Angel shines during inaugural Tattersalls Sceptre Session

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

Impressive numbers recorded

A packed ring witnessed the sale of 22 of the 25 Sceptre mares and fillies for a combined 8,270,000gns (AU$14,825,500) on a day when the figures overall showed a significant uplift on last year's prices.

This is of course a trend that has been evident throughout the major sales at Park Paddocks throughout the year, and follows on from a record-breaking foal sale, and a new high for annual turnover already recorded even before the tills have stopped ringing from four days of mare trade.

The overall aggregate, bolstered by that bumper first Sceptre Session, rose 45 per cent to 22,090,500gns (AU$39,601,300) and the average rising a further 52 per cent to 99,957gns (AU$179,200). The median was up 38 per cent to 55,000gns (AU$98,600) while the clearance rate was 82 per cent.

Angel on high

Archangel Gabriel (USA) (Arch {USA}), the dam of G3 Pride S. winner Ville De Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), took the top spot for the day as Stephen Smith's Hunscote Stud bought out partner Chris Humber at 800,000gns (AU$1,434,100).

The 9-year-old mare, consigned on their behalf by Norris Bloodstock, is in foal to the Coolmore newcomer and shuttler St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and already has two winners to her name plus two youngsters by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) yet to race for her.

Unraced herself, she is a sister to the Grade 1 winner Prince Arch (USA) and a half-sister to G1 National S. winner Kingsfort (USA) (War Chant {USA}). Her daughter Ville De Grace, who also won the Listed John Musker S., was narrowly beaten by subsequent Group 1 winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) when second in the G2 Dahlia S. She sells on Tuesday as lot L893.

Hunscote Stud manager Andy Lloyd said of Archangel Gabriel, “Every one of her foals has made six figures plus. They've been correct and she is a delight to deal with. These outcross mares come along very rarely and we are very happy to take her home. So she'll come back to Hunscote and then we'll see. I didn't think it was right that we made any mating plans until we knew, and sadly we can't go back to Le Havre.”

“Ville De Grace is a sensational horse in her own right. We also own her with Chris and we look forward to her going round tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Sir Evelyn de Rothschild remembered

The breeding empire of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, who died earlier this month, played a significantly poignant role in the first Sceptre Session, when three members of the same family from the partial dispersal of the stock of Southcourt Stud sold for a collective 1,655,000gns (AU$2,967,000).

In quick succession a daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Crystal Cavern (USA) (Be My Guest {USA}) passed through the ring, all representing the family which has become synonymous with the late owner-breeder and includes the former joint top-rated horse in the world, Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Gallery: Some of New England Stud's Secptre Session mares, images courtesy of Tattersalls

Leading the way on price was the 10-year-old Dubawi (Ire) mare Crystal Zvezda (GB), a half-sister to Crystal Ocean and out of the Listed Radley S. winner Crystal Star (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Already proving her worth as the dam of promising 3-year-old Crystal Caprice (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), she was bought by Eugene Daly of Longview Stud for 775,000gns (AU$1,389,300). Crystal Zvezda's Sea The Moon (Ger) colt foal sold for 210,000gns (AU$376,500) last week, while Crystal Caprice is set to sell on Tuesday.

Immediately prior to the sale of Crystal Zvezda, her dam's half-sister Waila (GB) was knocked down for 550,000gns (AU$986,000) to Adrian Nicoll. The 12-year-old mare by Sir Evelyn's homebred stallion Notnowcato (GB) won the Listed Aphrodite S at Newmarket and was sold in foal to Pinatubo (Ire).

Nicoll said, “I think I bought her cheaply in this market. She is a lovely mare and is definitely one of the picks of the day. Her Sea The Stars foal made 400,000gns (AU$717,100) last week, the 2-year-old Infinite Cosmos is supposed to be very good, she's a lovely looking mare, and she's a stakes winner. She is going to Ireland and has been bought for a partnership.”

