Shastye Shines Again At Tattersalls

NEWMARKET, UK–Newsells Park Stud's Shastye (Ire) (Danehill) has been a regular headline-maker at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale since 2013, when her subsequent Group 3 winner Sir Isaac Newton (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) briefly set a record for a European yearling at public auction-which was eclipsed the following day-when bought by MV Magnier for 3.6-million gns. Five years later, Sir Isaac Newton's full-brother (lot 109) flirted with his elder brother's pricetag during the first of three Book 1 sessions on Tuesday, but fell just short, with MV Magnier again the successful bidder at 3.4-million gns.

The day's strong clearance rate of 85% came from the sale of 133 of the 157 yearlings offered—14 more than changed hands at the opening session last year. They accrued turnover of 35,505,000gns,which was up by 5%, with the median of 170,000gns being a 15% drop on the high figure of 200,000gns attained on the first day last year, though that eventually settled at 165,000gns for Book 1 as a whole. The average was 266,955gns, again down slightly, by 5%.

Galileo Supplies Three Millionaires…

The 17-year-old Shastye was a winner at three and four and listed placed, but she has simply outdone herself at stud. Her third foal was the G2 Middleton S. winner and multiple Classic-placed Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who was raced by Newsells in partnership with Qatar Racing before being sold to John Ferguson for $3.5-million at Keeneland November in 2016.

In the interim, Shastye had enjoyed three blockbuster sales on the back of Secret Gesture's racetrack success: MV Magnier had bought Sir Isaac Newton for 3.6-million gns in 2013; Charlie Gordon-Watson had spent 800,000gns on the Street Cry (Ire) filly Secret Soul (GB) in 2015; and David Redvers had bought another filly, Secret Gaze (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), for 1.35-million gns at this sale two years ago. After producing three consecutive fillies, Shastye threw another Galileo colt in 2016, and that one was again scooped up by MV Magnier for 1.3-million gns here last year. That is looking like a solid investment with the colt, now named Japan (GB), the winner of two races since the catalogued was printed, including the G2 Beresford S. on Sept. 30.

“Shastye has been a great producer and Andreas Jacobs is a great breeder,” Magnier said after fending off a handful of persistent bidders including David Redvers, John O'Connor and Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida, the latter being the eventual underbidder. “We have a very high opinion of this horse. He's a lovely horse and we've had luck with the family.”

“It's the right cross and Galileo is absolutely flying. He's an exciting horse and we're very pleased to have got him.”

Shastye has visited Galileo exclusively the past four years and is in foal to him again. She is believed to be carrying a colt.

“Japan just reinvigorated everything this year and I think they [Coolmore] really like him,” said Newsells Park manager Julian Dollar. “He could be anything next year but his Beresford win just got everything going again. This colt isn't as pretty as Sir Isaac Newton but he's bigger and stronger.”

“We're just very lucky to have a mare who has bankrolled the stud year after year. This is great for [yearling manager] Gerry Meehan and his team—they've done a sensational job and no horses on the place look better,” Dollar added. “Shastye is back in foal to Galileo again. That's the easiest mating to do each year—you can't have too much of a good thing.”

The appeal of the colt's page extends far beyond Shastye's produce alone. The mare is a daughter of the champion Italian mare Saganeca (Sagace {Fr}), and therefore a half-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud victor Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}), as well as the dam of G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Sageburg (Ire).

Newsells Park had enjoyed another seven-figure result with a Galileo colt early in the day when lot 41, a colt out of an unraced full-sister to Juddmonte's champion racemare Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) offered on behalf of breeders John and Tanya Gunther, was knocked down at 1.1-million gns. Anthony Stroud signed the ticket while standing alongside Sheikh Mohammed, Simon Crisford, David Loder and John Gosden. Stroud outbid Team Coolmore for the colt.

The Galileo colt's full-brother Make My Day (Ire) holds a Derby entry and was bred by the Gunthers, who bought the dam, Posset (GB), in the same ring back in 2014 for 625,000gns. The Canadian breeders have enjoyed an extraordinary year on the racetrack with graduates from their Kentucky-based Glennwood Farm, led by Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) and including Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G1 St James's Place S. in their own colours.

Julian Dollar said, “He's a lovely horse and it's great when both Coolmore and Sheikh Mohammed are interested. The Gunthers are wonderful breeders, I wish they could give me a few tips.”

