Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Bustler wins Railway

Beaten 0.5l by superstar filly Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) on this day last year in the G2 WA Guineas, Bustler (Playing God) stamped his authority as a star of Western Australian racing, saluting in the G1 Railway S.

Providing Neville Parnham with an incredible three of the five features on the program, the talented gelding found a gap and let down superbly to give Parnham his first ever Railway, just about the only race to elude him in his illustrious training career.

Towing race favourite Alsephina (Star Turn) into the race, it was a burst of acceleration approaching the 200-metre mark that won the race, leaving his rivals behind and giving Steven Parnham a moment to savour. Alsephina lost no admirers, encountering traffic issues as Marocchino (Maschino) attempted to contain the speed, before letting down to give chase to the eventual winner.

Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) continued his strong form with a third-placed finish, while defending champion Trix Of The Trade (Trade Fair {GB}) elevated off previous performances to claim fourth.

There wasn’t much joy for the visiting party, with Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}), Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) and Roots (Press Statement) unable to have an impact on the end result.

Playing God is now a two-time Group 1-producing stallion, having also seen top-level success with Kay Cee in the 2019 G1 Kingston Town Classic (now Northerly S.). In perfect synergy, Playing God, as well as his two Group 1 winners, have all been trained by Neville Parnham. Bustler’s dam, Cosmah Domination (Oratorio) was narrowly denied a feature double herself, with A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot {USA}) narrowly denied in the WA Guineas less than 35 minutes prior.

Zip, Good and Smirk fight out Guineas

Zipaway (Playing God) executed a perfect plan for trainer Neville Parnham, outlasting A Lot Of Good Men and Super Smink (Super One) in a riveting finish to the G2 WA Guineas.

Positioned nicely by Neville’s oldest son, Steven Parnham, the smart gelding was there to be beaten in the concluding strides. In emotional post-race scenes, a teary Steven Parnham embraced his family, elated to deliver a perfect familial result.

As well as being the master behind the success of Playing God on the track, the Parnham patriach also trained the dam Boutique (Discorsi) when she was in work, a mare that he kept handy for her breeding value.

The end result is Zipaway, a horse that has progressed exponentially from breaking his maiden at Belmont Park in September to claiming the most prestigious middle-distance race for the 3-year-old crop of the day.

Veteran jockey Paul Harvey got close aboard A Lot Of Good Men, a late dive unable to distract Steven Parnham from a celebratory gesture as he crossed the line. Star filly Super Smink was a game third, beaten on her merits but never giving up the fight.

Post-race, the G1 Northerly S. in a fortnight was floated as a possible option, a race that he would carry just 52 kilograms in. The favourite on race morning, Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom) was a withdrawal, with co-trainer Grant Williams concerned over how his talented filly would handle the warm weather.

No galavanting around in the Carbine Club

Consistent gelding Let’s Galahvant (Galah) achieved a career-best performance at Ascot on Saturday, turning the tables on Magnificent Andy (Magnus) in a thrilling finish to the Listed Carbine Club of WA S.

Positioned ideally behind a genuine speed, jockey Chris Parnham extracted his mount at the perfect time, and he responded to the challenge, sticking his head down at the perfect time to claim glory.

In an extreme case of sibling rivalry, Brad Parnham was the jockey trying to spoil the party aboard Magnificent Andy, the Listed Hannans H. winner who attempted to uphold the finishing order of that race, where he denied Let’s Galahvant successive wins in the Kalgoorlie feature.

The returning Vast Art (Flying Artie) was a strong closer in third, signaling his intention for a campaign that may afford him a shot at the G1 Northerly S. in two weeks' time.

Let’s Galahvant is out of So Secret mare Secret Crush, who has an unblemished record as a producer, with four foals to race all recording wins. He is the sole stakes winner for his stallion Galah, and cost only $10,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale out of the draft of Rangeview Stud.

Jack strikes in The Gong

In the concluding breaths of a spring that has not completely gone to plan for Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) reminded the racing community how good he is, scoring a statement victory in The Gong at Kembla Grange.

