By Brian Sheerin
The Havana Grey-vy train is showing no signs of stopping as foals by the sire sensation proved all the rage on the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale on Tuesday where some of the key figures took a hit compared to 12 months ago.
Hazelwood Bloodstock's Adrian O'Brien signed for two colts by Whistsbury Manor Stud's ace sire for just over 100,000gns, including the top lot, a Havana Grey (GB) colt out of Singspiel (Ire) mare Ebrah (GB), already a proven producer of sprinters with Cityman (GB) (Slade Power {Ire}) and Celestial Flight (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}) winning four races respectively.
O'Brien confirmed himself a huge fan of Havana Grey–who supplied four of the top six foals on the day–after signing for lot 450 at 65,000gns.
O'Brien said, “That particular horse is a May foal and I think he has an awful lot of improvement to do. I certainly hope that will be the case. Each year, since even before he [Havana Grey (GB)] has had a runner, I have bought a foal by him and had a bit of luck. I love him, obviously, and he is proving to be an outstanding sire. Athleticism is the key, and, although they come in all shapes in sizes, they run. That's it in a nutshell.”
Asked if he had tried on many foals on Tuesday, O'Brien added, “No, two. I don't know whether that suggests I paid over on both or not. Only because I have a bit of room this year, but depending on how the market plays out over the next couple of days, I will try and buy a couple more–maybe something other than a Havana Grey. Just for variety!”
Hazelwood Bloodstock also signed for lot 404, a Havana Grey colt out of The Castlebridge Consignment, but it wasn't just to shrewdies rowing in behind the stallion at Tattersalls.
Novice breeder and neighbour to Whistsbury's Ed Harper Tina Yarrow, who has just one mare, netted a cool 52,000gns for her colt (lot 375) by the sire to WH Bloodstock.
It was Harper who sourced My Law (GB) (Mayson {GB}) on behalf of Yarrow, clearly overcome with delight with the result of her first offering through the ring.
Yarrow explained, “I'm a neighbour of Ed Harper's and he told me I needed a thoroughbred mare so I asked him to help me find one. He found My Law, who had belonged to Harry Wigan, who's a son of my other close neighbours, James and Anita Wigan.
“Ed always said I'd have to go to Havana Grey, so I said 'okay, I'll do whatever you tell me,' and that's how I bred this colt on a foal share with Ed.”
She added, “I've never been to Tattersalls before but it's been a sensational experience–it's the most wonderful place. I've loved it and the colt has been bought by someone I know, which makes it even better. I always thought he was a nice foal and Selwood Bloodstock have prepared him beautifully. I can't thank them enough.”
Despite a smaller offering [15%] compared to this day 12 months ago, just 135 of the 227 lots offered were sold, equating to a clearance rate of 59%–down 11% on last year's clearance rate of 70%. The aggregate was down 51% to 1,517,450gns, the average fell 32% to 11,240gns and the median dropped 38% to 8,000gns.
😁 A colt by Havana Grey fetches 65,000gns on the first day of the #TattsDecember Foal Sale.
Lot 450 was consigned by Jamie Railton and has been bought by Hazelwood Bloodstock. pic.twitter.com/l8ELc4BE8g
— TDN (@theTDN) November 28, 2023
'Strong' A'Ali Colt Fetches 55k To Coleman
A colt by the blisteringly-quick G2 Norfolk S. winner A'Ali (Ire) paid a handsome compliment to his young sire when selling to bloodstock agent Matt Coleman for €55,000.
Out of G3 Fred Darling S. winner Maureen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the A'Ali colt (lot 421) was consigned by Newsells Park Stud, who also stand the multiple Group-winning speedster.
Coleman said, “He has been bought for a syndicate and he has probably been bought to come back as a yearling and be reoffered. Anthony [Stroud] obviously bought A'Ali with Simon Crisford for Sheikh Duaij. We are keen to support the stallion and we thought this is the best A'Ali here today.”
A'Ali is best remembered for that Norfolk S. triumph at Royal Ascot but he also proved himself a high-class sprinter at three, winning the G2 Sapphire S. at the Curragh. He stands for £5,000.
Coleman continued, “This colt is strong, very athletic and we thought he has plenty of scope for a sprinting horse. Maureen was a top racehorse herself and has produced Whenthedealinsdone (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who was 100-odd rated. I thought he had a great attitude, great outlook, strength and is a very good mover. He looks like a horse who will run.
“I have seen a couple of nice ones by the stallion for tomorrow and he looks to be making a nice shape of a foal. A'Ali is a small horse, but he has got plenty of foals here with plenty of size, I think that is encouraging. “
He added: “The syndicate is made up of some of our clients. I don't know what the plan is from here, but he is likely to appear in a sale somewhere next autumn.”
🤩 55,000gns for a foal from the first crop of A'Ali.
This colt is out of the G3 winner Maureen and was consigned by @newsellspark who stand his sire. He has been bought by Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. pic.twitter.com/qOScPnWSTB
— TDN (@theTDN) November 28, 2023
'He Has A Lot Of Potential' – Nathaniel Colt Catches The Eye
The speedily-bred foals held sway but there was still room for the mile-plus horses to make their money in the ring. Namely, a Nathaniel (Ire) colt out of Chesapeake Shores (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who was sold by Mickley Stud on behalf of breeder Wood Farm Stud to Jamie Railton Sales for 55,000gns.
“He has been bought to come back to Book 2,” Railton said afterwards of lot 454. “He is an awfully good-looking horse. He has a lot of potential and the second dam produced a Derby winner [Frozen Fire (Ire)]. He will go to Ireland from here.”
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