Yulong leads Aussie buyers at Tatts July

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

By Brian Sheerin, TDN Europe

Records were broken on day two of the Tattersalls July Sale where a number of well-bred Juddmonte fillies dominated at the top end of the market, headed by Orchid Bouquet (GB) (Kingman {GB}), an unraced sister to Calyx (GB), who at 550,000gns (AU$1.2 million) became the most expensive horse ever sold at this sale.

Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock, who held the position of racing manager at Juddmonte for 17 years from 1982, signed the docket for the record-breaker on behalf of an unnamed client.

He said, “It's just the Juddmonte family – that's the whole attraction. She's (been bought) for a good client who I've bought a lot of Juddmonte families for. This person has been very keen on Juddmonte families and we both agree there.

“She'll stay in Europe. She's a filly who's had sore shins throughout her life. Maybe they'll try her, but the paddock value is what's important. The blood is what's important. Juddmonte families always have a premium. There's so much happening around these families. I know this pedigree going back to the fifth dam, it's just a fabulous family that's very much alive. Some of those families from my time have disappeared completely but this one doesn't give any indication of dying out.”

Turnover climbed a massive 62 per cent to 7,775,000gns (AU$16.9 million) on a day when the average was up 60 per cent to 40,285gns (AU$87,900) and the median by 67 per cent to 20,000gns (AU$43,700). The clearance rate stood at 91 per cent, down just 1 per cent on last year.

Yulong purchase three broodmare prospects

Ace Stud, the European arm of Yulong Investments, spent 645,000gns (AU$1.4 million) on three mares, headed by 375,000gns (AU$817,000) purchase Regal Agenda (GB). The daughter of Pinatubo (Ire) failed to win in five starts for Karl Burke but hails from the family of Dubawi (Ire) and is a half-sister to Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) and Outbox (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

The 645,000gns outlay was completed by Juddmonte duo Aleksandrina (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is a half-sister to classy runners Viadera (GB) and Sacred Bridge (GB), with their other purchase being Group 1 winner Quadrilateral (GB)'s daughter Quadratic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). They were sourced for 140,000gns (AU$305,000) and 130,000gns (AU$283,000) respectively.

Gallery: Ace Stud purchased three mares for 645,000gns (AU$1.4 million) | images courtesy of Tattersalls

“Ace Stud (the rebranded Dullingham Park) is our operation just outside Newmarket – it was purchased back in March and we have two stallions out there in Shaquille and Soldier's Call,” said the operation's Paul Curran. “We're here trying to support the stallions, particularly Shaquille with this purchase. She perfectly suits him and us, as we're looking to get as many quality mares into his next book as we can. He's already got a good level of support from breeders, especially last year.”

Waller and Mulcaster take a punt

Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster spent 90,000 gns (AU$196,000) on 3-year-old gelding Standard Deviation (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who ran second over a mile at his second start recently. He is out of an unraced full sister to Group 3 winner Hazel Lavery (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}).

Middle East buyers strong for tried horses

Highly-rated runners have been selling for a premium at Park Paddocks this week and three-time winner Grand Karat (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), a winner over six furlongs at Windsor when last seen, was snapped up by Billy Jackson-Stops to continue his career abroad for 200,000gns (AU$437,000).

The 4-year-old was trained by Harry Charlton, for whom he has shown his best form over six and seven furlongs. Jackson-Stops was appointed bloodstock agent for Victorious Racing earlier this year and Fawzi Nass, the man behind that Bahraini-based ownership group, commented, “He is going to Bahrain for the International Series. There are six or more races over 6f and they will suit him. I am not sure whose colours he will race in next, but he won't run again in Europe before travelling.”

Gassim Ghazali has rolled up his sleeves this week to lead the buyers' table with five horses sourced for Qatar to the tune of 831,000gns (AU$1.8 million). That spend was headed by the Group 1-placed Green Storm (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), who the trainer landed late in Wednesday's session for 380,000gns (AU$829,000).

Trained by Charlie Johnston, Green Storm finished runner-up in last year's Criterium de Saint-Cloud and was last seen finishing fifth, beaten just four lengths, in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot.

Ghazali said, “He ran in the Derby and was fifth at Royal Ascot in the King Edward VII Stakes. I am very lucky to have been able to buy this horse. He will fit into the programme, travelling to Qatar shortly with a plan to run in the Qatar Derby and then, hopefully, the big races in the region throughout the spring. Buying at the July Sales gives enough time for the horses to acclimatise before the winter season. He could be a horse to run back in Europe – I have done that before and I am keen to do that again.”