Ballylinch Stars As Book 2 Closes With Record Returns

NEWMARKET, UK–With almost 100 lots still to sell, the turnover for Book 2 had already surpassed the tally set in 2021 and, just as witnessed last week at Tattersalls, this second catalogue of four for the October Yearling Sale, bettered all markers of a year ago.

There was a broader spread of buyers, but Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, whose principal Anthony Stroud had been so busy on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation during Book 1, was again active throughout, with the agency ending Book 2 as the leading buyer with 23 bought for 5,625,000gns.

Tally-Ho Stud dominated the consignors' list all week, and the farm's flagship stallion Kodiac (GB) was paid several compliments by leading owner-breeders keen to buy his daughters, notably Cheveley Park Stud and Watership Down Stud, who spent 320,000gns and 150,000gns on a filly each.

In his closing statement, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony  referred to “Three extraordinary record-breaking days at Book 1”, which was neatly followed by more records tumbling at Book 2 for the second year running. The average of 96,020gns was up by 14%, while the median also climbed, by 13% to 70,000gns. At the final fall of hammer after three days and another 732 yearlings through the ring at Park Paddocks and a clearance rate of 86%, Book 2 had pulled in 60,780,500 (+11%) to add to the 126,671,000gns accrued from Book 1 yearlings.

“The word most commonly used to describe the trade we have experienced throughout this week has been 'unrelenting',” Mahony said. “There have been records established in pretty well every conceivable category. Turnover, average and median have all reached unprecedented levels and yet again Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has been the second-highest grossing yearling sale in Europe, second only to Book 1. The number of yearlings selling for 200,000gns or more is a wide margin record as is the number selling for 300,000gns or more, and never before have seven yearlings at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale broken the 500,000-guinea mark.”

He continued, “Following on from Book 1, buyers from America, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and throughout the Gulf region have all continued to make significant contributions over the past three days. European buyers have also been conspicuous at all levels of the market while the domestic British and Irish demand continues to be the bedrock of Europe's largest yearling sale which annually showcases so many of the best commercial yearlings to be found and consistently produces top class horses like this year's outstanding unbeaten Derby winner Desert Crown.”

The Stroud And Ballylinch Show

Anthony Stroud signed for two members of a strong Ballylinch Stud draft, for two different owners. Lot 1303, a Lope De Vega (Ire) filly out of a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to the classy dual Group 1 winner Chriselliam (Ire), went the way of Godolphin for 650,000gns, but Stroud had to see off a determined attempt from the Coolmore camp.

“I knew she'd sell well but I did not expect that,” said John O'Connor, manager of Ballylinch Stud, which bred the filly. “But when you get a clash between two very interested buyers, these things can happen. There were lots of people on her, too. This is a family we have been associated with a long time. I originally bought [third dam] Ingabelle from Tom Lacy, Tony Lacy's father, and we have bred most of the black-type horses on this page.”

Along with Chriselliam, the filly's dam Gallitea (Ire) is a half-sister to the G2 Cape Verdi S winner Very Special (Ire), herself by Lope De Vega. The further family also includes Ingabelle's champion 2-year-old daughter Priory Belle (Ire) (Priolo) and her half-sister, the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Eva's Request (Ire) (Soviet Star).

Lope De Vega was not the only one of the Ballylinch stallions to feature prominently on Wednesday. With Night Of Thunder (Ire) having been hugely popular through Books 1 and 2 at Tattersalls, it was the turn of another son of Dubawi (Ire), New Bay (GB), to shine in the closing session when Anthony Stroud went to 425,000gns for lot 1264, the half-brother to G3 Concorde S. winner Statement (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Peter Harris, the former successful breeder and trainer at his Pendley Farm in Hertfordshire, has meant business with his purchases this week, and this colt out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Fact Or Folklore (Ire) is another to be joining Jane Chapple-Hyam's Newmarket stable, where Harris already has a number of horses in training. The trainer will be delighted with the latest recruit as she had great success with the offspring of his sire of late, including with the dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (GB) and Group 3 winner Claymore (Fr), both of whom won at Royal Ascot this year.

“The trainers really like the New Bays,” said O'Connor. “And with the kind of mares he is covering now he has the opportunity to step to a higher level again. Every horse has to take that opportunity, but we believe he can. The major players are still here and they are still anxious to buy nice horses. There were plenty of bids coming for him from all over the sale ring.”

New Bay had nine yearlings sell in Book 2 for an average price of 141,333gns.

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This filly is by Lope De Vega and was consigned by @BallylinchStud. She is from the family of Chriselliam and was bought by @StroudColeman. pic.twitter.com/xi86NLgzSp

— TDN (@theTDN) October 12, 2022

Knight Starstruck for Ballyvolane Colt

A strong sale for Starspangledbanner (Aus) included a colt from John Foley's Ballyvolane Stud out of the Dandy Man (Ire) mare Great Dame (Ire), who brought the hammer down at 600,000gns and was signed for by Richard Brown. Lot 1321 was bred by The Great Dame Partnership and is the first foal of the half-sister to the G2 Goldene Peitsche winner Donnerschlag (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and to listed winner Izzy Bizu (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). The mare has a Churchill (Ire) filly foal on the ground and was covered this year by Ardad (Ire).

Richard Knight, active through Book 1 but quiet so far this week, signed for the colt and said, “He was the only one we picked out in this sale, thought he was a lovely individual. I like the fact that the mare was a useful 2-year-old herself and he looks like he will be sharp. We felt he will be a great addition to the horses we have already bought and he shouldn't take a huge amount of time.”

