By Alan Carasso
There are American pedigrees galore that feature in the 73-strong catalogue for the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale, which takes place Tuesday afternoon in the saddling enclosure at Meydan Racecourse.
With the lowering of COVID-related travel restrictions in 2022, European-based resellers were a noted presence at this country's yearling auctions last summer and fall, and with the increased focus on dirt racing in the Gulf region–not only at the racetracks of the Emirates Racing Association, but also in Saudi Arabia and, to a lesser extent, Qatar–it stands to reason that American-bred offerings would prove appealing.
To follow are a handful of the horses on offer Tuesday. The sale breeze-up was to be held Monday over the all-weather training track a stone's throw from the sprawling Meydan grandstand, but the works are untimed, giving the newly turned juveniles an opportunity to exhibit their wares without fully extending themselves.
A comprehensive sale preview will appear in Tuesday's TDN European edition.
Lot 18, c, Gun Runner–Baby Go Far (Brz), by Elusive Quality
Consigned by Powerstown Stud
Bred by Stud TNT LLC (KY)
A $160,000 purchase out of the Keeneland September Sale, this Mar. 11 foal is out of a Brazilian Group 1-placed daughter of G1SW Linda Rafaela (Brz) (Bin Ajwaad {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Brazilian Oaks heroine Viva Rafaela (Brz) (Know Heights {Ire}) and granddam of French listed winner Babala (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Linda Rafaela's winning daughter Awesome Rafaela (Brz) (Elusive Quality) produced GIII Edgewood S.-winning 'TDN Rising Star' New Year's Eve (Kitten's Joy).
Lot 25, c, Constitution–Caribbean Babe, by Arch
Consigned by Grove Stud
Bred by CHC Inc (KY)
This half-brother to G3 Killavullan S. third Bold Discovery (Bolt d'Oro) is out of a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winner and Grade I-placed Independence Hall–also a son of Constitution–as well as Grade III winner Black Onyx (Rock Hard Ten), SW & GSP Francois (Smarty Jones) and GSP Quality Council (Elusive Quality). Third dam Desert Stormette (Storm Cat) was a sister to GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Desert Stormer and the family also includes Group 1-winning juvenile filly White Moonstone (Dynaformer).
Lot 28, c, Liam's Map–Class Included, by Include
Consigned by Longways Stables
Bred by Buck Pond Farm Inc (KY)
Purchased by Durcan Bloodstock/Longways for $100,000 out of the Keeneland September sale, this chestnut colt is the latest from his dam, whose 11 career stakes victories include the GIII Ballerina S. in Western Canada and additionaal black-type successes at the Fair Grounds, Delta Downs and Emerald Downs. Doug Arnold acquired Class Included for $110,000 in foal to Star Guitar at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale.
Lot 34, c, Bolt d'Oro–Dame Ursula (GB), by Elusive Quality
Consigned by Longways Stables
Bred by Runnymede Farm One & P J Callahan (KY)
A half-brother to the stakes-placed Fairyland (Scat Daddy), the May 1 foal is out of a half-sister to Agnes Digital (Crafty Prospector), nine times a stakes winner in Japan and victorious in the G1 Hong Kong Cup in 2001. The colt, a $155,000 KEESEP purchase by Durcan/Longways, hails from the deeper female family of Blushing Groom (Fr). Bolt d'Oro is the sire of G2 UAE Derby hopeful Mr Raj, a graduate of the inaugural Dubai Breeze-Up Sale.
Lot 39, c, Palace Malice–Fiery Pulpit, by Pulpit
Consigned by The Bloodstock Connection
Bred by Taylor Made Stallions Inc, Pollock Farms & Patrick H Payne, et al (KY)
Lot 39 stands to benefit from Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting, as the $23,000 KEEJAN yearling and $50,000 KEESEP yearling is a half-brother to the progressive GIII Mr. Prospector S. winner Sibelius (Not This Time), one of five American entries for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. The Feb. 15 foal is out of a half-sister to the talented Grade III-winning turf distaffer Clamorosa (Seattle Dancer).
Lot 44, f, More Than Ready–Gone to Town, by Munnings
Consigned by Powerstown Stud
Bred by Nursery Place & Dicken Equine (KY)
John Mayer's Nursery Place gave $240,000 for this half-sister to Canadian stakes winner Sans Souci Island (Chester House)–dam of MGSW River Seven (Johannesburg)–when she was offered in foal to Mendelssohn at Keeneland November in the fall of 2019. The Feb. 18 foal is one of several of Tuesday's offerings purchased as yearlings by bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, who gave $110,000 at KEESEP last fall. Go Soldier Go (Tapiture, $45,000 KEESEP), pinhooked by Schumer to last year's sale (€123,962), won the Listed Al Bastakiya S. Mar. 4 and also goes in Saturday's G2 UAE Derby.
Today's Dubai Breeze Up inspections ended with an address from Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum at the NOFA Quarantine Stables, under a beautiful Meydan sunset. 🌇 #GoffsDubai 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/hG9JEWhs3H
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) March 19, 2023
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