Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls
Group 1-winning trainers Chris Waller and Annabel Neasham both made a purchase on the second day of Book 2 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Waller, in partnership with Newmarket-based trainer James Ferguson, paid 120,000gns (AU$241,000) for a Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt. Consigned as Lot 812 by Highclere Stud, the colt is from the winning Dynaformer (USA) mare Wadaa (USA), making him a half-brother to the stakes performer Wedding Dance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The colt’s grandam, Cloud Castle (GB) (In The Wings {GB}), scored in Group 3 company and she has produced no less than 11 winners, including the stakes winners Queen’s Best (GB) (King’s Best {USA}), Reverie Solitaire (Ire) (Nashwan {USA}) and Urban Castle (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}).
Lot 812 - Night Of Thunder (Ire) x Wadaa (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
In Book 1 of the sale, Waller and Ferguson went to 200,000gns (AU$403,000) for Lot 107, a Kingman (GB) colt from the Ballyinch Stud draft.
Neasham, meanwhile, teamed with Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), going to 55,000gns (AU$110,400) for a colt by Almanzor (Fr). Offered as Lot 1075 by Ballygallon Stud, he is out of the winning Teofilo (Ire) mare Find It Within (Ire). The colt is closely related to the Listed victress Walk In Marrakesh (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).
Lot 1075 - Almanzor (Fr) x Find It Within (Ire) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Champion Thoroughbreds pick up Almanzor colt
Sydney-based syndicator Champion Thoroughbreds landed a blow on Day 2 of Book 2, with Brian Grassick Bloodstock signing for Lot 876 - a colt by Almanzor from the two-time winner Angel Vision (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) - on its behalf.
The Cheveley Park Stud-consigned colt realised 75,000gns (AU$151,000) and is a half-brother to the Group 2 scorer Berkshire Shadow (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The colt’s second dam is the multiple elite-level victress Islington (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), while G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire) is in the pedigree.
Lot 876 - Almanzor (Fr) x Angel Vision (Ire) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“He’s a leggy, staying type by a quality sire that we are hoping will be a Cups horse in time,” said Jason Abrahams, owner of Champion Thoroughbreds.
“The half-brother is now in Australia, Berkshire Shadow, after being purchased by Australian Bloodstock.
“His pedigree represents a cross that I love - Sadler’s Wells with Nureyev, close relations that work like magic together.
“He’s (Lot 876) a leggy, staying type by a quality sire that we are hoping will be a Cups horse in time.” - Jason Abrahams
“And the underbidder of this colt was the trainer of Almanzor, so that gave us some extra confidence!”
Havana Grey colt on top on Day 2
The top-seller on Tuesday was Lot 1020 - a colt by Havana Grey (GB) from the winning Swiss Spirit (GB) mare Dotted Swiss (Ire). A brother to Kelvin Burke’s Group 3 winner Elite Status (GB), he was consigned by Kilminfoyle House Stud and made 425,000gns (AU$853,000), with Stroud Coleman Bloodstock buying.
“Havana Grey has done terrifically-well. This is a very well-balanced horse who moved particularly well,” Stroud said.
“Havana Grey is a very exciting young stallion and, from what he has had, he’s done very well. He’s doing a great job. This colt is for His Highness Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamad Al Khalifa) and is going to Simon Crisford.”
“Havana Grey has done terrifically-well. This is a very well-balanced horse (Lot 1020) who moved particularly well.” - Anthony Stroud
Day 2 of Book 2 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw 205 lots sold, with gross sales of 18,075,000gns (AU$36.28 million) and an average of 88,171gns (AU$177,000).
