One-time starter Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 64) brought £150,000 from JS Bloodstock and George Scott Racing to top the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale on Wednesday.
The top 14 lots were all part of the Godolphin draft, with Isle Of Jura one of five to break the six-figure barrier. A full-brother to multiple Australian Group 1 winner Cascadian (GB), as well as a half to GI Summer S. hero Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 3-year-old gelding ran fifth in his only start at Wolverhampton in November. His price marks the most expensive horse-in-training sold at the venue.
Billy Jackson-Stops said of the relative of Classic runner-up Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), “He has been bought for an owner who already has horses with George. He is a big, raw horse with loads of promise. He was green on his first run and he needs some time but he will get that–let's hope he is as good as we want him to be. The mare has been amazing, all her runners have been rated 95+ and she has produced two Group 1 winners.”
Trainer Ian Williams signed for lots 100 and 103, a duo of Dubawi (Ire) geldings in Parlando (GB) and Yantarni (GB), who made £105,000 and £100,000, respectively. The former, out of G3 Sweet Solera S. heroine Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}), has won on turf, and was placed on the all-weather from two runs. Rated 87, he is a full-brother to two stakes winners led by G3 Jebel Ali Mile hero Blown By Wind (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
Bearing more experience, Yantarni is a winner from six runs, with four placed efforts and is rated 89. A full to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Vancouverite (GB), the 4-year-old is also a half-brother to dual Dubaian group winner Khawlah (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), now best known as the dam of G1 Derby victor Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).
Overseeing G2 Dubai Gold Cup entrant Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in Dubai, Williams, who was the sale's leading buyer after signing for an octet, said via What's App, “The eight have all been bought on spec–you can't win if you are not in and the first place you need to win is in the sale ring.
“They are all horses who I think will progress–they are nicely bred, have good form and are horses who can go on this summer in Europe and will then suit the Middle East next winter. I inspected the draft at Godolphin, they have been vetted and my assistant Angus Adams was at Ascot overseeing proceedings.”
Rounding out the top four was lot 105, the Sea The Moon (Ger) gelding Mond (Ger). Jamie Osborne signed the ticket on behalf of Pardus Wealth Stud for £105,000 for the son of Maricel (Ger) (Silvano {Ger}). A winner at Deauville on the all-weather, the 5-year-old gelding ran fifth in both the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange and in the Listed Prix Nureyev last year.
“He has a fair amount of ability and has been bought for Greg and Lauren Bryce, who have horses with me and are keen to collect some horses who could potentially go to some nice meetings in Europe and run internationally,” said Osborne.
“Hopefully, we can get him right and have some fun. We had vettings done in the week; this horse was our number one pick and we are delighted to get him.”
TJ Kent shelled out £100,000 for lot 104, the winner Cosmic Desert (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The first foal out of listed winner Blossomtime (GB) (Shamardal), the bay gelding is from the same clan as Group 1 winner Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is rated 91.
At the close of trade, the gross more than doubled to £1,661,100. The average rose 71% to £17,485, and the median increased 140% to £6,500. The clearance rate also rose by 6% to a sparkling 90% for 95 sold from 106 offered.
Matt Prior, Tattersalls Head of Sales, said, “Our thanks must go to Godolphin for sending such a superb draft of horses to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale. All horses looked in great order and were a credit to the team; we are delighted that owners and trainers responded so well to the opportunity.”
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