Sioux Nation filly sells for €1.1million
On the eve of Zanthos's eagerly-anticipated return in the G1 French 1000 Guineas, the Rockfel Stakes winner's consignor Roderic Kavanagh unleashed another show-stopping Sioux Nation filly at €1.1 million (AU$1.8 million) to Anthony Stroud at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.
Kavanagh turned Zanthos from a €48,000 (AU$78,000) yearling into a €1 million (AU$1.6 million) sensation at this sale 12 months ago and now the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly is as short as 7-1 to taste Classic glory for Victorious Forever at Paris Longchamp on Sunday.
Stroud revealed that the Sioux Nation filly, bred on the same cross as Zanthos, was purchased on behalf of a partnership of four people. Meanwhile, Kavanagh was not shy about drawing parallels between the pair, and went as far as saying that the leading bloodstock agent might have gotten value at €1.1 million (AU$1.8 million).
“We didn't set out to find something like her (Zanthos). We just found a filly that was really nice and bred on the same cross (out of a Pivotal mare). The more you looked at her, the more she resembled her,” Kavanagh said of the filly who made her way to Glending Stables after being purchased for 98,000gns (AU$193,400) at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
“If anything, she's a bigger and stronger model. Whether that means she's as good, I suppose time will tell. We're delighted with the result and, in the grand scheme of things, she was nearly good value,” he added.
“If anything, she's (Lot 82) a bigger and stronger model. Whether that means she's as good, I suppose time will tell. We're delighted with the result and, in the grand scheme of things, she was nearly good value.” - Roderic Kavanagh
“I texted my family straight after the breeze and said I could have cried with pride with how well she did it. She really put it in and the style of it was just class. We were very lucky to get our hands on her and, hopefully, they feel the same way this evening – and in a year's time.”
Roderic Kavanagh | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
The Sioux Nation filly was the only seven-figure lot at a sale that saw four break into that bracket 12 months ago. All told, the clearance rate fell by 6% on a day when the aggregate fell by 14% to €23,572,000 (AU$38,300,000). The median stayed the same at €120,000 (AU$195,100), while the average was down by 6% to €190,097 (AU$309,100).
Meanwhile, Stroud commented on the top lot, “She was purchased on behalf of a partnership of four people. I thought she was very nice – not unlike Zanthos. Came from the same consignor and she he had a lot of muscle definition, moved very well and did a lovely breeze.”
Stroud went on to pay €900,000 (AU$1,460,000) on Yeomanstown Stud's Blue Point colt on behalf of Godolphin. That colt became hugely significant for the mere fact he is the first and only horse the powerful operation bought at the breeze-up sales this year.
Commenting on the market, Stroud said, “I think it's difficult and I said it at the first sale, that the world is in a difficult place. I think it's wonderful that people are coming back here to buy horses but I do feel that we are in a period of correction, hence there are quite a substantial amount of horses who are not making their reserves.”
Asked if he felt added responsibility, given, in his role as one of the few elite buyers in the breeze-up business, he effectively has the capabilities of changing any consignor's fortunes around for what has been a difficult year for so many, he replied.
Anthony Stroud | Image courtesy of Arqana
“Everyone is coming here to do their best. As I have said before, my clients are lucky enough to buy. All of these other people who are coming, they are trying their hardest. Like me, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't. There is a responsibility there but there is also a responsibility to represent your client and that means do best by what is suitable to them.
“It goes without saying that everyone needs a thriving market. If this (the breeze-up season) goes well, the yearling market goes up. It's just one giant circle, really. One wants everyone to prosper but it is very unusual times and maybe other people have got greater priorities.”
Dream result for Longways Stables
Without doubt, the major feel-good story from the entire sale was Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables selling a Blue Point colt for €800,000 (AU$1.3 million) shortly before their Showcasing filly was knocked down for €625,000 (AU$1 million).
Those magical few minutes came off the back of a tough couple of years for the consignors given Sarah's cancer scare and there was a genuine outpouring of emotion for the Longways team after they cleared €1,740,000 (AU$2,820,000) on four lots.
The Blue Point and Showcasing juveniles were both purchased by Blandford Bloodstock agent Richard Brown and went some way to justifying Sarah's decision to leave her son Danny's confirmation early on Tuesday in order to make it to Deauville for the build-up to the sale.
Sarah said, “Our son Danny had his first confirmation on Tuesday but they were taking too long so I left him with my uncle in the church and dashed to the airport to catch my flight! Our two boys, Danny and Daire, are watching the sale online and got a massive kick out of it. But it's such a stressful game at times.”
Murphy added, “I lost my Dad just before Christmas. I am an only child and I was very close with him. When I first started working with horses at Coolmore, he was very proud, so he would have gotten some kick out of this. He suffered from Alzheimer's in the latter part of his life and, when Gewan won the Dewhurst, I went into the nursing home to tell him but unfortunately it went straight over his head. It's been a sh*t couple of years but there are people in much worse positions than us. A day like this makes it all worthwhile.”
Brown heaped praise on the Longways team, stating that consignor-power played an important role in him spending €1,425,000 (AU$2.3 million) on the Blue Point and Showcasing juveniles.
“They come from a vendor I have always had a huge amount of respect for. Mick and Sarah do a tremendous job and their horses are always immaculately presented.” - Richard Brown
“They come from a vendor I have always had a huge amount of respect for. Mick and Sarah do a tremendous job and their horses are always immaculately presented. In my opinion, these were two of the better horses in the sale so we're obviously delighted to get them.”