Ridden confidently by Jason Collett, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding enjoyed a nice passage into the home straight, and when confronted with the task at hand, responded with a sizzling turn of foot. The final margin of 2.3l could have been significantly greater, with Collett quite content to sit and enjoy the victory in the concluding strides.

He is out of Red Delicious (NZ), a daughter of No Excuses Needed (GB), and was bred by Prima Park in New Zealand. Used sparingly (Saturday was start number 15 for the 5-year-old), he has yet to win a black-type race, but did place third in the G1 South Australian Derby as a 3-year-old.

Saturday’s success takes him well past the $1 million in prizemoney, his cheque for winning worth $580,000.

Kris Lees-trained Loch Eagle (Lonhro) took second ahead of Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro), who held down third.

Rosa back with a bang

It didn’t take long for the Tony Gollan-trained Comrade Rosa (Capitalist) to strike the winner's circle. The 5-year-old mare was fourth in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben over 1200 metres. Returning to track and distance in the Listed Eureka Stud Classic on Saturday, ridden by Ryan Maloney, Comrade Rosa was a 1l victress over Better Get Set (Better Than Ready) and her last start-conqueror Extremist (Extreme Choice).

Comrade Rosa hails from an extensive black-type family. Her dam No Looking Back (Redoute’s Choice) won the Listed Carrington S. and was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond S. while her grandam Mirror Mirror (Dehere {USA}) scored the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Listed Gimcrack S.

Comrade Rosa’s other star relations include the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Aloha (Encosta De Lago) and her star daughter the late Libertini (I Am Invincible), who won the G1 Premiere S., the G2 Silver Shadow S. and the G2 Furious S.

Libertini was also placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 William Reid S. her full brother Hawaii Five Oh has shown oodles of ability in his short career to date, winning the G3 Fred Best Classic and the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas and placed in the G1 Stradbroke H.

Comrade Rosa was a $100,000 purchase by Peachester Lodge from the draft of Kitchwin Hills at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Classy Campionessa strikes

A bravehearted ride by Matthew Cameron saw Te Akau Racing’s 6-year-old mare Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) get up in the nick of time to win the G3 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare defeated Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) and Malt Time (Adelaide {Ire}). Campionessa has now won eight races from 1200 to 2500 metres and was placed in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. and the G1 New Zealand S.

She is from the three-time winner Bella Carolina (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who in addition to Campionessa has produced the Listed winner Leedox (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) a fourth finisher in the G1 Diamond S.

Campionessa failed to meet her reserve of NZ$70,000 when offered by Mapperley Stud at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale. Westbury Stud reoffered her at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale where David Ellis paid $60,000.

Her half-brother, an unnamed colt by Per Incanto (USA), was offered by Mapperley Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and was purchased for $320,000 by the Rosemont Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing.

Cover image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Tycoon filly stamps dominance

Cambridge-based horseman Stephen Marsh’s speedy filly Velocious (Written Tycoon) stamped her dominance with an electric victory in the Listed Counties Challenge S. at Pukekohe Park, putting her name in the lights as a leading contender for the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO in the new year.

The daughter of Written Tycoon, ridden by Sam Spratt, beat the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) by 1.5l, while the race favourite Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) finished third 2.3l away.

Velocious' win stamped a fantastic run for Albert Bosma and Patrick Vinaccia’s Go Racing, who raced G1 Champion S. victress Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) to grand success during the spring carnival.

The filly also provided her Champion Sire Written Tycoon with his 57th stakes winner and the second bred on the Snitzel cross for the Yulong sire. Velocious is the second foal from the Snitzel mare Parmalove, a winner of two races, including once as a juvenile; she is the dam of the Listed-placed Penvose Lad (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}).

Velocious is related to the Listed Alinghi S. victress Liesele (Exceed And Excel), who won nine races. The filly was bred and offered by Inglewood Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, where Go Racing purchased her for NZ$190,000.

Tassort’s terrific start

Racing fans arguably never got to see the best of the Godolphin-bred and -raced Tassort on the track. The son of Brazen Beau was limited to just two starts, winning once by 5l in the Golden Gift and placing in the G2 Silver Slipper S. before he was retired.