Completing the trio was the Listed-placed winner Crystal Hope (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), whose dam Crystal Etoile (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is another half-sister to Crystal Ocean. Sold in foal to Sea The Stars, the 7-year-old was bought by Luke Lillingston for 330,000gns (AU$591,600).

Sir Evelyn's longtime friend Peter Stanley of New England Stud, who consigned the foals and breeding stock for Southcourt Stud, said, “They are lovely mares from Southcourt. I am so sad that these lovely ladies leave us, they are gorgeous mares, each one is a queen. It is not often that you see such a beautiful group of mares together, each one athletic, every one with depth and substance and bone, just gorgeous.

“I think the testament was the four foals who sold so well last week, they showed the type of horses that they are breeding. You can't complain about the prices, but it is terribly sad that it is not to be any longer.”

Ottoman Fleet's dam to Newsells

Innevera (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), the dam of this season's dual Listed winner Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), will join the Newsells Park Stud broodmare band after being bought for 750,000gns (AU$1,344,500) by Jill Lamb on behalf of the stud's owner Graham Smith-Bernal.

The 8-year-old mare's first three foals have all sold for six-figure sums, with Ottoman Fleet, who has also been Group-placed, leading the way when bought by Godolphin for 425,000gns (AU$761,900) at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale.

Innevera, herself a dual winner in France and a half-sister to the Group 1-winning miler Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) and offered in foal to the Aga Khan Studs resident Zarak (Fr), was sold by Fittocks Stud.

Lamb said, “We're really pleased to get her as we were targeting her. She ticks every box; she's a lovely individual, she's bred a stakes winner with her first foal, who's very highly rated, and I loved her Le Havre (Ire) yearling, she's a beauty and I think she's going to Ralph Beckett so she's in safe hands.”

Seisai set for stateside move

Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), one of the smartest runners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have been associated with in their short but successful ownership venture on the level, has danced her last dance in Europe after being snapped up Charlie Gordon Watson and Lane's End Farm in America.

Seisai was bought for just £78,000 (AU$139,800) by Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Munir and Souede at the Orby Sale when it was held at Doncaster in 2020.

She has proved herself a rock-solid filly for Joseph O'Brien, highlighted by her Listed success at Tipperary as a juvenile and a narrow runner-up effort in a Group 2 at the Curragh as a 3-year-old this term.

The sale represents another big payday for the high-profile owners, best known for owning top-notch National Hunt horses, who also sold Hamaki (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) for 260,000gns (AU$466,100) to Wathnan Racing at the horses in training sale here in October.

Bromley said, “She has been a grand filly for the owners and I am pleased that Mr Farish has bought her to go breeding, although there is the option for her to continue on racing in America. She is going to go to one of his good stallions at Lane's End which is very exciting.”

He added, “We bought her at the Goffs Orby Sale when it was held at Doncaster. She has made 300,000gns (AU$537,800) profit on that price so it's a great result. We're thrilled.”

Bromley went on to reveal that Munir and Souede doubled down on the forays on the Flat by buying more yearlings than ever before this autumn but insisted the pair remain committed to National Hunt racing over the Flat.

Pennine Hills (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who began her career with O'Brien before scoring at Listed level and placing in a Group 3 under the care of Jerome Reynier, also played a big part of the Sceptre Session when selling to Alex Elliott for 375,000gns (AU$672,300).

Elliott said, “She has been bought to join Jack Sisterson in Gulfstream. Jack is a long-time friend and old ally of mine so it was nice to be able to buy one for him. He is doing really well in America and has actually just moved to Florida having been based in Kentucky. She looks likely to be a good filly to join his squad given she is a Listed winner. Hopefully she can add some Graded stakes races to her resume in America. Jack picked her out and I am delighted to get her.”

BBA Team support Lucky again

There was plenty of action from Yuesheng Zhang and Michael Donohoe at the Goffs November Sale and the Yulong Investments team returned to the fray on Monday, again in support of their dual-hemisphere stallion Lucky Vega (Ire).

