Starspangledbanner filly tops Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

Sale topping Starspangledbanner filly to Anthony Stroud

With one big puff of the cheeks, Mark Flannery experienced a feeling that most consignors could scarcely imagine at Tattersalls on Wednesday when Lot 147, his Starspangledbanner filly, was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for a cool 900,000gns (AU$1.78 million) at one of the trickiest Craven Breeze-Up Sales in recent times.

But at around 8pm at Park Paddocks, talk shifted from the war in the Middle East, the uncertain global political landscape or even worse, what the rest of the breeze-up season might look like in Europe. That was thanks to Flannery.

For the sale of his Starspangledbanner filly to Stroud on behalf of Victorious Forever reminded that, even against a backdrop of uncertainty, this game has the potential to let out the odd crackle of electricity. And God knows the breeze-up fraternity had been searching for such a spark after a trying opening session.

“She did an exceptional breeze and has been a very straightforward filly from the word go,” a beaming Flannery said shortly after shaking hands with Stroud down the back stairs directly opposite the rostrum.

“She belongs to the Gaffneys (Anne and Michael of Churchtown House Stud) who have been huge supporters of ours from the word go. They are the first people who sent us horses and they have been very lucky with the likes of Castle Star, Wannabe Better and Fastnet Mist. When you are getting horses like that from a serious farm, you always have a chance. But this filly has always been exceptional and hopefully she can be lucky for her new connections.”

Flannery added, “This is the best result we have ever had. Definitely. We always knew that she had loads of ability. We just didn't know how she would compare with everyone else's (horses). It gives you a bit of confidence when she goes and does that. It gives you a bit of confidence that you know what you have for the rest of the year. It will be hard to find another one like her.

"Look, there is a huge team – there's my wife Jess, my sister Paula, William O'Hanlon and Pierce Gallagher, who rode them all for me and did an unbelievable job as per usual. It's unbelievable. Things like this don't happen very often. They don't happen to me anyway!”

While Flannery was still pinching himself in disbelief, a typically-cool Stroud confirmed where the sale-topping filly was destined before acknowledging Victorious Forever's keen desire to support the breeze-up sales this season.

The leading agent said, “She did a very good breeze and comes from a very good farm that has had a lot of success. Shaikh Khalid takes a lot of interest in the breeze-ups and has had enormous success with the likes of Vandeek and others – his input is so vital. It is a team effort picking them, but his involvement is huge and he makes up his own mind.”

Stroud added, “I did not think she would make so much, but that is a horse sale for you. You always have to go the extra mile when you see one you really like. It is fantastic that Victorious Forever is here; there is so much going on in the world and it is to be hugely admired that they are participating. It shows how much they love their racing here.”

Tattersalls acknowledge the uncertainty in the market

Similar to Tuesday, where there were 11 horses withdrawn late in the piece, a further 11 horses were scratched on Wednesday, signalling a lack of a broad buying bench for horses outside the very top. That resulted in only 76 horses going through the ring on Wednesday.

All told, the clearance rate fell by 2% to 81% on the 140 horses offered across the two days. The turnover fell by 18% to 15,450,500gns (AU$30.5 million) while the average fell by 13% to 136,730gns (AU$271,000). The median stayed the same at 100,000gns (AU$198,000). However, there was the same number of horses that made 300,000gns (AU$595,000) or more this year compared to last year's record-breaking 11.

Tattersalls Managing Director Matthew Prior commented, “The Craven Breeze-up Sale is the first major European bloodstock sale to take place since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which has created a degree of trepidation and uncertainty amongst bloodstock professionals heading into this week.

“Against this backdrop, we can only be pleased that the sale has returned turnover surpassed only once in its history. We have witnessed strong competition for the best breezers, with a record-equalling eleven lots realising 300,000 guineas or more. Whilst not reaching the heady heights of last year's sale, nevertheless it is pleasing to see a clearance rate in excess of 80%.

"Demand has come from both domestic and international purchasers, including a significant number of buyers from the Middle East, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA, attracted by the consistently high-class results achieved year after year by the sale's graduates.”

He added, “Once again, we must pay tribute to the professionalism of the breeze-up consignors whose horsemanship and dedication form the backbone of the sale and make it an unmissable fixture each year. That said, we acknowledge that the market has been selective, and that the sale has not been easy for all consignors.

“We now look forward to the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-up and Horses in Training Sale and to welcoming buyers to Newmarket on the eve of Guineas weekend.”

Mehmas leads Tally-Ho Stud’s good sale

Tally-Ho Stud was out on its own as the leading vendor with nine horses selling for 1,584,000gns (AU$3.13 million) – and that tally was bolstered by a filly and a colt by the outfit's own superstar Mehmas that sold to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock for a combined 850,000gns (AU$1.7 million).

The Mehmas colt, who commanded 550,000gns (AU$1.09 million), is bred to be smart and looked exactly that in his breeze on Monday. He is out of Exceed Of Excel mare Superiority, who is a sister to Commonwealth Cup winner Campanelle (Kodiac).

Brown commented, “It's all about the breeze and this horse breezed exceptionally well. The more I saw him, the more I liked him, and I think he put on a really cool show out there (the back ring). He looks to have a really good temperament and he is by a top sire who can get you a really early one.

"Like a lot of people buying at this sale, the aim will be to get to Royal Ascot but he's not scopeless – there's more to the colt than just Ascot. The plan will be to give him a short break and then try to get him to Ascot. We've been very lucky with Tally-Ho. It's somewhere that I feel very confident shopping.”

The 300,000gns (AU$595,000) Mehmas filly hailed from the family of Bayside Boy and, not only was she high up on many of the time sheets, but she posted the fastest final furlong and the strongest gallop out to boot.

Mehmas was also the most successful stallion by average and aggregate. Seven lots by the sire, who stands at Tally-Ho for €70,000 (AU$115,000), sold for an average of 266,857gns (AU$530,000) and an aggregate of 1,868,000gns (AU$3.7 million).

Two Australian purchases on day 2

First Light Racing and Tony Gollan teamed up with Blandford Bloodstock and Matt Houldsworth to purchase Lot 179, a Justify colt for 220,000 gns (AU$437,000). His winning dam, Elitiste (Danehill Dancer) is a half-sister to Champion 3YO Filly in Europe in 2018 and four-time Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman). Elitiste is the dam of American stakes winner Junipermarshmallow (Quality Road) and the granddam of German Listed winner D’Ores Et Deja (Zarak).

Henry Dwyer, Nick Bauer and Montana Stewart paid 72,000 gns (AU$143,000) for Lot 150, a filly by Kodiac out of young Scat Daddy mare Beychelles, who had two starts at two.