Tassort’s X-factor, alongside his blue-blooded pedigree, appealed greatly to Herny Field's Newgate Farm. He is a son of the outstanding producer Essaouira (Exceed And Excel) and a half-brother to the Group 1 winners Astern and Alizee (Sepoy), saw Newgate Farm, in partnership with Emirates Park, take a punt on the colt.

Bruce Slade, Newgate’s director of bloodstock, said at the time, “I think it's going to come as a little bit of a shock and a surprise to the market that he is standing under the Newgate banner, but he's a horse we just felt deserved his chance,” Slade said.

“He raced in the Godolphin colours, and I think everyone's first memory of the horse is that he is that X-factor horse who was the early favourite for the Golden Slipper. Everyone was so excited after his debut to see where he'd go and where he'd get to, but unfortunately, due to injury, he was never able to fulfil the potential that he had shown on debut.”

Fast forward to 2023, and the first crop of Tassort has reached the racetrack and is lighting it up. From a foal crop of 99, Tassort has been represented by five runners and three individual winners for four race wins. Among them are the G3 Gimcrack S. victress Manaal and the Clinton Taylor-trained Astapor, who made it two from two on Saturday at Doomben.

The 2-year-old colt was an impressive 4.8l victor on debut at Rockhampton, which urged Taylor to test the colt in ‘the big smoke’ of Brisbane’s Doomben Racecourse. Astapor, ridden by Justin Stanley, was again a dominant 3l winner over Mishani Ego (Kobayashi) and Mishani Eclipse (Sun City).

The colt is the first foal of the dual juvenile winner Black Mink (Lonhro) and was a $38,000 purchase by the Livistona Grazing Company when offered by Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Things would go from exciting to extraordinary later in the day, with speedy gelding Onemoretwomany providing Tassort a double from the two metropolitan 2-year-old races run on Saturday.

Rolling straight to the front under Laqdar Ramoly, the talented galloper gave nothing else a chance when turning for home, extending through his gears strongly to record a 1.8l win.

Out of Hinchinbook mare Hazlebrook, a speedy winner over 800 metres when in training, and already a prolific producer, with Group 2 winner Wollombi (Extreme Choice) on her record.

Purchased for $70,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, he has recouped his purchase price from just two race starts.

Satono denies Berlin in thriller

The well-related Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) was able to get the better of the speedy Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) in the 1100-metre G3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl at Pukekohe Park.

The 4-year-old from the Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley’s Byerley Park stable is one of six stakes winners for the Rich Hill Stud-based Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and claimed his second Group 3 success beating Ben and Ryan Foote-trained Babylon Berlin, while Te Akau Racing’s Group 1 winner Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) finished nicely into third.

“It was a very good win, Sacred Satono tried very hard and stuck his head out at the right time,” co-trainer Cooksley told local media after the success.

“I thought he would be very hard to beat off his work, he’s been working well. Sacred Satono has grown up a lot. We were very happy coming into today (Saturday), he will improve with that run as well.”

The 4-year-old entire is from the six-time winner Belle Joie (NZ) (Mellifont {USA}), who is a half-sister to the Champion galloper King Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).

Belle Joie is also closely related to the dam of The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), a victor of 10 races, including the G1 Canterbury S. and the G1 Queensland Derby winner Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Sacred Satono has won five races, including the G3 New Zealand Bonecrusher S., and was placed in this race last year before taking out the event this year. Bred by Archer Equine Investments, he was offered by Rich Hill Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, where Wallace Thoroughbreds paid NZ$34,000.

Cranbourne Cup goes the way of Charterhouse

The fairytale conclusion to the spring for Declan Bates continued on Saturday, who partnered the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) to take out the Listed Cranbourne Cup.

Afforded a patient ride by Bates, Charterhouse responded when striking clear air, bounding home late to record victory over Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) and Just Folk (Magnus), the latter having gone for home early in the straight.

