By Brian Sheerin
The “restructuring” of how the Niarchos family's breeding empire will operate means Classic winner Alpha Centauri and Group 1 scorer Alpine Star will go under the hammer at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.
Albigna, Fiesolana, Tapestry and a raft of other top-class mares in foal to stallions such as Frankel, Dubawi, Wootton Bassett, No Nay Never and more will feature among the draft.
The offering will number 44 mares all told and Alan Cooper, the operation's racing manager, was keen to stress that the draft was not a dispersal and that the iconic Niarchos silks that were proudly carried by Miesque, Spinning World, Light Shift, Sulamani and Bago are going nowhere anytime soon.
Speaking exclusively to TDN Europe, he explained, “This is a restructuring process and not a dispersal. The family will have the opportunity to set reserves on the stock as they see fit.”
Cooper added, “The racing stables will continue to be supported by foals, yearlings, two-year-olds and older horses that are already in the system. There will be further offerings at Tattersalls and Arqana in the coming months.”
Three consignors will handle the draft with 18 from Norelands and 13 apiece for Baroda Stud and Kiltinan Castle. The 44 lots feature 10 Group winners.
Announcing the draft, Goffs Group Chief Executive, Henry Beeby said, “The Niarchos Family have proved to be one of the world's preeminent owner-breeders over the last fifty years and have developed a broodmare band that is the envy of the global bloodstock community.
“It is extremely rare for a draft of this quality and depth to be offered at public auction and Goffs are delighted that we have been chosen to handle this superb sale.”
He added, “As was the case when Paul Makin and David Wildenstein appointed us, we will ensure a global audience at Kildare Paddocks for a draft that would have graced any breeding stock catalogue in the world and offers an unprecedented chance to buy into some of the best bloodlines in thoroughbred racing.”
Alpha Centauri will forever be remembered for providing Jessica Harrington with a breakthrough Classic victory when storming home in the 2018 Irish 1,000 Guineas. She went on to land a trio of Group 1 triumphs in the Coronation S. at Royal Ascot, the Falmouth and then the Prix Jacques le Maroi.
Harrington also trained Alpha Centauri's half-sister Alpine Star as well as top-notcher Albigna to other notable successes. Alpine Star won the Coronation S. in 2020 while Albigna ran out a gritty winner of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend in 2019.
The full list of the Niarchos Mares are as follows.
Consigned by Baroda Stud
Albigna (IRE) in foal to St Mark's Basilica
Burning Topic (GER) in foal to Ulysses
Innervisions (IRE) in foal to Saxon Warrior
Kanthaka (JPN) in foal to Arizona
Liquid Amber (USA) in foal to No Nay Never
Mirror in Space (IRE) – Maiden
Mississippi Delta (USA) in foal to Camelot
Night Glow (USA) – Maiden
Night of Light (IRE) in foal to Lope De Vega
Nocturne (GER) in foal to State of Rest
Sea Meets Sky (FR) in foal to Churchill
Tierra Del Fuego (IRE) barren
Valle De La Luna (GB) in foal to State of Rest
Consigned by Kiltinan Castle Stud
Alpine Star (IRE) in foal to Frankel
Diaphora (GER) in foal to New Bay
Foniska (IRE) – Maiden
Heliosphere (USA) in foal to Study Of Man
Light of Joy (USA) in foal to Night Of Thunder
Light of Night (GB) in foal to Saxon Warrior
Lovee Dovee (GB) in foal to Sea The Moon
Martini Glass (USA) in foal to Starspangledbanner
Nature Spirits (FR) in foal to New Bay
Perseids (USA) – Maiden
Phaenomena (IRE) in foal to No Nay Never
Provocateuse (IRE) in foal to Kingman
Spell On You (IRE) in foal to Study of Man
Consigned by Norelands
Alpha Centauri (IRE) in foal to Sea The Stars
Bold As Love (IRE) – Maiden
Cosmic Lady (IRE) – Maiden
Dawn Wall (AUS) in foal to Saxon Warrior
Fiesolana (IRE) in foal to Mehmas
Flutter (IRE) in foal to Wootton Bassett
Forever Be (IRE) in foal to Wootton Bassett
Hand On Heart (IRE) in foal to No Nay Never
Humankind (IRE) – Maiden
La Fiamma (USA) in foal to Mehmas
Malicieuse (IRE) in foal to Wootton Bassett
Only Mine (IRE) in foal to Siyouni
Raja Ampat (IRE) in foal to Baaeed
See (USA) – Maiden
Snakeless (USA) in foal to Circus Maximus
Sunrise Valley (USA) in foal to Study of Man
Tapestry (IRE) in foal to Dubawi
That Which Is Not (USA) in foal to Frankel
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