Richard Brown | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Brown added, “This is a great place to come and Arqana does a very good job in looking after everybody. I think the sale took a while to get going but it seems to be rolling now.
“The standard of horses on offer was exceptional. But it's not plain sailing. We know that but I feel, in the last hour or so, it has really picked up across the board. I haven't had a chance to sit down and study it in detail but, let's hope for everybody's sake, it will be better than it has been so far this year.”
Eustace has Hong Kong Derby dream for Oscar Performance colt
Leading Hong Kong-based trainer David Eustace took the advice of bloodstock agents Billy Jackson-Stops and Will Douglas by making the maiden voyage to Arqana to take advantage of the cooling 2-year-old market.
Along with the agents, Eustace identified an Oscar Performance colt from Willie Browne's Mocklershill outfit for €700,000 (AU$1.1 million).
The trainer said, “We came here to try and find a horse who might win a Hong Kong Derby and he was the one who really stuck out for us. It's not an easy brief to fill but I thought he was worth it. This sale produces amazing results year after year.”
Asked why he made the trip to Deauville, Eustace replied, “We were told the market might not be great! Sadly, it isn't appearing to be the case. Billy Jackson-Stops and Will Douglas do a lot of my bloodstock work and they felt he might be the right horse to try and fill that brief. Everyone wants to win the Derby – it's probably the hardest race to win in Hong Kong – and he looks that style of horse.
“No matter where you are in the world, the breeze-up sales produce good horses and this sale is no different. I am very pleased with the quality that was on offer” - David Eustace
“No matter where you are in the world, the breeze-up sales produce good horses and this sale is no different. I am very pleased with the quality that was on offer – very impressed – and hopefully we have landed on the right one.”
David Eustace | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Browne enjoyed a strong sale on the whole, selling 13 horses for a combined €2,741,000 million (AU$4,458,000).
He commented, “Reading the results, it looks a bit mixed but we have sold a few horses for good money. Listen, I'm happy. I don't know what the general feeling is but I can only judge it by how I did and I'm happy.”
Donohoe goes big on Kingman colt
BBA Ireland agent Mick Donohoe insisted that trade was good for the nicer horses at Arqana on Saturday after he went to €850,000 (AU$1.39 million) to secure Grove Stud's Kingman colt out of the Group 3-placed Ship Of Dreams. Donohoe's client, who remained anonymous, could benefit from an update later this month with the full brother, Go Just Do It, on course to run in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
“Beautiful horse by a fantastic sire and his full brother (Go Just Do It) looks quite an exciting horse for Joseph O'Brien. He was impressive in winning his maiden last month and probably has a big chance in the Irish 2000 Guineas. This horse came with a big reputation from Brendan Holland, who is a great guy to buy from.” Donohoe said.
“Beautiful horse by a fantastic sire and his full brother (Go Just Do It) looks quite an exciting horse for Joseph O'Brien.” - Mick Donohoe
“It's hard to get a Kingman to look like this and there's plenty of Lope De Vega (the damsire) about him as well. We haven't any plans set in stone – we'll take a breath and make a plan in a couple of weeks.”
Asked about the market, he added, “I think trade has been good and vendors were probably a little bit optimistic coming into this sale. Trade has picked up as the day has gone on and vendors seem to be more realistic. For a nice horse, trade has been pretty solid.”
De Burgh lands well-bred Dubawi filly for Bernick
Owner Craig Bernick has a potentially classy Dubawi filly to look forward to after Hubie de Burgh went to €600,000 (AU$975,800) to secure Lot 71 from Katie Walsh.
De Burgh has had luck with the sire in the past, notably through Audubon Park, who he says shows similarities with his new purchase.
The agent said, “I bought her for Craig Bernick, for whom I had already bought Audubon Park a few years ago, and she looks very much like her. Her pedigree is magnificent; she comes from a great Wertheimer family. These are rare profiles, not usually easy to find. She will need some time and will be entrusted to Francis-Henri Graffard.”
No more sleepless nights for Power after Constitution colt brings €540,000
The sleepless nights over the winter were worth it for Shane Power of Tradewinds Stud after his Constitution colt, who at US$210,000 (AU$290,000) became the outfit's most expensive ever purchase at the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland, rocked into €540,000 (AU$880,200) to Najd Stud.
“I slept an awful lot better after the breeze,” Power joked. “This horse has really grown ever since he arrived into our yard last year. I wouldn't say that I never had a moment of doubt, but he has always shown us plenty so it was just a matter of getting here in one piece.
“This horse (Lot 39) has really grown ever since he arrived into our yard last year. I wouldn't say that I never had a moment of doubt, but he has always shown us plenty so it was just a matter of getting here in one piece.” - Shane Power
“He's a very reliable horse and I am delighted to get a good return in what is a difficult market. Unfortunately, the market is a reflection of what is going on in the world. There is a lot of uncertainty. Fair play to all of the people who are still stumping up the money to buy these horses. Fair play to the agents, the trainers and the owners, because it means that we are able to make a living out of this job.”
Shane Power | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
He added, “When they try for you, it's eighty per cent of the battle. We've been around enough of them to know that, if they put their head down for you and want it, you'll be okay. Thankfully he did that. He's the most expensive horse that we have ever bought by a long way. Coming over here, we thought we'd do well but he still had to turn up on the day and come through all of the vettings. It's just a big relief, to be honest. We'll have to go again. It's very exciting to have a horse like him who appealed to so many people. By a top-class stallion and out of a good mare – on another day, it could have gone crazy altogether. But, in this market, we are very happy with the result.”