The 0.2l margin was enough to give Charterhouse his first victory in Australia, having raced in Ireland until 2022. The victory provides Charming Thought (GB) his first Australian winner, as well as his second overall black-type winner. Out of Royal Applause (GB) mare Crocos Rose (GB), herself a three-time winner when in racing, he has been her most successful foal of five to race.

Now having won five of 24 career starts, the 6-year-old gelding had last contested the G1 Toorak H., a race in which he was unable to influence the final result. Dropping from Group 1 company down to Listed level was clearly appreciated, with Bates timing his run perfectly.

Purchased for 130,000gns (AU$261,300) out of the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, the victory gives him a good grounding to continue an upwards trajectory.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace enjoyed a strong conclusion to the card, with progressive 4-year-old Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) winning nicely under Craig Williams, who went one better than his Cranbourne Cup second placing.

Cup Day double for Beau

Darley’s Brazen Beau sired a double on Saturday’s Cranbourne Cup Day. His 5-year-old son Taunting proved much too speedy for Midwest (Zoustar) and Generation (Snitzel) in the $150,000 Apache Cat Classic.

The South Australian-based Michael Hickmott purchased Taunting for $230,000 under his Michael Hickmott Bloodstock banner from the draft of Flinders Park Stud at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Taunting is the third foal from the Northern Meteor mare Probationary, a winner of three races. Probationary has a 2-year-old unraced colt by Supervise (Russian Revolution), who was purchased for $100,000 by MJ Willams Training and Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA). According to Arion, Probationary was served by Widden Stud’s Jacquinot in September this season.

Earlier on the card the Brazen Beau-sired Pink Beau Ty took out Race 5 over 1000 metres for local trainer Brian McGrath. The progressive 4-year-old entire, ridden by Craig Williams, was tenacious in holding Luna Cat (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) at bay.

Pink Beau Ty is the first foal from the unraced New Approach (Ire) mare Pink Avenue. She has an unnamed filly by Darley’s Blue Point (Ire) and was covered by Swettenham Stud’s Wooded (Ire) last season.

Lloyd claims consecutive wins in The Warra

The meteoric ascendancy of top apprentice Zac Lloyd continued on Saturday, partnering speedster Insurrection (Russian Revolution) to victory in The Warra, the second of the rich races on the Kembla Grange program.

Lloyd, who tasted success in this race last year aboard Athelric (Exceed And Excel), was keen to make best use of his horses early speed, booting through to lead. Accelerating into the corner, he stole an unassailable margin, with a large pack behind chasing in vain.

The win improves Insurrection’s record to six wins from 18 starts, the Michael Freedman-trained gelding benefitting from shrewd placement throughout his career. A victor by 2l on Saturday, it is his biggest win to date, justifying the patient approach taken with him.

He is out of Not A Single Doubt mare Marple Miss, and was purchased by syndicator Darby Racing for $150,000 at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Running into second when the race was over, Quick Tempo (Rubick) was an eye-catcher, approaching the winning post from closer to the outside rail. He got past Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}), who followed the eventual winner into the corner but couldn’t match his turn of speed.

Childs has memorable day at Cranbourne

Group 1-winning jockey Jordan Childs had a day to savour on the confines of the Cranbourne track, securing a treble with a collection of perfectly executed rides.

Things started positively for Childs in the third race of the program, steering Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) to a breakthrough victory, the mare having last won in the G2 Kewney S. at Flemington in March.

Race 6 saw Childs able to navigate another competitor whose quality is betrayed by their winning record, getting Is It Me (Iffraaj {GB}) to the winning post just in time, avoiding a rampaging Bel Air (Written Tycoon) spoiling the party. The win justified a long commute for Warrnambool-based trainer Daniel Bowman, who said in the immediate aftermath, “He’s got stacks of ability, but he’s just so raw and immature, he does so much wrong, like he did at Bendigo.

“He missed the start and Oli (Damien Oliver) just had nowhere to go, but a great positive ride from Jordy (Childs) today, put him in a good spot and got there by a small margin.”