Galileo Filly Generates International Interest…

Galileo's appeal as a broodmare sire has become, unsurprisingly, truly international, and he has the likes of G1 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G1 July Cup winner U S Navy Flag (War Front) and top Australian 3-year-old The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), winner of this term's G1 Golden Rose S., to his credit in that realm. Therefore, it likely came as no surprise to those assembled at Park Paddocks yesterday to see a fierce bidding battle between international interests sparked by a Galileo half-sister to G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner and young sire Garswood (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) (lot 28). The January-born filly, who was bred by Lynch Bages, was secured by agent Emmanuel de Seroux on behalf of an undisclosed “international client” for 1.2-million gns after he turned back a sustained challenge from Australian John Camilleri standing alongside agent Hubie de Burgh. Camilleri is best known as the breeder of Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro).

De Seroux said the daughter of the unraced Penchant (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) could be trained in Europe, but no firm plans had been made.

“She's a Galileo filly who is a half-sister to Garswood, she's a beautiful mover and a beautiful type,” de Seroux said.

The filly's second dam is the listed-winning Irresistible (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), who is also the second dam of G2 Summer Mile winner Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Dubawi Finds Favour…

The morning session started in strong fashion when Sheikh Mohammed's team gathered in the wings and the first foal of G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Odeliz (Ire) (Falco {Fr}) (lot 19) was knocked down to Simon Crisford for 600,000gns. The Dubawi (Ire) colt was consigned by Luke Lillingston's Mount Coote Stud for breeders Michael and Reiko Baum.

“He came to us in July and pretty much prepped himself,” said Lillingston. “He was a delight to deal with, I wish they were all that easy.”

Odeliz was a vendor buy-back at 950,000gns when offered during the Tattersalls December Sale in 2015 but was subsequently bought privately by the Baums, who own Man O' War Farm in Lexington.

The colt was one of 13 yearlings bought during the session for a total of 6,855,000gns by leading purchaser Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, along with another Dubawi colt from Meon Valley Stud's dual Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) (lot 113), who was knocked down at 1.1-million gns.

Routinely one of the top vendors during Book 1, Meon Valley was responsible for the co-top lot of 2016, another son of Dubawi out of G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic), who was bought for 2.6-million gns by Sheikh Hamdan.

Also on the list for Anthony Stroud was the first foal of the listed winner Terror (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 157). The son of Galileo was bought for 900,000gns from Peter Stanley of New England Stud, who consigned the colt on behalf of his uncle Christopher Hanbury.

Battle of the Sophomores…

No Nay Never may be leading Kingman (GB) when it comes to racecourse results, but as members of their second crops go through the ring, the Juddmonte stallion just had the edge at Tattersalls on day one.

Leading the way was a spectacular pinhook by Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilminfoyle House Stud, who sold lot 112, a colt out of the Dansili (GB) mare Shemya (Fr), for 1.05-million gns to MV Magnier, having bought him for 135,000gns last December.

“I bought him here from Giles Wates of Langton Stud. He was a lovely foal and he's been very straightforward and the sire has made a great start, which of course really helps. We all get lucky now and again,” said Fitzpatrick, who also sold a No Nay Never filly (lot 67) bought as a foal for 30,000gns to Laurent Benoit of Broadhurst Agency for 130,000gns.

“I'd like to wish their new owners the best of luck with them and also to thank my team home, Pamela and Santos,” he added.

The Aga Khan-bred Shemya, a daughter of the Group 3 winner Shemima (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), won at three in France and was bought the following year for Wates for €160,000 at the Arqana December Sale.

Angus Gold was also in the running for a Kingman yearling on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan and went to 580,000gns for lot 100, a beautifully bred filly from Rory and Tess Mahon's Mountain View Stud. The February-born bay is out of the winning Sea The Stars (Ire) mare Seagull (Ire), whose half-sister Nightime (Ire) holds the distinction of being the first of many Classic winners for Galileo (Ire) and has already bred GI Man O'War S. winner Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock{Aus}) and dual Group 3 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Peter Brant of White Birch Farm was another to take home a Kingman, his colt out of four-time winner Smart Step (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) (lot 121) hailing from the Hascombe & Valiant family of Rebecca Sharp (GB) and being sold by Lofts Hall Stud for 500,000gns. The half-brother to juvenile winner Escamillo (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) was bred by Hugo Lascelles of Lofts Hall in partnership with Ben Sangster.

At the end of the first session, six Kingman yearlings had sold for an average of 510,833gns, making him the third-leading sire of the day on that measure behind only Galileo and Dubawi.

With Ten Sovereigns still in the mix to back up his G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. victory in Saturday's G1 Darley Dewhurst S., his sire No Nay Never continues to have plenty of friends in the sales ring.

