's stock – earlier this week it turned from consignor to purchaser and spent 45,000gns on the Whitsbury Manor Stud-offered colt out Persaria (Lot 517). (10:38)
The 2023 honours for the Bloodstock Agent of the Year has gone to Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock.
In a well-attended award ceremony held in the Tattersalls sale ring, Bromley, who was standing in his usual bidding spot on the rail, was awarded the title and a choice bottle by Geoffrey Howson, the Hon. President of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents.
Bromley has enjoyed a fine season on the track this year and his purchases include the winners of 10 Group/Grade 1 races under both codes in England, Ireland and France.
These include the triple Grade 1 winner El Fabiolo, winner of the English and Irish Arkle Chases, and Impaire Et Passe, winner at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals and the top-rated novice hurdler of last season.
On the Flat, his buys have included the Group 1 and 2 winner Trueshan, Bradsell, winner of Royal Ascot's King's Stand Stakes (G1), and Relief Rally, who took the Lowther Stakes (G2) and the valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint.
"I first met Antony through David Minton and the late Peter Calver – a good judge of horses and men. I can recall Peter telling me that ‘Brains’ as he called Anthony, would go far in the industry. Anthony’s knowledge of English, Irish and French jumping form is phenomenal," says Howson.
"I have always been impressed by Anthony’s management of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned horses and his dealings with the media regarding their runners."
Anthony said: “I am thrilled to receive this award and it is particularly rewarding to be given something by your peers. Whilst it has indeed been a great year on the track for some of my buys, I have to thank my numerous amazing owners who continue to keep the faith by giving me the chances and of course to the trainers and jockeys who are so consistently top class. I am only the agent and would be nothing without those good teams supporting me.”
This autumn, he has purchased 84 yearlings for various different trainers, owners and at differing price points.
Bromley recalled how he started out in the industry.
"I came to work for 'Minty' when I was 19 as the tea boy, and it sort of started from there really. I did not become an agent overnight, it took years and years and years. I was under his wing forever and still am really. I am still the boy!"
"Keep pestering people to try and shadow them and get your face out there, a door might open, it is not easy and I appreciate that. Just get with as good people as you can. When becoming an agent, you don't necessarily plan it to bon , it sort of comes along, it is when people start to allow you to spend their money. You are allowed to buy some slow ones, but you need to find some good ones as well, thankfully the owners have stuck with me through thick and thin, and we have had some thin times too." (09:30)
Day 2
Day 2 statistics: (+/- compared to last year)
Catalogued: 301
Offered: 250
Sold: 202
Total: 8,307,450gns (-12%)
Median: 31,000gns (-3%)
Average: 41,126gns (-3%)
% Sold: 81%
Leading sires (by agg): 1. Havana Grey, 2. Blue Point, 3. Showcasing
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Blue Point, 2. Too Darn Hot, 3. Pinatubo
Leading purchasers (by agg, accum): 1. Kelly Equine, 2. Grangemore Stud, 3. Tally-Ho Stud
Leading consignors (by agg, accum): 1. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 2. Newsells Park Stud Ltd., 3. McCracken Farms
Today's top five prices
Lot 638: Havana Grey (GB) / Stellarta (GB) Gr.C. (GB) >> Whitsbury Manor Stud >> Rumstar Bloodstock >> 250,000gns
Lot 710: Kingman (GB) / Liberty London (GER) B.C. (GB) >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Haras De Meautry >> 200,000gns
Lot 644: Too Darn Hot (GB) / Canonbury (IRE) B.C. (GB) >> New England Stud >> Grangemore Stud >> 185,000gns
Lot 657: Blue Point (IRE) / Glowing Star (IRE) Gr.C. (IRE) >> Hawes Stud, Ireland >> Grangemore Stud >> 170,000gns
Lot 660: Blue Point (IRE) / Roseau City (GB) B.F. (IRE) >> McCracken Farms >> Good Will Bloodstock >> 165,000gns (19:58)
Lot 716: McCracken Farms had enjoyed a good evening's trade with the sale of Lot 660 for 165,000gns (a colt by Blue Point out of Roseau City, who has been bought as a maiden mare for just 4,000gns) and things have just kept swimming along for the County Antrim-based family farm selling this colt by Sioux Nation and out of Thraya Queen (Shamardal) for 155,000gns.
Roseau City was bought at the Tattersalls February Sale in 2018 – amazingly Thraya Queen was purchased at the same sale two years before for even less – the daughter of Shamardal was signed for by Cecil McCracken at 1,700gns!
She was bought out of the Richard Fahey's Musley Bank Stables has had one winner from one runner and three foals of racing age. That winner is Panic Alarm, who won twice at two for Jessica Harrington and has since finished second in the La Jolia Handicap (G3) in the US for trainer John Sadler.
The mare was covered by Space Blues this spring.
Lot 717, a filly by Mehmas and out Nijah (Pivotal), did not give the farm too shabby a result either – she was sold to Kingsfield Stud for 68,000gns. (19:07)

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