His best ride was arguably saved for last, securing victory aboard Foujita San (Maurice {Jpn}) in ‘The Lester’, the race honouring local identity Deane Lester, who passed away earlier this year. Bursting up the middle part of the Cranbourne straight, Childs took Glentaneous (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Gregolimo (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) on his way to a 0.8l win.

Childs told Racing.com after the win on Foujita San, “Blinkers going on today helped, and the Hawkes team certainly know what they’re doing, it’s great to get another win for them.”

Cover image courtesy of Goffs

Coolmore Stud spent €19,000,000 (AU$33,200,800) and equalled its own record set for the highest price paid at public auction in Ireland 10 years ago for Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) by flexing its buying power to secure half-sisters Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) for €6,000,000 (AU$10,900,600) apiece from the Niarchos draft at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale on Friday.

Fending off bidders from around the world, including Australia, they purchased Alpine Star, the brilliant G1 Coronation S. winner, and multiple Group 1 and Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Alpha Centauri, both of whom carried the Niarchos family's colours with great distinction throughout their glittering careers in for Irish trainer Jessica Harrington.

Their former stablemate Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), winner of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, also featured on Coolmore's shopping list along with That Which Is Not (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) (Lot 1260), the dam of G1 Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}).

Gallery: Some of the high-priced lots purchased by Coolmore (M.V. Magnier), images courtesy of Goffs

It was Albigna (Lot 1212) who broke the million mark on the day but it didn't take long for Alpine Star (Lot 1240) and Alpha Centauri (Lot 1263), who rightly commanded star billing at arguably the most eagerly anticipated Irish sale in recent times, to steal the show.

Bidding from his usual spot to the right of the rostrum and under letter H, M.V. Magnier saw off Northern Farm for Alpha Centauri, with Yulong's Yuesheng Zhang involved in the running for the 2018 Cartier Horse of the Year up to €5,000,000 (AU$8,700,500).

Alpha Centauri was sold in foal to Sea The Stars (Ire) while her half-sister Alpine Star was sold in foal to Frankel (GB) having given birth to a colt foal by the Juddmonte stallion earlier this year. Meanwhile, Alpha Centauri has had one runner to date–the twice placed Saturn (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and had a Circus Maximus (Ire) filly last year.

Coolmore hasn't built itself up to being one of the powerhouse breeding outfits in the world without having a plan and Magnier revealed after signing for Alpine Star that their dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is already being touted for the Kiltinan Castle Stud-drafted Royal Ascot winner.

He explained, “When the time comes, we'll probably send her to Auguste Rodin. When Auguste Rodin won the Derby, I'd say it was 30 seconds later when Dad (John) rang me and said, 'This is the most important thing that has happened to Coolmore since Galileo won the Derby.’”

“That horse has absolutely everything – from Deep Impact to his mother being a champion, his grandmother being a champion, he's a Group 1-winning 2-year-old and he's a dual Derby winner, Breeders' Cup Turf and Irish Champions Stakes winner as well. He's everything we're looking for and, when the time comes after next year, we're going to really get behind him.”

Magnier continued, “She (Alpine Star) was a very good race mare and it's an incredible family. Honestly, all our partners, everyone, we're just delighted to be able to buy these mares off Maria (Niarchos).

“She has been a huge supporter of ours as long as I am alive – like, she is the Godmother to my brother. It just means a lot to us to be able to give back to Maria after all the support she has given us for a very long time.”

Harrington, who managed the careers of Alpine Star, Alpha Centauri and Albigna, the winners of 12 races, six of which were Group 1s and well over €2,000,000 (AU$3,500,200) in prizemoney, was in attendance to see the three queens amass €15,700,00 (AU$27,400,400) in the ring.

As was Alan Cooper, who has been a part of the Niarchos outfit since the early 1980s, and oversaw Friday's draft in the role as racing manager to the world-famous racing family.

He commented, “It's been a great tribute to decades of building these bloodlines. The family would like to thank everybody who has contributed to the success of these families over the decades, from those involved with foaling, right through to training, racing and back to breeding. It's very much mixed emotions, but as we said from the start it's a restructuring.