Ten Sovereigns's sister, sold by co-breeder Camas Park Stud as lot 103, understandably attracted plenty of attention and she will eventually join her big brother at Ballydoyle having been bought my MV Magnier for 600,000gns with Justin Casse, Reiley McDonald and Stephen Hillen all in the early running for the daughter of Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).

Camas Park Stud was also the vendor of lot 22, bred in partnership with Lynn Lodge Stud, whose dam Opera Fan (FR) (Cape Cross {Ire}) has already clicked with the sire in the production of her first foal, the listed winner No Needs Never (Ire). Her yearling filly was bought by Shawn Dugan for 525,000gns.

Kerri Radcliffe opted for another filly, a sister to the winner and G1 Keeneland Phoenix S.-placed The Irish Rover (Ire), signing for the Glenvale Stud consignee at 650,000gns.

“She's been bought for Sheila Rosenblum and George Bolton, my two lovely new clients, and she will stay here for the time being to be trained for next year,” said Radcliffe of lot 111. “She's a very athletic filly by a red-hot sire and there's a chance she could end up racing in America.”

Shadwell Supporting Muhaarar…

Shadwell's champion sprinter Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) will be one of the most anticipated first-season sires next year when his first 2-year-olds step out, and Sheikh Hamdan pledged further support to his four-time Group 1 winner when going to 925,000gns on Tuesday for his lot 58 from Tally-Ho Stud. While the filly's young sire certainly boasts appeal, she is hugely helped by the fact that she is a half-sister to Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), winner of the G2 Lowther S. and G1 Cheveley Park S. since the catalogue was printed. They are also kin to the Irish and Australian group-winning filly Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}), and the dam, Queenofthefairies (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is a half-sister to another champion sprinter in Dream Ahead (Diktat {GB}).

Fairyland had attracted an identical pricetag at this same sale last year when bought by MV Magnier, and Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold admitted Fairyland had been one of his favourite yearlings of 2017.

“She's a sister to a gorgeous filly who had to have been the nicest yearling I saw last year; a beautiful filly and a Group 1 winner,” he said. “She's out of a very good mare and she's by a horse that of course we really like. It made sense, although I didn't think she'd make quite that.”

Gold said Shadwell has supported Muhaarar with “about 15 mares each year” since he retired to stud.

“We like what we've seen and we have some lovely ones at home at the stud,” he said. “We have 13 yearlings [by Muhaarar] on the stud this year. For us, he's the most exciting horse because, as I said to Sheikh Hamdan when he retired to stud, he's our chance of getting a Green Desert-type. He has looks, he's well-bred, fast, very talented and has a great attitude. I like what I've seen particularly here; there are some very nice yearlings by him.”

Muhaarar ended the session as the day's leading first-crop sire by average, with six sold for an average of 294,167gns off a £30,000 stud fee. Next came Gleneagles, also with six sold for an average of 229,500gns off a €60,000 fee that has subsequently dropped to €40,000. Golden Horn had seven sell for an average of 205,714gns off a £60,000 fee.

Mildmay's Good Day…

Bridget Drew's Mildmay Bloodstock enjoyed a good day at Tattersalls, notably through the 600,000gns sale of a Kodiac (GB) filly (lot 30), bred in partnership with Ian Brown.

“She showed herself off beautifully ever since she arrived and it really helps when they have the temperament that she has,” said Jenny Norris of consignor Norris Bloodstock. “She had lots of vets on her and plenty of interest all through the weekend and it's great to have such a result for Bridget.”

The filly, bought by Alastair Donald, the regular agent for Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's King Power Racing, is the first foal of the Kheleyf mare Perfect Blessings (Ire), who raced for Ian Brown and the late John Drew, winning a fillies' maiden at three and gaining black-type when placed in the Listed Cammidge Trophy back at the same course.

The following lot through the ring (lot 31), the Pivotal (GB) half-brother to Drew's G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. winner Perfect Tribute (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), was bought by Robin O'Ryan and Richard Fahey for 110,000gns.

Drew's trio of Book 1 yearlings was completed by a Bated Breath (GB) half-sister to the dual winner and Chesham S. runner-up Nate The Great (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) (lot 160), who sold to Rabbah Bloodstock for 140,000gns. The family has been particularly active this season, with the filly's dam's half-brother James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) winning the G3 Greenham S. and being narrowly beaten in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, while Uni (GB) (More Than Ready), a half-sister to grandam Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}) won the GIII Noble Damsel S. at Saratoga for Chad Brown.