The regally bred Violante (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), a half-sister to Classic winner Anabaa Blue (GB) (Anabaa {USA}) and dam of the G3 Prix Messidor winner Impulsif (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), was added to the list at 330,000gns (AU$591,600) from the draft of Godolphin.

Ulster Blackwater (Ire), the young, winning daughter of Camelot (GB) in foal for the first time to Siyouni (Fr), was later added to the team during the Sceptre Session, with Donohoe paying 470,000gns (AU$842,600) for the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly.

Speaking about Violante, Donohoe said, “It is a great family and there are not many young Kingmambo mares left.”

He added on the daughter of Urban Sea's (USA) half-sister Allez Les Trois (USA) (Riverman {USA}), whose own branch of the illustrious family includes Group 1 winners Tamayuz (GB), Santiago (Ire) and Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), “I believe the Kingman (yearling colt) and the Frankel (colt foal) out of her are nice and she should physically suit Lucky Vega; we think the nick of Mr Prospector will work on Lucky Vega.”

Bidding online, Donohoe went on to secure Divine Herald (GB), an unraced daughter of Frankel (GB) and G3 Dahlia S. winner Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in foal to No Nay Never (USA), for 380,000gns (AU$681,200) from the draft of John Troy. He also successfully recruited Juddmonte's well-bred Star Snap (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) for 300,000gns (AU$537,800). Also unraced, she is out of Hot Snap (GB), a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to the outstanding Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from the packed black-type family of G1 Epsom Oaks winner Reams Of Verse (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) and dual Group 1 winner and sire Elmaamul (USA). The 4-year-old mare is in foal to Bated Breath (GB).

Gallery: Some of the mares purchased by Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong and Michael Donohoe, images courtesy of Tattersalls

Ballylinch's Royal approval

The first batch of mares to be offered by The Royal Studs attracted plenty of interest with John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud signing for the 170,000gns (AU$304,800) Fiery Sunset (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who has already produced a black-type performer in Evening Sun (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

The page could shine brighter this time next year as her 2-year-old winner Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) is reported to be held in good regard by Sir Michael Stoute and holds a Derby entry.

Ballylinch also paid 190,000gns (AU$340,600) for Royal Applause (GB) mare Royal Ffanci (GB), who has produced two black-type horses by Cityscape (GB), Dan's Dream (GB) and Caernarfon (GB), from Furnace Mill Stud.

Speedy mares bought to support State Of Rest

Two speedy mares were purchased in support of Rathbarry Stud and Newgate Farm’s new stallion, the four-time Group 1 winner State Of Rest (Ire), whose fee has been set at €25,000 (AU$38,700) for his debut season at stud in Ireland.

Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock signed for both mares, headlined by the classy juvenile Maria Branwell (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}) for 180,000gns (AU$322,700) from The Castlebridge Consignment.

Gallery: Mares purchased to visit State Of Rest (Ire) in the new year, images courtesy of Tattersalls

Maria Barnwell won twice for David O'Meara this season, including at Listed level at Sandown, before placing third in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot in June.

She, along with the speedy Country Carnival (Ire) (Mayson {GB}), will visit State Of Rest in the new year.

American buyer Reid makes a splash

There was a real international feel to Tattersalls on Monday and American buyer David Reid got some business done early when securing Magical Fire (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) and Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) to visit No Nay Never.

Speaking after buying Magical Fire for 200,000gns (AU$358,500) under PE Equine Management from Baroda Stud, Reid said, “We're over here looking for mares to cross with No Nay Never. We're trying to find something under the marketplace because we think it's going to get hotter before it gets colder, for sure.”

Asked if Magical Fire being in foal to Sea The Moon (Ger) was a draw, he replied, “More so that she fit the profile to go to No Nay Never. But it didn't hurt to be in foal to that sire.”

He added, “There is everyone here from all around the globe and I think the marketplace is going to be very healthy from what I can see. Hopefully we can land a few more but it's going to be a challenging week. There are a lot of beautiful horses so we will see what happens. I anticipate that the sale will be very good and I like what they did with the mares' section (Sceptre Sessions).”