“That's been accomplished in the sense that the bloodlines are spreading out. We've still got access to all of the bloodlines through our 2- and 3-year-old fillies, yearlings and foals. Even though we've separated from these great race mares, we still have the blood.”

Just how highly sought after these bloodlines are among some of the biggest breeding operations the world over was evident by the truly international turnout at Goffs on Friday. Juddmonte underbid Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), consigned by Baroda Stud, earlier in the session where the Japanese-based Northern Farm once again played a strong hand for much of the bidding war.

Magnier commented on €3,700,000 (AU$6,500,200) purchase Albigna, “She is a lovely mare. The whole Niarchos family, they have been very special friends of ours for a long time. We're just very happy that we can continue the relationship.”

Albigna has already produced a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt which realised €460,000 (AU$765,400) as a yearling and had a Dubawi (Ire) filly foal this year. Along with that Group 1 triumph in 2019, Albigna landed the G2 Airlie Stud S. as a 2-year-old in a brilliant nine-race career.

Magnier added, “These kinds of mares don't come on the market very often and, with this mare, we are lucky that we have very good partners who will support us to try and buy these mares. St Mark's Basilica has had some very good foals and, if she has a good colt by him, it would make it easy to go back.”

Talking Points

It's been a good week all round for Goffs, with the foal sale exceeding expectations, and the trade on Friday was strong again with 53 mares making six-figures or more. Of the 53, there were five who rocked into millionaire status.

The Niarchos draft, split between Baroda Stud, Norelands and Kiltinan Castle Stud, did not disappoint and accounted for roughly €27,000,000 (AU$44,925,300) of the turnover on the day.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Goffs

In a normal year, the Aga Khan draft would be front and centre at this sale, not least the €410,000 (AU$716,300) Jill Lamb spent on behalf of Childwickbury Stud for Siyouni (Fr) mare Suwayra (Ire). A winner at two for trainer Dermot Weld, Suwayra (Lot 1194) was sold in foal to Sea The Moon (Ger), and will form part of Paul and Sally Flatt's burgeoning broodmare band at Childwickbury Stud in England.

It was interesting that the Aga Khan supported the Niarchos draft to the tune of €1,375,000 (AU$2,400,300). Signing under Gilltown Stud, the Aga Khan bought Galileo (Ire) mares Malicieuse (Ire) (Lot 1262) (who is in foal to Wootton Bassett) for €775,000 (AU$1,300,900) and Raja Ampat (Ire) (Lot 1259) (in foal to Baaeed {GB}) for €450,000 (AU$786,200) as well as La Fiamma (USA) (War Front {USA}) (Lot 1181) for €150,000 (AU$262,100).

Kildare-based trainer Takashi Kodama might be best known in this part of the world for his handling of talented stayer Pop Rock (Jpn) (Helissio {Fr}) over a decade ago but he also lands one with a major order at the big mares sales every now and again. Kodama paid €625,000 (AU$1,100,900) for Dubawi mare Forever Be (Ire) (Lot 1184) in foal to Wootton Bassett on behalf of the Japanese-based Champions Farm from the Niarchos draft.

Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Thoughts Of June (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Lot 1264), who raced in partnership between Moyglare Stud and Coolmore Stud, was bought out by the former for €2,000,000 (AU$3,500,200). The classy filly was sold in foal to No Nay Never (USA).

There was a notable French presence at Kildare Paddocks and Sumbe got in on the action for unexposed mare Provocateuse (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) (Lot 1238) from the Niarchos offering. Sold in foal to Kingman (GB), it wouldn't take Einstein to work out who Provocateuse is being lined up to visit next year, given the French farm signed as Sumbe Belbek.

A sale like Friday's does not come around very often which was illustrated in the figures with a 153 per cent rise in the aggregate to €39,507,500 (AU$65,736,500) The €203,647 (AU$338,800) average was up 166 per cent on last year while the median climbed five per cent to €44,000 (AU$73,200). Of the 240 mares offered on Friday, 194 were sold at a clearance rate of 81 per cent.