Now five, Great Dame, won at two over the minimum trip for the Nick Bradley Racing syndicate and was bought three years ago at the December Sale by Barry Lynch for 28,000gns.

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This colt by Starsoangledbanner @coolmorestud was consigned by @BallyvolaneStud and bought by @rkba_com. pic.twitter.com/zpNAc2nTyW

— TDN (@theTDN) October 12, 2022

The Nays Have It

A horse that can do it on both sides of the world, No Nay Never had a good day on Wednesday, siring the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Madame Pommery (Aus) at Caulfield in Melbourne and featuring among the leaders during the final day of Book 2 yearlings at Tattersalls.

His popularity this sales season is no surprise given the season No Nay Never has had, which includes Group 1 victories from Blackbeard (Ire), Little Big Bear (Ire) and the tough filly Alcohol Free (Ire), who extended her tally of top-level wins to three at ages two, three and four.

His colt consigned by John Cullinan and Roger Marley of Church Farm & Horse Park Stud as lot 1113 was an expensive foal-turned-even more expensive yearling when the duo's initial investment of 110,000gns last December grew to 360,000gns.

Reporting an “up-and-down week”, Cullinan said of the son of Bright Sapphire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), “The whole way through the year, I always thought he was our banker.”

His confidence was justified when MV Magnier agreed with him and snapped up the half-brother to the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).

Charlie Gordon-Watson was another to plump for No Nay Never, buying lot 1180, Baroda Stud's son of the G3 Park Express S. winner Czabo (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), for 325,000gns following an earlier purchase from Manister House Stud of lot 1155, for Al Shaqab Racing, at 220,000gns. The latter, out of the useful dual winner Conniption (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), was bred by Frank Hutchinson.

No Nay Never's average for Book 2 weighed in at 162,357gns for 14 sold.

Shadwell Invests

As we count down to the swansong of Baaeed (GB) in Saturday's G1 QIPCO British Champion S., it has been encouraging to see his owner Sheikh Hissa present at Park Paddocks on several occasions over the last fortnight, and her Shadwell operation signed for eight yearlings at Book 2, seven of which were fillies.

Heading the list was lot 1190, a Siyouni (Fr) second foal of the listed-placed Dancing Breeze (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who was bought from the Castlebridge Consignment for 350,000gns.

Bred by Merry Fox Stud, which also enjoyed some decent results during Book 1, the filly's dam is a half-sister to G3 Desmond S winner Future Generation (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), who is in turn the dam of G2 Prix de Chaudenay winner Brundtland (Ire).

Havana Field Day

Whitsbury Manor Stud can not only bask in the glory of having bred the G1 Dewhurst S winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), but the Hampshire farm is also being well represented by its freshman sire Havana Grey (GB) this season.

The former sprinter has sired 36 winners for far this season, including the one-two in Friday's G3 Cornwallis S. courtesy of Rumstar (GB) and Maylandsea (GB), so it was therefore no surprise to see his yearlings closely scrutinised at the sales.

Havana Grey's former trainer Karl Burke landed the most expensive of the group at Book 2, bidding 325,000gns for lot 1226, Kilminfoyle House Stud's Stud's colt out of Dotted Swiss (GB), a three-time winner by the farm's former resident winner Swiss Spirit (GB).

“I saw the colt on Sunday and really liked him straightaway,” Burke said. “He's a strong, powerful horse, very like his sire and came highly recommended. I've had four or five this year by him and this is by far the nicest.”

The transaction secured yet another good result for one the best pinhookers in the business, Michael Fitzpatrick, who bought the colt from his breeder Whitsbury Manor Stud at Park Paddocks last year for 56,000gns,

He said, “I thought he was the best foal here on the Saturday of last year's foal sale. It was big price to give for him as a foal but it has paid off.

Fitzpatrick added, “He looks sharp, and does look a real Royal Ascot 2-year-old. Havana Grey has gone from strength to strength this season, and I'd like to wish Karl Burke all the best with him. Hopefully he can become the next Havana Grey.”

Burke, who buys in partnership with his daughter Kelly, also picked up a colt by another Whitsbury Manor stallion, Showcasing (GB), with whom he has enjoyed great success in the past, notably through the Group 1-winning sprinter Quiet Reflection (GB) and G2 Mill Reef S. winner Toocoolforschool (Ire).

The trainer went to 300,000gns for the colt out of the G3 Musidora S. winner Give And Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) from Nicholas Jones's Coln Valley Stud, the sole offering from the breeder in Book 2.

Whitsbury Manor did have its own good result with Havana Grey, however, when selling lot 1233 for 220,000gns to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. The colt is the first living foal of Dundunah (Sidney's Candy), a winning half-sister to the Grade II-placed Cuvee Uncorked (Cuvee).

Havana Grey, who stood for £6,500 in his second season, recorded a Book 2 average of 150,857gns for seven yearlings sold.

Another 15 yearlings by Havana Grey will be offered in Book 3, which is where the attention now turns for Thursday and Friday during which another 600 or so yearlings will pass through the ring before a short Book 4 session on Saturday morning. It is worth recalling that two of this year's star fillies, Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) were found respectively in these sections of the sale in 2021 and 2020, as Edmond Mahony referenced in his closing address for Book 2.

He said, “The support we receive from so many breeders and consignors from Britain, Ireland and further afield is the key to the enduring popularity of the October Yearling Sales at Tattersalls and is hugely appreciated. There is quality to be found at every level and next up is Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale, which has produced two of this year's top European 2-year-olds; Lezoo, recent winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, and Crypto Force, the impressive winner of the Group 2 Beresford S.”

Book 3 gets underway on Thursday at the slightly earlier time of 9:30 a.m.